SINGAPORE, Jan 15: Singapore will impose an alcohol ban in the area where the Hindu religious festival Thaipusam is to be celebrated on Friday, police said.
The ban would be in force from 6 pm tomorrow to 6 am local time next Monday in the Little India precinct, where weekend alcohol ban is imposed during weekends following the December 8 riot involving some 400 migrant workers from South Asia.
Thaipusam marks the anniversary when Lord Murugan received a Vel (spear) from his mother Goddess Parvathi so he could vanquish an evil demon.
It also commemorates Lord Shiva’s dance of the ‘ananda tandava’ that revealed His form of Nataraja at the hallowed Shiva temple of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu.
Besides South India, Thaipusam is annually celebrated by the Tamil community in Singapore and Malaysia and has become a tourist calendar event in both places.
The Thaipusam procession would begin tomorrow 11 pm local time from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road in Little India and end at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road, just off the central business district.
Individual group of Hindu worshipers would continue the procession in turn through Friday 11.59 pm local time.
K Shekaran, chairman of Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, said, “We have informed all devotees through guidelines that consumption of alcohol and smoking is not permitted within the processions route.
“The new initiative covers beyond the procession route and that will help further enhance organisation of the event and maintain the sanctity of the religious event,” Channel News Asia quoted Shekaran as saying.
Alcohol ban was introduced to restore law and order after the riot in Little India, which gets crowded over the weekends and during holidays with migrant workers from South Asia spending their day off amidst a cluster of Indian-origin businesses, eateries and pubs.
The spontaneous riot on December 8 was sparked by an accident in which an Indian national was killed.
It was Singapore’s worst street violent in 40 years.
The rampage left 39 police and civil defence staff injured and 25 vehicles — including 16 police cars — damaged.
Twenty-five Indian nationals are facing riot charges in court. (PTI)
Singapore to impose alcohol ban along Hindu festival route
China shoe factory fire: Owners held
BEIJING, Jan 15: The owners of a shoe factory in east China were taken into custody today over the deadly fire that killed 16 people.
Lin Jianfeng, the legal representative and Lin Zhenjian, the shareholder of Taizhou Dadong Shoes Co Ltd were held by police, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The fire broke yesterday in the factory in the northern part of Wenling City and burned an area of more than 800 square meters. (AGENCIES)
Fire breaks out at Pak military hospital
ISLAMABAD, Jan 15: A small fire today broke out at a military hospital in Rawalpindi, where former Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf is under treatment.
The cause of the blaze, which broke out at the 4th floor of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), is suspected to be an electric short circuit, sources said.
The fire was extinguished immediately, officials said. Local media reports said Musharraf was not affected.
The former military ruler is under trial for treason over his imposition of emergency rule in 2007, charges he has dismissed as politically motivated.
He was admitted to AFIC on January 2 after suffering “heart problems” while being driven to court. (AGENCIES)
Lotra scores 75 runs in MGCA’s big win
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: Superb knock of 75 runs by Sahil Lotra helped Mayank Goswami Cricket Academy (MGCA) to register a big win over Pongal Cricket Club Banihal to advance in the ongoing Sadbhavana Cup T20 Cricket Tournament, being organized by Reasi Cricket Club at Sports Stadium, Reasi.
Batting first, MGCA scored a good total of 198 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Sahil Lotra top scored with 75 runs off 43 balls with the help of 10 boundaries, while Shubam Pundhir and Ateev Saini contributed 40 and 27 runs to the total respectively. Extras contributed 28 runs. For Pongal Banihal, Abid, Tanzeel and Ajay claimed 2 wickets each.
In reply, Pongal Club, bundled out for 98 runs in 17.1 overs to lose the match by 98 runs. Yasir was the top scorer with 44 runs, while extras contributed 14 runs to the total. Aman was the pick of the bowlers for MGCA, who took 3 wickets, while Ajay and Rocky bagged 2 and one wicket respectively. Sahil Lotra was adjudged man of the match.
TSO Food and Supplies, Pranav Gandhotra was the chief guest on the valedictory function, who presented man of the match award to Lotra.
Makar Sankranti sports meet held
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 15: To give fillip to sports in rural areas, Gayatri Mata Sports Club of Rohni Village organized Makar Sankranti sports meet at village ground, here today.
2000 mtrs race was held for Under-14 age group, while volleyball and tug of war event was organized in Under-19 category.
The meet was organized under the supervision of organizing committee including Ashok Suden, Arun Sharma, Kewal Kumar, Som Raj, Krishan Chib, Kailash Sharma and Rattan Sharma.
Malard village clinched Under-14 2000 mtrs race and Under-19 volleyball event, while village Garhi won tug of war event.
Member BJP State Election Committee, Pawan Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion, who distributed prizes among the winners on the occasion.
RR organizes sports event to celebrate Army Day
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SOHANDA, Jan 15: To commemorate the 66th Indian Army Day, Sohanda Rashtriya Rifles of Suigarh (Delta Force), organized sports event and painting/slogan competition in the Gundo Sub Division.
Friendly volleyball matches with mixed teams of Army and locals were organized at Sohanda and Gwari (Gundo) by the unit.
Apart from the players, the locals came in large number to witness the games.
Painting/ slogan competition under the age group of 15 years was organized at Halaran in which a total of 42 children participated with lot of enthusiasm.
Sweets and prizes were distributed among the players on the occasion. Volleyballs were also distributed among the players on the occasion.
Lead futures down on overseas cues, subdued spot demand
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Lead prices eased by 0.78 per cent to Rs 132.80 per kg in futures trade today after speculators reduced their exposures amid a weak trend at the London Metal Exchange.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, lead for delivery in January fell Rs 1.05 paise, or 0.78 per cent, to Rs 132.80 per kg in business turnover of 1,784 lots.
Likewise, the metal for delivery in February shed Re one, or 0.74 per cent to Rs 133.90 per kg in a turnover of 77 lots.
Marketmen said the fall in lead futures prices was attributed to a weakeing trend overseas and subdued demand battery-makers at the spot markets. (AGENCIES)
Nickel succumbs to profit-booking, global cues
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Amid profit-booking by speculators and a weak trend overseas, nickel prices dropped 0.73 per cent to Rs 87.60 per kg in futures trade today.
The contract for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.5 per cent to $14,275 a metric tonne.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, nickel for delivery in January dropped by Rs 6.40, or 0.73 per cent, to Rs 875.60 per kg in a business turnover of 1,527 lots.
Similarly, metal for delivery in February lost Rs 6, or 0.67 per cent, to Rs 884 per kg in 106 lots.
Market analysts said besides profit-booking by speculators, a weak trend overseas where it retreated from a three-week high as record stockpiles outweighed concern that global supplies will decline after Indonesia, the biggest producer of the mined ore, weighed on nickel futures prices here.
Globally, the contract for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.5 per cent to USD 14,275 a metric tonne. (AGENCIES)
Copper weakens in futures trade on global cues
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Copper futures prices today fell 0.49 per cent to Rs 457.90 per kg after speculators reduced their exposures amid a weak trend in the global markets.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, copper for delivery in April declined by Rs 2.25, or 0.49 per cent, to Rs 457.90 per kg in business turnover of 112 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in February fell by Rs 2.15, or 0.47 per cent, to Rs 453.40 per kg in 3,326 lots.
Analysts attributed the decline to a subdued trend in the base metals pack in the global markets.
Meanwhile, copper for delivery in March lost 0.70 per cent at 51,450 yuan (USD 8,512) per tonne on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. (AGENCIES)
Potato futures extend gains, up 1.32% on increased demand
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Potato extended gains for the second straight day and prices shot up by another 1.32 per cent in futures trading today as speculators enlarged positions, tracking a firm trend at spot market on increased demand.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for delivery in March shot up by Rs 12.70, or 1.32 per cent, to Rs 971.90 per quintal in business turnover of 123 lots.
The potato for delivery in May also traded higher by Rs 11.80, or 1.23 per cent, to Rs 972 per quintal in 3 lots.
Analysts said speculators enlarged their positions, tracking a firm trend at spot market on increased demand against tight supplies from producing regions mainly led an upsurge in potato prices at futures trade. (AGENCIES)