Oldest marathon runner announced retirement

By Dil Neiyyar BBC Asian Network

A man believed to be the world’s oldest marathon runner says this Sunday’s London Marathon will be his last.

But 101-year-old Fauja Singh, from Ilford, east London, will not be hanging up his running shoes just yet.

He intends to compete in what he calls “short races” of 5km and 10km.

His trainer Harmander Singh said: “I believe it’s probably best that this is the last. I don’t think he has anything else to prove.”

Speaking in Punjabi, Fauja Singh said: “I’m very excited. But I’m worried I could get flu or something like that before then. So I can’t wait for Sunday to come.”

His coach believes he is in good shape for the 26.2-mile run and is hoping Fauja Singh clocks up a good time.

The London Marathon has a special significance for the great-grandfather as he was inspired to take up the sport after watching television coverage, 12 years ago when he was 89.

‘Best trainee ever’

His coach said: “I only had 10 weeks to train him for his first marathon. He turned up the first day in a three piece suit and a pair of trainers.

“But he soon got his decent gear and we haven’t looked back.

“Turning him into a marathon runner was one of the easiest jobs I ever had because he was so keen on doing it.

“If I said we’re doing 10k today he would say why not 20k? (He’s) the best trainee I have ever had.”

Fauja Singh has run a total of eight marathons including the London and New York races.

He has enjoyed every one of them but the one that stands out more than the others is the Toronto marathon.

That is when he raced himself into the record books as the world’s oldest marathon runner.

Fauja Singh’s remarkable story has left many people scratching their heads. How can someone his age run 26.2 miles?

Some have even begun to question his age because he does not have a birth certificate.

But Harmander Singh believes the criticism is unfair: “Fauja Singh was born in India at a time when there were no birth certificates.

“He has a British passport and we’ve had letters from Her Majesty on his 100th birthday. The Olympics would use the passport as a definitive document.”

Many people in the running world think critics are missing the point. A marathon is tough whatever your age.

Mike Gratton, a 1983 London Marathon winner, said: “I think everybody is absolutely astounded that somebody of his age can still be doing any sort of sport.

“But to run a marathon, which for many people is the ultimate in endurance, is quite incredible.”

Others see Fauja Singh’s achievements as a sign of changing times and that society needs to re-think how it views older people.

Emma Spragg of Age UK said: “Everybody now in the UK, one in four of people born today, will live to be a 100. So there’s bound to be more people being active in later life. So why not keep challenging those boundaries.”

Although Fauja Singh is retiring from marathons after Sunday his coach believes his legacy will go on.

“Everyone who has come across him or heard about him… says if he can do it, we can do it. We have a saying ‘he is my granddad’. Well, he is everybody’s granddad.”

Fauja Singh and other veteran runners

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17784505

The Tribune – Captain: Wait for court decision on Sadique

Chandigarh, April 25. Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today condemned the State Scheduled Caste Commission for recommending cancellation of SC certificate of Bhadaur legislator Mohammad Sadique.

Reacting to the “illegal and unauthorised” recommendation to the Ludhiana DC, he said this was done at the behest of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance. He said the Akalis were in the habit of subverting constitutional and legal procedures to meet political ends.

Amarinder said Mohammad Sadique’s case was subjudice and the Akalis, particularly DS Guru, should wait for the court decision. “We will use all legal and democratic methods, including mass protests, in case the government resorts to any such arbitrary and unconstitutional practice once again to disqualify a duly and democratically elected legislator”, Amarinder warned.

The SAD alleged it was the PCC chief who was trying to subvert constitutional practices. It said on the one hand Amarinder was calling the issue a purely legal matter and on the other threatening mass protests.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120426/punjab.htm#9

The Tribune – Contempt of Court; Rajoana hanging: Jail superintendent files reply

Chandigarh, April 25. LS Jakhar, Superintendent, Patiala Jail, today appeared in the district courts in connection with the contempt of court notice issued to him in the Rajoana hanging case. Jakhar appeared in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal and tendered an apology in his reply. The court has deferred the next hearing of the case to May 5.

On March 27, the court had issued contempt of court notice to Jakhar for returning the death warrants to hang Balwant Singh Rajoana, convict in the Beant Singh assassination case, twice to the court. The hanging was however, stayed by the Centre later on. In his reply today, Jakhar stated that he had no intention to lower the authority of the court and while tendering an apology, it was stated that he abided by the guidelines of the Supreme Court while returning the death warrants.

He contended that the death warrant could not have been executed as the matter of other convict, Lakhwinder Singh, in the former Punjab CM Beant Singh assassination case, was still pending before the SC. He was thus performing his duty by apprising the court.

Earlier on March 27, while returning the death warrants, the court had stated, “The Superintendent, Patiala Jail, has not once, but on two occasions, refused to execute the warrants of sentence of death by way of written communication dated March 19 and March 24. These publications intend to interfere with the due course of judicial proceedings, obstruct the administration of justice and also lower the authority of the court.” (TNS)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120426/punjab.htm#24

The Hindu – ‘Curb anti-India terror for biliateral ties to progress’

Aarti Dhar

New Delhi, April 25, 2012. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told the Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari that firm action needs to be taken against anti-India terrorism originating from Pakistan to allow forward movement in the bilateral relationship.

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on Mr. Zardari’s visit and his meeting with Dr. Singh here on April 8, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said it was made clear to Pakistan that India’s concerns on terrorism had to be addressed if the people of the country are to support and sustain progress in bilateral relations.

Dr. Singh referred to public activities of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and Mr. Zardari said the matter needed to be discussed further, Mr Krishna said.

Giving details of the 40-minute meeting between the two leaders on April 8, Mr. Krishna said both felt that “we need to move forward step-by-step and find pragmatic and mutually- acceptable solutions’’ to issues like Sir Creek, Siachen and Kashmir.

They noted that there had been a steady progress in bilateral dialogue process which resumed last year and that it would continue as planned in the months to come, he said.

Dr. Singh and Mr. Zardari also discussed terrorism and the Prime Minister told the Pakistan President that “there is need to take firm action to curb terrorism to enable us to make forward movement in the bilateral relationship,” Mr. Krishna said.

Mr. Krishna said Dr. Singh had conveyed to Mr. Zardari that “it was imperative to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to justice and prevent activities aimed against India from Pakistani soil. In this context, he also mentioned the activities of Hafiz Saeed carried out in public.

“It would be evident that our concerns on terrorism had to be addressed if the people of India are to support and sustain progress in bilateral relations,” he said.

Mr. Zardari referred to judicial processes against Saeed and said the matter needed to be discussed further between the two governments, the External Affairs Minister said, adding it was noted that Home Secretaries are due to meet shortly and they would be discussing it further.

Zardari invites Manmohan

He said that during the meeting, Mr. Zardari invited the Prime Minister to visit Pakistan which was accepted with “pleasure” and that diplomatic channels would be used to work out mutually-acceptable dates and substantive preparations for that visit.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party sought to know why the Prime Minister was not making the statement on Mr. Zardari’s visit and questioned his “continued and persistent absence” from the House.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation of the fact that Pakistan has moved forward on trade-related issues and both the leaders felt that the two countries should tap the considerable potential of bilateral economic and trade ties for progress and prosperity of the two peoples.

Discussing developments in the region, the two leaders agreed to use the potential of regional cooperation for economic development of people of both countries, Mr. Krishna said.

“It was clear from the conversation that both countries consider the dialogue process and the improvement of bilateral relations as being in the mutual interest of the people of India and Pakistan,” the Minister said.

The two leaders felt that priority needed to be given to issues of people-to-people contacts and in this context, they decided that a liberalised visa agreement which has been worked out should be signed during the next meeting of Home/Interior Secretaries, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3352955.ece

29 March 2012 – Brussel, Balwant Singh Rajooana manifestation

Brussel, Luxemburgplein
Balwant Singh Rajooana manifestation

Brussel, Luxemburgplein
Balwant Singh Rajooana manifestation

Brussel, Luxemburgplein
Balwant Singh Rajooana manifestation

Brussel, Luxemburgplein
Balwant Singh Rajooana manifestation

I only took pictures at the start of the manifestation. There were more people and there were many more women then shown !

To see more Belgium (mostly Limburg) pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622046344528/

More Belgium pictures to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

The Tribune – Harsimrat takes up turban issue in Parliament

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 25. India continues to pursue with France the issue of the country banning turban in schools, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said today.

Replying to a written question given by Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD) in the Lok Sabha, he said: “ Our embassy in Paris is in regular touch with the French Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry.’’ He said it had been clarified to France that New Delhi’s intention was to seek a practical solution to the problem that involved the sensitivity of a minority community in India.

Krishna said the government was aware that the French law contained a provision prohibiting “symbols and clothes which involve ostentatious display of religion’’ and as a result turban was not allowed to be worn in public schools.

The issue had been raised with the French Government regularly, including at the highest level by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in September 2008. Krishna said he, too, had raised the issue with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in October last year.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120426/punjab.htm#8

BBC News – Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani faces contempt verdict

Thursday 26 April 2012. Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has arrived at the Supreme Court to hear its verdict in a contempt of court case.

The three-month trial ended on Tuesday when defence and prosecution counsels concluded their arguments.

Mr Gilani denies he is in contempt for failing to reopen corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The prime minister faces up to six months in jail and could be barred from office if convicted.

Mr Gilani argues that the president, who rejects the corruption charges, has immunity as head of state.

Arriving at the Supreme Court on Thursday morning, Mr Gilani was surrounded by media and his supporters, some of whom showered him with rose petals.

“We are satisfied with the input given by our lawyers and we are also satisfied with the input by the attorney general,” Mr Gilani told the cabinet in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Mr Gilani, who has appeared before the court twice this year, has previously said he would have to step down if he is found guilty.

The case is part of a stand-off between the government and the judiciary, which many believe is being backed by the military as it pursues the case against the civilian administration.

‘Immunity’

President Zardari is accused of using Swiss bank accounts to launder bribes. He has long said the charges are politically motivated.

The Supreme Court has said Mr Gilani defied a court order to write to the Swiss authorities and ask them to reopen the cases against Mr Zardari.

The defence counsel’s main argument was that the case in Switzerland had been closed by a Swiss judge “on merit” and there was no justification to apply for its revival.

The defence also argued that Mr Zardari has international immunity against criminal proceedings for as long as he is president. Mr Gilani’s team have argued that there is, therefore, no legal evidence to find the prime minister in contempt.

The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says it is very unlikely that the court will acquit Mr Gilani.

But other possible options open to the court include setting him a deadline to write to the Swiss authorities or face conviction for contempt, our correspondent says.

The prime minister would have the right to appeal if convicted.

His government’s battle with the Supreme Court began shortly after Mr Zardari took office in 2008.

In early 2009 the Supreme Court overturned an amnesty dating from the period of former President Pervez Musharraf which protected President Zardari and hundreds of other politicians from being prosecuted for corruption.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17848796