PM asks panel to think of creative ways to remember Nehru
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ton Friday asked the National Committee formed to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru to think of “creative and meaningful projects” which perpetuate the memory of the leader and serve as an inspiration. Speaking at a meeting of the National Committee organised by the Ministry of Culture here, Singh said, “I urge all of you to think of creative and meaningful projects which will not only focus on and perpetuate the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru, but also act as a source of inspiration to one and all.” He said the celebrations on November 14 this year should have a special emphasis on Nehru’s contribution in the field of nation building, democracy and promotion of scientific research and industrial advancement. “The commemoration should underline his entire approach to public affairs, ranging from foreign policy to agriculture, cultural diversity to social harmony, peaceful co-existence of communities to speedy development of all peoples, especially the under-privileged and backward communities,” Singh said. The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the deliberations by the National Committee will set the tone for a purposeful implementation of the actual work on ground. (PTI)
Normal life affected in Kashmir due to strike by Hurriyat
Srinagar: Normal life in Kashmir was partially affected due to a strike called by moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference to protest the army’s decision to close the Pathribal fake encounter case. Shops, offices and business establishments in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk and surrounding areas remained closed due to the strike called by the Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Work in courts was also affected as Kashmir High Court Bar Association has supported the strike call of Hurriyat. However, life was unaffected in civil lines and other areas of the city. The strike call evoked minimal response in other districts of the Valley. Transport services, though thin, were plying on all routes across the Valley. Hurriyat Conference had called for the shutdown to protest the closure of the Pathribal fake encounter case relating to the killing of five innocent persons who were later dubbed as foreign militants in March 2000. After lengthy legal process to determine whether the five army personnel accused in the case should be tried in view of the immunity under AFSPA, the army opted for General Court Martial. The Army recently closed the case for lack of evidence, a decision that led to widespread condemnation from both the mainstream and separatist camps in the valley. (PTI)
Metro services disrupted after man jumps in front of train
New Delhi: Metro services were disrupted on the Dwaraka line on Wednesday after an elderly man allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a train at Tilak Nagar Metro Station. Commuters had a tough time as Metro services at all stations on the Dwaraka Line were stalled due to the incident. “At around 10 AM, a 60 plus man named Paramjeet committed suicide by jumping in front of the train. We have found a suicide note on him which says that he was disturbed because of his illness and that no one was to be blamed for his death. His name as signed in the letter identifies him as Paramjeet,” said Sanjay Bhatia, DCP (Railways). DMRC Spokesperson said normalcy was restored in some time. “Metro services got disrupted as a person had jumped in front of a train. However, services were brought back to normal in some time. However, it took some time as it is a single track and trains had to be re-regulated,” said the spokesperson. The delay left many commuters inconvenienced. “It usually takes 35 minutes for me to reach my office at Patel Chowk. Today the train stopped at Mandi House and we waited for about 30 minutes before we came to know that it will take time. I then took an auto and reached office late,” said a commuter. (PTI)
JS Verma’s family refuses to accept Padma Bhushan
New Delhi: Family of late Justice J S Verma has refused to accept the Padma Bhushan award conferred on him by the government posthumously, saying accepting it would be against his principles as he never “hankered” for any such honour. In a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, Verma’s wife Pushpa said, “The greatest honour to him remains how he is held in the hearts and minds of his fellow countrymen: as a true friend not just to women or the youth, but to those most in need of one…” “He never hankered or lobbied for any acclaim, reward or favour…we do not want to accept what we know justice Verma himself would not have accepted. “He always and strictly, put India first before any personal profit or gain. He will always be remembered as one of India’s most pre-eminent jurists and with a legacy of alleviating substantive injustice through the forging of globally acclaimed new legal tools,” the letter dated January 29 said. The family also indicated in the letter that they did not get any official communication about the award, claiming they only came to know about it through media reports. Verma, who had headed the government committee to frame stricter laws and suggested legal reforms to deal with sexual assault cases in the wake of the December 16 Delhi gangrape case, died in April 22 last year following multiple organ failure. (PTI)
Japanese tourist raped in Kashmir, files zero FIR in Goa
Panaji: The Goa police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against a Srinagar resident for allegedly raping a Japanese tourist in August last year. Speaking to IANS on Friday, inspector Paresh Naik said the Japanese tourist said in her complaint that she was afraid of filing a complaint in Jammu and Kashmir, fearing physical harm. So, she chose to file a complaint in Goa. “We have filed a zero FIR and it has already been transferred to police in Kashmir. It is up to them to investigate the case now,” Naik said. In her complaint, the victim said the sexual assault occurred in August 2013 while she was holidaying in Kashmir. A zero FIR allows travelling victims of a crime to register their complaint at a police station outside the jurisdiction of the scene of the crime. On registration, the case is then transferred to the police station under whose jurisdiction the crime was committed. The complaint says that the alleged rapist had posed as a trekking guide and had taken Rs.20,000 from her for an excursion during which he sexually assaulted her. (IANS)