Saturday, October 31, 2015
New GHMC Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy takes charge
B. Janardhan Reddy, took over as Commissioner, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in presence of Outgoing commissioner and special officer Somesh Kumar here on Saturday.
The New commissioner has signed the charge file at 11.08 AM.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Centre can't be blamed for law & order in states: Rijiju
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today said that the state governments should take up the responsibility of the incidents in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka and termed the move by those returning awards as one aimed at trying to bring disrepute to the Centre.
The Union Minister of State for Home told reporters here while referring to Dadri lynching case in Uttar Pradesh, murder of M M Kalburgi in Karnataka and killing of a truck driver transporting cows in Himachal Pradesh.
Stressing that law and order was a state subject, he said the central government cannot be held responsible for the incidents happening in states.
"Incidents happened in UP, Himachal(Pradesh), Karnataka...
how can Central government be responsible for them?" Rijiju asked.
"The state governments should take responsibility for the incidents," he said.
"Law and order is a state subject," Rijiju said, adding that the Central government intervenes (only) when (law and order) issue becomes "big" and in matters of internal security.
"The move to return awards is an attempt to bring disrepute to the Central government," he added.
Meanwhile, when asked as to when would Chhota Rajan be extradited (deported), Rijiju said, "It's a process. CBI team has to take a call. Since he is not in our custody. It's difficult for the Home Ministry to talk about the extradition."
On Rajan expressing threat to his life, the Minister said it is for the Indonesian government to address his concerns and keep him in safe custody.
He also said it is not correct to talk about the correspondence of CBI, which is Interpol's agency in India, in public.
On the "plan" to bring underworld don Dawood Ibrahim back to India, Rijiju said, "I cannot talk about the process right now."
181 minor traffic offenders nabbed, 201 vehicles seized
Cracking a whip against underage drivers, Hyderabad Police today caught 181 minors and seized as many 201 vehicles and warned of registering cases against parents of such traffic offenders.
"During a special drive conducted under 18 police station limits of South Zone here, the police found 181 minors driving motor vehicles in public places and seized as many as 201 vehicles," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone) V Satyanarayana said.
These minors in the age group of 12-15 years, were found driving bikes, including some high-end bikes, without driving licences and in a rash and negligent manner posing threat not only to their lives, but to other road users, the senior police officer said.
"We have caught them and released them after giving counselling to them. We also got undertaking from their parents."
"If they (minors) are caught again, the parents of such minor children will be booked and remanded," the senior police officer warned.
Pakistan urges world to take notice of Shiv Sena activities
Pakistan today asked the international community to take notice of the "terrorist activities" of Shiv Sena which had blackened the face of ORF chairman Sudheendra Kulkarni over the launch of a book by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri.
"I agree with you that the international community should take note of the terrorist activities of this organisation. We have repeatedly expressed our concern on its activities," said Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah.
Khalilullah said this during his weekly briefing while responding to a question about any plans to get Shiv Sena declared a terrorist organisation globally.
Earlier this month, Shiv Sena activists smeared the face of Observer and Research Foundation (ORF) chairman Kulkarni with black paint to protest Kasuri's book launch in Mumbai.
A concert of Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali, also scheduled in Mumbai, was cancelled after security concerns arose over threats issued by Shiv Sena activists.
Khalilullah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif and offered condolences as well as assistance following the recent earthquake.
Good gestures like this has been made in the past by both sides, he said.
"However, this does not diminish the need to resolve outstanding disputes and issues including Kashmir through a 'sustained and resilient dialogue process between the two neighbours,' as emphasised in the Pak-US Joint Statement issued during the recent visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Washington," he said.
To a question, the Foreign Office spokesman said that accusation about the presence of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi have been made in the past and Pakistan rejected them "as baseless and unfounded."
He also said that an Indian Minister recently said that Dawood's whereabouts were not known.
Khalilullah said the steep rise in India's defence budget and its massive arms buildup through acquisition of modern weaponry is a matter of concern as the growing conventional asymmetry undermines regional stability and also negatively impacts the balance of strategic deterrence.
"Pakistan remains fully cognizant of evolving security dynamics in South Asia and, while adhering to the policy of avoiding an arms race, will take all measures to safeguard its national security," he said.
He also said that Pakistan never accepted any pressure from anywhere on its nuclear programme.
Being a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan has every right to take all possible measures for its defence, he said.
Imran Khan, Reham Khan divorce confirmed
Imran Khan and Reham Khan’s marriage has ended up in a divorce, a senior PTI official confirmed on Friday.
PTI spokesman Naeemul Haq confirmed to Samaa that the couple has parted ways, adding that they have divorced with mutual consent.
He said that Reham is currently in London but he refused to comment any further on the development. Rehman Khan took to social networking website twitter to announce that Imran Khan and she have decided to part ways.
Imran Khan, 63, wedded Reham Khan, 41, in January this year. She was a British Pakistani journalist and television anchor.
The couple formally tied knot in Islamabad and celebrated their valima at Khan's residence in Bani Gala after months of speculation about secret marriage.
Reham, divorced mother-of-three, earlier lived in Britain and was associated with BBC as a weather host.
Imran Khan married to Jemima Goldsmith in May 1995. Jemima was a British writer and activist. They have two sons, Sulaiman Isa Khan and Qasim Khan. The marriage ended in divorce in 2004.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
BJP trying to provoke communal tension in name of beef: CPI
BJP was trying to provoke communal tensions in the country in the name of cow slaughter and (eating) beef, CPI General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy alleged here today.
"BJP leaders themselves set up meat related factories, but they are trying to provoke communal tensions in the country in the name of cow slaughter and on beef," he told reporters.
Top BJP leaders praise Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar but the party leaders like Sakshi Maharaj announced that he would install statues of Nathuram Godse, he charged.
CPI tried to offer an alternative to BJP and the Congress in Bihar elections, he said.
Rare liver surgery performed in Osmania hospital
Doctors at the state-run Osmania General Hospital (OGH) here claimed to have performed a rare surgery of 'Auto Transplantation of Liver' on a 24-year-old patient, which they said is only second such transplant in the world.
The specialists at the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at the OGH led by Dr Ch Madhusudhan, HOD, Surgical Gastroenterology and Dr Raghu Ram, HOD, Anaesthesiology, performed the surgery claimed to be first-of-its-kind in the country.
This complex surgery was performed free of cost for patient Naga Raju, a security guard with a private firm from Khammam district of Telangana, according to a release today.
Naga Raju was diagnosed to be suffering with rarest and critical liver disease -- Chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome since childhood.
Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is due to non-development of important and major blood vessels of Liver (Inferior Vena Cava and Hepatic veins) leading to occlusion of hepatic veins that drain the liver. This rare phenomenon is seen in 1 out of a million individuals, it added.
"He consulted all major corporate hospitals for treatment and was advised to undergo liver transplantation as a treatment of choice," the doctors said.
Raju hailing from poor family with both his parents being agriculture labourers, couldn't afford the cost of Rs 20- 30 lakh quoted by these hospitals for a liver transplantation, they said.
Due to BCS, Naga Raju was found to be suffering with dilatation and engorgement of all blood vessels below the chest due to blockage of major blood returning vein to the heart - Inferior Vena Cava (IVC).
He was also having recurrent episodes of bleeding from these blood vessels. Meanwhile, his liver function had started deteriorating, the doctors explained.
At OGH the wait for a cadaveric liver organ for him for the past two months and attempts with interventional radiological procedures proved futile, they said.
Idol immersion pollutes ecosystem; an 'illiterate attitude: Madras HC
Decrying the practice of immersion of idols in water, the Madras High Court today observed that it pollutes the ecosystem and poses a threat to fish and birds and termed it is "an illiterate attitude towards water that should be put to an end."
Justice S Vaidyanathan made the observations while hearing the bail pleas of two men who had been slapped with attempt to murder charges and arrested for a clash during a 'Vinayaka Chaturthi' idol immersion festival last month.
Conceding that enforcing every environmental law at every stage of idol-making is a Herculean task, the judge suggested that artificial ponds could be built in specific areas for immersion of idols during festive season.
"It undoubtedly is an effective way of putting an end to the pollution of water bodies," he said.
The judge said though religious significance is attached to the traditional practice of immersing idols in water bodies, it has its own ill-effects as well.
"On account of the immersion, materials like clay, bamboo, grass, wood, metals, jute, colours, painted cloth, flowers, incense sticks, dhoop, camphor and ash are released into water bodies. Added clay results in siltation of lakes and toxic chemicals used to make idols tend to leach out and pose serious problems of water pollution," he said.
On the adverse impact of such materials on marine and other micro organisms, he said pollution from immersion of such idols also damages the ecosystem, kills fish and other marine life and poses danger to those dependent on water like birds, animals and human beings as it reduces the oxygen level in water.
"It is not rational, prudent and judicious to pollute an already scarce commodity. This illiterate attitude towards water should be put to an end."
The judge noted that the government had taken strict steps to implement guidelines of the pollution control board regarding immersion of idols in water bodies.
As per guidelines, he said, idols should be made from natural materials as described in the holy scripts. Use of traditional clay for idol making rather than baked clay and plaster of paris, may be encouraged, allowed and promoted.
Pollution Control Board norms also say painting of idols should be discouraged. "In case idols are to be painted, water soluble and non-toxic natural dyes should be used. Use of toxic and non-biodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should be strictly prohibited," he pointed out.
Use of thermocol or any non-biodegradable items for decoration and idol making should strictly be avoided as it leads to exothermic self-accelerating decomposition creating environmental pollution, he said quoting the guidelines.
Woman dies of swine flu in Hyderabad
A woman succumbed to swine flu, taking the number of deaths due to H1N1 virus and related complications to 10 in Telangana this season, a senior official said today.
The woman, who was admitted in a critical condition, died yesterday, swine flu coordinator at the state-run Gandhi hospital Dr K Narasimhulu said today.
The total number of deaths due to swine flu this season (since August) in Telangana has reached to 10, he added.
Warangal bypoll: TRS, Opp parties to name nominees in 2-3 days
The ruling TRS, Opposition Congress and TDP-BJP combine would announce their candidates for the November 21 by-election to Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana in the next couple of days.
TRS President and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao held a meeting with party leaders today and appointed state Ministers as in-charges to oversee preparations for the Assembly segments under Warangal Lok Sabha constituency, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari told reporters.
Rao would campaign in Warangal either on November 17 or 18, he said.
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, who held consultations with party leaders on selection of candidate here today, said the nominee would be announced in 2-3 days.
"The candidate for Warangal will be decided in 2-3 days," Singh told reporters.
Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy and other party leaders held confabulations on the selection of candidate and also the strategy for the bypoll.
BJP leader Shekhar Rao expressed confidence that the party candidate would win the election.
The process of filing nominations for the bypoll began yesterday and it will go on till November 4. Counting of votes would be taken up on November 24.
The bypoll is necessitated by the resignation of sitting MP Srihari (TRS) after he became Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana.
Top scientist to return Padma award
Eminent scientist Pushpa Mittra Bhargava today said he is returning his Padma Bhushan award alleging that the NDA government was trying to make India into a "Hindu religious autocracy" even as more scientists joined the chorus of protest against "growing intolerance".
Bhargava, who founded the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, said he will return the award conferred on him in 1986 because he felt the climate in the country was of "very strong fear" and it was "against rationality, against reason and against scientific temper".
"I have decided to return the award. The reason is that the present Government is moving away from the path of democracy, moving towards the path of making the country Hindu religious autocracy just like Pakistan. This is not acceptable... something I find unacceptable," the 87-year-old scientist told PTI in Hyderabad.
He alleged that appointments to various positions are being made with people who have some connection with RSS.
Charging the Modi government with "not keeping its promises", Bhargava said, "returning the award is the only thing I can do as a scientist".
"BJP is a political front of RSS... master is RSS. There was a CSIR meeting (directors) wherein RSS people attended it.
This never happened in the history of CSIR. I will return the award next week," he said.
Bhargava's decision came even as he joined a second group of scientists who came out with an online statement expressing concern over "ways in which science and reason are being eroded".
"It is the same climate of intolerance, and rejection of reason that has led to the lynching in Dadri of Mohammad Akhlaq Saifi and the assassinations of Prof Kalburgi, Dr.
Narendra Dabholkar and Shri Govind Pansare," said the scientists and academicians including Bhargava and other Padma Bhushan recipients Ashoke Sen and P Balram.
On Tuesday, a group of scientists had petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee voicing concern over incidents of intolerance, including the killing of Kannada writer MM Kalburgi, and urged him to initiate "suitable actions".
The scientists have joined the writers and filmakers in the protest, which has been termed as a "manufactured rebellion" by the BJP-led NDA government.
Hitting out, Union Minister Arun Jaitley today said most of those who have returned awards were "rabid anti-BJP elements".
"Follow their tweets and their stances on various social and political issues. You will find a lot of rabid anti-BJP elements in them.
"I had already called it a manufactured rebellion. I stand by my phrase. And I think, the events as they are unfolding only indicate that kind of manufacturing is going on at faster speed," the Minister said in Patna.
Bhargava dismissed allegations that his action was politically motivated and said,"Dissent is dissent and there is a specific point on which you dissent."
"I was a very strong critic of the UPA government and in my book 'A Critique Against the Nation' had criticised the UPA government but the UPA government did not tell us what to eat, how to dress what to think or give us lessons in morality.
"The present government tells us all that which I found unacceptable...the extent of irrationality that we see in these decisions," he said. .
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Political parties gear up for Warangal LS by-poll
As the notification for by-election to Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency was issued today, TRS, Congress and the TDP-BJP combine were gearing up for the prestigious electoral battle scheduled for November 21.
Amid speculation that she would join the ruling TRS, TDP Rajya Sabha member from Telangana G Sudharani today met party president and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao who is on a visit to Delhi.
Sudharani praised the development initiatives of the TRS government.
"The main intention of today's meeting with him (Rao) is the development he is doing in Telangana, whether it is Water Grid, Mission Kakatiya or making Warangal as a smart city...," Sudharani, who hails from Warangal district, said.
It was not clear about her joining the TRS.
NDA allies TDP and BJP have already held consultations on choosing a right candidate and other issues to put up a tough fight.
Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy said the NDA would decide its candidate after taking a look at the rivals' strategy.
An NDA MP would help Warangal achieve rapid progress as the victory of either TRS or Congress would make no difference, he said.
Meanwhile, Telangana Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy was in Delhi to hold talks with party leadership on the selection of candidate.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 7 and the counting of votes would be taken up on November 24.
281 eve-teasers caught by 'SHE Teams' in one year
The 'SHE Teams', which was set up to keep a hawk's eye on eve-teasers, caught as many as 281 offenders in the city, including 129 minors, since October last year, an official said today.
On October 24 last year, the Hyderabad police had set up SHE Teams to crack down on eve-teasers and stalkers, which was subsequently extended across Telangana districts.
"The SHE Teams were launched with the sole aim and objective of curbing eve teasing/street harassment and providing a safe and secure Hyderabad city for women," Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) Swathi Lakra said.
Various types of modus operandi were seen, including stalking and teasing, passing lewd comments, trying to touch inappropriately at crowded places, sending abusive messages to the victims on their mobiles, making calls and talking indecently during late nights. Harassment through social media like Facebook and e-mails and using previous friendship or proximity, photos, videos and trying to blackmail the victim online were some of the ways seen, she explained.
Cases were also booked for public nuisance using bikes, four wheelers, etc to attract the attention of the ladies near colleges, schools, etc.
"12 cases were booked under the Nirbhaya Act, besides 10 IPC cases in different police stations were registered apart from 126 petty cases. 19 persons were jailed, 101 persons were fined, 39 were warned and let off," the officer said.
"Till now, a total of 883 complaints were received through various means and attended to," Swathi Lakra said.
Apart from counselling by the officers, for minors caught in eve-teasing, professional counselling sessions were conducted along with their parents in order to guide them for the career and mould their behaviour in a proper way to become good citizens, she said adding services of six member panel of professional psychologists and NGOs were taken.
The juvenile offenders are counselled and made to participate in anti-eve teasing campaign, she said.
Election Commission registers Pawan Kalyan's Party
The Telangana State Election Commission today registered actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan's Janasena Party as an authorised political party.
"The Telangana State Election Commission hereby registers the Janasena Party as a political party without a reserved symbol. The registration shall not entitle the party for reservation of any exclusive symbol for it.
"However, the candidates duly set up by this party in local body elections (held on party basis) will be entitled to preferential treatment over independent candidates in allotment of free symbols," the Commission said in its order.
With the registration, the party can now field candidates in the upcoming Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls, expected to be held this year.
Pawan Kalyan, younger brother of Telugu superstar and former Union Minister Chiranjeevi, announced the formation of Janasena ahead of last year's general elections.
His vigorous campaign in support of TDP-BJP combine in the elections is believed to be one of the major reasons for its success at the hustings.
Pawan Kalyan, a top-ranking Telugu hero himself, has a huge following in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. His party's entry could affect the political dynamics if it chooses to contest the GHMC polls which are seen as the big test for the TRS government's popularity.
Asaduddin Owaisi arrested and released on bail in Baisi town of Bihar
KCR meets Prez Pranab Mukherjee and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed with him various issues concerning the southern state.
During the 20-minute meeting, the Chief Minister apprised Singh about the prevailing law and order situation in the state, particularly about the activities of naxals.
Telangana is considered to be one of the worst Maoist-hit state in the country. Most of the top leaderships of the CPI(Maoist), including general secretary Muppalla Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy, hail from Telanagana.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Sushma's intervention sought to free jailed sailor from Mahboobnagar
Parents of a Marine engineer from Telangana who has been lodged in a Nigerian jail since July last year, today urged Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up the matter with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, to secure his early release.
26-year-old Manoj Kumar, a Marine Engineer from Mahboobnagar district of Telangana, was captured from a ship near the Nigerian coast in July last year along with 10 other Indians when their ship had allegedly "mistakenly" entered Nigerian waters.
Manoj was subsequently arrested along with the 10 other crew members and has been in jail since then.
"We again want Union Minister Sushma Swaraj to speak with the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who is coming to Delhi, and ensure the early release of my son. We want the Indian government should seek his release at the earliest rather than keeping on enquiring the matter with Indian embassy in Nigeria," Manoj's father Dasarath said.
"The matter is getting prolonged...Now, we want the Indian government to settle the issue by directly speaking to the Nigerian President on the matter," Dasarath told PTI here.
"The Indian government should now ensure that our son returns to India...It's been over two years since me and his mother met him. We are worried about our son," a distressed Dasarath said.
Manoj's mother, who was in tears appealed for his early release, saying "I haven't seen my son for over two years."
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is set to arrive in New Delhi to participate in the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.
According to Dasarath, Manoj had left from Mumbai in December 2013 and joined a shipping company in Ghana.
"In July 2014, Manoj along with other crew members from India, was aboard a ship transporting scrap from Ghana to Cameroon when it stopped in mid sea due to a technical issue.
There were efforts to repair the ship for almost a month, but in the meanwhile, the Nigerian police held them," he said.
"It was only in August this year I came to know about arrest of my son, who till then did not inform us about the incident. We had met Sushma Swaraj in August this year in Delhi along with parents and family members of other crew members, who had then assured that she will get Manoj along with others released by October 12," Dasarath said adding "You (Sushma Swaraj) assured on their release...but nothing has happened so far...we want early release of my son."
YSRCP to contest Warangal Lok Sabha by-poll
YSR Congress Party today said it will field a candidate for the Warangal Lok Sabha by-election, scheduled to be held on November 21.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held at the party central office here with party leadership, Telangana party president P Srinivas Reddy told reporters.
Reddy charged the TRS government with failing to fulfil poll promises of loan waiver, securing Minimum Support Price to farmers and providing houses to the weaker sections.
"In the 2014 elections people were emotional and voted TRS but with the real colours of the party coming out, it will be YSR Congress that will be getting maximum support," he claimed.
"Congress will not be forgiven for its petty minded politics in foisting cases against (YSRCP President) Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and TDP-BJP combine has proved its worthlessness," he said, adding, the name of the candidate would be announced soon.
Edhi foundation turns down Modi's donation
Pakistan's charity foundation Edhi today turned down Rs one crore donation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking care of deaf and mute Indian girl Geeta during her over a decade-long stay in the country.
Prominent philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi, who is the founder and head of the Edhi Foundation, thanked Prime Minister Modi for announcing the donation, but declined to accept it for his charity.
"Abdul Sattar Edhi has thanked Modi and politely declined to accept his announced financial help," Edhi Foundation Spokesman Anwar Kazmi was quoted as saying by the Dawn.
Prime Minister Modi yesterday met Geeta, who returned to India to an emotional welcome, and hailed Karachi-based Edhi family for taking care of her with love and affection for so many years.
Complimenting Sattar Edhi's wife Bilqis Bano for taking care of Geeta with love and affection, the Prime Minister announced that India would give the Edhi Foundation Rs one crore as a token of appreciation, not just for taking care of Geeta, but also for the wonderful work that the Foundation has been doing.
"What the Edhi family has done is too priceless to be measured but I am happy to announce a contribution of Rs 1 crore to their foundation," Modi had said.
Geeta was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago at the Lahore railway station.
She was adopted by the Edhi Foundation's Bilquees Edhi and lived with her in Karachi. Bilquis and her grandchildren, Saba and Saad Edhi, are accompanying Geeta to India.
Geeta yesterday returned to New Delhi but failed to recognise a family which she had initially identified from photographs.
She refused to recognise the Mahato couple from Bihar which she had identified from photographs and added that she will be kept in an institution in Indore till her "real family" was found.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Sultan Bazar traders observe bandh demanding change in Metro route
Traders, who have been running their businesses in Koti and Sultan Bazar areas since decades, have decided to observe a bandh today, demanding change in the alignment of Metro Rail route. They are protesting against TRS government for not keeping its promise made before the elections, to see that the Metro Rail route does not affect their age old businesses. The Metro Rail authorities have already made it clear that the works would go on as it is.
Crime against Muslims, Dalits rising: Jamaat-E-Islami
Expressing concern over law and order situation in Rajasthan, Jamaat-E-Islami Hind (JEIH), an Islamic organisation, today alleged that crimes against Muslims and Dalits are on the rise in the state.
"People are losing faith in law and order machinery in the state hence some of them are taking the law into their own hands. Crimes against Muslims and Dalits are increasing in Rajasthan," JEIH State President Khurshid Hussain said in a statement after holding a state-level meeting here.
A string of violent incidents have taken place in the state resulting in the death of Dalits in a clash in Nagaur, burning of a Dalit's house in Sikar, murder of a Muslim youth in Bhilwara and clashes between two communities in Sridungargarh in Bikaner, Hussain, quoting from a resolution adopted at the meeting, said.
JEIH also voiced concern over similar incidents involving minorities and Dalits in other parts of the country, Hussain said.
Over the state government's decision to reform school syllabus, Hussain said the BJP regime is "afraid and trying to communalise the education system". They are also "harming" the secular fabric of the state, he said.
Warning that the public will not accept any syllabus which is imposed on them, Hussain said JEIH demands a draft of proposed syllabus be produced for open discussion before its implementation.
Keen contest on cards for Warangal Lok Sabha bypoll
The bypoll for Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana scheduled for November 21 is expected to witness a keen contest as the ruling TRS, opposition Congress and the TDP-BJP combine are drawing up plans to wrest the seat.
The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of incumbent Kadiam Srihari who became the deputy chief minister of Telangana and the TRS is expected to leave no stone unturned to retain the seat.
Losing the bye-election would be dubbed as a reflection on the performance of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's government.
The main opposition Congress would like to salvage its prestige by winning the bypoll following its failure in last year's elections.
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh, in-charge of Congress affairs in Telangana, visited Warangal last week and held a meeting with party leaders.
Meanwhile, NDA allies TDP and BJP are keen to project themselves as an alternative to the ruling TRS by winning the bypoll.
No party has announced its candidate so far for the bye-election.
More than 14 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-poll.
NRIs buy 3 lakh 'e-bricks' to contribute to Amravati
About three lakh 'e-bricks' were purchased by Telugu NRIs in the US on a single day to contribute to the construction of Andhra Pradesh's new capital Amaravati, state IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said today.
Each 'e-brick' is priced at Rs 10. The NRIs based in North America Bay Area bought about three lakh e-bricks following an appeal made by Reddy who is on a visit to the US, a release from his office here said.
The state government has introduced the e-brick scheme to promote participation of people in the development of the new capital, coming up in Vijayawada region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Amaravati on October 22.
Reddy, who participated in Oracle Open World, an IT summit, in San Francisco, appealed to the IT companies and NRIs to make investments in Andhra Pradesh.
He met the top officials of Oracle Corporation, Intel and other firms.
Bangladesh delegation seeks guidance from Hyderabad metro rail
A Bangladeshi delegation of senior officers and engineers today called on Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) officials, seeking guidance for a Metro Rail project in Dhaka.
The delegation was led by Additional Executive Director, Dhaka Transit Authority, AQM Ekramullah.
In a power point presentation, the HMR Managing Director N V S Reddy explained the challenges in the construction of mega urban infrastructure projects in countries like India and Bangladesh.
Reddy explained the technical specifications, financial model, communication strategies and engineering solutions adopted by Hyderabad Metro Rail, an official release said.
Reddy informed the delegation that HMR is being executed not as a simple mass transportation system but as an urban redesign project, and highlighted key features such as integration with other modes of transport, running of feeder bus services, creation of pedestrian facilities and introduction of bicycle stations etc.
The delegation later visited Nagole Metro station, Uppal precast yard and other Metro work sites, the release added.
L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad is developing the 72-km elevated metro rail project which will have three corridors and 66 stations.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Madras HC suggests castration for child rape
A Madras High Court bench has suggested to the Centre to consider castrating those who abused children sexually as the present law is "ineffective" in dealing with such criminals.
Justice N Kirubakaran in a strongly worded judgement said the "present law is ineffective in dealing with such criminals and judiciary could not keep its hands folded and be a mute spectator, especially when the recent happenings of gang rape of children across India are reported".
The judge made the observations recently while dismissing a petition filed by a UK national seeking to quash sex abuse proceedings against him in a lower court.
"The suggestion to castrate may look barbaric. But barbaric criminals needed barbaric punishment. The very thought of punishment should deter the criminal from committing the offence," the judge observed.
"Under the banner of human rights violations, some activists who first sympathise with the victims later support the criminal also. They are placing misplaced sympathy. Human rights were applicable to the victims," the judge said.
Geeta returns after 15 yrs
Nearly 15 years after she accidentally crossed over to Pakistan, Geeta, a deaf-mute girl whose story has touched people on both sides of the border, returned here today.
Pakistan International Airlines flight PK 272 carrying 23-year-old Geeta from Karachi landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 1030 hours where she was given a warm welcome.
Dressed in a white-red salwar suit and her head covered with dupatta, she waved to the waiting people.
She was reportedly just 7 or 8 years old when she was found sitting alone on the Samjhauta Express by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago at the Lahore railway station.
She was adopted by the Edhi Foundation's Bilquees Edhi and lived with her in Karachi. Bilquis and her grandchildren, Saba and Saad Edhi, are accompanying Geeta.
Her story came to light after the release of Salman Khan starrer 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' in which the hero unites a girl separated from her Pakistani mother who was visiting India.
Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, T C A Raghavan, and his wife had visited Geeta in August after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj directed him to meet her and try to locate her family.
Before boarding the PIA flight from Karachi, a beaming Geeta thanked the Pakistani people for taking care of her.
Faisal Edhi of the Edhi foundation told reporters in Karachi that they would continue to stay in touch with Geeta through social media and even visit her.
"She is not really separating from us," he said.
Sources had earlier said that Geeta has identified her father, step-mother and siblings from a photograph sent to her by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The family reportedly lives in Bihar.
Swaraj had said that Geeta would be handed over to the family after DNA test.
The Ministry had said Geeta would return to the country as she is "India's daughter", irrespective of whether her family is traced or not.
'Politics of hate' being spread around country: Kejriwal
Charging that "politics of hate" was being spread around the country, Delhi Chief Minister abhorred violence against people for what they choose to eat, saying today that it is "not good" in an apparent attack on BJP.
He also targeted the Centre over the issue of security of women in the national capital and recent of transfer of VAT commissioner in Delhi.
"These days, politics of hate is being spread around. Be it beef or cow meat, killing somebody just because he eats meat is not good," Kejriwal said without, however, taking the name of BJP.
"I am a Hindu and I do worship cow. If someone consumes meat I will try to convince him not to do so," he further said while addressing farmers in Ghumanhera village in Matiala constituency in the rural part of west Delhi.
He said his government has distributed cheques to all farmers whose crop had been affected due to weather and had fixed the amount at Rs 50,000 per hectare.
He also assured the farmers that he will fulfil all the promises made to them during Delhi polls, which includes increasing the Lal Dora limits of villages.
Hitting out at the Centre, Kejriwal accused it of "not allowing" the Delhi government to work as he cited the recent transfer of the Delhi VAT commissioner.
"Our government wants to work, but the Centre is not allowing us to work. They transferred our VAT commissioner because the department detected VAT evasion by some hawala operators.
"Never in the past has the Delhi Lt Governor transferred any officers of Delhi government. But they transfered VAT commissioner. We will set up an inquiry into the matter," he said.
Attacking the Centre and Delhi Police over the security of women, Kejriwal claimed that more than 1,500 rapes have occurred in Delhi since January, 2015.
"Insult of Sita was not tolerated and Ravan was killed.
But, now, everyday Sita is being disrespected. 1,500 women were raped since January 2015, we have to fight it cutting across all religions," he said.
Saying that his government will not tolerate corruption and even sacked Delhi minister Asim Ahmed Khan in the wake of graft charges against him, the Delhi chief minister dared BJP to expel External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi case and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in connection with the Vyapam Scam.
Asad Owaisi questions 'growth with justice' model of Nitish Kumar
Questioning Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 'growth with justice' model, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi today said Muslims were languishing in jails more than in proportion to their population in Bihar.
"If I talk about the rights of poor and downtrodden including minorities, I am charged of making an inflammatory speech... In Bihar, there are 17 per cent Muslim population, but 18 per cent Muslims are in jails of the state," Owaisi said asking "Is this your growth with justice?"
Owaisi was addressing an election rally at Haldikhaura in Kochadhaman Assembly constituency from where his party's state unit chief Akhtarul Iman is contesting.
Owaisi, whose party has fielded six candidates out of 24 seats in Seemanchal region of the state, said minorities have become a "vote bank puppet" in the hands of politicians in the absence of any credible leadership in the region.
Stating that politicians have neglected the Seemanchal region, the AIMIM leader said so far as development was concerned, the region was 15 years behind other parts of the country and was neglected on every aspect be it education, health or employment opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, party candidate Iman said both BJP and JD(U) were birds of the same flock.
UPSC's civil services mains to be held from December 18 to 23
The civil services main examination will be conducted in December, this year. The three stage examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission annually, to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), and other elite services.
The mains examination, second stage will start from December 18 and to 23. There will be no exam on December 20.
15,008 candidates have qualified in this year's civil services preliminary examination. Those selected in the mains stage will go for interviews, the final stage.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Akbaruddin Owaisi not allowed to hold a public meeting in Pune
MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi has been denied permission to hold a rally here tomorrow for a civic by-election by Pune police, citing possibility of a law and order problem.
Owaisi was scheduled to address a rally in support of his party's candidate Mazhar Maniyar for the Kondhwa by-poll to be held here on November 1.
The Kondhwa police, in a communication to the organisers said the permission to address a rally was denied as there was a possibility of Owaisi's speech causing communal tension in the city.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) city unit leader Azhar Tamboli, who had filed an application seeking permission for the Telangana MLA's public rally, has criticised the police's decision to disallow it, saying it amounted to violation of freedom of speech and right to campaign.
Ashoora being observed
Ashoora is being observed with due reverence and solemnity in various parts of the country today. The day marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala for upholding truth, righteousness and justice.
Tazia processions are being taken out to mark the occasion. Religious meetings highlighting the supreme sacrifice of Karbala Martyrs are also being held.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Lok Sabha by-election in Warangal on November 21
More than 14 lakh voters would exercise their franchise in the by-poll for Warangal (SC) Lok Sabha constituency in Telangana on November 21.
The by-elections was necessitated by the resignation of Kadiam Srihari (TRS) who became the deputy Chief Minister of Telangana.
The total number of registered voters in the constituency is 14,75,311, but the electoral roll will be updated till the last date for filing nominations (November 4), Chief Electoral Officer of the state Bhanwar Lal told reporters here today.
The gazette notification for the poll would be issued on October 28. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 7 and the counting of votes would be taken up on November 24.
Live webcasting and videography would be done at all 1,751 polling stations.
Award winning writers take out protest march to Sahitya Akademi
Writers and their supporters, held a solidarity march in New Delhi today in protest against "rising intolerance" in the backdrop MM Kalburgi's killing. The silent protest came ahead of the Sahitya Akademi emergency meeting which is underway, to discuss the return of awards by eminent authors.
Writers from different languages converged for the march carrying huge banners, with black gags and armbands, from Sri Ram Centre at Safdar Hashmi Marg to the Sahitya Akademi building. They submitted a memorandum to the Akademi demanding that it pass a resolution pledging to take stern steps to safeguard the freedom of speech and right to dissent of the writers.
Akademi Chairman Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari accepted the memorandum and said it will be considered in the meeting. Talking to our correspondent, Ali Javed, General Secretary of Progressive Writers' Association alleged that government has created an atmosphere of fear to suppress freedom of writers.
Folk singer, Malini Awasthi, who was present on the site, however condemned the protesters saying writers should lodge their protest through their pens and not by putting pressure on the Akademi.
Eminent writers Keki N Daruwala, Geeta Hariharan, Former NSD director Anuradha Kapoor,and Shekhar Joshi among others were part of the protest.
At least 35 writers from across the country had over the past few weeks announced their decision to return their Sahitya Akademi awards and stepped down from official Akademi positions.
The protesters have also criticised Akademi chairman's recent statements in which he dubbed as "illogical" the act of several writers returning their awards. The writers said if the Akademi does not conduct a condolence meet for Kalburgi in Delhi, they will demand Tiwari's resignation.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Violence on Dussehra, curfew clamped in MP town
Clashes broke out between members of two communities during Dussehra in Khargone with police cane-charging the rioters and lobbing teargas shells to control the situation in the town, where indefinite curfew has been clamped.
Four persons were injured and nearly 100 have been rounded up for their alleged involvemnet in the violence, police said.
The incident took place last night when a large number of people belonging to a particular community were returning to their homes after taking part in Dussehra festivities.
Suddenly, people from another community allegedly pelted stones on them at some places in the city almost at the same time, following which members of both the communities came face to face, police said.
As the violence spread, District Collector Neeraj Dube imposed indefinite curfew in the town late last night.
"The situation is under control now," Dube told PTI.
"We have rounded up nearly 100 people after they indulged in stone-pelting and arson at five places in the city causing injuries to four persons," Khargone SP Amit Singh said.
Khargone is about 300 km from state capital Bhopal.
Additional security forces have been requisitioned from neighbouring district and deployed in the city to control the situation.
Police is reviewing CCTV footages to identify those who indulged in the violence and has launched a drive to nab them, the SP said.
A search operation was also on as a part of which stones, swords and petrol bombs were recovered from the houses of a number of people in the disturbed areas, police said.
The injured persons were admitted in the district hospital, the Collector said.
Modi accuses Cong of stirring tension between AP, Telangana
In a blistering attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today accused it of creating tension between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by "spreading poison" and instigating youth after having taken the "hasty" decision to split Andhra.
"They are spreading poison. They are trying to spread illusion. From Amaravati, this cultural centre, I would like to assure the people of Andhra that the Centre would implement whatever is said in the (Andhra Pradesh) Re-organisation Act in letter and spirit within the sipulated timeframe," he said after laying the foundation stone for Andhra's capital city Amaravati at Uddandarayunipalem village on the banks of river Krishna in Guntur district.
"For some people's political selfishness, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in haste without properly carrying out the process of proper consultation. I can even today feel the pain of those innocents who lost their lives and suffered loss to property in this episode.
"The British left behind such things due to which there is tension in the country even today. The previous government did something that due to which everyday there is tension created," he said.
Modi accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of trying to sow the seeds of permanent problem between the two states and urged the people to move forward in the "true spirit and soul of Telugu".
"Those people who while bifurcating Andhra and Telangana have attempted to sow the seeds of a permanent problem, they are even today adding fertilizer to create poison, create illusion and are trying to play with the emotions of the youth," he warned.
In contrast, Modi said three new states --- Uttarkhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh---were created during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure and there has been no problem.
Belying expectations that he would announce a special package for AP on the occasion of its capital foundation laying ceremony, Modi just said the Centre would stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Andhra Pradesh in its march for the state's progress.
Pressing for special category status to Andhra Pradesh, besides implentation of other promises made to the state, Congress and other parties had held several protests like filing "police cases" against Modi, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and others for allegedly "deceiving "the people.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had written to Modi a few days ago demanding that he announce special status for AP..
Prez once again appeals to people to maintain unity, integrity
President Pranab Mukherjee today invoked Dussehra festivities to once again denounce rising incidents of intolerance and appealed to people to maintain India's unity and integrity and focus on nation building, leaving aside their differences.
"Dussehra is a symbol of our ancient culture and we should forget our differences and work towards nation building. That will be our victory. I appeal everyone to maintain unity and integrity of the nation and contribute to the country's development," he said.
The President was speaking at a Dussehra celebration at Parade Ground in Central Delhi where towering effigies of Ravana along with his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran were set afire marking triumph of good over evil.
This is the fifth occasion in the last fortnight that Mukherjee expressed concern over rising incidents of intolerance and appealed to people to maintain unity and integrity.
Earlier in the day, the President posted a number of tweets hoping compassion, love and brotherhood prevail over all forces of "obscurantism and evil that seek to divide us."
"Dussehra reminds us that those who follow the path of virtue, goodness and righteousness will always emerge victorious.
"May this year's Dussehra inspire us to remain steadfast in the pursuit of our principles like Lord Rama. Let us collectively confront all adversities & march forward towards the goal of all-round development of nation," the President said in a series of tweets.
On Monday, Mukherjee had expressed serious apprehensions over whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane in the country and said humanism and pluralism should not be abandoned under any circumstance and that India's collective strength must be harnessed to resist evil powers.
Mukherjee made the comments today in presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and BJP chief Amit Shah among others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to the celebrations but he could not attend as he has travelled to Andhra Pradesh.
Today's burning of Ravana's effigies marks the end of Navratra and the beginning of 20-day-long wait for Diwali, festival of lights, to celebrate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after killing the demon king.
Dressed in their festive best, people attended Ramlilas across city where artistes enacted the final battle episode of Ramayana where Lord Ram kills Ravana and brings back his wife Sita to Ayodhya on 'Vijaydashmi'.
The effigies were set ablaze amid chants in praise of Lord Ram, people witnessed spectacular fireworks which illuminated the sky leaving many in awe.
People also visited friends and relatives and exchanged gifts. A large number of people were seen bursting crackers to mark the festivities while others went to market places on a shopping spree.
Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure that the festivities go without any untoward incident. Police kept a tight vigil in the city, a senior official said.
PM reassures people of Andhra Pradesh that Centre will implement the provisions of reorganisation Act in letter and spirit.
PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati at Uddandarayunipalem village in Guntur
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
CBI questions KCR in 2006 case
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was examined by CBI in connection with a case related to alleged irregularities in awarding of the contract for the construction of ESI Hospitals when he was Union Labour Minister in 2006.
Sources said today that Rao was questioned on Monday on reasons for awarding the contract to Executive Engineer of Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Department and not the central government agency National Building Construction Corporation.
They said the contract was given when Rao was Union Minister of Labour, Employment and Training during the UPA government tenure in 2006.
Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) of India had started a probe in 2007-2008 into alleged substandard quality of work after which the CBI started an investigation based on a source information, the sources said.
It is suspected that the construction had resulted in loss of crores to the exchequer, they said.
The agency has named Suryanarayana, the then Executive Engineer of the Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Department, in the FIR related to the case who was already under probe in the state for alleged amassing of disproportionate assets.
CBI has so far examined Rao's private secretary, the then Director General of ESIC and the then Controller of Finance in connection with the case.
Uphold tolerance' Prez asks politicians
In a clear message to governments, President Pranab Mukherjee today said it is the job of elected politicians to uphold the civilisational values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence, comments that come against in the backdrop of recent violent incidents including the lynching and killing of people on the basis of suspicion.
"I do not give any message on any contemporary issues or any such thing. I do feel it is only politicians who are responsible and whom people have elected to run their administration and form the government.
"That is their job to carry on the administration and governmental activities and at the same time to uphold the rich civilisational values of Indian culture. We have inherited the rich traditions which have kept the various elements together," he told India Today.
This is the fourth time the President has made public his views in less than a fortnight ever since the lynching of a Muslim in Dadri on suspicion he had consumed beef.
Since then, there have been rising incidents of intolerance including killing of two men in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir on mere suspicion and Shiv Sena's acts of blackening the face of an author, forcing cancellation of music concert of Ghulam Ali and storming the office of Cricket Board in protest of resumption of bilateral series that aborted talks between the two sides.
In his remarks today, the President said celebration of diversity, promotion of tolerance, respect for co-existence and acceptance of differences are the essential ingredients of the civilisational values.
The President has been talking about promotion of tolerance, accepting differences and respect of dissent. On Monday, he had raised a question whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent was on the wane in the country.
In the wake of the Dadri lynching incident, he had said "I firmly believe that we cannot allow the core values of our civilisation to be wasted and the core values is what over the years the civilisation celebrated diversity, promoted and advocated tolerance, endurance and plurality."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also endorsed the President's remarks and asked people to ignore rabble rousing by leaders and fringe elements.
Gadkari to lay foundation stone of 4-laning of NH202 in Warangal
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will tomorrow lay foundation stone for 4-laning of Yadadri-Warangal section of the NH 202 in Telangana.
"The work on the NH-202 (new number NH 163) is estimated to cost Rs 1,905 crore and complete in 30 months," an official statement said.
"The scope of work involves 4-laning of 99.10 km section connecting Yadgiri and Warangal. The project also includes 4 bypasses (for Vangapalli, Aler, Janagaon and Warangal), 2 ROBs, 4 vehicular under passes, 1 overpass, 3 pedestrian underpasses, 3 major bridges and 25 minor bridges," it said.
"On account of this project, the total four lane connectivity will be established between Hyderabad and Warangal, which promotes the industrial activities around Warangal and also saves fuel, time, apart from improving the afety and comfort, it added.
Dadri lynching pre planned : Minorities Commission
The lynching of man in Dadri last month strongly appeared to be the result of "pre-meditated planning" under which people were incited using a temple, the National Minorities Commission has said
In its report, the minority panel also described as "disturbing" the "irreponsible comments" by politicians to make "capital" out of it
In an obvious reference to statements made by Union Minister Mahesh Sharma and some other BJP leaders following the lyching of Mohammed Iqlakh over rumours of beef eating that triggered a nation-wide outrage, the NCM said it will be "quite an understatement" to say the killing was merely an "accident as has been claimed even by some persons in authority"
A three-member team of the Commission headed by its chairman Naseem Ahmad had visited Bishada village near Dadri in Uttar Pradesh and interacted with family members of the victim, the concerned authorities and locals
"The team feels that a crowd of large numbers appearing within minutes of an announcement from temple's loudspeaker and at a time when most villagers claimed they were asleep seems to point to some pre-meditated planning
"The facts as reported to the NCM team point strongly that the whole episode was the result of a planning in which a sacred place like temple was used for exhorting people of one community to attack a hapless family," the report said
Quoting district officials, the NCM noted that two more attempts had been made to "incite" people by spreading a rumour that a cow had been killed but police responded instantly and did not allow the situation to escalate
50-year-old Iqlakh was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured by a 200-strong mob on September 28 following rumours that the family had consumed and stored beef
In an apparent criticism of BJP leaders who made controversial comments after the incident, the NCM said such statements further "vitiate" the relations between different communities and this should be stopped at all cost or "things will go out of hand"
What is more "disturbing", the report said, is that "responsible persons converge at the place of any such incident and make irresponsible statements that further vitiates the relations between communities"
"All the political establishments need to counsel their cadres and sympathisers to desist from making irresponsible statements and making capital out of such outrages," it said
The malaise of moral policing was spreading fast, especially in Western UP, it said and sought vigilance and curb on the use of social media as it was being extensively used to flare up communal passions.
New AP capital: Hyderabad hoteliers get a sinking feeling
The hospitality industry in Hyderabad is getting the blues as it feels that the shifting of Andhra government's administrative activity to its new capital Amaravati may lead to a fall in tourist arrivals in the city.
But, with momentum picking up as the countdown begins, the infrastructure sector is upbeat as it looks to gain from a likely boom in construction activity in the bifurcated state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to lay the foundation stone for Amaravati tomorrow.
The state government is already on the job, which has started shifting its entire machinery from Hyderabad, which was named the common capital for both AP and Telangana for not more than 10 years from June 2014.
Telangana State Hotels Association General Secretary B Jagadeesh Rao voiced his concern when he said ever since Andhra Pradesh got bifurcated, the hospitality industry started witnessing a downtrend. With the shifting of AP's capital, the situation may further deteriorate, he added.
"The current occupancy rate hovers around 50-60 per cent.
It may further go down with the shifting of government activity to Andhra Pradesh. Though the Telangana government is trying to boost tourism, certain issues are beyond anybody's control," Rao told PTI.
He, however, felt that the impact will be minimum in Madhapur and Gachibowli which are home to IT and service industry. .
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Muslims being targetted, says Azam Khan
In the backdrop of lynching and defacing of Muslims in the name of consuming beef, senior Uttar Pradesh minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mohd Azam Khan today said Muslims were being targetted.
"Muslims are being targetted in the name of beef. Where do we go?" he asked while replying to a query by reporters about ink attack on Independent MLA from Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid by a right wing outfit in Delhi yesterday.
Khan said, "Only one thing is left that we should write Muslim on the map of India and smear black ink on it."
He said if eating beef was a sin then the punishment given to Rashid, should also be meted out to Justice (retd) Markandey Katju and author Shobha De.
Khan said in that case half of the Indian population should be punished.
"Muslim community is a weak community which is being punished," he rued.
Yesterday, Rashid was the target of fringe Hindu outfit Hindu Sena which threw ink and mobil oil on him at the Press Club in Delhi protesting against the beef party he held in Srinagar earlier this month.
Why BJP is silent on rising prices of tur dal: Digvijay
The Congress today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on "rising" prices of tur dal and questioned BJP's "silence" now as the party had staged agitations on the issue when UPA was in power.
"Tur dal prices have now risen to more than Rs 200 (per kg). When tur dal prices were ruling at Rs 70-Rs 80 (per kg during the previous UPA rule) Narendra Modiji and the BJP staged agitations in the entire country. Today, the entire BJP is silent," AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh said.
He said the import of 5000 tonnes, as announced by the government, is grossly inadequate in view of the heavy demand.
Singh quoted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as saying that large stocks are lying in ports, but alleged that there are actually none there and termed it "misleading".
Targeting the Prime Minister, he said: "On every small issue, he tweets; (but) on issues of intolerance; on issues of BJP-RSS activists taking their law into their hands, he is quiet; on the issue of Sudheendra Kulkarni's face being smeared with black paint, he is quiet".
Speaking in the context of Dadri lynching and controversial statements of BJP leaders, he said, "My allegation is that all this is happening to hide the failures of the Modi government to mislead the people to divert the mind of people from core issues of economy, core issues of employment and core issues of black money, by raising such issues".
"The Government of India has completely failed to fulfil its promises and the only agenda they have is to polarise the country on religious lines, create conditions of communalism, destroying the secular fabric of the country," Singh said.
On GST, he said the Standing Committee of Rajya Sabha has raised four critical issues in the bill presented by the NDA government and if they are addressed, the Congress is prepared to support it.
Why bring foreign companies to build AP capital: Cong
Congress today questioned the reported participation of foreign companies in the proposed building of the capital for Andhra Pradesh and alleged the lands are being given to them of 99-year lease.
"And I am told that all these lands (some of the acquired lands for capital city project) are being given on 99 years lease to foreign companies," AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to lay the foundation stone for the capital Amaravati on October 22.
Noting that the Prime Minister is laying stress on "Make in India", Singh asked: "Are Indian companies or contractors or city planners have no competence to build a capital ?, and noted that Chandigarh, Gandhinagar and Raipur were built by Indians."
"Why bring foreign companies? You can bring their technology, you can bring their planners to help us build. But why give them 99 years lease to these foreign companies? This is the basic objection," he said.
Singh said he has doubts if the National Green Tribunal has given its clearance, and also whether environmental clearances have been obtained.
He alleged that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is "keeping quiet" on the issue of special category status to the State. Such a status to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand brought thousands of crores of investment to the two states, Singh said.
Noting that then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the commitment to accord the status on the floor of Rajya Sabha in February last year during a debate on AP Reorganisation Act, he asked: "Why this is not being given?"
Centre calls meeting of CMs of seven Naxal-hit states on Nov 3
With Maoist violence continuing unabated, the Centre has called a meeting of chief ministers of seven Naxal-affected states on November 3 to chalk out a strategy to fight the menace
The meeting, to be chaired by Union Home Minister of India Rajnath Singh, will discuss overall Left-wing extremism (LWE) scenario in 35 worst-affected states in the seven states -- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Telangana -- besides issues like inter-state coordination
"Action against mass front organisations of the CPI (Maoist), preparation of specific anti-LWE operations plans and checking of flow of funds to the LWE cadres are part of the agenda of the meeting," a senior Home Ministry official said
The day-long meeting will formulate plans on how to maximise the use of around 1,10,000 paramilitary personnel currently deployed in Naxal-hit states, monitoring of pilferage of explosives and IEDs (improvised explosive device), rehabilitation of family members of persons killed in LWE violence and investigation of important cases against the naxalites with the NIA (National Investigation Agency) and state police forces
Apart from the security issues, the Home Minister and the chief ministers will also take stock of the overall development initiatives taken in the LWE affected areas
Installation of 2,199 mobile towers in Naxal-hit states, progress of construction of roads and bridges, review of high rejection rate and distribution of titles to tribals under Forest Right Act, financial inclusion through post offices, banks will be reviewed too.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Mina toll at least 2,110
The crush and stampede that struck the hajj last month in Saudi Arabia killed at least 2,110 pilgrims, a new tally showed today, after officials in the kingdom met to discuss the tragedy.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdul Aziz, who is also the kingdom's interior minister, oversaw the meeting late yesterday, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. It did not mention any official response to the rising death toll. The country's own toll since September 26 has stood at 769 people killed and 934 injured.
"The crown prince was reassured on the progress of the investigations," the SPA report said. "He directed the committee's members to continue their efforts to find the causes of the accident, praying to Allah Almighty to accept the martyrs and wishing the injured a speedy recovery."
King Salman ordered the investigation into the September 24 tragedy in Mina, just outside the holy city of Mecca. The disaster was the deadliest in the history of the annual pilgrimage, and came after a crane collapse in Mecca earlier that month killed 111 worshippers. The twin disasters marred the first hajj to be overseen by the king since he ascended to the throne at the start of this year.
The AP figure comes from state media reports and officials' comments from 30 of the over 180 countries that sent citizens to the five-day annual pilgrimage, which is required of all able-bodied Muslims.
Iran leads all the affected countries, saying it had 465 pilgrims killed. Many of the dead also came from Africa.
Nigeria said it lost 199 people, while Mali lost 198, Cameroon lost 76, Niger lost 72, Senegal lost 61, and Ivory Coast and Benin both lost 52.
Others include Egypt with 182, Bangladesh with 137, Indonesia with 126, India with 116, Pakistan with 102, Ethiopia with 47, Chad with 43, Morocco with 33, Sudan with 30, Algeria with 25, Burkina Faso with 22, Tanzania with 20, Somalia with 10, Kenya with eight, Ghana and Turkey with seven, Myanmar and Libya with six, China with four, Afghanistan with two and Jordan and Malaysia with one.
The previous deadliest-ever incident at hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.
Mina stampede probe continuing: KSA
A Saudi investigation into the worst disaster in the history of the hajj pilgrimage is yet to end, official media reported today, more than three weeks after a stampede killed 1,791 people.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef "was reassured of the progress of the ongoing investigation", the Saudi Press Agency said, in a rare update after he met last night with the investigative committee.
"He directed the members of the committee to continue the efforts exerted to come to the reasons behind the accident," SPA said.
Mohammed is interior minister and chairs the Saudi hajj committee.
He ordered the probe immediately after the September 24 disaster during a stoning ritual at Mina, just outside the holy city of Mecca.
Saudi Arabia issued a death toll of 769 two days after the incident but has given no further tally or details of the casualties.
Data from foreign officials in more than 30 countries produced the toll of 1,791.
Pilgrims blamed the stampede on police road closures and poor management of the flow of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in searing temperatures.
Saudi officials, speaking immediately after the disaster, blamed pilgrims themselves for not following rules.
The results of the probe will be presented to King Salman, who carries the title "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in Mecca and Medina.
Salman has already ordered "a revision" of how the hajj is organised.
Saudi Arabia's handling of the hajj and its response to the disaster provoked foreign criticism, particularly from regional rival Iran, which reported the largest number of dead at 464.
The hajj and lesser umrah pilgrimages bring millions of Muslims to Saudi Arabia every year.
Salman said last week that the kingdom used "all its capabilities and efforts" to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims.
Days before the start of this year's hajj at least 109 people, including foreign pilgrims, died in a separate accident when a construction crane collapsed on Mecca's Grand Mosque.
Union ministers spreading communalism: Azad
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today alleged that Union ministers were spreading communalism and expressed "fear" amidst the hue and cry over claims of rising of intolerance in the country.
"Fencing is erected to protect the crop from being eaten away by animals. If the fencing itself eats away the crop, where do we go? That is the fear. The ministers of the Union Government spread communalism today. They give such statements."
"Now, it is in the open. Because, the party president had to call them yesterday and say stop this," Azad said referring to BJP chief Amit Shah's reprimand to several top party leaders who made controversial comments over the Dadri lynching and beef row.
Azad was speaking at the historic Charminar after receiving Rajiv 'Sadbhavana Award' presented to him to commemorate a 'Sadbhavana Yatra' undertaken from the same place by late Rajiv Gandhi in 1990.
Noting that India has always been a secular country, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha alleged that attempts are being made to "communalise" the people.
Expressing that he "salutes" those returning awards in protest against alleged growing intolerance in the country, he said 99 per cent of such writers belong to the majority community.
Referring to the letter reportedly written by a UP Minister to the United Nations for "saving Muslims", he said the majority community which is secular would protect the minorities.
"For people like me and crores of secular Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, the head rises when all Hindu writers, intellectuals and those transform the society are returning their awards one after another. This is our victory," he said.
Is tolerance and acceptance of dissent on wane? asks Prez
Amidst a wave of rising intolerance, President Pranab Mukherjee today expressed serious apprehensions over whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane in the country.
"Humanism and pluralism should not be abandoned under any circumstance. Assimilation through receiving is a characteristic of Indian society. Our collective strength must be harnessed to resist evil powers in society," Mukherjee said.
Addressing a gathering organised by Nayaprajanma, a local weekly newspaper here, he expressed apprehension about "whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent are on the wane?"
He reminded the audience of the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa 'Jato Mat Tato Path' "As there are a number of beliefs, there are a number of ways".
"Indian civilisation has survived for 5000 years because of its tolerance. It has always accepted dissent and differences. A large number of languages, 1600 dialects and 7 religions coexist in India. We have a Constitution that accommodates all these differences," the President said.
The President's strong words on the need to maintain pluralism and dissent in the society come against the backdrop of series of hate incidents including in Mumbai where BJP ally Shiv Sena forced cancellation of a music concert by Pakistani legend Ghulam Ali and talks between Indian and Pakistani cricket board Chiefs and blackened the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni.
Less than a fortnight ago against the backdrop of Dadri lynching, the President made a strong appeal for maintaining the core civilisational values of diversity, tolerance and plurality have kept India united for centuries which he said cannot be wasted.
The President's strong condemnation came on a day when an independent MLA from Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid was the target of a fringe Hindu outfit which threw ink and mobil oil on him at the Press Club in Delhi protesting against the beef party he held in Srinagar earlier this month. He was also beaten up in the state assembly by BJP MLAs.
Greeting people on the eve of Durga Puja celebrations, Mukherjee expressed the hope that "Mahamaya - the combination of all positive forces would eliminate the Asuras or divisive forces."
Sunday, October 18, 2015
The body of Nalgonda youth killed in Noida brought to Hyderabad
The shocking day-light gunning down of Nalgonda boy Ramaraju Sandesh, studying B.Sc Marine Sciences at Amity University in Noida no Saturday has sent shockwaves in Telangana.
The victim staying in a rented flat in Sector 100 of Noida was shot dead from point blank range. The incident took place when some persons rang the doorbell of the victim's flat and fired at him. Sandesh used to say at Lotus Boulevard Society with his friends, also students of the same university.
The deceased, an undergraduate student, was staying with his friends – Madhur and Nadeem in the flat. According to information, after Sandesh opened the door, gun shots were heard. By the time Nadeem rushed out, he saw two persons escaping from the scene. The Nalgonda boy was declared brought dead to a local hospital.
Sandesh was the younger son of the two children of Ramaraju Shyam Sundar Rao, working as Superintendent in Nalgonda District Cooperative Central Bank at Devarakonda. While the eldest son Ramaraju Santosh works in the U.S., the victim had joined Amity University two years ago after completing Intermediate from Sri Chaitanya Junior College in Hyderabad.
Grief-stricken father of the deceased rushed to Delhi to bring back the mortal remains. When contacted, Praveen Kumar, uncle of Sandesh told The Hindu, “We do not have any information on what happened in Noida. We are shell shocked by the incident. We are trying to break the shocking news to Sandesh’s mother Roopa, who is in Hyderabad.”
A pall of gloom descended on the residence of the victim in Srinagar Colony in Nalgonda town. Neighbours of Sandesh remember him as a very good meritorious student, who always maintained a low profile. A native of Atmakur mandal in Nalgonda district, victim’s father had shifted to the district headquarters 13 years ago and constructed a house.
It was shocking development for K. Chenna Keshava Reddy, childhood friend of Sandesh and classmate from Class VIII to X in SPR School of Excellence in Nalgonda town. Student of Sri Indu Engineering College in Hyderabad, Chenna Keshava Reddy said Sandesh had come recently to Nalgonda during holidays.
“He is a very kind guy and calm going. He will never ever indulge in a quarrel. A jovial person, Sandesh always used to make every one happy. It is really shocking to hear about his untimely death,” he recalled.
Hardik Patel booked for sedition
Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel was today booked by Gujarat Police under sedition charges for his alleged comments on October 3 instigating a community youth to kill policemen instead of committing suicide.
"We have filed a case of sedition against Hardik Patel for his October 3 comments here telling his friends to kill policemen," DCP Marland Chauhan, who has become a complainant in the case, said.
The sedition case has been filed under section 124(A) of IPC at Amroli police station in the city.
In a controversial remark in Surat, Hardik, the 22-year-old fiery leader, had allegedly advised a youth from the community to kill policemen rather than commit suicide.
"If you have so much courage...then go and kill a couple of policemen. Patels never commit suicide," Hardik had allegedly told the youth Vipul Desai, who had announced that he would commit suicide in support of the agitation.
Hardik visited Desai's house accompanied by a team of a news channel which had aired the conversation later.
This complaint against Hardik comes after almost 15 days of his controversial remarks.
The quota spearhead has been hogging the limelight since the August 25 "mega-rally" of Patels in Ahmedabad and the subsequent violence across Gujarat.
Hardik was detained yesterday in Rajkot ahead of India- South Africa third ODI, as he had threatened to protest during the match for quota for his community. He is still under detention of Rajkot Police.
Mumbai cops thrash 2 Muslim youths, ask them to go to Pakistan
Some policemen allegedly beat up two Muslim youth at a police station in suburban Bandra and asked them to go to Pakistan for being "agents" of that country after they had a fight with the cops, prompting authorities to launch a probe into the incident.
"A DCP began inquiring into the incident last evening and an appropriate action will follow," city Police Commissioner Ahmed Javed told PTI today.
The incident happened in the wee hours of Saturday.
The youths, Asif Sheikh and Danish Sheikh (both 19), had alleged that they were assaulted by police inspector Kedar Pawar and others, who were on night duty, in Bandra police station.
"Pawar also asked them to leave the country while dubbing them as Pakistani agents," a relative of Asif claimed.
However, a police officer attached to Bandra police station said the youths were picked from Bandra Reclamation at 2:30 AM on Saturday when they were fighting with each other and that Asif had attacked Inspector in the police station.
"When the youths were brought to the police station on Saturday morning, Asif was shouting and behaving aggressively with the police and boasted his contacts with high-profile and influential Muslim political leaders of the state," the officer said.
He alleged while the police were questioning Asif, he punched Pawar three times without any provocation.
Police said Asif was taken to Bhabha hospital for medical examination to ascertain whether his admission was necessary but doctors there said that his injuries were minor.
When asked how Asif and Danish suffered injuries, the officer said the inquiry will reveal everything.
A complaint in this regard was lodged by Asif's uncle Omar.
Munawwar Rana returns Sahitya award
Urdu poet Munawwar Rana today joined over 30 authors who have returned Sahitya Akademi award while Hindi writer Kashinath said he was handing over the honour in protest against "irresponsible" comments by various ministers on writers who have been agitating against "rising intolerance".
Participating in a televised debate with other writers and politicians, Rana, a big name in contemporary Urdu poetry, said he had decided to return the award because he was dismayed over the recent developments in the country.
"I am returning the Sahitya Akademi award. I won't accept any award from the government in the future," he said.
"I come from Rae Bareli, politics runs through the street drains in my city but I never cared for it," the 62-year-old poet, who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi in 2014 for his book 'Shahdaba', said.
"Writers and litterateurs have been associated with one party or the other. Some are said to be linked with Congress while others with BJP.
"I am a Muslim and some may label me as a Pakistani. Many areas in this country are not linked with electricity but Muslims here are linked to Dawood Ibrahim," the poet said.
Rana has voiced concerns against the "growing religious intolerance in India."
Meanwhile, protesting the "irresponsible" remarks made by various Union ministers against fellow Sahitya Akademi award winning writers, who have over the past two weeks announced their decision to return the honours, Hindi writer Kashinath Singh said he will hand over his award and cash prize on Monday.
"Certain ministers from the Centre have made irresponsible remarks against the authors who returned their awards. The authors' decision have not been taken seriously," the Varanasi based writer, who won the 2011 award for his fiction "Rehan Par Raghu", said.
Singh, a former professor at the Banaras Hindu University, known for his novels and short stories, rejected as "very ridiculous", the allegations that authors were "politically motivated". .
Asaduddin Owaisi demands ban on RSS mouthpiece
AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded action against RSS mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' for its cover story stating that the Dadri lynching "could not have been without reason".
"The RSS mouthpiece should be banned or a case should be lodged as per the law against the owner and publisher of the mouthpiece if they do not follow the law... Such sinister design is the biggest threat to the nation," Owaisi told PTI in Kishanganj in Bihar.
The AIMIM leader has been campaigning for his party's candidates for the assembly polls in Bihar.
Babu meets KCR' invites for Amravati ceremony
Setting aside the bitterness in their relations due to cash-for-vote scam, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandra
babu Naidu today met his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao to invite him for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new state capital.
Mr Naidu, who flew in from Tirupati, drove to Mr KCR's official residence and handed over the invitation for the ceremony on October 22 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay foundation stone for Amaravati.
This was Mr Naidu's first visit to Telangana Chief Minister's residence after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
This was also the first one-to-one meeting between the two chief ministers. They had met earlier in the presence of both states' Governor ESL Narasimhan.
The two leaders were engaged in a bitter war of words after a lawmaker of Mr Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) was caught red-handed in May while trying to bribe a nominated lawmaker of Telangana to make him vote for the party candidate in Telangana legislative council elections.
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) had accused Mr Naidu of being the mastermind in the cash-for-vote scandal. An audio tape of Mr Naidu's purported telephonic conversation with nominated Elvis Stephenson was also aired on some TV channels.
Mr Naidu had hit back by complaining to the central government that his phone was being tapped by Telangana government.
The TDP chief had also urged the central government to handover special powers to governor in Hyderabad, the common capital.
Vedas say kill cow murderers : RSS
Fuelling the ongoing beef debate, the RSS mouthpiece in its cover story has said that the killing of Mohammad Iqlakh in Dadri over beef consumption rumours could not have been "without reason" and even the "Vedas mandate killing of those who slaughter cows".
An article in RSS organ Panchjanya said, "The Vedas order killing of anyone who slaughters the cow.Cow slaughter is a big issue for the Hindu community. For many of us it's a question of life and death."
The article also questioned the rebellion by writers who are returning their awards to protest the lynching episode.
"You (writers) did not see the cow slaughter by Iqlakh.
You didn't see the fact that none of the media reports on Dadri mentioned any personal enmity of anyone with Iqlakh.
Dadri village has never even seen any communal tension. One could have believed Iqlakh's death to be without reason but then we have the Newton's law of every action inviting an equal and opposite reaction.
"The incident (Iqlakh's killing) in a village that has a history of peace could not have been without reason.
The article further asks the rebelling writers why they "fail to question the social mindset which encouraged Mohammad Iqlakh to commit a crime which could have such grave consequences".
Holding that all present day Muslims were Hindus some generations back, the article said, "Who has taught converted Indians to spit on their own culture and values? After all, all Indian Muslims including Iqlakh were Hindus until few generations ago.Iqlakh's ancestors too were cow protectors who like the many courageous people used to punish cow killers.
"How did these converts become so hateful as to turn cow killers from cow protectors?" .
One held in HP lynching case, four others identified
In a breakthrough in the Himachal Pradesh lynching case, police today claimed to have arrested one of the five people accused of killing an alleged cow smuggler two days back and said the remaining would be nabbed soon as they have been identified.
One of the accused has been arrested, DSP of Sirmaur district Yogesh Rolta said about the incident that took place near Lawasa village in Sirmaur district, about 150 kms from here, on Friday.
The arrested person, who is a local resident, is being interrogated to get more information about the incident and the persons involved in the attack and some more accused may be identified, he said.
Efforts are on to arrest the other four accused, he added.
Earlier in the day, Rolta said, "We have identified five persons on the basis of messages and pictures flashed by some youth when they captured the five alleged cow smugglers."
28-year-old Noman Akhtar, a resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was lynched by a mob on October 16 while his four accomplices were apprehended by police with the help of local people after nearly four hours of chase of the truck carrying ten oxen and five cows in the forests in Sirmaur district.
One of the four, who was booked under Prevention of Cruelty against animals and admitted to the hospital at Rajgarh, has been discharged while three others have been shifted to hospital at Nahan.
DGP Sanjay Kumar said said the incident was "unfortunate" but is being blown up "out of proportions".
The incident, which happened close on the heels of Dadri lynching, drew criticism, with the CPI(M) and Congress condemning the incident and urging the government to ensure that peace in the state was not disturbed.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad blamed the government for "failure" to check smuggling of cows, oxen and other animals to adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh.
VHP's State Organising Secretary Manoj Kumar said the government had failed to check smuggling of cows, and the police was now "targeting" the activists involved in Cow protection.
However, the state's Animal Husbandry Minister Anil Sharma said the government was committed to protect cows and other cattle, but it was the task of the police to check smuggling of animals.
Expressing concern over the incident, the All-Himachal Muslim Welfare Society has urged the Chief Minister to order a probe into incident.
"No one was above the Constitution and a probe should also be initiated by the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur and those involved in this ghastly act of lynching a youth, should be arrested immediately," Naseem Mohammed Diddan, president of the Society said in a statement.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Exclusive Wakf Board for Telangana formed
The Telangana State government has taken a decision to constitute an exclusive Wakf Board. According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office here on Saturday, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has appointed Minority Welfare Secretary Syed Omar Jaleel as Board’s Competent Authority and Asadullah as Telangana Wakf Board CEO.
The Telangana State government has taken a decision to constitute an exclusive Wakf Board. According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office here on Saturday, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has appointed Minority Welfare Secretary Syed Omar Jaleel as Board’s Competent Authority and Asadullah as Telangana Wakf Board CEO.
Missing girl found dead in Sanathnagar
A four-year-old girl who had gone missing from Sanathnagar area here three days ago was found dead, Cyberabad police said today.
Her throat was slit by some assailant and her body, which was found last night, was stuffed in a plastic bag from her neighbour's house, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Malkajgiri, Rama Rajeshwari said.
"We have taken some suspects into custody and questioning them," she said.
The girl was seen playing along with her friends in front of her house on Wednesday evening after which she had gone missing.
Her parents had filed a complaint with police following special teams were formed.
Maulana Syed Nizamuddin passes away in Patna
Hazrat Maulana Syed Nizamuddin, the renowned Islamic Scholar and the General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board has passed away this evening . He was 89.Maulana was also Amir e Shariyat of Imarate Sharia , Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Maulana was ill for a long time. His namaze janaza will be offered on Sunday after Zohar prayer in Phulwari Sharif, Patna .
Maulana Syed Nizamuddin was from an educated family. He received his primary educationat the hands of his father at home. Afterwards he was admitted at Madarsa Imdadia, Darbhangafor one year in 1941. In 1942 he was sent to Darul Uloom, Deoband for higher education. He studied Hadith there up to 1947.
After completion of education, he adopted teaching and joinedMadarasa Riyazul Uloom, Sathi District Champaran as its Principal and remained there for 12 yearsfrom 1949 to 1962. He joined Madarsa Rasheedul Uloom at Chatra as its Principal and remained there for two years from 1963-1964.
He was identified and chosen by Hazrat Ameer Shariat Maulana Syed Shah Minnatullah Rahmani for the work at Imarat-e-Shariah. Therefore, he joined the Imarat-e-Shariahin 1965 as its Nazim (Administrator).
In 1991 he was unanimously elected as the General Secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board after death of Maulana Syed Shah Minnatullah Rahmani . He was ably performing these duties till date.He was elected as Ameer Shariat, Imarat-e-Shariah, Bihar-Orissa and Jharkhand in the year 1998after death of Hazrat Maulana Abdul Rahman.
Hazrat Maulana Syed Nizamuddin took oath of allegiance to Shaikhul Hind Hazrat Maulana HussainAhmad Madani. He is Shaikhul Hind’s disciple as well. He was member of the Majlis-e-Shoora of Darul Uloom, Deoband, and Majlis-e-Muntzama, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema,Lucknow.
Modi government imposing its ideology on people: Sonia Gandhi
Accusing Narendra Modi government of trying to impose its ideology on the people, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said communal frenzy is being created, innocents are killed on rumours and intellectuals are targeted under it rule which is threatening the democratic and social fabric of the country.
Addressing an election rally here, she took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his repeated attack on the nearly six-decade-long Congress rule, retorting that her party had zealously strengthened democracy, which allowed Modi to become the Prime Minister.
"BJP government is moving away from democratic ideals. It is creating a serious threat for our democracy by imposing its ideology on the people. Communal tension is being created. Innocents are being killed on the basis of rumours. The way intellectuals are being attacked, they are being denied freedom to express their views. It is trying to weaken the foundation of social harmony. It is not just sad but also shameful," she said in a reference to the Dadri lynching incident and the targeting of intellectuals.
Gandhi also hit out at Modi for "failing" to fulfill the promises made by him to the public, especially with regard to farmers, women and youth. She also attacked the PM over rising prices of essential commodities including vegetables and pulses that had made the life of common people difficult. Gandhi said Modi had repeatedly said that, "What has Congress done in last 60 years, that Congress has not done anything.
"I want to tell you all this especially to the youth that there was a time that due to colonial rule, there was nothing left in the country. In the last sixty years, the Congress party has ushered revolutionary changes in education, health, agriculture, industry as well as nuclear and other areas.
"It protected the unity, integrity and the legacy of the country. The party took the country on the path of progress and protected the social fabric for which it sacrificed its leaders.
"We made the democracy strong because of which Modi on Saturday could become the Prime Minister. Has all this been done in last one-and-a half years. If you cannot see the progress brought by the Congress, then whose fault is it. It is yours."
The five-phased Bihar assembly poll is underway and polling for the third phase of election for 50 seats will be held on October 28.
Friday, October 16, 2015
15 members of a marriage party killed in a road accident in Prakasam
At least 15 people, including three children, were killed today and 21 injured when a mini truck carrying a marriage party collided with a bus near Kandukur town in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Police said a mini truck carrying a marriage party coming from Kandukur hit the bus coming from the opposite direction.
Fifteen people have been killed in the mishap after the bus caught fire in the mishap, Inspector of Police (Kandukur) M Lakshman said.
The mini truck was carrying 40 passengers while there were no passengers on board in the bus. Fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.
The officer said the injured are being shifted to Kandukur, Ongole and Nellore districts for treatment.
Andhra Pradesh Transport minister Sidda Raghava Rao also reached the spot and is supervising the rescue operations.
District Collector Sujatha Sarma also visited the mishap site.
The deceased were identified as -- N Subhasini (31), P Prasad (30), R Subba Rao (50), E Chiranjeevi (45), S Chandu (10), S Adinarayana (10), Srilakha (8), M Padma (40), K Sushela (47), S Venkateswara Rao (40), S Rajamma (40), V Subbaiah (30), V Chinnaya, S Rajayya, and B Hazarataiah.
Hyderabad to host 19th international children's film festival from Nov 14
A seven-day 19th International Children Film Festival 2015, the first in the Telangana State, will be held here from November 14 to 20, according to Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav.
In this connection, the minister, along with Information & Public Relations Director Subhash and his predecessor V Subhash Goud, launched an official website www.19icff.com for the festival and an invitation CD of songs at the Secretariat here on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said it will be celebrated as State festival at the directive of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and the event will begin and conclude at Shilparamam at Madhapur for which elaborate arrangements were being made to make the event a grand success.
Apart from constituting eight committees to ensure successful conduct of the International Children Film Festival in a grand manner, an executive committee headed by Principal Secretary and I&PR commissioner BP Acharya and Shilparamam special officer Kishan Rao as vice-president has been constituted for the purpose, the minister said. Stating that efforts were on to make Hyderabad a permanent venue for the International Children Film Festival, the minister said efforts were being made to conduct the film festival not only in Hyderabad but also in all the district headquarters this time.
Stating that 1,204 entries were received and they would be forwarded to the Children Film Society of India for approval, Srinivas Yadav said only films recommended by the Society would be screened at all places. He also informed that some 450 children from all over the country and abroad and 75 film personalities would be participating in the festival.
The Mumbai-based Children Film Society of India, Union department of Information and Broadcasting and Telangana Government are jointly conducting the event. Imax Theatre will be the main platform and 13 other theatres will screen the films. Shilparamam special officer Kishan Rao also spoke. (NSS)
Dadri like incident near Shimla
Suspected Bajrang Dal activists lynched a man from Uttar Pradesh at a village near Shimla because they suspected he was smuggling cattle, his relative has alleged.
A seriously injured Noman was found by Himachal Pradesh Police on Wednesday morning inside a truck at Sarahan village near Nahan, and rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
His relative Imran Asgar, who was travelling with him, said Noman was severely beaten up by Bajrang Dal activists after they stopped the truck carrying cattle.
The four other occupants of the truck were booked under the Himachal Pradesh Cow Slaughter Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act after police found the truck was carrying cattle.
Police also registered a case of murder under section 302 of the IPC and are investigating whether Bajrang Dal activists were behind the attack.
The incident came three weeks after a 55-year-old man was lynched in Bisada village of Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he had slaughtered a cow on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
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