Excelsior... Nation

Sushma Swaraj

Permanent priority to make
tv "family media": Sushma

NEW DELHI, Oct 3; Sushma Swaraj, who returned as Information and Broadcasting Minister after a gap of nearly two years, today said her permanent priority would be to make television a "family media".........more

Musk deer facing high
risk of extinction

VADODARA, Oct 3: Musk deer, popularly known as ‘Kasturi Mrig’, is vanishing from its geographical epicentre of the Himalayas......more

Former minister dead

HISAR, Oct 3: Congress leader and former State Irrigation and Power Minister Virendra Singh died following a heart attack here today, family sources said......more

‘Indo-Russia declaration not directed against 3rd nation’

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today declared that the historic Indo-Russia declaration of strategic partnership he signed with visiting Russian President Vladmir Putin was not directed against any......more

SPECIAL REPORT
Basu intensifies battle against Mamata
WB Governor’s
report doesn’t favour
President’s rule

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: In a significant turn of events, the Governor of West Bengal, Mr Viren J Shah, has thrown......more

Cong steps up campaign against oil price hike

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Congress today stepped up its campaign against oil price hike with a large number of ......more

National Comm for children to be set up in 6 months

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: With a view to improve and protect the rights of children......more

K C Pant

States fail to grasp utility,
idea of NIF, deplores Pant

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant today......more

Musk deer facing high risk of extinction

VADODARA, Oct 3: Musk deer, popularly known as ‘Kasturi Mrig’, is vanishing from its geographical epicentre of the Himalayas.

About four thousand adult male deer are killed annually due to their high demand in the international market.

Zoologists estimate the number of musk deer, which was placed in the vulnerable category in 1986, at 30,000.

International Society of Naturalists (INSONA) general secretary G M Oza said musk deer (moschus chrysogaster) is distributed in the Himalayan region. Geographically, it formerly existed throughout the entire Himalayan upper forest region and was found in the scrub level between 2,200m and 4,300m, extending from Pakistan through northern India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.

Dr Oza said traditionally the musk is used for medicine purpose, though a very little musk is used for the same in the global era. It has been estimated that more than 80 artificial musks figure in the global market.

He said the ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine rate musk as a stimulant and sedative as well. However, the scientific studies reveal that the actions of musk have a negligible therapeutic value. Its demand has been related to medicinal use as a stimulant for impotency and the treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia and typhoid. While patients with epilepsy, hysteria, asthma and nervous irregularities have sought musk as a sedative. It is said that musk is used in Japan to prepare medicine for heart patients.

He regretted the current situation and added that poaching and smuggling of musk are still uncontrolled in the country. It is reportedly increasing in Arunachal Pradesh where large number of pods have been seized in the last decade. The exit points from India also include major cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Amritsar and Mumbai. Dr Oza said out of every five musk deers gunned down in the country, only two turn out to be mature males possessing a pod. In Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim, the poaching fraternity string miles of fences and snares at five metre intervals along the mountain valleys. Of every four deers killed, only one provides pod. The poaching operations are carried out so indiscriminately that a Valley’s population will be erased in a short span of just two years, he added.

Hong Kong is a contact centre for dealers of the musk from India and Nepal. In 1978 hong kong exported a meagre three kilogram of musk to Japan, while it traded 133 kg by 1983 and the possibility of the origin of the musk from the Himalayas cannot be ruled out, he added.

Dr Oza said the price of musk deer in the international market is skyrocketing, leading tm increase in the poaching and smuggling from the Himalayan habitat. The Himalayan musk deer is likely to disappear forever because the demand for musk deer is high at the international market particularly in Japan, he added.

The Himalayas have completely lost their population of musk deer and it appears that trade-wise Japan, more than any other nation, has the dubious distinction of accelerating the likely extinction of the Himalayan musk deer.

In the international market, the price of a musk is 5,000 dollar per kg. The musk gland goes under the name of a "pod" which measures about 6cm in length, 3cm in diameter and 4 to 5cm deep and on an average weighs around 22kg. Thus, one kg of musk needs 40 pods.

The species is persecuted solely for its musk glands which occurs anterior to the anus in mature males. The special splayed hoofs enable hare-like species to move smoothly through snow-clad mountain slopes or over steep rocky terrain alike. (UNI)

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‘Indo-Russia declaration not directed against 3rd nation’

Addressing a joint press conference with Putin after signing the declaration, he said the document was a "firm and long term commitment" to further strengthen the close cooperation between the two countries. "It is not directed against any third country," he said.

Vajpayee also said that New Delhi and Moscow had decided to evolve a common strategy to solve the vexed Afghan problem to bring peace in the war-torn region.

"It has been agreed to evolve a common strategy to solve the problem in Afghanistan," Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee said that the declaration also laid importance on issues of political, economic and international aspects.

Supporting India’s claim for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council, Putin said Moscow was of the view that New Delhi was a "strong and deserving candidate" for it.

Expressing concern over growing international terrorism, the Russian President said the two countries intended to coordinate efforts with specialised agencies to combat it.

"We are also intending to coordinate our efforts on military and political activities," he said.

The Prime Minister said the two countries had agreed to upgrade the military cooperation and the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission would be chaired by Defence Ministers of the two countries.

Both Vajpayee and Putin said that the two countries had similarities of views on a wide-range of issues which came up during the parleys.

Vajpayee said Putin had invited him to visit Russia which he had accepted.

He said the major challenges facing human kind in the new millennium included international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and trans-border crime.

"We condemn the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy".

Vajpayee said the two countries’ cooperation in the areas of peaceful use of atomic energy was proceeding "satisfactorily".

"We exchanged views on a wide-range of regional and international issues, noting the wide-ranging similarities of views", he said adding that both the countries had "substantive and meaningful" discussion on the entire range of all types of ties including political.

He described Putin’s first ever visit to India as a "milestone" in Indo-Russian relations which would give a major impetus to bilateral relations at the beginning of the new millennium.

Vajpayee said New Delhi wanted to see Moscow a strong and confident state and an important constituent of the multi-polar world order. (PTI)

SPECIAL REPORT
Basu intensifies battle against Mamata
WB Governor’s report doesn’t favour President’s rule

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: In a significant turn of events, the Governor of West Bengal, Mr Viren J Shah, has thrown cold water on the scheme of India’s fussy Minister of Defence, Mr George Fernandes. Mr Shah is not willing to support Mr Fernandes’ demand for President’s rule in the ‘troubled’ State of West Bengal.

Mr Shah’s report to the Centre on the prevailing situation in West Bengal has, of course, made a pointed reference to the "deteriorating law and order situation". But the report has not said anything about a constitutional crisis in the State.

Mr Shah’s report, therefore, does not accept the demand articulated by the critics of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Jyoti Basu, particularly Mr George Fernandes and Union Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, for President’s rule in the State.

Considering the fact that Ms Mamata Banerjee’s political outfit, namely, Trinamul Congress is part of the ruling coalition at the Centre, Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee is naturally expected to find a face-saver for her and her party. Ms Mamata Banerjee has had a couple of sessions with the West Bengal Governor, in a desperate bid to woo him. But the Governor has refused to see a constitutional crisis in the State.

Why is Ms Mamata Banerjee for President’s rule in her home State? Her demand, in this regard, has come at a time when most of the constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Mr Vajpayee’s Prime Ministership are, in principle, against the use of Article 356 of the Constitution. Apparently, Ms Mamata Banerjee is working on two basic planks.

First, with the Assembly elections approaching, Ms Mamata Banerjee is trying to whip up an anti-CPI(M) atmosphere, and fill the anti-Left space, galvanise her army of supporters into combat mode will in time for the elections, and project herself as an alternative to Mr Jyoti Basu. Second, Ms Mamata Banerjee, by repeatedly calling for Central intervention, is trying to keep open her option of deserting the NDA and reaching out to the Muslim electorate, which influences nearly one-third of the Assembly segments.

Ms Mamata Banerjee’s outbursts against the ruling Left in West Bengal have, expectedly, hardened the Chief Minister, Mr Basu, who has intensified his battle against the Trinamul Congress supremo. Mr Basu, who has served as Chief Minister for 24 years, had expressed his desire to retire last month (September), but was pursuaded to stay on in power.

Mr Basu’s latest signal: He is now all set to spearhead the battle against Ms Mamata Banerjee and her allies in the Vajpayee Government. The angry old man (Mr Basu) ran fast and furious after the Defence Minister’s comments, which were termed as "untruths" by the West Bengal Chief Minister. Mr George Fernandes had, in his report, commented that the entire constitutional structure seemed to be crumbling in West Bengal.

The stubborn chief of the Trinamul Congress had to be educated by an emissary of the Prime Minister that the Government would not venture to invoke Article 356 in West Bengal without the Congress party’s support. The dismissal of a State Government would require the approval of both Houses of Parliament. And as things stand, the NDA, which does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha, has to win the Congress support for the move to succeed.

Mr Jyoti Basu has also been antagonised by Mr LK Advani. Mr Advani recently dashed off a letter to the West Bengal Government asking its explanation for the comments made by Mr George Fernandes. Mr Basu has dismissed Mr Advani’s letter as containing "nothing except a threat to intervene". Mr Basu has reiterated that he would not bow to pressure as the situation "does not merit" Central intervention.

Latest intelligence inputs have revealed that Mr Mamata Banerjee’s persistent demand for the dismissal of the Jyoti Basu Government has come as a "blessing" for the Left Front in West Bengal. While on the one hand the Left Front leadership has underlined the need to remove internal differences among the Left parties and to unitedly face the electorate, the Left parties, on the other hand, warned the Vajpayee Government against indulging in any such steps as the use of Article 356 or invoking the Disturbed Areas Act.

Cong steps up campaign against oil price hike

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Congress today stepped up its campaign against oil price hike with a large number of party workers, led by top leaders, staging a dharna and courting arrest here.

Congress workers, raising slogans like "Bhajpa Ka Dekho Khel, Mehenga Gas Mehenga Tel" (see BJP’s game of making both gas and oil expensive) demanded roll back of oil prices and charged the Government with being "irresponsible" towards the cause of the common man and the downtrodden.

In a massive dharna, organised by the Youth Congress, a galaxy of senior party leaders accused the Government of pursuing double standards with poor people’s emotions and "doing everything" to serve the interest of the rich.

"This Diwali is going to be dark. We cannot even think of lighting lamps. This is Vajpayee Government’s festival gift," party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Madhavrao Scindia said.

Echoing similar sentiments, other leaders including Ambika Soni, Moti Lal Vohra and Sajjan Kumar said that the common man had started realising BJP’s gameplan and the change in their mood was being well depicted in the civic polls held recently in some states as well as in several bye-elections.

"The hard hitting price hike as brought in the country in last two years surpasses all records of five decades," party general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

In another demonstration organised by Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC), a large number of workers led by DPCC chief Subhash Chopra courted arrest near Parliament street police station.

Among those who courted arrest were Pradesh Congress leaders like Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, party legislators and municipal councillors.

Speaking on the occasion, Chopra asserted that Congress would not allow such steep hike in prices of commodities and would go out to expose BJP’s designs. A gas cylinder was also burnt on the occasion symbolising house wives’ agony.

In his address in front of Shastri Bhawan, which houses several key central ministries, Azad charged BJP of playing the politics of opportunism saying its only aim all along had been to garner votes and stick to power.

Ridiculing BJP’s decision to abandon its own agenda on Ayodhaya and Uniform Civil Code, Azad said "Jo Apne Dharm Ke Nahi Hue, Sidhant Ke Nahi Hue, Woh Hamare Apke Kya Honge (Those who could not stick to their religion, those who could not stick to their principles, they can never serve common people)".

In an apparent bid to join the issue over Government’s on-going efforts to persuade Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee to withdraw her resignation, he said "they (BJP) always spoke against regional parties, today they are stooping to any level."

"They vehemently attacked Telegu Desam to Akali Dal and today they are sharing power with the same parties," Azad remarked.

Youth Congress president Randeep Singh Surjewala said that a nationwide agitation would be launched over the issue. (PTI)

National Comm for children to be set up in 6 months

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: With a view to improve and protect the rights of children, the Government is setting up a National Commission for children in about six months and for the purpose a charter has been drafted, Ms Sumitra Mahajan, Minister of State, Department of Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development Ministry, announced today.

Briefing presspersons here on the opening day of the international conference on early childhood care for survival, growth and development, Ms Mahajan said the national charter on children has just been formulated and will be presented in Parliament for approval.

Expressing concern that despite decline in child malnutrition levels the problem still affects half of India’s young children, the minister said almost 60 per cent of children aged 12-24 months are not fully immunised, 47 per cent of children under four remain malnourished and 30 per cent of babies are born with low birth weight.

Ms Mahajan said her department has evolved a new vision for the 21st century in which the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) will now focus on the more crucial and vulnerable prenatal to three years period or very early childhood.

The new guidelines for improved coverage of children under three years of age focus on additional resources for preventing malnutrition as early as possible and promoting the child’s right to achieve full development potential, she added.

Earlier UNICEF country representative in India alan court speaking at the inaugural session said over 60 per cent of children are anaemic in India, resulting in less ability to learn. "It has been shown that one rupee invested in early childhood care programme can give dividends of Rs seven 20 years later, so the investment gains are clear", he observed.

The three-day conference is being organised by the Department of Women and Child Development, Human Resource Development Ministry in collaboration with the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and UNICEF.

Earlier in her inaugural address, Ms Mahajan stressed the need to empower childcare workers, parents and communities for a continuous process of assessment, analysis and informed action to ensure young children’s rights of survival, growth and development.

In this context, she mentioned that the panchayati raj institutions, local bodies and involvement of people and agencies at the grassroots needs to be given attention.

Observing that the ninth five-year plan has entailed a shift in emphasis from promoting child survival and growth to child development and protection, the minister said by the end of the ninth plan the ICDS was expected to cover 90 per cent of the community development blocks.

By the first few years of the tenth five-year plan it was proposed to universalise the ICDS which would mean that there would be a Child Care Centre of Anganwadi in every village of the country, she added.

The conference which gathers experts and representatives from the Central and State Governments, NGOs and nine countries from Asia and the Americas, will consist of technical sessions that will examine the various aspects of early childhood care. (UNI)

States fail to grasp utility, idea of NIF, deplores Pant

NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman K C Pant today deplored that majority of the states had failed to grasp the idea and utility of the newly-created National Innovation Foundation (NIF).

Launching the national campaign for scouting grassroot innovations and build a register of innovations and inventions at India Habitat Centre here, Mr Pant said the Planning Commission had asked all Chief Ministers and administrators of Union Territories to take personal interest in the activities of NIF and appoint a senior officer to execute and co-ordinate at state and UT level.

He, however, lamented that only nine Chief Ministers had assured full co-operation and seven had appointed nodal officers. The states include West Bengal, Rajasthan, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Mr Pant said the states should be clearly explained the idea behind setting up NIF as a vehicle for development.

He also suggested that the panchayati raj institutions should be entrusted with the responsibility of co-ordinating the activity of innovatiors at village level.

Observing that micro-level venture capital was not available to promote grassroot innovations and convert them into yielding enterprise, he said a mechanism had to be developed to ensure capital support to develop ideas into economically sustainable projects.

The small corpus of Rs 20 crore that the NIF has been set up with is a token amount and capital support is expected from voluntary contributions from individuals as well as corporate bodies, he said.

"There is no venture capital available to a small enterpreneu if the capital requirement is less than Rs 10 millions. We have micro-credit but we do not have micro-venture capital. Just as micro finance has changed the concept of credit at grassroot level micro-venture capital will change the concept of venture capital by linking innovation, enterprise and investment’s.

He said NIF will provide facilities to grassroot innovators to register their works by post or through computer kiosks being set up all over the country. NIF will also try to develop global as well as domestic markets for products and services promoted by innovators.

The NIF has instituted three awards worth Rs 50,000, Rs 25000 and 10,000 besides consolation prizes for grassroot innovators. The award winning entries would be widely publicised and included in the knowledge network and national register of grassroot innovations. (UNI)