Unhappy over restrictions put by Delhi Police, social activist Anna Hazare Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complaining that the order restricting his fast to three days was a violation of fundamental rights.
Hazare, in a two-page letter, said the constitution allows every citizen to hold peaceful protest and stopping them is violation of their fundamental rights.
"I am writing to you with a hope that you will protect our fundamental right. It is your duty to protect the democracy and constitution and I am hopeful that you will take some action regarding this," Hazare said.
Anna's letter further said that freedom fighters fought for these very rights and it was so ironical that ahead of Independence Day, these rights were being violated.
The Delhi Police in its order Friday night asked the Anna Hazare team to give an undertaking that it will end its protest fast at a park in central Delhi in three days.
"First we were told that we cannot protest at Jantar Mantar as this will not leave any space for other protestors and we agreed to it. Then we suggested four new places and Delhi Police rejected them without any reasons," he said.
"Then we were told to hold protest at JP Park and we agreed. Now we are being told that we can protest only for three days. This is unconstitutional and undemocratic," he added.
Anna will sit on indefinite hunger strike from August 16 against the government Lokpal Bill.
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking News. Show all posts
Monday, 15 August 2011
Denied Permission To Fast, Anna Hazare Prays At Rajghat
Confrontation between Anna Hazare and Government escalated on Monday with police denying permission to the Gandhian for holding a fast from Tuesday to press for a strong Lokpal Bill and his team declaring that they would go ahead with the planned stir and court arrest if prevented.
Delhi Police's refusal of permission coincided with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's strong remarks in his Independence Day speech that hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death do not help address the problem of corruption and Parliament is the only body to form legislations to curb the menace.
The city police did not give its nod to hold the protest at Jai Prakash Narain Park near Ferozeshah Kotla stadium saying that the organisers have refused to give an undertaking on restricting the number of days of protest and protesters besides four other conditions.
Sudhir Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range), said anybody assembling at the Park tomorrow would face legal action.
"We have denied the permission. Nobody is supposed to come to the park. If somebody comes there, it is unlawful. They will be handled according to law. If they do that, it is violation of law," Yadav said as police prepared to lock down the grounds.
The Hazare team said they have given an undertaking leaving six out of the 22 conditions laid by police. "We have not accepted six conditions as they are unconstitutional," activists Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi said.
The activists said Hazare would go to the venue and court arrest if he and his supporters were not allowed to enter the park. "We will court arrest tomorrow. The conditions laid by the Delhi Police are unconstitutional. Unfortunately they are under directions," Bedi said.
Kejriwal alleged that the denial of permission showed the "dictatorial and arbitrary attitude" of government and that it was creating an Emergency-like situation.
Asked whether they would approach court against the Delhi Police action, Kejriwal said, "All options are open and there is an option to go to court." Lawyer Prashant Bhushan had on Sunday said they may approach Supreme Court if a permission is denied.
The conditions that were not accepted by the Hazare team were capping the agitation to three days and the number of protesters to below 5,000, government doctors to check on Hazare, ban on use of loudspeakers after 9 PM, limiting the number of vehicles to 50 cars and 50 motorcycles in parking and not erecting tents.
Government, meanwhile, justified the police action with regard to Hazare's fast. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the law of the land is the same for all and that everybody will have to take permission to carry out any protest.
A senior police official said they had been "very accommodating" and had gone out of the way to help the Hazare team. He said they would be forced to take action against them if they forcibly enter the park tomorrow.
However, Kejriwal alleged, "The conditions set by police were at the behest of politicians. Artificial restrictions were imposed on us. We won't agree to such unconstitutional methods." Soni denied these allegations.
Earlier in the day while addressing the nation on the occasion of Independence Day, the Prime Minister said those who are opposed to the bill should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death.
Without naming Hazare and his agitation beginning from Tuesday, Singh said he was aware that some people had different opinion on some aspects of the Lokpal bill.
"Those who don't agree with this bill can put forward their views to Parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I also believe they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death," the Prime Minister said.
Reacting to this, the Hazare team called him an "insensitive" person who is asking people to fall in line on the issue.
Bedi claimed people have no trust left in the UPA government which was elected two years back as it had "squandered" an opportunity to make history by enacting a law for strong anti-corruption ombudsman.
"He speaks like a final arbiter. He says you cannot protest. This is a direct imposition of a bill on people against their will. The Prime Minister is imposing a bill on the country and saying protest fast is wrong. The PM is asking people to fall in line," Bedi told PTI.
"He is insensitive to people's perception. Surveys after surveys and referendums after referendums showed that people rejected the government's Lokpal Bill. He is not taking this into account," she alleged.
Supporting the Hazare team on the issue, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said one's right to protest cannot be questioned even if you do not agree with the demands of the agitator.
"The point here is one may not agree with the form of protest or with all the demands being raised by Hazare.
However, his right to protest cannot be questioned. Saying once a bill is in Parliament, there can be no protest in this country is highly undemocratic.
"The Congress has forgotten when it was in opposition and when it is in Opposition, even in the states there are so many occasions they do not agree with a bill and they have staged a protest," she said.
Govt justifies Police rejecting permission to Anna
The Government on Monday justified Delhi Police rejecting permission for Anna Hazare's indefinite fast in the national capital in absence of an undertaking by his team saying law of the land is equal for all and even political parties have to take permission for holding agitations.
"I do not want to say any harsh thing against anybody. The law of the land is equal for all. Be it Congress, any other political party or any citizen, we all have to take the permission of the law and order machinery to carry out any protest or march," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.
She said, "If anybody tries to violate it (law) knowingly" the law and order machinery will have to act.
Replying to questions on Anna team's contention that its right to protest cannot be taken away, Soni said everybody has got a right to protest but permission has to be sought keeping in mind law and order and other factors.
Soni dismissed allegation of civil rights activist Arvind Kejriwal that the police set the conditions on them at the behest of politicians saying any person making such allegation is "deliberately trying to mislead."
She said if anybody wanted to end corruption, some mechanism will have to be built and wondered "why there is this panic and desperation. Why can't we wait when we are going to take such a historic measure (brining Lokpal)."
Soni said MPs will also give their views on the bill when it goes to Parliament. "Let us see what suggestions they give, what amendments they bring," she said.
Delhi Police's refusal of permission coincided with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's strong remarks in his Independence Day speech that hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death do not help address the problem of corruption and Parliament is the only body to form legislations to curb the menace.
The city police did not give its nod to hold the protest at Jai Prakash Narain Park near Ferozeshah Kotla stadium saying that the organisers have refused to give an undertaking on restricting the number of days of protest and protesters besides four other conditions.
Sudhir Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Northern Range), said anybody assembling at the Park tomorrow would face legal action.
"We have denied the permission. Nobody is supposed to come to the park. If somebody comes there, it is unlawful. They will be handled according to law. If they do that, it is violation of law," Yadav said as police prepared to lock down the grounds.
The Hazare team said they have given an undertaking leaving six out of the 22 conditions laid by police. "We have not accepted six conditions as they are unconstitutional," activists Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi said.
The activists said Hazare would go to the venue and court arrest if he and his supporters were not allowed to enter the park. "We will court arrest tomorrow. The conditions laid by the Delhi Police are unconstitutional. Unfortunately they are under directions," Bedi said.
Kejriwal alleged that the denial of permission showed the "dictatorial and arbitrary attitude" of government and that it was creating an Emergency-like situation.
Asked whether they would approach court against the Delhi Police action, Kejriwal said, "All options are open and there is an option to go to court." Lawyer Prashant Bhushan had on Sunday said they may approach Supreme Court if a permission is denied.
The conditions that were not accepted by the Hazare team were capping the agitation to three days and the number of protesters to below 5,000, government doctors to check on Hazare, ban on use of loudspeakers after 9 PM, limiting the number of vehicles to 50 cars and 50 motorcycles in parking and not erecting tents.
Government, meanwhile, justified the police action with regard to Hazare's fast. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the law of the land is the same for all and that everybody will have to take permission to carry out any protest.
A senior police official said they had been "very accommodating" and had gone out of the way to help the Hazare team. He said they would be forced to take action against them if they forcibly enter the park tomorrow.
However, Kejriwal alleged, "The conditions set by police were at the behest of politicians. Artificial restrictions were imposed on us. We won't agree to such unconstitutional methods." Soni denied these allegations.
Earlier in the day while addressing the nation on the occasion of Independence Day, the Prime Minister said those who are opposed to the bill should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death.
Without naming Hazare and his agitation beginning from Tuesday, Singh said he was aware that some people had different opinion on some aspects of the Lokpal bill.
"Those who don't agree with this bill can put forward their views to Parliament, political parties and even the press. However, I also believe they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death," the Prime Minister said.
Reacting to this, the Hazare team called him an "insensitive" person who is asking people to fall in line on the issue.
Bedi claimed people have no trust left in the UPA government which was elected two years back as it had "squandered" an opportunity to make history by enacting a law for strong anti-corruption ombudsman.
"He speaks like a final arbiter. He says you cannot protest. This is a direct imposition of a bill on people against their will. The Prime Minister is imposing a bill on the country and saying protest fast is wrong. The PM is asking people to fall in line," Bedi told PTI.
"He is insensitive to people's perception. Surveys after surveys and referendums after referendums showed that people rejected the government's Lokpal Bill. He is not taking this into account," she alleged.
Supporting the Hazare team on the issue, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said one's right to protest cannot be questioned even if you do not agree with the demands of the agitator.
"The point here is one may not agree with the form of protest or with all the demands being raised by Hazare.
However, his right to protest cannot be questioned. Saying once a bill is in Parliament, there can be no protest in this country is highly undemocratic.
"The Congress has forgotten when it was in opposition and when it is in Opposition, even in the states there are so many occasions they do not agree with a bill and they have staged a protest," she said.
Govt justifies Police rejecting permission to Anna
The Government on Monday justified Delhi Police rejecting permission for Anna Hazare's indefinite fast in the national capital in absence of an undertaking by his team saying law of the land is equal for all and even political parties have to take permission for holding agitations.
"I do not want to say any harsh thing against anybody. The law of the land is equal for all. Be it Congress, any other political party or any citizen, we all have to take the permission of the law and order machinery to carry out any protest or march," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.
She said, "If anybody tries to violate it (law) knowingly" the law and order machinery will have to act.
Replying to questions on Anna team's contention that its right to protest cannot be taken away, Soni said everybody has got a right to protest but permission has to be sought keeping in mind law and order and other factors.
Soni dismissed allegation of civil rights activist Arvind Kejriwal that the police set the conditions on them at the behest of politicians saying any person making such allegation is "deliberately trying to mislead."
She said if anybody wanted to end corruption, some mechanism will have to be built and wondered "why there is this panic and desperation. Why can't we wait when we are going to take such a historic measure (brining Lokpal)."
Soni said MPs will also give their views on the bill when it goes to Parliament. "Let us see what suggestions they give, what amendments they bring," she said.
Sunday, 14 August 2011
10 Reasons Why India Lost No. 1 Test Rank, Series To England
Those who follow Indian cricket must have been at a loss of words to describe the way the team has been playing in England. So epic has been the capitulation of the Indians, who were the number one Test team in the world for the best part of two years, that words like humiliation and whitewash seem incapable of summarising the tragedy.
India suffered their third heaviest defeat in Tests on Saturday and by the time S. Sreesanth edged one to Kevin Pietersen, watching the team play had become a strain on the eyes, mind and heart.
Once the dust settles on what is left of the current Indian team, answers will have to be sought as to what could have possibly gone wrong. There can't be one single factor for such annihilation. But there are certainly a few which can be collectively held responsible.
The Indians were simply not prepared for the series; players broke down at crucial junctures; M.S. Dhoni didn't have the firstchoice team at his disposal; the Indians are playing too much cricket; England are simply too good and have put in their all to win the series… the list is quite long.
Let's look back at what happened this year. India had a full tour of South Africa, including three Tests and five one-dayers. After that came the World Cup. Being held in the subcontinent, India wanted to win it badly. The pressure and expectations were so high that the players admitted by the time the knockout stages came, they couldn't eat properly and threw up regularly.
Emotionally and physically, the Indians were drained by the time they tamed the Aussies, overpowered Pakistan and lorded over the Sri Lankans.
Lifting the coveted trophy after 28 years at home should have meant a long break for the battered mind and body of the players. But six days after Dhoni deposited Nuwan Kulasekara over the mid-on boundary in Mumbai, the players were back to the field for the Indian Premier League, this time their corporate bosses holding the reins.
So instead of cooling down after putting themselves through the ultimate grind, they threw themselves into the maniacal cauldron of T20 cricket. And before long the wheels started to wobble.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir injured their right shoulders. Sehwag chose to play as long as the Delhi Daredevils were mathematically in the tournament. The day they were out, Sehwag was ruled injured and he flew to Germany to treat his shoulder. Gambhir said he wasn't informed about the full extent of his injury by the Knight Riders' physios, and that probably aggravated his condition.
When the IPL jamboree finally ended on May 28, the players decided to take a break. So putting aside national interests, they decided to give the West Indies series, which followed soon after the IPL, a miss. Some players opted out of the entire tour or part of it, citing injury, fatigue and various other reasons. Sachin Tendulkar did not tour the Caribbean, Dhoni didn't play in the ODIs, Zaheer Khan rested his hamstring and ankle.
How and why did the players agree to play in the IPL and not in the West Indies has very little to do with cricket. It is a nobrainer that money power silenced cricketing logic.
Arriving in England with hardly any practice as a team - no Sehwag for the first two Tests; the fitness of pace spearhead Zaheer untested and just one practice game under their belt - it was a disaster waiting to happen. And it was a disaster unlike anything seen by this generation.
10 steps to disaster
1. Zaheer's hamstring: India's pace spearhead injured his hamstring on the first day of the first Test at Lord's. India had pinned all its hopes on one man and it all went downhill from there.
2. Sachin's viral: Sachin Tendulkar was indisposed due to a viral infection with India needing to bat out almost four session to save the first Test.
3. Gambhir's elbow hit: Got hit on the elbow after Matt Prior swept one straight at him. Was in considerable pain and missed the second Test. Struggled while batting at Lord's as his hand movement was restricted.
4. Broad-Swann stand: India had reduced England to 124 for eight on the first day at Nottingham. But a counter-attacking partnership between Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann took England to 221 on a bowler's wicket.
5. Broad hat-trick: In Trent Bridge, India had another chance to shut England out of the game when they were well placed at 267 for four. But Broad picked up a hat-trick as India collapsed to 288 all out. A possible lead of 150 and more became just 67.
6. Harbhajan's stomach strain: Dhoni was again short of bowling options in the second innings at Trent Bridge as Harbhajan Singh developed a stomach strain. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina took up the bowling responsibilities and England carted them around gleefully.
7. Butterfingers: With a number of straightforward catches dropped so far, including Rahul Dravid dropping sitters at first slip and MS Dhoni struggling to collect deliveries, Indian fielding sunk to depths rarely seen in international cricket.
8. Lack of killer instinct: India had a golden chance to finish off England on the first two days of the second Test and also restrict them at Lord's when the hosts were 107 for six. But they let them off the hook and have been thrashed as a result.
9. Sehwag's king's pair: All eyes were on Virender Sehwag, returning from a shoulder surgery. Whether or not he was match-fit wasn't looked into and despite his failure in the warm-up against Northants, it was hoped he would come good on match day. The king's pair at Edgbaston dashed India's hopes.
10. Birmingham shootout: With Sehwag failing and England batsmen scoring runs at will, the writing was on the wall by the second day itself. England scored a little less than 400 runs on Day Two and Team India was simply waiting for the last rites.
India suffered their third heaviest defeat in Tests on Saturday and by the time S. Sreesanth edged one to Kevin Pietersen, watching the team play had become a strain on the eyes, mind and heart.
Once the dust settles on what is left of the current Indian team, answers will have to be sought as to what could have possibly gone wrong. There can't be one single factor for such annihilation. But there are certainly a few which can be collectively held responsible.
The Indians were simply not prepared for the series; players broke down at crucial junctures; M.S. Dhoni didn't have the firstchoice team at his disposal; the Indians are playing too much cricket; England are simply too good and have put in their all to win the series… the list is quite long.
Let's look back at what happened this year. India had a full tour of South Africa, including three Tests and five one-dayers. After that came the World Cup. Being held in the subcontinent, India wanted to win it badly. The pressure and expectations were so high that the players admitted by the time the knockout stages came, they couldn't eat properly and threw up regularly.
Emotionally and physically, the Indians were drained by the time they tamed the Aussies, overpowered Pakistan and lorded over the Sri Lankans.
Lifting the coveted trophy after 28 years at home should have meant a long break for the battered mind and body of the players. But six days after Dhoni deposited Nuwan Kulasekara over the mid-on boundary in Mumbai, the players were back to the field for the Indian Premier League, this time their corporate bosses holding the reins.
So instead of cooling down after putting themselves through the ultimate grind, they threw themselves into the maniacal cauldron of T20 cricket. And before long the wheels started to wobble.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir injured their right shoulders. Sehwag chose to play as long as the Delhi Daredevils were mathematically in the tournament. The day they were out, Sehwag was ruled injured and he flew to Germany to treat his shoulder. Gambhir said he wasn't informed about the full extent of his injury by the Knight Riders' physios, and that probably aggravated his condition.
When the IPL jamboree finally ended on May 28, the players decided to take a break. So putting aside national interests, they decided to give the West Indies series, which followed soon after the IPL, a miss. Some players opted out of the entire tour or part of it, citing injury, fatigue and various other reasons. Sachin Tendulkar did not tour the Caribbean, Dhoni didn't play in the ODIs, Zaheer Khan rested his hamstring and ankle.
How and why did the players agree to play in the IPL and not in the West Indies has very little to do with cricket. It is a nobrainer that money power silenced cricketing logic.
Arriving in England with hardly any practice as a team - no Sehwag for the first two Tests; the fitness of pace spearhead Zaheer untested and just one practice game under their belt - it was a disaster waiting to happen. And it was a disaster unlike anything seen by this generation.
10 steps to disaster
1. Zaheer's hamstring: India's pace spearhead injured his hamstring on the first day of the first Test at Lord's. India had pinned all its hopes on one man and it all went downhill from there.
2. Sachin's viral: Sachin Tendulkar was indisposed due to a viral infection with India needing to bat out almost four session to save the first Test.
3. Gambhir's elbow hit: Got hit on the elbow after Matt Prior swept one straight at him. Was in considerable pain and missed the second Test. Struggled while batting at Lord's as his hand movement was restricted.
4. Broad-Swann stand: India had reduced England to 124 for eight on the first day at Nottingham. But a counter-attacking partnership between Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann took England to 221 on a bowler's wicket.
5. Broad hat-trick: In Trent Bridge, India had another chance to shut England out of the game when they were well placed at 267 for four. But Broad picked up a hat-trick as India collapsed to 288 all out. A possible lead of 150 and more became just 67.
6. Harbhajan's stomach strain: Dhoni was again short of bowling options in the second innings at Trent Bridge as Harbhajan Singh developed a stomach strain. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina took up the bowling responsibilities and England carted them around gleefully.
7. Butterfingers: With a number of straightforward catches dropped so far, including Rahul Dravid dropping sitters at first slip and MS Dhoni struggling to collect deliveries, Indian fielding sunk to depths rarely seen in international cricket.
8. Lack of killer instinct: India had a golden chance to finish off England on the first two days of the second Test and also restrict them at Lord's when the hosts were 107 for six. But they let them off the hook and have been thrashed as a result.
9. Sehwag's king's pair: All eyes were on Virender Sehwag, returning from a shoulder surgery. Whether or not he was match-fit wasn't looked into and despite his failure in the warm-up against Northants, it was hoped he would come good on match day. The king's pair at Edgbaston dashed India's hopes.
10. Birmingham shootout: With Sehwag failing and England batsmen scoring runs at will, the writing was on the wall by the second day itself. England scored a little less than 400 runs on Day Two and Team India was simply waiting for the last rites.
Cong Steps Up Attack On Anna, Calls His Fast Undemocratic
Ahead of his indefinite fast on Lokpal issue, Anna Hazare on Sunday faced fresh attack with Congress saying he should first clarify "serious" findings against him of a Commission that probed graft charges while Government said his move was "undemocratic" and "unacceptable".
Hitting out at the Gandhian who has planned to go on an indefinite fast in Delhi from Tuesday, Government also said the right to protest does not mean right to protest at the place of your choice.
The Government rejected the contention by the anti-corruption crusader that it was crushing his Constitutional rights by not allowing his protest at a desired venue and said the demand itself was unconstitutional and the protest at this time was an "affront" to Parliament.
"The right to protest does not mean right to protest at your choice. There is no right to protest at place of your choice and convenience," Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said.
Addressing a news conference in Delhi, Sibal and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni slammed Hazare for his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, saying the language used in the letter is not Gandhian from any point of view.
Claiming that the "moral core" of Hazare has been "ripped apart" by the Justice P B Sawant Commission, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said, "The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill."
The Commission had probed corruption charges leveled by Hazare in 2003 against four ministers in the then Maharashtra government.
"The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill. If that was the case Hazare would have first clarified the grave charges.
What is his clarification about the serious findings...The nation wants to know," Tewari said, adding, "I think Hazare and his associates will need to answer conclusions of Sawant Commission."
Hitting out at the Gandhian who has planned to go on an indefinite fast in Delhi from Tuesday, Government also said the right to protest does not mean right to protest at the place of your choice.
The Government rejected the contention by the anti-corruption crusader that it was crushing his Constitutional rights by not allowing his protest at a desired venue and said the demand itself was unconstitutional and the protest at this time was an "affront" to Parliament.
"The right to protest does not mean right to protest at your choice. There is no right to protest at place of your choice and convenience," Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said.
Addressing a news conference in Delhi, Sibal and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni slammed Hazare for his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday, saying the language used in the letter is not Gandhian from any point of view.
Claiming that the "moral core" of Hazare has been "ripped apart" by the Justice P B Sawant Commission, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said, "The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill."
The Commission had probed corruption charges leveled by Hazare in 2003 against four ministers in the then Maharashtra government.
"The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal bill. If that was the case Hazare would have first clarified the grave charges.
What is his clarification about the serious findings...The nation wants to know," Tewari said, adding, "I think Hazare and his associates will need to answer conclusions of Sawant Commission."
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Telangana Replacing Andhra, At Least On Boards
HYDERABAD: Telangana state may be a distant dream given the Centre's reluctance to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh but the people seeking it are giving expression to their demand in their own way.
From boards of government offices to names of eateries and from educational institutions to number plates of vehicles, Telangana is fast replacing Andhra Pradesh.
As the pro-Telangana movement intensifies with mass resignations of public representatives cutting across party lines and proposals of indefinite strikes, the districts in the region are witnessing a new trend.
The groups fighting for separate state are changing the boards of the government offices in their strongholds like Warangal, Karimnagar and Medak.
The name of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, for instance, has been changed to Telangana Tourism Development Corporation by the protestors. Andhra Bank has been renamed Telangana Bank and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has become Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.
Andhra meals, a typical Telugu cuisine, is popular across the state but the word Andhra is no longer acceptable at least in some pockets of Telangana. After a few attacks by pro-Telangana activists, Andhra hotels changed their names to Telangana hotels.
"One has to look at this in the context of the Telangana movement. It is not like any other movement for a separate state in the country. It is a 50-year-old struggle. No other movement has such emotions and passions," P.L. Visweswara Rao, chairman of Telangana Intellectual Forum told IANS.
While businesses owned by people in Telangana are resorting to name-change to show their support to the cause, those run by people from Andhra region are doing it to escape the fury of pro-Telangana groups.
With some groups even threatening attacks on businesses owned by people from Andhra region, factories in Patacheru industrial area in Medak district, recently displayed boards declaring that they are not against the demand for a Telangana state.
Some popular educational institutions owned by businessmen from Andhra also had to face the fury of Telangana groups. Buses of a couple of colleges were set afire on the outskirts of Hyderabad last month.
Alarmed over these developments and the slogan of "Telangana wale jago, Andhra wale bhago" given by Telangana Rashtra Samithi, some famous chains of educational institutions from Andhra have come out with an idea to remain afloat in Telangana.
Sri Chaitanya Group, which runs several educational institutions, including coaching centres for entrance-exams to Indian Institutes of Technology, recently launched its franchise named as Telangana Sri Chaitanya Institutions.
B.S. Rao, Chairman of the Sri Chaitanya Group who hails from Andhra region, said they were only into education and do not have anything to do with bifurcation of state or otherwise.
Narayana Group of Educational Institutions, another major group in education, also plans to add Telangana to its name to continue running over 40 institutions in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana.
However, this has not amused Telangana protagonists. They claim that these institutions want to consolidate themselves in the region by adding Telangana to their names.
"These institutions are in Telangana to mint money. They want to consolidate further by occupying more lands and construct more buildings. We need to see what is the political economy of these institutions be it in education, industry or media. We also need to look at what their vested interests are," said Visveswara Rao, former head of the department of journalism at Osmania University.
"Tomorrow after the creation of Telangana state, we will examine this because we want to see people of this region enter into education and industry as currently some businessmen from outside Telangana are dominating these sectors," he added.
From boards of government offices to names of eateries and from educational institutions to number plates of vehicles, Telangana is fast replacing Andhra Pradesh.
As the pro-Telangana movement intensifies with mass resignations of public representatives cutting across party lines and proposals of indefinite strikes, the districts in the region are witnessing a new trend.
The groups fighting for separate state are changing the boards of the government offices in their strongholds like Warangal, Karimnagar and Medak.
The name of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, for instance, has been changed to Telangana Tourism Development Corporation by the protestors. Andhra Bank has been renamed Telangana Bank and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has become Telangana State Road Transport Corporation.
Andhra meals, a typical Telugu cuisine, is popular across the state but the word Andhra is no longer acceptable at least in some pockets of Telangana. After a few attacks by pro-Telangana activists, Andhra hotels changed their names to Telangana hotels.
"One has to look at this in the context of the Telangana movement. It is not like any other movement for a separate state in the country. It is a 50-year-old struggle. No other movement has such emotions and passions," P.L. Visweswara Rao, chairman of Telangana Intellectual Forum told IANS.
While businesses owned by people in Telangana are resorting to name-change to show their support to the cause, those run by people from Andhra region are doing it to escape the fury of pro-Telangana groups.
With some groups even threatening attacks on businesses owned by people from Andhra region, factories in Patacheru industrial area in Medak district, recently displayed boards declaring that they are not against the demand for a Telangana state.
Some popular educational institutions owned by businessmen from Andhra also had to face the fury of Telangana groups. Buses of a couple of colleges were set afire on the outskirts of Hyderabad last month.
Alarmed over these developments and the slogan of "Telangana wale jago, Andhra wale bhago" given by Telangana Rashtra Samithi, some famous chains of educational institutions from Andhra have come out with an idea to remain afloat in Telangana.
Sri Chaitanya Group, which runs several educational institutions, including coaching centres for entrance-exams to Indian Institutes of Technology, recently launched its franchise named as Telangana Sri Chaitanya Institutions.
B.S. Rao, Chairman of the Sri Chaitanya Group who hails from Andhra region, said they were only into education and do not have anything to do with bifurcation of state or otherwise.
Narayana Group of Educational Institutions, another major group in education, also plans to add Telangana to its name to continue running over 40 institutions in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana.
However, this has not amused Telangana protagonists. They claim that these institutions want to consolidate themselves in the region by adding Telangana to their names.
"These institutions are in Telangana to mint money. They want to consolidate further by occupying more lands and construct more buildings. We need to see what is the political economy of these institutions be it in education, industry or media. We also need to look at what their vested interests are," said Visveswara Rao, former head of the department of journalism at Osmania University.
"Tomorrow after the creation of Telangana state, we will examine this because we want to see people of this region enter into education and industry as currently some businessmen from outside Telangana are dominating these sectors," he added.
Anna Hazare Writes To PM Complaining Of Delhi Police Restrictions
Unhappy over restrictions put by Delhi Police, social activist Anna Hazare Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complaining that the order restricting his fast to three days was a violation of fundamental rights.
Hazare, in a two-page letter, said the constitution allows every citizen to hold peaceful protest and stopping them is violation of their fundamental rights.
"I am writing to you with a hope that you will protect our fundamental right. It is your duty to protect the democracy and constitution and I am hopeful that you will take some action regarding this," Hazare said.
Anna's letter further said that freedom fighters fought for these very rights and it was so ironical that ahead of Independence Day, these rights were being violated.
The Delhi Police in its order Friday night asked the Anna Hazare team to give an undertaking that it will end its protest fast at a park in central Delhi in three days.
"First we were told that we cannot protest at Jantar Mantar as this will not leave any space for other protestors and we agreed to it. Then we suggested four new places and Delhi Police rejected them without any reasons," he said.
"Then we were told to hold protest at JP Park and we agreed. Now we are being told that we can protest only for three days. This is unconstitutional and undemocratic," he added.
Anna will sit on indefinite hunger strike from August 16 against the government Lokpal Bill.
Hazare, in a two-page letter, said the constitution allows every citizen to hold peaceful protest and stopping them is violation of their fundamental rights.
"I am writing to you with a hope that you will protect our fundamental right. It is your duty to protect the democracy and constitution and I am hopeful that you will take some action regarding this," Hazare said.
Anna's letter further said that freedom fighters fought for these very rights and it was so ironical that ahead of Independence Day, these rights were being violated.
The Delhi Police in its order Friday night asked the Anna Hazare team to give an undertaking that it will end its protest fast at a park in central Delhi in three days.
"First we were told that we cannot protest at Jantar Mantar as this will not leave any space for other protestors and we agreed to it. Then we suggested four new places and Delhi Police rejected them without any reasons," he said.
"Then we were told to hold protest at JP Park and we agreed. Now we are being told that we can protest only for three days. This is unconstitutional and undemocratic," he added.
Anna will sit on indefinite hunger strike from August 16 against the government Lokpal Bill.
Not Seen An Indian Team Like This In Last 10 Years, Says Sourav Ganguly
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that the Indian cricket team has sunk to a new low in the Test series against England and said he has not seen the side like this in the last 10 years.
Indians have looked completely off-colour in the Test series so far and particularly in the third Test -- dropping catches, bowling without menace and letting England take a lead of 486 runs.
After getting bundled out for 224 in the first innings of the on-going third Test, India allowed England to score a massive 710 for seven to pose a huge challenge to the visitors to save the match, the series and their number one Test status.
"I agree (with the criticism), and let us accept we were very ordinary. The worst day was Thursday (second day of the match where India could take only three wickets for 372 runs from 90 overs). I have not seen an Indian team like this in the last 10 years," one of India's most successful captains told BBC's Test Match Special programme in an interview.
Already trailing 0-2 in the four-match Test series with the third Test also almost over for them, the Indian team has been criticised of suffering from fatigue, a lack of interest in Test cricket from players who can, and do, earn much more money through playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
But Ganguly believes that it was the lack of preparation which has resulted in India's dismal performance in the series.
"You cannot just turn up and win Test series against good sides," said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
"I've felt that when we guys from the subcontinent went to England, Australia or South Africa we needed two warm-up games (India had just the one practice match before this series). And look at England in Australia a few months ago: they had three proper warm-up games and had other guys out there as well on standby," he added. .
Insisting that the end of The England series would not be the end of the careers for the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the former Test cricketer said, "We have a tour of Australia this winter and really need to take the likes of Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman there.
"This is the first series we have done poorly, home or away, for the last seven or eight years. It is just one of those series that haven't gone well for India."
He, however, admitted that it was disappointing that players of the calibre of Tendulkar, so far, has looked so ordinary.
"But, yes, it is disappointing because I can tell you that, as Indians, we really look forward to this tour. People like Dravid and Tendulkar take a lot of pride in performing over here.
"Test cricket matters to us. Indian people still want their team to be No 1 in Test cricket. The World Cup is special for any country. But Test cricket is the format of the game," he insisted.
Ganguly said while the new coach Duncan Fletcher might be finding it difficult to deal with huge personalities in the dressing room but maintained that once everything starts to fall in place, the coach could be in for a treat.
"These are very mature boys. And I guarantee you, Duncan Fletcher will have a good time looking after them. He's had a tough time so far this series. But I bet once they start winning he will have a great time because they are well behaved, professional people," Ganguly said.
Indians have looked completely off-colour in the Test series so far and particularly in the third Test -- dropping catches, bowling without menace and letting England take a lead of 486 runs.
After getting bundled out for 224 in the first innings of the on-going third Test, India allowed England to score a massive 710 for seven to pose a huge challenge to the visitors to save the match, the series and their number one Test status.
"I agree (with the criticism), and let us accept we were very ordinary. The worst day was Thursday (second day of the match where India could take only three wickets for 372 runs from 90 overs). I have not seen an Indian team like this in the last 10 years," one of India's most successful captains told BBC's Test Match Special programme in an interview.
Already trailing 0-2 in the four-match Test series with the third Test also almost over for them, the Indian team has been criticised of suffering from fatigue, a lack of interest in Test cricket from players who can, and do, earn much more money through playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
But Ganguly believes that it was the lack of preparation which has resulted in India's dismal performance in the series.
"You cannot just turn up and win Test series against good sides," said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
"I've felt that when we guys from the subcontinent went to England, Australia or South Africa we needed two warm-up games (India had just the one practice match before this series). And look at England in Australia a few months ago: they had three proper warm-up games and had other guys out there as well on standby," he added. .
Insisting that the end of The England series would not be the end of the careers for the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the former Test cricketer said, "We have a tour of Australia this winter and really need to take the likes of Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman there.
"This is the first series we have done poorly, home or away, for the last seven or eight years. It is just one of those series that haven't gone well for India."
He, however, admitted that it was disappointing that players of the calibre of Tendulkar, so far, has looked so ordinary.
"But, yes, it is disappointing because I can tell you that, as Indians, we really look forward to this tour. People like Dravid and Tendulkar take a lot of pride in performing over here.
"Test cricket matters to us. Indian people still want their team to be No 1 in Test cricket. The World Cup is special for any country. But Test cricket is the format of the game," he insisted.
Ganguly said while the new coach Duncan Fletcher might be finding it difficult to deal with huge personalities in the dressing room but maintained that once everything starts to fall in place, the coach could be in for a treat.
"These are very mature boys. And I guarantee you, Duncan Fletcher will have a good time looking after them. He's had a tough time so far this series. But I bet once they start winning he will have a great time because they are well behaved, professional people," Ganguly said.
Silk Threads Bind Siblings As Nation Celebrates Raksha Bandhan
Reaffirming the treasured bond of love and care between brothers and sisters, Raksha Bandhan was celebrated across the nation on Saturday with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Feasting, merry-making and exchange of gifts marked the the day as sisters, dressed in their fineries, applied 'tilak' on their brothers' foreheads and tied rakhis on their wrists praying for their happiness and prosperity.
Brothers, in turn, vowed to protect their sisters against all evils coming in way.
It was also the perfect occasion for family gatherings as people took time out from their busy schedules with several private sector companies declaring a holiday.
Sweets shops had long queues as crowds gathered for last-minute purchases. Similar scenes were witnessed outside gift shops and theatres across the country.
President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wished people on the occasion and hoped the festival would strengthen goodwill in the society.
Patil celebrated rakhi with children, including the differently-abled ones, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
In a symbolic gesture, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tied a rakhi to a tree.
"Today, the people of Bihar should pledge that every one of them will plant at least one tree each and tie rakhis to trees across the state," he said.
Feasting, merry-making and exchange of gifts marked the the day as sisters, dressed in their fineries, applied 'tilak' on their brothers' foreheads and tied rakhis on their wrists praying for their happiness and prosperity.
Brothers, in turn, vowed to protect their sisters against all evils coming in way.
It was also the perfect occasion for family gatherings as people took time out from their busy schedules with several private sector companies declaring a holiday.
Sweets shops had long queues as crowds gathered for last-minute purchases. Similar scenes were witnessed outside gift shops and theatres across the country.
President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wished people on the occasion and hoped the festival would strengthen goodwill in the society.
Patil celebrated rakhi with children, including the differently-abled ones, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
In a symbolic gesture, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tied a rakhi to a tree.
"Today, the people of Bihar should pledge that every one of them will plant at least one tree each and tie rakhis to trees across the state," he said.
'More Dangerous' Times Ahead: World Bank Chief
SYDNEY: World Bank chief Robert Zoellick warned of a "new and more dangerous" time in the global economy on Saturday, with little breathing space in most developed countries as a debt crisis hits Europe.
Zoellick said the eurozone's sovereign debt issues were more troubling than the "medium and long-term" problems which saw the United States downgraded by Standard and Poor's last week, sending global markets into panic.
"We are in the early moments of a new and different storm, it's not the same as 2008," said Zoellick, referring to the global financial crisis.
"In the past couple of weeks the world has moved from a troubled multi-speed recovery -- with emerging markets and a few economies like Australia having good growth and developed markets struggling -- to a new and more dangerous phase," he said in an interview with the Weekend Australian newspaper.
People were in less debt than during the credit crunch and current events did not have the same "sudden shock" factor, but Zoellick said there was less room to manoeuvre this time around.
"Most developed countries have used up their fiscal space and monetary policy is about as loose as it can be," he said.
Zoellick said the eurozone's structure "could turn out to be the most important" challenge currently facing the world economy, with some hope for Spain and Italy but debt-crippled Greece and Portugal unable to devalue.
European Union action taken to date "fall short of what is needed", the World Bank chief said.
"The lesson of 2008 is that the later you act, the more you have to do," said Zoellick, questioning whether the troubled European nations could "ever get ahead of the problems that have plagued them."
He also urged British Prime Minister David Cameron not to be deterred from austerity measures by recent riots -- the country's worst in decades -- saying his spending cuts were "really necessary."
"My concern would be if the politics knocked them off course," Zoellick said.
Markets swung wildly this week on rumours of a French credit downgrade over the debt crisis, which started in Greece and is now fuelled by fears Spain or Italy might default, sparking a break up of the 17-nation currency.
Investors are questioning whether France and Germany, the eurozone's two largest economies, can continue to underwrite other states' debts without losing their top credit ratings and falling victim to the crisis themselves.
Zoellick said the eurozone's sovereign debt issues were more troubling than the "medium and long-term" problems which saw the United States downgraded by Standard and Poor's last week, sending global markets into panic.
"We are in the early moments of a new and different storm, it's not the same as 2008," said Zoellick, referring to the global financial crisis.
"In the past couple of weeks the world has moved from a troubled multi-speed recovery -- with emerging markets and a few economies like Australia having good growth and developed markets struggling -- to a new and more dangerous phase," he said in an interview with the Weekend Australian newspaper.
People were in less debt than during the credit crunch and current events did not have the same "sudden shock" factor, but Zoellick said there was less room to manoeuvre this time around.
"Most developed countries have used up their fiscal space and monetary policy is about as loose as it can be," he said.
Zoellick said the eurozone's structure "could turn out to be the most important" challenge currently facing the world economy, with some hope for Spain and Italy but debt-crippled Greece and Portugal unable to devalue.
European Union action taken to date "fall short of what is needed", the World Bank chief said.
"The lesson of 2008 is that the later you act, the more you have to do," said Zoellick, questioning whether the troubled European nations could "ever get ahead of the problems that have plagued them."
He also urged British Prime Minister David Cameron not to be deterred from austerity measures by recent riots -- the country's worst in decades -- saying his spending cuts were "really necessary."
"My concern would be if the politics knocked them off course," Zoellick said.
Markets swung wildly this week on rumours of a French credit downgrade over the debt crisis, which started in Greece and is now fuelled by fears Spain or Italy might default, sparking a break up of the 17-nation currency.
Investors are questioning whether France and Germany, the eurozone's two largest economies, can continue to underwrite other states' debts without losing their top credit ratings and falling victim to the crisis themselves.
Virender Sehwag Out For 'King Pair'
BIRMINGHAM: India's gamble in recalling Virender Sehwag for the third Test against England backfired spectacularly when the opener completed a 'king pair' -- two first-ball noughts in the same match -- at Edgbaston on Friday.
Scorecard
Sehwag, renowned as one of the most aggressive openers in Test history, was dismissed on Friday when he drove at the first ball he faced, from James Anderson, and edged to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.
His exit left India three for one in their second innings and with a mountain to climb after England had piled up 710 for seven declared -- a first innings lead of 486.
The dashing Sehwag had previously been caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior when he gloved Stuart Broad on Wednesday during India's first innings 224.
Sehwag, 32, whose brilliant strokeplay has propelled India's batting in the past, missed the previous series in the West Indies and the first two Tests in England because of shoulder surgery in May.
But with India already 2-0 down in this four-match encounter, the tourists brought him back with just the one warm-up fixture as preparation, where he could only manage eight against a second-string Northamptonshire.
Sehwag has now scored 7,694 runs in 88 Tests at an average of 50.61 with 22 hundred, including three triple centuries.
If England win at Edgbaston they will take an unbeatable 3-0 series lead and replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table.
Scorecard
Sehwag, renowned as one of the most aggressive openers in Test history, was dismissed on Friday when he drove at the first ball he faced, from James Anderson, and edged to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.
His exit left India three for one in their second innings and with a mountain to climb after England had piled up 710 for seven declared -- a first innings lead of 486.
The dashing Sehwag had previously been caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior when he gloved Stuart Broad on Wednesday during India's first innings 224.
Sehwag, 32, whose brilliant strokeplay has propelled India's batting in the past, missed the previous series in the West Indies and the first two Tests in England because of shoulder surgery in May.
But with India already 2-0 down in this four-match encounter, the tourists brought him back with just the one warm-up fixture as preparation, where he could only manage eight against a second-string Northamptonshire.
Sehwag has now scored 7,694 runs in 88 Tests at an average of 50.61 with 22 hundred, including three triple centuries.
If England win at Edgbaston they will take an unbeatable 3-0 series lead and replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table.
Ind vs Eng: India Stare At Defeat, Set To Lose No. 1 Spot In Tests
BIRMINGHAM: Skipper MS Dhoni and Praveen Kumar played some lofty shots as India struggled to save the third Test against England on the fourth day at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday.
Scorecard | View Hawk-eye
Dhoni and Praveen added quick fifty-run stand for the eighth wicket after losing Amit Mishra (22) soon after the lunch break.
India are on the verge of losing their world No. 1 status in Test cricket along with series to England in what is turning out to be one of their worst overseas tours in recent history.
In another shambolic batting display, the shell-shocked visitors had been reduced to 116 for 6 by lunch, still trailing England by 370 runs. There is possibility of this defeat turning out to be the worst ever in India's Test cricket history.
The worst defeat for India till now is by an innings and 336 runs against the West Indies in Kolkata in 1958.
England seamer James Anderson was the wrecker-in-chief claiming three of the five wickets to fall in the fourth morning while off-spinner Graeme Swann picked up one.
Sachin Tendulkar who looked in good touch, was unfortunately run out for 40. England sent all the top six Indian batsmen back in the pavilion in a matter of 32-odd overs.
The two overnight batsmen, Gautam Gambhir (14) and Rahul Dravid (18), failed to add any run to their total this morning as Anderson ran riot in overcast conditions. Gambhhir departed to the first ball he faced this morning --- tamely guiding an outswinger in the hands of Graeme Swann at second slip.
Rahul Dravid went inside the pavilion at the start of Anderson's over to attend to some urgent matter but his return lasted no more than two deliveries.
He let go a wide delivery outside his offstump and nicked the next one to a delighted Matt Prior behind the stumps.
TV replays however showed that Dravid has not nicked the ball but surprisingly the veteran batsman did not opt for a referral.
Sachin Tendulkar, hit a boundary almost as soon as he came in hitting a loosener from Stuart Broad to the cover fence.
He then took three fours off Anderson as he first flicked and straight drove and then guided the swing bowler past the slip cordon.
VVS Laxman, at the other end, was doing little better than defending against England bowlers. Broad in particular tried to dig it in short to him and one searing bouncer in particular had the right-hander jumping on his heels.
Laxman returned to the pavilion soon coming forward in defence to Anderson but doing no better than nicking yet another chance to Prior behind the stumps.
It took the new man Suresh Raina 10 balls to get off the mark and the sight of off-spinner Graeme Swann was the signal for him to get some cheap runs. He once drove the off-spinner down the ground and later hit him through covers to move into double figures.
But the left-hander was to depart in the same over, playing forward to Swann and as the ball rapped him on the pads, umpire Steve Davis had no hesitation in ruling him out.
Tendulkar, at the other end, was a picture of poise and authority as he once hit Swann over midwicket and then slammed Tim Bresnan for two classy fours--first an on drive and then a thumping cover drive in the same over.
The senior-pro though was out in tragic circumstances when Mahendra Singh Dhoni drove Swann back and the ball brushed the hands of the bowler and rattled the non-striker's stumps with Tendulkar out of his crease.
Tendulkar made his 40 runs off 60 balls and hit nine fours.
Scorecard | View Hawk-eye
Dhoni and Praveen added quick fifty-run stand for the eighth wicket after losing Amit Mishra (22) soon after the lunch break.
India are on the verge of losing their world No. 1 status in Test cricket along with series to England in what is turning out to be one of their worst overseas tours in recent history.
In another shambolic batting display, the shell-shocked visitors had been reduced to 116 for 6 by lunch, still trailing England by 370 runs. There is possibility of this defeat turning out to be the worst ever in India's Test cricket history.
The worst defeat for India till now is by an innings and 336 runs against the West Indies in Kolkata in 1958.
England seamer James Anderson was the wrecker-in-chief claiming three of the five wickets to fall in the fourth morning while off-spinner Graeme Swann picked up one.
Sachin Tendulkar who looked in good touch, was unfortunately run out for 40. England sent all the top six Indian batsmen back in the pavilion in a matter of 32-odd overs.
The two overnight batsmen, Gautam Gambhir (14) and Rahul Dravid (18), failed to add any run to their total this morning as Anderson ran riot in overcast conditions. Gambhhir departed to the first ball he faced this morning --- tamely guiding an outswinger in the hands of Graeme Swann at second slip.
Rahul Dravid went inside the pavilion at the start of Anderson's over to attend to some urgent matter but his return lasted no more than two deliveries.
He let go a wide delivery outside his offstump and nicked the next one to a delighted Matt Prior behind the stumps.
TV replays however showed that Dravid has not nicked the ball but surprisingly the veteran batsman did not opt for a referral.
Sachin Tendulkar, hit a boundary almost as soon as he came in hitting a loosener from Stuart Broad to the cover fence.
He then took three fours off Anderson as he first flicked and straight drove and then guided the swing bowler past the slip cordon.
VVS Laxman, at the other end, was doing little better than defending against England bowlers. Broad in particular tried to dig it in short to him and one searing bouncer in particular had the right-hander jumping on his heels.
Laxman returned to the pavilion soon coming forward in defence to Anderson but doing no better than nicking yet another chance to Prior behind the stumps.
It took the new man Suresh Raina 10 balls to get off the mark and the sight of off-spinner Graeme Swann was the signal for him to get some cheap runs. He once drove the off-spinner down the ground and later hit him through covers to move into double figures.
But the left-hander was to depart in the same over, playing forward to Swann and as the ball rapped him on the pads, umpire Steve Davis had no hesitation in ruling him out.
Tendulkar, at the other end, was a picture of poise and authority as he once hit Swann over midwicket and then slammed Tim Bresnan for two classy fours--first an on drive and then a thumping cover drive in the same over.
The senior-pro though was out in tragic circumstances when Mahendra Singh Dhoni drove Swann back and the ball brushed the hands of the bowler and rattled the non-striker's stumps with Tendulkar out of his crease.
Tendulkar made his 40 runs off 60 balls and hit nine fours.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Ind Vs Eng: England 319/2 At Tea On Day 2
Praveen Kumar dismissed Ian Bell just after Alastair Cook had scored a patient century on Day 2 of the third Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
It was a perfect delivery for any batsman - the ball leaving Bell at the last moment and took the off-stump on its way. Before Bell's dismissal opener Cook scored a patient century to put England in the driver's seat.
Earlier, Ian Bell was dropped in the first slip by Rahul Dravid and the dropped chance did not prove that costly for India.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra gave India the much needed first breakthrough in the form of Andrew Strauss.
Strauss (87), who was looking good for a century got out while playing a sweep off the leg-spinner, but completely missed and the ball flicked the leg stump. India was desperate to break the parnership that looked threatening.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook consolidated England's already strong position as they continued to deny a breakthrough in reply to India's first innings 224 going into lunch.
England captain Strauss was 84 not out and fellow left-hander Cook 51 not out as the hosts pressed for a win that would give them both an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series and see them replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table
England, after a near-perfect first day, resumed on 84 without loss when play re-started 30 minutes late because of rain.
That left them 140 runs behind a modest India first innings where captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 77 rescued his side from the depths of 111 for seven as England seamers Stuart Broad (four for 53) and Tim Bresnan (four for 62) shared eight wickets between them.
Strauss was 52 not out overnight, his best Test score of the season, and Cook unbeaten on 27.
But England initially found runs hard to come by against the accurate medium-pace of Praveen Kumar, whose opening spell on Thursday saw him concede just five runs in seven overs.
England had to wait until Thursday's 15th over for the first boundary off the bat in the day's play, when Strauss edged Ishant Sharma past the slips.
Cook flirted with danger when he turned leg-spinner Amit Mishra just short of leg-slip.
But he was more in control when he leant into an authoritative drive off fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth that sped past extra cover.
Cook then completed a 130-ball fifty with his seventh four when he clipped Sreesanth firmly through mid-wicket.
It was a perfect delivery for any batsman - the ball leaving Bell at the last moment and took the off-stump on its way. Before Bell's dismissal opener Cook scored a patient century to put England in the driver's seat.
Earlier, Ian Bell was dropped in the first slip by Rahul Dravid and the dropped chance did not prove that costly for India.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra gave India the much needed first breakthrough in the form of Andrew Strauss.
Strauss (87), who was looking good for a century got out while playing a sweep off the leg-spinner, but completely missed and the ball flicked the leg stump. India was desperate to break the parnership that looked threatening.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook consolidated England's already strong position as they continued to deny a breakthrough in reply to India's first innings 224 going into lunch.
England captain Strauss was 84 not out and fellow left-hander Cook 51 not out as the hosts pressed for a win that would give them both an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-Test series and see them replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table
England, after a near-perfect first day, resumed on 84 without loss when play re-started 30 minutes late because of rain.
That left them 140 runs behind a modest India first innings where captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 77 rescued his side from the depths of 111 for seven as England seamers Stuart Broad (four for 53) and Tim Bresnan (four for 62) shared eight wickets between them.
Strauss was 52 not out overnight, his best Test score of the season, and Cook unbeaten on 27.
But England initially found runs hard to come by against the accurate medium-pace of Praveen Kumar, whose opening spell on Thursday saw him concede just five runs in seven overs.
England had to wait until Thursday's 15th over for the first boundary off the bat in the day's play, when Strauss edged Ishant Sharma past the slips.
Cook flirted with danger when he turned leg-spinner Amit Mishra just short of leg-slip.
But he was more in control when he leant into an authoritative drive off fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth that sped past extra cover.
Cook then completed a 130-ball fifty with his seventh four when he clipped Sreesanth firmly through mid-wicket.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Driver Claims He Can't Have Died In Plane Crash
VARANASI: While a number of books were published on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and committee and commissions set up to solve his mystery, a living witness and close companion of Netaji was never contacted by anyone.
Nizamuddin, a 107-year-old man who claims to be the driver of Netaji in Azad Hind Fauj (AHF), lives in Islampura, Bilariyaganj, in Azamgarh district. He claims to have spent four years with Netaji after joining the AHF in 1942. The TOI team also visited him sometime back. Recently the volunteers of a local organisation also went to his place to honour him.
Nizamuddin was also sure that Netaji was not killed in the plane crash in 1945. "How can it be possible when I had dropped him by the car on the banks ofSitangpur river near the boarder of Burma and Thailand about three-four months after the incident of plane crash?" he wondered. He has no idea what happened after he dropped Bose on the riverbank. He said that he insisted to accompany Netaji, but he was commanded to return with a promise of meeting again in Independent India.
But, he recalled his meeting with Swami, a close associate of Netaji, over 10 years ago. Swami was in regular touch with Netaji. According to the repatriation certificate issued in favour of Nizamuddin, Swami (full name SV Swami) was the chairman of the Relief and Repatriation Council, Ex Azad Hind Fauj and AlliedOrganisation, Rangoon. It was the only document Nizamuddin has with him that shows his association with AHF.
In 1969, he returned to India with his family and settled at his ancestral house in Dhakwa village. Later, he shifted to Islampura.
Nizamuddin, a 107-year-old man who claims to be the driver of Netaji in Azad Hind Fauj (AHF), lives in Islampura, Bilariyaganj, in Azamgarh district. He claims to have spent four years with Netaji after joining the AHF in 1942. The TOI team also visited him sometime back. Recently the volunteers of a local organisation also went to his place to honour him.
Nizamuddin was also sure that Netaji was not killed in the plane crash in 1945. "How can it be possible when I had dropped him by the car on the banks ofSitangpur river near the boarder of Burma and Thailand about three-four months after the incident of plane crash?" he wondered. He has no idea what happened after he dropped Bose on the riverbank. He said that he insisted to accompany Netaji, but he was commanded to return with a promise of meeting again in Independent India.
But, he recalled his meeting with Swami, a close associate of Netaji, over 10 years ago. Swami was in regular touch with Netaji. According to the repatriation certificate issued in favour of Nizamuddin, Swami (full name SV Swami) was the chairman of the Relief and Repatriation Council, Ex Azad Hind Fauj and AlliedOrganisation, Rangoon. It was the only document Nizamuddin has with him that shows his association with AHF.
In 1969, he returned to India with his family and settled at his ancestral house in Dhakwa village. Later, he shifted to Islampura.
Peace Finally Returns To Parliament, Crucial Bills Passed
NEW DELHI: After days of disruption by opposition MPs protesting varied issues, peace finally returned to Parliament on Thursday and the government was able to get crucial legislation passed in the two houses - a first this monsoon session.
Both houses of Parliament were able to conduct their respective question hours without any disturbance. Important papers related to the functioning of various government departments and ministries were also laid on the table. Debates and discussions were also held, without a single adjournment.
As peace returned, a legislation that allows the government full control of subsidiary banks of the State Bank of India (SBI) from the Reserve Bank of India was passed in the Lok Sabha after a two-hour debate.
The Rajya Sabha also passed the Coinage Bill, 2009, that seeks to consolidate at least four laws pertaining to coins and mints, apart from prescribing strict penalties for illegal melting and counterfeiting of these legal tenders.
The monsoon session of parliament had started on a stormy note on Aug 1 with opposition members cornering the government on issues like alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games, rising prices and police crackdown on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in the capital.
In the first 10 days of the session that ends September 8, question hours in both houses had been disrupted almost every day. The number of questions answered orally as against the number that were listed to be answered till Wednesday were 14 as against 160 in the Lok Sabha and 18 as against 160 in the Rajya Sabha.
Of the 32 bills listed for introduction at the beginning of the session, only five have been introduced so far. Thirty-five bills have been listed for passing but none was passed till Wednesday.
On a peaceful day, opposition MPs also indulged in healthy criticism of the government on these legislations.
At one point of time, the opposition caught the government on the wrong foot when none of the cabinet ministers was present in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the State Bank of India bill.
BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain raised the point of order when his colleague Nishikant Dubey was speaking.
Soon, parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was seen rushing into the house. The BJP MPs took a dig at Bansal, saying he was accusing the opposition of not being serious to pass the crucial banking bill.
Smiles were exchanged and it was back to the business after days of bitter confrontation that had led to a stalemate between the government and opposition.
The logjam ended after a series of meetings Wednesday between the government and the BJP.
The Left had alleged that disruption of Parliament work, delaying discussion on important issues like corruption and prices, was a "joint effort" of the BJP and the Congress.
"The BJP and Congress have joined hands to delay the discussion on corruption and price rise. What is the point in disrupting the house? It is a joint effort by the BJP and the Congress. Quite frankly, the Congress is benefiting from this," CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said.
The BJP and other opposition parties targeted the government demanding the resignation of Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit over irregularities in the Games and also that of Home Minister P Chidambaram over the police crackdown.
Both houses of Parliament were able to conduct their respective question hours without any disturbance. Important papers related to the functioning of various government departments and ministries were also laid on the table. Debates and discussions were also held, without a single adjournment.
As peace returned, a legislation that allows the government full control of subsidiary banks of the State Bank of India (SBI) from the Reserve Bank of India was passed in the Lok Sabha after a two-hour debate.
The Rajya Sabha also passed the Coinage Bill, 2009, that seeks to consolidate at least four laws pertaining to coins and mints, apart from prescribing strict penalties for illegal melting and counterfeiting of these legal tenders.
The monsoon session of parliament had started on a stormy note on Aug 1 with opposition members cornering the government on issues like alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games, rising prices and police crackdown on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in the capital.
In the first 10 days of the session that ends September 8, question hours in both houses had been disrupted almost every day. The number of questions answered orally as against the number that were listed to be answered till Wednesday were 14 as against 160 in the Lok Sabha and 18 as against 160 in the Rajya Sabha.
Of the 32 bills listed for introduction at the beginning of the session, only five have been introduced so far. Thirty-five bills have been listed for passing but none was passed till Wednesday.
On a peaceful day, opposition MPs also indulged in healthy criticism of the government on these legislations.
At one point of time, the opposition caught the government on the wrong foot when none of the cabinet ministers was present in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the State Bank of India bill.
BJP's Shahnawaz Hussain raised the point of order when his colleague Nishikant Dubey was speaking.
Soon, parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was seen rushing into the house. The BJP MPs took a dig at Bansal, saying he was accusing the opposition of not being serious to pass the crucial banking bill.
Smiles were exchanged and it was back to the business after days of bitter confrontation that had led to a stalemate between the government and opposition.
The logjam ended after a series of meetings Wednesday between the government and the BJP.
The Left had alleged that disruption of Parliament work, delaying discussion on important issues like corruption and prices, was a "joint effort" of the BJP and the Congress.
"The BJP and Congress have joined hands to delay the discussion on corruption and price rise. What is the point in disrupting the house? It is a joint effort by the BJP and the Congress. Quite frankly, the Congress is benefiting from this," CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said.
The BJP and other opposition parties targeted the government demanding the resignation of Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit over irregularities in the Games and also that of Home Minister P Chidambaram over the police crackdown.
Monday, 8 August 2011
U.S. Stocks Tumble After S&P Downgrade
U.S. stocks are tumbling amid a rout in global markets after Standard & Poor's downgraded the U.S. credit rating for the first time.
S&P cut the long-term debt rating for the U.S. by one notch late Friday. The downgrade wasn't unexpected, but it comes when investors are already nervous about a weak U.S. economy, European debt problems and Japan's recovery from its March earthquake.
At the opening of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 192, or 1.7 percent, to 11,252. The S&P 500 is down 23, or 2 percent to 1,176. The Nasdaq is down 64, or 2.5 percent, to 2,468.
Prices for Treasurys are rising because they're still seen as one of the few safe investments. Gold topped $1,700 per ounce for the first time.
S&P cut the long-term debt rating for the U.S. by one notch late Friday. The downgrade wasn't unexpected, but it comes when investors are already nervous about a weak U.S. economy, European debt problems and Japan's recovery from its March earthquake.
At the opening of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average is down 192, or 1.7 percent, to 11,252. The S&P 500 is down 23, or 2 percent to 1,176. The Nasdaq is down 64, or 2.5 percent, to 2,468.
Prices for Treasurys are rising because they're still seen as one of the few safe investments. Gold topped $1,700 per ounce for the first time.
Ind vs Eng: Ex-England Skipper Michael Vaughan Predicts 4-0 Whitewash Of India
After Ian Botham had predicted a 4-0 whitewash of the India team in the ongoing four-match Test series against England, another ex-skipper, Michael Vaughan, on Monday anticipated a similar scoreline.
"4-0 England in the Test series. Zaheer coming back was India's only hope. Big loss for them. Sorry to all my new-found Indian followers," Vaughan tweeted.
Vaughan said that without bowling spearhead Zaheer, it will be impossible for India to take 20 English wickets.
"Indian fans seem to be very blinkered. Just accept that without Zaheer, you will struggle to get 20 wickets in English conditions," he wrote.
England lead the four-match series 2-0 and a win in the third Test at Edgbaston will make them the No. 1 Test side in the world.
Blaming the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Indian team's disastrous show in England so far, Vaughan tweeted: "I think the IPL will be a long-term problem for the Indian Test team. Young players will focus towards T20 cricket rather than Test."
Another former England skipper Alec Stewart joined the chorus, saying only a miracle can save India now. "No Zaheer Khan spells more trouble for India. Do the fantastic loyal Indian fans seriously believe they can draw the series?" asked Stewart in his Twitter account.
"4-0 England in the Test series. Zaheer coming back was India's only hope. Big loss for them. Sorry to all my new-found Indian followers," Vaughan tweeted.
Vaughan said that without bowling spearhead Zaheer, it will be impossible for India to take 20 English wickets.
"Indian fans seem to be very blinkered. Just accept that without Zaheer, you will struggle to get 20 wickets in English conditions," he wrote.
England lead the four-match series 2-0 and a win in the third Test at Edgbaston will make them the No. 1 Test side in the world.
Blaming the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Indian team's disastrous show in England so far, Vaughan tweeted: "I think the IPL will be a long-term problem for the Indian Test team. Young players will focus towards T20 cricket rather than Test."
Another former England skipper Alec Stewart joined the chorus, saying only a miracle can save India now. "No Zaheer Khan spells more trouble for India. Do the fantastic loyal Indian fans seriously believe they can draw the series?" asked Stewart in his Twitter account.
Policemen Involved In Fake Encounters Should Be Hanged: SC
Police personnel involved in fake encounter killings should be awarded death sentence and hanged, the Supreme Court has said.
A bench of justices Markandeya Katju and C.K Prasad said that police personnel as custodians of law are expected to protect people and not eliminate them as contract killers.
"Fake encounter killings by cops are nothing but cold-blooded brutal murder which should be treated as the rarest of rare offence and police personnel responsible for it should be awarded death sentence. They should be hanged," Justice Katju, heading the bench, said.
The court observed this while directing the surrender of two senior Rajasthan IPS officers (Additional DGP Arvind Jain and SP Arshad) allegedly involved in the fake encounter killing of an alleged gangster (Dara Singh) by the Special Operations Group of Rajasthan Police on October 23, 2006.
The bench said the accused police officers if they fail to surrender shall be arrested by the CBI which is investigating the case.
"The same parameters will apply and the law shall take its own course," Justice Katju observed when counsel for Singh's widow Sushila Devi said that one of the accused Rajender Rathore, a former minister, was also absconding.
"...If crimes are committed by ordinary people, ordinary punishment should be given but if the offence is committed by policemen much harsher punishment should be given to them because they do an act totally contrary to their duties."
The apex court had in April last year directed a CBI probe on an application moved by Sushila Devi accusing the Rajasthan Police of abducting her husband, killing him in a cold blooded manner and passing it off as an encounter.
According to the Rajasthan government, Dara Singh was a proclaimed offender carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head and was involved in criminal activities.
A bench of justices Markandeya Katju and C.K Prasad said that police personnel as custodians of law are expected to protect people and not eliminate them as contract killers.
"Fake encounter killings by cops are nothing but cold-blooded brutal murder which should be treated as the rarest of rare offence and police personnel responsible for it should be awarded death sentence. They should be hanged," Justice Katju, heading the bench, said.
The court observed this while directing the surrender of two senior Rajasthan IPS officers (Additional DGP Arvind Jain and SP Arshad) allegedly involved in the fake encounter killing of an alleged gangster (Dara Singh) by the Special Operations Group of Rajasthan Police on October 23, 2006.
The bench said the accused police officers if they fail to surrender shall be arrested by the CBI which is investigating the case.
"The same parameters will apply and the law shall take its own course," Justice Katju observed when counsel for Singh's widow Sushila Devi said that one of the accused Rajender Rathore, a former minister, was also absconding.
"...If crimes are committed by ordinary people, ordinary punishment should be given but if the offence is committed by policemen much harsher punishment should be given to them because they do an act totally contrary to their duties."
The apex court had in April last year directed a CBI probe on an application moved by Sushila Devi accusing the Rajasthan Police of abducting her husband, killing him in a cold blooded manner and passing it off as an encounter.
According to the Rajasthan government, Dara Singh was a proclaimed offender carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head and was involved in criminal activities.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Ind vs Eng: Kohli, Ojha replace Yuvraj, Harbhajan At Edgbaston
Indian batsman Virat Kohli and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha will replace Yuvraj Singh and offie Harbhajan Singh in the third Test in Edgbaston. Both players will join the Indian team at the earliest.
A BCCI release said on Wednesday while Yuvraj Singh's injury may take around four weeks to recover, Harbhajan Singh is likely to recover in three weeks' time.
Yuvraj has fractured his left index finger and Harbhajan Singh has a Grade I abdominal muscle strain.
Harbhajan, who had sustained injury during his team's 319-run defeat in Nottingham, had bowled only 13.4 overs at Trent Bridge and his absence during England's second innings increased the workload of India's seam attack. He has also been in poor form, taking 1 for 69 in the second Test after conceding 1 for 218 in the first at Lord's. Yuvraj, who played at Trent Bridge because of the elbow injury to Gautam Gambhir, got hit on his left hand in the final innings by a short ball from Tim Bresnan.
India are also waiting to see what sort of fitness and form Virender Sehwag is in. Sehwag missed the first two Tests, because he was recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to join the team this week and play the tour game in Northamptonshire. It is not yet clear whether Zaheer Khan, who pulled out during the Lord's Test with a hamstring injury after bowling only 13.3 overs and missed Trent Bridge, will be fit to play at Edgbaston.
A BCCI release said on Wednesday while Yuvraj Singh's injury may take around four weeks to recover, Harbhajan Singh is likely to recover in three weeks' time.
Yuvraj has fractured his left index finger and Harbhajan Singh has a Grade I abdominal muscle strain.
Harbhajan, who had sustained injury during his team's 319-run defeat in Nottingham, had bowled only 13.4 overs at Trent Bridge and his absence during England's second innings increased the workload of India's seam attack. He has also been in poor form, taking 1 for 69 in the second Test after conceding 1 for 218 in the first at Lord's. Yuvraj, who played at Trent Bridge because of the elbow injury to Gautam Gambhir, got hit on his left hand in the final innings by a short ball from Tim Bresnan.
India are also waiting to see what sort of fitness and form Virender Sehwag is in. Sehwag missed the first two Tests, because he was recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to join the team this week and play the tour game in Northamptonshire. It is not yet clear whether Zaheer Khan, who pulled out during the Lord's Test with a hamstring injury after bowling only 13.3 overs and missed Trent Bridge, will be fit to play at Edgbaston.
Ind vs Eng: Team India Confident Of Bouncing Back
Despite trailing 0-2 and their world number one Test ranking at stake, India are quite confident of turning the tables on a rampant England in the remaining two Tests of the four-match Test series.
Even as the injuries and batting failures have hit India hard, Dhoni's men are not overlooking a few positives from the two defeats at Lord's and Trent Bridge.
"Bhai sahib, yahan match to jeetna hai (we have to win matches)," Praveen Kumar, who has so far taken 13 wickets from two Tests at an average of 26.53, said.
Indians are not ready to get caught in the swirl of negatives floating around them and are working on strengthening their belief in themselves, which alone could help them turn the tide in their favour.
They are keen to draw confidence from the fact that Sachin Tendulkar was not well at Lord's, Gautam Gambhir was laid low by an elbow injury, while Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman did little wrong in the last two Tests. Even Suresh Raina showed a glimpse of his ability.
There is not a single pacer one can find fault with, even though off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has failed miserably and "Bhajji bashing" started almost immediately.
Harbhajan, who is now ruled out of the Test series due to an abdominal strain, was being viewed as an unimaginative bowler and as somebody who wouldn't mind being injured at this stage of his career.
The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The tweaker grabbed one for 69 in the second Test after his one for 218 in the first at Lord's. But the fact that even Graeme Swann equally struggled on seamers' strip, has conveniently been brushed under the carpet.
"We are very good at running down our own men. You break this team now and you would pay the price in Australia later this year. No spinner, other than (Shane) Warne, (Muttiah) Muralitharan and (Anil) Kumble, has taken more wickets than Harbhajan in the history of the game," said a former Indian captain, who is now a cricket commentator.
"And are Bhajji's critics implying that Warne, Murali and Kumble never had an ordinary series? Kumble averaged nearly 60 in his final three Test series. Warne is averaging nearly 50 in 14 Tests against India. And do you want to know what is Murali's average in India -- over 45 in 11 Tests!" he added.
As far as Dhoni is concerned, he has also been a subject of similar attack. There is nothing that critics can find right with his batting, keeping or captaincy.
But the Indian team knows that it is not only him who has failed with the bat in the series but also England captain Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook.
Dhoni's collection behind the stumps is faulted, even when the wickets have been uneven at times. There is a lack of respect for a man who has helped India reach the top of the Test ladder and stay there for 19 months.
Most of the members of the Indian cricket team have seen the highs and the lows in their careers and are experienced enough not to get bothered by all the criticism surrounding them at the moment.
Teams can and do lose a match and a series. But it must not be a trigger to stamp out the good cricketers. Players, who serve long can have an aberration once in a while but it shouldn't be a signal to take them off the roster.
An act in haste could be one of repent later. And No.1 Test side in the world is all desperate to prove their critics wrong when they take on England in the last two Tests at Edgbaston and The Oval.
Even as the injuries and batting failures have hit India hard, Dhoni's men are not overlooking a few positives from the two defeats at Lord's and Trent Bridge.
"Bhai sahib, yahan match to jeetna hai (we have to win matches)," Praveen Kumar, who has so far taken 13 wickets from two Tests at an average of 26.53, said.
Indians are not ready to get caught in the swirl of negatives floating around them and are working on strengthening their belief in themselves, which alone could help them turn the tide in their favour.
They are keen to draw confidence from the fact that Sachin Tendulkar was not well at Lord's, Gautam Gambhir was laid low by an elbow injury, while Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman did little wrong in the last two Tests. Even Suresh Raina showed a glimpse of his ability.
There is not a single pacer one can find fault with, even though off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has failed miserably and "Bhajji bashing" started almost immediately.
Harbhajan, who is now ruled out of the Test series due to an abdominal strain, was being viewed as an unimaginative bowler and as somebody who wouldn't mind being injured at this stage of his career.
The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The tweaker grabbed one for 69 in the second Test after his one for 218 in the first at Lord's. But the fact that even Graeme Swann equally struggled on seamers' strip, has conveniently been brushed under the carpet.
"We are very good at running down our own men. You break this team now and you would pay the price in Australia later this year. No spinner, other than (Shane) Warne, (Muttiah) Muralitharan and (Anil) Kumble, has taken more wickets than Harbhajan in the history of the game," said a former Indian captain, who is now a cricket commentator.
"And are Bhajji's critics implying that Warne, Murali and Kumble never had an ordinary series? Kumble averaged nearly 60 in his final three Test series. Warne is averaging nearly 50 in 14 Tests against India. And do you want to know what is Murali's average in India -- over 45 in 11 Tests!" he added.
As far as Dhoni is concerned, he has also been a subject of similar attack. There is nothing that critics can find right with his batting, keeping or captaincy.
But the Indian team knows that it is not only him who has failed with the bat in the series but also England captain Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook.
Dhoni's collection behind the stumps is faulted, even when the wickets have been uneven at times. There is a lack of respect for a man who has helped India reach the top of the Test ladder and stay there for 19 months.
Most of the members of the Indian cricket team have seen the highs and the lows in their careers and are experienced enough not to get bothered by all the criticism surrounding them at the moment.
Teams can and do lose a match and a series. But it must not be a trigger to stamp out the good cricketers. Players, who serve long can have an aberration once in a while but it shouldn't be a signal to take them off the roster.
An act in haste could be one of repent later. And No.1 Test side in the world is all desperate to prove their critics wrong when they take on England in the last two Tests at Edgbaston and The Oval.
Lokpal Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha, Hazare Burns Copies In Protest
The much-debated Lokpal Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid objections from the BJP and its NDA partners over exclusion of the Prime Minister from the purview of the proposed legislation.
As government introduced the Lokpal Bill in Parliament, Anna Hazare and his team members burnt copies of the "anti-poor, anti-Dalit" law with the Gandhian asserting that he would go ahead with his fast beginning August 16 till a strong law is brought in.
Hazare and his supporters burnt copies of the Bill introduced in Parliament on Thursday afternoon in Maharashtra's Ralegaon Siddhi while his supporters Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi led the protest in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi area in Ghaziabad.
Amidst sloganeering against government, Hazare said it was the last chance to eradicate corruption from the country and that the protest should be organised all over to ensure that a strong Lokpal Bill is brought in.
"This is a bad and weak Bill which is introduced in Parliament. We need a new and strong Bill. I trusted them when they said they will bring a strong law and ended my fast in April. They cheated me.
"But at the protest starting from August 16, I am not going to withdraw from my fast on some assurances. What we need is a strong bill," he said.
He claimed the government would have fallen if he had continued his fast then for another three days. The government does not fear fast or protests but they fear the voice of people, he said, adding that people should acquire this power to overthrow governments.
However, he said, his protest is not to change the government but system.
Alleging that it was an insult to Parliament and people, Kejriwal described the bill as "anti-poor and anti- Dalit" which does not help the poor in fighting corruption.
BJP for PM under Lokpal
Just before introduction of the bill, Speaker Meira Kumar gave permission to Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj to express her views as a special case under Rule 72.
Swaraj said when the Prime Minister does not enjoy immunity from prosecution under the criminal law and Prevention of Corruption Act, why is he being kept out of the ambit of the Lokpal.
She maintained that as per the Constitution, everybody was equal and there is no immunity from IPC, CrPC or the Prevention of Corruption Act.
"It is for the first time that under Clause 2 of the Lokpal Bill, all Union ministers are included except the Prime Minister. I don't understand why. How can anybody occupying any position be a holy cow. Why is the Prime Minister being kept out of its purview?" Swaraj posed.
She stated that then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had put the debate to rest during NDA rule by saying that if he is not under its purview it will have no meaning. She was referring to the Lokpal Bill proposed by the NDA government which was ultimately not introduced in Parliament.
"As chairperson of the then Standing Committee on Home, Pranab Mukherjee had accepted that the Prime Minister should be within the purview of the Lokpal. The Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) has himself said he wants to be within its ambit. Why is the Cabinet not paying heed to his views?" she asked.
Lokpal Bill draft
The Union Cabinet last month approved a Lokpal Bill draft for introduction in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The draft excludes the prime minister from the purview of the Lokpal.
V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State for PMO, said though the prime minister wanted to come under the purview of the Lokpal, the Cabinet decided to keep the post out. The prime minister would, however, come under Lokpal's purview after demitting office. (Read: Cabinet approves Lokpal draft)
Also out of the ambit are the higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament.
As per the draft, the Lokpal committee will be headed by a chairman and have eight members. The chairman will be from the judiciary and so will be 50 per cent of the members.
Team Anna rejects draft
The Anna Hazare-led civil society team rejected the government's Lokpal Bill draft and demanded that the prime minister be brought under its purview. Hazare has vowed to launch a hunger strike from August 16 in protest. (Read: Referendum backs PM under Lokpal, claims Team Anna)
Hazare's team claims a referendum held among people in Delhi's Chandni Chowk constituency last month showed an overwhelming (85 per cent) support for bringing the prime minister under Lokpal.
Hazare has called the government's version of the Lokpal draft a "joke". (In pics: People's support to Hazare's campaign)
Opposition pressure on govt
Opposition parties have demanded that the Lokpal Bill be given enough teeth to make it effective on the ground. BJP spokesperson Jagat Prakash Nadda has termed the Cabinet-approved Lokpal Bill draft as a "ploy to hoodwink" the people.
TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu too demanded that the pime mnister be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.
As government introduced the Lokpal Bill in Parliament, Anna Hazare and his team members burnt copies of the "anti-poor, anti-Dalit" law with the Gandhian asserting that he would go ahead with his fast beginning August 16 till a strong law is brought in.
Hazare and his supporters burnt copies of the Bill introduced in Parliament on Thursday afternoon in Maharashtra's Ralegaon Siddhi while his supporters Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi led the protest in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi area in Ghaziabad.
Amidst sloganeering against government, Hazare said it was the last chance to eradicate corruption from the country and that the protest should be organised all over to ensure that a strong Lokpal Bill is brought in.
"This is a bad and weak Bill which is introduced in Parliament. We need a new and strong Bill. I trusted them when they said they will bring a strong law and ended my fast in April. They cheated me.
"But at the protest starting from August 16, I am not going to withdraw from my fast on some assurances. What we need is a strong bill," he said.
He claimed the government would have fallen if he had continued his fast then for another three days. The government does not fear fast or protests but they fear the voice of people, he said, adding that people should acquire this power to overthrow governments.
However, he said, his protest is not to change the government but system.
Alleging that it was an insult to Parliament and people, Kejriwal described the bill as "anti-poor and anti- Dalit" which does not help the poor in fighting corruption.
BJP for PM under Lokpal
Just before introduction of the bill, Speaker Meira Kumar gave permission to Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj to express her views as a special case under Rule 72.
Swaraj said when the Prime Minister does not enjoy immunity from prosecution under the criminal law and Prevention of Corruption Act, why is he being kept out of the ambit of the Lokpal.
She maintained that as per the Constitution, everybody was equal and there is no immunity from IPC, CrPC or the Prevention of Corruption Act.
"It is for the first time that under Clause 2 of the Lokpal Bill, all Union ministers are included except the Prime Minister. I don't understand why. How can anybody occupying any position be a holy cow. Why is the Prime Minister being kept out of its purview?" Swaraj posed.
She stated that then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had put the debate to rest during NDA rule by saying that if he is not under its purview it will have no meaning. She was referring to the Lokpal Bill proposed by the NDA government which was ultimately not introduced in Parliament.
"As chairperson of the then Standing Committee on Home, Pranab Mukherjee had accepted that the Prime Minister should be within the purview of the Lokpal. The Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) has himself said he wants to be within its ambit. Why is the Cabinet not paying heed to his views?" she asked.
Lokpal Bill draft
The Union Cabinet last month approved a Lokpal Bill draft for introduction in the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The draft excludes the prime minister from the purview of the Lokpal.
V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State for PMO, said though the prime minister wanted to come under the purview of the Lokpal, the Cabinet decided to keep the post out. The prime minister would, however, come under Lokpal's purview after demitting office. (Read: Cabinet approves Lokpal draft)
Also out of the ambit are the higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament.
As per the draft, the Lokpal committee will be headed by a chairman and have eight members. The chairman will be from the judiciary and so will be 50 per cent of the members.
Team Anna rejects draft
The Anna Hazare-led civil society team rejected the government's Lokpal Bill draft and demanded that the prime minister be brought under its purview. Hazare has vowed to launch a hunger strike from August 16 in protest. (Read: Referendum backs PM under Lokpal, claims Team Anna)
Hazare's team claims a referendum held among people in Delhi's Chandni Chowk constituency last month showed an overwhelming (85 per cent) support for bringing the prime minister under Lokpal.
Hazare has called the government's version of the Lokpal draft a "joke". (In pics: People's support to Hazare's campaign)
Opposition pressure on govt
Opposition parties have demanded that the Lokpal Bill be given enough teeth to make it effective on the ground. BJP spokesperson Jagat Prakash Nadda has termed the Cabinet-approved Lokpal Bill draft as a "ploy to hoodwink" the people.
TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu too demanded that the pime mnister be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.
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