Lalu satisfied with performance of anti-collision device

PANAJI, Sept 20: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today expressed satisfaction at the performance of anti-collision device, developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited and announced awards for the KR personnel.

"The Minister was happy with the performance of the device, which has boosted our plans to market it internationally", Dr K K Gokhale, Managing Director (MD), KRCL told reporters after the inspection.

KRCL had organised acd demonstration for Prasad on Margao-Verna sector.

The Minister later declared an award of Rs 5,000 each for the KRCL personnel, who were accompanying him for the demonstration, while Rs 5 lakh award was declared for KRCL, officials stated.

The Minister also inspected the sky bus, installed adjacent to Margao railway station.

"Since there was a voltage fluctuation, we could not offer the minister a ride in the sky bus. However, he saw how it functions," Gokhale told reporters.

KRCL MD said the sky bus technology would get certification from the Centre within a year. "Meanwhile, our trials on this technology are on," he said. (PTI)

Advani to unveil portraits of Sangh Parivar
founding fathers

MUMBAI, Sept 20: Former Deputy Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani will unveil the portraits of two founder fathers of Sangh Parivar here today, BJP sources said.

Advani, who is here on a day-long visit, would unveil portriats of M S Golwalkar and Dr Keshav Hegdewar at a function in Vidyanidhi complex near suburban Andheri, they added. (PTI)

Three more ABVP activists arrested in Sabharwal case

UJJAIN, Sept 20: Three more ABVP activists were arrested today for alleged involvement in professor H S Sabharwal’s murder, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five.

Ujjain’s Inspector General Anil Kumar identified the arrested persons as Sudhir Yadav, Hemant Dubey and Pankaj Mishra.

The state CID, which is probing Sabharwal’s death after he was assaulted during student union polls here on August 26, had identified four suspects who were absconding. While three were arrested today, the fourth person-Vishal Rajoria-is yet to be traced.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the suspects at a place in Indore, police reached there last night but the accused escaped from the spot, Kumar said.

Police arrested them today from near a garden in Ujjain. They will be produced in court tomorrow, he said.

Earlier, police had arrested former state Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad president Shashiranjan Singh Akela and former secretary Vimal Tomar for alleged involvement in the murder of Sabharwal.

Sabharwal was manhandled by unruly students, allegedly belonging to the ABVP, after college union polls were cancelled following allegations of irregularities.

The state CID registered a case against ABVP workers in this regard. (PTI)

DMK sets up six-member panel for seat sharing talks

CHENNAI,Sept 20: The DMK today set up a six-member committee for seat sharing talks with its allies for the next month’s civic polls in Tamil Nadu.

The committee, headed by DMK treasurer N Veersamy, would consist of State Agriculture Minister S Arumugam, Union Ministers T R Baalu and A Raja, State Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi and former MP S Viduthalaivirumbi, DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said in a statement.

Already, DMK’s allies-Congress, PMK, CPI-M, CPI and the IUML-had announced that they would continue their alliance, forged for the May assembly polls, for the civic polls also. (PTI)

Mock accident drill to check efficacy of railway officials

KANNUR,Sept 20: The Southern railway’s Palghat divionnel men reached the spot.

Soon after the mock exercise was carried out, as per the directions of the Divisional Safety Officer Ramalingam, a self-propelled accident relief train (spart) stationed at Mangalore was about to leave for the spot.However,the spart crew was laper told not to proceed.

The Chief Commercial inspector from Cannanore railway station Aravindakshan had rushed to a Thalassery hospital and had informed the divisional office that no one was admitted to the said hospital, he said.

The medical relief team that left Shorannur was later told to return to their station.

Om Prakash said the railway accident manual stipulated that the authorities entrusted with the relief operations must be prepared to leave at a short notice even if the accident did not involve major casualty. (PTI)

Applauds await Reddy at Cong CM meet;
for Deshmukh it’s tough

NEW DELHI, Sept 20: Andhra Pradesh could come for a pat on the back while Maharashtra could have to do a lot of explaining over the issue of farmers suicides at the Congress Chief Ministers Conclave being held at Nainital later this week.

Congress sources said that the Y S Rajsekhar Reddy Government in Andhra Pradesh has managed the situation well on the issue which has drastically brought down incidents of farmers taking the extreme step.

Similar was not the situation in neighbouring Maharashtra whose backward Vidarbha region is still witnessing suicides despite a visit by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and announcement of a financial package.

Karnataka and Kerala, which have also witnessed such incidents, are no longer Congress ruled states.

The two-day meet from September 23, to be presided over by Congress president Sonia Gandhi with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some senior ministers by her side, is expected to reflect on problems confronting the agricultural sector.

The issue of internal security would also come up for deliberation at the meet where Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is expected to make a presentation.

It could be double whammy for Maharashtra at the Conclave as its record on prevention of terrorist activities could be called to question in the wake of the Mumbai serial blasts and the Malegaon blasts.

A solace of sorts for Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was that the Home Ministry in the state is being handled by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, who is a close associate of Pawar, is in charge of Home Affairs.

The meet could also see a veiled attack on Pawar for his role as Union Minister for Food and Agriculture as the massive wheat imports have raised a controversy so also the rising prices of essential commodities. Finance Minister P Chidambaram could also come for flak on the issue.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is already under attack both within the Congress and outside over the growing menace of terrorism and naxalism.

The NCP, which just concluded its third National Convention at Dehradun, has well realised that their leader could be under attack at Nainital and had chosen to pre-empt the strike by targeting the Congress for the plight of farmers.

Pawar has been insisting that the Agriculture Ministry under him has moved heaven and earth to give a fair deal to farmers.

The issue of setting up of Special Economic Zones could also come up for scrutiny amid divergent views on acquisition of agricultureal land for the purpose.

The Conclave, seventh since Gandhi started the exercise a few years back when in the opposition, could also witness strong pleas for waiving off the Non Performing Assets of the coooperative banks totalling Rs 8,000 crore for ensuring that the farmers get credit through their network. The bad debts have hit hard the functioning of the banks. (PTI)

Independent panel on JK RTI Act demanded

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: A group of social activists today staged a sit-in here demanding setting up of an information commission by amending Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act to make it more purposeful.

RTI Act without an independent commission to ensure its effectiveness was purposeless, the activists led by Irfan Hafiz Lone said in a memorandum to State Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Tariq Hameed Qarra.

It said though the Act came into force in the state in 2004, the general public and people at the helm of affairs had no idea about its functioning.

Without an independent commission, corruption could not be curbed in the State, ranked second after Bihar, it said.

"True accountability of the Government can only be attained if the people of the State know what has been done by those elected by them," it added. (PTI)

Rameswaram decked up for Kalam’s visit

CHENNAI, Sept 20: The tiny island of Rameswaram, the home town of President A P J Abdul Kalam, is gearing up for the visit of the son-of-the-soil on September 23.

During his three-day hectic tour of Tamil Nadu from September 22 to 24, Dr Kalam would be visiting Rameswaram on September 23, his second visit after becoming the first citizen of the country.

His first visit to his house was on August 27, 2004.

Even as the family members were making all arrangements to accord a grand reception, police too were busy in providing a tight security cover to Dr Kalam.

As a precautionary measure, the Mandapam refugee camp, housing more than 10,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, would be sealed on September 22 and 23 in view of the proposed visit of the President.

Ramanathapuram District Collector K S Muthuswamy reviewed the security arrangements at a high-level meeting and said the Mandapam camp would be sealed.

"No one will be allowed to leave the camp and the fresh refugees arriving from Sri Lanka will be taken to Police Stations", he said. (UNI)

Muslims provide flaring climax to world famous Ramlila

VARANASI, Sept 20: In a reflection of the deep-rooted communal camaraderie in Indian culture, Muslim craftsmen, for the past four generations have been providing flaring climax to the world famous Ramlila of Ramnagar here.

More than 50 Muslim craftsmen from Tirpolia Park (Lohari Tola) area in Ramnagar-located across the Ganga river-in pursuance with the secular legacy passed over by last four generations have been providing colourful flares to mark the daily climax of every episode of the 200-year-old Ramlila of Ramnagar.

The art has not remained confined to Ramnagar only, but also finds mention in a day-to-day description of the world famous Ramlila, compiled by resercher from University of California, Linda Hess.

"Every night’s performance at the month-long Ramnagar’s Ramlila culminates dramtically with the Arti-a ceremonial worship of the divine characters, Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughan known as Panch Swarups. The climax is reached when red and white flares are lit, bathing the tableau of deities in a brilliant light. This is regarded as the greatest moment for darshan or blessed vision of the Gods," Ms Hess’ work reads.

According to Jai Prakash Pathak, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the royal family of erstwhile Kashi Naresh-the patron of 31-day Ramlila - "Without the Muslim craftsmen specialising in the art of Aatishbaji, the Ramlila staged under no electric light and sound will be incomplete."

"They are the ones who provide the flaring climax from the first day-episode of Ravana Janma-to the 31^{st day, marking the Kote Vidai which signifies the farewell of the five divine characters given by the royal family of Benares," Mr Pathak added.}

^{Taking pride for their role of providing the climax to daily Ramlila staging, Jamil (50) the head of the craftsmen says without our skills the Ramlila of Ramnagar, which draws crowd from across the globe will never be complete. (UNI)}

Venkaiah Naidu criticises PM’s move to talk to Pak

BANGALORE, Sept 20: Senior BJP leader M Venakaiah Naidu today said dialogue with Pakistan to improve bilateral relations is ‘untimely and harmful’ to the interests of the country unless the neighbouring country dismantles terrorist infrastructure in its domain.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said while Pakistan was an aggressor of terrorism, India was a victim of such attacks. India tried to put an end to cross border terrorism and mobilise support from the international community, Pakistan was firm on making Jammu and Kashmir a contentious issue, he said. "We can talk to Pakistan only if they agree to put an end to the terrorists base and destroy them," he added.

Answering a question he said the present talks would not serve any purpose as several of the underworld leaders were holed up in Pakistan.

He declined to comment on the controversy raked up following remarks made by Karnataka Higher Education Minister D H Shankara Murthy that Tippu Sultan was anti-Kannada and used Persian language during his regime. It was for the historians to dig into the past and react, Mr Naidu said. (UNI)

Cong wants Karna Governor to refer
bribery charges to CBI

BANGALORE,Sept 20: Continuing its campaign against Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the Congress today requested Governor T N Chaturvedi to invoke "discretionary" powers vested in him under Art 163 (2) of the Constitution and refer the Rs 150 crore bribery charges to CBI investigations.

"The present Government in power has uprooted the very concept of Rule of Law and is making mockery of democracy," Opposition Congress leader in the state Legislative Council H K Patil stated in a letter to the Governor, in which he has also urged him to recommend dismissal of the Kumaraswamy Government.

Releasing the copies of the letter at a press meet here, Patil said he has informed the Governor that the "alarming corrupt practices and brutal murders taking place in public places and the inaction by the Government goes to indicate broadly the breakdown of constitutional machinery."

The city of Bangalore has witnessed 16 murders in April, 20 in May,12 during June, 16 in July, 27 in August and 19 in September so far, he said.

Patil also pointed out in his nine-page letter that the Kumaraswamy Government has been in "the thick of controversy right from the very process through which it came to be installed."

"There is a widespread fear among the people of Karnataka that there is an imminent danger to the rule of Law" he said while pleading for Governor’s intervention to "protect democracy and uphold democratic principles." (PTI)

Ramadoss for a research dept in Health Ministry

NEW DELHI, Sept 20: To give impetus to scientific research in the country, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has recommended to the Planning Commission the formation of a new department for research in the ministry in the 11^{th five year plan.}

^{"The Prime Minister has given an OK to this idea. We are proposing Rs 1,000 crore as its budget," said Ramadoss while inaugurating the new Research and Development complex of the Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) in NOIDA today.}

^{ICPO is the permanent institute of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).}

^{The Department of Research would be the fourth department in the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, he said. The other three are Department of Health, Department of Family Welfare and Department of AYUSH (dealing with alternative branches like Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha).}

^{"The ICMR would be tranformed into this new department," he added. Prof N K Ganguly, who is ICMR director general, would be promoted to the rank of a secretary.}

^{"We want to give more focus to research, particularly medical research in the country. We need to do more research in the field of cancer in the country," he said. (PTI)}