Excelsior... Nation

Uma Bharti

Sports Ministry gets
a religious touch

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Clad in saffron, Uma Bharti today gave a religious touch to her fresh assignment as ....more

Shanta Kumar

20th meeting of
CCPC inaugurated

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Shanta Kumar said today ......more

Confidence vote today
BJP-MGP Govt in Goa
confident of victory

PANAJI, Nov 8: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, heading a Bharatiya Janata Party- Maharashtrawadi.....more

Conservation of Harike wetland
Punjab Govt implementing multi pronged strategy

HARIKE(FEROZEPUR), Nov 8: Following the spectacular success of the Army in clearing the Harike lake of the ....more

Murasoli Maran

Maran yet to come
out of ‘critical’ stage

CHENNAI, Nov 8: The condition of Union Industry Minister Murasoli Maran showed signs of improvement but was yet to come out of the ‘critical’ stage, chairman of Apollo Hospital Dr Pratap C Reddy said today....more

SP assails BJP for
Shia-Sunni clashes in UP

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Samajwadi Party (SP) today hit out at BJP for the Shia-Sunni clashes and killing of a legislator in Uttar Pradesh and held the new Chief Minister Rajnath Singh responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation........more

They are the angels
in sky - hovering all over

MUMBAI, Nov 8: They are known as the angels in the sky. They hover all over to maintain the hawk-eyed vigil over the coastal areas and sea, and ....more

Uttaranchal takes birth
as the 27th state tonight

DEHRA DUN, Nov 8: At the stroke of midnight tonight, Uttranchal will be born as the 27th state of India ....more

Sports Ministry gets a religious touch

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Clad in saffron, Uma Bharti today gave a religious touch to her fresh assignment as Sports and Youth Affairs Minister as she entered her office with a big framed picture of ‘Hanuman’, which immediately found a place on the wall facing her official seat.

How would a Sanyasin-turned-politician start her assignment? simple, by invoking the gods. And there were two idols on her table - ‘Krishna’, in his famous pose of playing the flute and the ‘Ganesh’. She offered flowers, red roses at that, to both before occupying the minister’s chair for the second time.

And how did the supporters, plenty of whom were present in the minister’s room, greet her after she assumed office? well, in a patriotic way as Bharat Mata Ki Jai rent the air.

Such was the pressure of supporters inside the room that Sports Secretary N N Khanna, who came to greet her, was jostled while pushing his way to the front.

And what is her attitude towards politics?

It is not my cup of tea, she said but was quick to add this time she would not leave the field. AB To Meri Chita Hi Jalegi Rajniti Mein. (I would give up politics only on my death), she said indicating she will not think of quitting politics in haste.

And what’s her priority in politics? Women’s Reservation Bill, came the reply. If I have to take the fight to the masses on this issue, I will do that and the ministerial position will not come in the way, she told reporters. (PTI)

20th meeting of CCPC inaugurated

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Shanta Kumar said today that the recent Government decision to seek export market for wheat and sugar on priority was an immediate step to correct the serious imbalances in India’s food production and trade pattern.

Talking to newspersons here soon after inaugurating the 20th meeting of the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC), he said the official export agencies have found market for Indian wheat in a few countries. Following the Union Cabinet clearance for foodgrains export last week, STC, MMTC and Projects and Equipment Corporation of India (PEC) had been asked to find markets for the surplus wheat and sugar.

The minister said he has created a special cell in the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to coordinate with the three official export agencies for facilitating the wheat and sugar export. The progresss of the export initiative was being monitored by a group of ministers, he added.

Mr Shanta Kumar said India could earmark upto 20 million tonnes of wheat and rice for immediate export this year. Side by side, efforts would also be made to grow wheat and rice of international quality and preference for sustaining the exports in the years to come, he added.

The Consumer Affairs Minister said he had taken up with the Agriculture Ministry the need for initiating policy steps to correct the imbalance in food production and trade.

He pointed out that the present official policy encouraged Indian farmers to produce more wheat and rice than required while neglecting the production of oilseeds and pulses which are imported in large quantities. This has resulted in huge stockpiling of wheat, rice and sugar at the cost of oilseeds and pulses production.

Mr Shanta Kumar wanted this to be corrected by encouraging production of quality grains of consumer and export preferences in planned quantities and enhancing the area under oilseeds and pulses, he added.

Mr Shanta Kumar said the oilseeds and pulses could not be left at the mercy of other countries. We have to ensure reasonable levels of domestic production (of these items) to reduce the dependence on other countries, he added.

The minister told the Central Consumer Protection Council that the Consumer Protection Laws would be amended in the Winter session of Parliament to give more teeth to the Act, to ensure enough safeguards to the 320 million consumers in the below the poverty belt and 50 million people in the hunger prone segment.

Later Mr Shanta Kumar distributed the National Awards on Consumer Protection, named after Swami Vivekananda, a great champion of the poor. (UNI)

Confidence vote today
BJP-MGP Govt in Goa confident of victory

PANAJI, Nov 8: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, heading a Bharatiya Janata Party-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) coalition Government, exuded confidence on the eve of the one-day special session of the state assembly of winning the confidence-vote tomorrow.

After assuming office on October 24, state Governor Mohammad Fazal had asked the Chief Minister to seek a vote of confidence in the State Assembly before November 15.

"We are confident of victory. The confidence motion will be passed by a comfortable majority," state BJP president Laxmikant Parsekar said.

The BJP-led coalition Government, headed by 45-year-old CM, came to power after the 11-month-old Francisco Sardinha Ministry resigned as their coalition partner BJP withdrew its support and staked claim to form a Government.

The BJP formed the new Government after a four-member group, led by the Congress Legislative Party leader Ravi Naik, split from the Congress and merged into it. A five-member Indian National Congress (Shiekh Hassan) also merged into the BJP, taking its strength from 10 to 18 and making it the single largest party in the 40-member assembly.

On eve of the confidence vote yesterday, two out of the four member Goa Peoples Congress (breakaway group) split and merged their new faction into the BJP, taking its strength in the house to 20.

Following is the latest party position in the 40-member State Legislative Assembly.

The Bharatiya Janata Party 20, Goa Peoples Congress (GPC) seven, Congress five, Goa Peoples Congress (breakaway faction) two, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party two, Goa Peoples Congress (breakaway faction) two, Nationalist Congress Party one, Indian National Congress (Shiekh Hassan) one, independent one, besides the Speaker. Besides 20 members of the BJP, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has the support of the two-member Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and one member of the Indian National Congress (Shiekh Hassan) — a total of 23 — while the strength required to win the vote of confidence is 21. Few other legislators have also announced to extend support to the Government in order to "properly nurse their constituencies".

Mr Parrikar’s is the third Government in Goa after the Assembly elections in June last year.

The Congress Government, headed by Luizinho Falerio, came to power after the elections it collapsed within six months when an eleven-member group led by Mr Francisco Sardinha broke away from Congress and formed the Government with the support of the ten-member Bharatiya Janata Party.

After eleven months, the BJP walked out of the coalition after its strength in the State Assembly went up following merger of two splinter groups into it.

Mr Parrikar and his 14 member Cabinet, including one minister from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), was sowrn in October 24. (UNI)

Conservation of Harike wetland
Punjab Govt implementing multi pronged strategy

HARIKE(FEROZEPUR), Nov 8: Following the spectacular success of the Army in clearing the Harike lake of the environment-threatening weed water hyacinth, the State Government is implementing a multi pronged strategy of conserving the Harike wetland and building it as a showpiece for eco-tourism.

After a review here yesterday of the progress of the wetland project with Maj Gen L M Tewari and Mr Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Commissioner Ferozepur Division Ferozepur alongwith the Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur, Amritsar and Kapurthala districts and Senior Departmental Officers, Mr Rajan Kashyap, Principal Secretary, Science Technology and Environment, told reporters that during ‘Operation Sahyog’, which was launched in August the Army pulled out 125,000 tonnes of hyacinth from the lake.

To continue and sustain drive against the water hyacinth weed by manual, mechanical and biological means, the Government will seek the guidance of the Departments of Environment and Wild Life. They would take over the equipment by the Army in March, next year which was used for clearing the water weed.

Mr Kashyap said that the Government has decided to develop harike wetland project into an eco-tourism attraction. He pointed out that whereas smaller wetlands like Bharatpur’ in Rajasthan and ‘Chilka’ in Orissa had become famous for tourism spots, the world had practically no knowledge about the huge scenic attraction and potential of Harike wetland which is possibly the largest of its kind in the country.

Following discussions with the Department of Tourism in the State Government, it was decided that a professional agency, namely ‘Wetland International’ which has an office at New Delhi be assigned the task of preparing an integrated eco-tourism plan for Harike wetland.

A systematic plan would provide investment in infrastructure such as hotels, smaller guest-houses and hostels. The eco plan would attract bird watchers and nature lovers alike.

Mr Kashyap said that he had already approached the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities in Punjab for taking up special projects for study of flora and fauna in the wetland area.

The State Government intends to encourage private investment for providing basic infrastructure for the visitors and also to institutions for more research and development activities for environmental protection.

Mr R K Loona, Conservator of Wild Life, disclosed that the number of birds that have already arrived at Harike this year was around 30,000 against an estimated 8,000-10,000 in the corresponding period in previous years.

The names of important migratory birds arriving here include coot, common, pochard, red crested pochard, tufted pochard, shovellers, brahminy duck, common teel, pin tail, malabard and egrets.

According to Mr Loona, the reason for the larger number of birds in the lake this year is that the surface of the lake has been cleared of water hyacinth. This has made available to the bird population the essential food at and beneath the water surface. (UNI)

Maran yet to come out of ‘critical’ stage

The minister is put on ventilator support, Reddy told reporters here.

‘Maran is maintaining all the parameters and we have all the facilities required to meet the needs of the situation. Hopefully, he will come out of this critical stage’, he said.

Reddy said it was very difficult to say how long it would take, whether a few hours or days, for Maran to come out of the critical stage.

The condition of Maran, who was admitted to the hospital on October 28, had deteriorated last night after he went into severe pulmonary oedema due to dysfunction of his left ventricle as a consequence of ‘hypertrophic obstructive cardio-myopathy’.

When he went into severe pulmonary oedema, Maran was put under artificial ventillator. Maran underwent a non-surgical procedure - alchohol ablation of the septum - for decreasing the gradient.

Meanwhile, Union Rural Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu accompanied by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi visited Maran at the hospital. (PTI)

SP assails BJP for Shia-Sunni clashes in UP

SP general secretary Amar Singh told reporters here that though the new Chief Minister had promised to improve the law and order situation within 15 days of assuming office, the recent outbreak of violence in Mubarakpur and murder of a legislator showed the situation was worsening.

On BJP’s allegation that opposition was responsible for the clashes, he said BJP should have the guts to reveal which opposition party was behind the violence.

BJP is hand in glove with Congress at the Centre on various issues like Women’s Bill and WTO, while at the state level it has a tacit understanding with BSP. Therefore, SP is the only opposition party against which it can level charges, Singh said and challeged BJP to come out with evidence against SP instead of levelling unsubstantiated charges.

He said as long as history-sheeters are in the Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers, law and order situation cannot improve and apprehended communal riots in the state as BJP is trying to play the Hindu card before Assembly elections.

Singh said SP would not allow BJP to communalise the situation.

Asked if SP would bring a no-confidence motion against Rajnath Ministry, he said it would not be of any use as BSP will bail out the Government since the two parties already have an unholy alliance. (PTI)

They are the angels in sky - hovering all over

MUMBAI, Nov 8: They are known as the angels in the sky. They hover all over to maintain the hawk-eyed vigil over the coastal areas and sea, and even perform peace-time roles. When required they perform the deadly combat role to silence the guns of enemy.

These are helicopters of the Indian Navy. Be it the Chetaks, the formidable Seaking Bravos and Charlies, Matches and the Kamovs. "Helicopters play a very important role and are an integral part of the the mighty Indian Navy", says Commodore Subodh Purohit, the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Ins Kunjali here.

While the squadron of Chetaks are known as Angels, Zappers are the ones who fly the British-made Seaking 4Cc known as the Marine Commando Flight. Harpoons as the name suggests, are the guys who look for submarine on Seaking 42B and attack them with missiles. Eagles are those who fly the Russian-made Kamovs.

"They are always on alert and can fly in just three minutes notice", said the Commodore, who is now busy with the preparations of the international fleet review 2000 to be held in February next year. Preparations are on for the next year’s mega event, the theme for which is "bridges of friendship".

Around 30 naval choppers will be part of the 65 aircraft taking part in the fly past on September 17, which will be reviewed by President K R Narayanan and the next day, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will witness the international city parade on the marine drive. "The planning has to be accurate, as so many different type of aircraft will fly in a span of a few minutes", Commodore Purohit said.

During the international city parade the naval helicopters, he said will also display search and rescue operations. He adds that since the Ins Kunjali, one of the seven naval air stations of the country, came to existence, more than 150 lives have been saved thanks to these daredevils who fly these machines in extreme weather conditions.

These pilots, navigators, divers, officers and sailors on-board these wonderful flying machines have rescued many lives from the jaws of death, sometimes as so far as 200 km into the sea. Whether it is a sinking ship, cyclone-hit Kandla or Orissa or routine operational tasks — they are everready to take up any job.

The dare-devils are always ready for help - anyone, anytime. They are always prepared to take up challenging tasks and combat role. Be it a commando operation, airlift, tracing and submarine and finishing it off or search and rescue. Even daring tasks of show displaying the powress of the services.

Ins Kunjali, the Naval Air Station here, meets the helicopter missions for the Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC). The base started operations in 1971 and operated more than 25 helicopters of various hues. Other than meeting naval tasks, the base also supports helicopter operation of indian Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and even a few civil agencies.

It will be the nerve centre of all air operations during the international fleet review. "We are fully prepared for it", says the ace pilot, who has carried out several missions. The helicopters based here fly out to warships to join on their mission, sometimes remaining at sea for months together. And when these ships return, the choppers fly back to the base for maintenance and training of crew.

Primary among these are the Seaking Mark 42BS from the house of Westland in Britain. These are known as the teeth of the Navy, forming the 330 squadron. They can hunt down submarines lurking in the deep, sink intruding warships, snoop on enemy electronic activity and become good command and control platform.

Then there are seaking 42 CS, again British-made, which carry out dangerous covert missions whith the Navy’s elite marcos, better known as Marine Commandos. It can also carry army troops and commandos during amphibious operations. They, like the 42BS do search and rescue at large distances into the sea and can even shift cargo, which may be as big as a jeep.

The Russian Kamov 28S, which also specialise in hunting down submarines, whilst flying from ships are based in Ins Kunjali. The bulk of coastal search and rescue responsibility is with the 321 Flight made up of tiny yet redoubtable Chetaks. The manned attached torpedo carrying helicopter (match), built by the HAL, can also be operated from here. In future when the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) joins, it can also operate from this base.

Angels in the sky — is the right sobriquet for the men and machines of the naval air station here. However, lest the enemy should forget, the angels could even rain death, when called upon to do so. (UNI)

Uttaranchal takes birth as the 27th state tonight

DEHRA DUN, Nov 8: At the stroke of midnight tonight, Uttranchal will be born as the 27th state of India ushering in a new era of hope for prosperity and development for over 80 lakh people of the hilly region.

As the clock strikes 12 tonight, the whole region encompassing an area of 53.178 sq km would burst into celebrations with Governor-designate Surjit Singh Barnala and the new Chief Minister taking oath of office and secrecy at a grand ceremony organised at the sprawling parade ground here.

Tens of thousands of people, including a host of union ministers and chief ministers, are expected to attend the ceremony which would be broadcast live on Doordarshan.

With barely a day left for the new state comprising 13 districts to come into being, Dehra Dun, which has attained the interim capital status, has been spruced up for the occasion with all roads and buildings getting a face-lift.

Coinciding with the birth of the new state, people of Uttaranchal would organise a regional festival "Prakashotsav’ (festival of lights).

The Gharwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency which is looking into the development and tourism in the hilly region, would illuminate all its hotels, guest houses and other buildings in the intervening night of Nov 8 and Nov 9 to make the event memorable and glittering.

A series of functions are already underway to celebrate the event. Uttarakhand Mahotsav-2000 at the rangers college ground which is attracting big crowd to its delectable Garwhali cuisine, plays and musical performances among other things.

The Government has acquired at least 15 new buildings to house State Departments. Plush buildings of rangers college and Oil Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) hospital are being converted into Raj Bhawan and police headquarters respectively.

However, Circuit House is being temporarily made as the Governor’s house as the finishing work in rangers college is still going on.

Annexie of Circuit House, where late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru used to stay, is being converted into Chief Minister’s residence.

A sum of Rs 34 crore is being spent on sprucing up new buildings and roads and other official works, Sharma said.

Meanwhile, the administration has started using bulldozers to demolish encroachments on the roads of Dehra Dun where unauthorised constructions including hotels and dhabas had come up over the years.

In the meantime, parade ground, the hub of the freedom movement, where the main function for the swearing-in ceremony would be held, is being spruce up for the occasion. We are giving final touches to the sprawling lawns of parade ground, An official supervising the work in parade ground commented. A huge concrete dias has been constructed on which the new Governor and Chief Minister will take oath.

Non-BJP parties here are miffed over the BJP taking over the reins of the new Uttaranchal state. They are holding a series of protest rallies on a host of issues including the demand making gairsain, permanent capital of the new state.

These parties argue gairsain, situated in the centre of the new state, is ideal location for its capital. (PTI)