Uttar Pradesh News Archive: October 2007

Home Guards hit streets demanding better pay

Friday, October 26, 2007 | MP
Ghazipur (UP), Oct 25 (ANI): Home Guard personnel took to the streets of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur district on Thursday with begging bowls in their hands demanding regularisation of their service and better pay package. The Home Guard personnel are sent on duty for three months in a year to assist the police in performing their duties. They said that they were not able to actively discharge any work apart from policing because sometimes they were called in for urgent tasks and officers charge them with indiscipline. "Some of the Home Guard personnel are working as labourers in order to survive. We have placed all our demands before the government and made them aware of our problems. In our department, even expressing our genuine problems and feelings is termed as misbehaviour, " said Shivsagar Pandey, a home guard. These Home Guard personnel in Khaki uniforms are deployed to ensure security of ministers and are on duty at police stations also. However, they have to buy their uniform, shoes and belt themselves. "The person recruited for this service holds a secure, respectable job. This is not just an ordinary service, but a respectful job. The motto of the Home Guards is to serve the country selflessly. We are working on that only," said Jyoti Kumar Raizada, a Home Guard commandant. The government has recruited them mainly to look after the arrangements during elections, but has not done anything to ameliorate the pitiable condition in which these unfortunate Home Guards live. According to the records, a total of 1,20,000 home guards are in Uttar Pradesh, of which, only 20,000 guards are sent on duty and 8,000, are sent to private places for work.In Ghazipur, the total number of home guards is 1500 of which, only 300 are on duty. Similarly in Varanasi, only 750 guards out of 3900, in Mirzapur 350 guards out of 1200, in Sonbhadra 300 out of 700 guards and in Badohi 300 out of 600 guards are given work. As a result, at least 80 per cent of the Home Guard personnel remain idle during the year. (ANI)

10 officers transferred

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 22 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Government today transferred ten Indian Administrative Service officers. After the transfer, the Principal Secretary (Technical Education), Sankar Agarwal, and Principal Secretary (Housing and Urban Planning Department), Mohinder Singh, have swapped places.The Managing Director (MD) of the UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), Sudhir Mahadev Bobade, has been made MD of the UP State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC).He replaces Rajiv Kapoor, who will now be the MD of the UP Power Corporation. The incumbent MD of the UP Power Corporation, Avnish Kumar Awasthi, has been shifted to State Irrigation Department as Secretary. Current, Irrigation Secretary Shambhu Nath Shukla will be MD of UPSRTC and CEO, Noida Balwainder Kumar has been made Principal Secretary (Social Welfare). Principal Secretary of Social Welfare Ram Kumar has been shifted to Rural Engineering Services Department. Commissioner Food and Civil Supplies K S Ataoria and Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) Vice Chairman Harbhajan Singh have exchanged places. (ANI)

Muslims, Hindus join to stage Ramlila

Friday, October 19, 2007 | MP
Varanasi, Oct. 19 (ANI): Many Muslims in Varanasi are giving a distinct meaning to their age-old brotherhood with Hindus here by participating in the annual Ramlila, a stage performance about Lord Rama’s life based on Hindu epic Ramayana held before Dussehra.Though Ramlilas are mainly organised by Hindus in different parts of the country through stage performances, here many Muslims also take an active part in the Ramlila celebrations. Muslims join the join the Hindus in playing role of Hindu Gods and others in Ramlila or preparing the effigies of demon-King Ravana, brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnatha on Dussehra. "Some Muslim brothers take part in Ramlila while some extend support during the making of the effigy of Ravana. Over all, they have a major role to play," said Deepak Garg, Vice President, Ram Leela Committee, Varanasi.Muslims taking part in the Hindu festivities admit that they receive utmost co-operation, support and affection from their Hindu brothers. "One faces problems in an atmosphere that is new to him, but luckily, I have been associated with this programme for the past 30 years. I have never felt that I am a Muslim. There is no such difference and I am associated with it with my extreme devotion and dedication," said Tanveer Ahmed Khan, an artist. The audience, who have been watching this Ramlila for decades, also feel the same and believe that there is no ill-will found here. They have been witness of this communal harmony for a long time. "Both Hindus and Muslims come here to see the Ramlila and they also take active part in it. We have never seen any kind of problem in so many years," said Rajesh Kumar, a resident. This drama is based on the Ramayana. Valmiki's Ramayana, the oldest version of Ramayan is the basis of all the various versions of the Ramayan that are relevant in the various cultures. The text survives in numerous complete and partial manuscripts, the oldest surviving of which is dated from the eleventh century AD.The majority of the Ramlilas recount episodes from the Ramayana through a series of performances lasting an average of ten to twelve days, but some, such as Ramnagar’s, may last a whole month.The celebrations of Ramlila and Dussehra mark the victory of virtue over the evil. (ANI)

Sonia's 3 day Rae Bareli visit concludes

Thursday, October 18, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli, Oct 18 (ANI): Congress party president Sonia Gandhi’s three-day visit to her parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli came to an end on Thursday, during which she launched several developmental schemes and programmes. On the last day of her visit, Sonia interacted with the people of Rae Bareli at NTPC guesthouse. From there she moved to Dalmau where she inaugurated a park and a shelter for the poor. The UPA Chairperson then went to Lalganj, where she inaugurated a health mela besides inspecting the local hospital. She also inaugurated a hostel for the females at the Baiswara Degree College. Later, she met the family members of late Ram Roop Chaudhary, who reportedly died in a road accident involving Congress leader Pramod Tiwari's motorcade. During visit, Sonia inaugurated a 220-kv power sub-station here, and also launched nine new road construction projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at Churva. Sonia, who was accompanied by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, said that the UPA government is targeting to electrify all homes by 2012. She also took stock of the National Dairy Development Board's unit in Bachrawan, Kundanganj, Harchnadpur and Dusauti. Sonia also visited the Hariyali Kishan Bazar in Didauli and inaugurated a computer laboratory at the Firoze Gandhi Engineering College. (ANI)

Fire in parcel coach of Shiv Ganga Express

Thursday, October 18, 2007 | MP
Chandari Station (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 18 (ANI): A major fire broke out in a parcel coach of the Shiv Ganga Express at the Chandari station near Kanpur city late on Wednesday night damaging parcels worth thousands of rupees.B D Moria, Station House Officer of the Government Railway Police Force, said there were no casualties caused by the fire on the Shiv Ganga Express, which was running from Delhi to Varanasi.“It was loaded with cargo, but we cannot say exactly what was there in the cargo,” Moria said.Passengers travelling on the train, however, said that one person died due to suffocation."When the coach caught fire, everyone jumped off the train, but he (the deceased) was sleeping," said Rajkumar, who was travelling on the train.While passengers have been shifted to other compartment of the train, an investigation has been ordered into the incident. Meanwhile, the train services, which were stopped due to the incident, have been restored. (ANI)

Mayawati expands her Cabinet again

Thursday, October 18, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 17 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today expanded her Cabinet by inducting six new ministers raising the strength to 54. In a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, Governor T V Rajeswar gave oath to four cabinet ministers- Nand Gopal Gupta, K K Gautam, Chandrika Ram Yadav and Ashok Kumar, and two Ministers of State- Bhagwati Sagar and Jaiveer Singh. Ranganath Mishra, Anant Kumar Mishra, Badshah Singh and Abdul Mannan, who were Ministers of State, have been elevated to the Cabinet rank.This is the second expansion of Mayawati's five-month old Cabinet. (ANI)

Sonia launches developmental projs in Rae Bareli

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 | MP
Rae Bareli(Uttar Pradesh), Oct 16 (ANI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi is on a three-day visit to her parliamentary constituency Rae Bareli, where she launched many developmental projects on Tuesday. She inaugurated a 220-kv power sub-station here, and also launched nine new road construction projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at Churva."Availability of electricity will have a positive effect on the people of the area. Power is one of the fundamental needs of the people today, thus we should not waste it as it is scarce," she said after inaugurating the power station.Sonia, who was accompanied by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, said that the UPA government is targeting to electrify all homes by 2012. "Under the Rajiv Gandhi Electrification Scheme we are targeting 1737 villages and more than two lakhs homes are being electrified, out of which 1.75 lakh homes will get free connections till 2008," she added. She took stock of the National Dairy Development Board's unit in Bachrawan, Kundanganj, Harchnadpur and Dusauti.She also visited the Hariyali Kishan Bazar in Didauli and inaugurated a computer laboratory at the Firoze Gandhi Engineering College. (ANI)

Mayawati among world`s top 8 women leaders

Monday, October 15, 2007 | MP
New York, Oct 15 (ANI): US magazine Newsweek has listed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati among eight women leaders worldwide who have reached the top despite all odds.The Bahujan Samaj Party chief, who swept the Assembly elections early this year with a rainbow coalition of Dalits, upper castes and Muslims, says in an interview to the magazine that her aim is to replicate the victory in the other states and prepare for the bigger struggle to capture power in New Delhi. The BSP, she said, initially needed an aggressive approach to rally the poor Dalits. "Political parties dominated by upper castes got alarmed by the rising masses. Their opposition cut short each of my first four stints as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and it became clear we needed to broaden the base to include the poor irrespective of caste or religion," she added. She organized village-level amity meetings for the poor irrespective of caste or religion. "Our efforts were met with calumny, attacks and lawsuits, but we struggled on, and prevailed in elections this May. For the first time in 17 years, a majority government led by a Dalit is in place in Uttar Pradesh," she adds. Apart from Mayawati, others who write their success story include CEO of the French Energy Conglomerate Areva Anne Lauvergeon and Director General of World Health Organization Margaret Chan. (ANI with inputs)

Hindus, Muslims live in one family in UP village

Sunday, October 14, 2007 | MP
Sadhan (Agra), Oct.14 (ANI): Sadhan Village in Agra District of Uttar Pradesh has 45 families in which half of the members of the same family follow Hinduism and the other half abide by Islam. Half of these family members observed Rozas during Ramdan ahead of Id-ul-Fitr, whereas the other half are celebrating Navratras, the nine-day festival devoted to Goddess Durga, these days. The prayers are performed in common courtyards. The unique feature of the members of these families showing respecting for each other’s chosen faith is setting a big example of community in Sadhan Village, 45 kilometres from Tehsil headquarters of Kirowali in Achnara Block. Once such family is of Shakuntala, where two sons follow different religious faiths but share one roof. “I have both (Hindu and Muslim) the religions in my family. I don't feel odd. In the same home, some of the members observed Roza and while the rest are observing Navaratri fast. In this house, one brother is Muslim and the other is Hindu," said Shankutala. "My sister-in-law is a Hindu, I am a Muslim. She is worshipping her deity for the Navaratri festival and I have observed my last Roza. We are comfortable with each other's religious practices. We cook and eat together and there is no discrimination of any sort in our family. We are living happily as one," said Afrozi, elder daughter-in-law of Ghazni, the family head. The village has a population of 5,000 people. “Today there are many such families where one brother practices Islam and the other is a Hindu. There is no discrimination in this village in the name of religion. People here are very liberal. We stand by each other and religion creates no hindrance among us from coming close," said Illiyas Ahmad Khan, a villager. Khan, while telling about some of such families, added: There lived two real brothers –Adilbad (a Muslim by faith) and Jeevan Lal (a Hindu by faith). Another family was of Mir Khan, a Muslim by faith, but his son followed Hinduism.Legend has it that the unique social set up prevalent in the Sadhan Village started during the Moghul era when the erstwhile ruler Aurangzeb (1658-1707) is believed to have converted Hindus to Islam en-masse. The purpose was to make Dar-al-Harb (land of infidelity) into Dar-Al-Islam (land of faith).Later, during the nineteenth century, Hindu reformers Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Dayanand Saraswati emerged on the scene with their Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj respectively. The Arya Samaj launched a movement named “Shuddhi” (purification) to bring back those families whose ancestors had been converted to other faiths. But when the Shuddhi movement reached Sadhan Village, many families here decided not to get influenced by it. Rather, they opted to pursue both the religions, allowing their progenies to follow either Islam or Hindu faith. Since then, the village has witnessed this trend of a single family practising different faiths. (ANI)

Last Friday prayers offered ahead of Eid

Friday, October 12, 2007 | MP
Lucknow/Srinagar/Mumbai, Oct 12 (ANI): Muslims across the country offered prayers today marking the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.In Lucknow, thousands of Muslims attended special prayers held in mosques."We wait for this day the entire year. We are really happy today," said Mohammad Irfan.In Srinagar, hundreds of Muslims thronged mosques."Today is the last prayer of the month of Ramzan. Today, we get an opportunity to apologies for our sins and our mistake, which we have committed in the last one year," said Mohammad Ismail.Similar scenes were seen in Mumbai where thousands of Muslim attended the prayers.Ramadan is a dawn to dusk fast observed by the Muslims for a period of 30 days. The holy month of fasting this year ends on Saturday.During Ramadan, Muslims do not take food or water from dawn to dusk. They also devote their time to worship and studying of the Quran. They eat a pre-dawn meal, called Sehri and at the end of the day, called Iftar.The Muslims are required to refrain from indecent acts and improper thoughts, nor may they make offensive gestures or unkind words during the period.Millions of Muslims across India began marking the fasting month on September 14, after the sighting of new moon.Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, Islam's holy book, and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours.The end of Ramadan heralds the festival of Eid ul fitr. (ANI)

Parents of missing children not to celebrate Eid

Friday, October 12, 2007 | MP
Varanasi, Oct.12 (ANI): While Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid with their kids and family, Mohammed Ali-ur-Rehman, a resident of Varanasi, cannot do so on this most awaited day of the year. Rehman's six-year-old son Babloo was kidnapped from his doorstep nearly two years ago after he failed to pay 500,000 rupees (.5 million) ransom to the abductors. Rehman has not heard from his child ever since."How can I celebrate Eid when my son is missing? Nobody in my family is celebrating the festival this time. I am only concerned about the whereabouts of my child," said a distressed Rehman.Anguished over their missing children and the local administration's inability to help them, about 14 families with missing children have decided to observe a solemn Eid this year.Scores of children have been abducted during past two years in Varanasi, but authorities have failed to trace them. Disappointed from all quarters of help, these parents have no alternative but conduct prayers and silent protests.The parents are being supported by a self-help group Vishal Bharat Sansthan in their endeavour to boycott the festivities."We are praying for the return of the missing children. It is festive occasion of Eid but, all the families who have lost their children will not celebrate Eid this year and we have also decided that we would support them," said Nazma Parveen, Administrative Officer of Vishal Bharat Organisation.Thousands of Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr meaning "the feast of breaking fast". During Ramadan, Muslims observe a month of fasting during daylight hours. Muslim clergy decide the date of Eid, on the basis of sighting of moon.But, as preparations are on full swing in India and as festive spirits are reining high, these parents silently pray and look forward to the safe return of their kids with a hope to bring festive fervour back in their lives on this Eid. (ANI)

Shamli rlwy station, where dogs enjoys feast

Friday, October 12, 2007 | MP
Oct.12 (ANI): As the train reaches the Hind railway station and the loco siren whistle hoots, several dogs run up to the drivers for their food. They know that they are a welcome here and in no condition will be shooed away. The locomotive (engine) drivers of the trains running between Delhi and Saharanpur via Shamli, also known as the sugar-belt track, do not miss to feed dogs with Chapatis here. "I am here for the last four years and ever since I came here all the drivers have been feeding the dogs here everyday," said S. P. Singh, Station Master of the Hind Railway Station.The practice to feed the canines has been on for a long time. It is followed by a long held belief that the gesture ensures safety for the passengers and the train as well. Train drivers claim that this convention dates back to the very day when the first train from Shahdara and operated by Martin Burn Light Railway steamed in at the Hind railway station decades ago. It is said because the dogs symbolise “Shani”(the Saturn God of Hindus), thus, offering Chapatis to the dogs means paying respect to Him. It is hoped that the Saturn God will take care of the passengers’s safety in their journey till they reach their destinations. "There are two three reasons behind it. One is that the drivers have practiced this for a long time. Our old drivers also used to feed the dogs like this. And the other reason is that it is believed that dogs symbolise Shani and for the safety of people, we feed the dogs," said Chandrakant Mishra, a train driver. "People believe that the dogs represent Gods. So they offer Chapatis to them. Two accidents happened here some time back but none was injured in that," said Rajendra Singh, a gangman, Hind Railway Station. Reportedly, around 10 months ago, a portion of track got displaced and this was noticed by some school children. Instantly, they informed the driver of an approaching train about it. Another incident recalled by the locals took place six months ago when a train caught fire but none of the passengers was affected by fire. All these incidents took place near Hind Railway Station that, in turn, has reinforced the belief of feeding the dogs as the factor that ensures safety. No matter what made people to follow such a belief, but the dogs are certainly having a great time relishing Chapatis without scavenging around for their daily meal! (ANI)

Child prodigy praised for her tailoring skills

Thursday, October 11, 2007 | MP
Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh), Oct.11 (ANI): At an age when kids are found making new friends at the neighbourhood or school, five-year-old Sheelu Mishra of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh is teaching students of her mother’s age. Youngest of five of her siblings, Sheelu, a student of Lower Kindergarten, had to take up the job to support her family. Today, she teaches tailoring to girls quite older to her for two hours daily.She learnt the skills from her mother Asha when she used to teach tailoring-skills to others at their tailoring-centre. "My mother used to teach other girls and that's how I picked up tailoring. I can make blouse, petticoat, under garments, simple frock, umbrella frock, pyjamas, pant, and shirt," said Sheelu.It’s been one year since Sheelu has been teaching. Asha, Sheelu’s mother, says she is so happy that her daughter picked up tailoring skills at such a young age."When I was unwell, I was worried how would I run my tailoring-centre. At that time she (Sheelu) said she would do it. I asked her how you will do it. She said I have learnt all and can sew anything. I asked her to show and she made a cutting on the paper," said Asha.Sheelu's students say that they have complete faith in her and they don't mind learning the skills of tailoring from a child."When I came here for first time I asked auntie (Sheelu's mother Asha) for tailoring skills. But she was not keeping on well and there was no one to handle teaching. At that time Sheelu (the kid) said she would teach me," said Suman Pandey, Sheelu's student.Sheelu, at present, teaches twenty four girls in the age group of 12 to 42 at the tailoring center. And, she charges rupees 50 per student besides the enrollment fees of rupees sixty five. (ANI)

Taj corridor: SC gives reprieve to Mayawati

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 10 (ANI): The Supreme Court today gave a reprieve to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati in connection with the 175-crore-rupee Taj Corridor case, by refusing to direct state Governor T V Rajeshwar for granting sanction to prosecute her. Rejecting a plea made by advocate Ashok Aggarwal, a Special Bench headed by Justice S B Sinha said, “It cannot hear Aggarwal's application as the matter was beyond its purview." Aggarwal had challenged the Governor's refusal to sanction her prosecution.Earlier, the apex court had reserved its judgement on an application filed by the amicus curiae in the case challenging the order of the Governor refusing sanction to prosecute Mayawati under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha, S H Kapadia and B K Jain had reserved its verdict after hearing the amicus Kishan Mahajan and Solicitor General G E Vahanvati on behalf of the Centre. Despite the court directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special judge to prosecute Mayawati, Rajeshwar on June 3 refused permission to prosecute her saying there was no evidence. Besides Mayawati, the other accused in the scam are former Uttar Pradesh Environment Principal Secretary R K Sharma Sharma and Rajendra Prasad, an under secretary and a former IAS officer V K Gupta. The CBI has been probing the case over the past three years, under direct monitoring of the Supreme Court. In November 2006, it set aside the CBI's status report seeking closure of the case. The Taj Corridor Project proposed to give a facelift to the areas surrounding Agra's major monuments along the Yamuna. Included in the venture was a blueprint for a swanky shopping mall. The plan was put forward by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and consultancy firm German Technical Cooperation in 2001. It was part of a series of proposals collectively referred to as the 'Environment Management Plan - Agra'. Under the project, the CPCB had conceptualised a heritage corridor covering five historical monuments, including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ram Bagh, Etmad-ud-Daula's tomb and Chini ka Rauza.All this was in disregard of the guidelines laid down by the Environment Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The grandiose scheme fell to pieces when it came under media scrutiny in mid-June 2003. (ANI)

Mayawati already in poll mode

Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 9 (ANI): The UPA and the Left may have been able to avert the polls temporarily, but the BSP supremo and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati has begun her election campaign.In a mammoth rally held in Lucknow on Tuesday, she said, "Due to the nuclear deal and the Ram Setu issue this government will not last for long," adding, "So you must prepare for polls.'' She announced numerous schemes worth Rs 9000 crore on the occasion of first death anniversary of her mentor Kanshi Ram that included convention centre, urban development scheme, super speciality hospitals, medical colleges and museum and memorials all in the name of Kanshi Ram.The Chief Minister also declared institution of an International sports award. (ANI)

Bijnore’s glass manuf unit a brand of its own kind

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 | MP
Bijnore, Oct.9 (ANI): The glass bottle manufacturing industry of Kiratpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnore District has made its own special recognition in the country due to its good quality and variety of bottles.Many of these manufacturing units have existed here for 50 years. With the passage of time, the demand for glass bottles manufactured here has witnessed a sky-scrapping business to the tune of an annual turnover of rupees 20 crore (200 million rupees). Thousands of bottles are produced everyday in these factories. The factories use coal-lit furnaces in place of electricity to save power consumption. "We make up to 55,000 pieces a day and sell them at rupees 90 to 100 per box in the market. Overall, the business is good and many people get employment here. The workers are paid from rupees 100 to 140 per day," said Irfan Ahmed, a factory owner. In view of the increasing demand over the years for its glass bottles, in specific, the manufactures here have been experimenting with various designs. The manufactures’ specialty includes production of bottles used for perfume, Itr and nail polish, and other assorted varieties for their major clients spread over Kanauj, Varanasi, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.Besides, this glass bottle industry has also been a major source of direct or indirect income for lakhs of people. "It is an age-old business. This is also a primary employment source in the area of Kiratpur and in the absence of this profession, people would have to search for employment elsewhere outside this place," said Tariq Ahmed, another factory owner. Several families in Bijnore have been dependent on the glass industry."I have been working here for the past two years and I am earning nearly rupees 120 per day after eight hours of hard work. It is really a good place to work and it took me six to eight months to learn the art," said Nadeem Ahmed, a worker. With automation and modernisation of glass blowing systems, the production is anticipated to reach the figure of six million bottles per month. (ANI)

Allahabad HC to hear Amitabh's petition

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 9 (ANI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court will hear Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan's writ petition today challenging the Faizabad Commissioner's order quashing the allotment of agricultural land at Daulatpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki District to him.Earlier, Justice A N Srivastava of the Lucknow Bench had fixed October 9 as the next date of final hearing of petition after Bachchan's counsel filed the rejoinder affidavit.In his petition, Bachchan had said that the Faizabad court's order exceeded its jurisdiction by not hearing his version and going into the merits of the case.Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Government had stated that Bachchan allegedly committed another fraud by claiming that he was a resident of 17, Clive Road, Allahabad, in his application for farmland allotment in Barabanki District.UP Government's lawyer D K Upadhya alleged that Bachchan's father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, lived at the said residence till 1958 after which the house was sold.The former Mulayam Singh Yadav Government had allotted three bighas (about 70,000 sq ft) of prime land at Daulatpur village in Barabanki District to Bachchan.The actor had managed issuance of documents 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 mid-1990s.However, the Faizabad Additional Commissioner, who had judicial powers in land disputes, had ruled that the 1993 Barabanki land transfer in his name was illegal. (ANI)

Ayodhya Hindu woman keeps Rozas for Ramadan

Monday, October 8, 2007 | MP
Faizabad, Oct.8 (ANI): A Hindu woman in Ayodhya constituency of Uttar Pradesh is setting an example of communal harmony by keeping Rozas, the dawn-to-dusk fasts for past three years during the month of Ramadan. Sudha Aggarwal has deep regard for Islam and is a living inspiration for Hindus and Muslims in Faizabad District. On Sunday, the 24th day of Rozas, Sudha Aggarwal hosted Iftar (referred to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan). She invited her Muslim friends and neighbours."I keep Roza so I can invite my friends and neighbours to the Iftar party. I asked my neighbours and they happily agreed to come to my house," Sudha said.It’s been twenty years since Sudha started visiting the Dargah of Hazarat Sayyed Shaheed Salar Ali Mohammed Hasan Rehmat Ullah Aleh. She has been visiting the sacred place every week along with her children. "Any festival can only be successful if people will celebrate it together. It doesn't matter if it is a Hindu festival, Muslim festival or any other festival," said Khadim Abbas, Sudha's neighbour.During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a day-long fast without water .This year the month-long dawn-to- dusk fast started on September 16, after the sighting of the new moon.Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, Islam's holy book, and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours.Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During daylight hours, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, sex and music.Considered auspicious for prayers, Muslims observe the month-long fasting called "Roza". It is believed to secure them a place in heaven and also brings them face-to-face with Allah -- the Almighty -- on the day of "Qayamat", when the world will cease to be. (ANI)

Taj Corridor case today

Monday, October 8, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 8 (ANI): A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court will hear today the rupees-175-crore Taj Corridor case, in which Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is the main accused.Judge Rekha Dixit had deferred the hearing after the counsel for one of the accused -- former Uttar Pradesh Environment Principal Secretary R K Sharma – moved an application seeking an adjournment. Sharma had filed an intervention plea in the matter. Uttar Pradesh Governor TV Rajeswar had earlier refused to accord sanction to prosecute Mayawati and former State Environment Minister Naseemuddin Siddique in the case. Besides Sharma, the other accused in the scam are Rajendra Prasad, an under secretary and a former IAS officer V K Gupta. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had reserved its judgement on an application filed by the amicus curiae in the case challenging the order of Rajeswar refusing sanction to prosecute Mayawati under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha, S H Kapadia and B K Jain reserved its verdict after hearing the amicus Kishan Mahajan and Solicitor General G E Vahanvati on behalf of the Centre. The CBI has been probing the case over the past three years, under direct monitoring of the Supreme Court. In November 2006, it set aside the CBI's status report seeking closure of the case. The Taj Corridor Project proposed to give a facelift to the areas surrounding Agra's major monuments along the Yamuna. Included in the venture was a blueprint for a swanky shopping mall. The plan was put forward by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and consultancy firm German Technical Cooperation in 2001. It was part of a series of proposals collectively referred to as the 'Environment Management Plan - Agra'. Under the project, the CPCB had conceptualised a heritage corridor covering five historical monuments, including Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Ram Bagh, Etmad-ud-Daula's tomb and Chini ka Rauza.All this was in disregard of the guidelines laid down by the Environment Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The grandiose scheme fell to pieces when it came under media scrutiny in mid-June 2003. (ANI)

Dubbed Hindi movies help in teaching Persian

Saturday, October 6, 2007 | MP
Lucknow , Oct 6 (ANI): Arif Ayyubi, Head of the Persian Department at the Lucknow University has started teaching Persian language through dubbed versions of popular Bollywood movies.This is a unique and an innovative effort adopted by the university administration to promote the language and to make the learning process more interesting.The students are first shown a movie in the original language, followed immediately by the dubbed version."The main problem that students face is that Persian language is not written and pronounced in the same manner. We drop many words, some are silent and pronounced in a different manner," said Ayyubi. The whole exercise is immensely beneficial for the students.“Persian department has made an innovation which is very useful. We can learn the language in a short time along with the pronunciation," said Sheer Ul Saltanat, an Afghani student.Ayyubi, who has already created a library of around 90 dubbed movies, maintains that the initiative has been an instant hit with students. Though learning a language through an audio-visual medium is not new, this is the first time that movies are being used to instruct.The class, which includes 24 Afghani students, is very enthusiastic about these new 'movie classes'.“Learning through movies is very unique. We learn the practical aspects - the dialect and how to speak," Noorzabi, another student.Persian is also popularly known as 'Farsi'. It was the language of the Parsa people who ruled Iran between 550-330 BC.Today Persian is widely spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and parts of Uzbekistan.(ANI)

Antique Lord Buddha idol seized

Friday, October 5, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 4 (ANI): Lucknow Police have seized an antique idol of Lord Buddha worth 1.2 million dollars in the international market.Police also arrested Om Prakash Singh, who was carrying the antique idol.The value of the idol was ascertained after officials got it examined by antique experts."We got the idol examined by an antique specialist and experts in the market and found it to be an antique. The idol weighs around 4.75 kilograms and it is valued at approximately Rs 408 million," said Kalyan Singh Jemar, Circle Officer.Om Prakash Singh claimed that he was not aware of the value of the idol and was only carrying it for a third person. "One person gave it to me and told me to take it to Langra Pathak area. I don't know the value. He said someone would come to take it," said Om Prakash Singh.Unauthorised dealing in antiques is banned under the Antiquity and Art Treasure Act (AATA). This Act is enacted to regulate the export trade in antiquities and art treasures, to prevent smuggling of and fraudulent dealings in antiquities.But people have been circumventing the law and India has become a hub of clandestine dealings in objects of art and most of the smuggled goods are finding their way in the West. (ANI)

Sacked UP police personnel protest in Kanpur

Thursday, October 4, 2007 | MP
Kanpur, Oct 3 (ANI): Sacked women police personnel in Kanpur on Wednesday protested against their dismissal by the ruling State government.The suspended women were also protesting against a remark by Shailaja Kant Misra, Additional Director General, stating that some girl candidates had succumbed to sexually exploitation during the selection process.They said the remark was derogatory and marred their chances of a successful life in the future."Women personnel have been removed and sacked. We are protesting against this. The government and Shailaja Kant Misra (Kanpur's Additional Director General of Police) have raised questions and fingers on the character of the said women. This is very shameful," said Samajwadi Party legislator, Aruna Tomar. The protesting women police personnel raised slogans against Chief Minister Mayawati and Mishra. They demanded their reinstatement with an apology from the senior police officer." Mayawati, despite being women has done all this (sacked the women personnel and raised questions on their character). Women have been accused wrongly without any proof, only on the basis of some statements by some people. This is not fair," said Satish Nigam, another Samajwadi Party leader.Finding irregularities in the selection process during the Samajwadi Party reign in the State, Mayawati-led Government has sacked over 12,000 policemen from their jobs and has suspended top IPS officers. (ANI)

13 feared dead in stampede at Mughalsarai

Thursday, October 4, 2007 | MP
Mughalsarai, Oct 3 (ANI): At least 13 women were feared dead and several others injured in a stampede at Mughalsarai railway station on Wednesday. The mishap took place when two trains arrived simultaneously on platform number five and six, Mughalsarai Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) H K Kala said. Women were climbing stairs when the stampede took place, Kala added. Additional DRM Harindra Rao said the injured have been rushed to hospital, and two or three of them were discharged after treatment. The women were going to Varanasi to take bath in the Ganges on the occasion of "Putrajaya", a local festival. (ANI)

Book on Durga written in blood

Thursday, October 4, 2007 | MP
Varanasi, Oct 3 (ANI): Ramesh Chandra Dhawan of Varanasi is writing the book “Durga Saptashati” using his blood.It has become a daily affair for Dhawan, to sit on the banks of the Ganges and write three pages of the Durga Saptashati. He believes that his effort will promote peace in the world. An extremely thin and bony person, Dhawan said, “There should be no epidemic, not be any bloodshed and peace should flourish world over." In the last six months, Dhawan has been able to pen 560 pages and hopes to write other Hindu scriptures in the future.The Durga Saptashati is edicated to three Goddesses - Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, Saraswati, Goddess of knowledge and Kali, ferocious form of GoddessDurga.Durga Saptashati is a mantra of 700 verses on the Mother Goddess. It forms a part of the Markandeya Purana, one of the 18 important Puranas of Hinduism. It is also known as Chandi Path, Devi Mahatmya or just Saptashati. (ANI)

Saharanpur resident gets Kabir Puraskar

Wednesday, October 3, 2007 | MP
New Delhi, Oct 2 (ANI): The Centre today announced to confer the Kabir Puraskar, for the year 2007, on Saharanpur resident Khalifa Gufran for playing pivotal role in stopping many incidents of communal riots in his locality. He will be awarded with a cash prize of Rupees 50,000. Resident of Gali Halwaiyan, in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Gufran helped in saving the lives of two Dalit youths in 2006 after Muslims and Dalits scuffled over a petty matter that soon took the shape of communal violence."The timely arrival on the scene by Khalifa Gufran with the district authorities stemmed further escalation of violence and saved both the youths from the clutches of the mob," a release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that announces the award said. In March 2007 persons of Hindu and Muslim communities collected at Mohalla Jatavnagar and started pelting stones on each other. Here also Gufran helped the district authorities in restoring peace and normalcy. Kabir Puraskar is a National Award instituted by the Indian Government for recognizing the acts of physical or moral courage displayed by a member of one caste, community or ethnic group in saving the lives and properties of member(s) of another caste, community or ethnic group during caste, community or ethnic violence. The Award is given annually in three grades viz., Grade-I, Grade-II and Grade-III, carrying cash amount of Rs. 2,00,000; Rs.1,00,000 and Rs. 50,000 respectively. (ANI)

Muslim girl translates Hindu religious texts

Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | MP
Varanasi, Oct 2 (ANI): A Muslim girl in Varanasi has set-out on an endeavour to translate Hindu religious texts, including ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and ‘Ramcharitmanas’ into Urdu.Nazneen Ansari hopes her work will help people of both faiths to understand each other better.She has already translated Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindi poem praising Lord Hanuman, into Urdu and is working on Ramcharitmanas, a Hindu epic."I have done this to bring people closer to each other. There are many people who cannot read Hindi. Now, they can read Hanuman Chalisa in Urdu and can understand the moral of the story. It is my humble endeavour to help people in understanding each other's religion and culture," Nazneen said. Rajiv Dwivedi, a professor of History in Mahatma Gandhi Kashi VidyapithUniversity said that Nazneen’s effort desired to be known widely. "There is a large segment of the society that needs peace. Neither the media highlights nor politicians push them. Nazneen's work will boost the spirit of peace loving segment of our society," Dwivedi said.Great India Institute, an NGO, plans to get her work published so that her work reaches the laymen."Presently, Nazneen is busy in translating Ramcharitmanas. Once it is complete, we will get both Urdu Hanuman Chalisa and Ramcharitmanas published," said Puja, chief executive officer of Great India Institute.Mahabharata, another Hindu epic was translated into Persian during Akbar's reign under the title of Razamnama. (ANI)

Lucknow man, an owner of Gandhian collections

Monday, October 1, 2007 | MP
Lucknow, Oct 1 (ANI): Ashok Kumar Gupta of Lucknow is the proud owner of hundreds of souvenirs dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.He has collected various books, articles, paintings, portraits and memoirs of Gandhi, which are made of earth, wood, glass and stone.Fifty six year old Gupta, says that, “The inspiration to collect such items occurred to him nearly 30 years ago.”Today, he has a room in his house dedicated to the father of the nation.Gupta tries to incorporate Gandhi’s teachings in his daily life."I think the life style that Gandhiji preached is applicable to everyone. If someone tries to kill you but you are saved, I feel you should end it there and not set out to take revenge. Then this world will be a better place to live in," said Gupta.Though Gupta maintains that he is willing to share his knowledge with the world, the study conducted by him on Gandhi is purely for self-consumption.He claims to have studied all the books written on the father of the nation ever since 1942.He had a very unique collection of Mahatma Gandhi's "three monkeys" symbolizing the need to avoid evil in speech, sight and sound.He claims that among all the countries of the world, around 180 have issued Gandhi stamps. He wishes to collect all of them one day.Gandhi, whose 138th birth anniversary falls on October 2, has been a constant source of inspiration for many in the country ever since independence.He has inspired leaders like exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, who led a movement against apartheid policies of racial segregation in South Africa.Mahatma Gandhi, considered father of the Indian nation, was a pivotal figure of India's struggle for freedom against British rule.In January 1948, at the age of 79, he was killed by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic as he walked through a crowed garden in New Delhi to take evening prayers, less than a year after India became independent. (ANI)

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