Excelsior... Nation

Yasmin identifies eleven
Best Bakery accused

MUMBAI, Nov 16: Yasmin Sheikh, the fourth eyewitness in the Best Bakery case and sister-in-law of Prime witness.....more

Ramayana, Mahabharat
for the blind

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: A young devotional singer’s pioneering effort will now enable the blind to read the great Hindu......more

Three-year-old impresses
Kalam with his talent

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: He may be just three years old, but his knowlegde of history and geography can match that of any.....more

Asia major growth
market for nuclear
power: IAEA chief

MUMBAI, Nov 16: Asia has emerged as a strong growth market for nuclear power, International Atomic Energy Agency.....more

Hill council for more
grants on infrastructure

GUWAHATI, Nov 16: The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council have demanded a special thrust on infrastructure......more

Screening test mandatory
for foreign medical
degree holders: SC

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: In a deterrent to medical degree holders from abroad, the Supreme Court today upheld the stand........more

Laxity may lead
to scams

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: An Indian agency for promotion of international law currently hosting a world meet on global.......more

PM should announce
inclusion of Kashmiris
in the talks: Shabir

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah has urged....more

Yasmin identifies eleven Best Bakery accused

MUMBAI, Nov 16: Yasmin Sheikh, the fourth eyewitness in the Best Bakery case and sister-in-law of Prime witness Zaheera Sheikh, today identified in the court eleven accused, saying they were part of the mob that attacked the Best Bakery in Vadodara on March one, 2002.

Attired in a dark coloured salwar kameez with a scarf on her head, Yasmin went around the accused during the identification parade and recognised eleven of them.

She named ten accused but could not remember the name of the last one.

The accused identified by names were Sanjay Ratilal Thakkar, Pankaj Gosai, Jagdeep Chunilal Rajbhar, Samabhai Baria, Shailendra Tadvi, Ravi Rajaram Chavan, Rajubhai Baria, Dinesh Rajbhar, Yasin and Haresh Desai.

Yasmin told the court that there were four other accused who had assaulted their family but they were not present before the court. The four accused were Jayanti Chaiwalla, Mafat, Munna and Rinkoo, she said.

She said that on the ill-fated day, the mob came with swords and bamboo sticks and attacked the Bakery.

The witness said she and her family were in the adjacent house and the crowd bolted the doors from outside. They later asked the inmates to come out.

After they came out, her husband Nafitullah and three others Raju, Poufel and Riyaz were beaten up. She was confined to a room and the crowd threatened to molest her. (PTI)

Three-year-old impresses Kalam with his talent

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: He may be just three years old, but his knowlegde of history and geography can match that of any experienced teacher.

Meet Srijan Shukla, who has wowed celebrities and ordinary people alike with his extraordinary memory and poetry recitation skills.

The latest to join his long list of admirers is none other than President A P J Abdul Kalam.

Srijan, a resident of Lucknow, met Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Children’s Day after the President expressed the desire to talk to him.

"I have met the President ... See, he even presented me a rose," an excited Sujan says.

The President was impressed by his knowledge of capitals, leaders and geographical features of almost all countries of the world, says his mother Sudha Shukla.

It is not just his general knowledge that astounds people but his ability to recite even the toughest of poems, including ‘Madhushala’ of late Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

So impressed was the poet’s son, actor Amitabh Bachchan, with Srijan’s rendition of ‘Madhushala’ that he has asked him to recite it during the centenary celebrations of his father in Lucknow on November 27. The superstar will also be present at the function.

"Amitabh Bachchan wrote to me to say he wanted to meet me," says Srijan, who idolises the superstar.

When actor-turned-social activist Shabana Azmi met Srijan recently, he regaled her with his "computer-like" knowledge, his mother says.

Asked how he gathered all the information and learnt the poems, he says "I watch television and listen to my grandfather reciting the `Ramayana’. I also read Kabir’s `Dohas’ and love poetry."

Sudha says her son gave glimpses of his extraordinary talent when he was just one and a half years old.

"Whatever he heard, he stammered it out. He can remember almost anything if he has heard it even once," she says.

Srijan even sets all poems he hears to his own tunes and sings them. "You can write anything and he will set it to tunes," Sudha says.

The boy has already found a place in the ‘national book of honour’, a compilation on talented persons of India and also been felicitated by the Uttar Pradesh awards board.

Now he is set to enthral audiences around the world.

"After watching him on television, several organisations in Europe and the US have invited him for programmes there," Sudha says.

The youngster says he wants to teach children who are not fortunate enough to study in schools.

"I will teach them in the evening after I come back from school. I will also teach them to recite the `Madhushala’", Srijan says. (PTI)

Asia major growth market for nuclear power: IAEA chief

MUMBAI, Nov 16: Asia has emerged as a strong growth market for nuclear power, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Dr Mohamed Elbaradei has said.

The chief of the Vienna-based international nuclear watchdog said yesterday that by contrast, in western Europe and North America, nuclear construction had been relatively frozen, with the last plant completed being Civaux-2 in France in 1999.

Of the 27 units now under construction worldwide, he said, 19 were located in Asia, while 23 of the 28 reactors were to be connected to grids in the far east and south Asia.

Nine of the 27 units, with a total capacity of 4,460 mega-watts, were in India, he said addressing a gathering of nuclear scientists, technocrats and engineers at a seminar on ‘peaceful uses of nuclear energy: Meeting societal needs’ hosted by the Indian nuclear society.

However, there may be signs of renewed activity in Europe and North America with construction set to start next year on a 1,600 mega-watt pressurised water reactor (epr) nuclear plant in Finland.

France had also announced that it will begin construction in 2007 on a new EPR nuclear plant in Flamanville.

Mr Elbaradei said not every country shared the view that improved economies and safety performance warrant a revival of nuclear power,

This divergence of opinion was to be expected, he noted, as each country and region faced a different set of variables when choosing its energy strategy and such decisions could be made on a ‘one-size-fits-all’ basis.

Dr Elbaradei said a majority of public continued to support nuclear power expansion. In Switzerland, the electorate, by a two-to-one vote, rejected a phase-out of nuclear power.

Europe, received 30 per cent of overall electricity from nuclear power, yet, four western european countries - Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden — had nuclear phase-out policies in place and a large number of other European countries had stated policies against nuclear power.

The IAEA chief also pointed out that nuclear power emits no greenhouse gases. "The complete nuclear power chain, from uranium mining to waste disposal and reactor and facility constructions, emits only two to six grams of carbon per kilowatt-hour. This is about the same as wind and solar power, and well below coal, oil and even natural gas," he said.

Worldwide, if the existing nuclear power plants were shut down and replaced with a mix of non-nuclear sources proportionate to what now exists, the result would be an increase of 600 million tonnes of carbon emmited per year. "This is approximately twice the total amount that we estimate will be avoided by the Kyoto protocol in 2010", he added. (UNI)

Hill council for more grants on infrastructure

GUWAHATI, Nov 16: The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council have demanded a special thrust on infrastructure development to improve the economy and achieve the level of desirable development through sanction of various projects submitted to the Ministry for Development of North Eastern region.

In a memorandum submitted by the Chief Executive Member of Autonomous Council of North Cachar Hills to doner Minister P R Kyndia, the council demanded immediate sanction for 44 projects for infrastructure development which includes construction of additional class rooms for Haflong Government college for Rs 1.15 crore, intensive cattle development project of umrongso for Rs two crore and upgradation of 30 bedded rural hospital of Maibang to 100 bedded sub divisional hospital at a cost of Rs 10.31 crore.

This will result in a great boost to development aspiration of the people of the council and benefit the poor tribal population of the region, the memorandum said.

The council demanded that it should be allowed to submit proposals under non lapsable central pool to doner directly instead of rooting it through the State Planning Department which results in delays.

The council chief also wanted that the allocation under the additive plan which was earlier Rs 51 crore be increased to atleast Rs 100 crore for both the N C Hills and Karbi Anglong district.

The council also demanded through the memorandum that release of funds from the Centre shiould be made directly to the council.

There has been considrable delay in release of Central funds which is rooted through the State Government and thus the centre should explore the option of releasing the fund under special initiatives like integrated Jhumiya Development Programme.

This step will immensely benefit the cause of progress of the district and we request your honour to favourably consider the proposal, the memorandum said. (PTI)

Screening test mandatory for foreign
medical degree holders: SC

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: In a deterrent to medical degree holders from abroad, the Supreme Court today upheld the stand of Medical Council of India (MCI) that they have to clear a screening test before being allowed to practice in India.

A bench comprising Chief Justice R C Lahoti, Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice G P Mathur dismissed a large number of petitions filed by doctors who got their degrees from medical colleges in CIS countries which were part of erstwhile USSR.

Justice Bhan, writing for the bench, said the screening test, in future, would be conducted as per the guidelines approved by the Ministry of Health during a meeting on June 13, 2004.

The petitioners had said that they acquired degrees after clearing many tests during six-year long studies in colleges and they should not be subjected to an additional test for qualifying to practice in India. Nearly, 5,000 students had applied for registration as doctors after passing out from colleges in CIS countries.

Under section 13 of the Medical Council of India Act, any person obtaining a medical degree from a foreign country has to clear the screening test conducted by MCI before being allowed to practice in India.

The court upheld the MCI decision and asked them to hold the screening test in future in consonance with the guidelines approved by the Union Government. (PTI)

Laxity may lead to scams

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: An Indian agency for promotion of international law currently hosting a world meet on global investment and other laws is mired in alleged domestic violations, elected and other members say.

Set up with Government help 45 years ago, the Indian Society of International Law is having a hard time with land lease, registration, taxation, employment, provident fund, foreign hospitality and bar rules— and even municipal fire byelaws.

The violations may appear ‘technical,’— a euphemism for minor—but raise questions about law professionals’ commitment to law, apart from the question: Why?

In June this year, Isil treasurer J S Gill filed a complaint with police that he was assaulted by Isil secretary general C Jayaraj for not endorsing questionable practices and expenses.

Asked about it and alleged "irregularities," the society’s president, Ram Nivas Mirdha, said he was currently preoccupied with the conference and would be available afterwards.

A similar response came from Mr Jayaraj, who added, however, that he had done nothing wrong. "I have not violated any procedures. I have been working as per the directions of the executive council."

Isil’s 2nd international conference scheduled November 14-17 was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh who posed: "What are our collective views on the circumstances that legitimise the use of force?" The reference was in the international context.

The society, located across the street from India’s Supreme Court, was inaugurated in August 1959 by then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru for advancement of international law. Its creation is credited "primarily" to then Defence Minister V K Krishna Menon.

Chief Justice R C Lahoti is its honorary president as per convention and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, its patron. Congress veteran Mirdha has been at its helm for over a decade as president or as executive president.

But members say the society has not fulfilled all basic requirements it ought to under the law— such as updating members’ roll, intimating members about meetings, resolving audit objections, filing balancesheets and audit reports with registrar of societies and observing norms to change byelaws.

Isil governing council member and conference delegate, Prof B C Nirmal of the Law School, Banaras Hindu University, said in a telephone interview, that he had suggested convening the finance committee to sort out the problem.

The treasurer said the Finance Committee and the governing council, without which budget— including conference spending—cannot be authorised, have not met for the purpose. Nor has there been an annual general body meeting this year.

A few months ago, Isil was reminded by the registrar to furnish a list of office bearers, a requirement under the law. "The society has rendered itself liable for action," the registrar’s note said.

The Municipal Corporation notified last year that the society building— on Government allotted land— "is not exempt from payment of property tax" as it derives rent from two ministries—Law and Justice and External Affairs. The matter is in court.

Fire service officials who inspected the premises notified that most firefighting systems in the building were not "maintained" or "functional"— posing hazard to human life and tonnes of Governments litigation files, sources say, are stored in the basement.

"We come into the picture because their failure to take care of violations can jeopardise human lives, not to mention property," delhi fire service chief Rajesh Chandra Sharma says.

Besides assault, Capt gill reported to the police violations involving Isil chequebook— spending through cheques not co-signed by the treasurer as provided in the society’s byelaws and resolution to the bank. Several unauthorisedly signed "blank cheques" were also detected.

The situation was sought to be "regularised" by amending the byelaw without debate or procedure— yet another violation, they say.

In this context, the society’s accountants have also received a show cause notice from the institute of chartered accountant of India.

An official at Tilak Marg police station said the matter was under investigation although no action has been taken.

The society’s executive council some months ago decided to set up an "enquiry committee under the service rules of the Isil" to look into allegations. But nothing has been heard of it since.

The ad hoc-ness at work is having its own effect confusing members.

On July 18, the society requisitioned a special general body meeting to discuss Capt Gill’s complaint with police, seeking action against the treasurer, but failed to muster the quorum.

One member, Dr J C Batra, a senior advocate, who turned up for the meeting, protested to the society president.

Dr Batra questioned Mr Jayaraj’s status as an elected member of the governing council as well as a paid secretary general— a circumstance prohibited under the Isil Constitution, not to mention with possible tax ramifications.

He cautioned against letting the society’s work suffer because of such controversies, especially in view of the conference. Asked whether the society president replied, Dr Batra said, "I hope he must have taken notice of things. But I have received no reply."

As one lawyer occupying a key position in the society put it, "some of these are minor technicalities. Not everyone takes such violations seriously. In a sense, it reflects our general disdain for rule of law."

But as the treasurer put it, "there is nothing trivial about doing the right thing. Why have laws or rules if there is no intention to follow them or comply with them. It’s laxity that leads to scams."

Isil’s conference scheduled November 14-17 was opened by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh who stressed international law to secure order and harmony. The reference was in the global context. (UNI)

PM should announce inclusion of Kashmiris
in the talks: Shabir

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to announce during his visit to the State, beginning tomorrow, that Kashmiris will be involved in any solution to the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan have been talking to each other for the past two years now and a number of Confidence Building Measure (CBMs) have been taken by both to ease the tension. Now it is time that the "true representatives" of the people of the State are involved in the talks between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue, Mr Shah told UNI.

"We can see a change in the Pakistan stand on Kashmir. They too, now want the resolution of the issue by involving the people of the State," he said.

"We expect a similar response from the Indian side," he said. "Let Dr Singh announce here during his two day visit that Kashmiris, Pakistan and India are the parties to the dispute and any solution to the issue will be reached by involving them all," he said.

He stressed that the people of the State are the basic party to the dispute and claimed this had even been acknowledged by various world bodies.

It was time now to give people of the State a say in the talks between the two countries so that a durable and lasting solution is found to the vexed issue which has claimed the lives of thousands of people, he said.

In reply to a question he said, when the dialogue process between India and Pakistan started, we never asked that we should be involved at the first stage. We welcomed the process but demanded our inclusion in the talks at a later stage as without kashmiris nothing could be achieved on this issue.

"Now that stage has come and we want our inclusion in talks. We will definitely contribute to the process," he added.

On the Prime Minister’s announcement about the reduction of troops, he said the proposal was welcome only if the Centre was going to withdraw troops from within the State as reduction only on the borders will hardly make any difference. He even expressed apprehension that troops withdrawn from the borders will be deployed within the State which will make life more difficult for the people.

Mr Shah also brushed aside Government claims that there was improvement on the ground in the Kashmir Valley after India and Pakistan took a number of CBMs to ease the tension in the sub-continent.

"The custodial killings, rape of women and small girls and killings in the fake encounters are going on with nobody ready to control them," Mr Shah said.

He said the recent Handwara, Anantnag and Rajbagh incidents should serve as an eye opener for those who claim that the situation has changed.

Asked if the economic package to be announced by Dr Singh will help make things better in the State, Mr Shah pointed out that such packages were there since 1947.

"The British rulers also gave economic and other packages when they were ruling the sub-continent. That did not make people of India and Pakistan surrender their right to freedom," he said adding such things will not help "silence" the Kashmiris. (UNI)