1400 HRS.    

27^th October, 2013

THE HEADLINES,

• A series of low intensity blasts rock Patna; Over 20 injured; Prime Minister condemns the blasts and appeals for calm.

• Centre seeks report on the blasts; Sends National Investigation Agency team to Patna.

• Flood situation continues to be grim in Ganjam, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts of Odisha; Major rivers in spate due to incessant heavy rain in Andhra Pradesh. 

• In Iraq, 22 people killed in car bomb explosions in Baghdad.

• Race for the 3rd Formula One Indian Grand Prix to begin in a shortwhile from now at the Buddh International circuit at Greater Noida.

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Patna was rocked by a series of low intensity blasts this morning. Superintendent of Police, Manu Maharaj said, over 20 people have been injured. A crude bomb exploded at a platform in Patna railway station, leaving one person injured. SSP Manu Maharaj told reporters in Patna that the explosion occurred at an isolated place on platform number 10. He said that two more live bombs were recovered from the Karbighaiya end of the Patna junction, which have been deactivated. He said that bomb disposal and forensic teams have reached the spot and the area was being sanitised.    

"The security has been increased. There is no need to panic. If anyone finds an unknown object, they must inform us. There are a number of people here. They should be alert and they should co-operate with us so that such incidents do not happen again."

Later, four blasts took place in Gandhi Maidan in which more persons were injured. The incident occurred just hours before BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was to address a rally at Gandhi Maidan.

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The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar and asked him to speedily investigate the blasts and punish the perpetrators responsible for the incident. Dr. Singh condemned the blasts and appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm.

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The Home Ministry has sought a report from the Bihar government on the explosions in Patna and is sending a team of National Investigation Agency, NIA to assist in further investigations. Official sources said in New Delhi that concerned over the blasts, the Ministry told the state government to send a report about the nature of the bombs, suspected persons or organisations which could be behind them and steps taken to maintain law and order. The Centre also decided to send a team of explosive experts of the NIA to help the Bihar police in post-blast investigation.    

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The flood situation in Ganjam, Mayurbhanj and Balasore districts of Odisha continues to be grim, even as water has receded in other flood-hit areas of the state. The state government has decided to close all schools in Ganjam and 12 other flood affected districts till end of this month. More from our correspondent:

"The local administration has rescued a large number of people, even as thousands wait to be rescued and get relief. A central team will visit Odisha tomorrow to assess the damage caused by cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods. The team shall be divided into two groups and will visit the most affected districts like Ganjam, Puri, Balasore and Mayurbhanj. An estimated 16.50 lakh population in 4,611 villages have been affected by the recent floods. As many 2.9 lakh people have been evacuated and provided with cooked food and dry ration. PRAKASH DASH, AIR NEWS, BHUBANESWAR."

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In Andhra Pradesh, several rain ravaged areas are now facing threat of flood, as all major rivers are in spate due to incessant heavy rain for the past five days. Very heavy rain lashed over two thirds of the state, leaving about 80 thousand people homeless. Evacuation of low lying areas is still continuing, as huge quantity of water is being released down stream from all major rivers and reservoirs, posing grave threat. Rail transport has been badly hit, as flood water flowing over tracks at several places, forcing the South Central Railways and East Coast Railways to cancel dozens of express trains. Road transport has been suspended at many areas, as the highways are looking like lakes and rivers due to flooding.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary PK Mohanthy reviewed the situation with the Collectors of affected districts and directed them to extend all assistance to the affected people. Incessant rains for the past five days left 34 persons dead. Farmers suffered unimaginable losses as crops like paddy, cotton, soybean and others were inundated in 6 lakh, 50 thousand hectares.

Meanwhile, relief operations are underway and 580 medical teams along with over three thousand para-medical staff were pressed into service to prevent outbreak of diseases in the affected areas. The South Central Railways has set up helplines at a number of stations for passenger information.

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Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has said, his party is in favour of empowering women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Addressing a public rally in New Delhi today, he alleged that the opposition was responsible for not getting the Women reservation bill passed in Parliament.

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Election Commission is implementing its Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation, SVEEP programme in Chhattisgarh to increase voter awareness. This is an effort to increase polling percentage and drawing voters specially first time voters to polling booths where assembly election is to take place next month. A report from our correspondent:

“In the Maoist-affected Bastar division, there are about 50 polling stations, where not a single voter turned up to cast votes in the 2008 elections. In Bhilai, where literacy and education level is very high, only 20 per cent of the voters had exercised their franchise. The Election Commission has identified the low-voter turnout areas in the state to implement the SVEEP programme. Rallies are being taken out and human chains formed at many places to create awareness among the new voters. Besides, painting, slogan writing, essay competitions are also being organized. VIKALP SHUKLA, AIR NEWS, RAIPUR."

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Police in Iraq say, a number of car bombs today exploded in the capital Baghdad, killing at least 22 people. Many more have been wounded. The blasts happened in several different areas of the city. Some reports say, the bombers targeted busy streets in a predominantly Shia district. The level of violence in Iraq is at its worst for five years.

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In Bangladesh, as the 60-hour hartal called by the Opposition to press its demand for a non-partisan polls-time government gets underway, violence and arson marked the capital and other parts of the country even under heavy deployment of police and para-military personnel. Prime Minister, last night, talked to Opposition Leader Khaleda ZIa urging to call off the hartal and invited her for talks to negotiate the polls-time government. However, Khaleda Zia said the hartal could  not be called off as it is a decision of 18-party alliance and that talks can be held after the hartal. More from our correspondent:

"Opposition activists set fire to at least five buses of BRTC, and exploded several crude bombs in the capital even as police fought pitched battles with supporters of the strike. Strikers took out flash processions in several places in the capital like Mirpur, Tejgoan and Jatrabari unleashing a string of violent incidents. Police arrested hordes of activists belonging to BNP Youth wing, Juba League and Jamaat's student wing Islami Chattra Shibir. Heavy deployment of Border Guards Bangladesh and Rapid Action Battalion are patrolling the streets to avoid sabotage. MELINDA DIAS FOR AIR NEWS, DHAKA."

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In far off Latin America, the Peruvian capital of Lima rejoiced, as live classical dance performances by Indian artists lend the air for joint celebrations of the 50th year of India-Peru diplomatic ties. Vice President Hamid Ansari lit the lamp, inaugurating the Festival of India-2013 in Lima. Classical fusion performance titled Nrityarupa skillfully blended ancient Indian dance forms of Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathak, Chhau and Odissi overwhelmed the audience. 

Speaking exclusively to All India Radio, Indian Ambassador to Peru, Manpreet Vohra said that India and Peru are intensively engaged in evolving new ways and mechanisms to strengthen mutual co-operation in diverse areas including energy cooperation, science and technology and trade.

"Peru is the fastest growing large economy in Latin America, and India is amongst the fastest growing countries in its region. There are a lot of co-operation possibilities. We see eye-to-eye on everything. So, the Vice President's visit signifies India's recognition of the growing importance of Peru, and how much potential there is between our two countries."

Mr. Vohra said, Vice President Hamid Ansari's visit has given the impetus for India-Peru relations to take off on a fast upward trajectory.  He said, in the first six months of this year, trade between the two countries has grown by 50 per cent.

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A 2-day long Overseas Employers' Conference for the Gulf region began in Dubai today. Inaugurating the meet, Union Minister for Overseas Affairs,Mr. Vyalar Ravi said that the Government is committed to safety and welfare of the Indian workers abroad. More from our West Asia correspondent:

"Underlining the importance of the Indian workforce migrating to the Gulf region, the Overseas Affairs Minister said that the challenge is to harness the capacity of the young workforce. He called for creating awareness for safe, humane and legal immigration process through bilateral agreement with the country. Mr. Ravi said that the Indian workers research centre and the Indian community welfare fund can be of great help in reaching out to meet the needs of expatriate Indian workforce. The Minister also underlined the need to develop the process which can be beneficial not only for India but also for the countries for this nation as per international standards. ATUL TIWARI, AIR NEWS, DUBAI."

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Overseas investors have pumped in more than 12,100 crore rupees in the Indian equity market since the beginning of this month, amid easing concerns over the US tapering. According to the latest data available with market regulator SEBI, the total foreign investment in the stock market has, thus, reached 85,336 crore rupees this year so far. However, FIIs have pulled out 12,636 crore rupees from debt securities this month. This takes the net outflow to 49,212 crore from the debt market since the beginning of the year.

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World Bank says, rain and flash floods have pushed back development works in Uttarakhand by decades.  It said, the challenge at the moment is to build smarter projects without impacting the fragile environment of the hilly region. The Bank approved a 250 million dollar credit for the rehabilitation work in the state on Friday. Speaking to PTI, World Bank's country director Onno Ruhl said, the projects will focus on both reconstruction and disaster preparedness in the state which was hit hard in June by rain and landslides. He said, the assistance will help the government of Uttarakhand with immediate relief efforts by building houses and public infrastructure, including small roads and bridges.

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With the re-opening of the national parks, domestic and international tourists have started arriving in Assam. The World Heritage site Manas National park re-opened today for visitors after its annual monsoon closure. The park authority has decided to extend rafting at Manas River this year. On the other hand, another World Heritage site Kaziranga National park will re-open for the visitors on Friday. Field Director of the park NK Vasu said that necessary works are being carried out on war footing to facilitate the tourists. 

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Today is the race day for the 3rd Formula One Indian Grand Prix. Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who is starting the race at the pole position, has to finish fifth or above today to lift his fourth consecutive Driver's title. More from our correspondent:

"The lights will turn from red to green at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, and Sebastian Vettel, the sole winner of the Indian Grand Prix uptil now, will begin his quest for the fourth successive Driver’s title. Having won the last five races, the German driver is possessing a Midas touch and just needs to finish fifth or higher to bag the coveted title yet again. In the qualifying yesterday, Vettel clocked 1 minute 24.119 seconds to take the pole position from Mercedes Drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who were 2nd and 3rd. Vettel’s teammate Mark Webber will begin today’s race at the fourth spot, with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at 8th. In a nutshell, Vettel is undoubtedly the favourite to cross the chequered flag first. But, one mustn’t forget that F1 races are quite famous for its turn arounds, and there is a possibility of an out-of-the-blue winner, and Vettel may have to wait. SAVVY HASAN KHAN, FOR AIR NEWS.”