Prime Minister's departure statement at Srinagar Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s departure statement at Srinagar today: Status report on implementation of J & K packages  Railways reviewing recruitment and training process to improve safety Attack on Akshardham temple case: 5 persons arrested  House of Nepalese Finance minister burned down by Maoists MoU signed between India and Australia  Funds no problem in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:  Dr.Sanjay Paswan Dr.Joshi suggests International Meet on Curriculum 33 sportsperson received Arjuna award from president

August 29, 2003

Cola godown attacked, bottles destroyed in Kochi

Kochi,Friday, August 29, 2003: Activists of Ayangalli Pada, a naxal organisation, attacked the Coco Cola godown at Kadavanthara in the heart of the city this morning and destroyed at least 400 Coca Cola and other softdrinks bottles by breaking and pouring kerosene and diesel on them before setting them afire. he activists, carrying kerosene and diesel cans, came in a procession and attacked the godown on the Ponneath road after raising slogans against the multinational company, police said. Before pulling down plastic crates of Cola and other softdrinks, the activists threatened the employees and asked them to leave the premises. Police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot, they said adding a case has been registered.

Bush Has Not Attended Even One Funeral Of A U.S. Soldier Killed In Iraq

Mulayam Singh Yadav is new UP Chief Minister

Lucknow,Thursday, August 28, 2003: Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav was today sworn-in as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, a post he assumed for the third time since 1989. Yadav, who will head a coalition government, was the only one to be administerd the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri at an impressive ceremony at Laxman Mela ground on the banks of river Gomti here.

Adding colour to the occasion was Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan who along with his entire family witnessed the swearing-in. Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar, business tycoons Adil Godrej and Anil Ambani and a host of political leaders attended the ceremony. Yadav's predecessor Mayawati was conspicuous by her absence. Yadav, 63, became the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the first time in 1989 when he headed the Janata Dal government.

Halliburton scores big off Iraq Size, scope of work greater than previously disclosed
Aug. 28 — Halliburton, the company formerly headed by Vice President Cheney, has won
contracts worth more than $1.7 billion out of Operation Iraqi Freedom and stands to make
hundreds of millions more dollars under a no-bid contract awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, according to newly available documents.

India: Attacks on civilians unacceptable

Amnesty International today strongly condemned the twin car bomb explosions which on 25 August 2003 killed at least 52 civilians in Mumbai and injured around 150. "These attacks amount to the gravest abuses of fundamental human rights," the organization said today. According to reports, two bombs hidden in the rear seats of taxis exploded seven minutes apart on Monday during the lunch-hour rush at the temple of Mumbadevi and at a square in front of the Gateway of India. The identity of the attackers is unknown and no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far."We call on the authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible for yesterday's attacks are brought to justice and will be tried in proceedings which meet internationally recognized standards for fair trial," Amnesty International concluded.

Enforcement Squads formed to inspect cashew factories

Thiruvananthapuram: Enforcement Squads have been formed in Thiruvananthapuram,
Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Alappuzha, to scrutinize cashew factories. The main duty of the
Enforcement Squads will be to check that the Employment rules and the conditions regarding
quantity and weight are being followed. There will be one Squad each in Thiruvananthapuram,
Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha and two squads in Kollam. Each Enforcement wing will be under the
District Labour Officer consisting of Assistant Labour Officers, ESI inspectors, Factories and Boiler
inspectors, Legal Metrological taluk inspector and Cashew labourers fund inspector. According to the
order released in this regard, it is insisted that the squads should continuously inspect and make
sure that no rules are being broken.