Modi releases compilation of prayers from diary in book-form
Ahmedabad: Sakshi Bhav, a compilation of the diary pages of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, was on Saturday released here by spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar. “People know me from the newspapers, now they will know my through myself (from the book),” Modi said during the event at the Gujarat University’s Convention Centre here. “I know it is difficult to approach me. This Sakshi-Bhav will take you to my door-step,” Modi said. “If you feel that you have reached my door, then knock. You will get the entry.” The book is a compilation of the rhymeless prayers to Goddess Jagdamba composed by Modi in 1986 when he was a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak. “Had this been released 30 years ago, it would have been looked at from a straight literary viewpoint,” Modi said. “Now, I do not know what will be derived from it. But I will be happy that many people will earn their bread and butter by this,” he said, in an apparent jibe at media’s obsession with him. Modi said he used to burn the diary pages after a while but senior pracharak Narendra Panchasra asked him to preserve them. (PTI)
AAP MLA fails to turn up for recording of statement
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MLA Akhilesh Tripathi, who allegedly climbed on the water cannon vehicle to stop the water being sprayed on his party workers, today did not turn up for recording of his statement before the Delhi Police. Tripathi was summoned by the Delhi Police as part of investigation into a violent clash between AAP and Bharatiya Janata Party workers on March 5 outside the BJP headquarters on Ashoka Road. According to police, the investigating officers are looking into uncut video footage of the whole incident in which Tripathi allegedly climbed on the vehicle with an intent to cause damage to government property. Additional DCP Madhur Verma said: “Damaged vehicles and other evidences have been collected. Statements of eyewitnesses are currently being recorded and police will soon file a charge sheet in the case.” Another senior police official said police was relying heavily on videographic evidence in order to pinpoint those accused of causing damage to life and public property. The FIR copy regarding the case stated that AAP protesters climbed on top of water cannon vehicles and broke nozzles of the cannons. (PTI)
EC changes LS poll dates for Goa, Hazaribagh due to festivals
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Saturday changed the Lok Sabha poll date for Goa and one seat in Jharkhand due to religious festivals following demands for the same. The date for the two constituencies going to Lok Sabha polls in Goa has been advanced from April 17 to April 12. Similarly, the date of polling in Hazaribagh constituency has been postponed from April 10 to April 17, a statement from the poll body said here. April 17 coincides with a holy day observed by the Catholic community in Goa. Some Goa parties had written to the EC demanding change in dates for LS polls, saying April 17 is Maundy Thursday, a Holy day before Good Friday, a religious festival. The EC had also received requests that in view of Ram Navami, the date of poll of Hazaribagh constituency be changed from April 10 as processions are taken out from April 8 to 10 in the area. (PTI)
Man hacked to death in honour killing; wife attempts suicide
Madurai: In a suspected case of honour killing, a 24-year-old man was hacked to death while his wife, shocked on hearing that he was allegedly murdered by her brother, jumped out of a running bus suffering serious head injuries near here on Saturday. Police said the couple were nurses working at Villupuram Government hospital, 300 km from here, when they fell in love and got married recently despite opposition from the woman’s brother as they belonged to different castes. The woman, Sri Devi, was admitted in a serious condition in a private hospital here early this morning after she jumped from the bus at Melur, 30 km from here, police said. Furious over the two getting married and living together at Villupuram, the woman’s brother had invited her husband, Sankar, for a feast at his native place Dalavaipuram, 85 km from here, last evening. Despite Sri Devi advising him not to go, Sankar left. Sankar’s brother-in-law picked him up at Sankarankovil en route to Dalavaipuram and while crossing a forest area, some friends of his brother-in-law hacked him to death, police said adding, the gang fled from the spot. (PTI)