Arpana Jinaga

HYDERABAD, Nov 4: A woman student from Andhra Pradesh was found murdered in the US by unidentified persons in the fifth case of a young post-graduate student from the state being killed under mysterious circumstances in that country in the last one year.

Arpana Jinaga (24), pursuing her MS degree at Seattle, was killed sometime on Friday evening (US time), family sources said here on Tuesday.

The tragedy came to light three days after the crime and an investigation has begun, they said. The motive for the murder was not immediately known.

Jinaga, who completed her engineering from a city-based private engineering college in 2005, was working as a software engineer and simultaneously pursuing MS. She is among the top-20 professionals of embedded systems in the world, the sources said.

Jinaga’s father, B C Jinaga, is a professor with the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University here and heads the School of Information Technology.

The murder of Jinaga comes close on the heels of a string of murders of students of Indian origin from Andhra Pradesh.

Soumya Reddy, a post-graduate student, was killed by an unidentified assailant in Chicago in September this year.

Another post-graduate medical student A Srinivas was found murdered in Pennsylvania in March while A Kirankumar and K Chandrasekhar Reddy, both PhD students, were shot dead at Louisiana University in December 2007.

 

Andhra Techie Arpana Jinaga found dead in the US

Arpana Jinaga (24), from Andhra Pradesh was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside her flat in Seattle. Arpana Jinaga was working as a software engineer with EMC Corporation and was simultaneously pursuing MS at Seattle. According to her family sources, Arpana was killed sometime on Friday evening (US time).

Surprisingly, the gruesome murder of Arpana Jinaga came into light after three days. The Seattle police are investigating the matter. They suspect robbery as the motive behind the murder. Arpana Jinaga had completed her engineering from a Hyderabad-based private engineering college in 2005.

Arpana’s father BC Jinaga is a professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and also heads the School of Information Technology. According to sources, Arpana was among the top-20 professionals of embedded systems in the world. The cause and circumstances of her murder is not yet known.

AP’s woman software engineer found dead in Washington DC

Hyderabad (PTI): Close on the heels of killing of two professional students in September, an Indian woman software engineer from Andhra Pradesh was found dead in the United States a few days ago.

Arpana Jinaga, 24, was found dead in Washington DC in the early hours (IST) of Saturday, her father Basavraj C Jinaga, told reporters on Tuesday.

“Last night, we got to know that she is no more. We don’t know how she was killed. We only came to know that she is no more. We are in a state of shock,” Jinaga, a professor in the city-based Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), said.

Arpana Jinaga, a software engineer, was living at Redmont, Washington DC and was working with EMC Corpration at Seattle since 2007.

She completed her engineering from a city-based private engineering college in 2005 and later did MS in Embedded Systems from a University in New Jersey.

Jinaga’s father, Basavraj C Jinaga, heads the School of Information Technology of the JNTU.

Arpana’s father received a call at 2 am on Tuesday from US stating that Arpana was found dead at her residence with the door of the house broken and the local police was immediately informed about the incident, family sources told PTI.

Arpana used to phone their parents regularly and had last spoken on Thursday, informing that she was attending a party on Friday.

 

Indian Software Engineer kill Wife, Children in US

The global meltdown has taken a heavy toll on Indian techies in the US. Three weeks after another techie Karthik Rajaram killed his family before shooting himself, 42-year-old Software Programmer Lakshminivasa Rao Nerusu, killed his wife and two children before fleeing from the spot. The incident occurred at Wharton Court in Novi area, 20 km from Detroit.

The victims were identified as Jayalakshmi Nerusu (37), her daughter Tejasvi (14) and son Siva (12). Lakshminivasa reportedly caused grievous injuries on the head and neck areas of the victims. The US police have launched a massive manhunt to nab Lakshminivasa. According to sources, Lakshminivasa had lost his job a few days ago and was on a state of depression. He originally belongs to Andhra Pradesh.

 

Cristians burns Hindus in Andhra

The communal clashes that had erupted in Bhainsa town of Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh on October 10, took an ugly turn, as six persons of a family, were charred to death in Watoli (Vatoli) village, 13-km from Bhainsla. The six victims belonged to a tailor’s family. The dead included the head of the family, his wife, daughter and three grand children.

The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and also sought a CBI probe. The judicial probe will cover the loss of lives and destruction of property in Bhainsla and then the gruesome burning of six people in Watoli. According to police sources, violence in Bhainsla erupted during the immersion procession of Goddess Durga.

 

Enemies of India

Enemies of India

(1) Pseudo-secular Hindus (these are the worst enemies, most of the Hindu politicians and their supporters fall into this categories)

(2) Communists

(3) Christians

(4) Muslims

(5) Congress.

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Jayanthi Natarajan joined Congress (I) during the 1980’s.

During the 1990’s, she defected to the Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) founded by G. K. Moopanar. She made several anti-Congress(I) remarks during that period. She shamelessly continued to be an MP of Rajya Sabha on Congress(I) ticket. Congress(I) threatened her with disqualification. Then she resigned from Rajya Sabha.

She was even a minister in the United Front government.

After the death of G. K. Moopanar, she jumped back to Congress(I).

There are several stories about her. It would be improper to write about them here.

She is one of the most unscrupulous politicians in India.

She is fit for ban from Indian politics for all the disservice she did to the people of India.

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Congress party is fit for ban.
Congress party is the most anti-Indian party.
Congress leaders are most corrupt and most unpatriotic people in the country.
Congress party has been systematically ruining our country.
Congress is the most COMMUNAL party in the country.

Indira Gandhi imposed emergency on this country.

Rajiv Gandhi (Gandu) reversed Shah Bano judgment of Supreme Court for his minority appeasement politics.

Manmohan Singh said Muslims have first right on country’s resources and he introduced 27% OBC quota. Several Congress state governments provided reservations for Muslims. Manmohan shamelessly says both India and Pakistan are victims of terror.

So far, Congress did not hang Afzal Guru, the terrorist who attacked the Parliament of India.

Several times, the Congess party bribed the Members of Parliament to stay in power at the centre.

Several times, the Congress party at the centre dismissed the non-Congress state governments by fraudulently imposing Article 356 on them.

Congress party indulged in pseudo-secular politics and destroyed the secularism of this country.

Congress party is anti-Hindu, pro-Islam and pro-Christian. Congress party is appeasing minorities and destroying the majority community. Congress is practicing divide and rule policy of Britishers in a much worse way.

Ban Congress party, the dirtiest political party on this planet.

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Y. Samuel Rajasekhara Reddy, the Christian Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, provided 4% reservation to Muslims.

He announced Holy Trip package to Christians on the lines of Haj pilgrimage of Muslims, so that the Christians can visit their holy places.

He also promised land for churches in every village in Andhra Pradesh, Rs. 5 lakhs monetary assistance for churches and free land for Christian pastors.

There is also a proposal to provide reservation for Christians.

Many Christians don’t reveal their true religion, while applying for jobs. They pretend to be Hindu SC and ST and steal the jobs that must normally go to Hindu SC and ST candidates.

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Christianity made you into an outstanding scoundrel and you believe all the lies spread by the Britishers and the cunning Christian missionaries.

Shame on you!

They successfully killed your soul.

A dead Christian soul!

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This kind of pseudo secularist tripe is not going to quell Hindu anger. Wherever we see, it is these other agents provoking the Hindus. Whether it is amarnath, ram setu, paininting of nude hindu deilties by a muslim, outright abuse of hindu gods by christian missionaries, killing of a swami or the king of them all, burning alive hindus in a train. this in a hindu majority country. and yet we have this pseudo scularist brigade trying desperately to equate hindu reaction to christian and muslim terrorists. why is there any doubt that this is a hindu country. the fathers of christian sit in france and make noises when christians cry foul, pakistan openly talks about indian muslims, but where is the hindu to go?

unless the borrowed and useless secularism of the west, which is built on basic christian values is replaced by a secularism that primarily respects hindu values, things will only get worse. cant b raman and his tribe see that?

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the author conveneintly did not touch much on conversions.apart from this the chieftain of the christianity opened up a challenge when he was on government visit to india that he will see to it that the entire asia is being converted into christianity.when Mr.Raman writes so many things he conveniently forgets about the cause.the effect simply follows every cause.because of the idiotic meaning taken by the government (specifically the congress governemernt) that secularism means anti Hindu every ,comer to India tries to attempt harming Hindus and Hinduism. the government because of its anti hindu and the so called secularism will not come to the rescue of hindus and what is the way out.so only this vhp and bajrang dhall are to be encouraged by Hindus. let the govvernment take a true secular stand.let it punishes the culprits right from the beginning for the bombing, parliamnet attack. godhra train fire, attacks on kashmiri pandits and also let it stop the conversion of Hindus by the other religions , let it stop encouraging illegal migrants to india , let it deport all the foreign nationals living in India without naturalisaation etc etc.
when these much of problems were accumulated by the congress government with dishonest motives and iancation on vital points this government does not have any proprietory right to ask for explanation from orissa and karnataka governments for the violences erupted in the states.
It shpould explain to the world in an appealing way
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Christians do not allow Dalit Christians into several churches all over India.

Dalit Christians are not allowed to bury their dead in the Christian burial grounds in Tamil Nadu.

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Congress (UPA) govt is an anti-national party that works against the interest of majority to appease the minority. The news spread by media is so biased and misreported that it blows things completely out of proportion. If one church is attacked in retaliation to the misdeeds of the unscrupulous missionaries (which include abusing native religion, desecrating places of worship by denigrating other’s faith), it is portrayed as if thousands were attacked and killed…why…the Vatican is silently supporting this impious propaganda against ‘hindus’ (followers of sanatana dharma) just b’coz they cannot outweigh their faith with ours on merit…that is why they downplay the importance of native religion to brainwash the natives from following their faith and converting to a fake religion emanating from the mind of the hyper-excited white man. Recently Karan Thapar’s interview on CNBC was so biased against hindus and supportive of Christians (with Mr Beggar – Alyque Padamsee squealing and bawling “Christians were the ones who gave us education!!”). Such is the state of media in independent Bharat!! What can be said o freedom…our freedom fighters must be lamenting for having foregone their lives to free us from the clutches of white man just to see us returning to the same fold through thw white mans tactics (enforced religion and consequent treason to State)!!

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Muslims and Christians have no tolerence. They are brutal, I am not telling this history clearly tells….crusades and jihad.

they never accepts any other religion.
narrow minded people…..kuvve ki mendak jaisa.

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Army and Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir have killed a terrorist believed to be an Indian Mujahideen cadre hailing from Kovalam in Kerala.

Central agencies had been monitoring certain leads, which said a group of people hailing from Kerala along with Lashker-e-Tayiba’s support were trying to enter Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir through North Kashmir.

The information was shared with the army headquarters in the national capital and a plan was chalked out to nab the exfiltrating group with the help of the state police.

A terrorist identified as Shakeel Mohammed hailing from Kovalam was killed in the encounter that took place between Nine Para and Special Operations Group in Dever area of Lolab Valley in North Kashmir.

A hunt is on to track down terrorists who escaped after the encounter, sources said.

Shakeel is the first Keralite to have been killed in nearly two decades of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

A photo identity card was found from his pocket besides some religious writings written in Malayalam, the sources said.

A team of Kerala Police is scheduled to visit Kashmir valley soon for carrying out the identification process of killed terrorist.

 

Breaking News

According to TV reports, the Tatas have finally decided to roll out their dream Nano Car project from Gujarat. Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi will address a joint press conference today to announce this much-awaited decision. Tatas’ decision to roll out Nano from Gujarat has come as a huge victory for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi who completes seven years in office today. According to sources, Tata Motors has selected Sanand, 25 km from Ahmedabad for the relocation of Nano plant. Tatas have already pulled out of Singur, West Bengal. The Gujarat government reportedly agreed to transfer 1,000 acres of land to Tata Motors. the land is located within the 2,200-acre campus owned by the Anand Agriculture University. The University has already transferred that land to the government. According to TV channels, both Tatas and Gujarat government officials are trying to reach a deal that will favour both parties and remove all confusions. The Tatas are on a high, as they are getting invitations from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Orissa and many other states. It will be a prestige issue for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and he will never let this opportunity go.

Within days of exiting from West Bengal, Tatas have decided to relocate their Rs 1 lakh-Nano car project in Gujarat, after scouting many sites including that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Tata Group Chief Ratan Tata and the Chief Minister Narendra Modi would jointly announce the project in the state later in the day, officials said. Tatas have identified the site at Sanand, near Ahmedabad, where the state government will give 1,000 acres land from the Anand Agricultural University for housing the project. The new project site was finalised last evening after yet another visit by the Tata Motors officials, who in the last few days had scouted for possible locations in many other states. Ever since the Tatas faced political resistance in West Bengal for their project at Singur various state governments, including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, were in the race to woo Tatas to set the manufacturing facility for the cheapest car in the world.

Stocks tumbled around the world following the credit crisis that has ravaged the world financial markets, and even the Bombay Stock Exchange’s 30-share index — the Sensex — yo-yoed through the trading day. In the morning, the Sensex bucked the trend following the CRR cut by the Reserve Bank of India and the lifting of curbs on P-Notes by Sebi and was up 290 points at one point. It then started to plummet and lost over a 100 points to plummet to 11,700. The Sensex then rose once more by 104 points at 11,906, only to fall yet again. The Sensex is now down by 159 points at 11,642. The NSE Nifty too is down 27 points at 3,576. Ranbaxy has soared nearly 5% to Rs 258. DLF and NTPC have surged over 3.5% each to Rs 313 and Rs 175, respectively. ONGC and Reliance Infrastructure have rallied 3% each to Rs 1,011 and Rs 657, respectively. Reliance and Bharti Airtel have gained 2.7% each at Rs 1,687 and Rs 749, respectively. BHEL has moved up 2.4% to Rs 1,484. HDFC, Tata Motors, Jaiprakash Associates and Grasim are up nearly 2% each, ITC and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have slumped 4.7% each to Rs 172 and Rs 1,033, respectively. Mahindra & Mahindra has tumbled 3.5% to Rs 485. Sterlite has plunged 3% to Rs 326. Satyam has shed 2.7% at Rs 286. TCS and HDFC Bank have slipped around 2% each to Rs 606 and Rs 1,179, respectively. Tata Power and Hindalco are down over 1% each at Rs 788 and Rs 95, respectively.

The bailout package failed to revive the mood in American market, as the Dow Jones shed 800 points to fall below 10,000-mark for the first time since 2004. While the European markets struggle to cope up with the credit crunch, the fall in US market, deepened the global financial crisis. The Dow Jones finally closed at 9,955 at the end of Monday’s trading. The recession fears are now looming large, as the markets across the world are going down. The US, European countries and Asian countries such as India and Japan are feeling the heat of credit crunch. The Federal Reserve (Fed) tried to revive the financial stability in the US market by increasing the amount of short-term lending money to $600 billion, but in vain.

 

Breaking News

According to TV reports, the Tatas have finally decided to roll out their dream Nano Car project from Gujarat. Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata and Gujarat CM Narendra Modi will address a joint press conference today to announce this much-awaited decision. Tatas’ decision to roll out Nano from Gujarat has come as a huge victory for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi who completes seven years in office today. According to sources, Tata Motors has selected Sanand, 25 km from Ahmedabad for the relocation of Nano plant. Tatas have already pulled out of Singur, West Bengal. The Gujarat government reportedly agreed to transfer 1,000 acres of land to Tata Motors. the land is located within the 2,200-acre campus owned by the Anand Agriculture University. The University has already transferred that land to the government. According to TV channels, both Tatas and Gujarat government officials are trying to reach a deal that will favour both parties and remove all confusions. The Tatas are on a high, as they are getting invitations from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Orissa and many other states. It will be a prestige issue for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and he will never let this opportunity go.

Within days of exiting from West Bengal, Tatas have decided to relocate their Rs 1 lakh-Nano car project in Gujarat, after scouting many sites including that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Tata Group Chief Ratan Tata and the Chief Minister Narendra Modi would jointly announce the project in the state later in the day, officials said. Tatas have identified the site at Sanand, near Ahmedabad, where the state government will give 1,000 acres land from the Anand Agricultural University for housing the project. The new project site was finalised last evening after yet another visit by the Tata Motors officials, who in the last few days had scouted for possible locations in many other states. Ever since the Tatas faced political resistance in West Bengal for their project at Singur various state governments, including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, were in the race to woo Tatas to set the manufacturing facility for the cheapest car in the world.

Stocks tumbled around the world following the credit crisis that has ravaged the world financial markets, and even the Bombay Stock Exchange’s 30-share index — the Sensex — yo-yoed through the trading day. In the morning, the Sensex bucked the trend following the CRR cut by the Reserve Bank of India and the lifting of curbs on P-Notes by Sebi and was up 290 points at one point. It then started to plummet and lost over a 100 points to plummet to 11,700. The Sensex then rose once more by 104 points at 11,906, only to fall yet again. The Sensex is now down by 159 points at 11,642. The NSE Nifty too is down 27 points at 3,576. Ranbaxy has soared nearly 5% to Rs 258. DLF and NTPC have surged over 3.5% each to Rs 313 and Rs 175, respectively. ONGC and Reliance Infrastructure have rallied 3% each to Rs 1,011 and Rs 657, respectively. Reliance and Bharti Airtel have gained 2.7% each at Rs 1,687 and Rs 749, respectively. BHEL has moved up 2.4% to Rs 1,484. HDFC, Tata Motors, Jaiprakash Associates and Grasim are up nearly 2% each, ITC and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have slumped 4.7% each to Rs 172 and Rs 1,033, respectively. Mahindra & Mahindra has tumbled 3.5% to Rs 485. Sterlite has plunged 3% to Rs 326. Satyam has shed 2.7% at Rs 286. TCS and HDFC Bank have slipped around 2% each to Rs 606 and Rs 1,179, respectively. Tata Power and Hindalco are down over 1% each at Rs 788 and Rs 95, respectively.

The bailout package failed to revive the mood in American market, as the Dow Jones shed 800 points to fall below 10,000-mark for the first time since 2004. While the European markets struggle to cope up with the credit crunch, the fall in US market, deepened the global financial crisis. The Dow Jones finally closed at 9,955 at the end of Monday’s trading. The recession fears are now looming large, as the markets across the world are going down. The US, European countries and Asian countries such as India and Japan are feeling the heat of credit crunch. The Federal Reserve (Fed) tried to revive the financial stability in the US market by increasing the amount of short-term lending money to $600 billion, but in vain.

 

Todays Top news

WWE No Mercy Results – October 5, 2008 The 11th WWE No Mercy was held on October 5, 2008 at the Rose Garden in Portland (Oregon). The WWE No Mercy saw some nail biting finish and complete excitement. Here are the final results of WWE No Mercy 2008: ECW Championship: Matt Hardy beat Mark Henry by pin Women’s Championship: Beth Phoenix (with Santino Marella) beat Candice Michelle (with Santino Marella) by pin Rey Mysterio beat Kane by DQ Contender for World Heavyweight Title: Batista beat JBL by pin Contender for World Heavyweight Title: Big Show beat The Undertaker by KO/Referee Stoppage WWE Championship: Triple H beat Jeff Hardy by countering a pinfall attempt World Heavyweight Championship: Ladder Match – Chris Jericho (with Lance Cade) beat Shawn Michaels

5 killed, 80 injured in Communal Violence in Dhule, Maharashtra At least 5 people were killed and 80 others injured in violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Dhule in Maharashtra. The injured included 8 policemen and additional collector M Y Patel. The rioters burnt several houses, damaged hundreds of vehicles and looted shops. The communal clashes took place in Azad Nagar, Moglai, Gurudwara, Bhangar Bazar and Ekveera Devi Chowk in Dhule town. Curfew has been imposed in Dhule following the communal violence. Security forces have been put on high alert. The injured have been rushed to hospital to Dhule Civil Hospital. The trouble started when Muslims torn off banners of Hindu Rajashan Samiti that appealed people to attend a public meeting in Dhule.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari: J&K Terrorists are no Freedom Fighters In a clear deviation from the official line taken by Pakistani leaders since the partition, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said that militants in Jammu & Kashmir are no freedom fighters, but they are just terrorists. Asif Ali Zardari’s statement has surprised all both in India and Pakistan. Zardari also said that India has never been a threat to Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N) has strongly objected to Zardari’s statement and decided to take up this issue in the Parliament. There is an outrage in Pakistan over Zardari’s remarks against J&K militants. Both Congress and BJP have welcomed Zardari’s statement and saw it as a positive development towards improvement of relations between both countries. However, the communal People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an UPA ally, termed Zardari’s statement as unfortunate. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti criticized Zardari and said that protesters in Kashmir cannot be termed as terrorists. If we read between the lines, she defended terrorists and terrorism.

Fight for Nano Project: Battle hots up between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Sunday has been hectic for Nano officials, as they visited both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to make a survey of sites available for the possible shifting of Nano Car project, which was pulled out of Singur, West Bengal. Both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments have made a strong bid to welcome Nano project in their respective states. The Nano officials from Tata Motors held talks with the Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh governments on Sunday. Another state Gujarat has become a strong contender to bag Tata’s dream Nano car project. If there is someone who can easily overcome any challenges to make an industrial project possible in his state, it is none other than Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. His political and social clout in Gujarat may impress Ratan Tata to move his Nano project to Bhuj, Gujarat. According to sources, Tata officials will soon meet Gujarat government officials to discuss the matter. Other states such as Maharashtra, Haryana and Orissa also invited Tatas to shift their Nano project to their states. But the main battle is between Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Let’s wait and watch for the winner of this hot game. Whoever wins at last, the loser is West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, whose investor-friendly image has taken a huge beating.

Curfew imposed in Srinagar, “Greater Kashmir” suspends publication from Sunday Kashmir is on boil again. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley to prevent people from taking out the march from Lal Chowk to LoC tomorrow. The separatist Coordination Committee (CC) has asked the people to reach Lal Chowk on October 6. Several separatist leaders including Jaffar Akbar Bhatt, Sajad Lone and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest. Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir’s leading newspaper “Greater Kashmir” has suspended its publications from Sunday following the denial of curfew passes. Another local TV channel has been taken off air by the government for allegedly showing hatred and divisive content.

Lakshmi Mittal loses £16.6 billion in Global Meltdown The global meltdown, which caused widespread crisis in many bigger firms across the world, has affected Steel Baron Lakshmi N Mittal too. According to media reports, Lakshmi Mittal has lost 16.6 billion pounds in the global credit crunch that crashed major stock markets in the world in the last few months. Another NRI businessman Anil Agarwal, also lost 2.7 billion pounds. Lakshmi Mittal was considered as the richest person in Britain before the global credit crunch happened. His stakes fell from 33.24 billion pounds to 16.63 billion pounds during this weekend. The report was published on Sunday Times.

Chamunda Devi Stampede Death Toll reaches 215 The Rajasthan government has put the death toll in the Chamunda Devi temple stampede at 215. The government has also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for the families of each dead. In addition, children who have lost their fathers will receive a payment of Rs. 4000 per month till adulthood. Children, who have lost only their mothers, will receive Rs. 1500 per month till their adulthood. Parents of the deceased will get Rs. 2000 per month. According to the Rajasthan government, families of victims and injured will get the benefits of health insurance, self-employment schemes and training facilities.

Communal Violence in Assam: 29 kiled, 70 injured With the death of four people in police firing on Sunday, the death toll in the communal violence in Assam reached 29. At least 70 people are reportedly injured in the clashes between tribal Assamese people and migrant Bangladeshis in the last couple of days. Shoot-at-sight order has been issued in Central Assam, as the violence spread to other parts of the state. Over 250 houses were burnt in Assam since the communal violence broke out. Udalguri was the worst-affected district. According to media reports, Pakistani flags were hoisted by the Bangaldeshi migrants in the trouble-torn areas of Assam. The violence was started by Bangaldeshi migrants, when they attacked local Bodos. The Bodos supported by other local communities retaliated, which triggered a widespread conflict between the two communities. Over 1,000 soldiers have been deployed to contain the violence. Curfew has been imposed in the troubled areas. The Union Home Ministry, which talked about the imposition of President’s Rule in Orissa over communal violence in Kandhamal, remains silent over Assam violence since the state is ruled by Congress.

’93 Surat Blasts: Former Gujarat Minister Mohammad Surti sentenced to 20 years Former Congress Minister from Gujarat Mohammad Surti and four other accused were sentenced to 20 years in prison in the 1993 Surat blasts case. Seven other accused were handed over a 10-year jail term. Mohammad Surti and other accused were convicted in the twin blasts in Surat, which killed a teenager girl and injured 31 in 1993. The blasts were conducted in retaliation to Babri demolition in 1992. The blasts had taken place in January 1993 in Varachha area and on the platform number one of Surat railway station during the communal riots. Mohammad Surti was a former minister of state for Fisheries. All accused belonged to minority community. The TADA court also slapped a fine of Rs. 5 lakh on Surti and other four other accused. One accused was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Eight accused are still absconding.

Rice meets Pranab, 123 Agreement to be signed later US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrived in India this morning, met India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi. Both leaders later addressed a joint press conference and said that India and the US will soon sign the 123 Agreement to operationalise the civilian nuclear deal. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said once the US President George Bush signs the bill, the process will be be complete and India will be in a position to sign the 123 Agreement. Condoleezza Rich gave a diplomatic statement – “There are no open issues left in the 123 Agreement”.