News Digest: Srinagar passport office shifted to Jammu

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, October 03, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Srinagar passport office shifted to Jammu The regional passport office here has been temporarily shifted to Jammu in view of the recent floods in Kashmir that inundated several key offices. Sikh body to print holy book abroad To solve the problem of Sikhs living abroad getting swaroop (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has decided to set up a printing press in Europe and Canada for the printing of Granth Sahib as per rehat maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct). NSA Ajit Doval discusses India-US security cooperation with Kerry National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday met US secretary of state John Kerry and his American counterpart Susan Rice and discussed key bilateral and regional issues. More India News»

		Business
		Public sector banks hiding bad loans' size: Ex-CVC Restructuring of loans on easy terms may not be the best solution to tackle the bad loans of public sector banks (PSBs), former central vigilance commissioner Pradeep Kumar said, and expressed concern that state-run banks were probably suppressing the size of the “real crisis involving NPAs (non-performing assets)”. Funds for 15 AI Dreamliners unsure Air India’s woes may have just compounded with uncertainty over funding of its purchase of Boeing’s Dreamliners. Philips to broaden healthcare portfolio Philips' Bangalore innovation centre will play an increasingly important role, Bert van Meurs, senior vice president in Philips Healthcare, said here. More Business News»

		Environment
		Bangalore to join global march for elephants Participants will gather at 7 am at the Queen Victoria Statue on MG Road and walk to Raj Bhavan Great Barrier Reef survival key to indigenous identity To the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder and vast underwater kingdom, boasting some of the rarest animals and plants. Air pollution behind decline in monsoon rains A new study has shown that it maybe human induced air pollution that has caused a decline in the annual monsoon rainfall over the past 50 years. More Environment News»

		World
		Oz parliament to have 'burqa box' The Australian parliament has announced a set of security rules including one that means people wearing the Niqab, which covers part of the face, or the burqa, will need to sit in a closed part of the parliament behind glass when visiting. Now hunger threat shadows Ebola in West Africa The threat of hunger is tracking Ebola across affected West African nations as the disease kills farmers and their families, drives workers from the fields and creates food shortages. US to partially lift 40-year-old ban on arms sale to Vietnam The United States is to partially lift a four-decade-old arms embargo against its former foe Vietnam, the state department said on Thursday. More World News»

		Entertainment
		PIC: Ajay Devgn dances like never before That’s not Prabhu Dheva! It’s Ajay Devgn in Action Jackson. Bollywood's Top 10 must watch deleted scenes Action packed film ‘Dhoom 2’ was a super hit film with some of the most memorable scenes but there were a few which had to be left out while editing. 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? Shah Rukh is every girl's dream boy. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Lost for nearly 100 yrs, 'Sherlock' film is found A 1916 silent movie about fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, long thought to be lost, has been found by Cinematheque Francaise. The film, starring William %Gillette, is a vital missing link in the history of Holmes on screen. Pluto to get its planet status back? There were once nine planets. Everyone lea8rned them, sometimes aided by a mnemonic: "My Very Excellent Mother Just Sent Us Nine Pizzas." Bigger phones, bigger pockets: Fashion retailers redesign trousers for iPhone 6 Plus Clothing is adapting to technology, with major fashion retailers announcing that they will increase the size of their pockets to match the increasing size of your smartphone. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 14 Indian women beat Iran to win the gold medal in kabaddi and the Indian men would look to emulate their feat on the penultimate day of competitions. India win gold in men's hockey, qualify for Rio Olympics A spirited Indian men's hockey team defeated arch-rivals and defending champions Pakistan 4-2 in a nerve-wracking shoot-out to end its 16-year gold medal draught in the Asian Games and earn a direct berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Asian Games: India win women's 4x400m relay gold India successfully defended their women's 4 x 400m relay title by clinching the gold medal at the Asian Games on Thursday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		iOS 8 blocking Bluetooth in iPhones: Reports Several issues faced by users include the devices refusing to pair entirely, neglecting to play audio over the speakers, or disconnecting when a call comes in. 'Samsung on recovery path, but Q3 profit to be weak' Samsung's profit is seen weakening further in Q3, underscoring the downturn in its market-leading smartphone business. 10 reasons to pick Windows tablets over laptops Having a tough time choosing between a laptop and a tablet as your next device? Here are are 10 reasons to pick a tablet over a laptop. More Technology News»

		Education
		1,000 US academics to teach in Indian universities India is now looking at American academics for teaching in different Indian universities. The idea is to invite and host up to 1,000 American academics every year to teach. UK universities lose ground to Asian ones in global rankings According to the Times Higher Education (THE) world rankings for 2014-15, many UK universities are losing their place to leading Asian institutions in the top 200. IIT-Guwahati conducts workshop on high-performance computing The high-performance computing (HPC) group of IIT-Guwahati recently conducted a three-day workshop on graphic processing unit (GPU) programming and applications, 2014, on the campus. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Sena dares NCP to retain Worli for fourth straight time Retaining the Worli assembly constituency is going to be a challenge for three-time MLA and former minister Sachin Ahir of NCP 'TV ads still depict Chavan as CM' Two lawyers from the city have lodged a complaint against former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan with the chief electoral officer Ajit attacks ex-CM again, questions Cong's ad spend A day after throwing muck at ‘Mr Clean’ Prithviraj Chavan, Ajit Pawar, his deputy in the outgoing Democratic Front government, dropped another bombshell More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Delhi on high alert as terror threat looms Delhi has been put on high alert in the wake of intelligence inputs of a possible terror strike on Dussehra. Security has been beefed up for October 3 and 4, especially in the north Delhi area which the Prime Minister will visit. Zero tolerance for racial attacks: Centre tells African envoys The foreign ministry on Thursday assured African envoys of “zero tolerance'' against crimes aimed at any particular nationality after it received a communication from the envoys of Gabon and Burkina Faso seeking an impartial probe into attacks on students from these countries. Giant wheel a monumental treat The biggest ferris-wheel ride opened up in India on Thursday. ‘Delhi Eye’ which has its name and its setting inspired by the fourth largest such ride in the world, the ‘London Eye’, was launched at Kalindi Kunj park. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Bangalore sweeps to Swachh mantra Early Thursday morning, lip-glossed young women and men in aviators picked up brooms and dustpans, and hit a respectably clean MG Road. For rich Bangalore kids, it's football career over school Chasing a professional career in football — apart from having the passion, talent and physical and mental toughness — requires a lot of money. For many kids, it remains a dream. For a lucky few, their parents break the bank. Jayalalithaa shifted to another cell, subscribes to Tamil channels Like in the past few days, the AIDMK chief chose to remain silent but for a brief chat with visiting jail doctors and remained glued to TV channels More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Naidu eyes Far East to fetch investments for AP Officials are preparing the plans for his business trips expected to begin in the last week of October. Split wide open in APTDC We will meet senior Telangana tourism officials next Tuesday to check if they are going to communicate with the AP government and relocate its employees. A month of trial for KCR The month of October is likely to test chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's mettle as an administrator as he seeks to keep his promise of delivering the 'KCR mark of administration'. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Fund raising via IPOs falls 25% to $216m in Jan-Sept The markets may be on a strong wicket but companies are not rushing to raise funds from the capital markets yet. Ega-Valluvar Kottam flyover work to start Two months ago, the mayor promised to cut travel time between Ega Theatre to Valluvar Kottam to just two minutes with a 2.76km flyover connecting the two junctions. O Panneerselvam gets down to work, sends letter to PM  Reconciling to the idea that AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa is likely to remain in the Parapana Agrahara prison until Oct 7 when her bail plea would be taken up by the Karnataka high court, the new CM O Panneerselvam got down to work, sending a letter to the PM Narendra Modi on the fishermen issue and greeting people for Vijayadasami. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		School picnics to keep Dandi beach clean Picnics will not simply be a fun excursion for the students of 158 schools in Navsari district. On every Saturday, one school will go a picnic to Dandi and clean up the entire beach. Gujarat govt rejects SIT plea for appeal against Kodnani bail The state legal department has rejected the request of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) for an appeal against the bail granted to former minister Maya Kodnani by the Gujarat high court in the 2002 Naroda Patia massacre. Students go out to sell Gandhi books More than 600 students of Vidyapith swarmed city streets to sell books on the Father of the Nation at a 50% discount. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Clean India campaign unearths century-old record While preparing for Thursday’s ‘Swatch Bharat’ campaign, the Department of Post recently stumbled upon century old records hidden beneath stacks of files in its store room. The archival documents, throwing light on the functioning of postal services in the British regime, were in a dilapidated state. CBSE to award Rs one lakh cash prize for cleanliness Taking a big leap forward on encouraging students and schools to maintain sanitation and hygiene, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced creative contest with cash prize upto to Rs 25,000. Further educational institutes can win prizes of Rs one lakh for their good practices on maintaining sanitation depending upon the category. Denizens feel proud with Allahabad to be developed as a `Smart City' A sense of pride and ecstasy prevailed among the denizens as the news spread that Allahabad would be developed as a smart city with the active collaboration of the United States (US). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Rivers bear brunt of idol immersion Water pollution norms go for a toss when hundreds of idols are immersed in different water bodies during the festive season every year. Good monsoon raises farm output hope Odisha received 9% more rain this monsoon, notwithstanding the fear of El Nino, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). Jual Oram says Odisha govt ignoring central schemes Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram on Wednesday said the state government was disinterested in implementing Centre's schemes, a day before launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, aimed at making cleanliness a mass movement. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Killer's tryst with Pope cut short by split among Catholics in Madhya Pradesh  A difference in opinion within the Catholic community over taking Samundar Singh — who brutally murdered a nun, Sister Rani Maria, on a bus in Madhya Pradesh 18 years ago — to Vatican forced cancellation of his trip.  Madhya Pradesh to receive 285 MW additional power from Centre A day after state leaders appealed the union minster of state for power Piyush Goyal for additional power supply in view of festivals, union government has decided to provide 285 MW of power from Wednesday onwards till March 2015. Madhya Pradesh HC seeks reply from govt on liquor shops on national highways Court has directed chief secretary of the state to go through judgments given by other courts and ensure their implementations. Next hearing has been scheduled for October 28. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		EC lists alternative documents for voting right Haryana chief electoral officer Shrikant Walgad said on Thursday that the electors who are unable to produce the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) at the time of polling could also produce alternate photo identity documents for establishing their identity. 300 students to participate in Strawberry Fields World School's Model United Nations Conference Around 300 students from leading schools across India will participate in Strawberry Fields World School’s Model United Nations Conference, 2014 that is being held from October 3-5 at Chandigarh. Women participate in Raid De Himalaya rally Gone are the days when men stole the show at motorsports. This year for the first time city will have women ralliest daring to compete in the high-risk, high speed Xtreme category at the Raid De Himalaya starting on October 3, from Shimla. More Chandigarh News»

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News Digest: High voltage media campaign to showcase Gandhi and his message of 'Swachh India'

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, October 02, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		High voltage media campaign to showcase Gandhi and his message of 'Swachh India' Rare archival footage of Mahatma Gandhi juxtaposed with PM Narendra Modi speaking from the ramparts of the Red Fort will be part of a 4-minute film on "Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan." CIC asks Tihar to make Afzal Guru's death warrant public The Central Information Commission has directed Tihar prison to make Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's death warrant public along with copies of communication sent to his family about the date of execution. Mahatma Gandhi also spoke about non-violence, harmony, Congress tells Modi Congress on Wednesday slammed PM Narendra Modi for what it called was a show of love for Mahatma Gandhi. More India News»

		Business
		Major car companies continue to see revival With auto industry continuing on the revival mode, major car makers including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota and M&M on Wednesday reported good domestic sales growth in September ahead of the festive season. Rajan hints at higher G-sec limit for foreign investors The Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan has hinted at increasing the ceiling for foreign investment in government debt. Mahindra launches 110-cc scooter Gusto Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd on Wednesday launched 110-cc scooter 'Gusto' for the north Indian market with prices starting at Rs 43,000 (ex showroom Delhi). More Business News»

		Environment
		New climate for Indo-US green talks "India will not phase down HFCs, used in fridges and air-conditioners, until it gets access to technologically feasible (safe) and economically viable (cost-effective) alternative", said an official. Global warming driving migration of species in India Rising temperatures are forcing a huge, untold number of species to move their homes northward or climb to higher altitudes, says an alarming study. Camels cannot be slaughtered for food: AWBI Against the background of ensuing Bakrid festival and arrival of camels to Tamil Nadu to be offered for Qurbani, the Animal Welfare Board of India has said that the desert animal cannot be slaughtered for food. More Environment News»

		World
		US, China air differences over Hong Kong protests The top US and Chinese diplomats publicly aired differences on Wednesday over the protests in Hong Kong, where students want democratic changes to the electoral system. Ebola death toll passes 3,300: WHO In its latest update, the UN health agency said a total of 7,178 people had been infected across five west African countries and that of those 3,338 had died. Florida man convicted in loud music case A Florida man faces life in prison after being convicted of first degree murder at his retrial for the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager during an argument over loud music in 2012. More World News»

		Entertainment
		There's nothing missing in 'Bang Bang', feels director Add to boot the scale of the film — all of which makes it a complete package, according to the director. Six reasons we are waiting to watch Haider Vishal Bhardwaj’s most awaited dark drama ‘Haider’ is out and is already making waves for Shahid Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor’s sparkling chemistry and Tabu’s eye-catching presence. Sushant Singh Rajput returns to Pavitra Rishta Sushant Singh Rajput, who left TV show, Pavitra Rishta, in October 2011 for films, is returning to shoot its final episode. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Isro, Nasa set up joint Mars working group Isro and Nasa have set up a joint Mars working group to enhance co-operation between the two countries in the explorations of the Red Planet. Nasa's MAVEN Mission tweets 'Chalein Saath Saath' Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred his meeting with US President Barack Obama as an extension of the happy coincidence of "Indo-US Summit on Mars", the US space agency Nasa on Wednesday reciprocated it by tweeting "Chalein Saath Saath - Forward Together We Go" vision statement of both the countries. Nasa rocket to study solar heating in six minutes On September 30, a rocket will fly up into the sky - past the Earth's atmosphere that obscures certain wavelengths of light from the Sun - for a 15 minute journey to study what heats up the Sun's atmosphere. More Science News»

		Sports
		Live Blog: Incheon Asian Games 2014, Day 13 Intricacies of South Asian style of hockey will be on full view when India take on bitter foes Pakistan in the high-octane men's Asian Games gold medal match. Mary gives India first boxing gold at 17th Asian Games The lone Indian boxer in action, Mary Kom defeated Shekerbekova 2-0 in a evenly-contested battle in which the Kazakh had the initial advantage. I protested against injustice in sport, Sarita Devi says Indian women's boxer Mary Kom won her first Asian Games gold but a team-mate sensationally refused to accept her bronze medal in a row over judging standards. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Microsoft announces Windows 10, skips version 9 Microsoft says the next version of its flagship operating system will be called Windows 10, as the company skips version 9 to emphasize advances it is making. Nokia Lumia 830 review: A well-rounded smartphone Is the Nokia Lumia 830 worthy of being called a flagship smartphone? We try to find out in our review. 8 key features of Windows 10 Microsoft has announced Windows 10, the next version of its desktop operating system. More Technology News»

		Education
		NCTE rejects plea to expand teacher-educator pool's skill For two years now, one of the best educational institutes in the country has been knocking on the doors of the National Council for Teacher Training and HRD ministry to include science education as a qualification for teacher education. Indian universities fail to make it to top 200 of Times list Asia has done well in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-15. But India has not only failed yet again to make it to the top 200, it has also dropped further down the list. JNU teachers' body to examine increased instances of plagiarism The executive council of the teachers body was authorized to set up the committee at the JNUTA s general body meeting on September 12, 2014. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Malad MLA Aslam Shaikh flouted poll code, cops tell EC The Malad police have informed the election returning officer about Congress candidate Aslam Shaikh reportedly violating the poll code of conduct. Shaikh has been accused of installing benches at a housing colony on Marve Road, Malad (West). Assembly poll with NOTA in state for first time October 15 will see the first assembly poll in the state with the none-of-the-above (NOTA) option, which was the fifth largest vote-catcher here. Sikh group promises to back Sena The Maharashtra Sikh Association has announced its support to the Shiv Sena for the assembly elections. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		On Saptami, puja pandals buzz with crowds and gigs Music, dance, drama, puppet shows and Rabindrasangeet; there was something for everyone this Saptami.People thronged in thousands to puja pandals, despite it being a weekday and a workday. Fine actors, smart effects draw Delhi to Ramlilas The traditional Ramlilas, where the story evolved through several days of performances, have given way to modern shows presented by professional actors and trained choreographers. Even modern equipment is used in the shows to catch the audience's interest. Festive rush sends traffic into a tailspin, jams expected today Dussehra celebrations left many roads jammed on Wednesday . The festive rush on the evening rush hours triggered huge snarls in south Delhi areas. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Fruit, flower prices prick this festive season With a day to go for Ayudha Puja, fruit and flower prices in Bangalore have hit the roof. Fruit rates have soared by a good 25-30%, and they are expected to shoot up further till Friday. Vegetable prices, thankfully, aren’t escalating as fast. India-born German to explore legal options in search for biological mother India-born German Chaya Maria Schupp was hopeful of meeting her biological mother thanks to the Karnataka High Court’s directive to the government in March 2013 to provide her all assistance in her long and arduous quest. Soon, schools may have to consult parents for additional fees According to the draft rules, a copy of which is with TOI, “If a school wants to charge additional fees for providing facilities like swimming pool, horse riding and others, the school has to divide the amount spend to provide a facility by the total number of students.” More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Traffic curbs for Bathukamma celebrations To maintain smooth traffic flow in connection with 'Saddula Bathukamma' celebrations at LB Stadium and Tank Bund, the Hyderabad police have imposed traffic restrictions in some areas of the city. Junior doctors boycott emergency services Thousands of patients were turned away from over a dozen medical teaching hospitals on Wednesday as Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) boycotted emergency services. Actress sex racket: Magazine booked hotel room In a new twist to the Tollywood actress prostitution case, it came to light that the suite at Park Hayatt at Banjara Hills, in which she was caught in a decoy operation by police, was reportedly booked by organisers of Santosham Awards. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Ega-Valluvar Kottam flyover work to start Two months ago, the mayor promised to cut travel time between Ega Theatre to Valluvar Kottam to just two minutes with a 2.76km flyover connecting the two junctions. O Panneerselvam gets down to work, sends letter to PM  Reconciling to the idea that AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa is likely to remain in the Parapana Agrahara prison until Oct 7 when her bail plea would be taken up by the Karnataka high court, the new CM O Panneerselvam got down to work, sending a letter to the PM Narendra Modi on the fishermen issue and greeting people for Vijayadasami. Jayalalithaa let other accused stay in house as part of plot to amass wealth, said judge A trail of suspicious financial transactions and seizure of assets apart, AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa’s decision to allow the other three accused – N Sasikalaa, V N Sudhakaran and J Elavarasi ​— to stay in her Poes Garden residence during her first stint as chief minister from 1991 to 1996 also nailed her in the disproportionate assets case. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Lewd letters case: GU professor gets bail Gujarat University professor Sarman Zala got bail from a city sessions court on Wednesday. He was arrested on August 16 for allegedly writing obscene letters to female colleagues. Quadracopters back in use for Eid security Ahead of Eid, which will be celebrated on October 6, city cops began their vigil in the city using quadracopters. Sarman Zala gets bail Gujarat University professor Sarman Zala got bail from a city sessions court on Wednesday. He was arrested on August 16 for allegedly writing obscene letters to female colleagues. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Clean India campaign unearths century-old record While preparing for Thursday’s ‘Swatch Bharat’ campaign, the Department of Post recently stumbled upon century old records hidden beneath stacks of files in its store room. The archival documents, throwing light on the functioning of postal services in the British regime, were in a dilapidated state. CBSE to award Rs one lakh cash prize for cleanliness Taking a big leap forward on encouraging students and schools to maintain sanitation and hygiene, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced creative contest with cash prize upto to Rs 25,000. Further educational institutes can win prizes of Rs one lakh for their good practices on maintaining sanitation depending upon the category. Denizens feel proud with Allahabad to be developed as a `Smart City' A sense of pride and ecstasy prevailed among the denizens as the news spread that Allahabad would be developed as a smart city with the active collaboration of the United States (US). More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Twin cities soak in festive spirit Bhubaneswar/ Durga Puja celebrations started on Tuesday with Sashti.During the day, over 300 puja pandals in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack hurried to finish the decorations. Tradition continues over centuries Durga Puja in the Millennium City is known for its grandeur, but hardly anyone knows how and when the tradition started. 'Maoists' kill tribal in Malkangiri Suspected Maoists murdered a 24-year-old tribal youth, branding him as a police informer, in Malkangiri district late on Monday. The deceased was identified as Mala Madkami of Erbanpalli under Padia police limits. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Tips to identify 'love jihadis' at puja mandaps in Madhya Pradesh A right wing supported group in Madhya Pradesh is distributing pamphlets— which cautions girls and gives them tips on how to identify the alleged ‘love jihadis’— along with Prasad at some of the Durga Puja Pandals. Modern medical wing to come up at Kasturba Hospital tragedy site While adding the new wing, efforts are on to make Kasturba Hospital a nodal hospital for workers and retired employees."Now, BHEL workers from Jhansi unit can also come to Bhopal for treatment. Carmel students awarded on CSIR foundation day Rope skipping champions: St Joseph's Co-ed School's students won 19 gold, five silver and three bronze medals at the recently concluded SJFI rope skipping state competition in Vidisha. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		EC directs ministers not to use sanitation campaign for own interest Haryana chief electoral officer Shrikant Walgad said apart from that, election machinery involved in the ongoing assembly elections would not be engaged in the sanitation campaign till poll process was over. Liquor, beer rates at all-time high in Patiala Rates of popular brands of whisky and beer touched an all-time high in several parts of Patiala district. With old promises pending in its manifesto, Congress eyes third term Struggling to regain its lost ground after the Lok Sabha poll debacle, Congress leaders reiterated that the party would make a hat-trick of forming government in Haryana. More Chandigarh News»

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