Friday, November 27, 2009

No resignation letter received from Maria: Sources

M
umbai, Nov 27 (PTI) No letter has been received from Mumbai Police Crime Branch Chief Rakesh Maria offering to quit against the backof allegations by IPS officer Ashok Kamte's widow, state Home department sources said.

"No such letter has been received," sources told PTI.

The clarification follows media reports that Maria, upset over Vinita Kamte's allegations that he mishandled 26/11 operations, had offered to quit.

Katara murder case: SC refuses bail to Vikas Yadav

New Delhi, Nov 27 (PTI) The Supreme Court today refused to grant bail to Vikas Yadav, who is undergoing life imprisonment, in connection with the Nitish Katara murder case.

However, the apex court asked the Delhi High Court to expeditiously consider his appeal against the conviction and life imprisonment awarded by the trial court.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices B S Chauhan and K S Radhakrishnan did not accept the contention of Yadav that he has been in jail for over seven years.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Yadav, son of controversial Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, submitted that the convict should be granted bail as it would take a lot of time by the High Court to decide his appeal.

Muslim group pays homage to martyr Hemant Karkare in New Delhi

N
ew Delhi, Nov.26 (ANI): On the occasion of first anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks, the nation paid its homage to all those who lost their lives due to militant attacks besides to the martyrs from the uniformed services for their brave efforts.





In the national capital, Members of the All India United Muslim Morcha (AIUMM) hosted a memorial service to pay homage to Hemant Karkare, the Chief of Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra Police who lost his life during terrorist attack in Mumbai last year.



It was organized at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital to pay tribute to Hemant Karkare who sacrificed his life while fighting the terrorists.



" I salute Hemant Karkare for sacrificing his life for the safety of the nation," said Riyazudin Qureshi, a senior functionary of All India United Muslim Morcha.



Karkare, the chief of the Anti Terrorist Squad died after being shot thrice in his chest while fighting the terrorists on the fateful night of 26 November, 2008.



"He was filled with patriotic fervour and had the courage to sacrifice his life for the nation and the people. He made the sacrifice to bring about peace and harmony in the nation," said Sirazudin Kurashi, Member, All India United Muslim Morcha.





Ten gunmen landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired indiscriminately at a busy railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and luxury hotels—Trident and Taj Palace Hotel.



One gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, a Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently facing trial in a special court in Mumbai.(ANI)

Nariman House reopens on 26/11 first anniversary

M
umbai, Nov 26 (ANI): The Nariman House, a Jewish outreach centre, which became a war zone during the 26/11 terror strike, reopened on Thursday, exactly a year after it closed due to mayhem caused by terrorists from Pakistan.



Run by Chabad-Lubavitch Movement, the centre, which constitutes of an educational centre and a Synagogue, offers drug prevention services and transit stay to the Jews.



A memorial service for Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg his wife Rivka and other victims of the 26/11 attacks marked the reopening of the Chabad House also known as Nariman House.



The couple had come to Mumbai in 2003 to serve the local Jewish community.



"We take a vow that their (the couple’s) passing will not be in vain. The candle might have extinguished but their flame keeps on flickering and would continue to glow brighter and brighter," said Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, Chairman of the Orthodox Jewish Movement''s International Centres.



Moshe, the two-year-old son of the Holtzbergs, was miraculously saved by his governess, Sandra Samuel and the family''s handyman-cum-cook Qazi Zakir Hussain alias Jackie.



"He is mainly beacon of light to the family and to the whole world. He is cute-cute little child," Krinsky added.



Speaking on the occasion Director of Chabad Mumbai Relief Fund Rabbi Abraham Berkowitz said : "Indians are not alone. What took place here was an attack, a barbaric attack, and every man, woman and child that wishes to live in freedom without fear and therefore we all stand together, the men and women of goodwill all over the world to unite in solidarity and support of the victims and their families and to make sure that goodness and human values prevail for all.” (ANI)

Centre to give petrol pumps to 26/11 martyrs’ families

M
umbai, Nov 26 (ANI): As the nation paid its homage on Thursday to the brave soldiers and other innocent people who lost their lives in the Mumbai terror attacks last year, the Government on Thursday announced petrol pumps for the next of kin of the martyrs of the 26/11 attack.



Addressing the memorial prayers for the martyrs in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said: "The government of India through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is making a very small gesture, a gesture that will bring some comfort to the families.”



When the Mumbai was held siege on 26/11, 18 security personnel were killed during the ill-fated 59 hours of operation to flush out terrorists.



“The next of kin of 18 security officers were offered a petroleum product outlet. One of them declined. Seventeen have graciously accepted the offer of the government of India," Chidambaram said. (ANI)

Manmohan Singh arrives in Trinidad for CHOGM

B
y Smita Prakash

Port of Spain, Nov.27 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, arrived on Thursday afternoon from Washington to attend the attend the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) here.

The CHOGM will be formally declared open at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain today.

The focus of this meeting is expected to be on the internationally troubling issue of climate change. Representatives of member nations are expected to establish the Commonwealth''s position on the problem ahead of next month''s United Nations Climate Change Talks in Copenhagen.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen will be the special guests at the deliberations related to climate change. Rasmussen will be chairing the UN talks in Copenhagen.

CHOGM''s taking up of the climate change issue is of significance to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other small island developing states within and out of the Commonwealth,as global warming has led to an increasing threat of rising sea levels and severe damage to their economies.

The CARICOM has urged developed nations to abide by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change that was agreed to in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 to effectively reduce the degree of their greenhouse emissions.

While many developed nations have complied, particularly with respect to the production of chlorofluorcarbons (CFC) used extensively in aerosol propellants, it is increasingly clear that several have not.

The negative impact on climate change on small island developing states is and will be huge. It could lead to land erosion caused by abnormally rising tide levels and an adverse effect on fish stocks triggering migration.

The unrestricted use of fossil fuels such as coal, along with the cutting down of forests for their wood is also a matter of concern to the CARICOM and may be deliberated upon during this year''s CHOGM because of its adverse impact on the ozone layer.

The CHOGM is held every two years in different member states in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, and is chaired by that nation''s prime minister or president.

The 2009 meeting will see Britain''s Queen Elizabeth II making an appearance as the Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth''s son, Prince Charles, represented her at the last meeting.

From 1944 until 1971, the meetings were known as Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conferences and were generally held in London, although the Commonwealth leaders met in Lagos in 1966.

The first CHOGM was held in January 1971 in Singapore, where the Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed on a set of ideals which are embraced by all members and provide a basis for peace, understanding and goodwill among all nations and people. Since then, CHOGMs have taken place on a biennial basis.

CHOGMs have attempted to orchestrate common policies on contentious issues and current events, with a special focus on issues affecting member nations.

Meetings of associated committees usually take place in the weeks preceding the CHOGM. These include the Committee of the Whole, which consists of senior officials. The Commonwealth Ministers'' Action Group on the Harare Declaration and the Ministerial Group on Small States may also meet. Their recommendations are considered at CHOGM.

Parallel special events involving non-government organizations, business and youth now coincide with each CHOGM. Action plans are developed at these events to complement official Commonwealth statements.

The last CHOGM took place in 2007 in Kampala, the capital of east African nation Uganda.

In anticipation of the CHOGM, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has ordered all schools and public offices to be closed on Friday.

The judiciary has also decided to close the Port of Spain High Court and the Port of Spain Magistrates Court on that day.

Most of the ministries are situated in Port of Spain, including that of Finance, Planning, Housing, Works and Transport, Attorney General, Sports, Public Utilities, Energy, Trade and Public Administration.

Only managers of the Parliament would be coming out to work in order to prepare to host Secretary General William Shija of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, CHOGM''s sister body.

Trinidadians here have welcomed the undeclared holiday, the third this week. (ANI)

Security tightened in Port of Spain ahead of UK Queen''s arrival

B
y Smita Prakash

Port of Spain, Nov.27 (ANI): Britain''s Queen Elizabeth and members of her royal household are arriving here today to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Security arrangements have been put on the highest levels at the Carlton Savannah Hotel where she will be staying.

Local police will provide escort and assistance to the Queen''s security entourage on her arrival and departure to the hotel, said security personnel.

Trinidad and Tobago''s Trade and Industry Minister Mariano Browne said that only a few persons have received accreditation passes to be in the area of the Savannah Hotel.

Media accreditation also has been very difficult to get. Security arrangements he added, will not be hampered since citizens will have the opportunity to shop and move about freely.

Questions have been raised about the difference with the "less"security arrangements put in place for CHOGM than that of the heavy security arrangements for the Fifth Summit of Americas held in April.

Browne said the security arrangement was not less, but in fact "more complex" since the movement of persons will be handled differently. The main difference of course is that US President Barak Obama is not here!

Brown said they have learned from the Americas Summit as to what elements of security they could eliminate and what they need to fine tune. They have also prepared for the worst nightmare, ie "eventualities".

The main security is of course near the Hyatt Regency Hotel and others nearby where the delegates are staying. The media is in the Caribbean Princess, a massive ship stationed on the Pacific. Here too the security is very tight with metal detectors and scanning machines at various points. (ANI)

26/11 fallout: Mumbai Crime Branch chief wants to quit

M
umbai, Nov 27 (ANI): Mumbai''s Crime Branch Chief, Rakesh Maria has said he is ready to quit from his post over allegations in a book that he didn''t do enough to provide security cover for slain senior cops Hemant Karakare, Ashok Kamte and Vijay Salaskar.



He has expressed a desire to meet Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil on the matter.



Maria is believed to have sought consent to counter allegations made against him in a book co-authored by Vinita Kamte, the wife of ACP Ashok Kamte who was shot dead on the night of the 26/11 terrorist attacks.



Maria was in charge of the police control room that night, when Kamte, encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar and Anti-Terror Squad Chief Hemant Karakare asked for additional cover to counter the terrorists near Cama Hospital.



In her book titled ''To The Last Bullet'', Vinita Kamte has alleged that Maria mishandled operations, causing the death of Kamte and his colleagues. She says her allegations are based on police logs that she won access to through the Right to Information Act.



Kamte says that after the attacks began, Hemant Karkare asked for reinforcements, but it took too long to arrive. She also says that Maria diverted her husband to Cama Hospital from the Trident, where he was headed.



The Kamte vs. Maria verbal war comes after reported differences were aired about the Mumbai Police. (ANI)

MANMOHAN SINGH IN THE CARIBBEAN''S `LITTLE INDIA''

R
ECOLLECTIONS OF A COMMUNICATOR

By I. Ramamohan Rao

New Delhi (ANI): The visit of Dr Manmohan Singh to Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean has been long overdue. Trinidad and Tobago is little India in the Caribbean, with around 41 percent of its population of ethnic Indian origin, and an equal percentage of African origin.

They are descendants of immigrants from India who went there when it was a British colony to work in the plantations there after the abolition of African slavery.

Starting from 1845, around 147,600 Indians went to Trinidad over a 70-year period traveling by boats for 36,000 kilometers,. Many died on the way.


Most of them went from the present Uttar Pradesh and Bihar States on a 10-year contract but very few could return. What is remarkable is that, unlike other countries like Guyana, ethnic Indians in Trinidad held onto their culture, establishing temples, masjids and a gurudwara, patterned on their Indian replicas.

When they left the shores of India, some carried with them copies of the Tulsidas Ramayana, the Hanuman Chalisa, and the Bhagwad Gita. The Muslims had with them copies of the Quoran in Urdu. These helped them to hold on to their religion. Hinduism for most of the Trinidadians today is derived from the Tulsidas Ramayana.

My association with Trinidad and Tobago commenced when I was offered the assignment of establishing the Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Cultural Cooperation in Port of Spain in 1996 after I had finished serving as Information Advisor to the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

The setting up of the center in Trinidad was to fulfill a promise made by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she had visited that country in 1968.

It was something looked forward to by the people of Trinidad and Tobago, a country inhabited by 1.3 million people of whom 41 percent were of Indian origin.

When I arrived in Port of Spain in 1997, the Prime Minister of the country was Basdeo Pandey, an ethnic Indian. He offered an abandoned bungalow in a former cane plantation to house the Cultural Centre.

The bungalow was located at Caroni, in the middle of the island. It was near to the university area and the Indian settlements. I got the same renovated, and established a library, a hall each for teaching dancing, music and tabla, which could also serve as place for holding seminars.

It was very educative for me to study how the Hindus had preserved their culture. Like India, each village in the country had a temple and a mosque. There were over 150 temples and around 100 mosques, many of them located next to each other.

The Hindus of Trinidad had imbibed a great deal from church traditions. All Hindus of a locality used to get together for a ''Sunday Service'' when a chapter from the Tulsidas Ramayana or Bhagwad Gita would be read. At the end, there would be a puja and offerings would be made to the deity. The participants normally brought some food along with them from home and shared it with others.

Right in the centre of the country is a sprawling area, which is called Diwali Nagar, where the whole island gathers to celebrate Diwali and other festivals. The island had three FM radio stations playing popular Bollywood tunes round the clock and almost every theatre used to screen Hindi films regularly.

People were fond of music. Those of African origin had the steel band and the Calypso, and those of Indian origin used to sing Indian music or a mixture of Indian and local tunes, called the ''chutney'' or the ''pitchkari''.

The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Cultural Cooperation has been running courses in dance, instrumental music and tabla regularly, besides participating in the activities of local organisations, the most important being the National Council of Indian Culture, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and the Hindi Prachar Sabha.

Indian dance and music are popular in Trinidad. The island has its own brand of Indian music called ''Chutney'', which is similar to what has been developed in Bollywood.

The island had around 100 families of non-resident Indians, mostly professionals - doctors, engineers and the like. Ispat, owned by Laxmi Mittal, who is now one of the richest persons across the globe, employed many of them. Laxmi Mittal took over an ailing steel plant around 1990 and has now developed a non-oil industrial complex. Later the Essar group won a contract to build a 1.2 billion steel plant.

Indian goods are popular, but the cost is prohibitive. The complaint, often heard, was that the Government of India did not have any facility to transport them to the Caribbean region. The university in the island is associated with Indian counterparts like Manipal and promotes specialized courses. The people of Trinidad are also keen to come to India for higher studies-including study of religion, to become ''qualified'' teachers in religious institutions in the island territory.

Ethnic Indians have earned a name for themselves, the foremost being V.S. Naipaul. Today, many Trinidadians have become doctors and engineers and occupy important positions in the island territory and in the United States and Canada.

Trinidad is an oil-rich country. Many people of Trinidad would like to visit India to see the place of their ancestors. The scope for expanding tourism is enormous, if only there are direct flights from India.

In the Caribbean and South America, there are a number of places where ethnic Indians have settled. India can expand its trade and commerce and promote tourism in the whole of South America and the Caribbean. For this, the country needs ocean liners - only then can trade and tourism be promoted. Will Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - once Chairman of the South Commission -- initiate the process?


I. Ramamohan Rao, former Principal Information Officer, Government of India.
e-mail: raoramamohan@hotmail.com .