Latest on Indian Muslims: December 2011

In a significant development, Jammu and Kashmir's State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Tuesday ordered the arrest of a senior police officer heading a special investigating team (SIT) that was probing the disappearance of a local youth in 2007.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/kashmir_cop_faces_arrest.htm

Privatization of Education in India

Another issue is the cost of education. Most of the public schools are richer than their private counterparts in terms of total expenditure (on record, at least) and incur a much higher expenditure on the teaching and administrative staffs’ salary. The private schools, on the other hand, are thrifty about infrastructure and, in general, pay much lower salaries to their staffs.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/privatization_of_education_in_india.htm

Lokpal bill to be tabled Dec 27, session extended

The Lokpal bill will be tabled in parliament Dec 27, with the winter session being extended till Dec 29 to pass the anti-graft law, official sources said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/parl_session_extended.htm

Monday, December 19, 2011

94 percent Bhopal victims not properly compensated: Activists

Twenty-seven years after the world's worst industrial disaster affected around 500,000 innocent lives, 94 percent of the victims have still not received proper compensation, say activists.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/bhopal_victims_nt_omepnsated.htm

First US-Japan-India trilateral, say not aimed at China

As India, United States and Japan held their first trilateral meeting here, Washington and Tokyo affirmed a deepening of strategic ties with India and made it clear the dialogue was not directed against China.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/us_japan_india_trilateral.htm

A milestone for girls in Uttar Pradesh village

"Earlier, it was a dream to educate our daughters, but now it is a reality," Hasan Arif, who played a key role in establishing the school, told IANS.
"Ninety percent girls are educated here. You can't find a single home which doesn't have at least one educated woman, " the 72-year-old graduate in agriculture from Deen Dayal Upadhyay University in Gorakhpur added.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/20.12.2011/milestone_fr_up_girls.htm

Malaysia Islamic TV show crowns best woman preacher

A Malaysian Muslim woman was crowned the best preacher in a televised Islamic reality TV show that aims to change conservative mindsets on the role of women in Muslim societies, passing tests on lecturing as well as renovating mosques.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/best_woman_preacher_of_malasia.htm

Kashmir Police register case for text book depiction of cops as 'cruel'

In one of its vernacular text books titled 'Baharistan-e-Urdu', which is part of the prescribed course, the state education board has described a person in uniform with a bamboo stick as 'cruel'.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/kashmir_police_on_text_book.htm

NGO challenges government's order on nursery admissions

The Delhi government order allowing unaided private schools to go ahead with the admission of toddlers aged three years and above in pre-school (nursery) class was Monday challenged in court by an NGO, which said it was against an earlier court judgment.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/ngos_on_nursery_admission.htm

Centre returns Mayawati's proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh

The central government Monday returned the proposal for division of Uttar Pradesh into four states as passed by the state assembly last month and sought clarifications on proposed capitals, boundaries and the debt burden involved.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/centre_returned_up_division_form.htm

Six get life term for Bangalore terror attack

Six people, suspected to be members of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, were Monday sentenced to life imprisonment by a Karnataka court for a terror attack at the prestigious Indian Institute of Science here in 2005 that killed a retired professor.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/six_get_life_term_fr_bang_attack.htm

Adopt Andhra model of reservations: Muslim leaders

A national conference of Muslim scholars and Islamic organisations here Monday demanded reservations for the community on the lines of Andhra Pradesh, which earmarks nearly 5 percent of seats in government educational institutions and jobs for the group.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/muslim_leaders-on_quota.htm

Indian lawmakers condemn Gita 'insult' in Russia

Parliamentarians across the political spectrum Monday condemned what they called an "insult" to the Bhagvad Gita after a member pointed to an IANS report that the ancient Indian treatise was facing the prospect of being branded as "extremist" literature and banned in Russia.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/indian_parl_on_gita_ban.htm

56,383 cases pending in Supreme Court

Inadequate number of judges and delay in filling vacancies were among the various reasons responsible for the large number of pending cases in courts, including 56,383 cases in the Supreme Court, Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid said Monday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/pending_cases_b4_sc.htm

Saudi prince buys into Twitter

The Prince already owns a seven percent stake in News Corporation, a "sizeable share" of Citigroup, and is understood to be starting his own cable news channel.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/saudi_prince_buys_into_twitter.htm

Probe into duping of aspiring Haj pilgrims

The owner of a travel agency in Srinagar who duped aspiring pilgrims for this year's Haj to Saudi Arabia has been arrested.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/probe_into_duping_of_kash_hajis.htm

Hindus make last bid to save Bhagavad Gita from ban in Russia

In a last ditch effort to save Bhagavad Gita from a ban, as reported first by IANS, aghast Hindus in Russia appealed to the Siberian court to seek the views of the nation's human rights panel on the religious text and preachings, before pronouncing its verdict.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/hindus_on_gita_ban-in_russia.htm

Kim's death: Will India-North Korea ties improve?

India is closely watching developments in North Korea following the death of its longtime leader Kim Jong-il, which could improve New Delhi's ties with the reclusive country whose nuclear programme and its export of missile technology to Pakistan have been a cause of much concern here.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/india_nrt_korea_relations.htm

India-Pakistan ties: A year of building trust

"Trust, but verify." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's watchword on re-engaging Pakistan found traction in 2011 and saw the troubled post-26/11 ties turning a corner, with the leaders of both countries resolving to write "a new chapter" in bilateral relations.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/2011_yr_of_bldg_trust_fr_ind_pak.htm

Bits of adversity toughen you up like steel

Serious events, like the death of a child or parent, a natural disaster, being physically attacked, experiencing sexual abuse, or being forcibly separated from your family, can cause psychological problems, according to a Buffalo statement.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/how_to_b_tough.htm

Popular toys could damage hearing of children

Otolaryngology (dealing with the ear, nose and throat) researchers from the University of California Irvine, tested 10 of the loudest toys available in stores and found that they exceed 90 deciBels and several reached 100 or more deciBels.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/toys_on_hearing.htm

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Parliament ruckus over Bhagvad Gita facing ban in Russia

Angry MPs forced the adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 2 p.m. after Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab raised the issue in the house and asked the government to intervene immediately to ensure the religious freedom of Hindus in Russia.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/gita_ban_in_parliament.htm

Ethica Wins 'Best Islamic Finance Qualification' award

Awards were presented at the Oman Islamic Economic Forum bringing together leaders from around the globe, including keynote speaker Tun Abdullah Badawi, former Prime Minister of Malaysia.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/ethnica_wins_best_inst_award.htm

A community effort to curb suicides in Mumbai

Kumbharwada, a hamlet of potters in Mumbai's Dharavi slums, suffered from a very high rate of suicides some three decades ago. Men, women, young boys and girls or even senior citizens would just walk to the nearby railway tracks and end their lives seemingly at the slightest provocation.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/community_effort-to_curb_suicide.htm

Zardari returns to Pakistan from Dubai

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in the port city of Karachi late Sunday night having spent two weeks in Dubai for medical treatment, the Geo News reported.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/19.12.2011/zardari_returns.htm

AIMPBL campaign for amendments in RTE Act, Waqf Bill begins Tuesday

A countrywide campaign by the All Indian Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPBL) to mobilise support for amendments in the existing Right to Education (RTE) Act and seeking a stronger Wakf Act is to begin from Malegaon Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/aimpbl_campaigns_begins.htm

Cabinet clears food bill, defers Lokpal approval

The union cabinet Sunday approved the draft National Food Security Bill, which seeks to provide subsidised foodgrains to over half of India's 1.2 billion population.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/cab_clears_food_bill.htm

Declining sex ratio attributed to misuse of medical technology

Demographers and development specialists Sunday identified the misuse of advanced medical technology as a major factor responsible for the decline in the sex ratio in Rajasthan and other northern states.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/sex_ratio_n_technology.htm

Ajit Singh sworn in as Civil Aviation Minister

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh was Sunday inducted into the union cabinet and given charge of the civil aviation ministry, days after his party joined the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ahead of upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/ajit_singh_aviation_min.htm

Realty industry needs regulator to promote ethical business

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (Credai) has once again brought to the centre-stage the issue of transparency by pushing it as a panacea for the negative perception about developers among policy-makers and the public.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/realty_industry_in_india.htm

Make Lokpal independent but accountable, say former officials

As India awaits the Lokpal, prominent former bureaucrats and police officials say an independent and efficient anti-graft ombudsman will be a step forward in efforts to curb corruption. But the institution should be accountable to parliament and the judiciary.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/former_officials-on_lokpal.htm

Novel device filters heavy metals from water

Lakes and water bodies contaminated with heavy metals could become a thing of the past -- thanks to a novel device that filters their traces from water.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/novel_filters.htm

A clerk who made Rs.30 crores!

The Economic Offence Wing of the Madhya Pradesh Police raided three properties belonging to Raman Dhuldhoye, who works with the Road Transport Office in Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/mp_clerk_made_crores.htm

The year of social activism in India

Shadab Fayaz, a Delhi University student who has been participating in anti-graft protests in the capital, sees "a change India is witnessing for the founding of a better and more democratic India".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/2011_the_year_of_soc_act.htm

Congress betrayed Muslims: Mayawati

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Sunday accused the Congress of betraying Muslims, saying the party had failed to check communal riots during its rule at the centre.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/mayawati_on_Cong_muslims.htm

US firms back 'Support My School' campaign in India

Several American companies and organizations have expressed interest in a unique initiative to help children in rural and semi-urban India get access to better educational facilities.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/us_firms_back_support_my_school.htm

House adjourned and with loads of time, MPs read, talk politics

How were MPs keeping themselves occupied during the wasted days of this winter session? Well, reading was by far the favourite pursuit of lawmakers, besides discussing politics, writing letters to ministers and attending social events and other functions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/parliament_winter_session.htm

Will Sonia Gandhi's food bill pass muster?

The draft National Food Security Bill, that seeks to provide rice at Rs.3, wheat at Rs.2 and coarse grains at Re.1 per kg to over half of India's 1.2 billion population, has hit a roadblock over issues of high cost and availability of grains.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/abt_food_bill.htm

Maths helps science predict hit songs

Can science predict which songs are more likely to become hits and chart busters? The process might not be all that far fetched, thanks to the latest algorithms.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/maths_help_science.htm

Women entrepreneurs shine at Dalit trade fair

Saroj was one of five women entrepreneurs at the first trade fair organised by the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) who have fought not only social prejudices but also gender bias.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/women_enterpr_at_dalit_trade_fair.htm

All US troops out of Iraq

The exit marked the completion of the US military withdrawal from country after a nine-year war that toppled former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/us_troops_out_of_iraq.htm

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Earliest Chinese version of Quran found in China

This Quran was found among old archives by researchers with the Muslim Culture Institute of Lanzhou University. It is believed to have been translated into Chinese by Sha Zhong and Ma Fulu, the two noted imams, or Muslim religious leaders and Arabic calligraphers in Lanzhou, said Ding Shiren, head of the institute.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/eariest_chinese_ve_of_quran.htm

Painting between strangeness and familiarity

In its modern version, painting is spontaneous reflection and interaction. What appears on the canvas is not preconceived or much determined by ‘real thing. The ‘real things’ are hidden in colors and shapes of imagination, they are there, but the creative artist’s projection rules over reality, that is how Ruth explains her work displayed at the art gallery in the Cholamandal artist’s village.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/painting_between_strangers_n_famil.htm

Medvedev urges United Russia to ensure Putin wins

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that the United Russia party's main task is to make Vladimir Putin a "worthy" winner of the 2012 presidential polls.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/18.12.2011/medvedev_on_putin_elections.htm

Sharjah varsity holds graduation ceremony

The University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Saturday held a graduation ceremony where 460 students were awarded degrees.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/sharjah_uv_grad_cerem.htm

Retail FDI implementation after next year's assembly polls: PM

In the back drop of corporate and foreign investors being miffed over the government suspending its decision on foreign equity in multi-brand retail, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said his government will take up implementation of this policy next year after consultations with opposition parties once elections to various assemblies are over.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/pm_on_fdi.htm

Cabinet meet likely Sunday on Lokpal, food security bills

The union cabinet is expected to meet here Sunday evening to discuss the Lokpal and the food security bills, said official sources.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/cabinet_meet_on_lokpal.htm

New tool helps detect pesticide presence in a jiffy

The tool, developed by Australian doctoral research student David Beale is based on chemiluminescence -- a highly-sensitive technique that reveals the presence of minute quantities of an organic compound.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/tool_to_detect_pesticide.htm

100 Pakistani students to study in US

Munter said this was one example of the US government's long-term commitment to the education of Pakistani students and to increasing mutual understanding between both countries.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/pak_stud_to_study_in_us.htm

Six convicted for terror attack on Indian Institute of Science

Six people, suspected to be members of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), were Saturday held guilty of the attack on the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here in 2005 that killed a retired professor.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/six_convicted_in_blast_case.htm

Delhi school kids to form human chain against junk food

Father Agnel's students have come up with this idea in the wake of the Delhi High Court's direction to the central government to initiate steps to prohibit schools from serving soft drinks and junk food in their canteens.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/human_chain_agnst_junk_food.htm

A record 12,000 step out in path of Allah after Bhopal Tableeghi Ijtima

About 12000 Muslims registered their names to voluntarily venture out around the globe leaving the comforts of their hearth and home to cajole their co-religionists to lead an upright life as shown by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Islam.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/12000_leave_frm_bhopal_ijtema.htm

Anna holds centrestage as government plays cat-and-mouse game

Before Delhi's winter froze Anna Hazare's campaign plans in the national capital, the government was very much on the backfoot, not least because the Congress shied away from the opportunity to present its case before the anti-corruption crusader during his one-day fast at Jantar Mantar.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/anna_and_upa.htm

Mayawati woos Muslims, other groups

After Brahmins and Dalits, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati is all set to woo Muslims, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas at a mega rally here Sunday, party leaders said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/mayawati_woos_muslims.htm

British kids will get failed teachers

Hundreds of new schoolteachers in Britain are going to teach pupils in their classrooms despite having struggled themselves up to 39 attempts to clear even basic literacy and numeracy tests.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/failed_teacher_fr_uk_kids.htm

Samajwadi Party to win most seats in Uttar Pradesh: Poll

STAR News-Nielsen survey, conducted in 202 constituencies of the state in November, also said that the "Rahul Gandhi factor" can make at least 24 percent non-Congress voters shift to the Congress.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/upinion_poll_on_up_elections.htm

Apex court declines order on national medical entrance test

The Supreme Court Friday declined to pass an order on the central government's plea seeking amendment of the Medical Council of India's December 2010 notification to hold a National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses from academic year 2013-14 instead of 2012-13.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/sc_on_medical_entrance.htm

Indian, Bangladeshi war heroes celebrate victory day

The launch of a "Race to Dhaka" and a pictorial book depicting the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war marked the 40th anniversary of 'Vijay Divas' as war veterans from both countries came together at the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters here.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/india_bangla_celeb_day.htm

2G case: Swamy deposes against Chidambaram

Appearing before a special CBI court here Saturday, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy deposed against Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to prove his alleged complicity in the 2G spectrum scam.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/swamy_deposed-agnst_pc.htm

Friday, December 16, 2011

Rent Wakf property at market rates: Parliamentary panel

A parliamentary panel Friday recommended amendments in the Wakf board bill to stop any sale, mortgage or transfer of Wakf properties across the country, and sought renting them out at market rates.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/rent_of_wakf_pro.htm

Working on Lokpal bill, Anna should be patient: Government

The government Friday said it will bring a strong Lokpal bill to parliament next week and asked Anna Hazare to have patience before he starts his indefinite fast Dec 27.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/17.12.2011/cong_to_anna_on_lokpal.htm

Agra student creates record for IIT Kanpur

Agra's Karan Narain, pursuing M. Tech (final year) in computer science from IIT Kanpur, has set a new record in campus placement. He has been picked up by US company Pocket Gems for an annual package of $137,000 (over Rs.73 lakh).
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/agra_boy_fr_iit_k.htm

Sri Lanka war report presented to parliament

According to BBC, around 100,000 people died in 26 years as government forces battled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighting for a separate homeland
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/sri_lanka_war_report.htm

Declare Belgaum union territory, demands Maharashtra

Adding a new dimension to the ongoing Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute, the Maharashtra assembly Friday urged the central government to declare Karnataka's Belgaum as a union territory till the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the issue.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/maharashtra_on_belgaum.htm

School with Indian kids named Britain's best

A primary school in Britain where the majority of students are of Indian and Asian origin has achieved the best exam results in the country.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/uk_school_with_indian_kids.htm

Dates for assembly polls within next few days: Quraishi

The dates for the assembly elections in Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Manipur would be decided within the "next few days", Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi said Friday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/assembly_election_dates.htm

'Deeply hurt' Chidambaram rejects conflict of interest charges

Home Minister P. Chidambaram Friday said he was "deeply hurt" and rejected the opposition charge that he had misused his office while withdrawing prosecution against a businessman he represented as a lawyer.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/chidambaram_on_charges_agnst_him.htm

Opposition mounts to Amitabh's plea on anti-Sikh riots

A move by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to get a clean chit from the Sikh clergy after his name was dragged into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is facing opposition from sections of the community.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/amitabh_n_anti_sikh_riots.htm

Arrest warrant against Mukesh Ambani by Kerala consumer court

The Thrissur consumer court Friday issued an arrest warrant against Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani for failing to adhere to its earlier ruling on a complaint by a customer of mobile phone service.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/warrant_against_ambani.htm

US institute looks for Indian partners for energy storage

"We are looking at the potential of energy storage in more rural applications. We are exploring the opportunities in terms of collaboration, particularly in energy storage technology of our energy institute and potential Indian companies who are interested," said Sanjoy Banerjee, director, Energy Institute, of the City University of New York.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/us_inst_on_energy_storage.htm

Tamil Nadu's Noorul Islam University to launch satellite

Tamil Nadu's Noorul Islam University (NIU) will soon be rigging up its own satellite and launching it too with government help, a university official said Friday. The Rs.100-crore satellite will be used for agricultural applications and also facilitate higher education.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/satellite_butn_noorul_islam_uv.htm

Contest for NRIs to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

NRI Matters, an online platform for the Indian diaspora to get advice on financial matters and share their thoughts, has again launched an event whose winners will get a chance to attend next year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/contest_fr_nris.htm

Ajit Singh to be sworn in as minister Sunday

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader Ajit Singh, who joined the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) recently, will be sworn in as a cabinet minister Sunday, officials said. He is likely to be allotted the civil aviation portfolio.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/ajit_singh_to_b_sowrn_minister.htm

Man who led Pakistan Air Force in 1965 India war dead

Malik Nur Khan, who led the Pakistan Air Force in the war against India in 1965, is dead. He was 88, a media report said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/men_who_led_pak.htm

Should Koodankulam Nuclear plant be abandoned?

The Russian built Koodankulam nuclear plant in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu is at the centre of controversy since October 2011. Thousands of villagers living around the site are blocking highways and staging protest, preventing further construction work at the nuclear plant citing safety as the reason for demanding the closure of this nuclear power plant.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/on_koodankulam_nuke_plan.htm

Chopper over Taj causes flutter, ASI files complaint

A helicopter of a private company hovered over the Taj Mahal and made several rounds of the 17th century world heritage monument Wednesday, causing alarm among conservationists. The Archaeological Survey of India has filed a formal complaint with the police.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/chopper_over_taj.htm

Doctors diagnose patients within moments of meeting

Doctors can diagnose illness and infections within moments of their meeting with a patient, say researchers in a study that could help improve diagnostic techniques.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/doctors_diagnose_patients.htm

Exposed to sunlight, cotton fabric cleans itself

Environmental researchers Mingce Long and Deyong Wu, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Hubei University for Nationalities, China, say their fabric uses a coating made from a compound of titanium dioxide, the white material used in white paint, foods and sunscreen lotions.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/cotton_fabric_cleaned.htm

'Persistence pays in wooing women'

In the mating game, no matter how many times they're rebuffed, overconfident men never give up and can ultimately be successful, say researchers.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/abt_relationship.htm

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin answered 88 questions during his annual live Q&A session, which lasted for more than four and a half hours Thursday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/16.12.2011/question_to_putin.htm

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Maulana Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadwi anointed as Bhopal Shahar Qazi

Maulana Syed Mushtaq Ali Nadwi, who was Nayab (deputy) Shahar Qazi, has been elevated and anointed to the post of Bhopal Shahar Qazi after the demise of Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Fazil Qasmi who had adorned the post till his last breath.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/new_bhopal_shahr_qazi.htm

Government plans Lokpal bill in winter session; Anna threatens agitation

The government appears all set to pass the contentious Lokpal bill in parliament's winter session, even as Anna Hazare Thursday threatened a slew of protests, including a sit in outside Sonia Gandhi's residence and an indefinite hunger strike from Dec 27 if the anti-graft law is not passed.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/govt_plan_fr_lokpal_bill.htm

Now, a social network only for women

More than 500 men submitted their emails to get access to the site, but instead received an email reading: "Hey Dude, you're a dude."
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/social_network_fr_women.htm

Bengali print media market to touch Rs.800 crore by 2015

The report published Wednesday also stated that the combined readership of the top two Bengali dailies - 'Anandabazar Patrika' and 'Bartaman' is more than five times the combined readership of the state's top two English dailies - The Telegraph and the Times of India (Kolkata).
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/bengali_print_media.htm

Britons turn to sex to pay for education

The National Union of Students said students were taking on the "dangerous" work to cope with the cost of going to university, with fees going up to 9,000 pounds from 2012.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/britons_pay_for_education.htm

Mamata assures education and training for minorities

"I do not want to hear that the minorities are not represented enough in the service sector. We will create the infrastructure for your education and training and you will have to utilise them. I want to see you in higher posts," she said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/mamata_on_edu_of_mino.htm

Clamour for Chidambaram's ouster over 'misuse' of power

Already under the scanner for alleged complicity in the 2G scam, Home Minister P. Chidambaram found himself in more trouble Thursday with the opposition pressing for his ouster following a report that he allegedly abused his power while quashing a forgery case against a former client.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/oppo_against_pc.htm

No boycott of Olympics but will protest against Dow: India

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Thursday decided not to boycott the 2012 London Olympics but it will lodge a strong protest with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over Dow Chemicals sponsoring the mega sports event.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/india_on_dow_olympics.htm

Ridiculous, Cambridge dons say when warned not to handshake Muslims

A directive sent by the admissions office has warned that some students are "culturally sensitive" to traditional greetings. It says "suitable body language" is just as welcoming
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/camridge_teachers_on_muslims.htm

Bengal hooch tragedy toll 121, victims mostly poor

One of the worst ever hooch tragedies in India continued to unfold Thursday, leaving 121 people dead and over 100 in hospitals, as more victims - mostly rickshawpullers, labourers and hawkers - reported sick after consuming hooch in a village.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/moonshine_tragedy_death_toll_rise.htm

The rise and rise of the Bhujbals

Perhaps the lady luck, first time in its history, was on the sides of Yeola. In a sudden change of mind, the local leaders shun their differences, called on Bhujbal and requested him to fight the election from the town.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/the_bhujbal_power.htm

Lokpal bill could create a 'Gaddafi': Thackeray

After targeting social activist Anna Hazare, the Shiv Sena Thursday came out strongly against the proposed Jan Lokpal bill, stating it could create a 'Gaddafi' in the country.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/thackeray_on_lokpal.htm

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Harvard decision, a welcome step says Indian American group

Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India's pluralist and tolerant ethos, has applauded Harvard University for dropping courses taught by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy over his exercise of hate-speech and demonstration of intolerance and bigotry, in an article for an Indian publication named DNA.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/indian_american_on_harvard.htm

Karnataka banks on education to end bizarre ritual

Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has struck a fine balance of preferring education to legislation to end a temple's bizarre ritual denounced as "obnoxious" and "anti-Dalit" by its opponents.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/karnataka_on_bizarre_ritual.htm

No consensus on Lokpal bill at all-party meeting

An all-party meeting called late Wednesday to evolve a consensus on the Lokpal bill ended inconclusively, as Team Anna warned it might resume its protest campaign for a strong ombudsman law on Dec 27 either in Delhi or in Mumbai.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/no_result_of_all_party_meet.htm

Moonshine kills 63 in Bengal village

At least 63 people, mostly rickshaw pullers and labourers, died and 80 others were hospitalised Wednesday after consuming spurious liquor in a West Bengal village. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the government was contemplating demolition of illegal liquor dens.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/moonshine_in_bengal.htm

`Millions of Americans are victims of attacks by partners'

An average of 24 people per minute become the victims of rape, physical violence or harassment by their partner or spouse in the US, according to a survey released Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/15.12.2011/crimes_in_us.htm

Bhopal Shahar Qazi laid to rest

With a heavy heart and tears welling up in their eyes people of Bhopal turned up in tens of thousands to bid a tearful adieu to their Qazi-e-Shahar Maulana Syed Mohammad Fazil Qasmi as his mortal remains were laid to rest in the Jahangirabad graveyard on Monday night.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/bhopal_shaher_qazi_laid_to_rest.htm

No hurried decision on Lokpal, parties told government at meet

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan said Wednesday that members of different political parties at the all-party meeting on the Lokpal bill had said that the government should not work "under extra pressure" and "no decision should be taken in a hurry" on a law for an ombudsman to fight corruption.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/all_party_meet_on_lokpal.htm

Advani's adjournment motion on black money defeated

The Lok Sabha Wednesday defeated by a voice vote the adjournment motion moved by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani on the issue of black money and the government's alleged failure to tackle it.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/advanis_motion_defeated.htm

Government keeping 782 tax evaders' names secret: Advani

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Wednesday asked the government to make public the names of over 780 Indians who have illegally stashed in foreign banks their wealth amounting to an estimated Rs.25 lakh crore.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/advani_on_black_money.htm

8,455 SCs, STs, OBCs in IAS, IPS, IFS

The number of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes directly recruited to the IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service was 8,455, parliament was told Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/backward_officers.htm

Civic polls: Hazare stir has few takers in home district

Anna Hazare's nationwide anti-corruption campaign notwithstanding, people from his home district have voted largely in favour of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party in the civic body elections, the final results of which were declared here Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/no_hazare_effect_on_civic_polls.htm

Rupee hits new low for third straight session

The Indian rupee fell to a record low Wednesday at 53.88 to a dollar on increased demand for the US currency from importers and gloomy outlook for the global economy owing mainly to the debt crisis in eurozone.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/rupee_hits_new_low.htm

Government to bring white paper on black money: Pranab

Stating the government would bring out a white paper on the issue of black money, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Wednesday dismissed reports that an MP was among the rich Indians with black money stashed away abroad.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/white_paper_on_black_money.htm

No mention of stay on EC meeting in Delhi HC order, AMU clarifies

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) December 14 clarified that the Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Union of India, CBI, Ministry of HRD and UGC asking their replies to be filed within four weeks. It however do not mention any stay on the Executive Council (EC) meeting.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/amu_on_delhi_hc_order.htm

AMU grants recognition to courses of seven Madaris

On the specific recommendation of the Visiting team, the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis has approved the recognition of the courses of seven Madrasas as equivalent to the courses of this University for the purpose of admissions to BA, MA, B. Theology and M. Theology courses for a period of five years.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/amu_grants_madrasa.htm

India cannot afford to fight civil war over water: Kalam

India cannot afford to fight a civil war over water, former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said Wednesday. Rivers should be nationalised and there should be a National Water Grid, he opined.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/kalam_on_dr_water.htm

Don't participate in London Olympics: Aslam Sher Khan

India should not participate in the London Olympics-2012 if Dow Chemicals was retained as the event's sponsor, newly elected Olympian Association of India (OAI) president Aslam Sher Khan said Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/aslam_khan_on_london_olympic.htm

Congress to NDA: Declare you have no illegal assets in India

The Congress Wednesday asked members of the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) combine to declare that they have no illegal assets in India after in a similar declaration they pledged they had no illegal wealth in foreign banks.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/cong_to_nda_on_black_money.htm

Raise alcohol prices to save lives: British doctors

"There is a wealth of evidence to show a direct correlation between alcohol affordability and levels of harm," the letter said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/londion_on_wine_prices.htm

Government's loan waiver to benefit 300,000 weavers

Nearly 300,000 handloom weavers and 15,000 weavers' cooperatives across India are likely to benefit under a new scheme - including a loan waiver - to restructure the handloom sector, the government said Wednesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/loan_waiver_fr_weavers.htm

Not correct to blame police: Chidambaram on illegal detention

Replying to supplementaries to a question in the Rajya Sabha amid protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party against him, Chidambaram said detailed guidelines were laid down by the central government in 2008 on communal harmony.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/chidambaram_on_india.htm

NASA's Mars rover begins research in space

NASA's car-sized Curiosity rover has begun monitoring space radiation during its eight-month trip from the Earth to Mars, the US space agency announced Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/nasas_mars_rover_mission.htm

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

MP doubles honorarium of anganwadi workers, assistants

In all, 78,929 Anganwadi workers and same number of assistants are working in the state. The State Government will bear additional burden of Rs. 22 crore 39 lakh 71,000 due to increase in the honorarium.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/anganwadi_workers_in_mp.htm

Republican House defies Obama, White House threatens veto

Defying President Barack Obama, the Republican controlled House of Representatives passed a plan to extend the payroll tax cut linking it to approval of an oil pipeline. But the White House threatened to veto it.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/republical_house_defies_obama.htm

Researchers transmit record 186 GB data per second

The rate is equivalent to moving two million gigabytes per day, fast enough to transfer nearly 100,000 full Blu-ray discs - each with a complete movie and all the extras - in a day.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/record_data_transfer.htm

IIT Bombay's Mood Indigo festival goes global

Teams from Indonesia, Turkey, Spain and Poland will participate in this year's Mood Indigo Worldfest, making Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay the only Indian campus to invite and host foreign groups to what is now seen as a world-class festival.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/iit_mumbai_festival.htm

US clarifies: No cut in aid to Pakistan yet

In a bid to mollify a key ally, the United States has clarified that it has not cut aid to Pakistan and a proposed legislation only links it to checking the spread of home made bombs.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/us_on_pak_aid.htm

China to track kitchen wastes

Chinese authorities plan to track kitchen waste from restaurants to stop the illegal supply of gutter oil -- old cooking oil collected from the gutters.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/china_to_track_kitchen_waste.htm

Low self-esteem makes you enjoy misfortune of others

Blame your low self-esteem for gloating when someone slips and falls or spills coffee down his or her shirt, suggest scientists from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/low_self_esteem.htm

Samajwadi Party leader expelled for protests against Rahul Gandhi

Samajwadi Party general secretary Akhilesh Yadav Tuesday expelled a party leader for indulging in vandalism and showing black flags to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Aligarh.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/14.12.2011/sp_leader_expelled.htm

Cabinet approves National Electricity Fund

The cabinet Tuesday approved the creation of a National Electricity Fund (NEF) to provide interest subsidy of Rs.8,466 crore for electricity distribution projects for a period of 14 years.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/electri_fund_sanctioned.htm

Congress faces opposition from allies over crucial decisions

Already battling opposition attacks over the price rise and its handling of corruption scandals, the Congress-led government has been buffeted by some of its own allies on key policy decisions including foreign equity in multi-brand retail and the food security bill.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/cong_faces_frm_allies.htm

Government okays key anti-graft bills to counter Anna threat

Pushed into a corner by an aggressive opposition and the looming threat of Anna Hazare, the government Tuesday okayed a slew of anti-graft bills to tackle corruption at high places, including in the judiciary.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/anti_graft_bills_cleared.htm

US scientist constitutes award for AMU students

Dr. Sultana N. Nahar of the Ohio State University, USA today presented two awards with a cash prize of $150 to each best Muslim students with highest scores in the final year of B. Sc.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/us_scientist_to_amu_stu.htm

Aslam Sher Khan elected president of Olympian Association

The Olympian Association of India has been formed here with hockey Olympian Aslam Sher Khan elected as president while Randhir Singh, secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association, will be the chief patron.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/aslam_sher_khan_olympci_head.htm

Maharashtra BJP legislators burn paddy in assembly, one suspended

Uproarious scenes continued in the Maharashtra assembly for the second consecutive day Tuesday with some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators burning paddy inside the legislature premises, leading to their suspension for an year.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/maha_bjp_mla_suspended.htm

The Bhujbals triumph

However, despite the loss of Sinnar Civic Body, the strong show by the Bhujbals in four out of the six municipal councils which went to polls in the first round of the elections in Maharashtra is enough to suggest that all efforts by the Bhujbal detractors to reduce their clout in the Nashik district have failed and the Bhujbals have only emerged stronger after the poll results.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/bhujbals_triumphant.htm

Apex court gives bail to suspended Gujarat bureaucrat

The Supreme Court Tuesday granted bail to suspended Gujarat Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Pradip Sharma, who is in jail for alleged involvement in a land scam.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/guj_ias_in_corruption.htm

Kerala University cancels PhD registration of Achuthanandan's son

The sub-committee, which looked into the registration papers of Kumar following a direction from the Kerala High Court, found that he did not have the mandatory qualifications to apply for a PhD.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/kerala_uv_on_achutananad_son.htm

20 charged for arson during 2010 Kashmir unrest

Jammu and Kashmir Police Tuesday formally charged 20 persons for setting ablaze public property worth crores of rupees in the north Kashmir town of Tangmarg during last year's summer unrest.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/20_kashmiris_charged_fr_arson.htm

Israel seeks closer education, tech ties with India

Israel Tuesday pitched for greater collaboration with India in fields of education, technology and academic research.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/israel_india_edu_plan.htm

Downed US drone is Iran's property: Minister

Iran Tuesday dismissed a request from the US that Tehran return a spy drone that crashed in the country, saying the aircraft was now the "property of the Islamic republic" and that it would decide what to do in this regard.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/iran_on_us_drone.htm

Notice to government on plea against Aligarh varsity head

The Delhi High Court Tuesday issued notice to the central government on a plea alleging non-enforcement of the government's order restraining Aligarh Muslim university Vice Chancellor P.K. Abdul Azis from taking policy decisions after a CBI inquiry was ordered against him for alleged financial lapses.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/notice_to_govt_on_amu_vc.htm

India to screen entire population for cancer, heart ailment

India will be the only country in the world to screen its entire 125 crore population for prevention of cancer and some other non-communicable diseases in the next five years, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told the Rajya Sabha Tuesday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/india_on_cancer_n_heart_ailment.htm

Salman Khurshid: Effective communicator in difficult times

"He is doing a very good job... He is able to put across the government's point of view effectively," said Mridula Mukherjee, history professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/about_salman_khurshid.htm

Monday, December 12, 2011

Rupee plunges to another all-time low

The slide in the Indian rupee continued Tuesday, dropping to another all-time low at 53.21 per dollar intra-day due to fears over a slowdown in the domestic economy and cascading effect of the sovereign debt crisis in Eurozone.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/rupee_hits_to_new_low.htm

No excuse for Muslims for not having a strong media: Aslam

A New Delhi based journalist during an International Islamic Media Conference inaugurated in Jakarta December 12 said that there was no reason why Muslims should not have a strong media.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/indian_jounro_at_media_meet.htm

Data, not voice, will now drive telecom growth: Report

Value-added services like mobile banking will drive the growth of India's booming telecom sector in the next phase, with the market for such offerings set to rise four-fold to Rs.482 billion ($9.64 billion) by 2015, says a new report.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/data_nt_voice-in_tele_growth.htm

Capital's centenary: A walk down the Kingsway Camp

The foundation of the new city was laid Dec 15, 1911 - three days after the coronation durbar. The capital was named New Delhi in 1927 and was formally inaugurated Feb 13, 1931. The biggest change that the grand coronation durbar of Dec 12, 1911 brought in to the city "was the decline of the old city of Shahjahanabad".
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/capitals_centenary.htm

KBC winner awaits Rs.5 crore, Big B says cheque ready

Bihar's Sushil Kumar, who made headlines when he became the first contestant to win Rs.5 crore on "Kaun Banega Crorepati 5", hasn't received his prize money yet. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, host of the show, says the former's cheque is ready, but he wants it at the CNN-IBN Award ceremony.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/kbc_winner_waits_fr_check.htm

Jobless man hurls shoes at Iranian president

An unemployed Iranian threw shoes at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Monday during a ceremony in Mazandaran province, Xinhua reported citing the local Mehr news agency. The shoes, however, did not hit Ahmadinejad.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/13.12.2011/jobless_irani_hurl_shoes.htm

Congress leads in Maharashtra civic polls' first round

The Congress emerged the front runner in the results declared for 132 municipal councils in the first round of local bodies' elections in Maharashtra, party leaders said Monday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/civic_elections_in_maharashtra_frst_rnd.htm

Rajasthan riots: 13 accused sent to two-day CBI custody

Thirteen people arrested in connection with the violence in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district in September were remanded to two-day Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody by a court here Monday, an official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/accused_in_rajasthan_riots.htm

Pro-Kremlin 'response rally' draws 25,000 in Moscow

More than 25,000 supporters of President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gathered outside the Kremlin Monday in response to the biggest opposition demonstration in Moscow in years, police said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/pro_kremlin_res_rally.htm

Apex court seeks clarification on Lokpal, Lokayukta powers

The Supreme Court Monday sought a clarification from the central and state governments on whether a Lokpal at the centre or the Lokayukta in the states would have a bearing on implementing its directions on police reforms.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/sc_on_lokpal.htm

Farmers' issues rock Maharashtra assembly

Uproarious scenes were witnessed when Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan was scheduled to move a condolence resolution as opposition members demanded a discussion on the issues of farmers in the state seeking Rs.6,000 minimum support price for their produce.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/farmer_issue_rock_maha_assembly.htm

Samajwadi Party MP Rasheed Masood joins Congress

Samajwadi Party MP Rasheed Masood Monday joined the Congress, giving the party another boost in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/rasheed_masood_joins_cong.htm

New malware could knock out antivirus systems

A dangerous new breed of malware or malicious software could knock out computer security systems, leaving them exposed to cyber attacks or hostile governments, warn researchers.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/new-malware-fr-anti-virus.htm

AMU students' union election results declared

Syed Sharique Ahmad, a BA (final year) student, has been elected president of the Aligarh Muslim University Students Union (AMUSU), an official said Sunday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/amu_student_union_poll_result.htm

'PM, Group C employees may be brought under Lokpal ambit'

Keen to silence criticism by the opposition and Team Anna over Lokpal, the government may accept the demand for including the prime minister within its ambit with some conditions, as also group C employees, Congress sources said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/pm_grp_c_in_lokpal.htm

Government to free diesel, LPG prices after weighing impact

The government would deregulate diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices only after considering their impact on the weaker sections of the society, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas R.P.N. Singh said Monday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/govt_on_lpg_diisel_prices.htm

Chidambaram's junior tables bill to avoid opposition protest

Facing an opposition boycott in parliament over his alleged role in the 2G scam, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday avoided a major confrontation in the house when he let his junior minister introduce a bill in the Lok Sabha that was originally listed in his name.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/pc_jnr_present_bill.htm

Jobless gold-medallist Pakistani kills self

A gold-medallist Pakistani veterinarian committed suicide after failing to get a job in the past two years, his family said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/c.htm

US set fire to equipment before leaving Pakistan airbase

US personnel set fire to all their redundant equipment before vacating Pakistan's Shamsi airbase that had been used to launch drone attacks, an official said.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/us_set_fire_equip.htm

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Four new Institutes of Design on card

Industry and traditional design are closing ranks in India, with plans to set up four new National Institutes of Design (NIDs) to meet the growing need for industrial designers, especially at the regional level.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/nids_on_card.htm

Kolkata Fire: AMRI directors grilled, toll now 93

Police Sunday grilled the six arrested AMRI hospital directors as the death toll in Friday's fire at the high-cost medical facility in south Kolkata went up to 93. Protests against the hospital authorities and candlelight vigils for the dead continued for the second day.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/amri_directors_grilled.htm

Indian sociology is distinguished: Ansari

Indian sociology is distinguished by its grounding in Indian reality and the diversity in its scope of research, Vice President Hamid Ansari said here Sunday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/ansari_on_indian_sociology.htm

Kashmir minister escapes bid on life, cop killed

Jammu and Kashmir Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar Sunday escaped a bid on his life when separatist guerrillas attacked him in Srinagar. One of the minister's security guards was killed in the attack.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/12.12.2011/kashmir_min_esc_bid_on_life.htm

Post row over Tytlar nomination, Jauhar Award conferred on six

After much protest, the 23rd Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award was given to six people Saturday late evening in a function here at India Islamic Culture Centre. The awards were given for outstanding contribution in the field of social service, journalism and literature. The awards are annually given by Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Academy based in New Delhi.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/11.12.2011/jauhar_award_confrd.htm

Man's scent can reveal if he has STD

Feeling indecisive whether to marry a man with body odour? You may benefit from a Russian scientist, who can tell from man's body smell if he has a sexually-transmitted disease (STD).
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/11.12.2011/mans_scent_on_std.htm

Rahul's Bundelkhand package hits the bumpy road

Concerned over the poor 11 percent fund utilisation of the Rahul Gandhi-driven Bundelkhand package worth Rs.7,000 crore, the central government will review its performance Monday.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/11.12.2011/rahuls_bundelkhand_package.htm

Sukhbir Badal's 25-year-rule: resolve or pipedream?

At every rally he addresses in the run-up to the Punjab assembly elections, Shiromani Akali Dal president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal raises the slogan "Raj karaange - Pachi Saal (We will rule for 25 years)", to loud cheers from Akali Dal supporters.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/11.12.2011/badals_25_yr_rule.htm