Varanasi, Dec 29 (ANI): At least three people, including a policeman, were injured today when angry mob protesting against the authorities carrying out a demolition drive without prior notice clashed with police here.

The demolition of illegal encroachments in Varanasi's Chowkaghat area without any notice angered the people.

After initial argument with the demolition squad, the mob started pelting stones, in which a police official was injured.

The clash took an ugly turn when the police resorted to baton-charge the protestors. The mob also set a police camp on fire.

Residents termed the demolition drive without notice as "unconstitutional."

"No notice was issued to shopkeepers. If we were informed in advance then we would have been prepared. The whole act is unconstitutional," said Bhaiya Lal, a resident.

"It's all wrong. At least they should have served us a notice. Their action cannot be justified," said Tara Devi, another resident.

Residents claimed that many structures that were being demolished were not illegal. (ANI)

- AY

Gorakhpur (UP), Dec 29 (ANI): The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested five people and recovered over four kilogram heroin worth Rs 40 million in international market from their possession in Gorakhpur District.

The heroin of Thai origin reached India via Nepal and was supposed to be delivered to a man in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.

"The Special Task Force (STF) team was on the alert for a possible drug haul at the India-Nepal corridor. It's a major success for the STF team," said STF Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Jha.

Following the interrogation of the smugglers by the STF officials, it was revealed that they were part of an international cabal.

Jha went on to say that the STF team would further investigate into the matter.

The seizure of such a massive consignment of drug in the state proves that there is a major drug network between India and Nepal.

Landlocked Nepal is ringed by India on the three sides, and the Himalayas in the north. Drug traffickers regularly indulge in gun-running and drug-smuggling through the porous border villages. (ANI)
- AY

NOIDA(Uttar Pradesh), Dec.29 (ANI):  Amity University held its Convocation today in the grounds of the Noida Campus of Amity University in Uttar Pradesh.

Professor (Dr.) Ashok K. Chauhan, the Founder President, RBEF & Amity University was the Chief Guest while Dr. D.V.Singh, Visitor, Amity University was the Guest of Honour.

The Vice Chancellor, Major General (retired) K Jai Singh welcomed the august gathering and presented the key achievements and initiatives of the university in 2006-2007. 

Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), Dr. Raj Singh presented the graduating recipients to the Chancellor of Amity University, UP and administered the pledge to graduands.

Dr. Ashok. K. Chauhan - Founder President, Amity Universe; Mr. Atul Chauhan- Chancellor, Amity University; Mr. Aseem Chauhan- Additional President, RBEF; Maj. Gen. K Jai Singh- Vice Chancellor, Amity University and Prof. (Dr.) Raj Singh- Pro- VC, Amity University conferred the degrees to the graduating students

Dr Chauhan, the chief guest, congratulated the recipients and blessed them success in their future endeavours.

Degrees were awarded to 2714 graduates of 73 programs, from 30 different institutes under Amity University. Several awards, medals and salvers were given to meritorious students.

Over 2000 students, their parents, guardians, faculty members and staff members attended the convocation ceremony. (ANI)
- AY

Ghaziabad, Dec.28 (ANI): Residents of a colony in Sahibabad, on the outskirts of Ghaziabad, are living a frightened life for about a month fearing a blood-thirsty wolf in their area.

Resident of the Balaji Vihar colony say, the suspected wolf enters the colony at night from behind the nearby bushes. The wolf has allegedly killed an elderly man besides attacking over a dozen individuals in the colony.

"On December 2, my uncle Anwar Hussain was lying inside. Suddenly an animal entered the house and attacked him. The animal completely chewed up his face. The animal looked like a wolf. After 15 days of attack my uncle died," said Asgar Hussain, the nephew of the deceased. 

Meanwhile, scared residents have started patrolling in groups for vigil in their colony during the daytime.

Children have stopped coming out of their homes fearing wolf may attack anyone of them. 

"We are very much scared of the wolf. Even if we want to play outside the house, we don't. We feel that the wolf may suddenly come and attack us. So we stay at home only," said Sagar Hussain, a local child.

Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, however, has set up wires in the area as a method to catch the suspected wolf.

"We haven't seen it. As soon as our DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) came to know about it, he formed a team of four persons. We have just investigated the entire forest but couldn't find out the animal. We could not find its footprints. We cannot tell whether it was a wolf or hyena," said Mohan Singh, Ranger with the Department of Forests in Uttar Pradesh.        

The arrival of forest ranger and his team has somehow given a relief of sort to the local residents. (ANI)
- AY

Allahabad, Dec 27 (ANI): The ashes of Teji Bachchan, the mother of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, were today immersed in the holy Sangam here by the family and close friends.

Amitabh, his wife Jaya, son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, younger brother Ajitabh and family friend and Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh arrived at the Bamrauli Airport here by a special aircraft at around 11:30 a.m.

The Bachchans were taken upto to the banks of the  holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in a chartered bus.

The immersion of the ashes took place amid tight security in view of Amitabh Bachchan's iconic status with the public.

The ritual lasted for about an hour and were conducted by renowned priests' group "Prayagwal Mahasabha".

The Bachchans thereafter left for Chitrakoot and Varanasi. (ANI)
- AY

Jaipur, Dec.26 (ANI): Jaipur, a major tourist destination in Rajasthan, is also a prime processing centre for coloured gemstone. Recently, it attracted jewellery aficionados from across the country during the 5th edition of famed Jaipur Jewellery Show.

The biggest jewellery show of its kind in north-India, the four-day event exhibited a unique collection of gems, jewellery and diamonds.

Organised to popularise emerald in the domestic as well as international markets, it started with a fashion show at Rajmahal Palace last Saturday (December 22).

Organiser of the JJS (Jaipur Jewellery Show) noted that the effort was aimed to bring buyers, sellers, designers, manufacturers and traders under a common roof for trade promotion. 

"The main aim is to promote colour stone jewellery, to bring out attraction for colour stone jewellery in common people and the promotion of the trade. We have tried to make the people aware of the various gems and about the specialty of every gem, through this show. In this way, the consumption will increase and people will like it. It has been successful and response has been increasing every year," said Navratan Kothari, the organiser of JJS.

The exclusive jewellery show was visited by various jewellery traders and admirers in big numbers from across the country.  The theme of the 2007 edition of JJS (Jaipur Jewellery Show) was the eternal sparkling green coloured 'Emeralds'.

The 300 stalls lent the Jaipur Jewellery Show an exclusive touch displaying both plain and studded jewellery in a variety of metals and styles, as well as loose, coloured gemstones and diamonds, for which the region is known for.

According to the manufacturers and traders, the industry of gems and jewellery is witnessing fast changes as Indian buyers are becoming more design conscious.

Over the past couple of years, the preferential trends among the buyers have been white jewellery as compared to gold, which they used to purchase as an investment. And, it is said that shows like JJS play a vital role in displaying and exhibiting latest innovative styles and products.

"A big market for jewellery is developing especially in India. People are very much attracted towards diamond and colour stone jewellery. The trend of yellow gold is becoming outdated and the diamond jewellery, which was worn by exclusive people earlier, now can be bought by an ordinary man," said Virendra, an exporter.    

An exhibitor stated that the timing of JJS has been apt since this happens to be the marriage season as well as peak of tourist season.

"This is beneficial because this show was organised during peak season by Jaipur Jewellery Show. It is the holiday time so the customers from outside could see. It is also the wedding season and people have a wide choice of colour stone jewellery, diamond jewellery and Kundan Meena," said Krishna Churiwala, an exhibitor.  

"Kundan Meena is the traditional art of Rajasthan. People get a good chance to see the collection of these things during peak season," he added.

The studded, Kundan Meena jewellery was a major attraction in JJS-2007.

"I will prefer Kundan Meena and diamond jewellery most because Kundan Meena is very heavy and good looking jewellery. There was a big trend of this jewellery in royal families. Ladies feel elated to wear this jewellery," said Anuradha, a visitor.

As for the organisers and the participating traders, there has been an overwhelming response to JJS-2007 resulting in very encouraging orders for diamonds and semi precious stones jewellery.

Jaipur is world famous market for precious and semi-precious stones. It has become the hub for gold trade in India. Visited by millions of tourists every year, the city is said to have the expertise for cutting and polishing of precious stones and fantastic designed jewellery.

"A big market for jewellery is developing especially in India. People are very much attracted towards diamond and colour stone jewellery. Diamond jewellery, which was worn by exclusive people earlier, now can be bought by an ordinary man," said Virendra, an exporter. (ANI)
- AY

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.25 (ANI): The fossils park at Salkhan Village in Uttar Pradesh is regarded one of the oldest of its kind in the world. But, sadly, it is lying in dilapidated state due to administrative apathy shown towards a priceless treasure.

Located in the Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh, the fossil park is in a pitiable condition due to inadequate care. There is nobody to maintain the trees. 

The tree fossils, which are covering 25 hectares of park, date back to Meso-Proterozoic period. They are said to be about 140 crore years old. The park is three times larger than the Yellow Stone Park of America that earns millions of rupees.   

Researchers from America, Germany, France and many other countries have visited the park in the past to trace details related to these fossils but no improvement could be noticed due to prevailing conditions.

"It felt good to watch fossils. But it felt very bad on noticing there was no one to take care of them from security point of view. It is a part of our heritage and it's necessary for us to take care of it," said Nisha, a visitor to the fossil park and a Banaras Hindu University student.

"This is a priceless possession not only for India but for the entire world. These are 140 crores old fossils which are called Elgi fossils. And these fossils not just tell the story of creation of Earth but the story of creation of life too. That's why these are priceless," said Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, a local journalist. 

"The fossils are lying neglected due to administration. Neither the Government nor concerned officials are making any arrangements for their safety. There exists a board set by the Forest Department which carried all instructions on it. But those instructions have been removed by people," said Vijay Vineet, a local villager. 

"People have also shattered the fossils. The sharp boundary structure that was covering the park has also been dismantled and stolen by thieves. We feel disappointed here that the park is being neglected," Vineet added.

According to the Forest Department, the Government is not paying any attention towards the ancient park.

"Salkhan fossils are very old. These fossils are only in India and that too in Salkhan.  There should be proper arrangements for its safety. The thieves have stolen the sharp wires covering the boundary; no action has been taken for it," said R. K. Singh, Range Forest Officer at Gurma in Sonbhadra District.

"The Forest Department has provided the budget for the construction of the road. In few more days, we will arrange for an information centre. We don't have the budget to hire people. We have already appealed many a times for this," said R. K. Singh, Range Forest Officer at Gurma in Sonbhadra District. (ANI)
- AY

Jaipur, Dec 24 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today inducted four new Cabinet ministers and one Minister of State (MoS) in her government.

Bharatiya Janata Party in charge for Rajasthan, Gopinath Munde, said that social engineering has been kept in mind while inducting new ministers.

"Amongst five new ministers two are from Meena community and one is from Gujjar community," he added.

Four cabinet rank ministers are Nathuram Gujjar, Ramkrishore Meena, Kalicharan Saraf, Nandlal Meena while Surendra Goel has been made the MoS.

Meanwhile, Raje has accepted resignations of two Ministers Kirodi lal Meena and Virendra Meena. (ANI)
- AY

Jaipur, Dec.24 (ANI): As mercury dips further in several parts of north India, the demand for the popular Rajashthani quilts is on the increase. Many shops in Jaipur are reaping good business by selling quilts in various prints and sizes these days.

The USP (Unique Selling Proposition) of these quilts is that they are soft, warm and come in plethora of interesting designs. And, there are many tourists from far and wide who are drawn to the city for Jaipuri quilts.

"One can just wrap it around oneself and have a carefree sleep. I have been buying these quilts for last 10-15 years. The difference between the ordinary quilts and Jaipuri quilts is that the latter is warmer due to its good quality," said Narayan Lal, a shopkeeper.

There are three varieties of Jaipuri quilts available in the market namely--cotton, velvet and silk available in a price range between rupees 100 and 1,000.

"I opened this shop two years ago. The special features of these quilts are they are warm and light. We make quilts out of 100 grams cotton which are intricately stitched," said Mohmmad Yunus, another shopkeeper.

In spite of the regular markets like Europe and America new markets like South Africa and Japan are also emerging potential markets for the exports of Jaipuri quilt.

Some traders state that this buoyancy in quilt business is due to the increasing number of foreign visitors to Jaipur.

"This quilt has a great demand in the foreign countries because they are soft and warm; besides foreign countries they have a great market in India too. As far as overseas market is concerned they have good demand in America and Germany," said Abdul Hakim, a quilt exporter.

Every winter, the market of Jaipuri quilt expands so much that around 10,000 individuals get directly involved in this trade while another 5,000 receive indirect employment.

Each year around 100 core rupees Jaipuri quilt is exported to various parts of the globe and every year it is registering the growth of around 20 percent. 

Around 250 years ago, Sawai Jai Singh, the then ruler of Jaipur, habilitated these quilt makers here. Since then Jaipuri quilts are being sold here.

The months of November and December are a peak season for Jaipuri quilts, as during this time lakhs of domestic and international tourists visit Jaipur.

A 100 gram Jaipuri quilt is compatible with any five kilogram ordinary cotton Quilt in terms of warmth.

In Jaipur alone, there are around 200 Jaipuri quilt shops out of which 50 are exclusively selling this product. (ANI)

- AY

Lucknow, Dec 23 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Police today gunned down two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Barabanki district.

"According to the inputs of our intelligence agencies, they are Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) terrorists. We had information that they were crossing over from Nepal to India. They are from Pakistan," said Brij Lal, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order.

Police officials also maintained that these terrorists were reportedly planning to target Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

A map of the official residence of Mayawati, grenades, AK-47 rifles, magazines and cartridges were recovered from them.

On Saturday, the UP police and central security agencies had arrested two militants of the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami (HuJI) for their alleged involvement in serial bomb blasts in the state.

RDX weighing 1.25 kgs, six detonators, three ammonium nitrate rods and two cell phones were recovered from their possession, Lal said.

Terror struck in Uttar Pradesh on November 23, when militants triggered near-simultaneous blasts in court premises killing 15 people, four of them lawyers, and injuring over 80.

Six bombs - three in Varansi, two in Faizabad and one in Lucknow - planted on cycles, went off within a span of 15 minutes. (ANI)
- AY

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 22 (ANI): A large number of villagers of Sonbhadra village in Uttar Pradesh are suffering from fluorosis due to the excessive fluoride content in the ground water that these villages draw to drink.

They are facing the risk of becoming handicapped due to excessive fluorosis  Chopan, Dudhi and Myorpur and Babhni Blocks. The excessive fluoride in water has given rise to several orthopaedic problems.

"Water is the main problem in our village. Earlier, we didn't have any hand pump or well in our village. People used to drink water from open streams and have consequently become victims of deformities and diseases," said Shambhu Prasad Patel, a villager.

Majority of the affected persons have to work hard to earn their daily bread. With weak bones, none of them is able to toil.

Since the villages are isolated, these hapless rural folk have no easy access to public health services. With some of them forced to travel over 50 kilometres for a public health centre and a hospital.

Authorities of the State Health Department however claim that health camps are being set up for the villagers.

"This problem is prevalent in nine villages of three blocks of the district because of excessive fluoride content in water. We have provided every facility for the treatment of the people who are handicapped or are suffering from any disease due to water," said Dr. Ganesh Prasad, Chief Medical Officer of Sonbhadra District.

Another grouse of the villagers is that the government is not showing any concern as not even ten percent of the affected and handicapped persons have been issued certificates that they are handicapped.

Villagers hope that the concerned officials in the administration will take effective steps to stem the rot.

Fluorosis is a condition caused by the excessive intake of fluorine and is commonly of two types - Skeletal Fluorosis and Dental Fluorosis. As the names suggest, it first affects the bones due to excessive accumulation of fluoride in bones and the latter affects the teeth. (ANI)
--MP

Lucknow, Dec 22 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Police and central security agencies today arrested two militants of the Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami (HuJI) who were allegedly involved in serial bomb blasts in the state.

The two HuJI militants, identified as Khalid Mohammed and Tariq, were arrested from the Barabanki railway station.

"Tariq, hailing from Azamgarh, and Mohammed, a resident of Jaunpur district and RDX weighing 1.25 kgs, six detonators, three ammonium nitrate rods, two cell phones were recovered from their possession," Additional Director General of Police Brij Lal said.

Terror struck in Uttar Pradesh on November 23, when militants triggered near-simultaneous blasts in court premises killing 15 people, four of them lawyers, and injuring over 80.

Six bombs - three in Varansi, two in Faizabad and one in Lucknow - planted on cycles, went off within a span of 15 minutes. (ANI)
- AY

Agra, Dec 22 (ANI): Despite laws banning child labour in India, children continue to work in footwear factories in Agra, one of the leading centres of footwear industry in the country.

The children are made to work in an environment filled with heat, stench and unhealthy settings.

They come from very poor families who send them to work in order to augment their meagre incomes.

For Ajay, working deftly with leather, future holds little promise as he slogs it out in a footwear factory to assist his father in making ends meet.

"I am doing it because I have no other alternative. I have a large family and my father is the only earning member. So to help him out, I have to work and assist him financially," said Ajay.

With a faraway look in his eyes, 11-year-old Abhay working as a cutter, recounts his helplessness at the circumstances, which force him to work for sustenance.

"I also want to go to school and play with other kids but what to do?", he said.

According to 2001 census around 12 million children under the age of fourteen years are made to work in India. Non-governmental organisations say that the number is much larger.

Indian laws ban child labour with the government having notified around 70 occupations and processes in high-risk industries where employing children below 14 years is a criminal offence.

The government is also running the National Child Labour Projects in child labour endemic states to bring the children released from work to the mainstream.

Labour officials say that child labour is a complex socio-economic problem needing a sequential approach.

"We do not have proper facility to rehabilitate these kids. We cannot bring them with us once they are freed. We take strict action against the employers. Legal action is taken against them and a recovery (fine) of 20, 000 Rupees is also imposed on them," said S.P. Shukla, Deputy Labour Commissioner of Agra.

The government says nearly 400,000 children have been rehabilitated and helped to join the mainstream.  They have been provided food, vocational training, stipends and healthcare. (ANI)
--MP

Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.21 (ANI): Over 2,000 students and schoolteachers of a public school in Greater Noida start their day with laughter yoga in order to overcome anger.

The practice started after the school authorities viewed Yoga coupled with laughter sessions as an ideal method to eclipse traits of aggressive behaviour among students.

The school principal has stressed the need ft such sessions in the school due to increase in instances of depression among the students. She said that the laughter sessions are an attempt to include laughter as a part of their general psyche.

"Children are not getting involved in physical activity and also because of the increased competition the stress level is going up. They are all the time wanting to fulfill the dreams of their parents and teachers and consequently their lifestyle becomes lopsided. We feel that they have to regain balance and it needs conscious effort on their part," said Kamini Bhasin, Principal, Delhi Public School in Greater Noida.

"Children are bothered about the marks they get and target they need to achieve. They are forgetting how to laugh. They should use it as a stress reliever and should not be inhibited because it actually is a very very effective medicine," she added.

She also advocated the need to inculcate stress management skills in the curriculum for its better implementation and results.

Recently, in a shootout incident at a Gurgaon school two students killed their classmate. The incident has alarmed schools about the kind of stress students are in at an impressionable age.

According to the Chairman of Institute of Laughter Yoga, laughter generates positive energy it helps in overall development of a child.

"The laughter yoga is especially beneficial for different parts of our body. We do some exercises in it and especially for the children. Children are too much stressed nowadays. Generally we think that children should normally laugh 400 times a day but they are not laughing as much," said Jiten Kohli, Chairman of Institute of Laughter Yoga.

"We, as parents, teachers and society persons, are pressurizing them too much. The children are full of knowledge, that's why they are stressed too much and stress can only be reduced by laughing," said Kohli.

Medically it has been proved that laughter has many benefits. Laughter, even if forced, reduces stress, which in turn reduces blood pressure, heart disease, Asthama and diabetes.

"Laughter yoga creates a laugh from inside your body, so that changes the entire attitude of your mind, that provides a person development also and it is very good for children," Kohli further added.

Students, meanwhile, say such sessions are good for them.

"It helps one to take things easy and more of such extra curricular activities should be included," said Parvati Sharma, one of the students.

There are three negative hormones in our body that generates negativity, which in turn increases stress and anxiety. With laughter such negativity can be controlled.

Do you know that laughter has many different kinds? The Laughter Yoga school classifies as Namaste Laugh, Chilly Coup Laugh, Belly Laugh, Lions Laugh, Ghost Laugh, Birds, Butterfly Laugh and others. (ANI)

- AY

Etawah (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.20 (ANI): Forest officials in Uttar Pradesh are investigating the cause of death of several Indian alligators (Gharials) even as more carcasses of endangered reptiles have surfaced in the River Chambal.

According to officials, at least two to three carcasses are being recovered daily from the Chambal River in Etawah's Chakar Nagar subdivision for last ten days following the first spotting of dead Gharials.

Forest officials, who are collecting water samples for analysis and conducting post-mortem, are yet to reach any conclusive explanation for the cause of death of the Gharials.

"It seems that it could be due to contamination because of which liver and intestine have been affected. The contamination is related to food. Alligators must have had contaminated food and their staple food is fish. As of now we have assumed this till we get the reports we are not in a position to confirm anything," said G. Sudhakhar, District Forest Officer, Chambal Sanctuary.

Poaching has been ruled out as the cause, as the carcasses of the animal were intact and no body parts or organs are missing.

The deaths came under scrutiny after a Non Government Organisation (NGO), the Society for Conservation of Nature, informed the Forest department that it had spotted two dead alligators near the river around ten days ago.

The death of two to three alligators almost daily is baffling the sanctuary officials.

"We are not able to find any reason behind these deaths. This is for the fist time that we have come across such an incident and before this we did not witness any incident of this kind...Daily we find two to three dead alligators. So far a total of 20 to 25 alligators have died," said Hafin Singh, a forest worker.

At least 15 dead alligators have also been found in the neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, where a search was launched after the news about the sudden deaths was made public.

Officials of the forest department in Agra released 40 alligators of an endangered species into River Chambal, their natural habitat on November 22 this year.

Presently, the main habitat for crocodiles and alligators are Rivers Chambal, Girwa, Rapti and Narayani.

The Indian alligator, Ghariyal (Gavialis Gangeticus) has been put on the red list of critically endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

An alligator's lifespan is usually estimated in the range of 50 years or more. (ANI)
--MP

Panaji, Dec 19 (ANI): An MLA from Uttar Pradesh was arrested for carrying live ammunition while trying to board a Mumbai-bound flight from Dabolim Airport in Goa. 

Tahir Hussain Siddiqui of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was arrested after a routine check found 10 rounds of live .32 mm revolver cartridges in his bag.

Police officials said the cartridges could belong to Siddiqui's wife who held a valid license.

"He claims that rounds, which we have found with him, are of his wife, who is holding a valid license. We found that his wife is having a valid license for .32 bore pistol. He is also possessing one valid license for .30 mm. We are carrying out further investigation in this case," said Samy Tavares, police inspector at Vasco police station.

Later, Siddiqui said his wife could have put the cartridges in the bag some time ago.

"There was no revolver, only cartridges were found. I had no clue whether there can be cartridges. My wife might have kept them some time in her bag. I took that bag along with me, unknowingly," Siddiqui said.

Siddiqui was later released on a bail.

The BSP MLA from Kamalganj in Kannauj district was booked under the Arms Act by Vasco cops. (ANI)
- AY

Rae Bareli (UP), Dec 18 (ANI): United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi today expressed concern over shortage of power supply and fertilisers for farmers of Uttar Pradesh.

"I have been told that Rai Barelli is badly affected with Diammonium phosphate (DAP)," Sonia said while addressing a rally here.

She also pointed out that the Central government had released full UP quota "without any discrimination. Yet Rai Barelli farmers were not getting DAP."

"It was basically the distribution problem," she added.

Despite installation of a 220 KV sub power station under the Rajeev Gandhi rural electrification scheme, "farmers are still suffering" from power shortage, Sonia said. 

Sonia visited her parliamentary constituency, Rai Barelli, and inspected progress in repair work at the Sharda Canal, which runs through a major part of central UP.

"I am happy to see the repair and remodelling work at Sharda Canal is progressing with speed. I am sure that farmers of the area will soon benefit from the canal, " she said.

Union Water Resource Minister Saifuddin Soz accompanied Sonia.

Soz declared that the Central Government would give additional Rs. 270 crores for the repair and maintenance of the canal.  (ANI)
--MP

Nautanwa (UP), Dec 16 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh government is issuing microchip based multipurpose "smart cards", which will double up as identification cards, in the border areas, and help to check illegal immigration.

Launched in 2003 by the Union Home Ministry, the 'smart cards' or Multipurpose National Identification Cards (MNIC) project was initiated as a pilot project in 20 border districts.

The state authorities have started issuing smart cards in Nautanwa town of the state's Gorakhpur District.

Located on India-Nepal border, Nautanwa with a population of 450,000 has a sizable strength of Nepali origin people.

Nautanwa is also considered significant from the security point of view, due to increased Maoist activity in Nepal.

The residents in border areas said that the MNIC helps in authenticating their identity.

"This card acts as an identity and residential proof. It is very useful," said Ram Prasad Singh, a MNIC holder.

The card resembling a debit or ATM card is being issued only to people residing for more than 15 years in the town.

The card carries a photograph of the person along with their fingerprint mark. An embedded electronic chip would hold all vital information of the bearer.

Residents would also be provided with a unique 'Individual Code Number'. The 'smart card' would also help residents avail public services like healthcare, education and banking.

The cards are being delivered at the doorsteps of the residents by the postal department.

"The cards are being produced in Kolkata production centre and are being distributed through the Indian Postal Services. The cards are delivered through speed post to the respective post offices, from where the postman delivers the card at the doorsteps of the residents," said Pratap Singh, Assistant Director, Pilot Project, MNIC, Maharajganj.

A month after the MNIC pilot project was launched in November 2003, the
Citizenship Act of 1955 was amended to provide for compulsory registration of all citizens and issue of a national identity card.

The pilot project was launched in border-states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Tripura, besides coastal states like Tamil Nadu and Goa, and Delhi. (ANI)
--MP

Lucknow, Dec 14 (ANI): Authorities at Lucknow Zoo have made special arrangements for the animals to beat the biting cold wave.

Animals have been provided with dried straw mats, sacks and blankets to keep them warm.

Lions, tigers, deer and sloth bear have been supplied with para grass.

Other animals relish the straw mats, bonfires and heaters while reptiles are warmed up under high-voltage bulbs. 

The Serpentarium has been covered with gunny bags in order to keep the reptiles warm.

"Sacks have been given to monkeys. The pair of chimpanzees has been given blankets. And carnivore animals such as tiger and bear have been given dried straw beds. Hundred watt bulbs are fitted in mud pots to keep the reptiles warm," said Ranu Singh, Director of the Lucknow Zoo.

Authorities have also made certain alterations in the diet of animals as well.

Multi-vitamins and calcium is included in their regular food and eggs are provided to monkeys in order to keep them warm. Deer have been given sugarcane and green leaves.

Set up in 1921, the Lucknow Zoo is also known as Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens. (ANI)
--MP

Etawah (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.13 (ANI): In a shocking incident, several Indian alligators (Gharials) have been found dead in the Chambal River in Etawah's Chakar Nagar sub-division of Uttar Pradesh. 

The main habitat for crocodiles and alligators in India are the Rivers Chambal, Girwa, Rapti and Narayani in the orbit of central and northern India.

The deaths of the alligators has invited scrutiny after the Society for the Conservation of Nature, an NGO (non-government organisaiton), intimated the forest department after spotting two dead alligators near the river.

After visiting the spot, forest officials approached the National Chambal Sanctuary authorities to probe the matter further. The cause for alligator deaths is yet to be ascertained.

"The forest department has conducted a post-mortem on two to three Gharials. The Gharials were recently brought from Lucknow's Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre, and they might have become victims of some contagious disease or the target of some hunters," claimed Rajeev Chauhan, the Secretary of the Society for the Conservation of Nature.

A few carcasses were found on the banks of the river, while the others were found floating in the river.

"A motor boat is roaming from last one week and getting the dead Gharials out of the river. They catch them, tie their legs and head and then bury them in the mud. A few dead bodies are thrown in deep water as well," said Chander Singh, a villager.

Forest department officials in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh also launched a search in the river and found four alligator carcasses.

Last month, Agra forest department officials facilitated the release of 40 alligators  into River Chambal, their natural habitat.

These alligators considered to be among the most endangered species.

Lucknow's Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre (KGRC) is famous for the captive breeding of alligators.

The Uttar Pradesh Department of Forests started the gharial rehabilitation project in 1975 at the Centre's request. Over the years, the centre has had a 90 percent breeding and survival record of Gharial.

The step was taken following a survey undertaken by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) that has categorised the Gharial as critically endangered species in the recent list, which was in the endangered category till now.

As per the survey, the Indian Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus) is on the red list of critically endangered species this year.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the mature Gharial population in India stands at less than 200.

The estimated population of Gharial is 1,976. However, the state officials said the IUCN figure might be representing the Gharials in their natural habitat.

The officials said that the Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre has released around 3,782 Gharials in different rivers in the country. It has also gifted 288 Gharials to various countries and organisations in cities like New York, Tokyo, Islamabad and Kabul.

An alligator's lifespan is usually estimated to be in the range of 50 years or more. (ANI)
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- AY

Allahabad, Dec.12 (ANI): A special Puja was conducted here recently to protect a bridge built over River Yamuna from the influence of evil spirits who are believed to have 'possessed' it and led to a number of suicide incidents in the recent years.

The four-lane Concreted Cable Stayed Bridge, which is about 1.5 kilometres long, has been built across River Yamuna as per international standards. Since its opening in 2005 many people have committed suicide by jumping off this bridge.

Officials of National Highways Authority of India and the Danish consultant-collaborator Kovi Company on Monday (Dec.10) organised the Puja on the suggestion of the local administration.

"The administration has asked us to use (wire) net upon it (the bridge). To save ourselves from the ongoing incidents, we have organised some Puja. Earlier, there was some disagreement over naming the bridge so no Puja could be performed. Therefore, we have performed it today," said A. K .Singh, the Director, National Highways Authority of India.

The Puja was meant to appease the nine planets and worship River Yamuna through yajna and prayers.

Putting up a protective (wire) net on either side of the bridge has been proposed to prevent 'suicides'. And, the special Puja was intended to protect individuals linked to work of putting up net.

"We are performing this Puja because over the last three years, a number of suicides have taken place. The bridge was built as per the international standards but there were too many people committing suicide. The bridge was never officially opened. We opened it on Monday and that was seen as not very good omen for the future of the bridge. So myself and Eric, who is in-charge here, agreed to the suggestion of local people for Puja to dissuade these people from jumping," said Robert, Team Leader with the Kovi Company, Denmark.

Executed by the joint venture of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and Hyundai of Korea, the bridge's construction had commenced in 2000.

Though the bridge had become a bone of contention between political parties for taking credit for its construction, the spate of suicides committed over the bridge has left the leaders at their wits' end.

As per an unofficial estimate about 200 people jumped off the bridge and over 50 individuals died since the bridge's opening.

The installation of the net is learnt to have been subjected to some security and maintenance related issues. (ANI)

- AY

Ghaziabad, Dec 11 (ANI): Students in a Government-aided school in Uttar Pradesh are made to wash utensils that are used for cooking food under the Mid Day meal scheme. 

The Principal of a primary school here says that the scheme is compelled to use the services of its students to clean utensils, since it do not has staff to do the job. 

"Only one or two children are used for washing utensils. We cannot cook in dirty utensils. We have to get the utensils washed," said Anchal Singh, the principal of the school. 

The students admitted that they washed the utensil for the lack of cleaning staff, but said they do it on their own without any pressure from the school authorities. 

"The teacher tells us that the sweeper will do it when he comes, but we feel like doing so and we do it on our own," said Priyanka, a student. 

India runs a huge midday meal scheme for children, with 120 million signed up to receive one hot, nutritious meal free on every school day. 

The government is already facing the ire of Non Government Organisations on the prevalence of child labour. 

According to 2001 census, India has about 12 million child labourers despite several laws banning the practice. (ANI) -AJ

 

Lucknow, Dec.11 (ANI): Hundreds of special varieties of flowers were on display at the central lawns of Botanical Garden here during the annual Chrysanthemum and Coleus Flower Show held here recently.

Organised by the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) to encourage public awareness about flowers, the week-long event was participated by 129 individuals short listed out of a list of over a hundred interested participants.

" When you grow crops like rice, wheat, cereal pulses, oil etc., the maximum profit that can be procured will be around rupees 18,000 to 19,000. But when you engage in actual floriculture plants, the profit ranges from a minimum rupees 30,000 to a lakh.  Almost a 100 percent profit venture," said Dr. V K Banerjee, the Head of Department of Floriculture at the National Botanical Research Institute.     

A massive yellow chrysanthemum with slender astral petals, also known as the yellow knight was adjudged as 'Prince of the Show' in the flowers kingdom.

However, Dorej Queen, a variety of flower having cashew nut shaped petals was crowned as 'King of the Show'.

Connoisseurs among the visitors said that this annual show by NBRI is a worthy attempt to create awareness amongst masses about the proper plantation and maintenance of the flora.

"Not everything is new, but I wait desperately every year for the Chrysanthemum Show. To see such large variety is pretty satiating for me. I feel immense pleasure and happiness whenever I come here. Every flower has its own distinguished qualities, charm and attraction," said Ram Teerath, a regular at the show. (ANI)
--MP

Shimla, Dec 8 (ANI): After her party's success in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati is now trying to make inroads into Himachal Pradesh.

For the first time, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded candidates in all the 68 Assembly constituencies of the State, which has predominantly been dominated by the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Analysts say, if not much the BSP candidates will eat into the vote banks of the two leading parties. At the same time, they also believe that no third force other then the Congress and the BJP can emerge victorious.

Ramesh Sharma, a political analyst, said: "Basically, it is only the BJP and the Congress that are active in Himachal Pradesh politics. In the past too several parties, both national and regional have tried their luck, but have not made any major impact."

Quoting previous facts and figures in which the BSP was not able to capture more than two percent votes, Sharma said: "Heady with the success in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP feels it can repeat the same formula for success. However, the chances are zilch that the party will make a major impact."

Analysts, further say that the social structure of Himachal is different from that of Uttar Pradesh and that the social engineering formula of the BSP would not have a major impact on the people of the hill state.

But, the BSP candidates are optimistic.

"I feel the BSP is a good third alternative for the people of Himachal Pradesh. Whenever we have had a third party in Himachal Pradesh, people have had another choice and past records indicate that a coalition government has emerged with the support of the new party," said Randheer Ranta, a BSP candidate.

He further said that in the Rohru segment, where former Chief Minister P K Dhumal (BJP) was unable to influence the pro-Congress electorate, the BSP has garnered a good response.

At a rally in Shimla on Saturday, Chief Minister Mayawati appealed to the voters to vote for her party for sake of development and welfare of the all sections of the society.

The BSP chief said that her party is going to play an important role and the election results will be surprising for the people.

She also assured adequate reservations for the weaker sections of the state, adding that there is a need of reservations for the weaker sections of the society in the corporate sector,

Mayawati further said that the BSP is not only the party of weaker section and lower class, but is also working for the benefit of the upper class of the society.

Expressing hope the BSP will win more than fifty percent Assembly seats in the hill state, the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Vijay Singh Mankotia said that he would form the welfare government after winning the 11th Assembly elections.

The demand to regularise slums, sheds and dwellings for the poor has become the main poll plank in Shimla, the principal town in the state.

The Congress has made peace and harmony between people of different religions, castes or areas as its main electoral theme.

On the other hand, the BJP has made corruption, inflation and matters like unemployment the main election issues.

The term of the State Assembly is due to expire on March 9, 2008.

The first phase of elections was held on November 14. The second phase of polling will take place on December 19, and the counting of votes will take place on December 28. (ANI)
--MP

Allahabad, Dec 8 (ANI): Religious groups have formed a 'Ganga Sena', to save the River Ganga from pollution.

The groups have decided that they would not allow any government official to take part in the forth coming fair to be held on the banks of the river.

"We have taken an oath to protect this river. Around 10,000 students have got themselves registered with us. We have placed  orders for bamboo sticks, which shall be our weapons. We won't rest in peace till we free the Ganga from pollution," said Shivendra Mishra, a member of the Ganga Sena.

"We are launching our war against pollution in the river. We will do what we can to save the Ganga," said Anand Giri Maharaj, a priest.

The decision to set up the 'Ganga Sena' comes in the wake of the Supreme Court castigating the Central Government and the governments of five states of the Ganga Basin polluting the Ganges.

Expressing its dissatisfaction over the anti pollution drive, the Supreme Court directed the Central Government not to release any more funds to the Government of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand until they furnish details of the of funds spent so far.

The Central Government has earmarked around 247 million dollars for stopping pollution of the river.

The principal sources of pollution in the Ganga are domestic and industrial wastes. Conservative estimates put the effluents flowing into Ganga to be in the range of 1.7 billion litres each day out of which 1.4 billion litres is untreated.

Nearly 88 per cent of the pollution originates in 27 cities located along the banks of River Ganga and its tributaries.

Industrial effluents account for a quarter of the entire rubbish being thrown and pumped into these rivers.

Domestic and industrial pollution, combined with deforestation, use of pesticides and fertilisers and other factors, have rendered the water of River Ganga unfit for drinking.

According to environmentalists, one of the major causes of polluting the river is the cremation of human bodies on the banks of the river, the practice of throwing dead bodies and immersion of flowers and other articles into the Ganga after religious rituals.

According to a recent official report, only 39 percent of the primary target of the Ganga Action Plan, which the Central Government had started to cleanse the river in 1985, could be met so far. (ANI)
- AY

Muzaffarnagar (UP), Dec 7 (ANI): Farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar District are upset over the unreasonably low prices being offered to them for their sugarcane produce and delay in crushing by the mills, and are destroying their crops in protest.

Excessive produce during the current season is proving a bane for the sugarcane farmers.

The farmers in and around Muzaffarnagar have taken to burning large swathes of sugarcane, which they say are drying up.

They have been forced to destroy their standing cane crop to make space to sow the next crop, as the crushing has not been started.

The farmers are also keen to clear their land to start cultivating wheat for which the MSP (minimum support price) has been increased. A minimum support price of Rs 1,000 a quintal for wheat during the current rabi season and a demand-supply shortage of the grain are seen encouraging growers to take to large-scale wheat cultivation.

Sudhir Kalkhande, a farmer, accused the mill owners for delaying the crushing of sugarcane crop and also blamed the "anti-sugarcane farmers" policies for their poor state of affairs.

Farmers claim that the government and private-owned sugarcane mills have defaulted in paying dues to them.

"We have not received the dues. Also, the sugarcane produce is lifted only to the extent of 70 percent which means a massive loss to us," Kalkhande said.

They are also demanding an increase in Minimum Support Price, the price determined by the government for procurement of sugarcane crop, from the present Rs 110 per quintal to Rs 135 per quintal.

"The sugarcane rates have been brought down by Rs 15 and this happened because the government did not support us. Our lawyers could not represent our case properly. The result is that the farmers are suffering," said Rakesh Tikkat, Spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union.

Uttar Pradesh is the second largest sugar producing state in India.  The country is the world's second biggest producer and largest consumer of the sweetener.

India's population of more than one billion people annually consumes about 19 million tonnes of sugar.

Sitting on huge sugarcane extracted stockpile, the government made mandatory five percent ethanol blending with mineral oil in October, and allowed exports to insulate farmers from crashing domestic sugar prices.

The country emerged as a major net sugar exporter in 2007-08. (ANI)
--MP

Rae Bareli (UP), Dec 6 (ANI): Five live bombs were found in the premises of a court here today.

Two persons - Raja Ram and Barat Lal -- were found carrying the live bombs of "low intensity" in a plastic bag, police said, adding that they have been taken into custody and are being questioned.

The bombs were found during a security check at the court premises, as the day marked the 15th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

The security in the city has been beefed up and the police are investigating the matter.

The security across Uttar Pradesh has already been heightened in the wake of serial blasts in Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad on November 23. (ANI)
--MP

Ayodhya, Dec 6 (ANI): Residents in Ayodhya today craved for peace as the town observed the 15th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid on Thursday.

Hindus said they are still scared and believed a court decision on the case could spark off riots again.

"The court will take decision in favour of either party, which is dangerous for the peace and unity here. We want to maintain peace and communal harmony in the city," said Nand Kishore Mishra.

The Muslim community blamed politicians for disturbing communal harmony.

"There is no tension between both communities here. It is all because of politicians. We are the same as before," said Mehandi Hasan.

Muslim organisations observe the day as a "Black Day" while fundamentalist Hindu organisations celebrate it as "Victory Day".

The demolition of the 16th century mosque on December 6, 1992, triggered off nationwide communal riots that took a heavy toll of human life.

The ramifications of that movement are still being felt. Senior BJP leader L K Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions by making inflammatory statements.

After razing the Babri mosque, Hindu activists put up a makeshift temple at the site that they contend is the birthplace of God Ram. (ANI)
- AY

New Delhi/Uttar Pradesh, Dec 6 (ANI): National capital New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh were on high alert on Thursday on the 15th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

The demolition of the 16th century mosque on December 6, 1992, triggered off nationwide communal riots that took a heavy toll of human life.

According to the Delhi police, six people suspected Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HuJI) militants have sneaked into the capital from Deoband in Uttar Pradesh to carry out attacks.

As per the Intelligence Bureau, they entered the Seelampur area of East Delhi on Wednesday. One of them is believed to be of African origin, while the other two are Afghan nationals.

Barricades have been placed at all crossways to keep vigil on untoward activity. 

In Uttar Pradesh, security has been beefed up. Heavy security was deployed at the acquired land complex in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque and Lord Krishna Temples of Mathura.

Police and paramilitary personnel are also guarding the Taj Mahal in Agra.

"Our force is deployed in and around the monument. Visitors are being checked with a metal detector. We are also conducting surprise checks during day and night," said R.K. Singh, a Deputy Commandant of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

In Ayodhya, police have been frisking people visiting religious complexes in the area.

In Dehradun, security forces launched a drill ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

"Considering the recent events, we have decided to beef up security in the area. Whatever we deem is necessary, we are doing it," said Subhash Joshi, Director General of Police (DGP), Uttarakhand.

Tight security arrangements have also been made at all major railway stations in Chennai. (ANI)
- AY

Ayodhya/Chennai, Dec 5 (ANI): Security has been tightened in different parts of country ahead of the 15th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992.

In Ayodhya, Police have been deployed across the town, to ensure safety and the maintenance of peace.

Gopeshnath Khanna, Superintendent of Police, Faizabad, said security has been beefed up to avoid untoward incidents.

"We are checking all vehicles which are coming in and out of the city. We have been provided with four additional companies of PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) for the security of the main temples like Hanuman Garhi, Nageshwarnath and the Kanak Bhavan. We have arranged them in three shifts of eight hours each so as to have a full proof, round the clock security. In the context of the red zone, we surveyed the security arrangements and it is up to the mark," he said.

Khanna added that security personnel have been placed in 22 barrier zones and the path of circumambulation of Ayodhya.

Tight security arrangements have also been made at all major railway stations in Chennai.

Meanwhile, in Chennai, G. Nanchil Kumaran, Commissioner of Police said a total of 16,000 policemen will on duty round the clock and 117 patrol vehicles will be regularly monitoring the situation in the city.

"Fifty one check posts will be set up all around the city and the city will be sealed. The vehicles will not be allowed without undergoing a through check. This will be around the clock," he said.

The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, had triggered nationwide communal frenzy that took a heavy toll of human lives.

The ramifications of that movement are still being felt. Senior BJP leader L K Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions by making inflammatory statements.

After razing the Babri mosque, Hindu activists put up a makeshift temple at the site that they contend is the birthplace of Hindu god Ram. (ANI)
--MP

Varanasi, Dec.5 (ANI): Tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh can enjoy bird watching to their heart's content in Varanasi these days, as thousands of migratory birds are flocking the holy city making it their second home for the next few months.  

These birds generally inhabit this place from the beginning of November and stay till winters. And, the city plays host to these exotic migratory birds who arrive here to avoid an unbearable harsh winters back at home.

It offers a visual delight to watch these beautiful birds gliding over the River Ganga (Ganges) chirping and keeping their eye on fish for food.

"We also have them (the birds) in France next to the sea, next to the ocean. People from here tell me that they come here for several months. It is beautiful with sun rising and seeing them in the Ganga floating around," said Angela, a French tourist.

For people visiting Varanasi city from different parts of the country and abroad, it's a major captivation.

"The birds begin to come in the last week of October and the first week of November. People flock for a glimpse of the winged beauties. You can see people feeding them (the birds)," said Rajendra Dubey, a local priest.

India's natural and man-made wetlands are second home to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds during winter season and migrate to warmer climates as temperatures dip and lakes start freezing in their native lands.

The annual migration of rare and exotic birds from Siberia, the high altitudes of Afghanistan, China, Central Asia and Northern Europe begins around September, with most birds nestling across the country till March every year. (ANI)
- AY

Allahabad, Dec 5 (ANI): Three tiger skins worth millions have been seized by a Special Task Force of the Allahabad Police.

Arvind Chaturvedi, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Special Task Force (STF), Lucknow, said twelve poachers and four peddlers had been arrested in connection with the wildlife crime.

The general public reacted with shock in March last year when informed that the population of 16-18 tigers at the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan had been wiped out by poachers, and that the risk of similar activity existed in other reserves.

A tiger task force set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the outcry said that the country's tiger population was under siege from poachers and people living in protected reserves. It called for relocation of thousands of people living in 250 villages located inside India's 28 tiger reserves.

India's tiger population has fallen to about 3,700 from roughly 40,000 a century ago, mainly due to rampant poaching.

Conservationists, however, suspect the number could be less than 2,000.

The task force said India would have to work with China to stop the huge illegal trade in tiger body parts.  Tiger organs, teeth, bones and penises are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

India's conviction rate of those charged with poaching of endangered animals is less than five percent, with many  accused of poaching getting off due to lack of evidence.

In May, the government said poachers had killed at least 114 tigers between 1999 and 2003, while just 59 of the big cats had died of natural causes during the same period. (ANI)
- AY

Lucknow, Dec 5 (ANI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court will today hear a petition filed by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan in connection with a land dispute case.

Bachchan's petition has challenged the order of Faizabad additional commissioner who had dismissed the actor's petition relating to the land at Daulatpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki District.

The Uttar Pradesh Government lawyer D K Upadhyay raised arguments that Bachchan had concealed facts before a single bench of the court, headed by Justice A N Verma.

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Government had stated that Bachchan had allegedly committed another fraud by claiming that he was a resident of 17, Clive Road, Allahabad, while filing his application for allotment of farmland in Barabanki District.

Upadhyay alleged that Bachchan's father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, lived at the said residence till 1958 after which the house was sold.

The previous Mulayam Singh Yadav Government had allotted about 70,000 sq ft of prime land at Daulatpur village to Bachchan.

The actor had managed to have documents issued in his name, which identified him as a farmer and on the basis of these, he got a 24-acre plot of agricultural land at Lonavla, Pune in the mid-1990s.

However, the Faizabad Additional Commissioner, who had judicial powers in land disputes, ruled that the 1993 Barabanki land transfer in his name was illegal. (ANI)
- AY

Bijnaur (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 4 (ANI): At least six people have died so far in mayhems that an elephant has been creating in Bijnaur District in Uttar Pradesh for the past few days.

The elephant has destroyed property and disrupted the daily schedule of the people, who are terror stricken and frightened, to step out of their homes.

"An elephant intruded into my home and the roof collapsed. I just managed to escape with my kids. I have already incurred a loss of Rs 30,000 to 40,000," said Alamgeer, a resident.

Following the brutal killing of a villager, people virtually took to streets demanding the government to do something about the matter.

Meanwhile, forest department officials have deployed all their techniques to catch the dangerous elephant.

"We are making a strategy to trace the elephant, and tranquilize it to put it somewhere else to the save the lives of the villagers," said AB Singh, an official from Forest Conservation Department.

Officials and experts from Muradabad, Lucknow and Dehradun have been called to trap the animal. (ANI)
--MP

Bulandshahar (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.4 (ANI): Sandeep Choudhary of Patna despite escaping from the clutches of his kidnapper four years ago has not been lucky enough to reunite with his parents till date. Blame it on fate or officials' disinterest, the boy is leading an orphaned life.  

The 12-year-old claimed to be from Phoolvari Sharif in Patna, has literally been on the run from one place to another enduring exploitation to the hilt. It was during last escapade that he met Kapil Bhardwaj of Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh in late September who accorded the boy a safe haven at his home. 

Kapil was shocked to learn that the hungry boy dressed in worn out clothes was actually roaming around in search of his lost parents for past four years.  

"I thought that this child will be lost again and someone might get hold of him. So I thought it is better to bring him back home with me and registered an FIR at the Police Station. After that I told my elder brother about him," said Kapil Bhardwaj, the caretaker of Sandeep Chaudhary.  

Sandeep claims that his father's name was Dileep Choudhary, who worked as driver in the Indian Railways and his mother was a lawyer in Patna. Bihar police is yet to verify the boy's claims.  

He is presently putting up at Salawatnagar Gangawali that falls under the B.B. Nagar Police Station in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahar District. Kapil and his elder brother are taking care of the child.  

Following the boy's recollection of the location in Patna, several appeals for help to local leader(MLA), Special Superintendent of Police and others have been made but all in vain.  

According to Kapil's family, a copy of the FIR (first information report) was also sent to Phoolvari Sherif Police Station in Patna. The local station house officer (S.H.O) of the stated area has confirmed the location but could not find the boy's parents.  

"We registered a complaint at the police station, but they did not want to take responsibility. They didn't try anything on their own. We informed the SSP (Special Superintendent of Police) of Ghaziabad. But they said there was nobody in the village with that name," said Mahendra Sharma, the other caretaker of Sandeep.  

"Had the administration tried to contact the Superintendent of Police of Patna and Ghaziabad and our local police station also taken interest in it, the boy could have been reunited with his parents," he added.  

Meanwhile, Sandeep says that four years ago he was kidnapped while playing cricket near his house in Phoolvari Sharif in Patna. He was eight when a man took him along after alluring him for a fair. He could not recall his house's exact location.  

"I was kidnapped four years ago while playing cricket at a place close to my home. A stranger asked me to come along to visit a fair. He took me with him in an auto-rickshaw and thereafter by train to some place. At the fair, I heard him talking to somebody about selling me. So, I just managed to run away," said Sandeep Choudhary, the orphaned boy.  

Sandeep worked almost three years at a hotel. On asking for his dues, he was scolded and thrown out of the hotel by the owner. (ANI) -AJ

Allahabad, Dec 3 (ANI): Sarita Diwedi may appear to be just another disabled girl with barely much hope in life, but the 15-year-old has turned an inspiration for others by showcasing her never-say-die spirit with one foot.

Sarita lost her hands and one leg after coming in contact with a high voltage wire while playing at the rooftop at the age of four. The shocking incident left her disabled for life.

But she refused to allow her physical disability to prevent her from living life to the fullest. Motivated by mother and teachers, she developed an attraction for colours to paint by her single foot.

"When I saw other children at work I thought if they can do it, why can't I?  I can try doing things with my single leg. I have constantly endeavoured to do everything that normal children can do," said Sarita, studying in standard nine.

Today, she can paint, write and play carom without much discomfort. She also irons her clothes on her own.

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had also praised Sarita's talent and grit.

Sarita wants people to know her personally only after observing the beauty of her soul reflected through her paintings. She has already received many medals and awards for her artistic abilities.

"I used to keenly watch other students and teachers and learnt to work with my sole foot. I don't have a writer accompanying me for exams. Often, I write whatever I can and have to leave quite a few questions unanswered, due to paucity of time. Computer lessons always grabbed my attention so I learnt to operate computer as well," she added.

Sarita's father, V.K Diwedi, who works as a soldier in the Indian Army, has always been supportive of his daughter and continuously motivated her for self-reliance.

December 3 being the International Day of Disabled Persons, it is perfect time to salute and celebrate the courage and spirit of people like Sarita, who survive against all odds and win the battle of life. (ANI)
--MP

Meerut (UP), Dec 3 (ANI): People belonging to the Sikh community in Meerut staged violent protests on Monday after taking serious offence to a joke circulated on a mobile network, and has demanded apology from the chief of the Reliance Communications, Anil Ambani. 

A joke reportedly originated from a website called www.santabanta.com, which is based on two humorous Sikh characters, and got circulated by Reliance Communications that had been giving space to an advertisement campaign of the website. 

Members of the Sikh community launched a mass protest after an 'utterly derogatory' joke was circulated on the mobile network. 

"Since the past few years our community has been the butt of ridicule and snide jokes. Be it television, plays or movies, we have been targeted. But this joke by Santa Banta on Reliance is utterly disgusting," said Jagmeet Singh Meet, President of Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha. 

The community is now demanding withdrawal of the joke. 

"If he (Anil Ambani) doesn't apologise, we will launch a worldwide protest and burn all the Reliance offices," threatened Meet. (ANI) -AJ

Amethi, Dec 2 (ANI): Congress party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi
today lashed out at the Mayawati led government in Uttar Pradesh for
the power crisis in the state.

Addressing a foundation laying ceremony of an ordinance factory here,
Rahul said it was the responsibility of the state to ensure adequate
power supply for the overall development of the state.

He said the new ordinance factory would give direct employment
opportunities to 1,500 people and indirect employment to 5,000 people.

The Congress MP from Amethi went on to say that he wanted various
projects like the setting up of a HAL unit, Sanjay Gandhi and Indira
Gandhi hospitals to achieve world standards.

Rahul, who was in his constituency on the second and last day of his
visit, expressed happiness that in the recent army recruitment camp,
400 youth of Amethi were enrolled. (ANI)
--MP

Varanasi, Dec 2 (ANI): A group of French tourists offered prayers for
world peace by performing Hindu rituals in Varanasi on Sunday.

The tourists, led by a French citizen, who is famous amongst his
followers as Guruji, offered prayers and performed certain fire
rituals for a better and sane world with peace prevailing all around.

Guruji has been visiting India along with his followers annually for
many years in his quest for quintessential and spiritual ideals. He
has dedicated his life to Sanatan Dharma.

"India is at first the country of spirituality and love. The key word
here is love, Bhakti (religiosity), devotion and so on so forth," said
Guruji.

He has established a Hindu monastery in the French capital Paris and
has around 5500 followers who have joined him in search of eternal
truth and answers of their spiritual queries.

Explaining her attachment towards India Isabela, a follower of Guruji
said, "Now, many people want to come back to spirituality. And, may be
some people are attracted by a lot of things they have in the West.
But this is really magical and holy land."

The performance of Yajna (fire rituals) for world peace by these
exotic devotees may or may not bring peace to the world but their
faith and devotion may attract many more tourists from abroad to
attain mental peace.

The culture of Varanasi is deeply associated with the river Ganges and
the river's religious importance. The city has been a cultural and
religious centre in northern India for thousands of years and remains
a thriving tourist and spiritual destination of the country. (ANI)
--MP

Lucknow, Dec 2 (ANI): The horse cart race or the 'tonga race' hogged
the limelight at the ongoing annual Lucknow Mahotsav at the City of
Nawabs on Sunday.

Lucknow, known for its legendary royalty, relived the memories of the
era of Nawabs by playing a perfect host at the heritage festival that
is primarily a music and dance extravaganza.

"We have many events in Lucknow like pigeon flying, kite flying and
horse cart races. These events have been a part of our culture and
tradition since time immemorial. This particular horse cart race,
which is a part of the Lucknow Mahotsav (annual festival), is being
organized by the Municipal authorities," said Dinesh Sharma, Mayor of
Lucknow.

Tonga pullers, beautified horses and hundreds to cheer made the race a
pleasurable moment.

"I knew that my horse would win. I have been waiting for this day
since the last one month. I had been taking good care of my horse and
I was confident that it would win," said Bikha, the winner of the cart
race.

Besides participating in the competition, the tonga pullers also got a
space at the festival to exhibit the disappearing mode of
transportation.

"This horse cart race is one of its kind and we are proud of it. These
days, tongas (horse carts) are not popular but this race helps the
tonga owners to exhibit their carriages. On this pretext, we at least
get a chance to bring out our carts and mend them. Also, the visiting
tourists enjoy this a lot," said Rabeed Khureshi, a horse cart owner.

The festival is a ten-day long event, which aims at promoting the
place as a popular tourist destination.

Locals feel that the tradition of celebrating this annual Lucknow
festival should be encouraged as a celebration of the centuries old
heritage and culture of this enchanting city. (ANI)
--MP

Chandigarh, Dec 2 (ANI): A day after banning the screening of Madhuri Dixit's come back film 'Aaja Nachle', the Punjab Government today lifted the bar.

The Uttar Pradesh Government, yesterday, lifted the ban after an apology from film producer Yash Chopra and chopping of lines from the title song, which certain section of Dalits felt was derogatory.

Central Board of Film Certification chairperson Sharmila Tagore also rendered an apology for giving a nod to the title track of the film with lines "Mohale mein kaisi maara-mar hai, bole mochi bhi khud ko sunar hai" that offended the Dalits

The Haryana Government has also banned the screening of the film in the state.

On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that the film be banned all over the country.  (ANI)
- AY

Lucknow, Dec.1 (ANI): Film maker Yash Chopra's apology today to the Government of Uttar Pradesh in connection with the lyrics of one of the songs in the film `Aaja Nachle' paved the way for the lifting of a state ban. 

Yash Raj Films, which has produced `Aaja Nachle', said the offending parts of the song have been taken out from prints across the country.  

"It was not our intention to hurt the feelings of any individual or community of our great nation. If we have inadvertently hurt the sentiments of anybody we apologise. We have taken immediate remedial action by deleting the lines from prints of Aaja Nachle all over the country, " a statement from the organisation, said. 

Earlier in the day, the Punjab government had also imposed a ban on the film's screening a day after its release.  

Mayawati had imposed a ban on the film's audio and video CDs and had also written to the Prime Minister asking for a nationwide ban on the film. 

But the Centre had ruled out a nation-wide ban after the producers agreed to withdraw the offending parts.  

Both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have a large number of Dalits and they form a sizeable vote bank. 

Dalit activists had on Friday protested against the movie at a prominent cinema theatre in New Delhi and said the lyrics had not only humiliated the community, but were also unconstitutional. 

Director Anil Mehta has agreed to remove the offensive words. 

"We didn't set out to make a film which would offend any sensibility. It's not our intention to hurt any section of the society. We made the film in good spirit and faith. And if for some reason it offended the sensibilities of some people, we will delete the line," said Anil Mehta, Director, Aaja Nachle. 

Censor Board Chairperson Sharmila Tagore has also apologised for passing what may have been politically incorrect lyrics.  

But the ban has not gone down well with many of Madhuri's fans and they are disappointed with the treatment being meted out to the film. 

"I don't know why Mayawati felt the references were derogatory. She is unnecessarily bringing in politics" said a moviebuff.  

"They are normal lyrics. There is no comparison. Many songs with horrible lyrics have become hits. Those songs should be banned," said another movie goer. (ANI with inputs) -AJ

Amethi, Dec 1 (ANI): Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will arrive here today on a two-day visit to participate in several programmes. 

This will be his first visit after becoming the party's General Secretary.

During his visit, Rahul will inaugurate a ten-day training camp of the party's Nyaya Panchayat members at Jagdishpur. 

Besides, he will also attend the concluding function of the Lifeline medical camp and inaugurate a unit of BHEL in Jagdishpur.

Before leaving for Delhi, Rahul will lay the foundation of a gun factory near Hal at Munshiganj on Sunday.

Tight security arrangements have been made in view of his visit, particularly due to the reported threats to his life

All security arrangements have already been monitored by the Special Protection Group (SPG) led by Inspector General, M M Jacob.

Heavy barricades have been put up around the Amethi railway station where Rahul is scheduled to take part in a programme. Apart from this, movement of vehicles have been banned around the site of the public meeting.

Earlier, three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists, who were arrested in Lucknow, had revealed during interrogation that they were planning to kidnap the young MP. (ANI)
- AY

Kanpur, Nov.30 (ANI): It's been two years when two notorious monkeys, who had terrorised residents of Hamirpur District, were nabbed and caged in Kanpur Zoo. Time has passed but the scare is still there in everyone's mind at the zoo here.

"On Hamirpur road in Kanpur, loads of complaints were lodged against these two menacing monkeys. People were actually terrorized because of them," said Dr. U. C. Shrivastav, veterinarian at the Kanpur Zoo.

"Our specialized teams caught hold of these monkeys some three years back. Countless people became their victims. So much so, that many of them had to undergo serious surgeries. They created so much terror that we have started calling them terrorist monkeys," Shrivastav informed.

The duo is said to have injured over 500 individuals in a single locality. These simians had created such terror that the residents stopped going to their rooftops even during daytime.

At Kanpur zoo, both the simians have been kept in separate cages since the zoo authorities fear they may attack and even kill each other.

Observing that both the monkeys are averse and allergic to any outsider trying to intimidate them, the zoo keepers have christened the two after the famous characters "Jai" and "Veeru" of the all time Bollywood blockbuster "Sholay".

Both are being given a special diet that has also become a heavy burden for the zoo.

"We are giving them enriched diet, costing around five to six thousand rupees annually. Even the anesthetic used on them is pretty costly. In future, if similar complaints or cases like these Jai and Veeru reach us, we will not be able to oblige since there is paucity of funds as well as space to house such guests," said Pramod, caretaker of the zoo.

Today, the monkeys are caged, but their love and hate relationship has always become the 'talk of the town', the town being Kanpur zoo. (ANI)
- AY

Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), Nov 29 (ANI): Violence flared up in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad District after authorities began a drive to raze illegal construction. 

Residents said they were shocked when huge cranes set about razing residential buildings. At least 200 buildings were brought down with cranes.

They said they had been staying in the area for the past five months and got possession certificates from the civic authorities.

"They took a deposit of 30,000 rupees from each family and they have proper receipt of it. The civic body has a blueprint of the area and despite all this they demolished it. They didn't even give a prior notice before destroying," said Raj Kumar, a builder.

However, the civic authorities maintained that the buildings were encroachments on government land.

"This land belongs to the civic body and is meant for the construction of houses for the poor. They (the residents) have illegally occupied the land. The land contractors must have connived with local goons and built illegal constructions. There is no question of serving them a prior notice," said Satish Rai, sub-divisional magistrate of Ghaziabad.

Ghaziabd is situated on the outskirts of New Delhi that witnessed large-scale violence last year over an official drive to shut 40,000 illegal stores. (ANI)
- AY

Bhiwani, Nov 28 (ANI): UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will address a public rally here today to mark the birth anniversary of former state Agriculture Minister Surender Singh.

Special security arrangements have been made at Bhim Stadium, where she will unveil a 13-ft high metal statue of Surinder Singh, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Saharanpur district in March 2005.

During her visit, she will also visit an exhibition regarding road, bridges and buildings at Dadri in Bhiwani District.

Besides, Congress President will also launch the Rajiv Gandhi Bridges and Road Infrastructure Development Programme by laying the foundation stones of remodelling / widening of Dadri-Chhuchhakwas-Jhajjar Road and Railway Overbridge on Dadri-Jhajjar Road.

She will also release a booklet on Rajiv Gandhi Bridges and Road Infrastructure Development Programme. (ANI)

- AY