Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS

<p><strong>New Delhi(World Bulletin) :</strong> A new report titled ‘Hindu Nationalism in the United States’ released by SACW (South Asia Citizens Web) states that US based charitable organizations are pumping billions of dollars to India's Hindu nationalist RSS & Company.</p><p><img alt="Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS" height="600" src="http://media.worldbulletin.net/news/2014/07/04/rss.jpg" width="600" /></p><h2 class="spot" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 5px 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report contains tax records, newspaper articles, and other materials on non-profit groups in the United States affiliated with the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu nationalist groups) form 2001-2014.</h2><p>This report discusses the strategies and activities of Hindu nationalist groups in the United States. The report contains tax records, newspaper articles, and other materials on non-profit groups in the United States affiliated with the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu nationalist groups) form 2001-2014.</p><p>According to the report, “India-based Sangh affiliates receive social and financial support from its U.S.-based wings, the latter of which exist largely as tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Sewa International USA, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation-USA. The Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party – USA (OFBJP) is active as well, though it is not a tax-exempt group.”</p><p>In the executive summary of the 54 page report it states; “Hindu nationalism has intensified and multiplied forms of discrimination, exclusion, and gendered and sexualized violence against Muslims, Christians, other minorities, and those who oppose Sangh violations, as documented by Indian citizens and international tribunals, fact-finding groups, international human rights organizations, and U.S. governmental bodies,”</p><p>The forefront of the Hindu nationalist movement is the Sangh Parivar network that is one of the largest voluntary associations in India, which has an estimate membership numbering millions.</p><p>A secret IB report stated that in the past couple of weeks there has been controversy in India over foreign funded NGOs, saying that it is working against the economic interest of the country. However Sangh Parivar was not mentioned in these reports.<br /> Over the last three decades the Sangh Parivar has made a movement toward Hinduizing India.</p><p><strong>Source: <a href="http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/140043/report-shows-us-hindu-nationalists-funding-indias-rss" target="_blank">World Bulletin</a></strong></p>

Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS

New Delhi(World Bulletin) : A new report titled ‘Hindu Nationalism in the United States’ released by SACW (South Asia Citizens Web) states ...

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Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS

<p><strong>New Delhi(World Bulletin) :</strong> A new report titled ‘Hindu Nationalism in the United States’ released by SACW (South Asia Citizens Web) states that US based charitable organizations are pumping billions of dollars to India's Hindu nationalist RSS & Company.</p><p><img alt="Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS" height="600" src="http://media.worldbulletin.net/news/2014/07/04/rss.jpg" width="600" /></p><h2 class="spot" style="margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 5px 0px; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The report contains tax records, newspaper articles, and other materials on non-profit groups in the United States affiliated with the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu nationalist groups) form 2001-2014.</h2><p>This report discusses the strategies and activities of Hindu nationalist groups in the United States. The report contains tax records, newspaper articles, and other materials on non-profit groups in the United States affiliated with the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu nationalist groups) form 2001-2014.</p><p>According to the report, “India-based Sangh affiliates receive social and financial support from its U.S.-based wings, the latter of which exist largely as tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Sewa International USA, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation-USA. The Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party – USA (OFBJP) is active as well, though it is not a tax-exempt group.”</p><p>In the executive summary of the 54 page report it states; “Hindu nationalism has intensified and multiplied forms of discrimination, exclusion, and gendered and sexualized violence against Muslims, Christians, other minorities, and those who oppose Sangh violations, as documented by Indian citizens and international tribunals, fact-finding groups, international human rights organizations, and U.S. governmental bodies,”</p><p>The forefront of the Hindu nationalist movement is the Sangh Parivar network that is one of the largest voluntary associations in India, which has an estimate membership numbering millions.</p><p>A secret IB report stated that in the past couple of weeks there has been controversy in India over foreign funded NGOs, saying that it is working against the economic interest of the country. However Sangh Parivar was not mentioned in these reports.<br /> Over the last three decades the Sangh Parivar has made a movement toward Hinduizing India.</p><p><strong>Source: <a href="http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/140043/report-shows-us-hindu-nationalists-funding-indias-rss" target="_blank">World Bulletin</a></strong></p>

Report shows US Hindu nationalists funding India's RSS

New Delhi(World Bulletin) : A new report titled ‘Hindu Nationalism in the United States’ released by SACW (South Asia Citizens Web) states ...

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Gayatri Mantra & Gangajal formed part of Martin Luther King Interfaith Service in Nevada

<p><strong>Nevada(USA):</strong> Interfaith Community Memorial Service for civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Reno (Nevada, USA) on January 18 included Sanskrit mantras and sprinkling of drops of water from river Ganga of India, sacred to Hindus.</p><p><img alt="Delegates at Martin Luther King's Memorial" height="400" src="http://news.biharprabha.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Delegates-at-Martin-Luther-Kings-Memorial.jpg?4e9eaa" width="600" /><br /> <em>At the Service, from left to right, are— Jim R. Eaglesmith, Angela D. Taylor, Rajan Zed, Dolores Feemster, Gene Savoy Junior, Rebecca Willis, Michael Hernandez, Second Baptist Church Pastor Michael L. Randle.</em></p><p>Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered the invocation from ancient Hindu scriptures—Rig-Veda, Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita—reading in Sanskrit and then translating into English. He sprinkled few drops of Gangajal before starting his prayer in the Service held at Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada (UUFNN).</p><p>Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, speaking on the occasion, talked about Dr. King’s visit to India, and his admiration of Mahatma Gandhi and his non-violent resistance.</p><p>Angela D. Taylor, a community leader, was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included International Community of Christ Bishop Gene Savoy, Jr., UUFNN Senior Minister Neal Anderson, City of Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez, performance artist Jim R. Eaglesmith, People First Foundation Executive Director Courtney Bell, Mary Cooper and Daryl Feemster. International Community of Christ Reverend Mother Rebecca Willis read the benediction.</p><p>Musical Selections were delivered by Second Baptist Church Choir and Greater Light Choir, while UUFNN Choir performed Prelude “MLK” and The Power of Love directed by Leon W. Smith gave Postlude. Congregational hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and a video-tribute presented to Dr. King also formed part of the Service.</p><p>Reverend Onie Cooper Humanitarian Awards were presented on the occasion to Dolores Feemster and People First Foundation.</p>

Gayatri Mantra & Gangajal formed part of Martin Luther King Interfaith Service in Nevada

Nevada(USA): Interfaith Community Memorial Service for civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Reno (Nevada, USA) on January 18 i...

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USA court issues summons against PM Narendra Modi

<p><strong>Washington DC:</strong> Even before he touched down on U.S. soil after a nine-year visa ban, a federal court in New York has issued summons against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in presiding over the anti-Muslim pogrom in Gujarat during 2002 when he was Chief Minister of the state.</p><h2>USA court issues summons against PM Narendra Modi</h2><p><img alt="According to the Alien Tort Statute, U.S. federal law first adopted in 1789 gives federal courts jurisdiction to hear lawsuits filed by U.S. residents for acts committed in violation of international law outside the U.S." src="http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01354/IN06_MODI_1354501f.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <em>According to the Alien Tort Statute, U.S. federal law first adopted in 1789 gives federal courts jurisdiction to hear lawsuits filed by U.S. residents for acts committed in violation of international law outside the U.S.</em></p><p>The lawsuit, filed by the American Justice Center (AJC), a non-profit human rights organisation identified among the plaintiffs “two survivors of the horrific and organised violence of Gujarat 2002”, and called for a response from Mr. Modi based on the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA) and the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA).</p><h2><strong><a href="http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1118575204820-6/Modi_Summons.pdf">Here is the original Summon copy which is serve to Narendra Modi </a></strong></h2><p>Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, whose law firm represents the plaintiffs, explained via email to The Hindu that the summons issued by the Federal Court of Southern District of New York requires Mr. Modi to respond within 21 days after it is served.</p><p>The summons document, which also alludes to the 21-day deadline, notes that if the Prime Minster fails to answer the attached complaint, “Judgement by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint,” adding that Mr. Modi was expected to file his answer or motion with the court.</p><p>Specifically the twenty-eight page complaint filed was said to seek compensatory and punitive damages and “charges PM Modi with committing crimes against humanity, extra-judicial killings, torture and inflicting mental and physical trauma on the victims, mostly from the Muslim community”.</p><p>Mr. Pannun further noted that the “default judgement”, which in other cases has been entered against defendants in their absence, would be a “declaration from Federal Court that 2002 killing of Muslims was ‘Genocide’ as per US and international law”, and possibly grant compensatory and punitive damages for the riot victims.</p><p>According to a statement by the plaintiffs the ATCA, also known as Alien Tort Statute (ATS), is a U.S. federal law first adopted in 1789 that gives federal courts jurisdiction to hear lawsuits filed by U.S. residents for acts committed in violation of international law outside the US.</p><p>Commenting on the summons issued by the John Bradley, a Director at the AJC said, “The Tort Case against Prime Minister Modi is an unequivocal message to human rights abusers everywhere… Time and place and the trappings of power will not be an impediment to justice”.</p><p>The AJC is scheduled to hold press conference on September 26 to clarify the implications of the lawsuit filed in terms of the legal path ahead in the survivors’ quest for justice, according to a statement the organisation issued.</p>

USA court issues summons against PM Narendra Modi

Washington DC: Even before he touched down on U.S. soil after a nine-year visa ban, a federal court in New York has issued summons against ...

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Diplomatic Immunity and Indian Prime Minister in USA

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law by which certain foreign government officials are not subject to the jurisdiction of local courts and other authorities. The concept of immunity began with ancient tribes. In order to exchange information, messengers were allowed to travel from tribe to tribe without fear of harm. They were protected even when they brought bad news. Today, immunity protects the channels of diplomatic communication by exempting diplomats from local jurisdiction so that they can perform their duties with freedom, independence, and security. Diplomatic immunity is not meant to benefit individuals personally; it is meant to ensure that foreign officials can do their jobs. Under the concept of reciprocity, diplomats assigned to any country in the world benefit equally from diplomatic immunity.</p><h2>Diplomatic Immunity and Indian Prime Minister in USA</h2><p><img alt="A federal court has issued a summons to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots." src="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/thumb/msid-43500107,width-310,resizemode-4/court-summons-for-pm-narendra-modi-in-us.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>Barely a day before he was scheduled to land in the United States, a federal court has issued a summons to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Multiple media reports indicate that the summons was issued by the Federal Court of Southern District of New York in response to a civil case filed by the human rights group American Justice Centre (AJC) on behalf of two Gujarat riots victims.More details about the lawsuit are likely to emerge on Friday when the American Justice Center will hold a press conference at the Grand Hyatt in New York.</p><p>Diplomatic privileges and immunities guarantee that diplomatic agents or members of their immediate family:</p><ul><li>May not be arrested or detained</li><li>May not have their residences entered and searched</li><li>May not be subpoenaed as witnesses</li><li>May not be prosecuted</li></ul><p>Diplomatic immunity is a special law that covers people who work in embassies or consulates. The people are called diplomats. The diplomatic immunity means that although they live and work as a visitor inside a "host country", they are not ruled by the law of that country. They are only ruled by the law of their home country.</p><p>A diplomat can work without interference from the police and government of the country where he works. Diplomatic immunity means that a diplomat can keep the secrets of his own country's government, without the government of the host country being able to find out about them. Police from the host country cannot arrest a diplomat, or search a diplomat's house or office. They cannot even give a diplomat's car a parking ticket without the permission of the diplomat's government. Honorary consuls only work part-time as diplomats, so only have diplomatic immunity when working as diplomats. Police may search their offices, but not the part where they keep their diplomatic work.</p><p>The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 codified most modern diplomatic and consular practices, including diplomatic immunity. More than 160 nations are parties to these treaties. The conventions provide immunity to persons according to their rank in a diplomatic mission or consular post and according to the need for immunity in performing their duties. For example, diplomatic agents and members of their immediate families are immune from all criminal prosecution and most civil law suits. Administrative and technical staff members of embassies have a lower level of immunity. Consular officers serving in consulates throughout the country have an even lower level of immunity. Members of an embassy's service staff and consular employees are immune only for acts performed as part of their official duties</p><p>It is true that diplomats are exempt from the criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction of the host country. However, this exemption may be waived by their home country. Moreover, the immunity of a diplomat from the jurisdiction of the host country does not exempt him/her from the jurisdiction of his/her home country.</p><p>It is also within the discretion of the host country to declare any member of the diplomatic staff of a mission persona non grata (or unwanted person). This may be done at any time and there is no obligation to explain such a decision. In these situations, the home country, as a rule, would recall the person or terminate his/her function with the mission.</p><p>The Vienna Convention provides for specific measures that can be taken by both the home and host countries in cases of misuse or abuse of diplomatic privileges and immunities. On the whole, diplomatic privileges and immunities have served as efficient tools facilitating relations between States. No UN Member State has so far proposed rescinding the Convention or re-writing its provisions.</p>

Diplomatic Immunity and Indian Prime Minister in USA

New Delhi: Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law by which certain foreign government officials are not subject to the jur...

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10 things about Priyanka Chopra's Quantico

<p>NYC, Bryan Durham: What you ought to know about Priyanka Chopra's new show on ABC</p><p><img alt="" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1452721/thumbs/o-PRIYANKA-CHOPRA-900.jpg?15" width="600" /></p><ol><li>It's called Quantico and will be set in the city formerly known as Potomac in Virginia, USA where the Federal Bureau Of Investigation has a training facility on a Marine Corps base.</li><li>The only other show to be set there is Criminal Minds, which, incidentally, was also called Quantico in its pilot episode.</li><li>The show, which belongs to the drama/thriller genre, is being described as 'Grey's Anatomy' meets 'Homeland'.</li><li>PC's character's name is Alex Weaver. So our guess is she's not playing an Indian, but don't count out the possibility that the name might just be a front or that she plays someone of mixed origin.</li><li>She's playing a brilliant yet haunted FBI recruit. Where have we heard that before? That's a plot point even Homeland and Blacklist shares, no?</li><li>The wording in most releases is precise. "It's a drama pilot" for now. One of many ABC is putting out this year. A pilot out doesn't necessarily mean a show gets greenlit. But who are we kidding? It's PC, the show's about the FBI, Mark Gordon is executive producing (he has a long-standing relationship with ABC)... the push to season might just happen.</li><li>The characters of the young cast has very specific reasons for joining. What is Alex's is still unknown. But you will know soon enough. As the release says, "her past boils to the surface soon after her arrival at Quantico". The recruits will undergo 21 weeks of training. That's a lot of seasons planned!</li><li>At the outset, PC won't play the female lead for sure. That role will be played by Aunjanue Ellis, who was last seen in The Book of Negroes. Ellis will play the director of the FBI base at Quantico and will oversee training the recruits.</li><li>One of the recruits is harbouring the biggest secret of all. He/she is a sleeper cell terrorist who will in the near future carry out a deadly attack on US soil, not unlike 9/11.</li><li>Since PC's episode run hasn't been confirmed yet and she has not really cut Bollywood ties, she could, in all probability, be the sleeper terrorist in question, right? Well, chances are any of those other recruits could also be it.</li></ol>

10 things about Priyanka Chopra's Quantico

NYC, Bryan Durham: What you ought to know about Priyanka Chopra's new show on ABC It's called Quantico and will be set in the city f...

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Maria Sharapova rebounded from an early deficit against Maria Kirilenko to keep her perfect record in US Open

<p><strong>NEW YORK, NY, USA -</strong> Maria Sharapova wrapped up the first day of play at the US Open on Monday night, finding her range after falling behind 4-2 in the first set and reeling off 10 games in a row to make it past good friend and fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko in exactly an hour and a half, 6-4, 6-0.</p><h2>Maria Sharapova rebounded from an early deficit against Maria Kirilenko to keep her perfect record in US Open</h2><p><img alt="" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10544385_10153054917421102_7588135371989848277_n.jpg?oh=a24629e3545543507594c6d0bc62b9be&oe=54677507&__gda__=1417313912_1588d847ffd159af6ff4f7429b1006b4" width="600" /></p><p>The No.5-seeded Sharapova looked shaky early on, just a little off on the timing of her groundstrokes and throwing in a handful of double faults as well as Kirilenko built the aforementioned 4-2 lead. But she found her range just in time to sneak the first set out and found her very best again in the second set, hitting a total of just three unforced errors in that set to cruise through to the second round.</p><p>Sharapova, who won here in 2006, is now 17-0 in her career in night matches at the US Open.</p><p>"I'm not really sure," Sharapova said of the stat. "This is usually the time I'm sleeping, so I don't know. You'd actually think it was the opposite. In the beginning of my career it was always a bit more challenging because I didn't really know how to adjust to what I should do during the day, but I've certainly learned a lot. I know the waiting game a bit better than when I was a junior or a teenager.</p><p>"Now I really enjoy it. You feel the goosebumps when you go out on a night match on Arthur Ashe."</p><p>All the other top seeds in action also won, with No.2 seed Simona Halep recovering after a scratchy first set to beat American wildcard Danielle Rose Collins, 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-2, No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska routing Sharon Fichman, 6-1, 6-0, No.6 seed Angelique Kerber rallying from a break down in the third set to beat Russian qualifier Ksenia Pervak, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, No.9 seed Jelena Jankovic beating Bojana Jovanovski, 6-2, 6-3, and No.10 seed Caroline Wozniacki scoring a 6-1, 3-6, 2-0 retirement victory against Magdalena Rybarikova when the Slovak had to stop due to a hip injury.</p><p>Halep, who has a shot at becoming World No.1 after this tournament, looked far from a World No.2 in the first set, but once that was out of the way she went right to work and cruised to victory.</p><p>"The first round of a tournament is really difficult," Halep said. "It was a big challenge for me today because I played the first match of the tournament on center court. It's not easy to manage the situation. But I think after the first set I did very well and played much better than the first set.</p><p>"I started a little bit nervous, but it's normal. And she was playing really well, as well."</p><p>Also among the winners was No.19 seed Venus Williams, who struggled in the first set - she had 19 unforced errors to just seven winners - but regrouped to beat Kimiko Date-Krumm, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.</p><p>Williams and Date-Krumm weren't just battling each other, they were trying to fend off a bee attack.</p><p>"Kimiko has so much class she didn't swat it," Williams said. "So once it was my turn, I think I would have been remiss to swat it myself. Kind of came up with a strategy to hopefully follow her example in that. Just let the fly land on the racquet and in the towel - and I guess he's on his way now."</p><p>Monday was also the birthday of the late Althea Gibson, a tennis pioneer who broke down color barriers in the sport in the 1950s by becoming the first African-American to a Grand Slam title.</p><p>Williams was asked about her in her presser. "What she accomplished is something no one else did - to be not only the best player in the world during a time where she had no support, and in a time when it was hard to feel good about yourself because who you were was something that was considered inferior. So that was very difficult. I can't imagine how she felt. She did it with class and she did it with grace. I'm very fortunate not to have had to play under those circumstances. I have had an opportunity to play well and be myself, and because of her, I'm really proud of who I am.</p><p>"Really, what she has done, you know, goes beyond words."</p><p>The only upset on Day 1 saw Croatian qualifier Mirjana Lucic-Baroni beat No.25 seed Garbiñe Muguruza, 6-3, 7-6(4). Lucic-Baroni is no stranger to Grand Slam success - she made a fairytale run to the semifinals of Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 1999, falling to Steffi Graf in three tight sets.</p>

Maria Sharapova rebounded from an early deficit against Maria Kirilenko to keep her perfect record in US Open

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Maria Sharapova wrapped up the first day of play at the US Open on Monday night, finding her range after falling behind...

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Indian Muslims will live and die for India: PM Modi

<p><strong>New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI):</strong> Indian Muslims will live and die for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, maintaining that they will not dance to the tunes of terror outfit Al Qaeda.</p><h2>Indian Muslims will live and die for India: PM Modi</h2><p><img alt="" src="http://i.dawn.com/primary/2014/04/533e344981e03.jpg?r=1339617910" width="600" /></p><p>"My understanding is that they are doing injustice towards the Muslims of our country. If anyone thinks Indian Muslims will dance to their tune, they are delusional.</p><p>"Indian Muslims will live for India, they will die for India - they will not want anything bad for India," he told CNN in a rare media interview. He was asked about the head of Al Qaeda issuing a video and an appeal trying to create an Al Qaeda in India- South Asia saying he wants to free Muslims from the "oppression" they face in Kashmir and Gujarat.</p><p>He was also put a question about the remarkable phenomenon that out of the 170 million Muslims in India, there seemed to be no or very few members of Al Qaeda even though it is in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "What is it that has made this community not as susceptible?"</p><p>Modi answered that first he was not the authority for doing a psychological and religious analysis on this. "But the question is whether or not humanity should be defended in the world. Whether or not believers in humanity should unite. This is a crisis against humanity, not a crisis against one country or one race. So we have to frame this as a fight between humanity and inhumanity, nothing else," he said.</p><p>Ahead of his visit to the US next week, Modi said it was possible for the US and India to develop a genuinely strategic alliance.</p><p>"I have a one word answer, and with great confidence I say - yes. Let me explain - there are many similarities between the US and India. If you look at the last few centuries, two things come to light - America has absorbed people from around the world, and there is an Indian in every part of the world. This characterises both the societies.</p><p>"Indians and Americans have co-existence in their natural temperament. Now yes, for sure, there have been ups and downs in our relationship in the last century. But from the end of the 20th century to the first decade of the 21st century, we have witnessed a big change. Our ties have deepened. India and the USA are bound together, by history and culture. These ties will deepen further," he said.</p><p>Asked if he feels there is a genuine desire from Washington to try and upgrade the relationship with India substantially, the Prime Minister said relations between India and America should not be seen within the limits of just Delhi and Washington.</p><p>"It is a much larger sphere. The good thing is that the mood of both Delhi and Washington is in harmony with this understanding. Both sides have played a role in this," he said.</p>

Indian Muslims will live and die for India: PM Modi

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI): Indian Muslims will live and die for India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, maintaining that they will not ...

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Sania Mirza and Bruno Soares win US Open mixed doubles title

<p>Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza clinched her third mixed doubles Grand Slam title as she and her partner Bruno Soares overcame a few anxiuous moments in the match tie break to win the US Open on Friday.</p><p>The top seeded Indo-Brazilian pair squandered five straight championship points before scoring a 6-1 2-6 11-9 win over Abigail Spears from the USA and Santiago Gonzalez from Mexico in exactly 60 minutes.<br /> <img alt="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/9/sani1.jpg" src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/9/sani1.jpg" width="600" /><br /> Bruno Soares and Sania Mirza pose for photos with the championship trophy after defeating Abigail Spears and Santiago Gonzalez in the mixed doubles final of the 2014 US Open tennis tournament.(AP Photo)</p><p>Spears sent a backhand volley long after making it 9-9 from 4-9, as Sania and Soares heaved a sigh of relief.<br /> It was first time that Sania and Soares were playing together as a pair.</p><p>"Playing with him is a lot of fun. He did not play with me all these years not sure why?," Sania gushed after the win and confirmed that the pairing will continue for the Australian Open.<br /> h<img alt="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/9/sania2.jpg" src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/9/sania2.jpg" width="600" /><br /> Sania Mirza and Bruno Soares reacts after defeating Abigail Spears and Santiago Gonzalez in the mixed doubles final. (AP Photo)<br /> Sania's previous titles came with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi. They won Australian Open in 2009 and French Open in 2012.</p><p><br /> The 27-year old had reached the Australian Open mixed doubles final this year also but ended runners-up with Romanian partner Horea Tecau.<br /> Sania played well in the women's doubles also, making the semifinals with Zimbabwe's Cara Black.</p>

Sania Mirza and Bruno Soares win US Open mixed doubles title

Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza clinched her third mixed doubles Grand Slam title as she and her partner Bruno Soares overcame a few anxiuous ...

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National Herald case: Delhi court adjourns hearing till 3 November

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> A Delhi court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in the National Herald case till 3 November."Next hearing has been fixed for 3 November and, if further arguments are to be heard, it will be done on 5 November," said BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.</p><h2>National Herald case: Delhi court adjourns hearing till 3 November</h2><p><img alt="Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been accused of misusing funds in the National Herald case. PTI" src="http://s1.firstpost.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Sonia_Rahul-PTI-Nov-5.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>The Delhi High Court had earlier fixed for final disposal on 1 October the pleas of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others against the trial court proceedings in the case relating to acquiring ownership of National Herald daily.<br /> Besides Sonia and Rahul, Congress treasurer Moti Lal Vora, general secretary Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey have moved the high court against the trial court order summoning them in the case.</p><p>Sam Pitroda, who is yet to be served with the summons, has not filed a plea in the high court. However, Swamy had earlier informed the court that he had served the summon issued against accused Sam Pitroda, who according to him, is presently residing in the USA.<br /> Swamy had accused Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and others of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds by paying just Rs 50 lakh by which Young India obtained the right to recover Rs 90.25 crore which the Associated Journals Limited had owed to the Congress party.<br /> While summoning the six as accused in the case, the trial court had held that Swamy has established a prima facie case of cheating, misappropriation of funds and criminal breach of trust against them.</p><p>The accused persons were summoned under sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property, 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) read with section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.<br /> (With inputs from PTI)</p>

National Herald case: Delhi court adjourns hearing till 3 November

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in the National Herald case till 3 November."Next hearing has been fixed f...

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If Pakistan stops aiding terror outfits, South Asian security will improv: Rajnath Singh

<p><strong>New Delhi(PTI):</strong> Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Pakistan to "seriously rethink" its strategy of using terrorism as an instrument of proxy war, saying this will "significantly" improve the security situation in South Asia besides being in its own national interest. Inaugurating an International Counter-Terrorism Conference, Singh said Pakistan should understand that there are no good or bad terrorists.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/03/19/320025-rajnath-singh-pti2.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>"It is unfortunate that even after paying such a heavy cost for itself, Pakistan and its associates find it difficult to understand that there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists," he said, noting that the source of most terrorist activity in India lies across our borders.</p><p>Singh said Pakistan should "seriously rethink its strategy of using terrorism as an instrument of proxy war, since this would be in her own national interest." "Differentiating terrorists into good and bad categories has failed miserably. If the ISI and the Pakistan Army stops their support to certain terror outfits, I have no hesitation in saying that the security situation in South Asia will improve significantly," he said.</p><p>"India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for the last several decades. Terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad patronised by those across the border, have inflicted several acts of terror on the Indian soil. There are several instances of such proxies being used in other parts of the world," he said.</p><p>Speaking about the changing face of terrorism in the present world, Singh expressed concern over the increasing possibility and opportunity to use available technology and cyberspace in a destructive manner.</p><p>Singh also said the menace of terrorism is greatly amplified in today’s digital world. "A 'lone wolf' or a "DIY (Do It Yourself) terrorist can go online and learn how to carry out an attack without ever leaving home," he said and added that an expert group had been recently constituted to look into all possible avenues of cybercrime and its linkages with the terrorist world.</p><p>He said the need for a committee was felt as many terror groups are adept at using the latest technology to propagate their beliefs and deeds. They extensively use modern technology to reach out to wider audience with susceptible minds. "Their online propaganda is causing self-radicalisation among youths. It is a matter of serious concern that they are seeding the minds of innocents with poisonous provocation and inspiring them to be brutally intolerant and violent with others," he said.</p><p>Singh also sought international cooperation in India's fight to counter the menace of terrorism which knows no boundaries and doesn't respect nations' sovereignties. The terrorists have become transnational in character and, therefore, international cooperation is needed to build popular opinion and pressurise the countries that use terrorists as their strategic assets, he added. He called for global awareness on terrorism and said all countries should be aware of developments in this area, which is bound to affect them in some way, sooner than later.</p><p>The three-day Counter Terrorism Conference, 2015 will discuss issues like 'illegal migration and border security', 'cyber space', 'social media and terrorism', and 'terror trade: weapons, narcotics and fake currency' in separate sessions. It is organised by India Foundation in association with Sardar Patel University of Police Security and Criminal Justice at Jaipur.</p><p>Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, former Home Secretary G K Pillai, former Army Chief Gen (retd) V P Malik, former chief of BSF Prakash Singh and other dignitaries are among the participants. Several foreign participants including former chief of Sri Lankan Army Sarath Fonseka and Admiral Jamers Loy, Senior Counsellor, Cohen Group, USA are also attending.</p>

If Pakistan stops aiding terror outfits, South Asian security will improv: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi(PTI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked Pakistan to "seriously rethink" its strategy of using terrorism as ...

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Narendra Modi's China visit – A hard test of diplomacy

<p><strong>New Delhi,Iftikhar Gilani:</strong> Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue with his robust diplomacy, paying a three-nation official visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea from May 14–19, just a week before celebrating one year in power. His three-day visit to China from May 14-16, starting from the Chinese President Xi Jingping’s home city of Xi’an will be the most watched leg of his tour. Xi'an is the provincial capital of Shaanxi province, also the home province of 7th century traveller and Budhist monk, Huen Tsang, who studied in India.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/05/06/333944-diplomacy1.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>While Chinese will push to seek contracts in big-ticket projects like bullet-trains push to seek their pie in investing in high-speed trains, smart city projects and other infrastructure assignments, India will look forward a concrete movement on political side, mainly a commitment to settle land boundaries, which often create unsavoury situations for both the countries. I</p><p>ncidentally, South Korea is also competing to join these projects, high on Prime Minister’s priority. Experts here believe the visit will also be a challenge to Modi’s diplomatic acumen, as South Korea along with Vietnam has locked horns with China on the control of South China Sea.</p><p>In his indomitable style, Modi on Monday logged on China's most popular micro-blogging site, Sina Weibo. China has banned Twitter, Facebook and other foreign-owned social media platforms after the 2009 riots in Urumqi, Xinjiang.</p><p>From Xi'an, Modi will fly to Beijing and then Shanghai before leaving for Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Apart from Modi, other world leaders British Prime Minister David Cameron and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have opened Sina Weibo accounts to try to connect with Chinese in absence of Twitter and Facebook.</p><p>The PM will also attend an event organised by the Indian community in Shanghai, recreating Madison Square in the United States and the Sydney Olympic Park in Australia and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Canada.</p><p>In Western nations, while it makes a political sense to interact with Indian diaspora to use them as lobbyists, many experts here wonder the extent of influence of Indian diaspora on the Chinese polity. Reports said about 45,000 Indians – professionals, businessmen mostly Hong Kong-based diamond merchants of Surat and students – will converge to hear Modi.</p><p>Officials say Xi may accompany Modi to the Wild Goose Pagoda, a spiritual structure build to highlight famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuan Zang's journey to India in 645 AD through the ancient Silk Road and his return after a 17-year long sojourn with precious Buddhist scriptures.</p><p>China is India's biggest trading partner with two-way commerce totalling close to $70 billion. But India's trade deficit with China has soared from just $1 billion in 2001-02 to more than $40 billion, Indian figures show. Experts say Modi must bridge the deficit by seeking greater access to the Chinese market, with the two sides targeting annual bilateral trade of $100 billion this year.</p><p>Politically experts believe that China has thrown a big net around India, which is also bleeding the USA in Asia. Its strategies in the East and South China Seas, have imposed high costs on Washington. And on its Western front, Beijing has integrated regions, with is border provinces.</p><p>Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are too dependent on China. It is on way to enter Pakistan in a big way, taking control of Gwadar port and routes leading to Central Asia. It has already made strong forays in Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia and Mongolia. They maintain that Modi’s diplomacy will be on test, as Chinese leaders are preparing to regale and accord him a royal treatment.</p><p>But they will hardly concede on any issue. “Chinese leaders are known for talking sweetly and yielding on none. They buy time or influence and soften the other side through business deals. A hard test for Modi indeed,” said the expert, an old China hand, who didn’t want to be identified.</p>

Narendra Modi's China visit – A hard test of diplomacy

New Delhi,Iftikhar Gilani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue with his robust diplomacy, paying a three-nation official visit to Ch...

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Najma Heptullah U-turn via clarifying Hindi not Hindu

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> Minorities affairs minister Najma Heptullah who has created a huge political outcry after she was quoted as saying that she saw nothing wrong with the RSS theory that all Indians can be called Hindus, has now clarified to say that she meant 'Hindi' and not 'Hindu'.</p><h2>Najma Heptullah U-turn via clarifying Hindi not Hindu</h2><p><img alt="Image from PIB" src="http://s4.firstpost.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/NajmaHeptullah_PIB11.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>In an interview with the Hindustan Times newspaper, Heptullah, who has remained silent on the issue so far, was quoted as saying that the idea of Indians being 'Hindus' had 'evolved in history'.</p><p>“Anything beyond the Hindu Kush mountains and on this side of the Sindh river is Hind. In Persian, they call it Hindustani… where the people of India live. The word Hindu originally referred to the national identity of people who live in this land. I look at it very rationally. One should not forget history", the report quoted her as saying.</p><p>However Heptullah clarified her remarks in comments to the media.</p><p>"I had said, we are Indians. That is our nationality. I said 'Hindi' which is an Arabic word. I did not say 'Hindu'", she said adding "Whatever I said, was about me. My focus is on development and backwardness. I said Hindi. I stand by fact that we are all Indians".</p><p>The comments by Heptuallah, coming on the back of what is being seen as a BJP effort to legitimize the much decried RSS remark that all Indians were culturally Hindus, were met with massive outcry. Congress spokesman Manish Tewari asked her to go read the constitution again, saying that it specifically referred to citizens of the country as 'Indians'.</p><p>The comment by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was, "The cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva and the present inhabitants of the country are descendants of this great culture. If inhabitants of England are English, Germany are Germans and USA are Americans then why all inhabitants of Hindustan are not known as Hindus?"</p>

Najma Heptullah U-turn via clarifying Hindi not Hindu

New Delhi: Minorities affairs minister Najma Heptullah who has created a huge political outcry after she was quoted as saying that she saw ...

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Five Reasons Shah Rukh Was The Only Khan Barack Obama Mentioned at speech at the Siri Fort

<p><strong>Mumbai(glamsham):</strong> When Barack Obama charmed us in Shah Rukh Khan style! That Shah Rukh Khan's films are loved by people across the globe is known to all! Apart from his films his romantic dialogues also have a huge fan following! People mouthing dialogues from his flicks is common, but what took us by surprise is when the US President Barack Obama, who made a brief visit to India, incorporated King Khan's famous dialogue from the blockbuster DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE in his speech.</p><p><img alt="BARACK OBAMA and SHAH RUKH KHAN" src="http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/15/jan/barack-obama-shah-rukh-khan.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <em>Mr Obama quoted SRK's line, 'Senorita, bade bade deshon mein...', from DDLJ in his speech. (Image caption: AP)</em></p><p><strong><em>BOLLYWOOD MAY BE CROWDED WITH SUPERSTARS BUT, ON JANUARY 27, AS HE BID INDIA A FOND FAREWELL, IT SEEMED THAT THERE WAS JUST ONE KHAN ON POTUS' MIND</em></strong></p><p>Mr. Obama stunned everyone when he quoted in his accent, “Senorita, bade bade deshon mein... you know what I mean.” As soon as he said that, all we could hear was a loud cheer from the audience.</p><p>Badshah Khan was also just as thrilled as we all were and he couldn't hold back his excitement and got onto a microblogging site to express his happiness. “Proud 2 b part of the gender & religion equality speech of Pres. Obama. Sad he couldn't do the Bhangra...next time Chaiyya Chaiyya for sure.” he wrote.</p><p>Mr. Obama's speech at the Siri Fort Auditorium will not be forgotten in a long time for sure! Mr Obama quoted SRK's line, 'Senorita, bade bade deshon mein...', from DDLJ in his speech.</p><p>Bollywood may be crowded with superstars but, on January 27, as he bid India a fond farewell, it seemed that there was just one Khan on POTUS' mind. So does SRK equal Bollywood? At least when it comes to Uncle Sam.</p><p>POTUS addressed a townhall-style meeting in New Delhi's Siri Fort Auditorium on the final day of his three-day visit to India, where he borrowed one of SRK's best-known dialogues from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: "Bade bade deshon mein, or something like that. You know what I mean."</p><p>Here's why we think the Badshah made such an impact on Barack Obama:</p><p><strong>Big Badshah Theory #5</strong><br /> SRK is the only Khan who's given the President of the United States a starring role in one of his films - his lookalike, at any rate - in My Name Is Khan. It is an Obama-lookalike who tells Rizwan Khan that his "name is Khan and he's not a terrorist." My Name Is Khan may have released in 2010 but clearly its message against discrimination of any kind is as relevant today.</p><p><strong>Big Badshah Theory #4</strong><br /> SRK knows how to slam dunk, maybe not on the basketball court like Mr Obama, but definitely when it comes to the Indian diaspora in the USA. The recent SLAM! World tour had SRK performing to packed stadiums in Houston, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington DC and San Jose. In New Jersey alone, SRK danced into the hearts of 20,000 fans - a promotion model that turned out to be so successful that, rumour has it, other superstars will be following suit.</p><p><strong>Big Badshah Theory #3</strong><br /> Talking about success, let's not forget that SRK is the second richest actor in the world. Not second richest Bollywood actor - just second richest actor, period! SRK was the only Indian actor in a top 10 combined rich list of Bollywood and Hollywood stars - richer than Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood and Adam Sandler. SRK is estimated to be worth US$ 600 million. Now that's a net worth that's worth sitting up and noticing.</p><p><strong>Big Badshah Theory #2</strong><br /> Perhaps it's because of these big bucks that SRK has never been intimidated by Hollywood in the least. SRK refuses to compete and, in fact, has often said that Hollywood should be more appreciative of what Bollywood does. In the past, SRK has said, "You can't go to a big filmmaking world and say write a role for a 47-year-old actor who is brown, has hair like this, acts this way and dances a bit. The role should be something that Indians should be proud of."</p><p><strong>Big Badshah Theory #1</strong><br /> And finally, do we really need another reason? It is Shah Rukh Khan! In a world which desperately needs open arms, open hearts and open minds, King Khan shows that he has all three and maybe that's why he's worth imitating.</p>

Five Reasons Shah Rukh Was The Only Khan Barack Obama Mentioned at speech at the Siri Fort

Mumbai(glamsham): When Barack Obama charmed us in Shah Rukh Khan style! That Shah Rukh Khan's films are loved by people across the glob...

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Melissa Joan Hart Launches Cool Boys Collection via people magazine

<p>As a mom of three sons, Melissa Joan Hart knows her way around the boys department. Her only problem? The selection of tees and denim duds that the actress wanted to add to Mason, 8½, Brady, 6, and 23-month-old Tucker‘s wardrobes weren’t available.</p><h2>Melissa Joan Hart Launches Cool Boys Collection via people magazine</h2><p>So Hart did the next best thing: She teamed up with husband Mark Wilkerson and together the couple created King of Harts, a surfer meets cool school boy collection of kiddie clothes.</p><p><img alt="Melissa Joan Hard King of Harts" height="400" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/cbb/blog/140831/melissa-hart-768x1024.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>Available in sizes 2 to 12, the line is full of bright tops, chambray shirts, vintage-inspired jean jackets and mix-and-match bottoms.</p><p>The Melissa & Joey star opened up to PEOPLE about everything from her new designer role, three of her favorite models (her boys!) and working with her husband.</p><p><strong>This interview is taken from PEOPLE Magazine through Melissa Joan Hard King of Harts</strong></p><p>PEOPLE: How did you find time to balance Melissa & Joey with starting your own clothing line?</p><p>Melissa: Between full-time mom, M&J and directing a Christmas movie for Lifetime this summer, it’s taken a lot of extra focus to start King of Harts.</p><p>But this has been a dream of mine since my first son was born 9 years ago and I’m thrilled it has finally launched.</p><p>PEOPLE: I’ve heard so many people say it’s hard shopping for boys clothes — did that play into creating a cool line that parents and kids would enjoy?</p><p>Melissa: Definitely! Mark and I were frustrated by the lack of interesting options in the boys section at most stores and that we couldn’t find any graphic tees that didn’t have licensed super heros on them.</p><p><img alt="Melissa Joan Hart King of Harts" height="400" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/cbb/blog/140831/melissa-hart-3-600x450.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>PEOPLE: What was it like working with your husband on the launch? Did you ever have to (want to!) veto his input?</p><p>Melissa: Being in business with family is tricky. But he loves the design aspect and I like the business side of things, so it’s a nice balance … But it’s not without it’s all-out arguments.</p><p>PEOPLE: What’s your favorite look from the line?</p><p>Melissa: I love our button down chambray shirt for school picture day and the lobster with silly sunglasses tee for everyday or camp. There will be an animal humor graphic that will show up every season of the line.</p><p>PEOPLE: You’ve mentioned that your boys have very different personalities — how does that tie in to their sense of style?</p><p>Melissa: Each of the boys (and their friends) have weighed in on favorites from the line so we know we have represented many personalities and preferences in the line.</p><p>Plus, kids go through phases constantly and change their minds weekly so it’s good to have options.</p><p><img alt="Melissa Joan Hart King of Harts" height="400" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2014/cbb/blog/140831/melissa-hart-44-600x800.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>PEOPLE: What role did each of your boys play in King of Harts? Are any of them total hams in front of the camera?</p><p>Melissa: Brady was a trooper at our spring ’15 photo shoot. Mason won’t smile these days which was tricky, but Tucker is just hard to get to hold still.</p><p>PEOPLE: Every little boy’s wardrobe should include a <strong>_</strong>.</p><p>Melissa: Cool pair of jeans and a great seasonal jacket.</p><p>PEOPLE: What’s up next for you? What can people expect to see on Melissa & Joey? Any fun surprises fans can look forward to?</p><p>Melissa: We will have a fun “witchy” type reunion Halloween episode first up. And I’m super proud of the Christmas movie I just directed for Lifetime that has yet to be named.</p><p>PEOPLE: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about King of Harts?</p><p>Melissa: We are super proud to say that all of our King of Harts pieces are made with awesomeness in the U.S.A!</p><p>We also are excited that KOH will benefit kids around the country in need with our association with Youth Villages. You can find info about the line and the charity.</p><p>– Anya Leon</p>

Melissa Joan Hart Launches Cool Boys Collection via people magazine

As a mom of three sons, Melissa Joan Hart knows her way around the boys department. Her only problem? The selection of tees and denim duds t...

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Narendra Modi 'very good event manager', but got 'carried away' in US: Congress

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> Congress today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved himself a "very good event manager" but got "carried away" on his visit to the USA even as it charged that he was "diluting" the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The party, however, at the same time praised Modi for his speech at United Nations in which he had given a strong response to Pakistan's criticism of India on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. "When the Prime Minister of India speaks on Mahatma Gandhi on foreign soil, he must not dilute and shrink what all Gandhi stood for. It is sad that it is happening. He should remember Gandhi had also stood for simplicity. Gandhi also believed in non-violence.</p><h2>Narendra Modi 'very good event manager', but got 'carried away' in US: Congress</h2><p><img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2014/09/30/271303-modiun1.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>"One does not emulate Gandhi by seeking to become a fashion icon and a rockstar changing eight designer suits as Gandhi always put on half a dhoti," senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said.</p><p>Accusing BJP of "always criticising and castigating" Manmohan Singh when he was the prime minister in the previous UPA government, Sharma claimed that Congress had been holding back "until Prime Minister (Modi) made insulting references to the previous government and his predecessors by ridiculing their work".</p><p>"It is always expected that a Prime Minister representing 1.2 billion people will get a good reception and audience among the 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora living in America and Canada. He appeared to have been carried away.</p><p>"People of India elected a prime minister to represent India. But he has lived up to the words of his own mentor, LK Advani, of being a very good event promoter, event manager," Sharma said. The former commerce minister said it would have been good had Modi been "gracious enough to acknowledge the role of many of his predecessors instead of ridiculing and insulting them" when he referred to India's notable achievements in the last 60 years.</p><p>At an official party briefing, Congress spokesman Raj Babbar said that when Modi talked of India's transition from being a "country of snakes" to that of mouse-wielding youngsters, he had praised the contributions of former prime minister the late Rajiv Gandhi in ushering in an IT revolution in the country.</p>

Narendra Modi 'very good event manager', but got 'carried away' in US: Congress

New Delhi: Congress today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved himself a "very good event manager" but got "carried ...

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Gujarat BJP MPs adopt developed villages for Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna

<p><strong>New Delhi(PTI):</strong> The choice of some villages adopted by MPs in Gujarat under the Prime Minister's 'Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna' has invited criticism from Congress which claimed that they were already developed, a charge refuted by the MPs.</p><h2> Gujarat BJP MPs adopt developed villages for Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna</h2><p><img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2014/11/22/286039-aadarsh-yojna.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>There are three such cases which have come to the light where villages have good infrastructure, but MPs have still gone ahead to adopt them, informed sources said.</p><p>Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat Mansukh Mandaviya adopted Ugamedi village in Gadhda taluka in Bhavnagar district under the 'Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna'.</p><p>According to the Sarpanch of Ugamedi, the village has been developed as a tourism spot due to river-linking project and the villagers churn a good source of income from diamond industries and agriculture activities.</p><p>"The village has a population of around ten thousand. The villagers have linked two rivers Sonal and Keri with the cost of around 90 lakhs and also made a dam with the help of a donor of this village," Sarpanch of Ugamedi Vinubhai Anghad said.</p><p>"The village has also seen a good progress in diamond industry, as it is having around 100 diamond-cutting units, where people from the surrounding villages come to get employment," Anghad added.</p><p>On the question of infrastructure in the village, he said, "Our village has been developed by the villagers, but now it should also get some government aid. We had requested our MP Mansukh Mandaviya to adopt this village to make it a model village in the entire country and he did it." Lok Sabha MP from Kheda seat Devusinh Chauhan has also chosen a less-laborious task by selecting another 'developed' village Vahelal in Matar Taluka in Ahmedabad district.</p><p>As per an office-bearer of village panchayat, Vahelal is also known as the village of 'NRIs' as most of the families have settled either in USA or UK.</p><p>"The villagers in Vahelal, which has the population of around four thousand, has roads and other basic facilities, but it also needs to be improved. The village has many hospitals and schools too," an office bearer Sanjay Patel said.</p><p>Vinod Chavda, MP from Kutch Lok Sabha seat, has adopted Suvai village in Rapar taluka in Kutch district, where people get 24x7 electricity.</p><p>According to Sarpanch of Suvai Motilal Bhachau, people in the village get a good income from cash crops like cumin, Isabgul and mustard seeds.</p><p>"We have roads, electricity and other basic facilities like health centres and schools but we cannot yet get water of river Narmada. Although, pipelines are there, water supply has not started. Apart from this, we have infrastructure but people are not there to manage it," Bhachau said.</p><p>When asked about 'Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna', he said he is aware about this initiative and wished their MP can develop this village as model village.</p><p>Congress took an opportunity to criticise the Gujarat MPs saying they are following the path of their 'high-command' to mislead the people.</p><p>"The MPs from Gujarat are doing the same things, what ever their high-command did in past tweleve years. They are known for hiding the facts and exaggerating the lies. If they are so committed to develop the villages, they should adopt any under-developed village from the hundreds of villages that fall in their Lok Sabha constituency," Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.</p><p>Minister of State (MoS), Home in Gujarat Rajni Patel made an appeal to the MPs to adopt villages, which are actually in need.</p><p>"Our government will wish that our MPs should adopt such villages, which are really in need, where sources are not enough and proper. If the situation arises, Chief Minster will look into this and will recommend the MPs to change their villages," Patel said.</p><p>MP from Kheda Lok Sabha seat Devusinh Chauhan has, however, denied to have adopted a developed village.</p><p>"The definition of development cannot be set on the basis of the infrastructure, which is available there in that village. There are many other parameters to develop a village.</p><p>We have acted on the guidance of Rural development Ministry," Chauhan said.</p><p>Rajyasabha MP from Gujarat, Mansukh Mandaviya echoed the same opinion saying only infrastructure cannot be defined as development.</p><p>"Our objective is to include each and every person in the development of their village, where government can work with people's participation. In Ugamedi, one industrialist did a herculean task of river-linking on his own cost, we want to show this to other villages so that other can follow this type of model," Mandaviya said.</p>

Gujarat BJP MPs adopt developed villages for Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna

New Delhi(PTI): The choice of some villages adopted by MPs in Gujarat under the Prime Minister's 'Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojna' has...

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Sania Mirza becomes No 1 in World doubles rankings

<p>New Delhi(ANI): "Two years ago, I told myself that I want to become World No. 1, win a Grand Slam title (in women's doubles) and also win the WTA Finals. That's one down, two more to go. I am at the peak of my career and I want to achieve the remaining goals."</p><p><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Sania_Mirza_at_U.S._Open_Friday,_Sept._2,_2011.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>Those were Sania Mirza's words to dna in October last year. She and Zimbabwean Cara Black had just won the season-ending tournament in Singapore. Nearly six months on, Mirza has kept at it. On Sunday, she ticked another box by scaling the No. 1 peak in the world of tennis, thereby becoming only the third Indian after Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi (1999) to do so. That's not all. Mirza also made it a rollicking fortnight for Indian women by following badminton ace and fellow Hyderabadi Saina Nehwal to occupy the top spot in her sport. For the record, she upstaged Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. The rankings will be updated on Monday.</p><p>Combining with Swiss great Martina Hingis, Mirza got the better of Australia's Casey Dellacqua and Croatia's Darija Jurak 6-0 6-4 in the final of the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, USA. The Indo-Swiss pairing has now won 14 straight matches — five at Indian Wells Masters, five at Miami Masters and four in Charleston.</p><p>"It's a dream for every kid to be No.1 one day," Mirza said at the trophy ceremony. "I can't think of a better person to do it with. When we came here we had one thing in mind, to get No.1, and she really helped me get there. She helped me through some tough moments this week. She's just a great person and a great player. We also become the No.1 team in the world today with this. I hope we have many, many more tournaments and end the year on a high as well," added Mirza, who has won seven WTA doubles titles over the last 12 months.</p><p>Mirza went on to praise Hingis, herself a former World No.1. "I don't want to make you feel old, but I did watch you as a kid!" she said, drawing laughter from Hingis and the crowd. "You were an idol to most young girls at the time. You made it when you were 15! No tournament has been as special to me as the Family Circle Cup and no tournament will ever be as special to me, because I became No.1 here," added Mirza, who became just the 33rd woman to hold the No. 1 ranking since the WTA introduced them in 1984.</p><p>After not even losing a set in their first two tournaments together, Hingis and Mirza were tested in Charleston where they dropped a set each in the quarterfinal and semifinal. Why, they even faced a match point against Anabel Medina Garrigues and Yaroslava Shvedova in the semifinal.</p><p>Sunday's win helped also helped the Indo-Swiss pair secure the No.1 spot on the 'Road To Singapore' doubles leaderboard. Mirza also became only the fourth Asian woman to become World No. 1 after Japan's Ai Sugiyama, China's Peng Shuai and Chinese Taipei's Hsieh Su-Wei.</p>

Sania Mirza becomes No 1 in World doubles rankings

New Delhi(ANI): "Two years ago, I told myself that I want to become World No. 1, win a Grand Slam title (in women's doubles) and al...

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USA: India-Russia deals won’t affect Obama’s R-day plan

<p><strong>WASHINGTON,Chidanand Rajghatta,TNN:</strong> The Obama administration said Friday that there is no change in the US president's plans to visit India on January 25/26 for India's Republic Day, even as it urged New Delhi not to do business with Russia because of its intervention in Ukraine.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://www.khabarindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/india-russia-flag.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>"No. India remains an important partner. Obviously, our economic relationship is a big part of what we continue to work on," state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said when asked on whether the India-Russia business deals that have been concluded during President Putin's visit to New Delhi would have any effect on President Obama's visit.</p><p>"We continue to urge all countries not to conduct business as usual with Russia. We continue to monitor it, but we haven't looked at all the specifics of the contracts, for obvious reasons," she added.</p><p>Psaki said India doesn't support the actions of Russia and its intervention into Ukraine and "they've been pretty outspoken about that as well."</p><p>Other senior state department officials however clarified that the US has has no problem with India's engagement with Russia in the broad context, PTI reported; its disapproval related to the timing of the trade deals given the international sanctions against Russia because of the events in Ukraine.</p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin greet delegates at the World Diamond Conference in New Delhi. (AP Photo)</p><p>"It does not mean that India should not engage with Russia," the unnamed State Department official said when asked about the official US statement in the last few days that this is not the time to do business with Russia.</p><p>"We engage with Russia on Iran. We engage with Russia on a range of issues," the official said. "It (not doing business with Russia) just means that countries around the world do not move forward with same kind of economic relationship which they have done in the past given that sanctions that are put in place by a number of countries."</p><p>The official acknowledged the history of strong India-Russia relationship, adding, "Our relationship with India is incredibly important to us. We have an important economic relationship. You can have a range of discussions behind the scene diplomatically, privately, which you do not necessarily say publicly."</p><p>Psaki meanwhile said she did not have anything new to share about the reported presence of the leader of the breakaway Crimean region in President Putin's delegation, suggesting New Delhi had not gotten back to Washington about US queries in the matter. "I don't have any US government confirmation. We're obviously not in on the trip with them (India)," she added.</p><p>QUESTION: There's no change in President's trip to India?</p><p>MS. PSAKI: No. No, no.</p><p>Psaki also referred briefly to the arrest of the ISIL online operative in India and said the US was continuing its conversation with various countries about efforts to de-legitimize ISIL.</p>

USA: India-Russia deals won’t affect Obama’s R-day plan

WASHINGTON,Chidanand Rajghatta,TNN: The Obama administration said Friday that there is no change in the US president's plans to visit I...

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US President Barack Obama to join PM Narendra Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat' on January 27

<p><strong>NEW DELHI(WEB TEAM):</strong> Ahead of US President visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday tweeted about a joint radio address with Barack Obama, who will travel to New Delhi later this week to witness the Republic Day Parade in India.</p><p><img alt="" src="http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/2015/01/22/303931-obama-modi.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, " This month’s 'Mann Ki Baat' episode will be a special one, where our Republic Day guest @BarackObama & I will share our thoughts together."</p><p>Modi further added, "I am eagerly looking forward to the special 'Mann Ki Baat' programme with President @BarackObama, which will be aired on 27th January."</p><p>'Mann Ki Baat' programme, which is aired on All India Radio, is Narendra Modi's initiative to reach out to millions of Indians.</p><p>Modi also asked to send questions till the 25th using hashtag #AskObamaModi.</p><p>In a series of tweets, he added, "#AskObamaModi & be a part of this memorable 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, illustrating a special bond between India & USA."</p><p>Prime Minister also tweeted a link to post questions on a specially created open forum. On other hand Security agencies turning airport into a fortress ahead of US president Barack Obama's visit</p><p>Here are PM Narendra Modi's tweets</p><p><em><strong>Narendra Modi ✔ @narendramodi</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>This month’s 'Mann Ki Baat' episode will be a special one, where our Republic Day guest @BarackObama & I will share our thoughts together.</strong></em><br /> <em><strong> 8:19 AM - 22 Jan 2015</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>Narendra Modi ✔ @narendramodi</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>I am eagerly looking forward to the special 'Mann Ki Baat' programme with President @BarackObama, which will be aired on 27th January.</strong></em><br /> <em><strong> 8:20 AM - 22 Jan 2015</strong></em></p>

US President Barack Obama to join PM Narendra Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat' on January 27

NEW DELHI(WEB TEAM): Ahead of US President visit to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday tweeted about a joint radio address wit...

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