Press Trust of India

Press Trust of India (PTI) is India’s premier news agency, having a reach as vast as the Indian Railways. It employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.

With Obama in town, Delhi remains under tight security

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An impregnable security ring with 20,000 security personnel guarding the national capital has been kept intact even after the Republic Day parade as US President Barack Obama stays overnight in the capital till Tuesday afternoon.

The stringent security measures have turned the capital into a fortress for President Obama and his delegation’s three-day visit.

Obama, who arrived here on a state visit Jan 25 morning, attended the 66th Republic Day parade as the chief guest Monday.

Modi condoles R.K. Laxman’s death

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condoled the death of eminent cartoonist R.K. Laxman, saying “India will miss you”.

“We are grateful to you for adding the much needed humour in our lives and always bringing smiles on our faces,” he said in a statement.

“My condolences to the family and countless well-wishers of a legend whose demise leaves a major void in our lives. RIP R.K. Laxman,” the prime minister said.

The famous cartoonist died in a private hospital in Pune Monday evening after a brief illness. He was 94

(IANS)

Suryakumar quits Mumbai captaincy to focus on batting

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Mumbai Ranji team skipper Suryakumar Yadav Monday stepped down from the top spot following his team’s dismal loss by an innings and 44 runs against Tamil Nadu in an away encounter.

Mumbai are placed sixth in Group A with 11 points from six games so far this season. Their only victory came against Uttar Pradesh which required a heroic effort from pacer and number nine batsman Shardul Thakur. They had also lost earlier against minnows Jammu and Kashmir at home.

Church of England consecrates first female bishop

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The Church of England Monday consecrated its first female bishop, the Reverend Libby Lane, at a historic ceremony in the Cathedral of York, in northern England.

Lane, who was appointed to the post December 17, 2014, will become the eighth bishop of Stockport, a city in northern England, in an event witnessed by a thousand guests.

In an interview with Radio Manchester, Lane, 48, said, “It is a remarkable thing that this happens to me, and people have been very supportive of me personally, but actually this is about a moment in the Church’s history.”

US media makes a splash with Obama’s India visit

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President Barack Obama’s historic visit to India received prominent coverage in US media with major newspapers focusing on the breakthrough on the nuclear deal and splashing pictures of the pomp and pageantry.

The influential New York Times carried on top of the front page a four-column picture of Obama reviewing the guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan captioned “Pomp and Progress”.

A detailed story inside was headlined “Obama clears a hurdle to better ties with India”.

Four blasts near R-Day function venue in Manipur

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Four low intensity blasts were Monday triggered near the venue of the main Republic Day function here in the Manipur capital, police said. No one was injured.

“The blasts occurred at Polem Leikai, Yaiskul, New Chekkon and Hatta, all near the Kangla Fort, where the main function of the Republic Day was held. No one was injured in the blasts,” a police official said.

All blasts occurred between 7 a.m. and noon.

Djokovic enters Australian Open quarters

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World No.1 Novak Djokovic ended Gilles Muller’s inspired Australian Open run Monday night with a 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 victory over the Luxembourg native to reach the quarter-finals.

In his 23rd consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final, Djokovic will face Milos Raonic for the fifth time. Djokovic leads 4-0 in their career meetings and has only lost one set against the Canadian.

Djokovic is yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park as he looks to become the second man in history to win the Australian Open for the fifth time.

Obama meets Congress delegation

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US President Barack Obama met a Congress delegation Monday afternoon after witnessing the 66th Republic Day parade, said a party leader.

A four-member Congress delegation, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, party president Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi, and former union minister Anand Sharma called on the visiting US president at the ITC Maurya hotel where he is staying, the party source said.

Murray ready to face home favourite Kyrgios

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Britain’s Andy Murray Monday said he is ready to take on the challenge that will be thrown at him when he faces Nick Kyrgios in the Australian Open quarter-finals.

The two are going to battle it out for a semi-final spot Tuesday night.

Both have met on tour once with Murray pocketing the encounter in straight sets in Toronto last year, and the Briton also clinched the set they played at the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) exhibition in India.

Woman kills mother, hangs herself in Bengal

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A dispute over property led to a woman killing her mother before committing suicide in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, police said Monday.

The bodies of Gautami Acharya was found hanging from the ceiling while that of her mother Nibha Sanyal was found at a adjacent room in their house near Barasat in the district Monday morning.

Leopard killed in Bengal after it injures five

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A young male leopard was Monday killed by angry villagers after it strayed into a village in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district and mauled few of them, a forest official said.

The leopard strayed out of Baikunthapur forest division into Bandhunagar village where it attacked and injured five people. While forest officials had tranquilised the animal, a large number of villagers, enraged over the attack, beat the unconscious animal to death.

HIL: Ranchi Rays rally to hold Delhi Waveriders 2-2

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Ranchi Rays came from two goals behind to hold defending champions Delhi Waveriders 2-2 in a Hero Hockey India League encounter at the Astroturf Hockey Stadium here Monday.

Waveriders took the 2-0 lead through Akashdeep Singh (third minute) and Danish Mujtaba (27th) before the hosts got their goals from Australian Nick Budgeon (30th) and Mandeep Singh (36th).

Sardar Singh-led side Waveriders looked the better side from the beginning, looking more organised in the midfield and the defence.

Obama, Michelle star guests at President’s At Home

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US President Barack Obama accompanied by his wife Michelle were the star guests at President Pranab Mukherjee’s traditional At Home reception on the manicured lawns of Rashtrapati Bhavan here Monday, an event that was briefer than usual and saw a much-trimmed guest list than before.

Cartoonist R.K. Laxman dead

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Legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, creator of the iconic “The Common Man”, died in a private hospital here Monday evening after a brief illness, his family said. He was 94.

Laxman, brother of late novelist R.K. Narayan, is survived by writer wife Kamala, retired journalist son Srinivas and daughter-in-law Usha. He was renowned for his cartoon creation, which ran for several decades in The Times of India.

He had been admitted to a private hospital around 10 days ago for a urinary tract infection and lung problems, where he breathed his last at 6.10 p.m, Srinivas told IANS.

NGO Let’s Vote gets award for voter awareness

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NGO Let’s Vote has received the National CSO Award for its contributions towards voter awareness, education and enrolment drives during the 2014 general elections.

The award was presented during the fifth National Voters Day celebrations in New Delhi Sunday.

Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gave away the awards at the function presided over by Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma.

Let’s Vote national convener K. Subbarangaiah, founder J.A. Chowdary, and member P.V. Raghavendra Sarma were present on the occasion, a statement said here Monday.

Kerala politics: Is UDF closing door on Pillai?

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The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Monday decided not to invite one of its founders, R. Balakrishna Pillai, to its meeting to be held here Wednesday.

UDF convenor P.P. Thankachen said that Pillai has not been invited.

The decision appears to have come after an audio conversation between him and whistle blower Biju Ramesh, a bar owner, came out in the open last week.

Indian, Pakistani armies exchange sweets on LoC

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The Indian and Pakistani armies Monday exchanged sweets on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on India’s 66th Republic Day, an official said.

“On the proud occasion of Republic Day, troops of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets at the Poonch-Rawalakot crossing point,” defence spokesman Colonel Manish Mehta told IANS.

Soldiers of both countries also exchanged greetings and sweets at a similar function on the Aman Setu bridge in Uri sector in Baramulla district.

Of umbrellas, caps and patriotic songs

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With the rain playing spoilsport, the dignitaries gathered at Rajpath to witness India’s 66th Republic Day parade were forced to wear caps and take cover under umbrellas and raincoats.

US President Barack Obama, the chief guest at the parade, and wife Michelle were seated in a roofless bullet-proof glass enclosure along with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and his wife Salma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As it started to drizzle, officials with huge, black umbrellas and members of the support staff standing next to them sprang into action.

Indian, Chinese armies hold ceremonial border meeting

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A ceremonial border meeting was held Monday between the Indian and Chinese armies on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

“A ceremonial border personnel meeting on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day was held today (Monday) at the Indian border personnel meeting point hut in Chushul sector of eastern Ladakh,” said a defence statement issued by the Indian Army’s Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur town.

The Indian delegation was led by Brigadier J.K.S. Virk and the Chinese side by Senior Colonel Fanjun.

Himachal governor Urmila Singh retires

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Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh was given a warm send-off by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his cabinet colleagues at a function in the state capital Monday. She retired on completion of her five-year term.

She had taken over as the governor Jan 25, 2010.

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh has been given the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh, following her retirement. He will take oath of office here Jan 28.

In her farewell speech, Urmila Singh thanked Raj Bhawan staff for their cooperation during her tenure.

Israeli president declines invitation to meet Obama

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Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has declined an invitation to meet with US President Barack Obama, during his ongoing visit to New York, Israeli media reported Monday.

According to the reports, the White House contacted Israeli officials and Rivlin’s advisors Saturday to study the possibility of holding the meeting, an offer that the Israeli leader declined.

The Israeli presidency, however, has provided no further details on the invitation, but a brief official statement released Sunday night indicated that both leaders had difficulty in adjusting their agendas.

South Africa: Two killed during looting of foreigners’ shops

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Two more people have died in a new wave of looting foreign-owned shops in the townships area of the South African city of Johannesburg, the police reported on Twitter Monday.

Looting shops owned by immigrants from African and Asian countries in Soweto and other townships last week caused the deaths of four people while 170 others were arrested.

The wave of violence erupted last week after a Somali shopkeeper killed a South African teenager who tried to rob his store.

‘Lai Bhaari’ moment at R-Day parade, Riteish, Genelia thrilled

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Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh and his wife Genelia are happy that the “Mauli mauli” song from their Marathi production “Lai Bhaari” was used to represent the tableau of Maharashtra at the 66th Republic Day parade in the capital Monday.

While “Lai Bhaari” marked Riteish’s debut in the Marathi movie space, the movie is produced by Genelia.

“As a producer of Lai Bhari – thrilled that ‘Mauli’ song was used 2 represent D State of Maharashtra. @BarackObama ‘s first Marathi song-hehe,” Genelia tweeted.

For Riteish, it was a proud moment.

Indians in Poland celebrate R-Day with enthusiasm

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The Indian community which over the years has become a force to reckon with in Polish society, celebrated the 66th Republic Day with gaiety and enthusiasm Monday.

Braving the cold and snow, a large number of people gathered at the new building of the embassy of India where they were greeted by newly- appointed Indian Ambassador Ajay Bisaria and his wife Bharati Chaturvedi.

Bisaria, who till recently was in charge of the Eurasia division in India’s external affairs ministry and had organised Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India successfully, unfurled the tricolour.

Ali Zafar’s musical tribute to Peshawar attack victims

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Pakistani actor-singer Ali Zafar has brought together musicians, actors and sportspersons for the video of his new single “Urein ge”, which translates into “Will fly”, to pay tribute to the victims of the Peshawar massacre.

According to the Dawn, the video will feature big names like cricketer Shoaib Malik, actor Ali Kazmi, actresses Mahira Khan and Humaima Malick.

The 34-year-old actor took to micro-blogging site Twitter to share the humbling experience.