Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah resigned for cm position. Rosaiah meet the state governor today to submitting his resignation. governor suggested to rosaiah to rule the government when the new cm electing..
before the resignation rosaiah talk to media "I have done my best as the CM of the state. No one asked for my resignation, it's my own call,"
In the poorest country of the western hemisphere, residents wore protective face masks in the street and cautious parents gave their children bottled water.
As the United Nations warned that up to 200,000 Haitians could contract cholera in the country's first outbreak in a century, Dr. Jason Erb of the International Medical Corps said his organization set up a cholera clinic in the city.
"International Medical Corps came to Gonaives about two weeks ago based on a request from the Department of Health of Artibonite and OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) to look at the situation at Raboto Hospital and, in discussions with the medical director Dr. Marcel, we decided to set up a cholera treatment center. Since then, over the weekend, the number of cholera cases in Gonaives increased very rapidly," he said.
The epidemic added to a humanitarian emergency in the wake of the massive earthquake in January which killed more than 250,000.
Erb said the outbreak was aggravated by flooding caused by Hurricane Tomas this month.
"The number of cases did increase rapidly after the hurricane. We're not sure if it's related to the hurricane or not. All we do know is that those cases have increased largely in Gonaives as a whole. And so Raboto Hospital and Bon Secour Hospital have both seen this very, very fast increase and both are struggling to make sure that the best care possible can be provided to those who are sick," he said.
Public health experts warned that the country has all the classic risk factors for the disease -- overcrowded camps for displaced quake survivors, a scarcity of safe drinking water, improper elimination of human waste and the contamination of food during or after its preparation.
Additionally, because cholera is not usually found in the Caribbean, the entire population is at risk because no one has immunity to it.
In the humble neighborhood of Carrenage-Gonaives, litter fills the streets where half-naked children squander their days under the blaring sun. These living conditions leave people extremely vulnerable to the disease, which is spread by dirty water or food.
Area resident Aimer Kieukifer said he believes 50 of his neighbors have already died of cholera and sees little help on the way.
"We are all ready to get together and pray. We have not been able to find anybody to come here and help us in any way. Despite that, we have a few affected people who can't resist and died but we know that prayer is the only answer, and we are asking for everyone in Gonaives to give prayer a chance," he said.
The U. N. reported that at least 11,125 cholera patients have been hospitalized since the outbreak began more than three weeks ago. According to the World Health Organization, the death rate hasn't been increasing but is much higher than the usual 6 to 7 percent.
But with so many at risk, the U.N. has drawn up a plan asking for $163.9 million in aid over the next year to combat the epidemic.
High excise duties charged by the governments of Bangladesh and India have affected orange exports in India's eastern state of West Bengal.
Huge quantities of oranges are exported from the state's Siliguri city during the winter season (from November to January) to Bangladesh, but the Bangladeshi government has been charging excise duty of 16 rupees per kilogram of oranges.
"The rate is not in sync with the yield because the oranges being exported from Bhutan to Bangladesh have been freed from excise duty but the Bangladeshi government charges 100 percent duty on oranges exported from India. That is why the farmers are losing huge amounts of money," said Partha Charaborty, an exporter from West Bengal.
The heavy duties have forced several exporters out of business.
Meanwhile importers in Bangladesh, too, are worried as excise duties increase the price of oranges significantly by the time they reach markets.
To add to the woes of Indian exporters, they face stiff competition from Bhutan, which exports oranges to Bangladesh without paying any excise duty despite Indian oranges being of better quality.
"We have come from Bangladesh. Every year, we come here to buy oranges. Compared to last year, this year the price is quite high, and our Bangladesh government is not lowering the duties. Bhutan duties are free but the duties charged by the governments are very high unlike Bhutan, which is hitting us badly," said Muhammad Babul, an importer from Bangladesh.
The consensus is that the governments should cut down the excise duties in order to sustain the trade of oranges with Bangladesh.
Every year, the orange trade with Bangladesh rises to over Rs 200 million but it gets significantly hit by the heavy excise duty charged on the traders.
Huge quantities of oranges are exported from the state's Siliguri city during the winter season (from November to January) to Bangladesh, but the Bangladeshi government has been charging excise duty of 16 rupees per kilogram of oranges.
"The rate is not in sync with the yield because the oranges being exported from Bhutan to Bangladesh have been freed from excise duty but the Bangladeshi government charges 100 percent duty on oranges exported from India. That is why the farmers are losing huge amounts of money," said Partha Charaborty, an exporter from West Bengal.
The heavy duties have forced several exporters out of business.
Meanwhile importers in Bangladesh, too, are worried as excise duties increase the price of oranges significantly by the time they reach markets.
To add to the woes of Indian exporters, they face stiff competition from Bhutan, which exports oranges to Bangladesh without paying any excise duty despite Indian oranges being of better quality.
"We have come from Bangladesh. Every year, we come here to buy oranges. Compared to last year, this year the price is quite high, and our Bangladesh government is not lowering the duties. Bhutan duties are free but the duties charged by the governments are very high unlike Bhutan, which is hitting us badly," said Muhammad Babul, an importer from Bangladesh.
The consensus is that the governments should cut down the excise duties in order to sustain the trade of oranges with Bangladesh.
Every year, the orange trade with Bangladesh rises to over Rs 200 million but it gets significantly hit by the heavy excise duty charged on the traders.
Mayawati, Chief of India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh addressed a meeting of its party workers (Bahujan Samaj Party workers) in the provincial capital Lucknow on Saturday (November 13) to discuss strategies ahead of the state assembly election in 2012. Party workers from all the regions of the state attended the meeting and agreed to abide by the directions given by Mayawati ahead of the state assembly election.
"We have come here as Behenji (Mayawati) called us. All the directions given by Behenji will be followed. This meeting was held with the party workers and chief of party of every region," said Sitaram, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) worker.
The party workers added that following the directions given by Mayawati will be beneficial to the party as well as the state and in the years to come the party members will make their best efforts to make Mayawati as the Prime Minister of India.
The party workers further informed that directions given by the state chief will further benefit its members and will also benefit all the regions of the state.
"We came here for the meeting as Behenji (Mayawati) called us. We all heard what Behenji said and our party will be benefited a lot from that. We all will be benefited; our region as well as our state will be benefited. In the years to come we will make our best effort to make Behenji as the Prime Minister," said Phool Chand, another Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) worker.
After three short tenures between 1995 and 2003, it is Mayawati's fourth term as the Chief of the state. Mayawati is also the Chief of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which was founded in 1984 by a political leader Kanshi Ram.
"We have come here as Behenji (Mayawati) called us. All the directions given by Behenji will be followed. This meeting was held with the party workers and chief of party of every region," said Sitaram, a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) worker.
The party workers added that following the directions given by Mayawati will be beneficial to the party as well as the state and in the years to come the party members will make their best efforts to make Mayawati as the Prime Minister of India.
The party workers further informed that directions given by the state chief will further benefit its members and will also benefit all the regions of the state.
"We came here for the meeting as Behenji (Mayawati) called us. We all heard what Behenji said and our party will be benefited a lot from that. We all will be benefited; our region as well as our state will be benefited. In the years to come we will make our best effort to make Behenji as the Prime Minister," said Phool Chand, another Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) worker.
After three short tenures between 1995 and 2003, it is Mayawati's fourth term as the Chief of the state. Mayawati is also the Chief of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which was founded in 1984 by a political leader Kanshi Ram.
Adam Scott is in prime position to become the Singapore Open's first three-times winner after the Australian finished the third round with a one-shot lead over the chasing pack on Saturday (November 13). Defending champion Ian Poulter of England and South Korean Kang Kyung-nam are tied for second on 13-under-par at the Sentosa Golf Club, with U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell a shot further back.
Scott, who won back-to-back Singapore titles in 2005 and 2006, was steady rather than spectacular on a hot, sunny Saturday at the Serapong course, making four birdies and two bogeys in a two-under-par round of 69.
Poulter, dressed conservatively in cream trousers and white golf shirt to match his unusual all-white driver, had leapfrogged Scott at the top of the leaderboard after birdies at the second and tenth and an eagle at the fourth, but that was as good as it would get for the Englishman after the turn.
The 34-year-old Ryder Cup player carded seven pars and bogeyed the 14th for a round of 68 to come home in second place.
Kang Kyung-nam made eight birdies in his round, but two bogeys and a double bogey gave him a four-under round of 67 to share second place with Poulter.
Northern Irishman McDowell after a round of 68 looks poised to eat into German Martin Kaymer's lead in the European Tour's Race to Dubai with the German well off the pace on seven-under. The co-sanctioned tournament offers a first prize of $1 million.
U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson looked out of sorts, taking a three-over par eight at the last hole to finish with a four-over round of 75, 12 strokes behind Scott.
Scott, who won back-to-back Singapore titles in 2005 and 2006, was steady rather than spectacular on a hot, sunny Saturday at the Serapong course, making four birdies and two bogeys in a two-under-par round of 69.
Poulter, dressed conservatively in cream trousers and white golf shirt to match his unusual all-white driver, had leapfrogged Scott at the top of the leaderboard after birdies at the second and tenth and an eagle at the fourth, but that was as good as it would get for the Englishman after the turn.
The 34-year-old Ryder Cup player carded seven pars and bogeyed the 14th for a round of 68 to come home in second place.
Kang Kyung-nam made eight birdies in his round, but two bogeys and a double bogey gave him a four-under round of 67 to share second place with Poulter.
Northern Irishman McDowell after a round of 68 looks poised to eat into German Martin Kaymer's lead in the European Tour's Race to Dubai with the German well off the pace on seven-under. The co-sanctioned tournament offers a first prize of $1 million.
U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson looked out of sorts, taking a three-over par eight at the last hole to finish with a four-over round of 75, 12 strokes behind Scott.
Girls from India's southern state of Kerala, who often opted for nursing and teaching as their career options, are now entering the fashion world as models generally get lured by fame and income prospects in this industry. The girls have been attending grooming classes to sharpen their skills.
The grooming sessions consists of yoga, meditation, personality development, beauty tips, photo shoot, interaction and finally talent search for which the sponsors claim they do not charge fees.
According to an estimate, this year more than 50 girls have taken part in various fashion shows to be held in and around the city.
Various companies have started to come in search of fresh faces to launch their products giving an opportunity to these aspiring young models.
"Lot of corporate companies is coming in and trading is happening. So, outsiders are coming in over here. See any new companies coming in need a launch. So when it comes to a launch automatically like there will be an entertainment and fashion show and new products. Whenever a product launch is happening definitely there will be a fashion show. So now when you are looking to it Cochin is becoming a fashion hub of Kerala," said Dallu, a choreographer.
The recent beauty contests held in Kochi were the Miss Kerala and Le Mannequins paving an opportunity to the young models who are passionate for walking on the ramp.
"Modelling is my passion. So I am very much interested in this field. So, like the ramp, the walking, and the red carpet it's like to set fire on the ramp is really interesting. So that's the reason I am here like with the support from my family everything, together…" said Paulantina K, a contestant.
Miss Kerala pageant was designed to discover the freedom of expression and talent of South India women.
Le Mannequins was to select models for forthcoming shows in which international models will participate.
The title winner of the event received a cash prize of Rs 100 thousand, while the first and second runners up got gifts worth Rs 50,000 and Rs 25, 0000 respectively.
The forthcoming events are Miss south India and Navy Ball which are scheduled to take place later this month.
The grooming sessions consists of yoga, meditation, personality development, beauty tips, photo shoot, interaction and finally talent search for which the sponsors claim they do not charge fees.
According to an estimate, this year more than 50 girls have taken part in various fashion shows to be held in and around the city.
Various companies have started to come in search of fresh faces to launch their products giving an opportunity to these aspiring young models.
"Lot of corporate companies is coming in and trading is happening. So, outsiders are coming in over here. See any new companies coming in need a launch. So when it comes to a launch automatically like there will be an entertainment and fashion show and new products. Whenever a product launch is happening definitely there will be a fashion show. So now when you are looking to it Cochin is becoming a fashion hub of Kerala," said Dallu, a choreographer.
The recent beauty contests held in Kochi were the Miss Kerala and Le Mannequins paving an opportunity to the young models who are passionate for walking on the ramp.
"Modelling is my passion. So I am very much interested in this field. So, like the ramp, the walking, and the red carpet it's like to set fire on the ramp is really interesting. So that's the reason I am here like with the support from my family everything, together…" said Paulantina K, a contestant.
Miss Kerala pageant was designed to discover the freedom of expression and talent of South India women.
Le Mannequins was to select models for forthcoming shows in which international models will participate.
The title winner of the event received a cash prize of Rs 100 thousand, while the first and second runners up got gifts worth Rs 50,000 and Rs 25, 0000 respectively.
The forthcoming events are Miss south India and Navy Ball which are scheduled to take place later this month.
A sandstorm blankets much of northern China covering cities in unhealthy dust and grit.
Strong winds moved across the north bringing the sand from the northwestern desert.
Thick pollution now covers many major cities on the eastern coast.
Authorities blame the sandstorm on cold weather and lack of rain.
"After two rounds of cold air hit northern China, plants have withered, which made it easier for sand to fly up in the air. But the main reason is that there were few rainfalls in early days."
Many other factors have contributed to the increase in sandstorms in recent years.
Overgrazing, deforestation, urban sprawl, and drought helped expand deserts in the west and north -- now covering one-third of the country.
Tausende Schaulustige säumten am Freitagabend die rund 40 Kilometer lange Strecke, um das Spektakel zu verfolgen.
"Wir können hier an der Ems nichts weiter machen als davon träumen, von der großen weiten See und dem Ozean. Und das ist vielleicht mit dem Disney Dream nochmal so dargestellt", sagte eine Frau zu Reuters TV.
Pro Fahrt können rund 4.000 Passagiere ihre Sehnsucht nach der großen, weiten Welt stillen. Hinzu kommen über 1.400 Mann Besatzung. Diese werden sich dann um die Reisenden kümmern, die hauptsächlich aus Familien mit Kindern bestehen sollen. Entsprechend sind auch die Unterhaltungsangebote auf der Disney Dream, allen voran die erste Wildwasserbahn auf einem Kreuzfahrtschiff sowie diverse Kinderbereiche.
Mit einem Feuerwerk nahm die Disney Dream Abschied von ihren Konstrukteuren. Das Schiff soll in Bremerhaven offiziell von der Reederei Disney Cruise Line in den Dienst gestellt werden und wird dann zu ihrem Heimathafen Port Canaveral in Flordia überführt. Die Jungfernfahrt des Luxusliner ist für den 26. Januar angesetzt.
Ablauf
In Myanmar, dem früheren Birma, gibt es Anzeichen dafür, dass der langjährige Hausarrest von Oppositionsführerin Suu Kyi zu Ende geht. Die Militärmachthaber sollen die Freilassung der Friedensnobelpreisträgerin genehmigt haben. Zahlreiche Anhänger und Journalisten warteten am Haus der 65-jährigen. Suu Kyi verbrachte 15 der vergangenen 21 Jahre im Gefängnis oder im Hausarrest.
Attacke
In Afghanistan haben Sicherheitskräfte einen Angriff radikal-islamischer Taliban auf einen Flughafen und einen Stützpunkt ausländischer Truppen abwehren können. Sie lieferten sich ein Gefecht mit den Extremisten. Laut Augenzeugen wurden mindestens drei Angreifer getötet. Den Taliban zufolge waren an der Attacke in Dschalalabad im Osten des Landes mehrere Selbstmordattentäter beteiligt.
Überführung
Das Kreuzfahrtschiff "Disney Dream" hat am Abend die Meyer-Werft in Papenburg in Richtung Nordsee verlassen. Zahlreiche Schaulustige verfolgten das Spektakel, als der Ozeanriese die extra zu diesem Zweck angestaute Ems langsam flussabwärts manövrierte. Ihre Jungfernfahrt soll die "Disney Dream" am 26. Januar antreten.
The four-day International Lavi Fair kicked-off in Rampur region of India's northern Himachal Pradesh state on Thursday (November 11), where people from Tibet, China and Afghanistan took part. The fair is held at the onset of winter season on the bank of Satluj River. It is a blend of business and culture. With this fair the traders are benefited while the rich culture and tradition of the state is promoted."International Lavi Fair will be held from 11-14 November. Many people from Kinnaur, Lahul- Spiti and Tibet come for trade here. This fair is being organised from past 200-250 years. This fair is being organised with the help of local administration and city council," said B. R. Negi, organiser of International Lavi Fair.
Pashmina is one of the biggest draws at the fair, along with agriculture products like dry fruits and nuts being sold in a large numbers.
"Tibetan goods and Chinese items are on sale here in this fair, and nuts from Kinnaur are also being sold here. Though they are costly because of inflation but we have to buy, so we are buying," said Usha Chauhan, a visitor.
The fair is named after 'lovi' (woolen long coat), which is a traditional dress that people wear during winters in the state's Shimla and Kinnaur districts.
This fair is symbol of the trade relationship between China and Tibet, and it has been celebrated since the time of Raja Kesar Singh of Rampur.
Leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies are expected to pledge to work toward creating a vast free trade area at a weekend summit, but frictions over currencies and geopolitical rivalries will also dominate their weekend gathering in Yokohama. After all that heated debate in Seoul over currencies and global imbalances, Asia-Pacific leaders are being treated to "Cool Japan" at the summit this weekend in Yokohama.
The 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum -- nine of whom were in Seoul for the Group of 20 summit -- have gathered in Japan's port city of Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, to talk about a new growth strategy and a giant free trade zone.
They are being made to sit in plush arm chairs around around a "digital pond" - a video screen shaped like a fish pond - in which virtual koi swim, and virtual leaves fall around a virtual stand of bamboo.
It is meant to make the leaders feel like they are in a retreat in the autumn woods, a media handout says.
In the anteroom of this retreat, the leaders will view a showcase of traditional items as well as exhibits representing modern, high-tech Japan.
Borrowing a slogan used for promoting Britain, it is being called "Cool Japan".
Perhaps the atmosphere will be an antidote to the sometimes heated discussions at the G20 meeting in Seoul this week, where sharp divisions between China and the United States about their respective currencies were on display.
The 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum -- nine of whom were in Seoul for the Group of 20 summit -- have gathered in Japan's port city of Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, to talk about a new growth strategy and a giant free trade zone.
They are being made to sit in plush arm chairs around around a "digital pond" - a video screen shaped like a fish pond - in which virtual koi swim, and virtual leaves fall around a virtual stand of bamboo.
It is meant to make the leaders feel like they are in a retreat in the autumn woods, a media handout says.
In the anteroom of this retreat, the leaders will view a showcase of traditional items as well as exhibits representing modern, high-tech Japan.
Borrowing a slogan used for promoting Britain, it is being called "Cool Japan".
Perhaps the atmosphere will be an antidote to the sometimes heated discussions at the G20 meeting in Seoul this week, where sharp divisions between China and the United States about their respective currencies were on display.
All three actors will be performing on December 31 at different venues.
Celina Jaitley who would be performing in Mumbai is ecstatic to welcome New Year with fans and family.
"It is a special feeling to perform on 31st and also when you have your family along with you. Very few experience welcoming it in such a way. I am really looking forward to it," said Jaitley.
Oberoi, who would be performing for the first time on New Year's eve, said he felt both nervous and excited when he will perform in Dubai.
"It is for the first time that I will be performing on New Year. Therefore it is very special for me. I have received a lot of love from the people of Dubai. My films also do extremely well in Dubai, so I am really looking forward to it," said Oberoi.
Govinda also shared similar feelings, adding that it gave him immense pleasure to celebrate special occasions with fans.
"To share with yourself and your fans what you are feeling on such a special occasion is a beautiful experience," he said
Govinda will be performing in New Delhi.
Bollywood celebrity performances on New Year eves have become an annual affair. The actors demand huge sums of money to perform at such events.
Activists of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) on Friday (November 12) kicked off a motorcycle rally from Dharamsala in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi to protest the Asian Games being hosted by China. Tibetans and pro-Tibet activists gathered in good numbers in the city to support the rally.
A leader of the TYC said that China does is not worthy of hosting the prestigious Asian Games.
"When we talk about Olympics, those have to do with great human rights issues, you know human values, and all that and China does not respect human rights in any form or shape anywhere. Not inside China, in Tibet, not anywhere else. If you look at China, they have so many relations with regimes all over the world so if you look at that, they are indirectly assisting these other nations also. That's why we strongly believe that China does not deserve Asian Games and we are organizing this bike rally," said Tsewang Rigzin, President of the Tibetan Youth Congress.
The XVIth Asian Games got off to a colourful start at Haixinsha Island in the Pearl River of southern Guangdong Province in China on Friday (November 12).
The fortnight-long sporting extravaganza will conclude on November 27, in which around 10,000 athletes from 45 countries are taking part in 42 disciplines.
A group of ten bikers on six motorcycles would reach the national capital on the 15th of November.
One of the members of the bike rally said that since China violates human rights, it does not have the moral right to host such prestigious events.
"In Tibet there are no human rights. Human rights violation is still going inside the Tibet. So many brothers and sisters are being cracked down because the all the world has witnessed in 2008, March 10th. So we are conveying message to Chinese people that they have no rights to host this Olympics and Asian Games," said Yeshi, a biker.
The Tibet issue has been a topic of concern to India, as thousands of Tibetans have made India their adopted home after they fled their homeland. An estimated 80,000 Tibetans along with the Dalai Lama arrived in India in 1959 after an unsuccessful uprising against the Chinese rule.
China maintains tight control over the Tibet Autonomous Region but gives greater leeway to the larger Tibetan population in neighbouring provinces, such as Qinghai.
The struggle for 'Free Tibet' has gained momentum and the demands for it as an autonomous region has also received significant support from people across the globe.
Many Tibetans demand complete independence from China, even though in recent years the Dalai Lama has advocated for limited autonomy.
The car market in India's western Gujarat state has been booming in the last few months as more than 1,800 cars have been sold in Rajkot city itself.Automobile dealers say that they are happy with the record sales, and impute the trend to the festival season.
"The business has been good since this financial year. As far as I think, in the last 10 years we have not seen such a market. If we talk about last month then we have sold approximately 1,800 plus vehicles as against 775 last year," said Rajni Patel, owner of an automobile dealership.
The sales figure has doubled against all monthly figures of the last decade.
Small and medium cars received the highest number of customers.
"Last month, Gujarat broke all the retail records, especially Maruti Suzuki sold 10,000 cars in Gujarat. The reasons are that the market has been very good. Rains have been good and rural penetration has been good, especially in Saurashtra region. In Gujarat, the Sensex has crossed 21,000 mark and also the increment in salaries of government employees, and the perks that they have got. Their buying capacity has increased. All these factors contributed to the good car market," said Vikas Gehlot, General Manager or a car dealership.
Rains in the region have also contributed to the spending capacity of locals.
The year 2008-2009 was bad for the automobile industry due to economic recession but most markets have come out of that situation.
On the first day of Navratri, Ford sold 111 cars in a day.
The dealers also say that the increase in car sales is also due to the living standards of people.
Most say car dealers say that they are hopeful of such a market in the coming months.
Farmers of Junagadh district in India's western state of Gujarat have incurred losses as heavy rains have devastated the crops in the province. The continuous rainfall in the area has caused huge crop damage pushing farmers in a dilapidated condition.
"The first rainfall was good for the crop. We sprayed fertilisers in the field. We even took loans from the bank to grow crop but the rains ruined it completely. Now we are left with nothing, we are almost unemployed now," said Vinod Parmar, a farmer.Now, the farmers are praying gods to be generous and further seek help from the government.
"In field cultivation, there are quite a lot of crops of groundnuts and sugarcane, which has damaged that, will have an effect on the farmers' income. Hopefully, if the rain gods are generous enough, they (farmers) might make good with the current season of the groundnuts. But what about the losses? I pray somebody takes care of that," said Jerey Fernandez, another farmer.
The monsoons this year have been particularly heavy across India, causing floods in many areas and devastation of property worth hundreds of millions of rupees.
India is basically an agriculture economy and about 600 million of the billion-plus population depends on agriculture for their livelihood
In a candid interaction with reporters in national capital New Delhi, Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minster of India's western Maharashtra state, defended himself over allegations of involvement in a major housing scam on Saturday (November 13).Prithviraj Chavan took over the reins of Maharashtra from Ashok Chavan, who was forced to resign a couple of days ago by Sonia Gandhi, the chief of federal ruling Congress party, due to his links with the Adarsh Housing Society scam in provincial capital Mumbai.
It was reported that Ashok Chavan's relations owned flats in the Adarsh Housing Society meant for war widows and armed forces veterans.
But latest media reports have also disclosed that one of the flats in the society belongs to Prithviraj Chavan, ruffling feathers within party circles.
Visibly miffed at being dragged into the simmering row, the newly appointed state chief asserted there was nothing illegal about him owning a flat in the controversial society.
"The fact is there is nothing to hide. The flat was taken by me in my name. It is not a 'benaami' (a land which is not mentioned under anyone's name) thing. It is under the existing guidelines of giving flats to Members of Parliament (lawmaker). I took it as a Member of Parliament. I do not think there is anything illegal about it. If there is anything illegal about it I will look into it. I have shown all my details," said Prithviraj Chavan.
The new state chief has the onerous task of salvaging the image of the party, which has taken a severe beating due to the Adarsh Housing Society scam.
However, Prithviraj Chavan maintained his government would support the inquiry by the federal probe agency to bring the guilty officials to book.
"There are some matters, some people have gone to court…there are cases. But we are just going by the CBI inquiry which is ordered. The CBI has already started working, they have already collected papers. It is not a departmental inquiry or something. It is a CBI inquiry," added Chavan.
The Adarsh Housing scam in western Maharashtra hogged headlines after it was revealed that some top serving officers from the armed forces and former chiefs were allotted units in the cooperative housing complex, flouting several Indian laws.
The flats were meant for disabled veterans and widows of the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan.
Farmers of India's northwestern Rajasthan state are a happy lot with the bumper crop of groundnuts this year.
Rainfall in northern and northwestern parts of India has contributed significantly to the good quality and quantity of the produce.
"Last year it was seven-eight quintals (700 to 800 Kg) but this year the average is 10 quintals. The harvest this year has been better than the last four-five years. Even the quality of the groundnuts is good," said Aidaan, a farmer.
Farmers are hoping for a better yield by the end of this year.
"The harvest of groundnut has been very good this year. For the last few years, the percentage of groundnuts has been high. Rain has been good, and because of that the soil became fertile and have got good harvest. This year the average of groundnuts is 8-12 quintals (800-1,200 Kg) per 'bigha' (one-fifth of an acre). And in this market, by December, we are expecting a good total," said Motilal Sethia, Director of the Bikaner Farmer Grains Branch.
Farmers say they earn about Rs 2,500-2,700 rupees per quintal.
The June-September monsoon rains are a major influence on the economy, as two-thirds of Indians depend on agriculture.
Rainfall in northern and northwestern parts of India has contributed significantly to the good quality and quantity of the produce.
"Last year it was seven-eight quintals (700 to 800 Kg) but this year the average is 10 quintals. The harvest this year has been better than the last four-five years. Even the quality of the groundnuts is good," said Aidaan, a farmer.
Farmers are hoping for a better yield by the end of this year.
"The harvest of groundnut has been very good this year. For the last few years, the percentage of groundnuts has been high. Rain has been good, and because of that the soil became fertile and have got good harvest. This year the average of groundnuts is 8-12 quintals (800-1,200 Kg) per 'bigha' (one-fifth of an acre). And in this market, by December, we are expecting a good total," said Motilal Sethia, Director of the Bikaner Farmer Grains Branch.
Farmers say they earn about Rs 2,500-2,700 rupees per quintal.
The June-September monsoon rains are a major influence on the economy, as two-thirds of Indians depend on agriculture.
SHRAVAN : The Holy Month A time of rain storms and rain-drenched earth, Shravan is the holiest month of the year for Hindus. Each Monday of this month, known as Shravan Somvar, is a special day in Shiva temples where the dharanatra hangs over the linga or the idol to bathe it with water, day and night. Devotees pile the lmga high with Bel leaves and flowers and fast till sundown, eating only root vegetables and'fruit. The nanda deep, Only a 24 hour lamp, burns steadily in the temples signifying the eternal prayers of devotees ascending to heaven. NAGAPANCHAMI : The Snake Festival On the fifth day of the bright half of Shravan, Nagapanchan the festival of snakes is celebrated. Snake worship is more common in peninsular India than in the north. In Maharashtra, snake charmers go from house to house with dormant cobras ense nced in cane baskets, asking for alms and clothing. RAKSHABANDHAN : Celebration Of Fraternal Love Multi-hued rakhis present a festive appearance. A platter offered to a brother contains sweets, vermilhon and rakhis. The most widely celebrated festival of the month of Shravan occurs on its full moon day and is called Narali Purnima (Coconut Day) or Rakshabandhan. In the cycle of seasons, this full moon day marks the receding path of the monsoons. As the rains abate, sailors and fisherfolk worship a calmer sea, offering coconuts, flowers and sweets to it. In some parts of India, this day is reserved for changing the yagnyopavitor the sacred thread, when young boys discard their old yagnopavit and don a new one ritualistically. JANMASHTAMI : The Birthday Of Krishna Eight days after the full moon of Shravan, falls the festival of Janmashtami, the birthday of Krishna. For centuries this story has been relived every year on this dark, rainy night. Krishna, the divine son of Devaki and Vasudeva was born on a stormy night in a prison because his parents were imprisoned by Karnsa, the wicked king of Mathura. Karnsa, who was the brother of Devaki, killed all her children at birth because he had been warned that her eighth child would kill him. ONAM : Kerala’s Secular Pageant In the coconut tree lined backwaters of Kerala, boat races are an event of great pageantry. Artistic flower pattern are made in front of each home on Onam. Among the most colourful community festivals of India is Onam, specific to Kerala. It is celebrated as a secular state event by all the people whichever religion they may belong to. Coming at the end of the monsoons, in the month of Shravan, it commemorates the return of king Mahabali, a powerful mythical ruler of Kerala, once again to his kingdom and his adoring subjects. Bah resides in the netherworld as ordained by Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu. PATETI AND KHORDAD SAL : New Beginnings The older sect of Parsis celebrates the first day of the month of Farvardm as their New Year. On this day the Parsis review their actions in the past year, make resolutions for the new year, recite Patet or the prayer of repentance, hence the name Pateti, and promise to live in the righteous manner prescribed by their religious teaching. PARYUSHAN : Jams Remember Their Tirthankara Once again in the month of August, Jains celebrate the birth of the 24th tirthankara Mahavir, during Paryushan, an eight-day festival. |
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| Diwali lights |
Celebrated To Mark The Triumph of Good Over Evil
Before his final return to Ayodhya, not only was Lord Rama required to spend 14 years in exile, but he had to slay Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka, who abducted his wife, in order to rescue her. Thus the festival is also celebrated to mark the triumph of Good over Evil, light over darkness, sunshine after rain, laughter after pain.
Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik (around November) on Amavas, or the new moon right after Dussehra. Today Diwali is also dedicated to Ganesha (the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity) and Lakshmi (the Goddess of Wealth).
The Mythological Story
The mythological story of Sagar Manthan or ‘churning the ocean’ may help us understand why Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is worshipped during Diwali. Legend has it that once all the devtas, or demigods were under a curse that made them weak in body and mind. They were advised by Brahma (Creator in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) to drink amrit, or the elixir of life. But amrit could only be obtained by the churning of the ocean, which, needless to add, was no mean feat. Now the question arose as to how to go about churning the gargantuan ocean. Lord Vishnu (the Hindu Preserver of the Universe) came up with a solution saying that Mount Meru could act as the churning stick, while Vasuki (the mythical serpent) could be used as the coil around Meru. Pleased with the suggestion, the devtas went to the asuras, or demons and sought their help in accomplishing the formidable task. The devtas’ promise to share the amrit with the asuras tricked the latter into consenting to tug Vasuki from one end.
Thus ensued a phenomenal churning that, however, threatened to destroy the three worlds (Heaven, Earth and Hell). The gods simply could not let that happen, so Vishnu appeared in the guise of a giant tortoise or Kurma (Vishnu's second incarnation) and stabilised the churning by acting as a base under Mount Meru. It is said that eventually, spectacular treasures emerged from the great ocean including Laksmi the Goddess of Prosperity and Wealth, Sura the Goddess of Wine, Chandra, or the moon, Apsaras, the celestial nymphs, Kaustabha, the precious gem of Vishnu, Uchchaishravas, the divine horse, Parijata, the wishing coral tree, Kamdhenu, the wish-fulfilling Divine Cow, Airavata, the four-tusked white elephant, Panchajanya, or the conch, Sharanga, the invincible bow, and Dhanvantri, Nimi and Bharadwaj - the physicians and surgeons.
The Distribution of Poison and The Nector
Then appeared Halahala, the deadly poison, that had to be extracted before it could spell doom across the universe, and finally emerged the Amrit Kumbh, or pitcher of amrit. The mighty Shiva (the Destroyer of the Universe) stepped in to consume the poison as he was the only one who had the capacity to contain Halahala. Shiva drank the poison but kept it in his neck, perhaps to prevent the poison from entering his stomach. Ever since, he has been nicknamed Neelkantha or the blackneck. Meanwhile, in order to prevent the asuras from consuming the amrit, the devtas took the priceless pot and fled, with the asuras trailing behind in pursuit. Eventually the asuras caught up with the devtas who, in turn, decided to take on the asuras. It is believed that in all this melee, a few drops of amrit fell from the pot on spots that are the present-day towns of Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad, rendering indestructible and sacred for all times to come.
Goddess Lakshmi -The Main Deity
Since Goddess Lakshmi was amongst the spectacular treasures that emerged from the great ocean, hence, along with Ganesha, who is customarily invoked before ceremonies are performed, Lakshmi presides over all the ceremonies that are performed during Diwali.
Days before Diwali, people get into a veritable tailspin, what with all the planning and shopping to be done for the ceremonies, especially for the grand Diwali night.
They wash, clean and even whitewash their homes and shops – it seems no god or goddess blesses a mess! The women folk especially in South India decorate their homes and doorsteps with colourful rangolis (patterns made on the floor by using various coloured powders). Dhan Teras Celebrations
Diwali
Two days before Diwali is called dhan teras (dhan is wealth in Hindi and teras is 13th, to signify the 13th day after the full moon).
This day is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi as it is believed that she pays each house a visit on this day of the year. People hold a Lakshmi puja (prayer ceremony) in their homes. This day is especially significant for the merchant class, and quite understandably so. Traditionally this day marked the commencement of the new financial year and is still considered to do so by some people. In urban India, many business deals are finalised around this time and business houses give a Diwali bonus and gifts to their employees on the occasion.
Chhoti Diwali
The day before Diwali is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali (small Diwali). This is the day when Hanuman reached Ayodhya to deliver the long-awaited message of Lord Rama’s return. On Chhoti Diwali, people socialise and exchange sweets and gifts. There is a puja in the evening, and the puja sthan (most Indian homes have a special room or corner with a little temple in which they pray) is decorated with empty earthen lamps and newly purchased idols that are to be worshipped in it. In Bengal, people celebrate the Kali puja on this day. Kali is the Goddess of War and is highly revered by the Bengalis. In South India, an oil massage followed by a bath before dawn on this day is equated to taking a dip in the holy River Ganga. and a dip in the Ganga (the holy river of India supposed to absolve one of all sins) on this day is also considered to be an act of piety.
The Shopping Day
The day is also chalked out for shopping. Markets are piled up with goodies and decorated to the hilt. Every year, there is an array of new things on display. Shopkeepers offer mega Diwali discounts to allure customers.
Firecracker stalls have every conceivable cracker and ‘bomb’, from rockets to sparklers to fire snakes, burning trains and what have you, covered in shiny golden and silver paper, for children and adults alike.
Children look forward to their shopping binge primarily for this reason. Hordes of families throng the markets of their towns and villages for the Diwali shopping spree. Clothes are bought for all members of the family.
Buying utensils on dhan teras is also a must, as doing so is considered auspicious. Lamps, candles, festoons, animal-shaped sugar candies, sweets covered with silver foil and packed in bright cardboard boxes, colourful earthen idols of various important gods and goddesses and other things adorn endless rows of shelves.
The Mass Celebration of Diwali Festival
Finally the big day arrives and the excitement reaches fever pitch, especially for the children, as they can hardly wait for the night to get their hands on the crackers! But the day itself is not without its share of delightful moments.
The women of the house get their culinary act together to turn out an elaborate feast. An extensive fare is laid out for the household, and certain sweets are especially made during this festival, as Diwali is also the festival of sweets and feasting. In the evening, lamps and candles are placed all around the house after which the entire family assembles for the puja. A big earthen diya (lamp) is lit and later taken around the house to light all the candles and diyas.
Every house – big or small – participates in this ritual. Even the most modest shacks are transformed into bright households with a few diyas. Every little village and town glitters on this night. The sky is set ablaze with thousands of crackers bursting and diffusing coloured lights high into the sky.
