Info on GM Crops be revealed in public
interest, CIC to Centre

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the Centre to disclose in "public interest" information about bio-safety data on genetically modified crops.

"In light of the government rules (on genetically engineered organisms), we cannot agree that inspection of this information can be provided only in a restricted environment to members representing civil society," Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has said.

The Commission perused the government rules regulating manufacturing and processing of GM organisms indicating that they have a potential health hazard.

The order was passed on an application seeking details on toxicity and allergy threat from four genetically modified (GM) crops, which was gathered by the Government during field trials of transgenic rice, okra (ladys finger), mustard and brinjal.

The Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) had failed to provide information to Divya Raghunandan, an environmentalist associated with Greenpeace, who sought the details to study the health and environmental implications of GM crops.

The Commission directed DBT to provide information on BT-brinjal within 20 days, and has asked it to provide a time frame by which details on bio-safety data regarding the remaining three crops could be given.

The department had contended that the safety data relating to BT-rice, mustard and okra was yet to be generated.

The CIC, in its earlier order of April 13, had directed DBT to come out with the related information concerning the four GM Crops, but it failed to comply with the Commission’s order.

Aggrieved by the DBT’s non-compliance, Bangalore-based Raghunandan again approached the CIC, seeking further directions to the department and also a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the loss of time and effort in getting the details.

The Commission has asked Raghunandan to file details of loss suffered within ten days, which would then enable it to take a decision on her compensation plea.

The CIC also rejected the plea of a private company Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Limited, seeking impleadment in the proceedings.

The company had submitted that any disclosure of data on toxicity and allerginicity studies of BT brinjal would affect its commercial interests.

Welcoming the decision, the Greenpeace activist said that an independent analysis of this bio-safety data would be conducted to understand its health and safety implication.

"Past examples show that certain companies had misled the European Governments by applying inappropriate methodology and using faulty statistical analysis... Hence there is a need for immediate analysis of the available data in India," she said. (PTI)

NCC raising day celebrations conclude

CHANDIGARH, Nov 25: The week-long NCC raising day celebrations culminated here today with Run-for-Fun from Sukhna Lake to NCC Group HQ here.

The 500 cadets who ran in this event spread the twin motto of NCC, "unity and discipline".

The event was presided over by Union Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal,

The Minister distributed prizes to the cadets who participated in Run-for-Fun and to the cadets who won painting, essay writing and singing competitions which were organised during the past one week.

The pinnacle of the event was the pledge undertaken by the cadets against female foeticide and anti dowry, wherein, the cadets vowed to eradicate the social evils from the society. (UNI)

New age love story from the pioneer
of ‘saas-bahu’ sagas

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: She is known as the the ‘Queen of melodrama’ on the television firmament, having set off the trend of emotional family dramas and the ‘saas-bahu sagas with the quintessential ‘kitchen politics’.

Ekta Kapoor, hitherto known as the pioneer of overtly elodramatic soaps on various channels on Indian television - from ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ to ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi kabhi Bahu thi’ to Kahin Kisi Roz’, ‘Kasauti Zindagi Kay’, ‘Kkusum’, ‘Kumkum’ to ‘Kayamath’ - is ready to "turn a new leaf"!

For, premiering on Sony television tomorrow is Ekta’s new show ‘Kuch Is Tara’, which eschews everything that has in the past few years epitomised the "Ekta Kapoor Brand".

Unlike all her previous show, "Kuch Is Tara’, which airs on Sony from tomorrow, is a new age love story dealing with the romance between a typical girl-next-door Kanya and the rich boy Ayan, one who perfectly exemplifies her ‘Prince Charming’, whom she has always dreamt of meeting and sweeping her off her feet into a world of dreams.

"Kuch Is Tara’, to be aired from Mondays to Thursdays at 9.00 pm, is a show which promises to break all the existing norms for soaps on Indian television. The show is different from all the Ekta Kapoor’s shows on Indian television,"said the vice president, programming on Sony, Sanjay Upadhyay.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, Mr Upadhyay said that with ‘Kuch Is Tara’ Ekta was reinventing herself.

"Kuch is Tara has none of the elements that one has seen in her serials over the last few years. Infact, Ekta has said this is the best work she has done in the last seven years. It is a part of her reinvention of Balaji,"Mr Upadhyay said.

He said the serial was an endeavour on the part of Sony to present the audience with a fresh, innovative and distinct content.

"We have all along tried to provide a different kind of entertainment to the Indian audience through shows like ‘Heena’, ‘Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin’ and the recent ‘Ambar Dhara’. We are confident, ‘Kuch Is Tara’ will be able to ignite the magic of love and romance on television once again through its modern tale of love which stands out among the plethora of daily saas bahu sagas today," Upadhyay said.

Featuring an ensemble cast of Akashdeep Saighal, Sudha Chandran, Jayanti Bhatia, Rajendra Gupta and newcomers Vishal Singh and Dimple Jhangiani in lead roles of Aayan and Kanya, ‘Kuch Is Tara’ takes its viewers through the journey of a teenage middle class girl Kanya who, like most girls her age, awaits her prince charming.

Living with her doting father, two sisters and a brother, Kanya dreams of seeing her prince charming riding on a horse and sweeping her off her feet into a world of dreams where true love prevails.

As Kanya’s story unfolds, she meets her prince charming at the most unexpected time. Aayan is the perfect prince charming - young, dashing and rich. With each passing day, the love between them grows and finally reaches its peak only for the ‘hate guru’ - ranbir’s uncle (played by Akashdeep Sehgal) who enters their life and shoots down cupid’s arrow to create a rift between them. Between the two men and a series of extra ordinary events, Kanya’s life and love unfolds.(UNI)

Pak-made counterfeit notes found in circulation

SALEM, TN, Nov 24: The Reserve Bank of India has cautioned banks to be on their guard about circulation of "Pakistan-made" fake Indian currency notes of high quality print which were hard to detect.

The currency notes of Rs 100 denomination came to light during RBI’s routine examination of a bunch of soiled notes sent by one of the State Bank of India branches in this city of Tamil Nadu recently, police said here today.

The RBI Chennai unit, during examination, found 11 of the notes to be fake and alerted the Fort Branch of SBI here, which in turn lodged a complaint with the local police.

Police quoted bank officials as saying that the RBI Chennai in its communication to the bank had stated that these notes were so sophisticatedly printed that they could not be detected easily.

However, details were not available as to how RBI found the notes to be of Pakistan origin. (PTI)

Keshubhai’s seat to be a flash point
between BJP, Congress

VISAVADAR, GUJARAT, Nov 25: Former constituency of rebel BJP leader Keshubhai Patel, Visavadar in Gujarat, is all set to become a flash point between the combined force of BJP rebels and the Congress, on the one hand, and the Chief Minister Naredra Modi led ruling party on the other.

The Congress has given ticket to party youth wing leader and a Leuva Patel (one of the two sub-castes of Patel community) Harshad Ribadia who had been recommended by the BJP rebel group to contest against sitting MLA of the ruling party Kanubhai Bhalala who also belongs to the same sub-caste.

The constituency, represented by the Keshubhai, will be keenly contested by both the BJP and the alliance of Congress and BJP rebels. The constituency was given to Kanubhai Bhalala in the 2002 elections after Keshubhai refused to fight the Assembly elections.

The Visavadar constituency in Junagadh district of Saurashtra, which goes to polls in the first phase on December 11, has around 65 per cent Leuva Patel voters, while Kolis, Kshitrayas, Muslims and other castes constitute the remaining 35 per cent voters. The winner of the seat will be decided depending on the way the Patel community votes.

Both the main political parties the Congress and the BJP had offered the ticket to the son of Keshubhai, Bharat, who had earlier expressed a wish to fight the elections. However, during the process of ticket distribution, Bharat surprisingly decided not to contest.

The influence of Keshubhai Patel on the constituency is still intact with a voter, Jayesh Patel, a pan shop owner of Visavadar, saying, he is a "great leader" who had been subjected to humiliation and injustice by the BJP, according to election observers.

Congress candidate Ribadia, 37, had been instrumental in organising a meeting of BJP rebels farmers in the constituency which was a "great success", Junagadh district unit Congress president Jethalal Jora said Ribadia has been given ticket by the party as the BJP rebel group insisted on his candidature.

"I am sure to win the elections as Leuva Patel caste elders have given the assurance that they will vote for the Congress and against the Modi Government in the coming elections. All the pre-poll arrangements for the community to vote for the Congress have been completed," Ribadia said.

Sitting BJP MLA Bhalala has already started working hard, as on the second day of filing of nomination forms, he was busy canvassing in the interior villages of the district. Bhalala said situation would have been different if Keshubhai’s son Bharat was in fray.

"But, now the rebel factor will only have a very minimal effect on the constituency. I am sure to regain the seat," he said, adding party will work hard to retain the seat. (PTI)

Revised guidelines for admission to
pre-primary classes issued

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: The Delhi Government Education Department has issued a draft of revised guidelines with regard to the nursery admission process across the recognised schools in the capital.

The order come days after the Delhi High Court, on November 19, approved the revised guidelines presented by the Delhi government.

According to the new guidelines, the clause 6 now says that the parents will not be interviewed as part of the admission procedure. Any interaction with the parents can be held after the admission of the child.

The clause 7 says the school would not conduct any interview of the child for whom admission is being sought.

According to the clause 16, every school will make public the approved admission criteria adopted by it, on its website, prospectus and notice board. The schools have also been asked not to change, alter or modify their approved admission criteria adopted by them during the admission process in an academic session.

A special cell to monitor the admission process in the schools will also be formed and the admission criteria adopted by the school will be made by the managing committee and be finalised with the prior approval of the Directorate of Education.

The directions also say there would be no overall lottery system to select or shortlist a child for admission. Limited use of lottery may, however, be adopted in case there is a tie among applicatns.

The High Court had earlier found the guidelines "vague" and asked the Government for clarity in "wordings". (UNI)

Kalam asks teachers to impart
education with human values

BHOPAL, Nov 25: Asking teachers to impart "education with human values" to students, former President A P J Abdul Kalam today said moral science should be taught in schools once in a week to inculcate values of love and compassion.

"Moral science should be taught in schools once in a week to inculcate values of love and compassion. It can help develop enlightened citizens," Kalam said, interacting with students and teachers at the concluding function of the week- long science exhibition organised on the sidelines of Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan here.

Citing the role played by Sister Antonia in ending a prison riot in Mexico, Kalam said human education allows people to inculcate love and compassion which can help overcome greatest hurdles in life.

Sister Antonia, whose selfless service was respected by the prisoners, generated respect prompting them to control themselves and urged them to do what she wanted, a task that armed police could not carry out.

Appealing to the youth to "navigate time towards their mission in life", Kalam said, "seconds fly, minutes fly, days fly and year fly. We have no control over it. The only thing we can do is we can navigate time. Let not thy winged days, be spent in vain."

Kalam said students can make their first contribution towards development of nation by excelling in studies. Education system should instill in minds of students capacities of inquiry, creativity, technology, entrepreneurship and moral leadership.

"It will prepare an "autonomous learner-a self- directed, self-controlled, lifelong learner, who will have the capacity to both respect authority and at the same time is capable of questioning authority, in an appropriate manner," Kalam said.

He said that "creativity, courage and righteousness were the main ingredients of knowledge. A combination of these characteristics can generate enlightened citizens".

On Indo-US nuclear deal, Kalam said dearth of uranium has led to such treaties.

"I believe that in next five-ten years, our scientists will develop technology to utilise abundantly available thorium as nuclear fuel making us self-reliant."

"While transforming India into a developed nation by 2020, prime sectors that need attention are agriculture and agro processing, education, information technology, infrastructure development and self-reliance in critical technology," Kalam said.

Sharing his vision of developed India by 2020, he said it will be a nation where rural and urban divide gets reduced to a thin line, there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water and agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.

"It will be a nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination, which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists and investors and where best of health care is available," he said.

"A developed India will have a responsive and transparent governance and it will be prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy, and continues with a sustainable growth path," Kalam said.

Replying to a query, Kalam said he did not believe in destiny or future, but relied heavily on acquiring knowledge and achieving success through hard work. (PTI)

Good story important for box-office success: Mani Ratnam

PANAJI, Nov 25: A good story idea and its distinct depiction on screen is more important than filming technique, noted movie director Mani Ratnam today said.

"When I write and make a movie, it is the story and its lucid depiction that is primary for me than the filming technique as it comes secondary. I believe that audience come to watch a film for its story and not for its look on screen," Mani Ratnam said here.

"It is more important for me to tell the story convincingly, backed by good performances from actors. A good story without the support of good acting will have no impact on people. However, story is bigger than stars," he said.

A filmmaker has to strive for giving a different angle to a concept by exploring newer ideas borrowed from real life incidents, the director of films like ‘Nayakan’, ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Dalapathi’, ‘Anjali’, ‘Yuva’ and ‘Guru’ said.

"When I see potential in a concept, there is an urge inside me to take it away from the cliche and give a different treatment, something what others have not thought of," he said.

"When one is writing, he has to take inspiration from everyday incidents to get better story ideas. One must also read as much as possible to be able to give contemporary touch for audience to relate with the subject," he said.

Ratnam himself has been an exponent of depicting current issues through his films - ‘Roja’ (Kashmir insurgency), ‘Bombay’ (post Babri Masjid demolition riots), ‘Dil Se’ (North East problem), ‘Yuva’ (youth entering politics) and ‘Guru’ (depicting India’s journey from a Nehruvian socialist to an emerging capitalist nation).

"An idea doesn’t come to you overnight. It takes time to germinate and develops over a period of time. Even after staying in the mind for long, if the thought still interests me, then I get the impetus to go ahead and make a film out of it," he said.

A management graduate, Ratnam began with no formal training in cinema. Yet he is counted as one of the most reputed directors in the country today. But, he still believes that he has not fully evolved as a complete director.

"I had no guidance, literature to start with. But I had a management background which taught me to conceptualise and execute my ideas. I write bare minimum. I have been always amazed by directors like Satyajit Ray who could write out an entire story board and then shoot accordingly," he said.

According to the director, he is still learning various nuances of film making and his emphasis would be on ensuring a smoother ending.

"One of the main reasons why some of my films like ‘Dil Se’ and ‘Gitanjali’ did not do well inspite of a good story was abrupt ending. The entire story that has been narrated for two hours, has to end logically as it is the ending for which a movie is remembered by the people," Ratnam said.

Ratnam is also known for introducing A R Rehman in the film industry as a composer. All his films starting from ‘Roja’ in 1992 have music compositions of Rehman and the director now shares a special bonding with him.

"I have worked with two very classy composers - Illayaraja and Rehman. Both are from two different schools of music composition. While Illayaraja is more spontaneous in his response, Rehman takes time to think over tunes and story situation and labours over it," he said.

According to him, Rehman, if pushed a little, is willing to think laterally.

"The greatest challenge for a filmmaker working with people who have had a successful association with him is to motivate them to explore new avenues, without being repetitive," Ratnam said.

Pushing for the unknown can eventually bring out greater results, he said, adding his films were meant for people and not for awards.

"My movies are for people. I am hungry for their appreciation. If in the due course any award comes in my way, it is welcome. However, all awards, especially the Oscars don’t have any value. In fact, Oscars have become a racket where you have to spend lakhs to impress the jury for just nominating your film," Ratnam alleged.

The intent should be to make good meaningful mainstream films and not look for awards, he said, in his message to budding film writers and directors. (PTI)