News

Agricultural fair in Gujarat emphasises on solar energy

Rajkot, Mar 03 (ANI): A four-day agricultural fair has begun in Rajkot city of Gujarat with the aim to showcase latest technological advancements, products and services in the field of agriculture. The AgriTalk India exhibition has been organised by city based Infocom World. This year the latest addition to the fair is introduction of solar pumps as it will reduce the burden on existing power plants and ease financial burden on farmers with subsidy on solar based water pumps. The fair-cum exhibition also aims to ensure transfer of technology and knowledge and provide business opportunities. The organisers also announced 40 percent subsidy on submersible pumps and solar power water pumps. Reportedly, the state government last year decided to provide solar-powered water pumps to 1,000 farmers to reduce usage of conventional power. Around 2,00,000 farmers from various parts of Gujarat are expected to visit the fair.

Mar 3, 2015

Politicos react as PDP seeks body of Afzal Guru

Jammu/ New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir sought the dead body of Afzal Guru, evoking sharp reaction from opposition. India hanged Mohammad Afzal Guru in 2013 for the attack on parliament in 2001 and his mortal remains were buried in New Delhi jail premises. The state got a coalition government of People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday (March 01). PDP maintains that Guru's hanging was travesty of justice and constitutional requirements and process was not followed.

Mar 3, 2015

Heavy rains in Northern India may clip wheat output

Amritsar/ Rohtak/ Varanasi, Mar 03 (ANI): Heavy and untimely rain in northern and central India over the past two days has damaged crops in the country's wheat bowl. Farmers are left devastated with their crops damaged in the rain. The most vulnerable wheat was the variety planted in the first week of November and is now ready for harvest. In Amritsar city too, the picture was similar as farmers removed damaged crop from their field. Many farmers thought this year would yield good crop but their hopes have been trumped by the untimely rain and strong winds. Meanwhile the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted rainfall in the plains for another two days and snowfall in the upper reaches of the country ahead in the week.

Mar 3, 2015

Haryana CM ML Khattar's convoy runs over pedestrian

Karnal, March 03 (ANI): A police vehicle belonging to Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar's convoy ran over a pedestrian on the national highway near Karnal. The incident took place last night when the Chief Minister's convoy was going to the national capital from Chandigarh. Two policemen including the driver of the vehicle have also been injured in the incident. After the incident, all the three injured were taken to a trauma centre in Karnal where the pedestrian succumbed to the injuries. The incident raises question as to why the administration is trying to keep the whole episode into closed envelope.

Mar 3, 2015

Police bust fake currency racket in West Bengal

Kolkata, Mar 03 (ANI): Police in Kolkata city of West Bengal uncovered a racket of fake currency notes, with Indian currency amounting to more than rupees 100 million. Acting on a tip-off, police caught a man named Chandrashekar Jaiswal, a scrap dealer and found 200 notes of thousand Indian rupees in his possession. They suspected the currency of being fake and took Jaiswal to police station for interrogation. He added that based on the raids conducted, the person was found out to be an expert in making fake currency notes. The investigations are underway to find out as to how big this racket is and how many people are involved. This was the biggest seizure of fake currency notes in Kolkata so far. Other than currencies, dyes, chemicals and stamps were also seized which are required to make the fake currency. The police are yet to ascertain the value of seized currency notes of five other countries.

Mar 3, 2015

Japan island overrun by cats

This is Aoshima island, a tiny fishing village off Japan's coast. Only 22 people live here officially. But it's also home to more than 120 cats. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 65-YEAR-OLD LOCAL FISHERMAN,

Mar 3, 2015

Three die in Punjab as roof collapses due to heavy rain

Patiala, Mar 03 (ANI): At least three people, including two children, died when the roof of a house collapsed due to heavy rains in Patiala district of Punjab. Heavy and untimely rain in northern and central India has disrupted normal life in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. A victim sought government's help to repair her house and for her livelihood. Three children, who escaped with minor injuries, are undergoing treatment in a local hospital. Rain will probably continue for another 24 hours and then drop in intensity, before picking up again at the weekend, according to private forecaster Skymet Weather Services.

Mar 3, 2015

Post not an issue, political reforms important: Yogendra Yadav

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): AAP leader Yogendra Yadav on Tuesday clarified the inner conflict within the Aam Aadmi Party following the leak of letters by him and Prashant Bhushan. Yadav said that post is not an issue for any person in the political party adding that political reforms should be the major concern without which any party cannot progress. He also said that Arvind Kejriwal has achieved an important image among public and the party would like to work under his leadership. He also continued to say that he is not in the party in wake of any important post or office.

Mar 3, 2015

Japan island overrun by cats

This is Aoshima island, a tiny fishing village off Japan's coast. Only 22 people live here officially. But it's also home to more than 120 cats. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 65-YEAR-OLD LOCAL FISHERMAN,

Mar 3, 2015

Indian Foreign Secretary's visit to Pakistan will improve ties, say experts

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Experts said that the visit of Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyan Jaishankar to Pakistan will improve the relationship between the two nuclear powered countries. Jaishankar will be visiting Pakistan as part of a regional tour, the first top-ranking visit since Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke off talks last year over the disputed region of Kashmir. The diplomat's visit to Pakistan is part of visit to all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations. Security Expert Qamar Agha said Jaishankar's visit to Pakistan will prove to be fruitful. However, foreign affairs expert Kamal Mitra Chenoy didn't find any strong reasons for the visit.

Mar 3, 2015

Spain's foreign secretary meets VK Singh to strengthen bilateral ties

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Spain's Foreign Secretary Ignacio Ybanez met Minister of State for Foreign Affairs General (Retired) VK Singh and held talks for building a strong relation with India. This is Ybanez's first visit to India as Foreign Secretary. He said his meeting with Singh was fruitful. Meanwhile, Ybanez also informed about the visit of other Spanish ministers to India for strengthening ties. India and Spain have been warm and cordial ever since the diplomatic relation was established in 1956 with the opening of the Spanish Embassy in New Delhi.

Mar 3, 2015

Luxembourg Foreign Minister meets Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Mar 03 (ANI): Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Asselborn, met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin, also tweeted before the meeting between the two. "India-Luxembourg Foreign Ministers to meet today. Minister @Sushma Swaraj to discuss higher level of investments with Jean Asselborn," he posted on Twitter. India-Luxembourg have friendly relations and there are no major political differences or areas of conflict in bilateral relations. India and Luxembourg enjoy excellent relations at multilateral levels.

Mar 3, 2015

Akbaruddin Owaisi Hits Out at RSS, Calls it a 'Club of Bachelors'

The AIMIM leader says that those who are unmarried have no right to tell others to produce children.

Mar 3, 2015

Three-day annual Shiv Khori fair in Jammu draws devotees from different faiths

Jammu and Kashmir, March 03 (ANI): India's northern part of Jammu and Kashmir is a land of diverse religions and people here are living in peace and harmony. This thread of harmony has kept the region intact, and leading people to the path of development without involving themselves in religious skirmishes. A similar scene is observed during the three-day annual Shiv Khori Fair in the hills of the Ransoo Village of Reasi District in Jammu region, where devotees, shunning religious bias, gather at the countryside and pay obeisance to Lord Shiva. Around 50,000 in number, the devotees, including both men and women, who come from different parts of the country offer prayers in the holy cave, located inside the hillock. Chanting hymns to praise the Lord, the devotees enter into the meditation to get the blessings. Draped in colourful attires, the young women, while holding earthen lamps in their hands, make the gathering look festive. The atmosphere outside the cave is cheerful with women buying ornaments, displayed during the festival.

Mar 3, 2015

Paying equal respect to all religions, Durgadas Mondal presents perfect example of communal harmony

West Bengal, March 03 (ANI): Situated in the eastern state of West Bengal, Bankura is a place in itself. Here amity between people of all faiths conveys the perfect example of communal harmony. One such example is of Durgadas Mondal. A school teacher by profession, Mondal possesses religious books belonging to different communities. Whether Hindu or Muslim or even Christian, Durgadas houses books which are not only knowledgeable but also conveys the message of communal harmony. People from different region come to Durgadas to witness the habit which has helped him maintain the age old ethos in the region. This man, who possesses books of different religion, is keeping alive the tradition of communal harmony in India that is a hallmark of the Indian culture.

Mar 3, 2015