India needs to embark on Second Green Revolution: Kalam

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: President A P J Abdul Kalam today called for a Second Green Revolution, based on practical applications of latest technological innovations, to meet future foodgrain needs necessitated by increasing population growth.

"India has to now embark upon the Second Green Revolution," he said inaugurating the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) - triennial conference here.

This would enable the country to further increase its productivity in the agricultural sector through research and latest production methodologies, he added.

By 2020, the President said, India would need to produce over 340 million tonnes of foodgrains in view of population growth.

"Our agricultural scientists and technologists have to work for doubling the productivity of the available land with lesser area being available for cultivation with less water and limited number of farmers," he said.

He, however, said the increase in the production would have to surmount many impeding factors.

The requirement of land for the increasing population as well as for greater aforestation and environmental preservation activities would force a situation whereby the present 170 million hectares of arable land would not be fully available, he said.

"It might shrink to 100 million hectares by 2020," he said.

The President also listed water shortage and declining number of farmers as challenges before the agriculture sector. (PTI)

SP rigged civic polls to help BJP: Raj Babbar

LUCKNOW, Nov 9: Accusing the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) of rigging the civic bodies elections to help the BJP and prevent Congress victory, the Jan Morcha today demanded the immediate imposition of President’s rule in Uttar Pradesh.

Jan Morcha chief Raj Babbar demanded the dismissal of the Mulayam Singh Yadav government so that the assembly polls, due early next year, could be held in a free and fair manner.

In several places, including Agra, Moradabad and Allahabad, large number of ballot papers were declared invalid, he alleged saying that Yadav, in a bid to prevent the Congress from winning, directed officials to ensure BJP’s victory.

"It clearly proves that the SP is hand in glove with the BJP," Babbar told newsmen here.

The morcha constituents would meet president A P J Abdul Kalam after November 14 to impress upon him the need to dismiss the State Government, he said.

"If the Mulayam Government is allowed to continue, free and fair elections to the Vidhan Sabha will not be possible," he said.

"The state will witness massive rigging, booth capturing and bloodshed on a large scale in the assembly polls if the present dispensation is allowed even as a caretaker Government," Raj Babbar alleged.

The morcha would launch an agitation if the next Assembly election was held under the present regime, he said.

He claimed he had recorded telephonic conversation of senior Government officials issuing directions for rigging.

He also said former SP state minority cell president Shahnawaj Ahmed Quadri and well known Urdu poet Hasan Kamal have joined the Jan Morcha. (PTI)

Karna thinking of increasing library cess

BANGALORE, Nov 9: Karnataka Government is thinking of increasing the library cess from six per cent to ten per cent to mobilise more resources to fund libraries, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Basavaraj Horatti said.

The model of Tamil Nadu which levies ten per cent cess was being studied, he told the press here today.

A proposal seeking enhancement in library cess would be sent to the Government shortly for approval, he said.

Horatti said there was no change in the Government decision to derecognise 2011 schools which violated relevant rules by switching over to English medium though they were permitted to run the schools in Kannada medium.

The parents, who have admitted their wards in these schools, will have to shift them to other recognised schools from next year, he said. (PTI)

Notorious woman dacoit held

KANPUR, Nov 9: Malti Devi, a notorious dacoit and wife of dreaded dacoit Mangli Kewat, was arrested as she was on her way to surrender in court here today, police said.

She was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of two brothers of Kanpur Dehat district.

Malti was also wanted for several cases of dacoity, kidnapping and murder in Kanpur Dehat, Aurya, Fatehpur, Etawah and Jalaun districts. Police had declared a cash reward of Rs.10,000 for helping them nab her.

Her husband and dreaded dacoit Mangli Kewat was recently arrested with a AK 47 rifle.

Malti Kewat, a resident of Bhadras village of Aurya district, was going with her advocates to surrender in court when the police arrested her. (PTI)

Industrial exhibition from today

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is organising a ten-day-long industrial exhibition here to give an opportunity to the artists and crafts men to display their products.

The exhibition, organised by the state Industries and Commerce Department at the Exhibition Grounds (Kashmir Haat) here, would commence from tomorrow and conclude on November 19, an official statement said today.

The Exhibition would be held daily from 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs.

Hundreds of industrialists and craftsman within and outside the state are expected to participate in the exhibition, it added.

The statement said cultural artists of the state will entertain the visitors every day during the exhibition from 1530 hrs onwards. (UNI)

Chandrabhaga cattle fair goes unnoticed

JHALAWAR, Nov 9: Unlike the famous ‘Pushkar Mela’ that attracts a large number of visitors from across the country and abroad, the annual Chandrabhaga cattle fair in the sleepy town of Jhalrapatan (city of bells), six km from here, seems a tame affair.

The Chandrabhaga fair, held at the same time as ‘Pushkar Mela’ in the holy Hindu month of Kartik (October-November), has escaped media glare and visitors’ attention for long.

Not too many tourists were visible in the vicinity, let alone foreigners. While Puskar drew the crowd, Chandrabhaga awaited the arrival of tourists, who would only visit the fair after the former drew to a close.

But, now efforts are now on to change all that. "We are trying to upgrade the fair and bring it at par with the Pushkar Mela," Jhalawar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) V K Goyal told PTI.

The State Government, he added, had chalked out a plan of action to make the fair popular. "The fair, among 10 large cattle fairs of Rajasthan, has been long over-shadowed by the more glamorous Pushkar cattle fair. But now its time to change it all," he said.

"We propose to introduce a camel safari next year and hope that it will attract more visitors," he added.

The Chandrabhaga fair was held from November 4-6 this year, which both owners of cows, buffaloes, camels and horses as well as prospective buyers gathered to strike deals ranging from a few hundred rupees to Rs 1.5 lakh.

One of the striking feature of the fair is that all deals are struck verbally. No receipts are issued and disputes, if any, are settled amicably by buyers and sellers.

"It is a matter of trust. All one needs to do is undertake a keen survey before settling for the animal of his choice. Monetary deals are verbally finalised and no receipts are issued," said Ratan Lal, a buyer.

What if any dispute arose? "All arguments are settled amicably by the traders. If they need any assistance they come to us," said Goyal.

The fair, held on a vaste expanse of barren undulating land on the foothills of Mukandra ranges in Rajasthan, offers a wide choice to buyers as far as price of animals is concerned. The price of a cow ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 15,000; for buffaloes from Rs 700 to Rs 40,000; for camels from Rs 300 to Rs 21,500 and for horses from Rs 900 to Rs 1.25 lakh, fair officials said.

"While cows are primarily of Malwi breed, buffaloes are of Murra breed. Camels are of Bikaneri and Jaiselmeri breeds while horses are of Malaani breed," informed Dr Omkar Patidar, a senior veternary specialist. "The animals are thoroughbreds and healthy," he said, allaying doubts regarding their health.

The SDM expressed satisfaction at the deals struck at Chandrabhaga fair this year, adding that a 10 per cent increase in business had been recorded.

"The fair has shown an upward trend. We are happy with the progress," he added.

Fair officials said a growing number of traders from neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Gujarat were now visiting the fair. "A lot of inter-state trade in cattle is taking place, which shows that the fair is gaining popularity," Goyal said.

The traders, Dr Patidar said, had to produce health cerificates for animals they brought to the fair, which are checked at seven check-points. "The medical stall at the fair dresses small wounds suffered by animals during transit or to meet emergency situations," said Pramod Pancholi, in-charge of the veternary stall at the fair.

And Chandrabhaga fair is not only connected with cattle trade. Stalls are set up by various cottage industry units, displaying their wares. It also showcases a number of Rajasthani music and dance forms.

"After day-long trading, cattle owners, buyers and locals let their hair down and enjoy music and dance. The fair thus becomes a platform to present a glimpse of rich traditions of Rajasthan, Goyal said.

As the Sun goes down on the bank of Chandrabhaga river, Rajasthani folk songs and music fill the air.

The fair, which has a number of folk legends attached to it, comes to an end with the hope that there would be better trade and more tourists next year.

"Trade at the fair is increasing each year. Next year, we hope, this platform for cattle traders expands manifold," Goyal said. (PTI)

Gang involved in fake currency manufacturing busted

AMBALA, Nov 9: The police today busted a racket involved in manufacturing fake currency.

Police also recovered a computer, printer and large quantity of fake currency from their possession.

Police have arrested Bhiwani Prashad (UP), Jagvir Singh and Santi (Karnal) and Atul Kumar (Ambala) in this regard.

The printing machinery was installed in a godown in Ambala City, police said. (PTI)

Haryana Govt gives Rs one lakh to each ‘Gaushala’

CHANDIGARH, Nov 9: The Haryana Governmenta has sanctioned an amount of Rs one lakh each for the 174 registered ‘Gaushalas’ of the state from the state budget.

While giving this information today, Revenue Minister Capt Ajay Singh Yadav said that this sanction was accorded following the announcement made by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at a public rally in Sampla.

He said that the Gaushalas in the state were not being maintained properly due to the lack of funds. (UNI)

BSF restriction lefts farmers with bleak future in Mizoram ..

AIZAWL, Nov 9: Thousands of ginger and passion fruit growers across the North East region are now left with an uncertain future following the Border Security Force’s (BSF) restriction of cross-border movement with Bangladesh in Mizoram,

The BSF had recently restricted cross-border movement of the people in Lunglei district and adjoining areas, a traditional border trade area near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The BSF’s action has deprived the livelihood of thousands of local farmers, who survive on informal trade with Bangladesh which had been continuing since the British era.

About 5,000 quintals of ginger in about 40 trucks has already been stranded at Tlabung village in the district following the BSF’s denial of their passage, the source from Lunglei area said.

Even a desperate attempt recently by the Mizoram DGP Lalngheta Sailo by initiating highlevel talks with the BSF officials on the problems faced by the farmers in the border areas had failed.

However, the BSF officials here have termed the ginger trade as "smuggling" and it said would take up the matter to the state home department.

(UNI)

Rampant increase in sexual harassment in health sector: Study

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: A city court has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to inform whether any chargesheet was ever filed in a case of hijacking of an Indian Airlines (IA) plane to Pakistan in 1981.

The order was passed by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau on an application by an accused, who was convicted and sentenced for the offence by a Lahore court.

Tejinder Pal Singh along with four other Sikh militants - Satnam Singh, Gajender Singh, Kan Singh and Jasbir Singh - had hijacked the IA Flight 423 to Lahore from Delhi on August 29, 1981.

All the accused were convicted and served punishment in a Pakistan jail.

After his return, Tejinder filed application seeking discharge from the case registered here on the ground that he had already undergone sentence for the offence.

Following which the court had directed the Delhi Police to apprise it about the status of the case.

However, the police failed to furnish any report about the case leading the court to suspect if there was any remarkable development in the incident.

"In this background, there is every possibility that he may have never been chargesheeted," the court had said directing Delhi Police Commissioner K K Paul to find out if a chargesheet was ever filed against Tejinder.

It had also asked Paul to submit report on whether any prosecution sanction had been taken from the Government against Singh.

Observing that it has not been able to proceed further with the application for discharge of the case in absence of any definite information on filing of chargesheet, the court asked the Commissioner to furnish report regarding investigation against all the accused who have returned to India after serving jail terms in Pakistan.

Tejinder, after his return to India in 1997, had moved an application seeking discharge of the case, assuming that a case regarding the offence of hijacking must be running here.

The court on receipt of the application from Singh, had asked for the main file but the Palam Police Station officials failed to made it available.

The court then asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to trace the documents whether any prosecution sanction had ever been taken from the Government against the accused, but the Ministry could not find it as well.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGI Airport, also failed to assist the court in the case despite several notices. (PTI)

UK set to stage 8 ^{th IIFA awards next year}

MUMBAI, Nov 9: The eighth annual International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and the IIFA Awards, sponsored by Idea Cellular, was officially announced by superstar and brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan at the House Of Commons in London.

The IIFA Weekend will come to the UK next year with the biggest stars of Bollywood and some of the world’s best known international celebrities in June next year. The first IIFA Weekend was held at the Millenium Dome, London.

A release here today quoted Mr Bachchan as saying, "IIFA is committed to taking Indian Cinema across the globe and into the UK with the 2007 IIFA Weekend in Yorkshire. Cinema brings together people from diverse cultures for a shared experience, bridging the cultural divide. Using cinema as a key to open minds, the International Indian Film Academy believes bridges should be built across cinemas, businesses, communities and nations."

Since its launch in 2000, the IIFA Weekend had been staged at prestigious locations across the world including Singapore, Malaysia, Amsterdam, South Africa and Dubai, and has grown to become one of the most well-respected global media events. The IIFA Awards presentation ceremony has a global reach of nearly 500 million viewers.

In the House of Commons, the epitome of Indian cinema-Amitabh Bachchan, who is IIFA’s Brand Ambassador, was joined by dignitaries including Secretary of State Tessa Jowell, Leader of the House Jack Straw, High Commissioner of India to the UK Kamlesh Sharma and Keith Vaz MP to celebrate the return of the IIFA Weekend to the UK.

Yorkshire Tourism Board chairperson Judith Donovan and Tom Riordan, CEO, Yorkshire Forward, the regional development authority which won the bid to host the prestigious IIFA Weekend, spoke about the anticipated impact on Yorkshire’s business and tourism due to the IIFA Weekend.

"IIFA has travelled to six countries across the world and has left a mark in the minds and hearts of the people. We are confident that the IIFA Weekend in Yorkshire will have the same impact," said Sabbas Joseph, Director, IIFA.

(UNI)

US reduces visa fee by 30 pc for Indians

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: With effect from today, the United States has reduced the visa fee for Indian nationals by 30 per cent from 150 Dollars to 100 Dollars.

Announcing this at a press conference here, US Ambassador to India, David Mulford, also said there was now no backlog of Indian visa seekers to the US.

"The structure of visa fees has been changed between the two countries. Also there is no backlog," he said.

The Ambassador said an Indian could now get visa to the US within a week.

This had been done in view of the big demand for US visas among Indians, he added.

(UNI)