An expert team of ONGC Rajahmundry capped the ‘Well NRAAA’ in Amalapuram late on Sunday after water began seeping out from the well following tampering of iron pipes by some miscreant.
The concrete chamber of Well N R A A A , which was drilled in 2007 and abandoned later, was reportedly damaged by the miscreant. The locals who saw the debris immediately alerted the ONGC officials. With a view to steal the heavy duty pipe from the well, the miscreant cut the cap and the pipe. Sources said the miscreant must have used some explosives as cracks were noticed in the cement structure of the well. “This led to the underground water to come out of the well,” a source said. Immediately, the ONGC Rajahmundry Asset pressed its crisis management team to cap the well.
After removing the debris, the team connected the broken pipe, welded it, pumped in the cement and successfully capped the well, thereby arresting the leakage of water, an ONGC source revealed. The officials advised the people not to tamper the ONGC pipelines, wells. etc, since they carry highly inflammable oil and gas. “If tampered, it can result in a major fire and explosion of high magnitude resulting in widespread loss of life and property,” an official said.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Chiru party will have no impact on TDP: Naidu
The entry of Chiranjeevi into politics will in no way affect the Telugu Desam Party which has a track record of 26 years in playing dominant role in state and national level politics, party president N Chandrababu Naidu said on Monday.
At a press conference here after his return from 117 days of ‘Mee Kosam’ yatra, Naidu said there was in fact nothing for the TDP to react since so far, “Chiranjeevi has only announced his intention to jump into politics. Let them reveal their agenda, policies and programmes first,” he said.
Asked if he foresees a hung Assembly, Naidu said, “after my 117 days of Mee Kosam yatra, I have felt the pulse of the people. The possibility of a new party on the political horizon also used to figure during the interactions but my assessment is that the people want the TDP back in power and we will win hands down.”
When pointed out that Chiranjeevi was of the opinion that the Congress and TDP had lost their sensitivity to the problems of common man and hence there was a vacuum which his party would fill, Naidu said, “since inception, the TDP has always been sensitive to the problems and aspirations of the people.”
“Starting with the slogan of Telugu Atmagauravam, we went on to build self confidence among the people and succeeded in putting the state on theinternational map and brought in several reforms. I undertook the Mee Kosam yatra only because we were sensitive towards the people’s suffering in the state under the ‘demonic’ Congress rule. We have a strong cadre and we are least perturbed by Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics,” he said.
Naidu said in a democracy, anyone can float a political party. “I will not be surprised if few more parties come up before the elections. People will decide the future of the parties. With the emergence of a new party, new issues and new situations may arise but, still, nothing will happen to the TDP. We have a strong cadre and a clear agenda and public support and I am confident that we will win hands down. No one can touch us,” he said.
At a press conference here after his return from 117 days of ‘Mee Kosam’ yatra, Naidu said there was in fact nothing for the TDP to react since so far, “Chiranjeevi has only announced his intention to jump into politics. Let them reveal their agenda, policies and programmes first,” he said.
Asked if he foresees a hung Assembly, Naidu said, “after my 117 days of Mee Kosam yatra, I have felt the pulse of the people. The possibility of a new party on the political horizon also used to figure during the interactions but my assessment is that the people want the TDP back in power and we will win hands down.”
When pointed out that Chiranjeevi was of the opinion that the Congress and TDP had lost their sensitivity to the problems of common man and hence there was a vacuum which his party would fill, Naidu said, “since inception, the TDP has always been sensitive to the problems and aspirations of the people.”
“Starting with the slogan of Telugu Atmagauravam, we went on to build self confidence among the people and succeeded in putting the state on theinternational map and brought in several reforms. I undertook the Mee Kosam yatra only because we were sensitive towards the people’s suffering in the state under the ‘demonic’ Congress rule. We have a strong cadre and we are least perturbed by Chiranjeevi’s entry into politics,” he said.
Naidu said in a democracy, anyone can float a political party. “I will not be surprised if few more parties come up before the elections. People will decide the future of the parties. With the emergence of a new party, new issues and new situations may arise but, still, nothing will happen to the TDP. We have a strong cadre and a clear agenda and public support and I am confident that we will win hands down. No one can touch us,” he said.
Musharraf quits, may go into exile
President Pervez Musharraf was on Monday virtually forced out of power, resigning in the face of imminent impeachment to bring to an end nine turbulent years at the helm amidst speculation that he may be exiled to Saudi Arabia. A stony-faced Musharraf made a rambling hour-long televised address to the nation defending his record but announced that he had decided to resign "in the interest of the country", setting off celebrations across the country.
His characteristic bluster missing, a taut and emotion-charged former army chief, who seized power in 1999 months after leading the Pakistani army in the disastrous Kargil war, stepped down after declaring that "this is not the time for individual bravado".
In the backdrop of persisting reports over the last few days that the US, Britain and Saudi Arabia were negotiating with the PPP-led government for Musharraf's "safe exit", speculation continued that he may leave the country to live in Jeddah or in Turkey but there was no confirmation from his side or from the ruling coalition.
Twice during his reign, Musharraf brought Pakistan to the brink of a war with India, the first when he organised the invasion of Kargil and after the Pakistan-supported attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. But he also cooperated in ensuring relative peace along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir during the last five years.
Yet, he made no mention of India or Jammu and Kashmir during his farewell address. Ironically, the separatists in Kashmir welcomed his political demise. Coalition leaders including PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Sharif, Awami National Party chief Afsandyar Wali Khan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman met at Zardari's residence to assess the latest situation. AGENCIES
MAVERICK MUSH
As Pak army chief
Musharraf planned Operation Kargil and attacked India. PM Nawaz Sharif claimed he didn’t know about it
Becomes Pak Prez on June 20, 2001, to start a roller-coaster of a relationship with India, which is mostly bitter but at times sweet
Vajpayee-Mush summit
in Agra on 14-16 July, 2001. Ends disastrously as Mush wants to make Kashmir central point. Not even a joint statement Mush accused of covert support to terror groups in India. Things come to a boil on Dec 13, 2001, when Parliament attacked by Pak nationals in LeT squad
10-month freeze sets in. Vajpayee orders Operation Parakram. Army in warreadiness. US forces Mush to say he will act against terror
In April 2003, Vajpayee offers “hand of friendship”. Mush responds. Dialogue resumes. Mush commits in a jt statement that Pak won’t allow its soil for anti-India terrorism
His characteristic bluster missing, a taut and emotion-charged former army chief, who seized power in 1999 months after leading the Pakistani army in the disastrous Kargil war, stepped down after declaring that "this is not the time for individual bravado".
In the backdrop of persisting reports over the last few days that the US, Britain and Saudi Arabia were negotiating with the PPP-led government for Musharraf's "safe exit", speculation continued that he may leave the country to live in Jeddah or in Turkey but there was no confirmation from his side or from the ruling coalition.
Twice during his reign, Musharraf brought Pakistan to the brink of a war with India, the first when he organised the invasion of Kargil and after the Pakistan-supported attack on Indian Parliament in 2001. But he also cooperated in ensuring relative peace along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir during the last five years.
Yet, he made no mention of India or Jammu and Kashmir during his farewell address. Ironically, the separatists in Kashmir welcomed his political demise. Coalition leaders including PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Sharif, Awami National Party chief Afsandyar Wali Khan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman met at Zardari's residence to assess the latest situation. AGENCIES
MAVERICK MUSH
As Pak army chief
Musharraf planned Operation Kargil and attacked India. PM Nawaz Sharif claimed he didn’t know about it
Becomes Pak Prez on June 20, 2001, to start a roller-coaster of a relationship with India, which is mostly bitter but at times sweet
Vajpayee-Mush summit
in Agra on 14-16 July, 2001. Ends disastrously as Mush wants to make Kashmir central point. Not even a joint statement Mush accused of covert support to terror groups in India. Things come to a boil on Dec 13, 2001, when Parliament attacked by Pak nationals in LeT squad
10-month freeze sets in. Vajpayee orders Operation Parakram. Army in warreadiness. US forces Mush to say he will act against terror
In April 2003, Vajpayee offers “hand of friendship”. Mush responds. Dialogue resumes. Mush commits in a jt statement that Pak won’t allow its soil for anti-India terrorism
Sunday, August 10, 2008
BSE launches new Internet Trading Portal
BSE has launched new Internet Trading Portal -- BSE Webx with three products viz., Eazy, Classic and Premium. Members can provide any one or all of them to their clients for smooth trading through Internet.
1. BSEWebx Eazy
This trading product offers the following features
1. Investors can view Online quotes, market depth, indices, and company related announcements on scrips.
2. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
2. BSEWebx Classic
This is the high end product from the BSEWebx stable offers the following
1. Investors can create his own portfolio of scrips
2. Investors can view portfolio of scrips in the market watch online.
3. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and receive confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
3. BSEWebx Premium
This is the advanced product from the BSEWebx system which includes the following features
1. Investors can create multiple portfolios of scrips for market watch.
2. Investors can view multiple market watches (upto - 3) at a time
3. Charting of Scrips i.e. intra-day/EOD/historical are available to Investors
4. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and receive confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
1. BSEWebx Eazy
This trading product offers the following features
1. Investors can view Online quotes, market depth, indices, and company related announcements on scrips.
2. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
2. BSEWebx Classic
This is the high end product from the BSEWebx stable offers the following
1. Investors can create his own portfolio of scrips
2. Investors can view portfolio of scrips in the market watch online.
3. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and receive confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
3. BSEWebx Premium
This is the advanced product from the BSEWebx system which includes the following features
1. Investors can create multiple portfolios of scrips for market watch.
2. Investors can view multiple market watches (upto - 3) at a time
3. Charting of Scrips i.e. intra-day/EOD/historical are available to Investors
4. The Investors can place orders, track the status of orders placed and receive confirmations on trade execution and view their Net/Margin positions.
Direct Market Access (DMA)
Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) vide its circular no.MRD/DoP/SE/Cir-7/2008 dated April 03, 2008 as per Annexure I, has approved and given necessary guidelines for providing Direct Market Access (DMA).
Direct Market Access (DMA) facility through various connectivity modes permits the trading members of BSE to provide direct trading terminals to their DMA clients.
As quoted in the SEBI circular 'Direct Market Access (DMA) is a facility which allows brokers to offer clients direct access to the exchange trading system through the broker’s infrastructure without manual intervention by the broker. Some of the advantages offered by DMA are direct control of clients over orders, faster execution of client orders, reduced risk of errors associated with manual order entry, greater transparency, increased liquidity, lower impact costs for large orders, better audit trails and better use of hedging and arbitrage opportunities through the use of decision support tools / algorithms for trading.'
For compliance of the said circular, the guidelines are as follows:
Eligibility:
As per the SEBI Circular, DMA facility initially is being restricted to institutional clients only.
Direct Market Access (DMA) facility through various connectivity modes permits the trading members of BSE to provide direct trading terminals to their DMA clients.
As quoted in the SEBI circular 'Direct Market Access (DMA) is a facility which allows brokers to offer clients direct access to the exchange trading system through the broker’s infrastructure without manual intervention by the broker. Some of the advantages offered by DMA are direct control of clients over orders, faster execution of client orders, reduced risk of errors associated with manual order entry, greater transparency, increased liquidity, lower impact costs for large orders, better audit trails and better use of hedging and arbitrage opportunities through the use of decision support tools / algorithms for trading.'
For compliance of the said circular, the guidelines are as follows:
Eligibility:
As per the SEBI Circular, DMA facility initially is being restricted to institutional clients only.
Savory savour!
Traditional Gujarati Khandvi (Rs. 100 per kg) and piping hot veg samosas (Rs 5 each) Garnished with coconut and coriander, the mustard seeds glinting in between the paper-thin rolls of khandvi, this desi dish can entice even the most critical gourmet. Made in the traditional Gujarati style, the bright yellow gram flour and buttermilk rolls even look picture perfect! "Since this dish isn't heavy, I come here to snack after a dull day at college," pipes Sunita Daya, a student who freaks out on khandvi. You can get the rolls ready to eat in a silver foil plate or even packed to go in a box. Apart from kalakand and burfis at this sweet shop, it's the savories that can get saliva pooling at the corner of your mouth. You can't go wrong with the fresh vegetarian samosas, which are actually stuffed with peas and other veggies, unlike the potato-manic samosas you find at every other store in the city. Don't forget to ask for the awesome carrotmirchi chutney or the green chutney to go with the namkeens!
George Bush has a ball on the beach!
US President George W Bush temporarily switched roles on Saturday from commander-in-chief to cheerleaderin-chief at the Olympics, stopping by to offer support for the American volleyball and softball teams.
He made a surprise visit to the beach volleyball venue, where he watched the US men's and women's teams practice. But it took a little coaxing to get Bush out on the sand court.
The 2004 gold medal winners Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh asked if he would play a little "pepper," a warmup drill bumping the volleyball back and forth. Bush initially tried to steer clear, replying "No, I'm a pretty good spectator."
But after watching for a few minutes, the bikini-clad players eventually drew him on to the court in which he hit two but missing the third try as the ball fell a little short.
Before moving over to see the men practice, May-Treanor jokingly bent over and offered Bush a chance to give her a spank on her rear __ a custom in many sports for players to offer each other encouragement.
Instead, he playfully used the back of his hand to tap her on the small of her back.
Before dropping by the practices, Bush, an avid mountain biker, took a ride on the Olympic course, which he described as "really, really difficult."
"That's why I'm an amateur and they're Olympians," he told reporters.
Joined by his wife Laura and daughter Barbara, Bush spent the evening watching the US women's basketball team beat the Czech Republic team 97-57. At halftime, stars of the men's US team –– LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and others __ sitting behind one of the baskets waved to Bush and he smiled and waved back, drawing loud cheers.
Earlier before the basketball game, Bush visited the US women's softball team to offer his encouragement and watch them take batting practice. The former president is an big baseball fan who once co-owned the Texas Rangers Major League team.
Before going through their stretches and take some batting swings, the team huddled around the president. "Who do we play for?" Bush quietly asked the group after being prompted by the coach. "USA!" the players shouted in return.
He made a surprise visit to the beach volleyball venue, where he watched the US men's and women's teams practice. But it took a little coaxing to get Bush out on the sand court.
The 2004 gold medal winners Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh asked if he would play a little "pepper," a warmup drill bumping the volleyball back and forth. Bush initially tried to steer clear, replying "No, I'm a pretty good spectator."
But after watching for a few minutes, the bikini-clad players eventually drew him on to the court in which he hit two but missing the third try as the ball fell a little short.
Before moving over to see the men practice, May-Treanor jokingly bent over and offered Bush a chance to give her a spank on her rear __ a custom in many sports for players to offer each other encouragement.
Instead, he playfully used the back of his hand to tap her on the small of her back.
Before dropping by the practices, Bush, an avid mountain biker, took a ride on the Olympic course, which he described as "really, really difficult."
"That's why I'm an amateur and they're Olympians," he told reporters.
Joined by his wife Laura and daughter Barbara, Bush spent the evening watching the US women's basketball team beat the Czech Republic team 97-57. At halftime, stars of the men's US team –– LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and others __ sitting behind one of the baskets waved to Bush and he smiled and waved back, drawing loud cheers.
Earlier before the basketball game, Bush visited the US women's softball team to offer his encouragement and watch them take batting practice. The former president is an big baseball fan who once co-owned the Texas Rangers Major League team.
Before going through their stretches and take some batting swings, the team huddled around the president. "Who do we play for?" Bush quietly asked the group after being prompted by the coach. "USA!" the players shouted in return.
Buying SIM cards may now need two guarantors
If the home ministry has its way, a person wanting to buy a SIM card will have to provide the names of two existing mobile phone customers as guarantors — on the lines of opening a bank account — before he gets the connection. This will be in addition to other requirements like identity and residential address proof.
This is among several measures suggested by the home ministry to the department of telecommunications (DoT) in its bid to stop terrorists from using mobile phones to launch attacks in the country — by using it to trigger blasts and also to keep in touch with each other.
These and other issues were discussed at a meeting convened by the home ministry with chief secretaries and police chiefs of states here on Friday.
Mobile phones are being rampantly used by terrorists, who have not only been using phones to trigger IEDs — as they did to attack Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad in May last year — but also to pass messages to their handlers across the border.
The home ministry has also suggested that DoT come out with guidelines that make it mandatory for SIM card vendors to take instant photographs of new customers using web cameras. These should then be passed on to the service provider with reference number. Though the issue had come up before the ministry after the Mecca Masjid blast investigation, the matter has not been resolved as DoT is still in the process of consultations. Incidentally, the CBI, which is investigating the Mecca blasts case, had hit a dead end when it found that the perpetrators of the crime had not only used fake address to get the SIM cards but they had also used photographs of a Noida-based yoga teacher to procure the connection. “We wanted to have a mechanism where a common person can get a SIM card without any hassles and other security concerns are also met,” home secretary Madhukar Gupta said. To drive home his point, he cited a case where one person had been issued 50 SIM cards in a period of three months.
Besides expressing the need for strict guidelines for new mobile connections, the officials also discussed ways to strengthen the intelligence mechanism and modalities to pass on terror-related cases for investigation to central agencies like CBI at the earliest.
The meeting — chaired by the home secretary — also deliberated upon the suggestion of setting up a central committee comprising representatives from states to decided about the nature of specific cases which could be passed on to the CBI for investigation. Making it clear that the Centre had no intention of intruding into the jurisdiction of any state with a federal system in policing, Gupta said the Centre was looking for an enforcement agency which will have “power to investigate and ability to gather intelligence”. A committee could be constituted which could immediately look at a case and see whether it has any inter-state, international and other ramifications, he added.
This is among several measures suggested by the home ministry to the department of telecommunications (DoT) in its bid to stop terrorists from using mobile phones to launch attacks in the country — by using it to trigger blasts and also to keep in touch with each other.
These and other issues were discussed at a meeting convened by the home ministry with chief secretaries and police chiefs of states here on Friday.
Mobile phones are being rampantly used by terrorists, who have not only been using phones to trigger IEDs — as they did to attack Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad in May last year — but also to pass messages to their handlers across the border.
The home ministry has also suggested that DoT come out with guidelines that make it mandatory for SIM card vendors to take instant photographs of new customers using web cameras. These should then be passed on to the service provider with reference number. Though the issue had come up before the ministry after the Mecca Masjid blast investigation, the matter has not been resolved as DoT is still in the process of consultations. Incidentally, the CBI, which is investigating the Mecca blasts case, had hit a dead end when it found that the perpetrators of the crime had not only used fake address to get the SIM cards but they had also used photographs of a Noida-based yoga teacher to procure the connection. “We wanted to have a mechanism where a common person can get a SIM card without any hassles and other security concerns are also met,” home secretary Madhukar Gupta said. To drive home his point, he cited a case where one person had been issued 50 SIM cards in a period of three months.
Besides expressing the need for strict guidelines for new mobile connections, the officials also discussed ways to strengthen the intelligence mechanism and modalities to pass on terror-related cases for investigation to central agencies like CBI at the earliest.
The meeting — chaired by the home secretary — also deliberated upon the suggestion of setting up a central committee comprising representatives from states to decided about the nature of specific cases which could be passed on to the CBI for investigation. Making it clear that the Centre had no intention of intruding into the jurisdiction of any state with a federal system in policing, Gupta said the Centre was looking for an enforcement agency which will have “power to investigate and ability to gather intelligence”. A committee could be constituted which could immediately look at a case and see whether it has any inter-state, international and other ramifications, he added.
City receives max rainfall
The city received 20.84 cm rainfall from 8.30 am on Friday to 8.30 pm on Saturday.
The forecast by the Met department here is that heavy rainfall in the state will continue for the next 36 hours.
Met officials said heavy rain will continue with the same intensity in coastal Andhra and Telangana. The rains are caused due to a low pressure area formation in the Bay of Bengal boosting an active monsoon.
“The rain will last for the least of 36 hours if there is no change in the pressure in the Bay of Bengal. However, even with a slight variation in the pressure the active monsoon will keep up the rain pattern,” said MET director M Satyakumar.
The total rainfall recorded in the city from 8.30 am on August 8 to 8.30 pm on August 9 was 20.84 cm.
The rainfall recorded on August 8 from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm was 12.1 cm. On Saturday from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm, the rainfall recorded was 8.74 cm.
The forecast by the Met department here is that heavy rainfall in the state will continue for the next 36 hours.
Met officials said heavy rain will continue with the same intensity in coastal Andhra and Telangana. The rains are caused due to a low pressure area formation in the Bay of Bengal boosting an active monsoon.
“The rain will last for the least of 36 hours if there is no change in the pressure in the Bay of Bengal. However, even with a slight variation in the pressure the active monsoon will keep up the rain pattern,” said MET director M Satyakumar.
The total rainfall recorded in the city from 8.30 am on August 8 to 8.30 pm on August 9 was 20.84 cm.
The rainfall recorded on August 8 from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm was 12.1 cm. On Saturday from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm, the rainfall recorded was 8.74 cm.
Mayawati springs a political heir
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday announced she had chosen her political heir, identifying him as a person belonging to 'chamar' subcaste of the Scheduled Castes and as someone 18 to 20 years younger to her.
The nameless announcement, which she claimed to have put in an envelope and handed over to two confidants to be opened at an opportune time, is loaded with enough political significance to set the political bazaar abuzz.
Mayawati told a massive workers' gathering in Lucknow that she would not name the heir lest the rivals start creating roadblocks for him.
Her statement has triggered a wave of speculation within the Dalit outfit and outside, with the name of a legislator being bandied about.
Significantly, to many it signalled a change of choice. Mayawati had in August 2006, after being re-elected as the chief of BSP, publicly stated that someone belonging to the same caste sub-group 30-35 years younger than her could take over the reins in the event of a contingency.
While the BSP boss indicated that the dramatic announcement was influenced by apprehensions of her arrest and to guard against a vacuum if anything happened to her, the urgency of a barely 52-yearold political entrepreneur to name a heir is being viewed in the political context of Lok Sabha polls. It is seen as her shrewd gambit in pursuance of another audacious political bid __ prime ministership.
At the rally, the Dalit leader announced her candidature for the top job for the first time after her central offensive against UPA last month and alliance with 'third front' raised an anticipation that she had her eyes set high.
Mayawati is marshalling resources for an ambitious strike. The BSP leader, it is felt, is consolidating her 'core support base' __ Dalits and that too its most powerful sub-caste of UP and north __ to rebuff the rivals' charges that the 'sarvjan' experiment had diluted founder Kanshi Ram's agenda.
Coming amid BSP's attempt to net upper castes, the announcement that the party would remain in the hands of an SC marks a confidence that reminding the world of its intrinsically Dalit character would not hurt its outreach to Brahmins, Vaishyas and others. As BSP footsoldiers were told to kickstart the Maya-for-PM campaign, the UP chief minister appeared to be playing to the pan-Indian Dalit community via a well thought-out script.
The nameless announcement, which she claimed to have put in an envelope and handed over to two confidants to be opened at an opportune time, is loaded with enough political significance to set the political bazaar abuzz.
Mayawati told a massive workers' gathering in Lucknow that she would not name the heir lest the rivals start creating roadblocks for him.
Her statement has triggered a wave of speculation within the Dalit outfit and outside, with the name of a legislator being bandied about.
Significantly, to many it signalled a change of choice. Mayawati had in August 2006, after being re-elected as the chief of BSP, publicly stated that someone belonging to the same caste sub-group 30-35 years younger than her could take over the reins in the event of a contingency.
While the BSP boss indicated that the dramatic announcement was influenced by apprehensions of her arrest and to guard against a vacuum if anything happened to her, the urgency of a barely 52-yearold political entrepreneur to name a heir is being viewed in the political context of Lok Sabha polls. It is seen as her shrewd gambit in pursuance of another audacious political bid __ prime ministership.
At the rally, the Dalit leader announced her candidature for the top job for the first time after her central offensive against UPA last month and alliance with 'third front' raised an anticipation that she had her eyes set high.
Mayawati is marshalling resources for an ambitious strike. The BSP leader, it is felt, is consolidating her 'core support base' __ Dalits and that too its most powerful sub-caste of UP and north __ to rebuff the rivals' charges that the 'sarvjan' experiment had diluted founder Kanshi Ram's agenda.
Coming amid BSP's attempt to net upper castes, the announcement that the party would remain in the hands of an SC marks a confidence that reminding the world of its intrinsically Dalit character would not hurt its outreach to Brahmins, Vaishyas and others. As BSP footsoldiers were told to kickstart the Maya-for-PM campaign, the UP chief minister appeared to be playing to the pan-Indian Dalit community via a well thought-out script.
Rain plays havoc in AP, 29 dead
It's literally raining cats and dogs and what is worse, there will be no respite for the next 36 hours, going by the predictions of the Met department. But if you thought that this is monsoons, well it is merely the result of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.
Not surprising, lakes, brooks and water bodies are all overflowing with many of them breaching their levels and marooning colonies and roads even as 10 people lost their lives in Hyderabad.
The city received a record 20.84 cm of rain in a downpour between 8.30 am on Friday and 8.30 pm on Saturday according to the Met office reports. The rain was non-stop from Friday evening to Saturday evening throwing life totally out of gear. But Saturday was a shade better __ with less traffic on the roads owing to a holiday for many __ compared to Friday when water-logging caused serpentine traffic jams for hours in many areas.
Most of the deaths in different localities of the city, was due to collapse of house walls. Three people of one family died in Gulzar Houz when their house wall collapsed. Another died in Tallabanda due to the same reason. A mother and daughter duo died when the roof of their house collapsed in Basavataraka Nagar near Film Nagar. One more person died when he got electrocuted as he came in contact with a live electric wire in Khairatabad. A wife-and husband - migrant workers from Prakasam district - died as their house wall collapsed in Gokul Nagar in Hafeeznagar. Further, seven people were injured in different incidents in the city.
Many colonies in the city were inundated with rainwater. About 300 houses in Nadeem Colony near Toli Chowki were flooded and residents had to be evacuated using boats belonging to the Tourism department. Other submerged areas are: M S Maqta, BJR Nagar, Punjagutta-Dhobighat, Shivajinagar in Bandlaguda, Brahminwadi in Begumpet, Mahbub Mansion, Bathukammakunta, Vani Colony, Annanagar, Jahangirnagar, Sankeshwar Bazar, Vivekanandnagar, Srinivasapuram of Ramanthapur, Allwyn Colony in Kukatpally, P&T Colony near Dilsukhnagar, Arundhatinagar Ratnanagar and other areas.
The rains have caused continuous inflows into the city's reservoirs with all of them getting water close to their FTL (full tank level). Osmansagar's level touched 1,759 ft against the FTL of 1,790 ft. Similarly, Himayathsagar touched 1,732.5ft against its FTL of 1,763 ft. Singur touched 1,696 ft while its FTL is 1,717 ft. Manjira hit a level of 1,649 ft against its FTL of 1,651.75 ft. On the other hand, Hussainsagar lake in the heart of the city touched 1,696.53 ft when the FTL is 1,694.25 ft and the situation would be dangerous if it crosses the 1,698.67 ft mark.
The rains have not given a respite to the citizens from the over three-hour long scheduled power cuts that the power utility has been resorting to for the last couple of days. The only saving grace was the duration of the cuts has been reduced by an hour in many areas. However, rain-induced power cuts due to trees falling on the electricity lines, wall collapses and inundation were reported from many parts of the city. But the next 48 hours will keep the city wet with rains predicted.
RESERVOIR LEVELS Osmansagar
Full Reservoir Level
1790 ft
Level on Saturday
1759.7 ft Himayatsagar
Full Reservoir Level
1763.5 ft
Level on Saturday
1732.5 ft Singur
Full Reservoir Level
1717.85 ft
Level on Saturday
1696.28 ft Manjira
Full Reservoir Level
1651.75 ft
Level on Saturday
1649 ft
WATER WOES: Hussiansagar brims on Saturday following the incessant downpour that also inundated many low-lying areas in the city
Not surprising, lakes, brooks and water bodies are all overflowing with many of them breaching their levels and marooning colonies and roads even as 10 people lost their lives in Hyderabad.
The city received a record 20.84 cm of rain in a downpour between 8.30 am on Friday and 8.30 pm on Saturday according to the Met office reports. The rain was non-stop from Friday evening to Saturday evening throwing life totally out of gear. But Saturday was a shade better __ with less traffic on the roads owing to a holiday for many __ compared to Friday when water-logging caused serpentine traffic jams for hours in many areas.
Most of the deaths in different localities of the city, was due to collapse of house walls. Three people of one family died in Gulzar Houz when their house wall collapsed. Another died in Tallabanda due to the same reason. A mother and daughter duo died when the roof of their house collapsed in Basavataraka Nagar near Film Nagar. One more person died when he got electrocuted as he came in contact with a live electric wire in Khairatabad. A wife-and husband - migrant workers from Prakasam district - died as their house wall collapsed in Gokul Nagar in Hafeeznagar. Further, seven people were injured in different incidents in the city.
Many colonies in the city were inundated with rainwater. About 300 houses in Nadeem Colony near Toli Chowki were flooded and residents had to be evacuated using boats belonging to the Tourism department. Other submerged areas are: M S Maqta, BJR Nagar, Punjagutta-Dhobighat, Shivajinagar in Bandlaguda, Brahminwadi in Begumpet, Mahbub Mansion, Bathukammakunta, Vani Colony, Annanagar, Jahangirnagar, Sankeshwar Bazar, Vivekanandnagar, Srinivasapuram of Ramanthapur, Allwyn Colony in Kukatpally, P&T Colony near Dilsukhnagar, Arundhatinagar Ratnanagar and other areas.
The rains have caused continuous inflows into the city's reservoirs with all of them getting water close to their FTL (full tank level). Osmansagar's level touched 1,759 ft against the FTL of 1,790 ft. Similarly, Himayathsagar touched 1,732.5ft against its FTL of 1,763 ft. Singur touched 1,696 ft while its FTL is 1,717 ft. Manjira hit a level of 1,649 ft against its FTL of 1,651.75 ft. On the other hand, Hussainsagar lake in the heart of the city touched 1,696.53 ft when the FTL is 1,694.25 ft and the situation would be dangerous if it crosses the 1,698.67 ft mark.
The rains have not given a respite to the citizens from the over three-hour long scheduled power cuts that the power utility has been resorting to for the last couple of days. The only saving grace was the duration of the cuts has been reduced by an hour in many areas. However, rain-induced power cuts due to trees falling on the electricity lines, wall collapses and inundation were reported from many parts of the city. But the next 48 hours will keep the city wet with rains predicted.
RESERVOIR LEVELS Osmansagar
Full Reservoir Level
1790 ft
Level on Saturday
1759.7 ft Himayatsagar
Full Reservoir Level
1763.5 ft
Level on Saturday
1732.5 ft Singur
Full Reservoir Level
1717.85 ft
Level on Saturday
1696.28 ft Manjira
Full Reservoir Level
1651.75 ft
Level on Saturday
1649 ft
WATER WOES: Hussiansagar brims on Saturday following the incessant downpour that also inundated many low-lying areas in the city
Friday, August 1, 2008
Obama, celeb like Britney
White House contender John McCain invoked gossip-page perennials Britney Spears and Paris Hilton on Wednesday to portray Democrat Barack Obama as a vapid celebrity who was unfit to lead.
The McCain campaign and Republican Party rolled out a concerted offensive to allege that Mr Obama, fresh from an overseas tour, was keener to soak in the adulation of adoring crowds than to offer real solutions for US voters. Mr Obama hit back to accuse Mr McCain of promoting no positive ideas about how he might address challenging issues.
“It’s beyond dispute that he’s become the biggest celebrity in the world,” Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser to Mr McCain, told reporters as the campaign unveiled a national television ad called “Celeb.” “The question we are posing is this, is he ready to lead yet? The answer that we will offer to the American people is, no he is not,” he said.
Karat: No vote for UPA
The CPI(M) has ruled out supporting the Congress in forming a government at the Centre, indicating that the rift between the Left and the UPA on the issue of the nuclear deal cannot be wished away.
“If you think we are going to support a Congress gov ernment, I don’t know, I think people will accuse us of opportunism,” the CPI(M) general secretary, Mr Prakash Karat, told Malayalam television channel Kairali TV on Thursday.
Mr Karat hoped the Left parties would be able to present “some third force” in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He clarified that the Left’s idea of a third force should not necessarily mean a third alternative that is propped up to fight elections. “The third alternative has to be in terms of policies,” he said.
Mr Karat was evasive about the issue of projecting BSP supremo Mayawati as a prime ministerial candidate.
“We don’t look at it in terms of individuals being projected as Prime Minister,” the CPI(M) leader told the channel.
SI can become DSP after six years
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday held that a police inspector (civil) who completed six years of service is eligible to be promoted as deputy police superintendent.
A division bench comprising Justice Ghulam Mohammed and Justice C.V. Ramulu on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Mr E. Shankar Reddy and others challenging the orders of the AP Administrative Tribunal on this issue. The bench upheld the orders of the APAT saying that the tribunal was right in holding that the seniority is altogether different from the eligibility criteria as per the Rule 5 (F) of the AP Police Service Rules.
SP asks for oil, telecom
The Samajwadi Party, set to join the Manmohan Singh government, is mounting pressure for the petroleum and communications portfolios. It has accepted it will not get home, and since party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav (who would have been its candidate for that key portfolio) is not keen to become a minister, it is not pressing the matter.
“Jab netaji (Mulayam) ko mantri banna hi nahi, to ho-me ministry le kar kya kar-en,” a senior SP leader said.
The party is also pushing for Rampur MP Jaya Prada for the women and child development ministry, replacing Ms Renuka Chowdhury. If it gets petroleum, it will nominate general secretary Amar Singh for it.
The communications portfolio is a tricky matter, since it is not held by the Congress. The DMK’s A. Raja is the minister, and the Congress might find it difficult to take it away from its powerful southern ally.
The SP is talking to the Congress leadership about bifurcating food and agriculture, held by NCP chief Sharad Pawar. The idea is to carve out food and civil supplies, and give it to Mr Ram Gopal Yadav.
Muslims also pray during an eclipse
It’s not just Hin dus, but Muslims too attach religious significance to celestial events like solar or lunar eclipses.
Muslims offer special congregational prayers on solar and lunar eclipses to invoke the blessings of the Almighty. Though they do not attach any superstitious belief to eclipses, it has been a practice since the times of the Holy Prophet to offer special prayers during the celestial event.
“Muslims look at any cosmic event as a sign of the power and existence of the Almighty God. During the time of the Prophet, a solar eclipse occurred. People hurried to link this to a worldly event, namely, the death of the Prophet’s son, Ibrahim. But the Prophet said eclipses have nothing to do with it. He said when you see them glorify and supplicate God, observe prayer and give alms,” said Moulana Hafiz Syed Shujath Hussain.
According to senior Islamic scholar Shaik Tajjuddin Shuaib, Muslims should offer special prayers, Salat al-kusoof (during solar eclipse) and salat al khusoof (during lunar eclipse). “It is better to offer it congregationally in the mosque.
There is no adhan (general call to prayer). The time for the eclipse prayer lasts throughout the eclipse. The prayer must be started during the eclipse, although it can end after the eclipse is over,” he said.
Several mosques in Andhra Pradesh make special arrangements for the exclusive prayers for the benefit of the devout.
Women are also allowed for the congregation, though most of them prefer to offer prayers at home.
Unlike temples, mosques are not closed to enable the devout to turn in large numbers. Many Muslims in India prefer to offer charity to ward off any evil, though Muslims in other countries do not attach bad omen to the celestial event.
“Though Islam does not encourage superstition, some Muslims in the country still feel that eclipses bring bad omen and to avoid it, they should keep indoors,” said Moulana Muhammad Abdul Karim.
“Like orthodox Hindus, they keep pregnant women indoors fearing that children will be born with deformities if the mothers are exposed to the bad rays from the eclipse. We regularly come across many such Muslim families here,” the moulana said.
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