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Former minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli passes away

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Gurupadappa

Bengaluru: Veteran BJP leader and former forest minister Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli passed away here on November 17 at Vikram hospital in Bengaluru.

Gurupadappa(74) was taken to the hospital following a cardiac arrest. He is survived by five sons and two daughters.

Former chief minister Yeddyurappa and other leaders have expressed their heartfelt condolences on his demise.

“Gurupadappa’s contribution to the co-operation sector has been immense,” said senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa.

He was elected as an MLA six times and served as a minister thrice. He was KJP MLA from Bidar north constituency.

The veteran’s last rites will be held in Bidar on Wednesday.

(Agencies)

Chittoor Mayor brutally murdered, husband injured in attack

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Katari Anuradha

Chittoor: The Mayor of Chittoor was today stabbed to death and her husband seriously injured by unidentified assailants, in an attack suspected to be a fallout of a family dispute, police said.

The incident occurred at Chittoor Municipal Corporation office when five-six persons with their faces covered barged into Mayor Katari Anuradha’s chamber and stabbed her, resulting in her death, DIG (Anantapur Range) K Satyanarayana told PTI.

The Mayor, aged around 50, belonged to the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Before escaping from the spot, the assailants went into an adjoining room where Anuradha’s husband K Mohan, also senior TDP leader, was sitting and apparently shot at him before stabbing him, Andhra Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) R P Thakur said.

Asked specifically if the mayor was shot dead, Thakur said she was stabbed to death.

Mohan was taken to the Christian Medical College Hospital at Vellore for treatment where his condition was reported to be serious, Satyanarayana said.

“As per preliminary information, the attack was carried out following a family dispute. An investigation has been launched and the truth will be revealed soon. The attackers belong to Karnataka and a hunt has been launched to nab them. We will catch them very soon,” he said.

A pistol and a knife have been recovered from the spot, the DIG added.

(PTI)

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal dies

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ashok singhal

New Delhi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal died at a hospital in Gurgaon near Delhi today.

The 89-year-old leader was admitted to the Medanta Medicity Hospital in the city on November 13 in critical condition. He was suffering from respiratory problems for over a month.

In a message posted on Twitter, PM Narendra Modi has said “The demise of Ashok Singhal ji is a deep personal loss. He was an institution in himself, whose life was centred around serving the nation.”

The VHP is an affiliate of the BJP’s ideological mentor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the RSS.

Mr Singhal was at the forefront of the VHP’s campaign for a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya where the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992.

Mr Singhal was earlier admitted to Medanta on October 20 after his condition deteriorated. He was flown in to Delhi from Allahabad in an air ambulance. He was discharged on November 11.

(Agencies)

Pramod Muthalik granted bail after arrested in Hassan

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Pramod Muthalik

Ballari: Pramod Muthalik, the chief of Sri Ram Sene was released on bail on Sunday after he was arrested on Thursday from Hassan just before the state-wide protest called by VHP and Bajarang Dal.

The VHP and Bajarang Dal had called for protests after the government celebrated Tipu Jayanthi and the clashes that erupted in Madikeri which resulted in the death of a VHP activist. Muthalik was lodged in the central prison at Ballari.

As a precaution, twenty others were also arrested sections 107 and 151 of Criminal Procedure Code which pertain to apprehension on breach of peace and tranquility.

After release, Muthalik addressing the media said that he was not a terrorist. He further said that there was no concrete reason for his arrest.

However, as soon as Muthalik was arrested, his supporters had threatened of intense protests if he was not released within three days.

(Agencies)

Bihar results prove majority of Hindus still believe in peace: Dalai Lama

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Dalai Lama

Jalandhar: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said India is a nation of non -violence and noted that the Bihar election results show that a majority of the Hindus believes in peace and amity.

“India has a long tradition of peace and amity. The people of Bihar in the recent Assembly polls have proved that a large section of the Hindu community still believes in peace and amity,” the 14th Dalai Lama said without naming any political party or leader.

“It is because of this amity that India is known worldwide as a country of religious tolerance. All religions and individuals are given equal respect here,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Jalandhar.

“Religious tolerance not only means respecting all religions but also the people. Buddhism too started in this nation and because of this, India is the guru and all Buddhists are students,” he said.

Asked about terrorism, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “First we must create an atmosphere of peace and it should be initiated from one’s own home. Encouraging religious tolerance is the need of the hour and should be done through schools and universities.”

Speaking on climate change, the Dalai Lama said, “This is everyone’s responsibility. We all need to work together and give primacy to it. The big nation gives main importance to its own profit while the issue of climate change comes way down its agenda.”

(Agencies)

Actor Saeed Jaffrey passes away at 86

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Saeed Jaffrey

by BBC

Veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey, who starred in numerous Bollywood and international films, has died at the age of 86.

Tributes have poured in after news of his death was shared on Facebook by his niece Shaheen Aggarwal.

Jaffrey starred in acclaimed Indian films such as Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj ke Khiladi (The Chess Players) and more than 100 Bollywood films.

He also appeared in A Passage To India, Gandhi and The Man Who Would Be King.

He was a household name in Britain after acting in Tandoori Nights, The Far Pavilions, The Jewel In The Crown and countless other TV roles, including playing Ravi Desai in the soap opera Coronation Street.

Born in Punjab in India in 1929, Jaffrey began his career as a theatre actor and later went on to work with legends like Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley.

He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to drama.

Jaffrey was married to actress-author Madhur Jaffrey with whom he had three children. They divorced in 1966.

The news of the death was announced late on Sunday by Ms Aggarwal on Facebook.

She wrote: “Today, a generation of Jaffreys has passed away. Saeed Jaffrey has joined his brothers and sister and is rejoicing in the lap of his Heavenly Father, eternally.”

As the news of his death spread on Monday, many took to Twitter to mourn the actor’s death:

Devanur Mahadeva to return Padmashree, National award

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Devanur Mahadeva

Mysuru:Renowned Kannada Dalit writer and scholar Devanur Mahadeva has decided to return his prestigious National Sahitya Akademi award and Padmashree award in protest of the rising intolerance in the country.

After the Dadri incident and rationalists’ murder, over 40 writers, artistes and 10 filmmakers have returned their awards to record their protest over the rising incidents of intolerance in the country.

Now, senior Kannada scholar Devanoora Mahadeva has joined the protest and expressed support for fight against intolerance.

Through a press release, he said, “Those who govern must have the support of writers and artists. But few scholars have stood against the fight against intolerance, this is saddening. So, I have taken this decision”.

The renowned writer also expressed displeasure towards the central government and union law minister Sadananda Gowda.

(Agencies)

India top in censoring Facebook content

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Facebook

New York: India once again tops the list of countries where governments make the maximum number of demands to remove content from Facebook, according to a report released by the company.

Notably, there has been a three-fold increase in such demands in the first six months of this year as compared to last year.

According to the data released by Facebook in its biannual government requests report, India made 15,155 demands, outnumbering 92 other countries in the list, Mashable reported.

In comparison, India had made 5,832 requests for content removal between June and December 2014.

The company said the posts were censored to prevent religious unrest in the country and had mostly been reported by government agencies.

“We restricted access in India to content reported primarily by law enforcement agencies and the India Computer Emergency Response Team within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology because it was anti-religious and hate speech that could cause unrest and disharmony within India,” the report read.

Turkey came second at 4,496 requests followed by France with 295 requests.

India has topped the social network’s content removal list for the third year in running, since it began releasing the data in 2013.

(Agencies)

Modi woos diaspora at Wembley, says India’s diversity is its strength

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Modi-Wembley

London: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that diversity was India’s strength as he urged the country’s diaspora to become integral part of its growth story and dispelled concerns highlighted in media over some incidents intolerance in the country, saying that “there is a very deep and best India outside TV screen”.

Addressing a huge, enthusiastic gathering of British Indians at the expansive Wembley Stadium here, Modi announced resumption of a direct flight between London and Ahmedabad, simplification of the process concerning Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and measures taken towards electronic travel authorisation and e-migration portal.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who was present at the stadium, described it “a historic day” and said it was biggest gathering of Indian diaspora.

Modi, who spoke for over an hour, talked of his government’s plans to launch railway rupee bond in London and raised slogan “James Bond, Brooke Bond and Rupee Bond” to loud cheers from the gathering.

Modi, who has faced questions over intolerance from the media during his visit to the United Kingdom, said India was a land of diversity. “Diversity is its pride and its strength,” he said.

Towards the end of his speech, Modi recalled work of Imran Khan, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan who has developed over 50 mobile applications related to education and dedicated them to students.

“My India is in Imran Khan of Alwar,” Modi said. He said leaders of the world ask him with some amazement how there is so much harmony in a diverse and big country like India.

Referring to the work of his government in the past 18 months, Modi said India’s stature had risen in the world and said the diaspora must also be experiencing it.

“This change is the sign of India’s success. Today when India talks, it does from a position of equality,” he said.

“India is moving on the path of development at a fast pace. I can tell you that the speed which India has taken, the direction it has taken, results will be evident soon,” Modi said.

Modi took out his watch and demonstrated that if it is seen upright it shows London time and if it is reversed it shows the time in India.

“There is no other two countries with such equation. Till the time there is sun and moon, the relations between India and England will continue to gain strength. We will cross new frontiers of development,” Modi said.

Modi thanked people for “outpouring their affections” and said India will not judge its diaspora by the colour of their passport.

“You have as much right on India as I have,” Modi said and asked them to renew their links with the country as their dreams will be fulfilled.

Referring to the challenges of terrorism and global warming faced by the world, Modi said life of Mahatma Gandhi showed solution to these problems and India can show the right path.

He also referred to Sufi tradition and said its greater spread would have helped check terrorism.

Modi said while his government wanted FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in many sectors, for him FDI conveyed First Develop India.

Referring to increase in FDI flows, he said, “The world’s confidence in India was rising. That is our biggest strength. We want to move ahead with that.”

Referering to his proposal to launch a global solar alliance later this month in Paris, he said there were 102 countries which have harness solar energy. “India can lead in this,” he said.

Modi said he wanted to make a “Clean India” and provide round the clock power to all by 2019, which is 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Modi referred to his humble origins as tea seller and recalled his push towards fighting female infanticide and financial inclusion.

Modi told the gathering that India has no reason to be poor took digs at the previous governments over corruption and their inability to remove poverty and said 18,000 villages in India were still without electricity.

“I do not why there is a habit to see that it stays,” he said.

Referring to India having 800 million people below 35 years, he said “a country which has so many youth cannot stay behind”.

Modi said India’s rankings had improved in ease of doing business and in fighting corruption.

Without going into specifics, Modi said he had heard problems raised by Sikh leaders who met him and was working towards addressing them.

People intermittently shouted “Modi, Modi” as the prime minister delivered the speech.

(Agencies)

Let veterans prove OROP stir is not politically motivated: Parrikar

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manohar parrikar

Arakkonam: Terming the attempts by war veterans to burn medals as an insult to the nation and armed forces, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said it was for protesting ex-service personnel to prove there was no political motive behind the OROP stir.

“If I say something, it will become an allegation. Let them prove that it is not political,” he told reporters here when asked if he saw a political link to continuing agitation despite the government’s response and notification on one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme.

“Medals are a recognition of the nation for the sacrifice done by the armed forces,” he said in reply to another query.

“Burning and returning them is an insult to the nation and the defence forces,” Parrikar said.

The minister’s comments come in the wake of a section of the ex-service personnel expressing dissatisfaction on the ground that the OROP notification has not fully met their demands.

The government had on Saturday formally notified the OROP scheme for over 24 lakh ex-servicemen and six lakh war widows in the country.

“Medals are a recognition of bravery, for the service to the nation. It has nothing to do with service conditions whereas OROP is about service conditions. It does not say you are entitled for medals, it talks about service conditions like your pay and entitlement,” Parrikar said.

On the issue of grievances of protesting ex-servicemen, he said, “Let them put the demands before the judicial committee, they will address it.” He said implementing OROP was BJP’s electoral promise and it had been fulfilled.

Earlier, he unveiled the first phase of the commissioning of Boeing P8i Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft fleet at Naval Air Station “INS Rajali” here, about 85 kms from Chennai. In the next phase, four more such aircraft would be inducted making it a fleet of 12 high-tech surveillance planes.

Induction of the eighth P8i plane and completion of aircraft equipment testing, trials and crew training for all the eight aircraft marked the launch of the first phase.

The function was attended by the top defence brass, including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command and other senior officials from the navy as well as civil administration.

(Agencies)

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