Telangana

NCP wants formation of Telangana as early as possible, says Sharad Pawar

 New Delhi: Key UPA ally the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has made a strong pitch for a separate Telangana state, saying a delay in the matter would not be helpful. NCP chief Sharad Pawar today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and raised the issue with him, becoming the first UPA-constituent to openly come out in support of an early decision on Telangana.

"The question (to create a separate state) is that of timing.... We want Telangana as early as possible. A delay will not be helpful to us," Mr Pawar said after the meeting, adding that Congress is "generally pro-Telangana".

Mr Pawar also said he expects a meeting of the UPA to be held soon on the issue. The Union Agriculture Minister said his party has been supportive of separate Telangana for long and had even held a rally with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao few years back. The TRS has been at the forefront of the Telangana movement. Mr Pawar, whose party is also a major partner in the Congress-led coalition in Maharashtra, said that NCP has no objection if Vidarbha region also becomes a separate state. "We will not come in the way," he said.

The remarks of the NCP chief came close on the heels of Congress saying it was not against formation of Telangana and the government was in the process of taking a decision. "Congress is not against the formation of Telangana state. We are in the process of taking a decision but then formalities have to be completed," party spokesperson P C Chacko had said yesterday. Congress MPs from Telangana have threatened that they will send their resignations to Speaker Meira Kumar if urgent steps are not taken for formation of a separate state.

Anna raises question on Modi as PM

Patna, Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare today questioned Narendra Modi as a prime ministerial candidate in the next general elections saying the Gujarat Chief Minister was not sincere about rooting out corruption as he has not taken steps for setting up a Lokayukta, a post lying vacant since 2003 in the state. "I want to ask Modi why has he not made Gujarat corruption free and why did he not bring a bill for setting up Lokayukta in his state," he said in reply to questions by reporters.

So many complaints of corruption have been coming from Gujarat, he said. "People are tossing his (Modi's) name for the PM's post ... If he is so good a candidate why did he not bring a strong Lokayukta bill?" Hazare, who launched his 'Janatantra Morcha' here yesterday, said. "This proves that Modi is not interested in making a corruption-free India," the Gandhian said.

On a question on the probable future PM, he said "Anybody can become PM - what difference will it make ? The  country has seen so many prime ministers in the past 65 years what difference has it brought? Change will come only when people will have the independence to choose their PM." Hazare said he will not accept a 'weak' Lokpal Bill. "Bring a strong Lokpal Bill which can fight for the cause of poor and downtrodden. Then only we will support it," The Lokpal Bill would be passed in the budget session of Parliament, which commences in the second half of next month, according to a letter by Congress President Sonia Gandhi to Hazare.

On RJD chief Lalu Prasad dubbing his rally as a flop show, Hazare said "People wear glasses of different colours and see the world in that colour itself."

Telangana

Consultation process on Telangana still on: Shinde

New Delhi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today refused to give any fresh deadline for making any announcement on Telangana, saying discussion on the issue was still on. "Consultation process is still on," he told reporters when asked whether the Centre has set any fresh deadline on Telangana issue. A decision on the Telangana statehood demand was deferred on Sunday with the Centre and Congress saying there was need for "further consultations" which will take a "little more time". Shinde had on December 28 declared that government would make an announcement on separate statehood issue within a month. The deadline ended on Sunday. "On Telangana issue, consultation process is on. It may take little more time to reach a final decision," Shinde had said in a brief statement on Sunday.

The Home Minister, who returned from Dhaka last evening, said that during his two day visit to Bangladesh, an extradition treaty and a revised travel agreement were signed with the neighbouring country. Asked when ULFA 'general secretary' Anup Chetia could be extradited to India, Shinde said the insurgent leader was in a
jail in Dhaka but "we have discussed his case too". India has been pressing for Chetia's deportation since long. The ULFA leader has been in a Dhaka jail following his arrest in 1997 on the charge of entering Bangladesh without valid documents.

Gandhiji 65th death anniversary

Nation pays homage to Gandhi on 65th death anniversary

New Delhi, Jan 30 th The nation remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 65th death anniversary with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leading the country in paying homage to the Father of the Nation. Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Singh paid floral tributes at Gandhi's memorial in Rajghat here at a function.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister A K Antony, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj and chiefs of three services paid tributes to the Father of the Nation at his memorial. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, a number of central ministers, leaders of various political parties and people from different walks of life also paid homage to Gandhi. A multi-faith prayer service was organised and devotional songs were sung at the function held at 11 AM. Around 200 school students were also present at the function.

Telangana crisis

Telangana crisis; Seven Congress MPs to handover resignations to Sonia Gandhi

Hyderabad: Seven Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) will be heading to Delhi tomorrow morning with resignation letters addressed to the Lok sabha speaker but will hand it over to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

These MPs of the ruling party are bearing the brunt of anger at the Centre's failure to deliver on the promise that it would take a decision on statehood for Telangana by January 28. On Sunday, a day before the deadline that Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had set last month, senior minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government would need more consultations on the politically and emotionally sensitive issue.    

Madhu Yaski Goud, a Congress MP from Telangana said, "They are attacking our houses, they are abusing our families, they are threatening that no MP, MLA or minister can enter the villages. We discussed and we will bring it to the notice of our leader.''

There were huge protests in the state yesterday, with pro-Telangana protesters in Hyderabad clashing with the police as they made their way to Indira Park, where the Telangana Joint Action Commitee had asked activists to gather. Political parties like the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and BJP, which unequivocally support splitting the state too were part of the protest, where K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who heads the TRS, said, "We are demanding the resignation of all the Telangana Congress public representatives. When Andhra leaders can threaten, why not us. If they don't quit, they will face the wrath of the people.''

While the Congress' Telanagana MPs are slated to resign tomorrow, ministers from the region in the Kiran Kumar Reddy government in the state have so far said they will not quit. The Congress goverment in Andhra Pradesh has a razor-thin majority - 148 MLAs with the halfway mark in the 294-seat House at 147 - and the resignation of even two legislators would threaten its stability.

Like some other political parties, the Congress is deeply divided on the issue in the state. Leaders from the Telangana region want the state split; those from coastal Andhra or the Rayalaseema regions are opposed to it.

Angry pro-Telangana activists have accused the Congress of betraying the people of the region. A lawyer has filed a petition in a Ranga Reddy court yesterday, alleging that Home Minister Shinde and Finance Minister P Chidambaram had "cheated" the people by going back on their word. The court has ordered the police to register a case.

In December 2009, after a lengthy hunger fast by KCR found huge support, then Home Minister P Chidambaram had, in a surprise midnight announcement, said Telangana would be a state on its own. Violent protests in non-Telangana areas and a chorus of criticism by their leaders surprised the Centre. Many parties which had backed the division of the state rescinded their support and the decision to create a new state was suspended.

Last month, representatives of eight parties in the state were invited to Delhi for an all-party meeting by Mr Shinde, who promised a decision by January 28. But yesterday, Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Centre will consult again with leaders from the three regions of Andhra Pradesh. "There is no deadline, but the talks will be held as soon as possible," he said.

Critics of the Central government attribute its indecision on calculations for next year's general elections. Andhra Pradesh, which sends 42 members to the Lok Sabha, will play a starring role in deciding whether the Congress returns to power - 17 of the state's 42 seats are in Telangana. It is wary of the obvious popularity of former Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy, who founded his own party in 2011. Mr Reddy's father, YSR, who was chief minister when he died in a helicopter crash in 2009, was given all the credit for the Congress winning 156 seats in that year's general elections.

Screening of 'Vishwaroopam' stopped in Hyderabad

Screening of 'Vishwaroopam' stopped in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, The Hyderabad police have issued orders to stop the screening of Kalam Haasan starrer 'Vishwaroopam' in the city for a day. According to Sabita Indra Reddy, state Home Minister, police commissioners of Hyderabad and Cyberabad approached her to allow them to stop the screening the movie until they are
satisfied that the film would not create any disturbances.

"Some religious leaders approached me to stop the screening the movie expressing apprehensions. There is no ban from government side. City police commissioners have requested me to postpone the movie screening by a day in the city,"

Hyderabad city Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma was not available for comment. However, a police official from Cyberabad said they asked the film exhibitors not to screen the movie today in view of the representations made by some religious groups. When contacted, a senior official of a multiplex, where 'Vishwaroopam' was scheduled to be screened from 25th, said the police have asked them to stop the movie until January 29.

"The city police asked us not to screen the movie till January 29. Fans were thoroughly disappointed with the development," the official said, on condition of  anonymity.     The Rs 90 crore-film landed in controversies following the actor-producer's decision to screen the movie through DTH platform ahead of the release in theatres. However, Kamal Haasan later backed out following the pressure from exhibitors.

The Madras High Court declined to stay the two-week ban imposed by the Tamil Nadu state government on the film's screening. The court fixed January 26 for a preview of the controversial movie which has stoked strong protests from Muslim outfits

Monkey successfully sent into space

Iran: Monkey successfully sent into space

Dubai: Iran has successfully launched a live monkey into space, the state news agency IRNA said on Monday, touting it as an advance in a missile and space programme that has alarmed the West and Israel.

There was no independent confirmation of the report, which quoted a defence ministry statement. It said the launch coincided "with the days of" the Prophet Mohammad's birthday last week but gave no date.

IRNA said the monkey was sent into space on a Kavoshgar rocket. The rocket reached a height of more than 120 km (75 miles) and "returned its shipment intact", IRNA reported.

The Islamic Republic's state-run, English-language Press TV said the monkey was retrieved alive.

Iran announced plans in 2011 to send a monkey into space, but that attempt was reported to have failed.

Western powers are concerned that the long-range ballistic technology used to propel Iranian satellites into orbit could be used to launch nuclear warheads. Tehran denies such suggestions and says its nuclear activity is for peaceful energy only.

64th Republic Day Celebration

Indians across the world celebrate Republic Day

Islamabad/Beijing, (Jan-26-2013)Indians across the world soaked in the spirit of patriotism as they celebrated the Republic Day with fervour today to mark 64 years since the establishment of the Indian constitution. The Indian High Commission in the Pakistani capital celebrated the Republic Day today with High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal hoisting the national tricolour at an official function.

Sabharwal read out President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day and children of the High Commission's staff performed patriotic songs. The High Commissioner later presented gifts to the children. The function was held at the High Commission within the high-security diplomatic enclave in the heart of Islamabad. At the Indian Embassy in Beijing, S Jaishankar, Ambassador to China, hoisted the tricolour at the new premises as celebrations marked India's Republic Day. After the flag hoisting ceremony, attended by a large gathering, Beijing-based Indian professionals and their families, Jaishankar read the message of the President. Later, noted Indian Bharatanatyam dancer and founder of Abhinaya Dance Centre in New Delhi, Jayalakshmi Eshwar performed along with her students at the Indian Embassy's cultural centre.

Last night Jaishankar hosted a Republic Day reception, which was attended by senior Chinese civil and military officials. Zhang Ping, Chairman of the National Development Reforms Commission (NDRC), a Chinese official body akin to Planning Commission of India and Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying attended the reception, representing the Chinese government. A number of Chinese civil and military officials, besides diplomats of various countries attended colourful reception. In Guangzhou, Consulate General, K Nagraj Naidu hoisted the flag at the Indian Consulate. A number Indian businessmen and officials also attended the ceremony.

More than 500 Indians in Singapore joined the High Commissioner of India, Dr T C A Raghavan to celebrate the Republic Day. Raghavan unfurled the tricolour and read the President's speech. Students from local Indian schools sang the national anthem and patriotic songs. The High Commission in Singapore also hosted a tea
reception for the Indian community and friends of India. Traditional hoisting of the national tricolor, march past by children studying in Indian schools and cultural programmes marked celebrations in the Gulf region. Indian Embassies and Consulates across the Gulf region organised dinner receptions. The Indian ambassador to the Philippines Amit Dasgupta, today exhorted the Indian community to set an exemplary perception of India.

At the Republic Day celebration attended by multitude of Indian business community in Philippines, officials serving at the Asian Development Bank and the IT industry, the Indian tricolour was unfurled to the spirited singing of the national anthem by all those present. Dasgupta also read out the address by President Mukherjee and congratulated all those present on the occasion. He called upon the community to behave in the manner "befitting how India needs to be perceived". He also asked them to exercise vigilance and caution.

Dasgupta emphasised on the accessibility of all officials at the Indian Embassy for advancement of business interests and resolution of any issues pertaining to the community. Numerous young children in their colourful Indian outfits turned up at the morning festivity and heard President Mukherjee's message. India's national tricolour also fluttered proudly across South East Asia today with Indian expatriates thronging Indian embassies to take part in the festivities. India's Ambassador to Thailand, Anil Wadhwa, unfurled the flag at the Embassy premises here and read out President Mukherjee's address to the nation.

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CAIRO

Egypt court gives 21 death sentence in Port Said stadium attack on football fans

CAIRO: An Egyptian court has handed down death sentences for 21 people accused of taking part in soccer violence last year that killed 74. In the courtroom, families of the deceased wailed in disbelief and raised their hands in the air shouting "Allahu Akbar'', Arabic for God is great. The judge said in his statement read live on state TV that he would announce the verdict for the remaining 52 defendants on March 9. Among those on trial are nine security officials. The soccer melee on Feb. 1, 2011 between Port Said's Al-Masry fans and Cairo's Al-Ahly fans was the world's deadliest soccer violence in 15 years. As is customary in Egypt, the death sentences will be sent to a top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, for approval.

London’s Heathrow airport

London’s Heathrow airport, the busiest in Europe, canceled 347 flights or 25 percent of the total scheduled and said others would be delayed as heavy snowfalls swept across southern Britain.

Services are alternating between the hub’s two runways to allow for plowing, and people due to fly today should check with their airline before setting out, Heathrow Ltd. said. London City Airport closed briefly and Paris Charles de Gaulle will scrap a fifth of flights this evening as the snow spreads east.

The U.K. Met Office issued a “red” alert for Wales, warning that some areas might have as much as 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow. British Airways, Heathrow’s biggest operator, scrapped mainly short-haul flights to cities including Paris, Barcelona and Berlin, though a trip to New York was also called off. Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. said it was suffering delays.

“We are keeping our schedule under constant review and will adjust it further if we need to,” British Airways said. “If customers no longer wish to travel between Friday and Sunday they can rebook their flight to a later date.”

U.K. rail services have also been affected, with Stagecoach Group Plc (SGC)’s South West Trains and Abellio’s Greater Anglia among companies paring timetables in an effort to minimize disruption.
Channel Tunnel Impact

Eurostar Group Ltd., whose trains to London from Paris and Brussels have been brought to a halt during previous snowfalls, preemptively cancelled four services and lowered speed limits.

British Airways, a unit of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG), operated a noon flight to Los Angeles on schedule, and said others to locations including Rio de Janeiro and Toronto would depart as planned. Trips to Copenhagen and St. Petersburg were among those cancelled.

Virgin Atlantic, a long-haul specialist, hadn’t been compelled to drop any services, spokeswoman Anna Catchpole said.

Earlier in the day, Cardiff and Southampton airports scrapped flights as the blizzards swept in from the west.

Gatwick, London’s second-busiest hub, is operating normally after 5 centimeters of snow fell on its single runway, with a handful of inbound flights scrapped because of disruption elsewhere. Stansted, the No. 3, said it’s not suffering any problems, while Luton, headquarters of low-cost carrier Easyjet Plc (EZJ), reported only brief delays for snow clearance.

London City, favored by business travelers, resumed flights after being closed for about 90 minutes for the removal of snow this morning. The runway remains open, though with some delays and cancellations, spokeswoman Geraldine Nolan said.
‘Accumulating’

Gatwick has spent 8 million pounds ($13 million) on snow measures since 2010, boosting the fleet of plows and brushes to 98 vehicles. It also has enough de-icing fluid for 10 days, and 43 non-operational staff trained to help keep the runway clear.

“It’s snowing and it’s accumulating, but the runway and taxiways have been treated with de-icer and we are currently operating as normal,” the airport, located south of London and owned by Global Infrastructure Partners LP, said in a statement.

Thousands of homes in Wales were without power after supplies were cut by the snow, and as many as 400 schools have closed on the Isle of Wight and in Hampshire, southern England, according to the British Broadcasting Corp.

Temperatures in the U.K. are likely to remain around zero in London, the Met Office said, with the national forecaster warning of widespread icy roads.

Snowfalls yesterday led to hundreds of flight cancellations in Germany and Austria, curtailing service by carriers including Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA), Europe’s second-biggest.

Munich airport scrapped 120 flights today, at least half as a knock-on from 345 cancellations yesterday, when runways were cleared a record eight times. Frankfurt airport, owned by Fraport AG, lost 30 services -- mostly to Munich, London and Hamburg -- versus about 40 yesterday, while Vienna scrapped 25 this morning and said the situation should normalize later.

In France, the civil aviation authority aims to ground 20 percent of flights at Charles de Gaulle and 10 percent at Paris Orly from 4 p.m. local time in anticipation of heavy snow this afternoon and overnight, it said in a statement.

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna both advance in Australian Open
 Melbourne:  Finally, there was something to cheer for India in the men's doubles as Rohan Bopanna and Mahesh Bhuapthi advanced to the second round with their respective partners.

Bopanna and American Rajeev Ram, seeded 12th defeated Australian pair of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios 6-2 6-4 in their first round.

Fifth seeded duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor ousted the Spanish pair of Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2 6-4 in their first round match.

Second seeded Leander Paes and his Czech partner will begin the defence of their title against South Africa's Kevin Anderson and Isarel's Jonathan Erlich tomorrow.

Bopanna and Ram will next take on Italian team of Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini.

Earlier, Somdev Devvarman gave a mighty scare to world number 26 Jerzy Janowicz before fizzling out while Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands suffered a shock first round exit in a mixed day for the Indians at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Somdev was well on course to record his best performance at the Grand Slams but frittered away a two-set lead to go down 7-6(10) 6-3 1-6 0-6 5-7 against 24th seed Polish rival in a marathon men's singles second round, which lasted four hours.

Somdev showed he has recovered well from his shoulder surgery, which spoilt his 2012 season, but somehow could not complete the job despite a magnificent start.

Somdev was lone Indian featuring in the men's singles.

In the women's doubles Sania and Bethanie, who came into tournament after winning the Brisbane international, were ousted by unseeded Spanish team of Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro.

The 10th seed Indo-American team bowed out with a 6-7(4) 3-6 defeat in their opening round of the women's doubles.

Sania will now compete in the mixed doubles with new partner Bob Bryan.

Helicopter crash in London

A helicopter has crashed and exploded in a ball of flames in a busy London street during rush hour.

Witnesses told of seeing the helicopter hit a crane on a building site in Vauxhall, next to the River Thames before it cartwheeled and hit the ground.

The top of the crane apparently also toppled on to the ground and there were reports two cars were caught up in the fiery crash, which happened during rush hour.

Highly flammable fuel from the helicopter created a fireball and pictures from the scene showed wreckage on fire across a large area and smoke and flames rising from the ground by a tower block on Wandsworth Road.

The helicopter, reported to be a private flight, was carrying only the pilot.

There was no immediate word on casualties.

The incident happened close the the MI6 headquarters and the site of the new US embassy which is under construction.

There were reports all train services at Vauxhall and Waterloo stations had been suspended.

The scene is close to a commercial helipad near Battersea Power Station.

London Fire Brigade said it had received numerous calls about the incident and it had sent 22 fire trucks to the scene.

The London Ambulance Service said it was responding to the incident but had no further details.

A witness told Sky News: "This is right next to Vauxhall Bus Station, which is a major commuting point. We arrived to find the area sealed off. Suddenly everyone was exiting their vehicles.''

"We are aware of an incident," Reuters quoted a police spokesman as saying. He declined to give further details.

Witness Quinn Murray told BBC Radio Five Live: "I heard a big crash and I looked up. There was a massive ball of flames. It is chaos. I just saw the helicopter hit the floor.'

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal enters round two, PV Sindhu loses

Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal sailed into the second round of Malaysia Open after registering a straight-set victory over Singapore's Gu Juan in the women's singles event here today.

However, India's rising star PV Sindhu went down fighting to a higher-ranked Tine Baun of Denmark in her first round match. Saina, who has been given the top billing in the singles event, disposed off Juan's challenge 21-12 21-15 in a match that lasted 29 minutes at the Putra Stadium.

In the first game, the two matched each other to be tied at six points before Saina displayed some aggressive net play to open up a three-point lead to 9-6. Thereafter she just sailed ahead to clinch the game comfortably.

The Hyderabadi, however, did not start well in the second game and was at one stage trailing 4-7 courtesy some brisk play the Singaporean.

But smashes from the 21-year-old Indian proved too much for the unseeded Juan to handle and she eventually lost the game and match. Saina will next take on Hong Kong's Pui Yin YIP in the the second round. Meanwhile, Sindhu fought hard before going down to the third seeded Baun in a three-set encounter, lasting 49 minutes.

Indo-Pak flag meeting

Ahead of Monday's Indo-Pak flag meeting to defuse tension along Line of Control (LoC), Pakistani troops on Sunday evening violated the ceasefire again, targeting Indian posts in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan agreed to hold a 'brigade commander' level flag meeting along the LoC in Poonch to discuss the recent intrusion and brutal killing of jawans besides continued ceasefire violations by its soldiers that have flared tension in the region.

Pakistan troops fired on the Indian posts in Nangitikri forward area along LoC in Poonch district around 1630 hours today, after heavy overnight firing in Krishagati sub-sector in Poonch, an Army officer said.

The overnight heavy exchange of fire came after a 48-hour lull on the LoC.

Pakistani posts opposite Nangitikri targeted the Indian side this evening and Indian troops guarding the borderline retaliated, he said.

The exchange continued for a brief period before coming to a halt, he said, adding there was no loss of life or injury to anyone on the Indian side.

There was firing on five Indian posts — Kranti, Kripan, Gordha, Chajjaman and Dogra from Pakistan posts- Daku, Chooha, Roza and Battal. Mortars were fired intermittently from Pakistan side.

The ceasefire violation was the fourth by Pakistan troops along Poonch sector after the killing of two jawans.

On the overnight firing, Defence Spokesman Col R K Palta said movement of six to seven persons was detected close to LoC opposite Krishagati sub-sector in Poonch sector around 2145 hours on Saturday.

Japan Airlines

A Japan Airlines Boeing 787 suffered a fuel spill on Sunday for the second time in a week, a report said. The latest incident happened at Tokyo's Narita Airport, Jiji Press newswire reported, while the aircraft was being checked following a fuel spill on Tuesday in Boston. The airline could not be reached for comment about the report.

On Friday US regulators announced an in-depth safety review of the 787 Dreamliner after a recent spate of incidents involving the new high-tech aircraft. On Monday last week a fire broke out on a JAL Dreamliner after it landed in Boston from Japan. JAL, along with fellow Japanese firm All Nippon Airways, is one of Boeing's most important clients for the 787 with 45 orders.

Tennis Association announces a team

Tennis Association announces team for Davis Cup, leaves out 'rebel players'

 New Delhi:  The All India Tennis Association was on Friday, forced to pick a depleted squad for the Davis Cup tie against South Korea, snubbing the eight revolting players who refused to make themselves available.

The revolting players were given time till 12pm (Friday) to confirm their availability for the tie to  be held here on February 1 to 3 but none of them budged from their stand.

The AITA's selection committee, which met here today, picked the squad which has only one senior player in Leander Paes.

V M Ranjit (517), Vijayant Malik (542) and Purav Raja (155 in doubles) were the other members of the squad.

S P Misra will be the non-playing captain while Zeeshan Ali will be the coach.

The revolting players wanted Misra to be replaced as the non-playing captain and also wanted a new coach apart from other demands such as a larger share in the prize money and air travel upgradation.

Selection Committee Chairman Anil Dhupar announced the team in a packed press conference where senior AITA officials explained the Association's stand and described the players' boycott as "unfair and unjustified".

The AITA officials claimed that the Indian players were offered the best remuneration in the entire Asian region and gave the break-ups of some of the senior players' financial packages to back their claim.

In India's most recent Davis Cup tie, the team had beaten New Zealand 5-0 with young players such as Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Divij Sharan and Sanam Singh in the absence of star like Somdev Devvarman, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal falters in quarterfinal of Korea Open

SEOUL: World No.3 shuttler Saina Nehwal faltered once again in the women's singles quarterfinal of the $1 million Korea Open Super Series Premier against Li Han of China on Friday.

The unseeded Li won her first match against Saina in three meetings here at the S.K. Handball Stadium. Li won 21-14, 15-21, 21-12 in 59 minutes, preventing Saina from bettering her record in the tournament where she also lost in the quarterfinal in 2012.

Both players started aggressively in the first game winning equal number of points till 8-all. Thereon, the World No.26 put her foot down and clinched the game with the help of some clear winners.

India's third seed fought back in the next game to level the match. Her smashes and deft touches at the net helped her at the crucial junctures.

In the third game, though Li went into a healthy lead at the beginning (12-5), the Hyderabadi climbed back into the match and narrowed the scoreline down to 13-11.

However, the Chinese forced Saina to commit errors, extending the rallies, and won the next eight of the nine points played to bag the match and book a place in the semifinals where she will next face World No.7 Ji Hyun Sung of South Korea.

India wastes wheat every year

India wastes 21 million tonnes of wheat every year - Report

 London: India stands out for its glaring lack of infrastructure and food storage facilities, in a new study that says 21 million tonnes of wheat -- equivalent to the entire production of Australia -- goes waste in the country.

The report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) on global food wastage found that as much as 50 percent of all food produced around the world never reaches a human mouth.

"Considerably greater levels of tonnage loss exist in larger developing nations, such as India for example, where about 21 million tonnes of wheat annually perishes due to inadequate storage and distribution, equivalent to the entire production of Australia," said the 'Global Food Waste Not Want Not' report, released Thursday.

"In neighbouring Pakistan, losses amount to about 16 percent of production, or 3.2 million tonnes annually, where inadequate storage infrastructure leads to widespread rodent infestation problems," it said.“‘

Overall, wastage rates in vegetables and fruit are even higher than for grains.

At least 40 percent of all fruit and vegetable is lost in India between the grower and consumer due to lack of refrigerated transport, poor roads, inclement weather and corruption.

According to the latest survey, wastage tends to move up the distribution chain as the standard of development improves and regional and national transport, storage and distribution facilities fail to match the improvements made at the farm level.

This is a particular issue in India, which requires massive investments in the food logistics chain.

"Controlling and reducing the level of wastage is frequently beyond the capability of the individual farmer, distributor or consumer, since it depends on market philosophies, security of power supply, quality of roads and the presence or absence of transport hubs.

"These are all related more to societal, political and economic norms, as well as engineered infrastructure, rather than to agriculture," the authors of the report said, calling on governments in the developing world to introduce better technology and food storage facilities.

The Indian government has maintained that the recent reforms in the retail sector approved by Parliament, allowing 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and 100 percent FDI in the single-brand segment, will lead to increased investments in infrastructure and improve the logistics chain.

The IME report found that in developed countries like Britain as much as 30 percent of vegetable crops are not harvested due to their failure to meet retailers' exacting standards on physical appearance and up to half of the food that is bought in Europe and the US is thrown away by consumers.

Dr Tim Fox, head of energy and environment at the IME, said: "The amount of food wasted and lost around the world is staggering. This is food that could be used to feed the world's growing population as well as those in hunger today.

"It is also an unnecessary waste of the land, water and energy resources that were used in the production, processing and distribution of this food".

In the face of United Nations estimates of an extra 3 billion people to feed by the end of the century, the IME is calling for urgent action to tackle this waste.

Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal reaches quarters of Korea Open

Saina Nehwal reaches quarters of Korea OpenSeoul: World No.3 shuttler Saina Nehwal reached the women`s singles quarterfinals at the $1 million Korea Open Super Series Premier while compatriots P.V. Sindhu and Parupalli Kashyap faltered in the second round here Thursday.

Saina defeated Mingtian Fu of Indonesia, for the fourth time in as many meetings, in straight games. The Hyderabadi won 21-16, 21-9 in 36 minutes at the S.K. Handball Stadium here in the first and most expensive tournament of the season.

Meanwhile, Sindhu lost to Thailand`s Porntip Buranaprasertsuk 19-21, 13-21 in 31 minutes. This was Sindhu`s first loss to the Thai World No.13 in three meetings. London Olympics quarterfinalist Kashyap lost to seventh seed Yun Hu of Hong Kong in a marathon match. Hu won the match 16-21, 21-13, 21-17 in one hour and 10 minutes to extend his career head-to-head against Kashyap to 2-0.

It was an easy outing for the 22-year-old Saina, who exuded class in the match, winning 42 of the 67 points played. The third seed dominated the match from the start taking an early lead of 8-3 in the first game. From there on, she did not look back and won the game on her first game-point.

In the second game, Mingtian matched Saina early on. But from 6-4, the Indian won 15 points to the World No.42`s mere five. Saina's deceiving cross-court smashes were effective as always, winning her six points to Mingtian`s one. The Hyderabadi was also impeccable at the net as she won seven points to none of the Indonesian.

In the last eight clash, the Indian will be up against World No.26 Li Han of China, against whom Saina has a 2-0 head-to-head record.

Brave Father - Badri

She is known to the world only as India’s Daughter following her sickening gang rape and murder. But today, with permission of her devastated father, we can reveal her name: Jyoti Singh Pandey.

Brave dad Badri, 53, told The Sunday People: “We want the world to know her real name.

“My daughter didn’t do anything wrong, she died while protecting herself. “I am proud of her. Revealing her name will give courage to other women who have survived these attacks. They will find strength from my daughter.”

Ballia, Uttar Pradesh: Badri Singh Pandey, 53, father of Jyoti Singh Pandey, 23, who was gang raped by six men in a bus in New Delhi, India Badri Singh Pandey, father of Jyoti Singh Pandey, with his family Cover Asia Press / Shariq Allaqaband They have retreated there to grieve away from their Delhi home – a place that will constantly remind them of the barbaric sexual attack Jyoti, 23, was subjected to when she and a male friend were lured on to a bus.

His wife Asha, 46, was too shell-shocked to talk to us. Badri said: “At first I wanted to see the men responsible face to face but I don’t want to any more. I just want to hear that the courts have punished them and they will be hanged. “Death for all six of them. These men are beasts. They should be made an example of and that society will not allow such things to happen.” Recalling the day he found out about his only daughter’s ordeal, Badri said he had just returned home after 10:30pm on December 16 from his shift at Delhi airport where he works as a loader.

They have retreated there to grieve away from their Delhi home – a place that will constantly remind them of the barbaric sexual attack Jyoti, 23, was subjected to when she and a male friend were lured on to a bus. His wife Asha, 46, was too shell-shocked to talk to us. Badri said: “At first I wanted to see the men responsible face to face but I don’t want to any more. I just want to hear that the courts have punished them and they will be hanged.

“Death for all six of them. These men are beasts. They should be made an example of and that society will not allow such things to happen.”

Recalling the day he found out about his only daughter’s ordeal, Badri said he had just returned home after 10:30pm on December 16 from his shift at Delhi airport where he works as a loader. His wife was worried after Jyoti, a medical school graduate, had not returned home from the cinema.

Indians participate in a candlelight vigil protesting against a leader of the ruling Congress party on accusations he raped a woman in a village in the early hours of the morning, in Gauhati, India Indians participate in a candlelight vigil AP

Badri said: “We started calling her mobile and her friend’s mobile but there was no answer. “Then at 11.15pm we got a call from the hospital in Delhi telling me my daughter had been in an accident.” Badri asked a friend to take him on a motorbike. He said: “When I first saw her she was in the bed with her eyes closed. “I put my hand on her forehead and called her name. She slowly opened her eyes and started crying and said she was in pain.

“I held my tears. I told her not to worry, have strength and everything will be all right.”

An Indian family lights candles in memory of a gang rape victim in New Delhi, India An Indian family lights candles in memory of a gang rape victim in New Delhi, India AP.

At the time Badri still didn’t know what had happened. A policeman finally explained. Jyoti and her friend Awindra Pandey, 28, had boarded a bus to get home but had been taken on a two-and-a-half hour ride to hell by the driver, his assistant and four passengers. Both were battered with iron bars and Jyoti was repeatedly raped before they were stripped and dumped on a road leading to Delhi airport – yards from where Badri was working.

He said: “I immediately called my wife and sons and told them to come to the hospital. But I couldn’t tell them about the rape.”

For the first ten days Jyoti was in and out of consciousness and it was hopeful she would survive. Badri said: “Doctors did their best to save her. She spoke a few times but mostly through gestures. She had a feeding pipe in her mouth making it difficult for her to speak.

But she did write on some paper that she wanted to live, she wanted to survive and stay with us. But it was fate that had the last say in the end.”

Jyoti gave the police two statements, but Badri was too distraught to sit in as he couldn’t listen to what his daughter had been subjected to.

Five men have been formally charged with the murder, kidnap and gang rape of a medical student in Delhi in India Five men have been formally charged with the murder, kidnap and gang rape of Jyoti


“My wife was with her through the statements but she cried so much after hearing it all,” Badri said.

“She then told me what happened. I don’t have the words to describe the incident. All I can say is they’re not human, not even animals. They’re not of this world.

“It was just gruesome and I hope no one ever goes through what she had to endure.

“She cried a lot, she was in a lot of pain. And as soon as she saw her mother and brothers she cried again.

“But after that she was a courageous girl, even trying to console us and give us hope that everything will be all right.”

Doctors were forced to remove Jyoti’s intestines and as her conditioned worsened, they flew her to Singapore for specialist care on Boxing Day.

Badri said: “I told her everything would be OK and we’ll soon be back home. She was excited when we talked about going home and she smiled.

“I put my hand on her forehead, she asked me if I’d had any dinner and then she gestured for me to go to sleep. I held her hand and kissed it. I told her to take rest and not to worry and she closed her eyes.”

The victim of a horrifying gang rape from India is moved to Mount Elizabeth Hospital to seek medical treatment. Jyoti was moved to Mount Elizabeth Hospital for medical treatment before her death
Rex

As Jyoti battled for life, thousands took to the streets to demand the hanging of the six accused and a new anti-rape law. But three days later on December 29 she had a fatal heart attack.

Badri said: “I so desperately wanted her to survive, even though she would have to live with a memory of that attack and get through her trauma.

“We’re so devastated that she’s gone. There’s a huge void in our lives. She was the centre of our universe. Our lives revolved around her.

“Her absence is so painful, a future without her is unimaginable.”

Badri said Jyoti’s friend Awindra was not her boyfriend – just a very brave friend who tried to save her.

He said: “There was no question of her marrying because we belong to different castes.

“She never expressed a desire to marry. She was concentrating on her studies and wanted a job first.”

Badri also revealed that Jyoti often mentioned how much Awindra tried to save her.

A participant lights a candle next to a sign during a vigil for the Indian rape victim, who passed away last Friday in Singapore A participant lights a candle next to a sign during a vigil for Jyoti
Reuters

“She kept telling her mother he tried his best to help but they kept beating him with a rod.”

Badri now cherishes the memories of his daughter. He remembers her dream of being a doctor.

He said: “I told her I can’t afford to pay for her to do such subjects but she was determined. She wanted to be a doctor and earn lots of money and go overseas a lot.”

When Badri first moved to Delhi in 1983 he earned just 150 Rupees a month – the equivalent of £1.70 today.

But he sold some land to pay for his daughter’s studies and saved as much as possible from his 5,700 Rupees (£65) a month he now earns.

Badri said: “It’s hard living in Delhi on my wages, very hard. But Jyoti always said she would change all of that. She wanted to change our lives once she got a job.”

Jyoti had only just finished her four-year course in physiotherapy at college outside Delhi. She was doing an internship when she was attacked.

Her brothers, Gaurav Singh, 20, and Saurav Singh, 15, were close to their big sister and cannot image how they will cope.

Gaurav said: “Life is going to be so difficult without her. Without her guidance I don’t know what to do or how to go about life again.”

Badri and all the family have been touched by the way the nation has supported them.

Indian protesters burn an effigy depicting rapists during a rally in New Delhi Indian protesters burn an effigy depicting rapists during a rally in New Delhi
Getty

He said: “The people of India have given us strength to cope up with our loss. I feel she’s not just my daughter but also India’s daughter.

“I used to read about rape incidents in the newspapers but never digested it much. We’re so thankful to the people who came out to protest against the barbarity.”

DNA tests have linked five men and a 17-year-old from the bus with rape and murder. The men will appear at the District Court in the Saket area of the Indian capital tomorrow. The 17-year-old will be tried separately as a juvenile.

Badri now hopes mothers and fathers will teach their sons to respect women.

He said: “The police cannot handle this on their own. But parents need to keep an eye on their children too.”

Badri’s face lit up when he spoke of Jyoti’s dreams and invited us to look through his family album. Each photo showed his beautiful daughter smiling. In most she is wears western clothes, which she favoured over the traditional sari. She also always wore her long, dark shiny hair down and flowing – never tied up.

In respect with Badri’s wishes he has asked us not to picture her.

Releasing a photo of her is for another day.

Indian law prohibits naming a rape victim unless she authorises it or, if she is dead, her family agrees to it.

At the moment it is enough for the devastated family to sanction the release to the world of their precious daughter’s name.

Happy New Year 2013.

Maalaimalar Wishes you all a Very Happy Near 2013.