UK and US asking Pak to hand over Lakhvi to India correct step but later will not abide by the same:

Bhopal, Jan 20 (ANI): Defence Expert SR Sinho on Tuesday said that US and UK asking Pakistan to hand over Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to India is a correct measure on the part of the two nations. Sinho said that Lakhvi is the most wanted and master mind of Mumbai attack and he should be given to India for detailed probe. However, he maintained that Pakistan will not abide by the same and will refrain from handing over Lakhvi to India. The defence expert said that Pakistan fears that if Lakhvi is handed over, then India might ask for custody of terrorists as well. Secondly, he said that the neighbouring nation also fears that many things will come out of Pakistan after handing over the 26/11 mastermind. He further said that US and UK also knows that Pak will not hand over Lakhvi as asked by them. Jan 20, 2015

Students in Varanasi create sand sculptures on sensitive issues

Varanasi, Jan 20 (ANI): Students in temple town of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh created sand sculptures on sensitive and burning issues on bank of holy River Ganges. Schoolchildren from around the town converged at the banks and created their artwork with coloured sand to give their work a different look. One of the sculptures commemorated the ill-fated AirAsia flight that crashed in December last year, killing all passengers and crew on board. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 lost contact with air traffic control in bad weather on December 28. Meanwhile, another student created a sculpture on Clean India mission with an aim to create awareness among young generation to keep surroundings clean. Jan 20, 2015

Devotees take holy dip in sacred River Ganges on 'Mauni Amavasya'

Allahabad/ Varanasi, Jan 20 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindus on Tuesday gathered at the confluence of sacred River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and took silent holy dip on the occasion of No Moon Day, or 'Mauni Amavasya'. The auspicious day is celebrated every year as a spiritual ritual in the month of January or February on No Moon day as per the traditional Hindu calendar. Devotees thronged the banks of River Ganges early morning for ritual bath to wash away their sins and sought salvation. This day marks the end of a month - long period of silence, a priest Hiranand Pandey said. Meanwhile, braving the biting cold, Hindus converged at temple town of Varanasi and made religious offerings as well. It is believed that the water of the Ganges turns into nectar on Mauni Amavasya. It is derived from the word 'Muni' that literally means an ascetic who practices silence. Jan 20, 2015

Accept Kejriwals challenge, will debate in assembly not on roads: Kiran Bedi

New Delhi, Jan 20 (ANI): BJPs chief ministerial candidate for Delhi, Kiran Bedi on Tuesday said that she accepts the challenge for a debate put forth by AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal. She said that the challenge is accepted but she will debate in assembly not on roads. Bedi said that Kejriwal has the habit of debating whereas she believed in delivering and that she has no time before elections for any such debate. Bedi further said that she had blocked Kejriwal from her Twitter account after he had called himself an anarchist more than a year ago. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal invited the former IPS officer for a public debate on partys agenda. Jan 20, 2015

Kejriwal congratulates Kiran Bedi for being anointed as BJPs CM Candidate, invites her for public d

Kaushambi, Jan 20 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday invited BJPs CM candidate for Delhi, Kiran Bedi for a public debate. Kejriwal congratulated Bedi her for being nominated as BJPs chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls and said that Bedi should come for debate so that people of Delhi get aware about partys agenda. Kejriwal further requested Bedi to unblock him from her Twitter account. Earlier in the day, the former IPS Officer indirectly attacked the AAP saying that Delhi needed a strong and stable government and therefore cannot function under a learner's licence. Jan 20, 2015

Sunanda Pushkar case: Shashi Tharoor totally cooperated in almost 4 hours questioning, says BS Bassi

New Delhi, Jan 20 (ANI): Delhi Police interrogated Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor for almost four hours in connection with Sunanda Pushkar murder case, said Police Commissioner BS Bassi. He said that Tharoor totally cooperated during the interrogation and that further course of action will be taken after detailed report of the questions asked. Tharoor was interrogated at the Vasant Vihar police station in South Delhi last evening. According to reports, Tharoor was asked over 50 questions by a team of four officers in the first of three likely rounds of interrogation. Jan 20, 2015
delhi-cannot-function-under-learners-licence-needs-stable-govt-kiran-bedi

Delhi cannot function under learner's licence, needs stable govt: Kiran Bedi

New Delhi, Jan 20 (ANI): Former IPS Officer Kiran Bedi on Tuesday talked to mediapersons about her dreams for Delhi after being anointed as BJPs chief ministerial candidate yesterday. Taking a jibe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bedi said that Delhi needed a strong and stable government and therefore cannot function under a learner's licence. Referring to AAP, she said that the opposition can work on that, but not the capital and that she is bringing 40 years of experience for the national capital. She also said that people of Delhi do not want free electricity as claimed by AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, but quality service and correct billing. The new face of BJP in Delhi Bedi also said that if people want to change India, they will have to change Delhi first. Jan 20, 2015
bangladesh-activists-hit-out-at-former-pm-for-her-association-with-party-accused-of-1971-war-crimes

Bangladesh activists hit out at former PM for her association with party accused of 1971 war crimes

Dhaka, Jan 20 (ANI): Bangladesh journalists and political activists hit out at former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, Begum Khaleda Zia for her association with an Islamist party that is accused of war crimes. Zia had allied with Jamaat-e-Islami and formed the government with it. The tribunal has convicted 16 people, most of them Jamaat leaders, and sentenced 14 of them to death. One Islamist politician was executed in December 2013. An Islamist party leader was sentenced to death in December 2014 after war crime tribunal convicted him of atrocities. ATM Azharul Islam, 62, assistant secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was found guilty of five out of six charges including the murder of hundreds of minority Hindus, rape, abduction and torture, prosecutors said. Jan 20, 2015
border-security-stepped-up-ahead-of-us-president-obamas-visit-to-india-for-republic-day-celebration

Border security stepped up ahead of US President Obama's visit to India for Republic Day celebration

Jammu, Jan 20 (ANI): Security has been stepped up along the international border between India and Pakistan in view of US President Barack Obama's visit to the country for Republic Day celebrations. Inspector General (IG) of India's paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF), Rakesh Sharma said the force was alert to face any challenge. He added that the country's borders are vulnerable during special occasions and high profile visits. Obama will arrive in New Delhi on January 25 to take part in Republic Day celebrations on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Obama's participation at Republic Day celebrations as chief guest is a sign of steadily expanding ties between the two countries that share concerns about China's growing power in Asia. Jan 20, 2015