sakshi-maharaj-faces-flak-over-4-kids-remark-bjp-distances-itself

Sakshi Maharaj faces flak over '4 kids' remark, BJP distances itself

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Politicos on Thursday slammed BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj who stirred a row by saying that all Hindu women must produce at least four children to protect religion during a conclave of Hindu priests at Shanidham temple in Meerut. The BJP has, however, distanced his party from Maharaj's controversial statement. Jan 8, 2015
voting-begins-in-sri-lankas-presidential-election

Voting begins in Sri Lanka's presidential election

Colombo, Jan 08 (ANI): Voting began on Thursday throughout Sri Lanka in a presidential election where incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa is facing an unexpected challenge to his rule from his former Health minister Maithripala Sirisena. Police said no incidents have been reported from any parts of the country so far.The army is on alert to provide support if needed. Election monitors have reported less violence than in earlier elections in the run up to the polling day. Voters were also keen to see the poll pass off peacefully. Rajapaksa won around 58 percent of the vote in the last election, surfing a wave of popularity that sprang from the 2009 defeat of Tamil Tiger separatists who had waged a crippling war against the government for 26 years. Although his popularity has waned, Rajapaksa called the election two years early, confident that the perennially fractured opposition would fail to find a credible challenger. Jan 8, 2015

Political leaders condemn attack on Paris-based satire magazine

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Political leaders in India on Thursday condemned the attack on Paris-based satire magazine Charlie Hebdo and said that it was an attack on the institution of democracy. Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen entered the offices of Charlie Hebdo and opened fire. According to reports, 12 people, including two police officers were killed in the attack, with five others seriously wounded. Charlie Hebdo has reportedly been facing threats after it published a series of cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad in 2011 and more recently, ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Jan 8, 2015
vhp-says-if-kareena-has-problem-with-her-morphed-image-in-magazine-she-can-move-court

VHP says if Kareena has problem with her morphed image in magazine she can move Court

Kanpur, Jan 08 (ANI): VHP leader Prakash Sharma said on Thursday that there was no point in raising controversies on Kareena Kapoor's morphed image. Sharma said that the editor who wrote the story is answerable in this regard as it is a matter between her and Kareena. He also said that if the actress has any problem regarding the issue she is free to move the Court. Jan 8, 2015
vhp-magazine-highlights-love-jihad-issue-using-kareenas-morphed-image-reactions-flow

VHP magazine highlights - Love Jihad - issue using Kareena's morphed image, Reactions flow

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Reactions flowed on Thursday after Vishwa Hindu Parishad used a morphed image of actress Kareena Kapoor to highlight the issue of Love Jihad in its magazine. NCP leader Majid Memon, JD (U) leader Ali Anwar and CPI leader Atul Anjan condemned the issue and said that a person's private life should not be highlighted on an issue like Love Jihad without her consent. Chief of All India Imam Organisation, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi said that if anyone marries willingly it should not be considered as an issue of Love Jihad. Senior Advocate KTS Tulsi said that Kareena should move Court in this regard. Jan 8, 2015
flights-trains-delayed-as-thick-fog-envelops-new-delhi

Flights, trains delayed as thick fog envelops New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Extreme cold weather conditions continue in New Delhi. Dense fog enveloped the national capital New Delhi on Thursday delaying trains and flights. In New Delhi, passengers were seen waiting at the airport for long hours as their flights were rescheduled due to heavy fog. Dense fog affected the train traffic as well. Railway stations swarmed with passengers waiting to board their trains. Due to extreme cold weather conditions, trains are running late from eight to 10, or even 20 hours. Jan 8, 2015
hunt-goes-on-for-charlie-hebdo-killers

Hunt goes on for Charlie Hebdo killers

French security forces launch a massive manhunt for two brothers suspected of killing 12 people in an Islamist attack on a satirical weekly in Paris. Duration:01:57 Jan 8, 2015
time-for-shashi-tharoor-to-speak-the-truth-swamy

Time for Shashi Tharoor to speak the truth: Swamy

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said it is now time for former union minister and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to speak the truth in the case of her wife Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor's death. According to reports, Delhi Police had earlier on Wednesday issued a legal notice to Shashi Tharoor asking him to join the murder probe of his wife Sunanda Pushkar at the earliest. Delhi's Police Commissioner BS Bassi had said on Wednesday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to carry forward the probe in the case. Bassi also said that the police is as of now is proceeding according to the action plan, and added that every aspect is being examined carefully. Jan 8, 2015
modi-inaugurates-13th-pravasi-bhartiya-diwas-in-gandhinagar

Modi inaugurates 13th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas in Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, Jan 08 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 13th edition of'Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas' in Gandhinagar on Thursday. About 4000 NRIs from 58 countries are in the city to attend the annual fest that brings together members of the Indian diaspora to engage and discuss investing in India. Earlier he launched the 'Dandi Kutir', a unique exhibition depicting various stages of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi's life and work. The prime minister is likely to push the programs like 'Jan Dhan Yojana', 'Make-in-India', 'Swachh Bharat', 'Digital India' and 'Smart Cities' among the Indian Diaspora. Jan 8, 2015
police-say-no-prisoners-languishing-in-jails-of-punjab-after-punjab-cms-letter-demanding-release

Police say no prisoners languishing in jails of Punjab after Punjab CM's letter demanding release

Chandigarh/Poonch, Jan 08 (ANI): Deputy General of Police in Punjab, Sumedh Singh Saini, denied claims that there are prisoners languishing in the state jails despite having completed their sentences. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal caused a flutter by seeking early release of 13 militants, including the assassins of former Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh. Badal's request comes after a resident of Punjab, Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, went on a hunger strike in November 2014 demanding the release of six convicts, including the assassins of Beant Singh. Saini said not even a single person is languishing in Punjab prisons beyond their term. Khalsa claims that keeping prisoners in prison beyond their period of conviction is a violation of human rights. Meanwhile, various Sikh organisations held a march in Poonch district of northern state of Jammu and Kashmir in support of Khalsa's hunger strike. President of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee of Poonch, Narinder Singh, said they are hopeful the memorandum will be forwarded to Prime Minister's Office (PMO) at the earliest. Jan 8, 2015

The place where I spoke was not a political stage, let bygone be bygone: Sakshi Maharaj on'4 kids' r

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): BJP parliamentarian Sakshi Maharaj on Thursday said his remark that Hindu women should have at least four children to "protect" their religion, was not made on a political stage and therefore it should not be given so much of importance. He further asked to let bygone be bygone adding that he is a sincere follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Sakshi Maharaj's remark that Hindu women should have at least four children to protect the religion has come under attack not just by the Opposition but his own party. Jan 8, 2015

Forest officials rescue tiger caught in fence in Maharashtra

Chandrapur, Jan 08 (ANI): Forest officials in a village in Chandrapur district rescued a tiger that was stuck in a fence bordering a nearby jungle. The tiger which got stuck in the fence at night was growling as he attempted to escape. The spot was very close to the Borda village in the district. Forest officials managed to tranquilise the tiger after a grueling five hours. A forest official, Chand Hande, said they would set him free in the forest. Tigers have long been bordering extinction as they face the dangers of poaching, killings and habitat loss despite government conservation efforts. Jan 8, 2015
passengers-peeved-by-shortened-route-of-india-pak-bus-service

Passengers peeved by shortened route of India-Pak bus service

New Delhi, Jan 08 (ANI): Passengers of the Pakistan-India friendship bus service who arrived in New Delhi termed the shortened route of the bus service inconvenient. In an unprecedented move, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation decided to restrict the entry of buses running under the Pakistan-India friendship service from Lahore to Delhi till Wagah border due to militant threats. Buses to Delhi will now start from Wagah border instead of Lahore. A passenger said this tweak in the route has put the passengers at risk. Another passenger said the passengers were caught unaware and they were not given any prior information about the change. Reportedly, Pakistan is not taking any chances with regards to security issues after recent incidents. Jan 8, 2015

Holy Cow & Beef Politics

India is the largest exporter of beef and our export has seen a 16% rise after Modi led BJP government came in to power. The same BJP criticized the previous congress government on beef export, seeking a ban.  Mean while in south India a section of people are disappointed and asking the supreme court to revoke and re consider its judgement on banning Jallikattu, a traditional sport sort of thing, that involves taming bulls under certain conditions. Jan 8, 2015