Anna released; refuses to leave jail, firm on his demand

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare was tonight released from judicial custody but he refused to leave the jail premises unless he was allowed to go on fast at Jai Prakash Narayan Park with his conditions.

"Anna Hazare has been released but he is not coming out of the jail as he wants to go straight to J P park and start his protest there," Manish Sisodia, Anna's close aide, told mediapersons after he was also released this evening.

Mr Hazare is now sitting in the office of Director General (Tihar) Neeraj Kumar and waiting for the government's response.

Mr Sisodia, however, denied to having received any information about sending Anna outside Delhi.

As hundreds of supporters gathered outside Tihar jail carrying candles, Mr Sisodia continued the protest with them there itself.

He said Anna has requested that the movement should not die down.

Mr Hazare was sent to seven days judicial custody this afternoon after he was arrested by Delhi police for defying prohibitory orders.

Security was stepped up at J P park immediately after Anna put forth his demand. His supporters started reaching the spot after which police had to detain them.

Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan released from detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare's close aides Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan were released this evening, few hours after they were taken into preventive detention for allegedly defying prohibitory orders.

Ms Bedi, a former IPS officer, and Mr Bhushan, senior lawyer, were taken into custody when they arrived at Rajghat to participate in the protest announced by Mr Hazare.

Mr Hazare along with seven others was sent to seven days judicial custody by a Special Magistrate following their arrest under Section 107/151 of the CrPC early this morning.
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This is second freedom struggle: Anna after detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Asking the people to continue the struggle against corruption, Gandhian Anna Hazare today said his arrest must not affect in anyway.

"Do not let the struggle against corruption cease due to my arrest," Anna told countrymen after he was detained here much before he could start his fast.

Calling it the second freedom struggle, Anna urged his supporters to give eight days for the nation. He also appealed to them to lead a peaceful protest.

"Satyagraha is all about penance to our own self, which is being felt by others. Do not harm others. No public or private property should be destroyed," he said.

He added that this has shown yet another face of the corrupt people who are not serious about eradicating the menace.

His message was shown to the nation through various news channels and links on "youtube" portal.

The anti-corruption crusader were detained around 0735 hours from Mayur Vihar. Soon after, his close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia courted arrest from Rajghat area. They all were taken to Special Court in Civil Lines area.

Police said Anna was taken into preventive custody.

Meanwhile, more than 50 of his supporters were displaced from near Rajghat and Jai Prakash Narayan Park, and were taken to Chhattrasal Stadium for further legal proceedings. A similar number of people were held last night also.

Anna along with his supporters and associates had to begin his hunger strike at JPN park beginning 1000 hrs. However, as the police had denied him permission to use the venue, it was likely that the crusader and his brigade would court arrest.
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Anna's supporters rounded up by police outside JP park

New Delhi, Aug 15: Around 50 supporters of Gandhian Anna Hazare were detained from outside Jai Prakash Narayan Memorial Park, the venue which was earlier allotted to the social activist for his fast scheduled to begin tomorrow.

After Team Anna denied to agree to six of the 22 conditions laid by the police for holding the hunger strike, police cancelled the permission and imposed Section 144 of CrPC at the spot.

The people detained had accumulated outside the park to participate in the movement. Police displaced them and sent them to Chhatrasal Stadium.

Addressing mediapersons earlier today, Mr Hazare had announced that irrespective of any obstacle created by the government he would go on the fast against Corruption.

Mr Hazare is starting his hunger strike in the capital from tomorrow to protest against the government's failure to bring in a strong Lokpal Bill after rejecting the version introduced by it in Parliament on August 4.

Anna to go on fast tomorrow, calls for "Jail Bharo Aandolan"

New Delhi, Aug 15: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said he will go on fast on Lokpal issue from tomorrow irrespective of hurdles created by government and gave a clarion call to citizens to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" against corruption.

"I will go to Jai Prakash Narain Park tomorrow morning. If I will be stopped, I will sit there itself and ask police where to go. If they will take me to jail, I will fast there and if they release me, I will again sit at the same place and continue with the fast," Mr Hazare said while addressing mediapersons here.

He called for a revolution to "fight against the government and change the system".

The statement comes on a day when Delhi police denied him permission to hold fast tomorrow after the organisers refused to agree on all the conditions laid down by the police.

Anna expressed regret over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address today on the occasion of Independence day and said, "I was so upset to hear him. I have always believed that he is an honest person but today he also spoke the language of (Telecom Minister) Kapil Sibal. He also said the Parliament will decide on the Lokpal Bill." He stressed that he has full faith in the Parliament but only if the right Bill is placed in it. "Lok Sabha is the temple of democracy. But when such corrupt ministers reach there, it is its insult. Send the right Bill to the Parliament," he added.

"I have been asked that would Jan Lokpal curb corruption 100 per cent. This is nothing less then an effort to stall the process. I challange that if the Jan Lokpal will not be able to curb at least more than 60 per cent corruption, I will work at (Mr) Sibal's home to fill water," he further said.

The Gandhian continuously posed a question to the government as well as people that has the country actually achieved independence.

"Is this freedom? Even after 64 years of independence, the corruption level has only gone up. Don't we know about democracy? Does democracy means that get elected for five years and then only mint money?" he asked. Anna claimed that the government has lost its balance in the run for money.

Referring to the youth who has joined him in his movement, he said they were here as they were angry. "Today they have to pay for even their rights. So they are angry." Mr Hazare further said he feels so depressed to see poor people's condition in the country. "Initially I felt I should commit suicide. But I thought what example will it be for today's youth.

I would not let my spirits down. We wills surely establish a clean nation." He gave a clarion call to people to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" and said going to jail in this way is a matter of pride. "We will go to jail and fight from there." He,however, noted that it should be non-violent.

Out of the 22 conditions laid down by the police, Team Anna did not agree to six of them. They were ending the protest on the third day, restricting the number of agitators to 5,000, parking of only 50 cars and motorcycles near the venue, no erection of shamiana on roads, no use of loudspeakers after 2100 hours and only government medical observer for Anna.

Government nervous, conditions unconstitutional: Santosh Hegde

New Delhi, Aug 15: Santosh Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta and a close aide of Gandhian Anna Hazare, today claimed that Government is feeling nervous ahead of the anti-corruption crusader's hunger strike and so is imposing "unconstitutional" conditions.

The statement came in the wake of Delhi police denying permission to Mr Hazare to hold his fast on Lokpal issue tomorrow after the organisers refused to give an undertaking regarding agreement on all the conditions laid down by the police including ending the protest on the third day and restricting the number of agitators to 5,000.

"Why is the Government scared of Anna? Police is following orders from higher ups. This denial is signal of nervousness in the Government," Mr Hegde said while talking to a national news channel.

He added that the conditions laid down by the police were "unconstitutional". Legal remedy is the only solution for Team Anna, he added.

In run up to his fast that was scheduled to be held at Jai Prakash Narain Park, the Gandhian caught administration in surprise by making an unscheduled visit to Rajghat. Along with hundreds of his supporters, he prayed in front of the memorial of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi for more than two hours.

As the crowds poured in at the spot, Delhi police also had to reach there to keep a check on the security conditions.

Sources said Mr Hazare visited Rajghat to pray for peace and gather strength ahead of his fast tomorrow.

Anna prays at Rajghat after denied permission to fast

New Delhi, Aug 15 : A couple of hours after social activist Anna Hazare was today denied permission to hold his fast tomorrow on the Lokpal issue at the venue proposed by police, the Gandhian visited Rajghat to "pray for peace".

Anna reached Rajghat at around 1800 hrs. His supporters said he went there to spend some time at peace in front of his idol, the Father of the Nation, and added that the plan to go there was made suddenly.

Anna sat quietly with his hands folded and eyes closed on the grounds in front of the memorial.

As soon as people came to know about Anna's presence at Rajghat, crowds continued to pour in to see the anti-corruption crusader. Hundreds of people reached the place and sat around the praying activist.

From here, Anna is likely to leave for Constitution Club near Reserve Bank of India to address the nation at 1900 hrs.

IGNOU plans conference to celebrate International Year of Chemistry

New Delhi : Indira Gandhi National Open University is organising a two-day conference on Chemistry to create more interest of the youth in the subject leading to more innovations on the occasion of International Year of Chemistry.

This day was proclaimed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and UNESCO.

The conference aims to address the issues pertaining to Chemistry Education and exploring the newer and emerging areas of chemical research. An added feature is the inclusion of a session dedicated to the role of women scientists in chemical research commemorating the Centenary of Madame Curie s Nobel Prize, Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, said today.

The Sir C V Raman Chair and School of Sciences (SOS) in IGNOU will hold this conference titled Chemistry: Education and Research Frontiers from October 13 in the national capital, a varsity official said. A series of invited lectures by renowned persons of international acclaim and oral/poster presentations by the young scientists will be a part of the event.

The university is inviting applications for submission of abstracts on the topic Frontier Areas of Chemical Research till August 22, the details of which are available on IGNOU website.

Turn off the lights: Team Anna

New Delhi, Aug 11: Gandhian Anna Hazare and his team has appealed to citizens to turn off the lights for an hour on August 15 in the run up to his indefinite hunger strike from the next day.

"Anna Hazare will appeal to the nation on August 15 at 1900 hrs to join the hunger strike for the sake of the country. In addition, he would request everyone to turn out their lights between 2000 hrs to 2100 hrs," activist Arvind Kejriwal told newspersons here.

He added that during that one hour of darkness, they should light a 'diya' (an earthen lamp) "which will signify a ray of hope to remove illiteracy, hunger and corruption from this country".

Mr Hazare will go on fast from August 16 at Jaiprakash Narayan park adjacent to the Firoz Shah Kotla Ground in the capital for the Lokpal Bill issue.

Mr Kejriwal advised people to have a non-violent protest. "We appeal that no one should resort to violent means and people should not be adversely affected. We have come to know that some mischief mongers may enter the peaceful protests across the country and try to resort to violence," he said.
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Long day for team Anna in run up to Aug 16 fastLong day for team Anna in run up to Aug 16 fast

New Delhi, Aug 11: Civil society members, under the leadership of Gandhian Anna Hazare who has agreed to stage his indefinite fast on Lokpal Bill at Jaiprakash Narayan Park near Feroz Shah Kotla ground here, are making all efforts to make the movement against corruption successful with a number of events scheduled daily.

Today, the team would hold rallies, discussions, interactions with students and candle marches at various places across the capital.

Beginning at 0900 hours, the activists held a 'Padyatra' without foot-wears at Satya Niketan in south Delhi while conducted a rally at 0930 hours from Vishvidyalaya metro station. Candle marches will take place from New Colony More to New Railway Station Road, Gurgaon via Jyoti Park and Ashok Vihar and from Madhuban Chowk to DC Chowk between 1830 hours and 2000 hours.

A rally will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 1800 hours along with a street play by ASMITA. After around a couple of hours, a Tiranga Rally will be held from Sundar Nagri to Nand Nagri.

During the day, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi will hold an interactive session with students at 1330 hours at St Stephen’s College while RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal along with her fellow team members Kumar Bishwas and Manish Sisodia will interact with students and then participate in a rally at ITS Greater Noida around 1600 hours.

A Sarv Dharm Sabha will also be organised at Jantar Mantar between 1600 hours and 1800 hours in which various religious gurus will participate.

Yesterday, appearing before the standing committee of Parliament, Anna Hazare reiterated his demand that the government withdraw the Lokpal Bill under consideration, and take measures to deal with problems of corruption faced by the public at every step of life.

Anna denied to go back on his demands and said he would again go on a fast on August 16 if the decision will not be taken within the time-limit prescribed by him.

Following the two-and-a-half hour meeting, Prashant Bhushan and Kejriwal told the media that they asked the committee to recommend to the government that the Bill be withdrawn.

Corruption result of lack of moral values: Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Calling corruption an outcome of lack of moral values, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said a country does not belong to any political party or a leader but only its people.

"There is a lot of corruption. It is obviously due to lack of moral values. Without moral values, a person loses self-control and do what is wrong as soon as he finds the opportunity. There is a need to find your inner self," the Dalai Lama said.

He was addressing the gathering here as part of fourth annual lecture of National Commission for Minorities.

"The world belongs to humanity. A country belongs to its people, but not to any political party or person," he added.

The spiritual leader advised the corrupt people to be believer of God. "India is a nation of religion-minded people. They get up early morning to pray to their Gods but side by side involve in corruption. These two cannot go hand in hand. Faith without moral values is not faith," he said.

He, however, stressed that he was not criticising anybody but felt concerned about a country (India) which has kept its principles of non-violence and harmony.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, NCM Chairman Wajahat Habibullah, BJP leader Jaswant Singh and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Vincent H Pala were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Government has to take care of other ppl in civil society: Salman Khurshid

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Government has to look into the interests of other people of the civil society also, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid said, not appearing optimistic about any outcome of the meeting to be held today between the Parliamentary Standing Committee looking into the Lokpal Bill and Team Anna.

"People have the right to talk to the comittee, so they will.

But they are a few people only. Civil society is big. Government has to take care of other people also in the civil society," Mr Khurshid told reporters on the sidelines of an event held here.

Gandhian Anna Hazare and his associates including Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, will meet a Parliamentary panel headed by Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi today to put forth their views on the Lokpal Bill.

When the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 4, Opposition BJP had raised objection over non-inclusion of the office of the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal.

It was then referred to the Standing Commitee by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari giving it three months time to give its report.
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Anna Hazare firm on demands, says no going back on Lokpal issue

New Delhi, Aug 10: Undeterred to go on fast against corruption, Gandian Anna Hazare today stressed that civil society will not go back on the issue of Lokpal Bill and demanded that all issues set aside by the government be brought back into the bill.

The statement comes on the day when he and his associates will meet a Parliamentary panel to put forth their views on the Lokpal Bill. "There is nothing in the bill which is introduced in Parliament.

It is just a show off. It has been drafted just to tell the people that we have a law to fight corruption. It will be of no use," Mr Hazare told mediapersons here. He said he is not going on fast because of any happiness but only for the public, for the country.

Regarding the meet today, the civil society representatives called it a formality. "There is no use of it. If the Committee discusses the draft, it will be a waste of time for it also. There is nothing to discuss in the bill. The government has left no way for us to call off strike," RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal said.

Team Anna meets Delhi top-cop

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Civil society members today met Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta to discuss the venue of Gandhian Anna Hazare's proposed fast against corruption from August 16.

The representatives included RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia.

"The Police Commissioner has assured that he would discuss the five proposed venues of the fast with other senior officers and get back to us within the next two days," a statement issued by India Against Corruption, an NGO organising the fast, said.

Mr Gupta has also assured that if any other alternate venue is proposed by the Police, the space would be well connected and within three km radius of Jantar Mantar.

The five places suggested by the civil society for holding the dharna are Boat Club, Rajghat, Ramlila Grounds, Shahidi Park near ITO and a stretch near Ashoka Road.

Delhi government defends Sheila Dikshit, says no role in awarding CWG tenders

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had no role in awarding tenders regarding the XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said today.

The statement comes close on the heels of reports regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) indicting Ms Dikshit and jailed former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi for serious lapses and irregularities in the infrastructure projects, bidding process for procurement of different Games-related items and several instances of wasteful expenditure.

"We have gone through the CAG's report. Neither the Chief Minister nor any political functionary has been indicted in it," Mr Lovely said in a press conference here.

The 743-page report has accused various ministries of the Delhi government of irregularities and lapses in the Games, held from October 3-14 last year in the national capital.

Ms Dikshit, who had maintained her innocence, told mediapersons yesterday that if the Public Accounts Committee finds anyone guilty, action will be taken against them.

She has been stressing on the PAC to study the CAG report to find any doubtful pecuniary actions made by her government in the Commonwealth Games bungle.

Besides the Delhi Government, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and other ministries and various agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Public Works Department(PWD) have been blamed for the entire mess in the sporting extravaganza, in which 4,336 athletes and 2,115 officials representing 71 countries participated.

Janlokpal Yatra: Citizens all set for Anna's protest on Aug 16

New Delhi, Aug 6 : Girding up their loins for another mass movement against corruption led by Gandhian Anna Hazare from August 16, thousands of citizens are organising Jan Lokpal Yatras across the nation to show their anguish against "anti-people" Ombudsman Bill proposed by the government.

The city's Jantar Mantar will witness hundreds of people assembling together to burn the copies of present version of the Bill, as initiated by Mr Hazare on August 4 when it was tabled in Parliament for discussion.

Similar marches will be held at Lucknow in UP, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Pune in Maharashtra and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, a statement issued by India Against Corruption, Anna's NGO, said.

A car and bike rally, led by activist Arvind Kejriwal, was also organised today that started from Mewar College in Sector IV of Vasundhara, Ghaziabad and concluded at Vaishali via Indirapuram, Sahibabad, Kaushambi and some parts of Delhi.

In Jamia Nagar, nearly 500 students joined in an event to burn the Bill while in the evening, Nukkad Nataks were organised in Ajmeri Gate and Hauz Qazi chowk area.

Mr Kejriwal appealed to people to take leave for a week and come out on streets in support of the movement from August 16.

5 NGOs awarded for accountability and transparency

New Delhi, Aug,6 : Five non-governmental organisations working for various underpriviledged sections across the country were awarded with the India NGO Awards 2010 for ensuring accountability and transparency.

They were Developmental Association for Human Advancement (DEHAT) and Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children (MNC) in small category, Pardada Pardadi Educational Society in medium category and the Akanksha Foundation in the large category.

The categories were divided on the basis of the NGOs annual budget. There was a special award given to Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee for its extraordinary contribution towards uplift of sex workers.

The awards were given away by the Resource Alliance in association with the Rockefeller Foundation here last evening.

The other NGOs which were shortlisted from among 210 were Children Toy Foundation, Youth for Social Development (YSD), the Association for People with Disability (APD), Ashadeep, CanSupport, Gujarat State Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GSNP+), Sense International (India), Aide et Action, SAATH and Save The Children.

The jury for this year s awards included Subodh Bhargava, Chairman, Tata Teleservices, Nick Langton, Country Director, the Asia Trust, Elizabeth Kurian, Regional Director, SightSavers India, Venkat Krishnan, Founder, GiveIndia and Maneesha Dube, Editor-in-Chief, Media Transasia India Ltd.

Shahnaz Husain recieves award for Quality Excellence in Ayurveda

New Delhi, Aug 5 : Beauty expert Shanaz Husain has been honoured with Indian Achievers Award for Quality Excellence by Indian Achievers Forum in collaboration with the India Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Husain was awarded for her achievements in promoting Ayurveda as a traditional cultural industry and taking Ayurvedic beauty care to the globe.

The award ceremony was a part of 29th Indian Achievers Summit on Indo-Thai Business Relations held here last evening. Ex-deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Khun Korn Dabbaransi was among the various dignitaries present on the occasion that focused on business and trade opportunities between the two countries.

Speaking of the increasing popularity of Ayurveda, Ms Husain said the concept of "total well being" and spa treatments are steadily gaining ground and the world was looking towards traditional Asian holistic healing.

She noted that both Thailand and India were known for their traditional spa treatments, which draw upon plant products and natural substances and proposed to set up an Indo-Thai Ayurvedic spa in London.

IGNOU, Aditya Birla Group jointly to train rural ppl in stitching

New Delhi, Aug 5: Indira Gandhi National Open University and the Aditya Birla Group will now together train rural people in garment stitching, a varsity official said.

The open university today inked a pact with Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited's wholly owned subsidiary Madura Fashion and Lifestyle Limited to impart necessary skills and training in garment stitching to the community members who are unemployed, under employed and are residing mostly in the rural, suburban and disadvantaged locations.

Three short-term non-credit courses -- Basic Certificate in Garment Stitching for one month, Advance Certificate in Garment Stitching for two months and Advance Certificate in Garment Stitching and Quality Control for two and a half months -- will be taught under this MoU.

All of these programmes will be coordinated by IGNOU's Regional Center of Delhi-1 at Mohan Cooperative Estate.

"Many organisations are looking for trained human resources and are training them as a part of their corporate social responsibility. Learners may even want to pursue these courses at a certificate or diploma level which may be provided to them in the later stages," IGNOU VC V Rajasekharan Pillai said.

Under the MoU, Madura F&L will enrol at least 200 students per year as per IGNOU approved eligibility conditions and conduct programmes at approved learning centres only. A special study centre will also be opened in Bangalore for the conduct of these courses.

Burn government's Lokpal Bill: Team Anna to people

Ghaziabad, Aug 4: Gandhian Anna Hazare's protest against the present Lokpal Bill today reached the next level when civil society representatives urged all citizens to burn its copies to show their anguish against the "anti-poor" draft.

Today when the Lokpal Bill was tabled in Parliament, on the one hand Mr Hazare burnt its copies in Pune while on the other his team members -- Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan -- appealed to people here to follow the same.

"The government is forcing its version of the Bill on us. It is not serious about the institution of Lokpal. We challenge the authority by burning their copies of the draft," Mr Kejriwal said, addressing mediapersons.

He stressed that the main issue of contention between the government and the civil society is that the present version does not incorporate any measures against corruption at lower levels.

"The common man today has to face corruption at Panchayati level, 'rashan' shops, municipal corporations, government medicine outlets, to name a few. But all such issues are out of this version," he said. The team also burnt the copies here.

Mr Bhushan called the present version "useless" and said it will cause confusion and discourage the common man from complaining against corruption.

"The present Lokpal bill is not drafted to deal with corruption at all. In fact, it will deter people who want to complain against corruption," Mr Bhushan, who had drafted the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill, said.

Mr Bhsuhan noted that there is "too much confusion" in the jurisdiction of the Lokpal and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and said a common man would not know whom to approach if he wants to complain against any scam.

"We have spoken to some political parties and are appealing to oppose the introduction of such a useless bill in Parliament. Even if they cannot oppose that, they should pressurise the government to bring a fresh bill which is structurally sound," he said.

One of the main points of differences between the government and the civil society is the inclusion of Prime Minister within the ambit of Lokpal. The proposed legislation does not bring the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal during his term in office but once he demits office, he may be investigated for any wrongdoing during his term.

It also excludes the judiciary and any action of an MP inside Parliament or Parliamentary committee.
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Drench in rains at Saputara this Monsoon!

Saputara, Gujarat, Aug 2: The proof of pudding lies in eating, this English proverb fits well to Saputara, an unexplored hill station in the western state of Gujarat that has been immensely blessed by the God of Rains.

Walking upwards lush green valleys of this small district situated 179 km away from Surat at the beginning of Sahyadri Hills, one experiences water streams flowing under feet with fresh drizzle moistening the mood all through. Green vegetation springs up all over while dense waterfalls cascade down the hills.

"Monsoon is the best time to visit Saputara as it offers a unique experience under clouds and fog spread over the hills.

We call it Cherrapunji of Gujarat," Raju, a native of this destination dotted with lakes and woodlands at a height of 873 meters, said.

To mark this belief, the Gujarat Government has started a month-long Saputara Monsoon Festival from July 31 this year.

During this festival, tourists will have a first-hand experience not only with the scenic beauty of this place but the culture and traditions being followed here.

The festival offers visitors an opportunity to interact with the natives of this place who belong to Dang tribe and experience their way of living, their eating habits, the clothes they wear, the games they play, the God they worship and the language they speak, among others. Along with this, a gamut of games including boat race and competitions, an cultural programmes have also been organised.

A photo gallery showcasing the district and a souvenir shop also form a part of the festival.

Saputara also offers a plethora of exciting tourist attractions including those having mythological significance. It is believed that it got its name due to one of them. When Lord Rama was undergoing "vanavaas" (exile) along with his brother Laxmana and wife Sita, a snake had bitten Laxmana and the cure was found at this place.

Another explanation says that Saputara means the 'Abode of Serpents' and it gets it name from a rock looking like a snake that appeared on the banks of the river Sarpagana and is worshipped by the tribal people on important festivals.

Places to be visited here include Gira Falls, Saputara lake, Sunset point, The Ropeway, Echo Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Artist Village, Vansda National Park, Shabri Dhaam, Pampa Sarovar, Rose Garden, Step Garden, Lake Garden, to name a few.

Gira Falls is the most picturesque sight in the district which goes outstandingly beautiful during the rains. Thick falls flow 30 metres down the hills into river Ambika. Eating boiled corn on the rocks near these falls adds to the fun undoubtedly.
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Amitabh Bachchan to promote Gujarat's only hill station, Saputara

Saputara, Gujarat, Aug 1 : Veteran filmstar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to visit Gujarat in the month of September to promote the western state's only hill station, Saputara.

The Gujarat brand ambassador will shoot a video that will feature the charismatic actor wearing the traditional attire and talking about the picturesque destination.

"Amitabh Bachchan will return to Gujarat once again to cast his magic. He will come to Saputara and will shot a video with the local tribes in our traditional attire," Kamlesh Patel, chairman of Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL), said on the sidelines of an event, Monsoon Festival, to promote Saputara as a tourist spot.

"Mr Bachchan could not make it to this event due to some of his commitments. Even he is particular to push the tourism in the virgin hill station of Gujarat which has preserved the age old communities and traditions of India in its best way," Mr Patel added.

He further said Mr Bachchan will be coming to Gujarat for a seven-day shoot at the end of September. He will shoot in Saputara, Ambaji, Adalaj step wells and the Buddhist circuit.

The Bollywood icon has earlier promoted Kutch region, Dwarka, Somnath and Gir National Park resulting in an increase in tourist footfalls, including a 30 per cent rise in foreign travellers, over the past few years.

"In 2006-07 it was 1.27 lakh, which increased to 1.70 lakh in 2009-10. In 2010-11, we have crossed the footfall of nearly 2 lakh tourists across India and overseas," he said.

"Over the next two years, the Gujarat government will pump in Rs 650 crore towards developing tourism activities and promoting tourism infrastructure," Mr Patel added.

Situated at a height of 873 metres on Sahyadri Hills in Dang District of Gujrat, Saputara is an idyllic destination dotted with lakes, streams, woodlands and hills.

No indication from police to Team Anna regarding fast

New Delhi, Aug 1 : Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said Delhi police had not replied to his application seeking permission for a hunger strike against corruption at the Jantar Mantar here from August 16.

"We sent an application to the police commissioner seeking permission for the fast but have got no response. There has been no formal letter denying us the permission, from anyone," Mr Hazare told newspersons here.

"If they don't let us sit on fast, I will go to jail," he said and added, "This is India's second struggle for freedom and I will fight against corruption till my last breath." The Gandhian's aide, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, added that as they have not got any rejection letter, they are going ahead with the fast.

On July 28, Delhi police had said prohibitory orders banning any gathering of five or more people will be imposed in places of Delhi, including Jantar Mantar area, during the monsoon session of Parliament that began today.

The prohibition was withdrawn from Jantar Mantar and India Gate areas the next day.

Team Anna claims massive public support for Jan Lokpal Bill

New Delhi, Aug 1: Undeterred to go on his fast against corruption, Gandhian Anna Hazare and his brigade today expressed their confidence in massive public support while claiming that they have received immense response from the public in support of their version of the Lokpal Bill.

Addressing mediapersons here on the day when Monsoon Session of Parliament also began, Mr Hazare said he would go ahead with his proposed fast for a strong Lokpal from August 16 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, his close aide, said, "The opinion poll carried out by the civil society in some Lok Sabha constituencies of the country showed that people want a strong Lokpal and there was an overwhelming response in favour of the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill." He added that almost 85 per cent of the people are in favour of bringing the post of the Prime Minister under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.

"The interim poll shows that majority are with our version of the Lokpal Bill. The people's view is that the Jan Lokpal Bill version should be accepted. What is to be seen is what Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal sees. There should be a public debate.

There was an overwhelming response of the people in Kapil Sibal's constituency," he said.

Mr Kejriwal claimed that in Amravati Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, nearly 98 per cent of the people are in favour of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"There has been a huge support for Jan Lokpal Bill. The question is that does the Government's Lokpal Bill gets the desired support of the people? If the Government is not listening to the people's view, is it democracy?" he asked.

The civil society representatives had carried out a referendum in Mr Sibal's Lok Sabha constituency Chandni Chowk. According to a statement issued by them, 4 lakh referendum forms were distributed of which 86,000 have been collected till now. The referendum forms constituted of a questionnaire of eight questions on components of the bill. The result of 72,000 forms has been compiled, rest 14,000 could not scanned as they got wet due to rains and will be done manually.
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