Politics

Voters cast ballots in second phase of Comoros poll

Voters go to polls in second phase of Comoros legislative election. Duration 00:58

Feb 22, 2015

Venkaiah Naidu says general view in all-party meet expressed smooth functioning of Parliament

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): After an all-party meeting ahead of the Budget session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that the general views expressed smooth functioning of the Parliament. Naidu said that the government is ready to take up discussions and suggestions on the topics demanded by the political parties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said it was the collective responsibility of all parties to run the House as the budget sessions start Monday. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister also said that he met Congress President Sonia Gandhi today morning and extended request to her to help in smooth functioning of the Parliament.

Feb 22, 2015

German Bakery blast case: Convict says assaulted in jail

Pune, Feb 22 (ANI): German Bakery blast convict Himayat Baig, who is presently lodged in Pune's Yerwada Prison, has alleged that he was subjected to a "life threatening assault" by a co-prisoner on February 19.

Feb 22, 2015

People throng annual 'Rose Festival' in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Feb 22 (ANI): Nature lovers thronged the three-day annual 'Rose Festival' in Punjab on Sunday. The 43rd edition of the festival, which began on Friday (February 20), is taking place at illustrious Rose Garden in the capital city of Chandigarh. The garden has more than 50,000 rose plants and bushes. Around 829 varieties of roses, including hybrid teas, floribunda, polyanthus, miniatures and climbers, are being displayed. Folk artistes from various parts of the country are presenting their exclusive regional art forms to depict the socio-cultural ethos of India. Rose festival gave a good platform to the people to enjoy the nature and know more about the variety of flowers and plants grown in and around the city.

Feb 22, 2015

Regional RPI protests demanding arrest of Govind Pansare's killers

Mumbai, Feb 22 (ANI): Activists of the regional Republican Party of India (RPI) held a protest march in Mumbai city on Sunday demanding arrest of the killers of veteran Communist leader Govind Pansare. Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Govind Pansare died on Friday, four days after he was shot at by unidentified assailants. The protesters took to the streets shouting slogans against the state government for failing to arrest the culprits. Police rounded up several activists and RPI leader before they were released. Kolhapur police has announced a cash reward of rupees 500,000 to any person providing information about the murderers of slain leader. Maharashtra state government has set up special police teams to nab the culprits. But no arrests have been made so far.

Feb 22, 2015

Philately exhibition at Aero Show attracts visitors in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 22 (ANI): A unique stall of the Indian postal department containing postal stamps of aero shows and old aircraft attracted visitors at the Aero Show 2015 in Bengaluru city. Indian postal department has exhibited stamps released on aero shows since 2003 and pictures of old aircraft on the stamps. Various national and international companies participated in the five-day biennial air show where they showcased defence equipments of the world's leading defence suppliers. Post Master General of Business Development and Mails department, Veena Srinivasan, said the stamp exhibition was based on aero philately. The commemorative stamps commemorate any event or occasion while definitive ones are usually seen in correspondence. Items like mugs and lettersets with stamps embossed over them were also exhibited at the gallery.

Feb 22, 2015

Congress will not support any anti-people bills and ordinances: Ghulam Nabi Azad

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): The Government on Sunday reached out to the Opposition, calling for "a spirit of mutual cooperation" ahead of the Budget session of Parliament on Monday that is expected to be a stormy affair. After the all party meeting in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the government should not expect support on any anti-people bills and ordinances from the Congress party. The government is looking to pass key legislation, including bills to replace a slew of ordinances in this session.

Feb 22, 2015

Corporate espionage case: Opposition demands thorough probe, BJP assures action

New Delhi/Patna, Feb 22 (ANI): Politicos on Sunday demanded throrough investigation in the corporate espionage case which had rocked the whole nation. BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao said that scam will be investigated and the culprits will be brought to book. AAP leader Ashutosh and JD (U) leader KC Tyagi demanded thorough probe in the document leak case.

Feb 22, 2015

Corporate espionage case: Opposition demands thorough probe, BJP assures action

Feb 22, 2015

UAVs get special slot in Indian Aero Show as Home Ministry amplifies its usage

Bengaluru, Feb 22 (ANI): Aeronautical development wing of India's premier Defence Research and Development Organisation showcased indigenous UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) at the Asia-Aero India 2015 in Bengaluru. The UAVs are in great demand by the armed forces battling Maoist insurgency. Since Maoist rebels operate from jungles and difficult mountain terrains, security forces rely largely on drones and UAVs to monitor their movements. Indian army guarding the western sector also uses drones and UAVs extensively to foil infiltration by militants from across the border. Officials of Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) displayed their pet project "Nishant" which has undergone major technological changes since it was first introduced in the 90s. The existing version of Nishant can be launched from a mobile launcher and later recovered using parachute and landing bags.

Feb 22, 2015

Capital observes road safety march

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): To ensure road safety among people, the capital of India, New Delhi observed Road Safety March in association with Vodafone on Sunday (February 22). It is estimated that more than 20 per cent fatalities occurs mostly in all the metropolitan cities of India. The participants in the march gathered early in the morning and spoke to pedestrians about following traffic rules and safe driving. Most of the participants were wearing red and white t-shirts to portray equality. Delhi experiences heavy congestion throughout the day although it has highest proportion of road compare to other urban cities of India. Increased domestic vehicles also serve as one of the major reason among others.

Feb 22, 2015

Mamata Banerjee's aide Shibaji Panja held for alleged financial fraud

West Bengal, Feb 22 (ANI): Entrepreneur Shibaji Panja, who accompanied West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her Bangladesh visit, was on Sunday arrested and produced in the Barrackpore court for alleged financial fraud. Panja was detained at the immigration counter of the Kolkata airport. According to reports, the Delhi Police had been looking out for him and had issued a notice for the same on February 19. Panja had allegedly taken a loan of Rs 18 crore from Industrial Financial Corporation, after submitting some fake documents. Meanwhile, BJP leader Tathagata Roy questioned Banerjee and demanded an explanation on the company of people she keeps. CPI leader Ritabrata Banerjee also condemned the same calling it 'shameful' for a chief minister to take along a person with accusations on him for a diplomatic visit.

Feb 22, 2015

Visually impaired experience car driving in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (ANI): Visually impaired people experienced car driving in Gujarat as they took part in a blind car rally on Sunday. At the rally the sighted drivers were navigated by visually impaired individuals, with their route mapped in Braille. Around 90 visually impaired navigators were selected to drive across pre-selected city circuit. The rally, which was organised by Ahmedabad Round Table 40, aims at making society aware of the challenges faced by visually impaired people. The cars in the rally also sent across other social messages such as "Save the Daughter" and "Clean India" as they bore stickers bearing the slogans.

Feb 22, 2015

Security forces unearth ammunition dump in Kashmir

Doda, Feb 22 (ANI): Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir unearthed an ammunition dump in Doda district. In a joint operation, army and state police stumbled upon an old militant hideout where arms and ammunition were dumped. The police conducted searches at Gandho area following a tip-off and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. One AK-47, two 12 bore rifles, one country made pistol besides some explosives were recovered. Doda in Jammu region of the state bore the brunt of militancy in the late eighties. However, Indian security forces have neutralised most of the militant groups in the state.

Feb 22, 2015

PM Modi to share thoughts with students in 'Mann Ki Baat'

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address students preparing for board exams through his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, scheduled to be broadcast at 8 pm today. The Prime Minister had earlier urged students and teachers to share their experiences which could motivate and inspire those preparing for competitive exams. He later thanked all the people who shared their thoughts for today's programme. "Am happy that students, parents and teachers are sharing insightful thoughts for this Sunday's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Feb 22, 2015