0815 HRS
14th January , 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• India and Pakistan to hold Brigade Commander-level flag meeting today; Pakistani troops again violate ceasefire along LOC.

• Overseas investors pour in a record 8,800 crore rupees in Indian equities in the first two weeks of this year.

• World's largest religious gathering, Maha Kumbh, begins at Allahabad; Makar Sakranti, Pongal and Bhogali Bihu being celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety.

• In Pakistan, Chief Minister of Balochistan sacked over Thursday's deadly bomb attacks in Quetta.

• Inaugural Hockey India League kicks off in New Delhi.

• Australian Open Tennis begins at Melbourne.

[]<><><>[]

In a bid to de-escalate tension along the Line of Control, LoC, India and Pakistan will hold a Brigade Commander-level flag meeting in the Poonch sector today. Defence Spokesman Col. RK Palta said, the flag meeting will be held at Chakan-Da-Bagh at 12:30 PM. The recent intrusions and brutal killing of two jawans by Pakistani soldiers will be raised during the meeting. The jawans were killed on January 8 by Pakistani troops, after they intruded deep into Indian territory along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army had sent a hotline message to the Pakistani Army on January 11 and had asked for a flag meeting to discuss the issues of the brutal killing of two jawans by Pakistani troops and the increasing incidents of firing and ceasefire violations in the Poonch sector. Col. Palta said that Pakistan agreed to hold the Flag meeting, in a communication through a hot line in the sector. More from our correspondent,

"According to official sources, during the Brigade level Flag Meeting the Indian side is likely to strongly protest intrusions by Pakistan Army. Pakistani Army had taken away head of Lance Naik Hem Raj and two service weapons of the jawans along with ammunition with them to Pakistan. The Indian side would seek return of the remains of the martyred Lance Naik, besides service weapons and ammunition during the meeting and could also ask for an apology from Pakistan for such a barbaric act of killing the jawans. It would also ask for ceasing frequent ceasefire violations by the Pakistani Army and aiding militants in intrusions on the LoC, especially in Krishna Ghati sector. RK RAINA, from JAMMU."

Meanwhile, Pakistani troops once again violated the ceasefire along the LoC in the Poonch sector last evening. Col. Palta said, Pakistani troops fired on forward Indian posts in the Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar in Poonch at around 7 PM, which was effectively retaliated to by the Indian troops. The exchange of fire continued for some time. However, no loss of life was reported from the Indian side.

[]<><><>[]

In Jharkhand, political uncertainty continues amid speculation of President's rule. Various political groups are chalking out their strategies in this context. Our correspondent has details:

In Jharkhand, those political groups interested in forming new government have resigned to a possibility of President's rule before any new government is formed. This picture is reinforced by recent statements of Congress leaders from the state. However, BJP, JVM and Left parties have threatened their separate political agitations, if fresh polls are not ordered by dissolving the assembly. Now all eyes are set at New Delhi where a decision is likely on President's rule in the State. Rajesh Sinha, AIR News, Ranchi."

[]<><><>[]

Overseas investors have poured in a staggering 8,800 crore rupees in Indian equities in the first two weeks of this year. From the 1st of January to the 11th of this month, foreign funds were gross buyers of shares worth 25,458 crore rupees, while they sold equities amounting to 16,645 crore rupees, resulting into a net inflow of 8,813 crore rupees, said, market regulator SEBI in a report.

In 2012, FIIs had made a net investment of 1.28 lakh crore rupees in Indian equities, making it the second best year for the market after a record inflow of 1.33 lakh crore rupees in 2010.

[]<><><>[]

The Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari will leave on a four-day visit to Vietnam today. His visit marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. More from our correspondent,

"The Vice President will reach in the evening at Hanoi. India and Vietnam has a long history of mutual co operation. Vietnam is part of the ASEAN, with which India has a Free Trade Agreement in goods .Vietnam is a key pillar in India's look East policy. Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam stood at 4 billion US Dollar last year and is expected to go up to the 7 billion US Dollar by the end of this year. India is also examining possible projects in the fields of IT, Agriculture, oil and gas. The vice president will discuss bilateral issues with the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of Vietnam. Anurag Vajpeyi, AIR News, New Delhi."

[]<><><>[]

Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bhogali Bihu are being celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety today. The world's largest religious gathering, the Maha Kumbh, began at Allahabad on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The Mela began with the royal bathing or Shahi Snan of the Akharas this morning. More than one crore people are expected to take a holy dip at the Sangam, confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Over 20 bathing Ghats have been developed at the Sangam for the purpose. The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation has released 2,500 cusecs water into the river Ganga to make adequate water available for bathing at the Sangam. The Mela, which is held every 12 years, will conclude on Maha Shivaratri that is on the 10th of March.

Our correspondent reports that authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

"The chilly cold weather has not dampened the spirit of pilgrims and they have thronged the bathing Ghats for taking holy dips. It was started with Mahanirvani and Atal Akharas. Saints and sadhus of these Akharas reached at Sangam in an impressive procession and took holy dip at Sangam jointly. Naga sadhus, the main attraction of Shahi Snan were smeared in ash carrying weapons like trishul and sword came out from their respective camps with their Mahamandaleshwars. It will continued till 5 and will be completed with the bathing of Sri Panchayati Nirmal Akhara from Udasin sect. Sunil Shukla, AIR News Allahabad."

In West Bengal, lakhs of people have gathered at Ganga Sagar, a confluence of the Bhagirathi and the Bay of Bengal to take a holy dip on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Our Kolkata corespondent reports that pilgrims have come from all over the country and also from abroad.

The harvest festival of Pongal is being celebrated with traditional gaiety and grandeur all over Tamil Nadu today. The entire state, especially the rural areas, wears a festive look. Pongal signals the end of winter and the onset of spring. The festival which begins on the first day of Thai is celebrated for three more days. A report from our correspondent:

"Pongal has the ingredients of jaggery, moong dhal, rice and dry fruits. In villages, pongal pot is placed amidst beautiful rangoli’s in front of the houses. Lush green turmeric plants, palm leaves, sugarcanes will be placed around the pot to worship the sun god. The members of the household will chant pongal-o-pongal. The State Government has given a special gift pack with a kilogram of raw rice, one kilogram of jaggery and a hundred rupee cash with a free dhoti and a saree to celebrate Pongal through Public Distribution System. JOY, AIR NEWS, CHENNAI."

In Assam, a host of cultural programmes and traditional sports are being organised on the occasion of Bhogali Bihu. Our correspondent has more,

"Along with traditional sports, various cultural activities will also be organised. Last night, people participated in community feast, known as Uruka and set ablaze Meji early this morning, made of thatch and fire woods amidst chanting of prayers to the God Agni. Assam Governor J B Patnaik and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi greeted people on this occasion. MANAS PRATIM SARMA, AIR News, Guwahati."

[]<><><>[]

After a respite for the last few days, a dense fog returned to the national capital disrupting air, rail and road traffic this morning. Due to the fog, visibility dropped to near zero at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The operations of some flights were delayed while about a dozen were diverted. A Northern Railway official said that several Delhi bound trains are reported to be running late.

[]<><><>[]

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Public Health Engineering Department has made considerable progress in implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes aimed at providing drinking water to the people.

"During the last four years in Jammu and Kashmir State as many as 3000 habitations were provided drinking water by incurring an expenditure of over 645 crore rupees , besides, the completion of 1031 water supply schemes during the same period. The prestigious drinking water supply project for Jammu involving Asian Development Bank to utilize Chenab water and to meet the demand of Greater Jammu upto 2030 has been approved. With RK Raina from Jammu, this is Lalima Aneja Dang for AIR News."

[]<><><>[]

In Pakistan, the Chief Minister of Balochistan province has been sacked over the deadly bomb attacks in the provincial capital Quetta on Thursday. The sacking, announced by Pakistan's Prime Minister, had been demanded by the Shia protesters in the city. They have been mounting a three-day protest vigil with the shrouded bodies of the victims of Thursday's attacks.

[]<><><>[]

In Sports,

The inaugural edition of the Hockey India League, begins at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi today. The opening match of the league will be played between Delhi Waveriders and Punjab Warriors at 8 in the evening.

Besides Delhi and Punjab, the teams participating are, Mumbai Magicians, Ranchi Rhinos and the Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

[]<><><>[]

The season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open tennis tournament, kicked off in Melbourne today, with the opening round matches of the Men's Singles and Women's Singles categories. Somdev Devvarman will begin the Indian campaign today. He will take on Bjorn Phau of Germany in the Men's Singles first round.

[]<><><>[]

The News Services Division of All India Radio in its weekly "PUBLIC SPEAK" programme will bring you a discussion tonight on 'Female foeticide - A social evil'. This can be heard on FM Gold Channel and on additional frequencies at 9.30 PM. Listeners can pose questions to the experts sitting in our studio on telephone number: 2331-4444. This programme is also available on Doordarshan DTH.

[]<><><>[]

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

• Pakistani troops violating the cease fire yet again last evening even as the two sides prepare for a flag meeting of top commanders this afternoon, is a prominent story in the papers - with interesting headlines. 'Pak talks Truce, keeps up Firing', writes the Times of India. 'Hot and Cold along the LoC', headlines the Statesman.

• Regarding the Indian Army's reaction to LoC violations, Hindustan Times reports that the Indian Army Chief is believed to have told his top generals in the border state that the force reserved the right to retaliate at a place and time of its choosing.

• Several newspapers carry colorful photographs of devotees at the Maha Kumbh mela and processions of sadhus in Allahabad. The Times of India caption reads, 'Sadhu jumps into knee-deep water at the Sangam'.

• The Tribune reports that 22 sarpanches and panches from the north Kashmir area of Sopore belonging to three panchayat blocks resigned yesterday, following militant attacks on a sarpanch and a woman panch from the same area in the past few days.

• 'More Rail hikes likely after Budget in Feb.', reports the Asian Age. The paper, quoting an official, adds the positive response to last weeks upward revision has opened up the window for some more incremental hikes to boost the railways' earnings.

• Hindustan Times reports that the government is looking at an increase in excise duty on most goods and service taxes by two percentage points to 14 per cent, a move that could make most consumer products, like cars and refrigerators costlier.

• HT Business writes, as part of its rural push across the country, Amul Co-operatives has opened spanking new Ice Cream Parlours in the smallest of towns across the country, with inhabitants finding themselves a brand new love!