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November 9 Lt Gen Krishan Pal to be shifted out of 15 Corps Authoritative sources confirmed that Army Headquarters misled the defence minister over last week's attack, telling him that it took place outside the high-security zone and the PRO and his staff were a 'soft target'. Bank employee, pregnant wife killed in Srinagar shootout Residents who took to the streets in protest claimed that security forces had fired upon a three-wheeler in which the lady was being taken to hospital. Ladakhis warn Vajpayee of serious developments The Ladakh Buddhist Association presented the prime minister a memorandum listing some 'disturbing developments' taking place in Ladakh that have the potential of obliterating the region's distinct cultural identity. Farooq promises to be 'stern' with militants "Pakistan should stop abetting terrorism and not commit such things that will escalate the situation here. Let better sense prevail upon them," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said. Kashmir is the main issue: Musharraf "We definitely accept any sort of mediation in the issue, but the Indians have a unique way of defining bilateral ties," the Pakistani ruler said. Kalyan Singh waiting for the inevitable But, in what could be an act of defiance, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister suddenly decided to go to Ayodhya tomorrow for a darshan at the temporary temple built over the demolished Babri Masjid. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Ammonia leak causes exodus from Paradip Survivors lucky to have escaped the killer cyclone feared an 'accident' similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy. Cholera, gastroenteritis ravage Orissa Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang has asked the central government to provide a relief fund of Rs 5,000 million immediately and Rs 250,000 million over a long term. THE POPE'S VISIT Evangelisation is not conversion, says de Lastic Church leaders said "planting the cross" only meant spreading the message of Christ, not converting people. Pope bids adieu to India The leader of the Catholic Church left for Georgia in the morning by a chartered Air-India flight after a three-day state visit. Webcast of the Pope's Mass Catch the ceremony in Real Video. OTHER REPORTS No evidence to show Indian received kickback in Bofors deal, says Chidambaram The inclusion of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi as an accused in the Bofors chargesheet was not justified in law, he said. Bush flunks test on India Asked to name the leaders of India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Chechnya, the Republican frontrunner for president could come up with only a fragment of one. India watching Pakistan situation, says Narayanan Speaking at a luncheon hosted by Austrian Chancellor Victor Klima, the Indian President said it was necessary for Pakistan to cease cross-border terrorism if any meaningful dialogue was to be achieved. Clouds loom over Nayanar government The Congress is shaking off its stupor and planning an aggressive campaign to expose the ruling LDF for its alleged misdeeds. Microsoft could be split into 'Baby Bills' Rick Sherlund, an analyst for Goldman Sachs, said Friday's ruling was an 'ominous' turn of events that would darken the cloud of uncertainty over the software giant. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'We must be No 1 again' 'For 25 years I have grown and matured in Maharashtra politics, from a village sarpanch I have become chief minister. This is like an anniversary gift to me. I must now try and live up to the expectations,' says Maharashtra's new man at the helm, Vilas Deshmukh. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS The fifth column 'Who do I cry to? What is my sorrow supposed to consist of? Our brave facade hides hurt and traumatised insides -- especially since most of us feel that no one cares and whom are they dying for anyway,' an army wife in Kashmir tells Varsha Bhosle. November 8 THE POPE'S VISIT Third millennium will witness harvest of faith in Asia: Pope Just as the first millennium saw the cross firmly planted in Europe, and the second in America and Africa, may the third Christian millennium witness a great harvest of faith in Asia, he said. 'It is like seeing god for me' Pious Catholics throng the stadium, but the Union Cabinet shuns high mass with the Pope. Pope prays for inter-religious dialogue More than 70,000 people from various parts of Asia and different faiths attended the papal Mass and related programmes, which lasted about three hours. In a special adaptation for India, a triple aarati was held along with the Holy Mass. Piety, unity, charity mark papal Mass The Pope dedicated the Mass to the victims of the country's worst cyclone in Orissa and to the martyrs of the Kargil conflict. Archbishop of Delhi Alan de Lastic announced that the Vatican was donating US $ 300,000 for the victims of the Orissa cyclone. Webcast of the Pope's Mass Catch the ceremony in Real Video. Conversion by choice is a core value of human rights: Pope Calling for the building of a "civilization of love founded on the universal values of peace, solidarity, justice and liberty," he ended his official engagements in India at an inter-religious meeting in the capital on Sunday evening. OTHER REPORTS 98 killed in accidents in J&K, Haryana A bus driver lost control of his vehicle due to a mechanical failure and skidded off the road in Jammu and Kashmir; the fire in the Katchi Quarter market in Ashok Nagar locality, Sonepat, Haryana, was caused by a spark from a cracker. Resignation Kalyan's 'personal' decision: BJP The chief minister said he had gone to greet Governor Suraj Bhan on Diwali, but the statement came just a night after he reportedly told some party workers about his plan to move out of his official home. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Declare cyclone national calamity: Orissa all party meeting The army and air force will begin an operation to remove carcasses from the affected areas to prevent the outbreak of any epidemic on Monday. November 7 THE POPE'S VISIT Synod calls for evangelisation of Asia The document that the Roman pontiff signed and released in New Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral reaffirms the Catholic Church's 'ardent affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour'. Govt pulls out the stops to ensure success of papal visit The VHP and the Shiv Sena have been 'advised' that their clamour for an apology from the visiting dignitary for the 'forced conversions of Hindus in Goa' should be discontinued. Indian leaders allay Pope's fears on Christian persecution Officials described the Pope-Vajpayee meeting as warm and cordial. Both exchanged pleasantries and settled down for a 20-minute chat. Eminent people 'apprehensive' of visit A group of artistes and socially prominent persons from across the country have expressed their "apprehensions and concerns about" the visit of Pope John Paul II in front-page advertisements published today in several national dailies. They have also blamed 'intolerant missionaries' for the recent attacks on Christians by right-wing groups. Shiv Sainiks held for anti-Pope protest While six of them were arrested at Rajghat, nine were taken into custody at Hyderabad House for holding black flag demonstrations against the pontiff's visit. Colourful vignettes to adorn Pope's High Mass The dais has been designed in the shape of a cross and will seat all the bishops who will be in Delhi for the conclusion of the Asian Synod. Security overkill at Pope's venues The Sacred Heart Cathedral, near Gole Dak Khana in Delhi, where Pope John Paul II is due to address the concluding session of the Synod of Asian Bishops has been virtually turned into a fortress. THE REDIFF DIARY How DD did itself in DD could have earned a huge revenue from selling its pictures of the Pope at an acceptable, reasonable price. But for reasons known best to the government, it chose not to. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'The protests are not the voice of Indian people and the Indian government' 'Vatican is very clear about one thing, that the anti-Christian groups in India do not represent the people of India and therefore it is not significant,' says Bishop Piero Marini, a close aide of the Pope and the director of Vatican's Office of the Liturgical Celebration. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Of ghost towns and famished folks fighting for food When relief materials are air-dropped from the MI 8 helicopters and Chetaks, people of all ages start scouring the entire area, looking for anything that might have been trapped amidst the debris. OTHER REPORTS Envoy's remarks on AMU sparks row India's ambassador to the UAE, K C Singh suggested that 'Muslim' should be removed from AMU's name as it gives the university a religious bias. Dissidence sprouts in AP BJP Member of Parliament A Narendra has openly expressed his resentment over the party's central leadership ignoring his claim to head the party's state unit. Bank of India in Paris robbed Two armed, masked men held up the bank in the heart of Paris and walked off with nearly 65,000 French francs (nearly half a million rupees). Major setback for Microsoft In a long-awaited decision, District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson has said Microsoft's actions had done consumers harm and the company had used its power to punish competing firms. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Pak mission may not succeed The current high-power visit to the US of a special envoy to lobby support for the military regime is unlikely to succeed in view of Washington's insistence on a time-table for the restoration of the civilian government in the country. Gejdenson blasts Bush for defending Pak coup 'For a candidate for the president of the United States and leader of the free world to condone a military takeover of a democratically elected government shows a lack of commitment to the democratic principles and the core values upon which this country was founded,' the senior Democrat said. Musharraf heaps scorn on Lahore Declaration 'I am willing to go ten steps further, if India took the desired steps, but my country should not be taken for granted,' Pakistan's military ruler said. Musharraf sends special envoy to US Yaqub Khan, a widely respected elder statesman, had talks with National Security Advisor Sandy Berger. He would meet Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott on Monday. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS In the teeth of a cyclone 'Oh sure, my brother and his wife might be swept up in relief work after the cyclone. They and their colleagues might have been taking healthcare to people most of us have forgotten. Who cares? In the end, that's all incidental; his name will be used against him,' writes Dilip D'Souza. Why is Sushma in a sulk? 'Swaraj feels party presidentship is her birthright, Jag Pravesh Chandra realises neutrality could neuter in politics, Karan Singh's regal amnesia, Jaitley guns for porn while dhobis gun for him, and no there is no truth about PMO Times.' Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar. November 6 THE POPE'S VISIT John Paul II arrives in New Delhi The spiritual head of 1.2 billion Catholics was accompanied by a forty-member delegation that included cardinals, theologians, bishops and security personnel. Bin Laden may attack Pope, reports RAW Senior home ministry officials told rediff.com that "more than Indian fundamentalist organisations like the VHP, RSS or Shiv Sena, the government has reason to believe that foreign terrorist outfits aided and abetted by Osama bin Laden could strike at the Pope to give the government a bad name. VHP demands ban on conversions VHP vice-president Sujit Dhar demanded strong action against the "vilification of Hindu gods and goddesses and insult to Hindu scriptures". Goans unmoved by Sangh's rathyatra It is a historical fact that the Inquisition in Goa targeted not Hindus but converted Christians. But the Manch admitted this only in Goa. Outside, it has preferred to portray the Inquisition as a period of atrocities on Hindus. THE REDIFF DIARY The Pope, at last, in India! Doctors at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences are gearing up to meet any eventuality. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Orissa toll crosses 1,300 as relief work picks up Prime Minister Vajpayee announced Rs 1 billion more from the National Calamity Relief Fund for the operations, saying his government had treated the disaster as a national calamity from day one and nomenclature was unimportant. Army warns of the outbreak of epidemics Major General A S Klair, in charge of Operation Help, said as many as 400 villages in Bhadrak district had been marooned by flash floods and over 100,000 people were taking shelter on the national highway. More 'will die' if relief fails to reach them Trilochan Kanungo, a newly elected Member of Parliament who was going around on a two-wheeler, said relief measures must be undertaken on a war footing. Where are the animals? The storm has ravaged the Nandankanan Zoo on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, forcing its closure. 'Social factors responsible for destruction caused by natural disasters' People inhabiting disaster-prone areas have modified its morphology and natural vegetation. Agricultural fields and dwellings stand where once were trees and tall grass, so high-speed winds cause damage as there are fewer natural barriers along the coastal lowlands, says Dr R B Singh, convenor of Delhi University's Disaster Studies Research Group. OTHER REPORTS Militants strike again, kill 2 elite cops A group of heavily armed extremists forced their way into an examination centre and opened fire on the Special Operations Group personnel on guard, killing two policemen, including an assistant sub-inspector. A student was also killed. Mechanic Chacha, accused in Bombay blasts, arrested The 54-year-old man was produced before the special TADA court presided over by Judge P D Kode and remanded to custody till November 11. Bihar minister, officials arrested in bitumen scandal Later, Chief Minister Rabri Devi sacked Mohammed Ilyas Hussain from her Cabinet. ULFA militant held The extremist, identified as Jumi Kakati, belonged to the women's wing of the banned outfit. Delhi HC to hear petition on Rajiv's name But Justice Syriac Joseph asked the Rajiv Gandhi Ekta Samiti, a Delhi-based social welfare organisation that filed the writ, to first prove its credentials. Fernandes cautions Sharad, Paswan against criticising BJP The BJP leadership, smarting from the Opposition's barbs for losing Purnea, Bhagalpur and Rajmahal, is understood to have chalked out a strategy to clip the wings of the JD-U leaders if they continue to not co-operate. Sharad Yadav is losing love in Bihar The Union civil aviation minister is fast becoming hugely unpopular in his home state. Rushdie, Naipaul lock horns over BJP Trinidad-born Naipaul says Hindu militancy, "dangerous or not, [is] a necessary corrective to history and will continue to remain so". 1 more legislator joins Congress in Goa In an attempt to foil yet another move by Congress dissidents to topple his four-month-old government, Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro engineered one more defection, this time from the NCP. Environmentalists tick off Sabrimala rail link The project has the blessings of the BJP. A direct rail link to the pilgrimage centre has been a longstanding demand of Hindus not only in Kerala but also in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. US planned to arm India with nukes in the Sixties India's Nuclear Bomb by George Perkovich provides the most detailed glimpse yet of high-level US debate on 'nuclear sharing' in the mid-1960s to counter the growing Communist might. CPI-M alleges Congress-BJP nexus in Kerala The parallel agitation programmes announced by these parties against the Nayanar government are enough indication that they have reached an understanding, CPI-M state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said. Laloo's bail extended The extension was granted by a three-judge bench comprising Justice G T Nanavati, Justice S P Kurdukar and Justice K T Thomas since the interim bail granted earlier expired on Thursday. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Clinton undecided about visiting Pakistan US Ambassador in Islamabad William Milam said America was unhappy with the October 12 overthrow of the elected government and was waiting to see what policies the new military administration adopts. Sharief's Muslim League wins five seats in PoK The election, the second in the past 53 years, was held in the occupied territory on Wednesday and the results were declared on Thursday. Like in 1994, local parties boycotted the polls saying they offered no solution to the problems of the people. Hussain 'conspired' to defame army According to intelligence sources, three Pakistani and two Indian columnists were part of the game to paint the army as a rouge army and Sharief as the saviour. Pak announces federal Cabinet Unlike the Sharief Cabinet, which was dominated by the largest province Punjab, the military has given more representation to the smaller provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and the Northwest Frontier Province. Pak preparing new economic road map Pakistan's new military government is working "with a sense of urgency" to revive its flagging economy, Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz said. Musharraf to visit Turkey The Pakistan Army chief lived in Turkey as a schoolboy and speaks Turkish. This will be his third foreign visit after taking over the country. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS The 'dharma' of coalitions 'There is nothing to stop Pawar himself from painting Congressmen as chicken-hearts who dare not stand up to Sonia Gandhi... and there is nothing that the Congress can do about it,' says T V R Shenoy. A decent bias 'Is evangelism indicative of intolerance? Is it permissible to hate the intolerant? The answers to those questions could well separate Indian democracy from traditional ones elsewhere,' says Ashwin Mahesh. November 5 THE ARMY HQ ATTACK Troops strike back, kill 2 militants Major General Mukherjee said the troops killed the Srinagar district chief of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Abu Talha. "One more militant has been killed and we are searching the debris to recover his body. The search for the third is on," he said. 'Take care of all. I am fine here...' Sepoy Mohammad Haq was writing to his sister when he was gunned down. "Pay my compliments to everyone at home," he wrote, moments before extremists attacking the 15 Corps headquarters reached the PRO's office where he worked. Eywitnesses recount their brush with death S Tariq of ANI, Habib Ullah Naqash of The Asian Age, and Fayaz Ahmad of New Delhi TeleVision were still in shock when they were presented at a press conference today. THE POPE'S VISIT Pope to usher Indian church into new millennium On evangelisation in Asia, the pontiff will emphasise a dialogue with the followers of the continent's prevailing religions. Zealots to lie low during Pope's stay But sources said the silence does not mean the fringe groups have shunned anti-conversion protests. "In fact they are going to pick up," said a top VHP leader. Anti-Pope yatra ends in Delhi The yatra started from Goa two weeks ago ahead of the November 5-8 visit of the head of the Catholic Church. Conversion is also an act of god: archbishop Tight security arrangements have been made for the Pope and all venues to be visited by him thoroughly sanitised. Syro-Malabarians pop the 'Indianisation' question The reformists want freedom from the Oriental Congregation, which controls the Church on the Pope's behalf. Vatican sends Hindus a goodwill note "It is necessary to become more and more aware of our shared responsibilities in this world so that together we may embark upon the new millennium in a way that provides greater hope for coming generations," said Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'The Church has harmed many Hindu families and communities and is still willing to do so' 'As a former Catholic, I am well aware that most Catholics have no real respect for Hinduism. My uncle became a missionary to convert Native Americans and save them from hell, and Hindus are placed in the same category,' says Dr David Frawley, director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Gamang asks for another central team The Orissa chief minister said the need arose because most of the cyclone-ravaged areas continue to be inaccessible a week after the disaster. Army help necessary to clear bodies: Patnaik The Union minister said state government officials had failed miserably to do the needful. 'Bhubaneswar will never be the same again' In some ways it resembles a war zone, with army helicopters flying over the city ferrying food and medicines to rural areas and army personnel and workers arriving from other states to take up relief work. THE BOFORS CHARGESHEET Warrant issued against Quattrocchi Judge Bharihoke said he found sufficient prima facie evidence against former defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, former Bofors agent Win Chadha, former Bofors chief executive officer Martin Ardbo and AB Bofors. OTHER REPORTS Governor okays CBI prosecution of Yadav, Mishra Bihar Governor Suraj Bhan permitted the CBI to file a chargesheet in a case relating to the conspiracy in the fodder scandal against leading politicians of the state, including the two former chief ministers, three ministers and several bureaucrats. Mast Gul resurfaces in Pak Having played a leading role in the destruction of the Charar-e-Sharif shrine in Kashmir four years ago, Gul's comeback has to be seen in the light of several militant organisations reorganising themselves after their Kargil misadventure. Ukraine to give Pakistan 25 T-80 tanks Novosti quoted Ukrainian military councillor Viktor Voronina as saying that the Ukraine would thus fulfil its commitment to supply arms to Pakistan under an agreement signed a few years ago. BJP must prove coalitions a success: PM "This government means business. It will last long, no doubt about it. Periods of uncertainty have gone," Home Minister Advani told the concluding session of the party's national executive. Fixed tenure for LS is 'first step towards dictatorship' Mulayam Singh Yadav called this a "conspiracy of the Congress and the BJP to prevent the third force from coming back to power in the near future". Kashmiri Pandits ask US for $200 million Indo-American Kashmir Forum director Hira L Fotedar urged the US and the UN to take the initiative and recognise the Pandits as refugees. No more demands to prune ministry: Pawar After a brainstorming session with his party's ministers, Pawar said the NCP was determined to ensure a stable, people-oriented and result-oriented government that would last its full term. Madhuri Dixit marries Los Angeles surgeon The actress tied the knot on October 17 with Dr Shriram Nene, a Los Angeles surgeon, in a quiet ceremony at her brother Ajit's residence in LA. New kids on the Toonz Five Indian kids have won the Cartoon Network's 'Get Tooned' loyalty programme. LTTE overruns Nedunkari, army suffers heavy losses In addition to security force losses in terms of land, men and military hardware, the air force lost a helicopter gunship, which was hit by enemy forces between Oddusudan and Nedunkari. The pilot managed to land in army-held area. THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS Requiem: Major Purushottam 'He was betrayed by all such "in search of the Truth". To all those who shed a tear for him today, I can only say this: Avenge him. Drive these scumbags out of the limelight,' says Varsha Bhosle. The political paradigm has shifted 'The clash between the Hindu and Christian faiths will continue till the two communities find a modus vivendi. On the face of it, it is a difficult route to follow: the two faiths are inherently dissimilar,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy. November 4 Militants attack army HQ in Srinagar, 6 killed The officer killed has been identified as Major P Purushottam, the defence ministry's PRO. The encounter is continuing. Militants ask Pakistan to aid 'holy war' The Lashkar-e-Toiba is expected to issue a defiant pledge to counter 'international conspiracies' when its annual convention ends in Muridke, near Lahore, on Friday. India expresses outrage at Lashkar meeting India said this was clear proof of Islamabad's continued "support, sustenance and space" to terrorist groups. US concerned about Pak support for terrorists "Within the territory of Pakistan, there are numerous Kashmiri separatist groups and sectarian groups involved in terrorism which use Pakistan as a base," said the counter-terrorism co-ordinator at the State Department, Michael Sheehan, in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Survivors yet to come to terms with loss Unable to bear the sight of infants crying for food, people stand on the road looking for any opportunity to grab food from passers-by. No relief material has reached them yet. 'It was the curse of God' You see hordes of homeless in the makeshift shelters that have sprouted along the national highway. Their eyes are now dry. But the suffering you see etched on their faces is eloquent testimony to the horrors they have lived through -- with bloated corpses floating around, without water, without food. M I Khan reports from cyclone-hit Paradip. Cuttack in the grip of epidemic, collector sends SOS Thousands of starving people gheraoed all the 14 block offices demanding food. There were no trucks nor enough people around to carry on with relief work in the cyclone-ravaged areas. Now, a deluge of aid From President Clinton to the All-India Truckers Association, cyclone-devastated Orissa has become the cynosure of genuine sympathy and sorely needed succour. THE POPE'S VISIT Sanskruti Raksha Manch chief quits, blasts Sangh Parivar Joaquim Dias, a 79-year-old freedom fighter, said the RSS and its affiliates had misguided him in the name of saving Indian culture and misused him to further their Hindutva agenda. Dalit group's statement stokes Church-VHP fire Just as the campaign against the papal visit appeared to be petering out, the Catholic Church was painted into a corner by a statement terming the Hindu religion "bloody and rabid". Church leaders disown abusive statement Dr Dominic Emmanuel, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said the community was happy that the police had done its duty and arrested some Shiv Sena activists who burnt an effigy of the Pope. Trinamul welcomes Pope's visit 'We welcome the visit of the Pope as a good gesture on his part to be in a country with unity in diversity,' party chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said. THE BOFORS CHARGESHEET Indo-UAE treaty could help: Madhavan The extradition deal could help Indian officials get their hands on Win Chadha, the former CBI joint director said. CBI told to file original chargesheet Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke said he would consider the issue of taking cognisance of the chargesheet after it is filed in original on Thursday. Sonia denies deal on Bofors On her arrival in Amethi, reporters asked if the government had shown any soft corner for her party on the Bofors chargesheet issue, to which her answer was a firm "not at all". Government attacked on Bofors "Why wasn't Rajiv Gandhi questioned for more than a year before his death? The inclusion of his name in column two of the chargesheet is self-contradictory," said former Union law minister H R Bharadwaj. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Musharraf lets Azad Kashmir go to the polls The army chief's three-week-old government decided to honour the election to the legislative council, which deposed PM Nawaz Sharief had ordered. Sharief preached austerity, revelled in luxury A visit to the ex-PM's family estate, called Jati Umra, reveals more than heavy security. It reveals a level of luxury the average Pakistani could never afford. OTHER REPORTS Militants abduct 10 in Tripura Police said the militants kidnapped five persons at Damchara in north Tripura while four others, including three school students, were taken away at gunpoint from Kalyanpur in west Tripura. BJP blames JD-U for Bihar debacle Party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu vehemently denied that the diesel price increase had anything to do with the outcome. Thakre assures full party backing for govt "We have to convince the people that mere sloganeering will not deliver good governance," the BJP president told the party's national executive. Sonia hints at major reshuffle in party The Congress chief said there was a need for change, and that the students, women and youth wings needed to be strengthened. Kerala HC dismisses ex-minister's plea in sex scandal Justice K A Mohammed Shafi upheld Congress leader P J Kurien's arraignment in the Suryanelli sexual assault case. Mansingh's appointment will tilt balance in favour of MEA As a member of the culturati who has never been a mandarin, he is expected to bring a steady hand to the tiller as India's next foreign secretary. Sabarimala prepares for another season The January stampede that killed 53 pilgrims near the Hindu shrine has made the authorities very cautious about the current season that begins on November 14. Deshmukh makes minor portfolio changes Anand Deokate, who was earlier given animal husbandry and fisheries, will now hold only the fisheries portfolio while animal husbandry goes to Makhram Pawar. Bollywood deserves collective Bharat Ratna: Gill The CEC yesterday released Bharat ki Madhyam Varg ki Ajeeb Kahani, the Hindi translation of Pawan Kumar Verma's The Great Indian Middle Class. HC directs Centre to give Mann a passport The government had rejected his plea saying it would be harmful to the cause of India's sovereignty and integrity if the Akali politician was allowed to go abroad. Naidu invites Clinton to Hyderabad The Andhra Pradesh chief minister requested Ambassador Richard Celeste to use his good offices to get Hyderabad included in Clinton's itinerary in the first visit by a US president to the country in 22 years. Lankan army camp attacked "Our losses are not as much as we expected, but it could be in the hundreds," a senior military official said. THE REDIFF COLUMNIST Americans as protectors of religion: a fox guarding the hen-house? 'Let us compare acts of religious terror. It is indeed true that in India a foreign missionary was torched, but by persons unknown, certainly not by the government. But in the US, how about the fact that a hundred Americans were torched, and that too by the US government?' says Rajeev Srinivasan. November 3 THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA Toll in Orissa may even cross 10,000 Meanwhile, the spectre of an epidemic began haunting the state in the aftermath of the cyclone. 'We never imagined this storm would wreak such havoc' Many people admitted to having heard the warnings on radio and TV, but never felt the need to take extra precautions. "It was the experience of a lifetime," said 70-year-old Banka Behera of Jagatsinghpur. Flash floods cut off Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada Reports received from various cyclone-ravaged districts said that 125 bodies had been recovered. UN sending team to co-ordinate relief The secretary general was "distressed by the devastation caused by the powerful cyclone on October 29 that is reported to have affected more than 10 million people," a statement said. THE POPE'S VISIT Prominent citizens oppose papal visit A group of prominent citizens today met Prime Minister Vajpayee and expressed concern over John Paul II's visit to India, saying it was aimed at promoting conversions in the country. Pope will stress on inter-faith dialogue Father Dominique Emmanuel, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, recalled that during his last visit, the Pope also spoke of his deep interest in the various cultures of India, which he said reflected a fine blending of the old and the new. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN Pak wants to settle Kashmir first 'But if there is any design to address issues other than Kashmir and sideline the Kashmir issue, I am not a part of it. So the Kashmir issue has to be addressed and with that all other issues can be addressed,' said Gen Pervez Musharraf. Few dissenting voices in Pakistan Past experiences with military rule here have not been happy or brought any change for the better. THE REDIFF SPECIAL The Military Coup in Pakistan: Implications for Nuclear Stability in South Asia 'Fears that the coup could leave Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the military's hands, unfettered by civilian control, are exaggerated. The degree of actual civilian participation in Pakistan's nuclear decision-making has always been limited,' says Gaurav Kampani. OTHER REPORTS NSCN-K to end hostilities NSCN-K chairman S S Khaplang said, "The NSCN does hereby declare a cessation of hostilities to christen the new millennium with a hope for a better and a peaceful world." Bhutan reluctant to drive ULFA out Severe action against ULFA and Bodo militants holed up in its territory could, the Himalayan kingdom fears, lead to reprisals against its nationals in the north-eastern states of India. 15 extremists killed, 255 kg of explosives recovered in Kashmir Security forces raided an extremist hideout at Lar Ganderbal on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday evening and recovered 200 kg of explosives. High court rejects plea for Naidu's prosecution A division bench held that no writ petition was maintainable against the governor. Moreover, it said, state Congress chief Rajasekhar Reddy's petition was politically motivated. J S Verma to head NHRC Justice Verma, who retired from the Supreme Court two years ago, shot to fame when he headed the bench that forced the CBI to investigate the infamous havala scandal. BJP suffers major reverse in Bihar The party was defeated in Purnea, Bhagalpur and Rajmahal. But its electoral ally, the Janata Dal (United) managed to retain Khagaria. Was it a vote against Vajpayee? It was a fight, straight and simple, against the sitting MPs. And the people, with no room for doubt, showed exactly what they thought of their representatives. Kalyan Singh in do-or-die mode Prime Minister Vajpayee, who had made up his mind to get rid of what he considered an 'insolent' Kalyan, has been compelled to put his plans on hold. BJP national executive will not discuss Kalyan's fate But party president Kushabhau Thakre said the debacle in the recent general election in Uttar Pradesh would be debated. Rajiv's assassins challenge rejection of clemency petitions The four convicts sought a declaration from the Madras high court that the governor's October 27 order was null, void and inoperative. SC slams Bombay high court for disregarding norms A division bench of the high court had set aside an order of a five-judge bench of the same court disrobing a judicial magistrate for his alleged role in the wrongful arrest of an innocent litigant, who was also handcuffed and paraded in public. Delhi HC rejects petition on Sonia's citizenship 'This is a politically motivated petition, which has garbled and mixed-up facts. Do not make courts a political platform to fight your battles,' the judges told Rashtriya Mukti Morcha counsel P N Lekhi. UAE submits a list of wanted Indians Most of those wanted by the UAE police are accused of economic crimes, sources said. The sums involved range from thousands to millions of dollars. Russia was not supportive during Indo-China war: Dixit This revelation was made by the former foreign secretary after the release of the book 'Foreign policy dynamics -- Moscow and India' by Dr Shanta Nedungadi Varma. Indo-Pak nuke race is alarming: UNDP "The implications for promoting human security and development in South Asia are disturbing," the study said. Taslima Nasreen to seek asylum in India She said she would certainly like to return to Bangladesh, but if she were forced to adopt another country, her first choice would be India. THE REDIFF COLUMNIST The road not taken 'Look at our most recent prime ministers. V P Singh, Chandra Shekhar, P V Narasimha Rao, H D Deve Gowda, I K Gujral. Each of them makes a perfect study in despair. They basked in their own glory and wrote themselves out of the history books,' says Pritish Nandy. November 2 THE CYCLONE IN ORISSA 5,000 feared killed in Orissa Over 10 million people have been affected by the worst cyclone to batter the state in 22 years, a senior government official said. Storm weakens, but it's still raining heavily Squally winds with speeds of 45-50 kph are expected in the coastal areas in the next 24 hours. Fishermen have been advised to be cautious while venturing out to sea. Centre to seek foreign aid for victims Minister of State for Agriculture Satyanarayana Rao said the Union Cabinet would meet to decide about the rehabilitation of the affected. THE POPE'S VISIT VHP willing to garland the Pope But the Hindu outfit still wants the head of the Catholic Church to apologise for the forcible conversions allegedly carried out by Christian missionaries. Christians want 'white paper' on foreign funds "Christian organisations receive only 4 per cent of their funds from the European Union while institutions of the Sangh Parivar receive donations from a host of foreign agencies and the money has never been accounted for," said Dr Walter Fernandes. THE COUP IN PAKISTAN 'Musharraf should seek Parliament nod' Zia-ul-Haq's son Ejaz is campaigning against the deposed Nawaz Sharief, reportedly in the hope of becoming the next prime minister if the Muslim League government is restored. SAARC meet may be put off A summit of the South Asian heads of state, scheduled from November 26 to 28, is likely to be postponed due to the military take-over, a senior Nepalese official said. OTHER REPORTS Mamta spurns Congress tie-up offer Confirming that the Congress was persisting with feelers, a Trinamul MP said his chief had turned down the proposal. Ex-editor Dua is Vajpayee's press adviser H K Dua had served former prime minister H D Deve Gowda in the same capacity. NDA trails in 2 out of 3 Bihar LS seats Reversing the trend in last month's Lok Sabha election, a candidate of the opposition CPI-M, an independent and the JD-U were maintaining a lead in three of the four seats for which preliminary trends were available. Vote counting begins in Dhubri The election could be held only on October 28 as suspected ULFA militants had killed BJP candidate Pannalal Oswal. The Bihar in God's Own Country Kannur's crime record in the past one year has ensured that this northern district of Kerala is now competing with Bihar as far as political violence is concerned. Pakistan mercenaries join Chechen rebels Some 400 Pakistani and other foreign mercenaries have joined Chechen extremists over the past three weeks, report Russian intelligence services. THE REDIFF INTERVIEW 'The Christian tradition has much to learn from the Hindu tradition' 'I felt somehow that there was a certain weakness in the modern, Christian view of the universe. So, when I came across this view, vision or darshan of Ramanuja, I felt this was something that I, as a Christian, should take seriously and make it a part of me.' British missionary Dr Eric Lott on his magnificent fascination. THE REDIFF COLUMNIST The battle for the millennium 'Actually, none of us is bothered by the "500 million Christians in India by the end of 2000". Not I, nor the VHP... Christendom happens to be extremely patient and remarkably Machiavellian. Jesus can afford to wait... And therefore, it's high time Hindus shake butt,' says Varsha Bhosle. Nationalism 'Sonia-Vajpayee-Atal-Maino' style 'It takes a slave's mind and vision to actually feel honoured that a junior officer is deigning to meet with the external affairs minister of the world's largest democracy, or that Karl Inderfurth spent time with India's Principal Secretary to the PM-cum-National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra,' says Monu Nalapat. Archives |
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