Asian Lite News Archive

Category: INDIAN NEWS

  • Lakhvi leads luxurious life in Pak jail

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      Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi has been living a luxurious life in a jail in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city, with access to mobile phones and internet and receiving scores of visitors every day. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operations commander Lakhvi is one of the main suspects behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which over 160…

  • Sayeed back as CM in J&K

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    By Sheikh Qayoom PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed took oath as chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir , heading a coalition that brought the BJP to power for the first time in India’s only Muslim-majority state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and party leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi witnessed the…

  • Yusuffali praises Modi’s 2015 budget

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    “Instead of offering soaps, the budget shows maturity of a growing nation which aims to become the next global super power,” Yusuffali, the winner of Prvasi Bharatiya Puraskar, told Anasudhin Azeez Prominent NRI businessman MA Yusuffali, the richest Indian in the Gulf, praised 2015 budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jailtley and said the budget will…

  • BJP buries ‘big bang’ reforms

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    Jaitley’s budget aims to end an era of “scam, scandal and corruption” ….writes Arvind Padmanabhan Falling just short of big bang reforms called for by his own economic survey, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented a Rs.17.78 lakh crore (nearly £200 billion) national budget for the next fiscal that seeks to put more money in the hands…

  • A budget that lacks roadmap: Manmohan Singh

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    Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, an eminent economist,  criticised the union budget presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, saying it has good intentions but no adequate roadmap. Speaking to NDTV news channel, Manmohan Singh, who was prime minister of the Congress-led UPA government for 10 years, said the NDA government has not been able to…

  • India’s defence spend hiked to $40 billion

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      India’s defence spend was Saturday hiked a modest 7.74 percent to Rs.246,727 crore ($40 billion), with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley declaring that “defence of every inch of our land is above everything else”. Presenting the budget for 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said the government was following a policy of transparency and quick…

  • Modi to be at Mufti’s swearing-in

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    PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed will be sworn in as the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Peoples Democratic Party patron will be heading a coalition government in the state for the second time. In 2002, he led a PDP-Congress alliance and was chief minister…

  • Jaitley avoids a ‘big bang’ budget

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    By Arvind Padmanabhan    Falling just short of big bang reforms called for by his own economic survey, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday presented a Rs.17.78 lakh crore (nearly $300 billion) national budget for the next fiscal that seeks to put more money in the hands of the average citizen, tackle the menace of black money…

  • India’s growth pegged at over 8%

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      India’s economic survey pegged growth at more than 8 percent for the next fiscal and said inflation was now declining, while also setting the agenda for reforms needed to further drive the expansion, prune wasteful expenditure and promote productive investment. Tabled in parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and authored by a team led…

  • Mufti finalises cabinet with Modi

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      Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed met Prime Minister Narendra Modi here Friday to finalise the cabinet of a PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir and said that both the parties were happy to serve the state. “We should respect the mandate. I met the prime minister today (Friday) and this is…

  • Pakistan army chief warns India

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    Days before the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary S.Jaishankar, Pakistan Army Chief Gen.Raheel Sharif warned India of a “befitting response” to any provocation along the Line of Control (LoC). “Let there be no doubt that any provocation along LoC and Working Boundary would meet a befitting response,” he said . The army chief was speaking…

  • Everybody Did That…..

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    Modiji did that. Even the super human, Rajni sir di that. Southern superstar Mamootty did that. Vanavas and pilgrimage when the going gets tough. But remember the adage….When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…

  • Gandhi’s Vanavas

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    A Congress worker released pictures of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand, but the Congress refused to comment. Jagdish Sharma released the pictures on Twitter showing Gandhi camping in the hills. “Rahul Gandhi is in Uttarakhand. He will stay there for four-five days,” Sharma told Times Now. The Congress, which has already defended Gandhi’s leave during…

  • Rail budget forward looking: Modi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the 2015 rail budget as a “watershed” moment for Indian Railways and called it “forward looking, futuristic and passenger-centric budget”. “Rail budget 2015 is a forward looking, futuristic and passenger centric budget, combining a clear vision and a definite plan to achieve it,” Modi said in a tweet after Railway…

  • More arrests in document leak case

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      Two officials from the environment ministry and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) were arrested in connection with the official documents leak case, police said . Delhi Police have arrested Jatinder Nagpal, who is personal assistant to the joint secretary in the ministry of environment, forests and climate change. He was arrested Wednesday night…

  • Modern rail network with no fare hike

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      Without tinkering with passenger fares, Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his maiden budget for Indian Railways in the Lok Sabha, promising to balance passenger needs and long-term interests of the organisation and benchmark it globally on quality, safety and reach. “There will be no hike in railway passenger fares. We will focus on improving passenger…

  • Shiv Sena hails Bhagwat remarks

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    The Shiv Sena has patted Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for his remarks on Nobel laureate Mother Teresa terming them as a “national service” here . “What is wrong – Whatever he has said is the grim truth as ‘conversions’ is the main business of Christian missionaries in India and around the world since…

  • West Bank mosque torched

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    A mosque was set ablaze early Wednesday in the West Bank village of Jabaa near Bethlehem, in another suspected hate crime by Jewish extremists, officials said. No injuries to any person were reported, but the structure was damaged and Hebrew-language hate graffiti were spray-painted on the walls of the mosque, Xinhua news agency reported. Police…

  • Christians seek ban on Togadia’s Kandhamal visit

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    A Christian group  demanded a ban on the proposed visit of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia to Odisha’s Kandhamal district later this month saying it might disturb the peace in the area. Indian Christian Voice President Abraham Mathai said he has written to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging him to intervene. Togadia…

  • Recession melts Himachal’s skiing business

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    By Vishal Gulati   The global financial meltdown and uncertainty has severely hit the heliskiing industry in this picturesque tourist resort in Himachal Pradesh, known for powder skiing. This winter, a majority of skiers from Europe and Russia cancelled their bookings. The gloomy economic outlook in Europe and the falling rouble have discouraged people from travelling…

  • A.R. Rahman’s band debuts

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    Music maestro A. R. Rahman’s band NAFS gave its maiden performance here at the fifth edition of Gionee Star Global Indian Music Awards (GiMA). The awards ceremony took place Tuesday in the presence of the crème de la crème of the music and film fraternity. The ceremony, hosted by singer Mika Singh and TV host-actor…

  • Verdict in Salman case deferred

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    A court here  deferred its verdict in a case relating to illegal possession and use of arms by Bollywood actor Salman Khan and posted the matter for March 3. The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Anupama Bijlani in Jodhpur deferred its verdict and started the hearing of four old applications which were moved by the…

  • Obama committed to boosting trade with India

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    By Arun Kumar  Asserting that President Barack Obama was committed to boosting India-US trade ties, the US has suggested that they work together in a way that benefits the economies and job creation in both countries. “There is an opportunity for us to try to advance the interests of both our countries by working together…

  • Storm over Bhagwat’s Mother Teresa comments

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      RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments on Mother Teresa kicked up a furore as political parties and Christian groups demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi show that he meant every word of his assurance last week that he would not tolerate inciting of religious hatred. From Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said Mother Teresa,…

  • Kejriwal slam ‘anti-farmer’ bill

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      The NDA government came in for strident criticism over the land acquisition bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joining Gandhian activist Anna Hazare in slamming the legislation as “anti-farmer” and demanding its withdrawal. The Rajya Sabha witnessed a ruckus as opposition members demanded a discussion…

  • Modi asked to walk the talk on religious freedom

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      The Delhi Catholic Archdiocese said the Christian community was in a state of shock over RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comment on Mother Teresa and that it was time Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked the talk on his assurance on not tolerating inciting of religious hatred. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra, however,…

  • Mohan Bhagwat’s comments evokes controversy

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      RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments on Mother Teresa  evoked controversy but the organisation denied he had criticised the Nobel laureate who spent her life in the service of the destitute. Bhagwat, while addressing a function of a local NGO near Bharatpur, said Mother Teresa’s service to the poor was aimed at converting them to…

  • Mufti to be sworn in J&K CM March 1

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    Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir March 1, a top source said here. “Yes, decks have been cleared for Mufti Sahib to be sworn in as the chief minister of the state March 1,”  sources said. “If all goes on schedule, the PDP-BJP…

  • Obama taps Indian Americans

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    By Arun Kumar  President Barack Obama, with the largest number of Indian Americans in his administration, keeps dipping into the expanding talent pool of the three million-strong Indian American community, to take care of issues ranging from combating terrorist propaganda abroad to nation’s health at home. Last week, after an international conference on terrorism, Obama…

  • Land bill introduced amid uproar

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    The government  introduced the land acquisition amendment bill in the Lok Sabha amid an uproar by the opposition. The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015 will replace an ordinance which had been promulgated by the NDA government Dec 30, 2014. The opposition parties, led by the…

  • Mysuru adopts Yaduveer as Wodeyar heir

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     Mysuru’s erstwhile royal family adopted 22-year-old Yaduveer Gopal Raj Urs as the heir to the Wodeyar dynasty. “The adoption ceremony took place at the auspicious moment (1.15 p.m.) in the spruced up Amba Vilas Palace amid chanting of Vedic hymns and prayers,” a member of the erstwhile royal family said here, about 150 km from Bengaluru.…

  • Indian tax department probing HSBC

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    HSBC bank is being probed by tax administration, regulatory and law enforcement authorities around the world, including India, and Europe’s largest lender is concerned about the amounts of penalties that could be imposed on it for its alleged money-laundering activities, the bank said in its annual report . The UK-based bank separately said it has…

  • Modi assures discussion on issues

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi  reached out to the opposition and said the government will try and ensure that all important issues are discussed in the budget session of parliament. The opposition Congress, while assuring it would play a “constructive” role during the session, also warned the government that the support should not be taken for…

  • Rahul Gandhi to skip budget session

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      Ahead of the crucial budget session, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took “leave of absence” to reflect on a series of electoral defeats and deliberate on the future course of the 130-year-old party, top sources said here. “Rahul Gandhi has been granted leave of absence for ‘aap chintan, aap manthan’ (introspection),” a party leader…

  • NRI awarded top US chemistry award

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    Purnendu Dasgupta, a Jenkins Garrett professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been awarded the 2015 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry J. Calvin Giddings Award for Excellence in Education. The national award recognises a scientist, who has enhanced the professional development of analytical chemistry students, developed and published innovative…

  • Miffed Achuthanandan to skip CPI-M meet

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      Disgruntled veteran CPI-M leader V.S.Achuthanandan has expressed his inability to participate in the ongoing party meet here  in the light of allegations levelled against him of being an anti-party person. In a statement issued to the media, Achuthanandan said since his differences with the party still persist, he is unable to attend the concluding…

  • INTERVIEW: Sachin Tendulkar

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    Cricket World Cup 2015 brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar Monday predicted that the 14-nation tournament will be even more competitive as it progresses after the first 10 days produced exciting and entertaining cricket. Talking on the sidelines of India-South Africa match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG Sunday, the former Indian batting superstar advised the sides…

  • Fresh arrest exposes new espionage racket

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      The Delhi Police confirmed it had arrested another person in the case relating to the leak of petroleum ministry documents which, an officer said, has helped in busting another espionage racket. “We have arrested one more person, Lokesh, who used to provide stolen documents of coal and petroleum ministry to some corporate houses. His…

  • Prince Charles to Rescue River Periyar

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    A delegation from Aluva, Kerala, India meets Prince Charles and explained the UK aided project. Preserving the Past, Presenting a Pleasant Present and Protecting the Future was the theme Aluva adopted to present its project at the INTBAU World Congress on Sustainability in London…writes Anasudhin Azeez Prince Charles, Britain’s heir to the throne, offers support…

  • Which way will Rajan go?

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    By Biswajit Choudhury  With economic data before the union budget on Feb 28 showing inflation at a five-year low, Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan can perhaps indulge in a belated celebration of his birthday that fell Feb 3 when he maintained the RBI repo rate at which it lends to commercial banks at…

  • Manjhi quits, blame threat to life

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      Embattled Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi  dramatically resigned just ahead of a floor test, the move coming despite the BJP extending support to him. Manjhi said that he did not get respect as chief minister. “I have submitted my resignation letter to the governor. I should have quit before,” said Manjhi soon after…

  • Swine flu have claimed 703 lives in India

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi  has asked health officials to ensure necessary treatment and adequate medicines for swine flu patients while affected states have been offered central assistance even as the death toll due to the disease reached 703. A high-level meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, was convened here to review the situation and…

  • NRI workers in US awarded $14 million

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    By Arun Kumar   After seven long years, five Indian ‘guest’ or temporary workers who were allegedly defrauded and exploited in a labour trafficking scheme have won $14 million in compensatory and punitive damages by a US court. The workers were allegedly exploited by Signal International, an immigration lawyer and an Indian labour recruiter who lured…

  • Modi push for boosting agri-production

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is a need to adopt new scientific methods to boost agricultural production in the country. The agricultural production can be transformed with the use of new scientific methods, he said while launching the ‘Soil Health Card’ (SHC) scheme in Suratgarh, situated over 300 km from Jaipur. The SHC scheme…

  • Humanitarian visa sought Patel’s wife

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    A noted Indian-American lawyer has sent a letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry to issue a humanitarian visa to the wife of an Indian grandfather assaulted by an Alabama policeman. New York based lawyer Ravi Batra has sent another letter Air India’s Regional Manager to fly in free the wife of Sureshbhai Patel,…

  • India a bridge with hostile countries: Israel

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    Israel expressed hope that India could act as a “bridge” between Tel Aviv and “hostile” countries in the Middle East. Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, giving a talk here, also said that the “sky is the limit” to enhancing cooperation with India in every field, including in their “behind the scenes” security cooperation. To a…

  • HAL to make light utility choppers

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    State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will make military and civil variants of light utility helicopters (LUH) for the Indian and global markets, a top official said Thursday. “We are setting up a greenfield facility near Tumakuru to manufacture LUHs in the three tonne class for which there is a huge potential demand in the domestic…

  • RBI lifts gold coin ban

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    The World Gold Council (WGC)  said the RBI’s decision to lift a ban on import of gold coins and medallions by banks and allowing them to import gold on a consignment basis was a right move. “These are important clarifications in the right direction, following removal of 80:20 import restriction and definitely positive for the…

  • London to host Dubai property show

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    First Annual Dubai Property Show Hits London on Feb 27th  at London Olympia. The exhibition will last till Sunday Sumansa Exhibitions, the producer and organisers of global property and consumer shows, have announced the first annual Dubai Property Show (DPS), taking place at the iconic London Olympia from February 27th-March 1st.  The free event will host over…

  • Going…going…gone! Modi suit

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s famous ‘name-striped’ jacket stole the show at the three-day charity auction that began here , with a businessman bidding around Rs.1.21 crore for the attire. Sported by Modi when US President Barack Obama visited India in January, the suit was among the 450 items that went under the hammer Wednesday, evoking…