Politics

Indonesia pay respect to 2004 tsunami victims to mark 10th anniversary of disaster

Indonesia, Dec 26 (ANI): Indonesian official offered floral tributes to the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on Friday as the region commemorated the 10th anniversary of the disaster. In Siron mass grave, where thousands were killed in the tsunami were buried, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his wife Mufidah led a delegation of a dozen officials who paid their respects to those who died. The 10-meter killer wave, triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off western Indonesia, wiped out most of the coastal areas in the region, leaving at least 226,000 people dead. Indonesia was the worst hit area with at least 168,000 people dead in Aceh province alone, the closest point to the epicenter.

Dec 26, 2014

Mumbai 'Dabbawalas' join PM's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'

New Delhi/ Chennai/ Mumbai/ Varanasi, Dec 26 (ANI): The lunch box delivery men of Mumbai or 'dabbawalas' as they are called, hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for nominating them to join Clean Indian Mission. The dabbawalas are city's lifeline as the team of around 5000 people supply food to around 200,000 office goers every day. They carry hot food in lunch boxes from the houses of Mumbai residents late in the morning and deliver them at their workplace. The dabbawalas said they are honoured with the nomination and would do their best to ensure cleanliness around. Modi also nominated classical dancer Sonal Mansingh, former Delhi Police Commissioner Kiran Bedi, former Cricketer Sourav Ganguly and Comedian Kapil Sharma for his Clean India Mission.

Dec 26, 2014

Police bust Rave party in Gurgaon

Gurgaon, Dec 26 (ANI): Police in Gurgaon, in a joint operation with Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a rave party at a farmhouse. Nearly 44 youngsters, including four girls, were rounded up. The party was taking place in a farmhouse near Gurgaon and the police raided it at 3.30 am (2200 GMT). Police Commissioner of Gurgaon, Navdeep Singh Virk said they recovered LSD, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine from the farmhouse. Most of the detained people are from Delhi. The Gurgaon police had received a tip-off about the party on Wednesday night from an official from NCB.

Dec 26, 2014

PM Modi rules out privatization of Railways

Varanasi, Dec 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that his government will not privatise railways and instead wants to put more money for the development of railways. Modi was addressing railway workers in his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. Modi was at the Diesel Locomotive Workshop in the city to lay foundation stone of the extension of the workshop. Modi added the private money and foreign investments will be used to facilitate modernization of the national transporter. Highlighting the importance he wanted to give to the railways, Modi talked about setting up four railway universities to boost the capabilities of the sector. Modi said that by bringing modern changes to the railways, India could develop more. The Prime Minister also dedicated to the country a new high tech engine made in the workshop. Pitching for his 'Make in India' initiative, Modi said every component of every project of railways should be indigenous.

Dec 26, 2014

Residents await completion of National Highway in J and K

Srinagar, Dec 26 (ANI): Residents of Jammu and Kashmir pinned hopes on early completion of national highway, which will connect them to rest of the country and ease traffic congestion. The construction work on four-lane National Highway 44 is going on in full swing in Srinagar city, despite intense cold conditions. Residents say they are suffering from regular traffic congestions and even road mishaps have become frequent. Traffic is forced to take detours down single-lane service tracks. The cost of this project is in millions and the authorities are eyeing to complete it before summers.

Dec 26, 2014

Jammu and Kashmir Government Formation: No Deal with BJP, says Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah has downrightly denied that National Conference is holding talks with the BJP on government formation in J&K.

Dec 26, 2014

Survivor recounts horror of 2004 tsunami

Andy Chaggar was on holiday with his partner Nova Mills when the Indian Ocean tsunami smashed into their beachside bungalow 10 years ago. He never saw Nova again. He since set up a charity to help people affected by natural disasters.

Dec 26, 2014

Families grieve tsunami victims, ten years on

Ten years after the tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people in Southeast Asia, families across the world are still coming to terms with their loss.

Dec 26, 2014

Indians celebrate Christmas with fervour across country

Kolkata/ Ranchi/ Raipur/ New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): People across India thronged churches on Thursday morning to celebrate Christmas as the festivity gripped the country. The winter festival draws people from all communities to participate with pomp and gaiety. People arrived in churches for special midnight prayers on the Christmas Eve and then attended the morning prayers to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. People, drowned in festive mood, visited the decked up churches, wearing Santa caps, offered prayers and greeted each other on the season's festival in Raipur. Churches in Ranchi city were decorated as people were seen praying to Jesus on the occasion. Greeting people on the occasion, Reverend Father Maria Susai of New Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral said he was praying for the country.

Dec 25, 2014

Tsunami-hit fishermen in Tamil Nadu continue to struggle with their life

Chennai, Dec 25 (ANI): Life has changed little for thousands of people of the fishing community in Tamil Nadu rattled by a powerful earthquake measuring 9.1 in 2004. While the government has pumped in billions of dollars of money, life is not the same for them. Ten years on, they continue to struggle with their life. Ammaponnu lost everybody in her family, except her daughter when the deadly waves swept away their houses and trawlers. With government's compensation money over, she stares at a bleak future. The tsunami killed around 226,000 people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and nine other countries. A fisherman, Dilli (by one name) has all praise for the government and other agencies for helping them rebuild their life.

Dec 25, 2014

Assam attack: NIA probe has been ordered into the incident, says Rajnath Singh

Guwahati, Dec 25 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the attack on innocents in Assam was unfortunate and NIA probe has been ordered to investigate the incident. Singh said that it was definitely an attack planned by militants. He added that the government is not in favor of holding dialogues with such terrorist organizations who kill innocent people violently.

Dec 25, 2014

Acid attack victim's colleague arrested in Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 25 (ANI): The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested a colleague of the woman doctor, who was recently attacked with acid by two bike-borne assailants in Rajouri Garden. The police have also arrested three men, two of them juveniles, for perpetrating the crime. On Tuesday, two men on a motorcycle were captured on CCTV camera throwing acid on a woman doctor while she was driving a scooty. The woman, who reportedly sustained burn injuries on the right side of her face, is currently undergoing treatment in AIIMS. According to reports, the victim works at ESI hospital in Rajouri Garden and lives with her brother in Hari Nagar.

Dec 25, 2014

Party President to decide on Govt formation in J and K, says Arun Jaitley

Jammu, Dec 25 (ANI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while addressing a press conference after a meeting of the newly-elected MLAs, said that the legislators have authorized BJP President Amit Shah to decide the future course of action on government formation. He added that popularity vote of J and K is with the BJP. The MLAs in the meeting discussed the issue of government formation in a hung House. Jaitley said that there was a consensus within the MLAs that Government should be formed and that Shah should take the final decision on government formation.

Dec 25, 2014

Should be balance between development and good governance for welfare of nation: Sushma Swaraj

Bhopal, Dec 25 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said that there should be a balance between development and good governance for the welfare of nation. Swaraj said that the government has done a lot in seven moths of its governance to ensure development. She also mentioned about Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna and said that the same gave a new turn to lives of many people. Swaraj also talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' and said that this will not only better Indian economy but will also provide employment to people.

Dec 25, 2014

PM Modi wields broom in Varanasi to mark 'Good Governance Day'

Varanasi, Dec 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan during the visit to his parliamentary constituency as part of Good Governance Day celebrations across nation. During his one day visit to Varanasi, Modi wielded broom at the Assi Ghat and outside near Jagannath temple in the holy city. Modi today also lauded people for helping rid the Assi Ghat of mounds of soil and garbage to restore the historical site to its old glory. He also nominated noted people and institutions for the Clean India Mission. During the visit, Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for an inter-university centre for teachers' education to be named after Madan Mohan Malviya. Modi is also expected to launch Varanasi Mahotsav.

Dec 25, 2014