Asian Lite News Archive

Category: INDIAN NEWS

  • Pressing finger on EVM stronger than on AK-47: Modi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the finger which presses the electronic voting machine (EVM) is much stronger than the one that operates an AK-47. Commending Jammu and Kashmir voters for their huge turnout in the third phase of assembly elections, Modi said at an election rally in Samba district: “Even you have the power, the…

  • Sushma’s scripture issue boiling over

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    DMK president M. Karunanidhi condemned External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her proposal to make the Bhagavad Gita a national scripture, saying India is a secular country. Karunanidhi, in a statement issued here, noted that the constitution declares India a secular republic and the central government should treat all religions equally and follow secular principles.…

  • Modi arrives in Jammu

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here  on a day-long visit to campaign for the BJP in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. A special plane carrying the prime minister landed at the technical area of Jammu airport at 11.45 a.m. From the airport, Modi took an Mi-17 helicopter to reach the venue of the Bharatiya…

  • Planning Commission outdated: Modi

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    The Planning Commission should be replaced by an organization that thinks creatively, strengthens the federal structure, and is able to energize governance at the state level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Seeking to harness the country’s full potential, he said a suitable replacement of the Planning Commission could serve to provide India a leap forward…

  • Injured Dhoni shows no discomfort

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    Injured Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni attended an intense training session at the Adelaide Oval  showing no sign of discomfort on account of his right thumb injury, raising the prospect of his participation in the first Test against Australia starting Dec 9. The injury initially forced him out of the first Test and batsman…

  • Tharoor criticises Modi’s silence

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    Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silences” on the string of incidents against the Muslim community, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor  urged him to refrain from sending out wrong signals to the country. “Sometimes even silences can hurt. There were these string of incidents against the Muslim community from the Pune techie being killed…

  • Modi meets CMs on Planning revamp

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi met chief ministers to hear their views on the restructuring of the Planning Commission. Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Omar Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir are reportedly not attending the meeting taking place at the prime minister’s residence. Modi told parliament Friday that the government had consulted…

  • Terrorists were like Special Forces: Army

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    The Indian Army  said the terrorists who killed eight soldiers and three policemen in the Kashmir Valley Friday were trained like Special Forces. “These terrorists were highly trained like Special Forces to carry out the attacks,” Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, told reporters here. “The kind of ammunition…

  • REVIEW: Action Jackson – BAKWAS!

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    If MJ was alive, he would sue Prabhu and Ajay …writes Subhash K Jha   Film: “Action Jackson”; Cast: Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, Yami Gautam, Introducing Manasvi Mamgai, and a cast of henchmen in orange suits; Directed by Prabhudheva; Rating: ** 1/2 (2 and a half stars) Officially, there are two comic relief providing actors in “Action…

  • Will saffron warriors trap Modi?

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    By Amulya Ganguli It is perhaps in the natural order of things that when a party vanquishes its opponents, its nemesis emerges from within its own ranks. This is what appears to be happening in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). If it thought that the party’s majority in the Lok Sabha will enable Prime Minister…

  • Pakistan frustrated over voter turnout: Naidu

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      Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir were a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disrupt peace as it is frustrated by a high voter turn out in the state. Addressing a news conference here, Naidu said that Pakistan is aiding, abetting, funding and training terrorists. “It is…

  • When Modi quaffed the Fijian drink

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    By Ranjana Narayan When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented a coconut shell cup with a “intoxicating” Fijian drink after an elaborate traditional welcome ritual performed by men wearing grass skirts in Suva last month, he did not hesitate but quaffed the contents in one straight gulp – as per local tradition. Modi was presented…

  • Indians queuing up to migrate to Australia

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    Indians are seeking increasingly to migrate to Australia, drawn by the work opportunities that Australia offered, media reported. A study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in this connection, stated that India has now replaced Britain as the top country of origin, regarding applications for “457 visas” in Australia, The Melbourne Age…

  • Putin visit will not change Obama trip: US

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    By Arun Kumar   The US says “now is not the time for business as usual with Russia” but insists Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming India visit would not cast a shadow on President Barack Obama’s own trip in January. “Let’s wait and see what comes from the visit,” State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters…

  • Burdwan blast key accused held

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    Shahnur Alom, a key accused in the Oct 2 blast in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, has been arrested in Assam, police said here. He was arrested from Nalbari district late. Alom, one of the main operatives of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh in Assam, has been absconding from his house in Barpeta district’s Chatla village since October…

  • Kashmir Attack, an attack on democracy: Modi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir was a “shameful act on the democratic process” in the state which is in the midst of assembly polls. “The terrorists did a shameful act by attacking the democratic process in Kashmir. Our brave security personnel gave a befitting reply to them,” Modi…

  • Rahul Gandhi leads opposition protest

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      Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, along with other members of the opposition,  staged a protest against the central government, saying that “democratic process” was not being allowed inside parliament. The protesters demanded union minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s resignation over her unparliamentary language at a rally and tied black scarves across their mouths during the…

  • Black friday in Kashmir

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      It was a day of terror in Kashmir as 21 people, including eight army men, were killed and at least 10 injured  in a string of brazen militant strikes, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally here for the staggered assembly elections. Heavily armed militants attacked an army camp and a police checkpost,…

  • NRI scientist among four US science envoys

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    Professor Arun Majumdar from Stanford University is among four top scientists who have been appointed the science envoys of the US. An Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)- Bombay alumnus, Majumdar shares the honour with Peter Hotez, Jane Lubchenco and Geri Richmond. The four eminent scientists will serve as US envoys beginning January next year, said…

  • Sena formally joins Fadnavis govt

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    The Shiv Sena  formally joined the BJP government in Maharashtra led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Ten Shiv Sena ministers, including five of cabinet rank and five of minister of state rank, were took oath in the first expansion of the Fadnavis ministry this afternoon. Ten Bharatiya Janata Party ministers – five of cabinet rank…

  • 2015 – Be strong to tame your troubles!

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    Whatever the problem you have to remember there are people that care…writes YZ Patel as the new year looms around the corner As the year draws to a close, delving deep into the cerebral recesses to what has gone on in the year. Certain events still resonate and stand-out like a lighthouse beacon in the…

  • 17 killed in terror attack in Kashmir

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      Eight army men, including a senior officer, and three policemen were killed  battling a group of heavily armed militants who mounted a brazen attack on an army camp in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, a state that is in the midst of assembly elections. All the six rebels were killed, an official said.…

  • Reliance now eyes Mexico for oil

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     Reflecting its growing appetite to pursue hydrocarbon assets outside India, Reliance Industries has inked a global pact with Mexico’s state-run Pemex to explore oil and gas, even as the North American nation gears for a major international bidding round next year. “As per the memorandum of understanding, Reliance will cooperate with Pemex for the assessment…

  • US court reserves rights decision on Congress

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    A US court has reserved its decision on whether a 1984 rights violation case against India’s Congress Party could go before the federal court or dismissed due to lack of “touch and concern” with the US. Rights group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) had argued before the second circuit court of appeals in New York that…

  • Audacious attack on army camp in Kashmir

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      Heavily-armed militants mounted an audacious attack on an Indian Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district early , triggering a fierce gunbattle that left the three rebels dead. Three soldiers and two policemen were also killed. The brazen pre-dawn terror attack took place at army’s Field Ordinance Camp located at Mohra near the…

  • Vaz urge EU to drop Indian mango ban

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    Mr  Keith Vaz MP, Britain’s longest serving Member of Parliament of Asian origin, has called for the European Union to lift a ban on imported Indian mangoes, following a positive report from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office. Mr Vaz had campaigned for the lifting of the ban since its inception earlier this year and…

  • Modi mobbed at Navy chief’s ‘At Home’

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi  posed for pictures for the men in uniform and their spouses as he attended the Navy chief’s ‘At Home’ reception here. The reception was hosted by Admiral R.K. Dhowan at his official residence on the 43rd Navy Day. High ranking officers of navy, army and the air force and their…

  • V.R.Krishna Iyer 1914-2014

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    Former Supreme Court Justice and Kerala minister V.R. Krishna Iyer  passed away in a hospital in Kochi, doctors said. Iyer celebrated his 100th birthday Nov 15. Fine lawyer, eminent jurist, incredible philosopher & above all a phenomenal human being. I bow to Justice Krishna Iyer. Modi said, “My association with Justice Krishna Iyer was special.…

  • Putin visit could bring the sparkle in relations

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    By Ranjana Narayan    India-Russia ties are set to get the sparkle of diamonds during the summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin next week during which both sides would also seek to draw up a long-term vision of their key strategic ties. Putin will also address a joint session of the Indian…

  • Many miss World Cup probable list

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    Five members of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team – Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir – were  left out of the 30-member squad of probables for the 2015 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s All-India Senior Selection Committee met here and preferred…

  • Shiv Sena makes an U-turn

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      Burying the bitterness of the recent past, the opposition Shiv Sena has decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced here Thursday. The state cabinet will be expanded Friday to include 10 Shiv Sena ministers, he said. This is the first instance in Maharashtra where an…

  • ? Kerala duck food festival to win tourists

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      Left opposition legislator Thomas Chandy will organise a ‘Duck food festival’ in Kerala’s Alappuzha district to instil confidence in tourists to have poultry products after the bird flu outbreak is fully under control and has been contained. The state government had directed people not to eat poultry product after the avian flu outbreak was…

  • Modi disapproves minister’s remark

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he strongly disapproves a controversial remark by Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and urged the opposition not to disrupt the Rajya Sabha. Making a statement in the house, which has been witnessing protests over Jyoti’s remark, Modi said she is a first time Lok Sabha MP from a humble background and…

  • Modi’s bureaucratic shakeup impress Obama

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    By Arun Kumar   US President Barack Obama is very much impressed with the way Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shaken up the bureaucratic inertia inside India to improve the business climate in the country. “India- Modi has impressed me so far with his willingness to shake up the bureaucratic inertia inside of India,” he…

  • ‘Don’t be in search of stardom’

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    Multi platinum selling artist Kamaljit Singh Jhooti aka Jay Sean, tells Asha Singh of Asian Lite, about his journey into the music world. The British singer-songwriter and rapper is the first Asian R&B artist in the world; he’s back in the UK to reconnect with his fans.  AL:  You’re currently taking part in a number of master class…

  • Story of a nurse as a doctor

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    University of Salford in England has awarded a PhD Degree to Mrs Agimol Pradeep for her research work entitled ‘Increasing Organ Donation in the North West, South Asian Community Through Targeted Education’.  Dr. Agimol Pradeep Being a regular witness to the shortage of organ donation especially among the South Asian community, Agimol, who works at the Central…

  • Boundaries can’t be rewritten: Jaitley

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      Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Pakistan should understand once and forever that boundaries between nations cannot be rewritten now. Addressing a gathering of local civil society and intellectuals here, Jaitley said: “Pakistan needs to understand once and forever that boundaries between nations cannot be rewritten now.” “Those few who believe resorting to violence can…

  • For Rohtak girls, the ordeal continues

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    By Jaideep Sarin  Two braveheart sisters who took on their tormentors in a moving bus as they were being molested and assaulted made it to national, and even international, headlines from Haryana’s Rohtak town. But in the same place, there were two other teenaged girls who, unable to bear their harassment, ended their lives just…

  • Fencing along Indo-Pak border close to complete

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    Nearly 2,000 km of fencing along the India-Pakistan border has been put in place even as cases of cross-border infiltration are rising, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said . In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Rijiju said that in order to prevent infiltration and cross border illegal activities, the central…

  • Khaitan denied bail in VIP chopper case

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    The Delhi High Court  dismissed the bail plea of businessman Gautam Khaitan who was arrested in a money laundering case related to the AgustaWestland VIP chopper deal. Justice V.P. Vaish asked the investigating agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) to complete the investigation as early as possible and said after that Khaitan could file plea for bail.…

  • Sadhvi has to go: Opposition

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      A united opposition created an uproar in both houses of parliament over union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s controversial remarks, leading to repeated adjournments in the Rajya Sabha and once in the Lok Sabha. This was the second consecutive day when a ruckus was created over the issue. Both the houses got off to a…

  • Indian authors make NYT 100 Books of 2014

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    By Arun Kumar  Works of five Indian-American and one Indian author figure among 100 Notable Books of 2014 selected by the editors of The New York Times Book Review. Delhi-born Indian-American author Akhil Sharma’s novel “Family Life” figures in the Fiction & Poetry section. “Sharma’s novel, deeply unnerving and tender at the core, charts a…

  • Modi convenes CMs meet

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi has convened a meeting of chief ministers in New Delhi Dec 7 to seek their views on the structure and functioning of the revamped Planning Commission, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said here Wednesday. Modi in his first Independence Day speech had announced that the 64-year old Planning Commission would…

  • New anti-hijacking bill gets cabinet nod

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    The union cabinet  okayed the comprehensive Anti-Hijacking Bill 2014 which provides for death sentence in cases of hijacking where it results in the death of a hostage or of a security personnel. The bill also provides for imprisonment for life and confiscation of the moveable and immoveable property of such convicts. The current law, the…

  • Xpress Money unveils new services

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    Xpress Money launches Direct Account Credit services to India. This will enable customers can now transfer money directly into any bank account in India  Xpress Money, one of the world’s most dependable money transfer brands, added a new mode of money transfer for its customers sending money to India. The brand has introduced the ‘Direct…

  • Christians protest Delhi church blaze

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      Thousands of Christians  protested outside the Delhi Police headquarters demanding security for churches and immediate probe into a mysterious fire that gutted a Catholic church in the city. The Delhi Police Crime Branch has set up a special team to investigate the matter. Over 5,000 people, including Catholics, Protestants, Baptists and Methodists, gathered in…

  • Ria Rocks Debenhams

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    Recently, The Rock shopping complex at Bury, Manchester, witnessed a unique cultural experiment. The frontage of Debenhams at The Rock became a colourful music box of eastern delights. Featuring the beautiful Dance Choreography of Ria Meera Munshi, owner of Multi-Award Winning & Guinness World Record Breaking Dance Academy: Ri Ri’s Dance Academy, based in Manchester.…

  • BBC goes Bolly Way

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    Despite the exit of Suntera, BBC is promoting the its Strictly Come Dancing on a big way – in Bollywood style – to attract the British-Asian audience. The Strictly dancers join Bollywood dancers Bolly Flex to open Strictly’s Around the World Week.

  • Amma meets Pope Francis at Vatican

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    Spiritual leader Amma joined hands with global faith leaders in meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican  in an initiative to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking. This was for the first time that leaders of the Christian (Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox) as well as Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths jointly committed to stamp out…

  • Minister’s comment rocks parliament

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      Cornered by a united opposition and isolated within the BJP, union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti  expressed regret for using abusive language at a rally in the capital  . The minister read out near identical statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha after opposition parties ganged up…