B4U India

CID raids Asaram Bapu’s ashram in Ahmedabad

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:39:00 -0400

Four teams of CID Crime Branch on Friday raided the Ashram of Asharam Bapu in Ahmedabad.

The ashram in the Gujarat town has been in the headlines ever since the death of two children at its Gurukul.

Earlier on July 18, people of the city had observed a shutdown against the alleged shoddy probe into the death of the children.

The bodies of Dipesh Praful Vaghela, 10, and his cousin Abhishek Shantilal Vaghela, 11, were found in the riverbed near the Asharam Bapu’s Ashram on the outskirts of the city on July 6. The bodies were recovered two days after the boys were reported to be missing.

It was alleged that the two boys were killed and thrown into the river after some esoteric ritual at the ashram. Police are yet to search a cellar in the ashram, which is studiously guarded by white robed men. (ANI)

Kalmadi hopeful of India wining medals in tennis, boxing and shooting

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:39:00 -0400

Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi wants athletes to win medals in boxing, tennis and shooting in Beijing Olympics.

Addressing a send-off ceremony for the first batch of the 57-member contingent, Kalmadi said here that he hoped the ''Indian Express'' pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi would put behind their conflicts and strike it big in Beijing.

He said: “I''m happy that Bhupathi is teaming up with Leander. They have done their national duty. I wish them all the best.”

"I''ve my hopes on Sania Mirza also. She and Sunitha Rao can pull off a surprise in Beijing," he said.

He said India had fair chances of winning medals in shooting with a nine-member contingent spearheading the Indian challenge.

"Hopefully we''ll win medals in Beijing. The shooters are right on top of the list and I''m expecting the boxers as well to win there. We have strong chance in archery and then of course you have tennis doubles," the IOA chief said.

Kalmadi said the Indian contingent, accompanied by 42 support staff, would depart in batches.

Gunning for an Olympic medal, ace marksman Manavjit Singh said he would not shy from spilling blood on the shooting range if that ensures a podium finish in Beijing.

Manavjit said: "We will not return from Beijing with a drop of blood in our body for we would have spilled it in the shooting range there."

He also said for long, athletes have been subjected to unfair treatment from all quarters with all the adulation reserved for an ‘obvious sport’.

"Just when Olympic approached, we were plucked out of practice grounds, dusted and instructed to win medal for the country. When we failed, we are asked to explain reasons and all sort of things were written about us. Fortunately, things have finally changed," he said. (ANI)

One militant killed in encounter with police in Tripura

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:38:00 -0400

One All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) militant was killed at Khowai in an encounter between the police and the militant group today.

The encounter occurred around 4 a.m. The police party laid an ambush at Ganda Basti after receiving a tip off that a group of armed ATTF extremists were in the area.

On being challenged by the Police party, ATTF extremists opened fire.

Extremists fled away leaving the dead body of one extremist with bullet injuries. Police also recovered AK-81 rifle -1, Magazine-03, AK-series live Rds -71, Camera – 1 and other incriminating papers of ATTF extremists from the spot.

The body of extremist was identified as Kashiram Reang (41).

This is the second successful police operations in Khowai sector during this week. On July 20, the police recovered one AK-66 rifle with ammunition near Tuihaching

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosive was recovered in Jamirlong forest area, and Assam Rifles personnel recovered a. 38 revolver and another .22 revolver.

Earlier a National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) extremist namely Manindra Debbarma (35) along with two collaborators Maba Kishore Jamatia (38) and Mukta Ch. Jamatia (35) surrendered before officer in-charge Killa SB camp at Killa.

During surrender they deposited two CMG. (ANI)

Police seize Bangladesh bound contraband in Tripura

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:38:00 -0400

The Tripura Police in an anti-narcotic drive seized thousands of bottles of contraband cough syrup near Amtali being smuggled to Bangladesh.

Sub-Inspector of Police Mihir Roy said, “Based on secret information, we intercepted two lorries from Patna loaded with banned cough syrup bottles which were entering Bangladesh through Bishalghar. We laid a trap and were successful in seizing the consignment worth more than Rs 30 lakh.”

Both the trucks coming from Bihar entered Tripura through Assam. The trucks seemed to be loaded with onion but under the sacks of onion were hundreds of cartons of Phensedyl, a cough syrup which is used as a substitute for liquor.

Arrested truck driver Hardev Rai informed that he was bringing the consignment from Patna and was unaware of any contraband.

Dhaka has been charging New Delhi that it is intentionally overlooking the smuggling of Phensedyl to Bangladesh.

India has been making efforts to prevent the smuggling of contraband and the present catch is one of the biggest in the recent times. Phensedyl is a very lucrative item as the price rises from 50 rupees in Tripura to around 200 rupees in Bangladesh. (ANI)

Patil inaugurates project to make President Estate environmental friendly

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:37:00 -0400

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today inaugurated the “Roshini Project”, to make Rashtrapati Bhavan green and environment friendly, on the occasion of completing one year in office.

President Patil said that this Project will add another dimension to the President’s Estate and urged the residents to take part in the Project to make it a success.

She said the environment is a subject of great discussion around the world and this is a timely project contributing to the improvement of environment.

The President stressed that every individual has the responsibility to pass on a better world to the next generation.

The “Roshini Project”, is an initiative that aims at making the President’s Estate a green and an environmental friendly place in which good practices of conservation and efficient use of resources are encouraged and which can be an ideal for other townships in the country.

The programmes of water conservation, waste-water recycling, promotion of eco-friendly products, protection of environment, judicious use of non-renewable sources of water/energy and promotion of renewable sources, protection of our flora and fauna are all aimed at not only making the quality of life for the resident’s of the President''s Estate, more meaningful and better but also to showcase these to the visitors. A Nature Trail is also planned under this project.

This endeavour is a part of a bigger initiative to create awareness amongst citizens on the larger issues of climate change and its impact on plants. (ANI)

‘Centre had warned Karnataka in advance about terrorist attacks’

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:35:00 -0400

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal today said that the Centre had forewarned the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments about Bangalore and Hyderabad being possible terrorist targets.

“The Intelligence Bureau had received inputs that terrorists could target the cybercities of Hyderabad and Bangalore. Both the state governments were told to be on high alert,” he said.

Jaiswal said the main aim of the serial blasts in Bangalore was to “spread terror.”

The Centre is in touch with the state government and ready to offer all possible help, he added.

At least three people were killed and 20 injured in seven serial blasts that hit Bangalore city this afternoon.

The blasts took place between 2.30 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. at the Madivala bus stop, Hossur road, Adugudi, Koramangla, Mysore Road and Nayadahalli.

Bangalore Police commissioner, Shanker Bidri confirmed seven blasts that rocked the Bangalore city and said that a timer triggered the low intensity crude bombs.

Schools, colleges, cinema halls and commercial complexes have been shut down.

High alert has been sounded in other metros and State capitals.

The injured have been admitted to the St Johns Hospital in Bangalore. (ANI)

Japan-US alliance should be expanded by including India, Australia

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:34:00 -0400

The Japan-US alliance should be expanded with inclusion of countries like India, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Korea for better strategic and economic safety and better coordination in the fight against terrorism, a Japanese scholar has said.

The suggestion came from Professor Robert D Eldridge, Director of the US-Japan Alliance Affairs Division, Center for International Security Studies and Policy, Osaka University, while delivering a talk on “The Japan-US Alliance in Asia: Challenges and Prospects” at Observer Research Foundation, a public policy think tank based in New Delhi.

Prof. Eldridge said China also may be provided entry but with conditions, like transparency in its military budget, respect for human rights, introduction of democracy, etc.

"Unconditional entry to China will have serious implications. Theirs is a one-party rule system with no transparency at all. No one knows what is their military budget? What are their intentions and plans?" he said.

Prof. Eldridge said it was time to expand the US-Japan alliance, which was originally based on security concerns under the then existing cold war conditions.

He said with the world conditions changing and India and China emerging leading global powers, there was a need to look at the new world environment and build a new alliance, expanding the US-Japan alliance.

He said the triangular nature of Japan''s contributions to the alliance consisted of personnel, financial and bases. Currently, roughly 135 facilities and training areas in Japan are used by the US.

Prof. Eldridge said 77 percent people think that there is a danger of Japan being involved in a war while 17 per cent think the alliance is in danger of being involved in a war.

He, however, completely ruled out chances of Japan amending its Constitution and becoming a Nuclear Weapon State.

Veteran diplomat A.N. Ram commented that with the change in the geo-politics in Asia, the role of the US in Asia would diminish with the emergence of India, China, Australia along with Japan.

Prof. Kesavan, head of the Japan Studies Programme at ORF, also noted in his opening remarks that time has come for changes in the US-Japan alliance which was set up during the cold war days. (ANI)

Jet Airways announces special package for Indian Students flying abroad.

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:34:00 -0400

Jet Airways has announced a special promotional package for Indian students flying to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe or Asia.

The package is valid for outbound travel on or before October 31, 2008.

Existing as well as new students would receive a whole host of benefits including excess baggage allowance, special fares and a chance to earn 1000 Bonus JPMiles.

Students availing of this offer will be allowed to carry an extra piece of baggage, with each piece not exceeding 23 kilos, on flights to the US, Canada, UK and Europe, and an additional 10 kilos on flights to Asia (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok), on Jet Airways'' online destinations.

With Jet Airways’ special promotional package, students will also receive exclusively designed ''Student Kits'', in association with our partners. These may be collected after the purchase of a ticket at any of Jet Airways'' city sales offices around India.

Each kit contains a Matrix mobile connection with free talk-time worth Rs.4000 in the US ,UK ,Singapore and Australia, ICICI Bank Travel Cards for hassle free transactions across the world, a free Tata Indicom Wi-Fi Roam Card enabling internet connectivity from over 50,000 hotspots in the US ,UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Japan; Bajaj Allianz Travel Insurance with special privileges and low premiums and VIP vouchers worth Rs.500 on purchase of VIP travel accessories.

Jet Airways also offers students a revolutionary new Economy product on its new Boeing 777-300 ER and Airbus 330-200 aircraft, in operation on key international routes.

Besides an ergonomically-designed seat with hammock style head rest and foot support, the airline also provides its Economy passengers a personal reading light, on demand In-Flight Entertainment and access to over 200 hours of Hollywood and Bollywood movies, Regional films, and Television and short programs.

Jet Airways currently operates a fleet of 85 aircraft, which includes 10 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, 10 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, 54 classic and next generation Boeing 737-400/700/800/900 aircraft and 11 modern ATR 72-500 turboprop aircraft.

With an average fleet age of 4.28 years, the airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleet in the world. Jet Airways operates over 385 flights daily. (ANI)

Violence erupts in Jammu as curfew is lifted

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:33:00 -0400

Violence erupted afresh in Jammu today as furious agitators protesting against the revocation of land allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), burnt vehicles and pelted stones after curfew was lifted this morning.

Police resorted to baton charge and about ten people got injured.

Protestors said that they would continue protests until the land to the SASB is allotted.

“We warn the Government that if it doesn''t allot land for the Amarnath pilgrims, everybody including children will sacrifice their lives," said Chotu, a local.

The shutdown call given by the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti spearheading the agitation against the government for backing down from transferring forestland to the Hindu shrine, has been extended till July 27.

The shutdown was initially called for a day to express sorrow over the suicide of a youth on Wednesday.

The State Government reversed its decision last month to transfer 100 acres of forestland for building temporary shelters for thousands of Hindu pilgrims visiting Amarnath shrine. (ANI)

Home Minister chairs Ter-Centenary of Guru-Ta-Gaddi Committee meeting

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0400

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today chaired the fourth meeting of the National Committee of Ter-Centenary of Guru-Ta-Gaddi of Shri Guru Granth Sahib here today.

The meeting was co-chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

The committee reviewed the progress of the work being undertaken at Nanded and at Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib).

It was stressed that the event in Nanded in October-November 2008 will witness one of the largest gathering of devotees and facilities for the pilgrims were of utmost priority.

The emphasis was laid on better facilities of transportation, communication, accommodation, sanitation and disaster management.

The need for spreading the message of universal values of Guru Granth Sahib through the distribution of books to libraries and by holding seminars were also considered.

The committee was informed that major projects at Nanded, which included Gurudwara complex development, river front development, constructions of roads and camping arrangements for pilgrims will be completed on time.

Among other matters which committee considered were proper media planning to highlight the event and beautification of Gurudwara Complex in Bidar Karnataka.

Over 40 members of the committee attended the meeting including Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni, Bihar Governor R.L. Bhatia, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker C.S. Atwal. (ANI)