“I’m not a Maoist”- Kabir Suman

Kolkata, 7th May: Singer-turned-Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman Friday denied that he was a Maoist and said he only raised his voice against the oppression of tribals.

“I am neither a Maoist nor a Maoist sympathiser. I have only raised the issues of tribals. I have raised my voice against the oppression inflicted on the tribals,” he said.

“If raising the issue of tribals makes me a Maoist in the eyes of some people, then I can only laugh,” he said.

Suman, elected to the Lok Sabha from Jadavpore in West Bengal, claimed he was opposed to any form of violence.

Suman’s reaction came a day after the home ministry announced that Maoist sympathisers will be slapped with the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Suman has strained relations with the Trinamool Congress for his stand against the Operation Green Hunt that the security forces have launched against Maoists.

He even offered to resign from his post of MP last month but backed off at the last moment after meeting writer Mahesweta Devi.

India prefers Germany for help in renewable energy technologies

Kolkata, 7th May: German companies, which have the largest solar market worldwide, are keen to enter India with their Solar thermal, photovoltaic cell and concentrated solar power products as well as facilitate transfer of technology through workshops and training under India’s National Solar Mission, according to Mr Berthold Breid, CEO, Renewable Energy Academy, Germany.

Breid is in Kolkata at present, leading a nine-member German delegation, to promote renewable energy products and technology in the state at the invitation of the West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation.

Cost is the governing factor in going green, points out Dr S P Gon Chaudhuri, CEO, West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd. The need of the hour is to bring down the price of solar power products and German technology is accepted as the best in the world in this segment, he adds.

The carefully calculated feed-in-tariffs fixed by the Central Electricity Regulation Commission (CERC) has for the first time made application of solar technologies economically viable in India. Germany, which has an installed capacity of over 6000 mw of solar power, can further help in bringing down costs of installing solar power and other renewable energy projects in India, according to Dr Gon Chaudhuri.

The Germans are offering products and technological support in industries like solar thermal energy systems generally used to heat domestic water supplies as well as heat detached and semi-detached homes. Unglazed plastic absorbers, used to heat swimming pools, air collectors used for drying agricultural produce and evacuated tube collectors used to transfer thermal energy to solar circuits are some of the other products on offer.

German companies are offering battery-supported photovoltaic island systems to provide uninterruptible power supply for countries with unstable, overloaded power grids like India. A long-term cost-effective version of an off-grid electricity supply via island system would be a combination of photovoltaic systems with wind farms and hydropower plants, and if necessary, generators powered by diesel or bio-fuels.

According to Mr Breid, Germany is also keen on training engineers and technicians to manufacture and maintain renewable energy products and systems. A series of workshops and training programs for decision makers, who are in a position to implement alternative energy projects, have already been finalized under the auspices of the National Solar Mission and Germany’s Federal Ministry of Environment. A conference on renewable energy will also be held in Delhi towards the end of this year to augment this effort.

Ajmal Amir Kasab Death Sentence

At last Ajmal Amir Kasab Pakistani terrorist given Death Sentence by Judge M L Tahaliyani. Kasab was given the death penalty on four counts including waging war on India and was awarded the life sentence on five counts. The court said there was no chance of Kasab reforming.

As the sentence was announced, the Pakistani terrorist broke down in court and was seen in tears. He did not say anything even when the judge asked him to comment.

The judge said Kasab was a menace to society; he wanted to be a terrorist and he joined the LeT on his own account and not by any coercion. Judge Tahaliyani said there was no option but to award the death penalty to the Pakistani gunman.

Kasab will now set out on a long journey where legal and moral issues will be considered by authorities for years, even decades, before he is finally put to death.

Immediately after pronouncement of the death sentence judge Tahaliyani will have to send his order for confirmation to the Bombay HC. He is bound by the Section 366 of the Criminal Procedure Code to do so. In normal cases it is the convicted man who goes in appeal to the HC but where it is the case of his life being taken away, the trial court must send the case papers to the high court.

Even after the high court has given its nod to the death sentence, Kasab has the option of going in appeal to the Supreme Court. For instance last year Surinder Koli, the man whose death sentence in the Nithari case was confirmed by the Allahabad High Court, went in appeal to the Supreme Court. His petition is still pending. Similarly, Kasab’s appeal too would be considered in detail by the highest court as it looks at all the arguments in favour of and against the death sentence.

Going by past record, the longest wait in execution of the death sentence will start once it is out of hands of the judiciary and into the domain of the government. After the Supreme Court too gives assent to the death sentence, Kasab will have the legal right to file a mercy petition before the President of India under article 72 of the Constitution. While this petition is pending Kasab’s execution will stay suspended — maybe for decades.

The President’s powers under Article 72 are always exercised with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. There is no time limit for how long this consultation takes place and the whole process can remain in abeyance for years. Currently mercy petitions of 32 death row convicts are pending decision with the President for over five years and the oldest mercy petition dates back to 1998.

Police & Railways combined to make strategy to undertake Maoist threat

Kolkata, 6th May: Police and railway authorities today discussed here a joint strategy to counter Maoist threat and measures to improve passengers’ security.

The high-level co-ordination meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Eastern Railway general manager V N Tripathi which was also attended by a number of senior police and railway officials.

The meeting discussed at length implementation of the seven-point joint resolution adopted during the meeting with the Home Secretaries of different states in New Delhi.

It also hammered out modalities to tackle ‘place of occurrence’ in case of explosion or sabotage of railway track during Maoist attacks and ways and means for rescue and relief operation besides early restoration of the damaged place.

Escorting trains in inter-state border areas and steps to combat drugging and other offences were also deliberated upon at the meeting which also discussed security of passengers in the city’s underground Metro Railway.

The meeting also emphasised on modernisation of forces with state-of-the-art security gadgets and surveillance as well as the need for access control equipment to face any eventuality.

Bravery Awards: Women empowerment rings

Kolkata, 6th May: Announcing the 18th Godfrey Philips Bravery Awards for the states of West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Harmanjit Singh, General Secretary, said that this year Godfrey Philips Bravery was focusing on women’s empowerment with the launch of the ‘Amodini Award’ for individuals or organisations who have contributed towards that objective.

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“Over the years we have consistently added new awards to celebrate different forms of bravery, this year, we are introducing the Amodini Award to highlight something so important as women’s empowerment,” said Singh.

Since it’s inception in 1990, Godfrey Philips Bravery Awards has recognised over a thousand persons across the country for their contributions ad feats.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee is expected to present the awards on Thursday night along with noted dancer and actress, Tanushree Shankar at a city five star.

This year’s recipients of the Physical Bravery awards are Late Tanmoy Nag, Parvez Akhtar and Raj Mallick from West Bengal, Besta Pramila from Andhra Pradesh, and Amit Kumar Neura from Andhra Pradesh.

Parvez and Raj will receive the awards for their quick thinking and actions that helped save numerous lives during the Kolkata Stephen Court fire fiasco in March.

The NGO ‘We Belong’ from Karnataka, Dr N V S Kiran Kumar from Andhra Pradesh and Manoj Kumar Das are to receive Bravery Awards for Social Acts of Courage.

16-year-old Babar Ali, a Class XI student will receive the Mind of Steel award for his astonishing feat of being perhaps India’s youngest school principal of Anand Shiksha Niketan in a village called Gangapur in West Bengal.

Ali, with little help from his parents set up a classroom on his ancestral land when he was only 9 years old; today the school has classes from 1 to 8 and a staff strength of 10 inclluding many who are students themselves of classes 9 to 12.

The All Bengal Women’s Union (ABWU) is slated to receive the Amodini Award for helping exploited women get back on their feet for over 75 years.

The winners will be awarded with cash awards and certificates.

Chetak K S, of We Belong, the NGO that won one of the Social Acts of Courage awards said, “The awards provide a great platform for organisations like us to spread our message; without the spread of word ideas would remain stagnant and utterly worthless.’

Harmanjit Singh said, “Sometimes it’s not just enough to encourage the brave, more important is to inspire people to stand tall when their time comes; this award provides that inspiration”.

NPT, CTBT prejudiced: WB Government

Kolkata, 6th May: Calling the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) ‘discriminatory’, M K Narayanan, Governor of West Bengal, on Thursday, said India has consistently and in a principled manner opposed such treaties and has refused to give up.

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“While India has consistently and in a principled manner opposed such discriminatory treaties, it will remain committed to nuclear disarmament, to be achieved in a time-bound framework,” said Narayanan.

The Governor was speaking at the launch of the Kolkata centre of the Aspen Institute India, on ‘India’s Engagement with the World’.

Providing a clear look into India’s foreign policy, Narayanan said, “India’s foreign policy has always regarded the concept of neighbourhood as one of widening concentric circles, around a central axis of historical and cultural commonalties. In particular, the improvement of relations with our neighbours has always been one of the pillars of India’s foreign policy ”

Enumerating five principles of India’s foreign policy, he said, “First, with neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity but gives all that it can in good faith and trust.”

“Secondly, no South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the interests of another country of the region.”

“Thirdly, none will interfere in the internal affairs of another. Fourthly, all South Asian countries must respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. And finally, they should settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations,” he added.

Speaking on India’s its bilateral relations with the US, the 15 countries of the European Union, and Japan, he said, “These countries are important economic partners of India, especially in the wake of our economic reforms. However, in pursuing bilateral relations, we have sought to preserve the independence of our viewpoint and protect our national interests from the pressures of conformity.”

“Our relations with Russia have grown over the years to constitute an important foreign policy priority for both countries. There is recognition in both counties to the strategic dimension of our multifaceted ties. The considerable goodwill for India in Russia has been further cemented in recent years,” said Narayanan.

Krishna Bose, Former Chairperson, Standing Committee of Parliament, Ministry of External Affairs and Former Member of Parliament said “A significant factor underlying this achievement has been the consensus, cutting across political divides, within the country, on what the basic aims and objectives of Indian foreign policy should be.”

Tarun Das, Former Chief Mentor, CII and President, Aspen Institute India moderating the session said “Aspen Institute India was set up by CII through an agreement signed with Aspen USA which gives access to all Aspen US trainers, faculty, and methodology for use in India.

Exhibition train of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary

Kolkata, 6th May: Indian Railways will run an exhibition train Sanskriti Express to celebrate Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary and showcase his life and philosophy.

The train, to be flagged off by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee May 9, will touch important stations in various parts of the country before returning to Kolkata May 8 next year.

Five air-conditioned coaches have been modified at the Liluah Railway Workshop in Howrah to depict Tagore’s achievements and thoughts, an Eastern Railway release said here.

The first coach, named ‘Jibon Smriti’, will depict the life of Tagore through photographs, while the second ‘Gitanjali’ will exhibit his poems and songs.

‘Jogajog’/’Muktodhara’ will exhibit his literature, the fourth ‘Chitrarekha’ will depict paintings of Tagore and other eminent artists. The last ‘Smaranika’ will exhibit and sell handicraft and other items from Santiniketan, founded by the poet.

A commemorative volume on Tagore’s life and creative works will be brought out on this occasion.

The coach will be kept for public viewing on platform number 22 of Howrah Station’s new complex from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Sunday.

Tagore, who was born in 1861 and died in 1941, is among the most revered writers in the world who churned out poems, plays, songs, novels and short stories. He was the first Indian to win the Nobel prize in 1913.

Kolkata gets the priority of Spicejet flight

Kolkata, 5th May: A Spicejet plane, flying from Pune to Kolkata via Delhi, made a priority landing at the NSCBI airport this morning after the commander became suspicious about the gender of a foreign burqa-wearing passenger, airport officials stated.

The aircraft, SG 208, was taken to an isolated bay and the burqa-clad passenger and another accompanying male passenger was taken away separately by CISF officials for interrogation.

”The commander of the flight became suspicious about two passengers on Spicejet flight SG 208 and requested for priority landing. CISF personnel are now questioning the duo,” Airport Director R Srinivasan told UNI.

Maoists on fire

Jhargram,4th May  : The unleashing of terror by Maoists continued in West Midnapore as the extremists targeted political workers cutting across all party lines, and three more bodies were recovered this morning, two of them from Jhargram police station area and the other from Lalgarh police station area.

Police said the bodies of one Congress leader, one CPI(M) activist and another PCPA cadre were recovered.

Bikash Mahato, Jhargram Block Congress working president, who was abducted last evening, was found murdered in a forest between Ghirtakam and Bagmura villages.

Though Congress leaders alleged that he was murdered by CPI(M) activists, SP, West Midnapore, MK Varama suspected Maoists to be behind this murder.

The victim had bullet injuries on his chest and abdomen and one of his eyes were gouged out.

In another incident, Haripada Singha, a former CPI(M) activist, who had now joined PCPA, was forcibly taken away from his residence at Fulberia village near Dahijuri under Jhargram police station by 20 to 30 armed Maoists last night.

His bullet-ridden body found at a distance this morning, police said.

Visva-Bharati celebrated Tagore anniversary

Kolkata,4th May  : To commemorate the 150th Birthday Celebration of Rabindranath Tagore, Ministry of Culture, Government of India has responded to Visva-Bharati’s proposal to bring out the four volume Rabindra Chitrabali by granting the first installment of the budgeted amount.

Visva-Bharati has also received positive feedback on its other proposals in connection with the year-long celebrations, namely its application for a brand new Twin Museum Complex for Rabindra Bhavan and Kala Bhavan and its proposal to bring out the chronological anthology of the entire publications of Tagore under Kalanukramik Rabindra Rachanabali title.

Visva-Bharati, which said it is preparing an elaborate program to celebrate the occasion, is also hopeful for several other projects submitted to the Government of India including a 1000 seater auditorium complex.

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Bengali Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore falls on May 9, 2010.