Heroin worth Rs 80 lakh seized

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: In a major narcotic haul, Customs officials seized heroin worth Rs.80 lakh in international market and arrested two persons here.

Customs sources said its officials, acting on a tip off, nabbed Abdul Gani Ganai, a contractor by profession, near Rambagh bridge in uptown city and seized a packet containing 800 grams of heroin, yesterday.

They said his accomplice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir alias Masterji, a resident of Boumbarth village of Kulgam in Anantnag district, was subsequently nabbed on the outskirts of Srinagar.

However, the alleged kigpin of the gang Shiraz Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Srinagar, was absconding and efforts are on to arrest him, the sources said.(PTI)

Women NGOs ask NHRC to initiate action against PM

NEW DELHI, Oct 24: Dragging Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee into a controversy, a group of women NGOs have pleaded with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to initiate action against him and some others for allegedly parading a rape victim at a public meeting addressed by him in Bhopal recently.

Taking strong exception to "indecent exposition", the NGOs wanted the commission to initiate proceedings against Vajpayee, Uma Bharati and others for "violating established norms of human dignity and decency".

The representation to NHRC was made by the organisations which included All India Women’s Conference and Centre for Women’s Development Studies.

The NHRC sources confirmed that the representations were received and were "being examined".

Citing the public meeting organised by BJP women’s wing on October 19, the representation said that in the midst of the function a lady by name of Jamuni Bai from the village Chhudawalia in Rajgarh district was brought on stage and presented to the vast gathering as a victim of rape and oppression.

"To our mind this exhibition and presentation of a mahila to gain political mileage and some votes is not merely outrageous but is one of the gravest and most brazen forms of human rights violation putting the entire community of people and especially our respect for womanhood in abject shame", one of the NGO said.(PTI)

Dr IG Patel’s encounter with higher education & economics

NEW DELHI, Oct 24: How should an economist wanting to sell correct economic policies deal with strong-headed politicans?

The answer to this perplexing question was provided by Dr I G Patel, former Director of the famed London School of Economics who won the respect of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

"You cannot argue with strong leaders, but you can always tell them that what they are doing is not according to the principles they uphold," Dr Patel told an audience gathered here last night for the launch of his second book "An Encounter with Higher Education My Years at LSE."

Similarly, one can also remind them of the measures which they should have been taking to further the principles they cherish, Dr Patel said.

The book was released by RBI Governor Y V Reddy.

The overflowing audience included former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan, former Chief Economic Adviser Shankar Acharya and former FICCI president R S Lodha as well as a host of economists from the World Bank, Planning Commission, Delhi School of Economics, Asian Development Bank and top Government officials.

Infact, so overwhelmed was Dr Patel at the turnout which had spared time despite the Diwali festival being round the corner, that he remarked "I am feeling as if I am being launched, and not my book."

Dr Reddy said he was reluctant to release the book by his distinguished predecessor.

Dr Patel quipped that he was touched by this gesture.

The economist, who had served on important Government posts, explained how awe-struck he was when Dr Reddy visited the Osmania University in the 1960s when he was a research scholar. The awe, Dr Patel said, had increased over the years.

Stating that one should not be a prisoner to theory, Dr Reddy said "reasoning and persuasion should go together. Very few persons can admire Mrs Thatcher as Dr Patel had done.

Talking about Dr Patel’s contribution, Dr Reddy said "the noted economist appears in all the three volumes of the RBI history. He is there in the two volumes already published and will find a place in the third volume which is yet to be released."

Dr Patel recalled how in the early 1980s, Dr Reddy visited LSE and wanted to study privatisation. "It is good to be an economist and administrator at the same time," he said.

The economist lauded the role played by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in nation building. Dr Patel, as a top official in the Central Government, had provided the theoretical underpinnings to the heavy industry and self-sufficiency-led growth then.

Dr Patel, Chairman of the Indian Council of Research in International Economic Relations, in his latest book describes his experience as an institution builder in the context of his association with the London School of Economics and Political Science as Director in the 1980s. In doing so, he addresses serious issues in higher education that are relevant across the world.

Dr Patel says that higher education has been at the centre of controversy in recent years with the global trend towards disengagement of Governments from areas of traditional responsibility. Dr Patel argues that the Government should get out of the business of higher education in all matters other than financing which may be conditional in each individual case. Financing should follow well-known first principles of public finance.

At the higher academic level, where creativity is important, individual rights should take a second place to merit and social needs as interpreted not just by the Government or the market, but by everyone — individuals, families, civil society and indeed teachers in higher education.

According to Dr Patel, to make an educational institution truly world class, one needs an ethos and a sense of mission. Traditions and folklore create loyalty and brand equity.

Dr Patel’s first book ‘Glimpse of Indian Economic Policy an Insiders View’ was released two years ago. (UNI)

World Sikh convention on Oct 26, venue still undecided

CHANDIGARH, Oct 24: The controversial proposed World Sikh convention, to be organised by "intellectual Sikhs", would be held as per schedule on October 26 even as the Akal Takht, the highest spiritual seat of the community, SGPC and some Sikh organisations have vehemently opposed the conclave as "anti-Sikh."

"We will declare the venue of the event at the last minute," said Gurtej Singh, Professor of Sikhism, who is among the organisers of the event, while maintaining that the event would be held as per schedule at Mohali, near Chandigarh.

The proposed convention has already drawn widespread criticism from several quarters, including the SGPC. Even certain student bodies in Punjab like Sikh Students Federation has declared they would not allow the organisers to hold such an "anti-panth" event.

Prof Singh claimed that several delegates from around 14 countries were expected to participate in the convention.

He claimed that few delegates from countries like USA, Canada and UK have already started arriving for the event.

Prof Singh said he had been assured by top brass of Punjab police that no one would be allowed to disrupt the proceedings of the convention.

He said the convention would discuss, among other subjects, ritualism and useless practices ranging from meaningless to anti-Sikh which have crept into Sikh religion and shrines.

Prof Singh said the aim of the convention was propagation of original, rational, wholesome and refreshing Sikhism as preached by the Sikh gurus.

"Our only enemies are superstition, ritualism, scriptures being set up to rival Guru Granth Sahib and the political-clergy nexus trying to subject the Sikhs to spiritual, cultural, economic and political slavery," he said. (PTI)

Jaya takes over as chairperson of UP Film Development Council

LUCKNOW, Oct 24: On the heels of her husband being named the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, cine star Jaya Bachchan today formally took over as chairperson of the UP Film Development Council.

Addressing a media conference here after assuming the charge, Mrs Bachchan assured a better future for the entertainment sector in the state. The post is at par with a cabinet ministerial berth.

She said attempts would be made to host a film festival and a workshop for writers to select "good stories" for films in the state soon.

Admitting her close knit relationship with Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mrs Bachchan said it would help her contribute to the states of her in-laws. "My family is committed to the all round development of Uttar Pradesh", she added.

Jaya said before announcing new guidelines for the council she would study the old film policy and other details. "By December or January I will be able to announce something in this regard," she said.

Interestingly, Mr Amitabh Bachchan is also the member of the UP Development Council.

The star of yesteryears said she would strive to influence producers, actors and members of bollywood fraternity having roots in up to contribute towards their native land.

Refusing to comment on the activities of the Council during the previous regime headed by Union Shipping Minister Shatrughan Sinha, Ms Bachchan quipped she wanted to peep in the future rather than in the past.

"I will not hesitate to adopt good policies by the past committee headed by Mr Sinha," she clarified.

"I have ample free time since there are no shooting schedules and this will enable me to devote full time to the council’s cause," Jaya said adding she would hold regular meeting of the council, at least once a fortnight.

The cine star who made her screen debut in ‘Guddi’, also declined to comment on whether the Council would suggest setting up a fresh film policy in the state.

Jaya suggested the state government should finance students for training at reputed Film institutes in Pune and Kolkata to groom them.

State Chief Secretary A P Singh, who was also present, said the Government would not mind amending the film policy if suggested by the council.(UNI)

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