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Sachin, Deepika bow down to Katrina Kaif

2011-06-08T02:38:00.000-07:00

Jun 8, 2011 :

He may be the cricket legend, but Sachin Tendulkar will have to bow down to beauty because the Bollywood sensation Katrina Kaif yet again topped the list of the sexiest women 2011 with her average rating being higher than that of Sachin.

The poll was conducted by the world's largest men's lifestyle magazine – FHM. "Katrina's average is higher than Sachin Tendulkar's and she replaces Deepika Padukone who won the crown in 2010," says Kabeer Sharma, executive director, FHM, India. The FHM 100 Sexiest Women poll is based entirely on online polls and SMS with over 35,000 entries being cast this year.

Interestingly, the more Katrina says that she doesn't believe in these titles - sexy, beautiful, gorgeous, the more she is getting 'caught' in various such titles and tags over and over again. "If somebody is graciously giving me something why should I refuse it," smiles Katrina. And she would definitely want to keep these titles. "When I grow old, I would like to tell my grand children about the titles I won," said Katrina, who is sans make up most of the time when she is not shooting. "If you come and stand near my house you will always find me without make up. And even when I am visiting my friends or going out for family dos, I don't use make up," she added. Katrina Kaif has previously been voted the Sexiest Woman in the World by FHM India in 2008 and 2009.

Kabeer Sharma, Executive Editor of FHM India, says, We'd love to say 2011 was a close contest...only 'Sheila' made sure it was far from. A feat that becomes even more significant because no woman in the world across all 28 editions of FHM has ever won the sexiest woman in the World title three times in the last 17 years that we've been making the list.

Though Katrina's film career is currently not at its peak with not many releases happening, she is still the toast of the season as not too long ago she was the only Bollywood actress to feature on the India Today's Elite Power list and has the most google searches than any other Indian celebrity. If that wasn't all Katrina was immortalized by Mattel who created a one-of a-kind 'I Can Be a Movie Star' Barbie Doll sketched on her image.

Salman impresses again, 'Ready' grosses Rs.41 crore

2011-06-08T02:34:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2011

Last year it was his rural action-drama ‘Dabangg’ that broke the dry spell at the box office by earning Rs.48.25 crore in the opening weekend, and this year Salman Khan's comedy ‘Ready’ has brought the much needed respite at the box office by grossing Rs.41 crore over the weekend.

Trade pundits, however, admit that ‘Ready’ is not on par with ‘Dabangg’ in terms of content and appeal and many not enjoy a long innings at the box office, but it is an entertaining film and got a good opening.

"Ready has had a good opening. The occupancy has been 90-95 per cent. It is more of a family entertainer. One would not see the kind of action that was in 'Dabangg' and 'Wanted'," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas told the media.

"Salman is perfect in the film he has done full justice to his character. Asin, is also good in the film," he added.

In contrast to Rs.18 crore ‘Dabangg’, a small town cop drama shot in Wai in Maharashtra and partly in the UAE, ‘Ready’, shot entirely in Thailand, is expensive, has an urban setting and is said to have cost Rs.50 crore.

Released on 1,900 screens, 'Ready' earned Rs.13.5 crore on the opening day, Rs.12.5 crore on Saturday, and Rs.15 crore on Sunday.

"People are enjoying the film a lot, specially Salman Khan, although the shows have not been back-to-back houseful like 'Dabangg' and 'Wanted'. The audis have witnessed 80 per cent occupancy," said a source in PVR.

Shot in the exotic locales of Thailand, the film is about happy-go-lucky guy Prem (Salman). He mistakenly helps a girl Sanjana (Asin Thottumkal) escape from marriage and later falls for her. Paresh Rawal, Arya Babbar and Mahesh Manjeraker also feature in it.

Just like Salman's 2008 hit ‘Wanted’, his ‘Ready’ is performing much better in single screen theatres. Confirming this, Piyush Raizada of Delite Cinemas said their shows are going houseful.

"The response to 'Ready' is terrific. Till now, our shows are going housefull. Everyone is appreciating Salman's acting. It is too early to say whether the film will be as big as 'Dabangg' because every day counts because of the number of shows being played today," he said.

At a time when most of the big-budgets, with big names like Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Patiala House’, Abhishek Bachchan's ‘Game’ and ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ failed to stir the box office, Salman's magic worked again as ‘Ready’ has brought smiles on the faces of distributors, cinema hall owners and audiences alike.

"I really enjoyed the film. Salman is really good. The first half is a bit boring but the film picks up after the interval and I couldn't stop laughing till the end," said Madhu Verma, a housewife.

College student Priya Chawla liked it so much that she wants to watch it again.

"I found the movie extremely entertaining from the very first scene. Some of the one liners are hilarious and they could become popular pick-up lines. Salman is superb with his comic timing. I plan to watch it again," she said.

Last year too, when the box office was reeling under flops, Salman bailed it out with ‘Dabangg’ and conquered it not only by earning the maximum profits of reportedly Rs.145 crore, but scooped the maximum awards, including a National Award for the best entertainer of the year.

Ritika Sinha, also a college sudent, said the film lacks focus, but has some really good punch lines.

Trade pundits, however, admitted that ‘Ready’ will not enjoy long stay at the box office like ‘Dabangg’.

"The film doesn't seem to sustain for long. We are looking at the occupancy. If it drops down to 50 per cent then we will put another film. However, film is doing really well on single screens," said the source from PVR.

Piyush Raizada said: "Gone are the days when films had to run for many days to be declared a hit. Today, in two to three weeks a film is declared a hit."

Declaration of assets made compulsory in Assam

2011-06-08T02:09:00.000-07:00

Guwahati, June 8, 2011

Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik on Tuesday said the annual declaration of assets by Ministers, parliamentary secretaries and all officials would be made compulsory and the institution of Lokayukta would be strengthened in the State.

In his customary address at the ongoing inaugural session of the 13th Assam Assembly the Governor also announced that four new services — Assam Rural Service, Assam Economic Service, Assam Revenue Service and the Assam Information Service — would be created to improve the efficiency of the administration.

Announcing a slew of measures to ensure an efficient, transparent, responsive and corruption-free administration in the State, Mr. Patnaik said an accountability commission would be set up to ensure accountability of the administrative machinery and to ensure proper service delivery to the people.

In addition to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, additional Vigilance Commissioners and four Zonal Vigilance Commissioners would be appointed. Social audit of schemes and programmes would be carried out in the presence of NGOs and eminent citizens.

A system of performance evaluation of the government departments would be put in place and premier institutions like universities would be associated in the appraisal process.

Bus tragedy near Vellore

2011-06-08T01:41:00.000-07:00

Jun 8, 2011Vellore:In one of the most gruesome bus tragedies in Tamil Nadu, 23 people were killed when a Pollachi-bound private bus caught fire after it overturned at Avalur on the Chennai-Bangalore national highway late on Tuesday night. A few images from the accident spot

According to the police, the bus reportedly hit a culvert when it tried to avoid stationary vehicles on the road. Photo: B.Jothi Ramalingam.

TN Assembly passes resolution seeking imposition of economic sanctions

2011-06-08T01:37:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2011

Chennai :Tamil Nadu Assembly today adopted a unanimous resolution seeking imposition of economic sanctions against Sri Lanka by India on issues concerning Tamils in the island nation, including alleged human rights violations.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also wanted India to press the United Nations to declare as “war criminals” those who committed alleged crimes during the conflict in Sri Lanka.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said only economic sanctions would “rein in” Sri Lanka, which she said, “did not heed the global opinion when it came to the Tamils issue”.

“If India and other countries impose sanctions, Sri Lanka has to listen to what we say”, she said replying to the debate on the resolution.

She said there were allegations about Sri Lanka committing human rights violations and preventing humanitarian aids from reaching the suffering Tamils, the issues which prompted her to move the resolution.

The Chief Minister said Tamils had been struggling against being treated as “second class citizens in their own country” even after Sri Lanka got independence from the British.

She, however, said terrorism had crept in the name of Tamil Eelam which had even resulted in fratricide.

She recalled that after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 on Tamil soil, the sympathy here towards LTTE had turned into an anger against them.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said it was on her insistence that the Centre had first banned LTTE in India in 1992.

She also recalled that it was her government in 2002 which passed a resolution in the assembly demanding the arrest and extradition of slain LTTE leader V Prabhakaran in connection with Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.

Taking a dig at her party’s main rival the DMK, she said that it failed to do anything for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and took potshots at party president M Karunanidhi for organising a fast as Chief Minister demanding ceasefire after having “breakfast and calling it off later in the day”.

She alleged that he had betrayed the Tamils by announcing that a ceasefire was on which made scores of people to come out from the bunkers but they were killed in aerial bombings.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said she did not intend to level charges against DMK but insisted that it was “selfish nature and helplessness of the previous DMK regime” which resulted in the death of Tamils.

FBI videotape shows Rana admitting to terror links

2011-06-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

June 7, 2011

WASHINGTON :Federal prosecutors have released a videotape of the interrogation of Pakistani-Canadian businessman Tahawwur Husain Rana, who is being tried in a Chicago court for his alleged role in facilitating the November 2008 attack on Mumbai.

In the October 18, 2009 interrogation, Rana said that he had been in contact with a mid-level Pakistani intelligence officer known as ‘Major Iqbal,' who has been indicted for funding and coordinating the Lashkar-e-Taiba attack on Mumbai. Rana also had high words of praise for Sajid Mir, the top Lashkar commander who guided the assault team.

However, Rana insisted that while he knew the key plotters, he had no knowledge of their plans. “I am not guilty,” he said.

The videotape was released even as the Illinois federal court where Rana is being tried began hearing concluding arguments. Prosecutors hope the videotaped testimony will undermine Rana's claims that he was duped by David Headley, unaware that the childhood friend he had invited to work for his business was in fact an undercover Lashkar operative.

In the videotape, Rana admits he praised Mir, after Headley told him he had heard audiotape of the Lashkar commander guiding the Mumbai attack. Rana laughed, and described Mir as “Khalid bin Waleed”— a legendary Islamic general. “When I am very, very happy,” Rana told the FBI, “I say someone is a Khalid bin Waleed.”

Rana also admitted to speaking with ‘Major Iqbal,' but insisted their conversations were limited to discussing business plans, and how he might roll back legal proceedings initiated after he deserted the Pakistan army.

But Rana, the videotape shows, was aware of Headley's relationship with Muhammad Illyas Kashmiri — a Pakistan-based jihad commander who financed a post-26/11 plot to attack the offices of the Jyallands Posten, a Copenhagen-based newspaper which incensed many Muslims by printing allegedly blasphemous cartoons. Headley was provided visiting cards of Rana's immigration business, which allowed him to visit the offices of the newspaper, posing as an advertiser.

Rana admitted he knew Headley harboured violent thoughts about the cartoonists at the newspaper — and prosecutors say he could not but have enquired about why Headley wanted to advertise in it.

Force will be raised to deal with police action: Ramdev

2011-06-08T01:22:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2011

Haridwar:After striking a conciliatory tone, Baba Ramdev today again took up the issue of police crackdown on his supporters, saying he would set up a 11,000-strong force to deal with police and anti-social elements attempting to disrupt his anti-corruption movement.

“I appeal that 20 young men from every district should come here. We will train them in both shahstra (vedas) and shastra (weapons),” Ramdev, who is continuing his strike against corruption, told his followers here.

The yoga guru said, “We will prepare 11,000 men and women so that next time we do not lose any battle at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi“.

However, he said that the Sena will be raised only for self defence and not to harm anybody.

“The sena will safeguard themselves and other followers. It is not for taking lives of anybody,” Ramdev said.

Baba Ramdev had yesterday stuck a conciliatory tone, saying he “forgave” the Prime Minister for the crackdown on his agitation.

“The Prime Minister termed it (the police action) unfortunate. In a way he has accepted his sin. Since he has accepted his sin, I have forgiven him,” Ramdev had said.

“I have personally forgiven him but the history of not only India but the whole world will never forgive him for the political sin he committed. He has tainted democracy,” Ramdev had said.

The yoga guru is observing a fast from June 4 to press for his demands of bringing back black money from foreign nations, tougher anti-graft laws and to uproot corruption from the country.

People throng Rajghat to support Hazare's fast

2011-06-08T01:14:00.000-07:00

Jun 08, 2011
People gathered at Rajghat to take part in the day-long hunger strike called by Anna Hazare to protest against police crackdown on Baba Ramdev and his supporters during their agitation against corruption.

A number of youths wearing Gandhi caps and elderly people were seen at the spot waving the tricolour amidst a heavy posse of security personnel.
A man dressed like Mahatma Gandhi was the centre of attraction as he sang Gandhi's favourite bhajan ''Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram''.

With Delhi Police refusing permission for the day-long hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, Hazare had decided to shift the venue to Rajghat to avoid a confrontation.

Civil rights activists had contended that denial of permission to hold peaceful protest was against the basic Constitutional rights of citizens.
The Hazare-led protest will be accompanied by an all-religion prayer meeting and a debate on Lokpal Bill.

A senior police official yesterday said they have refused permission for the fast at Jantar Mantar due to
prohibitory orders at the site after the police action against Baba Ramdev in Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

2G scam: Kanimozhi's bail rejected, mother breaks down

2011-06-08T01:12:00.000-07:00

June 08, 2011

New Delhi: Kanimozhi's mother, Rajathi Ammal, was in tears in court after her daughter's application for bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court in the 2G scam case.

"Considering the political and financial clout of the accused, the possibility of them tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses, the magnitude of the offence they've been charged with, their bail pleas are dismissed," said the judge. He also refused bail to Sharad Kumar, who co-owns a TV channel with Kanimozhi in Chennai.

The young MP from the DMK has been accused of accepting a Rs 214-crore bribe along with former Telecom Minister A Raja, who is also from her party, and is now in jail. She was arrested in May by the CBI, which is investigating the 2G scam, described as India's largest-ever swindle. The judge today said, "There's prima facie evidence to suggest they were beneficiaries and received illegal gratification."

Kanimozhi's lawyer had applied for bail on the grounds that she needs to look after her young son, since her husband travels abroad frequently for work. DMK leader TR Baalu, who was present in court today, said they would approach the Supreme Court soon against the High Court verdict.

While he was Telecom Minister in 2008, Mr Raja allegedly presented telecom licenses and spectrum to companies at hefty bargains that cost the country thousands of crores. One of those firms- Swan Telecom- is accused of repaying him by sending him a cheque for Rs 214 crores that was deposited with Kalaignar TV. Kanimozhi and her stepmother are both large shareholders in the company.

Kanimozhi has described the money as a payment for an equity deal which was returned with interest once the deal fell apart. The CBI counters that the money was sent back only after it began investigating Mr Raja.

Kanimozhi's imprisonment has become the latest stress-test of her family's alliance with the Congress. Her father, DMK President M Karunanidhi, earlier this week, blamed the Centre for her predicament. "She's in prison either because of the Centre's order or indifference," he said in his constituency of Tiravur. He also said that in jail, his daughter "will wilt like a flower."

States Top Headlines

2011-06-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Assam

Top Headlines »

2011-06-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

World

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Sports

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Sports News

2011-06-06T23:21:00.000-07:00

Chelsea show their intent with £90 million shopping list

Jun7,2011

Chelsea :The Russian billionaire has sanctioned a team of advisers, club executives and agents to pursue a number of deals during this transfer window to rebuild the club’s squad.

None of the deals is advanced but inquiries have been made with Chelsea keen to add more youth and creativity as Abramovich sets about reshaping the squad to provide greater support for £50 million January signing Fernando Torres.

There is a feeling at Chelsea that Torres’s problems last season were caused in part by a lack of attacking support from the rest of the team for the striker. The changes are being planned even though the club are yet to appoint a new manager and have been approved by Abramovich.

Guus Hiddink remains likely to take over by the end of this month and he is aware of the targets being pursued by Abramovich, who is taking a more hands-on approach to player recruitment as well as the hiring of a new manager and either a director of football or a chief scout.

Hiddink is on holiday while negotiations continue for his release from the final months of his contract as coach of Turkey, which takes him up to the end of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Hiddink has made it clear he would like to leave but has yet to agree a deal to go to Chelsea.

2011-06-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

England's Steven Finn relishes final day in Lord's Test

Monday, 6 June 2011

Lords :Sri Lanka were bowled out for 82 as England snatched an unlikely win after rain interruptions at Cardiff.

And Finn, with 4-108 on his return to England duty, said it could be a similar situation in London.

"We've been high quality for the last 12 months - we're hard work for anyone," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Finn was the most successful bowler as England established a narrow first-innings lead by bowling out their opponents for 479, and in the process overtook Sir Ian Botham as the youngest Englishman to reach 50 Test wickets for his country.

The 22-year-old added: "We put the ball in the right area. We let the ball do the talking, we put pressure on the Sri Lankans, which is what the guys did in the Cardiff Test.

"We can't expect to bowl teams out for 80 or roll teams like we did in Melbourne [against Australia during the Ashes] but we do work well together and gel nicely when we get it right."

England reached 149-2 at stumps on Monday and will have an extended final day to press home their 156-run lead - possibly declaring at lunch or early in the afternoon session.

Finn said: "We are not looking too far beyond the first hour on Tuesday. There's still a heck of a lot of time left and we will see how it works out."

On surpassing Botham's mark, he added: "I knew I'd taken 50 wickets but didn't have a clue I was the youngest to do it.

"But that's not something we're very focused on. We're focused on winning games of cricket, and performing as a unit and as a team.

"No one is really interested in their own personal gain; obviously [they are interested] in their own personal performance, taking pride in that and contributing to the team.

"Accolades or stats like that are hugely satisfying, but not something I focus on."

Listen to Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott's review of each day's play on the TMS Podcast page

Sports News

2011-06-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

India vs West Indies: Rohit Sharma guides India to easy win over Windies

Jun 7,2011

PORT OF SPAIN: West Indies won the toss and elected to bat, but were limited to 214-9 despite Ramnaresh Sarwan and Marlon Samuels both scoring half centuries.World champions India were reduced to 104-4 in reply but Sharma and Suresh Raina put on 80 for the fifth wicket.Harbhajan Singh smashed a six to seal victory with 31 balls to spare.India, who were playing in their first ODI since winning the 50-over World Cup on home soil in April, defeated their opponents in a Twenty20 match on Saturday and looked in control of Monday's contest when Samuels departed in the 42nd over with the West Indies on 177-5.

Harbhajan took 3-32, including the crucial wickets of Dwayne Bravo, who was stumped by Parthiv Patel, and Carton Baugh, who was trapped lbw while attempting a sweep.

India lost three early wickets and then saw Shikhar Dhawan depart for 51 but Sharma and skipper Suresh Raina provided some middle-order stability.

Raina eventually departed for 43, caught at deep midwicket off the bowling of Anthony Martin to leave India at 184-5 but, despite a bout of cramp for Sharma, victory was in sight and Singh finished the job with more than five overs left.

The second of the five one-day international series takes place in Trinidad on Wednesday.

Top News World

2011-06-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

TUS declines to confirm Illyas Kashmiri's killing

Jun7,2011

WASHINGTON: Despite Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's reported assertion that Washington has confirmed the death of Illyas Kashmiri, the United States has declined to do so.

"I don't have any confirmation of that," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters Monday when asked about Gilani's statement about the killing of a key plotter of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in a US drone strike in Pakistan.

Kashmiri, the commander of Pakistan based Harakut-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJi), an Al Qaeda-connected terror group is believed to be responsible for several attacks in India and Pakistan.

When told that the US defence department was also not confirming, Toner said he was aware of press reports from Pakistan but repeated: "I would just reiterate we have no confirmation."

"I both have no comment and no way of confirming his death," he added in response to persistent questioning.

Asked what Pakistan had told US officially or non-officially about Kashmiri's death, Toner said: "I'm not going to get in the substance of those discussions."

Earlier Pentagon spokesman Col Dave Lapan simply told reporters: "No confirmation."

"The department of defence has no confirmation," he said when asked about Gilani's reported statement that the US has confirmed the death of Kashmiri.

Top News World

2011-06-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Sudan indicates Abyei residents may return

Jun7,2011

UNITED NATIONS: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday the Sudanese government has indicated it will create conditions for thousands of residents who fled the disputed Abyei region on the border between north and south Sudan to return.

Ban said at a news conference that it was "far too early to claim that ethnic cleansing is taking place" in the contested oil-rich region.

But he acknowledged a confidential report by the U.N. Mission in Sudan, obtained last Friday by The Associated Press, which warned that the invasion of Abyei by Sudan's military could lead to "ethnic cleansing" if conditions are not created for the return of more than 30,000 Ngok Dinkas who fled their homes.

"We are doing our best efforts to prevent such things," Ban said.

"This issue has been brought to the attention of officials of the government of Sudan, who have indicated that they will create the conditions for IDPs (internally displaced persons) to return."

Just weeks before South Sudan breaks away from the Khartoum-based northern government and becomes the world's newest nation, clashes between the north and south have threatened to unravel a 2005 peace deal that ended more than two decades of civil war and re-ignite the fighting.

The north's invasion of the Abyei region and takeover of the town of Abyei was precipitated by a May 19 attack on northern and U.N. troops by southern soldiers.

The Ngok Dinka, a black tribe that associates itself with Sudan's south, fled Abyei when northern troops and ethnic Misseriya — Arab cattle herders aligned with the north — moved in and looted homes.

The U.N. report estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of the homes in Abyei were burned in what it called "deliberate destruction" and a violation of international humanitarian law.

The secretary-general urged the north and south to resume negotiations before South Sudan's independence on July 9 and resolve not only the "unacceptable" situation in Abyei but other key issues including demarcation of the north-south border, sharing oil wealth, citizenship and security.

Top News World

2011-06-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

Floods kill 14 people, leave 35 missing in China

Jun7,2011

BEIJING: Rain-triggered floods in southwestern China have killed 14 people and left 35 others missing while destroying roads and bridges and thousands of homes, officials said on Tuesday.

Some 45,000 residents in Guizhou province's Wangmo County have been evacuated since flood waters inundated the area Monday, said Tang Quanshu of the county's flood prevention office. She said another 3,000 people were still stranded.

Meanwhile, the waters toppled 300 houses and left 2,400 submerged, while 21 square miles (5,500 hectares) of farmland were under water, Tang said.

State-run Xinhua News Agency, citing county flood officials, reported that the flooding disrupted power and water supplies and telecommunications services in several towns in Wangmo County, which has a population of 8 million. It said the floods destroyed roads and bridges and washed away more than 500 vehicles.

The provincial civil affairs bureau said rain-triggered floods have hit 11 cities and counties in Guizhou province since June 3, affecting 270,000 people, according to Xinhua. More rain is forecast Tuesday in most parts of the province.

Top News India

2011-06-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

CCS nod for largest Indo-US defence deal

Jun 7,2011

NEW DELHI: Decks have been cleared for the largest Defence Indo-US deal as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Monday gave approval for the acquisition of 10 heavy lift aircraft C-17 Globemaster III. The deal values around $4.1 billion.

The strategic airlifters will be the largest in the transport fleet of the IAF, which has been on a drive to modernise its transporters to augment capability to maintain supply chain of man and materials over long distance. The deal would also be a step forward in the direction of replacing its ageing Soviet-era fleet. “The CCS chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given approval for the purchase of 10 very heavy transport aircraft. The value of the deal is $4.1 billion,” a Defence Ministry official said.

The aircraft will be procured through Foreign Military Sales route which entails a government to government contract. The CCS approval has come after a six months of the US President Barack Obama’s India visit last year. The deal is much awaited in the US political circles as it is expected to generate over 20,000 jobs in the country.

No decision has come on the acquisition of a follow on order for four more C-17 aircraft. The IAF transport fleet has been undergoing revamping to meet the force’s strategic requirements. Over 100 Soviet-origin An-32s with medium lift capability are undergoing upgrading in Ukraine. “The first two upgraded An-32 have already come. The aircraft upgrading will be completed by this financial year,” said an IAF official.

Govt tells Team Anna we can draft Lokpal Bill without you - Indian Express

2011-06-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

Govt tells Team Anna we can draft Lokpal Bill without you - Indian Express

2011-06-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

NatGrid gets government nod

Jun7,2011

NEW DELHI: Home Minister P Chidambaram’s pet project to counter terrorism, money laundering and related crimes - the National Intelligence Grid (NatGrid) - took wings on Monday with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) giving nod to begin its initial phase.

The next two phases - phase 2 and 3 - of the ambitious project, final cost of which could be beyond Rs 4,000 crore or even more, would have to go again for the CCS clearance once Home Ministry clarifies the remaining queries, sources said. “On the direction of the CCS, a detailed briefing and presentation about the NatGrid project along with safeguards and oversight mechanisms was given by the MHA to the members of the CCS. The CCS has given in principle approval for the project and has instructed the MHA to proceed accordingly,” a government statement said.

The project’s initial phase got clearance after being vetted by a committee of secretaries several times and making rounds of key ministries like Finance and Defence for clarification during the last three months. “There were financial complications besides queries on procedures, plan, non-plan and implementation,” sources said.

Top News India

2011-06-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

Govt tells Team Anna we can draft Lokpal Bill without you

Jun 07 2011New Delhi:After evicting Baba Ramdev from Delhi, the government today asserted itself against Anna Hazare and his colleagues, sternly telling them that it would go ahead with the drafting of the Lokpal Bill “even in their absence” if civil society representatives continued with their boycott of the joint committee meetings.
It also underlined to the Hazare camp that its involvement in the drafting exercise was being seen as undermining of the “supremacy of the Constitution” by other political parties. The government, however, invited them for the next meeting of the joint committee on June 15.
The government’s curt message was delivered shortly after the Congress bracketed both Anna Hazare and yoga guru Ramdev together calling them “mukhautas (masks)” of the BJP and asserting that there was “no bigger sanyasi” in contemporary politics than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
This sudden assertion of authority was a clear attempt by the UPA government, and the ruling party, to regain some of the significant ground it had yielded ever since it notified the joint drafting committee in April under pressure from Hazare who had launched an indefinite fast against corruption at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The committee has met thrice.
Yesterday, the Hazare camp expressed its solidarity with Ramdev — who was forced out of Delhi on Saturday night — and announced that it would not attend today’s scheduled meeting in protest. The co-chair of the joint committee, Shanti Bhushan, even demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet over the police action on Ramdev, who had organised a fast on the issue of black money.

Top News India

2011-06-06T22:33:00.000-07:00

Fight corruption, but don't fast: Ramdev

Jun 07, 2011

Haridwar: Baba Ramdev has decided to continue his fast but asked his workers to break their fast and work on ground to fight against corruption. Baba Ramdev on Tuesday revealed his action plan to the media at his ashram in Haridwar.

Talking on his ongoing stride against corruption, he said, "Anna Hazare is a social activist and our leader. He was with us earlier and will remain with us. The nature of the campaign has changed. I continue my fast. I have asked my people to fight without fasting."

Baba Ramdev has hit out at the Prime Minister, saying that Manmohan Singh is politically dishonest.

Reacting to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks on the police crackdown, Ramdev said, "The PM as a person is honest but questions are arising on his honesty as a politician".

Critisising the Delhi Police, he said, "The police have destroyed the CCTV that were installed and the recording taken away forcibly and edited to give a wrong impression to the people".

The police crackdown on Baba Ramdev and his supporters not only destroyed property at the Ramlila grounds, but also left many Ramdev supporters injured.

One of the seriously injured is 50-year-old Gurgaon resident Rajbala, who was attending Ramdev agitation. She was allegedly hit on the neck, back and leg during Saturday night's swoop.

"All medical expenses of Rajbala and other people injured during police action at Ramila Maidan will be born by the Patanjali," said Ramdev.

However, Baba Ramdev said that he has forgiven those who planned the conspiracy to kill him, but he doesn't forgive those who have betrayed the nation.

Papalal, an unrecognized hero, needs your help

2011-06-06T03:15:00.000-07:00

June 06, 2011
Hyderabad: Eight-year-old Sonia stands outside the Chanchalguda Jail in Hyderabad, tears spilling across her face. "Don't cry, Papa will be home soon," assures her mother, Jayshree, who is eight months pregnant. "Didn't the lawyer promise that papa will be back?" she asks holding the child she adopted in 2007.

There is no reason for Jayshree to believe her own words. Her husband is in jail on the basis of cases aimed at harassing him till he gives up Sonia because she is a Muslim.

Sonia was four when Jayshree and her husband, Papalal, found her alone and terrified after a bomb exploded in Hyderabad. They gauged that she had been orphaned and that she came from a Muslim family.

The couple decided Sonia was destined to be their daughter. But others resisted. Muslim groups wanted the child to be sent to an orphanage so that she would not be raised as a Hindu. Jayshree and Papalal convinced them that Sonia would not be converted. Then they had another daughter, Ekta. Their younger child wears a bindi. Sonia does not. In this and other ways, Jayshree and Papalal have kept their word.

That has angered Hindu groups and families who live in their neighbourhood. In the Begum Bazaar part of the city, Papalal, who made a living painting the walls of temples, found his work quickly disappeared. There were constant threats - some veiled, others more direct. Finally, his own brother turned against him. Papalal's mother says that tired of being ostracized by extension, her younger son accused Papalal of attempting to molest his wife. Papalal is in jail. The family is desperate for the amount required for his bail - Rs. 30,000.

Some lawyers have approached a local court to explain Papalal's predicament and have offered free services to his family.

For now, Jayshree clings to her two children. But she needs support as well.

If you'd like to help Papalal and his family, please send your contribution to:

Jai Sree Ravi
Account No 52206009072,
State Bank of Hyderabad,
Moghulpura Branch,
Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh
India

Additional details for online transaction:

Branch Code 20596
MIRC Code 5000004037
IFSC/RTGS/NEFT/SBHY00 20596
Swift Code: SBHYINB B002

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/papalal-an-unrecognized-hero-needs-your-help-110476?cp

Pranab Gogoi elected as new speaker of Assam assembly

2011-06-06T03:10:00.000-07:00

June 06, 2011 Guwahati : Pranab Gogoi, newly elected Congress MLA from Sibsagar constituency, was today unanimously elected as the speaker of the 13th Assam assembly.

Protem speaker Dr Bhumidhar Barman declared Gogoi as the new speaker of the House.

Congratulating Gogoi on his election as the Speaker, chief minister Tarun Gogoi said that he would help to facilitate smooth functioning of the state assembly.

"We hope that the new speaker will uphold the traditional dignity of the august House", the chief minister said.

Two-time former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and senior ministers Nilomani Sen Deka and Pradyut Bordoloi also congratulated Gogoi.

Ramdev also divides Congress and government

2011-06-06T03:05:00.000-07:00

June 06, 2011

New Delhi: Some of the most public criticism of the government's controversial handling of Baba Ramdev is coming from within the Congress.

Sources say that at a meeting with senior ministers last evening, Congress President Sonia Gandhi questioned the police action taken against Baba Ramdev and his supporters on Saturday night. Acting on the government's orders, the Delhi Police dismantled the camp that had united 65,000 supporters of the yoga teacher.

Late at night, the police teargassed and lathicharged the camp, and the Baba was evicted.

Baba Ramdev's camp - set up at Ramlila Maidan - was to witness his indefinite hunger strike against corruption.

Senior Congress leader and known Gandhi family loyalist Anil Shastri tweeted, "What happened last night at Ramlila Grounds in Delhi was unfortunate and avoidable." Another tweet stressed, "It is Manmohan Singh govt. Was not a party decision."

Sources say the Congress was also upset about the government's decision to send four ministers to receive Baba Ramdev when he arrived in Delhi early last week. The ministers greeted the yoga icon at the airport and then spent hours with him at the airport lounge running over the list of demands he presented - most of these want the government to recover black money and confiscate it. The ministerial posse was denounced publicly by the Opposition which suggested the government was down on bended knee to appease the Baba.

Mr Shastri apparently agrees. "Indira ji or Rajiv ji would not have sent their Ministers to airport to placate a 'Baba' arriving in a private jet," he said in another tweet.

The somewhat obsequious welcome presented by the government backfired dramatically over the weekend when Baba Ramdev u-turned away from a deal he had struck with senior ministers to end his fast. That's when the government decided it was time to take off the gloves. The police was asked to move into his camp and disperse the crowd.

Yesterday, the government and the Congress both expressed dramatically different versions of who sanctioned the police action against the Baba. Senior minister Kapil Sibal said the party was aware of the plan; Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh said that was not the case.