Patrolling intensified
in Haryana to check
economic offences

CHANDIGARH, July 20: Haryana Director General of Police M S Malik has directed all the district police chiefs to intensify day and night patrolling and also to take special measures to . ......more

‘Provide sub-quota
for most backward
dalits, backwards’

LUCKNOW, July 20: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today said it would welcome reservation for the lowest layers of dalits and backwards within the ......more

Oppn dharna in
Legislative Council

BANGALORE, July 20: The entire opposition today staged a dharna in the Karnataka Legislative Council, protesting against minister Baburao....more

Pak women team
disappointed over
Agra summit

NEW DELHI, July 20: A group of Pakistani women, currently visiting India, today expressed disappointment over the failure of the two sides to arrive at a joint declaration at Agra but said the people-to-people........more

Bollywood’s singing stars

NEW DELHI, July 20: When thespian Ashok Kumar sang the song ‘Rail Gaardhi’ for the film ‘Ashirwaad’ in the 1970s, it was because he was nostalgic about the time when he, like the other heroes of the time, used to .....more

NSF serves
ultimatum to VC

KOHIMA, July 20: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has given an ultimatum to Vice-Chancellor of the Nagaland University Prof S D Sharma to resign on or before .....more

Forts in Mumbai need
urgent restoration

MUMBAI, July 20: Once impregnable by military standards, the forts in the bustling commercial capital of the country have withstood the ravages of time for centuries. ....more

Shiv Sena-BJP stage
walk out over land
allotment issue

MUMBAI, July 20: The opposition Shiv Sena and BJP today staged a walk-out from the Maharashtra Assembly, demanding resignation of Revenue Minister Ashok Chavan in the wake of orders.......more



Patrolling intensified in Haryana to check economic offences

CHANDIGARH, July 20: Haryana Director General of Police M S Malik has directed all the district police chiefs to intensify day and night patrolling and also to take special measures to check economic offences in the state.

Presiding over a meeting of Inspector Generals (IGs) and Senior Superintendent of Police to review law and order situation here last evening, Mr Malik asked them to direct the constabulary to be more polite with the public. Police has to win the confidence of public to identify criminals for solving the criminal cases, he said, adding that indiscipline at any level would not be tolerated.

The DGP also directed the SSPs to take preventive measures for foiling road blocks and ‘Rasta Roko’ agitations as it resulted in inconvenience to the public.

Earlier, Mr Malik, while addressing a conference of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, presided over by the Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala claimed that there had been considerable improvement in the law and order situation in the state. (UNI)

‘Provide sub-quota for most backward dalits, backwards’

LUCKNOW, July 20: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) today said it would welcome reservation for the lowest layers of dalits and backwards within the existing quota of reservation provided it was granted in proportion to their population.

"Let BJP do this now but in proportion to the population of the communities among dalits and backwards", party vice-president Mayawati said while speaking at a state-wide dharna here.

Mayawati described as "election stunt" the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Rajnath Singh’s move to provide reservation to the most backwards among the dalit community and said said the BJP will never be able to make dent in the BSP’s "committed vote-bank" in the coming Assembly elections.

"It has been our idea and we had mooted this proposal during the 1995 and 1997 when BSP was in power" but the BJP opposed it tooth and nail, Mayawati revealed.

"When we came up with this idea, the BJP threatened to withdraw support saying the upper caste community will get annoyed", she said.

In Uttar Pradesh, dalits constituted 26 per cent population while most backwards among the community constituted six per cent and similarly among the 52 per cent backwards, most backwards were 37 per cent.(PTI)

Addressing the rally attended by BSP workers at the District Magistrate office here, Mayawati came down heavily on Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Chief Minister Rajnath Singh for what she termed "political gimmicks" of these leaders.

She assured partymen that if BSP came to power with absolute majority in the coming Assembly election in the state, the party would ensure reservation to most backwards among dalits and most backwards in proportion to their population.

The BSP leader ridiculed the Chief Minister’s recent statement to provide reservation to the most backward dalits and most backwards in gram panchayats and asked as to why this was not not talked about in the judiciary and private sector services.

"They want to have cream for themselves and rubbish for us", she pointed out.

Mayawati also condemned Rajnath Singh Government’s action in not issuing a fresh notification in Ayodhya case and said they only wanted that the main accused in the Babri Demolition case were given reprieve.

The BSP leader who later submitted a memorandum, addressed to the state Governor, to the District Magistrate referred to 11-points charter of demands and said these demand would constitute her party’s election plank’.

Similar demonstrations were held today at all the district headquarters throughout the state which were reported to be peaceful.(PTI)

Oppn dharna in Legislative Council

BANGALORE, July 20: The entire opposition today staged a dharna in the Karnataka Legislative Council, protesting against minister Baburao Chinchansoor asking for a week’s time to furnish a reply to a question.

When a question was raised by K Vinaya Chandra (BJP) during question hour asking the Government to specify measures followed by the Muzrai Department while sanctioning grants to the temples of the state and also the names of the temples which had obtained grants, the acting Chairman, David Simeon informed the house that the Government had sought a week’s time to give the reply.

At this, the opposition members led by their leaders K H Shrinivas and deputy leader, Basavaraj Bommai insisted that the reply be given without any delay as the Government being a "hi-tech" one had all facilities at its disposal to furnish the reply immediately.

Amidst noisy scenes, Simeon adjourned the house for 10 minutes. When the house resumed after the brief interval, major irrigation minister and house leader, H K Patil assured it that the reply would be furnished by evening.

Responding to this, the opposition decided to call off its dharna. (PTI)

Pak women team disappointed over Agra summit

NEW DELHI, July 20: A group of Pakistani women, currently visiting India, today expressed disappointment over the failure of the two sides to arrive at a joint declaration at Agra but said the people-to-people interaction would not be affected by it.

"We are disappointed. We feel the two leaders should have evolved a joint statement," said the delegation leader Farzana Bari, Director of Centre for Women’s Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.

Stating that there were "many issues" between India and Pakistan, Farzana told reporters here "it was not necessary to resolve these there and then. Engagement is essential."

She, however, expressed happiness over the statements by Foreign Ministers of the two countries that the Agra summit was not a failure.

Farzana said the people-to-people contact would not be affected by the failure of the two Governments to arrive at a joint declaration. "We are not disappointed on this front. People-to-people contacts are getting stronger," she asserted.

She said a number of exchanges were taking place including those of teachers and students.

She appreciated India’s decision to ease visa restrictions and hoped Pakistan would reciprocate.

"The Governments should reflect people’s aspirations and desires," she added.

The delegation is here to study the functioning of the local Government system in India. (PTI)

Bollywood’s singing stars

NEW DELHI, July 20: When thespian Ashok Kumar sang the song ‘Rail Gaardhi’ for the film ‘Ashirwaad’ in the 1970s, it was because he was nostalgic about the time when he, like the other heroes of the time, used to sing their own songs because the system of playback singing had not taken over.

But now it appears to be becoming fashionable for every hero to sing at least once in his acting career. The megastar, Amitabh Bachchan, had rendered the song ‘Mere Paas Aao’ in the film ‘Mr Natwarlal’ almost 30 years ago, and many thought he had again taken to singing when the ‘Chuma Chuma’ song came in ‘Hum’ till people learnt it was Sudesh Bhosle.

But the Big B was not to be put down, and he had recorded ‘Eer Beer Phatey’ and one or two other songs. And now, the Big B has sung once again, for the film ‘Aks, the reflection’ directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra who directed the video of ‘Eer Beer Phatey’.

While the song ‘Bhalaa Bura, Bura Bhalaa Hai’ has been rendered by him solo, he has got actress Nandita Das to sing with him for ‘Ramlila’ lyric.

But it is not the Big B alone who appears to have been bit by the singing bug. In fact, it all started, at least in recent years, with ‘Aati Kya Khandala’ by Aamir Khan in the film ‘Ghulam’, a one-liner that soon became a national icon. This was followed by Govinda and Sanjay Dutt singing ‘I Love You Bol Daal’ in the comedy ‘Hasina Maan Jaayegi’.

In fact, Sanjay also sung ‘Aie Shivani’ in the film ‘Khoobsoorat’ for Urmila Matondkar. Govinda had also attempted a take-off of ‘Hawa Hawaii’ in a song in ‘Biloo Badshah’, and later brought out an album of his songs with Kamini Khanna.

Not to be outdone by one Khan, the two others also took to the microphone. Salman Khan and Sanjay sang in ‘Chal Mere Bhai’, while Salman also sang in ‘Hello Brother’ and rendered some words in a song in the film ‘Jaanam Samjha Karo’, and Shahrukh Khan sang ‘Apun Bola, Tu Meri Laila’ in the film ‘Josh’ .

Of course, these singers are by no means the only actors to try their hand (or their vocal chords) at singing. Thespian Dilip Kumar had been made to sing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in his first directorial venture, the 1957 film ‘Musafir’. And of course, one can never forget the highly versatile Kishore Kumar who sang and acted (not to speak of directing and composing films) in many films.

Funster Mehmood sang and acted in the film ‘Sabse Bada Rupaiya’ which he had produced and directed, and Shotgun Shatrughan Sinha lent his somewhat ill-suited vocal chords to a song in the flop ‘Kalka’.

Apart from Nandita Das, actresses have also tried singing. Suraiya and Sulakshana Pandit, of course, was wellknown for her singing and her siblings Jatin-Lalit are composers today. More than twenty years ago, Hrishikesh had the sizzling Rekha singing in his film ‘Khoobsoorat’. And the talented Shabana Azmi sang for Muzaffar Ali’s film ‘Anjuman’. Karisma Kapoor also rendered some lines in the song ‘O Raja’ in the film ‘Dulhan Hum Le Jaayenge’.

And if actors can take to singing a La hollywood musicals, then singers can also take to acting. The velvet-voiced Talat Mehmood had acted in more than ten films, among them ‘Rajlakshmi’ (1945), ‘Dil-e-Nadaan’ (1953), ‘Ek Gaon Ki Kahani’ (1957), and ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’ (1958). The other soft-voiced singer Mukesh appeared for a song in his friend Raj Kapoor’s ‘Aag’.

Just three years ago, the Punjabi pop singer Gurdas Mann played the title role of the film ‘Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh’. And now, the acting bug has hit two wellknown singers - Sonu Nigam and Lucky Ali. Sonu is making his acting debut opposite actor Raj Babbar’s daughter Juhi in ‘Kaash Aap Hamaare Hotey’ and ‘Jaani Dushman’ while Lucky Ali makes his debut in ‘Kya Ab Bhi Main Tujhse Pyaar Karta Hoon?’.

Of course, these singers have got into acting because of their appearances in albums to promote their own songs, just as singers like Daler Mehendi who has appeared in song sequences in several films. (UNI)

NSF serves ultimatum to VC

KOHIMA, July 20: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has given an ultimatum to Vice-Chancellor of the Nagaland University Prof S D Sharma to resign on or before July 24.

NSF president K Elundang and general secretary Vivi Nyuthe said they would pursue the July 17 resolution of the presidential council demanding resignation of the Vice-Chancellor, accusing the him of creating division among Thenagas to serve his own interests.

The Post Graduate Students Union of the Nagaland University are on an indefinite hunger strike since Monday five of them had to be admitted to the hospital after their condition worsened.

Prof Sharma entered his office yesterday with police protection. Meanwhile, Nagaland University Teachers Association (NUTA) said in a release said they were against "saffronisation of education and the hidden agenda of the Ministry of Human Resource Development." They also castigated it for its "deafening silence" on the issue.

The Angami Student Union (ASU) had expressed concern over the "adamant stand of Prof Sharma," inspite of the demand for his resignation by the PGSU.

ASU general secretary N Peseyie alleged that to safe guard his position as the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Sharma had instigated a section of the Naga students against the other. (UNI)

Forts in Mumbai need urgent restoration

MUMBAI, July 20: Once impregnable by military standards, the forts in the bustling commercial capital of the country have withstood the ravages of time for centuries. Today, developmental activities threaten their existence.

The latest victim is the six-century-old Mahim Fort which has developed several cracks in its foundation. According to conservation experts, the reclamation work underway for the Bandra-Worli sealink has led to the cracks.

Though reclamation is posing a threat, the Mahim Fort also faces problems from encroachment by bamboo and scrap traders who use it for their activities, says conservationist Sharda Diwedi.

The Mahim Fort was built by the then Bombay Governor Gerald Aungier (1669-77), considered the founding father of the island city, on the mouth of Mahim Creek at the southern end of the present Mahim causeway.

Overlooking Bandra, it had strategic importance as a defence post against possible attacks by the Portuguese in Vasai and later the Marathas who owned salsette. Mahim Fort was further strengthened and small fortifications were built around it by Sir Thomas Grantham in 1684 when he held the possession of Bombay.

What remains of the fort today are the mighty rampart walls towards the Mahim Creek. They are distinctly visible from Mahim causeway as well as from Bandra reclamation area.

Woods and coconut groves, besides rice fields, which once abounded in Mahim, have long vanished and the only redeeming feature is the nature park here where mangrove cultivation has been successful.

In 1772, the Portuguese had ventured to fire on Mahim Fort, but the englishmen retaliated by shelling which hit the church at Bandra. The triple-bastioned fort had 100 soldiers and 30 guns for its defence, according to Dr K K Chaudhari, the former executive editor to the Gazetteers Department.

Conservationists say reclamation has rendered the mouth of inter-tidal Mahim Creek narrower, diverting water towards the fort. It has also resulted in changes in the level of sea water which is now diverted to the Mahim-Worli coastal belt.

Mahim Fort is not the only fort in the city which is facing problems. The Sion Fort, Worli Fort, Sewri Fort, Mazagon Fort as well as Dongri Hill Fort and the Bombay castle too face similar problems.

The Sion Hillock Fort has become a haunt of college students, and at night drug addicts take over.

‘Sion’ is a portuguese corruption of Marathi word ‘Shiva’, which means a boundary or a limit. Sion village was the boundary between Bombay Island and Salsette (Sasthi). It was built by Governor Aungier on the top of a Conical Hillock, now situated a few metres away from the Sion Railway Station on the Central Railway.

Irenically, situated at the base of the Hillock, is the Mumbai Branch Office of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

This 17th century fort overlooks the salt pans in the Creek beyond and the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Factory. Since it is a spot for Sunday picnics, revellers at times engage in graffiti on the surfaces of the edifice.

The Worli Fort, built by Portuguese, is on the headland jutting into the Mahim Bay. It was provided with a cannon and armed with seven to eight guns and manned by an ensign and 25 soldiers.

The old Worli Fort has almost been quarried and levelled and housing complexes have surfaced there. In 1896, it had a few roads and now it is one of the posh areas of Mumbai.

The hill on which Sewri Fort stands has also been quarried. But the ruins of the small fort can be still seen. The cannon on the fort had thwarted the Portuguese invasion on the coastal stretch between Sewree and Sion in 1772.

Yadi Sakat of Janjira island had earlier conquered Sewri and Mazagon forts in 1689. This fort had a garrison of 50 sepoys under a Subedar and was equipped with eight or ten guns.

The Mazagon Fort and Dongri Fort are also threatened. (UNI)

Shiv Sena-BJP stage walk out over land allotment issue

MUMBAI, July 20: The opposition Shiv Sena and BJP today staged a walk-out from the Maharashtra Assembly, demanding resignation of Revenue Minister Ashok Chavan in the wake of orders passed by the Mumbai High Court, cancelling the allotment of land to institutions run by the minister’s family.

Leader of opposition in the Assembly Narayan Rane raised the issue through a notice of Adjournment Motion alleging that the plots of land in Nanded have been allotted illegally to the institutions run by the minister’s family, including ‘Pragati Mahila Mandal’, headed by his mother Kusumtai Shankarrao Chavan. Mr Rane also alleged that the land at Nariman Point in Mumbai, which had already been allotted to the Swamy Ramanand Tirath Trust, was realloted to the Shankarrao Chavan Trust.

The issue was raised yesterday in the upper House, following which it was adjourned for the day, as the opposition stalled the proceedings demanding Mr Chavan’s resignation.

When the issue was raised by Mr Rane, the Shiv Sena-BJP members started shouting slogans. He said the minister should resign on moral ground following the court’s judgement.

Mr Ashok Chavan, in his reply, alleged that the members did not have the copy of the court judgement and were levelling baseless charges against him. Instead of demanding his resignation, Mr Rane should resign as the court recently passed strictures against him (Rane) in the essel world land scandal case, he said.

The agitating members led by Mr Rane and Gopinath Munde walked out of the House in protest.

The Aurangabad bench of the High Court on Wednesday had asked the Nanded Municipal Corporation to take back the plot of land measuring 2381 sq meters that was leased to two institutions headed by Mr Chavan and his mother Kusumtai Chavan. The plot, in the prime locality of Nanded, was leased to the institutions for Rs 11 per year for a period of 99 years.(UNI)

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