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Vol. 4, Issue 9
NEWS FROM INDIA
New Delhi - Thursday 10, January 2008 (29, Zil Hijja 1428H) Voice of masses
Website: www.thenewsfromindia.com - E mail: editor@thenewsfromindia.com
Daily
Pages 8
Sarkozy reinvents Reflections on the Bhutto heir takes
France for bling area centre stage
SAARC news Business
1962 war P-5
P-4 P-4 P-6 P-7
We are innocent:
Mumbai molestation
accused
hing
First
Belief in the
Angels
India, IAEA talks performed Hijra from Makkah to Medinah, he
and his companion Abu Bakr – Radi Allahu Anhu
collapse Mumbai, Jan 09: The Juhu molestation case ac-
cused on Wednesday said that they were inno-
– stopped at the home of Umm Ma’bad. They
asked her for food/milk and she said that there
Mumbai, Jan 09: India and IAEA have failed to cent. Addressing the media, the accused who are was none. Then, seeing a weak, frail calf in the
finalise an agreed text for India-specific safe- out on bail, said that they were merely onlook- corner, the Messenger of Allah – Sal Allaahu Alay-
guards during the talks last week, particularly on ers who were pushed by a crowd on the New hi wa Sallam – asked if he could milk it. The
the issue of New Delhi‘s right to hold its strate- Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee along with Year’s Eve, and the photographers clicked the Prophet – Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam – pet
gic reserve to meet lifetime supply for its civil- Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit at the Prava- wrong persons. The men, in a belligerent out- the calf on the back, praying, until it opened it’s
ian nuclear plants. The four-day talks that con- si Bhartiya Divas in New Delhi. burst, accused the media of jumping too fast to legs in preparation for milking. The milk poured
cluded on Saturday were originally considered their own conclusions. One of them said that he and poured as Umm Ma’bad watched in shock.
to be a final round but the draft text could not be
completed,
IAEA sourc-
SP man killed, Mulayam says was not even there at the spot when the incident
occurred. “We were returning from dinner and
Later, when her husband came home with the
frail flock he saw the blessing shine from the
walls and inquired, “What has happened here?”
saw a crowd of 150 surrounding two couples.
es said on
Wednesday. Maya wants blood We became curious and got thrown into the scene.
The photographers just clicked our pictures and
Umm Ma’bad then described the Prophet – Sal
Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Her description of
the Prophet – Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam – is
There was the police took us for interrogation,” the accused
Jan 09, 2008 in Etawah, Mainpuri and also in Lucknow, re- one of the most detailed. Amongst the things she
also no meet- said. The men didn’t stop at that clarification.
New Delhi: One student was killed in police ports said.While authorities admitted to the death said was that his face was like a moon and his
ing point on They said that while the newspapers splashed
firing in former Uttar Pradesh chief minister of a student in the firing, they refused to take
the issue of ‘molestation’ pictures, they did not write a word voice was beautiful. His beard was long and full,
Mulayam Singh Yadav’s village and several peo- responsibility for the killing.The statewide pro- his hair reached his shoulders. Tranquility befell
corrective about how the girls in question were drunk. “The
ple were in- tests were provoked him when he was silent, and if he spoke he was
measures to couples were in an inebriated state. They were
jured in clashes after Mulayam’s son magnificent. From far he was the handsomest
be undertaken in the event of stoppage of fuel to smooching on the road. What were they expect-
that broke out in and MP Akhilesh Ya- man, and from near he was the greatest. Flanking
power plants, sources said. Therefore, there will ing?”, they said. The accused were identified at
the state on dav and brother Shiv-
be yet another round of talks in Vienna, proba- Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail by two photogra- him were men, if he spoke they listened, and if
Wednesday fol- pal Yadav were alleg- he commanded, they hastily complied.
bly next week to finalise the agreed text. Other- phers of a leading English daily and traffic in-
lowing an al- edly roughed up by Abu Ma’bad knew who he was. He said, “Verily
wise, India would not be able to meet the dead- spector Amarjit Singh who were witness to the
leged attack on police on this is the man that Quraish is looking for. I once
line, they said. India has to finalise the text and incident, which took place in the early hours of
the Samajwadi Tuesday.“We have to thought of following him, and when I meet him I
only after that the US will be able to negotiate New Year’s Day. The accused face charges of
Party (SP) lead- look at the picture in
with the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group outraging modesty of women and unlawful as- shall.” He then called out poetry that all the in-
er ’s son and totality, so I am not in habitants of Makkah heard on the horizon:
to allow New Delhi to integrate with interna- sembly and face jail of up to one year. However,
brother the day a position to tell you Jaz Allahu Rabbin Naasi Khayra Jazaa’ihi / Ra-
tional nuclear commerce. This negotiation has to all the witnesses will have to identify the ac-
before.While right away as to who feeqayn Qaala Khaymati Umma Ma’badi
be completed before March to take forward the cused in the court, when the case comes up for
one person – a was responsible for Huma Nazalaaha bil Huda, fah tadat bihi / Faqad
Indo-US atomic deal. The talks, a follow up to hearing. However, even after being identified as
member of Sa- the student’s death,”
the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal, is one of the the accused behind the molestation, all the 14 Faza man Amsa Rafeeqa Muhammadi
majwadi Par- Principal Home Secre- What can you say in only one Khutbah about a
pre-requisites for operationalisation of the deal, men walked free as after being granted bail by a
ty’s youth wing tary J N Chamber was man that Encyclopedias were written on only
first mooted in July 2005. Once the text on safe- Mumbai court. The 14 men were arrested by
Samajwadi Chhatrasabha – was killed when po- quoted as saying by IANS.Mulayam has alle- his character. I would like in these short mo-
guards agreement is finalised, it has to be ap- Mumbai Police on January 3 on suspicion of
lice opened fire on students in village Saifai, sev- geed if Mayawati has her way, she can get his
proved by the UPA-Left committee. being involved in the molestation of two NRI ments however to reflect on some of the things
eral students were injured in similar crackdowns son and brother killed. (Contd on P 5)
It is expected that the text, drafted by the IAEA, women outside a five star hotel early on January Allah blessed His Messenger – Sal Allaahu Alay-
would be brought back before the 15-member 1. Meanwhile, two prime accused in the case are hi wa Sallam – with, in this world and the next.
political committee for deliberations after the
next round of talks, the sources said. The Indian
Mulayam’s SP creating tensions still absconding. The arrests of the accused fol-
lowed after two of the accused – Ravi Shukla
1. The Final Messenger. Muhammad ibn Abdul-
lah was the final Messenger of Allah, There shall
team, headed by Ravi B Grover, Director, Stra- be no Prophets or Messengers after him. And
tegic Planning of DAE, declined to go on record
on the issue.
in UP: Maya and Nilesh – surrendered at the Juhu Police Sta-
tion. On December 31, as the two women walked
out of JW Marriott (Contd On P 5)
whoever claims such is a liar. He – Sal Allaahu
Alayhi wa Sallam – said, “The example of my-
Lucknow, Jan 09: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Commenting on the violence that rocked Mu- self and the prophets before me is that of a man
Advani demands Mayawati on Wednesday hit out at Samajwadi
Party chief Mulayam
layam’s village Saifai earlier in the day, she said
the police fired at protest-
American tourist alleges who built a house, beautifying it, except for a
corner where a brick was missing. People would
Bharat Ratna for Singh Yadav for accusing ers only after the mob molestation at Pushkar go around admiring the structure but remarking,
her of ordering police fir- started pelting stones at ‘if only it was completed here.’ The Prophet –
temple
Vajpayee ing on his party workers,
saying the students’ vio-
the police. At least two
persons were killed and
Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam (To be continued)
lence in the state was a several others were in- Suicide bomb “mastermind”
SP-led conspiracy against jured in the police firing
her government. at protesting students and
arrested in Pakistan
Mayawati said that the SP workers in Saifai. The
police had detained Mu- SP workers and students
layam’s son Akhilesh Ya- were protesting against
dav and brother Shivpal last night’s incident in
Singh Yadav who have which Shivpal Singh was
now been released. She slapped by a Lucknow
further warned that no police personal. The inci-
party would be allowed dent took place when
to take law and order in Shivpal along with ibnlive.com
their hands. Accusing the Akhilesh and other party Jan 09, 2008
New Delhi, Jan 09: The changing power dy- Samajwadi Party of disrupting peace and harmo- colleagues sat on “dharna” in front of the Luc- Jaipur: An American tourist on Wednesday al- Jan 9, 2008
namics in the BJP came to the fore once again ny in the state, Mayawati said that police would know SSP’s residence to protest against the po- leged that she was molested by a priest at a tem- LAHORE, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani secu-
when Leader of Opposition, L K Advani, on take appropriate action to deal with such moves. lice action of (Contd on P 5) ple in Pushkar in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district. rity forces have arrested a retired army major
Wednesday demanded a Bharat Ratna- the coun- In her FIR lodged with the Pushkar police sta- suspected of being the mastermind behind a sui-
try’s highest civilian honour - for party stal-
wart and former premier A B Vajpayee. In a
India, Russia looking for a breakthrough tion, the 28-year-old woman said the priest in-
dulged in eve-teasing and molestation while she
cide attack on an air force bus which killed eight
people, an intelligence official said on
letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, the BJP veteran has urged the UPA gov- in Groshkov deal was performing puja at Papmochani temple on
the banks of Pushkar lake on Tuesday, the Circle
Wednesday.The suspect, Ahsan-ul-Haq, was ar-
rested in the outskirts of the eastern city of
ernment to consider Vajpayee’s name for the New Delhi: India and Russia are yet to achieve a out complex cabling work on the warship to inte- Officer (CO) Sangram Singh said.A case of al- Lahore on December 17, the official said.
most coveted honour. Advani has supposedly breakthrough on resolving the Groshkov deal, grate its command and control stations. Under the leged eve-teasing and molestation was lodged “We recovered explosives and jackets used for
asked for this recognition in view of Vajpayee’s which has been in a dead- original deal concluded in against the priest whose name she did not know, suicide bombings at his house next to a madrassa
contribution to the Indian polity and for his lock over pricing. “There 2004, India was to pay USD the CO said.The tourist hailing from Oregon in (Islamic school),” said the intelligence official,
statesmanship. The move comes weeks after has been no major break- 1.2 billion for complete ret- the US had come for pilgrimage in the holy city, who declined to be identified.Authorities later
Advani was anointed as BJP’s prime ministeri- through, though discussions rofitting of the carrier. Ant- he said, adding an investigation was initiated to arrested five of Haq’s associates in the city of
al candidate, just days ahead of Gujarat Assem- are on,” Defence Minister ony said that negotiation trace the priest.Meanwhile, another foreigner Sargodha, based on information provided by Haq,
ble elections, indicating that Vajpayee has tak- A K Antony said on the teams from both countries woman has alleged that she was beaten up by the official said.“All of them admitted they were
en a retirement from active politics and passed sidelines of a function to had held a number of round locals in Pushkar, however, Singh said police has behind the Sargodha attack and were planning to
the reins of the party to his deputy. Vajpayee, launch the Golden Jubilee of talks, but no break- not been approached in this regard. The temple carry out similar attacks, even against politi-
who has been an ardent champion of women’s celebrations of the Defence through had been achieved city seems to have gained a notorious reputation cians,” he said.A suicide attacker on a motorbike
empowerment and social equality, is also an Research and Development yet. His remarks assume sig- for controversies related to tourists. About two rammed a bus carrying air force personnel on
orator par excellence, and a poet with a deep Organisation (DRDO). In- nificance in the backdrop of years ago, a Japanese woman had alleged that their way to a base in Sargodha, 170 km (100
insight. Vajpayee has always championed the dia is supposed to get the an expected visit by a Rus- five persons had raped her in a Pushkar hotel on miles) west of Lahore on November 1, killing
cause of India as a modern, forward moving, a delivery of the aircraft car- sian delegation later this April 2, 2006. eight people.Haq, who is in his 60s, was said
strong and prosperous nation confident of its rier next year, but the Rus- month here on the issue. A year ago, Pushkar was in the news after two have been close to Afghan Muslim guerrilla com-
rightful place in the comity of nations. He was sians told New Delhi that they cannot stick to the Though uncertainty over the delivery of the carri- Israeli tourists stripped at a party. Later, a tour- mander Younis Khalis, who battled Soviet forces
the first Foreign Minister to have addressed the time schedule due to heavy cost overruns on the er continues, Russia is expected to stick to sched- ist couple rubbed up the locals the wrong way in the 1980s and later had links with the Taliban.
United Nations in Hindi. Vajpayee was the Prime warship’s upgrading. In the new terms, Moscow ule on supplying the first batch of Mig-29K, the when they kissed at the ghats after they got mar- Haq ran a militant training camp in Afghanistan
Minister of India between 1998 till 2005. is demanding USD 1.5 billion more for carrying warship’s main fighters by June next year. ried in a Hindu ceremony. during Taliban rule, the security official said.
One who makes efforts to help a widow or a poor person is like a mujahid (warrior) in the path of Allah, or
like one who stands up for prayers in the night and fasts in the day.
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) (Space donated by well-wishers)
2 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
National News
CPI(M) advocates capitalism Delhi highly unsafe for NorthEast Himachal Chief Minister
to expand cabinet today
January 9, 2008 (Kolkata)
The CPI(M)’s contention that capitalism was
capitalism is the only way. Such a position is
unacceptable to us and we do not agree with women: Report Shimla, Jan 09: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minis-
the only way to industrialise West Bengal has chief minister’s interpretation of capitalism and New Delhi, Jan 09: Almost half the women sexu- searched and according to media reports, we have ter Prem Kumar Dhumal will expand his cabinet
made Left Front partners aghast.‘’CPI(M) is socialism.’’At the annual function of party or- ally harassed in the Indian capital and its neigh- found that nearly 50 percent of the cases of sexual on Wednesday. Governor will administer the oath
speaking the language of gan ‘Ganashakti’ last bourhood are from the NorthEast, the NorthEast harassment are targeted at women from the north- of office and secrecy to the newly appointed
Dr Manmohan Singh. week, Bhattacherjee Support Centre said in its report on Wednesday. east.‘ The Delhi-NCR region has nearly 85,000 ministers. According to sources, only seven to
The unabashed advo- said the reality today Two sisters from Manipur people from the northeast. eight ministers will
cacy of capitalism by was that capitalism who were molested and More than 4,000 north- take oath in the first
Chief Minister Bud- was the only way to beaten up last weekend eastern youth take admis- phase of the expan-
dhadeb Bhattacharjee industrialise the state were only the latest victims sion to various undergrad- sion. The swearing-in
cannot be the political and ensure economic from the region. Madhu uate and other courses in ceremony will take
position of the Marx- progress, though so- Chandra, the man behind Delhi University every place at Raj Bhawan
ist Leninist party,’’ cialism was a better the Northeast Support year. Chandana Saikia from at 10 a.m. The BJP
Manoj Bhattacharjee a alternative.When Left Centre and Helpline, a help Assam who graduated MLAs whose names
central committee Front partners fumed centre dedicated to youth from Delhi University and were certain include
member of the RSP, a at this, CPI(M) patri- from the northeast living in is now working in a public Krishan Kapoor, J.P.
Left Front constituent, arch Jyoti Basu rallied Delhi and the National relations firm in the capi- Nadda, Narinder Bragta and Gulab Singh Thakur.
said.The CPI, another behind Bhattacherjee Capital Region (NCR), said tal said that even after sev- Other probable who could be made ministers in
LF partner also joined the chorus of protest questioning how in a federal structure three left- they were flooded with en years of staying in this the cabinet include Ravinder Singh Ravi from
with its state secretary Manju Kumar Mazum- ruled states could establish socialism when the complaints related to sex- city, she didn‘t feel safe or Kangra, Tulsi Ram from Chamba, Shraveen
dar saying private capital was needed for set- country’s economy was controlled by capital- ual harassment. ‘It‘s been secure. ‘Every other day Chaudhary from Kangra and Harinarain Saini
ting up of industries. ‘’But that does not mean ism. just three months since we we keep hearing of cases from Solan, Khimi Ram from Kullu. However,
launched the Northeast Support Centre and we of molestation and sexual harassment in Delhi. with a second expansion of the cabinet likely to
India will have to wait for its Oxford, have received more than 10 reports of sexual ha-
rassment,‘ Chandra said. ‘From what we have re-
Although I take all of this in my stride, my par-
ents back at home .
be done at a later stage after the posts of Speaker
and Deputy Speaker are filled, some of these
senior leaders could be inducted.
Harvard I am as fit as a fiddle: The first session of new Assembly will start on
January 11. On the opening day, the Pro tem
Jan 09, 2008 was to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, it had to speaker will administer oath of office to the newly
“If Lord Patten wants to set up an Oxford centre be withdrawn apparently under Left pressure.The January 9, 2008 (Mumbai) fortunately is keeping well and there is noth-
Sena chief Bal Thackeray has said that he is alive ing to worry,’’ said Manohar Joshi, Sena Lead- elected members (ANI).
in India, I will welcome Ministry has been
and kicking. And to prove it, perhaps, he even er.
it.”
New Delhi: Union HRD
trying to negotiate
with the Left for the takes a dig at his political opponents. Indeed. Thackeray Senior has survived bypass
Malaysia ban: India
‘’I am as fit as a fid- surgery and is due
Minister Arjun Singh’s
statement made clear the
past eight months,
without success. dle’’, reads the edito- to turn 80 this
seeks clarification
Government was not Now it wants the rial in Shiv Sena month. So, the ru-
averse to open doors for matter to be re- mouthpiece Saama- mours must be the
reputed foreign educations solved in the Left- na, an attempt to put handiwork of the
providers. But most uni- UPA Coordination wagging tongues to Sena’s political en-
versities willing to set up C o m m i t t e e rest. The reminder emies or so the par-
shop in India may have to meeting.Then there comes after rumours ty feels. Naturally,
wait.Sources tell CNN- are differences with- concerning the Sena family and friends
IBN the HRD ministry in the Government chief ’s health has are frowning.
will refer the Foreign Edu- as well. The Com- had Mumbai agog ‘’What can I say?
cation Providers Bill to the PMO, seeking advice merce Ministry and the HRD Ministry have dif- for two whole days. We don’t know
in absence of consensus.The bill was cleared by ferent views on regulating foreign education pro- ‘’It is very difficult who is spreading
the Union Cabinet last year, but hours before it viders. The ball now is the PM’s court. to say what percent- these rumours. It January 9, 2008 (New Delhi)
age of the rumours hurts,’’ said Raj The Indian government is still waiting for a clar-
were there in the past and whether the per- Thackeray, Bal Thackeray’s Nephew.
Rs 20 is all it takes to stop a train centage of rumours has increased. But it is true
that there are many rumours. Mr Thackeray
Conspiracy theories or not, the health of the
Sena supremo will remain a subject of debate.
ification from the Malaysian government on re-
ports that it has banned further recruitment of
Indian workers.Reports quoting a government
in Bihar Govt gives Vidarbha farmers Rs 13
circular in Kuala Lumpur have been denied by
Malaysian minister Datto Sami Vellu who is vis-
iting Delhi. Indian government sources had told
Prabhakar Kumar / CNN-IBN this manner is normal practice here for years and
NDTV that the Indian High Commissioner has
Jan 09, 2008
Champaran (Bihar): If you have missed your
train drivers seem helpless.“If we don’t stop
then it ends in a brawl. Fistfights have taken as compensation got in touch with the Malaysian Foreign office
and wants a formal communication on the issue.
train in Bihar’s Champaran district then all you place several times. The villagers climb on to the
Jan 09, 2008 cheques ranging from Rs 13 to Rs 16 to Rs 20 —
need to do is waive a Rs 20 note before an ap- engine, so we have to stop the train. They also
proaching train. The train will stop in front of threaten us with arms,” train driver Majrul Hoda
Buldhana (Maharashtra): Ramesh Kakade is
among the close to 100 farmers in Buldhana dis-
this after our fields were damaged,” says Kakade.
A total of 343 farmers had applied for the com-
Pune policemen’s
you, so you can give the money to the driver, complained.But villagers have their own reasons
hop in and enjoy a for their act. Living in an
trict in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra who pensation for which cheques totaling Rs 1.43 weight under scrutiny
are struggling after their yield was destroyed by lakh were distributed. Out of these, 100 cheques
smooth ride to your area bordering Nepal,
wild animals two year are for the sums ranging
destination.“Here coupled with a hostile
ago. But he was hope- from Rs 8 to Rs 20.
train stops if you pay terrain and with no other
ful that after the Gov- However, Government
Rs 20. The problem means of transport and
ernment surveys were authorities say they are
is that we don’t have distances between sta-
conducted to assess not accepting the theo-
any other option but tions too far, a Rs 20
the loss, he would be ry that wild animals
the driver under- note makes life conve-
duly compensated. have caused the damage.
stands our problems, nient for everyone.“We
However, his hopes District Forest Officer
so he stops for us,” a do manage to stop the
were completely mis- Buldhana, Sanjeev
villager Chandrika train but it would be so
placed. All he received Godh says, “The com-
Mukhiya said.While much convenient for us
was Rs 13 in pensation is Rs 2,000
another villager if the Railways can make
compensation.“I re- per hectare, which January 9, 2008 (Pune)
Krishna Murari this a proper station,”
ceived a cheque for just works out to Rs 20 per The Pune police are weighed down by new health
Nishad said, “We are about 10,000 travellers in Krishna said.Even as these lawbreakers realise
Rs 13. What kind of sq meter, but then again issues.A new drive by the police there to check
all. So when we call they stop for us.”In these this practice would land them in trouble some-
cruel joke is this?” he demanded.These farmers the whole field doesn’t always get damaged.”In the well-being of its force has had troubling
parts of Bihar, one can board the train anywhere, day, unless the number of railway halts are in-
who have been handed out the cheques will have the wake of this incident, it seems that the Gov- results.Over 50 per cent of the city’s strong po-
anytime. There is no need to go to the railway creased in the Champaran region, they are forced
to shell out more than their compensation amount ernment is only rubbing salt into the farmers’ lice force was found unfit, most suffering from
station or check the timetable, halting trains in to remain on the wrong side of the law.
to encash them.“The forest department gave us wounds. some or the other medical condition.
Of the 800 policemen who underwent health
School in rural Punjab declared India’s Arms market flourishes in Northeast checkups, 500 unfit
Common problems like diabetes and cardiac ail-
‘greenest’ January 9, 2008 (Guwahati)
Dimapur, Nagaland’s main commercial centre, the
plying arms and ammo to civilian arms dealers.
One AK ammo is lost by a jawan they cut Rs 20
ments
Hypertension another commonly cited problem
Jan 09, 2008 and electricity consumption, segregate its waste headquarters of the militant outfit NSCN (I-M) from his salary but he will get Rs 200,’’ he add- A troubled police department is not taking the
Boormajra (Punjab): At a school in rural Pun- and convert it into manure. One of the teachers, is also the crime hub of the Northeast.It’s the ed. matter lightly and has decided to carry out checks
jab, actions speak louder than words, especially Baljeet Kaur, who helped set up the club two underbelly of the region that supplies everything Proliferation of small arms and entry of explo- on all the 6000 constables and 2000 officers.The
when it comes to the environment. Recently years back, says progress has been rapid. “When from stolen vehicles to arms and ammunition to sives from Bangladesh and Myanmar has always police say that long hours at work, very few
named the ‘greenest’ school in the country by I started with this concept the students did not the rest of the been a concern.And holidays and work-related stress is responsible
the Centre for Science and Environment, the even know what ‘eco’ meant. They thought I was country.NDTV had there’s a well-oiled net- for the dwindling health of the force, something
Government Senior Secondary School in Boor- saying echo,” she says.Within two years of the earlier reported how work at work, so deliv- that needs an urgent remedy.
majra is a model of envi- club’s formation, the school’s arms and ammunition ery isn’t a problem.‘’In
ronmental conservation. water consumption is down were being smuggled Southeast Asia arms
A student of the school, from 3.82 litres per person out of the Army’s 3 market is in Chiangmai
Manvinder Kaur says, to 2.5. litres and the electric- Corp HQ based in in Thailand. From there
“Hamen bataya gaya tha ity consumption has fallen Dimapur.Even dyna- it comes to Burma and
ki hum agar environment by nearly 100 kilowatt- mites and explosives Bangladesh and then
ko destroy karenge to en- hours each month. Apart meant for the Border there are so many peo-
vironment hamein de- from this, the school’s green Roads Organisation ple who can bring it in-
stroy karega.” (“Our cover has almost doubled. were sold to side. Arms dealers bring
teachers told us that if we While most of the schools in c i v i l i a n s . N o w, it inside India there are
destroy the environment, the country are still strug- UPDS, the Karbi dealers and subdealers, if
the environment will de- gling to make environment militant outfit from Assam told NDTV how easy you want it in Delhi they deliver it there as well.
stroy us.”) The strategy employed by the school education a compulsory subject in accordance to it is to buy AK series rifles or M-16s there.‘’In AK series and M16 is the most available arms in
is simple — reduce, reuse and recycle. The 60 the 2004 Supreme Court guidelines, this small Nagaland every house has arms. Arms from there NE,’’ said Tungthlongnoda, Publicity Secretary
students in the school’s eco-club try to cut down school in a hamlet in Punjab was not only able to go to mainland India. Arms are available in Naga- and Home, Secretary, UPDS.And while the trade
on wastage of resources like land, water and ener- make it an integral part of their curriculum, but land whether licensed or unlicensed. If you have flourishes, police say they cannot do
gy, and turn waste into an asset. With a grant of also able to do was take environment education one license they have three arms, arms can be much.‘’Even officers sell ammunition there. Ac-
just Rs 2,500 from the state government, the school out of these textbooks and classrooms and take bought for Rs 10,000,’’ said Tungthlongnoda, tually there no one abides by the law, so Di-
has managed to conduct extensive audits of waste them outside on the fields. Publicity Secretary and Home Secretary, mapur can do anything. They are not afraid of
UPDS.‘’Procuring arms in Nagaland is as easy the law. Even the officers indulge in these things,’’ Best Visa for Saudi Arabia & Kuwait
Orissa unrest: Minority Commission as procuring paan in Assam. Individuals are sup- said S Talukdar, Inspector Railway Police.
Heavy snowfall in Kashmir
takes stock January 9, 2008 (New Delhi) tional skiing race in the next couple of months. RLD RAVEL
January 9, 2008 (Bhubaneswar) trict headquarters of Kandhamal and had discus- Parts of Himachal Pradesh and high-altitude ar- Snow mixed with rains also lashed rest of the Service
The two-member team of sions with people from dif- eas of Kashmir Valley includ- Valley. The Jammu-Srinagar
World Travel Service provides employment visa service for
the National Minority ferent communities. They ing the famous Ski resort of National Highway was closed Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it could be brought at our address
(to be processed at the Saudi Embassy in New Delhi)
Commission had an hour- will submit their report to the Gulmarg received heavy following heavy snowfall and Besides, We provide other service also, such as.....
long meeting with top offi- Commission in the next three- snowfall on Tuesday even as landslides in Ramban-Banihal
Haj Package
cials of the state government four days based on the inter- two more persons died due to section,stranded.Snowfall in Umra visit
including the Chief Secre- actions they have had with Visit Visa
cold conditions.Snowfall in high reaches and rain in Shimla immigration
tary and the DGP on Tues- the people and the state gov- the Kashmir Valley brought and other lower areas intensi- International Air Ticket
Documents attestion
day on the communal vio- ernment officials. Padgaonkar cheers on the faces of officials fied cold conditions in Him-
lence in Kandhamal. Earlier said it was not possible for of the tourism department achal Pradesh.Meanwhile, peo- Address:-
on Monday the Commis- them to visit the areas affect- which had released its calen- ple in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab UB-3, Aruanchal Building Barakhamba Road,
sion members Dilip Padga- ed by communal violence be- dar of sporting activities including the 5th Na- and Haryana continued to get some respite from New Delhi-110001 Tel. 41511320
onkar and Zoya Hasan visited Phulbani, the dis- cause of the difficult terrain in Kandhmal. tional Winter Games in Gulmarg and an interna- cold conditions as minimum temperatures rose. E-mail : worldtravelsl@yahoo.co.in
3 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
International News
Clinton scores surprise win Gulf ship incident U.S. “propaganda”: Bush arrives in Israel to
Iran speaker press peace effort
in New Hampshire Jan 9, 2008
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran’s
The strait is vital to the world
oil trade.“We have always
continuously conducting
against Iran,” he said in com-
Jan 9, 2008
By Tabassum Zakaria
Bush was greeted on arrival
by Israeli Prime Minister
Jan 9, 2008 McCain won over Romney by tory in Iowa did not turn out parliament speaker has dis- shown that we believe in peace ments apparently made before TEL AVIV (Reuters) - George Ehud Olmert and President
By John Whitesides, Political 37 percent to 32 percent in al- in big numbers in New missed U.S. accusations that and avoiding tension,” Iranian Bush’s statement. W. Bush arrived on Wednes- Shimon Peres at Tel Aviv’s
Correspondent most complete returns.New Hampshire.But after overhaul- Iranian boats aggressively ap- parliamentary speaker Ghola- Iran’s Foreign Ministry day on his first visit to Israel Ben-Gurion airport.
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire’s primary is the ing his campaign staff and reca- proached three spokesman had on as U.S. president and said he Peres opened the visit by tell-
Hampshire (Reuters) - Demo- second high-profile battle- librating his strategy, he began U.S. Naval Monday dismissed saw a new opportunity for ing Bush immediately at the
crat Hillary Clinton defied the ground, following Iowa, in the to focus on New Hampshire, ships in the U.S. concerns Israeli-Palestinian peace. welcoming ceremony of Isra-
polls and narrowly upset state-by-state process of talking to residents in repeat- Gulf this week about the incident, After shunning a hands-on role el’s concerns about Iran’s nu-
Barack Obama in New Hamp- choosing Republican and ed town hall meetings. as part of a saying it was a rou- in Israeli-Pales- clear pro-
shire on Tuesday, breathing Democratic candidates for “When the pundits declared us “propaganda tine contact. tinian diploma- gram — a
new life into her U.S. presi- November’s election to suc- finished I told them I’m going campaign” The incident was cy for much of concern
dential campaign after a poor ceed President George W. to New Hampshire, where the against the Is- the latest sign of a presidency shared with
third-place finish in Iowa. Bush.The race to replace Bush, voters don’t let you make the l a m i c tension between that began in Wa s h i n g -
Republican John McCain, whose popularity at home and decision for them,” McCain state.President Washington and Te- 2001, Bush now ton: “Iran
meanwhile, said.Romney, the George W. hran, at odds over hopes to spur should not
capped his rise former governor Bush, speaking Iran’s nuclear pro- negotiations to- underesti-
from the politi- of neighboring ahead of a Mid- gram and who is to wards a lasting mate our re-
cal scrap heap Massachusetts, dle East trip, on blame for the vio- peace that has solve for
with a win over promised to push Tuesday said Iran committed mali Haddadadel was quoted lence in Iraq.The Strait of Hor- eluded so many of his self defense.”
Mitt Romney on despite pour- “a provocative act” in the as saying by Iran’s English- muz handles 17 million barrels predecessors.“We see a new Israeli officials say Iran, not
that resurrected ing tens of mil- Strait of Hormuz when Irani- language Tehran Times daily. per day of water-borne crude opportunity for peace here in the peace process, will be the
his once-strug- lions of dollars of an speedboats approached “And we presume that the U.S. oil, over a third of total global the holy land and for freedom focus of their leaders’ discus-
gling presidential his personal three U.S. Navy ships and media propaganda is part of shipments. across the region,” Bush said sions with Bush.
campaign. wealth into the threatened that the ships its psychological and propa- (Writing by Fredrik Dahl, Ed- during a welcoming ceremony Bush was to hold talks with
The win for Clin- presidential race would explode. ganda campaign which it is iting by Matthew Tostevin) at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion the two Israeli leaders in
ton, who faced a and not managing
airport.“We will discuss our Jerusalem, which has been
flood of polls
showing her los-
ing badly, set up
a breakthrough
win.He finished
second to former
In defeat Obama and supporters deep desire for security and
freedom and for peace
decked out in U.S. flags in his
honor and clamped under
throughout the Middle East.” tight security. He meets Pal-
a tough and pos-
sibly lengthy battle with abroad has plunged due to the
Arkansas Gov.
Mike Huckabee in Iowa’s say: “Yes we can” However, no breakthroughs
are expected in three days of
estinian Prime Minister Mah-
moud Abbas on Thursday in
Obama as the Democratic race war in Iraq, moves into a new kick-off contest last week.
Jan 9, 2008 Clinton.Instead she staged a national struggle, he said, add- talks following up on a U.S.- Ramallah in the occupied West
heads on to contests in Neva- stage heading up to February Huckabee, the Baptist minis-
By Mark Egan comeback.With Clinton selling ing that it applied too to his hosted international confer- Bank.“What has to happen in
da and South Carolina. 5 when 22 states hold nomi- ter whose Iowa rise was fu-
NASHUA, New Hampshire experience — a senator since campaign.His words had the ence in November that yield- order for there to be a peace-
“I listened to you and in the nating contests that could de- eled by his support from reli-
(Reuters) - Barack Obama lost 2001 who spent eight years as desired effect on the faithful.“I ed promises from both sides ful settlement of a longstand-
process I found my own cide who will face off in gious conservatives, was third
the New Hampshire vote but an influential first lady — the loved the speech. I started get- to try to forge a two-state ing dispute is there to be ...
voice,” Clinton told wildly November.Obama, the Illinois in New Hampshire.
defiantly told supporters that 46-year-old Obama’s resume ting shivers when I heard the agreement by the end of outlines of a state clearly de-
cheering supporters in senator bidding to be the first Clinton, a New York senator
together they could still win has opened him up to charges ‘Yes, we can’ line,” said law 2008.On the first leg of a fined,” Bush said at the White
Manchester. “Let’s give Amer- black president, had hoped for and former first lady, and
the White House and change he is a Washington neophyte student Drew Blandford, week-long Middle East tour, House before his departure.
ica the kind of comeback that a New Hampshire win that Romney were both under in-
the world.The Illinois senator untested at running anything. 26.Student Jennifer Vivier, 21,
New Hampshire has just giv- would solidify his hold on the tense pressure to revive their
en me.”The victory by top spot in the race to be the campaigns after disappointing
worked a crowd of 1,700 into
a deafening frenzy and told
The first black president if
elected, Obama has worked as
said, “It’s like we didn’t lose.
It makes you feel like ... there’s
Powerful earthquake jolts
McCain, an Arizona senator, Democratic candidate and deal showings in Iowa.There were
them to have faith.He took the a civil rights lawyer and law still hope.”Nashua kindergar-
put him in the middle of a wild
scramble for the Republican
a second consecutive humili-
ating loss to Clinton, the
long lines at polling places in
New Hampshire amid predic-
stage as televisions in a school professor and spent seven ten teacher Leigh Marion took remote area of Tibet
gym displayed Hillary Clinton years as an Illinois state sena- defeat as a lesson: “Maybe ... Jan 9, 2008 100 km (60 miles) east of
nomination for the November former front-runner.The win tions of a record turnout dur-
as the state’s Democratic par- tor. He was elected to the Sen- it means that we have to work BEIJING (Reuters) - A 6.9 Gerze county in Ngari prefec-
election after being written off put Clinton, who became ing the most wide open U.S.
ty choice to run in November’s ate in 2004.“When we have harder to achieve what we magnitude earthquake hit a re- ture, Xinhua said, quoting the
this summer, when he was low emotional on Monday when presidential race in more than
election of a successor to Pres- faced down impossible odds, want.”Having fallen just short mote and sparsely inhabited China Seismological Monitor-
on cash and shedding campaign talking about her quest for the 50 years, with no sitting pres- ident George W. in New Hamp- part of the Tibetan plateau in ing Network.“The area has an
staff.“Tonight, we sure presidency, back in the thick ident or vice president seeking
Bush.“A few shire, Obama fac- western China on Wednesday, altitude of more than 4,000
showed ‘em what a comeback of the race. A loss would have the nominations.The presi-
weeks ago, no es a tougher strug- the Xinhua news agency meters and has very few resi-
looks like,” McCain told a saddled the former first lady dential race now begins to
one imagined gle ahead.Citizens reported.The tremor struck at dents,” it said. “There have
crowd of supporters in with new questions about the branch out quickly to more
that we’d have in more than two 4:26 p.m. Beijing time some been no reports of casualties.”
Nashua who repeatedly chant- viability of her campaign. states, with Michigan voting
accomplished dozen states —
ed “Mac is back!”Both New Exit polls said Clinton won big next Tuesday, Nevada and
Hampshire races were close. among women and older vot- South Carolina Republicans on
what we did here from Florida to Il- Cuba celebrates 49th anniversary
tonight,” Obama linois and Califor-
Clinton beat Obama by 39 per-
cent to 37 percent, while
ers, while the young voters
who propelled Obama to vic-
January 19 and South Caroli-
na Democrats on January 26.
said, referring to nia to New York of Castro’s Havana triumph
how close he — vote by Febru- Havana, Jan 09: With fire- pearance by Castro, who has
came to defeating ary 5 on who will
North Korea still wants nuclear America’s best-
known female
represent
Democratic and
the
works, outdoor speeches and
a message from their ailing
only been seen on television
since he underwent gastrointes-
iconic leader, Cubans late tinal surgery in July 2006 and
deal: U.S. envoy politician for the
second time within a week. when we have been told we
Republican parties
in the November 2008
Tuesday celebrated President
Fidel Castro’s triumphal en-
handed over power “temporari-
ly” to his brother Raul, 76. A
“For most of this campaign we are not ready or that we election.After town-to-town
Jan 9, 2008 Seoul.“We didn’t meet the fuel and another that turns try into Havana 49 years ago power boat criss-crossed Ha-
were far behind. And with your shouldn’t try or that we can’t, campaigning in thinly popu-
By Jon Herskovitz timeframe. We ought to be a spent fuel into plutonium has at the head of his revolution. vana Bay pulling a huge lighted
voices and your votes you generations of Americans have lated Iowa and New Hamp- “I cannot forget sign bearing “Viva
SEOUL (Reuters) - North little patient on this.” been going smoothly.That pro- made it clear that at this mo- responded with a simple creed shire, Obama will have fewer
Korea is still committed to an Hill is traveling through North- cess started in early Novem- that on a day like Fidel,” on one side,
ment, in this election, there is that sums up the spirit of a chances for voters to person-
international disarmament-for- east Asia and Russia to dis- ber and is the first tangible today I had the and “Viva Raul”
something happening in Amer- people — yes we can,” Obama ally witness his charm in more
aid deal, a U.S. nuclear envoy cuss the deal, which would give step the North has made it roll honour of being on the other. “Cu-
ica,” he said.After his unex- said, the crowd shouting “yes populous states.“We know
said on Wednes- back its nucle- welcomed by ba’s youth makes
pected victory in Iowa on we can” back at him.He said the battle ahead will be long, the people of a gift of this event
day, urging pa- ar arms pro- Thursday, supporters turned that phrase was what kept but always remember that no
tience even gram since it this capital 49 to all Cuba. We’ll
up daily by the thousands, Americans hopeful as they matter what obstacles stand in
though the reclu- began in ear- years ago,” Cas- light up the city
chanting “Fired up, ready to struggled to end slavery. It was our way, nothing can stand in
sive state missed nest its quest tro, 81, said in a like (Castro’s) vic-
go.” In the final days, polls important to new immigrants, the way of the power of mil- statement read tory lit up our
a deadline to list for the weap- suddenly showed Obama with to those who pioneered the lions of voices calling for
its nuclear arms ons in the out on television people forever 49
a commanding lead over West and in every other great change,” he said. to mark the occasion. Thou- years ago,” UJC chief Cesar
program. 1980s.
sands of revellers gathered at Hernandez told a cheering
Under a deal it
reached with re-
gional powers,
Hill said the
United States
wanted to
AU chief meets Kenya’s feuding the La Punta Square opposite
the Tres Reyes del Morro cas-
crowd. On January 1, 1959
Castro and his Communist guer-
North Korea
was supposed
make a com-
plete list and parties tle to see the sky lit up by fire-
works and attend cultural
events on “Illuminated by Vic-
rillas overthrew the dictator-
ship of Fulgencio Batista (1952-
58) and took a triumphal, week-
to provide by it will exercise Jan 9, 2008 their meeting, Kibaki’s office isters late on Tuesday, spark- tory” night organized by the
the end of 2007 goodwill if long tour of the country from
By Andrew Cawthorne and said the president assured ing more violence around east Union of Communist Youths east to west with his men that
an inventory of Pyongyang Wangui Kanina Kufuor he was initiating Africa’s largest economy.
its fissile mate- m a k e s (UJC). As expected, the cele- ended in Havana, where he took
NAIROBI (Reuters) - African dialogue.“Now that peace was Kenya’s main paper, the Dai- brations did not include an ap- power.
rial and nuclear weaponry and North Korea 1 million tons of declaration.He paid a courte- Union chief John Kufuor met returning to these parts, his ly Nation, said the appoint-
answer U.S. suspicions it had heavy fuel oil or equivalent aid, sy call on South Korean Pres-
a secret program to enrich ura- as well as removing it from a ident Roh Moo-hyun, who
Kenya’s president and oppo-
sition leader on Wednesday to
partially formed government
would continue to reach out
ments — which included a de-
feated presidential candidate
Malaysia tightens rules on
nium for weapons.“We are not U.S. terrorism blacklist, if it leaves office next month and
that far apart. I don’t think it makes the declaration and discussed the nuclear
try to break a political impasse
behind post-election turmoil
to Kenyan leaders who would
also be encouraged to play their
and several figures hated by
the opposition — may “poi-
foreign labor intake
is something we want to walk starts taking apart a nuclear situation.“We just talked that has killed son the atmo- Jan 9, 2008 “Now we are more stringent,”
away from nor does the DPRK facility that produces arms- about the need to finish this about 500 sphere”. PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Re- he said, adding that firms
(North Korea) want to walk grade plutonium.Hill said the job ... because the job will not people.Kufuor, “It will be seen as a uters) - Malaysia announced would now be required to seek
away from this,” U.S. Assis- disablement of the North’s be finished until we get com- the president of sign of bad faith on Wednesday it has adopted prior approval from the human
tant Secretary of State Chris- Soviet-era nuclear reactor, a plete denuclearization,” he Ghana, first met ahead of the discus- a more stringent policy on re- resources ministry before they
topher Hill told reporters in plant the produces nuclear said. President Mwai sions about to be- cruitment of foreign workers, can apply to bring in foreign
Kibaki at his gin,” the newspa- including Buddhist and Hindu workers.“We have to take
Japan may protect G8 site with State House of-
fice and resi-
per said.Within priests, but insisted it has not
minutes of the cab- banned Indian workers.
some action to make sure there
are not too many of them but
dence, then inet announcement Home Affairs Minister Radzi at the same time we do not
missiles: report went straight to
a hotel for talks
by Kibaki, hun- Sheikh Ahmad said a tempo-
dreds of rioters rary freeze
want to have our industries
suffer be-
Jan 9, 2008 vide protection during the con- Kingdom, France, Germany, with Raila Odin- built burning barri- on the in- cause there
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan may ference. The G8 summit brings Italy and Russia as well as ga. cades and stoned take of are no work-
position missile interceptors Japan.The Sankei Shimbun He says he was cars in Kisumu, a Bangladeshi ers,” Radzi
around the site of the Group quoted a Defense Ministry cheated of winning the Decem- role in preaching peace among western stronghold of the op- workers, in- said.
of Eight summit of industri- official as saying that al- ber 27 vote by fraud.The cri- their followers,” the statement position. A man was shot dead troduced in On foreign
alized nations, to be held on though the chances of a bal- sis has dented Kenya’s repu- said.Kibaki has implied he there as trouble rumbled October be- priests and
the northern island of Hok- listic missile attack on the tation for stability in a turbu- could bring opposition figures through the night.In Nairobi, cause of ill- temple musi-
kaido in July, a newspaper venue are extremely low, Ja- lent corner of Africa, hurt key into government and invited opposition supporters also t r e a t m e n t cians, Radzi
said on Wednesday.Japan in- pan wants to take all possi- economic sectors like tourism Odinga to a face-to-face meet- came out in the slums, some of such workers, remained in said the government policy
troduced its first Patriot Ad- ble precautions against air and tea, and tainted Kibaki’s ing on Friday. But the opposi- of them brandishing place. was to encourage temples to
vanced Capability 3 (PAC- attack.“We must consider previous reputation as a gen- tion leader has declined, say- machetes.“They are going “We have more than 2 million hire Malaysians.“We have
3) ground-to-air missile inter- measures to deal appropri- tlemanly leader with a pen- ing such a meeting would be a wild. They are very angry foreign workers, so we have 5,468 temple priests and mu-
ceptors at the Iruma air base ately with whatever situa- chant for P.G. Wodehouse “sideshow” without an inter- about the new cabinet,” said to take action,” he said at a sicians. Our policy is we want
north of Tokyo last March, tions may arise,” said a De- novels.Long used to receiving national mediator.“On his part Onyango Apudo, a boxer liv- news conference called to deny local Indians to become priests
as part of a shield aimed at fense Ministry spokesman, refugees from neighboring hot- President Kufuor encouraged ing in the Mathare shanty- news reports that the govern- here.“If we feel they have been
protecting the country from who declined to comment di- spots like Sudan and Somalia, all Kenyan leaders to seek town. Two people died there, ment has suspended recruit- here too long, then we will not
ballistic missile attack.But rectly on the report. Kenya now has more than a peaceful solution through dia- residents said.Kibaki was mak- ment of Indian workers. extend (the permits). But we
the interceptors have a range A “Summit Unit” made up quarter of a million of its own logue and the relevant institu- ing his first public foray on “We don’t want too many of are not saying we have totally
of about 20 km, so they of air, ground and sea troops internally displaced people, tions to guarantee peace and Wednesday since his disputed them. Our target is to have stopped them from coming,”
would need to be positioned is also to be set up to respond many the victims of fighting stability for the country,” the re-election, visiting the town about 1.8 million foreign work- he said, adding that some
closer to the summit venue at together the leaders of the Unit- immediately to any eventuali- between different ethnic statement from Kibaki’s office of Eldoret in one of the areas ers but we have now overshot priests from India have been
Lake Toyako in order to pro- ed States, Canada, the United ty, the Sankei Shimbun said. groups.In a statement after added.Kibaki named 17 min- worst hit by ethnic killings. two million,” he said. in Malaysia for about 10 years.
4 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
Editorial & Opinion
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (SAW) had said,
“So long as two partners in any business deal honestly
God remains with them, but as soon as either of them
commits breach of trust, He goes out and satan enters.
Sarkozy reinvents France for bling era
John Lichfield Paris Bruni to Euro Disney and apparently wanted to take eo-camera, meta-
The republican monarchy in- made sure that the happy news Carla to Rome as the official phorically in hand.
vented by Charles de Gaulle – would appear in newspapers “first girlfriend” but the Vati- Genres are con-
aloof, discreet, solemn, haugh- and magazines all over the can thought this was going too fused; values mud-
ty – vanished, as the year drew world. The home-loving, slip- far. Mme Bruni, 39, is after all dled; conventions
to a close, somewhere between per-wearing Charles de Gaulle divorced. In a speech after ac- trampled.
News From India Cinderella’s castle and Space would never, in any circum- cepting an honorary canon- The French film
Mountain. stances, have dated a beautiful ship, M. Sarkozy, who hardly director and occa-
Of check and balance Nicolas Sarkozy wants to re-
invent France for the 21st cen-
tury. He has started by rein-
Franco-Italian pop star and ex-
model.
ever attends mass, said: “In this
world, obsessed with material
sional political
commentator
The elegant, machiavellian comforts, France needs devout Claude Chabrol
The Asian Age has published a discourse on venting the French presiden- François Mitterrand might Catholics who are not afraid says that he sees
the process of check and balance in the coun- cy for the Age of Celebrity. have done so, in secret, but he to say what they are and what nothing wrong, in
The President of the Republic would never have mingled with they believe.” principle, with a
try. The writer Seema Mustafa begins her ar-
has become the host of a per- the crowds at Euro Disney. He also insisted that France’s change of presi-
gument with a sad note that the situation is be- manent chat show; the only Jacques Chirac doubtless dat- roots were “essentially Chris- dential style.
coming bizarre for a while now. There is a prime contestant in a “Big Brother” ed scores of Italian pop sing- tian”. At one level, it was a The old Mitter-
house called the Elysée Pal- ers but never encouraged the thoughtful and brave speech, rand-Chirac act – I’m all-pow- rather vulgar about M. much. The Sarko style presag-
Minister. There is a Parliament. But where is
ace; the star of a soap opera, paparazzi to take their picture. which argued that Christian erful but not responsible – was Sarkozy but his vulgarity and es the emergence – for good or
the check and where is the balance? The exec- which – as Le Monde pointed At the end of the week, the and secular values need not wearing thin. But where, he his energy are inseparable. He ill – of a France which is rather
utive is riding supreme over the legislature that out – started off as Desperate twice-divorced President flew conflict. asks, is Sarkozy going? The is not part of the traditional unFrench: less subtle but less
Housewives and now threat- off to visit Pope Benedict XVI. On another level, M. Sarkozy much trumpeted, mould-break- French ruling class: effortless- hypocritical; vain but not so
makes an occasional noise but is unable to pre-
ens to become The Bold and The President greeted the shattered the convention that ing economic reforms have ly superior, under-stated, fun- arrogant; in-your-face but less
vail upon a government that has decided from the Beautiful. The centre-left Pope cheerfully like an old French presidents, as high rep- been rather modest so far. damentally unenterprising, bound by tradition. This is
the moment it came into power to disregard newspaper Libération de- friend, then, as his official del- resentatives of a secular French “Perhaps there is a plan but it sustained by “old money” or proving to be a brutal culture
scribes M. Sarkozy as a “bling- egation was introduced to His republic, should not defend or seems to be all thought up on the administrative certainties shock, not just on the left, but
Parliament, to ignore the MPs, to dismiss the
bling president”, a non-stop Holiness, rudely checked his promote one religion above the hoof,” M. Chabrol said. of the Grandes Ecoles. for many people in France
opposition, to disregard the public opinion, and blur of microphones, photo- mobile phone. The Sarkozy others. The French left was “[Sarkozy] is an intelligent He represents a New France who would naturally vote on
to do what it decided to do, regardless of the opportunities, millionaire’s entourage included Jean-Marie incandescent and the President man but he does not think very of media and advertising and the right and support a centre-
yachts, Rolex watches, dark Bigard, a devout Catholic and knew that it would be. deeply.” money: brash, self-promoting right president.
criticism and the concern. The writer further
glasses, mobile phones, jogging France’s most popular, and All of this is classical Sarko. Both Le Monde and Libéra- and full of energy and ideas, France may never be quite the
observers that the constitution of India was shorts and, now, trophy girl- most foul-mouthed, stand-up Everything is done with confi- tion have resorted to using the not always good ones. same again but that is, after
framed on the belief that the Prime Minister of friends. M. Sarkozy, who was comedian. The presidential dence; everything is done rap- snobbish “V” word vulgarité It remains to be seen whether all, what Nicolas Sarkozy
divorced two months ago, took party also included Carla Bru- idly; everything is performed to describe M. Sarkozy’s be- Sarkonomics or the Sarko re- promised.
the country would always be a person sensi-
the model-turned-singer Carla ni’s mother. M. Sarkozy had with mirror, or compact vid- haviour. There is something form programme amount to — (The Tribune)
tive to public opinion, willing to be guided by
the legislature, and accountable to the nation.
It had not even envisaged a situation where the
leadership would throw aside the institutions
Persisting diaspora concerns in Myanmar
of democracy to pursue a path that was seen The Indian community in Myanmar should get a better deal. Some thoughts on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
by the majority in Parliament as compromising V. Suryanarayan migration of skilled personnel ments, and the majority-minor- zenship law of 1982,” they are Socialist Programme in the oirs, Words, Words, Words:
India’s sovereignty and integrity. The Congress On March 18, 1946, address- from India was characterised ity syndrome in the countries deemed to be stateless. The 1960s and nationalised even Adventures in Indian Diploma-
party with 145 MPs has refused to listen the ing a predominantly Indian as part of a “brain drain.” Once where they have settled. only document they had was the retail trade, that sounded cy, Mr. T.P. Sreenivasan has
gathering in Singapore, Jawa- the economic liberalisation In countries such as South Af- the foreigner’s registration cer- the death knell of the poorer described the consequences of
questions raised by the senior political leaders, harlal Nehru said: “India can- process began, New Delhi’s rica, they were until recently tificate, which they had to re- sections of the Indian popula- New Delhi’s “hands-off poli-
with Prime Minister determined to pursue the not forget her sons and daugh- policy turned full circle. Indi- subjected to varying forms of new every year on payment. tion. Many of them lost their cy” with regard to the Indian
policy that he feels is beneficial for India. ters overseas. Although India ans overseas were character- discrimination. In Mauritius, T.P. Sreenivasan, a former In- savings, returned to India and community in Myanmar.
cannot defend her children ised as unofficial ambassadors Guyana, Malaysia, Singapore dian Ambassador to Burma, had to start their lives afresh. Though the Ne Win govern-
cept whatsoever on the sci- overseas today, the time is of India who could contribute and Trinidad, they share po- has pointed out: “They had no The Burmese repatriates com- ment expelled the Indian pet-
Some seem to hold the In- ence and art of statecraft. He soon coming when her arm will to the country’s economic litical power. In Fiji, though rights either in their land of plained that they lost their sav- ty traders, the authorities
dian army responsible for all be long enough to protect transformation and act as a they constitute the majority origin or in their land of adop- ings, their properties were wanted the Indian farmers to
paid for this lapse dearly by
that went wrong in this war. them.” bridge between India and the community, they have been tion, and neither of the gov- confiscated. Their women stay back to provide continu-
losing Aksai Chin altogether
Certain clarifications are This declaration held forth the outside world. effectively deprived of politi- ernments seemed concerned.” were not even permitted to ity in rice cultivation. When
to China.
called for to set the record promise of an enlightened pol- Following the recommenda- cal power. In the United States, In fact, Myanmar has the larg- bring their mangalya sutra. Mr. Sreenivasan visited them,
It was under General JN
straight. icy approach towards Indians tions of the Singhvi Commit- they are one of the most afflu- est number of stateless peo- Even after the lapse of 43 he found that the “farmers had
Chaudhuri that the Indian
Soon after the 1947-48 J&K overseas once India became tee Report on the Indian Di- ent minority groups and an ple among those of the Indian years, the issue of compensa- become totally impoverished.”
army got a fresh lease of life
campaign, our first army chief, independent. The words of aspora (December 2001), Jan- object of envy and admiration. diaspora. The Singhvi Com- tion to the affected Indians has Their quality of life “was ex-
in its organisation and ship-
General KM Cariappa, start- cheer and hope were a natural uary 9 came to be celebrated Nearer home in Sri Lanka, peo- mittee Report was an eye- not been settled. tremely poor.” Ironically, they
shapeness. The army’s moun-
ed a series of discussions with culmination of the Indian na- as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas ple of Indian origin were con- opener. It said Indians are C.N. Annadurai, who became “did not have even rice to eat”
tain divisions were raised,
Prime Minister Jawaharlal tional movement under the (Overseas Indians Day). verted into merchandise to be “fairly impoverished in My- Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as the procurement authorities
equipped, trained and de-
Nehru on the threat percep- leadership of Mahatma Gan- The date has a symbolic sig- divided between the two coun- anmar.” The more prosperous in 1967, was concerned about “lifted their produce wholly.”
ployed along the Himalayan
tion envisaged against the dhi, who had started his polit- nificance. For it was on Janu- tries in the name of “good among them have left follow- the developments in Burma They had to consume low-qual-
range and today these divi-
country. The General repeat- ical career defending the rights ary 9, 1915, that Gandhiji, of- neighbourly relations.” The ing waves of nationalisation and was keen to resolve the ity rice, which the state did
sions would be more than a
edly stressed on the threat of indentured Indian labourers ten called the first Pravasi media in India devote consid- and other measures which hurt compensation issue. In a con- not want to purchase for
match for the Chinese army.
from China only to be re- in South Africa. The cause of Bharatiya, returned to India erable attention to happenings their means of livelihood. The versation, Thomas Abraham, export.This year also Pravasi
In a democratic nation like
buffed every time by Nehru Indians overseas was also dear after two decades in South among Indians overseas. Aca- educational scene is pathetic. who was then Minister Coun- Bharatiya Divas is being cele-
ours, unless the political lead-
who continued to exist in his to other great leaders, such as Africa where he led a struggle demics have started research- At one time the faculty and selor in the Indian Embassy in brated. The Ministers of the
ership fully comprehends the
typical surrealistic Hindi Chi- Gopal Krishna Gokhale, V.S. for Indian freedom. On Janu- ing on their problems. Politi- alumni of the University of Rangoon, recalled a meeting he Central government, the gov-
raison d’etre of its armed forc-
ni bhai bhai configuration till Srinivasa Shastri, C.F. An- ary 9, representatives of Indi- cians are keeping abreast with Rangoon comprised mainly had with Annadurai in the ernment officials concerned
es, debacles in war as in 1962
China shattered it for good. drews, Jawaharlal Nehru, H.N. ans overseas, both people of developments relating to them Indians. Today “there are hard- Chief Minister’s residence, ar- and delegates from developed
are bound to happen. In In-
Nehru and his defence minis- Kunzru, Acharya Kripalani Indian origin and non-resident and the Ministry of Overseas ly any Indian students in the ranged through some common countries will harp on the ne-
dia’s case, the misplaced Gan-
ter, VK Krishna Menon, did and Ram Manohar Lohia. Indians, assemble, the Govern- Indian Affairs regularly comes universities.” This has result- friends. After discussing the cessity to speed up the admin-
dhian philosophy of non-vi-
their best to degrade the army They repeatedly stressed the ment of India confers decora- out with policy decisions. ed in a virtual extinction of a pros and cons of the matter, istrative procedures relating to
olence has transformed us into
by starving it of military need to safeguard the interests tions on the high profile ones Tragic status However, not professional class. The main Annadurai wrote to the Cen- dual citizenship.
a complacent lot sanguine in
wherewithal as well as trying of the unfortunate people, who among them and policy pro- much attention is being devot- reason was that “between 1964 tral government suggesting that But will they find time to dis-
the belief that by “turning the
to politicise it. had to leave the shores of In- nouncements are made. ed to the tragic status of the and 1988, Indians were denied India enter into a long-term cuss the abject living condi-
other cheek” politico-military
General KS Thimayya’s ac- dia to cater to the economic The estimated number of the Indian community in the admission to the universities agreement with Burma for the tions of the Indian communi-
issues would be solved. Re-
curate observations on the interests of imperialist Britain. Indian diaspora population is neighbouring state of My- and professional courses.” import of rice. He suggested ty in Myanmar? Unlikely, be-
portedly, at the onset of the
Chinese threat were treated But the hope that independent more than 20 million. They are namar. According to the Singh- The marginalisation of the In- that the compensation due to cause today New Delhi is more
J&K operations, Gandhiji ad-
with disdain by New Delhi. India would pursue an enlight- scattered in different parts of vi Committee Report, the to- dian community is directly re- be paid to Burmese repatriates keen to provide legitimacy to
vised General Cariappa to
Consequently, when the ened policy towards Indians the world, and therefore it can tal Indian population in My- lated to the policies pursued be adjusted as part of the pro- the authoritarian government
settle the issue through non-
crunch came the army was overseas was not fulfilled. The be said that the sun never sets anmar is estimated to be 2.9 by successive Burmese gov- posed deal. In 1967 India was in Myanmar. Naturally, it will
violence!
told to take on the Chinese Government of India’s percep- on the diaspora. It will be sim- million. Of this, 2,500,00 are ernments. The introduction of facing an acute shortage of not like to focus on embarrass-
This apart, Nehru and Co.
troops without any modern tion and policy towards them plistic and naïve to assume that people of Indian origin, 2,000 radical land reforms in the days foodgrains. On his return to ing issues that impinge on bi-
have always viewed the Brit-
weapons, equipment, infra- underwent many twists and the problems that they face are Indian citizens and 400,000 following independence hit the Rangoon, Mr. Abraham made lateral relations — like the
ish Indian army’s participa-
structure or even any worth- turns. The deep concern for and what the future holds for are stateless. All of them were members of the Chettiar com- a similar proposal to the Min- plight of the unfortunate chil-
tion in the two world wars
while morale. The principal migrant workers that was felt them are identical in all cases. born in Myanmar and belong munity, who complained istry of External Affairs. Un- dren of Mother India.
with suspicion, claiming that
blame for this debacle solely during the nationalist phase Their problems are intertwined to the third or fourth genera- about not receiving compen- fortunately, these concrete (Dr. V. Suryanarayan is a re-
these wars were “not ours”.
rests with the Nehru-Menon gave way to a disavowal of any with the nature of their migra- tion in the country. But since sation. Even in cases where proposals did not elicit a tired Senior Professor of the
This suspicion remained af-
combo. responsibility for those who tion, their social and economic they “do not have any docu- compensation was paid, it was favourable response from New Centre for South and South-
ter independence and no at-
The origin of our border prob- were viewed as the subjects of status, the size of a given com- ments to prove their citizen- inadequate. When the Burmese Delhi. ‘Hands-off policy’ east Asian Studies, University
tempts were made by the
lem with China deserves at- a separate country. Later, the munity, educational attain- ship under the Burmese citi- government introduced the In his recently published mem- of Madras.)
government of the day to max-
tention. After securing Tibet,
imise on what the British left
Reflections on the 1962 war
China found that in order to
for us ~ one of the world’s
connect with Sinkiang prov-
finest fighting machines in the
ince it had to negotiate the in-
words of their own assessors.
hospitable Kunlun Moun-
However, another angle of the
tains. Hence a delegation led
by then Chinese PM Zhou En
1962 conflict requires exami-
nation: could this conflict
The only thing that the Indian army did not lack in this war was courage. ~ British military
Lai came to New Delhi with a
proposal for arriving at an ar-
have been avoided? India’s
leaders have always placed
historian Anthony Farrar-Hockley after his analysis of the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict.
rangement to utilise Aksai stead of fooling ourselves Russia and Myanmar in the tioned, in this arrangement. If that borders are purely tem-
their own interests before
Chin, an ice desert adjacent to with the pie-in-the-sky oil grouping so that the likes of we did this, then the disputes porary lines and have no sanc-
those of the country and one
the Siachen glacier, so that pipeline from Iran via Paki- George Bush cannot have a over Bara Hoti in the central tity ~ the state’s interests
of the major constituents of
China could build an all- stan as we are doing now, we foothold in the Eurasian re- sector and Sumdurong Chu must feature above everything
these interests has been the
weather road through Aksai could have taken an outlet gion. Nothing would please plus the northern Mishmi Hills else and in this context bor-
aspect of territory. These
Chin and thus eliminate the from the main oil pipeline that Washington more than to see in the eastern sector would ders have to be redesigned if
leaders project themselves as
hazards of the Kunlun Moun- China has set up from Cen- India and China going for each automatically get resolved. so required.
the guardians of India’s terri-
tains. tral Asia through Sinkiang and other’s jugular. The foreign In fact, this course was sug- Tailpiece: It would be prudent
tory under a made-up fetish
Since not even a blade of grass directed this outlet to perhaps ministers of India, China and gested by China’s erstwhile on our part to settle the land
of loyalty to their pabitra
grew in the Aksai Chin area, Leh as our main distribution Russia met recently at Har- foreign minister to his Indian border dispute with China
matribhoomi. The Siachen gla-
leave alone any human habi- centre. bin in China and although no counterpart much earlier and soonest because China is ex-
cier matter is a current one.
tation there, Zhou En Lai On the contrary, we keep public announcements were India began to take some ten- panding its maritime strength
One would like to ask where
thought that Nehru would be showing the whole of J&K in made in respect of what they tative steps resulting in the in a massive manner. Surely
was this loyalty when they
amenable to having a lease our atlases as belonging to In- discussed, it is obvious that Sikkim imbroglio getting lev- we have no desire to get in-
fell over each other to parti-
agreement on this area. Un- dia when in reality three coun- the three countries realise the eled out followed by the re- volved with China at sea. The
tion the country in 1947 only
fortunately, Nehru arrogant- tries share this state. threat that imperialism poses opening of Nathu La as a trad- onus is with our PM to suc-
for the sake of seizing pow-
ly showed him the door, earn- Asia today is facing a recru- to the region. The only solu- ing avenue. This was a certain cessfully address this when
er?
ing a few brownie points from descence of imperialism, this tion to settling the border dis- indication of what should be he officially visits China this
If New Delhi was sensible, it
India’s electorate in the pro- time spearheaded by Ameri- pute with China is for us to done by us. month.
could have agreed to the Ak-
cess. ca. Thus, there is all the more formally cede Aksai Chin to The line to take by us should (The author is Lt. Col. (retd.),
sai Chin arrangement that
Supposedly a statesman of reason for China and India to China and negotiate an oil be from Chanakya’s Arths- Indian Army)
Beijing wanted. India would
standing, Nehru had no con- close ranks, encompassing procuring system, as men- hastra wherein he clearly holds
have gained in the bargain. In- -(The Statsman)
5 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
Current Scenario
US releases Iran stand-off video Bhutto heir takes centre stage
The US military has released video and audio recordings of Iranian boats Twelve days ago, Bilawal Zardari was a young man of 19
that it says threatened to blow up US Navy vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The jerky footage, shot from over,” he says. 200m (650ft) of
contemplating the academic and social uncertainties of his
one of the three US ships,
shows several small boats ap-
He refers to “five unidentified
small surface” boats, and the
the US vessels,
Pentagon officials
second term as a student at Oxford University.
proaching at high speed. ships’ sirens can be heard in said. By Nik Gowing BBC World After the targeting and murder February.
US President George W Bush the background. The weekend of his mother, where were the “I am sure you will
described the stand-off as The four-minute video con- stand-off hap- The bullets and bombs that security guards and police? understand this is
“provocative”, adding that it denses what US officials have pened in a major oil caused his mother’s death as Not a question to ask aloud. a new experience
was a “dangerous situation” described as a 20-minute shipping route, in she left her Rawalpindi elec- Maybe a couple of plain- and I am a bit ner-
that should not have hap- stand-off. what the Pentagon tion rally created an instant clothes police officers watched vous,” he said.
pened. At the end of the US record- insists were inter- new reality for him. at a distance. But there were The words were
Iran has dismissed the incident ing, the screen goes black and national waters. In her will, she anointed him no uniformed officers, no se- prepared but it was
as a “routine” encounter. the remainder is in audio only. Mr Bush said: “I don’t know Iran has described the in- eventual heir to the Bhutto curity checks or frisking. all refreshingly
The video, which was shot Some of the communication is what their thinking was, but cident as an “ordinary oc- political dynasty. If Pakistan’s President Mush- frank, given the
from the bridge of the USS unclear. I’m telling you what I think it currence” As part of the post assassina- arraf and other security experts grand pre-election
Hopper, appears to show the The US issues a final warning was, I think it was a provoca- tion re-ordering, he became co- are right, al-Qaeda killed Bila- remarks he could have chosen Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
small boats racing near the that if the boats do not change tive act.” US does not want to make too chair with his father of her wal’s mother. to make. faced 150 international
wake of the US ships and cross- course immediately they will The US president was speak- much of the incident for fear it dynastic Pakistan People’s And two months ago the head Blood line journalists
ing close to each other. be “subject to defensive mea- ing in the White House Rose will overshadow his visit to Party. of Britain’s MI5 warned that He appealed to be left to his
One boat is shown in close-up sures”. Garden on the first anniversa- the region. In the sweaty heat of Sindh at least 2,000, and possibly university studies, to benefit a new politician.
- a blue speedboat with at least A heavily-accented male voice ry of the Iraq troop surge, Iran has played down the province, he acquired the name 4,000, people inside Britain as his mother had, both in Ox- He blamed the “dictatorship”
two crew. can be heard saying: “I am hours before leaving for a event, calling it an “ordinary Bhutto and became Bilawal posed a terror threat. ford and Harvard. of President Musharraf for
After spotting the approach- coming at you. You will ex- week-long Middle East trip. occurrence”. Bhutto Zardari. Not a time to ask Scotland Yard He had to “finish my educa- feeding extremism but added:
ing vessels, a Navy crewman plode.” During his first visit to Israel An Iranian foreign ministry No frisking for its threat assessment for tion and develop enough ma- “Once the US stops support-
can be heard over the radio, The Pentagon has said this as president, Mr Bush hopes spokesman said: “This... hap- The heir to the Bhutto name Mr Bhutto-Zardari. turity” otherwise “I will nev- ing dictators we can success-
warning them they are ap- threat was issued by the Irani- to push forward Israeli-Pales- pens for the two sides every who hurried through the tor- ‘Stone-faced’ er be in a position to have suf- fully tackle extremism.”
proaching a coalition warship. an boats. tinian peace talks relaunched once in a while and, after the rential rain of west London to For a Pakistani political event, ficient wisdom to enter the po- ‘Fear for my country’
“Request you establish com- The speedboats, believed to in Annapolis late last year. identification of the two sides, the basement of a modest bou- the briefing was unusually litical arena”. The pitch of his voice did not
munications, identify yourself belong to Iran’s Revolutionary The BBC’s Richard Lister in the issue is resolved.” tique hotel within sight of well-ordered and even on time. But, whether planned or not, change but the gloves of a po-
and state your intentions, Guards, came within about Washington says it seems the -(bbcnews.com) Kensington Gardens was tech- Mr Bhutto-Zardari sat in a dark the reluctant student non-pol- litically callow son were off.
nically en route from the fam- suit and open neck shirt at a itician called to continue his “How many Bhuttos can be
China to launch rockets, manned mission, in Olympic year ily home in Larkana to his table, surrounded by the ad-
rooms at Christ Church Col- visers and “friends of the fam-
mother’s “blood line” did en-
ter the political fray during the
killed? From many houses
Bhuttos will come,” he said
BEIJING, China (AP) — tween the manned mission and lege, Oxford. ily”. conference. forcefully.
China plans to launch its third its staging of the Olympics, But such is the media pressure Instantly you could see the The investigation of his moth- Then the triple-barrelled Jere-
manned space mission that will which start August 8, although for insight and access to un- Benazir in his face. er’s murder by Pakistan’s gov- my Paxman question. The
feature its first-ever space both events are a source of huge derstand more about Bilawal Anxiety and nerves? Yes. Com- ernment “does not have the challenge designed to test and
walk during 2008, state media national pride. that his mother ’s London- posure? Yes. necessary transparency”, even perhaps floor him.
said Tuesday. Huang was also quoted as say- based political advisers urged The briefing was designed to with the arrival of five British He had never lived in Pakistan,
Engineers retrieve the re-entry ing that nearly 30 new tech- that he start understanding the get the media out of his Ox- Scotland Yard counter-terror- so how could he have aspira-
capsule of Shenzhou VI in nologies would be used during realities of public life - like it ford hair for the coming ism officers, he said. tions to lead at only 19?
2005, China’s second manned the Olympics, including the or not. months. “How many Bhuttos can be The composure remained. He
spacecraft. Olympic torch, security sys- Outside the hotel a large hotel “No separate interviews,” just killed? From many houses never had the aspirations, he
China will also send up 15 tem and meteorological servic- doorman wielded a large um- a statement and a few ques- Bhuttos will come”- Bilaw- said. He had been called to do
rockets and 17 satellites, Hua- es provided by a new satellite. brella and broad, British wel- tions. al Bhutto Zardari this in a moment of crisis.
ng Qiang, secretary general of In 2003, China became only coming grin to ensure Bilawal He read, stone-faced, focussed He was “happy” to answer “I understand the risks,” he
the Commission of Science the third country in the world descended the fire escape on a two-page text. On the few questions but soon it did not insisted, but, “I fear for my
Technology and Industry for after the United States and steps in the dry and without occasions he raised his head, seem that way. “Wow” was his country.” He even predicted it
National Defense, was quoted Russia to send a human into slipping. the camera flashes went mad first word after a question from could disintegrate.
as saying by the official Xin- orbit. “Instantly you could see the and drowned him in light. the BBC’s diplomatic corre- What did he fear most of all?
hua News Agency. It followed with a two-man Benazir in his face” Nik He confessed he was not used spondent James Robbins. Losing his privacy.
He described Shenzhou 7, mission in 2005. Gowing, BBC World to public life and being here Could the question be split Like it or not, that will now be
which will carry three astro- It launched a moon probe last
Engineers retrieve the re-entry capsule Already gathered in the con- did not mean he was entering into segments? at a premium. But as he con-
nauts into space, as a priority year about one month after ri- of Shenzhou VI in 2005, China’s second gested basement function room it immediately or campaigning What about his views of the fessed when confirming his
for this year. val Japan blasted its own lu- were some 150 international politically for the Pakistan US? The student heading back political immaturity: “Politics
China has denied any link be- nar orbiter into space.
manned spacecraft. journalists and camera crews. election now scheduled for 18 to university suddenly became is also in my blood.”
From Page 1
SP man killed, Mulayam...
“Mayawati can go to such an nel asked the agitators to va- Mulayam’s SP creating...
Hidden life of Burma’s opposition
extent that she can kill cate the area and protest
Akhilesh or Shivpal. Maya- through “proper channels”. arresting student leaders from tests at the Foundation Day
In a small, windowless room somewhere in Rangoon, a 35-year-old
woman called Nilar Thein is wrestling with an unusual dilemma.
Andrew Harding ed - to put it mildly - by her will come to see
Bangkok unusual family circumstanc- her.”
For the past four months, she es. She believes they
has been on the run, scram- Her husband Kyaw Min Yu - are using her
bling between safe-houses, also known as Jimmy - is al- daughter as a trap.
trying to keep a step ahead of ready in Rangoon’s notorious In prison, Jimmy
the Burmese authorities as Insein jail. is able to receive
they hunt for the ringleaders He was arrested on 21 August occasional visits
of last September’s protests. after taking part in the very from his daughter.
Most of those in hiding have first street protests triggered But in hiding,
already been tracked down by an overnight increase in the Nilar has no direct
and imprisoned, but somehow price of fuel. contact whatsoev-
Nilar has managed to evade “I get messages, indirectly, er. Nilar has been hiding
capture. from him in jail,” Nilar ex- “[Sometimes it seems like] in Rangoon since last
“I’m very careful about my plained. those in prison have better year’s protests
safety,” she said, speaking on “He is in good health. But lives than us,” she mused.
But when Shivpal and other a mobile phone. She changes sometimes I feel so sad I want “They can leave their cells for down a rickshaw taxi.
wati has tried to kill the agi- refused to heed, they were the hospital while they were function of the Jai Narain Post
numbers regularly. to go to prison just to see walks, and see their families. “When I glanced round, I saw
tating students. We will take forcibly pushed into waiting undergoing treatment. Graduate College against UP
“I’ve found kind families who him.” I hear from friends that my a man with a walkie-talkie
this protest forward and vans.It was then that a mem- The student leaders belong- government’s decision to ban
really helped me. It’s thanks As veteran members of Bur- daughter has grown so much. chasing me on a bicycle. I hid
launch state wide protest ,” ber of Shivpal’s personal se- ing to Samajwadi Party’s students’ union elections in
to them that I am still free. ma’s 88 Generation Students They told me how she gig- behind my umbrella.” Lucki-
he said.“The present BSP curity team reportedly had a youth wing, Samajwadi Cha- the state.
Still, I’ve had many narrow - a pro-democracy group gled. ly for her the rickshaw was
government has hatched a con- scuffle with some of the po- trasabha, were injured in po- Mayawati said that yester-
escapes.” named after the last major I’m in a place where I can- quicker, and she managed to
spiracy to target the SP lead- lice personnel. The situation lice lathicharge on Tuesday. day’s violence at the college
But as the weeks slip by Nilar uprising in 1988 - Nilar and not see the sun, or be escape.
ers and it was an effort to elim- spiraled out of control when - The police action followed function in Lucknow was in-
faces a growing quandary. Jimmy are both familiar with touched by the wind. But it There is every chance I will
inate them through such ac- in midst of trying to push student leaders’ violent pro- cited by goons sent by SP.
I don’t see myself hiding their country’s penal system. could be much worse be captured, but until that
tion,” he added.The UP Po- Shivpal into the police van - like this forever. I’m just Between them they have “But a baby should be under moment I will do what I
lice beat up Akhilesh and Shiv-
pal when the two were pro-
testing along with their party
one of the police constable al-
legedly slapped Shivpal and
pushed him into the van.One
We are innocent... waiting for the right mo-
ment
Should she remain in hiding
spent 24 years in jail - Jimmy
16 years, Nilar eight.
There is tight security
the close care of her own par-
ents. I really want to be with
my family - the three of us
must
For now, Nilar insists she can
still play a useful role in hid-
workers in Lucknow.The at- Samajwadi Party worker was indefinitely, or should she try around my daughter now. together.” ing.
tack on the SP workers, who reportedly killed and several to spearhead a new protest The authorities are still Nilar spends her days wait- “I don’t think I am isolated at
were holding a demonstration others were injured in the dra- campaign against the Burmese hoping I will come to see ing and planning, and her the moment, or sidelined.
against the ban on students’ ma that continued for nearly authorities - a move almost her nights fighting with bronchi- Many top leaders have been
union elections in colleges, 40 minutes. “We were trying
guaranteeing her a lengthy In 2006, they decided to get tis and asthma attacks. captured but I am in touch
marks a new low in the rival- to put forward our grievances prison sentence. married, and in April last year She has not stepped outside with all those who are still in
ry between UP Chief Minis- peacefully. But the police In many ways, Nilar’s pre- Nilar gave birth to a daughter, for more than a month, but the movement.
ter Mayawati and Mulayam. started hitting us. They dicament is shared by the in- Phyu Nay Kyi Min Yu. may soon have to move to an- “We have contact and co-or-
The incident occurred after dragged us into the waiting ternal opposition movement When Nilar went into hiding other location. dination. I have no plan to go
Shivpal, a former minister in jeeps and buses. When stu-
as a whole, as it struggles to at the end of August, she ini- She says her years in solitary abroad or into exile. If you
the Mulayam government, ar- dents spoke, they were beat- regroup after last year’s dra- tially took Phyu with her. confinement have helped her hold on to your beliefs, you
rived outside the local SSP’s en up too. They are in a criti- matic street protests and the But the risks for both proved cope with the isolation. can overcome anything.”
residence along with Akhilesh cal state,” alleged Shivpal violent crackdown which fol- too great. “I’m in a place where I can- But after decades in power,
and several Samajwadi Party Yadav.The party has launched lowed. Once, while hiding in an attic, not see the sun, or be touched Burma’s military government
supporters to protest the ar- a state-wide agitation against
“I feel inadequate when I hear Nilar heard the police down- by the wind,” she said. “But is showing no signs of buck-
rest of the students from a the action and is demanding that one of my colleagues has stairs. it could be much worse.” ling under international or in-
hospital earlier in the day.The CM’s resignation over the been arrested for their activi- “I told my daughter - my dear, Useful role ternal pressure.
students were protesting at issue.“Police are to blame, hotel at 1:45 am with two wgans, the mob pounced on ties. I get quite depressed that please don’t make a noise. If There are now other activists Like the bruised opposition
the Jai Narain Post Graduate they started it. They hit the male friends, a mob of about them and the two women I cannot go out and do as they you want to stay with mum- with her in hiding, but she movement as a whole, Nilar
College against Mayawati gunmen, snatched arms from 70 men started teasing them. were molested by the mob. did,” said Nilar. my, please do not make any does not want to give their acknowledges that she may
government’s decision to ban them and lathicahrged us,” al- When one of the women National outrage followed “My friends tell me not to get noise. I was breastfeeding her. names for security reasons. soon be obliged to come out
students’ union elections. leged Akhilesh.Ironically, la swore loudly at the hooli- the incident, but the police carried away by my emotions. She looked at me as if she un- “The only problem is if we of hiding to challenge the jun-
They were reportedly lathi- huge problem when Mulayam gans, the mob pounced on lodged an FIR only after We all decided who would go derstood the whole situation, fall ill. We cannot go out to ta once more.
charged by the police, sent to himself was in power and was them and the two women massive public pressure. The out and who would stay. and did not make a sound.” see a doctor. But all of us have “I have thought about it and
the hospital and then arrested ridiculed for coming out with were molested by the mob. victims had left the city “There are many things that I After that incident, Nilar de- spent time in prison so we are prepared for that moment,”
from there. This apparently a promotional ad starring Am- National outrage followed ithout lodging any com- can do while in hiding. But I cided to leave Phyu with her used to the conditions.” she said calmly.
angered the senior SP leader, itabh Bachchan. Mayawati the incident, but the police plaint. The Police Commis- don’t see myself hiding like in-laws. Once, when an earlier hideout “There is every chance I will
who went to the SSP resi- had made the deteriorating law lodged an FIR only after sioner went on to say that this forever. I’m just waiting “There is tight security was surrounded by the au- be captured, but until that
dence on Tuesday and sat on and order situation one of her massive public pressure. The the media were ‘making a for the right moment.” around my daughter now. The thorities, Nilar managed to moment I will do what I
a dharna. The police person- main election planks. victims had left the city mountain out of a molehill.’ Nilar’s position is complicat- authorities are still hoping I slip out of a side door and flag must.” -(bbc.com)
6 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
SAARC news
Rigged elections could destroy Britain jails man for planning
Pakistan, warns Bhutto’s son terrorist acts in Pakistan
Asif Zardari, the husband of the party needed a close asso- Bhutto’s terms as prime min- hopefully to an election victo-
LONDON (AFP) — A 29- venge, revenge,” wrote ately clear.Qureshi, who lived being found guilty of storing
Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s ciation with my mother, and a ister, from 1988-90 and 1993- ry,” said another PPP leader.
year-old dentist was jailed in Qureshi, according to Internet in London, was in e-mail con- a library of material for
assassinated former prime bloodline.“Politics is also in 96. While PPP leaders say “Once he [Asif Zardari] begins
London on Tuesday after ad- traffic intercepted by police tact with Samina Malik, the terrorism.Malik earned her
minister, has emerged as the my blood. Although I admit none of the corruption cases his campaign, he is bound to
mitting planning to travel to and released at the court so-called “lyrical terrorist” nickname because she wrote
de facto leader of her Pakistan that my experience to date is has been proved, Mr Zardari’s see waves of sympathy from
Pakistan to carry out unspec- hearing.“Sohail Qureshi is a who was given a suspended poems about martyrdom and
People’s party as Bilawal limited, I intend to learn.” He political foes are eager to play people in the field.”Husain
ified acts of terrorism.Sohail dedicated supporter of Islam- jail sentence last year after beheading unbelievers
Bhutto Zardari, the couple’s said he would complete his up the controversy if he cam- Haqqani, a professor of inter-
Qureshi, who was sentenced ist extremism,” said
eldest child, warned that his national studies at Boston
to four and a half years, was Sharp, after Qureshi
country might fall apart if next University, said: “There is a
detained at London Heathrow pleaded guilty to
month’s elections were rigged. strong sentimental dimension
Airport in October 2006 car- preparing for ter-
Nineteen-year-old Bilawal, to politics and that is central
rying thousands of pounds in rorism under Sec-
named as PPP chairman while to the way PPP supporters
cash, as well as a night sight, tion 5 of the Terror-
his father became the party’s praised Benazir Bhutto and her medical supplies and comput- ism Act 2006, the
co-chairman, is too young to family.”Mr Haqqani’s defence
er material.Prosecutor first conviction un-
stand for parliament in the of the family succession is
Jonathan Sharp told the Old der this legal
forthcoming elections. He will shared by many on the streets
Bailey central criminal court section.He also ad-
have to wait at least six years of Pakistan. PPP leaders cite
that Qureshi intended to fly mitted possessing
before reaching the mandato- the example of the Gandhi to Islamabad for a “two- to an article for a ter-
ry age of 25, and said he would dynasty in neighbouring India,
three-week operation” either rorist purpose and
assume his leadership role where the late Indira Gandhi
in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or its possessing a record
“gradually and carefully”. was succeeded by her son,
Waziristan region, on the bor- likely to be useful
But he used a press confer- Rajiv, setting aside the need for
der between the two in terrorism, al-
ence in London to warn that a democratic process.At a time
countries.“Pray that I kill though the details
unless the elections were free degree at Oxford university, paigns for high office.Mr Zar- when inflation and growing
many, brother. Revenge, re- were not immedi-
and fair, Pakistan “may disin- where he has just begun his dari will return next month to lawlessness have emerged as
tegrate”. The poll has been first year. resume the election campaign key challenges for ordinary
postponed until February 18
after countrywide riots fol-
As joint chairman of the PPP,
Mr Zardari senior has already
from the spot where Ms Bhut-
to died in Rawalpindi, head-
Pakistanis, political dynasties
are not controversial.
Bangladesh launches countrywide
lowed his mother’s death.
“I fear for my country,” he
said, defending his nomination
begun preparations to lead the
party into next month’s elec-
tions, although other senior
quarters of Pakistan’s power-
ful military establishment.
“Asif Zardari’s return to poli-
“People of Sindh are so emo-
tional about the Bhutto family
that they can even nominate a
rationing of rice with lower price
as leader to succeed Ms Bhut- members insist he will not be tics will be a highly emotional dog and have it elected to par-
DHAKA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) — for buying rice from morning rice to cool down the market and
“Sidr” last year that battered the
to. “Pakistan was burning, and a candidate for prime minister. event. His gesture will simply liament,” said Karim Chandio,
The Bangladesh caretaker gov- to the afternoon till the closure. country’s southern coastal re- build a comfortable stock of
I did what I was asked to do. I An important factor against be to pick up the pieces from a pro-PPP farmer who walked
ernment Wednesday launched Jashim, who bought 3 kg of rice gion. Besides, according to localfood. In the last few days, the
was called, and I stepped up. I him is that he was accused of where they were dropped by on foot for two days to pray
a countrywide rationing of rice at one selling center in the capi- media, illegal hoarding by mill- government held meetings with
took on the position because corruption during both Ms Benazir Bhutto and carry on at Ms Bhutto’s grave site.
with a lower price than that of tal on Wednesday morning, told ers and wholesalers also caused officials of the World Food Pro-
Four Bangladesh ministers resign: official market for one month follow-
ing the abnormal price-hike of
Xinhua that the
rice sold in the
gram and envoys of
India, Thailand and
rice recently in the outlets is good Vietnam here to pro-
DHAKA (AFP) — Four Bang- ister was recently criticised by Ahmed’s press secretary Fa- crippling protests over vote- country.The government de- and cheap, and cure and import the
ladesh ministers have resigned, the media for failing to tackle him Munaim.He said new rigging allegations, with the ployed 1,990 dealers and para- he would come required quantum of
officials said, just days before the rising price of rice in the ministers would be sworn in two main political dynasties military Bangladesh Rifles per- again next day. rice. A three-mem-
the military-backed emergen- impoverished country.“Four on Wednesday.The govern- of former prime ministers sonnel to sell out the rice The price start- ber delegation led
cy government marks Khaleda Zia and through Open Market Sale ed sliding down by Food and Disas-
its first year in Sheikh Hasina Wa- (OMS) program across the this week with ter Management
power.The resigna- jed bringing the country. The rice price is fixed the military- Secretary Ayub
tions Tuesday were country to a at 25 taka (one U.S. dollar backed govern- Miah, is leaving
made by the ministers standstill.The new equals about 68 taka) per kg, 7 ment interven- for India Wednes-
of health, information, government taka lower than the market tion. However, day to discuss im-
industry and food. It pledged to clean up price. The government has de- it’s still beyond port of 500,000
was not immediately Bangladesh’s noto- cided to sell 45,000 tons of rice the common tons of rice. Offi-
clear if they quit as riously corrupt at the price under the program. reach. Bang- cials of the Food
part of a reshuffle or a politics before As per the rules, each custom- ladesh is facing Ministry said that
new crisis in the im- holding fresh polls er can buy a maximum of 3 kg acute food def- the import of
poverished country’s advisors (ministers) submit- ment took over on January 12 in late 2008.Around 150 of rice every day. In some sell- icit following the production sharp rice price hike. The gov- food-grains from abroad
leadership.However, a high- ted their resignation letters to last year, one day after a state high-profile figures have been ing centers, there have been loss caused by twice monsoon ernment has decided to immedi- through private channels
ranking government official the chief advisor,” the head of of emergency was imposed arrested under the anti-graft long queues of people waiting flooding and devastating cyclone ately import one million tons of will also be continuing.
said all four had quit for “per- the interim government Fa- and elections cancelled.The drive including Zia and
sonal reasons.”The food min- khruddin Ahmed, said crisis followed months of Sheikh Hasina.
Sri Lanka steps up Malaysia denies ban on India
Bhutan tastes Sri Lanka cuts taxes on food imported from India and Bangladesh workers
real election Faced with the grim prospect chillies Rs30, sugar Rs14 and sale Company($11amillion).
of a crippling island-wide trad- split lentil Rs 6. The bulk of Rs.1.2 billion
at cost of security for legislators NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A secretary later said those com-
Bhutan, the tiny Himalayan COLOMBO, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) was withdrawn by the govern- Malaysian minister denied on ments should be “disregard-
ers’ strike, the Sri Lankan gov- these commodities are import- It will distribute food through
kingdom has set a milestone — Sri Lankan government has ment. On Tuesday the Minis- Tuesday that his government ed”, saying they were made
ernment has drastically cut ed from India.Fernando said 306 cooperative outlets na-
embracing its first general elec- decided to strengthen the per- ter of Nation Building DM had suspended the recruitment before the minister had ade-
taxes on essential foods, most that the importers and traders tion wide. The company
tion on the last day of 2007. sonal security provided for all Dassanayake was killed in a of workers from India and quate information.Relations
of which are imported from had given up their opposition would come into existence
When Pakistan, Burma and legislators, the parliament said road side bomb explosion Bangladesh.“I just spoke to between India and Malaysia
India.Hemaka Fernando, me- to a government plan to set up January 15.Late last year,
Nepal are bleeding on their blamed on the my prime minister ... There
dia secretary of the Essential a state owned company to im- when the government an-
ways to achieve a democratic Tamil Tiger rebels. is no truth in the statement
Food Commodities Importers port and distribute essential nounced its plans to set up
regime in their countries, Bhu- The decision to in- released by Reuters ... It’s
and Traders Association food items with a view to bring- the company, importers and
tan has shown a different pic- crease levels of se- not true means everything
(EFCITA) told IANS on Tues- ing down the crushing cost of traders fought it tooth and nail
ture, where a monarch comes curity followed a is status quo,” Works Min-
day night that the government living.“We are assured that the and threatened to go on an is-
out for a democratic set up in pledge on Tuesday ister S. Samy Vellu, the
had cancelled the taxes im- food imported by the govern- land wide strike.They said the
his kingdom. But the challeng- by the Prime Min- only ethnic Indian member
posed on December 25 last ment company would be very gigantic state owned compa-
es of the new democratic re- ister Ratnasiri of the cabinet, told report-
year and introduced more rea- small in quantity, and that ny would not only fail to func-
gime in Thimphu will lie in Wickramanayake. ers on the sidelines of a
sonable rates.This would en- they would be sold only to tion properly like other pub-
dealing with various national This was in re- conference in New Delhi.
able the India-Sri Lanka trade the poorest of the poor lic sector institutions, but
concerns, more precisely re- Wednesday. Speaker WJM sponse to accusations from the “Indian workers are already have been hurt by recent alle-
in essential foods to survive through the samurdhi pover- would drive hundreds of trad-
solving the Bhutanese refugee Lokubandara told the House main opposition United Na- there. When it is needed, they gations of discrimination
and the people of Sri Lanka to ty alleviation scheme,” he ers and importers out of busi-
issue that has been haunting that security of members of tional Party (UNP) that gov- are welcome.”Earlier, a Malay- against the ethnic Indian com-
get essential commodities at said. ness. This would have been
the government for the last 17 parliament presently limited to ernment was responsible for sian Home Ministry official munity in this Southeast Asian
reasonable prices.The taxes On Monday, Commerce and the second blow in quick suc-
years.The international media just two policemen would be the gunning down of Ma- told Reuters that the cabinet country.ethnic Indians staged
per kg will now be: Bombay Consumer Affairs Minister cession after the hike in taxes
poured news of the Bhutan increased to four police per- heswaran. Several other parlia- had decided about two weeks a mass anti-government pro-
(big) onions Sri Lanka Rs 20 Bandula Gunawardene told on December 25. Indian ex-
election as an event to cele- sonnel. Based on threat as- mentarians such as the leader ago to freeze the intake of test in November, alleging that
($0.18), potatoes Rs15, the media that the government porters of essential foods to
brate from the Asian continent. sessments further measures of the main Muslim party, workers from India and Bang- the authorities had sidelined
moong beans Rs13, chick peas would establish the State Sri Lanka would also have been
The landlocked kingdom, sur- would be taken to strengthen Rauff Hakeem, the former Min- ladesh. Other ministry offi- the community under an affir-
Rs15, yellow split peas Rs15, Trading Cooperative Whole- hit hard by the strike.
rounded by Tibet (now under the security of those legisla- ister of National Heritage Anu- cials had then confirmed the mative action policy that favours
Chinese territory) and Indian
states of Sikkim, West Bengal,
Burma’s Control of Transportation System tors who run high risk of being
assassinated, Lokubandara
ra Bandaranaike, and another
UNP legislator Mano Ganes-
ban but gave no reason.About
an hour before his denial, Vel-
the majority ethnic
Malays.Some Indian politicians,
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
had gone for polls on Decem-
Causes Millions to Go Hungry said. At least two parliamen-
tarians have been killed since
han had complained of reduced
security. Ganeshan last week
lu had said the country had
enough foreign workers.“The
including Foreign Minister
Pranab Mukherjee, voiced con-
ber 31 to form the National Burma is not short of food. the corruption-ridden state other commodities, and not to the beginning of the New Year. had fled the country due to government decided it is cern for the ethnic
Council (upper house of Par- The country saw a rise in its transportation system pre- go to the benefit of any partic- On New Year’ day an opposi- threats to his life. Opposition enough and we don’t want to Indians.Around 7 percent of Ma-
liament) of Bhutan. The Coun- rice exports in 2007. But the sents a dilemma for the agen- ular individuals and families or tion parliamentarian Thiagar- parties say reduced security recruit any more because we laysia’s 26 million people are eth-
cil has 20 directly elected United Nations World Food cy. Risley says the WFP has people that are associated with ajah Maheswaran was shot has left them vulnerable for have enough workers,” he told nic Indians, whose forefathers
members from each Program says the military gov- controls in place to make sure the government of Myanmar.” dead by an unidentified gun- attacks by armed groups in- Reuters at the conference. “Is were brought over as labourers
Dzongkhags (representing a ernment’s tight restrictions on the food ends up in the right The WFP says Burma’s mili- man days after his security cluding the Tiger rebels. it wrong?”The minister’s press by British colonial rulers.
district). Five eminent person- the movement of people tary government has
alities from various fields like
literature, music, social ser-
and goods within the
country is keeping an es-
eased recently eased
transport restrictions
Nepal Maoists upset with PM over army integration
vice and other areas are to be timated five million Bur- in one area of Rakhine KATHMANDU (Reuters) a security force for compa- tegrate the former rebel of a republic.That decision
nominated by the King to mese without adequate state. Agency officials - Nepal’s former Maoist nies and industries.Senior fighters.In December, the ended months of political
form the 25-member upper nutrition.Paul Risley, the say they hope more rebels criticised Prime Min- Maoist leader Baburam Nepali parliament passed a deadlock between the gov-
house. WFP’s Asia spokesman, areas will follow. Some ister Girija Prasad Koirala Bhattarai dismissed Koira- motion to abolish the mon- ernment and the Maoists,
The polling to 15 Dzongkhags tells VOA getting food to governments including on Wednesday for refusing l a ’s c o m - who returned to the
(constituencies) of the coun- the remote areas where it that of the United to integrate thousands of ex- m e n t s , cabinet last month to
try began at 8 am and ended is needed most is one of States have restricted guerrillas into the national made on move forward the peace
at 4 pm (+6hrs GMT). Elec- the biggest challenges the direct aid to Burma as army, in a sign of fresh po- Tuesday, as deal that ended their
tors in national dress, which agency faces. Transporta- the country’s military litical tension.About 31,000 “irresponsi- civil war against the
is otherwise compulsory in tion is tightly controlled, rulers continue to crack former Maoist fighters ble” and m o n a r c h y. T h e p r e -
public places in Bhutan, he says, and very hands. “All of the food that down on political dissent. How- housed in the United Na- said their mier’s refusal to take ex-
joined the poll process to elect expensive.“The transportation we distribute is grown locally. ever, U.S. and WFP officials tions-monitored camps fighters guerrillas into the army
their preferred candidates system is very much a closed, We purchase rice that is grown plan to meet in Washington and await integration under a must be in- “is against the com-
from over 40 non-political state-operated, state-regulat- in the delta regions of Myan- Rome in the coming days to peace pact that brought the tegrated prehensive peace
party candidates. The election ed, state-administered pro- mar, and thus usually our big- discuss a possible boost in U.S. Maoists into the political into the na- agreement” signed in
to the Dzongkhags of Haa, gram,” he said. “So much of gest expense is in transporting assistance. U.S. First Lady mainstream.But Koirala was t i o n a l 2006, Bhattarai said.
Gasa, Lhuentse, Trashiyangt- our food is transferred and that rice or other food com- Laura Bush, who has taken the quoted in the media as say- army.“It is The i n s u r g e n c y,
se and Thimphu was post- transported by companies and modities toward the remote issue of Burma as a personal ing that he opposed inte- really disturbing. We are archy after elections, ex- which began in 1996, cost
poned due to ‘non-availabili- transport companies that are regions where we provide it to cause, last week issued a state- grating the “politicised” very serious about it,” Bhat- pected to be held before more than 13,000 lives
ty of more than one candidate owned by the government and the communities,” said Risley. ment condemning the Burmese fighters into the Nepal tarai said. April 12 for a constituent and hit the aid- and tour-
in a constituency’. Polling is the ruling elite.” WFP officials “So, we are very concerned military rulers on the occasion Army. The premier was re- Officials say a joint com- assembly, in a deal with the ism-dependent economy
likely to take place in those say entrusting food shipments that our funding be spent sole- of the 60th anniversary of the ported to have suggested al- mission is expected to be set Maoists who were insisting of Nepal, among the
constituencies on January 29. and paying donated money to ly on the transport of rice and country’s independence. ternatives such as setting up up to work out plans to in- on an immediate declaration world’s poorest countries.
7 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi.
Business
Tata’s Rs one lakh car to put Milestones in Govt confirms Rs
India on global map Sensex’s journey 2-4 fuel price hike
Mumbai: Only 10 years ago,
Tata Motors Ltd unveiled its
to 21,000 mark on the cards
tor Co. Tata Motors’ drive to
produce a cheap, no-non-
so as oil and steel prices rock-
eted. But global car makers
Tata. “It’s a big, big deal for
Tata Motors, and will be re-
first car, a hatchback, that es- sense, small car was born from have taken note and are scur- corded in history books, Mumbai: Bombay Stock In- index was up 0.99 percent up New Delhi: Petroleum Secre- He said that a fuel price hike
tablished the truck maker’s close observation of a local rying for their own versions whether or not it does well.” dex crossed 21,000 points for at 6,340.95, having hit a record tary M S Srinivasan on Tues- and duty cuts would be con-
credentials as a car maker. to meet Volkswagen, Toyota Motor the first day confirmed that a marginal sidered to deal with the
On Thursday, the $7.8 billion growing Corp, Honda Motor Co and time on fuel hike of Rs 2-4 is on the situation.“We have to look at
company will unveil its bold- environ- Fiat have since said they are Tuesday, cards and the Group of Min- all possibilities existing. I
est initiative yet, a car that will mental looking to build low-cost cars. led by isters would announce the de- would not like to comment on
sell for just $2,500, less than and cost And the Nissan Motor Co Reliance cision after their January 17 it. Steep rise in crude oil pric-
half the cheapest car on the concerns. and Renault alliance, which Indus- meeting. es is a cause of concern. We
market. “ T h e has done well with its no-frills tries and Prime Minister Manmohan have to look at various options
Dubbed the ‘People’s Car’, it product Logan sedan, is developing a HDFC Singh, meanwhile, had ex- open to us,” PTI reported him
will determine Tata’s place in has right- $3,000 car with Bajaj Auto Bank. pressed concern over the ris- as saying. A Group of Minis-
the global automotive arena, f u l l y Ltd, a local Tata rival. “Scep- Earlier in ters on
where the battle is increasing- gained a ticism has given way to imi- opening fuel pric-
ly being fought in emerging lot of in- tation,” said Ashutosh Goel, trade, the es lead
economies such as India, Chi- terna- auto analyst at Edelweiss Se- 30-share by Exter-
na and Russia. tional at- curities. BSE in- nal Af-
The new model, using re-engi- market where millions often tention,” said Mohit Arora, “Every global car maker has dex was up 1.13 per cent, or high of 6,351.45. Following is f a i r s
neered plastics and modern ferry families of four, plus bag- managing director for India at realised the need to be in the 236.19 points, at 21,048.84, the list of dates when stock Minister
adhesives, is a far cry from the gage, on motorbikes and scoot- research firm J.D. Power Asia- emerging markets with a mod- having risen as far as 21,077.53 market barometer BSE Sensex Pranab
premium Jaguar and Land ers. Pacific, who will fly in from el like this for mass volumes, in early deals. The previous touched the various mile- Mukher-
Rover bands Tata is negotiat- Critics initially derided Tata’s Singapore to see the car being if not at Rs 1 lakh, then per- record of 20,861.83 was set on stones on its journey to jee will
ing to acquire from Ford Mo- Rs 1 lakh, price target, more unveiled by Chairman Ratan haps at Rs 150,000,” he said. Monday. The 50-issue NSE 21,000-point mark: meet on
January
Chidambaram hints CEOs-turned-politicians 17, the
first ever
ing international crude prices meeting after its constitution
at direct tax rate cut and hinted that the Govern- by the PM in November 2007,
in Budget remain businessmen at heart ment is looking at various op- to deal with crude prices touch-
tions to tackle the issue. ing $100 a barrel.
New Delhi: Pay your taxes -
the message from P Chibam-
Simply put that could mean a
cut in tax rates or creating more
New Delhi: CEOs-turned-
politicians are still business-
investment in these sectors.
But the Chairman of Jupiter
ing debated (Question 1389, Dhoot refuses to make the
which asked if the government connection and says, “I did not
SEBI makes new year
baram and his team seems to
have worked.
tax slabs that could help some
sections of tax payers.
men at heart.
Former BPL Mobile CEO Ra-
Capital readily disclaims.“I
don’t ask
had taken a decision to sell 49 ask such question.”
Jindal Power and Steel’s Exec- happy for MF
Direct taxes – a combination Chidambaram says the tax- jiv Chandrashekhar is an inde- questions utive Vice chairman and MD
of personal income tax and
corporate taxes –have touched
payer friendly measures also
helped and more people got tax
pendent MP from Karnataka
in the Rajya Sabha.He is also
nor do I
pursue
Naveen Jindal is Congress MP
in Lok Sabha. Jindal sought
investors
refunds this the chairman-cum-CEO of Ju- any issue details of private participation New Delhi: New Year has uments and the fund house can
year. There piter Capital. related to in Railway projects. And brought reason for mutual fund offer the scheme to investors.At
were 35 lakh re- But when asking Question any one though, incidentally, his com- investors to cheer. There will present, a fund house has to file
funds till Janu- 2228 (Is the government aware compa- pany manufactures rail tracks, be no entry fee on applications a draft offer document and the
ary compared of the indifference and ineffi- ny. My Jindal says his questions are filed direct- regulator
to 27 lakh a year ciency of BSES, while attend- issues are in the nation’s interest. ly to asset makes obser-
ago and over 13 ing public complaints of pow- to do “We need to promote railways management vations to
lakh returns er failure?) or Question 1664 with the in our country,” says Naveen companies.Market modify (if re-
were filed on- (Is the leakage of ADC reve- broader Jindal. regulator quired) or in-
line, a three- nues for ILD calls still continu- issues of Chairman of the Bajaj Group SEBI’s bo- clude disclo-
fold increase ing? Are some private compa- institutions, transparency and per cent shares of BALCO to of companies, Rahul Bajaj, has nanza per- sure. After
from last year. nies being investigated by the consumer interests,” he ex- Sterlite? Have CAG observa- insurance as one of its inter- tains to all that, the fund
To change the CBI?), it becomes apparent plains. tions on pricing and valuation ests. It may not, thus, be a applications that are not rout- house files revised documents
Rs 2 lakh crore so far and is image of the income tax de- that all questions are on tele- Keeping Chandrashekhar com- of 51% share sold earlier to mere coincidence that he took ed through any distributor or and the SEBI communicates to
expected to rise by another partment, an HRD director- com, power and infrastructure. pany is Group MD of Video- Sterlite been looked into? And part in the debate on the Actu- broker. The exemption will it about the launch of fund.The
crore by April – a 42 per cent ate is also on the cards. In what may appear to be a con Industries and Shiv Sena Question 2310, Has the steel aries Bill in 2006. apply for investments in ex- proposal is in line with inter-
jump from what the govern- There is clear evidence that case of business before ethics, MP from Maharashtra, Rajku- industry demanded increase in Interestingly, the only MP isting schemes with affect from national stipulations where not
ment got last year. voluntary compliance has Chandrashekhar’s questions in mar Dhoot, whose business in- customs duty?) are particular- who has clean chit is the flam- January 4 and in new schemes many approvals are required
So will there be a tax rate cut? improved and Chidambaram the RS also highlight the terests range from consumer ly interesting given that Ster- boyant Vijaya Mallya, who to be launched thereafter.After and fund houses file the final
The Finance Minister did not has acknowledged as much. strange co-incidence – that his durables, steel, SEZ and oil ex- lite is Videocon’s competitor chose to play it safe by not the filing, the regulator will document and goes ahead with
answer that question directly Whether the moderation in new company is focusing on ploration. The questions be- in the steel business.But asking any question at all. confirm the receipt of the doc- the scheme.
in an off-camera meeting with taxes will be achieved
No education, health
journalists on Tuesday. He re-
peated his statement that if
through a cut in rates or an
increase in slabs is an issue Bhutto murder threatens to derail
services tax for
compliance improves, there is that will have to be settled
a case for moderation in taxes. in the Union Budget.
common man Pak markets
Reliance Retail all set New Delhi: States will not man. Besides health and edu- Karachi: Pakistan’s stocks are lence. Shops have been shut- owned by the Abu Dhai Group, Growth is targeted to grow at
impose tax on education and cation, the Centre has offered set to tumble on Monday as tered, petrol stations have one of the largest foreign inves- 7.2 percent in the fiscal year to
to furnish homes health services, especially
those catering to the general
42 services — such as legal,
sports and performances of
the political turmoil and vio-
lence unleashed after the killing
closed and railways have been
attacked by angry mobs, bring-
tors in Pakistan. The Karachi
stock market has gained 47 per-
June 2008, but many econo-
mists doubt it can be achieved,
New Delhi: India adds four Group’s Home Town, started populace. This was decided by Bollywood actors — to states of former prime minister Bena- ing transport to a standstill. A cent this year, outperforming given the turbulent political sit-
and a half million new houses operations in April last year a panel of state for collecting zir Bhutto threatens to scare promising in- uation even before Bhutto’s
every year. The boom in the and has already crossed the Rs finance minis- service tax as off foreign investors and dam- vestment death. Musharraf imposed a
real estate market has had a 1,000 crore revenue mark. In ters on Thurs- part of package age the economy. Bhutto was story less state of emergency to ward
multiplier effect on the home fact it has another home solu- day reached a for compensat- assassinated on Thursday ahead than a year off unrest surrounding a re-
solutions market that has cur- tion format in the pipeline.“We consensus on ing them for rev- of elections scheduled for Jan- ago, Pakistan surgent judiciary and to fight
rently pegged at one lakh crore. are doing a new concept called the issue.“Areas enue loss due to uary 8, throwing into doubt a is now rising Islamic militancy in the
But the orga- Home Ba- relating to health phasing out of a smooth transition to civilian- gripped by region bordering Afghani-
nised pie is zaar that is and education may not be in- levy imposed on inter-state sale led democracy after almost a fears of capi- stan. Credit markets also un-
just worth Rs coming up cluded in the service tax. That of goods, called Central Sales decade of military-backed gov- tal flight if se- derlined waning sentiment
14,000 crore. in Auranga- is the view, we have taken,” Tax.However, states could not ernment under President Per- curity wors- for Pakistan last week when
No wonder bad. Being a PTI quoted Asim Dasgupta, evolve a consensus on which vez Musharraf. ens. There are on Friday the country’s
then, big retail part of Big chairman of the Empowered services to tax as certain ser- “The likelihood is that foreign also concerns five-year credit default
players like Bazaar It Group of state finance minis- vices like education could evoke portfolio investors would start that capital swaps — a kind of insur-
Reliance Re- will be very ters on Value-Added Tax as a public outcry and most oth- pulling out. If that happens that inflows from ance policy against default
tail are set to step in. Though similar to Home Town, not saying. When asked whether ers are local in nature.CST is would mean a serious amount the Gulf, a substantial source major regional markets. The — widened by 100 basis
there is no official comment 100, 0000 square feet but 40 tax on these services is com- reduced from four per cent to of selling,” said Nasim Baig, of investment in Pakistani state MSCI Asia Pacific index (ex- points to 480 basis points.
yet, CNBC TV-18 learns Re- to 50 square feet. If that rolls pletely ruled out, Dasgupta three per cent this fiscal and chief executive of Arif Habib assets and real estate, may also cluding Japan) is up a third this Standard & Poor’s Rating Ser-
liance Retail is in talks with out then there is a big plan on said, “Yes, particularly those would be eliminated by April Investments which manages dry up. “If the situation pro- year. The gains followed above- vices also said on Friday that
several international chains for hometown for us,” says catering to the common one, 2010, when Goods and Ser- $392 million in funds. longs, there will be capital out- average annual economic Pakistan’s sovereign credit rat-
sourcing a range of home fur- CEO, Future Group, Kishore man.”Asked to clarify if it vice Tax is proposed to be “This time we may try to con- flows and we will probably see growth of around 7 percent for ings could be cut if Bhutto’s
nishing products. Apart from Biyani.Apart from Future meant services rendered by introduced.The purpose of VAT serve cash in case our investors Dubai market doing well be- the past three years, the sale of assassination heightened vio-
this, the company will also group, The Landmark Group public sector and state-run in- and then GST is to create a com- want to cash out.” Karachi, the cause there is money flowing state assets and a renewal of lence and political turmoil.
look at in the house brands to is already in this segment stitutes only, he said certain mon Indian market, for which the biggest city, financial capital from Pakistan,” said Shoaib confidence in Pakistan follow- Brokers expect the stock mar-
give customers better with Home Centre. Also private entities also provide tax on inter-state sale of goods and main port, has been paral- Memon, chief executive of Al ing its alliance with Washing- ket to fall to the limit of five
price.Reliance Retail is likely Shoppers Stop, which cur- these services to the common needs to be done away with. ysed by a spasm of street vio- Falah Securities, which is ton in the U.S. war on terror. percent of Monday.
to launch these stores in a rently sells its home furnish-
month’s time. It is looking at ings range under the home
Malaysia awards $1 billion rail project to Indian firm India Inc loses
Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai stop brand may look at stand
and Bangalore for its first set alone home stop stores. With Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has Air Force team will arrive in with Pakistan, New Delhi’s awarded a US$3.5 billion dou- significant and it should be im-
$ 5.7 bn on US
of stores. The design and lay-
out of these stores will be done
a growth rate of 30 per cent,
the organised home solutions
awarded a US$1.08 billion Malaysia next month to train archrival.The Indian Air Force ble-tracking project to the plemented this year,’’ he said, bourses
(•730 million) railway con- pilots on Russian-made team will be based in Malay- same Indian company, but using the Indian company’s New York: The New Year has
by a panel of international and market may become the next tract to an Indian company, the Sukhoi Su-30 MKM fighter sia for two years as part of an withdrew the contract two acronym. begun on a strong note for Indi-
Indian designers. uture battlefield for retailers. deputy prime minister said jets _ a rare foreign project by agreement signed last year. A years later without Najib said the two countries an bourses where the compa-
Bajaj enters four-wheel mkt Monday, as the two countries
stepped up military ties dur-
the Indian armed
forces.Antony’s three-day
explanation.Last year, Ma-
laysia invited India to re-
are also exploring possible co-
operation in the operation and
nies have added more than $60
billion to their market value,
with small car ing a visit by India’s defense trip to Malaysia, a month submit its bid for the maintenance of French-made but it has been an inauspicious
New Delhi: It was a historic sion system, a cross between minister.Although the contract after he visited Vietnam, is project. Indian officials Scorpene submarines but de- beginning for Indian firms in
day for India’s oldest two an automatic and manual.The awarded to the Indian Railway part of Indian efforts to ex- said the company was clined to say whether there the US market. A total of 16
wheeler manufacturer. Bajaj standard version of the car will Construction Co. is not relat- pand military ties with awarded the smaller con- would be joint exercises involv- Indian companies listed in the
Auto unveiled its small car mark- come with air conditioning and ed to defense, it is a reflection Southeast Asia _ a region it tract last month to double- ing the warships.Malaysia ex- US, which includes IT giants
ing its entry into the competi- will meet safety and emission of the growing ties between the long neglected when it was track 100 kilometers (60 pects to receive two Scorpe- like Infosys, Wipro and Sa-
tive small car market. Bajaj Auto, norms. Positioned as an intra - two countries in all fields, In- an ally of the former Soviet batch of 55 Malaysian air force miles) of rail line for 3.45 bil- nes next year, while India has tyam, have lost close to $6bil-
MD, Rajiv Bajaj unveiled the city car, Bajaj will take on Tata dian Defense Minister A.K. Union during the Cold personnel began training in In- lion ringgit (US$1.08 billion; purchased six of the subma- lion in the first week of trade
company’s foray into the four- motors ‘s people’s car in spir- Antony said.‘’This is a signal War.India has been making dia on Dec. 17, and 47 more •730 million).It was officially rines which will be delivered here on the New York Stock
wheeler market. An A-segment it but not price. “It would be that they are encouraging Indi- friends with the U.S. and its will be sent in March, Deputy announced by Najib, who said in 2011, he said.Antony, who Exchange and NASDAQ.
car with A twin cylinder under inappropriate to say that it an investment. That means all- Southeast Asian partners such Prime Minister and Defense bilateral trade was expected to met with Najib and Foreign There have been just three days
the hood, a wheel base of two will be priced at a lakh or two round (cooperation): defense, as Malaysia and Singapore Minister Najib Razak said.The hit US$8 billion (•5.4 billion) Minister Syed Hamid Albar on of trading in 2008 here as Jan-
meter and about three meter in or anywhere in between be- trade, commerce, education, since the Soviet Union’s de- rail contract puts to rest a ma- this year.‘’In the area of busi- Monday, was to hold talks uary 1 was a holiday in the
length, Bajaj’s small car has a cause is too premature and that health services,’’ he told The mise. India is particularly in- jor controversy that had ness, the double-tracking rail- with Prime Minister Abdullah US, while the Indian bourses
tall boy stance.Bajaj’s says the is not the centre of gravity for Associated Press.The two terested in wooing Malaysia, soured relations between the way project that we have Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday have conducted four trading
car will have a unique transmis- our project. sides said a 31-member Indian which has deep military links countries. In 2001, Malaysia awarded to IRCON was most before flying home. sessions so far this year.
8 Thursday 10, January 2008 News From India, New Delhi. POSTAL REGISTRATION NO. DL.(S)- 18/3261/2006-2008
RNI No: DELENG/2005/16556
Sports
Ask Ponting and Co to ICC appoints Aussie media claims India
behave, ICC tells CA Hansen to hear blackmailing ICC
Melbourne: The ICC has
urged Cricket Australia to reign
in Ricky Ponting’s men in the
that means,” he said. Speed
said he was relieved that the
replacement of umpire Steve
ous thought about this, is to
take one of the issues out of
play,” he said.
Harbhajan appeal Sydney: BCCI’s threat to pull
out of the ongoing tour is a
‘veiled form of blackmail’ and
turns the Harbhajan verdict by New Zealand’s Billy
because of Indian pressure, it Bowden for the third Test in
may as well shut its doors in Perth. “India want Steve Buc-
light of all-round criticism of Bucknor prevented an interna- Speed said the Sydney Test Mumbai, Jan 09, New said in a statement.“The pro- the ICC knor sacked
their on-field be- was played in an at- Zealand High Court judge John cess indicates that the appeal should not from the next
haviour during the mosphere riddled by Hansen has been appointed as should be heard within seven succumb to Test in Perth
ill-tempered second racism claims, player commissioner to hear India days of the commissioner be- the Indian and so he
Test against behaviour issues and spinner Harbhajan Singh‘s ing appointed. However, this Board and let should be. Ev-
India.ICC CEO umpiring controver- code of conduct appeal, the In- time period may be extended it usurp the ery grievance
Malcolm Speed sy, but expressed ternational Cricket Council if circumstances dictate.” governing India have
said CA needs to confidence that after (ICC) said on The Indian board an- body’s role, against him is
take notice of the Bucknor ’s replace- Wednesday. nounced after an the Austra- genuine.”“But
criticism being di- ment and roping in of Off-spinner Harb- emergency meeting lian media India’s sus-
rected at its team Ranjan Madugalle to hajan was handed a on Tuesday they will said on pension of the
by the public, work with the two three Test ban for resume the tour but Tuesday.Cricket tour while
former players and captains, the unprec- allegedly racially would continue to writers here they wait for
commentators.“The edented crisis would abusing Australian protest against the felt the Indi- an appeal on
team is being criti- tide over.“There was all-rounder Andrew Symonds charge against Harbhajan.Their an team’s the suspen-
cised, members of the team are tional crisis.“We could have unhappiness about the umpir- during the second Test in Syd- decision came after the ICC grievances sion of Harb-
being criticised and they need gone in banging the table and ing, we put a new umpiring ney that ended in an acrimoni- sacked umpire Steve Bucknor against con- hajan Singh is
to to be aware of that - they playing `who blinks first’, we team in place. And we start ous defeat for the touring from next week‘s third test troversial a veiled form
need to respond to that,” Speed could have turned what is al- again from the umpiring per- Indians.The Indian board ap- follow widespread criticism of umpire Steve Bucknor may be Dubai and cease to exist,” he of blackmail and must be treat-
was quoted saying in the Her- ready an international incident spective in Perth and, hope- pealed against match referee his performance in Sydney. ‘genuine’ but their threat to said.“If the ICC feels Harb- ed with the harsh response it
ald Sun.“All national teams into an international crisis. fully, focus on the matters on Mike Procter‘s decision after “Under the provisions of the pull out should be given the hajan was worth suspending, deserves,” he said.“If the Har-
should play cricket in the right What we have elected to do, the pitch rather than exacer- Harbhajan pleaded not guilty ICC code of conduct, Justice ‘harsh response it deserves.’ it must not crumble in the face bhajan verdict stands - as it
spirit. We need to be clear what and we have given some seri- bating the crisis,” he said. to the charge and initially sus- Hansen has the power to in- “India’s threat to boycott the of a subcontinental blackmail should - and India abandon the
pended their tour of Australia. crease, decrease, amend or oth- Australian tour has come down from the world’s most power- tour, then so be it. Their na-
Sania out of Hobart WTA event Harbhajan has been allowed to
continue playing pending the
erwise substitute his own de-
cision from that made at the
to a battle of who runs cricket
- India or the ICC,” Robert
ful cricket nation,” it said. He, tion will be in disgrace, their
however, sympathised with team retreating as men who
Hobart, Jan 09: Sania Mirza watch,” Pennetta said. “There kleroad had a straight sets win verdict of the appeal.“No time, previous hearing, and his deci- Craddock wrote in The Daily the Indian ‘genuine’ grievanc- cowered in the face of substan-
crashed out of the Hobart were a lot of mistakes from over Romania‘s Edina Gallo- date or venue for the appeal sion is final and binding,” the Telegraph. es against umpire Steve Buc- tial adversity,” he said in a
WTA event after losing 5-7, 6- both players.” Pennetta said vits. It took the 22-year-old have yet been fixed,” the ICC ICC said in a statement said. “If the ICC buckles and over- knor, who has been replaced harsh comment.
1, 3-6 to Italian Flavia Pennet- she was nervous before the 92 minutes to reach her first
ta in a match that lasted 92
minutes. The sixth seed
looked to be heading for the
Hobart semi-final with a 6-4,
6-4 victory. Harkleroad will
take on Russian second seed
Umpiring decisions appear easier on TV: Koertzen
semi-finals when she levelled Vera Zvonareva, who defeat- New Delhi: Cricket umpires pire, said that this formed the they need an opinion with help sure more accuracy.“The ICC more video frames per second
the match in the second set ed countrywoman Elena Vesn- have been in the news like nev- basis for good officiating. from the tube.“First of all, is constantly evaluating the showing things after the events
for the loss of just one game, ina, 6-3, 6-3. Zvonareva is the er before and the International “All umpires train to follow umpires know which decisions role of the umpires and will have concluded, it sometimes
but Pennetta came roaring only seed to reach the semi- Cricket Council (ICC) has the ball and the facts – not even the regulations allow them to never stand in the way of makes difficult decisions ap-
back to win, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3. finals of the Hobart tourna- made a rare departure from change as long as the funda- pear easier than they really
Mirza, who finished last year ment. “I think I did pretty the norm by removing Steve mental spirit of the game is are.“Umpires are not above
at 31 on the WTA rankings, good,” Zvonareva said. “It Bucknor from the third Test protected. Our concern is that criticism and there is a thorough
converted just five of 12 break was a tough match but I am between India and Australia the essence of the way the process in place to assess our
point opportunities while match but regrouped in the fi- happy to get through.” at Perth.West Indian Buc- game is played is maintained. performances. We all study the
Pennetta capitalised on five nal set to progress to the se- Greece`s Eleni Daniilidou knor, along with Mark Ben- Changes to the role of the third decisions we make and we work
of eight. “It was not a very mis. In the battle of the qual- takes on Australian Casey son of England, came in for umpire also need to provide hard to learn from our mistakes
good match for people to ifiers, American Ashley Har- Dellacqua in the night match. severe criticism after some conclusive and cost-effective and replicate the things we
glaringly wrong decisions in improvements that will be avail- have done well. The danger is
Arrogant Aussies need the second Test at Sydney
that changed the course of
able at all international match-
es,” said Koertzen, who felt
that the umpire gets overly
criticised for a mistake or per-
counselling: Lawson the game to hand the home
side an unbeatable 2-0 lead
that the increased quality of
coverage of matches made dif-
ceived mistake and the emo-
tion of the occasion is allowed
Melbourne: It’s not only the done with how these players Lawson said that the panel in the four-match series. ficult decisions look easy at to rule over common sense or
Indians who feel that the cur- perceive themselves.”“As an made a “common sense solu- There is a growing thought times.“As the replays get more what is best for the game,”
rent Australian cricket team is ex-Australian player I was pret- tion” in sacking umpire Steve that the Australian cricket- sophisticated and there are concluded Koertzen.
arrogant. Even a former Auss- ty disappointed. Perception is Bucknor from the third Test ers are able to get away with
ie captain believes that the everything and the outside in Perth. However, he believes decisions in their favour be-
players don’t play in the the fallout from the Harb- cause of their stature as the knowing who is involved in refer to the third umpire. Then
spirit of the game and they hajan Singh racism charge world’s top team and the abil- each decision. It becomes au- they consider whether there
need “counselling”. Ac- and the subsequent allega- ity to put pressure on um- tomatic. The more pressure may be more evidence avail-
cording to Geoff Lawson, tions of on-field verbal abuse pires. But do big names or top that comes from a situation, able to clearly help with their
the Australians are con- by Australia’s Brad Hogg teams really matter to an um- the more the umpire uses his decision making. In run-out
sidered to be “arrogant” by could change the cricketing pire? mental skills and strengths to decisions, the umpire will de-
the rest of the cricket landscape. “Never!” avers South African remain detached and calm in cide whether all the informa-
world and it’s time that Lawson said the tit-for-tat umpire Rudi Koertzen. The order to make clear, accurate tion is clearly available or not,
the players behave prop- nature of the sledging alle- fundamental difference be- decisions,” said Koertzen, before he decides. In clear-cut
erly on and off the cricket gations could open the tween a player or supporter who was among the officials cases, the umpire will not re-
pitch. Lawson, currently floodgates to match referee and an umpire is that umpires to have interpreted the rules fer it to the third umpire but if
coaching the Pakistan charges and lead to the end learn very early in their careers wrongly in the final of the 2007 there is any doubt, it is better
team, has also claimed that of all on-field banter. to stay neutral and remain World Cup after a rain inter- to be safe than sorry,” said
the Australians did not “Maybe this is a bit of a above these personal issues. ruption and got a lot of flak. Koertzen, who has been an
play within the spirit of watershed in what is said In an interview to There might have been in- international umpire for 15
the game in their 122-run sec- world thinks that this Austra- on the field. Chat on the field Cricketnext.com, the 58-year- stances during the Sydney Test years and on ICC’s elite panel
ond Test win over India at the lian team is arrogant and not has gone on forever but I’ve old who has officiated in a when some decisions were not since 2002.
Sydney Cricket Ground last well behaved. Whether the team got a feeling what’s happened record 182 one-dayers as one referred to the third umpire but Koertzen feels the ICC has
week.“There’s certainly been a themselves think that is anoth- here and particularly the of the two on-field umpires Koertzen feels umpires are been open to using technolo-
lot of feeling from ex-players er issue, but I can guarantee you counter charging against Brad apart from 38 as the TV um- generally sure about when gy and improvements to en-
who think the baggy green has the rest of the cricket world Hogg I think from now on
been disrespected. Some of
these (current) players need to
certainly feel that about this
cricket team,” The Daily Tele-
teams will actually have to be
totally silent on the field be- Raikkonen tests new Ferrari F1 car
be spoken to. I certainly don’t graph in Sydney quoted Law- cause otherwise everyone is Italy, The new Ferrari F2008 slightly damp and provided an of traction control and the po-
agree with dragging (Ricky) son as saying.Appreciating the going to get reported and the car was given its first run out early challenge for Raikkonen, tential for more crashes is the
Ponting’s captaincy, I just think International Cricket Council’s match referee will be having by world champion Kimi given that Formula One cars biggest issue for the world
a bit of counselling needs to be handling of the current crisis, hearings everyday.” Raikkonen at the team’s Ma- have no traction control this champion ahead of the first
ranello base on Monday (Jan- season. Raikkonen said that he race in Melbourne on March
Fisichella set Safin feeling no uary 8) with the expects a fun 16. Raikkonen thinks it is too
for Force Finn managing season this year early to tell who their main
India drive pressure on latest about 20 laps with-
out any problems.
with more over-
taking given
challengers would be this sea-
son given the new rules and
London, Italian Giancarlo Fi-
sichella is set to drive for the comeback Michael Schumach-
er, who now works
Formula One’s
new rules out-
the fact that the 2006 champi-
on Spaniard Fernando Alonso
Force In- Melbourne, Jan 09: A resur- sian told reporters ahead of as a consultant for lawing traction has moved from McLaren
dia For- gent Marat Safin made a win- next week’s Australian Open. Ferrari after retiring control. Other back to Renault where he won
mula One ning start to the year on “If I manage not to break from racing, met enforced chang- his world title. “It is difficult
team this Wednesday at the Kooyong myself on the way, I think team president Luca es include gear- to say because I do not have
season Classic but refused to put I’ll be somewhere around top di Montezemolo box and driver any reference from the past, I
with com- pressure on him- 20, and from and they were both eager to protection innovations which have never driven the Ferrari
patriot self as he at- there it is see the new car in action. mean Ferrari’s F2008 car is here but the first feeling itself
Vitanto- tempts yet an- easy to think Felipe Massa, Raikonnen’s heavier this year. The weight is quite good but it is difficult
nio Liuzzi taking the role of other climb back about top team-mate who finished the distribution and wheelbase conditions and I am happy,”
tester, sources said on Tues- up the rankings. 10.” 2007 season in fourth place have also been altered after les- Raikkonen said. Despite the
day. There was no official con- The former Safin, who behind McLaren’s duo of sons learned from the perfor- pressure of being world cham-
firmation from the Ferrari- world number added that he Lewis Hamilton and Fernando mance of the Bridgestone ty- pion, Raikkonen said this sea-
powered team, who are due to one and winner was finally Alonso, was also at Ferrari’s res last year while there is an son would be easier as he was
announce their 2008 driver of two grand free of injury, headquarters but the Brazilian almost completely new aero- more used to the team and they
line-up in Mumbai on Thurs- slam titles made worked hard did not take part in the prac- dynamic design which will be were more comfortable with
day. Germany’s Adrian Sutil, an impressive on his fitness tice session. The track was developed further. But the lack him in his second year there.
a rookie last year with the start to 2008 as in the off-sea-
Spyker team that Indian bil-
lionaire Vijay Mallya bought
he beat Briton Andy Murray
6-1 6-4 at the eight-man ex-
son. “For one month and a
half, I’ve been practising If you like
and renamed, has already been hibition event. Safin won the hard, seven hours a day, so I
confirmed as one driver while
Fisichella impressed at a test
Australian Open in 2005 but
a series of injuries contribut-
think it should be paying off
at the end of the day,” he said. please contact your hawker or
in Spain last month. The Ro- ed to a loss of form that trig- “I’m waiting, expecting some-
man, who will be 35 on Jan
14, has been without a drive
since his contract with former
gered a slide down the rank-
ings. The 27-year-old looked
in fine shape as he beat the
thing to come.” Widely re-
garded by his peers as one of
the most talented players on
ring us 011-26971185 for your
champions Renault expired at in-form Murray, winner in the tour, Safin has advanced
the end of last year. Liuzzi
raced for Ferrari-powered
Doha last weekend, but Sa-
fin insisted he would be tak-
beyond the fourth round at
grand slams only twice in the
copy of News From India
Toro Rosso in 2007 but has ing the year step by step. “I past five years — both times
been replaced there by France’s don’t have high expectations in Australia where he reached or visit our website www.thenewsfromindia.com
four-times ChampCar champi- because it’s pressure I don’t the final in 2004 before win-
on Sebastien Bourdais. need at all,” the giant Rus- ning the title 12 months later.
Printed, Published and Owned by Khalid Sabir. Printed at Iranian ART Printers, 1534-Qasim Janstreet, Ballimaran Delhi - 110006 and Published from C-11, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla, New Delhi-25.Editor Khalid Sabir, Tel/Fax.01126971185
