A defiant Derek O’Brien on Monday repeated his ‘butcher of Gujarat’ remark against NarendraModi, saying that the “blood of Gujarat” was still fresh in his hands. “Blood is still fresh in the hands of the butcher of Gujarat. If he makes personal attacks against (TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee, we can also ask tough questions,” the TMC leader said in an interview to CNN-IBN.
The TMC and the BJP have been at loggerheads ever since Modi took on Mamata at a rally in Serampore, West Bengal. During the rally, Modi accused Mamata of shielding the Saradha chit fund scam accused, alleging that she pocketed nearly Rs 2 crore from them in return for protection.
Sarcastically lauding Mamata’s talent for painting, Modi said, “Your paintings used to be sold for Rs 4 lakh, 8 lakh or 15 lakh, but what is the reason that one of your paintings sold for Rs 1.80 crore. I respect art. But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs 1.80 crore?” Modi asked, hinting that Mamata took money from the Saradha scam accused in exchange for protection.
The TMC dared Modi to prove the charges or else, apologise for the remarks against Mamata.
The BJP, however, hit back saying it is the TMC which has a lot to answer. “The TMC is now rattled in West Bengal by the huge support for Modi. It is the TMC which has much to answer (on where the money went),” BJP spokesperson NirmalaSeetharaman said.
The TMC has said it will move the Election Commission against Modi.
Blood is still fresh on the hands of ‘butcher of Gujarat’, says a defiant Derek
UP: Doon Express train gets derailed near Ambedkar Nagar, eight injured
As many as eight people were injured when eight bogies of a passenger train derailed near Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh on Monday afternoon. According to sources, the number of the injured is likely to rise.
The eight coaches of the Howrah-Dehradun Doon Express included six sleeper coaches and two general bogies. The incident happened around 2.42 pm near Jafarganj railway station between Jaunpur and Faizabad.
Of the eight coaches, two coaches had reportedly capsized.
Sources say the DRM, Lucknow has been sent to the spot. A team of railway officials from Delhi too has left for the spot. The incident has affected traffic on the rail route.
For Indian who confronted mining industry, the ‘Green Nobel’
The man walked into Ramesh Agrawal’s tiny Internet cafe, pulled out a pistol and hissed, “You talk too much.” Then he fired two bullets into Agrawal’s left leg and fled on a motorcycle.
The 2012 attack came three months after Agrawal won a court case that blocked a major Indian company, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., from opening a second coal mine near the village of Gare in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh.
For a decade, Agrawal – who has no formal legal training – has been waging a one-man campaign to educate illiterate villagers about their rights in fighting pollution and land-grabbing by powerful mining and electricity companies. He’s won three lawsuits against major corporations and has spearheaded seven more now pending in courts.
“When I started this fight, I knew I’d be a target. It will happen again. Let it happen. I’m not going anywhere,” the soft-spoken yoga enthusiast said in an interview this month in the city of Raigarh, where he moved around his modest home with a cane and a metal brace screwed into his shattered femur.
On Monday, Agrawal, 60, will be recognized in a ceremony in San Francisco as one of six recipients of this year’s $175,000 Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the “Green Nobel.”
Among the other winners are former corporate lawyer Helen Slottje who fought fracking – pumping chemicals and water underground to break open shale rock formations – in New York state and South Africa’s Desmond D’Sa who closed down one of the country’s largest toxic dumping sites. The award was established in 1990 with a grant from philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman to honor grass-roots environmental activists in the six regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Island Nations, North America and Latin America.
Baba Ramdev must choose his words carefully
Spiritual leader Baba Ramdev has been talking too much recently and that is why he gets into territory where angels fear to tread. It is unbecoming of him to talk about Rahul Gandhi’s marriage prospects. He should refrain from making such personal insinuations. Atrocities were committed against the weaker sections largely in village societies during and after the abolition of “Zamindari” system, an example which is visible in the film Mother India. However, situation has improved a lot nowadays and girls from villages are smartly riding cycles and going to town for work and returning safely.
Primary education has improved significantly and awareness has also increased on account of radio and television. Village women have now become more proficient, organized and economically productive. They are displaying more self respect. Thanks to Rahul Gandhi, women from Amethi and nearby areas are more enlightened and have acquired a strong voice. Well wishers of Baba Ramdev must ask him to speak less and mind his language.
This is what an excessive TV coverage does to a good man.
I am reading reports that Shia Muslims in Varanasi are thinking of supporting Kejriwal. What will happen even if Kejriwal wins? Will he become a prime minister? Muslims are far better as a result of engaging in artisanship whereas Kejriwal is yet to work in any constituency. Therefore, it is better if Muslims achieve prosperity by performing constructive work. India provides an equal opportunity for them to rise, if they intend to.
Another report says that Muslims feel that its Lalu who can stop Modi and not Nitish. Why they don’t field a candidate themselves and say, here is my man / woman whom we consider better and he/she will stop Modi ( with the help of the like minded). That would have made at least some sense. Muslims are needlessly playing victims when that is not the case. Why do they forget that Dr Zakir Hussain, Fakhruddin saheb, Kalam saheb had become our Presidents and our present Vice President is a Muslim.
Forty years back manual scavenging was practiced even in metropolitan cities but now things have improved drastically and improving every passing day. The only bad thing that is happening is that all provisions of reservations are being cornered by the creamy layer among Dalits. Women from weaker sections are doing an excellent job on agricultural fields and construction sites by performing lot of hard work with dignity which must be appreciated. I hope Baba Ramdev already appreciates all these development. He must choose his words carefully and exercise some restraint while speaking in public. It is necessary to control the growth of population but none of the political parties are bothered about it.
Entry and exit of FDI: A case of Docomo- Part II
To be realistic, it was a dirty bomb by Tata Docomo! In fact, TD itself couldn’t keep a hold on mad rush for its sims! (rather ‘sins’). May be, the company was initially happy for its wittiness to increase its consumer base. But it turned to be a pseudo-consumer base! Sooner than later, the customers started getting call from the company to verify their ID proofs. The company had failed to manage the documents and it had ended up in a mess. Many customers had to re-submit their documents! This irked the consumers! Visiting a photocopy shop, again to get copies of photograph and then go to the simcard dealer, fill up the form and submit was really a tedious process. So people like me, who had bought sims only to ‘utilize’ the offer thought of finishing the talktime available in each of the sims and keep them somewhere safe so that they can be used for contact transfer when we change the phone!
In a way, the idea of increasing customer base had landed in a disaster! The reliability of quality of product for which TATA is popular for couldn’t really keep its stature in this game! Though at that point of time I didn’t think so much, but now when I think about it I feel, probably this low cost sim scheme might have been a boon for terrorists or anti-nationals. Even otherwise, they possess so many sims with them, and if it is available at a toffee rate, will they not utilize it!? Aren’t they ‘intelligent’!?
On a broader perspective, the entry of NTT Docomo, which is one of the best mobile operators in the World, was a very positive sign for India. As the TD website says, NTT Docomo provided cutting edge technology. Technologists at DOCOMO have defined industry benchmarks like 3G technology, as also products and services like i-Mode, e-wallet and a plethora of lifestyle-enhancing applications. Last year itself, while most of the rest of the industry were only beginning to talk of 4G technology and its possible applications, DOCOMO had already concluded conducting 4G trials in physical geographies, not just inside laboratories!
The investment by NTT Docomo was one of the biggest Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in India. It had not only brought the much needed dollars to the country but also technology and human resource. Despite this, the company incurred losses in India and has finally decided to sell its shares and exit. But this exit will mark a black spot for Indian economy. If such a technologically advanced company fails to make profit in a country like India which has seen drastic increase in the number of households having cellphones from 7 per cent in 2004 to 82 per cent in 2011 – 12, then the possibility of other FDIs coming into country also becomes dismal. Not only in FDI terms, but also in terms of bilateral relations, Tata – Docomo partnership had helped in enhancing India – Japan relations.
If this partnership had become successful, then it would have attracted many more Japanese firms to invest in India. Now it was the right time for India to grab maximum investments from Japan under the regime of a pro-Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe. Our neighbour China, though not in good terms with Japan due to Senkaku island issue, has presence of 10 times more number of Japanese companies than what India has. So, India should consider the exit of NTT Docomo seriously and address the issues to make the nation more investment friendly. Indian companies should devise right strategies to make collaborations successful.
Akshara Damle
Is this what Pawar was talking about?
Kirit Somaiya wrote a letter to the election commission of India complaining about registration of names of Chhagan Bhujbal’s family in the voter list of two different constituencies.
Few weeks ago Nationalist Congress Party Chief SharadPawar had asked voters to take advantage of the multi-phase voting in the state by voting at their home state first and later at their place of work. But his own party member Chhagan Bhujbal’sfamily’s name features in Nashik and Mumbai voter list.BJP candidate from Mumbai North East constituency Kirit Somaiya has already filed a complaint against Chaggan Bhujbal for dual enrolment of his family member’s name in voter list with the Election Commission. He also alleged that Pawar and Bhujbal are only encouraging bogus voting. As per rules a person can’t register his name at two places. If he wants to enroll his name in the new place he has to first cancel his name from the old constituency. By enrolling their names twice at different places Bhujbal family has only violated the electoral guidelines.
“It’s seems to be deliberate attempt by NCP to rig the results of LokSabha election. Chhagan Bhujbal’s family members name features in two places viz Nashik and Mumbai. Bhujbal’s family has also managed to obtain two different voter identity cards for Nashik and Mumbai respectively. Strict action must be taken against him” said KiritSomaiya.
Kirit Somaiya alleged that MrsMeenaChhaganBhujbal (wife of Shri Chhagan Bhujbal Minister), Mrs Vishakha Pankaj Bhujbal (Son & MLA) &Mrs Shefali Samir Bhujbal (nephew & MP Samir Bhujbal wife) names are included in two places.
MrSomaiyahas uploaded the voter list of both Nasik and Byculla constituency in which Bhujbal’s family members names are printed on hiswebsite www.Kiritsomaiya.com.Nashik Assembly no 125, Part no 207 and Serial No’s 956, 957, 958 bearing the names of BhujbalShefali Sameer, Bhujbal Meena Chhagan and Bhujbal Vishakha Pankaj. Mumbai Byculla Assembly No 184, Part No 157 and serial nos 125, 127, 130 respectively.
Talking to AV Kirit Somaiya said, “On one hand, the names of lakhs of voters have been deleted from the voter list which denied them to exercise their franchise.On the other side Chaggan Bhujbal’s family members name feature in Nashik and Byculla voter lists. I have forwarded a letter to the Election Commissioner and requested them to take strict action against them.”
In past too KiritSomaiya knocked the door of Election commission against SharadPawar for violating the Code of Conduct when he had askedMathadi voters to vote twice one at their home town Satara and other at their workplace in Mumbai. He also asked them to erase the ink on their fingers before voting for the second time. This only goes to show the Pawar was encouraging bogus voting. The Election Commission had sent a notice to Pawar for his double voting remarks.
When we tried to contact NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik and state president Bhaskar Jadhav they remained unavailable for comment.
26/11 Mumbai attack: NIA records statements of witnesses
Piecing together the jigsaw of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, NIA has recorded statements of some of the witnesses in connection with the conspiracy hatched by David Headley and others to carry out the terror strikes in the country’s financial capital in 2008.
The statements were recorded with the help of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice over a period of nearly 10 days, official sources said, adding this is the first time that such cooperation took place between India and the US in the case.
Due to non-disclosure clause entered with FBI, NIA did not name the witnesses whose statements have been recorded but India had been pressing for questioning of wife of Pakistani-American Headley’s wife Shahzia Gilani and other friends.
Headley, a 53-year-old Lashker-e-Taiba terrorist is at present undergoing 35 years of imprisonment on various counts including involvement in the conspiracy to carry out the audacious attack in Mumbai that left 166 people dead.
Besides Headley’s wife Shazia, India had made request for questioning of Portia Peter and one more female friend and Tahawuur Rana, alleged to be an accomplice of Headley in the Mumbai terror strike.
The witness statements will help NIA to substantiate charges filed before a Delhi court in 2012 against top Lashkar-e-Taiba commanders alleged to have been involved in organising the 26/11 plot. I India had requested for statements of witnesses from the US in 2010 under a mutual legal assistance treaty but the process got stalled as America refused they presence of Indian investigators during the recording of the statements.
The matter was resolved after discussions between the two sides. India believes that Rana, Shazia and others have a lot of information and through their interrogations more light may be thrown on the conspiracy hatched to carry out the worst terrorist strike in India and role of those behind it.
TV actor Rakesh Diwana dies four days after weight loss surgery
Television actor Rakesh Diwana, who played the role of Kumbhkarna in popular serial ‘Ramayana’ telecast in 2008-09, died in Indore on Sunday. He was 48.
He had developed complications following a weight loss surgery he underwent at a hospital in Indore four days back.
Diwana was admitted at Mohak Hospital for the surgery on April 20.
His family members alleged that Diwana died due to negligence on the part of hospital.
However, the hospital management dismissed the charge.
“Diwana had undergone bariatric surgery on April 23 and at that time his condition was normal. After the procedure, he suffered hypertension and brain stem dysfunction which deteriorated his condition and he was shifted to ICU,” the hospital said in a statement.
“All efforts were made to improve his condition, but he could not be saved,” it further said.
Tussle over higher fares set to delay Mumbai Metro further
Even as the final clearance from the Commissioner of Railway Safety is expected shortly, the much-delayed Mumbai Metro is set to be postponed further as the state administration has turned down the operator Reliance Infrastructure’s demand for a steep hike in fares.
RInfra’s arm Mumbai MetroOne has sought almost a two-fold increase in fares compared to the fare already notified by the state government.
As per the notification, the minimum fare would be Rs. 9 and maximum Rs. 13 in the initial year of operations. Then after every four year, the fare will increase by 11 per cent and at the end of the concession period– that is by 2044-45– the minimum fare would be Rs. 24 and maximum Rs. 37.
However, according to sources, RInfra has sought a steep revision in the fares with minimum Rs. 22 and maximum Rs. 33, citing a near-doubling of its cost.
“The company has sought higher fare citing huge cost escalation. But the government has already notified the fares so there is no question of any revision,” Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority additional commissioner Sanjay Sethi said.
The minimum fare was already revised upwards from the original proposed Rs. 6 to Rs. 9 in the initial period.
RInfra had argued that due to cost escalation as well as inflation, it would be difficult for them to sustain at the government notified rates.
The cost of the project, which was earlier estimated at Rs. 2,356 crore, jumped 82 per cent to Rs. 4,291 crore, largely due to delays in securing right-of-way from the Railways and civil authorities, as well as various other approvals from the Railways.
The company approached the Research, Design and Standards Organisation of the Railways this February and got the approval on April 2.
The project is now awaiting the go-ahead from the Commissioner of Railway Safety, currently carrying out safety checks.
When contacted, a Mumbai MetroOne spokesperson said, “We are ready to start operations subject to final safety approval from CMRS.”
The company is opposing the fares fixed by the government and wants it to be revised as per the provisions of the Central Metro Act, as is done for other metros in the country including Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.
“The fare shall be fixed as per the provisions of the Central Metro Act, which are applicable to the project,” the spokesperson said.
Polls may dampen jewellery demand on Akshaya Tritiya: Experts
The government policies and general elections are likely to play dampener for the overall jewellery business during this Akshaya Tritiya, considered one of the most auspicious day to buy gold, feels the industry.
“Due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections there might be a problem in momentum this year during Akshaya Tritiya, as the general sentiment for bullion is weak. Last year, the price was very attractive,” All India Gems & Jewellery Trade Federation (GJF) Chairman Haresh Soni said.
However, the industry is still optimistic as gold prices are ruling steady and expects sales, he said.
“We are optimistic as the momentum has already begun in places where elections are over. We are expecting jewellery sales in small denominations,” he added.
Echoing similar views, Gitanjali Gems Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi opined that due to government policies in order to restrict gold imports, there are not enough stocks in the market for the festival demand.
“The curbs imposed by the government to restrict gold imports in order to control Current Account Deficit has resulted in lack of enough stock in the market. This is going to affect the demand, which might be even half of last year,” he said.
Further, he said the general elections might play dampener on overall sales as people are waiting for formation of new government, which will give a direction to the market.
Naveen Mathur of Angel Broking said the general sentiment is negative for gold in the country and the sale is likely to be similar or little less than last year.
“The general trend is that people are waiting for the election results to see where the market is moving. Moreover, the prices are steady with no indications of moving upward for the time being, creating a negative sentiment among consumers,” he added.
However, Tara Jewels Chairman and Managing Director Rajeev Vasant Sheth said this year the pre-bookings are looking good, looking pretty similar to last year.
“We are expecting demand for gold to be like that of last year during this Akshaya Tritiya. Due to sudden decline in prices last year, the demand for gold shot up during April-May last year. This year the prices are ruling steady and pre-bookings are good and are looking similar to last year,” he said.
He added that the lack of purchase during Diwali last year will spill over to this Akshaya Tritiya.