Politics

Firecrackers show lights up skyline of Rajkot ahead of Diwali

Rajkot, Oct 22 (ANI): Display of spectacular fireworks, to celebrate the festive spirit of Diwali, mesmerized the residents and foreigners alike in Gujarat. An audience of over 70,000 people cheered and applauded as bright, colourful fireworks lit up the night over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state. The show was held at Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Rajkot and organized by the city's civic body that spent nearly rupees 400,000 to entertain the people with a large variety of firecrackers. The brightly illuminated sky won the city's heart as children in large numbers arrived at the stadium with their parents. This year Diwali will be celebrated on October 23. The main idea behind this show was to bring smile to the faces of people belonging to poor economic strata who cannot afford to purchase expensive firecrackers during Diwali. A firework called 'Niagara Falls' was the main highlight of the show which stole everyone's heart with its brightness.

Oct 22, 2014

Tourism picks up in Kashmir after worst flooding

Srinagar, Oct 22 (ANI): Tourists from across the world started visiting Jammu and Kashmir after worst floods in a century wrecked havoc in the region. Both the Indian and Pakistani sides of the disputed Himalayan region saw extensive flooding last month with Srinagar particularly hard hit. Hundreds of people were killed and tens of thousands are homeless. However, the tourism industry has again picked up after the disaster and tourists in Srinagar city say the beauty of the valley remains the same even after the floods. Meanwhile, a tourist from Australia Robert said people visiting Kashmir should give more time to locals as they are still recuperating from the flood aftermath.

Oct 22, 2014

Omar hopes Modi govt will take 'serious look' at AFSPA, Politicos react

New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): Political leaders on Wednesday reacted over Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's statement that there has been "double-digit reduction in violence" in the state so the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take a look at revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).

Oct 22, 2014

Regional leaders in Tamil Nadu slam Sri Lankan navy chief's Indian visit

Chennai, Oct 22 (ANI): The visit of chief of Sri Lankan Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, to India drew flak from politicos of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. National committee head of a Tamil nationalist party, Naam Tamilar Katchi, Ayyanathan, said to think of a security agreement with Sri Lanka is a diplomatic blunder. Sri Lanka, he added, is already sharing its ports with China, and to share India's southern region's security with Sri Lanka is to share it with China. This will strain the relations between the government of India and people of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, DMK leader TKS Elangovan, also slammed the central government's attempt to think of a shared security with Sri Lanka.

Oct 22, 2014

Sushma Swaraj meets Mexico's Foreign Minister

New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her visiting Mexican counterpart Jose Antonio Meade Kuribrena, at Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before they headed for Joint Commission meeting pertaining to mutual interest of both countries. The two countries are also expected to sign bilateral agreements/Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following the meeting. On Tuesday, Kuribrena also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to discuss issues of bilateral interest. Mexico is India's leading trade partner in Latin America.

Oct 22, 2014

Terry Walsh to continue as Indian Hockey coach, gives time to SAI for new contract

New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): Indian Hockey Coach Terry Walsh who had submitted his resignation on Tuesday will continue as the coach till Olympics. DG of Sports Authority of India Jiji Thomson said that Walsh will continue serving as the coach of Indian hockey team till next Olympics. He added that the contract with Walsh will be renewed and other issues be solved. Meanwhile, Terry Walsh said that he has not withdrawn his resignation but looked for better ways to move forward.

Oct 22, 2014

US Court Lets American Group Challenge Modi's Immunity

A US court has asked a human rights group to respond by Nov 4 to the US government's "suggestion of immunity" in a case against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged crimes against humanity.

Oct 22, 2014

Modi to spend Diwali in flood-hit Srinagar, politicos react

New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spend Diwali in Srinagar, interacting with flood-affected people, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to make an impact in the forthcoming State Assembly election. The visit has evoked a mixed response from the political parties.

Oct 22, 2014

Ramdev appreciates Uttarakhand CM for inviting him to Kedarnath

Haridwar, Oct 22 (ANI): Yoga Guru Ramdev on Wednesday appreciated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat for inviting him to visit Kedarnath temple. Ramdev said that Rawat has moved beyond the politics of elections and parties and invited him as a person to visit the temple. He also said that he will pray for peace to prevail in the country and for welfare of all citizens.

Oct 22, 2014

Another minor girl raped in Bangalore school; parents, activists protest

Bangalore, Oct 22 (ANI): A three-year-old girl student was allegedly raped inside a private school in Bangalore on Tuesday, police said. This is the third incident of a minor girl student being allegedly sexually assaulted on school campus in the city. According to the complaint, the girl was crying when her mother picked her from the school in Jalahalli and was not behaving normal and had symptoms of fever. A criminal case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 and IPC section 376 (rape) on a complaint from the father of the child, police said. CCTV footage from the school is being examined and the staff members were being questioned.

Oct 22, 2014

Japan catches world attention through conventional and modern novelty

Tokyo, Oct 21 (ANI): "Sadou", a tea ceremony, is one of the Japanese traditions to serve "Matcha", a kind of powdered green tea. "Sadou" is usually a formal event, but in Tokyo a large scale tea ceremony was held to introduce the traditional Japanese tea culture. They brought a number of "Sadou" schools together to serve it to people from overseas and those unfamiliar with the tea ceremony. Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony was held at Hamano-Rikyu Gardens, one of the traditional and most beautiful Japanese gardens in Tokyo. An annual event held since 2008, it aims to create a lively atmosphere that everyone can experience green tea in "Sadou" manner. International visitors enjoyed a special outdoor tea ceremony with English interpreter. The visitors also enjoyed a Japanese sweet along with green tea. The event was part of the Tokyo Culture Creation Project, an organization supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote "Tokyo as a city of global cultural creativity". Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony introduced the world of Japanese hospitality, each host wears a beautiful kimono, each movement they make has a meaning to welcome the guest.

Oct 22, 2014

Maoists in red corridor of Bokaro blow up railway track, disrupting train network

Bokaro, Ramgarh, Oct 21 (ANI): Maoists blew up a portion of a railway track in the red corridor of Bokaro district in Jharkhand disrupting the train services. As per the police, the rebels destroyed about 1.5 meter track due to which the passenger trains were held up at different points. Divisional railway manager, BK Singh, said the train service will resume soon after restoration work will be completed. Meanwhile, police also recovered a 15 kilogram can bomb hidden below an over-bridge on NH-2 at Chittarpur. In-charge of the Rajrappa Police Station Lileshwar Mahto said the police received information from the villagers and immediately took action about it. He added that a bomb disposal squad was called from Hazaribagh defused the bomb.

Oct 22, 2014

Happy in Delhi now, will support anyone BJP selects as Maharashtra CM: Nitin Gadkari

Nagpur, Oct 22 (ANI): Refuting rumours of being the probable CM candidate for Maharashtra, union transport minister Nitin Gadkari has said that he is happy in Delhi and would support anyone who is chosen as the chief minister by the party. According to reports, around 40 BJP MLAs had visited Gadkari's house to persuade him to take up Chief Minister's post after the party won with a major margin in the assembly elections.

Oct 22, 2014

Jitendra Singh announces enhancement in research fellowship

New Delhi, Oct 22 (ANI): Ministry of science and technology announced enhancement for scientific researchers in a bid to contribute more for research and development. Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, told mediapersons that the long pending demand of researchers has been addressed as the government had decided to revise their fellowships. There were various practical considerations in deciding on the revision of fellowships, which have been taken into account in the all possible scenarios, while attractive fellowships would attract promising candidates to take up research as a career. Singh also said that there is also a need to create an ambience required for pursuing research, which is a pre-requisite. Singh said that scientific researchers are the real nation builders, who work day and night away from the limelight of media or public and remain unaffected by upheavals in their surroundings. However, this hike would not disturb various kinds of perks and privileges, which are enjoyed by them already.

Oct 22, 2014

Nepalese government defends snowstorm rescue operation

Kathmandu, Oct 22 (ANI): Nepal's Home Ministry Secretary, Surya Silwal, defended the government's actions after it came under fire for its handling of the search and rescue operation for hundreds of trekkers who were caught in a Himalayan storm last week. Nepal has been criticized for failing to issue timely weather warnings, but Silwal said the storm, which brought unseasonable snow and avalanches, came about suddenly. The extreme weather was triggered by the tail end of a cyclone which hit neighbouring India last weekend. He said any country would have handled the incident similarly and denied reports that the government had terminated trekking permits.

Oct 22, 2014