15-03-2013
Aries : Think positive today and watch the world around you changing. Regardless of how difficult things may seem, Ganesha advises you to take it without getting upset. If you set your mind to something, you can do it. You have the Midas touch today, so it is a good time to introduce a new strategy.
Taurus : Ganesha urges you to be prepared for setbacks and disappointments today. Your efforts may end in being a waste of precious time and energy. The results you get are likely to be far below your expectations. Falling short of your target is likely to weigh you down with stress and anxiety. You can, however, ease and reduce your frustration by reexamining your expectations and lowering them down to a comfortable, achievable level.
Gemini : You will be in a state of heightened sensitivity today. Therefore you need to curb down on your emotions. You will be able to successfully express your feelings to someone, and your feelings will play a vital part in your life, says Ganesha.
Cancer : Ganesha suggests you not to be sentimental or hasty. Try to handle things deftly in stead of dodging bad episodes or turning a blind eye to them. You will give priority to domestic and private life in stead of career or business aspects.
Leo : You will feel more emotional today and share your feelings with your friends and near ones. For those who are searching for a life-partner, this might be the time when you will get hitched. You will develop a new perspective on some issues in the office. Your day will be different than normal, says Ganesha.
Virgo : Foreign contacts will in all likelihood be a source of monetary profits. Ganesha says you will perform wonderfully in anything you might choose to undertake today. Even your ambition of setting up an offshore business enterprise will take root today.
Libra : Ganesha says today will be the start of a new love story for you and you will be able to spend time with someone very dear to you. You will be more conscious today about your appearance and may even go to the beauty parlor. Do remember the saying – beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Ganesha says that you will be equally conscious of your dressing style and clothes and may go in for a new wardrobe today
Scorpio : Today, there are chances that you would be disturbed by continuous flow of negative thoughts in your mind. Try to divert your mind and look for positive people or friends who would cheer you up. Understanding needy people and living up to their expectations would bring some respite to your disrupted mind, says Ganesha.
Sagittarius : Ganesha foresees business expansion on your cards. Your friends, relatives and other contacts across seven seas will lend a helping hand to develop your business. And thanks to your super communication skills that make the task easier. The leader in you is all set to conquer the world. Way to go!
Capricorn : Some people do backbreaking work throughout their life, and still don’t taste the sweet taste of success. While in your case, success will be easy as pie. You are already loaded with work and some new projects – assignments will be added to that, today. But, you are not complaining as some recreational activities will refresh your mood and energy.
Aquarius : Things have become stagnant but it fails to frustrate your spirit. Slow and steady wins the race and it seems you have imbibed it very well. You will be able to seize opportunities coming your way and march ahead on your path. Financially, you will be on a stable ground, says Ganesha.
Pisces : You need to tread cautiously today when it comes to matters related to business. Do not make any decisions in haste, or it could come back to haunt you at a later date. All financial dealings will need to be carefully monitored. Do not indulge in speculative activities or undue risk taking. A little consideration now will save you a lot of trouble later, says Ganesha.
Senior officers pay homage to five CRPF personnel at police headquarter in Srinagar on Thursday.(UNI)
Senior officers pay homage to five CRPF personnel at police headquarter in Srinagar on Thursday.(UNI)
Jammu Opposition MLAs protesting in the Assembly on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Jammu Opposition MLAs protesting in the Assembly on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
TV grab shows Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde making a statement in Lok Sabha on Thursday. (UNI)
TV grab shows Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde making a statement in Lok Sabha on Thursday. (UNI)
Confusion over Indian team’s presence at PCA stadium
MOHALI, Mar 14: Confusion prevailed for a while after the Indian cricket team left the PCA stadium hastily at seeing the puddles of water on the covers and a thick blanket of clouds overhead, ahead of the start of the third Test against Australia here today.
The first day of the match was called off without a ball being bowled owing to a heavy downpour that began around 3am, and continued well into the morning.
The Indians arrived on time, spent a few moments, and then headed back to the team hotel even as the Australians hung around for a while, though the visitors reached the venue late.
“Has the Indian team left for hotel, are they coming back, did they come back” were the questions floating in the media enclosure of the stadium prior to the lunch break.
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium joint-secretary, G S Walia, sought to clear the confusion.
“The Indian team was here, than they left. So please don’t confuse, I have heard someone asking if they had arrived at all. Nothing like that, they were here,” Walia said.
Elements had the final say as play was officially called off at about 13.15 local time, even as a buoyant India’s march to achieving their best-ever result in a Test series against Australia finally came to a halt due to matters not related to cricket.
The pitch and the square were covered and the toss was yet to take place when Walia made the official announcement.
India, who have never won more than two Tests in a single series against the team from Down Under, are leading the four-match rubber 2-0 after convincing victories in the last two outings in Chennai and Hyderabad. The hosts have never been in such enviable position against Australia.
From tomorrow onwards, play will start half an hour early on each of the remaining days. (PTI)
Students bring laurels to Jodhamal School
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 14: Students brought laurels to Jodhamal Public School by winning medals in the 15th National Science Olympiad (NSO) and 12th National Cyber Olympiad (NCO).
In National Science Olympiad, gold medals were claimed by Vanayak Gupta, Samragee Mahajan, Sneha Majumdar, Uditi Verma, Daksh Sharma, Prabhnoor Singh, Arya Abrol, Shaan-Ul-Haque, Navdeep Singh, Akanksha Sharma, Aarushi Rajput, Vishal Sharma and Mridul.
The silver medals were bagged by Aahan Vohra, Bhumi Sharma, Suhani Sharma, Samyak, Harman Preet Kour, Abhavya Bhushan, Saharsh Mahajan, Kushagra, Ananya Sharma, Samridhi Sajotra, Naman Chouhan, Romir Patney, Shubham Suri, Anandita Kuthiala, Navneet Kour, Zain Zulfiqar and Eras Sumreen.
Yashasvee Rathore, Ciya Gupta, Mantek Singh Burn, Tanvi Singh, Suryansh Dev S Pathania, Jasleen Kour, Gaurav Verma, Akshit Gupta, Hasit Singh, Reejuta Mahajan, Titika Balgotra, Ayushi Thakur, Owais Ahmed Rishoo and Sonakshi Thusoo secured bronze medals.
Meanwhile, in National Cyber Olympiad, gold medals were claimed by Vaibhav Singh, Uditi Verma, Daksh Sharma, Manav Kampani, Abhay Singh Kotwal, Navdeep Singh, Anurag Thakur, Manik Sharma and Mridul, whereas, the Silver medals were secured by Samyak, Pravar Dalal and Sankalp Verma. The Bronze medals were bagged by Shivanshu Tripathy, Amreen Kour, S. Satvik.
The school fraternity has congratulated the students for their performance and hoped that they will keep strewing for excellence against all odds.
Rain washes out opening day of Mohali Test
MOHALI, Mar 14: Elements had the final say as the first day of the third cricket Test between India and Australia here was called off without a ball being bowled, thanks to a heavy downpour that lashed the city since early morning.
Play was officially called off at about 13.15 local time, even as a buoyant India’s march to achieving their best-ever result in a Test series against Australia came to a halt, though due to matters not related to cricket.
The pitch and the square were covered, and the toss was yet to take place when PCA joint secretary G S Walia made the official announcement.
India, who have never won more than two Tests in a single series against the team from Down Under, are leading the four-match rubber 2-0 after convincing victories in the last two outings in Chennai and Hyderabad.
The hosts have never been in such an enviable position against Australia.
Given Australia’s meek surrenders in both Chennai and Hyderabad, there is a high possibility of visitors being whitewashed by the hosts, who have so far been confidence personified under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
The weather Gods, however, could again come in the way of what Dhoni and his men would love to achieve, especially against an opponent who had thrashed them the last time they crossed swords, albeit in Australia. There might be some rain tomorrow as well.
Earlier, the Indian team returned to the hotel after spending some time at the stadium, even as the Australians enjoyed a morning cup of tea after the outfield was rendered wet due to incessant rain.
A few from the Australian camp, including coach Mickey Arthur, were seen hovering around and having a jovial chat on the sidelines.
The super soakers were out in the field as the groundsmen got down to get the surface back in shape for the match. The few heads totting the stands at the PCA stadium, watched in helplessness, as the groundstaff carried on what seemed like a futile mopping-up operation.
The rain though had subsided after a while, the thick cloud cover showed no signs of abating. True, the sun peeped out once, but disappeared before one could blink.
“Overnight rain started at 3 am and it will take at least two hours for the ground staff to dry the playing areas. However, bad news is that rain has been forecast for the afternoon as well,” ICC umpire Richard Kettleborough had said ahead of the first pitch inspection.
Kettleborough was right as the met department had yesterday forecast possibility of rain with cloudy skies in the city.
The early end to the day meant Delhi left-hander Shikhar Dhawan would have to wait for some more time before receiving his maiden Test cap.
Incidentally, Dhawan’s ODI debut, against the same opponents, at Visakhapatnam in 2010 was also interrupted by rain.
Apart from Dhawan, who is filling in for the dropped Virender Sehwag, India are likely to field the same team that played in the last match.
Australian squad trimmed to 13 after the expulsion of four players, will be playing experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin in place of the injured Matthew Wade.
With James Pattinson being one of the four axed players, Mitchell Starc automatically makes a return to the playing XI with Peter Siddle being the second pacer.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Steven Smith, too, will be batting up the order, while Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon are the two specialist spinners. There was no place for Glenn Maxwell, who made his debut in Hyderabad. (PTI)
Govt has failed to check terror strikes: Oppn
NEW DELHI, Mar 14: Opposition today accused the government of failing to check terror strikes in the country, including yesterday’s attack in Srinagar in which five CRPF personnel were killed.
“The External Affairs Minister treats Pakistani Prime Minister to a sumptuous lunch when he comes to Ajmer Sharif and just four days later, this terror attack happens. … We should unite and challenge Pakistan,” Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour.
“I salute the Diwan of Ajmer Sharif (who refused to welcome the visiting Pakistani Premier last week). He did what the government could not do,” Swaraj said, seeking a response from the government on the Srinagar terror strike.
She lamented that “the front row of the treasury bench was empty when the House was condoling the death of the CRPF personnel earlier today. Neither the Leader of the House (Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde), nor senior ministers or the UPA Chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) were present when the Speaker was making the obituary reference. It is a sad situation.”
Swaraj said it was “very shameful” that every other day Pakistan was attacking Indian soldiers, including beheading one of them recently, and “there is no reaction.”
“We got some assurance when the visa on arrival (to Pakistanis) was stopped and the Prime Minister made a statement that business as usual will not do”, but the attacks happened again, she said.
Heated exchanges took place between members of National Conference (NC) and the BJP, when Swaraj said, “These attacks are occurring when there is a demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).”
As soon as Swaraj spoke of AFSPA, NC members Sharifuddin Shariq and Mirza Mehboob Beg were on their feet shouting that the law, which gave stringent powers to the armed forces, should be withdrawn, prompting BJP members to rise and shout back.
Beg and Shariq shouted back saying “hundreds of our youth have been killed, our party workers have been killed and maimed and nobody sheds tears for them.” An agitated Shariq also came into the aisle a couple of times.
They were supported by RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party’s Shailendra Kumar, who wanted the Chair to allow them to speak.
Prasad also said “BJP’s agenda is being discussed and we are not being heard. You should allow them (NC members) to have their say.”
Following the heated exchanges, Swaraj told the NC members “today is not the day for us to challenge each other but to challenge Pakistan unitedly” and asked Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to make a statement.
After the Home Minister’s statement, members of the SP, RJD and AIMIM walked out saying they were not allowed to speak on such an important issue.
As they left the House, the Speaker asked them to give a notice for holding a debate on the matter. (PTI)
PFRDA allows subscribers lump sum withdrawal on exit
NEW DELHI, Mar 14: Pension fund regulator PFRDA has allowed investors in the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to withdraw lump sum amount at the time of their exit, as against the current practice of ‘phased withdrawals’ every year.
The replacement of ‘phased withdrawal’ with ‘deferred withdrawal’ was taken after PFRDA received feedback from various stakeholders, the pension fund regulator said.
Stakeholders informed PFRDA that subscribers be given a specific option to defer or time the entire lump sum withdrawal (maximum 60 per cent) at the time of exit from NPS.
This would be a better option than forcing subscribers to choose a certain percentage each and every year while opting for the ‘Phased withdrawal’ option, including the year in which they are exiting the system.
Under the Deferred withdrawal facility, the subscribers at the time of exit from NPS can exercise the option to defer withdrawal of eligible lump sum withdrawal and stay invested in the NPS, according to PFRDA.
However, no fresh contributions will be accepted and also no partial withdrawals will be allowed during such a period of deferment.
The subscriber can withdraw the deferred lump sum amount at any time before attaining the age of 70 years by giving a withdrawal application or notice.
If no such notice is given, the accumulated pension wealth would be automatically monetised and credited to his/ her bank account upon attaining the age of 70 years.
As on March 2, NPS manages a corpus of over Rs 28,400 crore of 44.93 lakh subscribers. Around 2 lakh subscribers are from the private sector while 27 lakh are from central/state governments. Around 15.79 lakh subscribers are served by NPS-Lite, which is designed to ensure ultra-low administrative and transactional costs.
NPS is an initiative of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the apex body established by the government to regulate and develop the pension sector. NPS has been extended to all citizens of India with effect from May 1, 2009. (PTI)
Saina regains 2nd place, Kashyap becomes World no 7
NEW DELHI, Mar 14: London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal regained her second place while Parupalli Kashyap continued his upward progress, earning two places to reach the seventh spot in the latest badminton world ranking today.
Saina had lost a position to slip to the third spot last week but after a semifinal finish at the All England Championship, the Indian regained her place in the world ranking.
London Olympics quarterfinalist Kashyap too was rewarded for a quarterfinal finish at the All England Championship. From world number nine last week, he jumped to the seventh position.
Ajay Jayaram was steady at 31st, while RMV Gurusaidutt and Sourabh Verma improved two and four places, respectively to reach 36th and 39th spot.
Anand Pawar was the other Indian at the top 50 at 44th spot.
Rising women shuttler P V Sindhu remained at 16th position. (PTI)