News Digest: Times Passion Trail: A feast in heaven

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 12, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Times Passion Trail: A feast in heaven Spring is the season of hope in Kashmir. It is that time of the year when the mountains are still painted white, and the fields are yellow with blossoming mustard. Golden narcissus have heralded the end of winter and the grass is aquiver with daisies. Stop collecting service tax from pilgrims in Gaya: HC The Patna high court on Wednesday directed the government to stop collecting service tax from pilgrims at Bodh Gaya. ECR set to emerge as Railways' ancillary zone East Central Railway (ECR), which came into existence in October 2002, is all set to become an ancillary zone of Indian Railways following the Centre's go-ahead for FDI in its two ambitious projects – electric locomotive manufacturing factory at Madhepura and diesel locomotive manufacturing factory at Marhaura in Saran district. More India News»

		Business
		LIC to invest Rs 1.5 lakh cr in railways over 5 years The railways has managed to get a funding of Rs 1.5 lakh crore from state-run insurance company Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) for modernization and upgradation of its infrastructure over the next five years. Wipro creates a new incentive structure Wipro will roll out a new incentive structure for sales and delivery staff effective April 1. It will move away from gross targets to incremental growth that individuals bring. Weak project pipeline, slow credit flow worry govt The government is worried over slow credit flow to large projects, despite efforts of the last few months, which saw clearance of stalled projects with investments of Rs 7.25 lakh crore. More Business News»

		Environment
		Foul Delhi air may be driving people to suicide The link between air pollution and respiratory diseases is well known, but foul air may be causing cases of depression too. Concern in RS over rising air pollution in Delhi Serious concern was raised today in Rajya Sabha over the rising air pollution in Delhi, with a Congress member saying that many countries have reduced the tenure of their diplomats here due to the problem. Cyclones, human interference behind beach erosion: AP govt Andhra Pradesh government has said that extreme events like cyclones, tsunami, sand scarcity, sea level rise and human interventions are some of the reasons for erosion of sea coast in the state. More Environment News»

		World
		11 presumed dead in US military helicopter crash Seven US Marines and four aircrew were missing and presumed dead Wednesday after their army helicopter crashed during a night training exercise in Florida, military officials said. Pak man accused in US consulate plot arrested Canadian immigration officials have arrested a Pakistani man who they say was plotting to attack the US consulate and other buildings in Toronto's financial district. Iran teaches international diplomacy to US politicians The American public had mortification this week of seeing Iran teach the finer points the US Constitution and international law to Washington’s squabbling politicians even as an unprecedented chasm has opened up in the US More World News»

		Entertainment
		'There's nothing wrong with being single' Maine suna hai aaj kal aap log bahut religion-based plays kar rahe hain. Guests go teary-eyed at Masaba's engagement On Wednesday night, producer Madhu Mantena got engaged to Masaba, fashion designer and daughter of Viv Richards and Neena Gupta Bollywood celebs talk about intimate scenes Ranbir and Deepika grabbed attention with their affair and later with their breakup. However, Deepika isn't uncomfortable with her ex-flame and claims that performing with Ranbir is comfortable. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Obese? Diabetic? It could all be due to lack of sleep In the pursuit of a good life or better salary, some like to wear sleep starvation as a badge of honour. Scientists will try to contact hiding Philae lander tomorrow Tomorrow, on 12 March, at about 9:30 AM local time in India, another attempt will be made to find the lost comet lander Philae. Exercise hormone just a myth: Study Humans cannot produce the "exercise hormone" irisin that previous studies reported, a study says. More Science News»

		Sports
		Sangakkara leads Sri Lanka to 148-run win over Scotland Kumar Sangakkara became the first batsman to hit four consecutive ODI centuries as Sri Lanka defeated Scotland by 148 runs at Bellerive Oval on Wednesday. Kumar Sangakkara hits record fourth successive ODI ton Kumar Sangakkara became the first player to make four successive ODI tons. The 37-year-old reached the landmark in WC Pool A match against Scotland. Shikhar Dhawan most popular Indian cricketer on Twitter Shikhar Dhawan was once again most talked about Indian player on Twitter, as his ton on Tuesday helped defending champions beat Ireland in World Cup. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Google eyeing to acquire India's InMobi Google is in talks to buy mobile advertising network and one of India's earliest startup posterboys, InMobi. Apple MacBook first impressions The new MacBook's keyboard promises better precision and extends all the way to the left and right sides of the laptop. In pics: Apple's thinnest MacBook ever The all-new 12-inch MacBook with Retina display marks several firsts. Let us take a closer look. More Technology News»

		Education
		Novel unfair means in use in PU exams As carrying cellphones and other electronic devices inside examination halls has been banned by Patna University, some examinees have of late devised some innovative ways of cheating. No Indian university in Times rankings India with its great intellectual history and growing economic power does not have a single university that is regarded by academics globally as being among the world’s most prestigious, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings released on Thursday. Presidency University clears stand on HoD row Presidency University authorities have asked Nandita Bagchi to continue as the head of the philosophy department. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Security audit of Parsi colonies demanded in Mumbai BJP MLA from Bandra West Ashish Shelar has demanded a security audit of all Parsi colonies in Mumbai. Congress wants Rane for Bandra bypoll Former chief minister Narayan Rane emerged as a Congress nominee for Bandra (E) assembly constituency, a day after the Election Commission announced the byelection programme. Sena wants a chair on Bal Thackeray A Sena minister wants students from Mumbai University to learn about Bal Thackeray’s leadership skills and his contribution to Maharashtra. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Man arrested for raping daughter A man has been arrested for allegedly raping an 11-year-old girl in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning. Fare revision for Delhi Metro faces more delay There is no quick relief for Delhi Metro as it tries to pull out of a financial mess created because there has been no fare revision since 2009. Qutub murder case waits as cops probe 170 theft It seems Mehrauli police have neither time nor sufficient manpower to investigate the recent shooting outside Qutub Minar. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		It was a minor incident, says George They went to assess the ground situation in Hennur where Africans were thrashed by mobs on Monday night, but the assessment team on Wednesday chose to have lunch at the house of a local strong man, whose supporters were allegedly involved in the attacks. Police deny threat to seize passports Forty-eight hours after a mob targeted Africans in Hennur, police were yet to make arrests. A suo motu complaint was registered on Wednesday evening after media repeatedly questioned police over their inaction. Local-outsider divide runs deep here There's a constant rumble of human activity in the densely populated Hennur area of north-east Bengaluru, which has several educational institutions. However, the rumble doesn't hide the fault lines dogging the locality. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		SPG church seeks demolition of Hyderabad Metro pillars The forcible taking over of St Thomas SPG Church's land at Secunderabad for metro rail construction has taken a new turn with church representatives demanding the land back. Hyderabad's Indiramma housing scam probe put on hold Citing large-scale irregularities in the Indiramma housing scheme, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) has said village sarpanches and mandal revenue officer (MRO) formed a nexus and ensured that ineligible persons cornered the benefit. GHMC chief denies using 'garbage tricks' on property tax defaulters Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner and special officer Somesh Kuamr has denied giving instructions to tax collection officials to place garbage bins in front of the premises or buildings of property tax defaulters to build pressure on them. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		State ready to take over ESIC medical colleges: Tamil Nadu CM Expressing shock over Employees’ State Insurance Corporation’s decision not to further admit students in its medical colleges and to exit from medical education, chief minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the state government ‘in principle’ consented to take over two medical colleges of the ESIC, subject to conditions. When clowning becomes a process of healing College students are not uninitiated in the fine art of clowning around, but to be awarded a certificate for the effort is unheard of. Stella Maris may just be the first college in Chennai to take the leap. Use IT for error-free property papers, says Madras HC Underlining the importance of encumbrance certificates (EC) which play crucial role in every property purchase, Madras high court has asked Tamil Nadu government to put information technology to optimum use to ensure defect-free ECs. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		New life of dignity for sex workers in Ahmedabad Babita, a 23-year-old women from West Bengal, will now work at a textile unit, colouring up pieces of cloth with embroidery. 2013 murder: Ahmedabad cops fail, CID called Gujarat high court transferred the investigation in connection with a rape and murder case from Navsari district to CID (crime) after local police did not seem to be carrying out due diligence. Amdavadis pick laser for post Holi repairs For IIT-Gandhinagar student Neha Shah, going wild was inevitable on Holi. But her skin has faced the brunt of fun and frolic. Over exposure to treacherous dyes has also caused her serious eye allergy. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lawyer killed, another injured in court premises in Allahabad An advocate was killed and another seriously injured when allegedly a police sub-inspector opened fire in self-defence inside the district court premises, following which lawyers went on a rampage, hurling stones at police and administrative officials and resorting to arson. Pending dues: Teachers threaten to boycott evaluation work Teachers, who evaluated UP Board’s class X and XII answer-sheets in 2014, have decided to boycott the work this year if their pending dues were not cleared by the end of the ongoing board exams. Hindustani Academy's project hits fund crunch Fund crunch has put paid to Hindustani Academy’s ambitious plan of digitization of rare books in its library. The Academy had launched the project to facilitate research scholars, including young readers, from across the world and was hoping to revive its lost glory. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Brakes on speed limit in Bhubaneswar soon To minimize accidents in the capital city, the state transport department has decided to restrict the speed limit on National Highway 5 and state roads. 'PPT-government land dispute resolved' The Paradip Port Trust (PPT), in a statement, said the prolonged land dispute between the state government and the port has been amicably settled. Bhubaneswar's airport parking lot operator axed Under fire for spurt in incidents of harassment of visitors at Biju Patnaik International Airport parking lot here, the airport management has decided to cancel the licence of the operator. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		In rerun, low-floor crushes minor near Bhopal Talkies A teenaged boy died and two others, including a kid sustained injuries after the three were hit by a speeding low-floor bus near Bhopal Talkies on Wednesday morning. MP pollution board yet to act against errant banquets despite NGT order State pollution control board is yet to take action against errant marriage gardens as directed by National Green Tribunal (NGT). CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Holi party in Bhopal The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed Holi with traditional fanfare and customs at his official residence in the city, which also saw his family in attendance. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		SIT to probe realtor's death A special investigation team (SIT) would try to unravel the mystery behind the gruesome killing of a 26-year-old realtor of Panchkula four years ago, Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar told the Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday. 37-year-old private employee found dead A 37-year-old man's body was found in a Zirakpur house under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday night.The deceased was identified as Sandeep Bhagat, who was working in a reputed private company in Chandigarh. Visiting card helps net Rs 1.34 crore robbers A health club card was among the key clues that aided the police to crack the Rs 1.34 crore bank cash van robbery on Wednesday, arresting eight persons from two different sites. More Chandigarh News»

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