Thursday, January 21, 1999
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Fly-past: aircraft bases shifted NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — The poor weather conditions in Punjab, Haryana and the Capital has forced the IAF to shift its bases for the aircraft which will fly-past Rajpath as part of the Republic Day parade on January 26. Agni to feature in R-Day parade NEW DELHI, Jan 20 —Intermediate range ballistic missile Agni will be among a host of missile system and war machines to be featured for the first time in this year’s Republic day parade in the capital. ‘Parallel’ diplomacy by Cong NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — The Congress today officially launched “parallel diplomacy” by despatching a four-member delegation to South Africa under the leadership of Mr Narain Dutt Tiwari. |
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 Lieut-Gen H.B. Kala, General- Officer- Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, presenting the Sena Medal to a widow on Wednesday in Sriganganagar. 20 Sena Medals presented SRIGANGANAGAR, Jan 20 — "Rifleman Joginder Singh (22 Assam), displayed exemplary courage and initiative with utter disregard to his personal safety despite being severely injured. In recognition for this act of gallantry, he is awarded with the Sena Medal posthumously". |
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Fly-past: aircraft bases
shifted NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — The poor weather conditions in Punjab, Haryana and the Capital has forced the IAF to shift its bases for the aircraft which will fly-past Rajpath as part of the Republic Day parade on January 26. The IAF has shifted its bases from Ambala, Sirsa and Chandigarh to Hindon, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Arconam to improve the success rate of the flypast. Besides, the total number of aircraft to take part in the fly-past has also been reduced to 29 from 31. An IAF spokesman said here today that keeping in mind the visibility for landing and take-off which was currently better in Rajasthan than in Haryana and Punjab, the IAF had shifted bases to ensure that there was no cancellation of the fly-past as had been done on some occasions in the past. The heights at which the aircraft would fly would also be much lower this year. The parade would be led by four MI-17 helicopters flying in the inverted wine glass formation. Carrying the Tricolour and showering rose petals, the four helicopters would take off from Hindon airbase to flypast along the north of the Rajpath at 10.01.45 a.m. They would be flying at a height of 60 metres, which would be much lower than the height of 100 metres at which they flew last year. They would take off from Hindon at 9.30 am. Taking off five minutes later, also from the Hindon airbase would be the three Kamovs, which would be flying in the Vic formation. They would however coincide their flying over the Rajpath with the naval marching contingent. As the Navy’s marching contingent would reach the main dais, so would the three Kamovs flying at a height of 100 metres and 160 km per hour. The fly-past would begin following the completion of the parade with the arrival of an IL-76, two AN-32s and two Dorniers in a bigboy formation. Taking off from Bikaner at 10 am the planes would flypast the main dais at a height of 300 metres and at a speed of 300 km per hour at exactly 11.55 am A minute later, a TU-142 aircraft of the Navy would fly-past the dais. The aircraft is likely to take off from Arconam airbase near Chennai to fly-past at a height of 400 metres. While now only one TU-142 aircraft would be participating in the flypast, earlier there had been a plan for three of them to flypast the dais. The spectators along the Rajpath would be in for a breathless display from the IAF’s latest acquisition Su-30s and Jaguars a minute and 15 seconds later. Three SU-30s in Vic formation and six Jaguars each in two batches in Shockwave formation would fly-past at an interval of 15 seconds each with an accuracy rate of plus minus five seconds.
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Agni to feature in R-Day parade NEW DELHI, Jan 20 —Intermediate range ballistic missile Agni will be among a host of missile system and war machines to be featured for the first time in this year’s Republic day parade in the capital. The short-range Trishul, medium-range Akash and anti-tank missile Nag, which are now undergoing various stages of technical trials, would also be displayed in the parade for the first time, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Delhi area, Major General S.K.Awasthy, told reporters today. These missiles, demonstrating the country’s formidable military might, would be in addition to surface-to surface long-range ‘Prithvi’ missiles, a regular feature in Republic Day parades in recent years, he said. Another striking feature of the parade would be that all the marching contingents of the Army would be equipped with 5.56 insas rifles. Models of kilo class submarine and air craft carrier would be the other new features, besides MI-35 attack helicopters, air defence missiles, radio trunk systems, satellite communication systems and improved radars, he said. “It will be the parade of the millennium. Like last year, it will be two-hour long with wide participation projecting India’s military prowess as well as its rich and diverse cultural heritage,” Maj Gen Awasthy said. The celebrations would conclude with a fly-past by Air Force fighters and transport aircraft, he said. Pilotless target aircraft Lakshya, deep penetration strike aircraft Jaguar and MIG-27 fighter would feature in the Air Force contingent. Meachanised columns in the parade, to be commanded by Maj Gen Awasthy, would include Arjun main battle tank, T-72 tanks, 105mm field guns, tungushka mounts, improved reporter radar and satcom terminal. The cross section of the
Army taking part in the parade consists of one mounted
column, 12 marching contingents and other elements of the
armoured, artillery and engineers depicting equipment
which are in service. |
Curtain falls with Benigni film HYDERABAD, Jan 20 — Curtain came down on IFFI 99, this evening with the screening of Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful”, a multiple production with producers from three countries (Italy, Colombia and the US) backing it. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes. It unravels the indomitable spirit of man in the midst of adversity; a tragic narrative, set in the backdrop of the Nazi occupation during World War II, unfolding through the comic gaze. The magnitude of the event this year, with over 250 films from 44 countries, including India, and 509 screenings, and the presence of more than 3000 Indian and foreign delegates, and 400 members of the media, makes it quite memorable. The active presence of the Telugu film industry and its hospitality, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally overseeing the proceedings of the festival, gave the festival a local flavour. More important was the built-up ambience and the existence of a vast expanse of cultural space that provided an occasion for discussions, tete-a-tete, personal interaction, seminars and open forum speeches on subjects ranging from “Censorship and extra-constitutional censorship” to ‘Crisis in European cinema’. What agitated Indian film celebrities like Shekhar Kapur, Shyam Banegal and Shabana Azmi, most was the emergence of what they called extra-constitutional censorship with dissenting crowds putting a halt to the screening of a film, and the authorities looking the other way. Foreign delegates, mostly film directors, admired the vibrant nature of Indian film industry which withstood the invasion of Hollywood films. Almost all delegates from Europe spoke of the devastating effect that Hollywood had on the film industry of their countries. Eminent Hungarian filmmaker Zsolt Kezdi Kovacs, a retrospective of whose films formed part of the screening, said the presence of Hollywood in his country’s film screening had gone up to 91 per cent. Italian maestro Bernardo Bertolucci and India’s Shekhar Kapur were the most eloquent and spoke of their personal experiences. Their forthright, informal and no-holds-barred interaction with the press and the delegates was enough to highlight the fact that the cine language, and the universe of images it constructs, had a global sweep. Bertolucci, an Italian, first turned to China to make “The Last Emperor”, to Bhutan and Nepal to make “The Little Buddha” and then got back to cosmopolitan Rome to make “Besieged”, a film on an Englishman’s love for a girl from Africa. Similar has been the experience of Shekhar Kapur. After his foray into the British history with “Elizabeth”, he is now working on a film on Nelson Mandela to be produced by a top producer of Indian origin, Anant Singh, settled in South Africa. It was this global reach that enamoured the young wannabes in the area of production, script writing and direction. They thronged the festival from their training centres in Pune, Bombay, Calcutta, Chennai and Guwahati and turned it into a really colourful and animated occasion.
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‘Parallel’ diplomacy by Cong NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — The Congress today officially launched “parallel diplomacy” by despatching a four-member delegation to South Africa under the leadership of Mr Narain Dutt Tiwari. Mr Tiwari, who held the External Affairs portfolio at one time, will lead the delegation that includes former MPs Mr Anand Sharma, Mrs Ambika Soni and Mr T Basheer which leaves tonight for South Africa on an invitation from the African National Congress (ANC). The purpose of the visit is to reiterate the solidarity between the Indian National Congress and the African National Congress and to strengthen the historic relationship between the two. The Congress delegation will be on a six-day visit from January 21 and will hold “substantive discussions with the leadership of the ANC at the highest level”, he said. The delegation will be received by the ANC President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, who is also the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa tomorrow. The delegation is carrying messages from the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi addressed to President Nelson Mandela and ANC President Thabo Mbeki. In the Pachmarhi declaration adopted at the conclave, the Congress directed the Chairman of its Foreign Affairs wing to take steps towards sending high-powered party delegations to China and South Africa, as recommended by the group which discussed international relations. The decision followed the dip in relations between India and South Africa at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in South Africa earlier that year.
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BJP yet to decide on poll pacts CHENNAI, Jan 20 (PTI)— The BJP has not taken a decision yet about its alliance with other parties for the elections to four state assemblies — Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Sikkim — due in November next, the BJP General Secretary, Mr M. Venkaiah Naidu, said here today. He told newsmen that the party’s strategy would be decided after consulting its cadres in the respective states. The party had already completed its consultations in Andhra Pradesh at its two-day conclave at Vijayawada, which ended yesterday, he said, adding that the party would organise such meetings in Goa and Karnataka soon. He urged the Centre to come out with a white paper on the communal clashes in the country during the past 10 years. This would help the BJP to counter the Opposition propaganda that the communal clashes had become the order of the day under the BJP-led coalition government. He said he could not understand why the Congress and Left parties were against the Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee’s suggestions for a nation-wide debate on religious conversions, when some Christian missionaries and the VHP had evinced interest in such a debate. The debate would reveal the truth behind the conversions, he said. He described as unfortunate the attacks on Christians and their places of worship in Gujarat, but termed the opposition demand for sacking the Gujarat Government for the attacks as ‘politically motivated’. He said nobody raised such a demand when nuns were gangraped in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress was in power. He alleged that the Congress had given the party ticket to one of the accused in nun rape case for the assembly poll in the state. The BJP leader said the Tamil Nadu Government had launched a ‘witch hunt’ of the AIADMK supremo Ms Jayalalitha and this was evident from the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi’s repeated onslaught against her.
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Challenging of Takht edict decried NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — A section of Delhi Akali leaders today criticised the challenging of the “hukamnama” issued by the Akal Takht by some Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Avtar Singh Autopin, former President, Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, said Akal Takht is the supreme temporal seat and the “hukamnama” issued by it cannot be challenged. “The challenging of the hukamnama is not in the right spirit and they should take back their criticism. Akali leaders here and the Sikh community have resented this move,” he said. The hukamnama is in the best interest of the people, Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, member, SGPC said. Referring to the appeal by 131 SGPC members urging Akal Takht chief Bhai Ranjit Singh to withdraw his hukamnama, Mr Sarna said the appeal was not in consonance with the Sikh traditions. Mr Sarna said that they were appealing to the SGPC members to take back their criticism. Meanwhile, the National
Akali Dal President, Mr Paramjeet Singh Pamma, today
demanded the banning of the book “Vanity
Incarnate”. |
President’s concern at weapons stockpile NEW DELHI, Jan 20 (PTI) — The President, Mr K.R. Narayanan, today expressed concern at the spread and stockpile of weapons of mass destruction in the world and said “global security can be ensured only within an international system that is based on just, democratic and non-discriminatory principles”. Receiving the credentials of the British High Commissioner-designate, Sir Rob Young at the Rasthrapati Bhavan here, he said, “it was unfortunate that the present world order tends to perpetuate inequalities in matters of economic and strategic security of nations” and hoped that the next century “will witness a more equitable, just, peaceful and cooperative world order”. The President said the new High Commissioner assumes office at a time when India has just completed 50 years of Independence and it had been a period of challenges, rare opportunity and, despite many difficulties, a period of great achievements. Presenting his credentials, Sir Young stressed that he would do his utmost to bring Britain and India even closer together. “For any British
diplomat, to serve in India is an honour. To come here as
British High Commissioner, entrusted with nurturing and
further the very special links between our two countries
is a rare privilege”. |
Cong tilting towards BJP agenda: RLM NEW DELHI, Jan 20 (PTI) — In an apparent bid to stop the drift of minorities towards the Congress, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha (RLM) today accused the Congress of playing the Hindutva card by endorsing the “correctness” of the BJP’s thrust on strengthening the core of Indian nationalism and said religion should not be mixed with politics. An RLM spokesman, Mr Amar Singh, told newsmen that the Congress had fallen in the BJP’s ‘trap’ and was practising “pseudo-secularism” by saying that Hinduism was the most effective guarantor of secularism. “It is not a new game the Congress is playing,” he said. The manner in which the Congress had joined hands with BJP on the patents Bill, women’s reservation Bill and states reorganisation Bill, and on the issue of election of Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, exposed the “nexus” between the two parties. “This is highly surprising,” he said. He charged the Congress with failing to protect women and cited incidents like Jhabua nuns’ rape case and more recently the Anajana Mishra gangrape case in states ruled by the party. Condemning the attack on the BCCI office in Mumbai, allegedly by Shiv Sainiks, he said the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani’s silence on the matter was “all the more shameful.”Accusing the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, of shedding crocodile tears on the issue, he said the BJP-led government at the Centre should take action against Shiv Sena activists. The Samajwadi Party leader
said a campaign would be launched against the Kalyan
Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh from February 5 in
protest against what he alleged fake encounters against
his party workers, “500 of whom have been killed in
the past two years, and to highlight other problems in
the state.” |
Trinamool 'not in race' for ministry CALCUTTA, Jan 20 (PTI) — Virtually putting an end to the speculation over the Trinamool Congress joining the Vajpayee government, party leader Mamata Banerjee today categorically said "it is not in the race for ministership". Denying that her preference for the Railway Ministry had set off controversy in the BJP-led alliance, she told newsmen here that her party did not resort to any blackmailing tactic. "Now we are not in the race," she said. The Trinamool Congress, she said, did not want to join the government, but Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had repeatedly requested "us" to participate in the ministry. "The Prime Minister also wanted to know our preference for any portfolio. We only expressed our preference," she said. The party’s working committee had last week decided that it would consider joining the ministry only if portfolios like the railway was given to them. She also said she did not have any talk with Defence Minister George Fernandes on joining the Union Ministry. The Trinamool Congress leader expressed confidence that the Centre would have to give priority to her "Bengal package" in the next Rail Budget. Referring to the infiltration problem from Bangladesh, she said it should be sorted out by the Centre, state and the Bangladesh Government. The issue could be taken up during the coming visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, she said. She charged the ruling Left Front with failing to take action against the ISI agents active in the state.
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Representation to weaker sections NEW DELHI, Jan 20 (PTI) — An umbrella organisation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) today supported President K.R. Narayanan's proposal for due consideration to the weaker sections in appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court. President of the All-India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations Ram Raj said here today that his organisation had consistently raised the issue of representation of the weaker sections in the higher judiciary. He was commenting on reported remarks by Mr Narayanan that eligible persons from the weaker sections of society like SCs and STs and women should be given due consideration at the time of appointing Judges to the Supreme Court. Reacting to the remarks by Chief Justice of India A. S. Anand that the Constitution envisaged that merit alone be the criterion for all appointments to the Supreme Court and high courts, Mr Raj said this was "insulting" to Dalits. The "so-called merit" was only a pretext, he claimed.
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Sonia meets two Orissa dissidents NEW DELHI, Jan 20 (PTI) — The dissidents' campaign against Orissa Chief Minister J.B. Patnaik in the aftermath of Anjana Mishra gangrape incident gathered momentum with two more ministers meeting Party President Sonia Gandhi on the issue. The meeting of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Mohan Nag and Tourism and Culture Minister Netrananda Mallick, with the party high command here last night assumes significance after a week-long campaign by Mr Patnaik's detractors, including some senior ministers and party functionaries. Mr Nag and Mr Mallick were understood to have complained against Mr Patnaik during the meeting with her. When asked what transpired between them and the party high command, Mr Mallick quipped "We told her whatever we wanted to convey". "Go and ask Sonia," he said replying to a query on the response of the Party President. While Mr Nag rushed back to Bhubaneswar this evening, Mr Mallick, who is still camping in the Capital, is understood to have sought appointment with senior party leaders.
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Another split in Arunachal Congress ITANAGAR, Jan 20 (PTI) — The beleaguered Arunachal Congress has suffered yet another blow with seven of its former ministers forming Arunachal Congress (T) under the leadership of Sobeng Tayeng, Agriculture Minister in the Gegong Apang ministry. Arunachal Pradesh Speaker Chowna Mein recognised the new Arunachal Congress (T) yesterday, party spokesman Tobar Jamoh told newsmen today. With yesterday’s split, the strength of the Arunachal Congress, which bowed out of office on Monday, has now been reduced to only 14 from a total of 45. Arunachal Congress (M) headed by Chief Minister Mukut Mithi had vertically split Arunachal Congress on January 10.The AC (T) members are Sobeng Tayeng, Tade Tacho, Lombo Tayeng, Kalikho Pul, Dorjee Khandu, Tobar Jamoh and Chow Rajingda Namshum, an assembly notification said today . Jamoh, who was Minister of State for Tourism in the Apang Ministry said the AC (T) members had split due to “pressure of their respective electorate so that development process in their areas did not suffer. ”“The AC (T)
members have nothing against Mr Apang who has ruled the
state for the past 19 years and has given enough. At the
same time they cannot go against the aspirations of their
electorate”, he said. |
20 Sena Medals presented SRIGANGANAGAR, Jan 20 — "Rifleman Joginder Singh (22 Assam), displayed exemplary courage and initiative with utter disregard to his personal safety despite being severely injured. In recognition for this act of gallantry, he is awarded with the Sena Medal posthumously". So read his citation , among many others at the 1999, Western Command Investiture Ceremony organised here today to honour the brave and gallant of the Indian Army. A total of 20 Sena Medals — nine of them posthumous — were awarded at an impressive ceremony. Besides, two Sena Medals for devotion towards duty, five Vashisht Sena Medals for meritorious service were presented. Another 11 personnel were decorated for gallantry during operations in Jammu and Kashmir, while eight personnel have been cited for this award while serving in the North-East. Two others have been decorated for defusing car bombs and improvised explosive devices in Coimbatore. The nine awarded with posthumous Sena Medals are: Nb Sub Narpat Ram Verma (26 Rajput), who was killed while intercepting and killing militants during a raid in Rajouri. Battalion Havildar Major Gurmail Singh (artillery) was killed while recovering a cache of ammunition in Assam, Naik Dharam Pal, Lance Naik, Tarsem Singh ( 17 Rajputana Rifles) intercepted and killed militants in Doda, Rifleman Ashok Kumar (13 J and K Rifles) prevented militants from escaping during a search operation in Kashmir while Rifleman Joginder Singh ( 22 Assam), killed an "area commander " of the Kuki National Army during a raid on a militant hideout in Manipur. Two paramilitary personnel were also decorated with the Sena Medals posthumously. Inspector Raj Kumar (19 ITBP) had stormed a militant hideout in Anantnag and killed two militants. Constable Narender Pal (69 BSF) for chasing and killing four militants in a close encounter. All posthumous medals were received by the widows of the personnel. Other gallantry awardees include Maj Gagandeep Singh Kochhar (175 Field Regiment), for charging at militants in Assam and forcing them to flee, leaving behind their weapons, Major Syed Sibatul Hassan (3 Kumaon) commanded a cordon operation despite being wounded . Maj Deependra Singh Sengar intercepted escaping militants in Assam. Major Jason Jacob (11 Maratha) laid an ambush and recovered weapons in Assam following an intense encounter. Major Ivor Goldsmith (AOC) and Hav S. Sabu (Engrs) diffused bombs in Coimbatore. Lt P. Prabhakara Rao (Madras) was conferred the Sena Medal for single-handedly storming a militant hut in Poonch and killing a militant leader, while Lt Amrish Kumar (11 Maratha) eliminated two Bodo militants, who were experts in handling explosives. Nb Sub Ram Shankar (6 Bihar) was decorated for blowing up a militant hut in Assam and killing a militant despite being wounded and under fire. Hav Satnam Singh (13 Punjab), Nk Mohan Lal Meena ( 12 Grenediers) and Major Jaideep Singh (5 Dogra) and Rifleman Joginder Singh (22 Assam) were decorated for showing devotion to duty during operations in J and K and Assam respectively. Five Vashisht Sena Medals were awarded to senior officers for their selfless contribution of a high order towards the overall betterment and cause of the Army. The awardees include Maj-Gen R.K. Jetley (AMC), Brig Jagjit Singh Saini (AMC), Col Ram Sarup Rana (12 Sikh Light Infantry), Col Sat Dev Karlloopia (AMC) and Col S. K. Kaul ( AMC). Later General-Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Lieut-Gen H.B. Kala, who presented the awards interacted with the war widows and listened to their grievances. As far as the employment of their wards was concerned, he said the matter would be taken up with the respective state governments. The General also assured them that the process for filling reserved posts for such categories would be streamlined. The General-Officer-Commanding 10 Corps, Lieut-Gen G.K. Duggal, General-Officer-Commanding 16 Division, Maj-Gen Mohinder Singh, and other senior officers were also present on the occasion. Gifts and souvenirs were
presented to the widows. The gifts were presented on
behalf of the Army, district administration, banks and
other local organisations. |
Parthasarathy envoy to Pakistan NEW DELHI, Jan 20 — Mr Gopalaswami Parthasarathy has been appointed as the new High Commissioner of India to Pakistan. He succeeds Mr Satish Chandra who has been posted to New Delhi as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) of the Cabinet Secretariat. Mr Parthasarathy, currently India's High Commissioner to Australia, had earlier served in Pakistan as India's Counsel-General at Karachi. Other diplomatic
appointments announced today include the posting of Mr
Appunni Ramesh, currently the Consul-General of India in
Hamburg, Germany, as the Ambassador of India to Libya. Mr
Arun Kumar Banerjee has been named India's Ambassador to
the Republic of Togo. Mr Banerjee, High Commissioner of
India to Ghana, has been currently accredited to the
Republic of Togo. He will have his residence at Ghana's
capital, Accra. |
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| 5 die of suspected food
poisoning DHARMAPURI: Five persons, including four women, died and five others were hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning in the past two days at Pochampalli and Mathur in Dharmapuri district, officials sources said here on Wednesday. The District Collector, Mr Mohan Pyare, said that those belonging to Pochampalli had partaken a feast on Pongal day. Five persons, including three women, were admitted to Mathur Government Hospital after they complained of giddiness and vomiting, he said. — PTI Bonded labourers freed Folk dance
festival Blue tongue
disease hits sheep Karnataka JD chief Delhi hospital
with German tie-up |
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