Anoushka gives a scintillating performance for UN concert

MUMBAI, Feb 19: Anoushka Shankar gave a scintillating performance at the "Music for Hunger" concert organised by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Ravi Shankar Institute of Music and Performing arts (RIMPA) here.

Anoushka swept the audience yesterday, which included chief guest Pandit Jasraj through different moods and tempos that shifted between slow and melancholic notes over the drone of the "Veena" to blistering arpeggios. Keeping pace with her was Tanmey Bose who accompanied and countered her notes and ragas with fineness.

On the second half, Anoushka played a refreshing set of "Karnataki" music with Ravi Chandra Kullur on the flute.

Sitar virtuoso Anoushka, daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar has been the celebrity advocate for WFP since 2007 and has held similar shows on behalf of WFP and RIMPA. "Though India is economically growing at over eight per cent, there are huge social problems", said the artist before the show.

"We are glad to have a talented, bright and compassionate artist like Anoushka onboard as a celebrity advocate for the WFP. Her concert will help in about raising awareness and funds on the issue of malnutrition and hunger in India", said Country Director/ Representative of India (WFP) Gianpietro Bordignon.

Anoushka will be performing at the Siri Fort auditorium at New Delhi on Febraury 20. (UNI)

BAE finalising joint ventureswith Indian companies

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: With India emerging as a top buyer of military equipment, UK-based global defence and aerospace major BAE systems is finalising several joint ventures with Indian manufacturers to get a bigger share of the lucrative defence market.

The company is also eyeing a deal to grab an additional contract to supply 40 more Hawk advanced jet trainers for the Indian Air Force in addition to 66 already contracted under the Rs 8,000-crore deal signed in March 2004.

BAE Systems Managing Director Mike Mendoza said the company has recently signed an agreement with software major Wipro to develop software for a range of avionics programmes.

Talks are at the final stage with commercial vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra to develop a mine protected vehicle, he told PTI at the Defence Expo here.

"We have been part of India’s defence forces for the past 60 years and, now, we want to expand our existing ties with India," Mendoza said.

Mendoza said discussions are on with Mahindra and Mahindra to develop the mine-protected vehicle based on Bae Systems’ highly successful RG-31 mine-protected vehicle.

The final agreement in this regard will be signed during course of the year and the joint production facility will be located in India, he said.

The BAE Systems has already supplied 165 mine protected vehicles known as Casspir to the Indian Army since 1999. Nearly 600 RG-31s are in service with the US, Canadian and other forces.

Mendoza said the company is looking at many joint ventures with Indian companies to expand its presence in India.

"Discussions are going on with many Indian companies but I cannot divulge details at this stage," he said.

Mendoza said the BAE Systems has showcased its ultra light Howitzer gun, specifically designed and developed for the US Marine Corps, at the Expo as the Indian military is planning to acquire artillery guns.

He said the company is also eyeing for an additional contract to supply 40 more Hawk advanced jets.

The IAF is reportedly pitching for an additional 40 Hawks.

As per the deal signed in 2004, the IAF is supposed to induct 24 Hawks from the BAE and the rest to be manufactured by HAL under the transfer of technology.

The IAF will induct Hawk-132 aircraft on February 23 at a function to be attended by Defence Minister A K Antony.

The contract for the supply of Hawk AJT was signed between the IAF and the BAE Systems in 2004.

The deal envisaged supply of 66 aircraft -- 24 built in the UK and 42 licenced by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Bangalore.

The first two aircraft arrived at Bidar, some 150 kms from Hyderabad, on November 12 last year.

Bidar airfield, located in the north-west of Karnataka, is chosen as the main operating base for the Hawk. (PTI)

Mayawati, a leader of rich and sycophants: BJP

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: BJP, in search of friends ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year, does not feel that Mayawati could be its natural ally as it has dubbed the BSP supremo as a "feudal lord".

The latest issue of the party mouthpiece ‘Kamal Sandesh’ not only describes her as a ‘feudal lord’ but also reminds her that "arrogance and hot-headedness has never paid".

Stung by Mayawati’s remark in her recent book boasting that she always kept the BJP on tenterhooks, saying in Hindi, "Jooti Ki Nok Par Rakha", the BJP retorted that "it was a vulgar display of arrogance".

"She must remember that arrogance and hot-headedness has never paid, has never survived and it had a fall sooner than later... Even the mightiest of the rulers, tyrants and dictators had their fall one day."

In the editorial, the party has lambasted Mayawati for her lavish birthday celebrations and called her a "leader of the rich and sycophants".

"The leader who boasted of her ideology being (that of) sarvajan hitaye, sarvajan sukhaye seems soon to be turning into a feudal lord in word and action."

It goes on to say, "The manner and the grandeur with which her birthday was celebrated last month at Lucknow, Noida and Delhi, left no one in doubt that Sushri Mayawati is not the leader of the poor she otherwise claims (to be)."

The article alleges that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has no time to look after Bundelkhand, which is in the grip of a severe drought. This is despite the fact that the situation was alarming on the agriculture front that farmers are feeling helpless and committing suicide, it alleged.

BJP also has accused her of politicising the state administration. It says that "the Chief Minister belongs to BSP but the UP Government does not belong to BSP. The present dispensation in the state is leaving no stone unturned to politicise the administration as the one belonging to BSP."

Incidentally, BJP had shared power with BSP in the state during 1990s.

Attacking the BSP Government, it alleged that UP is fast turning into a sanctuary of global terrorism and deriving strength from political patronage.

"During the last few months, numerous terrorist attacks have taken place in the state- Faizabad, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Varanasi, Rampur and earlier at Chandauli," it added. (PTI)

CIC asks PMO to make public list of 29 files on Netaji

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Rejecting the PMO’s refusal to provide a list of classified files relating to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked it to make public a list of 29 such files.

The Commission’s decision came after the PMO produced before it 33 classified files on the revolutionary leader. It, however, exempted four related files as they had reference to foreign states.

Acting on an RTI application of ‘Mission Netaji’ - a Delhi-based research trust - challenging PMO’s refusal to make public its classified files on Netaji, the CIC had, in its order of January 25, asked the latter to produce in a sealed cover a list of classified files for its perusal.

The Prime Minister’s Office while declining to produce the list of the classified files had earlier said that divulging their contents could affect India’s sovereignty and relations with foreign nations.

Perusing through the files as produced by the PMO, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said while four of the 33 classified files had a reference to foreign nations, rest of the 29 files should be given.

In its order passed yesterday, the CIC also noted that out of the 29 files, seven were classified "top secret," three "confidential" while the rest were marked "secret." Apart from the 33 files, the PMO also informed the Commission about two recently de-classified files.

"Under the circumstances, the PMO will provide a list of the 29 remaining files in addition to the two recently de-classified files, and list their titles," Habibullah said while directing the PMO’s information officer Amit Agrawal to provide the list within 10 days to Anuj Dhar, a Mission Netaji functionary.

Earlier, Dhar, in his Right to Information application, had asked for a list of classified and de-classified records on Netaji, as available with the PMO.

While the PMO replied that it had 11 de-classified files relating to Netaji, an exception was claimed for listing of its classified files. It was also said that a process of declassification of its records was underway.

Dhar, who moved an appeal before the CIC, contended that while some of related PMO documents were classified, a nomenclature and description of the files were submitted before Justice Mukherjee Commission. (PTI)

UP Govt plans to set up special security force for courts

LUCKNOW, Feb 19: In the wake of the recent serial blasts in court premises in three cities of Uttar Pradesh, the State Government is planning to constitute Court Security Force (CSF) to thwart attempts by militant outfits and unscrupulous elements to target the judiciary.

The court buildings will be high security zones having multi-layered checks after a proposal for fortifying security system of courts is approved by the Allahabad High Court.

The High Court had directed the State Government to step up security in court premises after the serial blasts in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow in November last year.

Taking serious note of the intelligence inputs that court buildings are on the hit list of militant organisations, the State Government has made a comprehensive plan including constitution of CSF (called Nyayalaya Suraksha Bal in Hindi) to fortify security measures in operation at courts, official sources said.

As per the plan, court buildings would be under strict vigil with the help of the proposed CSF which will be equipped with sophisticated security gadgets.

The Government has earmarked budget of over Rs nine crore for purchase of equipment and vehicles. An estimated cost of Rs five crore will be set aside as yearly expenses on salary and other overheads for personnel of the CSF, they said.

The CSF would have officers in the ranks of Additional Superintendents of Police (ASP) and DSPs besides inspectors, sub-inspectors, women sub-inspectors and personnel besides those from PAC and Quick Response Team (QRT), they added.

CCTVs, wireless sets, door-frame and hand-held metal detectors, binoculars, night vision devices, vehicle search mirrors, intercom and computers for control room, portable fire extinguishers and baggage x-ray machines will be among other equipment that will be purchased for the new force.

An intelligence team comprising inspectors would keep a vigil on visitors. Entry into the courts would be allowed only after checking of entry passes, which would be issued to lawyers, their assistants, court staff, security men and staff of various establishments inside the court premises.

The visitors would be given temporary passes on recommendation of lawyers and other authorised staff.

The court buildings will also have watch towers to be manned by armed personnel having binoculars and night vision devices.

The plan for enhancing security measures in courts would also include deployment of bomb disposal squads and fire fighting and anti-sabotage teams to deal with any emergency. (PTI)

Russians devoid of enthusiasm at Expo

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: The enthusiasm, usually seen among arms exporters from Russia, is missing this time at the Defence Expo here with the biggest weapon suppliers to India for decades keeping a low profile at the five-day show.

Unlike Americans, French and British defence companies, the Russsians are a subdued lot making no presentation of weapons systems or platforms at the Expo.

The Russians last year did a staggering 14.5 billion dollar arms trade with India selling weapons from advanced fighters to main battle tanks and warships.

This time round, they have only 24 exhibitors and the push and the drive they are known for are missing.

This silence comes in the backdrop of apparent acrimony between Moscow and New Delhi over delays in supply of aircraft carrier Gorshkov, refusal on part of Russia to part with critical technology for T-90 tanks and flaws found in missiles onboard the upgraded kilo class submarines.

However, executives of Rosoboron, the umbrella Russian arms exporter, ruled out any chill in defence ties and claimed the deals with India had not got into rough weather.

"The Russian way of doing business is different from that of the West. The Russians do business at Government to Government level," Rosoboron official Commodore H S Kang said.

He said there was no "chill" in military cooperation between the two countries and relations were "fine".

"The Indo-Russian military cooperation is half-a-century old and it is going forward without any hitch," he said.

Asked about greater participation of American and Israeli companies in comparison to Russians at the Expo, Kang said "Israelis and Americans are better prepared" this time.

He said the Indian defence market is a huge one and Russians will always be there.

It appears the Russians with the recent oil bonanza are not pitching for armament sales and this is evident from less rush at their stalls.

Despite limited visitors, officials at the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, a premier armament design firm, said they are getting good response from private sector firms at the Expo.

"It’s a great feeling to participate in the Expo. We are satisfied with the kind of response we are getting here," said Romen Butxlin.

He said many Indian firms have shown interest in their products. "We had very fruitful talks with potential customers."

Meanwhile, a top-level Indian defence team, headed by Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, leaves for Russia tomorrow to sort out the issue of price escalation of Gorshkov to the tune of whopping 1.5 billion dollars.

The Indian team will also look into investment patterns for the deal between the two countries to co-produce and co-develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft. (PTI)

Free transport for pregnant women and sick children

BHUBANESWAR, Feb 19: In an attempt to help pregnant women and sick infants reach nearby hospitals, Orissa Government has decided to launch a round-the-clock service will free transport service in rural areas of the state.

Named "Janani Express", the service would be introduced in 124 blocks having more than 50 deliveries per month.

"It would help reduce the number of infant mortality and mother mortality which stand above the national average, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Sanatan Bisi.

Most of the pregnant women and children die for arriving late in the hospital for lack of transport facility from the villages, health department officials said.

The vehicles will be used for transporation of the beneficiaries to Government hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and other suitable places.

They would be equipped with medical facilities needed at the time of carrying expecting mothers and infants.

Drivers of the vehicles would be provided with mobile telephones and in places where mobile service is absent, locals would get the service by calling hospital numbers which would be displayed onthe vehicle itself.

The mobile phone with the driver, will help doctors at the hospitals to asses the condition of the patients at the time of bring to the health centres.

Telephone numbers to contact drivers and hospitals would be written distinctly on the sides of the vehicles of "Janani Express", an official said.

In the areas having no mobile phone facility, the landline phone number of the hospital would be displayed on the vehicles, he added. (PTI)