News Digest: Kumbh linked to Shankaracharya's efforts to revive Hindu religion

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Monday, May 16, 2016
		Today's Headlines

		India
		Kumbh linked to Shankaracharya's efforts to revive Hindu religion The event of Kumbh (a festival occurring every 12 years) can take place in many ways. The choice of site is based on particular zodiacal positions of the Sun, the Moon, and Jupiter. How to punish those intoxicated by power? In most states, politics is power.It is never a responsibility to do good for the people. Amit Shah likens PM Narendra Modi to Lal Bahadur Shastri; for Shivraj Chouhan, PM's akin to Bapu BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday likened PM Narendra Modi's appeal to well-to-do people to give up LPG subsidy to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's call of giving up one meal to deal with food shortage.This came even as Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan compared the PM to Mahatma Gandhi. More India News»

		Business
		Vishal Sikka kicks in big salary spikes at Infosys Infosys has entered a new era of remuneration for senior leadership after promoters hung up their boots to make way for a professional CEO. Created springboard for decades of prosperity: Piyush Goyal The frantic pace of transformation in the power sector has produced tangible results in a span of two years and the Narendra Modi government plans to turn the challenges ahead into opportunities, power minister Piyush Goyal tells TOI. Excerpts: RBI's billing system boosts payments cos More Business News»

		Environment
		'Industrial waste flow into Ganga down by 35%' Environment minister Prakash Javadekar says his ministry "concentrated" on 764 "grossly polluting" industries along the river and strict action, including closures as well, was taken against them. Nepal's forest cover increases by over 5% The Department of Forest Research and Survey conducted its five-year survey between 2010 and 2014 and found the forest cover to have increased, according to Nepal's national news agency RSS. The report showed Nepal's mid-hill area was greener than other regions. Wildlife board's Ken-Betwa riders don't impress experts The Ken-Betwa river-linking project, which promises to resolve Bundelkhand's water crisis, will not only submerge a considerable area inside Panna Tiger Reserve, but also submerge a part of a vulture habitat and make it nearly impossible for the critically endangered gharials to make a comeback in Ken. More Environment News»

		World
		Israeli PM takes swipe at French peace initiative Paris is to host an international meeting at the end of the month to discuss moving the peace process forward. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that direct negotiations, without preconditions, are the best way to reach a final agreement. Bangladesh arrests Islamist over killing of gay activists Xulhaz Mannan, 35, editor of Bangladesh's first magazine for gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, and fellow activist Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy, 25, were killed in a apartment in the capital Dhaka late last month, in an attack claimed by al Qaida in the Indian subcontinent. Nepal: Madhesis start fresh stir, take protests to Kathmandu About 2,000 protesters gathered at Singhdurbar and Nayabaneshwor areas, an hour before the government office open. They forcefully tried to enter the prohibited areas, triggering a scuffle with riot police who were deployed to guard the important government offices. More World News»

		Entertainment
		Randeep: I tease Dalbir, pull her cheeks Randeep Hooda speaks about his journey in Bollywood, being an emotional person and his growth as an actor. Sidharth Malhotra spotted with a mystery girl Sidharth Malhotra was spotted at a dinner date with a mystery girl recently. Why did Akshay Kumar initiate car-pooling? Akshay Kumar came up with the idea of the Housefull 3 team travelling together for their promotional activities More Entertainment News»

		Science
		Genes linked with stress disorder identified Scientists have identified two statistically significant genetic variants that may lead to an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study, published online in JAMA Psychiatry, was conducted in a massive analysis of DNA samples from more than 13,000 US soldiers. Isro's big leap, embarks on launching Indian space shuttle For the very first time in its history, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to undertake the maiden launch of its very own indigenous version of a 'space shuttle', a fully made-in-India effort. NASA measures seasonal patterns in Mars atmosphere In its second martian year, NASA's Mars mission, curiosity has clocked the season cycle of the red planet. The local atmosphere in Mars is clear in winter, dustier in spring and summer, and windy in autumn, NASA scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have found. More Science News»

		Sports
		IPL 2016: All-round Krunal takes Mumbai to third spot Late surges and miraculous comebacks are nothing new for Mumbai Indians. On Sunday, Mumbai managed to pull off their best batting performance this season to trounce Delhi Daredevils by 80 runs in the 47th match of the 2016 IPL. IPL 2016: Solid Sunrisers all but through, Kings XI eliminated Sunrisers Hyderabad produced a solid batting performance to beat Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets and virtually secure their place in the knock-out stage of the IPL 2016. They are currently atop the standings with 16 points from 12 games. Djokovic suffers rare loss as Murray takes Rome title Just a week after Djokovic had beaten him in the final of the Madrid Open, the Scot gained his revenge over the world number one in another claycourt final with a superb 6-3, 6-3 win in one hour and 35 minutes. More Sports News»

		Technology
		10 Chinese smartphones launching in India soon Here's a list of the Chinese smartphones that are expected to launch in the Indian market soon. 6 tools to tweak Windows 10 Start Menu Microsoft has included some native tools that let you customize the menus and layout, but if you want a major overhaul, you’ll need to turn to the modding community. Here are some of the best to get you started. Google Glass-based system identifies you by the sound of your skull Conventional passwords are one way to go, but scientists have developed an alternative that doesn't involve having to memorize anything – you do, however, have to let the glasses buzz your skull.​ More Technology News»

		Education
		Anxious moments: UP Board results today Sunday will all be about anxious moments for UP Board students as Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad would announce the results of classes X and XII. Students welcome UGC bid to include third gender in college schemes The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and colleges across the country to include transgender as third gender in their scheme of "gender champions". Now, Centre to rank 73 agricultural universities Taking a cue from the HRD ministry's recent move of issuing rankings to Indian universities and the country's engineering, management and pharmaceutical institutes, the agriculture ministry has decided to exclusively rank 73 agricultural universities. More Education News»

		Mumbai
		Academics & sports equally important When we think about education today, we need to move beyond the foundational elements of knowledge and skills. These are certainly important when we look at the economic scenario and the need for professional expertise Pupils get lowdown on studies in foreign varsities, career options More than a thousand youngsters attended Mission Admission seminars organized by TOI, over the weekend. The seminar began with a talk by Kunjal Sakhrani, deputy general manager of Growth Centre in Chembur, who shed light on options available for students who wish to study abroad Students make a beeline for self-financed courses In 2009, close to 36,000 students opted for a degree in Arts in colleges affiliated to Mumbai University. In 2015, the numbers dropped to 30,764. Though the declining trend had begun right after 2009, and city colleges witnessed a reverse trend in 2014, the growth in the last two years is not as steady as the fall, reveals data compiled by the university More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Easier rules for organ donation To augment cadaver donations in the city, the Delhi government has issued fresh guidelines for police clearance and handing over of mortal remains to donor's family post-retrieval in medico-legal cases. Court rap for Kejri adviser over Bassi plea A trial court has dismissed a criminal complaint filed by Delhi government against former Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi and 23 others saying that the litigation appears to be "vindictive" and the complainant had no locus standi to file the plea. Haryana fines firm nearly Rs 21 cr for lack of facilities on toll roads The public works department (PWD) of Haryana government has imposed a penalty of nearly Rs 21 crore on Gurgaon Faridabad Toll Road Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, for failing to comply with the contract conditions - congestion-free, safe and time-saving travel for commuters. More Delhi News»

		Bangalore
		Over 9,000 kids out of school in Karnataka With less than a fortnight to go for schools to re-open, as many as 9,012 children across Karnataka are out of school, according to a survey conducted by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Experts seek resurvey, rubbish SSA data Experts and a section of officials are picking holes in the findings of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan survey that only 9,468 children are away from schools, and demanding a resurvey. Park and relax. Namma Metro set to offer more space for private vehicles Fret not, Namma Metro stations will soon have dedicated parking spaces for more private vehicles. More Bangalore News»

		Hyderabad
		Need loan? Startups are here to help you! Shifting to a new house and hard pressed for cash? Shortage of funds for family wedding? Need that extra bit of money to buy a new gaming device? In these cases, banks won't come to your rescue, but a new breed of start-ups might. Govt scouts for financiers to fund Mission Bhagiratha Hyderabad falls back in green projects More Hyderabad News»

		Chennai
		In cities, swing voters choose via apps, social networking From apps that claim to help people make informed decisions, to drawing room conversations: A day ahead of the polls, it wasn't mudslinging and political promises that people recalled to help them choose who to vote for but their smartphones and peer groups. They've spoken, now it's your turn Politicians have had their say, now people will have their way. Tamil Nadu goes to polls on Monday in a watershed election that will decide the political future of several leaders including chief minister J Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. EC declares 10% polling booths in TN as sensitive Around 10% of the polling booths in Tamil Nadu have been declared sensitive by the Election Commission.Of the 66,007 polling stations across the state, 6,640 are sensitive. More Chennai News»

		Ahmedabad
		Lessons from 100 years of girls' education According to the 2011 Census, the breakup of literacy percentage in Ahmedabad city was 83.85% females and 92.3% males. A century before that, in 1911, the numbers were 3.08% for women and 12.1% for men. Over a 100 years, the literacy gap between men and women has narrowed by just 0.57%! Ex-wife stabs husband in Gujarat A divorced wife allegedly stabbed her ex-husband on Friday night at Sadarnagar. The husband was rushed to civil hospital after the incident for treatment. Sardarnagar police has registered an offence of attempt to murder against the former wife, her brother and an unknown person. Arjun Modhwadi could get his statement recorded as witness today More Ahmedabad News»

		Allahabad
		Celebrations in jail, 205 inmates clear the exams As many as 205 jail inmates, including eight women, were declared successful in the high school and intermediate examinations.As many 100 inmates, 98 men and and two women, out of 105 have passed in High School. Class X top four scorers are 'sahelis' Four classmates and friends Anamika Tiwari, Swati Maurya, Shalu Shukla and Shivangi Tripathi of Brij Behari Sahai Inter College bagged the top four positions in the district in high school. AMC sadan meet: Corporators demand more fund allocation The budget of Allahabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for 2016-17 was tabled during the sadan meeting on Sunday. More Allahabad News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Cases likely against 21 ineligible IAY beneficiaries in Ganjam dist 'Save the girl child' talk of Silk City Sambalpur hydel unit shut for repair works Power production at the Chiplima hydro-electric power plant in Sambalpur district will be stopped for one month for repairing work of the power channel. More Bhubaneswar News»

		Bhopal
		Naugaon sizzles at 46.5 as MP reels under severe heat wave Many areas in northern MP and Bundelkhand region reeled under severe heat wave conditions with day temperature hovering over 46 degrees celsius in several places on Sunday. Tractor trolley turns upside down in Shivpuri district, 8 dead Eight people have died and more than 25 were injured as a tractor trolley turned upside down near Shivpuri on Sunday morning. Saving tigers: MP spent Rs 560 cr in 15 yrs to shift villagers Bhopal, May 15 () Madhya Pradesh government has spent Rs 560 crore in the last 15 years to shift villagers living within and around various tiger reserves and sanctuaries. More Bhopal News»

		Chandigarh
		Teachers stage protest Waiting for regularisation of services for last eight years, two warring factions of SSA, Rashtri Madhyamik Sikhya Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers staged protest in Punjab. Couple attempts suicide in police station, man dies A married man and a woman, mother of four, consumed poison in police custody.They were caught after elopement.The duo attempted suicide while being shifted to Nathuwala police post in Moga district.The man died. Poor show in Maths The performance in mathematics also declined with 87.33% students clearing the exam as compared to 89.19% last year.This year, 5,3,371 students appeared in the exam and 4,6,690 passed.A total of 6,681 students failed. More Chandigarh News»

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