News Digest: BJP says will deliver on OROP promise

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Friday, November 13, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		BJP says will deliver on OROP promise Even as protests for implementation of one rank, one pension (OROP) by ex-servicemen escalates, BJP on Thursday urged war veterans to give the current NDA leadership “a chance” to deliver on their promise. Family eyeing legal battle to free Anup Chetia The family lawyers of Ulfa founding general secretary Anup Chetia are preparing for a legal battle that will focus on the key role Chetia could play in the ongoing peace process after the appeal of the militant leader's wife to the Centre for setting him free yielded no results on Thursday. Intolerance issue follows Narendra Modi to UK, via 200 authors Some of the world’s best-known writers based in the United Kingdom, including Booker Prize winners Salman Rushdie and Ian McEwan, have exhorted British Prime Minister David Cameron to raise the issue of freedom of expression in India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More India News»

		Business
		Vodafone announces Rs 13,000 cr investment plan in India Vodafone on Thursday committed investments of Rs 13,000 crore (£1.3 billion) in India for capacity augmentation and new business initiatives. Govt for revenue neutral reduction of corporate tax The finance ministry has decided to sequence the withdrawal of exemptions and the reduction in corporate tax rates in a way that the whole exercise is revenue neutral. Equity MF net inflows top record $9 billion in 7 months Equity mutual funds (MFs) have seen net inflows of $9.2 billion so far in 2015-16 (till October), making it the highest level of net buying on record over a seven month period. More Business News»

		Environment
		Bird injuries rise due to noisy crackers, foul air A two-month-old laughing dove, perched on a tree in Sector 5, dropped to the ground after the sound of a high-decibel firecracker reverberated through the air, leaving it disoriented, according to its rescuer. New long-haired wasp species found in India Indian researchers have discovered five new long-haired species of wasps from different parts of the country. China smog around 50 times WHO recommendations Pictures showed smog so thick that buildings in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in the northeast, were rendered invisible. More Environment News»

		World
		Private library of Hebrew writings to be sold Sotheby's is offering what experts consider the world's most important private library of Hebrew books and manuscripts, collected by a London diamond dealer. Alleged NY mobster acquitted over 'Goodfellas' heist An 80-year-old reputed mobster accused of a spectacular 1978 New York airport heist immortalized in Martin Scorsese's hit movie "Goodfellas" was acquitted on Thursday in federal court in Brooklyn. Baby with two heads born in Bangladesh Doctors at a Bangladesh hospital were treating a baby girl born with two heads, medical officials and the newborn's father said. The baby was born late Wednesday and is now being treated for breathing difficulties. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Ranbir: Deepika scares me as an actor Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone were in Delhi on Diwali eve to celebrate their upcoming film and the festival. Why would Salman make for an ideal husband? Movie Review: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Fat stigma making us miserable, say experts Being overweight doesn’t necessarily make a person distraught, researchers are learning. Rather, it’s the teasing, judgment and unsolicited advice directed at overweight people that can cause the greatest psychological harm. New blood cancer drug clears first clinical trial A new blood cancer drug that targets a protein essential for growth of tumour cells has been found to be effective in patients resistant to current chemotherapies, a worldfirst clinical trial has shown. PIO expert finds material to help 'drink from sea' Researchers, led by an Indian-origin scientist, have found an energyefficient material for removing salt from seawater to yield drinkable water. More Science News»

		Sports
		Ishant likely to replace Umesh, Steyn still doubtful Ishant's inclusion in the playing XI was never in question but what one was curious as to whom he would replace in the starting line-up. India finally taste victory, beat Guam in FIFA WC qualifiers India finally tasted victory after five straight losses in their 2018 football World Cup qualifying campaign as they beat Guam by a solitary goal on Thursday. AB de Villiers to enter 100-Test club in Bangalore The South African will become his country's seventh entrant into the community of cricketers to play 100 Tests, when the Bangalore match gets underway. More Sports News»

		Technology
		Startups, e-commerce companies picking IITians over MBAs Companies could save Rs 5-6 lakh every year if they hire an engineer instead of an MBA from a top B-school like the IIMs. Black students denied entry into Apple store because 'they might steal something' A group of black students in Australia's Maribyrnong are claiming that they were kicked out of an Apple store because of their skin colour. The store staff said they were worried the teenagers "might steal something". Moving from Android to iOS: The good & the bad If you've been a long-time Android user, but are switching to iOS, here are a few things you stand to gain or lose... More Technology News»

		Education
		New vocational courses come at fag end of session in Delhi schools There are just a few months to go for this school year to get over but not late enough, apparently, to launch vocational courses. IISc only Indian institute to make it to top 100 universities list An Indian University has featured on the list of top 100 varsities in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking for the first time. Special aptitude test for Maharashtra state board students soon Over 15 lakh state board students will appear for first-of-its-kind aptitude test to be introduced from the current academic year to enable them to make effective career choices ahead. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Buses, first choice of many Mumbai and Delhi have the largest number of people among cities in the country who use buses and trains to commute to work, data from the 2011 Census shows. The reason is simple: both cities have a good network of buses and trains. ONLY hosts a secret gig called One Night Only with the Canadian electronic act by DVBBS in Mumbai One of India’s leading women’s fashion brand, ONLY hosted a secret gig called One Night Only with the Canadian electronic act by DVBBS in Mumbai. Ratnagiri girl eats fire cracker thinking it as chocolate, dies A five-year-old girl died after "eating" a fire cracker mistaking it for a chocolate in her village in the district today, police said. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Businesswomen to showcase their organic ideas at Delhi exhibition In a bid to boost rural livelihoods organic products produced by women entrepreneurs will be showcased in an exhibition at Dilli Haat, INA from November 13-23. DTC to run special buses for Delhi trade fair Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai on Thursday announced that DTC will provide more buses during the India International Trade Fair, scheduled to open to the public from November 19. Anti-cracker drives fail, Delhi chokes on Diwali air again Anti-cracker campaigns by the central and Delhi governments appeared to have made no significant impact as the capital celebrated another dirty Diwali, with fireworks well into the night, leaving the city’s air choked with alarmingly high levels of pollution. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Celebrating caste heroes, for votes There has been a surge in celebration of jayantis (anniversaries) in Karnataka in the past five years in an apparent effort to woo people of a particular caste by celebrating remembering their heroes. The Tipu controversy - To avoid controversies, public speakers need to dot their i's and cross their t's Should public speakers be extra cautious about what they say or is too much being read into what they say by some sections who choose to interpret to suit their interests? Curse kept memorial secret for 500 years The nondescript village of Kempapura in Magadi taluk, 75km from Bengaluru, holds a secret close to its heart. Of a curse which did not allow its people to talk about Kempegowda, the founder of IT City, for five centuries. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Namaz to Zakat, Old City is App-ening "My wife uses a similar application to keep a tab on the prayer timings," he added.Traders say that there are special phones which have applications and e-books on the teachings of Quran. Parrikar urged to put off Gough Road closure Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has urged Union minister for defence Manohar Parrikar to instruct the army authorities concerned in Secunderabad cantonment to postpone the proposed closure of Gough Road till an alternative road is found for civilians. HC directs authorities to restrict size of Ganesha idols The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday directed Telangana and the authorities of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to come out with an action plan within two weeks from now indicating its resolve to restrict the size of Ganesh idols in the city to minimum possible level. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Weatherman forecasts more rain in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry The met department has forecast heavy rainfal over Tamil Nadu and Pu ducherry in the next 24 hours ducherry in the next 24 hours. Death crept in under the cover of darkness As on Thursday, the government account ed for 43 deaths in rain-related incidents across the state. Opposition takes potshots at government's 'preparedness' Leaders of opposition DMK, PMK and People's Welfare Front, including MK Stalin and Anbumani Ramadoss visited rain-hit Cuddalore district on Thursday, and slammed the government's lack of preparedness to move people to safety before the monsoon fury set in. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Gujarat ATS arrest 7 in connection with double murder of BJP leaders Seven arrested by Gujarat ATS in bharuch double murder of bjp leaders Shirish bengali and pragneah mistry which took place on November 2. FDI norms relaxation to boost NRGs investment in Gujarat Central government’s move to ease norms related to investments by companies owned and controlled by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) is set to boost investment in the state by Gujarat-origin businessmen from across the globe. Real estate, e-commerce, aviation, pharmaceuticals and start-ups are going to be the biggest beneficiaries. Diwali vacations: Amdavadis choose road over air From Jodhpur in Rajasthan to Gir in Saurashtra, people mostly with small or nuclear families are heading to these destinations to make the most of the vacations. As the air fares have spiraled up by 4-7 times for some of these popular destinations from Ahmedabad, people are taking the road or train route for their journeys. More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Lekhpal aspirants create ruckus, block train movement for hours Violent agitation by Chakbandi Lekhpal aspirants brought train movement on Mughalsarai-Allahabad-Kanpur section of busy Howrah-New Delhi route came to a standstill for four to five hours on Sunday. Selfie on postage stamp soon Now one could get his selfie converted into a postage stamp. The postal department would soon start 'My Stamp' facility at Head Post Office where anyone could get his or her photo printed on postage stamp. Wanted dacoit gunned down in MP Madhya Pradesh police gunned down notorious dacoit Chunni Lal Patel alias Mehman of Chitrakoot in an encounter near Bhagada village under Nayagaon police station. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		No power cut till December-end In a major relief for the power consumers, the state government on Thursday announced to stop power cut till December 31. Move to give preference to local students in admissions The state government plans to give preference to local students in Plus II and Plus III admissions by effecting certain changes in the centralized e-admission process in junior and degree colleges. Skin bank a boon for burns patients Good news for burns patients in the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		45 lakh devotees take holy dip in Mandakini on Diwali Nearly 45 lakh devotees took a holy dip on the occasion of Diwali in the sacred Mandakini river in Chitrakoot town, the place where as per mythology Lord Rama had spent a big part of his 14 years in exile. Vijayavargiya uses dog anology against Shotgun Barely 24 hours after BJP-led NDA's debacle in Bihar assembly election, party general secretary Kailash Vijayavargiya landed into another controversy by using dog anology against senior leader and MP Shatrughan Sinha. MP all set to seek Rs 3,500cr loan to tide over financial crisis Madhya Pradesh government reeling under a severe financial crisis and with no aid forthcoming from the Centre has once again planned to borrow Rs 3,500 crore as loan against its securities for ten years on Tuesday, the day after 'Dhanteras', which marks the begining of the five-day Diwali festival. Hindus worship Goddess Laxmi, Goddes of wealth, for prosperity and well-being. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Congress MLA defends attending Sarbat Khalsa Defending his participation in the Sarbat Khalsa at Amritsar on November 10, the Congress legislator from Khadoor Sahib, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, on Thursday said his political opponents objecting to his decision were interfering in his religious beliefs and this was unacceptable. Parts of Punjab observe Black Diwali After a gap of 31 years, Diwali had striking similarities with that of 1984, when Sikh clergy and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had given a call for a Black Diwali. Desecrations still on in Moga, Bathinda Four incidents of desecration of Sikh and Hindu holy scriptures were reported in Bathinda and Moga on Diwali. More Chandigarh News»

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