Month: April 2015

‘Shaheed’ not defined in defence or central forces: Govt

by

Government today informed the Parliament that the term ‘shaheed’ or martyr is not defined “anywhere” and there is no official order to accord the same to defence or paramilitary personnel.

“There have been demands for giving shaheed/martyr status to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel killed in action. In the meeting of Committee of Secretaries held on September 14, 2011, Ministry of Defence indicated that shaheed/martyr is not defined anywhere and presently they are not issuing any order/notification to this effect in respect of defence personnel.

From May 1, buy tkts online for Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb

by

Come May 1 and those looking to visit Taj Mahal in Agra and Humayun’s Tomb here will be able to book their entry tickets online for the iconic monuments.

The e-tickets can be booked at the IRCTC website — www.Asi.Irctc.Co.In — and can also be bought at the e-ticket windows at such monuments.

Online sale of tickets on a limited scale for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monuments was successfully carried out by IRCTC and now it has been decided to extend it to all gates — East, West and South — of the Taj Mahal, said a senior Culture Ministry official.

Want to work positively with India to help Nepal: China

by

Playing down reports of competition with India in quake relief efforts in Nepal, China today said it would like to work with India “positively” to help the Himalayan nation to tide over the crisis.

“China and India are neighbours to Nepal. We would like to work together and coordinate positively with India in our assistance efforts in Nepal to help it to overcome the difficulties and rebuild its homeland,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a media briefing here today.

Nearly 5 lakh died due to cancer in 2014: Nadda

by

Nearly five lakh people died due to cancer in 2014, government today said, attributing the rise to ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles and use of tobacco.

Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Rajya Sabha that as per the data provided by National Cancer Registry Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research, in 2014, the incidence of cancer was 11,17,269, and the prevalance 30,16,628.

The mortality due to cancer in the same year was 4,91,598 up from 4,78,180, in 2013, he said.

Moeen Ali expects ‘tough’ competition from Kiwis and Oz in upcoming Test series

by

England all-rounder Moeen Ali is expecting to face a tougher second summer of his Test career in the upcoming Test series against New Zealand and Australia.

Ali, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka last summer , had scalped 19 wickets in five Tests against India in 2014.

The off-spinner said that India didn’t show him enough respect in the way they batted against him, but insisted that it would be tough to play against New Zealand and Australia, the BBC reported.

SC stays breach of privilege notice against Shobhaa De

by

A breach of privilege notice sent to author Shobhaa De by the Maharashtra State Assembly 16 days ago was stayed by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The breach of privilege notice was issued to De for her tweets over the state government order on Marathi films.

De was directed to file her written submission by Monday.

However, an apex court bench comprising of Justices Dipak Misra and P C Pant, after going through all her tweets, said her views was against the government’s decision and wondered how it violated the privilege of the state assembly.

Michelle Keegan named Sexiest Woman

by

Actress Michelle Keegan has been named Sexiest Woman in the World in a poll conducted by FHM magazine.

The former “Coronation Street” actress has topped the magazine’s annual poll, beating “Keeping up with the Kardashians” star Kendall Jenner and last year’s winner Jennifer Lawrence into second and third place respectively, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Supermodel Kate Upton climbed 14 places to take fourth spot, while new British “X Factor” host Caroline Flack has soared up the chart from 48th in 2012 and 70th in 2013 to take fifth place.

Deepika, Irrfan unveil Piku Melange Collection

by

Actress Deepika Padukone along with “Piku” co-star Irrfan Khan and director Shoojit Sircar unveiled the ‘Piku Melange Collection’, an ethnic fusion collection from Melange by clothing brand Lifestyle.

The collection takes inspiration from Deepika’s carefree, modern meets ethnic styling in the upcoming family comedy drama and aims at giving consumers access to their favourite Bollywood superstar’s style as seen in the movie, read a statement.

Elli Avram learns acrobatics from Tiger Shroff’s trainers

by

Actress Elli Avram is taking acrobatics training for Abbas Mastan’s next “Kis Kis Ko Pyar Karun” opposite comedian Kapil Sharma from the trainers of actor Tiger Shroff.

A former professional athlete and figure skater, Elli has learnt the acrobatic moves in three day and according to a source, her routine including complex cartwheels and backflips on her wrists.

The 24-year-old also recently dropped eight kilos following a specific Pilates-Yoga routine.

Startup Rubix unveils wireless charging battery, case

by

Tech startup Rubix has developed a slap a magnetized Qi wireless charging case called On Case on your phone and then let it snap onto a magnetized wireless charging battery called On Charger.

According to the engadget.com, On Charger is 13.9mm-thick and consists of a 5,000 mAh battery with two output options, a fast 2A current over a USB cable or a standard 1A over close-proximity wireless transmission.

Hernandez brands Real Madrid ‘best team in world’

by

Javier Hernandez has branded his loan club Real Madrid as ‘the best team in the world’ after the Mexican striker played an instrumental role for the Spanish club in his last two games.

Hernandez, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester United, scored the decisive goal against Atletico Madrid to help defending champions Real reach Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

The Mexican international then scored a brace in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Celta Vigo in La Liga tie.

Tencent unveils an operating system for smart-watches, TVs

by

Tencent has introduced an operating system for smart-watches, TVs and other internet-connected devices.

Tencent launched a platform for smart-phones earlier this year but this new software is focused on wearables and other Internet-connected devices, such as smart-watches, wearables.

Like Google’s Android, the Tencent Operating System and TOS+ is available to be licensed without cost.

Microsoft to launch new apps and add-ins for Outlook.com email service

by

Microsoft is preparing for launch of new apps and add-ins for Outlook.com email service later this week.

According to the Verge, Microsoft has started publishing its Build 2015 developer conference schedule a little early and Outlook.com apps are part of the news. A listing for a session on Outlook.com apps reads “In under 5 minutes, you can build one app, list it in one store and have it appear in Outlook.com, Outlook desktop and Office 365.”

In face of crop loss, Haryana announces Rs 1,092 cr compensation for farmers

by

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today announced compensation of Rs 1,092 crore to farmers affected by inclement weather conditions, to be disbursed by May 15. Noting the huge crop loss due to adverse weather conditions, he said the government has decided on compensation of Rs 1,092 crore to be disbursed by May 15. Of the total amount, Rs 720 crore will be provided by the Centre while rest will be provided by the state government, he said.

Government to help pensioners for getting digital life certificates

by

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) in various states have been asked to provide necessary technical support for starting enrolment of pensioners for getting digital life certificate to ensure hassle free disbursal of pension.

In order to spare the pensioners from the trouble of visiting banks for submission of life certificates annually, the Centre had in November last year launched an Aadhaar-based biometric verification system ‘Jeevan Pramaan’. The system enables pensioners to submit the digital life certificate online to pension disbursing banks.

Pakistan flag display: Govt says won’t allow anti-national acts

by

Days after Pakistani flags were displayed in Kashmir by some separatists, the government today asserted in Lok Sabha that it will not allow anti-national activities even as it expressed readiness to have dialogue with those who eschew violence.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary, while replying to questions, said all anti-national activities are firmly dealt with and stringent action taken.

Government launches national action plan for skill training of disabled

by

Government has launched a national action plan for skill training of persons with disabilities to improve vocational training and employment opportunities for differently-abled people.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said in Lok Sabha that the action plan will bring all main stakeholders like various central government ministries, state governments, NGOs, PSUs and private sector on one platform.

Boxing legend Ali reminds Mayweather `who’s the greatest`

by

Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali may have taken a swipe at unbeaten US boxing champion Floyd Mayweather after the latter claimed that he is the greatest fighter of all-time.

Mayweather, who will square off against Manny Pacquiao in the ‘fight of the century’ bout on May 2 in Las Vegas, had attracted widespread criticism last week as he said that he “couldn’t care less” for upsetting people by claiming that he is better than Ali or Sugar Ray Robinson.

50 Vietnamese nationals stranded in Nepal, Indian government trying to rescue them: Envoy

by

About 50 Vietnamese nationals are currently stranded in quake-hit Nepal and efforts are on to bring them home with the help of Indian government, Vietnamese envoy said on Tuesday.

“About 50 Vietnamese tourists are currently stranded in Nepal. We are now trying to bring them back to Vietnam,” Ambassador of Vietnam to India Ton Sinh Thanh told reporters in Chennai.

Chittoor killings: High Courts directs SIT to complete probe in 60 days

by

The Hyderabad High Court today ordered the Special Investigation Team constituted to probe the killing of 20 people in police firing in Seshachalam forests of Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district, to complete its investigation in 60 days and submit a report to the court.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sengupta and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, while passing an interim order, expressed dissatisfaction over the case diary that was produced by the investigating officer to the court.

Indians in Australia mourn death of mountaineer Renu Fotedar

by

The Indian community here today mourned the death of avid mountaineer Renu Fotedar, who became the first Australian killed on Mount Everest in the avalanche triggered by the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Nepal.

Fotedar, 49, who hailed from Srinagar and was settled in Australia, was killed on Saturday during her maiden trip to the world’s highest peak of 8,848 meters.

Finance Ministry discusses 85 large projects, NPAs with RBI, banks

by

In an effort to help banks facing asset quality woes and to revive investments in the critical infra sector, the government today discussed 85 large projects entailing Rs 3.51 lakh crore in outstanding bank credit.

After a specially-convened meeting at the RBI headquarters, Financial Services Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said a total of 85 such projects, from the power, steel, roads and ports sectors, with an outstanding bank credit of Rs 3.51 lakh crore were discussed.

Mizo missionaries in quake hit Nepal decide to stay back

by

Mizo missionaries in quake-ravaged Nepal declined to be evacuated and wanted to stay back to help those in need, Presbyterian Church’s Mizoram Synod leaders said on Tuesday.

Mizoram Synod Mission Board Secretary Rev Lalchhuanmawia said there were no plans to evacuate the missionaries working in Nepal and they did not want to leave the country. Baptist Church of Mizoram general secretary Rev L H Lianngaia said they had informed two of their missionaries that they could return, but they declined the offer, saying they have to look after the church members in time of crisis.

Urlai Roast

by

Ingredients

Chettinadu masala:

1 grated coconut

10 gm whole red chillies

15 gm coriander seeds

15 gm ginger

15 gm garlic

5 gm cinnamon

5 gm cardamoms

5 gm cloves

3 gm kalpasi bark

3 gm star anise seeds

5 gm black pepper corns

3 gm curry leaves

2 gm turmeric powder

Urlai roast:

1/2 kg boiled small potatoes

1 tsp chettinadu masala

2 Tbsp oil

4 chopped onions

3 chopped tomatoes

1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste

3 slit green chillies