News

It happens: Sand Art Festival

Konark, Dec 6 (ANI): Famed sand sculptors across the globe came together for a cause, 'save water, save life' at the 3rd International Sand Art Festival at India's eastern coast of Konark. Sculptors assembled at the Chandrabhaga beach of Konark town in eastern Odisha state showcasing their extraordinary skills by creating sand art with a message. The Konark sand art festival attracted visitors across the world, an effort by the provincial government to boost the tourism industry of the province. An Indian sand art artist, Srimali said her theme was water, which is most essential for life. This year sand artistes from countries such as Canada, USA, Italy, Austria and Sri Lanka have participated. During the five-day sand art festival that kicked off on Sunday, showcases various environmental and social themes. People who enjoy gleam of sand thronged the festival in large numbers.

Dec 6, 2013

It happens: Buddhist Chanting Festival

Bodhgaya, Dec 6 (ANI): The International "Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony" began in Bodhgaya town of India's eastern Bihar state on December 2, as thousands of monks and devotees across the globe participate in it. The 10-day-long holy festival will conclude on December 12, which will be attended by senior monks and their followers from countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri-Lanka and Vietnam. Pilgrims arrived in their traditional costumes at one of the holiest Buddhist shrines, where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment under a tree. As a part of the festivities, a monk lit up the ceremonial lamps before the recitation of the holy Buddhist scripture called 'Triptaka', which is a collection of Lord Buddha's sermons. Tripitaka, the Buddhist scripture, includes over 18,000 discourses and around 84,000 stories of Gautam Buddha. Monks from across the world gather each year at Bodhgaya, which is situated on the banks of Niranjana River and is a highly revered site for Buddhists.

Dec 6, 2013

Khurshid will travel to Bahrain to strengthen bilateral ties: MEA

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): Union foreign minister, Salman Khurshid will travel to Bahrain to strengthen bilateral ties with the island nation and also participate in the Manama dialogue which will address security issues in the Arabian Gulf region and the Middle East and also debate security challenges. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin made the announcement while addressing a news conference on Friday in New Delhi.

Dec 6, 2013

Mamta Sharma on NCW's notice to AK Ganguly

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): The National Commission of Women on Friday took suo motu cognizance of the law intern case in which retired Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly was named as an accused for allegedly sexually harassing a girl. The NCW has sent two notices on the matter. One of the notices has been sent to Justice Ganguly to explain his position post the indictment by the three-member panel of the Supreme Court. The second notice has been sent to Delhi Police Commissioner as to why the action was not taken after the girl had narrated the entire incidence of harassment.

Dec 6, 2013

Sugar mills to get Rs 7200 crore interest-free loan: Sharad Pawar

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): A group of ministers, headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, on Friday recommended a slew of incentives to the sugar industry, including 12 per cent interest subsidy on Rs. 7,200 crore loan that mills can avail of from banks for paying cane farmers.

Dec 6, 2013

Communal Violence Bill draws flak from BJP and CPI

New Delhi, Dec 06 (ANI): The Anti-Communal Violence Bill is facing stiff opposition from the BJP and the CPI. BJP Chief Rajnath Singh raised strong objection and said that the bill is not acceptable. CPI leader D. Raja said it is the prerogative of the Parliament to examine the bill further to understand how much of rework has been done on the bill.

Dec 6, 2013

Communal Violence Bill draws flak from BJP and CPI

Dec 6, 2013

Brave girl from Assam gets herself kidnapped to save 10 kids

Assam, Dec 06 (ANI): She was just 14 years old but when danger struck she proved that she has what it takes to save lives, even if it means putting herself in danger. In an act of bravery, 14-year-old Gunjan Sarmah volunteered to be kidnapped in order to save the lives of 10 other kids from their school van at Simaluguri in Sivasagar district of Assam. She managed to escape the dense forests on Assam-Nagaland border where she was abandoned by the kidnapper and reached a house located in the tea garden where people helped her informing the police. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for Gunjan for her bravery. The government has asked Sivasagar deputy commissioner to nominate Gunjan for the National Bravery Awards.

Dec 6, 2013

BSF personnel exchange fire with Maoists to rescue kidnapped villagers

Malkangiri, Dec 06 (ANI): In order to rescue villagers kidnapped by the rebels, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, in Malkangiri district of Odisha, engaged in a gun battle with Maoists, in which a trooper was injured. The rebels kidnapped three villagers, including a son of village body's chief. One victim escaped from the clutches of the rebels during the gun battle while others are yet to be rescued.

Dec 6, 2013

New Yorkers pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

Harlem residents pay tribute to Nelson Mandela in front of the mythical Apollo Theater. Duration: 01:41

Dec 6, 2013

Mandela film premieres in Britain amid mourning of S. African icon

A film on the life of anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela -- "Mandela: Long walk to freedom" -- premiered in London on Thursday in the presence of his daughter Zindzi Mandela as news broke of Mandela's death. Duration: 00:34

Dec 6, 2013

People gather at Mandela's house to pay respects

Hundreds of people rush to Nelson Mandela's Johannesburg home upon hearing of his death, in an impromptu vigil celebrating their hero. Duration: 01:07

Dec 6, 2013

Singing, dancing Sowetans pay tribute to Mandela

Residents of Soweto, the bedrock of black resistance against apartheid rule, sang and danced as they paid their respects to the late peace icon Nelson Mandela outside his former home on Friday. Duration: 01:01

Dec 6, 2013

SC must protect dignity of the woman: Kapil SIbal on AK Ganguly

New Delhi, Dec 05 (ANI): Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday said that he was disappointed with the Apex Court for not proceeding against the former Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly in the alleged sexual harassment case. On Thursday, the Supreme Court said an inquiry had concluded that Ganguly indulged in "unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature" in a five-star hotel in Delhi in December. Chief Justice P Sathasivam, however, said the no follow up action would be taken as Justice Ganguly had retired when the alleged violation took place. Talking to mediapersons in New Delhi, Sibal said that SC must protect the dignity of the woman.

Dec 6, 2013

Politicos demand AK Ganguly's resignation over sexual harassment charges

New Delhi/ Kolkata, Dec 06 (ANI): Politicians on Friday demanded resignation of former Supreme Court Justice, AK Ganguly over allegations of sexually assaulting a law intern. The three-judge committee of the Supreme Court which probed the complaint filed by the law graduate against Ganguly said that there was prima facie evidence. The TMC pressed on its demand for a legal action against Ganguly. Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson, Prakash Javadekar said that he should immediately step down.

Dec 6, 2013