The Hindu – Tamil Nadu – Fight is on to make State free of alcohol

All Tasmac outlets should be closed: Vaiko 

Staff Reporter

Erode, April 28, 2013.  The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) will continue to fight against alcohol till all the Tasmac outlets in the State are closed and Tamil Nadu becomes completely free of alcohol, said the party general secretary Vaiko in Erode.

He was addressing reporters before starting his ‘padayatra’ demanding total prohibition, from Erode on Saturday.

He said that the party had been explaining the ill-effects of consuming alcohol and how it was affecting children. “Alcohol is the root cause of more than 90 per cent of the crimes that are registered in the state, which includes violence against children such as physical abuse and sexual harassment,” he added.

About his yatra, Mr. Vaiko expressed the confidence that he would be able to take the message across to the people and make them fight against alcohol. “Our yatra in connection with Mullaperiyar was successful as it helped people join hands and fight for justice,” he said and added that the struggle against Sterlite in Tuticorin would continue till the copper industry was closed.

The party leader accompanied by about 300 cadre walked through Nanjundapuram, Nasiyanur, Gangapuram, Chitode, Kalingarayanpalayam, and Bhavani in Erode district before concluding the rally on that day at Komarapalayam in Namakkal district in the evening.

He will continue the yatra from Komarapalayam on Sunday.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fight-is-on-to-make-state-free-of-alcohol/article4662827.ece

The Asian Age – UP Chief Minister makes strong pitch for Third Front

Chennai, 22 April 2013. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav today strongly advocated for a third front saying Congress and the BJP have not fulfilled their promises.

“Yes there should be a third force. We, Samajwadi Party believe that there should be a third force at the National level”, he told reporters on his maiden visit to the city after assuming charge.

Justifying the need for a third front, which his father Mulayam Singh Yadav has also been advocating, Akhilesh said “they — Congress and the BJP have not fulfilled their promises. Their policies are not pro-poor. The Congress and the BJP and their allies have failed on many fronts. Opportunity is there for a third force. There should be a third force”.

Yadav after inaugurating the PMK party’s Vanniyar Youth Cultural Festival, is scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa later today.

Asked if he would discuss about the Third Front with Jayalalithaa, he said, “Right now I am at a youth function. Later, after meeting her, I will tell you. Before meeting her, I cannot tell it to you.”

To a query on the rape of a five-year-old girl in New Delhi, he said, “Safety of women should be the priority. Whichever government is there, there has to be strong action against those committing crimes against women. It should be the priority of the government.” (PTI)

http://www.asianage.com/india/cm-makes-strong-pitch-third-front-721

The Asian Age – ‘Outside’ support helps; no one wants early polls

Asian Age Correspondent

New Delhi, 20 March 2013. Despite one of the Congress’ most trusted allies walking out of the UPA, the Manmohan Singh government’s survival is not in question for now, though reduced to a minority. “Outside” support from the Samajwadis (22 MPs), BSP (21), RJD (3), JD-S (3) and nine Independents are sufficient to take the government over the Lok Sabha’s halfway mark, which is now 271 in a House of 541.

Before the exit of the DMK (18 MPs), the UPA’s effective strength in the Lok Sabha was 248.

Now the number is reduced to 230, but “outside” support gives it a strength of 288 on the House floor, 17 more than the halfway mark.

Politically speaking too the UPA government is not very vulnerable now as almost no major political party, including the BJP, wants an early election. The general election is due in May next year, and both the ruling side and the Opposition want to use the intervening period to mobilise support.

The UPA is trying hard to bring the economy back on track, and enacting populist measures like the Food Security Bill, while the Opposition parties believe the ruling alliance is drifting to the point of no return.

Speculation is also rife in political circles that to counter West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamul Congress, the Left parties, with an effective strength of 16 in the Lok Sabha, may also consider negotiating with the Congress.

http://www.asianage.com/india/outside-support-helps-no-one-wants-early-polls-747

The Hindu – DMK pulls out of UPA over UN Sri Lanka resolution

Chennai, 19 March 2013.  DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday quit the Congress-led UPA and its government expressing dismay on India’s stand over Sri Lanka at the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

“Continuing in this government will be an injustice to the Sri Lankan Tamils,” the former Tamil Nadu chief minister told the media in Chennai

Mr. Karunanidhi said the UPA government had not only refused to consider the DMK’s views on the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC but had quietly watered down the resolution.

He also ruled out extending outside legislative support to the UPA.

Asked if the DMK would change its stand if the government brought a resolution in Parliament denouncing Sri Lanka, he said there was time till Thursday for that.

If a resolution was introduced in Parliament accusing Sri Lanka of committing “genocide” of Tamils, “We are ready to change our view”, the DMK leader said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the government is holding consultations on DMK demand for Parliament resolution on Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dmk-pulls-out-of-upa-over-un-sri-lanka-resolution/article4525097.ece?homepage=true

The Asian Age – India to back anti-Lanka UN move amid Tamil Nadu fury

Asian Age Correspondent

New Delhi/Chennai, 18 March 2013. India is most likely to vote against Sri Lanka when the US-sponsored resolution against the island nation comes up for voting at the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva later this week, reliable sources have said.

They said the Congress core committee decided to back the US resolution at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence late on Friday night after finance minister P. Chidambaram briefed members on the rising tempers in Tamil Nadu, his home state, particularly in the volatile student community that is agitating for firm Indian action against Colombo.

The agitation — over alleged war crimes by Colombo in the final phase of the Eelam war in 2009 and later human rights violations in the island — had been largely peaceful so far, but might flare up if India backed the Sri Lankan government in Geneva, he warned.

Backing Mr Chidambaram, Congress president Sonia Gandhi told the committee publicopinion must be taken into account while formulating sensitive foreign policy decisions, sources added. The committee had invited external affairs minister Salman Khurshid to brief it on the implications of various options for India at UNHRC.

Defence minister A.K. Antony, home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Ahmed Patel, political secretary to the Congress president, were present as core committee members.

The core committee authorised Mr Khurshid to make an announcement in Parliament either on Monday or Tuesday, the sources said, adding the minister promised he would make the decision known to Parliament as soon as it was made.

Sources said the Congress leadership was more worried over the rising heat in student agitations than the threat by DMK president M. Karunanidhi that he would pull out of the UPA government if India does not seek effective amendments to strengthen the US resolution.

The DMK threat was interpreted as “more of tokenism” as many in the Congress believe Mr Karunanidhi might, at worst, pull out his ministers and announce “outside” support by his 18 MPs. “What worries us more is the growing anger of students, which threatens to turn into a wave-like situation. They are voters in 2014”, said a Congress leader.

In a dramatic announcement in Chennai, DMK president M. Karunanidhi served a virtual ultimatum on Sunday on the Congress-led UPA-2 government, saying his party will not continue in the government if “appropriate and necessary” amendments were not incorporated in the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at UNHRC.

Reiterating his earlier stance, he said: “Continuance in the Congress-led UPA-2 will be doubtful and it is certain the DMK will not continue in the Central government”.

Speaking to reporters at the DMK headquarters, he urged the Centre to include a clause in the resolution that genocide and war crimes on Tamils had been committed by the Sri Lankan Army and administrators. “There is no point in continuing the alliance if the Centre fails to move amendments to the US-sponsored resolution,” he said.

The DMK wants such amendments to incorporate its demand for an international probe and time-bound action against those found guilty of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Mr Karunanidhi also shot off letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying he felt “let down” by the “lukewarm” response of the Centre on the issue.

External affairs minister Salman Khurshid, speaking on the sidelines of a function at Farrukhabad, said: “We are not politicising the matter, we want the Sri Lankan government to help Tamils recover from their wounds. We feel there should be a transparent probe.”

http://www.asianage.com/india/india-back-anti-lanka-un-move-amid-tn-fury-393

The Tribune – Lankan Tamils issue: Centre tries to placate DMK after exit threat

Ashok Tuteja, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 16. Faced with the DMK threat to pull out of the ruling coalition, the UPA government today reassured its partner that a decision over India’s vote on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on the alleged violation of human rights in Sri Lanka would be taken keeping in mind the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.

With the issue likely to dominate the national discourse in India in the run-up to the resolution being moved by the US at the UNHRC meet in Geneva next week, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V Narayanasamy said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would “definitely consider all aspects” and take a decision on the issue that would be in the overall national interest.

“In Tamil Nadu, the issue is very emotive and sensitive for the people and political parties. Therefore, the DMK and its leader M Karunanidhi have mentioned the sentiments on that,” he said. The DMK, a key constituent of the coalition at the Centre, wants India to make efforts to bring about amendments to the US-backed resolution in the UNHRC to seek an independent international probe into the “genocide” allegedly committed by Sri Lankan forces

during the last phase of the war with the LTTE in 2009.

On Friday night, Karunanidhi had said: “India should take steps to amend the American resolution to include that war criminals responsible for the “genocide” (of Tamils) in Sri Lanka be identified, hold a free international inquiry against them and take time-bound appropriate action.

“If this request is not heeded, it will be meaningless for the DMK to continue in the Central Government,” he added.

On Saturday, Karunanidhi admitted that the Central Government had not responded to his Friday threat. “That is why we have issued the statement (on Saturday).”

Narayanasamy said the Prime Minister had already informed Parliament that the government was committed to protecting the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

India is one of the 47 member countries of the current UNHRC. Last year, India voted in favour of a similar resolution that berated Colombo for rights abuses and more.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka continued to make friendly gestures towards India, hoping that New Delhi would remain soft towards it at the UNHRC meet. Thirty-four Indian fishermen were released by Sri Lanka today. They left for India after spending a night in Jaffna.

Taking a tough stand

- With 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the DMK has one Union minister and four junior ministers in the Union council of ministers

- DMK chief M Karunanidhi (pic) wants India to press for a probe into the alleged genocide that took place in Sri Lanka

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130317/main2.htm

The Hindu – India for impartial probe in Sri Lanka

K. Balchand

New Delhi, 15 March 2013. Amid the diplomatic parleys to chalk out India’s stand at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has categorically said the stress will be on an impartial and transparent enquiry into allegations of atrocities against them.

Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha on Friday in response to the anguish of the DMK and the AIADMK that the students’ agitation in Tamil Nadu protesting the alleged genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka might get out of control, Mr. Khurshid said India was in the process of deciding on the resolution to be adopted at the UNHRC meeting.

Enunciating the process undertaken to finalise the resolution, the Minister pointed out the efforts at engaging all member-countries in pursuit of the government’s commitment for a life of dignity and equality to Tamils in Sri Lanka. That had been the objective of the resolution last year, he pointed out, adding the government would do whatever was needed.

“The government is committed and whatever steps are needed will be taken,” Mr. Khurshid asserted.

He promised to get back to the House and inform the members of the government‘s stand as and when finalised.

Apart from a life of dignity and equality for Tamils, New Delhi would also insist on accountability and fair participation.

Both the DMK and the AIADMK insisted that the government move its own resolution at the UNHRC meeting.

Emphasising that the students were on the streets in Tamil Nadu, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva demanded that the government at least support the U.N. resolution and condemn the war crimes and institute an impartial international inquiry into the instances of human rights violations.

AIADMK apprehensive

AIADMK leader V. Maitreyan expressed apprehension that efforts were on to dilute the resolution. He warned that such an action would be unacceptable to the people of Tamil Nadu.

The issue was also raised in the Lok Sabha by T.R. Baalu (DMK) and M. Thambi Durai (AIADMK).

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-for-impartial-probe-in-sri-lanka/article4512299.ece

The Hindu – ‘Rajapaksa trying to erase Tamils in Sri Lanka’

Chennai, 8 February 2013.  DMK president Karunanidhi on Friday said Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not only trying to obliterate Tamils in the island nation but also their culture, tradition and the Tamil language itself.

Leading a massive protest held by Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation (TESO) against the President’s India visit, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “Rajapaksa is trying to erase not only the Tamils in Sri Lanka but also the Tamil language.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said the Sri Lankan government was changing the names of villages with Tamil names to that of Sinhalese.

He said the protest was being held to teach Mr. Rajapaksa a “lesson”.

Thousands of cadres belonging to DMK, VCK and other Tamil outfits and their leaders participated in the protest wearing black shirts.

Around 30 members of VCK party were taken into custody near the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border for holding protests.

In Hosur, members of various Tamil outfits were taken into custody for protesting on the railway tracks.

Lawyers in Villupuram, Dindugul and Sivaganga boycotted the courts opposing Mr. Rajapaksa’s visit and burnt his effigies.

Protests were also held in Tirupati, where prohibitory orders were imposed, and in New Delhi.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/rajapaksa-trying-to-erase-tamils-in-sri-lanka/article4393006.ece?homepage=true

The Asian Age – Diabetes capital splurges on sweets

Prashanth Vijayakumar

Chennai, 4 November 2012. Chennai might be the diabetes capital of the country, but a quick check of sweet stalls in the city shows that sales of sweets have been on the rise.

With Deepavali festival fast approaching, sweet stalls are at their artistic best to woo customers. Even stalls offering sugar-free sweets say that patronage is good.

Several sweet stalls have come up with creative ideas right from mahaladdu to bakshanam.

“This time, we have planned some innovative ideas, like Deepavali lunch and continuous 48-hour sweet stalls, and mahaladdu is 1 kg and bigger than Tirupati laddu,” said an official of Krishna Sweets.

Buyers of sugar-free sweets have increased and many shops have brought in varieties like sugar-free rasgollas to attract even the diabetics.

“This time, more customers are asking for sugar-free sweets, and varieties like dry fruits and honey are popular,” said Bhavin, a staff of Mansuk’s sweets.

Even homemakers in the city turn nostalgic when asked about home-made sweets “Though we buy sweets from shops, home-made sweets are always the best. Nothing more can bring happiness than making it for family and friends,” said Ms V. Nandhini, a homemaker.

Office-going women say that they prefer to buy sweets as it saves time. “Making sweets is a laborious task and needs great care; a good selection of sweets is all that is needed to set the celebration mood,” said Ms A. Geetha Vani, a banker.

http://www.asianage.com/chennai/diabetes-capital-splurges-sweets-322

BBC News – ‘Seven killed’ in southern India cyclone

Thursday, 1 November 2012. At least seven people have died and an oil tanker has run aground after the south-eastern coast of India was hit by Cyclone Nilam on Wednesday evening.

Five people, including a crew member of the oil tanker, drowned after a boat carrying him and others capsized near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu state. A search is on for the six crew who are missing.

The other two deaths took place in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh.

Nearly 4,000 people were evacuated to escape the storm which hit Chennai.

At least 4,000 people in displacement camps in nearby Sri Lanka have been affected by flooding. But the worst of the storm failed to hit Sri Lankan territory directly.

Crops damaged

Cyclone Nilam hit the Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, and the town of Pondicherry with wind speeds reaching 100km/h (60mph).

Schools, colleges and cargo operations at the port in Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s state capital, were shut. Fishermen in both states were warned not to venture out to sea.

India’s weather department has warned of continual rainfall, strong winds and rising tides until at least Thursday morning.

It said in a statement that the storm had extensively damaged groundnut and maize crops, and thatched-roof properties, along the coast.

In addition power and communication lines have been put out of action.

Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka disruption was at its greatest in Mullaitivu in the north-east and Gampaha on the west coast. In the north, the Red Cross has been distributing tarpaulins, mats and mosquito nets.

The BBC’s Charles Haviland in Colombo says that people in areas hit by heavy fighting at the conclusion of the war in 2009 have been badly affected.

In December 2011, more than 30 people died and many homes were damaged after a cyclone struck near Pondicherry.

And in May 2010 at least 23 people died as a powerful cyclone caused widespread havoc across Andhra Pradesh.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20163884