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Government negotiating with kidnappers of Indian worker in Afghanistan: Ravi

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:02:00 -0500

Union Minister for Indian Overseas Affairs Vyalar Ravi today assured that the government was doing everything for the safe release of an Indian worker abducted in Afghanistan.

As the deadline to give ransom for release of the Simon Paramnathan ends on Friday, Ravi held over an hour-long meet with Tamil Nadu Chief minister M.Karunanidhi in Chennai at his Gopalapuram residence.

Vyalar Ravi after his meet with the Tamil Nadu CM, said that Chief Minister Karunanidhi wanted to ensure Simon''s safe and immediate release from the captivity of abductors in Afghanistan.

Ravi informed reporters that the Indian Embassy was negotiating with the kidnappers of Simon Paramnathan, who hailed from Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu. Simon was kidnapped by an armed group, who called themselves ''Mujahideen'', supposed to be part of Taliban.

Describing his abduction as retaliatory move for the Government of India''s continued support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan; the group of abductors have demanded a ransom of 150,000 dollars for his release.

However, there is not much information about Simon''s whereabouts since the abductors so far have only contacted his brother staying in Kabul and that too only once.

Besides Simon, Mujahideen also kidnapped his Afghan interpreter and driver on October 13 from Herat Province of Afghanistan.

According to reports, Simon, after having worked in Muscat for six years, moved to Afghanistan to work for an Italian company in Herat.

Meanwhile, Ravi informed that as many as 1,500 Indian diaspora from different countries will attend the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), due to be held in Chennai between January 8-10 next year at the Trade Centre.

He said there was a good response from the Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to the invitation to attend the seventh edition of the PBD.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would inaugurate the meet on January 8, 2009 and would also be attended by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

He also said that said all the Chief Ministers had been invited to attend the meet. They would get a chance to interact with the delegates and discuss state-specific investment plans with them on October 9. (ANI)

Jews pray for peace for Mumbai terror attack victims at Gateway of India

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:01:00 -0500

Members of the Jew community assembled at the Gateway of India on Thursday to pray for the departed souls in the Mumbai terror attack during the last week of November. They also lit religious lamps in the memory of the deceased.

Grandparents of Moshe Holtzberg, the two-year old son of the Israeli Rabbi parents who died in the recent Mumbai attack were among the participants of this memorial service held at the Gateway of India and also at Nariman House on the eve of completion of one-month of the terror attacks.

The Rabbi, who conducted the prayer ceremony lit series of torch-like lamps while the congregation sang hymns.

Rabbi Kotlarsky, while addressing the congregation of mourners, said that instead of taking up arms in retaliation against those responsible for the gory death of the Jews at Nariman House and others elsewhere in Mumbai, they would just pray. They wished to relay the message of peace for the entire mankind.

Last month''s (November 26) assault on Mumbai killed 179 people including a number of foreigners.

Moshe''s uncle condemning the attacks said that the militants have played with the lives innocents and now it was the time to spread love and bring love to the whole world.

"It''s time now to bring light around the world. Even if there is darkness you find the real way to understand that you have another way besides the terrorists. To bring light to the whole world just with love into the ways of all people," said Simon Rossenvery, uncle of Moshe Holtzberg.

Two gunmen had stormed the six-storey Nariman House, a transit home for Jews and took eight people hostage, including the 28-year-old wife Rivka and child of Israeli-born Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg (29). The couple had come to Mumbai in 2003 to run a synagogue and conduct Torah classes as part of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch Movement.

The orphaned Moshe is now under the care of his mother''s parents after his nanny miraculously rushed him to safety while militants roamed the Jewish centre where the family lived and worked.

Chintaman Waranj, another survivor at the Nariman House said that he was satisfied with the security men around his area now and there wasn’t any fear left in him inspite of being injured in the attacks.

"India had won a cricket match that day and we heard some firecrackers being burst. We went to see that but later we realised some men were firing and in which a bullet was shot at my leg," said Chintaman Waranj. (ANI)

CBI team records testimony in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in San Francisco

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:01:00 -0500

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team has started the process of recording evidence of Jasbir Singh, a witness of 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving the then parliamentarian Jagdish Tytler.

The testimony of Jasbir Singh started 11.30 a.m (U.S time) on Thursday and lasted till 5.00 p.m on Christmas Day at GADAR Memorial, San Francisco, CA. The testimony will continue on Friday.

The two-member CBI team, which is visiting the U.S, recorded the statement of Jasbir Singh for four hours in San Francico. The testimony, however, was scheduled to resume on December 26.

The testimony of the other witness Surinder Singh was recorded by the CBI team on Dec.23 in New York.

The decision of the CBI to record statements of key witnesses Jasbir Singh and Surinder Singh in the United States has been welcomed by the 1984 riot victims.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York based Attorney, who is advocating the case of Surinder Singh and Jasbir Singh told the ANI over phone that the arrival of CBI team in the over two decades old case has strengthened their hope to get justice under the Constitution of India.

Around three thousand Sikhs were reportedly killed in the communal riots that followed the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. It has been alleged that Jagdish Tytler provoked public fury against the Sikh community after the assassination .

On September 29, 2007, CBI filed a closure report regarding Jagdish Tytler''s role in massacre of Sikhs, stating witness Jasbir Singh could not be traced and other witness Surinder Singh has refused to record statements.

On December 18, 2007 Sanjiv Jain, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi Court ordered CBI to re-investigate the role of Jagdish Tytler in the riots and record the statement of key witness Jasbir Singh.

Sikhs For Justice, a New York-based human rights group, is fighting the legal battle in association with All India Sikh Students Organization, President Karnail Singh Peermohammad . (ANI)

Manmohan Singh meets service chiefs

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:01:00 -0500

The chiefs of all three wings of the Army, Navy and Air Force today met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and reviewed him of the security situation in the country.

During the meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister''s office, Dr. Singh took stock of the possible conventional military threat scenarios and the counter- measures that the Army, Navy and the Air Force had put in place along the borders, Defence Ministry sources said.

Service matters including the recommendation of the pay commission were also discussed during the meeting. (ANI)

Urge to conquer behind men’s video game addiction

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:59:00 -0500

Scientists have found answer to the question that intrigued women for years: Why men are ''hooked'' on video games?

According to the researchers, the ‘passion’ stems from a deep-rooted urge to conquer.

Through the magic of brain-scanning, scientists at Stanford University have determined that playing on computer consoles activates parts of the male brain which are linked to rewarding feelings and addiction.

The more opponents they vanquish and points they score, the more stimulated this region becomes, the scans revealed.

In contrast, these parts of women''s brains are much less likely to be triggered by sessions on the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii or Xbox, reports the Telegraph.

Lead researcher Professor Allan Reiss of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research at Stanford University, California, said that women understood computer games just as well as men but did not have the same neurological drive to win.

"These gender differences may help explain why males are more attracted to, and more likely to become ''hooked'' on video games than females," he said.

"I think it''s fair to say that males tend to be more intrinsically territorial. It doesn''t take a genius to figure out who historically are the conquerors and tyrants of our species – they''re the males. Most of the computer games that are really popular with males are territory and aggression-type games,” he added.

The study has been published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

To reach the conclusion, scientists wired up a series of men and women to an MRI scanner while they played a video game, which involved competing to win on-screen territory by clicking on a series of balls.

After analysing the MRI data, the researchers found participants showed activation in the brain''s mesocorticolimbic centre, the region typically associated with reward and addiction.

Male brains, however, showed much greater activation, and the amount increased as they gained more territory. This was not the case with women. (ANI)Scientists have found answer to the question that intrigued women for years: Why men are ''hooked'' on video games?

According to the researchers, the ‘passion’ stems from a deep-rooted urge to conquer.

The more opponents they vanquish and points they score, the more stimulated this region becomes, the scans revealed.

In contrast, these parts of women''s brains are much less likely to be triggered by sessions on the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Wii or Xbox, reports the Telegraph.

"These gender differences may help explain why males are more attracted to, and more likely to become ''hooked'' on video games than females," he said.

The study has been published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

After analysing the MRI data, the researchers found participants showed activation in the brain''s mesocorticolimbic centre, the region typically associated with reward and addiction.

Male brains, however, showed much greater activation, and the amount increased as they gained more territory. This was not the case with women. (ANI)

Rural Rajasthan eclipses communalism

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:59:00 -0500

It is often said the real India lives in villages and so does the original beauty of secularism.

The fact is well evident in nearly a dozen and half villages in Ajmer region of Rajasthan where residents identifying themselves as part of the Cheetah community follow the tenets of Hinduism and the Islam with equal reverence.

It is heartening to notice the Cheetah community of Ajmer which looks wedded to communal amity. The society here is an example of different faiths including social traditions, living in harmony.

Since ages thousands of families in these villages have been celebrating Eid and Diwali with the same spirit. So much so, often it is very difficult for an outsider to differentiate member of Cheetah society by their lifestyle.

It is difficult for anyone to ascertain whether a family is Hindu or Muslim.

"Cheetah community believes in both the religions. We follow both Hinduism and Islam, our ancestors also use to follow both the religions," said Kokka, a resident of Kharkeri village.

As far as their marriage rituals are concerned, this community does not mind solemnising the ties either with the formal seven circumambulations around the fire known as ‘Saat Pheras’ or the Muslilm priest overseeing the Nikah.

"We follow in both the religions. We celebrate all the festivals be it Eid, Diwali or Holi. We follow both the religion with equal devotion," said Reshmi, another resident of Kharkeri village.

"We feel really good, that we are following two religions. We can learn qualities from both the religions. We celebrate Holi, Diwali and Eid with equal zeal and zest," said Ashok Kumar Cheetah, a resident.

Members of this community offer Namaz and perform Aarti at the same time. These people believe in the goodness of both Islam and Hinduism. There are about 300,000 members of Cheetah society residing in a dozen villages of Ajmer District. (ANI)

Python swallows 40 kilogram deer alive!

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:59:00 -0500

An Indian rock python near Pune city of Maharashtra State attracted a lot of pubic attention on Thursday when it swallowed a 40 kilogram deer alive!

The python was first noticed by a farmer couple in Mulshi, a village 50 kms from Pune. They were taken aback after noticing 12-feet python in their field with a hugely swollen abdomen. It looked quite lethargic, lying motionless for long.

Curious villagers, who converged on the site after learning about the strange python, were scared to notice the reptile in such a condition. They approached ''Friends of Nature'', a voluntary organization, for help.

''Friends of Nature'' identified the python to belong to Indian rock python species, which is quite rare.

"The python took 10 minutes to vomit it (deer) completely. As it kept coming out we got to know that it is like barking deer, and it came out. For about two minutes the python did not move because the head of barking deer was stuck in its jaws. And, it was not moving," said Naina Aabale, an activist of a voluntary organization.

The activists with the help of villagers then took the python to a secluded place. They confirmed that the python had swallowed a large sized animal.

It was later found that the animal was a Chinkara deer, which was thrown out by the python during spasmodic movements through its mouth. It was feeling uneasy since swallowing the deer, as it could not digest it.

The python has been kept in the jungle in Mulshi and is being treated for internal injuries. (ANI)

Theatre artistes draw crowds in Agra

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:58:00 -0500

Offering a special treat to the theatre lovers, many troupes are performing at a four-day theatre festival in Agra city.

Organized by Sanskar Bharti Natya Kendra, the festival that started on Wednesday and is scheduled to showcase a number of performances during the four days, would last till Sunday (Dec.28).

According to the organiser, 600 participants from around 12 states of the country would participate in the event.

"Our motive of organizing this festival is to restore and preserve the lost glory of our folk culture. We want the development and progress of our nation''s folk culture," said Sanjay Chaturvedi, the organizer of the Sanskar Bharti Natya Kendra, a theatre organization in Agra.

The event started with five plays, presented by the children from Sanskar Bharti Natya Kendra. Some of the artists presented plays on the theme of the recent terrorist attacks in the country.

"The theme of our plays was about the terrorists killing people endlessly. They should stop their gruesome act because God continues to keep a watch on them. I therefore request them to stop terrorism, as we want peace," said Mahru Rinji, an artist.

Like every year this year also the dance and theatre festival has been organized. The theme is the terror spreading tentacles of in the country this year. (ANI)

Jammu Sector Commander says no tension on border

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:46:00 -0500

Major General D.L. Chaudhary, General Officer Commanding (GoC), Tiger Division today ruled out any tension on border with Pakistan but said that army is prepared for any situation.

Talking to the media here, General Chaudhary said, there are reports of some activity at the border and the Army was prepared to meet the situation as it arises.

"We are monitoring the situation at the border and the Indian Army is prepared for anything. These are all routine activities. These things keep taking place. I can only assure you that all activities on the other side of the border are being kept under close watch and close monitoring and we are prepared for anything and everything, he added.

General Chaudhary further said that there is no activity, which is outside our knowledge.

Since Mumbai terror attack, India has withstood internal pressure to destroy terrorist camps in Pakistan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that India does not want war but wants Pakistan to destroy terrorist infrastructure on its soil.

India have blamed Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for last month''s attacks in Mumbai that killed 179 people.

Pakistan denies any links to the assault, blaming "non-state actors" and has promised to cooperate in investigations into the assault if provided with proof. (ANI)

Saudi Arabia proposes an international body to fight terrorism

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:45:00 -0500

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal, who arrived here today said that his country has proposed to the United Nations to form an international body to fight terrorism across the globe.

After holding talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, Al-Faisal said that all countries should work together to stop such attacks that were witnessed in Mumbai.

"As a matter of fact, Saudi Arabia has a proposal that we made to the United Nations to create a special body for the international community to come together and fight terrorism," he added.

According to sources, Mukherjee apprised Al-Faisal about the evidence against Pakistan in connection with the recent Mumbai attacks.

Talking to the media, Mukherjee said that militancy is not a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan but a global issue that needs joint action by the international community without delay and in a transparent manner.

"In the meeting it was agreed that global terrorism has to be dealt with by joint action among al countries. We further agreed that whatever action has to be taken to control terrorism should be taken without delay and in a transparent manner. This is not an issue between India and Pakistan but a global issue," he added.

India expects Saudi Arabia to use its influence on Pakistan to crack down on the militant camps on Pakistan''s soil.

India has blamed Pakistan of backing out of its earlier commitment to take action against those involved in the terror attacks and has urged Islamabad to stop terrorists that New Delhi alleges are operating from its soil. (ANI)