Kumbh: Large number of pilgrims taking holy dip today
A large number of pilgrims are taking holy dip at the Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers in Allahabad on the occasion of Paush Purnima today.
About 55 lakh people are expected to arrive at the Sangam on this occasion of bathing, which is an important part of the ongoing Kumbh Mela. The month-long Kalpwas, which begins on Paush Purnima and ends at Maghi Purnima, also begins today.
Uttar Pradesh government has made elobarate arrangements for the second main bathing of the Kumbh Mela. The entry of vehicles into Mela area has been restricted which will continue till this evening.
Entry of heavy vehicles into Allahabad city has also been restricted and they are moving on diverted routes.
Security has also been beefed up with the deployment of security persons from state police as well as central Para military forces.
160 commandos of the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the state police, CRPF and ITBP along with 30 companies of PAC and central Para military forces have been deployed in the Mela area.
Sharad Pawar shares solar auto rickshaw ride with Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister Sharad Pawar today shared a solar autorickshaw ride with former BJP president Nitin Gadkari at 'Agro Vision 2013', an agriculture exhibition organised in Nagpur.
Pawar, who arrived in Nagpur this evening from Pune by a special flight, spent about 40 minutes at the exhibition promoted by Gadkari, who resigned from his post earlier this week refusing to seek a second term in office amid charges of irregularities in Purti Group.Both the leaders visited the expo and interacted with the participants.
Later, Pawar told reporters that the Agriculture Ministry is exploring the possibility of organising a national-level agriculture exhibition in Delhi around Diwali, which will help create awareness about several issues in agriculture.
He said, a meeting will be held in New Delhi in the next fortnight to finalise the plan.Pawar said, the country's first Union Agriculture Minister Panjabrao Deshmukh, who hailed from Akola in Vidarbha region, had organised a similar exhibition.
North India continues to shiver under severe cold conditions
The extended spell of cold wave continued to affect normal life in parts of North India. Kashmir Valley continued to bear the brunt of cold wave as mercury plunged by several notches. Srinagar witnessed the coldest night of this winter with a low of minus 5.8 degree Celsius early yesterday.
Cold conditions prevailed in Punjab and Haryana as mercury remained a few notches below normal in both the states. Amritsar was the coldest place in the region as it recorded a minimum at 3.2 deg C, two notches below normal. Chandigarh experienced cold at 5.5 deg C, one degree below normal. In Haryana, Narnaul shivered at 3.5 deg C, three notches below normal.
In national capital, the minimum temperature settled two notches below normal at 6.4 degree Celsius, while the maximum was recorded at 21.4 deg C.
Several parts of Uttar Pradesh continued to reel under cold wave conditions with temperature remaining seven to 11 deg C below normal at several places. State capital Lucknow recorded 1.4 deg C and remained the coldest place in the state.
Police seek video of Ashis Nandy's remarks
Police in Jaipur have sought video of author Ashis Nandy's alleged controversial comments about people from OBC, SC and ST communities made at the Jaipur Literary Festival.
Additional Commissioner of Police Girraj Meena told agencies that police has sought the video footage of yesterday’s session in which Nandi made the remarks and also his clarification to be put on record.
Mr. Meena said that they have been informed by the organisers that Nandy left Jaipur today but proper action will be taken once the initial probe is over. According to reports Ashis Nandy skipping rest of the events has left the city amid protests demanding his arrest.
CJI stresses the need to focus on childcare
Jan 27
The Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today stressed the need to focus on childcare and rehabilitation in the Juvenile justice system.
He was speaking at a workshop in Kochi after inaugurating the Additional District and Sessions court for trial of cases relating to sexual violence of women and children.
Justice Kabir said people need to be sensitised to do something for children who are marginalised. The Chief Justice also said to bring them into mainstream in society, there there is need to create among them a mindset that they are part of society and have a responsible role as well.
The Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today stressed the need to focus on childcare and rehabilitation in the Juvenile justice system.
He was speaking at a workshop in Kochi after inaugurating the Additional District and Sessions court for trial of cases relating to sexual violence of women and children.
Justice Kabir said people need to be sensitised to do something for children who are marginalised. The Chief Justice also said to bring them into mainstream in society, there there is need to create among them a mindset that they are part of society and have a responsible role as well.
Salman Khurshid to visit Germany and Belgium
Jan 27
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will undertake an official visit to Germany and Belgium from tomorrow.
During his two day visit to Germany the External Affairs Minister will hold bilateral discussions with German Foreign Minister, Dr. Guido Westerwelle and would call on the Chancellor of Germany Mrs. Angela Merkel.
The Summit level Indo-German consultations are to be held later this year with the Prime Minister scheduled to visit Germany. India and Germany are strategic partners since the year 2000.
Mr Khurshid will pay a two day visit to Belgium from 30th of this month to hold bilateral discussions with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Didier Reynders and with European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice President of the European Commission, Baroness Catherine Ashton.
AIR correspondent reports that India-EU Summit meeting will be held in Brussels later this year.
External Affairs Minister's discussions with the EU leadership is a precursor to the visit of the Prime Minister.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will undertake an official visit to Germany and Belgium from tomorrow.
During his two day visit to Germany the External Affairs Minister will hold bilateral discussions with German Foreign Minister, Dr. Guido Westerwelle and would call on the Chancellor of Germany Mrs. Angela Merkel.
The Summit level Indo-German consultations are to be held later this year with the Prime Minister scheduled to visit Germany. India and Germany are strategic partners since the year 2000.
Mr Khurshid will pay a two day visit to Belgium from 30th of this month to hold bilateral discussions with the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Didier Reynders and with European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Vice President of the European Commission, Baroness Catherine Ashton.
AIR correspondent reports that India-EU Summit meeting will be held in Brussels later this year.
External Affairs Minister's discussions with the EU leadership is a precursor to the visit of the Prime Minister.
NAC concerned over caste discrimination against children in schools
Jan 27
National Advisory Council chaired by Sonia Gandhi has expressed concern over discrimination against children in schools on the basis of caste, religion
and community.
The NSC suggested measures to the government to tackle the issue.
Pointing out the problems in school premises and classes, NAC said, it has received complaints of discrimination in providing seats, water and even in the mid-day meal, while reviewing the implementation of the Right to Education Act.
The Council has suggested to the HRD ministry to have a discussion with state governments on the issue and requested for suggestions from experts and teachers in this regard by 28th January .
National Advisory Council chaired by Sonia Gandhi has expressed concern over discrimination against children in schools on the basis of caste, religion
and community.
The NSC suggested measures to the government to tackle the issue.
Pointing out the problems in school premises and classes, NAC said, it has received complaints of discrimination in providing seats, water and even in the mid-day meal, while reviewing the implementation of the Right to Education Act.
The Council has suggested to the HRD ministry to have a discussion with state governments on the issue and requested for suggestions from experts and teachers in this regard by 28th January .
Will not ask CM to seek a vote of confidence in state assembly: K'taka Governor
Jan 27
Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj has not asked Chief Minister Jagdish Shetter to seek a vote of confidence in state assembly. Talking to media persons in Bangalore yesterday, the Governor said, the resignation of 13 MLAs does not reduce the government to minority. Mr Bhardwaj said, if more BJP MLAs resign, he will step in and ask the Chief Minister to face floor test.
Chief Minister has expressed confidence that his government is safe and will present the budget on February 8th. The Chief Minister will visit New Delhi this evening and meet BJP National President Rajnath Singh.
On the other hand, the sources in Yeddyurappa led-Karnataka Janata Party say that many more Ministers and BJP MLAs will resign tomorrow. AIR correspondent reports that the Speaker, who is abroad since Wednesday, is likely to return tomorrow. 13 of the BJP MLAs wishing to resign and join Karnataka Janata Party have complained to the Governor that the Speaker is not available to receive their resignation letters.
Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj has not asked Chief Minister Jagdish Shetter to seek a vote of confidence in state assembly. Talking to media persons in Bangalore yesterday, the Governor said, the resignation of 13 MLAs does not reduce the government to minority. Mr Bhardwaj said, if more BJP MLAs resign, he will step in and ask the Chief Minister to face floor test.
Chief Minister has expressed confidence that his government is safe and will present the budget on February 8th. The Chief Minister will visit New Delhi this evening and meet BJP National President Rajnath Singh.
On the other hand, the sources in Yeddyurappa led-Karnataka Janata Party say that many more Ministers and BJP MLAs will resign tomorrow. AIR correspondent reports that the Speaker, who is abroad since Wednesday, is likely to return tomorrow. 13 of the BJP MLAs wishing to resign and join Karnataka Janata Party have complained to the Governor that the Speaker is not available to receive their resignation letters.
| Congress core group discusses Telangana issue |
Congress Core Group met in New Delhi last evening to discuss Telangana issue. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde among others. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is AICC General Secretary in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, was specially invited to the meeting. A couple of days ago, Mr. Azad had hinted that a decision on Telangana issue could be delayed. A section of Congress leaders feel that Mr. Shinde can speak on the issue before his Dhaka visit on Monday. |
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