Politics

Salman Khurshid hopeful of solution to defuse diplomatic spat with US

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Foreign Minister, Salman Khurshid on Friday said that India is hopeful of a solution to end the ongoing diplomatic spat with US that escalated tensions between the two countries. Indian diplomat, Devyani Khobragade stands accused in New York of fraudulently obtaining a work visa for her housekeeper and paying a fraction of the minimum wage. Khurshid said that it is important for India and the US to preserve their diplomatic relationship and find a logical solution to the issue.

Dec 20, 2013

It happens: BAMBOO ORCHESTRA

Kochi, Dec 20 (ANI): Folklore musicians, 'Vayali Folklore Troupe' enthralled the audience as they played near-extinct original folk songs on entirely handmade bamboo percussion instruments in India's southern Kochi city. The troupe from Thrissur district in Kerala is now gaining popularity and is known as the "Bamboo Band" locally and is receiving calls to conduct such shows in public for entertainment and special functions. The instruments for the bamboo orchestra are hand-designed, given its final form at Kattappana in Iduki district of Kerala and the raw material is procured from the pristine hills of Wayanad. In the orchestra, the flute is the lead instrument. Among other instruments are Mulam Chenda, Mulam Thudi and Mazha Mooli. The team has come up with innovative instruments as well, an example being a five-drum set, The cylindrical instruments are characteristic of the African 'Conga'. The drumhead is a calf-skin cover fastened with strings of rope while the base is left open and struck with bare hands.The annual event is being organised by the Kerala State Bamboo Mission of the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion under the Department of Commerce and Industry.

Dec 20, 2013

It happens: KASHMIR GLOBAL FILM FEST

Srinagar city, Dec 20 (ANI): Kashmir came alive with a big cinematic extravaganza, as it hosts the first-ever Kashmir International Film Festival (KIFF) post insurgency. Documentaries from across the globe hit the big screen of Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center located on the banks of the famed Dal Lake in Srinagar city, which is hosting its first-ever international film festival in more than 23 years. The fest was being held after a lull of more than two decades in the valley since the eruption of militancy in 1990. The theatres remained shut following a diktat by of separatist's outfits in the region. The screening of movies was once again halted in early 2000 after grenade attacks inside the hall premises.Twenty-three films, including some based on the history and culture of Kashmir, were enthralling the audiences in the region. Short films from countries like Germany, Afghanistan, France, and Pakistan besides the ones made by Kashmiri youths were being screened at the four-day long festival.

Dec 20, 2013

Sailor Captain Sunil James reaches Mumbai, thanks PM

Mumbai, Dec 20 (ANI): After long wait and struggle for the family of Captain of Indian Merchant Navy, Captain Sunil James finally reached Mumbai to perform last rites of his 11-month son, Vivan who passed away while James was in Togo Jail. James, on his return, thanked Indian Prime Minister and Togo President among others for his release. The Indian merchant ship captain was under arrest in Togo since July for allegedly aiding pirates.

Dec 20, 2013

India must insist that US drop charges against Khobragade and apologize: BJP

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday were unanimous in their insistence that the United States must drop visa fraud charges against Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and apologies to her and the Government of India for what it called an unnecessary incident of mistreatment that could affect bilateral ties between the two countries.

Dec 20, 2013

US treatment of diplomat atrocious, apology is must: Manish Tewari

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Friday said the United States of America authorities have behaved atrociously with Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade. He wanted the United States to make good its actions. He added that the minimum demand made by India needs to be done by the US.

Dec 20, 2013

AAP on Arvinder Singh Lovely's remark

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): The AAP on Friday stated it is not indulging in any war of words with any political party but has a proper action plan, after Congress Delhi president Arvinder Singh Lovely said that the AAP should not test the patience of Congress. The party also said that it is a new inning to see political transformation in a new way.

Dec 20, 2013

Light Combat Aircraft Tejas set to get clearance for its induction in Indian Air Force

Bangalore, Dec 20 (ANI): India’s indigenously designed fighter aircraft, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, is all set to get the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC II), which would pave the way for its induction into the Indian Air Force.

Dec 20, 2013

Santa Claus swims with fish in Seoul

Santa Claus pays a visit to an aquarium in the South Korean capital where visitors watch him swim with fish.

Dec 20, 2013

Teenage girl charges five policemen with rape, four arrested

Chandigarh, Dec 20 (ANI): A teenage girl filed a complaint against five constables of raping and threatening her for the last two months in Chandigarh, police arrested four of the accused while one is still absconding.

Dec 20, 2013

devyani-khobragade-vs-us-attorney-preet-bharara

US Firm on Prosecuting Devyani Khobragade

India may have thought by transferring its diplomat Devyani Khorbagode to the UN, it would be able to save her from a possible trial. In a counter move, the US State department, however, has made it clear that her diplomatic immunity would be counted from the day she was confirmed to the new job at the United Nations.

Dec 20, 2013

AAP must not test Congress' patience: Arvinder Singh Lovely

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Congress Delhi president Arvinder Singh Lovely on Friday said that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got the votes by talking bad things about the Congress party and it should not test its patience. Lovely also said that AAP got the numbers because of promises made in its manifesto and talking bad about the Congress.

Dec 20, 2013

BJP grateful to Karunanidhi for supporting Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said that it is grateful for the vote of confidence shown to its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu chief Minister M Karunanidhi. BJP leader Balbir Punj said that Modi's style of administration has got lot of applause all over the world. Punj was reacting to Karunanidhi's praise of Modi on Thursday.

Dec 20, 2013

Little India Riot: 52 Indians Deported to Make Singapore ‘Safe’

The riot was sparked by the death of a 33-year old man in the Little India neighbourhood, following which a crowd of 400 migrant workers went on a rampage. After the 1969 infamous Singapore riots, this was the first time that such an outrage had taken place in the city.

Dec 20, 2013

US denied dropping case against Devyani, Indian politicos remain firm for apology

New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): After the US hardened its stand on Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade and denied dropping the case, Indian politicos remained firm on its demand and asked for the same. Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said that US should drop charges and drop all the cases against Khobragade. Further, BJP leader Kirti Azad said that there should be seriousness in the case and apology is demanded. Congress leader Jagdambika Pal also followed the suit. Meanwhile, BJD leader Jay Panda said that firmness on the stance should be changed as US is a friendly nation.

Dec 20, 2013