it-happens-devotees-participate-in-seven-day-long-hindu-festival

It Happens: Devotees participate in seven-day long Hindu festival

Tripura, July 11 (ANI): Thousands of devotees gathered in India's northeastern province of Tripura to celebrate the festival of fourteen gods, 'Kharchi Puja'. The festival, celebrated annually during the months of June-July, claims to be the pride of Tripura, a state also known as the 'Land of Fourteen Gods'. A unique feature of the festival is the worship of heads of the fourteen gods. Unlike traditional methods of Hindus worshipping the entire body of a god, people here offer prayers only to the heads of the fourteen deities, which were carved from an alloy of eight metals during King Kalyan Manikya's reign. Another important feature of Kharchi Puja is that the deities worshiped are all Hindu gods and goddesses and both, the tribal priest 'Chantai' and the Hindu priest, perform the rituals together. An essential trait of the festival is the deities are locked in a room throughout the year and are brought to open for the devotees to see only during the seven-day period. Visitors who witnessed this unique festival said Tripura has its own communal conflicts between the tribals and non-tribals in the past, but now it's a very peaceful state and such festival helps in restoring peace in this state. Jul 11, 2014
amnesty-details-widespread-kidnapping-and-torture-in-ukraine

Amnesty details widespread kidnapping and torture in Ukraine

A new Amnesty International report on Friday highlighted the "hundreds" of abductions and incidents of torture by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine, and also criticised the excessive force used by government forces. Duration: 01:48 Jul 11, 2014
israel-raids-continue-on-gaza

Israel raids continue on Gaza

Israeli warplanes kept up deadly raids on Gaza Friday but failed to stop Palestinian militants firing rockets across the border, as the United States offered to help negotiate a truce. Duration: 01:27 Jul 11, 2014
narendra-modi-wants-better-ties-with-us-rajiv-pratap-rudy

Narendra Modi wants better ties with US: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting an invitation from the US Government and President Barack Obama in particular is a step in the right direction, adding that India has always wanted good relations with the United States. US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns delivered a letter from President Obama to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting him to USA. In his letter, President Obama reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Washington in September and said he was looking forward to working closely with Prime Minister Modi to make India-US relations a defining partnership for the 21st Century. The Prime Minister reiterated his desire to strengthen relations with all neighbours. Jul 11, 2014
petition-challenging-collegium-system-filed-in-sc

Petition challenging Collegium system filed in SC

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): A petition was filed on Friday challenging the collegium system in the Supreme Court. Petitioner Rajiv Dahiya said that the Supreme Court had given orders of putting the matter of Collegium before a larger bench of 11 judges which the Registry did not follow. He added that the petition was filed because the SC could not get its orders executed itself. Jul 11, 2014
fire-in-housing-society-in-ghaziabad-no-casualties-reported

Fire in housing society in Ghaziabad, no casualties reported

Ghaziabad, July 11 (ANI): Fire broke out in ATS apartments of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad on Friday. Reportedly fire initiated in the basement and four parked cars were burnt. Fire brigade tenders have been rushed to the spot. A police official said that no details can be given at this point of time. Further details are awaited. Jul 11, 2014
sc-grants-one-month-bail-to-bangalore-blast-accused-madani-for-treatment

SC grants one month bail to Bangalore blast accused Madani for treatment

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Friday granted one-month bail on health grounds to 2008 Bangalore serial bomb blast prime accused Abdul Nasser Madani. The Court said that during his one-month bail, Madani will not leave Bangalore and the Karnataka government is at liberty to take all steps to ensure that he does not get in touch with witnesses in the case, including putting him under surveillance. Madani was arrested in 2010 in connection with the Bangalore blasts which killed one person and injured 20 others. He has been in jail since then. Jul 11, 2014
ap-reorganization-bill-passed-in-ls

AP Reorganization Bill passed in LS

New Delhi, July 11 (ANI): The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization (Amendment) Bill 2014 amid protests from members of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and others. Home Minister Rajnath Singh introduced the Bill with its component on the Polavaram project amidst uproar. Despite protests by opposition members, the bill was adopted and passed. Reacting over this, Congress leader Veerappa Moily said that a very bad example was set by the way the Bill was passed in the House. Speaker should not have shown so much haste. Jul 11, 2014