Centre launches Muslim outreach programme

The Centre today launched its Muslim outreach programme, with Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi holding an interactive session with the community members here in Haryana, telling them that the NDA dispensation is committed to empower and provide equal opportunity to all. Seeking to "remove any misconceptions" among the Muslims at the first 'Progress Panchayat', Naqvi hit out at "so- called political champions of secularism" who he said are only engaged in exploitation of minorities. The launch of the outreach programme from this Muslim- dominated area comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Muslims should be treated as "own" and should be empowered. "We have come to hold dialogue with people as per Modiji's instructions. Earlier the outreach was limited to electioneering but ministers will reach out to people even after elections and this is the prime example," Naqvi said. "Our steadfast concern remains development and we will not deviate from that agenda," the Minority Affairs Minister said. He said the objective of the 'Progress Panchayat' was not political but to reach out to the minority community and apprise them of the development initiatives taken by the government. During the event, one person named Khurshid Ahmed, in his sixties, stood up and alleged that while "Congress betrayed the community", BJP leaders too do not pay heed to their grievances. "We are true patriots. When we go to BJP people and to the officals as well, we get no response," he told Naqvi. The organisers tried to stop him but he was able to complete despite intervention as the audience egged him on. "Congress betrayed the community despite being in power for 60 years. We expect BJP to do good for us," Ahmed said at the event organised at Modern school Hatim Pawal district. However, Naqvi assured him that the NDA government was against votebank politics and was only committed to empower and provide equal opportunities. Union Minister and local MP Krishan Pal Gurjar was also present at the event.

Inter-state racket of fraudsters busted; four held

Four persons suspected to be members of an inter-state gang were arrested for allegedly attempting to withdraw Rs 3.92 crores from the accounts of a public sector petroleum unit here fraudulently, police said today. "The attempt to fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 3.92 crores was prevented due to alertness of Vaidehinagar's SBI branch manager and four members of the white-collar criminal gang were arrested last night," Commissioner of Police (Rachakonda Commissionerate) Mahesh M Bhagwat said. Vaidehinagar's SBI branch manager B Ramgopal in his complaint lodged on September 19 stated that Nallapureddy Jalireddy, who opened a bank account in the name of Jeevan Jyothi Trust Chairman presented four cheques worth Rs 3.92 crores belonging to the public sector petroleum unit in the branch for withdrawing the amounts. However, on scrutinising the cheques, it was found that they were forged in the name of the chairman of the petroleum unit, the senior official said. A case was registered under charge of cheating and other relevant sections of the IPC. During the course of investigation, Jalireddy was first taken into custody and he confessed to police that Bodapati Venkata Nagaraju had handed over the four cheques through anothe rpersons named Balu and he presented the cheques at the Vaidehinagar branch of the bank. Subsequently, Bodapati Venkata Nagaraju was nabbed and based on his confession, police apprehended K Chiathanya and Singireddy Rama Krishna, the CP said. Further, Nagaraju confessed that the cheques have been handed over to him by Prasanth, who is absconding. Police said Prasanth was handed over the cheques by a person named Mishra from Lucknow, who is also absconding. "Efforts are continuing to apprehend Prasanth, Mishra and others," Bhagwat said. Police also seized nine cheque books of various banks, two passbooks and other documents.

Repair work on rural roads on war footing

Telangana government said today that the repair work on roads in rural areas which were damaged in the heavy rains recently will be taken up on a "war footing". According to an official release, state Panchayat Raj Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao has asked officials concerned to carry out repair work on 530 "breached" roads immediately. It said 1,524 roads, measuring 1,700 km in total, have suffered damages due to heavy rains that lashed Telangana, including state capital Hyderabad, mainly during the last week. It has been estimated that funds to the tune of Rs 318.58 crore and Rs 49.61 crore are required to carry out the repairs on permanent and temporary basis respectively, the release said. The minister directed immediate removal of encroachments on drainage systems in neighbouring Rangareddy district. He also asked officials to book criminal cases against the encroachers "if necessary" and also sought a report on the encroachments, unauthorised constructions and lay outs in the district, the release added.

We stand united with the Army and the country: Asad Owaisi

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today said his party stood in solidarity with armed forces and the country in the wake of the "surgical strikes" by India on terror launch pads across the Line of Control. "...we are with our armed forces....MIM party completely stands united with the whole country and the armed forces and we are against any form of terrorism," the Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad said here. Asked if he apprehends escalation of tension between India and Pakistan, he said, "This is for the government of the day to consider and see what needs to be done. We hope that nothing bad will happen anymore to our country." As to whether he saw progress in restoration of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir after the visit of an all-party delegation (of which he was a part), Owaisi said, "More than 80 deaths have taken place; still situation remains the same." India last night carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army saying its special forces inflicted "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

KCR asks rev officers, cops to start work in new districts

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has ordered that revenue and police officers should start functioning from the day the new districts come into force. The state government plans to increase the number of districts in the state from the present 10 to 27. A number of new revenue divisions and new mandals would also be launched accordingly. The new districts would come into force from the Dasara festival. Rao ordered that revenue and police offices should start functioning from day one, a release from his office said. As per his orders CM's Additional Principal Secretary Shantikumari held a meeting with different heads of departments today on the number of employees required and the number of posts and filling them up, it said. The meeting discussed the issue in detail, the release added.

Minorities Commission calls for SIT to probe cases against black-magicians

The Telangana and Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission today made a suggestion to Hyderabad Police to set up an Special Investigation Team (SIT) to receive complaints and probe matters pertaining to black-magicians. Sixteen people, were allegedly indulged in sorcery, from different parts of the Old City here yesterday. In the wake of the arrests the Commission, took up the issue suo-moto and called for a detailed report from the city police. However, it appreciated the prompt action taken by Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Zone) V Satyanarayana. The panel suggested formation of an SIT to receive complaints in such cases and to nab those involved them. Police said the black magicians were extracting money from innocent people by claiming to possess extraordinary powers. South Zone Police here yesterday arrested 16 people, including Anwarullah Khan alias Disco Baba, a self-proclaimed unani doctor, who had collected Rs 35 lakh from his victim stating that there was a treasure hidden in his house, and one tantrik Faiyaz Mehmood Ansari, who had abducted one boy and wrongfully confined and allegedly attempted to kill him.

Man jumps in front of train after friend's death, dies

Hours after his friend died in a road mishap, a 26-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a running train in Borabanda area here, authorities said. Ramesh, working at a hospital, was riding a motorcycle and his friend G Hari Krishna (28) around midnight. They were going to Sanath Nagar from Kukatpally when the bike hit a road-divider, Kukatpally Police Station Inspector K Purushotam said. "Hari, a software engineer, died on the spot due to head injuries, while Ramesh escaped from the spot. After the mishap some of Hari's relatives asked him about the incident. However, Ramesh got afraid and went towards Borabanda," he said. The Government Railway Police (GRP), based on its preliminary investigation, said Ramesh was hit by a train while he was crossing the track at Borabanda. Media reports claimed Ramesh committed suicide as he was shocked over the death of his friend after their bike was hit by a lorry. However, Kukatpally police said as per the initial probe, the bike seemed to have first hit the road-divider. Kukatpally Police and Hyderabad GRP booked separate cases and investigation probe is on.

Strengthen internal security, have consistency in Pak policy: Asad Owaisi

There is a need for "introspection" and strengthening internal security measures to prevent terror attacks like Uri, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today said and stressed for consistency in India's policy towards Pakistan. "Whatever happened in Uri, it is known to all that the terrorists came from neighbouring country. Our army camp was attacked there. The question that arises is, introspection has also to be done on how it happened and who is responsible and what action government will take," he told reporters here. The government needs to strengthen internal security as the terror attack on the army camp at Uri was preceded by attacks at Udhampur, Poonch and Pathankot among others, the Hyderabad MP said. "Because Udhampur, Poonch, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and now Uri happened, we have to strengthen our internal systems also. There is a need to work with caution, why these people are able to penetrate. It has become a habit with our neighbouring country to interfere in our affairs. But, we need to make our installations strong," Owaisi said. Voicing support to the government's move to stay away from the SAARC Summit scheduled to take place in Pakistan, Owaisi, however, stressed for a consistent policy towards the neighbouring country. "Alright, you are not going for SAARC meeting because the government in Pakistan doesn't control terrorist organisations there like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The trial of 26/11 has been going for years now. We gave evidence on Pathankot but no action was taken (by Pakistan). So the government has taken this policy. We have no objection to that. But keep a consistent policy," he said. The foreign policy towards Pakistan should be consistent, he said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise stopover at Lahore last year while returning from Afghanistan. "What will be our policy towards our neighbouring country. Foreign policy doesn't run like we will go if there is a wedding at somebody's house. There is need for consistent approach," Owaisi said.

Seven of a gang nabbed for extorting people

Seven members of a gang who allegedly extorted people by posing as policemen were today nabbed, police said. On reliable information about the pseudo Special Operation Team, a team of Cyberabad Police apprehended them at Miyapur area here and on interrogation they have confessed about the offences they committed at various places across the city, a release by Cyberabad Police said. The modus operandi of the gang was that by posing as SOT police they extorted gold, money, mobile phones and one bike from public, it added.

Who is responsible for the escalation of war in Syria: A debate in Urdu

Annual DGPs/IGPs meet likely in Hyderabad

The annual conference of DGPs and IGPs is likely to be held in Hyderabad on November 25-27 where a host of issues, including cross border terrorism and radicalisation of youths, will be discussed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be for the third time since independence that the conference will be held outside Delhi - first in Guwahati in 2014 and Kutch in Gujarat in 2015. The idea of holding the meeting of DGPs and IGPs outside Delhi was first mooted by the Prime Minister himself after he assumed power in 2014. Issues like cross border terrorism, radicalisation of youths and attempts to lure Indians into Middle-East terrorist group ISIS will top the agenda of the meeting being hosted by the Intelligence Bureau, official sources said. Filling up of vacant posts in various police forces, reforms in police forces, circulation of fake Indian currency notes, smuggling of narcotics and human trafficking will also be discussed threadbare during the two-day conference, the sources said. The Prime Minister and Home Minister Rajnath Singh will directly interact with the top police officers and get their feedback about the prevailing internal security situation and various aspects of police personnel. The conference, which has been tentatively fixed for November 25-27, will be attended by around 100 Directors General of Police (DGPs) of states, Directors of central paramilitary forces and their Inspectors General, sources said.

TS eyes Rs 20,000 cr loan for Hyderabad's development

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today said the state government will work towards getting Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore loan to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) for the integrated development of the city to make it 'global city'. Reviewing the situation emerged out of incessant rains for the past three days in the state, Rao said he is happy with the rains as most of the reservoirs of medium irrigation projects received water in full and overflowing. "The city (GHMC) needs integrated development. We (the state government) will try to get Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore for that purpose. We will stand guarantee for that (loan). Hyderabad cannot become global city just like that. It takes at least 5-6 years," Rao told reporters. He also warned that the government would sternly deal with illegal constructions and demolish them. Blaming opposition Congress and Telugu Desam party for the present crisis, Rao alleged that those parties, when in power, allowed illegal constructions on drainages. He the government would soon prepare a report on the loss or damage caused due to rains, to Centre and seek financial help. According to him, Hyderabad city received rainfall of 462 mm so far against the average of 84 mm. "The city received 448 per cent higher rainfall. It is the highest after 1908. The length of the roads in the city is 9,000 km. We received reports that only ten per cent of it got damaged due to continuous rains. Once these rains stops, we will allot Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore to GHMC for taking up roads," KCR said. He said there were no casualties in the city due to the rains and also advised media not to create panic among people with "exaggerated and excessive" reporting of rains.

Several parts of Telangana continue to receive heavy rains; Army and NDRF teams moved in for relief work

Several parts of the Telangana continued to receive heavy rains while relief operations picked up momentum in Hyderabad following teams of Army and NDRF moved in. The Indian Air Force has also been kept standby to assist the civil administration. Three Chetak Helicopters of the IAF attempted in vain to rescue over 20 civilians stranded in the flood water at Eadupayala village in Medak district. Though two rescue attempts have been made, they could not yield results due to heavy rain. However, the IAF in a release said, further attempts will be made tomorrow morning. Swollen streams and rivulets have inundated hundreds of habitations and caused damage especially to roads in the state. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrasekhara Rao directed the district administration of five districts that are on the banks of River Godavari to be on high alert as floods expected in the river with heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad after holding a high level review meeting, he asked the administrations of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Khammam districts to be ready for any eventuality. However, he asked people of Telangana not to panic as relief measures are being taken. He asked the officials to prepare a detailed report over damages and the same will be presented to the centre for disaster relief assistance. AIR correspondent's report:- " Heavy rains continue to batter Telangana putting the state administration on toes not to leave any stone unturned in providing relief to the rain affected people. After the teams of Army and NDRF entered, the relief operations have picked up momentum. Food and water are being distributed in a number of residential colonies that are inundated for the past four days in and around Hyderabad. About 4 thousand people from low lying areas are taking shelter in the relief camps. Meanwhile Chief Minister Chandrasekhara Rao who held a high level review meeting, underlined the need for taking long term measures to avert this type of disasters. He informed that Hyderabad city received 448 per cent more rain than the normal 84 mille metres during the month of September. He attributed the cause for flooding to around 28000 illegal constructions on various storm water drains, on which he assured that a drive to remove all illegal constructions will be taken up soon. Meanwhile, all the project reservoirs in the state across rivers Krishna and Godavari are filled almost to their full capacity after about a decade."

2 workers die after inhaling leaked gas at pharma unit

Two workers today died after they inhaled gas which got leaked at a pharma unit in Ida Moula Ali here, police said. The victims, Vijay Kumar (28) and Dhiraj (20) were on the second floor of the unit when they fell unconscious after inhaling the leaked gas and were shifted to a nearby hospital, they said. "From there, they were shifted to another hospital and died during the treatment," police said. Kumar was from Bihar, while Dhiraj hailed from West Bengal. A case has been booked and further investigation is underway.

Rains continue in Hyderabad, low-lying areas water-logged

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today instructed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to take the help of Army and NDRF for the relief measures if needed, as rains are lashing the city for the last two days. Rao, who is in Delhi, spoke to GHMC commissioner B Janardhan Reddy on phone and asked to be "extra cautious" in view of the forecast of heavy rains in the next four days over Telangana, an official release quoted him as saying. If necessary, help of the Army, NDRF, police and other agencies can be taken, the CM said. Normal life in some low-lying areas of the city is disrupted due to the water-logging, and traffic has been hit badly due to the downpour. Met department has said "heavy to very" rains are likely in isolated places during the next four days in the state. Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao and some senior officials visited Allamthota Baavi and Mayur Marg in Begumpet which are inundated due to sudden overflowing of Begumpet nala. Rao also inspected relief camps set up by the Government. A GHMC official said there was a rainfall of 20 mm in eight areas in just one hour between 1 pm and 2 pm today. Water entered into some buildings in Nizampet and Bachupalli on the outskirts of the city.

EAMCET paper leak: Five more brokers held

Five more brokers, including a practicing orthopaedician, were today arrested by Telangana CID in connection with its ongoing probe into the leakage of the Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET-II) question papers. Those arrested were identified as Dr Kota Gangadhar Reddy, an orthopaedician and a native of Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh, Pallam Venkata Dass, J Ramakoteswara Rao, associated with a Distance Education Study centre in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Mohd Abdul Rahaman Ali and Khaja Moizuddin, both from Nalgonda district of Telangana, a release from the police said. Reddy, a practicing orthopaedician at Madinaguda area here, took 11 students suggested by Ramakoteswara, Rahaman Ali and Moizuddin to Shirdi camp, where the students were given practice with two sets of leaked exam papers, it said. Venkata Dass secured four students and took them to Kolkata, where they were given practice with two sets of the leaked question papers. In the past, the CID had arrested over 20 brokers and efforts were on to apprehend the other middlemen and accused in the question paper leak case. On July 25, the CID had registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC and other provisions of Andhra Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractices and Unfair means) Act-1997, after it found in its preliminary inquiry that there was prima facie a case for registering an FIR. The probe also revealed that students appearing for TS EAMCET-II-2016 from Telangana and AP were taken to camps set up in at least five cities about two to three days prior to the exam and given practice with the leaked copies of two question papers consisting of 320 questions with correct answers, the CID had earlier said. At a review meeting held here on August 2, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was informed by the CID that Delhi turned out to be the centre for leak and there were 34 brokers, who conspired to sell the paper and as many as 200 parents were in touch with brokers to buy them. The Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET-II) was conducted on July 9 and the results were declared on July 14. The exam was conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad.

Hyd Police rubbish rumours about threat to public security

The Hyderabad Police today termed as rumours and false certain messages floating in social media about threat to public safety and security in the city. "The information being circulated in social media about threat to public safety and security in Hyderabad city are all rumours and are found to be false. All necessary and adequate security and bandobust arrangements have been made in Hyderabad city by Police to maintain peace and public order," Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahendar Reddy said in a release. "Law and Order situation is peaceful in and around Hyderabad city. People of Hyderabad city are requested to not to believe in rumours being circulated in social media," Reddy said.

Pedestrian kills self by jumping in front of moving car

A pedestrian allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving car on a busy road here, police said today. "The incident occurred at around 5.30 PM on September 14, when the pedestrian while crossing the road suddenly laid down on the road and came under the wheels of a car and died on the spot," Langer House Police Station Inspector Md Javeed said. The incident was caught on a CCTV camera, he said. A case under IPC section 304 A (causing death by negligence) was registered in the initial stage. However, during probe police found that the Community CCTV in the area had recorded the incident which showed that the deceased person had infact jumped in front of the car, said the inspector. As per the official, police are now in the process of altering the sections in the case. "The car driver was not arrested," the inspector said, adding a probe was on.

B.Tech student held for harassing classmate on Facebook

A 19-year-old engineering student was today arrested for allegedly harassing his classmate on Facebook, police said. Based on the complaint filed by the girl, Sai Ram Kumar K, a second year B.Tech student, was arrested for allegedly harassing her, they said. According to Cyberabad East Police, Kumar used to send the complainant messages by creating fake Facebook profiles. He also used to exert pressure on the girl by asking her to share her nude pictures and threatened that he would post her morphed images and videos on Facebook. "He also threatened to share her (morphed) pictures with her parents, friends and family members if she failed to send her nude pictures," the police said in release issued here. The accused, who was arrested from Meerpet here, was booked under IPC sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), among others. During interrogation, Kumar reportedly confessed to police that he had created about 10 fake Facebook profiles in the name of fictitious girls. "As the complainant avoided him because of his rude behaviour, he used Facebook to trouble her to send abusive messages," police said.

Nawaz Sharif rakes up Kashmir, hails Burhan Wani as 'young leader'

Raking up Kashmir at the UN, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today glorified slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani as a "young leader" even as he expressed readiness for a "serious and sustained dialogue" with India for peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir. Sharif devoted much of his 20-minute speech at the UN General Assembly session to Kashmir and the current situation in the valley and said Pakistan "fully supports the demand of the Kashmiri people for self-determination". He demanded an "independent inquiry into the extra- judicial killings" and a UN fact-finding mission to Kashmir "so that those guilty of these atrocities are punished." Insisting that peace and normalisation between Pakistan and India cannot be achieved without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute, Sharif made a number of allegations with regard to the current unrest in the valley. India has blamed Pakistan for engineering and fuelling the unrest. While talking about the situation in Kashmir, the Pakistan Prime Minister referred to Wani, who was killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8, as a "young leader" and said he has "emerged as the symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada, a popular and peaceful freedom movement..."

Ban makes no reference to Kashmir in final UNGA address

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today made no reference to Kashmir and the situation in the Valley in his last address despite Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's repeated calls to the world body to help resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. In his final address as the UN chief to the opening session of the General Debate here, Ban touched upon a plethora of global issues including the crisis in Syria, the Palestinian issue, the situation in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, the refugee and migrant movements. He also addressed tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East, the South Sudan tensions, violent extremism and its impact on regions from Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan to the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. However, Ban did not make any mention of Kashmir or the tensions in the Valley, that have escalated in the recent months, even as Pakistan made repeated pleas to the UN to help resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan. Kashmir will be the focal point of Sharif's address to the General Assembly tomorrow. Tensions are particularly running high between India and Pakistan in the wake of the attack by heavily-armed militants from Pakistan-based JeM on an army base in Uri on Sunday that killed 18 jawans. Ban's office has repeatedly said that the UN chief's "good offices" are available to help resolve the Kashmir issue, only if both India and Pakistan request for it, a clear message that it is a bilateral issue and should be solved by the two countries. Last month, Sharif had written two letters to Ban asking him to intervene in the Kashmir issue. The letters were among the many that Islamabad had shot off to the UN, calling for the world body to take up the Kashmir issue. However, in his long and final address to the world leaders, Ban did not make one reference to Kashmir while highlighting the issues on the UN agenda. In his address, Ban referred to the Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Agreement on climate change, security threats by armed conflicts and its "tragic consequences" which are on brutal display from Yemen to Libya and Iraq, from Afghanistan to the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. He also spoke about the conflict in Syria, which "is taking the greatest number of lives and sowing the widest instability". Ban also touched upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying "replacing a two-state solution with a one-state construct would spell doom: denying Palestinians their freedom and rightful future, and pushing Israel further from its vision of a Jewish democracy towards greater global isolation". "In Myanmar, the transition has entered a promising new phase. In Sri Lanka, post-war healing efforts have deepened. In both countries, true reconciliation rests on ensuring that all communities, minorities and majorities alike, are included in building a new union," he said. The second five-year term of Ban is expiring on December 31.

Army foils infiltration bids; 10 millitants, 1 soldier killed

Barely two days after the terror attack in Uri, two infiltration bids were made from across the border in Kashmir today but they were foiled by the Army. Ten terrorists were killed and one jawan was martyred in the encounters even as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and fired at Indian positions. An army spokesman said in Srinagar, that encounters was still on when reports last came in. Official sources said, troops noticed a group of terrorists sneaking into Indian side from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. When challenged and asked to surrender, the ultras opened fire with automatic weapons and the troops also retaliated in response. Sources said, in the second encounter at Handwara in Kupwara district, security forces and state police launched a joint operation after receiving specific information about the presence of the ultras. However, when the security forces were moving towards particular area, terrorists opened fire with automatic weapons. A security jawan was injured during the act who later succumbed to his injuries.

Muslims most disliked group in US: study

Muslims are the most disapproved group in the US, according to a new study which also says that almost half of Americans surveyed would not want to have their children marry into this faith. A new study from sociologists at the University of Minnesota, which analysed Americans' perceptions of minority faith and racial groups, found that their disapproval of Muslims has almost doubled from about 26 per cent 10 years ago to 45.5 per cent in 2016. Amid increasing focus on national security and in the wake of multiple terrorist attacks around the world, the study found that almost half of those surveyed would not want their child to marry a Muslim, compared to just 33.5 per cent of people a decade earlier. "Religion becomes a signal and a marker, an easy shorthand for Americans' moral judgment," said Douglas Hartmann, an author of the study along with fellow sociologists Penny Edgell, Evan Stewart and Joseph Gerteis. "But that is not the only thing going on with Muslims. It's more complicated." The report found that anti-Muslim violence spiked after the 9/11 attacks, as did attacks on Sikh-Americans, who are often confused with Muslim Americans. "Even the generally tolerant millennials exhibit relatively strong anti-Muslim sentiments," the report said. Muslims have surpassed atheists to become the most disliked group in the US. Out of 2,500 respondents, 45.5 per cent said Muslims and 41.9 per cent said atheists. A decade ago, atheists were the most unpopular group, with 39.6 per cent of people disapproving of them and 26.3 per cent disapproving of Muslims, it said. The study was written from data collected between February 2014 and March 2016. It was published in the current issue of Social Forces journal.

68% Metro work completed in Hyderabad

Works on 68 per cent of the 72-km elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project has been completed, while two sections have got safety certification from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), HMR Managing Director NVS Reddy said today. Reddy made a detailed presentation to the Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU), Telangana Legislature under the chairmanship of N Divakar Rao, which reviewed the performance of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd and the project's progress. Explaining the challenges and hurdles faced, which include about 200 court cases, permissions, issues pertaining to sensitive structures etc, and how they were tackled, Reddy indicated that 68 per cent of project was completed, a statement issued by HMR said. Two sections namely Nagole Mettuguda (8 km) of corridor III and Miyapur SR Nagar (12 km) of corridor-I got safety certification from the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS), Reddy said. "Out of the total 72 kms, foundations in 59 kms, pillars in 56 kms and viaduct in 47 kms have been so far completed," he added. Lauding the progress in the project, quality of works, safety standards and advanced features of the Hyderabad Metro Rail system, committee members made various suggestions, regarding early completion of Phase-I, selection of routes for Phase-II extension, creation of parking etc. The committee also appreciated the fact that HMR has already won about 20 national and international awards during the construction stage itself. MLCs Karne Prabhakar, V Bhoopal Reddy, Poola Ravinder, MLA Chinta Prabhakar, Special Chief Secretary, (MA&UD) MG Gopal, Legislature Secretary Raja Sadaram and other senior officers of MA&UD Department and HMRL have participated in the meeting, a release said. The 72-kms elevated project, being developed by L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH), will have three corridors and 66 stations. It is world's largest public-private partnership project (PPP) in the sector. The project was initially scheduled to be completed by July 2017, but delays like changes in alignment, land acquisition and other issues have resulted in the project overshooting the deadline and all the three Metro Rail corridors, including the one passing through the old city, would be completed by December 2018, authorities had earlier said.

BJP has "selective amnesia" on Telangana's past: TRS

As BJP celebrated "Telangana Liberation Day" today, ruling TRS accused it of "selective amnesia" and said this political strategy to expand its presence would not work in the state. "BJP has the habit of raising communal issue whenever they feel that there is an opportune time. Even during the time of agitation (for separate statehood for Telangana), we had always said this is a merger day, not a liberation day," TRS Lok Sabha member Kalvakuntla Kavitha said. BJP has been demanding that the Telangana Government officially celebrate the occasion as "liberation day" as Hyderabad State was "liberated" through "police action" on September 17, 1948, more than a year after India got independence. BJP considers the Nizam's rule in the erstwhile Hyderabad State as "tyrannical", "oppressive" and "autocratic" and claims that Telugu language was discouraged as the medium of instruction in educational institutions during their period. Kavitha noted that when Goa merged into India, the Central government called it liberation, while the Telangana (erstwhile Hyderabad State) operation in 1948 was termed as "police action, and they never said liberation of Telangana". "So, that jargon (liberation) was never used. And if you look at national perspective, India itself is union of many, many princely states, now you want to go back and celebrate, what exactly you are trying to achieve?" Kavitha asked. "You only want to recall the 1948 incident, what about 1969 incidents of Telangana agitation, what about 1952, what about 2001 ?...many, many kids were killed. In 1969, 369 kids (students) were killed in police firing, BJP does not want to talk about it," Kavitha said. "BJP-TDP government was in power. No body wanted to talk about liberation day, why speak about it now? You can't have selective amnesia. When you speak about historical incidents, certainly BJP has a habit of selective amnesia, very comfortably, conveniently they pick and choose the facts. We only say it's a merger day. We always observed it as a merger day, we will continue to do so," she said. "Politically it won't work, because BJP has negligible presence in Telangana. Just to increase their political visibility in Telangana, they have started to rake up this issue. People do not have any sentiment towards this particular issue BJP is talking about, Congress does not talk about it, TDP does not talk about it (liberation)", Kavitha added.

Student found hanging in Hyderbad university hostel

A first-year student of MFA course at University of Hyderabad (UoH) here allegedly committed suicide today, police said. Praveen Kumar allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room, Joint Commissioner of Police (Cyberabad West) M Stephen Ravindra told PTI. "Reasons are not known...no suicide note was found," he said adding some students took him to hospital where he was declared brought dead. Police said Praveen hailed from Shadnagar town of Mahabubnagar district in Telangana and his parents have been informed about the incident. UoH Pro Vice-Chancellor Vipin Srivastava said Praveen had got admitted to Master of Fine Arts course around one and half months ago. "The police is gathering more information... body has been shifted to a hospital," he said. Further probe is on. Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula was found hanging in the hostel room of the Central university on January 17 resulting in hunger strikes, demonstrations and unrest there for months together. The 26-year-old was among the five research scholars who were suspended by Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in August last year and also one of the accused in the case of assault on an ABVP student leader. They were also kept out of the hostel. The suspension was revoked later. The alleged suicide had triggered a huge political storm with Opposition parties launching a massive attack on the Union Government over the issue amid allegations that the extreme action was a result of discrimination against Dalit students after Bandaru Dattatreya had written a letter to the then Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani seeking action against their "anti-national acts".

Four minors drown in water tank near Hyderabad

Four children including one girl drowned in a water tank on the city outskirts today, police said. "Four children including one girl, who went for bathing in a tank of Makhan village drowned at around noon. Three bodies have been traced and search is on locate another one," Kandukur Police Station Inspector K V Vijay Kumar said. The deceased are in the age group of 10-12 years, he said. Further probe is on.

Kin of Telugus rescued in Libya elated

Family members of the two Indians, who were rescued after being held captive in Libya for over a year, have heaved a sigh of relief and expressed happiness after getting the news. The two Indians - T Gopikrishna from Andhra Pradesh and C Balaram Kishan from Telangana, who were teaching at Libya's Sirte University, were abducted by Islamic State militants in July last year. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted, "I am happy to inform that T Gopalakrishna (Gopikrishna) (AP) & C BalaramKishan (Telangana) who were captive in Libya since 29 July, 2015 have been rescued." "We were informed around midnight by the MEA, Libyan government officials and others that he (Balaram) has been rescued along with Gopikrishna. My husband also spoke to me this morning...It (conversation) was only a few seconds...he enquired about our children and me and other family members," Balram's wife Sridevi told PTI. "Entire family is happy that he has been rescued and out of danger...I heard my husband's voice after more than a year...It's God's grace," Sridevi said. Balaram's family, which resides in Secunderabad and were anxiously waiting for the safe return of their loved one, said, "We were worried a lot and now are happy that he is safe and are waiting for his return to Hyderabad." "...now I am 100 per cent relieved. We are waiting for more updates on when he is likely to fly back to India and come to Hyderabad," Sridevi added. Gopikrishna's kin too expressed joy over his release. "It is almost 14 months since July last year that my family members had spoken to him (Gopikrishna) after he was taken captive in Libya. We were informed about his release from MEA officials besides also from Libyan officials and also through information given by his friend on social networking sites," Gopikrishna's brother Muralikrishna said who stays in Nacharam area here. "He spoke to our parents (who stay in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh) over phone and told that he is safe...my parents in-turn informed me about the same," he added. Muralikrishna said both Balaram and Gopikrishna were rescued by military and they will be taken to Tripoli most likely by this evening and are likely to return to Hyderabad may be in another three to four days. Gopikrishna worked as a faculty in computer education.

Ganesha immersions underway in Hyderabad

The immersion of Lord Ganesha idols in Hussain Sagar lake and at other places here began today amid tight security, with devotees thronging the Tank Bund area despite incessant rains till afternoon. About 10 to 15 lakh people are expected to participate in the final procession of thousands of Ganesha idols from Hyderabad besides Medak, Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts, which marks the conclusion of the 11-day long festival. Two persons got electrocuted during the immersion procession at Champapet here last night. In order to ensure that the entire immersion programme is conducted peacefully without any untoward incident, all necessary arrangements have been put in place. Over 25,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure security of the event, police officials said. Hundreds of devotees participated in the final Ganesha idol immersion procession here and were seen dancing to the tune of drum-beats and throwing colours while bidding adieu to the God of Wisdom. The immersion of the famous Khairatabad Ganesh here was done in Hussain Sagar lake. It was installed in the form of Shaktipeetha Sivanagendra Maha Ganapathi, and stood 58-feet, the tallest Ganesha idol in the state. The famous Balapur laddu was today auctioned for Rs 14.65 lakh with the highest bid coming from a businessman Skylab Reddy. Last year, the laddu was auctioned for Rs 10.32 lakh. Venkateshwar Babu (40), an advocate, and Sandeep (19) an engineering student were electrocuted last night at Reddy Colony in Champapet during procession of Ganesha idol immersion. Another person was also injured in the mishap, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials said. "As per information, they were trying to lift live wires with wet sticks during the procession when the incident occurred," they said.

Afridi hints at exit from all international cricket

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi today hinted at a possible agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board which could see him make a graceful exit from all international cricket. Afridi told the media here that there was no pressure from him on the Board for any agreement nor any pressure on him from the PCB but noted that players need to retire gracefully. "I have put no pressure on the Board nor they on me but whatever happens it will be good and set new precedents," he said. He said that he had discussed his future with chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq who had given him a plan to think about. "I have always noted that in Pakistan there is no tradition of players retiring gracefully, even the big names. Every player wants to go out on a high and a I am no different," he said. There has been speculation that the Board and selectors might include Afridi in the national T20 squad for the coming series against the West Indies in the UAE and the all-rounder would retire at the end of the series, allowing the PCB to give him a proper farewell in Dubai at the end of this month. Afridi has already retired from the Test and 50-over formats of international cricket. The flamboyant all-rounder felt that players who had served their country for long years including himself deserved to be given a proper tribute and send-off. "Players must exit respectfully since the ones who serve the country with distinction deserve honour. I have had a discussion with Inzi Bhai (Inzamamul Haq) who is an elder to me and we will do what is beneficial to both Pakistan cricket and my own self," he said. Afridi stepped down as captain after Pakistan's poor showing in the Asia Cup and World T20 earlier this year and has since than been ignored by the selectors for the T20 international against England and for the series against the West Indies, raising question marks over his future as a Pakistan player. Afridi also said that he firmly believed that the PCB was the head of the family and needed to have better communication with the players. "This would allow players to decide themselves when it is the right time for them to retire gracefully and with dignity." He said he wanted to retire after the World T20 on a happy note but the poor performance did not allow this to happen.

Saudi recession and impact on expatriates

Eid Al Adha goes hi-tech: Now order livestock online in Dubai!

Eid Al Adha has gone digital in the UAE with the Dubai Municipality launching an app that will allow users to order small livestock online for making a sacrifice which is the festival's key ritual. Muslims across the globe will celebrate Eid al-Adha next week by sacrificing animals. Through Al Mawashi App (livestock in Arabic), residents can now order small sacrifices online and pick it up at specific delivery points. Residents can place an order for small sacrifices online -- Australian livestock -- from Emirates Livestock and Meat Trading Company (ELMCO) in Jebel Ali. "It is summer season and there is a rush on cattle markets during Eid. The app is meant to save time and efforts for residents, especially during the season's hot climate," Ali Tahir Al Hammadi, head of the Abattoirs Section at the Dubai Municipality, told the Khaleej Times. "We also want to reduce the queues at Dubai Abattoir during Eid where majority of the residents get their animals slaughtered," he said. The app will allow residents from across the UAE to order small sacrifices, but the delivery points will be in Dubai at the abattoir in Jebel Ali, where Dubai Municipality has established an abattoir under ELMCO, or from the temporary abattoirs in Al Khawaneej or Al Quoz. "We will have tents at the abattoirs as a waiting point for customers who are coming to pick up their sacrifices," Al Hammadi was quoted as saying. Last year, Dubai Abattoir in Al Qusais saw the slaughtering of around 7,000 animals for residents and 7,000 for charities. Al Hammadi noted that the smart app will help residents get the sacrifices at a special rate ranging from Dirham 550 to 700, excluding delivery charges and Dirham 15 of slaughtering service. "We expect to start with around 300 purchases on the first day of Eid through the app, reaching up to 1,000 on the fourth day," said Al Hammadi. Residents can make purchases with their credit cards on the app, which displays pictures and price of livestock for selection.

Iran-Saudi war of words heats up ahead of hajj

A bitter war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia intensified today ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage from which Iranians have been excluded for the first time in decades. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blasted the "incompetence" of the Saudi royal family as he met with the families of victims of a deadly stampede during last year's hajj. "This incident proves once again that this cursed, evil family does not deserve to be in charge and manage the holy sites," Khamenei said. Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia were already at rock bottom before the regional rivals started trading caustic remarks ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Islam's holiest places in Saudi Arabia, which is due to start on Saturday. Iranians have been blocked from the event after talks on safety and logistics fell apart in May. "If the existing problems with the Saudi government were merely the issue of the hajj... maybe it would have been possible to find a way to resolve it," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting. "Unfortunately, this government by committing crimes in the region and supporting terrorism in fact shed the blood of Muslims in Iraq, Syria and Yemen," Rouhani said. The week began with a furious rebuke from Khamenei, published on his website, in which he accused the Saudi royals of "murder" over the deaths of nearly 2,300 pilgrims, including hundreds of Iranians, in last year's stampede. Saudi Arabia claims the death toll was only 769 -- despite data from more than 30 countries suggesting it was far higher -- and has refused to release the details of its investigation into the disaster. But the head of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council hit back today, calling Khamenei's remarks "inappropriate and offensive... and a desperate attempt to politicise" the hajj. Saudi Arabia's most senior cleric, Grand Mufti Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, also waded into the dispute, telling the Makkah daily yesterday: "We must understand these are not Muslims, they are children of Magi and their hostility towards Muslims is an old one." "Magi" is a reference to the Zoroastrian religion that was prevalent in Iran before Islam, and is sometimes used as an insult against Iranians. Jane Kinninmont, deputy head of the Middle East and North Africa programme at the Chatham House think tank in London, said the world needed to pay more attention to the "cold conflict" between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

1-yr-old girl raped by youth in Chilkalguda

In a shocking incident, a one-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth who worked with her parents at their house in Chilkalguda area here, police said. The accused, Deepu Singh (20), took the baby girl from the second floor of the house where she was sleeping with her parents, to the ground floor and allegedly raped her at around midnight last night, Chilkalguda Police Station Inspector K Srinivasulu said based on a complaint lodged by her parents. "Deepu Singh took the baby girl from her parents who were in deep sleep and allegedly committed rape," Srinivasulu told PTI. The accused was arrested today after a case was registered against him on charge of rape under relevant sections of IPC and provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act, based on the complaint. The girl has been shifted to a government hospital here and is undergoing treatment, the police officer said. The parents of the girl are street vendors. The accused was working with them at their house and assisted in making snacks. Further investigations are on into the offence, police added.

We won't accept Sept 17 as Hyderabad Liberation Day:TRS to BJP

The ruling TRS in Telangana has rejected Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu's suggestion to officially celebrate 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' on September 17 and accused the BJP of trying to indulge in "divisive politics". "Moderate Telangana people do not believe in the Liberation Day. We believe in a day where Telangana state was merged into the Indian union," TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha told PTI here. Naidu had last week said that even though people all over the country celebrated and rejoiced the hard won freedom from British on August 15, 1947, those living in the erstwhile Hyderabad state had to wait for celebration till September 17, 1948, when the region was liberated from the tyrannical Nizam's rule and integrated with the rest of India. "While the BJP has been demanding for the past many years for official celebration of the Liberation of Hyderabad State, it is unfortunate some political parties view even matters relating to the nation's integrity through the prism of vote bank politics," Naidu had said. There should not be any kind of politics, leave alone vote bank politics, when it comes to unity and integrity of the nation, the senior BJP leader had said. "Hyderabad Liberation Day is being celebrated officially on September 17 in some of the districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka and my suggestion to Telangana government is to follow suit. I hope it would respond positively to the suggestion," he said. During the "autocratic" rule of the Nizam, Telugu language was discouraged as the medium of instruction in educational institutions, he had said. Kavitha, the Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad, noted that even during the movement spearheading statehood demand for Telangana, TRS always used to celebrate it as a merger day, and hoist national flag in party office on that day because the "then Andhra government would not recognise this day". "But then the BJP's view of thinking about it as liberation from the Nizam's rule does not have greater acceptance in Telangana society. It will be divisive to talk about that. But as a day of merger with Indian Union, we will certainly acknowledge it and celebrate it," she said, when her reaction was sought on Naidu's suggestion. .

US Open: Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza advance to next rounds

Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza have progressed ahead with their respective partners at US Open in season's final Grand Slam. In Mixed Doubles, Bopanna and his Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski defeated Polish-Czech duo of Lukasz Kubot and Andrea Hlavackova 5-7, 6-3, 10-7 to move into the quarter-finals. In Women's Doubles, seventh seeded Sania along with her new partner Barbora Strycova of Czech defeated the Swiss-American pair of Viktorija Golubic and Nicole Melichar 6-2, 7-6 to advance in the 3rd round. Meanwhile, defending champions Leander Paes and Martina Hingis bowed out lost to American seventh seeds Coco Vandeweghe and Rajeev Ram in the second round.

Over 200 injured in clashes as MPs' team visits Kashmir

More than 200 people were injured in clashes between stone pelters and security forces in Kashmir today, on a day an all-party parliamentary delegation was here to assess the ground situation in the valley where normal life remained paralysed for 58th consecutive day. There was no curfew in the valley except some areas of Srinagar falling under the Police Stations of Khanyar, Safakadal, Nowhatta, Rainawari and M R Gunj, a police spokesman said. 10 incidents of stone pelting were reported from Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Awantipora and Sopore, he said. In Shopian district of south Kashmir, clashes broke out in the morning and continued for most part of the day with protestors setting ablaze the mini-secretariat building which houses the Deputy Commissioner's office, a police official said. "In Shopian, a mob attacked and set ablaze mini secretariat Shopian. The fire was brought under control. However, the structure suffered partial damage," he said. The clashes erupted after police stopped people in Penjoora village of the district from taking out a rally, the official said, adding over 100 people were injured. He said the security forces used baton charge and tear- gas shelling to disperse the protestors. Clashes were also reported from Tral area of Pulwama district where more than 60 people were hurt in action by security forces against the stone pelters. "In Tral, a huge mob pelted stones on the police and security forces. Some of the miscreants, when chased, entered a Ziyarat (shrine) and again started pelting stones from the compound of the Ziyarat," the spokesman said, adding police "cautiously" handled the situation. Protestors also attacked the house of ruling PDP MLA from Tral constituency Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, breaking the window panes of the building. "There were clashes between protestors and security forces in Tral and amidst those clashes, some miscreants attacked the house of Tral legislator Mushtaq Ahmad Shah with stones," a police official said. He said the protestors broke the window panes of the house, but no one was injured. The forces deployed in the area fired several tear-gas canisters and managed to disperse the protestors from the spot, the official said. In Sopore town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, at least 25 people were hurt in the clashes during the day, the official said. Condition of three of the injured persons is stated to be critical. .

8 injured as scaffolding collapses at construction site

Eight persons, including seven labourers, were injured when a scaffolding erected for construction of a slab roof collapsed in Jubilee Hills area here. According to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials, the incident occurred yesterday when the scaffolding on the duplex residential structure under construction collapsed, resulting in injuries to seven labourers and the owner of the premises. "There was no causality, but seven labourers and the owner suffered minor injuries. Two of them suffered fractures. All were admitted to a hospital and were discharged yesterday itself," they added. An FIR has been registered against the owner of the premises.

Groom who fired in air to celebrate wedding lands in jail

A bridegroom who allegedly fired in the air during his own wedding was today arrested by the city police. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Falaknuma Division) Mohd Abdul Bari said that Mohd Mohsin alias Irfan surrendered before the police and handed over two "dummy" weapons and four bullets. Police lodged a case under the Arms Act today after the incident, which took place on August 22, came to light. "He confessed that he had opened fire in the air from two dummy weapons during the celebration of his nikah on the night of August 22 and the weapons caused only sound and spark," the ACP said. Irfan told police that a film producer had given him the dummy revolver and pistol with some bullets. Local news-channels had aired footage of a bridegroom on horseback firing in the air. "Both the weapons appear to be a dummy. But we are sending the weapons, bullets and the video footage to FSL," said ACP Bari.

Hold talks with all stakeholders in Kashmir' demands Asaduddin Owaisi

Techie found dead in Bowenpally

A 30-year-old software engineer, who had gone missing three days back after returning from Kenya, was today found dead in a deserted area of Bowenpally, police said. According to police, Goutham Reddy's body was found with burn injuries in the bushes. Police had earlier launched a search operation after he went missing from his house. "A local spotted the body in the bushes at the deserted location and informed police. After the verification procedure and showing the body to the family members, the identity of the victim was established," Bowenpally Police Station Inspector K Kiran said, adding that Goutham had worked in Nairobi for seven years. "A case under CrPC section 174 (suspicious death) was registered and the body has been sent for postmortem," he added. Further investigation is on.

Venkaiah to TRS: Celebrate Hyderabad Liberation Day officially

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today suggested the TRS Government in Telangana to officially celebrate the "Liberation of Hyderabad State" on September 17 and said the issue should not be linked to vote-bank politics. Even though the people all over the country celebrated and rejoiced over the hard won freedom from British on August 15, 1947, those living in the erstwhile Hyderabad State had to wait for celebration till September 17, 1948 when the region was liberated from the tyrannical Nizam's rule and integrated with the rest of India, he recalled. "While the BJP has been demanding for the past many years for official celebration of the Liberation of Hyderabad State, it is unfortunate some political parties view even matters relating to the nation's integrity through the prism of vote-bank politics," the BJP leader said. There should not be any kind of politics, leave alone vote-bank politics, when it comes to unity and integrity of the nation, the Minister said. "Hyderabad Liberation Day is being celebrated officially on September 17 in some of the districts of Maharashtra and Karnataka and my suggestion to Telangana Government is to follow suit. I hope it would respond positively to the suggestion," Venkaiah said at a 'Tiranga Yatra' function here this morning. During the "autocratic" rule of the Nizam, Telugu language was discouraged as the medium of instruction in educational institutions, he said. "The young generations were not allowed to know and recollect the memories of our forgotten heroes. The time has come to include lessons in school textbooks on the valour and sacrifices made by these stalwarts. Then only various facets about the lives and deeds of these great sons of our soil would be passed on to the coming generations," Naidu said. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up the Tiranga Yatra to undo the injustice done to forgotten heroes of the freedom movement. Sardar Patel was unifier of India and had he been given a free hand to tackle the Kashmir issue then, the present situation in the militancy-affected State would not have arisen, he added.

2 Cong leaders launch hunger strike for more new districts

Senior Telangana Congress leaders and former ministers Ponnala Lakshamaiah and DK Aruna today launched a two-day hunger strike seeking more districts, other than what the government proposed to carve out. While Ponnala says Janagoan in Warangal should be made a district, Aruna is pressing for Gadwal division to be converted into a district. "They (the TRS Government) are trying to carve out districts without applying any scientific approach. They are saying that new districts will be created for administrative ease. On what basis the draft notification for new districts was announced? There is no transparency in the process," Ponnala, former PCC chief, alleged. Aruna also demanded that the Government should positively consider the requests that are coming from other parts of the state for new districts. The Government had earlier announced that it would be carving out 17 new districts additionally from the existing 10, making a total of 27.

Asad Owaisi in all-party delegation for Kashmir

Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Jitendra Singh will be part of an all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh which will also comprise Leader of Opposition Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and his Lok Sabha colleague Mallikarjun Kharge. The delegation, visiting the Valley due to protests in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, will have 28 parliamentarians which include Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP) and Congress leader Ambika Soni. The visit will take place on September 4 and 5. The delegation will also comprise JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI leader D Raja, NCP's Tariq Anwar and Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy. The decision to send the all-party delegation was taken during an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month. The Kashmir Valley has seen possibly the longest spell of protests for 54 days in which 69 people have lost their lives so far. Other members of the delegation include Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut and Anandrao Adsul, TDP's Thota Narasimham, Shiromani Akali Dal's Prem Singh Chandumajra, BJD's Dilip Tirkey, AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, AIUDF's Badaruddin Ajmal, Muslim League's E Ahamed and TRS Jitendra Reddy. N K Premchandran (RSP), P Venugopal (AIADMK), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Y B Subba (YSR-Cong), Jaiprakash Yadav (RJD), Dharamveer Gandhi (AAP) and Dushyant Chautala (RLD) are also in the team. BSP and Samajwadi Party have extended their support but have not been able to nominate any of their members.

4 Home Ministry officials suspended for alleged irregularities in renewal of FCRA licence of Zakir Naik's NGO.

Muslims have highest pc of illiterates in India

Muslims have the highest number of illiterates at nearly 43 per cent, while Jains have the highest number of literates among India's religious communities as over 86 per cent of them are educated. According to the Census 2011 data, Jains have just 13.57 per cent illiterate - aged 7 years and above - among all the communities. The census has taken those between 0 and 6 years as illiterate. The Muslims have the highest percentage of illiterates aged beyond 7 years at 42.72. This number is 36.40 per cent for Hindus, 32.49 per cent for Sikhs, 28.17 per cent for Buddhists, and 25.66 per cent for Christians, as per the latest census figure on 'education level by religious community' for age 7 years and above. As compared to 63.60 per cent of 7 years-plus Hindus and 57.28 per cent Muslims in the 'literate' category, the percentage of literates among Christians is 74.34 per cent, among Buddhists 71.83 per cent and among Sikhs 67.51 per cent. Jains have the highest percentage of educated members who are graduates and above. At 25.65 per cent of Jains who have minimum graduation as qualification, they surpass by far the corresponding numbers for other communities, which are 8.85 per cent for Christians, 6.40 per cent for Sikhs, 6.18 per cent for Buddhists, 5.98 per cent for Hindus and 2.76 per cent for Muslims. The overall literacy rates among all communities have gone up since 2001. The percentage of those literates among Hindus is up from 54.92 per cent in 2001 to 63.60 per cent in 2011, while the corresponding rise for Muslims is 48.05 per cent to 57.28 per cent. For Christians, the number rose from 69.45 per cent to 74.34 per cent, for Sikhs from 60.56 per cent to 67.51 per cent, and for Buddhists from 62.16 per cent to 71.83 per cent. Among the Muslims, just 2.76 per cent are educated till graduation level or above, only 0.44 per cent have technical/non-technical diploma, 4.44 per cent are educated till higher secondary level and 6.33 per cent till matric level. The highest number of literates in the Muslim community are at the primary level (16.08 per cent), followed by 14.32 per cent at below primary level and 9.73 per cent at middle school. In comparison, Hindus have 11.83 per cent of their members educated below primary level, 15.11 per cent till primary level, 11.27 per cent till middle school level, 9 per cent till matriculation and 6.62 per cent till higher secondary.

Rudy to inaugurate Telangana skill development prog tomorrow

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (independent charge) Rajiv Pratap Rudy will inaugurate Telangana Jagruthi Skill Development programme in Hyderabad tomorrow. "Telangana Jagruthi is an NGO which is running in the state for the past 10 years. We have taken up skill development initiative in a big way. In all parliamentary constituencies (of the state) we have started skill development centres," Nizamabad TRS MP Kalwakuntla Kavitha, who founded Telangana Jagruthi told reporters here. The programme will be attended by dignitaries including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor ESL Narasimhan, Union Minister Bandaru Dattatraya, Telangana IT Minister Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, among others, she said. "The idea is to bring as many youth into the employable sector as possible. My NGO is constantly working in this regard and will continue to do so," Kavitha added. On Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh leading an all-party delegation to Jammu and Kashmir to hold talks with different sections in the state, the TRS MP said, "I truly welcome this move. We should really go and talk to the people not only to certain representatives but also try to talk to as many people's organisations as much ... I believe this will be the only solution for Kashmir problem." "Certainly all parties should be taken into consideration and (they will be) able to bring some solution," Kavitha added.

Telangana continues to receive heavy rainfall

In Telangana, several parts continue to receive rainfall following formation of an upper circulation over the region. The MeT Office said, the circulation that formed over Andhra Pradesh earlier during the week had moved over to Telangana bringing rains. It warned that several places in the state are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next 24 hours. Our correspondent says all major reservoirs in Telangana state are receiving heavy inflows due to heavy rains at many catchment areas of various rivers. Many parts of the state especially Karimanagar, Medak and Nalgonda districts received heavy rainfall besides Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. Several reservoirs mainly located across river Krishna are receiving heavy inflows due to heavy rains in catchment areas. Water levels rose to full tank capacity at Narayanapur and Jurala reservoirs. Yesterday’s heavy downpour created havoc in Hyderabad leading to loss of seven lives and traffic snarls for many hours. Meanwhile, the local authorities in Hyderabad intensified demolition of dilapidated buildings in the capital city. According to Municipal Affairs minister Taraka Ramarao, the local authorities have already demolished 940 out of about 2 thousand identified old buildings. Efforts are being made to demolish remaining over 900 old buildings also.