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100-year-old Gandhian MUMBAI, Oct 27: Hundred-year-old Gandhian from Wardha, Radhakrishna Bajaj, who was sentenced to death after the quit India movement...more Classical
dance, NEW DELHI, Oct 27: In a unique confluence of Moghul architecture and Indian classical dance, the third annual Ananya festival of classical dance ...more Infantry
Day, NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Indian Army today observed ‘Infantry Day’ — the anniversary of the . .....more NCW
writes to police NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Taking strong exception to the alleged delay in registration....more |
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22nd world Congress on NADIAD, GUJARAT, Oct 27: The 22nd world Congress on endourology and Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) would be organised by the city-based......more Falcon
study earns MALAPPURAM, Oct 27: Young Zubair used to spend hours watching the kites wheel about lazily in the sky and ......more Advani
formally NEW DELHI, Oct 27: L K Advani was today formally elected as BJP president by the party’s national council here. .....more Devdasi
system far NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The ‘Devdasi’ system is "far from dead" and to avoid publicity, the dedication ceremonies have......more |
| Unemployed Pachyderms face
elephantine problem in Assam ..... Psycho barrier other factors led to Veerappan’s end STF Chief ...... Unemployed Pachyderms face elephantine problem in Assam ............. |
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100-year-old Gandhian to be given Jamnalal award MUMBAI, Oct 27: Hundred-year-old Gandhian from Wardha, Radhakrishna Bajaj, who was sentenced to death after the quit India movement and later acquitted, will be conferred with the coveted Jamnalal Bajaj award for outstanding contribution in the field of constructive work. The international Jamnalal Bajaj award for promoting Gandhian values outside India, for 2004 will go to Denmark’s eighty-one-year-old Marie Thoeger, who is an ardent admirer and follower of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave. The two other awardees are Prabhakar Shankar Thakur (83) from Pune, who has been given the Jamnalal Bajaj award for application of science and technology for rural development, and Dr Sarojini Vardappan from Chennai for upliftment and welfare of children. She is being presented the award instituted in memory of Jankidevi Bajaj. The awards will be presented on December 9 at the Y B Chavan centre here by Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamkotipeetham, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, Bajaj Auto Ltd vice chairman Madhur Bajaj told a news conference here today. Each of these awards comprises a citation, a trophy and a cash prize of Rs five lakh, and in case of the international award, Rs five lakh or its equivalent in foreign exchange. Radhakrishna Bajaj was born on July 14, 1905 and since the age of 16, he was constantly with Vinobaji and he grew up under his tutelage and direction. He also came in contact with the great leaders of the freedom movement and under their inspiration took part in the non-cooperation movement and the Jaipur Satyagraha. In 1942, he took part in the Quit India movement and was charged with sabotage by the British and was sentenced to death. He was later acquitted. He engaged himself in opening and running spinning and weaving centres and Charka centres. The visionary was responsible for spreading the village industries movement in Wardha district of Maharashtra. He also took part in the Sarvodaya movement. Late Jamnalal Bajaj made him the secretary of Goseva Sangh about 45 years ago. He is also the editor of ‘Gogras’, the monthly mouthpiece of the Goseva Sangh. Marie Thoeger visited India between 1952-53 as a participant in a UNESCO programme and during this trip she also visited Sevagram and the Himalayas. She studied the working of the Khadi and Village Industries. Thereafter her visits to India continued and she also stayed in Ravindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan. She was also deeply involved with the Chipko movement. (UNI) |
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Classical dance, lighting weave magic at Purana Quila NEW DELHI, Oct 27: In a unique confluence of Moghul architecture and Indian classical dance, the third annual Ananya festival of classical dance got off to a colourful start last night in the backdrop of the gaily-lit Purana Quila, one of the heritage monuments in the capital. As Raja and Radha Reddy and their troupe including their two daughters performed four different items during their Kuchipudi recital, the large audience sitting in the pleasant environs of the grounds of the fort was wonder-struck at the effect created by the lighting arrangements on and around the 52-feet wide stage, the dance and the cool ambience. In her brief remarks to the media, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who was the Chief Guest, hailed the unique mingling of classical dance with monuments as it helps to make the citizens proud of their heritage and aware of their duty to keep these silent witnesses to history clean for heredity. Mr Ramesh Negi of Delhi tourism and member of Parliament Sandeep Dikshit were also present on the occasion. The five-day festival is an attempt to bring about a realisation of the need to keep alive traditions that form the heritage of the 5000-year old Indian culture. It has been organized by the tourism ministry, Delhi tourism, and the cultural organization Seher , and is supported by the Union Culture Ministry. Highlighting the vibrancy of contemporary creativity and showcasing artistes who have kept the ancient traditions alive, the festival is using site-specific choreography. It features different dance forms every evening and is dedicated to the memory of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, who died recently, and had performed at the festival last year. Raja and Radha Reddy have given the age-old Kuchipudi dance form new dimensions without impairing traditional poetry or dramatic sensibility. Dr Neena prasad from Thiruvananthapuram, who would performe Mohiniattam with her troupe this evening, stands out for her vivacity and versatility. An Odissi troupe from Kolkata led by Sharmila Biswas would be performing tomorrow. Sharmila’s versality ranges from clasical dance to experimental choreography and she is noted for originality in composition, technique and stage design. On the penultimate day, V P Dhananjayan and troupe from Chennai put on a Bharatnatyam performance. During the last five decades, the Dhananjayans have lent their immense energy and creativity to this ancient dance style. A performance of Kathak by the popular Kumudini Lakhia, who has redefined and rendered the form in very special enduring ways, will provide the grand finale to the extravaganza. According to Mr Sanjeev Bhargava of Seher , who has conceived this festival, "Ananya aims to put into sharp focus the plurality of approaches that contemporary classical dancers embody in their work and is, therefore, a festival of vital creativity and innovation." Entry is free and open to all. The 2000-strong audience on the opening day included children from the Mother Teresa home at Bhogal. To ensure there is no damage to the heritage monuments, cars are being parked at a distance and the enthusiasts are being transported in pollution-free battery buses back and forth throughout the evenings during the events. (UNI) |
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Infantry Day, Commemorating Army’s first major action, celebrated NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The Indian Army today observed ‘Infantry Day’ — the anniversary of the arrival of Indian forces in Srinagar in October 1947 to combat the tribal invasion from across the border. Army Chief Gen N C Vij, himself an infantryman from the Dogra Regiment, laid a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate this morning. He was accompanied by other senior officers representing different infantry regiments, including deputy Chief Lt Gen J B S Yadava (XI Gorkha Rifles), Western Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) Lt Gen J J Singh, Northern Command GoC-in-C Lt Gen Hari Prasad, Training Command GoC-in-C Lt Gen K Nagaraj (all from Maratha light infantry) Director General Military operations Lt Gen A S Bahia (Naga ragiment), Director General Military Intelligence Lt Gen Richard Khare and NCC DG Lt Gen M C Bhandari (Garhwal Rifles). Director General Infantry Lt Gen Madan Gopal was also present. A large number of retired officers, such as Maj Gen U C Dube of the Dogras, who was commissioned in the 1930s, also placed wreaths on the monuement. The infantry regiments of the Indian Army are among the most decorated and battle-hardened throughout out the world. They have won 17 Param Vir Chakras, 37 Ashok Chakras, 171 Mahavir Chakras and 176 Kirti Chakras so far. Barely two months after Independence, they jumped into action to save J&K and its people from the tribal invasion, instigated by Pakistan. In 1947, the Maharaja of Kashmir, procrastinating in the dilemma of choosing between remaining an Independent state or joining the dominion of India or Pakistan, found himself in a precarious situation in the wake of Independence. Pakistan, staking claim on Kashmir, exploited the vulnerable situation by launching an attack with the help of a force of NWFP tribesmen, led by regular officers of the Pakistan Army, on October 18, 1947. By October 26, the situation turned grave as the raiders advanced along the Uri-Baramulla-Srinagar road. Much devastation had been caused Baramulla was overcome and the enemy was within 50 kilometres from Srinagar when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the instrument of accession to India that day and requested urgent military assistance. Responding to his plea, the battalion headquarters and a company plus of the first battalion of the Sikh regiment, hastily mustered from internal security duties in Gurgaon, were flown in to Srinagar by 0500 hours on October 27, 1947. Led by Lt Col Ranjit Rai, who was later killed in action, these soldiers fended off the raiders on the approaches to Srinagar. Their gallant action reversed the tide of the battle. A detachment of the Kumaon regiment, led by Major Somnath Sharma, arrived to Bolster the initial force. The Kumaonis fought a major action against a large tribal force moving to capture Srinagar airport. They defeated the invaders and helped to safeguard the airport, though Major Sharma was killed in action. He was later conferred India’s highest Gallantry Award — the Param Vir Chakra — for the defence of Srinagar. The interpid actions of these handful of valiant infantrymen helped to save Kashmir and keep it part of Independent India. (UNI) NCW writes to police on blind girl kept waiting to file report NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Taking strong exception to the alleged delay in registration of a blind girl’s rape complaint by police as they were "busy" with the Prime Minister’s security, the National Commission for Women (NCW) today asked Delhi police to probe the matter and ensure that citizens can file complaints unhindered by VIP security. "The police should have by now found a way of reconciling the needs of VIP security with the rights of the ordinary citizens," NCW Chairperson Poornima Advani wrote to Delhi’s Police Commissioner K K Paul taking suo-motu cognisance of the front page report in a national daily today. "It is ironic that citizens, not to mention the hapless parents of an outraged teenager, should feel neglected when the highest of the land are in their vicinity. This is the proverbial darkness under the lamp," Advani said. She noted that a solution could be to direct the citizens to approach another nearby police station outside the VIP security net. "But that also begs a question as can be seen from the equally disturbing statement in the same report about jurisdictional squabbles between local police stations." "I have to urge you to investigate the matter fully and put in place a fool-proof arrangement for a hassle-free system of receiving complaints at police stations, particularly in cases of crimes against women," she said. A 13-year-old blind schoolgirl was reportedly kept waiting at a police station for over four hours soon after she was allegedly raped and police said they were busy with the security arrangements for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to a wedding. (PTI) |
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Devdasi system far from dead: NHRC report NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The ‘Devdasi’ system is "far from dead" and to avoid publicity, the dedication ceremonies have shifted from the main temples to the house of priests or smaller temples, according to a recently-released report commissioned by NHRC. "Girls belonging to low caste continue to be dedicated by innocent and vulnerable parents with the connivance of priests," states the report on prevention of atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. With no publicity or fanfare, the dedication ceremonies are being carried out in the houses of priests or smaller temples, it says. "The Devdasi system is also helped to continue due to the extreme poverty of Scheduled Caste families who, under compulsion of circumstances when even religious begging does not bring enough income to have sustenance, allow this practice as a means of getting some income or gifts," says the study. The practice of "divine prostitution" continues and has become even more commercialised but the laws banning the practice have several loopholes due to which it is difficult to take legal action against the offenders, it says. "It has been reported that not a single case has been booked under the Karnataka Devdasis Prohibition Act against priests despite many complaints and admonitions to that effect," says the study prepared by retired bureaucrat K B Saxena. "The cases of Devdasis being pushed into brothels need to be thoroughly investigated by a specially constituted team of police officers supported by social activists to break the Nexus between traffickers and priests," says the report. Implementation of law against the tradition as well as rehabilitation of liberated devdasis in various states have been unsatisfactory. "The police does not have power to act suo-motu under the act," the report says, also noting that the victims do not come forward to complain. Expressing concern over the poor rehabilitation of the liberated Devdasis, the report says that most of them have neither land nor house and they work as daily wage labourers at very low wages. There is also very little done by way of creating awareness and self-confidence among them and majority of the Devdasis are not aware of the facilities they can avail of. Commenting that there is lack of political commitment to enforce even the existing law and implement the rehabilitation programmes, the report says "it seems necessary that the Central Government adopts a proactive approach in eliminating this practice and rehabilitating women released from this sexual bondage." (PTI) |
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Unemployed Pachyderms face elephantine problem in Assam MANAS, ASSAM, Oct 27: Hordes of elephants have taken to begging following the ban on felling of trees in the north east. Classified as domesticated wild , more than 1,000 unemployed elephants currently abound in the forests of Assam and have become a major source of worry for the owners and forest officials. As the timber is cut deep inside the forest, these elephants are the only mode of transport to a motorable road. Elephant expert Parbati Barua says, this is a very big problem. We do not know what to do with these elephants. We cannot afford to have an elephant which needs not less than Rs 10,000 of expenditure per month, including medication.This is not possible for ninety per cent of the owners. There are about 1,200 domesticated elephants in Assam and two hundred of them are employed by Government or railway authorities but others do not have any work. Most of these elephants are used for movement of timber. A small number among them have been forced to take to street begging and a largre portion have been released in the forests and most others are waiting to be employed. The owners are still keeping these tuskers due to family pride and pure love for the animals, which have served them for decades. Now with their strong trunk these elephants beg for food and money on the crowded streets "people allow the elephants to walk through the towns and crowded streets and offer food and money to them" a local said. "This is the principal earning of the elephant. In fact in barpeta road when the owner died unnaturally, the Mahut kept himself and the elephant alive only through begging in the streets of Barpeta road, howly and Barpeta" said Dr R C Bhattacharjee, additional Director, Manas Tiger Reserve. "I have five elephants. Since 1996 there have been no work. Fortunately we have business to feed the elephants but I salute those owners, who are still keeping the elephants despite having no work. For most it is of sentimental value along with family pride," said Mr Dudul Chaudhury, the only expert in this part of the country on "Mela Chkikar" or elephant catcher. "Family pride is the most important thing and most of the elephants are with the private owners for that only," said Mr Mohan Chandra Malakar, Chief Conservator of Forest, Assam. He pointed out that because of no income, the mahut and his assistant’s ability to keep the elephant in proper condition has come down, which had resulted in many health problems of the elephants. "Because of that we have opened the country’s first Mahut training school in Manas where we handle 15-20 Mahuts in one batch," said Mr Malakar, insisting that Assam must lead the world as well as whole of Asia in the domestic elephant’s field. Brainchild of Mrs Parabati Barua, this institute provides advanced training of elephant up-keeping as well as on possible employment opportunities. The option of employing elephants through numerous temples had already been discussed. "This is not a practical idea because unlike Kerala, we do not have a tradition of having elephants in the temples. I think tourism is the key to it," said Mrs Barua. Till a proper solution was found, there is no future for the 1,000 odd full grown elephants and the 800 owners. (UNI) Psycho barrier other factors led to Veerappan’s end STF Chief BANGALORE, Oct 27: Joint Special Task Force Chief K Vijayakumar today said that the mounting psychological barrier to flush out forest brigand Veerappan from the male Mahadeshwara hills and preparedness of the STF men led to the elimination of a criminal who had that held the society to ransom for decades. Interacting with newspersons after a breakfast meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh at his residence, Mr Vijayakumar said ‘it (the end of Veerappan) happened much faster than I anticipated. I thought he will come out of the vehicle (ambulance) but he did not. In fact, I could not believe it for a moment when I came to know about it. I went on asking my SP whether it was Veerappan again and again because Veerappan had moulded himself into such a character that it was difficult to believe immediately." Replying to a volley of questions, he said he would have liked Veerappan to be caught alive. Recalling the incident, he said STF men,from their very well occupied positions at vantage points and mobile bunkers, surrounded had surrounded the brigand within seconds and asked him to surrender and it was clearly audible to him. But he committed a mistake and resorted to firing which was returned answering a question, he said he could not exactly say about the fatal shot as there were multiple shots. Besides, Veerappan bore a number of bullet marks on his person and only three or four shots were visible to the people, he explained. Replying to another question, Mr Vijaykumar said the operation Cocoon was intensified from mid July through an effective coordination between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka STF. He said the road to success came when they got hints that Veerappan stooped to any level to get fresh recruits following his eye problem. Without going into much details, he said the STF kept watch on doctors and paramedical staff in the nearby areas who could possibly help the brigand if he came to them for treatment. " Strong foundation laid by my seniors, coordination and ability to penetrate at any point of time led to the success. I always laid stress on stf men to give importance to scenario envisioning and be prepared for mad minute operations," he recalled. He referred to the opposition by the human rights activists on the killing of Veerappan and said any well meaning human right activist would not do anything wrong. The number of those innocent people killed by Veerappan had exceeded 124 including some bodies which could not be identified, he recalled. Asked to comment on the reaction of Veerappan’s wife Muthulakshmi he said he did not want to attach much importance to her statement as she was a bereaved woman. On some extremist groups using Veerappan, he recalled the statement of Maran who had said that the brigand was used for spreading the ideology. However, some groups did not succeed in meeting him later, he added. On the demand from some quarters including Muthulakshmi that the body should be exumed and an inquiry be held into the death of Veerappan, Mr Vijayakumar said he had no objection if the area magistrate decided about it. Asked whether there would be a backlash from extremist groups, Mr Vijayakumar said the STF was ready to face such consequences. Now that the hard core was gone there might be some erstwhile supporters who might try to oppose. But such developments could be effectively tackled at local levels, he felt. He said Veerappan was opposed to use of electronic gadgets including use of cell phones as it would lead the police to his hideout. Another signal equipment used by him to track the movement of STF was not working for some time and he was kept in darkness as STF used different codes during the operation. He declined to comment on the cash reward announced by the two State Governments merely saying that his Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had taken a sagacious decision. He did not comment on whether the families affected by the brigand should also be given cash compensation saying that it was not his jurisdiction. " My mandate is over and I am awaiting further orders from the Government," was all he could say. Earlier, Mr Dharam Singh and deputy Chief Minister Siddaramiah lauded the efforts of STF in ending Veerappan menace and said the STF men led by Mr Vijay Kumar and Mr Jyotiprakash Mirji brought laurals to the country. (UNI) Unemployed Pachyderms face elephantine problem in Assam MANAS, ASSAM, Oct 27: Hordes of elephants have taken to begging following the ban on felling of trees in the north east. Classified as domesticated wild , more than 1,000 unemployed elephants currently abound in the forests of Assam and have become a major source of worry for the owners and forest officials. As the timber is cut deep inside the forest, these elephants are the only mode of transport to a motorable road. Elephant expert Parbati Barua says, this is a very big problem. We do not know what to do with these elephants. We cannot afford to have an elephant which needs not less than Rs 10,000 of expenditure per month, including medication.This is not possible for ninety per cent of the owners. There are about 1,200 domesticated elephants in Assam and two hundred of them are employed by Government or railway authorities but others do not have any work. Most of these elephants are used for movement of timber. A small number among them have been forced to take to street begging and a largre portion have been released in the forests and most others are waiting to be employed. The owners are still keeping these tuskers due to family pride and pure love for the animals, which have served them for decades. Now with their strong trunk these elephants beg for food and money on the crowded streets "people allow the elephants to walk through the towns and crowded streets and offer food and money to them" a local said. "This is the principal earning of the elephant. In fact in barpeta road when the owner died unnaturally, the Mahut kept himself and the elephant alive only through begging in the streets of Barpeta road, howly and Barpeta" said Dr R C Bhattacharjee, additional Director, Manas Tiger Reserve. "I have five elephants. Since 1996 there have been no work. Fortunately we have business to feed the elephants but I salute those owners, who are still keeping the elephants despite having no work. For most it is of sentimental value along with family pride," said Mr Dudul Chaudhury, the only expert in this part of the country on "Mela Chkikar" or elephant catcher. "Family pride is the most important thing and most of the elephants are with the private owners for that only," said Mr Mohan Chandra Malakar, Chief Conservator of Forest, Assam. He pointed out that because of no income, the mahut and his assistant’s ability to keep the elephant in proper condition has come down, which had resulted in many health problems of the elephants. "Because of that we have opened the country’s first Mahut training school in Manas where we handle 15-20 Mahuts in one batch," said Mr Malakar, insisting that Assam must lead the world as well as whole of Asia in the domestic elephant’s field. Brainchild of Mrs Parabati Barua, this institute provides advanced training of elephant up-keeping as well as on possible employment opportunities. The option of employing elephants through numerous temples had already been discussed. "This is not a practical idea because unlike Kerala, we do not have a tradition of having elephants in the temples. I think tourism is the key to it," said Mrs Barua. Till a proper solution was found, there is no future for the 1,000 odd full grown elephants and the 800 owners. (UNI)
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