JEM threatens to take revenge for the killing of Gazi Baba More
India-Italy to sign agreement on Film Co-Production
2,sept 2003
Operation Annapoorna: Vigilance Raid revealed corruption in Taluk offices
Thiruvananthapuram: In a massive raid conducted on Monday by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) on Taluk offices, cash worth of Rs.75000 was seized and around 21 officials were found responsible. The raids entitled as "Operation Annapoorna"were carried out on 14 selected Taluk offices in the state. It began in the afternoon at 12.30 and lasted till 3.30 in the evening. The raid was carried out under the order of VACB Director Upendra Verma who had received several complaints that the officals of the Taluk supply offices were demanding large amounts of bribe in view of additional stocking of goods during the Onam season.
The raids were carried out by District Vigilance Superintendent of Polices under the supervision of Vigilance Inspector Generals Sibi Mathews, Ramesh Chandrabhanu an Deputy Inspector General Ananthakrishnan. DIG R.sreelekha, the chief officer who lead the raid who said that the Taluk supply offices had accepted bribe upto Rs.500 from ration shop dealers for allowing special stock during Onam.
An amount of Rs.5000 was seized from supply officer Vikraman Nair and another Rs.400 from his office. The maximum amount of unaccounted cash (of nearly Rs.20,000 ) was seized from Thodupuzha, and the lowest amount was seized from Palakkad of around Rs.1000. The other details of unaccounted cash seized are Rs.10800 from Pathanamthitta, Rs. 8000 from Kannur, Rs.6000 from Mananthavady. Several empty envelopes were found from the offices, on which was written the number of ration shops.
Lightning Surveillance in Trade centres ; Case registered against 36 people
According to Assistant controller, in a lightning surveillance carried out in the various trade centres here in Thiruvananthapuram, by the District Onam special squad under the Legal Metrology Department, instruments of quantity and weight showing incorrect
and artificial measures were seized, following which case was registered against 36 tradesmen. The surveillance was carried out in markets and roadside trade centres in different parts of Thiruvananthapuram city.5 members of a sarpanch family killed by militants
Jammu: A group of militants swooped over the village in Banihal area of Doda district and barged into the house of sarpanch Khadim Hussain in Chambalwas village in the late hours of Monday night and killed five members of his family, including a woman and a child. They were beaten up with gun butts and sharp weapons and after killing them escaped from the spot, the sources said. Two among the five members killed were government employees. The victims have been identified as Khadim Hussain, Rafiq Ahmed (lineman in PDD), Farooq Ahmed (patwari) - all sons of Abdul Abdullah, Ishfan Ahmed, 14 year-old son of Rafiq and Fatima. The security forces launched a search operation in the area to track down the militants responsible for the act. The ultras had earlier asked Khadim Hussain to resign from his post. Khadim was reportedly the head man of his village, and police said he was probably killed because he defied a militant diktat not to return to his village from where he had been forced to flee. In yet another incident, the police raided a militant hideout in Dara Sangla village of Surankote area and killed five militants in a gunfight that also left three policemen injured.
Bomb blast on NH : one person killed , atleast 20 injured
Srinagar: In yet another guerrilla attack on the National Highway in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday, the driver of a bus carrying indian troops was killed and atleast 20 people injured , following the blasting of a bomb. According to a military spokesman, the
explosion was aimed at an army convoy travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar highway near Avantipura, some 40 km from here.Following the blast, the driver of the bus was killed and 6 soldiers and some 15 civilians which included 3 women, were injured. Three of the soldiers suffered serious injuries and were removed to a hospital by helicopter. The civilians who were injured were
travelling in a van and a car on the same highway.National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination(II), 2003
The Union Public Service Commission will hold the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2003 on September 14, 2003 as schedule. There is no change in the Examination schedule. Admission Certificates to all eligible candidates have been issued. Letters of rejection citing the ground(s) for rejection have been
sent to the rest. If any applicant has not received any of the above communications, he may contact UPSC Facilitation Counter on Telephone Nos. 23381125 and 23385271. The candidates may also send fax messages in Telephone No. 011-23387310.
Information is also available at UPSC website at www.upsc.gov.in which contains venue particulars in respect of all admitted candidates.India-Italy to sign agreement on Film Co-Production
India and Italy would sign the Film Co-Production and Co-Distribution Agreement during the forthcoming visit of the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Silvio Berlusconi during the EU/Italy-India Summit on 28-29 November 2003. The Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad who left for Italy today is likely to finalize the agreement and also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with his counterpart, Mr. Giuliano Urbani, Minister for Heritage & Cultural Activities in the Government of Italy.
For some time now there has been discussion between Italy and India for the signing of a co-production agreement between the two countries. In line with the Government’s approach to facilitate the Indian film industry’s outreach as also to promote cultural
exchanges between India and Italy, the Italian interest in a co-production agreement with India has been welcomed.Some discussions have already taken place at the official level on the proposed co-production agreement. The Indian Minister’s visit will aim at promoting a better understanding to facilitate the early signing of the proposed agreement.
The Indian Minister’s three-day visit will coincide with the Venice Film Festival where Shri Gautam Ghose’s "Abar Aranye" is an official entry in the Festival. The Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Pawan Chopra is also accompanying the
Minister.New Member Staff Railway
Shri S.M. Singla, a member of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), has taken over as Member Staff, Railway Board, and ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Railways. He succeeds Shri B.S. Sudhir Chandra, who has
retired on superannuation on August 31, 2003. Earlier, Shri Singla was General Manager, Western Railway, Mumbai.Born on October 10, 1944, Shri Singla obtained B.Tech (Hons) Civil Engineering from IIT, Powai, Mumbai in 1965. He has held several important positions in Railways, such as, Metropolitan Transport Project, Mumbai, deputation to New Railways
Implementation Authority, Bagdad, Chief Engineer (Construction), Northeast Frontier Railway, Executive Director (Civil Engineering) Railway Board, Divisional Railway Manager, Jodhpur, Chief Engineer, Northern Railway, General Manager of
South Central Railway and General Manager Western Railway. He is also an alumni of the Manchester Business School.Palace on wheels train begins its journey on September 9
The super luxury Palace-on-Wheels train, a joint venture of Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, begins its commercial operation from September 3, 2003. It will terminate on the last Wednesday of April 2004.
The Palace-on-Wheels train, which comprises 22 coaches including two power cars, provides a splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the erstwhile Maharajas of Rajasthan, the Taj and Fatehpur Sikri in eight days and seven
nights. It starts every Wednesday at 6.30 p.m. from Delhi Cantt. Station and returns there on next Wednesday morning.During its eight-day journey in royal splendour, the Palace-on-Wheels takes tourists to the Pink City of Jaipur, Jaisalmer (the jewel of desert), majestic Jodhpur, Sawai Madhopur for the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park, divinely enchanting
Chittaurgarh, Udaipur with its picturesque lakes and palaces, Bharatpur with its lively Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary, the red stone city of Fatehpur Sikri and, the Taj Mahal in Agra.The 14 coaches of the Palace-on-Wheels, each coach named after the princely states of Awar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Dholpur, Durgapur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Kota, Sirohi and Udaipur, has typical ambience of grandeur and royalty of the respective Maharajas. The Palace-on-Wheels train, first started in January 1982, has carried 37591 tourists in 611 trips upto April 2003.It is a flagship of India’s tourism and a last word in personalized hospitality, care and comfort.
Ukraine University to honour Dr.Joshi
The Ukraine University has decided to honour Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi with a doctorate for his contribution to the cause of science and promotion of internaitonal scientific cooperation. The Academic Council of the National Technical University of
Ukraine, announcing this in Kiev, expressed the confidence that scientific and educational ties between the two countries will continue to grow with Dr. Joshi holding charge of the portfolios of both Human Resource Development and Science &
Technology. Dr. Joshi has been invited to Kiev to receive the honorary doctorate degree of the university.Dr. Joshi has been receiving great many international awards and honours for propagating "Green Technology" and the concept of "Sustainable Consumption". A number of countries and international universities have been inviting him to deliver special address on "Sustainable Consumption".
Dr. Joshi who is also a great votary of "Equality in access to global resources" was elected as an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences in July 2001. His biographical summary was published in the Encyclopedia of the Academy. The
Academy has more than 1500 members including world famous scientists and Nobel laureates. Dr. Joshi is probably the only Indian among them.He has also been elected member of the International Academy of Ecology, Man and Nature Protection Sciences, St. Petersburg, in recognition of his endeavours towards environment-friendly technologies. The Academy also awarded him with a
unique medal named "Nicolay Rerikh" for his contribution in the sphere of Ecology.Dr. Joshi has the unique distinction of being the first Indian minister to address the European Science Congress as well as the European Research Council at Brussels last year.
Health International News UK Government acts to make body piercing safer
LONDON - People getting their bodies pierced will be better protected from the
risk of infection, under new government proposals. A change in the
law is proposed to enable local authorities outside London to require
cosmetic body piercing businesses to register with them and adhere to
bylaws.The British Government is proposing to amend the Local Government Bill,
currently going through Parliament, to ensure better control by local
authorities over levels of hygiene and cleanliness in body piercing
establishments.Local authorities outside London currently have the power to regulate
ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and electrolysis. The new
proposal will extend these powers to cover body piercing and also
activities such as micropigmentation, semi-permanent make-up and
temporary tattooing. London has been regulated since 1991.British Public Health Minister, Melanie Johnson, said:
"The proposed change in the law will protect the health of the public
by ensuring that the good standards of hygiene and cleanliness in
body piercing and tattooing enjoyed in London are extended to the
rest of the country."Local Government Minister, Nick Raynsford, said:
"I'm pleased that we've been able to bring forward this amendment in
the Local Government Bill. It will give local authorities important
new powers to make all kinds of tattooing and body piercing much
safer."Minister launches 2003 Construction Health and Safety Roadshow in Ediburgh
Health International News Minister for Work, Des Browne today launched the 2003 Working Well
Together Construction Health and Safety Roadshow at the site of the
new Royal Bank of Scotland Group headquarters, Gogarburn, Edinburgh.The Roadshow, featuring an interactive walk-through display, is
taking key health and safety advice to construction workers and
employers at sites across Great Britain over the next six weeks.The Working Well Together Campaign promotes best practice and
encourages everyone in the industry - workers, supervisors, managers
and directors - to take action to improve health and safety
performance. The Roadshow is supported by Bovis Lend Lease, Forest
Safety Products, Rethinking Construction, Renault Trucks UK Limited,
Safesite Limited, Skanska, Taylor Woodrow, Trades Union Congress,
Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive.In launching the Roadshow, Des Browne, the Minister for Work, said:
"The Working Well Together Roadshow aims to prevent injuries and
ill-health by delivering vital information and advice to construction
workers at their places of work."The construction industry can be a dangerous place to work. Last year
71 construction workers died (11 of the deaths occurred in Scotland)
and many thousands more were injured or suffered from health
problems. Since the beginning of April this year 37 construction
deaths have been reported to the HSE (one of which occurred in
Scotland). Speaking about fatalities in the construction industry,
the Minister said:"Each workplace death is an unacceptable tragedy. It is encouraging
to note the reduction in fatalities in Scotland this year and I hope
this continues. However the continuing high number of deaths of
construction workers in Great Britain, often caused by foreseeable
risks, demonstrates there is no room for complacency."The industry support for the Working Well Together Roadshow is a
positive sign that the industry is working together to improve its
poor health and safety record. The Roadshow will ensure that workers,
supervisors and managers are given the very latest information and
guidance about workers health and safety."This year, the Roadshow is focusing on some key ways to reduce
on-site risks. The Roadshow targets:- Tidy sites and decent welfare;
- Safe working at height;
- Reducing the risks of workplace transport accidents;
- Safety in manual handling; and
- Health - protecting hearing, avoiding skin problems such as
dermatitis, cement burns and skin cancer; and- Avoiding exposure to asbestos.
At the launch the Minister was joined by Ernest Sheavills, Director
Property Development & Asset Management of Royal Bank of Scotland,
Richard Thorpe, Project Director of Mace Ltd, the Principal
Contractor at the site, and many of the 650 construction workers at
the site.Pam Waldron, HSE Head of Field Operations responsible for
construction in Scotland, said:"The Royal Bank of Scotland Group headquarters is the biggest
construction project currently underway in Scotland. It is also an
excellent example of how to effectively manage health and safety
issues during the construction process."This site shows how much can be achieved by an enlightened client
and principal contractor with a positive attitude to health and
safety and good worker involvement."Thousands more workers are expected to visit the WWT Roadshow display
as it visits construction sites throughout Scotland, Wales and
England over the next six weeks.Together Roadshow launch-3 On each visit, site workers walk through
an information display on the 'High 5' ways to reduce risks, receive
an 'Absolutely Essential Survival Kit' and enter the WWT Roadshow
competition by completing a health and safety quiz.Now in its fifth year, the WWT Roadshow has reached over 20,000
workers with health and safety messages since it first began.
Health International News Local hero' s memory lives on
Money raised by the famous Bristol pianist Russ Conway has been saved
for cancer sufferers, an inquiry report published by the Charity
Commission today reveals.Donations given by loyal fans to the Russ Conway Fund, set up to help
cancer and leukaemia sufferers in 1991, lay unused in the charity's account
after the entertainer's tragic death in November 2000.Following queries from members of the public about the charity's
accounts the Commission opened its inquiry in January 2003. After
discussion with the watchdog, the trustees have decided to wind up
the charity and find a suitable home for the remaining money - almost
£25,000. They have decided to split the money between St Peter's
Hospice (Bristol) and St Wilfrid's Hospice (Eastbourne). Both causes
were previously supported by Russ Conway.David Rich, head of investigations at the Charity Commission, said:
"We are delighted that the funds are being split between St Wilfrid's
Hospice and St Peter's Hospice as Russ Conway worked with both these
charities during his lifetime. This means that cancer sufferers in
the local area can continue to benefit."Pat Davies, fundraising director of St Peter's Hospice, said:
"St Peter's Hospice is delighted to have been chosen. Russ Conway
visited the hospice and met patients and is much loved by the Bristol
community. As Bristol's hospice we are proud to be linked in this
way. His gift will benefit local Bristol people with incurable cancer
and other illnesses."Russ Conway, one of Britain's biggest selling artists of the 1950s
and 1960s, with hits such as Side Saddle, set up the cancer charity
during his own struggle with the disease.
Education International News Good quality initial assessment - Learning in England
2 September sees the publication of the first of the Adult
Learning Inspectorate (ALI) national survey reports - comprehensive
judgements on critical and specific aspects of learning in England
today.The first report to be made available concerns the vital, but poorly
understood, initial assessment. All adult learners have widely
different backgrounds and educational needs. When a learner embarks
on a course the initial assessment offers the opportunity to look
back at what the learner has achieved in the past and forward to the
learner's goals. It is all too easy for the learner to embark on a
course of learning or training which is either too demanding, or
repeats work that they have already done. Either way - the learner
can become disillusioned and abandon the course - depriving
themselves, their families, and the economy of vital skills.Despite the importance of the initial assessment the report
demonstrates that in all areas - colleges, work based learning,
prisons, adult and community learning, leardirect and provision
funded by Jobcentre Plus - it is often inadequate. Initial assessment
it is four times more likely to be identified as a weakness rather
than a strength during an inspection of a learning provider.This report contains examples of good and poor practice from across
the whole of the learning and skills sector. It aims to drive up
standards by improving the understanding of the initial assessment
and suggesting practical steps for improvement.Inspector Lesley Thom who helped produce the report said:
"We hope that it will give everyone an opportunity to stand back and
make judgements about which methods are, or are not, working. Good
quality initial assessment is vital if learners are to achieve their
goals. Without it the learner can become a rudderless ship. Some
learners will achieve their goals but some may not."
