Politics

PM Modi launches Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Scheme

New Delhi, Oct 16 (ANI): Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the labour-reform initiatives under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Scheme in New Delhi. While speaking at the launch of the scheme PM Modi said that manual labour is not given adequate importance and there is a need to change perspective of the people towards manual labour. Modi added that 'Inspector Raj' is a big problem in the society and it is the e-governance which is effective in bringing transparency within the system.

Oct 16, 2014

UK culture secretary announces funds to boost ties with India

New Delhi, Oct 16 (ANI): Britain's Culture Secretary, Sajid Javid, lauded creative minds in India and announced £ 1.5 million funds in a bid to boost cultural exchange between the two countries. Javid said the funds will help in giving a push to Indian museum movement as the country has strong cultural roots. He added that the UK was a world leader in museum management and it would like to share experience with many countries around the world. This initiative has been taken in the backdrop of 'Re-Imagine India' project that will provide opportunities for developing collaborations and cultural exchanges through showcasing the best of British and Indian arts. Javid also met Union Culture Minister Shripad Yesso Naik and signed documents to build creative connection between the two nations.

Oct 16, 2014

Ramdev carries out cleanliness drive in Haridwar

Haridwar, Oct 16 (ANI): Yoga Guru Ramdev on Thursday carried out cleanliness drive in Kankhal district of Haridwar. Ramdev said that he will take this cleanliness drive to more than 600 districts across the country. He added that he along with his volunteers and supporters will contribute two hours to this cleanliness drive every week and will transform the cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh into model cities.

Oct 16, 2014

Reactions flow as Switzerland agrees to help India with information on black money

New Delhi/ Haridwar, Oct 16 (ANI): Reactions flowed on Thursday after Switzerland agreed to help India with time-bound information regarding black money. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the UPA government had signed a pact with Switzerland under which the country had agreed to reveal information regarding black money. He also said that the Narendra Modi government should not try to take credit for the work done by previous UPA government. Meanwhile, Yoga Guru and BJP supporter Ramdev said that the international influence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led Switzerland to take this step and added that they are sure to ring the black money back to India.

Oct 16, 2014

Canada says it can help solve India's housing problems

New Delhi, Oct 16 (ANI): Canada showed interest in taking part in India's ambitious programmes of 'Housing for All' and building 100 'smart cities' and offered its technology in this regard. The offer was made during a meeting between Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast with Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi. Fast said they had a very intense discussion about the 100 smart cities that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forward to develop modern India. He added that it is remarkable of the path the new government placed India on.

Oct 16, 2014

Cyclone victims clash for food, relief material in Odisha and AP

Visakhapatnam, Oct 16 (ANI): Cyclone Hudhud that smashed the coastline of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and killed at least 25 people has left the panicked survivors struggling for basic necessities like food and water. The cyclone ripped apart tens of thousands of mud-and-thatch homes, flattened rice, banana and sugarcane plantations and snapped electricity lines when it made landfall on Sunday. In the port city of Visakhapatnam residents formed long queues outside the few ATMs, petrol stations and stores which had reopened, even when there is no electricity. Meanwhile, BJD leader Jay Panda said due to the information received in advance about the cyclone, the government was able to act swiftly.

Oct 16, 2014

Pranab Mukherjee signs 19 pacts in Finland

Helsinki, Oct 16 (ANI): Indian President Pranab Mukherjee met his Finland counterpart Sauli Niinisto at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki amid a grand ceremonial reception and signed 19 pacts to step up cooperation in energy, fishing and education, besides exploring tie-ups in science and technology. This is the first visit by an Indian president in 26 years to the key Nordic nation. India and Finland signed 19 pacts on government-to-government, business-to-business as well as institution-to-institution level in the field of energy, education, fishing and science and technology during Mukherjee's visit to Finland.

Oct 16, 2014

ISRO set to launch navigation satellite

Sriharikota, Oct 16 (ANI): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed all the preparations to launch third of seven series of satellites to put in place India's own navigation satellite system. The launch would take place on Thursday from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh state. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C26) will carry the 1425 kilograms Indian Navigation Satellite IRNSS-1C carrying two types of payloads - a navigation payload and a ranging payload.

Oct 16, 2014

Waving of Islamic State flag in Kashmir matter of grave concern, says army

Srinagar, Oct 16 (ANI): General Officer Commanding (GOC), Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General, Subrata Saha said that the appearance of Islamic State (IS) flag in Kashmir is a matter of grave concern and it could have serious implications. He added that IS has the ability to attract volunteers by implication and to misguide the youth. He further said that IS even has the potential to create sectarian strife.

Oct 16, 2014

Exit polls garner mixed reactions from politico

New delhi, Oct 16 (ANI): Exit polls garnered mixed response from politicos for both Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the exit polls show BJP emerging as the largest party in both Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that in Maharashtra and Haryana there are anti-incumbency and the Congress will be in a better position than what exit polls reveal. However NCP leader Praful Patel said that no party will get single majority and there will be a coalition government.

Oct 16, 2014

South Asia Newsline - Oct 16, 2014

Oct 16, 2014

Decoratives made by street children on sale in Gujarat ahead of Diwali

Rajkot, Oct 16 (ANI): A variety of decorative knick knacks made by street children have been put on sale by a trust in Gujarat ahead of Diwali, to use the money thus collected to brighten up their lives. A trust called 'Pujit Rupani Trust' in Rajkot city of Gujarat has organised an exhibition of the decorative items made by children from poor families. More than 300 street children's items are on display at this exhibition. According to the trustee, Anjali Rupani, the aim of this exhibition is to collect money by selling these items to make the festival cheerful for the otherwise deprived children.The children worked with great enthusiasm to find a platform for their art and for a promotion of this kind. A variety of artistic earthern lamps, photo frames, earthern toys and other beautiful items of various designs and colours which are generally used on the occasion of Diwali are on display. Eager visitors went on a buying spree as the cause gave them immense joy.

Oct 16, 2014