Society News

West Bengal bakery makes Christmas cakes to honour Peshawar School Attack victims

Siliguri, Dec 24 (ANI): A bakery in Siliguri city of West Bengal baked innovative cakes ahead of Christmas to commemorate the victims of Peshawar school attack that left at least 141 people dead, most of them children. The Peshawar attack-themed cakes are covered in white icing and have a gun with a dove - a symbol of peace- on top. The bakery owner felt he had a responsibility to spread the message of peace, as a reminder to people to not to forget the horrific incident during the Christmas festivities. At least 132 students and nine staff members were killed earlier this month, when Taliban gunmen broke into a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar and opened fire, leaving the world reeling in terror. The bakery also has on sale Christmas cakes commemorating the untimely death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died last month after being struck by a ball that led to a "catastrophic" injury causing "massive" bleeding to his brain.

Dec 24, 2014

Hong Kong 'Occupy hotel' recreates protest camp for guests

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protest camps may have been swept away but one man has recreated a rally site as an Occupy hotel -- where guests now pay to spend the night in a tent. Duration: 01:35

Dec 24, 2014

At least 40 killed in serial Bodo militant attack in Assam

Assam, Dec 24 (ANI): Suspected tribal militants killed at least 40 people, including women and children, in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of Assam. Police suspect militants of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were behind four attacks that took place on Tuesday within the space of an hour. Formed in 1998, NDFB signed a ceasefire with the government in May 2005, but some of its factions continue to indulge in militancy. Villagers who fled the carnage told police that the rebels came on foot, armed with assault rifles and wearing military uniforms. They forced open the doors of their thatched huts and opened fire. Some people were pulled out of their houses and shot at point-blank range.

Dec 24, 2014

PDP celebrate in J and K as party emerge with 28 seats in assembly elections

Pulwama/ Poonch, Dec 24 (ANI): Supporters of People's Democratic Party (PDP) celebrated the party's success in Jammu and Kashmir elections, results of which were announced on Tuesday. The PDP emerged as the single largest party, bagging 28 seats in the 87-member legislature, brightening its chances of forming a coalition government. No party won enough seats to form a government of its own. PDP candidate from Pulwama constituency, Mohammad Khalil Band said that he will work towards development of his constituency. Supporters of PDP took out rallies, shouted slogans and danced as results trickled in. BJP came a close second by winning 25 seats.

Dec 24, 2014

BJP celebrates as party breaks new grounds in J and K and Jharkhand

Dumka/ Kathua, Dec 24 (ANI): Celebrations erupted in Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand after the results of five-phased assembly polls were announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP made big electoral gains in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir and captured power in Jharkhand on Tuesday. BJP won 25 of 87 seats in Kashmir, its best showing ever in the Muslim-majority state, but still way short of a simple majority that it wanted to seize power. A huge crowd gathered in Kathua district to celebrate BJP's powerful show as they cheered upon the winning candidate from Basoli constituency, Lal Singh. The rest of the seats were shared by regional parties, the Congress party and independents. Meanwhile, voters in Jharkhand gave the BJP a clear majority winning 37 of 81 seats, potentially making it easier for Modi's government to kickstart mining projects urgently needed to reduce energy shortages.

Dec 24, 2014

Centre and state should work together to tackle 'splinter groups': Gaurav Gogoi condemning Assam a

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Condemning the Assam serial attacks which took lives of at least 40 people, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday said that the central and the state government should work together to tackle the 'splinter groups' in Assam and pressurize them to leave the path of violence. He said that the incident was brutal and cowardice on the part of the terrorist outfit. Suspected tribal militants killed at least 40 people, including women and children, in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts of Assam in four attacks which took place on Tuesday within the space of an hour.

Dec 24, 2014

Govt may confer Madan Mohan Malaviya with Bharat Ratna, grandson says matter of sheer happiness

Allahabad, Dec 24 (ANI): As the reports of government likely to confer Madan Mohan Malaviya with India's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna. The government is likely to announce the name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya for the award and is expected to recommend the names to President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting. Malaviya's Grandson Girdhar Malaviya said that it's a matter of sheer happiness and proud. He said that the prime minister's decision is good though late. He also expressed gratitude towards central government for choosing a good leader for Bharat Ratna.

Dec 24, 2014

Hornbill festival in Nagaland becomes major tourist attraction

Nagaland, Dec 24 (ANI): Showing their strength and unity! Members of Angami tribe pulling heavy stones was one of the major attractions during the recently concluded 14th Hornbill festival Kisama Naga heritage village near Kohima. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists, who gathered at the 10-day long gala event, were enthralled by traditional sports, folk dances and ethnic food. Events like a "Chilli" eating competition were the major crowd puller. The winner took away the cash prize of Rs. 20,000. The visitors also enjoyed body tattoo art as two international tattoo artists Heiko Gantenberg from Germany and Mo Naga from Nagaland shared a common platform at the festival. The aim was also to promote the indigenous tattoo art forms. The Hornbill festival has become an international event and attracts large number of tourists.

Dec 24, 2014

Venkaiah Naidu lauds tabling of goods and service tax bill in Parliament

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu lauded the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the parliament during its winter session, saying once implemented the bill will be one of the most far reaching tax reforms since independence. Jaitley had on December 19 tabled GST bill, pressing on with a key piece of reform to replace a myriad range of state taxes. The bill introduced by Jaitley needs the support of two thirds of members of parliament as well as ratification by state legislatures which is expected to happen by the next session of parliament. The government aims to bring the tax into effect from April 1, 2016. Meanwhile, Naidu also lashed out at the opposition for disrupting the proceedings of Rajya Sabha.

Dec 24, 2014

India has most difficult neighbourhoods in world: DRDO

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and DRDO Director General Avinash Chander said that the country has one of the most difficult neighbourhoods in the world. Chander was delivering the 27th Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture 2014 in New Delhi. Addressing a gathering of security experts and Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel on the subject 'Emerging Technological Challenges for National Security', Chander said security challenges are going beyond traditional domains of land, air and sea as the world is witnessing newer challenges due to the evolution of cyber space, which is both a bane and boon. Before independence, he further said, India was subjugated under foreign rule, whereas 67 years down the road, the country is facing internal and external challenges. Meanwhile, director of IB, Syed Asif Ibrahim, said the scientific and technological capital that we have acquired and accumulated has helped the country immensely in sustaining the overall growth trajectory.

Dec 24, 2014