Union Budget 2010-11: Expectations in health, education sectors

New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) As Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is all set to table the Union Budget for the fiscal 2010-11 on February 26, various civil society organisations are keeping their fingers crossed while expecting high from it.

Taking view of problems like non-allocation and underutilisation of resources for various schemes under the Centre, the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) and Oxfam India yesterday demanded increased allocation for flagship schemes in health and education from this year's budget besides effective
utilisation of the allocated resources.

''Our concern is where would common man, who form the heart of the budget, stand in the Union Budget 2010. There is a need for greater allocation for the health and education schemes besides better utilisation and accountability and commitment towards them for the uplift of SCs and STs,'' Oxfam India Chief Executive
Officer Nisha Agrawal said.

Underlining the facts revealed after a series of people's consultations held by the CBGA across the country with support from Oxfam India, Ms Agrawal noted that the UPA-led government had promised a hike in public spending on education to six per cent of the GDP.

''However, the overall public spending on education continues to remain at a low of 3.37 per cent of the GDP,'' she said.

She claimed that the Union Government has not been able to allocate even 50 per cent of the total outlays in several schemes like Mid Day Meal, Teacher Training Institutions and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.

''Moreover, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 has also not been notified yet,'' Ms Agrawal pointed out.

Analyst Praveen Jha of the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning of the Jawaharlal Nehru University was also present on the occasion.

He argued that the combined budgetary allocation for health stood at a meagre 1.04 per cent of the GDP for 2008-09, despite the fact that the UPA had made a commitment in the National Common Minimum Programme in 2004 that total public spending on health in the country would be raised to two to three per cent of the GDP.

''However, it stands at a meagre 1.04 per cent of the GDP for 2008-09 (Revised Estimates),'' Head of CBGA Yamini Mishra said.

''The government had promised upgradation of every district headquarters hospital and their strengthening to provide quality health facility, but nothing is visible even close to it,'' she added.

She further said the state of schemes for the uplift of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes was also not impressive.

It Happened That Night: A tale of love, falsity and murder

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) Tales of love and deceit, choosing between love and career and the like are not eccentric, still every story is able to interest people with as much thrill and excitement.

Joining as a link to such stories is 'It Happened That Night', a tale that subtly touches the strings of human emotions which gets entangled in confusions over tempted professionalism and repercussions of pressure.

Written by first-time author Akash Verma, a management graduate currently working in a media company, the novel is an extensive piece of fictional writing.

Noted Irish writer Oscar Wilde had once said, ''There is always something ridiculous about the emotions of people whom one has ceased to love''. The author has tried to put forth an example of his understanding of the same.

Verma has used rich style of fiction to highlight the inherent attributes of satanic clashes of ego, work pressure, compromises, struggle with truth, grievances and not to forget, the side-effects of life of 21st century.

''The message that the book conveys is 'Speak up and create a change'. I have tried to focus on the psyche and mindset of Indian middle class that impacts the socio-economic and political dynamics of the country,'' he says.

Verma explains, ''Metros are the first one to diagnose and bear the brunt of this dangerous syndrome. Some visible scars are murders, rapes and arson in broad daylight. ''

The novel is a journey of a 28-yr-old modern Indian professional working in a Multi-national Company and is caught in between the maze of love, a high-end job and the witness to a cold-blooded murder of a colleague.

The story takes the reader to the year 2002 when Gujarat, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi who is a synonym for non-violence, along with the entire country, was pushed back into global obscurity due to grisly riots that spread across the land.

''Chandan Mathur, the protagonist, realises and decodes life in its various human forms in the city of Ahmedabad. As his life takes him to various harsh and pleasant phases of life, he tries to find an answer to if he should listen to his own conscience or succumb to somebody else's demand,'' the writer says.

Maiden 'Doha Debates' in India to discuss treatment given to Muslims

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) Aiming to provide a free speech forum to Indian students to speak out their mind on how Muslims are treated in the country, the 'Doha Debates' are holding a session in the national capital on February 15.

This will be the first ever discussion held in Asia by the forum, that claims to champion free speech on controversial issues.

Spotlighting India's Muslim minority, the motion ''The House believes Muslims are not getting a fair deal in India'', will be debated at the St Stephen's College of the Delhi University by eminent Indian personalities from different fields.

''Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Sachin Pilot and distinguished journalist M J Akbar will be speaking against the motion while Seema Mustafa, who has authored a number of books on Indian politics, and civil rights
activist Teesta Setalvad will be debating for the motion,'' Debates' Chairman Tim Sebastian informed.

He informed that St Stephen's is the first Asian educational institution to invite the Debates, which is hosted and funded by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

''In all our debates held till now, around 45 in number, students have formed two-third of the audience. In this one too, 300 students from different Indian universities are likely to participate,'' Mr Sebastian told UNI.

He added that 10 students from Doha, the capital city of the state of Qatar, would also be joining in.

On a question about his choice of topic, he said the subject had provoked considerable controversy within the country and a passionate debate was much needed for clarity.

''How does a democracy of the size of India deals with its Muslim minority and are their rights effectively safeguarded? Who is to blame if they under-perform? What lessons can the rest of the world draw from India's experience? Such questions are likely to be answered in the debate,'' Mr Sebastian noted.

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The Kashmir Images

Vijay Goel slams SRK; suggests him to concentrate on acting

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) Unlike other BJP leaders, party's All India General Secretary Vijay Goel today criticised Shah Rukh Khan for getting involved in the ongoing controversy surrounding 'My Name Is Khan' and suggested that being an actor, Khan should concentrate on his acting.

''I feel that being a politician, if I am expected to not get involved in the matters of entertainment industry, same should be understood by other professionals also,'' Mr Goel said.

Speaking on the reason that had led to the Khan-Shiv Sena controversy, the BJP leader quipped, ''When he has so much love for the neighbouring country's players, why did not he take them in his IPL team.''

The actor is the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) twenty20 cricket tournament which does not have any player from the Pakistan cricket team.

However, the former Union Minister did not shy away from giving his opinion on the movie that hit theatres across the country today and said, ''The name of the movie is also not appropriate according to Indian mindset.''

''There was no need to mention one's religion in the title of the movie,'' he asserted.

Recalling the incident at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in August last year where the actor was allegedly detained by US immigration officials because his name came up on a computer alert list, Mr Goel again slammed the 'Bollywood Badshah'.

''It has now become a practice of every Muslim to level such criticism,'' he claimed.

The actor had gone to the US to promote ''My Name is Khan''.

Meanwhile, party's newly-elected president Nitin Gadkari today chose to play safe and kept mum on the issue and said, ''Whatever had to be said has already been said by our party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad and whatever he has said is the stand of the party.''

Mr Shankar had reportedly said yesterday his party did not approve of the threats by the Sena to stop the release of the Shahrukh Khan-starrer movie.

Release Rs 500 cr to MCD for facelift of Chandni Chowk: Goel

New Delhi, Feb 12 (UNI) Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of Delhi's heritage area Chandni Chowk, former Union Minister Vijay Goel today demanded that the Delhi Government should release at least Rs 500 crore to Municipal Corporation of Delhi for immediate uplift of the area.

He added if the action would not be taken in a week's time, the BJP leader would sit on a dharna and take out demonstrations in the capital.

''It seems Chandni Chowk has now become 'Barbadi' Chowk. The Delhi Government should immediately release Rs 500 crore to the MCD so that the civic body can start work for its makeover,'' Mr Goel told mediapersons.

Putting forth the problems that the area has been facing since long and needed immediate attention of the government, the All India General Secretary of BJP said the condition of historic buildings, roads, sewerage system, traffic management, pavements and hanging wires, among others, was very poor.

''The condition of the Walled City is pathetic and the Chief Minister should realise what impact will it have on foreign tourists when they will visit the capital during Commonwealth Games,'' he said.

He asserted that while Rs 900 crore have been spent on uplift of Connaught Place, ''not a single penny has been spent to protect the 'havelis' of Shahjahanabad.''

The former MP, through media, also invited Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and area MP Kapil Sibal to visit Chandni Chowk along with him and face the reality.

Mr Goel also showed various photographs of the area that he had clicked recently to show its present state.

PETA's giant 'condom' to promote Animal Birth Control tomorrow

New Delhi, Feb 10 (UNI) Condoms control births in humans. However, animals cannot use it and are born to get abused. So, get an animal spayed or neutered this Valentine's Day and express your love towards them.

Urging citizens to join hands for Animal Birth Control, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will hold a demonstration in the national capital tomorrow, a PETA spokesperson Nikunj Sharma, told UNI.

He informed that an animal activist, dressed as a giant condom and holding a heart shaped sign that reads, ''Dogs cannot use condoms. Spay and Neuter'', will lead the march at Jantar Mantar here.

''Condom is the most effective way to control births in humans. Sadly, the animals cannot use it. So it is to request the people to step forward and get the animals sterilised ahead of Valentine's Day, the festival of love,'' Mr Sharma added.

He claimed that, ''Spaying one female dog can prevent 67,000 births in six years while spaying one female cat can prevent 4.2 lakh births in seven years.''

Although it was the duty of the municipalities of different states to work towards sterilisation of the stray animals, ''but the responsibility is not taken care of properly,'' he alleged.

The NGO further made a request to pet-lovers that ''if one is considering adding a dog or cat to one's family, never buy-always adopt a homeless animal.''

Every time a pet-lover buys a dog or a cat from a breeder or a pet store, a homeless animal roaming on the streets or waiting in an animal shelter lost their chance of finding a good home, he added.

According to information provided by the NGO, India has approximately 25 million dogs out of which 2.6 lakh belonged to Delhi with an estimated dog to man ratio of 1:36.

Mr Sharma also emphasised on the cruelties in the breeding trade. ''Animals are bred for profit. Mother dogs and cats are impregnated repeatedly and once the animal joins the category of unwanted, they are abandoned on the streets to join stray dogs and cats,'' he said.

The members of the NGO, that works against animal abuse, will also be giving out Animal Birth Control leaflets to the people informing about the ways in which they can contribute towards the cause.

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IT students of IGNOU now to get guidance in Hindi

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) Hindi-speaking learners of Information Technology and Computer applications will now be able to have better interactions with course instructors and counsellors following the launch of Open Course Guide system by the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

''The system can translate the content in Hindi instantaneously, which will make the programmes more learner-friendly,'' Prof K R Srivathsan, IGNOU Pro-Vice Chancellor, under whose guidance it has been started, said today.

The system has been introduced yesterday for the students of Master of Computer Application (MCA) and Certificate in Information Technology (CIT).

''The IOCG is the first of its kind open e-Learning system anywhere which effectively addresses the complex course events management required for open education programmes,'' Prof Srivathsan asserted.

Plans were afoot to add the Students Satisfaction Survey with built-in analytics and visualisation for each course and programme, he added.

Explaining the software, Prof Srivathsan said the IOCG pages have been set over an open Wiki area. ''For each course, the IOCG serves as an interactive 'Community Dashboard' for the course coordinator concerned, the counsellors, registered students and anyone interested in the courses,'' he said.

It supported pedagogically disciplined modes of engaging the learners and managing course events through multiple modes, he added.

Police tighten noose on robbers; 10 held, 66 cases solved

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) The Delhi police have arrested 10 people, allegedly involved in various kinds of thefts, from different parts of the city in last 24 hours and claimed to have solved 66 cases of robbery and burglary.

Police today informed that arms including pistols, daggers and knives, live cartridges and stolen material like motorcycles have been recovered from their possession.

''Three motorcycle-borne robbers Virender, alias Viru, Daulat Ram, alias Kalia, and Himmat were arrested from Keshav Puram area, solving four cases of robbery while
one Deepak Kumar (22) was held from Model Town area involved in 19 cases of snatching and auto-theft,'' DCP (North-west) N S Bundela said.

One English pistol, one country-made pistol, one dagger and one stolen motorcycle have been recovered from their possession.

In yet another raid by Central District police, three burglars, who used to target locked houses, were apprehended from near New Delhi railway station.

''With the arrest of Anul (27), Mohd Tuhin alias Twin (24) and Ranjeet (24), 10 cases of burglary and house theft have been solved,'' DCP (Central) Jaspal Singh said.

He said six mobile phones, one gas cylinder, as many wrist watch, ladies clothes and house breaking equipment have been seized from them.

Referring to the burglary incidents in south Delhi, DCP (south) H G S Dhaliwal informed that three accused actively involved in about 33 cases reported recently in various parts of Delhi have been nabbed.

''Shakeel Ahmed, alias Shakila (21), Anil Giri (21) and Usmaan (21), who used to stay in Delhi under garb of petty jobs of welders and labourers, have been nabbed,'' he said.

One pistol, two live cartridges, two knives, one motorcycle and some house breaking equipment have been recovered from their possession, he added.

He noted that they used to dispose off all the stolen jewellery to various receivers of stolen property having their jewellery shops in Badaun city of Uttar Pradesh.

Students dismal by foreign publishers at World Book Fair

New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) Foreign publishers at the 19th New Delhi World Book Fair might have found a place in Indian market by only displaying the books at their pavilions, but this has led to downheartedness of many young buyers.

Many students, aspiring to pursue higher studies in foreign nations, had to return disheartened from the foreign publishers' pavilion during the fair as they could not buy and take the required books with them.

''I had been waiting for the fair and was thrilled to find those books which I wanted to read. However, I am not able to buy them as they are only on display,'' Manish Marwah, a student of foreign language, told UNI.

It was bad news not only for those students who read for pleasure, but also who required the books for their higher studies.

''I have to make a research report on German literature. Most of the books which I require are exhibited here. But I cannot take them with me,'' Sarita, pursuing M Phil in German language from Delhi University, said while turning the pages of a German novel at the German pavilion.

She added that although some German books are available with one Indian publisher in the other hall at the fair, they deal with German grammar only, not literature.

Nearly 35 foreign publishers from 18 different countries participated in the fair this time. For most of them, like Moscow, Israel, Germany and France, business opportunities were more important than selling their works to the visitors.

''We are focussing more on exploring the Indian publishing industry. Although promotion of our literature is important, but to find it's place in the Indian market is also necessary,'' a participant from Colombo said.

Realising the student's concern, some publishers had made sitting arrangements inside and around their pavilions also to attract readers.

Nevertheless, the idea could not please many.

''How can you expect me to work on my reports at a fair where there is too much of noise and disturbance! I wish they could have a photocopier machine if not the books on sale,'' Mathew James, another student learning Spanish language, said.

Traders demand invitation for pre-budget discussion

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Expressing displeasure over being neglected at the pre-budget discussion, traders today said Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee should have invited them for the same and paid heed to their demands.

''The country's retail trade is expanding by eight to 10 per cent every year with an addition of 25 million middle class consumers. Ignorance such an important sector in pre-budget consultations smacks of step-motherly treatment to the traders of the country,'' Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) secretary general Praveen
Khandelwal pointed out.

He also said industrialists, financial institutions, trade unions, economists, scientists and even the consumer bodies have been invited for the discussion.

''However, the trading community, which forms nearly 70 per cent of the Indian economy, could not find a place in the list of invitees.'' he stated.

The country's retail accounted for around 10 per cent of the GDP with more than six crore small shopkeepers and the size of retail trade was expected to exceed Rs 20 lakh crore by 2010, he informed.

Mr Khandelwal demanded that the Union Finance Minister call the trade representatives for the discussion so as to facilitate the traders to put forward their problems and suggestions for Centre's consideration.

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Abolish manual scavenging, a practice that decries some: SKA

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) The practice of manual scavenging was banned in India in 1993, but it still continues to downgrade a certain class of society, President of Safai Karamchari Andolan said here today.

''There are 6.76 lakh manual scavengers, popularly known as safai karamcharis, in India, though unofficial figures put the figure at 13 lakh,'' Dr Bezwada Wilson, SKA
president, claimed.

He was speaking during a lecture organised by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on ''Inhuman Practices of Manual Scavenging: Cleaning up shit'' in the
University's main campus.

Mr Wilson, a Dalit who was elected in alternative '25 people who will never make it to the power list' by Outlook magazine, emphasised on the social basis behind the practice of manual scavenging in the country, the reality of the life of a manual scavenger and the response by SKA.

He remarked that manual scavengers fell at the very lowest category of sanitation workers in the country, after sweepers, sewerage workers and septic tank cleaners.

Delineating the ideological basis of this inhuman practice, Dr Wilson, a post graduate in Political Science elected as Ashoka Senior Fellow in the Year 2009 from India, said, ''The caste system dictates that those born into particular Dalit sub-castes should enagage in manual scavenging, and should remain doing so throughout their lives.''

The lecture was followed by screening of Documentary on ''Lesser Humans''.

Dr Wilson is involved in a movement to eradicate manual scavenging since 1986, which was later formalised as the SKA in 1996. The movement has made a planning call
'Action 2010' for the purpose to eradicate manual scavenging by 31st December, 2010.

YMCA's Institute for Media Studies & IT celebrates Silver Jubilee

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) The Institute for Media Studies and Information Technology, started by New Delhi YMCA, has completed 25 successful years of its existence this year.

To initiate its celebration for the ongoing Silver Jubilee Year, the institute held a media-cum-alumni get-together here today.

A number of dignitaries from the media world, both print and electronic, including radio, attended the event that proved to be a wonderful meeting ground for a majority of former IMSIT students.

The attendees also witnessed informative and comprehensive documentaries on both YMCA and IMSIT. All the features and facilities that the institute has for its students were shown in it.

''The institute was started with a mission to produce committed mediapersons at a low cost and we are proud to say that we have been quite successful in the same,'' IMSIT director Samuel Baid said.

Conceived and started by YMCA's then president Wilfred Lazarus, who retired as Principal Information Officer of Government of India, the institute has been running various courses in journalism (both English and Hindi), television
production, public relations, advertising, Digitial Video Broadcast Animation and Computer Application.

Mr Baid informed that this year, the Institute has also started Applied Art and Sports Broadcast and Management courses.

He added that the institute has also planned a number of programmes and seminars during this year to mark the occasion.

''A cultural programme has been organised later this month wherein the present students will give various musical and dance performances,'' the director said.

Many guest lectures by the alumni, public meetings and more get-togethers will also be organised.

Taslima Nasreen reiterates ''No Country for Women''

New Delhi, Feb 4 (UNI) Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen is back with yet another book: a compilation of her works on the plight of women.

In ''No Country for Women'', a compilation of her best articles, the author has uninhibitedly talked of the condition of womenfolk, intending to ask them to come out of their shells and speak their mind.

The publisher of the book, Vitasta Publishing Pvt Ltd, has displayed the book in its stall at the ongoing 19th New Delhi World Book Fair.

''Nobody can hide from the fact that where there is Nasreen, there is controversy. We are meeting both fans and critics of her at the stall,'' Renu Kaul Verma, Publishing Director of the publishing house, told UNI.

Nasreen has strongly advocated women to bid adieu to their submissive attitudes and fight for their dues which are rightfully theirs but unfortunately not allowed.

She states, ''...behind the powdered faces of the elite society lies the stark reality where law is violated with impunity and where a woman is not regarded as a human being... she is a thing to be exploited, molested and raped....''

Sharing an incident that happened at the publishing house's stall yesterday, Ms Verma said, ''A person came to us and asked if we had any policy by which he can return the book. When asked the reason, he said he read the first two chapters of the book and could not digest it further.''

''Not everybody is able to handle her bold articulation and sharp presentation easily,'' she added.

Priced at Rs 245, the book has already sold more than 30 copies in two days. ''We are hopeful to find more readers and takers of the books till the fair ends and even later,'' Ms Kaul said.

Rediscovering Nehru: Delighted readers, depressed buyers at WBF

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) Aiming to rediscover Jawaharlal Nehru, an exhibit of books on and by the visionary leader at the ongoing 19th New Delhi World Book Fair here is receiving a mixed response by the Indian history lovers.

While some visitors were feeling dejected when informed that the books at the exhibit were only on display, the others were enthralled to see the film series on
the first Prime Minister of an independent India being showcased at the stall.

More than 400 books on and by the leader have been displayed at the exhibit. However, booklovers are returning home depressed on learning that the same are not for sale.

''The books should be available for sale. A week-long book fair is not enough to know about a person like Nehru,'' Sanjay Sharma, a businessman, told UNI.

Nishant Mishra, a student of BA (Hons) in History from Delhi University, was also disheartened. ''I have to make a project on the life of Nehru and the best books are
available here. However, I cannot take them home,'' he rued.

The collective exhibit has been set up by the National Book Trust, the fair organiser, with the help of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library that has houses books in various languages, including English, Hindi, Telegu, Kannada, Malyalam,
Gujarati, Punjabi, Bangla, Marathi, Oriya and Urdu.

The organisers have suggested a solution to those interested in adding the books to their collection.

''The visitors can note down the name of the book and its publisher and then buy it from the stall of the respective publisher at the fair,'' NBT assistant editor in Telegu Pathipaka Mohan said.

And in case the readers have time at their disposal, the exhibit also has a proper sitting arrangement where they can read for hours together, he added.

Books like 'Chacha Nehru' by Mulk Raj Anand, 'Don't Spare Me Shankar', a collection of cartoons on Nehru by renowned cartoonist Shankar, 'Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru in 39 volumes', 'Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Volume', 'Speeches by Nehru' among others, are up for display.

Mr Mohan informed that most of the books at the exhibit have been borrowed by the Nehru Library situated at the Teen Murti Bhawan here.

Another elderly visitor, V S Ahlawat, was really pleased looking at the books on the display. ''The titles have not only talked about a statesman and a visionary leader but have equally acknowledged authors too,'' he said.

One of the other major attractions at the collective exhibit is a film series on Nehru being showcased daily. Called the 'Nehru Bioscopes', the shows have been organised by the Film Club of Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

The films being shown include 'Nehru' by Shyam Benegal; 'Vision of Independent India: Nehru' by N S Thapa; 'Nehru: A Pictorial Biography' by G S Raina and
'Bharat Ek Khoj', an acclaimed television serial by Shyam Benegal and others.

The movie series are attracting visitors, both youth and elders, alike.

Pranab terms declaration of assets by Ministers as a normal practice

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said declaration of assets and liabilities by Ministers was a ''normal practice''.

Quizzed about his reaction to the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had reportedly asked all Ministers to disclose their assets and liabilities, Mr Mukherjee said, ''That is a normal practice.''

''The practice is whenever a Minister gives a statement of his assets and liabilities annually, he has to submit it to the Prime Minister and Speaker,'' he added while interacting with the media on the sidelines of a book release here.

He also said, ''Our party has introduced a system where the declaration has to be submitted to the party president as well. Therefore, every interest will be taken care of.''

According to media reports, the Prime Minister had asked all Ministers to declare their assets and liabilities to bring transparency in the Government.

He had also reportedly asked them to dissociate themselves from businesses needing government permits and not to join or start any business.

Pranab 'Da' is the 'sea anchor' of Central govt: Ansari

New Delhi, Feb 3 (UNI) Praising him to the skies, Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari today called Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as the best consensus builder who is a critical part of good governance.

''Mr Mukherjee has the ability to make complex situations easier, come out with solutions acceptable to all and most importantly, build consensus around various situations,'' Dr Ansari said.

Calling the Minister as Pranab 'Da', the Vice President said Mr Mukherjee was the 'sea anchor' of the government.

He was speaking while releasing a coffee table book 'Pranab Mukherjee: The All Season Man', here at the 19th New Delhi World Book Fair. The book has been written to pay tribute to the leader on his successful completion of 75 years last December.

The Finance Minister, who was also present on the occasion, congratulated the editor and his colleagues for bringing out such a book. ''I hope people would like the book leading to satisfaction to me, the compiler and others,'' he said.

The book is a compilation of first person accounts, memoirs and thoughts by different eminent personalities from different walks of life.

People like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor, Indian skippers Kapil Dev, Mohd Azharuddin, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty,
pop music maestro Bappi Lahiri, business tycoons S K Birla, R P Goenka, among others, have contributed their thoughts on the minister in the book, editor of the book Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said.

The book is priced at Rs 1500 and published by Deep Prakashan, a Kolkata based publishing house.

Mr Tharoor was also present on the occasion.

'Jahan-e-Rumi' portraying Sufi mystic's life enters World Book Fair

New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) Opening up the treasure of mysticism of Sufi saint Rumi for Urdu readers, a book on the great poet's life was released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting here today.

Written by Mirza Abdul Baqi Baig, a doctrate from the Jawahar Lal Nehru University, the book, ''Jahan-e-Rumi'', encompasses life history of saint Rumi.

''The book has beautifully mentioned about the spiritual journey Maulana Rumi traversed and his contributions to the humanity,'' Madhukar Upadhyaya, renowned journalist and author, said after releasing the book at the ongoing New Delhi World Book Fair.

Comparing the saint's writings with the Darwin's Theory of Evolution, he said, ''The Sufi mysticism the Persian poet had putforth, continues to have a universal appeal even today.''

The writer of the book emphasised that it was the ongoing demand by the Urdu readers which made him write the book in this language.

Talking about the saint, Mirza Baig said Rumi was the descriptive name of Maulana Jalaluddin Mohammad, who was the 13th century poet, jurist, theologian, along with a great Sufi mystic.

He informed that it was the second book till now on the life of the philosopher. Earlier, writer of Sufi literature Trinath Mishra, who was also present on the occasion, had written about the saint in Hindi.

A symposium on the subject, ''Bhartiya Sanskriti Mein Sufi Mat Aur Rahasyawadi Parampara ka Yogdan'' (Contribution of Sufism and the Syncretic tradition to Indian Culture) was also organised after the book release ceremony.

Along with Mr Upadhyaya and Mr Mishra, senior Urdu scholar Siddiqurrahman Kidwai and Director of Publications Division Neeta Prasad with other officials of the Ministry participated in the discussion.

19th New Delhi World Book Fair to highlight Reading on Commonwealth

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) The 19th New Delhi World Book Fair is all set to begin on January 30 with ''Reading our Commonwealth'' as its theme this year.

With nearly 2400 stalls and stands representing nearly 1200 Indian and foreign publishers and exhibitors, the biennial fair is organised by the National Book Trust here and this year, they will be focussing on Commonwealth Games ahead of the national capital holding the same in October.

''It is an attempt to find a connection between the world of books with that of sports through the theme this year -- Reading our Commonwealth: An International Rights Exhibition of Books on Sports,'' Chairman of National Book Trust Bipan Chandra told mediapersons here.

Nearly 700 titles published by around 75 publishers across the country on different genres of sports will be exhibited at the theme pavilion, he said.

''A special International Rights Catalogue, with bibliographic and copyright details of more than 550 titles, based on this exhibition has also been brought out and it will be released on the inuagural day,'' Mr Chandra informed.

The fair, to continue till February 7 at Pragati Maidan, will be inaugurated by Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. Eminent historian Prof Irfan Habib will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest while Dean of School of Humanities and Education, North Eastern Hill University Prof Temsula Ao will
preside over the function.

Mr Chandra expressed concern over the fact that this book fair was the only one to be held once in two years. ''We have requested the HRD Ministry several times that it should be held every year. For that, it is necessary for them to increase our minimum grant to at least Rs 18-19 crore,'' he said.

Spread over an area of 42,000 sq meters, the fair will have different stalls for both Hindi and English language publishers and distributors, Science and Technology books publishers, foreign participants, educational book publishers, Social Sciences and Humanities books publishers, Indian regional language publishers, children's books, and others.

Speaking more about the theme pavilion, NBT Director Nuzhat Hassan said the theme pavilion would house children and youth pavilions also and various interactive sessions would be organised with some eminent sports personalities like star athlete Milkha Singh, badminton topshot P Gopichand, to name a few.

Some classical documentaries on sports events and adventure sports produced by the Films Division will be screened at the pavilion, along with many workshops, quiz competitions and storytelling sessions, she added.

''Altogether 33 programmes have been scheduled by various agencies including NGOs and schools,'' she noted.

Ms Hassan further said a special exhibit of books on and by Jawaharlal Nehru to showcase his contribution to the world of books has also been organised at the fair.

The fair will also have three special areas where people are invited to hold any kind of a programme related to books of their choice.

Referring to Pakistan as one of the participants, she said many private publishers from the neighbouring country would be exhibiting in the fair. ''However, the country's national book body, National Book Foundation, denied yesterday,'' she said.

On being asked about the reason, she said, ''We do not know.''

About the entry tickets to the fair, she said students in school uniform accompanied by their teachers would be given a free entry to the fair. Else, the ticket remains Rs 20 per adult and Rs 10 per child for others.

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KASHMIR TIMES

Pak's Natl Book Foundation cancels participation in Book Fair

New Delhi, Jan 28 (UNI) The IPL fiasco has also cast its long shadow over the New Delhi World Book Fair to be held here from January 30 as the National Book Foundation of Pakistan backtracked from its participation in the nine-day event.

The decision comes hard on the heels of the neigbour country's Chief Election Commissioner and a parliamentary delegation cancelling their visits to India recently.

National Book Trust Director Nuzhat Hassan told mediapersons here today that the Foundation, based in Islamabad, had declined to attend the fair yesterday itself.

''We are disappointed over this. However, there are other private publishers from the country who contacted us directly and will be exhibiting at the fair,'' she said.

On being asked about any particular reason, she replied in negative.

With nearly 2,400 stalls and stands representing nearly 1,200 Indian and foreign publishers and exhibitors, the biennial fair is organised by the National Book Trust here.

A Pakistani parliamentary delegation had cancelled a visit to India a week before after none of the country's cricketers were chosen to play in the the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March.

Pakistan's cricketers played in the first IPL tournament in 2008, but were not allowed by Islamabad to travel last year due to the tensions after the Mumbai terror attacks.