PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. articles from May 2005

PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. archives from May 2005

China names vice-minister of commerce as top trade negotiator.
May 1, 2005... Beijing, May 1 (PTI) China, the third largest trading nation, has created a new office and appointed a Vice-Minister of Commerce as its top trade negotiator in a bid to "better handle" the communist giant's growing number of international trade...

DGAD for no anti-dumping duty on Vit AD3 from EU, Singapore.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) The Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties of India has recommended discontinuation of anti-dumping duty on imports of Vitamin AD3 from European Union and Singapore. After undertaking a mid-term review,...

RBI green signal to SBI for two more branches in US.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Reserve Bank has given a green signal to State Bank of India for opening an additional branch in New York and convert its Washington Representative Office into a branch after the impressive 70 per cent growth in the...

In summer vacation, SC Judges will go back to classroom: CJI.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) During the nearly two-month-long vacation, when many lawyers go on vacation to cool climes, the Judges of the apex court in India, most of them touching 60, would be attending classes at the National Judicial Academy at...

Govt studies whether Qutab Minar, Taj Minarets tilting.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Is the Qutab Minar tilting? While the Indian government feels that there has been a "very negligible" tilt in one of the best architectural wonders, it has formed a committee to look into the finer details. Not...

India to pay $2.50 per mBtu for Iranian gas.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) India is willing to pay no more than 2.50 dollars per million British thermal unit (mBtu) for the Iranian gas to be imported through a 2600-km pipeline via Pakistan. The Task Force on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline...

FIIs net sellers in equities at Rs 2.17 bn; MFs net inflows.
May 1, 2005... Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) recorded net sales of Rs 2.177 billion (US dollar 49.7 million) in equities for the trading week ended April 29 while mutual funds (MFs) were net purchasers at Rs 3.2071 billion. ...

Pvt Co ventures into wildlife and adventure tourism.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) In a novel effort aimed at creating awareness about preservation of ecological balance and promoting tourism, a private sector hospitality company in India has ventured into the field of wildlife and adventure tourism....

Shahjahan's wish for a black Taj to come true after 350 years.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's unfulfilled last wish of building a black Taj Mahal facing the white one at Agra is all set to come true -- albeit after 350 years, thanks to Sudarshan Patnaik, a sand artist of international...

Infiltration in J-K down to almost zero.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) In a major indicator of setback to militancy in northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, infiltration has nose-dived to almost zero percent during the last seven months and the number of terrorists in the state is...

12 countries to take part in World V'ball championship.
May 1, 2005... Hyderabad, May 1 (PTI) Twelve countries will participate in the World Junior (U-21) Volleyball Championship to be held in southern Indian coastal town of Visakhapatnam from August 6 to 14. Twelve countries have confirmed participation and...

Earth Commission on anvil.
May 1, 2005... Bangalore, May 1 (PTI) Scientists in India have mooted the idea of creating an Earth Commission on the lines of Space or Atomic Energy Commission. The idea was mooted at a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister...

Thiruvananthapurm, May 1 (PTI) The state government is.
May 1, 2005... coming out with a comprehensive Child Labour Prohibition Bill. The bill seeks to ban all forms of labour by children under the age of 14. The draft of the Bill, titled 'The Kerala Child Labour Prohibition and Rehabilitation Bill 2005,' has been...

Karunakaran floats new party.
May 1, 2005... Thrissur, May 1 (PTI) Dissident Congress leader K Karunakaran Sunday floated a new party splitting the Congress in southern Indian state of Kerala. The new party has been named the National Congress Indira. Karukaran made the...

Amritraj beat Dustov in first reverse singles.
May 1, 2005... Jaipur, May 1 (PTI) India's Prakash Amritraj defeated Farrukh Dustov of Uzbekistan in the first reverse singles of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania second round tennis tournament here Sunday. Amritraj beat Dustov 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-2 in the dead...

I have mellowed down: Shyam Benegal.
May 1, 2005... Jacinta Pillakot Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) From uncovering on celluloid the brute face of feudalism in rural India, power struggle in the traditional caste system and a woman's challenge to societal norms to telling a story of an idealistic...

Veer-Zaara dominates Bollywood Awards.
May 1, 2005... Dharam Shourie Atlantic City (US), May 1 (PTI) Yash Chopra's Bollywood blockbuster Veer-Zaara based on a love affair between an Indian man and Pakistani woman dominated the annual Bollywood Awards here, winning top honours in six...

India, China discuss climate change related issues.
May 1, 2005... Anil K Joseph Beijing, May 1 (PTI) India and China, the fastest developing nations with spiralling energy needs, have recognised the importance of sustainable development and innovative technologies in addressing the issue of climate...

'Indian Idol' Abhijeet Sawant to perform in Bangladesh.
May 1, 2005... Dhaka, May 1 (PTI) Abhijeet Sawant, the winner of the 'Indian Idol' programme, will perform along with two finalists of the show in Bangladesh next week to help raise funds for football, organisers said Sunday. Sawant accompanied by Rahul...

The 'Car Sevak' whose heart purrs with joy at sight of Vintage.
May 1, 2005... Avinash Nair Ahmedabad, May 1 (PTI) India's industrialist Pranlal with a collection of over 200 vintage cars, specialises in preserving classic automotive history. Be it the shimmering Rolls Royce or shining Bentleys, he has a range...

Congress splits in Kerala; Karunakaran floats new party.
May 1, 2005... Thrissur, May 1 (PTI) Marking the culmination of the faction fight in Kerala Congress, one time party colossus K Karunakaran Sunday floated the breakaway National Congress Indira party in the state. Karunakaran's son and expelled Congress...

Film showcasing unique Indian culture to open in London.
May 1, 2005... H S Rao London, May 1 (PTI) A film showcasing India's ancient culture and civilisation, intricate architecture, colourful festivals and people will open here next week. 'Mystic India: An Incredible Journey of Inspiration', a...

British govt gives 35,400 pound grant to Hindu Council.
May 1, 2005... London, May 1 (PTI) Britain has sanctioned a grant of 35,400 pounds to the Hindu Council, UK, part of which would be used for its cultural projects for children. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Fiona Mactaggart, said the grant was...

Pak to share with Japan info on Khan's assistance to N Korea.
May 1, 2005... K J M Varma Islamabad, May 1 (PTI) Japan has secured an assurance from Pakistan that it would share information about disgraced scientist A Q Khan's past assistance to North Korea's nuclear programme, but failed to win firm support for its...

Asians detained in Riyadh raids freed.
May 1, 2005... Dubai, May 1 (PTI) Nearly 1,000 Asian expatriates, who were among those detained during month-long raids in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, have been released after questioning, media reports said here Sunday. Some detainees are still in...

Politcal parties, civil society demand end to press censorship.
May 1, 2005... Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, May 1 (PTI) Describing Nepal King Gyanendra's decision to lift the state of emergency cosmetic, political leaders and civil society members Sunday demanded withdrawal of press censorship and release of...

Pak wants to resolve Kishenganga issue as per Indus Treaty.
May 1, 2005... K J M Varma Islamabad, May 1 (PTI) Ahead of technical talks on the Kishenganga hydropower project, Pakistan has said it wants to sort out differences on the issue with India as per the spirit of the Indus Water Treaty even as it threatened...

'Nikahnama' granting rights to women unveiled.
May 1, 2005... Bhopal, May 1 (PTI) All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Sunday unveiled the long-awaited model 'nikahnama' granting extensive rights to women and said its "voluntary" guidelines would go a long way in enhancing harmony and minimising...

Pak against removing UN observers until Kashmir issue resolved.
May 1, 2005... Islamabad, May one (PTI) Pakistan has said it would not agree to a suggestion to dismantle a UN observers' group on both sides of Kashmir until the Kashmir issue was resolved. Reacting to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's reported remarks...

India washout Uzbekistan 5-0.
May 1, 2005... K Kumaraswamy Jaipur, May 1 (PTI) India maintained their iron grip over Uzbekistan to wrap up the reverse singles and complete a 5-0 whitewash in the Asia-Oceania Group 1 second round tie of the Davis Cup team tennis competition at the Jai...

JKLF asks India, Pak not to limit their views to Muslims orgs.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May one (PTI) JKLF, an organisation championing the cause of independent Jammu and Kashmir, has appealed to India and Pakistan not to limit their views to only Muslim organisations and seek the opinion of other groups, including...

Lanka, India to launch foreign office consultations.
May 1, 2005... Colombo, May 1 (PTI) India and Sri Lanka will hold Monday foreign office level consultations, the first in three years, when visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran leads a delegation to discuss a range of regional, security and...

Islamic extremism on the rise in Bangladesh: Jane's.
May 1, 2005... New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Rising attacks against scribes, left and secular elements in the recent past have shown that Islamic extremism is gaining ground in Bangladesh, with the militants seeking formation of a "greater Islamic nation" covering...

Kathmandu-Lhasa direct bus service kicks off.
May 1, 2005... Kathmandu, May 1 (PTI) The first direct bus service between Kathmandu and Lhasa was launched Sunday with the aim of promoting bilateral trade and tourism between Nepal and Tibet. Nepal's Transport Minister Ram Narayan Singh and Chinese...

Thousands rally in Nepal demanding democracy and labour rights.
May 1, 2005... Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, May 1 (PTI) Some 15,000 workers and trade union activists Sunday came on the streets of the capital to mark the May Day demanding trade union rights, restoration of multi-party democracy, and human rights in...

India maintains supremacy, Balinder erases 3 records.
May 1, 2005... Alappuzha, May 1 (PTI) The Indian strongmen maintained their supremacy for the second consecutive day Monday as Balinder Singh came up with a sterling performance shattering three records in the sub-junior 67.5 kg category in the Asian...

Blair plays down new Iraq claims.
May 1, 2005... London, May 1 (PTI) British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday played down reports alleging he had committed Britain to war with Iraq eight months before the actual US-led attack, saying his opponents focused on "issues of the past" ahead of the...

Feasibility report of Neutrino Observatory presented to Centre.
May 1, 2005... Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) The two volume feasibility report on the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) was Monday formally presented to the government by the country's physicists at a scientific meeting at the Tata Institute of Fundamental...

'Indian Muslims not bound to follow any other Muslim country'.
May 1, 2005... Bhopal, May 1 (PTI) Asserting that Indian Muslims were "not bound to follow any other Muslim country", All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Monday asked them to refrain from pronouncing 'talaq' thrice allowing the divorce to remain...

Conspiracy being hatched to kill me: Geelani.
May 1, 2005... Srinagar, May 1 (PTI) Chairman of hardline faction of Kashmiri separatist grouping Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to kill him. "I have reliable information that plans have been...

Cong splits in Kerala; Karunakaran floats new party.
May 1, 2005... Thrissur, May 1 (PTI) Ending his seven-decade association with the party, veteran leader K Karunakaran on Sunday quit ruling Congress in Kerala and floated a new outfit with his son as its chief, capping portracted feud in the state unit of the...

Canada's independent adviser meets families of AI victims.
May 1, 2005... Vancouver, May 1 (PTI) Former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, appointed to review the Air India bombing trial and advice the Canadian government whether a public inquiry is needed into the 1985 tragedy, has met family members of the victims for the...

AIMPLB resolves to uphold status of Muslim women.
May 1, 2005... Bhopal (MP), May 1 (PTI) Accusing western media of being involved in creating differences and doubts about Islam through "false propaganda", All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Sunday resolved to uphold status of Muslim women by respecting...

Six students drowned.
May 1, 2005... Kottayam (Kerala), May 1 (PTI) Six students from Pondicherry on an excursion drowned when they went for a bath in the Meenachil river at Bharananganam near Pala, 35 km from here, on Sunday. Another student was rescued by a ferry operator,...

CARTOSAT-1 set for launch on May 5.
May 1, 2005... Sriharikotta (AP), May 1 (PTI) India's eleventh remote sensing satellite, 'CARTOSAT-1', which is expected to give further impetus to cadastral level applications with its high resolution images, is set for launch on May 5 from Indian Space...

Thousands rally, parties demand lifting of curbs.
May 1, 2005... From Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, May 1 (PTI) Deriding the lifting of emergency by King Gyanendra, Nepal's political parties on Sunday demanded press freedom and release of political prisoners even as thousands took part in the...

Tourists stranded on Ropeway trolleys rescued.
May 1, 2005... Dehra Dun (Uttaranchal), May 1 (PTI) All 25 tourists, who were stranded in midair after two ropeway trolleys got stuck following a technical snag, were rescued at Mussoorie Sunday evening, police said. Para military personnel, who along...

Militants fire at Mufti's kin.
May 1, 2005... Srinagar, May 1 (PTI) Militants Sunday night shot and seriously wounded a relative of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Syed in Anantnag district, 45 km from here, official sources said. The militants opened fire from...

Hurriyat hardliners call for coordination among parties.
May 1, 2005... Srinagar, May 1 (PTI) After being rebuked by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during his recent visit to New Delhi, the hardline Hurriyat Conference led by Sayed Ali Shah Geelani today appeared to soften its stand towards the moderate...

Jones says he's keen to coach Indian cricket team.
May 1, 2005... Abu Dhabi, May 1 (PTI) Expressing his desire to become Indian cricket team's next coach, former Australian cricketer Dean Jones on Sunday said he was looking to take the Indian team to a new level with a focus on the 2007 World Cup. Jones,...

AIMPLB chief solemnises two marriages as per "model nikahnama".
May 1, 2005... Bhopal, May 1 (PTI) Hours after the "model nikahnama" was unveiled by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) here Sunday, the Board president solemnised two couples who claim to have followed the new guidelines for marriages. ...

Dawood aide Ijju Sheikh's lawyer fears police encounter.
May 1, 2005... Ahmedabad, May 1 (PTI) Fearing that his client would be eliminated by police, the counsel of Izra-ul-Haq alias Ijju Sheikh, Dawood Ibrahim aide arrested in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, filed an application before a court in...

Chandy has lost moral right to continue: CPI-M.
May 1, 2005... Thiruvananthapuram, May 1 (PTI) Stating that the Congress' split in Kerala had rendered the UDF's 2001 mandate irrelevant, CPI-M on Sunday asked Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to clarify whether he had any moral right to continue in office. ...

Indian Jewish community celebrates 'Maharashtra Day'.
May 2, 2005... Harinder Mishra Lod (Israel), May 2 (PTI) The Indian Jewish community in Israel celebrated 'Maharashtra Day' with a pledge to strengthen political and cultural ties with their country of origin. Maharashtra is a western Indian state,...

N Korean missile test: US says it is watching the developments.
May 2, 2005... Washington, May 2 (PTI) The United States has said it was watching developments in Korea after North Korea reportedly tested a short-range missile over the Sea-of-Japan. White House chief of staff Andrew Card said he was not "surprised...

Chinese ferry with 745 people on board catches fire.
May 2, 2005... Beijing, May 2 (PTI) A passenger-and-cargo ferry boat with 745 people and cargo caught fire on the sea early today in northeast China's Liaoning province, the state media reported saying that no casualties have been reported so far. ...

Nedumbassery, May 2 (PTI) The body of Malayali jawan who.
May 2, 2005... was killed in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir last week was brought here on Sunday afternoon. Benny (38), a resident of Chennithala in Mavelikara, was killed in a militant attack last Thursday. The Navy offered guard of honour....

Activists demand phasing out of nuclear weapons.
May 2, 2005... New York, May 2 (PTI) Thousands of anti-war activists marched past the United Nations, ahead of Monday's opening of a month-long conference of parties to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), demanding elimination of nuclear...

Churches in US, Europe turn to India for priests.
May 2, 2005... Usha Ram Manohar Kochi, May 2 (PTI) It may not yet be called outsourcing but acute shortage of young priests is driving catholic Churches in the US, Europe and Latin America to turn to India, particularly Kerala, church officials say. ...

Opposition continues boycott of Parliament.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Charging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with "only being bothered about saving his chair", the Opposition NDA alliance decided to continue indefinitely its boycott of both Houses of Indian Parliament but said it...

Keep religion out of schools: Malaysian minister.
May 2, 2005... Kuala Lumpur, May 2 (PTI) In an bid to woo children belonging to ethnic minorities, including Indians, to state-run schools, Malaysian government has suggested that religious references, symbols and teachings should be kept out of the...

Bahrain plans to give residence permits to expats.
May 2, 2005... Dubai, May 2 (PTI) Bahrain government is planning to grant a five-year self-sponsorship residence permit to expatriates who have reached pensionable age and meet certain conditions. The scheme, proposed last year, is open to...

Huge rush to get Saudi citizenship: report.
May 2, 2005... Dubai, May 2 (PTI) Saudi government's plan to give citizenship to foreign residents has recieved huge response among the people of Indian and Pakistani origin, a Civil Affairs Department official in Riyadh said. More than 10,000...

Two communist leaders freed in Nepal.
May 2, 2005... Kathmandu, May 2 (PTI) Nepal Government on Monday freed two Communist Party leaders from house arrest but extended the detention of former Deputy Prime Minister Ramchandra Poudel by another three months. The government withdrew security...

J-K Chief Minister's nephew succumbs to injuries.
May 2, 2005... Srinagar, May 2 (PTI) Itiqullah Shah, nephew of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who was seriously injured in a militant attack on Sunday night, succumbed to injuries here on Monday. Shah, who was rushed to the...

Indians emerging as intellectual capital for US.
May 2, 2005... SILICON VALLEY, May 2 (PTI) Indians have emerged as the leading source of imported intellectual capital for the United States, with a growing number of students enrolling in American universities even as overall foreign enrolment dropped,...

"I want to break into top 3 in the world this year": Anju.
May 2, 2005... Ramnath Shenoy Bangalore, May 2 (PTI) As she starts her campaign in the new season by competing in the opener -- the Doha Super Grand Prix on May 13, India's ace long-jumper Anju Bobby George has set herself three goals for the season. ...

Lee says he's back to his bowling best.
May 2, 2005... Mumbai, May 2 (PTI) Australian paceman Brett Lee Monday claimed he had fully recovered from his ankle injury and was bowling with the same pace and rhythm with which he made an impressive international debut six years ago. The Aussie fast...

Mirwaiz seeks Hizbul leader's support for Hurriyat unity.
May 2, 2005... Islamabad, May 2 (PTI) Leader of the moderate wing of Kashmiri separatist grouping Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has sought Pakistan-based militant group Hizbul Muzahideen's leader Sayeed Salahuddin help to persuade hardline Hurriyat...

India's exotic appeal leaves Houston spellbound.
May 2, 2005... Seema Hakhu Kachru Houston, May 2 (PTI) The Houston International Festival drew to a close after putting on display aspects of Indian culture over the last two week-ends drawing nearly 200,000 visitors who treated themselves to the best of...

Shaoib Malik banned for one Test but still in squad.
May 2, 2005... Samiul Hasan Karachi, May 2 (PTI) Shoaib Malik was Monday banned for one Test and fined 75 per cent of his match fee but was named in a 17-member squad that did not include an unfit Shoaib Akhtar and Moin Khan for the upcoming cricket tour...

Nath to attend OECD, WTO ministerial and G-20 meets in Paris.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) India's Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath will address a special session of Ministerial Council Meeting of the OECD on 'Trade Negotiations under the Doha Round', scheduled in Paris on Wednesday. Nath will...

Indian FM proposes to dilute controversial Fringe Benefit Tax.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Indian Government has proposed to dilute the controversial Fringe Benefit Tax, exempt savings account from the 0.1 Banking Cash transaction tax and raise income tax exemption limit for women and senior citizens. ...

Nepal frees two top political leaders, many still in custody.
May 2, 2005... Shirish B Pradhan Kathmandu, May 2 (PTI) The government of King Gyanendra of Nepal Monday freed two top political leaders, two days after lifting of the state of emergency, but extended the detention of former Deputy Prime Minister...

Army begins seven-day land and air exercise.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Indian army Monday began a seven-day land and air exercise, the biggest since Operation Poorna Vijay in 2001, to carry out fast battle manouevres in a Nuclear backdrop. The exercises, in which an infantry division and...

New outfit by Karunakaran not a split in party: Congress.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Congress Monday said the floating of a new outfit by Karunakaran in Kerala is not a split in the party as MLAs and party's state unit Office bearers did not figure in the breakaway group headed by expelled party leader K...

India welcomes release of Nepalese Communist Party leader.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) India Monday welcomed the release of Nepalese Communist party leader Madhav Kumar Nepal and hoped that all other political leaders would also be freed soon. The Nepalese Government Sunday night withdrew security...

POTA Committee asks TN Govt to withdraw case against Nedumaran.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) In a setback to the Tamil Nadu Government, the Review Committee on anti-terrorist Prevention Of Terrorism Act has directed the state to close two separate cases booked under the law against Tamil National Movement (TNM)...

SC notice to J&K and Centre on plea against visitors from PoK.
May 2, 2005... New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Virtually restraining Jammu and Kashmir Government from dealing with the applications by from Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) claiming back their ancestral property in the state, India's Supreme Court Monday issued notices to...

Pakistan focused on the next challenge: Inzamam.
May 2, 2005... Biswajyoti Brahma Abu Dhabi, May 2 (PTI) Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq does not want to sit on past laurels. After leading exceptionally well in India in the recent Test as well as one-day series, the 35-year-old has now put his eyes...

India, Sri Lanka discuss defence matters in official talks.
May 2, 2005... Colombo, May 2 (PTI) Defence matters, enhanced economic cooperation and Indian participation in post-tsunami rehabilitation came up for discussion during foreign secretary-level consultations between India and Sri Lanka Monday, held after a gap...

Lien calls for establishment of "common market" across Straits.
May 2, 2005... Anil K Joseph Beijing, May 2 (PTI) The Chinese mainland and Taiwan should further tap their booming trade ties by exploring the possibility of establishing a "common market", Taiwan's main opposition leader Lien Chan said Monday. ...

Educational strike, anti-King demonstrations held.
May 2, 2005... Kathmandu, May 2 (PTI) All the colleges and most schools remained closed Monday in response to a strike call by seven student outfits to protest the army shootout in a college in western Nepal injuring four student leaders. The shooting on...

Bookies expect record bets and 78-seat Labour majority.
May 2, 2005... London, May 2 (PTI) With just three days to go to the polls, hectic betting is on indicating a 78-seat Labour majority in the May 5 British general elections - less than half the 161-seat majority the party got in the 2001 elections, a leading...