Biharis shining not in Bihar but outside: Rahul

SASARAM/ OBERA, Nov 18: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has hit out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's development plank alleging corruption in implementation of central schemes for the poor and said "Biharis are not shining" in Bihar but outside the state.

Charging that implementation of Indira Awas Yojana and MNREGA, Gandhi said "if you visit villages, poor people will complain that they have to pay bribes for construction of houses under the Yojana while there are also complaints of irregularities in BPL lists".

Gandhi claimed UPA government at the Centre has provided more funds for Indira Awas in Bihar than in other states "but the benefits have failed to reach the poor."

He alleged because of corruption those who have money are BPL card holders in Bihar while the have-nots belong to Above Poverty Line category.

On NREGA, he claimed while Congress-ruled states implemented it successfully in NDA-ruled states its implementation was "far from satisfactory".

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's claim that Bihar has changed and is shining is an eyewash... Biharis are shining in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and Punjab but not in Bihar," he claimed, saying they had migrated to other states for better opportunities.

Rahul said NDA comprised divergent ideologies and view and "Bihar is also an example of it".

"While Nitish Kumar maintains silence when NDA ally Shiv Sena and Thackerayji's people target Biharis in Mumbai. Hhe is opposed to visit of a leader from Gujarat for campaigning," he said, without naming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

However, "Kumar is averse to the visit of the leader at the time of elections but the two later turn friends."

Gandhi asked Kumar that what he was doing at the time of Gujarat riots when he was a central minister. He had neither prevented the visit of Modi to Delhi then, remaining a "mute spectator" nor did he resign from the NDA ministry, the Congress leader said.

Development of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar necessary: Rahul Gandhi

AMETHI (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 15: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi has said that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are very important states for the entire nation and their development was necessary for nation building.

'Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are extremely important for the entire nation and unless these two states were developed, all talk about nation building would be meaningless,' Gandhi said here on Monday.

'Together with development, what UP and Bihar need desperately is large scale improvement in the law and order, without which the overall picture cannot change,' he pointed out.

He was speaking to reporters at a special function to mark the inauguration of the National Footwear Design and Development Institute at Fursatganj. The Gandhi scion is here on a three-day visit to his parliamentary constituency.

Uttar Pradesh is ruled by Chief Minister Mayawati, who heads the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), while in Bihar, where state assembly elections are on, a Janata Dal-United-Bharatiya Janata Party government is hoping to win a second term.

Rahul Gandhi also expressed concern over rising corruption and emphasised the need for strict action against the menace.

'Corruption is a serious issue and we have already initiated certain tough measures to deal with it,' he said in reply to a pointed query by a journalist just as he rose to leave the venue.

Reacting to his emphasis on the need for development of a backward Uttar Pradesh, when a scribe pointed out his own focus was on Amethi and Rae Bareli (his mother Sonia Gandhi's constituency), Rahul Gandhi shot back, 'Well, even Amethi and Rae Bareli still require much more development.'

He blamed the state government for not focusing its attention on the need for development of the entire state.

Earlier, speaking at the function, he exhorted the youth to realise that they were the 'nation builders of tomorrow', and the future of the nation depended on them.

Significantly, this was one of the rare occasions during his Rae Bareli or Amethi visits when he interacted with the media, which is usually keeps at an arm's length from him.

Emotional Cong condemns ‘obscene’ attack on Sonia

NEW DELHI, Nov 12: An angry Congress on Thursday strongly condemned the “obscene” attack launched by former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief K Sudarshan against its party chief Sonia Gandhi and the “lies” and the “false and derogatory charges” he made against her.

The party demanded the BJP and RSS spell out whether they agreed with Sudarshan or not and urged the country to consider whether such remarks against anyone should allowed to be part of the public discourse. The party also intends to launch a public campaign on the issue and some of its workers have already staged protest demonstrations.

In Parliament, emotionally charged Congress MPs stormed the well and forced the two Houses to adjourn.

In Bhopal on Wednesday, Sudarshan had called Gandhi a CIA agent and blamed her for the assassinations of her husband Rajiv Gandhi and mother-in-law Indira Gandhi.

“No language can be more uncivilised than this. There can be no bigger lies than these. If Congressmen get worked up after reading all this, they (the RSS) will be responsible for it. Congress condemns this. The reaction to it should be such that none can use such uncivilised and obscene language again,” AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said.

“We strongly condemn Sudarshan’s statement. The BJP-RSS should say whether they agree with his statement or not,” said Dwivedi. “If they don’t, it should condemn it openly,” said Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

Party spokesperson Manish Tewari described Sudarshan as a “fossil from the archaeological museum”.

Various Congress chief ministers joined the chorus of and for condemnation. “This kind of slanderous statement can be made only by a person who has lost his mental balance. It is frivolous...’’ said Haryana chief minister BS Hooda.

Rahul again takes UP police off guard

LUCKNOW, Nov 11: For the second time in recent weeks, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Thursday took the official machinery off guard when he landed here unannounced to attend a party workshop.

"No information either oral or written was given to the DGP or security headquarters about the visit of the Congress leader," ADGP Brij Lal told reporters here.

He said the police came to know about Rahul's arrival only after he landed at Amausi airport.

Rahul had undertaken an unpublicised train journey in the ordinary sleeper class from Gorakhpur to Mumbai on October 20 to familiarise himself with the problems of the people who migrated to the metropolis in search of livelihood.

That time too, Lal had said the state police was not informed about the programme of the Congress leader in advance.

"The SPG extending security did not apprise the state police about the programme and we only know that he took the train from Gorakhpur railway station and travelled in the sleeper class," he had said.

Home Secretary Kumar Anand today said Rahul was an SPG protectee and there was a protocol which needs to be followed during such visits.

"The SPG should have informed the state machinery in advance about the visit. We will look into the report of the security headquarters and if any violation is found then the government will act accordingly," he said when asked whether the state would lodge a formal objection.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had last time registered a protest to the SPG for not informing them about Rahul's train journey, complaining that the Congress's youth icon has violated the protocol.

Give peace a chance, says Sonia to Kashmiris

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Observing that a "new situation" has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday described the recent unrest in the state as "painful" and appealed to all "disatisfied" sections to give peace a chance so that their future could be built.

She said the government was keen on a "meaningful political dialogue" with all political parties and regions of the state for which the interlocutors have been appointed.

"We are faced with a new situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The events of the last few months were painful," Gandhi said addressing the AICC session here.

Gandhi expressed anguish at the loss of young lives in Kashmir.

"I share their grief. Their loss is national loss. The whole generation has seen nothing but violence and conflict," she said.

She urged all those who are "dissatisfied" in Jammu and Kashmir with the government to trust the government and "give peace a chance and enable us to build future for the next generation".

She said priority should be given to development of the state.

During her inaugural speech at the AICC meet where she was authorised to nominate entire Congress Working Group, Gandhi talked aobut a range of issues like naxalism, price rise, Ayodhya judgement, Mumbai terror attack.

Ayodhya verdict does not condone demolition: Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The Allahabad High Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute did not condone the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Congress president Sondia Gandhi said, on Tuesday, while asserting that the perpetrators must be "brought to justice".

"The judgment in no way condones the demolition of the Babri Masjid," Gandhi said at a meeting of the All India Congress Committee, in the capital, on Tuesday. "It was shameful, criminal act. Perpetrators should be brought to justice," she said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, on September 30, divided the disputed land into three equal parts - one going to the Hindu parties, one to the Nirmohi Akhara and one to a Muslim litigant.

She praised the Indian people for ensuring that there was peace and harmony after the verdict was announced.

"The broader message for all is that our fight against communalism and fanaticism of all types has to continue unabated. The abuse of religion to inflame passions will be forcefully resisted by our government," she said.

Haryana Chief Minister Hooda honours CWG medalists

SONEPAT, Nov 1: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced a slew of incentives for the medal winners from the state in Commonwealth Games that concluded in Delhi last month.

On the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the formation of Haryana, Hooda said that he would enhance the cash award for medal winners from the state in this month's Asian Games and also announced the creation of a 'Haryana Sportspersons Development Fund'.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at Motilal Nehru School of Sports at Rai here where "Chak de Haryana, Chak de India" rally was organized to felicitate the medal winners and athletes from Haryana in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.

The Haryana players had won 37 medals out of a total of 101 India had won in the Delhi Games. To add to it, half of the 38 gold medals won by India were grabbed by sportspersons from Haryana.

Enthused with the success of Haryana athletes in the CWG, the Chief Minister honoured the medallist with cash awards of Rs. 15 lakh, 10 lakh and 5 lakh to the gold, silver and bronze medallists respectively and also announced cash rewards for the upcoming Asian Games.

He said cash award of Rs. 25 lakh will be given to the athletes of Haryana who will win gold in the Asian Games while the silver and bronze medallists would get Rs. 15 lakh and the Rs. 10 lakh respectively.

Further motivating the Haryana athletes, Hooda said cash awards of Rs. two crore, Rs. one crore and Rs. 50 lakh will be given to those players of the state who will win gold, silver and bronze medal respectively in 2012 London Olympics.

He also announced that an amount of Rs. 51 lakh, Rs. 31 lakh, Rs. 21 lakh and Rs. 11 lakh will be granted for taking up development works in the villages of the gold, silver, bronze medal winners of CWG respectively.

Chidambaram visits CII Leh project

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: Union Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram handed over the house key of the first house inaugurated under the CII Leh Rehabilitation project in Saboo village in Ladakh today.

The Minister was on a visit to Leh to take stock of the Rehabilitation work for the Flash flood victims.

Mr Chidambaram spent about 20 minutes on the site where CII is constructing houses, interacted with the villagers and the beneficiaries. He inaugurated the house and went into each room. The CII team explained the technology used, material used to him.

The CII team informed the Minister that the construction cost of each house is close to Rs 5 lakh.

The CII team also presented him with a four sheeter on CII Leh Rehabilitation work. He went through it. He also saw the photographs of the house that CII team had taken when it was under construction and of the brick making machine. The CII team showed him the material used in construction of houses.

The Minister was accompanied by Mr Rigzin Jora, Toursim Minister - J&K and the MP from Ladakh; Mr Khurshid Ganai, Principal Secretary (Plg), J&K, the current Deputy Commissioner and a host of other officials.

The CII team also informed the Minister that CII team has been in Leh since August 14.

CII has undertaken to build all of 13 totally damaged houses in Saboo village, built under the Prime Minister's Model Village Scheme.

The Flash floods struck on August 6, CII has been present on the spot since August 14, 2010.

After the initial Relief work was over, the re-construction work began in last week of September. CII has completed two houses in one month and will construct the balance 11 houses in March end/ April 2011 when the season permits. Right now, due to harsh winters setting in, the construction has to stop.

Meanwhile, thinking ahead, CII has already stored all the construction material for April 2011, in the Community Centre in Saboo.

CII has requested the District Administration to identify 20 beneficiaries to whom CII would give building material (cement, steel debars, CGI sheets etc). It has already given 100 cement bags for repairs and reconstruction to affected families in Skiu and Kaya (farflung villages).

Sonia Gandhi questions Nitish Kumar's secular credentials

KISHANGANJ, Oct 18: In a veiled attack on Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi today accused him of being hand-in-glove with those who were "dead against" secularism.

Those who are in power here are in "hand in glove with those dead against secularism", she said addressing an election rally in the minority-dominated Kishanganj area of the state.

Seeking to puncture the Nitish Kumar government's development plank, Gandhi attacked the government for not giving land for establishment of a centre of Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj despite all clearances from the Centre.

"You have talked about Aligarh Muslim University. Everything is clear from the Centre but the government here is not giving land. It has not given the land so far," she said.

Claiming that only Congress can bring Bihar back to the path of development by providing a secular government, she regretted that the last twenty years saw the several parties coming to power, which had "no vision for development".

She urged people to vote for Congress and "bring a revolution of development" in the state.

"There is a leader who seeks to have secular image, but has alliance with a party which is anti-secular...He has raised objections over the visit of a chief minister of his alliance for campaigning in Bihar," Gandhi said indicating Kumar's opposition to Narendra Modi's campaigning in the state.

"It is a politics of opportunism", she said.

The Congress chief said the people knew that Kumar had not not parted company with the NDA and had not resigned from the Vajpayee ministry even after what had happened in Gujarat.

She said Congress had faced ups and downs on several occasions in the past "but has never compromised with its principle and secularism."

Nitish talks big, does little: Rahul

KORHA, Oct 14: Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi sought to kill several birds with a few stones during his election tour in Bihar. But Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seemed to be his prime target. At mammoth rallies at Korha and Sikti in the Seemanchal area – bordering Nepal – on Thursday, he urged the electorate to avoid ideologies that “divide society on the basis of caste and religion” and question those “who talk big, but do little”.

Hit were Lalu Prasad’s RJD that banks on its Other Backward Caste vote bank, Hindutva outfit BJP and the JD(U)’s Kumar, whom Gandhi branded as a non-performer.

He said, “Those who divide you are the ones who have kept the people of the state in bondage. They have forced you to migrate and rebuild other states even though you yourself stay in penury.”

Gandhi, however, kept his sharpest barbs for Kumar, wondering what makes him so jittery about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha member Varun Gandhi’s presence in the state.

RSS as fanatical as SIMI: Rahul

BHOPAL, Oct 6: Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was as fanatical as the banned Student's Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), accused in several terror incidents in the country. He made the comparison at a press conference here and said, "Nothing is going to change that."

He said the Youth Congress would maintain equal distance from both SIMI and RSS.

RSS leader Ram Madhav reacted by saying, "People who make such statements should first understand India and its society."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also contradicted Gandhi, saying the RSS was "promoting education and nation building".

Congress leader and former MP chief minister Digvijay Singh defended Gandhi.

"Mr Rahul Gandhi is absolutely right about the RSS. Ram Madhav should know about the Congress' history," he said.

"I am not asking for a ban on the RSS, but it is time it did some introspection. Can they (the RSS) deny that their activists have been accused in several blasts?" he added.

Earlier, BJP spokesman Prakash Javdekar alleged that the Congress' failures in Madhya Pradesh might have made a "dejected" Gandhi lash out at the RSS.

Ayodhya: Fresh moves for out of court settlement

AYODHYA, Oct 3: Fresh moves appear to be afoot to resolve the Ayodhya dispute out of court, Mohammad Hashim Ansari, one of the main litigants in the title suits, met Mahant Gyan Das of Hanumanghari who is also President of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad to explore the possibility of an amicable solution.

Though Mahant Gyan Das refused to divulge details, 90-year-old Ansari said: “I have initiated the move after being asked by the Sunni Central Waqf Board.”

During an hour-long closed door meeting between the Mahant and Ansari at Hanumanghari, famous Lord Hanuman temple near the makeshift temple on the disputed site, discussions revolved around ways to chalk out an agreement on the 60-year-old temple-mosque dispute.

“Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad will play the role of a mediator and Gyan Das will talk with Nirmohi Akhara (another key party in the dispute),” Ansari said, adding that the Akhara President was ready for this.

“This issue will be decided in Ayodhya itself and time for an amicable solution has come,” he added.

Waqf Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani, however, said he was not aware of any such move. The Board had said they would challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court.

Jilani said he had spoken to Board Chairman Zafar Ahmad Farooqui who denied that Ansari had been asked to initiate any talks.

“Farooqui told me that he cannot authorise a person without consulting the Board members,” he said.

Allahabad High Court in its majority verdict on Thursday allotted one-third of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Nirmohi Akahara.

The other two-thirds portion has been given equally to be shared by the Waqf Board and the side representing Ram Lalla.

Soon after the verdict, Ansari had called for burying the dispute and making “a fresh start”, a view echoed by 84-year-old Mahant Bhaskar Das of Nirmohi Akhara.

India to compile 'world's biggest' ID database

TEMBHILI (Maharashtra), Sept 29: India has launched a huge national identity scheme aimed at cutting fraud and improving access to state benefits. Using biometric methods, including an iris scan, the system will log details of India's population of more than one billion people on a central database.

It was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi in western India.

The data will be stored online in what India says will be the biggest such national database in the world.

The unique identification (UID) programme will help those in poor, marginalised communities who find it difficult to access public services and benefits because they do not have official records, officials say.

The government expects to give a UID number to every Indian citizen within four years.

Birth registration is not universal and it is hoped that the database will give an accurate picture of Indian society.

The new ID scheme was launched in the village of Tembhili in Nandurbar district of western Maharashtra state.

The government says better ID will mean benefits are delivered more fairly The ID numbers were handed out to 10 people, including three children.

The tiny village of 1,500 people was colourfully decorated and the villagers were excited to see Congress chief Sonia Gandhi - who smiled and waved at them - although few locals knew what the scheme was about.

Prime Minister Singh described the start of the process as a "special moment" that would empower the most marginalised in society.

"It will help strengthen the rights of the downtrodden and the poorest, including women," he said.

Mrs Gandhi described the launch as a "new beginning" for India.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Chief Nandan Nilekeni, the former co-chairman of Information Technology major Infosys, was also present at the function.

Under the scheme, all Indians will be issued a 12-digit ID number which they will use to receive welfare handouts, to apply for other documents like passports and even to open bank accounts.

As well as iris scans, photographs, fingerprints and other personal information will be collected and then stored on a vast central database.

The government hopes this will prevent corrupt officials from faking the names of people seeking welfare benefits or access to education - potentially saving billions of dollars.

Critics, however, complain that the project itself will cost billions of dollars and are also worried about the authorities collecting so much personal information.

Others say there is no guarantee that the scheme really will make much of a difference to India's corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy. Some say the focus should be on improving services for the poor, rather than access to them.

Kashmir schools reopen after 3 months defying separatists

SRINAGAR, Sept 28: Despite a strike call by hardline separatist across the Kashmir Valley by leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and his advice to parents not to send their children to school, most educational institutions reopened as scheduled on Monday after a three and a half month closure following unrest in the state.

The Centre expressed happinness over reopening of most educational institutes in Jammu and Kashmir disregarding a boycott call and appealed to all sections of people, especially parents, to cooperate with the govt in their smooth functioning.

Home Minister P Chidambaram said there was a call by one of the Hurriyat leaders to the parents asking them not to send their children to schools and colleges but it was heartening that parents have disregarded that call and sent their children to their respective institutes.

"There were a few minor incidents of stone-pelting on school buses at Habak, Bemina and Nowgam. How can any right thinking person pelt stones on school buses ? I hope that such mischief will stop immediately.

"Anyone who has the interest of the children at heart cannot indulge in stone-pelting; nor should anyone support such mischievous attempts to interfere with the functioning of schools and colleges," he said in a statement.

The Home Minister said government was happy to learn that most schools and colleges have reopened in Jammu and Kashmir and most students have gone back to schools and colleges on Monday.

"I am confident that the few schools and colleges that remain closed today, presumably out of caution, will reopen tomorrow. I am also confident that the attendance will improve significantly tomorrow. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has assured us that every effort is being made to ensure that all schools and colleges reopen and function normally and that security will be provided to enable the students to attend schools and colleges," he said.

"I appeal to all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially parents, to cooperate with the State Government and ensure that all schools and colleges
function normally," he said.

Educational institutions reopened on Monday after the Centre announced an 8-point initiative, which includes smooth functioning of schools and colleges, to bring peace to the Kashmir valley.

Pravasi Divas to Focus on North East; Young Overseas Indians

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Sept 22: Showcasing North East as an attractive investment destination and engaging young overseas Indians in India’s development will be among the main themes of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that begins on January 7, according to Vayalar Ravi, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will formally inaugurate the annual congregation of Diaspora community on January 8. President Pratibha Patil will deliver the valedictory address and confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards the next day.

The ninth edition of India's annual connect with its global diaspora of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will also provide the Diaspora community an opportunity to interact with Union Ministers including Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Road Transport Minister Kamal Nath.

Vayalar Ravi said the Northeastern states will be the partner states of the event and government will showcase investment opportunities in the region to the diaspora community.

"We have not been able to showcase the Northeastern states of India the way we wanted. In PBD we will try our best to showcase the region as a potential investment destination," he said.

This flagship event of MOIA will be held in the capital for the sixth time. The event will be in partnership with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region together with eight north-eastern states and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Vayalar Ravi said “the special feature of PBD-2011 is the participation of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and eight North Eastern States as partner. There will be a plenary session for the chief ministers of North Eastern States. This would provide the Diaspora with an opportunity to understand the tremendous potential of this beautiful part of India.”

The ministry underlined that the focus of PBD 2011 will be on “young overseas Indians” so as to connect with and engage the younger generation of the overseas Indians with emerging India.

“In order to engage the youth with India, a plenary session on 'Engaging with the young overseas Indian' is being organized,’ said the Minister.

The congregation will also have two other sessions on education and health care services.

"The proposed legislation on entry of Foreign Education providers’ bill will open up new avenues for deeper engagement with Diaspora. Overseas Indians have also excelled in health care sector. So we have decided to focus more on engaging the diaspora in these two areas," said A Didar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indians.

The event will also see parallel interactive sessions on topics important to the Diaspora, including an industry round-table: Interaction between diaspora and Indian industry leaders; Information, Communication & Entertainment (ICE) and celebrating the global Indian.

Ravi noted that the consultations at earlier PBDs led to the formulation of the Overseas Citizenship of India scheme, establishment of an overseas Indian facilitation centre, conceptualisation of Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra (PBK), formation of Prime Minister's global advisory council of people of Indian Origin, setting up of the India development foundation, and the launching of the Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global-INK).

The ministry is also all set to host its 4th regional PBD in South Africa's historical Durban city Oct 1-2 coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa.

The first regional PBD was held in Sep 2007 in New York for the Indian diaspora in the US, the second in Singapore in October 2008 for Asia and the third in the Netherlands in September 2009 for Europe.

Ravi said “PBD conventions provide a platform for exchange of views and networking to overseas Indians on matters of common interest and concern to them. They also help the government of India to better understand and appreciate the expectations of the overseas Indian community from the land of their ancestors and more importantly, acknowledge the important role played by them in India's efforts to acquire its rightful place in the comity of nations.”

No scope for third party mediation on Kashmir: India

NEW DELHI, Sept 22: Rebuffing Pakistan's attempt to involve the international community in resolving the Kashmir issue, India on Wednesday categorically said there is "no scope" of third party mediation on Kashmir, which is an integral part of the country.

Reacting sharply to Pakistan Foreign Minister S M Qureshi's remarks asking the US to intervene in Kashmir, sources in the External Affairs Ministry said "there is no scope for third party or international mediation. And this has been made clear on number of occasions, including at the UN... There can be wishes expressed but there is no further corollary to that."

Asking the international community, particularly the US, to intervene in Kashmir in resolving the contentious issue which is central to peace in the region, Qureshi yesterday said in New York, "We call upon the US particularly, which is pressing so responsibly for peace in the Middle East, to also invest its political capital in trying to help seek an accommodation for Kashmir."

Discarding Pakistan's statement on the recent crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, sources said India's position on this issue was very well articulated and well known to all its friends and interlocutors.

"We are very clear in our mind that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and if there are any issues pertaining to the state, these have been in past and can be addressed bilaterally. In past also we have been discussing this issue bilaterally with Pakistan," a source said.

On attempts by Pakistan to rake this issue at the international fora such as UNGA, the sources said it is not something which is unexpected.

The sources also maintained as a vibrant democracy, India has sufficient mechanisms and constitutional safeguards to address issues raised by its citizens in any part of the country.

Parliament team visits Tangmarg for on spot assessment

JAMMU, Sept 21: On the second day of their visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visited Tangmarg, in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, for on the spot assessment.

The place witnessed incidents of arson recently in which six people were killed and several others wounded during demonstration on 13th September. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also accompanied the delegation.

Another group of the All Party delegation consisting of BJP leader Sushma Swaraj and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury, visted SMHS hospital in Srinagar. The team met those injured in the series of demonstrations in past weeks.

The third group of the All party delegation visited Hajratbal shrine in Srinagar.

The high-level delegation on Monday held discussions with various shades opinion. A group of APD met the breakaway Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate HC chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik, at their respective homes on Monday.

A number of mainstream political parties, including the People’s Democratic Party, Congress, Bhartiya Janta Party and National Conference (NC) met the delegation members. Around 300 people who came forward to meet the APD demanded revocation of Armed forces Special Powers Act, eradication of poverty, unemployment and complained about poor infrastructure.

The 42-member APD arrived in Srinagar on Monday to get a first hand information on the situation before deciding anything to defuse the volatile situation in the valley.

All-party team visits Kashmiri migrants camps in Jammu

Assuring them that their aspirations would be taken care, a five member delegation of political parties on Tuesday visited migrant camps in Jammu to understand the plight of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Led by Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M), the team met displaced Kashmiri Hindus in Muthi Phase-I and II besides Butanagar camp here and spent over 45 minutes with them.

The team members interacted with migrants to learn about their view points, aspirations and problems in Jammu.

The delegation met the migrant Pandits though four Kashmiri Pandit organisations - Panun Kashmir, All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC), Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM) and Panun Kashmir Agnishaker - had boycotted the all-party delegation and over 90 Kashmir Pandits were arrested during demonstration against the central team.

The Kashmiri Pandits demanded their rehabilitation in the Valley, implementation of Prime Minister's rehabilitation package and opposed Greater Autonomy and Revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir.

All-party team got balanced view about Valley situation: Omar

Expressing satisfaction over the all-party delegation's visit to Kashmir Valley, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that it was the endeavour of his government that the visiting team got a balanced view about the situation in the state.

"I cannot expect everyone to praise me but the fact that they got a balanced view (about the situation) is important," Omar, who was accompanying a team of 11-members led by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to this small town, told reporters.

On the delegation members meeting separatists leaders including hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik, Omar said this was scheduled and "we had only worked towards it to make it possible. I am happy that it worked and the delegation got views of every shade of opinion in the Valley."

"The delegation has come obviously to get a report about the ground situation here and we were accused of stage managing ...but we tried to ensure that the delegation meets as many people as possible," he said in Tangmarg on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said the delegation's visit was not a "mere show" and they needed to know the ground situation in the Valley.

"Kashmir is not only about mainstream political parties only but also about separatist groups. Our effort was to show the visiting delegation the real picture of what is happening here," he said.

Asked whether the visit of the delegation was a delayed response, the Chief Minister said, "Obviously lot of things could have been done but better late than never." The delegation, which also had BJP's Arun Jaitley also, met a cross section of people in this area who sought early resolution of Kashmir issue.

Around 300 people who came forward to meet them also demanded revocation of Armed forces Special Powers Act, eradication of poverty, unemployment and complained about poor infrastructure.

Kashmiris future secure with India: Chidambaram

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: On a mission to understand the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the all party delegation on Monday began its two-day exercise with Home Minister P Chidambaram promising the people of the state that their future, honour and dignity are secure as part of India.

While a 15-strong PDP delegation met the all party leaders and explained the party's stand, Chidambaram said the delegation would like to hear the grievances of the people.

"We hope and believe that the honour, dignity and future (of Kashmiris) are secured as part of India," he said.

Chidambaram said the delegation has a tight schedule and asked the parties appearing before them to make their presentation effectively.

The 42-member team, which arrived in Srinagar on Monday on a crucial two-day visit to assess the ground situation, was received by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, as curfew remained clamped in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF will skip meeting the team but will submit a memorandum to it, JKLF chief Yasin Malik said.

"It is a creative memorandum. Hope it is taken in the right spirit and that the delegation understands the pulse of the people," Malik said.

Some members of the 42-member delegation are likely to call on hardline Hurriyat leader Sye Ali Shah Geelani at his Hyderpora residence here.

Though Geelani has officially refused to meet them, he said the delegation members will not be turned away if they decide to call on him at his house as they were guests.

The death toll during violence and clashes in the last three months is now at 103.

The delegation hopes that the leaders of various separatist groups will finally come for the talks to help break the impasse in Kashmir which has witnessed unabated violence over the last few months claiming over 100 lives.

The opposition PDP had on Sunday threatened to reconsider its participation, accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of "sabotaging" the visit by clamping curfew in the Valley.

"If the repressive measures continue, we will have to reconsider our decision (of being part of the all-party initiative)," PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had said.

She had said there was no purpose in the visit of the all-party delegation if the members of the civil society, those raising the voice of dissent and the common people are not allowed to meet it.

Dismissing the PDP charge as misleading and baseless, Jammu and Kashmir Law Minister Ali Mohammad had said it was surprising that it was all praise for the all-party initiative two days ago but has suddenly changed its stand.

"I do not know what has changed in two days. I will leave it to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide who is trying to scuttle the visit of the delegation."

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rejecting the demand for his resignation said without naming any party that those behind it were "some frustrated political elements who failed to make it to the Government in the 2008 elections".

Australia, U.S. warn citizens as India probes shooting at Jama Masjid in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Sept 20: Australia, Canada and the United States have issued travel warnings Monday a day after two Taiwanese nationals were shot at near India's main mosque in the nation's capital and an explosion in a car at the same place.

Two men wearing helmets and raincoats fired at a tourist bus carrying Taiwanese nationals Sunday in front of the Jama Masjid, a historic mosque, before fleeing into a narrow street.

Two were wounded and minutes after the firing, a car parked near the mosque's gate went up in flames, which authorities say could have been caused by a crude pressure cooker bomb.

"We have found parts of a pressure cooker inside the car and we are questioning people for leads," Rajan Bhagat, the Delhi Police spokesman said.

India's interior ministry officials said the two incidents may be connected and the government has directed the police to step up investigation and tighten security across the city, which will host Commonwealth Games next month.

An email purportedly from the Indian Mujahideen, a home-grown militant group with links to militants in Pakistan, was sent to BBC and some local media after the attack. The statement threatened attacks on the Games.

"We are still not sure whether it was carried out by a sleeper module of the Indian Mujahideen, but we are not taking any chances with the games just weeks away," said a senior interior ministry official.

Militant groups have threatened to disrupt the sporting event, a showcase for India as it emerges onto the global stage.

Attacks may unnerve athletes already uneasy about reports of poor security and preparations.

The United States, Canada and Australia urged their citizens to be careful after the Australian cricket team landed in the city for a cricket series with India.

"Australians in New Delhi should be aware that the Commonwealth Games will be held in a security environment where there is a high risk of terrorism," the advisory said.

Indian authorities played down Sunday's shooting, saying it could be the work of local criminals.

"It is a serious case, but we don't want to cause panic among people before the games," the interior ministry official said.

The Commonwealth Games, an event organized by the 54-member organization of mainly former British colonies and held every four years, begin on October 3.

But the Games in India threaten to become an embarrassment with organizers fighting corruption charges and struggling to get venues ready. The cost of the event has risen more than 17.5 times from the original estimate and is now put at $6 billion.

Mamata takes dig at Rahul Gandhi

KOLKATA, Sept 20: In an apparent jibe at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to West Bengal, Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Sunday said she was neither a rarely seen flower nor one who sleeps on a bed of gold.

"'Ami dumurer phool noi' (I am not a rarely seen flower) that I will be seen once a year and then I will go. I stand by the people throughout the year. I share their pain and grief. I am with the people throughout the year," said Banerjee without mentioning Gandhi and his three-day visit.

Gandhi, during his Sep 14-16 tour, undertaken to boost the Youth Congress and the party before next year's assembly polls, said time and again that the Congress needed to be treated with respect by the Trinamool before the two parties join hands in the state.

The state Congressmen had been repeatedly complaining that they were not being treated with dignity by the Trinamool and Banerjee.

"I don't belong to the group who sleep on a bed of gold and talk about people. I live a simple life, just like any other common person," added Banerjee, while addressing a rally at Nanoor in Birbhum district.

Banerjee's comments ahead of Gandhi's three-day visit that she was not like a seasonal cuckoo had also been interpreted by analysts as a dig at Gandhi.

Gandhi's decision to criss-cross the state to revive the Congress, which has yielded the space of the dominant opposition party to the Trinamool over the years, his harping on the respect factor and Banerjee's potshots at him seem to be the two parties' efforts to position themselves for hard bargain during the seat-sharing talks before the polls.

The two parties had come together before last year's Lok Sabha polls to decimate the state's ruling Left Front that has been in power since 1977.

But during the civic elections this year, the Trinamool Congress and the Congress failed to clinch a seat sharing deal and decided to go it alone.

Govt willing to talk to anybody, but violence has to end: Manmohan

NEW DELHI, Sept 15: Distressed over the events in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government was willing to talk to anybody or any group but asserted that it could not happen till the end of violence, some of which is “orchestrated by certain groups“.

Addressing an all-party meeting on the volatile situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Singh underlined that dialogue and discussion is the “only path for lasting peace and prosperity” in the state and those having grievances against the government “have to talk to the administration“.

Appealing for peace, he expressed sadness over the loss of lives and injuries suffered by the people, the police and security personnel besides “huge disruption” in the daily lives of the common man and the financial losses suffered by various sections of the society in the state.

“We have to talk to each other...But it is also true that meaningful dialogue can happen only in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation. Discussions can take place only if we have calm and public order,” he emphasised.

The meeting, attended by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, top BJP leaders L.K. Advani, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah and leaders from various other parties, has been convened to discuss steps to address the situation in the state.

The Prime Minister noted that the Central and the state governments had already appealed to the people of the state, especially the youth, to eschew violence. “I reiterate that appeal,” he said.

“We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence,” Dr. Singh said.

“It is indeed tragic that some of our people have foresaken this path (of dialogue) during the recent days,” he said at the meeting called in the wake of three-month long cycle of violence in which over 80 people have lost their lives.

Expressing shock and distress over the fact that men, women and even children have been joining the protests on the streets of Kashmir, Dr. Singh said, “while some of these protests may have been impulsive or spontaneous, it cannot be denied that some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups.”

He said the developments of the last three months “must persuade us to reflect and deliberate on the way forward.”

The Prime Minister said the Centre would provide all possible assistance to the state to restore peace and public order to create conditions congenial for a dialogue process.

Noting that over the past few weeks, several leaders from across political spectrum have spoken or written to him on issues concerning the state, Dr. Singh said he had convened the meeting to “seek guidance” from various political parties on the “complex issue that we face in Jammu and Kashmir today“.

The meeting is expected to seek consensus on the various initiatives that the government could take to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

Rahul: Becoming PM not the only job, much else to do

SANTINIKETAN, Sept 14: AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that becoming Prime Minister was not the only job in the world. “If I will become Prime Minister of India... as if that is the only job a person can do. There are many other jobs that a person can do,” Mr Gandhi said while answering a question by a student at Santiniketan.

He spent over an hour interacting with over 1,000 students at Visvabharati, and replied to many of their queries.

He was asked how he would solve the country’s problems if he became Prime Minister. Trying to avoid a direct answer, he said becoming Prime Minister should not be anyone’s sole aim in life. “One can serve the country in many ways,” he said.

The 40-year-old Mr Gandhi, who is widely projected as a future Prime Minister, looked a little uncomfortable at the question.

But he deftly fielded other queries — on the education system, corruption in India and even the Kashmir problem. From Visvabharati, Mr Gandhi flew by helicopter to Basirhat in North 24-Parganas, where he attended a workers’ conference, and then to Kolkata, where he wrapped up the day’s programme with an interaction with young Muslims in the city’s Garden Reach locality.

Mr Gandhi began a three-day visit to West Bengal on Tuesday.

Three generations of Mr Gandhi’s family — former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi — have been chancellors of Visvabharati, the university founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore around 200 km from Kolkata. Indira Gandhi had even briefly studied at Santiniketan.

When some students told him about the problems faced by fine arts students at the university, Mr Gandhi said: “You can write to me or to the PMO with your suggestions on how to strengthen fine arts studies.”

When another student raised the issue of corruption at the university, Mr Gandhi replied: “Corruption is a problem everywhere. You have to find a solution to it.”

To another question, Mr Gandhi said he could give the students a lot of work if they wished it. “If you tell me you want to work, I will tell you when to do it and how to do it. Only writing letters to leaders will not do,” he said.

Kashmir towns under curfew; flights remain suspended

SRINAGAR, Sept 14: Curfew was extended to all major towns of the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure on Tuesday after violent clashes left 17 people dead and over 70 injured, official sources said in Srinagar. The sources said curfew was imposed in fresh areas as a precautionary measure and to prevent people from pouring out on roads and streets.

Srinagar city, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Awantipora, Lethpora, Pampore and Pulwama towns in south Kashmir and Sopore town in north Kashmir are already under curfew since Sunday.

The new areas that have been brought under the ambit of prohibitory orders include Budgam town, Choon, Mirgund, Ompora, Narkara, Shekhpora, Humhama, I G Road, Gulwanpora, Nadir Gund, Chadoora and Wathoora in central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Curfew was also imposed in Ganderbal and Kangan towns, Kulgam, Qoimoh, Shopian town, Baramulla town, Tangmarg, Kupwara town, Tregham, Kralpora, Handwara, Chotipora, Kulangam and Bandipora town.

A police spokesman said a mob took out the belongings and bedding of police personnel from a police post at Khanabal-Pahalgam Road in Anantnag town on Monday night and set them on fire.

A troops carrier of the state police was torched at Charier Sharief in Budgam district, he said.

All flights to and fro Srinagar were also suspended on Monday for three days in view of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir valley, officials said.

The move to suspend the flights was taken after a security review which decided that ferrying the airport staff and passengers to Awantipora airbase, 32 km from Srinagar, was a security risk, the officials said.

Airforce officials manning the Awantipora airbase refused permission to a Spice Jet flight to land on Monday in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in the valley. The flight returned to Delhi, the officials said.

Fresh violence erupted in Kashmir on Monday, leaving 17 dead, including a policeman and over 70 injured with mobs torching several government properties and a private school after a television report alleged desecration of a holy book in the US.

The state cabinet on Monday condemned the alleged act of desecration and made a fervent appeal to the people not to take law in their own hands.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday voiced concern over the ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also sought to reach out to the people in the state, saying their grievances have to be addressed and promised talks within the Indian Constitution with those who abjure violence.

Mumbai on alert after two suspected terrorists enter city

MUMBAI, Sept 10: On the eve of Eid and start of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, Mumbai police said two foreign nationals with suspected terror links have sneaked into the city after which the metropolis was put on high alert.

The police refused to reveal the nationality of the two men whose photographs were released at a hurriedly called news conference. They were however identified as Kalimuddin Khan (28) and Hafij Sarif (25).

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy issued an advisory to the public to remain alert and vigilant after inputs from central intelligence agencies said the two had entered the city to cause disruption at crowded places during the festival season.

“We would like to issue an advisory...We have intelligence inputs that two foreign nationals have entered the city with intention to cause disruption at crowded and religious places,” Roy said.

“We appeal to the citizens to remain alert and inform the police if they spot the two,” he said.

Asked when the duo had sneaked into the city, the officer said, ”Very recently“.

He said several teams have been formed to track down the two.

The police have also set up helpline numbers 22633333 and 22625020.

Sonia Gandhi creates history; re-elected Congress chief

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: The heavy downpour that converted the manicured lawns of the Congress headquarters here into an ankle-deep slushy mess on Friday did not deter party acolytes from celebrating the start of Sonia Gandhi's record fourth consecutive term at the head of the party.

As crackers went off incessantly for more than an hour before the brief ceremony at which Ms. Gandhi was formally announced elected unopposed — in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ministers and party functionaries — slogan-shouting party workers almost drowned out her few words of acceptance.

Absent from the ceremony was son and general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who was on a tour of his constituency, Amethi: he had taken a break on Thursday when he had flown in for a few hours to file a nomination on Ms. Gandhi's behalf.

The burden of Ms. Gandhi's speech, delivered in Hindi, was that her party colleagues should not forget the “immense responsibility” of working for all sections of society, irrespective of whether the party was in power or not. She thanked party leaders and workers for bestowing the responsibility of leadership on her again.

She was sure that the party cadres would always keep the Congress flag flying high.

After the ceremony, Ms. Gandhi mingled with senior party leaders and accepted their bouquets and other offerings.

Target of making India slum-free achievable: Selja

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Kumari Selja on Friday said the target of making India slum-free in the next five years as envisaged in the Rajiv Awas Yojana was "not unachievable" but a lot would depend on how states cooperated with the Centre on the issue.

Though the initial optimism about RAY seems to have been dampened as not much progress has been made on the ground since UPA-II announced the scheme during the Presidential Address, the Centre has been making efforts to make it a success.

"It is achievable but we need full cooperation of states...the target is not unachievable," Selja said.

When formulated, RAY was aimed at making India slum-free by 2014 by providing affordable housing to these people at the same place and also giving them property rights.

She maintained that some states had given a very good response but refused to name the states which did not appear to be very enthusiastic about RAY.

There were several states which were "quite forthcoming" in giving property rights to slum-dwellers as envisaged in Rajiv Awas Yojana, she asserted.

"RAY will bring a sense of competition among states to become slum-free," Selja said.

The Pranob Sen Committee report, submitted to the government on 30th August, on statistical model for enumerating and identifying slums would solve the paucity of credible data, the minister maintained.

"Funds should not be a problem for the scheme," Selja said.

Sonia Gandhi re-elected Congress President for 4th term

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: Sonia Gandhi is set to be re-elected unopposed as the Congress president for the fourth consecutive term a she is the only candidate for the post and the party’s Central election authority (CEA) received only her nomination papers. A formal announcement about it will be made on Friday.

Thursday was the last day of filing nominations. 55 five sets of nominations were filed on behalf of 63-year-old Mrs Gandhi. Last time, 97 sets of nominations were filed, the CEA sources said. “The declaration could be made on Friday and a certificate would be handed over to the Congress president at AICC headquarters,” Mr Oscar Fernandes, the chairman of the CEA said.

The first group which met Mrs Gandhi and proposed her name for the top post in the party was led by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. The other groups comprising Cabinet ministers and Congress working committee members was led by the Union finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee.

The AICC general secretary, Mr Rahul Gandhi, was part of another group of proposers, which was led by party treasurer, Mr Motilal Vora. Mr Rahul Gandhi filed the nomination papers on behalf of Mrs Gandhi before Mr Fernandes. Mr Fernandes said that the working committee would be dissolved after the formal announcement of Mrs Gandhi’s name as party president. He further said that a “steering committee” would be formed till the plenary of the party, likely to be held in November-December this year.

Among those who proposed her name included the party Chief Ministers, including Mr Ashok Chavan (Maharashtra), Ms Sheila Dikshit (Delhi), Mr Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan) and Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Haryana).

The nominations were submitted to Mr Fernandes, who is the returning officer for the poll.

Cong rebukes BJP, says Sonia can become party chief 40 times

NEW DELHI, Sept 2: The Congress has dismissed BJP's objection to a fourth term for Sonia Gandhi as party President saying she could become the head of the party 40 times.

"We do not discuss the constitution of another party... Why four times she (Gandhi) could be the party president 40 times if the party wants," AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told newsmen rejecting BJP's suggestions in regard to the election of Gandhi.

Hitting hard at the main opposition, Dwivedi reminded the BJP, "This democracy has seen that Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister for 17 long years and almost similar was the case with Indira Gandhi. Since, other people do not get a chance they talk about it."

Visibly agitated over BJP's charge, Dwivedi, who is also the head of the party's media department, said since Congress was a democratic party, this (organisational election) is being discussed. "It does not happen in any other party," he said.

Senior leader Oscar Fernandes, who is the chairman of the party's Central Election Authority, dismissed the BJP charge saying that the Congress was following its constitution while electing its president.

"At the state level, a leader can be PCC chief for two terms and not more, but this is not applicable to the Congress president," Fernandes said.

He said the election of Gandhi for the fourth consecutive term at the helm was a decision of the party and its workers and suggested it was none of BJP's business to talk about it.

The AICC reaction came close on the heels of BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad remark that Gandhi should offer the position of party chief to somebody outside the Gandhi family just as she had "sacrificed" the post of Prime Minister.

"Sonia Gandhi is going to become president of the Congress for the fourth time. Obviously, there would be no opposition. In accordance with the Congress constitution, no office-bearer can become the president of any block, district or state unit for more than two terms," Prasad said.

He alleged that Gandhi was the "tallest leader" of her party exercising authority without any "public accountability".