Web Hosting India Windows Hosting Linux Hosting India Reseller Hosting India News India SEO India Web Design India SEO India

Indian Grape Processing Board to be established in Pune

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:13:00 -0500

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) at Pune.

The total funds allocated by the Government over a period of three years for the establishment of the IGPB are Rs. 5.93 crore.

The Ministry under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, will register the IGPB as a society. The board will be autonomous from its very inception. The board, initially facilitated by the Government and managed and driven by the industry, is expected to boost growth of the sector, benefiting both the producers and the processors.

The headquarters of the board will be at Punewhich is close to the principal grape growing or processing areas in the country.

The board will foster the sustainable development of the Indian Wine Industry and will focus on research and development, extension, quality up-gradation market research and information, domestic and international promotion of Indian wine.

The expected outcomes of the board will be to increase awareness and capacity building among farmers, processors and other stakeholders resulting in increased productivity, reduced wastage and improved quality of grapes and wine conforming to global standards. (ANI)

Rampaging elephants attack Jharkhand village

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:13:00 -0500

Wild elephants have attacked the remote village of Kundhit in Jharkhand''s Jaamtara District, terrifying its residents.

The animals after losing their track ventured into the human settlement and damaged standing paddy crops.

"The elephants are here since yesterday and have destroyed a lot of our crops. Most of our paddy crop was destroyed by them. The forest officials say that they will provide us with torches to keep the elephants away," said Ganesh Chandra Mandal, a villager.

Forest officials have arrived in the village to pacify its panic stricken residents.

The officials are trying to push the elephants back to their habitat.

" The elephants are changing their place at intervals of two days. We are keeping an eye on them and during the night we chase them in an effort to make them get back on their track, so that they are able to return to their habitat," said Kamlesh Prasad, Additional Divisional Forest Officer (ADFO). (ANI)

No change in Pak attitude since 26/11, India asks it to act

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:12:00 -0500

India today again asked Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage, and said that action is important to prove that Islamabad has taken a tough stand against terror outfits operating from its soil.

Defence Minister A. K. Antony said this on the sidelines of the centenary celebration of Sainik Samachar, the journal of the Indian armed forces. He also released a coffee table book “Soldering On”, which chronicles the history of the defence forces over the past 100 years.

“Statements are not important, actions are important. I don’t see any noticeable change in attitude of Pakistan. They have to prove by their actions, and when more than 30 terror outfits are operating, how can I say that there is a change in the stance of Pakistan,” Antony.

“We have to be ready and our armed forces are doing their duty. They are not lowering their guard and are in the state of full preparedness to meet any threat from any quarter,” the Defence Minister added.

Commenting on the Pakistani demand for redeployment of troops in order to bring down tensions between the two neighbours, Antony said: “We are not escalating the issue. We must be prepared to face any eventuality.”

“The armed forces are not escalating anything and, there are no troops movement from our side and exercise, which is taking place on the border, is a normal thing,” he said.

The Defence Minister also refused to give any time frame for Pakistan to act against the people behind the Mumbai terror attacks, saying “There is not time limit, but only thing is that Pakistan must act.”

Antony wished that year 2009 would be a better and happy year for India and its people, and cautioned: “We have to be always alert. We cannot relax anytime and we must not lower our guards. We have to be fully prepared to face any threat on eastern or western border.” (ANI)

Defence journal Sainik Samachar turns 100 today

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:12:00 -0500

Defence Minister AK Antony today released a coffee table book “Soldiering On” to commemorate the centenary of the Sainik Samachar, the fortnightly journal of India’s Armed Forces, here today.

The journal had started its journey, rather tentatively, as a sixteen page Urdu Weekly on January 2, 1909, to provide to Army personnel a summary of news with a military bias. Rare photographs, memorable documents and vignettes of the heroics of the Indian Armed Forces are the hallmarks of the coffee table book.

Antony congratulated the Sainik Samachar for turning 100 today, and said the publication is doing a yeoman service to the armed forces.

He also asked the media to be cautious in its approach while reporting on the matters dealing with the armed forces.

“Soldiering On” presents a panoramic view of the major events in the life of the nation and to some extent, of the world, as reported by Fauji Akhbar/Sainik Samachar since its inception. It also reflects the trials and tribulations of some of the epoch making chapters of Indian history and world history.

The book “Soldiering On” has been divided into four chapters. The first chapter covers the trivia related to the magazine, while the second chapter covers the period from the date of its inception in 1909 till 1947 when the British soldiers left India.

This portion of the book includes archival material and photographs connected with the declaration of Delhi as capital, the First World War, the early stages of formation of all the wings of Armed Forces and its major institutions, the Second World War, the partition and India''s independence. Two rare pages of this chapter, “Down the Memory Lane” stand out for their historic value.

During its chequered history, Fauji Akhbar has travelled from Shimla, where its office was originally located and published from Allahabad, to Lahore, back to Shimla and then to Delhi.

Its popularity was at its peak during the World War-II when an overseas edition was also brought out from Cairo for the benefit of Indian troops deployed in far-off theatres. The print order of Fauji Akhbar and its special bi- weekly supplement Jang Ki Khabarein was in excess of three lakhs at that time.

The publication of Fauji Akhbar was suspended temporarily immediately after Independence due to sudden migration of Muslim staff and the printers. However, it bounced back with renewed vigour in no time. The magazine turned into a fortnightly on April 4, 1954 and re-christened as Sainik Samachar.

Published by the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Ministry of Defence, the magazine is now brought out in 13 different Indian languages including English.

Among the many articles and photographs, some of the memorable pages include a photograph of a young boy of ‘Kashmiri National Militia’ saluting Pandit Nehru in Rajouri in 1948 along with a banner saying “We Will Defend Kashmir with Our Blood”.

There are photographs, which show Indian troops manning a lonely post at Chushul and going on a patrol next to Pangong Lake in Ladakh in 1962. The book has dug out a rare photograph of Indira Gandhi donating all her 367 grams of gold jewellery to the national relief fund to support the 1962 war effort.

The book is a record of the indomitable courage and heroics of Indian Armed forces. The pictures and stories reinforce the fact that whenever any adversary has dared to mess up with India’s security or territorial integrity, the Indian Armed Forces have risen to the challenge and given the enemy a crushing reply.

The book features some rare pictures of Indian troops in action on foreign soil during UN peace keeping missions in Korea, Congo, Gaza , Indo-China among many such operations. (ANI)

Mumbai Muslims stage anti-Israel protest

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:32:00 -0500

Israel''s air raids on Gaza that have led to the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians, has convinced clerics of the All India Ulema Council to send boxes of bangles to leaders of different Arab countries.

The protestors contend that the Arab leaders ought to have taken a pro-active role in stopping the Israeli offensive since the United Nations and super powers have failed to prevent Tel Aviv from executing such offensive against the Palestinans.

The protestors said the bangles were apt medium to remind the Arab nations of their impotency vis-à-vis Israel.

The All India Ulema Council contends that if Gulf countries unite together, the Israeli action can be countered.

No major Arab country has come forward to aid of Palestine.

The protesters also demanded that the United Nations declare Israel a terrorist state.

"For the past sixty years, Israelis have been killing innocents in Palestine on one or the other reason, by either bombing their areas or by firing artillery and bullets on them. Different ways of brutal attacks are being conducted on them. The situation today is that the children in Palestine do not have milk to drink and no food to eat. The Israelis are showering all ways of brutality on them. We urge the United Nations to declare Israel as a terrorist state," said Maulana Moin Ashraf, President, Darul-ul-Uloom Ashrafia, Mumbai.

On Wednesday, Israel stepped up preparations for a possible ground offensive after Hamas''s long-range rockets hit a major population centre.

Diplomats said the deadliest conflict in the Gaza Strip in four decades appeared close to a tipping point after four days of cross-border fire killed more than 385 Palestinians and four Israelis.

Foreign powers have increased pressure on both sides to halt hostilities, but the public anger in Israel over the widening of the rocket attacks to include Beersheba, 40 km from the Gaza Strip, could move the government to hit the Hamas even harder. (ANI)

India ready to face any challenge at the border: BSF chief

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:14:00 -0500

Director general of India''s paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) M.L. Kumawat has accepted that some activities are going on the Indo-Pak border, but added that Indian forces are prepared to take on any challenge from the enemy.

Kumawat said: ”There were some activities, but we are also ready. Our morale is high and there is no need to panic. No need to be perturbed or worried.”

The BSF chief recently took stock of the situation on the western border in the three districts of Jaisalmer, Barmer and Sriganganagar.

Both India and Pakistan have ruled out the possibility of war.

Although many experts have ruled out the possibility of a war, the international community is exasperated over the tension prevailing between the two nuclear empowered nations.

China, Iran and the United States are continuously trying to calm things down.

India has blamed Pakistan for not fulfilling its earlier commitment to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice.

The South Asian neighbours both tested nuclear weapons in 1998. They have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 and came to the brink of a fourth after gunmen attacked the Indian parliament on December 13, 2001. (ANI)

India-Pakistan shares list of nuclear installations

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:14:00 -0500

India and Pakistan today, through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between both the countries.

India handed over its list to Pakistan High Commission officials at the External Affairs Ministry, here today. While in Islamabad Pakistan’s Foreign Office handed over a list of Pakistan''s nuclear installations and facilities to the Indian High Commission.

Under the agreement, signed on 31 December 1988, the two countries, on first January of every calendar year, have to inform each other of Nuclear Installations and Facilities.

The first such exchange of lists took place on 1 January 1992. This is the eighteenth consecutive time that both countries have exchanged such a list.

The handing over of lists is of much importance in the view of strained relations between the two nuclear power countries. (ANI)

UPA Government activates NIA, UAPA

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:14:00 -0500

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment (UAPA) law have come into force from today.

President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil gave her assent to the bills which were passed by the Parliament during the Winter Session.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) would deal with terrorism across the country. It will be headed by Director General rank officer.

The cases to be taken up by the NIA would be decided by a committee of two judges. They will decide the merit of the cases within seven working days and the government will also take its decision in as many days.

Meanwhile, Home Minister P.Chidambaram has said that work is in progress to set up 20 counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism schools in the country.

Chidambaram also stated that a Multi Agency Centre (MAC) acting as the nodal agency on all terror-related intelligence will start functioning from January 1, 2009.

“An order has been issued under which MAC has to share inputs with all intelligence agencies, including those of the State Governments and the Union Territories and vice-versa,” Chidambaram said.

Need for a stringent law to counter terrorism and a federal investigation agency on the lines of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was felt after the Mumbai terror attack. (ANI)

Tibetan exiles shun New Year celebrations in Dharamsala

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:13:00 -0500

Exiled Tibetans avoided New Year celebrations in protest against China''s occupation of their homeland.

Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Samdong Ripoche said, "We are doing only religious ceremonies. We are not doing much pomp to mark our solidarity with the people suffering inside Tibet."

The Tibetans claim that the "Chinese atrocities" have increased since the March 14, 2008 Tibetan uprising in Lhasa, which China blamed on the Dalai Lama and his "clique."

The riots later spilled over to the rest of Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces with Tibetan populations, drawing global attention.

Rights groups say hundreds remain in jail following the protests where they are subjected to harsh treatment and even torture.

India is home to about 150,000 Tibetan exiles, most of whom arrived after escaping from Chinese in Tibet, over the past few decades.

Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950 and the Dalai Lama, fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising against Beijing''s rule.

Tibet was rocked by anti-Chinese protests earlier in 2008, which China blamed on the Dalai Lama, whom it brands a separatist. He has repeatedly denied the claims.(ANI)

Lt. Gen Noble Thamburaj takes over as Vice Chief of the Army staff

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:13:00 -0500

Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj assumed the office of Vice Chief of the Army staff here today.

Lieutenant General Noble Thamburaj, a 1969 batch officer, had a distinguished career spanning 38 years.

Associated with the Armed Forces services right from childhood, this second generation officer is an alumnus of King George''s Military School Chail, Sainik Schools Amravati Nagar and Jamnagar, and the 34th NDA Course, before he was commissioned into the Bombay Sappers.

An alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the General has done his Senior Command, Higher Command and NDC Courses. He is also accredited with higher technical qualification, M Tech (Bldg Sc) from IIT Delhi and M Phil (Defence Studies) from Indore University.

During his illustrious career, the General has held many important assignments including that of a Brigade Major of a Mountain Brigade, command of 411 parachute field company, command of his parent unit 109 engineer regiment in high altitude area in the eastern region.

He commanded a Rashtriya Rifle sector in counter Insurgency environment during ''Operation VIJAY'' and an infantry division during ''Operation PARAKRAM'', in deserts.

Besides, he has been an instructor in Defence Services Staff College Officers Training Academy, Chennai. A paratrooper, the General still participates in the para drops whenever opportunity comes his way.

For his distinguished service, the General has been awarded Sena Medal and Chief of the Army Staff commendation card twice in his career.

In his career spanning 39 years, the General has seen action during Indo-Pak war, counter insurgency in North East and Jammu and Kashmir.

The General is married to Anita Thamburaj and has two daughters. (ANI)