MUMBAI, Jan 20:
Jet Airways today announced a daily direct service from the city to Paris from May 14, making the French capital its 21st international destination.
The Paris-bound flight will depart from here at 1200 hrs and arrive at the Charles de Gaulle airport at 1750 hrs local time. The return flight will depart at 2110 hrs (local time) and arrive in Mumbai at 0945 hrs the following day, the private carrier said in a release here.
The Paris-Mumbai service will be the only evening departure from continental Europe to the megapolis, the airline said.
Jet is offering a special return economy fare of Rs 45,291 (including taxes) and return premiere introductory fare of Rs 1,53,315 (including taxes) on the route. The regular fare will be Rs 62,040 (economy) and Rs 2,02,114 (premiere) (inclusive of taxes).
These fares, available since January 14, have a travel validity commencing May 14. However, to avail of the discounted fares, booking has to be made before February 10, the release said.
Jet Airways Group operates a fleet of 113 aircraft, connecting 75 destinations in the country and abroad through 573 flights. (PTI)
Jet to fly daily on Mumbai- Paris sector from May 14
Russian martial art Sambo is now part of Asian Games
Mumbai, Jan 20:
The Russian martial art of sambo has earned recognition of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and has become part of the Asian Games.
According to the world body for sambo, a self-defence technique without weapons which is a loose combination of wrestling and judo developed by the Russian Army in the early 20th Century, the decision to recognise Sambo Union of Asia was taken by the OCA’s Executive Board on January 17 at Manila, Philippines.
The board met during the ongoing 32nd General Assembly of the pan-Asian continental body, according to the International Sambo Federation.
Sambo thus joined the combat sports existing on the list of OCA such as wushu, wrestling, judo and taekwondo.
The decision of the board to include sambo in the Asian Games was later ratified by the OCA General Assembly.
This year’s 17th Asian Games, scheduled at Incheon, South Korea from September 19 to October 4, does not have sambo in its programme consisting of 36 disciplines, eight of those non-Olympic ones, including cricket and kabaddi.
The earliest sambo can see itself in the Asian Games is in the 18th edition, scheduled at Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019. (PTI)
Terrorists try to attack India’s secularism, democracy: Shinde
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
Terrorists and extremists seek to attack the democratic and secular fabric of the country and they would continue to try to keep everyone on tenterhooks, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today.
“Terrorism and extremism seek to attack our two most significant achievements- secularism and democracy. Our enemies who are at cross purposes with the ‘idea of India’, will continue to attempt to keep us on tenterhooks, and unsettle us, as we move forward in our endeavour of nation building,” he said.
Shinde was speaking on the occasion of foundation day of National Investigation Agency (NIA), and said these values lie at the very core of India’s existence, and bind its citizen as a ‘nation’.
The Minister said the threats to the country need not merely take on conventional forms and may emanate from hitherto unknown areas, methods, and motivations and security agencies need to keep themselves prepared in this fight.
“We need to undertake capacity enhancement and upgrade our skill sets, so as to confront the most virulent and most unusual of these threats.
“Eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay in our quest for preserving and maintaining, our hard earned freedom, liberty, democracy, and secularism,” he said.
Shinde said the country has been victim of terrorism for many decades now and lot of lives have been lost in various terrorist attacks and the epicentre and sponsors of this terrorism remains in India’s neighbourhood.
“26/11 attack in Mumbai were unprecedented and our security agencies were certainly not prepared for this kind of attack. However, the Government of India has been firm in its resolve to deal with terrorism with an iron fist. Post 26/11, our Government, put it’s resources into evolving a new security architecture, which involved strengthening existing institutions and creating new ones,” he said.
The Home Minister said the improved internal security situation in the country is a testimony to the fact that the country has been quite successful in its endeavours and the strong institutions that have been built, have started paying dividends, and the internal security indicators remain much more reassuring.
He said Government has brought strong legislation and spent considerable funds for modernisation of state police forces, paramilitary forces and National Security Guard.
Shinde lauded the intelligence agencies for their contributions in the arrest of Indian Mujahideen founder Yasin Bhatkal and other terrorists like Haddi and Tunda.
“We have taken care to ensure that there is a synergy between organisations and entities, responsible for internal security, to enable them to create substantial impact in the fight on terror. The expansion of these institutions, their capacity enhancements, have ensured that we have significant successes in fighting terror,” he said.
The Minister lauded the role of NIA, saying it has not only met the expectations of its founders, but has also established itself as the premier counter-terrorism investigation agency.
He said the Government remains committed to strengthening the entire security apparatus, including that of NIA and will extend all financial support for the same. (PTI)
Sunanda case: Shinde says he has ordered expeditious probe
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has asked the police to conduct an expeditious probe into the death of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Union minister Shashi Tharoor.
“He (Tharoor) has written to me and sought an expeditious probe. I have already talked to the persons concerned and they are doing it,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here today.
Tharoor, Minister of State for HRD, had yesterday written a letter to the Home Minister offering his full cooperation in the probe into the death of his 52-year-old wife Sunanda, saying he was “horrified to read the reckless speculation rampant” in the media.
In the letter, Tharoor, 57, had said the relevant authorities be asked to expedite the investigation and come to a rapid conclusion so that the truth emerges at the earliest regarding Sunanda who was found dead in a luxury hotel here on Friday evening. (PTI)
Examining issue of blacklisting AgustaWestland: Antony
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
After scrapping AgustaWestland’s Rs 3,600 crore deal for supplying VVIP choppers, the Defence Ministry today said it will take a decision on the issue of blacklisting the firm after consultations with the Law Ministry and CBI.
“We are examining the whole thing and we will take a decision after detailed examination and in consultation with the Law Ministry and CBI. I don’t want to take any hasty action that will cause problems to us….There is no understanding between the Government and the company,” Defence Minister A K Antony said on the sidelines of an NCC function here.
He was replying to a question on reports that the Anglo- Italian firm and the Government have reached an understanding and the former would not be blacklisted.
The Defence Minister said the Government is focusing on encashing its bank guarantees in Italy and India.
“In the Indian bank, we have encashed it. In the Italian bank, we are trying to get our money. There (in Italy) they have disputed but immediately we are trying to fight case and we are taking other actions to protect our interests,” he said.
The Defence Ministry cancelled its contract with AgustaWestland on January 1 after it found that there was alleged breach of the pre-contract integrity pact. AgustaWestland has denied any wrongdoing on its part in the case relating to alleged kickbacks in the deal.
After scrapping the deal, India encashed a guarantee of over Rs 250 crore deposited by AgustaWestland in a bank in Delhi even as it is preparing to file an appeal against an Italian court’s stay on its move to encash another guarantee in an Italian bank.
The Anglo-Italian firm had approached the court in Italy against the Indian action initiated soon after scrapping of the chopper deal on January one.
AgustaWestland has deposited over 270 million euros (over Rs 2200 crore) as guarantees in banks in India and Italy.
Asked about an inquiry into violation of norms in granting no objection certificate (NoC) to build a hotel and yacht facility at Viper Islands in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Antony said the investigation report was being assessed by his ministry and strict action would be taken if anyone is found guilty.
After reports appeared regarding alleged violation of rules in granting the NoC to a Malaysian firm, Antony had cancelled the sanction granted to the project and ordered an inquiry under the tri-services Integrated Defence Staff. (PTI)
Two Independent LS members join BJP
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
BJP got a shot in the arm today with two sitting Independent members of the Lok Sabha from Bihar- Putul Kumari and Om Prakash Yadav- joining the party ahead of the general elections.
Putul Kumari- who became MP from Banka constituency in November, 2010 after her husband and sitting MP Digvijay Singh expired- joined the BJP in the presence of party president Rajnath Singh.
Another first time MP- Om Prakash Yadav who represents Siwan in the Lok Sabha- also joined the BJP.
After its alliance with JD(U) broke in Bihar, BJP has been engaged in strengthening its cadre and presence in the state.
With BJP’s prospects arguably on the rise, political leaders from various states have sent overtures to the party to join it ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The party is likely to induct some more leaders in the coming days, sources said.
Welcoming the two MPs to the BJP, Rajnath Singh said people are unhappy with the Congress and want a change of Government.
“Congress has also accepted the fact that it will lose the Lok Sabha elections. As I said at our party conclave, Congress will indulge in all kinds of activities in its bid to prevent BJP from coming to power,” Singh said.
He claimed that BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is the most popular leader in the country today. (PTI)
Shinde dares R K Singh, AAP to give proof of corruption
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
Facing allegations of corruption levelled by former Home Secretary R K Singh and the Aam Aadmi Party, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today dared them to substantiate the charge and make it public.
“If anyone has any proof, any slip, any letter they should make it public. I am ready to face any consequence,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
Shinde was replying to a question on Singh’s allegation that the then Delhi Police Commissioner used to receive slips from the Home Minister’s residence recommending transfers and postings in the Delhi Police rank.
Quoting the former Home Secretary, AAP leader and Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti alleged that there has been rampant corruption within the Delhi Police and Shinde has been indulging in it.
Singh, who joined BJP recently, had claimed that “slips used to reach Delhi Police chief quite often asking about posting some people as Station House Officers”.
“These were not a few postings but in large number of police stations,” he had said.
“I don’t know whether money used to exchange hands but Delhi Police Commissioner told me that numerous slips used to come from his residence… You don’t make large number of recommendations… The postings as SHO’s has a vigilance angle to it,” he said.
The former bureaucrat had also claimed Delhi Police was stopped by Shinde from questioning a Mumbai-based businessman, who is said to have “some kind of links” with Dawood Ibrahim, in connection with the betting in Indian Premier League, a T-20 cricketing tournament. (PTI)
Paes, Sania, Bopanna advance to Australian Open quarterfinals
Melbourne, Jan 20:
Leander Paes emerged victorious in a tight mixed doubles contest against Mahesh Bhupathi to advance to the quarterfinals while Sania Mirza stormed into the last-eight stage in her two events at the Australian Open here today.
Paes and his Slovakian partner Daniela Hantuchova, unseeded in the tournament, scored an upset victory over eighth seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-0 2-6 10-6 to make it to the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles.
Sania and her Zimbabwean partner Cara Black beat the pair of Eugenie Bouchard of Canada and Russia’s Vera Dushevina 6-4 6-3 in an hour and 12 minutes to reach the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles.
The Indian then joined hands with her Romanian partner Horia Tecau to outplay Anastasia Rodionova of Australia and Britain’s Colin Fleming 6-2 6-2 in a 51-minute mixed doubles pre-quarterfinal match.
Another Indian, Rohan Bopanna and his partner Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia also entered the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles event after posting 7-6(5) 7-5 win over Australian duo of Ashleigh Barty and John Peers.
The mixed doubles pre-quarterfinal match involving two Indians in Paes and his one-time partner Bhupathi was an intense affair and lasted 57 minutes.
After registering a comfortable win in the opening set, the Paes-Hantuchova pair slipped in the next one, even as Bhupathi and Elena converted two of the three break points to run away with the second set.
The third and deciding set was a closely fought one but Paes and Hantuchova held on to their nerves to eke out a win.
They will now take on the pair of Kristina Mladenovic of France and Daniel Nestor of Canada in the last eight round match.
Sixth seeds Sania and Cara hit 23 winners en route to their comfortable women’s doubles win over their unseeded opponents in the third round match. The Indo-Zimbabwean pair converted five out of seven break points, while their rivals could convert just two off six.
Sania and Cara now have a tough task at hands as they will meet world number one Italian combo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci in the quarterfinals.
It was an easy outing for Sania and Tecau in their mixed doubles second round match as the duo won a total of 56 points as compared to just 33 by the Aussie-British pair.
Sixth seeded Sania and Tecau next face the winner of the match between Julia Goerges and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and Andrea Hlavackova and Max Mirnyi.
Meanwhile, Bopanna and Srebotnik took an hour and 21 minutes to get the better of their unseeded rivals.
The Indo-Slovenian combination failed to convert as many as nine breakpoints out of 12 they got, but still managed to prevail over the Australian pair in a hard-fought contest.
Bopanna and Srebotnik now take on another Australian duo of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden. (PTI)
National Police Academy gets first woman Director
NEW DELHI, Jan 20:
Government has appointed senior police officer Aruna Bahuguna as the new chief of the Hyderabad-based National Police Academy, alma mater for IPS officers in the country.
With this appointment, Bahuguna, a 1979-batch IPS officer, will be the first woman Director of the 65-year-old institution also known as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) and is tasked with the training of police leaders after they are recruited by the UPSC through the all-India civil services exam.
Bahuguna (56), who belongs to Andhra Pradesh cadre, is at present posted as the Special Director General, CRPF, at its headquarters in the national capital.
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently issued orders in this regard.
The officer, who has served in various positions with Andhra Pradesh police, also holds the distinction of being the first woman SDG in CRPF, country’s largest paramilitary force.
She is the second-in-command of the 3 lakh strong force, after the DG.
The post of NPA Director fell vacant after incumbent Subhas Goswami was appointed as the DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in November last year.
Reputed police officers like Sankar Sen, Trinath Mishra and K Vijay Kumar have earlier headed the NPA.
After taking over, Bahuguna will be the 28th boss of the academy and could continue upto February 2017 when she is due for retirement from service.
The high-level board of the NPA comprises senior civil servants, police officers and eminent educationists as its members and is headed by the Union Home Secretary. (PTI)
Maharashtra crush Bengal to enter final despite Saha century
Indore, Jan 20:
Wriddhiman Saha’s gutsy century went in vain as Maharashtra crushed Bengal by 10 wickets to enter the final of the Ranji Trophy after a gap of two decades.
Maharashtra will take on the winner of the other ongoing semi-final between Karnataka and Punjab. Maharashtra last played in the Ranji Trophy final in the 1992-93 season where they lost to Punjab.
After a batting collapse in the first innings, Bengal put up a relatively better show in the second essay courtesy Wriddhiman’s unbeaten 108 as they scored 348 managing to avert the ignominy of innings defeat.
Harshad Khadiwale knocked off the required eight runs in two overs on the third day as Maharashtra continued their dream run in the national championship entering the summit clash from Group C.
Still it was a dominant performance by the Surendra Bhave coached side that finished the game inside three days having beaten heavyweights Mumbai well inside four days. Left-arm seamer Samad Fallah (3/110) claimed three in the second innings to complete a match-haul of 10 wickets, while Dominic Joseph (3/80) and Anupam Sanklecha (3/84) also shared the spoils.
On the third day, the question was how long Maharashtra will take to dismiss Bengal for the second time rather than any imminent chance of a miracle. (PTI)