NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Outgoing National Commission for Minorities chairperson Wajahat Habibullah, who served in the PMO when the anti-Sikh riots took place, says the government had collapsed in 1984 and the violence was a “massive failure” on its part.
He, however, dismissed allegations that the then Congress government colluded in the violence and sought to put Narendra Modi in dock over riots in Gujarat in 2002 saying the chief minister was “firmly in control” in the state.
“In 1984, the government of India had collapsed. The PM (Indira Gandhi) had been assassinated. She was a very strong PM. The PMO became dysfunctional. The government was not functional… It (riots) was a massive failure of government. But there was a reason for it. It was not that somebody was conspiring that we should kill Sikhs,” he told PTI.
The Union government was in such a disarray following her death that he, despite being a mere director-rank officer, was the seniormost officer present in the PMO for two days while others were busy with her funeral arrangements, Habibullah said, adding that few in the government understood the enormity of riots raging in the capital.
When asked if he thought the government had abetted the riots, as being alleged by BJP and Sikh groups, he replied, “not at all”.
On whether there was collusion of some Congress leaders, he said, “It’s quite possible that people may have taken law in their own hands but there was no effort on behalf of the government to take revenge themselves on the Sikh community. Not at all.”
The first concern on the mind of Rajiv Gandhi, who later took over as the prime minister, was “what happened to my mother” and when government realised the enormity of violence in a few days, it had begun ebbing. (PTI)
SRINAGAR, Feb 2:
Army saved yet another pregnant woman and her child after shifting her from a cut off village to Public Health Centre in the frontier district of Kupwara.
This was the fourth such case during the past one month.
A Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Colonel N N Joshi said today that a message was received from a Sarpanch of village T Sunt Bala on January 31 at 0400 hours in the morning that his daughter Saleem Begum, wife of Farooq Ahmad Tantray was in labour pain. Since the village was cut off, he also sought medical assistance from the Army unit.
The unit medical officer, Capt Prateek Awasthi immediately proceeded along with a party, located at approximate two hours walk from the road head.
Noticing the criticality and complication being the first and term pregnancy, the army doctor organised stretcher to move her to nearest PHC at Dudi.
He said advance information was also passed to PHC, Dudi through Machhal Brigade, for arranging the labour room. The Army transport was provided and she alongwith her family members were taken to PHC, Dudi under the supervision of Dr Capt Awasthi.
It is heartening to share that the lady gave birth to a healthy baby boy within an hour of reaching PHC, Dudi. (UNI)
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: The two contemporaries did not work together in the past, both shinning in their respective careers, but years later Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla are set for an interesting face-off onscreen as the avenger and the villain in ‘Gulaab Gang’.
In her interviews, Juhi has said that the reason they probably did not work together was because there was lot of competition between actresses at that time.
Madhuri, however, says she never thought of Juhi as a competitor and it was finally inspiring to work with her in the film, releasing on March 7.
“I never thought of her as my competitor. I never had any qualms about working with anyone. This is my thinking that we are actors not horses running towards one finish line. It is a creative field and we like certain roles and work with people we like. It is not that I have not worked in two-heroine projects earlier. I worked with Preity Zinta (‘Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke’), Aishwarya Rai (‘Devdas’) and Karisma Kapoor (‘Dil To Pagal Hai’),” Madhuri told PTI in an interview.
Madhuri, 46, says it was inspiring to see Juhi at work in ‘Gulaab Gang’ and they have several very tight scenes together in the Soumik Sen directed movie.
“It is wonderful that we did a film together finally. She is a good actress. It is inspiring to see another good actress work with you. I think our scenes are very tight and I would definitely love to work with her again,” says Madhuri.
Madhuri, who made her debut in 1984 with film ‘Abodh’, became the queen of hearts with the success of films like ‘Tezaab’, ‘Beta’, ‘Dil’, ‘Hum Aapke Hai Kaun’, ‘Pukar’ and ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’.
She disappointed her fans by deciding to take a break from acting to get married and raise a family in the US. But she did not quit completely and continued to do films like ‘Devdas’ and ‘Aaja Nachle’ before finally moving back to India in 2011.
Madhuri has been busy with TV shows, advertising deals, and her online dance academy ‘dancewithmadhuri.Com’ since her return. She made a grand comeback on the big screen as an ageing seductress in recently released ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ where she was paired opposite Naseeruddin Shah.
In ‘Gulaab Gang’, Madhuri will play the role of a justice-seeker, who along with a group of women, fights social injustices.
“It is a strong role. When Soumik brought the story to me, I thought it was entertaining, massy and yet it had a lovely message. Rajjo is a vigilante and believes in education of women. She believes woman should be given the tools to be independent,” says Madhuri.
The actress says other than the character what attracted her to the part was that she would get to do lot of action in the movie, something she has never done before.
“My character believes that rod is god. She has her goals straight. And then there is Juhi, who is playing this negative, mean and power-hungry politician. I feel it could have been two men but they happen to be two women,” says Madhuri.
‘Gulaab Gang’ has been produced by Anubhav Sinha.
The actress is glad that she is in Bollywood at a time when things are changing for good for women, a phenomenon, she would have thought impossible earlier.
“Times are changing, a woman’s role in society is changing and there is an attitude change everywhere. There was a time when I never saw female assistant directors, camerapersons or a makeup artistes. There were women directors but you could count them on your fingers,” recalls Madhuri.
She feels new age directors should share credit for writing interesting roles for women rather than caging them in stereotypes.
“The women are no longer caricatures like an avenger, victim or an eye candy. They are people, characters. There is a change even in mainstream roles. I like what Deepika (Padukone) did in ‘Cocktail’ and even in ‘Chennai Express’ where her role was equally important to that of Shah Rukh Khan. This change is nice and a step in the right direction,” she says.
The actress says she has a lot to look forward to career-wise while being a mother to her two children — Arin and Raayan – and wife to her doctor husband Sriram Nene. (PTI)
Children presenting cultural item during ‘Vasant Utsav’ at K L Saigal Hall, Jammu on Sunday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Sharda Sangeet Sadan (SSS) in collaboration with Saraswati Sangeet Kala Mandir (SSKM) celebrated annual function “Vasant Utsav” at KL Saigal Hall here today.
On the occasion, PN Raina was the chief guest, who inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp in presence of Satybhama Dubey, Chairperson, Sharda Sangeet Sadan (SSS), Prof Rita Jitendra, SN Sharma and Ravi Sharma.
Anchor of the programme Kritika Gandotra said that the programme is based on ‘Basant Panchami’.
Children namely Archana, Chitrakshi, Akshita, Sehar, Bhavan, Utkarsh, Sohini, Manya, Mishika, Ishita, Avni, Ridhi and Devarshi presented Saraswati Vandana. Students also performed different ragas, folk songs, shlokas, Tabla instrumental, Casio presentation and Guitar performances, which were highly appreciated by the audience with thundering applauses.
Satybhama Dubey in her speech presented the annual report and also threw light on the activities being organised by the SSS.
Later, chief guest of the function along with other dignitaries presented prizes to the students namely Soham, Inaita, Rutvi, Smaira Sia, Shrejus, Sia Nagpal, Arsh, Kriti, Suvinay, Rohan, Ojesvy Gupta, Bhavya Jain, Prikshit Sharma, Swati Sharma and Dr Poonam Sharma.
Among others present were Archa Jain, Kusha Sharma, Ambika Dubey, Sourabh Kapoor, Raman Sharma, Padam Kumar and Sumit Sharma.
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: BJP today hit out at Sonia Gandhi over claims that an alleged middlemen in the VVIP chopper scam had asked a contact in India to “target” the Congress chief and her advisors to clinch the deal, saying it was a repeat of the Bofors scam and the issue will be raised in parliament.
“Money was transacted. There are ample evidence to suggest who the receipients were. We raise it in Parliament most certainly,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said.
The government, he said, will not be allowed to get away with any explanation. “It is a repeat of Bofors deal,” he alleged.
According to a document submitted in Italian court, one of the alleged middlemen in the VVIP chopper scam had asked a contact in India to target Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then NSA MK Narayanan to bag the deal.
It has come to light that Christian Michel– alleged to be the main middleman involved in the chopper scam — had sent a fax to one of his contacts, who was allegedly working with AgustaWestland’s India office, in this regard, official sources said quoting the document recovered by Italian police authorities and produced before the court there in early January.
Michel is said to have asked his contact named Peter Fullet to target Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, Veerappa Moily, Oscar Fernandes, M K Narayanan and one Vinay Singh for bagging the deal.
In the document, the middleman has asked his contact to direct the High Commissioner of his native country to target “Sonia Gandhi and her closest advisers”, they said.
He also said that Gandhi would not be flying anymore in the Mi-8 choppers and “she was the driving force behind the VIP”, without elaborating, according to the sources.
The note has been shared by the Italian authorities with their Indian counterparts.
Another note had emerged earlier which seemed to be a draft budget which suggested that another middleman Guido Haschke had allocated on paper funds to be given to people with initials AP, JS Air and FAM.
India has already scrapped the tender and has sought to levy penalties and damages worth more than Rs 5,200 crore. The IAF is now preparing to prepare its other aircraft to meet the requirements of VVIP flying. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: Week-long workshop on ‘Disaster Management’, organized by Academic Staff College in collaboration with Deptt of Geography and Regional Development at Kashmir University, concluded today.
While distributing the certificates of participation amongst the participants, KU Prof Talat said that special attention needs to be given while planning and designing the school, college and hospital buildings because these places house the most vulnerable sections of the society.
Prof Talat said that University was giving due importance to disaster management and by organizing such workshops it is aimed that masses are trained in a professional manner so that they can negotiate such earthquakes without panic and save their lives and the lives of others when a disaster strikes.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar KU, Prof Zaffar A Reishi said that there is need to percolate down the benefits of such workshops and awareness programs at both college and school level.
Senior Professor at the Department of Geography and Regional Development, KU, Prof Tasavur Kanth stressed for improving the mitigation measures.
Director Academic Staff College (ASC) KU, Prof Farooq Fayaz said that that there is need to develop strong and vibrant linkages between the academia and the society so as to create awareness about the hazards of disaster at grassroot level.
Earlier Prof Ishtiyaq Mayer, Course Coordinator of the workshop said that the workshop was an effort to stress on the need for capacity building of young scholars and faculty members so that the message gets multiplied when they share it with their students and other masses of the society.
State BJP general secretary, Ashok Koul presenting winners’ trophy to Chander Shekhar Azad Cricket Club on Sunday.
JAMMU, Feb 2: Chander Shekhar Azad Cricket Club, Jammu defeated Udhampur XI Cricket Club in the summit clash to lift the title trophy of the BJYM T20 Cricket Tournament-“Khelega Yuva Jeetega Bharat”, today.
State BJP general secretary (Organiser), Ashok Koul was the chief guest, while State BJYM Prabhari, Yudhvir Sethi; State President BJYM, Ravinder Raina; State general secretary and Programme Incharge, Ajay Pargal; State Vice President and Programme Co-Incharge, Karan Sharma were also present on the occasion.
Proprietor and MD Chamunda Jewellers Sunil Luthra sponsored today’s event, while Rohit Verma, MD Nutrition Heart Co sponsored the trophies for the match.
Winning the toss and batting first, Udhampur XI scored 93 runs in 19 overs. Ankush Bandral was the top scorer with magnificent 27 runs, while Sahil Bhalwal from the bowling side scalped 4 important wickets.
In reply, Chander Shekhar Azad Cricket Club scored 97 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 18.4 overs, thus won the match by one wicket. Kaka was the top scorer with 17 runs while Ankush from the bowling side scalped 3 wickets. Sahil Bhalwal was declared as man of the match. CACC Captain Anil Kumar was rewarded with the trophy of man of the series. The winning team CACC was rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 11,000, while the runners-up team Udhampur XI was presented a cash prize of Rs 5,100.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were National Vice President Muslim Morcha Ishtiaq Wani; Ashish Sareen, Kulbir Charak, Aqib Shah, Ishant Gupta, Vikas Choudhary, Ramneek Gupta, Rajan Thakyal and Naresh Dogra.
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: The chairperson and members of anti-corruption body Lokpal may be appointed by this month-end as government has decided not to withdraw the advertisement seeking nominations for these posts despite a demand from BJP.
Government will not withdraw advertisement and accept applications for Lokpal till Friday, the last date for receiving nominations, a senior official of Ministry of Personnel said.
The advertisement was put out following all procedures. After scrutiny, the names of shortlisted candidates will be put up before selection committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, “The selection may be completed by this month-end,” the official said.
The Ministry of Personnel had last month put out an advertisement in newspapers calling applications from eligible candidates for chairperson and eight members of Lokpal by February 7.
Following this, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley questioned its legality and asked the government to withdraw it.
The Prime Minister rejected Jaitley’s contention and said that the advertisement was within the prescribed rules notified recently by the government.
“May I, at the outset, assure you that the advertisement issued in this regard is strictly in terms of the provisions of the (Lokpal) Act and the rules framed thereunder,” Singh had said in his letter to Jaitley.
The prime minister’s reply prompted Jaitley to write again to him contesting the government’s claim.
“I seriously contest the position on basis of which you have been advised…. I would, therefore, urge you to kindly reconsider the position that the government has taken in this regard. How these positions are to be filed up is a discretion only of the Selection Committee and not the Search Committee,” he said in his recent letter.
Of the advertised posts for members in the Lokpal, four are for judicial and the remaining for non-judicial.
The PM-led selection committee has as members Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him and an eminent jurist, who could be nominated by the President or any of the members.
The chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of the selection committee.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into allegations of corruption against public functionaries.
President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill on January 1 this year.
The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2013, and by the Lok Sabha the next day. (PTI)
Players posing alongwith officials and dignitaries during concluding ceremony of 3rd Open J&K State Taekwondo Championship on Sunday.
JAMMU, Feb 2: District Jammu bagged overall Championship, while district Samba emerged runners-up in the 3rd Open J&K State Taekwondo Championship 2014, organized by Jammu and Kashmir Taekwondo Association, which concluded at Brahman Sabha, here today.
Over 400 players/officials drawn from allover the State participated in this Championship and showcased their skills.
The closing ceremony was inaugurated by Vikram Malhotra, general secretary All India Youth Congress as the chief guest, while Prof Ashutosh Sharma, general secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Olympic Association (JKOA) was the guest of honour.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were D N Pangotra, Ved Prakash Sharma, Nissar Ahmed, Amit Dutta, Vikrant Joshi and Sanjay Ratra.
The technical team was headed by Atul Pangotra (NIS) State Award winner and International Referee, while the Championship was organized under the chairmanship of Gurvinder Rakwal, secretary district Jammu Taekwondo Association and convener of the Championship was Anuj Sharma, Treasurer DJTA.
NEW DELHI, Feb 2: The idea of ‘re-shoring’ jobs back to the developed world might be gaining momentum, but the country’s employment market is unlikely to see short-term impact, feel experts.
In recent times, there have been instances of some developed nations, including the UK, saying that there are opportunities to bring back millions of jobs from low-cost countries like India.
From a political and economic stand point, experts said, the idea of “re-shoring” might be an ideal situation to have for an economy. However, in terms of business, to remain competitive, companies need to do what is realistic and prudent, they said.
India is a preferred destination for business process outsourcing activities and thousands of people are employed in this segment.
Cost competitiveness and a large talent pool are among the key drivers for the country for remaining an attractive hub of off-shore work.
Job portal Naukri.Com’s Business Head V Suresh said that domestic companies need to wait and watch to understand how the trend plays out.
“I don’t sense the possibility of any knee-jerk response to this (re-shoring),” he noted.
“Off-shoring is a long-term business strategy and companies who decide to off-shore do it for multiple reasons. Hence, a sudden policy change may not have any short-term implications on the Indian labour market,” he added.
Even though re-shoring moves could have an effect on the Indian job market, experts felt that off-shoring jobs cannot be completely eliminated mainly due to cost-competitiveness.
Executive search firm Unison International MD Udit Mittal said that against the backdrop of recessionary conditions, companies in the West are “preferring a home-bound approach to promote their own workforce”.
“Countries can cut down on off-shoring but they cannot eliminate it as there is a huge difference in cost of using own manpower vis a vis off-shore ones,” Mittal noted.
Reflecting the changing sentiment in the developed world, British Prime Minister David Cameron recently had said that Europe should capitalise on opportunities to bring back millions of jobs from low-cost nations like India.
“Re-shoring jobs from India and China etc back to UK and USA will definitely have an impact… However, the extent of impact would be hugely dependent on the type of jobs (that would be re-shored),” recruitment consultancy TeamLease Services Co-Founder Mohit Gupta said.
Apart from India, China and the Phillipines are also considered as attractive destinations for off-shoring jobs.
There have been rising clamour from many developed economies about the need to create more jobs locally, especially in the wake of sluggish economic growth.
Notwithstanding concerns of many jobs going back to the developed world, some Indian firms, especially in the IT sector, are already recruiting more number of local talent in the wake of stringent employment conditions for overseas employees.
“These can be called non-tariff barriers imposed by those countries to safeguard employment within their country,” Gupta said.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meet last month, Cameron had also emphasised that the West cannot afford to be “starry eyed” about globalisation.
According to him, there is the emerging trend of re-shoring — where some jobs that were once offshored are coming back — from East to West.
Cameron had said Britain was determined to capitalise on its economic reforms and open markets to be a “reshore nation”.
Some companies are planning to shift manufacturing jobs from other countries to Britain and the employee costs are also becoming competitive, he added.
“There is a chance for Britain to become the re-shore nation. Europe needs to act now to seize the opportunities of re-shoring,” he had said. (PTI)
