Month: March 2011

5 regional centres of the National School of Drama to be set up

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New Delhi, March 02: Minister of Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that on the basis of the recommendations of the Broad Based Committee of the NationalSchool of Drama (NSD), it has been proposed to open 5 Regional Schools/Centres of the National School of Drama across the country.

The five locations identified for the setting up of these Schools/Centres are Bengaluru (upgradation of existing Regional Resource Centre), Kolkata, Maharashtra/Goa, Jammu & Kashmir and the North East.

There is no proposal to set up any such centre in Tamil Nadu.

Sibal calls for attention on adolescents

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New Delhi, March 02: Adolescents in the country need immediate attention in terms of their educational needs, Human Resource Development Minster Kapil Sibal said here on Tuesday.

“Education is the key to address the problems that our adolescents are facing. Schools play the most crucial role to address these problems, hence teachers are central in reaching out to children,” Sibal said.

The minister was addressing the South Asian regional conference on learning and developmental needs of out-of-school adolescents.

25 Indian VCs for Canada education summit

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Toronto, March 02: Twenty-five Indian vice-chancellors will participate in the Canada-India Education Summit to be held at Ottawa’s Carleton University as part of the Year of India in Canada.

The two-day education summit will be held on May 16 and 17.

A statement on Monday said Carleton University will host the summit in collaboration with the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Canada), the Indian high commission and the Association of Colleges and Universities of Canada (AUCC).

Panel to fix norms for private firms in IIITs

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New Delhi, March 02: A six-member panel of experts from government and private industry has been set up by the Human Resource Development ministry to fix norms for selecting private firms who can participate in Public Private Partnership (PPP) for setting up 20 new Indian Institute of Information Technology.

–IANS

UAE varsity to host exhibition on research capabilities

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Abu Dhabi, March 02: The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) on Tuesday said it will hold an exhibition to showcase its educational and research capabilities.

The event will be held at the Emirates Palace on Sunday under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

With its research activities in the field of water, petroleum, solar, wind and bio-fuel energy, the UAEU has been playing a vital role in the continued growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

Teacher Worry As DU Mulls Semester for Arts, Commerce

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New Delhi, March 02: The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) and the university administration argued over the introduction of semester system in 13 science courses last year. They are now again disturbed over the semester system, as the varsity hopes to introduce it in humanities and commerce courses from the new academic year that begins in July.

The teachers had opposed the switch from annual to semester mode citing reasons such as dilution of courses, lack of infrastructure and teachers.

Ireland beat england by 3 wickets by chasing 327

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Bangalore, March 01: Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien smashed the fastest century in World Cup history on Wednesday when he reached the landmark off just 50 balls against England and give Ireland to win the match by 3 wickets..

O’Brien beat Australian Matthew Hayden’s record of a century off 66 balls against South Africa at St Kitts in the 2007 tournament.

The 26-year-old O’Brien hit 13 boundaries and six sixes in his blistering century at the Chinnaswamy Stadium which was also the sixth fastest ODI ton of all time.

Telangana MLAs to boycott AP Assembly budget session

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Hyderabad, March 02: As many as 99 MLAs belonging to the ruling Congress as well as opposition from Telangana have announced “boycott” of the remaining Budget Session of Andhra Pradesh Assembly from tomorrow to press for their demand for statehood.

“This is unprecedented…. About one-third of the 294 members of the Assembly (belonging to various parties )will be abstaining from the House on a single issue,” a senior legislator observed, following the announcement made by the TRS and TDP lawmakers from Telangana region .

Pro-Telangana lawyers gherao Cong MP’s house

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Hyderabad, March 02: A group of pro-Telangana lawyers today laid siege on the residence of senior Congress MP Kavuri Sambasiva Rao, who took serious exception to the incident.

The lawyers raised slogans against Sambasiva Rao, who is seen as a leader of Congress leaders from non-Telangana regions, at his residence in Banjara Hills here before they were removed by the police.

It was reported in a section of media that a meeting of Congress leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema would be held at Rao’s residence on March 5.

400 booked for rioting after temple demolition

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Etah(UP), March 02: As many as 400 people, including a local VHP leader, were today booked on charges of rioting following the demolition of a century-old temple in Kanshiram Nagar district here last month, police said.

A 100-year-old temple located at the gate of Kasganj tehsil premises was razed in an anti-encroachement drive on February 25 ahead of Chief Minister Mayawati’s visit to the area.

A case was registered against 400 people, including local VHP leader Pramod Jajoo, police said here.

Supreme Court to decide CVC’s fate Thursday

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New Delhi, March 02: The Supreme Court will Thursday pronounce its verdict on a petition challenging the appointment of P.J. Thomas as the head of the country’s anti-corruption watchdog Central Vigilance Commission.

An apex court bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, Justice K.S. Panicker Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar will pronounce its verdict on a petition by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) challenging Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Thomas’ appointment.

Israel setting up new war on neighbours

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Jerusalem, March 02: Israel is reportedly planning to launch a new war to strengthen its position in the Middle East, following recent political reforms in regional states.

A Western diplomat in the Jordanian capital Amman said on Wednesday that Israel has decided to attack Syria and Lebanon following the downfall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime in Egypt, which served as a great loss to Tel Aviv,

Bengal ministers accused of poll code violation

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Kolkata, March 02: The Election Commission has sought a report from the West Bengal government on the alleged violation of the model code of conduct by two ministers after the notification of assembly election dates, a senior poll panel official said Wednesday.

“I have received complaints from a political party and government employees’ union about signing of files by a minister at Writers’ Building Tuesday evening after the announcement of the poll schedule,” said West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sushil Gupta.

“Day of Rage” shakes Yemen, Saleh sacks governors

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Sanaa, March 02: Tens of thousands of protesters flooded Yemen’s streets on Tuesday in a “Day of Rage,” demanding an end to the president’s three-decade rule.

In the capital Sanaa, demonstrators chanted “With blood and soul we support you, Aden,” referring to the southern port city where most of the 24 people killed in the past two weeks of protests have died.

Some demonstrators flashed “V” for victory signs while others wore white headbands with “Leave” written in red — a message addressed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Radical Cleric Demands Ouster of Yemen Leader

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Sanaa, March 02: Yemen’s president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, maintained a tenuous hold on power on Tuesday, blaming the United States and Israel for protests across the Arab world, while a prominent radical cleric joined the growing crowds demanding his ouster and called for an Islamic state.

President Saleh accused Washington and Israel of fomenting unrest to destabilize the Arab world.

Yemen leader blames protests on US

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Sanaa, March 02: Yemen’s president has hit out at Israel and the US, accusing them of destabilising his country and the Arab world as protesters demanding his ouster press ahead with demonstrations.

Ali Abdullah Saleh’s comments on Tuesday marked his harshest public criticism yet of the US, a key ally with which his government is battling al-Qaeda pockets in the Arab Pensinsula.

He said “there’s an operations room in Tel Aviv with the aim of destabilising the Arab world” and that it is “run by the White House”.

Pro-Gadhafi forces said to block food for embattled Zawiya

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Benghazi, March 02: Tank-backed troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi tightened a blockade of Libya’s fourth-largest city Tuesday after their latest assault was beaten back. Rebels defending Zawiya pleaded for international help, saying that only about two weeks of food and medical supplies remained for the estimated 100,000 residents.

Man who turned battle of Benghazi

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Benghazi, March 02: AN overweight, balding, office worker, Mahdi Zeeyou, makes for an unlikely revolutionary hero. Yet he is hailed as the man whose death marked a turning point in the crucial battle for Benghazi.

Mr Zeeyou, 49, who worked for the Arabian Gulf Oil Company for 30 years, joined the anti-Gaddafi protests on the first day and became enraged by the violence the government was using against its own people.

Late at night, after three days of bloody chaos, one of his neighbours, Hamed Salah, 20, saw Mr Zeeyou loading propane gas canisters into his car and offered to help.

Naidu demands compensation for Srikakulam firing victims

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Hyderabad, March 02: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu today demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of two persons killed and Rs 5 lakh each to those injured in police firing at Kakarapalli village in Srikakulam district.

He also demanded that the police force deployed in Kakarapalli and surrounding villages be withdrawn immediately.

CBI to file chargesheet against judge

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New Delhi, March 02: CBI may soon file a chargesheet against Justice Nirmal Yadav of Uttarakhand High Court in a case of alleged corruption after President Pratibha Patil gave clearance for her prosecution.

The judge is slated to demit office on Friday.

The CBI had sought permission to prosecute Justice Yadav, who was a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after Rs 15 lakh was recovered at the door of another judge of the same court, Nirmaljit Kaur. The money was said to have been delivered there due to confusion over names.

‘Housefull 2’ will see fresh pairs on screen

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Mumbai, March 02: Director Sajid Khan is all set to shoot part two of his successful comedy “Housefull” and says he will not only present fresh pairings on screen, but also bring together the Kapoor brothers – Randhir and Rishi – on screen.

“I’ve paired Asin (Thottumkal) for the first time with Akshay, John Abraham for the first time with Jacqueline Fernandez. We’re looking for a leading lady for Riteish Deshmukh,” he added the director who will also shoot “Housefull 2” in Chile, Argentina, Britain, Phuket and Hongkong.

Indian christians condemn killing of Pakistan minister

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New Delhi, March 02: Christians across India have condemned the murder of Pakistan’s minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, who was gunned down in Islamabad Wednesday by unidentified men allegedly for his views on the country’s controversial blasphemy law.

Bhatti, 42, was the only Christian minister in the Muslim majority country and met the same fate as Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was gunned down by his own bodyguard Jan 4.

Delhi blasts accused’s plea for speedy trial rejected

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New Delhi, March 02: The Delhi High Court has rejected the plea by an accused in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts to speed up his trial, saying all the cases were interrelated and it could not single out his case.

Delhi was rocked by serial blasts at Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Kalkaji Oct 29, 2005, which had left 67 dead and over 225 injured.

The petition by Mohammed Hussain Fazili, named in the Sarojini Nagar blast, was rejected last week by Justice Mukta Gupta.

Five held for robbing IIT student

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New Delhi, March 02: Five people were arrested for robbing an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) student of his laptop and mobile phone after giving him lift in a car, police said Wednesday.

Gulfam, 22, the kingpin, Faijan, 22, Salman, 19, Aman Kaljera, 20, and Wasim, 28, were apprehended from Sarai Kale Khan area in south Delhi Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Chand said.

The incident took place Feb 24 when the five whipped out a knife and forced the student to withdraw money from the ATM.

Governor suggests tax hike for tobacco products

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Jammu, March 02: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra has written to state Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather asking him to raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products to discourage their use.

The governor took this step after receiving a representation from a voluntary organisation seeking his intervention to get taxes raised on tobacco products in the state budget.

Rather is to present the state’s 2011-2012 budget March 7.

“The governor has endorsed the representation of the voluntary organisation,” according to a Raj Bhavan spokesman.