Pop goes the chicken and out comes the cell

PATNA, Nov 8: No cock and bull story this-officials at Bihar’s high-security Beur Adarsh Jail were left nonplussed after a man was found trying to smuggle in a cellphone hidden in a chicken.

And he refused to chicken out even after the mobile popped out from the bird’s belly yesterday and escaped leaving before the surprised guards manning the jail’s gate could nab him.

Beur Jail Superintendent Dilip Kumar Singh today said the guards found Santosh Kumar Kahar of Bakhtiarpur-who came to meet an acquintance of his being held in the prison-carrying a bag containing fruits and a superficially dressed chicken with its skin removed and its head removed.

Kahar said he wanted to meet one Vikas, who is in the jail, to supply the bag to him, Singh said.

Smelling a rat, the guards asked him to open the bag and show them the chicken. They were surprised when the cell phone, covered with blood from the chicken’s entrails, fell out of the finely slit belly, he said.

However, Kahar managed to give the guards the slip.

Beur Adarsh Jail’s administration had been criticised by the Patna High Court after it came to light that prisoners were "remote-controlling" crimes from behind bars. The latest incident has left the jail’s authorities in a quandry.

Checkings of items and food supplied to prisoners by visitors has been intensified.

"We face a difficult time managing the inmates lodged in the jail but visitors indulging in such illegal acts will definitely add to our problems," Jail Superintendent Singh said, adding he had lodged an FIR at Gardanibagh police station. (PTI)

Braving biting cold and hazardous terrain,
jawans guard borders

BUN LA, (INDO-CHINA BORDER), Nov 8: Like their counterparts manning Siachen Glacier-the world’s highest place above sea level where armed forces of any country are stationed-Indian soldiers manning the Sino-Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh brave biting cold and extremely hazardous terrain to defend the country’s territory.

One solace for those manning the Line of Actual Control (LAC) now is that Army authorities have now provided troops with warm underclothings and ultra-modern weapons, unlike during the 1962 war with China when troops allegedly fought at high altitudes almost without proper winter clothings and weapons.

With temperature remaining at sub-zero level throughout the year and sometimes dipping to as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, troops (posted on LAC) find the weather more dangerous than an enemy, a senior Army official told PTI.

"This is a place where troops cannot afford to relax. Worse still, the inclement weather is the biggest enemy we confront and fight every moment," he said.

"Though modern medical facilities have been put in place, we still report three to four cases of high altitude sickness everyday", Captain Ranvir Singh, Medical Officer posted at an Army picket at an altitude of more than 15,000 feet, said.

Singh said oxygen in the atmosphere at high altitude was almost half of what was available at sea level. In addition, extremely cold winds and snow caused a variety of health disorders.

"Oxygen content in the atmosphere here is 10.8 per cent as against a normal of 21 per cent at sea level," he said.

While rotation of troops posted at highest posts in central and northern areas of Siachen is done every three months and in lower glacier area every six months, troops on the Indo-China border in the East have no such luxury.

"Forward troops deployed here are required to stay for two years and they are deployed on high peaks throughout," senior officers said.

"We are accustomed to working here. It has become a part of our lives," said a jawan posted here for the last one year.

Army personnel deployed at many mountain peaks here patrol the LAC and carry out surveillance to check infiltration from across the border, he said. (PTI)

Yaari.Com brings mobile social networking to India

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: A recently launched social networking site for Indian youth, has released the country’s first platform for mobile social networking.

Yaari.Com co-founder and CEO Prerna Gupta says the benefit of integrating a social networking site with mobile phones is that "it keeps users connected to their network of friends from anywhere, which is especially relevant in India where people do not always have continuous Internet access."

The product, Yaari Mobile, release included two primary features-Ywords and Ychat.

Ywords allowed users to browse the network and interact with other individuals on the site using simple SMS functionality. For example, if a Yaari member sends an SMS command ‘Y profile prerna gupta’ to Yaari, she would receive Prerna’s profile information in the form of an SMS on her phone.

She could then go on to browse Prerna’s friends in the same manner, and also send them ‘pinches’, a unique way of interacting with other Yaars.

The other feature, Ychat, used SMS to enable group chatting on the go. Users log in to Yaari.Com in order to create their Ychat groups and invite their friends to join. Once the group was in place, members could join group discussions via their mobiles and broadcast messages to every person in the group with a single SMS.

They could also reply to messages sent by other members, both from their mobiles and online. Members could join or leave the discussion at anytime, with simple ‘in’ and ‘out’ commands. "It’s like a mobile chat room," Prerna said and added that "because you can sign in and out of the discussion whenever you want. Another really cool aspect is that you can send free SMS’s to entire groups of people by logging in to Yaari.Com, or you can message multiple people from your phone but only be charged for a single SMS."

Yaari.Com also planned to introduce non-SMS based mobile features, such as photo and video upload, in the near future. Prerna was optimistic about the opportunity for an Indian mobile social network to gain widespread adoption.

"There are 25 million active Internet users in India. While this figure is large and growing rapidly, it is just the tip of the iceberg. With over 100 million mobile phone users, more than half of which are youth, India is ripe for a mobile social network," she said further.

Yaari was an invitation-based social network for Indians. The site was launched in September 2006 by two American-born Indians, Prerna Gupta and Parag Chordia, who recently graduated from Stanford University.

(UNI)

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to conduct course at Anna University

CHENNAI, Nov 8: For the first time, people of this metropolis can learn breathing techniques and meditation directly from spiritual master Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose Art of Living courses have transformed the lives of millions around the globe.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will personally conduct the ‘Health and Happiness’ course at the Anna University here from December six to eight.

"This is the first time in 25 years that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is personally conducting a course. This is a rare chance for the people of Chennai to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn directly from the Master", said Ms Akhila Srinivasan, President of Art of Living’s Tamil Nadu Apex Body.

‘Health and Happiness’ is a new programme introduced by the Art of Living and is open to all above the age of 15, including those who have not taken the Art of Living course before.

In this rare event, Sri Ravi Shankar will impart the ancient knowledge of pranayama, meditation, and other processes as well as the science behind these life-enhancing techniques.

"A disease free body, a quiver free breath, a confusion free mind, an inhibition free intellect, a trauma free memory and a sorrow free soul are the birth right of every human being and this course aims to restore every participant to this state of physical, mental and emotional well-being, Mr Srinivasan added. (UNI)

Govt to set up expert committee to promote rich literary, culture

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: Jammu and Kashmir Government is contemplating to set up an expert committee to promote the rich literary, cultural and the historical achievements of the state.

The committee will be asked to recommend ways to make the future generation aware of the rich heritage of all the regions of the state, an official spokesman said.

He said this was stated by the Minister for Education, Science and Technology Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed while inaugurating a Book Exhibition organized by the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir at youth hostel here today.

More than 12 thousand books related to Science, History, Culture, Computer Science, Management, Social Science and other fields were displayed on different stalls set up by the 120 publishing houses of the state.

The Minister went through various stalls and showed keen interest in the book exhibition and exhorted upon the people present there to inculcate the habit of reading as it not only enhances one_s knowledge but at the same time enriches one’s personality. (UNI)

BJP to hold nationwide protest against terror handling

NAGPUR, Nov 8: BJP would hold nationwide protests from November 15 to 22, against "improper handling" of terror-related issues by the Congress-led UPA Government.

"The protests include holding of demonstrations and meeting at fourteen important places across the country, including Nagpur, where terrorists struck at RSS HQ on June 1," party’s national spokesman, Prakash Jawdekar told reporters here today.

He said the UPA Government has "failed" to contain terrorism in the country and was indulging in votebank politics by maintaining a soft stand against terrorists.

He also criticised Congress leaders "for advocating clemency" for Afzal Guru, who was awarded death sentence by the Supreme Court in Parliament attack case.

He was also of the view that India should not hold peace talks with Pakistan unless cross-border terrorism was stopped.

"Peace talks and terror can’t go together", he added. (PTI)

Centre, Rajasthan Govt get show cause regarding retired Judges

JAIPUR, Nov 8: The Rajasthan High Court has asked the Centre and the State Government to explain why proper facilities are not provided to retired judges of the court like in other states of the country.

A single-Judge bench here of Justice Ashok Parihar yesterday issued a show cause notice to the Central and State Governments while taking suo moto cognizance on the death of Justice R P Vyas of the court’s Jodhpur seat.

Parihar noted that in most states, retired High Court Judges were entitled to orderly allowance, free telephone calls, transport/vehicle allowance and accomodation in Government guest houses but no such facilities were provided by the state of Rajasthan.

The court directed the State Government to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the wife of Vyas within a month. Vyas was appointed a high court judge on September, 2, 2004, and died in Nasik, Maharashtra, on October 27 this year.

Parihar observed there was no provision for adequate compensation to the family of a Judge dying while in service but if he was a lawyer, his family would recieve immediate relief from the Advocate’s Welfare Fund.

There was also a provision for compassionate appointment of a family member of deceased judicial officiers but families of High Court Judges who die while in service may not even get gratuity or pension, he said.

The notices were issued to the state Chief Secretary and Secretary, Law and Justice Department, New Delhi.

It asked why proper facilities should not be provided to retired high court judges by the state and Central Governments and adequate compensation and other benefits to the family of Judges who die in service. (PTI)

India welcomes Nepal agreement

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Welcoming the agreement between Nepalese Government and Maoists, India today termed it as a "victory" for the people of Himalayan country and hoped it would place the nation on path of peace, stability and economic recovery.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India stands ready to extend its full support to the efforts of the Government and people of Nepal.

The "decisions" taken by the leadership of the seven party alliance led by Prime Minister G P Koirala and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) are a "victory for the people of Nepal," Mukherjee said in a statement here.

"We welcome this significant step in Nepal’s democratic progress to a settled constitutional order in which people of Nepal can realise their aspirations for peace and prosperity," the External Affairs Minister said.

"India stands ready, as always, to extend its full support to the efforts of the Government and people of Nepal," he added.

The Nepal Government and Maoists signed a historic accord late last night under which both sides agreed to lock up their arms and confine their combatants under UN monitoring. The agreement is aimed at ending decade-old bloody conflict.

"We expect these decisions to place Nepal on the path of reconciliation, peace, stability and economic recovery," Mukherjee said.

He said India looked forward to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace agreement between the Government and the CPN(M) on November 16 as has been decided.

"The people of Nepal must have the right to freely choose and decide their own destiny and future without fear of the gun," Mukherjee said. (PTI)

Patna HC issues notices to Centre, RBI and Bihar Govt.

PATNA, Nov 8: Patna High Court today issued notices to the Centre, Reserve Bank of India and Bihar government seeking details within six weeks on the action taken against non-banking financial companies which allegedly siphoned off more than Rs 12,000 crore collected from small investors and daily-wage earners.

The order was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J N Bhatt and Justice Shailesh Kumar Sinha while hearing a PIL by a socio-cultural forum ‘Council for Protection of Public Rights and Welfare’.

The Bench directed for necessary actions against these NBFCs which took small-time investors of Bihar for a ride since 1990.

The petitioner’s advocate M P Gupta told the court that 485 such companies, including big names like JVG and Hellius, allegedly collected huge sums of money from people on pretext of lucrative returns but ultimately vanished from the scene leaving depositors in the dark.

He sought strong directives to the Centre, RBI and Bihar government to initiate strong steps for recovery of over Rs 12,000 crore from the "defaulter companies" and legal action against wrongdoers. (PTI)

Rampant increase in sexual harassment in health sector: Study

KOLKATA, Nov 8: Even as a more stringent law against sexual harassment of working women is in the pipeline, a study here has exposed rampant increase in such cases in the health sector.

The medical staff in hospitals are of the view that sexual harassment in a health institution is "normal and harmless", the study conducted by leading NGO ‘Population Council’ on ‘Sexual harassment in Workplace’ said.

In-depth interviews with women employees in two government and private hospitals in Kolkata revealed that 77 of the 135 women interviewed admitted to sexual harassment while 50 did not complain, it said.

"Many fear they will be blamed for provoking such an incident. Others fear loss of reputation after complaining. So the culture of silence and denial continues," the study said.

"Forty-five women reported psychological harassment, 41 verbal harassment, 27 unwanted touch and 16 sexual gestures and exhibitionism," it said.

However, no incidents of rape were reported in the study instead there had been reports of attempt to rape.

The study revealed that a majority of perpetrators of abuse are patients and their families, doctors and non-medical staff.

"Nurses are the only group harassed by everyone, be it doctors, non-medical staff, patients and their relatives and outsiders," the study quoted a 29-year-old doctor of a private hospital as saying.

"The perpetrators were people in authority and victims often those in a relatively subordinate position," it said, adding that "even patients are seen to be in position of authority because their complaints could lead to dismissal."

The study concluded it was important to have appropriate mechanisms that empowered women to make formal complaints with assurance of redressal.

Draft of a stringent Bill, christened ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workpalce (Prevention and Redressal) Bill, 2006,’ is almost ready for presentation in Parliament in its winter session. (PTI)

Centre asks security forces to go after ULFA in Assam

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: In the aftermath of Sunday’s twin blasts in Guwahati that killed 14 people, the Centre and the army have launched a large-scale crackdown in Assam against the ULFA that has been blamed for the attacks.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary V K Duggal in Guwahati yesterday, additional companies of Central paramilitary forces and the army have been rushed to the state for anti-insurgency operations.

The movement of nearly 10 companies of CRPF has started to trouble-torn areas of Assam, official sources said here today.

During yesterday’s meeting, officials reviewed intelligence reports that some jehadi groups had extended support to the banned ULFA in carrying out the bomb attacks. This information is being further checked, the sources said.

Duggal was informed by Central security agencies and some army formations that ULFA had used a brief ceasefire during August-September to re-group rather than prepare for a dialogue with the Centre, they said.

It was decided that since there was no seriousness on ULFA’s part for holding talks to usher in peace in the region, it would be advisable for security forces to begin large-scale operations against the group’s cadres.

Duggal, along with senior officials of the Centre and Assam, had reviewed the situation in the state after Sunday night’s blasts in a busy commercial area.

The sources said all security agencies in Assam had been asked to share and coordinate intelligence inputs for operations against the ULFA. (PTI)

Amarinder sounds poll bugle, starts ‘Vikas Yatra’

NANGAL, ROPAR, Nov 8: Sounding the election bugle, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today kickstarted his much-hyped ‘Punjab Vikas Yatra’ from this city bordering Himachal Pradesh amidst much fanfare.

Singh will board a especially-designed bus to cover 5,800 km in 38 days in a phased manner.

"I have sounded the bugle of my political war," the chief minister announced.

Singh said during his yatra he would interact with people and listen to their problems. "I will ensure that the grievances of people are redressed on the spot," he claimed.

Before embarking on the yatra, Singh paid obeisance at Takhat Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib. However, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) the religious body managing the affairs of Sikh shrines refrained from offering the ‘Siropa’ (robe of honour) to the chief minister, sources said.

An all-religion prayer meeting was also held on the occasion.

Later, the chief minister took a chopper to Nangal town to start his yatra. He was accompanied by cabinet colleagues, including Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, and Punjab Congess Chief Shamsher Singh Dullo.

The Chief Minister had to face the ire of unemployed youth at Anandpur Sahib. Holding their degrees, the youth demonstrated in front of the Chief Minister’s caravan.

Police rounded up over 100 unemployed youth with B.Ed degrees and also some physical training instructors. Police also used mild cane charge to disperse the agitating youth and other protesters. Some of them sustained minor injuries, sources said.

The first phase of the yatra will end at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district this evening.

Local singers and schoolchildren will greet the yatra at several places. Both the chief minister and Dullo were on the same vehicle, which was followed by the vehciles’ of the council of ministers and MLAs.

The Chief Minister also announced the upgrading of Nangal from a sub-tehsil to tehsil. (PTI)