congress-firm-on-bifurcation-of-andhra-pradesh

Congress firm on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi, Sep 28 (ANI): Congress leaders and ministers arrived in New Delhi to discuss the contentious issue of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and the creation of a new Telangana state, a move that has revived deep political divisions and raised fears of violence. Congress leader Digvijay Singh said the party is firm on its decision regarding the bifurcation. Meanwhile, another Congress leader Andhra Pradesh, Palvai Govardhan Reddy reaffirmed Singh's statement and added that protesters from Seemandhra region should stop the agitation. Sep 28, 2013
congress-against-indo-pak-pm-meet-following-kashmir-attack

Congress against Indo-Pak PM meet following Kashmir attack

New Delhi, Sep 28 (ANI): As militants opened fire opened fire on security forces in outskirts of Srinagar following the twin attack in J and K, and ahead of PM Manmohan Singh’s meet with his Pakistani counterpart, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Saturday said that the party does not support the dialogues between the two nations. Further, Alvi also said that country needs to warn Pakistan that the border line is not crossed by its people or government. Sep 28, 2013
diminished-pm-might-be-footnote-in-history-arun-jaitley

'Diminished' PM might be 'footnote' in history: Arun Jaitley

Guwahati, Sep 28 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, on Saturday accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of diminishing the dignity of the country's top office, and said that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the ordinance for convicted lawmakers was a 'belated realization' that was part of his party's 'grandstanding' to cut its losses in the lead-up to the 2014 general elections. Sep 28, 2013
nitish-supports-rahul-gandhis-nonsense-act

Nitish supports Rahul Gandhis nonsense act

Patna, Sep 28 (ANI): Even as Congress Vice-president Rahul Gandhi called the Government’s Ordinance on convicted lawmakers a complete nonsense and should be torn up and thrown away, Bihar Chief, Nitish Kumar on Saturday came out in support of him. Sep 28, 2013
rescue-workers-save-32-people-in-building-collapse-in-mumbai-recover-25-bodies

Rescue workers save 32 people in building collapse in Mumbai, recover 25 bodies

Mumbai, Sep 28 (ANI): Rescue workers have saved 32 people and recovered 25 bodies after a five-storey apartment block collapsed on Friday in Mumbai. The commandant of the National Disaster Rapid Force (NDRF), Alok Awasthi, said on Saturday that around 83 to 89 were still in the rubble. Employees of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai were housed in the building. The building was believed to have been about 35-years-old and home to about 20 families. The cause of the collapse is not known. Sep 28, 2013
politicians-urge-pm-to-talk-tough-with-pakistan

Politicians urge PM to talk tough with Pakistan

New Delhi/Allahabad, Sept 28 (ANI): Leaders across the political spectrum hope that Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh talks tough with his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif and sends a strong signal to put an end to militant activities breeding from Pakistan. Singh would meet Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, amid heightened tension between the neighbours over Kashmir. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Naresh Agrawal said that Singh should only talk with Pakistan if the latter agrees on putting an end to militant activities. BJP Spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh also criticized Singh for his soft approach towards Pakistan. Meanwhile, JD (U) leader, Sabir Ali doubted US’s role in normalizing tense relations between India and Pakistan. Sep 28, 2013
pm-should-have-self-respect-and-call-off-meet-with-pak-pm-defense-analyst

PM should have self-respect and call off meet with Pak PM: Defense Analyst

New Delhi, Sep 28 (ANI): As Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is to meet his Pakistani counterpart this weekend, Defense Analyst Captain (Retd) Bharat Verma said on Friday that PM should have self respect after the attack on JandK and should have called off the aforesaid meet. Further, Verma said that PM Nawaz Sharif raised two issues in the United Nations, that is, Kashmir issue and issue of resources used in defense and that both the issue are irrelevant and does not exist. Sep 28, 2013
it-happens-ancestor-ritual

It happens: Ancestor Ritual

Gaya, Sept 28(ANI): Devout Hindus have begun to gather at temples and on river banks in India to observe 'Pitru Paksha' the annual fortnight-long ritual of paying homage known as 'Pind Daan' (offering food) to souls of departed ancestors and pray for their salvation. Scores of families from far and near arrived at the pilgrim centre of Gaya in eastern state of Bihar on Tuesday to offer this ritual `Pind Daan'. Guided by priests they performed the religious rituals on the banks of River Ganga and other temples located in the city. 'Pitru Paksha' as per the Hindu lunar almanac known as Panchanga usually falls in the month of September or October. Certain devotees even get their heads tonsured on the occasion as mark of their respect for the departed souls. The food is usually cooked in silver or copper vessels and placed on banana leaves. Devotees believe that once the ritual is performed, the souls of their ancestors shall be relieved of all the painful sins and they would be freed from the cycle of rebirths. The offerings are also believed to cure diseases as well as infertility among childless couples apart from driving away evil souls. According to Hindu faith, it is believed that when humans die, their mortal body turns to dust whereas the soul remains, until it does not find Sep 28, 2013
looking-forward-to-meet-sharif-even-though-expectations-have-to-be-toned-down-pm

Looking forward to meet Sharif even though expectations have to be toned down: PM

Washington, Sept 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he looks forward to meeting his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif even though the expectations have to be toned down in wake of the recent incidents of terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Singh, who met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House in washington, discussed the relations and approach in dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sep 28, 2013
pm-praises-obama-for-diplomatic-initiatives-on-syria-iran

PM praises Obama for diplomatic initiatives on Syria, Iran

Washington, Sept 28 (ANI): During their interaction in the White House in washington, US President Barack Obama briefed Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the situation in Syria and Iran. President Obama further informed Dr. Singh about the steps taken by his administration to reach a consensus on the way forward in getting the Syrian Government to hand over its chemical weapons to the relevant UN bodies. In his response, Dr. Singh congratulated president Obama on his initiative to give diplomacy yet another chance in Syria and Iran. Sep 28, 2013
barack-obama-condemns-terror-attacks-in-jk

Barack Obama condemns terror attacks in J&K

Washington, Sept 28 (ANI): US President Barack Obama condemned the terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, saying his heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives. President Obama, who hosted Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, said that India continues to suffer from terror attacks. President Obama said that he also discussed tensions in the sub-continent with Dr. Singh. Sep 28, 2013
pms-insult-is-nations-insult-can-make-nation-a-laughing-stock-sp

PMs insult is nations insult & can make nation a laughing stock: SP

New Delhi, Sep 28 (ANI): After Vice President Rahul Gandhi dubbed the government’s Ordinance on convicted politicians as ‘nonsense’ worth tearing apart, and thereafter wrote a letter to PM to placate him, SP leader Naresh Agarwal said that such an insult of PM is an insult of the nation and is making the nation a laughing stock in front of the neighboring countries. He further said that such a behavior with the PM of the nation will render all the talks with foreign countries useless. Sep 28, 2013