AP CM Rosaiah says he's resigning

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday announced he will resign from his post because of poor health and will leave it to the Congress high command to select his successor. "I am satisfied with my work," said Rosaiah, 77, at a press conference in Hyderabad. Rosaiah on Tuesday night

returned to Hyderabad after making a trip to New Delhi where he consulted senior Congress leaders on the strategy to checkmate defiant party MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy.
Rosaiah has convened an emergency meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in Hyderabad this evening to discuss party affairs but suddenly announced his resignation. He announced he will give his resignation letter to the state governor.

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/AP-CM-Rosaiah-says-he-s-resigning/H1-Article1-630368.aspx

Ayodhya verdict: Allahabad High Court judgement after 3 pm today

New Delhi / Lucknow: Sixty years after it first went to court, there shall be a verdict in the Ayodhya title suit today afternoon. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is expected to deliver its verdict after 3 pm.

It has been a protracted legal battle, and people across the country have spoken in one voice on the need to maintain peace and harmony irrespective of the verdict.

The verdict in the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute will decide whether the 2.7 acres of disputed land on which the Babri Masjid stood before it was demolished on December 6, 1992, belongs to the Sunni Central Waqf Board or to the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/ayodhya-verdict-allahabad-high-court-judgement-after-3-pm-today-55881?cp

Devotees visiting makeshift temple in Ayodhya drop

Ayodhya: With the town turning into a virtual fortress ahead of the verdict in the Ayodhya title suit case, the makeshift temple at the disputed site, which is otherwise abuzz with activity, wears a deserted look with the number of devotees trickling down.

"The number of devotees has definitely gone down by almost 60 per cent in the last few days," head priest of Ram Janmbhoomi temple Mahant Acharya Satyendra Das said.

While more than 12 lakh devotees had paid obeisance at the Ramlala temple in August, the turnout in September was between one to 1.5 lakh only, temple sources said.

"Usually 7,000 to 8,000 devotees visit the temple every day, which goes upto 15,000 during peak season," Acharya Das said.

Source : http://publication.samachar.com/pub_article.php?id=10258888&nextids=10258888|10258888|10258889|10258890|10258264&nextIndex=1

Sachin Tendulkar to turn Bollywood actor?

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar may soon be making a Bollywood debut in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Ferrari Ki Sawari, a film to be directed by Rajesh Mapuskar.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Sachin will act alongside actor Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, however, is not ready to disclose any detail about Sachin's role.

Few months back, Sachin had tweeted, "Vinod Chopra has a script called Ferrari Ki Sawari. Just heard it. Sounds awesome." In yet another tweet, which he posted with a picture of him and Chopra, he had said, "Hanging with Vinod Chopra and Atul Kasbekar... 3 more Idiots?"

Chopra and Mapuskar are writing the script, while Raj Kumar Hirani will write the dialogues.

The story of the film reportedly is revolves around a boy who is inspired by a cricket legend's Ferrari to play at the Lord's cricket ground. It must be noticed that Sachin the only cricketer in India who owns a Ferarri.

Two years back, Sachin had shot for a documentary on Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple, in which he spoke how he felt when he visited the temple.

Prior to Sachin, many other cricketers - Vinod Kambli, Ajay Jadeja, Salil Ankola, Sunil Gavaskar and Sandeep Patil - tried their luck on the silver screen but achieved little success. Will Sachin change that equation?

Source : http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20100154606&nid=55276&pfrom=Cricket

UK man bounces to bungee jump record

New Delhi: Jumping Jack is redefined. By a man called James.

British bungee jumper James Field has set a new Guinness World Record for the most number of jumps in one hour by an individual - 42 jumps in 60 minutes. He has not only bested the previous mark, he has more than double the number of jumps. The last record was 19.

Fields jumped from a crane 160 feet (49 meters) in the air above London, close to the UK capital's famous Tower Bridge.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/catch%20of%20the%20day/uk-man-bounces-to-bungee-jump-record-55170?cp

Watch how he falls:

Watch the videos : http://www.ndtv.com/article/catch%20of%20the%20day/uk-man-bounces-to-bungee-jump-record-55170

Ayodhya Judgment Day postponed

Supreme Court on Thursday deferred the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Babri Masjid title suit — that was due on Friday — by a week to give rival sides more time to settle out of court. A larger, three-member bench will hear the matter on September 28. All litigants, as well Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati representing the Centre, have been told to be present that day.

The deferment opened up the possibility of a longer delay in delivering the verdict as Justice D.V. Sharma, one of three judges of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court that is hearing the title suit, retires on October 1. That bench had, on Monday, dismissed a plea to defer the judgment.

The Supreme Court order, in an appeal against that dismissal, brought relief to security forces, which already have their hands full battling insurgency in Kashmir and preparing for the controversy-hit Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Common people in Ayodhya and across the country, apprehensive about possible riots in the aftermath of the verdict, also welcomed the order.

But the litigants expressed dismay. “The matter can’t be settled out of court,” said Mahant Bhaskar Das, fighting for the right to build a Ram temple at the disputed site.

His rival, Mohammad Hashim Ansari, agreed: “The case has been pending for 60 years because it could not be settled outside court.”

But senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing petitioner Ramesh Chand Tripathi, a retired bureaucrat, said: “We will urge the court to defer the matter further.”

If the Supreme Court is unable to arrive at a final verdict before October 1, the day Justice Sharma retires, he may have to be given an extension.

Alternatively, a new bench will have to hear the entire case afresh.

Earlier, the Supreme Court bench was divided over whether or not it should entertain the plea to defer the Babri verdict. Later, it decided to do so.

But given the difference of opinion, it proposed that the Chief Justice of India constitute a larger bench to hear the matter when it next comes up on Tuesday.

“If there is even a one per cent chance (of an out-of-court settlement), you have to give it,” said Justice H.L. Gokhale, one of the judges on the bench.

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/supreme-court-defers-ayodhya-verdict-by-one-week/article1-603667.aspx

Obama looking forward to India trip; Michelle excited

US President Barack Obama is looking forward to visiting India in early November and first lady Michelle is excited about the trip. Obamas conveyed this to Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at a reception hey hosted at the Natural History Museum in New York in honour of heads of delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly.

Obama told Krishna that he was looking forward to visiting India and Mrs Obama added that she was excited about the trip, diplomats said.

Earlier, in his speech to the UN general assembly too he made a reference to his upcoming trip to India.

"Later this fall, I will travel to Asia. I will visit India, which peacefully threw off colonialism and established a thriving democracy of over a billion people," Obama told the annual gathering of world leaders in his second address to the world body since becoming president.






Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/Obama-looking-forward-to-India-trip-Michelle-excited/H1-Article1-604001.aspx

J&K to free 300 stone-throwers

As a first step toward defusing the current crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, the Omar Abdullah government is considering the release of 300 people arrested for throwing stones at security personnel during protests since June 11. State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather revealed this to HT on Wednesday.

“Our first priority is to restore peace and order. A review of all cases of stone throwers and their release would be the first step,” he said.

Along with 109 civilian deaths in the past 104 days of protests, the arrest of stone throwing youths — mostly teenagers — has become a big issue in Kashmir. This is because 60 of those arrested have been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act, which disallows any appeal or trial for one year.

The National Conference-led coalition also plans to launch a big employment drive by filling all vacancies in the state government and inviting investments to generate more jobs.

“We must realise that unemployment is causing frustration and leading to anger on the streets,” Rather said.





SOURCE : http://www.hindustantimes.com/J-amp-K-to-free-300-stone-throwers/H1-Article1-603523.aspx

Chiranjeevi's fans vow to protect his interests

Hyderabad: With the films of actor-turned-politician K Chiranjeevi and his family members facing a boycott from Telangana activists, his die-hard fans in the region on Tuesday formed a group to protect his interests.

The fans of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president met in Hyderabad and formed a 'Chiru Force' to counter pro-Telangana groups who have been disrupting the screening of films of Chiranjeevi, his son Ramcharan Teja and brother Pavan Kalyan for their opposition to the demand for a separate state of Telangana.

The presidents of Chiranjeevi Fans' Association from all 10 districts of Telangana made it clear that they would not tolerate any disruption of the screening of his films.

The members of the 'Chiru Force' said since Chiranjeevi entered politics on their demand and had been raising the issues of people, it was their responsibility to protect him and his family members.

They also pointed out that people of Telangana were the biggest beneficiaries of the Chiranjeevi Blood Bank.

The group said it was ready even for a confrontation on the issue. Osmania University students' joint action committee (JAC) was quick to hit back.

Source : http://sify.com/news/chiranjeevi-s-fans-in-telangana-vow-to-protect-his-interests-news-national-kjvv4cdfgfi.html

Low-Priced Food Stalls And More From The Railways

21st Sep, 2010: The Passenger Service Committee (PSC), constituted by Union Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee and headed by Derek O'Brien as its Chairman, visited South Central Railway at Rail Nilayam on Monday, and held a meeting with SCR General Manager M S Jayanth and other senior officials.

The meeting deliberated on various issues concerning passenger services on railways, and measures to optimize the same so as to ensure comfortable and convenient travel to rail users.

Later, interacting with the media, Derek O'Brien detailed the focus of the PSC which was set up to recommend steps concerning consumer insights on passenger services to the Railway Board. The Chairman said that amongst the issues of prime concern are those related to food, cleanliness and passenger grievances.

Derek O'Brien stated that the Committee had recommended the taking over of catering services by the Indian Railways from IRCTC, which has since been implemented by the Railway Board. A paradigm shift in the catering policy is on the anvil and will take some time for total implementation, he stated.

As part of the "Jan Aahar" initiative, low-priced food stalls are being set up at Railway Stations, which are reportedly earning a positive nod from passengers.

The Chairman added that SCR will see at least about 40 such stalls being set up in the near future. He stated that each Zonal Railway is taking up one train for the implementation of the model policy on catering - and on SCR, the Hyderabad - New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express is the train identified for the purpose. The stress in terms of the food policy is on QSCV - Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value.

Derek O'Brien said that over 50% of train reservations are being handled on the Internet, and in tune with the fact, the Committee's recommendation has been implemented by the Railways, based on which the reservations each day are open from 8am to 9am only for individual consumers - the bulk consumers can access Internet reservation only after 9am.

Commenting on the use of the Internet, the Chairman stated that the Indian Railway website is being planned to be made into a single stop for every requirement including complaints. Likewise, a single-number based 'public grievance' machinery will be set up across the country.

The concept of 'seva vahans', the carts for the use of disabled persons - already in use in Secunderbad and few other stations - is planned to be extended all over. A shift is planned with regard to porters carrying passenger baggage at Railway Stations. A new category of people called 'Yatri Sevaks' will be carrying passenger baggage at Railway Stations with the help of trolleys, thereby setting the tone for doing away with manual labour.

The Chairman added that housekeeping services on-board trains, which are currently available for 270 trains, will be extended to cover 350 trains.

Derek O'Brien had a word of praise for South Central Railways, and said that the zone ranks high in terms of passenger service parameters, including cleanliness.

Members of the Committee Sardar Amjad Ali, Sultan Singh, Manish Mitra and Mohammed Nadimul Haque were also present.

Source : http://www.fullhyderabad.com/hyderabad-news/railways-to-optimise-passenger-comfort-facilities-1728

Call off Games, says NZ envoy

New Delhi, Sept. 21: The New Zealand Chef de Mission for the Delhi Commonwealth Games, Mr Dave Currie, on Tuesday said the event may be called off if the concerns regarding the Athletes Village are not addressed at the earliest.

Mr Currie, who is in Delhi as part of an advanced party, raised serious concerns regarding the residential zone of the Games Village, saying the October 3-14 mega-event faces the risk of cancellation if the living conditions are not improved before the arrival of the first batch of athletes on Thursday.

“There are some realities, I guess, that if the village is not ready and athletes can’t come then obviously the implications of that are it is not going to happen. If the village isn’t ready, the athletes can’t arrive,” Mr Currie was quoted as saying by the New Zealand media.

The incident comes as a major embarrassment for the Suresh Kalmadi led Games organising committee and the government, who have repeatedly been reprimanded by the CWG Federation president, Mr Mike Fennell. It also forced the Prime Minister’s Office to step in and ask questions.