6.45 lakh students appear for
engineering entrance test

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: About 6.45 lakh students across the country appeared for the All India Engineering Entrance Test today which passed off smoothly.

"The exam was smooth and peaceful," Rama Sharma, spokesperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education which conducts the test, told PTI.

Students qualifying in the test will be eligible for admission into different engineering institutes, including the National Institutes of Technology.

Over 72,000 candidates appeared for the test at 96 centres in the capital. Students seemed happy and relaxed after the test.

"The question paper was ok. It was neither difficult nor too easy. I could answer all questions in time," said Farhan, a student.

The students appeared three papers-physics, chemistry and mathematics-with each containing 40 objective-type questions. There has been a change in the question pattern since last year. Earlier, one paper used to have 75 questions.

The 6.45 lakh students included about 45,000 aspirants for the bachelor in architecture course. (PTI)

23 Journalists honoured with Matri Shree media awards

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Twenty-three journalists were today honoured with the 31^{st Matri Shree media awards for the year 2007 for their contribution to journalism.}

^{Aditi Kaul of Times of India, Rajesh Ahuja of UNI, Akash Deep Anand of Univarta, Rajesh Due of Doordarshan, Pramod Mehta of AIR, Shemin Joy of PTI, Amrit Mohan of Bhasha and Vibha Sharma of Hindustan Times were among those honoured with the awards by noted litterateur and chairperson of senior citizen Keshri Club Kiran Chopra at a function in the Capital.}

^{The awards were to be originally conferred by Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken but he could not make it at the last minute due to being indisposed.}

^{Others who received the award were Mrs Sumitra Goyel of Punjab Kesri, Mr Virendra Verma of Nav Bharat Times, Ajesh Kumar of Daily Hindustan Hindi and Mr Arjun Deshpresmi of Daily Jagran.}

^{Also among the recipients this year were cartoonist of Financial Express Rohneet Far, Poonam Mehta of Sahara TV channel, Brijesh Pahuja of the Sadhna TV, Navin Gandhi of Total TV, Gaurav Dwivedi of Zee news, Amlesh Raju of Janasatta, Vinod Dabas of Amar Ujala.}

^{Mr Rangnath Tiwari of Rashtriya Sahara received the prize for best photography while Mr Ram Koshor Parcha of Daily Tribune got the prize for best film critic.}

^{Rakesh Rohan’s ‘Krrish’ got the prize for best film of the year.}

^{The winners received the Matri Shree Bharat Mata shield.}

^{Speaking at the function, Mrs Chopra, lauding the role played by journalists in society, said the media had a significant part to play in improving the state of a nation and giving it a proper direction.}

^{Speaking on the occasion, convener of the Matri Shree media awards committee Dinesh Sharma said the awards, instituted in 1977, were aimed at honouring journalists who have been dedicating themselves to the service of the nation.}

^{A screening of the feature film ‘Krrish’ was also held on the occasion. (UNI)}

Probe into Kausarbi disappearance may throw grisly facts

AHMEDABAD, Apr 29: Investigations into the mysterious disappearance of Kausar Bi, the wife of Sohrabuddin Sheikh who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter here in 2005 after being dubbed a terrorist by police, could throw up some grisly facts.

A meticulous probe by Gujarat’s CID (Crime) has indicated that Kausar could have been killed at an isolated place near state capital Gandhinagar and her remains burnt near Ilol town of Sabarkantha district, the native place of IPS officer D G Vanjhara who was arrested with two other IPS officers in connection with Sheikh’s killing, sources said.

The CID has seized two vehicles-a Toyota Qualis and a towing crane-that are suspected to have been used in the operation at some point of time, they said.

The Qualis is suspected to have been used to transport Sheikh, Kausar and their friend Tulsiram Prajapati (who was also killed in an encounter) from Hyderabad to Ahmedabad.

Investigations have also revealed the use of a bunglow on the outskirts of Gandhinagar, where Kausar was allegedly kept after Sheikh was killed, the sources said.

The bungalow’s owner and watchman were questioned by the investigating team.

Some links of the investigation also indicate that a certain amount of wood was purchased from a timber mart in Sabarmati area of the city and was transported to Ilol town, the source said.

Police are trying to establish if the purchase was made at the behest of any of the police officers involved in the fake encounter case and if yes then what was it used for.

What went wrong with this encounter case is that there were far too many evidences which the erring officers had to remove to prove that Sohrabuddin was a terrorist, senior officers say.

The Gujarat CID (crime) had on Friday made an admission to the Supreme court that Kausar Bi, whose real name is Shehnabi, and who was picked up along with Sohrabuddin in November 2005, could have been killed.

The Apex Court has asked the CID, which is probing the fake encounter case, to inform by tomorrow if Kausar Bi can be produced and then it would decide on a petition filed in this regard by the Centre.

Moreover, a petition seeking a CBI probe into the matter is also likely to be heard tomorrow in the SC.

A senior state Intelligence Bureau (IB) official said that Sohrabuddin was a criminal involved in extortion from businessmen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and also Gujarat but he was not such a big threat nor was a terrorist, as claimed by Vanjhara and his team.

The three arrested IPS officers-D G Vanjhara (DIG border range), Rajkumar Pandian (SP intelligence bureau) and Dinesh M N (SP Alwar, Rajasthan) -- are presently in custody of the CID (crime) till May 1 and are being taken to various places as part of the probe.

Police has also sealed some of Vanjhara’s houses and are looking in to all of the three officers phone records.

Meanwhile, the fake encounter case is also fast taking a political colour with Union textile minister Shankersinh Vaghela seeking Modi’s ouster and also the removal of his cabinet minister Amit Shah.

Vaghela, who was in town yesterday for a textile related function, also demanded a CBI probe into the fake encounter case and alleged that the Sohrabuddin and several other persons were killed in a similar fashion at the behest of Modi.

Some more arrests are likely in the sensational case as other police officers were also invovled in the entire operation. (PTI)

Lalu paid off a debt to his wife handsomely, says a book

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Barely days before their nuptial, she had complained bitterly to her parents for marrying her off in a penniless family.

Years later, Lalu Prasad proved his ‘worthiness’ and political acumen by making Rabri Devi the Chief Minister of Bihar-a passage from kitchen to cabinet, literally!

It was Lalu’s way of "paying off a debt to his wife," reveals a yet-to-be-released pictorial monograph on the Railway Minister.

In her own admission, Rabri Devi says, "Shadi mein khoob ladai hua (my marriage involved a lot of family drama). The reason was that while all of my three sisters were married off to the well-to-do families having huge landed properties, my in-laws had just a thatched roof.

"Just everyone kept telling my father that why are you handing out your daughter to a ‘bhikhmanga’ (beggar)?"

The 300-page monograph, the first of its kind on the charismatic politician, is slated to hit the bookshops in India before the politician’s 60^{th birthday on June 11.}

^{Interestingly, the coffee table book will be released on June 5, the day Jaya Prakash Narayan had launched Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution), his social transformation programme.}

^{Authored by Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, the monograph comprises 20 chapters and carries several interesting articles on the veteran politician’s life, his ‘basic mantra’ for success in his life and his incredible turnaround of Indian Railways.}

^{The book is dedicated to late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur (the political mentor of Lalu Prasad), Jaya Prakash Narayan (who re-shaped India politically), late Dhirubhai Ambani (who had the audacity to dream of a business empire and the resolve to realise it) and some other down-to-earth nationals, who made India proud.}

^{The monograph holds responsible at least seven former Bihar chief ministers, then Central leaders, and more than 100 senior IAS and IPS officials for the present sorry state of affairs in the eastern state and making it a "hell".}

^{" The upper caste people of caste-ridden Bihar always tried to suppress the lower caste people educationally, economically and politically. Lalu Prasad has given voice to all the voiceless people and empowered them to fight for their right in society," says the monograph.}

^{It also contains Rabri Devi’s impressions of her husband and the political turmoil in Bihar during the 70s.}

^{She vividly recalls how she had boarded a steamer at Pahleja Ghat in Sonepur (Chapra) to reach the Patna residence soon after her marriage on March 18, 1974 when curfew had been imposed all over the district.}

^{And, how she boldly tackled her husband’s hide and seek with the police who would always come to her dwelling at the peons’ quarters of the Patna Veterinary College, looking for her spouse. (UNI)}

Antarctic treaty meeting begins today

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: India’s case for setting up another research base in Antarctica and concerns about tourism and its effects on the environment are some of the issues that will come up at the 30^{th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meet (ATCM) beginning here tomorrow.}

^{Scientists, policy-makers and legal experts from 45 nations will deliberate the establishment of new protected areas and historic sites and the safety of Antarctic operations at the 12-day meeting being held in the country for the first time.}

^{India wants to set up a research station in the Larsemann Hills region on the continent but the proposal has run into opposition from some countries who want to keep the area free from human activity.}

^{The mandatory Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation Report (CEER) for the region has been submitted and the matter will come up for discussion at the ATCM.}

^{Tourism in the icy continent is another issue that is expected to be hotly debated at the meeting.}

^{A few countries have been ferrying tourists to Antarctica, which according to scientists is affecting the region’s delicate and unique environment.}

^{India has already voiced its strong opposition to the commercial exploitation of Antarctica through tourism as the trend is aggravating global warming and leading to a rise in the sea level.}

^{Earth Sciences Minister Kapil Sibal said the matter will be taken up during the ATCM.}

^{Sibal also pointed out that the inter-Governmental panel on climate change had warned of the disastrous consequences of human interference in the icy continent.}

^{Other key issues that will be discussed at the meeting pertains to the marking of new protected areas and historic sites and the safety of Antarctic operations.}

^{India currently has the research station Maitri in Antarctica where studies are being carried out for several years. The country’s first research base, Dakshin Gangotri, had to be abandoned after it was buried in snow.}

^{The country had launched a special expedition last year to carry out a thorough survey of the Larsemann Hills area.}

^{Scientists argue that the site offers distinct scientific advantages and research in the region will help them understand how India broke away from Antarctica.}

^{The Larsemann Hills are a rare stretch of ice-free rock around Prydz Bay on the eastern shores of Antarctica.}

^{The three nations with bases already in the area-Russia, China and Australia-pleaded with India at the last Antarctic treaty meeting in Edinburgh in June 2006 not to go ahead with the base as "the area had already suffered human impacts".}

^{The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to the continent.}

^{The treaty, signed by 45 countries, set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, established freedom of scientific investigation and banned military activity on the continent. This was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War.}

^{The main treaty was opened for signature on December 1, 1959 and officially entered into force on June 23, 1961.}

^{The Antarctic Treaty System’s annual meet is the global forum for administration and management of the region.}

^{Only 28 of the 45 parties to the agreements are consultative members and have the right to participate in decision-making at these meetings. The other 18 are acceding members and are allowed to attend the meeting.}

^{Consultative members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory. The 21 non- claimant nations do not recognise the claims of others.}

^{India, a consultative member, signed the treaty in 1983. (PTI)}

EC should probe poor turn out of voters, says BJP

LUCKNOW, Apr 29: Expressing serious concern at low turn out of voters during successive phases of polling in Uttar Pradesh, BJP today urged the Election Commission to investigate as to how the a large number of names of genuine voters failed to find mention in the voter’s list.

"The responsibility of the EC is not only to ensure free and fair polling but also to see that no genuine voter is deprived of his right to vote. The Commission should look into the reasons behind the low turn outs," senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters here.

Sinha, while congratulating the EC for ensuring peaceful voting, alleged that the sense of fear and terror did prevail at some places.

He urged the Commission to take notice of a Samajwadi Party candidate, seeking votes in the name of the dreaded dacoit Dadua in Chitrakoot district.

Sinha also referred to an alleged list of state civil service officers sent to the Centre for being promoted to IAS level which contained names of some "tainted" officials and also a "relation" of the Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Action should be taken against the Chief Minister if the names were found to be sent after his permission, he demanded.

Sinha made it clear that the BJP would neither seek nor extend support to any party after the elections.

The BJP leader took strong exception to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s election speeches asking people to strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi. (PTI)

I don’t need an Ekta Kapoor to carve my
career: Rajiv Khandelwal

MUMBAI, Apr 29: Rajiv Khandelwal, who shot into fame as ‘Sujal’ in the Balaji Telefilms TRP-topping serial ‘Kahin To Hoga’, says that he does not need an Ekta Kapoor to carve his career.

Rajiv reportedly had a fall out with the Balaji head honcho Ekta Kapoor and the latter had publicly claimed that she would never work with him again.

UNI yesterday spoke to Rajiv Khandelwal, Arjun Bijlani and Priyanka Bassi, on the sets of the hugely popular serial ‘Left Right Left’ (LRL) on SAB TV.

When quizzed about his fallout, Rajiv said "That is her prerogative. I have nothing to say as far as her ‘saas-bahu’ serials are concerned. I have nothing to do with them."

He said, "Even though Balaji offers a great platform, right now I am not interested. Ekta is one of the best producers and maybe in the future if she does something good, I might approach her and ask her if I can audition for a role."

He was cast in ‘Kahin to Hoga’ after Ekta spotted him in ‘Kya Haadsa Kya Haquekat’ and the rest as they say is history.

He however, said, since the character of Sujal in ‘Kahin toh hoga’ became so popular, the channel, the producers, every one was making money and the character was being dragged. Instead of carrying on mindlessly I asked them to relieve me of my duties."

On his current success as Captain Rajveer Shekhawat in the hit LRL where he faces tigers, terrorists and tornados, he said "The experience of LRL has been fantastic. I am working with the best of newcomers and was prepared for failure. But the show is a big hit on SAB TV."

He said he does not have any particular idol whom he would emulate but surely wants to be "happy, successful and content" five years from now.

LRL is the journey of six young individuals, who start off as being confused and disoriented, but later on become strong and determined, thereby realising the love for their motherland.

Actor Arjun Bijlani, who plays Alekh is quite happy that the serial, in its second season is doing quite well. He said, "I love the graph of my character in the second season. When you have variety you don’t stagnate. I did my own stunts and the feedback has been great."

Arjun said he plays Alekh, an orphan with no one to guide him about what is right and ends up being blamed for everything in the academy serving a sentence and has to complete the training at all costs to breathe freely.

He hopes to last long in the industry which has a high burn-out rate. He said, "The competition is very tough in this industry and every third day a star is born. I don’t want to be burnt out by the time I am 26 years old."

Another protagonist, Priyanka Bassi, who plays Naina Singh in the serial says she plays a character who hails from a tainted Army background but her motive to join the army is to find the person responsible for her brother’s death, who was termed as a traitor.

Priyanka said, "I am quite elated by the response that I keep getting from people. My fans, most of whom are girls, say they want to become an army person like me."

She reasoned, "Army is a male dominated place and women are not allowed to go to the front, as the general belief is that women are physically and emotionally weak. My role is an answer to the popular belief." (UNI)

36 guards for 13 juveniles, two still manage to escape

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: In an incident reflecting the poor security in juvenile observation homes, two delinquents in a facility managed to escape by giving the slip to 36 guards assigned to guard 13 inmates.

Ironically, the structure at Majnu Ka Tila near Timarpur, from where the two juveniles escaped last week, is called a "place of safety", official sources said.

While Raju (name changed) was later recaptured by officials of the home, the other juvenile remains untraced.

Interestingly, even Raju "nabbed" outside the Juvenile Justice Board at Kingsway Camp here on Friday when he voluntarily appeared to surrender before it. The Board had shut for the day and he was "recaptured" by the officials.

Officials have now started playing the blame game.

Referring to the incident, a senior official of the department of social welfare blamed the shabby security services in the observation homes.

"Even after repeated communications to higher authorities, virtually no security is available in the homes. Nothing has been done till date," he said.

He also complained there were no standards for recruiting security guards and even a "rickshaw-puller" could be employed in such posts.

The official narrated an incident where even after a guard was beaten up by inmates, he abstained from filing a complaint because he, after his suspension from Delhi Police, had given an undertaking that he would not take up a job without intimating the department.

The official said there was not much the authorities could do about security as the responsibility for making decisions rested with senior bureaucrats in the department.

"Although we have given several notices to security guards, they do not pay heed as they know we cannot revoke their contracts," he complained.

The official in-charge of security in the home at Majnu Ka Tila found no fault with the system and termed the escape by the two juveniles as the "rarest of rare" cases. (PTI)

Sound and light programme adds colour to Mysore Palace

MYSORE, KARNATAKA Apr 29: The world famous Mysore Palace, known for its splendour and rich heritage that attracts lakhs of tourists every year will be added with another attractive feature, the ‘Sound and Light’ show beginning soon.

The project estimated to cost Rs 1.4 crore was delayed due to some controversy but soon would become a reality.

The script written for the show by noted linguist Lingadevarau Halemane had kicked up lot of dust with Scion of Mysore Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar accusing the producers of putting the rulers in poor light. Though the programme was ‘reworked’ by the Department of Tourism, he was least impressed with the changes, which was made without consulting him or other experts.

Official sources of Mysore Palace Board told UNI that the Kannada script for the show Is ready, the objections raised with regard to the script had been sorted out and some additions had been made to present the rich past of the Mysore rulers in the 50 minute show.

The writers, film stars and some known personalities had lent their voices for narration of the script, it was being translated into Hindi and English and the translations would be ready in a fortnight, he added.

The official said that trial run of the show was under way at the palace premises. The project’s executors were here to prepare for the launch, which had been postponed on several occasions.

It may be recalled here that the authorities had refrained from building even a wooden platfrom for the public as the concrete structure built earlier, had sparked protests as the palace was a heritage structure. Now seating arrangements for the visitors would be made on the lawns in the palace premises, the official added.

Even though the Government had been preparing for the show, Mr Wadiyar had raised his objections and had written a letter to Chief Minister H D Kumraswamy, saying that the narrative was laden with mistakes while depicting the history of the palace.

He had urged the Government to amend the text before launching the show. (UNI)

Punjab not informed of Virk joining Maharashtra Police

CHANDIGARH, Apr 29: Punjab Government has no information either from the Centre or Maharashtra Government on the reported joining in Mumbai of former Punjab DGP S S Virk, suspended by the state government on charges of involvement in a controversial land deal.

Official sources in Punjab Government said they have not received any intimation as Virk continues to be on deputation to Punjab with his inter-state deputation ending on May five.

Punjab Government has not relieved Virk and it was not known whether the Centre had relieved him directly enabling him to report for duty in Mumbai to join Maharashtra Police as reported in a section of the media, sources said adding department action against the senior IPS officer would continue.

Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, who is in Delhi, told PTI here over phone that he had also read reports of Virk joining Maharashtra. However, "we have no intimation," he said.

Virk, a 1970 batch IPS officer considered close to former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, was suspended by the SAD-BJP Government on April four and posted at the Punjab Police Headquarters here during his suspension period.

On his removal as DGP, Virk was initially posted as posted as DGP cum Chairman Punjab Police Housing Corporation on January 22 and suspended earlier this month.

Sources close to Virk said he had requested the Centre to allow him to join his parent cadre Maharashtra as any action against him could either be taken by the Centre or his parent cadre Maharashtra.

R S Gill, a 1973 batch IPS officer was appointed DGP of Punjab on January 22 after Virk was removed by the Election Commission after SAD claimed that Virk’s presence as the DGP would pose serious threat to conduct of free and fair election in the state.

SAD had levelled serious allegations against the Amarinder Singh Government for granting Virk undue favour while approving mega projects.

The Chief Minister had earlier stated that the Punjab Government would not relieve the officer at present.

"We have written a letter to the Centre on the issue of Virk. He is under suspension and his repatriation is not acceptable to the Government," Badal had said here recently adding that Punjab is not ready to relieve Virk as a case is pending against him.

Few investigations, including grabbing of land of a widow and alleged undue favour to his brother to set up mall in the vicinity of Chandigarh were pending against Virk, who had been out of his parent cadre to Punjab since early eighties. (PTI)

Weight, waistline key indicators for diabetes

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Body weight and waistline are important indicators of diabetes among urban Indian men as the illness begins affecting people at a younger age, a study has claimed.

Tobacco smoking, a family history of diabetes and educational status are not as significant in predicting the risk of developing the "new onset" of diabetes.

Age, blood pressure and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or pre-diabetic state are other factors that make a person susceptible to the disease in India, described as the "diabetes capital of the world".

"The study shows that Asian Indians are at a considerably higher risk for diabetes as they tend to have large waistlines and are overweight," said D Prabhakaran, who conducted the study with six members of the department of cardiology at AIIMS.

Aimed at finding reasons for the development of diabetes, the seven doctors conducted a survey in an industrial organisation twice-once during 1995-98 and then in 2002-03 -- and compared the results.

A total of 942 men who had no diabetes were surveyed in both studies.

"Of the 942 men, 77 (8.2 per cent) developed diabetes during the intervening period," Prabhakaran said.

The study established that the disease developed significantly in those who were older than 40 years, had high body mass index (BMI), large waistlines and blood pressure.

According to K S Reddy, who was part of the study, "It is not uncommon to see that people under 20 years have diabetes. It is a matter of great concern to us as 50 per cent people who have diabetes die of heart attack." (PTI)

Army, BSF men face peace time enemies in Rann of Kutch

RANN OF KUTCH, GUJARAT, Apr 29: Indian soldiers and Border Security Force (BSF) jawans guarding the border with Pakistan in this region have to guard themselves against enemies of a different kind during peace time.

These enemies are dangerous quicksand, deadly vipers and scorpions, blazing heat and hostile weather conditions which change so dramatically that an area where not a drop of water exists can suddenly get covered by sheets of water.

"This region is unique in the world. One one side, there is an area where there is perpetual water while the other side is totally dry. The side where there is no water gets totally covered by sheets of water during monsoons, making movement practically impossible," said an Army Officer.

It is very risky for persons to walk in such areas because they can get sucked into quicksand from which it is practically impossible to come out, said the officer.

The Rann of Kutch comprises 10,000 square miles between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus river in southern Pakistan. The Luni river that originates in Rajasthan empties into the northeast corner of the Rann.

In peace time, the area is guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF) while the Army is responsible for all military operations.

In the event of hostile enemy activity, the Army takes full control of the region while the BSF plays a secondary role of providing assistance.

The hostile weather too creates problems for soldiers and BSF troops. The intense heat and salt-laden wind create pulmonary and joint problems for them.

"A number of soldiers suffer from lung problems because of inhaling salty air for a long time as this has a direct effect on the alveoli of the lungs," said a Medical Officer of the Army.

Besides, they also suffer from joint pain because of inhaling such air, he said.

Irrespective of the extreme climatic conditions, the soldiers are highly motivated. "There is no doubt that indian soldiers are among the best in the world," Brig P C Choudhary, the Commandant of the Bald Eagles Formation, a wing of the Army’s Golden Katar Division, said.

The sector is unique in the country, perhaps even in the world, due to the combination of tasks handled by the Army. These include the defence of the Rann of Kutch, a desert sector, the quicksand in the Creek and the coast of northern Gujarat.

In arid areas, one will not find a drop of water even though the soil appears to be wet. If one scratches the surface, one would find that it appears wet below. But there will be no water because the composition of the soil is such that water does not percolate. (PTI)