Tag: thesamikhsya

Panaji, Jan 15 (UNI) Vidnyan Parishad, Goa, in association with Department of Science and Technology, Government of Goa, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) will organise fourth edition of Science Film Festival of India 2019 from January 16 in the city.
According to the organisers, the film festival will begin with blockbuster science-based movies, three theme based film tracks and a whole lot of science-based treats for the mind.
The festival will offer hands on training, workshop, film screenings accompanying interactions with renowned scientists and eminent personalities.
Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi, will be the chief guest for inaugural ceremony while Padma Vibhushan Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram, former Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India, will be chief guest for the veledictory function.
The adudience predominantly students from across Goa will have a chance to watch the science-based movies and a great chance to interact with eminent scientists such as Dr Shekhar Mande, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, Dr Sharmishtha Banerjee, Dr Arvind Ranade, Scientist, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi, and Dr Sumit K Mishra, Senior Scientist, Environmental Sciences and Biomedical Metrology Divison, National Physical Laboratory.
The students will have a chance to pull the stars closer with a hands-training with telescope workshop on January 18 and 19 where participants will grind, polish and fabricate their own devices.
Professor Banerjee will also conduct a Teachers’ Workshop on January 18 to transform science educators to proficient science communicators.
Apart from film screening, the main highlight of the festival will be the film-making workshop and trainings. This will enhance the audience to re-energise as they focus on knowing science as more fun and meaningful through not just viewing and listening, but also training in the art of the subject through live demonstrations and understanding its use in film industry.
During the four day festival, the films to be screened were Parmanu, Apollo, Ex Machina, Imitation Game, Secret of Nikola Tesla, Kon Tiki, Theory of Everything, Hidden Figures, Goodwill Hunting and Iceage 4. The screenings will be followed by interaction and explanation of science in the films by eminent scientists from the country.

Mumbai, Jan 15 (UNI) Following is the indicative currency rates and travellers’ cheques buying and selling rates per unit.

CURRENCY NAME -BUY -SALE

UAE DIRHAM- 17.9444 -20.8366

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR- 47.675 -54.0475

BANGLADESH TAKA -0.776986 -1.197715

BAHRAIN DINAR -175.0941 -199.7946

CANADIAN DOLLAR -49.2881- 56.6093

SWISS FRANC -67.2502- 77.2808

CHINESE YUAN -7.45 -12.37

DANISH KRONE -9.9456 -11.8507

EURO -76.1159 -86.1949

STERLING POUND -85.4961 -96.7461

HONG KONG DOLLAR -8.1815 -10.0594

JAPANESE YEN -0.6082- 0.6973

KUWAITI DINAR- 194.1332 -241.2158

SRI LANKA RUPEE -0.311.- 0.4673

MALAYSIAN RINGITT -15.4597 -19.195

NORWEGIAN KRONE -7.5184 -9.0364

NEPALESE RUPEE -0.5749- 0.6251

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR -44.1892 -52.0258

OMANI RIAL -171.334025 -196.057215

PAKISTAN RUPEE -0.4626 -0.7513

SAUDI RIAL -17.5318 -20.6467

SWEDISH KRONA -7.1419 -8.6281

SINGAPORE DOLLAR -47.9621 -56.7972

THAI BAHT -2.0472 -2.4236

US DOLLAR -66.2915 -75.1291

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND -4.4795 – 5.6609

Muzaffarpur, Jan 15 (UNI) All police officers and other personnel posted at Motipur police station in the district have been transferred following recovery of huge consignment of liquor from the official residence of officer-in-charge of the police station.
Senior Police Superintendent Manoj Kumar said here today that all police officers and other employees posted at Motipur police station had been transferred in view of the order by Inspector General of Police (Muzaffarpur zone) Sunil Kumar. The police personnel have been transferred following the recovery of huge consignment of liquor from official residence of officer-in-charge inside the police station premises late night on Sunday. He said the officer-in-charge Kumar Amitabh and assistant police sub inspector America Prasad have already been suspended in this connection even as both of officers are absconding.
Mr Kumar said those police personnel who have been transferred are sub inspectors Nukul Prasad Mandal, Naseem Ansari, Shailendra Kumar, Shyam Kishore Yadav and Shamsher Alam, assistant police sub inspectors Shankar Thakur, Nagendra Mandal, Mithilesh Kumar Singh, Anuj Kumar Mehta, Virendra Prasad and Motai Savaiya. Other suspended police personnel comprise six jawans of Bihar Military Police, one jawan of district police, seven jawans of Special Auxiliary Police, four women cops and nine Home Guards.
Police Inspector Anil Kumar has been posted as new officer-in-charge of Motipur police station.

Sagar Island ( West Bengal), Jan 15 (UNI) Braving chilled weather and cloudy sky, an estimated over 3 million pilgrims took holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga and Bay of Bengal to mark the auspicious Makar Sankranti on Tuesday.
The devotees, mostly the Hindu, who had assembled and gathered on the sandy beach since last night braving the chilly wind took holy dip in the wee hours and then straight walked nearly a kilometer to pay their ambiance at the Kapil Muni Temple.
West Bengal’s Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee, who has been overseeing the entire governmental arrangements for safe bathing at the confluence and happily return from this island of South 24 Parganas, told reporters that an estimated over 3 million pilgrim took bath since the Ganga Sagar mela began on January 7 last.
State youth and sports minister Arup Biswas, who also assisting his senior cabinet colleague under the directive of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also took the holy dip to mark the end of the month of Pous.
The shahi snan first held by the Naga sadus before the breaking of dawn and then the pilgrims, who came from far flung of India and neighbouring Bangladesh, Bhutan , Nepal and Myanmar, took holy dip after wards. The bathing would go on despite the sun was paying hide and seek as grey cloud overcast the sky prompting the volunteers to be extra care to avoid any mishap in the turbulent waters.
Indian Coast Guard, policemen and local volunteers have been alert to ensure safe snan of the pilgrims of different states.
A thick blanket of security cover has been thrown in and around the holy island. 

Samastipur, Jan 15 (UNI) Police seized huge consignment of foreign liquor from a truck near Udaipur village under Rosera police station area in the district late last night.
Police said here today that 539 cartons of foreign liquor were seized from the truck on the basis of specific intelligence input. The seized liquor was manufactured in Haryana.
Police said that a peddler was arrested from the spot. Further investigation is on, sources added.

Kohima Jan 14 (UNI) Army personnel have recovered the body of one 23 year old man, a resident of Englan Village under Wokha district, who was drowned in the waters of Doyang Reservoir Dam of the Doyang- Hydro-electrical Project on Saturday last.
According to a release issued by the PRO (Defence) Col C Konwer, following the report of drowning on Saturday, the Wokha district administration swung into action and a detailed search was carried out by local authorities and the SDRF but the body could not be found due to difficult conditions in the dam.
However, a team of divers from Army Special Forces unit under Dimapur based 3 Corps commenced the search operations yesterday. The muddy waters and its depth made the search a slow and deliberate process. The team was eventually able to recover the body which was handed over to the family members of the victim. The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Army team, the release said.

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) The benchmark index of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Monday tumbled down by 156.28 points to settle at 35,853.56 tracking weak global cues.
The Nifty of National Stock Exchange (NSE) too eased by 57.35 points at 10,737.60.
The Sensex registered the day’s high and low at 36,124.94 and 35,691.75 points respectively.
The Nifty registered day’s high and low at 10,808 and 10,692.35 points, respectively.

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, recently alleged of sexual assault by a woman who worked with him in his film ‘Sanju’, issued a statement terming the allegation a false, malicious and mischievous story, being spread with the sole intention of destroying his reputation.

In a statement issued to the media, Hirani said, ‘I was completely shocked when these allegations were brought to my notice about two months back. I had suggested immediately that it is essential to take this matter to any committee or any legal body. The complainant has chosen to go to the media instead.’

‘I want to very strongly state that this is a false malicious and mischievous story being spread with the sole intention of destroying my reputation,’ Hirani said.

‘The woman alleged that Hirani sexually abused for her over a six-month period between March and September 2018,’ sources said.

‘The woman has revealed the incident in an email dated November 3, 2018 to Hirani’s ‘Sanju’ co-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She also marked the mail to Vidhu’s wife and film journalist Anupama Chopra as well as to Hirani’s co-writer Abhijat Joshi,’ the sources said.

‘The woman claimed that Hirani first made a sexually suggestive remark to her on April 9, 2018 and then sexually assaulted her at his home-cum-office,’ the sources added.

In the wake of the allegations, Hirani’s ‘Munna Bhai 3’ has been put on hold.

The ‘MeToo Movement’ had made the headlines in 2018 after the Nana Patekar-Tanushree Dutta controversy.

Panaji, Jan 14 (UNI) Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday alleged that Congress leaders had learnt art of doctoring things and were trying to create a miscommunication between him and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in the city, he said ”…For them (Congress) I am always a threat and I will continue to be a threat. Congress party cannot get even five people to stand with their flag in my constituency. That is the worry because victory depends on our five seats. That is why they are trying to create miscommunication between me and the chief minister.”
On the statement of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Spokesperson Advocate Rohit Bras D Sa that there were more audio clips of conversation of Mr Rane, the Health Minister said he did not bother about it till people had faith in him and the Chief Minister trusted him.
”Till people have faith in me and Chief Minister trusts me, I am really not bothered. Its role of the opposition party to defame the ruling party and they are doing it,” he said.
”Congress party has no job. They are only senssationlising issues. I have already written a letter to Chief Minister demanding investigation into the audio,” he said and claimed that Congress leaders were resorting to such tricks as election was approaching in the state.
The Congress in Goa on Sunday claimed that there were more audio clips of conversation of State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane which indicated that he was in a hurry to unseat Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) The Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited (FBIL) on Monday fixed the reference rate at 70.8244 against the US Dollar up by 35.07 paise over the previous rate of 70.4737 .
The Euro was fixed 81.2469 up by 03.86 paise over its previous rate of 81.2083 .

The Pound was registered at 90.9640 ( 89.9155 ) and Yen at 65.50 (65.03) an FBIL release said.

Lucknow, Jan 14(UNI) Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD) leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav made a surprise visit to Uttar Pradesh capital and immediately dashed to the residence of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief to greet Ms Mayawati on her birthday and for sealing the Mahagathbandan in the state against BJP.

The meeting between the BSP chief and Mr Yadav lasted for a couple of hours on Sunday night.

After the meeting Mr Yadav, the BSP said, “Lalu Ji was targeted because he was against communal forces. The talks for alliance with RJD in Bihar will be held later.”

On the other hand, Mr Yadav said here on Monday , “I had extended warm Birthday greetings in advance to the person who deserves honor because of everything she has achieved in life.” He further said that elders teach us a lot when we grow up under their guidance.

“I wish many more years of happiness and success to Honourable Mayawati Ji. Happy Birthday,” he greeted Ms Mayawati who celebrates her 63rd birthday on Tuesday.

He expressed great admiration for Mayawati and said he could not have missed the opportunity to meet a leader like her. He further said that it had been Laluji’s dream to have an alliance consisting of Mayawati and Akhilesh.

“Mayawati ji is a senior leader and we would like her guidance in future. Who would leave the chance to speak to her. The kind of alliance in UP is a start of the BJP’s endgame. UP and Bihar will kick out BJP from both the states. This alliance will show the path to the entire nation,” he said.

“My father Lalu Prasad Yadav had always dreamt of an alliance comprising Mayawati Ji and Akhilesh Ji in Uttar Pradesh. Lalu ji is today in jail as he never bowed down in front of the BJP, even I was not spared since I was a boy and cases were lodged against me. My Nitish Chacha was also instrumental in it,” said Mr Yadav.

Predicting a whitewash for the BJP in both UP and Bihar after Mahagathbandan, Mr Yadav, the younger son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, told reporters here on late Sunday night that he and his party were not against Modi, but that it was an ideological fight.

“We are not here to defeat Modi Ji, we don’t have any personal enmity with him. It is an ideological fight, we have always been opposing the BJP and the RSS. We want to work for our country and save the constitution of the country,” he said.

Coming down heavily on the Centre’s 10 per cent quota for the economically weak from the upper castes, he said that the BJP wants to implement “Nagpur laws” in the country, a reference to the BJP working at the behest of the RSS, which is headquartered in Nagpur.

“There’s an atmosphere today where they want to scrap Baba Saheb’s Constitution and implement ‘Nagpur laws’. People welcome the step taken by Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji,” said Mr Yadav.​

He is scheduled to meet Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday.

Srinagar, Jan 14 (UNI) Security forces on Monday arrested a top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, official sources said.

They said a joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established at Champazpura Ajas in Bandipora this morning following a tip off about militant movement.

During the naka checking security forces arrested a militant and recovered a pistol and a satellite phone besides other arms and ammunition.

Later, the militant was identified as Sarfraz Ahmad Sheer, a resident of Koil Muqam, a category “A” militant who was active for the past four years.

Describing the arrest a big catch, they said he was being questioned.

New Delhi, Jan 14 (UNI) Domestic passenger vehicles sale reported marginal decline in the last month of 2018.
In December last year, a total number of 2,38,692 passenger vehicles were sold as compared to 2,39,723 over the same period in 2017 thus registering minus 0.43 per cent decline in the segment.
Similarly, other segments, including commercial vehicles, three-wheelers and two-wheelers registered a decline in the last month.
In Commercial vehicles segment, a decline of 7.80 per cent was registered.

Mumbai, Jan 14 (UNI) Indian women team is all set to embark on a tour of New Zealand after going through a tough period during the T20 World Cup held in West Indies in which India failed to make it to the final, followed by verbal bitter exchanges between Mithali Raj and others in the team.

The team is touring New Zealand after a gap of 12 years. It will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs), followed by three T20Is between January 24 and February 10.

Addressing pre-departure press conference here on Sunday, Mithali said, “When the coach comes ahead for the national side, we as a team are very vocal and expressive with regard to what is required for the team and the benefit of the team.”

“The coach and players have to be on the same page because that’s very important, and the coach understands,” the ODI captain added.

Raj hoped the new coach, successor of Ramesh Power, W V Raman, will make a big difference to the team.

“I have not trained under him (Raman) but met him a couple of times. If you have seen his credentials … he has played [at the highest level] and also coached various teams at various levels,” Raj said.

“There is no expectation as such. When you have credentials like that you are only positive that the coach will make a big difference to the team going into this year, going into this series,” the veteran cricketer added.

Talking about the importance of the New Zealand tour, she said the (ODI) series, which will be a part of the ICC Women’s Championship, will be crucial for qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2021.

“Right now, the focus definitely is the New Zealand series, but as a captain and as a team we understand the importance of the points system and how important it is for us to gain those points to get an entry into the 2021 World Cup. We know where we stand right now in the tables and this series should be crucial from that perspective, “Raj said.

Raman, who is coaching a women’s side for the first time, said he is ready to take up the “slightly different” challenge.

“Every coaching assignment will have its challenge,” said Raman. “This is slightly different because it is a different segment, but again the common denominator is cricket because they are going to play cricket. In terms of tactics, technique and various other things there is not much difference. So, I, therefore, don’t see as something totally different. It is slightly different yes, but not totally different.”

Both captain and coach insisted that the controversy and the difference of opinion in the team following the T20 World Cup appearance was “past”.

Talking about her retirement, the 36-year-old hinted that she may not play next World Cup.

“I did not think of retirement, as whatever happened, it happened off the field. I do not know where I will be standing after couple of months from now. I really do not know whether I will be part of the 2020-21 World Cup,” Raj said.

“I cannot predict or comment about my future. I have never planned throughout my career, it’s always been with the flow,” she further added.

India’s squad for the tour.

ODI squad: Mithali Raj (captain), Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Deepti Sharma, D Hemalatha, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Mona Meshram, Ekta Bisht, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey

T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Mithali Raj, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Anuja Patil, D Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Poonam Yadav, Ekta Bisht, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Priya Punia.

New Zealand Women had named a strong 13-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against India at home.

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk), Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) The latest mega hit in Bollywood’s history Simmba is on a record-breaking spree.
The film has shattered several box office records and has now entered the ranks of the top 10 Bollywood domestic box office hits of ALL TIME.
Simmba, released on 28th December 2018, has grossed over Rs 350 crores at the domestic and overseas box office, becoming the highest grossing film for all of its makers – Reliance Entertainment, Rohit Shetty Picturez and Dharma Productions.
With Simmba, Rohit Shetty now holds the unmatched record of having eight consecutive films to enter the Rs 100 crore net domestic box office club, and he is only the 2nd director in India with three films to enter the super elite Rs 200 crore club.
Director, Rohit Shetty strongly feels that the success of the film not only belongs to him, but to fans and the fraternity as a whole.
It feels incredible to see the excitement and fabulous response of the audience for Simmba in cinema halls everywhere. I am very happy with the appreciation the film is garnering, he stated.
Shibasish Sarkar, Reliance Entertainment, commented, “Simmba has received great love from critics and audiences alike, globally. We are grateful to our partners, Rohit and Karan, and new ‘superstar’ Ranveer Singh, for creating a hugely entertaining film that has delivered great joy to audiences through the holiday season and beyond.
Producer, Karan Johar, said, “all of us at Dharma Productions are so proud and ecstatic with Simmba! Officially our biggest hit!! Rohit Shetty is a mainstream maverick and this has been one of our best associations and looking forward to many more with him and his team. Simmba marks the beginning of a solid professional bond between Rohit and me! Personally he is one of the best guys in the business and a true friend!”
Simmba stars Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, Sonu Sood, Siddharth Jadhav, Ashutosh Rana and Ajay Devgn and is still playing successfully in cinemas.
The film is presented by Reliance Entertainment in association with Dharma Productions and Rohit Shetty Picturez.

Pune, Jan 13 (UNI) Having the backing of a home crowd is something players look forward to, but having the constant backing of a coach is what they thrive on.
Maharashtra’s gymnastics coach Mahendra Babhulkar has been successful in providing that support to his trainees.
Reflecting upon his team’s impressive start to the Khelo India Youth Games, Babhulkar said, I have observed that a major part of the credit for success in gymnastics goes to the coach. But I believe execution on the big day is crucial, and I’m glad that my athletes have delivered so far.
Maharashtra bagged as many as 23 medals in the under-17 gymnastics category.
Babhulkar and his team got the opportunity to practice at the Balewadi Sports Complex a few days before the Games began. He recognised the fact that the preparatory camp prior to the event helped them as they practiced with the same equipment and apparatus that would be used at the event.
Many of his young gymnasts have been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Speaking about the same, Babhulkar added that having a SAI training centre in the state makes a huge difference to the way his gymnasts train as the facilities and equipment provided there are very good and add efficiency in training.
Maharashtra were buoyed by fantastic performances from Shreyas Mandlik, Krisha Chheda, and twin sisters Riddhi and Siddhi Hattekar who bagged a major share of the medals in the under-17 category.
Shreyas Mandlik missed out on a medal in the men’s artistic all-round category but made a perfect comeback, clinching medals in all of the four individual apparatus events he played in.
The 15-year old who hails from Thane, thanked his coach for his victory. I wasn’t feeling very confident initially, but words of inspiration from my coach turned things around. I still cannot believe I won four medals, and I am grateful to my coach and my family who have always believed in me, said Mandlik who won a gold and earned two silver along with a bronze.
A strong support from parents and family is very vital to a sportsperson, and Babhulkar stressed on the importance of the same. I am proud of the fact that the parents of these gymnasts have been equally passionate. There have been many talented athletes in the past who stopped pursuing sport due to family pressure, and I am glad there are no signs of that in my team. The support from parents is as crucial as my support to the players, he added.
He also lauded the move by the government that provides financial support to the athletes at the Khelo India Games.Such financial incentives add to the players’ motivation while also giving a bit of relief to the parents, as those funds can be utilized for further training, said Babhulkar, signing off, as he turned his focus back to his young gymnasts.

New Delhi/Jaisalmer, Jan 13 (UNI) An Indian Army soldier who was arrested on Friday in connection with alleged leaking of sensitive information to Pakistan-based intelligence agency after being honey trapped, has been sent on police remand till January 18 in Jaipur.

The soldier has been identified as Somveer, posted at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

“The Army is providing all possible assistance to civilian authorities in the investigation related to this case,” said Rajasthan Defence PRO Lt Col Sambit Ghosh.

He was under scanner of Indian intelligence since last four months. It is said that he came in contact with the woman agent during his training.

He used to sending information through WhatsApp and Facebook.

The police have registered case against him under various sections of Official secret Act and Indian Penal Code.

Kolhapur, Jan 13 (UNI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar has assured Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) delegation members that he would meet state chief minister Devendra Phadnvis in Mumbai on Monday to discuss the lawyers’ appointments issue.
Mr Pawar assured this when a MES delegation lead by its president Deepak Dalvi met Mr Pawar at Pancsheel hotel where he was stayed to discuss court issue on long pending border dispute between two states and requested Mr Pawar to take with Mr Phadnvis to appoint more lawyers for to plead the state’s side before the court following the absence of public prosecutor Harish Salve during the hearing on January eight.
Mr Dalvi told Mr Pawar that the Maharashtra government had already submitted all related papers and evidences in the court on this issue but no any lawyer incuding Mr Salve not present in the court to plead the case.
He also requested to Mr Pawar to talk also with Mr Salve for look into the court case.
Mr Pawar assured delegation members that he would talk with Mr Phadnvis on this issue on Monday in Mumbai and would request him to appoint more lawyers for this case to plead properly state’s side in the court.

Pune, Jan 13 (UNI) A 16-year-old girl from Baramati in Maharashtra — similar as shown in the ‘Three Idiots’ movie who wanted to do something to make sure that her brother never missed school due to his disability — Mayuri Yadav, 10th class student at Anand Vidyalaya Hol, Baramati, Pune, has built an improvised cycle-cum-wheelchair to drop her brother to school.

Of course, she has built this cycle-cum-wheelchair using all the skills at her disposal so that she could take her brother to school.

Her innovative cycle-cum-wheelchair was exhibited at the district level science exhibition. Now this innovative thing has been selected for the state-level science exhibition.

Nikhil Yadav, a 12-year old boy from same school, was born differently-abled and cannot walk. Therefore, he is wheelchair-bound and totally dependent on his family to move from one place to another.

However, he never allowed his ‘disability’ to overpower him.

His parents too encouraged him to study further.

Nikhil’s father usually drops and picks him up from school. But, sometimes, Nikhil used to miss his school whenever his father was out due to his work.

His 16-year-old sister, Mayuri, noticed her brother’s sorry plight and decided to help him, so that he won’t miss his school.She came up with a novel idea of building a cycle-cum-wheelchair. She shared the idea with school Principal AS Atar and other teachers and then with their help, she built a wheelchair-cum-cycle for her brother.

While speaking to UNI, Mayuri said, “my father used to drop Nikhil to school every day. But, sometimes due to his work, Nikhil used to miss his school. My father can’t take leave every day. So, an idea came across my mind — to attach my cycle to his wheelchair. Now, both of us can go to school together,” Mayuri said with a smile on her face.

School Principal, Mr Atar, told UNI, “We have exhibited the cycle in the district level competition. Now, this innovation has been selected to compete at the state-level science exhibition as well.”

“The cycle-cum-wheelchair is ready and has been kept in the school so that other students will also get motivated by this kind of innovation. I urge society to come forward to help Nikhil,” Mr Atar added.

Lucknow, Jan 12 (UNI) The much awaited Mahagathbandhan of BSP and SP was announced here on Saturday by Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav.

In a crowded press conference here, Ms Mayawati and Mr Yadav informed that the alliance will contest 38 seats each with leaving 2 each for smaller parties and Congress even blaming the Congress and ‘equating’ it with the BJP.

Both Ms Mayawati and Mr Yadav minced no word to criticise the BJP and termed their ‘new friendship’ as a ‘natural alliance and as it was required’ to save the country and countrymen.

Mayawati also said that she had forgotten the June 5,1995 guest house incident in view of the present political ‘scenario’ in the country.