Pranab Mukherjee to be sworn in as 13th President on Wednesday

Pranab Mukherjee will be sworn is as the country's 13^th Prime Minister on Wednesday at a special ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament.  

Home Ministry communicated that S.H. Kapadia, Chief Justice of India will administer the oath to Pranab at 11:30am in the presence of Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers and a host of dignitaries.

The function will begin with the arrival of President Pratibha Patil and President-elected Pranab Mukherjee in a ceremonial procession from the Rashtrapathi Bhawan to the Parliament. Later they will be received and escort by Kapadia, Ansari and Kumar to the Central Hall.

After Mukherjee takes over, he will be given a 21-gun salute, address the gathering and then leave for the Rashtrapati Bhawan along with Patil.

Mukherjee will be given an inter-services guard of honor in the forecourt of the Presidential palace.

Later, Pranab shall escort Patil to her temporary accommodation on Tughlak Lane where she will stay till her post-retirement home in Pune is ready.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal passes away

Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, who was part of the Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army lost the battle of life on Monday owing to illness.

Her daughter and CPM leader Subhashini Ali said that Sehgal, 97 years old, breathed her last breath at a private hospital at 11:20am in Kanpur.

Sehgal, who was ill for quite some time, was eventually admitted to a hospital on July 19^th after she suffered a heart attack at her residence in Civil Lines area in Kanpur. She was kept on life support system.

She was very active during the Independence movement and had commanded the 'Rani of Jhansi Regiment' of the INA formed by Bose.

Sehgal by profession was working as a medical practitioner and a social worker. She was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1998.

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Apex Court rejects plea for probe against Chandrababu Naidu

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the plea that has sought a CBI probe against the Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly benefiting a number of large scale business units during his tenure as the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.

The Apex Court judges Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice F.M. Ibrahim Kalifulla turn down to interfere with the state High Court order which has earlier been rejected by Y.S. Vijaya Lakshmi's plea for CBI probe.

Vijaya Lakshmi is the widow of the late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was killed in the year 2009 during an helicopter crash, and is the honorary President of the YSR Congress party.

She added that Mr. Naidu has exploited his political power to grant favors to the private companies during his reign.

The Apex Court, while declining Vijaya Lakshmi's plea said that the High Court had given a reasoned order and it warranted no further interference.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Apex Court slashes discretionary quota for Haj pilgrims to 300

The Apex Court today reduced the government's discretionary quota seats for Haj pilgrimage to 300 from the 5,050 seats.

A Bench of Justices comprising of Aftab Aslam and Ranjana Prakash Desai limited the number of seats under the discretionary quota by the President to 100, Vice President to 75, Prime Minister to 75 and External Affairs Minister to 50.

The Bench added that 200 seats will be reserved for the Haj Committee of India (HCI).

The court was again informed that 11,000 seats have been reserved under the government quota to be allocated for Haj 2012.

After limiting the seats, the Bench said that the remaining seats will go to the Haj Committees of various states and Union territories.

The court also quoted that it shall not entertain any writ petition for the registration of pilgrims for the Haj 2012.

The Bench said if any such petition by any pilgrim or private tour operator is filed in any High Court, then it shall be transferred to the Apex Court.

The Bench passed such an order after going through the affidavit filed by the government in conformity with the direction passed by the court on May 8.

The court on May 8 had asked the government to furnish details on the allocation of discretionary quota seats for Haj pilgrims on recommendation by dignitaries and eminent persons.

 It had passed the order saying they have initial reservations on the allocation of seats on recommendations of certain dignitaries and eminent persons.

The Apex Court had also directed the government to phase out the subsidy within a span of 10 years, saying the amount can be profitable utilized for the social and educational development of the Muslim community.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Government doctor accused of stealing kidney

Police reported on Saturday that a government doctor in Jaipur has been booked for allegedly removing a kidney of a two-year old child leading to his death.

In a complaint filed by the child's father, Ramu Kashyap at Motidoongari police station has accused Dr. Pradeep Goyal, a doctor with the plastic surgery department of SMS government hospital, of removing the kidney of his son during a surgery on his finger.

In the complaint filed on July 19 by Kashyap following a local court's directive, he alleged that the boy lost his life on June 13, four days after the surgery following various complications due to the removal of his kidney.

A case has been lodged against the doctor and others under relevant sections of IPC.

Goyal, on the other hand has denied the allegations leveled against him.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Maruti declares lockout at Manesar plant

Maruti Suzuki on Friday declared a lockout at the Manesar plant, stating it cannot risk life and safety of its employees.

Maruti Suzuki India(MSI) Chairman R.C. Bhargava said at a press conference that there is now a lockout and to him his colleagues safety is important than producing some cars to make some money.

MSI General Manager (HR) Awanish Kumar Dev was brunt to death and about 90 supervisors and officials were injured when violence broke out at Manesar plant in Haryana on July 18.

He said production will not recommence till investigation into the incident is completed and corrective steps are taken so as to ensure that there is no reappearance of violence which came as shocker to the company.

He said that the talks of Maruti unit moving out of Manesar is an absolute fiction when asked whether there was any plan to shift the production facility to an alternative site. He again added that Maruti is a flag-bearer of industrialization in Haryana.

The Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who is visiting Japan from Sunday, there was a speculation that MSI might shift from Manesar to Gujarat where it has already announced its expanison plans.

With about 3,000 workforce, the Manesar plant produces some of the best selling models. The vehicles produced there includes SX4, Swift, Dzire and A-Star.

Mr. Bhargava said that the MSI management has requested the Harayana Government to advance the inquiry into the incident.

Besides, the company will have its own probe.

When asked whether some workers involved in the incident  can be taken back, he said if the workers aren't a risk then they shall be taken back or if they are a cause of trouble they cannot come back.

Mr. Bhargava said the health and safety of the company's employees are supreme.

He said that they put a higher value to the environment and health than any other aspect of running the company. He said therefore it is necessary for the company and the Haryana government to jointly and separately to do a complete investigation into the incident.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Ramdev sits on dharna against Balkrishna's arrest

On Saturday the Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev staged a strike in protest against the arrest of his aide Balkrishna accusing the Centre for misusing the CBI to harass nationalist people.

 He also promised to fight blackmoney and corruption through a improved protest which would start from August 9 in New Delhi and said he would continue to fight for bringing back Rs. 400 lakh crore of blackmoney hoarded abroad.

Ramdev alleged at Lachhiwala area where he was stopped by the police that Acharya Balkrishna is not a terrorist or a criminal, rather he has worked for the welfare of people through his knowledge on Ayurveda. He added that they are standing by him solely on moral grounds.

Later, Ramdev sat on a strike in front of the CBI office to protest against the arrest of Balkrishna.

He criticized the Centre for misusing their investigative agencies for harassing people, who dedicated their lives for the sake of people.

He added that the Centre is using CBI as a puppet.

Regarding the issue of claiming fake passport for his aide Balkrishna, Ramdev claimed that Nepalese government has already communicated to India that Balkrishna is not a Nepalese citizen.

Ramdev said he was not scared of any investigation against him as well as his trust.

He said that he is not at all scared. And added that only those people should be scared who has hoarded the country's money in foreign banks.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

IPL players, Parnell and Sharma tested positive for drugs

Police reported on Friday that two IPL players namely Wayne Parnell and Rahul Sharma, are among 42 persons, who was tested positive for consumption of drugs in a high-level party at Posh Hotel in Suburban Juhu in the month of May.

Today the police received the reports of blood samples of 44 out of the 90 people who had attended the party at Oak wood Premier Hotel in Juhu in the month of May.

Deputy Police Commissioner Pratap Dighaokar said that out of the 44 people, two females have been tested negative, while all the rest are positive.

Police sources said that these 44 people also comprised of two IPL players Parnell and Sharma, both played for Pune Warriors India and 38 women.

On June 22, the City police had declared the results of 46 out of the 90 people's blood samples, who attended the party, in which 44 tested positive.

Police had on May 20 raided the Posh Hotel and caught  90 clients, including foreigners, following specific inputs about the presence of drugs at the party.

They were left off after their urine and blood samples were taken.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Kolkata to host global conference of sex workers

With the US imposing restrictions on overseas sex workers on being part of the International AIDS Conference in Washington from Sunday, a week-long meeting is planned to be held in Kolkata to enable them to be a part of the conference via video conferencing.

The International AIDS Conference (IAC) is a bi-annual congregation of global organizations and agencies engaged in controlling AIDS. The conference is scheduled to be held on July 22-27.

IAC, held for the past 25 years in the US has been an effective three way dialogue between the scientists/planners, the people living with HIV and the sex workers.

However, with the US travel restrictions, the organizers have decided to hold the first ever Global Hub of the International AIDS Conference at Kolkata, to be attended by 550 representatives of sex workers from across the globe and India.

Nailed as the sex workers "Freedom Festival", its central theme is nothing but the "seven freedoms" that the sex workers are entitled to such as freedom of movement and to migrate; access to quality health services; freedom to work and choose occupation; associate and unionise; to be protected by the law;  freedom from abuse and violence; and from stigma and discrimination.

The conference in Kolkata will facilitate the sharing of experiences and evaluation, and discuss their issues and priorities. It will also focus to generate new directions and dimensions needed for regional and global AIDS control programs.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Tax exemption for employees whose salary is less than Rs. 5 lakhs

The Finance Ministry on Friday said that the salaried employees whose annual income is upto Rs. 5 lakhs need not file income tax returns from this year. The exemption from filing the IT returns is applicable only if the total income of the employee does not exceed Rs. 5 lakhs and the annual interest rate earned from the savings bank account is less than Rs. 10,000 for the year 2012-13. But however filing of IT returns is a mandatory clause in case of claim of refunds.

The last date for filing returns is July 31. In India there are about 85 lakh salaried employees whose yearly income including income from other sources like bank deposits does not exceed Rs. 5 lakhs. He exemption is permissible only if the assess e possess a certificate of tax deduction in Form 16 from the employer.

The employees have to report to the employer about his income from interest on savings bank account  to become eligible to be exempted. Prior to this amendment, it was obligatory for all salaried persons to file income tax returns under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Meanwhile, the tax department said special counters will be set up in Delhi and tax kiosks in various parts of Mumbai to assist people in filing IT returns.

Tax department is proposing to receive the returns at Civic Center, opposite Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi from July  26 to 31. The Mumbai Income tax department will set up tax kiosks manned by tax return preparers at various locations to assist tax payers in the preparation and filing of returns.

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P.N. Dhar, eminent economist passes away

On Thursday, Professor Prithvi Nath Dhar aged 94 years an eminent Economist who served as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the 1970's passed away owing to age-related problems.

Dhar was a Professor of Economics in Delhi University for many years, Dhar was one of the founders of the Delhi School of Economics.

He has served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary General, Research and Policy Analysis, in New York from 1976 to 1978.

Dhar, who was the only person in the Prime Minister's Office those days who was not from either IAS or IFS, had joined the PMO in 1970.

He was with Indira Gandhi in Shimla when the famous Shimla accord was signed with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto after the 1971 war.

Dhar's wife Sheila was a well known singer writer who was honored with Padma Bhushan, India's highest civilian award in the year 2008.

His journal 'Indira Gadhi, the Emergency and Indian Democracy' is considered as an authoritative documentation of events of the important period in the modern India's history.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Prime Minister to inaugurate 'Emerging Kerala 2012'

A swarm of invitees from India and abroad have confirmed about their participation in the Emerging Kerala 2012 schedule proposed to be held in the month of September at Kochi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the three-day meeting  scheduled from September 12 to 14. Besides the Malayali Union Ministers,other ministers namely Kumari Selja, Anand Sharma, Kamal Nath, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Vilasrao Deshmukh with others are expected to confirm their participation.

Along with State and Central Ministers, the government has extended invitations to dignitaries including senior government officials, corporate leaders, diplomats, foreign trade delegations, heads of financial institutions, leading economists, renowned scholars, business leaders and other prominent personalities. An official delegation from China's Yunnan province shall be led by Zhu Fei, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Commerce. Francoise Cluzeau, senior adviser at the UK-based National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, will deliver a key note address on ensuring the quality of health services in India.

Policy experts and leaders including Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India; Sam Pitroda, adviser to the PM and Kerala's counselor; Geeta Gopinath, professor of Economics at Harvard University, leading industrialists and top executives of some of India's best known companies such as Tata, Infosys, Godrej and Mahindra and Mahindra would also grace with their presence.  The League of Arab States had decided to take part in the event and their delegates and experts are expected to arrive two days prior to the meeting.

Diplomatic delegations from other countries namely UK, US, Australia and Singapore already visited Kerala and expressed their interest in business and inter-governmental partnerships. The event Emerging Kerala is proposing to feature sectoral conferences, policy dialogue sessions, B2B and B2G meets and other networking opportunities.

The event would conduct plenary sessions on subjects ranging from a review of existing Kerala development  model to infrastructure growth and financial reforms. Special sectoral sessions would cover 11 areas that will have the potential to become the Kerala's  growth engines including the IT's and ITE's, knowledge services, tourism, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, science and technology and financial services.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Teesta III project likely to be ready by December 2013

The 1,200 MW Teesta-III hydro project in Sikkim which was delayed by natural calamities and legal hurdles is likely to be commissioned by December, 2013. The project would supply power to Rajasthan, Sikkim and Haryana and is being developed by Teesta Urja.

Power trading solutions provider PTC India, which holds 11% stake aid the project is expected to be ready by the end of next year.

PTC India Chairman and Managing Director Tantra Narayan Thakur told the reporters that the construction activity of Teesta- III project got affected due to the September 2011 earthquake. The project is expected now to be commissioned in December 2013.

Singapore-based Asian Genco Pte holds 50.1% stake in Teesta III while Sikkim Government and Athena Projects Pvt Ltd has 26% and 11% shareholding respectively.

Sources said that more than 70% of work at Teesta III has been completed.

A Teesta Urja official revealed that the delays have escalated the project costs, which is estimated to be around Rs.8000 crore. Initially the project cost was estimated at about Rs.5700 crore.

Sources said that earlier this month, issues regarding the transfer of 26% stake to Sikkim Government  were resolved.

The Sikkim Government had resorted to legal action on the issue of 26% stake in the project to itself.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Sikkim Government officials assured support on all project related issues including the mixture of equity and issue of no objection certificate (NOC) for bridge construction.

The run of the river project was awarded by the Sikkim Government to the Teesta Urja Ltd on Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period for 35 years.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Rajesh Khanna :Last journey begins

Hundreds of fans gathered up to bid adieu to yesterday superstar Rajesh Khanna on Thursday as he began his final journey from his residence in suburban Bandra.

The funeral procession of Khanna began from his bungalow 'Aashirwad' on Carter Road at around 10am with the fans gathered to pay their last homage to the ever star.

His body is being taken to the Pawan Hans crematorium in an open truck, wrapped with white flowers.

The body of the superstar, resting in a glass coffin, was accompanied by son-in-law and actor Akshay Kumar, seperated wife Dimple Kapadia and his younger daughter Rinkie Khanna by his side atop the vehicle, lined by huge black and white photographs of the actor, on both sides.

Media persons also gathered outside his house to bid farewell even as the road was cordoned off with policemen all over, leading to huge traffic jam in the area.

Source close to the actor said that the 69-year-old actor passed away yesterday at his residence due to liver infection.

The superstar is fondly known as 'kaka' to millions will forever be remembered as the "King of Romance", who ruled the hearts of many especially women, as they worshiped him, married his photographs and waited late night outside the hotel rooms just to catch a glimpse of him.

News reported by AR for News Vision online news blog

Government to delink Lokayukta provision in states from Lokpal Bill

In a bid to relieve the concerns of states and other political parties, the government has finally decided to delink the provision of Lokayuktas in states from the Lokpal bill.

In a letter written to Anna Hazare seeking his support for finding a compromise on the issue, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy has said that the government has proposed the Lokpal bill shall contain provisions for a model law setting up Lokayuktas in states.

The letter, however, gives no further clue about its set up and whether this provision has been suggested as an amendment to the bill before the Selection Committee for further discussions.

Noting that the government is focused to passing the legislation as per the wishes of the Parliament, the Minister said that the government is determined to pass the legislation in accordance to the wishes of the Parliament.

At present the bill is with the Selection Committee of Rajya Sabha and the government is proposing to incorporate three key demands which is found in the Sense of House resolution in the Bill.

Narayanasamy said the government has already proposed to bring lower bureaucracy under the ambit of Lokpal but the Central Commission and CBI will look into these cases.

Th e Lokapal bill has got stuck in the Rajya Sabha after parties raised objections against the provision for setting up Lokayuktas in states, claiming that it will cause damage to the federal structure.

In the letter, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expects that Anna Hazare will provide his support and co-operation in resolving the issues concerning national importance.

News report by AR for News Vision online news paper

26/11 attack: India upset over Pakistan Court ruling

India on Tuesday upset over the ruling passed by the Pakistan Court on the 26/11case said that the evidence collected by a judicial commission in India had evidential value to punish those who were involved in the terrorist attack.

Home Secretary R.K. Singh said that New Delhi was in prior aware of the ruling of the Pakistan Court and would seek a copy of it from the authorities there through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

He added that after having a discussion on the judgment passed by the Pakistan Court they shall hold talks with their government as to what they propose to do about it.

He was reacting to the judgment passed by the Rawalpindi Court on Tuesday which stated that all the findings put forth by the commission that visited India were purely illegal and could not be valued as evidences against the 26/11attack.

R.K. Singh told to the reporters in New Delhi that their belief is that the evidence collected by the commission is of evidential value.

The court is hearing the terror case against 26/11accused, including the Lashkar-e-Taiban Commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

News report by AR for News Vision online news paper  

Five more Amarnath pilgrims die; toll rises to 83

Officials reported on Monday that five more pilgrims died en route to the cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas, estimating the toll during this year's pilgrimage to 83.

They said that Badri Prasad, aged 25 years, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was killed when he was hit by a falling stone from a hillock at Railpathri along Baltal-cave route.

Officials said that Nand Kishore Lal, aged 66 years, a resident of  Uttar Pradesh, died of cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp, meanwhile a body of a sadhu identified as Ram Saroud was found dead near the holy shrine.

Officials added that, in another incident, Navratna Devi of Bihar suffered a massive heart attack while crossing the sangam along the cave route and died while being shifted to a nearby make shift hospital.

Shiv Karam, aged 73 years, a resident of Madhya Pradesh died at Baltal base camp hospital, where he was soon admitted after he had suffered a heart attack.

The annual Amarnath yathra commenced on June 25^th from the twin tracks from Baltal and Pahalgam and scheduled to end on August 2^nd , coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.

News reported by AR for Newsvision online news blog

Madhumita murder case: High Court uphelds life sentence to ex-MLA Amarmani

The Uttarkhand High Court today upheld the life imprisonment awarded to the ex-MLA, Amarmani Tripathi, his wife and two others in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

A division bench of the High Court comprising of Justice Barin Ghosh and U C Dhayani also awarded life imprisonment to Prakash Pandey, who was let-off by the Dehradun CBI court due to lack of evidence.

Virendra Singh Adhikari, counsel for Nidhi Shukla, sister of the slain poetess said that the court while rejecting the petition of the four convicts, said that no relief can be granted to the MLA or any oher convicts since their role in the Shukla murder case has been proved by the CBI.

The court also directed the trial court to take Pandey into custody immediately.

Amarmani Tripathi, his wife Madhumani and two others namely Rohit Chaturvedi and Santhosh Kumar Rai were convicted and sentenced tolife imprisonment by the Dehradun Court in 2007 on the charges of conspiracy and killing Shukla in Lucknow in the year 2003.

The investigations revealed that the poetess was pregnant when she was murdered  and both Pandey and Rai had been to her house and shot her dead.

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Over 38 newborns died in Jaisalmer

Signifying a rise in the rate of female infanticide in the state of Jaisalmer. Recently 38 newborn s were found dead in the past three months. Sources revealed that most of the newborn were baby girls alleged that seven infants died from July 1 to 15 alone, the number could be more since many cases go unreported. Most of the children were born in houses were mid-wives helped in delivery.

Recently, the leg of a newborn was found on a road, which was picked up by a stray dog. During the investigation, the body of the newborn was found near the village and dogs were eating it. The body of the baby was so disfigured that the ex of the child could not be ascertained and this case was not reported on time.

Similarly two days ago in a village ,the body of a newborn girl was found. Further investigation revealed that the baby was died soon after its birth and the body was thrown in the open. Even this case is not reported either to the police or the appropriate administrative authority.

Though the health department is taking their best efforts to bring down the rate of infant deaths, so far it has not reached upto the mark. The department lacks any field force or complete resources. Eighty two posts of auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANMs) are lying vacant in the district due to which around 60 primary health centres are closed. The villagers are forced to rely on midwives or quacks, due to which there is always a risk of lose of life either to the mother or the child. It has been reported that three women have lost their lives during delivery between April and June.

Anand Gopal Purohit, Chief Medical & Health Officer affirmed that from April 1 to June 30, 31 infants lost their life and reasons quoted were numerous. He added that however, the health department is promoting safe institutional delivery and is trying their best to bring down the infant mortality rate.

According to Purohit, ANMs in PHCs and sub centers had been directed to inform the doctors about the birth and death of newborns. They were also instructed to inform 104 services about child births or death of women in delivery.

District Collector, Shuchi Tyagi expressed his concern over the rise in number of infant mortality rate and added that she had requested the State Government to provide more resources and field force to control such incidents.

 News reported by AR for Newsvision online news blog

High Court rejects plea for release of Indians from Pakistan jails

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the Centre to take steps for setting free more than 50 Indians lodged in the Pakistani jail quoting the government of India continue its efforts to release them.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw accepted the Centre's submission that all possible steps in this regard have been taken with Islamabad at all levels and dismissed the two PILs filed by Madangopal Khushiram Paul, an advocate and human rights activist, seeking the release of Indian prisoners and also awarded compensation for them.

The bench while accepting the argument that the government has implemented the NHRC's directions passed in 2007 said that they do not find any merit in these petitions and therefore they are dismissed and asked the Government to continue their efforts for release of these prisoners.

 The court also dismissed the petitioner's plea for compensation to the prisoners who have been released from the Pakistani jail but not yet financially compensated by the Indian government.

 The court further accepted the Centre's argument that none of the prisoner's was either a soldier or government of India employee, and it was not binding on the centre to pay compensation.

The court said that the Centre, the respondents in the instant cases deny that any of the persons for whose benefit the petitions have been filed, were either soldiers or employed by the Indian Government. If they were arrested and imprisoned by the Pakistani authorities owing to have intentionally or mistakenly crossed the border and the government of India cannot be directed to pay compensation.

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Crime against children highest in Delhi: most rapes in MP

According to a recent survey, Delhi tops the list of states where the highest number of crimes against children was committed in 2011 while Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of murder and rape cases respectively.

A total of 33,098 cases of crimes against children were reported in 2011 as compared to 2010, suggesting an increase of 24 per cent.

According to National Crime Records Bureau, the rate of crime against children was recorded the highest in Delhi with 25.4 per cent followed by Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 20.3 per cent, Chandigarh and Chhattisgarh with 7 per cent each, Madhya Pradesh with 6 per cent and Goa with 5.1 per cent.

A total of 1,514 cases of murder of children, including infanticides were reported in the country in the year 2011 against 1,508 in the year 2010. Uttar Pradesh has reported the highest number of such cases, accounting for 22.9 per cent of the total murder cases reported in the country.

States like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry did not report any cases of child murder in the year 2011.

Survey also depicted an increase in the number of child rape reporting a total of 7,112 child rape cases in the year 2011 compared to 5,484 in the year 2010.

Madhya Pradesh has reported the highest number of rape cases followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. These three states altogether accounted for 44.5 per cent of the total child rape cases reported in the country.

News reported by AR for Newsvision online news blog

Sunita Williams, Indian-American astronaut takes off for second space journey

Today morning a Russian Soyuz craft has been launched into the skies over Kazakhstan, carrying three astronauts on their way to the International space station.

The astronauts namely NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Russian astronaut Yury Malenchenko and Japan's Akihito Hoshide are set to travel for two days before meeting their three colleagues already at the permanent space spot.

Liftoff took place at 8:40am wherein the families and colleagues watched the launch of the craft from an observation platform in the Russian-leased cosmodrome.

Despite the intense G-force pressure, the three astronauts looked relaxed in television footage doing their routine activities.

The Soyuz dropped three rocket booster stages as it was propelled into orbit, which just takes around nine minutes.

The shell that is surrounding the capsule during the launch phase also peeled away, drenching the astronauts in bright yellow sunshine.

The solar arrays that have been installed on the Soyuz after the orbital entry will provide the craft with requisite power that is needed for 2 days trip.

Malenchenko, the Russian astronaut who is piloting the Soyuz, is one of the most experienced astronauts and is making the fifth space trip.

Sunita Williams, the 46-year old astronaut, who is of Indian-American heritage has spent 195 days at the space station in 2006-07. And now she is on her second mission and further will break the record for the longest halt in space for a female astronaut.

The Soyuz is scheduled to reach the space station by Tuesday at 8:52am Moscow Time.

Russians Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin and US astronaut Joseph Acaba, who make up the crew of Expedition 32, have been working at the space station since mid-May.

Japan's HTV3 Cargo ship will dock the space station next week and will be the first of nine craft making contact with the orbiting satellite over a span of 17-days.

Expeditions 32 and the incoming Expedition 33 have 33 experiments planned for their stay at the orbiting laboratory.

News reported by AR for Newsvision online news blog