Politics

Jayalalithaa supporters pray for her release in Chennai

Chennai/ New Delhi, Oct 02 (ANI): Supporters of former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa took part in a special prayer session organised in a church by State Minorities Commission on Thursday. Jayalalithaa was sentenced to four years in jail on Saturday in a high-profile corruption case that has lasted nearly two decades. A special court in Bangalore found Jayalalithaa guilty of "disproportionately" amassing about 530 million rupees outside her known sources of income. On Thursday, supporters of Jayalalithaa, who is fondly known as 'Amma', prayed for her good health. Meanwhile, at least forty six AIADMK Members of Parliament staged a sit-down protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Parliament complex on Thursday over a demand for justice for Jayalalitha.

Oct 2, 2014

Indian Air Force pledges for clean India on Oct 02

New Delhi/ Bhiwandi, Oct 02 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' early on Thursday, Indian Air Force too came forward to take part in the campaign. IAF Chief Arup Raha too participated in the mission and took pledge to maintain cleanliness and also to encourage others to do the same. As a part of the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan", many national airports have also undertook a special cleaning drive. Meanwhile, Union Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced a grant of Rs. 20 lakhs per annum for each village panchayat for realising the Clean India Mission objective. Addressing media here after administering a pledge to the staff of his ministry, Gadkari said the amount will be kept with Gram Panchayat which will be distributed as per the requirement in the villages.

Oct 2, 2014

Congress and NCP release manifesto for upcoming Maharashtra polls

Mumbai, Oct 02 (ANI): Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) released its manifesto for the state assembly elections on Thursday. Present during the event was also Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan among other party leaders. Same day also witnessed manifesto release by their ex-ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The party attempted to woo farmers, youths and other sections of the society in their election manifesto for the upcoming October 15 Maharashtra assembly polls. The NCP has given special attention on education, employment, business and water in its manifesto.

Oct 2, 2014

Police kill Maoist in encounter in Chhattisgarh

Bijapur/ Malkangiri, Oct 02 (ANI): A Maoist was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh while one was held in Odisha on Thursday. The Maoist named Kosa Ayatu, belonging to Maoist cultural front CNM, was killed in a police encounter where a police official was also injured. The deceased was carrying arms and ammunition. Superintendent of Police (SP) of Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, KL Dhruv said the Maoists had attacked the police helicopter during the encounter. Meanwhile, another rebel was arrested in Malkangiri district of Odisha during a joint operation by the personnel of India's paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) and the district police. Malkangiri's Superintendent of Police, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said the Maoist identified as Singa Kattami alias Mahesh is a resident of Tagoorkota village and was arrested from Sudhakonda area.

Oct 2, 2014

Asian Games: India bags gold in Hockey, beats Paksitan

New Delhi, Oct 02 (ANI): India bagged gold at the 17th Asian games after Indian hockey men's team defeated Pakistan in the finals. India beat Pakistan 4-2 in penalties to win gold and a place in Rio Olympics. The team scored 4th and 5th goal to add another gold to India's medal tally. The team was lead by Sreejesh. The Indian hockey team had last won Asian Games gold in 1998 in Bangkok. The Indian women's relay team consisting of Priyanka Pawar, Tintu Luka, Mandeep Kaur and Poovamma also bagged a gold 4x400m women's relay with the perfect timing of 3:28.68.

Oct 2, 2014

People complain of poor sanitation even as PM Modi launches 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'

Bangalore/ Kolkata/ Varanasi/ Thrissur, Oct 02 (ANI): Even as ministers and government officials across India wielded broom and swept streets and offices as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' that aims to clean up the nation by 2019, residents complained their cities are flooded with overflowing garbage dumps and waste along the roads. A resident of Bangalore city in Karnataka, Kiran said everyone will have to work together to make this drive a success. Although a number of people seemed inspired with the initiative, others rued the sorry state of the administration in this field. Some people complained the local authorities do not take any step to maintain garbage disposal system due to which they have to bear the stench coming out of open dump yards. Even Modi's constituency, the holy town of Varanasi, does not present a rosy picture.

Oct 2, 2014

Gujarat Students draw Mahatma Gandhi on their arms to pay tribute to iconic leader

Rajkot, Oct 02 (ANI): Thousand school girls in Gujarat paid tribute to independence leader and peace icon Mahatma Gandhi by drawing his tattoo on their arms and setting a new record of completing it in eight seconds. Students of Kadvibai Virani School in Rajkot district from class 7 to 12 took part in the tattoo making competition as part of Gandhi's birth anniversary celebrations. The record is likely to find a place in Limca Book of Records. She also said through this record the students got to know the life and messages of Mahatma Gandhi. A member of the British Council was also present at event and was thrilled to see how fantastic the girls were. India observes October 02 not only as Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary but also as International Day of Non-Violence, the ideal that Gandhi fought for throughout his life.

Oct 2, 2014

Navratri boost tourism in Odisha

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 02 (ANI): Tourists thronged to participate in the traditional celebrations and rituals of the Hindu festival of nine nights, Navratri, in Odisha. In Bhubaneshwar, devotees thronged decorated pandals, temporary platforms, where the idol of Hindu goddess Durga is installed and sought her blessings. At the Dream Odisha, 2014, an event organised by the city-based Odisha International Centre, thirty districts from all around the state had gathered to offer their prayers to Durga and indulge in dance and merry-making. The coordinator of the organisation, Paresh Nayak said that events like these give push to the tourism in the state. People at the event performed a traditional Indian dance called dandiya, which is played with two baton-like sticks.

Oct 2, 2014

BSF wields broom encouraging Pak to do same even as Indian Army pledges to keep India clean

RS Pura/ New Delhi, Oct 02 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' on Thursday, Army and BSF is not left far behind. BSF and Army officials too wielded brooms at the Charar-i-Sharif. Later, Pakistan rangers were also seen cleaning their area upon witnessing the BSF jawans in RS Pura tidying up their post. Meanwhile, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag also participated in the 'Clean India Mission' and encouraged the army officials to come out and make an effort to keep the nation clean. He along with other Army personnel also took pledge to keep nation clean and encourage others to do the same.

Oct 2, 2014

Festive fever grips Bangladesh as devout Hindus offer prayers to Goddess Durga

Dhaka, Oct 02 (ANI): Festive fever gripped Bangladesh as devotees congregated at temples and community marquees to offer prayers to mother goddess Durga across the country. Devout Hindus of all ages offered prayers to the goddess during the celebrations for Durga Puja. Among the prominent spots was the shrine of Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka. The rituals commenced with Kumari Puja where young girls are worshipped as incarnation of the Goddess. Hundreds of members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh performed the Kumari Puja, which is a part of their biggest festival Durga Puja. The word 'Kumari' which means virgin is a name of the goddess Durga as a child.

Oct 2, 2014

US hunts contacts of Ebola patient, including children

Health officials in Texas on Wednesday scoured the Dallas area for people, including schoolchildren, who came in contact with a Liberian man who was diagnosed with Ebola in the United States. Duration: 00:55

Oct 2, 2014

Libya militias continue military operations

Libya's Fajr Libya (Libyan Dawn) militia fighters continue military operations at a position they took from a rival militia in the southern part of the town of Wershfana, some 27 kilometers west of the Libyan capital. Duration: 00:35

Oct 2, 2014

US demonstrators back Hong Kong protesters

In a sign of solidarity for the protestors in Hong Kong people descend on Times Square in New York, sporting umbrellas, a symbol of the pro-democracy movement. Duration: 01:24

Oct 2, 2014

Hrithik Roshan hosts a special screening of Bang Bang

Mumbai, Oct 2 (ANI): Bollywood Actor Hrithik Roshan hosted a special screening of his much awaited upcoming flick Bang Bang in the showbiz capital Mumbai. Speaking on the occasion Roshan thanked the industry for accepting his Bang Bang challenge and supporting the film. While leading lady Katrina Kaifsaid she is looking forward for audience response. Directed by Siddharth Anand Bang Bang is the remake of Hollywood flick Knight and Day and is out on theaters near you to watch it.

Oct 2, 2014

Smartphone Wars: iPhone 6 Vs Samsung Galaxy Alpha

New Delhi, Oct 2 (ANI) ; The biggest battle of Smartphone's 2014 has begun and it's time to square iPhone 6 and Samsung's new line up, the Galaxy Alpha against each other.To start with Apple iPhone 6 is one up from Samsung Galaxy Alpha as its reported 1704 x 960 pixel which gives you 326 pixels per inch, in comparison to the Alpha whose screen surprisingly is just 1280 x 720 pixels, with a density of 312 pixels per inch.The iPhone 6 is Metal whereas Galaxy Alpha is metal and plastic. Both come with shatter proof Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection for their display.Coming to the camera segment, iPhone 6 gets much positive attention for its camera although it offers 8MP while Alpha is 12 MP. Both the cameras are capable of full HD recording.Samsung Galaxy Alpha has already been launched in India and will be available in the market from the first week of October with the price tag of Rs.39,990 whereas Apple iPhone 6 is yet to be launched in India.

Oct 2, 2014