News Digest: Rare sculptures thrown out as modern temple comes up at ancient Pallava site

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, April 30, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Rare sculptures thrown out as modern temple comes up at ancient Pallava site A year ago, when a group of people approached the villagers of Thatchur near Kallakurichi in Villupuram district to construct a temple on an ancient Pallava site, little did they realise that it would be at the cost of some rare 9th century sculptures. Nepal earthquake: The rock cover saved us, says Everest veteran Love Raj He is one of India’s top mountaineers who has summited Mount Everest five times. This was to be his sixth attempt. Govt does volte face, asks TN fishermen not to trespass into Lankan waters Reiterating the Centre's stand that Tamil Nadu fishermen should not cross the international maritime boundary line (IMBL), external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday advised a fishermen delegation that met her in New Delhi not to trespass into Sri Lankan waters and invite trouble. More India News»

		Business
		Vedanta writes down Rs 20k cr on oil business In the biggest write-down in India’s corporate history, Anil Agarwal-led Sesa Sterlite, which was renamed as Vedanta last week, has been hit hard by falling crude prices as it booked nearly Rs 20,000 crore ($3 billion) as “goodwill impairment charges” related to its oil and gas business. RBI fines 3 banks Rs 4.5cr, cautions 8 in FD fraud The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 crore each on Dena Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Oriental Bank of Commerce and cautioned eight other public sector banks following its investigation into last year’s fixed deposit fraud. Govt, FIIs agree to seek fast-tracking of MAT case The government and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) — which have been contesting income tax department’s minimum alternate tax (MAT) demand — have mutually agreed to seek fast-tracking of the dispute, which is now in the Supreme Court. More Business News»

		Environment
		Chandaka eco-tourism project stuck in land transfer The authorities of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, on the outskirts of the city, have initiated a process of taking possession of a land under the Cuttack district administration and develop it into an eco-tourism site. India plans to have more clean coal technology: Minister India plans to go in for more clean coal technology as thermal power will continue to be mainstay in India's energy mix, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. Groups decry whale entanglements off US coast Conservationists on Tuesday called for new safeguards for gray whales and humpbacks after a record number of the federally protected mammals got entangled in fishing gear in coastal waters off California, Oregon and Washington. More Environment News»

		World
		Charlie Hebdo cartoonist says will no longer draw Prophet Cartoonist Luz, who drew Charlie Hebdo's front cover picture of the prophet following the massacre of the satirical weekly's editorial team by jihadists in January, has said he will no longer draw the prophet. Nepal PM faces fury of earthquake victims Protests on Wednesday greeted Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in relief camps as anger spilled over to the streets with people seizing food and water supplies, four days after a devastating quake claimed over 6,000 lives. US supreme court split on same-sex union In its storied existence of over 225 years, the US Supreme Court has heard cases on such seminal matters as slavery, segregation, free speech, executive privilege and right to privacy. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'There were people crying and collapsing' Having spent three days in Kathmandu after the horrifying earthquakes, Jannat director Kunal Deshmukh returned to Mumbai Tuesday early morning with his girlfriend Sonali Rattan, who was with him during this time. Director apologises to his Bollywood friends RJ Anirudh Chawla, who has directed one of India’s first reality films Sabki Bajegi Band, produced by Yusuf Shaikh, had recorded candid conversations on sex and relationships. 5 Bollywood boyfriends we wish we had Die hard romantic: That one look which melts your heart and that one touch which runs shivers in your body, who doesn't want a boyfriend like Shah Rukh Khan? More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Low awareness, stigma delay autism diagnosis It took five years for Sushant Sharma to understand that what he considered poor learning abilities of his child were in reality the initial signs of a neurodevelopment disorder called autism. Why smartphone batteries sometimes explode Scientists have been able to track the entire process of what happens inside lithium-ion batteries that leads to their overheating and exploding. Indian Institute on responsible conduct of science, research launched The first ever Indian Institute on responsible conduct of science and research will be based in Mangaluru. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2015: Bangalore-Rajasthan match abandoned due to rain Rain played a spoilsport as IPL 8 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals has been abandoned after RCB posted 200/7. IPL: Sunil Narine banned from bowling off-spinners In another setback for Sunil Narine, the Windies bowler has been barred from bowling off-spinners in all matches organised by BCCI, including the ongoing IPL. Real Madrid, Atletico facing transfer bans: Reports Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors, Spanish radio reported. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Galaxy S6 edge vs iPhone 6: The big shootout Samsung’s latest flagship Galaxy S6 edge is now available in the Indian market for purchase. 'Samsung replaces Apple as top smartphone maker' Samsung Electronics has said it expects earnings to rise in Q2 after posting its highest profit in three quarters in January-March. Gionee Elife S7 review Gionne promises that its new phone won’t be just another anorexic device and will also offer improved performance and new features. More Technology News»

		Education
		DU, JNU, IIT depts make it to global top 100 list Indian universities might struggle to make the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings list, but their individual departments are amongst the best in the world. Delhi University tops the list, achieving the highest rank of all 20 Indian universities that have made the cut, while being placed 17th globally on the development studies subject table. Funds crunch slows down restoration work at Andhra University Shortage of funds has slowed down the repair and Hudhud debris clearance work at Andhra University, which suffered considerable damage due to cyclone Hudhud last year. Gujarat: Cheats proffer staple excuses to exam board Students nabbed for using unfair means at exam centres across Gujarat are now facing the music and the excuses they are coming up are uncannily similar. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'PM should not vilify nation on foreign soil' NCP President and former union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over Prime Minister Narendra Modi critical remarks against his own country on foreign soil. JJ doctors perform rare surgery on man When 27-year-old Bambam Kumar Mandal walked into JJ Hospital’s casualty ward on March 16 with complaints of intense chest pain and vomiting, doctors realized they had a rarest of rare case at hand. State unwilling to bring the guilty to book, say kin of slain activists When it comes to the murder of activists in Maharashtra, the state machinery seems to come to a grinding halt. That’s something Mukta Dabholkar, daughter of slain anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar, Megha Pansare, daughter-in-law of veteran communist Govind Pansare and Sandeep Shetty, brother of slain RTI activist Satish Shetty, know all too well. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Eminent personalities participate in the 6th anniversary of Forward Press held in Delhi "A caste-ridden society is worse than a society of slavery, and even apartheid," said Arundhati Roy, during a function held at the Constitution Club, New Delhi, on Wednesday to mark the sixth anniversary of Forward Press. Bulldozers back, Rangpuri squatters homeless again Tension gripped Rangpuri Pahari, a settlement area in south Delhi near Vasant Kunj, again on Tuesday evening when DDA officials came with earthmovers and police force to raze shanties. Stricter emission norms only on paper The debate over air pollution due to vehicular emissions is not new. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Learn 1.6L Kannada words in English Fascinated by Kannada words but fumble when it comes to their English translation? Here's something that will come in handy. Autos, buses off roads in Bengaluru; airport cabs to operate About 1.2 lakh autorickshaws will go off Bengaluru roads on Thursday as transport unions join the All India Transport Congress strike against the Road Transport and Safety Bill. Heavy rain brings down flag at memorial The monumental flag at the National Military Memorial, Chowdaiah Road, Bengaluru, is one of 11 such flags in the country that are not lowered at sunset, like others. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Stuck at 18k feet, mountaineers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh cry for help  Stranded at 17,598 feet above sea level for five consecutive days, 20 mountaineers from the two states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are now desperately calling out for help. Kargil veteran looks to crowd-funding to save his son With the army withdrawing financial support for his terminally-ill seven-year-old son Mihir, battling with a rare congenital genetic disorder at a corporate hospital for the last ten months, city-based Kargil war veteran Manoj Kumar Sikdar has decided to go for crowd-funding to meet the medical expenses. Rs 1,000 crore to make Hyderabad 'swachh' The state government announced Rs 1000 crore for ‘Swachh Hyderabad’ programme that will launched on May 16, aimed at transforming the Telangana capital into a clean city. More Hyderabad News»

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		Ahmedabad
		Ahmedabad citizens offer helping hand by the glassful The burning heat where even a glass of water becomes a panacea has spawned water philanthropy in the city. Gujarat govt to appoint 496 Adhyapak Sahayaks The commissioner of higher education has decided to appoint 496 Adhyapak Sahayaks in arts, commerce and home science streams in the 164 grant-in-aid and government colleges. Poor quality plastic items banned in Ahmedabad From Friday this week, bags, tea cups, and wares made of poor quality plastic will be banned from all vending points in the city. We Amdavadis are plastic addicts. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Karwarias' bail plea to be taken up today The bail application of former BSP MP Kapil Muni Karwaria and his brother MLC Suraj Bhan Karwaria in SP MLA Jawahar Yadav murder case will be heard by the additional sessions judge (ASJ) on Thursday. Interviews for principals' post from May 18 The long-awaited interviews for filling 900 vacant posts of principals in aided colleges across the state would start from May 18. NCTE helpline to tackle anomalies, plaints If you are among the ones who want to report a given institution offering fake degrees or one that is flouting norms on appointing faculty or purposefully delaying issuing of certificates on completion of a course, help is just a call away. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Neem tree for Jagannath at Raghunathpur Ending days of speculation, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on Wednesday announced the location of the neem tree to sculpt Jagannath’s idol. Centre withdraws, Odisha govt likely to fund police modernization The state government is actively considering to fund modernization of police scheme. Govt to recruit 31 sportspersons in Odisha police As part of its policy for direct recruitment of meritorious sportspersons in police force, the state government would offer appointment order to 31 talents in the first phase. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Rajasthan losing its big cats to Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan seems to be losing its tigers to Madhya Pradesh. State forest officials and members of world wildlife federation (WWF) have found sub-adult tiger T-71 – fourth in the row – that strayed from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore Tiger reserve on Sunday. Engineering colleges drive home students' safety to drivers A week after an accident in which a girl student lost her life, engineering colleges on April 22 have decided to organize regular training programmes for bus drivers and conductors for making them aware of driving with safety of students. Mayor's vehicle hit by speeding car in BRTS Like local residents in state capital, mayor and civic body commissioner are not left unaffected by brazen driving in bus rapid transit system (BRTS). Both were jolted by a drunken speeding vehicle that rammed official car of Bhopal Mayor Alok Sharma along BRTS on Saturday. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Exporters to Nepal keeping their fingers crossed At a time Nepal is counting the losses caused by the earthquake, the industries that export many products to Nepal are also suffering losses, because their payments have been stuck, and business would take a long time to normalize, further adding to their woes. Now, land at Amritsar airport in zero visibility One can now fly to Amritsar without worrying about flight diversions during heavily foggy days as the work for installation of CAT III-B instrument landing system (ILS) has begun at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, which will enable the aircraft to land in zero visibility. Help pours out for quake victims There's been an outpouring of support for providing aid to the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: Wheat piles up at mandis, bodies at Anaconda Canal

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Wednesday, April 29, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Wheat piles up at mandis, bodies at Anaconda Canal First the rains wreaked havoc on their crops, now the farmers of the cereal bowl of India are drowning in the canal that should have watered their fields. Rahul Gandhi in Khanna, Capt Amarinder Singh in Amritsar Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday preferred to fulfill his schedule in Amritsar, his Lok Sabha constituency, and not accompany the party’s national vice-president Rahul Gandhi on his visit to Punjab to take first-hand feedback from farmers on their problems. PM to take call if commuters paying toll for NHs can be given some relief In a move to address issues concerning the highway sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a special meeting on Saturday, two days after he chairs the first meeting of infrastructure departments during the current financial year. More India News»

		Business
		Airtel Q4 net up 31% at 1,255 crore Country’s largest telecom company Bharti Airtel on Tuesday reported a 30.5% jump in its March quarter’s net profit at Rs 1,255 crore, buoyed by a robust customer growth and rise in mobile data revenue. World Bank pegs FY16 growth at 7.5% The Indian economy has turned the corner but wider reforms are needed to boost growth, the World Bank said on Tuesday, and estimated the economy to expand by 7.5% in 2015-16. Bengaluru business club divided on Mallya case Even as Vijay Mallya puts up a fight to retain the chairmanship of United Spirits, defying a boardroom decision, the perception in Bengaluru’s business club about Mallya is divided. More Business News»

		Environment
		NGT notice to 17 hospitals over rainwater harvesting systems Not satisfied with the functioning of rainwater harvesting system in their premises, the National Green Tribunal has issued notices to Medical Superintendents of 17 hospitals here. Diversion of 35,867-ha of forest land okayed in 2014: Govt The government has given approval for diversion of 35,867 hectares of forest land in a total of 783 cases in 2014, Parliament was informed Tuesday. 3 NDMC officers fined by NGT for burning dry leaves The NGT bench headed by chairperson, justice Swatanter Kumar imposes a fine of Rs 50,000 on three NDMC officials for burning of heaps of dry leaves at Lodhi estate, Bharti Nagar. More Environment News»

		World
		Baltimore mayor response to rioting under scrutiny Baltimore's mayor came under criticism on Tuesday for a slow police response to some of the worst urban rioting in the United States in years with shops looted, buildings burned to the ground and 20 officers injured. Nigerian army rescues 300, none are kidnapped schoolgirls Nigerian troops rescued nearly 300 girls and women during an offensive Tuesday against Boko Haram militants in the northeastern Sambisa Forest, the military said, but they did not include any of the schoolgirls kidnapped a year ago. Man storms Bosnian police station, 1 killed Two Bosnians, one of whom fought in Syria, were arrested on Tuesday in connection with an assault on a police station by a man shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) that left one officer and the gunman dead and two policemen wounded. More World News»

		Entertainment
		'I am basically a Modi-BJP guy' Rishi Kapoor is someone who enjoys his drinks and it is almost customary for him to drink every night. Piku is 2015's first family entertainer The makers of Vicky Donor are back with 2015’s first family entertainer, Piku, starring stalwart Amitabh Bachchan, the gorgeous Deepika Padukone and the inimitable Irrfan. Gabbar strikes out at corruption with his PWD This summer sees bad as the new good with the arrival of Gabbar, society’s latest hero, who is named after one of Bollywood’s most iconic villains. Gabbar Is Back toplines Akshay Kumar in a new avatar as an aam aadmi taking on corruption using his PWD — power wala danda — an iron rod to right the wrong. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Scientists discover reset 'button' for body clock Scientists have found a molecular reset button for our internal body clock, a discovery that may allow for new treatments of sleep disorders and cognitive and metabolic abnormalities, commonly associated with jet lag and shift work. T Rex's 'bizarre' vegetarian cousin puzzles scientists Tyrannosaurus rex, one of history's most dreaded carnivores, had an odd-looking vegetarian cousin with a tiny head, long neck and stubby fingers, scientists said Monday, admitting its anatomy had them puzzled. Breast cancer on a steady rise: Doctors Breast Cancer which has been on a steady rise has over taken cervical cancer as the most common and deadly killer disease of the new era. More Science News»

		Sports
		Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs Two-time winners Chennai Super Kings beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs in a thrilling IPL match at Chepauk in Chennai. Dalmiya and Thakur mull early SGM to oust Srinivasan The BCCI's new regime under Jagmohan Dalmiya is exploring the option of an early SGM in its bid to oust N Srinivasan as the board's representative in ICC. Sushil, Mary Kom get 75 lakh each for Rio Games preparation Sushil Kumar and MC Mary Kom are among 45 athletes, who have been selected by the government for financial assistance under the TOP scheme. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Apple iPhone 6: The big shootout Samsung’s latest flagship Galaxy S6 edge is now available in the Indian market for purchase. Apple posts another blockbuster quarter The iPhone is still the engine behind Apple's phenomenal success, even if attention lately has been focused on its new smartwatch. Trai goes public with love letter Trai has not only made public email IDs of all users but has also put a love letter from a user. More Technology News»

		Education
		Physics section drags down IIT (Main) score The IIT-JEE (Mains) results were announced on Monday, and the top 1.5lakh students will take up the IIT-JEE (Advanced) next month. The top score in the state has dropped to 317 this year, from 340 in 2014. Int'l students can apply online for SPPU courses International students willing to study at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) can now save their time by applying for the courses online. Keep guides out of school: Panel on school bag weight School education minister Vinod Tawde had visited few schools and realized that the weight of school bags must be reduced More Education News»

		Mumbai
		FIR filed in actor's leaked nude clip case The cyber crime investigation cell has filed an FIR against an unknown person for leaking a video of actor Radhika Apte, showing her partially naked. St Stanislaus gets its first non-Jesuit school principal The 152-year-old Jesuit institution, St Stanislaus High School, Bandra, will for the first time have a non-Jesuit principal from 2015-16. The school’s supervisor, Anna Correa, will take over as principal. Mumbai gets new RTO, registration no MH-47 today The city will get a new registration number (MH-47) and a new RTO (Borivli RTO) from Wednesday. More Mumbai News»

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		Bangalore
		Acharya back as spl public prosecutor Four years after former advocate-general BV Acharya quit as special public prosecutor (SPP) in J Jayalalithaa's illegal wealth case, the Karnataka government on Tuesday appointed him to the same post. Cannnot send dozen names to Centre, says Deshpande The government may have shortlisted Raichur, Hubballi-Dharwad and Mysuru for setting up the IIT sanctioned for Karnataka, but lobbying by politicians is still on. No law to protect art work in public: Balan Nambiar When he visited the Kotak Mahindra Bank office, MG Road (previously ING Vysya), on April 6 for a meeting, artist Balan Nambiar was in for a rude shock - his 17ft long hanging sculpture, weighing almost 900kg, was tampered with. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Nepal-educated Hyderabad doctors on a rescue mission “It's time to give back their debt“, say 50-odd Nepal-educated city doctors, who are keen to go to the disaster-struck Himalayan nation and serve the people during their hour of crisis. AP govt's move to take over liquor sale irks TDP leaders Several leaders from ruling TDP are up in arms over the government's decision to take over the liquor business from July 1 this year. Gulf dreams turn nightmare for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana women Hundreds of women from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are being lured to the Gulf countries with the promise of being employed as maids, but are ending up getting exploited. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		'Vishing' scam cleans out 8cr Nfrom bank a/cs of 250 in Chennai The Central Crime Branch of the city police arrested two men in Delhi on Monday while busting a wide-reaching ‘vishing’ scam in which fraudsters cleaned out more than 8 crore from the bank accounts of more than 250 people in Chennai. CCTVs on beach entry points in Chennai The entry points of beaches on the East Coast Road (ECR) will be monitored by a third eye soon. Chennai police will install CCTV cameras to monitor activities on deserted stretches of sand and build the public’s confidence in the policing system. Chennai docs pitch in to join relief work in Nepal From mobilising medical supplies to offering their service, doctors and hospitals in Chennai and other parts of the state are pitching in with relief operations for quake-hit Nepal. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Man, LLB, turns tables on wife's rape charge An insurance agent studied law to fight rape charges levelled by his wife. Acquitted by courts, practising advocate Pankaj Chavda, 37, has now slapped a Rs 50 lakh defamation suit against his wife for implicating him and a friend in a false rape case. Ahmedabad scorches at 43.2 degrees City sizzled on Tuesday, recording maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees, two degrees above normal. Ahmedabad recorded highest temperature in the state followed by Amreli which recorded 43 degrees. Kandla port recorded 43.4 degrees. Abhayam helpline stops child marriage cases On April 18, ‘181’ Abhayam helpline received a call about a child marriage event taking place in Botad town. A concerned relative had informed the helpline that a girl was being married off though she had not attained the marriageable age. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lichchavi passengers looted near Manauri Armed dacoits looted passengers travelling in Lichchavi Express between Manauri and Bamrauli railway stations on Kanpur-Allahabad route of North Central Railway on Friday morning. Allahabad University student sculpts 3,000 kgs hammer Son of a poor peasant of a small village at Nagaipur of Baheria block in Allahabad proved his mettle in the first sculpture that he has made. He and five others have made a hammer weighing over 3,000 kgs. Free wi-fi facility at Civil Lines Bus Depot soon The Civil Lines Bus Depot of the city would become the first public place to be equipped with wi-fi services. Uttar Pradesh Road Transport Corporation, in collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has came out with the proposal to equip the depot for better internet connectivity. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Fresh tremors force people out of homes Fresh tremors frightened people in various parts of the state on Sunday even as no loss of life or property was reported from anywhere. Thakurani Yatra ends, deity to be home today All roads in Silk City led to Desibehera Street near Bada Bazaar on Monday as people from various walks of life thronged the temporary abode of Maa Budhi Thakurani. CSSR Munduli teams ready for rescue ops National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)'s Collapsed Structure Search And Rescue (CSRR) team has proved its mettle in carrying out rescue operations in earthquake-devastated Nepal, claimed NDRF officials here. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Auto driver booked for sexual assault on college girl A 19-year-old college student and her sister were allegedly sexually assaulted by an auto-rickshaw driver for months in city. A case was registered at Bajaria police station on Monday. Sister of accused foils rape bid on minor A rape bid on a minor was foiled when sister of accused forced him to leave the minor unhurt. incident took place on April 23 at Idgah Hills but a case was registered at Shahjahanabad police station on Monday. Driverless metro rail proposed for Bhopal Bhopal light rail metro system (LRTS) will have an advanced signalling system— Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) — based on the lines of light rail in Denmark capital, Copenhagen allowing driverless trains to operate on the 85-km proposed stretch in the state capital. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Wheat piles up at mandis, bodies at Anaconda Canal First the rains wreaked havoc on their crops, now the farmers of the cereal bowl of India are drowning in the canal that should have watered their fields. Rahul Gandhi in Khanna, Capt Amarinder Singh in Amritsar Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday preferred to fulfill his schedule in Amritsar, his Lok Sabha constituency, and not accompany the party’s national vice-president Rahul Gandhi on his visit to Punjab to take first-hand feedback from farmers on their problems.  HC notice to pvt school, UT The Punjab and Haryana high court on Tuesday issued notice to the UT administration and principal of St John's High School, Sector 26, after hearing a petition of a student for allegedly denying him admission in Class XI. More Chandigarh News»

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