Author: Samikhsya Bureau

At a time when extradition of Christian Michel has sparked off a major political row vis-a-vis ‘naming’ of Sonia Gandhi in AgustaWestland chopper scam, the ruling dispensation is keeping fingers crossed on possible extradition of other ‘economic offenders’.

“The ruling NDA regime is delighted at Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe and developments in the court case. We also want other extradition process to follow soon. The political impact will be huge of those extraditions,” a BJP source told UNI without elaborating.

Sources said the government through Ministry of External Affairs has been getting in touch with all governments concerned including the Malaysian authorities on the possibility of extradition of radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.

“The moot point is government is serious of extraditing people who have fled the country either as economic offenders or otherwise,” a source said.

In this context, an official source also said that “the Ministry of External Affairs is also putting up its best foot forward. We are making all efforts at the Ministry to ensure that we are in touch with the governments concerned and that documents are in order and so on”.

Sources also clarified that despite assertion by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad in July this year that Zakir Naik will not be extradited, apparently the government has not given up its hope yet.

“We do not see presence of Zakir Naik in Malaysia as a hiccup in diplomatic relations between India and Malaysia,” the source said pointing out the obvious that the Islamic preacher Naik has been in Malaysia for quite some time now.

“At the end of the day, these are legal matters and there is an extradition process on the matter,” the source said.

Naik is facing a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and also the ED after his sermons on his Peace TV were cited as principal factor by Bangladesh for an unprecedented terror attack in Dhaka in 2016, which killed 22 people.

The source also has made it crystal clear that – “We have good relations with Malaysia and Prime Minister Mahathir and that Narendra Modi has again met PM Mahathir at East Asia Summit in November in Singapore”.

Indian side also believes that there are also ‘good relations with the Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’ – and hoped that things can turn into India’s favour once legal procedures are over.

The BJP sources, in fact, agree with the government version that – even for others – like fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, the normal extradition procedures are on in Antigua and Barbuda.(UNI)

(UNI) Attacking the BJP on the Ram temple issue, National president of the Kisan Kranti Morcha and Gujarat leader Hardik Patel on Saturday here said that the party had not kept the promise of constructing the temple in the city.

While talking to the media on his way to Kushinagar, the leader here said that the BJP had deceived the people.

“They had promised to construct a temple but the promise wasn’t kept. Now, the public will teach them a lesson in the upcoming General elections, he said.”

He added that the Ram temple in Ayodhya had been unlocked by the then Congress government led by Rajiv Gandhi whereas the BJP government was consistently leading the people astray by giving them the reference of the Supreme Court.

(UNI) After retiring from international cricket in September this year,
former England captain Alastair Cook has been knighted in the New Year’s Honours.
Cook played his last Test against India at The Oval, ending his glorious 12-year
career on high with a memorable hundred in his final innings. He walked away leaving
behind a legacy and a number of records to his name.
To name a few, he has played the most number of Tests for his country – 161 – and
also holds the record for being their longest reigning captain, skippering the side in
59 Tests. With 12472 runs, he is also the highest run-getter in England’s Test history
with the most number of centuries for his side – 33.
Earlier, Cook was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in
2011 and five years later with a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
He has now become the first English player since Sir Ian Botham, who was
honoured 11 years ago, to receive a knighthood, an ICC report on Saturday said.
Cook was among the four people associated with the sport to receive a New Year’s
Honour. One of England Women’s all-time greats, Enid Bakewell, has received an MBE,
while Alvin Kallicharran and Peter Wynne-Thomas have both been honoured with a
British Empire Medal.

Bollywood actress Twinkle Khanna and her husband and superstar Akshay Kumar remembered the 70s heartthrob Rajesh Khann on his birth anniversary on Saturday.

On the occasion, Twinkle Khanna posted on her social media account a photo of the superstar from the archives.

In her post, Twinkle, who shares her birthday with her father Rajesh Khanna, revealed an interesting trivia.

“As a toddler, I was convinced that all the truckloads of flowers that would arrive for his birthday were actually for me,” Twinkle said in a caption for Rajesh Khanna’s picture.

Twinkle’s post was liked by several celebrities, including Tahira Kashyap, Sikander Kher and Smriti Irani who also commented on the post.

On this occasion, superstar Akshay Kumar also wished his wife Twinkle and her father Rajesh Khanna on their birthday.

‘’While growing up I’d heard fascinating tales of his superstardom, never imagining one day I’ll marry his fascinating daughter…thank you for giving me this precious one Happy birthday to both of you,’’Akshay said in a twitter post.

Born in Amritsar, Punjab as Jatin Khanna, Rajesh Khanna, who debuted in Bollywood in 1966 with Aakhri Khat, featured in more than 160 films in a career spanning over four decades.

The actor, who featured in several superhits like ‘Aradhana’, ‘Anand’, ‘Kati Patang’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Aap Ki Kasam’ and ‘Safar’, was India’s first superstar.(UNI)

(UNI) Egyptian police killed dozens of suspected militants in security raids, one day after the killing of three tourists in a bomb blast in Cairo, according to the country’s interior ministry on Saturday.

Three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed on Friday in a roadside bomb blast that targeted a tourist bus near the world-famous Pyramids in Gaza province, west of Cairo.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, the interior ministry said security forces killed at least 40 suspected militants in raids in the provinces of Giza and northern Sinai, Anadolu Agency reported

(UNI) Veteran actor-writer Kader Khan has been reportedly hospitalised in Canada for breathlessness, and megastar Amitabh Bachchan prayed for his recovery and well-being.
The doctors have transferred Kader Khan from regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator, according to the reports.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter,Amitabh Bachchan said,”KADER KHAN .. actor writer of immense talent .. lies ill in Hospital .. PRAYERS and DUAS for his well being and recovery .. saw him perform on stage, welcomed him and his prolific writing for my films .. great company, a Libran .. and many not know , taught Mathematics!”
Amitabh Bachchan and Kader Khan worked together on films like ‘Do Aur Do Paanch’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’, ‘Mr Natwarlal’, ‘Suhaag’, ‘Coolie’ and ‘Shahenshah’.
Kader Khan is an Afghan-born Indian-Canadian film actor, screenwriter, comedian, and director.
As an actor, he has appeared in over 300 films after his debut film in the 1973 film ‘Daag’, starring Rajesh Khanna.
He was also a prolific screenwriter for Bollywood films in the 1970s and 1980s.

(UNI) While India’s neighbouring countries are busy strengthening their armed forces, the Indian Army is still struggling to induct Sniper rifles into its stable.

Since last few years, the Army is facing problems at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir due to Pakistani troops sniper fire. Last month, two soldiers and an Indian Army porter were killed and another was injured in Pakistani sniper fire.

On December 21, two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) were killed in the same action across the border in Kupwara district.

However, in a bid to overcome it – the government has issued Request for Proposal (RFP) in September this year for acquiring 5719 8.6mm Sniper rifles. But it would take another 3-4 years for actual signing of the deal.

Nearly 50,000 rounds of ammunition will be imported while rest to be made in India after receiving Transfer of Technology from vendor.

(UNI) A scheme has been approved under which Mahila Police volunteers will mobilise community to form Mahila and Shishu Rakshak Dals (MASRD) to act as community watch groups.
”The Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs has envisaged engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs) in the States and Union Territories who will act as a link between police and community and help women in distress,” official sources said.
All Chief Secretaries of States/UTs were requested to adopt this initiative in their respective States.
Haryana is the first state to adopt the initiative at Karnal and Mahindergarh District on a pilot basis under Nirbhaya Fund during the financial year 2016-2017.
Further, the proposals of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have also been approved for implementation of MPVs.

(UNI) The Railways Ministry has decided to increase the combined reservation quota of lower berths earmarked for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.

The Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it has revised the quota and enhanced it to 13 seats for normal mail or express trains having single coach of the designated class while the trains which have more than one coach of the designated class the number of lower berths seats reserved will be 15.

The Ministry said in Rajdhani, Duronto and other AC trains, the number of seats earmarked for this category will be nine.

At present 12 lower berths are designated in sleeper, AC-three tier and AC-two tier classes for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women. In Rajdhani, Duronto, the fully air-conditioned express trains, the quota was of seven seats.

(UNI) Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa held series of meetings in the city and reviewed preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.

Speaking to reporters after holding the meetings, the Election Commissioner said,’This (visit) was to generally see the state of preparedness for the Lok Sabha election. Work of voter registration is going on, so we have taken stock of the situation. We have found that the Chief Election Officer and his team is doing work as per the procedure. Most of the work is complete and publication of the draft roles will take place on January 4.’

‘Other than that we also reviewed the availability of EVM (Electronic Voting Machines), (VVPAT Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) and awareness programme which is being undertaken by the CEO. The objective is to involve the community and the people at large to make them understand the various procedure if there are some changes which have taken place, people should be familiar with those changes, and also to see that all the important stakeholders, including the political parties, are satisfied with the procedures which are being followed and the progress that has been achieved,’ Mr Lavasa said.

(UNI) Times are changing and SAIL must keep pace with the new and fast growing steel companies, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said on Friday.

Outlining four mantras for SAIL — Speed, Aggression, Innovation and Loyalty — the Minister said decisions, actions and projects need more speed and marketing.

He said new areas and markets like North-East need to be explored and technology, thinking and working has to be innovative and all this will happen only if those associated with SAIL have loyalty and commitment towards the company and country.

Mr Singh was addressing an event, organised to commemorate the 60 years of the SAIL foundation here.

The Minister exhorted SAIL to invest in research and development, technology development and production of high-grade, value-added steel as these are the priorities of the government and SAIL has a crucial role to play in all these areas.

(UNI) Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM) in association with Transport Department of Jammu & Kashmir government on Friday organised a workshop on ‘Future Norms and Safety Regulation for automobiles in India’.
“The objective of the workshop was to share knowledge and best-practices on futuristic technologies and regulations for automobiles in India, to J&K transport department officials. Most of the current problems in the automotive industry are widely caused due to lack of innovation in the space.
“Special emphasis was given to upcoming emission norms and safety regulations for automobiles so as to improve road safety and bring down accident rates,” the statement said.
J&K Transport Commissioner Dr S. P. Vaid, IPS, said, “We welcome and thank SIAM for organising this important workshop at Jammu. In order to improve safety on roads, several steps need to be undertaken. For e.g. in the area of highway construction, training, Inspection and certification etc are necessary. In J & K, commercial vehicle life is for a span of 20 years, but seeing the environmental conditions, we might have to think of Delhi’s parameter of 10 year for diesel vehicles and 15 years for petrol vehicles. One I&C and IDTR centre is coming up in Jammu but we need similar centres in Kashmir also. We request the auto industry to open driving institutes on the lines of Maruti Driving Schools (MDS)”.

(UNI) Britain’s Andy Murray, who was missing the court due to a hip injury, is all set to make come back in the International tennis with Brisbane International tournament which is scheduled to start from next week.

On Friday, he said that he still has some pain in his hip as compared to last year.

“Last year when I came here it was tough, I was struggling quite a lot but it feels better than then,” BBC quoted the former world No 1 Murray as saying.

To enable the processing of pulses, or dal, the Bengal Government has tied up with IIT Kharagpur.

Under the tie-up, scientists from the university will be building pulse-processing machines.

The machines would be distributed by the government to the mills processing pulses. Building of new mills would also be encouraged through policy.

To spread out risks and to further improve the fortunes of farmers, the government is promoting the cultivation of crops other than the staple paddy. Pulses form an important component of this plan.

Pulses have a lot of potential, according to a senior official of the Agriculture Department.

(UNI) Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the bullet train project saying the people of Mumbai need improvement in suburban services not bullet train.
Addressing a meeting of the Paryavarn Samvardhan Samiti at Vasai on Friday night, he called Mr Modi a ‘liar’ who took the help of lies at every stage and wooed the citizens of the country. The people of the region will decide their development model and not the politicians, he added.
”Give us the development that we need and not the one that you want to impose on us at our cost,” he said.

He asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to improve the suburban services instead of going in for Bullet train, understood he questioned.
The project which was around Rs 40 crore had now shot up to Rs 1.10 crore, he pointed out. Throughout the past four years they have been talking of development and when the elections are around the corner they raise the issue of Mandir and Masjid he said.
This, he said, was the plot of the politicians to divert the attention of the people from the original issue.

New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the draft National Commission for Homoeopathy, Bill, 2018, which seeks to replace the existing regulator Central Council for Homoeopathy (CCH) with a new body to ensure transparency.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that draft bill provides for the constitution of a National Commission with three autonomous boards entrusted with conducting overall education of Homoeopathy by Homoeopathy Education Board.
The Board of assessment and rating to assess and grant permission to educational institutions of Homoeopathy and Board of ethics and registration of practitioners of Homoeopathy to maintain National Register and ethical issues relating to practice are under the National Commission for Homoeopathy.

It also proposes a common entrance exam and an exit exam which all graduates will have to clear to get practicing licenses. Further, a teacher’s eligibility test has been proposed to assess the standard of teachers before appointment and promotions.

It further aims at bringing reforms in the medical education of Homoeopathy in lines with the National Medical Commission proposed for setting up for Allopathy system of medicine. The CCH had been earlier superseded by Board of Governors through an Ordinance and subsequent amendment of Act.