News Digest: 100-day adult literacy scheme awaits CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's nod

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Tuesday, October 20, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		100-day adult literacy scheme awaits CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's nod The Telangana state directorate of adult education has charted out a 100-day action plan to educate over 50 lakh illiterates in the state through a training programme. Ground water hits all-time low in Telangana If the prediction of the Telangana state ground water directorate (GWD) is anything to go by, the entire state could be staring at a dry spell next summer too. Civilization wouldn't have lasted 5,000 years without tolerance: President Pranab Mukherjee For the second time in a month, a visibly disturbed President has spoken out for tolerance and the importance of protecting diversity in the country. More India News»

		Business
		Walmart paid millions in bribes in India: US probe An investigation by the US government has found retail giant Walmart allegedly paid bribes running into millions of dollars in India, although the payments, often described as "speed money", were meant for low-ranking government officials to obtain real estate licences or push goods through customs. Biggies consolidate office space market Darwinism is playing out in India's office space market. M&M starts agro-product retailing The agri-business division of the $20-billion M&M group entered the branded pulses space with NuPro Tur dal in the city. More Business News»

		Environment
		Scat DNA of 4 fauna species to be studied across Maha In a bid to know connectivity of large carnivores at landscape level, the wildlife wing of the Maharashtra forest department has approved a mega project on scat DNA analysis of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and dholes. NGT raps firms for dumping debris in Buckingham canal The Southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has restrained two developers from dumping debris into Buckingham Canal. Forest fire kills 6 hikers in Indonesia The fire was believed to be caused by a bonfire set by hikers. More Environment News»

		World
		Pistorius released from jail, put under house arrest Oscar Pistorius was released from jail late Monday, South African officials said, and will serve his remaining sentence under house arrest after a year behind bars for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. West, Arab states urge Libyan parties to agree unity govt Western and Arab states have issued a joint declaration urging rival sides in Libya to accept UN proposals for a power-sharing government "immediately" to end rampant instability in the country. Student arrested for homemade clock visits White House Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teenager arrested after a homemade clock he brought to school was mistaken for a bomb, capped a whirlwind month with a visit to the White House on Monday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Zareen-Sharman 'comfortable' with sex scenes Zareen-Sharman comfortable with lovemaking scenes Bollywood's BFFs Bollywood’s hottest actresses Lisa Haydon, Nargis Fakhri and Jacqueline Fernandez seem to have had a ball on the sets of Housefull 3. 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' actor charged with rape Munnabhai M.B.B.S. actor, Vishal Thakkar, who had a cameo appearance in the film, has been booked for raping a television actress in Mumbai, as reported by Dailybhaskar.com. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Wristband from e-waste to track carbon footprint Whatever happened to your old Windows 2000 desktop computer? Space suit that 'mimics' gravity tested An innovative 'SkinSuit' designed to reduce the debili ating physical effects of space light has been trialled for the first time on the International Space Station by a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut. Good dietary habits help bone strength: Docs Even the most health and diet conscious ones among us pay little attention to our bone health. A little focus on this aspect of one’s health can help a person avoid many bone diseases and accidents in later life. This can be done easily through ensuring one has calcium-rich food and sufficient exercise during teenage, say doctors. More Science News»

		Sports
		Will go back to India and announce retirement: Sehwag Sehwag will complete his Ranji Trophy commitments with Haryana before joining the veterans' league, MCL. ICC withdraws Aleem Dar from Ind-SA series The ICC has withdrawn Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from officiating the remainder of the India-South Africa ODI series. Dar was scheduled to umpire the Mumbai ODI on Sunday. The decision came after the Shiv Sena threatened to prevent Dar from umpiring the match. Pak players may refuse to tour India for World T20: Abbas The much-anticipated talks between BCCI president Shashank Manohar and his Pakistan counterpart Shaharyar Khan was cancelled after Shiv Sena protested against a possible Indo-Pak series in the UAE in December. More Sports News»

		Technology
		6 things no one tells you about working at Google Laszlo Bock, Google’s SVP of people operations, has revealed the secret workings of Google’s interview process on a US podcast. Bock shared his ideas about Google’s hiring management and culture practices with Beith Seidenberg at a KPCB’s recent CEO workshop. So, here are some things that you may not have heard about working at the search giant. Why you really don't need to buy the new iPhone 6S, 6S Plus With as many as 7 iPhones to choose from, it can be a difficult decision to pick the right model for your needs, and pocket. We look at the key features of each to help you decide... Infosys to acquire Noah Consulting for $70m Infosys has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Houston-based consulting firm Noah Consulting t More Technology News»

		Education
		100-day adult literacy scheme awaits CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's nod The Telangana state directorate of adult education has charted out a 100-day action plan to educate over 50 lakh illiterates in the state through a training programme. Vocational training for undergrads too in Hyderbad While the Centre is pushing for vocational education with separate skill development service cadre, the focus on vocational skills is declining among students in Telangana. Inaugural Oxford Masters to begin from Tuesday The inaugural Western India Oxford Masters will feature some of the top Indian professionals such as Chiragh Kumar at the Oxford Golf Resort here from Tuesday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Direct FTII students to end strike: Petition in HC A Pune-based advocate approached the Bombay high court on Monday seeking directions to the protesting FTII students to end their strike. 31-year-old gets life term for killing girl who saw him steal in Mumbai A sessions court on Monday convicted a 31-year-old man for murdering his minor neighbour after she saw him stealing from her house in Shivaji Nagar last year. Maharashtra restricts traders from hoarding tur and urad dal Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state administration to put restrictions and take immediate and stringent steps to eliminate hoarding of commodities, such as tur and udad dal, by traders and retailers. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi HC to govt: File report on pleas pending in SC on Article 370 The Delhi high court Monday sought to know from the Centre is there are any petitions pending in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. FTII row: Fifth meeting to be held in Delhi today The meeting between minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and the protesters follows several rounds of meetings held between the students and the ministry officials. Hostel for NE students in JNU to be ready by 2017 The Union minister of state for development of north eastern region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh said on Monday that the new hostel for students from northeast states of India at Jawaharlal Nehru University is likely to be ready by 2017. He visited the university as well as the site on Monday too. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		2 convicted in drug haul cases at KIA Two persons were convicted in two cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act by a special court. Give us power or we'll protest, Peenya industries tell government The Peenya Industries Association (PIA) urged the government to take immediate steps to improve power and water supply and other basic infrastructure in one of southeastern Asia's largest industrial areas. Bengaluru gets 2nd cyber cell police station A cyber cell police station, the second of its kind in the city, was opened at the police commissioner's office on Infantry Road on Monday. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Vocational training for undergrads too in Hyderbad While the Centre is pushing for vocational education with separate skill development service cadre, the focus on vocational skills is declining among students in Telangana. Hyderabad decks up for Durga Puja Dressed in all its fineries, the city has yet again decked up to play host to one of the grandest festivals of the season - Durga Puja. Procession, fireworks to enliven Hyderabad's Bathukamma Elaborate arrangements have been made by the government for Saddula Bathukamma on Tuesday in the city. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		No festival holidays for zoo and parks in Chennai The Vandalur zoo and Guindy Snake Park & Children's Park will remain open for visitors on Tuesdays, usually a closed day, till the end of the festive season. Cams on Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses for passenger safety Pick pockets and those generally disposed to creating trouble on Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses will do well to mend their ways. Transport owner killed in daytime at petrol pump in Chennai Five men hacked a 23-year-old transport firm owner to death at a fuel outlet in Red Hills on Monday morning, police said, adding that three of the suspects were nabbed within a few hours. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		HC asks GPSC to reveal source of faulty, answers Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) is facing unprecedented embarrassment for its recent exam for class I and II officers, where it granted 'grace' marks for 27 questions, to which it had not provided the correct answer among the options. Every RO filter wastes 74% water: MIT In a water stressed state, an Amdavadi's Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filter wastes a whopping 74 litres of water as 'brine' to recover 26 litres of potable water. Ahmedabad airport attracts largest number of e-tourists The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport has drawn the maximum international tourists among seven airports that were given the green signal for e-tourist visa in September. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Pandals welcome Goddess Durga with mantras, dhak beats The idol of Goddess Durga was installed amidst recitation of mantras and chanting of shlokas at different puja pandals in the city on Maha Shasthi of Sharadiya Navratri, on Sunday. Special train for festive rush The railway administration has decided to ply many special trains in different directions to cater to the rush of passengers during the festivals of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath. Anil Yadav and his quota of controversies The tenure of Anil Kumar Yadav, whose appointment as UPPSC chairman was cancelled by the Allahabad high court on October 14, has been marred with controversies ranging from implementing the three-tier reservation system to the paper leakage in Lucknow. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Maoists kill former rebel, accuse him of being police informer Maoists killed a former red rebel, who had surrendered before the police over two years ago, dubbing him as a police informer in Odisha's Malkangiri district, the police said today. Why won't kin get compensation: NHRC The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued a showcause notice to the state government seeking its view as to why compensation shall not be paid in case of electrocution deaths and injury at Khaira in Balasore district. Officials fined for MGNREGS wage payment delay The delay in wage payment to the beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has cost the gram rojgar sevaks, junior engineers and gram panchayat technical assistants of Buguda and Kabisuryanagar blocks dearly. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		12-year-old boy sodomised A 12-year-old boy, who went to visit a puja pandal, was sodomised by a man in Sindhi Colony late Sunday night, police said on Monday. Vyapam scam: Whistle-blower feels threat to life after complaint against CM Vyapam scam whistle blower Ashish Chaturvedi has lodged a fresh complaint with the state police alleging that he is being intimidated by station house officer (SHO) Jhansi Road police station after his complaint against Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. 12-year old raped, shoved with wood pieces in Madhya Pradesh A 12-year old girl was raped and shoved with wood pieces in her private parts in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. The survivor has been admitted with severe injuries to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Rewa for treatment. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		MC recovers Rs1.6 cr from Punjab's Milkfed Deepak.Yadav@timesgroup.After a long tussle, finally the estate branch of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has recovered Rs1.6 crore from Punjab government's Milkfed department as the rent for Verka milk booths. Escaped drug peddler arrested in Kharar Cops of Sector 16 police post here arrested the drug peddler, Om Prakash, from Kharar on Sunday noon after a tip-off. 45 kids flock to Sukhna forest, trill with joy It turned out to be an adventurous walk for more than 45 students and their mentors amidst the chirping of birds on a wet path in the lush green forest area behind Sukhna Lake on Sunday. More Chandigarh News»

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