Mahatma Gandhi is my inspiration: Obama

New Delhi, July 11: Mahatma Gandhi inspires US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama and he flaunts it by having a portrait of India's Father of the Nation at his Senate office।

The Democratic Party candidate has spoken highly about Gandhi, saying the apostle of peace reminds him about the real message of life।

"Throughout my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things," Obama has told a leading magazine in an interview।

He cites this as the reason for having Mahatma Gandhi's portrait in his Senate office। It is "to remind me that real results will come not just from Washington -- they will come from the people." Obama is also said to be a believer in Lord Hanuman and keeps his statue as a lucky charm.

He talked about the rural development work his mother did in India and said he was "fortunate" to have close Indian-American friends.

I am OK with Indo-US nuke deal: Obama

New Delhi, July 11: US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has supported the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it balances a range of important issues and he is "reluctant" to seek changes in the agreement।

The Democrat candidate, who initially had some reservations about the "original agreement", hoped the deal would be concluded before the end of the year।

The nuclear agreement effectively balances a range of issues -- from America's strategic relationship with India to its non-proliferation concerns to India's energy needs, he said।

"I am, therefore, reluctant to seek changes," the Democrat candidate told 'Outlook' magazine in an interview।

Asked whether the deal would be reopened or scrapped if it isn't clinched this year and he became the President next year, Obama said "A final judgement on the deal ... must await the IAEA's approval of a safeguards agreement with India and changes to be agreed (upon) by the Nuclear Suppliers Group। At that point, the US Congress will decide whether to approve the agreement. I continue to hope this process can be concluded before the end of the year."

His comments discount the possibility of renegotiation of the deal if the Democrat administration assumes power in the US after the George W Bush regime.

UNPA to oppose trust vote in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: In a major setback to the UPA, the eight-member United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) on Friday decided to oppose the confidence motion in Lok Sabha, says TDP leader K Yerran Naidu।

Earlier the UPA government had expressed confidence of numbers after meeting its allies on Friday। The alliance is to face the vote of confidence on July 22. A special session of Parliament will be held on July 21.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had said the party welcomed the support of Samajwadi Party and that it was ready to face a trust vote।

"The UPA government wishes to seek a trust vote as early as possible। A special session of the Lok Sabha will be convened soon," said the Congress President.

"Before the Left withdrew its support, the PM had said that he would not operationalise the agreement without taking Parliament into confidence। We stand by that position," she had said.

The Congress had been dealt a blow when Vaiko's MDMK declined to support it on the nuclear deal issue soon after the Left withdrew support to the UPA government.

CBI claims Arushi murder cracked, names 3 killers

Noida: Dr Rajesh Talwar, father of slain teenager Arushi Talwar, is to be released on personal bond on two sureties of Rs 5 lakh each।

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said that there is no evidence against Dr Talwar and so can be released under Section 169 of the Code of Criminal Procedure।

Dr Talwar's brother Dinesh Talwar and family friend Arun Mittal filled in two surety bonds by submitting their car papers।

Court order for Dr Talwar's release is expected shortly। However, it is unlikely that he''ll be released on Friday as his lawyers won't be able to present the papers to the jail authorities on time.

He was arrested as a prime suspect in the double murder case of Arushi and domestic help Hemraj।

Arushi and Hemraj were murdered on May 15 and a few days’ later Noida police arrested Dr Rajesh Talwar claiming he was the killer।

The case was later handed over to the CBI and after more than a month, on Friday the agency in a press conference claimed to have solved the case।

Joint Director, CBI, Arun Kumar claimed that Dr Talwar’s medical assistant Krishna, Durranis domestic help Rajkumar and another domestic help Vijay Mandal were the killers।

Krishna and Rajkumar have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody.

NDA may urge President to intervene

New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided that it would approach President Pratibha Patil for her intervention if a date for a special session of the Lok Sabha is not announced by Thursday to enable the government to seek a trust vote।

A meeting of NDA leaders was convened at the residence of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L।K. Advani, here on Wednesday to discuss the political situation after the withdrawal of support to the United Progressive Alliance government by the Left parties. Mr. Advani told The Hindu that the BJP would be active in ensuring the defeat of the government on the floor of the House.

BJP leaders claimed that the entire NDA, comprising the Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal, the Janata Dal (United) and the Biju Janata Dal – all these parties were represented at the meeting — would vote solidly and unitedly against a trust motion by the government।

However, agency reports quoted Akali leader S।S. Dhindsa as saying that his party would take a final view on what it would do during such a vote at a meeting on July 15.

Immediately after the meeting, BJP deputy leader in the Lok Sabha V।K. Malhotra said the NDA had “unanimously demanded that the government should seek a vote of confidence as it has no moral or legal right to continue after withdrawal of support by the Left.” “If a date for a special session of the Lok Sabha is not announced by tomorrow, we would go to the President to ask her to direct the government to seek a confidence vote”.

Ms। Sushma Swaraj said the government had been reduced to a minority and it should demonstrate its majority in Parliament. It had no right to take further steps on the nuclear deal while it is in a minority, she added.

BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi charged the Samajwadi Party was “misusing the name of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for justifying its own U-turn on the nuclear deal.” He said that in Uttar Pradesh the minorities were particularly resentful of the “selfish deal the SP had made with the Congress party.”

The Sinhastha Kumbhamela

By far the most spectacular of all the events, the Kumbh Mela is a religious festival that occurs once every 12 years, and is celebrated in four major pilgrim centres around the country। In Maharastra, the festival is held in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik. The Nashik Kumbh Mela is generally acknowledged to be the most sacred of all the festivals.

Why every 12 years?

Amrut had to be saved from Danavas। So Gods had to hide it at different places - Swargalok, Mrutyulok and Patallok. Gods were on Mrutyulok (earth) for twelve days. Gods twelve days are equal to 12 years for Mrutyulok . Thus Gods were on earth for 12 years with Amrut. Hence every 12 years Kumbha Mela is celebrated at the four places, where a few drops of Amrut had fallen.

Where and when?

Kumbha Mela is a mammoth fair where saints and devotees gather। Kumbha Mela is celebrated at the aforesaid four places depending on the positions of planets and stars।

When Jupiter (Guru) and Sun are in zodiac signLeo(Simha Rashi) it is celebrated in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik।

When Sun is in zodiac sign Aries (Mesha Rashi) it is celebrated at Haradwar When Jupiter is in zodiac sign Taurus (Vrishabha Rashi ) and Sun is in zodiac sign Capricorn (Makar Rashi) Kumbha Mela is celebrated at Prayag When Guru and Sun are in zodiac sign scorpio (Vrishchik Rashi) the Mela is celebrated at Ujjain।

Recognizing the importance of the Sinhastha Kumbha Mela Shri Shankaracharya appealed the disciples of his Vaidik Dharma to assemble at the time of Sinhastha Kumbha Mela। Following his appeal, till now devotees, pilgrims, and people of various sects and religions gather together for Kumbha Mela.

In Kruta Yuga, Durwas Rishi saw Indra - the King of Gods - sitting on elephant Airawat। Durwas was pleased to see Indra and presented him a chain. However Indra did not accept the present . It fell down and was trodden by elephant Airawat. Durwas Rishi got upset due to this and cursed Indra. As an effect of the curse, all Gods lost their powers and had to often lose a battle against Danavas (Demons). So all Gods including Brahmadeva surrendered themselves to God Vishnu to get back their power. Vishnu suggested them to approach Danavas and persuade them to perform Samudra Manthana (churning of the sea). He said Samudra Manthana will bring out Amruta , which will bring back your power and you will not be efeated by Danavas. So Samudra Manthana was carried out.

One of the many precious things that arose from the depths of the troubled waters was a pot of nectar (Amrit Kumbh)। Lord Vishnu, disguising himself as an enchantress ( Mohini), seized the nectar from the demons. While fleeing from the evil ones, Lord Vishnu passed the nectar on to his winged mount, Garuda. The demons finally caught up with Garuda and in the ensuing struggle, a few drops of the precious nectar fell on Allahabad, Nashik, Hardwar and Ujjain. Since then, the Kumbh Mela has been held in all these places, every 12 years.

Another story is that once all the Teerthas went to Adinath Bhagwan Shankara । Following Bhagwan Shankara’s order they had been to Mrutyuloka (earth) to save sinners on earth. Teerthas absolved the sinners on the earth, but were themselves saturated with others’ sins . They requested Bhagwan Shankara to free themselves from sins. Shankara asked them to go and live in solitude for one year at the bank of river Godavari. Shankara promised the Teerthas that he himself, with all other Gods will also stay with them . After taking bath in the sacred water of Godavari, they will be free from the sins.

Hence during the Kumbha Mela a dip in Godavari river has attained a great importance। In Shiva Purana there is a story explaining the importance of Sinhastha Kumbha Mela. Gautama Rishi got salvation of his cow-killing sin from Lord Shankara after a long penance. Then the river Ganges descended down on the earth. After some time she wanted to go back to her home place. However the Rishis and Gods gathered there and requested her to stay back on the earth for the prosperity of the earth. She agreed to stay back only after taking a promise from Lord Shankara that all the Rishis present there and all Gods will stay with her. Then only she will stay back. Gods and Rishis promised her that during the period, when Jupiter and Sun will be in the zodiac sign Leo (Simha Rashi), they will all stay on the earth.

In later years , it is said , acknowledging importance of Kumbha Mela Lord Rama with his Guru Kashyap stayed and lived for one year in Trimbakeshwar. During this period he performed all the religious rites like yatra, shraddha etc near kushavarta

Akhadas

There are different dwelling places for different sects। They are called “Akhada”. The names of these Akhadas are - Shree Niranjani , Shree Junadatta (Bhairav),Shree Mahanirvani, Shree Atal, Shree Avahana, Shree Anand, Shree Pancha Agni, Shree Nathpanthi Gorakhnath, Shree Vaishnav Bairagi, Shree Udasini Panchayati Bada, Shree Udasini Naya, Shree Nirmal Panchayati etc. They have been established at different times and worship their own deity.

Leaders of the different sects have arrived at a consensus to follow a specific sequence for taking bath। E.g. In Haridwar Mela, Niranjani Gosawi will take bath first and then Nirwani Gosawi will bathe. In Trimbakeshwar, first Niranjani Gosawi will take bath and after they leave Kushawarta Teertha, Nirvani Gosawi will take bath . After them the old Udasee sadhu followed by new Udasee Sadhus will take bath.

The Nashik Kumbh Mela is a mammoth affair with over three and a half million people attending it. Thousands of Sadhus and holy men and millions of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy Ramkund and Kushavarta reservoirs. The peak festival days are August 14 and 25 and September 8 and 20. During the Kumbha Mela, Nashik City and Trimbakeshwar are in a fantastic festive mood. The festive and religious mood makes people get away from their daily chores and experience the spiritual ecstacy.

Speaker's Office scotches all rumours about his resignation

New Delhi, Jul 10 (DNS) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee'soffice today clarified that the Speaker had not taken any decision"relevant to the present political context" and asked the media to restrain from dragging the highest legislative office of the countryinto controversies by "speculative reports and undeserved innuendos''।

Reacting to the various media reports regarding his continuationin office after the withdrawal of support by the CPM to the four-year old Manmohan Singh led Government, a release issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat said, ''The Honourable Speaker does not represent any political party in the discharge of his duties andfunctions. It is well known that the present Speaker's election to the high office was not only uncontested but was unanimous as all political parties proposed his name. He was not elected as the nominee of any party.