candidates-run-campaigns-file-nominations-as-india-gears-up-for-ls-polls

Candidates run campaigns, file nominations as India gears up for LS Polls

Kolkata /Bangalore, March 19 (ANI): Contesting candidates are holding campaigns and filing their nominations, as India prepares to hold world’s biggest general elections, starting in less than a month. In a bid to support Trinamool Congress (TMC), leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay, marched onto the streets of Kolkata with the party workers on Wednesday. Bandyopadhyay expressed confidence over his party TMC and said that the wave in the West Bengal is in favour of state chief Mamata Banerjee. The general elections will be held in nine stages staggered between April 07 and May 12. Results of the mammoth exercise are due on May 16. Meanwhile, BJP leader Ananth Kumar, filed his nomination. Mar 19, 2014
mystery-surrounds-missing-malaysian-plane-indian-experts-await-search-reports

Mystery surrounds missing Malaysian plane, Indian experts await search reports

New Delhi/Kolkata, Mar 16 (ANI): As the fate of the missing Malaysian Airlines jetliner is still shrouded in mystery, Indian aviation experts said they cannot arrive at any conclusion till the investigation is complete and machine is located. An aviation expert, Harshvardhan, however did not rule out media reports of plane being hijacked but said no opinion can be final till they are able to locate the jetliner. Mar 16, 2014
people-masquerade-as-politicians-to-celebrate-holi

People masquerade as politicians to celebrate Holi

Allahabad /Kolkata, Mar 16 (ANI): People in Uttar Pradesh revelled in the festive spirit as they celebrated the festival of colours, Holi in a unique way by wearing masks of prominent politicians and applied colour onto each other. The festival of Holi, which will be celebrated on March 17 this year, brings together people from all classes and age groups as they distribute sweets and take out processions, dancing to tunes of drums in a mélange of colours. Mar 16, 2014
it-happens-spring-festival

It happens: Spring Festival

Bhubaneswar, March 14 (ANI): The Santhal community in Bhubaneswar city of India's eastern Odisha province celebrated the onset of spring season by performing traditional rituals and colorful dances at the ongoing 'Baha Bonga' festival. The festivities are hosted at Jaher (shrine), at the foot of a Sal tree and go on for three to four days. Jaher is the centre of performing rituals and socio-cultural activities for the Santhal tribe. On the occasion, the tribal god, Maarang Buru, and goddess, Jaher Ayo, are worshipped with other deities at the Jaher. As a part of rituals, the deities are offered newly blossomed flowers and fruits of Sal and Mahua trees. The tribal community believes that the spirits of the god and goddess take away diseases, evils and sufferings of humans from the Earth. The spirits of the gods descend into the body of a tribesperson, who then grants their wishes. The festival starts with the local priest distributing Sal and Mahua flowers to both men and women, symbolizing that from that day onwards they are permitted to use forest products. Men tuck them behind their ears while women embellish their hair with them. Mar 15, 2014
it-happens-kashmir-snowfall

It happens: Kashmir Snowfall

Srinagar, March 14 (ANI): A fresh coat of snow brought a new ray of hope to the sagging tourist business in Srinagar of northern Indian Kashmir after heavy rains lashed the valley and other parts of the country. Enhancing the beauty of the picturesque valley, Srinagar received a fresh spell of snowfall recently. The snow clad mountains and trees have always provided a visual treat to the locals as well as tourists. Mar 15, 2014
it-happens-rare-bird

It happens: Rare Bird

West Bengal, March 14 (ANI): A rare bird sighted at Sanbandha village on the outskirts of Bankura town in India's eastern West Bengal amazed curious onlookers and bird lovers. The bird was huge, typically 110-120 centimetres tall with a 210 centimetre wingspan and a body weight of around 5 kilograms. Approximately 3000 birds of this species are still in world. Only 40 birds of this particular species are on official record in West Bengal. The region in and around Bankura is regarded as a haven for the Lesser Adjutant Stork, which is a rare species of the stork family. Mar 15, 2014
ak-antony-just-passing-time-bharat-verma

AK Antony just passing time: Bharat Verma

New Delhi, March 09 (ANI): Defence Expert Bharat Verma on Sunday said that naval accidents are happening due to defects in equipment manufacturing and that Defence Minister AK Antony was just passing his time and doing nothing about the issue. A civilian worker was killed and two were injured in an accident at the under-construction nuclear submarine at the shipbuilding centre of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam on Saturday evening. On Friday a Navy officer was killed in an accident on the yet to be commissioned Kolkata class destroyer that is currently undergoing trials in Mumbai after a malfunction in its fire fighting system. Two weeks ago, two officers were killed in a fire aboard a Navy submarine INS Sindhuratna, which had been refitted and was being sea tested. Mar 9, 2014