Politics

Gross negligence behind Dibrugarh Rajdhani derailment: Lalu Prasad Yadav

New Delhi, June 25 (ANI): RJD chief and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday condemned the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailment in Chapra district of Bihar. Lalu questioned why there was no checking of the railway track before the Rajdhani Express passed through it, especially at a time when a strike was called by the Maoists in the area.

Jun 25, 2014

Legislating love: Myanmar mulls religious marriage curbs

Proposals by radical Buddhist monks to criminalise inter-faith marriage in Myanmar face strong opposition from women's rights groups in a tussle over the nation's religious identity that has sparked international alarm. Duration: 02:41

Jun 25, 2014

Brides for sale: Vietnamese women trafficked to China

Women and girls from the patchwork of ethnic minority groups that inhabit northern Vietnam are being trafficked across the border and forced to marry Chinese men against their will. Duration: 02:19

Jun 25, 2014

BJP's move to raise foreign investment in defence threat to India's security: Congress

Raipur, June 25 (ANI): Congress leader Ajit Jogi, has objected to the ruling BJP government's decision to allow 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence sector, saying it poses threat to national security. Last month NDA government proposed to raise foreign direct investment in defence sector from 26 percent to 100 percent with an aim to provide a boost to manufacturing activities. Jogi was speaking at news conference in Raipur city of Chhattisgarh. Jogi also said the information about the technology being used in arms and ammunition that will be supplied to the nation after FDI can be leaked to other foreign nations.

Jun 25, 2014

Gadkari orders performance audit of border road organization

New Delhi, June 25 (ANI): India's Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari, has ordered performance audit of the Border Road Organization accusing it of working with a lackadaisical attitude and performing way below the benchmark. The minister addressed media persons in New Delhi and said he was dissatisfied by work of the Border Road Organization which is entrusted with the maintenance of roads that serve the border areas of India. Gadkari also said that various stalled road projects would soon be resumed as he and his team were trying to resolve the problems ensuring instant solutions.

Jun 25, 2014

Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derails in Bihar, four killed

Chapra, June 25 (ANI): Nine coaches of the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailed near Chapra in Bihar, killing four and injuring eight others on Wednesday. Maoist role speculated. The accident occurred barely hours after Maoists had announced a strike in Bihar which raised speculations of an alleged Maoist role in the accident. However, General Manager, Eastern Railway, Mathuresh Kumar did not assert a Maoist sabotage. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sushil Kumar said that the number of casualties is four. Senior railway officials and local administration reached the accident site immediately. Eight passengers were injured however the number could increase further.

Jun 25, 2014

Railway Minister on Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailment in Bihar

New Delhi, June 25 (ANI): In yet another railway accident, 11 compartments of Dibrugarh bound Delhi Rajdhani Express was derailed in Chapra district of Bihar. According to initial reports 4 people are feared dead, and eight sustained injuries. Railway Minister DV Sadanand Gowda said that he is rushing to the accident site to take a view of the situation. He also announced compensation for the families of those who were killed or injured in the accident.

Jun 25, 2014

Women in Manipur become self-reliant by making use of water hyacinth

Manipur, June 25 (ANI): Kharibam Sarju Chanu, a resident of Thongju village in Imphal East district launched Water Hyacinth Crafts Centre, a self-help group, last year. She now provides employment to local women, who produce handicraft items with the use of Water Hyacinth, locally known as Kabowkang, an easily available aquatic weed. Sarju received craft training under a skill development programme organized by the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFI). Now she has been imparting training to the local women through the group.

Jun 25, 2014

Farmers in North India pray for monsoon in fear of drought

Nagpur /Moradabad, June 25 (ANI): Farmers in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh prayed for monsoon as they feared drought like situation. Farmers, in Nagpur city, were experiencing difficult times as they had sown seeds hoping for downpour but were left high and dry. Earlier, their yield was marred by extreme drought, untimely rain or hail storm. A farmer, Moti Singh Deo said they were losing hope of monsoon as the crops were dying. The monsoon has covered half of India's landmass four days behind the usual schedule, failing to recover from a late start that has slowed sowing of summer crops in a country where half of the farmland still lacks irrigation. Millions of small farmers are struggling to survive as erratic weather hits their only source of income. Meanwhile, meteorological scientist, RD Meshram said monsoon system was weak over Bay of Bengal.

Jun 25, 2014