Excelsior... Nation

Home care for pneumatic children as effective as hospital.......

CAT throws out discrimination plea in Space Ministry promotion.....

Reliance to make foray into foreign soil for power generation .......

NRI doctor refused practice in India; approaches HC .......

KULLU, Jan 5: A devastating fire in Malana village in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh gutted 50 houses early today, but no loss of life was reported in the incident.

"Barring a few burn injuries suffered by several villagers while trying to salvage their personal belongings, no loss of life has been reported from the village, which is about 60 km from here, so far," district SP G D Bhargava said here.

Mr Bhargava said apart from 50 houses, the temple of Jamlu Devta in the village also reduced to ashes in the raging fire and efforts were on to prevent it from spreading to other adjoining houses.

Manali DSP, Kullu SDM and police personnel, along with a medical team, had rushed to the village to supervise relief and rescue operations, he said.

As the village was located about six km away from the main road, it was not possible to take fire engines there, he said, adding the exact loss due to the inferno would only be known after the officials

return.

"In the past, most of the fires in the district used to start from the wood and fodder stocks inside the houses. During winters, most of the houses in the region remain packed with firewood and cattle fodder. Early morning fire usually begins from live stub, which leads to a major fire," Kullu SP said.

Kullu Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Jain said more than 300 people, including police and fire personnel, were trying to douse the fierce fire.

However, scarcity of water and absence of road to the village was hampering the rescue operations, he said here.

"In the absence of fire engines the fire fighters are resorting to local fire fighting means, which are quite inadequate to control the devastating fire in the village," Mr Jain said.

"The district administration has already released immediate relief to the people who have lost their houses and personal belongings," he said.

The Kullu DC said the administration would only be able to announce cash relief to the victims after the fire fully extinguished.

A case has been registered and investigations are on, he added. (UNI)

Justice Roy sworn in as Chief Justice in Rajasthan

JAIPUR, Jan 5: Justice Narayan Roy was today sworn-in as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.

Governor SK Singh administered the oath of office Mr Justice Roy at a brief ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan here.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, many of her cabinet colleagues, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Sumitra Singh, Judges of the High Court and several other dignitaries were present.

Prior to his elevation as the Chief Justice, Justice Roy was a Judge in the Patna High Court.

The Chief Justice’s appointment was necessitated following Chief Justice J M Panchal’s elevation as Judge of the Supreme Court about a couple of months ago.

Talking to newspersons soon after the swearing-in ceremony Justice Roy said he would address appropriately the need of reducing pendency of cases before the courts. (UNI)

Senior leaders should be brought
back to Cong: Karunakaran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 5: Back in the Congress after a three-year break, veteran leader K Karunakaran feels that NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders who had left the party should be brought back to face a resurgent BJP.

"I am the senior most Congressman. My firm view is that not only me, but senior leaders like Pawar should be brought back. It is my personal opinion and no discussion has begun in that direction," the 89-year-old leader said in an interview said.

Karunakaran, who returned to the party last week, felt that the involvement of Rahul Gandhi and other youth leaders would immensely benefit the party.

"The presence of a leader like Rahul Gandhi would greatly help the Congress. The services of the youth is essential. At the same time the experience of senior leaders is also crucial," he said.

With an eye on the general elections slated for 2009, Karunakaran wanted the party to put behind the electoral reverses in states like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

"There is no need to be disappointed about certain recent victories scored by the BJP as that party’s strength lies only in certain pockets. This threat could be surmounted by strengthening the Congress with leaders and workers meeting people at the grass-root level," he said.

Following differences with party leadership Karunakaran along with his son and now NCP state president K Muraleedharan had Left Congress in May 2005 and floated democratic Indira Congress which later merged with NCP in the state.

Asked about the parting of ways with Muraleedharan, the veteran leader made it known that he wanted his son back in Congress.

"I am always optimistic that my son too will choose the right path. He is a mature leader. He has proved his abilities and leadership qualities. He may have his own reason to keep away," he said.

On being pointed out about Muraleedharan’s refrain that his father had "politically deceived" him, Karunakaran said "you better put this question to him. As to my conscience, I have not done that."

Karunakaran said he plans to hold a public meeting as part of his "home-coming" next month and wishes to have aicc general secretary Rahul Gandhi as the chief guest.

On the immediate impact of his return to the Congress, Karunakaran said strengthening the party in the state was top on his agenda for which discussions would be held with the party leaders when he visits the KPCC headquarters here on January seven.

On heartburns among a section in the State Congress about his return, he said, "the decision has been accepted sincerely by the entire party in the state."

"There could be some discordant note from certain quarters. But, by and large, the Congress workers are happy about the development," he said. (PTI)

Molestation case: Identification parade
held of all 14 accused

MUMBAI, Jan 5: An identification parade of all the 14 people held on suspicion of having molested two NRI women outside a five Star Hotel here on the new year day was carried out by five witnesses today.

The five witnesses were two photographers from a national English daily who had clicked pictures of the incident, an Assistant Commissioner of Police who had intervended while passing through the area, a traffic constable and a driver accompanying him.

The statements of the witnesses were recorded before a Special Executive Magistrate inside the high security Arthur Road Jail in central Mumbai where the accused are lodged.

Two NRI women hailing from Gujarat and settled in USA had gone for a special dance show featuring Bollywood actor Bipasha Basu at the hotel accompanied by two males. They were allegedly molested, groped and their clothes torn by a mob of over 70 after exiting from the hotel in Suburban Juhu.

A traffic police team led by ACP Amarjeet Singh had intervened and dispersed the crowds. The photographs were published which led to a public outcry in the matter.

"I am a witness in the case and was called for the test identification parade," Singh told reporters but declined to answer questions as to why had he not filed a complaint himself or caught the accused there itself.

All the 14 accused were granted bail by a local court yesterday on furnishing a sureity of Rs 10,000 each.

A senior jail official said it would be "at least" three or four days before they are released as getting the release order is a long process. (PTI)

Ration card for SIMI activist’s wife

UJJAIN, MP, Jan 5: Police are probing into issuance of a ration card in the name of absconding Student Islamic Movement of India’s former general secretary Safdar Nagouri’s wife.

Nagouri, who was absconding since 1995, was facing charges of being a traitor, disturbing communal harmony and distributing objectionable literature. His wife Rubina had moved an application for making ration card in this district’s Mahidpur Municipal Corporation on March 8, 2007. The ration card contained the name of — Nagouri, Rubina and their 6-month-old son Abdulla.

After issuing of ration card some councillors complained to State’s School Education Minister Paras Jain alleging that Naguouri was still maintaining contact with Mahidpur area.

The District Collector has ordered an investigation into the matter two days ago. Additional Superintendent of Police Mahendra Singh Sikarwar said police had launched a drive to nab Rubina. All documents relating to the ration card, including the application form, have been seized. (UNI)

Sikh school girl of Indian origin fights ban on bracelet

LONDON, Jan 5: A Sikh student of Indian origin, excluded from her school in Britain two months back for refusing to take off her iron bangle, has moved the High Court against the authorities’ decision.

The authorities at the Aberdare girls’ school in south Wales had barred 14-year-old Sarika Singh from attending her classes temporarily after she declined to remove the ‘kara’, a symbol of her religion.

The challenge at the High Court has been filed on her behalf by Human Rights Group Liberty — it argues that the school has breached race relations and human rights laws, the media reported here today.

"My bangle is very important to me. It reminds me always to do good and not do anything bad, especially with the hands," Sarika had said immediately after her expulsion from school in November last year.

Even her mother, Sinita Singh, had hinted that the family could seek legal recourse against the decision after she failed to convince the school’s governing body that the bracelet was a symbol of faith. "It is not jewellery — it is a symbol of our belief."

So far, the school authorities have declined to comment on the issue. But the institution’s Code of Conduct prohibits wearing of any jewellery other than watches and plain ear studs.

The dispute is the latest in a series of rows over the wearing of religious symbols in schools in Britain. In 2006, Shabina Begum, a 15-year-old Muslim student of Indian origin, had lost her battle to wear a Jilbab, a long gown, in class.

Earlier last year, a 12-year-old had similarly failed to gain the right to wear a full-face veil at a girl’s school in Buckinghamshire. Even in June, 16-year-old Lydia playfoot had lost her legal battle to be allowed to wear a Christian "purity" ring as a symbol of her chastity. (PTI)

Family not letting me go back to Australia: Haneef

BANGALORE, Jan 5: Mmohammed Haneef, the city-based doctor who was cleared of terror charges in Australia, today said he may not return to that country as his family was not letting him go back.

"My family is adamant in not sending me back to Australia," the 27-year-old Medico, who has just returned home after a one-and-half-month Haj pilgrimage, said.

Haneef, who was working in gold coast hospital in Australia, returned to India in July last year after being cleared of terror charges in the Botched Glasgow Airport suicide attack in the UK. The Australian Government withdrew all the charges and restored his visa a few days ago.

He said he has not decided on going back to Australia to work and hopefully would take a call in the next two weeks.

"Unless we get reassurance from the Australian Government and AFP (Australian Federal Police), we (he and his family) will not go back," Haneef said, describing the detention days in Australia last year as the "worst part of my life and a traumatic experience".

He had maintained in the past that he had been "victimised" and "harassed" in Australia with his case being "politicised" in an election year in that country.

On the full judicial enquiry in Australia, Haneef said he would attend it if he is asked to do so.

Haneef said he is looking forward to work again. "I have a few offers from the Middle-East. I am looking forward to work soon." (PTI)

Wearing too much perfume ‘signals depression’

LONDON, Jan 5: Sexy ladies, beware! too much of perfume may mean depression for you.

Researchers have carried out a study and found that women who wear strong perfume are clinically depressed as they gradually become insensitive to smell, ‘the daily Telegraph’ reported here today.

"Our scientific findings suggest that women who are depressed are also losing their sense of smell, and may overcompensate by using more perfume," Lead Researcher Prof Yehuda Shoenfeld of Tel Aviv University was quoted as saying.

According to the researchers, certain diseases cause the body to attack the olfactory system which in turn governs the ability to detect smells. "This means an impaired sense of smell could be a pointer to other serious conditions."

Prof Shoenfeld has suggested that depression could have a biological cause rather than a psychological disorder. "We also believe that depression has biological roots and may be an immune system response to certain physiological cues."

In fact, the team looked at the links between depression and autoimmune conditions such as lupus, arthritis and rheumatism before coming to the conclusion.

The findings can be applied more widely than just to patients suffering with autoimmune disorders, according to the researchers.

"People who are depressed seem to respond well to aromatherapy. Certain smells seem to help them overcome the effects of the biological factors, suggesting that depression may have a biological cause.

"I think that science is able to show that aromatherapy might not be just for quacks. After all, some of these remedies have been used since the time of the Egyptians to treat organic diseases," Prof Shoenfeld said.

The team has also recommended that a ‘smell test’ could be used by doctors to help diagnose depression and autoimmune diseases.

Other studies have questioned if depression is a result of a reduced ability to smell rather than the other way around as the condition is also linked to weight loss as people lose their appetite.

Scientists have earlier used electrodes to establish that the brains of people with depression are less responsive to smells and picked up scents later and at stronger concentrations. (PTI)

Home care for pneumatic children as effective as hospital

NEW YORK, Jan 5: In a finding which could be useful to children in developing countries where ready-access to hospitals is mostly unavailable, a un-backed study shows that home and hospital treatment of the kids suffering from severe pneumonia is equally effective.

With about four children dying from pneumonia every minute, the disease is the largest killer of children under the age of five worldwide, according to statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study published in the lancet showed that 8.6 per cent of treatment failures occurred in pneumonia affected children, who were sent to hospitals against 7.5 per cent among those treated at home.

The finding assumes importance for the poor nations, where a majority of cases occur and access to hospitals is not readily available. However, the in-patient treatment might be difficult for parents who cannot be with their sick child.

The study conducted in Pakistan by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health and supported by WHO and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) involved over 2,000 children with severe pneumonia, who were randomly assigned to receive injectable antibiotics in a hospital or take antibiotic pills at home.

"The potential impact of these results is enormous," said Shamim Qazi, Medical Officer with WHO’s Department of Child and adolescent health and development. "Effective management of pneumonia is critical to improving child survival."

Treating children for pneumonia at home would be a huge benefit, both to families and health systems, Qazi added, noting that WHO’s 2008 guidelines will be updated to reflect the results of the new research.

Many children with severe pneumonia referred for admission to hospitals either die before reaching there or are so sick by the time they arrive that nothing can be done to save them.

The study says some 60 per cent of pneumonia cases in the developing countries are caused by bacteria and are therefore, treatable with antibiotics. But in the developed nations, most the cases are viral.

Around 2 to 3 per cent of all pneumonia cases will still need treatment with injectable antibiotics at a hospital, the study said. (PTI)

CAT throws out discrimination plea in
Space Ministry promotion

NEW DELHI, Jan 5: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has rejected the plea of a Space Ministry security guard seeking promotion and alleging the he was discrimination against as compared to his colleagues.

A bench of the Tribunal consisting of Chairman V K Bali and L K Joshi held that the petitioner’s juniors, who were allegedly promoted instead of him, were not similarly placed as they were not employed in temporary capacity unlike him.

The bench also took note of the submission of the Ministry that one person who was promoted to the post of Security Guard-B belonged to the reserved category.

The Tribunal observed,"the applicant (petitioner) ought to have mentioned at least that the persons named above are similarly placed as the applicant, and that could be the only ground on which he could have made out a case of discrimination or ignoring by superseding him."

"No seniority list has been placed on record", it said.

The petitioner was appointed as Security Guard-A on November 7, 1973. His promotion was due in 1976 but was not promoted to the post of Security Guard-B even though he was regularised as Security Guard A on March 26, 18980.

Accusing the Ministry of discrimination, the petitioner moved CAT seeking interference in the matter citing the case of three persons in the post of Security Guards-A, junior to him, who were promoted.

He retired in 2005 and claimed promotion which was allegedly due to him in 1978.

The Tribunal while rejecting his petition observed that the mere fact that he earlier filed a petition in which, on his request, direction was issued to (the ministry to) decide the representation, would not revive a claim which was not only barred by limitation but suffered from delay.(PTI)

Reliance to make foray into foreign soil
for power generation

AHMEDABAD, Jan 5: Anil Ambani Group’s Reliance Power plans a foray into foreign countries for power generation.

"I do not believe India alone will be our domain," Reliance power chairman Anil Ambani told reporters here today while announcing the company’s initial public offer aimed at raising close to three million dollars, country’s largest IPO.

"We are hoping that the Singapore Government will soon allow private partnership in power generation. We also want to have presence in the West Asian countries. Unfortunately I cannot reveal our exact plans for foreign forays now," Ambani said.

Replying to a question on the likelihood of tariff reduction in power, he said "electricity tariffs are likely to come down in the country once the power demand is fulfilled. Even if the power distribution losses are brought to 10 or 15 per cent of present national average of 35 per cent, tariffs will come down".

"We have to ensure that power tariffs in India are on par with international rates so as to allow our business and service sectors to compete in the global market," Ambani said.

"What were the tariffs of mobile phones in 2000 and what are they in 2008," he said, indicating that electricity tariffs might come down due to entry of private players.

The public offer will open on January 15 and close on January 18. Shares will be sold in a price band of Rs 405-450.

Reliance Power is presently developing 13 medium and large-sized power projects with a combined planned installed capacity of 28,200 mw, one of the largest portfolios of power generation assets under development in India, Ambani said.

Ambani, who had visited the holy shrine of Shreenathji in Rajasthan to pray for the success of country’s largest IPO, said "Ahmedabad, is the first place outside Mumbai where I have come to announce the IPO as I have an attachment with the city".

"I have spent around five years in the city where I learnt the art and science of business from my father Dhirubhai Ambani," he added.

Anil said that out of 70 lakh investors in his group, 20 lakh are residents of Gujarat.

Replying to a question on his company’s plan to set up power generation unit in Gujarat, Anil said "we had bid for the ultra mega power project in the state but lost out. We will bid for other ultra mega power projects in the state".

"We will also come to Gujarat if the Central or State Governments plan disinvestment of any of the mega power projects located in the state," Anil added.(PTI)

NRI doctor refused practice in India; approaches HC

NEW DELHI, Jan 5: After running from pillar to post for the last two years in vain to get permission to practice in India, a young Indian Dentist having a Canadian Passport has approached the Delhi High Court to direct the ministries concerned to allow her to practice here, claiming she is an "overseas" citizen.

Twenty-six-year-old Rita Sikka held an Indian Passport for the last 20 years. She migrated to Canada with her parents and got a Canadian Passport. She studied Dentistry at the British Columbia University.

Ms Sikka got married in India and is staying here since then. She thought of practising here but to her utter dismay when she applied in the Dental Council of India in 2006 for a licence, which is a mandatory clause, she was refused the permission to practice stating that she was a foreign national.

She has been battling her case with three ministries — Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MH&FW) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoH) — ever since but till now she has no clue as to what her status is.

Ms Sikka says that though there is an amendment in the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2003 which states that an overseas Indian can seek employment in India, the wavering attitude here has forced her to approach the court.

Calling the Pravasiya Divas a "hoax", Ms Sikka said there was no co-ordination between the ministries and the overseas Indians, who when come back are harrassed.

Ms Sikka said many Indians were returning to use their talent for the country’s sake but the "callous attitude of our ministries disappoints them".

Her case is pending in the Delhi High Court and will be heard on January 22 in Justice Ravinder Bhatt’s court.

In her petition, she has stated that in view of her being an Indian and holding a foreign Passport, she should be allowed the benefits of the Government’s dual Passport scheme as well as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme. (UNI)