R.R. Patil resigned

Maharashtra Deputy CM RR Patil, who was under fire for terming the recent terror attacks in Mumbai as a “small incident”, has resigned as the Deputy CM of Maharashtra. RR Patil has sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. “I have gone by my conscience and decided to step down”, says RR Patil.

There is little doubt that public outrage has forced Patil to resign. He had refused to resign from his post on Sunday. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar reportedly asked RR Patil to tender resignation after his “small incident’ remark caused public outrage across the country.

According to sources, Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh will be asked to resign. If he does not, then he is likely to be removed. The Congress leadership does not want to take any chance in the wake of rising public anger against the Congress and Centre for failing to fight the menace of terrorism.

 

My daughter Sadhvi Pragya

Dr Chandrapal Singh is a master at detecting disease merely by feeling the pulse of his patients. He practices the ancient method of nadi nidan as recommended in ancient Ayurveda texts.

It’s a moot point if he was able to detect what went wrong with his second daughter, Puranchetanand Giri, better known as Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, who has been arrested by the Mumbai police’s Anti Terrorist Squad in connection with the bomb blast in Malegaon on September 29.

Pragya’s arrest is a turning point in the ongoing heated political debate over terrorism, home-grown terrorists and related issues like political rights and duties of the minority and majority communities in India. The stereotype-breaking police allegation against Pragya and her associates is the first time Hindus have been linked to terrorism in India.

Is Pragya Thakur involved in planting bombs in Malegaon as the ATS would like us to believe? Is she the first Hindu woman terrorist in India? Has she been trapped for political reasons? Is she a believer in rabid Hindutva trapped in a police case or did she participate willingly in a terrorist act to protest against jihadi terrorism?

These are pertinent questions. The ATS is searching for more evidence with the help of forensic tests like narco-analysis, psycho-profiling and lie-detector tests.

Meanwhile, rediff.com’s Sheela Bhatt travelled to Surat where she spoke to Pragya’s father Dr Chandrapal Singh to know more about the sadhvi’s early life.

Dr Chandrapal Singh is a committed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh worker for the last 35 years and believes in its core ideology of Hindu rashtra. He claims he personally knows the RSS supremo K S Sudarshan and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

When the conversation was in progress, Pragya’s mother Sarla Devi interrupted to say that Modi had even visited their home.

 

Death tolls 60

he death toll in the serial blasts that rocked Guwahati and upper Assam in the morning, reached 50 with more injured succumbing to the injuries in the hospitals. People, who browsed for ‘NE News’ or ‘Assam News’ in the morning, got a rude shocker, as terrorists carried out 11 blasts in Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar and Barpeta. In Guwahati, Dispur Road, Pan Bazar, Fancy Bazar and Ganeshguri Flyover have been targeted.

The impact of the serial blasts was so high that people and vehicles both charred beyond recognition. The dead bodies were seen lying here and there. Over 200 people were injured in the blasts. They are being treated in various hospital. Forensic experts believed that IDE and RDX of high intensity were used to trigger the blasts. The blasts were carried out in a planned manner and Assam government failed to prevent the blasts even though it was repeatedly warned by the Centre.

Although ULFA’s involvement in the serial blasts in Assam is suspected, the intelligence sources believe that Bangladesh-based HuJI could be behind the blasts. The recent communal clashes between local Assamese and Bangladeshis are being attributed to the serial blasts in Assam. Some Islamic terrorist organizations may have carried out the blasts to seek revenge. However, nothing can be said at the moment, as the investigation is still going on. The recent Assam blasts shook the nation, which just celebrated Diwali two days ago.

As expected, Union Home Ministry, Prime Minister and many other leaders have condemned the serial bomb blasts in Assam. Union MoS for Home Shakeel Ahmed tried to take a swipe on BJP and other Sangh Parivar groups even though he was asked about Assam bomb blasts. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi looked lost to find words, while the AGP demanded the immediate resignation of the government.

The BJP, which has been gunning for the head of the UPA government on the issue of terrorism, is on a defensive after the Mumbai ATS proved the Saffron angle to Malegaon blasts. The blame game, which began a few months ago, is not on its peak and no political party is trying to address the real issue. They are just worried about their vote banks. In such a situation, it won’t be surprising, if we witness more terror attacks in the country over the next few months.

 

Breaking News

Mayawati has cancelled the allotment of land for a railway coach factory in Sonia Gandhi’s constituency Rae Bareli, just three days before the Congress chief was scheduled to attend a ceremony at the site to mark the beginning of construction. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s decision is being seen by state Congress leaders as a move targeted at Sonia Gandhi. She is believed to have been unhappy with a rally Sonia Gandhi held last month in Dadri against land acquisition from farmers in Badalpur, Mayawati’s village. Considered a dream project of the Congress chief, the rail factory with an investment of Rs 1,689.25 crore was expected to provide employment to at least 10,000 people from the area. The move marks a new low in the relationship between Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, which she had supported from outside till early this year. It is expected to raise the temperature in the run-up to the general elections next year. But state government officials said Mayawati’s order on Saturday canceling the allotment of 189.25 hectare near Lalganj had everything to do with opposition from villagers. Principal Secretary (Information) Vijay Shankar Pandey told reporters on Sunday that the government’s decision was based on the district magistrate’s report about resentment among farmers over the acquisition of land. The government had allotted the land on May 19 this year. Rae Bareli district magistrate Santosh Srivastava in his October 10 report to the state government said that “land acquisition could lead to law and order problems in Rae Bareli”, Pandey said. The DM said the proposed factory required nearly 700 acre land and farmers were afraid that their land might be acquired for the purpose. Pandey added that instructions had been issued for the arrangement of alternative land for the project. “As of now there is no land for the project,” Pandey said. Reacting sharply, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh said: “The decision had once again demonstrated that the BSP government was against development of the state.” Local Congress leaders said though Sonia Gandhi won’t have the Bhoomi Pujan of the rail project to attend, she might still address a scheduled rally at Lalganj on October 14. “Sonia Gandhi’s programme is still on. It may take place in some form or the other,” said Kishori Lal Sharma, a party leader making preparations for the rally. UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi said people of Dehar, Sohawal and Bannamau villages had given their consent in writing for the acquisition and that the “state government’s move will stall development”. She said the state government had not given the go-ahead to three other projects being set up in Rae Bareli.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said India had a negative approach during the drawn first Test on Monday. “We were the only ones trying to take the game forward,” said Ponting after India finished on 177-4 having been set an unlikely winning target of 299. “We played aggressive cricket. I am not surprised by the way they played, the Indian team play a lot of drawn games. We dominated this Test match.” The sides now head to Mohali for the second Test, which starts on Friday. Ponting said he went into the final day in Bangalore expecting “a really good contest”. “We got some extra runs we thought might have needed. We gave it our best shot with the ball but we just didn’t create enough opportunities,” he added. “We could not win it at the end, but it was a pretty good start to the series for us.” India paceman Zaheer Khan, who was man-of-the-match after claiming five wickets in the tourists’ first innings and also scoring an unbeaten 57, said Australia’s failure to force victory meant they would be under more pressure in the rest of the series. “They know they can’t take our 20 wickets. They couldn’t get me and Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) out, what else do you want? They are under pressure, we know that,” he said. “On a fifth day wicket their spinners couldn’t do us any harm. That tells everyone what their spin attack is all about. “Even their pacers, they didn’t look like getting a wicket, especially on the fifth day on a wicket like this.”

– By Sagar Satapathy, Editor-in-Chief (Breaking News online) There has been a huge hue and cry over the financial health of ICICI Bank during the recent market meltdown. The ICICI Bank suffered huge losses, causing panic among the investors. But everyone forgot that ICICI Bank remains a big power in the banking sector and it has enough money to overcome any temporary crisis. The rumours, speculations and all permutations and combinations proved wrong, as the ICICI Bank led the market surge yesterday. Only a few days ago, situation was so bad that ICICI Bank MD and CEO KV Kamath, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and the RBI had to step in to assure the investors of ICICI Bank’s stability and growth. It is not known whether some vested interests played the spoilsport by indulging in a malicious campaign against the ICICI Bank. But the bank proved anyone wrong and emerged as a strong force to reckon with in the banking industry. ICICI Bank not only managed to generate trust and confidence among its investors, but led the way in market surge. As a result, other banks such as HDFC Bank, SBI and others also witnessed good results. The ICICI Prulife from ICICI Prudential still remains a big hit among the investors. The ICICI Prulife is rated high among other insurance and unit-linked products. It has been a huge relief to see ICICI Bank on top again. Millions of investors in India can now feel safe and secure. Their money should be always safe with ICICI Bank. There is no doubt about this.

Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways have entered into a code sharing alliance. The two airliners signed a pact for common fuel management, ground handling, network rationalisation and cross-crew use. They will also work together on cross-sales and staff training. The new alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines has much significance, as it does not have any equity implication.

The National Integration Council (NIC) meeting was dominated by the issues such as terrorism and anti-Christian violence. While the UPA leaders tried to focus only on anti-Christian violence and Communalism, the BJP-led NDA tried to take a swipe at the UPA government on the issue of rising terror activities in the country. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh expressed deep regret and anguish over the communal violence in Assam, Orissa and Karnataka. The NIC adopted a resolution condemning all acts of violence and terrorism and resolved to deal with such activities firmly. Gujarat CM Narendra Modi stole the show by taking the UPA government into task on the issue of terrorism. The BJP CMs demanded a tough terror law, which was rejected by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. On the expected lines, Samajwadi Party, CPI and CPM warned against targeting the Muslim community as terrorists. The Prime Minister also supported their views. The NIC meet also witnessed a war-of-words between Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. Naveen Patnaik refuted all charges against his government and revealed that Centre had delayed sending forces to tackle the communal violence. Later, he urged everyone to forget all political difference and work together towards the growth and development of all sections of the society. The NIC, which met after a gap of 3 years, is comprised of 146 members including all Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, leaders of national and regional political parties and eminent personalities. Senior BJPO leader, former Deputy PM and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, LK Advani, who was invited as #134 to the NIC meet, did not attend, taking it as an insult to his stature. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Jaswant Singh was also not invited to the NIC meet.

Even as the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court ordered a stay on the cancellation of land allotment for Sonia Gandhi’s dream Rail Coach Factory in Rae Bareli, Mayawati sprung another surprise by imposing Section 144 in Rae Bareli on the eve of Sonia Gandhi’s rally. The government has denied permission for the rally citing law and order problem. The latest development could lead to a bitter face-off between Maywati and Sonia Gandhi. Mayawati took this decition after some congress minister supports the terrorist. And may be possible that sonia will announce some fund/relief for terrorists. So Mayawati impossess Section 144 in Rae Bareli. As we know that Arjun Singh, Amar singh Supports the terrorist and blam on Delhi Police and ignore the death of mohan chand sharma ( who died in fighiting with terrorist in jamiya nagar). We are very happy and with Mayawati for imposing Section 144 in Rae Bareli. Mayawati and Narendra Modi only two breave leaders in India rest of all are bharwa(hijra).

Paul Krugman, a Professor at Princeton University, United States, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics. Paul Krugman is an Op-Ed columnist for New York Times. Mr. Paul Krugman received the Nobel Prize for Economics for his commendable work on international trade and economic geography. Paul Krugman developed models that explained observed patters of trade between the countries. He also explained what goods are produced where and why. Paul Krugman’s theories explained why worldwide trade is dominated by a few countries that have similar policies and why some countries import the same goods they export.

 

On The Eve of Independence Day

`We must stand united against threats emanating from terrorism`

President Pratibha Patil addressing the nation on eve of Independence Day urged the people to work unitedly to realise their full strength and potential. She said that India is a conglomeration of a diversity of cultures, languages and religions but running through this is a unity which has given to us resilience and strength. “We must stand united against the threats emanating from terrorism. Terrorists, with their disruptive agenda, will never succeed in discouraging us from our resolve to build a strong India, or from working with our neighbours to eliminate this menace from our region, or from our commitment to forge co-operative relations with other countries across the world,” the 73-year-old President said. “The ideologues of terrorism have little respect for human life. They incite violence and mindless destruction,” she said. The President said she was confident that the concept of India that is functioning in unison in a milieu of a vast diversity will continue to define the country’s identity. “We should pause and reflect on how our conduct and our actions are promoting unity. We must ask ourselves whether our actions are contributing to strengthening of the national fabric and bringing about tolerant thinking. “We should demonstrate our ability to listen to each other to understand each other and if perceptions do not agree, give to the others the freedom to hold their views,” she said. Reminding the people that they have duties towards the country, society and family, said in discharging them there was “an obligation to act responsibly.” Patil also touched upon energy security in her speech and said “as a developing country our demands for energy are growing. We cannot let lack of energy become a constraint on our ability to deliver high levels of growth. “With the challenges of increased oil prices and climate change, the question of energy security confronts us. We need to look at energy mixes that are sustainable in the long run and are cleaner sources of energy, gradually making deliberate shift to renewable energy,” the President said. She said it should be country’s national mission to begin exploring ways in which new sources of energy can be harnessed viably. “Technologies increasing efficiency in energy-intensive sectors need to be developed…any contribution to save energy is a step towards environment protection and in saving the wide diversity of flora and fauna on the planet,” she said. Patil said due to the government’s efforts and perseverance many achievements have been made by the country in different. “But there are several tasks that await completion and new challenges that need to be addressed. A nation’s work never ends,” she said. Referring to the government’s flagship programmes for improving the lives of the people, the President said those involved in the implementation of development and social welfare schemes must work with dedication and zeal and without causing delays. “Implementation done in a transparent and accountable manner will ensure that welfare schemes reach the genuine beneficiaries in a timely manner. Thus, preventing corruption in our system and enhancing efficiency in governance,” she said. Advocating special attention for the development of agriculture and rural areas, Patil said no one should forget that the food security of the country is dependent on the growth of its agriculture. “Seventy per cent of our population lives in villages and is dependent on agriculture. Therefore, the development of India will not be comprehensive or complete unless there is development in the rural areas and increased agriculture productivity,” she added. The President said social evils like dowry, female feoticide, discrimination against girl child, domestic violence, tobacco, drugs and alcohol were blocking the country from becoming a progressive nation. “We must look at a nationwide addiction focussed eradication programme. Eliminating addiction and fighting social evils can be a slow process as it involves changing attitudes,” she added. Stressing for inclusion of women in development programmes, the President said “real development cannot take root if it bypasses women, who represent the very pivot around which social change takes shape.”

 

Death toll rises in India blasts

Death toll rises in India blasts

The death toll in the serial bomb blasts that rocked the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Saturday has risen to 49, police say. Indian PM Manmohan Singh is due to arrive in the city to assess the situation and visit the injured. Indian cities are on high alert as police hunt for those responsible for the blasts which wounded over 100. Ahmedabad was the scene of sectarian violence between Hindus and Muslims in early 2002 which left hundreds dead. Mr Singh will be accompanied by Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi and the federal interior minister Shivraj Patil during his visit to Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, police say they have arrested one man and detained several people for questioning. On Saturday, 17 blasts struck residential areas, market places, public transport and hospitals within an hour. A number of unexploded bombs have since been found. It is thought the explosions were caused by crudely-made devices containing ball-bearings and other shrapnel, hidden in boxes and on bicycles. E-mail claim Local media reports say a little-known Islamist group, the Indian Mujahideen, has claimed responsibility in an e-mail to a television channel. Police have carried out a raid on a house near India’s financial capital Mumbai (Bombay), where they believe the e-mail originated from. A similar e-mail was sent to news channels by the Indian Mujahideen group after blasts in the western city of Jaipur in May which killed more than 60 people. The attack in Ahmedabad – Gujarat state’s commercial capital – came a day after several devices went off in the southern city of Bangalore. The government has deployed an extra 3,000 security personnel in Delhi, and other cities, including Mumbai and Jaipur, are on alert. The bombs in Ahmedabad were detonated with timers in two phases, the first at about 1830 (1300 GMT), officials said. The second series of explosions caught some victims and their helpers arriving at hospitals. At least two unexploded bombs were later defused in Ahmedabad and sent for forensic examination. Another two unexploded bombs were also found in the nearby city of Surat. India’s leaders have appealed for calm. President Pratibha Patil urged people to remain “steadfast in this testing time and maintain peace and harmony”. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also condemned the attacks, and urged people to remain calm and maintain communal harmony. Narendra Modi, the controversial chief minister of Gujarat, said the “land of Mahatma Gandhi has been bloodied by terrorists whom we shall not spare”. “Terrorists are waging a war against India. We should be prepared for a long battle against terrorism,” he warned. Mr Modi has been accused of failing to protect Muslims in the riots in Gujarat during 2002 in which at least 1,000 people – most of them Muslims – died, including many in Ahmedabad. The violence erupted when a fire broke out on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing at least 59 people.

Police checks are being carried out at key sites across the country

Ahmedabad Bomb Blast Images…

 

Deadly bomb blasts hit Istanbul

Deadly bomb blasts hit Istanbul

At least 16 people have been killed and 154 wounded in two explosions in the Turkish city of Istanbul, in what officials say was a terrorist attack. The first blast occurred in a rubbish bin in the busy Gungoren residential area. The second, larger explosion occurred as crowds gathered. No group has claimed responsibility, but security services said the attack bore the hallmarks of Kurdish rebels. President Abdullah Gul said the attack showed “the ruthlessness of terrorism”. After the explosions, there were scenes of panic, with people covered in blood as they tried to run from the scene. TV footage showed many victims lying on the street and being carried to ambulances in blankets. Hidden in bins Initial reports suggested it may have been a gas leak, but Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler later said he was “certain that this is a terror attack” aimed at causing maximum casualties. The blasts occurred about ten minutes apart around 2200 local time (1900 GMT) on a busy pedestrian street. The editor of the New Anatolian newspaper, Ilnur Cevik, told the BBC that about 1,000 people had been in the area at the time. The first explosion was caused by a small device placed in a rubbish bin in front of a bank. Afterwards, a crowd gathered in the area. Then a second bomb placed in another bin about 50m from the first exploded minutes later. “The first explosion was not very strong,” Huseyin Senturk, the owner of a nearby shoe shop, told the Associated Press. “Several people came to see what was going on. That’s when the second explosion occurred and it injured many onlookers.” Mr Guler said police believed the blasts were not suicide bombings, but activated either remotely or by means of a timer. “This is an abhorrent attack. Unfortunately, the fact that the explosion took place in a crowded place increased the number of the casualties,” he said. “An extensive investigation is being conducted at present at the scene of the incident.” Turkish media quote police sources as saying the attack bears the hallmarks of the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), possibly in revenge for a series of major operations by the Turkish military on its bases in recent days. The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says the PKK has bombed civilians in Turkish cities in the past, but so have Islamist militants and other radical groups. In November 2003, more than 60 people were killed by a series of suicide bombings in Istanbul which the authorities linked to al-Qaeda. Kurdish rebels carried out a spate of attacks on tourist sites in Turkey in 2006, killing more than a dozen people. ‘Brutal attack’ As the police investigation continues, Turkish politicians have condemned Sunday’s attack. President Gul said: “I condemn the perpetrators of this attack which demonstrates the ruthlessness of terrorism and its goal to engage in savagery without any regard for women, men, the elderly or children.” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan such attacks only strengthened Turkey’s determination in its fight against terrorism. A politician from Mr Erdogan’s governing AK Party, Murat Mercan, told the BBC that Turkey would not give in to terrorists. “Terrorists are trying to destabilise the country, but Turkey has already a lot of experience on this terrorism so it won’t distract our country, our society from daily, ordinary life,” he said. Earlier this month, three policemen and three gunmen were killed in a gun battle outside the US consulate in a northern suburb of Istanbul. Police said they believed the attackers were members of a Turkish Sunni fundamentalist group, the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders Front.

Police inspect the scene, Terrorists are trying to destabilise the country : Murat Mercan, AK Party

The Gungoren district is popular with local people taking an evening stroll

here bombs hits…