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11 March 2011

समाचार News (1) 11.03.2011

 मुख्य समाचार :
  • जापान में सात दशमलव नौ तीव्रता का भीषण भूकंप। उत्तर-पूर्व जापान में १३ फीट ऊंची त्सुनामी लहरों से तबाही। तोक्यो के मध्यवर्ती और कुछ अन्य इलाकों में भी नुकसान की खबर।
  • रूस, ताईवान, फिलिपिंस, इंडोनेशिया और अमरीका के हवाई प्रांत सहित अनेक देशों में त्सुनामी की चेतावनी जारी।
  • वित्त मंत्री प्रणब मुखर्जी ने सांसद स्थानीय विकास निधि में वृद्धि की घोषणा की। प्रत्येक सांसद के लिए पांच करोड़ रूपए।
  • सीबीआई ने २जी स्पेक्ट्रम मामले में डीएमके सांसद कणिमोझी और तमिलनाडु के मुख्यमंत्री करूणानिधि की पत्नी दयालु अम्मल से पूछताछ शुरू की।
  • परमाणु हथियार ले जाने में सक्षम भारतीय बैलिस्टिक मिसाइल धनुष का उड़ीसा तट से सफल परीक्षण।
  • सेंसेक्स में तीसरे पहर २३५ अंकों की गिरावट।
  • ग्रुप बी में वेस्ट इंडीज ने आयरलैंड के सामने जीत के लिए २७६ रन का लक्ष्य रखा। ग्रुप बी में ही बंगलादेश ने टॉस जीतकर इंग्लैंड से बल्लेबाजी करने को कहा।                                            
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 जापान के पूर्वोत्तर तट पर स्थानीय समय के अनुसार दोपहर बाद पौने तीन बजे भीषण भूकम्प आया। जापान की मौसम एजेंसी के अनुसार भूकम्प की माप सात दशमलव नौ थी। अमरीकी भूकम्प सर्वेक्षण के अनुसार भूकम्प के पहले झटके का परिमाण आठ दशमलव नौ था। भूकम्प के केन्द्र के पास प्रशान्त तटवर्ती क्षेत्रों में १३ फुट तक ऊॅंची त्सुनामी लहरों के कारण इमारतें ढह गई हैं और जगह जगह पानी भर गया है, जिनमें वाहन डूबे हुए हैं। मुख्य झटके के बाद भी तोक्यो तक लगातार झटके महसूस किये जा रहे हैं। जापान के राष्ट्रीय प्रसारण केन्द्र एनएचके के अनुसार भूकम्प का केन्द्र पूर्वी तट से करीब १२५ किलोमीटर दूर दस किलोमीटर की गहराई में था। ये इलाका तोक्यो से ३८० किलोमीटर पूर्वोत्तर में है।
 टेलीविजन पर प्रसारित चित्रों से सुनामी के कारण भारी तबाही दिखाई दे रही है। मियागी प्रीफैक्चर के केसेनोमा शहर में सुनामी के साथ  एक बड़ा जहाज बहता दिखाई दे रहा था।
 भूकम्प के बाद संचार व्यवस्था ठप्प हो जाने के कारण तत्काल जानकारी मिलने में कठिनाई हो रही है। अधिकारी जानमाल के नुकसान का जायजा लेने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं।
 तोक्यो में भी ऊची ऊची इमारतें जोर से हिल गई और लोग इमारतों से बाहर आ गये। तोक्यो के तटवर्ती ओदाइबा इलाके में आग की लपटें उठती दिखाई दे रही हैं। शहर में रेलगाड़ियां रोक दी गई हैं और लोग पटरियों के किनारे पैदल चल रहे हैं। राजमहल के पास एक बड़े प्राचीन सभागार कुदान काइकान की छत गिर गई है। घायलों की संख्या का अभी पता नहीं चला है।
 हवाई में सुनामी चेतावनी केन्द्र ने जापान के अलावा रूस, मार्कस आईलैण्ड और उत्तरी मारियानास के लिए भी सुनामी चेतावनी जारी की है। फिलीपिन्स, गुआम, ताइवान, इण्डोनेशिया और हवाई को भी सतर्क कर दिया गया है।
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 वित्त मंत्री ने सांसद स्थानीय विकास निधि में जबरदस्त वृद्धि की घोषणा की है। आज लोकसभा में आम बजट पर बहस का जवाब देते हुए श्री प्रणव मुखर्जी ने कहा कि इस योजना के तहत हर सांसद को दो करोड़ रूपये की बजाए अब पांच करोड़ रूपये दिये जायेंगे। उन्होंने कहा कि इस पर दो हजार ३७० करोड़ रूपये खर्च आयेगा। लेकिन उन्होंने स्पष्ट किया कि जिन राज्यों में विधानसभा चुनाव हो रहे हैं, वहां चुनाव प्रक्रिया पूरी होने के बाद इस निधि का इस्तेमाल किया जा सकेगा।

विधानसभा चुनाव प्रक्रिया शुरू हो चुकी है और आचार्य संहिता लागू है। मैंने मुख्य निर्वाचन आयुक्त से अनुमति ले ली है कि मैं इस बारे में कोई घोषणा कर सकता हूं या नहीं। उन्होंने इसकी अनुमति दी है, लेकिन साथ ही ये भी कहा कि मैं विधानसभा चुनाव वाले राज्यों के अपने साथियों से कहूं कि वे इस राशि का इस्तेमाल और इस बारे में कोई घोषणा अभी नही, बल्कि मई के अंत से कर सकते है।
 विपक्ष के आरोपों का खंडन करते हुए श्री प्रणव मुखर्जी ने कहा कि कालेधन के मुद्दे से कानून के दायरे में रहकर निपटा जा सकता है और इस व्यवस्था में सुधार की जरूरत है। उन्होंने बजट प्रस्तावों को सही ठहराते हुए कहा कि कृषि और बुनियादी ढांचे पर विशेष ध्यान दिया गया है। उन्होंने कहा कि कृषि उत्पादकता बढ़ाना और बरबादी को कम करना उनकी प्राथमिकता है। उन्होंने इसके लिए बजट में की गई व्यवस्था का उल्लेख किया, जों किसान ऋणों का भुगतान कर रहे हैं उन्हें ब्याज पर रियायत मिलती रहेगी। समय पर भुगतान करने वाले किसान केवल चार प्रतिशत ब्याज दे रहे हैं। उन्होंने स्वीकार किया कि बिजली की आपूर्ति बढ़ाना महत्वपूर्ण है लेकिन उन्होंने विपक्ष के इस आरोप को खारिज किया कि इस दिशा में ठोस कदम नहीं उठाये गये है। बाद में सदन में वर्ष २०११-१२ के लिए अनुदान मांगें पारित कर दीं।
 करीब एक घंटे के अपने जवाब में श्री मुखर्जी ने कहा कि नौ दशमलव तीन प्रतिशत मुद्रास्फीति स्वीकार्य नहीं है और सरकार ने इससे निपटने के लिए कई कदम उठाये हैं। वित्तमंत्री ने कहा कि पूरी दुनिया में मंहगाई बढ़ रही है लेकिन यह कोई कारण नहीं है कि इससे निपटने के उपाय न किये जायें। वित्तमंत्री ने सार्वजनिक वितरण प्रणाली में सुधार की आवश्यकता पर जोर दिया ताकि गरीबी की रेखा से नीचे के लोगों पर महंगाई का कम से कम असर पडे+। उन्होंने सदन को सूचित किया कि सार्वजनिक वितरण प्रणाली में सुधार के लिए गुजरात के मुख्यमंत्री की अध्यक्षता में बनी समिति ने अपनी रिपोर्ट दे दी है और उसमें जो सुझाव दिये गये हैं वें व्यवहारिक हैं।
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 टू-जी स्पेक्ट्रम मामले के सिलसिले में सीबीआई के चार सदस्यों के दल ने डीएमके पार्टी की राज्यसभा सांसद कणिमोझी और तमिलनाडु के मुख्य मंत्री करूणनिधि की पत्नी दयालु अम्मल से पूछताछ शुरू कर दी है। ये दोनों कलैइनार टीवी की शेयर धारक हैं। उनसे डीएमके मुख्यालय में कलैइनार टीवी के कार्यालय में पूछताछ की जा रही है।
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 भारत ने परमाणु हथियार ले जाने में सक्षम बैलिस्टिक मिसाइल धनुष का सफल परीक्षण किया है। ओड़िशा तट के पास भारतीय नौसेना ने एक जहाज से आज सुबह दस बजकर पांच मिनट पर ये मिसाइल दागी। पारादीप और पुरी के बीच बंगाल की खाड़ी में साढ़े तीन सौ किलोमीटर तक मार करने वाली इस मिसाइल का परीक्षण किया गया। धनुष, साढ़े सात सौ किलोग्राम तक के पारम्परिक और परमाणु हथियारों से समुद्र में और जमीन पर ठिकानों पर मार कर सकता है। धनुष जमीन से जमीन पर मार करने वाली पृथ्वी मिसाइल का ही एक रूप है, जिसे नौसेना के लिए विकसित किया गया है। पिछले वर्ष २७ मार्च को भी बंगाल की खाड़ी में आईएनएस सुभद्रा से इसका सफल परीक्षण किया गया था। आज ही बालेश्वर में चांदीपुर समन्वित परीक्षण रैंज से पृथ्वी-दो मिसाइल का भी सफल परीक्षण किया गया।
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 सरकार ने सोमाली समुद्री लुटेरों द्वारा बंधक बनाये गये भारतीय नाविकों की सुरक्षित रिहाई के लिए मिस्र और संयुक्त अरब अमारात की सरकारों के साथ विचार-विमर्श के जरिए राजनयिक प्रयास तेज करने का फैसला किया है। इन दोनों देशों में अपहृत जहाजों के मालिक रहते हैं। आज नई दिल्ली में मंत्रिमंडल की सुरक्षा संबंधी समिति की बैठक के बाद लोकसभा में वक्तव्य देते हुए विदेश मंत्री एस एम कृष्णा ने कहा कि सरकार उन देशों के साथ भी तालमेल कायम करेगी, जिनके नागरिक बंधक बनाये गये हैं। इसके अलावा संयुक्तराष्ट्र के दायरे में अंतर्राष्टीय स्तर पर प्रयास तेज किये जायेंगे। श्री कृष्णा ने कहा कि सरकार जहाजों के मालिकों के साथ संपर्क भी बढ़ायेगी। उन्होंने कहा कि भारतीय जहाजों और नाविकों की जल्दी रिहाई पर निगरानी के लिए राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर अंतर मंत्रालय समूह बनाया गया है, जिसकी अध्यक्षता कैबिनेट सचिव करेंगे। यह समूह भारतीय नाविकों की रिहाई के बाद उनकी भलाई के लिए किये जाने वाले आवश्यक उपायों पर भी विचार करेगा।
 विदेश मंत्री ने कहा कि अदन की खाड़ी में समुद्री लुटेरों के मुद्दे को हल करने के लिए भारतीय नौसेना उपयुक्त निर्देश दिये गये हैं और नौसेना अन्य देशों की नौसेनाओं के साथ तालमेल कर रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि सुरक्षा संबंधी मंत्रिमंडलीय समिति ने समुद्री लुटेरों द्वारा भारतीय नाविकों को बंधक बनाये जाने से उत्पन्न स्थिति की समीक्षा की और कहा कि ५३ लोग अब भी लुटेरों के कब्जे में हैं। श्री कृष्णा ने कहा कि समिति ने समुद्री डकैती से निपटने के कानूनी, प्रशासनिक और कार्रवाई संबंधी पहलूओं से निपटने के लिए कई उपायों की मंजूरी दी। उन्होंने कहा कि इसमें जहाजरानी, रक्षा और विदेश मंत्रालय का मध्यम और लंबी अवधि की कार्रवाई योजना शामिल है।
 सदन में विपक्ष की नेता सुषमा स्वराज ने अपनी संक्षिप्त टिप्पणी में तुरंत कार्रवाई करने के लिए सरकार की सराहना की और समुद्री लुटेरों की समस्या से निपटने के लिए अंतर्राष्टीय कानूनों का समूचित तरीके से इस्तेमाल करने का सुझाव दिया।
 विदेश राज्य मंत्री प्रणीत कौर ने राज्यसभा में भी इसी तरह का वक्तव्य दिया।
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 भारत ने सयुक्तराष्ट्र सुरक्षा परिषद में जोर देकर कहा है कि सोमाली समुद्री लुटेरों द्वारा बंधक बनाये गये नाविकों की सुरक्षित रिहाई की जिम्मेदारी मुख्य रूप से जहाज मालिकों की है। संयुक्त राष्ट्र में भारत के राजदूत हरदीप सिंह पुरी ने सोमालिया पर चर्चा के दौरान यह बात कही। नई दिल्ली में विदेश मंत्रालय के सूत्रों ने कहा है कि श्री पुरी ने समुद्री डकैती पर काबू पाने के लिए सामुहिक अंतर्राष्ट्रीय कार्रवाई की भी अपील की। इस समय विभिन्न देशों के जहाजों में समुद्री लुटेरों ने ५३ भारतीयों को बंधक बनाया हुआ है। बंधकों की हालत पर चिंता व्यक्त करते हुंए उन्होंने कहा कि बंधकों को लुटेरे यातनाएं देते हैं और उन्हें बहुत कठिनाईयों का सामना करना पड़ता है।
 चर्चा में भाग लेने वाले कई राजनयिकों ने हाल में ओमान के तट के पास सोमाली समुद्री लुटेरों द्वारा पकड़ी गई नौका में चार अमरीकियों के मारे जाने की कड़ी निंदा की।
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 प्रवर्तन निदेशालय मुम्बई की सत्र अदालत से पुणे के व्यापारी हसन अली खान को हिरासत में लेने में विफल रहा है। अदालत ने खान को सबूतों के अभाव में सशर्त जमानत दे दी। जज एम एल तहलियानी ने आज फिर से प्रवर्तन निदेशालय को कमजोर मामला पेश करने के लिए फटकार लगाई और कहा कि निदेशालय ने जो गोपनीय सबूत दिये हैं, वो इंटरनेट पर पहले से ही उपलब्ध हैं। अदालत ने कहा कि प्रवर्तन निदेशालय द्वारा दिये गये दस्तावेजों से अली के खिलाफ मामला नहीं बनता।
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 मधुमेह का पता लगाने के सरकारी कार्यक्रम के तहत कम से कम १५ करोड़ लोगों की जांच की जा रही है। लोकसभा मे प्रश्नकाल के दौरान यह जानकारी देते हुए स्वास्थ्य और परिवार कल्याण मंत्री गुलाम नबी आजाद ने कहा कि सरकार ने इस काम के लिए २१ राज्यों के एक सौ जिलों में पायलट योजना शुरू की है।
 विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन की उस रिपोर्ट का हवाला देते हुए, जिसमें भारत में मधुमेह के रोगियों की संख्या सबसे अधिक बतायी गई है, श्री आजाद ने कहा कि आगामी पांच वर्षो में पूरी आबादी की जांच की जाएगी। उन्होने कहा कि वर्तमान कार्यक्रम के अंतर्गत इस बीमारी का प्रसार रोकने के लिए तीस वर्ष से अधिक आयु के रोगियों और गर्भवती महिलाओं की जांच की जाएगी। श्री आजाद ने यह भी कहा कि छह महानगरों के अलावा यह योजना दस लाख से अधिक आबादी वाले सभी शहरों में लागू की जाएगी।
 एक प्रश्न के उत्तर में श्री आजाद ने कहा कि सरकार ने देसी चिकित्सा पद्धतियों को बढ़ावा देने के लिए राज्य सरकारों को १५ हजार करोड़ रुपये की राशि आवंटित की है। उन्होंने कहा कि राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण स्वास्थ्य मिशन के तहत डॉक्टरों की कमी से निपटने के लिए सरकार ने एक लाख से अधिक डॉक्टरों को अनुबंधित कियां है।

केन्द्रीय सरकार की तरफ से हर साल १५ हजार करोड़ रूपया राज्य सरकारों को दिया जाता है, इन्फ्रास्ट्रक्चर के लिए। उसमें जहां केन्द्रीय सरकार की तरफ से ज्यादा डॉक्टर्स जो राज्य सरकार नही दे पाते है, जहां कमी है कंट्रक्चुअल अपाइंट है, रखने की प्रावधान है और उसके साथ-साथ ही आईज के चाहें वे आर्युवेदा के हो, चाहें यूनानी के हो, सिधा के हो ये डॉक्टर्स लगाने का प्रावधान भी है।

 उन्होंने कहा कि ग्रामीण स्वास्थ्य सुविधाओं को चुस्त-दुरूस्त बनाने के लिए अवकाशप्राप्त डॉक्टरों की भी नियुक्ति की जा रही है। श्री आजाद ने कहा कि देश की आवश्यकता पूरी करने के लिए सरकार देसी चिकित्सा पद्धतियों को प्रोत्साहन देने के वास्ते प्रतिबद्ध है।

सबसे बडी चीज यह हुई है, जहां-जहां भी ये नई डिस्पेंसरीज्‌ जिनके लिए केन्द्रीय सरकार पैसा देती है, चाहें वो डिस्ट्रीक या सब-डिस्ट्रीक, सीएससी या प्राईमरी हैल्थ सेन्टर पर। वहां उसी बिल्डिंग के अन्दर आयुष आर्युवेदा या यूनानी या सिद्दा क्योंकि अलग-अलग जगह पर है ये डिस्पेंसरियां। उसका प्रावधान भी रखा गया है, जिसको हम पोलकेशन कहते है और हमारी तरफ से ये राज्य सरकारों को सख्त हिदायत है कि जो नई बिल्डिंगें बनी और जो बन रही है। उनमें वो लोकेशन जरूरी होना चाहिये ताकि जब डिस्पेंसरी में कोई भी मरीज जाएं उसके पास दोनों किस्म की दवाई मौजूद वहां उसी एक छत्त के नीचे होनी चाहिये आयुर्वेदा भी यूनानी भी। और पिछले पांच साल में एक लाख से ज्यादा कंट्रेक्चुअल अपाइंटमेंट सुई है। केन्द्रीय सरकार के पैसे के द्वारा डिस्ट्रीपूर्ण और सब डिस्ट्रीपूर्ण प्राइमरी हैल्थ सेन्टर में इसमें तकरीबन एक तिहाई यूनानी और आयुर्वेदा के डाक्टर्स भी है।
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 मनोनीत सदस्य और जाने-माने कृषि वैज्ञानिक डॉक्टर एम एस स्वामीनाथन ने पैदावार बढ़ाने के लिए कई उपाय सुझाये हैं। राज्यसभा में वर्ष २०११-१२ के आम बजट पर चर्चा में हिस्सा लेते हुए डॉक्टर स्वामीनाथन ने सरकार से अनुरोध किया कि रागी, बाजरा और जवार जैसे अनाजों के भी न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य तय करे। उन्होंने कहा कि इससे किसान बड़े पैमाने पर इन अनाजों के उत्पादन के लिए प्रोत्साहित होंगे और इससे अनाज की कमी दूर करने मे मदद मिलेगी।
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 बम्बई शेयर बाजार का सेंसेक्स विदेशी फण्डस्‌ की बिकवाली के दबाव में आज १२८ अंक नीचे खुला। अब से कुछ देर पहले .१५८ की गिरावट के साथ १८ हजार १७१ पर था। अमरीका के कमजोर आर्थिक आंकड़ों और सउदी अरब में गड़बड़ी के कारण दुनिया भर के बाजारों में मंदी का रूख है। जापान में जबर्दस्त भूकम्प और त्सुनामी के बाद निक्केई करीब पौने दो प्रतिशत गिर गया।
 नेशनल स्टॉक एक्सचेंज का निफ्‌टी भी ४८ अंक गिरकर ५ हजार ४४५ पर था।
 अन्तर बैंक विदेशी मुद्रा बाजार में शुरूआती कारोबार में रूपया डॉलर के मुकाबले सात पैसे कमजोर हुआ और एक अमरीकी डॉलर का भाव ४५ रूपये २५ पैसे रहा। रूपये पर, शेयर बाजार की कमजोरी और दूसरे एशियाई बाजारों में डॉलर की बढ़त का असर दिखाई दिया।
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 राष्ट्रपति प्रतिभा देवीसिंह पाटील ने मणिपुर के लोगों से आग्रह किया है कि सौहार्द बनाये रखे और विकास और प्रगति के लिए राष्ट्रीय मुख्य धारा में शामिल हों। उन्होंने आज मंत्रिपुखरी में सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी पार्क की आधारशिला रखी और इम्फाल में राज्यव्यापी एरिया नेटवर्क स्वान का उदघाटन किया। उन्होंने कहा कि शांतिपूर्ण माहौल में ही सतत विकास संभव है।
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 असम में विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले चरण के लिए अधिसूचना जारी होने के बाद राजनीतिक गतिविधियां तेज हो गई हैं। हमारे संवाददाता ने बताया कि नामांकन पत्र भरने के पहले दिन कल किसी उम्मीदवार ने पर्चा नहीं भरा।

 पहले चरण में चार अप्रैल को मतदान होगा। १७ मार्च तक नामांकन भरे जाएंगे और २१ मार्च तक नाम वापस लिये जा सकेंगे।
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 जम्मू कश्मीर पुलिस ने जम्मू डिवीजन के सीमावर्ती डोडा शहर से लश्करे तैयबा के हवाला ऑपरेटर को गिरफ्तार किया है। बशीर अहमद नाम के इस व्यक्ति के पास से एक लाख ८४ हजार रुपये की हवाला राशि भी बरामद की गई।

जिला डोडा के पुलिस सुपरिटेंडेट मोहम्मद आरिफ रेशू के अनुसार लशकरे तैयबा के हवाला ऑपरेटर बशीर अहमद को उस वक्त पकड़ा गया, जब वह डोडा शहर के बाहरी इलाके में आतंकवादियों के एक छुपने की जगह की तरफ हवाला रकम लेकर जा रहा था। वो ये रकम लश्करे तैयबा के कमांडर महूदी के आदेश पर एक और आतंकवादी जावेद अहमद एलियास हरेरा को देने जा रहा था, जब उसने पुलिस को दबोच लिया। उसकी गहन पूछताछ की जा रही है, ताकि अन्य आतंकी संगठनों के साथ उसके संबंधों का पता चलाया जा सकें।

 क्रिकेट विश्व कप के ग्रुप-बी में आज के पहले मुकाबले में मोहाली में जीत के लिए २७६ रन के लक्ष्य का पीछा करते हुए आयरलैंड ने ताजा समाचार मिलने तक १६ ओवर में २ विकेट पर ६३  रन बना लिए थे।
 ग्रुप-बी के ही दूसरे मैच में चटगांव में मेजबान बंग्लादेश ने टॉस जीतकर गेंदबाजी का फैसला किया है।  ताजा समाचार मिलने तक इंग्लैंड ने .१२वें ओवर में २ विकेट पर .४०  रन बना लिए थे।
 हमारे संवाददाता के अनुसार इंग्लैंड और बांग्लादेश दोनों ही टीम क्वार्टर-फाइनल की दौड़ में बने रहने के लिए कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ना चाहेंगी।

 अब जबकि ग्रुप-बी में क्वार्टर-फाइनल के लिए दौड़ तेज हो गई है, पिछली अनिश्चितताओं से सबक लेते हुए इंग्लैंड और बंग्लादेश दोनों ही चटगांव की सूखी, सपाट और हलका टर्न लेती पिच पर सावधानी से खेलना चाहेंगे, ताकि वह क्वार्टर-फाइनल की दौड़ में बने रहें।  इंग्लैंड का दक्षिण अफ्रीका से हुए मैच में मात्र १७१ रन बनाने के बावजूद जीत दर्ज करने के कारण मनोबल उंचा होगा लेकिन आयरलैंड के हाथों मिली हार उसे सावधान करती रहेगी। वहीं बंग्लादेश वैस्टइंडीज से मिली करारी शिकस्त को भुलाना चाहेगा। आंकड़ों के मुताबिक इंग्लैंड का पलड़ा भारी लगता है क्योंकि दोनों टीमों के बीच अब तक हर प्रकार के फार्मेट में हुए २२ मैचों में से इंग्लैंड ने २१ में जीत दर्ज की है। यहां तक कि वर्ल्ड कप में अब तक दोनों के बीच २००७ में हुए एकमात्र मैच में भी इंग्लैंड विजयी रहा था।  हालांकि इंग्लैंड को केविन पीटर्सन और स्टुअर्ट ब्राड की कमी खलेगी लेकिन इओइन मोर्गन जैसे शानदार बल्लेबाज के उंगली की चोट से उबरने के कारण इंग्लैंड मार्गन और रवी बोपारा से शानदार साझेदारी की उम्मीद कर सकता है।  दूसरी ओर बंग्लादेश को तमीम इकबाल और शाकिब-अल-हसन की भारत के साथ हुई पारियों की फिर से दरकार होगी।  साथ ही जुनैद सिद्दकी, रकीब-उल-हसन, मोहम्मद अशरफुल और अबदुर्र रज्जाक को भी प्रभावशाली होना पड़ेगा।  क्योंकि आज अगर बंग्लादेश हारता है तो अनिश्चितताओं से भरे ग्रुप-बी में वह और पिछड़ जाएगा।
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THE HEADLINES:
  • Massive earth quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hits Japan; Devastating  13 feet Tsunami waves sweep North East Japanese coast; Widespread damage reported in Tokyo and elsewhere.
  • Tsunami warning issued for several countries including Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawai.
  • Finance Minister announces hike in Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme; Each MP to get five crore under the scheme.
  • CBI interrogates DMK Rajyasabha MP Kannimozhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal in connection with the 2G Spectrum case.
  • India successfully test-fires nuclear capable ballistic missile DHANUSH  off the coast of Orissa.
  • Sensex drops 235 points in afternoon trade.
  • And in the world cup group b cricket matches: West Indies set a victory target of 276 against Ireland; Bangladesh have won the toss and elected to field against England at Chittagong.
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Japan was struck by a magnitude 7.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast today. The quake unleashed a 13-foot tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicenter. There were reports of injuries in Tokyo. The quake that struck at 2:46 p.m. JST.  It was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one. The Japanese National   broadcaster NHK  said it   struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, about 125 kilometers off the eastern coast,   The area is 380 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. The US Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measured it at 7.9.    The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. NHK is warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.
In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. According to footage on public broadcaster NHK, a large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture.
Officials were trying to assess damage, injuries and deaths from the quake but had no immediate details. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the US state of Hawaii.
In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers rushed into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.
In central Tokyo, trains are stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms. NHK said that ceiling in Kudan Kaikan, a large hall in Tokyo, collapsed, injuring an unknown number of people, The nuclear power plant in Miyagi prefecture has stopped operating. Power has been cut in Sendai city, where there are numerous reports of gas leaks. The government has set up a crisis management team at the prime minister's office. Meanwhile, the Japan's Nikkei 225 stock index has plunged 1.7 percent,  after the  a powerful earthquake
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck off West Nusatenggara in central Indonesia this morning. An official of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the quake jolted at 00:08 a.m. Jakarta time with the epicenter at 165 km northwest of Sumbawabesar of West nusa Tenggara and with a depth of 523 km under the sea bed. The official said the intensity of the quake was felt at 4 Modified Mercally Intensity in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province. However, there was no initial report of damage or casualty.
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A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 struck off West Nusatenggara in central Indonesia this morning. The quake jolted at 8 minutes past 12 midnight. Jakarta time with the epicenter 165 km northwest of Sumbawabesar of West nusa Tenggara and with a depth of 523 km under the sea bed.
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In China, soldiers with sniffer dogs and life detectors kept searching in the rubble today for survivors after a quake hit southwest Yunnan Province yesterday. The 5.8-magnitude tremor, which jolted Yingjiang County of the Province near the border with Myanmar, has left 25 people dead and 250 others injured. Doctors said 134 people were in a serious condition. The earthquake destroyed more than 18,000 houses and damaged around 50,000 others.
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The Finance Minister today announced a substantial hike in the MPLAD scheme. Replying the debate on the general budget in the Lok Sabha today the Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said that each MP will now get five crores instead of two crores in the scheme. He said it will involve an expenditure of 2370 crore rupees. He however made it clear that in the States where assembly elections have been announced, the funds can be used after the process is over.
Refuting the allegations of the Opposition Mr. Pranab Mukherjee said that the issue of black money can be tackled within the framework of law and the system needs to be improved. He explained the rationale of the budget proposals saying that agriculture and infrastructure remained the focus. He said that increasing agricultural productivity and reducing wastage has been his priority and gave the steps envisaged in the budget for the purpose. He said that the agricultural credit has been enhanced manifold and farmers who have been making loan payments continue to get inter subvention. Those farmers who pay their loans in time are paying only four percent interest. He accepted that it is important to augment the electric supply but dismissed the opposition charge that nothing substantial has been done in this sector. The House later passed the supplementary demands for grants for the year 2011-12.
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The Government has decided to intensify diplomatic efforts through consultations with the government of Egypt and the  UAE where the owners of concerned vessels reside to seek the safe and secure release of the Indian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha today after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on security in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister said that it will also coordinate with the government of other nationalities whose people have been held hostage, besides intensifying efforts at the multilateral level and within the framework of the  United Nations. Mr. S.M. Krishna said the government will also step up contacts with the owners of the vessels. He said an inter ministerial group under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary will act as an apex forum at the national level to monitor the early release of Indian ships, cargo or crew.
The group will also consider welfare measures necessitated after the release of hijacked Indian nationals.
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India  has put it very strongly before the UN Security Council that  ship- owners are primarily responsible to secure the release of sailors taken captive by the Somali pirates. The Indian envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said this at a debate on Somalia.  External Affairs Ministry sources said in New Delhi that Mr.Puri also called for strong collective action on the part of the international community to rein in piracy.   53 Indians are being currently held by pirates on ships belonging to different countries.  Expressing concern over their condition,  he said sailors are in many circumstances required to endure very harsh conditions under the captivity of pirates and are often tortured by their captors.
Several diplomats at the debate condemned the recent killing of four Americans on the yacht,  captured by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman in the Indian Ocean.
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A four-member CBI team has begun interrogation of DMK Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi's  wife, Dayalu Ammal  in connection    with the 2G spectrum case. Both are  share holders in Kalaignar TV.   The interrogation is  going on at the  Kalaignar TV  office inside the DMK's headquarters building.
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The Mumbai Sessions court will today decide whether the Enforcement Directorate should be given Hasan Ali's custody or whether he should be granted bail. The court has for the last 2 consecutive days slammed the ED for its incomplete investigation. The court also asked ED to gather enough evidence against Ali to ask for his custody. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali has been produced in the court today. Proceedings are currently on in the court.
After being rapped by the court for not doing its homework, the Enforcement Directorate yesterday said that Hasan Ali Khan needed to be probed as it has a bearing on national security and pressed for his 14-day custodial interrogation. The ED also cited alleged non-cooperation by the Pune-based businessman and stud farm owner in its probe into the money laundering charges to seek his remand.
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President Smt. Pratibha Patil has urged the people of Manipur to maintain harmony and join the national mainstream   for the development and progress of the country. Laying the foundation stone of Information Technology Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal and opening the State Wide Area Network (SWAN) this morning at Imphal, the President said, sustained development can take place in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Congratulating Manipur for being the top state in the country at the recently held Jharkhand National Games, the President expressed that the state will continue to produce world class sports persons and bring glory to the nation.
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India today successfully test- fired nuclear capable ballistic missile DHANUSH from a naval ship off the Orissa coast.  The missile with a range of 350 kilo metres was fired at 1005 hrs this morning by  the Indian Navy as part of user training exercise.  The single-spage ship-based missile was flight-tested in the Bay of Bengal at a spot between Paradip and Puri.  Dhanush has  a pay load capacity of 750 kilo grams and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear war heads.  It can hit both sea and shore-based targets.  The missile which has Liquid Propellant is the Naval version of India's indigenously developed surface-to-surface Prithvi missile system.  Dhanush was successfully flight-tested on 27th March last year from INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal off the Orissa coast.      
Similarly, India also successfully test-fired the Prithvi-II missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of Chandipore in Balasore off the Orissa coast today.  The missile was test-fired  at 10.59 hrs this morning from Launch Complex No.3 of ITR at Chandipore.
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In Assam, political activity is  gaining momentum after the issuance  of the formal notification for the first phase of Assembly Election scheduled to be held on the 4th of next month. However, no candidate submitted their nomination forms on the first day of notification yesterday.  AIR correspondent reports that, the last day of filing nominations for this phase of election cancellation of nomination has been fixed on the 17th and  cancellation of the nomination has been fixed on 21ST of this month.
The ruling Congress likely to declare its list of candidates within a day or two- Party sources said that members of screening committee met yesterday to shortlist  the candidates. The committee is expected to meet today again. The AIUDF also likely to announce its first list of candidates within a day or two. The party has already declared to contest in 86 constituencies without any alliance. The main opposition Asom Gana Parishad is expected to announce its fourth list of candidates tomorrow. The party has pre-poll alliance with BPPF and Gana-Sakti. Meanwhile, Election Commission directed the observers appointed for the assembly election to examine critical polling stations of the state. The State Election Department is fully prepared for the polls. The district election officers are instructed to make all necessary arrangements. The Election observers from outside the state is expected to arrive in Assam by next week.
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In Tamil Nadu, talks on identifying constituencies between the Congress and the DMK ended   in Chennai .  This is the third round of talks between the  Election Committees of both parties.  Speaking to newsmen after the talks,  the TNPCC President K.V. Thangabalu said that the talks were smooth and satisfying.  He said that another round of talks will be held this evening.  The DMK has offered  63 Assembly constituencies to  the Congress in the coming elections. 
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Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has today unanimously condemned the violence took place on the Tank Bund during the Million March Protest called by Telnagana Joint Action Committee yesterday. Both ruling and Opposition parties have condemned the demolition of Statues of eminent Telugu personalities of yesteryears by the agitators. While the Opposition members from Telugu Desam Party held the Government responsible for the demolition of the statues, members of the ruling Congress party said the violence had been restricted due to the precautionary measures taken by the police. The left parties, CPI and CPM have demanded the government to set up an enquiry committee to probe the violent incidents.
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Cutting across party affiliations, members in the Rajya Sabha today expressed serious concern over incidents of vandalism in Hyderabad yesterday describing such acts as a crime against the culture of the state. They also condemned the destruction of 13 statues of the state's popular figures. Raising the issue, Senior BJP leader, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu alleged that external forces were behind the incidents and said it was a sad day for democracy. Mr. M V Mysura Reddy of the  Telugu Desam, Mr. D Raja of the CPI and Mr Janardhana Reddy of the Congress, also expressed grave concerns.
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The Orissa Legislative Assembly (OLA) witnessed uproar scenes today with opposition Congress and BJP members demanding resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the multi-crore pulses scam. Congress members stormed into the well of the houses as soon as the question hour of the second phase of budget session began. They shouted anti-government slogans and blamed the Chief Minister for supplying poisonous and poor quality pulses to lakhs of school children under Mid-Day Meal and thousands of pregnant women under special nutrition programme schemes.  Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat had to adjourn the house time and again for three times as opposition members interrupted in the running of the house.
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In Uttar Pradesh,  Rail traffic on the Delhi -Moradabad route has been continuously disturbed for the last one week following the Jat agitation.  The  agitators  held demonstrations in Meerut and Bijnore today. A Northern Railways spokesperson told our AIR Allahabad correspondent that  about a hundred trains have been cancelled in the last seven days. The Jat community leaders are demanding reservation in central government jobs under the OBC quota. They are sitting on dharna on the railway tracks since the  5th of march at Kafurpur station on the Moradabad division.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, Police yesterday arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba Hawala Operator from the hilly border Doda town of Jammu Division and recovered 1.84 lakh rupees worth hawala money from his possession.
According to Superintendent of Police, Doda Mr. Mohd. Arif Reshu the said Lashkar Hawala operator was captured when he was heading towards a militant’s location on outskirts of Doda along-with the hawala consignment. He has been identified as Bashir Ahmed. The militant was taking the consignment for delivery to Javed Ahmad alias Hurera on the directions of Lashkar commander Mohammadi. Bashir is being subjected to sustained interrogation to ascertain his links with other militants of Lashkar outfit.
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Still with Jammu and Kashmir an amount of 375 crore rupees has been spent under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Scheme so 400 crore rupees has been  earmarked for the current financial year. The information was given at a high level meeting convened in Jammu under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Rural Development Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar. It was informed at the meeting that the next proposed budget for the State under the scheme would be to the tune of 1433 Crore rupees which would provide employment to 7.45 lakh household by generating 664 lakh mandays work .
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The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange fell 128 points, to 18,200 in opening trade, today, on continued selling by foreign funds, amid weak global markets. Later, the Sensex lost further ground, and stood 235 points, or 1.3 percent in the negative zone, at 18,093, in afternoon deals, a short while ago.
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The rupee depreciated by 7 paise to 45.25 per US dollar in early trade today. Forex traders said that dollar gains against other Asian currencies and a weak opening in the stock market mainly put pressure on the rupee.
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And now we bring you news from the ICC Cricket World Cup:
In the on-going Group-B encounter between West Indies and Ireland at Mohali, the Windies have amassed a competitive 275 in their allotted 50 overs.
The West Indian innings featured a well crafted 107 from Opener Devon Smith and a belligerent 94 from Dangerman Keiron Pollard. Put into bat, the Caribbeans endured a slow and steady start but it was the fourth wicket stand between Pollard and Smith that helped their team compile a formidable total. For the Giant Killers Ireland, Kevin O'Brien bagged 4 wickets.
In the other Group-B clash, the co-hosts Bangladesh have won the toss and opted to field against England in a day-night match at Chittagong.
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Nominated member and noted agricultural scientist, Dr M S Swaminathan today suggested several of measures to increase the country's farming produce. Participating in the resumed discussion on the General Budget for 2011-12 in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Swaminathan pleaded with the government to fix the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) of cereal crops like ragi, bajra and jowar. He said the move will encourage the farmers to grow these crops on a large scale.
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The Government has initiated several programmes to increase awareness among the people about population control. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Minister of State for Health Mr. Dinesh Trivedi said that his ministry uses the media to educate people on the importance of population stabilization besides inter personal communication. The Minister said that Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh has also decided a schedule for the telecast of population related short films.
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In Afghanistan, the police chief of the northern Kunduz province and two other police officials were killed last evening when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-packed motorcycle just 150 feet from the police headquarters.
AIR correspondent reports that in another incident, Taliban carried out an attack intended to prevent people from taking part in a cash-for-work program run by the government and NATO troops in the southern province of Kandahar.
Violence in Afghanistan is picking up as traditional fighting season of spring has begun. The suicide attack on police chief again reinforces Taliban presence in relatively peaceful northern provinces. At least 31 people were killed last month in the same city during another suicide attack. Taliban has intensified its attacks in its southern stronghold of Kandahar and Helmand while security in capital Kabul has been beefed up following reports that several suicide bombers are planning attack in the city. NATO-led forces have also upped their offensive with the top US commander saying they expect a tough fighting season ahead. Civilians are increasingly becoming casualty and one of Afghan President’s cousin was killed in a NATO raid yesterday. The incident is under investigation and such casualties have drawn strong criticism from Afghan President in the past.
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Pakistan this morning test-fired a short range surface to surface ballistic missile HATF II (Abdali) with a range of 180 kilometres. The missile can carry nuclear and conventional warheads.
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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has set up a 20 billion dollar development fund for Bahrain and Oman, which have been hit with protests.
In a statement at the end of a meeting of the foreign ministers' of six member GCC in Riyadh, the countries also promised to deal decisively with threats to any member's security. Rejecting any attempt of foreign interference in its affairs the GCC declared, they will firmly curb those trying to foment sectarian rift.
Meanwhile protests continue in some countries in the region while Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ,who is facing deadly protests has announced to draft a new constitution and move to a parliamentary system of government.
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Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh
Date of Birth : Sep 26, 1932
Date of Death : -
Place of Birth : West Punjab
Political party : Indian National Congress
Took Office : May 22, 2004
Left Office : -
Successor : -

 Prime Ministers of India
Manmohan Singh, best known as ' father of Indian Reforms', has emerged as the Congress party's frontrunner, the 14th Prime Minister of India and also the first Sikh to have reached the country's top legislative position. Hailed to be the cleanest man in Indian politics, he was Former Finance Minister and author of the post-1991 economic reforms. He was Born to Mr Gurmukh Singh and Mrs Gursharan Kaur on September 26, 1932 in a small village Gah (West Punjab), now in Pakistan. A brilliant student, Manmohan Singh secured top marks in almost all the major examinations he wrote. After his Masters in Economics from Amritsar's Hindu College under Punjab University he won scholarships to Cambridge and Oxford, earning a doctorate with a thesis on the critical role of exports and free trade in India's economy. Manmohan Singh won the prestigious Adam Smith prize in 1956 from Cambridge University. The following year, he returned to India as a university lecturer and for the next nine years remained at Punjab University before being posted for international duty with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). He then joined the Delhi School of Economics as a professor. Two years later, his academic career was cut short and he joined the government to serve in various capacities. Singh held several positions throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. He served as Economic advisor to the finance ministry in the late 70s, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission and Chairman of University Grants Commission in 1980s and early 1990's and as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1982 to 1985 etc.


An academician, he was discovered by former prime minister Shri. P.V Narasimha Rao. Rao offered him the finance ministry in 1991 under the Congress Government, and the chance to rescue a sickly economy threatened by an acute balance of payments crisis. During his stint as the finance minister (1991-1996), the suave, soft-spoken Sikh guided India out of financial trouble and put the country on course to becoming an economic power by opening up the economy to foreign investment and slashing trade barriers. Singh was always an unlikely politician, who was routed in a parliamentary election in 1999. In fact, he has never won an election and sits in the upper house. Politically, Manmohan Singh is the classic example of the stateless politician. The 71 year old prime minister is married to Gursharan Kaur, they have three daughters.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Date of Birth : Dec 25, 1924
Date of Death : -
Place of Birth : Gwalior
Political party : BJP
Took Office : Mar 19, 1998
Left Office : May 22, 2004
Successor : Dr. Manmohan Singh

 Prime Ministers of India
Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the ex Prime Minister of India, is a multi faceted political personality. He was born on 25th December 1924, at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh to parents Krishna Bihari Vajpayee, a school teacher and Krishna Devi. He was educated at Victoria alias Laxmibai College, Gwalior and D.A.V. College, Kanpur and holds a Postgraduate degree in Political Science. Shri Vajpayee's first brush with nationalist politics was in his student days, when he joined the Quit India Movement of 1942 which hastened the end of British colonial rule. A student of political science and law, it was in college that he developed a keen interest in foreign affairs, an interest he has nourished over the years and put to skilful use while representing India at various multilateral and bilateral foray. For a while he studied law, but midstream he chose to become a journalist. This choice was largely influenced by the fact that as a student he had been an activist in India's struggle for freedom. Shri Vajpayee had embarked upon a journalist's career, which was cut short in 1951 when he joined Bharatiya Jana Sangh. As a founder-member of the Jana Sangh, 1951-1977 (now known as Bharatiya Janatha Party) he served as the party's president and took it to new heights.

He served as the BJP's president for the first five years of its existence, laying the foundation for the party's awesome growth in the last one decade. As a parliamentarian, he has been elected to the Lok Sabha nine times and to the Rajya Sabha twice. He is the only parliamentarian elected from four different States at different times namely UP, Gujarat, MP and Delhi. He served as External Affairs Minister in the Morarji Desai Government from 1977 to 1979. He was elected to various positions including Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition (1993), Lok Sabha; Chairperson of a number of parliamentary committees. He served as Prime Minister for a short stint in 1996. Later on March 19, 1998, he took charge as Prime Minister of India and again on October 13, 1999 for the second consecutive term as the head of a new coalition government, the National Democratic Alliance. He is the only Prime Minister since Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to have become Prime Minister of India through three successive mandates. Apart from politics, Shri Vajpayee has participated in various social and cultural activities. The Krishna Bihari Vajpayee Trust set up by him in the name of his late father promotes a number of constructive activities for the uplift of the deprived and poor as well as children. He has been a Member of the National Integration Council since 1961. Some of his other associations include being President of All India Station Masters and Assistant Station Masters Association (1965-70); Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smarak Samiti (1968-84); Deen Dayal Dham, Farah, Mathura, U.P; and Janmabhomi Smarak Samiti, 1969 onwards. Vajpayee has many literary and artistic accomplishments to his credit. Well known and respected for his love for poetry and as an eloquent speaker, Shri Vajpayee is known to be a voracious reader. He edited Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun. His published works include 'Meri Ikkyavan Kavitayen' and 'Amar Aag Hai' (collection of poems), 'Sankalp Kaal', 'Shakti-se-Shanti', 'Meri Sansadiya Yatra' (in four volumes), 'Four Decades in Parliament' (speeches (1957-95) in three volumes), 'Lok Sabha mein Atalji' (a collection of speeches); 'Mrityu Ya Hatya', 'Amar Balidan', 'Kaidi Kaviraj Ki Kundalian' (a collection of poems written in jail during Emergency), 'New Dimensions of India's Foreign Policy' (a collection of speeches delivered as External Affairs Minister during 1977-79); 'Jan Sangh Aur Mussalman' etc .'Baapji' as affectionately called by his close friends and relatives is a family man. He finds time to spend with his adopted daughters Namita and Neharika in between his hectic schedules. He is fond of Indian music and dance. He loves nature and one of his favorite retreats is Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

India's second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, was conferred upon him in 1992 in recognition of his selfless dedication to his first and only love, India, and his more than half-a-century of service to society and the nation. In 1994, he was named India's 'Best Parliamentarian'. Over the decades, he has emerged as a national leader who has mass appeal and commands respect for his liberal worldview and commitment to democratic ideals.

I.K.Gujral

I.K.Gujral
Date of Birth : Dec 4, 1919
Date of Death : -
Place of Birth : Punjab
Political party : Janata Dal
Took Office : Apr 21, 1997
Left Office : Mar 19, 1998
Successor : Atal Behari Vajpayee

 Prime Ministers of India
He was born in 1919. Formerly in Union Cabinet from 67 - 76 and 89 - 90. Minister of External Affairs (89-90, 96-97), Ambassador to USSR (76 - 80).

Shri H. D. Deve Gowda

Shri H. D. Deve Gowda
Date of Birth : May 18, 1933
Date of Death : -
Place of Birth : Karnataka
Political party : United Front
Took Office : Jun 1, 1996
Left Office : Apr 21, 1997
Successor : Inder Kumar Gujral

 Prime Ministers of India
Shri H. D. Deve Gowda, a staunch crusader of socio-economic development and an ardent admirer of the rich cultural heritage of India, was born on May 18, 1933 in Haradanahalli village of Holenarasipura taluk, Hassan District in Karnataka. A Civil Engineering Diploma holder, Shri Deve Gowda plunged into active politics at the early age of 20 when, after completing his education, he joined the Congress Party in 1953 and remained a member till 1962. Coming from a middle class agrarian background and exposed to the hardships of farmer's life, young Gowda vowed to become a fighter who would take up the cause of poor farmers, under privileged and oppressed sections of society. Starting from lower strata of the democratic set-up, Shri Gowda ascended the political rungs gradually. He earned himself a niche in the minds of people while serving as the President of Anjaneya Co-operative Society and later as a member of Taluk Development Board, Holenarasipura. Hoping to set right the inequalities prevailing in society, he always dreamt of an ideal utopian State. When just 28 years old, the youthful Gowda contested as an Independent and was a runaway success from day one when he first became a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in 1962. An effective Speaker on the floor of the Assembly, he was acclaimed by one and all, including his seniors. Holenarasipur constituency sent him to the Assembly for three more consecutive terms i.e., the Fourth (1967-71); the Fifth (1972-77) and the Sixth (1978-83) Assemblies.


His service as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, from March 1972 to March 1976 and November 1976 to December 1977, won him laurels. Shri Deve Gowda resigned his membership of the Sixth Assembly on November 22, 1982. As a member of the Seventh and the Eighth Assembly, he served as the Minister of Public Works and Irrigation. His tenure as Irrigation Minister saw the switching on of many irrigation projects. He resigned from the Cabinet in 1987 protesting against insufficient allocation of funds for Irrigation. A crusader for freedom and equality, he earned the wrath of the powers that be at the Centre in 1975-76, and was imprisoned during the days of emergency. Shri Deve Gowda utilised this period of forced rest to enrich his knowledge through exhaustive reading. This, and the interaction between him and other stalwarts of Indian politics who were also jailed during that period, helped him mould his personality and perspective. He was a much more seasoned and determined person when he emerged out of his confinement. Elected to Parliament from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency in 1991, he was instrumental in bringing the problems of the State - especially of farmers - to the forefront. He earned respect for his forthright espousal of the plight of farmers, in Parliament. He also earned a name for practicing and upholding the prestige and dignity and Parliament and its institutions. Shri Deve Gowda became the President of Janta party twice at State level and President of State Janata Dal in 1994. He was the driving force behind the Janata Dal's rise to power in the State in 1994. He was elected as the leader of the Janata Dal Legislative Party and on December 11, 1994 he assumed office as the 14th Chief Minister of Karnataka. He then contested as a candidate from Ramanagar Assembly constituency and won by a thumping majority. His prolonged experience in active politics and his strong base at the grassroots level enabled him to plunge straightway into the task of tackling many problems faced by the State. His political acumen was tested again when he brought the Idgah Maidan issue at Hubli to the forefront. It was a ground that belonged to the minority community and was the butt of political controversy. Shri Gowda successfully brought about a peaceful solution to the issue. In January 1995, Shri Gowda toured Switzerland and attended the Forum of International Economists. His tours to European and Middle Eastern countries were a testimony to his achievements as a dedicated politician. His tour to Singapore, which brought in the much needed foreign investment to the State, proved his business acumen. Since the 70s, friends as well as foes have been commenting on his singular pre-occupation with politics and its processes. His politics, says Shri Gowda, is the politics of the people and he is happy when he is surrounded by people and is doing something for them. Shri Gowda is known for giving patient hearing to all shades of opinions and is equally at home with the elite when they come calling. Affectionately called the 'son of the soil' (dharti ke lal), he has proved to be one of the most ardent supporters of liberalisation with a human face. In 1989, his group of the Janata Party fared poorly in Karnataka winning just 2 of the 222 Assembly seats it contested; Shri Gowda himself tasting defeat for the first time in his career losing in both constituencies he contested. He is therefore, no stranger to the fickleness of political fortunes. The defeat lent a sharper edge to his pursuit to regain lost honour and power, and spurred him to re-examine his own style of politics. He made friends in Karnataka and Delhi, and put aside his bitter feuds with political rivals. Shri Gowda is a person with a life style that is simple, a profile that is low, but assertive and effective. Before his political initiation, Shri Gowda had been a contractor taking up minor works. The seven years that he spent as an Independent helped him observe party politics from outside. Ever a workaholic, he was always seen engrossed with books and periodicals in the legislature library. His re-election in 1967 gave him more confidence and in 1969 when the Congress split, he joined the Congress (O) headed by Shri Nijalingappa, which was in power in Karnataka then. But Shri Gowda's big chance came after the rout of Congress (O) in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections. He emerged the leader of a truncated opposition hit by the Indira Gandhi wave. Born to Shri Dodde Gowda and Smt. Devamma, Shri Deve Gowda is proud of his simple agricultural background. Married to Smt. Chennamma, the couple have four sons and two daughters. One of the sons is an MLA in Karnataka and another one was elected to the Lok Sabha. The leadership of the Third Front (a group of regional parties and Non-Congress and Non-BJP combine) leading to Prime Ministership - came to Shri Gowda without him seriously aspiring for it. Shri Deve Gowda resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 30, 1996 to be sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of India.

Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao

Shri P. V. Narasimha Rao
Date of Birth : Jun 28, 1921
Date of Death : Dec 23, 2004
Place of Birth : Andhra Pradesh
Political party : Congress (I)
Took Office : Jun 21, 1991
Left Office : May 16, 1996
Successor : Atal Behari Vajpayee

 Prime Ministers of India
Son of Shri P. Ranga Rao, Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao was born on June 28, 1921 at Karimnagar. He studied in Osmania University, Hyderabad, Bombay University and the Nagpur University. A widower, Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao is the father of three sons and five daughters. Being an agriculturist and an advocate, he joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967 and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He was the Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh, 1971-73; General Secretary, All India Congress Committee, 1975-76; Chairman, Telugu Academy, Andhra Pradesh, 1968-74; Vice-President, Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, Madras, from 1972. He was also Member, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, 1957-77; Member, Lok Sabha 1977-84 and was elected to Eighth Lok Sabha from Ramtek in December, 1984. As Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, 1978-79 he participated in a Conference on South Asia convened by the School of Asian and African Studies, London University. Shri Rao also Chaired Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan's Andhra Centre; he was Minister for External Affairs from January 14, 1980 to July 18, 1984; Minister of Home Affairs from July 19, 1984 to December 31, 1984 and the Minister of Defence from December 31, 1984 to September 25, 1985. He then assumed charge as Minister of Human Resource Development on September 25, 1985. A man of many interests, he likes music, cinema and theatre. His special interest lies in Indian philosophy and culture, writing fiction and political commentary, learning languages, writing poems in Telugu and Hindi and keeping abreast of literature in general. He has successfully published 'SahasraPhan', a Hindi translation of late Shri Viswanatha Satyanarayana's famous Telegu Novel 'Veyi Padagalu' published by Jnanpith; 'Abala Jeevitam', Telugu translation of late Shri Hari Narayan Apte's famous Marathi Novel, "Pan Lakshat Kon gheto", published by Central Sahitya Academy. He translated other famous works from Marathi to Telugu and from Telugu to Hindi, and published many articles in different magazines mostly under a pen name. He lectured at Universities in the U.S.A. and West Germany on political matters and allied subjects. As Minister of External Affairs he travelled extensively to U.K., West Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt in 1974. During the period when he was Minister of External Affairs, Shri Rao successfully brought to bear his scholarly background and rich political and administrative experience on the field of international diplomacy. He chaired the III Conference of UNIDO at New Delhi in January 1980, within a few days of assuming charge. He also chaired a meeting of the Group of 77 at New York in March 1980.


More recently, his role at the Conference of Foreign Ministers of Non-aligned Countries in February 1981 earned him wide appreciation. Shri Rao has shown keen personal interest in international economic issues and personally led the Indian delegation to the Conference of the Group of 77 on ECDC at Caracas, in May 1981. 1982 and 1983 were eventful years for India and its foreign policy. In the shadow of the Gulf war the Non-aligned Movement asked India to host the Seventh Summit. This also meant India assuming the Chair of the Movement and Smt. Indira Gandhi becoming its Chairperson. Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao presided over meetings of Foreign Ministers of Non-aligned Nations on the eve of the New Delhi Summit and also at the United Nations both in 1982, when India was asked to host the Summit and the following year when, at the initiative of the Movement, informal consultations amongst Heads of State and Government from diverse nations across the world were held at New York. Shri Rao was also the Leader of the Special Non-aligned Mission that visited countries in West Asia in November 1983, in an effort to resolve the Palestian Liberation Organisation. Shri Rao was associated actively with the Commonwealth Heads of Government in New Delhi and with the Action Group set up by the meeting on the question of Cyprus. In his capacity as Minister of External Affairs, Shri Narasimha Rao has chaired on behalf of India a number of Joint Commissions including those with the U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Vietnam, Tanzania and Guyana. Shri Narasimha Rao took over as Home Minister on July 19, 1984. He was re-appointed to this post, with the additional charge of the Ministry of Planning, on November 5, 1984. Appointed Minister of Defence from December 31, 1984 to September 25, 1985. On September 25,1985 he took over as Minister of Human Resource Development.