Gujarati News: July 2007

Gujarat Govt. steps up surveillance to combat bird flu
Monday, July 30, 2007 | AY

The Gujarat Government has sounded an alert in the state following the reports of outbreak of bird flu in Manipur. The teams, formed at district and taluka levels, have been asked to record every single development and submit their reports on regular basis. The state government is keeping a close watch on the poultry farms located in various parts of the state and the animal husbandry department officials are keeping a vigil to tackle any kind of outbreak. Also the state has purchased good quality of personal protection equipment for the prevention of this disease in fowls. It has stepped up surveillance and has asked the bird keepers to report any case of death or disease to any of the birds.

Modern technology revolutionising embroidery industry in Surat
Monday, July 30, 2007 | AY

Surat (Gujarat), July 29 (ANI): As modern technology comes into fashion, the world of “Zari” or embroidery, originally applied by weavers manually, is witnessing a big change in Surat, regarded as the Mecca of textiles in Gujarat. The embroidery work, which used to be done manually by the weavers, is now being done with the help of imported computerised machines that were introduced in the market during the recent slump in textile market. Many workers, who spent most of their life doing manual embroidery on sarees, had started adapting themselves to the latest technology keeping the probable future demand in mind. About 35,000 computerised embroidery machines are installed in Surat and being presently used for manufacturing sarees (women's traditional drape).An estimated 185 million dollars has been invested to acquire these machines in a span of five years.The new technology has made it possible to print intricate embroidered designs on large pieces of clothes in cost-effective fashion. Devkishan Mungani, Acting President, Federation of Surat Textiles and Traders' Association, said: "A change in customers’ choice has been noticed this year. People are again getting attracted towards print. In Surat, 25 to 40 per cent print clothes are in demand.”Mungani said: “It will give a chance to the processing units to make a comeback. Work in embroidery machines is losing foothold and there is lot of competition in the market." With the advent of embroidery machines, newer technologies like ‘Zari’ (or embroidery work) on multi-head and schifilli machines have also come into existence.Today, there is a growing demand for such printed designs and the original manual embroiders are feeling the affect. As popular festivals like Eid and Diwali are round the corner, thousand of traditional embroidery workers are under pressure to come up with their creative best to draw customers this festival season. Pravin Jain, one such worker, said: “We have to introduce new creations in sequences only then we can survive in the market. If we failed to do so, other markets would take the lead. " Surat, a market for synthetics, is also into yarn production, weaving and processing. It exports its textile products across Asia.The textile and clothing sector is the largest employer after agriculture and accounts for 14 per cent of industrial production, providing jobs to over 30 million people.According to industrial estimates, the total size of Indian textile industry in 2005 stood at 46 billion dollars, including the domestic market, which is roughly estimated at 29 billion dollars. The export market stands for 17 billion dollars. (ANI)

Bodies of Shalimar blast victims airlifted to Gujarat
Monday, July 30, 2007 | AY

Srinagar July 30 (ANI): The bodies of five people killed in Sunday afternoon's bus blast, the 13 injured and 60 of their attendants were flown on Monday to Gujarat.The Indian Air Force provided an AN-32 transport aircraft along with a State Government-appointed medical team for the journey.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Mehboob Iqbal told reporters here before the plane's take-off that police and the civil officials were prompt in their response to the tragedy, and facilitated the shifting of the injured to hospitals in the city. He said three of the injured had to undergo major surgeries.Inspector General of Police S.M.Sahai said that Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had approached the Air Force to provide the State Government with an AN-32 aircraft.The plane was seen off by Senior Superintendent of Police (Anti-Hijacking) G.M.Dar, Senior Superintendent of Police (Budgam) Syed Ashiq Bukhari, and senior Air Force, Tourist Police and CRPF officers.The cause of the low intensity blast is still not known, and police said forensic experts were carrying out a chemical analysis of the material used for the explosion. (ANI)

EC deputes officials in Gujarat to check electoral rolls
Monday, July 30, 2007 | AY

New Delhi, July 30 (ANI): The Election Commission (EC) has deputed six teams of two officials each to check various aspects of electoral rolls in Gujarat, where Assembly polls will be held later this year. According to the Commission, the teams will visit all 25 districts of the state from today, and will be there till August 6. They will also meet district officials and civil society organisations during their eight-day stay. The final electoral roll for all 182 Assembly constituencies of Gujarat has been published, with a total of 36,470,548 electors. (ANI)

Gujarat University to start Bachelor of genetic course
Sunday, July 29, 2007 | AY

Gujarat University will start Bachelor of Genetic course from this year. The two-year course will have ten seats. It would be the first of its kind in the country and has been designed to suit the needs of pharmaceutical and bio technological fields, which are developing at a fast rate. He said that infrastructure facilities for the course are being developed at the cost of Rs.50 lakh. A modern research centre and a computer lab would be set up. Of the 10 seats seven would be of general category while three would be for NRIs. The fees for general category would be Rs.25,000 while for NRI it would be Rs.75,000. The eligibility criterion for admission is minimum 80 percent marks in related science subjects.

Teenage swimmer eyes Olympic berth
Saturday, July 28, 2007 | AY

A teenage swimmer from Ahmedabad will try to conquer three seas across the world in the coming months as he attempts to qualify for the marathon event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In order to qualify for the Olympics, Sufyan is planning to taking part in at least three events organised by FINA later this year. A top-three finish in one of those events will make Sufyan a contender for a Beijing berth. First up for Sufyan, who took to water at a tender age of three, is the FINA marathon event in Croatia next month.

North Gujarat university gets new V-C
Thursday, July 26, 2007 | AY

Additional director of Medical Education, Government of Gujarat and officer with special duty in Justice RJ Shah (Retd) fee, admissions and NRI committee, Dr KK Shah, has been appointed the new vice chancellor of Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan. The notification was issued by Governor, Nawal Kishore Sharma, in the capacity of the Chancellor of the university. Shah has been the former dean of the medical faculty at Rajkot, Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad. His name was also in the panels of recommendation for V-C of, Gujarat University, Saurashtra University and Bhavnagar University. Shah has received the communication of his appointment and will join office shortly.

IIM Ahmedabad Steps into Healthcare
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | AY

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, capital of Gujarat in western India, is branching off into healthcare. Its first experimental effort has already received positive response. The institute, thus far famed for its management education, has developed a model for improved urban health services in collaboration with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The Urban Health Care (UHC) being set up by the IIM’s Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS) will be set up with a special focus on urban poor, living in slums and chawls. The IIM-A model is based on extensive use of Geographic Information System (GIS) to locate urban health centres in each ward, to ensure availability, access, affordability and equity of healthcare services.

BJP suspends five Gujarat party rebels
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | AY

New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday suspended five of its party MLAs from Gujarat on charges of indiscipline, including suspicions of having cross-voted in favour of UPA-Left presidential candidate Pratibha Patil.BJP President Rajnath Singh ordered the suspension of Dhirubhai Gajera, Gordhan Jhadaphia, Balubhai Tanti, Becharbhai Bhadani and Bavkubhai Undhad."They have been suspended for breach of discipline," a party source said.The suspension came two days after the results of the July 19 election showed cross-voting from the Gujarat BJP camp in favour of Patil.The BJP has been under pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to rein in the rebels, and as its first act, Arun Jaitley has been given overall in charge of the party election management in the state. (ANI)

Rajkot dalits protest government apathy
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | AY

Rajkot, July 23 (ANI): Dozens of Dalit took out a protest rally here on Monday crying government apathy to their welfare. The protesters, under the banner of Bahujan Social Federation (BSF), shouted slogans against Chief Minister Narendra Modi charging his government of overlooking the welfare of dalits. "Our lands are being taken away. The land, which have to be given to Dalits are not being given to us. For the past six years, the jobs meant for us have not been given to us. This useless government wants us to look this way only," said Bharat Solanki, President, Bahujan Social Federation, dressed as a beggar. According to BSF, the government has announced plans to acquire 16,500-acres of land in Rajkot to set up a low-tax Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and for corporate farming, but has no land for landless dalits. (ANI)

Nanavati Commission asks Modi govt to submit police-politician call records
Monday, July 23, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 22 (ANI): The Nanavati Shah Commission investigating into the Godhra train carnage and its consequences has directed the Gujarat Government to submit all telephone call records in two weeks time, which allegedly prove a police-politician nexus with the rioters. A compact disc (CD), given to the Commission by the CBI superintendent Rahul Sharma three years ago, contains cell phone records allegedly showing that state ministers were in touch with the rioters on February 27 and 28, 2002. Advocate Mukul Sinha of the Jansangharsh Manch, which is representing the riot victims, has on July 21 handed an analysis of the CD to the Commission. However, government counsel Arvind Pandya asked for more time to submit the government's version. The CD has unveiled some very startling facts related to the carnage and it needs elaborated analysis, said Arvind Pandya, Government Counsel. "The defence that police have maintained is that they have failed to stop the gruesome massacre because they were overpowered and outnumbered by the rioters. This is wrong. The telephone calls that were made on February 28 reveals that police personnel were running from the sight. “When the whole chaos was happening a few politicians too have called some higher police officers. The police came after the slaughter had taken place, just to collect dead bodies. The second startling fact was that the subordinates of then Police Commissioner PPC Pandey were not obeying his orders," said Pandya. The call records analyse the location of Naroda MLA Maya Kodnani who was in Gandhinagar when the incident took place in Naroda Patia in 2002. Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Jaideep Patel, VHP worker Babu Bajarangi, Gordhan Zadhaphia, Naroda councillor Ashok Patel and Bipin Panchal were also allegedly involved in this incident as per evidences in the CD. All of them and some police officers were reportedly responsible for administrative inaction during Naroda Patia and Gulbarg massacre. The JSM is demanding a copy of the CD to dig out the whole truth, said Mukul Sinha, Lawyer Jan Sangharsh Manch. "We want to know the entire truth not the projected truth. Earlier he (Rahul Sharma) was asking for the CD. Now, he has presented the CD in front of the Commission. When he did not have the CD, how had he presented the same on the Commission's table? We are demanding a copy of that CD to find out the truth," said Sinha. (ANI)

Gujarat fishermen appeal to PM, Sonia for boats in Pak custody
Monday, July 23, 2007 | AY

Porbandar (Gujarat), July 23 (ANI): Fishermen in Gujarat have appealed to both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to send an India delegation to Pakistan to get their seized boats back.Some of the fishermen claim that their boats were captured by the Pakistan Navy nearly four years ago after they had inadvertently crossed into Pakistani territorial waters.Jeevanbhai Jugwani, Vice President of the Gujarat Fishermen’s Forum, said that if information about the boats lost was available, the forum could then approach the Government for compensation.He also said that their Pakistani counterparts should be extended the same favour."If a Pakistani delegation comes, they will at least know how many of their boats are lying in Okha and Chakur," said Manishwar Lodhari, the Head of the National Fishermen’s Forum.India and Pakistan detain fishermen, who unknowingly crossover into the other’s exclusive waters, mostly in a 100-km long estuary, where demarcation is unclear. While the fishermen are sent back after diplomatic intervention, their boats are never returned, leading to financial losses for the fishermen. (ANI)

Cross-voting among BJP dissidents feared in Gujarat
Sunday, July 22, 2007 | AY

Large-scale cross-voting, particularly by dissident ruling Bharatiya Janata Party members, was apprehended in Gujarat where polling for the Presidential elections ended briskly within the first two hours after booths opened on Thursday morning. All 182 members of the Gujarat Assembly as well as a BJP member of the Rajya Sabha from the State, Suryakant Acharya, cast their votes at the Assembly precincts here and the process ended even before the House began its brief two-day monsoon session at 12 noon. In the Congress camp, at least one Congress member, Nimaben Acharya, who stands suspended because of her close links with the BJP, may also have cross-voted against the UPA nominee.

94.3 MY FM to be launched in Ahmedabad
Saturday, July 21, 2007 | AY

Synergy Media Entertainment Limited (SMEL), a Bhaskar Group company, has launched '94.3 MY FM, Dil Se' in Ahmedabad on July 21, to provide a whole new FM music experience. This is the sixth station of 94.3 MY FM after Jaipur, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Bhopal and Udaipur. a bouquet of great music, interesting programs and tongue-in-cheek anecdotes, the new channel is a welcome change for the choice starved city that had only one FM channel since the past five years.

Gujarat plans 5 logistics parks at strategic spots
Saturday, July 21, 2007 | AY

The Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) has identified five areas along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dedicated Freight Corridor for setting up logistics parks. The possibility will be explored to find out the exact location to set up these parks in Palanpur-Mehsana, Ahmedabad-Surendranagar, Gandhidham-Samkhyali, Dahej-Bharuch and Hazira-Surat. Apart from the dedicated freight corridor, the parks will come at other important rail and road links like national highways and business centres in the state and shall reduce the door-bridging cost for the industry. Over 530 km of the total 1,400 km of the western rail freight corridor passes through Gujarat. Thus it gives a huge opportunity and connectivity to the state’s industry.

Ahmedabad to host Challenger Trophy
Thursday, July 19, 2007 | AY

The N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy one-day cricket tournament will be held in Ahmedabad from October 25 to 28. The tournament, a top feature in the domestic circuit, will see India Seniors, India ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams battle it out on a round-robin basis followed by the final between the top two teams in the league. The domestic season starts with the Irani Cup between last year’s Ranji Trophy champion, Mumbai, and the Rest of India at Rajkot from October 1 to 5.

Degree course in Vedas
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 | AY

The Dwarka Mahavidyalaya here is offering a degree level course in "Vedas", the oldest scriptural texts of Hinduism. Earlier, the Vedas were taught at Gurukul Ashrams only. Affiliated to Somnath University since 2006, Dwarka Mahavidyalaya of Okha in Gujarat has become the first college to have introduced a degree course in Vedic sciences. The course includes astrology, grammar, literature and Purana. It will also include lessons in conducting rituals. The institution also offers courses in priesthood that includes in depth knowledge of the rituals of various kinds, including wedding and death ceremonies. Post graduate courses, including Bachelor in Education (B.Ed) degree in Sanskrit, is offered to students.

Border fencing of Sir Creek would help BSF check infiltration
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 | AY

Bhuj (Gujrat), July 17 (ANI): Border fencing in the Sir Creek belt of the Rann of Kutch would make it easier for the Border Security Force (BSF) to patrol the area and check infiltration.A senior BSF official said that the fencing of the border had already begun and it would be completed within a year or two.“Fencing is going on along the borders; all the outposts have gone right on the border. In a year or two, fencing work will also be complete. One cannot say 100 percent but I can say 99.99 percent that the border is absolutely safe,” said N. D. Tiwari, Deputy Inspector General, BSF.Shallow marshy water mixed with sandy desert soil form treacherous bogs that are difficult to navigate.“What you see in the low tide is not visible during the high tide. Almost the whole area is inundated in the high tide and what you see in the low tide are the channels. To navigate through these channels is one of the most challenging tasks, because if you go slightly off the channel you will get struck up,” said Vishnu Dutt, a BSF commandant.“Likewise, the terrain in the creeks are full of mangroves infested with different types of poisonous snakes,” Dutt added.Dutt further said that since the area had no significant landmark, it was difficult to find one’s own position or move from one point to another.The unique mix of land water and marsh means that the BSF has to adopt a variety of patrolling strategies to keep the unmarked border sealed. It is also assisted by the Coast Guard, State police and the customs department.Remoteness of the area has made things worse, with a constant need to manage supplies miserly.Sir Creek is a 100 km long estuary which flows into the Arabian Sea between Gujarat and Pakistan’s Sindh province.Its waters run into the Rann of Kutch. Mangroves run alongside, forming a unique ecological zone over a 500-km stretch.The area has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan.On May 18, 2007 representatives of India and Pakistan concluded the 10th round of bilateral talks on the resolution of the Sir Creek estuary dispute on a positive note and agreed to meet again. (ANI)

2500 seats vacant in engineering colleges
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 | AY

There are about 2500 seats vacant in various engineering colleges in the state. While the seats in both degree as well as diploma pharmacy are filled. According to an official of the Joint Admission Committee 11,236 seats in engineering colleges have been filled during the last six days. But a sizeable number still remains. Meanwhile the reshuffling of seats for medical and para medical courses will begun from July 20.

Thousands throng Lord Jagannath Chariot Festival
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad (Gujarat)/ Puri (Orissa), July 16 (ANI): Tens of thousands of devotees thronged Puri in Orissa and Ahmedabad in Gujarat for an annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, which is marked by elaborate processions accompanied by great fanfare.In the temple city of Puri -- where the main chariot festival is celebrated -- tens of thousands have congregated to take part in the annual procession.Devotees pulled large wooden chariots of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra from the temple through the coastal town's decorated streets for over six hours.The volunteers play a major role as they prepare the idols of the temple to be taken out for their journey. Throughout the festival, the volunteers stay near the idols and take care of it.The festival commemorates Lord Krishna's return to his home in Vrindavan, after a long period.Usually, Lord Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are worshipped within the temple. But today, they are taken through the streets so that everyone can have a holy glimpse. New chariots are built every year.This commemorates the annual journey of these three deities to their aunt's temple (Gundicha Mandir), two kilometres from their temple. The idols of the deities are rested for seven days before their return to the main temple.The Rath Yatra is held in June-July and has been going on for the last ten centuries though the existing temple was built in 12th century A.D.Believed to be the world’s biggest religious procession by many individuals, the annual Rath Yatra (chariot journey) involves a sea of devotees, who follow a series of hand-pulled, brightly decorated chariots carrying idols of the deities. In Ahmedabad, Chief Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers as believers accompanied the chariots with hysterical devotion.According to residents, the festival is a symbol of religious harmony for them. Hemant Bhai Patel, a resident said that we just pray that this procession reaches the temple in peace. Another resident, Hanid Bhai Cyclewala said” "We have prayed to Allah in our morning prayers that this procession goes off peacefully."Heavy security has been deployed along the 25 km route as the procession passes through the old city and several communally sensitive areas. (ANI)

Chargesheet filed in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 16 (ANI): The Gujarat police today filed a chargesheet in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh, fake encounter case against 13 police officials including three IPS officers. The 700-page chargesheet filed in the Metropolitan Court named former DIG DG Vanzara, Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Pandian and Alwar SP Dinesh Kumar amongst others. All the three officers are currently under suspension. Vanzara and Pandian were part of a team that reportedly carried out the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin. They have also been accused of killing Sohrabuddin's wife, Kausar Bi. Some other lower-ranked cops of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad and Rajasthan Special Task Force have also been arrested, for their alleged involvement in the case. Sheikh was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police, allegedly trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

BJP Rajkot unit enacts Afzal Guru’s mock hanging
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 | AY

Rajkot (Gujarat), July 17 (ANI): The Rajkot unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) carried out the mock hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guru, the man sentenced to death for his involvement in the December 2001 Parliament attack case.A street play was enacted on Monday in an open court set up at a busy market place, which ended with Afzal Guru’s mock hanging."The integrity and democracy of the country cannot bow down to terror elements. Afzal's hanging alone would be the triumph of people's faith. This is how we can check terror elements in future. We are also taking this demonstration cum programme to the State's sub-districts and villages," said J. J. Patel, President of the BJP’s Legal Cell.However, not everyone was impressed by the campaign."Afzal was not given a fair trial. So, I hope he is acquitted, treating this as a rarest of rare cases," said Deepak Kumar, a witness to the mock hanging.The mock trial and hanging of Afzal Guru was staged at 14 different places in Gujarat.The BJP has been campaigning for an early decision on the mercy plea and accused the United Progressive Alliance Government for delaying the decision. Afzal Guru was awarded death sentence by a trial court, which was upheld by the Supreme Court. But the sentence has not been carried out as his mercy petition is pending before the President.Fifteen people, including the five terrorists who stormed the Parliament complex, were killed in the attack on December 13, 2001. (ANI)

Gujarat plans out new strategy to woo tourists
Monday, July 16, 2007 | AY

Gujarat in all its colourful resplendence was what the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat presented at its 'road show'. Last year was celebrated as Tourism Year in Gujarat and officials of the corporation made a presentation on the potential of tourism in the state to the travel and trade community of Maharashtra. According to P.D. Vaghela, managing director of the tourism corporation, the budget for the sector this year has been increased to Rs 100 crore compared to last year's Rs 30 crore. Besides, a separate budget has been allocated for tourism infrastructure activities. A training programme, in association with the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA), has also been initiated to train personnel in the sector. Some 350 guides have been trained till date. The other major highlight of the show was the announcement of this year's Navrati festival from October 12 to 20. Touted as 'the world's longest dance festival', the nine nights of Navratri are celebrated with great fervour in Gujarat. This year, a grand inaugural programme for the festival has been planned for October 11.

Arrested Gujarat cops likely to be charged tomorrow in fake encounter case
Monday, July 16, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 15 (ANI): With the Gujarat CID's Action Taken Report (ATR) in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case has reportedly not found any statements against politicians, a slew of arrests were made today pertaining to the case.There are reports that more than a dozen policemen have been arrested, against whom charges would be framed possibly by Monday, in spite that the ATR stated that the chargesheets would be filed in 10 days time.The ATR will be submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday.A private news channel, CNN-IBN, claimed to possess a copy of the report, and stated that the ATR has given a clean chit to Rajasthan police in connection to fake encounter of Sheikh and murder of his wife Kausar Bi.However, the report has indicated that Andhra Pradesh police provided indirect help to the Gujarat Police in the case. The ATR notes that statements recorded of 179 witnesses in the case have not mentioned any politicians in connection to the case, and that only Gujarat police officials are involved in the murder of Kausar Bi. Three IPS officers, including DIG (Border Range) DG Vanzara and Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Pandian, have been suspended from the service.Vanzara and Pandian were part of the team that carried out the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin. They have also been accused of killing Sohrabuddin's wife Kausar Bi.The Gujarat Police, on Supreme Court's prodding, arrested three senior police officers for killing Sohrabuddin.Sheikh was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police, allegedly trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.The probe revelation has raised a debate across the country over staged encounters by security forces at the behest of political bosses. (ANI)

Chargesheet filed in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case
Monday, July 16, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 16 (ANI): The Gujarat police today filed a chargesheet in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh, fake encounter case against 13 police officials including three IPS officers. The 700-page chargesheet filed in the Metropolitan Court named former DIG DG Vanzara, Superintendent of Police Rajkumar Pandian and Alwar SP Dinesh Kumar amongst others. All the three officers are currently under suspension. Vanzara and Pandian were part of a team that reportedly carried out the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin. They have also been accused of killing Sohrabuddin's wife, Kausar Bi. Some other lower-ranked cops of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad and Rajasthan Special Task Force have also been arrested, for their alleged involvement in the case. Sheikh was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police, allegedly trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)

First stem cell laboratory in Gujarat
Sunday, July 15, 2007 | AY

Vadodara-based Total Potential Cell Private Limited had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government to set up base in Savli Biotech Park — the lone biotech park in the state. The company belongs to Dr Bhaskar Vyas and Dr Rajni Vyas, both plastic surgeons. The project cost at the end of three years is estimated to be Rs 10 crore. Dr Vyas aimed at finishing construction and installation of equipments for the lab around October 2007.

Water borne diseases in Surat
Saturday, July 14, 2007 | AY

With heavy rains lashing the city, the New Civil Hospital and Surat Municipal Corporation-run SMIMER Hospital are seeing a steady flow of patients suffering from water-borne diseases. Most cases coming in are of malaria, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, dengue and jaundice. A case of leptospyrosis was also detected in the New Civil Hospital today. Last monsoon, 385 malaria patients, 514 diarrhoea patients, 10 cholera patients, eight dengue patients, 18 jaundice patients underwent treatment at the New Civil Hospital. Close to 1,000 patients suffering from water-borne diseases were treated at SMIMER and other government-run hospitals.

UK teachers in Ahmedabad
Saturday, July 14, 2007 | AY

Nine primary school teachers from Birmingham, UK, along with two officials of school board of UK are on a visit to some schools of Ahmedabad and Vadodara from July 15 to 25. The teachers are visiting India under the Teachers' International Professional Development (TIPD) programme of the British Council. The visit has been organised with the theme of ‘Raising standards in urban areas with a focus on diversity and Indian culture & heritage'. The Indian schools and NGOs that are hosting their visit in Ahmedabad are Zydus School for Excellence, The Riverside School, Anand Niketan School, Gyanshala (NGO), Umang School for the Deaf. The group will be in Ahmedabad from July 15 to 20 and Vadodara from July 21 to 24.

Thousands evacuated in flood-hit Gujarat
Saturday, July 14, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 12 (ANI): Flood situation continued to remain grim in Ahmedabad District's Dholka taluka forcing people to relocate even as over 30,000 people were evacuated in other parts of Ahmedabad District, Gandhinagar, Sabarkantha, Patan and several places in north Gujarat.More than 3000 people of around 38 villages in Dholka have been dislocated due to continuous rain for almost a week.Several flood-affected people have moved to high ground on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway with their belongings.The authorities have relocated residents of at least 18 low-lying villages in Dholka to higher places and the army has been kept on stand by.Villagers said they were running out of options and would have to relocate if floods continued to visit them year after year."If the flood problem is going to be like this every year, then we have no other option but to leave the place and move somewhere else. We don't know what the government plans to do," said Bhagwan Bhai, a villager.Self-help groups working in the region said the situation has been the same for a couple of years."For the past three years, there has been a sudden rise in water level. The villagers are facing many problems," said Kala Dadania, a member of self-help group 'Asaag' working in Dholka.Over 90 people have died in Gujarat in rain-related incidents over the last few days.The downpour has been especially heavy in the central and northern parts of the State. At least 187 people have died and about seven million have been affected by flooding caused by the monsoon rains across eastern, western and southern parts of the country. (ANI)

Patni partners with iTKO for SOA testing
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 | AY

IT major Patni Computer Systems on Tuesday announced a partnership with iTKO to deliver Service-Oriented Achitecture (SOA) testing services as part of its comprehensive verification and validation (V&V) practice. Through this partnership, Patni will deploy the iTKO LISA SOA testing solution at its V&V centre of excellence at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. iTKO is a US-based testing software company that offers the most complete software suite for testing Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA), allowing multiple business technology layers to be exercised within a single test case.

Army called in to rescue hundreds stranded in flood-hit Ahmedabad District
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad (Gujarat), July 10 (ANI): The Ahmedabad District administration has called in the Army to rescue hundreds of people stranded in Bavda village even as a flood-alert has been sounded in several other villages of Gujarat after rains lashed several parts of the State on Monday night.The army and the fire-brigade have been called in to rescue about 400 persons.The State administration has so far evacuated around 4,000 people from the Dascroi and Dholka talukas of the district.Another 11,000 people have been evacuated from other low-lying areas of the Ahmedabad city, including the slums near the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram in Sabarmati, after three lakh cusecs of water was released into the Sabarmati river.A flood alert has been sounded in over 200 villages in Panchmahal, Bharuch and Vadodara Districts after rivers in those areas were reported to be in spate.Four lakh cuesecs of water was released from the Kadana Dam, which has been built over the Mahisagar river.People are also being evacuated from low-lying areas in Anand District, as the Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati rivers have started overflowing, or are threatening to inundate their banks.The met department has forecast heavy rainfall in North and Central Gujarat and heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Kutch-Saurashtra region in the next 48 hours."There is a depression over the North-West Madhya Pradesh around Guna, and because of that Gujarat will receive heavy rains. Saurashtra and Kutch will also receive heavy rains," said Kamala Roy, Director of Meteorological Department, Ahmedabad.Roy said the State authorities have been asked to be on alert. At least 84 people have died in Gujarat in rain-related incidents since the beginning of July. (ANI)

Flood alert sounded in Gujarat
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 | AY

Vadodara, July 10 (ANI): The Gujarat Government today sounded a flood alert in over hundred villages of Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Bharuch Districts, as several major rivers in the state are flowing above the danger mark due to heavy rainfall.Evacuation of people from low-lying areas has begun as Narmada, Mahi and Sabarmati Rivers are flowing above their danger mark.Meanwhile, residents in Vadodara battled waterlogged streets to go about their daily routine. They said the administration is doing nothing to clear the water off the roads."We have to wade through so much of water that our feet have wrinkled up.Whom should we call in such a situation? Everyone comes when they need vote but nobody comes afterwards," said Shobha Ben, a local."The water reaches our knees if it rains anywhere between 2-4 inches. The government needs to do something in a positive manner," said Rajeev Kumar.The Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River again started overflowing above its level of 122 metres. However, engineers manning the dam said the situation was not alarming at the moment."There is no danger from the water level that has risen in the dam. This overflow will continue till it keeps raining," said Ashok Gajjar, an engineer at the dam.Thirty-one dams across Gujarat are overflowing, and eight have touched the danger mark.Officials have warned people living downstream to remain prepared for evacuation if discharge from the dam was increased.However, the state machinery has been geared up as the weather bureau has forecast 'extremely heavy' rainfall in northern and central parts of Gujarat over the next 48 hours. Central and paramilitary forces have stepped in for relief and rescue operations. (ANI)

GSPC finds oil in Gujarat
Monday, July 9, 2007 | AY

Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), a Gujarat government undertaking engaged in energy exploration and development, has succeeded in striking oil in Olpad and Cambay Field in the state. The oil was found at a depth of 2,479 metres in Miroli 1 under NELP-IV Block CB-ONN 2002-03. GSPC, along with its partners including Jubilant, Geo Global Resources and Prize Petroleum had started drilling in 12 wells in the first phase, and struck oil in Miroli 1.

Rs 1 cr to Surat district
Sunday, July 8, 2007 | AY

The Gujarat government has granted Rs 1 crore to the Surat district administration to meet the looming flood menace here. The city had witnessed heavy floodings in August last year due to torrential rains and subsequent flooding of Tapi river as a result of alarming rise in the water level of Ukai Dam. To meet out any eventuality, the state government has granted one crore of rupees to the administration as a precautionary measure.

Gujarat rains bring locust threat
Saturday, July 7, 2007 | AY

The government has sent teams armed with pesticides and specialist equipment to Gujarat after a U.N. warning that swarms of locusts could cross the Indian Ocean from the Horn of Africa. Officials in Gujarat said they were preparing to battle any invasion by desert locusts. Gujarat produces a major part of India's groundnut oilseeds crop, the sowing of which has just begun with the arrival of annual monsoon rains. Gujarat officials said grasslands and fields in the state's Kutch, Banaskantha, Patan, Porbander, Rajkot and Jamnagar regions were the most vulnerable. Gujarat was hit by a minor locust attack in 1993, when houses and fields were infested in several districts.

Hundreds of villagers rescued in flood-hit Gujarat
Saturday, July 7, 2007 | AY

Pattan (Gujarat) July 5 (ANI): Hundreds of villagers in flood-affected areas of Gujarat’s Pattan District were rescued by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel here on Thursday.More than 25 CRPF constables rescued villagers and thousands of cattle from the swelling river waters. "The water was high here, 85 people are stuck here in Mara village. The Deputy Commandant and 25 constables are engaged in rescue operations here. We have also tried to shift them to other villages. Our team is deployed across 25 villages," said M. B. Khan, head constable, CRPF.At least 84 people have died in rain-related incidents over the last four days.Transport infrastructure throughout the State has been badly hit. Highways are submerged under floodwaters. Hundreds of passengers were reported stranded in stalled buses.The downpour has been especially heavy in the central and northern parts of the State. Thirty-one dams across the State are overflowing, and eight have touched the danger mark.Central and paramilitary forces have stepped in for relief and rescue operations. (ANI)

Flash floods in Gujarat kill over 70 blackbucks
Saturday, July 7, 2007 | AY

Bhavnagar (Gujarat), July 6 (ANI): Over 70 blackbucks have perished in rising floodwaters in Gujarat.The dead animals were recovered from the Bari and Savia Nagar areas, which surround the Velavadar National Park in the state's Bhavnagar District.B. L. Barodawala, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bhavnagar, said that the animal death toll in the 35 square kilometre park could increase as large tracts of land in and around the sanctuary are still waterlogged.At least 84 people have died in rain-related incidents in Gujarat over the last four days.The downpour has been especially heavy in the central and northern parts of the state. Thousands have been shifted from their low-lying homes to higher places. (ANI)

Blackbucks found dead in rain-hit Gujarat
Thursday, July 5, 2007 | AY

Twenty-two blackbucks, swept away by flood waters in the district, were found dead near the Velavadar National Park. The bodies of 22 blackbucks were recovered from Bari and Savia Nagar areas surrounding the Velavadar National Park which is home to the endangered species of deer. According to forest officials, the toll could increase as large tracts of land in and around the sanctuary are still flooded with water. The sanctuary spread over an area of 35 square kms is famous for its large blackbuck population.

Modi undertakes aerial survey of flood-hit Gujarat
Thursday, July 5, 2007 | AY

On Board/Gandhinagar (Gujarat), July 5 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi undertook an aerial survey of some parts of his flood-hit state on Wednesday, even as floodwaters continued to inundate villages and farmlands. After the survey, Modi said that the State Government would distribute 100,000 rupees to each of the relatives of those who had perished in rain-related incidents."We used to give 50000 rupees for the family of the deceased but after today's meeting, we have decided to increase it to 100,000 rupees," Modi said. Modi further said that fodder would be distributed almost free of cost to cattle owners, adding that “We have also decided to give grass at one rupee token charge and we are speeding up the cash distribution system." Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has already assured Modi of all Central assistance for flood relief and rehabilitation.Modi has also sought the help of the Indian Air Force to rescue people marooned in different inundated areas. The CM has also urged the PM to grant a special package for the agriculture sector, which has suffered losses due to the floods.At least 84 people have died in Gujarat due to the continuous rains and the subsequent floods over the past five days.A majority of roadside kiosks, temples, schools, houses and factories were inaccessible because of the flood waters. According to Government officials, the army has deployed boats to ferry marooned people to safer ground. More than 43,100 people have been evacuated and shifted to safer places across the state.The downpour has been especially heavy in the central and northern parts of the state. Transport infrastructure throughout the state has been badly hit by the floodwaters.Of the 191 small and medium dams, 69 have water flowing at danger level, while 31 are full and nine have water at 90 per cent of their capacity. (ANI)

PM offers assistance to flood-hit Gujarat
Wednesday, July 4, 2007 | AY

New Delhi, July 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday offered Central assistance for relief and rehabilitation to flood-hit Gujarat as death toll reached 84.Singh called up Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi this evening to enquire about the flood situation in the State. Schools and colleges have declared a holiday in the state and army has been put on alert as incessant rains lashed districts of Bharuch, Narmada and Surat in South Gujarat and Bhavnagar and Surendranagar Districts in Saurashtra region.Ten people died in roof collapses, lightning and drowning in the Gujarat's Jamnagar District yesterday, officials said.With four persons killed in Junagadh District death toll in Gujarat rose to 28.Over 35,000 people in low-lying areas were shifted to higher grounds, officials said.Overnight rains flooded homes in several villages, forcing people to take shelter on trees or move on the roofs.Rains continue to wreak havoc on eastern and southern parts of the country. At least two people were killed and two others have gone missing after being washed away in flash floods in Mumbai on Tuesday.Heavy rains and floods have brought misery to the lives of millions of people in Mumbai as it several low-lying areas were submerged in rain waters.Three belonging to one family were washed away by the waters of Mithi River in the city, while another boy was carried away in flood waters.MLA Naseem Khan said a search is on for the victims' bodies.He said: "Four people went missing yesterday -- two adults and two children. We are still looking for two more missing persons".In Kolkata's Amreli city, people remained indoors as streets were waterlogged.Kolkata recorded 160 mm of rainfall since last night.At least six people died in roof collapse in the rain in South 24 Parganas District early this morning. One person was electrocuted at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, while another was killed in a house collapse.Many schools and colleges declared a holiday because of the heavy rains and flooding.Rail and flight services were disrupted because of flooding of rail tracks and poor visibility.Rain is also wreaking havoc in Karnataka with water overflowing from the Krishna River in Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot Districts.Heavy rainfalls continued in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan Districts. Mudigere in Chikmagalur District received 22 centimetres (cm) of rainfall on Monday, followed by Bhagamandala in Kodagu with 16.Over 57 people have lost their lives in recent floods caused by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and forced another 100,000 out of their homes in south, southwest and western India. (ANI)

Manmohan Singh assures Central assistance to flood-hit Gujarat
Wednesday, July 4, 2007 | AY

New Delhi, July 4 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today called Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to enquire about the flood situation in the state. Dr. Singh assured Modi of all Central assistance for flood relief and rehabilitation.The Prime Minister's response came even as flood waters continued to torment Gujarat on Tuesday following incessant rain across the entire state on Monday night.Though the intensity of the rains abated on Tuesday afternoon, district administrations have been alerted as the meteorological department has predicted more rains in the next 24 hours, especially in Saurashtra and Kutch regions.With 21 people dying in rain-related incidents in the last 24 hours, the death toll during this monsoon has touched 84. Thirteen people have been reported missing. More than 43,100 people have been evacuated and shifted to safer places all over the state, especially the 12 districts which are the worst affected. Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Switzerland, told the Prime Minister to release money for the flood affected. Modi also sought the help of the Indian Air Force to rescue people marooned at different inundated areas. The CM has also urged the PM to grant a special package for the agriculture sector, which has suffered losses due to the floods.However, State Agriculture Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that 340 mm rains so far, which is 36 per cent of the season’s average, have brought in good prospects for kharif cultivation. He said that average kharif sowing is completed in 24 lakh hectares by this time of the season, but sowing in 31 lakh hectares have already taken place this year.Of the 191 small and medium dams, 69 have water flowing at danger level, while 31 are full and nine have water at 90 per cent of their capacity. Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel told the media that a corpus of Rs 20 crores has been placed at the disposal of the district collectors for rescue and relief. (ANI + inputs)

Sardar Sarovar water release puts 72 villages in Vadodara, Bharuch on alert
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 | AY

Vadodara, July 2 (ANI): Seventy-two villages in the districts of Vadodara and Bharuch have been placed on alert following the release of water from Sardar Sarovar dam across Narmada river about 110 kms from Vadodara. Talking to reporters,Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) Chairman P K Laheri said that 45,000 cusec of water is being released from the dam because rain had accumalated in the catchment areas of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The water level in the dam has touched 120 metres and has been generating 1250 mega watts of power at its 1450 mega watt river bed power house located below the dam, he added. Meanwhile, Vadodara District Collector Rajeev Topno said that so far five bodies have been recovered from the Orsang River near Pichurvada village. (ANI)

Flood alert sounded in Gujarat, 6000 people evacuated
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 | AY

Ahmedabad, July 2 (ANI): Alert has been sounded in Gujarat after heavy downpour has created flood like situation in the State.The Army has been put on alert after rising water level due to the incessant rains killed 14 people in the State. Among the worst affected Districts in the State are Bharuch, Narmada and Surat in South Gujarat and Bhavnagar and Surendranagar Districts in Saurashtra region. More than 6,000 people have been evacuated from the flooded part of the region and the State Government has initiated relief and rescue operations. Meanwhile, seventy-two villages in the districts of Vadodara and Bharuch have been placed on alert following the release of water from Sardar Sarovar dam across Narmada river about 110 kms from Vadodara. Gujarat's Tribal Minister Mangubhai Patel, who was overseeing relief and rescue operations, said all civic agencies have been put on alert to help affected people."Since the morning, all the civic bodies have been alerted. As of now we have been able to rescue at least 90 families. NGO's are providing food to the rescued," Patel said.Talking to reporters,Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) Chairman P K Laheri said that 45,000 cusec of water is being released from the dam because rain had accumalated in the catchment areas of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The water level in the dam has touched 120 metres and has been generating 1250 mega watts of power at its 1450 mega watt river bed power house located below the dam, he added. Meanwhile, Vadodara District Collector Rajeev Topno said that so far five bodies have been recovered from the Orsang River near Pichurvada village. (ANI)

Floods ravage parts of West Bengal, Gujarat, Karnataka
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 | AY

Amreli (Gujarat)/Kolkata, July 3 (ANI): Heavy rains that lashed southern, eastern and western India continued to ravage parts of West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka.While eight people were killed in Kokata, death toll in Gujarat rose to 28.Schools and colleges declared a holiday in Gujarat and Army has been put on alert as incessant rains lashed districts of Bharuch, Narmada and Surat in South Gujarat and Bhavnagar and Surendranagar Districts in Saurashtra region.Ten people died in roof collapses, lightning and drowning in the Gujarat’s Jamnagar District yesterday, officials said.With four persons killed in Junagadh District death toll in Gujarat rose to 28.Over 35,000 people in low-lying areas were shifted to higher grounds, officials said.Overnight rains flooded homes in several villages, forcing people to take shelter on trees or move on the roofs.Rains continue to wreak havoc on eastern and southern parts of the country. In Kolkata’s Amreli city, people remained indoors as streets were waterlogged.Kolkata recorded 160 mm of rainfall since last night.At least six people died in roof collapse in the rain in South 24 Parganas District early this morning. One person was electrocuted at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas, while another was killed in a house collapse.Many schools and colleges declared a holiday because of the heavy rains and flooding.Surabhi, a resident, said: "There has been a lot of rain this time. Schools are closed and the studies are suffering. On one hand the rain has been good but on the other it has caused a lot of damage".Rail and flight services were disrupted because of flooding of rail tracks and poor visibility.People had to wade through filthy brown water to get to work, with buses and cars staying off flooded roads."We have been standing here for an hour. There is no taxi or auto. We are facing a lot of problem," said Somen Kumar, an irate office-goer.Rain is also wreaking havoc in Karnataka with water overflowing from the Krishna River in Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot Districts.Heavy rainfalls continued in Kodagu, Chikmagalur and Hassan Districts. Mudigere in Chikmagalur District received 22 centimetres (cm) of rainfall on Monday, followed by Bhagamandala in Kodagu with 16. According to officials the situation is under control.Water overflowing of the Cauvery River has flooded Hemavathi, Lakshmanathirtha and Kabini basins. Coffee growers of Chikmagalur, Kodagu and Hassan Districts have urged the Centre to provide assistance to them.Over 57 people have lost their lives in recent floods caused by heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and forced another 100,000 out of their homes in south, southwest and western India. (ANI)

Government initiative for youth to learn English
Monday, July 2, 2007 | AY

Chief Minister Narendra Modi today kicked off a Gujarat government initiative - the Society for Creation of Opportunity through Proficiency of English (SCOPE) - to make Gujarati youth proficient in English. The programme seeks to develop the English language skills of the youth in the state so that the they can find better jobs. This public-private partnership in education has been launched in collaboration with ESOL, Cambridge, who will assess the project. ESOL, Cambridge, is an internationally reputed institute that conducts English language courses in close to 150 countries. The assessment and certification for the course will be provided by ESOL. The training charges for first 4 levels is Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,000 for last two.

Anti-skid road to roll out in Gujarat
Sunday, July 1, 2007 | AY

With an eye on increasing the life of roads and securing speeding vehicles from skidding on the highways, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to use Crumbed Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) to plaster the Sardar Patel ring road or the ‘outer ring road' bordering Ahmedabad. The process will be extended to stretches of the Golden Quadrilateral, a grid of highways criss-crossing India through its length and breadth. Crumbed Rubber Modified Bitumen acts as a better adhesive and binder, reducing chances of potholes and increasing elasticity.