Politics

Navratri Special: Hindu family displays miniature dolls to spread communal harmony

Kochi, Oct 28 (ANI): India is a land of multiple faiths, yet communal harmony has been a way of life here since centuries. And, there are many people who have kept alive this tradition of brotherhood and amity. One such example comes from Kochi in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where a Hindu family celebrates Bomakula or Toy festival a unique manner. On the occasion, the Sethu Raman family displays miniature dolls of various gods and goddesses, with an aim to spread message of communal harmony. This year the family celebrated the festival by displaying around 500 idols of gods and goddesses worshipped by different communities in an effort to spread communal harmony.

Oct 28, 2013

Meghalaya lifts U-17 boys' Subroto Cup

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The final match of Under-17 Subroto Cup was held at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on 21st October between teams from Meghalaya and Assam. The boys from Meghalaya won 4-0. This is the second time that a team from Meghalaya has won the U-17 Boys' title. Teams from all the northeastern states participated in the tournament and performed well. While a school from Mizoram lifted the under-14 boys' cup, a school from Manipur emerged the winner among girls. Although the Assam team failed to win the trophy, they said they were confident of doing better the next year. Such tournaments not only promote a spirit of sportsmanship among budding players, but also promote unity and integration.

Oct 28, 2013

Patna blasts a plan to kill Narendra Modi, alleges BJP

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): The BJP, on Monday attacked the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar over its failure to avoid Sunday's blasts in Patna and said that it was a conspiracy to kill its PM candidate Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference in Patna, state's former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi attacked the Bihar government for ignoring the threats to Modi's life.

Oct 28, 2013

We are still living in a vulnerable security environment: Arun Jaitley on Patna blasts

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Monday condemned the series of blasts in Patna on the occasion of BJP’s Hunkar Rally. Jaitley said that people of the country are still living in a vulnerable security environment. He also questioned the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government for not taking a tough stand despite having intelligence alerts.

Oct 28, 2013

There was no specific intelligence input: Patna police on serial blasts

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): ADG Ravinder Kumar on Monday claimed that there was no specific intelligence input on the Patna serial blasts. He further added that the investigation is on the right track. Making headway in the Patna blasts case, police have reportedly arrested two suspected terrorists, including one possibly the mastermind.

Oct 28, 2013

Flash flood maroon thousands of villagers in Odisha

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 28 (ANI): Around 10,000 people were marooned after Cyclone Phailin, due to incessant rainfall in Odisha, triggering a rise in floodwaters, inundating houses, clogging roads and paralysing normal life. Non-stop rains in the cyclone-hit Gajapati district of the state have led to the increase in water levels of the rivers. An emergency officer, Basanta Kumar Hota said rescue operations were going on in 654 villages affected by floods and people were being shifted to safer destinations. The flash floods have made life miserable for the people in Gajapati district. A Resident, Dhanalaxmi said though the relief supplies were being distributed by the administration but still food had not reached many of the stranded families in the villages.

Oct 28, 2013

BJP demands CBI probe in Patna blasts case

Bangalore/New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The BJP on Monday demanded a CBI investigation on the recent bomb blasts in Bihar. Explosions at the election rally of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi killed 6 people and wounded over 80 in Patna on Sunday. BJP leader Giriraj Singh said CBI should investigate the matter and find out the hidden facts. Even though the BJP has alleged that the central and state governments are responsible for the incidents, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh passed the buck to the Bihar state government alone.

Oct 28, 2013

Patna Blasts: 5 victims critical, hospital administration shows unpreparedness

Patna, Oct 28 (ANI): Giving updates about the injured in the Patna serial blast case, doctor attending to the patients said that five injured were still critical and under observation, as kin of victims complained of chaos and confusion at the hospital. Explosions at an election rally killed about six people and wounded 83 on Sunday. The injured were rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Amarkant Jha, Medical Superintendent of PMCH said on Monday, that 38 injured persons were admitted out of which five were critical. Jharkhand police confirmed that that interrogation of a suspect arrested has revealed links to the militant group, the Indian Mujahideen

Oct 28, 2013

Central govt has given full security in Patna: Sushilkumar Shinde

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde post attending a Bollywood event in Mumbai, hours after Patna serial blasts, said that central government is giving full security in Patna and there is no security lapse as such. Shinde refused to give any detailed information on the same and said that it can infringe upon the ongoing investigation of the case. Shinde's presence at the ceremony brought about criticism from the opposition on Monday.

Oct 28, 2013

BJP slams Shinde for attending Rajjo's music launch on day of Patna blasts

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): The opposition on Monday slammed Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde for enjoying the music launch of upcoming film 'Rajjo' in Mumbai on the day when Patna was rocked by serial blasts. Senior BJP Leader Venkaiah Naidu said that the entire country was shaken by the blast and the Home Minister seemed to be unmoved.

Oct 28, 2013

Mixed political response on NYT editorial criticism of Modi

New Delhi/Lucknow, Oct 28 (ANI): Leaders of some of political parties have given a mixed response to the New York Times criticism of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. In an editorial, the NYT said Modi cannot hope to lead India effectively if he inspires fear and antipathy among many of its people. It further stated that Modi's rise to power has troubled many Indians deeply, especially the country's 138 million Muslims and its many other minorities, and added that they worry that if he becomes India's next prime minister, he might exacerbate sectarian tensions that have subsided in the last decade. Responding to the NYT article, senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar said he did not believe in the report, and described it as very misleading. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Rita Bahuguna Joshi, seemed to agree with the gist of the article. Union Minister of State for Agriculture and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Tariq Anwar too agreed with the report.

Oct 28, 2013

Rajeev Shukla on Patna serial blasts

New Delhi, Oct 28 (ANI): Minister of State for Planning and Parlimentary affairs, Rajeev Shukla, condemned the serial blasts that took place ahead of BJP's Hunkar rally on Sunday in Patna and said that until and unless the investigation is complete coming out to any conclusion will be wrong.

Oct 28, 2013

People critical of frequent rescheduling of Maldives' presidential polls

Male, Oct 28: People are critical of Maldives officials rescheduling the country's presidential election for November 9, putting the entire process of electing a democratic leader in doubt. A constitutional vacuum will be created, as it is necessary to elect a president by November 11, when sitting President Mohamed Waheed Hassan's term ends. The rescheduled presidential election will take place on November 9, and if no candidate wins 50 percent of the vote, a runoff would be held on November 16. Hopes are high that the presidential election in Maldives would go ahead on November 9 with a new voter registry, after police forcefully stopped elections scheduled for October 19. People protested against the cancellation of a re-run of presidential elections and called for the resignation of President Mohamed Waheed.

Oct 28, 2013

IM carried out Patna blasts: Jharkhand ADG

Ranchi, Oct 28 (ANI): Talking about the progress in the investigation in Patna serial blasts case, Jharkhand Additional DG SN Pradhan confirmed that Indian Mujahideen (IM) carried out the aforesaid blasts. Further, he said that Tehseen Akhtar, IM member who is under police custody may have a hand in the Bodh Gaya blasts case too. Pradhan also confirmed that the timer devise used are of same brand that were used in the Bodhgaya blast.

Oct 28, 2013