Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Google rectifies mistake, shows entire J&K as part of India - India - The Times of India
Google rectifies mistake, shows entire J&K as part of India - India - The Times of India: "The correction came in response to the notice issued by minister of state for communications and IT Sachin Pilot to Google Inc for showing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of the neighbouring country."
Karat wanted to teach Manmohan and Sonia a lesson Somnath
The Pioneer > Online Edition : >> Karat wanted to teach Manmohan and Sonia a lesson Somnath: "'Keeping the Faith: Memoirs of a Parliamentarian'"
Friday, August 20, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
President’s speech on the eve of 64th Independence Day
The Hindu : News / Resources : President’s speech on the eve of 64th Independence Day: "Foremost, among our tasks is to ensure the welfare of all. It is for this reason that India has adopted inclusive growth as a pillar of its economic edifice and is pro-actively pursuing it. Our task will be complete only when no one sleeps on a hungry stomach, when no one sleeps on the footpath and when every child is in school. Therefore, fittingly, education, capacity building, housing, healthcare and nutrition are a priority on the agenda of the Government. All of us should also pause to think how as responsible citizens, each one of us can contribute to Government efforts in these areas"
Manmohan will be the fall guy
The Pioneer > Online Edition : >> Manmohan will be the fall guy: "Manmohan Singh has achieved the distinction of being the longest serving Prime Minister of India after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. For a man who was catapulted to the Finance Minister’s post by sheer good fortune in 1991, rising to the top political job and holding it uninterruptedly for six years is no mean achievement. While his effectiveness as a PM has been questioned and he has had to face taunts of being India’s “weakest PM”, no one has doubted his integrity. In an India where politics has come to be associated with disrepute and sleaze, Singh’s personal uprightness has been a redeeming feature. The country must truly be grateful that the only thing shady about 7 Race Course Road comes from the greenery."
India beacon of hope for people around the world: Obama's 63rd Independence Day Greetings
The Hindu : News / International : India beacon of hope for people around the world: Obama: "Underscoring the profound effect of India’s example on many countries, including the United States he said that leaders of the civil rights movement here, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had spoke of the debt they owed to Mahatma Gandhi and the over two million Indian-Americans were living examples of the bonds that bound India and the U.S.. The President added that the accomplishments of the Indian-American community “have become well-known and admired in both countries.”"
The ideas of India - Shashi Taroor
The ideas of India - Hindustan Times
So Indian nationalism was not based on any of the conventional indices of national identity. Not language, since our constitution now recognises 23 official languages, and as many as 35 languages spoken by more than a million people each. Not ethnicity, since the “Indian” accommodates a diversity of racial types in which many Indians (Punjabis and Bengalis, in particular) have more ethnically in common with foreigners than with their other compatriots. Not religion, since India is a secular pluralist state that is home to every religion known to mankind, with the possible exception of Shintoism. Not geography, since the natural geography of the subcontinent — framed by the mountains and the sea — was hacked by the partition of 1947. And not even territory, since, by law, anyone with one grandparent born in pre-partition India — outside the territorial boundaries of today’s state — is eligible for citizenship. Indian nationalism has therefore always been the nationalism of an idea.
So Indian nationalism was not based on any of the conventional indices of national identity. Not language, since our constitution now recognises 23 official languages, and as many as 35 languages spoken by more than a million people each. Not ethnicity, since the “Indian” accommodates a diversity of racial types in which many Indians (Punjabis and Bengalis, in particular) have more ethnically in common with foreigners than with their other compatriots. Not religion, since India is a secular pluralist state that is home to every religion known to mankind, with the possible exception of Shintoism. Not geography, since the natural geography of the subcontinent — framed by the mountains and the sea — was hacked by the partition of 1947. And not even territory, since, by law, anyone with one grandparent born in pre-partition India — outside the territorial boundaries of today’s state — is eligible for citizenship. Indian nationalism has therefore always been the nationalism of an idea.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Friday, February 13, 2009
Gandhi memorabilia to be auctioned in New York
MPs urge Gandhi sale intervention
Gandhi's simple lifestyle inspired a generation of Indians
A number of Indian MPs are calling for Mahatma Gandhi's personal possessions, due for auction in New York next month, to be returned to India.
Mahatma Gandhi's spectacles, which he once said gave him "the vision to free India", a pair of his sandals and his pocket watch are among the items.
MPs across Indian parties have said that all efforts should be made to retrieve the possessions.
Auctioneers have put an estimate of £30,000 ($42,000) on the items.
Antiquorum Auctioneers in New York will stage the sale on 4-5 March.
'Worldwide interest'
The BBC's Paddy Clark says Gandhi holds a unique status in India as the leader of the independence movement against British rule and the planned sale of his personal effects has created some concern.
One minister suggested the government should enter the auction and buy the items, which he described as part of India's heritage.
MPs say all efforts should be made to retrieve the articles
Mani Shankar Aiyer told the Times of India: "It would be a pity if these items were to pass into private hands abroad and leave India bereft of an important part of his legacy."
Former Speaker and Shiv Sena MP Manohar Joshi told the paper: "The persons who own these articles should be contacted to see if they are willing to give them to India, perhaps for a price."
The auctioneers say there has been worldwide interest in the sale, particularly as Gandhi's ascetic philosophy meant he had very few personal possessions.
They think the items could go for much more than the estimate.
In 2007, India managed to obtain another piece of Gandhi memorabilia - a manuscript of an article he wrote - after persuading the auctioneers to withdraw the document from sale.
Gandhi's modest lifestyle - epitomised by his simple white robe and few possessions - helped to inspire a generation of Indians to peaceful resistance against British rule in the 1930s.
The glasses, sandals and watch, along with a bowl and plate, are owned by an unnamed collector and all have letters of authenticity.
Gandhi presented the spectacles to Indian army colonel HA Shiri Diwan Nawabin in the 1930s, after he had asked the great leader for inspiration.
The Zenith pocket watch, made in about 1910, was given to Gandhi's grand-niece, Abha Gandhi, who was his assistant for some years.
Gandhi was pictured wearing the pocket watch and it is expected to be the highlight of the auction.
The bowl and plate were also gifts to his grand-niece.
The sandals were given to a British army officer in 1931 before talks in London about Indian self-rule.
Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, aged 78, by a Hindu radical. Source
Gandhi's simple lifestyle inspired a generation of Indians
A number of Indian MPs are calling for Mahatma Gandhi's personal possessions, due for auction in New York next month, to be returned to India.
Mahatma Gandhi's spectacles, which he once said gave him "the vision to free India", a pair of his sandals and his pocket watch are among the items.
MPs across Indian parties have said that all efforts should be made to retrieve the possessions.
Auctioneers have put an estimate of £30,000 ($42,000) on the items.
Antiquorum Auctioneers in New York will stage the sale on 4-5 March.
'Worldwide interest'
The BBC's Paddy Clark says Gandhi holds a unique status in India as the leader of the independence movement against British rule and the planned sale of his personal effects has created some concern.
One minister suggested the government should enter the auction and buy the items, which he described as part of India's heritage.
MPs say all efforts should be made to retrieve the articles
Mani Shankar Aiyer told the Times of India: "It would be a pity if these items were to pass into private hands abroad and leave India bereft of an important part of his legacy."
Former Speaker and Shiv Sena MP Manohar Joshi told the paper: "The persons who own these articles should be contacted to see if they are willing to give them to India, perhaps for a price."
The auctioneers say there has been worldwide interest in the sale, particularly as Gandhi's ascetic philosophy meant he had very few personal possessions.
They think the items could go for much more than the estimate.
In 2007, India managed to obtain another piece of Gandhi memorabilia - a manuscript of an article he wrote - after persuading the auctioneers to withdraw the document from sale.
Gandhi's modest lifestyle - epitomised by his simple white robe and few possessions - helped to inspire a generation of Indians to peaceful resistance against British rule in the 1930s.
The glasses, sandals and watch, along with a bowl and plate, are owned by an unnamed collector and all have letters of authenticity.
Gandhi presented the spectacles to Indian army colonel HA Shiri Diwan Nawabin in the 1930s, after he had asked the great leader for inspiration.
The Zenith pocket watch, made in about 1910, was given to Gandhi's grand-niece, Abha Gandhi, who was his assistant for some years.
Gandhi was pictured wearing the pocket watch and it is expected to be the highlight of the auction.
The bowl and plate were also gifts to his grand-niece.
The sandals were given to a British army officer in 1931 before talks in London about Indian self-rule.
Gandhi was assassinated in 1948, aged 78, by a Hindu radical. Source
Monday, February 2, 2009
School Principal, Thomas Malancheruvilla, arrested for disrespecting the National Anthem
ABVP activists ransack missionary school over national anthem
2 Feb 2009, 1703 hrs IST, PTI
BHOPAL: Protesting against the alleged insult to the National Anthem in a missionary school in the Govindpura area of the city, Ahkhil Bhartiya
Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers today created ruckus in the school by indulging in violence, police said.
The ABVP workers staged a demonstration before the school for allegedly insulting the National Anthem during the Republic Day function on January 26.
As the ABVP activists indulged in ransacking the school property, police cane-charged them to disperse from the spot and arrested nearly 15 of its workers, Bhopal Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaideep Prasad said.
Police also arrested the school Principal, Thomas Malancheruvilla on the issue of allegedly disrespecting the National Anthem, the SP said.
2 Feb 2009, 1703 hrs IST, PTI
BHOPAL: Protesting against the alleged insult to the National Anthem in a missionary school in the Govindpura area of the city, Ahkhil Bhartiya
Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers today created ruckus in the school by indulging in violence, police said.
The ABVP workers staged a demonstration before the school for allegedly insulting the National Anthem during the Republic Day function on January 26.
As the ABVP activists indulged in ransacking the school property, police cane-charged them to disperse from the spot and arrested nearly 15 of its workers, Bhopal Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaideep Prasad said.
Police also arrested the school Principal, Thomas Malancheruvilla on the issue of allegedly disrespecting the National Anthem, the SP said.
Two Godhra Accused Gujarat ministers declared absconders
Gujarat ministers declared absconders
3 Feb 2009, 0323 hrs IST, TNN
AHMEDABAD: Minister of state for women and child development and higher education, Maya Kodnani, and a senior VHP functionary Jaideep Patel on
Monday filed for anticipatory bail before the city sessions court after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court to probe the 2002 riots, sought to arrest them.
Kodnani, who is also a practising ophthalmologist, has filed two bail pleas — for the Naroda Gaam and Naroda Patia cases in which all 95 persons were killed after the Godhra carnage. Patel has filed for bail only in the Naroda Gaam case. Both the leaders had been evading arrest for the last one week, said investigating officer of SIT, PL Mall.
The SIT recorded Kodnani and Patel’s statements in December but they were found to contradict statements of witnesses. Kodnani and Patel had claimed they were not present in Naroda when the riots were on and the allegations against them were politically motivated. Read it all
3 Feb 2009, 0323 hrs IST, TNN
AHMEDABAD: Minister of state for women and child development and higher education, Maya Kodnani, and a senior VHP functionary Jaideep Patel on
Monday filed for anticipatory bail before the city sessions court after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court to probe the 2002 riots, sought to arrest them.
Kodnani, who is also a practising ophthalmologist, has filed two bail pleas — for the Naroda Gaam and Naroda Patia cases in which all 95 persons were killed after the Godhra carnage. Patel has filed for bail only in the Naroda Gaam case. Both the leaders had been evading arrest for the last one week, said investigating officer of SIT, PL Mall.
The SIT recorded Kodnani and Patel’s statements in December but they were found to contradict statements of witnesses. Kodnani and Patel had claimed they were not present in Naroda when the riots were on and the allegations against them were politically motivated. Read it all
Friday, January 23, 2009
Netaji died in Taihoku air crash in 1945: Alessandro Quaroni
Netaji died in Taihoku, no need for more research: Italy envoy
"I personally do not see the point of research because unfortunately, the person Netaji died, but his message lived on and still remains," Quaroni told newsmen.
As doubts prevail over Subhas Chandra Bose's mysterious disappearance, Italy's Ambassador in India Alessandro Quaroni, whose parents were close to Netaji, today said he saw no point in further research claiming that the leader had died in 1945 in an air crash at Taihoku.
"I personally do not see the point of research because unfortunately, the person Netaji died, but his message lived on and still remains," Quaroni told newsmen after delivering the 'Netaji Oration' at the leader's ancestral house here.
Stating that an Australian historian had conducted 'the most extensive research' in establishing the exact circumstances of Netaji's death, Quaroni said, "I think inspite of the legend that (Subhas) Chandra Bose has not died, probably his death really happened in August '45."
Following a public outcry against the government's view that Netaji died in the Taihoku air crash, it set up three enquiry commissions -- the Shah Nawaz Commission, the Khosla Commission and the Justice Manoj Kumar Mukherjee Commission -- to look into the matter.
While Shah Nawaz and Khosla agreed that Netaji was, indeed, killed in the Taihoku air crash, the Mukherjee Commission, however, concluded that Netaji was actually alive when the crash is said to have taken place.
Quaroni replied in the negative when asked whether his parents were in possession of any document indicating Netaji's death in the Taihoku crash.
More
"I personally do not see the point of research because unfortunately, the person Netaji died, but his message lived on and still remains," Quaroni told newsmen.
As doubts prevail over Subhas Chandra Bose's mysterious disappearance, Italy's Ambassador in India Alessandro Quaroni, whose parents were close to Netaji, today said he saw no point in further research claiming that the leader had died in 1945 in an air crash at Taihoku.
"I personally do not see the point of research because unfortunately, the person Netaji died, but his message lived on and still remains," Quaroni told newsmen after delivering the 'Netaji Oration' at the leader's ancestral house here.
Stating that an Australian historian had conducted 'the most extensive research' in establishing the exact circumstances of Netaji's death, Quaroni said, "I think inspite of the legend that (Subhas) Chandra Bose has not died, probably his death really happened in August '45."
Following a public outcry against the government's view that Netaji died in the Taihoku air crash, it set up three enquiry commissions -- the Shah Nawaz Commission, the Khosla Commission and the Justice Manoj Kumar Mukherjee Commission -- to look into the matter.
While Shah Nawaz and Khosla agreed that Netaji was, indeed, killed in the Taihoku air crash, the Mukherjee Commission, however, concluded that Netaji was actually alive when the crash is said to have taken place.
Quaroni replied in the negative when asked whether his parents were in possession of any document indicating Netaji's death in the Taihoku crash.
More
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Anna Hazare on Marathi-nonMarathi issue
Hazare backs Raj Thackeray's tirade against Non-Marathis
Sun, Jan 18 04:22 PM
Varanasi, Jan 18 (IANS) Veteran social activist Anna Hazare backs Maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's campaign against non-Marathi 'Dadagiri' (dominance) in Maharashtra, but opposes the violent means being used to achieve the purpose.
The 71-year-old social activist expressed support for MNS's programme, while talking to journalists Saturday night after addressing students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on 'Gram Swaraj and Experience in Ralegan', his native village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra which he transformed into a model village through persistent efforts.
'Some ideas of Raj Thackeray were correct, but damaging public and national property was not right,' Hazare said.
When asked which ideas of the MNS chief were correct, Hazare noted people from many states live in Maharashtra, but 'outsiders trying to prove their dominance in the state was not at all acceptable'.
In a reference to North India-based political parties like Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal trying to show their strength in Maharashtra by holding rallies and other programmes in the state, he said such activities were not acceptable. more
Sun, Jan 18 04:22 PM
Varanasi, Jan 18 (IANS) Veteran social activist Anna Hazare backs Maharashtra Navnirmaan Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray's campaign against non-Marathi 'Dadagiri' (dominance) in Maharashtra, but opposes the violent means being used to achieve the purpose.
The 71-year-old social activist expressed support for MNS's programme, while talking to journalists Saturday night after addressing students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on 'Gram Swaraj and Experience in Ralegan', his native village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra which he transformed into a model village through persistent efforts.
'Some ideas of Raj Thackeray were correct, but damaging public and national property was not right,' Hazare said.
When asked which ideas of the MNS chief were correct, Hazare noted people from many states live in Maharashtra, but 'outsiders trying to prove their dominance in the state was not at all acceptable'.
In a reference to North India-based political parties like Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal trying to show their strength in Maharashtra by holding rallies and other programmes in the state, he said such activities were not acceptable. more
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Democracy and violence by Ramachandra Guha
War and Terror: Democracy and violence by Ramachandra Guha: "Vigilantism of Salwa Judum has divided and very nearly destroyed tribal society.
All sensible humans—not just Indians—agree that there is no place for violence in the settlement of political disputes. If a particular group feels victimised or discriminated against, it has all kinds of democratic means of redress open to it—the circulation of its grievances by the means of speech or print; the canvassing of politicians, political parties, and public officials; and petitions in court. If (and only if) all these means fail, the group may yet take recourse to non-violent protest or satyagraha. But they have no business to use weapons, whether they are AK-47s or trishuls." more from the Hindu
All sensible humans—not just Indians—agree that there is no place for violence in the settlement of political disputes. If a particular group feels victimised or discriminated against, it has all kinds of democratic means of redress open to it—the circulation of its grievances by the means of speech or print; the canvassing of politicians, political parties, and public officials; and petitions in court. If (and only if) all these means fail, the group may yet take recourse to non-violent protest or satyagraha. But they have no business to use weapons, whether they are AK-47s or trishuls." more from the Hindu
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