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Original preamble of Constitution did not have 'secular', 'socialist': I&B Minister

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preamble-india

New Delhi: The original preamble of the Constitution did not have the words “socialist” and “secular”, said Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Wednesday.

The government has been criticised over a Republic Day advertisement, which showed the preamble without the two words.

The minister said a picture of the original preamble was used for the advertisement to “honour” it.

He also tweeted pictures of the preamble before and after the 42nd Amendment, which added the words “secular” and “socialist” to it. “This is the original preamble. The words ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ were added in 1976,” he added.

“Let me assure you, we are celebrating the 66th Republic Day, that is, we are celebrating an anniversary of the preamble that was made way back then,” Rathore told reporters.

“The photograph that we have put is of the first preamble that our great leaders had made at that point of time,” Rathore said.

He added that the two words were included after the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976.

Rathore’s comments came after row erupted when an advertisement issued by the I&B Ministry carried a picture of the Preamble to the Constitution as it appeared before the 42nd Amendment, without the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’.

Welcoming the move, Shiv Sena has demanded “permanent deletion” of the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ from the Constitution.

“We welcome the exclusion of the (secular and socialist) words from the Republic Day advertisement. Though it might have been done inadvertently, it is like honouring the feelings of the people of India. If these words were deleted by mistake this time, they should be deleted from the Constitution permanently,” Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.

Congress leader Manish Tewari attacked the Centre on the issue, claiming the government advertisement “deleted” the two words, which was only a prelude to their “substitution” with “communal” and “corporate”.

The advertisement showed a picture of the Preamble in the background with a quote from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pictures of some citizens in the foreground.

Sunanda Pushkar death probe: SIT calls Amar Singh for questioning

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Amar Singh. Photo: The Hindu

Amar Singh. Photo: The Hindu

New Delhi: The special investigating team of Delhi Police, which is probing the Sunanda Pushkar death case, is questioning Amar Singh over certain claims made by him regarding the case.

Delhi police chief BS Bassi told reporters on Wednesday that SIT is questioning Amar Singh to know what details he has about the case.

Notably, the former Samajwadi Party leader had told mediapersons after the incident that Sunanda was a brave lady and she could not commit suicide. The Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the Delhi Police can interrogate Shashi Tharoor again in this regard. Also, Sunanda’s son, Shiv Pushkar Menon, can also be quizzed.

On January 19, Tharoor was questioned for around three-and-a-half hours. Police officials had then refused to share Tharoor’s answers during the questioning, saying any revelation would hamper the imvestigation.

Pushkar was found dead in a luxury hotel’s room here on January 17, 2014. Police said she was poisoned. A murder case was registered by the police against unknown people January 01 this year.

(Agencies)

Tamil daily Dinamalar threatened of 'Charlie Hebdo style' attack by a fictitious outfit

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Tamil newspaper Dinamalar received a threat letter by unidentified elements claiming to belong to an outfit called "The Base Moment".

Tamil newspaper Dinamalar received a threat letter by unidentified elements claiming to belong to an outfit called “The Base Moment”.

Chennai: Dinamalar, a Tamil newspaper, has received a letter threatening an attack similar to the one on the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police said.

“We have received the letter from the newspaper and a probe is on,” a senior police official said.

The letter, typed in English, says “Yesterday-Paris Charlie Hebdo, Tomorrow – Dinamalar.” The words appear against the background of India’s map.

The letter was sent by post by unidentified elements claiming to belong to an outfit called “The Base Moment,” and said to be based at “3/10, Ukkadam, Kovai, Tamil Nadu, India.”

Below the map is a picture of Osama Bin Laden and the words “By Al Qaeda,” and some Arabic words appearing like a signature, the police official said.

“It can be a fictitious outfit or someone may be trying to play mischief or it may have some other motive…we do not know…only after the probe’s completion we will be able to comment,” the official said, declining to elaborate.

The sender’s address was listed as Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Investigations in the case are underway. They are also investigating if the postal address given in the letter is authentic.

It is also being investigated whether the letter is authentic or is a hoax.

The police is considering if the newspaper published any cartoons that could have led to this threat. Earlier in 2008, the newspaper published Prophet Mohammad’s cartoon which led to minor protests against the publishers. However, post the incident, they have not published any controversial cartoons.

Security personnel have been deployed at the office of the newspaper.

(Agencies)

Sania-Bruno enter Australian Open semis

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Melbourne: Top-seeded mixed doubles duo Sania Mirza and Bruno Soares marched in to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, beating local pair Casey Dellacqua and John Peers 6-2, 6-2 in a last-eight match here Wednesday.

The Indo-Brazilian pair started the match on a bright note, breaking their opponents twice to claim the first set 6-2 in just 23 minutes at Melbourne Park.

They continued their ascendancy in the second set leading 4-2, going on to win the second set by an identical first set score, taking a mere 30 minutes to claim the second set on Court 2.

The victors hit 18 winners and committed 10 unforced errors on their way to victory. They are scheduled to play the winner of the quarter-final between third seeds Kristina Mladenovic of France and Canada’s Daniel Nestor and fifth seeds Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Juan Sebastian Cabal of Colombia.

Meanwhile in boys’ singles, India’s Sumit Nagal went down to Australia’s Marc Polmans 1-6, 1-6 in the third round in just 45 minutes.

(IANS)

Kejriwal continues to be the most preferred CM; AAP gets an edge over BJP: Survey

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Arvind-Kejriwal-Kiran-Bedi

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party has managed to win back supporters in New Delhi and has now taken a lead over the BJP in the Delhi Assembly polls, a pre-poll survey conducted by ABP News – Nielsen shows.

According to the survey, 50 percent of those polled were likely to vote for the Kejriwal-led party, up 4 percent from the last survey conducted by the agency in the second week of January.

In bad news for the BJP, the survey, which was conducted on 24 and 25 January to ascertain what impact Kiran Bedi’s announcement had on the electorate, showed the party’s fortunes decline by 4 percent (now down to 41 percent) in what ABP-Nielsen states is an indication that Bedi is not helping the party bring in new voters.

The BJP, according to the survey, has a higher proportion of committed voters – 84 percent – who say ‘they shall definitely vote for BJP now’ that Bedi has been announced as CM candidate.

However, in terms of its Chief Ministerial choice, Delhiites seem to still prefer Arvind Kejriwal over everyone else. The AAP leader, according to the survey, is the most suitable candidate for the position of CM with a 51 percent vote share while Kiran Bedi managed to secure 40 percent. The Congress’s Ajay Maken finished third with just 8 percent.

The survey states that the AAP’s support base is largely made up of Muslims, SC/ST/OBC and lower income groups. In terms of income groups, a majority of respondents belonging to the lower income group favoured AAP, while those with income on the higher side (Rs. 25,000 per month and above) favoured BJP. For the BJP, the Modi factor still seemed to hold some ground with several respondents saying that they will vote for the BJP because they wanted to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The snap poll was conducted in 70 assembly constituencies of Delhi with 2262 respondents. You can read the entire findings here. Delhi goes to polls on 7 February and the results will be declared on 1o February.

Karnataka: Excise Minister Jarkiholi resigns

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Satish L Jarkiholi

Bengaluru: In a surprise move, Excise Minister and CM Siddaramaiah’s close confidante Satish L Jarkiholi resigned from the cabinet on Tuesday, January 27 citing that he required time to devote to social service.

However, according to sources, Jarkiholi was never happy with the Excise portfolio and instead he wanted to be in charge of the ministry of either Sports and Youth Affairs or Social Welfare.

Jarkiholi faxed his resignation letter to Siddaramaiah as the latter was in Tirupathi. He hails from the Valmiki community and sources close to Jarkiholi said he was upset with the CM for not recognizing his work for the community and uniting the SC/STs in the state, which have moved away from the Congress.

It may be recalled that Jarkiholi had resigned from the ministry and walked away with Siddaramaiah when the latter quit JD(S) in 2006. For his loyalty, Siddaramaiah after becoming CM in 2013, gave him the Excise portfolio along with making him the District In-Charge Minister of Belagavi.

Presently, Sports and Youth Services portfolio is held by Minister Abhay Chandra Jain and Jarkiholi’s alleged desire to secure Social Welfare portfolio may not be fulfilled as incumbent Minister H Anjaneya, is credited with doing justice to his position.

Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai approaches HC against her 'offloading'

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Priya Pillai, Campaigner Greenpeace India.

Priya Pillai, Campaigner Greenpeace India.

New Delhi: Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, who was “offloaded” from a flight at the Delhi airport on instructions of Intelligence Bureau, approached the Delhi high court on Tuesday.

Terming the January 11 move by immigration officials as violation of her basic rights, Pillai has also challenged the home ministry guidelines that allow agencies to deboard citizens without court summons.

She was on her way to London to make a presentation before British MPs regarding alleged human rights violation at Mahan in Madhya Pradesh where a proposed coal mining project was threatening to uproot the lives of the local communities.

Greenpeace in a statement said that the activist has claimed that her being denied permission to travel abroad by government agencies was illegal and a violation of her basic right to personal liberty and freedom of speech. It is also “deliberate attempt to malign her reputation”, the organization has claimed.

Pillai’s petition argues that debarring her from going abroad is an illegal act by overzealous government agencies on the basis of a flawed circular issued by MHA. “The circular has no legal basis as Pillai neither has any conviction against her, nor has she ever evaded arrest or trial in any case,” it says.

In 2014, the MHA had decided to block foreign funds received by Greenpeace India which the NGO had received from Greenpeace International and Climate Works Foundation. The NGO had then challenged the government’s action in the Delhi high court, which last week ruled that the funds must be released. HC directed the MHA to transfer the blocked the funds to Greenpeace India’s account calling the ministry’s action, arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional.

(TNN)

Barack Obama wraps up three-day India visit, departs for Saudi Arabia

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US President Barack Obama (L) and First Lady Michelle Obama gesture as they board Air Force One prior to departing from Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi on January 27, 2015. President Barack Obama said the United States could be India's "best partner" January 27 as he wrapped up a three-day visit to New Delhi by highlighting the shared values of the world's biggest democracies. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH SINGH

US President Barack Obama (L) and First Lady Michelle Obama gesture as they board Air Force One prior to departing from Air Force Station Palam in New Delhi on January 27, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PRAKASH SINGH

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama today left for Saudi Arabia, wrapping up his three-day visit here during which both the countries broke a seven-year logjam to operationalise a landmark civil nuclear deal, besides enhancing defence and trade ties.

Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, folded his hands in a traditional “namaste” and waved before boarding Air Force One at the Palam airport where Union Minister Piyush Goyal and, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, were among those present.

Obama and the US First Lady had planned a visit to the Taj Mahal but cancelled their trip to the world heritage site and instead decided to visit Saudi Arabia to pay condolences to the Royal family following death of King Abdullah.

In his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, both the leaders managed to remove the hurdles to operationalise the civil nuclear deal besides deciding to jointly produce military hardware and stepping up economic engagement.

In what Obama called a “breakthrough”, the two sides resolved key hurdles pertaining to the liability of suppliers of nuclear reactors in the event of an accident and the tracking of fuel supplied by the US.

Obama yesterday became the first US President to grace the Republic Day celebrations. He is also the first American President to visit India twice.

The American President today addressed a Town hall event at Siri Fort Auditorium here during which he spoke on a range of issues and made a strong pitch for religious tolerance.

(PTI)

Karnataka governor hails state welfare schemes on R-Day

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Governor Vajubhai R. Vala inspecting the ceremonial parade at 66th Republic Day celebrations at Manekshaw Parade Grounds, Bengaluru. Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy, The Hindu

Governor Vajubhai R. Vala inspecting the ceremonial parade at 66th Republic Day celebrations at Manekshaw Parade Grounds, Bengaluru. Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy, The Hindu

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala Monday lauded the Congress-led state government for launching many welfare schemes and public services like Mobile One project across the state on the occasion of 66th Republic Day.

In a brief address on this special occasion, Governor Vala hoisted the national flag and said that the state government has made remarkable progress in many fields, especially in public services, welfare and development schemes.

“The Mobile One project, launched to provide a number of services to the public, has accomplished a rare feat. Similarly, health scheme brought down infant mortality and the ‘Ksheera Baghya’ scheme, in which free milk is distributed among schoolchildren thrice a week, has reduced malnutrition among them,” he said.

The governor also commended the state government for implementing drinking water projects in drought-prone villages during this fiscal (2014-15).

“We have to strive hard to take our nation forward on the development path and to make the mantra — ‘Progress of Karnataka is for the country’s progress’ meaningful,” Vala said, urging the public to take a pledge for ensuring Swachh Bharat (clean India) through Swachh Karnataka (clean Karnataka).

Alluding to Swami Vivekananda’s words – You can give bread to a man and feed for a day but it is better to teach him to earn bread – Governor Vala exhorted the people to imbibe Vivekananda’s ideologoy.

Noting that Karnataka holds special significance in the country due to the strides it has made in the fields like software, biotech, aeronautics, defence, research, space and innovation, the governor said though people’s languages and attires vary from state to state, India has one identity.

“With this feeling (of oneness), we should rise above differences of religion, caste, colour and communities and march ahead on building the nation strong,” he noted.

Earlier, pomp and pageantry marked the Republic Day celebrations where the governor took salute during the parade amid tight security.

An air force helicopter showered rose petals at the podium, where Governor Vala, Chief Minister Siddarmaiah and other dignitaries were seated.

About 8,000 people, including children, who congregated on this occasion, cheered the services personnel and other participants during the march past and show of strength.

About 2,500 police personnel had been deployed for a fool-proof security.

Police across the city were also on high alert as part of the security drill with reinforcements at vital installations and in sensitive (VIP) areas.

About 40 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed in and around the venue to monitor movement of people, participants and dignitaries.

(IANS)

Another Bodo militant wanted by Assam police held in Bengaluru

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Bengaluru: Another NDFB(S) militant, wanted in connection with the violence in Assam in December last year, was arrested here today, police said.

27-year old Sanju Bordoloi, the organising secretary of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit), was arrested from his hideout in the Electronic City based on specific inputs.

He is the second NDFB(S) militant to be arrested here since last week after the detention of Birkhang Basumatary, also allegedly involved in the Assam violence, on January 23.

“City Crime Branch arrested Sanju Bordoloi, son of Dim Wser Bordoloi, of Kamrup District in Assam, from Electronic City Police Station limits based on specific inputs,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Goel said in a statement here.

Bordoloi was hiding here after participating in the recent massacre, he said, adding that the militant admitted that he was the organising secretary of NDFB(S) and trained in Bangladesh in AK-series of weapons.

The miltants had launched an attack on adivasis in Sonitpur and Kokrajhar districts on December 23 following which there was retaliatory violence and police firing resulting in the killing of 81 people.

Goel also said the police are coordinating with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Assam Police to hand him over to them.

“The militant is presently kept at the Electronics City police station,” he added.

Basumatary alias Bhutur, a native of Chirang in Assam, had already been handed over to Assam police.

(PTI)

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