Workshop on use of textiles in agriculture to begin today

New Delhi, Sept 18 (ANI): The Ministry of Textiles and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will jointly organise a workshop on use of textiles in agriculture here today.

Over 100 delegates from various sectors like agriculture, the State Governments, agricultural universities, forest departments and institutes will attend the workshop.

The technical textiles are used in agriculture to fabricate shade-nets, crop-covers, mulch-nets, anti-hail nets, bird protection nets, fishing nets and greenhouse covers. The use of these items is very limited in the context of Indian agriculture.

The objective of the workshop is to sensitize stakeholders about myriad applications of technical textiles in agriculture and environmental engineering.

It will also create awareness amongst the stakeholders about the benefits of these items.

The workshop will also focus on various rules/legislations that need to be amended to facilitate the use of these textiles in various applications.

Technical textiles products used in the agriculture are known as Agrotech and those used for environmental protection are called Oekotech.

The major applications of Oekotech are for landfill waste management. It includes products used to prevent leakage of municipal or hazardous waste in landfills and suitable use of waste.

The consumption of these technical textiles products remains limited despite their perceived benefits.

With rapid urbanisation, the waste management has become major issue in India and Oekotech applications provide an effective way of managing the waste in an environment friendly manner. (ANI)

Henry attacks French coach Domenech for boring training session

London, Sep 8 (ANI): French striker Thierry Henry has attacked national coach Raymond Domenech, and said that Les Bleus are bored in training and are lost on the pitch with “no style or guidelines”.

Henry, who is France’s record goal scorer with 49 goals in 112 appearances, launched his attack at the national team’s training camp last Friday.

“Coach, we have something to tell you, I am speaking in the name of the squad. We are getting bored during your training sessions. In 12 years with the French team, I have never been in such a situation,” he told the Le Parisien newspaper.

“We do not know how to play, where to be on the pitch, how to organise. We do not know what to do. We have no style, no guidelines. It is not working,” he added.

The French football federation declined to comment on the matter, The Mirror reported.

Coming from Henry, the comments are a serious blow to the authority of Domenech, who has enjoyed the full support of the French Football Federation despite tumbling out of the Euro2008 at the group stage. (ANI)

Britain is culturally sexist, says equality watchdog

London, Sep. 6 (ANI): The Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Trevor Phillips, has declared that Britain is ‘culturally sexist,’ and yet to reach a consensus about whether women are equal to men.

According to Phillips, most bosses still operate on the pretext that their workers are male, and even organisations with vast resources into countering discrimination remain biased.

“There is still a huge argument to settle. As a nation, we haven’t quite got a consensus about whether women really are equal or not,” The Times quoted him, as saying.

“We have a culture which produces bias, even when people don’t mean it to, even when they are doing their damnedest to make things change,” he added.hillips said “serious culture change and institutional reform” was needed to put women on an equal footing with men.

His comments coincide with a time when the latest government-commissioned investigation is expected to show pay gaps of up to 60 percent for some women doing the same jobs as men.

Tomorrow’s report is expected to reveal that women are “locked out” of top jobs in the City because employers “massively and preferentially” hire and promote staff between the ages of 25 and 40.

“It’s like Hollywood. There’s no role for women over 40,” Phillips said.

“The fact is, most offices, no matter how enlightened the bosses are, still operate on the premise that the average ‘normal’ worker is male, that someone will look after his children if he has them, that he will be able to work 9am-5pm most days – that’s how we organise things. Doesn’t work for most women,” he added.

He named the BBC and the Metropolitan police as two institutions that had failed to eradicate sexism despite ploughing resources into the problem.

“These organisations have tried very hard. But at some point we are going to need radical cultural change and institutional reform if we’re not going to get stuck at a place where in 20 years’ time we’ll still be saying, ‘why haven’t we got any women on boards?’ (ANI)

Local tribals’ help also being taken to search Andhara CM: Guv Tiwari

New Delhi, Sep.2 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Governor Narayan Dutt Tiwari on Wednesday evening asked the District Collectors of Prakasham, Kurnool, and Chittoor districts of the State to organise village committees in and around the Nallamallai forest area and engage them in the search for the missing Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

“The State Government is also involving the tribals living in these forests in the search and rescue operations,” said Tiwari.

Meanwhile, the chopper carrying the Andhra Pradesh CM was reportedly not fit for flying and had a trouble history. (ANI)

First prisoner abuse death in Iran’s post-election turmoil

Tehran, Sep 1(ANI): If reports are to be believed it is being claimed that Mohsen Rouhalamini, the son of an adviser to defeated presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei, is the first official confirmation of a prisoner abuse death following Iran’s post-election turmoil.

A medical examiner has confirmed the Rouhalamini died from beatings and poor prison conditions.

The claims have outraged many conservatives, as well as the pro-reform opposition that believes hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the June election through massive vote fraud.

Police had initially suggested that Rouhalamini’s death while in custody was caused by meningitis, however, according to reports, a state forensic doctor has denied the suggestions in a report handed over to judicial authorities.

The report states that Rouhalamini died of “physical stress, the effects of being held in bad conditions, multiple blows and severe injuries to the body.”

Earlier, Iran’s hardliner regime had decided to prosecute 30 people arrested in the turbulent aftermath of the presidential election for offences against the State.

The defendants, who include former ministers in the 1997-2005 Khatami government, are accused of conspiring with foreign powers to organise unrest. (ANI)

Imran Khan, Benazir Bhutto were an item, claims book

London, Aug 19 (ANI): Author of a new biography of Imran Khan claims that the cricketer-turned-politician was romantically involved with late former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto when both of them studied together at Oxford University.

In his book, Christopher Sandford writes that Bhutto became infatuated with Khan, and the pair enjoyed a “close” and possibly “sexual” relationship.he author has also alleged that Khan’s mother even tried to organise an arranged marriage between the pair, but to no avail.

It was believed that Khan and Bhutto had always been at loggerheads, both politically and personally.

In fact, Khan openly criticised the former Prime Minister just days before her death.

But Sandford, who interviewed both Khan and his ex-wife Jemima for the book, claimed that a source told him that Bhutto was 21, and in her second year of reading politics at Lady Margaret Hall, when she became close to Khan in 1975.

The source also revealed that she had been “visibly impressed” by Khan, and might even have been the first to call him the “Lion of Lahore”.

“In any event, it seems fairly clear that, for at least a month or two, the couple were close. There was a lot of giggling and blushing whenever they appeared together in public,” the Telegraoh quoted Sandford as having told the Daily Mail.

He added: “It also seems fair to say that the relationship was “sexual”, in the sense that it could only have existed between a man and a woman. The reason some supposed it went further was because, to quote one Oxford friend: ‘Imran slept with everyone.’”

However, the former Pakistan cricket captain has rebuffed these claims, saying that he never had a sexual relationship with Bhutto.

Although he agreed to having been interviewed for the book, but claimed to have not read it as yet.

“Yes, I was interviewed, but I know nothing about the rest of what has been written. So it is not official,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It is absolute nonsense about any sexual relationship or my mother and an arranged marriage. We were friends – that’s all,” he added. (ANI)

Mumbai hosts two-day War Film festival

Mumbai, June 25 (ANI): Hordes of movie enthusiasts thronged a film festival of rare and vintage war movies besides many other documentaries related to Indian independence and defence forces here.

Organised by the Films Division (FD), in cooperation with the Armed Forces Film and Photo Division (AFFPD), the two-day War Film Festival was inaugurated by Major General (retired) E D’souza who was decorated with Victoria Cross in World War-II on Thursday.

In all, 80 films on World War II, the struggle for Indian Independence and Indian troops in action on the warfront (all in original) are being screened during the festival.

Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer of the Films Division mentioned that such festivals are a must for the present and future generations.

“We should try preserving our heritage and culture because this is one thing we can pass on to our next generation and nothing else,” said Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer, Films Division, Government of India, Mumbai.

He also announced that they would try to organise more such festivals across the country.

“We have our Films Division offices across the country. Through them we will try to organise more such two-day film festivals in other parts of the country,” said Kuldeep Sinha, Chief Producer, Films Division, Government of India, Mumbai.

Among the movies and original footage screened at the festival are ‘Indian Independence in 1947′, ‘India Strikes’ (45 minutes), ‘Indian Armed Forces Officers in WW-II’ and ‘Delhi Victory Parade’ (10 minute).

The film festival will conclude on Friday (June 26). (ANI)

Super Car Club launched in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 22 (ANI): A mere glimpse of a well-designed and exotic car can “bring smile on the face of the viewer”. With these words as its inspiration, uxury sedan enthusiasts launched a ‘Super Car Club in Mumbai on Sunday.

Now people can watch some of the hot and fastest machines of the world like Ferrari, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini and Porsche under one roof.

“It gives an opportunity to car lovers and car owners to come and meet people who have similar thoughts and hobbies. It also provides a platform to enjoy and share opinion on cars,” said Dinesh Lal, a member of club.

This elite club is the brainchild of industrialist Gautam Singhania.

“I have spoken to the Ministry of Tourism that every year we have a Mumbai Super Car Parade, so many people from all over should come and see it as it happens in many countries of the world. I feel that when you see a super car no matter what mood you are in, it puts a smile on your face,” he said.

This nascent club is in talks with Superstar clubs across Europe and America to organise automotive related events. (ANI)

Maoist protesters, police clash outside Nepal presidential palace

Kathmandu, May 11 (ANI): Maoist protesters and riot police clashed in front of Nepal’s presidential palace on Monday.

The demonstrators were seeking information on the country’s missing people and why President Ram Baran Yadav had no sacked the country’s army chief, General Rookmangud Katawal.

Over 1,200 people have been reported as missing between 1996 and 2006.

The protests came hours after diplomatic envoys from 16 countries, representatives of multinational donors and chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Karen Landgren, jointly called on acting Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.

Envoys from United States, Germany, France, UK, Norway, China and India and representatives from World Bank and Asian Development Bank were among those who participated in the meeting.

The discussion dwelled mainly on postponement of NDF meeting and delay in formation of the new government due to continued obstruction of parliament proceedings by the Maoists.

Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai informed the envoys that the new government would organise the NDF meet in September or October.

The delegations of UNMIN, foreign envoys and representatives of donor agencies also met Nepali Congress President Girija Prasad Koirala at his residence in Maharajgunj.

During the meeting, the delegation expressed concern over political changes that would have negative impact on the ongoing peace process.

Koirala assured that he would personally consult with Maoist chairman Dahal and UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal to resolve the stalemate. (ANI)

Nepal President consults CA chairman on procedure of appointing new PM

Kathmandu, May 8 (ANI): Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav has discussed with Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Chandra Nemwang the procedure for appointing a new Prime Minister if the political parties do not come up with a consensus government by the Saturday deadline.

With Maoists firm on their demand for an apology from President Yadav for his move to retain Chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal, the possibility of a consensus government is dim.

Nemwang has suggested that the President forward the issue to parliament if the parties fail to come up with a consensual choice.

“I informed the President about our statutory provisions and tradition of appointing a Prime Minister. There is no other way except taking the issue to the parliament, Nepalnews quoted Nemwang, as saying.

Meanwhile, the politburo meeting of the Maoists has stressed that the party should organise more protest programmes to exert pressure on President Yadav to correct his ‘unconstitutional’ move to reinstate the Army chief.

Most of the politburo members were of unanimous that the party should intensify protests from the parliament and launch a struggle from the streets until ‘civilian supremacy’ is upheld through the sacking of the Army chief.

Maoist spokesperson Dina Nath Sharma said the meeting discussed the protest strategy the party should adopt against the President’s move including formation of a new government.

The meeting also delved into important issues like army integration, Constitution writing and proper conclusion of the peace process.

The 45-member politburo meeting will continue today. (ANI)

Kashmiri Wazwan available in packed tins

Srinagar, May 6 (ANI): Buoyed up by its demand from around the world, food processing units in Kashmir are planning to cash-in on the popularity of their most famous cuisine Wazwan and offering it in tinned packs to increase its reach.

These recently introduced Wazwan tins have already become a craze in the Kashmir valley.

The non-vegetarian delicacies available in tin packings include Goshtabas, Ristas and Lehbi Kababs while vegetarian delicacies include Nadroo Yakhni and Nadroo Palak.

The owners of food processing unit informed that the idea behind offering Wazwan in tin packs was to make available Kashmiri delicacies on a global scale.

“We thought Wazwan should be available to the world also. That was the whole idea about doing this cuisine in ready to eat; easy to open cans which we are having. We have around 16 varieties available with us as on date in Wazwan,” said Raja Imitiaz, a food processing unit owner.

The Federation of Kashmir Chamber of Industries believes that tin packing of Wazwan will help to organise this sector and increase its business many fold.

“If we bring Wazwan industry in organised sector, in just ten years through this industry, we can achieve export of Rs. 50 billion. Because we have buyers from all around be it Middle East or Europe. They are ready to take Wazwan. We have received good response in every place. We have exhibition of Wazwan,” said Shaqeel Qalander, President, Federation of Kashmir Chamber of Industries.

The Kashmiri cuisine, in full course known as ‘Wazwan’ consists of 36 varieties of food, of which 15 to 30 are meat preparations.

The history of modern Kashmiri cuisine can be traced back to the 15th century invasion of India by Timur, and the migration of 1700 skilled woodcarvers, weavers, architects, calligraphers and cooks from Samarkand to the valley of Kashmir.

The descendants of these cooks, the Wazas, are the master chefs of Kashmir. y Parvez Butt (ANI)

Bob Geldof to get seat in House of Lords

Washington, May 4 (ANI): Bob Geldof is all set to get a seat in the U.K. parliament’s House of Lords as a reward for his 25-year crusade to end world poverty.

In 1985, a year after helping to organise charity concert Live Aid, the ex ‘Boomtown Rats’ singer was awarded an honorary knighthood.

Geldof staged a similar event, Live 8, in 2005.

Other than that his involvement in various philanthropic activities have earned him a life peerage from Queen Elizabeth II, who has included the rocker in her Birthday Honours list in June (09).

The Irish-born singer is eligible for the accolade because he now has London as his residence.

“His achievements are second to none and his ability to highlight important campaigns is admirable. He’ll be a fantastic ambassador for the House of Lords,” Contactmusic quoted a source as telling British tabloid The People. (ANI)

Malaysian Indian Congress calls for a Malaysian Hindu Religious Department

Kuala Lumpur, May. 4 (ANI): The Malaysian Indian Congress has petitioned the government to set-up a Malaysian Hindu Religious Department to deal with temple and conversions issues.

“After setting up such a department, there will be a government body to handle these matters and look into the implementation of government policies and decisions,” the New Strait Times online quoted MIC’s Youth wing adviser S. Vell Paari, as saying.

Currently, there are only non-governmental organisations like Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Malaysia Hindu Youth Council handling such issues.

The MIC said the implementation of government policies and decisions has always been a problem. Recently, rules were tightened for hiring priests from India, and the move was reverted after much protest.

“Even then, we still face problems whenever we bring in priests. It will be much easier when a government agency works with another government agency,” Vell Paari said.

The party claims that establishment of such rules and guidelines could be drawn up to deal with matters of temple demolitions.

There are an estimated 23,000 legal and illegal temples in the country.

On the issue of conversions, he said with the existence of the department, a Hindu who wanted to convert could be made to notify it for the families concerned to be informed.

“This can avoid such allegations as body snatching,” he said, adding that the department should be placed under the Prime Minister’s Department.

The department could also look into social ills like crimes, gangsterism and alcohol abuse, and organise religious classes, Vell Paari said.

The proposal would be discussed by the party’s central working committee before being submitted to party secretary-general Dr S. Subramaniam to raise before the cabinet. (ANI)

Go vote, say campaigns, but are people listening?

Bangalore, April 10 (IANS) This election perhaps stands apart for the number of campaigns urging millions of reluctant, often lazy, Indians to walk that extra mile to the polling booth. But many voters say they are not impressed.

‘Where are the right leaders to vote for?’ retorts Radhika Sharma, a 22-year-old college student in Bangalore. ‘Most seasoned politicians fail to impress us as they are only good at rhetoric and not interested in public service,’ she told IANS.

‘Most politicians are interested in filling their own coffers. Only during elections do they come out and fold their hands to seek votes,’ she insisted.

Housewife Meenakshi Rani said: ‘I am not going to vote. First give us the right leaders – who have a record of bringing positive change in society – to choose from.’

Voting will take place in five phases beginning April 16. Counting is on May 16. From the Election Commission and the media to NGOs, they are all on an overdrive to nudge millions of people to vote.

The election authorities in many states have tried to simplify the procedure for registering one’s name in the electoral list and getting voter identification cards.

In Karnataka, for instance, the state election authorities opened 50 Voter Facilitation Centres (VFCs) across the state that worked through the week except Mondays for nearly a month.

Tata Tea, a Tata group company, launched the ‘Jaago Re (Wake up)! One Billion Votes’ campaign, six months back to encourage youth voters.

Janaagraha, a Bangalore-based NGO, has joined hands with it to organise rock concerts by a Bangalore rock group, Thermal and A Quarter. The band toured the metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai with its ‘Shut Up and Vote’ concert. It rounded off the campaign in Bangalore.

But many remain sceptical.

‘These are mere publicity stunts, full of glitz and glamour. The real issues are not going to be solved by the song and dance about urging people to vote,’ asserts IT professional Subhas Panth, 27.

Some say politicians simply don’t have their finger on the pulse of the people.

‘Even during elections, politicians don’t talk of issues like lack of civic amenities, corruption, terrorism and a high rate of unemployment. All the parties are busy in mudslinging,’ rues Sanjay Gowda, an entrepreneur.

Such reactions are a pointer to the huge task that civil society faces in impressing upon certain sections the need to overcome their reservations and participate in the electoral process to bring about the change they seek.

In Hyderabad, hundreds have joined the LetsVote walk. Mumbai and Delhi had MumbaiVotes, DelhiVotes respectively and the IT capital saw the smartvote.in campaign on the net.

Actor-filmmaker Aamir Khan has also done his bit. He is featuring in a campaign with the slogan ‘Sache ko chune, Achche ko chune’ (Vote for integrity, Vote for good people) on television and in print.

In contrast, political parties have not launched any campaign on their own on the issue. Most have, however, set up or revamped their websites to reach out to the people through the net.

Previous voting figures show why such campaigns are needed. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, only 58.07 percent of the electorate voted. This time the size of the electorate is 714 million.

Thus, organisations like Janaagraha are pressing on.

‘The nation is facing several problems, with terrorism and economic meltdown being the prime ones. This is the best time for voters to vote and choose the right leaders to run the country. Staying away from elections will not solve problems,’ Vandana Krishnan of Janaagraha told IANS.

‘It is not only important to vote but informed voting is equally important.’

TERI, SPIB to host international conference on ‘Biopesticides: Stakeholders Perspective’

New Delhi, Apr 7 (ANI/Business Wire India): The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the Society for Promotion and Innovation of Biopesticides (SPIB) will organise the Fifth International Conference from April 26-30 in New Delhi.

The conference will witness the presence of about 600 delegates from around the globe to deliberate on the advancement and promotion of biopesticides from the “stakeholders’ perspectives”.

The conference will have insightful sessions on sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, eco-restoration and climate change.

A special exhibition-BioFair 2009 will feature organizations and industrial companies involved in the field of biopesticides and related topics.

Enthused by the opportunity that ICOB will be held in India, Dr Seema Wahab, Advisor, Dept of Biotechnology, Govt. of India and Organizing Secretary, ICOB-V said “This is the first International Conference on Biopesticides bringing India in the forefront in this specific area which is very important and relevant for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection”.

The conference will provide a platform for its stakeholders participating from various parts of the world-researchers, scientists from public and private sectors, planners, industrialists and end-users to share their knowledge, experiences and learning related to the development, production and application of biopesticides.

The participants will also elaborate the constraints they face, which will help in finding solutions collectively and in evolving a sustainable perspective plan for value chain network to increase the use of biopesticides.

Elaborating on the relevance of Biotechnology and TERI’s role to popularise its use, Dr. Nutan Kaushik, Fellow TERI said, “Food security is a major concern that needs to be tackled and is incorporated in National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) issued by the Government of India. For the past two decades many pests and diseases as major and limiting factors have affected the productivity of several crops. Crop protection plays an integral role in the global production of food which must satisfy increasing consumer demand. Concerns over the environment and human health impacts of chemical pesticides have led to considerable interest in the development of an alternative control method. Keeping this in mind, the conference will be of utmost importance.”

This conference is a part of the series of international conferences held previously in Thailand (1996), China (1998), Malaysia (2002), and Thailand (2005), promoted by the University of California, Riverside, USA, and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

It would bring to the fore, the fundamental and applied research on various aspects of biopesticides in pest and disease management in agriculture, forestry, public health, and the urban landscape. (ANI)

TERI, SPIB to host international conference on ‘Biopesticides: Stakeholders Perspective’

New Delhi, Apr 7 (ANI/Business Wire India): The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the Society for Promotion and Innovation of Biopesticides (SPIB) will organise the Fifth International Conference from April 26-30 in New Delhi.

The conference will witness the presence of about 600 delegates from around the globe to deliberate on the advancement and promotion of biopesticides from the “stakeholders’ perspectives”.

The conference will have insightful sessions on sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, eco-restoration and climate change.

A special exhibition-BioFair 2009 will feature organizations and industrial companies involved in the field of biopesticides and related topics.

Enthused by the opportunity that ICOB will be held in India, Dr Seema Wahab, Advisor, Dept of Biotechnology, Govt. of India and Organizing Secretary, ICOB-V said “This is the first International Conference on Biopesticides bringing India in the forefront in this specific area which is very important and relevant for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection”.

The conference will provide a platform for its stakeholders participating from various parts of the world-researchers, scientists from public and private sectors, planners, industrialists and end-users to share their knowledge, experiences and learning related to the development, production and application of biopesticides.

The participants will also elaborate the constraints they face, which will help in finding solutions collectively and in evolving a sustainable perspective plan for value chain network to increase the use of biopesticides.

Elaborating on the relevance of Biotechnology and TERI’s role to popularise its use, Dr. Nutan Kaushik, Fellow TERI said, “Food security is a major concern that needs to be tackled and is incorporated in National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) issued by the Government of India. For the past two decades many pests and diseases as major and limiting factors have affected the productivity of several crops. Crop protection plays an integral role in the global production of food which must satisfy increasing consumer demand. Concerns over the environment and human health impacts of chemical pesticides have led to considerable interest in the development of an alternative control method. Keeping this in mind, the conference will be of utmost importance.”

This conference is a part of the series of international conferences held previously in Thailand (1996), China (1998), Malaysia (2002), and Thailand (2005), promoted by the University of California, Riverside, USA, and Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

It would bring to the fore, the fundamental and applied research on various aspects of biopesticides in pest and disease management in agriculture, forestry, public health, and the urban landscape. (ANI)

Lalgarh’s tribal agitators threaten to resist police action

Kolkata, April 5 (IANS) People from Lalgarh will put up mass resistance if security forces tried to enter the area, their top leader said here Sunday, a day after the West Bengal government said it will soon announce a plan to enable the police enter the tribal-dominated region.

‘We will not allow the police or the central paramilitary forces to enter Lalgarh. If they try to forcibly enter, we will form mass resistance groups to stop the police,’ said Chatradhar Mahato, leader of the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) formed by the agitating tribals.

‘If we allow the police or the paramilitary forces, then Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) hooligans will sneak into Lalgarh in the disguise of the security forces,’ Mahato alleged in a media meet at the Calcutta Press Club here.

He said the residents of Lalgarh in West Midnapore district could not move freely in the area when the police established a reign of terror. ‘Now, there is no police team and we can move around freely. And there are no disturbances.’

Asked how the administrative offices were functioning in the absence of the police, Mahatato said: ‘Both panchayat and the block development office are working fine.’

The PCAPA has already put up two check-posts at Raigarh and Barotelia to prevent the police and activists of the CPI-M, the state’s main ruling party, from entering the area.

For conducting the Lok Sabha polls, Mahato said, the Election Commission representatives should approach the PCAPA, which would provide security to all polling personnel.

‘We want the polls, but not the police or the paramilitary forces in our area,’ he reiterated.

In a warning to the state government, the tribal leader said: ‘We don’t want another Nandigram. But if the government tries to use force, it will be responsible for the consequences.’

State Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said Saturday that the government would announce within a week a comprehensive plan of action for Lalgarh.

‘We’ve got intelligence inputs that Maoists guerrillas are still actively operating in the region,’ he added.

In protest against the government’s proposed move, the PCAPC will organise a rally in the area Monday.

Trouble erupted in Lalgarh last November after the police arrested some school students and allegedly harassed tribal women following a landmine blast on the route of the convoy of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada near Bhadutala area.

Later, the tribals, allegedly backed by the Maoists, dug up roads and placed big tree trunks across them, virtually cutting off the trouble-prone zone from the rest of the district.

They also demanded a public apology from the police for the alleged excesses against them.

Kids as young as 9 have mobile phones as parents seek safety

Melbourne, Apr 6 (ANI): While parents worry over the link between cell-phone and cancer, mobiles are making their way into the hands of kids as young as nine, according to a study.

The prevalence of mobiles among kids came to the fore at the time when the independence of Australia’s peak mobile phone research group was being questioned.

The group, known as the Australian Centre for RF Bioeffects Research, had earlier denied links between brain cancer and phone use.

The new study, carried out by the Commission For Children And Young People and the University of Sydney, enrolled 1500 children aged between 11 and 15.

It found that there was no chance that the 5-year-olds had been given a phone when aged nine.

However, 11-year-olds interviewed had a 10 per cent chance of owning a phone at the age of nine.

Children’s commissioner Gillian Calvert said that while the results are now almost two years old, its is believed that the figure would be much more higher today, as mobile phones are finding their way into more younger hands.

However, the trend is positive in her eyes.

“The study spotlights the secret world of mobile phones and we’ve found that kids are doing what they always did, be kids,” the Daily Teelgraph quoted her as saying.

She added: “The message I got from the study is they help kids do what they have always done: Listen to music, reinforce their friendships and organise their lives. They are playing a very central and positive role in young people’s lives.” (ANI)

No pressers for ministers: EC

NEW DELHI: In a decision that will make it difficult for the Prime Minister, Union ministers and chief ministers to hold press briefings, the
Election Commission has advised the cabinet secretariat and state chief secretaries to ensure that they avoid holding press conferences.

Instead, EC has said the practice of issuing press releases may be resorted to. However, in case a press conference becomes unavoidable in public interest, it should be conducted by an official. Deputy Election Commissioner JP Prakash confirmed that Prime Minister and chief ministers also come under the purview of this advisory.

In another decision, unsatisfied with the reply given by Congress leader Imran Kidwai, EC has asked Chandigarh CEO to file case against him under section 125 of the Representation of People’s Act. Kidwai is alleged to have given a communal speech in Chandigarh asking Muslims not to vote for BJP.

Even as Kidwai continues to feel the heat, EC has sent a notice to BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde for allegedly making a communal speech. It is alleged that Hegde made a statement during the campaign that “if Muslims do not stop violence, it will be difficult to celebrate Id-e-Milad.” He has been asked to reply by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the EC’s decision on BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s cash for vote case, the Commonwealth Games advertisement issue and home minister P Chidambaram’s political statement from an official forum will be taken on Monday.

Prakash also said that for the first time EC will set up facilitation centres for voters in polling stations. These centres will be in addition to those provided by political parties and candidates. Officials will have electoral roll in alphabetical order. CEOs have also been asked to set up toll-free helplines. For visually challenged voters, EC will for the first time be providing Braille-enabled EVMs.

To help displaced people, EC has made special arrangments. Kashmiris living in Delhi due to militancy in J and K will have special booths for them. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of people are living in 23 Salwa Judum camps and in Kandhmal, Orissa also thousands of victims of anti-Christian violence are living in six camps. Prakash said EC has provided four companies of RAF in Kandhmal. EC will also organise transport and toll-free helplines in these areas.

Global Mind Sports Foundation aims to boost interest in chess

Aiming to give a fillip to the game of chess and motivate and train young talents in the game, The Global Mind Sports Foundation, is panning various tournaments, coaching camps and several activities round the year across the state soon.

The primary aim is to improve the quality and discipline of the game in Maharashtra, particularly in Pune region, and to give players their due exposure to active and sportive competition.

Aiming at promoting the budding chess prodigies by implementing various schemes and promotional tournaments, the Foundation is planning to organise a major tournament in Pune in June before the schools open.

“Currently, every Sunday a Rapid Chess championship is being organised and the response is overwhelming. The main objective to form a foundation is to develop a sound and healthy sports culture and to nurture the young talent,” said Jayant Gokhale, a former member of the Indian chess team and the hon. secretary of the Foundation.

The foundation also will also provide financial aid to deserving players. The founder of Global Minds Sports Foundation is Dajikaka Gadgil and Vijay Bhave is president.

The chief mentor for the foundation, Raghunandan Gokhale is a recipient of Dronacharya Award, chairman of Maharashtra chess Association and member of Selection Committee of All India Chess Federation.