News International phone hacking scandal

An Australian American media mogul and the Chairman and CEO of News Corporation Mr.Rupert Murdoch, owns 150 national, capital city and suburban news brands in Australia, which include mass circulation daily tabloids in Sydney (Daily Telegraph) and Melbourne (Sun Herald) and the national daily The Australian.

According to the 2010 list of Forbes richest Americans, Murdoch is the 38th richest person in the US and the 117th-richest person in the world, with a net worth of $6.2 billion.

Currently murdoch is struggling to control the destiny of the company he began building six decades ago after a trusted deputy was arrested and Scotland Yard’s top official quit over ties to a suspect in the phone-hacking probe.

As allegations of phone-hacking escalated, Murdoch abandoned a 7.8 billion pound ($12.6 billion) bid for all of British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc (BSY), shut the 168-year-old tabloid on which his U.K. media business was founded and lost the support of all Britain’s main political parties.

A police enquiry revealed that the News of the World had a routine practice of intercepting mobile phone messages of celebrities, politicians and other public figures. The newspaper’s reporter, Clive Goodman, and Glenn Mulcaire, a hired investigator, were convicted and jailed for intercepting the phone messages of members of the royal family in 2006.

In 2011, The Guardian and a solicitor alleged that in 2002, when Rebekah Brooks was editor the paper had also hacked the voicemail of missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler (later found to be murdered), to access messages left by her parents. It was also alleged that messages had been deleted when the mailbox was getting full, to allow new messages to be left and illicitly listened to; this caused the missing girl’s family to think that she was still alive and monitoring her messages.

The New York Times London wrote that, if the allegations were true, “it would mean either that Ms. Brooks had no idea how the paper she edited was obtaining information about the Dowler family for its articles, or that she knew about the hacking and allowed it”. In an email to her staff Brooks said it was “inconceivable” that she had known what was happening over Milly Dowler’s voicemail.

Shares of News Corporation tumbled by over 4 per cent in Australia on 18th july 2011, as investors offloaded the company’s shares amid a deepening crisis surrounding the media conglomerate.

The company took out advertisements in national U.K. newspapers this weekend to apologize for the scandal. “Apologising for our mistakes and fixing them are only the first steps,” News International said in the ads. The company vowed to cooperate with the police and compensate those affected, saying it is “committed to change.”

James Murdoch’s future as chairman of British Sky Broadcasting (BSY.L) was thrown into doubt on 18th July 2011, after minority investors called for a corporate governance health-check of its board in the wake of the News Corp phone hacking scandal.

Murdoch is eager to stop the crisis from further spreading to the United States, where many of his most lucrative assets including the Fox TV network, 20th Century Fox film studio, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post are based.

50% Reservation for Women in Panchayats

Pratibha Devisinh Patil – President of Republic of India, Sonia Gandhi – President of Indian National Congress & Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Sushma Swaraj – Leader of the Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha, Mamata Banerjee – Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mayawati – Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Jayalalithaa – Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu; These are the few big names of indian politics. All of them are the role model of mass and successfully doing their respective jobrole.

The Cabinet on Thursday approved the proposal for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats from the present 33 per cent to 50 per cent with the provision being applicable to all seats filled through direct election, office of chairpersons and of offices reserved for SC/ST.

“The Cabinet approved the proposal for moving an official amendment to the Constitution (one hundred and tenth amendment) Bill, 2009 for enhancing reservation for women in Panchayats at all tiers from 1/3 to at least 50 per cent,” information and broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters.

At present, out of the total elected representatives of Panchayats numbering approximately 28.18 lakh, 36.87% are women. With the proposed Constitutional Amendment, the number of elected women representatives is expected to rise to more than 14 lakh. Having more elected women representatives would benefit the entire population of the States and UTs where Panchayati Raj is in existence.

The amendment bill, which was introduced in Lok Sabha on November 26, 2009, will incorporate one change suggested by the standing committee on rural development that the word “rural” be added before the word “population” wherever it occurs in the draft legislation.

The intention behind adding “rural” before “population” is to reflect appropriate demographic representation of categories of population for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for whom reservation is made.

The provision of reserving half the seats for women in Panchayats will apply to the total number of seats filled by direct election, offices of chairpersons and seats and offices of chairpersons reserved for SCs and STs.

Aarakshan – आरक्षण

Prakash Jha a director of hard hitting films like like ‘Mrityudand’, ‘Gangajal’, ‘Apaharan and ‘Raajneeti’. Mr.Jha is in also hitting top line of entertainment & social media for his new film  ‘Aarakshan’.

The August 12 release ‘Aarakshan’ is a socio-political drama, based on caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions in india. The movie features Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Prateik Babbar and Manoj Bajpayee in pivotal roles.

Film was embroiled in controversy after the National Commission for Minorities and National Commission of Scheduled Castes  & Dalit bodies had sought a special screening to confirm the film did not misinterpret the constitutional provision for reservations of socially backward classes.

It is the story of Prabhakar Anand, an idealistic principal of a college who has single-handedly turned into the state’s best college. Deepak Kumar who can do anything for his Sir. Deepak love for Prabhakar’s daughter, Poorbi (Deepika Padukone), of his friendship with Sushant (Prateik Babbar). It is the story of their love, their lively friendship, their zest for life, and of their dreams for the future.

Centered on one of the most controversial issues of recent years, with the Supreme Court’s order on reservations, the story suddenly becomes a rollercoaster ride of high drama, conflict, and rebellion, which tests their love and friendship for one another, and their loyalty to Prabhakar Anand. Saif Ali Khan portrays the role of an Dalit.

“Aarakshan” received UA Certificate with clean chit from the censor board. The certificate was awarded after an examining committee, set up with representatives from the Dalit, OBC, SC and ST community reviewed the movie, said an I&B Ministry official, addding “they unanimously agreed to clear it.

The examining committee had a total of nine members and two officials. Retired Justice Mr Mukul Mudgal, Chairperson of Censor Board Ms Leela Samson, Mr Pankaj Sharma, Dalit activist, Ms Rajni Tilak were expert committee members who came from Delhi. Examining committee comprised of members drawn from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled tribes and Other Backward castes.

Amitabh said: “There is no ‘Aarakshan’ in Hindi film industry. Rather I would say that Indian film industry is big example of national integration,”. “When you stand in a line to buy a ticket you don’t see whether you are standing in the queue with a Hindu, Muslim or Sikh. You neither check the caste or religion of the person sitting next to you in the hall.

 ”I am playing a principal of a private institute who is a man of principles. He believes that everyone should be equally treated. “When it’s not been practiced in his school, he runs a class in his home where there is no caste discrimination and he teaches those who are not treated equally so that they also get the merit and progress in life. He believes that if every student gets equal opportunities, then the students from deprived classes can also shine in life.”

Mumbai Blasts on Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab’s 24th birthday ?

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab was born on July 13, 1987, according to a few records of social networking sites. However, in a statement to Indian authorities after his arrest, Kasab told his birthdate as September 13, 1987.

Kasab is a Pakistani terrorist who was involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Kasab is the only attacker captured alive by police and is currently in Indian custody. The Government of Pakistan initially denied that Kasab was from Pakistan, but in January 2009, it officially  accepted that he was a Pakistani citizen.

He was captured on CCTV during his attacks at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus along with another terrorist, Ismail Khan. Kasab reportedly told the police that they wanted to replicate the Islamabad Marriott hotel attack, and reduce the Taj Hotel to rubble, replicating the 9/11 attacks in India.

Three blasts rocked Mumbai on Ajmal Kasab’s 24th birthday, according to a few social network sites. Kasab is the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that took place in 2008.

There is speculation if this is a coincidence or some kind of statement from Kasab’s terror group. The blast also took place two days after the fifth aniversary of the train bombing in 2006.

Kasab was found guilty of murder, conspiracy, and of waging war against India. On 6 May 2010 he was sentenced to the death penalty.

Blasts in Mumbai

Three serial blasts rocked Mumbai took place around 7 pm on Wednesday.

Two explosions occurred in Dadar in Central Mumbai and Zaveri Bazar in South Mumbai. Reports suggest another 100 have been injured in another blast at the Opera House on Charni Road.

The first explosion took place in south Mumbai’s Zaveri Bazaar, near the famous Mumbadevi temple, in which at least four people were feared killed and about 15 to 20 people have taken to hospital, said Mumbai Police spokesperson Nisar Tamboli. The bustling market also has a number of jewellery shops.

Reports say that the Dadar blast took place in a car near a bus-stop and three people are dead. There has been no official confirmation so far.

Police sources said the nature and intensity of the blasts was not known.

All states have been kept at high alert.

A team of National Investigative Agency is headed towards Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police have cordoned off the areas where the blasts took place.

All the celebrities have started sharing comments on social networking sites:

Amitabh Bachchan: T 431 -Bomb blasts in Mumbai .. !! God ! I hope people are safe!!

Krishnan Guru-Murthy: 3 mumbai blasts carefully spaced geographically – will split security resources and cause mayhem across the city. number killed unclear

Barkha Dutt: Multiple blasts in mumbai at dadar, zaveri bazaar and opera house. One was bomb. Hark back to horrid memories again.

Mumbai Central: Please stay indoors – in Mumbai blasts come in 7s.

Smita Prakash: Confirmed that this is a terror attack. Mumbai again target of serial blasts.

Akshay Kapoor: Blasts in Mumbai, I hope everybody is safe… Sad; Just kill the culprits this time, No tolerance please.

Indian Youth Congress - IYC



Indian Youth Congress - IYC



A.K. Antony, P. Chidambaram, Ambika Soni, Anand Sharma, Manish Tewari, Rajiv Satav, Randeep Surjewala, Maninderjeet Bitta, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Suresh Kalmadi, Ramesh Chennithala, Vijay Inder Singla and Ashok Tanwar. The common between all these leaders is the ogranization called INDIAN YOUTH CONGRESS.

The Indian Youth Congress is school for many young, energetic, educated and dedicated youth of India, who want to serve the nation by playing the active & vital role in grass root level of constrictive, democratic political system.

The Indian Youth Congress is the official youth wing of the Indian National Congress Party. It was founded in 1947 so making it the oldest standing and functioning youth political organisation in the Republic of India. The first national president was Narayan Dutt Tiwari. It is currently the largest youth organisation in the world.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi gave the Youth Congress a new dimension by establishing it as a frontal organisation of the Congress Party, with the objective of doing social work and arguing against right-wing parties. Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi was the first elected governor of the Indian Youth Congress; he later became Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary affairs in the Indian cabinet.

During the 1970s, under the leadership of Sanjay Gandhi, the Youth Congress undertook activities such as tree plantation, family planning, and fought against domestic violence and dowry deaths. After the death of Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi took over in charge of the Youth Congress. After he became Prime Minister in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi took a great decision for youth of india by reducing the voting age to 18.

Indian Youth Congress believes in the all core vision, function and all core ideologies of the Indian National Congress. The purpose of IYC is to see and focus concerns of the youth of India. The IYC attracts the youth to be future leaders in the main stream politics of India through Indian National Congress.

Youth Congress office bearers perform various program across nation for youth upliftment and awareness program. Recently the Punjab Youth Congress protested against the failure of the State Government to check the increase in sale of synthetic drugs and drug peddling in the state. There was an indefinite hunger strike for drug-free Punjab at Ludhiana. Earlier year, the Youth Congress had launched a massive campaign against chemists selling synthetic drugs all across the state.

The Indian Youth Congress has its headquarters in Delhi, after Ashok Tanwar, presently the organization is by Rajiv Satav. Rahul Gandhi was appointed a general secretary of the All India Congress Committee on 24 September 2007 and was given charge of the Indian Youth Congress along with the National Students Union of India.

The elections of the IYC are conducted by an organisation named Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME) which is headed by former election commissioner K. J. Rao who is assisted by former Chief Election Commissioners of India namely J. M. Lyngdoh and N. Gopalaswami to conduct transparent polls in the IYC.

Today members of IYC are the synonyms of ambition, commitment, dedication, energy, honesty, integrity, transparency and unity across the nation. In last assembly elections of 5 states, many IYC officer bearers were given an opportunity to contest an election and many of them emerged as a winner. Its not the candidate who are emerging as a new political leaders but it’s the new thought process that is emerging as the indian youth congress.

Mission 2012- Uttar Pradesh

Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavira, Ashoka, Harsha, Akbar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Choudhary Charan Singh, Vishwanath Pratap Singh, Chandra Shekhar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The common in all of them is Uttar Pradesh. The land of historical heroes and their major activities.

Rich and tranquil expanses of meadows, perennial rivers, dense forestsand fertile soil of Uttar Pradesh have contributed numerous golden chapters to the annals of Indian History. it plays an important role in the politics, education, culture, industry, agriculture and tourism of India.

Uttar Pradesh is surrounded by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttaranchal and Nepal touch the northern borders of Uttar Pradesh. Area wise it is the fourth largest State of India. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country accounting for 16.4 per cent of the country’s population. There is no doubt that the history of Uttar Pradesh has run concurrently with the history of the country during and after the British rule.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati won the 2007 Assembly Elections winning 206 out of 403 seats in the assembly. Samajwadi Party won 97, BJP - 21 and Congress - 22 in the 2007 elections. Mayawati became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time. This is the first time, since 1991 victory of the BJP with a majority, that a single party has gained absolute majority; the last two decades having been mostly dominated by various coalitions among the samajwadi party, BJP and the BSP.

One characteristic of the BSP win in 2007 was the amalgamation of Brahmin votes into this dalit dominated party, as opposed to the decades-old trend of deep-rooted electoral divisions in the state between Dalits, Upper Castes, Muslims and different OBC groups, which tend to vote in blocks.

The Congress which has dominated state politics till mid 1980s had been losing its ground to socialist parties like currently ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and main opposition Samajwadi Party, till the 2009 general election when Gandhi’s campaign helped the Congress to win 21 seats.

The former Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh has been given charge of overall supervision of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are both heading for Assembly elections in less than a year. It seems that Mr. Rajnath Singh has now been given overall charge as he is not only a former Chief Minister of the State but also the most credible anti-Mayawati face the party has.

The former president of the party's state unit, Kalraj Mishra, has been in-charge of State affairs and more recently the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Uma Bharti, was given the task of rejuvenating the party in the State. Overall BJP is tightening the socks and shoe to have the sprint of leadership in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

While the Congress is hoping to match or even better its 2009 Lok Sabha election tally when it won 21 seats (it had just over 20 in the 2007 Assembly election), the BJP's Lok Sabha tally was just 10 but it had won some 50 Assembly seats in 2007.

Clearly, the most crucial elections for the BJP – as also for the Congress – will be U.P. These two national parties are both looking to improve their performance although reports from the ground suggest they will be fighting for the third and fourth places, with the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party expected to get the first two places.

The Congress party has completed 125 years glorious years. Since independence Indian National Congress (INC) have contested several elections and whether high or low, have always respected the verdict of the people. INC feel that strategies are made for war and not for elections. Election should be contested on the basis of ideology, policies and programmes of political parties.

Unfortunately, the politics in Uttar Pradesh in the past two decades has got stuck in the mire of caste and communal politics. People's issues and development has taken a back seat. The fallout has been a serious slide down in the economic status of the state.

The people in Uttar Pradesh are fed up with the self-serving politics of political parties and ignoring the facts of unity & integrity in the states.

In the 2012 elections, the political parties will be focusing on the deplorable state of governance in Uttar Pradesh and how in the past 22 years, the political parties have betrayed the trust of people by engaging in corrupt practices and caste-communal politics.

Congress is in the process of finalizing the election manifesto in which they want to win the mandate of the people on the basis of growth, development and uplift of the state and its people.

Some farmers are upset over their land being acquired for public projects and then being sold to real estate companies after a considerable mark-up by the government. Intensifying his political campaign in the poll bound Uttar Pradesh, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who was arrested by the state police during an agitation along with the farmers against land acquisition, launched a padyatra or foot march from Bhatta Parsaul village, the epicentre of farmer protests.

Rahul Gandhi turned out in support of agitating farmers demanding more compensation for their land being acquired for a highway project. He ended his four-day padyatra and organized kishan mahapanchayat at Aligarh to provide platform to kishan of UP.

Uttar Pradesh is run by “dalal” (broker), the statement by Rahul gained news paper headline with furious feedback by state ruling party.

2012 election of UP is going to be the acid test for many including Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath Sinh, Uma Bharti, Mulayamsingh Yadav and definitely for mayavatiji.

BJP is nothing without narendra modi

as per recent survey conducted by star news with the help of one of the research institute, its aprove that Mr.Narendra Modi is the only national level leader BJP have;

There is crisis of leadership at national level in BJP as their leaders like atalji & advaniji are not taking active interest in the party due to age. other leaders are not in a position to win election even in their own home state.

Party's national president Mr.Gadkari can not speak two sentences without marking the name of modiji.

The only leader of BJP Mr.Narendra Modi is having national presence but he enjoys many negative shades in his political image.

It seems that even after ruling in 9 states of india, BJP is struggling for leadership at national level.