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STUdenT aGe
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2012
RUSSIAN NAVY TO GET LATEST NSUB Appeal for a National Day to Prime Minister in memory of Delhi rape victim
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was today appealed by a human rights organisation to declare December 29 as 'National Day for Protesting Violence against Women' and announce a national award in the name of the Delhi gangrape victim who died in Singapore early this morning. "No other incident has either evoked or shocked the conscience of the nation as this particular incident," said Asian Centre for Human Rights Director Suhas Chakma in a statement here. "The Declaration of 29th December as the 'National Day for Protesting Violence Against Women' and a national award in her name will remindBSE 4.29 % the nation about the need to address the issue of violence against women", the statement said. This should be done along with the number of actions to be recommended by the Justice J S Verma Committee and Justice Usha Mehra Committee (on violence against women), Chakma said.
JAMMU,DEC 30: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a candle light march here demanding justice for the 23year-old gang-rape victim who passed away on Saturday. PDP activists held the march at the city's Kachi Chawani area. They observed silence to mark the death of the young woman and later demanded stringent punishment for the accused.
NEW DELHI: Serious swelling in the brain resulting from the cardiac arrest she suffered a few days ago was an "important cause" that led to the death of 23year-old gang-rape victim who fought for her life with "great fortitude and courage". Cerebral edema, a condition characterised by excess accumulation of water in the intracellular or extracellular spaces of the brain, proved fatal in the case of the paramedic student who was airlifted toSingapore on Wednesday night for specialised treatment. The young girl suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night which caused severe injuries to her brain as well. Complications in brain along with multiorgan failure took the life of the victim at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.
in the skull than there should be causing swelling in brain which compromises its own Contd. on page 2
away at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital early on Saturday. "...We express our deep condolences, anguish and anger against this most heinous offence," the president said. "This can also provide an opportunity for all of us to resolve that henceforth, the responsibility will be each one of us, including the government and authorities to create a conducive climate where safety
G&M Deptt. to take up free boring of drinking water tube wells across the State: Slathia
wells for drinking water in the water scares areas of the State, adding that the G&M department will conduct free drilling services for this purpose. "The G&M department has been equipped with most modern and heavy drilling machines (Rigs), which can bore beyond 70 meters deep", Mr. Slathia said and asked the Legislators to approach the department with their requisition about drilling of tube wells in their respective areas to augment drinking water facilities for the people. The department will bore such tube well free of cost. While greeting the people on the eve of New Year, Mr. Slathia said that the tube well is a new year gift to the people of the Sumwan area and assured that Contd. on page 2
JAMMU, DEC 29: Underscoring urgent need for utilizing ground water in a big way, especially in water scarce and rain fed areas of the State, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. S.S. Slathia today directed the Geology and Mining department to take up drilling of tube wells also besides its assigned job of ground water exploration. Speaking at a function, after dedicating about 12000 gallons per hour (GPH) capacity tube well at Sumwan in district Kathua today, Mr. Salathia called for dovetailing of activities between public health engineering and Geology and Mining (G&M)departments so that expertise of the available drilling engineers and skilled man Contd. on page 2 power could be utilize to bore tube
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widened to empower it for direct lending. The ministry also proposes to create two more subsidiaries within it. It has also chalked out a plan to ensure greater involvement of the the Maulana Azad Educational Foundation in the expansion of education among the minorities. Regarding new initiatives being taken by his ministry, Khan said he is planning to set up separate consultative bodies within his ministry to look after each of the five notified religious minority communities as the requirements of each minority community is different and needed to be approached differently.
DDC reviewed..
It was also decided that a colorful cultural programme will be presented on the occasion by the school children.
Near-paralysed National...
notification on appointment of Justice Swatanter Kumar, a sitting apex court judge, as the chairperson of NGT which he took over on December 20. Despite working with an acting chairperson, Justice A S Naidu, and eight other members instead of the sanctioned strength of 20, the NGT delivered some crucial orders aimed at fulfilling its mandate of environmental protection. The most significant one was the suspension of environmental clearance (EC) granted to Posco's steel project in Orissa till the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) reviews it afresh. While suspending Posco's EC, the Tribunal also slammed the MoEF for the way it granted the clearance to the company and said the entire process to review it (EC) was "vitiated" and the environment impact assessment (EIA) should have been done for Posco's total production capacity and not for one-third of it. Fulfilling its mandate to deal with issues on protection of environment, the NGT restrained the MoEF and theAssam government from granting fresh approval to any industrial or stone crushing unit in the vicinity of the famed Kaziranga National Park or renewing the existing ones. The NGT is also hearing a plea filed by Nirma LtdBSE 0.06 % against environment ministry's decision to revoke the green nod for its Bhavnagar cement plant in Gujarat. Nirma had moved the Tribunal challenging the December 1 order of the MoEF revoking the environmental clearance granted to it on December 11, 2008, for its 1.91 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity cement plant, 1.5 MTPA coke oven plant and 50 MW captive power plant at Bhavnagar.
Safeguard dignity...
despite all the economic problems around the world, India is still doing well.
Technology shift shall boost the horticulture sector in the Valley: Tej Pratap
SRINAGAR, DEC 29: Launching the official website of Directorate of Horticulture, Kashmir at SKICC here today, Vice Chancellor Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture and Science & Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, Dr. Tej Pratap emphasized that the technology shift, being the need of hour can be simplified and made useful for growers, orchardists and stakeholders of horticulture sector through use of Information Technology. He said that the launching of the website shall make available relevant data and timely information in bilingual format in English and Urdu languages to update the knowledge of orchardists and fruit growers in the Valley. Among others, officers of the various departments, scholars and scientists of SKUAST-K and Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), besides fruit growers and stakeholders were present on the occasion. Director Horticulture, Kashmir while speaking on the occasion highlighted the importance of Information and Technology in Horticulture sector and said that it will undoubtedly help the orchardists and fruit growers to adopt the latest technology.
One day...
field of Crops. He asked the department to conduct more such training camps so that the farmers could get proper awareness about the programme launched by the Government. Giving details, the Chief Agriculture Officer said that the department has provided 03 Bore well, 40 Tube well, 65 Tractors, 100 Tillers and 400 Pump Sets to the farmers of the district till date.
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Two Day Employment Fair concludes in Ramban
DDC distributes 7.20 lakh subsidy
RAMBAN, DEC 29: To create awareness among the unemployed youth of the District regarding various self employment, schemes of the Government, a two day Employment fair was organized by the District Employment and Counselling Centre Ramban in collaboration with allied departments which concluded here today During the camp District Development Commissioner Ramban Sh. S.A Butt distributed cheques among the beneficiaries amounting to Rs 7.20 lacs which comprises of Margin money, Capital subsidy and Interest subsidy Assistant Director Employment Naresh Kumar gave a resume of the various activities of the department He said awareness about the various State and Centrally sponsored self employment schemes initiated by the Government is vital for effective implementation of these schemes besides help in motivating unemployed youth to establish their own small income generating units as liberal funding and finance is being provided by the Banks. He lauded the participation of various department and people of the area and also urged upon the women to come forward and take maximum benefits of various welfare schemes. He urged upon the various Departments to motivate and provide all the necessary help and felicitation to the aspirant un-employed youth in making them self reliant. During the two day fair 1373 unemployed youth were registered while as 2590 youths were provided counselling during the employment fair.
NEWS IN BOX
Shrine Board Members visit Katra and Bhawan; Inspect Infrastructure Development and Facilities
JAMMU, DEC 29 : At the instance of Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor of J&K, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the Board Members of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine had a day long tour of Katra, Bhawan and the Yatra track and inspected various infrastructure development activities and facilities being provided to the pilgrims. The Board team comprised of Mr. E. Sreedharan, Ms. Sudha Murty, Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Dr. Ashok Bhan and Mr. H. L. Maini. Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Additional CEO and senior Board Officers accompanied the visiting team and apprised them about a large number of activities/development works undertaken by the Board. After paying obeisance at the Holy Cave in the early morning, the team inspected the re-modeling work undertaken of the Outer Cave area, including enlargement of the Atka area, replacement of worn out marble tiles, construction of new counting hall and modification of the queue system. The Board Members inspected the Exit Route, which has recently been completed, and hoped that this will not only help decongest the Bhawan area, but will also be of significant help from the point of view of disaster management. The Board Members took stock of several projects like construction of Parvati Bhawan, Pony Shed at Bhawan and retiling work of the track. They also suggested to establish a Veterinary Centre for the benefit of ponies next to the under construction Pony Shed. The Board took stock of ongoing renovation and construction of Toilet Blocks on modern lines on the instruction of Mr. N. N. Vohra, Hon'ble Chairman. They expressed happiness over the quality of renovated toilets and hoped that adequate number of Toilet Blocks would be renovated/constructed at the earliest in view of everincreasing Yatra. The Board team inspected the entire stretch of Dedicated Mule Track which has been constructed at a fast pace on the instructions of the Hon'ble Chairman. They also thanked Mr. H. L. Maini, Hon'ble Board Member and Technical Advisor, for maintaining close supervision on this very important infrastructure for the Board and hoped that the remaining work like construction of toilets, retaining walls, tiling of the entire track etc. would also be completed within one year's time. On arrival at Katra in the afternoon, the Board Members first inspected the under-construction Sports Stadium and expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved. While noting that the physical work at the Stadium would be ready in next 3-4 months, the Board Members endorsed the directions of the Hon'ble Chairman that a suitable policy be framed and necessary steps taken to ensure the best utilization of this facility. While appreciating the quality of infrastructure available at Spiritual Growth Centre, the Board Members desired that suitable steps be taken to ensure optimum utilization of this state of the art facility, in particular utilization of the auditorium.hereafter, the Board Members visited Kakriyal where they reviewed the progress of construction of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.
Several initiatives taken by Govt for dev. of inaccessible areas of State: Akhoon
BANDIPORA, DEC 29: Minister for CA&PD, Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon Saturday said that State Government has taken several initiatives to provide all basic facilities to far flung areas of the State and many more steps are afoot to speed up developmental and welfare measures to uncovered areas. The Minister was addressing a review meeting of various schemes launched by the Government for the upliftment of remote and inaccessible areas in Bandipora today. MLA Gurez, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, MLA Bandipora, Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, district officers of various departments attended the meeting. Various suggestions came up for solving problems confronting people in the district. Mr. Akhoon asked the officers to work with dedication and make judicious use of funds being provided by the Central and State Governments for implementation of various schemes. MLAs present in the meeting raised certain demands for construction of various roads, augmentation of drinking water and adequate power supply to the people living in Gurez, Tulail and other far flung areas of the district. Apprising the meeting about the activities of the district, the officers informed that against allocation of Rs. 11.20 crore and Rs. 8.85 crore have been spent on the construction of 99.22 kilometres road length, black topping, macadamization and metalling. Under PHE sector, Rs. 3.73 crore while as Rs. 67.91 lakh on Irrigation were spent during last financial year. In Health sector, several initiatives have been taken for setting up various health institutions in different areas of the district. Under MG NREGA, Rs. 10.09 crore were spent for generating 404641 mandays to raise infrastructure in the district.
peoples door step. He said Government run schools have well qualified staff and better infrastructure and appealed parents to send their children to these schools for their better future. The Minister asked the
moral education to the students adding that moral education was the first step towards spiritual education. He said a teacher has to become a role model for the student and shaping their destiny in a positive manner. He
ity in any form deserves appreciation. He said through his piece of art an artist interprets different human situations and their relation with nature, thus enabling people to understand the complexities of life. Describing the art and artists as precious assets, Mr. Jora said that the government was committed to
encourage the local talent and help it to attain excellence. He urged upon organizers to redouble their efforts to promote Art and artists by organizing such activities on regular intervals across the State. He said that holding of such events encourage the artists and inspire them to give their best.
Pandey interacts with the industrial fraternity to boost exports from J&K
JAMMU, DEC 29: Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey during his visit to J&K reviewed the performance of the ongoing projects funded under ASIDE scheme at Bari Brahmana Industrial Estate. Mr. pandey subsequently held on interactive meeting in the Udyog Bhawan with the industrial fraternity of Jammu and members of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was also participated by the representatives of exporters located in Jammu. The officers of Industries department also participated in the interactive meet. Mr. Pandey gave a brief about the working of the Ministry and the various schemes implemented through the Ministry which could be availed by the Industrial sector in J&K to boost their exports. Mr. Pandey gave a brief review of the ASIDE scheme and the market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme wherein various benefits could be availed by the State Government and individual exporters to avail the various components of these schemes for their benefit. The interactive session was attended by the Commissioner Secretary to Government Industries and Commerce Department, Director handloom, managing Director J&K SIDCO, managing Director, handloom Development Corporation and Presidents of Chamber and Various industrial Association. The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce gave a brief resume to the export community about the existing world trade scenario and informed that the exporters have to gear up their performance and statutory requirements in order to compete and export to world in view of WTO regime that various countries are adopting for trade practices.
Rs. 2 lakh distributed among 62 students for their brilliant performance in Exams
SRINAGAR, DEC 29: The students who have excelled in the Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations conducted by Board of School Education (BOSE) were felicitated at a colourful function at S.P. Higher Secondary School auditorium here today. Speaking on the occasion, Director School Education, Kashmir highlighted the importance of education and stressed for quality education to be provided to the students through educational institutions besides job oriented courses. He said that education can improve the socio-economic conditions of the people. Lauding the performance of students during the regular exams of secondary and higher secondary levels, he exhorted upon the students to acquaint themselves with modern education and enable themselves through hard work and dedication to compete at national as well as international levels. Later, the Director School Education distributed about Rs. 2 lakh among the 28 students of 10th class and 34 students of 12th class for their performance in their said examinations.
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EDITORIAL
BY BALBIR K PUNJ or two consecutive days, the power grids collapsed, leaving large parts of the country without electric supply for several hours. The blame game for the failure is still on. Fact is, the Congressled UPA has no answers. From the Power Grid Corporation of India and Coal India Limited to the State Governments and the Union Government, almost everybody has been blamed for the shameful power outage that India suffered for two days in a row after the northern, central and north-eastern power grids failed. The blame-game went something like this: The Power Ministry blamed the grid failure for the blackout. The manager of the grid, the Power Grid Corporation of India, blamed the State Governments for overdrawing power. The State Governments claimed that the power generating companies were unable to meet the high demand for electricity at the peak of summer. Power generating companies like the NTPC said there was a shortage in coal supply as Coal India Limited was unable to guarantee the supply. Coal India Limited said the problem was with the Union Minister of Environment and Forests that had not given the green signal without which the Union Government could not raise its production by the much needed 25 per cent. The Coal Ministry backed Coal India Limited and blamed the Environment Ministry for placing a blanket ban on mining in forest areas. The round robin game thus goes on and the finger is always pointed at the next-door neighbour. But the accusations take the players nowhere. The country, meanwhile, continues to suffer huge power outages. Unable to meet commercial commitments, industry too must depend on expensive diesel-generated power. And, as demand for diesel goes up, its enormous subsidy bill burns an increasingly large hole in the pockets of oil supply companies. That in turn raises the fiscal deficit of the Government which leads to rising inflation. At the end of the day it is the common man who suffers. The crux of this problem lies in the fact that there is a power vacuum at 7, Race Course Road, from where the Prime Minister operates. Instead, the power centre is at 10, Janpath, where Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi resides. It is this diarchy that is responsible for a situation wherein the PMO tells Coal India Limited to keep the coal supply trigger at 80 per cent but the latter has the cheek to tell the Prime Minister the trigger point should be at 65 per cent. The trigger point is that percentage of the agreed supply below which if coal supply drop, Coal India Limited (the supplier) will have to take heavy penalties. The PMO, supposed to be the power centre of the Government, calls two conferences within a fortnight and tries to reconcile the conflicting versions on the power crisis. Apart from the specific days on which the power grids collapsed, there is evidence that in the last four months supply of both and coal have been deficit as a result of which functioning or ready-to-function power generating plants were just dead horses. For instance, the Delhi Government's 750 MW Bawana gas-based power generator is currently not working as the promised gas supply has not arrive. The 1,500 MW Rosa power plant is also out of service because there has been no coal supply. Similarly, NTPC - the largest public sector power company - has on its hands a dead 6,000 MW plant and another 21,000 MW plant which is functioning far below critical point. Governance under the Congressled UPA appears more like a circus in cyber space - power generation is just on computer screens, not in reality. How else can one explain the regular, countrywide power cuts happening at a time when the Power Ministry claims to have added 19,459 MW in just one year of the 11th Five Year Plan period and 54,000 MW in the whole 2007-12 period? If true, this would have been the biggest ever increase in India's capacity for power creation in the past several decades. The simple fact is that this creation of additional power generating capacity - a record no doubt - is an empty achievement because it is useless without the fuel that is needed to work the power generators. And that fuel, both coal and gas, is not available because Coal India Limited cannot mine the 500 million tonnes of coal needed every year (this number will soon rise to 600 million tonnes) and the country cannot afford to import all the coal that it needs. Similarly, gas supply has suddenly shrunk as the promise at Reliance India Limited's KG-D6 location has turned a dud. Right at the heart of the coal supply controversy is the scam, that is coming out only now, that coal mines having been allotted to fake companies that have simply transferred the licence to the actual benefactors and minted money in the process. Also, the Environment Ministry is unable to get its house in order and, therefore, there are delays in issuing mining licences to other public sector undertakings. In turn CIL wants higher price for its coal which would naturally raise generation costs and therefore distribution costs. The Union Government is unable to take a decision on whether to raise domestic coal prices or import the black gold at higher than domestic prices. It is also unable to decide on breaking Coal India Limited's coal monopoly. It has put off decisions to open up more mines but remains helpless
The Paul Ryan Choice Dark night rises, not even a ray of hope
he choice of GOP budget guru Paul Ryan as the vicepresidential running mate has drawn sharp, swift responses reflecting the nation's deeply polarized political landscape. The search process for the candidate was steeped in secrecy till the last so much so that the background information on a short list of candidates, including several years of tax returns and other documents, were kept in a safe in a locked room at Romney's campaign headquarters and the few people allowed in were not permitted to make copies or take anything out. However by July itself, Romney knew Ryan was his man even before Ryan knew. Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman who chairs the House Budget Committee, has long been a polarizing figure in national politics for his austere approach to reining in the nation's deficits and revamping the entitlement system- particularly his Medicare proposal that would allow the next generation of seniors, those now 55, the option of a voucher-like system to buy private insurance outside the existing senior health program. The 42year-old is one of the socalled "Young Guns" of upand-coming House Republican leaders. Rep. Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney's Al Gore, a policy wonk who brings legislative experience and seriousness of purpose to the ticket. He is, in other words, no
Sarah Palin. But Ryan is also the symbol of something more: a commitment to a particularly conservative vision of a smaller federal government, a scaledback safety net and a lower tax burden. By choosing Ryan, Romney answered the critics (particularly on the right) who questioned whether his campaign had a vision for the future. If there were voters who harbored any doubt about the magnitude of the choice they face in November, they should no longer. Although Romney has taken positions on an array of issues, the race so far has largely been a backward-looking and bilespewing affair. The media deserve some of the blame for that, but so do the campaigns and their "super PAC" allies. In choosing Ryan, Romney may hope to shift the campaign from personal attacks to debates about fiscal policy. That's quixotic, but it would be a welcome change. Ryan's presence on the ticket helps sharpen the contrast between President Obama's so-called "balanced" approach, which combines tax hikes and spending restraints, and Romney's ambition to rein in entitlements and discretionary programs while cutting taxes in the hope of spurring growth. Indeed, Ryan makes the GOP ticket more stubbornly ideological and less pragmatic. Ryan had the chance as a member of the White House deficit com-
mission to back a bipartisan plan in 2010 to repair the federal government's finances, but he voted no because he wanted to roll back Obama's healthcare reform law and make a bigger dent in Medicare and Medicaid. The proposal fell a few votes short of the supermajority needed to send it to Congress. One risk for Romney is that Ryan is a leader of what may be the most unloved political institution in America. Another is that, rather than having a serious debate about Washington's fiscal mess, the Obama campaign will simply unleash the stinging and often hyperbolic critiques that Democrats have made of Ryan's budgets. We don't trust Ryan's tax-cutting math, and we're skeptical of his proposals to transform Medicare into limited insurance subsidies and to cap federal spending on Medicaid, but we agree that neither program is sustainable without reforms. And it was probably just a matter of time before the Obama campaign loosed those attacks on Romney anyway, given his praise for Ryan's plan. The other suggestion Romney makes by picking Ryan is that the Republican strategy will turn less on attracting independents than turning out loyalists. The brainy Ryan should help Romney shore up his conservative base and motivate tea party voters. That's because Romney's pick says the race isn't about governing, it's about changing government.
in preventing illegal mining that constituted a whopping six per cent of the country's total coal output. The Oil Ministry has also been delaying auctions of the prospective oil and gas locations for over a year now. In a tightly governed country, the chief executive, namely the Prime Minister, would have taken some bold decisions to break up production and supply monopolies, aligned fuel prices to costs and set the wheels of power generation running at express speed. The present slumber in Government however has resulted in all round price escalation or inflation. The Congress-led UPA blames the State Governments for not implementing reforms as laid down in the Electricity Act 2003. But it is Congress-ruled States that have not cared to introduce the reforms. The Act itself was passed by the NDA Government in 2003. But the two subsequent Governments at the Centre, both led by the Congress, should take the blame as there is neither any governance at the centre nor in Congress-led States. It is a slap on the face of the Congress, and a huge embarrassment for the party, when the only State that has surplus power in this distressing situation - Gujarat - is led by the main Opposition party, the BJP. Secularists have blamed State Chief Minister Narendra Modi pretty much for everythin,g but he was the only one among 30 Chief Ministers who could offer the national power grid 2,000 MW of power from his State at a time when there is deficit everywhere. Gujarat, under the stewardship of Mr Modi, is the only State which has completed power reforms. As a result, there is a 24 hour power supply in every one of the 18,000 villages in Gujarat. Thus, the power black-out story is a story of poor governance power across most State capitals and definitely in the national capital.
In the light of this, let us first examine a human right activist's approach to the issue of terrorism. Till date, I haven't come across any human rights activist contesting the obvious fact that any killing of innocent civilians amounts to a human rights violation, nor have I heard of any human rights activist saying that security personnel shouldn't shoot down terrorists if they have opened fire in a public place to protect the innocent people who are his potential targets. They do, however, assert that someone declared by the police to be a terrorist shouldn't simply be assumed to be one and deserves a fair trial as soon as possible with norms of evidence being the same as for other crimes, and they also demand that security personnel should not be exempted from judicial scrutiny for allegedly killing innocents. Our soldiers have been punished for rapes, killings and forced disappearances in Kashmir and the north-east, though the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), similar to many other such statutes in the world, practically immunizes them from judicial scrutiny to a great extent. We may romanticize our security personnel as all being very honest and patriotic men ever-ready to die for the motherland, but what we often overlook is that mercenary fighters too have existed across the globe, and money is a key driving factor for many joining the forces. Besides, loyalty to the country doesn't necessarily mean that one never does any wrong. A person who may exhibit heartfelt patriotism while cheering for India in a cricket match or while signing the national anthem may very well be a tax-evader or someone who gives bribes to derive benefits for
his business. In fact, misguided patriotism can take extreme levels just like religious fanaticism, with anyone seen as not being on the side of your country being deemed as not being worthy of a dignified existence. In our Indian context, the Republic of India always being morally right in all its foreign policy decisions or in its engagement with secessionist forces is taken as axiomatic by far too many people, which is rather immature (though similar immaturity is also exhibited by far too many people in our neighbouring countries as well as among many of those living within our borders not identifying themselves as Indians, such as Kashmiris, who blindly tend to believe versions of events that suit them), and public anger against terrorism is so strong that anyone branded as a terrorist is simply assumed to be one, though statistics of conviction rates show that special antiterror statutes have been heavily misused (as has been the case elsewhere in the world, including the West, too), and this misuse has alienated certain sections of our society, boosting terrorism even more, and these sections of the society don't only include Muslims but also people from Naxal-infested regions or regions in the north-east with secessionist aspirations or even Sikhs when the Khalistan Movement was at its peak (this is relevant in the light of the false propaganda by Muslim communalists and even pseudo-intellectual Hindus that this is a problem only for Muslims). Not so long ago, a small boy, who was a Hindu, was shot down for climbing an apple tree in an Army cantonment in Chennai (a gun in someone's hand often gives him a berserk sense of
power and authority) and a blind, mentally challenged Hindu beggar was killed by Army men in Kashmir, branded as a terrorist with the 'encounter' supposedly having lasted 24 hours, and innocent Hindus branded as criminals too have been killed in fake encounters by the police (remember the Ranbir Singh episode in Uttarakhand?), and all this, obviously for promotions and medals! Incidents of corruption in the Indian Army, like the Adarsh scam or the Tehelka expose, should open our eyes to the fact that our security forces are not without their rotten apples, as is also evident from the recent case of an ex-major starving and brutally assaulting his son that got considerable media coverage some time back. Terror suspects are indeed suspects but only until they are proven guilty and deserve their day in court. Torturing innocents presuming their guilt is not on. Some argue against human rights activists, saying that they protest only against alleged misuse of power by security personnel but not against terrorist attacks. The refutation to this hollow argument is very simple - demonstrations are organized to get an entity to accept your demands, and mere protest marches will not impact terrorists but are expected to impact the government in a democracy (though people from communities in whose name terrorist attacks have been committed often carry out demonstrations against terrorism to disassociate themselves from the terrorists), and this does not, in any way, imply that human rights activists don't feel strongly against terrorism like other citizens do. Terrorism can be defeated by reaching out to those perceiving themselves as marginal-
ized and/or reposing faith in inhuman ideologies on one hand and by the efforts of intelligence agencies and security forces on the other, but certainly not by way of demonstrations by human rights activists, though on the other hand, it can be argued that such demonstrations can help integrate the community from which the terrorists emanate by making more and more people in that community realize that the civil society of the country cares for them, thus helping prevent terrorism. Finally, it should also be noted that human rights activists, including those working in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), quite often the very same people who raise their voices for humane treatment and fair trials of terror suspects, have actually often done quite a commendable job of successfully agitating for the availability of affordable and qualitative education and health care for the underprivileged and against child labour, besides ensuring that forcibly displaced tribals and the disabled get their due; so, the work of human rights activists is, by no means, only about dealing with the rights of suspected terrorists. I do, however, have my differences with those of our human rights activists who oppose the death penalty, support reservations based on caste or religion and/or offer narratives, which are, in my opinion, consciously or subconsciously biased in favour of certain communities they regard as oppressed, but these issues are indeed very different from considering them supporters of terrorism or even insensitive to the victims of terrorist attacks for raising their voices for the rights of terror suspects.
ne of the flagship programmes of the United Progressive Alliance Government, the National Rural Health Mission, touted as among the "the most ambitious rural health initiatives ever", has, like most of the regime's populist schemes, failed to live up to its avowed mission. The aim was to improve sanitation and hygiene for the rural poor, as also extend to them equitable, affordable and effective primary healthcare. But seven years on, since its grand launch in 2005, a vast majority of the rural folk, especially in far-flung areas, has remained deprived of even the basic health amenities. The NRHM could have gone a long way to improve the mother and child welfare parameters in the country. The concept is utopian but given the ground realities in the country, it is corruption-ridden and has become a milch cow for many to siphon off funds. What can be more shocking than the fact that the people at whom the scheme is targeted have no clue about its existence? Or that those few handful who do seem to have heard about it have complained of inadequate facilities? It's a fact corroborated by the findings of the Delhibased Institute of Social Sciences, which conducted a nationwide survey to assess the reach and success of the much vaunted healthcare initiative. Reportedly, more than 43 per cent of the elected women panchayat leaders across 19 States that were interviewed by the organisa-
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long time ago, Bear had a beautiful, long, furry tail. He thought it was really cool. He laid it out behind him and people had to walk round it. He asked everyone: "Don't you think my tail is the most beautiful tail you've ever seen?" People thought Bear was very vain, but they were frightened of his big claws and didn't want to make him angry. So they told him he looked totally cool with his big, black, shiny tail. One cold winter's day, Bear went lumbering down to the lake. Fox was sitting on the frozen water, surrounded by fish. He knew that Bear was hungry, and decided to play a trick on him. "Hello brother Fox" said Bear, his mouth watering. "Where did you get all those fish?" "I caught them" said Fox, pointing to a hole in the ice. "But you don't have anything to fish with" said Bear. "I used my tail" said Fox. Bear was totally blown away by this. "You used your Tail?" he shouted."Sure. It's the best thing for catching fish. Shall I show how?Then you'll always have as many fish as you want to eat." "Yes please" said Bear in his deep, gruff voice. His mouth watered again. Fox pointed to the hole in the ice. "There's no fish left in there. Let's go to another part of the lake
where there's more."Trying not to laugh, Fox led Bear to a shallow part of the lake. Bear dug a hole in the ice with his claws. Now, sit with your back to the hole and drop your beautiful tail into the water," said Fox. "You'll feel when a fish bites. Then you can pull your tail out with the fish on the end of it." Bear wanted the fish big time. He put his tail into the icy water."Now" said Fox, "this is important. You must sit very still and only think about fish. Pretend to count the fish you catch with your tail. The more you count, the more you will catch." The Bear scratched himself with pleasure. "My tail will catch more fish
he process of evolution of State of Jammu & Kashmir began 188 years ago by an act of unprecedented historical significance in which Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab who ruled Jammu indirectly gave Raj Tilak to his most trusted & loyal Dogra General Gulab Singhji on 17 June 1822 at Jia Pota, Akhnoor and made him Raja of Jammu. Therefore credit for the formation of a vast, multi religious, multi culture & a composite State of Jammu & Kashmir equally goes to the Lion of Punjab. A great sagacious visionary, he is one of few historical legacies that India can be genuinely proud of. Maharaja Gulab Singh came from a distinguished Dogra-Rajput lineage. He was born on October 21, 1792 to Kishore Singh, whose grandfather was the brother of the illustrious king of Jammu
lead the armies in times of war. As wars between rival ,cities became more frequent, the Iugals' powers grew, and from about 2900 BC the Iugals were kings, ruling for life. In the centre of each city stood a temple to the city's patron god or goddess. The Sumerians believed the gods controlled every aspect of nature and everyday life. It was vital to keep the gods happy with daily offerings, or they might send wars, floods or disease to punish the people. The Sumerians were expert mathematicians. They had two systems of counting. One was decimal, like the system we use today; the other used units of 60 (the Sumerians were the first to divide an hour into 60 minutes). They also devised a calendar,a complex legal system, and used the wheel for pot-making and on carts. But their most important invention was writing.
FUN TIME
MOTHER: What did you learn in school today SON: How to write MOTHER: What did you write? SON: I don't know, they haven't taught us how to read yet! TEACHER: "Sam, what is the outside of a tree called?" SAM: "I don't know." TEACHER: "Bark, Sam, bark." SAM: "Bow, wow, wow!" TEACHER: PAPPU, how do you spell "crocodile"? PAPPU : "K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L" TEACHER: No, that's wrong PAPPU : Maybe it's wrong, but you asked me how I spell it! CHILD: "Why do you send me to school for." MOTHER: "To make a man out of you." CHILD: "But my teacher makes everyday a cock out of me." TEACHER:Ritu spell "Blind Bird" RITU:B,l,n,d B,r,d TEACHER:Where are the two i's?? RITU:Teacher a blind bird doesn't have eyes! A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute.
IMAGE TO COLOUR
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NATIONAL
NEW DELHI: Political parties were today united in demanding stronger laws to deal with crime againstwomen as President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined the nation in mourning the death of the 23-yearold gangrape victim. Describing the girl as a "brave daughter of India" and a "true hero", Mukherjee said all steps to bring the perpetrators of this "ghastly crime" to justice should be taken to ensure that her death will not be in vain. Singh hoped that the entire political class and civil society will set aside narrow sectional interests and agenda to make India a demonstrably safer place to live in. "We have already seen the emotions and energiesBSE -2.09 % this incident has generated. These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change. It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channelise these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action," he said Both Mukherjee and Singh said the country should resolve that her death will not be in vain. Congress President Sonia Gandhi also condoled the death of the gangrape victim. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley sought better laws and an environment where women
other important departments like Health and Family Welfare and Medical education. Modi's close aide Anandi Patel has retained Revenue Ministry as well as road and buildings. She has been given additional charge of
Raman Vora, who was Education minister in the last government has been given Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry along with Sports and Youth and Cultural affairs. Charge of the Education minister has been given to
Rahul Gandhi condoles death of gang rape victim, calls for introspection
families who work, hope and pray for a better India. We as a nation must reflect on the events of the days gone by," Rahul said, offering his deep condolences to the young girl's family. As citizens, we must resolve to respect the dignity ofwomen and follow the laws of the land, he said. "I join my mother and sister in offering deep felt condolences to the young girl's family, My thoughts and prayers are with the family," Rahul said in his message. The girl, who was gang-raped by six men in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, breathed her last in a Singapore hospital early this morning after battling for life for the past 13 days.
Delhi gang rape: SC lawyers seek CJI's intervention to ensure safety of women
NEW DELHI: Amid the nation-wide outrage over December 16 assault and gangrape of 23-year-old Delhi student, who died today, the Supreme Court Bar Association has written to Chief Justice of IndiaAltamas Kabir for his intervention to ensure women's safety and for quick disposal of rape cases. In its letter to the CJI, the SCBA said the court should immediately take up the PIL filed on the issue by a retired IAS officer Promilla Shanker and pass appropriate orders to ensure women's safety. "It is humbly prayed that Hon'ble Lordship may hear the above detailed matter immediately and issue interim directions to ensure time bound compliance by State and Central governments which will not only bring back confidence of the people in the democracy but also strengthen the judicial system," said the letter, singed by SCBA Secretary Pareena Swarup. "Your honour being the highest court of justice, is also the custodian of fundamental rights and thus the last ray of hope for crores of women and children of this country. Prominent legal luminaries have also echoed the same and prayed for intervention of the highest court of justice to implement the Rule of Law and establish administration of justice," the letter said. In her PIL, Promilla has pleaded with the court to direct the governments to set up fast track court in all states for expeditious trial of rape cases. She also submitted that cases of rape and crime against women and children be investigated by lady police officials and trial be heard by lady judges.
NEW DELHI: As people's anger over the death of Delhi gang rape victim spilled out into the streets, Congressleader Rahul Gandhi today broke his silence on the ghastly incident calling for introspection and resolve to ensure the security and dignity of women. "My heart goes out to the family of the young girl and millions of young Indians,
After weapons, Army jawans' combat kit now set for a major upgrade
NEW DELHI: Along with new assault rifles and other weaponry in the pipeline, the Army jawans are now getting set for a complete makeover in their clothing and personal kits to boost their operational efficiency. From new backpacks and ammunition pouches to sneakers and improved mosquito nets, Army chief General Bikram Singh has initiated or cleared several such acquisition projects. Till now, only the around five lakh or so infantry soldiers were entitled to get "improved combat kits" (ICKs) but the approved plan is to issue it to the entire 11lakh strong Army. "Composed of new small and large backpacks, ammunition pouches, belts, water bottles and the like, the ICKs will also be issued to the other arms over the next five years. Each ICK costs around Rs 4,900," said an officer. Similarly, the Army will soon float a new tender to acquire eight lakh Reebok or Adidas-like sneakers to replace the thin brown canvas PT shoes currently issued to soldiers. Despite attempts to upgrade the PT shoes to proper "sports shoes" over the last several years, the project was stuck in bureaucratic red-tape till now, as reported by TOI earlier. "The technical specifications for the sneakers, made of a mix of leather and synthetic mesh, have been finalised after trials. Each such sneaker will cost around Rs 900-1,100," he said. The vintage-pattern canvas PT shoes, incidentally, have been in service for over 50 years without any improvement in quality. The Army also wants to introduce specially-designed combat boots for soldiers that will be more durable, flexible and lightweight than the existing heavy boots. The Army has also decided to issue cloth, manufactured by ordnance factories, and an Rs 225 allowance to get it stitched as per their size and shape to soldiers to bring homogeneity in uniforms. Jawans will also get new "long-lasting insecticidal nets" instead of the old mosquito nets they have been making do with till now. "Soldiers will also be issued multi-purpose ponchos to replace the rain capes/rain coats they have at present. The quality of blankets, much lighter and with more finegrade wool, is also been improved," he added.
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INTERNATIONAL
Minister denies Russian arms supplies to Syria
MOSCOW: Russia is not supplying the Syrian authorities with offensive weapons or any kinds of weapons that could be used against civilians, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday. "We are not delivering offensive weapons to Syria. We are not delivering weapons which could be used in a civil war," Lavrov said at a news conference following talks in Moscow with UN and Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi. Lavrov said that unlike other countries, Russia has no special task forces either in Syria or neighbouring territories. Russia has often been criticised for its multi-billiondollar weapons trade with Bashar al-Assad's government, but earlier this year Moscow suspended all arms contracts with Syria until the conflict is resolved. Lavrov added that despite the continuing violence in Syria, he still hoped that the crisis would be resolved politically, based on the Geneva agreements. "The number of victims keeps growing but there is still a chance for a political settlement," Lavrov said. At a meeting on Syria in Geneva in June, foreign ministers from UN Security Council permanent member states and from countries neighbouring Syria proposed establishing a transitional Syrian government that would comprise both the Syrian authorities and opposition forces, but incessant fighting in Syria has made it impossible to launch a dialogue.
Moscow's Kievskoye highway abutting the airport, which was closed off to traffic both ways. Fourteen ambulances with
Vnukovo airport was closed with all incoming planes diverted to Sheremetyevo. Vnukovo resumed flight operations at
Economy
Finance Ministry to take call on IKEA's Falling growth, high inflation threats to stability: RBI FDI proposal tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Government is likely to clear IKEA's proposal to open cafeterias at its proposed mega retail outlets when the Foreign Investment Promotion Board(FIPB) reviews the Swedish furniture major's request tomorrow. The FIPB, headed by Economic Affairs SecretaryArvind Mayaram, has already allowed IKEA to invest Rs 4,200 crore to undertake single brand retailing of its products. Following a representation from the Swedish firm, theDepartment of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) had recently forwarded a request to FIPB for reviewing its November 20 decision giving only part approval to IKEA's plan. "Review the request of DIPP" regarding IKEA is on the FIPB agenda, sources said. Batting for IKEA's proposal, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had recently said that government has taken a favourable view on IKEA's request. "All the stores globally whether IKEA or some other single brand retailers, where people shop for long time... There are cafeterias inside. "The government has taken...note of the representation that IKEA has made in this regard and a favourable view has been taken so that we accept their global model and the process of FIPB's formal approval is currently underway," he had said. Sources said that besides furniture, the Scandinavian firm in its original application had sought government approval to sell items such as textile products, consumer electronics, leather products, lifestyle products, and food and beverages to be served at its restaurants and cafe. The company had envisaged an investment of Rs 10,500 crore in single brand retail trading after India allowed 100 per cent FDI in the segment. IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer, operates 336 stores in 44 countries. It plans to set up 10 furnishing and homeware stores as well as allied infrastructure over 10 years in India. Subsequently, it plans to open 15 more stores. MUMBAI: Risks to India's macro-economic stability have increased on the back of an economic slowdown, high inflation, and ballooning fiscal and current account deficits, the Reserve Bank of India said in a report on Friday. A slowdown in both domestic savings and investment demand, as well as a moderation in consumption have also emerged as threats to macroeconomic stability, the central bank said in its financial stability report (FSR). "The overall macro-economic risks in the financial system seem to have increased since the publication of the previous FSR in June 2012," the RBI wrote in the report. India's economy is expected to grow 5.7-5.9 per cent for the fiscal year ending in March, the slowest since 2002/03. Growth prospects also remain below the recent trend of doubledigits, with Prime MinisterManmohan Singh this week calling the fiveyear government plan for 8 per cent expansion "ambitious." The current account deficit also remains a concern as Asia's third largest economy has seen exports fall due to weak demand in key markets like the United States and Europe, while imports of gold and oil have remained high. On the fiscal side, the government could see a shortfall in tax and non-tax revenue because of the economic slowdown, and is at risk of overshooting its expenditure targets, the RBI said. The RBI added data from banks showed a significant portion of foreign exchange exposures at companies remained unhedged, posing another risk to macro-economic stability. "This is especially disquieting given that the exchange rate volatility has been higher in India in comparison to other emerging market currencies as well as those of advanced economies," the central bank wrote in the report. The RBI also said profitability at banks may come
under pressure in coming quarters with gross non-performing assets (NPA) continuing to tread above the credit growth and on the back of rising slippages. State-run banks saw a high degree of deterioration in asset quality compared with its peers. The gross NPA for all banks rose to 3.6 per cent at the end of September versus 2.9 per cent at the end of March, the RBI said. The RBI said if the adverse macroeconomic conditions persists, the system level gross NPA could rise from 3.6 per cent at end of September to 4 per cent by end of March 2013 and 4.4 per cent by end of March 2014.
2012 saw 2-year extension to USDA pegs India's coffee output at 3.18 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 unfinished projects under NEW DELHI: India's coffee Organisation (ICO), the global JNNURM
NEW DELHI: 2012 witnessed quite a few developments on the urban development front including granting of a two-year extension to unfinished projects underJNNURM but it the closing down of the Airport Metro Express line here that grabbed headlines. For the urban development ministry, led by Kamal Nath, the Airport Metro Express came not just as an embarrassment but also a challenge. The service was closed on July 8 and a blame game between the concessionaire Delhi Airport Metro Express Private Limited and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) seemed to be brewing up when the ministry had to step. Though the ministry managed to get the faults repaired, after nearly six months of closure it appears that the high speed metro line will function only in the new year, and chances are that it will be at a reduced speed. During the year, the country's flagship infrastructure scheme the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) also completed its normal tenure of five years. However, with a vast number of infrastructure projects still to complete, the ministry decided and got a two-year extension for ongoing projects. The ministry also began work to finalise the details of the second phase of JNNURM. Several metro projects witnessed significant progress in implementation across the country including in Delhi,Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Jaipur. output is expected to rise marginally by 2 per cent to 5.3 million bags (3.18 lakh tonnes) in the current crop year on the back of highrobusta production from Karnataka, a USDA report said. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its latest report on coffee pegged the global production to hit a record for the third consecutive year at 151 million bags (60 kg each) in 2012-13 crop year (OctoberSeptember). "India's production is forecast to rise 100,000 bags to a record 5.3 million on higher robusta output. Growers in Karnataka, the largest coffee producing state, are anticipating a record robusta harvest due to increased area and yield," USDA said. According to the government-run Coffee Board of India, the output of the brew is expected to rise by about 4 per cent to 3.25 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 crop year from 3.14 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 crop year. International Coffee
body on the brew has pegged coffee production in India -- the world's sixth biggest producer -to rise by 4 per cent to 5.4 million bags (3.24 lakh tonnes) from 5.2 million bags in the period under review. The US agency on farm sector was buoyant on the global production prospects for coffee. "World coffee production for 2012-13 is forecast at a record 151 million bags, up almost 7 million from the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of rising output," USDA said. The world had produced 144 million bags in 2011-12 crop year and 141 million bags in 2010-11 crop year, it said. Brazil is pegged to account for nearly all the gain as its arabica crop enters the on-year of the biennial production cycle, while Indonesia's higher output is offset by Vietnam's lower output. Colombia is forecast down slightly from last year to its lowest level in four decades, USDA said.
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MISC
adding 74 runs for the first wicket. The Pakistani top-order got good starts but none of the batsmen could go on to score a big innings. Earlier, Gautam Gambhir (21) and Ajinkya Rahane (28) gave India a steady start with their 44-run stand for the first wicket. second T20 Unlike the first Twenty20, Pakistani opening bowlers Sohail Tanveer and Mohammed Irfan were wayward, prompting skipper Mohammed Hafeez to introduce pacer Umar Gul in the fifth over. Gambhir greeted Gul with three consecutive fours before being trapped lbw in the fifth ball. Gul removed Rahane in the next over, taking a good catch off his own bowling. Yuvraj and Kohli were going strong with their 35-run stand for the third wicket but Kohli gifted away his wicket in the 12th over while attempting a needless single. What followed next was a blitzkrieg by Yuvraj that left the Pakistanis hapless. Yuvraj and Dhoni were involved in a 97-run stand in just 7.2 overs and took India's score to a mammoth total. Yuvraj's brilliant innings was ended by Gul with Shoain Malik taking a good catch at long-off boundary.Dhoni, who hit 33 off 23 balls, became Gul's fourth victim after he was clean bowled by a yorker in the final over.
Yuvraj Singh walks off the field after scoring 72 runs during the match against Pakistan at Sardar Patel Stadium Ajinkya Rahane (28) and Virat Kohli (27) also came up with valuable knocks. Pakistan pacer Umar Gul picked up four for 37. India pacer Ashok Dinda (3/36) bowled an excellent spell in the death overs to restrict Pakistan. Dinda picked up two wickets in the penultimate over giving away just eight runs when Pakistan needed 20 to win. Pakistan got off to a good start with Nasir Jamshed (41) and Ahmed Shehzad (31)
BCCI shifts India- India aim for number one spot in Australia third Test ICC ODI championship table to Hyderabad
NEW DELHI: The BCCI on Friday shifted the third match of the upcoming IndiaAustralia Test series from Kanpur to Hyderabad, citing construction work at the original venue which was criticised for being under-prepared by a Cricket Australia inspection team. "The Tour, Programme and Fixtures Committee of the BCCI has decided to shift the third Test of the forthcoming AIRTEL Test series between India and Australia from the Green Park, Kanpur to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad. This change is as per the rotation policy of the Board," BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement. "The change was necessitated because the ongoing construction activity at the Green Park, Kanpur, would not have been completed in time for the Test," it added. The BCCI's decision came after a Cricket Australia inspection team expressed dissatisfaction with Green Park's facilities. India will take on Australia in a fourmatch Test series, and the other three matches will be played in New Delhi, Mohali and Chennai. The revised match-schedule is as follows: First Test -- Delhi (February 22 to 26) Second Test -- Mohali (March 2 to 6) Third Test -- Hyderabad (March 14 to 18) Fourth Test -- Chennai (March 22 to 26). DUBAI: India will aim to achieve the number one position in the ICC ODI championship table for the first time ever when they square off against Pakistan in a three-match series, commencing in Chennai on December 30. ICC World Cup 2011 champions, India are ranked third on the table with 20 ratings points, just a rating point behind current No. 1 England and South Africa in second place. England are fraction of a point ahead of South Africa. If India manages to win the first One-dayer against Pakistan, they will climb to the top of the table with 121 ratings points, which would put them ahead
of both England and South Africa by a fraction of a point. If India, which have only achieved a ranking as high as number two so far in the ODI championship table, win all three matches in the series, they will become the leaders at 123 ratings points, two points ahead of England and South Africa. But if India loses even one of their three games against Pakistan, they would remain at the third spot. Pakistan, currently ranked sixth, on the other hand can hope to move up a spot to fifth if they win all three matches against India, gaining six ratings points to move to 110.
Mike Hussey popularly known as "Mr. Cricket" will retire from Test cricket after the Sydney Test against Sri Lanka which starts on January 3. shocked when Huss told me of his decision; he will retire a champion," Arthur. tweeted
CHENNAI: Providing the young Indian players a chance to compete against the best, the organisers of the Chennai Open on Friday granted doubles wild card entries to Davis Cuppers Vishnu Vardhan and Sanam Singh and national champion Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan along with N Sriram Balaji. Vishnu, who proved his worth at the London Olympics and also during the Davis Cup tie against
Indian pairs granted wild card entry in Chennai Open Rafael Nadal withdraws from Australian Open due to stomach ailment
New Zealand, will pair with diminutive Sanam while Tamil Nadu duo of Balaji and Jeevan will form the other team. Their addition to the doubles draw means that now at least seven Indians will be seen in five different teams at the USD 430,000 ATP tournament to be held from December 31 to January 6. Veterans Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna will also feature in the season-opener with their respective partners. Bhupathi will be teaming up with world no.5 Canada's Daniel Nestor, while world no. 12 Bopanna will partner US-based Rajeev Ram, and world no. 3 Paes will take to the court with new partner Edouard Roger Vasselin of France. but there is nothing we can do." Nadal ,an 11-time Grand Slam title winner, also pulled out of the Qatar Open, which starts Monday and where he was due to play his first official event since losing in the Wimbledon second round in June. "It is completely understandable and we really feel disappointed for him," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said. "But without any match practice and without sufficient lead-up time on the practice court, it makes it virtually impossible for him to get his body ready. "We just hope he gets better quickly and we see him back on the tour as soon as possible." The former world number one had been due to return after a crippling knee injury which saw him miss the London Olympics, where he was defending champion, the US Open and Davis Cup final, where Spain lost to the Czech Republic. By missing the Australian Open, which starts on January 14, Nadal will face another drop in the rankings having been runner-up to Novak Djokovic in the 2012 final.
Student Age
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CHIEF-EDITOR, PUBLISHER, OWNER: Rohit Singh Rana, ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD (J&K):Pawan Rathore, DY. CHIEF EDITOR : Vikram Singh Shan, Bureau Chief Kashmir: Allayee Faizan, LEGAL ADVISOR: Advocate Ashok Parihar EDITORIAL BOARD: NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Shweta Bhat, STATE AFFAIRS: Jaswant Singh Rana, SPORTS EDITOR: Naina Jamwal, GRAPHIC DESIGNER : Baleshwer Bali, DESIGNER: Gagandeep Kour, Abhishek Kashyap CIRCULATION TEAM: Sunil Gupta, Rohit Bakshi, Nikhil Raina. PRINTED AT JK PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS, SUJWAN, JAMMU TAWI. For Contributing articles mail us at callme.ranasahib@gmail.com, editor.studentage@gmail.com. For Complaints, Querries or Advertisement Contact us: 0191-2459701, 2459702. Address: Sector-12, H.No-12 Nanak Nagar, Jammu (All disputes are subjected to the exclusive jurisdiction of Jammu District courts only.)