CAPSULE

SENIORS PREVENTED
NUPURS ARREST: IO
Ghaziabad: The CBI investigator
in Aarushi-Hemraj double
murder case wanted to arrest
Nupur Talwar on the basis of
material gathered during the
probe but was not permitted by
senior officers, a special court
here was informed on
Wednesday.
MUSH BAIL CANCELLED IN
BHUTTO MURDER CASE
Islamabad: A Pakistani court on
Wednesday cancelled Pervez
Musharrafs interim bail over the
2007 assassination of former
premier Benazir Bhutto, adding
to the legal woes of the ex-army
chief who is currently being held
at his farmhouse.
108 KILLED IN BDESH
BUILDING COLLAPSE
Dhaka: Over 108 people were
killed and 800 others injured on
Wednesday when an eight-storey
commercial building that housed
several garment factories and
thousands of workers collapsed
on the outskirts of the
Bangladeshi Capital.
SAVITAS FATHER TO
SUE IRISH HOSPITAL
London: The bereaved father of
Indian dentist Savita
Halappanavar has vowed to take
legal action against the Irish
hospital where his daughter died
after being denied abortion in
October 2012, saying he is not
satisfied with probe outcome.
SAUDI TO RETAIN CURB ON
NON-MUSLIM WORSHIP
Riyadh: Ultra-conservative Saudi
Arabia will retain its longstanding
ban on non-Muslim places of
worship, Justice Minister
Mohammed al-Issa said in
comments reported by the Saudi
media on Wednesday.
FIR AGAINST COPS FOR
ASSAULT ON PROTESTERS
ALIGARH: An FIR has been
registered against a senior
police officer for allegedly
beating up and misbehaving
with locals including women,
who were protesting against
rape and murder of a minor
Dalit girl in Nagla Kalar locality
here. Circle Officer AK Singh,
who was removed from his
post following the incident on
April 18, has been booked
under various sections of the
IPC including the SC/ST
Atrocities Prevention Act.
Police had resorted to baton
charge when a large number of
protesters, including family
members of the six-year-old
Dalit girl, who was raped and
killed in Nagla Kalar locality,
took to the streets demanding
police action in the case.
n CHANDAN MITRA
T
here was something haunt-
ing about Shamshad
Begums deep nasal voice,
which lent an enchanting touch
to the hundreds of semi-clas-
sical as well as foot tapping
melodies rendered by her
through the 1950s and 60s.
At an age when a woman
of her background and training
(born 1919 in Amritsar) would
be expected to sing ghazals or
thumris and model a career on
the lines of Begum Akhtar,
Shamshad broke ranks despite
the limitations of her voice that,
on first hearing, would not
seem apt for racy numbers that
had just come into vogue.
Many in todays generation
gyrate to remixes of Shamshads
songs without realising who the
original singer was. I refer in
particular to the evergreen
number Mere piya gaye
Rangoon, kiya hai wahan se
telifoon. It was composed by C
Ramchandra, who was
precursor to OP Nayyar in
providing hip-swinging num-
bers that lent zing to song
picturisations.
OP Nayyar himself was
quick to induct Shamshad into
his stable, using her voice for
peppy numbers in the movie
CID (Boojh mera kya naam re,
Leke pehla, pehla pyar and
Kahin pe nigahen, kahin pe nis-
hana) onwards.
In an interview (sadly, his
last) for our erstwhile sister
publication Darpan in 2005,
OP Nayyar told me with a mis-
chievous chuckle that Asha
Bhonsle was annoyed because
the flamboyant composer had
used Shamshad too often in
CID, which forced him to cut
down on engaging the Punjabi
singer later.
He also said that for Naya
Daur he got Asha to sing the
biggest hits (Udey jab, jab
zulfein teri and Maang ke saath
tumhara), relegating Shamshad
only to a duet Reshmi salwar
kurta jaali ka.
Interestingly, Shamshads
last major hit came under OPs
baton. It was, ironically, a duet
with Asha Bhonsle Kajra
mohabbatwala from Kismet
(1967), in which the erotic hit
Aao huzoor tumko was ren-
dered by Asha.
By then, in any case,
Shamshads style of rendition
was fast going out of vogue; she
had been caught between two
worlds and Lata Mangeshkars
career was at its zenith.
Shamshad had her quota of
imitators though in filmdom,
but they too came very late to
make any impact. Under
Khayyams direction, Jagjit
Singh (Kaur) sang Tum apna
ranjh-o-gham, apni pareshani
mujhe de do for Aakhri Khat.
To the uninitiated, the dis-
tinction between her and
Shamshad is not easy to make.
Similarly, Mubarak
Begums popular number
Bemuravat, bewafaa, begana-e-
dil aap hain sounds ditto
Shamshad if the radio suddenly
starts playing it, although
todays FM RJs have probably
not even heard of that number.
Predictably Naushad too
used Shamshad for several
films. She was the natural
choice for soulful numbers like
Chhod babul ka ghar (Babul)
and the peppy Miltey hi aakhen
dil hua from the same film as
well as Bachpan ke din bhula na
dena (Deedar).
In Mother India, she joined
the chorus for Dukh bhare din
beetey re bhaiya and as in
Babul, sang the only cheerful
number in the film, Gaadiwale
gaadi dheere haank re. For
Baiju Bawra, a Rafi-dominat-
ed film, Naushad chose
Shamshad for Door koyi gaaye
although the memorable but
mournful Mohe bhool gaye
saanwaria went to Lata.
For some reason, barring
OP Nayyar and Naushad, few
composers engaged Shamshad
as a solo singer often enough,
which prevented her from
making it to the top of the
league. Although she sang in
Raj Kapoors Awara (Ek, do,
teen, aaja mausamhai rangeen)
and much later for
Manoj Kumars Upkar (Aayee
jhoom ke basant jhoomo), nei-
ther Shankar-Jaikishan nor
Kalyanji-Anandji used
her frequently.
She remained largely a
chorus singer for top-notch
music directors, including the
classical oriented Madan
Mohan who never used her for
his ghazals.
In Heer Ranjha, he
included her only in a duet with
Jagjit Kaur Naache ang ve,
chhalke rang ve.
Shamshad Begummay not
have made it to the top of the
charts, but for connoisseurs of
Hindi film music she will
always be a unique singer in a
class of her own.
Her ability to mould her
classically-trained, resonant
vocal chords to melodious or
fast-paced numbers was unpar-
alleled for her time.
My personal favourite
though is a soft, romantic duet,
a rarest of the rare one with
Kishore Kumar, Meri needon
mein tum from Naya Andaz,
composed by OP Nayyar.
Shamshads enigmatic voice will haunt discerning lovers of film music
J GOPIKRISHNAN n
NEW DELHI
A
mong several bigwigs from
West Bengal, the Saradha
group Chit fund scam is also
reaching the doorstep of a very
senior Cabinet Minister of the
UPA Government at the
Centre. In his 18-page letter to
CBIs Kolkata Unit about the
involvement of the persons
who extracted huge money
from him, the Groups CMD
Sudipta Sen has alleged that he
was forced to strike a deal
worth `42 crore with the wife
of the Union Cabinet Minister
from the Congress party.
Sen has explained that the
Cabinet Ministers wife, who is
a noted advocate, had execut-
ed the deal for setting up of a
television channel in Assam.
The copy of the letter available
with The Pioneer shows that
Cabinet Ministers wife was
paid `1 crore by Sen for
preparing the agreement relat-
ed to the takeover of a chan-
nel in North-East.
The chit fund scamster
says he paid all air fares and
hotel bills of the Cabinet
Ministers wife as and when she
landed in Kolkata for the past
five years.
Onpage 10 of the letter, Sen
writes that along with a televi-
sion baroness, Manoranjana
Sinh, fromNorth-East, he went
to the Chennai office of the lady
advocate. Sen said Ms Sinh
wanted him to buy her Positive
Group and for that purpose that
meeting took place.
He said that the wife of the
Union Cabinet Minister, who
was Ms Sinhs advocate,
requested him to shell out `42
crore for setting up the TV
channel and herself prepared
the agreement.
Ms Sinh reportedly assured
Sen that if the Cabinet
Ministers family slightly stood
by him then he will wield great
clout in India. He said that the
Ministers wife, without assess-
ing his financial strength, put
pressure on himto give out `42
crore. So far I remember, I
have already paid `25 crore to
Ms Manoranjana Sinh in the
name of company GNN India
PVTLimited. He also revealed
spending nearly `3 crore on
travel expenses of Ms Sinh
and members of her family.
In his letter, Sen has
appealed that one special offi-
cer must be appointed by any
court and Manoranjana Sinh
must return this amount so that
small investors who invested
money in his company should
get return.
Sinh has also named
Manoranjana Sinhs ex-hus-
band Matang Sinh in his letter
and alleged that he took `28
crore for 50 per cent share of
NE Bangala.
Sen said in the letter that
recently through Rajesh Bajaj,
a businessman of Guwahati, he
negotiated with Matang Sinh
and cancelled the agreement of
shareholding. Sinh issued him
post dated cheques of Rs 28
crore under the cancellation
agreement, but they are lying
with Rajesh Bajaj.
Sen said that cheques
should be recovered fromBajaj
and handed over to a special
officer and the money returned
to investors of Assam.
This explosive letter was
written by Sen on April 6 to
CBIs Anti-Corruption Bureau
in Kolkata. The CBI unit had
passed the letter to Bidhan
Nagar (Salt Lake) Police
Commissioner, say sources.
The Saradha group head
also accused two TMC MPs of
forcing himto acquire a region-
al news channel for `24 crore
and alleged that the MPs did
not reveal that the company had
a liability of `6 crore.
In return, he says, the two
MPs offered to protect his
business from the State and
Central Governments.
OnPage 15 of the letter, Sen
reveals how he was forced to
pay `5 crore to the alleged
agents of another Union
Minister, when SEBI issued
notice to him. The letter reveals
that every month he paid
around `80 lakh to the agents
as protection money for keep-
ing the SEBI at bay. Sens explo-
sive letter exposed that he was
onthe radar of SEBI for the past
three years, which intriguingly
took no action against him.
On Page 13, Sen also
described his dealing with a
Chennai based group, accused
in the 2Gscam. He says he pur-
chased a shopping mall for
`16 crores and TARA Group
channels through this 2GScam
hit NRI business tycoon from
Chennai.
In the letter, Sen speaks
about payment made to 22 per-
sons including two MPs from
Bengal and Ministers from
Assam for the protection of his
chit fund business.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
NEW DELHI
J
PC member Yashwant Sinha
made a fresh appeal to Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh
asking himto appear before the
panel and clear the air over his
alleged role in the 2G
spectrum scam.
Sinhas letter to the Prime
Minister on Tuesday comes
ahead of the JPCs meeting on
Thursday to discuss panel
Chairman PC Chackos draft
report, which has triggered a
major controversy by pointing
fingers at Singhs predecessor
Atal Bihari Vajpayee while
giving a clean chit to the
incumbent Prime Minister.
Your deafening silence on
the allegations made by your
own colleague in the Cabinet
(A Raja) completely
invalidates the stand you had
taken (that you had nothing to
hide). Is it not time, Mr Prime
Minister that you speak on
these issues by appearing before
the JPC? Your silence will
confirm the worst fears of the
people of India that your were
fully involved in the 2G scam
and if Raja is guilty so are you,
Sinha wrote to Singh.
Sinha told Singh that the
statement of your own former
Minister to a Parliamentary
Committee constitutes a set of
serious allegations of your
personal involvement in
the 2G scam.
He pointed out to the
Prime Minister that Raja wrote
to Chacko on Monday sug-
gesting he had kept Singh fully
informed both in writing as
well as orally of whatever he
(Telecom Minister) was doing.
His (Rajas) officers were
regularly in touch with the
PMOofficials. He has therefore
dismissed the theory in the
draft report of the JPC that he
misled you, Sinha argued.
In a statement to the JPC,
Raja had said on Monday that
he took every major deci-
sion, including finalisation of
entry fee and non-auction of
spectrum after consulting
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and P Chidambaram.
I took no unilateral deci-
sions. Every major decision of
mine was taken after consulta-
tion, first with the DoTofficers
and thereafter with the Honble
PM, FM (Finance Minister P
Chidambaram) and EAM
(then External Affairs Minister
Pranab Mukherjee who was
heading a GoM on vacation of
spectrum), Raja had said.
The senior BJP leader had
written a similar letter to the
Prime Minister on April 1,
advising Singh to appear
before the JPC.
In his reply to
Sinha the next day, Singh
rejected his suggestion.
The former External
Affairs Minister wrote
another letter to the Prime
Minister on April 8, but the lat-
ter did not reply.
Hinting at a stormy
meeting of the committee on
Thursday , Sinha said: Under
the leadership of your
party member PC Chacko, the
JPC is facing the risk of a
complete stalemate, if not
total destruction.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/PTI n
NEW DELHI/BEIJING
A
s China on Wednesday snubbed India
by flatly rejecting its demand to revert
to status quo in Ladakh and maintained
that PLA troops did not violate the Line
of Actual Control (LAC), New Delhi
sought a third flag meeting to resolve the
nine-day-old face-off between the armies
of the two countries.
While the stalemate continued in
Ladakh, another incident of violation of the
LAC by China was reported, with two of
its helicopters flying into Indian airspace
on April 21 on a different location
in the region.
The helicopters dropped food cans,
cigarette packets and leaflets in Chinese in
Chumar, about 300 km south-east of Leh
before returning to their base across
the LAC.
The Indo-TibetanBorder Police (ITBP)
guarding this sector of LAC has reported-
ly strengthened its defences and the local
Army units have increased surveillance.
Incidentally, two Chinese Army heli-
copters had intruded into Indian airspace
on April 15 in Depsang Valley region
where the face-off between the armies of
the two countries is on.
The first two meetings between local
commanders held last Friday and this
Tuesday failed to end the impasse.
India insisted that the Chinese troops
go back to their positions across the LAC
and the Chinese officials claimed that India
was carrying out aggressive patrolling in
Depsang Valley.
Chinese officials maintained that they
had set up a tented post in their perceived
territory and objected to construction of
bunkers by India at Phuktsey, 60 km from
Leh. India denied this claim and asked
China to return to its positions across the
LAC. However, India is not in favour of
escalating tension with China and is not
likely to send more troops to the trouble
spot for the time being.
Efforts at diplomatic and military lev-
els are onto find a way out throughparleys.
At present, about 50 sol diers
of the ITBP and Ladakh Scouts have taken
position opposite nearly the
same number of Chinese troops who have
erected a tented post.
Continued on Page 5
PNS n LUCKNOW
F
acing a barrage of charges
for appeasing the Muslim
vote bank, the SP government
issued orders to withdrawcases
of terror attacks against mili-
tants of Harkat-ul-Jehade-
Islami (HuJI) Tariq Kasmi.
The ultra was accused of being
involved in serial blasts in
Gorakhpur which had left half
a dozen people injured on May
22, 2007. Kasmi was also an
accused in serial blasts in court
compounds in Lucknow,
Faizabad and Varanasi. Besides,
a case of treason against half
a dozen other alleged members
of HuJI registered in Lucknow
was also withdrawn by the SP
government.
Continued on Page 5
PNS n KOLKATA
A
day after announcing her
Governments inability to
compensate lakhs of investors
cheated by Saradha chit-fund,
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata
Banerjee on Wednesday
announced the formation of
`500-crore relief fund. To raise
a part of this fund, she declared
an additional 10 per cent tax
on tobacco.
We have no money as the
entire exchequer has been loot-
ed by the previous Left
Government. Still we have
decided to generate `500 crore
to compensate the victims,
said Mamata.
The additional 10 per cent
tax on tobacco will generate
`150 crore, Banerjee said,
adding the rest of the money
for the relief fund would be
generated from other sources.
However, she didnt mention
the other sources.
Mamata also blasted the
Left Front for politicising
the scam.
She said, Those who were
responsible for the scam are
today shouting against us. Had
the Left Front framed an
appropriate law like Tamil
Nadu, such a scam will not
have happened.
Judicial Inquiry
Commission will probe and the
affected people will have to reg-
ister their names there. After
verification, the Government
will compensate these people,
said the Bengal CM.
Meanwhile, Bengal
Opposition Leader Suryakanto
Mishra said that the arrest of
chit-fund kingpin Sudipta Sen
had a game plan in it,
wondering how the fugitive
victim could be so nave to
drive a car with Bengal
registration number.
SHAMSHAD BEGUM
1919 u u 2013
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shows the notification on the issue of
Saradha Chit Fund Case in Kolkata on Wednesday PTI
Reply to Rajas charge,
Yashwant writes to PM
Your silence will
confirm your
guilt, says Sinha
Govt drops case
against Gorakhpur
blast accused
Activists of Jammu West Assembly Movement shout
slogans during a protest against the Chinas intrusion
into Ladakh on Wednesday PTI
China refuses to budge, India at wits end
Sudipta Sen being taken to a court in Ganderbal, J&K, on Wednesday AP
SKELETON IN THE CLOSET
o Sudipta was forced to strike
a `42-crore deal with the wife
of the Union Cabinet Minister
o He paid Ministers wife `1 cr
for preparing the agreement
related to the takeover of a
channel in North-East
o Sen accused two TMC MPs
of forcing him to acquire a
regional news channel for `24
crore and alleged that the MPs
did not reveal that the company
had a liability of `6 crore
Alleges Union
Cabinet Ministers
advocate wife, 2
TMC MPs among
beneficiaries
Finally, Mamata acts
Cheat Fund bosss explosive note to CBI
Day after expressing
inability to compensate
victims, CM announces
`500-crore relief fund
v Sinha had written a similar letter
to the Prime Minister on April 1,
advising Singh to appear before
the JPC
v In his reply to Sinha the next day,
Singh rejected his suggestion
v The former External Affairs
Minister wrote another letter to the
Prime Minister on April 8, but
Manmohan did not reply
The statement of
your own former
Minister to a
Parliamentary
Committee
constitutes a set of
serious allegations
of your personal
involvement
WILL MAN HEED THIS TIME?
www.dailypioneer.com
Established 1864
Late City Vol. 149 Issue 113
*Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable
SPORT 15
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OPINION 8
INDIAS SPINELESS
RESPONSES HAVE
EMBOLDENED CHINA
RNI NO.2016/1957, REGD NO. SSP/LW/NP-34/2010-12
LUCKNOW, THURSDAY APRIL 25, 2013; PAGES 16 `3
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PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
C
hild stars, Darsheel Safary
and Saloni Daini, were the
star attractions on the sixth day
of the International Childrens
Film Fest at the CMS, Kanpur
Road, on Wednesday. The chief
guest, Viresh Kumar, Principal
Secretary, Entertainment and
Commercial Tax, UP, formal-
ly inaugurated the sixth day of
ICFF-2013 by lighting the
lamp.
It may be pointed out here
that the Films Division of City
Montessori School is organis-
ing this nine-day-long
International Childrens Film
Festival from April 19 to 27 at
the CMS ,Kanpur Road, audi-
torium for the character build-
ing and all-round develop-
ment of the students and
youths during which the best
educative childrens films of 36
countries are being screened
without any charge. This
International Childrens Film
Festival is dedicated to World
Unity and World Peace.
Thousands of students,
teachers and parents thronged
the CMS, Kanpur Road, audi-
torium to watch the educa-
tional films from 29 countries
of the world on the sixth day of
International Childrens Film
Festival. At the CMS, Kanpur
Road, campus, the students
were seen assembled at differ-
ent places in groups, discussing
films which they had watched
at the festival. While the stu-
dents of different schools of
Lucknow and its surrounding
areas enjoyed the educational
films on the sixth day of the
International Childrens Film
Festival on Wednesday, the
parents and teachers of these
schools also enjoyed them.
ddressing the large gather-
ing on the occasion, the chief
guest, Viresh Kumar, Principal
Secretary, Entertainment and
Commercial Tax, UP, said that
the rush in the auditorium
showed the popularity of this
International Childrens Film
Festival. He said that through
this mega event, CMS founder
and renowned educationist,
Dr Jagdish Gandhi, was doing
the great job of inculcating
good moral and ethical values
in children. He said that it was
necessary also in the present-
day scenario as commercial
films were corrupting their
minds. In fact Dr Gandhi is
creating a new world society,
full of moral and ethical values.
The film show began with
the childrens film, The Gold
Chain in the main auditorium.
Besides, outstanding childrens
films from India and abroad,
including Flight of Kites,
Gods Power House, Vidya,
Astha Ka Aadhar, The Rolling
Pumpkin, Aao Dosti Karein, A
Teachers lesson, Desert of the
Real, Childhood Forever,
Beta, Pachhtava, Roshni,
Meethi Neend, Guldasta,
Bade Kaam Ki Cheez, Good
and Smart, Angulimaal,
Shadow Play, Shades of Life,
Sahi Raah, Apna Shahar, The
Man with Water Fear, Yeh
Kaisa Jahaan, Ghar Kiska Hai
etc were screened in the seven
mini-theatres of CMS, Kanpur
Road, campus.
The bright and cheerful
faces of the children showed
that they really enjoyed watch-
ing the films. After watching
these films, most of them felt
that the moral education peri-
od is often taken lightly in class
but teaching morals and lifes
values through films is indeed
a novel way of imparting good
moral values and good char-
acter. The schoolchildren who
participated in the festival were
fromthe Sarvodaya Montessori
School, Cathedral Senior
Secondary School, St Dominic
Savio College, Maharana
Pratap Vidyalaya, Darshan
Academy, Chetna, Jyoti
Childrens School, Bal Kalyan
Academy, JMD Public High
School, City Convent School,
Prathmik Vidyalaya, Purva
Madhyamik Vidyalaya, SKD
Academy, St Peters Inter
College and many more.
city 02
LUCKNOW THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
Printed and Published by Vijay Prakash Singh for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., 4th Floor, Sahara Shopping Centre, Faizabad Road, Lucknow-226016 and Printed at Tin Tin Printech Pvt Ltd., C-33 Amausi Industrial Area, Nadarganj, Lucknow. Tel: (0522) 2438656 / 9336266608.
Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: Vijay Prakash Singh. RNI No. 2016/57. Lucknow Telephones: EPABX: 2346443 - 44 - 45. Fax: 2345582. Editorial: 2352640. Marketing: 2346446. Systems: 2311096. Allahabad Office: (95532) 2420818, 2421018, 3290460. Kanpur Office: (95512)
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PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW
C
all it a Microsoft miracle. Whether
you are blind, deaf or physically
incapacitated to even move your finger
Microsoft can still help you to access
technology. Microsoft India organised
a session of Removing Barriers to
Access Campaign at a city hotel in order
to familiarise the media with the dif-
ferent technologies which can help
those with physical and mental dis-
abilities and language barriers.
Director, Office and Cloud,
Microsoft, Sukhvinder Ahuja, while
talking to The Pioneer elaborated
how the Microsoft had enhanced the
features already available to increase its
accessibility reach and provide multiple
degrees of empowerment. It was Bill
Gates vision and Microsofts mission to
create technology that is accessible to
everyone regardless of age, ability or lan-
guage capabilities. Interestingly this
access will be cost-free as it will be a part
of the new Microsoft Office. Windows
Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 will
all include the ease of an access centre,
a centralised location where one can
manage and explore accessibility
options, he said.
Demonstrating the enhancement of
the new features, Sukhvinder said that
many a time when a blind person was
using a software to read something on
a website, including a government
notice, it made the matter incompre-
hensible at points where there were gaps
or where the software was unable to
comprehend what was written. But we
have created some basic checks in the
DNA of the software wherein it creates
a format which is more comprehensi-
ble, said Sukhvinder. The demonstra-
tion showed how the same notice
achieves better levels of clarity. Ahuja
said that while there were certain ven-
dors who were providing this facility
with some cost Microsoft was giving it
completely free of cost.
The Director, Microsoft Office,
also demonstrated how the accessibil-
ity options can be used to put captions
for a presentation which can be easily
read by anyone who is deaf in the audi-
ence. There are times when presenta-
tions are made in government meetings
and there are people who have hearing
disabilities. One can then use the acces-
sibility options to put in the captions,
he added. He said that if the people
had only one computer at home then
the children with different disabilities
could use a wide range of technology
products to assist them such as screen
readers, magnifiers and speciality hard-
ware.
Similarly he demonstrated as to
how those who were unable to type due
to any disability could easily use the
touch and voice command and benefit
with the help of this methodology. The
language barrier has been removed by
Microsoft with the provision of the facil-
ity to visit the website bhasha.com and
download any of the nine languages in
which one wants the configuration. For
anyone who wants to learn computers
the difficult part is that he has to learn
English first. With this language barri-
er removed one can easily access tech-
nology through any language, he
added.
Stressing on the removal of such
barriers, Ahuja said that with three per
cent reservation for the physically
handicapped persons in government
departments the necessity arose of
making them more inclusive by help-
ing them to access technology.
PNS n LUCKNOW
H
e still looks like a cute,
adorable child that he
was in his debut film, Taare
Zameen Par, but obviously he
has grown up. Child artistes
may come and go in
Bollywood but no can ever for-
get Darsheel Safary. The child
actor was in the city on
Wednesday at the inaugural of
the sixth day of the Childrens
Film Fest and in a chat with
The Pioneer said he enjoyed
the film fest greatly.
I have been coming to the
Childrens Film Fest at the
City Montessori School for
quite some time. I have a con-
nect with the people of
Lucknow and I find this festi-
val enjoyable, said Darsheel.
On being asked if festivals like
these make a difference when
children of today had access to
all kinds of entertainment,
Darsheel said, not all students
have access to such facilities
and for them this kind of
childrens film fest is great fun
because some real good films
are showcased here, he said.
Talking about his future
projects, the actor said that
there were several projects in
the pipeline which he would
not like to discuss at the pre-
sent moment. Whenever I
take up a project it is a joint
decision by the family. Right
nowmy Board exams have just
concluded and I want to chill
out and have some fun. I will
take up some project only if it
is really good at this point of
time, he said.
Regarding his immense
popularity even with several
years having elapsed after
Taare Zameen Par first hit the
screen, the actor said that var-
ious factors had helped him.
Firstly I have worked very
hard and with the help of
Aamir uncle made some very
good choices. I have to thank
God also for the immense
support which I receive from
my teachers , my fellow stu-
dents and my principal, he
said. The young lad admitted
that his friends still treated him
as a celebrity.
They are mischievous.
Sometimes they treat me as a
celebrity which is so irritating
and on other occasions they
also help me. It is a part of the
game and I do not take them
seriously, he added,
The actor said that he had
set his eyes on acting as a pro-
fession. Right now I am
focused with acting as an
option and am positive about
it. If it does not work I might
take up choreography as an
option. I did participate in a
reality dance show because I
really love dancing. I got a lot
of support from the organis-
ers, said Darsheel.
Commenting on the teeth
job which he had carried out
a while ago, the actor admits
that many people told himthat
he looked cuter with his teeth
jutting out. But my father
pointed out that it would not
look nice when I grew up. But
I am happy with my look, he
added.
Darsheel who had frankly
talked about his girlfriend two
years back to this correspon-
dent was not happy to talk
about his personal life this
time.
More than willing to talk
about Lucknow the actor said
that he loved the people of the
city. I love the people and I
love the food. No non-vege-
tarian stuff for me as I am a
complete vegetarian. But I
gorged on some great Punjabi
food at a city hotel. I also
indulged in some shopping for
my friends and my parents, he
added.
Saloni Daini, who is pop-
ular as Gangubai, said that this
festival was unique and was
specially important to chil-
dren. She said that the CMS
which was organising such a
mega event was an amazing
school.
PNS n LUCKNOW
T
his jewellery when worn
gives you a feeling of divin-
ity, say its makers. Jewellery
from the House of Art Karat is
inspired from the jewellery of
the statues in the famous tem-
ples of the country. It is chunky
with exquisite designs and is
made with a combo of gold, sil-
ver, rubies and rudraksh. The
exhibition opened in the city on
Wednesday. Exhibits also
included jewellery.
The media manager of Art
Karat ,Vikas Gupta, while talk-
ing to The Pioneer said that
fromtime immemorial Indians
had great reverence for the holy
shrines and mythological des-
tinations. Inspired by the tra-
ditional work of arts, Art Karat
has launched its latest collec-
tion in the name of Temple
Collection. This collection is
inspired by the motifs on the
divine sculptures at the temples
of Khajuraho, Konark, Tirupati
and Tanjore where idols were
adorned with chunky necklaces
strung in rudraksh and tulsi or
PNS n LUCKNOW
W
hitener/thinner has
become the latest tool of
addiction and the number of
affected girls was compara-
tively higher than boys, say
experts.
According to the noted
psychiatrist, Dr Malayakant
Singh, the number of adoles-
cents affected in 2012 was 10
times more than it was in
2011. He said that addiction of
any kindwas bad and added
that it was a social problem
which was catching up fast with
the younger generation. Even
the adolescents were not
untouched and were caught in
its grip. The latest threat was
whitener. So its high time for
the parents of all schoolgoing
children, especially of class V
onwards, to be alive to the lurk-
ing danger in the satchels of
their wards.
He said that as per the lat-
est trends more and more chil-
dren were getting into the
habit of sniffing the ink
remover, whitener or its thin-
ner to get a high. The rate of
such cases of inhaling addiction
was alarmingly high, he said,
and the children of the affluent
class as well as the slum
dwellers were affected equally.
What was more the rate of
addiction in girls was shock-
ingly higher than the boys, he
said.
Whitener and its thinner is
a fluid containing some organ-
ic solvents. It is used by the
schoolgoing children to erase
the errors in the written or
printed texts. Even ink
remover, nail polish and shoe
polish are also in vogue among
the teenagers to get a high.
Usually, the addict pours the
whitener or its thinner on a
handkerchief to inhale its
strong fumes which keep the
victim on a high for 4 to 10
hours altogether. A 15 ml bot-
tle of whitener along with its
thinner in the same quantity
costs around Rs 25 to 30 and is
available at all the stationery
shops.
The trend of addiction of
one kind or the other has
reached alarming proportions.
The number of affected
teenagers has grown by ten
times in 2012 as compared to
the year 2011. He said that the
parents come to them with
their addict child for treatment.
The number of affected girls is
comparatively more than the
boys. Ironically, most of these
addicts come from well-off
families and study in renowned
schools, said Dr Singh.
Moreover, the prevalence
of this sniffing addiction can be
attributed to its easy availabil-
ity at the stationery shops
unlike other contrabands like
marijuana, cannabis and cha-
ras which figure among the
banned substances under the
Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act
(NDPS), 1985. The cultiva-
tion, possession, sale or use of
the aforementioned banned
substances is a criminal
offence. But with whitener and
thinner the addict is hardly
bothered about any such law.
Advising the parents to be
extra cautious, Dr Singh said if
you see an unusual or dramat-
ic change in the behaviour of
your child, like aggressive and
irritated conduct, frequent
mood swings, likeness for soli-
tude or rashness due to which
he or she damages or breaks the
things in his or her surround-
ings they should treat it as a
wake-up call.
The symptoms are enough
to make one alert and cautious
of the fact that all is not well
with his or her child. Moreover,
watch out for smell of thinner
or shoe polish in your childs
room at odd hours.
However, the experts opine
that the remedy for this sniff-
ing addiction is possible if
detected in time. The psychi-
atric medication of 10-15 days
followed by counselling helps
a great deal in ridding the vic-
tim of this menace.A positive
change in the victims behav-
iour after the therapeutic
course becomes evident in 4 to
5 weeks.
Dr Malayakant said, on
coming to know about your
childs addiction, treat him
with utmost care, patience and
love. Avoid being rude to the
victim and try to be sympa-
thetic to his or her problems
and feelings. Dont strike a
discordant note with the victim
as he or she might conceal facts.
The addict can even stoop to
any level to satiate his or her
craving on being stopped with
strictness or antagonised by the
parents.
Darsheel, Saloni cynosure of all eyes at ICFF
Darsheel finds Childrens
Film Festival enjoyable
Thinner becomes latest tool of addiction!
crafted with intricate filigree.
The designers behind Art
Karat, Asha and Saket Modi,
travelled to the far away corners
of India to pick elements,
motifs and stones to be used in
the Temple Collection, said
Vikas Gupta.
The collection consists of
embossed gold jewellery blend-
ed with pearls and kundan in
an impeccable style. The
designer, Asha, also commis-
sioned various artistes to cre-
ate paintings that were later
integrated with precious stones
set as temples on the neckline.
The Temple Collection not
only helps us preserve a form
of art which is fast disappear-
ing but also provides work to
artistes. It also gives a chance
to the customers to wear the
jewellery at affordable rates
which would otherwise be
extremely expensive, said
Gupta. Precious stones such as
rubies and emeralds are carved
into gorgeous deities adorned
with pearls, kundan or filigree.
Vikas Gupta said that tra-
ditionally temple jewellery was
associated with dancers also
known as Devadasis but as time
passed temple jewellery tran-
scended into bridal wear.
Asha Kamal Modi, design-
er behind Art Karat, known for
revolutionising the Indian
womans definition of orna-
mentation, has given temple
jewellery a beautiful twist with
a play of vibrant colours mixed
with magnificent designs and
ingenious stringing. The jew-
ellery is ingeniously hand-
crafted by master craftsmen,
made on silver, plated with 22k
gold and studded with authen-
tic gems and precious stones
such as rubies, sapphires, corals
and pearls strung with a great
mix of rudraksh and tulsi, said
Vikas Gupta. Many celebri-
ties, film stars, politicians and
artistes, including Rekha,
Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai,
Tina Ambani, Cherry Blaire
and Alicia Keys, have adorned
Ashas designs, he said.
Jewellery exhibition opens in Lucknow Microsoft makes accessibility to tech easier for disabled
Sukhvinder Ahuja during a press conference in Lucknow on Wednesday Pioneer
It was Bill Gates
vision and Microsofts
mission to create
technology that is
accessible to
everyone regardless of
age, ability or
language capabilities.
Interestingly this
access will be cost-
free as it will be a part
of the new Microsoft
Office. Windows Vista,
Windows 7 and
Windows 8 will all
include the ease of an
access centre, a
centralised location
where one can
manage and explore
accessibility options
Child actress Saloni Daini with CMS students at childrens film fest
EDUCATION
NOTICE
Prema Devi is my wife by mis-
take her name is my service
book is written as Prem
Kumari. My wifes currecte
name Prema Devi. Lance
Hawal dar 15763529N.,
Haribans Yadav S/o Subedar
Yadav, Vill. Akhaipur, P.O. Pihar
Azamgarh.
city 03
LUCKNOW THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
Agitation for
construction
of bridge
turns violent
PNS n LUCKNOW
T
he agitation for construc-
tion of a bridge on Saryu
river under Belghat develop-
ment block took a turn for the
worse when two of the protes-
tors took jal samadhi (water
burial) on Wednesday. Reports
said that during the agitation,
two protestors, Yashwant Singh
and Prajapati Bikhari, took jal
samadhi.
However, they were res-
cued by the divers. Irked over
the incident, a mob attacked
senior police and administra-
tive officials who were present
at the site. To control the sit-
uation, police resorted to mild
lathi-charge. Police force has
been deployed on the site to
maintain peace. Gorakhpur
District Magistrate Ravi Kumar
said the locals attacked the
Additional District Magistrate,
the Superintendent of Police
(Dehat), the Sub-Divisional
Magistrate and the tehsildar
while they went on a boat to
have a word with the protestors.
The two came out with the help
of the divers, he said. On
Tuesday, Revenue Minister
Ambika Chaudhary had said
that the government had
already announced the con-
struction of the bridge.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
T
he Samajwadi Party on
Wednesday threatened to
launch agitation against the
Congress-led UPAgovernment
for its failure to provide relief
to the common man. The party
also criticised the Congress
for failing to check incursion
along the Sino-Indian border.
The UPA has failed on all
fronts. Prices of essentials have
sky-rocketed while ministers
are busy minting money. The
SP can not remain a mute
spectator and will organise a
stir against the UPA govern-
ment very soon, said SP
spokesman Rajendra
Chaudhary in Lucknow on
Wednesday. He, however, did
not specify the date of the agi-
tation.
When asked as to why the
SP was supporting the UPA
government if it was against its
policies, Chaudhary said: We
are opposing the Centre on
anti-people policies and would
continue to do so in future.
The spokesman also said
that the Union government
had failed in its foreign policies
which resulted in India losing
out on friendly neighours.
Mulayam Singh Yadav
repeatedly warned about
Chinese intrusion but the
Centre took no notice of his
warnings. Now the situation
has gone out of control. China
has encroached upon our land
but the UPAgovernment is still
not taking the issue seriously,
he said.
Chaudhary, however, did
not comment on the strategy of
the SP during the JPC meeting
or why Mulayam Singh Yadav
refused to meet Sonia Gandhi
or Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh in New Delhi.
In another function, SP
national chief Mulayam Singh
Yadav paid tributes to former
MP, Brijbhushan Tiwari, who
died last year of heart attack in
New Delhi. The SP is a party
of principles and there is no
place for corruption in the
outfit. We work in a transpar-
ent manner and work for
the uplift of the poor and
the downtrodden, said
Yadav.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
T
he PGI police on
Wednesday arrested a
youth for attempting to rape a
minor girl. The accused arrest-
ed was identified as Sube
Chandra, a resident of Babu
Khera village under PGI police
station.
As per the reports,
Dharmendra Yadav, a resident
of Kalli Bazar, had lodged a
report with the PGI police
that on late Tuesday night, his
eight-year-old daughter was
returning from his neighbours
house. She had gone there to
attend a music night. When she
reached near her house, one of
her distant relative Sube
Chandra lured her by giving
toffees and took her near the
bank of a canal passing near the
village. There he tried to rape
the minor girl. Sube ran away
when the girl opposed and
cried. The girl reached her
house and informed her fam-
ily members about the incident.
Her family members then
lodged an FIR against the mis-
creant. Acting on the informa-
tion, the police on Wednesday
arrested Sube Chandra for try-
ing to rape a minor girl. The
arrest was made early
Wednesday morning.
The family members
alleged that the girl was raped
but the police arrested the
youth for only rape attempt.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
W
hile the BJP openly crit-
icised the Akhilesh Yadav
government for withdrawing
cases of terror acts against the
accused, the Congress pre-
ferred to go soft on the issue
conveniently pushing the ball
into the court of law.
Interestingly, the decision was
taken hours before Akhilesh
Yadav left for USA.
Such a move will only pro-
mote anti-national activities
in UP as the SP government is
holding the country to ransom
for its votebank politics,
alleged BJP spokesman Vijay
Bahadur Pathak in Lucknowon
Wednesday evening.
Reacting sharply to the
government move, Pathak said
that the decision should be crit-
icised in general as the court
was holding a trial against
themand so what was the need
to withdraw the cases.
Let the court decide on
whether the youths were inno-
cent, he said alleging that it
was a clear cut example of
interference in judicial matters.
He added that the government
had no power to give a clean
chit to any ultra, particularly
when the matter was sub-
judice.
Pathak further alleged that
the SP was just indulging in
votebank politics by appeasing
Muslims and was least con-
cerned about the integrity and
safety of India.
Contrary to BJPs outburst,
Congress spokesman
Amarnath Agarwal preferred
to go soft on the issue. Treading
cautiously on the issue,
Agarwal said that the matter
would go to the court where it
would decide whether they
were innocent or not. The
decision of the UP government
was late and it was an effort to
appease Muslims, he further
alleged.
Interestingly, a fewmonths
back in Lucknow, Union min-
ister of State for Home RPN
Singh had pointed out that any
step of UP government to
withdrawterror cases would be
opposed strongly as it was for
the court to decide such mat-
ters.
Meanwhile, SP spokesper-
son Rajendra Choudhary
hailed the state governments
decision saying that the party
had stuck to its pre-poll
promise.
Reacting to charges of
Opposition parties, Choudhury
said that the SP government
was sensitive towards all com-
munities and there was noth-
ing like appeasement of
Muslims.
The decision comes two
days after Imamof Jama Masjid
Maulana Ahmed Bukhari
charged the SP government
with betraying Muslims by
making false promises for poll
gains.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
l No one can stop crime in
UP not even God, says Dairy
Development Minister Ram
Murti Verma
l Cops would be stripped of
their uniforms if they do not lis-
ten to SP workers a daroga
cannot sit until I ask him to do
so, says Textile and Sericulture
Minister Shiv Kumar Beria
l There is a defect in your
mind not in lawand order, says
TourismMinister OmPrakash
Singh
T
hese are the outburst of
loose cannon ministers
of Akhilesh Yadav when
confronted by reporters on
crippling issues like crime spi-
ral, importance to Samajwadi
Party workers, poor law and
order in UP.
Even as the SP government
is battling to refurbish its image
with the Opposition virtually at
its throat on law and order, the
party has been put to shame by
statements of SP ministers who
openly incited party workers to
take law in their hands if the
police and lower rung officials
did not listen to them.
No daroga or SDM can sit
without my permission. We are
the ruling party. I will strip the
cops of their uniformif they do
not listen to party workers,
roared Textile and Sericulture
Development Minister Shiv
Kumar Beria on Tuesday.
He is not isolated and has
very able company in other
cabinet colleagues like Dairy
Development Minister Ram
Murti Verma, Tourism
Minister Om Prakash Singh,
Minister of State for Health and
Family Development Shankh
Lal Majhi. All these hon-
ourable ministers were seen
exhorting party workers to
beat up officials if they did not
listen to them.
Kothri mein band karke
officers ko maaro yadi woh aap
ki nahi sunte hain (Confine
them in a room and beat the
officials if they do not listen to
you), forcefully advised
Shankh Lal Majhi to party
workers.
In a knee-jerk reaction,
the SP has ordered a probe in
an attempt to manage the
image battering. We have
asked for video clippings of the
functions at different districts.
If anything objectionable thing
is found then action will be
taken against the ministers, SP
spokesman Rajendra
Chaudhary said in Lucknowon
Wednesday.
The ministers were
addressing party workers in
course of state-wide contact
programme launched by the
party to apprise people of good
work by the Akhilesh Yadav
government. The campaign is
seen as an attempt to sensitise
workers before Lok Sabha polls.
In the heat of the moment,
the ministers went overboard
and advised the workers to
become law unto themselves if
officials did not listen to them.
Chaudhary, who is also
Jail, Food and Civil Supplies
minister, said that the party
leadership would speak to these
ministers about their state-
ments.
Meanwhile, social activist
Dr Nutan Thakur submitted a
memorandumto Governor BL
Joshi about comments made by
Shiv Kumar Beria.
Thakur said that Berias
outburst on stripping cops of
their uniform was not only
objectionable but also criminal
in nature. She demanded that
an inquiry be ordered and
Beria be sacked as a minister if
the facts were true. A copy of
this was also sent to Chief
Minister Akhilesh Yadav and
SPchief MulayamSingh Yadav.
Reacting sharply to SP
ministers ridiculous remarks
targeting officials, the
Opposition parties on
Wednesday asked Chief
Minister Akhilesh Yadav to
tighten the leash on his
loose cannon ministers or
be ready to face the conse-
quences.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD)
state chief Munna Singh
Chauhan while alleging that the
ruling party ministers were
murderers of democracy, said
that their off the cuff remarks
would lead to anarchy in
UP.
The threats to officials by
minister will soon lead to SP
workers forcing the govern-
ment officials into assisting
them in their wrongdoings
and they will try taking law in
their hands, he said.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
T
he STF sleuths arrested
Alimudeen aka Baba aka
Mohamed Shafi a
close crony of jailed
don Om Prakash
Srivastava from
Fatehpur on Wednesday.
Shafi was wanted by the
CBI in connection with the
murder of Customs Collector
LD Arora and carried a cash
reward of `1 lakh for his arrest.
The STF lodged Shafi at the
Fatehpur jail and informed the
CBI about his arrest.
IG (Law and Order) RK
Vishwakarma told media per-
sons on Wednesday that the
STF was requested by the CBI
to help them trace listed crim-
inal Shafi who was wanted in
Aroras murder.
Shafi, who has been evad-
ing arrest by his frequent for-
ays into Nepal was traced to
Fatehpur by the STF team
through electronic surveillance.
A team of sleuths raided the
house of Shamu at Ahmedganj
Maswani in Kotwali area and
arrested Shafi. He had been liv-
ing there for four years as a ten-
ant. During quizzing, Shafi
said that soon after Aroras
killing in Allahabad in 1993, he
along with Babloo Srivastava,
and Manjeet Singh alias Mange
slipped into Nepal and stayed
in Kathmandu, Krishnanagar,
Pokhara and other areas of the
Himalayan kingdom.
During that time, they
came in contact with Mirza
Dilshad Beg, Mahendra and
Rehman all kingpin-turned-
politicians of Nepal.
Intermittently, he kept on vis-
iting Fatehpur to meet a kin.
Four years back, he shifted in
a rented house and started liv-
ing there. Customs Collector
LD Arora was posted in
Mumbai when he had a tiff
with ganglord Dawood
Ibrahim after he seized illegal
consignments smuggled from
abroad before being shifted to
Allahabad. Dawood conspired
to settle scores with Arora
with his then cohort Babloo
Srivastava. On March 23, 1993,
Babloo backed by Mange
Sardar, Alimudeen aka Shafi,
Kamal Saini, Nitin Shah aka
Raju Malik and Mohamed
Umar aka Mohamed Sharief
shot Arora outside his Circular
Road residence in Allahabad.
A report was lodged with
Cant police station and the case
was later transferred to the CBI
for probe. Both Babloo and
Mange were arrested in the
matter and awarded life terms
while Shafi was wanted in the
matter.
SPs loose cannons put
govt on the backfoot
STF nabs accused in
officers murder
CUSTOMS COLLECTOR LD ARORA WAS
POSTED IN MUMBAI WHEN HE
HAD A TIFF WITH GANGLORD
DAWOOD IBRAHIM. LATER, HE
WAS SHIFTED TO ALLAHABAD.
DAWOOD CONSPIRED TO SETTLE
SCORES WITH ARORA WITH HIS THEN
COHORT BABLOO SRIVASTAVA
BJP slams govt for withdrawing
case against terror accused
Girls cover their faces to beat the summer heat in the state capital on Wednesday Pioneer
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
T
he Akhilesh Yadav has
agreed on giving financial
assistance to the UP Power
Corporation Limited (UPPCL)
that will be utilised to purchase
additional power from private
companies.
According to sources in the
state administration, the gov-
ernment would release `500
crore soon to UPPCL and `450
crore would be given as loan
from Mandi Parishad and New
Okhla Industrial Development
Authority (Noida).
The UPPCL management
had been requesting the gov-
ernment for grants as private
thermal units and power trad-
ing companies were refusing
power due to huge outstanding
during the previous govern-
ment.
The BSP government,
ahead of the previous Assembly
elections, had purchased power
fromprivate trading companies
at the cost of about `25,000
crore, much of which is yet to
be paid by the UPPCL.
Initially, the government
had not been accepting the pro-
posals for financial assistance
and was pressing the UPPCL to
earn through revenue realisa-
tion and minimising line loss-
es. However, the exercise bore
no fruits.
Anticipating that the con-
sumers might get agitated due
to prolonged unscheduled
power cuts this summer and it
might hamper the Samajwadi
Partys prospects in the Lok
Sabha elections, the decision to
purchase costly power was
taken, the sources said.
About half the amount
(`500 crore) will go to Reliance
Energy which had closed its
two thermal units of 250 mega
watt at Rosa in Shahjahanpur
due to pending outstanding
amount.
The rest of the funds will
be utilised in purchasing power
from national energy exchange
and private power trading com-
panies.
With availability of 500
Mw from Reliance Energy, we
are expecting significant
improvement in power supply
in the state by the beginning of
next month, sources at the
power corporation said.
Govt to provide financial help to UPPCL
For purchase of additional
power from pvt companies
Youth held for
rape attempt
SP threatens agitation against
UPA govts policies
Mulayam Singh Yadav repeatedly
warned about Chinese intrusion but the
Centre took no notice of his warnings.
Now the situation has gone out of
control. China has encroached upon our
land but the UPA government is still not
taking the issue seriously
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
LUCKNOW
T
he CBI on Wednesday
arrested seven more
accused, including an aide of
former UP minister Raghuraj
Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya
for the murder of Deputy SP
Zia-ul Haq in a Pratapgarh
village.
The CBI has arrested 11
persons so far for the cops
murder. Earlier, the CBI had
arrested four kin of slain prad-
han of Balipur Nanhe Yadav.
While quizzing Nanhe
Yadavs brother Phool Chand,
Pawan, his son Yogendra aka
Babloo and guard Manjeet
during the five-day remand,
the sleuths extracted the
names of other villagers who
j oi ned Yadavs ki n and
lynched Haq to avenge the
killing of the pradhan and his
brother.
After the expiry of their
remand, the four accused were
returned to the District Jail at
Pratapgarh on Monday. Soon
after, the CBI raided several
places and arrested seven
more people involved in Haqs
murder on Wednesday.
They were identified as
Ghanshyam Saroj , Ram
Lakhan Gautam, Ramasrey
al i as Pandey Saroj and
Shivram Pasi all cronies of
slain pradhan Nanhe Yadav
and two nei ghbours
Chhote Lal and Munna
Patel.
The CBI also netted a
private security guard Bhullar
Pal for aiding Nanhes kin to
kill Haq.
Bhullar was a confidant
of Raja Bhaiya and oversees
the controversial Beti pond in
Kunda, said a CBI officer. The
seven accused will be pro-
duced before a CBI court in
Lucknow on Thursday.
EC steps to keep
an eye on poll
expenses
Lucknow (PNS): In order to
monitor poll expenses effectively,
the Election Commission will rope
in three to four flying squads in
each constituency. Chief Election
Officer Umesh Sinha said that the
flying squads would keep
announcing in their area of
jurisdiction through public address
system that any person giving or
taking bribe during election would
be booked under Section 171 (B)
of the IPC amounting to one year
of jail and fine. In each
constituency, the commission will
deputy three or more static
surveillance teams to monitor the
movement of suspected persons
and anti-social elements, he said.
CBI arrests
seven in DySP
murder case
Slain DySP Zia-ul-Haq
city 04
LUCKNOW THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
Lucknow (PNS): Voice of
People. a civil society organisa-
tion, has welcomed the govern-
ments approval of the nation-
al policy for childrenonApril 18.
The policy was approved to
reaffirm the commitment of
the government towards the
realisationof the childs rights in
the country and it had recog-
nisedthat every personbelow18
years in age as a child. The
organisation had, however,
demanded a uniformage for all
child laws inanexecutive meet-
ing organised on Wednesday.
State-level coordinator of
Voice of People Madhukar
Verma, while talking to The
Pioneer, said that their organi-
sationhadbeing raising voice on
different platforms to deter-
mine the age of a child because
as per different prevailing laws,
namely, Child Labour Act (14
years), Juveniles Justice Act (18
years), Right to Education Act
(14 years), Immoral Traffic
Prevention Act (16 years), the
age of the child varied.
Through this policy, the
age of a child has been deter-
mined as 18 years. In the exec-
utive meeting of VOP at
Lucknow on Wednesday, we
also demand the same and uni-
form age for all laws, he said.
The draft policy was preparedby
the Ministry of Women and
Child Development in 2012.
The key guiding principles of the
policy were the right of every
child to live, survival, develop-
ment, education, protectionand
participation for all children
without discrimination.
The policy lays down the
guiding principles that must be
respectedby the Centre andstate
governments intheir actions and
initiatives affecting children.
The union government has
decided to develop a national
plan of action and constitute a
National Coordinator and
Action Group (NCAG) for
monitoring of the progress of
implementation. Similar plans
and action groups will be con-
stitutedat state anddistrict-level.
The National Commission for
Protection of Child Rights
(NCPCR) and State
Commissions for Protection of
Child Rights (SCPCR) are to
ensure that the principles of pol-
icy are respected inall sectors at
all levels.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW
T
he BEd entrance exami-
nation was held at 689
centres across the state in
which five per cent of the
total registered candidates
remained absent on
Wednesday.
As many as 340850 candi-
dates participated in the BEd
entrance examination out of
378012 candidates that were
registered. A total number of
37162 remained absent.
State coordinator Surendra
Dubey stated that the exami-
nation was held amidst prop-
er security arrangement. To
keep a tab on Munnabhais and
impersonators, the photocopy
shops in the vicinity of centres
remained closed. He added
that the examinations was held
in 26 districts, including
Bareilly, Moradabad, Agra,
Aligarh, Jhansi, Saharanpur,
Unnao, Jaunpur, Ghaziabad,
Meerut, and Allahabad.
The examination was held
in two shifts from 8 to 11 am
and 1 pm to 4 pm. In the first
shift, as many as 18508 candi-
dates were absent while in the
second shift 18654 student
did not appear in the entrance
examination. There were no
reports of Munnabhais or
impersonators from any of the
centres from across the state.
Meanwhile, district coor-
dinator of the examination A
Chatterjee pointed out that
the entrance examination was
held at 40 centres. He added
that as many as 20074 students
were registered for the exam-
ination out of which 1200 did
not appear.
Section 144 CrPC was
imposed within 200 yards of
the examination centre. Two
observers were deputed for
every 500 candidates. Besides,
one incharge was deputed for
every two centres. The district
administration had deputed
ADM (West) Hari Pratap
Shahi for monitoring the
examination and the Lucknow
University had also deputed
two senior teachers as super-
visors.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW
F
ollowing the incident of
impersonation during the
UPSEE-2013 on Sunday, two
engineering students were
expelled while a five-member
committee headed by
Uttarakhand Technical
University Vice-Chancellor DS
Chauhanwas constituted to ini-
tiate a probe into the incident.
The decisions were
taken at a meeting
presided over by GBTU
Vice-Chancellor RK
Khandal on Wednesday. It
was also decided that the two
students of Institute of
Engineering and Technology
(IET) Kushal Babu and
Prakash who were allegedly
involved in the incident would
be expelled.
The responsibil-
ity to catch the three
absconding students
involved in the inci-
dence has was
givento the proc-
torial board.
Scanning of
the study-
related mate-
rial that the
h o s t e l l e r s
possess will be
scanned fromtime to time. This
was decided to keep a tab on
impersonators and solvers.
Lucknow(PNS): A two-day workshop on Kangaroo Mother
Care (KMC) will be organised by the department of Pediatrics
and Neonatology, Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of
Medical Sciences (VPIMS), on April 25 and 26.
VPIMS secretary Swami Muktinathananda said as a kanga-
roo brought up its baby within its pouch, premature and lowbirth
weight babies could also be looked after in a similar manner. KMC
is a low-cost intervention which helps in breastfeeding, baby-
mother bonding, temperature and infection control. It helps in
psychological and physical improvement in babies and also in
bringing down neonatal and infant mortality rates.
The workshop will be conducted by senior faculty Dr Shahi
Vani fromAhmedabad. Dr Suman Rao Ghildiyal and Dr Sushma
Malik from Mumbai will comprehensively cover all aspects of
KMC. Pediatricians, senior nursing faculties and staff of vari-
ous institutes have been enrolled for this workshop.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW
H
onda Cars India Limited
on Wednesday launched
its much-awaited family sedan,
Amaze, for the UP market. The
Amaze marks Hondas entry
into the diesel segment in the
Indian car market. India is the
first country to see the launch
of the Amaze with the latest i-
DTEC diesel engine technolo-
gy. The petrol model will be
equipped with the acclaimed i-
VTEC petrol engine.
Jnaneswar Sen, senior vice-
president, marketing and sales,
Honda Cars India, said: The
Amaze is an example of
Hondas excellent technology,
fuel efficiency, performance
and design and will redefine
the concept of family cars in
India. With its launch, we are
expanding and reaching out to
new customer segments.
The Amaze has 1.5-litre 4-
cylinder DOHCi-DTECdiesel
engine and Sen said it was the
most fuel efficient car with a
certified mileage of 25.8 km/l,
as per test data.
BUS SERVICE
Luknow region started a
new bus service for Nainital
Kathgodam from Kaiserbagh
bus stand on Wednesday.
Regional manager, Lucknow,
said that the bus would depart
at 9:30 pm and reach Nainital
at 6:30 am in the morning. He
said that there was a lot of
demand for that route owing to
heavy rush in trains. UPSRTC
is hopeful of getting a good
response to the service.
PROTEST
The All-India Democratic
Womens Association organised
a signature campaign against
violence against women, at
Hazratganj on Wednesday.
JOINED
As per a notification issued
by the Government of India,
Archana Bhargava joined
United Bank of India as chair-
person and managing director
on Tuesday. Bhargava is a post-
graduate gold medalist from
Miranda House, University of
Delhi. She has also worked
abroad in UK and travelled to
several other places. Bhargava
has also received several awards
for outstanding performance
fromvarious government agen-
cies or accredited agencies.
BLOOD DONATION CAMP
Under the auspicious of
Baba Hardev Singh Maharaj, a
blooddonationprogramme was
held by Nirankari Mission at
Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhavan,
Sringarnagar, on Wednesday.
FOUNDERS DAY
The 149th Founders Day
celebrations of Allahabad Bank
were held at different branch-
es on Wednesday. On the occa-
sion, free health camps were
organised by the bank at its var-
ious branches across the city.
HEALTH CAMP
A health care camp was
held at Dr OP Chaudhary
Hospital and Research Centre
on Wednesday. The camp was
formally inauguratedby Anurag
Singh. Secretary of Sardar Patel
Shikshan Samiti Snehlata
Chaudhary also expressed her
views. As many as 250 visitors
were given consultation and
medical care free of cost.
EXPEDITION
Mahar Regiment, one of
the most decorated and
respected regiments of the
Indian Army and 4 RAPID(S),
in a joint endeavor, will be
launching a mountaineering
expedition to Mount Trishul,
which is at 7120 meters (23360
feet) nestled in Garhwal
Himalayas. Trishul, a group of
three Himalayan mountain
peaks, is located in Bageshwar
district of Uttarakhand resem-
bling the trident of Lord
Shiva. The expedition aims at
inculcating a spirit of adven-
ture and daring amongst its
soldiers, thereby developing
leadership values, initiative
and camaraderie. The expedi-
tion will be flagged off from
Lucknow by Maj Gen Surinder
Singh, General Officer
Commanding 4 RAPID
(Strike), on April 26. The team
will consist of 16 climbing
members and eight support
staff members.
DRIVE
The Lucknow Municipal
Corporation carried out an
anti-encroachment drive in
zone-6 (Koneshwar temple
crossing to doodh mandi).
During the drive, the officials
removed as many as 15 per-
manent and temporary
encroachments and confiscat-
ed a truckload of material.
Similarly, in Nakkhas,
encroachment by local traders
was removed.
POSTPONED
Due to unavoidable cir-
cumstances, the 38th Pension
Adalat, which was earlier
scheduled to be held on April
26, has been postponed. The
information was given by addi-
tion commissioner, adminis-
tration, OP Pathak.
EXTENDED
District Magistrate Anurag
Yadav has extended the date of
distribution of ration cards
and the last date of submitting
the forms is May 10.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n LUCKNOW
A
couple consumed poison at
their residence in
Gosainganj area on Wednesday.
While the woman succumbed,
her husband is battling for life
at Civil hospital.
The deceased was identi-
fied as Mithilesh Kumari (32)
and her husband as Ramharak
(33). Ramharak, a farmer, is a
resident of Ghuskar village
under Gosainganj police sta-
tion. According to family mem-
bers, on Wednesday morning,
Ramharak had a verbal duel
with his wife. Disappointed
over the each others behaviour,
Ramharak and his wife con-
sumed poison.
While Mithilesh Kumari
died soon after, Ramharak was
rushed to Civil hospital where
his condition was stated to be
serious. Police were informed
about the incident and a team
of cops reached the spot. The
police said the verbal duel
might have been the reason for
the couple taking the extreme
step.
Meanwhile, the Kakori
police on Wednesday arrested
two accused named in differ-
ent rape cases. They were iden-
tified as Dinesh of Chakauli vil-
lage and Awadhesh of Saintha
village. Dinesh was named in
the rape of a Dalit girl on
April18. Police registered a
rape case and another case
against him. Awadhesh was
named in raping a minor girl
at his village on Tuesday
evening.
ACCIDENT
An unidentified man was
fatally knocked down by a
speeding vehicle in Banthra on
Wednesday. The man was
reportedly crossing the road
when he was mowed down by
the vehicle.
BEd entrance exam held at
689 centres across state
Couple consumes
poison, woman
succumbs
CITYBRIEFS
State Bank of India chief general manager Sudhir Dubey donating an ambulance to
an organisation on Wednesday Pioneer
Impersonation at
UPSEE: Probe
committee formed
Girls taking part in a
signature campaign
launched by AIDWA
over crime against
women, in
Hazratganj on
Wednesday
Pioneer
Sen added that the Amaze
offered the lightest engine in its
torque performing class and
the use of lightweight crank-
shaft and a number of friction-
reduction technologies helped
control friction in a diesel
engine to gasoline engine lev-
els. He said the Amazes
advanced compatibility engi-
neering body enhanced self-
protection while mitigating
damage to other vehicles in the
event of a collision. Amaze fea-
tures safety technologies
including dual SRS airbags,
anti-lock braking system
(ABS), electronic brake distri-
bution (EBD) and pretention-
er seat belts. The Amaze is
available in four grades offered
in petrol and diesel variants
with manual transmission and
in automatic transmission in
two petrol grades.
Honda launches Amaze
Uniform age demanded
for all child laws
2-day workshop on KMC
Girls coming out of an inter college, set up as examination centre, after appearing in BEd entrance examination in Lucknow on
Wednesday Pioneer
U.P. POWER
TRANSMI SSI ON
CORPORATI ON
LTD. TENDER NOTI CE
Sealed tenders in two separate
parts on prescribed tender
forms are hereby invited from
the experienced contrac-
tors/agencies for the following
works up to the date and time
mentioned against each-
Tender No. 23/ETCS/2013-
14:- Work of replacement of
defective 33KV breakers and
Isolators at 132 KV Sub-sta-
tion, Balrampur under ETD
Gonda. Earnest Money: Rs.
2000/ -. Tender No.
24/ETCS/2013-14: Work of
arresting oil leakage from var-
ious points of 132/33 KV
BHEL make 40 MVA
Transformer-II installed at 132
KV Sub-station, Darshan
Nagar under ETD, Faizabad.
Earnest Money: Rs. 2000/-
Tender No. 25/ETCS/2013-
14:- Work of arresting oil leak-
age from various points of
132/ 33 KV BHEL make
40MVATransformer-I installed
at 132 KV Sub-station, Tanda,
Ambedkar Nagar under ETD,
Faizabad. Earnest Money : Rs.
2000/-, Tender documents
against above tender speciti-
cations may be purcnased up
to 12.00 noon or 23.05.2013
and will be received upto
1300 hrs for their opening pub-
licly at 1500 hours on the same
day. Tender documents will be
purchased after making pay-
ment of Rs. 400.00 and 12.5%
towards VAT (non-refundable)
in cash or through Demand
Draft only. If the tender docu-
ments are required by post a
D.D. of Rs. 150.00 should be
deposited in advance. The part
Ist of the tender will contain
earnest money in shape of
FDR/ CDR/ NSC/ BD dul y
pledged to the undersigned in
official capacity and photo-
copies of Income Tax PAN,
Service Tax/VAT registration,
experience related documents
etc. and 2nd part rates, terms
& conditions and other partic-
ulars. Tenders without having
proper earnest money will not
be accepted. In case the office
remains closed on the notified
tender opening date, tenders
will be opened on the next
working day at scheduled time
onl y. The undersi gned
reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all the tenders
without assigning any reason
thereof. Please visit our web-
si t e www. uppt cl . org f or
details/download and for any
other corrections/amend-
ments/modification/extension
till the date of submission of
t ender. Superi nt endi ng
Engi neer El ect ri ci t y
Transmission Circle U.P.
Power Transmission Corpon.
Ltd. Sultanpur Ro No. 998 date
24.4.2013 Save Energy in
National interest
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nation 05
LUCKNOW THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
CHINA REFUSES...
Defence Minister AK
Antony said on Wednesday in
Bengaluru that negotiations
were in progress at various lev-
els to resolve the incursion
issue with China peacefully.
Our Government will take
every step to protect national
integrity and security, he
added. While echoing similar
sentiments about ongoing
negotiations, China, however,
rejected Indias demand for
reverting to a status quo in
Depsang Valley.
Making it amply clear,
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Hua Chunying
said in Beijing: I want to reit-
erate here that the Chinese bor-
der troops have been acting in
strict compliance with bilater-
al agreements and conducting
normal patrolling on the
Chinese side of the LAC. They
have never crossed the line by
a step. She made this assertion
while replying to a question on
the flag meeting on Tuesday
and New Delhis demand that
status quo should be restored.
Hua said both sides have
opened communication chan-
nels to discuss the issue
through consultation mecha-
nisms on the boundary issue.
Earlier, Indian External
Affairs Ministry spokesman
Syed Akbaruddin had said on
Tuesday that India had asked
the Chinese side to maintain
the status quo in this sector (of
the western border).
By this I mean the status
quo prior to this incident.
He had also said: We see
this as a face-to-face situation
between border personnel of
the two sides due to differences
on their alignment of the LAC.
The term face-to-face is not
something that India has con-
jured up, it is something that is
referred to in the 2005 Protocol
for implementation of
Confidence Building Measures
(CBMs) in the military field in
the LAC in Indo-China border
areas. His Chinese counterpart
in Beijing said: The two sides
should abide by their consen-
sus, which is in the interest of
both. The two sides should
work together to properly
resolve border issues within the
framework of existing mecha-
nisms and create favourable
conditions for bilateral rela-
tions. Incidentally, this is the
first time that China has
acknowledged that the issue is
being discussed between the
two countries since the face-off
came about on April 15.
Besides flag meetings, offi-
cials of the two Foreign
Ministries were in touch with
each other under the aegis of a
working mechanism set up to
resolve issues of this nature
when the two armies patrol
their respective perceived areas
along the LAC. External Affairs
Minister Salman Khurshid was
also likely to visit China short-
ly to prepare grounds for the
high-profile visit of Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang to New
Delhi in May. Khurshid was
also likely to take up the issue
of repeated incursions by the
PLA with his Chinese coun-
terpart. Li, who took over from
Wen Jiabao last month, chose
India to be his first trip abroad
as Prime Minister to send a
message of friendship, as well
as the importance China
attaches to improve relations
with New Delhi.
GOVT DROPS CASE...
The SP government has
withdrawn cases against Tariq
Kasmi in connection with his
involvement in conspiring the
serial blast at Gorakhpur in
May 2007, disclosed Home
Secretary, Sarvesh Kumar
Mishra in Lucknow on
Wednesday evening.
He claimed that the move
was necessitated as there was
absence of concrete evidence
against Kasmi. Instructions
have been sent to the DM,
Gorakhpur, to file an applica-
tion in the court of Additional
District and Sessions Judge,
Bhoodev Gautam, for with-
drawal of the case.
This would be the first
terror case which the SP gov-
ernment has decided to with-
draw after its pre-poll promise
in 2012 to release Muslim
youths accused in terror acts.
The Home Secretary, how-
ever, clarified that no decision
was made against Kasmi for his
alleged role in the serial blasts
in the court compounds on
November 23, 2007. He also
said that the case registered
against Kasmi and HuJI mole
and Jaunpur native Khalid
Mujahid following their arrest
by the STF outside Barabanki
station on December 20, 2007,
had not been withdrawn. The
cops seized 1.250 kg RDX, six
detonators, three cellphones
and two SIM cards from them.
A Unani doctor from Sarai
Meer area of Azamgarh, Kasmi
is married and has four chil-
dren.
Meanwhile, the govern-
ment also issued orders to
withdraw case of treason
against five HuJI operatives
registered with the Wazirganj
police station in December
2008. Though the Home
Secretary claimed of having no
knowledge of any such move
but sources said that the
Lucknow administration had
been asked to drop charges of
treason against the accused
identified as Mohamed Ali
Akbar, Mukhtar Hussain,
Azizur Rehman, Nasimul Hafiz
and Nurul Isman all of
West Bengal. They were netted
by the STF under the
Explosives Act.
What is more, they raised
anti-India slogans when pro-
duced in a Lucknowcourt. This
was retaliated by the lawyers
who protested and got a case of
treason registered against them
with the Wazirganj police sta-
tion. Now the government has
issued orders to withdraw the
case while the status of other
cases against them will remain
the same.
Modi set to visit
Haridwar tomorrow
MUKESH RANJAN n RANCHI
A
day after the chairman of
Saradha Group Sudipta
Sen, along with Jharkhand
head of the chit fund compa-
ny Arvind Singh Chauhan,
was arrested from the Kashmir
valley, deceived investors start-
ed queuing up before the
Ranchi office, only to find that
shutters had been down since
April 18.
The chit fund company, at
the centre of the deposit default
scandal, has gone bust. The
Bengal Government has con-
stituted a special investigation
team for it.
The office was closed on
April 18 on the occasion of
Ramnavmi, after the expose.
Chauhan, Ranchi office chief
and one of the board members,
who hails fromRanchi, has not
been seen here for the last six
months.
According toa notice onthe
shutter of the office, it was sup-
posed to reopen on April 22.
"People started queuing up
since morning after reading
news published in various
newspapers and started enquir-
ing about staff of the office,"
said the owner of a computer
outlet in the same complex.
The shopkeeper said phones
had been ringing off the hooks
since morning.
The Ranchi office of com-
pany, which had been opened
about two years ago, is located
on the second floor of Ratan
Lal Complex at Ratu Road.
Chauhan, who was quite reg-
ular, discontinued coming to
the office all of a sudden. "The
company claimed to double
money in three years and had
several depositors from rural
background, who used to come
here regularly," said the shop-
keeper.
The depositors cursed their
luck. "One person who hailed
from Budmu, about 25 km
from Ranchi, was murmuring
that the villagers back home
would kill himwhen they came
to know that the company has
fled with their money," said a
security guard at the complex.
"The Ranchi office com-
prised about 15 staffers, who
used to come to office regularly.
Chauhan, said to be the centre
head, discontinued coming to
office after a few months," he
added.
SSP Saket Kumar Singh has
said he had received no com-
plaint from investors. "Neither
have the Bengal police sought
any information," he added.
Due to lack of clear guide-
lines, Doeghar Deputy
Commissioner Rahul Purvar is
still waiting for the
Government's nod to take
action against the 27 non-
banking companies which were
found involved in unlawful
financial activities in Santhal
Pargana. "I have forwarded the
report to the home department
and I am waiting for directions
from the Government," said
Purvar.
These non-banking com-
panies have been accused of
taking illegal deposits from
the public in violation of RBI
and SEBI guidelines - a finan-
cial offence according to the
Companies Act.
Empty office
NITINDRA BANDYOPADHYAY n
CHANDIGARH
A
wave of sexual assault
cases in the national cap-
ital and other parts of the
country has stirred the soci-
ologist and academicians to
look into the psyche behind
this social evil. Though rape
has always been there in the
social consciousness to subju-
gate women but the current
trend is alarming and needs a
through scrutiny, say experts.
Exposure to sex and sex-
ually implicit material has sky
rocketed in the last one
decade, said Rajesh Gill,
Chairperson Department of
Soci ol ogy, Panj ab
University. She said earli-
er sex was a closed subject
but after the electronic
revolution it has come out
in the open which is having a
negative impact on the social
psyche.
If National Crime Record
Bureau statistics are to be
believed there has been a
steady increase in number of
rape cases since 2006. There
has been a 9.2 percent increase
in rape cases in the year 2011
over the year 2010 and the
trend is only increasing.
Gill said, The social stig-
ma attached to rape is the
main deterrent. A family views
the girl child as their proper-
ty and the typical patriarchal
stereotype attaches the mod-
esty of the whole family with
that of the girl. Violation of a
girl sexually, implies that the
modesty of the whole family
has been violated and hence
people avert reporting such
cases. However the exact sta-
tistics of such unreported cases
are very hard to trace.
Recently in PGI a seven-
teen year old girl, delivered a
male child, who was brought
for an abortion when she was
f ive months pregnant.
However when the doctors
refused to abort the child she
was abandoned by her
parents who accompa-
nied her all the way
from Uttar Pradesh.
Later she was rescued
by a local NGO, where
during a counseling ses-
sion she revealed that
she was raped by a local
businessman. This shows
the apathy that the society
has towards rape victims. Most
of the time it is the victim who
becomes the accused and vice
versa.
A lawyer on condition of
anonymity said, Even the
evaluation of rape in the
Indian Penal Code values the
Patriarchal mental setup.
Having sexual intercourse with
a girl after falsely promising
marriage to her is a very arbi-
trary way of looking at rape.
Rape is about violation and
not consent.
She further adds, To pro-
tect women first we will have
to remove the stigma attached
to sex especially when it deals
with a woman in the society.
Having sexual intercourse is
not a crime but forcing some-
one to have sex without the
consent of the women is a
crime. But in Indian society a
girl is treated as a commodi-
ty and her sexuality is her price
that determines her position in
the society.
Current trend of rapes are
very disturbing. This implies
that certain perversion has
crept into the mind of the
males who are looking for
cheap entertainment here and
there. All the more serious is
the trend of gang rape in
which the most vulnerable
are been targeted, mostly chil-
dren, adds Gill.
Out of 24,270 reported
cases of rape 10.6 percent
(2,582) of the total victims of
rape were girls under 14 years
of age, while 19.0 percent
(4,646 victims) were teenaged
girls (14-18 years). Also there
has been a 30 percent increase
in rape against children.
Offenders were known to the
victims in as many as in 94.2
percent (22,549) cases accord-
ing to NCRB data of 2011.
Rising rape cases provide
sociologists food for thought
Anxious Jharkhand investors find shop shut
CHIT FUND
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Cop who offered `2,000 to hush up child rape identified
STAFF REPORTER n NEW DELHI
T
he Vigilance wing of the
Delhi Police entrusted with
the task of identifying the
policeman who reportedly
offered `2,000 to father of the
five-year-old girl who was
gang-raped has been identified.
He is a constable posted with
the Gandhi Police station
where a case of abduction,
gang-rape and attempt to mur-
der had been registered.
Well-placed sources said
on Wednesday that Joint
Commissioner of Police,
Vigilance branch, Praveer
Ranjan is expected to submit
the fact finding report to the
office of the Delhi Police
Commissioner Neeraj Kumar
on Thursday. The top cop had
ordered a Vigilance inquiry
after the allegations were lev-
elled by the father of the rape
victim that a policeman from
the Gandhi Nagar police sta-
tion tried to silence his voice by
offering him money.
The Vigilance Wing which
is investigating the allegation
has identified a constable with
the help of the father of the vic-
tim, they said. However, the
constables identity was not
revealed by police saying a
Vigilance inquiry was on in
connection with the incident.
When asked about the veraci-
ty of the information about a
constable being identified, a
very senior police officer
denied any knowledge.
He did say that the inquiry
was still on and there was not
an iota of truth about the iden-
tity of the delinquent constable.
The process was still on and
penal action will follow, once
the report is submitted by the
Vigilance branch.
Meanwhile, a relative of the
victimsaidthat senior police offi-
cer of Vigilance Department
visitedthemonTuesday evening
withsome photographs and the
victims father has identified the
culprit after he saw the pho-
tographs of over a dozen police
personnel posted with Gandhi
Nagar police station. The photos
were of policemenfromconsta-
ble to inspector rank, he added.
It would be pertinent to
mention here that the victims
father had alleged that the day
before a policeman came and
asked himto come out on April
19. The policeman told the vic-
tims father that nothing would
happen by involving public
and the matter could be settled
here itself. Public would not
help you and he also handed
me `2,000 and left. He said I
should cover my pocket
expenses from this money, the
victims father alleged.
On last Monday, Neeraj
Kumar said there was a delay in
identifying the two policemen
one in uniformand another
in plain clothes who offered
money tohushupthe case as the
father of the victim could not
come to the police station
because he was in hospital.
Kumar hadsaidpersonnel from
the Gandhi Nagar station will
visit the father in AIIMS in
batches to enable him to iden-
tify the culprits. As soonas they
are identified, they will be sus-
pended fromservice and a vig-
ilance inquiry will follow. Onthe
basis of vigilance inquiry a reg-
ular departmental inquiry would
be conducted, Kumar had said.
The allegations of money to
the father of the rape victimhad
ledtolot of protests fromall sec-
tions of the society against the
Delhi Police. Source said that it
did dent the image of the city
police but corrective measures
were afoot and nobody would
be spared. It may be recalledthat
ACP BS Ahlawat has already
been suspended by the Delhi
Police Commissioner after he
slapped a girl who was protest-
ing at SDN Hospital.
Inspector DP Singh, the
Station House Officer (SHO) of
Gandhi Nagar police station
and sub-inspector Mahabir
Singh the first Investigating
Officer of the case were also
suspended by the police chief.
The action by the Police
Commissioner indicated that
there was zero tolerance
towards those who dont per-
form up to the expectations of
the public, a senior police offi-
cer added.
File Photo: A woman argues with a policeman and offers him money during a protest against Delhi Police over the recent rape
of a minor girl at Police Headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday PTI
SOURCES SAID
THAT JOINT
COMMISSIONER OF
POLICE, VIGILANCE
BRANCH, PRAVEER
RANJAN IS EXPECTED
TO SUBMIT THE FACT
FINDING REPORT TO
THE OFFICE OF THE
DELHI POLICE
COMMISSIONER
ON THURSDAY
PNS n DEHRADUN
G
ujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is
going to inaugurate famous yoga guru Baba
Ramdevs Acharya Kulam at Patanjali
Yogvidyapeeth, Haridwar, on April 26.
Uttarakhand PCC has decided to boycott this
visit; so they would organise a black flag march
on Friday. Acharya Kulam, which will be a blend
of Vedic and modern English education, where
equal stress will be given to children in all fields,
be it education, sports, morality, yoga, physical
fitness, personality development or co-curric-
ular activities.
Source said that Baba, who had announced
that he would form his own party, may
announce his merger with BJP; so Congress is
watching this development with much inquis-
itiveness.
While declaring this on Wednesday, the
Uttarakhand PCC Spokesperson Dhirendra
Pratap disclosed that the State Congress has
decided to organise a black flag march on the
day.
CAG flays Odisha
for poor disaster
management
PNS n BHUBANESWAR
T
he Comptroller andAuditor
General (CAG) of India has
rapped the State Government
and its disaster management
agencies for failing to formulate
the State Disaster Management
Plan (SDMP) and not submit-
ting utilisationcertificates to the
tune of Rs 527 crore from2008-
09 to 2011-12.
In its report on
Performance audit of disaster
preparedness inIndia, the CAG
has pointed out the irregulari-
ties which include inadmissible
expenditure of Rs 53.83 crore,
non-investment of the unspent
funds resulting in loss of inter-
est amounting to Rs 25.16 crore
during the years 2008-09 to
2011-12 and non-submissionof
utilisation certificates (UCs) for
Rs 526.42 crore by the agencies,
departments and Odisha State
Disaster Mitigation Authority
(OSDMA).
Annexure A to GE (West) Bareilly letter No. 8966/A/02/E8 dated 23 Apr 2013
TEXT OF ADVERTISEMENT
1. Garrison Engineer (West) Bareilly Cantt on behalf of President of India invites applications from eligible enlisted Contractors of MES and enlisted/unenlisted con-
tractors working with other Govt. Departments meeting eligibility criteria for selection of contractors for issue of tender of under mentioned works:-
Ser Name of work Estimate Com- Amount of earnest Cost of Last date Eligibility Eligibility criteria:- Date of Date of
No cost of pletion money for Tender of receipt criteria:- issue of receipt
work of contractors not of appli- (a) for MES (b) for other tender of
(in lakhs) Period enlisted with MES cations enlisted contractors tender
contractors
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
1 Provn of drain from 14.50 06 Rs. 29,000.00 in the Rs. 500/- 06 May 13 Class E (i) Meeting enlistment 07 May 2013 27 May 13
Bldg No T-93 to Lakhs Months shape of Call Depo- Category criteria of MES with
existing drain & sit Receipt from any a(i) regard to having satis-
certain misc repair scheduled Bank, 06 factorily completed
work under AGE (Six) months validity, requisite value works,
B/R-II at GE (W) BGB not acceptable Annual turnover, Work-
Bareilly. ing Capital, Fixed
Assets etc.
2 Certain petty re- 14.50 06 -do- Rs. 500/- 06 May 13 Class E -do- 07 May 2013 27 May 13
pair works in officers Lakhs Months Category
MD accn under AGE a(i)
B/R-II at GE (W)
Bareilly.
3 Repairs to roof 14.50 06 -do- Rs. 500/- 06 May 13 Class E -do- 07 May 2013 27 May 13
treatment in MD Lakhs Months Category
accn under AGE a(i)
B/R-II at GE (W)
Bareilly.
Notes:
1. Application not accompanied by requisite value DD/Pay Order/Bankers Cheque towards Cost of Tender shall not be considered for issue of tender.
2. Contractors not enlisted with MES will be required to enclose necessary documents to prove their eligibility as given above including Affidavit for no recovery
outstanding.
3. In case of rejection of application for issue of tender, the applicant shall be refunded the cost of tender. However Contractor may appeal to next higher Engineer
Authority i.e. HQ CWE, Bareilly for rejection of his application for issue tender, whose decision shall be final and binding and Contractor shall not be entitled to
any compensation whatsoever non-issue of tender.
4. Contractor shall bear the cost of revalidation of bankers cheque in case date of issue of tender delay.
5. The above details are also available on MES website www.mes.gov.in. Full Notice of Tender IAFW-2162 and Enlistment Criteria is available in all Offices of
MES and also on MES website.
Case file No. 8967/E8, 8968/E8
nation 06 LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
J GOPIKRISHNAN n NEW DELHI
C
hit fund scamster Sudipta
Sen has in his explosive 18-
page letter to the CBI alleged a
strong politician-journalist
nexus that tormented him. He
accused several politicians,
MPs, Ministers from Bengal
and North East besides jour-
nalists for extorting huge pro-
tection money fromhimto run
his Saradha Group consisting
160 companies.
He alleged it were the jour-
nalists who first started the
extortion spree in mid 2009
when his business empire faced
a minor crisis. And a
Trinamool Congress MP led
the attack, he claimed. Besides,
Sen has also named another
Trinamool parliamentarian, a
publisher.
.. Media under the name
and style Pratidin in Bengal
started attacks and a TMC MP
led the attack dangerously. He
attended the meeting with then
Finance Minister Ashim
Dasgupta and started cam-
paigning against Saradha I
found very helpless to combat
the media attack. I thought I
must enter into the media
business, Sen said narrating
how he became a victim of
extortion by engaging the two
MPs as heads of his media wing
with hefty perks.
One was given a salary of
Rs 15 lakh per month and other
lucrative payments for media
related deals. Sen also said he
paid Rs 20 crore protection
money to one MPs company.
Pratidin has also given me
assurance that execution of
this agreement (Rs 60 lakh per
month), they will protect my
business from Government.
State Government and also
Central Government and I will
be able to get a smooth passage
and they assured me that they
have very close connection
with present Chief Minister of
West Bengal, he alleged.
Sen also said Bengal politi-
cians helped him to get a loan
of `200 crore from State Bank
of India to set an automobile
company. The tainted chit
fund company owner alleged
the politicians-journalists rack-
et siphoned 25 per cent of the
money to a Singapore-based
trust.
He alleged that `28 crore
was taken fromhimby Matang
Sinh, former MP and media
baron from North East.
Matang Sinh, who is the ex-
husband of Manoranjana
Singh, has also taken Rs 28
crore from us in his various
accounts. Finally, he has given
50 percent of shares of NE
Bangla but recently through
Rajesh Baja, a businessman
fromGuwahati one CEOof NE
Assam has negotiated with
Sinh and cancelled the agree-
ment of the shareholdings and
issued cheque of Rs 28 crore,
alleged Sen, that he incurred a
big loss in the deal.
According to him, Matang
Sinh gave him post-dated
cheques spanning two years,
which were not honoured.
Sen also al leged that
Assams high profile Health
Minister Himanta Biswa
Sarma also extorted Rs 3 crore
from him.
Another high level person
has dramatically cheated me.
He is Hemanta Biswa Sharma.
For the last six months apart
one and half years he has taken
from us not less than three
crores all by cash and some
vouchers have been signed by
his office executives by some
other means, he said.
He also alleged another
Assam MLA and media baron
Arjan Dutta too took more
than Rs 4 core from him.
Arrested chit fund head points at politico-scribe nexus
DEEPAK KUMAR JHA
n NEW DELHI
A
fter remaining a mute
spectator for almost two
years, the HRD Ministry has
finally directed IIT Kharagpur
(IIT-KGP) to revoke the sus-
pension of whistleblower sus-
pended Professor Rajeev
Kumar with immediate effect
thus paving the way for his
reinstatement.
In a letter to the IIT-KGP
Director, the Ministry has
pointed that the report of the
one-man Inquiry Committee
to inquire into the charges
leveled against Prof Kumar
has already been accepted by
t he IIT-KGP Board of
Governors (BoG), hence,
there is absolutely no justifi-
cation for continuing with
the suspension of Prof Rajeev
Kumar.
The suspension is nor-
mally resorted to in such
cases to rule out the possibil-
ity of the officer tampering
with the records the possibil-
ity of which no longer exists
with the submission of the
inquiry report (pertaining to
Prof Rajeev Kumar).
The Institute, therefore,
needs to be directed to revoke
the suspension with immedi-
ate effect, says the letter by
HRD Additional Secretary
(Technical) Amita Sharma.
The letter to the institute
now attains much signifi-
cance since it has been writ-
ten by Sharma, who is also
Member Secretary of IIT
Council.
A professor at Computer
Science and Engineering
Department, Kumar was sus-
pended on May 13, 2011 on
the charges of maligning the
institutes reputation as well as
misrepresentation of facts
about institute and then leak-
ing these to the media for his
personal gain.
The Ministry has also
directed the institute that due
opportunity may be given to
the charged officer (Prof
Kumar) to furnish his com-
ments on the report which
may be duly considered while
passing any order.
Sources said that Kumar
earl i er requested HRD
Ministry to send him on an
assignment to IIT Kanpur to
avoid any further confronta-
tion with the Kharagpur fra-
ternity. Prof Kumar, who is
already involved in a pro-
tracted legal battle with the
institute, had raised appre-
hensions about the marking
system in the IIT-JEE.
In October 2012 too,
HRD Ministry had directed
the institute to review the case
of Prof Kumar as per the
provisions of Central Civil
Ser vi ces (Cl assi f i cat i on
Cont rol and Appeal ),
CCS(CCA) Rules and pass a
speaking order in this matter
to which IIT-KGP responded
by stating that withdrawal of
suspension of Kumar would
adversely affect the academ-
ic atmosphere of the institute.
The teaching fraternity
at IIT-KGP took offence to
Kumars allegation that a sec-
tion of dons from the institute
were involved in running a
fake institute within its cam-
pus and awarding diploma to
students. Once a prestigious
IIT, the institute in recent
times has been mired in sev-
eral controversies including
the indictment of its dons by
the CBI and CVC in scams,
misl eading affidavit and
unauthorised access of call
detail records (CDR) of the
whistleblower Professor.
HRD Ministry orders IIT to reinstate whistleblower professor
PNS n NEW DELHI
F
aced with a determined
Opposition, the Congress
has reconciled to the possibil-
ity that its major legislations
like Land Acquisition Bill and
Food Security Bill cannot be
passed in the Budget Session
which is likely to conduct lit-
tle business except passing the
Finance Bill.
Congress General
Secretary Janardan Dwivedi
said on Wednesday that for the
l and acqui siti on bi l l
Government had accepted all
major suggestions of the
Opposition including leasing
of land which would have
benefited the farmers.
But still if the Opposition
is not cooperating, the legisla-
tion cannot be passed since a
broader consensus will be
required for them to be
approved by Parliament.
This delay will result in the
continuing plight of farmers
whose land is acquired at pre-
sent under the 117-year-old
legislation.
A broader consensus
between the Congress and BJP
on the Bill was arrived earlier
after the government held three
all-party meetings, wherein
most of the suggestions of the
BJP were accepted.
The Government wanted
to take up the Food Security
Bill and Land Acquisition Bill
on a priority basis so that it
could be showcased by the
Congress in the Lok Sabha
polls as one of the major
achievements.
But its efforts have been
foiled by the Opposition which
has taken a tough stand on the
JPC report exonerating Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh
and Finance Minister P
Chidambaram in the 2G spec-
trum scam and vetting of CBI
status report on coal scam
probe by the Law Minister
Ashwani Kumar.
The Congress strategy now
is to project the Opposition as
the one blocking the passage of
legislations that would have
benefited the people.
No hope in beleaguered Cong on
passage of key Bills this session
ABRAHAM THOMAS
n NEW DELHI
R
eminding cops that rape
victims need to be treated
differently, a recent Supreme
Court judgment has listed sev-
eral dos and donts to be fol-
lowed by them in dealing with
victims of sexual assault.
Interestingly, the court has
pinned responsibility on the
political executive and police to
ensure the above guidelines
were implemented.
The judgment said, It is an
obligation on the part of the
state authorities and particu-
larly, the Director General of
Police and Home Ministry of
the state to issue proper guide-
lines and instructions to the
other authorities as howto deal
with such cases and what kind
of treatment to be given to the
prosecutrix, as a victim if sex-
ual assault requires a totally dif-
ferent kind of treatment not
only from the society but also
from the state authorities.
On the role of cops, the
bench of Justices BS Chauhan
and FM Ibrahim Kalifulla pre-
scribed the following rule: The
victim should be sent for med-
ical examination at the earliest
and her statement should be
recorded by the investigating
officer (I.O) in the presence of
her family members making
victim comfortable. Further, it
laid down that the IO must
ensure the victim of rape
should be handled carefully by
lady police officer. Investigation
of the case should be time-
bound to avoid bail to the
accused an a charge-sheet must
be filed in court at the earliest.
Since victims of rape
require to undergo mandatory
medical examination to con-
firm rape, the Court directed
that victim of rape should
generally be examined by a
female doctor. Simultaneously,
the judgment said, She (vic-
tim) should be provided the
help of some psychiatric. The
medical opinion prepared by
the doctor must cover all
aspects including the age of the
victim, giving sufficient proof
based on secondary sex char-
acters, number of teeth and
radiological test, which all are
accepted standards of proof in
courts.
The case that prompted the
court to examine the aspects
and lay down a rule for future
cases related to an incident of
1990 when a 15-year old girl
was raped in her house in
Seoni, MP by a relative. The
trial court acquitted the man
but the high court reversed the
finding and sentenced him to
seven years in prison.
While there was ample
proof by way of medical opin-
ion, statement of father, school
records to prove that the girl
was below 16 years, the apex
court commented on the
insensitivity of the trial court
to acquit the accused on the
sole ground that the prosecu-
tion did not undertake radiol-
ogy test for providing an
authentic proof of age. The
Court formed a strange view
that the victim consented to
intercourse, finding that she did
not attack the accused like a
wild animal, although the
accused had raped her under a
threat to kill her.
Anguished over the insen-
sitivity shown by the prosecu-
tion and courts towards the vic-
tim, the SCfound merit to hold
she was below 16 years of age
and under Section 376 of IPC,
consent of a girl below this age
became irrelevant to punish the
accused. This fact was missed
both by the prosecution and
courts. It went on to direct the
Chief Secretary of MP to issue
comprehensive guidelines
based on the judgment and
hoped other states to followsuit
by noting, Undoubtedly, any
direction issued by this Court
is binding on all courts and civil
authorities within the territo-
ry of India.
Apex court looks to sensitise cops on rapes
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
NEW DELHI
W
ith UPA chairperson
chief Sonia Gandhi
rejecting outright the BJPs
demand for resignation of
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh over Coalgate and 2G
scam, the opposition party on
Wednesday asked the Congress
to counter charges against the
PM on the basis on facts and
not emotions.
Without naming Gandhi,
BJP chief Rajnath Singh said
here that the manner in which
the Congress has responded to
Oppositi ons fact-based
charges against the Prime
Minister was not good for a
healthy democracy.
The Opposition has raised
some issues based on facts. The
Congress should not lose its
temper. Such behaviour is not
expected fromthe ruling party.
It is not good for a healthy
democracy. People of the coun-
try want the ruling party to
address and take action on
these issues on the basis of
facts. Emotions have no place
in such matters, Singh told The
Pioneer.
The opposition also
assured the Government of its
support if the ruling coalition
takes on the challenge from
China, fearlessly. Singh
termed the intrusion by
Chinese troops in Ladakh as
very serious and accused the
Government of not handling
the issue properly.
BJP wants this issue to be
handled fearlessly by the gov-
ernment. We will stand by the
government on this issue,
Singh said. Asked if the BJP
would like the involvement of
political executive to settle the
matter, Singh replied, It was up
to the government to decide.
Party spokesman Prakash
Javadekar earlier told a press
conference that the Chinese
incursions into Indian territo-
ry is a very serious matter and
the government is unfortu-
nately not treating it with the
required seriousness.
REMOVE OBJECTS THAT
DEFACE TREES
New Delhi: The National Green
Tribunal (NGT) has directed
public authorities, including
municipal bodies, DDA, DTC and
DMRC to ensure that sign
boards, advertisements, wires
and other objects that deface
trees as well as concrete around
them in the national capital are
removed forthwith. A bench
headed by NGT Chairperson
Justice Swatanter Kumar said
that there is clear infringement of
law and failure on the part of the
authorities concerned to
discharge their statutory
obligations.
INDIA SHOULD UTILISE
SWISS CRISIS: ADVANI
New Delhi: India should take
advantage of the virtual crisis
gripping the Swiss banking
sector due to global campaign
against bank secrecy laws to
deal with the blackmoney issue,
BJP leader LK Advani has said in
his blog. He lamented that the
Indian government has not
shown interest in acting against
the menace of blackmoney and
there has been no follow up to
the White Paper brought out in
this regard last year.
DISEASE OUTBREAK NOT
ALWAYS REPORTED: CAG
New Delhi: CAG has found that
not all disease outbreaks and
chemical accidents taking place
in the country are reported to
Central authorities. The CAG in
its performance audit on disaster
preparedness said Central
Surveillance Unit (CSU) receives
disease outbreak reports from
the States and Union Territories
on weekly basis.
INSHORT
The suspension is
resorted to in such
cases to rule out
the possibility of
the officer
tampering with the
records the
possibility of which
no longer exists
with the
submission of the
report (pertaining
to Prof Rajeev
Kumar)
Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and party chief Rajnath Singh unveil a statue of
Rajmata Scindia after Saroj Pandey (third from left) took charge as the partys new
Mahila Morcha presedent in New Delhi on Wednesday Alwin Singh | Pioneer
Sonias reaction to
Opp doesnt augur
well for democracy
It is an obligation on the part of the state authorities and
particularly, the Director General of Police and Home Ministry of the
State to issue proper guidelines and instructions to the other
authorities as how to deal with such cases.
The victim should be sent for medical examination at the earliest
and her statement should be recorded by the investigating
officer (I.O) in the presence of her family members
making the victim comfortable
Victim of rape should generally be examined
by a female doctor. Simultaneously, the
judgment said, She (victim) should be provided
the help of some psychiatric.
The medical opinion prepared by the doctor
must cover all aspects including the age of the
victim, giving sufficient proof based on
secondary sex characters, number of teeth and
radiological test, which all are accepted
standards of proof in Courts.
DOs & DONTs
Investors damage an office of the chit fund company during a protest against its closure, in Malda district of West Bengal on
Wednesday PTI
SAUGAR SENGUPTA n KOLKATA
W
hile the Mamata Banerjee
Government continued to plead
innocence in the `20,000-crore ponzi-
fund scam, eight party MPs on Wednesday
dashed off a rather strong letter to her
demanding immediate expulsionof the two
party MPs and some senior leaders whose
names figure in the explosive missive writ-
ten to the CBI by chit-fund kingpin and
CMD of Saradha Group Sudipto Sen
detailing his helplessness before the
cheats and political extortionists that
ruined his hedge fund business.
According to Trinamool sources, the
name of a journalist-turned-MP figures in
the list of the rebel MPs for his close prox-
imity with the Saradha Group. The MPs
have also questioned as to how the stated
parliamentarian could draw a monthly
salary of `16 lakh as the CEO of the media
division of the shady group.
Notwith-
standing, the
Chief Minister
continued to
stoutly defend
the one jour-
nalist who is
being singled
out for this big
scam, and
even threat-
ened a section
of the media
roundly with
consequences
that could
evolve during
the course of the probe.
There was, however, no immediate
chances of a split in the party, insiders said
adding Mamata Banerjee still continues
to hold her sway in the party and in the
State.
A visibly angry Banerjee told the
media at the Writers Building that there
were people who were singling out a jour-
nalist but we are also keeping a close eye
on the developments and would try to
locate the dealings of some news editors of
some groups who are spreading canards
against us. These media houses also must
remember that it needs advertisement to
run a newspaper.
Meanwhile, even as the Chief Minister
defended her MPs, top Bengal actress-
turned-Trinamool MP Shatabdi Roy con-
ceded that she had indeed appeared in a
number of programmes of the Saradha
Group like Pooja inaugurations in lieu of
appearance money adding quickly that she
had never acted as the groups brand
ambassador.
Curiously, the Birbhum MP also
denied that her elections were funded by
the shady group notwithstanding, televi-
sion clippings showing her riding the
same vehicle with Saradha Group vice
president Somnath Dutta during her
poll campaigns.
Dutta was reportedly grilled on
Wednesday by the Bidhannagar Police
amid reports of his proximity to the
Bidhanagar Municipality chairman
Krishna Chakrabarty, a Trinamool
Congress leader close to the Chief Minister.
There are numerous photographs of
her with Dutta who funded several lavish
functions of the ruling party in star
hotels, an officer said, adding the police
would consider all the angles before tak-
ing him into custody.
ANUP SHARMA n GUWAHATI
A
ssam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on
Wednesday said his Government
was seriously contemplating seeking a
CBI investigation against some compa-
nies for swindling public money.
Gogoi said this after emerging from
a law and order review meeting with
senior officials of the home and
political departments. The
Chief Minister said the cases
were being examined and inter-
State ramifications considered.
The Chief Ministers
announcement came a day after
protests rocked Assam against
chit fund company Saradha
Group, who had duped thousands of its
investors, agents and closed down two
newspapers run by the company without
paying its employees.
In another development, Assams
RTI activist and Team Anna member
Akhil Gogoi accused Assam Health and
Education Minister Himanta Biswa
Sarma for legalising illegal business of
arrested Saradha Group managing direc-
tor Sudipta Sen in Assam.
The activists demand comes amid
reports by a section of the media that Sen,
in his recent 18-page letter to the CBI, had
named among others two Trinamool MPs
and an Assam Minister who allegedly
blackmailed him for cash.
On Tuesday, the publisher of Saradha
Groups now-defunct Bengali newspaper
Sakalbela, had accused the
Minister, former Director
General of Police (DGP)
Shankar Baruah and Assam
governments Publication Board
secretary Sadananda Gogoi of
assisting the groups business
ventures in the state.
The activist also produced
before journalists a letter, which, he
claimed, was written by Pride East
Entertainment Pvt Ltd (to Sen on
September 19, 2011 seeking a donation
of Rs.10 lakh to organise a painting and
drawing competition in memory of those
killed in the October 30, 2008 serial
bombings in Assam. PEEPL runs three
TVchannels and the ministers wife is the
managing director.
Assam CM for CBI probe
TMC MPs seek action from Mamata
MPs, journos
from Bengal
& North East
tormented me
SUDIPTA SEN SAYS
POLITICIANS &
JOURNALISTS
SIPHONED OFF 25%
OF MONEY TO A
SINGAPORE TRUST.
HE CLAIMED `28 CR
WAS TAKEN FROM
HIM BY AN EX-MP
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n NEW DELHI
F
aced with exploitation and uncertain service conditions,
domestic workers have launched a campaign for a compre-
hensive legislation fixing their wages and social protection mea-
sures. The National Platform for Domestic Workers highlight-
ed the plight of 50 million workers, a majority of whom are
women, and urged MPs to pass an effective law to curb exploita-
tion and abuse.
Pointing out that a large section of domestic workers come
from vulnerable communities and are poor, illiterate and
unskilled, the platform said their work was frequently under-
valued and poorly regulated, and they were underpaid.
Moreover, they also face sexual harassment at workplace, vic-
timisation at the hands of traffickers/placement agencies, forced
migration, lack of welfare measures and stagnation.
The platform sought resolution of disputes and protection
of employment, besides provision of social security, childcare facil-
ities, housing and training.
Additionally, they mooted a tripartite board, having elect-
ed representatives of workers, as the instrument for implemen-
tation of the legislation.
Domestic workers' body
seeks protective law
ACTION SOUGHT: Mamata
LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
nation 07
ARCHANA JYOTI n NEW DELHI
T
he Union Rural
Development Ministry has
drawn flak from the top audi-
tor for failing to strengthen and
ensure independent Central
evaluation and monitoring sys-
tem to help plug loopholes in
the corruption-ridden rural
job scheme.
This, despite increasing
cases of large-scale corruption
and irregularities being report-
ed under the UPAs flagship
project Mahatma Gandhi Rural
Employment Generation
Scheme (MNREGS).
The Comptroller and
Auditor General (CAG) of India
inits report tabledinParliament
on Tuesday has taken strong
note of the Ministrys failure to
allow the Central Employment
Guarantee Councils (CEGC) to
act as an independent entity.
Instead, the CEGC had
limited role, arbitrariness in its
process and function besides
absence of a defined procedure
for visits of its members to the
States, suggested the CAG not-
ing that, This defeated the pur-
pose of setting up the Council.
Headed by the RD
Ministry, the CEGC compris-
es 12 members of the rank of
Joint Secretary in the
Government and six State
Government representatives.
Indicating ineffective fol-
low-up by the Council, the
audit body noted that of a total
13 visits (three during 2010-11
and ten during 2009-10), action
taken reports from only two
state governments, Uttar
Pradesh (Mahoba) and Gujarat
(Dahod), were received in
October 2012. This was despite
the fact that the members in
their field reports pointed out
cases of suspected frauds
among other serious irregu-
larities.
The audit also observed
that the CEGC did not adopt
any defined procedure for
selection of the States for field
visits to be conducted by the
members. "As was evident from
an analysis of the 13 field vis-
its undertaken, members had
been repeatedly visiting par-
ticular states," said the report
adding that the reports of these
visits were not discussed dur-
ing the Council's meeting.
Clearly, said the report,
the government failed to recog-
nise CEGC as an independent
entity and more over it does not
provide the final action taken
on these reports, despite ade-
quate time having been given.
Moreover, the Executive
Committee constituted to give
effect to the decisions of the
Council, appoint expert groups
for technical support andadvise
to improve the quality of imple-
mentation of the Act did not
function as per the rules.
A related consequence of
the Council not having admin-
istrative support can be seen
from the fact that there was
poor management and moni-
toring of the CEGC's own
financial affairs, said the report
on how it had been utilizing
funds from its initial corpus of
five crore given to it in 2006-
07 and had never demanded
annual grants thereafter.
Similarly, the functioning of
the National Level Monitors to
investigate complaints was not
impressive as the CAG found
that out of 622 districts they
could cover only 171, 225,251
and 479 districts during the
years 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10
and 2010-11 respectively.
Mumbai: Abu Jundal, an
alleged operative of terrorist
outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyeba and a
key handler during the 26/11
terror attacks, has approached
Bombay High
Court seeking that
he should not be
kept in solitary con-
finement in the
same cell where
Pakistani terrorist
Ajmal Kasab once
stayed.
Jundal has been
lodged in Arthur Road prison
in central Mumbai. His cell was
earlier occupied by Kasab, the
lone arrested terrorist of 26/11
attacks, before he was execut-
ed at Punes Yerawada jail.
The applicant (Jundal)
has been kept in solitary con-
finement since six months.
Due to this he is depressed
and thus not able to think
clearly. Like all under-trials
Jundal should also be kept in
the common barracks and
allowed certain privileges,
the petition pleaded.
Before the lower
court, Jundals appli-
cation had claimed
that he hallucinated
about Kasab. The
court then ordered
hi s psychi atri c
check-up, but jail
authorities said that
he was mentally
sound.
The present petition also
claims that he is mentally unfit
andwas under medicationwhen
confined at Tihar jail in Delhi.
He is being tried before
the MCOCA court here for
alleged involvement in the
2006 Aurangabad arms haul
case.
PTI
Dont put me in Kasab's
cell, Jundal prays to HC
KHURSHEED WANI n SRINAGAR
T
he coalition partners in
Jammu & Kashmir the
National Conference and the
Congress are at loggerheads
in mountainous Ladakh region
where political dynamics are
dissimilar to those in the plains
of Kashmir Valley and Jammu.
Besides non-existent coalition
and competitive politics of the
coalition partners, the other
significant political forces in the
State like the Peoples
Democratic Party and the BJP
have consistently failed to make
a mark in Ladakh politics.
Ladakh region consisting
Leh and Kargil districts has one
parliamentary and four
Assembly constituencies. While
Congress represents Leh seg-
ment in the Assembly; Nubra,
Zanaskar and Kargil are repre-
sented by the NC. The
Parliamentary constituency is
represented by Hassan Khan,
who is technically Independent
but practically represents the
NC as its associate.
His son Feroz Khan is a
senior NC leader recently
inducted into the Council of
Ministers. While both districts
are governed by separate
Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Development Councils
(LAHDCs), Buddhist-domi-
nated Leh politics was revolv-
ing round demand for Union
Territory status to Ladakh but
it failed to elicit positive
response from Muslim-major-
ity Kargil.
Observers say that the
UT demand has lost its sheen
si nce t he i ncepti on of
LAHDC even as the political
parties continue to prioritize
it on their political agenda.
Interestingly, the NC that had
been wiped out from Leh in
the aftermath of 1989 sepa-
ratist agitation in the dis-
trict, has resurfaced in the
region while the Ladakh
Uni on Territor y Front
(LUTF) has been closed
down. The LUTF was born as
a sequel to anti-Kashmir agi-
tation and dominated the
political landscape for around
two decades. It merged with
the BJP in 2010 but failed to
mark any political impact.
The founding leaders of
LUTF are now fragmented in
Congress, BJP and the NC.
Against this backdrop,
even as NC and the Congress
are coalition partners, they are
bitter enemies in Ladakh. Such
is the rivalry that they forced
closure of a degree college in
Nubra lest it was used by one
of the parties to gain political
mileage. The Nubra legislator
Tsetan Namgial attempted to
start the college pending infra-
structural development with a
skeletal staff and a fewstudents.
But the Congress led Ladakh
Autonomous Hil l
Development Council
(LAHDC) Leh closed down the
college saying it would ruin the
career of students due to lack
of infrastructure. Even the
Higher Education Minister
Akbar Lone failed to set the
college rolling.
Namgial was elected to
assembly as the candidate of
now-defunct LUTF candidate.
When the LUTF merged with
BJP, Namgial parted ways and
formally joined the NC. The
Congress is hell-bent to cut
down his influence in the
region. In Srinagar and
Jammu, they (Congress) are
reaping the benefits of coalition
but in my constituency they are
sabotaging developmental
works. The worst case is to mis-
use the future of students by
closing down a college,
Namgial told The Pioneer.
Running an educational insti-
tute should be with an inten-
tion of benefiting the students
in their academics for a better
future rather than doing it
hastily for gaining personal
credit or for image building,
retorted Rigzin Spalbar, Chief
Executive Councilor of
LAHDC.
Di st ri ct Congress
Committee President Tsering
Samphel says that Congress-
NC coalition never existed in
Ladakh region. The NC tried
to hoodwink the Congress at
every front. There is no pos-
sibility of pre-poll or post-poll
alliance with the NC in
Ladakh, he declares. Namgial
is the listed enemy of the
Congress because he revived
the NC and hoisted its red flag
in the region after1989.
The Congress has not for-
gotten the political maneu-
vering of Hassan Khan who
cruised through the 2009 par-
liamentary election with a
wafer-thin margin. On the
face of it, he rebelled in NC
and faced expulsion from the
party after fielding himself in
the fray. But, in effect, he was
the clandestine NC candi-
date fielded to defeat the
Congress contender.
Interestingly, the Congress
leadership in Leh does not
approve the leaders of their
own party in Kargil. Influential
Congress leader Nawang
Rigzin Jora, who is a minister
in Omar Abdullahs cabinet
blamed Kargil Congress leader
Asghar Karbalae of playing a
double-game in previous par-
liament election. Karbalae had
been fielded to cut Muslim
votes but during the canvass-
ing he allegedly changed tack
that helped Hassan Khan to
cruise through.
In Kargil, the scene is no
different. The Hill council is
run by t he NC but t he
Congress has never behaved
like a coalition partner. The
Congress is represented in
Kargil by Imam Khumeni
Memori al Trust (IKMT)
f uncti onari es i ncl udi ng
Karbalae, who are bitter ene-
mies of the NC leadership.
The NC draws its cadre from
Islamia School management
that follows a different school
of sectarian thought.
Significantly, the
Opposition PDP and the BJP
have failedtomake any mark on
the political landscape of
Ladakh. The merger of LUTF
into BJPboomerangedresulting
into humiliating defeat of the
party in2010 LAHDCelections.
The stalwarts like Chering
Dorje who effectively led the
LAHDC for five years lost the
crucial election. Observers say
that PDPs Kashmir-centric pol-
itics became the main hurdle in
its foray in ladakh although
during Mufti Muhammad
Sayeeds regime (2002-5), the
Ladakh region was unprece-
dentedly empowered.
MAYABHUSHAN n PANAJI
A
team of chartered
accountants and man-
agement graduates has been
specially commissioned to
ascertain the quantum of the
loss on account of illegal
mi ni ng i n Goa, Chi ef
Minister Manohar Parrikar
has told the State Assembly
on Wednesday.
The assessment of pro-
duction export vis-a-vis roy-
alty collection is proposed to
be allotted to a team of char-
tered accountants so that any
shortfall of revenue would be
ascertained and recovered,
Parrikar said in a written
repl y to a questi on by
Opposit i on l egi sl ator
Atanasio Monserrate.
The quantum of loss
caused because of the illegal
mining scam and the recov-
ery of that money is the sub-
ject of much debate with the
opposition even accusing the
chief minister of playing with
figures in a bid to defend the
mining lobby.
The team would func-
tion under the a special com-
mittee formed by the Goa
Government headed by a
high court judge, would be
verify the findings of the
Just i ce M B Shah
Commission, which exposed
a Rs 35,000 crore illegal min-
ing scam in the State.
Parrikar has already hint-
ed that the committee could
take around two years to
complete its chore, especial-
ly given that documents in
the mining department are in
a disarray.
CAG pans Ministry
on rural job scheme
NC, Congress out of sync in Ladakh
EVEN AS THE NC AND CONGRESS
ARE COALITION PARTNERS, THEY
ARE BITTER ENEMIES IN LADAKH
CAs will track
down mining
scam, says
Goa CM
More reforms initiatives
in next 2 to 4 mths: PC
PNS nNEWDELHI
C
ommitting to carry for-
ward t he economi c
reforms programme in the
remaining term of UPA-II,
Fi nance Mi ni ster P
Chidambaram today said the
government will take more
executive actions in the next
two to four months and
sought cooperation of the
main opposition party to push
through important bills in
Parliament.
Ruling out early elections,
the Minister said the govern-
ment woul d l ast for 13
months more and would con-
tinue to take small but sig-
nificant steps to ensure that
the country achieves its
potential growth rate of 8 per
cent.
There is much more to
be done. The remaining bills
have to be passed. There are
many more executive actions
that have to be taken... Some of
these are executive actions which
we will take in the next 2-4
months.
We will continue to take
small significant steps. We will
also take forward some big
ideas. India's economy will con-
tinue to reform, Chidambaram
said while addressing a confer-
ence organised by UK-based
magazine The Economist.
The Minister sought coop-
eration of the Opposition party
to ensure passage of the land,
insurance and Goods and
Services Tax (GST) bills in
Parliament, saying the econom-
ic issues should be dealt in a
bipartisan manner.
We have listed the things
we intend to do. We want the
Land Bill passed; Insurance Bill
passed with FDI at 49 per cent.
I sincerely seek cooperation of
principal opposition party and
other political parties.
We want the regulator for
coal sector, road sector inplace;
we want rail tariff authority in
place to fix tariff in railway sec-
tor, the Minister said
Chidambaram also referred to
the reforms initiatives takenby
the government in the recent
past. He said the government
hadbeenable totake toughdeci-
sions with regard to opening of
the multi-brand retail, deregu-
lation of petroleum prices and
freeing of the sugar sector par-
tially.
The Minister further said it
is important to ensure that both
foreign and domestic investors
continue to repose faith in the
Indian economy, which he said
is expected to grow by 6.1-6.7
per cent during the current
financial year, upfrom5per cent
in 2012-13.
Chidambaramsaid there is
need to take a relook at the
Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI)caps which were fixed
long ago.
We needtoopenour econ-
omy more. We have togive more
space for FDI, he said, adding
the FDI caps could be removed
if found no longer useful.
Two separate committees
under RBI and the Finance
Ministry are looking into var-
ious aspects of the foreigninvest-
ment, including removal or rais-
ing of the FDI caps.
Promoting FDI was also
essential to deal with the prob-
lem of widening Current
Account Deficit (CAD), he said,
adding it is likely to be below 5
per cent during the financial
year 2012-13.
CAD is indeed high... (it)
is more worrying that fiscal
deficit. In 2012-13, CAD is
expected to be $90-94 billion.
The satisfying aspect of this is
that we have financed it com-
pletely without drawing down
our reserves. There have been
copious inflows, he added.
The Minister hoped that
CAD would be close to 5 per
cent during 2012-13 and going
forward, we will bring it down...
The way to do that is to boost
exports...
If we canconserve oil con-
sumptionby 10 per cent, we can
save $ 17 billion. And if we can
control our passionfor gold, we
can save many more billion
dollars. It's a difficult act but I am
confident that with the steps we
are taking to encourage inward
inflows, we will be able to
bring it down, the Minister
said. Chidambaram said the
recent initiatives take by the
Cabi net Committee on
Investment .
SP SINGH n GHAZIABAD
D
uring the crossing exami-
nation, CBI Investigating
Officer (IO) in Aarushi-
Hemraj Murder case AGL Kaul
told the court that his superi-
or CBI officer Neelabh Kishore
did not allow him to arrest
Nupur Talwar. The IO was
answering questions raised by
the defence counsels why he
did not arrest Nupur if found
her guilty of destroying evi-
dence after Rajesh Talwar killed
Aarushi and Hemraj.
Defence lawyer Manoj
Sishodia said the IO further
revealed that the agency con-
ducted the NARCO test of the
compounder Krishna onJuly 12,
2008 and subsequently arrested
himonJuly 13, 2008 after found
positive to the crime.
The agency, during raids of
his room on July 14, 2008,
recovereda pillowonwhichthe
Hyderabad-basedCentral DNA
& Fingerprints Department
(CDFD) confirmedthat the pil-
low contained the blood stains
of Hemraj. The agency submit-
ted the same letter
before the court which was
pointing involvement of Krishna
in the crime.
But when the same letter
was used as the defence instru-
ment before the AllahabadHigh
Court in the revision filed by
Nupur Talwar, the agency, after
the lapse of more than a year,
overturned its views and sought
a letter from CDFD in which it
was mentioned the articles
which were tested were inter-
changed in parcel due to typo-
graphical mistake.
The agency, now, using the
CDFDletter to cover upits laps-
es added the defence lawyer.
The IO further was cor-
nered by the defence why a
touch DNA was not con-
ducted of the palm found
printed on the wall stone on
terrace on which blood was
found of Hemraj despite
Talwars requested the agency
to conduct the touch DNA
from any foreign country
whose expenditure they were
ready to pay added the
defence lawyer.
Earlier the IO narrated the
crime scene in which he
claimed that at 12 o clock
midnight when Rajesh Talwar
heard some noise from outside
he reached Hemraj room and
then barged in to Aarushi
room after not finding Hemraj
in his room where he killed
both by golf stick which he took
from Hemraj room.
To make sure their death
he slit their necks by any sur-
gical weapon. He disposed off
the blood stained cloths and the
small surgical weapon.
Superior prevented Nupurs
arrest, CBI sleuth tells court
AARUSHI-HEMRAJ MURDER
W
ouldyoucall it an
intrusion, incur-
sion, transgres-
sion or violation?
It does not matter,
as it is perceptional!
Let us look at the facts: For
centuries, the Great Himalayas
were an incident-free customary
natural border between Tibet and
India. Then in 1950, the Chinese
invaded the Roof of the World.
Progressively, the Peoples
Liberation Army spread over the
Tibetan plateau, building roads,
airstrips and setting up garrisons.
The border became the Line of
Actual Control. Now, the LAChas
become perceptional. This is a
convenient appellation for the
Chinese as they can enter at will
places they perceive as theirs,
plant their tents or send their yaks
to graze.
The Times of India reported
that NewDelhi has recordedwell
over 600 transgressions the
Governments euphemism for
cross-border intrusions all along
the unresolved 4,057 km Line of
Actual Control by the Peoples
Liberation Army. And this, over
the last three years alone. The lat-
est Chinese perceptional land-
grabbing, marks a new leap for-
ward; this time, the Chinese have
come muchdeeper intoIndias ter-
ritory and in a larger number.
According to media reports, a
large groupof Chinese soldiers set
up a camp some 10 kminside the
Indian territory in the Daulat Beg
Oldi sector of LadakhonApril 15.
To make things worse, two heli-
copters apparently providedlogis-
tic support to the Chinese troops.
India assertedits ownpercep-
tion two days later, sending a bat-
talion of Ladakh Scouts to camp
some 500 metres fromthe Chinese
position. Anofficer toldThe Times
of India: Our soldiers are conduct-
ing banner drills (waving banners
andplacards at the Chinese troops
to show it is Indian territory)
through the day. Reuters quotes
another official: Ladakhinpartic-
ularis being targeted. Though
Chinese troops usually go back
after marking their presence, they
are increasingly coming deeper
and deeper into our territory with
the aimto stake claimto disputed
areas. The Indian Government
says one should not worry, that
many mechanisms are in place:
The two countries are in touch
witheachother toresolve the row.
It is true that anAgreement onthe
Establishment of a Working
Mechanismfor Consultation and
Coordination on India-China
Border Affairs was signed on
January 17, 2012, but it is clear that
the Chinese use these mecha-
nisms (including the 1993 and
1996 border agreements) to do
what they please.
A question should be asked:
Why is the LAC still not defined?
What was the point of successive
National Security Advisers meeting
their Chinese counterparts 15
times since 2003 if they are unable
to define an actual line? The
blame is usually put on the insin-
cerity of the Chinese side whichis
not ready for the slightest compro-
mise, but it is alsoa fact that instinc-
tively the Indianleadershipprefers
tohide behinda mechanism, tonot
hurt our Chinese neighbours
feelings or makes things worse,
especially when the Chinese
Premier is expectedinNewDelhi.
A telling incident is worth
recalling. In September 1956, 20
Chinese crossed over the Shipki-
la pass into Himachal Pradesh. A
27-member Border Security Force
party met the Chinese the same
day. They were told by a Chinese
officer that he had been instruct-
ed to patrol right up to Hupsang
Khad (four miles south of Shipki
La, the acknowledged border
pass). The BSF were advised to
avoid anarmed clash but not yield
to the Chinese troops.
NewDelhi did not knowhow
to react. A few days later, Prime
Minister Nehru wrote to the
Foreign Secretary: I agree with
[your] suggestionit wouldnot be
desirable for this question to be
raised in the Lok Sabha at the pre-
sent stage. The Indians MPs, being
unpredictable, may raise a hue and
cry. So, it is better to keep it secret
and eventually mention it infor-
mally toChinese officials, thought
the Prime Minister. Finally, the
Ministry of External Affairs told
Beijing: The Government of India
are pained and surprised at this
conduct of the Chinese command-
ing officer. This was 56 years ago.
Is the situation different today?
Chinese incursions continued
inthe 1950s inGarwal (Barahoti),
Himachal Pradesh (Shipkila) and
then spread to Ladakh and the
North-East Frontier Agency. Maos
regime could have only been
encouragedby the Government of
Indias feeble complaints. Hundreds
of such protests have beenrecord-
ed in the 15 volumes of the White
Papers published till 1965 by the
UnionMinistry of External Affairs.
Readthemandyouwill knowthat
nothing is new under the
Himalayan Sun.
NewDelhi shouldhave noticed
earlier that Beijing did not want to
settle the border. In March 1954,
TNKaul, the Joint Secretary nego-
tiating the born in sin Panchsheel
Agreement withChina, thought he
was beingclever toname a fewbor-
der passes in the accord and that it
would be enough to automatically
define the frontier. He was in for a
big surprise when the Chinese
presented a draft that read: The
Chinese Government agrees to
openthe following mountainpass-
es inthe Ari [Ngari] District of the
Tibet Regionof China for entry by
traders andpilgrims of bothparties:
Shipki, Mana, Niti, Kungribingri,
Darma andLipuLekh. China per-
mitted India to cross Indian bor-
der passes. Though the Chinese
later agreed to rephrase the article,
Beijing never agreed that the bor-
der hadthus beendemarcated. Kaul
had been taken for a ride.
Duringthe Sino-Indianborder
talks inBeijingin1960, the Chinese
reiterated, The negotiations and
Agreement of 1954 didnot involve
at all the questionof delimiting the
boundary between the two coun-
tries. A few months earlier,
Chinese Premier Chou Enlai stat-
edthat the twosides hadbeenable
to settle all questions ripe for set-
tlement. Then, the Five Principles
were incorporatedinthe Preamble
of the Agreement. The Report of
the 1960border talks says: Mutual
respect for each others territorial
integrity assumedclear andprecise
knowledge of the extent of each
other's territory. Two states with a
commonboundary couldpromise
such respect for territorial integri-
ty andmutual non-aggressiononly
if they had a well-recognised
boundary. It was not the case; it is
not the case 59 years later.
What canIndia do? One solu-
tionwouldbe topostpone Premier
Li Keqiangs visit. However New
Delhi will probably prefer to
engage China, in which case, one
possibility wouldbe tofix the bor-
ders by re-opening several border
passes. The reopening of the
Demchok route in Ladakh would
not only pin the border in this
area, but alsoallowIndianpilgrims
to reach the Kailash-Mansarovar
area inrelatively comfortable con-
ditions. Another border post which
would make a difference, if re-
opened, is the old trade route via
the Karakoram pass. By building
a border infrastructure, bothsides
would have to agree on a LAC, if
not a proper border in the area;
some gaps between the border
posts may remain, but they could
be tackled at a later stage. Its true,
though, that the perceptional
intrusions occurred mainly in the
gaps. To fix a few border posts
would, however, go a long way in
solving the dispute.
A
pioneer of Bollywood's music fraternity and the voice behind some of its
most memorable hits, Shamshad Begum was not the greatest singer we
had. But she was definitely the most unique, with her strongly metallic but
melodious singing. That set her apart from contemporaries such as Mubarak
Begum, Suraiya, Noorjahan, Sudha Malhotra, Geeta Dutt and Amirbai Karnataki
not to forget Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Indeed, unlike some other
singers of the time who were swiftly swept aside by the Lata tsunami, Shamshad
Begum held her ground and continued to belt out hits well into the late sixties,
by which time both Lata Mangeshkar and sister Asha Bhosle were established
names. Though Shamshad Begum was one of the top singers of her era through-
out the 40s and the 50s, she shunned the limelight and kept herself away from
the glamour of the industry, concentrating only on giving full play to the song
in her heart. She sang in an unfettered manner and without a trace of inhibi-
tion. There was both innocence and mischief in her voice, and her distinct reper-
toire set new benchmarks for the generation that followed. There was little space
for falsetto in her tone. The first
female playback singer of the film
industry in the real sense of the term
(some others like Suraiya were actor-
singers), Shamshad Begum captivat-
ed the hearts of millions of her fans,
not just in this country but across the
border as well, with Saiyaan dil
mein aana re or the teasing Reshmi
salwar kurta jaali ka. These and
other songs were frequently aired on
AIR, Lahore. Her hit parade, many of
which have been re-mixed and are
considered top of the party chart-
busters today, include: Leke pehla
pehla pyar and Kahin pe nigahen
kahin pe nishana (C.I.D); Kabhi aar
kabhi paar (Aar Paar), Mere piya
gaye Rangoon (Patanga), and Kajra
mohabbatwala (Kismat) in the
last instance she sang not for the heroine, but for the hero, played by Biswajeet,
in drag! Does one need to recall the magic that Begum wove in those songs!
She broke the glass ceiling at a time when for women, to get into films, much
less sing for a gair audience, was frowned upon in conservative Muslim soci-
ety. But for a supportive uncle, Begum, as she came to be fondly known, would
have remained confined to home and hearth. It is said that she promised her
father that she would never appear before the camera. So faithfully did she keep
her promise to her father that the public at large did not know what she looked
like till well into the 1970s.
Truly a versatile singer before versatility became a fashion, Begum won the
hearts of legendary composers such as Ghulam Haider, Naushad and OP Nayyar.
There will never be another like her. Todays generation, fed on the likes of Sheela
ki jawani and Chikni chameli, need to listen to her songs to understand what
a voice with a character really means.
I
ndia's pitiably feeble response to what is possibly China's most brazen mili-
tary incursion in recent times is grossly inadequate and destined to further
embolden a belligerent Beijing. Instead of sending out a strong message that
military misadventures across the Line of Actual Control will not be tolerated,
New Delhi has chosen to plead before Beijing with folded hands and bended knees.
Expectedly, Beijing has thumbed its nose at New Delhi. Chinese officials on the
ground have told the Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel to go back and not
return; nothing has come of the two flag meetings held in the past week; and
the Indian Foreign Secretary summoning the Chinese Ambassador to register
protest has not even made a symbolic impact. New Delhi has stationed its troops
500 metres away from the Chinese camp but the Indian soldiers do not have
orders for forward movement. Meanwhile, the Chinese continue to dig their heels
deep into Indian soil as the Indian Government twiddles its thumb, hiding behind
the diplomatic jargon of border dispute redressal mechanisms and bilateral agree-
ments, and ultimately ties itself up in knots. For example, New Delhi sought to
underplay this unacceptable violation as a perceptional problem and in the
process, played right into Beijing's hands. A perceptional' problem is exactly
what Beijing wants it to be and its
spokesperson has even said as much.
Yet, the fact remains that, regard-
less of the differing perceptions, New
Delhi and Beijing already have a
mutual understanding to uphold the
status quo on the ground. By now vio-
lating that understanding, and that too
in such an unabashed manner, Beijing
has clearly upped the ante. On April
15, 30-odd soldiers crossed over the
Line of Actual Control and moved 10
km into Daulat Beg Oldi sector in
Ladakh. They received air cover from
two helicopters as they raised a tent
and deliberately squatted on Indian ter-
ritory. That the Chinese soldiers did not
just mark their presence and return to
their side of the LAC, as they usually
do when patrolling a disputed border,
is evidence enough that this is not the typical incursion. Given the logistical
support that preceded the incursion, it is amply clear that the military operation
had been cleared at the highest levels in China. Shocking as this may be, Beijings
action is not entirely surprising and indeed in keeping with their past conduct.
Pushing the envelope as far as possible and then a little more, so as to effec-
tively gauge the other side's response, is consistent with Chinese strategy across
the world. Beijing has tested the waters in this manner, quite literally in fact, against
Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and, earlier, even with Russia. But in each case, it
has met with strong resistance except against India which has always pre-
ferred to pussyfoot around the issue, ever since the 1950s when such incur-
sions were more common. It is no wonder that China waged war against India
over a territorial dispute. As for the April 15 misadventure, it will eventually sort
itself out, with India lending a helping hand by once again being virtually sub-
missive. While there is no doubt that New Delhis relationship with China has
grown tremendously in recent years, the long-festering border dispute between
the two countries can undo the gains of the recent past.
Bold and brazen China
PLA soldiers make base in Indian territory
opinion 08 LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
Intrude, violate, and
then offer to discuss
What can India do in the face of Beijings brazenness? One way out would be to postpone Premier Li Keqiang's
visit to India. But New Delhi will probably prefer to engage' China. We have been doing this for decades
The Begum of singing
She came into our hearts, never to leave
Games opportunists play
Sir This refers to the article,
Some poetic wisdomfor embat-
tled BJP (April 24) by Rajesh
Singh. For the BJP, sacrificing its
most capable and popular candi-
date in the form of Mr Narendra
Modi, will be suicidal. Only Mr
Modi can inspire the nation as he
has a proven track record of good
governance. Meanwhile, the party
should start working towards get-
ting more Lok Sabha seats from
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
As for Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar, he is an oppor-
tunist. The BJP should not factor
him into its calculations. Instead,
it should make deals with parties
in Tamil Nadu, Odisha and
Andhra Pradesh. Things will
work out for the BJP as the
Congress has too much baggage
and a poor leadership.
Ranga
Via web
Over-estimating oneself
Sir This refers to the article,
Some poetic wisdom for embat-
tled BJP (April 24) by Rajesh
Singh. It is one of the best polit-
ical pieces that I have read in
recent times. What the writer has
expressed is the opinion of sen-
sible citizens who are distressed
by the state that the Congress-led
UPA Government has reduced
the country to.
The ruling alliance consists
of a group of lawyers who know
how to manipulate the system so
as to cover up the corruption of
thei r col l eagues. Thi s
Governments tenure will go
down in the countrys history as
its most tragic political period
since Independence.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
Kumar will also pay for his over-
ly high ambition of trying to do
what Mr Naveen Patnaik has
achieved in Odisha although
even the latter is in for a big shock
himself. Mr Nitish Kumar will
face opposition not only fromthe
BJP but also from the RJD, the
RLD and the Congress, which
will divide the minority votes
the same votes over which he is
today willing to snap links with
the BJP.
This could be the beginning
of the end of the Nitish Kumar
story. A survey showed earlier
that the BJP will gain considerably
in Bihar due to polarisation if the
JD(U) breaks away from the
BJP-led NDA.
Now, the BJP should not
hesitate to invite Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi to cam-
paign in Bihar, and ignite nation-
alistic sentiments which have
not been expressed for almost a
decade now, under the spineless
incumbent regime at the Centre.
Magoa
Via web
Stop the blame game
Sir This refers to the editori-
al, Cheat funds of Bengal
(April 24). Neither is this the first
time that a Ponzi scheme has
cheated thousands of innocent
people in our country nor shall it
be the last time that we read about
such frauds and scams. The
unscrupulous will continue to
cheat the innocent and the unsus-
pecting investors.
However, at this point,
instead of trying to mitigate the
misery of the duped investors,
political parties in West Bengal
and the State Government are
busy engaging in blame games.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees
Government and its opponents
need to rise above petty politics
and ensure that the investors
recover their losses at the earliest.
Bal Govind
Noida
www.dailypioneer.com
p a p e r w i t h p a s s i o n
CLAUDE ARPI
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
No man will harass a
woman unless the
woman gives him a
glance and a smile
of invitation.
Madhya Pradesh
Congress leader
Satyadev Katare
In terms of reach, there
is no bigger screen
than television. It's
wrong to call it a small
screen.
Bollywood actor
Riteish Deshmukh
No policeman can
do anything until I
give orders. No cop
can even sit till I
give orders. I am in
Government.
Uttar Pradesh
Minister
Shiv Kumar Beria
CHINESE
INCURSIONS
CONTINUED
THROUGH THE
1950S, AS MAO'S
REGIME WAS
ENCOURAGED BY
NEW DELHIS
FEEBLE
COMPLAINTS.
CLEARLY, NOTHING
HAS CHANGED
UNDER THE
HIMALAYAN SUN
SOUNDBITE
For Nitish, his interests
come before the nations
T
his refers to the article, Some poetic wisdom for embattled BJP (April
24) by Rajesh Singh. When Mr Barack Obama first won and became
the US President, his rival, Ms Hillary Clinton, set aside all differences and
bitterness for the sake of national interest and accepted the post of Secretary
of State. She could have continued as the powerful Senator fromNewYork,
probably for life, but she sacrificed all that for the good of her country.
Even Mr Obama reached out to her admirably.
Sadly, personal egos are bigger than national interest among Indian
politicians. The reality is that the Chinese are breathing down the coun-
trys neck, sending their troops to loiter in Indian territory some six miles
deep a provocative act; Pakistan is sending terrorists in Kashmir and
elsewhere at will; Maoists are tearing the country apart from within; the
UPA regime is sinking in corruption. But, Mr Nitish Kumar could not care
less. He must get his pound of flesh.
Krishan
Via web
Send your feedback to:
letterstopioneer@gmail.com
PRAVIN SAWHNEY
KOTA SRIRAJ
E
arth Day reminds us of
our precious planet and
its precarious condition.
But interestingly and equally
disturbingly, throughout the
rest of the year our apathy
towards the planet resumes.
According to a report by
Centre for Science and
Environment, Indian cities
spew nearly 40,000 million
litres of sewage every day, but
barely 20 per cent of it is treat-
ed and the untreated waste
dumped into rivers seeps into
groundwater, thereby creating
a ticking health bomb in India.
This is in spite of the required
regulations and laws that are in
place to be implemented.
Earth Day celebrations in
the country resemble a stereo-
type process, which assume
bureaucratic overtones, thanks
to an unimaginative
Government that perceives
this otherwise important event
as a day-long formality that,
once completed, will come
only after an year. This is com-
pounded by the indifferent
attitude of the people who, in
the race for livelihood and
growth, have little time to
spare for the planet that they
are feeding on. On a more pos-
itive note, we do have a diverse
section of highly motivated
activists and non-Government
organisations that promote the
cause of environment protec-
tion and conservation. This
work is complimented by the
presence of stronger legisla-
tions that put environment on
a higher priority.
But, sadly, the good part
ends here. There are examples
aplenty where the purpose of
legislation has been woefully
lost due to an insipid or a com-
plete lack of implementation
and enforcement of environ-
ment laws that are the by-prod-
ucts of the legislation.
The Government of Delhi,
for instance, has shown exem-
plary resolve by putting in
place regulations and laws con-
cerning the use of plastic, e-
waste recycling or waste segre-
gation, but equally glaring is
the sporadic or in some cases
complete absence of enforce-
ment of these laws.
This has had a cascading
effect on the seriousness peo-
ple attach to the cause.
Environmental protection and
bringing in a greater degree of
sustainability in our daily lives
cannot be achieved only by the
tireless efforts of certain organ-
isations and individuals, but
can come about through a
national phenomenon when
the people realise that violating
an environmental law has seri-
ous implications. The long-
term objectives of the regula-
tions should be not to punish
the violators, but bring about
awareness so that the violations
come down.
There are many challenges
in the process of implementing
a proper enforcement for envi-
ronmental laws, and chief
among them is the lack of
awareness among the very
community for whose benefit
the laws have been framed; add
to this the inadequate capaci-
ty and resources that enforce-
ment institutions and practi-
tioners are saddled with. The
deficient monitoring of envi-
ronmental licensing systems
followed by inadequate penal-
ties or other punitive measures
ensure that the real purpose of
regulations is never realised.
However, a welcome silver
lining in the entire gamut of
environmental legislation and
enforcement has been the ini-
tiative and pivotal role taken up
by the courts in India, especial-
ly the Supreme Court of India,
in laying down the foundations
of environmental jurispru-
dence. In a spate of cases
brought through public inter-
est litigations, the courts have
taken upon themselves the
task of expanding Article 21 of
the Constitution, by interpret-
ing that Right to Life includes
right to live in a healthy envi-
ronment. There have also been
other positive interventions.
This has providedthemuch-
needed support to individuals
and organisations which are
engaged in the cause of cleaner
environment, whereinthe lackof
political will and backing has
been compensated for with a
muchstronger resolve anddeter-
mination of the judiciary.
The Government should
explore newavenues suchas the
social media in ensuring com-
pliance towards environmental
laws and regulations. With a
booming technology and smart
devices, the social media scores
over others as an economic
mediumto create public aware-
ness on a quantum scale. The
Government should effectively
use the medium to reach the
stakeholders not only to impart
the message but also to provide
incentives and benefits to those
who abide by the laws.
The Government should
also take concrete measures to
enrol the active support andpar-
ticipation of the students com-
munity invarious programmes.
Such an initiative will trigger
interest in and commitment of
the future generations in the
preservation and protection of
our environment.
Global events such as
Earth Day should help us set a
timeline and act as a reminder
of what we can achieve in the
year to come. Governments as
well as individuals should make
commitments to the effect.
After all, events like Earth Day
bind the global population
into one single family that is
committed to ensuring a bet-
ter tomorrow.
Global events such as Earth Day should help us set a timeline and act as a reminder of what we can achieve.
Governments as well as individuals should make and keep commitments to the protection of environment
Army has to face the reality
3rdeye 09
LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
The demand for resignation is absurd. The
Law Minister only made grammatical
corrections to the CBI's status report.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister
KAMAL NATH
Kamal Nath's remark is laughable. This is
the first time that the CBI needed
tutorship of the Law Minister.
Senior BJP leader
RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD
Stated bluntly, in
holding up or
nixing the deal for
197 helicopters
and Israel's Spike
Anti-Tank Guided
Missiles, Army
chief General
Bikram Singh has
covered up for
what was really
the Defence
Minister's call. Why
has he done this?
Is it not the Army
chiefs highest
moral responsibility
to ensure optimal
war preparedness
of his force?
POINTCOUNTERPOINT
O
ne year on is a good time
to review the outcome of
the confidential letter writ-
ten by the then Chief of
Army Staff, General VK
Singh, to Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh in April 2012, saying that the
Army is unprepared for war. To be sure,
he was referring to a war with Pakistan.
Within weeks of assuming office in May
same year, the new COAS, General
BikramSingh, informed the nation that
the Army was prepared for all eventu-
alities, implying military threats from
both Pakistan and China. Union
Minister for Defence AK Antony has
since availed all opportunities, includ-
ing the recently-concluded Army
Commanders conference, to emphasise
that modernisation is on track. While
achieving so much in so little time is a
miracle in itself, what was the fuss about
General VK Singhs confidential letter
that was leaked to the media?
The letter had said it all. The mis-
sion reliability of mechanised vehicles
is poor, the artillery is obsolete and inad-
equate, air defence is antiquated, armour
is unreliable due to regular barrel acci-
dents caused by mismatch between
indigenous barrels and ammunition,
night-fighting devices are insufficient,
aviation corps helicopters need urgent
replacements, and holdings of all types
of missiles, anti-tank and specialised
ammunition is critically lowto last three
to five days of war: This is what Gen
Singh had writtento the Prime Minister.
Following this, the Defence
Minister asked Army Headquarters to
fast-track acquisitions; the list of essen-
tials was prepared overnight and sent.
Unfortunately, the situation has deteri-
orated further in the last one year. On
the one hand, nothing has come so far.
On the other hand, missiles and spe-
cialised ammunition holdings which
have a shelf-life, have dipped further. At
present, the Army does not have reserve
stocks called War Wastage Reserves for
most ammunition categories. It is
mandatory for the Army to have WWR
for 40 days of intense war for long-shelf
life category, and 21 days of intense
fighting for short shelf-life category like
anti-tank, rocket artillery and missiles.
If this was not enough, Gen Bikram
Singhhas recently sought freezing of the
197helicopters deal meant toreplace the
aged Cheetah/Chetak helicopters of the
seventies vintage, which are the life-line
for troops that live on Siachen Glacier at
heights between 12,000 feet and 21,000
feet. He has also asked for the cancella-
tion of Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles
urgently needed to hit Pakistani/terror-
ists hideouts in high altitude areas of
Kashmir and Ladakh. Both critical pro-
curement processes have been going on
since over a decade, andthe Armyhas lit-
tle to do with any wrongdoing, if indeed
wrongdoings have happened. Inthe case
of the 197 helicopters, the finalists after
extensive field trials are the Russian Ka-
226T and the Eurocopters AS 550 C3
Fennec. However, inanunrelatedcase of
12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters
sold to India for VVIP use, an Italian
probe has mentionedthe name of Indian
Brigadier VS Saini apparently asking for
money to manipulate the same compa-
nys AW119helicopter towinthe197heli-
copter bid. Considering that AW119
was out of the trials at anearly stage, why
has the Army chief denied replacements
of obsolete helicopters by saying that the
deal should be placed on hold till
Brigadier Saini is cleared by the CBI?
Similarly, after extensive trials, the
Israeli Spike ATGMhas emerged as the
best weapon for use in high altitudes to
hit bunkers at 18,000 feet. To recall, the
present Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief
Marshal NAK Browne, had first recom-
mend Spike ATGM when he was the
Indian defence adviser in Israel in 1997,
twoyears before its operational utilitywas
understood during the 1999 Kargil War
where the Pakistani Army had dug itself
intobunkers inhighaltitude areas. Since
then, trials have been held of Russian
Kornet-EandAmericanJavelinATGMs,
bothof whichhave beenfoundunaccept-
able ondifferent counts. The reasongiven
by the Army chief for withdrawing from
the ATGMacquisition is that he did not
want a single-vendor situation. Stated
bluntly, in both cases 197 helicopters
and Spike ATGMGen BikramSingh
has coveredupfor what was the Defence
Ministers call. Why has he done this? Is
it not his highest moral responsibility to
ensure optimal war preparedness of
his Army?
It can be argued that Gen Bikram
Singh has simply followed in his prede-
cessors foot-steps of making exaggerat-
ed claims during peace time. During the
1999Kargil War, the thenCOAS, General
VPMalik, toldanincredulous nationthat
we will fight with whatever we have
really saying that the neededwherewith-
al was absent. Consequently, more young
officers died than should have, and the
artillery was pulled fromother sensitive
theatres leaving operational gaps which
would have been disastrous had the
PakistanArmy enlargedthe conflict into
anall-out war. Therewereumpteenmedia
reports about Defence Ministry bureau-
crats air-dashing to Russia and Israel,
clutching suitcases filled with dollars to
procure ammunition.
Similarly, during Operation
Parakram, the 10-month long military
stand-off betweenIndia and Pakistanin
2001-2002, the Vajpayee Government
decided to finally not go to war. Little
knowntothe nationwas the fact that the
NorthernArmy Commander, Lt General
RK Nanavaty had told the then COAS,
General S Padmanabhan, that he lacked
adequate equipment andammunitionfor
the war. In the aftermath of 26/11 ter-
rorists attacks in Mumbai when New
Delhi was mulling over strong retaliato-
ry action, there were reports that the
COAS, General Deepak Kapoor, had
expressed concerns to both Prime
Minister ManmohanSinghandDefence
Minister Antony about equipment and
ammunition deficiencies.
The truth is that since 1993, when
then COAS, Gen BP Joshi, raised the
Rashtriya Rifles forces for Jammu &
Kashmir to quell Pakistan-sponsored
terrorism, he used internal resources,
depleting the Armys WWR.
His successor, Gen Shankar
Roychowdhury, has writtenabout this in
his book, Officially at Peace, No COAS
has sincecaredenough, goingbeyondoffi-
cial communications, tomake prepared-
ness for war his top-most operational
responsibility.
Political parties must now ask the
Government the hard question: Is the
13 lakh strong Indian Army, which
gets the lions share of the $49 billion
annual defence budget, prepared to
fight a war?
(The writer is a former Indian Army
officer and now Editor, FORCE, a news-
magazine on national security)
Symbolic concerns are of no use
think
now
P
eople are like stained-
glass windows. They
sparkle and shine when
the sun is out, but when
darkness sets in, their true
beauty is revealed only if there
is light from within. The most
beautiful people are those who
have known defeat, suffering,
struggle, loss, and have found
their way out of the depths.
These persons have an
understanding of life that fills
them with compassion and
deep-loving concern.
Elisabeth Kbler-Ross
Swiss-American psychiatrist
Social distortions
must be tackled
I
t is hardly surprising that the demonstrations convulsing Delhi over
the rape of a five-year-old child a fewdays ago have targeted Delhi
Police; the latter is directly responsible for preventing and detect-
ing crime and successfully prosecuting criminals. Anger against it
for the alarming rise in the incidence of rape in the most savage form
in the national capital, is all the more understandable because one
had expected the police to become more alert and serious in respond-
ing to crimes against women following last December's gang rape
of a young woman and the explosion of public fury that followed.
Its utterly callous reaction to the child's rape and the vicious slap-
ping of a young woman protester by a uniformed officer, suggests
that nothing of the sort has happened.
A police force, however, is one of the several agents, albeit a
very important one, active in a country's criminal landscape. While
good policing has a critical deterrent role in crime prevention, social
and cultural conditions which conduce to criminality in individuals
also constitute a vital factor. It is time that people both in Government
and the civil society gave serious thought to the matter, bearing in
mind that no uniformcausative pattern can hold good for an extreme-
ly diverse country like India. In the case of rape, the causes account-
ing for it are often very different in rural and urban areas.
In urban areas, an important source of crime, including rape,
are the increasingly large floating populations of rural migrants in
search of livelihood. This is because the fear of familial and
societal disapprobation that inhibit delinquent behaviour
in villages is often absent in urban areas. Even when
a migrant becomes a part of a group from his own
area, members of the latter are often too preoc-
cupied with their own very considerable problems
of coping with life's many challenges to keep an
eye on new arrivals. Often, older migrants them-
selves have succumbed to the temptations that
urban life offers and to which they, sans the
restraining factors at home, are vulnerable. In such
cases, they initiate new arrivals into less inhibited
city life and even crime where they themselves are
involved in it.
In the cases of migrants, anonymity is an important
contributing factor to crime. The chances of being identified while
committing a crime are relatively fewer in the city where they are
not recognised in most parts of its vast sprawl, than in their vil-
lages where they are known by their faces and names. The real-
isation emboldens some people. Besides, there are the questions
of recognition and identity.
By instinct humans are gregarious, seek relationships with oth-
ers and abhor loneliness. An identity not only gives one a sense of
worth but it is also the basis of recognition which, in turn, is the
starting point of relationships. Unfulfilled desire for human relation-
ships and recognition can sometimes lead to sub-conscious efforts
to extract recognition in the form of violent criminal action and the
ephemeral sado-masochistic relationship it establishes with the vic-
tims. Rape is one of the most savage forms of sadistic domination.
The commoditification of women as objects of pleasure and the
commercialisation of female body in advertisements, films and tele-
vision serials, facilitate rape. It is robbery of a woman's inviolabili-
ty as an individual human being. In the sense of its being the most
horrific formof robbery, rape is an extension of robbery whose inci-
dence, along with that of theft, has been constantly rising with the
growth of advertising, the cutting edge of the market economy, which
not only stokes the desire for possession and consumption but makes
both measures of a person's worth.
One must, therefore, give a cold, hard look at the forms of enter-
tainment flooding big and small screens and of advertisements flood-
ing media. The argument that any curb would be contrary to the
norms of sexual and creative freedom will not wash. Sexual free-
dom and commercial exploitation of sex are totally different things.
The former is essentially a question of choice within the ambit of
personal morality and consensual relationships. If anything, mass
commercialisation of sex distorts the social context in the midst of
which that choice is exercised.
Commoditification of women as objects of pleasure
and commercialisation of the female body in the
media, facilitate heinous crimes such as rapes
Rhetoric will not do. Political parties must ask the Government the hard question: Is the 13 lakh strong Indian Army, which
gets the lion's share of the $49 billion annual defence budget, adequately equipped and prepared to fight a war? HIRANMAY KARLEKAR
FIRST
COLUMN
LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
nation 10
MOHIT KANDHARI n JAMMU
J
&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
on Wednesday posed some uncom-
fortable questions to the Central
Government while raising question
marks over Indias foreign policy vis-
a-vis two neighboring
countries Pakistan and
China.
Referring to the recent
incursions by the Peoples
Liberation Army (PLA) in
Northern Ladakh sector
Omar said, We are sur-
rounded by two neighbor-
ing countries Pakistanand
China andbothof themare
trying to grab our land.
He said, I fail to
understand why we are behaving dif-
ferently with two neighboring countries.
Addressing a public rally in Bani
area of Kathua district Omar said,
Recently you must have seen on tele-
vision and read newspapers reports how
China had intruded 15 km inside our
territory and pitched their tents. He said
they threaten us to stop work but
imagine if Pakistan had intruded 15 km
inside the Indian territory we would
have never kept silent. We would have
raised lot of hue and cry. We would have
severed cricketing ties with the neigh-
boring country, stopped playing football
with them.We would have suspended
the peace talks and trade activity.
Omar said we would have threat-
ened them to vacate our
land before resuming the
bilateral ties. But in case
of China we say this is not
a big issue. we will resolve
the issue through a dia-
logue process.
Omar also urged the
Union Government to
give clear cut message to
China on intrusion issue
adding that this kind of
situations have always put
the people, living in frontier areas,
under difficulties besides hampering
the process of development.
We would like the Central
Government to take up this issue with
bothChina andPakistanstrongly andon
same terms sothat nosuchincident takes
place in future, he said and added that
the UnionGovernments dealing onsuch
issues should be unambiguous and sim-
ilar vis-a-vis both the neighbours.
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE n
HYDERABAD
A
fter a runaway Rhino
creat i ng pani c at
Visakhapatanam Zoological
Park, it was the turn of a
Chimpanzee to do an encore
at the Nehru Zoological Park
in Hyderabad.
A 21-year-old female
Chimpanzee Suzi ran out of
her encl osure at t he
Hyderabad zoo on
Wednesday and triggered
panic by attacking and injur-
ing three workers with on the
zoo premises. The people
present in the zoo ran helter
skelter as the giant animal ran
from one corner to another
before it stuck itself in to a
barricaded lawn and was
recaptured.
According to an official
press release of the zoo, the
animal bolted out of the night
house by removing the latch,
nut and bolt of the door
when a worker was about to
release it in to adjoining
moat for public viewing.
As the animal came out,
the workers ran in panic to
save themselves and alerted
the seniors. Meanwhile the
animal moved towards the
food court area and attacked
three workers there.
The injured were rushed
to fever hospital for treatment
and later discharged.
Meanwhile the veterinary
staff of the zoo sedated the
animal and moved it back to
the enclosure. Zoo authorities
said that the animal was now
alert and normal.
In a similar incident on
Apri l 11, a Rhi noceros
escaped from its moat at
Indira Gandhi Zoological
Park at Visakhapatanam.
The Rhino Nakal was
brought from Kanpur zoo
and released in to moat when
it broked through the moat
gate and created a panic by
running in to public area.
Later it entered in to Sambhar
area before it was sedated and
brought back to more secure
moat.
PNS n KANNUR
T
he Kerala Police on
Wednesday confirmed that
the training camp held at a
secret facility they had raided at
Narath, Kannur onTuesday and
the 21 activists of the Popular
Front of India they had arrested
from there had terror connec-
tions, strengthening the appre-
hensions that the Malabar region
had become one of the terror
hubs in South India.
The raid had yielded sever-
al weapons, bombs, a human
dummy for target-practisingand
several Islamist pamphlets and
Iranianidentificationdocument,
etc. According to the police, the
camp was meant for imparting
training intended for springing
terror acts and in carrying out
high-intensity explosions.
The police learnedabout the
terror connections of the camp
and the fact that some of those
arrestedhadalreadyreceivedter-
ror training from information
gatheredduring their interroga-
tion. They said some of those
held had evenplanned and exe-
cuted serious crimes. The case
could be handed over to the
National Investigation Agency,
sources said.
The raid was held at the
office building of Thanal
Charitable Trust, a body with
alleged connections with the
Popular Front, whose activists
were behind the attack on Prof
TJ Joseph of Muvattupuzha,
ErnakulaminJuly, 2010inwhich
his right hand was chopped off
as punishment for setting a test
paper in which a question
allegedly blasphemed Prophet
Muhammad.
Following the indications
of the terror link of the training
camp and of those who partici-
pated in it, Additional Director
General of Police (North)
Shanker Reddy reachedKannur.
Raul R Nair, Superintendent of
Police, Kannur cancelled his
leave consideringthe seriousness
of the case and conducted
inspection at the facility.
Apart fromweapons, bombs
and bomb-making materials,
the police had also seized an
Iranianidentity cardandforeign
currency fromthose taken into
custody generating suspicions
that theycouldhave foreigncon-
nections too. The police have got
indications that the arrestedper-
sons had been receiving money
andtelephone calls fromabroad.
The articles seizedfromthe
facility during the raid included
flags and pamphlets of the
Popular Front, its political wing
Social Democratic Party of India
(SDPI) and the National
Development Front, the former
Avatar of the PFI. Police officials
saidthat a detailedreport onthe
findings would be submitted to
the State Home Department
immediately.
A document in which
names of several leading per-
sonalities and details of their
organizations and institutions
and vehicles had been written
had also been seized from the
facility. The police suspect that
this could be a hit-list. Sources
said that the facility was a per-
manent trainingcampthat could
have been in operation for the
past two years.
The Popular Front leader-
ship and those arrested claimed
that a Yoga training programme
was being held at the facility as
part of a personality develop-
ment programme the outfit had
organized. However, the police
during questioning learnedthat
the trainers didnot have eventhe
faintest ideas about Yoga.
Abdul Aziz of Mattannur,
one of the trainers at the camp,
is the first accused in the case
pertaining to the brutal murder
of a Hindu Aikya Vedi leader
eight years back. Another train-
er, Fahad, is anaccusedina case
pertaining to the attempt to
murder a CPI(M) worker. The
police said several of those
arrested had been involved in
various crimes.
Union Minister of State for
Home Mullappally Ramacha-
ndransaidthe Kerala Police was
presently probing the matter
effectively and that the NIA
would take over the case if nec-
essary. The Opposition leader
wanted the probe to be handed
over to the NIA.
KESTUR VASUKI n
SHIKARIPURA
I
n informal parleys many BJP
insiders admit and compare
regional satrap 72-year-old BS
Yeddyurappa to Bhasmasura or
Nero who wants to destroy his
own party. He is no exception
but different from many lead-
ers who have quit and came
back to the BJP.
Always angry Yeddyurappa
is waging a battle to defeat BJP
will help Congress to probably
consolidate its effort to come-
back to power in the ensuing
assembly polls. Some senior
BJP leaders also admit that it
was a mistake that the party
was very harsh on him. They
also question why only
Yeddyurappa? Has he become
a victim of infighting (may be
party ideology) of senior lead-
ers? Significantly May 5
assembly elections in
Karnataka will answer many of
these questions and also lead to
a political polarization of par-
ties.
Yeddyurappa who has been
credited with bringing BJP to
saddle in Karnataka making
first ever BJP government in
the south has to keep his iden-
tity intact. Yeddyurappa no
doubt is playing the spoilsport
by his consolidation of his
Lingayat caste votes troubling
BJP in the caste politics. Many
feel this RSS pracharak who has
built the party might loose
but also destroy chances of BJP
which is fighting anti incum-
bency and corruption.
In Karnataka politics after
late Ramakrishna Hegde ( even
though he was not a lingay-
at)who became chief minister
playing Lingayat politics it is
now Yeddyurappa has con-
solidated himself to be the
undisputed leader of the dom-
inant community which
decides Karnataka politics like
the other dominant commu-
nity Vokkaligas(gowda).
Yeddyurappa always says that
he was hurt by the treatment
given by some of the party
seniors. He nourishes a grouse
against party patriarch LK
Advani for listening to anoth-
er leader from Karnataka HN
Ananthakumar who cherish-
es an ambition to become chief
minister of the state.
In fact it was first former
prime minister and JDS supre-
mo HD Devegowda who con-
solidated caste Vokkaligas for
his politics. Yeddyurappa fol-
lowed him and became leader
of Lingayats in the process.
It is history now
Yeddyurappa has formed his
own party Karnataka Janata
party (KJP). Nobody is confi-
dant of KJP doing a miracle but
many accept that the party is
going to defeat BJP helping
Congress in the assembly polls.
This is a political process.
Looking at the caste politics in
Karnataka Yeddyurappas KJP
is expected to become a spoil
sport in the May 5 assembly
polls. But this might lead to a
new political alignments and
polarization based on caste
and numbers, asserts Professor
Suresh Misra of the Indian
Institute of Public
Administration (IIPA) , New
Delhi.
Yeddyurappa with a
minority government with just
110 seats with his operation
lotus had decimated both the
Congress and JDS in
Karnataka.
He ruled but became
victim of his own party insid-
ers. He went to jail and now
wants to destroy BJP. He has
caste combination to his side,
says a senior BJP leader who
did not want to be named. A
senior party functionary admits
that Yeddyurappa gave lot of
doles to religious institutions
and RSS run institutions is still
in the good books of RSS func-
tionaries.
Yeddyurappa now playing
secular card and trying a
Muslim-Lingayt combination
in his juggernaut might play a
crucial role in defeating the rul-
ing party.
DHEERAJ KUMAR n PATNA
T
he first signof thawbetween
the BJP and the JD(U)
became visible on Wednesday
when both parties decided to
share three vacant seats inBihar
Legislative Council through a
mutual agreement.
The bypoll tothe three seats
of Bihar Legislative Council
would be held on May 9.
The JD(U) will contest on
two seats while the BJP on one,
once again reflecting that the
alliance has remained some-
what intact despite exchange of
barbs among leaders of both
parties on the issue of prime
ministerial candidate for the
2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Bihar JD(U) president
Vashishtha Narayan Singh told
The Pioneer that though his
party is capable of winning all
three seats, it has decided to
give one seat to its alliance
partner BJP in its endeavour to
keep the relationship of both
parties strong in the State.
The by-election to these
three seats was necessitated fol-
lowing the deathof JD(U) mem-
ber Ramashraya Prasad Singh,
RJD members Badshah Prasad
Azad and Ramchandra Prasad.
The last date for filing the
nomination papers is April 29.
Sources saidthat the termof
the Council seat falling vacant
due to the death of Badshah
Azadwill complete inMay 2014
while the termof the seat which
fell vacant due to the death of
Ramashraya Prasad Singh will
be completedin2018. The term
of the seat falling vacant due to
the demise of Ramchandra
Prasad will complete in 2016.
Bihar BJP president
Mangal Pandey said that the
JD(U) is a natural claimant to
the one seat falling vacant due
to the death of its sitting mem-
ber Ramashraya Prasad Singh.
The remaining two seats, which
fell vacant following the death
of the two sitting RJD mem-
bers, were shared by both BJP
and JD (U) after discussions.
He said the BJP is in favour
of keeping the alliance intact for
the development of the State.
The name of the BJP can-
didate for the State Legislative
Council would be declared by
the party central command in
New Delhi in a day or two.
KUMAR CHELLAPPAN n
CHENNAI
T
he arrests of three al-
Umma activists from var-
ious places in Tamil Nadu in
connection with the April 17
bomb blasts in Bangalore and
the arrest of another an-
Umma cadre from Tirunelveli
following Saturdays attempt
on the life of a BJP leader has
sent shock waves all over the
State. Even as chief minister
J Jayalalithaa claimed in the
assembly on Tuesday that the
crime rate in the State has
come down since she took
over the administration in
May 2011, recent events point
to an unpleasant truth; Tamil
Nadu has become a safe haven
for Islamic terrorists.
Strangely enough, no
political outfits other than the
BJP agree with the reality for
obvious reasons.
The last six months have
seen the number of attacks on
leaders of Hindu organisa-
tions going up in the State.
Last week saw the four west-
ern districts of Coimbatore,
Erode, Nilgiris and Tiruppur
observing a days hartal which
brought normal life to a halt,
a rare event in Tamil Nadu.
The call for hartal was given
by various Hindu organisa-
tions including the BJP. For
the first tiome in the State,
heads of various Hindu Mutts
too came out in the open
extending their support to the
hartal.
Monday saw the southern
di stri ct of Kanyakumari
observing a hartal in protest
against the attempt on the life
of M R Gandhi, a BJP func-
tionary.
The last one year has
seen Islamic terrorism and
fundamentalism taking roots
in Tamil Nadu with renewed
vigour. This is disturbing,
said B Haran, a political com-
mentator based in Chennai.
He blamed the AIADMK
administrations lackadaisical
attitude towards the funda-
mentalists.
The agitations against
t hree f i l ms, Tuppakki ,
Viswaroopam (both Tamil)
and the Innocence of Islam
(Hollywodd) were the turning
points in Tamil Nadu. Wirth
the state administration itself
extending support to the
demands of the Islamic fun-
damentalists, terrorists and
their patrons understood that
Tamil Nadu is a soft target,
said Haran. The directors of
Thuppakki and Viswaroopam
were forced to delete the
scenes suggested by the
Islamists who later claimed
that nothing un-Islamic
would be featured in Tamil
films.
B S Raghavan, former
chief secretary, Tripura and
director, political and securi-
ty policy planning in the
ministry of home, felt recent
events suggest that activists
of fundamentalist organisa-
tions were making a beeline to
Tamil Nadu. The arrests of
certain people in connection
with the Bangalore blasts is
crucial. Without any basis, the
Tamil Nadu police will not
take into custody anyone as
they are guarded and careful
to adverse reaction from the
judiciary.
All these arrests have
been made based on reliable
information, said Raghavan.
He said it was natural for
extremists and anti-national
elements to take to safe
havens when other places
come under the scanner of
security and intelligence
agencies. Police are handling
anti-national and subversive
elements effectively in north
Indian states. So they have
chosen tamil Nadu, he said.
A senior intelligence offi-
cial, who did not want his
name to be quoted, agreed
that Islamic extremism and
terrorists are taking strong
roots in Tamil Nadu.
There are arms training
camps and classes for indoc-
trination. Since we are yet to
get a report with depth, I am
not in a position to give the
exact figures, he said.
Arjun Sampath, Hindu
Front leader, charged that
Hindus in Ramanathapuram
were being forced to convert
to Islam by certain Moulavis
and Mullahs. They make life
difficult for the Hindus. No
Hindus are allowed to ply
auto ri ckshaws i n
Ramanathapuram without
paying daily hafta to Islamic
leaders. Hindus are selective-
ly targeted for attacks, said
Sampath.
Islamic terrorism made its
presence in Tamil Nadu in a
big way with the 1998 serial
blasts in Coimbatore which
claimed 60 lives. Then target
was L K Advani who had a
providential escape as the
blasts occurred in the venue
from where he was to address
an election rally.
Kirchaan Buhari, one of
the persons arrested on
Tueday is an accused in the
Coimbatore blast case has
was in jail for 11 years. In
October 2011, the Madurai
Police foiled another attempt
on Advanis life during his Jan
Chetan Yaatra. A steel pipe
found underneath a culvert
t hrough whi ch t he BJP
leaders motorcade was to
travel, was deactivated by the
police.
The State saw four BJP
leaders getting murdered dur-
ing the last one year and
nobody has been arrested till
date, said Haran.
Sign of thaw: BJP-JD(U)
pact for May 9 bypoll
JD(U) WILL CONTEST ON
TWO SEATS WHILE BJP ON
ONE IN THE BYPOLL TO
THREE SEATS OF BIHAR
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
VR JAYARAJ n
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
G
ujarat Chief Minister Narendra
Modi on Wednesday hit out
against the political untouchability
being practiced by certain quarters
in India even in this modern age.
Untouchability has come
down in the society to a consider-
able extent over the past decades
due to the works of great Sanyasis
and reformers like Sree Narayana
Guru. But untouchability is still on
the rise in political life, Modi said
while inaugurating a spiritual con-
clave at the Sivagiri Mutt founded
by Sree Narayana Guru at Varkala
in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Modi also inauguratedthe gold-
enjubilee celebrations of the Parishad
at a packed-to-capacity venue at the
Mutt where the functions were boy-
cotted by the Leftist and Congress
leaders. This was the first time Modi
had been attending a programme at
the Sivagiri Mutt, famous as a cen-
tre of secular spirituality.
The Shamiana here may not
have enough space to accommodate
you all. But there is enough space
in heart for all of you, he said to the
cheerful applause fromthe audience
after addressing them with the
words Sahodaree Sahodaranmare
(sisters and brothers) in Malayalam,
adding in Hindi, I hope you dont
need translation for this.
Modi used the occasion to
establish a direct spiritual and
intellectual connect with the audi-
ence, almost all of whom were dis-
ciples of Sree Narayana Guru, by
saying that one of the greatest for-
tunate aspects of his joining the RSS
in his childhood itself was that he
could remember the Gurus name
in his daily Pratahsmaranas.
One of the two biggest dangers
the modern world is facing is ter-
rorism, the other being global
warming. These two dangers
wouldnt have been there if the
world followed Sree Narayana
Gurus famous principle One Caste,
One Religion and One God for
Man. If this country had followed
the path set by the Guru, extrem-
ism would simply have not been
here now, he said.
In a veiled and passionate-yet-
stoic retort to Chief Minister
Oommen Chandys statement on
Wednesday morning that Kerala
had nothing to learn from Gujarat,
Modi said, Gujarat has lakhs of
Malayalees who have fromall local-
ities of Kerala. There is the sweat of
Keralites behind the entire progress
achieved by Gujarat.
Though India had been able to
make good strides in the works for
mitigating the hardships of the
downtrodden, thanks to the foun-
dations paved by the Sants and
Gurus of yesteryears, politics is often
getting mixed up in the works for
the uplift of the mind, and politics
of hatred and enmity was showing
its hood sometimes, Modi said.
Apart from the Sanyasis of the
Sivagiri Mutt, State BJP president V
Muraleedharan, who translated his
Hindi speechinto Malayalamfor the
audience, and senior party leader O
Rajagopal shared the dais with
Modi. Though Leftist and Congress
leaders had boycotted the function
in protest against his visit, Modi did
not make any direct reference to it.
The Gujarat Chief Minister
who l anded at the
Thiruvananthapuram airport half
an hour behind schedule was given
a rousing reception by BJP leaders
and workers and ordinary people.
Ignoring the multi-layer security
arrangement, he walked ahead of
the group with him to greet the
people by waving his hand.
In addition to Muraleedharan,
senior BJP leaders including PK
Krishnadas, CKPadmanabhan and
Sobha Surendran were present at
the airport to receive Modi. The
State Home Department had
arranged elaborate and tight secu-
rity measures for his visit in the
context of the campaigns carried
out against it, mainly by the Left.
Modi slams untouchability
Warm welcome to
NaMo in Kerala
We would have suspended
talks if it was Pak intrusion
Chimpanzee
runs out of
Hyderabad
zoo, hurts 3
What it means for the Nero?
TN safe haven for Islamic terrorists
Kerala cops confirm
Kannur Islamist
camps terror links
Congress leaders SM Krishna, AK Antony, Ambika Soni and Jitendra Singh after a meeting at Krishna's residence in Bangalore on Wednesday PTI
PNS n NEW DELHI
P
lanning Commission
Deputy Chairman Montek
Singh Ahluwalia on
Wednesday pitched for an
internal systemby government
for settling disputes with pri-
vate sector players to improve
business climate in the country.
Government should set
up internal mechanism(for set-
tling disputes with private sec-
tor). If you want to improve
ease of doing business. This is
a major reform I am talking
about, Ahluwalia said at The
Economist conference here.
According to Ahluwalia, it
takes a lot time to settle dis-
putes between government and
private players in courts and
that about 80 per cent of cases
in the courts seemto be of gov-
ernment appeals, including tax
cases. He said in this scenario
the government should have
an agency or an arbitrator for
resolving disputes.
Ahluwalia said he was of
the view that while dispute
between two public sector
companies can be resolved by
the government, so was not the
case with private sector.
On the growth prospects,
he said, The task of bringing
5 per cent economic growth (in
2012-13) back to 7 per cent is
not contingent on new
reforms. You need to take
decisive action to remove and
unclog some of the bottlenecks
that have emerged.
He suggested that 90 per
cent of all the government's
energy, in next 12 months
should be spent on this prob-
lem, which will definitely get
you back to 7 (per cent eco-
nomic growth). Most of what
need to be done is not reforms
but implementation which do
not require any single change
in law, Ahluwalia said adding
the average economic growth
rate of 8 per cent is feasible
but not on business as usual
basis.
Govt needs internal
system to settle
disputes with pvt cos
LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013 money 11
PNS n NEWDELHI
F
ashionapparel and footware
British brand Lee Cooper is
planning to enter fragrances
andwatches segment by the next
year as part of a strategy to
enhance its position in India.
We are here in India since
1995 and the country is an
important market for us. We are
looking tolaunchnewcategories
in India. We have just intro-
duced underwear range. By the
end of this year, we will launch
fragrances inIndia. These will be
imported fromParis. Next year,
we will enter the watchsegment
in India. They will be imported
from Switzerland said Red
Diamond Holdings Sarl Chief
Executive Officer Andy Dunkley
which owns Lee Cooper brand.
We are witnessing good
growth in both turnover and
unit sales in India despite slow-
down in the economy...During
this year, we are looking for 10-
15 per rise in our turnover. We
are happy withour performance
in India, said Dunkley when
asked the performance of Lee
Cooper in India.
Commenting onthe poten-
tial of the Indianmarket, he said:
At present, the Indianmarket is
third largest in the world after
the Middle-East and Europe
(for Lee Cooper). We see the
European market going flat in
future. If India continues to
growas per our expectations, it
will be the second largest in the
next five years.
Lee Cooper on Wednesday
forayed into the lifestyle sports
shoe segments. Priced between
`1,385 to `2585, the range
includes lifestyle shoes, san-
dals, joggers and flip-flops for
both men & women. The new
line of Lee Cooper Everyday
Sports is targeted towards fash-
ion & lifestyle sport loving
enthusiasts and showcases large
variety of innovative designs,
said Bhai Ajinder Singh,
Director in M&BFootwear, the
exclusive footwear licensee in
India for Lee Cooper.
RAKESH BIHARI JHA n
NEW DELHI
A
fter six months of intense
negotiations countrys
second largest carrier by mar-
ket size Jet Airways and
Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi
announced strategic tie-up
on Wednesday. This is the
first deal in the Indian avia-
tion sector after Government
allowed foreign airlines to
buy up to a 49 per cent stake
i n Indi an ai rl i nes i n
September last year.
London-based Jet pro-
moter Naresh Goyal and
Etihad President and CEO
James Hogan announced the
strategic equity alliance in
Abu Dhabi under which the
Jet would sell 27.26 million
shares (24 per cent of Jets
equity) in a preferential offer
to Etihad at `754.74 a piece.
At 24 per cent, Etihad will
not have to make the manda-
tory open offer for Jet. As per
Sebi rules, a buyer acquiring
a 25 per cent stake in a listed
company will have to make an
open offer to the sharehold-
ers of the target company, and
the minimum stake that the
acquirer can own after the
open offer is 51 per cent.
Substantial ownership
and effective control will
remain with Indian nationals,
with Goyal as non-executive
Chairman holding 51 per
cent of the company, said a
joint statement.
The deal values all of Jet
Airways at `8,574 crore.
While this deal will give
Etihad a bigger foothold in
India, a fast-growing but chal-
lenging market, it provides Jet
with ready cash to retire debt
and give it a partner with
global expertise.
The Indian market is
fundamental to our business
model of organic growth part-
nerships and equity invest-
ments. This deal will allow us
to compete more effectively in
one of the largest and fastest-
growi ng markets i n t he
world, said Hogan while
commenting on the deal.
We look forward to col-
laborating with Jet Airways
and constructively working
together with them and their
stakeholders to build a sus-
tainable, competitive and
profitable airline, he added.
This transaction further
strengthens the balance sheet
of Jet Airways and, more
importantly, underpins future
revenue streams, which will
accelerate our return to sus-
tainable profitability and liq-
uidity, said Goel.
I have no doubt that this
partnership with Eti had
Airways is a win-win situa-
tion for all our stakeholders,
especially our guests, who
will now have access to a
much expanded global net-
work, added Goel.
Under the strategic part-
nership, which will be subject
to full regulatory and share-
holder approval, the airlines
will gradually expand existing
operations and introduce new
routes between India and Abu
Dhabi, providing an ever
wider choice to the travelling
public. They will combine
their network of 140 destina-
tions, with Jet Airways estab-
lishing a Gulf gateway in Abu
Dhabi and expanding its
reach t hrough Et i had
Airways growing global net-
work.
Passengers from 23 cities
in India will benefit from
direct connections to inter-
national destinations. New
flights from Jet Airways
home hubs and metro air-
ports will further strengthen
its current operations from
these airports. Jet Airways
vision continues to be to
develop Delhi and Mumbai
airports as its primary home
hubs and connecting them to
Asian, European and other
regions.
This deal comes after after
mont hs of negot i at i ons
between Jet Airways and
Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi.
Aviation experts say this a
win-win deal for both the
companies as both will ben-
efit immensely.
This is game changing
deal for Ethihad and a deal of
life for James Hogan, presi-
dent and chief executive offi-
cer of the airline. Etihad with
this deal has got a real home
market of 1.3 billion and $2
tri l l i on economy with a
potential to grow 7-8 per
cent for the next a few
decades, said Regional Head
of the Centre for Asia Pacific
Aviation Kapil Kaul while
talking to The Pioneer.
The deal is very good for
Jet Airways also as it gets
them capital and expertise
and Govt of Abu Dhabi to
back their long term plan,
Kaul added.
However, talking about
bilaterals Kaul said: It speaks
poorly about how we manage
our bilateral policy. Three
months back we were told
that no bilateral for middle
east carriers. But now only Jet
is granted 41,000 seats. We
must open our bilateral but
with tangible assessment of
benefits to India and not just
theoretical assumption.
This strategic investment
with a $600 million commit-
ment from Etihad Airways
will help further strengthen-
ing of Jet Airways financial
position, giving details of
the deal, the statement added.
Etihad would also inject
$220 million to create and
strengthen a wide-ranging
partnership between the two
carriers, including a strong
codeshare arrangement.
As part of the deal, Etihad
has already paid $70 million
in February to purchase Jets
three pairs of Heathrow slots
through the sale and lease
back agreement. Jet Airways
continues to operate flights to
London utilising these slots.
Etihad would also invest
$150 million by way of a
majority equity investment
in Jet Airways frequent flyer
programme Jet Privilege,
subject to regulatory and cor-
porate approvals and final
commerci al agreements.
These are expected to be
completed within the next six
months, it said.
Jet forges strategic alliance with Etihad; sells 24% for `2k-cr
From left to right: Captain Hameed Ali - Acting CEO Jet Airways; James Hogan - President and CEO, Etihad Airways; Naresh
Goyal - Chairman of Jet Airways; and James Rigney - Chief Financial Officer, Etihad Airways, seen here after the
announcement of their strategic equity alliance
DEAL HIGHLIGHTS
Jet to sell 27.26 million shares in a preferential offer to Etihad at
Rs 754.74 a piece
The value of this equity investment is $379 million (about Rs
2,058 crore) and will result in Etihad Airways holding 24 per cent
of the enlarged share capital of Jet Airways
This strategic investment with a US$600 million commitment
from Etihad Airways will help further strengthening of Jet Airways
financial position
Substantial ownership and effective control will remain with
Indian nationals, with Goyal as non-executive Chairman holding
51 per cent of the company
Jet Airways passengers from 23 cities in India to gain direct
access to an expanded global network
Jet Airways to enhance its services from its primary hubs of Delhi
and Mumbai, and introduce new flights from Hyderabad and
Bangalore
New India-Abu Dhabi routes and Jet Airways to establish a Gulf
gateway for flights to the US, Europe, Africa and the Middle East
The strategic investment enables Etihad Airways to tap into
Indias fast-growing 42 million strong travel market
Both airlines passengers will benefit from fully integrated
frequent flyer programs with reciprocal earn-and-burn
MUMBAI: Axis Bank on
Wednesdaysaidit has appointed
topaccountingfirmKPMGtodo
a forensic audit, followinga sting
operationdonebyCobrapost that
alleged executives of the private
lender had indulged in money
laundering.
We have hired KPMG(for
forensic audit), Axis Bank
Executive Director Somnath
Sengupta told reporters on a
conference call after announce-
ment of the banks results.
Hewas askedabout thesting
operation done by online portal
Cobrapost.Comlast month.
ICICI Bank and HDFC
Bank, Axis larger competitors in
the private sector lending space
and who also figure in the sting
operation, too have appointed
external agencies tolookintothe
matter.
Sengupta declined to give a
timelinefor concludingtheprobe,
but asserted that prima-facie
therehadbeennowrongdoingon
the banks part.
Enquiries were initiated by
external agencies and the banks
owninternal audit teaminto the
matter. There is no evidence of
any systemic money laundering
in the bank.
Thestingwas doneat 12Axis
branches across the country and
the bank has taken actions,
including transfers and with-
drawal of i-cards of 20 employ-
ees, pendinginquiry. ICICI Bank
and HDFCBank have suspend-
ed employees.
Axis Bank on Wednesday
reported a 22 per cent jump in
post-tax profit for the March
quarter at `1,555crore helpedby
growth in both core and non-
interest income.
The countrys third largest
private sector lender had posted
a post-taxnet of `1,277crore the
correspondingquarter of last fis-
cal. Net interest income grew
24.16 per cent to `2,664 crore
while the other income was up
26.43 per cent to `2,007 crore,
aidedby a 62.83 per cent growth
intradingincomewhichcamein
at `237.76 crore, it said. PTI
Cobrapost sting: KPMG to
do forensic audit at Axis Bank
NEW DELHI: Finance Ministry
has opposed creation of a $10
billion Sovereign Wealth Fund
(SWF) to acquire oil and gas
and fertiliser assets abroad, say-
ing the country did not have
sufficient foreign currency to
support the fund.
At a recent meeting called
by PMs principal secretary
Pulok Chatterjee, departments
of economic affairs and expen-
diture were of the opinion that
cash-rich PSUs should use their
reserves and decide indepen-
dently on overseas acquisition
on commercial terms, official
sources said.
Planning Commissioned
had mooted setting aside of $10
billionfromthe nations foreign-
exchange reserves and creating
a sovereign wealth fund to
secure energy assets overseas.
Sources said at the meeting
the Department of Economic
Affairs expressed view that
SWF was possible and desirable
only when the current account
was surplus.
It was of the opinionthat in
the prevailing situationof deficit
in revenue account and appre-
hensionof devaluationof rupee
vis-a-vis dollar resulting in
worsening fiscal deficit, it was
more advisable if cash-rich
PSUs take their independent
decisions to make investment in
acquiring assets abroad.
Sources said the
Expenditure Department also
felt that current reserve position
of the government does not
allow to have a SWF.
India, which had $295 bil-
lion in foreign-currency
reserves, has been outpaced by
China inthe quest to acquire oil
blocks and coal fields to meet
growing energy demand in the
worlds fastest-growing major
economies. China has $3.3 tril-
lion in foreign currency
reserves.
The External Affairs
Ministry also affirmed that a
group of PSUs need to be iden-
tified which can join hands and
make investments abroadbased
on commercial decisions.
The Prime Ministers
Office, they said, has nowasked
the economic affairs depart-
ment to conduct a study onutil-
ising the surplus funds of the
State-owned firms and to sug-
gest an institutional mecha-
nism for investments abroad.
Ministries of petroleum
and fertiliser were asked to
identify projects and assets
while defining the need for
investment in them based on
expected returns.
Around 30 countries,
including China, Singapore,
the UAE, Malaysia and Qatar,
operate SWFs. A number of
current account surplus coun-
tries have set up SWFs from
t hei r forei gn exchange
reserves to acquire assets
overseas. PTI
FinMin opposes sovereign
wealth fund out of forex reserves
Lee Cooper plans to
enter new segments
AHMEDABAD: With European
market not showing any signs of
immediate recovery fromslow-
down, Swedish luxury car
maker Volvo has shifted its
focus to Asianmarkets to accel-
erate its business, a top compa-
ny official said.
European markets arent
showing signs of immediate
recovery from global econom-
ic slowdown. And, so we have
shifted our focus to Asian mar-
kets, specially China and India,
Volvo Auto India Managing
Director Tomas Ernberg told
reporters here.
Currently, China followed
by Japanare the biggest markets
for Volvos luxury cars, a com-
pany official said.
India can become one of
the leading markets for luxury
cars and so, our focus is on dri-
ving sales here, Ernberg said,
after opening its first dealership
showroomhere.
Volvo Cars, Vice-President,
International, Thomas
Anderssonsaid that newmodel
from its kitty V40 cross coun-
try will be launched this year
and its sales in European mar-
ket has already touched 50,000
units.
He, though, did not divulge
the price at which it would be
available in the market, stating
that it is still under considera-
tion.
Asked about plans to set up
manufacturing facility in India,
he said: As of now, we dont
have any plans to set up manu-
facturing facility in India. We
have a strong manufacturing
presence in Europe (Sweden
and Belgium) and in China in
Asia.
Andersson said that the
company has decided to devel-
op a new engine architecture,
incorporating four-cylinder
technology, to provide a differ-
ent range of performance. PTI
AFP n NEWYORK
B
oeing voiced confidence on
Wednesday that all Boeing
787Dreamliner aircraft, ground-
ed worldwide for overheated
lithium-ion batteries, will have
a company fix installed by mid-
May.
We have pretty big confi-
dence we can be done with this
ina fewweeks, by mid-May, Jim
McNerney, Boeing chairman,
president and chief executive,
saidina conference call after the
company reported first-quarter
earnings.
Airlines have begun
installing the modifications to
the pioneering lithium-ionbat-
tery systemafter the US Federal
Aviation Administration
approved the Boeing fix last
Friday.
Yesterday, the European
Aviation Safety Agency
announced its approval of the
Boeing plan.
US safety officials investi-
gating overheated lithium-ion
batteries on two Boeing 787s
hadsaidthey still are not certain
what caused the incidents.
The problems first surfaced
publicly when a fire erupted in
the battery area of a Japan Air
Lines 787 parked at a Boston
airport on January 7.
ThenonJanuary 16 battery
fumes forced an emergency
landing of an All Nippon
Airways 787 in Japan, prompt-
ing the grounding of all 50 of the
aircraft in service worldwide.
Boeing sees 787 battery
fixes done by mid-May
European
slowdown
prompted
shift of focus
to Asian mkts,
says Volvo
PNS n NEW DELHI
I
T and telecom solutions
provider Tech Mahindra has
acquired a Sweden-based Type
Approval Lab for undisclosed
amount which will help it
strengthen lab presence in
Europe, Middle East and Africa
(EMEA) regions.
The lab was part of Sony
Mobile Communications inter-
nal test function and now will
helpTechMahindra establishits
first European test lab with
multi-million dollar infra-
structure, Tech Mahindra said
in a release on Wednesday.
The company, however,
did not disclose financial
details.
This acquisition will prove
to be a key milestone for the
European expansion plan and
reinforces further companys
commitment to be a key play-
er in this space, the release said.
Tech Mahindra
acquires
Sweden-based lab
PRIYANKA DUA nNEWDELHI
N
orth India-based real
estate devel oper
Supertech is planning to
expand its geographical pres-
ence in south Indian cities like
Bangalore and others.
Presently we are working
in north Indian cities like
Gurgaon, Noida, Greater
Noida.We are doing three pro-
jects in Uttarakhand. But now
we are planning for South
India. We will come with one
project in a very short time.
Approval plan is going on
and hopefully it will be
launched in two months,
Supertech CMD RK Arora
told The Pioneer.
Supertech, at present, has
about 1,000 acres in North
Indian States.
Last year, the company
had entered the Gurgaon mar-
ket with 10-acre group-hous-
ing project comprising 600
apartments to be developed
with an investment of `400
crore. Right now it's very
difficult to say when we are
going to list our company
because market sentiment
looks scary for an IPO at this
point of time. We are mulling
over the same, he said when
asked about the company fil-
ing plan with market regula-
tor SEBI for its IPO.
However, he refused to
give any timeline and said
market will decide.
The size of the IPO, as per
Supertech estimates, would
be around ` 2000 crore.
About a dozen realty
firms, including Emaar MGF,
the Indian JV of Dubai's
Emaar Properties and Lodha
Developers, have been waiting
to launch IPOs in India to
finance land acquisition and
reduce debt, but fear of poor
investor response had kept
them at bay.
On removing 1 per cent
TDS on property Deal Arora
said: TDS on property deals
will directly affect our busi-
ness. Recently Confederation
of Real Estate Developer's
Associ ati on of Indi a
(CREDAI) sent representa-
tion to the finance ministry,
the realtors body has argued
that implementation of this
proposal will lead to more
complexities and harassment
of consumers.
Under the proposal, the
tax is mandated to be paid if
the property consideration is
over. 50 lakh in specified
urban areas and 20 lakh in any
other area. The transaction
will be registered only after the
buyer provides proof of deduc-
tion and payment of TDS. The
proposal will be effective from
June 1, 2013.
According to CREDAI,
around 80 per cent of realty
transactions in top six markets
in the country, including
Mumbai Metropolitan Region,
Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai,
Pune and Hyderabad, will be
affected by the proposal, given
the current property rates.
The company al so
announced tie-up with Disney
India to develop a Disney-
themed housing project in
Greater Noida at an invest-
ment of about `500 crore.
The partnership with
Disney India comes close on
the heel of its tie-up with
Italian fashion brand Armani
group for interior designing of
100 super-luxury flats in one
of the mixed-use project at
Noida. Supertech has also
raised Rs 280 crore from pri-
vate equity firm Xander to
fund its upcoming township
project in Gurgaon. Last year,
the company had raised ` 100
crore from private equity firm
Walton Street Capital for
mixed-use project 'Supernova'
at Noida.
The company plans to
launch a 100-acre township in
Gurgaon in the next two
months.
Supertech eyes South India
PNS nNEWDELHI
G
overnment has extendeddate of e-filingof ser-
vice tax returnfor the second half of 2012-13
to August 31, 2013 as the forms will be available
by the endof July. the date of submissionwas fixed
at April 25. ...The Central Board of Excise &
Customs (CBEC) has extended the date of sub-
missionof the FormST-3, for the periodfrom1st
October 2012to31st March2013, from25thApril,
2013 to 31st August, 2013, an official statement
said on Wednesday.
The date of submission has been extended as
the formto file service tax return i.E., FormST-
3, for the period October-March of 2012-13 is
expectedtobe available onACES (Automationof
Central Excise and Service Tax) around July 31,
2013 it said.
The exact date of the availability of the form
will be announced later.
ACES is aimed at realising revenues in fair,
equitable andefficient manner andadministering
government's economic, tariff and trade policies
with practical and pragmatic approach.
Service tax return for second
half of FY13 extended to Aug
The Central Board of
Excise & Customs
(CBEC) has extended the
date of submission of the
Form ST-3, for the period
from 1st October 2012 to
31st March 2013, from
25th April, 2013 to 31st
August, 2013
OPEN-ENDED
(GROWTH)
AXIS MUTUAL FUND
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.37
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 12.61
Equity Fund - Dividend 11.34
Equity Fund - Growth 12.58
Focused 25 Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 11.61
Focused 25 Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 11.61
Focused 25 Fund - Dividend Option 11.59
Focused 25 Fund - Growth Option 11.59
Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 12.59
Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 12.6
Midcap Fund - Dividend 12.57
Midcap Fund - Growth 12.58
BARODA PIONEER MUTUAL FUND
Banking and Financial Services - Plan A - Div Payout 11.7
Banking and Financial Services - Plan A - Gr Option 11.7
Banking and Financial Services - Plan B (Direct) - Div 11.71
Banking and Financial Services - Plan B (Direct) - Gr 11.71
GROWTH FUND - Plan A - Dividend Option 26.1
GROWTH FUND - Plan A - Growth Option 48.14
GROWTH FUND - Plan B (Direct) - Dividend Option 26.12
GROWTH FUND - Plan B (Direct) - Growth Option 48.47
Infrastucture Fund - Plan A - Dividend Option 7.25
Infrastucture Fund - Plan A - Growth Option 7.25
Infrastucture Fund - Plan B (Direct) - Dividend Option 7.26
Infrastucture Fund - Plan B (Direct) - Growth Option 7.26
PSU Equity Fund- Plan A - Dividend Option 6.96
PSU Equity Fund- Plan A - Growth Option 6.96
PSU Equity Fund- Plan B (Direct) - Growth Option 6.99
BIRLA SUN LIFE MUTUAL FUND
Buy India Fund-Plan A(Divivdend) 23.12
Buy India Fund-Plan B(Growth) 45.82
Buy India Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 23.15
Buy India Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 45.9
Advantage Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 72.48
Advantage Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 150.53
Advantage Fund-Plan A (Dividend) 72.41
Advantage Fund-Plan B (Growth) 150.39
Basic Industries Fund - Dividend Trigger Plan 10.92
Basic Industries Fund-Plan A(Dividend) 23.12
Basic Industries Fund-Plan B(Growth) 87.69
Commodities Equities - Global Agri - Div - Direct Plan 15.9079
Commodities Equities - Global Agri - Gr - Direct Plan16.9905
Comm Eq Fund - Global Agri Plan - Dividend 15.8823
Comm Eq Fund - Global Agri Plan - Growth 16.9617
Commodities Equities - Global Multi Com- Div - Direct 11.7844
Commodities Equities - Global Multi Com- Gr - Direct 12.5348
Comm Eq Fund-Global Multi Comm Plan - Dividend 11.766
Comm Eq Fund-Global Multi Comm Plan - Growth 12.515
Commodities Equities - Global Pre Mtls - Div - Direct 7.7185
Commodities Equities - Global Pre Mtls - Gr - Direct 7.7212
Comm Eq Fund-Global Prec Metals Plan - Dividend 7.7086
Comm Eq Fund-Global Prec Metals Plan - Growth 7.7087
Dividend Yield Plus - Dividend - Direct Plan 12.62
Dividend Yield Plus - Growth - Direct Plan 87.73
Dividend Yield Plus-Plan A (Dividend) 12.12
Dividend Yield Plus-Plan B (Growth) 87.56
Enhanced Arbitrage Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 12.6762
ENHANCED ARBITRAGE - INSTL PLAN - DIVIDEND 10.1628
ENHANCED ARBITRAGE - INSTL PLAN - GROWTH 0
ENHANCED ARBITRAGE - RETAIL PLAN - DIVIDEND 12.3675
ENHANCED ARBITRAGE - RETAIL PLAN - GROWTH 12.6643
Equity Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 62.42
Equity Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 260.74
Equity Fund-Plan A(Dividend) 59.33
Equity Fund-Plan B(Growth) 260.31
Frontline Equity Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 21.85
Frontline Equity Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 97.98
Frontline Equity Fund-Dividend 20.75
Frontline Equity Fund-Growth 97.78
Frontline Equity Fund-Plan B (Dividend) 12.5
Frontline Equity Fund-Plan B (Growth) 12.5
Index Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 20.048
Index Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 56.8887
Index Fund-Plan A (Dividend) 20.0379
Index Fund-Plan B (Growth) 56.8618
India Gennext Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 16.2
India Gennext Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 30.94
India Gennext Fund-Dividend Option 16.17
India Gennext Fund-Growth Option 30.88
India Opportunities Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 15.01
India Opportunities Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 49.77
India Opportunities Fund-Plan A (Dividend) 14.98
India Opportunities Fund-Plan B (Growth) 49.7
India Reforms Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 8.9
India Reforms Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 8.9
India Reforms Fund-DIVIDEND 8.89
India Reforms Fund-GROWTH 8.89
Infrastructure Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 10.12
Infrastructure Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 14.7
Infrastructure Fund-Dividend 10.11
Infrastructure Fund-Growth 14.67
Infrastructure Fund-Plan B (Dividend) 10.97
Infrastructure Fund-Plan B (Growth) 11.43
International Equity Fund Plan A- Dividend 12.2148
International Equity Fund Plan A- Growth 12.2148
Intl. Equity Fund Plan A - Dividend - Direct Plan 12.2361
Intl. Equity Fund Plan A - Growth - Direct Plan 12.2357
International Equity Fund Plan B - Dividend 9.6272
International Equity Fund Plan B - Growth 9.6272
Intl. Equity Fund Plan B - Dividend - Direct Plan 9.6416
Intl. Equity Fund Plan B - Growth - Direct Plan 9.6416
Midcap Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 20.46
Midcap Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 109.03
MIDCAP Fund-Dividend 20.41
MIDCAP Fund-Growth 108.83
MIDCAP Fund-Plan B (Dividend) 12.51
MIDCAP Fund-Plan B (Growth) 12.51
MNC Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 82.03
MNC Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 241.76
MNC Fund-Plan A (Dividend) 76.76
MNC Fund-Plan B (Growth) 241.51
New Millenium Fund-Plan A(Divivdend) 11.84
New Millenium Fund-Plan B(Growth) 18.14
New Millennium Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 9.35
New Millennium Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 18.16
Pure Value Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 14.8053
Pure Value Fund - Dividend Option 14.7846
Pure Value Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 16.9401
Pure Value Fund - Growth Option 16.913
Small & Midcap Fund - DIVIDEND 11.5544
Small & Midcap Fund - GROWTH 11.9207
Small And Midcap Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 11.5796
Small And Midcap Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 11.9462
Special Situations Fund - Dividend 9.5873
Special Situations Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 9.6022
Special Situations Fund - Growth 9.5873
Special Situations Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 9.6031
Top 100 Fund - Dividend - Direct Plan 14.2985
Top 100 Fund - Growth - Direct Plan 25.1034
Top 100 Fund -Dividend Option 13.3156
Top 100 Fund -Growth Option 25.0589
BNP PARIBAS MUTUAL FUND
Equity Fund-Dividend Option 11.89
Equity Fund-Growth Option 38.53
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 11.92
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 38.61
Dividend Yield Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 10.762
Dividend Yield Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 19.501
Dividend Yield Fund-Dividend Option 10.738
Dividend Yield Fund-Growth Option 19.455
Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 11.347
Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 11.394
Mid Cap Fund-Dividend Option 11.323
Mid Cap Fund-Growth Option 11.37
BOI AXA MUTUAL FUND
Equity Fund Direct Plan- Quarterly Dividend 11.19
Equity Fund Direct Plan-Growth 17.61
Equity Fund Direct Plan-Regular Dividend 12.42
Equity Fund Eco Plan- Growth 17.84
Equity Fund Eco Plan-Bonus 17.84
Equity Fund Eco Plan-Quarterly Dividend 10.82
Equity Fund Eco Plan-Regular Dividend 12.55
Equity Fund Regular Plan- Growth 17.59
Equity Fund Regular Plan- Quarterly Dividend 11.17
Equity Fund Regular Plan- Regular Dividend 12.4
Equity Fund Regular Plan-Bonus 17.59
Focussed Infrastructure Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 7.56
Focussed Infrastructure Fund-Direct Plan-Regular Div 7.56
Focussed Infrastructure Fund-Growth 7.54
Focussed Infrastructure Fund-Quarterly Dividend 7.54
Focussed Infrastructure Fund-Regular Dividend 7.54
CANARA ROBECO MUTUAL FUND
Emerging Equities - Regular Plan - GROWTH 24.57
Emerging Equities-BONUS OPTION 22.45
Emerging Equities-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 16.81
Emerging Equities-Direct Plan-Growth Option 24.64
Emerging Equities-Regular Plan - DIVIDEND 16.95
Equity Diversified - Regular Plan - Dividend 26.52
Equity Diversified - Regular Plan - Growth 60.84
Equity Diversified-Bonus Option 27.78
Equity Diversified-Direct Plan -Growth Option 60.91
Equity Diversified-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 26.27
F.O.R.C.E Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 14.58
F.O.R.C.E Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 15.64
F.O.R.C.E Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth Option 15.7
F.O.R.C.E Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend Option 14.58
F.O.R.C.E Fund - Regular Plan - Growth Option 15.63
Infrastructure - Regular Plan - DIVIDEND 17.06
Infrastructure - Regular Plan - GROWTH 21.41
Infrastructure-Direct Plan - Dividend 17.06
Infrastructure-Direct Plan - Growth 21.43
Large Cap+ Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.73
Large Cap+ Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 11.72
Large Cap+ Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 11.73
Large Cap+ Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 11.72
Nifty Index - Regular Plan - Dividend 20.4278
Nifty Index - Regular Plan - Growth 30.7815
Nifty Index-Direct Plan - Dividend 20.4309
Nifty Index-Direct Plan - Growth 30.6172
DAIWA MUTUAL FUND
Industry Leaders Fund - Direct - Dividend 12.4
Industry Leaders Fund - Direct - Growth 12.4
Industry Leaders Fund - Dividend 12.38
Industry Leaders Fund - Growth 12.38
DEUTSCHE MUTUAL FUND
ALPHA EQUITY FUND REG PLAN BONUS OPTION 10.45
Alpha Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 16.95
Alpha Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 77.9
Alpha Equity Fund Reg Plan-Dividend 16.89
Alpha Equity Fund Reg Plan-Growth 77.59
Alpha Equity Fund Wealth Plan - Growth Option 16.15
Alpha Equity Fund Wealth Plan -Dividend Option 13.49
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY - REG PLAN BONUS OP 10.42
Investment Opportunity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 25.29
Investment Opportunity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 36.49
Investment Opportunity Fund Reg Plan - Div Option 19.95
Investment Opportunity Fund Reg Plan - Growth Option 36.35
Investment Opportunity Fund Wealth - Dividend Option 12.59
Investment Opportunity Fund Wealth Plan- Gr Option 16.44
DSP BLACKROCK MUTUAL FUND
Equity Fund - Institutional Plan - Dividend 11.068
Equity Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth 13.104
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 46.584
Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 16.406
Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 46.507
Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 16.379
Focus 25 Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 10.199
Focus 25 Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 10.199
Focus 25 Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 10.182
Focus 25 Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 10.182
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Institutional Plan - Dividend 8.656
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth 12.152
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 15.103
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 41.975
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 41.915
India T.I.G.E.R. Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 14.643
Micro Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 9.31
Micro Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 15.331
Micro Cap Fund - Regular - Dividend 9.289
Micro Cap Fund - Regular - Growth 15.299
Natural Resources and New Energy - Direct Plan - Div 9.508
Natural Resources and New Energy - Direct Plan - Gr 11.636
Natural Resources And New Energy - Reg - Growth 11.616
Natural Resources And New Energy - Reg - Dividend 9.495
Opportunities Fund - Institutional Plan - Dividend 11.7
Opportunities Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth 10.665
Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 24.443
Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 86.422
Opportunities Fund-Regular Plan - Dividend 20.907
Opportunities Fund-Regular Plan - Growth 86.291
Small and Mid Cap Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth 10.649
Small and Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 13.803
Small and Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 17.715
Small and Mid Cap Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 12.427
Small and Mid Cap Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 17.682
Technology.com Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 20.806
Technology.com Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 29.059
Technology.com Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 20.837
Technology.com Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 29.105
Top 100 Equity Fund - Institutional Plan - Dividend 12.909
Top 100 Equity Fund - Institutional Plan - Growth 14.671
Top 100 Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 19.088
Top 100 Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 106.024
Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 19.051
Top 100 Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 105.853
EDELWEISS MUTUAL FUND
Absolute Return Fund - Direct Plan-Dividend 10.97
Absolute Return Fund - Dividend 10.96
Absolute Return Fund - Growth 12.69
Absolute Return Fund -Direct Plan-Growth 12.71
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Direct Plan-Div 12.66
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Direct Plan-Growth 15.96
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Growth option 15.94
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Plan B - Dividend 16.21
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Plan B - Growth 16.03
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Plan C - Dividend 12.92
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Plan C - Growth 15.81
Diversified Growth Equity Top 100 - Dividend option 12.65
Equity Enhancer Fund- Growth Option 12.34
Equity Enhancer Fund- Plan B-Growth Option 12.16
Equity Enhancer Fund- Plan C-Growth 10.62
Equity Enhancer Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 11.25
Equity Enhancer Fund-Direct Plan-Growth Option 12.36
Equity Enhancer Fund-Dividend 11.24
Equity Enhancer Fund-Plan B- Dividend Option 12.4
Equity Enhancer Fund-Plan C- Dividend Option 0
Select Midcap Fund - Direct Plan- Dividend 10.55
Select Midcap Fund - Direct Plan- Growth 10.54
Select Midcap Fund - Dividend 10.53
Select Midcap Fund - Growth 10.53
ESCORTS MUTUAL FUND
Growth Plan-DIVIDEND OPTION 10.0214
Growth Plan-DIVIDEND OPTION-Direct Plan 10.0214
Growth Plan-GROWTH OPTION 64.7398
Growth Plan-GROWTH OPTION-Direct Plan 64.8029
High Yield Equity Plan - Bonus Option 12.7218
High Yield Equity Plan - Bonus Option-Direct Plan 12.7218
High Yield Equity Plan - Dividend Option 9.7918
High Yield Equity Plan - Dividend Option-Direct Plan 9.8089
High Yield Equity Plan - Growth Option 12.7107
High Yield Equity Plan - Growth Option-Direct Plan 12.7209
Infrastructure Fund - Dividend 4.4132
Infrastructure Fund - Dividend Option-Direct Plan 4.4132
Infrastructure Fund - Growth Option 4.4108
Infrastructure Fund - Growth Option-Direct Plan 4.418
Leading Sectors Fund - Dividend Option 11.1041
Leading Sectors Fund - Dividend Option-Direct Plan 11.1124
Leading Sectors Fund - Growth Option 11.2216
Leading Sectors Fund - Growth Option-Direct Plan 11.0145
Opportunities Fund-Dividend 11.0593
Opportunities Fund-Dividend Option-Direct Plan 11.0593
Opportunities Fund-Growth 31.2422
Opportunities Fund-Growth Option-Direct Plan 31.2609
Power & Energy Fund - Dividend Option 7.2495
Power & Energy Fund - Dividend Option-Direct Plan 7.2498
Power & Energy Fund - Growth Option 10.1206
Power & Energy Fund - Growth Option-Direct Plan 10.1755
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON MF
Asian Equity Fund - Direct - Dividend 12.8616
Asian Equity Fund - Direct - Growth 12.8616
Asian Equity Fund - Dividend Plan 12.838
Asian Equity Fund - Growth Plan 12.838
Build India Fund - Direct - Dividend 11.4318
Build India Fund - Direct - Growth 12.9518
Build India Fund Dividend Plan 11.4104
Build India Fund Growth Plan 12.928
FMCG Fund - Dividend 0
FMCG Fund - Growth 0
India Bluechip Fund- Direct - Growth 230.6484
India Bluechip Fund- Direct -Dividend 34.0458
India Bluechip Fund-Dividend 33.9798
India Bluechip Fund-Growth 230.225
India FLEXI CAP FUND - Direct - Dividend 11.197
India FLEXI CAP FUND - Direct - Growth 33.4881
India Flexi Cap Fund-Dividend Plan 11.1741
India Flexi Cap Fund-Growth Plan 33.4264
India High Growth Companies - Direct - Dividend 12.7442
India High Growth Companies - Direct - Growth 13.8675
India High Growth Companies - Dividend Plan 12.7208
India High Growth Companies - Growth Plan 13.8418
India Index Fund - BSE Plan - Dividend Plan 54.0621
India Index Fund - BSE Plan - Growth Plan 54.0621
India INDEX FUND BSE PLAN - Direct - Dividend 54.0952
India INDEX FUND BSE PLAN - Direct - Growth 54.0952
India INDEX FUND NIFTY PLAN - Direct - Dividend 45.7804
India INDEX FUND NIFTY PLAN - Direct - Growth 45.7804
India Index Fund- Nifty Plan - Dividend Plan 45.7522
India Index Fund- Nifty Plan - Growth Plan 45.7522
INDIA OPPORTUNITIES FUND - Direct - Dividend 12.5596
India Opportunities Fund-Dividend 12.5364
INDIA OPPORTUNITIES FUND - Direct - Growth 31.0216
India Opportunities Fund - Growth 30.9645
India PRIMA FUND - Direct - Dividend 36.2995
India PRIMA FUND - Direct - Growth 307.6709
India Prima Fund-Dividend 36.2326
India Prima Fund-Growth 307.1054
India PRIMA PLUS - Direct - Dividend 23.2063
India PRIMA PLUS - Direct - Growth 240.6213
India Prima Plus-Dividend 23.1615
India Prima Plus-Growth 240.1781
India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct - Dividend 12.2928
India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct - Growth 15.8805
India Smaller Companies Fund-Dividend 12.268
India Smaller Companies Fund-Growth 15.8513
INFOTECH FUND - Direct - Dividend 16.5709
INFOTECH FUND - Direct - Growth 61.7156
Infotech Fund-Dividend 16.5411
Infotech Fund-Growth 61.604
India EQUITY INCOME FUND - Direct - Dividend 12.6026
India EQUITY INCOME FUND - Direct - Growth 22.1263
India Equity Income Fund-Dividend Plan 12.5783
India Equity Income Fund-Growth Plan 22.0855
India Growth Fund - Direct - Growth 119.6446
India Growth Fund-Direct - Dividend 48.1226
India Growth Fund-Dividend Plan 48.0342
India Growth Fund-Growth Plan 119.4244
GOLDMAN SACHS MUTUAL FUND
CNX 500 Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 12.0795
CNX 500 Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 19.3015
CNX 500 Fund - Dividend Option 12.0654
CNX 500 Fund - Growth Option 19.2823
Equity & Derivatives Opportunities - Div Option 10.2768
India Equity Fund - Dividend Plan 10.19
India Equity Fund - Growth Plan 10.19
India Equity Fund Direct Plan -Dividend Option 10.21
India Equity Fund Direct Plan -Growth Option 10.21
HDFC MUTUAL FUND
Capital Builder Fund - Dividend Option 19.644
Capital Builder Fund - Growth Option 114.082
Capital Builder Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 19.683
Capital Builder Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 114.264
Core & Satellite Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 15.191
Core & Satellite Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 36.848
Core and Satellite Fund - DIVIDEND 15.153
Core and Satellite Fund - GROWTH 36.788
Equity Fund - Dividend Option 38.843
Equity Fund - Growth Option 280.152
Equity Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 38.928
Equity Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 280.719
Focused Large-Cap - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 10.591
Focused Large-Cap - Direct Plan - Growth Option 16.527
Focused Large-Cap Fund-Dividend 10.575
Focused Large-Cap Fund-Growth 16.501
Growth Fund - Dividend Option 25.941
Growth Fund - Growth Option 90.447
Growth Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 25.982
Growth Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 90.59
Index Fund Nifty Plan-Direct Plan 50.2964
Index Fund-Nifty Plan(FV Rs 10.326) 50.2391
Index Fund Sensex Plus Plan-Direct Plan 244.296
Index Fund-Sensex Plus( FV-Rs32.161) 244.0232
Index Fund Sensex Plan-Direct Plan 160.3718
Index FundSensex Plan( FV Rs 32.161) 160.2223
Infrastructure Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 9.934
Infrastructure Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 9.934
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND-DIVIDEND OPTION 9.918
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND-GROWTH OPTION 9.918
Mid Cap Opportunities Fund -Direct Plan - Div Option 14.755
Mid Cap Opportunities Fund -Direct Plan - Gr Option 17.562
MID-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND - Dividend Option 14.73
MID-CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND - Growth Option 17.533
Premier Multi-Cap Fund-Dividend 10.63
Premier Multi-Cap Fund-Growth 26.433
Premier Multicap -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 10.658
Premier Multicap -Direct Plan - Growth Option 26.477
Top 200 Fund - Dividend Option 38.963
Top 200 Fund - Growth Option 218.494
Top 200 Fund -Direct Plan - Dividend Option 39.038
Top 200 Fund -Direct Plan - Growth Option 218.895
HSBC MUTUAL FUND
Dynamic Fund - Dividend 9.9439
Dynamic Fund - Growth 9.9439
Dynamic Fund-Dividend Direct 9.9712
Dynamic Fund-Growth Direct 9.9712
Equity Fund - Dividend 23.1565
Equity Fund - Dividend irect 23.2437
Equity Fund - Growth 101.7705
Equity Fund - Growth Direct 102.1402
India Opportunities Fund - Dividend 15.2806
India Opportunities Fund - Dividend Direct 15.3306
India Opportunities Fund - Growth 35.452
India Opportunities Fund - Growth Direct 35.5665
Midcap Equity Fund - Dividend 9.4479
Midcap Equity Fund - Dividend Direct 9.4765
Midcap Equity Fund - Growth 17.6722
Midcap Equity Fund - Growth Direct 17.7268
Progressive Themes Fund - Dividend Direct 9.0554
Progressive Themes Fund - Growth 10.6138
Progressive Themes Fund - Growth Direct 10.6463
Progressive Themes Fund- Dividend 9.0281
Small Cap Fund - Dividend Direct 8.5006
Small Cap Fund - Growth Direct 9.1422
Small Cap Fund - Dividend 8.4752
Small Cap Fund - Growth 9.1124
Unique Opportunities Fund - Dividend 10.9111
Unique Opportunities Fund - Growth 10.9111
Unique Opportunities Fund-Dividend Direct 10.9369
Unique Opportunities Fund-Growth Direct 10.9369
ICICI PRUDENTIAL MUTUAL FUND
Banking and Financial Services - Direct Plan - Div 21.62
Banking and Financial Services - Direct Plan - Growth 22.05
Banking and Financial Services - Regular - Dividend 19.55
Banking and Financial Services - Regular Plan - Growth 22
Blended Plan A - Regular Plan - Dividend 13.2221
Blended Plan A - Regular Plan - Growth 18.0478
Blended Plan A-Direct Plan - Dividend 13.2299
Blended Plan A-Direct Plan - Growth 18.0709
Child Care Plan Gift - Direct Plan 59.75
Child Care Plan Gift - Regular Plan 59.65
Discovery Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 20.85
Discovery Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 54.67
Discovery Fund - Institutional Option - I - Growth 24.89
Discovery Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 18.83
Discovery Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 54.54
Dynamic - Direct Plan - Dividend 16.1956
Dynamic - Direct Plan - Growth 111.064
Dynamic - Regular Plan - Dividend 16.167
Dynamic - Regular Plan - Growth 110.8529
Dynamic Plan- Institutional Dividend Option 9.9825
Dynamic Plan- Institutional Growth Option 10.4488
Dynamic Plan-Institutional Option - I 17.7444
Equity - Arbritrage Fund-Institutional Dividend Option 13.7
Equity - Arbritrage Fund-Institutional Growth Option 16.41
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 13.46
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 16.2
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 13.44
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 16.16
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Direct Plan - Div 13.34
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 16.92
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Direct - Monthly Div 10.23
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Regular Plan - Div 13.31
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Regular Plan - Gr 16.88
Equity Volatility Advantage Fund - Reg Plan - Monthly Div 10.23
Equity Opportunities Fund - Institutional Growth Plan 12.72
Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Dividend Plan 10.98
Equity Opportunities Fund - Retail Growth Plan 12.24
FMCG Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 53.53
FMCG Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 107.47
FMCG Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 53.42
FMCG Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 107.26
Focused Bluechip Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 17.21
Focused Bluechip Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 18.03
Focused Bluechip Equity Fund - Instl Option - I - Growth 18.76
Focused Bluechip Equity Fund - Reg Plan - Dividend 16.23
Focused Bluechip Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 18
Fusion Fund - Institutional Option - I - Growth 14.57
Fusion Fund-Dividend Plan 13.67
Core 11 Fund - Dividend option 3.6836
Core 11 Fund - Growth option 3.6837
Emerging Leaders Fund-Dividend 7.1361
Emerging Leaders Fund-Growth 7.1206
Equity Fund (Direct) - Dividend Option 14.2191
Equity Fund (Direct) - Growth Option 34.8664
Equity Fund-Dividend 14.1683
Equity Fund-Growth 34.8069
Multi Strategy Fund (Direct) - Dividend Option 11.9157
Multi Strategy Fund (Direct) - Growth Option 12.8083
Multi Strategy Fund - Dividend option 11.905
Multi Strategy Fund - Growth option 12.8003
JP MORGAN MUTUAL FUND
India Smaller Companies - Direct Plan - Div Option 8.407
India Smaller Companies - Direct Plan - Growth Option 8.411
India Smaller Companies - Reg Plan - Dividend Option 8.386
India Smaller Companies - Reg Plan - Growth Option 8.386
India Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 12.723
India Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 13.703
India Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend Option 12.689
India Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Growth Option 13.665
KOTAK MAHINDRA MUTUAL FUND
50 - Dividend 30.495
50 - Dividend - Direct 30.558
50 - Growth 110.477
50 - Growth - Direct 110.687
Classic Equity Scheme---Dividend 17.672
Classic Equity Scheme---Dividend - Direct 17.77
Classic Equity Scheme---Growth 23.341
Classic Equity Scheme---Growth - Direct 23.376
Emerging Equity Scheme - Dividend 11.275
Emerging Equity Scheme - Dividend - Direct 11.294
Emerging Equity Scheme - Growth 12.075
Emerging Equity Scheme - Growth - Direct 12.094
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Dividend 10.6999
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Dividend - Direct 10.727
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Growth 17.4512
Equity Arbitrage Fund - Growth - Direct 17.4659
Global Emerging Market Fund - Dividend 12.196
Global Emerging Market Fund - Dividend - Direct 12.253
Global Emerging Market Fund - Growth 12.197
Global Emerging Market Fund - Growth - Direct 12.214
Mid-Cap-Dividend 16.773
Mid-Cap-Dividend - Direct 16.822
Mid-Cap-Growth 26.586
Mid-Cap-Growth - Direct 26.664
Opportunities---Dividend 14.825
Opportunities---Dividend - Direct 14.857
Opportunities---Growth 47.565
Opportunities---Growth - Direct 47.661
Select Focus Fund - Dividend 11.284
Select Focus Fund - Dividend - Direct 11.313
Select Focus Fund - Growth 12.5
Select Focus Fund - Growth - Direct 12.536
L&T MUTUAL FUND
Contra Fund-Cumulative Option 9.97
Contra Fund-Dividend Option 9.97
Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 20.245
Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth Option 36.133
Equity Fund-Dividend Option 19.177
Equity Fund-Growth Option 36.067
Growth Fund- Dividend payout 19.11
Growth Fund-Cumulative 40.37
Hedged Equity Fund - Cumulative 13.46
Hedged Equity Fund - Dividend 9.55
India Equity and Gold Fund-Direct Plan-Div Option 11.178
India Equity and Gold Fund-Direct Plan-Gr Option 11.178
India Equity and Gold Fund-Dividend Option 11.158
India Equity and Gold Fund-Growth Option 11.158
India Large Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 12.553
India Large Cap Fund - Direct Plan- Dividend Option 12.553
India Large Cap Fund - Dividend Option 12.53
India Large Cap Fund - Growth Option 12.53
India Prudence Fund- Direct Plan -Dividend Option 11.041
India Prudence Fund- Direct Plan-Growth Option 11.041
India Prudence Fund- Dividend Option 11.02
India Prudence Fund- Growth Option 11.02
India Special Situations Fund- Direct Plan -Div Option 18.687
India Special Situations Fund-Direct Plan-Gr Option 20.611
India Special Situations Fund-Dividend Option 18.653
India Special Situations Fund-Growth Option 20.573
India Value Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 11.71
India Value Fund-Direct Plan-Growth Option 11.71
India Value Fund-Dividend Option 11.688
India Value Fund-Growth Option 11.688
Indo Asia Fund - Dividend Option 14.669
Indo Asia Fund - Growth Option 14.669
Indo Asia Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 14.695
Indo Asia Fund-Direct Plan-Growth Option 14.695
Infrastructure Fund - Dividend Option 5.96
Infrastructure Fund - Growth Option 5.96
Infrastructure Fund -Direct Plan-Growth Option 5.97
Infrastructure Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend Option 5.97
Mid Cap Fund-Direct Plan -Dividend Plan 18.63
Mid Cap Fund-Direct Plan-Growth Plan 38.75
Mid Cap Fund-Dividend 18.62
Mid Cap Fund-Growth 38.68
Opportunities Fund- Dividend payout 16.08
Opportunities Fund-Cumulative 40.81
LIC NOMURA MUTUAL FUND
Growth Fund - Direct Plan Dividend Option 11.4191
Growth Fund - Direct Plan Growth Option 12.919
Growth Fund - Dividend Option 11.4397
Growth Fund - Growth Option 12.8996
Equity Fund-Direct Plan Dividend Option 10.4529
Equity Fund-Direct Plan Growth Option 26.5069
Equity Fund-Dividend 10.4426
Equity Fund-Growth 26.4983
Index Fund-Sensex Advantage-Direct Plan Gr Option 33.865
Index Fund-Sensex Advantage-Growth 33.8605
Index Fund-Nifty-Direct Plan Growth Option 32.4948
Index Fund-Nifty-Growth 32.4449
Index Fund-Nifty-Direct Plan Dividend Option 11.9808
Index Fund-Nifty-Dividend 11.9681
Index Fund-Sensex Advantage-Direct Plan Div Option11.9987
Index Fund-Sensex Advantage-Dividend 11.9778
Index Fund-Sensex-Direct Plan Dividend Option 12.1537
Index Fund-Sensex-Direct Plan GrowthOption 36.1437
Index Fund-Sensex-Dividend 12.3685
Index Fund-Sensex-Growth 36.0857
INDIA VISION FUND - Direct Plan DIV OPTION 8.8796
INDIA VISION FUND - Direct Plan GR OPTION 8.8825
INDIA VISION FUND - DIVIDEND OPTION 8.8745
INDIA VISION FUND - GROWTH OPTION 8.8752
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND - Direct Plan DIV OPTION 8.0122
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND - Direct Plan GR OPTION 8.0147
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND - DIVIDEND OPTION 8.0054
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND - GROWTH OPTION 8.0054
Opportunities Fund-Direct Plan Dividend option 10.3974
Opportunities Fund-Direct Plan Growth option 18.2685
Opportunities Fund-Dividend 10.3905
Opportunities Fund-Growth 18.2575
SYSTEMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION - Direct Plan DIV 10.0206
SYSTEMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION - Direct Plan GR 10.0173
SYSTEMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION - DIVIDEND OP 10.0147
SYSTEMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION - GROWTH OP 10.0125
TOP 100 FUND - Direct Plan DIVIDEND OPTION 8.1407
TOP 100 FUND - Direct Plan GROWTH OPTION 8.1407
TOP 100 FUND - DIVIDEND OPTION 8.1343
TOP 100 FUND - GROWTH OPTION 8.1347
MIRAE ASSET MUTUAL FUND
Emerging Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.908
Emerging Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 13.036
Emerging Bluechip Fund - Regular Plan - Div Option 11.874
Emerging Bluechip Fund - Regular Plan - Gr Option 12.992
Global Commodity Stocks - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.11
Global Commodity Stocks - Direct Plan - Growth 11.11
Global Commodity Stocks - Dividend Option 11.075
Global Commodity Stocks - Growth Option 11.075
India-China Consumption Fund - Direct Plan - Div 12.762
India-China Consumption Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 12.762
India-China Consumption Fund - Regular Plan - Div 11.372
India-China Consumption Fund - Regular Plan - Gr 12.717
India Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 13.431
India Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 18.033
India Opportunities Fund - Dividend Plan 11.993
India Opportunities Fund - Growth Plan 17.979
India Opportunities Fund -Instl Option - Dividend Plan 10.773
MORGAN STANLEY MUTUAL FUND
A.C.E. Fund- Regular Dividend Plan 14.208
A.C.E. Fund- Regular Growth Plan 15.093
A.C.E. Fund-Direct Dividend Plan 14.23
A.C.E. Fund-Direct Growth Plan 15.116
Growth Fund - Direct Dividend Plan 19.693
Growth Fund - Direct Growth Plan 64.513
Growth Fund- Regular Dividend Plan 19.675
Growth Fund- Regular Growth Plan 64.453
Fusion Fund-Growth Plan 14.51
Fusion Fund Series-III - Institutional Dividend Plan 12.92
Fusion Fund Series-III - Institutional Growth Plan 13.38
Fusion Fund Series-III - Retail Dividend Plan 12.62
Fusion Fund Series-III - Retail Growth Plan 12.62
Index Fund - Institutional Option I 10.2427
Index Plan - Direct Plan 54.4032
Index Plan - Regular Plan 54.3409
Indo Asia Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 11.78
Indo Asia Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.78
Indo Asia Equity Fund - Institutional Growth 11.76
Indo Asia Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 11.76
Indo Asia Equity Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 11.76
Infrastructure Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 10.3
Infrastructure Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 25.56
Infrastructure Fund - Institutional Option - Dividend 10.3
Infrastructure Fund - Institutional Option - I - Growth 14.15
Infrastructure Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 10.28
Infrastructure Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 25.52
MidCap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 13.58
MidCap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 30.87
MidCap Fund - Institutional Option - I 13.03
MidCap Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 13.55
MidCap Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 30.82
Nifty Junior Index Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 10.3453
Nifty Junior Index Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 10.347
Nifty Junior Index Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 10.3343
Nifty Junior Index Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 10.3343
Services Industries Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 14.31
Services Industries Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 19.01
Services Industries Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 14.28
Services Industries Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 18.99
Target Returns Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 14.61
Target Returns Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 14.61
Target Returns Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 14.59
Target Returns Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 14.59
Target Returns Fund Institutional Growth 10.18
Technology Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 19.5
Technology Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 19.51
Technology Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 17.64
Technology Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 19.46
Top 100 Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 14.61
Top 100 Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 147.67
Top 100 Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 13.07
Top 100 Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 147.43
Top 100 Fund- Institutional Option - I - Growth 21.49
Top 200 Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 15.56
Top 200 Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 115.92
Top 200 Fund - Institutional Option - I 33.29
Top 200 Fund - Regular Plan - Dividend 15.53
Top 200 Fund - Regular Plan - Growth 115.72
US Bluechip Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend 11.51
US Bluechip Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth 11.51
US Bluechip Equity Fund - Retail Dividend Plan 11.48
US Bluechip Equity Fund - Retail Growth Plan 11.48
IDBI MUTUAL FUND
India Top 100 Equity Fund Dividend 11.7
India Top 100 Equity Fund Dividend Direct 11.72
India Top 100 Equity Fund Growth 11.7
India Top 100 Equity Fund Growth Direct 11.72
Nifty Index Fund Dividend 10.4798
Nifty Index Fund Dividend Direct 10.4963
NIFTY Index Fund Growth 10.9881
NIFTY Index Fund Growth Direct 11.0066
Nifty Junior Index Fund Dividend 9.1803
Nifty Junior Index Fund Dividend Direct 9.1938
Nifty Junior Index Fund Growth 9.1803
Nifty Junior Index Fund Growth Direct 9.1938
IDFC MUTUAL FUND
Arbitrage Fund-Direct Plan- Growth 15.5411
Arbitrage Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 12.5468
Arbitrage Fund-Regular Plan- Growth 15.5272
Arbitrage Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 12.5038
Arbitrage Fund - Plan B - Dividend 12.9966
Arbitrage Fund - Plan B - Growth 16.0264
Arbitrage Plus Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 11.9991
Arbitrage Plus Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 13.827
Arbitrage Plus Fund -B-DIVIDEND 12.165
Arbitrage Plus Fund -B-GROWTH 13.964
Classic Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 10.9253
Classic Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 21.4811
Classic Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 10.4104
Classic Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 21.4407
Classic Equity Fund-Plan B- Dividend 10.1687
Classic Equity Fund-Plan B- Growth 17.0444
Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 12.439
Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 17.1709
Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 11.8787
Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 17.1493
Equity Fund -Plan B- Dividend 11.8339
Equity Fund -Plan B-Growth 14.1466
Imperial Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 12.5534
Imperial Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 19.1338
Imperial Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 11.3924
Imperial Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 19.1008
Imperial Equity Fund-Plan B - Dividend 11.4459
Imperial Equity Fund-Plan B - Growth 16.4628
India GDP Growth Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 14.5069
India GDP Growth Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 18.9067
India GDP Growth Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 14.4855
India GDP Growth Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 18.761
Infrastructure Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 7.9578
Infrastructure Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 7.9546
Infrastructure Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 7.9464
Infrastructure Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 7.9431
Nifty Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 11.5321
Nifty Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 11.4351
Nifty Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 11.523
Nifty Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 11.4331
Premier Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 22.0083
Premier Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 37.2777
Premier Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 21.9675
Premier Equity Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 37.212
Premier Equity Fund-Plan B - Dividend 18.1971
Premier Equity Fund_Plan B - Growth 27.4447
Sterling Equity Fund -Regular Plan-Dividend 13.4196
Sterling Equity Fund -Regular Plan-Growth 20.0059
Sterling Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 13.4467
Sterling Equity Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 20.0469
50-50 Strategic Sector Fund-Direct Plan-Dividend 13.2972
50-50 Strategic Sector Fund-Direct Plan-Growth 13.4895
50-50 Strategic Sector Fund-Regular Plan-Dividend 13.3236
50-50 Strategic Sector Fund-Regular Plan-Growth 13.4663
Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund-Plan B - Div 14.7636
Strategic Sector (50-50) Equity Fund-Plan B - GR 14.7551
IIFL MUTUAL FUND
Dividend Opportunities Index Fund - Dividend 10.9184
Dividend Opportunities Index Fund - Growth 10.9184
Dividend Opportunities Index Fund- Direct Plan - Div 10.9253
Dividend Opportunities Index Fund-Direct Plan - Gr 10.9253
INDIABULLS MUTUAL FUND
Blue Chip Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 10.44
Blue Chip Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 10.44
Blue Chip Fund - Dividend Option 10.41
Blue Chip Fund - Growth Option 10.41
ING MUTUAL FUND
Core Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 15.92
Core Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 39.93
Core Equity Fund-Dividend Option 15.87
Core Equity Fund-Growth Option 39.8
Dividend Yield Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 15.45
Dividend Yield Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 24.91
Dividend Yield Fund-Dividend Option 15.4
Dividend Yield Fund-Growth Option 24.84
Large Cap Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 19.65
Large Cap Equity Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 29.47
Large Cap Equity Fund-Dividend Option 19.58
Large Cap Equity Fund-Growth Option 29.38
Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Dividend Option 13.42
Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option 21.66
Midcap Fund-Dividend Option 13.37
Midcap Fund-Growth Option 21.59
Multi Manager Equity - Direct Plan - Option A - Gr Op 9.78
Multi Manager Equity - Direct Plan - Option A Div Option 9.78
Multi Manager Equity - Option A- Div(Payout and Reinvestment)9.75
Multi Manager Equity Fund - Option A- Growth 9.75
JM FINANCIAL MUTUAL FUND
Arbitrage Advantage Fund (Direct) - Dividend Option 10.5645
Arbitrage Advantage Fund (Direct) - Growth Option 16.4455
ARBITRAGE ADVANTAGE FUND-Dividend 10.448
ARBITRAGE ADVANTAGE FUND-Growth 16.4187
Basic Fund (Direct) - Dividend Option 9.1406
Basic Fund (Direct) - Growth Option 13.0786
Basic Fund - Dividend Option 9.1266
Basic Fund - Growth Option 13.0701
Core 11 Fund (Direct) - Growth Option 3.6884
Core 11 Fund (Direct) - Dividend Option 3.6662
Scheme NAV
funds 12 LUCKNOW THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
world 13 LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
PTI ISLAMABAD
A
Pakistani court today can-
celled Pervez Musharraf s
interimbail over the 2007 assas-
sination of former premier
Benazir Bhutto, adding to the
legal woes of the ex-army chief
whois currently beingheldat his
farmhouse. The Rawalpindi
benchof the Lahore HighCourt
rejected an application by
Musharraf s lawyer Salman
Safdar for the extension of his
interim bail. Safdar filed an
objection against the courts
decisionbut this too was reject-
ed by the bench.
The former President had
been granted interimbail for a
week on April 17.
Legal experts saidhe is like-
ly to face arrest in the assassi-
nation case too following the
Lahore High Courts decision.
Musharraf has been accused of
failing toprovide adequate secu-
rity toBhuttowhenshe returned
to Pakistan fromself-exile. She
was assassinated by a suicide
bomber shortly after addressing
an election rally in Rawalpindi
in December 2007.
An anti-terrorismcourt on
Tuesday ordered the Federal
InvestigationAgency to include
Musharraf inthe probe into the
assassination. The former mili-
tary ruler was arrestedlast week
after the Islamabad High Court
revoked his bail in a case relat-
ed to the detention of over 60
judges during the 2007 emer-
gency. He is being held at his
plushfarmhouse, whichauthor-
ities have declared a sub-jail.
Officials have said the decision
toholdMusharraf at his villa was
made inviewof threats tohis life
fromthe Talibanandother mil-
itant groups. Musharraf returned
to Pakistan last month after
nearly four years of self-exile,
promising to save the country
from economic ruin and mili-
tancy. However, he was barred
from running in the May 11
general election, which will
mark the first democratic tran-
sitionof power inPakistans his-
tory. He is facing several serious
criminal cases.
AFP MAKHACHKALA, RUSSIA
A
delegation from the US
embassy in Moscow inter-
viewed the parents of the
Boston marathon bombing
suspects in the Russian North
Caucasus region of Dagestan,
but were told the two brothers
had not contacted local Islamist
groups, officials said on
Wednesday.
The parents of Tamerlan
and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev are
currently living in Dagestan, an
overwhelmingly Muslimregion
on the Caspian Sea where the
family briefly lived before leav-
ing for the United States.
The FBI is receiving coop-
eration from the Russian gov-
ernment in its investigation of
the Boston marathon bomb-
ing, a US embassy official, who
asked not to be named, told
AFP. A group from the US
Embassy in Moscow travelled
to Dagestan yesterday
(Tuesday) as part of this coop-
eration with the Russian gov-
ernment to interview the par-
ents. The official declined to
say whether the delegation was
still in Dagestan and if the
interviews had already taken
place. However, a Dagestan
security source told an AFP
correspondent in its main city
Makhachkala that interviews
with both parents took place
overnight and involved repre-
sentatives of the FBI.
The parents were taken
home but in the morning the
mother came back for more
questioning, the source said,
saying the interviews took
place at the local headquarters
of Russias Federal Security
Service (FSB). The Dagestan
security source also said the
parents were asked by the US
officials about Tamerlans visit
to Dagestan. The parents
replied that he did not make
contact with radical Islamists.
The two brothers, who had
been living in the United States
for over a decade, are accused
of the twin marathon bombing
on April 15, which killed three
people and wounded more
than 260 others.
Tamerlan, 26, was killed in
a shootout with US police
while Dzhokhar, 19, was grave-
ly wounded during his capture
last week. He remains hospi-
talised and has been read the
charges of using and conspir-
ing to use a weapon of mass
destruction. The brothers
father Anzor, an ethnic
Chechen born in Kyrgyzstan,
has repeatedly said in media
interviews that his sons were
innocent and could not have
carried out the bombings.
Their mother Zubeidat, an
ethnic Avar, hails from
Dagestan itself.
The trip by the US delega-
tion to Dagestan comes amid
mounting questions in the
United States about whether
the US authorities missed cru-
cial signals that should have
raised suspicion about the two
brothers before the bombings.
Particular interest has sur-
rounded a trip of around six
months made by Tamerlan in
2012 to Dagestan and
Chechnya. The avowed aim of
the trip was to obtain a new
Russian passport which in the
end he never picked up and US
investigators want to find out
if the real purpose was to make
contact with Muslim extrem-
ists. Dagestans interior minis-
ter Abdurashid Magomedov
meanwhile rubbished any sug-
gestion that Tamerlan had been
infected with radical Islam
during his stay in the Northern
Caucasus. According to inte-
rior ministry information,
Tamerlan Tsarnaev did not
have contact with the (Islamist)
underground during his visit,
said Magomedov, quoted by his
spokesperson. Dagestan, one of
the worlds most ethnically
diverse regions made up of
hundreds of different groups
and languages, has in recent
years become the most violent
region in the Northern
Caucasus with almost daily
attacks blamed on Islamist
insurgents.
AFP JALALABAD
S
even people were killed,
dozens injured and many
homes destroyed when a pow-
erful earthquake struck eastern
Afghanistan on Wednesday,
officials said.
The quake, measured at a
magnitude of 5.6 by the US
Geological Survey, sent people
rushing from their homes in
worst-hit areas and was felt in
the Afghan capital Kabul and
in Islamabad in neighbouring
Pakistan.
It struck at 0925 GMT at a
depth of 62 kilometres (39
miles), with its epicentre 24
kilometres northwest of the
eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad
near the Pakistani border, the
USGS said in a revised update.
Six people died in
Nangarhar province of which
Jalalabad is the capital, said
provincial spokesman Ahmad
Zia Abdulzai, and 75 people
were injured. Forty of them
were given first aid and the rest
admitted to hospital for further
treatment. We are still in the
process of getting information
fromthe affected areas. Among
the dead are some children,
Abdulzai told AFP. One person
was killed and one injured in
neighbouring Kunar
province.
PTI LONDON
T
he bereaved father of
Indian dentist Savita
Halappanavar has vowed to
take legal action against the
Irish hospital where his daugh-
ter died after being denied
abortion last October, saying he
is not satisfied with the probe
outcome.
I believe we will never get
justice from the Irish govern-
ment so we are definitely going
to take legal action against the
hospital [University Hospital
Galway], Andanappa Yalagi
told the Irish Daily Star from
his home in Belgaum,
Karnataka. No one has yet told
us the real reason for my
daughters death. I am not sat-
isfied by the inquest because
the truth about what led to my
daughters death still has not
come out. What I think is that
the government and the doc-
tors need to take responsibili-
ty for what happened to Savita
but so far no one is doing that.
No one from the hospital
or the government not the
doctors, not the politicians
have spoken of the negligence
that killed my daughter, he
added, in reference to the
medical misadventure verdict
at the end of a seven-day
inquest at Galway Courthouse
last Friday. The 31-year-old
Indian dentist was 17 weeks
pregnant when she was admit-
ted to University Hospital
Galway in October 2012 suf-
fering a miscarriage. She died
in intensive care from multi-
organ failure fromseptic shock
and E coli, four days after
she delivered a dead foetus. A
spokesperson for the hospital
has since acknowledged there
were lapses in the standards of
care provided to Savita. Expert
witnesses at her inquest said
that a timely abortion may have
saved Savitas life.
AGENCIES BEIJING
C
hina said on Wednesday
that "provocative actions"
woul d not sway it from
defending its territory, after
Japan confirmed it would con-
duct military drills with the
United States amid tension
between Beijing and Tokyo
over disputed islands.
Japan said on Tuesday that
the joint drill, scheduled for
June off California, involved
the recapture of an isolated
island but was not aimed at
scenarios involving a specific
country, Japan's Kyodo news
agency reported.
China's foreign ministry
spokeswoman, Hua Chunying,
said "foreign pressure" could
not sway China from protect-
ing its territorial sovereignty in
the East China Sea. "For any
related provocative actions,
the Chinese government will
maintain a resolute response,"
Hua told reporters at a regu-
lar news briefing when asked
about the drills. "We have
always upheld the same stance
on issues related to the Diaoyu
Islands: to appropriately solve,
manage and control the rele-
vant issues through bilateral
dialogue and negotiations."
Beijing and Tokyo have
both protested over an inci-
dent on Tuesday in which
Chinese patrol vessels played
cat-and-mouse with a flotilla
of Japanese nationalists near
the uninhabited isl ands,
known as the Senkaku in
Japan and the Diaoyu in
China. The Japanese govern-
ment bought the islands near
rich fishing grounds and
potentially lucrative maritime
gas fields from a private
Japanese owner last year,
sparking sometimes-violent
anti-Japanese protests across
China.
The issue has brought
Chinese-Japanese relations to
their lowest point since nor-
malisation of relations more
than 40 years ago. China also
chastized Japan for Tuesday's
visits by at least 168 lawmak-
ers to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine,
which honours 14 leaders con-
victed as war criminals by an
Allied tribunal along with
Japan's war dead.
The pilgrimage came after
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
made an offering and Deputy
Prime Minister Taro Aso and
two other ministers visited
Yasukuni over the weekend.
Homage paid by leading
Japanese politicians at the
Tokyo shrine typically angers
Japan's neighbours, who con-
tend that it glorifies wartime
aggression.
US chairman of the joint
chiefs of staff Gen Martin
Dempsey told reporters in
Beijing on Wednesday on the
last day of his trip to China
that he had reminded Chinese
officials of US obligations to
Japan.
Gl betrotting
Salma Hayek collaborates with
online grooming website
L o n d o n :
Desperado star
Salma Hayek has
teamed up with an
online grooming
website to make her
beauty range acces-
sible to more peo-
ple. The 46-year-
old actress has
taken selected items
from her Nuance
Salma Hayek range
to collaborate with
Birchbox, reported
Contactmusic. Her
beauty products will be included in the May
mail out of the company, which offers sub-
scribers samples of beauty and lifestyle prod-
ucts along with tips and advice. My main focus
is to bring excellent products and ingredients
to women of all economic levels. Birchbox
embraces this same concept of bringing beau-
ty to women from all over so that they can feel
gorgeous. This Birchbox collaboration enables
women to have a luxurious and affordable beau-
ty routine with products that are truly effec-
tive, Hayek said.
Penelope Cruz strips off
for new movie
London: Actress
Penelope Cruz has
gone topless in a
steamy intimate
scene with co-star
Emile Hirsch in an
Italian movie
Venuto al Mondo,
meaning Twice
Born. The movie
stars the 38-year-
old actress as a sin-
gle mother who
takes her teenage
son to Sarajevo,
where his father
died in the Bosnian war 16 years before. The
racy flashbacks show her passionate relation-
ship with lover Diego, played by Hirsch, who
stayed behind while she fled the city with the
baby. Penelope, 38, who is currently expecting
her second child with husband Javier Bardem,
has a two-year-old son Leonardo. The couple
married in 2010 in a private ceremony at a
friends home.
Motherhood is deliciously
overwhelming: Shakira
London: Pop star
Shakira admits she
cannot stand being
apart fromher new-
born son Milan
Pique Mebarak.
The 36-year-old
singer, who wel-
comed her first
child with soccer
player Gerard Pique
in January, said she
is finding mother-
hood deliciously
over whel mi ng,
r e p o r t e d
Contactmusic. Being a mother is deliciously
overwhelming. Its surreal. Its a whole new
experience to me, and Im just discovering it
second by second. And having him here, its
great, its a new thing, its another part of me
and my loved one. Hes accompanying me so
I dont feel alone, she said. Earlier this month,
Shakira brought the tot with her while filming
The Voice USA and both the mother-son duo
clicked photos on the set.
Music gets me through
depression: Mischa Barton
London: Actress
Mischa Barton
credits her sup-
portive friends,
music and poetry
for helping her
cope with depres-
sion. The 27-year-
old, who was sec-
tioned for two
weeks under the
US mental health
act in 2009, is also
thankful to have a
great support net-
work around her
who can help her
stay strong, reported Contactmusic.
21 dead in terror bomb
attacks in China
PTI BEIJING
A
t least 21 people, includ-
ing community workers
and police officers, were
killed in Chinas volatile
Xinjiang province in a series of
terrorist bomb attacks, offi-
cials said on Wednesday.
Confirming reports of
incidents of terrorist violence
which took place on Tuesday in
Bachu county near Kashgar city
in the Xinjiang province,
Foreign Ministry spokesperson,
Hua Chunying in media brief-
ing here today said that 21 per-
sons were killed. She said the
area witnessed a series of bomb
attacks in which 21 people
were killed including six sus-
pects who were shot dead by
police. Eight suspects have
been arrested. State-run
Xinhua news agency said that
the dead included 15 commu-
nity workers and police officers.
This is the first major attack
here since the new leadership
headed by President Xi Jinping
took over power last month.
The trouble began when
three community workers
found suspicious individuals
and knives in the home of a
local resident. They then
reported the matter to their
supervisors over phone, but
were taken as hostage by the
suspects who had been hiding
in the house, the Xinhua report
said. The police officers and
community officials who
rushed to the scene were
attacked and killed. The three
community workers who had
been taken captive were also
killed and their house burnt.
Police reinforcements which
then arrived there shot at the
suspects and brought the situ-
ation under control.
An initial investigation has
indicated that the suspects
were all terrorists who were
planning violent attacks, the
report said. Besides the six
suspects, the dead included
ten Han Chinese, two Uygur
Muslims and three Chinese
Mongolians, the spokesperson
said. Xinjiang has been fre-
quently hit by heavy violence
between native Uygurs,
Muslims of Turkic origin and
Han Chinese settlers in the past
few years. Uygurs who consti-
tuted over 45 per cent of the
province, bordering Pakistan
Occupied Kashmir (POK) and
Afghanistan resent the growing
settlement of Hans, the major-
ity Chinese race, who now
constitute 40 per cent of the
population. Some people are
creating trouble to disrupt
peace and tranquillity of
Xinjiang. Their schemes are
doomed to fail, Chunying said
adding that China will crack-
down on such crime for the
safety of people. China blames
the violence on the East Turkic
Islamic Movement (ETIM),
believed to be affiliated to al-
Qaeda. The Kasghgar county is
also close to Pakistan occupied
Kashmir and the local
security officials in the past
have alleged that some of the
militants were trained in
Pakistan.
A scene at Chinas volatile Xinjiang province
AFP BAGHDAD
T
wo days of violence in Iraq
have killed 118 people, 99
of them in clashes and attacks
involving security forces, pro-
testers and their supporters,
officials said on Wednesday.
The violence also wound-
ed 245 people, 194 of them in
protest-related unrest, they
said.
The trouble began early
yesterday, when clashes broke
out after security forces moved
into an area near Hawijah in
northern Iraq, where protests
have been held since
January.
The fighting killed 53 peo-
ple, and a series of revenge
attacks left another 27 dead. A
further 15 were killed in appar-
ently unrelated unrest, officials
said.
On Wednesday, another
23 people died in violence, 19
of them in protest-related
unrest. Protesters have taken to
the streets in Sunni-majority
areas of Iraq for more than four
months, calling for the resig-
nation of Prime Minister Nuri
al-Maliki and decrying the
alleged targeting of their
minority community by the
Shiite-led authorities.
A car bomb against a
police patrol killed two police
and a civilian and wounded at
least seven other people in
Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad,
an interior ministry official
and a medical source said.
And in Fallujah, west of
Baghdad, a mortar attack tar-
geting the home of a provincial
council member wounded a
man and two children.
Iraq violence: 118 killed in 2 days
Mourners chant slogans against Iraqs Shiite-led government as they take bodies of slain protesters for burial in Kirkuk, north
of Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday AP
China calls Japan-US
island drill provocative
Boston suspects parents quizzed in Dagestan
Zubeidat Tsarnaeva, mother of Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the two men who
set off bombs near the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15, 2013 in Boston,
walks with an unidentified man near her home in Makhachkala, Dagestan, southern
Russia, on Tuesday AP
Washington (PTI): The FBI-led investigation is looking
into every possible aspect of the Boston Marathon blasts, as
President Barack Obama wants answer to all the questions that
people have about the deadly incident.
There is a thorough investigation underway into all of the
actions and sources of motivation and inspiration that were
involved here that led to these actions, as it should be. And
this is in an early stage right now, White House Press Secretary
Jay Carney told reporters. Three people died and more than
200 people were injured when two bombs went off in quick
succession near the finish line of the Boston Marathon last week.
The police suspect that two Chechen brothers - one a natu-
ralised US citizen and other a lawful permanent resident - were
responsible for this act of terror. While the elder brother 26-
year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev died last week in a police
exchange of fire, the younger one Dzhokhar, 19, was arrested
a day later. He is injured and is being treated in a Boston hos-
pital. On Monday he was charged with conspiracy to use a
weapon of mass destruction. The fact that we have made
progress in decimating al Qaeda Central, including obvious-
ly the elimination of Osama bin Laden, has not meant that the
threat itself has gone away. And weve been very clear about
that. There are threats from a variety of al-Qaeda offshoots
around the world, he said when asked if Obama was concerned
about home grown terrorism. As the President has said there
is always the potential threat from lone actors, those who are
self-radicalized and who are not associated with outside groups
or terrorist organizations, but take action on their own. It is
part of the threat that is assessed every day by the profession-
als who work every day to protect our country, Carney said.
Probe to look into every
possible aspect: WH
Court cancels Mush bail
in Bhutto murder case
Lahore (PTI): A Pakistani man
has petitioned the Supreme Court
to extend Chief Justice Iftikhar
Chaudhrys (right) tenure for
about two years, saying he
should be compensated for the
period when he was deposed by
former dictator Pervez Musharraf.
Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi of Save
Judiciary Committee filed a
constitutional petition in the
Lahore registry of the Supreme
Court on Tuesday in which he
sought the extension of the Chief
Justices tenure by 22 months.
The Chief Justice, who has
doggedly pursued cases of
corruption, is set to retire on
December 12.
In his petition, Qureshi said the
Chief Justice could not perform
his duties for 22 months after
Musharraf deposed members of
the superior judiciary and placed
them under house arrest during
the 2007 emergency.
Petition seeking extension
for CJ filed in Pak court
Savitas father to
sue Irish hospital
TRAGIC END: Savita Halappanavar
Seven killed, dozens
hurt in Af quake
I am not worried about death bowling. There is
always pressure in T20. There are very good
hitters in the game now. We want to do better
rather. In fact, we want to do better with our
bowling performance STEPHEN FLEMING
There have been a total of 37 half-centures
and 2 centuries in the sixth edition of the IPL
so far. Total number of runs scored is 9,366
and 404 wickets have fallen thus far
INDIAN
PREMIERLEAGUE
sport 14 LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
PNS n NEW DELHI
L
ivid with his batsmen after
yet another loss, Delhi
Daredevils skipper Mahela
Jayawardene said their inconsis-
tency is not letting the side post
even a decent total for the bowlers
to defend.
The Daredevils slumped to
their seventh loss in the Indian
Premier League after going down
by five wickets to Kings XI Punjab
last night.
Thats where were we are
lacking. We are not consistent
enough to compete. This wicket
was probably a 140-150 wicket, we
needed to get that par score. We
are disappointed that we could not
get that score and not give our
bowlers a chance. Against the
bowling attack they had today, 150
was easily a par score, Mahela said
when asked about the brittle bat-
ting line up that put up just 120 in
their home game on Tuesday
night.
With just one win in eight
games so far, the Daredevils will
have to win all their remaining
matches to stay in contention for
a last-four berth.
We cant think about the
(remaining) eight games. We just
need to focus on the next game in
hand. I think T20 games are
mainly won in batting and we are
not consistent enough to get at
least to the par score and give our-
selves a chance, the Sri Lankan
said at the post match press con-
ference.
The Daredevils were hoping
to build some momentum after
they breezed past Mumbai Indians
at home on Sunday but their
batsmen failed to put a decent
score to go down by five wickets
against KXIP.
To add to it, the Daredevils
injury list seems to growing longer
as their middle-order batsman
Venugopal Rao has been ruled out
from the remainder of the IPL
after pulling his hamstring while
fielding.
Venu had hamstring injury at
the start of the season. We tested
Venu and found him fit. We
played him in the last match. He
was again pulled his hamstring
and is out of the tournament now.
He is out for the next three to four
weeks, the skipper said.
WIN A STEP IN RIGHT
DIRECTION: GILCHRIST
NewDelhi: Crediting his bowlers
for the comprehensive five-wick-
et win over Delhi Daredevils,
Kings XI Punjab skipper Adam
Gilchrist said his team has put
itself in the right direction start-
ing the four-match away journey
with a victory.
Now, we have got now three
of the most fancied team in the
competition in KKR, Mumbai
and Chennai in a row. Its a nice
way to start this trip. We have
made a step in the right direction,
Gilchrist said at the post-match
press conference on Tuesday night.
The former Australian wick-
etkeeper said his bowlers did a fine
job by restricting the Daredevils
to a modest 120 after choosing to
bowl. It was terrific to get anoth-
er win. The way Harmeet (Singh)
came on and implemented his
skills was terrific. To restrict them
to 120 was a great effort. Back-to-
back wins build a good spirit and
lift the spirit within the team, he
said.
Gilchrist also praised his
opening partner, Mandeep Singh,
who once again got the team off
to a flier in a small run chase.
Mandeep (Singh) has been fan-
tastic for us. I have let him down
by getting out first. He has been
able to consolidate with whoever
comes in, the 41-year-old added.
PTI n KOLKATA
A
n epitome of calmness on
the cricket field, Sachin
Tendulkar said he felt tense
cutting his 40th birthday cake
even as he humbly thanked his
millions of fans world over for
showering him with uncondi-
tional love for over two
decades.
(I have) never been so
tense actually while cutting a
cake. Thank you everybody for
this gesture. Its really touching,
Tendulkar said in a brief cake-
cutting ceremony where his
wife Anjali was also present.
Sachin said it was Anil
Kumbles wishes that helped
calm the nerves. While walk-
ing to get here, I met Anil
Kumble along the way who
wished me Happy Birthday
and told me, dont worry, 40 is
just a number. So that was sort
of relieving, he said with a
smile.
Thanking his fans world-
wide, Tendulkar said it was
because of their good wishes
that he could continue playing
more thantwo decades after his
international debut. Let me
take this opportunity to thank
all the people in India and all
across the world who are well-
wishers of mine...They have
supported me and showered
their unconditional love on me
over the last 23 years. Soits been
really special, he said.
Its because of their good
wishes and prayers that I am
standing here in front you all
after 23 years. Its been my
strength. I thought this was the
best opportunity to come here
and thank each and every one
of themfor every little thing that
they have done for me.
Sachinsaid there have been
many people who have made
sacrifices for him. There have
been so many people who have
made various sacrifices, fasting
and those kind of things when
I was injured. I just want to say
thank you which I believe is not
enough. I would have person-
ally liked to meet and thank
them but its not possible so I
thought this was the best forum
where I could reach out to
most of them, he said.
PTI n CHENNAI
C
hennai Super Kings marauding batsmenwill
be put through a stern test by the intimi-
dating bowling attack of Sunrisers Hyderabad
when the two in-formteams clash for the first
time in the sixth Pepsi IPL here on Tuesday.
Both the teams have five wins each from
their respective seven matches so far but while
Chennai are second on the points table,
Hyderabadare thirddue tothe difference intheir
net run-rate.
That difference is primarily a result of
Hyderabads batting woes which could prove to
be their bane tomorrowgiventhat Chennais wil-
low-wielders are in prime form.
With worlds numero uno bowler, Dale
Steyn, leading their pace attack, Hyderabads
bowling has been their strength.Srikkanth
Ishant Sharma, Thisara Perera and wily leg-
spinner Amit Mishra make the rest of the bowl-
ing unit, which has
played
crucial
roles in all their five wins
so far in the tournament.
However, batting continues to remain a
major concern. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara has
looked a pale shadow of himself so far in the
tournament andAustralianCameronWhite has
delivered only in patches.
With Shikhar Dhawan still out of the reck-
oning due to a finger injury, Sangakkara, White
and big-hitting Perera will have to shoulder the
bulk of the responsibility with the bat.
Hyderabadwouldalsobe better off withsub-
stantial contributions fromParthiv Patel up the
order and D B Ravi Teja.
Chennai, on the other hand, have little to
worry about except for fatigue as they have been
playing continuously even as Hyderabad have
enjoyed a break of almost a week after their win
over Kings XI Punjab.
Chennai have beena formidable batting unit
andthat was provedyet against whenthey chased
down a steep 186 against Rajasthan Royals in
their previous match.
Its CSK batting vs
Sunrisers bowling
Delhi skipper Mahela Jayawardene blames batsmen for poor run
PTI n SYDNEY
V
eteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin
was recalled to the Australian squad
on Wednesday and made vice-captain for
their upcoming Ashes tour to England
with Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris also
making the grade.
Haddin, who has only played one Test
in the past 14 months and turns 35 next
week, replaces Shane Watson as Michael
Clarkes deputy in a 16-man squad for the
five-Test series starting in England in July.
Watson stood down from his role as
vice-captain over the weekend to concen-
trate on improving his batting and bowl-
ing following his controversial axing in
India last month.
Selector John Inverarity made clear
that Haddin was nowhis first choice wick-
etkeeper, although Matthew Wade is also
in the squad and could play as a special-
ist batsman. In regards to the vice-cap-
taincy, we feel its important to have a
senior, seasoned player support Michael at
this time, said Inverarity, with Australia
lacking a vacuum of other obvious candi-
dates. When Shane Watson advised of his
decision to stand down, the selectors
viewed Brad as the exceptional candidate
to step into this leadership void.
Matthew Wade is a very good crick-
eter and remains central to our plans for
the future, he added.
Rogers will also be on the plane, five
years after he played his one and only Test
against India.
The selectors opted for six pacemen
spearheaded by Peter Siddle, James
Pattinson and Mitchell Starc, with all-
rounder James Faulkner, Harris and
Jackson Bird giving themplenty of options.
But they are only taking one spinner
in Nathan Lyon, with the highly rated
Ashton Agar missing out, along with
Mitchell Johnson, Moises Henriques and
Glenn Maxwell.
There is no bigger series or rivalry in
world cricket than the Ashes and the selec-
tors have picked a squad of 16 that will give
us the best possible chance of winning in
English conditions, said Inverarity.
PTI n BANGALORE
R
oyal Challengers Bangalore open-
er Chris Gayle, who smashed a
record-breaking 175 not out against
Pune Warriors, said on Wednesday
that he is not the only match-winner
in his IPL side.
We have got a lot of match win-
ners. It is not about just Chris Gayle,
the West Indies batsman told reporters
at the sidelines of Reebok CrossFit
event here.
Virat Kohli is in great form. AB
(de Villiers) is a superb player. You
know how destructive he can be.
(Tillakaratne) Dilshan, Ravi
Rampaul, Muttaiah Muralitharan are
match winners.
Other bowlers also have played
their part in thsi IPL. Hopefully we
keep this unity (intact) and move on,
he added.
Gayle, who hit the fastest IPL
century in just 30 balls on his to scor-
ing an unbeaten innings of 175 runs on
Tuesday, also said that his team were
doing exceptionally well in the current
edition of the Indian Premier League
(IPL).
Besides Gayle, other RCB players
including Daniel Vettori, Muttiah
Muralitharan, de Villiers, Dilshan and
Zaheer Khan also tal ked about
CrossFit and staying fit.
Abhimanyu Mithun and Abhinav
Mukund performed the Reebok
CrossFit - Work Out of the Day(WOD)
and competed against each other.
Consistency is key
CSK skipper MS Dhoni during practice on Wednesday PTI
UP NEXT UP NEXT
LIVE AT 8:00 PM
@sachin_rt
welcome to
the 40s
buddy!! Push for
singles, from here on
in u dont want to score too
quickly.
BRIAN LARA@BRIANLARA
A very big birthday wish to
the little master
BRETT LEE
@sachin_rt dear master
blaster many happy returns
of the day wishing you health
and success always thank
you god for this day regards
YUVRAJ SINGH
To the Man who is a
synonym of Cricket......
Happy Birthday paaji!
SURESH RAINA
wish you a very happy
birthday and a great year
ahead. i started playing
cricket because i wanted to
be like you.. Thanks Sachin
Paji for being what you are to
me. @sachin_rt.
AJINKYA RAHANE
Happy Birthday @sachin_rt
!!! #Legend.
GARY KIRSTEN
RCB not just about me
Haddin Oz vice-captain for Ashes
Brad Haddin (left) with Michael Clarke AP
Sachin Tendulkar (left) with wife Anjali during his birthday celebrations PTI
Chris Gayle (left) with Muttiah Muralitharan PTI
Delhi Daredevils captain Mahela Jayawardene in action PTI Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist PTI
AUSTRALIA SQUAD:
Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin (vice-
capt), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Chris
Rogers, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson,
Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade, James
Faulkner, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc,
James Pattinson, Ryan Harris, Jackson
Bird, Nathan Lyon
Thats where we
are lacking. We are
not consistent
enough. This
wicket was
probably a 140-150
wicket, we needed
to get that par
score
Delhi skipper
Jayawardene
PTI n CHENNAI
S
unrisers Hyderabad
mentor Krish Srikkanth
said that explosive opener
Shikhar Dhawans presence
in the playing XI will be huge
boost for the batting line-up
that has blown hot and cold
during this season of IPL.
The best news for us is that Shikhar Dhawan is
back and will be playing his first IPL match this
season. It will be a big boost to our batting strength
and we are confident of even chasing totals in
excess of 190, Srikkanth said about Dhawans
comeback after a knuckle fracture kept him out of
action for more than a month.
CSK may have some top class finishers but the
former India captain and chief national selector
doesnt want to draw any comparison between the
two sides. We do not wish to be compared with
other teams. All teams play to their strength. We are
hopeful of getting in to the semi-finals. Thats our
first target, said Srikkanth.
Shikhar will
be big boost
Tense Sachin celebrates 40th birthday
WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF
MATCH WINNERS. IT IS
NOT ABOUT JUST CHRIS
GAYLE. VIRAT KOHLI IS
IN GREAT FORM. AB (DE
VILLIERS) IS A SUPERB
PLAYER. YOU KNOW
HOW DESTRUCTIVE HE
CAN BE
CHRIS GAYLE
Krish Srikkanth PTI
MI clinch thriller to give Sachin bday gift
KOLKATA: Chasing 160-run target,
Mumbai Indians beat the Kolkata Knight
Riders by five wickets in a thriller at the
Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Ambati Rayudu (13*) hit the winning
runs for Mumbai Indians and was unbeat-
en at the crease along with Harbhajan
Singh (7*), whose six on the third ball of
the last over set the tone for an emphatic
Mumbai win.
The match seemed to be heading in
Kolkata's favour as Mumbai Indians lost
wickets at regular intervals when Sunil
Narine struck again to get rid of danger-
ous Dwayne Smith (62).
Smith raced to fifty in just 34 balls, in
the eleventh over as the hosts rocked the
Mumbai run chase. Smith was in his ele-
ment as he smashed five maximums and
three boundaries in his quick-fire 45 balls
innings.
Soon after, Narine dismissed Rohit
Sharma (34) after the West Indian caught
the stand-in Mumbai skipper of off his
own bowling to bring the Knight Riders
back into winning contention.
Earlier, spinner Sachithra Senanayake
dismissed the in-form Dinesh Karthik (7)
to give the hosts a crucial breakthrough as
Mumbai are reduced to 64/2 in 7.5 overs.
Narine struck in his first over to dis-
miss the 'birthday boy' Sachin Tendulkar
(2) cheaply and reduced Mumbai to 29/1
in 4.5 overs.
Electing to bat first, Kolkata Knight
Riders batsmen managed 159/6 in 20 overs
against Mumbai. KKRwere cruising in the
beginning, when they raced to fifty in just
4.1 overs, but failed to capitalise on the ini-
tial momentum set by their openers in the
latter stage.
Lasith Malinga struck twice in the final
over, conceding just 3 runs, to halt the
hosts final run charge. Malinga dismissed
Manoj Tiwary (33) and Debabrata Das (6)
to finish his spell with 2-25 in four overs.
Tiwary put on 54-run stand with Eoin
Morgan (31) for the fourth wicket to lead
the Knight Riders fightback after losing
three top-order batsmen. Tiwary hit a six
and two fours before Malinga clean
bowled him in the final over.
Morgan (31) became Mitchell
Johnson's second victim in the eigh-
teenth over after a decent stand with
Tiwary as KKR raced to 150 in the 18.1
overs. Morgan smashed a six and four
boundaries in his quick-fire 25-ball knock.
Knight Riders lost wickets at regular
intervals in the middle overs after a solid
start against Mumbai. For the visitors
Pragyan Ojha (2-21) and Johnson (2-26)
also contributed handsomely with the ball.
Kolkata reached 100-run mark in the
12.5 overs as they look for a decent total
against the Mumbai. Dawyne Smith
sport 15 LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
12 INDIAN ATHLETES UNDER AHMC WING
New Delhi: In their bid to promote young and upcoming
Olympics medal prospects, Anglian Medal Hunt Company
(AMHC) on Wednesday announced the names of 12 athletes,
who will be supported by the firm. The list includes boxers -
Shiva Thapa, L Devendro Singh, Sumit Sangwan, Sarjubala
Devi, walkers -KT Irfan, Basant Bahadur Rana. The list also
incluse some unheralded talent like walker Khusbir Kaur, boxer
Gaurav Bidhuri, 17-year old discus thrower Navjeet Kaur
Dhillon, 10-year old swimmer Vaania Kapoor Achuthan and
athlete Harmillan Bains. "We wish to guide them in all aspects of
their career from training, international exposure, sponsorships
to all other aspects of their professional life," said Maneesh
Bahuguna, CEO of AMHC. "Our target is four medals in 2016
Olympics and eight in 2020," added Bahuguna. AMHC has also
collaborated with Olympic Gold Quest.
POOVAMMA MISSES WORLD CSHIPS MARK
Patiala: M R Poovamma won gold in women's 400m race by
improving her personal best with a splendid timing of 52.75
secs on the second day of Federation Cup Senior Athletics
Championships but missed the World Championships qualifying
mark by a whisker here on Wednesday. Kerala girl Anu Mariam
Jose, who pushed Poovamma all the way, could manage only
53.88 secs and settled with a silver while her state-mate Anju
Thoams bagged the bronze in 55.14s. Poovamma's previous
best was 52.94 secs which she clocked during the Asian Grand
Prix in Bangkok. Mayookha Johny won gold in women's long
jump with a modest leap of 6.16m. Another athlete who
successfully defended her title was Kushbir Kaur in 20 km walk.
I-LEAGUE MATCHES IN EVENING FROM 2013
New Delhi: In a development that would surely address the
demands of players and club officials alike, the I-League
matches will be played only in the evening under floodlights
from next season, national football coach Wim Koevermans said
on Wednesday. "I-League is not one of the best leagues in the
world and we have to accept that. There are drawbacks and
weak points but we have to see the big picture and try to solve
the issues we face so that Indian football moves ahead,"
Koevermans said. "One improvement we are going to make
from next season will be to play I-League matches in the
evening and not at daytime," he said. "A top-class I-League is
important for the good performance of national team. So we
have to pay attention to the I-League besides also encouraging
grassroot development initiatives like the MUPC Under 15
tournament," he added.
BHULLAR READY FOR CENTURY ON ASIAN TOUR
Seoul: Talented Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar will be making
his 100th start on the Asian Tour when he tees off at the
Ballantine's Championship, starting here on Thursday. One of
the growing stars of Asian golf, the 24-year-old has come a long
way from the time he had made his debut on the Tour in 2007.
Six years on, the four time Asian Tour winner is now getting
ready for the Euro 2,205,000 (Approximately USD 2.8 million)
Ballantine's Championship at the Blackstone Golf Club. Bhullar
is one of the nine Indians, who will tee up this week.
ANAND DRAWS WITH ARONIAN
Paris: World champion Viswanathan Anand's hunt for an
elusive victory continued as he played out a draw with Levon
Aronian of Armenia in the third round of Alekhien memorial
chess tournament now underway here. With his second draw in
three games besides the painful loss against Michael Adams of
England in the opener, Anand took his tally to one point out of a
possible three and his tournament situation did not change
much as the Indian remained in joint eighth spot in the 10-
player super tournament.
RONALDINHO NAMED BRAZIL CAPTAIN VS CHILE
Sao Paulo: Ronaldinho will captain Brazil in its friendly against
Chile on Wednesday, moving into a strong position to confirm
his spot in the Confederations Cup squad. Coach Luiz Felipe
Scolari reiterated his confidence in the two-time FIFA player of
the year on Tuesday, picking him to lead the team in its final
match before the Confederations Cup squad is announced.
Scolari has already said he will likely choose between
Ronaldinho and Kaka for the World Cup warm-up tournament in
June. Kaka will miss the Chile match because only players from
Brazilian clubs were selected for the friendly, meaning
Ronaldinho could secure his spot with a good performance.
MONDAL TRIUMPHS
Noida: Samir Mondal of RCGC Kolkata won the seventh Lalit
Caddies tournament held at the Noida golf course. Mahesh
finished runners-up and the third prize went to Sunil Kumar of
Aravali GC in the tournament where 139 caddies participated.
OPL-II TO BEGIN FROM MAY 1
Cuttack: Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) is all set to hold the
second edition of Odisha Premier League (OPL) T-20 matches
from May 1 after the competition failed to take off last year.
PNS/Agencies
s si in ng gl le es s
Kashyap goes down to Taufik; Saina in rd 2
World No.7 squanders first-game lead, matchpoint to crash out of India Open
GARIMA VERMA n NEWDELHI
T
his is what the players like Taufik
Hidayat are capable of not only
winning a seemingly lost cause but
also making you switch loyalties in a split
secondby producing that famedbrilliance.
Up against home sweetheart Parupalli
Kashyap in the first round of the Yonex
Sunrise India Openhere at Siri Fort Sports
Complex on Wednesday, the Indonesian
had nothing going his way to start with.
After losing the first game 13-21, he
steadily workedhis way towards victory and
crowdsupport by displaying those enviable
backhands andwinning the net rallies clev-
erly. And by the time the match finished
anhour later, he hadleft the crowdindou-
ble mind- whether tofeel badfor Kashyap's
21-13, 21-23, 18-21 loss or celebrate
Taufik's continued presence.
But since, Kashyap didn't feel too bad
about the match and his loss, the specta-
tors didn't too, showering bothwithcheers
after the match. "I was hoping to beat him
once before he retires but inthe endhe was
too good," Kashyap quipped with a smile
after the match as the 31-year-old
Indonesian waited on the sidelines for his
turn to interact with the media.
After that thriller of a match, the sec-
ondmost-awaitedclashonthe courts - top
seed Saina Nehwal vs Belaetrix Manuputi
of Indonesia, purely by the virtue of
Saina's presence, provedtobe a totally one-
sided affair. It took Saina all of 33 minutes
to send her opponent packing 21-12, 21-
15. Though looking a tad heavier and less-
er fit version of her 2012 Olympics self,
Saina didn't have to stretch herself much.
Belaetrix did put up some resistance from
time to time, winning five or six points in
a rowin both games, but it wasn't enough
against the Olympic bronze medal-winning
world No 2 Indian.
Following Saina's entry into round 2,
17-year-old and world No 16 PV Sindhu
kept the possibility of a clash with Saina
alive andkicking by seeing off the challenge
fromChina's Xue Yao 17-21, 21-18, 21-14.
Also, the topseedfrommen's side - Lee
Chong Wei of Malaysia - startedhis bidfor
the title with a 23-minute 21-16, 21-5 win
over Ireland's Scott Evans. Wei had lost to
SouthKoreanShonWan-hointhe last edi-
tion's final and this time the world No 1
would surely be aiming to make amends
for that. And, to be successful in that bid
he would need to ply his trade carefully
against a certainTaufik inthe quarterfinals
if the script goes expectedly.
Former worldandOlympic champion
Taufik might be placed 26 in the rankings
right now, but if he could sustain the level
of brilliance that he showcased briefly and
sparsely against Kashyap, he couldvery well
give Wei some anxious moments.
While Kashyaphadnoproblems intak-
ing the first game as Taufik's casual
approach sawhimgiving away points on a
platter throughunforcederrors, the second
game was complete role reversal. He kept
engaging the worldNo7 Indianinlong ral-
lies andnet-to-net exchanges, winningmost
of themin the end with a lightening quick
smart short that Kashyaphadnoanswer to.
If at one point it was a surreal drop at the
net, the other time it was a perfectly placed
crosscourt smash that just fell on line.
So much so that Kashyap was just on
the verge of taking the second game and
match at 21-20 but instead ended up hit-
ting it into the net to level the score and
repeatedthat to let the chance slipby. And,
after taking the secondgame 23-21, Taufik
had more or less drained Kashyap off his
energy andthe Indiancoulddonothing but
lost the game 18-21 and hence the match.
The head-to-head between the two
now reads 7-0 in Taufik's favour.
Meanwhile, Srikanth K provided the
upset of the day whenhe beat fourth-seed-
ed Jan OJorgensen of Denmark 21-7, 18-
21, 21-12 in 45 minutes.
Other important results
Men's singles: Ajay Jayaram(IND) bt
Vladimir Malkov (RUS) 21-17, 21-17; Sai
Praneeth B (IND) bt Kento Momota
(JPN) 21-17, 21-11.
Women's singles: RatchanokOntanon
[3] (THA) bt Sayali Gokhale (IND) 21-8,
21-12; Juliane Schenk [2] (GER) bt
Rituparna Das (IND) 21-12, 21-15.
Women's doubles: Pradnya Gadre-
Ashwini Ponnappa (IND) bt LaurenSmith-
Gabrielle White (ENG) 19-21, 22-20, 21-11.
Mixed doubles: Jwala Gutta-V Diju
(IND) bt Chris Langridge-Heather Olver
(ENG) 19-21, 21-15, 21-16; Akshay
Dewalkar-Pradnya Gadre (IND) bt Andrew
Ellis-LaurenSmith(ENG) 16-21, 22-20, 21-
19; Sung Hyun Ko-Ha Na kim (KOR) bt
Ashwini Ponnappa-TarunKona (IND) 21-
16, 23-25, 21-19.
Indias Parupalli Kashyap in
action File Photo
New Delhi: If Day 1 mismanagement could
be attributed to opening lethargy, Wednesday
was no better, even worse when it came to
witnessing the action at India Open.
The parking and hence entry woes
continued as the organisers again promised
to work things out by Thursday. With no
clear instructions to the police at the
entrance regarding the vehicles entry, even
scribes had a tough time entering the
premises, leaving one wondering what the
general public would have to go through. The
organisers had provided the police with a list
of vehicles, leaving the ones not on it
clueless at the gate.
The tournament director TPS Puri made
no effort to cloak his frustration at being
asked about the arrangements or the lack of
it. "You tell me what should I do? Security is
not my headache," he said when asked about
the parking problems being faced by all.
"I have been trying to work things out
with the police," he added when reminded
about being the organisers and hence the
responsible authority.
"As far as spectators are concerned we
are trying to open a nearby DDA ground and
provide a shuttle service from there."
But with all the arrangements yet to be
finalised in this regard, expecting a smooth
entry on the following days still doesn't look
to promising. GARIMA VERMA
TROUBLES CONTINUE
AP n MUNICH
F
or once, Barcelona were on
the wrong end of the kind of
drubbing they so often inflict on
others. And with Bayern Munich
in this kind of devastating form,
even a fully fit Lionel Messi may
not have made much of a dif-
ference.Bayern humbled the
Spanish powerhouse on Tuesday,
taking full advantage of Messis
sub-par performance as it over-
whelmed Barcelona 4-0 in the
first leg of their highly antici-
pated Champions League semi-
final. We knew we were able to
give them a good competition,
Bayern winger Arjen Robben
said. This team (Barcelona) has
dominated Europe over the last
five years and if you beat them
like this, I think you can be
proud.
Barcelona had twice as much
possession as Bayern but had
very little to show for it against
the new German champions
aggressive defense.
Thomas Mueller scored two
goals as Bayern took a giant step
toward a second consecutive
final. When it comes to big
games, I just go wild, Mueller
said.
Mueller scored in the first
half and added another after
Mario Gomez and Robben had
also scored in the second half. It
was Barcelonas biggest loss in the
Champions League since 1997,
and largest in any competition
since 2007.
Messi has been bothered by
a hamstring injury for three
weeks and was only declared fit
to play shortly before the match.
But the four-time FIFA player of
the year was a pale shadow of
himself. Leo tried really hard
just to be here, he gave every-
thing, but he couldnt do more,
Barcelonas assistant coach Jordi
Roura said.
With Messi struggling, none
of his teammates were able to
create much of anything either as
they were effectively stifled by the
disciplined Germans. You have
to have a plan against Barcelona
and the players executed it very
well, said Bayern coach Jupp
Heynckes, who will be replaced
by former Barcelona counterpart
Pep Guardiola after this season.
Barcelona has a certain philos-
ophy but my players knewexact-
ly what they had to do on the
field. We defended as a team, we
really wanted not to concede a
goal at home and we achieved
that.
Bayern trip Barca 4-0
ST JOHN BOSCO, ST FRANCIS WIN
St John Bosco College and St Francis College won their
respective matches on the opening day of the 15th Avinash
Chandra Chaturvedi Memorial Inter-College T20 Cricket
Tournament at Chowk Stadium on Wednesday.
St John Bosco College beat Horner College by 21 runs while
St Francis College defeated Bal Vidya Mandir by 36 runs. In other
matches, Ramswaroop College beat Montfort College by 22 runs
while Balvidya Mandir thrashed DPS, Indira Nagar by five wick-
ets. Earlier, Naresh Viz inaugurated the tournament.
BRIEF SCORES:
St John Bosco: 123 (Yash Sahani 63, Ankit Kapoor 10; Amit Patel
32/2, Akash Maurya 15/1)
Horner College: 102 (Gaurav Yadav 19, Rajat Sharma 17; Adarsh
Pandey 16/3, Prashant Negi 17/4)
St Francis: 97 (Akshay Lal 26, Pranav Seth 23, Amaan Razi 10;
Krishan Rao 26/2, Kishan Pathak 25/1)
Bal Vidya Mandir: 61 (Ayush Singh 36; Simar Singh 4/4, Vastsal
Jha 0/2)
Ramswaroop College: 132 (Himanshu Bajpai 37, Anubhav
Agarwal 17, Harsh Veer Singh 13; Akshit Raj Singh 26/3, Shubham
Mishra 22/2)
Montfort College: 110 (Sahil Raza 31, Abhishek Bhattcharya 39;
Noorulain Ashraf 8/3)
DPS: 98 (Shivam41, Aditya Vikram18; Shariq Salan 21/2, Vishrut
Bajpai 8/2)
Balvidya Mandir: 99 (Anurag Tiwari 27, Aman Gupta 33; Rishabh
Singh 15/2, Dev Prasad 23/2)
UP TIMBER ENTER FINAL
UP Timber thrashed ASCA by nine wickets to enter the final
of the 3rd Himanshu Shukla Memorial Cricket Tournament at
Northern Railway Stadium on Wednesday.
BRIEF SCORES:
ASCA: 123 (Sandeep Pandey 23, Akshat Trivedi 18; Faizan Ahmed
18/3, Rahul Pandey 16/2, Saumitra Singh 35/2)
UP Timber: 124 (Subhang Raj 75, Raman Pal Singh 22;
Sandeep Pandey 46/1)
SHAKUMBARI CLUB BEAT LCH
Shakumbari Cricket Club edged past LucknowCricket Hostel
by three wickets in a league match of the 12th Babu Banarasi
Das C Division Prizemoney Cricket League at Rahas Bihari
Tiwari Stadium on Wednesday.
BRIEF SCORES:
LCH: 219 (Vibhav Pratap Singh 78, Yogesh Chandak 33,
Shubham Yadav 29; Amit 16/2, Arvind 30/2)
SCC: 220 (Subhash Sahani 69, Aman 33, Rishabh 20, Niraj 19;
Abhishek Ranjan 58/3, Yogesh Chandak 50/4)
FRIENDSHIP SERIES
Harsh Cricket Academy beat Sam Public School by five wick-
ets in aleague match of the Friendship Cricket Series at Sahara
Estates ground on Wednesday.
BRIEF SCORES:
SPS: 135 (Digant 17, Animesh 24; Mridul Bajpai 18/4, Jeetu 15/2)
HCA: 136 (Narayan Mukesh 39, Devesh Dubey 16; Durgesh 16/2)
SAI ALUMNI LEAGUE
St Francis Alumni edged past Cosa by seven runs in a league
match of Sai Alumni League Night T20 Cricket Tournament at
Sai Greens ground on Tuesday.
BRIEF SCORES:
St Francis: 178 (Laminder Singh 37, Anurag Mishra 36; Md
Amaan 21/2)
Cosa: 171 (Md Amaan 76, Altaf Alam 30; Adnan Azhar 28/2)
MAMTA SPORTING EDGE PAST LMS
Deepak Kumars lone goal in the 42nd minute to help Mamta
Sporting beat LMS 1-0 in a league match of the 7th SN Singh
Memorial Open District Football Tournament at La Marteniere
Football ground on Wednesday.
Todays fixtures:
Pediator Club vs LMP
U-16 CRICKET TOURNEY
Lucknow Cricket Academy is organising the 13th All-India
U-16 Trophy from April 28. The tournamewnt will be played on
league-cum-knockout basis.
TEAMS: Sarsuna Cricket Academy (Kolkata), Dahisar Sports Club
(Mumbai), Lucknow Cricket Academy, Safipur Cricket Club,
Nagar Nigam Cricket Academy (Kanpur), Manchester Cricket
Club.
HOCKEY PLAYERS FELICITATED
KL Garg Memorial Charitable Trust on Wednesday felicitated
17 hockey players of the state on Wednesday. Minister of state
for rural development, Arvind Singh Gope and and sports min-
ister Chandra Prakash were the chief guests. The players who were
honoured were Ram Avtar Mishra, Syed Ali, Ravindra Pal Singh,
Sujeet Kumar, Shakeel Ahmed, Ram Prakash Singh, Rajneesh
Mishra, Devesh Singh Chauhan, Bula Ganguly, Razia Zaidi,
Danish Mujtaba, Kavita Maurya, S Shankar, VB Singh and
Avinash.
SNOOKER
Shresth Agarwal surprised Taran Raj Agarwal 45-69, 68-62
and 67-33 and then outplayed Shahrukh in straight frames 76-
43 and 80-44 to enter the quarter-finals of the 1st Centuryply
Snooker tournament on Wednesday. Joining Shresth in the quar-
ter-finals were Kuldeep Chandaramani and Anuj Agarwal. Anuj
first disposed off Aayush 67-12, 54-59 and 83-35 and then fol-
lowed it up with another three frames victory over Rahul Singh
86-46, 52-62 and 74-52. Kuldeep posted a straight frames win
over Salman Khan 64-43 and 67-51 to make the last eight stage.
OTHER RESULTS: Anant Dixit bt Mohd Tayyab 64-74, 62-50
and 71-39; Anuj Agarwal bt Atul Chauhan 64-65, 58-21 and 78-
56; Himanshu Srivastava bt Abbas Zaidi 52-72, 68-55 and 57-46;
Ajay Kalani bt Vinesh Singh 63-71, 87-71 and 60-31; Salman Khan
bt Tehzeeb 57-44, 62-72 and 88-60.
Match between Mamta Sporting and LMS in progress
Naresh Viz being introduced to the players
LOCAL EVENTS
LUCKNOW: Bihar's Aprajita
Kumari struck five goals,
including a hat-trick, to guide
her side to an emphatic 9-0
win over Jammu &Kashmir in
a pool D league match of the
3rd Hockey India Senior
Women National Hockey
Championship.
Besides Aprajita Kumari
(13, 19, 43, 51, 65 minutes),
Antu Kumari (56, 59 min),
Poonam Giri (10 min) and
Manji Pandey (68) scored for
Bihar, at the Major Dhyan
Chand Stadium in Lucknow.
In a pool B encounter,
Mumbai Hockey Association
Limited (MHA Ltd) routed
Bengal 13-0.
Scorers for MHALtd were
Jahanara Bano (12, 23, 26, 36,
47 minutes), Sarita Hanuman
(14, 32, 41, 43 min), Tanaz
Mohammed (15, 62 min),
Pratibha Sawant (8 min) and
Krishna Patel (27 min).
Sport Authority of India
(SAI) beat Hockey Bhopal 4-
2 in a pool F match.
Ranjita Sanasam(15 min),
Anima Soreng (33 min),
Sushma Tiru (43 min),
Kulwinder Kaur (53 min) were
the goal scorers for SAI while
Hockey Bhopal scored
through Chanda Gupta (2
min), Deepika Sharma (14
min).
Aprajitas hattrick in Bihar win
Match between Bhopal and SAI in progress
Ankita eases
to quarters
PNS n LUCKNOW
T
op seed Ankita Rana
spanked Preethi Ujjini 6-
0, 6-1 to eased into the quar-
ter-finals of ITF Womens
Future Tennis Tournament,
underway at Oudh
Gymkhana.
Second seed Nidhi
Chilumula had to struggle
against Sharon S Paul, but
hold her nerves to book the
quarters berth, beating Sharon
6-3, 7-6 (5).
However, it was a smooth
ride for the third seed
Prarthana G Thombare and
fourth seed Sweta Rana, who
beat Mahitha D Reddy 6-4 ,6-
3 and Smriti Joon 6-3,6-4
respectively.,
RESULTS: (Doubles) Natasha
Palha & P Thombare bt Riya
Bhatia & Xi-Yao Wang 6-1,6-
3; Ann-CNilsson &Angelique
Svinos bt Anushka Bhargava &
Sharon Paul 6-2,6-3; Ankita
Rana & Shweta Rana W/O
Mahitha Reddy & Bhuvana
Kalva; Nidhi Chilumula &
Emi Mutaguchi bt Sai
Chamarthi & Eetee Maheta 3-
6, 6-4,11-9.
K
atiya Karoon from Rockstar tugged
at music lovers heartstrings. But did
you know that legendary singer
ShamshadBegum, who diedTuesday sung
a song titled Katiya Karoon during 1963!
She was one of the first female playback
singers in the Indian filmindustry, which
turned100 this year. At 94, she was six years
younger than Indian cinema perhaps
the oldest living member of filmdom. Its
time to revisit Katiya Karoon, whichgives
a peek into the era whenshe mesmerised
many with her voice and displayed versa-
tility.
Apeppy dance number, the folk num-
ber was picturised on actress Nishi in the
1963 black andwhite Punjabi movie, Pind-
Di-Kuri, by Baldev R Jhingan. Dressed in
a knee-length skirt and kurti, Nishi was
carefree in the song, which had a typical
Punjabi flavour.
Composed by Hansraj Behl, the beats
were fast andNishis thumkas make it inter-
esting evennow. The recent Katiya Karoon
had a similar mukhra but different antara.
Sung by Harshdeep Kaur and Sapna
Awasthi, it is a love song where the girl talks
about her feelings for her lover.
In the 1940s and 1950s Shamshad
Begumcreateda benchmarkby singing hits
like Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, SaiyanDil Mein
Aana Re andMere Piya Gaye Rangoon. Her
voice had a slight nasal tinge.
Awidowsince 1955, she livedwithher
daughter Usha Ratra. She had no regrets.
She lived life like a tigress. I am proud to
be her daughter, Usha said.
She was inICUsix months
back.
Shamshad Begum was
born on April 14, 1919, in
Amritsar, Punjab. Interested
in singing froma young age,
she got her first breakwithPeshawar Radio,
Lahore, in December 1947.
Begums talent was first spotted by her
principal, whenshe was inprimary school.
Impressed by the quality of her voice,
she was made head singer of classroom
prayer.
She alsosang for All India Radioas part
of Delhis Crown Imperial Theatrical
Company of Performing Arts. Her songs
were frequently aired on AIR Lahore.
But whenshe was younger, her conser-
vative family did not encourage her. It was
her paternal uncle whoconvincedher father
to allow her to sing.
At 10, she started
singing folk based songs in
religious functions andfam-
ily marriages. She soon
had a contract with record
company Xenophone.
Her father agreed to let her sing onthe
conditionthat she wouldattendrecordings
ina burkha and would not get herself pho-
tographed. Begumcontinuedtohonour her
fathers wishes even after getting married
to Ganpat Lal Battoat the age of 15 in1934.
Later, her voice became a hit and she
sang for top heroines of the era, leaving
behind a rich legacy of her soulful tunes.
Some of her famous songs include Kajra
Mohabbat Wala, Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar,
Kahin Pe Nigahen, Kahin Pe Nishaana,
Chhod Babul Ka Ghar.
Usha said that till her last breath, her
mother, survived on her own money. She
was a very independent woman.
Begum was fond of eating, said Usha
and added that she didnt have to spend
her money anywhere else. No make-up, no
shopping, nothing.
She even left money for charity. I
wouldnot like to reveal howmuch, but will
follow her wish. When alive, she would
donate money to different charities.
Shamshad Begum turned off her
microphone somewhere in1970s. Recalling
her mothers retirement decision, Usha said:
One fine day she packedher bags andcame
to my house and said she has left the film
industry. She never looked back.
Because of politics, she didnt want to
work anymore. This is one of the reasons
why she didnt let me be a singer. I told her,
let me sing for my self-satisfaction, but she
saidif youwill learntosing, youwill direct-
ly enter the industry. So, she didnt let me.
The mother of two, GWYNETH
PALTROW, has been named most
beautiful woman by People
magazine. Oscar-
winning Paltrow says
she is casually dressed
at home and her family
is not used to seeing
her decked up.
Around the
house, I'm in
jeans and a T-
shirt. I don't really
wear makeup.
That's what
they're used to,
she said. Paltrow
gives credit to
her workout for
keeping her
looking youthful
and less tired.
Paltrow does the
Tracy Anderson
Method five days a
week. When I started,
I thought, I'll never be
good! But now it's like
brushing my teeth,
said Paltrow. Her
movie Iron Man 3, will
hit the theatres May 3.
Bollywood superstar SALMAN
KHAN admits that while shooting for
an inner wear ad, he was reminded
of his film Karan Arjun.
The 1995 release was shot in the
Mehboob Studio, the same place
where Salman shot for the inner
wear ad. There was the same
ambience during my
introduction scene in
the film. It was the
same (ambience for
ad film) and I was
reminded of the
scene, Mere
bete
aayenge,
Karan-Arjun
aayenge,
dharti ka
seena
phaadkar
aayenge' and
then I enters the
boxing ring, said
Salman.
I am just getting
back into shape.
Arbaaz has the
worst body among
all of us (Salman,
Sohail and Arbaaz)
and Sohail is the
fittest now, added
the actor.
Arbaaz has worst
body: Salman
Pran's
impact on
the Indian
society
cannot be
understat-
ed. For
many years no kid was
named Pran... and he
worked in such amaz-
ing films again. He is a
very inspiring person. I
worked with him once,
so that is something I
hold dear
ASHISH VIDYARTHI
Paltrow named
most beautiful
Filmmaker
MAHESH BHATT
has lent his
voice to his
forthcoming
production
venture,
Aashiqui 2.
According to reports, Bhatt is
playing Aditya Roy Kapoor's father
in the film. He will not make an
appearance in the film, but will be
heard communicating with Aditya
on phone. You won't see me. I have
given my voice for two scenes,
Bhatt said in a statement.
He produced the film and directed
the original Aashiqui during 1990.
LUCKNOW | THURSDAY | APRIL 25, 2013
vivacity 16
H
aving a conversation to Riteish Deshmukh, is like
talking to a stand-up comedian. He is quick wit-
ted and it takes a fewminutes to realise that youve been
slugged by one of his jokes.
Or perhaps thats because you were slow on the
uptake! Hes a judges on Indias Dancing Superstar (Star
Plus), and spoke about having completed a decade in
the industry. When asked if he was going to be a dad
soon, he paused, with a what-do-you-mean expression
all over his face. Thenreplied, Main daddy banne wala
hu and ye aap mujhe bata rahe hai? (I amgoing to be
a daddy and youre the one telling me the news). Told
what the source of the information was he suppressed
a smile. I think that was an April fool joke. I thought
everyone knew it was only rumour.
The actor is having a ball withthe dance reality show
and co-judges, choreographers Ashley Lobo and Geeta
Kapoor. After a decade in the industry and over 35-40
films I was nervous about TV. With Geeta Maa (as she
is addressed by most contestants) and Ashley, I amhav-
ing a goodtime. Hopefully Ashley will learnperfect Hindi
by the shows end.
He continued, While the other two judges focus on
technicalities of dance, I represent the commonmanwho
watches performances without being well-versed with
too many details. For me, performance is important. It
should have heart and be innovative.
The dance showfeatures all ages. Riteishsaid, People
in their late 50s or 60s have inspiring stories. They are
not performing towin, they just want toappear onstage.
From350 contestants, they selected 70. Ultimately
a 40-year-old will have to compete with an18-year-old.
So its important to be consistent.
He doesnt think much of his own dancing skills.
One performance of mine has beenworse thanthe next.
But I think each actor has his own style. I love Hrithik,
Shahid and Ranbir Kapoor.
But Govinda is my favourite because of his unique
style. Some watch his movies just to
see himdance.
He added that as a kid, he
tried dancing many times, espe-
cially to Bappi Lahiris notes. His
time on television doesnt imply
his films are on the backburner.
The actor produced Marathi
movies like Balak Palak andis act-
ing in another one.
He also plans to make Balak
Palak inHindi. His next filmfor
Bollywoodis GrandMasti,
which he says will
be, embarrass-
ing and shock-
ingly entertain-
ing. I said the
same thing
when Kya
S u p e r k o o l
Hain Hum
was about to
release. But
Grand Masti
is more
shocking.
T h e
actor owns a
Veer Marathi
team under
the Celebrity
C r i c k e t
L e a g u e
(CCL) head.
He said
there are no
plans to pos-
sess IPL play-
ers. Managing
one teamis dif-
ficult. When
actors get paid
five thousand
crore for each
film, I might think
of buying a teamfor
IPL!
O
ne tends to associate Geeta Kapoor with
reality shows rather than Bollywood.
Most of her films have been as the assistant
choreographer to Farah Khan.
The reasonshe is irregular with films and
TV is that she prefers doing events. When
we started dancing, choreographers got
little recognition. TV give you that. I
enjoy being a mentor. You challenge
yourself. But I find the idea of mere-
ly sitting in a judges chair bor-
ing. I do films only when
Farah needs me. I cant say
no to her, said Kapoor.
She is currently a
judge with Indias Dancing
Superstar.
Kapoor began dancing
at a young age. Her par-
ents enrolled her in danc-
ing class to keep her
occupied. I dont belong
to a great background.
We lived in a small
space and were not rich,
so we didnt go out
often. My parents
worked hard and got me
into various hobby classes. My
mother noticed I liked dancing
most. So with her support I shift-
ed fromfolk to classical dancing at
three-and-a-half or four years. I
danced at school events, but was
always shy. Even today, I amcon-
scious about others opinions.
At 15, I was asked to step in
for a girl, who was part of
a dance troupe. She was ill
and because I performed
on and off with them,
the group chose me to
fill her shoes. I did it for
fun. But when the girl
returned, she called, said
thanks and told me I did
well. She was going to
start her own troupe and
wanted me to join. That
girl was Farah Khan.
She has worked with
Farah since then, assist-
ing in films like Kuch
Kuch Hota Hai, Dil Toh
Pagal Hai and Kabhi
Khushi Kabhie Gham. I
also worked with Ken
Ghosh, then returned to
Farah. From 2006, there
has beenno looking back.
The dancer feels that
talent on reality shows is
extraordinarily good and
India has the potential for
better programmes. But
content should be brilliant.
The audience is smart and
will reject any run-of-the-
mill thing. Geeta has no plan to start her
own programme. I have offers to act.
But I am happy running my company
and doing events, she said.
B
haratas Natya Shastra, probably
the worlds most ancient com-
pendium on performing arts, has
held sway onthe Indianpsyche for
twothousandyears. Its text is as rel-
evant to literary study, poetry and
drama, as it is to various arts
To the cognoscente, its com-
prehensive treatment of artistic
experience, expression and com-
munication, content and form,
emerges from an integral vision
that flowers intoa many-branched
tree of all Indian arts. Among
them, all eight recognised classi-
cal dances invariably draw on
Natya Shastra to lay down four
veritable tenets: eloquent facial
expressions (satvik abhinaya);
well-defined movements of the
limbs and torso (angik abhi-
naya); foundationinmusical nar-
rative and mnemonics (vachik
abhinaya); and supportive props,
decorations, jewellery and cos-
tumes (aharya abhinaya).
During the recent ICCR pre-
sentation of Raama Naatakam, by
dance maestro VP Dhananjayan,
his celebrated wife Shanta
Dhananjayan and their Bharata
Kalanjali troupe fromChennai, the
fourth component of aharya abhi-
naya was conspicuous by absence.
The Dhananjayans, originally
groomed at Kalakshetra and with
scores of global tours to their cred-
it, have impeccable, credentials,
producing many dancers and
dance-gurus since 1968, when
Bharata Kalanjali began. Explained
Dhananjayan, The uniqueness of
this production lies in simplicity.
We discarded aharya abhinaya
and, for such a grand subject
Raama Naatakambeing the story
of Rama through Arunachala
Kavirayars compositions present
the epic with no props and neutral
costumes for all characters. Our
emphasis is body andfacial expres-
sion. Hanumana andother charac-
ters are portrayed via movements
and expressions.
The result was a whirligig in
space and time. Three competent
young males and equally well-
trained female partners produced
a swirl of patterns and motions
from which spectators identified
Rama andSita, plus their compan-
ions, whoall at the next moment
became wildly-gesticulating
monkeys, going through orches-
trated gestures of carrying stones
and hurling themon the water to
build Rama-Setu.
Barely a moment before, they
had created billowy waves on a
boisterous sea! Later, Dhananjayan
recalled a joke cracked by the
insouciant dance-critic Subbuduin
the Statesman from the 80s
Raama Natakamwas stagedfirst in
1976One wishedDDAinDelhi
could learn from this systematic
crowd how to build a bridge and
that, too, in good time!
To an extent, classical dance
viewers are used to seeing solo
dancers presenting characters inthe
same costume, make-upandstage-
setting withinone evening, termed
ek-aharya abhinaya.
But this is rare ingroup
choreography. So the
collective production
deserves kudos. As
Dhananjayan recol-
lects, When we performed in
Singapore, we hada groupof one
hundred. We receiveda welcome,
andstate honour. The enthu-
siastic response in
Southeast Asia is under-
standable, because the
groupchoreography
reflected the
I n d o n e s i a n
Kechaka dance of
Bali Island, per-
formedenmasse,
minus aharya.
The best part
was the
Dhananjayans 78 and
63 years, respectively and
still dancingdivine onstage. This
was the only fully-costumed seg-
ment. It showcased the episode of
the jealous hunchback Manthara
poisoning queen Kaikeyis
mind against her stepson
Ramas coronation.
Shanta as the con-
spiratorial Kaikeyi
extracting Ramas
exile and
Dhananjayan as
bare-bodied King
Dasaratha happy
and unsuspecting,
then bewildered and
desperately plead-
ing, and finally
heart-brokenand
collapsing onthe
floor was a
fine show. It
was enacted in
real-time, with
pant omi me
and virtuoso
m i m e t i c
action that
only had
vachik, sup-
portive music:
violin, vocal, flute or
just tanpura.
n She was a favourite of music
directors like Naushad Ali and OP
Nayyar.
n Besides Hindi, Shamshad Begum
also sang in Punjabi, Bengali and other
Indian languages.
n The Begum recorded many songs
under the guidance of Ustad Ghulam
Haider. She started playback singing
with Dalsukh Pancholis Punjabi film
Yamla Jat which had music by Haider.
Pancholis first Hindi film Khazanchi
had all the songs in Begums voice.
n Haider continued to mentor the
budding singer by recording her voice
for films like Zamindar, Poonji and
Shama. He brought Begum to Mumbai
as part of his team.
n A movie buff, Begum was a huge fan
of KL Saigal and said that she had
watched his Devdas 14 times.
n Enchanted by her voice, director
Mehboob Khan used it in Taqdeer
(1943) where he introduced Nargis as a
heroine.
n After partition, Haider migrated to
Pakistan but Begum remained in
Mumbai.
n Composer Naushad used Begums
voice in films like Anokhi Ada, Mela,
Dulari, Babul, Deedar, Jadoo, Aan and
Mother India.
n When Lata Mangeshkar and Asha
Bhosle were emerging as the new
voices in cinema but Begum continued
to be popular.
n Her famous duets in this period are
Darr Na Mohabbat Kar Le in Andaz,
Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena from
Deedar and the famous qawwali Teri
Mehfil Mein Kismat from Mughal-e-
Azam.
n Begum is credited with singing the
first westernised number Aana Meri
Jaan Sunday Ke Sunday for film
Shehnai under C Ramchandra, who
utilised the mischief in her voice for fun
numbers like Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon
for film Patang.
n In her twilight years, Begum was
confined to a wheelchair. She was
conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2009.
Despite her conservative
background and being
ordered to record songs
in a burkha, SHAMSHAD
BEGUMlived on her own
terms, producing soulful
music that took us back in
time. Fiercely independent
till the end, her rich legacy
is a bouquet of fragrant
melodies and career
distinctions
MILESTONES
Live like
a tigress
RITEISH DESHMUKH, who debuts as a
judge on Indias Dancing Superstar,
made wisecracks about the rumour on
him and fatherhood. He chatted with
DIVYA KAUSHIK about being a part of a
shocking forthcoming film
called Grand Masti
Jokes on the job Born to dance
Choreographer GEETA KAPOOR talks to D KAUSHIK about her relationship
with FARAH KHAN, whom she once replaced during a show
After
a decade in
the industry I
was nervous about
TV. With Geeta Maa
(as she is addressed
by most contestants)
and Ashley, I am
having a good
time
How to build bridges that last
A production by BHARATA KALANJALI from Chennai, based on stories from the Ramayana, held the
imagination of UTPAL K BANERJEE, who also watched veterans SHANTA and VP DHANAJAYAN on stage
SHAMSHAD BEGUM APRIL 1919-APRIL 2013