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Andhra will undergo total transformation in 5 years: YSR HYDERABAD, Nov 10: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today declared that the . .....more Ash,
Sush, Shahrukh, NEW DELHI, Nov 10: King Khan Shahrukh and queen of hearts Aishwarya Rai were chosen the celebrity models .....more HC tells Gujarat Govt to declare stand on Teesta’s petition MUMBAI, Nov 10: Directing the Gujarat Government to declare its stand, Bombay HC today deferred to November. ....more Ponchos, shimmer LUCKNOW, Nov 10: For those who wish to look hip this Diwali, ‘Ponchos’ are cool and shimmering make up chic. .....more |
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BHOPAL, Nov 10: BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur welcomed the suspension of party .....more Goa gearing up to make IFFI 2004 a success PANAJI, Nov 10: Goa is working round-the-clock to host the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in ......more Kangla fort in Manipur may be handed over to State Govt NEW DELHI, Nov 10: The historic Kangla Fort, which has been the bone of contention between Manipur people and .....more PM rejects Advani’s criticism on talks with Naxalites ON BOARD PM’s SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, Nov 10: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today rejected BJP president......more |
| PM rejects Advani’s criticism
on talks with Naxalites ...... Jaya for restructuring police training to deal with cyber crimes ........ |
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Andhra will undergo total transformation in 5 years: YSR HYDERABAD, Nov 10: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today declared that the agriculture scenario in the state would undergo a "total transformation" as additional 65 lakh acres would be provided irrigation after the completion of all the projects within five years. After formally inaugurating a national seminar on ‘free power to farmers’, he said during the past 150 years, irrigation potential of only 70 lakh acres was created and his Government was adding a matching potential just in five years. This would also facilitate reduction in farmers’ dependence on wells and reduce the need for free power. "Even of the 70 lakh acres that had irrigation, only 35 lakh acres are getting dependable irrigation, thanks to the projects upstream in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Krishna is a very harassed river. Fortunately, we have the river Godavari. We want to harness at least 700 tmcft of the water that is going waste and divert it into the Krishna. This will totally transform the state," Dr Reddy added. Giving reasons for the farmers’ suicides, he said agriculture was badly neglected during the past ten years. Farm sector on which 65 per cent of the work force depended, had a capital formation of only Rs 1,382 crore against the total capital formation of the state of Rs 14,946 crore between 1994 and 2004. "This is the reason for the agriculture crisis. This is the reason for farmers’ suicides" he stressed. The seminar is organised jointly by the Ministry of Power and the Energy and Resources Institute at the Marri Chenna Reddy institute of Human Resource Development. The Chief Minister said the share of agriculture in the GSDP that was 24.62 per cent in 1993-94, had come down to 13.13 per cent in 2002-03, clearly illustrating the reason for the woes of farmers. He pointed out that West Bengal, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana which produced 100 million tonnes of foodgrains had only 18 lakh pump sets, while Andhra Pradesh that produced only 14 million tonnes of foodgrains had 23.5 lakh pumpsets. Stating that his Government’s decision to provide free power to the farmers had resulted in a public debate, Dr Reddy reaffirmed that it was committed to implement its poll promise. "Please do not think that our farmers strech their palms for alms. They never ask for any thing free. But this is an extra-ordinary situation created by five years of continuous drought and total neglect of the agriculture sector," he told representatives of electricity boards of different states, participating in the workshop. Dr Reddy, however, asserted that it did not mean his Government would tolerate pilferage of power by undeserving people "with the connivance of electricity personnel". The Government had provided free power to 23.5 lakh farmers that had agriculture connections on the day Congress came to power, he said and alleged that the opposition had encouraged illegal connections. This led to additional 3.5 lakh connections within one month, making the officers of transco scream hoarse. Earlier, Power Ministry Secretary R V Shahi, in his presidential address, implored the states to step up their power generation to meet the ever increasing needs. The nation was yet to reach the 114 million mw mark to ensure 580 units of power per head per year. "Still, several rural households do not have electricity. Power is an important input for rural development. We have to cater to the needs of these sections," he said. Assuring states that the Centre, which was meeting 35 per cent of their power needs, was willing to hike it up to 50 per cent, he said states would have to meet the rest from their own sources. "Maharashtra needs 1,000 mw additional generating capacity every year. Andhra Pradesh’s power system did not collapse despite free power because we have given it power from all possible sources and the state can also supplement through its own generating units", he said. (UNI) |
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Ash, Sush, Shahrukh, Arjun emerge fashion icons NEW DELHI, Nov 10: King Khan Shahrukh and queen of hearts Aishwarya Rai were chosen the celebrity models of the year while handsome hunk Arjun Rampal and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen emerged as fashion icons at the first ever F awards. While Aishwarya and Shah Rukh bagged the awards in the people’s choice category, Sushmita and Arjun received the most fashionable film star of the year awards. The awards, honouring excellence in Indian fashion, also felicitated the Grande Dame of Indian fashion Ritu Kumar for her outstanding contribution to the Indian fashion industry. She also received the award for the designer for promoting Indian craft and technique, a release here said. The awards, touted as ‘for the industry, by the industry’, were presented at a dazzling function in Mumbai recently and saw the glitterati from the fashion and film industry in attendence including filmstars Feroz Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Tusshar Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, pop Diva Emma Burton, designers Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Abu Jani, models Shawar Ali, Muzzamil Ali, Nina Manuel, Vidisha Pavate, Joey Mathews and Upen Patel. Sports stars Shoaib Akhtar and Zaheer Khan also put in an appearance. Zayed Khan and Pooja Jamwal captivated the audience with their spectacular performance on a medley of Bollywood songs and the famous Hollywood musical ‘Grease’. Celina Jaitley set hearts racing as she jived to the popular tunes by Madonna and Britney spears, while Asian band strings mesmerised listeners with their soulful music. Rajesh Pratap Singh won the award for the Menswear designer of the year, Prjt while Manish Arora bagged the award for womenswear designer of the year, in the same category. In the couture category, the award for the Menswear designer of the year was won by Rohit Bal while the womenswear designer of the year went to Tarun Tahiliani. Varun Bahl was named the dibutante designer of the year. The models of the year - Ramp award went to the gorgeous Nina Manuel and Upen Patel, who also bagged the fresh face of the year award. Sonalika Sahay was judged the fresh face of the year in the female category. Raman Lamba and Sheetal Malhar were chosen model of the year for commercial assignment in the male and female categories. Designer J J Vallaya showcased his rich collection, created especially for the show, which also presented creations by dibutante designers Anjali Kalia, Varun Bahl and Surily Goel. The 13 member Advisory Board for the Awards comprised leading members of the fashion industry — designers Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, models Aditi Govitrikar, John Abraham, Mehr Jesia-Rampal, fashion photographer Askok Salian, fashion stylist Mohan Neelakanthan, Ad Man Piyush Pandey, celebrated journalist Meher Castellino, Asha Baxi, Dean, NIFT, Kishore Biyani, CEO of Pantaloon and Gautam Singhania, MD and chairman, Raymond. A voting panel of 150 members represented the Indian fashion industry, including designers, models, stylists, AD filmmakers, make-up artists, retailers, fashion photographers and fashion journalists. They decided the winners by casting in their votes, making the F awards the first of its kind awards ceremony for the fashion industry, by the fashion industry. The F awards aim at establishing a credible system in acknowledging the achievements of the Indian fashion industry, and the people playing behind the ‘export of Indian fashion to the world’. Among the other awardees were Anahita Shroff- stylist of the year, Aparna Behl and Tanya Lefevbre - fashion choreographer of the year, Cory Walia - make-up artist of the year, Vinod Nair - fashion journalist of the year, Prabuddha Dasgupta - fashion photographer of the year, be - retailer of the year, Fab India - retail brand of the year and l’officiale - fashion magazine of the year. (UNI) |
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HC tells Gujarat Govt to declare stand on Teesta’s petition MUMBAI, Nov 10: Directing the Gujarat Government to declare its stand, Bombay HC today deferred to November 23 an anticipatory bail petition filed by social workers Teesta Setalvad and rais khan following allegations levelled against them by key witness in the Best Bakery case, Zaheera Shaikh. Hearing their plea, Justice R S Mohite of the High Court asked the Gujarat Government to file an affidavit declaring its stand on November 23 as it has been named a respondent. Setalvad and Khan feared arrest as Zaheera had filed an affidavit on November 3 before Vadodara collector alleging that she was forced to come to Mumbai at the behest of Teesta, kept in confinement, made to sign documents and pressurised to falsely depose before the Mumbai Court in the Bakery case. In a related development, the Judge restrained Zaheera and her family from repeating such allegations against Teesta and Rais and advised them to file affidavit on November 23 if they wanted to make any further statements against the duo. Gujarat Government’s lawyer appeared before the court and said that no FIR had been filed against Teesta and Rais so far. To a query by the court whether Gujarat Government intended to file FIR against Teesta and Rais on Zaheera’s allegations, the lawyer sought time on the ground that he would seek instructions from the state. Teesta is the general secretary of citizens for justice and peace, an NGO which supported Zaheera earlier in her legal battle as a result of which Supreme Court ordered re-trial of the Best Bakery case in Mumbai. The petitioners said they feared arrest as Zaheera had alleged that she and her family were "abducted" by Rais and kept against their wishes in a hotel in Mumbai for few days and later at Teesta’s house for a month, besides being forced to sign documents and give "false evidence" in a Mumbai court. Their counsel Satish Maneshinde and Sayaji Nangre said that Teesta and Rais were informed that Gujarat Police is looking into these allegations as Zaheera’s affidavit has also been filed with Commissioner of Police in Vadodara. Denying the allegations, the petitioners said they were not involved in abducting Zaheera and family or keeping them in wrongful confinement and issuing threats. On the contrary, they have supported Zaheera because of which the Apex Court ordered re-trial of the Best Bakery case in Maharashtra. (PTI) Ponchos, shimmer dominate fashion this Diwali LUCKNOW, Nov 10: For those who wish to look hip this Diwali, ‘Ponchos’ are cool and shimmering make up chic. A look at the festive fashion in the city of Nawabs, showed that the people are experimenting the Indo-western style outfits to look fashionable as well as traditional. Lifestyle showrooms and popular women’s wear outlets are swearing by ‘Ponchos’ and selling them like hot cakes among teenagers and women in their 20s. Chander Jashnani, who runs the modern silk house in the Posh Hazratganj area of the state capital told UNI that the Diwali season, coupled with Eid and the wedding season, ‘Ponchos’ (loose frilly dress inspired from the south American traditional cloak) is the look of the season. He said, "the mindset of the people is changing as they want specific dress for every occasion and the same stands for Diwali or Eid. Though this is our biggest sale season every year, this year the hype is on the Ponchos with a lot of glittering sequence and Zardozi work." Aditya, who owns cubes said young girls were buying ponchos which not only gave them a chic look during Diwali, but was also an ideal party-wear for their age. ‘Ponchos’ were given a traditional-modern look with the latest ‘barbie lipstick’, nail paints and eyeliners in glittering shades. Make up experts said it was the shimmer look with gold and copper tinge which women were preferring. Even saloons and make up clinics in town were registering bulk advance bookings for the ‘special Diwali makeup’. "Our clintele has already gone up by 70 per cent and we have a lot of gilttering makeups lined up for the Diwali day. People are now really showing interest in presenting the right mood through makeup which is sort of an encouragement for us," a makeup clinic manager said. Leading fashion designer from Lucknow Asma Husein is busy on her assignment of Indo-western style and wrap-around lehengas and skirts for Diwali and Eid. "Though the consciousness about specific wear for the festivals is still more in metropolitan cities rather than here, we have got a lot of customers who are demanding brightly coloured outfits with Zardozi, Mukaish and other embroideries for the slim Indo-western look," Ms Husein said. Even the noted brands for men’s wear are displaying a generous work of Zardozi, gold and silver thread on ‘sherwanis’, ‘achkans’ and skirts with the trousseau in unusual cuts to make it look different from the traditional ethnic wear. Shopkeepers are looking foward to a bumper sale of fashionable garments and accessories with the festive mood in full swing and the lucrative discounts being offered to attract more buyers. (UNI) |
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PM rejects Advani’s criticism on talks with Naxalites ON BOARD PM’s SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, Nov 10: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today rejected BJP president L K Advani’s criticism over talks with Naxalites and said the decision on the dialogue was taken after discussions with Chief Ministers of States affected by Left wing extremism. "I do not not accept Advani’s criticism of the talks (between the Congress-led Government in Andhra Pradesh and the Naxalites). After all they are our people and the attempt is to bring them back to the mainstream," Singh told reporters accompanying him on his visit to the Hague. The leader of opposition had criticised the talks saying the left wing militants would utilise the opportunity to strengthen themselves and that the problem was not not just confined to Andhra Pradesh but was spread over several states. Suggesting that it was not a unilateral decision of the Congress Government to engage the Naxalites, the Prime Minister said the Union Home Minister went to Hyderabad and spoke to the Chief Ministers (of the states affected by Naxalite violence) and only then the decision was taken. Asked about apprehensions over Naxalites arming themselves, he said the Andhra Pradesh Government has made it clear that they cannot go around with arms during the period of negotiations. Asked about the "restlessness" in Telengana Rashtra Samithi over the separate state demand and what solution the Centre had in mind, Singh said the Government would go by what was promised in the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA. He did not not agree with a questioner who asked him whether Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s reported statement that Hurriyat Conference was under Pakistan’s pressure meant that the Centre was abandoning the peace process. "No. We have said that we are prepared to talk to anyone who is ready to abjure arms and talk," Singh said. To a question on the situation in Manipur, he expressed confidence that the problem would be solved. He dismissed critisicm on the Delhi Government’s decision to regularise some unauthorised industries in residential areas. It should not not be seen as a mere law and order problem but a social issue, he said when a reporter suggested that the decisions like the one taken by the Delhi Government gave an impression that there was no rule of law in the country. Asked whether his commitment to a forum of investors in the Hague that tariff levels in India would be brought down to ASEAN levels related to only customs duties, Singh indicated it could be in a wider context. Asked as to what single project or a scheme that he would like to be hailed for in the same way his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee was referred to for the golden quadrilateral highway project, Singh said his priority was health and education. (PTI) |
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PM rejects Advani’s criticism on talks with Naxalites ON BOARD PM’s SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, Nov 10: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today rejected BJP president L K Advani’s criticism over talks with Naxalites and said the decision on the dialogue was taken after discussions with Chief Ministers of States affected by Left wing extremism. "I do not not accept Advani’s criticism of the talks (between the Congress-led Government in Andhra Pradesh and the Naxalites). After all they are our people and the attempt is to bring them back to the mainstream," Singh told reporters accompanying him on his visit to the Hague. The leader of opposition had criticised the talks saying the left wing militants would utilise the opportunity to strengthen themselves and that the problem was not not just confined to Andhra Pradesh but was spread over several states. Suggesting that it was not a unilateral decision of the Congress Government to engage the Naxalites, the Prime Minister said the Union Home Minister went to Hyderabad and spoke to the Chief Ministers (of the states affected by Naxalite violence) and only then the decision was taken. Asked about apprehensions over Naxalites arming themselves, he said the Andhra Pradesh Government has made it clear that they cannot go around with arms during the period of negotiations. Asked about the "restlessness" in Telengana Rashtra Samithi over the separate state demand and what solution the Centre had in mind, Singh said the Government would go by what was promised in the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA. He did not not agree with a questioner who asked him whether Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s reported statement that Hurriyat Conference was under Pakistan’s pressure meant that the Centre was abandoning the peace process. "No. We have said that we are prepared to talk to anyone who is ready to abjure arms and talk," Singh said. To a question on the situation in Manipur, he expressed confidence that the problem would be solved. He dismissed critisicm on the Delhi Government’s decision to regularise some unauthorised industries in residential areas. It should not not be seen as a mere law and order problem but a social issue, he said when a reporter suggested that the decisions like the one taken by the Delhi Government gave an impression that there was no rule of law in the country. Asked whether his commitment to a forum of investors in the Hague that tariff levels in India would be brought down to ASEAN levels related to only customs duties, Singh indicated it could be in a wider context. Asked as to what single project or a scheme that he would like to be hailed for in the same way his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee was referred to for the golden quadrilateral highway project, Singh said his priority was health and education. (PTI) Jaya for restructuring police training to deal with cyber crimes CHENNAI, Nov 10: Asserting that the perfect maintenance of law and order was the bedrock to make Tamil Nadu the numero Uno state in the country in all spheres, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said the preservation of public order had become a very complex problem as the IT revolution had spawned a new virus of cyber crimes. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for a new office complex of the DGP at Taramani, an ultra-modern police academy to come up at Oonamancheri near Suburban Vandalur and various others projects here, she said crime and criminality were becoming extremely sophisticated with the advent of it. The new challenges before the police were those of terrorism, fundamentalism, remote controlled bomb explosions, organised crimes and drug mafias. "With the it revolution spawning a new virus of cyber crimes, new strategies coupled with a completely re-structured training programme alone can prepare the police to deal with such problems," she added. Stating that the new police academy, which would be coming up at a sprawling 132.92 acre area at a cost of Rs 48 crore, would become a premier training institution in the country catering to multi-farious requirements, she said the academy should design and implement multi-layered training modules not only for new recruits but also for officers to prepare them to meet the new challenges of modern policing. Right from its very inception, the academy, with its elegant and utilitarian design, should focus on the highest level of physical fitness, capacity building in terms of computer training, bomb disposal, handling of sophisticated arms, special operations, crisis management and negotiation skills for officers apart from programmes to manage stress, she opined. Asserting that no progress could be achieved if maintenance of law and order was not guaranteed, Ms Jayalalithaa reiterated her Government’s commitment to make adequate financial provisions for infrastructure to make the state police a thoroughly professional and effective one, capable of making Tamil Nadu a haven of peace and prosperity. "I have always been totally uncompromising in making Tamil Nadu a haven of peace and tranquility. It has been achieved by meticulous planning and an indomitable will that has backed the efforts of the police in keeping at bay all anti-social, extremist and fundamentalist forces that try to disrupt peace or breach public order," she added. Ms Jayalalithaa said her Government had systematically planned the modernisation of the State Police by generous budgetary support to improve communications and mobility, arms, equipment, buildings and training. Listing out various measures taken by the Government, she said modernisation of the police force was more than just the provision of more funds or new technology. Observing that the term "policeman" epitomised the role as the guardian of law and protector of the people, the Chief Minister said the police must combine valour and toughness with sympathy and consideration. She said her Government, after assuming office in May 2001, had sanctioned Rs 514.54 crore towards buildings, equipment, weapons, training as well as housing for the police. "Such budgetary support is unprecedented in the history of the Tamil Nadu police." (UNI) Dollops of ‘cracker’ sweets this Diwali LUCKNOW, Nov 10: While the Diwali fire-crackers would again pierce the sky, bursting into chromatic lights with a bang, a new range of noise-free and ‘sugary’ crackers wait to tickle taste-buds of revellers. This Diwali, some sweetmeat shops in the state capital are offering sweets that are in the shape of fire-crakers complete with labels and pacakging. "Going by increasing noise and air pollution and call by NGOs to stay clear off fire-crackers, we decided to give the public a taste of crackers which is zero pollution and gives maximum satisfaction to their palates," said V P Gupta, owner of Radhey sweet. Besides, against the transient excitement of crackers that vanishes with smoke and noise, the sweetness of ‘our crackers’ will remain for a longer time, he added. With prices starting from Rs 500/kg depending on the amount of dry-fruits and fragranace of ‘Jafran’ used in making, the demand for this unique variety of sweets has picked up significantly. Every Diwali we’ve offered a new experiment said Mr Gupta adding during 2002, it was the ‘Lotus’ sweet priced at Rs 1100/kg that became the mainstay, while last year the specially fashioned sweetmeat resembling fruits kept the cash registers ringing. The ‘cracker sweets’ not only holds a promise of appeasing the palates, but conform to the health interests of people. "The use of dry fruits has made the offering crisp and moderate sweet, said Mr Gupta. Parampara sweets proprietor Krishna Gupta observed the growing aversion of people towards excessive sugar content in sweets prompted him to offer a special range of dry-fruit based wares, with a prices ranging from Rs 150/kg. The use of dry fruits has not been reserved to traditional sweets like burfi and ladoos, but has also donned a new Avtaar, in the form of caramals prepared from the ever energising almond, he added. The innovative mindset was also reflected in the add-ons benefits in the form of attractive and value-added packing being given to the sweets. The packings included sweet cases resembling photo-albums, books, and trays. Besides hanging containers coated with gold,silver and copper foils had also been introduced, which can easily be used by the customers for variety of storage long after the sweets were consumed. (UNI) Dalai Lama says it can broaden Chinese vision DHARAMSALA, Nov 10: The Dalai Lama has said that information technology has far-reaching potential to help the Chinese understand the Tibetan people better and appreciate Tibetans’ religion, culture and way of life. "The people’s Republic of China is making tremendous progress in both information technology and economic development. If these developments are to have a widespread positive impact on society and are to benefit everyone living within the people’s republic it is essential to try to anticipate their potential effects and to create an appropriately receptive environment in which they may flourish," said the Dalai Lama yesterday in a message at an international symposium on ethnic relations during the information age. He urged the people working in the field of information technology in China and wherever Chinese is read and spoken to devote time and space to revealing the reality of Tibet today, to understanding the tibetan people s just aspirations and to creating a better awareness of the situation. Over 50 participants, including Tibetans, Chinese, Mongolian, Taiwanese and Americans took part in the three-day symposium jointly held by the east Asia study center of Trinity college, foundation for China in the 21st century, and the international campaign for Tibet. They discussed the role played by the information age, specifically the internet, in determining the relations between Chinese, Tibetan and other people. The objectives highlighted were the promotion of cultural exchange, increasing mutual understanding, and building friendship. This series of conferences touching on ethnic relations have so far been held in 2000, 2001, and 2002 in cooperation with academic organizations such as harvard university and tufts university. (UNI) |
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