Ratan Tata 4th most trusted personality in India

29  jan  2013

Mumbai: Owing to his nationwide campaign against corruption, social activist Anna Hazare has emerged for the second consecutive time the most-trusted personality in India, while former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata is the fourth, a new survey has found.

Mobile handset-maker Nokia is the most trusted brand according to the survey.

The survey, titled "The Brand Trust Report 2013', carried out by the Trust Research Advisory, however, placed Mahatma Gandhi at 12th position ahead of Tamil superstar Rajnikant in the list of 35 well-known personalities including nine women.

"Hazare has maintained his numero uno position for the second consecutive year", firm's chief executive N Chandramouli told reporters after releasing the report.

The survey lists country's 1,100 most-trusted brands spanning 211 categories, including personalities, personal gadgets, consumer products, retail, technology, banking, government institutes, telecom, airlines, among others.

"Humans are the best indicators of trust because we are conditioned to use human trust as a survival technique spanning millennia. Trust is the crux of all social engagements," he said.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan jumped to number two position from his fifth rank last year riding high on the popularity of 'Satyamev Jayate', while another Khan, Salman Khan slipped to third notch from second last year.

Interestingly, Shah Rukh Khan was ranked third in the list after Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

Business tycoon Ratan Tata, who hanged up his boots last year after serving Tata Group as its chairman for 21 years, jumped to fourth position from sixth last year in the survey.

For the first time, the name of legendary industrialist late Dhirubhai Ambani also featured in the list. He was ranked second in the business category.

Deprssed by dowry case Army man set himself ablaze - India

28  jan  2013

Depressed, army man sets self and estranged wife ablaze

A 27-year-old army man is battling for his life after he allegedly set himself and his estranged wife ablaze at the end of bitter confrontation. The incident took place at his in-laws' south Delhi residence around 9 am on Monday, police said.

Jitendra Janmeda, an Indian Army rifleman, reached his wife Deepika Tomar's residence at the Mohammadpur village near RK Puram with a can of petrol concealed in a black polythene bag. He demanded that she withdraw the case of dowry harassment she had filed against him and his family, police said. "He had come to her parents' house, where she had been staying since early October last year, and stated that he needed to talk about their marriage," said Anil Tokas, the victim's neighbour and cousin.
"She allowed him inside. In the middle of their conversation, he simply got up and locked the room. He then doused himself and Deepika with petrol and lit a match," Tokas claimed.
Tokas, who claimed to be among the first few to have reacted to Deepika's cries, said Janmeda had wrapped himself in a bear-hug with her before he lit a match. He said that his mother joined him in dousing the flames with some blankets she had brought from their own house. The two were then rushed to the Safdarjung Hospital.
Janmeda sustained 90% burns while Deepika had 35% burn injuries.
"The couple had married on June 27 in 2012 and moved into his house in Faridabad. Deepika filed a complaint around October 3, alleging that she was subjected to mental and physical torture for dowry. By that time, she had moved back to her parents' home," said a police officer.
According to police, Janmeda, who was due to fly to Sudan for an international deputation with the United Nations (UN) soon, was depressed after Deepika had lodged the police complaint. Apart from naming him and his mother in the complaint, she had even approached the Delhi Women's Commission.
A case of attempt to suicide, attempt to murder and dowry harassment has been registered at the RK Puram police station.

British teacher pins Indian flag on trouser at Republic Day event in Tamil Nadu - India

27   jan  2013

British teacher pins Indian flag on trouser at Republic Day event in Tamil Nadu

Tirunelveli: A visiting British teacher caused a flutter when he pinned a miniature Indian national flag on his trouser to cover a torn portion in the leg area at the official Republic Day function in Tirunelveli.

Paul Fixer Dyke from a London school, on a visit to a private matriculation school here under an exchange programme of education department, was seen sitting in the front row with the metal flag pinned to cover the torn area.

District Collector Samayamoorthy had asked officials to bring Dyke and his woman collegue Lora Clarke to the dais to honour them on learning about their presence at the function.

As Dyke started moving, his pant got torn after coming into contact with a crowbar used for fastening the shamiana at the venue. He later fixed the torn pant by using the metal flag, which he was sporting on his shirt.

Though the Britisher waited in the front row to be honoured with a shawl, he later went off without accepting it, apparently after he came into focus with some shutterbugs taking snaps.

An official said somebody should have advised him to remove the national flag from his leg but probably language problem prevented them from doing so.

Though the officials sought to play down the incident saying Dyke had only fixed the torn trouser and no motive should be attributed to it, some freedom fighters wondered if he would have the done the same thing to a British flag.

"Because of Headley, my daughter died screaming" - India

26  jan  2013

"Because of Headley, my daughter died screaming"

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Click to Expand & Play

Mumbai: On November 26, 2008 Kia Scherr's husband, Alan Scherr and her 13-year-old daughter Naomi were dining at the Oberoi Trident Hotel when terrorists stormed in.  David Coleman Headley, a dual citizen of America and Pakistan helped plan those attacks in which 166 people were killed, and was sentenced on Thursday by a judge in America to 35 years in prison.  Ms Scherr is in Mumbai.  This is her account of the attack and the sentence:

When I got to know that David Headley, the man who conspired in the Mumbai terror attacks was sentenced to 35 years, I realised that the verdict did not reflect the deplorable horrific crime he committed. He may not have been part of the ten men that landed in Mumbai that night or the one that actually pulled the trigger, but he made it possible for them to commit this act that killed hundreds and injured even more people.

The sentence should have taken into account the lives that were lost those nights. Only a life sentence would have been appropriate. A sentence where Headley spends the rest of his life behind bars contemplating his actions.

Headley already got a great deal through a plea bargain where he wouldn't be extradited to India, even though he deserves to be tried in India. But the prosecution demanded even more leniency.

But I have learnt to move beyond the terror of those nights and my disappointment with the sentencing.

I have become a 'victor' over terrorism and no longer think of myself as a 'victim' even though I lost my husband and 13-year-old daughter to the horrors of that night in 2008.

The memories of that night are still fresh in my head even though I was in Florida with my two sons. We watched the stories unfold on TV. My husband and daughter were in India for an educational trip with 25 others. They were with a meditation group who were in India to study the introduction of technology in meditation. My daughter Naomi had applied to a top girl's boarding school in New York and had scored really well. She was looking forward to finishing her application and was to submit a paper on her India experiences.

I remember getting a call from the director of the trip saying how everyone in the group was accounted for, how some of them were injured and receiving treatment. Everyone, except my husband and daughter who were having dinner at the Oberoi Hotel.

My sons then put out the pictures of my husband and daughter on CNN's website and within a few hours I received hundreds of emails offering support and prayers for the two of them.

In another few hours, I got to know that Alan and Naomi had taken bullets in the restaurant and were killed. The emails never stopped. These reflected how people from all over the world were united in our grief and taught me that as living beings we had to move beyond being victims of a terror attack.

I then decided to fight the terrorists in my own way. If terror represented ending life, I would stand for respecting and loving life. I would not let terror win. That's when I started One Life Alliance in Mumbai that helps people raise the compassion quotient and instills love and positive behaviour among people.

I now work in India six months a year where we hold programmes for school children and other organisations where we talk about 30 ways to love and honour life. It's a 30-day programme where basics like spending a whole day just slowing down are taught. When you slow down, you don't lash out, you don't fight and that slowing down is helpful to children today. We talk about simple acts like smiling, forgiving that go a long way in moulding sensitive people.

I have started working with a core team of volunteers with schools across Mumbai, even schools where street children are taught the value of life. The program is translated in Hindi, Marathi and Urdu.

My sons have supported this endeavour and believe with me that compassion and pledging to honour life is how we can deal with terrorism that talks about destroying lives. They are in California but will soon be part of this programme. They will hopefully visit India soon.

I truly believe that rather than venting and ranting about the sentencing today, we can use positive work and positive energy to combat terrorism. That's the only way we can fight it and the only way to respect the innocent people who were killed that night.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this blog are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this blog.  All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing on the blog  do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

David Headley sentenced to 35 years in jail by Chicago court for role in 26/11 - India

24  jan 201

David Headley sentenced to 35 years in jail by Chicago court for role in 26/11

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Click to Expand & Play

Chicago: David Coleman Headley has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by a federal judge in Chicago for playing a key role in the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai that killed more than 166 people.

Headley's meticulous scouting missions had facilitated the assault by 10 gunmen from a Pakistani-based militant group.

"I don't have any faith in Mr Headley when he says he's a changed person and believes in the American way of life," said US District Judge Harry Leinenweber in imposing the sentence, which was in the range of what prosecutors had requested for Headley's widespread cooperation.

3:44

The attackers arrived by boat on November 26, 2008, carrying grenades and automatic weapons, and fanned out to hit multiple targets, crowded train station, a Jewish centre and the landmark Taj Mahal Hotel. TV cameras captured much of the three-day rampage live.

Before Judge Leinenweber imposed the sentence, a victim shot in the attack gave emotional testimony during the hearing. Linda Ragsdale, a Tennessee children's author, spoke through tears describing how she lost friends in the attacks and her own injuries. She said she was haunted by the sounds of people suffering and her recovery from the wounds continues.

"I know what a bullet can do to every part of the human body," she said. "I know the sound of life leaving a 13-year-old child. These are things I never needed to know, never needed to experience."
The attack heightened the strain in a historically antagonistic relationship between India and Pakistan; the two countries have fought three major wars. Indian officials have accused Pakistani intelligence of helping to plan the assault - an allegation Pakistan denies.

The maximum sentence Headley, 52, faced was life in prison. He agreed to cooperate and plead guilty in 2010 to 12 counts to avoid what would have been his maximum sentence: death. He also secured a promise not to be extradited to India.

Late year, India secretly hanged the lone surviving gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab.

Citing what they described as valuable intelligence Headley provided authorities about terrorist networks since his arrest, prosecutors had asked for a relatively lenient sentence of between 30 and 35 years.

The charges included conspiracy to aid the Pakistani-based group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, or the Army of the Pure, that mounted the attacks, as well as conspiracy to commit murder in India, and aiding and abetting in the murder of six Americans.
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Former 'Mr India' Rex Varghese commits suicide - India

22  jan  2013

Former 'Mr India' Rex Varghese commits suicide

Thrissur, Kerala: Former 'Mr India' Rex Varghese allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling of his house in Thrissur in Kerala on Tuesday, police said.

Body of the 34-year-old was found hanging at his house at Koratty near here this morning, they said.

Rex, a bachelor, won the 'Mr India' title in 2007 and worked in Railways for a short period. Presently he was unemployed.

Investigations are on to ascertain the reason of suicide.

1,000 pillar temple is 850 years old - India

19  jan  2013

1,000 pillar temple is 850 years old

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

The Hindu Majestic: The historic Thousand Pillar temple was illuminated on completion of 850 years in Hanamkonda of Warangal district on Saturday. Photo: M. Murali

The temple was built by Kakatiya king Rudradeva and the deity is Rudreshwara Swamy, a personification of Lord Shiva

The historic Thousand Pillar temple in the Hanamkonda town, the great legacy of Kakatiya kings, completed 850 years of existence luring tourists from across the globe.

Until few years ago, it was in bad shape with fallen columns, roof and broken statues and abandoned. It was a concerned citizen Gangu Upendra Sharma who took the initiative and turned it around. Since he started daily pujas, people began visiting the temple.

Three years ago, the Government of India sanctioned Rs. 3 crore for restoration of Kalayana Mandapam in 2005 which is being executed.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Gangu Upendra Sharma said “This was built on ‘Magha Shudda Trayodashi (Thursday)’ of Chitrabanu year of Shalivahanashakam which according to the Gregorian calendar is January 19 of 1163.”

The temple was built by Kakatiya king Rudradeva. The temple deity is Rudreshwara Swamy, a personification of Lord Shiva since the Kakatiya kings had a special devotion for Shiva.

The historians opined that the temple deity has actually been named after the king Rudradeva in line with the traditions of that time hence the name Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple.

According to retired Telugu professor Hari Siva Kumar, the temple came to be known as Thousand Pillar because there were about 300 pillars or shapes of pillars both small and big that make the temple complete.

The sculptural beauty of the temple is a reminiscent of the rich cultural of heritage of Kakatiya Kingdom.

The intricate designs and carvings at the temple have always been a riddle to common public visiting the temple from different parts of the country and the world.

Mr. Sharma laments that there was no adequate publicity given to this majestic structure.

“The Archaeological Survey of India should publish photographs and bring out a monograph for the benefit of tourists visiting this place,” he says.

He also wanted the State and Central governments to ensure early completion of ongoing restoration works on the Kalyana Mandapam.

PETA demands banning of jallikattu - India

15  jan  2013

PETA demands banning of jallikattu

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Chennai: Demanding a ban on jallikattu, the bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu, animal rights advocacy group PETA on Tuesday claimed a bull died after it was hit by a bus at Madurai on Monday when it ran frantically away from the venue after participants chased it.

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals also claimed that bull-taming, a signature event held in Madurai and nearby areas as part of the harvest festival Pongal, was being held in violation of court guidelines with the animals being "tortured" and "provoked".

"Inspectors authorised by Animal Welfare Board of India report that during the jallikattu held at Avaniyapuram in Madurai on Monday, a bull died from head-on collision with a moving bus because of the absence of a contained collection area for bulls," a PETA statement said.

This was in "violation" of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court guidelines, that were intended to regulate jallikattu, it said.

The bull had met with the accident after running frantically away from jallikattu participants who had been "chasing and deliberately agitating the animal," it said.

"Other panicked bulls also ran from the jallikattu area on to the main road in the midst of oncoming traffic.

The inspectors reported that no veterinarians could be found at the scene of the death and also witnessed cruelties, such as a person biting the tail of a bull, other people poking bulls with knives and twisting their tailbones and organisers poking and beating animals with wooden sticks and forcing fluids, likely liquor, down the bulls' throats," it alleged.

Holding that Supreme court guidelines on proper barricading were also "flouted", PETA demanded Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's intervention in banning the sport, "since it puts both animals' and people's lives at risk."

Fifty five people were injured in two incidents when jallikattu was in progress at Avaniyapuram on Monday.

Thousands worship at Sabarimala temple in Kerala - India

14  jan  2013

Thousands worship at Sabarimala temple in Kerala

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Sabarimala, Kerala: Thousands of devotees from different parts of the country offered worship at the hill shrine in Sabrimala during the 'Makara Samkrama puja' on Monday evening, marking the finale of the two-month-long pilgrimage to the famous Lord Ayyappa temple.

The holy hillock and the foothill Pampa reverberated with chants of "Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa" as the portals of the shrine opened after the puja performed with the idol of the presiding deity being donned with the glittering holy jewels 'Thiruvabharanam."

The jewels had been brought to the sanctum sanctorum in a ceremonial procession moments before the 'aarti'. The procession carrying the jewels had set out a couple of days earlier from the Pandalam palace where, according to the legend, Lord Ayyappa was born and spent his childhood.

The sannidhanam (temple complex) atop the hillock and the base camp Pampa have been overflowing with devotees in the last few days making it a challenging task for police to manage the crowd.

Makara samkramam is considered as an auspicious moment when the sun moves from 'Dhanu rasi' to the 'Makara rasi'.

Thousands of pilgrims had reached and camped atop the hill in make-shift tents and shacks, with devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka forming a major chunk.

"It is a fantastic experience to be in Sabarimala every year during the pilgrimage," said Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi who has been coming to the temple on Makaravilakku day for the last several years. "The central message of the pilgrimage is that of sense of oneness, harmony and devotion. It is a beautifully concept," Oberoi said.

"It is unflinching faith and total dedication that give thousands of pilgrims the spiritual and physical strength to undertake such an arduous pilgrimage", said K Jayakumar, former Chief Secretary of Kerala and the state government's chief representative for Sabarimala.

Police, armed commandos, RAF, disaster management contingent and other state agencies including doctors and paramedics had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the final phase of the pilgrimage.

Tight security had been enforced in and around the hillock like Pampa Hilltop, Pandithavalm and Pulmedu, especially in view of the stampede that claimed 102 lives during the Makaravilakku day two years ago.

The annual pilgrimage season, which began in mid-November, will conclude later this month.

Political crisis in Jharkhand: Governor to send report to President tonight, say sources - India

13  jan 2013

Political crisis in Jharkhand: Governor to send report to President tonight, say sources

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Ranchi: Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmad will send his report on the political crisis in the state to President Pranab Mukherjee today, according to sources. Mr Ahmad is likely to recommend a President's rule in the state with neither the Congress nor the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) having the numbers to form the next government on their own, say sources. Leaders of both parties met Mr Ahmad on Saturday separately.

Sources say the Governor though is unlikely to recommend dissolution of the house in his report and may prefer keeping the house in suspend animation as the Congress and JMM have asked for more time to form an alliance. The BJP with 18 seats, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha with 11 along with the All Jharkhand Students Union that has six seats and the Janata Dal (United) with two seats want dissolution of the house. The JMM, the Congress, along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal that has five seats say the house shouldn't be dissolved.

The JMM, which pulled out of its 28-month coalition government with the BJP last week, may be looking to the Congress for support, but has got no assurance so far. The JMM has 18 seats while the Congress has 13 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly.

The JMM leaders had yesterday requested the Governor to give the party a chance to form the next government. "We told the Governor there is scope to form a new government in Jharkhand and asked for some time to prove our majority," JMM leader Hemant Soren had said.

After meeting the Governor, Rajendra Singh, leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said: "We are against President's Rule. We feel the Assembly should not be dissolved. The JMM has staked claim and should be given a chance to form the next government. The decision to back them will be taken by the Congress leadership in Delhi."

Top JMM leaders, led by Mr Soren, had been in Delhi on January 9 to meet Congress leaders and try and form together an alliance.

The JMM would prefer a tie-up with the Congress to keep Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha away, say sources. It reportedly wants the chief minister's post for Hemant Soren. But the Congress may be wary of the JMM's poor record in keeping coalitions working.

Jharkhand has seen eight governments in the last 12 years.

Hopefully, he is alive, says father of missing teen from Bangalore - India

10  jan 2013

Hopefully, he is alive, says father of missing teen from Bangalore

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Manchester: The father of an Indian student who went missing on New Year's eve from a nightclub in Manchester appealed to the governments in the UK, India and people to come forward and help him find his son.

19-year-old Souvik Pal from Bangalore, a student of Manchester Metropolitan University, was asked to leave a nightclub - The Warehouse Project - where he was partying with his friends.

He was last seen on CCTV leaving the club at Old Trafford at about 11 pm on December 31. His friends reported his absence to the police who in turn contacted his father.

Souvik's father Satanu Pal, who flew in Manchester from Bangalore, has decided to stay in Manchester to assist the police with their investigations.

He told NDTV, "Hopefully my son is alive. And if he is alive there are two possibilities. One is that he is hiding or he is forced by someone else."

Mr Pal said that his wife and he were worried about their son and recalled the last conversation he had with him on New Year's eve. "As parents we ask him if he was having good food and taking care of his health. He was excited he was going a party."

The police are trying to reconstruct what exactly happened that night.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said, "He was asked to leave the premises by a door supervisor. He indicated that he wanted to go to the ladies toilet and the door staff said he can't. He was asked to leave the premises."

It is not clear if this was a misunderstanding. After this incident, he was last seen outside the nightclub.

Souvik's father is hoping for help from the Indian High commission in the UK. He said, "I am looking for more (help) obviously. I am looking for more help from everybody. The kind of support they have given, I do not know whether they have some more capacity to support at this moment. But the greatest support I can get is from Greater Manchester Police - because they are the direct agency who can search my son. Government can only request them to expedite it. That is my understanding."

A massive hunt launched by the Manchester police in the canals and rive

Andhra Pradesh government decides to ban gutkha - India

09 jan 2013

Andhra Pradesh government decides to ban gutkha

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday decided to impose ban on sale of gutkha, pan masala and other such tobacco products in the state.

State Commissioner of Food Safety had requested the government to permit him to impose ban on gutkha, pan masala and other chewable products, a Government Order (GO) issued on Wednesday said.

The government, after examination of the request, permitted the Commissioner of Food Safety on Wednesday to prohibit the manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine as ingredients, in the interest of public health.

Civil society activists and others had earlier requested the government to ban the sale of gutkha and pan masala in the state in public interest.

Jaipur craftsman designs world's biggest trophy - India

08 jan 2013

Jaipur craftsman designs world's biggest trophy

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Jaipur: The Guinness World Record holder Amit Pabuwal has designed world's biggest and heaviest sports trophy which would be given to the winner in the inaugural edition of iGATE CEO Cup Golf tournament, featuring the CEOs of 2000 companies based in North America.

Pabuwal, who had hogged the lime light by designing Reliance Cricket World cup, Independence Cup, Hero Cup, MRF World Cup, T20 World Cup, Wills World Cup, Friendship Cup of Abu Dhabi, Indian Oil World Cup, ICL, F1 Race trophies, has come out with the world's most extravagant gold trophy.

"I'm not sure why I was selected to make such a reputed trophy. But it has taken hard work to create this marvel in 18 days time. I had to keep it secret because of contractual obligation and because of security reasons too," he said.

"It is 21 inch tall trophy that weighs 8.6 kg and is embellished with diamonds and rubies. Undoubtedly it is very costly. It was shipped to US on 4th of January and would be unveiled in the US only. It will be the world's largest gold sports trophy. It will be larger than the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy," added an elated Pabuwal, who briefed the media in presence of his wife and children.

iGATE, the first integrated technology and operations company providing Business Outcomes-based solutions, has invited CEOs of Global 2000 companies based in North America to play in this first-class, championship-style golf tournament to be held on January 12 and 13 on a world-renowned golf course, which plays host to a leading PGA TOUR event.

The participating CEOs will compete for a USD 100,000 purse entirely donated to the CEOs' chosen charities.

It will be one of the largest corporate golf events in North America where the CEOs will compete in a two-day tournament with trophies and prizes being awarded in different formats, including low individual scores.

Will take up police 'harassment' of rape victim's friend: Dasgupta - India

07  jan 2012

Kolkata: Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta Monday accused the Delhi Police of harassing the gangrape victim's friend after he gave an interview to a television channel and promised to take up the issue with union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
"I will raise the issue with union home minister. I will ask him to ensure that the police did not harass the young man any more," Dasgupta told a media meet, deploring the "police high handedness".
"It is extremely regrettable. Our Criminal Penal Code does not have any provision which bars a key witness in a criminal case from opening his mouth and letting the country know about his sad experience," said the CPI Lok Sabha member.
Dasgupta said the interview given by the young man has been deleted from social networking sites following intervention of the Delhi Police.
He said the boy was no less courageous than the girl, who is now considered a martyr by the country.
"Even when he was faced with the murderous assault, the boy did not leave his friend and fought bravely against the assailants. He is a singular example to the young people in the country," Dasgupta said.

 He also condemned the attack on Communist Party of India-Marxist leader and former minister Abdur Rezzak Molla, allegedly by Trinamool activists, and said the campaigners for political change in the state before the last assembly polls saying they wanted to end political violence, were now facing the same charges.

Sunmeet Kaur becomes first woman to win Rs five-crore on Kaun Banega Crorepati - India

06  jan 2013

Sunmeet Kaur becomes first woman to win Rs five-crore on Kaun Banega Crorepati

                                 

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

For housewife cum tuition teacher Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, knowledge is the key to success and it was rightly proved in her case as she won Rs five crore on the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Sawhney, a housewife that gave tuitions to young children in suburban Mumbai to add to the family income, is the first woman to become winner of Rs five crore on the sixth edition of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

"My parents wanted me to study further but considering my grandfather's poor health and his wish to see me getting married I couldn't study more. After marriage I got caught up in household chores and responsibilities," Sawhney, who has studied till class XII, told PTI here.

"It was when I underwent a surgery that I took a decision of taking tuitions at home. I truly believe that knowledge is the key to success. It is not about how much qualified one is, even by keeping yourself updated with the current affairs one can become knowledgeable," she said. Though she could not get the opportunity to study more, Sawhney says she will ensure that her two daughters get the best possible education.

"I want my daughters to study as much as they can. My elder daughter is studying BMS and has keen interest towards direction. The younger one wants to become an IAS officer," she said.

Sunmeet's husband Manmeet is a small time actor who has appeared in about 150 commercials and Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle.

The 37-year-old woman had not dreamt that she would win Rs five crore on KBC show. "In every season of KBC, I used to call at least 4-5 times but I never got the opportunity to be on the show. This time luck was on my side as only in one call I got selected, applied for written test, came on the hot seat and finally won Rs five crore," Sawhney said.

Sawhney has not decided yet how she would spend the winning amount. "All I know is that I would definitely do some charity work," she said.

The show featuring Sunmeet winning the game show will be aired on January 12.

IBM employee commits suicide, jumps from her office building - India

04  jan 2013

IBM employee commits suicide, jumps from her office building

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Pune: A 30-year-old woman employee working with an IT company in Pune today committed suicide by jumping off the seventh floor of the office building, police said.

The woman, identified as Archana Basar, reported for duty today. She then went to the top floor and took the extreme step.

The deceased was working with IBM for about four years and was a mother of two children.

Police said they did not recover any suicide note and were investigating the reason behind the act.

Archana, who was taken to a nearby hospital, was declared dead on admission.

Facebook page wants leaders charged with crimes against women to quit - India

03  jan  2013

As the nation continues to take to the streets to protest on crimes against women, a Delhi-based entrepreneur has initiated a Facebook campaign and has demanded that MPs and MLAs charged with crimes against women quit.

The Facebook page Resign before Jan 26th wants the accused out before the country celebrates Republic Day.

The page, which was set-up two days ago, has already garnered more than 1,300 likes. The page owner plans to wait till January 15 to send a petition to the President of India and various party leaders to initiate action against the accused.

There are currently 2 MPs and 42 MLAs in India who have been charged with crimes against women.

Those who want to support this motion can also tweet with the hash tag #ResignBeforeJan26th.

Indian scientist missing in US, says mother - India

02  jan 2012

Indian scientist missing in US, says mother

Hyderabad: A woman in Andhra Pradesh has written to the Ministry of External Affairs for help in tracing her scientist son in the US who has not contacted her for nine years.

Orre Ramaswamy from Karimnagar district in Andhra Pradesh had gone to the US about 30 years ago. His mother Mallavya has written to the Ministry of External Affairs about her plight.

According to Ms Mallavya, her son has not contacted her for the last nine years. She also said that unable to bear the shock, her husband Rajaiah died a couple of years ago.

Hailing from Morapalli village of Jagityal 'mandal' (block), Mr Ramaswamy visited his native village only thrice in three decades.

During his last visit, Mr Ramaswamy had reportedly shown the photograph of a woman from Chennai to his mother, stating that he was in love with her and was going to marry.

After doing his masters in science in 1971, Mr Ramaswamy worked as scientist in various organisations at Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi.

The scientist's address in the US and other details were not available with the mother.