Statesman (India) articles from December 2008

Statesman (India) archives from December 2008

Leaders threaten fresh stir.
December 31, 2008... Midnapore,Dec.30: About 100 adivasipeople under the banner of Police SantrasBirodhiPublic Committee (PSBPC),LodhaSabarKalyanSamiti, BharatJakatMjhiMadowaCommittee and several others adivasi organisations went on an indefinite hunger-strike in...

Same syringe used for Malaria tests.
December 31, 2008... BEHRAMPORE, Dec. 30: After two persons ~ Kartik Sarkar (38) and Gopal Roy (35) ~ from Behrampore died of malaria in two days, the health departments anti-malaria drive, has received a major setback here. Relatives of the deceased persons said...

Boat backlog plagues Haldia Dock.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service HALDIA, Dec. 30: The unprecedented crowding of Haldia-bound ships at the Sand head off Haldia Dock, due to a shortage of tugboats and low draught in the river Hooghly, is causing problems for Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT)...

Royal Bengal tiger trapped in Gosaba.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service GOSABA, Dec. 30: A day after the tranquillisation of a Royal Bengal tiger in Kultali, another full-grown tiger was trapped by forest officials in Annpur village in Gosaba, South 24-Parganas today. Forest officials have...

Raju asks staff to stay with him.
December 31, 2008... Press Trust of India HYDERABAD,Dec.30: Virtually hitting back at four directors who quit over the Maytastakeover fiasco, SatyamComputer chairman, Mr RamalingaRaju today asked employees to stand by him, saying the board had unanimously voted...

Policies blamed for present crisis.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA,Dec.30: "Fasten your seat belt and gear up for a bumpy ride in the New Year", the former Union finance minister, Mr YashwantSinha,said here today, pointing out that the global economic crisis has not yet...

RCom launches GSM services.
December 31, 2008... MUMBAI,Dec.30: Mr AnilAmbani-ledReliance Communications today announced the rolloutof GSMmobile services, which will be available in 11,000 towns countrywide. Announcing the rollout,Mr AnilAmbanitold reporters that the company has invested...

Theory meets practice.
December 31, 2008... Sayantani Nandy reports on a recent workshop on mass communication and videography at Rabindra Bharati University THE department of mass communication and videography and the Centre for Mass Communication and Videography, Rabindra Bharati...

edits.
December 31, 2008... Fatal over-reaction This is poor security It would be unfair to pre-judge the internal inquiry the army is conducting into the tragic death of a young man in Bangalore who had technically intruded into a military residential area, tried to...

special article.
December 31, 2008... Terror and Maoism Society And Government Cant Evade Collective Responsibility Bharat Jhunjhunwala It is only natural for civil society to be perturbed by terror attacks and the escalation of Maoist activities. But these are merely the...

Close shave.
December 31, 2008... Kottayam, Dec 30: An 18-month old baby boy had a miraculous escape when he slipped out of his mother's hands and fell on to the road from a speeding bus here today. Ambily was standing near the front door of a crowded bus with Tom when she...

Father wants Rs 96 lakh from AIIMS for students death.
December 31, 2008... NEW DELHI, Dec 30: The father of an AIIMS student who died of dengue due to alleged negligence of Institute's doctors has approached the Delhi Consumer Commission seeking a compensation of Rs 96 lakh. The Commission has now asked AIIMS...

Victim kins salary, relief amount not linked: HC.
December 31, 2008... Press Trust of India NEW DELHI, Dec. 30: Income of an accident victim's family members should not have any bearing on the amount of compensation that they are entitled to after the incident, the Delhi High Court has held. Salary earned...

Fog hits flight operations, train services again.
December 31, 2008... New Delhi, Dec 30: At least 82 flights, including 26 of international carriers, were today delayed and 10 others cancelled while 50 Delhi-bound trains were running late as the worst fog spell in the last two years hit the capital. Most...

Time to act: Yashwant.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA,Dec30: We have to adopt a very strong line against Pakistan. We should keep all options open including that of war. If the international community cannot prevent cross border terrorism activities then there is...

Sen offers tips for better health care.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATADec30: According to Nobel laureate ProfAmartyaSen, close co-ordination and commitment between various state health departments and the Centre is required to provide primary health care facilities to people,...

HC notice to govt on marker system abolition.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service NEW DELHI, Dec.30: A vacation bench of the Delhi High Court has issued notice to the petroleum ministry and oil marketing companies (OMCs)on the move to abolish the kerosene marker system by 31 December. They have been...

SC takes serious view of industrial pollution.
December 31, 2008... Our Legal Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec.30: Matters related to environment pollution, especially air and water pollution, caused by industrial units cannot be taken lightly, the Supreme Court has ruled. A bench comprising Chief Justice Mr KG...

BJP gains majority in Karnataka by-polls.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service Bangalore,Dec.30: The ruling BJPgot a major boost today with the party winning five of the eight Assembly seats in the by-elections which were held on 27 December. In the process it managed to boost its strength in the...

Royal Bengal tiger trapped in Gosaba.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service GOSABA, Dec. 30: A day after the tranquillisation of a Royal Bengal tiger in Kultali, another full-grown tiger was trapped by forest officials in Annpur village in Gosaba, South 24-Parganas today. Forest officials have...

briefs.
December 31, 2008... Passport KOLKATADec30: Immigration officials at NSCBoseAirport today held Mr RDSGill (20), a resident of Amritsarfor travelling allegedly with a forged visa (which was scanned) and forged immigration clearance stamp of Chennai airport. n SNS...

Briefs.
December 31, 2008... Bus panel The seven-member panel set up by the state government to decide upon the punishments for bus drivers involved in fatal mishaps would seek public opinion on the issue. In its first meeting, the members decided to make insertions in...

KMC park plan: Not many takers.
December 31, 2008... Abhishek Law KOLKATA, Dec. 30: Corporate houses have turned down adopt a park scheme, an ambitious project to change the look of city parks and ensure maintenance of greenery by the houses. The idea was mooted by none other than the mayor, Mr...

Sonic freedom for a token amount.
December 31, 2008... Why spend your salary on CDs when a broadband connection can do the needful? Next year music labels would be under more pressure to make CDs cheaper or turn towards artiste management. What happens to listeners? They should get a good...

Unconventional training.
December 31, 2008... Ethical hacker Ankit Fadia says its time for the government to implement better IT security measures if another 26/11 is to be avoided Fooling around with his computer, Ankit Fadia realised his calling at a young age (extremely young!). He is...

Around Town.
December 31, 2008... Exhibition lRabindranath Tagore Centre, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the ministry of culture of Russian Federation and State Museum and Exhibition Centre, Moscow, presents Parade of Peoples till 17 January, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...

Disturbed man held for homicide.
December 31, 2008... KOLKATA,Dec.30: A 43-year-old man was arrested, on charges of murdering an old man, in his residence on ShibtalaLane near Entallypolice station today. Police said JayantaMajumderwas arrested after he pushed Kartick Dastrying to stop him from...

Besu election passes off peacefully.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA,Dec.30: The Students union elections at the Bengal Engineering and Science University (Besu)passed off peacefully amid tight security today. According to the university authorities, around 75 per cent votes were...

Civic body drive to collect due revenue.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA, Dec. 30: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will augment its drive to collect revenue in view of global recession that is affecting funds flow and subsequently stalling its development projects. The KMC have not...

Young neighbour killed Phoolbagan woman.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA, Dec. 30: Police today arrested a 22-year-old youth in connection with the murder of a 72-year-old woman at her residence in Phoolbagan on 18 December. Investigation revealed that the accused person, Soumen...

Extra vigil ahead of Sagar mela.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KOLKATA, Dec. 30: Keeping in mind the ever-present threat of terrorism, there will be stricter security measures in place at the Ganga Sagar Mela this year. Around 5,000 police personnel will be deployed during the Mela...

Auto union for more time, Subhas averse.
December 31, 2008... KOLKATA,Dec.30: While the Unions vowed to resist any attempt by police to crack down two-stroke auto-rickshaws after 31 December in accordance with the High Court's directive the state transport minister, Mr Subhas Chakraborty,continued his...

briefs.
December 31, 2008... Housing scheme MALDA, Dec. 30: The Old Malda Municipality has finalised the list of 550 BPL families residing in the slum areas spread over 17 civic wards for implementing Central housing scheme. n SNS Award SILIGURI, Dec. 30: The Siliguri...

Food processing potential untapped.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service SILIGURI, Dec. 30: The state food processing minister Mr Mohanta Chatterjee said today in Siliguri that the food processing potential in north Bengal was yet to be fully tapped. Promotion and proliferation possibility...

Excise revenue collection increased.
December 31, 2008... GANGTOK, Dec. 30: The Excise Department, Government of Sikkim has realised Rs 37.94 crore in revenue during the financial year from 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008. It is against an envisaged collection of Rs 29 crore, says the department's...

Cooch Behar municipality wants to expand jurisdiction.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service COOCH BEHAR, Dec. 30: The Congress-run Cooch Behar Municipality has submitted a proposal to the state government for the expansion of its jurisdiction but the state government allegedly is sitting on the proposal. ...

11 years later, Jalpaiguri trader waits for.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service JALPAIGURI, Dec. 30: Having lost his shop to a road widening project of the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad 11 years ago, a furniture trader of Mainaguri has not received his compensation yet. Appeals on the matter have...

Tiger dead.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service KULTALI,Dec.30: A Royal Bengal tiger which had strayed into Betalpara village of Kultali in Sunderbans with an injured paw, died today. Principal chief conservator of forest Mr Atanu Rahasaid that the tiger was taken to...

LF leaders ask GJMM to keep the peace.
December 31, 2008... SILIGURI, Dec. 30: The Left Front leaders have asked the Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha leadership to maintain peace in the Darjeeling Hills with the tripartite talks having reached a crucial stage. The progress of the dialogue is, on the whole,...

Automatic machines to collect electricity bills soon.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service MALDA, Dec. 30: In order to reduce the workload of staff and the long queue in front of cash counters, the state electricity department has planned to install an automatic machine like ATM to collect electricity bill...

Islampur Municipality wants more time to create wards.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service RAIGANJ, Dec. 30: The Islampur Municipality authorities in North Dinajpur district have rejected the recent delimitation order issued by the State Election Commissioner in which, the civic body authority was instructed...

Gas leak smell scares Balurghat.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BALURGHAT, Dec. 30: Fear gripped Balurghat following a gas leak near a children's park at Uttamasa Pally in the town. The morning walkers first detected the gas leak odour. The fire department and police were summoned...

Dog squad in Balurghat to help combat crime.
December 31, 2008... BALURGHAT, Dec. 30: The South Dinajpur district police administration has proposed to the Director General of Police, WB, for the setting up of a dog squad in the district. According to the ASP, South Dinajpur district, Mr Imran Wahab, being...

Raiganj residents still waiting for drinking water.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service RAIGANJ, Dec. 30: Fresh drinking water is still a distant dream for around 15,000 residents of seven wards (Ward 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 10) in Raiganj Municipality, six years after an augmentation scheme for...

Woman seeks legal services.
December 31, 2008... MALDA, Dec. 30: A woman, Mrs Bhanu Das, has sought assistance from the state legal services after she allegedly was not able to deposit Rs 2,000 fine against a crime committed by her husband in the Malda court for the past three months. On 27...

First semester undergraduate results of Sikkim University out.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service GANGTOK, Dec. 30: The vice chancellor of Sikkim University, Gangtok Mr Mahendra P Lama today announced the first semester undergraduate results. According to him the results have been published within 20 days after the...

Promote football in the Hills: Baichung.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service JALPAIGURI, Dec. 30: Baichung Bhutia, the captain of the Indian football team, said today that the state and the district football organizations should concentrate on promoting the sport in the Hills for the betterment...

Police in fear of Left attack.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service ROURKELA, Dec 30: The state police is concerned about Maoist activities along its border with Jharkhand as the extreme Left elements have already warned against new year revelry. "It is a very sensitive problem ~...

Patsani showers praise on Singh.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec 30: Ruling BJD MP Mr Prasanna Patsani praised human resource development minister Mr Arjun Singh and described him as "prime ministerial" candidate. He also compared Singh to Arjun of the epic...

Govt changes tact for power scheme funds.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec 30: Changing its approach, the state government now wants the energy ministry to provide funds to the state run Orissa Power Transmission Company Ltd, under the Restructured Accelerated Power...

Tribals saved environment.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 30: Championing the cause of forest protection rights being given to tribals, human resources development minister, Mr Arjun Singh said: "Tribals are the ones who are saving the environment." "Noting...

Concern over man-elephant conflict.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 30: Waking up to the increasing man-elephant conflict particularly during harvesting of crops, the state government worked out an integrated plan of action entailing an expenditure of Rs 53 crore over...

Municipality launches massive eviction drive.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service JAGATSINGHPUR, Dec.30: Municipality authorities launched a massive eviction drive from bus stand area to Thana Chowk here yesterday in which the makeshift shops of many vendors, vegetable traders and fruit sellers were...

Villagers ire over proposed plant.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service Angul, Dec. 30: The affected people of the proposed 2000 MW Jindal Photo Power Ltd, here have opposed the plant on the grounds of pollution that the plant will be responsible for. Hundreds of people took out a...

Reliance, Microsoft to hold talent hunt contest.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR,Dec.30: Reliance World, the retail arm of Reliance ADAG will organise the National Digital Elocution Competition (NDEC)to be held in the months of January and February 2009 is collaboration with Microsoft....

New Year celebrations? Pay for music first.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec. 30: The capital may fall short of venues to celebrate and welcome the new year this time with the Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) reportedly serving legal notices to many well known hotels ands pubs...

briefs.
December 31, 2008... CM skips Puri BHUBANESWAR,Dec.30: Chief minister Mr NaveenPatnaikhas decided to skip Purion 1 January. Such a decision has apparently been taken in view of the threats of the servitors of the Lord Jagannathtemple and members of some other...

Construction of dry dock at Paradip completed.
December 31, 2008... PARADIP, Dec. 30: The construction work of the dry dock at Paradip port has already been completed and the facility is slated to be inaugurated on 12 January. The dry dock has got facilities for dry docking and all types of repairing...

Great year for SBI Life Insurance company.
December 31, 2008... Statesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Dec 30: SBI Life Insurance company, one of the fastest growing private sector life insurance company, recorded an impressive all-round performance with its new business annualised premium equivalent growing...

Ashok Das passes away.
December 31, 2008... BHUBANESWAR,Dec.30: AshokDas,former JanataDalpresident died here today. He was 66. Known as a fearless leader with a thunderous voice, Daswas nominated as JD president by BijuPatnaikin 1990. Daswas elected to the Assembly from Korei...

A-I takes lead in fare cuts.
December 31, 2008... NEW DELHI, Dec 30: National air-carrier, Air India today slashed its basic air fares by up to 82 per cent in at least 20 sectors, mostly on metro routes. Jet Airways subsidiary, JetLite, and low-cost carrier Spicejet, are also lowering fares....

Hasina storms back to power.
December 31, 2008... Press Trust of India DHAKA, Dec.30: Charismatic leader Sheikh Hasina Wajid (AFP photograph right)scripted a landslide victory today trouncing rival BNPin Bangladesh's first polls in seven years, restoring democracy in the impoverished nation...

We have not fomented tension, says Pranab.
December 31, 2008... NEW DELHI, Dec.30: Countering strongly Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshis request that India de-escalate its troops along the Indo-Pakistan border, external affairs minister Mr Pranab Mukherjeesaid there had been no escalation of...

Could be... says Pakistan at last.
December 31, 2008... New Delhi, Dec 30: After weeks of denial, Pakistan today said for the first time that the perpetrators of the Mumbai mayhem could be Pakistani nationals. "Could be... could be ~ that's all I will say as of now, while the investigations...

Omar to head NC-Cong govt in J&K.
December 31, 2008... NEW DELHI, Dec.30: National Conference chief Mr OmarAbdullahwill be the next chief minister of the sensitive border state of Jammu and Kashmir after his party and the Congress struck a deal today to form a coalition government in which they...

Zardari to be PM, father to replace him?
December 31, 2008... ISLAMABAD, Dec29: There could be more political churning in the offing in Pakistan with President AsifAli Zardarilikely to replace YousufRazaGilanias prime minister and transferring all presidential powers to the Prime Minister by annulling...

The British five-year olds guide to safe drinking.
December 31, 2008... By Richard Garner LONDON, Dec 30: Parents in Britain are to be given guidance in the new year for the first time as to how much alcohol their children can drink safely from the ages of five to 18. The government is also reviewing whether...

100 YEARS AGO TODAY.
December 31, 2008... News Item CALCUTTA FIRE BRIGADE Suggested Improvements Need For Motor Traction With the occurrence of no fewer than three very destructive fires within twenty-four hours, all beyond the six miles radius of the Lall Bazar Headquarters, to...

Jewish rights.
December 31, 2008... Before you rush to judgement on the iniquity of Israels lethal air strikes on the Gaza Strip ~ your own judgement, not a judgement borrowed from flailing politicians or vocal lobbyists for either side ~ could you answer one question. Have you...

Will 2009 be the year of China or the USA?
December 31, 2008... This may be a defining year for both China and the US. Both are in trouble. The US is in recession. Chinas export-driven economy has slowed down significantly. How each one comes out of the trouble will determine its future. The US cannot...

Family affair.
December 31, 2008... Jerry Lee Lewis: The rock 'n' roll star infamously married his 13-year-old first cousin once removed, 10 years his junior, in 1957. His popularity initially fell but recovered when he began performing country and western music. HG Wells:...

Nothing wrong with cousins marrying.
December 31, 2008... Scientists say the risk of babies having genetic defects 'has been overstated', writes Steve Connor THE risk of giving birth to babies with genetic defects as a result of marriages between first cousins is no greater than that run by women...

How important was Darwin?
December 31, 2008... And what is his legacy today? Archie Bland does a recount FROM the back of a GBP10 note to the awards in his name that celebrate those who remove themselves from the gene pool by dying in foolish ways, Charles Darwin's legacy is everywhere....

Hope for malaria vaccine.
December 31, 2008... Trials show protection against disease that kills over a million people every year, says Jeremy Laurance A vaccine against malaria, which kills more than a million people every year, could be available within five years after extensive trials...

A series that changed the world.
December 31, 2008... Melbourne, Dec.30: Winning the maiden Test series in Australia is undoubtedly the greatest moment in the history of South African cricket which has also shifted the game's balance of power, victorious Proteascaptain GraemeSmith said today....

Sri Lanka offered $1.5m for series in Pakistan.
December 31, 2008... Agencies KARACHI, Dec.30: Pakistan is willing to pay Sri Lanka up to $1.5 million to play a hastily arranged series here in January-February. According to sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan is unlikely to generate any...

Oz big guns to miss Sydney Test.
December 31, 2008... MELBOURNE, Dec.30: Australia retained off-colour Matthew Haydenand replaced the injured trio of Brett Lee, Andrew Symondsand Shane Watson with three uncapped players for the third and final Test against South Africa. The selectors today...

Musuem in memory.
December 31, 2008... Kolkata, Dec 29: Two-time Olympian Shew Mewa Lall may have been overlooked by the government with his feats yet to be recognised, but Krishna Lall wants to keep the legacy of his dead father alive by coming up with a museum. The...

Angry Warne wants Aleem Dar sacked.
December 31, 2008... Indo-Asian News Service MELBOURNE, Dec.30: Spin wizard Shane Warne (in photo)wants Elite Panel umpire AleemDar sacked after the Pakistani committed a blunder in dismissing Mike Husseyduring the second Test against South Africa at the...

Proteas in full bloom.
December 31, 2008... Agencies MELBOURNE, Dec.30: Australia's domination of world cricket seems to be nearing the end as they lost their first home series since 1992-93, following South Africa's nine-wicket win in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground...

Chatterjee says he has a lot to reveal.
December 31, 2008... KOLKATA, Dec 30: I will speak only when I am officially asked to do so. I do have some things to say, said Mr Utpal Chatterjee, coach of Bengal's cricket team. The team, which was thumped by Tamil Nadu by 8-wickets yesterday in the Ranji...

Muralitharan strikes thrice.
December 31, 2008... Agence-France Press DHAKA, Dec.30: MuttiahMuralitharantook three wickets to strengthen Sri Lanka's chances of winning the opening Test against Bangladesh here today despite a fighting 70 not out by skipper MohammedAshraful. Bangladesh, shot...

Briefs.
December 31, 2008... Ganguly wins SuryaSekharGangulyclinched a record sixth successive title after agreeing to a draw against MShyamSundarof Tamil Naduin the final round of the 46thNational 'A'chess championship in Mangaloreon Tuesday. ShyamSundar,playing the...

India will be hit hard by new rule.
December 31, 2008... Press Trust of India NEW DELHI, Dec 30: Non playing Indian Davis Cup captain SP Misra says the government's new policy to allow only Indian citizens to represent the country will leave the team with a limited pool of players for its next tie....