News Digest: PM arrives in Varanasi today, people keep fingers crossed

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, July 16, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		PM arrives in Varanasi today, people keep fingers crossed Amid fear of weather god once again playing spoilsport, residents of the holy city on Wednesday eagerly look forward to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Thursday visit when he would dedicate, lay foundation stone and announce several development schemes for his parliamentary constituency. Ganga, Yamuna water level on rise, low-lying areas under threat The water level of Ganga and Yamuna rivers increased on Wednesday after 1.32 lakh cusecs of water released from Haridwar and Kanpur started reaching here. UP, MP terror Balkhadia dead, claim police The police on Wednesday put a lid on the mystery of dacoit Sudesh Patil alias Balkhar alias Balkhadia’s whereabouts with Allahabad zone IG Brij Bhushan confirming his death in encounter with police on July 2. More India News»

		Business
		Manipal to buy diagnostic chain in Rs 1,000-cr deal Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), spearheaded by billionaire Ranjan Pai, is set to acquire Medall Healthcare, a southern diagnostics chain, in a deal valued at about Rs 1,000 crore ($180 million), two people directly familiar with the matter said. Boeing inks pact to 'Make in India' with Tatas Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and US-based aircraft maker Boeing on Wednesday signed a strategic framework agreement here to collaborate in the sphere of aerospace and defence manufacturing as well as explore the potential of developing integrated systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles. I-T department starts probe against 90 companies The tax department has launched an investigation against 90 companies for possible evasion, money laundering and for converting black money into “white” through a series of transactions in little-known shares, commonly called penny stocks. More Business News»

		Environment
		Dense development can cut car use, clean up Delhi air Transit-oriented development (TOD) can improve Delhi's air quality considerably by reducing the number of vehicle-miles travelled, the way it has done in several cities worldwide. 'Antarctica will get three degrees hotter by century-end' The temperature in Antarctica may rise by as much as three degrees by the end of the century, an expert has said, adding this could be the tipping point as far as the fight against global warming is concerned. Humans will go extinct if plant life not secured: Study The continued destruction of the plant life on Earth has put humans in jeopardy, a study says. More Environment News»

		World
		'Iran nuclear deal best way to avoid more Mideast war' President Obama, seeking to sell the Iran nuclear deal to sceptical U.S. lawmakers and the American public, insisted that the landmark agreement was the best way to avoid a nuclear arms race and more war in the Middle East. Iran will no longer be called a world threat: Rouhani The nuclear deal with world powers is a political victory for Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, adding that the agreement meant Tehran would no longer be regarded as an international threat. Some 2,700 migrants rescued at sea: Italy coast guard Around 2,700 migrants were rescued from 13 boats near the coast of Libya on Wednesday, Italy's coastguard said. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Katrina was in two minds to do Kabir Khan's film Kabir Khan, 45, is shy and introverted and may not show it, but he is deeply emotional and secure. He may have started as a documentary filmmaker, but is today working with the biggest stars of our country. Vipul Shah and Saif to do a romantic thriller Vipul Shah had bought the rights to adapt the Hollywood romantic thriller Before I Go To Sleep that is based on the book by the same name. The Piku trio in the top 10 in Times Celebex While Kangana and Madhavan make it to the top 5 thanks to Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the Dil Dhadakne Do boys, Ranveer and Farhan, get a place in the top 10 in Times Celebex powered by zoOm! for the month of May 2015. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Trip to dentist leaves man with 90-min memory In a 'never-before-seen case', reminiscent of the film "Momento", a man in the UK has been left with just 90-minutes of memory after a root-canal treatment at a dentist, researchers say. 4 types of drunk personalities identified. Which one are you? Do you know which type of drunk you are - a menacing Mr Hyde or a friendly Mary Poppins? Air pollution kills 9,500 in London every year: Study Nearly 9,500 people are dying in London each year due to long-term exposure to air pollution, more than twice as many as previously thought. More Science News»

		Sports
		We have to protect interest of players: Shukla Shukla did not elaborate on the format of the tournament after the suspension of the two teams which will take the number of teams in the League to six. Champions League Twenty20 to be discontinued: BCCI A day after the Lodha Committee gave its verdict on the Indian Premier League betting scandal, the BCCI, Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Australia (CA) decided to discontinue the Champions League Twenty20 with immediate effect on Wednesday. Bangladesh register historic ODI series win over SA Bangladesh reached home with nine wickets and 83 balls to spare, registering their first ever series win over South Africa. More Sports News»

		Technology
		9 smartphones that got price cuts recently Planning to buy a smartphone? It couldn't have been a better time, with many top smartphones having recently got official price cuts. Here's over to 9 smartphones that just got cheaper... Watch out for these 7 handy smartphone accessories A fresh bunch of startups are concentrating on mobile tech to build innovative accessories for your smartphone. All of these are set to hit the market within the next few months. The good thing is they're available for pre-order --­ and yes, they all ship to India. Satya Nadella reveals Microsoft's 'one big mistake' Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella acknowledged that "one big mistake" the company made in the past was to think the personal computer will reign supreme forever. More Technology News»

		Education
		UP Board shuns CCTVs for 2016 The UP Board has decided to do away with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in high school and intermediate exams in 2016. 28.52% students clear supplementary exam in Odisha Only 4,563 of the total 16,129 students passed the matriculation supplementary examination, registering a pass percentage of 28.52. 2 of 73 expelled IIT-Roorkee students were considered 'weak' Getting into the IITs after cracking the gruelling JEE may be tough. Even tougher is passing from the tech schools. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Mandatory for govt schools to hold tree plantation drives It is now mandatory for government schools to hold tree plantation drives on campus. Private schools will also have an option to undertake the programme. HC disposes of BJP MP's dam scam probe plea The Bombay HC on Wednesday disposed of a PIL filed by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya seeking a probe into the irrigation projects scam after the state informed it that the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) had started investigations and would submit a report on it. Shopping markets buzz with fervour before Eid The lyrical marvel that is Surah Ar Rahman is described as the ornament of the Holy Quran with good reason. Its 78 verses list each of the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon mankind, rounding off repeatedly with the refrain, “Then which of His bounties do you deny.” More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Plea seeks end to toll collection, questions hike The Delhi high court on Wednesday issued notices to the Delhi government and Noida Authority on a plea questioning the hike in toll of DND Flyway. 37-year-old killed in mishap in Delhi A 37-year-old died after he rammed the road divider with his motorcycle near Geeta Colony flyover on Tuesday night. Police said Chandra Prakash, a resident of GTB Enclave, had been returning from the airport when the mishap took place. Delhi minor dies after rape A nine-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped by her neighbour, died on Tuesday evening in northeast Delhi's Khajoori Khas area. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ambareesh seeks clarification from finance department Rebel Star MH Ambareesh may have fended off many punches and kicks in his screen avatar but the knocking he got from chief minister Siddaramaiah has not gone down well with the housing minister. Bank loses Bengaluru man's documents The 55-year-old hasn't got back the original property documents for his 2,400-sqft house in Kaval Byrasandra near RT Nagar. What's worse is that the State Bank of India's Residency Road branch, where he pledged the documents for a loan, is unable to trace them. Farmer attempts suicide outside Vidhana Soudha A 38-year-old Mandya farmer allegedly attempted suicide in front of the Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday afternoon. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		3,000 cusecs released from Sriramsagar With 3,000 cusecs of water released from the Sriramsagar Project on Wednesday, pilgrims thronged the ghats at Kaleshwaram. AP government wakes up a day late A day after tragedy struck at Pushkara Ghat, killing 29 persons, the state government finally seems to have woken up to the importance of improving facilities at various bathing ghats. Dry river forces closure of ghat in Warangal The swell of pilgrims increased at all the bathing ghats along river Godavari in Telangana on Wednesday, the second day of the 12-day Pushkaralu. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Friendship with BJP only in Delhi, says Anbumani Clarifying his party's stand on an alliance with the BJP, PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss said the tie-up would continue at a “national” level. In search for earthworms, prawn hatcheries exploit workers and damage ecosystems Two days after 30 bonded labourers were rescued from a man who had engaged them to collect earthworms in Tiruvallur, the incident has now opened a can of worms. Turned down by railways, diabetic woman to get job with HC help Court says disorder doesn’t make one unemployable More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Fire at Nava Vadaj school, students unhurt A major fire broke out in the administration office of Navjyot Secondary school located near Vyaswadi in Nava Vadaj on Wednesday morning. Woman commits suicide in Gandhinagar Purvi Patel (30) committed suicide by hanging herself at husband’s rented house in Sector -8 Gandhinagar on Wednesday morning. Boyfriend strangulates girl to death A 20-year-old college student was found strangulated to death in room no 107 of Hotel Kings Palace located near RTO on Ashram Road on Wednesday morning. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Two killed, 2 hurt in three road accidents in Allahabad Two persons, including principal of an intermediate college, were killed and two others injured in three separate road mishaps reported in the city on Wednesday. Vedic Vidyalayas catch people's fancy in Allahabad Vedic Vidyalayas are emerging as the latest fad among parents and kids alike. It's official: Balkhariya is dead Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday said that dreaded dacoit Sudesh Patel alias Balkhar alias Balkhariya is dead. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BJD, Cong demand Pradhan's resignation The BJD and Congress on Wednesday demanded oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation following media reports alleging that his tour expenditures were paid by one Sudhir Sharma, said to be a kingpin in the Vyapam scandal in Madhya Pradesh. Workers call off stir at Berhampur Tata plant Work on the proposed ferro-chrome plant of the Tata Steel at Chamakhandi in Ganjam district resumed after contractual workers called off their agitation after five days on Wednesday. Puri jail products to be sold in fest A stall to sell products made by jail inmates will be opened near the Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra.It will sell oil, sofas, phenyl and bedsheets, apart from other products. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Sewage farming: Green panel summons horticulture officials State's horticulture department is yet to finalize horticulture plan for different cities in the state including state capital Bhopal. State fails to comply with PUC MP government has failed to comply with pollution under control (PUC) checking of all vehicles in the state despite orders from National Green Tribunal (NGT). Patwari, SI in Lokayukta net for taking bribe In two separate incidents, two government officials were caught on Wednesday by lokayukta police in Jabalpur and Rewa districts while taking bribe. A patwari was caught taking bribe of Rs 5,000 from a farmer in Rewa district. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Vivek school students build drone Students of classes VII to X from aeromodelling and robotics club of Vivek High School in Sector 38 have constructed a drone with GPS during their robotics camp organized by the school. School buses challaned for violating road rules Tightening noose on traffic violations, Mohali traffic police issued over 70 challans on school buses at several places on Wednesday. Road rage death protest rocks Mauli Jagran A group of residents of Mauli Jagran on Wednesday staged a protest outside Mauli Jagran police post after a person involved in a road rage case died under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday. More Chandigarh News»

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The Miracle at Govindamala in Kerala

IndiaDivine.org:

The Miracle at Govindamala in Kerala

It is believed, that when Parasurama threw his axe in an arc across the seas and created Kerala, he also cleaved the great Western Ghats with the same axe, dividing and sweeping them from left to right into two ranges – ‘Thenmala’ and ‘Vademala’. Geographically known as the Palakkad Gap, this place in the ancient legends has been referred to as ‘Vidharanabhoomi’ (the land that was split asunder).

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News Digest: PM Modi will skip President Mukherjee's iftar again

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, July 15, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		PM Modi will skip President Mukherjee's iftar again Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend an iftar hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday. Suicides a puzzling trend: Karnataka agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda Agriculture minister Krishna Byre Gowda, stunned by the spate of suicides by farmers, has decided to constitute a committee involving experts in various fields, besides a vision group under Dr MS Swaminathan, to study agricultural conditions of the state.In an interview with TOI on Tuesday, the minister shared his views and concerns. Govt to import 5,000 tonnes of arhar to curb price rise Government is set to procure 5,000 metric tonnes of arhar from Malawi in its effort to moderate the prices in the market. Price of arhar has increased by nearly Rs 30 per kg across Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata in comparison to the prices of last year. More India News»

		Business
		China troubles not good news for India: Assocham Economic troubles in China may have significant impact on India, particularly in sectors like IT and steel, industry body Assocham has warned. File appeals on merit: CBDT to taxman Disapproving of the 'casual' attitude of taxmen in filing appeals and pursuing litigation in important revenue matters, the CBDT has asked the I-T department to take legal recourse only in "deserving" cases. Sebi to overhaul disclosure norms for better monitoring To strengthen its real-time monitoring of insider trading cases and detect other corporate governance related lapses, regulator Sebi will soon put in place a 'system-driven disclosure regime' for listed companies and their top officials. More Business News»

		Environment
		US officials seize endangered fish bladders U.S. officials in Puerto Rico have seized a load of fish bladders taken from an endangered species and stuffed inside packages that were shipped from Venezuela and destined for Hong Kong. Global warming may eat up $200bn crops by 2050 A whopping $200 billion worth of wheat, rice and maize crops could be lost by 2050 globally if the issues arising from global warming are not addressed on a war-footing, an independent study on the impact of climate change on crop yields has warned. Tiger habitat in Buxa has shrunk: Foresters Amid concerns that tigers may have disappeared from West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve, foresters have claimed that the habitat of the big cat has shrunk to a small area on the foothills. More Environment News»

		More News»

		Entertainment
		PIC: Ranveer, Priyanka, Deepika in Bajirao Mastani Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a perfectionist. Parineeti to play MS Dhoni's wife? MS Dhoni's biopic has been in news for days, and now it seems the makers have apparently found their Mrs Dhoni. Salman didn't have to do action scenes in a burqa Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman Khan’s upcoming Eid attraction might have a heavy subject at hand, but director Kabir Khan has also infused enough fun elements in the film. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Cern experts discover new particle pentaquark Scientists at Cern's Large Hadron Collider on Tuesday announced the discovery of a new class of exotic subatomic particles called the pentaquarks. A vaccine that can be inhaled developed to fight Ebola The first needle-free Ebola vaccine that can be inhaled protects non-human primates against the deadly virus and may advance to human clinical trials soon, scientists say. Sitting for long may up cancer risk in women Spending more leisure time sitting is associated with a higher risk of multiple myeloma, breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women, a new large-scale study led by an Indian-origin scientist has found. More Science News»

		Sports
		Djokovic, Serena bust a move at Wimbledon champions dinner After winning titles again on Wimbledon's grass, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams showed they can cut a rug, too, at the champions dinner. Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Paes, Sania and Nagal Sachin Tendulkar has congratulated the Indian trio of Leander Paes, Sania Mirza and young Sumit Nagal for their respective victories at the Wimbledon. I approached Pravin Tambe for coaching, says Hiken Shah Cricketer Hiken Shah says he is "shocked" after the BCCI found him guilty of making a "corrupt approach" to a fellow player. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Apple iOS 9 features already available on Android Apple has released the first public beta version of iOS 9, its upcoming mobile operating system. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2015) review The Kindle Paperwhite’s display is impressive and the display resolution is now at par with the top-end Kindle Voyage. 4 tips to save your gadgets from Monsoon blues Here are some tips to help you take care of your precious gadgets when it pours. More Technology News»

		Education
		Court glare on schools that expel kids over fee disputes Bombay high court on Tuesday said that it would look into the issue of schools and educational institutions expelling students over tuition fee dispute or for the behaviour of parents. Haryana government launches skill development mission to train youth The state government today launched Haryana Skill Development Mission with a view to train youths as per their capabilities and make them employable. Pay cut looms for 'erring' Gujarat teachers What is 8 + 4 + 4? According to some senior teachers employed by the Gujarat education board, the answer is 80! In the state, no fewer than 500 teachers have committed a host of such mistakes while evaluating the answersheets of standard X and XII students. And now they will face the music for being chronically careless. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		MNS proposes mobile jammers in BMC House With several civic officials getting distracted by their smartphones during the general body meetings at the BMC, MNS corporator Dilip Landhe recently moved a notice of motion, seeking signal jammers in the heritage hall where the meetings are held. Landhe’s proposal was, however, shot down by the Shiv Sena. Bombay HC raps Maharashtra for delay in building courts Maharashtra seems to be an exception when it comes to providing infrastructure for courts, observed the Bombay HC on Tuesday, miffed at the non-compliance of its orders. 3 nabbed for hen 'sacrifice', assaulting activist in Juhu Three persons were arrested on Saturday for ‘sacrificing’ hens at Juhu Chowpatty and assaulting an activist who tried to intervene. This is the second animal sacrifice incident reported in the recent past. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Protest over stuck foot overbridge hits traffic Residents of Shahpur Jat in south Delhi blocked the Outer Ring Road on Monday morning demanding that the construction of a foot overbridge near Panchsheel Club be expedited. Traffic came to a halt for nearly three hours as a result of the blockade. Robber trio on bike traps biker, loots 20L in E Delhi Three men staged an accident and looted Rs 20 lakh from an employee of a garment factory owner near Karkardooma Courts Complex in east Delhi on Monday. Enforcing law: Corporations pass the buck to govt More than a year after a law was passed to protect the livelihood of street vendors, the Delhi government and civic agencies are yet to implement it. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		FIR kiosk gets mostly petty complaints The FIR kiosk at Mantri Mall, Malleswaram, was a blessing for Sreenivasalu, mainly because he wouldn't have to deal with too many cops. "No bribes, no cajoling...It was simple, efficient and professional," said Sreenivasalu. Jawa lovers on vintage ride More than 500 Jawa and Yezdi lovers got to gether at the National College Grounds in Basavanagudi on Sunday to celebrate the vintage bike which is currently out of produc rently out of production. International Jawa CZ Yezdi Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of July. Why is Bengaluru's poop badly treated? After you flush the toilet and the swirl falls silent, ever wondered where the poop goes and what happens to it? TOI goes on its trail and finds out how a crappy sewage system could snowball into a big worry for the city. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		No vaccination during Godavari Pushkarams The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments have geared up to fight snake and dog bite cases during the 12-day Godavari Pushkarams, scheduled to begin on July 14. Ramzan 'gift' is not a stand-alone freebie! The Ramzan “package” announced by Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seems to have caused consternation to some self-styled secular activists as well as the outfits of Sangh Parivar. MIM to go solo in GHMC polls The Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (MIM) would not form any pre-poll alliance in the upcoming Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, said party chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Police register FIR in land sale issue involving former Union minister Alagiri's wife The government side on Monday informed the Madurai bench of the Madras high court that the district crime branch police (Madurai) have registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a woman in a land sale issue involving former Union minister M K Alagiri’s wife Gandhi Alagiri. Tuticorin port surpasses its own single day cargo handling record The V O Chidambaranar Port in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu surpassed its own record by handling 1,61,108 metric tonnes of cargo on a single day on July 10.  Tamil Nadu seeks financial aid from Centre for interlinking of rivers Accusing the previous UPA regime for not favourably considering the proposals of the state, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday urged the Centre to extend financial assistance, including cost for land acquisition, to interlink rivers in the state. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Two posing as crime branch personnels nabbed City crime branch sleuths on Sunday nabbed two persons Imtiaz Panjvani, resident of Vatva and Abdul Qayyum Shaikh of Fatehwadi, juhapura for impersonating as policemen and robbing a trader of Rs 10,000. With Rath Yatra approaching seizure of illegal firearms a top priority With Rath Yatra approaching, it is raining guns for the city crime branch. French athlete rescued near Indo-Pak border in Kutch French ultra runner Gaël Couturier was rescued by a team of EMRI 108 near India-Pakistan border in Kutch district on Saturday. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Search on for nephew who shot Balkhadia's 'funeral' The death of dreaded bandit Sudesh Patel alias Balkhar aliad Balkhadia remains a mystery for UP cops. SRTC to popularize Bus Service in schools Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has decided to by set up information kiosks at schools and colleges for making students aware of City Bus Service. BJP members create ruckus in AMC meet Pandemonium was witnessed in the special meeting of Allahabad Municipal Corporation on Sunday. The BJP corporators were adamant on discussing the issues like insanitation and waterlogging. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		91 child workers rescued in Berhampur As many as 91 child workers employed in different places, including hazardous cashew processing units, have been rescued in Ganjam district, police said today. Nabard to create 9.23L tonne storage for farm produce The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) aims to create 9.23 lakh tonne storage space by constructing godowns and warehouses. Too few ATMs in Puri to meet festive rush For a generation that prefers to carry cards to cash, it may be a testing time at ATMs in Puri during Nabakalebara Rath Yatra rush.The Holy Town, which is expecting 30 lakh pilgrims on July 18, has only 47 ATMs. More Bhubaneswar News»

		More News»

		Chandigarh
		7 members of inter-state robbers' gang held with weapons Police here claimed to have nabbed on Tuesday seven gangsters involved in dacoities, extortion and highway robberies. Conman dupes old woman of Rs 2 lakh in Barnala A conman duped an old woman of Rs 2 lakh while she had gone to deposit the money in a bank at Bhadaur town in Barnala on Tuesday. Civil services toppers visit alma mater After cracking UPSC civil services examination with flying colours, Vandana Rao, Deepshikha Sharma and Sandeep Malik visited their alma mater Kurukshetra University on Tuesday. More Chandigarh News»

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