02

Populist move to hike number of subsidised cylinders won't help Cong, says CM

We

04

Akhilesh has learnt nothing from his gaffes

05

Vasundhara shows red light to Jaipur metro project

Published simultaneously from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Online edition available at wethestate.com and wethestate.blogspot.in
POSTAL REGD. MP/BHOPAL/4-323/2013-15

Vol-02. Issue-19. Bhopal. Monday Page-12. Price-5/-

he State

FEBRUARY 3 TO FEBRUARY 9, 2014

Modi's charisma swaying voters in BJP's favour

06

Selena Gomez devastated post Justin 12 Bieber spotted dating Chantel Jeffries

Rahul Dravid comes in a new avatar, 08 to mentor junior Olympic athletes

Food Safety Act will put small food

business operators out of business: CM
Bhopal he Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan has requested the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to urgently convene a meeting of all Chief Ministers to ascertain their views regarding implementation of provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. He sought Prime Minister's indulgence in keeping the implementation of the provisions of the Act under abeyance till the issues are fully resolved. Chauhan said that provisions of the Act need reconsideration as they are impractical and cannot be implemented. Chauhan said that small business operators have been adversely hit on account of the stringent provisions of the Act. Unable to cope with the high benchmarks prescribed, which in some cases are impractical, most will be forced to close their businesses. Chauhan brought to the notice of the Prime Minister extreme hardships being faced by very small food business operators (FBOs) in Madhya Pradesh. He said that en-

RAJIV TIWARI

How WE look it !

...Cartoon by K G OJHA
kgojha@ rediffmail.com

tire country is facing similar problems on account of promulgation of the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Chief Minister said that Government of India vide its notification dated 5th February 2013, has stipulated a deadline of 4th February 2014 for registration and issue of licenses to all FBOs. He pointed out in the letter that in Madhya Pradesh the FBOs are estimated to be approximately 7 lakh. He drew Prime Minister's attention to the previous letter dated 30th March 2012, requesting him to reconsider the provisions, as they relate to larger FBOs and to very poor and petty FBOs like street hawkers and road side vendors. The Chief Minister said that the

State Government is deeply concerned and conscious of the need to provide safe food to the people. However, in doing so, it would not be appropriate to treat all categories of FBOs by the same yardsticks of registration. For example, there is no minimum limit prescribed for turnover in the Act. This results in the same standards to be applied to poor, petty and at times illiterate FBOs belonging to Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes transacting their businesses in remote rural hamlets. This does not appear to be fair or practical, nor it is even necessary . The Act in its present form is not designed to achieve the noble objective that it purports to.

Chauhan in the letter said that the penal provisions of the Act border on the draconian, stipulating both imprisonment up to 6 months and fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh for carrying out business without license and a fine of up to Rs. 2 lakh for carrying on business without registration. The latter, as it concerns petty FBOs, seems to be extremely harsh and will bring such business to a grinding halt on account of apprehension of punishment. He said that this will also lead to reintroduction of the inspector Raj and incumbent corrupt practices which we are striving to remove at all costs. The Chief Minister said that another impractical provision is that the Act treats unprocessed com-

modities such as food grains, on the same footing as processed, packaged or cooked and ready to consume items. This has resulted in traders refusing to purchase food grains from farmers. The Kharif arrivals in the state are peaking and farmers are bringing their produce to various designated Krishi Upaj Mandis spread all over the State. Apprehensive of the harsh provisions of the act, traders have stopped purchase leading to closure of all transactions in Krishi Upaj Mandis and a complete halt of food grain purchase operations in the state. This has led to law and order problem at many places, and also serious resentment and unrest in both, the farmers and FBOs. Chauhan said that he is aware of the observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court on the issue of food safety and standards. However, it is necessary that the Central Government place the facts in the correct perspective before the Hon'ble Court. If this is done the Court would take a reasonable view in the matter. He said that keeping in view the approaching deadline of 4th February, 2014 for issue of licenses and registration of FBOs, the impractical and unimplementable nature of the provisions, and the great turmoil that it has caused, the provisions of the Act need reconsideration and extensive discussion, The fallout of this in each state of the country also needs to be examined in detail to look for reasonable solutions, he added. The Chief Minister has also written letters to all the Chief Ministers apprising them of the stringent and impractical provisions of the Act. He urged the Chief Ministers to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister the impractical and unimplementable nature of provisions of the Act.

02

Chhattisgarh Explore

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

Cong MLA booked for creating ruckus at panchayat office

BILASPUR: Police have registered a case against Congress legislator Siyaram Kaushik for allegedly abusing and creating ruckus at the district panchayat office at Bilaspur. According to panchayat officials, Kaushik, who represents Bilha assembly seat in the assembly, was annoyed over deduction of salary of his daughter-in-law, who is a shiksha karmi, a teacher working on an honorarium basis. The legislator allegedly messed up the panchayat office. 42 members of office staff have filed a complaint against Kaushik. The MLA alleged that district panchayat's chief executive officer (CEO) did not respond to his telephone calls and was not available when he reached his office. District panchayat staff alleged that Kaushik went to CEO's office and hurled abuses against the officer while his supporters broke window panes and furniture besides misbehaving with them. According to sources, Kaushik broke the door to CEO's chamber. Civil line town inspector LP Dwivedi said, "MLA kaushik has filed a complaint against the CEO for misbehaving with him and the district panchayat staff has also filed a complaint against the MLA for misbehaving with them. We have lodged an FIR against MLA Kaushik and further investigations are on."

Naxalite leader gives crucial info

about Darbha valley massacre

en Usendi into custody. According to Usendi's revelations, Ramanna, head CPI (M) in Dandakarnya region, Kosa and Devuji, secretary of Dandakaranya special zonal committee are leading the ranks and drove these attacks. He spoke about how cadres were recruited and trained in villages near Darbha for the attack. All three hail from Andhra Pradesh and are considered as hardcore leaders advocating killings. Usendi revealed that there were nearly 150-200 Maoists present on the spot on May 25. An immediate hunt has been launched since Usendi's confirmation about the main accused. The sources said that it was an extremely vital clue for further investigation because as of now the NIA just had a list of names while it still waited for confirmed reports. At least 27 people, including Mahendra Karma, founder of antiNaxalite movement 'Salwa Judum', senior Congress leader VC Shukla and Nandkumar Patel, chief of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, were killed in the attack on May 25, 2013, in Darbha valley of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh.

Populist move to hike number of subsidised cylinders won't help Cong, says CM

RAJIV TIWARI
Email: rajeevtiwariwts@gmail.com RAIPUR axalite leader GVK Prasad alias Gudsa Usendi has identified Surendra, secretary of Darbha divisional committee of CPI (Maoists) and Jailal, head of regional command divi-

Maoist supporter claims he arranged meetings of Delhi prof with Naxals

RAIPUR: An alleged Maoist supporter Badri Gawde has claimed that he had arranged meetings between Delhi University professor Nandini Sundar and Maoists. Gawade, who is also a Congress worker, is currently in jail. A senior police official said that Gawade had given a statement that he had arranged meeting of Nandini and Prabhat Patwai with Maoists in 2013 in the forests of Amabeda in Anatagarh. Gawade claimed the duo stayed for a while at Patrakar Sadan in Antagarh and then headed out to forests where Maoist leaders discussed strategies to protest the Rawghat Rail project, which would facilitate iron ore mining in Kanker. He said it was Nandini, who formed the Rawghat Rail Sangharsh Samiti to oppose the rail project and Gawde was appointed as its convener. The committee then distributed pamphlets in nearby villages asking for support from locals to protest the rail project, wherein Gawde played a major role. Gawde, who was the vicepresident of Block Congress in Kanker district, admitted to have escorted many NGO representatives to the forests and arrange their meetings with Maoists. "Earlier, Gawde's name had surfaced in the statement of Virendra Kurre, the main accused arrested in connection with the last year's arson and violence in JK Lakshmi Cement plant," official said. "Kurre had revealed that Gawde, a native of Tadoki village in Kanker district, was associated with the protest against development projects," he said. He also admitted to playing a key role in fixing Maoists' meeting with prominent people from Delhi in the forests of Abujhmad. "Now we are verifying the facts and will launch further investigations," he said.

sion, who had allegedly led the brutal attack on Congress leaders at Darbha on May 25 last year. Usendi is the alleged mastermind of the Darbha valley attack. Usendi and his accomplice Santoshi Markam had surrendered on January 8 before Andhra Pradesh police following which National Investigation Agency (NIA) had tak-

3 Maoists arrested; villagers in Jashpur pledge to erase all traces of Maoism

RAJIV TIWARI
Email: rajeevtiwariwts@gmail.com RAIPUR t least three suspected Naxals were arrested in the state recently and a large cache of arms and ammunition was seized from their possession in three separate incidents. The suspected Naxals were arrested during search operations, police said. Meanwhile, the anti-Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh's tribal Jashpur district got stronger with more villagers joining the group. Pressure on Maoists is so much so that they have moved to bordering Jharkhand forests leaving their camps for the locals to bust. Now, almost 5,000 villagers armed with traditional weapons are out on a mission. This includes villagers from few bordering places of Jharkhand as well. While no rebel has been nabbed by the villagers yet, they have recently busted a camp which Naxalites left behind. Villagers recovered a motorbike, Maoist literature, few documents and eatables. The seized material was handed to the district police. Forming huge

groups, villagers leave for forests early at around 6.30 am and return after sunset. Villagers said that Maoists were in a practice to terrorize and assault them so far. But now realizing that villagers are aware of their wrong intentions and have decided to fight, they have escaped out of fear. Villagers said they have pledged to catch them and erase all traces of Maoism from their place. For this purpose, women and youths have also joined hands.

Superintendent of police Jitendra Singh Mina said it's an everyday job for locals to go to forests and collect forest produce. They also go to weekly haats at nearby villages for which they have to cross forests. However, police have counseled the villagers and have asked not to turn their aggression into a movement. Rather, police have asked them to maintain confidentiality and update police about any development.

RAIPUR: Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that the populist move of the UPA Government to raise the number of subsidised cooking cylinders from nine to 12 will not help the Congress party . He said the Congress leaders are unnecessarily describing the move as a game-changer. "What kind of game changer is this? First UPA reduced the quota and harassed consumers. Later, the Congress government raised the LPG cap after Congress vice-president demanded it," Raman Singh said. Claiming that Congress tally in coming Lok Sabha polls would be less than 100, the chief minister said a NDA government headed by Narendra Modi was all set to come to power at the Centre. Referring to Rahul's recent visit to Chhattisgarh, Singh said, "Yuvaraj came here for six hours and talked about chamatkar (magic). People of this country have seen his magic in the November assembly elections." Raman Singh said his government would take appropriate steps for introduction of Lokpal as per provisions of Central legislation. He said education and organic farming revolution would change the fate of this forested and insurgency-infested Dantewada district. He said the paddy produced in the region though organic farming technique had become popular across India. The CM said his Government's top priority was to develop the tribal regions such as Dantewada. He claimed that Dantewada district had been moving faster in the education sector. "During the past decade and particularly in the past few years, a number of education projects had been started in the district. There is an 'Education Revolution' happening in the entire district," said Singh adding the 'Livelihood College' model set by Dantewada district is now being adopted by all districts in Chhattisgarh and the same were being opened in all districts. The Chief Minister commented further: "The State is wary about freeing the region from shackles of Naxal violence and terror unleashed by Maoists. The security forces are working with full determination to stamp out Maoists from Chhattisgarh." Singh expressed hope that insurgency would soon end in the region while paving the way for fast paced development.

(MP&CG) February 3 to February 9, 2014

Bhopal

03

Prabhat Jha, Jatiya, Digvijay elected unopposed to RS

Bhopal: BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha, senior BJP leader Satyanarayan Jatiya and AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh were declared elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha. According to the state assembly public relations officer Mukesh Mishra, the state assembly principal secretary and returning officer Rajkumar Pandey declared election of the candidates to Rajya Sabha. Addressing the party workers Jha and Jatiya in their separate speeches said their mission was to work for the party's victory on all the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Jatiya said political life was a difficult field to tread in. But they were supposed to move on the path with patience. There were just three candidates in the fray for the three seats to which election was held. None of these candidates withdrew their nomination papers. While Jha and Jatiya received the certificate of the election on their own Digvijay Singh sent some person to the assembly to receive the certificate on his behalf. One of the three seats fell vacant after Maya Singh's resignation in the wake of her election to the state assembly. The remaining two seats would fall vacant on April 9. One of these two seats is being represented by Jha himself while the other is occupied by Raghunandan Sharma. Jha and Jatiya were later felicitated at the state BJP office by BJP leaders and workers.

People benefit from easier availability of health services

BHOPAL
Madhya Pradesh government has included easier availability of health services to common people in its priorities. For this, free medicines, pathological tests and food are being provided in all government hospitals in the state. Now, arrangements have also been made to provide nutritious laddus to new mothers, kits for weak and ill newborns and infection-free colourful clothes and bedsheets etc. A number of new schemes have been implemented in the state to ensure common people's health. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Free Medicine Distribution Scheme, scheme has been implemented since October 17, 2012 in all 1595 health institutions in the state. About 3 lakh patients are availing its benefit daily . Free Pathology Tests Scheme has been initiated by State Government towards ensuring better health to people. Objective of the scheme is to provide free pathological test facility to people in government hospitals. The facility is available right from district hospitals to sub-health centres. Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Upchar Yojana, member of a BPL family is provided free treatment and tests upto Rs. 30 thousand per annum on hospitalisation in government hospital. Under the scheme, every eligible BPL family is provided Family Health Card by hospital management. Each card contains photograph of head of family and details of the family . When such a patient is admitted in a hospital, details of his or her treatment, test and expenditure are in-

scribed on the card. So far, 59 lakh 6325 Family Health Cards have been issued in the state. Under Sampark Setu Yojana, all ASHA workers, ANMs and health officers and employees have been inter-connected through C.U.G. SIMs with a view to making available effective health services to all and in remote areas of the state. The facility has been provided to 77,000 users. Under Madhya Pradesh Rajya Beemari Nidhi, financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 and up to Rs. 2 lakh is provided to a member of BPL family suffering from identified and deadly diseases. Under it, financial assistance of Rs. 25 thousand upto Rs. 1 lakh is sanctioned at district level and Rs. 1 lakh to

Rs. 2 lakh at division level. Under Mukhyamantri Bal Hriday Upchar Yojana, financial assistance upto maximum Rs. 1 lakh is provided to concerning government and recognised private hospitals for heart surgery of BPL children from 0 to 15 years of age, who suffer from heart disease. Possibility of outbreak of contagious diseases increases with change in climate. These include diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis, cholera and brain fever. Keeping this in view, 5254 problem-prone villages have been identified in the state. Chances of spread of diseases are more than other villages in these villages. Combat teams have been formed at district and development block levels to deal with diseases in these villages.

No fraud committed in son's appointment: Jatiya

BHOPAL: Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Satyanarayan Jatiya has said that no fraud was committed in the appointment of his son. My son was selected on the basis of his merits and by completing all necessary formalities. No norms were violated, Jatiya told. State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar alleged that it was nothing more than an old strategy of using CBI to defame party leaders. The BJP said that the raid on Jatiya's house was part of the Centre's conspiracy to defame the political leader in fray for Rajya Sabha election. Official sources said the raid was in connection with an alleged scam in recruitment at Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL). The CBI is investigating his son Rajkumar's alleged involvement in the recruitment scam reported in 2008. Notably, Jatiya is BJP's nominee for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha election. Soon after the raid, Jatiya appeared at the State BJP headquarters for clarifying his point over the issue to State BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar and other senior party leaders. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also held close-door meeting with Jatiya after the raids. According to sources many candidates at Bokaro Steel Plant were selected in stark defiance of set norms. This raid was followed by search operations at nine cities across the country in connection with a major scam pertaining to recruitments at BSL, a unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), in 2008, said sources. The CBI has registered a case against 20 people allegedly involved in the fraud. Raids are being carried out at Ranchi, Patna, Bokaro, Bhubneswar, Bhopal, Mumbai and NCR. Jatiya's residential premise was searched for around two hours.

Rules for naming govt buildings,

institutions after donors simplified
BHOPAL
The state government has amended and simplified the rules for collecting contribution/donation for public welfare works and naming government buildings and institutions after donors. The General Administration Department has issued directives in this regard to all heads of departments, divisional commissioners and CEOs of Zila Panchayats. As per amended rules, if a person donates entire funds for construction of a school building then it will be named after him or any person suggested by him. Nomination orders will be issued by concerning collector after endorsement by District Planning Committee. Similarly, if a person constructs a part of the building and gets it named after him or any relative, then concerning district collector will give permission to put a plaque of his name on that portion of the building after approval by District Planning Committee. If a person donates required land for school building then it will be named after him or any person suggested by him without assessing land. Then concerning district collector will give permission for it after approval by District Planning Committee. Before granting permission the collector will ensure whether the donor in whose name the building is to be dedicated is controversial or has criminal background. For motivating donors, it is not necessary that donated funds for construction are deposited with the government. They can get construction done by themselves, but seeking cooperation of Public Works Department of Panchayats & Rural Development Department (Rural Engineering Service) will be compulsory while preparing plan, design etc. Due to it, there will be no difficulty in getting permission registered on Gram Panchayat's booklet. Donor will have to satisfy that he has adequate funds for construction of building. For this, bank guarantee or entire amount required for construction can be deposited with a non-government committee or escrow. This non-government committee will be headed by collector or a representative (Additional or Deputy Collector) nominated by him. Members of the committee will include donor and a representative nominated by him, Assistant Director rank officer of concerning department and Executive Engineer of PWD for construction work.

CM says damage to Kharif crop extensive, seeks Central assistance

BHOPAL: The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has sought personal intervention of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for immediately releasing the central assistance of Rs. 575 crore for the state. Chauhan in his letter to the Prime Minister termed it unfortunate that even after more than three months since the submission of memorandum to Government of India, the central assistance has yet to be received and this is causing unrest. Chauhan sought immediate release of the requested central assistance of Rs. 575 crore. The Chief Minister in his letter apprised the Prime Minister of large scale damage of Kharif crops due to heavy rains and devastating floods in monsoon season of 2013. He pointed out that continuous heavy rains from the middle of June to September 2013 caused flooding in many parts of the State particularly in central and western regions. Major rivers like Narmada and Tapti flowed above the danger level, which resulted in damage of Kharif crops. Several human lives and cattle heads were also perished. Large scale damage to houses and public properties was also reported due to heavy floods, he mentioned in the letter. Chauhan said that after conducting the detailed survey of all kinds of damage including crop damage, a memorandum was prepared as per National Disaster Relief Fund norms and was submitted to Government of India on 28th October, 2013 seeking additional central assistance of Rs. 575 crore to meet the immediate losses. The Chief Minster reminded the Prime Minister of his meeting in December 2013 saying that the extent of damage and plight of the farmers on account of natural calamity was apprised of and a request was made to sympathetically consider the State's demand.

04

Politics

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

Prabhat Jha to focus on MP alone

Akhilesh has learnt nothing from his gaffes

LUCKNOW
After facing media's ire over his lax handling of Muzaffarnagar riots and the grossly insensitive Saifai Mahotsav, not to mention the European 'study tour' of his Cabinet colleagues, looks like Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has learnt nothing from his gaffes. A four-year-old girl has succumbed to pneumonia at a private relief camp in neighbouring Shamli district on Tuesday. The victim, Suhana, living in Malakpur village camp. Confirming the death, Charan Singh, superintendent of government health centre, told Daily Bhaskar, "The baby contracted pneumonia due to prevailing cold conditions sweeping the region and died on yesterday ." Suhana and her family were displaced from Mohamdpur village to Malakpur. A five-month-old baby girl had succumbed to pneumonia in a relief camp at the same village last week. Meanwhile, a 48-year-old woman, Shakila, also died on Tuesday after falling ill due to cold in a shelter in Shahpur village in the district. She was displaced from her native village Kakda and was earlier living in a Shahpur relief camp with her family . She had vacated the camp and shifted to a shelter in the same village last December. Official said a team of National Commisand December 20 when the winter chill was increasing. While 12 children had died in the camps, the remaining 22 had died in hospitals or nursing homes where they were taken for medical care. Over 60 persons were killed and more than 40,000 displaced in communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas in September last year. The SP leadership has come under attack over holding the annual Saifai Mahotsav at a time when hundreds of victims of Muzaffarnagar riots were living in difficult circumstances in relief camps and others are suffering due to extreme weather conditions. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, however, defended the two-week long "Saifai Mahotsav" that commenced on December 26, calling it a Samajwadi tradition and said he is well aware that the event will come under the scanner of the media. Interestingly, the Samajwadi Party government on January 9 sent a delegation of MLAs from Uttar Pradesh on a governmentsponsored international study tour. This came after Karnataka government sent its MLAs on a similar tour abroad. A 17member delegation of the MLAs left on a tour for 20 days, but the legislators had to cut short their five-nation tour after intense criticism.

BJP national vice- president Prabhat Jha has relinquished the charge of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the party and he will now focus on Madhya Pradesh. Jha, who was facing language problem, requested the party national president Rajnath Singh to relieve him from the charge of Andhra Pradesh, which was accepted by Singh. Telugu is spoken across AP and Jha does not know this language. After visiting AP twice he requested the party leadership to relieve him. Jha, who has been declared party candidate for Rajya Sabha elections, maintains that he was ready to undertake any responsibility assigned to him by the state organisation in Lok Sabha elections.

sion for Minorities on Tuesday held a meeting here with the district authorities over rehabilitation of riot victims. The Commission has expressed concern over the delay in the arrest of the accused in riot cases, who were found involved in riots by the Special Investigation Team. It also directed the authorities of Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts for rehabilitation of riot victims. Thirty four children living in relief camps had died in riot-hit areas of Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts between September 7

NOTA button to be used

Nitish Kumar faces rout

n Bihar, Nitish Kumar, who clung to the rail ministry in 2002, but made an issue of the Gujarat riots in 2013, faces a rout, with the BJP on its own likely to bag a huge chunk of the seats. In UP, the polls predict a setback for both the BSP and the ruling SP. Between UP and Bihar, the opinion polls suggest that the BJP might end up bagging as many as 75 Lok Sabha seats. As for the threat from the newbie AAP, the polls predict that the party is unlikely to find any traction outside the national capital region. Its best showing is likely to be in Delhi alone, the city where it led an anti-corruption movement in 2011 and later converted itself into a full-fledged political party . Of course, four months that separate the present from the actual polls is a long time in politics. Things can change for the better or for the worse for the BJP-led NDA. But on the present reckoning, unless something untoward happens, it is well-nigh impossible for the UPA to wipe its slate clean of the long list of failures. What is more likely is that the Modi-led campaign might pick up further momentum, tapping into the growing frustration of the people against the UPA and harnessing the rising aspirations of a predominantly young electorate to emerge closer to the half-way mark in the 16th Lok Sabha. Of course, opinion polls can get the predictions wrong. But when all three polls conducted separately by three different organisations reach the same conclusion, one has to lend them some credence. Though complacency can be counter-productive, what these polls tell us is that the Modi-led BJP is on course to win the 2014 election.

in Rajya Sabha polls also I

Samajwadi Party announces 2 candidates for LS polls

Samajwadi Party has announced two candidates for Lok Sabha elections. Amrish Kumari will contest the election from Tikamgarh and Kankar Munjare from Balaghat. The newly appointed party state president Ashok Yadav announced the names of the candidates. Yadav said that the party's membership campaign would start in February. During the campaign, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav will hold a rally -'Desh Bachao, Desh Banao' at Balaghat in February.

lection Commission of India has directed for use of None of the Above (NOTA) also in ballot paper of Rajya Sabha election. The commission has issued this directive in the context of a recent High Court decision. The commission said that NOTA should be printed in ballot papers after the names of candidates. NOTA should be in the same language in which

ballot papers are printed. The commission has directed Chief Electoral Officer to inform concerning returning officers regarding use of NOTA in all elections after ensuing April 2014 and filling of Rajya Sabha vacancies. The commission will issue necessary guidelines regarding inscription of NOTA on ballot papers and counting.

(MP&CG)

February 3 to February 9, 2014

Region

05

Vasundhara shows red light to Jaipur metro project

JAIPUR Nearly 2 months ago, the metro project of Ashok Gehlot government which was being constructed on a very fast pace has been put to rest by the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje. In the assembly meeting, she said that it was a waste of money and its high poles destroy the skyline of the state. Talking about underground metro construction, she said it can prove to be disastrous for state's heritage. Thus, the big question is what about the Rs 4000 crore money of public spent on the project already? Ashok Gehlot travelled in metro during elections saying it was a trial run and now Vasundhara Raje has stopped the project saying the government does not have any money to continue the project. Nearly Rs. 3400 crore were spent on first phase of 11 kilometers by Ashok Gehlot. Also, another Rs. 1500 crore was spent on underground line which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Stopping the work on the underground line, Raje said that this can damage the heritage of old city of Jaipur. Also, the rest of the work on Metro project has been stopped as Raje cannot see the skyline of the state being destroyed. Raje said that people from all around the world visit Jaipur for sight-seeing. She said that when the metro will run on the high pillars, complete skyline will be destroyed. Also, she said that Metro in Jaipur is economically unviable till 2025 and the government cannot afford to spend Rs. 50 crore every year to run it. State leader of Congress Sachin Pilot has criticized this thinking of CM Vasundhara Raje. Sachin Pilot said that this is because of the negative thinking of Raje that she playing politics on matters concerning general public. He said that projects like Metro and refinery are for the public welfare and she should not make her own opinion on that as it reflects her negativity . The question here is that what will happen to the incomplete metro lines? What about the money already spent on the dream project of the city? According to sources, some officials told that government is asking to complete the project on PPL model whereas it has already failed in the world. If Raje did not wanted the construction of Metro project then why didn't she raise the issue during assembly elections? Raje never talked about her concern about this project and now its price is being paid by the general public.

Jaipur rape case:

IAS officer's wife defends husband
SANGEETA SHARMA E-mail:sangeeta.dsharma@gmail.com Jaipur

criminal case has been registered against senior IAS officer B.B. Mohanty who is accused of establishing physical relation with an IAS aspirant on the pretext of getting her selected in the IAS examinations. Now, his wife Meeta Mohanty has come out in the open to defend him. "All the accusations against my husband are false," said Meeta Mohanty. "The girl's mobile call details can throw light in this case," she added. Responding to the accusations that Mohanty has been avoiding police investigation, she said: He is not keeping well and will present himself for investigation soon. Victim's statement was recorded in the session court recently . Victim has asked for security, citing threats from the family of the accused. "I have moved out of the hostel fearing an attack on me," the victim said. Earlier, the First Information Report was registered at the Mahesh Nagar police station here on the orders of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate No. 30, before whom the B.Tech student had filed her complaint. The FIR was registered under Sections 376 (rape) and 354 (assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty) of the Indian Penal Code.

06

Editorial

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

ASTROLOGY
05-02-2014- Wednesday - Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Panchmi Positive directions - North and East Bad time - 12:39 pm to 2:03 pm Good time - 7:03 am to 9:51 am and 3:27 pm to 6:17 pm 06-02-2014-Thursday- Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Shashthi Positive directions - East Bad time - 2:03 pm to 3:27 pm Good time - 7:03 am to 8:27 am and 11:15 am to 2:02 pm and 4:53 pm to 6:17 pm 07-02-2014- Friday -Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Saptmi Positive directions - South and East Bad time - 11:15 am to 12:39 pm Good time - 7:03 am to 11:14 am and 2:03 pm to 3:27 pm and 4:53 pm to 6:17 pm 08-02-2014- Saturday -Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Ashatmi Positive directions - East and South Bad time - 9:51 am to 11:15 am Good time - 8:27 am to 9:50 am and 12:39 pm to 4:53 pm

Modi's charisma swaying

voters in BJP's favour

opinion polls expose is that a Modi-led BJP would prove a liability because, his critics argued, he carries the baggage of the 2002 riots. Having been cleared by every court and commission, the ordinary voter was unwilling to lend credence to the high-velocity hate campaign. Modi symbolised a strong and a clear-headed leadership. He symbolised in the popular mind economic development and growth. Indeed, he represented law and order, given that, barring the solitary post-Godhra riots, Gujarat has been one of the more peaceful states. Of course, it is undeniable that the Modi appeal is enhanced by the popular image of the Congress-led UPA Government. The tag of a weak and corrupt government is hard to shake off, despite the belated attempts to market the UPA through a taxpayer-paid expensive media campaign. The policy disarray, the poor image of the non-speaking PM, backbreaking inflation, a series of corruption scams, etc., have all combined to make the UPA-II the most unpopular government in the history of free India. Modi is reaping the harvest of the popular discontent and disgust with the UPA. Add to it the fumbling and fitful leadership of Rahul Gandhi and you have the reason why Modi is making waves. Even in States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which are outside the BJP's traditional catchment area, Modi is a huge draw. The opinion polls predict the virtual decimation of the Congress. The party can expect to do well only in Assam, Kerala and Karnataka. Elsewhere, it faces a complete rout. The BJP is set to emerge as by far the biggest party in the West and in the North.

DILIP OJHA

09-02-2014- Sunday - Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Ashatmi Positive directions - West and South Bad time - 4:53 pm to 6:17 pm Good time - 8:27 am to 12:39 pm and 2:03 pm to 3:15 pm 10-02-2014- Monday -Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Navami Positive directions- West and South Bad time - 8:27 am to 9:51 am Good time - 7:03 am to 8:26 am and 9:52 am to 11:15 am and 2:03 pm to 6:17 pm 11-02-2014- Tuesday -Falgun Mah Shuklapaksh-Dashami Positive directions- North and West Bad time - 3:15 pm to 4:53 pm Good time - 9:51 am to 2:03 pm By AACHARYA SARVESH E-Mail: acharya.sarvesh@yahoo.com Mobile: 9826609192
VASTU TIPS FOR PLACEMENT OF PHOTOS AT HOME

he findings of the three recent opinion polls confirm the general impression that the Modi-led BJP is comfortably placed to emerge as the leading player in the next Lok Sabha. All three polls are near-unanimous that Modi has electrified the electoral scene and is set to lead his party closer to the halfway mark along with its allies. These opinion polls effectively silence the critics, who had baulked at the idea of Modi being named the principal Opposition party's prime ministerial candidate. Indeed, it is Modi's candidature as prime minister which

has enthused a large swathe of the electorate. Even in places where the BJP has a thin organisational presence, Modi's charisma seems to be strong enough to motivate voters to lean towards his party . That may be why there are a number of parties in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh which are keen to tie up with the resurgent BJP. In particular, Chandrababu Naidu's TDP seeks to bolster its chances by entering into a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP. In Tamil Nadu, the BJP has already got Vaiko's MDMK and is said to be in talks with a couple of other groups which command caste/sectional loyalties in the badly fragmented electorate. Another myth that these

Hike in number of subsidised cylinders: Populist move will burden the economy
ongress vice president Rahul Gandhi's appeal to Manmohan Singh to increase the number of subsidised cooking gas cylinders to 12 from nine at All India Congress' Committee (AICC) meet might have gone down well with party workers and Indian public in general, but it has also burdened the already bogged down Indian economy . The UPA government realized Rahul's 'pro-people' and 'pro-women' demand. The final nod came recently as Cabinet approved a note raising the cap. It is no doubt a populist measure as more people will be benefited by the raise in cap as revealed by petroleum and gas minister Veerappa Moily , who had earlier stated that 89.2 percent of fifteen crore total LPG consumers in India needed no additional cylinder beyond stipulated nine. "If the quota is raised to 12, about 97% of the LPG consumers would be covered by subsidised LPG," Moily was quoted as saying. The decision of cylinder hike comes at a time when the Lok Sabha polls are almost knocking on door. To name it as a populist measure won't be

Do not place images of late grand ancestors on Northeast wall or in worship room. Ideally late ancestor images should be placed on Southern wall. Water element pictures can be located on Northern walls while fire element images should be positioned only on Southern wall. Family photographs are best to be placed on South-west wall so as to strengthen the bonds of relationships. But never place family pictures on Eastern or Northern wall. To harmonize the ambience of home, hang beautiful pictures of birds in pair while avoid displeasing images of birds or wild animals.

an exaggeration of any kind, especially when it comes at the request of Rahul Gandhi.

However, the common man of the country won't mind much even if the latest decision from the UPA II government has a 'voter-appeasement' angle associated with it. Smiles have returned back on the faces of housewives, who are expected to be better off with a hike in quota of LPG cylinders from 9 to 12. The hike is surely going to make them feel more comfortable, even though, they were happy with 9 cylinders too. Subsidized LPG costs Rs. 414 per cylinder in Delhi and government deposits Rs. 435 as subsidy on customer's purchase at present. Anyone who has exhausted his allotted quota of LPG cylinders is required to procure an additional unit at the market price of Rs. 1,258. However, as per the economists, the latest decision would only prove detrimental to the already lagging fiscal status of the economy . Presently , country's fiscal deficit stands at around 5 per cent and the fresh verdict would only exert more pressure on it. "The annual subsidy burden due to the hike in the cap will be around Rs. 80,000 crore," oil minister Veerappa Moily said.

(MP&CG)

February 3 to February 9, 2014

Feature

07

Befriending yourself is the first step to befriending the world!

SWECHCHHA OJHA Email: swechchhaojha@gmail.com

dle of ave you ever woken up in the mid the ut abo sed ten e om the night and bec do, to e hav you t tha gs long pending thin to k bac go to ble una and gotten sweaty s doe ing ink r-th ove at wh sleep? That is a vicious circle, if you to human brain! You know, it's and if you can't sleep, p go on thinking, you can't slee circle will go on this d you can't stop thinking. An l your flow of tro con and on until you lear n to when you lear n y onl pen thoughts. And that can hap wandering here and how to stop the mind from there. an life is to be able The biggest achievement in hum ts. And those of you to make the mind free of though concentrating on a try who think it is easy to do, s right now and you blank white page for 2 minute d it is to look at a ate plic will get to know how com n tallying accounts plain page, more complicated tha ting one person to get Try and developing softwares. , ask them the seone do it properly and if you find y task to not do eas an cret of doing it. For it is not to love the comyou ds nee anything and stay calm. It anyone else at some pany of self and to not need y of one's self is the times. And loving the compan mselves, other than the biggest gift one can give to life. The reason I'm finding their soul mate in this love the compayou en saying all this is because wh pany of anycom the d nee ny of yourself you do not ughts that keep bothone else, not even of those tho you sleep. There lie ering you in the night not letting why doesn't some ns, stio the answers to all your que make friends at colperson like you, why you cannot l be able to comwil you lege/work, when and how . plete all work in time, etcetera erstand you is YOU und The one person who can e all your problems and the one person who can solv g for your answers kin loo is YOU. And once you stop wer to all your quesin others, you will get the ans for a friend in other tions. Just try once to not look r friend, and see how people and make yourself you s doesn't at all mean Thi you forget you were alone. of from the outside that I am asking you to stay alo rself. The only reaworld and concentrate just on you even though making son I am saying this is that is a very good and esfriends and be in relationships ant thing that we miss sential thing, one more import until we understand is to befriend ourselves. And one else, and no one ourselves, we can understand no else can understand us. ng yourself is the So what I'm saying is, 'Befriendi And what can be ld'. wor first step to befriending the with yourself ? Just better than starting good things lf know how wondertry it once and you will yourse your most favourite ful it feels to have yourself as w how it feels to have person. Plus you will get to kno r friends must be! a friend like you, how lucky you forget the Monday Enjoy the Company of you and Blues. Cheers!

08

Glamour

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

Selena Gomez devastated post Justin Attack on Pakistani actress Meera after leaked sex tape! Bieber spotted dating Chantel Jeffries

LAHORE
Pakistani actress Meera has recently locked headlines in relation to her sex video tape leaked online with captain Naveed. Over the same issue, the actress made a statement that she doesnt want to talk about such videos as they were fake and they are not at all related to her. Meera added, she is in touch with her lawyer and soon a legal noticed will be served against the people who are involved in making such fake sex video. Recently, the actress was attacked by unknown people in Lahore and they partially damaged her car the time Pakistani actress was on the way to shopping near Liberty Market. As per the reports, People threw

LOS ANGELES
When Selena Gomez was almost convinced to be with the teen sensation Justin Bieber again, his act of taking scorching model Chantel Jeffries on a holiday trip did the damage yet again and this time apparently the irreparable one! Source close to Selena informs that the singer is devastated with Bieber's act and feels that he has played with her. She even feels that Bieber is no more the same guy she

fell in love with. Justin Bieber took Jeffries to Panama earlier this week and since the news flashed, Selena is left dampening. Justin was spotted with the model in Miami on January 23. "Selena is sad but she's also angry . She feels like Justin played her because just when she was getting some closure and strength he convinced her to come back to him and made all kinds of promises. But it turns out they were all lies and now

she's back at square one," a source told hollywoodlife.com. "In a way she's mourning because she's realised that he just isn't the guy she fell in love with anymore," the source said. Selena and Bieber started dating in 2010. However, this is not the first time when Selena is going through with such feeling as Bieber on numerous occasions have been reported flirting with girls which make Selena sad.

stones at her vehicle and smashed up its windows and in a conversation with Pakistani media official Meera said that she had been threaten to leave the country by unknown people through different email and this time actress is planning to take legal action in this regard. Meera said, she has filed a complaint against the attack and the SSP said that actress had not reached him to register the case. In relation to her video Pardaphash.com received many emails saying that the Meera leaked sex video is real well what to say about it fans as actress said its not real. If actress said that the video is not real then she should ask the officials to continue the investigation and clear the incident among the people.

Kamasutra 3D girl Sherlyn Chopra hatching conspiracy!

MUMBAI

exy and bold, sexy babe Sherlyn Chopra needs no introduction in Bollywood Today as the queen of controversy knows how to hit headlines. Whether, it is glossy magazine or news from the industry of entertainment, Mumbai, she has always hogged limelight. Call it the effect of her voluptuous body and dare to bare act, Sherlyn has quite a few times become a Twitter trend. Recently, she has been in news for her outburst on Twitter, where is allegedly Tweeted shower of abuses on her Kamasutra 3D director Rupesh Paul and called him a G*** u and mentioned him with choicest of abuses following which Rupesh moved court and filed a defamation suit. In a new revelation, the Playboy girl Sherlyn Chopra has accused Rupesh Paul of sexual advances towards her and filed a complaint in this regard. Rupesh Paul threatened to forfeit her remaining remuneration for the movie Kamasutra 3D, after

she didn't granted to his sexual advances, Sherlyn allegedly claimed, the police said. Sherlyn Chopra has filed a written complaint with the Santacruz police on Monday, claiming that Rupesh Paul did not pay the remaining Rs 7 lakh, after she rejected her unwarranted erotic advances. Whatever may be the reality behind the spat between Rupesh Paul and Sherlyn Chopra, Kamsutra 3D has emerged as a Ocean of Erotica and Sherlyn has never been spotted in the most bold

and sensuous avatar, the so far, trailer and videos of the Kamasutra3D, suggests the same. Some nefarious design in Offing Sherlyn?

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February 3 to February 9, 2014

Point of view

09

Is God the greatest lie invented by man?

BIPIN SASI

e all believe that there is a supreme power which exists, something supernatural, we name it God. Arguments against the existence of God have been proposed by philosophers, scientists and others from existence of mankind. It is indeed a question to be discussed. Does God really exist? Is God the greatest lie invented by man? Whenever we are afraid, whenever we are in stress, we hope, we believe that something good will happen soon, God will make something good to happen in our life. We start sending our prayers to God. Does that prayer reach to God? We cannot see him, still we believe him. Isnt it an illusion? People believe that the universe you see around is a creation of that unseen God. I have been contemplating the idea of God. I want to know if he really exists and if he does, like many, I want to know why things so awry are happening to people. In Indian tradition, we are taught that our teacher and our parents are God. We are raised by our parents and those were beautiful days without any responsibility, without any fear. Life was so comfortable in

the baby cradle that as we grow up we feel so helpless, so afraid of death, so burdened with lifes problems, we remind of our childhood days-no responsibility, no worrysomebody was taking care of us. That psychological childhood is projected into all the religions: God becomes the father. And there are a few religions in which God becomes the mother. It is a simple psychological projection of a child. It has no basis in reality. As a child when we do not have all the an-

swers so we find the answer in God, we are told that everything that exists is created by God. Those who believe in God may feel that this ideology is insipid and stupid, yet no believer can claim that he has seen God, some say that they have experienced his presence. We experience his presence but he cannot be seen or touched, isnt it strange and surprising? God is the biggest illusion created by man. Believers say that God has control over everything, he already

knows everything that we are going to do. Then every decision we ever going to make has effectively already been made. Lets take the instance of Rama, this would mean that God allowed Ravana to become so strong that he himself incarnated for him and took all pain on earth and lived years to brings it to an end. In many religions God has a physical form. No one has seen him still we have a prototype of his looks and physical appearance. Usually we humans believe what

we see, then there arouse a need to give physical shape to our illusion. A group of wise people thus came with the idea of many Gods. In Hinduism, we have more than one crore God and Goddess, each representing different aspect that one needs to alleviate his standard of living in the material world. For example- Brahma for creation, Vishnu for protection and Shiva for destruction, Laxmi for wealth and many more. Whenever we are afraid, whenever we are in trouble, we start seeking Gods help. When Damini was raped in a running bus with brutality, she might have called her God, every believer of God in trouble, who has faith and belief in him will try to seek his help. Did the Guardian angel come to help her? The truth is that no help ever comes. Even Jesus on the cross was waiting for the help to come, and finally got disappointed and shouted, Father, have you forsaken me? A great doubt must have arisen in him, a great question. Nothing is happening, and he believed all these years that God would come to save him, his only begotten son. Nobody came. Jesus Christ must have died in utter disillusionment.

Visitors watch rare film clips of Gandhi's life and times

ingly realising the importance and significance of Mahatma Gandhi and his doctrine of truth, non-violence and Satyagraha. It is the time to acquaint the new generation with Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts and views in a format they will assimilate and appreciate" said Governor of Maharashtra, K Sankaranarayanan, while inaugurating the newly established Mahatma Gandhi Exhibition Centre, which will be used for screening short film and documentaries on Gandhiji. When Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated 66 years ago, the nation mourned while leaders across the world paid their tribute to the Mahatma at a United Nation's meeting. Black and White videos featuring these events and several other episodes of the Mahatma's life will now be accessible to the public, who can visit the state-ofthe-art, 25-seater audio-visual room any time between 10am to 5pm. Nitin Potdar, Chairman of the Gandhi Film Foundation, which started the centre, says "the film exhibition centre is the first of its kind. It will display automatic videographic content pertaining to Mahatma Gandhi, which will help people get insight into the significant event of his life, including India's independence, the salt Satyagraha and even his meeting with Mohammad Ali Jinnah." The foundation has collected hundreds of shorts and videos on Gandhi from across the world. The shorts and videos have been compiled into six films, which can be viewed at the centre. The foundation has received video clippings from varied sources such as news agencies, government bodies and independent organisations, all of which have been converted into digital format. Birla Group has provided the footage of Mahatma Gandhi's voyage to England to attend the Second Round Table Conference in London. In addition to the films related to Gandhiji, films produced by Gandhi Film Foundation have also been made available for viewing. These include Abhishaap, based on the curse of untouchability , Badshah Khan, the life story of Frontier Gandhi Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Miracle of Nonviolence, a film on surrender of dacoits of Chambal Valley and Karenge Ya Marenge, a film on the Quit India Movement,. Mani Bhavan is one of the major tourist attractions in Mumbai. Ironically , it is the foreign tourists who take keener interest in visiting the Gandhi Smarak Bhavan than the domestic tourists.

MUMBAI
Even as the nation paid its homage to the Father of the Nation,

Mahatma Gandhi on his 66th death anniversary on January 30, visitors to the famed Mani Bhavan in Mumbai got an opportuni-

ty to watch some rare film clips relating to the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi. "People of the world are increas-

10

Commerce

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

Reliance to set up cement factory at Maihar,

invest Rs 50,000 crore in MP

RAJIV TIWARI Email: rajeevtiwariwts@gmail.com BHOPAL

eliance industrial group's Chairman Anil Ambani has said Madhya Pradesh is the only state where his company is investing Rs. 45 thousand crore in a particular sector. He said that his company will invest over Rs. 50 thousand crore in the state in next 6 months. Ambani was holding discussions with chief minister

Shivraj Singh Chouhan here recently . Describing Chief Minister's progressive leadership as helpful for industrial growth Ambani said that Rs. 30 thousand crore investment will be made in Sasan project in the next 6 months. He said that present investment in energy sector in Madhya Pradesh will increase power generation capacity in the state in future. This will not only strengthen state's economy, but will also increase availability of power in Madhya Pradesh.

Of this, Rs. 4 thousand crore will be invested in coalmines. Besides, Rs. 15 thousand crore additional investment will also be made. He informed that Rs. 2000 crore will be invested in Chitrangi project. He informed that 5 million tonne capacity cement factory will be established at Maihar. Three times more investment will be made in this sector. Ambani said that healthy partnership with government is necessary for indus-

trial development. Industries need political stability, transparency and good governance and Madhya Pradesh is most suitable from these points of view. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the state government is committed to further accelerating pace of development by inviting maximum industrial investment to the state. For this, the state government is ensuring every possible effort for transparency and good governance.

The Chief Minister said that apart from strong industrial infrastructure, result-oriented administrative arrangements, full attention is being paid to ensure completion of various industrial projects within time-limit. Chief Secretary Anthony de Sa, Principal Secretary Industries P .K. Dash, Principal Secretary to CM Manoj Vastava, Principal Secretary S.K. Mishra and Principal Secretary Energy Mohammad Sulaiman were present on the occasion.

(MP&CG)

February 3 to February 9, 2014

Sports

11

Sushil Kumar disappointed for not being awarded the Padma Bhushan

Ronaldo better than Messi: Pele

io De Janeiro, Feb 1: Football legend Pele has said Cristiano Ronaldo is now a better player than Lionel Messi. Pele, who played in three World Cup-winning teams for Brazil between 1958 and 1970, said Ronaldo's past two seasons had seen him eclipse the Barcelona striker, Xinhua report-

ed. "I think, no doubt, two years ago the player that was in very, very good condition was Messi." In five years he became the best player in Europe, but in the last two years, and this year, he had a problem: he got injured, he was out this year and played few games," Pele

said in an interview with ESPN. "Ronaldo has come through for the past two or three years and is the best in Europe. I think at the moment no doubt Ronaldo is the best." Ronaldo earlier this month won his second FIFA Ballon D'Or award award, ending Messi's four-year stranglehold on the trophy .

Rahul Dravid comes in a new avatar, to mentor junior Olympic athletes

BANGALORE NEW DELHI The usually humble and silent wrestler Sushil Kumar is miffed with the system that confers awards. On Tuesday, two-time Olympic medallist Kumar showed his displeasure and lashed out at the decision makers for being denied the Padma Bhushan, something that he feels that he deserves. In an interview to Headlines Today, Kumar said that he deserved the Padma Bhushan. "I am the only double Olympic medalist in the country . I can't understand the reason that I did not get the Padma Bhushan. There should be some criteria for getting such an award. Leander Paes and Gopichand derserved the award as they are senior to me. Though I do not pay much attaention to such things, the government should have taken into account performance and achievement along with seniority," he told the TV channel. The wrestler won a bronze medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver in the 2012 London Olympics. His contemporary boxer Vijender Singh has expressed his surprise that Sushil Kumar didn't get the Padma Bhushan.

ahul Dravid has come in a new avatar in the world of sports. The cricketer, who was known as a 'Wall' of Team India, now will become the mentor of junior Olympics athletes and Paralympic athletes. Dravid on Monday, Jan 27 announced his association with GoSports Foundation with an aim to contribute towards the development and mentorship of Indian junior Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Dravid will join the Board of Advisors of sports non-profit organisation and will also institute the 'Rahul Dravid Athlete Mentorship Programme'. The mentorship will involve Dravid and his team of experts personally advising select high-potential athletes at key phases in their careers, and also providing them access to scientific expertise, performance and injury management, and allied professional services, so as to provide specific and meaningful support to their young careers. Speaking on the association, Rahul Dravid said, "Being a sportsperson, I realise the varied support every athlete needs in order to succeed at the highest level. Over the last few years, a lot of effort has been made to develop

Indian sports, and our performances at international competitions have been steadily improving." "Winning at sport is as much about processes as it is about outcomes and I feel that we must put in place programmes that address the most important needs of young sportsmen and sportswomen as they prepare for competition. I have seen the pride and joy that success at sports brings and I want to participate in the lives and journeys of our young Olympians and Paralympians," he added. Dravid will bring his experience and knowledge of competitive sports, and his insights on management and administration, and will help the foundation execute high-impact athlete-centric programmes. Dravid will be hosting a charity dinner event here at the end of February in aid of the programmes. Later in the year, Dravid is slated to issue the keynote address at the GoSports Foundation Athletes' Conclave 2014 - a platform for junior and senior athletes of all sporting disciplines to interact, share ideas and enhance their knowledge in the presence of successful sportspersons and industry professionals. Dravid joins 2008 Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra on the Foundation's Board of Advisors.

12

NEWS IN BRIEF

Nation

February 3 to February 9, 2014 (MP&CG)

Rahul's remarks on 1984 anti-Sikh riots back-fire

C
New Delhi

Telangana issue: Centre to ignore Andhra assembly's rejection of Bill

Andhra Pradesh Assembly has voted against creation a new State of Telangana. This has come as a huge embarrassment to the Centre. However, the Centre has decided to ignore the Andhra Pradesh House's rejection of the Bill and push for the bifurcation. Union Minister Jairam Ramesh had recently remarked that while the Assembly could merely give its opinion, the final decision lay with the Union Government. And the Centre has already announced the creation of the Telangana State. The Centre, however, is in a terrible dilemma as it is forced to proceed with the issue now although the legislators of a State which is to be bifurcated have voted against the move. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had threatened to quit politics if the Assembly adopted the Bill. It was evident that the Bill had no chance of being passed. The decision of the Andhra House has precipitated a crisis which the Congress-led UPA Government has to face headlong. It remains to be seen how the Government extricates itself out of a self-made crisis, more so when the Lok Sabha and the State elections are round the corner. Things need not have come to this level of acrimony if the Union Government had handled the issue with care. To begin with, it dilly-dallied on the announcement of a new Telangana State for years. And, when it finally summoned the courage to announce the creation of the new State, it failed to take along representatives of the Seemandhra region, cutting across political lines. The result has been a nasty confrontation which developed between the two camps, leading to violence and a further hardening of stands at a time when the need was to soften positions so that the creation of a Telangana State could be had in a cordial environment.

Email: sastrymani@hotmail.com
ongress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's comparison of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots with the 2002 communal violence in Gujarat seems to have back-fired for his party in the runup to the upcoming general elections. After the Congress vice president's admission of possible involvement of Congress leaders in the massacre of Sikhs in 1984, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has demanded a SIT probe into the incident in which over 8,000 people were killed, including 3,000 in Delhi. "I met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and put forward our demand of a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The L-G is very positive on it. We will discuss the special investigation team formation and its terms in the next cabinet meeting," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal's demand has been backed by the BJP and Akali Dal. In an interview to a television channel recently, Rahul had drawn a comparison between the pogroms saying that the Narendra Modi government was responsible for "abetting and pushing" the 2002 Gujarat riots while the Congress

S. MANI

government tried to stop the 1984 riots. At the same time, he admitted that "some Congress men were probably involved in 1984 anti-Sikh riots and they have been punished for it". The timing of the statement goes against Congress fortunes as far as the Lok Sabha election is concerned. The party has recently suffered major defeat in four states - Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - and now this statement by Rahul Gandhi bleaks its future to make a progress. The fact Prime Minister Manmohan Singh belong to the Sikh community, Rahul should have been very careful while admitting that some Congress leaders might have been involved in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. This statement may annoy Sikh voters who had supported Congress. Congress' unwillingness to constitute a SIT probe on 1984 riots reeks of double standards when the party had fully supported the formation of SIT to probe the Gujarat riots. Although 'providing justice to victims of 1984 riots' and 're-opening wrongly closed cases' were parts of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) manifesto, the timing of Kejriwal's move suggests that he may be looking to put the Congress in a tight spot. The chief minister's demand is set to further strain ties between AAP

and the Congress, which provides external support to it in Delhi Assembly . The demand for a probe into the riots is a long standing one and it has gained more strength over the years because of the slow pace of the trial against the accused. Senior Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar are among those who have been accused of instigating rioters to take revenge for the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Face-off between AAP and Delhi

NEW DELHI
In a major embarrassment to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has returned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's recommendation of removing Barkha Singh as the Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). According to reports, the Delhi Lt Governor has asked the state government to explain what are the grounds on which it is seeking the re-constitution of DCW. The Chief Minister had earlier sent a recommendation to Jung to appoint eminent social worker Maitreyi Pushpa as DCW Chairperson in place of Barkha Singh. The face-off between the Aaam Aadmi Party government and Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) intensified over latter's action against Law Minister Somnath Bharti, who has faced criticism for conducting a midnight raid on the house of a Ugandan national and misbehaving with him. Since then, both sides have refused to budge from their respective stands. The AAP government had pressed for Barkha Singh's removal to ensure 'unbiased' probe against Bharti, the DCW has demanded that a FIR be lodged against the Law Minister for not heeding to repeated summons by the panel.

India has highest Commission for Women chief intensifies number of illiterates
"Barkha Singh is of the Congress, if she remains the chairperson of DCW then she will do politics; we want a probe by a unbiased person," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said. Barkha Singh hit back at the AAP government and said that she will be meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung later today to present the DCW's view on the matter. "We are going to meet the LG to put our view. I will present the facts to him. The law minister should not be taking law in his hand; Nobody has the right to ask me for my resignation," she said. Slamming the AAP government for taking steps towards her removal, DCW Chairperson Barkha Singh today branded Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers as "dictators" and accused them of acting on their whims. Singh met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and put forth her views on Delhi government seeking to remove her from the post of chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women. "I am holding a constitutional post and the Delhi government cannot remove me. I have handed over a rule book of DCW to the LG so that he gets to know that the government cannot remove the chairperson from the post," Singh said. She said Jung had assured her that he would look into the matter and go through the rule book. ighlighting the huge disparities existing in education levels of the country's rich and poor, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has reported that India has the highest population of illiterate adults at 287 million. India has by far the largest population of illiterate adults at 287 million, amounting to 37 per cent of the global total, the report said. The 2013/14 Education for All Global Monitoring Report stated that India's literacy rate had risen from 48 per cent in 1991 to 63 per cent in 2006, the latest year it has available data, but population growth cancelled the gains so there was no change in the number of illiterate adults. The report further said that the richest young women in India have already achieved universal literacy but the poorest are projected to only do so around 2080, noting that huge disparities within India point to a failure to target support adequately towards those who need it the most. According to the report, a global learning crisis is costing governments Rs 7200 billion a year. Ten countries account for 55.7 crore, or 72 per cent, of the global population of illiterate adults. Ten per cent of global spending on primary education is being lost on poor quality education that is failing to ensure that children learn. This situation leaves one in four young people in poor countries unable to read a single sentence. In one of India's wealthier states, Kerala, education spending per pupil was about Rs 4200. In Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, most rural children reached grade 5 in 2012. However, only 44 per cent of these children in the grade 5 age group in Maharashtra and 53 per cent in Tamil Nadu could perform a two-digit subtraction.

Andhra Pradesh, despite Telangana issue, attracts investment over Rs 120 billion
Chennai: Despite turmoil over separation of Telangana, which took a toll on Andhra Pradesh, the state in past 18 months has attracted an investment worth over Rs 120 billion. Immediately after the bifurcation, the state power sector along with many others plunged into darkness. The recovery, however, is noticeable. Andhra Pradesh Principal Secretary (industries) said, 'In the last 18 months the State has attracted investments to the tune of around Rs 120 billion, across sectors ranging from FMCG, automobile and others'. K Pradeep Chandra was speaking on the occasion of bhoomi poojan for Isuzu's plant. Out of 16 firms that have shown interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh, 3-4 companies have already commenced their projects. Major investments in the state include that of Isuzu's Rs. 3,000 crore plant at Sri City SEZ, MRF's Rs. 900 crore investment, US healthcare Hospira's investment worth Rs. 1,500 crore. FMCG brands including Jonson & Jonson's plan an investment of Rs. 450 crore for manufacturing unit, PepsiCo's Rs. 1,200 crore, Cadbury's Rs. 2,500 core, Greenply Industries' Rs. 2,000 crore, Berger paints' Rs. 350 crore, etc. The state is also working on enticing automobile OEMs, said Chandra. There, Andhra will first 'attract suppliers, the state is looking at developing series of supplier clusters across the State', Chandra said. He added that the state is also building a 100 acre supplier park. Supplier base implies attracting huge investments. A company may bring in investments, but her suppliers will bring investments manifold.

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New Delhi

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