Indian President stresses on education to girl child

PATNA, March 22: Emphasizing on the need for education and empowerment of women, President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday asked state governments to launch projects to impart education to the girl child.

It was imperative that the women must be educated and empowered to play a crucial role in development and poverty alleviation in the society, she said while inaugurating the legislative council's centenary celebrations in the state legislature in Patna.

The state governments should launch projects to give education to the girl childs in order to empower the women to play a significant role in the development process and poverty alleviation in the society, Patil said.

The President praised the Bihar government for its several initiatives for giving education to the women, including 50 per cent reservation for the fair gender in the recruitment of teachers in the state.

She expressed concern at the prevalence of social vices like dowry, child marriage, girl infanticide and drug addiction in the society and called for concerted steps for eradication of these vices.

Observing that our country was growing rapidly to an extent that it has become the fourth largest world economy, Patil said that pro-development policies be carried on and ensured that the benefits of development did reach out to the last person, including the deprived sections of the society.

The inclusive growth was a key component of the development process and the social services and employment opportunities being generated must reach to all people of the country, besides good education and quality health services, she said.

Referring to the economic growth in Bihar, Patil said that the state government should step up efforts to bring growth in the industrial and agriculture sectors.

She expressed hope that Bihar, which has already been contributing significantly in the national growth, would continue to chip in with other states in its contributions to the development process at the national level.

President hails Bihar's glorious history

President Pratibha Patil today hailed the glorious history of Bihar which is the birth place of several legendary personalities who made pioneering contributions to various walks of life, including science, culture, religion and in the field of governance.

"It was the auspicious land of Bihar where the ancient ruler Chandragupta Maurya laid the foundation of the Maurya dynasty which was said to the golden period the country," she said at the legislative council's centenary celebrations at the state legislature premises in Patna.

He (Maurya) was succeeded by an equally illustrious son Chandragupta-1 who set up the Gupta dynasty in which some of the greats from the world of literature and science like Kalidas, Aryabhatt, Varasmihir, Vishnu Sharma, Vatsayayan and Pushpadutt were born, Patil said.

"The state had several centres of academic excellence like Vikramshila and Nalanda universities during ancient times visited by students and intellectuals from across the world for studies and research," the President said.

She said Bihar was also a land of religions as Maharishi Valmiki composed the epic Ramayana in this state only, while the founder of Jain religion Mahavir was born in Vaishali, while Lord Buddha received enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

The Sikhs and followers of Sufism too have great affection for Bihar as the tenth Sikh Guru Govind Singh was born in Patna and his birth place Patna Sahib was a pilgrimage centre for the followers of Sikh religion from the country and abroad, Patil said.

Even during the modern era, Bihar produced a great freedom fighter in Babu Kunwar Singh who valiantly participated in the first war of Independence against the British colonial rulers in 1857 and subsequently the father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi visited Champaran in 1917 to lead another battle cry against the foreign rule from Patna, Patil said.

Paying a glowing tribute to the state and its people, she quoted Gandhi as saying in 1947 at a prayer that it was Bihar that had given him national identity 30 years ago.

Whole world has rejected WikiLeaks: Congress

NEW DELHI, March 17: With the Opposition gunning for the government over a WikiLeak cable, the Congress counter-attacked the BJP and other parties for disrupting Parliament over the issue.

The cable, sent in July 2008, alleges that the Congress bought MPs to survive a vote of confidence over the government's controversial nuclear deal with the US.

"The whole world has rejected the WikiLeaks reports. Because if a diplomat is writing to his own sovereign government I do not think any government can take responsibility for it," Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said. He demanded an apology from opposition members for their conduct in Parliament.

"You cannot stall the functioning of Parliament for this and you are not letting the minister speak. Opposition particularly BJP should tender an apology to the government for its conduct in the House," Shukla told reporters outside Parliament.

He said, "These are (Wikileaks cables) internal communications between the embassies and their respective governments. These are diplomatic channels. How can other government take responsibility for that?" he asked.

The BJP was not deterred. "The entire government must go lock stock and barrel," said the party's Venkaiah Naidu.

Mumbai High Court upholds death sentence for Kasab

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday confirmed the death penalty to 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab, terming the case as rarest of rare and holding there was "no scope of reform" of the convict. "There is no scope of reform or rehabilitation of the convicted accused. It is a rarest of rare case and the court cannot be more confident than it is today that death penalty must be given," a division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R V More observed, upholding the death sentence to 24-year-old Kasab.

"Aapko saza-e-maut yeh adalat barkarar karti hai. Aap Supreme Court mein appeal zari kar sakte hain (Your death sentence is upheld. You can appeal before the Supreme Court," Justice Desai told a bearded Kasab, clad in a spotless white kurta and sporting a grin, through video conferencing.

The court upheld Kasab's conviction on all charges including multiple murders, conspiracy and waging war against the nation. The confirmation comes nine months after the lone 26/11 terrorist captured alive was ordered to be sent to the gallows by the trial court on May 6, last year.

The court, however, dismissed the Maharashtra government's petition against the acquittal of two Indians Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, accused of aiding the commission of the crime. "We are with the trial court's observation that there is no corroboration of evidence to prove involvement of Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed in the case," the judgement said.

"Kasab has never shown any remorse after his arrest and we have observed that even on video conference he has not shown any signs of regret," Justice Desai said reading out the judgement for the bench.

"Harsh penalty of death is required in some cases, especially this one, and the court would be sending a wrong signal to society if any penalty less than death is given," the court said.

Recalling the sacrifices made by the men in uniform during the attacks, the court said, "Several brave policemen were killed in the attacks and we would be failing in our duty if we did not acknowledge their sacrifice." Kasab, an LeT operative, has been confined to jail since his arrest on November 26, 2008, when he was caught alive at Girgaum Chowpatty in south Mumbai.

Nine others, who had come with Kasab, from Karachi by sea, were gunned down by security forces at terror sites --Hotels Taj Mahal and Oberoi-Trident and Jewish outreach centre Nariman House in South Mumbai, but not before leaving 166 dead and many more injured. During arguments in the High Court, Kasab pleaded that his trial was "unfair" and demanded a fresh trial contending that material evidence was suppressed and norms were not followed to defend him. However, his plea was rejected.

Government Counsel Ujjwal Nikam placed photographs and CCTV footages showing Kasab in terror acts. However, Kasab argued that they had been morphed and his face was not clear. The prosecution also relied on Kasab's confession before a Magistrate accepting his role in 26/11 attack and his guilt plea before trial court admitting the crime.

Budget session very crucial: PM

NEW DELHI, Feb 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is facing opposition onslaught over a series of scams, on Monday said the Budget session of Parliament is "very crucial" and hoped that the proceedings will be peaceful and productive.

"This Budget session of Parliament is very crucial. The budget has to be debated and passed by the two Houses of Parliament," he told reporters at Parliament House.

"We also hope to bring some important pieces of legislation for consideration of Parliament," he said.

Government has been under opposition attack over 2G spectrum allocation, Adarsh housing, CWG and ISRO S-band scams.

The winter session of Parliament was a washout with the opposition insisting on a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the 2G scam.

"It's our sincere hope that this session will be peaceful and productive," Dr. Singh said.

The Prime Minister had on Sunday stated that Government is ready to discuss any issue raised by the opposition.

Kalmadi offers to resign as MP if charges proved against him

NEW DELHI, Feb 20: Pained by reports of his alleged involvement in Commonwealth Games-related scam, former Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi Sunday said he would resign as Member of Parliament in case any proof of him having taken even a single rupee surfaces.

"I can vouch that I have not gained financially even a single rupee out of these games and if proved otherwise I am prepared to step down as a Member of Parliament," Kalmadi said in a statement.

"I am deeply pained and constrained at the malicious campaign going against me regarding Commonwealth Games 2010. The stories going around are far from actual facts," he said in the statement.

Kalmadi, who was sacked as CWG OC head recently after Ajay Maken took over as the Sports Minister, also demanded the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the issues surrounding the Commonwealth Games if the government agrees to form a JPC in the 2G Spectrum controversy.

"Were the government to agree to constitution of a JPC into the 2G Spectrum issue it would only be fair a similar process of Joint Parliamentary Committee should go into the entire range of issues connected with preparations, executions and conduct of the Commonwealth Games. I am confident that this would enable the entire truth to emerge in the public domain," said Kalmadi.

The IOA president, who is an MP from Pune, re-iterated his oft-repeated claim that the OC budget was a very small amount of the total fund sanctioned for the Commonwealth Games.

"The OC budget for conducting the Games was just about 5 per cent of the total budget of CWG. In spite of this, I am the only one who have been singled out and targeted for investigations while the role of all other government agencies including Delhi Government and various other Central Government instrumental agencies connected with the decision making process, who have been associated with 95 per cent of the budget, have been completely overlooked," Kalmadi said.

"The sports fraternity from athletes to officials and international media have lauded the success of the Games and termed it as “the best ever CWG”. Yet, my reputation has been greatly harmed by the continuous allegations of wrong doing with regular media bashing.

"It is a well known fact that even though the games were awarded in 2003, the actual work towards the games started somewhere in 2008, with the paucity of time on one side and reputation of country on the other side, there were pressures to complete and achieve target and deadline of 3rd October 2010. I am thankful to the Hon'ble Prime Minister for his whole hearted support," said Kalmadi.

Kalmadi said all the decisions related to the Commonwealth Games were taken collectively and there were also government nominees overseeing every process.

"I wish to reiterate that there was a well documented system of decision making in the OC and the all the government nominees in the Organising Committee and the Executive Board were part of this decision making on all issues including financials. It is rather strange that they have been totally left out with no responsibility is being attached to them for the decisions taken," he said.

Kalmadi admitted that there were mistakes made on the organisational front of the Commonwealth Games but it was understandable as India was hosting a multi-sporting event for the first time since 1982 Asian Games.

"My only endeavour was to deliver the best games so that we could stake our claim for hosting the Olympics in India. I do admit that there may have been certain mistakes committed in the management as we have not hosted any big event like this after the Asiad 1982 and we lacked the requisite experience and knowhow. But attaching the corruption charge on me is totally unfair.

"The Commonwealth Games 2010, were conducted in India after 28 years. It was the largest international multi-sport event to be staged in Delhi and India, and the world hailed the Games as the best ever hosted since the inception of the Commonwealth Games.

"I am extremely thankful to all my colleagues of all Sports Federations and the State Olympic Associations who have unanimously reposed their full faith and confidence in me in the General Body Meeting of IOA held at Ranchi recently. I as the president of IOA spearheaded the Olympic movement of India along with my colleagues for number of years and the results of which were amply visible in the medal tally of Indian Athletes at the CWG 2010 and Guangzhou Asian Games 2010," Kalmadi said

Wrongdoers will be punished: Manmohan

NEW DELHI, Feb 16: Admitting that “some compromises” have to be made in managing a coalition, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday declared that his government will bring the wrongdoers in scams to book but ruled out quitting from his post.

He asserted that his government was not lame duck nor was he a lame duck Prime Minister and it was a functioning government that would go after scamsters.

On the 2G scam involving former Telecom Minister A. Raja, the Prime Minister said concerns were expressed but he did not press for auction after Ministries of Telecom and Finance agreed to go by the prevailing practice of not auctioning the spectrum which was also supported by expert bodies like TRAI and Telecom Commission.

About re-induction of Mr. Raja despite complaints, he said in a coalition, it was not in his hands about whom to be inducted from a coalition partner. “You cannot suggest your preferences and you have to go by the choice of the leader of the party.

“Raja and Dayanidhi Maran were the choice of the DMK and I had no reason to feel that anything seriously wrong has been done. I did not feel that I had the authority to object to Raja’s entry although complaints were coming from some companies who were not benefitted and some who had not benefitted adequately. I was not in a position to make up my mind about Raja,” he said.

The Prime Minister said “in a coalition, there is a coalition dharma. Obviously, things are not entirely what I would like them to be. I never felt like resigning as I have a job to do.

“The country voted our party to be the leader of the UPA coalition and we have lot of unfinished tasks to be accomplished. I have never felt of giving up halfway. I will stay the course. I never thought of resigning,” he told television editors at an interaction here.

During the 70-minute interaction, the Prime Minister fielded a wide range of questions covering mainly issues of corruption including the ISRO’s deal on S-band spectrum, governance deficit, economy and the Parliament standoff.

Dr. Singh also made it clear that he was not afraid of facing any Parliamentary committee including a JPC on 2G scam.

He said all efforts were being made and talks were on with opposition to ensure smooth budget session of Parliament.

‘Not that big a culprit as being made out to be’

“I don’t say I have never made any mistake. But I am not that big a culprit as being made out to be,” he said in reply to a question whether he would accept personal responsibility as head of the government for whatever has happened in the government.

“I am conscious about personal responsibility. I feel about it. My compulsion is that I have to bear a lot because we cannot have elections every six months. Some compromises have to be made in managing a coalition. A coalition government has to be viewed in a context that no single party has emerged to rule by itself,” he said.

In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister referred to the media expose of various scams including the Commonwealth Games, the ISRO deal, Adarsh Housing affairs but asked the media not to give an image that India was a scam-driven country and nothing good was happening.

He said that such an image would weaken the self-confidence of the people and it would not be in the interest of the country.

“I wish to assure the country as a whole that our government is dead serious about bringing to book all wrongdoers regardless of the position they occupy,” he said.

Biggest regret

To a question what was his biggest regret in UPA-II, Dr. Singh said that “these irregularities have happened. They should not have happened. I am not very happy about these developments“.

He virtually disagreed with the CAG calculations on the loss figure in the 2G scam saying the CAG itself had called it presumptive.

There are various methods of computing the figures, he said and went on to question whether the Rs. 80,000 crore being spent on foodgrain subsidy, Rs. 60,000 crore on fertilisers and subsidy on kerosene could be called as loss.

He was replying to a question whether he agreed with Telecom minister Kapil Sibal’s description of zero loss in the 2G scam.

On governance deficit

To a question on Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s comments on governance deficit, he admitted, “obviously, some events have brought out the weaknesses in governance and processes, I think we need to improve the quality of governance. But that does not divide me and other members of the government.”

He rejected a questioner’s suggestion that his government was facing double-incumbency of attacks from the opposition and within the party.

“I do not get that impression (party not backing him). In a democracy, there are views and discussions and when decisions are taken, our party stands united in support of the government.

“I would like a cohesive party to support the government but I am not saying it is not happening,” he said.

To a specific question whether he would be ready to be projected as Prime Ministerial candidate in the next elections, Dr. Singh said “it is too early. We still have a long way to go. I have to complete this term. It is too premature to speculate who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate.”

He was asked whether he was feeling bad as certain embarrassing things were happening which were not in tune with his nature.

“I have looked upon life as a learning and re-learning process. It has been a great educational experience from civil service to academic world to political world. This process of learning, I relish that”, he replied.

On Cabinet reshuffle

When told that he was an honest Prime Minister surrounded by dishonest administration and a sense of drift was prevailing, he said after the Budget Session, there will be a restructuring and reshuffling of his Cabinet.

“I will get back to the exercise once the Budget Session is over”, he said.

Asked whether the government would agree to the JPC on 2G scam, he said “full efforts are being undertaken to see that some way will be found (to ensure that Parliament functions). I hope it will happen.”

When a questioner asked whether he was ready for a JPC and whether it was not being formed because he was reluctant appear before it, he said “my position is that I am not afraid of appearing before any committee. The PAC is a joint parliamentary committee, presided over a senior member of the opposition.

“I am fully prepared to appear before any committee including a JPC. It is entirely wrong for an impression to go that I was the one blocking it because I am afraid of appearing before it. My conduct as a Prime Minister must be like Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion. I am ready to appear before any committee”, he said.

To a question about any rift within the UPA and whether it would continue together, he said as far as the coalition was concerned, “ours is a strong coalition and our allies are strongly committed to strengthening the alliance. There is no danger that inner tensions might break up this coalition“.

On Antrix-Devas deal

On the controversial deal between Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO and a private firm Devas for allocation of S-band spectrum, Dr. Singh said the deal has not been operationalised and the Cabinet Committee on Security would soon take a decision on terminating it, a decision on which was taken on July two last year.

He also rebutted reports that the PMO was involved in back channel discussions as late as November last year with Devas even as a decision was taken to terminate it.

“I have not talked to anybody... The PMO has not talked to anybody. The German Foreign Minister who had a meeting with me did not raise this issue.”

He said different departments including the Law Ministry have recommended termination of the contract but there were only procedural delays in implementing it.

Asked whether the rash of scams has affected India’s image globally, Dr. Singh said “it is a sort of atmosphere that saps our confidence. Our image is affected. I urge each one of you (media) that while opinions are speculative, facts are sacred. The facts should not be distorted.”

“We owe it to our country that at least in dealing with facts, we should be as objective as possible. One can freely express their opinions. But in our reporting on country’s affairs, we should deal with facts as objectively as possible,” he said.

On corruption, he said a Group of Ministers has been set up under the leadership of Pranab Mukerjee to recommend ways to deal with the menace. It has been given 60 days time to give its report.

On blackmoney stashed abroad, he said “we will take all steps to bring all blackmoney that is legally ours“.

He said efforts are on to sign treaties with other countries to get information about blackmoney abroad.

Asked whether “balm” would be applied in the budget to the common man reeling under inflation, he said it would not be proper to discuss the budget.

To a question on delay in the probe into the Commonwealth games which he had promised to complete within 90 days, the Prime Minister said “we are trying out best. But we will have to do the due process of law“.

“It is very frustrating that it takes time. But this time the culprits will not escape,” he said.

Chiranjeevi merges his PRP with Congress

NEW DELHI, Feb 6: Nearly 30 months after launching his party with much fanfare, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi has announced its merger with Congress, which is trying to counter the possible threat posed by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh.

Emerging after a 15-minute meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Sunday, Chiranjeevi said the decision was taken keeping in mind the "best interests" of the people of Andhra Pradesh as both Congress and PRP fight for social justice.

"We have decided to merge PRP with the Congress. The decision has been taken without any condition. There are no conditions at all," Chiranjeevi told reporters outside Gandhi's residence on Sunday.

AICC general secretary in-charge for Andhra Pradesh M Veerappa Moily said, "Chiranjeevi has merged his party with the Congress. He has now become a member of the Congress family. I am quite happy."

Defence Minister A K Antony, who had met Chiranjeevi in Hyderabad recently and invited him for talks with Gandhi, was also present in the meeting.

Asked whether the move was to counter the threat posed by Jaganmohan, Moily said "We are not against anybody. The move is just to strengthen the Congress. We are not against any personality."

Chiranjeevi insisted that the merger has been agreed upon without any pre-conditions and that he has no "selfish motives".

"I do not expect anything at all. Not at all. I will be what I am today," he said in response to queries on whether he would join the N Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet.

The PRP has 18 MLAs in the 294-member state Assembly. While Congress' strength is 155, Jagan camp claims to have the support of at least 25 MLAs.

New terror groups raising heads in India: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI, Feb 1: Underlining that India remains “vulnerable” to terrorism, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said new groups are suspected to be behind some terror attacks that took place in recent years.

Addressing a ‘Meeting of Chief Ministers on Internal Security’ here, Chidambaram said “I must caution you that there is no let up in the attempts to infiltrate into India from across the India- Pakistan border. Besides, there are a number of modules operating within the country and new groups have raised their heads that are suspected to be behind some terrorist attacks that took place in recent years.”

The Minister said, “We cannot shy away from naming these groups or exposing their designs. Whatever their religious affiliations, I have no hesitation in condemning every group that resorts to terror as a means of advancing dubious religious causes or fundamentalist goals.

“Our policy in this regard is clear - every terrorist and every terrorist group will be pursued and brought before the law and punished,” he said.

Chidambaram, however, did not name any of the groups that were suspected to be behind some of the terrorists attacks in the last few years.

He said, “The evidence that the NIA and CBI are discovering every day should serve as a wake-up call to the new sources of terror that threaten our security.”

Referring to Naxalism, the Home Minister said, “Looking back at 2010, my assessment is that there is a kind of a stalemate. The State governments concerned cannot claim any major advance, nor should we conclude that the CPI (Maoist) has gained the upper hand. There have been casualties on both sides.”

Security forces had received some serious setbacks last year including the loss of 75 CRPF personnel in one single ambush undertaken by the Naxals in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

The Minister said the CPI (Maoist) remains a powerful and determined adversary and has added at least four companies to the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the Naxals.

Taking an apparent dig at civil society activists, Mr. Chidambaram said in 2010, left-wing extremists killed 718 civilians of which 323 were killed after branding them as ’police informers’.

“Unlike our security forces, the Naxalite cadres are not constrained by the rule of law or rules of conflict. In areas they dominate they act as judge, jury and executioner.

“I regret that no representative of civil society has called for an inquiry into the brutal and unlawful killing of civilians and other acts of depredation committed by the CPI (Maoist),” he said.

Chidambaram said, “The Government’s offer of talks remains valid on the condition that the CPI (Maoist) abjured violence.”

Talking about other issues, the Home Minister said Jammu and Kashmir presents a “unique challenge”. He said the situation was improving until the beginning of June 2010.

“The three-month period of agitation was an unfortunate and deeply regrettable chapter. However, after the visit of the all-party parliamentary delegation and the appointment of interlocutors, there has been a significant improvement.”

He said the interlocutors have been able to change the discourse. “We have tasked them to outline the contours of a political solution based on the suggestions received by them.

My earnest appeal is that nothing should be said or done that will destroy the fragile peace or derail the process of finding a political solution.”

On the issue of insurgency in northeast, the Home Minister said it gave him “great satisfaction” to report that there had been a dramatic change in the situation there.

He said 2010 witnessed the lowest level of violence in many years. “Barring Assam and Manipur, the other States have shown remarkable improvement.”

The Home Minister also said he is happy to report that the internal security situation in the country has vastly improved during the last two years.

In 2010, there was one major incident in Pune on February 13. There was another incident in Varanasi on December 7 last year that “caused, thankfully little damage,” he said.

Chidambaram said in both cases, specific intelligence was given to the two State governments. He said it would be unrealistic to expect that intelligence could be any more specific than what was gathered and shared in the two cases.

“I am sure you will agree with me that the two incidents of terror in a period of 26 months mark a significant improvement in the situation,” he said.

Guard against misuse of gender tests: Pratibha

NEW DELHI, Jan 28: Describing female foeticide as a “disgrace” to society, President Pratibha Patil has called upon the medical fraternity to ensure that diagnostic tests are not misused for pre-natal gender determination.

“We have laws and legal provisions that specially prohibit medical practitioners from disclosing the gender of the foetus. It is not only illegal, but it is socially immoral and detrimental to society. It is very important that all medical facilities, doctors and radiologists adhere to this so as to prevent female foeticide,” Ms. Patil said inaugurating the 64th National Conference of the Indian Radiologist and Imaging Association here on Friday.

“A skewed population composition, due to a bias against the girl child, can have many adverse social consequences. We have a social responsibility to bring about an end to prejudices and discrimination against the girl child. We must encourage all such steps that will contribute to the welfare of the girl child — proper nutrition, education, opportunity to work and to be financially independent. A girl child is an asset to the nation.”

Pointing out that at the macro level ‘health for all' was a major challenge before the nation, Ms. Patil said though some successes like an increase in life expectancy and eradication of some endemic diseases had been achieved, it was still work in progress.

“We are yet to reach our goal of health for all. Access to and affordability of healthcare, especially for the underprivileged and marginalised sections, in particular women and children, remain under-accomplished tasks.”

Calling upon doctors and medical practitioners to follow the highest standards of medical ethics so as to maintain the reputation of the profession, Ms. Patil said the expertise and professional skills of Indian doctors were acknowledged across the world.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi asked doctors to use technology judiciously as overutilisation of medical imaging examinations could be detrimental to patients, exposing them to unnecessary radiation.

“Recent reports have drawn attention to the ionising radiation associated with some imaging procedures. These cases must be weighed against the benefit of the diagnostic information or treatment result one specific procedure may provide.”

Only direct elections in Youth Cong from now: Rahul

BULDHANA, Jan 28: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi favoured direct elections in the Youth Congress and National Students Union of India, saying the president of Youth Congress will not be nominated from now on.

Addressing an Adiwasi Melawa (tribal youth meet) in naxal-infested Gadchiroli, Gandhi said the practise of nominating presidents of these two organisations will be done away with.

"I will not select your leader...But you will have to elect your own leader and we are not bothered about his family background but surely, it will depend on his personality and capabilities," Gandhi told the tribal youths.

Later in Buldhana, where he addressed a similar meet, Rahul appealed to the youth to join the Youth Congress.

He said caste or religion would not matter but the newcomer must not have a criminal background.

Expressing concern at tribals not being visible on the national platform, Rahul said in Gadchiroli, "I want to bring change in the lives of tribals in the country and want to see them play a bigger role on the national level in these two organisations".

Virtually launching a membership drive of the Youth Congress in Maharashtra from this backward region, Rahul called on youngsters to join NSUI and Youth Congress.

He also interacted with young activists and answered their queries.

India’s cultural diversity, military might on display at R-Day parade

NEW DELHI, Jan 26: Colourful tableaux depicting the country’s cultural diversity, a vibrant performance by students and armed forces in full battle regalia were the highlights of the Republic Day parade on Wednesday.

Marching down from the Raisina Hills to Red Fort, the parade showcased India’s ‘unity in diversity’ and the military might as thousands of spectators along the eight km long route cheered the marching contingents and the mechanised columns.

The well turned out and synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding (Delhi) Maj. Gen. Manvendra Singh marched proudly to the tunes of bands through the Rajpath where resident and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Pratibha Patil took the salute.

The march—past was watched by the Republic Day chief guest Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A. K. Antony and the country’s top political and military brass.

Minutes before the parade began, Dr. Singh, Mr. Antony and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force laid wreaths at ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’, the British—era World War—I memorial at India Gate, where an eternal flame burns in memory of those who laid down their lives while defending the nation’s frontiers.

The parade began shortly after Ms. Patil and her Indonesian counterpart arrived at the Rajpath escorted by the President’s 46 bodyguards riding well—trained and impeccably— bedecked horses.

After the President unfurled the tricolour and a customary 21—gun salute, an Army doctor Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was awarded posthumously the highest peacetime gallantry award — the Ashok Chakra — for his bravery while fighting militants during an attack on Indians in Kabul. He was the first Army doctor receiving Ashok Chakra.

Four Mi—17 helicopters then zoomed in from the western skies and showered flower petals on the spectators, signalling the beginning of the parade followed by the winners of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra and mounted columns of 61 Cavalry.

The Army showcased its impressive weaponry which included advanced Brahmos Launcher System, T—90 Bheeshma tanks, Brahmos Launcher System, Multi Barrel Rocket System ’Pinaka’ and Tactical Control Radar ‘Reporter’

They also displayed NBC (Nuclear- Biological-Chemical) Reconnaissance Vehicle, indigenous Pontoons Movable Section Bridge, Integrated Network Platform and armoured troop carrier Prahar 510.

Showcasing its air power, the Army also conducted a flypast of three advanced light helicopters Dhruv in arrowhead formation.

The Army contingent from Punjab Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Rajput Regiment, Sikh Light Infantry, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Gorkha Rifles marched to the tunes of ‘Gangotri’, ‘God of War’, Pragati and ‘Vir Bharat’

The next to follow were smartly—dressed 148 Navy personnel and then the Air Force marching to the tunes of Jai Bharati and Sound Barrier. While the Navy showcased aircraft carrier INS Viraat, IAF’s marching contingent showcased the tableaux of Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Aerostat Radar.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) brought the Active Phased Array Radar, which is a shipborne multi—function radar, and Naval Underwater Weapon System at the parade for the first time along with the trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

87-year-old M. M. Shukla, the flying officer of Royal Air Force based in Rawalpindi during the World War II, who is the oldest participant in this year’s parade, then led the ex—servicemen contingent to a huge applause from the spectators.

Other marching contingents were those of camel-mounted BSF, Assam Rifles, Coast Guard, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, RPF, Delhi Police, NCC and NSS.

Following the country’s armed and police forces came the country’s rich cultural diversity in full display in 23 tableaux — 13 from States and ten from ministries. This time, the number of tableaux has risen to 23 from last year’s 21 to provide a kaleidoscopic view of the vibrant cultural heritage.

The first to be rolled out was the one on ‘Gurudev’ Rabindranath Tagore by Culture Ministry and Sangeet Natak Akademi to commemorate the Nobel laureate’s 150th birth anniversary.

President Patil hosts R'Day reception, Yudhoyono 'At Home'

NEW DELHI, Jan 26: President Pratibha Patil hosted At Home reception on Wednesday to celebrate the 62nd Republic Day. She greeted Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and several ministers, diplomats and other top dignitaries were present at the lawns of the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the President's At Home reception.

The red-and-gold uniformed Presidential Guards played the national anthem. Military bands stirred up catchy tunes. Soon after, Patil, along with the Indonesian president, went around greeting diplomats and assembled guests.

Sporting a green tie and Indonesian topi, Yudhoyono met guests with folded hands.

Ministers, diplomats and special invitees sat in a separate VIP enclosure. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Defence Minister A.K. Antony were seen chatting with the assembled diplomatic corps.

Rahul’s call to fight against BSP govt

LUCKNOW, Jan 18: The Congress general secretary and MP from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called upon the party workers to wage relentless battle against BSP government in UP. Rahul Gandhi said the Congress would form next UP government on its own strength. Addressing UP coordination committee meeting Rahul Gandhi asked the workers to fan out in the state and apprise the people about corruption in the state government.

He said the Congress would fight against this menace in UP. Referring to price hike, Rahul Gandhi said “prices have to be controlled by the state government”.

Laying stress on hard work and gearing up of the organization, Rahul Gandhi said there was no need of being defensive on any issue. He said that party leaders should fight out the prevailing situation in the state.

Two-day UP Coordination committee was summoned in Lucknow to chalk out plan for state assembly election due in 2012. Central ministers from UP, other senior leaders including MPs and MLAs attended the conference, which concluded on Tuesday.

Bizarre gunshot kills IFFCO chairman Surinder Jakhar

ABOHAR (PUNJAB), Jan 17: Surinder Kumar Jakhar, Chairman of Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) and son of former Speaker of the Lok Sabha Balram Jakhar, died here on Monday after a bullet hit him in the head when his pistol, which he was cleaning at his farmhouse located at Maujgarh, about 20 km from here, went off accidentally.

He was rushed to the local Civil Hospital where he was declared “brought dead”. The bullet reportedly pierced through Surinder’s left temple and came out from the right. Surinder was one of the three sons of Balram Jakhar.

A police team visited the place of incident at Maujgarh village. Varinder Singh Brar, SP, said a case under Section 174 of the CrPC had been registered at the Khuian Sarwar police station on the statement of Sandeep Kumar, nephew of Surinder Jakhar. Later, a post-mortem examination was conducted by a penal of doctors.

As soon as the news of Surinder Jakhar’s death spread, hundreds of people belonging to all walks of life started assembling at the Civil Hospital.

Sunil Jakhar, MLA, Abohar, and younger brother of Surinder Jakhar, who was away to Ferozepur to attend a party meeting in connection with the preparations for the party’s rally to be held there on January 31, rushed to the local Civil Hospital immediately. He left the hospital after some time.

Various social and trade organisations have decided to keep their business establishments closed on Tuesday as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Sources said the body of Surinder Jakhar, 56, was taken to his village, Punj Kosi, in the evening. The cremation would take place tomorrow.

Surinder, an eminent leader of the Indian cooperative movement was re-elected as the chairman of world's largest and premier fertilizer cooperative IFFCO in 2009.

He was a graduate from DAV College, Punjab University, Abohar. He was actively involved with the Cooperatives for about three decades.

During his long and illustrious career, he made significant contribution aimed at accelerating the agricultural and rural development. A widely travelled person, he carried with him rich and varied experience in the field of agriculture and cooperation.

His zeal in solving and improving the financial position of rural people particularly the farmers and augmenting their incremental incomes through cooperatives remained his goal through out his life. He kept trying to realize his dream of net-working of cooperatives all over the world to meet their various requirements and needs of people at large for their economic betterment.

Centre seeks explanation from U.P. on Rahul’s ‘security breach’

NEW DELHI, Jan 14: The Centre has taken up with the Uttar Pradesh government the issue of “security breach” during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Allahabad and asked it to explain the reasons behind such incidents occurring very often in the state.

The Central government has written to the Uttar Pradesh government, asking it to send a report on the incident which took place on Monday when activists of Samajwadi Party’s youth wing tried to stop Mr. Gandhi’s car and clamber on to the vehicle raising black flags.

Sources said prima facie it looks like the local police personnel, who were deployed along Mr Gandhi’s travel route, “failed” to control the protesters who tried to stop the car.

The Centre asked the State government to explain why similar incidents often take place whenever an SPG protectee travels to Uttar Pradesh and if there is any issue of lack of coordination between the SPG and local police, they said.

The SPG has duly informed the local police about the travel plan of the Congress leader, sources said.

The incident took place when Mr Gandhi was on his way to Anand Bhavan, the ancestral house of the Nehru-Gandhis, for overnight stay after an interaction at engineering institute MNNIT.

As Mr Gandhi’s motorcade approached Anand Bhavan, a group of SP youth wing activists, waving black flags and shouting slogans against the leader, jumped in front of his vehicle.

Some of the protesters came dangerously close to Mr Gandhi’s car before they were repulsed by the SPG personnel guarding the Congress general secretary.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Allahabad, Ram Kumar, however, termed the reports of security breach as “absolutely untrue.”

“These reports are absolutely untrue. We have received no complaints in this regard from the SPG team which has been camping in the city for the past couple of days. We have been working in close coordination with it,” he had said.

Security arrangements for Mr Gandhi, who visits Uttar Pradesh frequently, has often been a cause for spat between the Centre and the State government which had accused the former of not sharing enough inputs with the local police during the leader’s tours.

Event in Chicago on Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said a commemorative event to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda is being planned to be held in Chicago where he had earned accolades for his discourse on Hinduism at the Congress of world religions in 1893.

Announcing this at the inauguration in New Delhi of four-year celebrations to be held across the country to mark Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister listed out the activities planned to popularise the philosopher's teachings during the celebrations.

"Swami Vivekananda had very definite and enlightened views on education. He conceived of education as the primary means of rebuilding Indian society," Singh said.

"We are working on a suitable commemorative event in Chicago," he said.

The Government of India has already approved a film on Swami Vivekananda by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, he said.

It has also set up a National Committee under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to guide the conduct of the commemorative events.

The committee has chalked out programmes including publication of his complete works, international conferences and seminars on his teachings, establishing chairs in universities, annual lectures and encouraging research in inter-faith dialogue.

Coalition compulsions responsible for price rise: Rahul

LUCKNOW, Jan 11: While defending the UPA government on the issues of both rising prices and fighting corruption, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi told students in Lucknow on Tuesday that compulsions of a coaltion government was responsible for the price rise.

Asked by one of the 800-odd students how the Indira Gandhi government in the 1970s and 1980s had been more effective in controling inflation than the present government, he said: “It was a single party Congress government during the tenure of Indira Gandhi as prime minister. Now there are compulsions of a coalition government.”

On the role of youth in politics, Rahul said: “Only those having relatives in politics join politics. Political parties have not opened their doors. I want every young person to be involved in politics.”

"It’s not necessary to be active in politics. But youth should remain aware of it,” he added.

Asked if belonging to the Gandhi family helped his political career, and if he would have entered politics if he wasn’t a Gandhi, Rahul was frank. “Yes, I would have been in politics. But I am not sure if I would be in this position in the party.”

The 45-minute session was part of his two-day tour to reach out to the youth ahead of assembly elections due in UP in a little more than a year.