Your News Digest from Times of India

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, February 24, 2014
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Romila Thapar, Ashis Nandy urge Penguin to fight suit in 'The Hindus' case After Penguin India withdrew the copies of the controversial book 'The Hindus: An Alternative History', a group of eminent authors and historians today asked the publishing house to contest the suit against the book in a higher court for "holding up the freedom of expression." Dalit activist Udit Raj to join BJP Dalit leader and activist Udit Raj will join BJP on Monday, party sources said. Raj is also expected to contest Lok Sabha elections from Uttar Pradesh. Three PSUs producing vaccines at snail's pace The three public sector units producing primary vaccines might have resumed operation, but they are hardly making any contribution to the vaccines procured for the Universal Immunisation Programme. More India News»

		Business
		Emirates set to get more flying rights In a farewell ‘gift’ to Gulf carriers at the cost of desi airlines, the aviation ministry is set to grant Dubai additional flying rights of 10,000 seats a week — up almost 20% from the current capacity of 55,000 seats. FY14 growth may fall to 4.7% Is the government overestimating the GDP growth rate for the current fiscal? Some of the top economists believe it is. MNCs work to accelerate startups in India The success of the Microsoft Accelerator programme for Indian startups now looks to be encouraging other global companies to start similar initiatives, a trend that could provide more fuel to the emerging startup ecosystem here. More Business News»

		Environment
		World's largest oyster discovered A 14-inch long giant Pacific oyster found off the coast of Denmark has been confirmed as the world's largest by the Guinness Book of World Records. Kutch pastoralists claim grassland community rights under FRA Pastoralists of Banni area of Kutch region in Gujarat have claimed community rights under ‘The scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006’ which was passed on December 18, 2006. The claim is over entire Banni grassland covering 2,400 sq km. Yamuna remains dirty despite huge costs to clean it: Panel Interceptor sewers along the major drains of the city are crucial for curbing pollution of the Yamuna as they would keep untreated sewage from flowing into the river. More Environment News»

		World
		US warns Putin against Ukraine grab In addition to any economic assistance the EU might offer, the US has also promised help. Syrian rebel who was Osama's friend killed Al-Soury's death will fuel the infighting among jihadis fighting President Bashar al-Assad, a violent rivalry that has killed hundreds of fighters in recent months, rebels said. UK boost to oil and gas to keep Scotland The British government said on Monday it would enact sweeping measures to make it easier to unlock hard-to-extract North Sea gas and billions of barrels of oil as it tries to persuade Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. More World News»

		Entertainment
		5 shocking facts about Shah Rukh Khan In Pics: Hrithik Roshan-Arjun Rampal controversy 'Temptations are there, but I follow Buddha' Ali Zafar and Yaami Gautam are like yin and yang. For Ali’s cheeky answers, you have Yaami’s bashful hesitation. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Coming soon: Lettuce-based self-growing electric wires Scientists may be able to use lettuce to create ‘self-growing’ electricity wires in the future, paving the way for biological computers and ‘bio-robots’. Bacteria from baby poop used to make probiotic sausages Scientists have found a bizarre way of making sausages healthier — by using baby poop. Vertical film screens offer a new reality In the beginning, it was black and white. Years later, it was colour, followed by 3D glasses and Imax. But could the next big development in cinema be vertical screens? More Science News»

		Sports
		India short of finishers sans famed trio For the first time since January 24, 2004, the famed finishing trio of Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni won't feature in an Indian line-up in Asia Cup. Nadal proves his form with Rio Open win Rafael Nadal shrugged off the injury concerns that wrecked his Australian Open bid as he dismantled Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov to win the Rio Open. Brooklyn Nets sign openly gay Collins Jason Collins signed a 10-day contract with the NBA's Brooklyn Nets to become the first openly gay man playing in a major US professional sports league. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Samsung launches Tizen-powered smartwatches The Gear 2 will be available in two variants, namely the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, with the latter being an economy version. How to get a job at Google Google attracts so much talent it can afford to look beyond traditional metrics, like GPA. Meet the Google trekker photographing Indian monuments Google created a tool specifically build to do one thing – photographing a monument in a way that captures a 360-degree view. More Technology News»

		Education
		B-school challenge Prospective full-time MBA students applying to the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, have an opportunity to win scholarships by taking part in a contest organised by the school. Shark migration Like salmon in reverse, longsnouted Bandringa sharks migrated downstream from freshwater swamps to a tropical coastline to spawn 310 million years ago, leaving behind fossil evidence of one of the earliest known shark nurseries. Mastering biology Infection biology is an area of biomedical sciences. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'Apply existing laws to rescue declining Bandra' The swift transmogrification of H-West ward from a quiet corner of the city into a cultural, shopping and nightlife hub has brought with it an adjunct set of problems. Young but restless after metamorphosis Sixty-five-year-old Daphne Warapen remembers the time when she used to cross rice fields and expanses of greenery while walking from her home at Union Park to St Theresa’s Church on Bandra’s 24th road for the Sunday mass. Compensation within 3 months The cost of developing the land, which will be returned to the affected villagers, will be borne by Cidco, which is the developing agency of the new airport; under the central law, the cost is supposed to be borne by the affected persons themselves. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		3-yr-old gets hand back after 10-hr operation A Haryana farmer’s quick thinking helped save the life and limb of his three-year-old boy, whose arm was severed from the chest wall while playing in the farm land. Man arrested for rape A 55-year-old woman has alleged that she was raped by a neighbour at the railway colony beside DDU Marg in central Delhi on Saturday night. Yamuna dirty despite efforts to clean it: House panel A parliamentary panel has noted that the river Yamuna seems “dirtier” than before despite Rs 6,500 crore having been spent on its clean-up even as a project to lay interceptor sewers along the three major drains of Delhi suffers delays. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Ambareesh is on the path to recovery, wife says Fans of actor-turned-politician and housing minister M H Ambareesh heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday after his wife made a public announcement that her husband is recovering. NSG, police security drill from today Don’t panic if you see armed commandoes donning fatigues and find yourself in the thick of action on your way to work on Monday. Bangalore scores low on walkability score Pedestrians are nothing short of sitting ducks for speeding and wayward motorists in Bangalore city. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Protest outside IIIT after student commits suicide About 8,000 IIIT students at Basara staged a ‘rasta roko’ in front of the institute accusing the authorities of not allowing an ambulance into the campus immediately after one of its students jumped off the hostel building around 7.30am on Sunday. Will minorities get a better deal in two states? With the passage of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in Parliament, the minorities find themselves split into two states, like their counterparts from the majority community. Property registrations show a decline in Andhra Pradesh After the Centre gave enough hints that the creation of Telangana state was certain, property registrations in the city, especially surrounding areas, dropped significantly in the last two months. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Inspector suspended, CB-CID handed techie murder probe Chief minister J Jayalalithaa ordered that the case be transferred to the CB-CID and police offered a reward of up to Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. Goal in sight for leprosy victims' daughters As 15-year-old Monisha propels a football with perfect control in a ground at Kancheepuram, she seems to be dribbling past the obstacles of life. Police give tech firms safety brief, promise to patrol OMR The murder of a 23-year-old software engineer with Tata Consultancy Services and subsequent pressure from the government appears to have jolted police out of their complacency. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Left to fight alone, she defeats malignant fate At 40, Sridevi Yagnik was fighting the biggest battle of her life — stage two breast cancer. Woman from Kalol found dead in Pirana, police register case of murder A team of Danilimda police found the body of a woman on Pirana road late on Saturday night with multiple stab wounds.The victim was later identified as an orchestra singer from Kalol having relatives in Ahmedabad. Safe space marked for cyclists, pedestrians at Vijay Crossroads Harikrishna Patel, additional commissioner of police (traffic), said they have partnered with the civic body and NGO for 'Right Steps' initiative to emphasize adequate planning and management of traffic flow. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		MLA seeks road repair Peeved over dilapidated condition of roads in various localities, City (North) MLA Anugrah Narayan Singh has decided to raise the matter on the floor of the house. Congmen flay Jayalalithaa The activists also took out a procession which ended at Peepal Chauraha, where they burnt the effigy of Jayalalithaa.The activists were shouting slogans against her. Tantrik makes bid to rape girl A tantrik and his accomplices tried to rape a 15 years old girl and beat her up badly when she raised an alarm.The incident took place at a village in Bisheshwarganj on Friday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Demand for Odia varsity and research centre They also demanded the use Odia as an official language at all government offices and to make it a compulsory subject at all schools and colleges. EC asks for campaigners' list Speaking to representatives of various political parties, Sharma said the district election officers will notify costs of different materials to be used during campaigns to set the limit of the candidates expenditure. Mass Rapid Transit System: Hyderabad agency to prepare plan The state government has selected Hyderabad-based consultant Balaji Rail Road System Limited (BARSYL) to prepare detailed project report (DPR) for proposed mass rapid transit system (MRTS) between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		After cloudy day, cold winds sweep Bhopal After overcast conditions throughout the day on Saturday, there was a change in weather condition.By night, cold winds swept and the city experienced drizzle. Electoral reforms bill discussed at MANIT's mock parliament Students of Maulana Azad National Institute (MANIT) organised a mock parliament on Saturday, where students from various colleges discussed a bill drafted by intellect browsers consortium (IBC) on electoral reforms. Bags with jewellery stolen from car Travelling bags with jewellery and clothes kept inside a locked four-wheeler were stolen on Hathi Khana Road in Budhwara here on Friday night.The case was later registered at Talaiya police station of the city. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Anti-Sikh riot victims protest land grab Giving details, Darshan Singh said Giani Sant Singh Maskeen had purchased the land with offerings from the community to help the victims to settle down but the land had been grabbed by some influential persons. Take steps against Punjabi-speaking ban in school, DCs told Following a report of several private schools, especially of those affiliated to CBSE and ICSE, prohibiting students from conversing in their mother tongue Punjabi, the Punjab government has asked deputy commissioners and education department officials to take appropriate steps and stop the school managements from imposing such a ban. Costly coal to push up power rates in Punjab, Haryana However, Haryana government has recently promised that there would be no tariff hike for the power consumers of the state in election year as it has agreed to financial restructuring plan of Government of India. More Chandigarh News»

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