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