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Deshmukh quits, Shinde to take over
Sushilkumar Shinde's name as Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra was cleared by party president Sonia Gandhi.

Kalpana Chawla blasts off on second space mission
She is part of the crew of US space shuttle Columbia, which took off from Cape Canaveral at 1039 (EST, 2119 IST).

RESHUFFLE IN MAHARASHTRA
Shinde's swearing-in likely on Saturday
Sushilkumar Shinde would be elected leader of the Democratic Front -- a coalition of several parties and a handful of independents -- at a meeting of the ruling front legislators on Friday.

NCP open to Shinde as Maharashtra CM
Party general secretary Tariq Anwar, however, ruled out any possibility of a change in the deputy chief minister's post.

Shinde to take over DF reins on Friday
Vilasrao Deshmukh expressed happiness that his long-time friend Shinde will take over the reins of the government.

Fight communal forces: CM-designate
Shinde said,'Our primary responsibility is to serve the poor. If we can't do that, we have no business to be power.'

Shinde: seventh time lucky
Sushilkumar Shinde's name had figured several times in the chief ministerial stakes in the last two decades.

SLIDE SHOW
Shinde: Finally there
After being a contender several times, Sushilkumar Shinde is finally slated to take over as Maharashtra's chief minister, the first dalit to do so.

NAGA PEACE TALKS
Manipur police fire rubber bullets on rallyists, 2 injured
The people are against any attempt to divide the state to help settle the Naga insurgency issue.

Centre to appoint negotiators soon
The government may appoint Arun Shourie or George Fernandes to negotiate with the Naga leaders, Minister of State for Home Affairs I D Swami said.

REPORTS FROM UTTAR PRADESH
Kanpur colder than Simla, Srinagar
In the grip of an unusually cold winter, temperatures in some parts of Uttar Pradesh are similar to those Srinagar and Simla.

Fund collection: Kanshi Ram defends Mayawati
The BSP chief said his party needs funds to fight other parties who are loaded with money since its ultimate goal is to capture power in Delhi.

OTHER REPORTS
BJP warn nations against funding Pakistan
The party asked nations providing aid to Pakistan to ensure their funds are not misused as the nation is suspected of financing terrorist organisations.

Jaya Jaitly hits back at Naipaul on Tehelka
She flayed the Nobel laureate for expressing disappointment on Tehelka's treatment and said he should not play politics on behalf of the website.

Delhi HC admits S A R Geelani's appeal
The court also issued notice to the Delhi government on an application by Geelani seeking directions to the jail authorities to supply him with reading and writing material.

HC to hear petition on govt formation in '99
The petition challenges then president K R Narayanan's invitation to Sonia Gandhi to form the government.

NHRC criticises State over rights violations
It is responsible for the maximum cases of human rights violation in the country, NHRC Chairman Justice J S Verma said.

FROM THE STATES
Violence in Baroda, 10 injured
Trouble started following some slogans written on kites against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Hindu gods.

3 held for attack on American evangelist in Kerala
Shaji, his brother Shan and Shaiju, all RSS functionaries, are expected to be produced before a judicial magistrate on Thursday evening.

Violence in Bihar town, 2 killed
The violence erupted following the murder of a railway employee in Purabi Sarai in Munger district on Wednesday night.

Pakistan has 'Talibanised' Kashmir: JKLF
India got sympathy mainly because the Kashmiri struggle was transformed into a jihad and jihadis from all over the world were encouraged to rush to Kashmir, it said.

BSF officer killed, two jawans injured in J&K blast
The incident occurred near Amargrah Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district late on Wednesday afternoon.

DIARY
Do our children want India?
Ranjani Iyenger is not sure. Not about youngsters growing up in the US.

COLUMN
Risking the future
'The worst mistake India can make is not to take Pervez Musharraf seriously. That was the mistake we made in the eighties when scientists kept telling our leaders that Pakistan's nuclear programme was 'ten years behind us,'' says Admiral (retired) J G Nadkarni.

January 15, 2003

SLIDE SHOWS
The Army Day Parade
The army unveiled its newly acquired T-90 tanks and the Advanced Light Helicopter, and honoured martyrs at an impressive ceremony in Delhi.

Congress: Crisis in Maharashtra
A 3-member central team was in Mumbai on Wednesday to query ruling coalition MLAs on the performance of their government.

TOP REPORTS
No decrease in infiltration: Gen N C Vij
There will be no reduction of forces in J&K, the army chief said at the Army Day parade, where T-90 tanks were displayed for the first time.

'Donations by Pakistani expats vanish'
A report in the South Asia Tribune said, 'In the midst of the free flow of dollars before the 9/11 attacks, any one and everyone could have used these funds, including the infamous Al-Qaeda...'

Independents start deserting Deshmukh
Twelve independent MLAs on Wednesday made it clear that any leader picked by the Congress high command to replace Deshmukh would be acceptable to them.

Missionary stable; US condemns attack
RSS worker had allegedly attacked Joseph W Cooper and a group of evangelists at Koppam in Kerala on Monday night.

SHAKE-UP IN CONGRESS
Maharashtra issue to be settled soon: Sonia
The observers are coming back from Mumbai on Wednesday night, she said, adding the leadership question would be solved in a day or two.

Rajasthan Congress chief may be replaced
The influential Jat community apparently wants its representative in the post.

REPORTS FROM JAMMU AND KASHMIR
61 IEDs seized, four Hizb militants held in J&K
Thirty-three under-barrel grenade launchers, 100 detonators, one wireless set, 400 rounds and ten hand grenades were also found during search operation in Uri.

Mufti does balancing act, now it's time to deliver
The remote Ladakh region has two Cabinet ministers for the first time since 1947. Eight independents becoming ministers is also a first of its kind.

British envoy meets the Mufti
The J&K chief minister apprised Rob Young of the steps being taken to restore peace in the state.

BJP appoints new chief in J&K
Dr Nirmal Singh is the fifth and chief of the state unit and the youngest to occupy the position so far.

OTHER REPORTS
Harivansh Rai Bachchan takes ill
The 96-year-old poet complained of breathlessness. His condition forced Amitabh to cancel his engagements for the next couple of days.

HC admits convict's appeal in Parliament case
It admitted the appeal of Navjot Sandhu alias Afsan, in which she has alleged `miscarriage of justice' in holding her guilty.

Mayawati spends crores to fulfil her b'day dream
A 51kg cake, 100,000 ladoos, 60 quintals of marigold flowers and around 5,000 bouquets were among the few highlights of the day.

National anthem to be played in Mumbai theatres
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal approved the demand made by the National Youth Congress.

Congress to go it alone in Meghalaya
The party announced the names of its candidates for all the sixty assembly seats.

Karnataka to release 4,500 cusecs of water for a week to TN
This follows Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's refusal to accept Karnataka's offer of 1,200 cusecs of water daily till February.

Dosanjh visits his native village
Former British Columbia premier Ujjal Dev Singh Dosanjh visited the fields he used to work in with his late father, his new haveli and school in native Punjab.

NEIGHBOURHOOD
Human Rights Watch pans Pakistan
It said the rise to power of religious parties in Pakistan signal 'a defiant rejection' of Musharraf's pro-US policies.

SPECIAL
Don't sell sex: former sex workers
A society of former sex workers tries to persuade their sisters in Chennai to quit.

COLUMNS
What political breakthrough?
'Unless the expatriate Indian community finds effective techniques through utilizing its strengths and prudent management, political success will continue to be a mirage,' argues S Gopikrishna.

Jai Politician?
'Six of the 10 honoured at the Pravasi Bharatiya celebrations are connected to politics,' says T V R Shenoy.'With all due respect to this sextet, is politics really what India is renowned for, either at home or abroad?'

January 14, 2003

Sonia is not unhappy with me: Rajasthan CM
Ashok Gehlot said he met the Congress chief to discuss the party's manifesto for the coming assembly elections.

Deshmukh denies charge of proximity to NCP
The Congress leadership fears that its coalition partner is increasing its base at its expense.

Centre has us assured of a solution: NSCN(I-M)
'We had a very meaningful talk with the finance minister. We could hammer out something for a tangible solution this time,' the outfit's spokesman said after a Naga delegation met Jaswant Singh.

Cauvery: Jaya unhappy with Karnataka's proposal
The Tamil Nadu CM said that the amount of water Karnataka proposed to release was inadequate for farmers of the Thanjavur delta.

'What happened in 1984 was one-sided'
BJP chief M Venkaiah Naidu denied the Congress criticism that rioting in Gujarat was one-sided.

COLUMN
Lessons from the Pravasi Mela
'People will not invest in India just because they or their forefathers left these shores years ago. It might make them think about it, but the money will come only when they are sure they can get adequate returns,' says Ramananda Sengupta.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Complete Coverage

RUMBLINGS IN THE CONGRESS
Shinde emerges as front-runner to replace Deshmukh
Maharashtra Congress chief Govindrao Adik, who is widely believed to be the brain behind the entire anti-Deshmukh campaign, may also face the axe.

Adik meets Sonia, says no order to quit
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief said he will abide by the decision of the high command on the change of leadership in the state.

Sonia summons Rajasthan CM
She will discuss with Ashok Gehlot the political situation in Rajasthan, where discontent is brewing over his leadership.

NAGA PEACE TALKS
Centre's interlocutor: Kaushal, Sangma in the reckoning
While former Mizoram governor Swaraj Kaushal has talked to the NSCN (I-M) before, P A Sangma is a reluctant candidate.

Mizoram CM to meet NSCN (I-M) leaders
Zoramthanga said he will not participate in the negotiations, as his role is only to create mutual trust and a conducive atmosphere between the Centre and the rebels.

COLUMN
In Phizo's footsteps
The real problem, says Kuldip Nayar, is whether the government is willing to modify its stand that a strong Centre is the answer to local or regional aspirations for identity?

FROM THE STATES
Former IPS official held for eve-teasing
Suryanarayan, 63, a former inspector general of police from Karnataka, was nabbed near the Lady Shriram College in south Delhi.

Cold wave claims 34 more in UP
This takes the overall toll on account of the prevailing cold spell in the state to 337.

Mayawati's birthday bash to cost crores
The chief minister has also declared January 15 as 'Arthik Sayhog Diwas' and 'Swabhiman Diwas'.

Probe funds for Mayawati's birthday celebrations: Mulayam
The Samajwadi Party chief says Mayawati's cultural extravaganza on January 15 in Lucknow and in New Delhi is expected to cost crores of rupees.

Lunatic ransacks Kolkata mosque, tension quelled
Police intervened to remove a roadblock put up by local youths after the man entered the mosque and damaged some books.

Cow's head found: violence in MP town
The Indo-Asian News Services reported that around 25 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in the violence.

BJP MP Kirti Azad released from custody
The cricketer-turned-MP had been arrested on Monday night in Darbhanga for vandalising the local office of the Bihar State Electricity Board in May 2001.

Jammu and Kashmir ministry expanded
Twenty ministers have been inducted and two have been elevated to the Cabinet rank.

NEIGHBOURHOOD
Pakistan will not budge an inch on Kashmir: Musharraf
He also said that Pakistan wants to improve bilateral ties with India to maintain durable peace in South Asia.

Four family members of Sharief return, detained
According to a private television channel, Sabiha Abbas, wife of Sharif's younger brother Abbas Sharif, her two daughters and a son, arrived in Lahore from Jeddah and were shifted to an unknown destination.

CJ's oath under constitution, sans Musharraf's changes
Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhary raised a fresh controversy after taking oath under the 1973 Constitution, which reportedly does not contain Musharraf's controversial amendments.

India's role in Sri Lanka seen increasing
Lt Gen (retd) Sathish Nambiar will provide a report on de-escalation in the island's embattled northern peninsula of Jaffna, a contentious issue between the Tigers and Colombo.

COLUMN
Back to the gamble
'We are today back in the morass India was in the early 20th century. In spite of liberalization, the Indian economy has to rely on rains,' says Ashok Mitra.

GUEST COLUMN
Hindustan to Modistan, simply impossible!
If majority communalism could result in stability and prosperity, Pakistan should have been the most stable and prosperous nation on earth, says Sajid Bhombal.

SLIDE SHOW
Sabrang music festival
Images from the festival, part of the birth centenary celebrations of renowned singer Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan.

January 13, 2003

Maharashtra CM Deshmukh asked to step down
Officially, however, the Congress insisted that Deshmukh had not been asked to quit as yet. Senior party leader Ambika Soni said a team of observers would visit Mumbai shortly to assess the situation.

Iftikar Geelani released
The journalist, who is the son-in-law of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was arrested under the Official Secrets Act.

SC grants bail to Tehelka scribe in poaching case
The court said in a case where the maximum sentence is three years, a person cannot be incarcerated in jail. Badal had been in judicial custody since July 3 last year.

32 more perish in UP cold wave
'A dozen people have died in Jalaun district, while 20 perished in other places,' an official spokesman said.

SPECIAL
The night the diaspora met Sonia
'She is very charming,' said Rekha Gupta from Botswana, 'and seems to be making a good effort to woo people for her politics.'

NAGA PEACE TALKS
Indira, Rajiv tried to solve problem: NSCN (I-M)
The outfit blamed Nagaland Chief Minister Jamir for the failure of talks in 1967.

Naga talks: Centre may appoint political negotiator
The fact that Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah had come to the country to hold peace parleys was in itself a breakthrough, Advani said.

CAUVERY WATER DISPUTE
Cauvery basin farmers threaten to revive stir
'The Krishna government will be betraying the cause of farmers by letting out water at a time when the state is facing a water shortage,' Cauvery Horata Samithi chief G Made Gowda said.

Karnataka agrees to release 'some water'
Water Resources Minister Arjun Sethi said this is an informal arrangement, as the CRA could not meet on Monday.

REPORTS FROM GUJARAT
Human Rights Watch slams attacks on minorities
The organisation's 2003 global report said the riots in Gujarat were planned and point to the involvement of the state machinery.

Lashkar terrorist killed in Ahmedabad
Sadiq Jamal Mehtar was wanted in connection with a conspiracy to kill Narendra Modi and Pravin Togadia.

OTHER REPORTS
Kirti Azad arrested in Bihar
The BJP MP has been charged with ransacking the office of the Bihar State Electricity Board in Darbhanga during a demonstration in May 2001.

M F Husain's painting worth Rs 7 million stolen
'Time' had been lent to the Asian Social Forum for display during its January 2-7 meeting in Hyderabad.

Pakistan has not kept its word: Sinha
'We have sent a clear message... that Pakistan cannot capture Jammu and Kashmir by cross-border terrorism,' the external affairs minister said.

International conference on terrorism on Feb 10
Organised by the BJP's youth wing, 80 countries have been invited to the event.

COLUMNS
Creating the Nuclear Command
'Military preparations and exchanges of cavalier, dangerously irresponsible, statements amidst a situation of intense strategic rivalry, mean the threshold for an India-Pakistan nuclear confrontation has fallen to a new, dangerous low,' says Praful Bidwai.

'We should leave Pakistan to stew in her own juice!'
'Pakistan deserves to be declared a rogue state. How I wish that geography could be changed.' B Raman remembers R N Kao, the legendary spymaster.

January 12, 2003

Modi vows to visit all Cong-ruled states
Addressing a rally in Mumbai, the architect of BJP's victory in Gujarat warned all Congress chief ministers of a Hindutva onslaught as he comes visiting their states.

Sukh Ram decides to form third front in Himachal
The Himachal Vikas Congress chief said the decision to form a third front was taken at a meeting of five political parties, including the CPI and the CPI (M).

Ghatkopar accused hired to avenge riots
Imran Rehman Khan said a Lashker-e-Tayiba front organisation in Saudi Arabia had summoned him to formulate a plan 'to avenge the Gujarat killings'.

Cold wave claims 28 more lives in UP
Thick fog disrupted several flights and trains, which were running late or were cancelled.

OTHER REPORTS
Major fire in National Chemical Lab
The blaze engulfed the Organic Technical branch of NCL. Leaping flames and plumes of billowing smoke could be seen from a distance.

Fight collectively to eliminate communal differences: Kalam
`It is visible everywhere that people are against violence and want to live in a peaceful, prosperous and secure India,' the President said.

Agni test posed no threat to Pak: Jamali
The Pakistan prime minister said Pakistan was not cowed down by the test and added that 'nobody in the world has appreciated India for its missile test'.

Dalit to get new house, courtesy Priyanka
Congressmen plan to hand over the ownership papers on January 12, Priyanka Gandhi's birthday, to further embarrass UP Chief Minister Mayawati, a self-professed champion of dalits.

Let Sikh women perform religious rites: Badungar
SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar said the community's opinion would be sought on this issue.

World peace only through ahimsa: Dalai Lama
Delivering a sermon at the inaugural session of the nine-day Kalchakra puja in Bodh Gaya, he asked the nations to restraint themselves.

Bee Gees singer Maurice Gibb dies
The 53-year-old bass player and singer with the British group suffered a heart attack on Thursday while undergoing emergency abdominal surgery after collapsing at his home in Miami, Florida.

January 11, 2003

India developing Agni-III missile
'We will hopefully test-fire it before the end of the year,' V K Aatre, Scientific Adviser to the defence minister, said.

NSCN (I-M) to shun violence
'Nagas have now a much better understanding with the people of India,' NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu said after meeting Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Bihar govt distributes blankets
Reeling under a cold wave, temperatures in some places in north India went below zero.

Kamrup Express passengers escape unscathed
The engine and 10 coaches of the train derailed about 90 km from Guwahati in Assam.

Nitish claims number of rail accidents has come down
The railway minister's claim comes a day after the derailment of the Howrah-Dibrugarh Kamrup Express.

PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS
No objection from US on dual citizenship: Blackwill
The US ambassador also said that India is now the second largest source of legal migrants to the US, behind Mexico.

Modi vows vibrant Gujarat
He told NRI Gujaratis that he promises 'transparent deals' and 'no pending files'.

Dazzling the Diaspora
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Complete Coverage

NAGA PEACE PROCESS
Manipur vows to maintain territorial integrity
During its talks with the Centre, the NSCN (I-M) has demanded the formation of 'Greater Nagaland', which includes parts of Manipur.

VHP criticises talks with Naga leaders
VHP international vice-president Giriraj Kishore said talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) would encourage extremist groups within and outside India.

OTHER REPORTS
Kiran Bedi named 1st woman UN Police Adviser
She will take over from Acting Civilian Police Adviser Antero Lopes in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Pakistani immigrant saves synagogue
Syed Ali, a gas attendant, called the cops when he saw a man pour gas on the Young Israel of Kings Bay synagogue in Brooklyn.

Elections in four states on February 26
The last date for filing nominations for the polls in Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura is February 7.

FROM THE STATES
Medical college principal arrested in kidney racket
Dr O P Mahajan, principal of Government Medical College in Amritsar, Punjab, allegedly cleared the files of donors who were not remotely related to the recipient.

BJP retains Surat (West) assembly seat
Bhavnaben Chapatwala defeated the Congress' Naishadh Desai by 29,060 votes.

Mufti calls for talks to end Kashmir violence
The chief minister said the security forces have to change their approach and be people-friendly.

Tibetans to expose 'real face' of China during Kalchakra
'We will certainly use the Kalchakra festival to propagate our cause by distributing booklets, pamphlets, photographs and showing documentary films,' says a Tibetan official.

Jaswant surprises Mumbai students
Addressing students of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, he recited Sanskrit slogans and verses attributed to Swami Vivekananda and Sant Tulsidas and also explained their meaning.

COLUMN
How to be a fixer
Want to make something of yourself in Delhi? Then listen... Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar

DIARY
Why girlfriends are friends
It's a bond boyfriends, husbands and mothers-in-law can't break, says Rasika Dhavse.

January 10, 2003

Kamrup Express derails in Assam
The incident occurred, on Friday at around 2300 IST near Patshala station in Barpeta district of lower Assam, when the train was on its way to Dibrugarh from Howrah.

NSCN (I-M) will boycott assembly polls: Muivah
'We will not support any elections sponsored by the Government of India,' he said after a meeting with Advani.

Government to withdraw case against Geelani
The scribe was arrested in June 2002 under the Official Secrets Act.

Mayawati threatens scribes
`You may have to pay a heavy price for making such allegations and then you will say that I get angry,' she told a journalist who asked about the alleged fund collection for her birthday.

PRAVASI DIVAS SPECIAL
'The Indian Diaspora is a rainbow'
'This congregation and this auspicious beginning will, I hope, build a global Diaspora network of bridges or what was called in Indian antiquity, Setubandhanam,' says Dr L M Singhvi.

The Diasporic Extravaganza: Day 2

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Complete Coverage

OTHER REPORTS
Asthana appointed head of Strategic Forces Command
He will report to the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, navy chief Admiral Madhvendra Singh.

US think tank praises NGOs' work in Mumbai slums
A coalition of voluntary organisations has organised communities around projects of common interest like improving working conditions and building toilets.

No possibility of accidental nuke war: Musharraf
He said Pakistan's missiles and warheads are kept apart under the nuclear command he heads with Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

Pak may recall its beleaguered UN diplomat
The US has sought Islamabad's nod to withdraw Munir Akram's diplomatic immunity following allegations of assault levelled by a woman against him.

ASSEMBLY POLLS
Hindutva will backfire in Himachal: Former CM
The people in Himachal Pradesh are very liberal and secure, Virbhadra Singh said.

Sena to contest 50 seats in Himachal
The Nationalist Congress Party also plans to contest the poll.

Tripura polls: Congress ties up with INPT
The Congress will contest 42 seats and the INPT 18 seats reserved for STs. They will jointly campaign for their candidates.

REPORTS FROM MAHARASHTRA
Ghatkopar blast accused remanded to police custody
Judge A P Bhangale allowed Imran Rehman Khan to undergo medical examination, but turned down his plea for home food and a meeting with wife.

Bharat Shah challenges MCOCA in high court
The film financier, booked under MCOCA, is facing trial for his alleged links with the underworld.

FROM THE STATES
Modi to bring in anti-conversion bill in Gujarat
He said his government has set up a task force to deal with the problem of madrassas in Gujarat.

Two dargahs attacked in Gujarat
Both, one in Kutch and the other in Ahmedabad district, were frequented by Hindus.

Jethmalani rejects Thackeray's call to quit RS
The former Union law minister said he is bound by the law to defend any accused who approaches him.

TN police continues crackdown on militants
Some of them are suspected of being involved in the killing of Karnataka ex-minister H Nagappa.

Rebel TMC legislators float new party
The party, to be called the Tamil Maanila Kamaraj Congress, is headed by D Komaradoss.

Raghunath Jha quits, split in Samata averted
Basistha Narain Singh has been appointed interim convenor of a committee to oversee the organisational elections in Bihar due in another two months.

Tension in Gaya, army's help sought
Mobs took to streets, indulged in arson and stoned policemen after hearing that miscreants had damaged two idols of gods.

Buddhist monks threaten immolation
They have set a deadline of 24 hours for the Dalai Lama to initiate a dialogue on their demands and cancel his Kalchakra puja to be held on Sunday.

West Bengal strike evokes mixed response
The bandh has been called by the Party for Democratic Socialism and supported by Trinamool Congress to demand lowering of power tariffs and court fees.

Train engine rams into auto; nine killed
The incident occurred at 1010 IST at an unmanned level crossing between Devarkadra and Kaukuntla in Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh. Two of the dead were children.

SPECIAL
Understanding the unnatural alliance
'The US can win over governments in Pakistan, but not its people. The US-Pakistan partnership is without roots and plants without roots never grow,' says Hamid Mir.

COLUMNS
Best to be bad
'Certainly the most destructive forces mankind has ever discovered or set in motion, religion and patriotism have killed countless millions over the centuries,' says Dilip D'Souza.

The burden of discrimination
'How does the suspension of the Mirwaiz's passport help India's cause or interests?' asks Mohammad Sayeed Malik.

January 9, 2003

TOP REPORTS
Abandon no-first use policy, Security Board tells govt
In an exclusive report published in India Abroad, the weekly newspaper owned by rediff.com, the National Security Board recommended, 'India may consider withdrawing from this commitment as other nuclear states have not accepted this policy.'

India to grant dual citizenship to PIO
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced that Persons of Indian Origin in certain nations will be given dual citizenship and a legislation in this regard will be introduced in the Budget session of Parliament.

NSCN-IM leaders meet Vajpayee
The Government of India is making sincere efforts to solve the problem of the Nagaland, Isak Chisi Swu said.

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq's passport suspended
A notice, served at his Delhi residence, said his passport was being suspended under section 10 (A) of the Passport Act as government was satisfied that his travel abroad was not in the interest of the nation.

PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS
'India is like a Banyan tree'
And India's cultural diversity, sense of belonging and other Indian values make the canopy, Rajat Gupta, CEO of Mckinsey, said.

PM's speech: 'We want the richness of your experience'
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speech at the inaugural session of the First Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, January 9, 2003.

'The Diaspora wants to transform India'
'The PIO's philanthropic instincts are amazing. They are willing to do things for India,' says Dr L M Singvhi.

Sinha for close ties between India, diaspora
There is now a recognition of the contribution made by the diaspora and the role it can play in advancing India's interests, he said.

Heroes of the Diaspora
Jewella C Miranda's images from the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman ceremony.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Complete Coverage

REPORTS FROM MAHARASHTRA
Ghatkopar blast main accused deported to India
Imran Rehman Khan is believed to have fled to Dubai in October last year leaving 'instructions' to carry out a blast at a crowded place.

Four cops suspended for escape of Ghatkopar blast accused
Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said a high-level probe into the accident has been instituted to check the veracity of police claims about the accident and to dispel doubts on the escape of the accused.

Bharat Shah case: Preity Zinta sticks to her stand
The actor reiterated before a Mumbai court her complaint about receiving threatening calls from the underworld.

AGNI-I TEST
India successfully test fires Agni-I
The test firing took place at around 0847 IST from the launch complex of the Wheeler's Island located in the Bay of Bengal, off the Orissa coast.

Agni test is 'sick war hysteria': Pakistan
The test came a day after Pakistan's army took possession of the nuclear capable medium-range surface-to-surface Hatf missile (range-1,500 km).

OTHER REPORTS
Cold wave claims 27 more in UP, toll 163
Six deaths were reported in Hamirpur, followed by five in Bahraich, two each in Faizabad, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Jaunpur, and Robertsganj and one each in Balrampur and Budaun.

Jaswant Singh's name may be proposed for a medal
The Army Headquarters is considering a proposal to honour the former external affairs minister for his handling of the Kargil crisis.

Cabinet approves Vajpayee's stand on Salem
The government told Portugal on December 12 that the gangster would not be given capital punishment if he were extradited to India.

Noted painter B C Sanyal dead
Born early last century in Dhubri, Assam, Sanyal started the Lahore College of Arts. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1987.

Cameraman hurt in Parliament attack dies
Vikram Bisht, who had received bullet shots in his spine on December 13, 2001, fell from his wheelchair on Wednesday night. He is survived by wife and two kids.

FROM THE STATES
Rape victim on fast for arrest of third accused
Anjana Mishra said the main conspirator would remain untraced until her third attacker is caught.

Farmers' suicides highlight TN drought
It is the first time in recent memory that poverty-stricken farmers, unable to feed their families, are resorting to taking their lives in Tamil Nadu.

TN dalits seek permission to convert
They sent a memorandum to this effect to the district collector after upper caste Hindus in the village denied them permission to take out a funeral through the main street.

Construction worker hacks six to death in Orissa
Dileswar Apat, 28, a resident of Alapaja village in Sundergarh district, was upset at being denied work at a construction site.

Another Veerappan aide nabbed
Kumaresan, a senior Tamil National Liberation Army leader, was involved in the recent blasting of a power transmission tower in Toppaiyankulam near Cuddalore.

40 per cent turnout in Surat West assembly by-poll
The main contenders are Bhavnaben Chapatwala, wife of the deceased sitting MLA, and Congress nominee Naishadh Desai.

300 detonators found in New Jalpaiguri station
No arrests have been made, but police have cordoned off the area, sources said.

Gem worth crores recovered, nine held
A nine-member gang had stolen at knife-point the green avin-surin quartz, weighing 52 kgs, from one Krishnananth Swamiji in Chennai.

NEIGHBOURHOOD
Pakistani community leader shot dead in Vancouver
Khan was shot several times as he was getting out of his car in his driveway in suburban Surrey, near Vancouver. Police have rejected suggestions of hate crime.

India a secondary proliferator: CIA
The American intelligence agency has clubbed India with Iran, Pakistan and North Korea in this category.

Chinese entities helped Pak develop nukes: CIA
In its half-yearly report, the agency said that Chinese entities provided Pakistan with missile-related technical assistance between July 1 and December 31, 1971.

LTTE refuses to disarm before political solution
But the rebels and the Sri Lankan government pledged to speed up the resettlement of displaced people in areas outside the army's high-security zones.

COLUMN
J&K militancy is travesty of a freedom struggle
Vikram Jagadish presents a democrat's argument against independence for Jammu & Kashmir.

DIARY
Conversations with Sir Vidya
In which Basharat Peer meets the Nobel laureate.

January 8, 2003

'We need India and India needs us'
'The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas would be an exercise in futility if we are unable to build bonds of solidarity between India and the Diaspora,' says former Fiji prime minister Mahendra Choudhry.

Why the diaspora needs India
'Dual nationality is not a matter of a passport, but of personal identity,' says Lord Bhikhu Parekh. 'It could even be our destiny.'

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Complete Coverage

TOP REPORTS
NSCN (I-M) leaders arrive in Delhi
They are to meet the prime minister on Thursday evening as part of the Naga peace process.

Centre rejects corn-soya bean mix from US
The environment ministry suspects the contents of consignment were genetically modified.

Cold wave claims more lives
As many as 42 deaths were reported from UP, while in West Bengal seven people succumbed to the biting cold.

Centre to get tough with separatist leaders
A dossier submitted to the government accuses, among others, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik of making anti-India statements abroad. The Centre may impound their passports.

Top Pakistani scientist's nuke shop
The media in Islamabad on Wednesday published contents of a brochure allegedly brought out by the country's top nuclear scientist, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, offering nuclear technology to other nations.

ASSEMBLY POLLS
Don't vitiate atmosphere before polls: Lyngdoh
The chief election commissioner said that the dates for the Himachal Pradesh election would be announced soon.

EC calls officials from states where polls are due
Assembly elections are due in Himachal Pradesh, Meghayala, Nagaland and Tripura in February.

No truck with NCP in Meghalaya: Congress
'The NCP and Congress have announced that they will contest all sixty seats against each other in Meghalaya.

FROM THE STATES
Delhi to throw out illegal immigrants
'We must comprehend the danger posed by illegal presence of these nationals here. It is unacceptable situation,' Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor said.

Cold wave forces closure of schools in Delhi
However, students taking the pre-board examinations of standards 10 and 12 will not be affected.

Bengal passes strictures against cops
The move comes following the killing of traffic sergeant by five policemen for coming to the rescue of a girl they were trying to molest.

Congress leaders to kick-off poll campaign in MP
The assembly election is scheduled for November later this year.

NCP keen on pre-poll alliance with Congress in Maharashtra
Following the outcome of the Gujarat poll, the NCP is keen that secular forces unite and engage communal elements in a straight contest.

Rathyatras a prelude to Modi rally in Mumbai
The BJP has planned 10 yatras across the metropolis to build awareness about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's January 12 rally at Shivaji Park.

Bharat Shah case: Salman says statements were not shown to him
The film actor said his statements did not bear his signature and the police did not read them out to him.

Birthday celebrations: Mulayam raps Mayawati
The UP chief minister is believed to have told BSP legislators to contribute for the celebrations planned on January 15.

Mayawati announces 'gifts' for Allahabad
She announced a Law University and a Sahitya Bhawan to the city on the 116th foundation day celebrations of the state legislature.

Arrested Orissa priest supplied explosives to Maoists
He told police he had supplied explosives and arms to the rebels on several occasions, including just before a blast that damaged a police vehicle and injured 20 police officials.

Bihar police fail to track Kanchan Mishra
The National Commission for Women had last month asked the police to find Mishra, a twice-married woman who was allegedly forced into wedlock with a criminal.

NEIGHBOURHOOD
Pakistan's envoy to UN assaults woman
The US has asked Pakistan to withdraw the diplomatic immunity of Munir Akram.

Musharraf to visit Moscow in February
Exact dates and progamme of the visit have not yet been finalised, a foreign ministry spokesman said in Islamabad.

Pakistan arrests 16 Indian fishermen
They are accused of straying into Pakistan's territorial waters.

OTHER REPORTS
India rejects Japan's plea to join NPT
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi was told that India has to keep in mind Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.

Press Pakistan to stop terrorism: PM to Japan
In talks with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, Vajpayee said efforts have been made to improve bilateral relations with Pakistan, but many 'regrettable incidents' have occurred.

War with Iraq not inevitable: Rumsfeld
The US defence secretary would not say how large a force the Pentagon was assembling in the Gulf region or provide details on military units slated for deployment.

The Lord of the Rings rooted in racism: Academic
Dr Stephen Shapiro, who teaches at the Warwick University, told rediff.com that J R R Tolkien, the author, has used his novels to present bigotry through a fantasy world.

SPECIAL
The Phantoms of Chittagong
The operation was so secret that most Indian generals did not know what the 3,000 Tibetans jawans did on India's behalf in East Pakistan, in 1971, reveals Claude Arpi.

COLUMNS
Halting Hindutva's March
'No party has endangered national security as severely, as the BJP, by dividing the nation and severing it from the very people who constitute it. And none has tried to drive such a wedge between Hindus and others, and among the Hindus themselves,' says Praful Bidwai.

Why Surjeet loves Laloo Yadav
Comrade Surjeet knows the Third Front won't win too many seats; he is concentrating on winning power without winning the election, says T V R Shenoy.

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