Four Nepali women being sent to Muscat detained at Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, Sept 19 (ANI): Volunteers of a social service organisation and the personnel of the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of Uttar Pradesh Police at Gorakhpur detained four Nepalese women.

Reportedly, as per the statement of the women who were taken into custody at the Gorakhpur Railway Station, they were intending to go to Muscat.

These women had entered India through the Sanauli border post.

Although all the four women had their respective passports with them, only two of them could show their endorsed visas for Muscat.

“Our team visited the railway station along with a Nepali counsellor. When she saw these women and spoke to them, they gave some wrong information, which in turn sounded fishy and made us to suspect something was amiss. When we asked them where they were heading, initially they said Oman and again changed their statement saying, New Delhi. When our counsellor asked them for their passports, some said they had it while others said they didn’t. So, we found them suspicious,” said Gyan Kumar, co-ordinator, Maanava Sewa Sansthan, Gorakhpur.

Amidst such confusing utterances by the women, the police believe that one of the women named Dilmaya was trying to send the other three to Muscat by bringing them from Nepal.

She claimed that they were going to Muscat because they had their relatives residing and working there.

“These people held us for interrogation. We asked them either to let us go to Nepal or else allow us to go to Muscat. We have our relatives there,” said Dilmaya.

A couple of months ago, police officials of Gorakhpur had detained five women who were allegedly being trafficked to Gulf countries for flesh trade.

Reportedly, a pimp was escorting these women to Mumbai from where they were to be sent to certain destinations in the Middle East. (ANI)

Nine-day ‘Navratri’ festival begins all over India

New Delhi/ Faizabad/Allahabad, Sept 19 (ANI): The nine-day ‘Navratri’ festival began across India with religious fervour on Saturday.

Thousands of devotees queued up at various temples dedicated to Goddess Durga.

In New Delhi, devotees converged at Jhandewalan to offer prayers prior to dawn and observed fast throughout the day.

“We observe fast on the first day of Navratri. On the first day, we pray for the whole day and meditate on Goddess Durga,” said Madan Gehlot, a devotee.

Meanwhile, at Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, people made a beeline to the temple of Goddess Badi Devkali.

The devotees believe their wishes are fulfilled if they pray to Goddess Badi Devkali during the festival.

“People believe that coming here redeems them from their sins. Since the Goddess Devkali is the deity of Lord Rama’s dynasty, her significance is all the more. That’s why people come here to offer prayers to the Goddess,” said Poonam, a devotee.

Earlier on Friday, a day prior to the commencement of Dusshera, a unique annual horse procession was taken out through the streets of Allahabad.

The belief is that the horse representing sage Vyasa would relate the Ramayana.

Musical bands led the attractively decorated white horse procession organised by a leading Ram Lila committee of the city.

“Legend says that when Maharishi Valmiki narrated the story of Lord Rama to Luv and Kush then this horse standing next to them also listened to the story. The horse in the form of sage Vyasa tells the story of Rama to people during the Navratri celebrations,” said Ajay Kumar Shukla, secretary, Ramlila Committee.

“Naaratri”, which literally means nine nights, is observed twice a year.

The festival lasts for nine days in honour of nine manifestations of Durga, goddess of power, and fall in the months of April-May and September-October.

It is believed that during the Navratri, Goddess Durga descends on earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity. (ANI)

Army hosts yacht training camp for school children

Nainital, Sep 18 (ANI): With an aim to revive yacht sailing in the country, a 15-day camp is being organised in Nainital district of Uttarakhand where in school children are being trained in yacht sailing.

Over 40 school students from the various parts of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh are taking part in the camp, which is being conducted under the aegis of Indian Army’s Central Command.

The Lucknow based Central Command is conducting such adventure camps for school children from over a decade.

The participants are receiving guidance in the yacht sailing by a team of 11 Army instructors.

“This yacht sailing is a great sport because these days it’s becoming extinct. Most of the people do not want to take part and people of Nainital are also not taking so much interest in yacht sailing. But I feel it’s a very adventurous sport and a great sport,” said Karel Caprini, a participant.

Many of the participants also feel that the training would open up new job opportunities for them.

“We have come here to revive this sport and as far as I can say it’s a very good sport and there is a lot of job opportunity in it. If we do well and learn the technique, we can make our career in the sports,” said Deep, another participant.

According to the Chief instructor of the camp, Mahip Singh the main motive behind the camp is to popularise the dying sport among youth.

“Basic purpose is that sailing is an international sport and the facilities available in Uttaranchal especially, which comes under the central command. We have got our sailors, who have participated in international levels and we got the expertise. So to give the young building up generation a chance to gain knowledge and finally if they have the interest, so excel in the sport. That’s why we have organised the camp,” said Singh.

Despite being considered as a sport at the international level, yacht sailing in India is still at its nascent stage. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh Govt. moves to produce IT friendly business landscape

New Delhi, Sep.18 (ANI): Recognizing the enormous potential of Information Technology in acting as a catalyst for the Tier – II growth of Suburban India, The Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) is moving to produce an IT friendly business landscape.

To close the technological gap and nab the marquee, various initiatives are being put in place by the GoHP. Tax Breaks, Exemption from various duties and levies and imports are certain defined benefits for the industry to set base at Himachal Pradesh.

The IT Park cum Township falls will come up in Solan District of Solan, about 20 kilometres from Shimla.

The total area of the project is 64.73 acres. The site is located at a distance of four kilometers from Kiarighat. Kiarighat is on Chandigarh – Shimla highway (NH-22) on midway between Solan and Shimla at an approximately equal distance of 23 kilometres.

Conceptualized as an Integrated Development – offering both residential and commercial options, the project’s developmental contours will include built-up IT space of 1.1 million square feet. Built to suit plots for IT in 9.5 acres of land, a township for of 1.31 million square feet, a project cost of 408 crore rupees.

Commercially structured on the Public Private Partnership format. The developer shall be responsible for designing,financing, constructing, operating, maintaining and development of the IT Park cum Township at Waknaghat.

The implementing agency will be the Department of Information Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh.

To promote the project and the township, an investor Meet will be held in Delhi on September 23. A visit to the site will be organised on September 30, while a pre-bid meeting will be held on October 3, 2009.

The last date for submission of proposal is October 26. (ANI)

Election Commission issues notification for assembly elections in three states

New Delhi, Sep. 18 (ANI): The process for forthcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh will begin formally with the issuance of notification on Friday.

The prospective candidates would be able to file their nomination papers till September 25.

The prospective candidates can file nomination papers to the Returning Officer or to the Assistant Returning Officer from Friday till September 25.

The assembly elections in three states are expected to be a litmus test for all major parties after the Lok Sabha elections.

The vote-counting will take place on October 22.

It is notable that all the three states that are ruled by Congress, which shares power in Maharashtra with NCP as a major coalition partner.

Maharashtra has a 288-member Assembly, Haryana a 90-member House and Arunachal Pradesh Assembly has 60 members.

There are 2,061 polling stations in Arunachal Pradesh, 12,894 in Haryana and 82,028 in Maharashtra. (ANI)

Twitter Gate: Congress will take action against Tharoor at the appropriate time: Tewari

New Delhi, Sep.18 (ANI): The Congress party on Friday said it would take appropriate action against Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor for his “cattle class” comments through the medium of Twitter at the appropriate time.

Addressing a party news conference in the capital, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said: “We will take appropriate action (against Mr. Tharoor) at the appropriate time.

Tewari further said that action against Tharoor was not ruled out.

He also justified Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s statement on Thursday seeking Tharoor’s resignation for what he called “irresponsible” comments on the social networking site Twitter.

“It was unfortunate and unbecoming on his part to make such comments. In my view he should tender his resignation as Minister,” Gehlot had said.

“To make such irreverent comments is all the more despicable when one is holding a responsible position as that of the Minister of State for External Affairs,” Gehlot told journalists at his official residence here after a “Roza Iftar” party on Thursday evening.

Gehlot had termed Tharoor’s references posted on the site such as “cattle class” and “holy cows” as unacceptable in Indian politics.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also said Tharoor had no right to continue in the Union Cabinet.

“I believe that in a democracy, people are God. To refer to them as ‘cattle’ is an insult to them. And I believe that such a person has no right to be a Union minister,” he told reporters.

Tharoor, who is on an official visit to Liberia, had earlier apologized through the Twitter medium, saying he was “sorry” for hurting any sentiments and that his words had been misunderstood.

“To those hurt by the belief that my repeating the phrase showed contempt: sorry. It’s a silly expression, but means no disrespect to economy travellers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle. Many have misunderstood,” Tharoor said.

The minister said that he had learned belatedly of the fuss “over my tweet and pointed out that the phrase “cattle class” was used in the query, which he just repeated. (ANI)

Mayawati slams Congress party’s austerity drive

Lucknow, Sep 18 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ridiculed Congress party’s austerity drive, terming it as a ploy to steer attention away from the steep price rise.

Addressing a mass rally here on Thursday, Mayawati hit out at the Congress party, calling its austerity drive “a drama.”

“Because of the wrong doings by the Congress government at the centre, the prices are rising due to which poor people across the country are suffering. And now to cover up its weaknesses, they have cut down on its travelling expenses by flying economy class and travelling by train. All this is just a drama,” Mayawati said.

“With a drought looming and elections in some states approaching, the Congress-led government has embarked on a much-publicised austerity drive,” she added.

In a country where the hierarchy of politicians is determined by the size of their bungalows and their convoys, Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi has asked party leaders to give up a fifth of their salaries for drought-relief work, and she flew economy class on a commercial flight to Mumbai to launch the poll campaign.

The finance ministry has appealed for fewer overseas trips with smaller entourages, and a ban on conferences in luxury hotels.

Bharatiya Janata Party and other political parties have criticised the austerity measures in view of the economic downturn and drought-like situation prevailing in the country as a case of ‘tokenism’. (ANI)

Tibetans living-in-exile surprised over China’s opposition to Dalai Lama’s visit

Gangtok, Sep 17 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community living at Gangtok said China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh is “surprising”.

The Dalai Lama plans to visit Arunachal Pradesh soon. China has claimed part of Arunachal as its territory.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader’s aide said the Dalai Lama would be in Arunachal Pradesh state in the second week of November.

The intended visit has already sparked off controversy. China claims about 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its territory.

The Dalai Lama’s travel plan was announced a week after the completion of his visit to Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing. China denounced the trip.

“This time round when they (Chinese Authorities) are making some kind of pressure or some kind of opposition to the upcoming visit of his holiness to Arunachal Pradesh it is really very surprising.

Why would they complain when the government of India has no problem in his holiness visiting Arunachal Pradesh? So why should people of republic of china have some problem?” said Zimba Bhutia, Tibetan youth committee member.

“Chinese authorities have always been against the trip of Dalai Lama. So I think that they should know why Dalai Lama has been there. Dalai Lama has been welcomed by the people of Arunachal Pradesh as the spiritual and a Buddhist monk,” said Dhondup Dorjee, Tibetan welfare officer of Sikkim.

A visit to Arunachal Pradesh could now draw further attention to China’s treatment of Tibetan activists and the Dalai Lama’s calls for cultural and religious freedoms and autonomy. (ANI)

NSA to convene China Study Group meeting to discuss incursion fallout

New Delhi, Sep.17 (ANI): National Security Advisor M K Narayanan will hold a meeting of the China Study Group – consisting of top officials including Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar and Secretaries of Defence, Home and Foreign Ministries – here today.

The meeting is expected to take stock of the situation along the Sino-India border, official sources said.

Besides Chandrasekhar, the meeting will be attended by Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Home Secretary G K Pillai and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao.

Top officials of the three armed forces and the Intelligence Bureau will also attend the meeting.

The meeting assumes significance in wake of recent reports of incursions by the Chinese army in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, involving the air dropping of expired food canes, painting of rocks red among others.

Another media report said that two Chinese Sukhoi fighters had transgressed into Indian air space last month.

The Indian Air Force, however, says no unscheduled flight inside Indian air space had taken place last month. (ANI)

Madhya Pradesh gets over hundred crore grant for tribal development

New Delhi, Sep 16 (ANI): The Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has sanctioned a grant in aid of Rs. 116.90,50,000/- for Madhya Pradesh as regular allocation to bring rapid development in tribal areas of the state.

The first instalment of grant-in-aid of Rs. 58,00,00,000/- has been released to the State Government towards Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan for the current fiscal.

Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan is provided by the Tribal Affairs Ministry to the States as an additive to the state plan to bring about a more rapid economic development of tribal in the States.

The tribal sub plan cover the employment-cum-income generation activities and the infrastructure incidental thereto not only family-based, but also run by the Self-Help Groups.

The fund release for Tribal Dub plan are based on the population and area of the scheduled Tribes (STs) in the States concerned.

From the last fiscal the projects and activities are being approved by the Tribal Affairs Ministry prior to release of funds. (ANI)

Tibetans-in-exile at Leh react strongly to Chinese incursion

Leh, Sep 15 (ANI): Members of the exiled Tibetan community at Leh reacted strongly to the recent Chinese trespass into India’s border areas in Ladakh region.

Such concern was expressed by functionaries of Tibetan fora based at Leh on Monday.

Warning India of Chinese designs, Kunzang Dechen, President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Leh, termed China as the biggest threat to India.

“China these days is a great threat to India. I have seen through channels…that the Chinese are entering to the border but when Tibet is an independent nation, when Tibet is in between them, China has nothing to bother even. From Indian point of view, this must be settled through Tibet and not through China,” Deche added.

Sonam Gyatso, President of Tibetan Market Welfare Association, Leh, said that if the recent developments in Ladakh are ignored by the government of India, then Ladakh would also meet the same fate as Tibet.

“The one and half kilometres incursion by the Chinese troops in Ladakh…. written at the border area in Chinese ‘Republic of China’, all these will have a bad impact on Ladakh. In Pangong Lake, first they said 45 kilometres is under China and 45 kilometres is under India, which they (Chinese) have extended to 50 kilometres and if Ladakhi government and the authorities ignore this issue then whatever happened in Tibet, the same would happen in Ladakh also since Ladakh is a very isolated region,” Gyatso added.

Officials sources have said that Chinese troops entered nearly 1.5 kilometres into the Indian territory near Mount Gya, which is recognised as the international border by India and China, and painted the word ‘China’ in Cantonese on the boulders and rocks there with red spray paint. The incursions were reported from the area generally referred in the Chumar sector in east of Leh.

The 22,420 ft Mount Gya, also known as “fair princess of snow” by the Army is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and is regarded as International border by the two countries.

The border patrol discovered the red paint markings on various rocks and boulders along the Zulung La (pass) on July 31 and the Chinese had entered into the area and written “China” all over the place, the sources said.

Indian soldiers later erased the text, writing ‘India’ instead.

This is not the first such reported intrusion. On June 21 Chinese helicopters had violated the Indian air space along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region. The Chinese troops also reportedly dropped expired tinned food packets in the area. (ANI)

Agra firecracker factory blast near claims two victims

Nagla Gola Village (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 13(ANI): At least two people were killed and two others injured in a blast that rocked a firecracker factory at Nagla Gola village near Agra on Sunday.

Police officials said that the factory was legal and the blast might have taken place due to the some mishandling of the explosive and flammable materials.

“They were preparing firecrackers in the factory which is situated in the remote area…the blast took place because of mishandling of material. Two people were killed and other two were injured in the blast,” said R K Sonkar, Circle Officer of Ehtemadpur Police Station.

Meanwhile, police is conducting further investigations. (ANI)

After Ladakh, Chinese incursions now reported in Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Sep.13 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has reportedly informed the Central Government about possible incursions by the Chinese in his state.

Pokhriyal, quoting reports from locals in Rimkhim in Chamoli district, said the Chinese entered the state on September 5 and left behind biscuit packet wrappers and cigarettes.

He informed both Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry about this development and sought their help in curbing what he calls frequent incursions in his state.

He said, “We have shared the information with the Centre and we have demanded for more patrolling force at the Indo-China border.”

About a fortnight ago that the Chinese had ventured as far as the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Chinese military helicopters had air dropped food packets in the region.

In another provocation, Chinese troops entered 1.5 kilometres into Indian Territory near Mount Gya-recognised as International border by India and China. Chinese troops painted rocks, boulders in Indian Territory red and labeled them “China”. The Chinese Government, however, has denied this charge through its foreign ministry.

Private television channel TIMES NOW quotes the Leh Deputy Commissioner as mentioning in a letter every instance of Chinese incursion and threats to sheperds in the region. The letter states that the Chinese are not only disputing territory, they are actually claiming the land as their own.

China has also raised a stink over proposed visit to Tamang in Arunachal Pradesh by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. (ANI)

Flood situation grim in Madhya Pradesh

Hoshangabad (MP), Sep 12 (ANI): Floods situation continued to remain grim in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh.

Incessant rains, which have lashed Madhya Pradesh for last few days, have led to water overflowing many dams, submerging low lying areas.

State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made an aerial survey of the flood-affected region on Friday.

“River Narmada is flowing above the danger level and due to this many villages have been inundated and water has entered many houses. Tributaries flowing in the catchments areas are also flowing above the danger level due to incessant rains and this has resulted in crop damage,” he added.

Air Force helicopters were pressed into rescue and army men took marooned people to safety.

State’s disaster management agencies and district collectors have been alerted. A relief and rescue plan has been worked out in case the situation worsens.

Monsoon has revived over northern India after deficit rainfall in July and August, bringing rains in the Indo-Gangetic plains and snow in the Himalayas.

Two days of rainy weather has caused floods as water level rose in rivers and reservoirs. (ANI)

CBI to visit YSR’s helicopter crash site today

New Delhi, Sep 12 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will visit on Saturday the site of the helicopter crash, where former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and four others were killed, in order to probe the crash at Pavirallagutta in the dense Nallamalla forests.

The CBI multi-disciplinary investigation team (MDIT) would be headed by Deputy Inspector General V V Lakshmi Narayana and comprise officers from the Indian Air Force and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation also.

The CBI would also inquire whether any sabotage was behind the crash and what forced the helicopter to deviate from its set path, besides the response from the Air Traffic Control(ATC) in Chennai.

The CBI probe has been ordered under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Such a probe is conducted by a police officer specially empowered by the State Government when the deceased has been killed by another or by an animal or by machinery or by an accident.

A two-member expert committee is already investigating the incident. It has been told to submit its report in two months. (ANI)

Smugglers using kids as ‘carriers’ on Indo-Nepal border

Kolkata, Sep. 11 (ANI): Smugglers active along the porous Indo-Nepal border are now using children, as ‘carriers’ to smuggle goods like sugar and tobacco.

Hundreds of children, in the age group of six to years, are being hired by the mafia of smugglers to carry out this illegal trade along the Sunauli check point of Uttar Pradesh.

Reportedly, the reliance on children has been so successful in smuggling that the influence of such a modus operandi is even witnessed in West Bengal.

The chosen children are paid around rupees 200 per day for running the errands.

“I travel at least 10 times in a day. I carry five kilograms of sugar in one visit and I get 200 rupees. I also study. I live in Jogiabadi,” said Akhil.

Shree Chand Gupta, President, Indo-Nepal Friendship Organisation contended that it is the poverty stricken parents who are persuading their children.

He added that this trends can turn out to be heinous in the long run if not checked at the right time.

“Today they are carrying sugar but tomorrow they can also smuggle arms and ammunitions on the other side and can work as traitors. Hence officers of both the countries should take a note of this crime as it can also cause a serious threat to the society,” said Gupta.

Physically challenged persons and aged women are also becoming soft targets for smugglers, as they don’t have any regular source of income.

Awareness campaigns in the border villages and schools can put a stop to the malpractice.

“Above all, the customs and the security personnel manning the transit points along the India-Nepal border need to pull up their socks,” Gupta points out. (ANI)

Miscreants attacks church in Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 10 (ANI): Some unidentified miscreants attacked the St. Francis de Sales Church in Hebbagudi on Hosur road in the outskirts of Bangalore, breaking over 10 window glasses and destroying the statues of Mother Mary and Jesus Christ in the early hours of Thursday.

According to sources, about 25 miscreants forcefully entered the St. Francis Church that was spread over two acres of land, at around 3.a.m.

Thousands of people gathered in the church premises after learning about the incident.

“We want justice from the government and the concerned authorities, so that no Indian citizen can hound the freedom to practice one’s own religion and everybody can live safely and securely. We want the security. These unwanted elements should not go on spoiling the peace and security of Indian citizens,” said Father Aronnis, Chief Priest of St. Francis De Sales Church.

The protesters also stalled the traffic on Hosur – Bangalore high way. After the mediation of Superintendent of Police (Bangalore Rural) Dr. Mahesh, and the BJP MLA of Anekal constituency, Narayanswamy, the agitators allowed the traffic to flow.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Chief R.V.Deshpande critisied the state government for failing to give protection to minority community and demanded for an investigation by the Cops of Detectives (CoD) over the incident.

The Bangalore Rural Police have registered a case based on the complaint given by the church authorities and conducting the investigations (ANI)

Cabinet approves recognition of ancient Sowa-Rigpa medical system

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Union Cabinet today approved the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2009 for amending the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.

“Sowa-Rigpa” commonly known as ‘Amchi’ is one of the oldest surviving system of medicine in the world, popular in the Himalayan region of India. In India this system is practiced in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling (West Bengal), Lahoul and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) and Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The theory and practices of “Sowa-Rigpa” are similar to Ayurveda, and also include few principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The fundamental text book rgyud-bzi of “Sowa-Rigpa” is believed to have been taught by Buddha himself and is closely linked with Buddhist philosophy. he Government of India has received representations from various quarters to grant recognition to the System of “Sowa-Rigpa” to enable it get a legal status.

To confer legal status to “Sowa-Rigpa” amendments to section 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970, need to be carried out.

The proposed amendments shall give effect to the inclusion of “Sowa-Rigpa” under sections 2,3,8,9 and 17 of the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970 thereby recognizing this system legally.

It is expected that the legal recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will lead to the protection and preservation of this ancient system of medicine and will help in its propagation and development. This will also open new vistas leading to collaborative research and scientific validation of the “Sowa-Rigpa” system, besides conservation and protection of the medicinal plants/minerals used in the system.

The recognition of “Sowa-Rigpa” will also lead to the setting up of a mechanism to regulate the education and practice of “Sowa-Rigpa”. (ANI)

Tourists enjoy fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh

Rohtang Pass (Manali), Sep 10 (ANI): Tourists enjoyed fresh snowfall in the high peaks of Rohtang Pass above Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

The 13,050 feet high Rohtang pass, covered with six inches thick cover of snow, has had an unusually early snowfall this year.

Tourists made merry on the snow-covered slopes.

“We came here for snowfall and we have finally got to see it. We never saw snowfall in our life and this was like a dream come true. Rohtang is a very good place and I would love to come here again and again,” said Vinod, a tourist.

Thousands of tourists visit Rohtang Pass every year and enjoy the snowfall.

The pass is the gateway to the remote and rain shadow Himalayan region of Ladakh. (ANI)

Haryana CM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Hisar

Hisar, Sep. 9 (ANI): Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s helicopter today made an emergency landing here due to bad weather.

District administration officials confirmed that the helicopter carrying Hooda, who was flying from New Delhi to Muktsar in Punjab, landed in Hisar on Wednesday afternoon.

“The chief minister’s chopper made an absolutely safe landing here. It was only an emergency landing. He has left for Delhi by road now,” said Navdeep Singh Virk, Hisar Superintendent of Police. ccording to sources, Hooda opted to land safely in Hasar after pilots warned of bad weather ahead.

Last week, Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and four others were killed when their helicopter crashed on a hill of the Nallamalla forest range near Kurnool. (ANI)