New Delhi, January 29, 2013: The Government as well as the political class on Tuesday slammed Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik's demand that India provide security for actor Shah Rukh Khan, saying it was "uncalled for" and he should be more worried over security of its citizens.
　
Malik was also reminded that India was capable of looking after its citizens and that it treated all of them equally.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said that in India the constitution provides equal status to all.
He said that Pakistan should be concerned about minorities in Pakistan.

Main opposition party BJP has also registered its protest over Pakistan's remarks on Film actor Shahrukh Khan.
BJP spokes person Prakash Jawdekar has expressed hope that Shahrukh Khan will very soon come up with his stand.
Information and Broadcast Minister Manish Tewari said that Government is not in favour of controlling the media.
However, he stressed upon the need for a statutory mechanism which can keep pace with change as it unfolds.
He was addressing the Broadcast Engineers Society Expo 2013, in New Delhi.

Information and Broadcast Minister also said, Citizen has the right to freedom of expression but it should be in limits, so it does not harm anyone.

IMPHAL, January 29: Addressing a press meet, Advisor N Tomba, Advisor of the All Manipur Guardian Association said during a press meet at its office at Palace Compund that the current Manipur education system is awry and guardians are very dejected with the education system in the state. While appreciating the cancellation of the entrance admission tests to elementary classes in Catholic schools, he said that such schools must implement the RTE and should give free education to 25% of children belonging to other backward classes. "While affiliating to Manipur Board they agreed to follow the rules and regulations of the Board, so they have to follow its directives including implementing the RTE, failing which, they have to have to give up their affiliation to the Manipur Board," he said.

Alleging that catholic schools had handed out over 400 admission forms at the rate of Rs 100 each, he said that those who have been given admit cards for the admission tests should be admitted to the said schools.

N Tomba also called upon the Education Minister and the concerned department to take up quick action to them to bring in quality education in the state.

He further maintained that private and mission schools in their efforts to streamline student performance, schools are only looking at examination marks and neglects students who are poor in studies. He also said that students failing in their 9th standard should be allowed to go the next class i.e. class ten." If any school do not promote the failed students to the next class, action will be taken up against them," he said.

IMPHAL, January 29 : An executive body members of the Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA) seriously deliberated on the 'new developments' vis-a-vis guidelines on the MGNREGS, taking serious note of the order/guidelines issued by the state government for involvement of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) and other line departments in the implementation system of MGNREGS.

As per the order/guidelines issued by the state Government, 25% MGNREGS funds have been given to the ADCs and another 25% to other line departments.

The order/guidelines of the state Government is in total contravention of the MGNREGS guidelines issued by the central Government. It may be noted that a state Government cannot change or alter the guidelines issued by a Union Ministry. "Therefore, in view of the stated facts and circumstances, the executive meeting of SAHILCA took the resolutions that the state government should cancel its order immediately.

The MGNREGS guidelines issued by the Central Government should be followed as it is without any alteration, SAHILCA added.

Another resolution said the state government should compensate the job card holders for delaying the payment till date in accordance with the MGNREGS guidelines.
"If these resolutions/demands are not fulfilled within February 3 the chiefs of Sadar Hills shall be compelled to launch intense agitations from the flowing days, for which the state government shall be held responsible for any untoward incidents," one resolution of SAHILCA said.

IMPHAL, January 29: A Three day Bharat Nirman campaign began today at the Mini Secretariat hall of Thoubal DC complex. The inaugural function was graced by E Manglemjao, Up-Adhakshya as chief guest; Kh Amuba Singh as guest of honour and Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal District, T Ranjit Singh IAS as president and S Budhi Langathel Zilla Parishad member also, as guest of honour.

The three day campaign is being organized by PIB Imphal in collaboration with Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP), Song and Drama Division, Prashar Bharati, District Administration Thoubal, Departments of central and state Governments, Z.P, G.P. NGOs clubs etc, in Thoubal district.

Premlata Loitam MCO, PIB Imphal said in her welcome speech that the Bharat Nirman campaign had been held in different parts of the country covering the entire stretch of the state and the one being organized at Thoubal today is the thirteenth of such programs.

"The campaign is launched to spread awareness of the various schemes that include mid day meal, Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA),Right to Information Act (RTI), Indira Awaj Yojna (IAY), PMGS ," she said.
Inaugurating the function E Manglemjao said Bharat Nirman campaign launched in the district will make large number of people in the district aware of the various schemes and programes of the Government of India.

Kh. Amuba ZEO Thoubal spoke about the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and said that it was an important flagship program and added that proper coordination, cooperation and sincerity on the part of implementing agencies will make Government programs a success.

In his Presidential speech, T. Ranjit Singh IAS said various schemes and programs have been framed and extended in Thoubal district. Saying that Government programs are taken up in a phased manner, he said the campaign will play a big role in making the common masses aware of the benefits extended by the Government of India to the people of Manipur. He narrated how Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee scheme became an act and added that the act has empowered thousands of beneficiaries to get their due benefits under the act. "MGNREGA funds are not released at one go. But subsequent funds will not be released if there is any complaint from the beneficiaries. The subsequent funds will be released only when the complaints are disposed off," he said. He further appealed to the elected representatives of the local bodies to read the provisions contained in the various schemes of the scheme so that they will be able to help the common masses in getting benefits from the Government.

He said RTI implemented by the Government of India has cautioned Government officials to carry out their duties honestly and sincerely. He appealed to all to use RTI judiciously for the betterment of the society.
Around 20 Stalls including various central and state departments displayed their activities as a part of the campaign. A rally of school students was also held as a part of the campaign.

Mohali, January 23, 2013: A rejuvenated India clinched the one-day series against England as the hosts rode on the batting heroics of Rohit Sharma (83) and Suresh Raina (89 not out) to fashion a comfortable five-wicket victory in the penultimate game and take an unassailable 3-1 lead in Mohali on Wednesday.

The Indians first restricted the visitors to 257 for seven and then overcame some anxious moments before overhauling the target with 15 balls to spare in a floodlit contest played in cold conditions at the PCA stadium.
Though the hosts had the game in control after putting England into bat, they conceded as many as 100 runs in the last ten overs with unheralded Joe Root (57 not out off 45 balls) and Kevin Pietersen (76) providing the late sparks with some lusty hits.

Captain Alastair Cook was another notable performer with a knock of 76.

But the Indians held their nerve during the run chase and it was ultimately Raina who guided the team home.

It was a creditable series victory for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men who had come under fire for indifferent performances in recent times, which saw the team lose a Test series to England and an ODI series defeat against arch rivals Pakistan at home.

It was Rohit Sharma, rated as highly talented but one who has seldom delivered, who turned the spotlight on himself as he grabbed with both hands an unexpected opportunity to feature in the playing eleven as an opener in place of Ajinkya Rahane.

Sharma proved his class with some delightful shots to lay the foundation for the chase and his show will enhance his chances of cementing a place in the ODI team.

Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs by taking three off Jade Dernbach to trigger off scenes of wild celebrations in the galleries and the Indian dressing room where the players hugged each other.

Jerusalem, January 23, 2013: A political rookie, Yair Lapid, has emerged as a kingmaker in Israeli elections spoiling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's victory celebrations, as undecided voters rallied behind the former scribe at the last moment in polls marked by plummeting support for the ruling Likud party.

Pollsters were swept by surprise as the change in public mood at the last moment saw exit polls throwing a major surprise with the right wing bloc losing popular support and in the end centre-left bloc ending up very close at 61-59 mark raising speculations that some of Netanyahu's natural allies may be left out of the next coalition.

All the Israeli news networks projected the joint Likud-Yisrael Beteinu list to have won 31 Knesset seats, a sharp drop from the 42 mandates that two parties currently hold, but enough for Netanyahu to be invited again to form the next government.

Netanyahu put up a brave front saying he viewed the results as an endorsement of his leadership, vowing to immediately start working on forming a coalition that would include parties on the Right, Left, and Center.

He also immediately called Lapid, the leader of the Yesh Atid (There is Future) party, who won an unexpected 18-19 seats in exit polls, and asked him to cooperate with him in his next government.

"The exit polls clearly indicate that the citizens of Israel want me to continue to serve as prime minister of Israel and form the widest possible government," the Prime Minister wrote on Facebook.

"The results are a great opportunity to make many changes for the benefit of the citizens of Israel," he added.

Labour party stood third in the exit polls at 17 seats.

It's leader, Shelly Yacimovich, another former scribe, in her address to party workers vowed "to do all in her strength to prevent Netanyahu from becoming the next Prime Minister".

She called on Lapid not to join a Netanyahu government and to instead join her in trying to form an alternative coalition focusing on socioeconomic issues.

Baghdad, January 23, 2013: A suicide bomb in the middle of a funeral at a Shiite mosque in north Iraq killed at least 35 people and wounded 70 others on Wednesday, security and medical officials said.

The blast struck at the Sayida al-Shuhada mosque in Tuz Khurmatu, 175 kilometres north of Baghdad, and targeted the funeral of a relative of a politician who was killed a day earlier.

Chicago, January 23, 2013: More than four years after the horrific Mumbai attacks claimed 166 lives, Pakistani-American LeT terrorist David Headley, one of the main conspirators, is set to be sentenced in a court in Chicago on Thursday with the US government seeking a jail term of 30-35 years for him.

"The government submits that a sentence of 30 to 35 years' imprisonment strikes a fair and just balance between the aggravating and mitigating factors applicable to Headley."

"While there is no question that his criminal conduct was deplorable, his decision to cooperate, and the uniquely significant value that cooperation has provided to the government's efforts to combat terrorism, support the government's recommendation," Attorney Gary S Shapiro said in a 20-page position-paper.

The demand for 30-35 years' imprisonment for 52-year-old Headley is far less than what the US government had sought for Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who was held guilty by a federal grand jury for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba and planning a terror attack against Jyllands-Posten, a Danish newspaper in Copenhagen.

Last week, the court sentenced Rana, also 52, to 14 years in jail followed by five years of supervised release.

"Headley played an essential role in the planning of a horrific terrorist attack," the US government said, adding that his advance surveillance in India contributed to the deaths of innocent men, women and children.

"Undeterred by the shocking images of death and destruction that came out of Mumbai in November 2008, Headley travelled to Denmark less than two months later to advance a plan to commit another terrorist attack," the US attorney said.

"Headley not only worked at the direction of Lashkar-e- Taiba for years, but also with members of al-Qaeda. There is little question that life imprisonment would be an appropriate punishment for Headley's incredibly serious crimes but for the significant value provided by his immediate and extensive cooperation," the US attorney said.

The information that Headley provided following his arrest and in subsequent proffer sessions was of substantial value to the US and its allies, India in particular, in their efforts to combat international terrorism, according to the US government.

As such, the US attorney said, the government will move the court to sentence Headley at a point below the life imprisonment.

"The government submits that imposing a sentence of 30 to 35 years' imprisonment strikes a fair and just balance between the despicable nature of his crimes and the significant value of his cooperation," Shapiro said.

The US attorney also informed the court that Headley had told his childhood friend Tahawwur Rana after the 2008 Mumbai attacks that he was "even" with India now.

The court was told that one of the motives of attacking the iconic Taj Hotel was to target Indian defence officials and scientists who held meetings there.

Headley, a US citizen of Pakistani-origin, had testified that he was pleased by the attacks, the attorney said.

"Headley told his friend Rana that, as a result of the Mumbai attacks, 'we were even with the Indians now. And even if Pakistan wasn't even, I was even for my school'."

Headley claimed that, when he was a child, his school in Pakistan was bombed by the Indians, so he felt that the Mumbai attacks exacted revenge for that bombing.

"Rana responded, 'they (the Indians) deserved it,'" said Shapiro "Based upon Lashkar's overall goals with respect to the government of India, the manner in which the attacks were carried out, the targets chosen for attack, and Headley's feelings about the attacks, there can be no doubt that Lashkar's attack on Mumbai was calculated to influence, affect and retaliate against the Indian government."

Headley testified that Lashkar sent militants across the border into India to engage in violent attacks, the US attorney said.

He further testified in detail about the Lashkar weapons and military training courses he attended, which included training in weapons such as AK-47 guns, pistols, grenades and explosives.

Shapiro said form 2006 to 2008, Lashkar sent Headley to India to complete surveillance of various targets, many of which were ultimately attacked in November 2008.

One of the key targets that Lashkar instructed Headley to do surveillance on multiple occasions was the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

"One of the reasons that Lashkar targeted the Taj Hotel for attack was the fact that the hotel contained a conference centre where conferences of Indian defence contractors and scientists held meetings. Headley was even instructed to obtain a schedule of conferences at the Taj Hotel," the US attorney told the court.

In addition to the Taj Hotel, Headley performed surveillance of the Oberoi Hotel, Chabad House, Leopold Cafe and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

"Headley testified that (Pakistani) Major Iqbal explained to him that the Chabad House was on the list of targets for the Mumbai attacks because Major Iqbal believed that it was a front for the Mossad, which is the Israeli national intelligence agency," the US attorney said.

In addition, Headley surveyed potential targets for Lashkar while in India, many of which were government buildings.

"For example, Headley surveilled the Indian Naval Air Station, Maharashtra state police headquarters, Shiv Sena headquarters, and a temple run by Shiv Sena," the attorney said.

"Indeed, we know from Headley's testimony that one of the reasons Lashkar targeted the Taj Hotel was to kill Indian defence contractors individuals perceived to assist in the Indian military's efforts in (fighting militancy in) Kashmir," Shapiro said.

"That multiple locations throughout the city were targeted for attack also reflected Lashkar's goal to influence the government. Furthermore, the attack of the Chabad House was arguably intended to influence and affect the government of Israel, as well as India, since it was targeted because of the perception that it was a front for the Israeli intelligence agency."

"The controllers, in fact, communicated directly with Israeli government officials about the hostages taken at the Chabad House, trying to secure the release of one of the Lashkar attackers," he said.

Lashkar designed the attacks to maximise the number of deaths and confusion throughout the city, the attorney said.

New Delhi, January 23, 2013: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and ex-party President Rajnath Singh has been elected unopposed as the new BJP President.

After his name was endorsed by the party's parliamentary board on Wednesday morning, he was the only candidate in the fray.

Reacting to the allegations of the Congress with regard to spread of saffron terrorism, BJP President Rajnath Singh said the Congress is just indulging in vote-bank politics.

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh said it is BJP's internal matter, as to who they chose as their leader.

He said the new BJP President Rajnath Singh should first answer why he visited Pragya Singh and Colonel Prasad Purohit in jail.

Both Pragya Singh and Colonel Prasad Purohit are accused in malegaon blast in 2008.

BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday said that he welcomes Nitin Gadkari's decision to resign from the post of Party president, adding it would have been better if he had taken this step earlier.

IMPHAL, January 23: The 2nd State Level Tribal Cultural Festival was declared open with the beating of a gong by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. The festival will take place for three days from 23rd to 25th January 2013 and is organised by the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) , Manipur jointly with the Government of Manipur and Ministry of tribal Affairs, Government of India. The festival is to showcase the customs, tradition and culture melange co existing with one another under one roof. The festival is organised under the theme of “Our Culture, Our Identity” with aim to revive and to protect the rich culture of Manipur tribe.

Ngamthang Haokip, Minister IFCD, speaking at the event said that the culture, tradition shows the identity of a community. "Instead of killing each other, it is better to have such cultural platforms which include singing, dancing etc to share about one's own culture and tradition to other communities," he said.

Gaikhangam, Deputy Chief Minister delivering his speech said that the occasion was not only to showcase  the beauty of traditional styles but that it will give a great impact to save the integrity in face of the present situation in the state.

"Earlier, there were 36 tribes but 2 more tribe were recognized and altogether there are 38 tribes in the state.  The hill people should not forget their rich heritage which is a legacy for Manipur state, he said.

While comparing to the valley whose culture has transformed into a classical form but that of the hill are lagging behind.

Speaking at the function Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said that all the people of the state, despite belonging to various communities eventually belong to Manipur. Lauding the steps taken up by TRI in the field of preserving artefacts and costumes of different tribes of Manipur of tradition in its museum, he said that the bigger community whether in the hill or valley should not disturb or force  the minority communities to join in their communities.

Speaking to the media at the sideline of the function, the CM when asked about the issue of Kuki State Demanding Committee movement regarding its “Quit Kuki Land” 24th January onwards  and their intention to burn the Indian flag on 26th Jan as a mark of severance of ties between  the Kuki nation and the Indian state which had failed to recognize the Kuki political right even after 65 years of Indian Independent and 65 years of Kuki tolerance, Okram Ibobi said that bandhs and blockade are not good and it will be more effective to have talks with the Government and to take up alternative agitations.

Addressing the issue, Gaikhangam said that everything can be solved through talks. "Instead of demanding a separate homeland,  it is better to have unity, peace and harmony. If the agitations continue then under the law, the Government will take up certain steps to control and handle the situation because they are under SoO and are still continuing its talks with the Government," he said.

IMPHAL, January 23: There is a growing apprehension amongst the people of the state on whether the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 is being properly implemented in the state. The Act was passed by the Parliament in the year 2009 with the vision of providing free and compulsory education to every child between the age of 6 and 14 of the country. It came into being the next year from April 1, 2010 after the then Indian President gave assent to it on August 26, 2009.

Several provisions of the Act provide that every child should be entitled to education. One of the provisions says, “Education is a process which engages many different actors. These actors influence the Right to Education. It provides for the right (entitlement) of Children to free and compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education in a neighbourhood school”.

But in the face of several demands by organizations and students bodies for doing away with entrance tests in various private and missionary schools in the state, it is critical for the concerned authority which is the Education Department in this case to clarify over the mater of whether the RTE is applicable to all the schools of the state and if not, then which schools should come under it's purview.

While some schools are preparing to hold entrance admission tests for students, certain schools have said there will be no school admission test being conducted. The demand for seats in mission and private schools on the other hand, has made guardians to demand that school admissions be done through the lottery system. There is every likelihood that the said face-off between guardians and student organizations on one hand and private or and mission schools on the other can snowball into a major crisis.

On April 12, 2012 the Supreme Court of India had passed a judgement which had said that the act is not applicable in “Minority un-aided private Schools”.

The  judgement had said said, “Accordingly, we hold that the Right to Children to free and compulsory Education Act, 2009 is constitutionally valid and shall apply to the following: a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate government or a local authority; an aided school including aided minority school(s) receiving aid or grants to meet whole or part of its expenses from the appropriate government or local authority; a school belonging to specified category and an unaided non-minority school not receiving any kind of aid or grants to meet its expenses from the appropriate government or the local authority. However the said 2009 Act and in particular Sections 12 (1) (c) and 18 (3) infringes the fundamental freedom guaranteed to unaided minority schools under Article 30 (1) and consequently, applying the RMD Chamrbaugwalla vs Union of India (1957 SCR930) principle of severability, the said 2009 Act shall not apply to such schools”.

In the backdrop of this, mission schools in Manipur technically claim that they are 'minority educational institutions' and are unaided by Government. But many question the truth of such a claim considering that such schools are not aimed to educate children of minority groups but take in children from the general class, not to mention from the elite section of the state.

New Delhi, January 23, 2013: More than a month after the December 16 gangrape of a para-medical student in Delhi shook the entire nation and led to widespread protests, a three-member panel set up by the government to look into women's safety has submitted its report to the Union Home Ministry.

Justice J S Verma says, "There is a need to change the society's mindset do away with gender bias.

The Justice Verma Committee was constituted to look at existing legislation and suggest changes to check crimes against women.

While reviewing the laws, the panel had also sought suggestions from the public.

Among the issues the panel is reported to have looked at, include enhanced punishment for those who were involved in sexual crimes of extreme nature.

Judge Verma received thousands of suggestions after he set 5th January as a deadline for comments from jurists, women's groups and other forums to revamp existing legislation to deal with sex offenders.

Among other parties, the Congress had suggested to the Verma Committee that rapists should be given a maximum of life sentence and capital punishment must be reserved only for rarest of rare cases.

Justice J S Verma committee has received around 80,000 suggestions and wrapped up its work within 29 days.

Verma, the head of the three-member panel, was approached by the Central government for the task on December 23.

The other members of the panel are former Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice Leila Seth and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam.

He said the failure of governance was the root cause of crime against women.

He also said it was "equally shocking" that there was total apathy of everyone who had a duty to perform.

"We have submitted the report in 29 days. When I offered to do the work within 30 days, I did not realise the magnitude of the work," Verma told a press conference after submitting his voluminous report to the Home Ministry.

On how he decided on a time frame for finalising the report, Verma said when a senior Cabinet Minister approached him on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he asked him when is the next session of Parliament.

He complimented the youth for the mature response.

"Youth has taught us what we, the older generation, were not aware of. I was struck by the peaceful manner in which the protests were carried out...the youth rose to the occasion," he said.

IMPHAL, January 23: In the backdrop of the Republic Day Celebration being boycotted in the North eastern states of India by different insurgent groups of NE States, this year's celebration has already received a call for a total boycott by major rebel groups of Manipur, Assam and Tripura.

It may be mentioned that the Co-ordinator Committee (CorCom) made of 7 major armed groups of Manipur along with the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, the National Liberation Front of Tripura (TLFT), the Tripura People’s Democratic Front (TPDF) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) had in a joint statement called for a mass boycott of the India’s Republic Day Celebration on January 26, 2013 as a mark of resistance against what it termed as 'Indian Occupation' of the region.

Despite the boycott call however, the state preparations were in full swing in Imphal today with a full dress rehearsal of march past contingents.

The parade starting from the Babupara area today and entering Kangla from its Southern Gate and later exiting from its Northern Gate.

The parade then took the road in front of Hotel Classic leading to GM Hall, Raj Bhavan and then concluded at the 1st MR Ground. Security was beefed up in and around the parade route and traffic were kept on hold at various points during the rehearsal period.

A total of 81 contingents including security forces, schools, colleges, band platoons and other agencies participated in the rehearsal with CO 4IRB Lunseih Kipgen IPS as the parade commander. Hectic preparations for putting together 8 tabluex representing various Government departments and agencies could be seen taking place at the 1st MR Ground.

Due to the traffic diversion from the main roads in Imphal area, traffic along Paona bazaar and Thangal bazaar were affected.

Meanwhile, Imphal East commandos conducted a search operation this morning from 5am to 8am at Hatta Golapati, New Checkon and KR Lane areas in connection with the Republic Day Celebration.

127 individuals were picked up for further identification but were later released.

New Delhi, January 23, 2013: In volatile trade, the BSE benchmark Sensex on Wednesday recovered by 45 points to end above 20,000-mark on buying in Bharti Airtel, ITC, Tata Power and Hero MotoCorp.

Besides stock-specific developments, market participants were also enthused by Finance Minister P Chidambaram's comments to widen tax base and ramp up revenues, brokers said.

The Sensex, which had lost 120 points in the previous sesson, bounced back by 45.04 points, or 0.23 per cent to close at 20,026.61 points.

After a better start, the 30-share index touched day's high of 20,058.07 and a low of 19,920.91 as investors continued to adjust their portfolios after recent gains.

Bharti Airtel closed 4.4 per cent up as it has hiked rates of special tariff vouchers and reduced free minutes usage, barely a month after hiking price of 2G data plans.

Stocks of banking, IT and capital goods sectors attracted buying on steady inflow of better corporate earnings by key index-related companies.

However, HUL shares tanked by 4.4 per cent after reporting quarterly numbers and announcing hike in royalty payment to parent Unilever on Tuesday.

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 5.80 points, or 0.10 per cent to 6,054.30.

In the banking sector index, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd and ICICI Bank gained.

In the capital goods sector, L&T, BHEL and Siemens and ABB registered gains.

Reliance Industries and Infosys also closed higher. Outside the index, shares of HDIL tumbled by 14.33 per cent.

Jerusalem, January 22, 2013:  Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to win a third term with a thumping mandate for his rightwing coalition in general elections amid voter apathy and disarray in centre-left parties.

Polls for 120-member Knesset (Israeli Parliament) opened early on Tuesday morning and will close late at night.

The Central Elections Committee announced that 38.3 per cent of Israelis had voted by 2 pm, compared to 30.9 per cent at the same point in 2006.

The figure is much higher than voter turnout at the same hour in the last general elections in 2009.

63-year-old Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara and his two sons Yair and Avner, cast his ballot early at the Paula Ben Gurion School in Jerusalem.

Amid the impressive voter turnout, Netanyahu expressed concern over relatively low turnout in traditional Likud Party dominated neighbourhoods and called on supporters to "leave everything and go vote".

"There are reports that in regions that have traditionally been Likud strongholds, turnout has been lower than the national average," Netanyahu said during a visit to Ashdod.

"I therefore call on all generations of Likud voters to leave everything and go vote." Earlier, all the opinion polls conducted by leading newspapers and agencies have predicted victory for the right bloc led by Netanyahu.

Some 5.65 million Israelis are eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections and over 20,000 security personnel have been deployed to secure the vote.

The hawkish leader's possible return is being seen as a bad omen for prospects of resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians that may lead to Israel's increased international isolation.

Netanyahu, who came under severe international criticism for the deadlock in peace talks with the Palestinians over the issue of settlements, has centred his campaign on success in pushing the Iranian nuclear threat to the top of the global agenda and keeping the Jewish state's economy relatively stable despite a worldwide recession.

New Delhi, Jan 22, 2013: The Airport Metro Express line resumed operations on Tuesday morning, nearly six months after it was shut down on grounds of safety, officials said on Monday.

The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) last week gave clearance certificate to the swanky high-speed line, which took 18 minutes for the 23-km journey from New Delhi Railway Station to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

The same journey by road would take upwards of an hour.

"The trains would run daily from 5.30 am to 11.30 pm at a frequency of 15 minutes, the same before the suspension. We have eight trains. Earlier, we used to ply only four trains, but now due to the restricted speed we might use more trains," an official said.

The speed would gradually be increased after periodic inspections by the Delhi Metro.

The Airport Metro line is a high-speed line, as most Delhi Metro trains run at 30 to 35 kmph.

The CMRS, which conducted a safety inspection on January 15 and 16, gave a formal clearance for commercial operation of the airport line on January 18.

As a re-launch offer, passengers can travel on the line at a discounted fare of Rs.30 on Tuesday from New Delhi Railway Station to Dwaraka Sector 21, which cost Rs.100 earlier.

"Baggage check-in for national and international flights will start shortly. Other facilities such as cloak rooms, trolleys, porters, radio cabs and internet wi-fi at stations are available," the statement added.

The airport line has also introduced return journey tokens and Sunday/holiday discount tokens while retaining monthly passes for regular commuters.

The Delhi Airport Metro line started its commercial operation in Feb 2011.

It is a joint venture between Delhi Metro and Reliance Infra.

Operations on the Airport Metro Line were suspended July 8 after some faults were detected in the civil structure of the line.

The Airport Metro, with six stations, ferries over 15,000 people daily.

It has ferried 68 lakh passengers in over 70,000 trips in 15 months.

New Delhi, January 22, 2013: In a sudden and dramatic last-minute twist, Nitin Gadkari, facing allegations of dubious funding of his company, was forced out of the race for BJP President's post and Rajnath Singh emerged the consensus choice for the office.

In a late-night development on Tuesday, Gadkari issued a statement opting out of the election scheduled on Wednesday, saying he did not want that allegations against him should in any way adversely affect the interests of BJP.

"I have, therefore, decided not to seek a second term as the President of BJP," said Gadkari, who is expected to propose Rajnath Singh's name on Wednesday.

The BJP Parliamentary Board will meet on Wednesday at 9.30 AM to endorse Rajnath's name and he will file his nomination papers around 11.30 AM, party sources said.

Sources close to Rajnath said he was happy that the party has shown immense trust in him and that he has a challenging task in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

62-year-old Rajnath, who had preceded Gadkari as BJP president till 2009, emerged the new choice at a hurriedly-called meeting of top leaders including Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu and RSS representative Ram Lal on Tuesday night.

L K Advani, who was dead set against a second term for Gadkari, was away in a place near Mumbai and attended a function with Gadkari but the two did not even exchange a word, reflecting the chill between them.

Rajnath Singh is also considered close to RSS and that appeared to have tilted the balance in his favour.

Gadkari, whose candidature was being strongly pushed by RSS despite reservations within the party, was all set for re-election before senior leader Yashwant Sinha decided on Tuesday evening to throw his hat in Wednesday’s polls.

The move by Sinha, who had earlier demanded Gadkari's resignation in the wake of allegations of impropriety by his firm Purti Group, forced change on the candidate.

In Mumbai, Gadkari said the allegations against him were aimed at maligning the image of his party.

"I will continue to serve the party as a committed worker. I don't want allegations against me to affect the party adversely," he told reporters at the Mumbai airport before leaving for Delhi.

"There are allegations against me and I want to come out clean. I will tackle these charges both politically and legally. The decision to opt out (of BJP President's race) is entirely my own," Gadkari maintained.

Gadkari said he was ready to face any probe. "I am ready to face any inquiry. I have informed my party that I won't take any post till I am proved innocent. I will extend my full cooperation to whosoever becomes the next BJP President," he said.

Earlier, in his statement, Gadkari said, "It was a political challenge to me when allegations were levelled against me and I decided that there should be a probe into such allegations. Unless my name is cleared, I have decided not to be in this post. So, I decided not to contest for the second term," he said.

"The probe will go on and I am sure that I will come out clean. I have nothing to do with corruption. I am sure I will come out clean. I myself decided to withdraw, so that there are no allegations against the party," he said.

IMPHAL, January 22: The final photo electoral roll of the year 2013 for all the 60 Assembly constituencies of the state was today formally released by the Chief Electoral Officer, O Nabakishore Singh at his officer chamber located in new Secretariat building at Babupara on Monday.

Speaking at the formal release function, O Nabakishore Singh said that as per the directive from the Election Commission of India, the final report of the revision of the final photo electoral roll was to be released on the 14 January but due to unrest in the state in the form of blockade and bandh, the State Election Commission took permission for extending the release of the final photo electoral roll for a week.

He further said that the general public ,electors and representatives of the all political parties may inspect or verify the final published electoral photo roll (EPR) supplement copies in the office chamber of Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) and Additional EROs he said.

"This year 100 per cent of the EPIC has been covered in all the 60 assembly constituency of the state comparing to the 95.54% last year record and it a very big achievement of the hard work done by the State election officer and number of total photo electoral rolls (PER) in the state for the year is 17,47,889 with Male 8.61.416 (49.28%) while female 8,86,473 (50.72%) comparing to the last year record of total (PER) 17,41,581 with male 8,51,544(48.89%) and female 8,90,037 (51.11%) and the electoral population ratio is 62 and the gender ratio is 1029," he said.

He further said that final electoral rolls of 2013 of all 60 assembly constituencies have also been uploaded in the CEO's official website: http://www.ceomanipur.nic.in/ and the same has also been up at the ECI website :www.eci.gov.in and also made available for public view by all interested persons.

Washington, January 21, 2013: President Barack Obama swore to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution in a massive public celebration of American democracy on Monday, marking the second inauguration of the country’s first African-American president.

Trumpets blew fanfare, cannons fired and hundreds of thousands of people outside the Capitol watched the president take the oath of office as the world’s most powerful elected leader.

Obama then began an inaugural address that touched on the broad gifts that bring the country together, and pointed to the work ahead, “the realities of our time.”

While he was officially sworn in on Sunday, as required by law, the glitter of Inauguration Day the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House, the night of balls, the ceremonial beginning of a new four-year presidential term still enlivened staid Washington.

The celebration was pushed to Monday because 20th January fell on a Sunday this year. That placed the grand ceremony on the U.S. holiday marking the birthday of revered civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Obama, the politician who rose improbably from a history as a community organiser in Chicago and a professor of constitutional law to the pinnacle of power, faces a nation riven by partisan disunity, a still-weak economy and an array of challenges abroad.

The President also faces a less charmed standing on the world stage, where expectations for him had been so high four years ago that he was given the Nobel Peace Prize just months into his presidency.

“Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world’s attention and given its people hope for a better future,” the Nobel announcement in 2009 read.

The President, First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia began the day at St. John’s Episcopal church, which was built in 1812 and is known as the church of presidents.

Obama later had coffee at the White House with congressional leaders, who play major roles in how the country is governed.

Monday’s events had less of the effervescence of four years ago, when the 1.8 million people packed into central Washington knew they were witnessing history.

Obama is now older, grayer and more entrenched in the politics he once tried rise above. Officials said crowds were about half what they were four years ago.

As he enters his second term, Americans increasingly see Obama as a strong leader, someone who stands up for his beliefs and is able to get things done, according to a survey by the Pew Research Centre for the People & the Press.

The survey shows him with a 52 per cent job approval rating, among the highest rankings since early in his presidency.

His personal favorability, 59 percent, has rebounded from a low of 50 percent in the 2012 campaign against Republican Mitt Romney.

When the partying is done on Monday, it’s back to business for a president who is leading a nation that is, perhaps, as divided as at any time since the Civil War 150 years ago. That conflict put down a rebellion by southern states and ended slavery.

In light of the nation’s troubled racial history, Obama’s election to the White House in 2008 as the first African-American president was seen by many as a turning point.

In his first inaugural address, Obama vowed to moderate the partisan anger engulfing the country, but the nation is only more divided four years on.

While Obama convincingly won a second term, the jubilation that surrounded him four years ago is subdued this time around a reality for second-term presidents.

He guided the country through many crushing challenges after taking office in 2009 — ending the Iraq war, putting the Afghan war on a course toward U.S. withdrawal and saving the collapsing economy.

He won approval for a sweeping health care overhaul.

New Delhi, Dec 31, 2012: Celebrations and fireworks marked the arrival of 2013 in New Zealand and Australia while India witnessed a muted celebration in the wake of tragic death of Delhi’s brave heart.

President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has decided not to celebrate New Year's Day in view of the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim.

Sydney's skyline erupted with tons of exploding fireworks as revelers cheered in the new year from the city's crammed harbor in the world's first major celebration for 2013.

The enthusiastic welcome to 2013 was continuing on a grand scale across Asia.

Increasingly democratic Myanmar is having a public countdown for the first time.

Jakarta plans a huge street party befitting Indonesia's powering economy.

The buoyant economies of the Asia-Pacific are prepared to party with renewed optimism despite the so-called fiscal cliff threatening to reverberate globally from the United States and the tattered economies of Europe.

Celebrations were planned around the world, with hundreds of thousands expected to fill Times Square in New York City to watch the drop of a Waterford crystal-studded ball.

Major cities across austerity-hit Europe were to burn off part of their battered budgets in spectacular fireworks displays, although some municipalities - including the Cypriot capital, Nicosia - canceled their celebrations in light of the economic crisis.

Nicosia said USD 21,000 saved from the canceled event will be given to some 320 needy schoolchildren.

Sydney's balmy summer night was split by 7 tons of fireworks fired from roof tops and barges, many cascading from the Sydney Harbor Bridge, in a 6.6 million Australian dollar pyrotechnic extravaganza billed by organizers as the world's largest.

Eager revelers camped Sunday night to get the best vantage points.

In Hong Kong, this year's 12.5 million Hong Kong dollar fireworks display is said to be the biggest ever in the southern Chinese city.

Police expected as many as 100,000 people to watch.