Politics

Oscar Pistorius sentenced to five years in jail

South African judge Thokozile Masipa on Tuesday sentenced Oscar Pistorius to five years in prison for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day 2013. Duration: 00:52

Oct 21, 2014

PM Modi extends 'Dhanteras' greetings

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the nation on the occasion of Dhanteras, first of the five-day Diwali festival. "Greetings on Dhanteras. May Lord Dhanvantari bless us with prosperity, joy and good health," said Prime Minister Modi. On Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantari Triodasi, the Goddess of wealth - is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also regarded as an auspicious occasion to buy gold and silver in order to herald prosperity.

Oct 21, 2014

Politicos react as BJP chooses former RSS Pracharak ML Khattar for CM post in Haryana

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Politicos reacted as Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh activist and BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar was chosen for the post of chief minister in Haryana on Tuesday. Khattar said that it was a unanimous decision taken by the party. He further added that he is going to the Governor to put forth the party's claim to form the government.

Oct 21, 2014

Omar on 'Million March' for Kashmir independence in London

Srinagar, Oct 21 (ANI): A "Million March"is to take place on October 26 which expects to see thousands of people rally through central London in protest against human rights violations in Kashmir. The rally will begin in London's Trafalgar Square and end at Prime Minister David Cameron's office at 10 Downing Street where a petition would be submitted asking Britain to push India into resolving the Kashmir impasse with Pakistan. Reacting over this Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the march and said that his government is focusing on rehabilitating the flood victims in the state.

Oct 21, 2014

Manohar Lal Khattar chosen for the post of Haryana CM

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh activist and BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar has been chosen for the post of chief minister in Haryana. Khattar said that it was a unanimous decision taken by the party. He further added that he is going to the Governor to put forth the party's claim to form the government.

Oct 21, 2014

Reactions flow as govt brings ordinance on cancelled coal blocks

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Political reactions flowed on Tuesday after government announced to pass an ordinance for e-auction of the cancelled coal blocks. BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said that this step of the government should be welcomed as it will solve the power related problems which emerged after cancellation of the coal blocks by Supreme Court. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said that this had to take place because the country could not stop generating coal. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it is futile to talk of an ordinance until its integrity is clear. NCP leader Majid Memon said that the government was expected to take some immediate steps to resume services in power sector.

Oct 21, 2014

Politicos react after BJP's Maneka Gandhi writes letter to Jayalalithaa

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Political reactions poured in on Tuesday after BJP's Maneka Gandhi wrote a letter to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa welcoming her back. The Congress lashed out at Maneka for supporting the AIADMK chief who is facing trial in court for corruption.

Oct 21, 2014

Haryana BJP MLAs meet begins to choose CM

Chandigarh, Oct 21 (ANI): Having got a majority on its own for the first time in Haryana, the BJP on Tuesday took step ahead in the installation of a government in the state. Newly-elected 47 BJP MLAs convened a meeting on Tuesday to elect legislature party leader. The meeting is being chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu and party vice president Dinesh Sharma, who have been appointed observers by the BJP's Parliamentary Board for deciding on the name of Haryana CM, who is "likely" to take oath on October 22.

Oct 21, 2014

JD (U) again demands central grant of special status for Bihar, politicos react

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Raking up the demand for the grant of special status for Bihar again, Janata Dal (United) leader Ali Anwar on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is yet to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bihar. He also added that the BJP must not let their dislike of former chief minister Nitish Kumar prevent them from granting special status to Bihar. Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party leader Majid Memon also supported the JD (U)'s stance, saying that Bihar needs special attention. However, the BJP said that the JD (U) should rather pay attention towards Bihar Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi who keeps on giving controversial remarks.

Oct 21, 2014

Politicos react as Shinde says Chavan worked to build his own image

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Political reactions poured in a day after former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde turned the heat on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan saying he worked to build his own individual interest in Maharashtra in the last four years. Shinde claimed that Chavan did little to build the party's image in the state.

Oct 21, 2014

Manohar Lal Khattar Elected as Haryana Chief Minister

Khattar will be the first non-Jat Chief Minister of Haryana in 18 years.

Oct 21, 2014

Rajnath Singh honours martyrs on Police Commemoration Day

New Delhi, Oct 21 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid his respects to the police officers who have sacrificed their lives for the nation at the police memorial ground in Chanakyapuri, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day in New Delhi on Tuesday. October 21 is observed as 'Commemoration Day' every year in all police lines throughout the country to mark the memory of the gallant personnel who were killed in Ladakh and all other police personnel killed on duty in 1959. The Police Commemoration Day Parade is being held at the national level since 2012 at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri.

Oct 21, 2014

India beefs up security along Nepal border region in wake of Burdwan blast

Siliguri, Burdwan, Oct 21 (ANI): Paramilitary, 'Sashastra Seema Bal' (SSB), beefed up security in the areas along the Nepal border in wake of the bomb blast in Burdwan district. The explosion in Burdwan district of West Bengal on October 02 had left two suspected militants dead, while the city court has sent three accused in police custody till October 22. Two women were also arrested in connection with the blast on October 05. The involvement of militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami are being suspected in the case as a large number of watch dials, SIM cards, and other tools required to make improvised explosive devices were found in the house. Speaking to mediapersons, Director General of SSB, Ranidanga North Bengal frontier head quarter, BD Sharma, said that many criminal activities were taking place along the border area, which is a threat to India's security.

Oct 21, 2014

Diwali celebrations: People light 51,000 lamps in Pune's Shaniwar Wada palace

Pune, Oct 21 (ANI): Pune illuminated the famed historic monument, Shaniwar Wada palace built in 1746, the seat of Peshwa rule, with 51,000 oil lamps to mark the beginning of festivities ahead of festival of lights, Diwali. The tradition dates back to the time of Maratha Empire and was stopped by the British during pre-independence period. Shaniwar Wada is a historic monument. Pune's Diwali festival starts from here. This tradition has been in practice since last 14 years but was stopped in 1818 by the British. A laughing club Chaitanya Hasya Yog Mandal (CHYM) in the year 2000 resumed this tradition. This lighting up of these numerous lamps marks the beginning of festivities of Diwali in Pune city. Director of Chaitanya Hasya Club Arun Pathak, said residents of Pune start the festivities with this lighting event of 'Deep Utsav' every year.

Oct 21, 2014

Fire in firecracker factory kills 13 in Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Oct 21 (ANI): Major fire broke out at a firecracker factory in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh ahead of Diwali, killing 13 and injuring several others. The injured were rushed to a hospital. Andhra Pradesh Health Minister, Kamineni Srinivas, said 12 had died on spot and five people suffered 90 percent burn injuries.Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced compensation for families of the deceased and injured workers.

Oct 21, 2014