Politics

India celebrates festival of lights with fervour...

Ranchi/ Raipur/ Indore/ Siliguri/ Jaipur, Oct 23 (ANI): Every nook and corner of the country was illuminated with lamps as Hindus celebrated their main festival on Thursday. In Ranchi, residents took to last minute shopping of 'diyas' or earthen lamps, an integral part of Diwali decoration. Despite the Chinese lights flooding the markets, many said they still prefer the ritual of lighting diyas on the auspicious day. Residents of central Raipur thronged markets to complete their Diwali shopping. Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after he defeated the demon king Ravan in Lanka. Legend says that millions of lamps were lit when the Hindu God returned home after 14 years of exile in forest.

Oct 23, 2014

Kashmir flood victims demand compensation for losses

Rajouri, Oct 23 (ANI): People affected by worst floods in Jammu and Kashmir, mostly shepherds, demanded compensation from the government for losses they incurred. They are demanding compensation for their cattle and herds that got washed away in the floodwaters. In far flung areas of Rajouri district, when the flood hit the region, shepherds were on higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range and their cattle, mostly sheep and mules got washed away. A victim, Abdul Rashid, said people at upper reaches of Pir Panjal mountain ranges did not receive basic relief, which was provided to others. A legislator of Rajouri region, Zulfikar Ali Choudhary, said government should also focus on migratory population of the state.

Oct 23, 2014

BJP supporters pour in to streets to welcome Modi in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 23 (ANI): Workers and supporters of the BJP took to streets in Srinagar on Thursday to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kashmir as he will be celebrating Diwali with flood-hit victims of the region. To welcome him, party workers celebrated in Srinagar's streets, carrying banners and chanting his name. They claimed that the BJP was whole-heartedly working in rehabilitation and relief measures in the state and hoped that the central government would provide everything that would help the state to stand on its feet again.

Oct 23, 2014

Canada Parliament workers speak of attack ordeal

Workers who'd been on 'lockdown' at the Canadian Parliament were finally let out late on Wednesday night around 10pm local time, after a lone gunman killed a soldier nearby and attempted to storm the Parliament building. Duration: 01:19

Oct 23, 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Siachen to greet soldiers on Diwali

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited Siachen, the world's highest battlefield in Jammu and Kashmir, to spend some time with the soldiers on Diwali. Modi tweeted that "Perhaps this is the 1st time that a PM has got wonderful opportunity of spending time with our Jawans on auspicious day of Diwali." Modi further extended his Diwali greetings to the whole nation from the icy heights of Siachen Glacier. He wrote "From the icy heights of Siachen Glacier and with the brave Jawans and Officers of the Armed Forces, I wish all of you a Happy Diwali." Later in the day, the Prime Minister left for Srinagar.

Oct 23, 2014

PM Modi condemns attack on Canadian Parliament

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the previous day's shoot-out in the Canadian Parliament and the attacks on Canadian military personnel in Ottawa and Quebec respectively. "I strongly condemn the attacks on the Canadian military personnel in Quebec and Ottawa and the shooting in Canadian Parliament in Ottawa," Prime Minister Modi told media personnel during his aerial survey of the Siachen glacier. "The parliament is a temple of democracy and holds a special place in the hearts of those who believe in democratic ideals," he added. Expressing commiserations on behalf of people of India, Prime Minister Modi said, "Our condolences to people of Canada for loss of its soldiers. Our solidarity is with them at this difficult moment."

Oct 23, 2014

Experts hail Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Experts on Thursday (October 23) hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Siachen, the world's highest battlefield in the Himalayan region, on the day of Diwali (lights). Security Expert Alok Bansal said that Prime Minister's visit to Siachen will boost the morale of the soldiers. Defence Expert Wing Cdr (Retd) Praful Bakshi said that there is no such example as now Modi has given.

Oct 23, 2014

Chacko accuses BJP of playing politics with J and K

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): cHe added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the flood-ravaged state will help the ruling party at the Centre and no the flood victims. Prime Minister Modi left on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir earlier in the day. He began the day with a visit to Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.

Oct 23, 2014

Seven people killed after fire broke out in firecracker shop in Barmer

Barmer, Oct 23 (ANI): At least seven people were burnt alive early on Thursday after a fire broke out at a firecracker shop in Rajasthan's Barmer district. The incident took place around 1 a.m. at the shop in Balotra area of the Barmer district. Additional SP of Barmer said that fire has been extinguished and the police have started the investigations in the case. He added that the fire broke out in the building housing a garment shop and a firecracker shop.

Oct 23, 2014

Rajnath Singh extends greetings to entire nation on Diwali

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended greetings to the entire nation on the occasion of Diwali. Singh said that the entire nation should help the government in development of the country.

Oct 23, 2014

Cyclone Hudhud damages submarine museum in Vizag

Visakhapatnam, Oct 23 (ANI): The Kursura Submarine Museum, which is one of the major tourist attractions in port city Visakhapatnam, got damaged after Cyclone Hudhud hit the coast last week. Submarine parts such as torpedo control units, engine oil pooler, among others exhibited got displaced by the strong winds. The cyclone also blew away the transformer, electric lines and poles, cutting off power to the museum. It will reopen for the visitors only after restoring the power supply.

Oct 23, 2014

Black money: Congress dares Jaitley to come out with all names, politicos react

New Delhi, Oct 23 (ANI): Reacting over Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's remarks on the black money issue, the Congress has asked the Modi Government to stop "blackmail" tactics and dared it to come out with full information, saying the party is above individuals. After Arun Jaitley's remarks that disclosure of names of those holding illicit foreign accounts will embarrass the Congress, the party said that the government should stop coming out with "half truths" and "selective leakage". Meanwhile, political leaders on Thursday reacted over the issue.

Oct 23, 2014