Bodies of BRO men killed in Afghanistan arrive home

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Bodies of two Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan on April 12 arrived here from Kabul this morning.

The bodies of Mahendra Pratap Singh, an engineer, and C Govindaswamy, a mason, were airlifted from Kabul in Kam Airlines, a private carrier operating in Afghanistan.

The two BRO personnel were killed in the terror attack carried out by the suspected Taliban extremists on the BRO’s Road Construction Project near Minar in Nimroz province of Afghanistan on Saturday morning.

Five others-Bishram Oroan, Vikram Singh, Mohammad Nazim Khan, Anil Kumar Thampee and Maya Ram-were also wounded in the attack.

Mahendra Pratap Singh from Varanasi is survived by his wife, 14-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son while 45-year-old Govindaswamy had been working in Afghanistan for the past one year and is survived by his wife Sivagami, three daughters and a son.

The bodies arrived at the IGI Airport at around 1000 hrs and were then kept in state at ‘Shradhanjali Sthal’ in the cargo area of the domestic airport.

The body of Mahendra Pratap Singh would be later flown to his hometown Varanasi and that of Govindaswamy to Tippanapalli in Tamil Nadu.

Strongly condemning the act of terrorism aimed against its aid and humanitarian programme in Afghanistan, India reiterated its determination to continue to work with the Afghan people and the Government in Kabul for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and the well-being of its citizens.

Nearly 400 BRO personnel are engaged in the construction of a crucial 218-km highway between Zaranj and Delaram in Afghanistan as part of India’s assistance programme for the reconstruction of the war-torn country. (UNI)

Central assistance sought for drought-hit areas of MP

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: The "serious" situation arising out of the exodus of people from drought-hit areas of Madhya Pradesh was brought to the notice of the Government in the Lok Sabha today, with a member demanding immediate relief measures by the Centre.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by BJP’s Ganesh Singh who said a central team had visited the affected areas quite some time ago but "no relief measures have yet been taken."

His party colleague Girdhari Lal Bhargava wanted central help to farmers in Rajasthan who were badly hit by recent hailstorms which had destroyed crop on a large scale.

CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharya charged the Government with promoting private interests by not renewing licenses of three premier public sector vaccine producing firms and demanded withdrawal of the order.

"The licenses of these three premier firms in Chennai, Kunnur and Mumbai have not been renewed. They have been asked not to supply vaccines to hospitals. This will affect major immunisation programmes," he said.

On the other hand, private sector firms have been selling similar vaccines at "much higher prices", Acharia said and demanded that the order of the Central Drug Controller not to renew the licenses of the three vaccine firms be withdrawn forthwith. (PTI)

Solving problem of enclaves with
Bangladesh not easy: Govt

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: The Government today admitted that it was facing difficulties in solving the border problem with Bangladesh, mainly that of the enclaves in adverse possession, but expressed determinaton for resolving the issue.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in Rajya Sabha during Question Hour that the government was discussing the matter with the Bangladesh authorities at different levels.

"There is a human element involved in it. It is not a simple give and take. We have to give some enclaves to them and take back some. That is where the problem is. When we talk of giving, they complain, when we talk of taking, they object. So both of us have to agree," he said in reply to a question.

He said Bangladesh had objected to the erection of the fence along the border by India. But India was tryying to explain to them that the fence is not offensive but only to check illegal migration.

Moreover, it was difficult to fence the riverine area which is prone to flooding.

"We are seeking Bangladesh’s cooperation. We have also taken steps to develop the border area and put in money to build infrastructure."

The Home Minister said the Government was also planning to raise few more battalions of the BSF to guard the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Referring to the agreement signed between the then leaders of the two countries-Mrs Indira Gandhi and Mujib ur Rehman-about the exchange of enclaves and why had not it been implemented so far, the Home Minister said the agreement could be implemented after both the parties involved agreed to certain terms.

"An agreement can’t be implemented by only one party. If the other side is willing, it can be implemented," he added.

He, however, did not give a time-frame. (UNI)

Socially relevant films? Better Govt
makes them: Farooq Shaikh

NEW DELHI, Apr 15: The task of making socially relevant films rests with the Government as an individual producer dare not take such risks, feels a veteran Bollywood actor, Farooq Shaikh.

"Investing in a movie on social issues is highly risky in terms of business, so why should anyone take a risk. Instead, the Government should finance such movies to create awareness in the society," points out Farooq Shaikh, who is known for his contribution to parallel cinema.

Shaikh, who made his last appearance in the movie ‘Mohabbat’ in 1997, on his comeback in the films, says, "this year I am confident of being caught by any director or producer".

He pioneered the idea of cinestars getting back to the small screen with ‘Jeena Isi ka Naam hai’ on Zee and now the entire fraternity seems to be following in his footsteps. When asked about it, the actor quips, "more than achievement it was just a matter of time."

On the importance of making socially relevant movies and serials, he points out, "such attempts do have an impact. Although it does not solve a major problem but it raises certain points, at least to let people ponder over the matter".

However, the star of 1970s and 1980s feels that coming up of the ‘middle of the road’ movies, which provide entertainment besides educating people on certain issues, like ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Tare Zameen Par’, are setting a good trend.

"Such movies which have been commercially viable also, are setting good trends and will continue. One should have faith in this trend," he says adding, the coming of the multiplex culture is a good sign as it help to release movies of any budget.

Terming ‘reality shows’ as a new phase, Shaikh who has also acted in many comedy soaps points out, "there are things which have certain phases and now it is the turn of the reality shows."

He adds, "If a reality show helps even ten per cent of the common people, then it is good. At least it provides a platform to the masses to showcase their talents."

Shaikh has worked in many critically acclaimed movies such as ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, ‘Noorie’, ‘Chashme Buddoor’ and ‘Kissi Se Na Kehna’. He has also worked with the legendary director Satyajit Ray, who is known as the father of the ‘parallel cinema’. Apart from Ray, Shaikh also worked with Muzaffar Ali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta. (PTI)

Hema Malini releases album by Lalitya Munshaw

MUMBAI, Apr 16: Bollywood icon Hema Malini released Lalitya Munshaw’s fusion album of traditional melodies and contemporary music - "Maika Piya" here.

Speaking on the occasion held last night, Malini said as an artist has learnt and performed with masters of Indian music, the album should do well.

"I wanted an amalgamation of contemporary sound with traditional lyrics that would reach out to a large audience. Some of the songs are hundreds of years old, but are given a modern feel," said Munshaw at the launch.

Conceptualised by Munshaw herself, "Maika Piya" has roped in a number of the industry’s seasoned musicians including Sitarect Niladri Kumar, guitarect Chintu Singh, the flutists Ronu Majumdar and Kiran and Ranjit Barot at the drums. The album is also supported by a title track video.

Classically trained Munshaw, a well known artist who has performed with Hariharan, Anup Jalota, Pankaj Udhas and Louis Banks plans to work on a ‘romantic pop’ album for her next project. (UNI)

Over 32,000 children infected with HIV

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: As many as 32,803 children have been detected as HIV infected and Government plans to provide them treatment, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told the Lok Sabha today.

He said till 2006-07, an estimated 1,800 children were on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) taking adult drugs.

With the launch of pediatric fixed dose combination of ARV drugs, 32,803 children have been registered for ART of whom 9,478 children are already receiving treatment in 147 centres across the country, Ramadoss said.

Government has mobilised USD14 million from the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria Round-VI in 2007-08 for providing a package of services including medical care for opportunistic infections, psycho-social support, supplementary nutrition, education over a period of five years, he said.

These interventions for infected and affected children, including orphans, are at present being implemented in the four states of Manipur, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra with the target of reaching 65,000 such children by 2012, Ramadoss said.

Of the 32,803 children registered for pediatric fixed dose combination of ARV drugs, a maximum of 7,774 are from Andhra Pradesh, 7,390 are from Maharashtra, 5,074 from Tamil Nadu, 4,389 in Karnataka and 1,519 from Manipur, he said.

As many as 2,383 children have been receiving ART in Maharashtra, 1,880 in Andhra Pradesh, 1,638 in Tamil Nadu, 1,198 in Karnataka and 355 in Manipur, Ramadoss said. (PTI)

South Sikkim - a horticulture hub

GANGTOK, Apr 16: The Centre’s technology mission, being implemented in the North-Eastern states from 2002, has helped the farmers of Sikkim’s South district to increase their agriculture produce manifold to make the region a horticulture hub of the tiny state.

Over 1,000 farmers from the villages of the South district not only earn their livelihood, but also earn a surplus money by selling the horticulture produce to the whole-sellers, Horticulture department Secretary R. Telang said.

Telang, who visited the remote villages of South Sikkim recently alongwith other officials to make a first hand account of the implementation of the new farm technology, said the farmers have immensely benefitted from new farm technique.

The villages like Temi Daragoan, Sim-kharga Dew, Ben Manprik, Nambong, Rolak, Peku, Jaubar, Damthang, Saleybong, Bul Singtam and Namchi have emerged as a ‘green belt’ with most of the farmers engaged in the cultivation of peas, radish, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and ginger, Telang said.

Another farmland near 14^{th Mile in Ravangla grows 600 quintals of potato every season by adopting the tools of new farm technology, the Horticulture Secretary said, adding his department purchased potato seeds from the Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, last year and distributed them free to the farmers.}

^{A Krishi Vigyan Kendra has been set up at Namthang and a team of experts deployed to help the farmers about better crop management, he said.}

^{Under the Technology Mission, the farmers are also being given financial assistance, including Kisan Credit Cards, to take loans for farming at a subsidised rate, the Horticulture Secretary said.}

^{His department has also made available to the farmers alternative measures for water supply for the standing crops by providing community water tanks for irrigation purposes, he said.}

^{The marketing of the horticulture produces are also being taken care of by bringing the wholesale buyers to the fields for purchase of the produces at a fixed rate, Telang said.}

^{The farmers stand to benefit the maximum by way of rooting out the role of the middlemen as well as the costs on transportation, he pointed out.}

^{The farmers’ too are keen to pursue agriculture as a means of livelihood as well as business with some of them raking big moolahs by cultivation of both seasonal and unseasonal vegetables and other horticulture produces like flowers.}

^{Summing up the success of the Technology Mission for the farm sector, a farmer Bhim Bahadur Rai from Ravangla region, says that he sells 200 quintal cabbage every day to the wholesale buyers ever since he adopted the methods of organic farming.}

^{Another farmer Zngpo Sherpa said that he sold 22,000 cut flowers at the rate of Rs. Four per piece, besides other vegetables last year which fetched him a profit of Rs. 1.5 lakh in the very first season of adoption of organic farming.}

^{Buoyed by the success of the new techonology, the Horticulture Secretary said that the mission of organic farming would be taken to other regions of the himalayan state so that the farmers could benefit from new farming methods. (PTI)}

HP to add chapters on Deen Dayal,
Savarkar, Shyama Prasad

SHIMLA, Apr 16: The Himachal Pradesh Government will review the school syllabus and add chapters on Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, V D Savarkar and the Sikh gurus to the textbooks who allegedly failed to find a space owing to "Congress conspiracy."

"A meeting of the education board and department will be called in May or June to review the school syllabus and add chapters on the Jan Sangh leaders and Sikh gurus who failed to find a place in the textbooks due to conspiracy by the Congress," education minister I D Dhiman said today.

Dhiman, who retired as a school principal in 1989, said the Congress rule had "deliberately" omitted the life and thoughts of these personalities from school texts.

"Mahatama Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and even Indira Gandhi no doubt attract respect but other personalities like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Shyama Prasad and Savarkar also contributed to the country immensely," he said.

The HP education minister said students would also be taught in detail about Sikh leaders like Banda Bahadur and founder of the hill state, Yashwant Singh Parmar, to broaden their outlook.

He said special emphasis would be laid on promotion of the Punjabi language in the school syllabus. (PTI)

SC seeks Centre’s reply on HC Judge appointment

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: The Supreme Court today granted two weeks time to the Union Government to file its reply on a petition challenging appointment of Justice Ashok Kumar as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court.

The petition filed by former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan had alleged that Justice Kumar was elevated as permanent judge without the concurrence of the Supreme Court collegium.

Justice Kumar, serving as additional Judge of the high court, was appointed as a permanent judge in February 2007.

According to the petitioner, the appointment was in violation of the rules as the Chief Justice failed to consult two senior most judges while making the appointment.

As per the ‘memorandum of procedure’ of the Union Government, appointment of additional and permanent Judges of the High Court can be made by the Chief Justice of India after obtaining the consent of two senior most Judges. (PTI)

Khayyam pained by remix trends

MUMBAI, Apr 16: Legendary music composer Khayyam has expressed anguish on the trend of remixes in present day films and television.

"Where have all the morals gone," he asked during a press conference yesterday to launch a new serial ‘Bikhri Aas Nikhri Preet’ in which he has composed the music. The teleserial to be aired on Doordarshan’s national network is directed by Lekh Tandon.

"An excuse is given that an old classic song or movie is brought to life by remixing it. But, I want to ask when had it died. It is being copied or remixed, only because it is alive and liked by people," he said.

Khayyam appealed to the young generation to show originality. "If you come out with good, original ideas, the oldies like us will have no hesitation in saluting you," he said.

The music composer said after hearing or watching the remixes, the original sounds and looks so good, he added.

Getting nostalgic, Khayyam said these days crores of rupees are spent on promoting music and still after sometime, the music is forgotten.

"In my career of 60 years, I have composed music for only 55 movies. I have worked with all top filmmakers of my time and the music I scored for their films worked on its own strength and is remembered even today," he said proudly.

In a lighter vein, Khayaam said, "Mein Bahut Mehengi cheez hoon (I charge a high price)." After I got success, I realised my worth and even producers gave me my due."

He admitted that he was known as a "choosy" and "moody" in his working days. "Due to this, I faced a lot of financial hardships," he recalled.

The music composer said he looked for good subjects, be it in films or television. "I have also composed music for the story. However, these days there is no story in films or television," he said.

When asked whether he preferred television or films, Khayyam, who has composed the music for serials like Neena Gupta’s ‘Dard’ and Sanjay Khan’s ‘The Great Maratha’ said, "The bigger screen is only in theatres while the small screen is in every household. Hence, television is bigger."

Noted filmmaker Lekh Tandon, who is donning the director’s hat after a long time, expressed confidence that his new project would be liked by the audience. "A good story always sells," he felt.

He said the television series is based on the celebrated Hindi novel ‘Vyavdhaan’ penned by late Shantikumari Bajpai. The novel published in 1963 was a literary classic. (PTI)

Nalini feels relieved after meeting Priyanka: Brother

CHENNAI, Apr 16: Nalini Murugan, serving a life sentence for her involvement in Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, is "relieved" after her emotional encounter with Priyanka Vadra in a Vellore jail and feels all her sins have been washed off.

Giving a brief insight into the hour-long meeting at Vellore prison on March 19 which was cloaked in secrecy, Nalini’s brother P S Bhagyanathan said she considered the encounter as a defining moment of her life and feels she had been "cleansed of her sins, though committed unknowingly."

43-year-old Nalini’s spirits were "high" since her meeting with the daughter of the late prime minister and she feels relieved, said Bhagyanathan, who was also an accused in the case but later acquitted.

"When I met her after their meeting, she told me she felt she had been cleansed of her sins, though committed unknowingly," Bhagyanathan, a counsellor, quoted his sister as saying without making a direct reference to the 1991 assassination of the former Prime Minister. Nalini also said Priyanka’s desire to meet her also came as a surprise.

He, however, said that media glare on the "very personal meeting" and speculation arising out of it pained him and his elder sister. "She was indeed elated after the meeting", but the media speculation could curtail her happiness over the meeting as "she is not the kind who wants such media publicity", Bhagyanathan said here.

However, "she did not reveal much of what transpired between the two", he added.

S Duraisamy, Nalini’s counsel, had said yesterday that the latter had been in constant touch with Congress President Sonia Gandhi ever since she helped in getting her clemency.

Nalini was sentenced to death along with her husband Murugan and two others, stated to be activists of LTTE.

It was later commuted to life imprisonment after Sonia Gandhi intervened.

Nalini had also sent a telegram to her, wishing speedy recovery, when the latter was hospitalised recently.

Duraisamy had also said that a petition seeking release of Nalini was pending before Madras High Court. (PTI)

E-waste to increase to eight lakh tonnes by 2012

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: E-waste is likely to increase to eight lakh tonnes by 2012, up from 1.5 lakh tonnes in 2005, mainly due to high economic growth and increased use of electronic appliances in the country.

The Government has put in place guidelines to handle the e-waste so that it has no adverse impact on either health or environment, Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Environment and Forests, said in the Lok Sabha.

"As growth increases use of electronic goods also goes up resulting in higher e-waste. We are aware of the impact of this and are encouraging recycle and reuse to maximum so that waste is minimum," the minister said.

He also sought public participation in the process so that e-waste was handled properly.

On concerns that foreign companies were dumping the e-waste in India causing a major environmental threat, Meena said that import of hazadous materials like copper was allowed only for the recycling and direct use and not for dumping.

The Government has been monitoring the imports and would like to ensure the House that it did not pose any environment threat to the nation, he said.

"No hazardous waste is allowed to be imported into the country for dumping and disposal and the import/export of hazardous waste is allowed only for reuse/recycling in an environmentally sound manner," he said.

Further, all the recyclers/refiners of non-ferrous metal wastes or used oil/waste oil are required to register themselves with the Central Pollution Control Board except those having units with captive recycling facilities, he said. (PTI)