Raj at it again, says shops need Marathi boards

Mumbai, 9 agast-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader, Raj Thackeray has been keeping a low profile for some time now, but no longer। He is back shoving Marathi down the throats of hapless shopkeepers.

He has written to Mumbai shopowners asking them to put up Marathi signboards by August 28 or else deal with his party.
"Shops that do not carry Marathi signboards have been given time till August 28 to change the signboards. After that, shops that do not have Marathi boards will face attacks from MNS," he said.
Raj is also demanding that officials stop issuing domicile certificates and driving licences to "outsiders" -- that is, North Indians.
In February this year, MNS supporters had attacked north Indian taxi-drivers in Mumbai. About 40 taxis were damaged and taxi-drivers were assaulted and the office of the taxi-men's union and a garment shop were attacked.

Patil asks J&K admin to adopt balanced approach

Jammu, Aug 09, 2008 Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil arrived here on Saturday with an all-party delegation and asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to adopt a balanced approach while dealing with the current situation in the wake of violent protests over the Amarnath land trasfer issue.
"We must see how to reduce the difficulties in Jammu and Kashmir and as such we handle the situation with persuasion and goodwill," Patil said at a law and order review meeting with the State authorities and other Central Agencies here this afternoon.
Patil and the 18-member all-party delegation arrived here in the morning to review the situation in the border State.
Patil, who was briefed about the present situation of the State by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey, Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) K Rajindra and Lt Gen Viney Sharma asked the State authorities to adopt "a balanced approach while handling the current situation."
The Home Minister also directed the administration to take steps to ensure that there is no shortage of medicine and other essential commodities in the area.
Patil has said that the Centre will provide all possible help to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Govt. mulls change in content code of TV programmes

New Delhi (PTI): The Centre is planning to have a fresh look at the Content Code in television programmes as it feels that the current one has become outdated। "We are contemplating a review of the existing Content Code as it needs to be at par with changing times," Secretary in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Sushma Singh, said here on Saturday while addressing the News Television Summit 2008.

Admitting delays on part of the ministry to finalise the code, Singh said, "The matter is being viewed seriously।"

She said there is a high demand for an effective content regulation code on TV programmes as a number of channels are coming up on a regular basis।

Referring to the opposition of the Content Code by some private news broadcasters, Singh said, "Instead of opposing it, they should discuss the matter with Government।" She expressed concern over the coverage of violent incidents and riots, and said it leads to "violation of public order".

Singh also called for a consensus on content regulation between government and private broadcasters on the issue।

The Secretary said the Delhi High Court has also asked the ministry to bring out a legislation on the subject।

"Delhi High Court has asked for our views on Content Code and what we have done about it। The ministry will send its reply by September," she said.

Singh also pointed out that though the broadcasters are against the government's intervention in the field of content regulation, "We have given licenses to 33 new TV channels this year। This shows our liberal attitude towards television channels."

On the much delayed Broadcast Bill, Singh said a decision is yet to be taken on the matter. She said the Bill is posted on the ministry's website and views of various stakeholders have been taken on it. "It is awaiting Parliament's nod."

Why can't I become PM: Mayawati

Lucknow, Aug 9 (PTI) Unfazed by the failure of efforts to pull down the UPA government that may have pitchforked her into national centre stage, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister made clear her ambitions of becoming the prime minister after the next Lok Sabha elections।

Addressing a national convention of her party workers, she also announced that she was grooming her political heir, who would take over from her in case of any eventuality।

Former External Affairs Minister and suspended Congress leader K Natwar Singh and Samajwadi Party leaders Shahid Siddiqui and S P Singh Baghel joined the BSP at the convention।

"When I can become the chief minister of the most populous state four times why can I not not become the prime minister of the country even if I am born in a dalit family", said Mayawati to a huge gathering of her cheering party workers who had come from various parts of the country।

"I am doubly proud of being a dalit and Indian as also the fact that I am managing the state better than the previous governments ", she said asking as to why a "dalit ki beti" (daughter of dalit) not not become the prime minister with the support and backing of the sarv samaj (all communities)।

Mayawati also made a surprise announcement of her political heir saying she apprehended that she could be targetted by terrorists or naxalites।

'This person is about 18 to 20 years younger than me and belongs to "chamar" (her caste)। He is being groomed but his name would be divulged only at an opportune time", she said adding, she has herself put the name in sealed envelopes and given to two of her trusted collegues for safe keeping.

'The name would not not be declared till I am in good health as the BSP detractors would lose no no opportunity to create problems for him", she said adding that it has been ensured that this heir would be acceptable to all.

Pakistan's ruling coalition to impeach President Musharraf

Islamabad (DNS): Pakistan's ruling coalition on Thursday declared that it will launch impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf, accusing him of "eroding" trust of the nation through his policies and actions।

"We have good news for democracy। The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf," PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari told a joint press conference with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif after intense parleys between the two sides for the past three days on the issue.

"We will present a chargesheet against Musharraf," Zardari said without giving a timeframe for the impeachment of the 64-year-old beleaguered President।

On the issue of judges sacked by Musharraf during the emergency rule last year, the PPP chief said all the deposed justices will be reinstated immediately after the impeachment of the Presidency।

Echoing Zardari's views, Sharif said he was in "total agreement" with his ally on the decision of impeaching Musharraf, whose ouster the former Premier's party has been demanding for a long time।

Zardari blamed Musharraf for the economic woes of Pakistan and said his policies had "eroded" the trust of the nation।

Earlier, an unnamed PPP Cabinet member, who participated in discussions between the two parties, was quoted as saying by Dawn News channel that the ruling coalition is expected to move an impeachment motion against Musharraf in Parliament on August 11

BJP to launch nationwide stir on Amarnath shrine land row

New Delhi (DNS): A day after the government asked the BJP to reconsider its decision on a three-day nationwide agitation over the Amarnath land transfer issue, the party's core committee today decided to go ahead with the protest starting on Monday।

"The meeting discussed in detail about the latest developments in Jammu। The party is going ahead with the agitation programme. There is no change," party sources told PTI after the meeting.

The government had formally asked the BJP to suspend the agitation in order to facilitate the dialogue process with protestors of the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS)।

The all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was attended by BJP president Rajnath Singh and General Secretary Arun Jaitley।

The meeting held today at BJP leader L K Advani's residence was attended by Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, General Secretary Sushma Swaraj and other senior leaders including M M Joshi।

Sources said the BJP top brass is inclined towards a low-key agitation but the RSS is not ready to relent on the matter। While BJP feels that any more deterioration of the issue could benefit separatist forces, the RSS is of the view that "a lot of blood has been already shed and there is no point in looking back."

The SASS, a body comprising of more than three dozen social and political outfits including the BJP, enjoys patronage of the RSS and is spearheading the current agitation in Jammu for over a month.

HIV testing: India ranked best, Russia worst

New Delhi: India topped the list of five mid-income countries that provide free HIV testing and counselling to people, reported the scientific journal 'The Lancet'। The unexpected pat on the back came after a comparison of testing and counselling facilities in India, Russia, Mexico, Uganda and South Africa that showed India's was not only the cheapest but also the most cost-effective. Russia did the worst.

The Lancet study compared data from several clinics in each country to calculate the cost-effectiveness and quality of services provided। "India and Russia represent the two extremes in terms of implementation performance, with the quality of services being similar in almost all centers surveyed in India. The difference between quality in different clinics was the highest in Russia," said lead author Dr. Stefano M. Bertozzi from the National Institute of Public Health, presenting the data at the XVII International AIDS Conference on Tuesday.

India's programme, run by the National AIDS Control Organisation, is also the most cost effective, costing the government US$ 3 (Rs 120) per person। The cost was as high as US$ 1,000 in some centres in Russia.

One reason for cost being down in India was the number of people counselled and tested, with a study showing that doubling the numbers reduced the average cost by 50 per cent in India, "We may have the volumes, but that too is because people have increased awareness about the disease and more and more are coming forward to get tested। You must remember that the testing is purely voluntary and people can refuse if they so wish," says Suresh Mohammed, national programme officer, National AIDS Control Organisation.

There are 2।47 million people living with HIV in India, with almost 1.6 lakh getting free treatment under the government programme. The cost to government is Rs 550 per patient per year.

Dolling up sex education

Former US policewoman Marcia Morgan uses a unique sex education tool that crosses all language barriers: dolls with sexual body parts। “Anatomical dolls help children de-personalise and share their own perceptions about sexual behaviours, including abuse,” says Morgan, tUS-based consultant in criminal justice and social issues.

Morgan developed the dolls 30 years ago to help sexually abused children describe what happened to them। These dolls are currently used for sex education not just in the US but also in Mozambique, where role-playing helps children with no education learn about sexual body parts, pregnancy prevention, preventing sexually-transmitted diseases and how to wear a condom.

“Apart from genetalia, these dolls have mouths and tongues and come with clothes and underclothes. They come in shades of white, light brown and dark brown and can be dressed in clothes appropriate to the area where there are being used," says Morgan. Given the opposition to sex education in India, these dolls are not likely to be seen in a sari or kurta soon.