Politics

Centre removes DRDO chief Avinash Chander

New Delhi, Jan 14 (ANI): The government has removed Defence Research and Development Organization Director General Avinash Chander from his post, 15 months before his contract was to end. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "approved the termination" of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from January 31, an official notification said. Chander was Secretary, Defence Research and Development-cum-Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister. He had retired on November 30 last year after he turned 64, but was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year. He is considered to be the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missile systems.

Jan 14, 2015

Social activists protest kite flying with glass strings due to birds killing

Vadodara, Jan 14 (ANI): Social activists protested in Gujarat against the killing and maiming of hundreds of birds with glass coated kite strings during the celebration of International Kite Festival. During the kite festival in Vadodara city, scores of bird's died that were hit by harmful glass coated string used by participants who try to cut opponents' kite strings. The activists took to streets and spread messages of saving birds while holding banners reading 'Do not kill the birds, let them live'. A social activist, Bhagwan Bharwadh said that people should fly kites late in the day to save birds. The kite festival attracts enthusiastic kite makers and flyers from across the globe. Kites in various shapes dot state's skyline as foreign and local kite flyers compete with each other.

Jan 14, 2015

Encounter underway in J&K's Sopore

Sopore, Jan 14 (ANI): A fierce encounter broke out on Wednesday morning between the militants and the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Chakan area of Sopore district. According to reports, one militant is trapped inside one of the houses in the area. The security personnel have cordoned off the locality and carrying out searches at some houses for suspected LeT terrorists, including their commander Abu Huzaifa. A joint operation from Indian army and police is underway where security forces are battling suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. No casualties were reported till the last reports came in. Further details are awaited.

Jan 14, 2015

Police arrest four Maoists in Bihar

Rohtas, Jan 14 (ANI): In a joint combing operation with paramilitary force, police has arrested four Maoists from Rohtas district of Bihar. Huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered in the ambush on Tuesday. The security forces recovered two rifles, 13 single barrel guns, a pistol, 78 bullets, two sacks of gunpowder, batteries used in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 21 splitters used in bombs and several kilograms of explosives. Superintendent of Police (SP), Chandan Kumar Kushwaha, said the arrests were made after a two-day-long combing operation in Kaimur hills and forest tracts of Banda village in the district. After the arrest, police are conducting raids on rebel hideouts in the region.

Jan 14, 2015

Satish Upadhyay to oversee BJP's Delhi poll campaign

New Delhi, Jan 14 (ANI): The chief of the Delhi unit of the BJP, Satish Upadhyay, will oversee the party's poll campaign for the February 7 assembly elections in Delhi. The BJP has announced that Upadhyay will head the 21-member Election Committee for the poll campaign. The committee's members include all seven Delhi Members of Parliament-Harsh Vardhan, Meenakshi Lekhi, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Udit Raj, Manoj Tiwari, Ramesh Bidhuri and Mahesh Girri. Apart from these MPs, Rajya Sabha member and former Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel, senior party leaders Jagdish Mukhi and Vijay Kumar Malhotra are part of the Election Committee. The panel has five permanent invitees, including the BJP National Secretary R P Singh. The BJP is yet to declare its candidates for the 70-member Assembly.

Jan 14, 2015

Swine flu cases on rise in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana official claims situation under control

Hyderabad, Jan 14 (ANI): Swine flu coordinator for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, K. Subhakar, on Tuesday (January 13) claimed that situation was under control despite the number of death cases have climbed to 16. A total of 105 cases have been reported so far in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Subhakar said that the situation is under control and there is no need to panic.

Jan 14, 2015

DRDO Chief Avinash Chander Expresses Shock over Sacking

DRDO Director General Avinash Chander has been removed from his post 15 months before his contract was to end.

Jan 14, 2015

Colourful birds thrill spectators at fair in Siliguri

Siliguri, Jan 14 (ANI): A bird fair organised to mark 152nd birth anniversary of philosopher-monk Swami Vivekananda attracts bird lovers in large numbers in West Bengal. The seven-day-long fair began on Monday with an aim to spread the message of freedom. Scores of bird lovers, both children and elderly alike, were thrilled to watch distinct species of birds at the fair being held in Siliguri city. While excited children tried to touch ostriches, many others clicked photographs with various species of parrots. A spectator Arabindo Das said that such fairs are very educative for children. The fair is being organised by Siliguri Shailendra Smriti Pathagar-O-Club. More than 35 species of birds from various countries are on display at the fair including Australian pigeons, Macaw, emu and ostrich.

Jan 14, 2015