State boards yet to send results to DU

New Delhi, June 5 — Vijay Kandiya’s dream of studying in one of the Delhi University (DU) colleges might not materialise this year. Kandiya, a student of the Haryana board, doesn’t have his mark sheet yet despite the fact that his results are out.

Most state boards declare their results later than ICSE and CBSE. Kandiya, who wants to pursue B.Com (Honours) from a DU college, said: “I am very dejected. The mark sheets may take another 20 days to come.

What should I do?” According to DU admission guidelines, students from the Schedules Tribe and Scheduled Caste are required to bring their SC/ST certificates, along with their two self-attested photographs, school certificate and mark-sheet of senior school certificate examination. With such criteria in place, and just a week to go before the sale of forms closes, SC/ST students like Kandiya from state boards may not be able to apply for admissions to Delhi University this year.

Officials said they couldn’t do much as the boards have not sent the CDs of their results yet to the varsity.

Judgement on Bhopal gas tragedy tomorrow

Bhopal, Jun 6 (PTI) After a trial lasting more than two decades, the judgement on Bhopal Gas tragedy, the world”s worst industrial disaster which killed and maimed thousands of people, would be pronounced tomorrow. Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Mohan P Tiwari will pronounce the judgement after a 23-year-long trial in the toxic leak case from the now defunct Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984.

During the trial, a total of 178 prosecution witnesses were examined and 3008 documents were produced while eight defence witnesses deposed in the court. Out of the nine accused tried for the offences, R B Roy Choudhary, the then former Assistant Works Manager Union Carbide India Ltd (UCIL), Mumbai, died during the trial.

The remaining eight accused in the case are Keshub Mahendra, the then UCIL chairman, Vijay Gokhle, the then managing director, Kishore Kamdar, the then vice president, J Mukund, the then works manager, S P Choudhary, the then Production Manager, K V Shetty, the then plant superintendent, S I Quershi, the then production assistant of UCIL and UCIL Calcutta. .

Mumbai court to hear arguments, may sentence Kasab today

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): A special trial court in Mumbai will hear arguments today from the prosecution and the defence on the lone surviving terrorist of the 26/11 attacks, Ajmal Amir Kasab, who found guilty of waging war against India.

On Monday, it pronounced the verdict in a courtroom at the Arthur Road Jail here. Judge M L Tahiliyani declared Kasab guilty of all 86 charges filed against him.

The charges against Kasab include waging war against India, murder, abetting to murder, attempt to murder, violation of the Arms Act, Explosives Act, the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA) and others.

However, in an unexpected move, the court found two Indian co-accused– Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed – not guilty and said they must be acquitted of all charges due to lack of evidence.

For the first time in Indian judicial history, it was established in a court of law that Pakistan was involved in an act of terrorism and of waging war against India.

Judge Tahiliyani said the way the ten terrorists countered the elite National Security Guards (NSG) clearly established that they were trained to fight a war.

Though no direct evidences were mentioned against Lashkar-e Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed and Zakir -ur -Rehman, the court found them guilty based on Kasab”s confessional statement.

The court also accepted Kasab”s confessional statement.

The court also said the DNA test conducted on the seven dead terrorists matched prints collected from the boat ”Kuber”.

The court added that the photographs taken were genuine and the witnesses credible, as they had no other intention than to catch a person.

It said the evidence proved that Additional Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamte had died of a bullet fired by terrorist Abu Ismail, while it was not established who killed Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare and encounter specialist Inspector Vijay Saluskar.

The trial, perhaps the fastest in a terror case in India, commenced on May 8, 2009.

Judge Tahaliyani recorded 3,192 pages of evidence after examining 658 witnesses on 271 working days.

Thirty witnesses in the court identified Kasab as the man who had opened fire on them.

The prosecution led by Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, submitted 1,015 articles seized during investigations.

Nikam had also filed 1,691 documents to support the case.

He had also argued that Pakistan”s security apparatus was used by the terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The prosecution also tabled CCTV footage of the terrorists moving about with guns and firing at people.

The images were captured on CCTV cameras fitted at CST Railway Station, the Times of India building, and the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels.

Photographs of Kasab shot by photojournalists Sebastian D”souza and Sriram Vernekar were also placed before the court.

Kasab is a native of Faridkot, in Pakistan”s Punjab Province.

He along with nine other terrorists, who were killed during the gun battle with security forces in Mumbai have been charged with killing 166 people, including 25 foreigners. (ANI)

We had to protect Kasab from policemens’ anger: Maharashtra ATS chief

Mumbai, May 3 (ANI): Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria revealed on Monday that the ATS had to protect Kasab, the lone surviving terrorist arrested during 26/11 attacks, not only from public anger but also from anger within the force.

Maria, was Joint Commissioner (Crime) at the time of the terror strike.

He has supervised Kasab’s investigation, as well as security measures for the 26/11 trial.

Maria said the anger of the men in uniform had crossed its limit after the loss of many good officers.

“There was a lot of public anger… the department had lost some of the best officers (during the attack), so we had to protect Kasab from within the department because there was anger in department also,” Maria said.

The then ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Additional Commissioner Ashok Kamte and encounter specialist Inspector Vijay Saluskar were among those who lost their lives while on duty.

Today, the country is looking forward to the special court’s verdict.

The verdict is expected to be delivered around 2 p.m. (ANI)

We cannot take Aghanistan lightly: Dhoni

Gros Islet, April 29 (IANS) India might have been termed the favourites to win World Twenty20 but their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not taking their opening match against debutants Afghanistan lightly.

The World Twenty20 kicks off here Friday and Afghanistan team, with their country’s turbulent past, has generated quite an interest here. The team notched up a five-wicket win against Ireland Tuesday and Dhoni knows his boys cannnot afford to be complacent in a format where every team has a chance to create an upset.

‘I would not consider our opening match against Afghanistan as a practice game,’ Dhoni said in St.Lucia.

‘I don’t take my opponents lightly. At the end of the day you have to win whichever team you play. I don’t know much about them. It is good in a way because if we know too much about a side, then you are thinking too much about them. However, our preparation will remain the same as if you are playing the best opponent in world cricket.’

‘At the end of the day, you are representing India and you have to be at your best when you turn up on the field.’

India will be without Virender Sehwag, out due to a shoulder injury, but Dhoni is not mulling on the absence of their star opener. Sehwag has been replaced by Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings teammate Murali Vijay and the captain is hoping that he will live up to the expectations.

‘It (injury) is part and parcel of cricket. Players get injured but at the end of the day we have best possible replacements. We just hope that we won’t miss them on the field and people who have come as replacements would step up to the occasion and perform.’

Dhoni also backed an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh and said it’s just a matter of time that the Punjab player will return to his big hitting ways.

‘He (Yuvraj) bats at number four and he can easily play the big shots. There aren’t enough grounds in the world that are big enough for him not to clear,’ Dhoni said.

‘These big hitters have a big impact on the game. Somebody like Kieron Pollard or (Andrew) Symonds are the kind of players who can take the game away from the opponents in three or four overs. It is a big stage for him and, as we have seen of him, he loves challenges.’

The Indian captain said his team is keyed up for the challenge here.

‘Right now we are keen to play the games here (St Lucia). We are not looking too far. It is the not first time that we are touring the West Indies. So we know what the conditions would be like and are mentally prepared for it,’ Dhoni said.

‘We have a couple of days before we play the first game. It is important to get the most out of it. We have to adapt to the conditions here and be prepared for the matches ahead,’ Dhoni said.

Commission on Centre State Relations submits report

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): The Commission on Centre State Relations headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi submitted its report to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram here today.

The Report contains seven volumes.

After receiving the report Chidambaram assured the Commission that the report would be processed expeditiously.

The Commission has been set up to look into the new issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the sea-changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of India since the Sarkaria Commission had last looked at the issue.

The Sarkaria Commission in the mid-eighties undertook a comprehensive review of the Centre-State relations.

In April 2007, the present Commission was constituted to take a fresh look at the relative roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government and their inter-relations.

The Commission was asked to make recommendations to help address the emerging challenges.

The members of the commission are –Dhirendra Singh, Vinod Kumar Duggal, Dr. N.R. Madhava Menon and Vijay Shanker. (ANI)

Malaysian travellers want India to study ‘no-entry’ visa rule

Kuala Lumpur, Apr 19 (ANI): The Indian Government is studying appeals from frequent Malaysian visitors and interested groups for the two-month “no-entry” visa ruling imposed here in January to be revoked.

The ruling, which bars tourist visa holders from re-entering India within two months of the last visit, has drawn flak from Malaysians who have been visiting friends and relatives in India without restrictions in the past.

“It is a fact that they have expressed dismay over this restriction. I explained that we are implementing a policy which has been enforced globally and that we are obliged to do so here,” said new Indian High Commissioner Vijay Gokhale.

“I promised to reflect their concerns to New Delhi, which I have,” he told The Star, adding that he had met with various groups of Malaysians to gather their views on the issue.

The Indian Government tightened its rules on long-term tourist visas, saying that the rules were meant to prevent the misuse of such visas by terrorists.

Malaysian tourists have been enjoying six-month multiple-entry visas, with many making use of the privilege for holidays.

With the new ruling, they will only be able to visit India twice within the visa-period.

Businessman T. Indran, a frequent traveller to Chennai, urged India to review the restriction due to the large number of Malaysian Indians who visit India. (ANI)

Commission on Centre State Relations submits report

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): The Commission on Centre State Relations headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi submitted its report to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram here today.

The Report contains seven volumes.

After receiving the report Chidambaram assured the Commission that the report would be processed expeditiously.

The Commission has been set up to look into the new issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the sea-changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of India since the Sarkaria Commission had last looked at the issue.

The Sarkaria Commission in the mid-eighties undertook a comprehensive review of the Centre-State relations.

In April 2007, the present Commission was constituted to take a fresh look at the relative roles and responsibilities of the various levels of government and their inter-relations.

The Commission was asked to make recommendations to help address the emerging challenges.

The members of the commission are –Dhirendra Singh, Vinod Kumar Duggal, Dr. N.R. Madhava Menon and Vijay Shanker. (ANI)

Malaysian travellers want India to study ‘no-entry’ visa rule

Kuala Lumpur, Apr 19 (ANI): The Indian Government is studying appeals from frequent Malaysian visitors and interested groups for the two-month “no-entry” visa ruling imposed here in January to be revoked.

The ruling, which bars tourist visa holders from re-entering India within two months of the last visit, has drawn flak from Malaysians who have been visiting friends and relatives in India without restrictions in the past.

“It is a fact that they have expressed dismay over this restriction. I explained that we are implementing a policy which has been enforced globally and that we are obliged to do so here,” said new Indian High Commissioner Vijay Gokhale.

“I promised to reflect their concerns to New Delhi, which I have,” he told The Star, adding that he had met with various groups of Malaysians to gather their views on the issue.

The Indian Government tightened its rules on long-term tourist visas, saying that the rules were meant to prevent the misuse of such visas by terrorists.

Malaysian tourists have been enjoying six-month multiple-entry visas, with many making use of the privilege for holidays.

With the new ruling, they will only be able to visit India twice within the visa-period.

Businessman T. Indran, a frequent traveller to Chennai, urged India to review the restriction due to the large number of Malaysian Indians who visit India. (ANI)

BJP says people will make Sonia Gandhi resign as NAC chief

New Delhi, Mar 30 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has cried foul over Congress President Sonia Gandhi again taking charge as the head of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

BJP spokesperson Tarun Vijay said this time the people of the country would make Gandhi resign from her post.

“It has been a history of the Congress party to hold an office of profit while being an MP. Last time, it was a show by Sonia Gandhi of ”tyag”, but the fact is that under the pressure of whole country, she had to resign,” said Vijay.

“This time also, the people of this country will make her resign from this post,” he added.

The Union Government on Monday constituted the National Advisory Council (NAC), which will be headed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi as its Chairperson.

She will hold the rank and status of Union Cabinet Minister with immediate effect.

The term of appointment of the Chairperson of the NAC will be with effect from the date of assuming charge of the office as the Chairperson.

It will be co-terminus with the term of the NAC or until further orders which ever is earlier.

The term of the members of the NAC shall be for a period of one year with effect from the date of their appointment, which may be extended.

The Chairperson of the NAC shall be entitled to the same salary, pay, allowances and other facilities to which a member of the Union Council of Minister is entitled.

Under the special provision for a Member of Parliament appointed as the member of the NAC, it has been provided that the member shall not be entitled to draw any remuneration, allowances or perks as such member from the NAC other than the compensatory allowance as defined in clause (a) of the section 2 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959.

Sonia Gandhi quit the NAC in March 2006 after the BJP- led Opposition alleged that she had violated the office of profit principle.

Gandhi had also resigned from her Lok Sabha seat. But later despite winning the Rae Bareilly by poll, she kept herself away from the NAC. (ANI)

Chinese envoy meets MEA officials

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANI): Amid media reports of rising tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan met officials of Ministry of External Affairs in South Block on Thursday, sources have said.

The Chinese Ambassador reportedly sought the meeting and no demarche or summon was issued by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

Highly placed sources maintained that the meeting was a “Routine call” and it had nothing to do with the recent media reports of Chinese incursions and Dalai Lama’s proposed visit to Arunachal Pradesh.

Ambassador Zhang reportedly met Joint Secretary (East Asia) Vijay Keshav Gokhale to discuss Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jeichi forthcoming visit to India.

When contacted Chinese Embassy officials did not divulge the details of the meeting and neither confirmed that any such meeting had taken place.

Both Indian and Chinese officials maintained that there is no escalation of tension on the border, and alleged media for playing up the issue.

Chinese Ambassador met MEA official on day when a proposed meeting of the Chinese Working Group under the leadership of the National Security was reportedly called off. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

Gen Kapoor flags in all-women Army team that scaled Siachen’s highest peak

New Delhi, Sep 9 (ANI): Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor flagged in the first ever women expedition team for army corps of engineers to Indira Col, Siachen, today at Army Headquarters here.

The Indian Army has achieved another milestone in the history of Indian mountaineering by undertaking an ‘All Women Officers Expedition’ to Siachen glacier.

The Corps of Engineers in consonance with its spirit of adventure has organised this unique expedition to the highest and coldest battlefield in the world, Siachen Glacier, a junction point of three countries – India, China and Pakistan.

The expedition led by Major Megha Astagikar summitted Indira Col, located at an altitude of 20,187 feet, after trekking 103.10 kilometers on August 15, which coincided with the 62nd Independence Day.

Enroute to Indira Col, the team halted at eight camps to carry out acclimatisation, training and build-up of essential logistics. Braving inclement weather and extremely difficult terrain conditions, Indira Col was summitted well before the planned schedule.

The team traversed across the most treacherous high altitude terrain characterised by high avalanche-prone snow bound area with deep crevasses, steep ice-walls and scarce oxygen.

The 17 women officers expedition team was flagged-off by the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Noble Thamburaj on August 3.

Prior to undertaking the expedition, a detailed planning and rigorous training in basic ice-craft and mountaineering skills was carried out by the team at the Army Mountaineering Institute, Siachen Base Camp.

Major AR Ramakrishnan, the trainer of the expedition team, inspite of being a battle casualty during ‘Operation Vijay’ summitted Indira Col alongwith the team making the achievement of the expedition spectacular and creditable. (ANI)

Good response to auction of ornaments offered at Ganesha Puja

Mumbai, Sep 9 (ANI): The organising committee of the famed ‘Lalbag ka Raja’ community Ganesha Puja pandal commenced the auctioning of various ornaments which were offered by devotees during the ten-day festival of Ganesha Chaturthi.

Ornaments worth rupees 26,94,155 lakh were bought by the bidding buyers.

Devotees from across the country had offered precious stones, gold and silver jewelleries.he Treasurer of the organising committee said that the response from the buyers who happen to be ardent devotees was overwhelming.

“We received a very good response. We sold 78 different ornaments worth rupees 26,94,155 lakh in the auction,” said Sanjay Vijay Ghadekar, Treasurer, ‘Lalbag Ka Raja’ Puja Committee.

Buyers considered themselves fortunate enough to own the auspicious ornaments.

“I bought this necklace for rupees 1,72,000. My belief is that if we buy gold from here then the rest of year goes well and brings blessings to our family,” said Dilip Sardesai, a buyer.

At the end of the 10-day long festival, the idols of Lord Ganesha were taken in grand processions and immersed in water bodies such as wells, ponds, rivers and the sea. (ANI)

Saraswat takes charge as new DRDO chief

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, who is in charge of the development of missile and strategic systems in the country, today took charge as scientific adviser to Defence Minister AK Antony and will also serve as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Dr. Saraswat, who replaced the present incumbent M Natarajan on September 1, will also serve as Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development,.

He is presently Chief Controller Research and Development (Missiles and Strategic Systems) since November 2005 in DRDO.

In this capacity, he spearheaded the development of country’s strategic and tactical missile systems, including the AGNI series of strategic missiles covering a range up to 3000 kms.

Dr Saraswat, who has a doctorate in Combustion Engineering, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine.

As Project Director ‘PRITHVI’, he steered the design, development, production and induction of first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system ‘PRITHVI’, into armed forces.

The successful testing of DHANUSH missile on board a moving ship with high terminal accuracy brought new dimension in the national defence capability. Dr. Saraswat also pioneered the concept of theatre defence system and integration of national Air Defence elements.

He was Director RCI before taking over as CCR and D(MSS). He has headed various committees of national importance.

Dr Saraswat is forerunner in the development of number of critical missile technologies that were under denial due to Missile Technology Control regime, thus making India self-reliant in Missile Technologies.

He has received several awards including Prof Jai Krishna Memorial Award of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and National Systems Gold Medal by Systems Society of India.

International Academy of Engineering, Russia, elected Dr. Saraswat as Member of Academy and honoured him as an academician. (ANI)

Saraswat appointed new scientific adviser to Defence Minister

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat has been appointed as scientific adviser to Defence Minister AK Antony and will also serve as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Dr. Saraswat, who will replace the present incumbent M Natarajan on September 1, will also serve as Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development,.

He is presently Chief Controller Research and Development (Missiles and Strategic Systems) since November 2005 in DRDO.

In this capacity, he spearheaded the development of country’s strategic and tactical missile systems, including the AGNI series of strategic missiles covering a range up to 3000 kms.

Dr Saraswat, who has a doctorate in Combustion Engineering, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine.

As Project Director ‘PRITHVI’, he steered the design, development, production and induction of first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system ‘PRITHVI’, into armed forces.

The successful testing of DHANUSH missile on board a moving ship with high terminal accuracy brought new dimension in the national defence capability. Dr. Saraswat also pioneered the concept of theatre defence system and integration of national Air Defence elements.

He was Director RCI before taking over as CCR and D(MSS). He has headed various committees of national importance.

Dr Saraswat is forerunner in the development of number of critical missile technologies that were under denial due to Missile Technology Control regime, thus making India self-reliant in Missile Technologies.

He has received several awards including Prof Jai Krishna Memorial Award of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and National Systems Gold Medal by Systems Society of India.

International Academy of Engineering, Russia, elected Dr. Saraswat as Member of Academy and honoured him as an academician. (ANI)

BJP leaders meet to discuss Shourie’s remarks

New Delhi, Aug 25 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders met here today to discuss Arun Shourie’s remarks against the party.

Besides party president Rajnath Singh, party Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, party general secretaries Vijay Goel and Vinay Katiyar attended the meeting at the party headquarter.

According to sources, the leaders reviewed the situation but apparently no decision regarding any action against Shourie was taken.xpressing confidence that the party would emerge stronger, Naqvi said there was no revolt in the party.

On Monday, Shourie asked the RSS to takeover BJP’s control and described Rajnath Singh as “Alice in Blunderland”.

“You want to be the Humpty Dumpty and also want everyone to believe what you write. Rajnath Singh is Alice in Blunderland,” said Shourie during the Walk the Talk an interview-based programme of NDTV.

Making observation of the present state of affairs in the BJP, Shourie said: “BJP Ek Kati Patang ki tarah hain (BJP is like a kite without its string attached),”

“The RSS should take BJP’s control in its hands and BJP’s all top leaders should be removed,” Shourie suggested.

Shourie wants action be taken against him, NDTV quoted Rajiv Pratap Rudy as saying later on. (ANI)

INS Chakra Nuclear Submarine – INS Chakra Nuclear Submarine Launch in 2009 – India’s first locally built Nuclear Submarine INS Chakra

INS Chakra Nuclear Submarine – INS Chakra Nuclear Submarine Launch in 2009 – India’s first locally built Nuclear Submarine INS Chakra

India will soon launch its first locally developed nuclear submarine, INS Chakra, making it the 6th country in the world to make a nuclear submarine.

INS Chakra was developed at a cost of 2.9 billion dollars. The submarine weighs 5,000 tons and is developed under the ‘Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV)’ project at Visakhapatnam.

The launch of submarine will make India 6th country in the world to make a nuclear submarine. The new nuclear powered submarine is said to be a based on the Russian Akula-I class submarine. Its nuclear reactor has been developed at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam. It will carry submarine launched ballistic missiles, which were recently tested in the Bay of Bengal.

Tentative launch date of the submarine can be on July 26th (Vijay Divas) or August 15th (Indian Independence Day)

Curfew relaxed briefly in violence-hit Punjab, Badal calls for all-party meet

Chandigarh, May 26 (ANI): Curfew was relaxed for a brief while in some parts of Punjab on Tuesday, though there were reports of sporadic violence.

On Tuesday, the atmosphere in the northern state was still tense, a day after two protestors were killed in large-scale violence and arson sparked by the killing of a leader of a Sikh sect in Vienna, Austria. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal will preside over an all-party meeting that will take stock of the overall situation and make appropriate recommendations.

The state government had to call in the army in four cities — Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and Jalandhar to bring the situation under control. No traffic is being allowed into Ludhiana till 2 p.m.

At least 45 persons including 20 policemen were injured as followers of the Dera Sachkhand Ballan Sikh sect and various Dalit organisations fought pitched battles with security personnel and indulged in vandalism.

Rail and road traffic were badly hit while trains were stranded in several stations in the state. Police said that in all there were 86 incidents of violence in Punjab.

The protesters torched four bogies of Jammu-Kanyakumari express at Jalandhar but the passengers left the train leaving behind their luggage’s to protect themselves from the violent mob.

On Monday night, an SAD municipal councillor killed a protestor allegedly in self-defence after being attacked in Jalandhar district where authorities relaxed curfew for two hours on Tuesday.

A mob allegedly attacked SAD councillor Balbir Singh Bittu and burnt his car. Bittu opened fire at the mob in which Vijay was killed.

Jalandhar is a stronghold of the Dera Sach Khand, a Sikh sect comprised of mainly Dalits who took to the streets in protest against the death of one of their gurus Sant Raman Nand during a clash between rival Sikh communities in a Vienna Gurudwara.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the situation was under control and claimed violent incidents was limited only to a few pockets in Jalandhar and its surrounding areas.

“The situation is normal, there is no violence at this moment and some incidents which took place today were limited to a few pockets, mostly in Jalandhar,” Badal and his deputy and son Sukhbir Badal, who is also the SAD president, said while condemning the Vienna incident.

Meanwhile, police in Vienna said investigations are still on. The Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said that he has assured the Indian Government that the culprits involved in the attack would be brought to book. (ANI)

Bangalore Royal Challengers beat Chennai Super Kings by two wickets

Durban, May 14 (ANI): Bangalore Royal Challengers beat Chennai Super Kings by two wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Thursday.

Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. Chennai got to a good start after openers Matthew Hayden and Murali Vijay added 32 runs for the first wicket.

Hayden once again played a fine knock and scored 60 runs off 38 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Apart from Hayden’s inning, no other player could bat for a long time at the crease. ]

The only partnership of substance for Chennai was of 45 runs that came between Hayden and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the third wicket.

Dhoni scored 18 runs off 20 balls with one four hit to the fence.

Chennai Super Kings scored 129 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

For Royal Challengers, skipper Anil Kumble, R. Vinay Kumar and Jacques Kallis took two wickets each.

Chasing a victory target of 130, Bangalore Royal Challengers got off to a poor start when opener Jacques Kallis was adjudged leg before wicket off Albie Morkel.

Royal Challengers had lost three wickets at a total of 30 runs, but Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor took their team to a total of 86 runs. Kohli and Taylor added 56 runs for the fourth wicket.

Kohli scored 38 runs off 35 balls with four fours and two sixes. After Kohli’s dismissal, Royal Challengers lost wickets on quick succession.

R. Vinay Kumar took two runs on the third ball and hit the fourth delivery of the last over for four to register a thrilling victory.

For Chennai, Albie Morkel and Jacob Oram took two wickets each.

Ross Taylor was declared ‘Man of the Match’ for his match-winning inning of 46 runs. (ANI)

French Embassy to donate 234 films to NFAI

New Delhi, Apr.29 (ANI): India and France are poised to raise the level of their efforts towards preservation in the fields of film and television.

The Embassy of France in India has decided to donate as many as 234 films from its library in New Delhi to the National Film Archives of India (NFAI), Pune, this month.

All these films are produced in France and are of high cinematic quality and excellence.

An agreement to this effect will be signed on April 30 at NFAI at 5.30 in the evening, which will be followed by a three-day film festival.

Philippe Martinet, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of France and Vijay Jadhav, Director, NFAI will sign the agreement.

The donation of these 234 films, under the international archive regulations, marks the continuation of cooperation between the Embassy of France and the NFAI.

The Embassy of France in New Delhi is dedicated to promoting film and television preservation and heritage. In 2003, as many as 88 films were handed over to the NFAI. Earlier, in 1998, the Embassy of France donated 29 films to the National Film Archives of India.

Under the agreement, all these films will be preserved at the NFAI premises in standard conditions and will be permitted for use for non-commercial screenings, research and studies. From motion pictures to television, the mushrooming of visual communications counts among the most significant cultural evolutions of the 20th century.

Everywhere in the world people are seizing the possibilities opened up by the visual media to create a vast cultural and documentary heritage.

An embassy press release said that the Embassy of France in India is committed to strengthening the relations between cultural institutions of our two countries towards achieving this goal. (ANI)