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September 15
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
Forces outside India trying to destroy country, PM tells US Congress
Vajpayee said these forces believe they can use terror to unravel the territorial integrity of India and show that a multi-religious society cannot exist. 'They pursue a task in which they are doomed to fail,' he said.
'No region is a greater source of terrorism than our neighbourhood'
What the prime minister told Congress.
'Peace, Peace, Peace be unto all'
Hindu priest Venkatachalapathi Samuldrala makes history in Congress.
Congress wants anti-India sanctions lifted: PTI
Senior administration officials, however, were adamant on continuing to link the lifting of sanctions, including development loans, to India's signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
US wants Pak to show restraint, curb militants: PTI
Senior US officials want General Musharraf to show restraint, renounce violence and use his influence over the militants.
Clintons, Gores take time off from campaign to host PM
'The US believes India is a strong country and will emerge even stronger in the coming years,' a state department official declared.
Vajpayee arrives in Washington
It is after a long gap that an Indian prime minister has chosen to stay at Blair House, where all guests of the US president are put up.
Accept India as a nuclear state, US expert tells Clinton
Selig Harrison also wants the US to relax the ban on the sale of civilian nuclear reactions badly needed by India for its growing energy needs.
The PM in the US
In pictures.
THE GATES VISIT
When Gates relished seekh kabab
The Microsoft chief spoke to 10 chief ministers, a governor and others, who came to meet him over lunch in New Delhi on Thursday.
Tight security for Gates
The Microsoft chief is being given security almost on par with a visiting head of state, according to Delhi police officials and the Maurya Sheraton staff.
Slide Show: The Gates Visit
Broadband: The Gates Visit
SPECIALS
Campus under siege
Allegations of anti-national activities cloud the Aligarh Muslim University. Josy Joseph reports.
A vision for revision
`Pakistani history, with respect to all periods -- ancient, medieval or modern -- is a myth-maker's paradise. Revisionism and exaggeration are so commonplace that is difficult to find a book which desists from indulging in the practice,' says S Gopikrishna.
DIARY
A young African in a white neighbourhood
'You don't know it. You haven't seen anythin' yet. There's a lot of bias here, yeah, a lot of racism...' P Rajendran records an American experience.
OTHER REPORTS
8 killed in encounter in Udhampur
Four militants, three army men and a village defence committee member were killed at Mahore village in a fierce gun battle that continued late into the evening.
Is the Patna crash site haunted?
This question has divided the residents of Gardanibagh, where the aircraft crashed killing 53 passengers and six people on the ground.
Major's widow jumps off speeding train
Jaya Pandey, wife of Major M K Pandey, committed suicide while on her way to Allahabad, where her husband's body was to arrive for cremation.
Militants trying to sabotage census in Jammu
Reports from Banihal in Doda district said some posters bearing Hizb and Lashkar threats were found pasted on walls. The district administration removed them.
Anti-Kannadiga posters surface in TN
The anti-terrorist Q branch police were shocked by the sudden appearance of posters in parts of Cuddalore district, where peripheral pan-Tamil militancy was believed to have been snuffed out, until the Rajakumar kidnap episode.
5 more stabbed in tense Nanded
The stabbings took place when an angry mob attacked a police patrol in the Itwara area of the town.
Sonia gives no commitment on Vidarbha
The Congress chief gave a patient hearing to both supporters and opponents of the proposal for a separate state, but did not give any assurance to either side.
Malik prefers peacekeeping under UN command
The army chief criticised the overemphasis on regional representation, blurring of the chain of command and lack of proper analysis of the socio-political situation while executing UN peacekeeping operations.
Bomb threat on Musharraf's plane
Soon after PIA Flight 722 took off with 121 passengers, an unidentified caller telephoned the airport authorities and told them a bomb was on board. The plane, bound for Karachi via Manchester, returned to New York soon after.
Gowd Saraswat Brahmin high priests in row
A high priest of the prosperous community spread over Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra has secured a court injunction against another in a battle for supremacy.
Suicides on the rise in Bangalore, Kerala
What is alarming is that both places rank high in education and human development indices.
NHRC sends notices to J&K govt, home and defence ministries
The commission took suo moto cognisance of a news report about the disappearance of thousands of people in the Kashmir valley over the past decade.
Another armyman held for ISI links in Lucknow
The arrest takes the number of those involved in the Pakistani ISI-sponsored spying racket to nine.
AMU students' links with extremists confirmed: UP official
Apart from tape-recorded confessions made by recently arrested Aligarh Muslim University student Abdul Mobeen, startling revelations were made in a complaint by a senior faculty member, the official said.
PTI REPORTS
Naxalites gun down 9 persons in Bihar
Six of the victims were suspected to be supporters of the banned extremist Ali Sena, a private militia of the minorities in south Bihar.
Fresh tremors in Bhavnagar
Two fresh tremors rocked the coastal belt of the distirct in Gujarat early on Thursday, official sources said in Ahmedabad.
Fodder scam accused dies in jail
Krishna Kumar Verma died of cardiac arrest at the Beur Adarsh jail in Patna on Thursday, jail authorities said.
PIL filed against capitation fees in Maharashtra
The PIL urged that the state government appoint a committee to probe such financial deals and submit a report within 60 days.
COLUMN
Is Taurani guilty?
'The actual evidence against both Nadeem and Taurani appears too slender for anyone to conclude definitively that they had conspired to kill Gulshan Kumar. The case is before the courts and till the honourable judges decide, we cannot call them criminals. They are merely the accused,' says Pritish Nandy.
GUEST COLUMN
India, its pride and spirit taken hostage
Vijay Rangaraju's heart bleeds for Abdul Kareem, who is fighting the government on the Veerappan issue.
September 14
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
Strategic Management Group in PMO to
overcome investment hurdles
'An inter-ministerial team will assist the cell which would report to me directly once a month,' Vajpayee told businessmen in New York on Wednesday.
The PM in NYC
In pictures.
INTERVIEWS
'Vidarbha is more viable than other new states'
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Ranjit Deshmukh is spearheading the movement for a separate state, giving sleepless nights to Chief Minister Vilas Deshmukh.
'After Dr Rajakumar's release, the truth will come out'
E V K Elangovan, who has taken over as president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, says that if anything goes wrong in rescuing the Kannada film icon, the lives of Tamils in Karnataka will be affected.
OTHER REPORTS
Curfew imposed in Nanded town: PTI
The dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed from 1900 IST in the old city area, which was the scene of rioting and violence, while the other parts of the city were brought under curfew from 2200 onwards.
Ranga's death a case of 'wrong diagnosis'
But asked if 'wrong diagnosis' was the conclusion drawn by the expert panel, the Union health minister said he had not read the report as yet and would not comment.
Karnataka police feel the stress
The police department admitted that since trouble broke out following the abduction of film star Rajakumar, its personnel have not been granted leave, except for emergencies.
River changes course, washes away many UP villages
The release of water from the Ghaghra's catchment area in neighbouring Nepal has added to the misery of the people, inundating hundreds of villages and roads.
Vatican document stresses Catholic superiority
The 'Declaration Dominus Iesus' asserts that churches are not equal, doubts the validity of Protestant churches and asks bishops across the world not use the term 'sister churches' in reference to Protestant churches.
Pondy minister may walk out on Moopanar
Sources close to P Kannan said he had been sidelined by the TMC founder who has found a new favourite in Theni S Jayakumar.
Stolen child sold for Rs 500 in TN
The Puduchatram police in Cuddalore district are investigating the case of a stolen female child, who was sold and branded with a hot iron rod.
Death stalks children's home in Rajasthan
With the death of three more infants in the first week of the month, the number of deaths at the home has risen to 30 since January this year.
IAS officer accused of tonsuring daughter's
lover
The boy was last seen in a house in Thallakulam village near Manamadurai, his head tonsured, eyebrows shaved and wounds all over his body.
Orissa farmer ploughs into rare find
The discovery of three rare copper plates of the famous Ganga dynasty may give a new turn to history if excavation is undertaken at the site.
Orissa probe panel raps CBI
The CBI, probing a multi-million polythene scam, was taken to task by the Justice R K Patra Commission following its failure to submit a status report by September 11.
Civic stir raises a stink in Bhubaneswar
The temple city has turned into a city of garbage, with the stand-off between civic employees and state government entering the 16th day on Wednesday.
25-year fight for justice ends in tragedy
Nirmal Kumar Jain battled his employers against his sacking, without success. The process left him destitute. And two of his children were driven to suicide.
PTI REPORTS
13 killed in accident in Mathura
The dead included four women and a child. Police said the injured have been admitted to the district hospital.
Bill Gates arrives in India
The Microsoft chairman will unveil the company's global .Net strategy in the country.
Advani briefs President on West Bengal
Advani, who was with the President for 20 minutes, also briefed him on the visit of Prime Minister Vajpayee to the United States.
Delhi sisters kill brother in property dispute
The sisters -- Sunita, a divorcee, and Sadhana, a practising lawyer -- rained blows on Pradeep Dubey with lathis and hit him repeatedly with stones, killing him on the spot.
Yet another tremor rattles Koyna
The quake, of a slight intensity at around 13.51 IST on Wednesday, came as parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were recovering from the impact of a mild quake on Tuesday.
Navy to get sophisticated missile boats
Propelled by four high-power gas turbines, the new ship will be a modernised version of the previous vessel of the same class having greater indigenous content.
2 killed during Ganesh immersion
One of the victims was a girl, who was run over by an unmanned truck near Bombay.
DIARY
Nudity on the road? Big deal!
So what's wrong with undressing in public? Dhiraj Shetty wants to know.
COLUMNS
Language as a mask of conquest -- I
'Most South Indians are not very keen on seceding from the Hindi-dominated North. While we might make occasional noises about it, the Malayalis, Kannadigas and Telugus are aware that if we were to create an independent nation, we would merely be exchanging the tyranny of Hindi for the tyranny of Tamil,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
Petrol price hike cannot be ducked any longer
'The prime minister's US visit is the dessert before the main course. The bitter items are soon to follow,' says T V R Shenoy.
GUEST COLUMN
Can we make a difference?
'Typical work pressures and family chores give us little free time. But this thought does dominate; for most time, in any given week/month. I'm sure there are many out there thinking on similar lines,' says Venkat Prakash.
September 13
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
Hasina calls Musharraf a self-proclaimed CEO
Notwithstanding General Musharraf's displeasure over her speech at the UN, Hasina said she consistently opposed military capturing power in Pakistan.
PM to undergo knee surgery in India
Dr Chittaranjan S Ranawat has agreed to perform the operation. The surgery will take place after the prime minister returns home on September 19.
Reticent Dr Ranawat is a master of his craft
When he was reportedly overlooked for the assistant professorship in general surgery at the MGM medical college, Dr Chittaranjan S Ranawat left for the United States of America.
PM plays down Ayodhya, swayamsevak remarks
In a statement issued on Tuesday to the media delegation accompanying him, Vajpayee said
a misunderstanding has been created over "my use of the term swayamsevak."
Clinton looking forward to meeting Vajpayee
Vajpayee's would address the US Congress, hold intensive meetings with Clinton and attend a banquet hosted in his honour by the US President.
PM's Washington visit will boost economic ties
Nand Kishore Singh, secretary in the prime minister's office, said the aim of this summit was to further strengthen ties and boost economic activity between the two countries.
SLIDE SHOW
Jaswant Singh at the UN
Pictures of the foreign minister at the United Nations.
ALLIANCE AIR CRASH
'Gear oopar le lo... no...'
The last words from Alliance Air CD-7412, as recorded on its Cockpit Voice Recorder.
DIARY
Like a fish out of water...
'It was soft. Succulent. Sort of squishy. It had the most delicate pink hue this side of the Equator...' Sita Menon's take on Thailand.
SITUATION IN J&K
Eleven killed in suicide attack
An officer was among those killed and over 17 others were wounded when five heavily armed militants stormed an army camp at Beerwa in central Budgam district early on Tuesday.
Salahuddin holds out olive branch and gun
The Hizbul Mujahideen supreme commander said that he was ready to participate in elections provided they were monitored by an international agency.
Woman killed, 12 hurt in Pak shelling
Officials believe that Pakistani troops have intensified shelling from across the border as they wanted to push as many militants into the Indian side as possible.
OTHER REPORTS
Two mill workers commit suicide in Bombay
Two workers of the sick Mafatlal Mills in Bombay committed suicide on Sunday and Monday after the mill failed to pay its workers their salaries for five months.
Congress summons supporters of Vidarbha
ALL 26 Congress MLAs from Vidarbha in Maharashtra have been summoned to Delhi by the party leadership on Thursday to discuss the contentious demand for statehood for the region.
Krishna rules out change in strategy
The Karnataka chief minister on Tuesday ruled out change in strategy to secure the release of Kannada film star Dr Rajakumar, who is being held hostage by forest brigand Veerappan.
No trials for 1971 debacle: Musharraf
He said, "What happened then is nothing that any of us can be proud of. It was a debacle, not only a military, but a political debacle. But why do we want to dig the past up?"
President's rule unlikely in West Bengal
'As of today, the Centre feels that imposing President's rule in West Bengal will be counter-productive. The hype about central rule is to pacify Mamata Banerjee,' said a official.
Goan, held with Rs 500 notes, still in Nepal
His two friends, who have been released from jail, said that those crossing the border are not informed that carrying the notes is a crime there.
Ship owner to plug oil leak in Goa
Nearly a week after oil spillage from a grounded ship off Sinquerim beach in north Goa, its owner has promised action on Tuesday. The spill has threatened to affect the tourism season.
Laxman's team shows he means business
The BJP president has left out outspoken critics of the Vajpayee government's economic policies and infused new blood with an eye on the future.
Tremor rocks Bhavnagar in Gujarat
The tremor, measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 0624 hours IST. The epicentre was 21.8 degree north latitude and 72.2 degree east longitude.
Orissa fishermen discover sunken French ship
Fishermen in Orissa have discovered a sunken French ship on the mouth of the river Mahanadi near the confluence with the Bay of Bengal at Hukitola.
Stirrings of rebellion in Gilgit
For the first time human rights activists have raised their voice against the suppression of the rights of the people of the area who are living a life of isolation and are subjected to intimidation.
PTI REPORT
Nobel Museum scouts for Tagore artefacts
The Nobel Museum has identified a series of artefacts to be exhibited at the 'Nobel Exhibition' at Stockholm in February 2001.
Pakistan refuses to sell electricity to India
Ministry officials denied reports that some independent power producers (IPPs) had recently sought permission to export electricity to India.
COLUMNS
Master of all he surveys
'Power, it sure would seem, puts back the spring in one's step, the spunk in one's stride, the steel in one's soul. Age may wither beauty and the beast alike, but a dollop of power is all it would take to bring back the magic,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
It could finally be Jammu Vs Kashmir!
'A movement for Jammu and Ladakh's separation from the Valley is now taking shape and gaining strength,' says Arvind Lavakare.
September 12
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
Musharaff acknowledges US tilt towards India
In an interview to a Pakistani daily from New York, General Musharraf, however, said
he was "satisfied" with the role of US President Bill Clinton on the Kashmir issue.
US may declare LeT a terrorist organisation
Asked how soon the action could be taken, Indian Ambassador to the US, Naresh Chandra, said: 'It is difficult to predict how soon...but it can be anytime.'
Don't blow PM's speech out of context: BJP
His references to the Ram temple in Ayodhya and Article 370 are "well-known positions" for which a controversy is "superfluous," BJP leaders said.
DIARY
When the PM failed to turn up...
"What was primarily a VHP function turned into an umbrella event when the prime minister flatly refused to grace it," reports Savera Someshwar.
Indian power and the threat to the world
'Kargil and the Kandahar hijack were merely US warnings to India to curtail its nuclear programme, no more,' argues Dr Gautam Sen.
Vande Mataram and all that
In pictures.
Vajpayee at the UNGA
The prime minister's address. In Real Video.
THE NEW BJP TEAM
Munde, Khurana among BJP vice-presidents
In the newly-constituted party organisation, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has not been promoted from secretary to general secretary.
INTERVIEW
'Unless a politician has a strong base, he cannot survive in the minefield of national politics'
"Maharashtra is my political base, there is no question of distancing myself from state politics. I will have to maintain my presence in the region, and I will. And I will surely try to ensure that the BJP comes to power in the state," says the newly-appointed vice-president of BJP, Gopinath Munde.
THE SITUATION IN J&K
Talks must include Pak, insists Hurriyat leader
Sheikh Abdul Aziz said parleys with the Centre could start if the government recognised the Kashmir dispute and the international community guaranteed meaningful talks.
Four militants killed in Jammu and Kashmir
A defence ministry spokesman said in Srinagar Monday that the encounter took place between militants and security forces during a search operation at Manasbal.
TRAVEL
Om Ganeshaye Namah
A glimpse of aartis in one of the most famous mandaps of Bombay, Lalbaug ka Raja.
SITUATION IN LANKA
Plot to assassinate Chandrika unearthed: PTI
The Sri Lankan police on Monday arrested seven Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam militants in this connection from Colombo, Batticaloa, Negambo, and Pussellawa.
119 killed in fresh military offensive
Military spokesman Brigadier S G Karunaratne said the operation brought approximately three square km area under the defence line near Jaffna.
OTHER REPORTS
SC admits pleas against Sonia's election
The apex court Monday admitted the appeals challenging the Congress president's election to the Lok Sabha from Amethi last year as she, being an Italian national, could not be a citizen of India under provisions of the Constitution.
Bhagat exonerated in Delhi riots case
Metropolitan Magistrate J P Narain accepted a police report which said Bhagat's presence could not be established during the riots in Mansarovar Park in east Delhi on November 1, 1984.
Mystery fire claims 12 in Surat
The fire occurred when a religious ceremony was under way at Suresh Valekar's residence. Seven women died on the spot, while five died in hospital.
TN files counter-affidavit in detenues case
The government is believed to have taken the stand that it has power under Section 321 of the CrPC to withdraw any criminal charge against an accused in public interest.
Ram temple work from March: Bajrang Dal
A strategy for the construction of the shrine will be finalised at a 'dharma sansad
adhiveshan' to be held at Allahabad in January.
MP Cong divided on chief ministerial candidate
The party's two dozen tribal legislators, including five ministers from
Chhattisgarh, met All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi, demanding a tribal as chief minister.
Narayanan's brother to contest local polls
"My ambition is not to work for any political party. I want to work for the youth in Uzhavoor and adjoining villages. I have many brilliant plans if I win," Bhaskaran said.
Racism surfaces in race-up to UK polls
Foreign Minister Robin Cook has accused the opposition Conservatives of stirring up racism, in a hard-hitting speech that could bring 'the race card' to the forefront of politics.
IAS officers to resist Uttaranachal posting
The UP IAS Association resolved to seek options from the officers so that a clear picture is available about the number inclined to opt for the new hill state.
Vidarbha bandh on November 27
An all-party meeting, in Nagpur on Sunday evening, has called for the bandh on the opening day of the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature, to press for a separate state.
Two escaped Pak spies held within 12 hours
Mohammad Ikhlaq and Suleiman Bhatti, arrested on the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, were being taken to Ganganagar from Jaipur when they escaped from a state roadways bus.
Tight security in AP for Ganesh immersion
Hyderabad Police Commissioner S R Sukumar said the measures were taken in view of the incidents that marred the procession last year.
Mild tremor rocks Koyna in Maharashtra
The tremor, which measured 3.8 on the Richter scale, was recorded at
0529 hrs. The epicentre was 17.3 degree north latitude and 73.7 degree east.
Orissa govt plans another zoo
Wildlife activists have expressed surprise over the move, alleging that the government is unable to manage the existing zoo properly.
CBI probes forgery of Kumaramangalam's letter
The raids were conducted to investigate a forged letter, from the late Union minister for power P R Kumaramangalam, to the National Thermal Power Corporation general manager.
'PM asked me to prevent Thackeray's arrest'
Former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani Monday claimed he made the controversial statement about the illegality of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's arrest only after the PM asked him to "do everything possible" to avert the arrest.
PTI REPORTS
SPP withdraws from Coimbatore blast cases
Special Public Prosecutor G Soundararajan Monday withdrew from appearing for the blast cases as the Tamil Nadu government had failed to fulfil his demands on perks and other terms.
Sanjay Ghosh's killer shot dead in encounter
ULFA militant Babu Saikia, prime accused in the murder of AVARD-NE general secretary Sanjoy Ghosh, has been killed in an encounter in Upper Assam's Jorhat district.
China for Pakistan role in J&K talks
While ruling out a role for itself as a mediator, China hoped that India also
involve Pakistan as well as the international community to peacefully resolve the Kashmir issue.
COLUMN
The direct lines to God
'Sarva-dharma-samabhava is a joke taken seriously only by dweebs, aka Hindus. And that joke is compounded by further jokes from Hajpayee,' says Varsha Bhosle.
GUEST COLUMN
How many criminals will we release?
'With the kidnapping of Kannada film icon Dr Rajakumar, all semblance of common sense, decency and rule of law seem to have disappeared from the list of obligations due from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,' saysAravind Sitaraman.
September 11
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
When Staten Island wore saffron
The speeches were vintage VHP. 'Hindus are being persecuted; Hinduism is
in danger and needs to be protected; Hindus are the only people who have
never waged war or conquered other people's territory'...
'Aren't there other religions in India?'
'We did not know this was a VHP meeting. We thought it was a secular function organised for people of Indian origin and not just for Hindus.' Sparks fly at an event in Vajpayee's honour.
'I will always be a swayamsevak'
'I may or may not be prime minister tomorrow -- but no one take away my right to be a swayamsevak,' Vajpayee told the crowd at Staten Island.
India must remain strong and vigilant: PM
'Even then, our hope and our effort will always be towards peace in the subcontinent,' he told the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vande Mataram show.
You have raised India's stature, PM tells NRIs
'Today, recognising the ability of Indians, western countries are bending over each other to welcome Indians to their countries,' he said.
George W Bush calls up Vajpayee
'There are about 174 leaders here for the Millennium Summit, but - to our knowledge - Prime Minister Vajpayee is the only leader with whom the Republican presidential candidate has sought a conversation,' External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh told the media.
Vajpayee at the UNGA
The prime minister's address. In Real Video.
DIARY
'I want to hear his speech... and tell my wife about it'
Amberish K Diwanji reports from the UN.
NEWS
6 CPI-ML supporters killed in Bihar
The Communist Party of India-ML supporters were killed in two villages under Tarari bloc of Bhojpur district on Saturday night, allegedly by the Ranvir Sena.
Paswan's home state worst hit by telecom stir
The strike was unofficially extended for six days in the Union communication minister's home state of Bihar, even though the three-day strike has officially been called off, following a settlement between various unions and the government.
ACB seizes Rs 10 m from retired engineer
The Anti-Corruption Bureau on Saturday seized the money from bank lockers of the retired chief engineer of the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board.
Gujral exerted pressure on me: Joginder
The former Central Bureau of Investigations chief has claimed that former prime minister I K Gujral had exerted pressure on him to withdraw criminal charges against Laloo Prasad Yadav in the fodder scam.
Self-immolations on the rise in Coimbatore
The police said that 57 persons have attempted self-immolation in three months. Of them, 43 are females.
41 killed in Bengal, Bihar mishaps
More than 30 people were feared killed when a private bus rolled down into the Teesta river near Sevoke, about 20 km from Siliguri, on Sunday morning, police said. And 11 people were killed when an overcrowded boat capsized midstream in Tilyuga river in Madhubani district of Bihar on Saturday night.
PTI REPORTS
China blames India for slow progress in talks
China stressed on the need for "mutual accommodation" in protracted parleys on the sensitive border issue affecting bilateral ties.
Centre to examine all options in Bengal
The Centre said on Sunday the ''whole structure of the Constitution was under attack'' in West Bengal.
Jetley blasts his deputies in Sierra Leone
Infighting has broken out in the United Nations peacekeeping force following accusations by its Indian commander against two Nigerian deputies, of sabotaging the peace process in the war-torn African country.
Madhuri considers Hollywood debut
The top film actress, settled in the United States after marriage, says she has no plans to quit films and would consider Hollywood films if offered ''suitable roles''.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Nine militants among 14 gunned down in J&K: PTI
Of the militants killed, one was a commander of the Muslim Janbaaz Force, who had recently returned from the PoK.
OTHER REPORTS
Mamta may rock NDA boat
Trinamul Congress chief Mamta Banerjee's ultimatum to central emissary George Fernandes has cast doubts on the stability of the Vajpayee government.
UK government failed Bleach, admits Straw
Bleach, whom a sessions court judge in Calcutta sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment earlier this year for his involvement in the Purulia arms drop case, has been languishing in a Calcutta prison for a long time now.
Sabarmati Exp bombing accused arrested
Aqeel Mohammad was arrested Friday night from Ram Bagh on the outskirts of Agra while he was on his way to Aligarh.
Karnataka opposition supports negotiations with bandit
An all-party meet convened by Karnataka CM Saturday decided to continue to use journalist R Gopal's services as an emissary to communicate with the bandit.
British undertrial escapes from custody in Goa
Police said the accused, Nigel John Smith, managed to give a slip to the police while he was being escorted from an NDPS court to the judicial lock-up at Mapusa.
Govindacharya's "study leave" is a punishment
Some partymen feel that Govindacharya being an Advani man, it would be difficult to sideline him. Much significance is being attached to Govindacharya's lengthy meeting with Advani on Friday.
Tamil Nadu to go to polls in April 2001
Elections to the Tamil Nadu assembly are likely to be held in April next, Election
Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy said in Madras on Saturday.
Disabled army men set out to prove their fitness
The soldiers will be scaling Mt Gangstang (also known as the Deity of Snow), a majestic peak across the Rohtang pass in Lahaul valley, 6162 metres above sea level.
INTERVIEW
'Whatever I do will be in the national interest'
BJP general secretary K N Govindacharya says his decision to go on study leave had nothing to do with his being left out of the list of party office-bearers by president Bangaru Laxman.
COLUMN
Muslims are better off in India than Pakistan
'By accepting the special leave petition of Abdul Kareem, father of Sub-Inspector Shakeel Ahmed, who was killed by Veerappan in 1992, the Supreme Court has only proved that Muslim Indians are full-fledged citizens of India and that they have full rights. Quite contrary to the situation in Pakistan,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
September 10
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
India must remain strong and vigilant: PM
'Even then, our hope and our effort will always be towards peace in the subcontinent,' he told the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Vande Mataram show.
Vajpayee to attend Hindutva fete today
Staten Island will reverberate to the sound of discourses, bhajans and patriotic songs, as 100 sadhus and an expected audience of over 10,000 Indians congregate in a strong show of Hindutva.
You have raised India's stature, PM tells NRIs
'Today, recognising the ability of Indians, western countries are bending over each other to welcome Indians to their countries,' he said.
George W Bush calls up Vajpayee
'There are about 174 leaders here for the Millennium Summit, but - to our knowledge - Prime Minister Vajpayee is the only leader with whom the Republican presidential candidate has sought a conversation,' External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh told the media.
Vajpayee at the UNGA
The prime minister's address. In Real Video.
DIARY
'I want to hear his speech... and tell my wife about it'
Amberish K Diwanji reports from the UN.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Nine militants among 14 gunned down in J&K: PTI
Of the militants killed, one was a commander of the Muslim Janbaaz Force, who had recently returned from the PoK.
OTHER REPORTS
Mamta may rock NDA boat
Trinamul Congress chief Mamta Banerjee's ultimatum to central emissary George Fernandes has cast doubts on the stability of the Vajpayee government.
UK government failed Bleach, admits Straw
Bleach, whom a sessions court judge in Calcutta sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment earlier this year for his involvement in the Purulia arms drop case, has been languishing in a Calcutta prison for a long time now.
Sabarmati Exp bombing accused arrested
Aqeel Mohammad was arrested Friday night from Ram Bagh on the outskirts of Agra while he was on his way to Aligarh.
Karnataka opposition supports negotiations with bandit
An all-party meet convened by Karnataka CM Saturday decided to continue to use journalist R Gopal's services as an emissary to communicate with the bandit.
British undertrial escapes from custody in Goa
Police said the accused, Nigel John Smith, managed to give a slip to the police while he was being escorted from an NDPS court to the judicial lock-up at Mapusa.
Govindacharya's "study leave" is a punishment
Some partymen feel that Govindacharya being an Advani man, it would be difficult to sideline him. Much significance is being attached to Govindacharya's lengthy meeting with Advani on Friday.
Tamil Nadu to go to polls in April 2001
Elections to the Tamil Nadu assembly are likely to be held in April next, Election
Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy said in Madras on Saturday.
Disabled army men set out to prove their fitness
The soldiers will be scaling Mt Gangstang (also known as the Deity of Snow), a majestic peak across the Rohtang pass in Lahaul valley, 6162 metres above sea level.
INTERVIEW
'Whatever I do will be in the national interest'
BJP general secretary K N Govindacharya says his decision to go on study leave had nothing to do with his being left out of the list of party office-bearers by president Bangaru Laxman.
COLUMNS
Muslims are better off in India than Pakistan
'By accepting the special leave petition of Abdul Kareem, father of Sub-Inspector Shakeel Ahmed, who was killed by Veerappan in 1992, the Supreme Court has only proved that Muslim Indians are full-fledged citizens of India and that they have full rights. Quite contrary to the situation in Pakistan,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
September 09
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
Health problems not evident as PM delivers flawless speech
Vajpayee -- who began his speech at 1220 hours, 40 minutes before schedule -- spoke without hesitation.
India ready to play role in expanded Security Council: PM
It is necessary, he said, that the Council be made more representative of the new realities.
PM stresses commitment to fight terrorism: PTI
Underlining India's firm commitment to fight terrorism, the prime minister on Friday signed an international convention that makes it obligatory on its signatories to identify, detect, freeze and seize funds collected for committing such acts.
'Those who have stifled democracy at home speak of freedom from this forum'
Prime Minister Vajpayee's address to the Millennium Summit: The full text
PM's speech: Real Audio
The version he delivered at the Millennium Summit.
Dialogue and terrorism do not go together, PM tells Pak
Vajpayee gave Pakistan a blunt message that there can be no talks with it as dialogue and terrorism do not go together and asserted that New Delhi has the means and the will to protect its national interest.
India will not block CTBT: PM
India has asked nuclear powers which have not ratified the treaty to do so without any condition.
At the end of the protest, they sang Jana Gana Mana
Four groups were protesting against India - those supporting an independent or merged-with-Pakistan Kashmir, pro-Khalistani, those flaying the attacks on Christians, and those protesting against the attacks on Dalits and India's human rights record.
War is in nobody's interest: Vajpayee
The PM began his US engagements with a speech where he flayed Pakistan, assured continued economic reforms, promised to work on signing the CTBT, and spoke about the deepening Indo-US friendship.
'The ball is in Mr Vajpayee's court'
'I am willing to meet Mr Vajpayee at any level, at any place, at any time.' General Musharraf tells the media in New York.
PM and entourage take over Waldorf Astoria
One suite has been converted into an office for the prime minister's aides, while officials have turned one room into a control room.
INTERVIEW
'No conflict between the RSS and the BJP'
Q:If you realise that Ram Mandir issue can bring the BJP back to
power, will you revive the issue?
A:I don't think that possibility exists now. I do not foresee that happening.
The BJP's newly chosen president, Bangaru Laxman, tells it like it is.
RAJAKUMAR'S ABDUCTION
CMs decide to await SC verdict
The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on Friday decided to await the Supreme Court verdict in the Veerappan associates case before taking any further action to secure the release of Kannada thespian Dr Rajakumar.
Karunanidhi visits Dr Rajakumar's house: PTI
Official sources said Karunanidhi spent about 15 minutes with the family and spoke to Parvathamma, the actor's wife. He assured them that the actor is hale and hearty.
Call for 'Bangalore bandh' has no takers
The Bangalore bandh called by Kannada Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organisation,
on Friday in protest against the delay in Dr Rajakumar`s release, is a flop, with life going on as normal in the city.
Shakeel Ahmed was a Rajakumar Fan
Some of the slain police officer's old friends in Mysore insist that it was Dr Rajakumar's protrayal of a dedicated forest officer fighting poachers that first interested him in taking on Veerappan.
A tale of two languages
Krishna spoke in English. Karunanidhi spoke in Tamil. And Bangalore's journalists were not amused.
THE SITUATION IN J&K
Hizbul threatens census officials: PTI
'If the government does not adhere to the warning we will not desist from opening our guns at them,' local newspapers quoted 'commander' Masood, spokesman of the outfit, as having said in a statement.
Pak troops fire shells at Kupwara: PTI
Pakistani troops opened heavy shelling on forward positions along the Line of Control in
Kupwara sector on Thursday night damaging some houses, shops and a mosque, official sources said on Friday.
IED with 10 kg of RDX found in Rajouri: PTI
A possible major tragedy was averted with the timely detection of an improvised explosive device containing 10 kg of RDX under a bridge in Rajouri district, an official spokesman said on Friday.
Employees union asks census workers not to participate: PTI
The union said the government can go ahead with the exercise if it deems it fit by detailing security forces for the job.
OTHER REPORTS
Telecom strike called off as govt gives in
'There were some misunderstandings with the federations. Had
these been sorted out the strike could have ended amicably much earlier,' Paswan said in New Delhi.
Lessons BJP leaders learnt on the Internet
Rajendra Singh Rana, president of the party's Gujarat unit, experienced the real power of the Internet on Friday. Before Rana could start chatting with the genuine surfers the chartroom was flooded with the abuses, nasty comments and defamatory notes.
Gehlot retracts inquiry against minister
The Rajasthan chief minister had ordered the probe at the instance of Tayyeb Hussain himself, who wanted to clear his name against allegations that he had links with the ISI.
Rajasthan faces famine again
With the monsoon playing truant again, the state, which is facing a severe financial crunch, is in for another bad year.
Jai Vidarbha! Ranjit Deshmukh takes the battle to Mantralaya
Asked about the views of the people of Vidarbha, Deshmukh said: "When all political parties are in favour of a separate state...it logically flows that people of the region too support the demand."
Sex workers' sit-in outside Kerala secretariat
Sex workers all over the state are being rounded up ahead of the state-sponsored Onam celebrations - a huge tourist attraction both within the state and outside.
Will death bail Parvati out of Tihar?
Though Parvati, 96, was granted bail two months back, she could not arrange for her security deposit. Now, she not sure if she would get out alive.
Bengal worse than Bihar: Fernandes
The Union defence minister on Friday night apprised Home Minister L K Advani on the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal.
Mamata snubs Fernandes
Cracks between the Trinamul Congress and the National Democratic Alliance came to the fore during the Union defence minister's visit to Midnapore on Friday.
The Statesman dares Jyoti Basu
The newspaper will contest a legal notice sent by the West Bengal chief minister seeking a front-page apology for "a grossly defamatory editorial."
IAS officers join colleague's fight for justice
An extraordinary meeting of the association offered "total support" to Nalini Netto, whose charges of sexual harassment led to transport and forest minister A Neelalohitadasan Nadar's resignation.
PTI REPORTS
35 feared drowned in boat capsize in UP
The boat carrying 40 persons capsized midstream in a rain-swollen river in Rampur district on Friday, police said in Lucknow.
Report hints at return to civilian rule in Pak
The Pakistani military regime is seriously considering a proposal to put in place an interim civilian set-up under a prime minister, with Chief Executive
General Pervez Musharraf replacing President Rafiq Tarar as head of state, a newspaper reported in Islamabad on Friday.
Christian priest's house attacked in Haryana
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) on Friday alleged the priest's house was attacked by miscreants in Ganaur village on September 4 and his neighbour, who was hit by the assailants, died in a Delhi hospital the next day.
COLUMNS
Catch-22 for Pranab
'Some say Jyoti Basu will be the last Marxist chief minister in Calcutta for a while. I have a different question: will Pranab Mukherjee be the last president of the Bengal Congress while the party is still an effective force?' says T V R Shenoy.
Defend the defenders of the law
'We must thank Justice Bharucha and the Supreme Court for reminding us that a bully State is admittedly a sick State, but a supine State is even worse. And for teaching our state governments that the easy way out is not always the right one,' says Pritish Nandy.
September 08
THE VAJPAYEE VISIT
PM arrives in New York
'I am feeling fine,' Vajpayee responded, laughing away questions from accompanying reporters as the special Air-India aircraft touched down at the JFK international airport.
Kashmir not an international issue: Jaswant
'About 63 nations have addressed the UN. Of these, only two - including Pakistan - have mentioned Kashmir,' the minister said.
PM and entourage take over Waldorf Astoria
One suite has been converted into an office for the prime minister's aides, while officials have turned one room into a control room.
The key to better Indo-US relations lies in Lucknow and Patna
'Ideally, the Indian PM should stay home, nurse his knees and sort out Bihar, UP and Veerappan. This done, Indo-US relations will improve on their own,' says Colonel (retd) Dr Anil Athale.
Pak ready for no-war pact with India
Pakistan's chief executive called on the UN to resolve the Kashmir dispute and allow the people of Kashmir the right of self-determination.
Hurriyat leader arrives in New York
Mirwaiz Maulvi Omar Farooq is drumming up international support for resumption of the India-Pakistan dialogue to disentangle the Kashmir knot.
India refuses to confirm production of Prithvi
'We are facing serious problems from Pakistan. We are fully ready with our defence preparedness on all fronts but I cannot indicate a time-frame for the production of Prithvi or the number involved,' a defence ministry spokesman said.
When the world met
'One prominent leader missing in this galaxy of head honchos was Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee, who delayed his arrival in New York by two days. It may just prove to be a case of two days too late,' writes Amberish K Diwanji.
Dear Prime Minister Vajpayee
'If you and your government do not take strong and effective measures to eradicate terrorism, the economic well-being and even the very survival of India is at stake.'
THE SITUATION IN J&K
LET issues veiled threat to women: PTI
The Pakistan-based militant outfit warned women in Kashmir that if they do not use the veil while on the streets they would be shot in their legs.
LET issues death threat against census: PTI
The threat comes less than a week after the Hizbul Mujahideen opposed the headcount operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Top Hizb commander killed in encounter
Farooq Ahmed Bhat was the provincial chief commander of the Hizb for Doda and Udhampur. He had recently returned from Pakistan after receiving an ISI award.
Fewer civilians killed this year in J&K
The Chattisinghpora and Amarnath yatra massacres notwithstanding, the number of civilians killed by militants in Jammu and Kashmir this year has come down, the state government said Thursday.
POLITICS
BJP's 3 steps for freedom from Sena
The three steps, and these have the potential of bringing about a seismic change in Maharashtra's politics, comprise three civic elections -- Kalyan-Dombivli, Thane and Bombay.
Trinamul may part ways with NDA
An intelligence report says Mamata Banerjee has begun to feel that she cannot become Bengal chief minister without the support of the Muslims.
INTERVIEW
'The high command should not test my patience'
'My followers and supporters in the state are worried and restive. But I am holding back from taking any provocative decisions because I care for the unity of the party.' Congress leader K Karunakaran goes on the warpath.
SPECIAL
'It's tragic to see such a flourishing farm destroyed. It's a national loss'
The concluding part of a four-part series on the MP land acquisition case involving Mala Anand, the wife of the Chief Justice of India.
OTHER REPORTS
Bomb hoax halts Baroda-bound train
The Bombay-Baroda Sayaji Nagari Express was halted at Borivali station Thursday afternoon after a bomb scare and proceeded after a search proved it was a hoax.
Ketan, Vivek Anand get bail in Priya Rajvansh murder case
Additional Sessions Judge H S Deshpande, while releasing the duo on a bail of Rs 20,000 in addition to a surety, warned them not to contact witnesses or leave Bombay without the court's permission.
India's nuclear sub still a distant dream
Reliable sources told rediff.com that the Advanced Technology Vessel project is 'almost a decade away' from completion.
Corruption charges plunge Kerala water scheme into trouble
There are doubts about the project coming through in the light of the state Cabinet's decision to cancel the appointment of a Japanese consultant.
Women welcome Suryanelli sex scandal verdict
The sex scandal, which shook the state, involved an class-VIII girl, who was raped repeatedly by several people in different parts of the state.
Aligarh students thrash IB officers
The students were protesting against the arrest of two of their colleagues on what they called a false charge of being activists of the Kashmiri terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen.
PTI REPORTS
Union ministers offer to end hostage crisis
Minister of State for Home I D Swamy and Minister of State for Finance V Dhananjayan Kumar told reporters in Madras that the Centre could extend assistance to the states if a request was forthcoming from them.
5 killed in Lahore market blast
The crude bomb, tied to a motorcycle, went off in Dharmapura market at around 17.45 hours local time, when there was a crowd of shoppers, killing two persons on the spot, police said. Three of the injured died later.
Kumaratunga reconvenes Parliament for a day
The one-day session on September 14 will approve extension of the national emergency ahead of the general election.
Fernandes rushes to WB to soothe Mamata
The NDA convener's visit assumes significance in the wake of Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's demand for central intervention in the state.
Another retired armyman held for ISI links
Senior superintendent of police Arun Kumar said a special task force of state police nabbed retired army havildar Ram Krishna Nair, a resident of Kerala, for allegedly passing on sensitive defence information to the ISI.
MPCC pulls up Ranjit Deshmukh
The Maharashtra minister had said that people of Konkan should demand statehood for the region since politicians of western Maharashtra had done injustice to the coastal belt.
Gulshan murder approver says cops beat him
In a twist to the Gulshan Kumar murder case, the Bombay high court has converted into petition a letter written by accused-turned approver, Mohammed Ali Hussain Shaikh.
HC vacates stay on Sakshi Maharaj's arrest
The Allahabad high court said arrest was necessary during investigation under the Criminal Procedure Code and other judicial pronouncements. Sakshi Maharaj has been accused of raping his disciple.
COLUMN
Only the good die young
'There's a warning for all political parties. Which is that their sword arm needs a backup which, in order to be useful, must be younger,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
GUEST COLUMN
A new formula for women's reservation
You want more women in Parliament, create more seats. Simple? Not really. Read this guest column by Mukesh Dalal for a painless way of giving women what they want.
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