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STUdent aGE
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 115

India has right to build infrastructure on its border

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Good fences make good neighbors

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Chidambaram: Special category status for Bihar after change in criteria

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Pakistan Creates History One Civil Govt. Follows Another,Nawaz Gets The Chair
BLOODY ELECTION DAY
Pakistan's Taliban, which is close to al Qaeda, has killed more than 125 people in election-related violence since April. The group, which is fighting to topple the U.S.-backed government, regards the election as un-Islamic. More bloodshed marred election day. A bomb attack on the office of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Karachi killed 11 people and wounded about 40. In Baluchistan, four died in a gunbattle and, in another incident, Contd. on page 2 crumbling infrastructure in the nuclear-armed country of 180 million people. One of the first likely tasks will be to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund for a multi-billion-dollar bailout. Sharif's strong performance appeared to have dealt a blow to the Pakistan People's Party

Limping Democracy Touches Finish Line?

India has right to build infrastructure on its border: Antony

PANAJI: Defence Minister A K Antony said on Saturday that India has a right to build infrastructure on it its border to shore up its capabilities. Anthony added that the army and air force will continue to buld their capabilities as India has a right to defend its border. Days after the standoff with China over intrusion in Ladakh, India today defended its right to build border infrastructure and said Army and Air Force will continue to shore up their capabilities "on our own land". "Each country has a right to build border infrastructure in their own land. If China has a right to develop infrastructure, India also has a right. Over the years, the building of infrastructure has been going on," defence minister A K Antonytold reporters. The 21-day stand-off in Daulat Beg Oldi sector had ended on May 5 after the two sides agreed to pull back their troops to their earlier

VOTING RECORDS
An election commission spokesman said they hoped for a turnout of 60-80%. In 2008 it was 44%. No official results have yet been released, but unofficial partial results suggested that Mr Sharif's party was ahead in more than 100 of the 272 directly elected parliamentary seats. However, it is not clear if they will be able to win a simple majority of 136 seats. In a speech at his party headquarters in the north-eastern city of Lahore, Mr Sharif said that the Muslim League (PML-N) Contd. on page 2 (PPP), which led the government for the last five years. Nearly five hours after polling stations closed, it could count on only 20 seats going in its favour.KHAN BREAKTHROUGH The party of cricketer-turnedpolitician Imran Khan, whose popularity among urban youth has Contd. on page 2

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif, seeking to become prime minister for a third time, appeared way ahead of his rivals in Saturday's general election, according to a partial count of votes cast. The election, in which 86 million people were eligible to vote, will bring the first transition between civilian governments in a country that

has been ruled by the military for more than half of its turbulent history. Despite pre-election violence and attacks on Saturday which killed at least 17 people, millions turned out to cast their ballot. The partial count showed that, so far, Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) was almost certain to win 40 of the 272 National

Assembly seats that were contested. "Let the election results come and you will see that we will have enough votes to form the government with a simple majority. It's already quite clear," said Rana Sanaullah, a PML-N leader. Whoever wins the vote will have to contend with Taliban militancy, endemic corruption, chronic power cuts and

positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Reports have suggested that it was only after India agreed to dismantle its positions in Chumar area in Ladakh that the Chinese side agreed to withdraw its troops from Depsang valley in Daulat Beg Oldi sector there. But external affairs minister Salman Khurshid had said that "no deal" was struck for ending the stand-off in Ladakh. The Chinese side had contended that infrastructure activities being carried out by

them on their side were developmental in nature. "The Army and Air Force have been increasing their capabilities (along the border) and they will continue doing that on our own land," Antony said. Asked whether India has begun dismantling its bunkers in Chumar sector, he said, "The general discussions on the topic are over. The implementation part has to be done by commanders of both the armies on ground." The Defence Minister insisted that Contd. on page 2

JAMMU: 1,699 seats from Haj Committee of India (HCI) have been granted by the central government to Jammu and Kashmir, raising the total seats to 8,819 for Haj-2013. The state has received an additional Haj quota of 1,699 seats from the Haj Committee of India raising the total number of Haj seats to 8,819 for the Haj-2013, Minister for Haj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed

Haj bonanza: 1699 additional Amarnath Yatra: Police to set up Haj seats granted to J&K information booths on national highway said here today.
This year, the state Haj Committee has received 21,693 applications from aspirants, Peerzada said. Out of the total 7,120 allotted seats, 1,991 seats were allotted to reserve category A above the age group of 70, 2,512 seats to reserve category B (4th timer), while as 2,617 seats were allotted through Qurrah (lottery), he said. With an additional quota of Contd. on page 2

JAMMU: In order to facilitate the pilgrims undertaking Amarnat Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir police have set up an information-cumannouncement booth on Jammu-Srinagar National highway in Ramban district for streamlining traffic, keeping vigilance and educating drivers about traffic rules. "Police started an announcement booth at Bus Stand Ramban on the direction of higher quarters", said

Post Bansal, Ashwani: Sibal gets law, C P Joshi railways

NEW DELHI: After the resignations of tainted ministers Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar,telecom minister Kapil Sibal will get additional charge of law ministry and road and transport minister, C P Joshi the railway portfolio.Sibal and Joshi will be in charge of these portfolios in addition to their existing ministries of telecom and IT and road and transport respectively.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to President Pranab Mukherjee recommending the changes, a day after Bansal and Kumar resigned in the wake of allegations of bribery and interfering with the CBI probe in the Coalgate scam, official sources said. Joshi had earlier held temporary of railways last year after Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy resigned when his party quit the UPA coalition government. The changes in the portfolios notwithstanding, there is speculation that there could be a reshuffle of Contd. on page 2

a senior police officer. The motive of setting up this

booth is to streamline traffic and make Contd. on page 2

8Arrangements for 16-day long Kashmir Festival finalized

Div Com for coordination among concerned security in view of summer rush departments for successful event SRINAGAR: With summer Director General of State
S R I N A G A R : Arrangements for Kashmir Tourist Festival-2013 commencing from May 14 were finalized in a divisional level meeting of officers chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Shalindra Kumar here today. Mr. Kumar urged the concerned officers to ensure coordination and cooperation for the successful conduct of the 16-day long festival, adding that tourism has emerged as an important economy boosting industry in the State and stressed for exploiting the tourism potential for improving the socio-economic conditions of the people. He said that various activities including presentation of cultural programmes, exhibition of stalls by different departments to showcase the art, culture, agro based products, handicrafts and horticulture produce. Divisional Commissioner also emphasized for better traffic management and adequate car parking facilities at Zabarwan and Kashmir Haat during the festival days. Other modalities including illumination, repairs of footpaths at Zabarwan, security, traffic plan, sanitation and power supply besides availability of fire tenders were also discussed threadbare. To Contd. on page 2
rush picking on in the valley and millitants waiting in wings to cross the border, the core group of various security agencies on Saturday reviewed the security scenario in Kashmir Valley and chalked out strategy in maintaining peace during the summer season. The meeting, co-chaired by the security advisor to the government and General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash and the Police Ashok Prasad, was held at Badamibagh Cantonment and was attended by senior officers of Army, Police, CRPF, BSF, intelligence agencies and civil administration, a defence spokesman said. Steps needed by security agencies to ensure peace and harmony through the summer of 2013 were discussed at the meeting, he said. The meeting also assumed significance in view of the recent spurt Contd. on page 2

Core group on security reviews

Mr. PM, now you are in the line of fire!

r. Prime Minister, you took a long time to seek the resignation of two of your chosen Ministers, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani kumar. Both of them tainted the UPA beyond repair and more so they sullied your name too. What use it is, Mr. PM, though millions being admirers of your honesty, you failed to act, when it was needed most. Remember, Common Wealth scam. The wealth of the nation was looted as if it were common wealth of all the corrupt. They ganged up against India and nothing was heard from the PM, only stoic silence. If anybody has perfected the art of silence it in none

Kashmir is one small part of J& K

ROHIT SINGH RANA The statement of a noted scholar Muslim scholar, Dr. Zafar-ul-Islam that Indian Muslims are concerned about Kashmiris is not in good taste. It is pertinent to quote a full paragraph of his interview to a Kashmir based news agency---"He said it is baseless that Indian Muslims do not support the cause of Kashmiri people. "We raised our voice and showed concern whenever Army and other security agencies harassed people, rapped women and tortured youth. All the Muslim organizations in India expressed solidarity with Kashmir people whenever any mishappening occurred there," Dr Zafar-ul-Islam Khan added that Muslims in India don't want Kashmir to secede from India as they relate their existence with the Muslims of Kashmir. This statement needs a befitting rebuttal, as time has come to state the truth, no matter it is bitter to bear, on truth there should be no compromise. And when it comes to Kashmir, truth has always been the first causality. Right from the time when Shah Mir, a fugitive who was given asylum by the Kashmiri kings, turned upon them and through a long saga of schemes usurped the throne, Kashmir has been a bitter concoction of double speak and majority -ism. The result is for all to see. Pandits, the aborigines of Kashmir have been sent to exile, a bitter and more or less permanent one. S hias-the sufferers since the time of the martyrdom of Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain are insecure and many times, object of Sunni wrath. The Sikhs, though in miniscule minority, are concerned about their future in the valley due to regular threats and kidnappings of their women. Christians who number only 500 are told that they are converting Muslims. This is the reality of demographics and 'social peace' in today's Kashmir. To this exclusivity, the bizarre statements of Muslim scholars like Dr Zafar-ul Islam add more venom. How can Indian Muslims, according to him support only Kashmiris who are only 99.99% Muslims? Does it mean, if we go by Dr. Zafar's statement, that Indian Muslims are concerned only for fellow Muslims? If so, then something is either terribly wrong with him or there is some deep rooted problem within the Muslim psyche which compels to think only in Ghetto mentality. In both cases, scholars and Indian Muslims have to do a rethink. They are the vibrant part of Indian society and their heart must bleed for kashmiri Hindus, Sikhs and Christians as well. Such Muslim scholars and so called Ullema have to rise above petty politics and espouse the greater cause of humanity. Having said so, it is equally important to note and understand that Kashmir is a small part of Jammu and Kashmir. In the small valley of Kashmir, only a small number belonging to one sect of Muslims -the Sunnis have problem with India. They are free to go where they want. In 1990, they went in hordes to Pakistan -the land of their dreams. The government has made three routes available to them; it is their choice to choose. In Jammu province, which is bigger in area and population to Kashmir, nobody has problem with India. Ladakh is the largest and the flag of India flies proudly there too. Hence, the so called Muslim scholars like him need to sharpen their understanding of Kashmir. It is a small part of Jammu and Kashmir. The worst part of the story is that more untruths are cooked and doled out from its Bazars to the detriment of common Kashmiri and the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Is not there an urgent need to change these dubious stances, so that the truth is told without fear?

other than the Prime Minister. But in face of tremendous pressure, you had to buckle. The sacking of your trusted Ministers has raised doubts over your moral authority to hold the reins of government. The coal stain will take a long to go away, so will the CBI doctoring. The nation today, looks back to those days, when you as Finance Minister, saved the economy of the country. Today, a full twenty three years after, you stand as if the peacock has lost its feathers. Mr. Prime Minister, you have come in the line of fire. It is only up to you to redeem your prestige. RANASAHIB

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STUDENT AGE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

CONTD
He evaded a direct reply when asked if it was India's failure to prevent the Chinese army from intruding into its territory, saying, "after whatever happened between both the countries, both have decided to maintain status quo ante." Antony said negotiations were on with China on border cooperation and an officer from the Indian army had also accompanied Khurshid on his China visit.

Pakistan Creates
broken a tradition of dominance by the PML-N and PPP, appeared to be close behind in third place. Khan, Pakistan's best-known sportsman who led a playboy lifestyle in his younger days, is seen by many as a refreshing change from the dynastic politicians who long relied on a patronage system to win votes. His Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) has become a political force because of his calls for an end to corruption, a new political landscape and a halt to U.S. drone strikes against suspected militants on Pakistani soil. Khan could deprive the PML-N of a parliamentary majority, complicating Sharif's hopes of a return to power 14 years after he was ousted in a military coup, jailed and later exiled. Sharif may have to form a coalition, raising the possibility of a weak government that would struggle to bring reforms desperately needed to revive the failing economy.

Disaster preparedness skills soon be made compulsory in schools: ADC

SRINAGAR: Additional DC and CEO District Disaster Management Authority, Srinagar Nazim Zai Khan announced that life saving skills including first aid, firefighting, search & rescue shall soon be made compulsory in all schools. He was speaking at a disaster preparedness training function organised by Civil Defence at Govt. Girls Secondary School, Pandrethan, Srinagar. He stressed on the necessity to learn about safety measures required to be taken in the event of human-induced and natural disasters, especially earthquakes, as Srinagar falls in Seismic Zone-V. He urged school children to learn and spread the message of safety amongst their friends and relatives. Speaking on the occasion; SP City West, Srinagar, Dr. Sunil Gupta stressed on the need to learn such trainings. He informed the students that their help would be sought, on completion of their training, for assisting the department in management of traffic in the area, as well as during important events, like Yatra. He suggested that disaster preparedness should be incorporated as part of the syllabus of teachers training, so that they learn and disseminate the knowledge to the students. He also distributed sweets amongst the school children. Chief Education Officer

Post Bansal,
the Union Council of Ministers to fill up some vacancies caused by the DMK's exit from the government and placing new nominees in the departments being held as additional charge.

Floral tributes paid to Ashok Sodhi

JAMMU: Entire media fraternity, both electronic and print on Saturday paid floral tributes to late Ashok Sodhi, senior photojournalist of J&K state on his fifth death anniversary. Sodhi had attained martyrdom while performing his professional duties during a fierce encounter in Samba on May 11, 2008. A simple function was organised in the connection at K L Saighal Hall where family members of late Ashok Sodhi, media persons from various organisations and prominent people from different walks of life offered floral tributes to Sodhis portrait and remembered his contribution towards society as a whole and journalism in particular. Inspector General of Police, Jammu Rajesh Kumar, Director of Tourism, Jammu Soujanya Sharma and Savita Bakshi, Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Language, SSP Jammu ( additional charge) JS Johar, Heena Sodhi daughter of late Shri Ashok Sodhi, among the prominent people who paid floral tributes and recalled the services and contribution of late Ashok Sodhi in the field of journalism. They said that late Ashok Sodhi was bestowed with charismatic persona having dedication towards his profession and he left an indelible imprint behind particularly for those who have worked with them as he dedicated and scarified his life to journalism.

BLOODY ELECTION
gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire near a polling station, killing two people, police said. A separate attack on a convoy of voters killed at least four people in the restive province. But despite the violence and the searing heat, many went to the polls excited about the prospect of change. "The team that we elect today will determine whether the rot will be stemmed or whether we will slide further into the abyss," prominent lawyer Babar Sattar wrote in The News daily. Despite Pakistan's history of coups, the army stayed out of politics during the five years of the last government and threw its support behind Saturday's election. It still sets foreign and security policy and will steer the thorny relationship with Washington as NATO troops withdraw from neighbouring Afghanistan in 2014. However, some fear the military could step back in if there is a repeat of the incompetence and corruption that frustrated many Pakistanis during the last government. On top of the 272 contested seats, a further 70 - most reserved for women and members of non-Muslim minorities - are allocated to parties on the basis of their performance in the constituencies. To have a majority of the total of 342, a party would need 172 seats.

VOTING RECORDS
was sure to emerge as the largest party. Pakistan Creates History One Govt. Follows Another.

Amarnath Yatra: Police

aware the drivers and passengers about the traffic rules including menace of overloading, rush, negligence and over-speeding, which could be fatal. This step has been taken ahead of the commencement of annual Amarnath pilgrimage from June 28, 2013. The drivers plying on all the link roads and highway from Ramban Bus Stand have particularly been briefed to adhere to traffic rule and regulations to reduce the rate of accidents, he said. Moreover, shopkeepers and hawkers at the bus stand have also been advised through this police booth to inform police regarding any abandoned vehicles and goods in their area as a security measure, said the police officer. The booth will function round the clock for the convenience of the people, he added.

Srinagar Nazir Ahmed assured that teachers in each school would be taught disaster preparedness skills so that they impart the training to students. He informed that all steps including structural and non-structural measures would be taken by the department to ensure that schools are made earthquake-resistant. Earlier CD trainers Shabir Ahmed Pala, Ghulam Nabi and Mohammed Hussain imparted search and rescue training. Dy. Director Fire Mohammed Akbar gave a power point presentation about common causes of fire and its prevention. The function was attended by Joint Director Fire Services Kashmir, RT Dubey, Secretary J&K State Social Welfare Board Gazanfar Ali, Dy. Chief Warden Aamir Ali, AEE R&B 1st, Headmaster Govt Middle School,

Neelofar Jan, SHO Panthachowk Mohammed Aslam, JE EM&RE and Riyaz Hussain President Local Mohalla Committee, Pandrethan. Principal Govt. Girls Secondary School, Shahzada Ahmed Shah welcomed the guests, while Miss Anjali Raina presented vote of thanks. Jatinder Singh from Ceasefire donated two multipurpose fire extinguishers to the school, while Sartaj Parray demonstrated the use of gas safety device. The programme was facilitated by Shabir Ahmed Khan ASI(M) I/c Dy. Controller, SI(M) Nazir Ahmed, Naseer Ahmed, ASI Mohammed Afzal, Ghulam Rasool. On the occasion Fire Services and SDRF demonstrated various rescue equipments available with the department and held a mock drill, as well.

JK Governor calls for promotion of tourism

SRINAGAR: N. N. Vohra, Governor, flagged-off the 3rd Shikarathon organized by The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group at Dal Lake here this afternoon. About 100 Shikarawallas drawn from Dal, Nageen and Manasbal lakes participated in the Shikarathon. Present on the occasion were Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady; Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/Secretar y, Tourism; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; senior officers, prominent citizens and tourists. Later, speaking after giving away prizes to the first five best adjudged winners of the Shikarathon at the prize distribution function held at SKICC, the Governor observed that tourism is a very important sector of the States economy and emphasized the need for all the required measures being taken for its promotion on a well planned and sustained basis. Referring to the Shikarathon, the Governor complimented Dr. Suri for organizing this exciting competition consecutively for the past three years, which has provided an opportunity to the Shikarawallas to participate in the competition and the people, particularly the tourists, to witness this beautiful spectacle with colourfully decorated Shikaras chasing each other on the Dal Lake. The Governor interacted with the Shikarawallas and congratulated the winners and others for participating in this event. Dr. Jyotsna Suri thanked the Governor for being the Chief Guest on this occasion. A number of representatives of travel trade, Shikarawallas and prominent persons were present at the prize distribution function.

Core group
in militant activities, specially the twin strikes on police personnel during the past fortnight, which left five cops including an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) dead. While four policemen were killed in a militant attack in Haigam village of north Kashmir on April 27, the ASI was killed in an attack in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, on Friday.

Haj bonanza:
1,699, applicants from serial number 1 to 1,699 under general waiting list have been declared as provisionally selected for Haj pilgrimage, he added.

Div Com
increase the influx of tourists, adventure activities including river rafting, paragliding, e-gaming shall also be undertaken during the festival, the meeting was informed. Among others, Director General Fire and Emergency Services, Dr. G.A. Bhat, Director Handicrafts, Ms. Salma Hameed, Director Tourism, Mr. Talat Parvaiz, Director Agriculture, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Director Floriculture, Mr. Sunil Misri, Director Sericulture, Mr. Dhanbeer Singh, Director Horticulture, Mr. Sonam Narboo, Director Fisheries, R.K. Dogra, Chief Engineer R&B, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Managing Director, J&K SRTC, Mr. J.S. Tandon, General Manager, J&K SRTC, DIG Traffic, SP Headquarter Srinagar, Joint Director Tourism, Joint Director Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, Additional Secretary Culture, SP Traffic besides officers of various departments attended the meeting.

J&K SC/ST REF concern towards the policy of the J&K state
JAMMU: The all J&K SC/ST retired employees forum (REF) has expressed its deep concern towards the policy of the J&K state government regarding the recruitment of Ret and other contractual appointments wherein the reservation to the SC, ST and other reserved categories has been denied even at the time of their subsequent regularization against the regular posts, in an emergency meeting held today. Seva Dass Digra, president (AJKSCST) retired employees Forum while addressing the meeting said that the decision of the government to extend this scheme for another two years to fill the teachers regular vacancies on the pattern of Ret has badly hurt the SC / St and other reserved category communities the J&KSCST retired employees forum appeals the government to give due share of reservation to all the categories in such retirements. He also expressed its concern in the delay in the announcement of increased rent of the land occupied by the Armed forces in the J&K state. The land occupied by the armed forces belongs to the small land holders mostly of poor SC and ST communities. The rent of the occupied land is reserved after every five years and the last revision was held on 16th feb 2008; thus the present revision is due from 16th Feb 2013. The honorable Defence minister A K Antony on his visit to the state of J&K at Srinagar on 28th July 2012 has announced that the revision of rent will be made on due date i.e. 1602-2013 but till date no revision has been done. The forum appeals the concern authorities to kindly expedite the revision of the rent of the land occupied by the armed forces.

India has
India firmly believed in finding solution to disputes through diplomatic channels. "India believes in finding solution to disputes through negotiations and discussions. We have well established procedure to settle these disputes. "The stand off is over and both sides have agreed to maintain status quo ante," said Antony, who was here to commission fighter aircraft MiG 29K's Black Panther squadron at INS Hansa.

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STUDENT AGE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

STATE

3
Govt committed to empowerment of women: Dr Shehnaz
RAJOURI: MLC, Dr Shehnaz Ganai today said that the government was committed to economic and political empowerment of the women adding that they have already been given 33 percent reservation in local self governments, including Panchayati Institutions. She was speaking at an interactive session of Panches and Sarpanches of Block Sunderbani, Nowshera Kalokatote Dongi, Sunderbani of District Rajouri and later of Mendhar and Balakote of District Poonch with sectoral officers of 14 departments today.She said that today women have been given 33% reservation in halqa panchayat level and soon they will also get 33% reservation at block level Panchayti bodies, as the bill regarding the same has already been introduced in the Legislative Council by her during the recent budget session. There are various initiatives taken by the Govt for welfare of women like provision of Rs 30000/- for the marriage of BPL girls, constitution of the state mission authority for women with the mandate to work for improvement of the social and economic condition of the women. "Govt will soon come up with strong law for crime against women and one can see that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is highly concerned about the women folk and their empowerment", she asserted .She said that the was committed to give the powers to common man and establish a vibrant Panchayati Raj System in the state. She said that similarly Govt has given full powers to general public to question all government departments about their performance and functions. "A common man has been entrusted with the power to question the government on its every action or commission under the Right to Information Act and get answers to his quires", she said adding that by this initiative entire government has been brought under public scanner. By introducing the Public Service Guarantee act the Departments are supposed to provide the services to general public in a time bound manner which in itself is a big n initiative to ensure corruption free governance at grass root level, she added. She said time has come that the 3rd tier of Democracy i.e. the Panchayati Raj Institutions are strengthened more and more so that the devolution of power to the ground level is achieved in a true sense. She said that the people are the main source of power and in a democratic setup leadership lies in the hands of people and every decision has to be taken as per the aspirations of the people. She asked the officers, to develop a mindset of working in tandem with Panchayat members respecting their representative character and making them fully aware of their involvement and powers in the development process. Good quality services provided by a local authority that is transparent, accountable and responsive are legitimate citizen expectations. Local democracy is not a passing phase, but an essential component of the democratic fabric of our society, she said. A local authority that listens and caters to those in need shows that it cares about community and well-being. People want to live in areas that are secure, clean, diverse, with good educational opportunities, safe roads, adequate public transport, recreational areas for children, easy access to information, etc. "Panches and Sarpanches should not only stick to financial powers alone but exercise the powers they have been given to check the functioning of primary schools, anganwari centres, CAPD ration depots and other similar activities having direct impact on the life of people," she added. While referring to the Empowerment of Panchayats she said that these institutions have already been given the powers for monitoring of 14 departments and the need of the hour is that panches and sarpanches utilize these powers in full and help cultivate good governance at the grass roots. Rejecting the elements bent upon weakening the Panchayati Raj Institutions, she said that the nefarious designs of such elements will never succeed and the tempo of Panchayati Raj Institutions will gather momentum day by day.She stressed and asked Panchayat members to redouble their efforts in making the Panchayati Raj Institutions fruitful and significant for the benefit of the people.

Manohar listens to people's problems, reviews status of dev works in Billawar

ing water in Jaanu Mohda. Kattal people highlighted the electricity problem in SC Mohalla. Sarpanch, Kishanpur demanded additional Ration Sale Depot, early completion of machhedi and katli road, two more water tankers for the supply of drinking water, blacktopping of 2 km Murheen road and four lanning of Bus Stand to Billawar Hospital road. The Minister, while addressing the people, said that the state government with the liberal funding from centre, was making all out efforts to connect every village with the Tehsil and District headquarter for which scheme like PMGSY is already in place. He appealed the Sarpanches and Panches to keenly participate in the development of their respective areas. He called upon them to provide feedback to the District administration about the developmental requirements as it would help in better planning and resource specific development of each area. Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, passed on spot instructions to the concerned officers and asked them to redress the genuine grievances of people on priority basis. He directed PHE department to expedite the work on the Water Supply Schemes of Aglidhar, Surada, Chinji Makwal, Amaala, Bhadnota, Upper and lower Baggan, Marhueen and Najote . The PWD department was asked to pursue the process of forest clearance of different roads, while PDD functionaries were asked to install electric poles in the areas projected by the Panchs and Sarpanchs. He directed Tehsildar and Dy CEO Billawar to furnish the details of earthquake affected School building in the Tehsil. He directed AEE Groundwater to complete the repair of defunct hand pumps at the earliest. Dr Sharma also gave away Cheques of first installment among 12 beneficiaries for the construction of Rearing Sheds under Sericulture Department scheme.

KATHUA: Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and planning Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, today convened a Public Grievance Camp here at Tehsil headquarter Billawar. The camp was attended by a large number of people who apprised the Minister about their demands and problems which were mostly related to provision for safe drinking water, scheduled power supply and road connectivi-

ty to their respective areas. A deputation from Dhralta, Panchayat demanded construction of bridge on local road, two hand pumps, besides early release of wages to Job Card holders under MGNREGA. Sarpanch Uchapind demanded early completion of Pungaran PHE Scheme, Cremation Shed for the halqa and repair of Poongaran - Bhaddu road which is in depilated condition.

Similarly, Seri -Mooni, deputation demanded construction of Katli -Seri Mooni road and payment of pending wages for de-silting of irrigation canal. Marhoon Sarpanch demanded early completion of Kainta PMGSY road and two rooms for Middle School Marhoon, while Bhaddu Sarpanch apprised the minister about slow pace of construction work on Niabat building and Bhaddu Pond and scarcity of drink-

Sadhotra visits quake affected Kansar, Jagota Addresses public meetings

temporary shelter. He directed the officers to assess the damages on ground and ensure that no affected family was left out in the survey. Mr. Sadhotra said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sanctioned Rs. 25 crore for speedy restoration of public services in earthquake hit areas which have been released to the concerned D e p u t y Commission ers."Be side s three months free ration will be provided to the affected families in the region" he said and added that directions have been issued to the concerned authorities to purchase tents and finalize the damage assessment report as early as possible. He said teams constituted at Block level, tehsil level and village level are making detailed survey in the entire District. He asked the people to cooperate with the survey teams.

PDP deliveres more than it promises: Mehbooba

People of J&K have open choice in 2014 elections : Baig
SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said PDPs campaign for change does not aim only at taking the state out of anarchy and governance crisis but its main thrust is on putting Jammu & Kashmir on the course of un-interruptible path of political progress and economic development. Addressing a party workers convention at Baramulla today she said the vision evolved by the PDP was already under implementation till 2008 and it will pickup threads again from there with peoples support. On this occasion senior party leader and former deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said People of the state have now clear choice to make whether to continue with the political exploitation and misrule of NC regime or support PDP in rewriting the destiny of the state. Senior vice president of the party Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, Party General secretary Mohd Dilawar Mir, Chief Spokesperson Naeem Akhtar, Party State secretary Javaid Hassan Baig, Mohd Sharief, Bashir Ah Shah and others were also present on this occasion. Mehbooba said Jammu & Kashmir had started of a journey of hope and reconstruction which was stopped after change of guard in the government and now the situation seems to be heading for square one. She said the string of killing by unidentified gunmen , a policeman, Panchayat members and ordinary citizens is a matter of grave concern but this cannot be stopped by mere statements of outrage and condemnation. She said insecurity of lives has returned to haunt the society and NC led government has proved that while it remains in office no improvement can be expected to turn around the situation, she said the spirit and atmosphere generated by the previous government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has to be recreated. Expressing confidence that people having experienced the PDP led government and successive NC regimes, the next elections would throw up a government that is not only accountable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir but actually channelizes their aspirations and safeguards their rights. NC, she said has historically cheated the people by seeking votes on the promises of political empowerment but in practice conceding all political authority and economic assets like the power projects and J&K Bank to centre, said Mehbooba. Mehbooba said the PDP has through its actions established that it is a party that delivers more than it promises. She recalled that her party had promised to convert Kashmir into a bridge between India & Pakistan and not let it remain a permanent bone of contention between the two that has resulted in miseries for many generations. She said the policies of the government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed brought relief not only on the internal front but impacted positively the relations between India and Pakistan. Kashmir for a while looked like the epicenter of peace and it seems that the state was scripting the agenda of peace between the two countries which had remained hostile ever since independence. She said even though PDP was in alliance with congress but it could take on board the BJP led NDA also and for the first time a consensus at the national level had evolved to resolve Kashmir issue peacefully. Mehbooba said while the peace process is now shattered, even on matters of day to day life in which NC has sought votes the government has failed to deliver. She said this govt marked its beginning with the tragic and dastardly death of Asiya and Neelofar in Shopian and continued with the killing of 120 innocents including children in 2010, hundreds of infant deaths at GB Pant Hospital in 2012, secret hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru in 2013, destruction of Dastgeer sahib shrine and killing of Panchayat representatives have become the tragic milestones of this government, which has proved a deadly monster for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

BHADERWAH: To assess the damages and oversee the relief and rehabilitation measures, Minister for Planning and Development, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra today visited quake affected parts of Kansar and Jagota areas and addressed public gatherings. MLA Bhaderwah Mohammad Sharief Niaz, besides senior officers accompanied the Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the State Government is fully aware of the damages and destruction caused by the earthquake in the region and it was mobilizing resources to provide best possible relief to the affected for reconstruction/ repair of their damaged structures. He said that tents are being provided to the affected families as a

Bhalla asks parents to educate their children

4Inaugurates newly constructed block at GHS Barjala
ner of the State as a step towards universalization of education. The Minister called upon the parents to send their wards to the schools to make them enlightened citizens. He said the Government was providing free books, scholarship, mid-day meal and uniform upto eighth class to meet this end. The minister stated Centre is providing sufficient funds under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes like SSA and RMSA by which thousands of schools have been opened and upgraded in the State. Director School Education also addressed the gathering and highlighted the achievements of the department. Earlier, the Minister kick started blacktopping work on Deep Nagar Kunjwani road to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4 lakh by Road and Building Department. Meanwhile, the Minister also laid foundation stone of deep drill tube-well and kick starting blacktopping work at J&K Housing Board Flats at Bahu Apartments. The tube-well being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 80 lakh under Augmentation of Water Supply of LIC, would discharge one lakh gallon water per day. The project also include laying of the new rising main from tube-well to Nakra GSR for further supply to Gandhi Nagar area. The Minister asked the concerned officers to complete the work of the project in a shortest span of time using quality material. At the Housing Board Flats, the Minister enquired from the residents about the basic facilities available to them and said that with the start of blacktopping work in the area their long pending demand has been fulfilled. He said that Housing Board is providing well designed and developed accommodation at reasonable rates.

Wani reviews pace on dev works in Doda

4Assures adequate relief to earthquake affected people

JAMMU, MAY 11- Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, today inaugurated newly constructed additional block at Government High School Barjala. Comprising two additional classrooms, toilet blocks, Library, office accommodation, the additional block has been constructed under RMSA and completed at a cost of Rs 39 lakh. Director School Education, G. A. Qureshi, school staff and

students besides a large number of local people were present at the inaugural function. Addressing the gathering, the Minister stressed upon the parents to educate their children adding that the education was essence of the modern day life and the coming generations would be known by the level of education. The minister asserted that several measures have been initiated to improve the educational standard in the State adding that focus has been

laid on to improve the infrastructure and provide well qualified staff to ensure quality education to the students. He said much has been done in this regard through flagship schemes like SSA and RMSA but there is always scope for improvement . He said Government has framed a comprehensive plan for opening of new schools with adequate qualified staff within a distance of one-kilometer in every nook and cor-

Army to hold five day recruitment rally in Ladakh

SRINAGAR: A five-day recruitment rally in frontier region of Ladakh will be held by the Indian army from May 20 to 24 to recruit soldiers in the technical and general duty categories. Army Recruiting Office Srinagar will be holding the open recruitment rally at Nemu for Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh Region, a defence spokesman said. Screening for the candidates from Leh district will be held on May 20 while those from Kargil district will have to report the next day. Screening will be conducted for Soldier General Duty and Soldier Technical categories. The screening will include physical fitness tests, physical measurement tests, documents check and medical examination. Aspirants between age of 17 years and six months to 21 years as on May 20 and having minimum qualification of 10th class are eligible for Soldier General Duty category. Candidates in age group of 17 years six months to 23 years and having qualification of 12th with Maths, Physics, Chemistry and English are eligible for Soldier Technical category. "Candidates should be in possession of all original education certificates, domicile certificate, caste certificate and three character certificates issued by Police, School and Sarpanch or Numberdar in the last six months. Attested photostat copies of the documents and 12 passport size photographs should also be brought," the spokesman said.

Lok Adalats held at Budgam, Dooru

BUDGAM: A Lok Adalat of Motor Accident Tribunal Claim, (MATC) cases was organized by District Legal Service Committee headed by Principal District and Sessions Judge, Budgam, Mr. Shahzad Azeem along with Mr. Gowhar Majeed Dalaal, Chief Judicial Magistrate in which 19 cases were taken up out of which four have been amicably settled. An amount of Rs. 4,82,000 was awarded as compensation during the said Lok Adalat. It was further informed for the public concerned that 3day Lok Adalat is scheduled to be held in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sub Judge Budgam from May 27 to May 29, 2013. The litigants whose cases are pending in the court of Chief judicial Magistrate, Sub Judge and Munsiff, Budgam and are interested to settle their disputes shall approach the concerned court by or before May 24, 2013. Meanwhile, a Lok Adalat was also organized by Tehsil Legal Services Committee, Dooru under the Chairmanship of Chairman, Tehsil Legal Services Committee, who is also Munsiff, Dooru, in which 16 cases taken up, out of which 11 cases settled amicably on spot.

DODA: Minister for PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering Mr. Abdul Majid Wani, today said that the Government was committed to provide every possible relief and assistance to the people affected by the recent earthquake in erstwhile District Doda. He was speaking at a meeting of District and Sectoral officers convened here today to review the performance of various Departments under Annual District Plan 2012-13 and other flagship programmes / Centrally sponsored schemes. MLC Khalid Najib Sohwardy, MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta, DDC Doda Mubarak Singh, SP Doda Arif Rishu, Additional District Development Commissioner Doda Sh. G.N Balwan, Chief Planning Officer Doda Dr. Yassir Balwan, Assistant C o m m i s s i o n e r Development Doda Rakesh Kumar besides other District and Sectoral officers attended the meeting. While addressing the meeting Minister said that state government was mobilizing its own resources besides central government is also approached to provide relief to the affected people, He said preliminary survey till May 9 has been

received which showed huge damage to the public as well as government property across the region. He said tents as temporary shelter have been provided to the severely affected families whose houses have suffered severe damage and are not fit for habitation in the erstwhile District Doda. Mr. Wani directed the officers to make actual assessment of damages on ground so that all the affected/ deserving people of the District get benefited. It was revealed that 164 tents have been provided to the affected families for temporary shelter and 14 tents have been provided to Chief Education Officer, Doda for distribution in Schools. District Development Commissioner Doda Mr. Mubarak Singh presented a power point presentation on the occasion and apprised that under Annual District Plan 2012-13 against an approved outlay of Rs. 8388.21 lacs which was later revised to Rs. 7811.01 lacs an expenditure of Rs. 7774.11 lacs was incurred which works out to 99.53 percent. Besides also apprised the Minister about the measures and steps taken by the District Administration for relief and rehabilitation of earthquake affected people in the

District. During the meeting various road projects were discussed which include Thalsera- Malothi road, Senai- Khillani link road, Hanga Link road, JakyasChallar road, Assar- Thanda Pani road and Gowari Dhosa road - Girls HSS Gowari road, besides other major projects were also discussed. While reviewing the New District Hospital Doda, Minister directed JKPCC to expedite the construction work of Compound wall of the Hospital besides construct two Guard Rooms in the Hospital on priority basis. Regarding shortage of Doctors in District Hospital Doda and SDH Bhaderwah , He also said that there is immediate need to post Radiologist at District Hospital Doda and Anesthetist at SDH Bhaderwah so that ailing people don't suffer. He said the matter will be taken up the concerned department and Ministry for early posting of doctors in the District. The Minister also directed the officers to work in coordinated manner and come upto the expectations of the people and those officers who are not performing on ground shall face strict action.

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EDUCATION AGE
TOPPERS ZONE

4
Dr RV Varun Kumar: 'Tamil movie inspired me to go for IPS!'
(UPSC toppers don't need super brains)
Dr RV Varun Kumar who stood third in the UPSC examinations shares with us his success story, how he coped with failure finally managed to finally crack the examination When he was 23, Dr RV Varun Kumar watched actor Surya take on the underworld singlehandedly in Kaakha Kaakha. The 2003 Tamil movie (which is incidentally being remade with John Abraham and is titled as Force) left an indelible impression on Kumar's young mind. Around the time, he decided that he'd get into one of the uniformed services. Four years after he first watched the film, Varun Kumar has fulfilled his dream. The 27-yearold who stood third in the Union Public Service Commission examinations has checked Indian Police Service as his most preferred option. Kumar comes across as an idealistic young man eager to make a difference to the system. You had the option of opting for IFS or IAS. Why did you choose IPS? The uniform services had always fascinated me from the very beginning. The work (I would do), the discipline (associated with it) and of course the charm of government service drew me towards this profession. After BDS, I gave the Combined Defence Services examination. I passed the exam but failed in the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. I had also tried for Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) where I stood 66th. This July I was supposed to start my training. Meanwhile, the UPSC results came out. I stood third. This meant I could have opted for IFS or IAS. But I chose IPS. During my preparation for the UPSC I also keep myself abreast with the happenings in the world UPSC also lays a lot of stress on hobbies. While I was preparing for the exams I also had enough time to pursue mine -- watching world cinema and documentaries Could you share five tips for aspiring UPSC candidates? Prepare equally for your prelims, mains and interviews Perseverance is the key. If you are not serious don't appear for this examination. It can be very punishing and can dent your morale. If you fail in one attempt, start preparing for the next one. What would you say have been your biggest challenges? Managing time was a huge challenge. I had to make sure I spent the right amount of time preparing for each of the papers. There are so many books to read you cannot afford to read all of them from cover to cover. Always remember the major points that are discussed in the book. Remember you have to be a generalist and not a specialist. Finally, what issues do you think need to be addressed in the current system? Constabulary needs to be motivated because those are the people from the police force who interact with people. A motivated constabulary can make the police force more citizen-friendly. The police image must be improved by making members of the force interact with citizens. The police force must be modernized and more agile. sTo bring the perpetrators to justice there is a need for good forensics, which also need to be improved. 48 per cent pass 12th exams of State Board

Junior Engineer Examination (Civil and Electrical)

skill and over-all personality etc. Candidates called for interview/personality test, have the option to converse either in Hindi or English language during the interview process. candidates interest, knowledge, various traits, aptitude, suitability etc are probed among other things, through academic qualifications, experience, extracurricular activities, general awareness/knowledge, depth of knowledge of the subjects studied (10+2 onwards), communicative skill and over-all personality etc. Candidates called for interview/personality test, have the option to converse either in Hindi or English language during the interview process Application Procedure dard penetration test. Hydraulics: Fluid properties, hydrostatics, measurements of flow, Bernoulli's theorem and its application, flow through pipes, flow in open channels, weirs, flumes, spillways, pumps and turbines. Environmental Engineering: Quality of water, source of water supply, purification of water, distribution of water, need of sanitation, sewerage system, circular sewers, oval sewer, sewer appurtenances, surface water drainage, sewage treatments. Structural Engineering: Theory of structures: Elasticity constants, type of beams, determinate and indeterminate, bending moment and shear force diagrams of simply supported, cantilever and over hanging beams. Moment of area and moment of inertia for rect. & circular section, bending moment and shear stress for tee, channel and compound sections, chimneys, dams and retaining walls, eccentric loads, slope deflection of simply supported and cantilever beams, critical load and columns, torsion of circular section. Concrete Technology : Properties, Advantages and uses of concrete, cement aggregates quality, water cement ratio, workability, mix design, storage, batching, mixing, placement, compaction, finishing and curing of concrete, quality control of concrete, hot weather and cold weather concreting, repair and maintenance of concrete structure. 3. General Engineering (Electrical and Mechanical) Electrical Engineering Basic Electrical Engg.: Elect. Measurements, Concepts of current, voltage, resistance, power and energy, their units, Ohm's law. Circuit Law: Kirchooff's law, solution of simple network problems, Network theorems and their applications, Electro-magnetism, concept of flux, e m f, reluctance, magnetic circuits. Electro-magnetic induction, self and mutual inductance. 1-Phase and 3-phase Transformers: Principles of operation, equivalent circuit, voltage regulation, O.C. and S.C. tests, efficiency, auto transformers. Synchronous machines, generation of 3-phase e m f, armature reaction, Voltage regulation, parallel operation of two alternators, synchronizing, starting and applications of synchronous motors. 3-Phase Induction motor, rotating magnetic field, principle of operation, equivalent circuit, torquespeed characteristics, starting and speed control of 3phase induction motors, Fractional KW motors, 1phase induction motors, A.C. series motor, reluctance motor. General, Transmission and Distribution: Different types of power stations, Load factor, diversity factor, demand factor, simple problems thereon, cost of generation, interconnection of power stations. Power factor improvement, various types of tariffs, types of faults, short circuit current for symmetrical faults. Flow of Fluids: Laminar & turbulent flow, equation of continuity, Bernoulli's theorem, measurement of discharge, flow through pipes, friction losses, Forces of jet impinging on vanes, blades, work done and efficiency, classification of turbines & pumps. Thermal Engineering: Laws of thermodynamics, change in entropy in various processes; uses of steam, Properties of steam table & charts; Construction & Working of Cochran, Lancashire locomotive & Babcock & Wilcox boilers, working of steam turbine, Otto & Diesel Cycles, working of IC engines, Carburetion, Solex Carburettor. Diesel fuel, pump & injector: Cooling & lubrication. Production Engineering: Foundry- Different casting processes, concept of Patterns; types of mould making, purring defect in castings, causes & remedies, Welding-classification and types of welding, Testing and defects in welds. Lathes- working of lathe, various tools, operation on lathes, types of lathes. Drilling operations performed on drilling machines. Description, principles of working and various operations on machine tools, milling machine, shaper, grinder, boring and slotting machines. Strength of Materials: StresseSs in composite bars, relation between elastic constants, Resilience under different types of loads, SF and BM diagrams; stresses in beams-combined direct and bending stresses, Struts and columns - Euler's and Rankin's theories, Torsion of circular shafts. Theory of Machines: Simple Machines - Four bar chain, Slider crank chain, double slider crank chain, Flywheel - Turning moment diagrams. Fluctuation of energy, Friction-in collar and pivots, plate clutch, conical clutch, journal bearing. Transmission of power through flat and V-belts, Gears, profile of gears, Governors- Watt and Hartnell governors.

Introduction
Staff Selection Commission will hold an open competitive examination for recruitment to the post of Junior Engineers (Civil & Electrical) in CPWD MES and D/o Posts, a Group 'B' Non-Gazetted, NonMinisterialpost, classified as General Central Services (Technical ) Service at the specified centres mentioned in the notice. Analogous posts in other Govt. Departments/Ministries may also be filled up from this examination. The above stated posts carry All India Service Liability (AISL) i.e. the selected candidates could be asked to serve anywhere in the country. Candidates will be selected and nominated to the posts of JE(Civil)/JE(Elect) in CPWD, MES, Deptt. of Posts and other Govt. Organizations/Departments, subject to receipt of confirmed number of vacancies before the Interviews or declaration of the final results.

Application in the format prescribed in Notice, neatly typed on A-4 size paper duly filled in candidate's own hand writing must be sent by post/submitted to the concerned Regional/Sub-Regional Office only against the centre selected by the candidate. The envelope containing the application must be super scribed in bold letters as "Application for Junior Engineers (Civil & Electrical) Exam, and the name of the Centre from where the candidate intends to
Pap erSubject I a) General Awareness b) General Engineering(Civil & Structural) or General Engineering(Electrical & Mechanical) Total II General Engineering (Civil & Structural) or General Engineering(Electrical & Mechanical) 300 100 300 75 150 No. Of Questions 25 75 Marks 50 150

Eligibility
Educational Qualification: Diploma in Civil or Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from an institution recognized by Govt. of India or equivalent qualification. Nationality: A candidate must be either: (a) a citizen of India, or (b) a subject of Nepal, or (c) a subject of Bhutan, or (d) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India, before the 1st January,1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or(e) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania(Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar),Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (b), (c), (d) and (e) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India. Such candidates may be admitted to the examination provisionally but the Offer of Appointment will be issued only if the necessary eligibility certificate mentioned above, has been issued to him/her by Government of India. Age Limit: 18-27 years.

appear should be written in capital letters at left side corner of the Envelope. Candidates may also download more details and Application form from the SSC website. Syllabus The standard of the questions in Engineering subjects will be approximately on the level of Diploma in Engineering (Civil/ Electrical/ Mechanical) from a recognized Institute, Board or University and recognized by All India Board of Technical Education. All the questions will be set in SI units. 1. General Awareness: Questions will be aimed at testing the candidate's general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of everyday observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to Sport, History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Indian Constitution and Scientific Research, etc. These questions will be such that they do not require a special study of any discipline. 2. General Engineering (Civil and Structural) Civil Engineering: Building Materials: Physical and Chemical properties, classification, standard tests, uses and manufacture/quarrying of materials e.g. building stones, silicate based materials, cement (Portland), Asbestos products, Timber and Wood based Products, laminates, bituminous materials, paints, varnishes. Surveying: Principles of surveying, working of properties, compass and bearing, plane table surveying, theodolite traverse, adjustment of theodolite, levelling and contouring, curvature, refraction, permanent adjustment of dumpy level, methods of contouring and uses of a control map, tachometric survey. Soil Mechanics: Origin of soil phase diagram, definitions of void ratio, porosity, degree of saturation, water content, specific gravity of soil grains and unit weights, grain size distribution curves for different solid and their uses. Atterjerg's limits, ISI soil classification, plasticity chart, coefficient of permeability, effective stress, consolidation of soils. Calculation of shear strength of soils, direct shear test, vane shear test, triaxial test, soil compaction, Lab compaction, Lab compaction test, moisture content and bearing capacity of soils, plate load test, stan-

Examination & Selection

Scheme of Examination The examination will be conducted in two parts: A. Written Test (500 marks) B. Interview (100 marks) Written Test: It will consist of two papers. Note: (i) Paper I will be Objective type multiple choice. (ii) Paper II will be of conventional type. (iii) Paper I and II will be bi-lingual (i.e. in Hindi and English). Candidates will have option to answer Paper II either in Hindi or in English language. (iv) Paper II will be evaluated in respect of only those candidates who qualify in Paper I at the minimum standard which may be decided by the Commission at its discretion. (v) Only those candidates who attain minimum qualifying standard in Part-I of the Examination, as may be fixed by the Commission in their discretion, will be eligible to be called for Personality Test/Interview. B.Personality Test (Interview): The interview/personality test is structured in such a manner that the candidates interest, knowledge, various traits, aptitude, suitability etc are probed among other things, through academic qualifications, experience, extra-curricular activities, general awareness/knowledge, depth of knowledge of the subjects studied (10+2 onwards), communicative

came across a book called The Indian Police: A Critical Evaluation by Arvind Verma a former IPS officer and I was inspired to join the police service. This has been a dream come true. So would you say the movie and the book have been your inspiration? Certainly! But I don't watch a lot of cricket but I look up to Sachin a lot. Sachin Tendulkar -- the man more than the cricketer -- has inspired me hugely. The way he has managed to sustain himself under so much pressure, stay on the top of the game and lead by example is truly inspirational. Is this your first attempt? No. This is my third. I first appeared for UPSC exams in 2008 and didn't get past the prelims. The next year, although I did clear the prelims I didn't appear for the Mains. A lot of people told me that was a foolish thing to do. I risked losing out in the interview round the next year if I managed to get past the Mains. The reason I didn't appear for the Mains was because I knew I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked to be. How did you go about preparing for the exams? My preparations were not exactly conventional. Usually a lot of candidates attend classes for current affairs (and try to follow a given formula). What I did was besides reading newspapers and magazines to

48 per cent pass 12th exams of State Board

Boys excel in Science as girls' domination continue in other streams
JAMMU: Boys have made their presence felt in Science while girls continue to dominate in other three streams of Arts, Commerce and Home Science in the Higher Secondary Part-II examinations, the results of which shall be declared by the J&K State Board of School Education. There was a slight improvement in the overall pass percentage with 48 per cent successful students out of a total of 28574 candidates appeared in this annual examination. These 40 positions in the merit lists of four different streams have been shared by 60 students, including 19 boys. In Science stream, boys have an upper hand with 13 out of 23 positions including the top rank. However, in Home Science, all 10 positions have been shared by 11 girl students. However, in Science, first two positions have been secured by boys with Akhil Bhau of SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu clinching the top rank obtaining 97.8 (489) per cent marks. Second position went to Deepak Sharma of Nav Adarsh Higher Secondary School, Kathua with 97.6 (488) per cent marks. Third position in Science stream has been shared by Charul Khajuria (GHSS Mankote, Kathua) and Lakshay Mahajan (Adarsh Vidya

Indian wonder kid Ritankar Das is the JNU, DU English departments among world's top 100 youngest Berkley topper in a century
Department of Bioengineering - to earn the honour, which includes a $2,500 scholarship. After graduation, Das, who is fluent in Bengali and Hindi, and conversational in Spanish, will head to Oxford University to pursue a master's degree in biomedical engineering with a fully funded Whitaker Fellowship. He will then continue his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he has been admitted to the chemistry PhD programme. Das's academic and community service achievements have earned him more than 40 awards totaling more than $300,000.These include prestigious Goldwater, Udall and Pearson scholarships, as well as a graduate research fellowship NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University's Center of English Studies has once again been ranked amidst the top 100 English departments in the world by prestigious QS World University Rankings 2013. The University of Oxford tops the list followed by Cambridge, and Harvard University. JNU comes in the 51-100 rank categories. "This is no mean achievement, and we are all justifiably very proud and very happy at the Centre. However, we are humbled too at this consistent recognition that our Centre has been getting internationally, and we hope to work even harder and attain even higher global recognition," said a statement from the Centre for English Studies. from the National Science Foundation. Off campus, Das serves on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, which awards $5 million annually to service-learning projects. He also analyzed entries for the Presidential Green Chemistry Award at the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC. Das credits much of his success to dedicated parents and teachers who propelled him forward. "I had parents and teachers who invested in my education early on," said Das."Without that help, I don't think I would have succeeded through the education system. I think a lot of students deserve that opportunity and don't always get it."

WASHINGTON: Kolkataborn Ritankar Das, a bioengineering and chemical biology double major at the University of California at Berkeley, has become the youngest student to receive the University Medal in more than a century. The medal is given to the year's top graduating senior. Das, who began his freshman term when he was 15, will be graduating

with more than 200 credits and a GPA of 3.99, which includes eight A+ marks, in three years, according to the university news centre. He will receive the medal and give a speech at C o m m e n c e m e n t Convocation on May 18. Das, 18, is also the first student from the College of Chemistry in 58 years - and the first ever from the

Conference to dwell on challenges Muslims face in education

MUMBAI: Over 2,000 delegates from Maharashtra and other parts of the country will deliberate on the educational challenges confronting the Muslim community at a two-day conference here May 29-30, an official said on Saturday. Vice President Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the "Conference on Educational Challenges in the Muslim Community" at the Mumbai University's Kalina Campus, said Maulana Azad Vichar Manch president Husain Dalwai, a Rajya Sabha Member. "The recommendations of the Sachar Committee have been welcomed by the community, but dissemination and on-the-ground implementation have thrown up many challenges," Dalwai said. Calling for "active and persistent" co-operation between the government and the activists of the community, Dalwai said that facilitation of this co-operation needs detailed interpretation of the Sachar Committee recommendations. There should be a regular debate and discourse on the issues, and most importantly, a process for network formation for implementation of the recommendations, he urged. The MAVM's proposed twoday conference will be a step in this direction where the delegates, comprising academicians and community activists, share their expertise and experience. Among the topics that the Muslim community grapples with that will be addressed at the conference are: Perspectives to Muslim education, communalism as an impediment to Muslim education, vocational and technical education for Muslim youth, strategies for education of Muslim girls, utilizing Wakf funds for educating the community, challenges before Muslim educational institutions, financial challenges for promoting education in the community and specific issues before Muslim Dalits and Other Backward Classes, with possible solutions.

Peeth HSS Samba) securing 96.6 (483) per cent marks. In Commerce, first ten positions have been shared by 13 students, including 10 girls. Rahul Kumar (Sir Abraham Lincon Embark Garrison HSS Bishnah) and Sehar Zulfiquar (SP Higher Secondary, Jammu) shared the top rank with 93.6 (468) per cent marks. Swati Gupta of Indira Public HSS Janipur, Jammu bagged second position obtaining 93.2 (466) per cent marks while third spot went in favour of Akash Sharma of SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu with 93 (465) per cent marks. Sarish Gupta of Government HSS Nagrota Gujroo top in Arts stream securing 89.8 (449) per cent marks. In this stream ten ranks have been shared by 14 students,

including 10 girls. Second position has been shared by Rasmeet Kour of GHSS Mubarak Mandi and Vikas Chalotra of GHSS Allah in Bishnah with 88.8 (444) per cent marks. Amandeep Singh of RN Tagore HSS Nanak Nagar and Celesty Angral of Government Boys HSS Gole Gujral also shared the third spot securing 89.8 (439) per cent marks. Top 10 positions in all women stream of Home Science have been shared by 11 students. Noureen of GHSS Mubaram Mandi has securing the top rank getting 84.4 (422) per cent marks. Shriya Tikku of GHSS Mubarak Mandi (416) and Sheikha Mahajan of GHSS Shastri Nagar (410) clinched second and third position respectively.

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EDITORIAL

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when ever be hear and American has been killed the world at once feels that one American's death would a pave a way to the battle field and this has been done by the Americans to put fear among the anti American elements , that why cannot India take such a step ? Remember that our brave heart army constantly guardian the Indian boarder curtaining the terror activities in many parts of India, which is due to the week and fenceless boarders, being used by our enemy states, is not made of Roberts or Mindless zombies, for the man at threshold of cold war battling the terrorist ghost , for the man at war to perform well during war they should feel that there is something worth lying there lives down for. The army should be used as a watch horse and a cover for the places where the fences are broken or not built at all. The army should be given the luxury to lay down and relax admist the heat of tension at boarders under the shadow of these erected boarder fences. A simple thing misunderstood and not seriously swallowed of by the government. These defense fences walls are two side protectors, one from the enemy side and the other from the side that our brave hearts can live fearlessly guarding the boarders, lead a life of hope to return back to their homes safely. If armies pushed into a war just because of the corrupt politicians directionless policies who instead of erecting the boarder to better the relation with the neighboring countries as they are the ones selected on the behalf of nation, who are in direct civilian contact or the other nation's government, pushed in to a war that army sees no reason to fight could be described best avoidable by the governments primary defense mechanism setup that is erecting fences, can be catastrophic. Remember they that is the army are the man shouldering the hopes of nation and respective families. They have lives and dreams which demands some sort of cushion in the form of erected boarder fences. These erected fences would not only make sure that they live a succumbed free life but also in the larger whole mean the increased security scenario for the India as a nation. They are ready to protect the nation, martyred, but not willing to die for the aggressive macho man show that people put in the name patriotism. Both India and Pakistan confronted , unexpectedly to the India , and tasted the might of Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives to safeguard the Indian lives, acted and bullet shields in the absence of erected in true fences , so that the bullet hits their iron chest absorb in their brave flesh and fall down with them. Indians have seen the cowardly aggressiveness of the neighbors and time which Indian soldiers needed was not provided to them in the absence of erected fences while going in to the wars. We have corrected the system so that a proper method is developed to restrict the enemies within their borders as of now , a days the Chinese or Pakistani forces have not attacked any civilian or structures with weaponry , so going ahead and attacking them will be nothing but armed provocation which is what our enemies want us to do. And in case of war so called you came in to my space argument is irrelevant, as only the first shot or missile will be considered. War is the final and the least preferred action, so save it as an option in the lockers, as there are people's life at risk losing some land is better than throwing thousands of people and soldiers at least to be killed just for satisfying the rage in us we call as patriotism, but the conditions which comes with this is we have erected the fences to safeguard the honor, nationalism and the guardian of democracy. Army is thrown in the war zone as buffer to the mistakes committed by the politicians who have failed themselves and the nation in full filling the duties that they are entrusted with once in the house of elected. Mending are creating the fences is the only major to strengthen our nation. The Case of Sarabjit is an eye opener again who crossed the border unwillingly in the absence of erected fences as a bird unaware of boarders and paid with his life behind the prison, and there are many more cases such like him. One verbal saying by the intellect and a proper quotation in the defense of erected fences is "FOR A TREE TO BECOME TALL IT MUST GROW TOUGH ROOTS AMONG THE ROCKS"

Sack MPs who don't respect National Song

No matter what his reservations may have been against the National Song, by disdainfully walking out of Parliament when Vande Mataram was being played, BSP leader Shafiqur Rahman Barq has insulted the country. Such an affront to the nation, that too delivered inside the hallowed halls of Parliament - the sanctum sanctorum of democracy, cannot be tolerated. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has taken note of the incident, but the matter must not be allowed to rest there. The offending MP's membership to the lower House must be cancelled and his political boss would do well to severely reprimand him. Not only has Mr Barq committed sacrilege, he has shown no remorse for his despicable behaviour. Instead, the little known MP from Moradabad has defended his actions in the name of 'religious freedom' and 'secularism'. That the two have absolutely nothing to do with respecting one's motherland is clearly a concept that is alien to Mr Barq, who has argued that since rendering Vande Mataram is the equivalent of paying 'homage to a Hindu idol', he, as a true Muslim, cannot 'worship' anyone else apart from Allah. The fallacious nature of his argument apart, the fact remains that Mr Barq had no business dragging his religious beliefs into Parliament, where he has come not as a representive of a religious community. This is also not the first time that Vande Mataram has been criticized for being 'anti-Islamic'. This manufactured controversy goes back to the turbulent decades of the 1930s and 1940s when the country's emergent Muslim leadership was seeking to consolidate its own political base vis--vis that of the Congress. By that time, Vande Mataram - Bankim Chandra Chattopadhay's powerful paen to the motherland which had bound the national conscience, Hindus and Muslims alike, during the 1905 Bengal partition - was already being sung at the opening of all Congress sessions. However, when the party wanted to make the song the national anthem, some Muslim leaders objected. In 1937, a sub-committee that included Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose reviewed the song, and for the first time in the 1938 Haripura session, only the first two stanzas were played. Even that did little to placate the likes of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who demanded the song be scrapped. But while that did not happen, Vande Mataram has remained the favourite punching bag of communal leaders. In 2006, the song's centenary celebrations were hampered after some Muslims complained against a Union Government directive asking all schools to sing the song on September 7. A supine Congress leadership in New Delhi buckled before them, as it had earlier. The question now is: Will it be any different this time around or will Shafiqur Rahman Barq get away with his shocking irreverance?

Good fences make good neighbors

(Sandeep Kumar Bhagat) R/O Pochhal Good fences make good neighbors a line hired appropriately sums up the condition by Robert Frost's mending walls. Incursion Incursion, Incursion, Stop this kind of yelling and protesting which yields no result. The recent national wide protest against the brutality of Pakistan in the death of martyr of Sarabjit Singh and the Chinese incursion in Ladakh Region should force the Indian hearts to organize a movement where in the insecurities of common people or not only addressed but an oath be administered on them to continue the movement, until we do not reach a safe zone where every enemy of ours kneels down and accepts the defeat without India going wars. India has battle several wars but the battle that we should first win is the one internal in nature. The energy should seminate like the one which emerges from the bursting of volcano, cleaning every dirt, every impurity and spreading the new land masses. The recent jolts of earthquake where good and bad people alike felt the nature and assembled to pray was inspirational and sight to watch out. The shaking of earth did no biases with the rich and poor, it shook them alike. The same is the condition where India stands now and has to exuberate the internal power of its might to be felt like hot iron by others. We continue to be soft which is a cult feature of our culture but what should be done to save our cultural feature without compromising the national security and one nationality issue. It is not for the first time that the dragon has taken us lightly, has fanged several times to grab us. China has history to violate the boarder rules and decorum. China and India are the world's most populous countries and also fastest growing major economies. China and India are the two of world's oldest civilizations and both becoming the powers to watch out for. People's Republic of china (PRC) betrayed the Nehru slogan Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai by backstabbing India's trust on china. In 1962 border dispute resulted in a short boarder war between china and India. The PRC pushed the under prepared Indian forces within forty eight kms of the Assam planes in the north east and occupied strategic points in Ladakh. In the late 1967 there were two skirmishes between India and China forces in Sikkim. The first one was dubbed the nathu- la incident and the other the chola incident prior to these incidents has been the naxal bari uprising in India by the communist naxalites and Maoists. In the 1967 a-peasant uprising broke out in the naxalbari led by the pro-Maoists elements. A pronunciation by Mao titled spring thunder our India gave full moral support for the uprising. The support for the revolt marked the end of relation between CPC and CPI (M). Naxalbari inspired communist organized armed revolts in several parts of India and they 1969 formed the communist party of India. However as the naxalite movement disintegrated in various splits the PRC withdrew support its political support and turned non-committal towards the various Indian groups. India is constantly living in the fear of incursion, and the best way to avoid is to erect fences to stop the peep of enemies in our territories with their eagle eyes set to disturb the growth of our progress roses. And the erected fences would also mean the sight of enemies blocked , raise neck heads , which can easily be quashed , targeted with minimum causalities to our brave soldiers we do share a porous border with Nepal , Bangladesh and a barbed wire relation border with Pakistan . Time and again these feeder countries are claiming to be our friends but mostly use by the terrorist to hurt the Indian hearts. Our eyes are tearing less but our hearts are bleeding more than the normal .Every now and then a case emerges and leaves us shattered and its only then we decide to search the answers for our problems . One good thing about India is that our population is growing then and more than the normal rate and this can be only be the excuse and strength for our governments not to act for the safety of people otherwise all acts by the terrorists deserve an action. We have to price tag our lives better, one thing that we can do is to insure our selves so that the government feels burden of repayment or best avoid the repayment by simply protecting that interests of common people. Now and then

The great train robbery

By Aarti Khosla
THE Indian Railways have been hit severely by the cash-for-job mess. It did not surprise many not least because this rot exists in many Government departments. In some states, transfers to and placement in 'coveted' posts in exchange for huge amounts has become a flourishing industry. Some states like UP are particularly notorious. With every change in Government, the first task the new political masters engage in is to affect a large-scale transfer of bureaucrats. Things are so bad that an officer hardly settles in his new job when he is given marching orders to the next post. This could be ordered to punish him for being honest to his job and not doing the wrong thing like the recent example of Ashok Khemka, the IAS officer from Haryana who has been transferred more than 40 times in a career spanning 20 years. But it is also because some posts which are considered 'lucrative' (the expression itself abhors) are regularly on the auction block. If a higher bid comes their way the earlier sale is revoked and the seat vacated for the next bidder. Many departments of the Government of India have this dubious distinction of money changing hands for promotions and postings. One always felt that things were not perfect in the Railways. Yet one could never imagine that matters could be so bad. Even Railway officers, aware of such goings-on at senior levels, are aghast. Many of these officers are sincere, honest and hardworking. Some of them, especially those in the traffic service, devote long hours to their job at the cost of their health and family life. The supporting departments whose responsibility it is to keep the rolling stock track, signaling, electric installations and other ancillary services in perfect order for smooth operations are no less committed. (Even the gentleman in question who has been caught for allegedly trying to get the post of Member (Electrical) by paying a huge amount is known as a highly dynamic and competent officer and his name is in the Guinness Book for having completed the largest route relay interlocking system in just 36 hours. What a pity that he has spoilt it all). The organization itself has been let down by successive railway ministers who have used the Indian Railways as the milch cow to build up their vote-banks. Projects without financial evaluation are announced in every rail budget for the home constituency of the minister without regard to the availability or otherwise of the required infrastructure like power, roads or raw material. Today there are about a dozen projects awaiting clearance and funds. These relate to loco and coach factories announced for Bihar, West Bengal and UP in successive budgets. New trains are announced without lending a thought to the need and profitability or the fact that the routes may already be saturated. New projects mean massive investment in works and procurement with a huge potential for money-making. Those officers who can be partners in this great train robbery are much in demand. Those who will flow with the tide, ask no questions, manipulate specifications and inventories, make money and let the minister's coffers also fill are the favorites. The Railway minister will pick such officers whom he or she can trust and they are additionally trustworthy if they come from the same state and speak the same language. It is convenient if one or two relatives or cronies are part of the minister's cell. This practice should be stopped forthwith. To get compliant officers the crucial posts are kept vacant till a 'suitable' person (in terms of pliability and dishonesty) is identified. How is it that the posts of General Managers and Members of the Railway Board are kept vacant for months on end? Some GMs are holding additional charge of zones that are far away from their own headquarters. In case of Railway Board members too, there seems to be no hurry to fill a vacant post. The previous Member (Engineering) retired in January. His slot was filled very recently. So was the case with Member (Mechanical). The vacancy was filled three months after the previous incumbent retired. The Member (Traffic) retired on 30 April. No one has been appointed thus far. The Chairman is looking after his work. This has been the pattern for the past few years. One Chairman of the Railway Board continued to hold charge of his previous appointment of Member (Traffic) for ten months before another officer was appointed. These are important posts and particularly sensitive for everyday operations. Why is it that they do not select the next man in time to take over on the day of the retirement of the incumbent? Is it incompetence or malafide intention, designed to leave a margin for wheeling and dealing. The Financial Commissioner of the Railway Board is retiring in June. I am sure they will not have even initiated the exercise to get her successor approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). All this appears to be deliberate, indeed a strategy that offers scope for manipulation and lobbying. Since all these posts require the approval of the ACC, one wonders why the panel suffers this attitude of the authorities. Do they not know that Railway operations cannot be handled in this casual manner? The practice of one officer being asked to hold additional charge of another post has also become a source of malpractice as has been revealed from the latest scam. Why did Mahesh Kumar want to hold on to the post of General Manager, Western Railway, along with his job of Member (Staff), Railway Board ~ one in Delhi and the other one in Mumbai? It is not possible to do justice to either post. However, this is not a new phenomenon.

OVERDUE UPGRADE
No need to "sell" it MORE than welcome would be the Cabinet's clearance to a Rs 11,000-crore package for modernizing the central police organizations over the next five years. For the eight paramilitary forces are playing an increasingly important role in protecting the national frontiers, leading the operations against menacing insurgencies and undertaking a host of other duties ~ managing crowds at the Kumbh mela, assisting in the conduct of elections being among the most prominent. Details of the upgrade have not been revealed, hopefully plans will be implemented more expeditiously and more effectively than the last Rs 4,500crore package, that was approved 12 years ago ~ the forces do not have too much to show for it. Firepower, transport and communications are of critical necessity and since the paramilitary ~ the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, Assam Rifles, NSG, SSB, CISF ~ are often deployed in "difficult" conditions, logistic and medical back-up are also necessary. That the CRPF personnel on anti-naxal duties in central India have yet to be provided efficient casualtyevacuation back-up is nothing short of disgraceful. And remember, they continue to fight a losing battle against the mosquito. It is, therefore, both surprising and disappointing that those "sources" in the home ministry should have tried to project the upgrade as focused on boosting the Indo-Tibet Border Police, and putting that in the context of the Sino-Indian stand-off in the Nebsang valley in Ladakh. Even worse was the upgrade being "sold" as a counter to reported moves by the Army to secure overall control of the ITBP, as it had over the BSF during the latter's formative stages. Such petty rivalry, and the men in olive-green deeming themselves a class superior to those in khaki is totally unacceptable in this day and age: it is bad enough that the Air Force and Army are squabbling over attack helicopters like children with new toys. Even regarding the situation at Daulat Beg Oldie there is the usual buzz about the Army, like the Cavalry in those old western movies, having to ride in and save the day. Such obsolete mindsets weaken the overall security effort and drain precious financial resources. The taxpayer, the ultimate master, even if the "Generals" are reluctant to accept that, is concerned with the job being done well ~ not who did it!

India hasn't fared better than Pakistan

SIR, The attack on Sanaullah Ranjay, which has turned fatal, needs to be severely condemned. The incident demonstrates that as far as barbarities and violent behavior are concerned, India has not fared a bit better than Pakistan. By making Sanaullah pay with his life for the sin of the culprits in Pakistan who had killed Sarabjit Singh, the Indian inmates of Jammu prison have indirectly provided moral sanction to the pogrom against Sikhs in New Delhi (1984) and against Muslims in Gujarat (2002).

When will we realize that a civilized society cannot take "revenge" on a particular section of the population if any of its members is found to have committed an unpardonable act? Humanity must reign supreme by transcending barriers of nation, religion, caste, language, colour, political ideology or birth. Yours, etc. Kajal Chatterjee,

Karnataka. Corruption did not play a major part in the BJP defeat; the Congress is no less corrupt. The country is more concerned over the corruption at the Centre than the alleged scandals of the Karnataka government. The factors that went against the BJP need to be analyzed. The Gujarat Chief Minister had made a fiery speech when communal feeling was running high in Mangalore. The anti-BJP campaign of the Bellary brothers may also have led to the party losing a huge 14 per cent of the vote-share. There was a distinct Hindutva ring in the campaigns of Rajnath Singh and Modi. Arguably, this alienated the liberal Hindus and the minority community. Yours, etc.,

Verdict in Karnataka
SIR, A combination of factors worked against the BJP in

Anil Kumar Choudhury

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should also go following the resignation of two cabinet ministers, BJP president Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.He told the media here that the country needed a new government. "There is no alternative other that a new government," he said.The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said if the Prime Minister introspects, he will have no option but to resign."Two ministers resigned yesterday. The question is not of one or two ministers, whatever has been going on has put a question mark on the whole administrative process. "If the Prime Minister introspects, there is no option for him but to resign," he said. Pawan Kumar Bansal and Ashwani Kumar on Friday resigned as railway and law ministers following allegations of corruption and impropriety.

6 No alternative for the PM but India has right to build infrastructure Post Bansal, Ashwani: Sibal to resign: Rajnath Singh on its border: Antony gets law, C P Joshi railways
STUDENT AGE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

NATIONAL

Landslides, house collapses kill eight in Mizoram; 11 missing

MIZORAM: At least eight people were killed and 11 were missing, while 25 others sustained injuries in Mizoram Saturday, when nine houses were swept away in a massive landslide, officials said. "Incessant rains for the past one week caused nine houses to be swept away in huge landslides at Laipuitland locality here early Saturday morning, killing eight people on the spot," a police official told .The 25 injured were shifted to a government hospital; a search is on for the missing 11 people. Security personnel and volunteers were searching the debris for missing people, although there are apprehensions that they may have died.Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and other ministers have visited the accident spot and the hospital where the injured are being treated.A large number of villages have become inaccessible after the landslides. The rain has continued since Saturday, and highways are blocked."The landslides also blocked the Champai Road (in Saiha district in southern Mizoram) connecting Aizawl city with the MizoramMyanmar border," a Mizoram relief and rehabilitation department official said.According to the official, Kolasib district in northern Mizoram was the worst hit with more than 150 houses badly damaged and four people seriously injured in the cyclonic storms. Electricity supply was badly disrupted in many areas of the mountainous state.The Met Offices in Agartala and Aizawl Friday predicted more rain and cyclonic storms in the next 48 hours. The rains have been accompanied by thunder and lightning.

PANAJI: Defence Minister A K Antony said on Saturday that India has a right to build infrastructure on it its border to shore up its capabilities. Anthony added that the army and air force will continue to buld their capabilities as India has a right to defend its border. Days after the standoff with China over intrusion in Ladakh, India today defended its right to build border infrastructure and said Army and Air Force will continue to shore up their capabilities "on our own land". "Each country has a right to build border infrastructure in their own land. If China has a right to develop infrastructure, India also has a right. Over the years, the building of infrastructure has been going on," defence minister A K Antonytold reporters. The 21-day stand-off in Daulat Beg Oldi sector had ended on May 5 after the two sides agreed to pull back their troops to their earlier positions along the Line of

Actual Control (LAC). Reports have suggested that it was only after India agreed to dismantle its positions in Chumar area in Ladakh that the Chinese side agreed to withdraw its troops from Depsang valley in Daulat Beg Oldi sector there. But external affairs minister Salman Khurshid had said that "no deal" was struck for ending the stand-off in Ladakh. The Chinese side had contended that infrastructure activities being carried out by

them on their side were developmental in nature. "The Army and Air Force have been increasing their capabilities (along the border) and they will continue doing that on our own land," Antony said. Asked whether India has begun dismantling its bunkers in Chumar sector, he said, "The general discussions on the topic are over. The implementation part has to be done by commanders of both the armies on ground." The Defence Minister insist-

ed that India firmly believed in finding solution to disputes through diplomatic channels. "India believes in finding solution to disputes through negotiations and discussions. We have well established procedure to settle these disputes. "The stand off is over and both sides have agreed to maintain status quo ante," said Antony, who was here to commission fighter aircraft MiG 29K's Black Panther squadron at INS Hansa. He evaded a direct reply when asked if it was India's failure to prevent the Chinese army from intruding into its territory, saying, "after whatever happened between both the countries, both have decided to maintain status quo ante." Antony said negotiations were on with China on border cooperation and an officer from the Indian army had also accompanied Khurshid on his China visit.

NEW DELHI: After the resignations of tainted ministers Pawan Kumar Bansal and A s h w a n i Kumar,telecom minister Kapil Sibal will get additional charge of law ministry and road and transport minister, C P Joshi the railw a y portfolio.Sibal and Joshi will be in charge of these portfolios in addition to their existing ministries of telecom and IT and road and transport respectively.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to President Pranab Mukherjee recommending the changes, a day after Bansal and Kumar resigned in the wake of allegations of bribery and interfering with the CBI probe in the Coalgate scam, official sources said. Joshi had earlier held temporary of railways last year

after Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Roy resigned when his party quit the UPA coalition government. The changes in the portfolios notwithstanding, there is speculation that there could be a reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers to fill up some vacancies caused by the DMK's exit from the government and placing new nominees in the departments being held as additional charge.

Modi questions India's high defence imports India boosts defence capability with
Pokhran tests were possible because of "stellar work of our scientists and the strong leadership India was blessed with at that point of time". "This is a challenge for our youth, talent pool, scientists - how we can combine our strengths and make India sufficient in defence-related manufacturing!" Modi said. "We should think of a larger debate, encourage free flowing of ideas to think of how India can develop human resources in defence manufacturing."Can we create an ecosystem to strengthen our manufacturing? Going a step ahead, we should even think of how we can export defence equipment. "In Gujarat we have made a small effort in this regard. In our engineering colleges we are working towards starting a subject related to defence manufacturing," he said.

commissioning of MiG-29K jets

Admiral Gorshkov) after its expected delivery to India from Russia -- where it is being refurbished -- by the end of this year. The initial batch of the MIG-29K known as IFTU (Intensive Flying and Trials Unit) was inducted into the Navy in Feb 2010 and are now being commissioned after having successfully completed all tasks and trials assigned and established their role worthiness. The supersonic MiG-29K aircraft, which will add to India's Naval Aviation might, are equipped with an array of missiles and bombs including air-to-air anti-aircraft missiles, air-to-surface missiles as well as anti-ship and laser guided missiles. The fighter jets, which come in single seat and the twin seat MiG29KUB variant, also have

In a shocker, 80-year-old woman raped in Tamil Nadu

SALEM: In a shocking incident, an 80-year old woman was allegedly raped by a 41-year-old man following which she was admitted to a hospital in a serious condition. The woman, a widow, is battling for life at a government hospital here, police said on Saturday. The accused Palanivel, a vegetable vendor, of Malliyakari in the district was detained by the local people and handed over to police who arrested him and slapped a rape case. According to police, the woman was living alone at Gopalapuram in Malliakari. Around midnight on Friday, Palanivel, who has two wives and four children, went to the victim's house and asked for water, but she refused.Suddenly, he forced his way into the house, allegedly raped her and bit her private parts. Local residents called an ambulance and rushed the woman to Attur Government Hospital from where she was shifted to Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital here. Doctors said the condition of the woman was critical. AHMEDABAD: On the 15th anniversary of 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi asked on Saturday why India continues to spend thousands of crores of rupees on defence imports. "Today, on the 15th anniversary of the Pokhran tests, there is a crucial question that we have to answerhow do we become self-sufficient in defence manufacturing?....This is not only about military power but also about being self- reliant for our own defence equipment," . "After around 65 years of Independence, why must we still spend thousands of crore of rupees to procure defence equipment from overseas?" Lauding former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi said that

INS HANSA (GOA): The state of art MiG -29K jets meant for Indian navy aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya were commissioned on Saturday. Their induction is viewed as a significant booster for defence capabilities for the country. In a boost to the country's defence capabilities, the firstever squadron of the MiG29K fighter jets was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on Saturday. Defence minister AK Antony commissioned the INAS 303 'Black Panthers' squadron of the aircraft carrier-based multirole fighter jets at a ceremony held at the INS Hansa naval airbase in Dabolim, Goa. The all-weather fighter jets will be integrated with the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly

sophisticated avionics systems onboard. MiG-29Ks have the capability of mid-air refuelling and can perform multiple missions on a single sortie. Defence minister Antony said the commissioning "was significant as the Indian Navy is celebrating the diamond jubilee of Naval Aviation this year." He said the Navy was playing a major role in protecting India's security and economic interests in the sea lanes and the government would extend full support to the Naval forces to brave the challenges they face. A major Naval modernisation drive is currently on, Antony added. Antony later inaugurated the MiG-29K flight simulator at INS Hansa that will be utilised for training pilots flying the MiG-29Ks.

Cong win in Karnataka good for state: Yeddyurappa

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Karnataka Janata Paksha president B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday described the Congress win in May 5 assembly polls as good for the state, but said it remained to be seen how the party was going to govern. "Yes. Congress win is good for Karnataka. This is a honeymoon period for that party and it has to be seen how they (the leaders) are going to govern in future," Yeddyurappa said. Responding to question blaming his party for the return of the Congress to power in Karnataka after a long gap, he said the people had given the verdict and his party had nothing to do with it. Stating categorically that he would never return to his parent party the BJP, Yeddyurappa said it was a major achievement that his five-month old KJP garnered 10 per cent of the total votes polled and got six seats in the Assembly.On the Cauvery water dispute, the former chief minister said there was no water in Cauvery even for drinking purpose. Moreover, these water disputes could not be resolved through courts or tribunals, but only through mutual and cordial dialogue between the two states. After hectic electioneering and political tension, he had come to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) to relax with his family after a gap of 15 years, Yeddyurappa quipped.

Special category status for Bihar after criteria change: Chidambaram

PATNA: Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram Saturday said that Bihar will be accorded special category status after the change of criteria."I hope that new criteria will determine status of backward states. Bihar will certainly qualify for special category status under new criteria for it," said Chidambaram."The central government is reviewing the new criteria for special category status to backward states like Bihar," he told media persons here, adding a subcommittee has been set up to study it and its report expected soon.According to state government officials, Bihar does not meet the existing criteria to be granted special category status.Nitish Kumar, who has been long demanding special category status, had welcomed Chidambaram's February statement of the need for a relook into demand for such status to Bihar and other backward states.In March, Nitish Kumar held a rally at Delhi's Ramlila ground to put pressure on the central government for granting a special category status to Bihar.Chidambaram, who arrived here Saturday morning, later left for Rajgir in Nalanda district, about 100 km from here, along with help to the upcoming Nalanda University. "We expect that more than Rs.2,100 crore would be required in the next 10 years. The government of India will provide funding for it," Chidambaram told reporters, adding that the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University, ransacked in the 11th century, would be included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.The new Nalanda University will be fully residential, like the ancient one. It is set to begin academic activities from 2013-14, offering courses in science, philosophy and spiritualism along with social sciences.Chidambaram, who also attended a meeting of the state level bankers' committee at Rajgir, said that banks would made more active to increase credit deposit ratio and increased credit flow in agriculture and priority sector, said a state government official present at the meeting.He also assured Nitish Kumar that he will direct public sector banks to increase their branches from panchayat to district headquarters."Chidambaram promised Nitish Kumar to look into demands of the state government to open bank's branches in rural areas and to provide more education loan to students," the official said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to visit the site of the upcoming Nalanda university.The

finance minister said that the central government would provide all possible financial

Year of Snake will be significant for India-China ties: Khurshid

NEW DELHI: Stating that 2013, or the Chinese Year of the Snake, would be significant in India-China relations, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said Saturday that during his talks in Beijing, both sides reaffirmed that incidents like the recent border incursion should not be allowed to come in the way of their larger relationship.Khurshid, who returned Saturday from his two-day Beijing trip to prepare for the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, said he had raised the incursion by Chinese troops into Depsang in Ladakh area last month.He said he told the Chinese side there was need to "analyse" the reason for the sudden incursion and that both sides needed to "look at their respective systems to see why such things happen", referring to the differing perception of the Line of Actual Control - the de facto border between the two countries."And we should ensure such incidents are not repeated and if at all despite best efforts they happen, we should address it with greater urgency and less passage of time" than the 20 days it took to resolve the border row, he added.He added that India had given some suggestions to be incorporated in the new border defence cooperation agreement proposed by the Chinese. Officials of both sides were examining the proposal, which Khurshid said "essentially brings together and consolidates many of the protocols and mechanism in place and takes them forward". Khurshid said some "significant movement forward" had been there in his talks on transborder rivers, and the Chinese side "at the highest level" had reaffirmed that "India's downstream interests will not be affected adversely". Among the proposals on the table are either to enhance the current mechanism of sharing hydrological data or go in for a separate mechanism, he added.He said the new Chinese leadership had said that India and China need to move faster forward in their relationship, adding "but faster must also be read with steady and surer". The 16th round of India-China talks are to be held between their special representatives on the border this year.The trade imbalance had figured in Khurshid's talks, and he flagged India's concerns about exports of several items, especially drugs and pharmaceuticals, which face trade barriers in China.

NEW DELHI: India's opposition has demanded the resignation of Congress Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, raising the stakes after forcing the exit of two cabinet ministers over corruption scandals.Pressure has been building for months on the premier, who is widely accused of ineffectiveness while overseeing a sharp economic slowdown and turning a blind eye to a slew of graft controversies that have alarmed foreign investors."The government is facing serious corruption allegations," Rajnath Singh, president of the Hindu nationalist opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Saturday."If the prime minister honestly introspects about what should be done to strengthen the faith of the people in the government, he will find he has no other option but to resign," Rajnath Singh told reporters in New Delhi.His calls came after law minister Ashwani Kumar quit on what the media dubbed "Black Friday" over government interference in a police probe, while railway minister Pawan Bansal resigned over a separate bribe allega-

India's opposition calls on PM to resign Police unearth Rs.750 crore assets of Saradha chief
tion controversy .The resignations have heightened speculation about how long the minority left-leaning government, clinging to power with the support of two regional parties, can stagger on. Its five-year mandate expires in May 2014."They definitely are very vulnerable now," political analyst Subhash Agrawal of think-tank India Focus told.Congress fought on Saturday to contain the fallout, insisting the ministers' resignations showed it had zero tolerance for graft.Congress "has once again clearly shown if there is suspicion on anyone even if unproved - they are made to resign", party leader Digvijaya Singh said.Kumar insisted on Saturday he was innocent of wrongdoing and had quit as a "loyal (party) footsoldier" to end "unnecessary controversy"."My conscience remains clear and I believe I will stand vindicated," he said.The government told telecom minister Kapil Sibal, a prominent lawyer, to double up as law minister while railways went to Transport Minister CP Joshi.Bansal, a veteran Congress member, stepped down as railways minister a week after police arrested his nephew Vijay Singla for allegedly extracting 900 million rupees ($160,000) from a railway official to arrange his promotion.Bansal denied any knowledge of his nephew's alleged activities but the opposition charged it was impossible for him not to have been aware of them. The law minister's exit came after he and officials from Singh's office and the coal ministry substantially changed a police inquiry report into the alleged allocation of mines at giveaway prices Singh, 80, in addition to being premier, was coal minister for part of the period under police scrutiny, fuelling opposition demands for him to also quit.News magazine India Today has asserted Singh, pioneer of India's dramatic economic reforms in the 1990s and who had been reknowned for his probity, is "fast becoming a prime embarrassment for the government" for failing to stem the tide of scandals on his watch."The Teflon coating has worn off (the prime minister), not wholly but very substantially," .

KOLKATA: Police have unearthed property worth Rs.750 crore so far by quizzing chit fund-aided Saradha Group's arrested promoter Sudipa Sen and his top aides, an official said Saturday. Six motorcycles with red beacons and hooters allegedly used by company's officials to carry cash was also seized.The bikes were found in a garage of Saradha Group office, police sources said."We have so far unearthed assets valued at Rs.750 crores by grilling Sen," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Arnab Ghosh of B i d h a n n a g a r Commissionerate, which is probing what is being regarded as the biggest financial scam to rock West Bengal.Meanwhile, police personnel from Joynagar in South 24 Parganas district interrogated Sen and his confidant Debjani Mukherjee in connection with a cheating case filed against them by some deposi-

tors.The interrogators from the Bidhannagar Commissionerate were also grilling Sen and Mukherjee to ascertain the total value of the property of the Group companies and Sen."They are trying to find where the money has been stashed and how it can be recovered. They also need to find the employees who handled the money, and the relevant papers and other documents," said a source.A couple of days back the sleuths had summoned for questioning a former official of the Reserve Bank of India who during his days with the apex bank is said to have given some undue facilities to Sen.A police source said names of some officers of Securities and Exchange Board of India, Income Tax department, banks, and other central and state government agencies have cropped up following Sen's interrogation. "Some of them have already been questioned.

We are tallying their replies with the information given by Sen".Sleuths have also stumbled on 40 acres of land owned by Sen in Shimla.Sen, Mukherjeee and another senior official of the Group were arrested April 23 from Sonmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, days after the Group collapsed, unable to repay lakhs of depositors - most of them poor people from villages and small towns who had parked their hard earned money with its companies, lured by promise of huge returns.Already, a number of and depositors of Saradha and similar chit fund companies have committed suicide, while offices of a large number of such dubious concerns operating in the state have been attacked.Even on Saturday, an office of a chit fund company was ransacked by depositors at Pandabeshwar of Hooghly district for allegedly cheating and siphoning of funds.

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STUDENT AGE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

Former military leader Efrain Rios Montt sentenced to 80 years in jail over massacres of indigenous people in the 1980s. A Guatemalan court has convicted former military leader Efrain Rios Montt on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, sentencing him to 80 years in prison.A three-judge tribunal on Friday issued the verdict after the nearly two-month trial in which dozens of victims testified about horrific atrocities.Prosecutors said Rios Montt must have had knowledge of the massacres of Ixil, indigenous people of Mayan descent living in Guatemala, when he ruled the country from March 1982 to August 1983 at the height

Former Guatemala leader guilty of genocide

of its 36-year civil war. "The defendant is responsible for masterminding the crime of genocide," Judge Jazmin Barrios said. "The corresponding punishment must be imposed."She said he was also guilty of war crimes.The court, filled with victims and their relatives, erupted in applause and cheers.Rios Montt has maintained that he never knew of or ordered the massacres while in power. He did not express emotion as the verdict was read. When the judge said his house arrest was being revoked and he would be sent to jail, he nodded.'Political show'Later, he told that his conscience was clear, as he derided the verdict."It is an international political show that is going to hurt the soul of the Guatemalan people, but we are at peace because we never spilled, or stained our hands with, the blood of our brothers," Rios Montt said."I am not upset because I abided by the law," he said, insisting he did the right thing for his country by fighting the "national problem" of rebels.The war between the government and leftist rebels cost more than 200,000 lives and ended in peace accords in 1996. The 86-year-old former general is the first former Latin American leader ever found guilty of such a charge.He can appeal the verdict.In a court hearing, Benjamin

7
Deadly blasts hit Turkish town near Syria
SYRIA:More than 30 people killed and 22 wounded after series of car bombs in Reyhanli in southern province of Hatay. Two car bombs have hit a Turkish town near the border with Syria, killing more than 30 people and injuring 22 others, local media have reported.Turkish channel NTV said Saturday's explosions targeted Reyhanli in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, just a few kilometres from the main border crossing into Syria.Muammer Guler, Turkey's Interior Minister, said a series of blasts had been caused by car bombs.Two vehicles packed with explosives blew up near the town hall and the post office in Reyhanli. The news came as Syrian troops fought rebels in a bid to take back a key supply route linking the centre of the country to Aleppo in the north, monitoring group said.Fierce battles raged pitting troops against rebels. Regime troops fought to reopen the road linking Hama to Aleppo, Rami Abdul Rahman, the director for the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told. Rebels cut off the road, referred to as the Desert Road, on Thursday. The army had been using it as its main supply route to Aleppo

Geronimo, president of the Justice and Reconciliation Association, said he survived massacres and killings that claimed the lives of 256 members of his community."I saw it with my own eyes, I'm not going to lie. Children, pregnant women and the elderly were killed,'' Geronimo, an Ixil Indian who spoke on behalf of the victims, said. Prosecutors say that while in power, Rios Montt was aware of, and thus responsible for, the slaughter of at least 1,771 Ixil people in the towns of San Juan Cotzal, San Gaspar Chajul and Santa Maria Nebaj in Guatemala's western highlands.

BEIJING:Twenty-two people were killed and nine others trapped in a gas explosion accident that happened in a colliery in southwest China's Sichuan Province Saturday, the country's work safety authorities said. Yang Dongliang, head of the State Administration of Work Safety and Fu Jianhua, head of the Administration of Coal Mine Safety have led a working team heading towards the colliery.They urged the local safety authorities to organize urgent rescue work.The accident occurred around 2 p.m. in Taozigou coal mine, Luxian County in the city of Luzhou when 108 miners were working underground, according to a statement from the provincial work safety supervision bureau.Rescue work is underway.

22 killed, 9 trapped in SW China coal mine accident

Strong Iran quake kills child, causes damage

TEHRAN: A strong earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit southern Iran early today, killing one child and injuring at least 20 others in remote, mountainous villages. The US Geological Survey registered the quake at 0738 IST, measured at 85 kilometers (52 miles) southeast of the town of Minab, located in the southern Hormuzgan province and off the Strait of Hormuz. The quake was registered at a depth of 36.44 kilometres (22.64 miles). A local emergency official said a two-year-old died of serious injuries. The child passed away on route to hospital was Mohammad Shekari. Iran's top quake rescue operations official, Mahmoud Mozafar, said at least 20 people had been injured. Iran sits astride several major fault lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes, some of which have been devastating. Head of Iran's National Institute for Oceanography Vahid Chegini said today's quake was unlikely to spark a tsunami in the Gulf or the Sea of Oman. The chances of a tsunami because of today's quake are remote as the quake was inland, Chegini told. Mozafar, who heads Iran's Red Crescent rescue corps, said rescue teams were dispatched to Hormuzgan's remote area hit by the quake. Provincial emergency chief Hossein Ranjbar told that some 70 villages had suffered severe damage in the quake, which according to Iran's Seismological Centre was followed by a series of aftershocks, measuring between 4.1 and 5.2. Media reports said electricity and telephone connection had been cut, while rescue teams were attempting to open blocked roads to the quakehit areas. Last month, the biggest earthquake to hit the country in 50 years, measuring 7.8 killed a woman and injured more than a dozen other people in the southeast. At least 40 people were killed across the border in Pakistan where hundreds of mud homes were levelled. Putting aside America's longstanding enmity with Iran and its more recent strains in relations with Pakistan, US Secretary of State John Kerry had offered condolences and assistance with relief work for last month's quake. Also in April, another quake struck near Iran's Gulf port city of Bushehr, killing at least 30 people. The UN's atomic agency said there was no damage to Iran's only and Russian-built nuclear power plant at Bushehr. Iran said the plant continued its operations as normal.

Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to stand for Iran presidency

IRAN: Iranian ex-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has registered for June's presidential election, a few minutes before an official deadline. Mr Rafsanjani, 78, is virtually assured the support of reformers and could pose a real challenge to the country's conservative leadership.Constitutionally, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cannot stand again.But his choice of candidate registered minutes before Mr Rafsanjani.Hardline nationalist Esfandyar RahimMashaei, a close friend of Mr Ahmadinjed, is also seen as a threat to the clerical elite around Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has also registered. He is seen as close to Ayatollah Khamenei.More than 400 candidates in total have registered but Iran's Guardian Council - a body controlled by the supreme leader decides who can stand.The results of the last presidential elections, in 2009, were disputed by the reformist opposition, triggering mass street protests.Seen as a moderate, Mr Rafsanjani is expected to gain support from reformers after supporting the protests.Opinion polls suggest he is currently the most popular of the candidates.The former president put his name forward in the last half hour before nominations closed.His aides said he was waiting to see whether Iran's supreme leader would have any objections to his running as a candidate i came to serve. It is the right of the people to choose me or not.Mr Rafsanjani has said in the past that in his view Ayatollah Khamenei, his long-time comrade, no longer trusts him.

province, large swathes of which are under rebels' control.Last March, the army's command had announced the return of safety and security to villages located on the road.Saturday's violence comes a day after at least 95 people were killed across Syria, said the Observatory.Among them were 32 civilians, 45 rebels and 18 troops.Meanwhile, Russia said on Saturday there was disagreement over who should represent the opposition in a Syrian peace process. The revelation came only days after Moscow and the United States announced a joint effort to bring government and rebels to an international conference. The dispute bodes ill for a civil war in which more than 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died, and that has left

foreign powers looking increasingly helpless.A senior Kremlin official who attended talks on Friday between President Vladimir Putin and David Cameron, the British prime minister, said it would be impossible to meet a target of holding the conference by the end of May.John Kerry, the US secretary of state, and Sergei Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, tried to free a two-year diplomatic logjam on Tuesday by saying they would seek to organise a conference, ideally this month. The Russian official said there was broad agreement that the situation in Syria was dire. Beyond that there are very many differences: who can take part in this format, who is legitimate and who is not legitimate, on condition of anonymity.

Pakistan poll panel admits failure in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) admitted Saturday that it failed to hold free and fair polls in the country's largest city of Karachi.The ECP statement followed a series of rigging allegations levelled by many political parties against each other in the port city.Balloting in the city were also marred by two blasts and other incidents of violence at polling stations.Even as voting time across the country was extended by an hour, the ECP gave three more hours for balloting at seven Karachi constituencies.At least 10 people were killed and 50 others injured in a huge explosion that tore through a group of voters waiting near a polling station in Quaidabad area.The Mohajir Qaumi Movement, Sunni Ittehad Council and Jamaate-Islami boycotted the polls in Karachi. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said there was rigging in several areas of Karachi and that the MQM was involved in it, Radio Pakistan reported.

ECONOMY

Chidambaram: Special category status India's forex reserves down $2 billion for Bihar after change in criteria
PATNA: Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday said that Bihar will be accorded special category status after the change of criteria. "I hope that new criteria will determine status of backward states. Bihar will certainly qualify for special category status under new criteria for it," said Chidambaram. "The central government is reviewing the new criteria for special category status to backward states like Bihar," adding subcommittee has been set up to study it and its report expected soon. According to state government officials, Bihar does not meet the existing criteria to be granted special category status. Nitish Kumar, who has been long demanding special category status, had welcomed Chidambaram's February statement of the need for a re-look into demand for such status to Bihar and other backward states. In March, Nitish Kumar held a rally at Delhi's Ramlila ground to put pressure on the central government for granting a special category status to Bihar. Chidambaram, who arrived here Saturday morning, later MUMBAI: India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves decreased by $2.06 billion to $294.30 billion for the week ended May 3, according to data released by the central bank. The reserves had risen by $1.60 billion to $296.37 billion for the week ended April 26. The foreign currency assets (FCA) - the biggest component of the forex reserves fell by $299.7 million at $263.72 billion, according to the weekly statistical supplement released by the Reserve Bank of India. The FCA had risen by $1.61 billion at $264.02 billion in

the previous week. The central bank said FCA in US dollar terms included the effect of appreciation or

depreciation of non-US currencies held in reserve, such as the pound sterling, euro and yen.

Gold reserves dipped heavily by 1.71 billion at $23.97 billion. The value of gold reserves remained the same during week ended April 26, at $25.69 billion. However, the special drawing rights (SDRs) increased by $19.3 million to $4.36 billion during the week under review while reserves with the International Monetary Fund went down by $65.5 million to $2.24 billion. The SDRs had fallen by $5.00 million to $4.34 billion during the previous week, while reserves with the IMF went down by $2.7 million to $2.30 billion.

Sensex surges up at 40 points on weekend

left for Rajgir in Nalanda district, about 100 km from here, along with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to visit the site of the upcoming Nalanda University. Chidambaram, who also attended a meeting of the state level bankers' committee at Rajgir, said that banks would made more active to increase credit deposit ratio and increased credit flow in agriculture and priority sector, said a state government official present at the meeting. He also assured Nitish Kumar that he will direct public sector banks to increase their branches from panchayat to district headquarters. "Chidambaram promised Nitish Kumar to look into demands of the state government to open bank's branches in rural areas and to provide more education loan to students," the official said. Before the meeting, the finance minister visited the site of the ancient Nalanda University, as well as the site of the upcoming Nalanda University to review progress of work. Chidambaram held a meeting with the sub-committee of the university and asked them to speed up the work, an official said. The university is set to begin academic activities from 201314. The process for selection of faculty for two courses has started. The university will be fully residential, like the ancient Nalanda University. It will offer courses in science, philosophy and spiritualism along with social sciences.

Banks seized nearly 40,000 homes in Spai

MADRID: Banks seized a total of 39,167 homes in Spain in 2012 as a result of foreclosure proceedings, according to a central bank survey of lenders. The Banco de Espaa study showed that in 83 percent of the cases the homes were primary dwellings. The survey also revealed that more than half of the homes were turned over voluntarily by families. Of them, roughly 75 percent were handed over under the so-called "dacion en pago" procedure, whereby the lender fully discharges the borrower of the debt. Banks seized the homes by court order in the other cases, with police intervention required on some occasions. Evictions have sparked a grassroots movement in Spain in support of victims, and initiatives such as the Platform of People Affected by Mortgages are aimed at preventing home seizures via direct citizen action. The central bank also said that as of Dec 31, 2012, the number of outstanding mortgages came in at 6.77 million, meaning that the seized homes represented 0.58 percent of that total. The survey also showed that 85 percent of mortgage agreements that resulted in court-ordered evictions were signed in 2007 or earlier. This mark the first time Banco de Espaa has published data on seized homes, which was gathered via surveys of banks that manage more than 85 percent of Spanish mortgages.

MUMBAI: In a special trading session on Saturday, a benchmark index of the Indian equities markets closed 0.20 percent up, after healthcare, metal, public sector undertaking (PSUs), consumer durables and bank scrips gained.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) held a special session for trade in derivatives, securities lending and borrowing scheme segment from its disaster recovery site. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which

opened in the positive at 20,091.93 points, closed at 20,122.32 points, up 39.70 points or 0.20 percent from its previous day close at 20,082.62 points. The Sensex touched a high of 20,146.83 points and low of 20,055.18 points. The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was trading 12.50 points or 0.21 percent up at 6,107.25 points. There was healthy buying in healthcare, metal, PSUs, consumer durables and banks sectors gained. The healthcare index was up 135.65 points followed by metal index up 49.58 points, PSU index up 40.15 points, consumer durables index was trading 33.50 and bank index was up 33.14 percent. However, there was heavy selling pressure in IT, TECk, power and realty stocks. The BSE IT index was down 15.84 points,TECk index was down 1.61 points, power index, down 0.65 points followed by realty index down 0.36 points

Domestic air passenger traffic down for 2nd consecutive year

NEW DELHI: Domestic air passenger traffic has been falling in the country, but international routes have become busier. Domestic air passenger traffic fell 5.2 per cent in 2012-13, whereas international air passenger traffic rose 4.8 per cent during the year. This was the second consecutive year in which domestic air passenger traffic has declined. It fell 1.4 percentage points in 2011-12. This was partly on account of the base effect, given that domestic passenger traffic shot up nearly one-fourth (23.8 per cent) in 2010-11. International air traffic has been growing over the past few years, though expansion in volumes has been slowing down. In 2011-12, international air passenger traffic at Indian airports grew 7.5 per cent, slower than the 10.3 per cent increase in 2010-11. This can be attributed to smart growth in tourist arrivals, which has also been slowing down over the past three years. Cargo volumes, on the other hand, have suffered both on domestic and international routes, down for two consecutive years.

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STUDENT AGE SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

MISC

Sunrisers beat Kings XI Punjab by 30 runs

MOHALI: The Sunrisers Hyderabad registered a quintessential 30-run victory over Kings XI Punjab at Mohali to stay alive in the race to the top-four. It was another field day for the Sunrisers bowlers after the batsmen guided their side to 150 following an initial collapse. Darren Sammy, who triggered Punjab's downfall, finished with splendid figures of four for 22 while bowling spearhead Dale Steyn gave away just 20 runs for his two wickets. This win keeps the Sunrisers within touching distance of the Royal Challengers Bangalore who are ahead of them at the fourth spot only on Net Run Rate. This result also draws curtains on Kings XI Punjab's chances of making a surprise entry into the playoffs. Dale Steyn gave his side a good start as he dismissed Mandeep Singh off the first over. Mandeep who was looking to play the ball on the leg-side, gave a leading edge and Cameron White took a good diving catch. Adam Gilchrist was joined by Shaun Marsh and the duo began the rescue work, much like the way they did in their the attack and he almost got rid of Pomersbach, only for Karan Sharma to put down a definite chance to peg back the Punjab side even further. In an act of desperation, Pomersbach and Sathish push for a couple of runs after playing the ball to the hands of long off fielder in the 17th over. To their misfortune, the throw is at the striker's end and even a full length dive from Sathish doesn't help him to get in on time. It was downhill from here on with Piyush Chawla giving his wicket in the next ball to Perera. Chawla failed to read the cutter from Perera and a leading edge goes straight to Shikhar Dhawan at mid-wicket. Steyn came back to bowl the penultimate over and cleaned up Praveen Kumar with a delivery at 148 kmph. He finished with figures of two for 20 in his four overs with Punjab needing 40 runs from the final over. Sammy bowled the final over and picked up his fourth wicket as Punjab fell short by 30 runs.

Sharmila Nicollet makes cut in Turkish Airlines Open

BELEK, TURKEY: Indian golfer Sharmila Nicollet made her first cut of the season after carding a two-over 75 in the second round of the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. Nicollet, who has been recovering from injury and erratic form, made the cut despite a double bogey and a bogey on 16th and 17th hole. She is now three-over 149 at the National Golf Club par73 course. The cut fell at sixover 152. Nicollet, who had three birdies and four bogeys in the first round, had two birdies and an eagle in the second against four bogeys and a double bogey. Longhitting Nicollet made good use of the distance she manages off the tee and the eagle on 14th helped her cause. Meanwhile, Laura Davies, Trish Johnson and Carmen Alonso shared the halfway lead. The trio sits at four under par after 36 holes played in sunny conditions. With overnight leader

Sunrisers are on 5th spot in the points table, with 16 points from 13 matches
previous game against Rajasthan Royals. White brought on Darren Sammy into the attack in the eighth over who struck twice. He removed Marsh off his first delivery when the Australian tried to clear the ground, only for Thisara Perera to take a good running catch. He followed it up with a good ball to Gilchrist, who tried to cut the ball and ended up playing it on to his stumps. Sammy brought out the pacifier and even added a little 'Gangnam style' dance to his celebration as Punjab began to lose grip. Sammy came back for his second over and dismissed the dangerous David Miller as the home sides were reduced to 54 for four at the half-way stage. Luke Pomersbach was joined by Rajagopal Sathish with the visitors having an upper hand in the game. Sathish took the attack to Amit Mishra and slammed him for two sixes and a four in the 14th over. The two batsmen collected 18 runs from that over to put the game back in the balance. At the end of this over, Punjab needed 62 from the remaining 36 deliveries to hang in there in this year's IPL. White immediately brought back Steyn to arrest the run flow and the South African was right on the money. Pomersbach swung the bat a couple of times but could not connect the ball as the over went for just three runs. Perera was brought back into

Carlota Ciganda a stroke back on three under, the leader board is packed with long hitters who have cleverly plotted their way around the tight-tree lined course. Fellow Spaniard Ciganda recovered from a double at the 12th and two bogeys with three birdies to stay in touch. Johnson fired a second round two-under-par 71 after holing a wedge shot for eagle on the par-five 15th mixed with birdies on the sixth and 18th against bogeys on the first and 17th. However, she only held the lead for only a short time before former fellow

Solheim Cup player Davies holed a five-footer for birdie on the 18th green to join her at four-under. Alonso, playing in the last match of the day, then joined the duo on that number. Davies, playing with a local caddie, made five birdies and, despite bogeys on one and five, her birdie on the tough par-four 18th saw her move joint top. Alonso overcame a double at the eighth and three bogeys to shoot six birdies including one at the last to share the lead.

Motorsports: Podium for Raj Bharath

ZHUHAI (CHINA): After clinching a stunning pole position on his debut in the Formula Masters series, India's 18-year old Raj Bharath secured his first podium finish of the season here Saturday as he came in third in the first race and followed it up with a sixth in the next outing. Driving for Meco Motorsport, the Bangalorebased Bharath said: "We did a few changes which we thought would make the car better on slicks, as the qualifying was wet. "Although there was some improvement, it wasn't perfect. But it's not a bad result. All of us are still learning the car and especially the tyres which are quite difficult to figure out," he said. Despite lacking outright pace in the car, Bharath didn't give in without a fight and ultimately crossed the line just 0.9 seconds behind secondplaced Ren Nabaguchi and 1.6 seconds behind race winner Afiq Yazid. The strong result came on the back of a sterling qualifying where an inspired call by the team to let Bharath stay on wet tyres while others switched to slicks paid off handsomely. There is one more race remaining for the weekend and Bharath starts 10th after things didn't go according to plan in the second qualifying session where he finished 10, some 4.1 seconds off pole. "We've seen the data and know there is more scope for improvement. I'll be starting out of position, so it'll definitely be a busy race Sunday and I'll push to get a solid haul of points and cross the line in one piece," said Bharath on his strategy for the final race of the weekend. Formula Masters, the erstwhile Formula Pilota China, has undergone a major revamp this year including support from Volkswagen China with the new car being powered by the German marquee's Formula 3-spec engines and gearboxes.

Brownlee wins Yokohama triathlon World Series race

YOKOHOMA: Jonathan Brownlee of Britain returned from an ankle injury to win his first triathlon World Series race of the season in Yokahama on Saturday. The London Olympics bronze medalist, who had been told the injury could end his season, edged out Olympic silver medalist Javier Gomez of Spain to record his fifth career series win in a time of 1 hour, 44 minutes, 59 seconds. Joao Silva of Portugal was third. "At the start of the year I was told I wouldn't be racing at all this season," Brownlee said. "So I got a bit emotional toward the end because this year I thought I wouldn't be here at all. I thought the season was over two months ago." After three of eight races, Silva leads the overall standings with 2,055 points followed by Gomez with 2,044 and Spain's Mario Mola with 1,326. In the women's event, Gwen Jorgensen of the United States won her second straight series event in a time of 1:57:05 seconds, finishing ahead of Emma Moffat of Australia and Jodie Stimpson of Britain. Jorgensen won the previous race in San Diego. She leads the standings with 1,600 points, ahead of Germany's Anne Haug with 1,433 and Moffatt with 1,425.

Pune finishes 2nd in I-League after win over Arrows

PUNE: Strikers James Moga and Boima Karpeh struck a goal each as Pune FC posted a comfortable 2-0 win over Pailan Arrows to clinch the second position and their best-ever finish in the ILeague, on Saturday. Moga scored in the 39th minute while Karpeh found the net in the 65t minute to help Pune earn their 16th win of the season. The points tally was the highest ever achieved by Pune who took their total to an all-time best 52 points from 26 games. Currently Pune are level on points with champions Churchill Brothers. trolled and bulldozed through the defense before taking a shot. His attempt was blocked and fell for Moga whose first-time attempt beat the goalie. After a slow start to the second half, Pune doubled their advantage twenty minutes into the game. Playmaker Douhou Pierre dispossessed a defender and set up Jerry on a run on the left. The striker controlled, held off a defender and slid the ball past the goalkeeper. The hosts created a few chances late into the game and held on to their two-goal lead to seal the match.

Pune began the game explosively with Jerry creating a chance in the opening minute only for an alert Arrows custodian Soram Poirei to deny. Midway through the half, winger Khanthang Paite sent in a ball from the left and saw

Moga connect in front of the goal. His attempt came off the cross bar and his rebound was blocked by the goalkeeper. Pune took the lead six minutes from the break. Leftback Gurjinder Kumar found Jerry in the center who con-

BANGALORE: Chitra Magimairaj topped the league on Saturday with an all-win record to qualify along with second placed Neena Praveen for the six-red snooker competition in the Asian Indoor Games (AIG) to be held at Incheon, Korea from June 29 to July 6. While Magimairaj won all her four matches, Praveen lost just one outing (to Magimairaj) but won the other three in the five-player selection competition. The results (women - six-red snooker): Chitra Magimairaj bt Neena Praveen 4-1; Arantxa Sanchis bt Umadevi Nagaraj 4-0; Sanchis bt Meenal Thakur 4-0; Magimairaj bt Nagaraj 4-1; Magimairaj bt Thakur 4-1; Praveen bt Nagaraj 4-2; Nagaraj bt Thakur 4-0; Praveen bt Sanchis 4-2; Praveen bt Thakur 4-1; Magimairaj bt Sanchis 4-2. Final standings: Chitra Magimairaj 1; Neena Praveen 2; Arantxa Sanchis 3; Umadevi Nagaraj 4; Meenal Thakur 5.

Governor calls for required Shrestha wins Surya Nepal Masters golf Chitra, Neena qualify Defending champion measures for tourism promotion KATHMANDU: Abhijit Singh Chadha faltered in the play-off for Snooker AIG as local favourite Shivaram Shrestha lifted the
Umer-Fayaz duo wins 3rd Lalit Shikarathon
20th Surya Nepal Masters golf tournament at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort on Saturday. Beginning three shots behind Chadha (70), the Nepali No.1 fought his way in contention and scripted a fairytale victory with a superlative effort of five-under 67 on the final day to force a play-off before prevailing on the first play-off hole (18th) with a birdie. The playoff was necessitated after both the players had finished with a tournament total of 18-under 270. Meanwhile, Asian Tour star Anirban Lahiri made a brilliant charge but faltered in the final holes to finish third at 17-under. Mukesh Kumar and Ajeetesh Sandhu were tied for the fourth place at 274. Rahul Bajal and Md. Dulal Hossain shared the sixth position at 276. With this achievement, Shivaram earned the biggest pay cheque of his career when he walked away with NRs 775,920 while Abhijit was forced to settle for the run-

UAE students conclude Mount Kilimanjaro climbing trip

ABU DHABI: Nine students from the Abu Dhabi Women's College have returned from Tanzania following a successful trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the world's fourth highest mountain. The students and three teachers reached the 5,895 metre-high peak after six days of climbing in temperatures ranging between 10-20 degrees Celsius below zero and low oxygen levels. The trip, the first by a UAE team to Kilimanjaro, was sponsored Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development and the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa.

Governor, N N Vohra gives away prizes to winners of 3rd Lalit Shikarathon at Dal Lake Srinagar.
SRINAGAR: The duo of Umer Shafi and Fayaz Ahmad clinched the title trophy in the 3rd Lalit Shikarathon which was organised by Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, an enterprise of The Bharat Hotels, at Dal Lake. The winning pair awarded with a cash prize of Rs 50,000 by the Governor, N N Vohra, who was chief guest on the occasion. Second prize worth Rs 30,000 went to Javeed Kaloo and Afaq Sheikh. Adil Shafi and Waseem Ahmad bagged third position to become rich by Rs 15,000. The fascinating Shikara race started from The Lalit Point at Dal Lake amidst cheers of hundreds of spectators, who supported those100 Shikaras from four locations- Nigeen Lake, Dal Lake, Manasbal and Jhelum River. The event also saw leaders of the local handicraft community, taxi owners, travel and tour operators, folk artists, bat makers giving away the participation certificates and fee to the Shikarawalas. Earlier, accompanied by First Lady, Usha Vohra, Governor flagged-off the Shikarathon. Later, speaking to the gathering, the chief guest observed that tourism remains a very important sector of the State's economy and emphasized the need for all the required measures being taken for its promotion on a well planned and sustained basis. Referring to the Shikarathon, the Governor complimented Dr. Suri for organizing this exciting competition consecutively for the past three years, which has provided an opportunity to the Shikarawallas to participate in the competition and the people, particularly the tourists, to witness this beautiful spectacle with colourfully decorated Shikaras chasing each other on the Dal Lake. Also present, Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Dr. Jyotsna Suri thanked the Governor for sparing the time to encourage the organizers and above all the participants. She said, "I am glad to have organized The 3rd Lalit Shikarathon. The race has now become a much awaited annual event in Srinagar and the level of enthusiasm I observe amongst the locals is indeed very satisfying." The Group, through its innumerable initiatives, has been promoting tourism through sports and has organized landmark events in the J&K region like The Lalit Suri Drass Polo (that has aided in converting a battlefield to a sporting arena) and The Lalit Caddies Golf Tournament.

ners-up cheque of NRs 535,920. Anirban was richer by NRs 300,720. Shivaram became the second professional golfer after Deepak Thapa Magar (2007 winner) to win the biggest golf tournament in the country of Nepal. "I am thrilled about my victory. It has still not sunk in me. I felt elated instantly but a little later when I went to collect my prize, I realized about my achievement," said the champion.

Serena Williams secures place in Madrid Open final

MADRID: World number one Serena Williams sealed her place in the Madrid Open final for the second consecutive year as she overcame seventh seed Sara Errani 7-5, 6-2. Williams, who could face a showdown for the number one ranking with Maria Sharapova in the final should the Russian come through her semi-final with Ana Ivanovic, just edged the first set when she broke for the third time in the 12th game. The American was then far more comfortable in the second as she wasn't broken at all and again sealed the set and the match by breaking the Errani serve to move through after just over 90 minutes.

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