Asian Lite News Archive

Category: INDIAN NEWS

  • Sachin Pilot silences detractors

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    By Anil Sharma   With the Congress winning three of the four assembly seats in the recently held byelections in Rajasthan, state party president Sachin Pilot has silenced his detractors and proven his political acumen – and is now eyeing the civic and panchayat polls later this year or early next year. “It is a big…

  • Saeed Naqvi on why BJP lost

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    By Saeed Naqvi Recent by-election reverses for the BJP are early intimations of mortality for the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duet. As a senior BJP leader whispered: “They must come down to earth.” In other words, a degree of realism may now be introduced into the proceedings. The May parliamentary elections were peculiar in some ways.…

  • Modi too shrewd to be derailed: Zakaria

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    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “far too shrewd” to be distracted by nationalist symbolism which would derail his growth agenda and embroil him in unwanted controversies, well known Indian-American journalist Fareed Zakaria suggests. But Zakaria, who interviewed him for CNN last weekend, also wonders in an opinion piece in the Washington Post if the…

  • REVIEW: Daawat-e-Ishq’

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     Subhash K. Jha says Habib Faisal misses the plot Film: “Daawat-e-Ishq”; Cast: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra and Anupam Kher; Director: Habib Faisal: Rating: ** 1/2 (two and a half stars) There are two different films tucked away into this one big under-cooked biryani of a film. “Daawat-e-Ishq” is not as inviting as the title or…

  • FIBA headgear decision irks Sikhs

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    US lawmakers, Sikhs disappointed at basketball body’s headgear decision…reports Arun Kumar from Washington Two US lawmakers and Sikh community bodies have expressed disappointment over International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) decision to allow athletes to wear religious headgear, such as patkas, only as part of a “trial period”. “We are deeply disappointed with FIBA. It shouldn’t take two years…

  • Stage set for the canonization of Fr. Joseph Vaz

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    Goa Archbishop lauds papacy’s first stage approval of sainthood for Indian priest The Roman Catholic Church in Goa Wednesday expressed “joy” at Pope Francis’s approval of the first step towards of India’s first Catholic saint Fr. Joseph Vaz, a priest of Goan origin. In a statement issued here Archbishop of Goa and Daman Fr. Filipe…

  • BJP leaders in Lanka call for peace

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    BJP leaders urge Sri Lanka to resume dialogue with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Two leaders of India’s ruling BJP Friday met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris and urged that political dialogue be resumed between the island nation’s government and Tamil National Alliance leaders on various issues confronting the Tamil diaspora there. Bharatiya Janata Party…

  • Gandhi Statue Trust unveils website

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    The Gandhi Statue Memorial Trust launches the website it will use to gather donations for the proposed statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Westminster’s Parliament Square. The website will tell people about Gandhi’s life and teachings, and will also post updates on the progress of the statue. The idea of a statue of Gandhi opposite the…

  • My Wonderful World of Worry

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    Daily Dose by Bikram Vohra If I ever get a chance to take a walk with Bobby Mcferrin, the man who sang “Don’t worry, be happy’, I think the odds are we shall end up in a dark alley where I shall initiate a deep discussion on the merits of his lyrical advice. Of all…

  • Lord Paul to speak at IAB dinner

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    One of the speakers at this year’s Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) annual dinner is the man whose company contributed to the construction of one of the world’s most expensive and complex experimental facilities to date, the Large Hadron Collider, which created Higgs bosons and other particles for observation and study. Lord Paul of Marylebone,…

  • CBI probing Chidambaram

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    The CBI is probing the role of then finance minister P. Chidambaram in allowing foreign investment by a Mauritius-based company, according to its charge sheet in the Aircel-Maxis deal. The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) submission came in its recently-filed charge sheet against then communications minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran, and Malaysian business…

  • Asian Lite Bookshelf

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    Much has been written about Delhi, yet there is much to be written about. A book explores birds, animals and plant species adding a fresh perspective to the Indian capital, whereas another book examines the changing trajectory of Indian policy towards Afghanistan. Take a look. 1. Book: India’s Afghan Muddle; Author: Harsh V. Pant; Publisher:…

  • India, China favour early settlement of border

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    India and China have reiterated their commitment to an early settlement of the boundary question and to pursue this as a strategic objective, a joint statement by both sides on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit said here Friday. During Xi’s official, three-day visit, “the two sides exchanged views on the India-China boundary question and reiterated…

  • Modi stands by India’s Muslims

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the Indian Muslims will live and die for India and the Al Qaeda is “delusional” if it thinks Indian Muslims will dance to its tunes. In an exclusive interview to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, his first after becoming prime minister May 26, Modi said: “If anyone thinks Indian Muslims…

  • LETTER FROM GOA by M Nagvenkar

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    Goa politicians gripe over Rs.345-crore new airport terminal says Mayabhushan Nagvenkar  Once vaunted and an object for appropriation of cheap brownie points for Goa’s political parties while it was being constructed, Goa’s 10-month-young new airport terminal, built at a cost of Rs.345 crore ($56.5 million), is suddenly “nobody’s child”. The still shiny new airport building at…

  • Melinda lauds Indian health campaigns

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    Melinda Gates says new vaccines can change India’s health battles Introduction of four new vaccines in India’s national immunisation programme by the new government can bring immense change in the country’s major health battles and reduce the child mortality rate, Melinda Gates said. On a visit to the capital, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his…

  • BJP- Sena alliance on verge of collapse

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    The 25-year-old alliance between the BJP and the Shiv Sena was on the verge of collapse Friday with both parties adopting a tough stance on the issue of seat-sharing for the Oct 15 state assembly elections, party officials said. Both the warring partners are holding a series of crucial meetings during the day to take…

  • Red bastion crumbles in Bengal

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    By Anurag Dey   From being virtually invincible to being rendered an also ran, the year 2014 has been a tale of the withering away of the Communist-led Left Front (LF) in its once impregnable West Bengal bastion. Already facing serious questions about its existence after the Lok Sabha polls, where it won just two of…

  • U. Srinivas 1969-2014

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    Well-known mandolin player Uppalapu Srinivas died Friday here at a private hospital. He was 45. According to a source at Apollo hospital, where he was admitted following brief illness, Srinivas “passed away due to liver-related problems this morning at 9.30”. Born Feb 28, 1969 in Palakolu, Andhra Pradesh, Srinivas was a child prodigy. He picked…

  • Tibetans continue to protest Xi visit

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      Tibetan refugees continued to protest Friday Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit here. Protesters held Tibetan flags and shouted slogans of freedom, and tried to march towards the Taj Palace Hotel, where the Chinese president is staying. However, police stopped them on way and detained 20 demonstrators, including three women, in south Delhi. Tibetans were…

  • Obama names NRI Richard Verma as envoy to India

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    Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, President Barack Obama has nominated Richard Rahul Verma as the new ambassador to India, the first Indian American to be named to the New Delhi post. Verma, a former key aide to then secretary of state Hillary Clinton, will be the second Indian American to be put in…

  • INTERVIEW: Naseeruddin Shah

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    Uma Ramasubramanian talks to Naseeruddin Shah. The thespian says that he is not sure of penning second half of autobiography Seasoned actor Naseeruddin Shah, who quietly released his autobiography, says he hasn’t chronicled his entire life in the book and is unsure if he would pen the second half or not! One can read about his first…

  • INTERVIEW: Shabana Azmi

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    Subhash K. Jha talks to veteran actress Shabana Azmi who says for an actor, life must be the resource-base Known for her realistic portrayal of characters on the screen, seasoned actress Shabana Azmi says and actor can enrich the character they play by drawing upon all the depth of their own experience. When asked who…

  • Single women hate marriage queries

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    When are you getting married or why aren’t you getting married — these are questions that annoy single Indian women most, according to a survey by personalised matchmaking service Select Shaadi. A total of 7,486 single men and women in the age group of 21 to 34 across the country were surveyed by the service,…

  • Active Voice by Amit Kapoor on India’s economy

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    India crisis of competitiveness by Amit Kapoor & Sankalp Sharma The title of this article draws from a section in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15 that looks at the reasons for India’s Lucifer like fall from 48 in 2007-08 to 71. It is the worst rank in the BRICS economies (Brazil-57th, Russian Federation-53rd,…

  • US pins hopes on Modi visit

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    Arun Kumar talks to a US expert who says Modi regime offers opportunity to reenergise US-India ties The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) assumption of power offers an opportunity to reinvigorate US-India ties and work together for mutual benefit on areas such as defence, security, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation, according to a US expert. “Many argue…

  • Bill Gates: Be Optimistic

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    Microsoft founder Bill Gates said he was extremely optimistic and impatient in life and through his philanthropic work has been able to understand new things about immunisation. “I am very optimistic and very impatient about our work. I am getting to learn things and understand new frontiers. I am getting to know the immune system…

  • FILM REVIEW: ‘Khubsoorat’

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    Subhash K. Jha says this one would make Hrishida smile  Film: “Khubsoorat”; Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Kirron Kher, Ratna Pathak Shah; Director: Shashanka Ghosh; Rating: **** Meet Mili Chakravarty, the doughty bindaas physiotherapist daughter of a Bengali father (played by an aptly nondescript actor) and a loudmouthed Punjabi mother (Kirron Kher), you know the…

  • REVIEW: India’s tie up with Japan

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    FICCI President Sidharth Birla looks into Indo-Japan relations During their meeting on September 1, 2014, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi further strengthened relations between the two sides by signing the Tokyo Declaration for Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The meeting has been termed as the ‘dawn of a new era in Japan-India…

  • Protect your valuables during Diwali/Navratri

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    Police from Brent borough in London are urging local residents to take care of their valuable jewellery, especially when they are out of their homes during forthcoming festivals such as Diwali and Navratri. Brent officers are stepping up their patrol strategy around community areas and temples where members of the Asian and Hindu communities congregate in…

  • British civil services lure BAME candidates

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    Two hundred apprentices join the fast track to careers in government   Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude welcomed to government 200 talented school-leavers who are starting their Civil Service careers as Fast Track Apprentices. Launched in 2013, the Fast Track Apprenticeship scheme offers 18-to-21-year-olds who don’t want to…

  • Modi push for early border demarcation

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      India Thursday expressed concern over the incursion by Chinese troops on the border and said such incidents should be resolved soon as peace and tranquillity on the border was essential for boosting bilateral economic cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a media address after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, also suggested that clarifications…

  • US looks for investments from India

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    To address the imbalance of US investments in India being two-and-half times more in worth than the reverse flow, the US Department of Commerce Thursday announced it was making special efforts to encourage Indian businesses “set up shop in the US”. The announcement was made here by Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, executive director of SelectUSA, an…

  • China eyes new silk road

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      China looks forward to reaching consensus with India on jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. The two countries will discuss the issue during the ongoing state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India. The initiative of constructing the…

  • Taj hospitality for Xi

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    From showing rich Indian heritage to requisitioning its expat chefs from across their chain to dish out their traditional fare, the Taj Palace Hotel laid out the red carpet for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan for their three-day stay in the capital. A welcome letter along with the map of…

  • Mumbai, Karachi fashion adventures

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     Karachi-based fashion designer Huma Adnan says her “dramatic and quirky” creations are apt for the Mumbai market as women here are as daring as those in her homeland. For the past eight years, she has been offering women in Pakistan, popular for long length kurtas with salwars, outfits that are far from “regular”. Be it…

  • US sees big stake in Xi’s India visit

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      As the US reiterated that it wanted India to have friendly relations with China, the US media suggested that there was much at stake in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ongoing visit to India. Meeting in the new Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, “the leaders of Asia’s two giants laid the…

  • Modi raise incursion issue

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      Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping the latest incident of incursion by Chinese troops into Indian territory during their meeting in Ahmedabad Wednesday, the external affairs ministry said Thursday. Ahead of talks between Modi and Xi at Hyderabad House Thursday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that India…

  • Patel would have kept Kashmir: Shah

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     Sardar Vallabhai Patel would have integrated Kashmir with India if he was entrusted with the task by Jawaharlal Nehru during the country’s unification process after independence in 1947, BJP chief Amit Shah said Wednesday. “If Nehru had entrusted Sardar Patel with the task of integrating Kashmir with India then, we would not have the Kashmir…

  • Modi meets Xi

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly received Chinese President Xi Jinping, who began a three-day India sojourn Wednesday. Modi set aside protocol and received Xi, who arrived in Ahmedabad from Colombo , became the first world leader to begin an India visit from Gujarat. . Both leaders smiled, shook hands and waved at those who had…

  • Modi picks Adil to head quality council

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi has picked former McKinsey India chief Adil Zainulbhai to head the Quality Council of India that promotes high standards in areas like education, healthcare, environment, infrastructure, governance and social sectors. The appointment is in keeping with Modi’s call to make “Made in India” a recognised and trusted brand globally, with products…

  • Bypoll results a shock: Sena

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    The Shiv Sena Wednesday described the Sep 13 bypoll results as an “unexpected shock and surprise” and said there are lessons to be learnt from it for the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. “Don’t take the voters for granted… They are very intelligent. Keep your feet on the ground and don’t indulge in sword-fights from the…

  • NRI remittances to Kerala grows

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    Remittances to Kerala have continued to grow ever since Keralites started migrating to the Gulf region, a study said. During the 12-month period ending in March 1, 2014, it stood at Rs.72,680 crores, 46 percent higher than the remittances in 2011, the study added. The number of Kerala emigrants as estimated by the study in…

  • Modi seeks mother’s blessing

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday met his mother here and sought her blessings on his 64th birthday. A large number of residents gathered to wish “Happy birthday Narendrabhai”. Modi, who turned 64 Wednesday, reached Ahmedabad Tuesday in his first visit to Gujarat after becoming the prime minister. Modi family sources said that early Wednesday morning Narendra…

  • Red carpet awaits Xi

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    Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives here Wednesday afternoon on the first leg of his three-day India visit during which trade and investment are expected to top the agenda of talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides other bilateral and regional issues. Xi is arriving in Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat state, at the head…

  • Chai is back in London

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    As part of the Darbar Festival – Southbank Centre’s annual celebration of Indian Classical music –  Roti Chai’s ‘Chaat Shack & Chai Bar’ returns as restaurant-in-residence, from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 September. The pop-up shack will take over Festival Village, a great space hidden away underneath the Queen Elizabeth Hall and built by volunteers…

  • Congress see positive signals

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      The Congress party Tuesday said the results of assembly bypolls in various states were a good signal for it and showed that people were rejecting BJP policies. Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said the party had done well in Rajasthan and Gujarat though it did not perform as per expectations in Uttar Pradesh. “The results,…

  • Times Square to beam Modi speech

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    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the Indian community at a grand public reception at Madison Square Garden Sep 28 will be beamed live on giant screens at New York’s iconic Times Square. With no more tickets available for the event at the huge multi-purpose indoor arena in Midtown Manhattan with a capacity of over…

  • BJP feels the heat

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     The Congress and the Samajwadi Party, which suffered a rout in the general elections, bounced back Tuesday in the assembly bypolls in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. For the first time in 15 years, the BJP will now have its lawmaker in the West Bengal assembly. In Gujarat, the BJP romped home in Vadodara Lok Sabha…

  • Modi sees upswing in ties

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    Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday described the India-China ties as moving ahead from “Inch (India and China) towards Miles (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy)”. In a conversation with Chinese journalists based in New Delhi, Modi said: “India and China are bound by history, connected by culture, and inspired by…