20 Kilo Litres Of Free Water For Delhi : AAP fulfills the promise

Aam Admi Party clears the fog and the Delhi Jal Authority will give 20 Kilo litres of water free to Delhi residents. This was one of the statements and promises by AAP during election campaign and many will be surprised that the decision came out as quick as a week. The free water will be available from tomorrow, January 1, 2014.

"All the domestic consumers having metered connection will get 20 kilolitres of water free of cost from January 1. We will not even levy any existing charges such as water cess and sewerage charge," newly-appointed Delhi jal Board CEO Vijay Kumar told reporters.

AAP leader Arvind Kejariwal had presided over the Jal Authority board before the decision came out. Last month, Delhi Jal Board had planned to increase the water tariff by 10 per cent from January to improve its finances.

The new change has been opposed by BJP saying that it will benefit only those people who have water meters fitted to their connection not those who really need the water.

It is not immediately clear whether government will charge for water being supplied to over 1,600 unauthorised colonies across the city as in most households in these settlements water metres are yet to be installed.

Although these allegations seem to be political as the situation may be already analyzed by the board and appropriate decision will be made. Three cheers for AAP for what they are doing now.

Image Source: IBN Live
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- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, December 31, 2013

No Intentions Of Making Govt., We are Runner-ups - AAP

Aam Admi party clarifies their stance as the election has resulted in no single party getting the magical number 36 to rule the government. AAP in their first outing surprised the congress by grabbing 28 seats and this is marked as a major victory.

There were rumors that AAP will be forming the government supported by BJP, but it seems that Yogendra Yadav, the leader of AAP has no intentions to join in hands there. "I find it unique that the party in first position is asking party in second position to form the government", he said, in response to reports that the BJP had said that it was willing to sit in the opposition, in Delhi.

"If the Lt Governor asks us then we will tell him we have only 28 MLAs and that does not add up to 36. AAP has not got the vote to form the next government, and it would be unfair to do so", he added.

The idea was also conveyed out by Arvind Kejriwal who said that the outing was good for AAP and they wished they had the majority and could form a government. "I completely agree that if we had a majority it would have been different, but Rome wasn't built in a day", he said. "Now let's see what they do. I would encourage BJP and Congress to join hands as their ideology is the same", he said.

So although the elections has been a clear statement it still puts Delhi back on square zero. The nation is eagerly watching what moves does the leading national parties, BJP and Congress make to work this out.

Source: FirstPost
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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, December 09, 2013

Sonia Gandhi's Name Removed From the List Of Top 20 Rich Politicians!

After a total confusion on things, Huffingston post has removed the name of Sonia Gandhi from the 12th most richest leaders in the world. Huffingston post had named Mrs. Gandhi to be richer than the queen of England in their earlier post.

The Huffington Post report now carries a footnote at the bottom of the article stating, "Sonia Gandhi and the former emir of Qatar Hamid bin Khalifa al-Thani have been removed from this list. Gandhi was originally included based on a listing on a third party site which was subsequently called into question. Our editors have been unable to verify the amount, removed the link, and regret any confusion."

According the list, Sonia Gandhi was worth $2 billion (approximately Rs 12,000 crore). However the survey did not specify any methodology or source of information.

It claimed that the HuffPost World had compiled the list based on available data.

The Congress had reacted angrily to the list and had rubbished the report saying that it is an attempt to malign the image of Sonia Gandhi, who actually leads a simple life.

The report had placed Sonia Gandhi as richer than Elizabeth II, the Queen of England and Bashar Al-Assad, President of Syria.

Huffington Post list of the top 20 richest world leaders (Revised):

1. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia - $40 billion

2. Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand - $30 billion

3. Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei - $20 billion

4. Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia - $18 billion

5. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE - $15 billion

6. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai - $14 billion

7. Kim Jong-un, Supreme Leader of North Korea - $5 billion

8. Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechstenstein - $5 billion

9. Mohammed VI, King of Morocco - $2.5 billion

10. Sebastian Pinera, President of Chile - $2.5 billion

13. Albert II, Prince of Monaco - $1 billion

14. Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of Oman - $700 million

15. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea - $600 million

16. Bashar Al-Assad, President of Syria - $550 million

17. Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan - $500 million

18. Elizabeth II, Queen of England - $500 million

19. Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh of Kuwait - $400 million

20. Mswati III, King of Swaziland - $100 million

Source: IBN Live
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- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Snowden Blow : 50000 Computers Hacked by NSA To Retreive Information

Another blow by Edward Snowden has made the National Security Agency go to backfoot. The latest revelation by the whistleblower Snowden says that the agency has infected over 50,000 computers around the world with malware which could act as the information transmitter to NSA.

The latest claims come from a digital presentation slide, which show a world map highlighting hard computer networks and ‘world-wide implants’ under the category.

CNE (Computer Network Exploitation), NSA jargon for malware infections.

According to Mashable, NSA’s elite hacker team conducted these sophisticated spy attacks on networks including the one against Belgian telecom company Belgacom that was carried out by NSA’s UK ally, the GCHQ.

The report said that CNE includes enabling actions and intelligence collection via computer networks that exploit data gathered from target or enemy information systems or networks.

The ‘implants’ act as digital ‘sleeper cells’ that can be activated with a single push of a button.

The revelations by Snowden have severely impacted US ties with its allies apart from experiencing loss of trust from its own citizens.

We are just awaiting what more information may come by in few more hours!

Source: DNA India
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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, November 25, 2013

Rahul Calls For A Young Government in 2014, Starts Off Campaign In Style

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said Uttar Pradesh was falling behind because its people were being manipulated by politicians on the basis of religion. He told a rally in Aligarh that he had been told by victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots that the violence that erupted last month was "politically motivated".

Rahul, who had visited Muzaffarnagar with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two weeks after the violence broke out, said that he had met both Hindus and Muslims, who had told him that there was no enmity between the communities.

"Both sides suffered. People of both communities died. And all of them told me that political forces were behind the violence, and they were ruined because of them," Rahul told the crowd of over 10,000 people.

"There are sections of the political class that know that if they don't divide you, they won't win. If Uttar Pradesh is falling behind, it is because politicians are manipulating you. In the history of India, we have always stood together. The Congress tradition is to move policy without discrimination. Tell me, which of the Bills that we have passed are for the benefit of one class or one caste or one religion?"

Rahul mocked the Samajwadi Government government in UP as a "computer ki sarkaar", but whose computers "chalte nahin hain, bijli aati nahin hai".

"Dilli mein hum adhikar ki sarkar chalate hain. Shiksha ka adhikar, rozgar ka adhikar, bhojan ka adhikar, (We run a government of rights in Delhi, the right to education, right to work, and right to food)," Rahul said, referring to laws passed by the UPA.

In fact, the rally itself was called "Dhanyavaad rally", with banners thanking Rahul for the new land acquisition and food Bills. In their speeches, Congress leaders like Rita Bahuguna Joshi seemed to give sole credit to Rahul for the Bills. "He promised you a land acquisition Bill, and he got it done despite complaints from the opposition," she said....

Source: Indian Express
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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, October 09, 2013

The Federal Shutdown Enters Second Week!

Washington: The federal shutdown is passing through the second week and the financial situation of United States is getting worse by each passing day. The all time low rates on US Dollar and other American shares are a state of worry for the country. The shutdown, second in the history of USA, after 17 years is really coming at a great cost.

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The recent survey shows that Republicans have lost their approval among the countrymen and it is still the Democrats that is getting favored, which is also making the recovery tough. Through the second week, thousands of employees continue unemployed and hence without pay. A recent Washington Post-ABC News survey found that 70 per cent of Americans disapprove of the way Republicans are handling budget negotiations, up from 63 per cent last week, with 24 per cent approving.

At the same time President Barack Obama's approval rating on budget matters ticked up slightly over the same time period from 41 per cent to 45 per cent ¿ but 51 per cent disapprove, the poll said.

Earlier in the day, Obama ruled out any negotiations with the Republicans unless they reopen the government.

"We're not going to negotiate under the threat of further harm to our economy and middle-class families. We're not going to negotiate under the threat of a prolonged shutdown until Republicans get 100 per cent of what they want," he said.

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The White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, said Obama is ready to negotiate with Republicans but not under threat.

"He is ready to do that, just not under threat of shutdown, not under threat of default."

The republicans continue to hold their stance and The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, John Boehner, alleged that Obama is putting the economy at risk by refusing to negotiate with the Republicans over spending and the debt ceiling.

"The president's refusal to negotiate is hurting our economy and putting our country at risk," he said on the floor of the House.

The reports continue that the Obama government is now working on discussing with the Republican party to agree to a long-term USD 1 trillion debt-limit increase.

Photos & Inputs: Indian Express

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Unknown

- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, October 08, 2013

The Federal Shutdown : Impacts Domestic Economy Badly

The second shutdown in the history of America is really a war between the political parties which is affecting the Nation as a whole and thereby the economy. As many workers are asked to leave their desks indefinitely and without pay, there is a serious crisis coming into the American economy and if this goes long term it will have a global effect as well.

Photo: nbcwashington.com

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The differences in ideology is the one blamed for the current shutdown in United States. Barrack Obama in a recent press meet said "This Republican shutdown did not have to happen -- I want every American to understand why it did happen," Obama said.

"They have shut down the government over an ideological crusade to deny affordable health care to millions of Americans."

The issue started when the Republicans opposed the funding of Obamacare, thelandmark health care law that President was to announce. The fight is supposed to be over the large funding that may be required if the Obamacare health plans roll out. In response to this argument, the Republican House Speaker John Boehner, meanwhile claimed Obama was pursuing a "scorched earth" policy by refusing to negotiate, as the rhetoric hit new heights and hopes for a swift end to the standoff faded.

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"Washington Democrats have slammed the door on reopening the government by refusing to engage in bipartisan talks," Boehner wrote in an opinion piece in USA Today.

Many of the federal institutions and monuments are currently shutdown following this event, including the monumental statue of liberty. The staff appointed directly by the government are forced to leave their jobs and stay on leave until the crisis gets over.

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"We know that the last time Republicans shut down the government in 1996, it hurt our economy. And unlike 1996, our economy is still recovering from the worst recession in generations," the president said.

Although the current crisis is not supposed to have a global impact as recession as this is considered more as a domestic crisis. However the stocks of American shares have shown a slight downside. As for IT contractors, this shouldn't be a cause of worry as well, the recent events will not be directly affecting the software industry.

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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Prime Minister Not Happy With Rahul, Says That Ordinance Was A Result Of Multiple Discussions

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said he is looking forward to meeting Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, and would try to understand the latter’s agitation over a cabinet-approved ordinance on convicted lawmakers.

Returning from the United States after a five-day visit via Frankfurt, Germany, Singh further said there is no question of him resigning from office.

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“I have seen Rahul Gandhi’s statement. He has written to me on this subject also, and, let me say, that when issues are raised in a democracy, in a democratic polity, the right course is to start with trying to understand what is agitating the minds of the concerned people. When I go back, I will discuss these matters with Rahul Gandhi. He has asked for a meeting with me, and, I will also take my Cabinet colleagues into confidence. We will see which way the wind blows,” Dr. Singh said onboard Air India One.

When specifically asked to respond to the opposition’s demand that he should have resigned from office immediately after Gandhi’s criticism of the ordinance while he was abroad, Dr. Singh said: “Well, there is no question of resigning. I said I will put all these issues before my Cabinet colleagues. These are all matters which are discussed before the highest body, the core group of the Congress Party. The Cabinet discussed this matter twice, not once. But, it is always possible to change one’s mind, and, I will consult my colleagues on all these issues,” he added.

Singh mildly reprimanded the Congress number two for the way in which he went about voicing his public disapproval of the ordinance.

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“Well, I am not the master of what people say. It has happened, and, as I said, when I go back, I will try to find out the reasons why it had to be done that way, and, how do we handle it,” he said.

“I honestly feel that if there is an important point of view, any member of the Congress Party, any member of my Cabinet is free to raise issues and require reconsideration of issues. I think that’s what a democracy is about. I don’t think we are an authoritarian structure in which one person lays down the line all the way and therefore my humble feeling is that when a point of view has been expressed, we must sit together and understand what is agitating the mind of the person who has raised these issue and that’s what we will do,” he added.

According to media reports, the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee in the national capital tomorrow (October 2), on the issue, as the latter has to decide whether to give it his assent, or send it back to the government for reconsideration.

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On September 27, in a major embarrassment to the ruling UPA, Rahul Gandhi dubbed the ordinance to negate the Supreme Court verdict on convicted lawmakers as 'complete nonsense', and said it should be torn up and thrown away.

"I personally think what the government is doing on the ordinance is wrong. It was a political decision, every party does it, and there is a time to stop this nonsense," Gandhi had said in New Delhi.

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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Hindutva Is Not The Agenda, Its Development For All That Is Planned : Modi

Hardcore governance, and not Hindutva or shades of it, would figure in the BJP’s main battle theme for the Delhi elections as well as the 2014 polls, BJP prime minister candidate Narendra Modi indicated on Sunday.

At his first rally in Delhi since becoming the party’s face for the elections, Modi gave out the slogan, ‘Nation First, India First’ in response to the demand to declare the BJP’s plank. He also announced that the BJP’s new slogan would be “saab ke saath and saab ke vikas” (With all, and for everyone’s development.)

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Hindustan Times had reported on September 15, two days after he was named PM candidate, that Modi slogan will be "”India First” -- for shaping the new governmental policies in key sectors.

Modi’s emphasis on Sunday was also that “there is only one religion for the government -- Nation First and India First. There is only one philosophy for the government -- Nation First and India First. There is only one holy book, the Constitution of India. Nothing else matters or will matter. There is only one credo -- care of every one of 125 crore Indians.”

Modi’s heavy development dose comes in the backdrop of hitherto-not disclaimed reports from Ahmedabad that the Gujarat chief minister has conveyed to some Muslim leaders that issues like Ram temple were not his party’s main plank and they should have no misgivings about any discrimination under future BJP dispensation.

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Modi on Sunday spoke about what should be the development goal when India enters the 75th year of its existence as a nation in 2022. Saying that in the next nine years, the government must have a vision that guarantees every person a decent life free of worries about food, shelter or work, Modi talked of the “Great Indian Dream”, urging every village and town to aspire for a better life. He vowed that neither the BJP nor he would break that dream.

The thrust of Modi’s rally address was that “if you deliver good governance, there will be growth; if you deliver good governance, there will be economic opportunities, development and everything else.”

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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, September 30, 2013

Ordinance Is Nonsense, Should Be Thrown Away - Rahul Gandhi Against Govt's Ordinance For Convicted Leaders

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi dropped a bombshell on Friday by saying that the ordinance passed by his cabinet to shield convicted lawmakers from disqualification "is a complete nonsense" and that "it should be torn up and thrown away."

His statement comes after reports of a growing unease in the Congress over the ordinance started doing the rounds. Union minister Milind Deora and Congress leader Anil Shastri have already gone public with their reservations on the ordinance. Even senior Congress leaders Digvijaya Singh has called for a consensus.

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Gandhi made his statement after making a surprise brief appearance at a meet-the-press programme of his party's general secretary Ajay Maken at the Press Club in the national capital.

"Now, I will tell you what is my opinion on the ordinance. It is complete nonsense, it should be torn up and thrown away. It is my personal opinion," he said. Rahul said that the argument given in "my organisation"
is that "we need to do this because of political considerations. Everybody is doing this. The Congress does this, the BJP does this, the Samajwadi Party, the JD(U) does this."

"It is time to stop this nonsense, political parties, mine and all others....If you want to fight corruption in the country whether it is Congress Party or BJP, we cannot continue making these small compromises. Because if we make these small compromises, then we compromise everywhere."

Earlier on Thursday, President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday called in three senior ministers for clarifications on the recent ordinance passed by the cabinet to shield convicted lawmakers from disqualification as the BJP urged him to return the proposal.

The government is finding itself in a spot with the opposition turning up the heat on it for overturning a Supreme Court judgment that ordered immediate disqualification of MPs/MLAs convicted in a criminal case punishable by two years or more in jail.

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For the ordinance to become a law, it has to be signed by the President. If the cabinet resends it, the President would have no choice but to sign it.

Thursday evening was busy for the President. First, top BJP leaders registered their protest over what they termed was "an unconstitutional move" and then senior ministers were called in to explain the reasons behind the decision. The President, it is learnt, is treading with caution.

Mukherjee is not entirely convinced with the government's ordinance move, and is learnt to have sought some clarifications from home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, law minister Kapil Sibal and parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath after the BJP requested the President to send the ordinance back to the cabinet, sources told HT.

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- Unknown Updated at: Friday, September 27, 2013

Supreme Court Instructs For Implementation Of Negative Voting, Advises Election Commission

New Delhi: In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Friday gave the citizens of India the right to reject all candidates in elections.

Hearing a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties, an NGO, the apex court ruled that the Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs should have a button that will allow the voters to choose "none of the above" option.

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The bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that voters should be allowed to reject all candidates standing in an election in his/her constituency.

"Negative voting would foster purity and vibrancy in elections," the court said.

"Negative voting would lead to systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates," the bench added.

"If right to vote is statutory right, right to reject candidate is fundamental right of speech and expression under Constitution," the court stated further.

The judgement will be implemented immediately, and the "none of the above" option will be included in EVMs and ballot papers to be used in the upcoming state Assembly Elections later this year.

The SC has also instructed the Election Commission to spread the message among voters.

The apex court bench of Justice BN Agrawal (since retired) and Justice GS Singhvi by their February 23, 2009 judgment while referring the matter to a larger bench had framed two questions for the court to examine "whether the right of voter to exercise his choice for the candidate is a necessary concomitant of the voter's freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution".

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The court on the second aspect had said, "We are further of the view that width and amplitude of the power of the (Election) Commission under Article 324 needs further consideration by a larger Bench in the light of the (earlier) judgments of this court whereby the elector's right to be informed about the assets and antecedents of the persons seeking election to the legislature has been duly recognized".

While the judgement is historic, it will have little impact on the outcome of an election as negative votes will only be recorded on EVMs but not counted.

Those in favour of negative voting have been demanding that re-election should be ordered in a constituency where more than 50 per cent of the voters reject all candidates. At present, the law doesn't allow that.

In the past, the Election Commission has also backed negative voting.

The governments had however been reluctant to implement the same.

As per current rules, a voter can choose to cast a "negative vote" by going to the polling booth, sign on the register, but not vote.

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- Unknown Updated at: Friday, September 27, 2013

Modi Run - A Narendra Modi Game - Goes Viral On Playstore

Narendra Modi is the new hit brand in India. It has been less than a month since the Gujarat CM was announced as the BJP's PM candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls but brand NaMo is already gaining steam.

The Narendra Modi android smart phone called Smart NaMo has created a buzz among mobile buyers and fans of the BJP leader.

The game on the Google Play Store called Modi Run has seen many people rush to download and play the game. The game created by Dexati was released on Android phones via the Google Play Store on July 28, 2013.

Many Modi supporters have been keenly playing the game and enjoying it.

It's description on the Play Store reads, "Help Modi through all the states and gather the votes to win the election and become PM of India. Modi Run is an action game where politician Modi runs through all the states and wins over the election to become Prime Minister of India.

Help Modi Run through all of the states including:
1. Gujarat
2. Maharashtra
3. Uttaranchal
4. Rajasthan
5. Kerala
6. Karnataka
7. Andhra Pradesh
8. Bihar
9. Utter Pradesh
10. Tamilnadu
11. Assam
12. Madhya Pradesh.

Help Modi win the election by running through all the election. If you are a fan of Modi or a supporter of BJP this is the app for you."

There is also a disclaimer by the makers that reads, "This game is not endorsed by Modi or BJP. This game is purely for entertainment made as parody of Indian elections."

The game is more like Super Mario than Temple Run though the name makes you feel that it's based on the latter. With the famous Arabian Sea in the background for the Mumbai part, Narendra Modi is seen running, jumping and trying to reach the ballot box as the player needs to help him become PM by clearing all 12 levels of the game.

Tarun Gandhi, 24, who likes playing adventure mobile games said, "The Modi Run game is a little amateur compared to the other games that are there on Play Store. But I'm sure Modi fans will download the game and love it."

Sheetal Pande, 28, another mobile game enthusiast said, "There's nothing out of the world about the game. Gamers will not like it, but Modi lovers will have fun as they will feel they are helping the Gujarat CM win the game and the Lok Sabha polls ending up as PM in 2014. As a concept it's a great idea by the makers - Dexati."

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- Unknown Updated at: Thursday, September 26, 2013

A Smart Phone Named After Narendra Modi

If you're a fan of BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi you can buy a new smartphone called Smart Namo to show your loyality.

As per the offcial website of the phone www.smartnamo.com the phone is Android 4.2 and available in 16G/32G/64G versions.

The manufacturers claim that they are "fans of Shri Narendra Modi, our forthcoming future leader of our great nation India, we are manufacturing latest android handset dedicated to the "IRONMAN" of modern India.

NAMO stands for Narendra Modi and Next Generation Android Mobile Odyssey. Our product is our way of dedication & respect to our great nation leader."

Features:

Ultra Powerful Quad Core 1.5Ghz CPU, 6589-T quad-core processor

5 Inch IPS Touchscreen, 2GB RAM + 32GB ROM. 13 MP Camera.

The company has announced two smartphones, namely Smart NAMO Saffron 2, Saffron 1. While the Saffron 2 is priced at Rs 24,000, the Saffron 1 smartphone will come in two variants for Rs 23,000 and Rs 18,000.

The report claims that Smart Namo phone will cost Rs 16,000 at launch and have videos as well as apps related to Modi.

In addition to the smartphones, team Namo also plans to introduce feature phones starting from Rs.1,000.

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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, September 25, 2013

BJP Opposes President From Signing The Non Constitutional Ordinance

New Delhi: An ordinance hurriedly approved by the cabinet on Tuesday, to protect convicted MPs and MLAs from disqualification, has sparked off another political confrontation between the government and the opposition.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked President Pranab Mukherjee not to sign the ordinance, which skirts around a Supreme Court order that had said lawmakers will stand disqualified immediately after conviction.

"The President is not obliged to sign an ordinance that is unconstitutional. We oppose this ordinance," tweeted BJP's Sushma Swaraj, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

In response, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari tweeted this morning that the BJP leader's advice was "amusing, surprising."

"The Constitutionality or otherwise of legal enactments are tested in Constitutional courts and not in the BJP's moat. Unsolicited advice is neither appreciated nor taken seriously," Mr Tewari said cuttingly.

The ordinance, which allows convicted MPs and MLAs to stay on, but without voting rights or salary, comes just ahead of a possible verdict by a Jharkhand court on the multi-crore fodder scam allegedly involving Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav, a loyal ally of the minority Manmohan Singh government.

If convicted, Mr Yadav faces disqualification from the Lok Sabha under the Supreme Court order of July, which said lawmakers could not stay on even if they appealed to a higher court against their conviction.

The ordinance is also likely to benefit Congress MP Rashid Masood, who was convicted last week in a corruption case. The CBI court will announce quantum of punishment next month and even if he is handed a jail term of more than two years, he will now not face immediate disqualification from the Rajya Sabha.

Law Minister Kapil Sibal has however clarified to NDTV that under the ordinance, protection from disqualification will apply only when the convicted MP or MLA has appealed in a higher court and the higher court has stayed the lower court's conviction.

The ordinance also does not interfere with the Supreme Court ruling that the convicted legislator cannot contest elections unless permitted by a higher court.

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- Unknown Updated at: Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Aadhar Not Mandatory Confirms Supreme Court Of India

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Aadhar cards are not mandatory even as various state governments insist on making it compulsory for a range of formalities, including marriage registration, disbursal of salaries and provident fund among other public services.

A bench of Justices BS Chauhan and SA Bobde said, "The Centre and state governments must not insist on Aadhar cards from citizens before providing them essential services."

The apex court also directed the central and the state governments not to issue the Aadhar cards to illegal immigrants.

The apex court, while trashing the Centre's claim of Rs 50,000 crore expenses on the UIDAI project, said that Aadhar card is not necessary for important services.

The apex court passed the order in response to a PIL pleading it to examine the "voluntary" nature of the Aadhaar cards. The PIL was filed by Justice KS Puttaswamy, a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court recently.

In the PIL the petitioner had also sought an immediate stay on the implementation of the scheme.

"The scheme is complete infraction of Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (right to life and liberty). The government claims that the scheme is voluntary but it is not so. Aadhaar is being made mandatory for purposes like registration of marriages and others. Maharashtra government has recently said no marriage will be registered if parties don't have Aadhaar cards," the petitioner said.

The petitioner asserted that the issue required a meticulous judicial examination by the Bench since it raised questions not only over the government's authority to implement the scheme, but also highlighted the perils of the manner of its implementation.

The Bench accepted his arguments and agreed to hear his contentions on the interim stay as well on Sep 23 while asking the centre and state governments to file their replies.

In its reply, the Centre had earlier claimed that for an Aadhaar card, consent of an individual was indispensable and hence it was a voluntary project, with an objective to promote inclusion and benefits of the marginalised sections of the society that has no formal identity proof.

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- Unknown Updated at: Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Modi Lashes Out On Congress, Says Its Run By Vested Interest Group

BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi while addressing the Indian Diaspora through a live video conference on Saturday said that the Congress Party was "running away" from giving its performance report. He charged that a strong "vested interest group" is shielding the Congress party from its mis-governance.

"We need to fight against this vested interest group in the 2014 elections," he said.

Modi has challenged UPA leaders to submit a performance report on nine-years of rule and hoped that the 2014 general elections.

"This government, which has downgraded the country, has to go. Let us affirm that this Government has to go democratically. We should work for a progressive BJP Government," the Gujarat Chief Minister said in his address to the Indian Diaspora through a live video conference on Saturday.

"Like 1977, 2014 will be the voice of the people," Modi said.

"This election is not about any post, but to wipe the tears of the poor. It is not the farmers, the tribal, the marginalised," Modi said in his first address to the diaspora after being nominated as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prime ministerial candidate.

He urged the Indian American community, particularly his supporters, to play a meaningful role in the victory of his party in the upcoming general elections next year.

"As soon as I finish (my speech) they will start, what Modi said, but friends, Modi gave answers to the people in December 2012 and BJP was chosen I want to tell the Congress friends. Do you at least agree that when Vajpayee Government was there growth rate was 8.4 per cent but now it is 4.8 per cent under this (UPA) Government," Modi said.

Modi was addressing the Indian American community at the conclusion of the two-day national convention of the Overseas Friends of BJP-USA.

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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, September 23, 2013

Naming Modi As PM Candidate A Disaster, will Destroy Party's Prospects - Advani

LK Advani has reportedly told BJP president Rajnath Singh that fronting Narendra Modi as the party's candidate for prime minister will be a "disaster" and will "destroy the party's prospects" in the general elections next year.

Sources said he also told the BJP chief that if a parliamentary party board meeting is called to make the Modi-for-PM announcement, he will attend it and oppose the move, forcing Mr Singh to now consider bypassing the panel of the BJP's top 12 leaders and make the announcement any way.

Several attempts have been made by senior leaders to convince Mr Advani. Rajnath Singh drove over to Mr Advani's residence yesterday, but, sources said, he was warned by the 85-year-old leader during a half-hour chat that officially naming Mr Modi to lead the party would ensure that the BJP is "wrecked by a third defeat."

Nitin Gadkari flew back to Nagpur after meeting Mr Advani to inform the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS that the BJP veteran is refusing to budge from his anti-Modi position, one that is shared by other key party leaders like Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Mr Singh is expected to meet Ms Swaraj on the matter today.

The RSS has told Rajnath Singh that there can be no more delay in making the Modi announcement and that he must figure out how to do it. Mr Singh has the option of talking individually to senior party leaders and naming Modi based on a majority decision. He can also request the RSS, which is the BJP's ideological mentor, for more time to build consensus around Mr Modi's candidacy to avoid a showdown at a parliamentary party board meet.

But the RSS wants Mr Modi's name announced before September 19, when an auspicious period on the Hindu calendar ends. Supporters of the Gujarat Chief Minister are pushing for an announcement before September 17, Mr Modi's 63rd birthday.

The anti-Modi coterie argues that a Modi announcement should be delayed till at least after the Assembly elections in five states in November. They are said to be gambling on Mr Modi's internal rival Shivraj Singh Chouhan posting a big third straight win in Madhya Pradesh in those elections to challenge the Gujarat Chief Minister's reputation of being the party's best match-winner.

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- Unknown Updated at: Thursday, September 12, 2013

Muzaffarnagar Violence : 26 Killed, Army Deployed

At least 10 more people were killed in spiralling violence in Muzaffarnagar on Sunday, taking the toll to 21 in the western UP district where the army staged flag marches and thousands of anti-riot police personnel were deployed to restore law and order.

“As it (violence) is going on in several villages, it is taking time to defuse the situation,” Additional Director General of Police Arun Kumar, who took stock of the situation in the affected areas, told PTI here.

District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said that 21 people have died in the violence so far. However, in Lucknow, UP Home Secretary Kamal Saxena said that 19 people have so far been killed in the violence, including 11 on Saturday.

Mr. Saxena said that adequate force has been deployed in the affected areas and incidents of violence have been reported from Sisauli, Shahpur, Fugna, Kalapar and Dhaurakala areas of Muzaffarnagar.

In one place Army had to resort to firing after someone opened fire at them, he said. Asked whether shoot at site orders have been given, Saxena said that directives have been issued to control the situation and for that if necessary firing can be done.

While curfew remained in force in Civil Lines, Kotwali and Nai Mandi town areas of the district with Army carrying out a flag march, violence has now spread to more rural areas.

ADG Kumar, who was escorted by a massive contingent of security personnel, claimed that only four police station areas were affected.

Officials said apart from army, 10,000 Provincial Armed Constabulary personnel, 1300 CRPF men and 1200 Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed.

In Kutba, where four people were killed, mobs set ablaze a religious place, several shops and vehicles. In Phugana village, cops said three members of a community had taken shelter in a police station, fearing violence.

The other badly affected villages were Shahpur, Bhuvana, Basi Kala.

Army’s assistance has been sought by UP government in nearby Shamli and Meerut district, Amry sources said.

ADG Kumar said there was no information of riots spreading to other districts in the state including sensitive Meerut district. “These are all rumours,” he said.

District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said 35 persons have been arrested in connection with the police.

However, authorities in Meerut have directed closure of all primary schools and degree colleges as a precautionary measure in view of the situation in Muzaffarnagar.

Army also staged flag march in Shamli and Kairana town near Muzaffarnagar. Tension prevailed in Agra following a clash between members of two communities in the Wazirpura locality of the city last evening.

Brick batting and firing occurred during the incident, officials said, adding police and PAC personnel have been posted as a precautionary measure with two persons being arrested in connection with the violence.

A high alert has been sounded in neighbouring Uttarakhand also. Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar has asked the administration and the police to be vigilant especially in Dehradun, Haridwar and Udhamsingh Nagar districts which border Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Centre has sought a report from Uttar Pradesh government on violence in Muzaffarnagar and directed it to take strong action to curb riots.

Union Home Ministry officials are in regular touch with the Uttar Pradesh government and have assured it of all possible help to control the violence in the western UP district.

Officials sources said in Delhi the Centre has asked the state government to take necessary steps to ensure that communal tension does not spread to other parts of the state.

If necessary, steps like preventive arrest and house arrest of those who may create trouble to disturb peace should be taken, the sources said.

Condemning the violence in Muzaffarnagar, Muslim clerics cautioned the people against “political conspiracies” aimed at dividing them on religious lines and appealed for peace and harmony in Uttar Pradesh.

“The Muzaffarnagar violence in condemnable.... For past few days, there were attempts to create tension in western UP.... The violence there is result of political game, which should be exposed,” member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli said, appealing to people to ensure that peace is restored.

All India Shia Personal Board spokesman Mulana Yasoob Abbas alleged that some “forces” were trying to create divide among religious groups for political gains.

Tension has been running high since three persons were killed in Kawal village on August 27. At least 11 persons, including a TV channel journalist and a photographer, were killed yesterday.

The violence had occurred as a meeting was being held in Naglabadhod in defiance of prohibitory orders to demand withdrawal of cases registered in connection with August 27 violence in Kawal.

Authorities are trying to identify the people who had provoked the violence during the meeting, an official said.

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- Unknown Updated at: Sunday, September 08, 2013

Russia Prepares Its Fleet At Syrian Shore

The Russian military is bracing for what is seen as an imminent U.S. strike in Syria even as Moscow warned that the attack could trigger a nuclear Armageddon.

In addition to five warships deployed in the East Mediterranean, Russia, in recent days, has sent six more ships to the region, including the guided missile cruiser Moskva.

On Wednesday, Russia placed on heightened alert the Central Command Post of the General Staff, the Aerospace Defence command and the country’s intelligence agencies, Defence Ministry officials said.

Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov cancelled a planned visit to Austria on Wednesday, while Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov summoned the U.S. and Israeli military attaches over a test launch of an Israeli missile on Tuesday.

Mr. Antonov described the region a “powder keg” and warned that its fire “may spread, not only to neighbouring states, but to other regions of the world.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a stark warning that a U.S. strike on Syria’s nuclear facilities might result in a nuclear catastrophe.

“If a warhead, by design or by chance, were to hit the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) near Damascus, the consequences could be catastrophic," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement.

The region would face the risk of “contamination by highly enriched uranium and it would be virtually impossible to account for nuclear material at the facility, its control and safety,” the Russian statement said.

Moscow urged the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to “react swiftly” and carry out “an analysis of the risks linked to possible American strikes on the MNSR and other facilities in Syria.”

Russia intends to bring up the issue at a 35-nation IAEA board meeting that opens on Monday, the Interfax news agency said.

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- Unknown Updated at: Thursday, September 05, 2013