News Digest: Lok Sabha polls: Voting begins in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, April 09, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Lok Sabha polls: Voting begins in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur Voting is being held for one seat each in Nagaland and Manipur and two seats each in Arunchal Pradesh and Meghalaya.  SC committee rejects 23 of 24 proposed Uttarakhand hydro projects The committee was set up in October 2013 after the SC took note of a Wildlife Institute of India report that pointed the extensive threat to biodiversity because of these projects. Four NE states go to polls today under tight security The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements for the six Lok Sabha constituencies — two each in Arunachal and Meghalaya and one each in Manipur and Nagaland — that will go to the polls today. More India News»

		Business
		Economy to grow at 5.4% in FY15: IMF The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected India's economy to grow by 5.4% in 2014-15 and 6.4% in 2015-16 on the back of strengthening global growth, improving export competitiveness and implementation of recently approved investment projects. Analjit vies for 33% stake in Sula Billionaire industrialist Analjit Singh, founder of Max Healthcare, has placed a bid to acquire 33% stake in India’s largest winemaker Nashik Vintners, parent of the Sula brand. Sun may let Ranbaxy brand die a slow death The Ranbaxy brand may be allowed to die a slow death over the next two to three years by the company’s new owner - Sun Pharma - due to the negativity surrounding its product quality. More Business News»

		Environment
		Forest department, NHAI plan speed bumps, signages to protect lions During a recent meeting, state forest and NHAI officials have decided to set speed restrictions in the area where lions are found in groups along the costal area in Saurashtra. Illegal sand mining poses threat to Katlabodi tigers Katlabodi tigress and her three sub-adult cubs seem to be under severe threat from brick kilns on the edge of reserve forest areas in Kalmeshwar range, 35km from Nagpur. Harvard adopts 'responsible investment' principles Harvard University said on Monday it adopted a set of environmental and social investing principles backed by the United Nations for its huge endowment fund More Environment News»

		World
		Indonesia's parliamentary poll kicks off Pop stars, actors and mechanics — these are just some of the people hoping to become MPs when the world's third largest democracy heads to the polls on Wednesday in a vote that will heavily influence who becomes Indonesia's next president. US faces Chinese ire over disputed isles Tensions between China and the United States were out in the open on Tuesday as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel faced questions in Beijing about America’s support for Japan and a warning that China will not allow an ‘iota of violation’ of its territory. France's new prime minister wins confidence vote French lawmakers gave their country's new prime minister a vote of confidence Tuesday that is seen as an endorsement of his plans for an economic turnaround built on tax cuts and slashing bureaucracy to the extent of redrawing the map of France. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'A woman thought I am married to Kapil Sharma' I have realised that an actor is known as his current TV character, and for me, it’s as Kapil’s wife in Comedy Nights With Kapil. 'Last call my mom made from hospital was to Salman' Arjun Kapoor, 28, is emotional and sensitive, but curbs his feelings other than with people he is close to. Being a Class XI dropout weighing 140 kgs with separated parents, he could have easily got wavered Is Varun Dhawan the next Salman Khan? With the release of Main Tera Hero, Varun Dhawan has proved his mettle and that he's a super star in the making. Only his second film yet in Bollywood, Varun in Main Tera Hero has carried the entire film on his shoulders. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Giant 'bubbles' to help beat smog in China? A London-based architecture and design company co-founded by an Indian has come up with a new solution called “Bubbles” to combat the increasing air pollution in China. A phone battery that recharges in 30 seconds An Israeli startup has developed a new smartphone battery that can recharge in just under 30 seconds. Booze-sniffing helmet disables engine The students have used a wireless system that links the sensors-fitted helmet to the engine ignition. More Science News»

		Sports
		I don't play to prove a point: Pietersen "This is just a new chapter in my life. I'll go out there and enjoy my cricket. I love the IPL and the competition in it," said DD captain Kevin Pietersen. Yuvi is our greatest match-winner: Gauti Opener Gautam Gambhir says "had there been IPL auction today, he would have still gone" for Yuvraj Singh and called him India's "greatest match-winner". Real Madrid reach semis despite loss Real Madrid reached the semifinals of the Champions League on Tuesday despite losing 2-0 at Borussia Dortmund in their second leg match. More Sports News»

		Technology
		End of Windows XP: Who all are at risk Microsoft will end support for the persistently popular Windows XP on Tuesday. Moto X review: Puts the smarts in the smartphone Moto X does not have cutting-edge hardware, big battery or premium-looking metallic body. But it comes with a unique always-on touchless control system. Read our review to find out if it is worth Rs 23,999. Understanding bitcoin and cryptocurrency Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have been touted as the money of the future. However, the past year has shown their pluses and minuses. More Technology News»

		Education
		Stalling promotion in higher classes can affect kids' psyche Vinitha* used to say the right answers in class, but she couldn’t score marks when it came to written examinations. Only when she was in Class 11 did her parents get to know she had a learning disability. For 100% result and reputation, many schools ask 'weak' students to leave Several schools — and this is no secret, even though they go out of their way to be discreet about the practice — make a list of students in Class 9 and Class 11 that they think could fail if allowed to take the board examinations the next year. IIM-Trichy launches new course A special post-graduate programme in human resource management (PGPHRM) for working professionals in the city was launched by IIM-Trichy on Tuesday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Spurned, man knifes woman, minor in building A Nalasopara man allegedly assaulted a woman and a minor following an altercation at a building in Bhayander (E) on Monday. Road rage: BJP spokesperson assaulted by 6 Hiring ambulance to cost more in Mumbai region as government allows return trip charge The cost of hiring an ambulance may rise as the official government tariff also has a waiting charge of Rs 50 per hour. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		And now, packaged election tourism Elections mean different things to different people. For some innovative travel firms, it means creating special packages to market the great Indian election tamasha.  Northeast Delhi: Neglected seat in a mood to punish Manoj Tiwari, the Bhojpuri star and BJP candidate, has been spending all his time in the party office in Yamuna Vihar while JNU resident, professor Anand Kumar, who is AAP’s candidate, has been virtually living in Babarpur. Dalit voters hold key to Northwest Delhi It's a battle for Dalit votes in the largest of Delhi’s seven Lok Sabha constituencies. Scheduled castes and Jats are the two large communities in North West Delhi, and the three important candidates are using their reserved-category background to the hilt to win support. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Nandan Nilekani a crorepati sans identity: Narendra Modi  BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi attacked Nandan Nilekani and the Aadhaar project during his election rally here on Tuesday.  HC rejects Ashok Kheny's application against election petition The high court on Tuesday dismissed an interlocutory application (IA) filed by Bidar (South) MLA Ashok Kheny, which had sought for dismissal of social activist T J Abraham’s election petition. TOI-B .PAC debate today  The third TOI-B .PAC ‘Citizens Meet the Candidates’ debate will take place on Wednesday between candidates of four political parties from the Bangalore North parliamentary constituency. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		War of posters It’s a new poster that’s found donning the online `homepage’ of YSRCP: An old newspaper clipping with the image of TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu superimposed on it and his face smeared with Rejected’ , written in bold red letters. It's all about the money, honey! With bifurcation raising the stakes in the upcoming general elections, thanks to a spurt in the number of parties and aspirants, even the money at stake has jumped a few notches. 'Not a closed chapter yet' Hours before the deadline for filing the nominations Jayaprakash Narayan confesses that an alliance with ‘team TDP-BJP’ is still an option. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Two girls injured as ceiling fan falls on them in Korukkupet Two girls were injured early on Tuesday when a ceiling fan fell on them while they were asleep in their first floor flat of a Tamil Nadu slum clearance board complex in Korukkupet. Cong's Abhishek Manu Singhvi trains guns on DMK chief In an attack on DMK’s conditional offer of post-poll support, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said on Tuesday that parties in Tamil Nadu that had distanced themselves from his party would “become seekers and pursuers” after the Lok Sabha election results were out on May 16. Mani Shankar Aiyar's one-liners raise few laughs His punchlines have set off controversies in the national capital but the people of Mayiladuthurai are yet to get a taste of Congress candidate Mani Shankar Aiyar’s sense of humour.  More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Posters of Narendra Modi, Madhusudan Mistry removed in Vadodara In an attempt to bring down the poll expenses of the candidates, both the BJP and the Congress have removed the posters with candidates’ photos. The same has been replaced with party posters. Cops make Vadodara a fortress for Narendra Modi's rally  The city has turned into a fortress ahead of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s mega rally on Wednesday. Modi will file his nomination at the end of the rally. Called 'rajneta' as a boy, Narendra Modi lived up to it Crocodiles vanished from the Sarmishtha Lake in this birthplace of Narendra Modi many decades back.  More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Tent and car shortage hits weddings this election season An acute shortage of cars has hit the upcoming wedding season in the district.People looking to hire cars for wedding functions seem to have been beaten in the race by election workers. Narendra Modi mehndi campaign fails to enthuse rural women Bharatiya Janata Party's much hyped 'NaMo Mehndi' campaign is struggling to meet party leaders' expectations in the district. 2 city kids to get Bal Shree award Two students from the city Alice Anshu Philip and Shefali Dubey have been selected for the prestigious Bal Shree award. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Heat wave intensifies in Odisha, Sonepur records 42.6 degree C Heat wave intensified in Odisha on Tuesday with the mercury soaring above 41 degree Celsius at around a dozen places in western region with Sonepur recording the hottest at 42.6 degree C. Cuttack civic body member held in Delhi The crime branch (CB) on Monday arrested corporator of ward No.1 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation , Chitta Ranjan Das from Delhi for a fraudulent land deal. Brown sugar worth Rs 2.5 lakh seized in Jaleswar Excise special squad and Balasore excise team on Monday seized 25g brown sugar worth Rs 2.5 lakh at Jhardeswarpur in Jaleswar.The excise team arrested one person. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Desperate for job, students fall for fake firms' offer Stay on alert in case you are getting persistent calls from companies offering you promising jobs and handsome salaries.You never know you may be getting fake job offers. Essar plea against Greenpeace for inciting Mahan villagers Essar group has lodged a complaint with a trial court in Singrauli seeking action against international environment watchdog Greenpeace India for allegedly instigating villagers in and around Mahan coal block area. Husband, in-laws bow to woman's demand for toilet If Anita Narre had moved out of her husband's house in Betul district in the absence of toilet, now it is Sarita Dehariay who has raised her voice for a toilet in Chhindwara district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Election Commission takes Aamir Khan's help to bring out the voters Besides this, the UT's election wing has also erected a number of other banners having slogans, balloons on the Matka Roundabout, and posters, requesting people to cast their votes. UT department comes out with biometric polling system The election wing of the UT administration has prepared a unique "Biometric Based Polling System" to make the voting system more impartial, systematic and easier to use, presenting it before the Election Commission. B Com students upset over incorrect pattern papers The season of exams has left a section of under-graduate students from the commerce stream unruffled. More Chandigarh News»

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