The Department of Space (DoS) has decided to terminate the contract signed by Antrix Corporation — the commercial wing of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) — with Devas Multimedia for leasing of S-band transponders on its two satellites.
The announcement was made by DoS secretary and ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday, in the wake of allegations of favouritism shown towards Devas and perceived loss of revenue due to the allocation of spectrum to the company.
The space agency chief said the decision was taken following the directives of the space commission in July 2010.
The contract was signed by Antrix in December 2004, much before ISRO got approval for the launch of the satellites — GSAT6 and GSAT6A. Radhakrishnan said he had ordered a review of the contract in December 2009 by a committee headed by a member of the space commission. Based on this review, the matter was placed before the commission which directed cancellation of the contract last July.
The process of terminating the contract is on and Antrix will soon take action, without causing much financial loss. As of now, no spectrum has been allocated nor transponders given to Devas, Radhakrishnan said.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office denied reports about the loss of revenue because of the deal. “ No decision has been taken by the government to allocate space segment using S- Band spectrum to Antrix or Devas,” an official statement said. That, however, failed to dampen the BJP’s spirits which renewed its attack on the PM Manmohan Singh with vigour.
Since Singh’s portfolio also includes the department of space, the BJP has upped the ante on the PM on the issue of ISRO allocating precious S- band spectrum to Devas without bidding and allegedly at a through- away price.
Showing posts with label Nation News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nation News. Show all posts
JNU campus mms video hunt begins on web, investigation on its way
Yet another obscene MMS has made its way into the disgraceful list of MMS and this time it from one of the most prestigious university of India i.e. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). It has been serached heavily on the web since the news of this obscene clip broke on the news channel and web, now the question which needs to asked is whether those students who are featuring in the clip are the real culprits or those who are desperately looking to download the clip from any of the source they may find.
There is a very basic economic law which states that 'demand creates supply' and looking at the proceedings so far in this scandal, it can be easily said that this law perfectly worked as this 1 GB MMS was made in a professional manner with a high resolution camera with clear motive to earn money by showcasing students in compromising positions, and the worst part is a large population on the web is going literally crazy to watch the clip.
JNU authorities have zeroed in on two male students, suspecting their involvement in making a pornographic MMS and will lodge a complaint with the police after the sufficient investigation on their end, though H.B. Bohidar, JNU’s chief proctor has refused to provide any time frame for the same.
There is a very basic economic law which states that 'demand creates supply' and looking at the proceedings so far in this scandal, it can be easily said that this law perfectly worked as this 1 GB MMS was made in a professional manner with a high resolution camera with clear motive to earn money by showcasing students in compromising positions, and the worst part is a large population on the web is going literally crazy to watch the clip.
JNU authorities have zeroed in on two male students, suspecting their involvement in making a pornographic MMS and will lodge a complaint with the police after the sufficient investigation on their end, though H.B. Bohidar, JNU’s chief proctor has refused to provide any time frame for the same.
ISRO deals a spectrum scam bigger than 2G scam
A controversial transponder deal of the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO) appears set to blow up into another multi- crore spectrum scam, even though the space agency is apparently in the process of cancelling the agreement it had signed with a private firm, Devas Multimedia.
When audit objections were raised a few months back regarding the deal, the agency informed the Comptroller and Auditor General of India ( CAG) that it was “ in the process of cancelling the contract”. A source in the CAG said though it had raised its objections to the S- band spectrum deal, ISRO had said it might cancel the licence.
“ If that happens, we may withdraw the objections. In any case, it was just a preliminary process. We are nowhere near drafting the report,” an auditor said.
In an official statement, however, CAG maintained that the “ audit of certain activities of the department of space is under way” and “ only preliminary queries have been raised on certain decisions of the department.” Since the audit was in a preliminary stage, the CAG said it would be wrong to project information ( about the loss of ` 2 lakh crore) as findings of the department. In Bangalore, ISRO also said the agreement is under review.
Devas, however, denied the allegations. The company said it does not own any spectrum and that the services it would provide would be based on satellite transponders leased from the space agency.
“ Both — the satellite and spectrum — belong to the space research organisation,” Ramachandran Viswanathan, president and CEO of Devas, said in a statement released from the US. The controversial deal involves ISRO’s allocation of the much sought after Sband spectrum of 2.5 Gigahertz ( GHz) frequency to Devas without bidding in 2005. S- band ( 2- 4 GHz) is coveted by telecom majors as it could multiply the speed and volume of data transfer. ISRO has 150 Megahertz of spectrum width in this band and Devas has got about 70 Megahertz from that. The deal could last for 12 years.
Critics see the deal as a favour to Devas because of its close ties with ISRO. Devas has three ISRO veterans on its board and its chairman M. G. Chandrasekhar is a former scientific secretary of ISRO. The company’s chief technology officer, D. Venugopal, used to handle satellite communication at the agency. To ward off criticism, ISRO had recently nominated a serving officer — V. R. Katti — as a director in the company.
Devas still claims it has not received any communication regarding the contract from ISRO. “ The GSAT 6 satellite programme already has approval from the Union cabinet and space commission for its services, and Devas is developing an innovative satellite system,” Viswanathan added.
However, the launch plan announced by ISRO for 2011 does not include GSAT 6 ( INSAT- 4E), a ‘ multimedia broadcast satellite’. There has neither been any official announcement of GSAT 6A, the other satellite that would carry transponders that Devas plans to use.
When audit objections were raised a few months back regarding the deal, the agency informed the Comptroller and Auditor General of India ( CAG) that it was “ in the process of cancelling the contract”. A source in the CAG said though it had raised its objections to the S- band spectrum deal, ISRO had said it might cancel the licence.
“ If that happens, we may withdraw the objections. In any case, it was just a preliminary process. We are nowhere near drafting the report,” an auditor said.
In an official statement, however, CAG maintained that the “ audit of certain activities of the department of space is under way” and “ only preliminary queries have been raised on certain decisions of the department.” Since the audit was in a preliminary stage, the CAG said it would be wrong to project information ( about the loss of ` 2 lakh crore) as findings of the department. In Bangalore, ISRO also said the agreement is under review.
Devas, however, denied the allegations. The company said it does not own any spectrum and that the services it would provide would be based on satellite transponders leased from the space agency.
“ Both — the satellite and spectrum — belong to the space research organisation,” Ramachandran Viswanathan, president and CEO of Devas, said in a statement released from the US. The controversial deal involves ISRO’s allocation of the much sought after Sband spectrum of 2.5 Gigahertz ( GHz) frequency to Devas without bidding in 2005. S- band ( 2- 4 GHz) is coveted by telecom majors as it could multiply the speed and volume of data transfer. ISRO has 150 Megahertz of spectrum width in this band and Devas has got about 70 Megahertz from that. The deal could last for 12 years.
Critics see the deal as a favour to Devas because of its close ties with ISRO. Devas has three ISRO veterans on its board and its chairman M. G. Chandrasekhar is a former scientific secretary of ISRO. The company’s chief technology officer, D. Venugopal, used to handle satellite communication at the agency. To ward off criticism, ISRO had recently nominated a serving officer — V. R. Katti — as a director in the company.
Devas still claims it has not received any communication regarding the contract from ISRO. “ The GSAT 6 satellite programme already has approval from the Union cabinet and space commission for its services, and Devas is developing an innovative satellite system,” Viswanathan added.
However, the launch plan announced by ISRO for 2011 does not include GSAT 6 ( INSAT- 4E), a ‘ multimedia broadcast satellite’. There has neither been any official announcement of GSAT 6A, the other satellite that would carry transponders that Devas plans to use.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) blue film stuns Delhites, nation
One of the most prestigious university of India, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi is in the news for the wrong reasons this time. An obscene MMS of its girl student is creating waves on the web as we speak.
As per the Police, the blue film was made by JNU students with the motive to earn money and also suspected the involvement of a pornographic racket.
The girl and the boy featured in the MMS are said to be the hostellers and students of School of Language. As per the sources, both of these students are the native of Bihar and have been sent off back home.
The Procter office said to have initiated an inquiry in this matter after a complaint received from the Chief Security Officer on the university.
As per the Police, the blue film was made by JNU students with the motive to earn money and also suspected the involvement of a pornographic racket.
The girl and the boy featured in the MMS are said to be the hostellers and students of School of Language. As per the sources, both of these students are the native of Bihar and have been sent off back home.
The Procter office said to have initiated an inquiry in this matter after a complaint received from the Chief Security Officer on the university.
Now Hi-Tech traffic control centre and online driving licence in Delhi
The Capital on Friday got a state-of-the-art operations control centre (OCC) that will ensure a more efficient traffic management in future. Chief minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the facility located at the ISBT building at Kashmere Gate.
The government has claimed to have set up a new hi- tech road transport management system for smoother traffic flow. Officials said the integration of various transportation technologies such as the intelligent signaling system, automatic vehicle location system and the automatic fare collection system will help achieve that. After the implementation, all these technical projects would be monitored at the new OCC. The centre receives real- time video feeds from on- site CCTV cameras to enable monitoring of traffic flow on the BRT corridor. Officials said it would also, if needed, remotely take over the actual operation of the traffic signals from the centre itself.
The CM said the state- of- the- art integrating facility houses a very sophisticated monitoring and control system.
In coming time, the OCC will allow monitoring of movement of buses to ensure their adherence to performance benchmarks, speed limits, routes, bus stops and punctuality.
The CM also inaugurated a new smart card- based driving licence system in the city and then got her driving licence renewed at the facility. Under the system the applicant’s identity is verified by matching the fingerprint before he/ she is allowed to sit for the learner licence test.
The DIMTS is assisting the transport department in the design, development, installation, operation and management of the smart card- based PSV badges. These smart cards are embedded with a tamper- proof electronic chip.
The government has claimed to have set up a new hi- tech road transport management system for smoother traffic flow. Officials said the integration of various transportation technologies such as the intelligent signaling system, automatic vehicle location system and the automatic fare collection system will help achieve that. After the implementation, all these technical projects would be monitored at the new OCC. The centre receives real- time video feeds from on- site CCTV cameras to enable monitoring of traffic flow on the BRT corridor. Officials said it would also, if needed, remotely take over the actual operation of the traffic signals from the centre itself.
The CM said the state- of- the- art integrating facility houses a very sophisticated monitoring and control system.
In coming time, the OCC will allow monitoring of movement of buses to ensure their adherence to performance benchmarks, speed limits, routes, bus stops and punctuality.
The CM also inaugurated a new smart card- based driving licence system in the city and then got her driving licence renewed at the facility. Under the system the applicant’s identity is verified by matching the fingerprint before he/ she is allowed to sit for the learner licence test.
The DIMTS is assisting the transport department in the design, development, installation, operation and management of the smart card- based PSV badges. These smart cards are embedded with a tamper- proof electronic chip.
New Traffic Rules : Not just heavy fine but you will lose driving licence too
If a traffic policeman catches you for talking on your mobile phone while driving, be ready to shell out a heavy fine. And in extreme cases, you can lose your driving licence too.
This is what the S. Sundar committee report recommends. The report was submitted to the Union road transport ministry on Wednesday. Recommending complete revamping of the existing motor vehicles Act, it says stringent fines for traffic offences should be implemented along with a system of penalty points.
The penalty points have been suggested for several violations. If 12 points accumulate against a person, his licence will be suspended for five years.
Among the new suggested amendments are: No one below 18 years should be allowed to drive a vehicle; when a person buys a new car he should produce a proof of parking space available for it; and mandatory third- party insurance at the time of registration. The report, pending approval of the government, says those given the licence to drive public transport vehicles should get fixed- hour jobs so that they don’t get fatigued and run over people on the roads.
It also recommends that from 2015 onwards all vehicles should renew their registrations annually. Road transport minister C. P. Joshi said his ministry would try to introduce the recommendations in the Budget session of Parliament.
This is what the S. Sundar committee report recommends. The report was submitted to the Union road transport ministry on Wednesday. Recommending complete revamping of the existing motor vehicles Act, it says stringent fines for traffic offences should be implemented along with a system of penalty points.
The penalty points have been suggested for several violations. If 12 points accumulate against a person, his licence will be suspended for five years.
Among the new suggested amendments are: No one below 18 years should be allowed to drive a vehicle; when a person buys a new car he should produce a proof of parking space available for it; and mandatory third- party insurance at the time of registration. The report, pending approval of the government, says those given the licence to drive public transport vehicles should get fixed- hour jobs so that they don’t get fatigued and run over people on the roads.
It also recommends that from 2015 onwards all vehicles should renew their registrations annually. Road transport minister C. P. Joshi said his ministry would try to introduce the recommendations in the Budget session of Parliament.
Income Tax men dig out Priyanka Chopra Rs 6 crore hidden money
The Income Tax authorities have traced unaccounted funds in the course of their investigations into suspected tax evasions by Bollywood personalities who came under IT scanner early this week. It was on Monday morning that IT sleuths swooped down on the office and residence of leading film stars Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra in connection with suspected tax evasion cases.
Also, Atul Kasbekar's celebrity photographer's celebrity management company Bling Entertainment Solutions and a talent management company Matrix, earlier owned by Kasbekar, were raided. IT officials had also searched Priyanka's publicist Chand Mishra and another staffer's premises too.
IT officials had also raided the homes of their secretaries, their respective office premises and other locations. Bank accounts of these personalities were sealed and incriminating documents, computer discs were seized by IT authorities.
During the course of examination of documents and bank accounts of these personalities under IT's scanner, it is learnt that sleuths have traced so far that around Rs 6 crore and Rs 1.5 crore of unaccounted money concealed by Priyanka and her father, respectively. Also, Rs 4 crore of unaccounted money has been traced to Kasbekar, for the financial year 2009- 2010.
" We will be summoning all these three showbizz celebrities to seek their clarification on the unaccounted funds in their possession. The source needs to be traced. Kaif's business manager will be summoned too.
There are specific financial dealings related to brand promotion earnings and payments made for acting in movies. We have still not completed with verifying the documents, to arrive at a final figure of unaccounted funds concealed from IT authorities. We are also examining documents related to immovable assets registered in their names and kin," said an IT official.
Also, Atul Kasbekar's celebrity photographer's celebrity management company Bling Entertainment Solutions and a talent management company Matrix, earlier owned by Kasbekar, were raided. IT officials had also searched Priyanka's publicist Chand Mishra and another staffer's premises too.
IT officials had also raided the homes of their secretaries, their respective office premises and other locations. Bank accounts of these personalities were sealed and incriminating documents, computer discs were seized by IT authorities.
During the course of examination of documents and bank accounts of these personalities under IT's scanner, it is learnt that sleuths have traced so far that around Rs 6 crore and Rs 1.5 crore of unaccounted money concealed by Priyanka and her father, respectively. Also, Rs 4 crore of unaccounted money has been traced to Kasbekar, for the financial year 2009- 2010.
" We will be summoning all these three showbizz celebrities to seek their clarification on the unaccounted funds in their possession. The source needs to be traced. Kaif's business manager will be summoned too.
There are specific financial dealings related to brand promotion earnings and payments made for acting in movies. We have still not completed with verifying the documents, to arrive at a final figure of unaccounted funds concealed from IT authorities. We are also examining documents related to immovable assets registered in their names and kin," said an IT official.
Padma Award for ITC chairman irks anti-tobacco activists
Anti-Tobacco groups have expressed shock and disappointment at the government’s decision to confer the Padma Bhushan award on Yogesh Chander Deveshwar, chairman of tobacco giant ITC. “ His selection is a great discouragement for those working in the area of public health,” Bhavana B. Mukhopadhyay, executive director of Voluntary Health Association of India, said. The association had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pratibha Patil on his nomination.
Another group, HRIDAY- SHAN had taken up the issue with the chairman of the Padma awards committee. Tobacco control groups feel the award will portray the tobacco industry in a positive light and add to its clout which it has time and again used to oppose tobacco control initiatives.
“ This is a black day for public health movement in India. It is the highest award meant for people who contribute to people’s welfare,” Monika Arora, director HRIDAY- SHAN, said.
Though the company has other business interests, it earns the major part of its revenue from tobacco products, the groups said. “ It is still called the Indian Tobacco Company,” Mukhopadhyay added.
Another group, HRIDAY- SHAN had taken up the issue with the chairman of the Padma awards committee. Tobacco control groups feel the award will portray the tobacco industry in a positive light and add to its clout which it has time and again used to oppose tobacco control initiatives.
“ This is a black day for public health movement in India. It is the highest award meant for people who contribute to people’s welfare,” Monika Arora, director HRIDAY- SHAN, said.
Though the company has other business interests, it earns the major part of its revenue from tobacco products, the groups said. “ It is still called the Indian Tobacco Company,” Mukhopadhyay added.
Hire Crowd, play desh bhakti songs on this Republic Day in Rajasthan
Evert year the Republic Day and Independence Day give us the opportunity to be at our patriotic best. As for our leaders, it gives them a chance to put on a show of strength, getting the numbers to fill up the stands as they enjoy the marchpast.But getting people to fill up the stands is an arduous task and so the Rajasthan government has assigned targets to various departments and district officials to bring the crowd for the Republic Day parade to be held at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The crowd shall also be entertained will the desh bhakti songs like mere desh ki dharti, ae mere watan ke logo, vande mataram and many more.
Following the diktat, the Jaipur district administration, officials of various departments, tehsildars, state government employees and babus were busy extending invitations to achieve their respective targets. The obvious attempt is to see that the stadium is packed to the rafters.
For some, the target is to get around 3,000 people while for others it is about 5,000. Some have been assigned the task to get school children and yet others have been told to ensure the staff’s presence.
From NGOs to contractual labourers involved in government jobs, no one has been spared from being extended the invitation.
The CEO of Jaipur Municipal Corporation has been tasked to ensure the presence of thousands of residents living in about five slums. The district supply officer (city and rural) has been given the job to get five people each from 1,500 fair price shops (FPS) while the district rural development agency (DRDA) has been told to ensure all its employees are present in the stadium on Wednesday.
Then again the district education officer’s (primary and upper primary) job is to gather 6,000 people, including students, teachers and staff of 600 schools and the chief medical and health officer (CMHO) has been entrusted to get 1,000 doctors and nursing staff.
Moreover, around 25,000 passes have been given to state government employees, sources said.
Padma Awards 2011 : No Bharat Ratna but Padma for 128 stars
The BJP-led NDA government’s national security adviser Brajesh Mishra, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Wipro chief Azim Premji and 97- year- old Baroda- based press photographer Homai Vyarwalla are among 13 persons who have been awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Altogether 129 persons have been conferred the Padma Awards this year, including 31 Padma Bhushans and 85 Padma Shris. Almost onefourth of the awardees, or 31, are women. Twenty journalists were nominated for the Padma awards but none made it in the final list, an apparent fall- out of the Radia tapes, which had shown many of them in a poor light.
Among eight awardees from abroad include Granville Austin, an independent American historian and a leading authority on the Indian Constitution; Karl Harrington Potter, American indologist who has written the Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies; and former Delhi University Vice Chancellor Prof Upendra Baxi, who is now teaching in Britain.
Cinema director A Nageshwara Rao of Andhra Pradesh,art promoter Kapila Vatsyayan, late Planning Commission vice- chairman L C Jain, Andhra scientist Palle Ama Rao and former 13th Finance Commission chairman and noted economist Vijay Kelkar are among other Padma Vibhushan awardees.
Bollywood claimed six awards: 3 each in Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories. Those conferred the Padma Bhushan are Waheeda Rehman, Shashi Kapoor and Khayyam; the Padma Shri awardees from Bollywood are Tabassum Hashmi Khan, alias Tabu, Kajol and Irfan Khan.
Sachin Tendulkar was the talking point but not listed for the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, apparently because he is too young, No sports person made it to the top two Padma awards. However, seven sports personalities were awarded the Padma Shri, notable among them being VVS Laxman.
Well- known theatre personality Satyadev Dubey, social workers from Maharashtra, Shobhana Ranade and Rajashree Birla, industrialist Chanda Kochhar, former Madhya Pradesh IAS officer M N Buch, Mumbai’s cardiologist, the late Dr Keki Byramjee Grant, and Gujarat’s late Dashrath Patel are the other prominent Padma Bhushan awardees.
Altogether 129 persons have been conferred the Padma Awards this year, including 31 Padma Bhushans and 85 Padma Shris. Almost onefourth of the awardees, or 31, are women. Twenty journalists were nominated for the Padma awards but none made it in the final list, an apparent fall- out of the Radia tapes, which had shown many of them in a poor light.
Among eight awardees from abroad include Granville Austin, an independent American historian and a leading authority on the Indian Constitution; Karl Harrington Potter, American indologist who has written the Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies; and former Delhi University Vice Chancellor Prof Upendra Baxi, who is now teaching in Britain.
Cinema director A Nageshwara Rao of Andhra Pradesh,art promoter Kapila Vatsyayan, late Planning Commission vice- chairman L C Jain, Andhra scientist Palle Ama Rao and former 13th Finance Commission chairman and noted economist Vijay Kelkar are among other Padma Vibhushan awardees.
Bollywood claimed six awards: 3 each in Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories. Those conferred the Padma Bhushan are Waheeda Rehman, Shashi Kapoor and Khayyam; the Padma Shri awardees from Bollywood are Tabassum Hashmi Khan, alias Tabu, Kajol and Irfan Khan.
Sachin Tendulkar was the talking point but not listed for the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, apparently because he is too young, No sports person made it to the top two Padma awards. However, seven sports personalities were awarded the Padma Shri, notable among them being VVS Laxman.
Well- known theatre personality Satyadev Dubey, social workers from Maharashtra, Shobhana Ranade and Rajashree Birla, industrialist Chanda Kochhar, former Madhya Pradesh IAS officer M N Buch, Mumbai’s cardiologist, the late Dr Keki Byramjee Grant, and Gujarat’s late Dashrath Patel are the other prominent Padma Bhushan awardees.
Wish 62nd Indian Republic Day with SMS, Messages & Quotes
Here comes again one of those days of a year when every Indian feels proud to breathe in the independent air of democratic India. There are some anti social elements and there would always be handul of the who would create hindrances in the way to celebrate proud moment as militants in Assam has called for a Republic Day boycott followed by which security has been tightened throughout Assam. On the other hand, Prominent citizens has appealed to the people of of Assam to celebrate the Republic Day in an appropriate manner.
Along with these prominent citizens, all the other rest states and native of these states are geared up to celebrate the 62nd Republic Day of India.President Pratibha Patil has also wished the whole nation on this occasion. In Kochi, The Penevazhi West Residents Association is going to celebrate this year republic day in a unique manner. The Association will distribute to the residents the fundamental duties to be performed to the citizens in print form, both in Malayalam and English. They will also distribute the National Flag and CDs of 20 patriotic songs including the National Anthem.
Capital city is under heavy security and Delhi Police is no modd to leave unturned for the successful delivery of parade which showcases India's military might and cultural diversity. More than 15000 personnel rom paramilitary and other state forces will be deployed besides the Delhi Police around the city.
So, if you are planning to be the part of parade, you have thumbs up from the national security.
Here are some of the messages which can be exchanged in the mean time.
-->Freedom in Mind, Faith in Words,
Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls.
Lets Salute the Nation on Republic Day
-->Lets celebrate and salute the noble cause,
Its our nation which is shining as it was,
Its Republic Day Today
Don’t forget the effort,
make it movement of mass !!
-->Gandhi swapna jab satya bana,
Desh tabhi jab gantantra bana,
Aaj fir sae yaad kare woh mehnat,
Jo thi ki veero ne,aur bharat gantantra bana
-->Freedom in Mind, Faith in Words,
Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls.
Lets Salute the Nation on Republic Day
-->Aao Desh ka saman kare
shahido ki shahidat kare
Ek baar fir rastra ki kaman
hum hindustani apne haaton mein dhare
Aao gantantra diwas ka samaan kare.
Newdowntown Team wishes you a happy Republic Day.
Along with these prominent citizens, all the other rest states and native of these states are geared up to celebrate the 62nd Republic Day of India.President Pratibha Patil has also wished the whole nation on this occasion. In Kochi, The Penevazhi West Residents Association is going to celebrate this year republic day in a unique manner. The Association will distribute to the residents the fundamental duties to be performed to the citizens in print form, both in Malayalam and English. They will also distribute the National Flag and CDs of 20 patriotic songs including the National Anthem.
Capital city is under heavy security and Delhi Police is no modd to leave unturned for the successful delivery of parade which showcases India's military might and cultural diversity. More than 15000 personnel rom paramilitary and other state forces will be deployed besides the Delhi Police around the city.
So, if you are planning to be the part of parade, you have thumbs up from the national security.
Here are some of the messages which can be exchanged in the mean time.
-->Freedom in Mind, Faith in Words,
Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls.
Lets Salute the Nation on Republic Day
-->Lets celebrate and salute the noble cause,
Its our nation which is shining as it was,
Its Republic Day Today
Don’t forget the effort,
make it movement of mass !!
-->Gandhi swapna jab satya bana,
Desh tabhi jab gantantra bana,
Aaj fir sae yaad kare woh mehnat,
Jo thi ki veero ne,aur bharat gantantra bana
-->Freedom in Mind, Faith in Words,
Pride in our Heart, Memories in our Souls.
Lets Salute the Nation on Republic Day
-->Aao Desh ka saman kare
shahido ki shahidat kare
Ek baar fir rastra ki kaman
hum hindustani apne haaton mein dhare
Aao gantantra diwas ka samaan kare.
Newdowntown Team wishes you a happy Republic Day.
26 January : Republic Day 2011 turning into the detention day
Home Minister P Chidambaram called up Parliament Opposition leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj and BJP General Secretary Anant Kumar detained on Monday on arrival at the Jammu airport by a special aircraft, urging them to return to Delhi as they have made their point.
He was blunt to them that the high moral ground of hoisting the national Tricolour that their youth wing planned at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the Republic Day should not be allowed to touch low ground of breaking law and order.
The BJP, however, reacted sharply to the orders served on its leaders under Section 144 crPC to leave Jammu and the party's veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani rang up the Prime Minister to lodge strong protest at the kind of treatment given to Jaitley and Swaraj who were the Opposition leaders.
In protest, former BJP President Rajnath Singh went on a fast at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat on Monday night. BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said the fast will continue till January 26 morning.
The BJP also gave a call to the party cadres to organise the protest fast and '' dharna'' at all district headquarters on Tuesday. Even during the Emergency, those taking out rallies were arrested but not treated shabbily with deportation as in Jammu as if they were entering some foreign country, Prasad said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government sealed all entry points in the state after it failed to get support from the neighboring Punjab Government and Himachal Government whose borders meet with the state to halt the " Ekta March." The Himachal Government is ruled by the BJP while Punjab is governed by the Akali Dal- BJP coalition and so it was natural for them to refuse requests of the J& K government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had deputed his home secretary and the state police chief to talk to BJP leaders at the airport to find a meeting ground. They remained adamant to address a public rally in Jammu before they fly back by the chartered flight by which they came from Delhi.
He was blunt to them that the high moral ground of hoisting the national Tricolour that their youth wing planned at Lal Chowk in Srinagar on the Republic Day should not be allowed to touch low ground of breaking law and order.
The BJP, however, reacted sharply to the orders served on its leaders under Section 144 crPC to leave Jammu and the party's veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani rang up the Prime Minister to lodge strong protest at the kind of treatment given to Jaitley and Swaraj who were the Opposition leaders.
In protest, former BJP President Rajnath Singh went on a fast at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat on Monday night. BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said the fast will continue till January 26 morning.
The BJP also gave a call to the party cadres to organise the protest fast and '' dharna'' at all district headquarters on Tuesday. Even during the Emergency, those taking out rallies were arrested but not treated shabbily with deportation as in Jammu as if they were entering some foreign country, Prasad said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government sealed all entry points in the state after it failed to get support from the neighboring Punjab Government and Himachal Government whose borders meet with the state to halt the " Ekta March." The Himachal Government is ruled by the BJP while Punjab is governed by the Akali Dal- BJP coalition and so it was natural for them to refuse requests of the J& K government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had deputed his home secretary and the state police chief to talk to BJP leaders at the airport to find a meeting ground. They remained adamant to address a public rally in Jammu before they fly back by the chartered flight by which they came from Delhi.
Mile Sur Mera Tumhara maestro Pandit Bhimsen Joshi loved his Mercedes
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s love for cars was surpassed only by his passion for music. He was famous for driving, his accompanists being his co- passengers, to concert locations within a motorable distance from his hometown of Pune. His close associates still recall the time he went on a whistle stop concert tour; from Mumbai to Belgaum to Sholapur to Bangalore to Hyderabad to Nagpur to Raipur.“ When he was at the wheel, he would ignore the danger posed by bad or slippery roads, ditches, pot holes and other obstacles such as oncoming cars and stray cattle,” says an old associate. “ Only luck saved him from a couple of serious accidents. Of course, they made him more careful.” As his popularity spread and invitations came from all over the country, he realised that his trusted old Mercedes moved at a ‘ vilambit taal’. So he switched to air travel, giving his friends a reason for banter.
“ The disciple of Sawai Gandharva has become ‘ Hawai’ Gandharva,” a friend had joked, and the label stuck with the maestro.
He had his share of accidents, but nothing could get him to quit driving. His passion for cars was, not surprisingly, accompanied by an astonishing knowledge of automobile engineering. He once said to an interviewer: “ If I had not been a musician, I would have happily spent my life as a garage mechanic tuning engines of cars.” And on his favourite car, he had remarked, “ There is no car like the Mercedes.” Sadly, his Mercedes will no longer benefit from his loving touch.
And neither will his adoring fans.
Killer Blueline buses all set to bid adieu to Delhi this week
Delhites can bid adieu to killer Bluelines from this week. The first fleet of 50 low-floor corporate buses under the cluster scheme will hit south Delhi roads this week. Commuters can now comfortably travel in swanky buses equipped with hi- tech systems. Modelled on the lines of the London and Paris bus services, these private buses will have automatic vehicle location system, electronic ticketing machines and automatic fare collection system.
Unlike the Bluelines, these buses would strictly follow the time table, a transport department official said. The Delhi government had approved the cluster bus services in south, south east and south west Delhi while planning the phase- out of Blueline buses, transport department officials said, adding that Star Bus Pvt Ltd has been awarded the contract for the first cluster in south Delhi. The air- conditioned buses will be in purple colour, while the normal ones will be painted orange.
Officials said the cluster scheme would prove beneficial to commuters as the earlier model caused on- road competition by private buses leading to accidents and poor quality service. There was also the problem of enforcing standards on an unmanageably large number of bus owners.
Under the new scheme, there will be a cap on the maximum distance a bus can ply on a route in a day. Consequently, there would be no competition between the buses on the road, which would result in providing a safe mode of transport, the official said.
The buses will be maintained by the private entities, and drivers and conductors will work under supervision of the transport department. The government will give them fixed remuneration for every kilometre driven and the revenue generated from ticketing and other operations will go to the government.
To provide a good and sustainable mode of transport in the city, the government has decided that the buses on each route will be run in the ratio of 60: 40. While the DTC will run 60 per cent of the buses, the private players handle the rest of the fleet.
The decision is significant in the wake of the government’s blanket ban on Blueline buses. In 2009, the transport department segregated the city into 650 bus routes, comprising of 17 clusters. The routes were further segregated into profitable and non- profitable ones. The bus fares will be fixed by the transport department. The Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System had conceived and drafted the scheme for corporatisation of private bus operations in Delhi in 2007.
Unlike the Bluelines, these buses would strictly follow the time table, a transport department official said. The Delhi government had approved the cluster bus services in south, south east and south west Delhi while planning the phase- out of Blueline buses, transport department officials said, adding that Star Bus Pvt Ltd has been awarded the contract for the first cluster in south Delhi. The air- conditioned buses will be in purple colour, while the normal ones will be painted orange.
Officials said the cluster scheme would prove beneficial to commuters as the earlier model caused on- road competition by private buses leading to accidents and poor quality service. There was also the problem of enforcing standards on an unmanageably large number of bus owners.
Under the new scheme, there will be a cap on the maximum distance a bus can ply on a route in a day. Consequently, there would be no competition between the buses on the road, which would result in providing a safe mode of transport, the official said.
The buses will be maintained by the private entities, and drivers and conductors will work under supervision of the transport department. The government will give them fixed remuneration for every kilometre driven and the revenue generated from ticketing and other operations will go to the government.
To provide a good and sustainable mode of transport in the city, the government has decided that the buses on each route will be run in the ratio of 60: 40. While the DTC will run 60 per cent of the buses, the private players handle the rest of the fleet.
The decision is significant in the wake of the government’s blanket ban on Blueline buses. In 2009, the transport department segregated the city into 650 bus routes, comprising of 17 clusters. The routes were further segregated into profitable and non- profitable ones. The bus fares will be fixed by the transport department. The Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System had conceived and drafted the scheme for corporatisation of private bus operations in Delhi in 2007.
Republic Day Parade rehearsal shows united colours of India
India converged in the Capital on Sunday as the full dress rehearsal for Republic Day provided a preview of the celebrations, which would showcase the country’s cultural diversity and military might.
More than 450 artistes from different states are preparing to perform on the big day at a special camp in south Delhi. Twenty- three stunning tableaux representing various states, Union territories and ministries, have been readied for Republic Day. Last year, only 21 tableaux had made the cut.
“ The tableaux provide a glimpse of not only India’s tradition and culture but represent the fast pace at which the nation is progressing,” defence ministry official Dhananjay Mohanty said. Mohanty is managing his ministry’s tableau show.
The theme of the tableaux varies from the evolution of classical performing arts in Kerala to the cultural and religious harmony that reigns in the Capital. “ We have tried to symbolise the unity and integrity of the country in all tableaux,” Mohanty said.
The Gujarat tableau represents the state’s Buddhist heritage while artistes from Jammu and Kashmir will perform Bhand Paether, a form of Kashmiri folk theatre.
The ministries of railways and culture have both chosen Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary as their tableau’s theme. Several government departments have themed their tableaux on several of the Centre’s policies and landmark Bills such as the Right to Education Act. And the artistes seem to be having the time of their lives as they rehearse. Take the case of 20- year- old Navdesh Mehta.
This is the first time that the Gujarat lad is visiting Delhi. “ I am fortunate that I’d get to perform in front of so many dignitaries. This is an experience of a lifetime,” Mehta, a Chemistry student, said.
More than 450 artistes from different states are preparing to perform on the big day at a special camp in south Delhi. Twenty- three stunning tableaux representing various states, Union territories and ministries, have been readied for Republic Day. Last year, only 21 tableaux had made the cut.
“ The tableaux provide a glimpse of not only India’s tradition and culture but represent the fast pace at which the nation is progressing,” defence ministry official Dhananjay Mohanty said. Mohanty is managing his ministry’s tableau show.
The theme of the tableaux varies from the evolution of classical performing arts in Kerala to the cultural and religious harmony that reigns in the Capital. “ We have tried to symbolise the unity and integrity of the country in all tableaux,” Mohanty said.
The Gujarat tableau represents the state’s Buddhist heritage while artistes from Jammu and Kashmir will perform Bhand Paether, a form of Kashmiri folk theatre.
The ministries of railways and culture have both chosen Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary as their tableau’s theme. Several government departments have themed their tableaux on several of the Centre’s policies and landmark Bills such as the Right to Education Act. And the artistes seem to be having the time of their lives as they rehearse. Take the case of 20- year- old Navdesh Mehta.
This is the first time that the Gujarat lad is visiting Delhi. “ I am fortunate that I’d get to perform in front of so many dignitaries. This is an experience of a lifetime,” Mehta, a Chemistry student, said.
Ruptured ONGC pipe spills 80 tonnes of oil in high seas
An Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) under-water pipeline carrying crude oil ruptured, spilling an estimated 70 to 80 tonnes of oil on the high seas, on Friday morning, said a Coast Guard official.
Briefing the media persons, Coast Guard, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Mukesh Purohit, said, "At 8.45am, around 80 kms away from the Maharashtra coast, a part of the under- water pipe line between production platform and processing platform (Main Uran Trunk line) had ruptured, leading to spillage of crude oil. ICG Dornier aircraft Ex- Daman, estimated a spill of 70 to 80 tonnes of oil." "We have launched operation, 'Paryavaran Suraksha' at around 9.50am, by inducting ICG Dornier aircraft ex- Daman, Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Prahari, ship ICGS Sangram and S. K. Chauhan, interceptor boat C- 145, helicopter Chetak and TC- 3 Bucket, for combating Oil Pollution.
The pipeline had a diameter of 24 inches and was 20 to 25 meters deep inside the water. The leakage left a thick patch of oil over an area of 1x1 nautical miles and patches covering an area of 4x4 nautical miles. Till 4.00 pm, due to scorching sun and weak wind movement, our operations neutralised 1/ 3 percentage of the oil spill. Whilst, the entire oil spill can not be cleaned, our efforts to minimise the damage may take another four days." Purohit said the Directorate General Shipping has sent a notice to the ONGC stating that the entire cost of the damage control due to the oil spill will be reimbursed by ONGC. ONGC officials have sent their divers to fix the ruptured pipeline and check the entire flow of pipeline by passing water through it, before restarting the flow of oil.
This oil spill shall not pose a threat to the Maharashtra coast for nearly 90 days, so fishermen can heave a sigh of relief. Also, there is very little possibility that the remains of the oil spill may disturb our coast after three months, according to Purohit.
Briefing the media persons, Coast Guard, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Mukesh Purohit, said, "At 8.45am, around 80 kms away from the Maharashtra coast, a part of the under- water pipe line between production platform and processing platform (Main Uran Trunk line) had ruptured, leading to spillage of crude oil. ICG Dornier aircraft Ex- Daman, estimated a spill of 70 to 80 tonnes of oil." "We have launched operation, 'Paryavaran Suraksha' at around 9.50am, by inducting ICG Dornier aircraft ex- Daman, Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) Samudra Prahari, ship ICGS Sangram and S. K. Chauhan, interceptor boat C- 145, helicopter Chetak and TC- 3 Bucket, for combating Oil Pollution.
The pipeline had a diameter of 24 inches and was 20 to 25 meters deep inside the water. The leakage left a thick patch of oil over an area of 1x1 nautical miles and patches covering an area of 4x4 nautical miles. Till 4.00 pm, due to scorching sun and weak wind movement, our operations neutralised 1/ 3 percentage of the oil spill. Whilst, the entire oil spill can not be cleaned, our efforts to minimise the damage may take another four days." Purohit said the Directorate General Shipping has sent a notice to the ONGC stating that the entire cost of the damage control due to the oil spill will be reimbursed by ONGC. ONGC officials have sent their divers to fix the ruptured pipeline and check the entire flow of pipeline by passing water through it, before restarting the flow of oil.
This oil spill shall not pose a threat to the Maharashtra coast for nearly 90 days, so fishermen can heave a sigh of relief. Also, there is very little possibility that the remains of the oil spill may disturb our coast after three months, according to Purohit.
Karnataka Bandh : Violent incidents reported in Bangalore
Stone pelting and violent incidents are reported from Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka after the BJP called the state bandh on Saturday seeking recall of Governor H R Bhardwaj. BJP activists damaged over 13 buses by setting these on fire in Bangalore, Shimoga, Hassan and Belgaum. They gathered near the Tin Factory in KR Puram couple of hours before the midnight and set hundreds of tyres on fire, block the highway while protesting against the governor Hansraj Bhardwaj.There was a traffic jam of over 2 kilometers on either side on the highway after which traffic police started diverting vehicles and cleared the pile-up. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were clamped in Bangalore as police were deployed at strategic locations in strength to prevent any untoward incidents.
Governor H R Bhardwaj had sanctioned prosecution of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in corruption and land scam related stories cases, however the whole drama started when Bhardwaj refused to buckle under the pressure of the state cabinet. Senior party leaders would take out a march to Raj Bhawan with their demand for Bhardwaj's ouster in Bangalore.
Swetha Reddy NTV Anchor questioned for links with Bhanu Kiran
A twist came in the probe of Suri’s murder as NTV anchor Swetha Reddy was grilled by the Central Crime Station officials on her links with chief suspect Bhanu Kiran. There had been some buzz in the past related to Bhanu Kiran links with some television host however the name was revealed at that time which has now become public.
The primary purpose of questioning Swetha was to check if any any properties are registered in Ms Reddy’s name as there were allegations that she acted as a benami for Suri and Bhanu property valued in several crores. While talking to media Swetha said, “I am Suri’s distant relative but Bhanu is not my friend. There are no properties in my name.”
The properties in question are the popular fabric boutique at Road No. 1, Banjara Hills and Srinagar Colony Balaji Colour Lab. Officials have seized the papers of these properties and will probe further into the matter.
Wait to see what comes next in this case.
The primary purpose of questioning Swetha was to check if any any properties are registered in Ms Reddy’s name as there were allegations that she acted as a benami for Suri and Bhanu property valued in several crores. While talking to media Swetha said, “I am Suri’s distant relative but Bhanu is not my friend. There are no properties in my name.”
The properties in question are the popular fabric boutique at Road No. 1, Banjara Hills and Srinagar Colony Balaji Colour Lab. Officials have seized the papers of these properties and will probe further into the matter.
Wait to see what comes next in this case.
Wizcraft raided for possible tax evasion
Income Tax authorities raided Wizcraft Management company's Mumbai headquarters at Veera Desai Road in Andheri ( West) on Thursday evening to check for possible cases of tax evasion. All the computer terminals at the global event management agency's office were seized and documents confiscated. Telephone lines were monitored by the IT sleuths. Staffers were not allowed to take calls on their mobile sets and asked to stay indoors.
The IT search was launched in connection with Wizcraft Management company's financial dealings in connection with the opening and closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010. The opening and closing ceremony was handled by the Organising Committee (OC) along with firm Wizcraft and Sarkari is an integral part of the core team that developed concepts for both the functions.
Of the total budget of Rs 210 crore for the opening and closing ceremonies, Aerostat (helium balloon) at the opening alone was priced at Rs 36.7 crore. Wizcraft International was among the five event management companies which handled the CWG ceremonies.
According to IT sources, the search operations were launched to trace documents related with the firm's financial dealing with CWG organising panel, search operations continued till late evening.
The IT search was launched in connection with Wizcraft Management company's financial dealings in connection with the opening and closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010. The opening and closing ceremony was handled by the Organising Committee (OC) along with firm Wizcraft and Sarkari is an integral part of the core team that developed concepts for both the functions.
Of the total budget of Rs 210 crore for the opening and closing ceremonies, Aerostat (helium balloon) at the opening alone was priced at Rs 36.7 crore. Wizcraft International was among the five event management companies which handled the CWG ceremonies.
According to IT sources, the search operations were launched to trace documents related with the firm's financial dealing with CWG organising panel, search operations continued till late evening.
Actress Yamuna Arrested : Involved in Prostitution Racket
Yamuna, a well known actress who has acted in several Telugu, Tamil and Kannada movies like Mouna Poratam, Mamagaru and Puttinti Pattucheera has been arrested by Bangalore police when she was caught red-handed at a well known five-star hotel.A special Bangalore Task Force raided the ITC Royal Gardenia which is considered as one of the costliest hotel of Bangalore and South India at around 9.45 pm on Thursday night and arrested several people including actress Yamuna. Special officer Krishnam Raju and Assistant Commissioner of police Alok Kumar, arrested Yamuna, Mr Venugopal, proprietor of a Bangalore based software firm and another person who brokered the deal between them.
News of her arrest spread like a fire in the jungle and shocked many of her fans who follow here in the serials she is working on at the moment. Special Task Force in Bangalore is on the hunt for these kind of prostitution rackets which involves high profile clients and film stars.
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