Anna Hazare Makes Sibal Eat His Words!

In his own kind of Gandhian humor, the crusader of Lok Pal Bill against corruption, Anna Hazare made the union minister and also a member in the joint drafting committee, Kapil Sibal to eat his own words. While speaking in a public meeting, Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, referring to proposed Lok Pal Bill said "I ask this question, if a poor child does not have any means for education, then how will Lokpal Bill help? If a poor man needs help for medical services then he will call up a politician. How will Lokpal Bill help." Reacting sharply on the remarks of the minister, Anna Hazare asked said The HRD minister should immediately resign from the joint committee to draft Lok Pal Bill, if he thinks that nothing will happen out of this Lok Pal institution. The Gandhian Anna Hazare said "If Sibal feels that nothing will happen due to Lok Pal Bill, then he should immediately resign from the joint committee. Why is he wasting our time and his time? He should do other things for the country. Why does he want to be in the committee. If you believe that nothing will happen, you should not be there in the joint committee, he should resign and do some other work." However, Sibal today gave clarification that he was with the Gandhian and that he wanted the Bill to be drafted as early as possible and to be effective in tackling corruption everywhere. Clarifying his earlier remarks, he said what he had meant was that "the scope of the Bill is different. The problems of the common man are different. I said that if you want to educate children, then this has no connection to Lokpal. If there is no convenience of water...Lokpal is only connected to corruption and we will bring a good bill that will stop corruption." He said they would sit with Hazare and bring out a bill so that the objective will be realized.

Anna Hazare Ends Fast: Calls it People's Victory

Social activist Anna Hazare ended his four day old hunger strike jubilantly with government accepting all his demands. He expressed happiness over government issuing the formal order to set up a joint committee for drafting an effective Lokpal Bill. Mr. "Government has accepted all our demands. This is a victory for the entire nation," Hazare said. India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi, who was part of the negotiating team, said "it is a victory of the people of India, a bigger victory than the cricket World Cup". The announcement of a deal came after Anna's emissaries met ministers for a round of talks, third in two days and after some early hiccups. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will be the Chairman of the committee that will also include Law Minister Veerappa Moily, Telecom Minister Sibal, Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Water Resources Minister Salman Khurshid as members. Besides Hazare, those representing the civil society in the joint committee will be eminent lawyers Shanti Bhushan, Prasant Bhushan, retired Supreme Court Judge Santosh Hege and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal. Shanti Bhushan will be the co-Chairman. The government has committed itself to introducing the new Lokpal Bill in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament. Moily will be the convenor of the 10-member Joint Drafting Committee that will commence its work forthwith and evolve its own procedures to prepare the proposed legislation. The venue of Hazare's hunger strike resonated with 'Anna Hazare Zindabad',  'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Inquilab Zindabad' slogans as anti-corruption activists waved tricolours. Terming it the victory of the people, a Jubilant Anna Hazare gave the call to public to join the victory celebrations to be held at 6 PM in evening today.  

Know Your Anna- Anna Biography

Dear NRI Brothers and Sisters, In whichever country you might be living at the moment, you might be remembering your motherland and will be delighted to know what's happening here. Yes, moments of great action is going on here since this great soul Anna Hazare took up hunger strike demanding implementation of a powerful anti-corruption Lok Pal Bill. Here's Anna's biography in brief: 1. Who is Anna Hazare? An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War 2. What's so special about him? He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra 3. So what? This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills. In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India . It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village. 4. Ok,...? This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities. He was also conferred with Raman Magsaysay Award in recognition of his outstanding social service. 5. Really, what is he fighting for? He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India . 6. How that can be possible? He is advocating for a Bill, The Lok Pal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), beurocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds. 8. It's an entirely new thing right..? In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit thier theft (corruption). 7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time? The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed. Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the LOK PAL BILL. 50% goverment participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them. 8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed? A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result. 9. Is he alone? Whoelse is there in the fight with Anna Hazare? Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more. Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause. 10. Ok, got it. What can I do? * At least we can spread the message. How?   Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics. * At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption     from India. * At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain. * At least we can pray for his good health. Good Luck to all of us and our Motherland! Yours Truly, Kamalakar T. Objectone Information Systems Ltd.,    

Anna Hazare's Hunger Strike Reaches Day 3

Social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike entered the third day in New Delhi even as a large number of people from various walks of life continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger anti-corruption Lok Pal Bill. Hundreds of supporters including politicians, students, activist, and professionals have joined Hazare at Jantar Mantar in one of the biggest mass movements in the recent times. The social networks like Twitter, Face book were abuzz with expressions of support from the common man for Anna's crusade for a more empowering anti-corruption legislation. The India Gate witnessed a large candlelight procession in which people from all walks of life participated to show their support. From Bollywood too, many a celebrity including Aamir Khan have tweeted in support of Anna's crusade. Though the social activists welcomed support from all sections of people, several eager politicians who tried to grab limelight yesterday by seeking to express solidarity with the on-going movement were chased away. Among the politicians who had to leave after being prevented from reaching the fasting activist on the dais were the former BJP leader, Ms Uma Bharti, the RLD leader, Mr Ajit Singh, and the INLD leader and former Haryana CM, Mr Om Prakash Chautala. Anna's drive against corruption has already forced Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to resign from the Group of Ministers (GoM) on corruption. The government is likely to send Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal to discuss issues with Anna Hazare. However, Hazare has said that he wants either Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Congress president Sonia Gandhi to come forward for a discussion. On asking about Anna's health, one of his aides said "The fast is still on. Anna is in perfect health." Doctors are checking Mr. Hazare twice a day to keep a tab on his health.  

World Cup Cricket Final Match Updates-LIVE

02 April, 2011 - World Cup Cricket Final Match  - India vs Sri Lanka - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai   * Sri Lanka wins the toss and elected to bat. * India brings in Sreeshanth in place of injured Ashish Nehra. Latest score at 4.00 PM :    63 for 2  in  17 Overs   4.24 PM - 82 for 2  - 20 Overs   4.30 - 94 for 2  - 22 Overs             4.40  - 105 for 2  - 25 Overs   4.50  PM     SL- 114-2 -        27   overs - Harbhajan's 7th over Sangakkara - Jayawardena partenership at 41 & 32   Sri Lanka loses 3rd Wicket  - Samaraweera in  -122 -3   4.57 PM - 29th over in progress  - Srishanth bowling -127-3 - 28.5 overs               5.19PM  - 148-3  - 33 overs  - Jayawardena - Samaraweera playing - Sachin bowling   5.23 PM - 155-3  - 34 overs - Mahela Jayawardena completes 50                     5.41 PM   - 179-3  - 38 overs             5.54 PM SL loses 4th wicket at 179 - Samaraweera out (21)   SL loses 5th wicket  - kapugethara out - 187-5  - 41.1 overs   6.23 PM - 220-5  - 46 overs - Run Rate 4.78             6.32 PM - 248-5  - 47.5 overs  - Run Rate - 5.18 Mahela Jayawardena completes magnificient 100             6.38 PM - 256-6 - Kulasekhara out - 49 overs - Run Rate - 5.22   6.42 PM - With a magnificient six by Periera Sri Lanka closes its innings at 274-6 in 50 overs India needs 275 runs to win the World Cup.   India starts innings with a target of 275 runs. 7.05 PM - Sehawag Duck out - IND- 0-1 - 0.2 overs  - IND Target - 275   7.18 PM - Sachin and Gambhir in the crease - Gambhir batting - 10-1 in 2.1 overs  7.22 PM - 15-1  - 3 overs - Required Run Rate 5.55 7.25 PM - First four of the IND innings - by Sachin - 22-1 in 3.2 overs   7.35 PM - Big blow to India - Tendulkar out for 18 in Malinga's bowling 31-2 - 6.1 0vers 8.03 PM - Gambhir raises Indian hopes - 56-2 in 11.4 0vers               8.13 PM - Suraj Randiv starts bowling - IND - 68-2 in 13 overs.   8.27 PM - IND 86-2 in 16 overs 8.40 PM - IND 100-2  in 19.3 overs 8.54 PM - IND loses 3rd wicket - Virat is out - 120-3 in 23.3 0vers 9.07 PM - IND 134-3 from 27 overs 9.18 PM - IND 150-3   - To win IND needs 125 runs out of 121 balls             9.46 PM - IND 191-3  - To win - 85 runs - Balls - 87             9.57 PM - Dhoni completes 50 - IND 204-3 - needs 71 runs out of 72 balls             10.10 PM - IND 221-3 - needs 54 runs from 60 balls.               10.16 PM - IND loses 4th wicket - Gambhir  b Perera out at 97              10.44 PM - IND 253-4  - needs 22 runs in 22 balls   10.55 PM - Jai Ho India - India lifts World Cup with a magnificient finishing touch by Dhoni hitting a fabulous six - IND 277 -  India Beats Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.

The crucial first 15 overs, and mysterious Misbah

As it turned out, almost all the experts read the wicket wrong. MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar admitted as much in the post-match presentation, and from the scores it's obvious that run-making was a lot more difficult on this Mohali pitch than it was expected to be. The team composition and the early overs suggested a score of around 300 would be a par total, but later events showed it was another subcontinent track on which run-scoring against the hard new ball was much easier. In that context, the difference between the two teams was the runs they scored in the first 15 overs, when the ball was new. Pakistan's top three played useful cameos too, but none of them exploded in the manner that Virender Sehwag had. Sehwag's 25-ball 38 allowed India to rack up 99 in the first 15 overs, compared to Pakistan's 70. The difference of 29 was exactly the margin by which Pakistan lost the match, which means in the remaining 35 overs, the two teams scored exactly the same number of runs. Of course, the approaches of the two teams at the start were obviously different since Pakistan knew the target in front of them, but Pakistan struggled as much as India did in the middle overs. What made their case worse was the fact that they got no reciprocal help from the Indian fielders, or from the dew which was expected to set in later in the evening. Misbah's mystery innings Misbah-ul-Haq's strike rate at the end of his innings was 73.68; Tendulkar's rate for his 85 was 73.91. That, perhaps, is as good an example as any to illustrate the fact that stats without context is meaningless. Misbah's inexplicable go-slow through the first half of his innings resulted in the asking rate climbing to unmanageable proportions, and it also forced the other batsmen to take risks that might otherwise have been unnecessary. He tried to make up for it later, but apart from helping him reach a personal landmark and improving his strike-rate, his late hits counted for little. Overall, Misbah played out 42 dot balls, which was the most among Pakistan's batsmen. In his first 42 balls, he scored only 17 and played 27 dots. During this period, Pakistan's asking rate went up from 6.07 to 8.45. Younis Khan's sluggish innings didn't help either - add his 13 from 32 balls to Misbah's 17 in his first 42, and Pakistan have every reason to feel their two most experienced batsmen didn't serve them well: in those 74 balls, the two batsmen got a grand total of 30 runs, with no boundaries. Even with the power-hitters to follow, that was a bridge too far. A spell to remember The batsmen's poor effort ensured that a wonderful bowling performance by Wahab Riaz went in vain. He became only the second bowler, after Venkatesh Prasad, to take a five-for in an India-Pakistan World Cup match. He joins eight other Pakistan bowlers to have taken a five-for in an ODI against India. More stats This is India's first World Cup semi-final win at home in three attempts. They'd lost to England in 1987, and to Sri Lanka in 1996. However, they've won both their World Cup semi-final matches away from home (in 1983 and 2003). Tendulkar has won nine Man-of-the-Match awards in World Cups, which is easily the highest. Three of those have been against Pakistan: he'd also won the prize against them in 1992 and in 2003. Sehwag and Dhoni joined five other Indian batsmen to score 1000 ODI runs against Pakistan. Tendulkar leads with 2474 runs at an average of 39.90. It was only the second time in his ODI career that Yuvraj Singh was dismissed for a golden duck - the first instance was against Kenya nearly ten years ago.