Uttar Pradesh News Archive: August 2007

1 dead, dozen injured in Agra violence

Thursday, August 30, 2007 | MP
Agra (UP), Aug 29 (ANI): One person was killed by a stray police bullet, and twelve others injured in rioting triggered by the deaths of four men hit by a truck while returning from "Shab-e-Barat", when Muslims pray for the dead.The city remained tense after Muslims burned trucks and battled police.Angry crowds set fire to at least 20 vehicles, mainly trucks, officials said. One shoe factory was also burnt in the rioting.Prohibitory order had been imposed in the city and extra forces were requisitioned to prevent flare up of the situation."We are very sure that nothing untoward will happen now. The situation is very much under control and whatever minor incidents are there, they will be taken care of by additional force that we are calling in," said S.N. Singh, Inspector General of Police, Kanpur Zone.The mobs had also hurled bricks at police and fire engines sent to stop the violence in area, injuring several policemen."We were about 100 feet from the place of incident when suddenly a mob of about thousand people came towards us and started pelting stones at us...They forced us out of the vehicle and started beating us. All our unit members are badly injured. Later, they also set our vehicle on fire," said Ranbir Singh, an injured policeman.The state government has ordered closure of schools and colleges in the city.Police also shut down the historic Taj Mahal for a brief period today.Meanwhile, Union State Minister for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal condemned the incident and asked the state government to take necessary steps to control the situation."No official report has come to us from Agra so far. All the information we have is what we learnt from television reports. We will talk to the state government and ask them to do the needful to control the situation there," said Jaiswal.Meanwhile, Islamic clerics appealed people to maintain calm and restrain. (ANI)

Muslim mob on rampage in Agra after death of four in truck mishap

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 | MP
Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 29 (ANI): Muslims blocked a highway and burnt nearly a dozen trucks here on Wednesday after four of them were crushed to death by a truck.The dead men were returning after observing "Shab-e-Barat", or performing a prayer for the dead. The accident happened at around 4.00 a.m., said Mukesh Meshram, Agra’s District Magistrate.Meshram confirmed the imposition of prohibitory orders in the city and said that extra forces have been requisitioned from Meerut, Etawah and Hathras to prevent the situation form going out of hand. "Curfew has been imposed in six areas of the city and all the police officials and magistrates are patrolling in the city to check any kind of violence," he said.The mob hurled bricks at the police and fire service personnel in the area.Media persons were also roughed up. At least 25 persons have been injured, including several policemen.The city’s Additional District Magistrate was also injured. The State Government has ordered the closure of schools and colleges in the city. (ANI)

Mob fury in Agra, curfew imposed in Nai Ki Mandi and Mantola area

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 | MP
Agra, Aug 29 (ANI): Curfew has been imposed in Agra’s Nai Ki Mandi and Mantola area following a mob fury after four youths were crushed by a truck last night. The violence started after the four youths, who were taking part in Shab-e-Barat procession, were crushed to death by a speeding truck, police said.Following the incident, angry mob pelted stones and burnt government and police vehicles, including vehicles of fire brigade.Media persons were also roughed up by the angry mob. At least 25 persons have been reportedly injured, besides several policemen.Additional District Magistrate, city also got minor injury during stone pelting. According to media reports, thousands of angry protesters burnt down 20 trucks after the accident. The police lathi charged and fired in the air to cool down angry mobs on MG road.Additional police force has been deployed in the violence-affected areas. Police forces from Meerut, Etawah and Hatras have also been rushed to maintain law and order situation. Authorities have ordered for closure of educational institutions in the city as a precautionary measure. (ANI)

Lord Krishna devotees enjoy Vrindavan’s swings

Tuesday, August 28, 2007 | AA
Vrindavan, Aug.27 (ANI): A large number of Lord Krishna devotees are visiting various temples across Vrindavan city in Uttar Pradesh, these days to participate in the festivities of ongoing Jhoolan Mahotsav or Swings Festival here. The month-long festival is celebrated during the auspicious Shravan month as per Hindus Almanac. It celebrates the mythological romance between Lord Krishna and Radha. A festive mood prevails across Vrindavan during the auspicious Shravan month, especially in all Hindu temples ahead of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, due to fall on September 4 (Tuesday). At various temples, specially decorated swings are captivating devotees.Visitors from different parts of the country and foreign tourists are also flocking to the city located 15 kilometres from Mathura. Small idols of Krishna and Radha have been placed on swings heavily decorated with flowers and expensive jewellery. Devotees offer prayers and pull swings to display their affection Lord Krishna. Chants of Jai Radhe Jai Krishna' (Hail Radha, Hail Krishna) invoking devotion for the deity reverberate in all temples here. Ritesh, a devotee, said: "The swing gives the essence of different aspects of the Krishna's life. I see the swing every year but every year, I get a different feeling, it's really divine." Earlier, the festival was celebrated with girls putting up swings on trees near their homes. But with the passage of time, the festivities have become limited to temples only, and celebrated in a symbolic form. Jaish Khandelwal, a priest, said: "We are trying to take out the tradition that has remained restricted within temples, to the people outside, by making them aware of our customs. We will take cue from old timers who have witnessed the festival celebrated in its original fervour. We want the new generation to be aware of it." A specially prepared swing at the Sanatan Godiya Temple finds a special mention being a big attraction here. The heavy use of silk embroidery and mirror work has fascinated everyone. This swing has been prepared by about 25 Orissa artists in an art form, particular to Orissa. It took them 19 years to complete it.Krishna is believed to have spent his youth in Vrindavan, playing pranks with maidens passing through the forests. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver and one of the trinities of the Hindu pantheon, the other two being Brahma, the creator and Shiva, the destroyer. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiant with divinity as Sri Krishna. Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is in ascendant. The Hindu calendar being lunar, these two events [the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent] may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, depending on their local or family traditions. The festival falls sometime in August or September of the Gregorian calendar. In 2006, Krishnashtami was celebrated on August 15 or August 16. (ANI)

CII urges UP govt to reconsider its decision on retail sector

Saturday, August 25, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Aug 24 (ANI): Expressing fears that the recent orders by the Uttar Pradesh Government to close the Reliance Fresh stores will have adverse impact on the pace of inclusive growth of the country, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today appealed to the Mayawati Government to reconsider its decision.In India, there is a huge wastage of fresh fruits and vegetables- between 24 percent to 40 percent of the total produce. In this scenario, the Large-Format Retail provides the all important infrastructure to carry the farm produce to the consumers with lower wastage. In this process, the farmers get better returns and the consumer better quality and price, said the CII in a statement today.It went on to say that the move will be detrimental on several grounds- lower returns for farmers, higher prices for consumers, reduced job opportunities and erode investor confidence.CII said that when all sectors of the economy are modernizing, the recent incident in Uttar Pradesh is taking back India by several steps. It will deprive the state of the benefit of modern infrastructure in the form of cold chains, logistics, transport and retail outlets. These infrastructure take several years to build and a single adverse decision affects these sectors.The confederation said that in this process, several new jobs that have been created are at stake. Running Modern Large-Format Retail is labour intensive and closure of them will affect the entire chain starting from the farm to the store.The move will also deter industrial growth by eroding investor confidence, said CII, adding that any brake on the growth in Uttar Pradesh will ultimately harm the country. (ANI)

Lucknow students pledge to protect trees by tying 'rakhis'

Saturday, August 25, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 25 (ANI): Students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Lucknow, tied rakhis or designer threads on trees, ahead of Raksha Bandhan, a sibling festival, in a gesture to save environment.Students tied rakhis of all shapes, colours and sizes on trees in the school premises."We want to send across the message that we need to protect our environment. We need to water trees regularly and increase their numbers so that they provide us oxygen and we lead better lives," said Simran, a student.Sonali Singh, a teacher, said the children's gesture is a symbol of their pledge to conserve and protect the environment.“Raksha Bandhan, traditionally, is about siblings, but we had a special function where children bonded with the trees,“ said Singh.“This was done so that the children conserve trees and in return, trees provide us with oxygen, greenery, and thus children get attached to the environment," she said."Rakhis" or sacred threads are tied by sister to their brothers' wrists on Raksha Bandhan as a token of love wishing them prosperity and happiness, while the latter pledge to protect her honour.This year the festival of "Raksha Bandhan" falls on August 28. Rakhis are usually made of tinsel, colourful cotton, silk, gold or silver twisted threads.Environmental activists are giving their “save trees” movement a religious sanctity by linking it with this popular festival.The tradition of Raksha Bandhan dates back to several centuries, when Hindu Queen Rani Roopmati, at time of war, sent a thread to the Mughal ruler Jehangir, requesting his protection from the enemy.Emperor Jehangir accepted the thread and honoured her request. (ANI)

Eleven child labourers rescued in Agra

Thursday, August 23, 2007 | MP
Agra, Aug 22 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh police rescued eleven child labourers, who were working in a bakery, here on Wednesday. Police said the rescued children were working in the bakery for the past one month, but were sent back by their employers when they were caught. A Railway Police constable caught the children and the man who was escorting them at Raja Ka Mandi Railway Station here and handed them over to the local police. "We have rescued 11 children and arrested two contractors who were with the children. For the past one-month, these children were working in a bakery that comes under Sikandara Police Station," said Sunil Kumar, Circle Officer of Raja Ki Mandi Police Station. All children were between 12 to14 years of age, and hailed from Barabanki District of the state. "I was making biscuits there for the past one month. My uncle brought me here to work. I got Rs700 at the end of the month," said Ram Chandra, a rescued child labourer. The man who was arrested with the children said he had nothing to do with the children, and claimed he was just escorting them back to their homes. "I brought them from a bakery where they had been working. The owner of the bakery told the contractor to relieve these children and arrange for adult workers. Hence, I was going to send the boys back to their homes," said Ram Kishore, the person who was escorting the children. The children are now under police supervision and are being provided with medical treatment. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh flood death toll rises to 205

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug. 21 (ANI): The flood toll in Uttar Pradesh has climed to 205 with the death of another eight persons.Two deaths each were reported in Rampur, Pilibhit and Bahraich and one each in Ballia and Shahjahanpur. While the River Ganga was rising at Mirzapur, Varanasi and Ghazipur Districts, the River Ghagra was also rising under the Elgin Bridge. The Rapti's level was also increasing in Balrampur and other areas, reports said.The maximum rainfall of 11.4 mm was witnessed in Kalpi while Kanpur had 2.6 mm of rainfall.Water levels have reduced in over 1400 villages in the state, though the flood situation in another 900 was reported to be still grim. The civil administration is being assisted by the Army and the armed constabulary in some parts of the State.The State Government has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 1.5 lakh each to those killed in flood-related incidents, and had so far spent approximately Rs 792 lakh in relief and rescue operations. Over Rs 327 lakh had been distributed by the government to the dependents of those killed in rain-related incidents. (ANI + inputs)

Snake charmer is a popular 'doctor' in a UP hamlet

Sunday, August 19, 2007 | MP
Raja Ka Rampur (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.19 (ANI): Forty five-year-old Ram Avtar Shakya, a snake charmer in Uttar Pradesh's Raja Ka Rampur hamlet, 55 kilometres from District Headquarters, is popular here not only for his dare-devil stunts with venomous snakes but also for his ability to 'treat' patients with snake-bites. Shakya is popular as a local "Doctor" but he earns his livelihood as a snake charmer and doubles it as a quack. Bet it putting the cobras around the neck or allow it to bite on his tongue or even putting reptiles into his mouth, it's a child's play for Shakya who enjoys performing it before fellow villagers at times. He takes venom out of snakes and uses it to prepare medicine to treat snakebites.Shakya says: "I want my children to carry forward my skills. And that's why I am teaching them all this." His children are today quite familiar with catching snakes and taking out the venom besides treating snakebites. He has also kept a few snakes as pets. "I am not at all afraid of snakes since my father has taught me to handle them," said Nagraj, Ram Avtar Shakya's son. There are over 270 species of snakes in India, out of which, about 60 are venomous. In size, colour and habits they can be very different from each other. Most of them are near-sighted and colour-blind. (ANI)

Six children killed in UP house collapse

Sunday, August 19, 2007 | MP
Kabir Sarai (UP), Aug 19 (ANI): Six children of a family were killed when their mud house collapsed following heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Sunday.The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Saturday in Kabir Sarai village of the State’s Moradabad District.Out of ten children in the family, eight were injured in the incident. Later, four girls and two boys succumbed to their injuries, two have been admitted to a local hospital with serious injuries, an official said.Amit Ghosh, a Moradabad District official, said that adequate compensation would be given to the family.Uttar Pradesh is witnessing unprecedented monsoon rains, causing heavy flooding. An estimated 30 million people have been affected across the country in torrential rains. (ANI)

Hearing in Babri mosque demolition case adjourned till August 29

Saturday, August 18, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, Aug 18 (ANI): A special court here today adjourned the hearing in the Babri mosque demolition case till August 29.The case could not be taken up today due to a strike by the State Bar Association in protest against alleged kidnapping of a lawyer in Mau recently.Special Judge Vansh Raj Singh had, earlier, deferred the matter on August 4, after counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought adjournment of the proceedings, stating that the witnesses, who were to give their testimony in the court, had not turned up.Besides BJP leader L K Advani, former union minister M M Joshi, Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharti, BJP General Secretary Vinay Katiyar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, and Sadhvi Ritambhara have been named as accused in the case. Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions through inflammatory statements. In September 2003, a Rae Bareli court had quashed charges against Advani while deciding to proceed against the other seven persons. The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, triggered a nationwide communal frenzy. (ANI)

River water swamps Uttar Pradesh villages

Saturday, August 18, 2007 | MP
Jakhira (UP), Aug 18 (ANI): Several villages in Uttar Pradesh face a flood-like situation with the River Ganga flowing near its danger mark.With the River Ganga in spate, most villages on its banks, in the western part of the State, are submerged. Large tracts of cultivable land have also been ravaged.Residents of Jakhira village have complained of facing huge problems since the flood waters cut them off from other villages."There is water all around the village. There are no means of transportation, except for a boat. There are no services for a crisis situation," said Hari Das, a villager.Standing crops remain submerged in four to five feet of water. Children are also unable to attend school due to the excessive water-logging.Officials, however, said the situation is under control."The villages situated near the banks have been alerted and our team is in place working on these villages. We have also provided them with boats. There are three villages, and in all of them, we have sent out teams. There are no problems whatsoever," said Satya Prakash Sharma, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Garhmukteshwar.The latest bout of monsoon flooding, which began about three weeks ago, has affected about 30 million people across India, in the worst floods in decades. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh struggles to contain Japanese Encephalitis

Saturday, August 18, 2007 | MP
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 18 (ANI): Doctors in Uttar Pradesh are grappling to fight off the spread of Japanese Encephalitis, a deadly viral infection, that has claimed at least 65 lives so far in the region.The paediatrics ward of the Baba Raghav Das (B.R.D) Medical College in Gorakhpur is teeming with children hit by the virus, following floods caused by heavy monsoon rains.At least 400 patients suffering from the disease, have been admitted to the hospital, even as dozens continue to pour in."The situation is not as bad as it was in 2005, but everyday about seven to ten children suffering from encephalitis, are brought here. It is not the virus that causes Japanese Encephalitis, but it is caused mainly because of either a stomach problem or a virus. These are called entro-virus," said K. P. Kushwaha, a Child Specialist at the college. The hospital is struggling to cope with the outbreak, as many of the patients are in a semi-comatose state or in a coma.Bindi Lal Verma, father of a child suffering from encephalitis said: "I brought my child here on Monday. His condition is still serious. Doctor said he has brain fever and with medication, he will be alright."The virus is widely prevalent in the eastern Uttar Pradesh belt and in the border areas of Bihar. In the last few years, it has assumed epidemic proportions.Health officials say all efforts are being made to contain the virus."We have tried our best. We have informed our districts to do fogging in areas from where incidents are being reported, and have asked the authorities to tell everyone to bring patients suffering from this disease to the nearest health center," said L. P. Rawat, Additional Director of Health, Gorakhpur.The first symptoms of the virus are severe headache, followed by unconsciousness. Doctors blame unhygienic conditions for its spread.Uttar Pradesh has been in the grip of encephalitis for the last two decades.Encephalitis usually proliferates in water-logged parts during the monsoon season. Last year, about 50 people died of encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh.In 2005, India's worst encephalitis outbreak in nearly 30 years claimed over 1500 lives. (ANI)

Ayodhya Hilltop temple monsoon fair attract crowds

Saturday, August 18, 2007 | MP
By Amit KumarManiparvat (Faizabad) (U.P), Aug.17 (ANI): Tens of thousands of Hindus have been flocking Ayodhya Maniparvat Temple, located at the hillock in Uttar Pradesh, to pray at the Lord Rama temple and to attend the accompanying monsoon fair. “Sawan Mela Jhoola” fair that continues for over two-weeks. On the third day of the second half of Shravan, idols of Lord Rama, brother Lakshmana and wife Sita are placed in swings in the temples. The idols are taken to Maniparvat, where the idols are placed on the swing attached to branches of the trees. Later, the deities are brought back to temples.Also, children dressed as Lord Rama and Sita play on the swings .Ramcharan Das, the chief priest at the Ayodhya Maniparvat temple, claims that the Sawan Mela Jhoola festival is being celebrated since the Treta Yuga (the second out of the four ages described in Hindu mythology). This year it commenced today and will continue for 15 days.This hillock is 65 feet-high . and the temple is appropriately named as Maniparvat or a jewel like hill. Colourful tableaux of Rama and Sita are taken out from temples around to the hilltop where the idols are worshipped.Kanchanlata, one of the devotees, said: "We pray to the God that whoever comes here and has a glimpse of the swing should attain salvation and liberation from the birth cycle." Legend has it that it was while Lord Hanuman was carrying the hill, bearing the “Sanjeevani Booti” (the life saving herb), for Rama’s unconscious brother Lakshman from Himalayas, a portion of it broke off and fell in Ayodhya.The fair will last till August 28, the day when Hindus will celebrate “Raksha Bandhan”, the siblings’ festival. (ANI)

Monkey, with human frailties, has a fan following in Varanasi

Wednesday, August 15, 2007 | MP
By Girish DubeyVaranasi, Aug.14 (ANI): A monkey in the holy city of Varanasi, has acquired all the frailties of humans around, which has enabled the simian gain popularity of the local population and visitors to this pilgrimage centre. He is become a darling monkey of the residents of Dev Nagri near Sarnath here.It is said that the closeness he shared with the human beings since his birth in this city may have made him learn many acts that he noticed in the people around. Each morning the monkey goes to have his breakfast, riding his favourite hand-pulled bicycle rickshaw, to one particular tea stall. He eats just anything given by the customers. At times he enjoys sipping cold drinks. Recently, he has developed a liking for “Paan” or the chewing betel leaf and tobacco, which is usually offered to him by customers. Hari Narayan, the shopkeeper says: “This monkey drinks Pepsi, tea and eats Malai (milk crust). He considers himself to be a Nawab . He goes anywhere with anybody. He eats flour and “Paan” and enjoys taking rickshaw rides." International tourists visiting the holy city, enjoy watching him . Alica, a German tourist, said: "Such a friendly sweet monkeys are here in Varanasi. They are really calm. It’s fun to watch them." (ANI)

Eleven killed after high-tension electricity wire falls on bus

Monday, August 13, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 12 (ANI): As many as 11 people were killed after a high tension electricity wire fell on an Uttarakhand roadways bus in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur District today.About 40 passengers were seriously injured in the incident that happened near Deoband at around 12.30 pm. The bus was on its way to Roorkee from Deoband, police said.The injured have been admitted to the district hospital, where the condition of many passengers was stated to be critical.According to Saharanpur Division Commissioner R P Shukla, the bus was parked on the side of the road when it came in contact with 11,000 KV wire, following which the bus caught fire with passengers inside."10 people were killed on the spot," said Shukla."There was smoke everywhere," said Sakina, a passenger, who managed to escape unhurt.A junior engineer of the State Power Supply utility has been suspended for negligence, said Shukla.The State Government has announced a compensation of rupees hundred thousand each to the family of the dead and rupees 25 thousand each to the injured. (ANI)

HIV+ couple of UP plead President for mercy killing

Monday, August 13, 2007 | MP
Ramgarh (UP), Aug 12 (ANI): Unable to stand social ostracism and neglect by the government, an AIDS affected couple in Uttar Pradesh has petitioned President Pratibha Patil for granting euthanasia.Vijayshankar Pandey, a farmer in Ramgarh village, contracted the disease during a blood transfusion after an operation.Vijayshankar and his wife Shilu say it has become difficult for them to live in the village after fellow-villagers warned them to throw out, if they did not move out themselves."We are tired of going to the administration. The court had given directions to the police, but no action was taken. That is why we sent a plea to the President to grant the entire family euthanasia. We are tired because of the deadly disease and of the atrocities of the villagers," said Vijayshankar.He alleged that the villagers entered their house and beat them.Vijayshankar had already sold more than a fourth of his farmland for the treatment. The couple is now taking refuge in relatives' houses, but fear of being turned out due to mounting pressure of villagers.Meanwhile, police said they would look into the matter."We have to see if a case can be filed against them (villagers). And, tell them to refrain from such behaviour," said Ashok Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Allahabad.Discrimination against AIDS victims, particularly in rural parts of the country, is on the rise.Considering this, the Central government is mulling over a legislation to protect victims of HIV/AIDS against discrimination.The new law is expected to provide for action against those guilty of discriminating against AIDS victims and denying them rights of education, employment or medical treatment.India has the world's highest HIV cases, after South Africa and Nigeria, with around 2.5 million people living with the virus. (ANI)

Lucknow factory gas leak claims one life

Saturday, August 11, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 11 (ANI): One person was killed and dozens of workers fell sick as toxic gas leaked from a plastics factory in Lucknow.According to the police, the gas leak was reported on Monday and several labourers were admitted to the hospital complaining of uneasiness, vomiting, headache and abnormally violent behaviour.They said investigations into the incident were in progress to determine the cause."If we find evidence that these incidents have taken place due to negligence here, then we will definitely seal the factory. They (owners) will also be charged, while we take further action," said Chadra Bhanu, the District Magistrate of Lucknow city.Workers at the factory alleged that many of their colleagues fell sick after allegedly inhaling a gas that leaked at a plastic factory in Sarojini Nagar area of the city.One labourer died on Friday evening.A team of doctors was rushed to the spot to treat the ill."Basically this is a cerebral irritant that is stimulating the brain because of which, these patients are behaving violently. Their hands and feet have been tied up so that they don't cause any damage to themselves or others," Rajendra Sirohi, the Chief Medical Superintendent of the Sarojini Nagar Hospital, said. The factory has been closed pending further investigations. (ANI)

Nation celebrates 103rd anniversary of national song

Saturday, August 11, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 11 (ANI): Scores of people came together here to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of a patriotic song "Sare Jahan Se Achcha", written by philosopher poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.Residents took out a rally to celebrate the occasion."We will take an oath of democracy. If we follow the Constitution, then our country will become the best. It is every citizen's duty to do follow it," said Nazir Ali, a resident. Nazia Bano, another resident said that this song written by Iqbal has the message that communities should not fight on religious grounds and there should not be any disparity among the people."Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara" (Our India is the best in the world) was adopted as the national song. It remains one of the most popular patriotic songs in India and is a musical favourite of marching bands.Iqbal, a Muslim who wrote in Urdu, is also revered in Pakistan, where he migrated following the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.Followers of Iqbal contend that the poet never advocated a theocratic regime for a Muslim homeland. He believed in a secular polity.In his writings, the poet had always stressed the idea of justice for all sections of the society.Iqbal (November 9, 1877–April 21, 1938) is regarded as Pakistan’s national poet. (ANI)

A collection of Indian rupees to record significant dates

Friday, August 10, 2007 | MP
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.10 (ANI): Basantlal, a resident of the Chandausi subdivision of Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad District, is a popular man these days, because of his unusual hobby of collecting currency notes that have significant numbers printed on them. A textile merchant by profession, Basantlal, 40, started a collection of such Indian rupees that had serial numbers matching some important date related to a notable personality or event. Basantlal says: "My hobby is to collect the notes of Indian rupees in which the number of the note matches with the date of birth or day of death or any good or bad incidents that may have occurred on any particular date. I also collect notes concerning a number of prominent people from abroad besides Indian personalities." It could be any celebrity's date of birth, date of achievement or even the date of some important person's demise. Basantlal just enjoys keeping a record to remind himself about the importance of that particular day or date. His collection includes notes bearing serial numbers identical to the day when Aishwarya Rai was crowned Miss World. He also possesses a currency note that is numbered with the date of spiritual Guru Sai Baba's Samadhi (conscious departure from the physical body at death). Basantlal claims to have collected Indian currency notes worth around rupees 25,000! He spends his idle time in scanning the numbers of currency notes and cross checking their serial numbers to ascertain whether they relate to any important day of some famous personality's life. Basantlal says: "Till date, I have collected about twenty five to thirty thousand rupees of notes which tally with the numbers related to the renowned personality." Neelam, Basantlal's wife, takes pride in her husband's hobby, since it has brought her respect. She, however, regrets that this time consuming hobby is carried on at the family's expense. She says: "At times when he goes for some work, he just gets involved talking to others about his collection." Basantlal's family and friends now want to see his name registered in the Limca Book of World Records (the Indian version of Guinness Book of World Records) for his hobby and collection. (ANI)

Army gets into action in UP to curb spread of water-borne diseases

Wednesday, August 8, 2007 | MP
Gorakhpur/Patna, Aug 7 (ANI): As floods continued to spread havoc in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on Tuesday, Indian Army doctors have joined hands with the district administration in Uttar Pradesh to provide medical relief to scores of people affected by water-borne diseases."On our part, we have made all necessary medical arrangements here. We have all the facilities and equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, examination trays and also good quality antibiotics," Captain Deepak Kumar, an army doctor, said.Flood victims continued to lash out at the State Government for not doing enough."The Government has not provided us with any facilities… everything was looted," said Radhe Shyam, a flood victim.Many areas remained still inaccessible with the water levels yet to come down.In Ayodhya city, a hermitage was inundated in floodwater."The holy men here were well taken care off, but due to the excessive water logging, we are facing a lot of problem," said Ramagya Das, a holy man.At least 487 people have drowned, died from snakebites, hunger or water-borne diseases, or have been crushed to death or electrocuted since devastating monsoon floods submerged larges areas in these states.Incessant monsoon rains over the past weeks have displaced millions of people, destroying crops and homes in parts of UP and Bihar.Hundreds have died over the past 12 days after torrential monsoon rains lashed the region, causing rivers to burst their banks.In Darbhanga District, one of the worst affected, large swathes of land remained inundated in floodwater, forcing people to take shelter on small strips of raised land.Even roads have been washed away in the deluge and railways tracks submerged in water, cutting several areas off from the rest of the state.In Varanasi, a swollen River Ganges made it difficult for people to get to the riverbank.Thousands have been marooned in floodwaters in UP. At least 105 people have died in house collapses, lightning and boat tragedies as heavy rains lashed across the state. Several thousands have been affected as 1,100 villages were marooned of the over 2,000 affected by floods in 20 districts.Over 250 people have died and over 60 lakh people have been marooned in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam over the past 11 days after torrential monsoon rains, which also destroyed crops and homes.Indian Air Force helicopters were pressed into service in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, which is said to be the worst affected in the state. Bihar receives an average of 1,200 millimeters rainfall annually, but in most places, it has already received 500-700 mm of rainfall in July. According to the UNICEF, over 1,100 people have died so far during this year's monsoon.UNICEF said the scale of disaster has posed an "unprecedented challenge" for aid workers. (ANI)

Muslim clerics roped in to speed up anti-polio drive

Monday, August 6, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 5 (ANI): The health authorities in Uttar Pradesh have roped in Muslim clerics to administer polio drops to children from their community, who had been hesitant saying it was part of a Western conspiracy to make their children sterile.A large number of Muslim women turned up along with their children (0-5 years) for administration of oral polio drops in Lucknow on Sunday."We are successful to a limit in allaying misconceptions about polio immunisation. People are coming with their children in large numbers to the centers," said Maulana Khalid Rashid, a Muslim cleric.People in the community said that religious heads helped in allaying their fears."People had spread different kind of misconceptions - that after giving the dose, the child will not be able to reproduce when grows up. But such misconceptions have been removed and the clerics also issued statements in discouraging such beliefs, which has helped," said Ayaz Ahmad, a parent.More than 500 cases of polio were reported across the country in 2006, out of which 443 were in Uttar Pradesh alone.The polio outbreak in Uttar Pradesh, home to more than 170 million people, had fuelled fears that it could undermine global efforts to eradicate the disease, which is incurable and leads to irreversible paralysis among children.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), strain of the virus found in Uttar Pradesh has spread to neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh, besides faraway Angola and Nambia. All four nations had been polio free.India has stepped up efforts to combat polio by roping in thousands of volunteers to administer polio drops, especially in Uttar Pradesh where thousands of children were missed in earlier immunization rounds. According to a 2006 WHO report, polio cases were reported in as many as nine divisions of UP, including Moradabad, Agra, Meerut, Saharanpur, Lucknow and Bareilly. Moradabad is the worst affected district with 56 cases, followed by Budaon (21), Muzaffarnagar (21), Meerut (20), J P Nagar (19), Rampur (17), Bijnore (17), Bareilly (12), Ghaziabad (9) and Lucknow (4). This year too, out of the total 124 cases reported from the country, UP accounts for 98 followed by Bihar (17), Trranchal (3), and one each in Gujarat, Maharastra, Rajasthan and Haryana. (ANI)

Thousands marooned in Uttar Pradesh floods; situation grim in Bihar

Monday, August 6, 2007 | MP
Ayodhya/Patna, Aug 5 (ANI): Floods continue to wreck havoc in several parts of northern and eastern regions of the country following incessant rains over the past weeks. Thousands have been marooned in floodwaters in Uttar Pradesh, as rivers flowed in spate. Low lying villagers on the banks of Saryu river were submerged in the swollen waters near Ayodhya on Saturday. At least 105 people have died in house collapses, lightning and boat tragedies as heavy rains lashed across the state. Several thousands have been affected as 1,100 villages were marooned of the over 2,000 affected by floods in 20 districts. "It has been 10 days now…. We are facing problem in everything. Salt, oil, vegetable, medicine etc. We are all falling ill. We are going for check up only now…Nobody has come to take care of us," said Shanti, a flood victim in an Ayodhya village. More than 250 people have died and over 60 lakh people have been marooned in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam over the past 11 days after torrential monsoon rains, which also destroyed crops and homes. Indian Air Force helicopters have been pressed into service in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, whish is said to be the worst affected in the state. Relief materials were airdropped. All major rivers, including the Bagmati, the Burhi and the Gandak are in spate, and the Kamla Balan and Adwhara Group of rivers are flowing over two metres above the danger mark.Bihar receives an average of 1,200 millimeters rainfall annually, but in most places, it has already received 500-700 mm of rainfall in July. (ANI)

Hearing of Ayodhya demolition case deferred till August 18

Sunday, August 5, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, Aug 4 (ANI): The hearing of the Babri mosque demolition case has been deferred till August 18 by a special court.Special Judge Vansh Raj Singh deferred the matter on Saturday, after a CBI counsel sought adjournment of the proceedings, stating that the witnesses who were to give their testimony in the court, had not turned up.Besides Advani and Joshi, Bharatiya Janshakti Party leader Uma Bharti, BJP General Secretary Vinay Katiyar, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal, Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, and Sadhvi Ritambhara have been named as accused in the case.Advani is among those accused of inciting communal passions through inflammatory statements. In September 2003, a Rae Bareli court had quashed charges against Advani while deciding to proceed against the other seven persons. The demolition of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, triggered a nationwide communal frenzy. (ANI)

Mayawati's new agriculture policy aims to boost retail sector

Saturday, August 4, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Aug 3 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today unveiled a new agricultural policy for the State, as per which, the private players have been given free choice to procure crops directly from farmers and open retail centres."It will benefit about 12 crore farmers in the State and attract an investment of about Rs 30-40 crore in next three-four years, creating a new wave of employment," Mayawati told reporters after unveiling the policy.According to the policy, investors willing to make a capital investment of minimum of Rs 5,000 crore in next three years will be permitted to purchase crops from the farmers directly. The policy aims at to percolate the benefits of retail revolution to the rural economy. (ANI)

Women in Vrindavan have no one but Lord Krishna for help

Saturday, August 4, 2007 | MP
By Brajesh Kumar SinghVrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.4 (ANI): Vrindavan, the temple town near Mathura, dedicated to Lord Krishna, is also known for its Dharamshalas (charitable lodgings) and Bhajan Ashrams, offering shelter to the widows and destitute. Most of these women are widows or the abandoned mothers who are no more wanted by their families. A few of these women belong to well-off families but their children have left them here and shifted to other cities or for building a career in foreign. There are thousands of women present in Vrindavan. But for the relatively young widows among them, it’s a struggle to protect their modesty from being outraged by local freaks. It’s a life full of curse. Everyday, these women spend their mornings and evenings chanting hymns in the praise of Lord Krishna and His beloved Radha at various temples and Bhajan ashrams. Also called “Sevadasis”, these widows, especially those young and presentable among them, have to submit themselves to the owners of Dharmashalas and Ashrams, priests and at times donors. But they have no one to turn to for ultimate help.Vandana Jain, the caretaker of one such Mahila Ashram, said:" Though I haven’t witnessed anything happening myself, I have heard about such incidents a number of times. No woman has ever complained of harassment.”She said: “The young widows, however, do not like to go to temples and it may be probably due to the fear of being harassed there." It was not so much the influx of aged widows but that of young girls being brought here from West Bengal and other states by possible "trafficking agents" which still needs to be investigated thoroughly.Chailabihari Upadhyay, the caretaker of Balaji Ashram, said: "I believe that such women are themselves characterless as no one can forcefully do anything with them. We feed them with food and money here. They come here, sing the hymns and spend their day." And, the most elderly or poor among these widows, who cannot visit temples or afford a proper shelter, often spend their last days on the roadsides or in shelters provided by the State Government. Majority of these women are social outcasts and have been living here for decades. Living alone makes them vulnerable to every form of exploitation. The owners and caretakers of the 'Bhajan Ashrams' do not accept such allegations. A Vrindavan Nagar Palika survey enumerated 3,105 widows whereas the unofficial figure is estimated to be anywhere between 5,000 and 6,000. These widows are supposed to receive a paltry sum of rupees 150 for a month (Rs.1,800 for a year). Gauri Rai, a widow, said: "Nobody abuses us inside the Ashram but outside they are always asking. That's why we came the Ashram. We have left our family and home, husband and children. They question our character, but I think that even they can not help. Such an attitude is now a part of their nature." There are women who pretend being happy.Sunanda Haldar, another widow, said: "We sing hymns here and get pulses and rice everyday, besides other things that all the women get here. We do not demand much. What else can poor persons like us can ask for? We are satisfied and happy." Over 50 per cent of these women depend on Bhajan Ashrams and begging for their livelihood. Some of the widows are too old to even cook for themselves. The only mattress they have is pieces of jute sacks. Even after death, there is no institutional support for ornamenting them. Medical help depends on charity and is virtually non-existent. (ANI)

A special court of snake charmers in Uttar Pradesh

Thursday, August 2, 2007 | MP
Harpalpur (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.1 (ANI): In Uttar Pradesh snake charmers have a special court which meets thrice a year to sort out their disputes. Snake charmers from neighbouring States too arrive here to solve their disputes.

The snake charmers congregate at Harpalpur village of Badayun District thrice--on Holi (festival of colours), Ashad (July-August) and Vijayadashami (Dussera). .

All snake charmers are supposed to abide by the judgments of this special court..

Elders of the community play the role of judges and adjudicate on disputes ranging from rape to theft. Each offence has a distinct punishment.

Ravi Nath, a snake charmer arrived from Rajasthan, said: "I have come from Rajasthan. I think that my brother has stolen some money and I want the court to do justice."

Elders say, the decision of the 'judges' is final, and there is no appeal. Anyone disrespecting or going against the verdict is ostracised by the community.

The punishment is announced on the basis of nature of the crime by this unique court.

Prayag Nath, village head and the judge, said: "Anyone found guilty of raping is awarded a punishment of being taken around his village sitting on a donkey and with a blackened face. The man and woman are later thrown out of the village."

For theft, the punishment is to walk seven steps holding a red-hot iron rod.

Ravi Nath and his brother Bishmanath, approached the snake charmers' court in a theft case. Both were made to walk seven-steps holding the hot iron rod. Since Bishmanath did not drop the rod while walking, the judges adjudicated he had not committed the crime.

Bishmanath, the accused, said: "My brother accused me of stealing, so we have come here to seek justice. The Sarpanch (village head) made me walk seven steps carrying hot iron rod weighing 1.25 kilograms. I won the case because I didn't drop the rod in between. I am happy now."

The special court assembles and summons the litigants. After hearing the charges and arguments of both sides, the judges clap thrice to indicate the case has been heard and decided.

Before the trial session begins, a snake show is organised to entertain the guests or assembled snake charmers. The snake charmers blow long pipes "Bins" to make snakes 'dance' to its tunes. (ANI)

Boat capsizes, 35 feared drowned in UP

Thursday, August 2, 2007 | MP
Maharajganj (UP), Aug 1 (ANI): At least 35 people died today when a boat carrying them capsized in the overflowing Rohini river here on Wednesday.

According to police officials, 28 bodies have been recovered so far, while seven people were still missing.

About 90 people were in the boat when it capsized.

The accident occurred near Harakpur village of the district.

Around 55 people have been rescued by the PAC divers and two PAC motor boats had been pressed into service to trace the other missing.

Senior police and civil officials reached the spot to supervise rescue operations. (ANI)

Sonia Gandhi concludes three-day Rae Bareli visit

Thursday, August 2, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, Aug 1 (ANI): Congress president Sonia Gandhi concluded her three-day visit to her Parliamentary constituency on Wednesday, during which she met people from all walks of life.

On the last day of her visit, Sonia met representatives of various organizations besides meeting common people and taking note of their problems. She also visited Navodaya Vidyalaya and attended a meeting.

Sonia also attended the board meeting of the Rae Bareli Municipal Corporation.

She later went to a school in Halowar village, and interacted with the students there.

In last three days, she visited Babuganj, Kuchariya, Munshiganj, Garhikhas, Phulwasa and Bawan Bujurg areas of Rae Bareli. (ANI)

Sonia Gandhi felicitates meritorious students in Rae Bareli

Thursday, August 2, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh), Aug 1 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi has felicitated meritorious students in her parliamentary constituency, Rae Bareli.

Around half-a-dozen school-going students from the Maulana Azad Education Foundation were handed out rupees 10,000 scholarship on Tuesday.

"I am feeling very happy because I never thought in my dreams that one day I will be honoured by Sonia Gandhi. I am really feeling very wonderful," said Anita Singh, a student.

Sonia will meet people of the area at NTPC Guest House today followed by another meeting with party workers at Maharajganj.

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia will leave for New Delhi today.

During her three-day visit, Sonia attended a function organised in the honour of freedom fighter Beni Madho. She said that the 1857 revolt was the first struggle for freedom against British colonial rule.

She also inaugurated a Law College at Ataura Buzurg, besides taking stock of ongoing development works.

Sonia frequently visits Rae Bareli, a bastion of the Gandhi family. (ANI)

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