Blast in Agra Hospital - Three injured - EXCLUSIVE Video

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Three people were injured in a crude bomb blast in Jai Hospital in Agra on Saturday, police said.

The Inspector of Agra Zone, PK Tiwari said that the crude bomb was kept in a bag and exploded at the help desk of Jai hospital.

He also said that out of the three people injured, two sustained minor injuries and one person sustained burn injuries. All the three injured are being treated in the same hospital.

Three people were injured in a crude bomb blast in a private hospital in Agra on Saturday, police said.

The Inspector General of Agra Zone, PK Tiwari said that the crude bomb was kept in a bag and exploded at the reception of Jai hospital.

He also said that out of the three people injured, two sustained minor injuries and one person sustained burn injuries. All the three injured are being treated in the same hospital.

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No burden will be added on common man: Railway Minister

Amidst talk of possible passenger fare hike, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi today said that nothing will be done to “increase the burden” on common man.

“The easiest way is to raise fares. But that is not the idea,” Trivedi said. He claimed that even railway unions are pressurising him for fare hike.”I have got pressure from the unions for the fare hike but I am not going to do anything which will be a burden on common man,” the minister said,

Asked what was the way out, he said, “I will knock at the doors of the Prime Minister, Finance Minister. I will approach Planning Commission. We will also come out with innovative ways to raise fund.”

Pointing out that bus fares cost more than train’s, he said, “There are people who can afford many-fold hike. But what about people who are in rural areas. Rail is used by poorest of poor and we will not do anything that will create any burden on him. We have to think about them.”He said fuel price and consumption of electricity has gone up. “So why can’t we have our own power plant?”, he asked.

“Before we do that (fare hike) we have to think of all other options.”Trivedi said there is a need for improving catering service and increasing cleanliness in trains and stations.”We have to improve our catering and cleanliness. So before increasing the fares we must give back some thing to the passengers.”

Admitting to a fund crunch, he, however, said safety related work will not suffer due to it. “There will be no compromise on safety.”

On the recent Arakonnam accident, he said the Commissioner Railway safety, Southern Zone, is conducting the inquiry and preliminary report will be submitted. Before that nothing can be said, the Minister added.

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Kanimozi steps towards court for bail

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi’s daughter and party MP Kanimozhi, arrested for her alleged role in 2G spectrum allocation scam, today moved a Delhi court for bail, her second attempt to get the relief.

Lodged in Tihar jail since May 20 following rejection of her bail plea by Special judge O P Saini, Kanimozhi approached his court for bail a day after the court breached its self-imposed deadline to frame charges in the case. The court listed her bail plea for hearing on October 1.

While refusing bail to various 2G scam accused, the Supreme Court had earlier asked them to move the trial court for bail after framing of charges in the case.

While pleading innocence, 43-year-old Kanimozhi also prayed for bail on account of her being a woman MP and the mother of a school-going child. She moved the court for bail along with Kalaignar TV CEO Sharad Kumar.

Kanimozhi approached the court pleading that neither she nor DMK-run Kalaignar TV received spectrum licence and that she was not the beneficiary of the “loan transaction of Rs 200 crore” in the 2G scam either.

“The petitioner (Kanimozhi) has no role in the alleged conspiracy in allocation of UAS licence, valuable and scarce spectrum in various telecom circles and other undue favours to Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd (accused in the case) during 2007-2008 etc,” said the bail plea filed on behalf of Kanimozhi.

“Neither she nor Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd is a beneficiary of spectrum licence either,” said he bail plea filed by her counsel V G Pragasam and S J Aristotle.

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Shehla murder - Five lakh reward for informer

The CBI today announced a cash reward of Rs five lakh for providing information about the murder of RTI activist Shehla Masood, who was shot dead outside her house in Bhopal last month.

On September 3, a case was registered against unnamed persons by the Bhopal unit of the agency, CBI sources said here.

Shehla was shot dead when she was going towards her car outside her residence in posh Koh-e-Fiza locality in Bhopal on August 16.

Madhya Pradesh Police could not figure out the motive but suspected she was eliminated by some powerful persons against whom she had filed RTI applications.

Shehla had earlier gone on a hunger strike in Bhopal in support of Anna Hazare’s cause. She was also involved in other causes, including wildlife conservation.

Her father Sultan Masood had said he expected no justice, being a “lower middle-class person”, and did not think that police were probing the case sincerely.

He had alleged that in January, Shehla had filed a complaint with the Lokayukta that she feared threat to her life from senior IPS officer Pawan Shrivastava.

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Obama-Singh will meet again this year

The White House expects meetings between US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at different fora later this year, but has ruled out any bilateral talks between them next week in New York where they would attend the annual session of the UN General Assembly.

“We don’t have any bilateral meetings planned at this point,” US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters while briefing them on Obama’s agenda in New York.

“I think that it is our expectation that the President will be able to see — in his travels later this year,including to the East Asia Summit and other forums, he’ll have opportunities to engage with Prime Minister Singh,” Rhodes said last evening.

Obama would be travelling to New York for three days next week beginning Monday to attend the General Assembly session of the United Nations.Besides addressing the UN General Assembly, Obama would be meeting leaders of some countries.

Prominent among them are Libya’s Mustafa Abdul Jalil;Afghan President Hamid Karzai; Brazilian President Dilma Rouseff; Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan; Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

While the focus of his meetings and his remarks at the UN will be pressing global issues like Libya, Palestine,economic matters and the Middle East, the US President is expected to reiterate his position on the reforms of the UN Security Council and support India’s bid for its permanent membership.

“There’s been no evolution in the US position. We obviously have expressed our support for permanent membership for India…,” Rhodes said.

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MODI'S 72-hour fast starts

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today began his three-day fast for “peace, unity and communal harmony” in the BJP-ruled state.

The BJP stalwart’s 72-hour fast under `Sadbhavna Mission’ coincides with his 62nd birthday. The venue, Gujarat University Convention Centre here – where a host of leaders from the BJP and its key ally Shiromani Akali Dal have arrived – has been put under strict vigil by the police.

On the eve of fast, Modi had issued a statement that was interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002 post-Godhra communal violence.

“Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a Chief Minister of the state, pain of anybody in the state is my pain. (Delivering) Justice to everyone is the duty of the state,” Modi had said yesterday.

Modi, in an attempt to reach out to the minority community, had said the state has realised that communal frenzy and casteism never helped anybody grow in the country and expressed “gratitude” to those who pointed out his mistakes in the last 10 years.

BJP leaders like L K Advani, Arun Jaitely, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Sahanawaz Hussain, Smriti Irani and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal, among others, were present when Modi began his fast.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal is a key member of the BJP-led NDA, was also present.

Leaders of Shiv Sena, BJP’s ally for over two decades, and emissaries of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha of AIADMK are also expected to come here to in support of Modi.

In response to Modi’s move, Gujarat Congress leaders Shankarsinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia also started their fast on a footpath in front of Sabarmati Ashram.

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India Ends With Another Lose In The Final ODI and a disappointing last ODI for rahul Dravid

India signed off their nightmarish tour of England without a win as they were spanked by six wickets in the rain-marred fifth and final one-dayer bringing a disappointing end to veteran Rahul Dravid’s illustrious ODI cricket career here.

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India rebuffs China's objections to oil exploration

Friday, September 16, 2011

India on Thursday dismissed Chinese objections over its oil exploration projects in two Vietnamese blocks in the South China Sea, saying its cooperation with Vietnam was as per international laws and it would like the cooperation to grow. 

Noting that there was an active programme of trade and economic cooperation with Vietnam, External Affairs Ministry official Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said cooperation in the area of energy, hydrocarbon as well as renewable energy was one of the important facets of it.

He was replying to a question on China asking India and other countries to refrain from oil exploration in maritime areas offered by Vietnam in the South China Sea, claiming it enjoys "indisputable sovereignty" there.

He said ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has been in Vietnam for quite sometime in offshore oil and natural gas exploration field and that they were in the process of further expanding cooperation and operation and Essar, a subsidiary of Essar oil Ltd, has also been awarded a gas block in Vietnam.

"This is one important area of cooperation and we would like this area of cooperation to grow. Our cooperation with Vietnam or with any other country for that matter in the world is always as per as international laws, norms and conventions," Prakash said.

He also reiterated India's position that New Delhi "supports freedom of navigation in South China Sea and hopes that all parties to the dispute would abide by the 2002 declaration of conduct in South China Sea."

The issues are expected to find a place in the Joint Commission Meeting, to be co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna along with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, in Hanoi tomorrow.

China warns India on maritime explorations

The ongoing tension between India and China has taken a new turn with the Dragon nation issuing a warning to its neighbouring country asking it to refrain from any oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said that India should avoid any agreement with Vietnam in the area, saying that China enjoys an indisputable sovereignty in the region.

“Our consistent position is that we are opposed to any country engaging in oil and gas exploration and development activities in waters under China's jurisdiction,” she said in reply to a question that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is planning to come up with exploration projects in two blocks that Vietnam claims.

The tension between China, Vietnam, Philippines and some other nations in the areas has flared up in recent times amidst allegations that Chinese navy is continuously encroaching their areas.

China’s warning came at a time when Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna is scheduled to visit Hanoi this week.

Just recently, Chinese troops had also entered Indian territory in the Leh region and demolished bunkers.

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Ahead of his fast, Narendra Modi condemns 'communal frenzy & casteism'

On the eve of his three-day fast, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi expressed "gratitude" to those who pointed out his mistakes in the last 10 years and said the state has realised that communal frenzy and casteism never helped anybody grow in the country.

"Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a chief minister of the state, pain of anybody in the state is my pain. (Delivering) Justice to everyone is the duty of the state," Modi said on the eve of his three-day fast.

Modi's remarks are being interpreted as his first ever expression of regret over the post-Godhra communal riots in which more than 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. He has been severely criticised for not expressing any remorse over the killings since 2002.

The chief minister is going on a three-day fast from tomorrow -- his 62nd birthday -- for "peace, unity and harmony" in the state. 






Full text of Narendra Modi's second letter : 

My dear Brothers and Sisters!

Sadar Pranam,

Today, I begin my three-day fast of Sadbhavna Mission with your blessings and good wishes. This Mission is totally dedicated to the society and the Nation. It aims at Unity, Harmony and Brotherhood among all.

Twenty first century did not begin well for Gujarat. In 2001, the devastating earthquake on our Republic day, took a very heavy toll. In the subsequent year, Gujarat became the victim of communal violence. We lost innocent lives, suffered devastation of property and endured lot of pain. One can visualise what all we have gone through.

Those were very difficult and trying days. However, Gujarat has come out of these difficulties and leapfrogged on the path of development. Today, Gujarat is progressing fast. The atmosphere of peace, unity, social harmony and brotherhood has given further impetus to the process of development.

The Indian history is a witness that casteism and communalism have never done any good to society. This is also my own firm conviction. Gujarat has understood this and having overcome these evils, it has adopted the path of Inclusive Development. We are committed to work for a developed Gujarat for a developed India.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, no State, society or individual can claim to be perfect. I am grateful to all those who pointed out my genuine mistakes during last 10 years. I seek your blessings to serve the people with devotion free from all human shortcomings. As Chief Minister of the State, the pain of each and every citizen is my own pain. Ensuring Justice to all is the duty of the State.

The six crore people of Gujarat are working together for their own development and that of the State. The poorest of the poor is a partner in this process and is confident that he will get the fruits of development. Everyone has inculcated the State's ethos of 'Development of all with Cooperation of all' (Sabka Saath - Sabka Vikaas).

During my fast, I will continue to pray to the Almighty to give me strength so that I do not develop or retain any ill-feeling or bitterness towards those who defamed Gujarat or me by making false allegations.

Our country is a shining example of Unity in Diversity. I am confident that with your blessings, this Sadbhavna Mission will further strengthen our social fabric.

I will also pray to God to give the requisite strength to all of us to take this Sadbhavna Mission forward.

Vande Mataram!

Always yours,
Narendra Modi

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Ind vs Eng: India set 305-run target for England in 5th ODI

Virat Kohli (107) and Rahul Dravid (69) added an impressive 170-run stand to lead India to 304/6 against England in the fifth and final one-day international at Sophia Gardens on Friday.

At the end, skipper MS Dhoni (50 not out) and Suresh Raina (15 off 15 balls) played some lofty shots to cash on the good platform to take the visitors past 300 runs. Dhoni raced to his fifty in just 26 balls as he hit two huge sixes and five boundaries in his quick-fire knock.

As usual Dravid was overshadowed by his batting partner even in his swan song one-day match. Kohli scored his sixth one-day hundred to garner all the limelight as Dravid got out in the very next ball by Graeme Swann.

All the players on the field rushed toward Dravid to shake hands as the legend leave the field after his well crafted final one-day essay.

Kohli got himself out with a rare hit-wicket after his back-foot brushed the wickets while trying to steer a Graeme Swann delivery. Kohli played a gem of an innings as he hit nine boundaries and a six in his 93-ball knock.

India lost Dravid soon after Kohli slammed a quick century off 87 balls in the previous ball. Swann clean bowled Dravid to put an end to a great one-day career. Dravid hit four boundaries in his 79 balls knock.

Sent in to bat, India lost Parthiv Patel (19) and Ajinkya Rahane (26) in quick succession after a watchfully start.

Swann dismissed Patel soon after India lost Rahane. Patel played a watchful inning off 39 balls without scoring a boundary.

Rahane struck three boundaries in his steady 47-ball inning before Jade Dernbach gave England the first breakthrough. The right-handed opener added 52 runs for the opening wicket with Patel.
Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field in the final ODI against India. Rain delayed the start of the match as it started 30 minutes late from the allotted time. 

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SIDBI working with NSE to set up separate exchange for SMEs

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) is working in close tandem with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to establish a separate exchange for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which will be unveil shortly.

S Muhnot, Chairman and Managing Director of SIDBI, said, “It will be a separate exchange within the NSE. It is likely to be operational in this financial year, may be another two months or three. The international venture funds, which are not coming to the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector today, will also come in the sector.” The SMEs would have the potential to secure equity from the market via the exchange and also develop their business.

Mr Muhnot has stated that SIDBI has been working to get the firms into the exchange. SIDBI has stated that it will unveil Nominated Investors Liquidity Fund, which will be helping these market makers.

Mr Muhnot has also stated that the Nominated Investors Liquidity Fund of nearly Rs 60 crore will be unveiled this year. The second fund will be India Opportunities Fund worth Rs 500 crore. Discussion for the third fund is taking place and it is expected to be worth Rs 300 crore.

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