Politics

Rahul Gandhi hits at Gujarat model of development, says all fund goes to 'one person'

Bilaspur, May 01 (ANI): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Bilaspur on Thursday attacked the Gujarat model of development and said that the state government gives the entire fund to one person, that is, Adani. He said that they only invest only a meager part of the funds for the people and say that people earning more than Rs. 11 are not poor. He said that the ideology of the opposition party is to let India remain as it is and there be no development whatsoever.

May 1, 2014

Thousands left homeless as rain storm hits Tripura

Tripura, May 1 (ANI): Thousands of people were left homeless in Tripura as a rain storm destroyed hundreds of houses. The most affected area was Mandwai in Dhalai district where many trees and electric posts were uprooted due to the storm. A government official, Abdul Hossai, said that around 1500 people have been affected. The homeless people said their houses were totally destroyed and therefore they are compelled to take shelter in the relief camps along with their children. Most of the houses with thatched and tin roofs were flown away along with the strong winds while the walls of many mud houses were broken following heavy hailstorm. A storm survivor, Mita Banik, said there has been no water and electricity supply in the region after the storm. Staffs of the electricity department were busy restoring electricity and removing trees from the roads.

May 1, 2014

Actor Jitendra receives Dadasaheb Phalke award for his contribution to cinema

Mumbai, May 1 (ANI): Veteran Bollywood actor Jitendra received the highest honour of Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for his exemplary contribution to the film industry. The 72-year-old Jitendra has had a career spanning three decades starting from 1960s to 1990s. The Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan in the presence of filmmaker Rakesh Roshan and various other dignitaries honored him. Soon after receiving the honour, Jitendra expressed his gratitude to all the people who shaped his career. Actor Farhan Akhtar was also presented the Best Actor male award for essaying the role of athlete Milkha Singh in the movie "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag". Akhtar said he was honoured to receive the prestigious award. Veteran actress Juhi Chawla won the Best Actress award for her women-centric film "Gulaab Gang" and expressed excitement in receiving the honour.

May 1, 2014

Political turmoil reason behind economic slowdown in Bangladesh

Dhaka, May 1 (ANI): Experts blamed political unrest and uncertainty surrounding elections held in January for economic slowdown in Bangladesh. As predicted by International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Bangladesh this year is to be a little over five percent, lower than the six percent GDP last year. Apart from the political instability, investment stagnation and reduced remittance inflows are also quoted as major cause of slowdown. As per Bangladesh Bank, remittance flow has dipped by seven percent in the initial eight months of this fiscal year. The country went through a period of nationwide protests and turbulence during the elections that took place on January 05, 2014. But one of the blows that the youth faces due to the slowdown is the growing unemployment. Executive Chairman of PPRC, Hossain Zillur Rahman said Bangladesh cannot expect a vibrant economy below eight percent GDP. Therefore, to recover from the slowdown and battle chronic poverty, country's government needs to encourage investment and develop business confidence among other solutions.

May 1, 2014

Chennai train blasts: 14 injured victims stable, investigation on

Chennai, May 01 (ANI): Victims of the twin blasts that rocked the Chennai Central Railway Station on Thursday have been taken to hospital for treatment, as officials say 14 injured are stable. Two explosions ripped through the Bangalore-Guwahati Express around 7:30 a.m, killing a 22 year-old female passenger. The injured were admitted to the government-run Rajiv Gandhi general hospital near the station. Chennai District Collector, V Sundaravalli, said that all possible medical care was being given to 15 people who were brought to the hospital. A relative of an injured victim of train blast, Vijayant Kumar, said that his two children suffered injuries.

May 1, 2014

Rajiv Gandhi's tenure was golden period for Amethi, Rahul follows same principles: Priyanka

Amethi, May 01 (ANI): While holding a public meeting in Amethi on Thursday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi's government was a golden period for Amethi and Rahul follows the same principle as him. Priyanka said that Rahul thinks about future and plans ahead. She said that the people understand better who wants to work for the welfare of the constituency and the nation and who comes here for personal interests. Further, appealing the people to vote fro the right government, Priyanka said that it's the responsibility of the people to secure the tradition and culture of the nation.

May 1, 2014

Almora police steps up security after Maoists threaten people to boycott polls

Almora, May 01 (ANI): Police in Almora city of Uttarakhand beefed up security and deployed additional forces after some Maoist forces pasted posters on walls threatening people to boycott ongoing parliamentary polls. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anant Ram Chauhan, said that a case has been registered against unknown persons for putting up posters and added that the police are on a look-out for the people involved. The messages written on posters called for a change in the system, mocked the democracy and called for a revolution. As Uttarakhand will go to polls in the eighth phase on May 07, hectic campaigning is currently underway in the parliamentary constituencies but the threat by Maoists through posters has set alarm bells ringing among the leaders.

May 1, 2014

Badalta Manzar (May 01, 2014): An independent news report on Jammu and Kashmir

Baisakhi is one of the festivals which is celebrated across the country. In Jammu, too, it was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The biggest flood channel of the Kashmir valley has shrunk. For the last two decades, most water bodies in the valley have been shrinking due to encroachments and government negligence. People fear that this will have a negative impact on the region. The main roads in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district are in pathetic condition, making any vehicular movement extremely difficult.

May 1, 2014

Defence expert on Pakistans Army Chief calling Kashmir 'Jugular vein of Pakistan'

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): Defence expert Bharat Verma on Thursday condemned Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif’s statement that Kashmir is the "jugular vein" of Pakistan and the issue should be resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris and in line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions for lasting peace in the region.

May 1, 2014

Pakistan army chief calls Kashmir 'jugular vein of Pakistan', politicos condemn

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): Politicos on Thursday condemned Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif’s statement that Kashmir is the "jugular vein" of Pakistan and the issue should be resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris and in line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions for lasting peace in the region.

May 1, 2014

Didnt show gun, just a lotus, says Modi on FIR; politicos slam

New Delhi, May 01 (ANI): Political leaders on Thursday condemned BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for saying that FIRs were registered against him for not showing knife, pistol or gun but for flashing lotus to the people.

May 1, 2014

Politicos condemn Chennai train blasts

New Delhi, May 01 (ANI): Politicos across the party line on Thursday condemned the twin bomb blasts at the Chennai Central railway station in which one woman was killed and13 others were injured. The two bombs went off on Thursday in quick succession in two coaches of the Guwahati-Bangalore Express at the Chennai Central railway station. The National Investigation Agency, which usually looks into terror attacks, has sent representatives to collect and examine evidence.

May 1, 2014

Young son of slain Afghan journalist arrives in Canada

Six weeks after surviving a Taliban attack on a Kabul hotel that left his father, mother, brother and sister dead, miracle child Abuzar Ahmad arrives in Canada to start his life anew (Duration 00:30)

May 1, 2014

Modi blames Congress for FIRs against him for poll code violation

Tirumala / New Delhi/ Ahmedabad, May 01 (ANI): BJP’s Prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, blamed the Congress party for registration of a case against him for alleged violation of election rules. The Gujarat administration filed two FIRs against BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi on orders of the Election Commission (EC) after he delivered a politically charged speech and displayed his party's symbol, lotus, in violation of the poll code soon after exercising his franchise in Gandhinagar. A police complaint was also lodged against TV channels. Meanwhile, Union Law Minister, Kapil Sibal, asked the poll panel not to hand over the investigation to Gujarat police, as it was in favour of Modi.

May 1, 2014

Congress refers to World Bank report, hits back at BJP

New Delhi, May 01 (ANI): Congress hit back at main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party BJP, citing the World Bank report which enlisted India as third biggest economy in the world. According to a report released by World Bank on April 29, India displaced Japan to clinch the position of world’s third biggest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. Targeting BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his sharp attacks on Congress party and alleging weak economic policies and development fallouts during its terms, Congress leadership retorted back saying the World Bank report is an ‘answer’ to them. He added that party is not anticipating incumbency threat to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and clarified that he has attended maximum number of election campaigns. Ahmad reaffirmed that India has achieved the feat because of Singh’s efforts.

May 1, 2014