News

It happens: Sikh Guru Birth Anniversary

Amritsar, Oct 11 (ANI): Devout Sikhs hailed the birth anniversary of fourth Sikh Guru, named Guru Ramdas across India on Wednesday. They chanted hymns in his praise while the illuminated Harmandir Sahib better known as Golden Temple at Amritsar in northern state of Punjab presented a grand spectacle. Hundreds gathered at this prominent Sikh temple to offer prayers on this auspicious day. Guru Ramdas is the fourth spiritual leaders of the Sikhs and he is believed to be the founder of the city of Amritsar. The Sikh religion originated with Guru Nanak (1469-1539 AD) who was succeeded by nine other prophets, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) being the last. Followers of Sikhism are identified by five visible symbols namely Cachucha (underwear), Kasha (uncut hair), Kanga (comb), Kara (iron bangles) and Kiran (dagger). Most Sikh men sport a beard and wrap their uncut hair in turban. Most take the surname 'Singh', which means lion, after their Guru exhorted them to shed fear and defend their honour.

Oct 11, 2013

It happens: Eco-Friendly Navratra

Chennai, Oct 11 (ANI): India's Southern city, Chennai, witnessed extraordinary eco- friendly Navratri celebrations this season, as a handicraft artist introduced her eco- friendly products made of throw- away material. Artist Sowmyalakshmi, said that she liked to create eco- friendly, traditional dolls which helps in keeping the Indian Culture alive. Besides dolls, she also crafts fashion jewellery like Swarovski, Terracotta and attractive, inexpensive jewellery. The onset of winter marks the festive season in India, starting with Navratri and Durga Puja, followed by Dussehra and ending with Diwali. 'Navratri', which literally means nine nights and is observed twice a year, began across India with religious fervour from October 05 this year. A customer and also a teacher, Krishna Priya, said that she appreciated the idea of Sowmyalakshmi and encouraged her for doing more and more.The festival lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga, the Indian Goddess of power. It is believed that during the Navratri, Goddess Durga descends upon earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity.

Oct 11, 2013

It happens: Durga Puja celebrations

Kolkata, Oct 11 (ANI): The Hindu festival of Navratri also known as Dussera is a period of joy and celebrations for devout Hindus across India. At Kolkata in eastern state of West Bengal where the event is of utmost significance among all including foreign tourists participated in the gala festivities on Sunday.The festival is celebrated with grand fervour in Kolkata with festivities commencing early in the day with consistent prayer sessions along with continuous supply of cultural programmes and mouth-watering delicacies. Devotees assemble at the closest make-shift tent to their home and participate in the elaborate prayer session, where priest chant hymns and perform several Hindu rituals. Several foreign tourists joined him at the function and they were seen playing traditional drums and experiencing the spirit of Navratri for the first time. Elsewhere in the culture-rich city, the state's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee also inaugurated a marquee, housing an idol of Goddess Durga. It is believed that during the days of Navratri, Goddess Durga descends on earth to rid it of demons and bless her devotee subjects with happiness and prosperity. During popular autumn festival of Navratri, nine forms of Devi (Divine Mother) are worshippe

Oct 11, 2013

Stapled visa issue: Arunachal Pradesh archers shocked, saddened

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Two young women archers from Arunachal Pradesh, who were issued stapled Chinese visas were prevented from boarding a China Southern Airlines flight at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport last night while they were heading to Wuxi for the Youth World Archery Championship, on Friday expressed shock and sadness over the entire incident.

Oct 11, 2013

JPC report on 2G scam a cover up operation for PM & FM: CPI (M)

Hyderabad, Oct 11 (ANI): After CPI leader Sitaram Yechury filed a dissent on JPC's 2G report saying that the report failed to question Prime Minister and finance minister on 2G scam, he said that A Raja was not given chance to put his point and that the report was just a cover up for the PM and the finance minister. He further said that the report has to go through both the houses in the Parliament, according to the procedures and the final decision will be awaited.

Oct 11, 2013

Pak trying to take full advantage of non-existent Govt in India: BJP

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Terming the ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Jammu and Kashmir to be very unfortunate and a sad situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday said Islamabad is trying to take full advantage of a non-existent government at the Centre. The Pakistani army violated the ceasefire yet again on Friday, targeting several posts of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, heavy firing was reported from the Hamirpur, Mendhar and Barasingha sectors of Poonch in Jammu. Small arms, rockets and mortars are reportedly being fired from Pakistan. The Indian Army is retaliating in equal measure.

Oct 11, 2013

We are fully prepared to counter the cyclone: Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 11 (ANI): As Cyclonic storm 'Phailin', which is classified as very severe by the weather department, is expected to hit coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh at around 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the state is fully prepared to counter the cyclone. The Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Governments have taken all preventive measures to counter the expected cyclone, a warning for which has already been issued by the meteorological department in both states.

Oct 11, 2013

UP is burning, SP just interested in vote bank: Raj Babbar after Raja Bhaiya's comeback

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): After controversial UP leader Raghuraj Pratap Singh or 'Raja Bhaiya' returned as a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government, Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar said that the whole of UP is burning in the flames of communalism and corruption and that SP government is only interested in its vote bank. He further said that UP government was responsible for the Muzaffarnagar riots and bringing back Raja Bhaiya in the cabinet is another tactic in the same series.

Oct 11, 2013

Stapled visa row: India should realize China's intentions and act accordingly, says BJP

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday reacted sharply to the Chinese Embassy issuing stapled visas to two Arunachal Pradesh archers, suggesting that the border state is still a 'disputed region', and said it is high time the Government of India realize Beijing's intentions and act accordingly. BJP vice president Balbir Punj said both China and Pakistan are taking full advantage of the situation in India because it knows pretty well that New Delhi has a non-existent government. Two young women archers from Arunachal Pradesh, who were issued stapled Chinese visas, were prevented at the IGI Airport from leaving for China last night to take part in the upcoming Youth World Archery Championship.

Oct 11, 2013

Sachin, an inspiration for all the team members, says K. Srikkanth

Chennai, Oct 11 (ANI): As the cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar announced that he would be retiring from international cricket after playing his 200th Test against the West Indies, Former India opener and Captain K. Srikkanth said that he was the inspiration for all the team members.

Oct 11, 2013

Stapled visas by China against dignity of nation: CPI on Arunachal archer's detention case

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Following yet another case where two Arunachal Pradesh young women archers having stapled visas for China were prevented from boarding a China Southern Airlines flight at New Delhi's IGI Airport, CPI leader Atul Anjan said that China should stop such actions if it wants better relations with India. He further said that this is the question of the dignity the nation and issuing stapled visa is like giving it with 'a pinch of salt' and is against the nation's respect.

Oct 11, 2013

Asaram's judicial custody extended till October 25

Jodhpur, Oct 11 (ANI): Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu's judicial custody was extended on Friday by another 14 days, till October 25, by a Jodhpur court in connection with a sexual assault case. According to reports, the Jodhpur based court also extended custody of his two close aides, including former ashram supervisor Shilpi. Asaram had earlier moved a bail application in the Rajasthan High Court, which was rejected. According to reports, the court of the district and sessions judge (Jodhpur Rural) will, meanwhile, decide on the plea by a Gujarat Police team seeking custody of Asaram for questioning him in connection with a sexual assault case lodged by two sisters from Surat against him and his son.

Oct 11, 2013

Arunachal CM over stapled visa row

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki on Friday said that it is very unfortunate that two archers from Arunachal Pradesh were stopped from going to China for a world championship, after the Chinese Embassy issued them stapled visas as a mark that the border state was a 'disputed region'. Talking to mediapersons, he said that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of India and he does not agree with the idea of considering the state as a disputed land.

Oct 11, 2013

UP CM trusts me and supports me: Raja Bhaiya after taking oath as UP minister

Lucknow, Oct 11 (ANI): Following his comeback, controversial UP politician Raghuraj Pratap Singh, alias Raja Bhaiya after taking oath at Raj Bhawan, said that UP Chief Minister trusts him and supports him and that is the reason why he is included in the cabinet ministers again. He further said that he was framed in the case of murder of a senior cop and have come out clear.

Oct 11, 2013

Opposition files dissent against JPC report in 2G scam

New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): The main opposition, BJP as members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee probing the multi-billion 2G spectrum scam, expressed their dissent as they called the report flawed. Speaking to mediapersons during a news conference in New Delhi, senior leaders of the main opposition, BJP contended the report and said that they had filed a dissent. Party’s senior leader Yashwant Sinha, said that the report was just a bundle of contradictions. Earlier, Supreme Court had rejected the petitions of persons accused in the case, seeking review of its earlier orders, thereby restraining the High Court from hearing matters arising out of the scam.

Oct 11, 2013