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MCI Appeal Against AP HC Granting Additional Medical Seats

The Secretary of MCI (Medical Council of India) has filed an appeal in Andhra Pradesh High Court against the court's earlier orders granting provisional sanction of 50 MBBS additional seats each to the Osmania and Kakatiya medical colleges in the state. Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy had on July 13 directed the principal secretary (medical & health) to grant provisional sanction for 50 additional seats each to Osmania and Kakatiya medical colleges. The court also asked the principals of the two colleges to file separate undertakings before the MCI that they would remove all the defects pointed out by the MCI during its visit within one month from July 13. The principal secretary M&H was directed to file these undertakings within two days and, after filing such affidavits only, he is directed to grant the sanction of seats. The secretary of MCI contended that the single judge of the AP High Court passed the interim order on July 13 granting final relief at the interim stage and that too without even giving an opportunity to the appellant to file a counter affidavit and place all relevant material. He made it clear that MCI cannot increase the number of seats for the academic session 2012-13 at this stage in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction that any permission granted by the MCI to establish a new medical college/increase in existing seat capacity after July 15 of the academic session concerned shall be treated to be a permission only for the next session.  

CM Kiran Gives Away Awards And Advice to Industrialists

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday participated in the presentation ceremony of the Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce & Industry Awards for the year 2010-11. Speaking on the occasion, he advised the businessmen and the industrialists in the state not to involve themselves in politics. He said that the political sphere is completely different from business and they may not achieve the same success in politics. The chief minister congratulated the 19 industrialists and scientists who received the FAPCCI Excellence Award 2010-11. He said, "About 54 percent of the population is youth aged below 25 years. We have to use their energy and intelligence for development of the state as well as the country. So we are going to spend Rs 777 crore in 2012-13 to train five lakh youths in various trades. The youth trained will also be absorbed by companies.’"  

All About Captain Lakshmi Sehgal

Dr. Captain Lakshmi Sehgal of Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army died of cardiac arrest in a Kanpur hospital on Monday (23 July 2012) at the age of 97 years. Here's a brief history of herv life. Lakshmi Sehgal was born as Lakshmi Swaminadhan on October 24, l914 in  Chennai, what was then called Madras. Her father was Dr S Swaminadhan, a brilliant and leading lawyer practising criminal law at the Madras High Court. Her mother was A V Ammukutty, a social worker, freedom fighter and tireless campaigner for women's rights, who successfully contested elections to the Madras Municipal Corporation, the Constituent Assembly, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. She also served as national president of the All India Women's Conference. As an youngster, Lakshmi participated bravely in nationalist programmes like Swadeshi Movement of burning of foreign goods, including her own clothes and toys, and picketting of liquor shops. She received the MBBS degree from Madras Medical College in l938. A year later, she received her diploma in gynaecology and obstetrics. Lakshmi migrated to Singapore in 1940 and established a clinic where the poorest of the poor, especially migrant Indian labour, could receive medical treatment. In l942 came the historic surrender of Singapore by the British colonial power to the Japanese. Lakshmi was kept extremely busy tending to the many casualties and injuries that resulted from skirmishes. When Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose formed all women regiment of INA - The Rani of Jhansi Regiment - Lakshmi was made a commandant of the regiment. On October 21, l943, when the Provisional Government of Azad Hind was announced, Lakshmi was the sole woman member of its cabinet as a minister. She played a heroic role not only in the fighting but during the terrible days that INA personnel were hunted by the victorious British troops and saved many lives because of her courage and devotion. She was finally captured and brought to India on March 4, l946 where she received a heroine’s welcome. After her release, in March 1947, Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal and Captain Lakshmi were married in Lahore. After their marriage, they settled down in Kanpur. In Kanpur, Lakshmi plunged into her medical work almost immediately because the influx of refugees started even before August l947. In l971, when huge numbers of refugees came from what was East Pakistan into West Bengal, Lakshmi worked at a camp in Bongaon for several months. After this, she became very active in Left politics and in, first, the trade union and, then, the women's movement although she never neglected her medical work. When the All India Democratic Women's Association was formed in l981, she became vice-president of the largest women's organisation in the country and has been actively involved in its activities, campaigns and struggles ever since. In October l984, when anti-Sikh riots broke out in the city in the wake of Smt Indira Gandhi’s assassination, she came out on the streets in defence of Sikh families and shops near her clinic and did not allow any of them to be harmed. In l998, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan by the president of India. In 2002, she unsuccessfully contested in President of India elections against APJ Abdul Kalam.  

Balakrishna Remanded to Judicial Custody

Yoga guru Ramdev's aide Balakrishna Acharya remanded to 14 days judicial custody in a fake passport on Saturday. He was arrested yesterday after he failed to appear at a Dehradun court. Balakrishna Acharya, who is basically a Nepalese citizen, is alleged to have submitted fake documents to procure a passport. When he failed to appear in Dehradun court in connection with the case, the court had issued a non-bailable warrant and subsequently arrested him yesterday.

Criminal Case Filed Against Minister TG Venkatesh

A criminal case has been filed against Andhra Pradesh Minor Irrigation Minister TG Venkatesh by a retired IAS officer BV Papa Rao for making inflammatory and provocative statements against bureaucrats. Recently, the minister, while addressing a public meeting in his native Kurnool on July 13, remarked that non-performing bureaucrats should be shot dead. Papa Rao, who served as Home Secretary of Assam and also with the United Nations during his career, said in his complaint to Medchal police under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate, that the minister's statements attracted criminal liability under Sections 189 and 124 A, read with Sections 107, 115, 503 and 511 of Indian Penal Code. After the remarks kicked up a controversy, the minister remained unapologetic and went on to say that even non-performing politicians should also be shot dead. He also refused to retract his statements. Papa Rao pointed out, "It clearly indicates that Venkatesh does not believe in Rule of Law. A minister, who has taken solemn oath to function in accordance with Constitution of India, making such public statements, will have serious and dire consequences on our criminal justice system." By making such provocative remarks, the minister clearly encourages gullible public to take the law in to their own hands. He has endangered the lives of the government officials, who according to him are non performers," Papa Rao contended in his complaint.

Heavy Rain Creates Havoc in Hyderabad: Nine Killed

Heavy rain created a sort of havoc in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad causing traffic jams and inundation of low lying areas. Reportedly nine persons, including two women and three children, were killed in two incidents of wall collapses at Miyapur and Balanagar in the early hours of Saturday. Of the nine killed, five are from Madhya Pradesh and two from Hyderabad. They died when the wall of a painting company near Narsapur crossroads in Balanagar collapsed around 2.30 a.m. on their huts. Nearly 10 families had erected huts abutting the compound wall facing the main road and had been living in them. Many of them were from Madhya Pradesh and had come to the city to find a living by selling wool blankets. Three of them died. Two others, municipal worker, Laxmi, 45, and her son, Ramesh, living in another hut, too were killed in the incident. The bodies were shifted to the Gandhi hospital for conducting post-mortem examination. In another incident, the wall of a house collapsed at Adityanagar in Hafeezpet of Miyapur around 4 a.m. killing four of a family who were asleep. The victims included a woman, her two daughters and a son. The Miyapur police have rushed to the spot and are clearing the debris. The incessant rain resulted in water-logging in many residential and commercial localities in central parts of the city and the outskirts. Drains overflowed slowing down traffic movement on some trunk routes.            

CBI Arrests Baba Ramdev Aide Balkrishna

CBI sources said Balkrishna was arrested by the agency after the special court here issued a non-bailable warrant against him in connection with the case.On July 10, the agency had filed a case against Balkrishna in a case relating to alleged submission of alleged fake and forged documents to obtain an Indian passport.   The agency as alleged that Balkrishna along with the then Principal of Sanskrit Mahavidayala, Khurja in Uttar Pradesh had conspired to issue the former fake educational certificates which he used to obtain passport. The agency has booked the duo under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery, and imposed additional charge for the alleged violation of the Passport Act against Balkrishna.  

Presidential Poll 2012: EC Rejects Mulayam Vote

The Election Commission on Friday rejected Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's vote in the Presidential poll and directed the Returning Officer (RO) not to count it as the secrecy of the ballot had been violated.   "The issue of second ballot paper to Mulayam Singh Yadav was not warranted under rule 15 of the Presidential and Vice- Presidential Elections Rules, 1974. Therefore, the second ballot paper issued to Yadav may not be taken up for counting," the Commission said. The poll panel also directed the RO that the first ballot paper issued to Yadav cannot be counted as its secrecy was violated.  

Rafael Nadal Out of London Olympics 2012 With Injury

London Olympics 2012: Defending Olympic tennis champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the London Games on Thursday with an undisclosed injury. "I am not in condition to compete in the London Olympics and therefore will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation to take part in the games," the third-ranked Spaniard said in a statement.   Nadal did not mention any specific injury, but he canceled a charity match in Madrid on July 4 because of tendon problems in his left knee. He has had recurring knee problems in the past. Nadal has not played since losing in the second round of Wimbledon to then 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol, one of the most surprising results in the tournament's history. "I have to think about my companions, I can't be selfish and I have to think of what's best for Spanish sport, especially tennis and Spanish players, and give fellow sportsmen with better preparation the chance to compete," he said. "I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute, but it was not to be." Nadal, who won the singles tournament at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was set to be the flag bearer for Spain during the opening ceremony. "(This) is one of the saddest days of my career as one of my biggest ambitions, that of being Spain's flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the games in London, cannot be," Nadal said. "You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision."  

Bhanu Reveals Suri Secrets About Killings

Suri's killer Bhanu has revealed some interesting things to CID police in his confession statement. The other day CID filed their chargesheet in the murder case of popular faction leader Maddelacheruvu Suri.   'If Suri gives a warning on day-time that he will kill, he will definitely kill them at any cost. On a couple of times, he has given me day-time warnings. Fearing this threat, I've planned for his murder', revealed Bhanu in his statement. He also claimed that Suri used to abuse him in the public for doing private land settlements without the notice of Suri. According to CID, this is only one case Bhanu is zeroed on and there are 26 more cases against him under probe. Other than Bhanu, five others are booked by the CID sleuths in connection with this murder, including Bhanu's private security Manmohan. On January 3rd, 2011, Bhanu killed Suri in Yousufguda while travelling in their car.  

Earthquake Shakes Kashmir Valley

A moderate intensity earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook the Kashmir Valley today but there were no reports of any damage due to it. "Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 occurred at 1306 hours with the epicentre in Hindukush region of Afghanistan," an official of the disaster management cell said here. There were no reports of any damage or casualty due to the

Swamy Nityananda to be Tested For Impotency

The controversial sex swamy Nityananda will be tested to confirm whether he is impotent. The CID sleuths have issued a notice to Nithyananda to appear for medical tests on July 30, in connection with a 2010 rape case. These medical tests will be crucial, as during interrogations in the past, he had claimed he was "not a man". Complying with a Ramanagaram CJM Court order issued on June 20, the CID police sent a notice to Nityananda to this effect. In the notice, the police asked Nithyananda to be present at the CID headquarters, from where he will be taken to Victoria Hospital. He will undergo a series of tests and the investigation would proceed based on the final report, sources said. "The doctors have confirmed the date and the names of the doctors on the panel, who will carry out the tests. However, details of the tests will be kept confidential," sources added. Nithyananda confidante cum driver Lenin Karuppan had filed a rape case against him in 2010, which Nityananda refuted the charges, claiming that he was not a man and could not involve in intercourse. Though the officials had earlier issued notices to him to appear for medical and voice tests, he had not turned up, forcing the officials to approach the court for a suitable order. The Ramanagaram CJM Court directed the god-man to undergo medical and voice analysis tests and co-operate with the investigations. Following the court directive, the CID sleuths had written to Victoria Hospital to constitute a medical board consisting several experts and not one, to avoid any controversies on the report.

TDP Leaders Indefinite Fast Enters Day 4

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh, Proddatur MLA M. Linga Reddy, MLC S.V. Satish Kumar Reddy and former MLC Putha Narasimha Reddy launched an indefinite hunger in front of Kadapa Collectorate on Monday protesting the steep power cuts, irrigation and drinking water supply problems and seeking reduction of cement price. Speaking to media on Thursday, CM Ramesh said that though their indefinite fast has entered day 4, there is no positive response from the government. Neither the chief minister nor any minister from his cabinet has responded so far. This shows the callous attitude of the government towards problems faced by the public. Only district Collector has so far tried to pursuade us to end our fast assuring that the problems will be addressed and will be solved within a week. But going by the attitude of the government, we decided to continue our indefinite hunger strike till the problems are solved. Replying to the question about TDP abstaining from Presidential poll, the Rajya Sabha member defended his party's stand and said that in democracy it is not unfair to take a neutral stand when required. His party has taken a correct decision by not opting to vote either in favour of Pranab Mukherjee or PA Sangma. Responding on YSRCP's decision to vote for Pranab, he alleged that YSRCP and Congress are into a secret deal. While the leaders of all parties and entire government machinery is busy with presidential poll taking place today, the public is also seems to be not much interested in TDP leaders' indefinite hunger strike. Political observers are of the opinion that TDP's protest drama at this juncture is just to draw attention of the public and an attempt to regain some of the credibility, that TDP is fast losing these days.  

Presidential Elections: YSRCP Prefers Pranab

YSRCP decides to vote in the favour of Pranab Mukherjee in Presidential Elections to be held tommorow. YSRCP MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy says that his party feels that pranab is the right candidate for the highest post and hopes that he will do justice as the head of the consitution. The decision to vote for pranab was taken at a high level meeting of the party held today, which was chaired by party honoary president YS Vijayamma.

Yuvraj in T20 World Cup Probables List

Yuvraj Singh has been included in India's preliminary squad of 30 players for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka this September. Mandeep Singh, the Punjab batsman who plays for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, and Ambati Rayudu, the Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians batsman, are the only uncapped players in the list.   This is Yuvraj's first official inclusion in an Indian squad following his treatment for a mediastinal seminoma, a rare germ cell cancer, in the United States. His last appearance for India was in a Test match against West Indies in Kolkata in November 2011, and his last one-day match was the World Cup final against Sri Lanka in April that year. Yuvraj had respiratory difficulties all through 2011 and had withdrawn from the ODI series against West Indies in November citing an "abnormal tumour in his lung". He had originally targeted the CB series in Australia for his return to international cricket. However, he was ruled out of that tournament and travelled to the US in late January to undergo nine weeks of chemotherapy. Yuvraj spent three months in Indianapolis' IU Simon Cancer Centre and returned to India in early April 2012. He is currently training in Bangalore and said he believed Twenty20 was the best format for him to begin his return to competitive cricket. The Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, R. Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Mandeep Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ravindra Jadeja, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Naman Ojha, Dinesh Karthik, Praveen Kumar, L Balaji  

Guwahati Molestation Getting Political Colours

What is perceived as a henious act by the civilized world, the Guwahati minor girl molestation case, is slowly being daubed with political colours. Now the incident is not just the outraging of modesty of a teenage girl, but that of a conspiracy against Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi by a TV channel. The chief minister Tarun Gogoi has said that an inquiry will decide if there was a conspiracy against him in the telecast of the July 9 molestation case by a television channel. "We want to go to the bottom of the case. I cannot say with certainty that it was a conspiracy as I don’t have any evidence," he said at a press conference on Tuesday without naming the channel. This statement of the CM came hours after the resignation of the channel’s editor-in-chief Atanu Bhuyan who quit expressing doubts over an impartial inquiry into the allegations that a journalist from his network had instigated the incident outside a pub on the night of July nine. Rubbishing the charges, the chief minister asked Bhuyan as to why he was apprehensive about the probe by the CID saying the editor-in-chief should have courage to face it. The channel is owned by the wife of a minister in the state. The channel has been under the scanner after RTI activist Akhil Gogoi had 'exposed' the journalist. In the footage which Gogoi managed to get hold of, the journalist was allegedly heard telling the mob to strip the girl. And at the end of it, the victim was heard blaming the journalist for the incident.  

Congress MPs Meet Sonia Gandhi

The Congress MPs on Tuesday met the Congress president and UPA chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. The main reason for today's meeting is said to be the upcoming presidential elections. The presidential election is scheduled to take place on July 19 and Sonia Gandhi reportedly asked Congress MPs for cent per cent attendance at the presidential poll. Though UPA presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee has substantial share of votes to steer for a clear win, his rival NDA backed PA Sangma is giving a tough competition to him. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress, an important ally of UPA, is also giving jitters to its ally the Congress. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee says that her party has decided to vote in favour of Pranabda, since it has no other option. At the same, she called for a meeting of TMC MPs and MLAs on 19 July, the very day on which the presidential poll is to take place, sparking off speculations that Trinamool Congress may abstain from polling.

Guwahati Molestation: NCW Team Member Alka Lamba Sacked

On one hand, there is very little progress in the henious Guwahati minor girl molestation case, on the other hand, the victim is subjected to further embarrassment with National Commission for Women (NCW) releasing her photograph and name. After seven days the incident happened, only 11 arrests have taken place out of 40 peoplein the case, while the main suspect, Amar Jyoti Kalita, spotted in a red jersey in the video of the incident, is still absconding. Police sources had said that Amar Jyoti Kalita might have fled to Odisha, and a search was on in Odisha. The latest arrest came hours after Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's 48-hour deadline to nab the culprits ended. Meanwhile, after the NCW sacked its member Alka Lamba for revealing the victim's identity, the Assam government repeated a similar blunder. The Department of Information and Public Relations released the name of the victim and photographs of her meeting Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday - a clear violation of the law that says a victim's identity must always be protected and withheld. The state government later requested the media to not carry the photograph or the name of the victim. This happened even as NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma apologised to the girl and her family for the lapse in discretion on part of its probe team member Alka Lamba, who has been sacked. Notably, the NCW was slated to submit its report by 2 pm on Monday, but it got delayed because of the faux pas on the part of the panel member. The NCW member had even defended naming the victim, pointing that the report was not complete. A three-member NCW team had visited Guwahati and met the victim on Saturday. They had blamed the police for reacting late in trying to save the girl.  

Aamir Khan Meets PM on Problems of Scavengers

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan on Monday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Social Welfare Minister Mukul Wasnik to highlight the concerns of manual scavengers in the country.   In a meeting at PM's residence that lasted for about half an hour, Aamir discussed the plight of manual scavengers engaged in cleaning excreta. Aamir, 47, said he was assured by the PM that he will look into the matter on a priority basis. "I had gone to meet the PM to discuss the issue of manual scavenging. I requested him that this practice which still exists in our country should end soon. The PM has assured me that he will look into this matter and he sent me to Mukulji who handles Welfare Ministry," Aamir told reporters here. The actor focused on the issue on the July 8 episode of his TV show "Satyamev Jayate" where he had made a promise to meet the PM. Wasnik too assured Aamir that the government was working to put a speedy end to the problem and rehabilitate manual scavengers. "Mukulji assured me that he will work towards putting an end to this problem. The ministry is already working on the issue and he says that they will put an end to this soon," Aamir said.