Asian Lite News Archive

Category: INDIAN NEWS

  • Temple for Godse hurts Gandhi grandson

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    The unveiling of Gandhi statue at Parliament Square in London was shadowed by a comment from Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma. Gopal,  a former diplomat and a state governor, said when Britain was honouring Mahatma with a statue at a prime spot in the capital, a section in the Indian society denigrating the father of…

  • London Vaisakhi festival at City hall

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    The Mayor of London Boris Johnson unveiled a new look Vaisakhi Festival, which will enable a wider array of cultural activities to be presented. Following consultation with the Sikh community, the popular free event will take place on Saturday 11 April 2015 at City Hall and in The Scoop at More London, next to historic Tower Bridge. Vaisakhi is the most important day in the…

  • Yadav ready for complexion debate

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      JD-U chief Sharad Yadav  said his comments on women’s complexion were misinterpreted and refused to apologise, stating that he was ready for a debate on the topic. The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader had got away lightly when he made the comments last week, as several members laughed them over. He, however, faced the heat…

  • Airwaves are public property: Jaitley

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    Airwaves are public property and the myth that they are the monopoly of the state has been broken, Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley said  as he pitched for expansion of community radio. Inaugurating the 5th National Community Radio Sammelan here, Jaitley said: “The right to free speech does not belong to a broadcaster alone…

  • New Zealand PM backs Sikhs on ‘kirpans’

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    New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said that the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to bar Sikh fans from carrying ‘kirpans’ at World Cup matches was wrong. Seven Sikh cricket fans were stopped from entering Eden Park to watch India play Zimbabwe in a match on Saturday as they were carrying kirpans, The New Zealand…

  • Haryana village tense after church attack

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    Tension prevailed in a village in Haryana’s Hisar district  after an under construction church was attacked and vandalised by miscreants and the idol of a Hindu god was placed inside the premises on March 6. The police later took away the Hanuman idol and a red-coloured flag related to Lord Ram from the premises to…

  • India poised for fast growth: Lagarde

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      Internation Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde  said India was on its path to becoming the world’s fastest growing economy, as she bagan her two-day visit to the country. “Wondeful to be back in vibrant India – poised to become world’s fastest growing large economy,” Lagarde tweeted, as the multilateral funding institution predicted…

  • Congress raises ‘snooping’ on Rahul

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      The alleged snooping on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was raised in Rajya Sabha by a vociferous opposition, which demanded a statement by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue. Raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said religious freedom and political freedom is going down in the country. “Is the government…

  • Hundreds pay homage to murdered Indian techie

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      Hundreds of people, including family members, colleagues and central and state ministers, paid homage to the Indian software engineer who was murdered in Australia on March 7. The body of the 41-year-old Prabha from global IT consulting firm Mindtree was flown to the city on Saturday night. It was kept at her relative’s house…

  • India’s forex reserves down $286 million

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    India’s foreign exchange reserves decreased by $286.3 million to $337.79 billion for the week ended March 6, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data showed. The reserves had increased by $3.88 billion to $338.07 billion for the previous week ended Feb 27. In the week ended Feb 20 the reserves were up by $1.02 billion to…

  • Kidney ailments to affect more

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    Over 5 mn will undergo dialysis, kidney transplant by 2030: Study The number of people receiving treatment for advanced kidney failure – such as dialysis or kidney transplant – will double to over five million by 2030, mostly in developing regions such as Asia and Africa, a study said on Saturday. Renal replacement therapy (RRT),…

  • London Gears Up for Gandhi Statue Event

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    PRIME MINISTER DAVID CAMERON: “Mahatma Gandhi is an inspiration. His approach of non-violence will resonate forever as a positive legacy — not just for the UK and India, but the world over. He was a man of great insight and many of his observations remain as fresh and relevant today as when he first made them –…

  • Modi announces steps to boost ties with Lanka

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi  announced a slew of measures to boost bilateral ties with Sri Lanka, including energy cooperation and visa on arrival for tourists while underlining that the “complex” fishermen row needed a long-term solution. In a statement after talks with President Maithripala Sirisena, Modi said an MoU in customs signed on Friday…

  • India opposes Lakhvi’s release

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      India asked the Pakistani authorities to ensure that 26/11 mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is not released from jail. The issue was also raised in Rajya Sabha, as members protested against the release. Talking to reporters here, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said: “All documents related to his involvement in the Mumbai attack…

  • Kerala Mocks Democracy

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    Kerala, the most literate state in India, mocks the democratic process as legislators go berserk as budget presented in assembly The Kerala assembly witnessed unruly scenes on Friday as members of the Left opposition broke the speaker’s chair and the electronic equipment. Finance Minister K.M. Mani tabled the 13the state budget amid the ruckus. The…

  • Modi pays homage at Aapravasi Ghat

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi  paid homage to Indian indentured labourers during his visit to the Aapravasi Ghat, an immigration depot through which the ancestors of more than 70 percent of Mauritius’s current population arrived. Modi paid homage to the “brave” Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Mauritius in batches from 1834 till the early…

  • Pak journalist to be questioned in Sunanda murder

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    Pakistani journalist Mehr Tarar is likely to be questioned in connection with the murder of Sunanda Pushkar, wife of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, police said . “Tarar is a relevant person in the case… If necessary, she will be examined,” said Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi. Tarar’s friendship with Tharoor had reportedly led to a…

  • India needs habitable cities

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    By Sanjiv Kataria  Ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his government’s plans to create 100 smart cities, there is a rise in the clamour by chief ministers to get the tag. From Ajmer to Allahabad and from Salem to Srinagar, the list of contenders grows, even as India gives shape to a plan and…

  • Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai gets HC relief

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    Granting relief to Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, who was stopped from flying to London in January, the Delhi High Court quashed the ‘look out’ circular issued against her. Justice Rajiv Shakdher also directed the central government to expunge endorsements made while offloading Pillai from a flight to London by immigration officials at the Delhi airport…

  • US scientist questions Indian hydel projects

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      A top American researcher has questioned the scientific accuracy of environmental impact assessment reports for India’s hydropower projects, criticising the process behind environmental clearances as being “manipulative”. Kelly D. Alley, a professor of anthropology, Auburn University, U.S. has carried out research in northern India for over twenty years, focusing on public culture and environmental…

  • Big B in London for unveiling of Gandhi statue

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      Megastar Amitabh Bachchan will attend an event in London, where a statue of late Indian icon Mahatma Gandhi, known for his non-violence movement against British rule, will be unveiled at Parliament Square. “We are delighted that @SrBachchan will read at the unveiling of the #GandhiStatue on Saturday,” DCMS-British Department for Culture, Media and Sport,…

  • HC refuses to lift ban on ” India’s Daughter”

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    The Delhi High Court  declined to immediately revoke the ban on the telecast of controversial BBC documentary “India’s Daughter” on the December 16, 2012, gang rape. A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva posted the two public interest litigations (PILs) for revocation of the ban on the documentary’s telecast for March…

  • Congress pledge unstinting support for Singh

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      Congress president Sonia Gandhi  said former prime minister Manmohan Singh was a man of integrity and he had the “unstinting support” of the party. She along with senior party leaders – members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and members of the Congress Working Committee – led a solidarity march from the Congress…

  • India for inclusive economic growth: Richard Verma

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    Hailing India’s emergence as a leader in inclusive economic growth, US ambassador Richard Verma said  that it can play a leadership role in bolstering connectivity in South Asia. “It’s worth noting that India is emerging as a regional leader in creating policies to encourage inclusive economic growth. During his recent visit here, President (Barack) Obama…

  • Truth will prevail: Manmohan Singh

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    Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said he was “upset” by a court here summoning him in a case relating to the allocation of coal blocks, but was “sure truth will prevail.” “Of course, I am upset but this is part of life. I have respect for the judicial process. I have stated my position before…

  • Katju’s remarks on Gandhi condemned

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      Rajya Sabha  unanimously condemned former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju’s comments calling Mahatma Gandhi a “British agent”. “This house expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the recent remarks of the former judge of Supreme Court Markandey Katju against the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who led the Indian National…

  • Seychelles is a vital partner: Modi

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    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Seychelles as a “vital partner” and said the relationship between the two nations is “unique and special”. Modi, who reached here on the first leg of a three-nation tour, said the two countries share a good relationship. “It is founded on a deep sense of mutual trust and confidence.…

  • Court summons Manmohan Singh

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      A special court here  summoned former prime minister Manmohan Singh, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla and former coal secretary P.C. Parakh in a coal block allocation case. Special Judge Bharat Parashar, after taking cognizance of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) final report in the case, also summoned Hindalco officials Shubendu Amitabh and D. Bhattacharya on…

  • Solar aircraft lands in Ahmedabad

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      The world’s first solar powered aircraft — Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) — on a global flight, landed here, officials said. The aircraft landed at the Ahmedabad airport around 11.45 p.m. The flight was received with loud cheers and clapping by a large group of people gathered at the airport to witness the historic landing.…

  • Lok Sabha pass land bill

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    The Lok Sabha here passed the contentious land acquisition bill amid a walkout by opposition parties even as the government moved nine amendments to address concerns raised by farmers. Shiv Sena, an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party, abstained during the voting. The proposed legislation removes the need for obtaining consent of land-owners and carrying…

  • Holi @ Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Stanmore

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    More than 4000 devotees had attended the festival of colour called Holi at Shree Swaminarayan Temple at Stanmore in London. . The festival which marks and spreads the colour of spring and unity commenced from 6.30pm. Many devotees including young parents attended with their new-borns to seek blessings from the holy fire and from Lord…

  • TADA case against Tunda dropped

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     A Delhi court on  dropped charges under TADA Act and Explosive Substances Act against alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) bomb expert Abdul Karim Tunda in a 1994 case. Additional Sessions Judge Neena Bansal Krishna discharged Tunda, accused under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and Explosive Substances Act (ESA). Tunda was declared a proclaimed offender…

  • Reliance Industries tops in assets

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    Mumbai-based conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd. heads the list of India’s top 10 companies ranked in terms of their asset base as on March 31, 2014, parliament was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley said Reliance Industries with an asset base of Rs.3,67,583 crore was ranked…

  • SHRUTHI HONOURS SOLIHULL MAYOR

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    Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Mrs Kate Wild, was honoured by Shruthi UK as part of International Women’s Day. IF YOU GOT A STORY TO SHARE, PLEASE SEND TO newsdesk@asianlite.asianlite.uk, Attn Pradeep Councillor Wild, who was a special guest at the Birmingham Thyagaraja Festival, was recognised for her invaluable contribution in empowering women of all cultures…

  • MMA Women’s Day Celebration

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    Nisha Pramod reports on Manchester Malayalee Association (MMA)’s International Women’s Day celebrations at St. Joseph’s Church Longsight in Manchester. IF YOU GOT A STORY TO SHARE, PLEASE SEND TO newsdesk@asianlite.asianlite.uk, Attn Pradeep Manchester Malayalee Association (MMA) celebrated International Women’s Day at St. Joseph’s Church Longsight. The celebrations commenced with an inaugural ceremony of  lamp lighting…

  • India to launch navigation satellite

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     The Indian space agency plans to launch its fourth regional navigation satellite by March-end after replacing a faulty transmitter, a senior official said. “We are planning to launch the satellite by the end of this month. The replacement transmitter is getting ready and will be brought from our centre in Bangalore,” M.Y.S. Prasad, director, Satish…

  • INTERVIEW: Amit Trivedi

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    By Sandeep Sharma   National Award winning musician Amit Trivedi, who has composed for films like “Dev D”, “Wake Up Sid”, “Udaan” and “Queen”, says technology has enabled composers to explore a wider range of sounds via computers, and the effort required has reduced to a considerable extent too. “Technology is widening scope for musicians every…

  • Romney appreciates India after trip

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    By Arun Kumar  After a nine day trip to India with his family working with Charity Vision, former US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has returned home “with greater appreciation, both for India and for America”. The Provo, Utah, based Charity Vision, whose mission is to “bring an end to curable blindness” provides surgery for…

  • Wipro voted world’s most ethical firm

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    Software major Wipro Ltd. said it has been recognised as the world’s most ethical company by US-based Ethisphere Institute for the fourth consecutive year. “We have been named as the world’s most ethical company by the Ethisphere for our commitment to ethical leadership,” the company said in a statement here. The Institute, which advances standards…

  • Indians spend big on foreign education

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    Indian students are spending between $6-7 billion annually on foreign universities due to dearth of quality higher education institutions in the country, a survey said on Tuesday. ‘Realigning Skilling towards Make in India’ – conducted jointly by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) –…

  • Modi begins tri-nation tour

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets off  on a five-day official visit to the three key Indian Ocean island neighbours – the Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka – in a bid to ramp up India’s profile in the crucial maritime region amid China’s looming presence. In the Seychelles – his first stop – Modi is…

  • Pakistan has more nukes than India

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    By Arun Kumar    Pakistan had about 120 atomic weapons, 10 more than India, in its nuclear arsenal last year, according to a new interactive infographic unveiled by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Designed by the Bulletin, founded in 1945 by University of Chicago scientists who had helped develop the first atomic weapons in the…

  • Modi launches India developed Rotavirus vaccine

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi  launched Rotavirus vaccine Rotavac, developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. Billed as one of the first novel vaccines to be developed completely in the developing world, it is expected to help in significant reduction in infant deaths due to Rotavirus diarrhoea in India and other parts of the world. Krishna Ella, chairman…

  • Masrat released without consent: Modi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said  that Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Masrat Alam was released without taking the central government into confidence. Making an intervention in the Lok Sabha, Modi said it was legitimate for the house to show its anger on the issue. “I assure the nation and the house that after the Jammu…

  • L&T shortlisted for submarine deal

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    Larsen and Toubro and Pipavav Defence, in which Reliance Infrastructure of Anil Ambani Group is acquiring a majority stake, have been shortlisted for the Rs.60,000-crore potential contract to build six submarines for the Indian Navy, sources said. “Project 75i, as we call it, is for purchasing six next-generation submarines with air independent propulsion (AIP) system…

  • Slain Indian woman’s husband flies to Australia

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    The husband of an Indian IT professional who was stabbed to death in Australia flew to Sydney from Bengaluru to formally identify the body, a media report said. Prabha Arun, 41, employed with Bengaluru-based technology firm MindTree, was attacked at Amos Street in western Sydney on Saturday evening. She was on the phone with her…

  • Pakistan urge India to honour Indus water treaty

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    Unless India honours the Indus water treaty, Pakistan will face a severe water shortage in a few years, a minister warned . The treaty, signed with India in 1961, stipulates that the flow from the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — will be for the exclusive use of Pakistan while the three…

  • Satyam case verdict deferred

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      A special CBI court here o adjourned pronouncement of the judgment in the multi-crore Satyam scam till April 9. Special Judge B.V.L.N. Chakravarthi of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, who was scheduled to pronounce the verdict, deferred it by a month. The court on December 23, 2014 had set March 9 as…

  • India objects to Lanka’s justification

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    India said  that it had “strongly objected” to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s comments justifying the killing of Indian fishermen by its navy. Making a statement after the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said she had taken it up with Wickremesinghe. The minister said she was in…

  • Rajya Sabha in turmoil over Masrat Alam

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    The Rajya Sabha witnessed a ruckus over the release of separatist leader Masrat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir, with several members calling it a compromise with national security. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley made an assurance the government will not compromise on national security. However, Congress members trooped near the chairman’s podium, forcing a…