Brave Delhi gang-rape victim is dead

SINGAPORE, Dec 29: The gang rape victim whose assault in New Delhi triggered nationwide protests died of her injuries early Saturday morning in a Singapore hospital. The 23-year-old medical student, severely beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus in New Delhi two weeks ago, had been flown to Singapore in a critical condition by the Indian government on Thursday for specialist treatment.

"We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully at 2:15am on December 29, 2012. Her family and officials from the High Commission (embassy) of India were by her side," Mount Elizabeth Hospital chief executive officer Kelvin Loh said in a statement.

Most rapes and other sex crimes in India go unreported and offenders are rarely punished, women's rights activists say. But the brutality of the December 16 assault sparked public outrage and calls for better policing and harsher punishment for rapists.

The case has received blanket coverage on cable television news channels. The woman has not been identified but some Indian media have called her "Amanat", an Urdu word meaning "treasure".

"We are saddened to learn that she has succumbed to her injuries, and would like to extend our deepest condolences to her family during this time of bereavement," Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, the hospital had reported that the woman's condition had taken a turn for the worse.

T.C.A. Raghavan, the Indian high commissioner to Singapore, said after her death that the family had expressed a desire for her body to be flown back to India. Moments later, the woman's body was loaded into a van and driven away.

The Singapore hospital said earlier that the woman had suffered "significant brain injury" and was surviving against the odds. She had already undergone three abdominal operations before being flown to Singapore.

Protests over the lack of safety for women erupted across India after the attack, culminating last weekend in pitched battles between police and protesters in the heart of New Delhi.

Commentators and sociologists say the rape has tapped into a deep well of frustration that many Indians feel over what they see as weak governance and poor leadership on social and economic issues.

Your voice will be heard: Sonia Gandhi to protesters

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday assured protesters that their voice has been heard and said that the victim will get justice.

"Today we pledge that the victim will get justice," Gandhi said in a televised statement. "Our heart goes out to the bereaved family," she said.

President calls her brave girl; PM, Speaker, politcal leaders express deep sorrow

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and other political leaders have expressed deep sorrow at the passing away of the young Delhi gang rape victim in Singapore Saturday morning.

Distressed by the unfortunate demise of the young girl, President Pranab Mukherjee said "She was a brave and courageous girl who fought till the very last minute for her dignity and her life. She is a true hero and symbolises the best in Indian youth and women.

"I convey my condolences to her parents and family who have faced this adversity with fortitude and grace. I pray that they have the strength to bear this loss. The nation will mourn the passing of this brave daughter of India," said Venu Rajamony, Press Secretary to the President of India, in a statement.

At the same time, President Mukherjee said "let us resolve that this death will not be in vain. We will do everything possible to ensure that such an incident never happens again."

The President also requested everyone to maintain peace and calm and call upon the authorities to take all necessary steps to bring the perpetrators of this ghastly crime to justice.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed the hope that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to make India a demonstrably safer place to live in. He said it would be a true homage to her memory if the emotions and energies of the youth generated by the brutal assault on her are channelised into a constructive course of action.

Deeply saddened by the death of the girl, he joined the nation in conveying to her family and friends his deepest condolences at this terrible loss.

"I want to tell them and the nation that while she may have lost her battle for life, it is up to us all to ensure that her death will not not have been in vain.

"We have already seen the emotions and energies this incident has generated. These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change. It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channelise these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action," he said in his condolence message.

He said the need of the hour is a dispassionate debate and inquiry into the critical changes that are required in societal attitudes.

Government, Singh said, was examining on priority basis the penal provisions that exist for such crimes and measures to enhance the safety and security of women.

"I hope that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to help us all reach the end that we all desire making India a demonstrably better and safe place for women to live in," Singh said in his condolence message.

The Prime Minister said he prays for the peace of the departed soul and hoped that her family will have the strength to bear this grievous loss.

'A moment of national grief and shame'

NEW DELHI, Dec 28: The girl who became the symbol of women’s insecurity and their courage is no more. This is a moment of national grief. The nation joins her family and friends in remembering an extra-ordinary woman who resisted a dastardly assault, who fought back and nearly won an impossible battle with death, who demanded nothing but justice from her death bed. This is also a moment of national shame. We as a nation have failed to provide conditions in which women can lead a normal life without being subjected to indignities. We as a society have failed to evolve a culture of respect and equality for women. We as a democratic country have failed to secure elementary right to dignified life for women citizens. This is a moment of national anguish, a moment to think about thousands of lives that could have been saved, a moment to register the pain and humiliation that women have to go through every day.

This event and the subsequent developments have no doubt generated widespread outrage and justified anger. But today we must convert this into a positive resolve. Let us all resolve that we shall convert this moment into a movement to end all forms of violence against women. Let us ensure that perpetrators of this and all similar crimes get exemplary punishment, that all the laws related to violence against women are reviewed and amended, that the law and order machine and the criminal justice system is more sensitive and responsive to women, that all the systemic flaws which make such incidents possible are corrected. She is no more with us and there is nothing we can do about it, but let us ensure that no other woman meets her fate. Let NO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN be our national new year’s resolution.

Delhi gang-rape victim 'extremely critical'

SINGAPORE, Dec 28: The 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim has significant brain injury, infection in lungs and abdomen and she is currently struggling against all odds at Mount Elizabeth Hospital where her condition continues to be "extremely critical", the hospital said on Friday.

"Our medical team's investigations upon her arrival at the hospital yesterday showed that in addition to her prior cardiac arrest, she also had infection of her lungs and abdomen, as well as significant brain injury," said Dr Kelvin Loh, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

In a statement, Dr Loh said, "The patient is currently struggling against the odds, and fighting for her life."

Briefing reporters in Singapore on girl's condition, Loh said, "As at 28 December, 11am (8:30 IST) the patient continues to remain in an extremely critical condition."

The girl, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus on December 16, was brought here in an air ambulance on Thursday and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

She had undergone three surgeries at the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she remained on ventilator support during most part of the treatment. Doctors removed major part of her intestines which had become gangrenous.

"A multi-disciplinary team of specialists has been working tirelessly to treat her since her arrival, and is doing everything possible to stabilise her condition over the next few days," Dr Loh said.

"The High Commission of India has been fully supportive in helping the hospital and her family, and ensuring that the best care is made available," he added.

The security was tightened at the hospital, favoured by well-heeled patients, with each visitor screened before being allowed into the ICU.

PM assures guilty will be punished soon, Sonia demands speedy justice

NEW DELHI, Dec 28: As the 23-year-old Delhi gangrape survivor battles for life at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have wished the best for recovery to the the 23-year-old Delhi gangrape survivor.

While Sonia Gandhi demanded speedy justice in the case, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured that the guilty will be brought to book.

"You have my assurance that our government is committed to bring the guilty to justice as soon as possible," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said while speaking at the Congress headquarters on the Congress Foundation Day on Friday.

Sonia Gandhi added that there was no celebration this foundation day for Congress and that she wished the 23-year-old survivor recovers and returns to India soon.

"Our thoughts are with the young woman who is fighting for life. We wish she comes back to us soon," Sonia Gandhi said.

Asked about the government's initiatives for speedy trial of rape accused, the Prime Minister said the government has appointed a committee under Justice J S Verma, former Chief Justice of India, to suggest ways and means for modifications in the laws related to crime against women.

"The Congress President has mentioned that we share the anguish and the anger of the country over this heinous crime. Our prayers are with the brave young girl and that best possible medical care is being provided to her," Dr Singh said.

He said that a committee under Justice Usha Mehra, a former Delhi High Court judge, has also been appointed to examine if there were any lapses on anybody's part in the aftermath of the incident.

"So, you have my assurance that our government is committed to bringing the guilty to justice as soon as possible," Singh said.

After unfurling the Congress flag earlier, Gandhi said, "Today is the anniversary of the foundation day of Indian National Congress and we remember all those great men and women, who fought for our freedom, to free our country from the British."

She said, "The 28th (of December) being a day so close to the New Year, we normally wish each other but not so today because our thoughts are with the young woman, who is fighting for her life after the barbarous attack on her".

The 23-year-old victim is currently being treated in a super-speciality hospital in Singapore at state expense.

Gandhi also held a meeting in her party office with the Prime Minister and senior ministers and Congress leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Shinde was seen talking to Dikshit for quite sometime during the function.

Rahul Gandhi was not present during the ceremony marking the completion of 127 years of the formation of Congress.

Senior ministers and party leaders attended the programme. Similar programmes were organised in state and district party headquarters where leaders of respective regions participated.

Delhi gangrape case: Amitabh slams media

MUMBAI, Dec 27: As the Delhi gangrape victim was moved out of India for better treatment on Wednesday night, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan slammed media for neglecting human interest in the race of BREAKING NEWS.

Commenting on the media coverage of the Delhi gangrape victim, Amitabh Bachchan wrote on Facebook, "Lot of debate and discussion and comment on the media coverage of patient DelhiGangRape, being shifted in ambulance to another location ...patient privacy is an important element in the Constitutional Journals of Medical Ethics ..Couple of years ago when I was in an emergency and taken to Hospital, media had blocked the ambulance door to such an extent that it took my family and the doctors 20 minutes to open the door to get me out, while I suffered in pain inside, impatient to get immediate medical attention ..

On another occasion, after a surgery, a journalist dressed herself in doctor's gear and walked into the ICU where I was and then immediately went out and started live reporting on my condition, saying she had just met me ... Ethics be damned !!"

A 23 year old student was brutally gangraped by six men on the night of December 16, in the national capital in a bus. The incident evoked wide-spread outrage and protests. All the accused have been arrested in the case. The victim is currently undergoing treatment for her injuries in Singapore. Meanwhile, protests against the incident turned violent on India Gate and a Delhi Polcie constable succumbed to the inuries received while trying to pacify the protesters.

This is not the first time Big B has criticised media for its race for coverage. On December 24, Amitabh Bachchan posted on his Facebook page, "Think about this ...that as protesters express anguish and anger in their peaceful march for a most just cause, a team of technicians sits on editing machines in the august offices of tv channels, editing preparing and choosing the right background music to attach to the horrific visuals, in order to make their broadcast dynamic and presentable !!!"

Prez calls for qualitative higher education

CHENNAI, Dec 28: President Pranab Mukherjee has called for improvement in quality of higher education in the country in his address at SRM University in Chennai. The President on Friday presided over the 8th Convocation of the SRM University, Chennai.

Addressing the students and faculty he said, "The private sector has played a key role in higher education in other countries across the world. Many top universities including Harvard, Yale and Stanford are the result of efforts of the private sector. There is no reason why Indian private sector cannot achieve similar results."

The President said universities must satisfy the cause of education and not just to look for their private profit.

"There is a clear view that higher education needs a systematic re-look, so that India can educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. The objectives of reform and change in our higher education system must be expansion, excellence and inclusion," he said.

He also stressed on the importance of skilled man power in the country's economic progress.

The President presented the degree to the students at the Convocation on Friday.

The President also presented the Honorary degree (D. Sc) to Dr P.R. Goyal, an Eminent Physician, at the Convocation.

The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri K. Rosaiah also attended the convocation.

Decision on Telangana within a month: Shinde

NEW DELHI, Dec 28: Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said on Friday that the government will take a decision on the Telangana statehood within one month after an all party meet on the issue.

"The meeting was very cordial. Some representatives said decision should be given as early as possible and some said that it should be taken within a month," Shinde told reporters.

He said that he has full faith that there will be a solution to the problems being faced by people of Andhra Pradesh.

Stating that the Friday meeting was the last time all parties would discuss the Telangana issue, Shinde said, "There will be a good decision."

Representatives from eight major political parties from Andhra Pradesh were likely to have attended the meeting on the four-decade-old demand for Telangana. The demand to carve a new state out of the economically less developed part of Andhra Pradesh gathered momentum after the Congress party-ruled government accepted the demand in-principle.

So far, 33 Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Praja Rajyam Party and Independent lawmakers hailing from the Telangana region have resigned from parliament as well as the Andhra Pradesh state assembly.

The demand for the separate state has seen violent protests and political power play, with more than 300 people killed between 1969 and 1972.

Kashmir Valley gets connected by rail

SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Northern Railways made history as the first train chugged through India's longest railway tunnel through the Pir Panjal mountain range, connecting Kashmir Valley to Banihal town on Srinagar-Jammu National highway.

The train on a trial run, arrived at Banihal station from Qazigund in Anantnag district of Kashmir, was witnessed by hundreds of local residents of this highway town.

The train chugged in at the station amidst thunderous applause from the people, who had assembled here to witness the historic achievement of Indian railways.

The trial run was scheduled to be conducted on Thursday but had to be postponed following protests by residents of villages falling along Qazigund-Banihal railway link, who were demanding a one-minute halt station for the train at Hillad village.

The protesters, backed by a local politician, tried to block the track on Friday again but were persuaded by the civil administration officials to allow the train to pass. A P Mishra, member of the Railway Board, said the train services between Banihal and Kashmir Valley will start in February or March next year while the entire railway project connecting the Valley with the rest of the country will be completed by 2017.

While the Baramulla-Srinagar-Qazigund link is functional for the past four years, this was the first time that a train has crossed the mighty Pir Panjal Mountain range.

The highlight of the Qazigund-Banihal link is the 11.21 km tunnel the longest railway tunnel in India, which has reduced the distance between the two towns by half.

The tunnel, which was constructed by Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC), will reduce the travel distance between Qazigund and Banihal from 35 kilometres (by road) to just 17.5 kilometres (by train).

The Pir Panjal tunnel, which is the second longest in Asia, is a vital link in the Railway dream project of connecting Kashmir to Udhampur in Jammu region.

The tunnel is 8.40 metres wide with a height of 7.39 metres. There is a provision of a three metre wide road along the length of the tunnel for the purpose of maintenance and emergency relief.

The rail link will provide an alternative link between Kashmir and rest of the country as Srinagar-Jammu National Highway gets blocked regularly due to heavy snowfall during winter months.

Delhi gang-rape very upsetting incident: PM

NEW DELHI, Dec 19: Sharing the widespread outrage over Delhi gang-rape, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described it as very upsetting incident and directed Home Min Sushilkumar Shinde to ensure such cases do not recur.

"It's a heinous crime. It is very upsetting," he said about Sunday night's incident while receiving a delegation of women MPs on the issue.

Agonised at the incident, Singh told the delegation that he had directed the Home Minister to take all measures to ensure that culprits are brought to justice and such cases do not recur, sources said on Wednesday.

The remarks came as Parliament continued to witness anger with members seeking adequate protection for women in the backdrop of the barbaric incident of rape of a 23-year-old girl.

Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday announced a slew of measures to instill confidence among people shaken by the barbaric gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi on Sunday night.

"It has been decided that there shall be immediate crackdown on buses having tinted glass and heavy curtains. They shall be impounded immediately, if they do not remove them. All buses will be asked to keep their lights on while plying at night in Delhi ".

"All buses must be parked with their owners and not their drivers. They will be impounded immediately on violation. The photo identity card of drivers should be displayed on the bus with the helpline number in bold. Delhi Police have been asked to provide more number of vehicles for patrolling," Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

His response came as the issue kept reverberating in the House for the second day with members including Jaya Bachchan (SP), T Siva (DMK), Derek 'O' Brien (TMC) and Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) raising the matter and seeking to know as to what steps the government has taken in the wake of the ghastly incident.

Earlier, Shinde had a meeting with Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar during which it was decided that a drive will be launched to ensure removal of tinted glasses and curtains from buses.

It was also decided that mobile number and licence number of drivers will be displayed in bold on buses.

The Home Minister said that four of the six accused have already been arrested and police teams are carrying out raids to nab the other two as a Special Investigation Team led by a DSP rank officer has been set up to monitor the investigation.

The meeting on Wednesday comes a day after Congress President Sonia Gandhi shot off a strong-worded letters to Home Minister Shinde and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, saying it was a "matter of shame" that such incidents happen with painful regularity.

The girl was raped allegedly by six men in a moving bus, which had tinted glass and curtains on it on Sunday night.

"Bus owners will be held liable for parking buses. Practise of drivers parking bus at their place will be stopped," a senior official said.

Police has also been asked to get all details about private bus drivers, who are on contract with schools.

Meanwhile, there were protests against the incident at Police Headquarters and Jantar Mantar. The girl continues to be in critical state, doctors said on Wednesday.