The arrest of Yahya Khan Kammukutty at Bangalore, a software engineer, has only gone to show that more and more persons with very good education are falling into the terror web.
Gone are the days when the suppressed and the poor were taking up arms.
It is no longer about committing a crime for the want of money or to support a family. Terrorism of today is becoming more ideology-based and sadly the ideology is being wrongly interpreted.
Over the years there have been a number of educated youths who have been falling prey to terrorism. Techies, doctors and engineers have all taken the terror route under the guise of safeguarding their religion
The face of terror has changed in Karnataka with more and more educated youths choosing terrorism as a full time profession.
There have been several persons with very strong educational backgrounds who have been picked for terrorist activities.
The first arrest of an educated youth in connection with a terror link was that of Sheikh Muzammil.
Muzammil, working as a software engineer in Bangalore, was picked up in connection with the Malegaon blasts.
It was said that he was part of the crime and his brother Sheikh Fazal was an Lashkar-e-Tayiba operative.
Then came the shocking revelation of two Bangalore-based boys being involved in the UK terror plot.
Kafeel Ahmed, an engineer with a brilliant academic record, was picked up in the UK in connection with the Glasgow airport bombing incident.
Barely a day after his name started doing the rounds, his brother Sabeel Ahmed, a doctor, was picked up on the grounds that he had concealed information about the plot.
Their cousin Haneef Mohammad, a doctor, was also picked up in Australia in connection with the same case, but he was released later for want of evidence.
However, till date both Kafeel and Sabeel have not been linked to any major terror outfit and it is believed that the terror plot in the UK was planned by Kafeel and another aide of his from Iraq.
The three recent arrests in Karnataka also involve boys with good educational background.
Asadulla and Asif are both doctors and they were picked up on the ground that they were planning terror strikes in Karnataka along with Nasir, who the police say is the man who planted the bomb at Lumbini Park in Hyderabad on August 25, 2007, in which several persons lost their lives.
Nasir, however, was not an educated youth and was working as a cook at the residence of Asadulla.
Now, the arrest of Yayha Khan, a software engineer, has put the police in a bind.
The investigation strategy takes a dramatic turn from here and there will be more focus on the educated youths in Karnataka.
Apart from obtaining information from the arrested persons, the police will also keep a tight vigil on activities that take place in educational institutions in Karnataka.
The police have already begun questioning classmates of these persons and also their accomplices.
It is said that terror outfits prefer recruiting educated youths over uneducated ones.
First and foremost, these persons are tech savvy and are able to plan better.
Apart from this, these youths are given CDs containing jihadi material and repeated viewing of such material brainwashes them.
Terror outfits are also planning cyber terrorism in a big way and the only way to execute this is with the help of educated youths.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Moves afoot to clip Musharraf's powers
Moves were afoot on Saturday to clip President Pervez Musharraf's [Images] sweeping powers despite the United States standing by the beleaguered Pakistani leader.
The Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP), which has emerged as the single largest force in the new National Assembly, is planning to strip Musharraf of the power to dismiss Parliament under Article 58 of the Constitution which he had reinstated.
Leaders of PPP, which will head the next coalition government, have been holding closed door meeting to chart out their course of action which is likely to be made public on Monday.
However, in a clear indicator that it would curtail the President's powers the party said in a statement that the participants in the meeting had vowed to work for the restoration of the parliamentary supremacy "by undoing undemocratic provisions under which elected parliaments have been dismissed".
The party meanwhile put off naming prime minister till the first week of March but veteran Sindhi politician Makdhoom Amin Fahim continued to be the frontrunner.
For Musharraf the positive news emanated from Washington where Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice gave credit to him for holding free and fair elections and said, "the President of Pakistan is Pervez Musharraf.... and so, of course, we will deal with him."
US Ambassador Anne Patterson and British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley have met PPP leader and slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto's [Images] husband Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader and ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif to press them to co-exist with Musharraf.
While Sharif has adopted a hardline stance against Musharraf who he wants to step down, PPP has stopped short of pushing for his removal and instead, stressed on restoring supremacy of Parliament.
Fahim reflected the PPP's approach to Musharraf by saying that the party should not "rock the boat at this time". There should be smooth transition of power from the military to the civilians, he said.
The Pakistan Peoples Party(PPP), which has emerged as the single largest force in the new National Assembly, is planning to strip Musharraf of the power to dismiss Parliament under Article 58 of the Constitution which he had reinstated.
Leaders of PPP, which will head the next coalition government, have been holding closed door meeting to chart out their course of action which is likely to be made public on Monday.
However, in a clear indicator that it would curtail the President's powers the party said in a statement that the participants in the meeting had vowed to work for the restoration of the parliamentary supremacy "by undoing undemocratic provisions under which elected parliaments have been dismissed".
The party meanwhile put off naming prime minister till the first week of March but veteran Sindhi politician Makdhoom Amin Fahim continued to be the frontrunner.
For Musharraf the positive news emanated from Washington where Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice gave credit to him for holding free and fair elections and said, "the President of Pakistan is Pervez Musharraf.... and so, of course, we will deal with him."
US Ambassador Anne Patterson and British High Commissioner Robert Brinkley have met PPP leader and slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto's [Images] husband Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader and ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif to press them to co-exist with Musharraf.
While Sharif has adopted a hardline stance against Musharraf who he wants to step down, PPP has stopped short of pushing for his removal and instead, stressed on restoring supremacy of Parliament.
Fahim reflected the PPP's approach to Musharraf by saying that the party should not "rock the boat at this time". There should be smooth transition of power from the military to the civilians, he said.
Aussies advised not to tour India
In what could be a huge dampener to the participation of Australian cricketers in the IPL, the Foreign Department in Melbourne has warned them of the "high risk of terrorist activity" in India.
Australian cricketers, including Andrew Symonds [Images] and Matthew Hayden [Images], have been reluctant to tour Pakistan in March-April after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DAFT) advice of the volatile situation there following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto [Images].
But now, the DAFT has also advised the Australian cricketers about the adverse security condition in India also, according to The Age newspaper.
* IPL Auction: Players' worth
This could jeopardised the participation of Australian cricketers in the multi-million dollar IPL starting on April 18.
The DAFT report for Pakistan said: "We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, sectarian violence and the unpredictable security situation.
"We continue to receive a stream of credible reports indicating terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks. These could target Western or Australian interests and individuals and places frequented by foreigners."
It said credible information indicated consulates and hotels could be targeted in Karachi and Islamabad and "they could occur at any time".
* IPL auction a nice game: Shah Rukh Khan
The DFAT advice for India warned: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups. Recent credible information indicates that Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata may be the targets of terrorist attacks and, more specifically, that terrorists are planning to conduct suicide attacks in Mumbai or New Delhi."
Former Australian coach John Buchanan, without having seen the latest government travel advice, however, believes the tour to Pakistan should go ahead to prove terrorists cannot disrupt the regular flow of daily life.
"I think it [terrorism] is bigger than cricket. Cricket would be the medium by which you can keep making life as normal as possible," Buchanan said.
"My opinion would be definitely to go, not just to Pakistan but if there were similar issues anywhere. That would be my personal viewpoint, obviously without access to the information Cricket Australia might have.
"A lot of the time our impressions of how dangerous things may be are somewhat exaggerated when you are actually in the place.
"I remember being in Sri Lanka [Images] for Ricky Ponting's [Images] first tour. Tim Nielsen and I, along with the Australian High Commissioner, were the first white people to get on a military plane and head up to Janpur. There was a ceasefire, we were the first plane up there, and we did a little coaching camp for them. There are issues in most countries."
Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said DAFT's advice would be crucial in a final decision on Pakistan but did not react on the security concerns in India.
"There will be a visit to Canberra for a government briefing in early March. We'll get the most detailed inside information before we sit down with the players and the players' association to make the next step," he said.
Australian cricketers, including Andrew Symonds [Images] and Matthew Hayden [Images], have been reluctant to tour Pakistan in March-April after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DAFT) advice of the volatile situation there following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto [Images].
But now, the DAFT has also advised the Australian cricketers about the adverse security condition in India also, according to The Age newspaper.
* IPL Auction: Players' worth
This could jeopardised the participation of Australian cricketers in the multi-million dollar IPL starting on April 18.
The DAFT report for Pakistan said: "We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Pakistan at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, sectarian violence and the unpredictable security situation.
"We continue to receive a stream of credible reports indicating terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks. These could target Western or Australian interests and individuals and places frequented by foreigners."
It said credible information indicated consulates and hotels could be targeted in Karachi and Islamabad and "they could occur at any time".
* IPL auction a nice game: Shah Rukh Khan
The DFAT advice for India warned: "We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups. Recent credible information indicates that Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata may be the targets of terrorist attacks and, more specifically, that terrorists are planning to conduct suicide attacks in Mumbai or New Delhi."
Former Australian coach John Buchanan, without having seen the latest government travel advice, however, believes the tour to Pakistan should go ahead to prove terrorists cannot disrupt the regular flow of daily life.
"I think it [terrorism] is bigger than cricket. Cricket would be the medium by which you can keep making life as normal as possible," Buchanan said.
"My opinion would be definitely to go, not just to Pakistan but if there were similar issues anywhere. That would be my personal viewpoint, obviously without access to the information Cricket Australia might have.
"A lot of the time our impressions of how dangerous things may be are somewhat exaggerated when you are actually in the place.
"I remember being in Sri Lanka [Images] for Ricky Ponting's [Images] first tour. Tim Nielsen and I, along with the Australian High Commissioner, were the first white people to get on a military plane and head up to Janpur. There was a ceasefire, we were the first plane up there, and we did a little coaching camp for them. There are issues in most countries."
Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said DAFT's advice would be crucial in a final decision on Pakistan but did not react on the security concerns in India.
"There will be a visit to Canberra for a government briefing in early March. We'll get the most detailed inside information before we sit down with the players and the players' association to make the next step," he said.
MNS to recruit trained Marathi workers in Nashik
Against the backdrop of exodus of North Indian labourers, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Nashik has asked trained Marathi workers to register themselves with the party to enable them to get jobs in local industries.
After MNS' anti-north Indian drive, hundreds of workers employed in nearby industries have left for their native places, severely affecting production work in the units.
The city unit of MNS has asked local Marathi workers having completed course in trades like fitting, tool making, welding, electrical fitting and carpentry to enrol their names with the MNS office in Nasik.
Party leaders like Vasant Gite and Nitin Bhosale have said they have discussed the matter with office-bearers of industrial units. The party has issued an advertisement in local dailies appealing to Marathi workers to come forward.
"MNS chief Raj Thackeray and we members of the party wish to help in industrial growth of Nashik but some anti-social elements are trying to malign our image. After our talks with industrial units we are ready to provide jobs to trained workers," says the advertisement.
Earlier, Shiv Sena district president Sunil Bagul had also said the party will help Maharashtrian workers get jobs in industrial units.
Nashik bore the brunt of the MNS-led violent campaign against migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. One person was killed in the violence unleashed by suspected MNS activists, who also damaged public property like state-run buses.
After MNS' anti-north Indian drive, hundreds of workers employed in nearby industries have left for their native places, severely affecting production work in the units.
The city unit of MNS has asked local Marathi workers having completed course in trades like fitting, tool making, welding, electrical fitting and carpentry to enrol their names with the MNS office in Nasik.
Party leaders like Vasant Gite and Nitin Bhosale have said they have discussed the matter with office-bearers of industrial units. The party has issued an advertisement in local dailies appealing to Marathi workers to come forward.
"MNS chief Raj Thackeray and we members of the party wish to help in industrial growth of Nashik but some anti-social elements are trying to malign our image. After our talks with industrial units we are ready to provide jobs to trained workers," says the advertisement.
Earlier, Shiv Sena district president Sunil Bagul had also said the party will help Maharashtrian workers get jobs in industrial units.
Nashik bore the brunt of the MNS-led violent campaign against migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. One person was killed in the violence unleashed by suspected MNS activists, who also damaged public property like state-run buses.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Australia win Adelaide ODI
Mitchell Johnson took three wickets as Australia defeated India by 50 runs in a low-scoring tri-series one-day international at Adelaide Oval on Sunday to move closer to a place in the tournament finals.
India looked to have a great chance of winning when they restricted the Australians to 203 for nine but could only manage 153 in return as they were bowled out in the 42nd over.
Scoreboard
Johnson led the way while fellow paceman Nathan Bracken [Images], all-rounder James Hopes and spinner Brad Hogg [Images] collected two each to help Australia snatch a bonus point for their big winning margin.
Australia's victory lifted them to 17 points from five games. India remain in second place on eight points while Sri Lanka [Images] are at the bottom with six points but with a game in hand.
Michael Clarke [Images], who had to pass fitness test on a bruised rib just to play, was named man after the match after scoring 79 on a day when no other player got to 40.
India all-rounder Irfan Pathan [Images] had earlier captured the prize scalps of Clarke, Matthew Hayden [Images] (13), Mike Hussey (5) and tailender Nathan Bracken (0) to finish with 4-41 and give his team real hope of winning.
Ishant Sharma chipped in to dismiss dangermen Adam Gilchrist [Images] (15) and Andrew Symonds [Images] (3) cheaply to leave Australia reeling at 73-5 before the lower-order fired.
Clarke shared a 72-run partnership with Hogg for the seventh wicket which only came unstuck when Hogg was run out for 32.
Hopes also made a brisk 19 but none of Australia's other specialist batsmen made more than 15 as India's seamers made rapid inroads into the batting line-up.
India made a dreadful start to their run chase when they crashed to 59-4 in the 16th over.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (37) and Yuvraj Singh [Images] (26) steadied the innings with a fifth wicket stand of 56 but once they went the tail folded.
India's next match is against Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday while Australia's next game is against Sri Lanka in Melbourne on Friday.
India looked to have a great chance of winning when they restricted the Australians to 203 for nine but could only manage 153 in return as they were bowled out in the 42nd over.
Scoreboard
Johnson led the way while fellow paceman Nathan Bracken [Images], all-rounder James Hopes and spinner Brad Hogg [Images] collected two each to help Australia snatch a bonus point for their big winning margin.
Australia's victory lifted them to 17 points from five games. India remain in second place on eight points while Sri Lanka [Images] are at the bottom with six points but with a game in hand.
Michael Clarke [Images], who had to pass fitness test on a bruised rib just to play, was named man after the match after scoring 79 on a day when no other player got to 40.
India all-rounder Irfan Pathan [Images] had earlier captured the prize scalps of Clarke, Matthew Hayden [Images] (13), Mike Hussey (5) and tailender Nathan Bracken (0) to finish with 4-41 and give his team real hope of winning.
Ishant Sharma chipped in to dismiss dangermen Adam Gilchrist [Images] (15) and Andrew Symonds [Images] (3) cheaply to leave Australia reeling at 73-5 before the lower-order fired.
Clarke shared a 72-run partnership with Hogg for the seventh wicket which only came unstuck when Hogg was run out for 32.
Hopes also made a brisk 19 but none of Australia's other specialist batsmen made more than 15 as India's seamers made rapid inroads into the batting line-up.
India made a dreadful start to their run chase when they crashed to 59-4 in the 16th over.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (37) and Yuvraj Singh [Images] (26) steadied the innings with a fifth wicket stand of 56 but once they went the tail folded.
India's next match is against Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday while Australia's next game is against Sri Lanka in Melbourne on Friday.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
DLF win IPL title sponsorship rights
India's leading real estate developer DLF Ltd has bagged the title sponsorship rights for the Indian Cricket League extravaganza that is set to kick-off on April 18.
A statement from the ICL on Wednesday said the rights for title sponsorship was won by DLF "through a fair and transparent open bid process with a highest bid of Rs 40 crore per annum. The deal gives DLF Ltd. exclusive title sponsorship rights for five years, valuing in excess of Rs 200 crores".
* IPL fixtures | Ambani, Mallya, SRK win IPL bids
The title sponsorship race was closely contested between DLF Limited, World Sports Group (WSG), which had bid on behalf of Hero Honda Motors [Get Quote] (India) Ltd, Percept D'Mark and 21st Century Media.
"The title sponsorship race was tightly-contested between three participants, with DLF emerging the final winner through a fair and transparent process.," said Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, Indian Premier League.
"I am truly happy to have India's leading real estate developer DLF as our title sponsors, as they happen to share a common vision with the BCCI to make the Indian Premier League one of finest cricketing leagues in the world. It is exciting to have an eclectic mix of elite Indian businessmen, Bollywood personalities and corporates as our allies, working collectively as one to ensure the success of the IPL.
"On behalf of the IPL Governing Council, I would like to thank everyone who participated and supported us throughout the bidding process," he added.
Rajeev Talwar, Group Executive Director, DLF Limited, said, "It gives us immense pleasure winning the title sponsorship rights of IPL, which will now be known as the DLF Indian Premier League. At DLF, we always emphasise on nurturing and recognizing talent and this is one more achievement towards nurturing professional talent for the game of cricket in this country. This is game which has mass appeal all over India and both cricket, as well as DLF will grow hand-in-hand."
With the Media Broadcast Rights, the eight team franchises and title sponsorship rights having been declared, all eyes are on the players' auction scheduled to take place on February 20 through the open bid process in association with IMG, the world's leading sports media and entertainment agency. As many as 85 international and Team India players are up for auction between the eight franchises on that day.
Earlier, Leading sports broadcaster Sony Max and World Sport Group had bagged the IPL's global media and production rights for US $1.026 billion. The exclusive franchise rights for the eight-city league were won by Shah Rukh Khan [Images] (Kolkata), Preity Zinta [Images] (Mohali), RIL [Get Quote] Pvt Ltd (Mumbai), GMR Holdings (Delhi), UB Group (Bangalore), Indian Cements Ltd (Chennai) , Deccan Chronicle (Hyderabad) and Emerging Media (Jaipur).
The League kicks-off on April 18, with high voltage action expected between Sharukh Khan's [Images] Kolkata franchise and business baron Vijay Mallya's [Images] Bangalore tam at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
The eight-franchise tournament will run for 44 days. Each franchise will play all others on a home and away basis with seven matches at home. The top four franchises in the league will contest the semi-finals and the victorious semi-finalists will meet in the grand final, all over one weekend, in Mumbai.
The inaugural season of the IPL will showcase 59 matches and provided broadcasters and in-stadia spectators 177 hours of live family entertainment, which will also be viewed by a significant international audience.
All matches will be during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time for television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience.
A statement from the ICL on Wednesday said the rights for title sponsorship was won by DLF "through a fair and transparent open bid process with a highest bid of Rs 40 crore per annum. The deal gives DLF Ltd. exclusive title sponsorship rights for five years, valuing in excess of Rs 200 crores".
* IPL fixtures | Ambani, Mallya, SRK win IPL bids
The title sponsorship race was closely contested between DLF Limited, World Sports Group (WSG), which had bid on behalf of Hero Honda Motors [Get Quote] (India) Ltd, Percept D'Mark and 21st Century Media.
"The title sponsorship race was tightly-contested between three participants, with DLF emerging the final winner through a fair and transparent process.," said Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, Indian Premier League.
"I am truly happy to have India's leading real estate developer DLF as our title sponsors, as they happen to share a common vision with the BCCI to make the Indian Premier League one of finest cricketing leagues in the world. It is exciting to have an eclectic mix of elite Indian businessmen, Bollywood personalities and corporates as our allies, working collectively as one to ensure the success of the IPL.
"On behalf of the IPL Governing Council, I would like to thank everyone who participated and supported us throughout the bidding process," he added.
Rajeev Talwar, Group Executive Director, DLF Limited, said, "It gives us immense pleasure winning the title sponsorship rights of IPL, which will now be known as the DLF Indian Premier League. At DLF, we always emphasise on nurturing and recognizing talent and this is one more achievement towards nurturing professional talent for the game of cricket in this country. This is game which has mass appeal all over India and both cricket, as well as DLF will grow hand-in-hand."
With the Media Broadcast Rights, the eight team franchises and title sponsorship rights having been declared, all eyes are on the players' auction scheduled to take place on February 20 through the open bid process in association with IMG, the world's leading sports media and entertainment agency. As many as 85 international and Team India players are up for auction between the eight franchises on that day.
Earlier, Leading sports broadcaster Sony Max and World Sport Group had bagged the IPL's global media and production rights for US $1.026 billion. The exclusive franchise rights for the eight-city league were won by Shah Rukh Khan [Images] (Kolkata), Preity Zinta [Images] (Mohali), RIL [Get Quote] Pvt Ltd (Mumbai), GMR Holdings (Delhi), UB Group (Bangalore), Indian Cements Ltd (Chennai) , Deccan Chronicle (Hyderabad) and Emerging Media (Jaipur).
The League kicks-off on April 18, with high voltage action expected between Sharukh Khan's [Images] Kolkata franchise and business baron Vijay Mallya's [Images] Bangalore tam at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
The eight-franchise tournament will run for 44 days. Each franchise will play all others on a home and away basis with seven matches at home. The top four franchises in the league will contest the semi-finals and the victorious semi-finalists will meet in the grand final, all over one weekend, in Mumbai.
The inaugural season of the IPL will showcase 59 matches and provided broadcasters and in-stadia spectators 177 hours of live family entertainment, which will also be viewed by a significant international audience.
All matches will be during late afternoon and evening to coincide with prime time for television and providing a convenient time for the stadium audience.
Nashik: One killed in MNS activists' stone-pelting
An employee of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was killed in stone-pelting, allegedly by Maharashtra Navanirman Sena activists, who were protesting the arrest of their party chief Raj Thackeray in Nahsik today.
The victim, who was returning home from Ojhar, died after he was hit by stones on the company bus near Adgaon, police said.
The MNS activists also tried to set ablaze a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus at Deepali Nagar on the Mumbai-Agra national highway. A bus coming to Nashik from Mumbai was also stoned this evening and its driver was injured.
A couple of MSRTC buses were stoned at various places in the city after the arrest of Raj, police said, adding that 15 persons were injured in the violence.
Additional policemen have been deployed at Mumbai naka, Nashik Road railway station and other parts of the city as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Nashik unit president Nitin Bhosale was today arrested along with five other party workers, as over 40 incidents of stone pelting were reported soon after Raj Thackeray's arrest.
Although the police have taken adequate precautions, including rounding up of MNS workers, there is likelihood of a rise in such incidents as Nashik has a significant number of MNS supporters.
The victim, who was returning home from Ojhar, died after he was hit by stones on the company bus near Adgaon, police said.
The MNS activists also tried to set ablaze a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus at Deepali Nagar on the Mumbai-Agra national highway. A bus coming to Nashik from Mumbai was also stoned this evening and its driver was injured.
A couple of MSRTC buses were stoned at various places in the city after the arrest of Raj, police said, adding that 15 persons were injured in the violence.
Additional policemen have been deployed at Mumbai naka, Nashik Road railway station and other parts of the city as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Nashik unit president Nitin Bhosale was today arrested along with five other party workers, as over 40 incidents of stone pelting were reported soon after Raj Thackeray's arrest.
Although the police have taken adequate precautions, including rounding up of MNS workers, there is likelihood of a rise in such incidents as Nashik has a significant number of MNS supporters.
MNS violence aftermath: Woman gives birth in train toilet
A fear-stricken woman of Bihar gave birth to a child in the toilet of running train after being forced to flee Nashik
Nagma [Images] Bano, who fled in the wake of increasing attacks against North Indians, gave birth to a child in the toilet of the running train on Wednesday.
Her pain and misery is not an isolated case. She is one of hundreds of North Indians who were forced to flee Nashik, where they have been earning their livelihood.
Bano fled with her husband Mohammed Nazir, like other North Indians, on the Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express.
"When we fled Nashik and boarded the Bihar-bound train, she was well and healthy but during the difficult journey she suddenly develop labour pain. I took her to the toilet where she gave birth to a child," Nazir, who used to work as daily labourer in Nashik, told rediff.com in the crowded bogie of the train on Patna railway station.
Intitially reluctant, Bano, holding her newly born child in her lap, said that she never imagined that she would be compelled to deliver her child in the toilet of a running train.
"It is all luck. We are poor and lower class people. I have not eaten since yesterday. We do not have the money to buy anything," she said.
Nazir said& they were going to Bhagalpur where his native village was located. "First poverty forced us to leave the village to migrate outside to earn our livelihood. But now the fear of violence has forced us to return to village. It is our story, what else," he said.
Nazir said North Indians in Nashik and elsewhere in Maharashtra were fleeing due to fear of violence and threat to life .
"All the North India-bound trains are full of migrant people," he said.
Trains such as the Bhagalpur Express, Patna Express, Superfast Janta, Gorakhpur via Lucknow Mahanagar and other North India-bound trains were overcrowded with the migrants.
Santosh Singh, another man who fled with his family, said over 10,000 people have left Nashik since Monday due to increasing attack on North Indians.
"When we entered Nashik railway station on Monday, it was flooded with migrants and there was hardly any place to even stand on the platforms," he said.
Singh, who hails from Banka district in Bihar, used to work as a skilled worker in a factory in Nashik.
"No doubt we were forced to flee, but it would badly hit economic activities in Nashik. Some of the small- and medium-sized industries in the Ambad industrial area would face shortage of manpower," Singh said.
Nagma [Images] Bano, who fled in the wake of increasing attacks against North Indians, gave birth to a child in the toilet of the running train on Wednesday.
Her pain and misery is not an isolated case. She is one of hundreds of North Indians who were forced to flee Nashik, where they have been earning their livelihood.
Bano fled with her husband Mohammed Nazir, like other North Indians, on the Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express.
"When we fled Nashik and boarded the Bihar-bound train, she was well and healthy but during the difficult journey she suddenly develop labour pain. I took her to the toilet where she gave birth to a child," Nazir, who used to work as daily labourer in Nashik, told rediff.com in the crowded bogie of the train on Patna railway station.
Intitially reluctant, Bano, holding her newly born child in her lap, said that she never imagined that she would be compelled to deliver her child in the toilet of a running train.
"It is all luck. We are poor and lower class people. I have not eaten since yesterday. We do not have the money to buy anything," she said.
Nazir said& they were going to Bhagalpur where his native village was located. "First poverty forced us to leave the village to migrate outside to earn our livelihood. But now the fear of violence has forced us to return to village. It is our story, what else," he said.
Nazir said North Indians in Nashik and elsewhere in Maharashtra were fleeing due to fear of violence and threat to life .
"All the North India-bound trains are full of migrant people," he said.
Trains such as the Bhagalpur Express, Patna Express, Superfast Janta, Gorakhpur via Lucknow Mahanagar and other North India-bound trains were overcrowded with the migrants.
Santosh Singh, another man who fled with his family, said over 10,000 people have left Nashik since Monday due to increasing attack on North Indians.
"When we entered Nashik railway station on Monday, it was flooded with migrants and there was hardly any place to even stand on the platforms," he said.
Singh, who hails from Banka district in Bihar, used to work as a skilled worker in a factory in Nashik.
"No doubt we were forced to flee, but it would badly hit economic activities in Nashik. Some of the small- and medium-sized industries in the Ambad industrial area would face shortage of manpower," Singh said.
MNS violence aftermath: Woman gives birth in train toilet
A fear-stricken woman of Bihar gave birth to a child in the toilet of running train after being forced to flee Nashik
Nagma [Images] Bano, who fled in the wake of increasing attacks against North Indians, gave birth to a child in the toilet of the running train on Wednesday.
Her pain and misery is not an isolated case. She is one of hundreds of North Indians who were forced to flee Nashik, where they have been earning their livelihood.
Bano fled with her husband Mohammed Nazir, like other North Indians, on the Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express.
"When we fled Nashik and boarded the Bihar-bound train, she was well and healthy but during the difficult journey she suddenly develop labour pain. I took her to the toilet where she gave birth to a child," Nazir, who used to work as daily labourer in Nashik, told rediff.com in the crowded bogie of the train on Patna railway station.
Intitially reluctant, Bano, holding her newly born child in her lap, said that she never imagined that she would be compelled to deliver her child in the toilet of a running train.
"It is all luck. We are poor and lower class people. I have not eaten since yesterday. We do not have the money to buy anything," she said.
Nazir said& they were going to Bhagalpur where his native village was located. "First poverty forced us to leave the village to migrate outside to earn our livelihood. But now the fear of violence has forced us to return to village. It is our story, what else," he said.
Nazir said North Indians in Nashik and elsewhere in Maharashtra were fleeing due to fear of violence and threat to life .
"All the North India-bound trains are full of migrant people," he said.
Trains such as the Bhagalpur Express, Patna Express, Superfast Janta, Gorakhpur via Lucknow Mahanagar and other North India-bound trains were overcrowded with the migrants.
Santosh Singh, another man who fled with his family, said over 10,000 people have left Nashik since Monday due to increasing attack on North Indians.
"When we entered Nashik railway station on Monday, it was flooded with migrants and there was hardly any place to even stand on the platforms," he said.
Singh, who hails from Banka district in Bihar, used to work as a skilled worker in a factory in Nashik.
"No doubt we were forced to flee, but it would badly hit economic activities in Nashik. Some of the small- and medium-sized industries in the Ambad industrial area would face shortage of manpower," Singh said.
Nagma [Images] Bano, who fled in the wake of increasing attacks against North Indians, gave birth to a child in the toilet of the running train on Wednesday.
Her pain and misery is not an isolated case. She is one of hundreds of North Indians who were forced to flee Nashik, where they have been earning their livelihood.
Bano fled with her husband Mohammed Nazir, like other North Indians, on the Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express.
"When we fled Nashik and boarded the Bihar-bound train, she was well and healthy but during the difficult journey she suddenly develop labour pain. I took her to the toilet where she gave birth to a child," Nazir, who used to work as daily labourer in Nashik, told rediff.com in the crowded bogie of the train on Patna railway station.
Intitially reluctant, Bano, holding her newly born child in her lap, said that she never imagined that she would be compelled to deliver her child in the toilet of a running train.
"It is all luck. We are poor and lower class people. I have not eaten since yesterday. We do not have the money to buy anything," she said.
Nazir said& they were going to Bhagalpur where his native village was located. "First poverty forced us to leave the village to migrate outside to earn our livelihood. But now the fear of violence has forced us to return to village. It is our story, what else," he said.
Nazir said North Indians in Nashik and elsewhere in Maharashtra were fleeing due to fear of violence and threat to life .
"All the North India-bound trains are full of migrant people," he said.
Trains such as the Bhagalpur Express, Patna Express, Superfast Janta, Gorakhpur via Lucknow Mahanagar and other North India-bound trains were overcrowded with the migrants.
Santosh Singh, another man who fled with his family, said over 10,000 people have left Nashik since Monday due to increasing attack on North Indians.
"When we entered Nashik railway station on Monday, it was flooded with migrants and there was hardly any place to even stand on the platforms," he said.
Singh, who hails from Banka district in Bihar, used to work as a skilled worker in a factory in Nashik.
"No doubt we were forced to flee, but it would badly hit economic activities in Nashik. Some of the small- and medium-sized industries in the Ambad industrial area would face shortage of manpower," Singh said.
Mumbai: Raj Thackeray, Abu Azmi granted bail
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray was granted bail by a Mumbai court after being arrested from his Shivaji Park residence on Wednesday evening.
Thackeray was released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi was also arrested from his residence in Mumbai and taken to the Bhoiwada court in central Mumbai. However, the court granted him bail and he was released on a surety of Rs 10,000.
Soon after Thackeray returned to his Shivaji Park home, senior MNS leader Shirish Parkar said the party was very happy.
"We are all very happy and we are celebrating Diwali now. We are celebrating advanced Valentine's Day today," he said.
Asked if he means the MNS won't protest or oppose the celebration of Valentine's Day, he said, "At the moment, we have other things to think about. So, we haven't decided anything about tomorrow."
Thackeray was taken in a police van to the Vikhroli court in Mumbai's suburbs after his arrest.
About two dozen supporters of Thackeray were with him at the time of arrest.
Raj had earlier stated that he would not apply for bail if arrested.
The city police had registered cases on Sunday night against Thackeray at separate police stations under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of places of birth, residence etc) 153 B (assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 117 (abetting the commission of any offence by the public) of the Indian Penal Code.
If convicted, Thackeray could face three years imprisonment.
The police have taken the correct step in arresting Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said.
Thackeray's arrest has shown that the Maharashtra government will not let anyone to take the law into his own hands, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said.
Meanwhile, the police made around 1,800 preventive detentions in various parts of the state to prevent any untoward incident in the aftermath of the arrests of Thackeray and Azmi, Director General of police P S Pasricha said.
Deshmukh ruled out any law and order problem in the wake of Thackeray's arrest. He said the police had taken adequate precautions.
Violence broke out in various parts of Mumbai following the arrests.
Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters and office-goers headed back home earlier than schedule fearing violence.
Police said at least 10 calls, a majority of them from the north-west suburbs, of stone-pelting were received from various localities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Makrand Ranade said a couple of buses were targeted by a mob at Dahisar and many of them have been arrested.
He said a truck caught fire at Dahisar accidentally and the post-arrest protests had nothing to do with it.
Three persons were apprehended while forcing closure of shops in Jogeshwari locality, DCP K M Prasanna said.
Earlier in the day, six persons were picked up by the police on the charge of unlawful assembly from Pant Nagar locality in suburban Ghatkopar.
As a precautionary measure some schools declared a holiday after the arrests.
Thackeray was released on a personal bond of Rs 15,000.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi was also arrested from his residence in Mumbai and taken to the Bhoiwada court in central Mumbai. However, the court granted him bail and he was released on a surety of Rs 10,000.
Soon after Thackeray returned to his Shivaji Park home, senior MNS leader Shirish Parkar said the party was very happy.
"We are all very happy and we are celebrating Diwali now. We are celebrating advanced Valentine's Day today," he said.
Asked if he means the MNS won't protest or oppose the celebration of Valentine's Day, he said, "At the moment, we have other things to think about. So, we haven't decided anything about tomorrow."
Thackeray was taken in a police van to the Vikhroli court in Mumbai's suburbs after his arrest.
About two dozen supporters of Thackeray were with him at the time of arrest.
Raj had earlier stated that he would not apply for bail if arrested.
The city police had registered cases on Sunday night against Thackeray at separate police stations under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 153 A (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of places of birth, residence etc) 153 B (assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 117 (abetting the commission of any offence by the public) of the Indian Penal Code.
If convicted, Thackeray could face three years imprisonment.
The police have taken the correct step in arresting Thackeray, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said.
Thackeray's arrest has shown that the Maharashtra government will not let anyone to take the law into his own hands, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said.
Meanwhile, the police made around 1,800 preventive detentions in various parts of the state to prevent any untoward incident in the aftermath of the arrests of Thackeray and Azmi, Director General of police P S Pasricha said.
Deshmukh ruled out any law and order problem in the wake of Thackeray's arrest. He said the police had taken adequate precautions.
Violence broke out in various parts of Mumbai following the arrests.
Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters and office-goers headed back home earlier than schedule fearing violence.
Police said at least 10 calls, a majority of them from the north-west suburbs, of stone-pelting were received from various localities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Makrand Ranade said a couple of buses were targeted by a mob at Dahisar and many of them have been arrested.
He said a truck caught fire at Dahisar accidentally and the post-arrest protests had nothing to do with it.
Three persons were apprehended while forcing closure of shops in Jogeshwari locality, DCP K M Prasanna said.
Earlier in the day, six persons were picked up by the police on the charge of unlawful assembly from Pant Nagar locality in suburban Ghatkopar.
As a precautionary measure some schools declared a holiday after the arrests.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Dilshan guides Sri Lanka to easy win
Tillakaratne Dilshan's unbeaten 62 helped Sri Lanka [Images] cruise to an easy eight-wicket victory against India on the Duckworth-Lewis method in their rain-shortened fifth one-day international of the CB tri-series one-day international at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.
Put into bat, India rattled up 195 for five in the allotted 29 overs after play began late due to rain but the islanders overhauled a revised target of 154 in 21 overs with 12 balls to spare.
The Sri Lankans took full advantage of batting second as they chased the revised target without much fuss to keep themselves afloat in the series, riding on contributions from Tillakaratne Dilshan (62 not out) and Sanath Jayasuriya (27 off 13 balls).
Young Rohit Sharma gave ample display of his class with an unbeaten 70 while Gautam Gambhir [Images] (35) Sachin Tendulkar [Images] (32) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (31) came up with useful contributions but all their efforts went in vain as another rain interruption immediately after the Indian innings made the equation under the Duckworth-Lewis method easier for the Lankans.
With this victory, Sri Lanka managed to keep themselves in the reckoning by taking their points tally to six from three matches.
India continued to maintain their position at the top of the table with eight points from four matches while Australia have seven points from three matches.
The action will now shift to Perth where Sri Lanka will take on Australia in a day-night encounter on Friday.
Jayasuriya provided a flying start to the Lankan chase as he blasted 27 off 13 balls with two fours and two sixes. The left-hander looked in devastating form and scored 23 in one over from S Sreesanth [Images] before being dismissed by Ishant Sharma.
Harbhajan Singh [Images] then tokk Sangakkara's wicket (10) but that hardly affected the Lankan run-rate.
Rain came down hard on India as first it intervened to have the game reduced to 29 overs-a-side which further tilted in Lanka's favour when the target, due to another spell of rain, was readjusted to 154 from 21 overs.
Earlier, Indians did enough to post a healthy 195 from their 29 overs with young Rohit Sharma providing the maximum thrust.
Sharma, who took 20 balls for his first 10 runs, struck some lusty blows to finish unbeaten on 70 off 64 balls. He shared a rollicking 68-run fourth wicket stand with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (31) to take toll of the bowling in the final few overs.
The start of the match was delayed for more than three and a half hours because of heavy morning showers and the match was reduced to 29-overs-a-side. Further rain at the end of the Indian innings saw Sri Lanka being set a revised target of 154 in 21 overs.
The Indian innings got off the mark only off the last ball of the second over before Sachin Tendulkar (32) settled into a groove to coax 45 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag [Images] (14).
Starting with hitting Chaminda Vaas [Images] over extra-cover, the veteran played some sweet strokes, including a swept four off Vaas from outside the off-stump.
Tendulkar flicked Lasith Malinga [Images] for a four and then pulled Maharoof for another before losing his opening partner, who slashed at a delivery from medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekara and was caught easily by the third man fielder.
Tendulkar himself departed four runs later in a similar manner when he tried to hit Fervez Maharoof through the mid-on region, but top edged it to third man. He got his runs from 30 balls and hit four fours.
Gautam Gambhir (35) and Rohit Sharma then put on 64 for the third wicket with some brisk running between the wickets before the former backed too far and was run out by bowler Lasith Malinga via a throw from point fielder Tillakeratne Dilshan.
India, who were 113 for 3 after the 22nd over, really opened out thereafter and the signal for it came from Rohit who hoisted Muttiah Muralitharan over midwicket for a massive six.
His partner Dhoni then freed his shoulders by first slamming Maharoof over extra cover and then straight drove him powerfully for yet another boundary in the same over.
India benefitted with two more fours in the next over, first Dhoni driving Chaminda Vaas into the long-off pickets and then Sharma sweetly sweeping the experienced left-arm paceman to the fine-leg fence.
At the end of the 25th over, India had moved to 152 for three.
The 26th over by Kulasekara began with Rohit driving over mid-off for a four and then steering the next over the wicketkeeper for another boundary, reaching his half-century from 53 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.
The half-century stand between the two came from 35 balls.
Put into bat, India rattled up 195 for five in the allotted 29 overs after play began late due to rain but the islanders overhauled a revised target of 154 in 21 overs with 12 balls to spare.
The Sri Lankans took full advantage of batting second as they chased the revised target without much fuss to keep themselves afloat in the series, riding on contributions from Tillakaratne Dilshan (62 not out) and Sanath Jayasuriya (27 off 13 balls).
Young Rohit Sharma gave ample display of his class with an unbeaten 70 while Gautam Gambhir [Images] (35) Sachin Tendulkar [Images] (32) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (31) came up with useful contributions but all their efforts went in vain as another rain interruption immediately after the Indian innings made the equation under the Duckworth-Lewis method easier for the Lankans.
With this victory, Sri Lanka managed to keep themselves in the reckoning by taking their points tally to six from three matches.
India continued to maintain their position at the top of the table with eight points from four matches while Australia have seven points from three matches.
The action will now shift to Perth where Sri Lanka will take on Australia in a day-night encounter on Friday.
Jayasuriya provided a flying start to the Lankan chase as he blasted 27 off 13 balls with two fours and two sixes. The left-hander looked in devastating form and scored 23 in one over from S Sreesanth [Images] before being dismissed by Ishant Sharma.
Harbhajan Singh [Images] then tokk Sangakkara's wicket (10) but that hardly affected the Lankan run-rate.
Rain came down hard on India as first it intervened to have the game reduced to 29 overs-a-side which further tilted in Lanka's favour when the target, due to another spell of rain, was readjusted to 154 from 21 overs.
Earlier, Indians did enough to post a healthy 195 from their 29 overs with young Rohit Sharma providing the maximum thrust.
Sharma, who took 20 balls for his first 10 runs, struck some lusty blows to finish unbeaten on 70 off 64 balls. He shared a rollicking 68-run fourth wicket stand with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (31) to take toll of the bowling in the final few overs.
The start of the match was delayed for more than three and a half hours because of heavy morning showers and the match was reduced to 29-overs-a-side. Further rain at the end of the Indian innings saw Sri Lanka being set a revised target of 154 in 21 overs.
The Indian innings got off the mark only off the last ball of the second over before Sachin Tendulkar (32) settled into a groove to coax 45 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag [Images] (14).
Starting with hitting Chaminda Vaas [Images] over extra-cover, the veteran played some sweet strokes, including a swept four off Vaas from outside the off-stump.
Tendulkar flicked Lasith Malinga [Images] for a four and then pulled Maharoof for another before losing his opening partner, who slashed at a delivery from medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekara and was caught easily by the third man fielder.
Tendulkar himself departed four runs later in a similar manner when he tried to hit Fervez Maharoof through the mid-on region, but top edged it to third man. He got his runs from 30 balls and hit four fours.
Gautam Gambhir (35) and Rohit Sharma then put on 64 for the third wicket with some brisk running between the wickets before the former backed too far and was run out by bowler Lasith Malinga via a throw from point fielder Tillakeratne Dilshan.
India, who were 113 for 3 after the 22nd over, really opened out thereafter and the signal for it came from Rohit who hoisted Muttiah Muralitharan over midwicket for a massive six.
His partner Dhoni then freed his shoulders by first slamming Maharoof over extra cover and then straight drove him powerfully for yet another boundary in the same over.
India benefitted with two more fours in the next over, first Dhoni driving Chaminda Vaas into the long-off pickets and then Sharma sweetly sweeping the experienced left-arm paceman to the fine-leg fence.
At the end of the 25th over, India had moved to 152 for three.
The 26th over by Kulasekara began with Rohit driving over mid-off for a four and then steering the next over the wicketkeeper for another boundary, reaching his half-century from 53 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.
The half-century stand between the two came from 35 balls.
Time to move forward on N-deal: US
Seeking "expeditious action" on the civilian nuclear deal with India, the US has said that both sides should "now move forward" to complete the "important" agreement which is in their "best interests".
"I am very much involved in this agreement between India and the United States, and I've been in touch with the Indian government as recently as Thursday and Friday of last week," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said in London [Images], according to a transcript made available.
Burns was asked at the Foreign Press Association in London to comment on the status of the nuclear deal as also on a remark by the US Ambassador in New Delhi, David Mulford, that it is "now or never".
"It's an agreement that is entirely in the best interests of both countries. It's going to bring India out of its nuclear isolation dating back to the mid-1970s. It's going to allow civil nuclear trade of all countries with India: the provision of nuclear fuel, the construction of nuclear power reactors."
"It will allow India to go from 3 per cent reliance on nuclear energy, hopefully to say 20-25 per cent in a generation, with enormously positive benefits for global climate change and carbon reductions in the process. So, there's a lot to like in this agreement," Burns said.
Now, the pact "has to be completed and I would say that it's time to move this agreement forward. I do agree with Ambassador Mulford, our excellent American Ambassador in Delhi, we don't have all the time in the world. We are quite famously, in an election year in the United States. The Congressional calendar is crowded," Burns said.
"This agreement, after it's accomplished by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the nuclear suppliers group, needs to come back to the Congress of the US for one final vote," Burn said.
"We have broad bipartisan support, but it needs to get there, and so while I wouldn't want to say anything that would, in any way, intrude on domestic politics in India, from an international point of view, and given the fact that we're one of the negotiating partners, we do need to complete the agreement, and we're ready," the number three State Department official said.
Burns was pressed on whether it is "now or never" for the nuclear deal as made out by Ambassador Mulford. He replied by saying, "I didn't say that".
When it was pointed out that the top American envoy in New Delhi had said that, Burns said "I didn't say that. What I said was what I said, that it's an important agreement and that we should now move forward to complete it.
"And that means that we would hope for expeditious action on this agreement by all concerned, including the Indian government," he said.
"I am very much involved in this agreement between India and the United States, and I've been in touch with the Indian government as recently as Thursday and Friday of last week," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said in London [Images], according to a transcript made available.
Burns was asked at the Foreign Press Association in London to comment on the status of the nuclear deal as also on a remark by the US Ambassador in New Delhi, David Mulford, that it is "now or never".
"It's an agreement that is entirely in the best interests of both countries. It's going to bring India out of its nuclear isolation dating back to the mid-1970s. It's going to allow civil nuclear trade of all countries with India: the provision of nuclear fuel, the construction of nuclear power reactors."
"It will allow India to go from 3 per cent reliance on nuclear energy, hopefully to say 20-25 per cent in a generation, with enormously positive benefits for global climate change and carbon reductions in the process. So, there's a lot to like in this agreement," Burns said.
Now, the pact "has to be completed and I would say that it's time to move this agreement forward. I do agree with Ambassador Mulford, our excellent American Ambassador in Delhi, we don't have all the time in the world. We are quite famously, in an election year in the United States. The Congressional calendar is crowded," Burns said.
"This agreement, after it's accomplished by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the nuclear suppliers group, needs to come back to the Congress of the US for one final vote," Burn said.
"We have broad bipartisan support, but it needs to get there, and so while I wouldn't want to say anything that would, in any way, intrude on domestic politics in India, from an international point of view, and given the fact that we're one of the negotiating partners, we do need to complete the agreement, and we're ready," the number three State Department official said.
Burns was pressed on whether it is "now or never" for the nuclear deal as made out by Ambassador Mulford. He replied by saying, "I didn't say that".
When it was pointed out that the top American envoy in New Delhi had said that, Burns said "I didn't say that. What I said was what I said, that it's an important agreement and that we should now move forward to complete it.
"And that means that we would hope for expeditious action on this agreement by all concerned, including the Indian government," he said.
Congress going soft on Raj Thackeray, alleges BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday accused the Congress of deliberately going 'soft' on Raj Thackeray, who has made controversial statements against north Indians, because of its alliance with his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in civic bodies.
"It is a political conspiracy of the Congress," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, claiming the Congress and MNS are in alliance in six corporations, including Mumbai and Pune.
"The Congress should reply why it is not snapping its ties with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena," he said. He claimed that the Congress and MNS were in alliance in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Amravati, Aurangabad and Mira-Bhainder corporations.
Without naming any party, he said the BJP opposed statements that 'outsiders' would not be allowed to work in Mumbai as it was against the spirit of the Constitution.
He, however, refused to comment specifically on ally Shiv Sena's warning that it will not tolerate workers 'brought from outside' for modernisation of the Mumbai airport.
"The Constitution gives right to every citizen to travel, settle and take up jobs in any part of the country and we believe in that," he said.
"It is a political conspiracy of the Congress," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, claiming the Congress and MNS are in alliance in six corporations, including Mumbai and Pune.
"The Congress should reply why it is not snapping its ties with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena," he said. He claimed that the Congress and MNS were in alliance in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Amravati, Aurangabad and Mira-Bhainder corporations.
Without naming any party, he said the BJP opposed statements that 'outsiders' would not be allowed to work in Mumbai as it was against the spirit of the Constitution.
He, however, refused to comment specifically on ally Shiv Sena's warning that it will not tolerate workers 'brought from outside' for modernisation of the Mumbai airport.
"The Constitution gives right to every citizen to travel, settle and take up jobs in any part of the country and we believe in that," he said.
Raj's arrest: Tension spreads to Pune, Aurangabad
Suspected Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists on Tuesday pelted stones at buses in some parts of Pune, amid speculations of the arrest of their leader Raj Thackeray, for his campaign against North Indians.
Approximately eight city transport buses were targeted, police said.Most of the shopkeepers on the busy Laxmi Road in the heart of the city downed shutters fearing trouble. No arrests have been made so far by the police.
In Aurangabad, the police detained 58 office-bearers and activists of the MNS and the Samajwadi Party, as a preventive measure to maintain law and order in the city.
Deputy Commissioner of Police M B Tambade told reporters that no untoward incidents were reported the city. The activists have been detained since Monday as a preventive measure, he said.
The action follows the filing of FIR against MNS chief Raj Thackery and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi by the Mumbai police on Monday.
Police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and some fixed points established to avoid any untoward incident, Tambade said.
"So far, the city is peaceful," he said and appealed to the people not to believe in rumours.
Approximately eight city transport buses were targeted, police said.Most of the shopkeepers on the busy Laxmi Road in the heart of the city downed shutters fearing trouble. No arrests have been made so far by the police.
In Aurangabad, the police detained 58 office-bearers and activists of the MNS and the Samajwadi Party, as a preventive measure to maintain law and order in the city.
Deputy Commissioner of Police M B Tambade told reporters that no untoward incidents were reported the city. The activists have been detained since Monday as a preventive measure, he said.
The action follows the filing of FIR against MNS chief Raj Thackery and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi by the Mumbai police on Monday.
Police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and some fixed points established to avoid any untoward incident, Tambade said.
"So far, the city is peaceful," he said and appealed to the people not to believe in rumours.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
New Zealand v England Twenty20
England gave another strong performance to win the second Twenty20 match against New Zealand in Christchurch by 50 runs and seal the series 2-0.
Paul Collingwood (54) and Owais Shah (47) successfully weathered a mini-collapse to put on 102 from 62 balls and lead the tourists to 193-8.
New Zealand slumped to 42-3 after six overs and could only manage 143-8.
Ryan Sidebottom was the pick of an impressive England bowling unit, taking 2-19 with no swing available.
Interview - England skipper Paul Collingwood
And none of England's bowlers let their skipper down, their collective accuracy ensuring an easy stroll to victory.
Man-of-the-match Collingwood won the toss, and having successfully defended a total in Auckland, opted to bat once again.
They named an unchanged side, while New Zealand showed two changes.
Medium pacer Paul Hitchcock replaced spinner Jeetan Patel and the hard-hitting Jacob Oram rested a tight hamstring, batsman Daniel Flynn getting a debut.
The early overs featured some robust hitting from Phil Mustard (40) and Luke Wright (30), who took the score to 65-0 from the first 34 balls of the innings.
606: DEBATE
What a great performance, well worth getting up for!
Sebwinder
It was not the most aesthetically pleasing batting, but the short boundaries were cleared on four occasions and Hitchcock's first over cost 22.
New Zealand briefly came back into contention, however, with 19-year-old seamer Tim Southee bowling straight and full for figures of 2-22.
He had Kevin Pietersen lbw for three with a low full toss on middle stump and persuaded Mustard to hit a high catch to mid-on.
With Ian Bell run out cheaply in between, England had lost 4-11 in 21 balls and Collingwood and Shah had to rebuild the innings.
They timed their partnership exquisitely well, taking few risks initially before upping the tempo.
Typically, Collingwood hit nearly all his runs through the leg-side with a rich assortment of pulls, slog-sweeps and drives.
Shah was patient to begin with, but also hit some big shots later in the innings, hitting two sixes to Collingwood's three.
Paul Hitchcock
Hitchcock is bowled by Sidebottom in the closing stages
After they had both fallen in the final onslaught, Dimitri Mascarenhas hit Hitchcock's hat-trick ball for six over third man and England went on to top their Auckland total by nine runs.
New Zealand needed to match England's electric start with the bat to stand a chance, but lost both openers inside the first four overs, with only 19 runs coming.
The two casualties included skipper Brendon McCullum, the most dangerous batsman with Oram injured, who got an inside edge off Sidebottom and lost his off stump.
Ross Taylor hit two sixes, the second an enormous swipe into the corporate boxes off Stuart Broad.
But the bowler responded with a clever, slower ball that was spooned into the covers and there really was no way back.
Jamie How hit three boundaries in making 31 off 25 balls, but was bowled by Mascarenhas (2-25).
Graeme Swann also cashed in with two wickets as New Zealand were forced into some desperate slogging and crashed to 94-7.
Sidebottom returned to remove Hitchock's middle stump, and it was job done for England.
Paul Collingwood (54) and Owais Shah (47) successfully weathered a mini-collapse to put on 102 from 62 balls and lead the tourists to 193-8.
New Zealand slumped to 42-3 after six overs and could only manage 143-8.
Ryan Sidebottom was the pick of an impressive England bowling unit, taking 2-19 with no swing available.
Interview - England skipper Paul Collingwood
And none of England's bowlers let their skipper down, their collective accuracy ensuring an easy stroll to victory.
Man-of-the-match Collingwood won the toss, and having successfully defended a total in Auckland, opted to bat once again.
They named an unchanged side, while New Zealand showed two changes.
Medium pacer Paul Hitchcock replaced spinner Jeetan Patel and the hard-hitting Jacob Oram rested a tight hamstring, batsman Daniel Flynn getting a debut.
The early overs featured some robust hitting from Phil Mustard (40) and Luke Wright (30), who took the score to 65-0 from the first 34 balls of the innings.
606: DEBATE
What a great performance, well worth getting up for!
Sebwinder
It was not the most aesthetically pleasing batting, but the short boundaries were cleared on four occasions and Hitchcock's first over cost 22.
New Zealand briefly came back into contention, however, with 19-year-old seamer Tim Southee bowling straight and full for figures of 2-22.
He had Kevin Pietersen lbw for three with a low full toss on middle stump and persuaded Mustard to hit a high catch to mid-on.
With Ian Bell run out cheaply in between, England had lost 4-11 in 21 balls and Collingwood and Shah had to rebuild the innings.
They timed their partnership exquisitely well, taking few risks initially before upping the tempo.
Typically, Collingwood hit nearly all his runs through the leg-side with a rich assortment of pulls, slog-sweeps and drives.
Shah was patient to begin with, but also hit some big shots later in the innings, hitting two sixes to Collingwood's three.
Paul Hitchcock
Hitchcock is bowled by Sidebottom in the closing stages
After they had both fallen in the final onslaught, Dimitri Mascarenhas hit Hitchcock's hat-trick ball for six over third man and England went on to top their Auckland total by nine runs.
New Zealand needed to match England's electric start with the bat to stand a chance, but lost both openers inside the first four overs, with only 19 runs coming.
The two casualties included skipper Brendon McCullum, the most dangerous batsman with Oram injured, who got an inside edge off Sidebottom and lost his off stump.
Ross Taylor hit two sixes, the second an enormous swipe into the corporate boxes off Stuart Broad.
But the bowler responded with a clever, slower ball that was spooned into the covers and there really was no way back.
Jamie How hit three boundaries in making 31 off 25 balls, but was bowled by Mascarenhas (2-25).
Graeme Swann also cashed in with two wickets as New Zealand were forced into some desperate slogging and crashed to 94-7.
Sidebottom returned to remove Hitchock's middle stump, and it was job done for England.
Key accused in kidney racket held: Report
Dr Amit Kumar, the alleged kingpin in the multi-crore rupees kidney transplant racket in India, has been arrested in Nepal, the Himalayan Times newspaper reported on Thursday.
The paper reported it as a "breaking news" on its website, but there was no detail.
Earlier, the Nepalese police said that they had intensified the hunt for people involved in the kidney racket allegedly run by Kumar, who is suspected to be hiding in the Himalayan state.
"We have been investigating the matter and we cannot reveal the details until the investigation is over," Kathmandu district police chief Upendra Kanta Aryal said.
Last week, Interpol issued notices for the arrest of Kumar and his brother, saying the two were the "subject of national arrest warrants for illegal transplanting of kidneys, cheating and criminal conspiracy''.
The paper reported it as a "breaking news" on its website, but there was no detail.
Earlier, the Nepalese police said that they had intensified the hunt for people involved in the kidney racket allegedly run by Kumar, who is suspected to be hiding in the Himalayan state.
"We have been investigating the matter and we cannot reveal the details until the investigation is over," Kathmandu district police chief Upendra Kanta Aryal said.
Last week, Interpol issued notices for the arrest of Kumar and his brother, saying the two were the "subject of national arrest warrants for illegal transplanting of kidneys, cheating and criminal conspiracy''.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Bal Thackeray defends Amitabh Bachchan
Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray on Wednesday sprang to the defence of Amitabh Bachchan [Images], numbing the campaign by his nephew and splinter Sena leader Raj Thackeray against the star and north Indians as Mumbai limped back to normalcy after three days of violence.
With the Centre pressing the Maharashtra government to take immediate steps against those indulging in violence, the Mumbai police appealed to Raj to restrain the cadre of his party -- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena -- from further fuelling the campaign against north Indians.
"The allegations are nothing but stupidity," Bal Thackeray said in a statement taking on Raj for his personal attack against Bachchan that the star always gave priority to Uttar Pradesh over Maharashtra triggering a war of words between the youth leader and Samajwadi Party that led to violence since Sunday.
"Amitabh is Amitabh. He should ignore such allegations," said Bal Thackeray, who turned 82 last month.
"Amitabh is a family friend. The friendship goes back 40 years during which it has not diminished. Bachchan is a global superstar and is respected all over the world. He has always expressed his gratitude to Mumbai and the people for giving him fame," Bal Thackeray said in comments exposing the divide in the Thackeray family.
There were no major incidents barring two autorickshaws being torched in Oshiwara and an attack on a textile shop in Matunga.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) D M Phadtare said he met Raj to also inquire whether security cover around his residence was enough.
As a fallout of the violence, two inspectors were suspended while an inquiry instituted against an assistant commissioner of police for not taking any action against MNS workers indulging in violence in Dadar on Sunday.
Inspector Motiram Kadam and Sub-Inspector Deepak Pawar, were suspended for dereliction of duty while an inquiry was also instituted against the ACP of the Dadar division Balkrishna Bhange, official sources said.
Elaborating on his meeting with MNS chief, Phadtare said, "I met Raj Thackeray during a routine round to talk about the security cover in the area around his residence and also appealed for restraint to be observed by everybody for maintaining peace."
Phadtare, however, parried questions on Raj's response to his appeal.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh reviewed the law and order situation."Nobody will be allowed to disturb communal harmony and attacks on non-Maharashtrians will not be tolerated," he said.
In Pune, the MNS workers forcibly stopped screening of a Bhojpuri film. The afternoon show of film Bhojpuri Bhayya was stopped and audience were forced to leave the theatre.
Meanwhile, in a setback to Raj Thackeray, around 200 MNS members on Wednesday joined Shiv Sena in presence of Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray.
The MNS members, who are fed up with the anti-north Indian stance adopted by Raj, joined the Sena at a function at Bal Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra, Sena secretary Vinayak Raut said.
Deshmukh said a total of 223 people were arrested in connection with the violence including 143 MNS activists and 90 Samajwadi Party activists.
Taxi drivers, food vendors and rail passengers hailing from north were targeted by MNS activists.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil meanwhile asked the Maharashtra government to take immediately steps against those indulging in violence against non-Maharashtrians and provide protection to the citizens.
Secular fabric of the state should be ensured and prevented from being damaged by anti-social elements, he added.
With the Centre pressing the Maharashtra government to take immediate steps against those indulging in violence, the Mumbai police appealed to Raj to restrain the cadre of his party -- Maharashtra Navnirman Sena -- from further fuelling the campaign against north Indians.
"The allegations are nothing but stupidity," Bal Thackeray said in a statement taking on Raj for his personal attack against Bachchan that the star always gave priority to Uttar Pradesh over Maharashtra triggering a war of words between the youth leader and Samajwadi Party that led to violence since Sunday.
"Amitabh is Amitabh. He should ignore such allegations," said Bal Thackeray, who turned 82 last month.
"Amitabh is a family friend. The friendship goes back 40 years during which it has not diminished. Bachchan is a global superstar and is respected all over the world. He has always expressed his gratitude to Mumbai and the people for giving him fame," Bal Thackeray said in comments exposing the divide in the Thackeray family.
There were no major incidents barring two autorickshaws being torched in Oshiwara and an attack on a textile shop in Matunga.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone V) D M Phadtare said he met Raj to also inquire whether security cover around his residence was enough.
As a fallout of the violence, two inspectors were suspended while an inquiry instituted against an assistant commissioner of police for not taking any action against MNS workers indulging in violence in Dadar on Sunday.
Inspector Motiram Kadam and Sub-Inspector Deepak Pawar, were suspended for dereliction of duty while an inquiry was also instituted against the ACP of the Dadar division Balkrishna Bhange, official sources said.
Elaborating on his meeting with MNS chief, Phadtare said, "I met Raj Thackeray during a routine round to talk about the security cover in the area around his residence and also appealed for restraint to be observed by everybody for maintaining peace."
Phadtare, however, parried questions on Raj's response to his appeal.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh reviewed the law and order situation."Nobody will be allowed to disturb communal harmony and attacks on non-Maharashtrians will not be tolerated," he said.
In Pune, the MNS workers forcibly stopped screening of a Bhojpuri film. The afternoon show of film Bhojpuri Bhayya was stopped and audience were forced to leave the theatre.
Meanwhile, in a setback to Raj Thackeray, around 200 MNS members on Wednesday joined Shiv Sena in presence of Shiv Sena executive president Udhav Thackeray.
The MNS members, who are fed up with the anti-north Indian stance adopted by Raj, joined the Sena at a function at Bal Thackeray's residence 'Matoshree' in suburban Bandra, Sena secretary Vinayak Raut said.
Deshmukh said a total of 223 people were arrested in connection with the violence including 143 MNS activists and 90 Samajwadi Party activists.
Taxi drivers, food vendors and rail passengers hailing from north were targeted by MNS activists.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil meanwhile asked the Maharashtra government to take immediately steps against those indulging in violence against non-Maharashtrians and provide protection to the citizens.
Secular fabric of the state should be ensured and prevented from being damaged by anti-social elements, he added.
An American election in Little India!
As I step off the train and on to the platform, a group of fast-striding Indians in business suits brush past me, conversing in Gujarati. In the nearby spiral staircase, I pass faded Om Shanti Om posters and offers for Bollywood-inspired ring tones.
Out on the street, a Sikh gentleman, speaking in Punjabi and wearing a light blue turban, argues animatedly over a mobile phone. After angrily ending the call, he enters a store named 'Raj Jewellers' and peruses the wares on display.
The dozen restaurant signs around me promise 'Andhra biriyani', 'Bao bhaji', 'Tandoori chicken', "Idli/dosa" and more. And every hundred yards, there's either an "Ayurvedic beauty spa" or a place selling "frozen paneer."
Wafting into my nostrils is a veritable cornucopia of scent: date chutney, mutton kebabs over flame, pungent pickles and various masalas.
"Apka community hai?" I ask Paresh, my co-worker. "Ha!" He responds. "Mera community hai. Mera community bahut acha hai!"
"Will we be able to interview your friend's wife?" I ask.
"I think so," Paresh responds. "But I'll have to translate; she doesn't really speak English, only Gujarati."
I nod, and pull the zip up on my hooded sweatshirt, lamenting my decision to leave the gloves at home. It's about 4 degrees in Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Today is 'Super Tuesday', and New Jersey is holding both its Republican and Democratic primaries.
I'm here to gauge the Indian community's sentiments on the election and its candidates. But at the moment, I'm sidetracked, wandering up and down the lane, looking at sarees on display in store windows and searching for the perfect sweet lassi.
"Am I in India?" I inquire jokingly. "No, Matthew," Paresh responds, laughing. "You're in Little India!"
Inside a local banker's office, I accept a cup of masala chai and sit down to discuss the election with five Indian-American businessmen: three are in real-estate, one in banking and the other in insurance. After swapping stories on Mumbai, the frosty weather and this past Sunday's Super Bowl, we begin the political conversation in earnest.
"We're Indians; politics is in our blood," says Jiby Thomas, the insurance man of the group.
"Yeah, that's a big difference between America and India," says Sachin Shah, in an amazing accent that is neither Indian nor American.
"In India, even the common man knows what is happening, at least politically. In America, it seems most people don't know what their own government is doing."
All five of the men have voted today or plan to vote later. To a man, they describe themselves as politically active, ranging from moderately to heavily involved. When asked who is the biggest "politics junkie", four fingers immediately point at Samir Desai, who grins sheepishly and begins to speak.
"Yes, politics is very important to me, both local and national. Here, I attend town hall meetings, stay informed on the issues and make monetary contributions to candidates, campaigns and causes I believe in."
Though the other four men are Democrats - two Obama supporters and two Hillary supporters - Desai is a card-carrying Republican, who plans on voting for US Senator from Arizona, John McCain.
"I've always been a Nationalist," he says. "If I was in India, I'd vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party every time. So why should I change that here, just because I'm a minority?"
When asked the most important issue, he doesn't hesitate. "National security," without a doubt. "Another terrorist attack like 9/11 will sink our economy. Islamic terrorists are the single biggest threat to world peace."
This launches a conversation over the Kashmir issue, with Sachin using the Internet to bring up various maps of the battle-torn region.
"You see what they're doing?" He says exasperatedly, pointing at the image and turning his monitor around so that all can see. "They took the crown of India! When we were in elementary school, that crown was a signature feature of India's silhouette."
"That's why we need McCain's experience. He's dealt with terrorists his whole life," Desai reminds the group. "Only India, Russia [Images] and the United States are capable and willing to fight the war on terrorism."
"But Hillary's very pro-India," Thomas replies. "She won't sit back and watch them attack us."
"This country doesn't need a Buy One - Get One Free President," says Desai. "Let's be honest: Hillary is only in this position because of her husband."
Fifteen minutes later, Paresh and I make our exit, while the five businessmen continue to iron out the minutiae of each issue. For all I know, they may still be there, sipping chai and talking politics.
A detailed tour of the beauty salons, saree shops, jewellers and Indian grocers in the surrounding area yields some three dozen desis, but only find two are citizens, and they aren't willing to be interviewed.
We hop in Paresh's car and cruise to nearby Edison, New Jersey, where we visit the company headquarters of CyGate (Software and Consultancy), owned by entrepreneur Nilesh Dasondi. The bold blue "Vote for Hillary" sign in the lobby leaves no question where Nilesh's allegiance lies.
He is rushed, but enthused about politics in general and this election in particular; so he agrees to interrupt his busy day and answer a few questions. Just two years ago, Nilesh ran for City Councilman of Edison, the first ever Indian do so, though Indians comprise roughly 40% of the community. He didn't win, but remains undeterred. "One day," he says, "I will devote myself to politics full time."
At present, his business ventures consume the majority of his hours and energy, but that doesn't stop him from involving himself in any way possible.
"I'm supporting Hillary however I can, getting the message out and helping people to register to vote. Her campaign staff contacted me about drumming up support in the Indian-American community here in New Jersey. But it's my wife, Sejal, who does a lot of the actual groundwork.
For the last few years, she's volunteered to bring senior citizens to the booths, so that they can cast their votes. You should go meet her," he says.
And so we do.
Sejal welcomes us into her Edison-home with consummate Gujarati grace, and the scent of sweet dal invades my nose and clouds my thinking.
Two children, 7-year-old Dev and his older sister Parthi, 9, alternatively play the electronic keyboard and work on their studies. Sejal sits on the drawing's room wrap-around couch, watching election coverage on both television and her laptop.
"I've just gotten back from my third trip to the polling centres. It's pretty busy there; I've never seen such a turn-out for a primary election. The senior citizens I've taken are so enthusiastic and excited, telling
one another, "Be careful, don't make mistakes!" and "Every vote counts!"she says.
"From what I've heard, talking to people today, I'd say 90% of the Indian
community is pro-Hillary," she continues.
"She is going to win New Jersey."
"Hillary is the best!" quips young Parthi, flashing an impish grin. "I want Hillary to win, because she will be the first woman President. If this happens, one day, I can be President too!"
Her mother laughs, and then tells the kids to bundle up and get into the car. We're going to the election centre with more senior citizens, who all live in the Dasondi's neighbourhood.
One gentleman climbs into our car, as there isn't enough space in Sejal's minivan, and informs me that he too once lived in Santa Cruz in Mumbai. We talk about chaat wallahs and subzi markets on the way to the centre, before finally discussing the election.
"Barack," he says to me, when he's sure no one is listening. But as we exit the car and approach the group of 60 and 70 something men, his story changes.
"Go Hillary!" He says enthusiastically, posing for photos with the rest of the desi crowd. I'm unsure if it was an honest mistake or a slip of the tongue.
Inside the Edison Municipal Complex, we meet election workers, who have only the nicest things to say about our group.
One elderly lady tells me, in a thick Italian-New Jersey accent, that she "loves these guys! They vote every election. They're active in our senior citizen meetings. And most importantly, they're some of the nicest people in Edison".
"You're pretty young at heart, yourself," jokes Dilsukh Chitalia, and everyone laughs.
A steady stream of desis pour into the building to cast their votes, just an hour before the polls close. Though most express pro-Hillary sentiments, I'm surprised to meet a retired couple who are both fervently pro-Barack. Mr Vijay Shah and his wife Nayana tell me that, "We believe in Obama. Hillary will only bring four more years of the same."
After the votes have all been cast, we say our goodbyes and part ways with Sejal, her children and the group of senior citizens. Everyone seems a little jubilant, a little excited. "Voting always does this to me," Vijay says.
"Isn't it great to live in a democracy?"
I mull over his comments while feasting on paneer makhani and butter naan at a nearby Mughlai restaurant. It strikes me that, if nothing else, America and India are the world's two largest, most vibrant democracies.
This alone suggests our fates are intertwined: socially, economically and militarily.
Now, it's time for mainstream America to make that little bit of extra effort to understand India; because with her, we'll always have an ally we can depend on.
Out on the street, a Sikh gentleman, speaking in Punjabi and wearing a light blue turban, argues animatedly over a mobile phone. After angrily ending the call, he enters a store named 'Raj Jewellers' and peruses the wares on display.
The dozen restaurant signs around me promise 'Andhra biriyani', 'Bao bhaji', 'Tandoori chicken', "Idli/dosa" and more. And every hundred yards, there's either an "Ayurvedic beauty spa" or a place selling "frozen paneer."
Wafting into my nostrils is a veritable cornucopia of scent: date chutney, mutton kebabs over flame, pungent pickles and various masalas.
"Apka community hai?" I ask Paresh, my co-worker. "Ha!" He responds. "Mera community hai. Mera community bahut acha hai!"
"Will we be able to interview your friend's wife?" I ask.
"I think so," Paresh responds. "But I'll have to translate; she doesn't really speak English, only Gujarati."
I nod, and pull the zip up on my hooded sweatshirt, lamenting my decision to leave the gloves at home. It's about 4 degrees in Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Today is 'Super Tuesday', and New Jersey is holding both its Republican and Democratic primaries.
I'm here to gauge the Indian community's sentiments on the election and its candidates. But at the moment, I'm sidetracked, wandering up and down the lane, looking at sarees on display in store windows and searching for the perfect sweet lassi.
"Am I in India?" I inquire jokingly. "No, Matthew," Paresh responds, laughing. "You're in Little India!"
Inside a local banker's office, I accept a cup of masala chai and sit down to discuss the election with five Indian-American businessmen: three are in real-estate, one in banking and the other in insurance. After swapping stories on Mumbai, the frosty weather and this past Sunday's Super Bowl, we begin the political conversation in earnest.
"We're Indians; politics is in our blood," says Jiby Thomas, the insurance man of the group.
"Yeah, that's a big difference between America and India," says Sachin Shah, in an amazing accent that is neither Indian nor American.
"In India, even the common man knows what is happening, at least politically. In America, it seems most people don't know what their own government is doing."
All five of the men have voted today or plan to vote later. To a man, they describe themselves as politically active, ranging from moderately to heavily involved. When asked who is the biggest "politics junkie", four fingers immediately point at Samir Desai, who grins sheepishly and begins to speak.
"Yes, politics is very important to me, both local and national. Here, I attend town hall meetings, stay informed on the issues and make monetary contributions to candidates, campaigns and causes I believe in."
Though the other four men are Democrats - two Obama supporters and two Hillary supporters - Desai is a card-carrying Republican, who plans on voting for US Senator from Arizona, John McCain.
"I've always been a Nationalist," he says. "If I was in India, I'd vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party every time. So why should I change that here, just because I'm a minority?"
When asked the most important issue, he doesn't hesitate. "National security," without a doubt. "Another terrorist attack like 9/11 will sink our economy. Islamic terrorists are the single biggest threat to world peace."
This launches a conversation over the Kashmir issue, with Sachin using the Internet to bring up various maps of the battle-torn region.
"You see what they're doing?" He says exasperatedly, pointing at the image and turning his monitor around so that all can see. "They took the crown of India! When we were in elementary school, that crown was a signature feature of India's silhouette."
"That's why we need McCain's experience. He's dealt with terrorists his whole life," Desai reminds the group. "Only India, Russia [Images] and the United States are capable and willing to fight the war on terrorism."
"But Hillary's very pro-India," Thomas replies. "She won't sit back and watch them attack us."
"This country doesn't need a Buy One - Get One Free President," says Desai. "Let's be honest: Hillary is only in this position because of her husband."
Fifteen minutes later, Paresh and I make our exit, while the five businessmen continue to iron out the minutiae of each issue. For all I know, they may still be there, sipping chai and talking politics.
A detailed tour of the beauty salons, saree shops, jewellers and Indian grocers in the surrounding area yields some three dozen desis, but only find two are citizens, and they aren't willing to be interviewed.
We hop in Paresh's car and cruise to nearby Edison, New Jersey, where we visit the company headquarters of CyGate (Software and Consultancy), owned by entrepreneur Nilesh Dasondi. The bold blue "Vote for Hillary" sign in the lobby leaves no question where Nilesh's allegiance lies.
He is rushed, but enthused about politics in general and this election in particular; so he agrees to interrupt his busy day and answer a few questions. Just two years ago, Nilesh ran for City Councilman of Edison, the first ever Indian do so, though Indians comprise roughly 40% of the community. He didn't win, but remains undeterred. "One day," he says, "I will devote myself to politics full time."
At present, his business ventures consume the majority of his hours and energy, but that doesn't stop him from involving himself in any way possible.
"I'm supporting Hillary however I can, getting the message out and helping people to register to vote. Her campaign staff contacted me about drumming up support in the Indian-American community here in New Jersey. But it's my wife, Sejal, who does a lot of the actual groundwork.
For the last few years, she's volunteered to bring senior citizens to the booths, so that they can cast their votes. You should go meet her," he says.
And so we do.
Sejal welcomes us into her Edison-home with consummate Gujarati grace, and the scent of sweet dal invades my nose and clouds my thinking.
Two children, 7-year-old Dev and his older sister Parthi, 9, alternatively play the electronic keyboard and work on their studies. Sejal sits on the drawing's room wrap-around couch, watching election coverage on both television and her laptop.
"I've just gotten back from my third trip to the polling centres. It's pretty busy there; I've never seen such a turn-out for a primary election. The senior citizens I've taken are so enthusiastic and excited, telling
one another, "Be careful, don't make mistakes!" and "Every vote counts!"she says.
"From what I've heard, talking to people today, I'd say 90% of the Indian
community is pro-Hillary," she continues.
"She is going to win New Jersey."
"Hillary is the best!" quips young Parthi, flashing an impish grin. "I want Hillary to win, because she will be the first woman President. If this happens, one day, I can be President too!"
Her mother laughs, and then tells the kids to bundle up and get into the car. We're going to the election centre with more senior citizens, who all live in the Dasondi's neighbourhood.
One gentleman climbs into our car, as there isn't enough space in Sejal's minivan, and informs me that he too once lived in Santa Cruz in Mumbai. We talk about chaat wallahs and subzi markets on the way to the centre, before finally discussing the election.
"Barack," he says to me, when he's sure no one is listening. But as we exit the car and approach the group of 60 and 70 something men, his story changes.
"Go Hillary!" He says enthusiastically, posing for photos with the rest of the desi crowd. I'm unsure if it was an honest mistake or a slip of the tongue.
Inside the Edison Municipal Complex, we meet election workers, who have only the nicest things to say about our group.
One elderly lady tells me, in a thick Italian-New Jersey accent, that she "loves these guys! They vote every election. They're active in our senior citizen meetings. And most importantly, they're some of the nicest people in Edison".
"You're pretty young at heart, yourself," jokes Dilsukh Chitalia, and everyone laughs.
A steady stream of desis pour into the building to cast their votes, just an hour before the polls close. Though most express pro-Hillary sentiments, I'm surprised to meet a retired couple who are both fervently pro-Barack. Mr Vijay Shah and his wife Nayana tell me that, "We believe in Obama. Hillary will only bring four more years of the same."
After the votes have all been cast, we say our goodbyes and part ways with Sejal, her children and the group of senior citizens. Everyone seems a little jubilant, a little excited. "Voting always does this to me," Vijay says.
"Isn't it great to live in a democracy?"
I mull over his comments while feasting on paneer makhani and butter naan at a nearby Mughlai restaurant. It strikes me that, if nothing else, America and India are the world's two largest, most vibrant democracies.
This alone suggests our fates are intertwined: socially, economically and militarily.
Now, it's time for mainstream America to make that little bit of extra effort to understand India; because with her, we'll always have an ally we can depend on.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
World should worry about US' 'loose nukes': Pak expert
Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, Shireen M Mazari blasted critics who feel that Pakistan's nuclear weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists.
Not about Pakistan's nuclear stock, but the world should worry about Unites States' "loose nukes", she said while speaking at the 10th Asian Security Conference on 'Asian Security in the 21st Century'.
Her smartly-drafted paper concerned the threat of nuclear proliferation among non-state actors in Asia. She strongly recommended that Pakistan and India needed to be accommodated within the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty as nuclear weapon states, which means altering Article IX of the treaty.
Mazari turned her critical argument against notorious nuclear proliferator Dr A Q Khan on its head.
"Why should he (Dr Khan) be punished when he did not break any of Pakistan's international commitments?" She asked. "Why does nobody talk about his counterparts in other countries who break the laws of their countries?" she added.
Mazari stunned the audience when she said, "What wrong did A Q Khan do? At best he can be charged for corruption."
"Are you going to penalise the US for proliferating to Israel? Are you going to penalise France [Images] for selling illegally Heavy Water to Israel?" She argued that there is no ground to offer Dr Khan for interrogation outside Pakistan.
While arguing about nuclear bombs falling into terrorists' hands, she said, "That non-state actors -- primarily terrorists or other groups using violence for their political ends -- would want to acquire nuclear weapons is a highly contentious assumption. Let me state at the outset that in my view non-state actors are not a major concern in the nuclear proliferation context," she spoke unambiguously.
Her argument was based on the logic that nuclear weapons are difficult to manage and given the political agenda of the non-state actors in question, may have such a devastating destructive effect that the end for which they were to be used would be destroyed.
She also said that small nukes still have to be perfected even by the US in the sense that they want to resume nuclear testing post-9/11, especially in the context of such weapons -- as reflected in the Nuclear Posture Review of 2002.
"Purely from the operational point of view, in the context of terrorism, the target and victim are separate entities and destruction of the victim is intended to send a message to the target. But with the fallout from the use of nuclear weapons, the separation will be difficult to sustain," Mazari said.
"Terrorists are on the move and have a mobile strategic doctrine. Nuclear weapons are not like guns or other small conventional arms that can simply be carried around endlessly," she said.
"So, logic suggests that nuclear weapons will not be a weapon of choice for terrorists. This is not to say that other Weapons of Mass Destruction, especially chemical weapons, as happened in Japan [Images] in the 90s (see details below), do not hold an attraction for terrorist groups," Mazari added.
She blamed the US for the manner in which it is carrying on the global war on terror.
"The terrorists already have access to enough destructive capability within conventional means, so their need for nuclear weapons is simply not there. In fact, the manner in which the US is conducting its global war on terror, with a focus on a military-centric strategy, is itself creating increasing space for terrorists across the globe -- instead of denying them space," Mazari said.
She said if compared to Asian countries it is Russia [Images] and the US who have met with nuclear accidents. She even praised India's record of nuclear safety. She said, "Especially post-1998, there have been no reports of major safety issues within India's nuclear facilities nor of any theft of material post-2001."
The 44 countries that are recognised as having nuclear research reactors and whose ratification is required for the operationalisation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty include 10 countries of Asia except Turkey and Israel.
"Of these 10 states, four, if one counts North Korea, are nuclear weapon states and another has a substantive nuclear capability including a large fast breeder and reprocessing capacity. Barring a few reported incidents of leakage or radiation in the early stages of the development of some of these countries' nuclear programmes, no major accident has occurred in Asia similar to Three Mile Island (US) or Chernobyl (Russia)," she said.
However, while quoting Indian Parliament records she said that 147 mishaps or safety-related unusual occurrences were reported between 1995-1998 in Indian atomic energy plants. Of these, 28 were of an acute nature and nine of these 28 occurred in the nuclear power installations.
"From my vantage point, this whole cacophony of non-state actors seeking and acquiring nuclear weapons, that has arisen from the US and been taken up by its allies is more a strategy of victimising particular states seen as untrustworthy in terms of loyalty to the US and its interests, who are looking to independence in civil nuclear power capability or who have acquired nuclear weapons capability," she said.
While speaking of Pakistan's nuclear establishments she claimed in her paper, "In an effort to allay international concerns about the safety of its nuclear assets, Pakistan has periodically briefed local and foreign media as well as diplomats in detail about its command and control authority as well as the management structures."
The latest briefing in this connection was held last month and among the invitees were representatives of the Indian media and the Indian defence attache based in Islamabad.
So far no other nuclear weapon state has been so open about its command and control structures, she claimed. She explained to international audience at the IDSA Conference how Pakistan has taken enough steps to safeguard its nuclear establishments.
She said Pakistan's National Command Authority was formally set up in February 2000. It is responsible for policy formulation and controls the development and employment over all strategic nuclear forces and strategic organisations.
Pakistan also created its Nuclear Regulatory Authority for civilian nuclear matters in 2001. Mazari said, "It is an independent authority responsible for licensing of power plants and registration of all radioactive materials (including hospital equipment -- beginning with military hospitals), including imports and disposal, power plants safety."
Pakistan's Export Control Act 2004 was enacted in September 2004 after four years of extensive inter-ministerial processes starting 2000.
This Export Control Act does not mention the terrorists through the explicit use of the term. But, Mazari said, "It effectively does cover non-state actors through the preamble and Article I, which lays down the extent of its application."
"Indian law in this regard mentions non-state actor/terrorist in its preamble and Section � 4 (g) & (m), which defines certain terms used in the act," she added.
Mazari's argument was harshest when she spoke about the US. "Given the extremists and psychologically disturbed personnel within the US military -- remember Abu Ghraib -- and the tendency of the US to bring in the private sector into the management of security, the international community should have some contingency plan to prevent the loose nukes incident being repeated again in the US," she said.
She said sarcastically, referring to President George W Bush [Images], without mentioning his name, "The danger is even more acute because religious extremists in the form of born-again Christians actually hold office in that country."
Not about Pakistan's nuclear stock, but the world should worry about Unites States' "loose nukes", she said while speaking at the 10th Asian Security Conference on 'Asian Security in the 21st Century'.
Her smartly-drafted paper concerned the threat of nuclear proliferation among non-state actors in Asia. She strongly recommended that Pakistan and India needed to be accommodated within the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty as nuclear weapon states, which means altering Article IX of the treaty.
Mazari turned her critical argument against notorious nuclear proliferator Dr A Q Khan on its head.
"Why should he (Dr Khan) be punished when he did not break any of Pakistan's international commitments?" She asked. "Why does nobody talk about his counterparts in other countries who break the laws of their countries?" she added.
Mazari stunned the audience when she said, "What wrong did A Q Khan do? At best he can be charged for corruption."
"Are you going to penalise the US for proliferating to Israel? Are you going to penalise France [Images] for selling illegally Heavy Water to Israel?" She argued that there is no ground to offer Dr Khan for interrogation outside Pakistan.
While arguing about nuclear bombs falling into terrorists' hands, she said, "That non-state actors -- primarily terrorists or other groups using violence for their political ends -- would want to acquire nuclear weapons is a highly contentious assumption. Let me state at the outset that in my view non-state actors are not a major concern in the nuclear proliferation context," she spoke unambiguously.
Her argument was based on the logic that nuclear weapons are difficult to manage and given the political agenda of the non-state actors in question, may have such a devastating destructive effect that the end for which they were to be used would be destroyed.
She also said that small nukes still have to be perfected even by the US in the sense that they want to resume nuclear testing post-9/11, especially in the context of such weapons -- as reflected in the Nuclear Posture Review of 2002.
"Purely from the operational point of view, in the context of terrorism, the target and victim are separate entities and destruction of the victim is intended to send a message to the target. But with the fallout from the use of nuclear weapons, the separation will be difficult to sustain," Mazari said.
"Terrorists are on the move and have a mobile strategic doctrine. Nuclear weapons are not like guns or other small conventional arms that can simply be carried around endlessly," she said.
"So, logic suggests that nuclear weapons will not be a weapon of choice for terrorists. This is not to say that other Weapons of Mass Destruction, especially chemical weapons, as happened in Japan [Images] in the 90s (see details below), do not hold an attraction for terrorist groups," Mazari added.
She blamed the US for the manner in which it is carrying on the global war on terror.
"The terrorists already have access to enough destructive capability within conventional means, so their need for nuclear weapons is simply not there. In fact, the manner in which the US is conducting its global war on terror, with a focus on a military-centric strategy, is itself creating increasing space for terrorists across the globe -- instead of denying them space," Mazari said.
She said if compared to Asian countries it is Russia [Images] and the US who have met with nuclear accidents. She even praised India's record of nuclear safety. She said, "Especially post-1998, there have been no reports of major safety issues within India's nuclear facilities nor of any theft of material post-2001."
The 44 countries that are recognised as having nuclear research reactors and whose ratification is required for the operationalisation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty include 10 countries of Asia except Turkey and Israel.
"Of these 10 states, four, if one counts North Korea, are nuclear weapon states and another has a substantive nuclear capability including a large fast breeder and reprocessing capacity. Barring a few reported incidents of leakage or radiation in the early stages of the development of some of these countries' nuclear programmes, no major accident has occurred in Asia similar to Three Mile Island (US) or Chernobyl (Russia)," she said.
However, while quoting Indian Parliament records she said that 147 mishaps or safety-related unusual occurrences were reported between 1995-1998 in Indian atomic energy plants. Of these, 28 were of an acute nature and nine of these 28 occurred in the nuclear power installations.
"From my vantage point, this whole cacophony of non-state actors seeking and acquiring nuclear weapons, that has arisen from the US and been taken up by its allies is more a strategy of victimising particular states seen as untrustworthy in terms of loyalty to the US and its interests, who are looking to independence in civil nuclear power capability or who have acquired nuclear weapons capability," she said.
While speaking of Pakistan's nuclear establishments she claimed in her paper, "In an effort to allay international concerns about the safety of its nuclear assets, Pakistan has periodically briefed local and foreign media as well as diplomats in detail about its command and control authority as well as the management structures."
The latest briefing in this connection was held last month and among the invitees were representatives of the Indian media and the Indian defence attache based in Islamabad.
So far no other nuclear weapon state has been so open about its command and control structures, she claimed. She explained to international audience at the IDSA Conference how Pakistan has taken enough steps to safeguard its nuclear establishments.
She said Pakistan's National Command Authority was formally set up in February 2000. It is responsible for policy formulation and controls the development and employment over all strategic nuclear forces and strategic organisations.
Pakistan also created its Nuclear Regulatory Authority for civilian nuclear matters in 2001. Mazari said, "It is an independent authority responsible for licensing of power plants and registration of all radioactive materials (including hospital equipment -- beginning with military hospitals), including imports and disposal, power plants safety."
Pakistan's Export Control Act 2004 was enacted in September 2004 after four years of extensive inter-ministerial processes starting 2000.
This Export Control Act does not mention the terrorists through the explicit use of the term. But, Mazari said, "It effectively does cover non-state actors through the preamble and Article I, which lays down the extent of its application."
"Indian law in this regard mentions non-state actor/terrorist in its preamble and Section � 4 (g) & (m), which defines certain terms used in the act," she added.
Mazari's argument was harshest when she spoke about the US. "Given the extremists and psychologically disturbed personnel within the US military -- remember Abu Ghraib -- and the tendency of the US to bring in the private sector into the management of security, the international community should have some contingency plan to prevent the loose nukes incident being repeated again in the US," she said.
She said sarcastically, referring to President George W Bush [Images], without mentioning his name, "The danger is even more acute because religious extremists in the form of born-again Christians actually hold office in that country."
Threat of N-weapons falling into terror hands real, says Pranab
Voicing concern over the 'very real threat' of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, India on Tuesday sought strict controls over such arsenal by countries having established nuclear programmes, in an apparent reference to Pakistan.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said the challenges of terrorism and nuclear proliferation were inter-connected and 'alarming aspect' was the linkages that radical terror groups have forged with 'a few nuclear scientists'.
In an apparent reference to activities of Pakistan's disgraced scientist A Q Khan, he said it was well known how transfer of uranium enrichment technology, equipment and even weapon design has taken place 'clandestinely and flagrantly in our region'.
Addressing a seminar on Asian security, which will focus on emerging challenges in the region, he said the threat of nuclear proliferation has been a 'principal cause of concern in recent years'.
The concern, he said, was not limited to new states acquiring nuclear weapons capability but extends to the "very real threat of terrorist groups laying their hands on nuclear material and even fully-assembled nuclear weapons".
He pointed out that one of the concerns related to the "inability of states to sufficiently safeguard their nuclear material, technology and facilities against attempts to procure weapons of mass destruction-relevant items".
Another factor, he said, was the "deliberate and callous proliferation by states, including state failure, to exercise adequate control over personnel engaged in nuclear programmes".
Mukherjee said the challenge before the world community was to ensure that national laws and international commitments are "better implemented by states to prevent leakage of material and technology from established nuclear programmes without short-term considerations of political expediency".
Talking about dangers of nurturing terrorism as a 'political tool', the external affairs minister said it could recoil and "wound the state that wields it".
He noted that "terrorists have successfully used weakly-governed territories to organise attacks, recruit and train their cadres" which should 'not obscure the responsibility' of the countries concerned to prevent the misuse of their territories.
Citing Afghanistan under Taliban as a 'telling example', he said, "Continuing to allow these groups to enjoy the luxury of space will have terrible consequences for the world at large".
Mukherjeee said India does not wish to see the emergence of new nuclear weapon states, as it will endanger international security. But, later he clarified that the reference was not to Iran. He said as far as Teheran was concerned, New Delhi backed its moves to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee said the challenges of terrorism and nuclear proliferation were inter-connected and 'alarming aspect' was the linkages that radical terror groups have forged with 'a few nuclear scientists'.
In an apparent reference to activities of Pakistan's disgraced scientist A Q Khan, he said it was well known how transfer of uranium enrichment technology, equipment and even weapon design has taken place 'clandestinely and flagrantly in our region'.
Addressing a seminar on Asian security, which will focus on emerging challenges in the region, he said the threat of nuclear proliferation has been a 'principal cause of concern in recent years'.
The concern, he said, was not limited to new states acquiring nuclear weapons capability but extends to the "very real threat of terrorist groups laying their hands on nuclear material and even fully-assembled nuclear weapons".
He pointed out that one of the concerns related to the "inability of states to sufficiently safeguard their nuclear material, technology and facilities against attempts to procure weapons of mass destruction-relevant items".
Another factor, he said, was the "deliberate and callous proliferation by states, including state failure, to exercise adequate control over personnel engaged in nuclear programmes".
Mukherjee said the challenge before the world community was to ensure that national laws and international commitments are "better implemented by states to prevent leakage of material and technology from established nuclear programmes without short-term considerations of political expediency".
Talking about dangers of nurturing terrorism as a 'political tool', the external affairs minister said it could recoil and "wound the state that wields it".
He noted that "terrorists have successfully used weakly-governed territories to organise attacks, recruit and train their cadres" which should 'not obscure the responsibility' of the countries concerned to prevent the misuse of their territories.
Citing Afghanistan under Taliban as a 'telling example', he said, "Continuing to allow these groups to enjoy the luxury of space will have terrible consequences for the world at large".
Mukherjeee said India does not wish to see the emergence of new nuclear weapon states, as it will endanger international security. But, later he clarified that the reference was not to Iran. He said as far as Teheran was concerned, New Delhi backed its moves to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Protests against Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan
Activists belonging to an outfit calling itself the Sri Rajput Karni Sena have protested against the screening of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan.
"We shall not allow the filmmaker to distort history," said Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a leader of the outfit, at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to him, none of Mughal emperor Akbar's 34 wives were named Jodhabai. Akbar married the former maharaja of Ajmer, Bharmal's elder daughter Karkbai alias Heer Kumar in Fatehpur Sikri on Feburary 6, 1562. Prince Salim was born in 1569.
"Jodhabai was the daughter of Moteraja Udai Singh and she would have been three years younger than Salim and hence, in no way could she have been his mother," Kalvi claimed.
According to these organisations, Jodha was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar's son.
"Thus, she was Akbar's daughter-in-law. So, depicting Jodha as Akbar's wife is not tolerable," Karni said.
He claimed that he had met Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyarajan Das Munsi and the latter had assured him that the film would not be allowed to be released.
He also claimed five historians had worked on the subject and had come up with well researched documents that prove the film historically incorrect. Ain-e-Akbari (page 619), Akbarnama (page 212) and a National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class XI history book on medieval India by Professor Satish Chandra are amongst the books that were consulted by the experts, he said.
"The Rajasthan high court has passed an order and if necessary, we shall go to the Supreme Court of India and seek a ban. In any case, the producers are losing money on the Rajasthan territory where they have not been able to release their music. We will not allow Jodhaa Akbar to be screened in Rajasthan," Karni said.
He could not give us the names of the historians or produce the high court papers when the media asked him for a copy.
"I will send you copies of the CDs to reporters in Delhi," he said.
Rajput activists also burnt posters of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan. At least 100 activists gathered outside the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur -- where the Bachchans are celebrating Abhishek's birthday -- and shouted slogans against Aishwarya [Images] for playing the role of Jodhabai in the film, as well as against director Ashutosh Gowarikar.
Slogans like 'Jodha Akbar nahin chalega, band karo Jodha Akbar' and 'Amitabh (Bachchan) Aish ko samjhao, Aish ko Jodha mat banao' filled the air as the protestors burnt posters of the big budget film that also stars Hrithik Roshan [Images].
Kalvi said the protest was a symbolic one, since Amitabh was ill.
Jodhaa Akbar has faced heavy weather right from the time the crew landed on the outskirts of Jaipur in 2006, with the Rajputs saying it was historically incorrect and animal rights activists accusing Gowarikar of being cruel to horses used in some sequences.
"We shall not allow the filmmaker to distort history," said Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a leader of the outfit, at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to him, none of Mughal emperor Akbar's 34 wives were named Jodhabai. Akbar married the former maharaja of Ajmer, Bharmal's elder daughter Karkbai alias Heer Kumar in Fatehpur Sikri on Feburary 6, 1562. Prince Salim was born in 1569.
"Jodhabai was the daughter of Moteraja Udai Singh and she would have been three years younger than Salim and hence, in no way could she have been his mother," Kalvi claimed.
According to these organisations, Jodha was the daughter of Udai Singh of Marwar and was married to Salim, Akbar's son.
"Thus, she was Akbar's daughter-in-law. So, depicting Jodha as Akbar's wife is not tolerable," Karni said.
He claimed that he had met Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyarajan Das Munsi and the latter had assured him that the film would not be allowed to be released.
He also claimed five historians had worked on the subject and had come up with well researched documents that prove the film historically incorrect. Ain-e-Akbari (page 619), Akbarnama (page 212) and a National Council of Educational Research and Training's Class XI history book on medieval India by Professor Satish Chandra are amongst the books that were consulted by the experts, he said.
"The Rajasthan high court has passed an order and if necessary, we shall go to the Supreme Court of India and seek a ban. In any case, the producers are losing money on the Rajasthan territory where they have not been able to release their music. We will not allow Jodhaa Akbar to be screened in Rajasthan," Karni said.
He could not give us the names of the historians or produce the high court papers when the media asked him for a copy.
"I will send you copies of the CDs to reporters in Delhi," he said.
Rajput activists also burnt posters of Jodhaa Akbar in Rajasthan. At least 100 activists gathered outside the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur -- where the Bachchans are celebrating Abhishek's birthday -- and shouted slogans against Aishwarya [Images] for playing the role of Jodhabai in the film, as well as against director Ashutosh Gowarikar.
Slogans like 'Jodha Akbar nahin chalega, band karo Jodha Akbar' and 'Amitabh (Bachchan) Aish ko samjhao, Aish ko Jodha mat banao' filled the air as the protestors burnt posters of the big budget film that also stars Hrithik Roshan [Images].
Kalvi said the protest was a symbolic one, since Amitabh was ill.
Jodhaa Akbar has faced heavy weather right from the time the crew landed on the outskirts of Jaipur in 2006, with the Rajputs saying it was historically incorrect and animal rights activists accusing Gowarikar of being cruel to horses used in some sequences.
500 TCS employees quit after appraisal
Coinciding with cost-cutting drive in Indian IT space amid fears of recession in the United States, the country's largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services [Get Quote] on Tuesday said that about 500 members of its staff have 'voluntarily resigned' after an annual performance check.
"Employees with experience of two years and above across the company who were unable to meet the performance requirements of our company are asked to look for other jobs commensurate with their abilities," TCS spokesperson Pradipta Bagchi said.
However, he asserted that no employee has been sacked or fired. As a policy the only time that TCS dismisses people is for disciplinary reasons, he added.
"This is not an exceptional thing, it happens every year and it is part of our annual performance exercise. In TCS, everyone has to go through an appraisal cycle where they are rated between 1 and 5 depending on their performance. If in one appraisal cycle anyone is rated below 2, we put them on PIP (performance improvement plan).
"Under this they are given extra training. Even after this if their rating is below 2, then they are asked to look for other jobs," Bagchi said.
Even last year, nearly 500 employees had to leave the company on performance ground.
TCS has added 7,522 employees in the third quarter ended December 31, taking the number of its employees to 108,229.
The move comes close on the heels of global IT major IBM reportedly showing the door to a large number of its entry-level trainee programmers across major offices in the country on the grounds of performance.
Although IBM has confirmed the move, but they declined to specify as to how many trainees have been dismissed. However, sources suggest that the number could be in hundreds.
When asked about the sudden job cuts, the IBM spokesperson said it is a continuous process and is meant to validate the quality of employees.
"IBM is driven by a high-performance culture, a place where employees are able to contribute at the upper limits of their potential and continually build market-valued skills and capabilities in both formal training and experiential learning. In support of that expectation on the part of our workforce, we are pioneering new ways for our people to certify their skill levels," the spokesperson added.
However, IBM India management is reluctant to go into the details of the tests that have been conducted, citing it as an HR exercise.
Asked whether it is related to the company's performance, the spokesperson said it is a continues process and has got nothing to do with the company's performance.
Incidentally, TCS also plans a 1.5 per cent cut in variable salaries of its employees in the fourth quarter, as it fell short of certain financial targets
"Employees with experience of two years and above across the company who were unable to meet the performance requirements of our company are asked to look for other jobs commensurate with their abilities," TCS spokesperson Pradipta Bagchi said.
However, he asserted that no employee has been sacked or fired. As a policy the only time that TCS dismisses people is for disciplinary reasons, he added.
"This is not an exceptional thing, it happens every year and it is part of our annual performance exercise. In TCS, everyone has to go through an appraisal cycle where they are rated between 1 and 5 depending on their performance. If in one appraisal cycle anyone is rated below 2, we put them on PIP (performance improvement plan).
"Under this they are given extra training. Even after this if their rating is below 2, then they are asked to look for other jobs," Bagchi said.
Even last year, nearly 500 employees had to leave the company on performance ground.
TCS has added 7,522 employees in the third quarter ended December 31, taking the number of its employees to 108,229.
The move comes close on the heels of global IT major IBM reportedly showing the door to a large number of its entry-level trainee programmers across major offices in the country on the grounds of performance.
Although IBM has confirmed the move, but they declined to specify as to how many trainees have been dismissed. However, sources suggest that the number could be in hundreds.
When asked about the sudden job cuts, the IBM spokesperson said it is a continuous process and is meant to validate the quality of employees.
"IBM is driven by a high-performance culture, a place where employees are able to contribute at the upper limits of their potential and continually build market-valued skills and capabilities in both formal training and experiential learning. In support of that expectation on the part of our workforce, we are pioneering new ways for our people to certify their skill levels," the spokesperson added.
However, IBM India management is reluctant to go into the details of the tests that have been conducted, citing it as an HR exercise.
Asked whether it is related to the company's performance, the spokesperson said it is a continues process and has got nothing to do with the company's performance.
Incidentally, TCS also plans a 1.5 per cent cut in variable salaries of its employees in the fourth quarter, as it fell short of certain financial targets
Attacks on north Indians: Lalu speaks to PM
Railways minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday took up with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] the issue of attacks on north Indians by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in Maharashtra and demanded action against those involved in them.
"I spoke to the Prime Minister and home minister Shivraj Patil, drawing their attention to the violence unleashed against poor and hapless people in Mumbai and they have assured me that they would do the needful," Prasad told PTI.
"Strong action should be taken against those involved in the attack and they should be put behind bars. The organisation involved in the ugly incidents should not be granted any recognition (by the Election Commission)", he said.
Terming the troublemakers as 'anti-national', Lalu said no one has the right to violate the fundamental rights of the people.
About MNS leader Raj Thackeray, Prasad said, "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".
Appealing to the people not to be misled by leaders who want to divide the country, the RJD chief said, "People should exercise restraint and not get provoked by divisive elements".
Meanwhile, unperturbed by incidents of attacks on north Indians in Mumbai, activists of the Samajwadi Party's youth wing today resorted to Gandhigiri by offering flowers and sweets to passengers of a train heading towards the financial capital.
At least 20 workers of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha reached the Allahabad junction at the time of the arrival of the Bombay Mail.
After the train halted, they entered the bogies and inquired which of the passengers were Maharashtrians.
Some of the passengers hesitatingly disclosed their identity, wary of a possible retaliation to the recent happenings in Mumbai, but were pleasantly surprised as the activists offered them a rose each and also gave them sweets to eat.
They also said no matter how Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navanirman Sena behaved with north Indians, they would continue to shower affection on people of Maharashtra.
"I spoke to the Prime Minister and home minister Shivraj Patil, drawing their attention to the violence unleashed against poor and hapless people in Mumbai and they have assured me that they would do the needful," Prasad told PTI.
"Strong action should be taken against those involved in the attack and they should be put behind bars. The organisation involved in the ugly incidents should not be granted any recognition (by the Election Commission)", he said.
Terming the troublemakers as 'anti-national', Lalu said no one has the right to violate the fundamental rights of the people.
About MNS leader Raj Thackeray, Prasad said, "He is desperate and such type of leader will never be successful in the country. The Government should take action against him and his supporters".
Appealing to the people not to be misled by leaders who want to divide the country, the RJD chief said, "People should exercise restraint and not get provoked by divisive elements".
Meanwhile, unperturbed by incidents of attacks on north Indians in Mumbai, activists of the Samajwadi Party's youth wing today resorted to Gandhigiri by offering flowers and sweets to passengers of a train heading towards the financial capital.
At least 20 workers of the Samajwadi Yuvjan Sabha reached the Allahabad junction at the time of the arrival of the Bombay Mail.
After the train halted, they entered the bogies and inquired which of the passengers were Maharashtrians.
Some of the passengers hesitatingly disclosed their identity, wary of a possible retaliation to the recent happenings in Mumbai, but were pleasantly surprised as the activists offered them a rose each and also gave them sweets to eat.
They also said no matter how Raj Thackeray and his Maharashtra Navanirman Sena behaved with north Indians, they would continue to shower affection on people of Maharashtra.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Australia blow off India at the MCG
World champions India were brought down to earth, thrashed by a ruthless Australia by nine wickets in a low-scoring Twenty20 cricket international at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
The Indians were bundled out for a paltry 74 in 17.3 overs and the home team rattled up the required runs in just 11.2 overs.
A wide from Ishant Sharma earned the hosts the winning runs after captain Michael Clark (37 not out) and Adam Gilchrist [Images] (25) set up the quick victory.
Electing to bat, only Irfan Pathan [Images] (26) got into double figure as the visitors collapsed like a deck of cards on a slow track.
Clarke was named man of the match.
Winning the toss was just about the only thing India did right in the evening. Along with their performance, the crowd's hostile reception every time Harbhajan faced a delivery or handled the ball in the field, suggested a testing time ahead for the visitors.
Worse, the off-spinner shouldered Irfan Pathan from accepting a catch off Adam Gilchrist in the Australian innings.
Every stroke of retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist was greeted with fulsome applause from across the stands though it was his partner, and captain in the match, Clarke who produced more big shots.
Clarke twice picked up the slower deliveries from Sreesanth [Images], once square driving him past point and then depositing him into the long-on stands.
Australia lost Gilchrist with 18 remaining for victory after the batsman had hit Praveen Kumar over fine leg for a six. The next delivery he attempted a shot, Gautam Gambhir [Images] caught him at long on.
The Indians opted to rest ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images] for the game, but the youngsters who were included in place of seniors like Sourav Ganguly [Images], Rahul Dravid [Images] and VVS Laxman failed to make an impression.
The slide began in the first over itself with the exit of in-form opener Virender Sehwag [Images] (0) and the team never really recovered as wickets tumbled in quick succession.
World champions India batted horribly and were 32 for 5 at one stage. Just three fours in their innings convey Australia's ascendancy.
India just about avoided ending up with the lowest total ever witnessed in a Twenty20 game, dismissed marginally ahead of the 73 which Kenya scored against New Zealand [Images] in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa last year.
The poor batting disappointed the over 90,000 cricket fans who gathered in anticipation of a keen contest.
Batsmen after batsmen lofted the ball as they tried to take on fielders and perished.
Sehwag (0) ran himself out off a direct hit. Gautam Gambhir (9) and Robin Uthappa (1) tried to hit over the top and succeeded in going only as far as the mid-off, while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (9) and Praveen Kumar (6) picked fielders in the deep for a sorry end to their innings.
Dinesh Karthik [Images] (8) made room to slash a high full toss from Lee and Rohit Sharma went to pull a delivery hardly short and boith saw their timbers rattled.
The best stand of the innings was of 17 runs, between top scorer Irfan Pathan (26) and Dhoni, for the sixth wicket.
Pathan alone redeemed himself in this terrible display in the middle, striking 26 balls from 30 balls.
Australia tried six bowlers and all of them were among the wickets, with Adam Voges, the slow left-arm bowler playing his second international, taking two wickets off successive deliveries.
Paceman Nathan Bracken [Images] was the pick of the Australian bowlers with impressive figures of 2.3-1-11-3 while Voges chipped in with 2 for 5. Brett Lee [Images], Ashley Nofke, James Hopes and David Hussey took a wicket each.
The Indians were bundled out for a paltry 74 in 17.3 overs and the home team rattled up the required runs in just 11.2 overs.
A wide from Ishant Sharma earned the hosts the winning runs after captain Michael Clark (37 not out) and Adam Gilchrist [Images] (25) set up the quick victory.
Electing to bat, only Irfan Pathan [Images] (26) got into double figure as the visitors collapsed like a deck of cards on a slow track.
Clarke was named man of the match.
Winning the toss was just about the only thing India did right in the evening. Along with their performance, the crowd's hostile reception every time Harbhajan faced a delivery or handled the ball in the field, suggested a testing time ahead for the visitors.
Worse, the off-spinner shouldered Irfan Pathan from accepting a catch off Adam Gilchrist in the Australian innings.
Every stroke of retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist was greeted with fulsome applause from across the stands though it was his partner, and captain in the match, Clarke who produced more big shots.
Clarke twice picked up the slower deliveries from Sreesanth [Images], once square driving him past point and then depositing him into the long-on stands.
Australia lost Gilchrist with 18 remaining for victory after the batsman had hit Praveen Kumar over fine leg for a six. The next delivery he attempted a shot, Gautam Gambhir [Images] caught him at long on.
The Indians opted to rest ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar [Images] for the game, but the youngsters who were included in place of seniors like Sourav Ganguly [Images], Rahul Dravid [Images] and VVS Laxman failed to make an impression.
The slide began in the first over itself with the exit of in-form opener Virender Sehwag [Images] (0) and the team never really recovered as wickets tumbled in quick succession.
World champions India batted horribly and were 32 for 5 at one stage. Just three fours in their innings convey Australia's ascendancy.
India just about avoided ending up with the lowest total ever witnessed in a Twenty20 game, dismissed marginally ahead of the 73 which Kenya scored against New Zealand [Images] in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa last year.
The poor batting disappointed the over 90,000 cricket fans who gathered in anticipation of a keen contest.
Batsmen after batsmen lofted the ball as they tried to take on fielders and perished.
Sehwag (0) ran himself out off a direct hit. Gautam Gambhir (9) and Robin Uthappa (1) tried to hit over the top and succeeded in going only as far as the mid-off, while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (9) and Praveen Kumar (6) picked fielders in the deep for a sorry end to their innings.
Dinesh Karthik [Images] (8) made room to slash a high full toss from Lee and Rohit Sharma went to pull a delivery hardly short and boith saw their timbers rattled.
The best stand of the innings was of 17 runs, between top scorer Irfan Pathan (26) and Dhoni, for the sixth wicket.
Pathan alone redeemed himself in this terrible display in the middle, striking 26 balls from 30 balls.
Australia tried six bowlers and all of them were among the wickets, with Adam Voges, the slow left-arm bowler playing his second international, taking two wickets off successive deliveries.
Paceman Nathan Bracken [Images] was the pick of the Australian bowlers with impressive figures of 2.3-1-11-3 while Voges chipped in with 2 for 5. Brett Lee [Images], Ashley Nofke, James Hopes and David Hussey took a wicket each.
Aussies blank India in Fed Cup
India were relegated to the Fed Cup Asia/Oceania Zone group II after top seeds Australia blanked them 3-0 in their third and final group I match in Bangkok on Friday.
After successive defeats to Indonesia and New Zealand [Images] in pool A, India again missed the services of Sania Mirza [Images] as Australia gave them a sound thrashing.
Isha Lakhani started the proceedings for the Indians. She wasted a one-set lead and went down 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 to Jessica Moore.
Sunitha Rao was next up but the US-based player was swept aside 3-6, 5-7 by Casey Dellacqua.
The 2-0 Aussie lead made the doubles tie inconsequential, but the top seeds were in no mood to concede even an inch as Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs beat Sunitha and Shikha Uberoi 7-6(2), 6-0 to complete the rout.
In the other group matches, Taiwan defeated Thailand 3-0, New Zealand blanked Indonesia 3-0, Uzbekistan thrashed Hong Kong 2-1.
After successive defeats to Indonesia and New Zealand [Images] in pool A, India again missed the services of Sania Mirza [Images] as Australia gave them a sound thrashing.
Isha Lakhani started the proceedings for the Indians. She wasted a one-set lead and went down 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 to Jessica Moore.
Sunitha Rao was next up but the US-based player was swept aside 3-6, 5-7 by Casey Dellacqua.
The 2-0 Aussie lead made the doubles tie inconsequential, but the top seeds were in no mood to concede even an inch as Dellacqua and Rennae Stubbs beat Sunitha and Shikha Uberoi 7-6(2), 6-0 to complete the rout.
In the other group matches, Taiwan defeated Thailand 3-0, New Zealand blanked Indonesia 3-0, Uzbekistan thrashed Hong Kong 2-1.
Microsoft offers to buy Yahoo for $44.6 bn
IT giant Microsoft Corporation on Friday announced that it was planning to acquire all the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock for per share consideration of $31 representing a total equity value of approximately $44.6 billion.
Microsoft's proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock.
The offer represents a 62 percent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock on Jan. 31, 2008, says a release issued by Microsoft on Friday.
Commenting on the proposal, Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft said, "We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market."
The online advertising market is growing at a very fast pace, from over $40 billion in 2007 to nearly $80 billion by 2010. Microsoft believes this is the time for consolidation and convergence.
Together, Microsoft and Yahoo! can offer a competitive choice while better fulfilling the needs of customers and partners. The combination will create a more efficient company and will generate at least $1 billion in annual synergy for the combined entity.
Microsoft has developed a plan and process that will include the employees of both companies to focus on the integration of the combined business.
"We believe our combination will deliver superior value to our respective shareholders and better choice and innovation to our customers and industry partners," Ballmer said.
The company plans to offer significant retention packages to Yahoo! engineers, key leaders and employees across all disciplines.
Microsoft believes this proposed combination would receive all necessary regulatory approvals and expects that the proposed transaction would be completed in the second half of calendar year 2008.
Microsoft's proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock.
The offer represents a 62 percent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock on Jan. 31, 2008, says a release issued by Microsoft on Friday.
Commenting on the proposal, Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft said, "We have great respect for Yahoo!, and together we can offer an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market."
The online advertising market is growing at a very fast pace, from over $40 billion in 2007 to nearly $80 billion by 2010. Microsoft believes this is the time for consolidation and convergence.
Together, Microsoft and Yahoo! can offer a competitive choice while better fulfilling the needs of customers and partners. The combination will create a more efficient company and will generate at least $1 billion in annual synergy for the combined entity.
Microsoft has developed a plan and process that will include the employees of both companies to focus on the integration of the combined business.
"We believe our combination will deliver superior value to our respective shareholders and better choice and innovation to our customers and industry partners," Ballmer said.
The company plans to offer significant retention packages to Yahoo! engineers, key leaders and employees across all disciplines.
Microsoft believes this proposed combination would receive all necessary regulatory approvals and expects that the proposed transaction would be completed in the second half of calendar year 2008.
Mysterious explosions create panic in Delhi
In the second-such incident in a fortnight, two mysterious blasts in a span of five minutes triggered panic in the national capital New Delhi in which one person was injured and four cars were damaged.
The incident took place near a petrol pump in Lado Sarai locality in South Delhi at around 11 pm on Thursday night, police sources said on Friday.
But there was no official confirmation from the police whether the explosions were caused by bombs. One person suffered head injuries and four cars were damaged in the blasts, sources said, adding that the two explosions took place within five minutes and at a distance of 250 metres.
Senior officials of Delhi Police, including those from the anti-terror Special Cell, inspected the area and collected material.
The material collected from the area has been sent for forensic tests, the sources said, adding that they could not comment on the nature of explosions till they got the report. There were no eye-witnesses to the incident, they said.
The incident took place near a petrol pump in Lado Sarai locality in South Delhi at around 11 pm on Thursday night, police sources said on Friday.
But there was no official confirmation from the police whether the explosions were caused by bombs. One person suffered head injuries and four cars were damaged in the blasts, sources said, adding that the two explosions took place within five minutes and at a distance of 250 metres.
Senior officials of Delhi Police, including those from the anti-terror Special Cell, inspected the area and collected material.
The material collected from the area has been sent for forensic tests, the sources said, adding that they could not comment on the nature of explosions till they got the report. There were no eye-witnesses to the incident, they said.
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