He said going by the statements of shopkeepers, the two suspects spoke like traders from Delhi or Western Uttar Pradesh and appeared to be Kashmiris.

Police have obtained vital clues about the twin blasts but they could not share all information with the media as it could hamper the probe, Sikera said adding some details of telephone calls were also gathered.  Sikera said at least four-five persons were suspected to be involved in Tuesday's blasts and added that the state police were in touch with their counterparts from Jammu and Kashmir to work out the case. He also said that the video tape recovered from near the Sankatmochan temple containing record of a marriage ceremony was also being examined.

There was a figure in the tape which was yet to be identified and appeared to be suspicious, he said.

Asked whether the police were also preparing the sketches of terrorists involved in the blasts at the Railway Station and the temple, Sikera said "we did get some eyewitness accounts but they were not authentic as they differed from one another.

About the reported role of a woman in the blast, he said "so far police had no proof to point towards this direction". "It is too early to say," Sikera said when asked about possible involvement of some local groups in the blasts.

There were several versions about the incident, with one source stating that the personal security officer (PSO) had carried a gun with him to the Speaker's gallery from where Priyanka and her husband, Robert Vadra, were watching Rahul. (UNI)

The hour-long meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, earmarked Rs 1114 crore for the purchase of the missiles from Defence Public Sector Unit Bharat Dynamics Limited, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here. The 54 surface-to-air missiles, with a range of 250 km, would be acquired for use by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The CCS also approved the acquisition of 12 Intermediate Jet Trainers (IJTs) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bangalore at a cost of Rs 486.82 crore. The meeting also agreed to purchase 11 Interceptive Boats for the Coast Guard and this would cost over Rs 200 crore, Mukherjee said. The CCS also approved Standard Operation Procedure for natural or manmade disasters, including terrorist attacks at major installations.(PTI)

Bikhiwind (Amritsar): With Pakistan Supreme Court rejecting Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh's review petition against his death sentence, his family on Thursday sought the help of President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to save him from the gallows.

Sources said various police units in the district have been asked to verify some addresses and check if Zaheera could be traced so that she can be brought to book.

Zaheera, who used to stay at her relative's place at Bhayander town of Thane district when the Best Bakery case was being heard by a Mumbai court, has not been sighted at the place ever since the apex court judgement came, sources said.

The sources said the possibility of Zaheera hiding in Gujarat was remote since she has already feared for her life there. "She is probably hiding some where in Thane district. But we do not wish to even indicate the probable place as that may alert her," they said. (PTI)

New Delhi: Opposition BJP on Thursday slammed the General Budget saying it lacked initiative for economic reforms and infrastructure development and had sops only for "pasta and ice cream eaters".

The Finance Minister had reduced excise duty on pasta (Italian food) and ice cream to zero from 16 per cent and on cold drinks to 16 per cent from 24 per cent but levied higher duties on walking sticks and janata soap, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said in Rajya Sabha.

Participating in a debate on the General Budget, he said "there is nothing in it for economic reforms," and housing, infrastructure, pension reforms, health, irrigation and rural employment all had been neglected. "Nothing is happening on infrastructure... not one major infrastructure project has been taken up by Government in the last two years," the former Finance Minister said.

Allocation for roads and highways had been reduced by Rs 4,000 crore, he said adding work on the prestigious National Highway Development Project (NHDP) had been substantially reduced. Sinha said Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore would be needed for implementation of the employment guarantee scheme in 200 districts and only Rs 2,300 crore in addition to Rs 9000 crore already available under the Samporna Gramin Rozgar Yojana and Food for Work Programme had been provided.

The BJP leader wanted to know where the money collected from levy of two per cent cess on all taxes, which was meant for providing elementary education, was spent during the past two years.

Government plans to set up more atomic energy plants with latest safeguards available in the international market and construction work on eight reactors is in progress, the Rajya Sabha was informed. The eight nuclear reactors, when completed, will lead to enhancement of power capacity from the current 3360 MWe to 7280 MWe in the next five years, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said in a written reply. (PTI)

Yangon: Underlining the need for restoration of democracy, India on Thursday offered Myanmar assistance in establishing the democratic structure in the country as the two sides signed a number of agreements, including one on the key energy sector.

In an indication of the BJP going back to its 'Hindutva' moorings after the Jinnah episode which saw his predecessor L K Advani locked in a confrontation with the Sangh Parivar, Singh reaffirmed the party's faith in 'Hindutva' and 'cultural nationalism' which, he said, alone could save India from disintegration. "The Congress is sowing seeds of another partition by pursuing politics of minorityism and appeasement," he said addressing a BJP workers' conference. (PTI)

Muzaffarpur: Embattled RJD MP Mohd. Shahabuddin on Thursday suffered a setback as he failed in the LLB Part II examination conducted by the B R Ambedkar Bihar university last year in which he had not personally appeared.

Raj, who severed his ties with the Sena on December 18 and later embarked on a two-month long statewide tour, has retained the `Sena' title in his new outfit. "I shall elaborate on the party's stance on issues like Hindutva, its agenda for development of Maharashtra and the significance of the party flag colours at the March 19 public meeting," he told reporters here.

The meeting is scheduled at Shivaji Park in central Mumbai, venue of the Sena's annual Dussehra rally. Asked if MNS would also organise such an annual rally, Raj said he had no such plans. (PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram: A huge sculpture of a mythological bird from the epic Ramayana will be built atop a rock in Kerala by 2008 to house a history museum, a mini theatre, an open area and also washrooms inside. The 200-foot long, 150-foot wide and 50-foot tall ‘functional’ sculpture of Jatayu will be built on a 1,000-foot tall rock at Chadayamangalam, 50 km from here.

According to the Ramayana, when demon king Ravana was on his way to Lanka on Pushpak Vimana (flying chariot) after abducting Lord Rama’s wife Sita, he encountered Jatayu. On seeing Sita cry for help, Jatayu got into a fight with Ravana during which he cut the bird’s wings. According to legend, Chadayamangalam, known as Jatayumangalam in local parlance, was the place where Jatayu fell after losing to Ravana.

Taking into account the historical relevance of the place, the Kerala Eco-tourism Department last year decided to erect a befitting monument to relive the myth. It entrusted sculptor-turned-award winning film director Rajiv Anchal to erect the functional sculpture at a cost of Rs.2 crore.

Speaking to IANS, Anchal said it has been named as a functional sculpture because unlike other works this is one where people can move about inside the structure. The project, when complete, is billed to be Asia’s biggest ‘functional structure’. The structure is going to be built using concrete and will have three floors. When completed, visitors can enter the Jatayu through the tail portion and exit through the slashed portion of the wing," said Anchal.

He said the Kerala Government has passed an order sanctioning the first instalment of Rs.85 lakh.

"Now that the funds are ready, work is expected to begin in a week’s time.

"It is going to be a real challenge because to build this huge structure all material has to be transported from the base of the 1,000-foot rock to its top," said Anchal. (IANS)

Shimla: The tables are turned as more and more men in this Himalayan state are seeking succour from bullying wives. According to well informed sources, the Himachal Pradesh Women’s Commission, which usually looks into discrimination and atrocities against the fairer sex, is now is faced with complaints from men who have started approaching the independent body for relief.

Officials say there are 177 cases lodged with the commission from across the State with harassed men from 10 of the State’s 12 districts making a beeline for justice. Kangra, the State’s most populous district, has reported 62 cases. In almost all cases, the tormentors are the wives. According to the petitions by the men they were being ill-treated, neglected and, in some cases, even being beaten up by their enraged spouses.

"With women finally fighting back, such cases are only going to rise in future," woman activist Poonam Chauhan told IANS.

"Men approaching the women’s commission is a significant development. Even though atrocities against women continue, men seeking relief from their wives surely marks a new trend in Himachal," she said.

Some husbands complained their wives had left behind children, forcing the men to play the role of both parents. Besides being bread-winners, they also had to perform other household chores like cooking and raising children. A man (name not disclosed) has complained his wife often didn’t allow him to enter his house. In his petition he said this has been going on for the last eight years and there were times when his wife even thrashed him in fits of anger.

In another complaint lodged with the commission, a man from a village about 90 km from here said his wife neglected him and their children and had now abandoned them for another man. With a population of over six million, Himachal Pradesh has one of the highest literacy rates (68 percent female literacy against a state average of 77 percent) in the country for both the sexes.

"High literacy rates in the state could be a major reason for this change," said Chauhan.

"Although I am not ready to believe that suddenly men are the oppressed class in a male dominated society like Himachal, yet there are signs of a definite change," she said.

Traditionally, women manage most of the household and farm work in villages where 90 percent of the population of the hill state resides. This is clearly set to change with this social upheaval. Activists said the cases that come to the women’s commission are only a fraction of the rising number of marital disputes. Most were handled by relatives, friends and village councils.

"We must remember that most of the marital disputes are settled by relatives, friends and village councils and only a few cases of atrocities actually reach the commission, in any case atrocities against women far outnumber those against men. But 177 cases of men seeking justice is significant," Chauhan said. (IANS)

KOLKATA: Here's a good question for George Bush: Osama bin Laden buys four rockets for Rs 480 and two more for Rs 150. What’s the average price of each rocket? And this may be a good one for — er — Aishwarya Rai: Amitabh is twice as old as Abhishek.

Twenty years ago, his age was 12 times his son’s age at that time. Find their present age. So, who said maths was boring?

Class VII students of St Xavier’s Collegiate School in Kolkata might not have been able to run away from addition, subtraction and percentages, but they got to puzzle over mathematical problems based on subjects more interesting than the time it takes to fill up a leaking cistern.

Hollywood to Bollywood, cricket to tennis, business to soap, and even Osama — this was the stuff of the maths second semester test paper set by teachers of the school.

The new approach has gone down well with the students and their parents. "Thanks to this, my son has started enjoying mathematics. It’s a good idea on the part of his teacher to introduce the likes of Sourav and Sachin into the questions. Now they not only get it right but also remember the steps by associating them with 'Sachin sums'," said Aditi Chatterjee, whose son Debroop took the test.

The 'Sachin sum' is an ideal example of how to make calculating percentages less forbidding: Sachin sells a beyblade to Sourav for Rs 480 and makes a loss of 15%.

How much did Sachin pay for it? And for those who have soap on their mind — kyon ki not everybody loves cricket — this one may be worth the attempt: Tulsi Virani buys an article for Rs 500 and sells it to Parvati at a profit of 20%.

Parvati sells it to Kashish at a loss of 10%. How much does Kashish pay for it? Work that out yourselves. Or, if your maths has gone rusty, turn to your child.

Sample this:

1. Jackie Chan invested Rs 36,000 for three months at 4%. Calculate the simple interest.

2. Sania and Leander start running together from the same place at 4 kmph and 6 kmph respectively. Find the distance between them after 20 minutes.

3. Dhoni's average in the first five matches is 72.6. If he scored 60 runs in the sixth match, what was his average in all the six matches?

4. At what rate will Anil Ambani double his money in 5 years?

5. Aishwarya's room is 6 m long, 5 m broad and 4 m high. There is a door, 3 m X 1 m and two windows each 1.5 m X 1 m. Find the cost of distempering the walls at Rs 120 per metre square. (By arrangement with Times of India)

Mumbai: The country's nuclear authorities Thursday endorsed India-US nuclear deal, saying that without compromising her national security the deal opens the gateway to securing India's energy independence to power her economic growth in a big way.

Assuring that there would be no reduction in India's strategic nuclear programme, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr Anil Kakodkar said the deal while raising the comfort level of the international community would pave the way for the country to enhance her nuclear power generation capacity through external cooperation in a big way.

India has offered to place 14 of the 22 thermal power reactors under IAEA safegaurds in a phased manner between 2006-14, Dr Kakodkar told a media conference, adding the agreement would not affect the country's strategic programme in any respect.

''No constraint has been placed on our right to construct new facilities for strategic purposes. The integrity of our nuclear doctrine and our ability to sustain a credible minimal nuclear deterrent is adequately protected,'' he maintained.

At the same time, the AEC Chairman said Nuclear Power Corporation of India(NPCIL) was going very fast in constructing nuclear thermal power plants, adding it would be more than doubling India's nuclear power generation from the current 3300 Mw to 7200 Mw in the next two to three years.

NPCIL was now constructing eight nuclear power plants, the largest by any country in the world at present, he said, adding the Corporation was now taking just about five years to build a plant which, he added, was commendable by global standards. But Dr Kakodar said India's energy requirement was rising in a big way and the country would require 12-fold increase by 2052.

Presently there was a shortfall of 29 per cent and this could be bridged by entering into civil nuclear agreements with supplier nations. Companies from U S, France, Russia and Britain had already made offers to set up nuclear power plants in India. Dr Kakodkar said if the India-US agreement, a '' win-win'' deal for the country, was approved by the US Congress it would accelerate the growth in nuclear power sector, paving the way for energy independence.

On why India had committed to permament safeguards at its civilian facilities, Dr Kakodkar quipped ''permanent safeguards are subject to permament supplies'' of nuclear fuel to Indian power plants. Secondly, the country will negotiate with IAEA India-specific safeguards, he said, adding India will even stock fuel for the lifetime of a reactor.

The deal, he said, was ''a good practical way forward as energy is important for the growth of India's GDP which is going to be rapid for several decades into the future''. Coal and hydrocarbons alone could not meet India's growing energy needs and hence external cooperation to enhance the nation's energy security was must evenwhile the country continued with internal efforts to maximise exploitation of her ''limited and lean uranium reserves''. He said a new big uranium ore mine and a new mill were almost ready at Singhbhum but this could only meet India's short-term needs. (UNI)

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has passed a Bill exempting 79 posts from being regarded as offices of profit. Two of Samajwadi Party's high-profile Rajya Sabha MPs, Jaya Bachchan and Amar Singh, face the possibility of losing their memberships in the Upper House. The State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification Amendment) Bill, 2006, was passed by voice vote amidst resistance from the opposition.

Saving Jaya: If the Governor approves the Bill, 79 posts of chairmen, deputy chairmen and directors of various corporations and PSUs will no longer be regarded as offices of profit. Furthermore, the word 'allowances' payable to incumbents will be replaced by 'honorarium'. The poll panel has recommended to President APJ Abdul Kalam that Bachchan be disqualified as a Rajya Sabha member as she also holds a post in UP Film Development Council, which is termed as an office of profit.

Meanwhile, a BJP delegation has urged Governor T.V Rajeswar to thoroughly examine the UP State Legislature Prevention of Disqualification Amendment Bill 2006, exempting several corporations and councils from the list of offices of profit, before giving it his final approval.

The delegation, which called on the Governor, handed over a memorandum stating that the Bill has been passed in violation of the rules and norms of the House as its copies were "not made available" to the legislatures before tabling it in the House as per norms.

"The urgency to get the Bill passed was for guarding the interests of several ministers and members of the legislatures who were occupying offices of profits," they said.

The BJP members contended that the Bill was passed with retrospective effect from 2003 to protect the interest of SP Rajya Sabha member Jaya Bachchan, whose disqualification has been recommended by EC. (Agencies)

Though the Indian Airlines flight IC-201 from Kolkata faced the problem in landing at 8.30 p.m., all the passengers were safe, airport officials said. The three Left leaders were coming to the capital to attend a politburo meeting of their Communist Party of India (Marxist) starting Friday. (IANS)

Without revealing much in terms of details, Raj told a crowded press conference here that the party would be formally launched March 19 at a public rally at the central Mumbai's Shivaji Park - a venue associated with the sena chief Bal Thackeray's annual speech for the past 39 years.

Raj, who severed his ties with the Sena Dec 18 and later embarked on a two-month statewide tour, has retained the 'Sena' title in his own outfit. (IANS)

According to party sources, the leadership, pre-occupied with several other problems and specially upcoming elections in five major states including Assam, has no time to pay any attention to the dissident activities in the state at present. Though the AICC was not in favour of rotation of ministry among the legislators but it was favourably inclined towards making changes in the council of ministers but only after the elections in Assam, sources said.

Talking to reporters after meeting Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi here on Thursday, Mr Lapang said the party high command was also not in favour of any alliance with the NCP in Meghalaya. "But at the same time the AICC has advised the party unit and the state government to take immediate remedial action and carry on series of developmental activities in the Garo Hills keeping the future in view," he said.

On leadership issue, Mr Lapang said that the MLAs and the party high command always decideed the chief minister. When his attention was drawn to the signature campaign launched against his leadership, Mr Lapang said that in democracy every one has a right to lead any campaign. The Chief Minister is leaving for Shillong on Friday. 

Earlier addressing a cultural function on the occasion of Meghalya Day at the weeklong OCTAVE -06 function here Wednesday night, Lapang said that it through such cultural activities that the State could remain in focus at the centre. The Chief Minister also congratulated the organisers for arranging the mega show in the heart of the capital. Such cultural shows along with simultaneous events like North East Expo would go a long way in focusing the state outside the region, he said.

The Prime Minister had inaugurated the cultural event on Wednesday night. The weelklong programme showcased one state each day Meghalaya's turn came on Wednesday.

SHILLONG: The GSU on Thursday met the spokesperson of Garo Hills Legislators' Forum (GHLF) Mr BG Momin and Mr Edmund Sangma MLA to discuss various issues including state reservation policy and MBOSE.

GSU president Mr Andreas Sangma and the Union's General Secretary of Khasi Hills unit Mr Aldo Sangma along with other student leaders met Mr Momin and Mr Sangma urging them to pursue the pending demands of the student body with the State government.

Mr Andreas Sangma told The Shillong Times that the student body was concerned over the manner in which Garos were deprived of government jobs.  Giving details, Mr Sangma said that in the Secretariat in the LDA category for 1999-only 43 Garos were appointed.

For the Junior divisional assistant category for 2003, the number of Garos appointed were 14 in comparison to 68 Khasis.He also pointed out that while 50 Khasis were appointed as Junior Co-operative Officers in 2003 only six Garos were appointed for the same posts.

The student leader said that in 2006, for Finance and Accounts officer category, though there were four eligible candidates, no Garo was appointed and the total candidates applied for the post were 40. Mr Sangma said that they also demanded from the government the need of releasing full amount for the Higher Secondary School at Tura.

Other demands of the GSU include appointment of qualified doctors in Tura Civil Hospital, financial assistance of Rs 34 lakh to host General Council meeting of NESO at Tura in April. Mr Momin assured the GSU delegation that the legislators' forum will meet on March 14 to discuss these demands. Both the GHLF and GSU will also meet the Chief Minister DD Lapang on Friday.

Paul welcomes GSU suggestion: Meanwhile, former Minister and KHNAM MLA Mr Paul Lyngdoh has welcomed the suggestion of GSU for an open debate on the state reservation policy. "I welcome the public debate as this would have a lot of merit on my stand", Mr Lyngdoh said.

Meanwhile Mr Lyngdoh has convened a meeting of all the MLAs from Khasi and Jaintia Hills on March 13 to discuss the need of forming a Khasi-Jaintia Legislators Forum in line with Garo Hills Legislature Forum (GHLF). Mr Lyngdoh has sent letters to all the Khasi-Jaintia MLAs in this regard. He also convened another meeting with the NGOs on Saturday to discuss the land transfer Act.

SHILLONG: The BSF has busted a fake Indian currency racket in Garo Hills border. According to BSF sources on Thursday, a Bangladeshi national was arrested along with fake Indian currency notes worth Rs 33,000. A special operation team of BSF carried out a search operation in the house of one Makcheng Marak near Dalu in West Garo Hills on Wednesday night and arrested one Mohd Roby along with fake currency notes. There were two numbers of Rs 1000 denomination notes and 62 Rs 500 denomination notes.  The house owner, however, managed to escape.

Further on the lead provided by the apprehended Bangladeshi national, the BSF party on Thursday morning conducted raid in the house one Paswan Barman. He too contrived to give the search party a slip. The BSF said that as per the confession of the apprehended Bangladeshi national Makch-eng Marak and Paswan Barman were fake currency dealers operating in and across the border area of West Garo Hills.

SHILLONG: Unidentified miscreants torched a private car and a scooter belonging to one Rakesh Singh at Nongrim Hills in the wee hours of Thursday. The real cause of this incident is not known and investigation is on by the police to nab the culprits.

In another incident, a house of one Mrs Mombrison Nong-bysap was gutted on Wedne-sday night at Kreit near Lawmei village in East Khasi Hills. The reason behind the fire was the explosion of a kerosene stove.

SHILLONG: Recurring road accidents, often fatal, owing to over long-distance lorries have become a serious concern for the citizens. During the past three months twenty-two accidents occurred killing more than 10 persons. Most of these accidents occurred in the night when roads are relatively free for accelerating. And then there is a perennial problem of traffic snarl-up during school-going hours in the morning, and afternoon owing to unregulated movement of trucks through the town.

The twin problems have concerned the Transport Minister Mrs Deborah Marak who on Thursday took up the matter with DGP Mr WR Marbaniang. Though the Home Minister Mr HDR Lyngdoh had earlier initiated measures in the past, nothing concrete had come up.

"There should be some mechanism to deal with these twin menace", Mrs Marak said, suggesting installation of speed testing mechanism at different vantage points of the city.

"The traffic department has to adopt some measures to ease traffic congestion," she said.

Echoing similar views, former Minister and KHNAM MLA Mr Paul Lyngdoh also sought the intervention of Meghalaya DGP to check the menace created by the trucks.

"It has been observed that of late there has been no regulation of maintenance of timings on the trucks plying on the National Highways through Shillong and this has resulted in a chaotic situation whereby all sections of people including students face inconvenience", Mr Lyngdoh said in a letter to the DGP.

He also urged the DGP to immediately address the problem keeping in view the safety, security and convenience of the general public.

SHILLONG: Like most of the Public Sector Undertakings in the State, the Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) dogged by a long span of mismanagement, has been a gaping hole in the coffers of the government. Despite some consistent efforts over the past year or so, the MTC is still not out of the woods.

The salary is seldom paid to the staff regularly. The corporation's liability in the market runs into several crores. Employees' CPF contribution was stopped for a few years but last year more than Rs 4 crore was deposited under pressure from the Provident fund authorities.

Although passenger occupancy along the profitable GS road has picked up and news buses have been added to the fleet, the MTC has a long way to go to become a profitable venture. To help the situation, Transport Minister Mrs Deborah Marak favours appointing a consultant to revamp MTC.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, Mrs Marak said that the MTC must appoint a consultant to find out ways and means to restructure the Corporation. "We cannot blindly follow the pattern of Asom transport or system of other states. But first we have to study the strength and weaknesses of the transport department by appointing a consultant," she said.

There was a proposal from the Transport Department to adopt the Asom pattern to invite the private bus operators to run their vehicles under MTC. However, the proposal found not many takers.

SHILLONG: Police on Wednesday night rescued an abducted non-tribal businessman from Salmanpara under Mahendraganj police station in West Garo Hills and in the process shot dead an UANF militant.

Informing this here on Thursday, police said following an information that the one Bengali businessman was abducted by a group of UANF militants at Salmanpara, a police team from Mahendraganj rushed to the spot. The militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, started indiscriminate firing at the police party which forced the latter to retaliate. In the ensuing encounter, which lasted for a few minutes, one militant was killed on the spot while three others managed to give police a slip. The slain militant is yet to be identified.

SHILLONG: Alarmed over the rising cases of car lifting in Shillong, police department has set up two check points at two main outlets of the city to prevent car lifters an easy passage out of the State. One of these check posts is likely to come up at Mawlai and the other at Madanryting. Police personnel will be deployed in these check points to conduct verification of papers.

Besides the routine police patrolling, the two check points will be functioning for 24 hours and with this new system it is expected that the car lifting cases would come down, sources said. According to the police, four vehicles including a two-wheeler which went missing from Meghalaya Secretariat compound, remain untraced. The police also said that the stolen vehicles were usually dispatched outside the State and that this why the department decided to erect these check points.

SHILLONG: The newly-appointed Executive Chairman of MBoSE, Mr TC Marak has said the agitation in Garo Hills led to the blunders in admit cards of SSLC and HSSLC candidates since time was against the Board to put up a blemish free show.

Speaking to The Shillong Times over phone from Tura, Mr Marak said that this time the board got limited time to prepare the admit cards and with 60, 000 students appearing in both the examinations it made the task doubly difficult. Mr Marak said, "till Christmas agitation programme was going on in Tura and we were unable to do our duty till January".

"We are working under tremendous pressure," he said adding that in some cases it was not Board's mistake but that of the candidates.

He also informed that he spoke to the authorities of the KJP Girls Higher Secondary School on the problem faced by the student of the St Joseph Higher Secondary School.

"I hope that no major problems crop up in the future especially during examination time", Mr Sangma added.

Meanwhile, GSU chief Andreas Sangma criticized MBOSE for its blunder and demanded immediate rectification.

SHILLONG: After a long delay the State Government made one decisive move to construct a State House India's commercial capital Mumbai. Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy laid the foundation stone of Meghalaya House at Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. Land for the purpose was acquired a decade ago.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Roy expressed gratitude to the Maharashtra government for its cooperation in this regard. GAD Minister, Mr HDR Lyngdoh, who presided over the function, informed the gathering that the construction of the House was being taken up by City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) of Mumbai involving Rs 3.48 crore.

Maharashtra Minister, Mr Ganesh Naik in his speech hoped that the Meghalaya House would serve as one of the channels in building better relations between the two states.

The three accused persons, namely Bernard Lyngdoh Phawa, Bonnie Lyngdoh Phawa and Akbar Qureishi, were arrested in connection with the murder and subsequently after arrest have confessed their guilt. The killers are at present in custody and are intending to acquire bail in the court of law, but

The Society, meanwhile, urged the investigating agencies to file the charge against them immediately and let the Court dispose the case based on the evidences available, instead of releasing the accused on bail, as this may give them scope to distort the evidence and also encourage them to commit similar crimes.

In Baghmara, South Garo Hills, a small function was organised at Baghmara circuit hosue by the District Social Welfare Office in collaboration with Morning Star Girls' Home, Baghmara in which the DC R D Marak attended as chief guest.

The meeting would be first held in Beijing, China from March 11 to 15 and later, in Thailand from March 16 to 19. The Speaker will leave Shillong for China and Thailand on March 10. The main agendas of both the meetings are to find out the ways and means to eradicate poverty, to search for the channels that could provide development schemes, to improve bilateral ties among the different countries besides other burning issues.

Prof J P Bagchi of NERIE, Shillong while highlighting the major objectives of the programme stated that it is essential to empower the educational functionaries in various methods of researches for improving the quality of school education in NE states.Some of the eminent scholars who attended the programme included Prof. Biloris Lyndem Laso, Prof. P K Gupta and Dr S M Sungoh, Dr SR Joshi, Prof D S Nath.

I am writing this column from a country that many love to hate but would give an arm and a leg, not just to visit but to live and work in. You’ve guessed it! It’s the Bush country – USA. Having stayed here for close to two months and having interfaced with many from the academia and other avocations my observation is that the average American is politically savvy and takes keen interest in the affairs of her/his country. Any get together between two or more people spills over into a discussion about national affairs, the economy, the merciless ‘laying off’ (retrenchment) policy of employers and how China has virtually captured the US market. People openly say that if China decided not to manufacture anything for the US, then maybe Americans would find it hard put to even find presents to keep under the Christmas tree.

Although crime is rampant, arrests are timely and justice is not delayed. Law breakers no matter how highly placed are punished. A former Governor of Connecticut, John G Rowland had to serve a prison sentence for ten months on charges of corruption. Upon his release from a correctional institution in Western Pennsylvania, Rowland was made to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, spend four months under house arrest and perform 300 hours of community service. This three-term Republican leader resigned in 2004 amid an impeachment enquiry and pleaded guilty to conspiracy. He admitted to accepting more than $100,000 in vacations and chartered trips to Las Vegas from a state contractor and a jet company that received a tax break.

Rowland is not the only one. Every other day there are media reports of corrupt public representatives who have been arrested and put on trial. What a sharp contrast to what happens in India or Meghalaya. Here the corrupt walk with their heads held high, quite unfazed by allegations because they know they will never be caught. Indeed, like bad coins they never go out of circulation. Reason? There is no public hue and cry about corruption. No one is serious. But everybody gossips. As a result, the corrupt rule the roost and will continue to do so as long as we speak in hushed tones about corrupt officials and ministers. Yes, the law is deaf and blind when it comes to catching those in positions of authority.

Another myth about America is that families are falling apart. I believe this is a fallacy. At least in the present, parents are very conscious of their duties to their kids. Go to any park and you will see at least one parent, father or mother taking their kids out and playing with them. However busy they may be during the week, parents spend quality time with their children over the weekend. A good number of couples I met treat their children with great respect and correct without talking down to them. It is interesting to watch parents and children argue on an issue until one side or the other wins. This fondness for conversation is what strengthens the bonds between parents and children and opens the way for discussing more important issues later in life.

Most parents make it a point to converse and play with their kids or read stories to them even though they are back from work tired. Talking kid’s language can sometimes be exasperating but parents here don’t show it. This is a display of patience at its best! It is an experience we could learn from.

Americans are avid readers. Their book stores are huge and stock up every book you name. Every book store has a cafeteria inside where people can relax with a coffee and snacks and read any book they want.

You could go to the book store any time, pick up a book, take down notes for hours and put the book back from where you took it. There is no obligation to buy. Parents visit the book stores with their kids, toddlers included, and just leave them in the children section while they browse around and take their pick. No wonder the average American can discuss any issue with élan. Another very impressive aspect of America is the fascination for libraries. Every little county has its own library which is well-stocked with books for all age groups. Here too there are computers lined up for kids to play their favourite educational game. Toddlers have a range of play sets to engage their attention while their parents look around for books to borrow. Never have I seen a library or book store which is so children-friendly! None of the libraries are of course subsidized by the State. They are maintained and supported by the tax payers money.

Every country has its dark and seamy side. It was quite a shock to see ghettos where African- Americans live. Some of them resemble the dark, shady corners of Delhi. The streets were strewn with litter and wore a disheveled look. Crime rates in these areas are relatively higher. Then you are left wondering how this type of neighbourhood could be part of the great country of George Bush and the Great American Dream. But I guess it takes all kinds to make the world.

Americans are spoilt for taste. There is just too much variety to choose from whether it is food, furniture, crockery or clothes. If you are looking at cereals there are at least fifty varieties. The meat section in a supermarket could make anyone go crazy. But what you miss is the freshly cut meat with all its original taste. Parents are almost paranoid about what to feed and what not to feed their children. They push all kinds of vegetables and health foods which they term as ‘brain food’ down their children’s throats. Then they top all that with yogurts, ice-creams and all kinds of sweet dishes on the plea that their kids need to be both physically and mentally strong to make it in ‘this fiercely aggressive environment’. Unfortunately kids seem to prefer junk food than the ‘real food’ which they refer to anything cooked at home. Italian joints serving pasta and spaghetti are hugely popular. One thing you cannot deny is that America is indeed a land of opportunities. Anyone wanting to excel and continually improve herself/himself will not lack the opportunity to do so. Contrary to expectations not all Americans are rich. Students whose parents’ incomes are insufficient to take them through university, take up part time jobs. There are hordes of ‘au-pair’(baby-sitters) girls among college students. They work during their spare time and fund their own education. Few parents if any would support their children through college even if they could afford to. By age eighteen, children are supposed to take up some part time job to earn their pocket money. When a student pays for her own education she will inevitably put her best foot forward, right? Compare this to our own tribal- scholarship- driven kind of situation and you will see why we do not outperform ourselves.

Schools in the US are so interesting that most kids do not want to return home. With a teacher pupil ratio of 1:12 there is so much space for creativity that children literally bloom. Kindergartens are informal. Kids do much of their work on the floor. They sit at their desks only while completing projects or art work. Story-telling is a compulsory activity and kids are encouraged to tell stories to their peers. They are asked to take on leadership tasks as early as age six. There is no pressure of study or homework until about the sixth standard. Recently, Congress took a decision to provide lap-top computers to students from the sixth grade and above so as to imbue them with the spirit of scientific and mathematical enquiry. Mathematics and Science teachers get an annual bonus of US $ 5000. Finally, what I found particularly interesting was my meeting with a very vibrant group of young professionals from different states of North East India. They call themselves "Friends of North East". Though a good number are from Assam their outlook is broad enough to include the whole region.

They have formed a yahoo group and correspond with each other almost on a daily basis, primarily looking for opportunities to promote their peers back home through a fund called Association for India Development (AID). There are 36 chapters of AID in universities across the US. This surely is a bright spot for the North East. Some of these professionals have earned enough and want to return to their native land to use the skills and expertise they have gained from the US. They want to make things happen. We can only wish these prophets of goodwill all the luck they need and hope and pray that they will have the space to plant their good intentions!

Life's chemistry began in the deep oceans. The play of extreme hot and cold temperatures inside and outside nutrient-rich hydrothermal vents in ocean beds encouraged molecular syntheses, a vital precursor to the evolution of RNA and DNA, the building blocks of life. From bacteria to crabs and then on to a kaleidoscopic spectrum of diversified species, the oceans have churned out biological templates that are near impossible to recreate in a laboratory.

However, the oceans are turning so acidic that their life engendering bio-geochemical role is being compromised by unnatural atmospheric carbon dioxide. According to a Royal Society report, in the past 200 years, the earth's oceans have absorbed nearly half of the CO2 produced by fossil fuel burning and cement production, leading to a 30 per cent increase in concentration of hydrogen ions, fatal to delicate marine organisms. Coral reef ecosystems and marine orga-nisms with calcium carbonate shells will be among the first to buckle.This could adversely impact not only bio-diversity but also fisheries and recreation industries, costing billions of dollars in terms of socioeconomic damage.

By the year 2100, coral reefs might be found only in museums, if emissions due to human activity continue unabated. Since reparation efforts will take thousands of years to have any effect, it is doubtful if damage to the fragile aqua-ecosystem can be reversed in the foreseeable future. Also, reduced plankton availability could mean disruptions in the food chain that's vital to maintain balance in biodiversity. Reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere seems to be the only way to minimise risk.This fact is corroborated by independent studies conducted in France, US and Australia, and efforts to forge international cooperation to save the oceans need to be expedited.

Recently concluded joint science and technology agreements between India and other countries, particularly the US and UK, to tackle climate change issues together through ocean studies, climate modelling, emissions control, renewables development and clean technology are designed to address urgent threats to our environment.India's more than 7,000-km-long coastline is reason enough for us to give ocean de-acidification top priority. Oceans gave us life. Let's return the compliment.(By arranegement with The Times of India)

Sir,

Apropos the letter 'State of education in Meghalaya' (ST, Feb 27), I as a past pupil of the said school want to state that students who have passed out from this school are doing very well in their higher studies exemplified by their success in MBBS, Engineering, Master's degree, etc. The author seems to hold a personal grudge against some individuals and with no knowledge of examination matters and the system associated with it is all out to tarnish the image of the school. Let me as a student enlighten the author that examinations (theory or practical) are conducted in the presence of external examiners, duly appointed by the State Board of Education. His attempt to spoil the image of the school by presenting some false allegations is uncalled for and unwarranted. If the author has any doubt on the competence of students, I would like him to visit the school and have his peace of mind. This kind of baseless allegations only spoils the educational atmosphere and affects the student community as a whole.

Yours etc.
Santosh Sunar
Shillong-2

Sir,

Supreme Court has rightly emphasised in Best Bakery case that courts are not just tape-recording devices so as to decide only on basis of recorded evidences without applying mind to find real truth to deliver true justice. Has the same criterion been adopted in Jessica Lal murder case? If yes, then neither High Court should have re-opened the case nor Delhi Police needed to file a fresh FIR to investigate further.

However if the criterion has not been adopted in Jessica Lal murder case, then observations by the Apex Court in Best Bakery case are clear strictures on the deciding judge in Jessica Lal murder case. Will the Apex Court comment on the judicial mistake, if there has been any, in tune with its observations in Best Bakery case?

Yours etc
Madhu Agrawal
New Delhi

Reacting to Mr Shourie's comments on ULFA-Congress nexux, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, in an emailed statement, raised alarm that if the BJP and AGP came to power after the forthcoming polls another spell of 'secret killings' would be unleashed in the State.

Mr Shourie, during his visit to the State on March 5 stated that, "last time Congress came to power in Assam with assistance of the ULFA. The talks with ULFA nominated negotiators have begun as a repayment of debt for that." The ULFA, however, stopped short of denying the allegation leveled by Mr Shourie.

While remaining silent on the issue of 'Congress' affinity' towards the vote bank among illegal Bangladeshi immigrants as raised by Mr Shourie, the ULFA chairman harped that secret killings had become order of the day during the last AGP government (1996-2001), which, the militant group said, was backed by the then BJP-led Government at the Centre.The ULFA leader went on to accuse the previous BJP regime in the Centre of launching a 'joint operation' with Bhutan government to destroy ULFA, NDFB camps in the Himalayan kingdom.

Mr Shourie had stated here that it would be prudent on part of the AGP to have an alliance with the BJP to make itself heard in New Delhi and launch a fight against Congress design to protect Bangladeshi immigrants posing serious threat to the identity of indigenous people in Assam. However, the ULFA leader chose to remain silent on the issue. The ULFA leader ended the statement with a call to the people of Assam to root for the outfit's demand for an 'Independent Assam'.

The State Government directed all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, who were here to attend a high-level meeting on Wednesday on law and order measures for the forthcoming polls in the State, to rush back to their respective districts in the wake of the blasts.

A decision to beef up security for the polls in the state had been already taken at Wednesay's meeting and following the alert sounded throughout the country it has been further tightened, sources said.

Security in the Kamakhya temple, the famed seat of Shakti cult, which was already tight following the firing by BSF personnel last month, has been further upgraded.

Our reporter adds: The Pynthor-umkhrah Hindu Dharma Samaj strongly condemned the triple blast in Varanasi. In a statemenet, the Samaj said that this kind of barbaric and coward act by anti-social elements is to cause panic and hamper the peaceful co-existence of communal harmony of various sections of society.

"It is pathetic to learn that our state machinery once again failed and awoke after the incident occurred. They should be more proactive in their approach to safe guard the life and property of the nation as a whole," the statement said. The Samaj also extends sympathy for the bereaved families.

According to Prema, a group of security forces came to her house at midnight on Wednesday in search of one Joy Singh in the area. When the husband identified as Daya said none of the member of his family is called Joy, the security forces took him and one of his sons, to lead them in the search at the nearby houses.

Prema said after all the other personnel left one of them, who used Meiteilon and a local man re-entered the house and molested her. The personnel also threatened to kill her husband if she made any noise. The personnel hurriedly went out after she strongly resisted the rape attempt, Prema said.

The incident sparked an angry protest in the locality. Protestors blocked the Imphal-Churachandpur road at Ningthoukhong from 7 am to 9 am. The road block was lifted in view of the ongoing high school and higher secondary examinations. The victim and her husband could not say whether the troops were para-military forces or the Army. The incident took place while a magisterial inquiry is on following allegations that police commandos molested an arrested woman identified as Maibam Naobi Devi in custody in Thoubal district. (NNN)

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu on Thursday said that funds earmarked for the North Eastern region are not diverted while stating that the Centre takes special efforts for the development of the remote and backward region without looking at economic returns.

Replying to a question at the Rajya Sabha, Mr Velu informed that the prescribed cut-off rate of return (14%) being followed in Indian Railways for determining the financial viability of projects constitutes not only the cost of capital but also provision for capital formation, risk factors besides others.

Besides paying dividend to General Revenue, the Railways are required to make provisions for Depreciation Reserve Fund (DRF), Pension Fund and Development Fund (DF). Since Railways have initiated a plan to cater to the modernisation, operational improvement, it has become imperative that adequate surplus is generated to take care of the requirements of development fund, he said.

"There has been a crying need to increase the internal generation of resources for financing projects. Therefore only those projects, which are capable of generating high returns, need to be taken up," the Minister said.

Railways are conscious of their responsibilities towards socio-economic and industrial development of backward areas not connected by a reliable transport network. Regardless of the benchmark of 14%, many projects on Indian Railways including works on the North East are sanctioned on socio-economic and developmental considerations, Velu added.

At present, six new line projects and five gauge conversion projects, which are not financially viable, are being executed in the region, the Minister said. Jiribam-Imphal Road (Tupul), Kumarghat-Agartala new line projects and Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam guage conversion project have been declared as National Projects, he added.

Kohima: It is not the Government in Nagaland but student groups and separatist outfits whose rule reigns supreme on allowing non-tribal people to reside freely in the state.

It may sound bizarre, but it’s true. If you are a non-Naga and staying in Nagaland either for business or for a job, it is now mandatory to obtain an ‘identity card ‘ - and the issuing authority is either a rebel group or some student organisation.

The latest to enforce the identity card scheme for all non-tribal people staying in Nagaland is the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM). "Anybody who is a non-Naga must have an identity card issued by us by paying a fee. This has been done to check illegal immigrants from settling in the state," a senior NSCN(IM) leader said. 

Media reports say many counters have been set up by the NSCN(IM) for issuing identity cards. A similar campaign has been launched by the Angami Students’ Union in parts of Kohima district where non-locals were forced to take an identity card issued by the group.

"This is unfair. The students or the NSCN(IM) has no right to issue identity cards as we already have inner-line permits issued by the Government allowing us to stay here as per the law of the land," said Binoy Das, a trader from Assam who had set up a grocery shop in Dimapur, Nagaland’s commercial hub.

"I decided to leave Dimapur and returned to my home State Assam, unable to bear the constant humiliation."

Despite media reports of the identity card controversy, the State Government feigns ignorance. "We are not aware of such things and shall look into the matter," Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio was quoted as saying in newspapers.Several rebel groups in Nagaland are accused of collecting ‘tax’ from both the Nagas and non-tribal people in the State under the very nose of the authorities. 

"The NSCN-IM or other groups should understand there are thousands of Naga students and people staying across the country. What happens if some vested interests get provoked by such partisan attitude and try to harass the Nagas outside," asked Nabin Bora, the employee of a private company based in Nagaland. (IANS)