News Digest: Parkash Singh Badal makes light of Gujarat's development model

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, April 11, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Parkash Singh Badal makes light of Gujarat's development model Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday said work in Gujarat was visible more as it started from a very low level on development index while Punjab had already reached a saturation point. Except Jayalalithaa, no Non-DMK leader is talking about 2G during campaign With the common man hit hard by water and power scarcity, the issue of corruption, particularly the 2G spectrum scam, has been relegated to the background in Tamil Nadu. With 845 in poll fray, Tamil nadu needs more EVMs The Election Commission will have to source more electronic voting machines (EVM) for TN as there are 845 candidates in the fray, a record for parliamentary elections in the state. More India News»

		Business
		RBI panel seeks new tool to fix rates A Reserve Bank of India appointed panel has backed sweeping changes in the way bank fix interest rates and end the discrimination of old customers, moves that will come as a big relief to millions of borrowers groaning under the weight of rising EMIs. For India Inc, wealth lies in the hinterland If the previous decade saw one of the largest “Bharat” reach-out plans by FMCG companies, this decade will mark a turning point for any entity with a consumer interface — be it automobile makers, telecom firms, healthcare service providers or banking and finance companies. Adani scrips see up to 23% jump The stocks of companies belonging to the Ahmedabad-based Adani Group rallied smartly in Thursday’s market as a Narendra Modi-led government at the centre is seen as a huge positive for the group’s businesses. More Business News»

		Environment
		Anacondas land in Chennai, to reach Thiruvananthapuram zoo today Cargo hold area at the Chennai airport had a special consignment from Sri Lanka on Wednesday.The consignment had seven anacondas including six females, en-route to Thiruvananthapuram zoo. Gautala sanctuary to get cameras for tracking animals The wildlife division has sent a proposal seeking 12 trap cameras for the sanctuary, which will also help in the bi-annual animal census activity. 10 birds poisoned in Amravati forest In a shocking incident, 10 birds including seven peahens, one each fantail flycatcher, crow peasant, and pond heron died of poisoning in Pohara-Malkhed forest near Amravati. More Environment News»

		World
		US health secretary resigns Kathleen Sebelius' resignation comes just over a week after sign-ups closed for the first year of insurance coverage under the so-called Obamacare law. Hillary Clinton dodges shoe during speech Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie said the protester was not a ticketed guest for Clinton’s speech at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Britain's MI5 files reveal Mata Hari's secrets Britain on Thursday declassified the top secret files of spies during World War I held in the archives of the country’s intelligence agency MI5. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Gutthi to return to 'Comedy Nights With Kapil'? Fans of 'Comedy Nights With Kapil' were pleasantly surprised when they got to know that their favourite comedians Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover (Gutthi) have resolved their differences and will reunite for the show. Security guards break into Irrfan's hotel room in Hawaii Before you speculate on the reasons that prompted the guards to break into Irrfan’s room, rest assured all is well with him. Shraddha Kapoor to replace Vidya Balan? After Vidya Balan opted out of Sujoy Ghosh’s Durga Rani Singh, citing health reasons, buzz was that she may quit Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani (HAK) as well. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientists create world's first vagina in lab using patients' tissues In a path-breaking procedure, scientists have carried out successful vaginal implant in four women using engineered tissues. Main anti-swine flu drugs found to be useless Scientists have found that the two drugs used across the world to treat swine flu — Tamiflu and Relenza — are no better than Paracetamol in relieving flu symptoms and are next to useless in preventing a pandemic. British Museum uses CT scan to examine mummies A path breaking CT scan has helped British Museum experts examine mummies after thousands of years without opening their ceremonial cases and disturbing the bodies. More Science News»

		Sports
		Honour to play under Pietersen: Tiwary "Kevin Pietersen has been my idol and it will be a great honour for me to play under his captaincy. I am sure, I will learn a lot from him," said Tiwary. Jamaica's Powell banned for 18 months Ex-100m record holder Asafa Powell was banned for 18 months by a Jamaican Anti-doping Disciplinary panel after he tested positive for a banned substance. 'IPL will be beneficial to my growth' Parvez Rasool is now ready for his second stint in the IPL and reckons that the presence of star players in Sunrisers Hyderabad will help him grow as a cricketer. More Sports News»

		Technology
		LG G Flex review: Futuristic smartphone, hefty price tag Does the LG G Flex offer enough reasons to buy a curved smartphone? Is this Apple's product roadmap for 2014? Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed new information about the allegedly upcoming devices, including the rumoured smartwatch and set-top box. Heartbleed bug: All you need to know Here are answers to some common questions about Heartbleed and how you can protect yourself... More Technology News»

		Education
		In tight race, Yadav votes may be clincher Voters have aptly responded to the historic four-cornered contest in Gurgaon with record 70.6% turnout.Now, the outcome is anyone's guess till May 16 when counting of votes takes place. 24 score less than zero in CET Even though just scoring zero marks in common entrance test (CET) are enough for admission to management courses, about two dozen students across the state managed to score even below that. Finally, Presidency gets a full-time VC Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, former director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and a member of Presidency University Mentor Group (PMG), has been appointed as the new vice chancellor of Presidency University (PU). More Education News»

		Mumbai
		With 158 score, four shine in Maharashtra CET Four students have secured 158 out of 200—the highest score in the Maharashtra common entrance test (CET) for admissions to MBA/MMS in colleges in the state. Lok Sabha polls: Armed with video teams, EC keeping hawk's eye on candidate's expenses Displaying unprecedented alertness, the Election Commission has put in place an elaborate system for the Lok Sabha elections to track the expenses of candidates and prevent inducements, particularly in cash. Gadchiroli: Democracy wins in face of fear One is not so sure about poverty, but fear is without doubt a state of mind. In Gadchiroli, though, the fear is real, almost tangible. One can see it in people’s eyes. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Enthusiastic elders stick to old loyalties  They have seen many governments come and go. Yet there was no dearth of enthusiasm among elderly voters as they came in good numbers to exercise their franchise, most of them turning up early in the day. Jet pilots go 'missing', give Germans MH 370 scare The act of two Jet Airways pilots keeping their headphones away from them caused panic at German airports on March 13 as the air traffic control (ATC) could not get in touch with them for a full 30 minutes. December poll zeal missing from many villages Villages in West, South and North West Delhi constituencies voted in large numbers on Thursday.  More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		EC chides CM for remarks against Modi The Election Commission on Thursday admonished Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah for his derogatory remarks against BJP PM nominee Narendra Modi. They came for their sites, made to run around Confusion loomed large on day two of the Lok Adalat held for the Arkavathy Layout allottees at the BDA head office on Thursday. 'I am ready to suffer rather than take revenge' In the first reaction to allegations of his intervention in the probe of the murder of rector Fr KJ Thomas, Archbishop Bernard Moras on Thursday said he'd rather suffer than take revenge. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		'Army' shield for Seemandhra migrants in Hyderabad Not many noticed when a website ‘telugusainyam.com’ was launched on March 27 and declared that it’s avowed objective was to ‘protect’ and safeguard the interests and property of 35 lakh Seemandhra people in Hyderabad. KCR to do a Modi with 3-D tech Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekar Rao is all set to do a Narendra Modi in Telangana. Telangana: Jairam on mission to quell rebellion According to party sources, Jairam, who began meeting with the rebels on Wednesday, was asked to rush to Hyderabad on the fire-fighting mission following reports that 50 to 60 Congress rebels have filed their nominations. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Religion, caste hold key to poll outcome in parched Vellore AMatheen Ahmed, a resident of Jameelabad Colony in Vellore, buys 1,000 litres of water twice a week to cater to the needs of his family of six. Alagiri's aide Ritheesh joins AIADMK DMK’s sitting MP from Ramanathapuram, J K Ritheesh, a close associate of expelled party leader MK Alagiri, joined AIADMK on Thursday. Don't sell votes for money: Prof M S Swaminathan Eminent scientist Prof M S Swaminathan has appealed to electors to vote ethically and not sell votes for money. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Housewife paints colours of democracy She is a housewife with no formal training in painting.However, when she encounters a major national issue, the painter in her emerges and becomes her voice in the language of lines and shades. Swine flu claims 4th life in Ahmedabad The death of 55-year-old Vejalpur resident, Somti Prajapati from swine flu has sent alarm bells ringing in the health administration.This is fourth death in the last six days in the city. RTI exposes phoney minority panel claim The state government has not set up any state minority commission for the redressal of the issues concerning the minority community. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		PAC, police bands too join efforts In a bid to increase voting percentage during 2014 parliamentary polls, personnel of police and PAC bands are encouraging denizens of the Sangam city to cast vote in coming elections. BJP eager to end decade long hiatus Bharatiya Janata Party poll managers are eager to end a decade long hiatus by riding on the 'Modi wave' to win the Allahabad and Phulpur parliamentary constituencies. Blood donation camp at Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences A blood donation camp was organised at Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences on Thursday. Around 80 units of blood were donated by SHIATS students. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Election in Puri: Maheswar Mohanty steps out, meets workers For the first time since he was attacked in February, BJD candidate from Puri assembly seat Maheswar Mohanty on Thursday addressed party workers in Puri. Kalinganagar may backfire on BJD in Odisha Never before had this debate of industrialization versus agriculture taken centre stage on hustings in the pocket, analysts said. Voters boycott poll at village on Naveen Patnaik's turf Voters in a village under chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Hinjli constituency in Ganjam district boycotted polling on Thursday. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Body found in well A body with no clothes on was found stuffed into a sack, which was recovered from a well at a farm near village Purakhana in Berasia area in Bhopal district on Wednesday evening. NGOs to move court over Gas Rahat hospitals dispensing untested drugs New Delhi-based epidemiologist Dr Sathyamala in a letter to committee chairman and ICMR DG Dr VM Katoch had highlighted abhorrent practice of dispensing untested drugs to gas victims. Doctors' body seeks review of evaluation system MPMOA in a letter said that a target-based evaluation of work was not the best tool to measure their performance. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		At 70, Surinder Mohan Paul becomes first-time voter Surinder Mohan Paul is 70 years old and a first-time voter. I am certain of victory: Pawan Kumar Bansal The former railways minister, who was allegedly involved in Railgate, began his day by visiting Sai temple. 800 voters boycott poll in Morni Tikkar Taal is around 50km from Panchkula and located at 3,000 ft above sea level. More Chandigarh News»

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