An opportunistic crime or something else ?

The much-awaited autopsy has failed to determine the cause of death of three-year-old Indian boy Gurshan Singh, whose body was found near here after he went missing from his house, Australian police said on Friday.[read more]

PM Sonia differs on exemption of CJI from RTI ambit

Sonia is believed to have written to the Prime Minister about two months back, opposing any changes in the act, and emphasizing the need to properly implement it.

Singh, however, is in favour of streamlining the Act, but only after consulting all stakeholders. He is understood to have written to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which implements the act, to assess whether any changes are possible.[more]

Government plans to gift on Women's Bill on Women's Day

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi certainly wants her government to accomplish the task on Monday. "I personally attach the highest importance to the women's bill. So many years have passed since Rajivji first unveiled his vision of empowering us women. It is a matter of pride that even though it has taken so long, it is our government that has cleared the legislation in Cabinet. This year, on March 8, is centenary of International Women's Day. What a gift to the women of India if on this important day this historic legislation is introduced and passed," she told members of Congress Parliamentary Party.[more]

Free must continue, thoda paisa lage to bhi chalega!

A majority of Internet surfers in India feel online content should come free, says a survey. However, a good number of them do not mind spending a little if the quality of content is better. [more]

...lost lives just for Rs.10

The four were among thousands of people - the poorest of the poor - who had gathered to eat food at a community kitchen and collect a steel plate, Rs. 10, a laddu and a handkerchief - distributed by popular godman Kripalu Maharaj at his ashram on the "Shradh" (post-death rites) of his wife every year. [more]

63 killed in stampede at ashram

At least 63 people were killed and 15 others injured in a stampede on Thursday in a local ashram where nearly 10,000 people had converged for a ritual.

The stampede took place after the gate of Kripalu Maharaj's ashram, 60 kms from Pratapgarh, collapsed during distribution of food on the occasion of Shradh of his wife, Sub-divisional Magistrate Kunda Shyama Charan said. [Link]

Pravin Mahajan dies in hospital

Pravin Mahajan, brother of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pramod Mahajan, died in a Thane hospital Wednesday evening, family sources said.

Pravin was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his brother. He reportedly suffered brain haemorrhage. [Link]

 

Plane crashes during air show in Hyderabad

A Sagarkiran plane crashed into a building in Hyderabad's residential area today. According to reports, the crash occurred during an air show at the Begumpet airport.[more]

Violance over Taslima's article in Shimoga

Two persons died and eight others were injured in Shimoga district of Karnataka on Monday following violent protests over the publication of an article by Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen on the burqa in a vernacular daily. While one of the victims died in police firing, the other died during the clashes.
Curfew was imposed in Shimoga district, around 280 km from here. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 were clamped in Hassan and Belgaum district. 

No roll back in fuel prices, says PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday ruled out any roll back in petrol and diesel prices, saying the economy has the capacity to absorb the increase without triggering inflationary pressure.

"Any increase in prices does hurt some people, but we have to take a long-term view," he told reporters accompanying him on his way back home from Saudi Arabia.

Happy Holi India! Hockey team beats Pakistan in opening match

Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh rose to the occasion and converted two penalty corners as hosts India outplayed Pakistan 4-1 in a thrilling Pool B match of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday.