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Law panel: lower marriage age for men from 21 to 18
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) Suggesting radical changes, the Law Commission has proposed reducing the minimum age of marriage for men from 21 to 18 years and declaring unions below the age of 16 as void.
"The age of marriage for both boys and girls should be 18 as there is no scientific reason why this should be different," the Commission headed by A R Lakshmanan said in its report.
The suggestion by the Commission for declaring marriages below the age of 16 as void is something which has not been recommended in the statutes.
It has also pressed for compulsory registration of marriages and recommended that men, just like women, should be allowed to wed at 18 and children below that age barred.
In its 44-page report presented today to the Law and Justice minister H R Bhardwaj, the Commission has also proposed that the age for sexual consent should be raised from 15 years to 16 years for all girls, regardless of marriage.
If accepted by the government, consensual sex with girls under 16 years of age could invite punishment meant for rape.
A man's sex with their minor "wives," aged below 16 years, could also become punishable. Under the existing laws, having sex with a minor "wife" above 15 years is not rape.
Besides recommending compulsory registration of marriage, the Commission has proposed that marriages involving children between the age of 16 and 18 be made voidable (which can be annuled with mutual agreement between both the parties on attaining adulthood).
While studying the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA), the Commission found that the present law did not make a child marriage invalid even if it was below the age of 15 years. But under the criminal law, section 375 of IPC makes it a crime to have a sexual relation with a child under the age of 15 years. PTI
Centre to announce packages for bird flu-hit farmers, industry
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) The Centre is likely announce two packages - one for the farmers in the bird-flu hit West Bengal and the other for poultry industry - in the next 8-10 days, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.
"There are two proposals we are considering," Pawar said on the sidelines of a function here. There would be two packages, one for West Bengal and other for the rest of India.
He pointed out that situation in West Bengal is different from that of Maharashtra in 2006 because of backyard poultry, Pawar said: "The number of birds in a family is very limited. Families are also very poor. That's why we have to see what type of package one has to provide," he said.
He assured that whatever is required for West Bengal, the state government and Centre would work together.
"West Bengal Chief Minister has sent a proposal to me that he would like to provide some financial support to the affected families, those who are keeping backyard poultry. I am considering that also," he said, adding that any decision would require Cabinet approval.
Pawar said there had been substantial impact on prices of poultry products in the country as a whole, which has affected the poultry industry throughout the country, and therefore it needs a different approach.
When asked about the ban imposed by the West Bengal government on movement of poultry from the state, he said: "It's the first time that such a decision has been taken. I will try to understand what is the thinking behind the decision before reacting".
The culling operations in WB are nearly over, Pawar said, adding that as a precautionary measure, the government has decided to undertake culling operations in the 5 km radius of bordering state of West Bengal like Bihar and Jharkand. PTI
India can aim to grow by over 9 per cent: Chidambaram
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) Amid growing concerns of a possible impact of US slowdown on Indian economy, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that through fiscal prudence, high domestic savings and investment, the country could aim to grow at over 9 per cent.
"We have to do right things and avoid doing the wrong things... Continue fiscal prudence. Two: Ensure that people save and invest and there is enabling environment for investors, both domestic and foreign," Chidambaram said.
He also said that the country would have to ensure that "these investments are made widely, managed wisely, so that they give a return. If these principles are observed, I do not think it is difficult in India to sustain a growth of no less than 8 per cent, pushing 9 per cent, and aiming to go beyond," Finance Minister told BBC World Service in an interview.
When asked about his most challenging task, Chidambaram said, "to ensure that the economy grows at no less than 8 per cent a year." On why India was trailing China in attracting FDI, he said, "the foreign investment that will flow into India is also dependent upon our capacity to absorb it. And our capacity to absorb will depend upon our willingness to open more sectors which are regulated, open them up to foreign investment." He, however, added that FDI inflows were running 50 per cent higher in current fiscal than in the previous one.
He said country's current account deficit was still very modest - 1.3 per cent of GDP - and it needed to "expand the current account deficit and absorb foreign direct investment." PTI
Apex court upholds law against poaching of land owned by SCs
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) Asserting that the rights of SCs and STs should be protected from influential elements, the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of a Karnataka legislation which prohibits sale or transfer of scheduled lands without prior permission of the government.
The apex court ruled that even if the land has been transferred or sold the authorities would still be empowered to acquire the land from the so called purchaser.
"The act was introduced to help and protect the right, title and interest of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, in respect of the granted lands, whose poverty and status in the society was taken advantage of by some rich and affluent persons who took their lands either by paying a paltry sum or even without paying anything to them," a bench of Justices Tarun Chatterjee and Dalveer Bhandari said.
The bench passed the ruling while dismissing an appeal filed by Dharma Naika, purchaser of a scheduled land in Karnataka's Chitradurga district. His earlier appeal was dismissed by the Karnataka High Court.
Naika's contention was that the Karnataka Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prohibition of Transfer of Certain Lands) Act, 1978, came into force from January 1, 1979, whereas he had entered into an agreement for sale on July 6, 1976; and the actual sale deed was executed on October 13, 1986. PTI
Situation returning to normal, Raj asked to restrain cadre
Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Maharashtra's capital limped back to normalcy after three days of violence against north Indians unleashed by the MNS even as there were two minor incidents of autorickshaws being torched and an attack on a textile shop today.
A senior police official also met MNS chief Raj Thackeray and asked him to restrain his party activists who resorted to violence against north Indians, particularly taxi drivers and vendors.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who held a meeting with police officials to review the law and order situation, said nobody will be allowed to disturb communal harmony and that attacks on non-Maharashtrians will not be tolerated.
In Pune the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers forcibly stopped screening of a Bhojpuri film. The afternoon show of film "Bhojpuri Bhayya" was stopped and the audience were forced to leave the theatre.
Meanwhile in a setback to Raj Thackeray, around 200 MNS members today joined Shiv Sena in presence of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray.
The MNS members, who are fed up with the anti-north Indian stance adopted by Raj, joined the Sena at a function at Bal Thackeray's residence Matoshree in suburban Bandra, Sena Secretary Vinayak Raut said.
Asked about Sena's stand on the current political scenario in the backdrop of violence over Raj Thackeray's remarks against north Indians, Raut said, "This is a fight between Samajwadi Party and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, not between Maharashtrians and north Indians." These MNS workers got fed up with the ongoing battle and left the party, he said. PTI
Former spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq on ICL radar
Karachi, Feb 6 (PTI) The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) has zeroed in on seven Pakistani players, including former spinners Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq, for its next edition.
Sources said apart from these two, the ICL has also sounded off Naved Latif, Hasan Reza, Mohammad Hafeez, Humayun Farhat and Imran Nazir.
Nazir and Hafeez have played recently for Pakistan, while Hasan and Latif have been consistent performers on the domestic circuit without getting a proper chance to represent Pakistan.
Both Mushtaq and Saqlain have not played for Pakistan since 2003/2004 and are currently busy with the county championship in England.
Saqlain will also qualify as a British national to play for England in April.
Sources said the players were contacted by former Pakistan captain Moin Khan who is the ICL representative here and also coaches one of the ICL teams. PTI
Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria fumes on contract demotion
Karachi, Feb 6 (PTI) Frustrated at being demoted in the new central contracts list, Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria said his achievement of being among the country's top five bowlers with over 200 Test wickets deserved a bit more respect.
Kaneria was recently demoted to category C in the central contracts and despite his 51 Test appearances bracketed along with junior players like Fawad Alam who has played just four one-day internationals.
Danish was also told to attend a two-week spinners' specialised camp in Lahore under the supervision of former Test spinners, Intikhab Alam and Tauseef Ahmed.
"I went into the camp with a great deal of frustration having been demoted in the Pakistan Cricket Board contracts ratings system. It is still hurting me," Kaneria wrote in a column for bigstarcricket.Com website.
"I have been Pakistan's highest wicket-taker for the last four years and I am now one of the top three or four in terms of seniority having made my Test debut in 2001," he said.
Kaneria said his exploits were second only to greats like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and he did not deserve to be demoted in the contracts list.
"I have played 51 Tests now and once I pass Abdul Qadir's 236 Test wickets, hopefully this year, I will then only have the fast bowlers ahead of me -- Waqar Younis, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. I just feel that achievement deserves a bit more respect. I am respected more when I play at Essex," he stated. More
National camp for shuttlers called off
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) In a blow to India's chances in the Thomas and Uber Cup qualifiers this month, the national camp for the preparation of the prestigious tournaments scheduled in Goa from tomorrow has been called off due to unavailability of shuttlecocks.
Badminton Association of India laid the blame squarely on the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry, saying the association has been running pillar to post for the last five months to get the shuttlecocks in time but SAI has failed to provide them.
The top shuttlers who had reached the venue were asked to pack off and head home.
BAI President V K Verma said this was the first time that a national camp had to be called off due to the lackadaisical approach of DGSAI and Sports Ministry.
"It is unprecedented and upsetting for our players. This has happened due to the complete apathy on the part of DGSAI and the Sports secretary. I have met them so many times and informed them about the shortage. We have been managing somehow by begging and borrowing shuttlecocks," he said. PTI
PCB finalises Karachi as venue for Australia series
Karachi, Feb 6 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finalised the venues for the March-April home series against Australia, which also include the troubled port city of Karachi.
Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad are the other venues for the much-anticipated tour of the world champions.
The PCB has told Cricket Australia (CA) that the three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international in the series would be held in these four venues.
The Board has also reaffirmed to that under no circumstances would Pakistan shift the series to any other venue.
PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf told his Australian counterpart Creagh O'Connor that Pakistan was ready to scrap the tour altogether rather than shift it to some other country.
"Our stance is very clear. We want the Australians to come and play in Pakistan as planned. Our people want to see them play as they have not toured Pakistan since 1998," Ashraf told PTI from Dubai where he met O'Connor.
Ashraf said he had a fruitful discussion with O'Connor and assured him Pakistan was a safe country to play cricket.
"I think it was very worthwhile to meet with them. I informed him about the proposed tour itinerary and venues where the matches will be held," Ashraf said.
"I also briefed him about the security arrangements being made for the Australians which are similar to those made for visiting head of states," he added.
"We thought that should answer any questions in their mind." PTI
8 Pak army personnel killed in helicopter crash
Islamabad, Feb 6 (PTI) A Major General was among eight Pakistani army personnel killed today when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed due to a technical fault in the restive South Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
The Army's Mi-17 helicopter crashed killing Maj Gen Javed Sultan, the General Officer Commanding for Kohat; Brig Afzal Cheema; Brig Saeed Khan; Lt Col P Umar Farooq; three captains and a non-commissioned officer, military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said.
The helicopter crashed because of a "technical fault" and was not brought down due to any attack by militants active in the area, Abbas said.
Maj Gen Sultan was on an official visit to the area when the helicopter crashed at Tanai, located between Wana and Jandola, two of the major towns of South Waziristan, at around 2.40 pm.
Helicopters had been sent to the crash site for a recovery operation, Abbas said. PTI
Indo-Canadian groups under scrutiny for possible terror links
Bal Krishna
Toronto, Feb 6 (PTI) Indo-Canadian groups applying for non-profit status are under scrutiny by the British Columbia government for possible terror links, a move which follows claims that the province failed to de-register pro-Khalistan organisations even after the 1985 Kanishka bombing.
The Air India Commission of Inquiry probing the attack is expected to come up with recommendations for proper regulation of non-profit societies and better coordination among federal and provincial agencies for the purpose. However, officials said steps are already being undertaken in this direction.
"We're starting to monitor organisations that are getting incorporated over whether or not they have been identified by the United Nations or the federal government as a terrorist organisation," Ron Townshend, registrar of companies with B.C. Registry Services, said.
Witnesses have told the Air India inquiry that the federal agency regulating charities does not always share its information with other regulators. As a result, a non-profit society may be labelled as a terrorist group and lose its federal registration as a charity, but may still be registered as a non-profit society in British Columbia.
Babbar Khalsa, which had members allegedly involved in the Air India bombing, was registered as a charity at the time of the 1985 bombing that killed 331 people.
The federal government revoked its registration in 1996 and designated the group as a banned terrorist organisation in June 2003. However, the group remained as a registered non-profit society in British Columbia until February 2004, according to media reports here. PTI
Maoists force schools in Nepal to shutdown
Kathmandu, Feb 6 (PTI) Schools across Nepal were shutdown by Maoist supporters today to step up pressure on the government to improve the working conditions for teachers in the Himalayan nation.
The Maoist affiliated Nepal Educational Republican Forum (NERF) announced a three-day school shutdowns beginning today to force the interim government to accept their demands for better working conditions for the teachers.
The Forum accused the government of not fulfilling earlier agreements that include rehabilitating displaced teachers and giving permanent status to temporarily employed teachers and school staffs.
Education Minister Pradeep Nepal asked the Maoists to withdraw their strike as it could adversely impact the crucial Constituent Assembly polls on April 10. He said the government is considering their key demands.
Ethnic groups in the Terai have already enforced shutdowns in the country that has brought normal life to a halt, threatening to create a law and order problem ahead of the polls.
The government in Nepal has chalked out major security plans to ensure violence-free polls. Since the peace pact was signed, at least 200 people have been killed in the Terai in ethnic and communal unrest that has cast a shadow over the democratic transition in the country.
The election is a key part of the 2006 peace deal and will set in motion a process to end the 239-year-old monarchy in the Himalayan state. PTI
Dhaka to sign deal with 6 nations to recover siphoned money
Dhaka, Feb 6 (PTI) The interim government in Bangladesh is set to sign deals with six countries apparently in its desperate attempts to recover the stolen assets from foreign countries, reports and officials said today.
The government was set to form a "central authority", which will coordinate signing of the memorandum of understanding with six countries -- Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UAE, Britain and the US -- to recover siphoned off money, the Daily Star reported, quoting officials.
According to the report, the central authority will have members from the home ministry, the Attorney General's Office, and other government bodies and it will coordinate the process to recover siphoned off money as part of the government's anti-graft campaign.
About 10 government officials would undergo a special training under a course titled "Stolen Assets Recovery" in Switzerland from February 28 to March 10, funded by the World Bank.
Several other countries and development partners earlier offered their assistance to bring back the stolen money during the successive regimes while officials said the "central authority" was being formed in line with suggestions of the World Bank.
Bangladesh Bank officials said a tough law to be called 'Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance' was also in the offing to empower the central bank or the government for signing agreements with other countries in recovery of stolen assets. (MORE)
US recession fears weigh down on markets, Sensex down 524 pts
Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Fears of recession in US, fuelled further by reports of contraction in services sector and Fed Reserve's comments yesterday, sent the domestic stock markets on a tailspin with the benchmark Sensex tumbling by over 540 points today, the biggest loss in the last two weeks.
Most of the Asian markets, excluding Taiwan which was closed today, ended the day down by an average of 0.4 to 5.4 per cent, while European indices displayed a narrowly mixed pattern of trading this morning.
In US, reports of weak services sector and tightening of lending standards by banks once again stoked recession fears. Comments by a Fed official about possible recession only added fuel to fire and and sent the New York stock indices tumbling Tuesday.
On domestic front, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer crashed at open by losing by over 720 points and even went below 17K level on weak global cues. The losses were minimised to over 620 points by mid-session.
The index finally settled the day at at 18,139.49, a steep fall of 523.67 points, or 2.81 per cent, over its previous close.
The broad-based S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also slumped by 161.35 points, or 2.94 per cent, to 5,322.55 from overnight close of 5,483.90.
IT stocks brought today's steep downfall despite a sharp fall in the rupee in the last couple of days. Marketmen said IT shares slumped on fears recession settling in US as most of these companies earn more than 50 per cent of their revenues from this world's largest economy.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) trued net buyers and they picked up shares worth Rs 311.78 crores while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) sold shares to the tune of Rs 135.16 crore on Monday as per provisional data. PTI
US recession concerns drive Sensex down by 624 pts
Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Stock market continued to reel under heavy selling pressure in early afternoon trade with the benchmark Sensex trading with a loss of 624 points as fears of a possible economic recession in the US sweeped global markets.
After plunging over 727 points in early morning trade, the Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share index recovered about 100 points from the day's low, but was still down by over three percent, 623.90 points, at 18,039.26 at 1200 hours.
Foreign funds were seen selling heavily in a number of blue-chip stocks, brokers said.
The National Stock Exchange's Nifty was down by 188.35 points at 5,295.55 as most of the index stocks fell sharply. It had opened the day lower at 5,257.05 points.
Marketmen said selling pressure gathered momentum this morning following reports of a steep fall in global stock markets influenced by a surprise contraction in the giant US service sector, which triggered concerns that the world's largest economy may be in even worse condition than previously feared.
They said if the volatility in the market remained like this, the market might see more corrections in the coming time.
Gold recovers on good demand
Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) Gold prices recovered on renewed stockists demand in view of current marriage season coupled with higher advices from London while silver eased further on lack of industrial buying interest on the bullion market here today.
Seasonal demand for gold coupled with higher advices from overseas boosting prices in local market.
Some investors shifted their funds from equity to gold as a safe-haven investment, traders said.
Standard gold (99.5 purity) rose by Rs 65 per ten grams to Rs 11,470 from Rs 11,405 yesterday.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also shot up by Rs 70 per ten grams to Rs 11,525 from Rs 11,455 previously.
In the London market, gold was fixed higher in the morning at USD 892.00 per ounce as against the yesterday's closing level of USD 887.50 per ounce.
Turning to the local market, silver ready (.999 fineness) eased further by Rs 10 per kilo to Rs 21,005 from Rs 21,015 previously. PTI
New air services deal between India, UAE
Dubai, Feb 6 (PTI) India and UAE have entered into a new air services agreement which will see more sectors being opened up between the two countries as well allow code-sharing for further liberalising the industry.
The India-UAE aviation sector is profit-making one for many airlines in the Gulf since a million-strong Indians live and work in the UAE.
The agreement, signed here last evening, will see more flights between India-Abu Dhabi and India-Ras Al Khaimah sector.
The Indian side was led by R K Singh, joint secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation while the UAE was represented by the aviation authority.
Under the deal, UAE carrier Ethihad Airways will start flying to Chennai and Calicut from Abu Dhabi in March and from the next winter schedule (October 2008) to Kolkata and Jaipur.
India has agreed to allow flights to four new destinations from Abu Dhabi, while the UAE national carrier was asking for permission to fly to nine sectors, sources said.
On the India-Ras Al Khaimah sector, Ras Al Khaimah airways will be able to choose any one city in Kerala out of Calicut, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram. The airline plans to start flights to India in March.
After signing the agreement, Singh said that further opening up of the sectors will allow more seats, thereby helping to bring down tariffs, a move which will help huge blue-collar workforce in the UAE. PTI
Vestas in talks with 20 Indian firms to supply wind turbines
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems today said it is in talks with at least 30 Indian firms, including some big corporates, to supply wind turbines for power generation.
The world's largest wind turbines maker is also looking at ways to enhance presence in India.
"We are planning to expand sales, services, production and research in India. India is a place where innovation is taking place. The company is constantly looking for new Indian partners for feasible supply contracts for components," Vestas Asia Pacific President Thorbjorn N Rasmussen told reporters.
The company is in talks with at least 30 Indian firms, including many top companies, to provide wind energy solutions, Vestas India Managing Director Ramesh Kymal said on the sidelines of an Indo-Danish Seminar here.
"Many of the companies, we are in talks with, are working on investment modalities to foray into the wind energy space," he said.
Vestas Wind Systems targets to invest 500 million euros in 2008. India will also be part of the investment plan.
Rasmussen said India has a potential to generate 1,00,000 MW.
Addressing the seminar New and Renewable Energy Secretary V Subramanian said India and Denmark will shortly sign two memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the sectors of renewable energy and carbon development mechanism. PTI
Surajkund Mela: Taste of India with a global tint
Zafri Mudasser Nofil
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) India's diverse arts, craft and music, have been brought alive at the vibrant Surajkund Mela in this Haryana village, where some foreign participants with their exquisite products are adding to the rural ambiance.
As one enters this "mini India", sounds of folk music and instruments rend the air. Dances varying from Haryana's Phag, Rajasthan's Kalbeliya, Assam's Bihu and West Bengal's Chhau only adds to the lively atmosphere.
Artisans and participants display their products under thatched-roof huts.
Brazil's Arminda Monterio, who has put up a stall here, is attracting people with her unique bobbin lace work.
"We weave thread wounded on bobbins with pins attached to a laced pillow," Arminda told PTI.
In this unique stitch-work, the lace-maker sits for hours before her cushion, and interweaves the threads, along with the sound of many pairs of bobbins, displaces the pins, advances in the weft and a web of stitches takes form.
"This is the way a lace is made," Arminda said.
Sharing the same roof is fellow Brazilian Rosario Carvalho, who has put up ceramic products.
"The theme of the ceramic products are mostly rustic and generally involve human beings," Rosario said.
"Local folklore inspires me to create these art pieces," she said.
There are also a number of participants from Thailand, displacing stained and stone jewelery products, artificial flowers, bamboo bags and plastic baskets. PTI
Modeling, a new love of IT professionals
Kamal Narayan
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) With fashion and advertisement industry witnessing a boost, modeling is emerging as a preferred career option among the youngsters. The charisma of this glamour is attracting even professionals already drawing hefty salaries.
The trend which has shown euphoric interests of highly-paid professionals into the glamour world, surfaced recently when hundreds of software professionals teemed up to take part in a modeling pageant.
The contest,'Hayward's Mr India World contest 2008' kicked off its preliminary rounds recently and recorded an overwhelming response as nearly 2000 youngsters from across the country participated.
"In our regional audition for southern India which was held in Bangalore, we got around 300 entries and more than 70 per cent of these applications were from Software engineers, which is enough to show what a tremendous response the contest is getting," said Kavita Bagga of of Times Innovative Media Limited, a co-organiser of the pageant.
Apart from this, many call centers employees and students of different professional courses sent entries for the contest, supposed to be a gateway for modeling career.
"We also got entries form different professionals, call centre employees and students from different cities," Bagga added.
At a time when Information Technology revolution in the country has established the sector as one of the most promising and money making profession, industry people feel that it was a thirst for fame and glamour that is driving people to areas like these. PTI
India, through the French lens
Kamal Narayan
New Delhi, Feb 5 (PTI) "The light has gone from our lives and there is darkness everywhere." These words which the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru uttered on the night of January 30, 1948 have etched themselves in the minds of the generation that witnessed those tumultuous days.
But what made that moment and its sombre aftermath-- the flower covered body of the Mahatma surrounded by the funeral procession being witnessed by an ocean of people-- more familiar to later generations was the camera of a French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson who captured the moments for posterity.
These and many other memorable moments of Indian history have come to life again at an exhibition.
Organised by the French Embassy, the exhibition displays work of the French photographers in the Capital depicting several memorable moments of Indian history and its cultural diversity from August 15, 1947 till date.
"As India has completed 60 years of its independence, we have decided to show what French photographers saw here and captured in their cameras. Also, we are exhibiting works of Indian photographers in France so that our people can get aware with its diverse culture," says Benedicte Alliot, Attache Culturelle in Embassy of France in India.
This initiative, 'India-Photo-Now 2008' was also a part of the bilateral agreement between India and France signed during French President Nicholas Sarkozy's state visit to the country last month.
The French government has also started a programme called 'Artists in Residence' to depute French photographers in India so they can watch the Indian culture closely. At the same time, it also provides scholarships to Indian photographers to help them explore life and culture of the Mediterranean country. PTI
Manifesto implementation committee set for Rangasamy govt
Puducherry Feb 4 (PTI) With continuing squabbles within his cabinet as also the state unit of the party often finding their way in the media, formation of a crisis management strategy is the latest of the party's efforts to ensure smooth running of the Rangasamy government.
A manifesto implementation committee has been constituted by the AICC with V Arun Kumar, special invitee of the CWC as its head to establish cordial relations between the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues.
Rangaswamy was sworn-in for the second successive tenure in 2006 with the support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Communist party of India and the three Independents from outside.
The Ministry functioned smoothly until controversies arose on Rangasamy's project to establish a State owned medical college. The college named after Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, a political mentor of Rangasamy, is coming up in Kadirkamam in Thattanchavady a constituency represented by Rangasamy successively in all the last four elections.
There was a complaint that the Chief Minister was giving extra priority to the college project. The subject of the medical college came up for discussion even at the recent Planning Board meeting held under the chairmanship of the Lt Governor on Tuesday last.
The five ministers of Rangasamy cabinet, V Vaithilingam (Agriculture and Industries) E Valsaraj (Health), M Kandasamy (Welfare), Malladi Krishna Rao (Local Administration) and M O H Shahjahan (Education) called on the Lt Governor Mukut Mithi on January 26 to keep him informed. PTI
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Sensex: 18139.49, -523.67
The sensex closed at 18139.49, down 523.67
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1 U.S. $ = 39.615 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3718 INR
1 British Pound = 77.582 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.410 INR
1 Singapore $ = 27.979 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.788 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.578 INR
1 Euro = 57.903 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.897 INR
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