News Digest: Haryana wants to stamp 'Beti bachao' msg on voters

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, December 28, 2015
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Haryana wants to stamp 'Beti bachao' msg on voters The BJP government in Haryana appears set to make the most of the upcoming panchayat elections. It does not only want to ensure the recovery of bank loans and electricity dues, but also popularise the 'Beti bachao, beti padhao' campaign. National security mint chief charged for irregularities The government has chargesheeted its chief of national security mint which produces bank notes, coins and non-judicial stamps etc. Indiscriminate firing at Sitamarhi doctor's house Close on the heels of the twin murder in Darbhanga on Saturday, two motorbike-borne criminals fired six rounds at the house-cum-clinic of Sitamarhi sadar hospital surgeon Dr Prem Pushp Lohia at 6am on Sunday. More India News»

		Business
		PwC's Berera 1st woman COO at Big 4 in India Every sector has a forerunner in a woman who shatters the glass ceiling to reach the top levels of leadership. Satyavati Berera of PwC India has joined the league of such achievers. She is the first woman to become the COO of a Big Four accounting firm in India, a sector known to be largely male-dominated at the top rungs. Don't blame towers for poor service, says Trai With a penalty regime set to kick in for call drops from the New Year, telecom regulator Trai has warned mobile operators against using “excuses“ such as tower and spectrum shortage for providing deficient services to customers. Assocham lowers fiscal's export outlook again Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) on Sunday further lowered its outlook for India's exports in the current fiscal to $255-260 billion, countering the government's claim that there is no crisis in the sector. More Business News»

		Environment
		Crows too know how to make and use tools! f you thought only humans or primates can forge and use tools, you are wrong. Crows can make, use, and even store for re-use certain tools while foraging for food, a new study shows. 'Bread, Wine, Chocolate' makes environmental issues tasty The lands, waters and atmosphere of our planet are under tremendous stress from the appetites and endeavors of more than 7 billion people, and such issues often make for grim reading. Amid smog crisis, China vows more liveable cities China vowed on Tuesday that it would make "liveable" cities a central goal of China's urban planning, amid persistent problems over choking smog that frequently blankets the populous east and north. More Environment News»

		World
		Iraqi army declares first major victory over IS in Ramadi Iraq's army declared victory over Islamic State fighters in a provincial capital west of Baghdad on Sunday, the first major triumph for the US-trained force since it collapsed in the face of an assault by the militants 18 months ago. Christmastime storms, tornadoes kill at least 43 in US Storms hit the US South, Southwest and Midwest over the Christmas holiday weekend, unleashing floods and tornadoes that killed at least 43 people, flattened buildings and snarled transportation for millions during a busy travel time. Pak army chief visits Kabul as peace diplomacy builds The powerful head of the Pakistan Army, General Raheel Sharif, met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday as diplomatic contacts continued to improve regional security and prepare the way for fresh peace talks with the Taliban. More World News»

		Entertainment
		PIC: Iulia photobombs Salman's snaps Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan, along with family and friends is celebrating his 50th birthday bash at his farmhouse in Panvel. Rumours were rife that Salman was supposedly going to make his relationship with alleged lady love, Iulia Vantur, official on his 50th birthday. Riteish dodges the paparazzi for Genelia After a picture of Genelia D’souza’s baby bump appeared in a tabloid, Riteish Deshmukh has become rather protective of his wife. Salman Khan's special return gift for fans Trust Salman Khan to come up with an idea that can bowl his fans over. More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Is nicotine replacement therapy healthy way to quit smoking? Experts say there is enough scientific evidence to suggest that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can work effectively to quit smoking. 39.36% of Indian men have abnormal lipid: Study A pan-India study showed that 39.36% of Indian men had abnormal lipid marker levels in their blood. The analysis based on 13.93lakh samples tested over three years showed that the abnormality was the highest among men from the eastern zone. Diabetes growing at alarming rate: Study An analysis of over 10.21lakh blood sugar levels of men, women and children revealed that an overwhelming percentage of them had diabetes. An estimated 65.1 million people in India are affected with diabetes and the prevalence is expected to reach around 69.9 million by 2025. More Science News»

		Sports
		Shaharyar raises hopes of Indo-Pak series, draws rebuke PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has again raised hopes of an Indo-Pak bilateral series saying in the aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there could be "good news soon". Mohammad Amir accepted by players after tearful apology Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir broke down during the national conditioning camp and offered to leave the game before being accepted by protesting players, who had reservations training with him. Mumbai emerge inaugural Pro Wrestling League champions Putting up a sparkling show in the final showdown, Mumbai Garuda outclassed Haryana Hammers 7-2 to clinch the inaugural Pro Wrestling League title on Sunday. More Sports News»

		Technology
		First 14 apps you should download on your iPhone Got a new iPhone? 7 things that defined Indian startup industry in 2015 Here are seven biggest events that defined Indian startup industry in the year 2015: 2015: When Flipkart, Snapdeal forced Ambanis, Birlas to join the etail race The newbies' gang of Flipkarts and Snapdeals are forcing Ambanis and Birlas of supermarket chains to join the burgeoning e-commerce landscape. More Technology News»

		Education
		Book's better than e-toy for language development: study An electronic toy that lights up or `talks’ may not be as good as traditional wooden toys for your child, said a new research. A book helps parents provide better mental stimulation for their young ones, it added. Left and Right acrimony in race for DU VC The race for the next Delhi University vice-chancellor has turned into a fight of political ideologies. UGC wants univs to have 70% uniform curriculum After introducing the choice based credit system (CBCS) for undergraduate courses, the University Grants Commission (UGC) now wants all universities to have 70% uniformity in curriculum for undergraduate courses. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		'BEST power users may pay transport loss recovery surcharge after April too' The Transport Division Loss Recovery (TDLR) surcharge, which is a huge burden for over 10 lakh power consumers in the city, may continue in 2016-17, fear BEST committee members. But the final decision on the matter remains with the state regulatory commission State rejects minimum pass percentage for SSC, HSC theory exams The state government has rejected the proposal for minimum pass percentage in theory exams for SSC and HSC that was tabled by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education in October 2014 Teen hacks actor's cloud, uses pics to blackmail her More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		AAP govt halves extra buses for odd-even trial to 3,000 The Delhi government has decided to reduce the number of extra buses to be deployed during the odd-even traffic trial to 3,000, down from 6,000 proposed earlier, because of the exemption given to two-wheelers, transport minister Gopal Rai said on Sunday. Bus rams into car at dawn, kills 3 of family Three members of a family were killed and three injured after a Punjab roadways bus rammed their Maruti Swift DZire at DB Gupta Road on Sunday morning. BRT corridor's dismantling from Jan The capital's misadventure with the BRT corridor may finally come to an end with the city government set to start dismantling it from early January. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Sudanese boy comes under truck, killed A Sudanese student riding pillion on a speeding two-wheeler, was killed on the spot after coming under the wheels of a Canter, near Ramamurthy Nagar bus stop on Outer Ring Road on Saturday afternoon. Mohammed Moosa was a BSc student of Garden City College. The rider, Abdul Rehman, a fellow student from Sudan, escaped with minor injuries. The accident happened at 3.40pm when the duo, residents of TC Palya, were going to college from Kammanahalli. Caste or long innings: What will CM look at while selecting CS? With chief secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, who was given an extension in September, set to retire on December 31, there are speculations over whom chief minister Siddaramaiah will choose as the successor. Will he choose an official who will have a long tenure or go by seniority and pick someone who has a few months left for superannuation? Rebellion-hit Congress faces JD(S)-backed BJP in MLC polls The fate of 168 candidates contesting the legislative council elections for 25 seats from the local authorities' constituencies will be sealed on Sunday after one of the most expensive poll campaigns of recent years.Counting of votes will be on December 30. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles wash ashore Thousands of carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles washed ashore from Ranasthalam to Ichapuram in Srikakulam district.Fishermen said they have seen innumerable carcasses in seashore villages of Gunupalli, Akkupalli, Dokulapadu, Manchineellapeta and Devunaltada in Vajrapu Kothuru mandal in the district in the last two days. Many profs in fray for VC posts The Telangana government's decision to relax work experience required for appointment of vice-chancellors from 10 to five years has opened doors of opportunity for professors as many have made a beeline for the post. 'Mission Bhageeratha' to be major poll plank for TRS With the Election Commission (EC) too clearing implementation of water supply scheme for 11 GHMC peripheral circles, the TRS poll campaign might get a boost. For the scheme, the government had already given administration sanction to take Rs 1,900 crore Hudco loan in October. More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		Counsellors' balm for kids having deluge nightmare Pooja loved rain till early this month. Now she wakes up in the dead of the night frightened. "Is it raining," she would ask her parents. The Class 11 student in Tambaram is one of the hundreds, if not thousands, of children traumatised by the recent floods in Chennai. TN floods: Government receives 45,661 applications for lost documents The Tamil Nadu government has received 45,661 applications for certificates and important documents that were destroyed or damaged in the recent floods. Tamil Nadu RTOs to soon have e-tracks to test drivers for licences Electronic testing tracks might soon replace the present system of regional transport officials supervising and evaluating tests for those seeking driving licences. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Hackathon on civic issues concludes, five winners announced India’s first Hackathon focused on civic issues got concluded on Sunday in city where jury members announced five best teams in each of five categories. Codes hold cure to civic ills You are walking down the street and see a heap of garbage near your residence. Board detects 1,600 `ghost' schools For nearly a decade, not a single student has appeared for class X or class XII board examinations from about 1,600 odd schools registered with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Board (GSHSEB). More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Student Union library at Allahabad University set to be revamped After remaining non-functional for past several decades, the library located at Allahabad University student union hall, would start functioning in the coming days. Soon, CCTVs at Rly hospitals Railway administration has decided to install CCTV cameras in its hospitals. These CCTVs will be installed at the North Central Railway Central Hospital in Allahabad and divisional hospitals at Kanpur and Tundla. Seers threaten to launch stir A prominent seers’ body, Dandi Bada, on Saturday threatened to launch a demonstration against increasing level of pollution in the Ganga at its bank. The body has claimed that the river water is not suitable for bathing but the Magh mela administration and state government have not yet taken any action to maintain free flow of water. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		BPUT's maiden alumni meet turns ugly The first ever alumni meet of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) organised by the university here on Sunday turned ugly. BJD targets NDA govt on its foundation day Huge rallies were organized across the state on BJD's 18th foundation day on Saturday despite a directive from party president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik to celebrate it on a low key in the wake of the drought situation in the state. Naveen goes beyond 2019 elections, to prepare grand vision document for 2036 BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said his party would prepare a vision document for the state called "Odisha at 100", with sights set on 2036, the centenary year of Odisha. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Admit card: Barkatullah University disengages, colleges frown Sending admit cards online has turned into a bone of contention between colleges and Barkatullah University. Heavy vehicles cock a snook at no-entry norms Heavy vehicles run amok during no-entry hours snuffing out innocent lives. At least two accidents this week point to the menace. Both incidents took place in BHEL township during no-entry hours. Traffic cops not taking action agains women drivers - RTO An innocent expression on face of a girl is enough to win over any situation, and this seems to be very much true in Bhopal when it comes to female drivers in city. No matter how many traffic rules they break, they are confident enough to escape the situation and this has led to lower number of females applying for driving license in city. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Students have a Rocking time at Satluj's Galactica Satluj Public School, Sector 4 came alive with inter-school ‘Galactica- 5th Satluj Rock Show 2015’. Several schools from the tricity participated in the rock show, which was an initiative taken by Satluj Public School to encourage young, musical talent from the region. Satya Pal Jain flays Congress over criticism of PM's Lahore visit Additional Solicitor-General of India and Ex MP from Chandigarh Satya Pal Jain has said that criticism by the Congress Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lahore is very unfortunate and totally against the National Interest of India. Aryans Group announces new academic batch Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh has launched January 2016 batch under IKG-PTU, Jalandhar and MRS-PTU, Bathinda. More Chandigarh News»

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