News Digest: Times Passion Trail: Lessons in history, along the Ganga

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Sunday, July 19, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Times Passion Trail: Lessons in history, along the Ganga Times Passion Trail takes you back to the origins of the holy river that flows through the heart of India. Dry spell triggers fresh suicides in Maharashtra A prolonged dry spell triggered at least four suicides in Maharashtra’s western Vidarbha region in the last three days. Point of view: The India-Pakistan treadmill Consistent engagement with lowered expectations may be a better alternative to the drama of on-again, off-again dialogue India-Pakistan relations follow a familiar pattern. More India News»

		Business
		Now becoming a T-shirt entrepreneur is a breeze Last November, Harshad Savkar, 33, wanted a T-shirt with a logo that reflected his enthusiasm for biking. Greek banks to re-open on Monday, restrictions remain Greek banks will re-open on Monday with slightly relaxed withdrawal limits but bans on foreign transfers and other capital controls remain in place, according to a government decree published on Saturday. Global tax regime must protect developing nations: India : India has pitched for a global tax regime built into the UN process, rather than being looked at from the point of view of rich countries, in a bid to curb illegal financial flows from the developing world running into some $200 billion annually. More Business News»

		Environment
		NGT restrains disposal of waste in river bed in Alandi The National Green Tribunal's western region bench has passed an order restraining the Alandi municipal council from discharging municipal solid waste (MSW) and garbage in the Indrayani river bed in the pilgrim town of Alandi near Pune. It's official: 2014 was Earth's hottest year on record The unusually warm weather that you felt last year was experienced across most parts of the world, making 2014 the hottest year in recorded history, said a report based on contributions from 413 scientists from 58 countries around the world. Gujarat HC seeks ideas on banning old diesel vehicles Gujarat high court on Friday directed the state government to come up with suggestions on discontinuing the use of diesel vehicles that had been plying on roads for more than 10 years. More Environment News»

		World
		Intensified shelling in east Ukraine kills 4 Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels accused each other on Saturday of shelling residential areas despite a ceasefire, reporting four civilians and one soldier killed following a week of the deadliest fighting in over a month. ISIS claims kidnapping of three in Libya Islamic State has kidnapped three African Christians in eastern Libya, the group said, publishing their passport pictures. Anger in Iraq after suicide attack kills 115 An attack by the Islamic State group on a crowded marketplace in Iraq's eastern Diyala province has killed 115 people, including women and children, in one of the deadliest single attacks in the country in the past decade. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Sonakshi Sinha: My dad is my hero While the two legends, Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha have given some of the biggest blockbusters together, be it Dostana, Kaala Patthar or Shaan, surprisingly their children Abhishek and Sonakshi have never worked together. Promising actresses: Why did they disappear? Supermodel Diana Penty became an instant star with her to-die-for looks and natural acting skills. 5 Single actresses who won't mingle Tabu is not always in the news but she comes back with a bang. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		This plane seat could bring awkwardness to a new level These days, airlines and airplane makers are constantly on the lookout for new ways to cram more people into planes. Want diamonds with that martini? Luxury hotels, department stores, and restaurants are always push ing the limits of grandeur to impress their clients. Young, icy plains found in Pluto's heart A close-up image of Pluto has revealed a vast, craterless plain that appears to be no more than 100 million years old, and is possibly still being shaped by geologic processes according to latest data obtained from the New Horizons spacecraft. More Science News»

		Sports
		India look to end Zimbabwe tour with win India will hope to end the Zimbabwe tour on a high with a win in the second Twenty20 International at the Harare Sports Club here on Sunday. Manohar blames Srini for IPL mess, demands his ouster as ICC chief Shashank Manohar blamed N Srinivasan for the IPL mess, saying that he was the "root of all scandals" and should step down as the ICC chairman. Tips from Dravid the batsman helped me as a bowler: Mishra Out-of-favour leg-spinner Amit Mishra feels that tips given by India 'A' coach Rahul Dravid, from a batsman's perspective, went a long way in helping him improve as a bowler. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 biggest smartphone myths busted Though smartphones are not as old as PCs, cameras and many other common gadgets; over the years many myths have got attached to them. Here's the truth behind the five biggest smartphone myths. US applauds India's approach on internet The US has applauded India's recent support for multi-stakeholder approach on internet, saying the decision is critical for ensuring the vitality of the world wide web. 10 tricks every Android user should know Since Android is an open platform, there’s plenty of room for customization. Beyond personalizing your phone, there are a few easy practices that can keep your phone neat and organized with plenty of battery life to last all day. More Technology News»

		Education
		All 900 seats at IIT-Bombay filled up All 903 seats at IIT-Bombay were filled after the second round of the joint seat allocation process that ended on Friday. Maharashtra's lethargy over RTE process keeps more than 14,000 out of school As many as 14,300 students in the state have been deprived of school education because the government machinery did not effectively implement the 25% reservation scheme under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Lack of education as deadly as smoking: Study Lacking education may be as deadly as being a smoker, according to a new US study. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Congress flexes its muscle, asks why it was denied nod for gym in Mumbai The Congress has given a new twist to the open-air gym issue. 'Non-veg' food row: 6 held for attack on Marathi family in Mumbai Six residents, five of them women, of Bona Venture apartments in Dahisar (W) were arrested late on Friday for manhandling the wife and daughter of Marathi theatre producer Govind Chavan, who live in the same society. Tiatr on a slow decline in its birthplace Mumbai When the Pretto family moved to Dhobi Talao from Goa's Aldona village, most days it seemed as though they had never left home. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		3 women dead, 10 injured as building collapses in west Delhi Three women were killed on Saturday night and ten injured seriously when a four-storey building collapsed in a narrow lane in Vishnu Garden area of west Delhi. 2nd arrest for girl's brutal murder, government orders probe Anger over the brutal murder of a teenage girl, Meenakshi, spilled over on Saturday with her relatives and neighbours protesting outside the Anand Parbat police station in west Delhi to demand the arrest of all the accused. Two Air India planes damaged Two Air India aircraft were damaged due to strong winds that lashed the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on Saturday afternoon. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Students throw lingerie at Bengaluru college, protest dress code When the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (CKP) tried to impose a dress code on its girls students recently, they came up with a novel protest. After wet weekend, Bengaluru to get more showers this week "Bangalore weather stop cheating. Look at the window. Wow it's sunny. Get dressed up for a evening walk. Door locked. Damn you rain (sic)..." 'It's justice but at what cost and whose cost?', asks IIM-B professor Siddappa For the last 29 years, an Indian Institute of Management - Bangalore professor has been fighting against his employers for illegally suspending and later terminating him from service. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		KCR takes Pratyusha under his wings Pratyusha, the 19-year-old girl who faced years of abuse from her stepmother and father, on Saturday found a family that began doting on her the moment they met her. 20L Pushkaralu pilgrims take dip at Rajahmundry It was a massive surge of pilgrims in the 'cultural capital' of Andhra Pradesh for Godavari Pushkarams that had the authorities on the tenterhooks. Traffic snarls in Telangana halt pilgrim march A huge surge in weekend traffic headed to various Pushkaralu venues along Godavari river in Telangana state led to traffic snarls on highways resulting in tens of thousands of pilgrims stranded on the roads in their vehicles. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Watch what you eat: 40 is new 60 for gastric cancer Being young does not mean being healthy these days. Changing lifestyles, work stress and junk food at odd hours take a toll rather early. True grit: From single mom to top businesswoman Fifteen years ago, Rani Mar garet Raj was dealt a twin blow. She lost her husband to cancer and her father followed soon after. Move over selfies for — insta shares Two days at the Bangalore and Hyderabad Comic Con was enough for illustrator SCD Balaji to realise it would take years and a lot of hard work to make Indian folk art the new cool. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		LEDs to replace costly street lamps The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has placed a massive order for Light Emitting Diode (LEDs) which will replace costly mercury and sodium streetlamps. The use of LEDs will also save electricity, said sources. Cept Archives set to go online Cept Archives, one of country’s most comprehensive resource centres for architecture, planning, design, art and allied disciplines, is to be launched on August 1. GSHSEB to review semester system The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) will hold a critical meeting on Monday to review the semester system introduced in the HSC science exams in 2009. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Smart queries baffle Pratapgarh students For a class 12th student, question like how many bones are there in human body or for that matter what is the velocity of light, could be simple. AU library upgradation hangs fire for a year A mega exercise to boost amenities for students at the Central Library of Allahabad University is lying in a limbo for the past over a year even though it was cleared by the building and work’s committee (B&WC). The reason: CPWD has not provided the work estimate to the varsity. HC to Noida: Comply with order on Patwari land Hearing a contempt petition, the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed Noida chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) to comply with the judgment dated July 19, 2011, by which the court had directed the Noida authorities to return acquired land in Patwari village to the farmers. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Dalit boy from Sambalpur struggles to achieve IIT dream Sumit Sindhria an IIT-qualifier from a remote village of Sambalpur district has been struggling to arrange funds for taking admission to the premier technical institute. Naveen to meet party MPs to discuss party's stand on Land Bill Naveen Patnaik would meet party MPs here on Sunday to discuss party’s strategy on a number of issues ahead of the monsoon session of the Parliament. Police bust e-tailing racket Police on Friday cracked an online shopping (e-tailing) fraud with arrest of three persons, including the mastermind, from here. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		CBI registers preliminary enquiry in nine more Vyapam deaths A day after filing an FIR into the mysterious death of Namrata Damor, a suspect in Vyapam scam, CBI on Saturday registered preliminary enquiry (PE) to investigate the death of nine more people linked to the Vyapam scam. CM Chouhan's invitation for Ujjain Simhastha The devotees and pilgrims visiting the ongoing Kumbha at Nashik in Maharashtra are being invited by the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit the Simhastha at Ujjain from April 22 to May 21, 2016. Sadhvi Niranjan hits at Congress again BJP firebrand, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, who had perfected the art of vitriolic public speaking during Ram Janmbhoomi agitation, has leashed heavily on Congress saying that had the party been on roads for public cause, it would not have bit the dust in assembly and Lok Sabha elections. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Rs 2 royalty cheque stuns Rohtak land oustees Previous owners of the land over which Industrial Model Township (IMT) Rohtak was built were stunned after they received cheques for Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 12 as royalty from the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC). Hoshiarpur school gets power connection after 95 years It took a school in Hoshiarpur 95 years to get a power connection when Punjab is among eight states in the country to have achieved 100% rural electrification in June 2005. 3 labourers die of suffocation in Kurukshetra district Three labourers died of suffocation after a chemical lying in a room caught fire following a short circuit at an orchard near Ladwa town in Kurukshetra district on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Congress dubs govt panel's report on net neutrality 'anti-consumer'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Saturday, July 18, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Congress dubs govt panel's report on net neutrality 'anti-consumer' Congress has rejected a government panel's recommendations on net neutrality, describing it as "anti-consumer" and unhealthy for democracy. Party spokesman Salman Khurshid said the condition that people be allowed to access internet messenger services such as WhatsApp without interference of service providers "has not been met" in the report. PM to meet chiefs of all six paramilitary forces next week Expected to be held next week, home ministry sources say, this would be the first time any PM would hold such a meeting with force chiefs. Modi govt incapable of strategic thinking on Pakistan: Congress Former external affairs minister attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he has failed the country with respect to Jammu and Kashmir and foreign policy. More India News»

		Business
		Companies dive in for mega branding at Kumbh India is the only market in the world where even multinationals thumb through almanacs. FIIs trim stakes in PSU banks in Q1 With non-performing assets (NPAs) still at high levels and credit growth remaining sluggish, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have offloaded public sector bank (PSB) stocks significantly, including in SBI., in the April-June quarter. Honda to pump in Rs 4K cr for new unit in Gujarat Honda Motor Car Company is on an overdrive in India. The Japanese auto major is looking to pump in a fresh Rs 4,000 crore for a new factory in Gujarat, its third in the country. More Business News»

		Environment
		Gujrat HC seeks ideas on banning old diesel vehicles Gujarat high court on Friday directed the state government to come up with suggestions on discontinuing the use of diesel vehicles that had been plying on roads for more than 10 years. Oceans slowed down global warming In the recent years, extra heat from greenhouse gases has been trapped in the subsurface waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans accounting for the slowdown in the global surface temperature increase observed during the past decade, shows a study. Japan sets 26% cut in greenhouse gas emissions as target Japan said on Friday it would slash its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2030 from 2013 levels and would submit the plan to the United Nations later in the day as its contribution to a global summit on climate change in Paris in November. More Environment News»

		World
		Greek PM ousts rebels as bailout plan gathers momentum Greek PM Alexis Tsipras on Friday axed ministers who had rebelled over draconian bailout terms, putting his house in order before a fresh round of tough negotiations with creditors including EU hawk Germany, which greenlit the deal. How did gunman go from typical suburban life to attack? Counterterrorism investigators are trying to figure out why a 24-year-old Kuwait-born man, who by accounts lived a typical life in suburban America, attacked two military facilities in a shooting rampage that killed four Marines. More than 100 people injured in train crash in South Africa An emergency services spokeswoman says more than 100 people have been injured in a commuter train collision in South Africa. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I would love to be the human being Salman is' Bangistan, a smart comedy that brings out the bromance between Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat, is coming this month-end. Anita Advani on her relationship with Rajesh Khanna Anita Advani misses superstar Rajesh Khanna even today and in a candid conversation, she spoke about the actor, his last days, his family and their relationship. Priyanka does not travel without her 'aachar' When you look at the super hot Priyanka Chopra, you somehow assume that she must be living on salads and soup. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Marijuana can help treat fractures A component in marijuana can significantly help heal bone fractures, according to a new study that paves the way for future use of cannabinoid drugs to combat osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases. 'Polar bears won't survive warming' A study of an Alaska polar bear population in summer concludes the bear's biology will not help stave off starvation in the face of global warming. ISS astronauts flee to safety after space junk collision scare Three astronauts living at the International Space Station were forced to scramble to safety after what Nasa described as a "close pass" by flying Russian space debris on Thursday. More Science News»

		Sports
		I respect SC decision but disappointed for players: Dravid Rahul Dravid says the decision of the Justice Lodha committee to ban Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from the IPL will affect the young players. 1st T20I: India beat Zimbabwe by 54 runs, take 1-0 lead Axar Patel (3/17) and Harbhajan Singh (2/29) bowled India to a convincing 54-run victory against Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International in Harare. Van Avermaet wins Stage 13, Froome still leads Tour Greg van Avermaet of the BMC team won Stage 13 of the Tour de France with a finishing burst of speed Friday that pushed Peter Sagan into second place. More Sports News»

		Technology
		5 biggest smartphone myths busted Though smartphones are not as old as PCs, cameras and many other common gadgets; over the years many myths have got attached to them. Here's the truth behind the five biggest smartphone myths. Net neutrality: Activists give panel a zero on zero-rating Activists and others who had sent detailed recommendations to Trai and DoT came out against the report’s stance on zero rating and VoIP. First impressions: Samsung Galaxy J7 Samsung Galaxy J7 sports a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display and although we expected a 1080p screen, the HD panel doesn’t look bad. More Technology News»

		Education
		Altered GMAT allows retest after 16 days Aspirants of Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) will no longer need to wait for a month for re-test and the report cards will no longer mention the cancelled scores. DU to blame for plight of researcher: Ex-Stephenian The chain of charges and counter-charges in the sexual harassment case at St Stephen's College grew, with Devansh Mehta, who started the first weekly e-magazine of the college, and All-India Progressive Women's Association member Kavita Krishnan on Friday criticizing Delhi University for not acting to safeguard the survivor. Delhi girl tops CA finals, CPT Showing that the Class XII results are not the end of the world, Delhi girl Shailee Chaudhary topped the final exam of the chartered accountants (CA) final examination and the common proficiency test (CPT), the results of which were declared on Thursday. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		HC says Ganesh pandals can't block roads The Bombay high court on Friday reiterated that the municipal commissioner cannot grant permission to put up temporary pandals that will result in obstructing vehicular traffic and free movement of pedestrians. Charges in chikki row 'partly true', admits Pankaja Munde  After firm denials of wrongdoing, women and child welfare department minister Pankaja Munde on Friday came up with a subdued but candid admission in the state assembly over the controversial chikki contracts worth Rs 206 crore cleared by her department in a single day.  'Don't make a mess on Marine Drive' Marine Drive residents have urged the civic body and political parties to stop tinkering with the heritage precinct. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Stalker stabs girl to death in central Delhi market She dared to stand up to her stalker and paid with her life for it. Meenakshi, 19, was knifed to death on Thursday night in front of terrified witnesses at a crowded market in the heart of the capital, by the man she had sent behind bars for stalking her. Registrar of societies caught taking Rs 10 lakh bribe in Delhi The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made a major dent in the Kejriwal government's claims of reducing corruption in the national capital. South Delhi Corporation fines 101 builders for violating NGT orders In a drive undertaken by South Delhi Municipal Corporation's building department (central zone) 101 builders have been fined for violating NGT orders. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		InMobi staffer becomes a mountain yogi in game Jitesh is an unlikely name for a mobile game character, more so in a game developed by a Belgian-US venture.  Kageri moves privilege motion against tourism minister, dept BJP MLA Visveswara Hegde Kageri on Friday moved a breach of pri8vilege against tourism minister RV Deshpande and his department for not announcing the tourism policy in the legislature before holding a public function on July 16. Note-counting machine haunts Eshwarappa Opposition leader K S Eshwarappa was cornered by Congress members in the council on Friday when V Ugrappa questioned his moral right to speak on corruption in the Lokayukta. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Beware! Your online purchase might just be a stolen item Thieves too have gone hi-tech in Hyderabad. Hyderabad vows to dethrone Bangalore as IT capital Despite Hyderabad trailing Bangalore by a wide margin in IT exports, the Telangana government on Friday said it was aiming to outdo the Garden City and emerge as the information technology capital of the country in a few years. Crocodile takes a Pushkaralu 'dip' Pilgrims taking a holy Pushkaralu dip in the Godavari got a scare when a young crocodile measuring about a foot and a half got caught in a fisherman's net barely 300 yards from the Palammarevu bathing ghat in Velamakurthi village in Karimnagar district. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Amid slump, builders roll out Aadi offers The onset of Aadi, considered an inauspicious month for making major decisions by most communities in the country, has set builders thinking about strategies to keep the realty market floating. SHRC recommends Rs 55K for man assaulted by cops The State Human Rights Commission has recommended the state government to pay Rs 55,000 to a person allegedly assaulted by three policemen. Experts: TN a loser in solar deal with Adani Even in Gujarat, the leader in solar power generation in the country, the tariff is now less than Rs 7 per unit, a sharp drop from Rs 9 or more per unit that the state was paying till a couple of years back. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Traffickers sell woman for 10 lakh; three arrested in Ahmedabad Following a rap by Gujarat high court (HC) directing police to act in an alleged case of human trafficking, women cell of the city crime branch on Friday night arrested three including two women for allegedly selling off a 25-year-old woman in marriage to a Himmatnagar-based youth for Rs 10 lakhs. Gold, silver prices fall to 3-month low in Ahmedabad With consistent drop in international prices coupled with decrease in demand, the gold and silver prices have come down to three-month low in the city.  Ahmedabad celebrates Eid, Rath Yatra today Double festivities are in order as the city will celebrate both Rath Yatra and Eid on Saturday — a coincidence taking place after 30 years. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		'Chillar' gangs steal goat, snatch paddy for their survival Ironically, these smaller gang are relying on petty offences like stealing cattle especially goats or cutting crops to feed themselves and survive. Allahabad among 400 railway stations to be redeveloped The railway station at Allahabad, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Mythological Saraswati, is among the 400 stations selected by the Union Cabinet for redevelopment. Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh are also organized at this place after every 12 and six years respectively. Balkhadia's death marks end of 'bandit era' in Bundelkhand Death of Sudesh Patel alias Balkhadia marks the end of the reign of dreaded dacoits who held Bundelkhand to ransom and outsourced ‘extortion industry’ to ensure free flow of arms, ammunitions and mobiles. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Rath makers' hard labour bears fruit The construction of the three chariots is over. So is the effort put in by hundreds of people, involved in making them. Like lakhs of devotees, people, who have fashioned the Raths, are eagerly waiting for the Lord to appear. Prabhu opens train line amid protests The battle of dominance between the BJP and the BJD during inauguration of Nabakalebara-related projects took an ugly turn on Thursday as supporters of the two parties confronted each other at Malatipatapur, six km from Puri. Tribals to get a feel of Rath Yatra Legend has it that Jagannath was originally worshipped as Neela Madhab by a Sabar headman (tribal chief) named Viswavasu. But not many tribals of the state get a chance to visit Puri during the annual Rath Yatra. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Cong hits out at BJP for delay in suspension of Kirar Congerss today lashed out at BJP for delay in suspension of its leader Gulab Singh Kirar, allegedly involved in Vypam scandal. Kirar is absconding since over the year after STF filed a case against him and his son Shakti Singh. MP Assembly to have stormy Monsoon session on Vyapam scam he Monsoon session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly beginning July 20 will be a stormy affair with Congress determined to raise Vyapam scandal and role of state government in it. MP Assembly to have stormy Monsoon session on Vyapam scam The Monsoon session of Madhya Pradesh Assembly beginning July 20 will be a stormy affair with Congress determined to raise Vyapam scandal and role of state government in it. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Donations, 'raddi' brought Khan 18L per month CHANDIGARH: A close scrutiny of recovered cash receipts from the office of NGO Theatre Age revealed that Zulfikar Khan was receiving donations of around Rs8 lakh within a fortnight, and sale of old newspapers (raddi) brought him about Rs8,000 every day. Man booked for harassing Kharar couple A Kharar-based couple on Friday lodged an FIR against a Ludhiana-based resident for sending obscene messages and pictures and passing derogatory remarks. Rs 5.48-cr fraudster in police net The police have arrested the manager of an Industrial Area-based automobile agency, Virender Singh Rawat, who cheated UCO Bank, Sector 17,Chandigarh, and 36 borrowers to the tune of Rs 5.48 crore by submitting forged and fabricated sales certificates. More Chandigarh News»

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