Shiv Sena protest against Valentines Day celebration in Varanasi

                                                                                                     By Girish Kumar Dubey
Friday, February 13, 2009 7:17:43 AM by ANI ( 1 comment )

Varanasi, Feb 13 (ANI): Shiv Sena activists here today staged a protest against Valentine''s Day celebration.

The activists said that they viewed celebrations of Valentines Day contrary to Indian ethos and a proof of the growing influence of western culture.
They said, they had issued an "appeal" to all the gift shop owners, restaurants, hotels and florists in the city, and have asked them to refrain from doing anything on Valentines Day.

Valentine''s Day has become increasingly popular in India in recent years, led by retailers selling red balloons, velvet pillows and teddy bears to mark the festival.
Hardliner groups say Valentine''s Day celebrations are a symbol of "cultural corruption" but that has not dampened the enthusiasm of youngsters who throng stores to buy Valentine''s Day gifts and cards. (ANI)

BJPs Joshi files nomination from Varanasi

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 5:03:07 AM by ANI ( Leave a comment )      By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, Mar 24 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Tuesday filed his nomination from the Varanasi constituency for the upcoming general elections.

Joshi handed over his papers to the District Electoral Officer and District Magistrate of Varanasi Ajay Kumar Upadhyay.

The BJP leader thanked people for their support and said he would work to regain the old glory of the city.

He is the first candidate to file nomination papers from the constituency.

The polls in Varanasi will be held in the first phase on April 16.

Joshi filed his nomination a day after an FIR was lodged against him on March 23 for allegedly violating prohibitory orders under section 144 and model code of conduct.

It was stated that Joshi had held a public meeting at Company Bagh in Maidagin area on March 22 without seeking permission of the Administration. (ANI)

Arjun Singh condemns Lalu's remark against Varun Gandhi

Tuesday, April 07, 2009 9:12:48 AM by ANI                              By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, Apr 7 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and Union Minister Arjun Singh on Tuesday condemned Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad's controversial statement made against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Varun Gandhi, saying legal action should be taken against him if the statement fell under the purview of criminal law.

"Only Lalu can speak like this. What else can he speak, only such statements are expected of him. If the statement of Lalu Prasad comes under the purview of Criminal Law, legal action must be initiated against him," Arjun Singh said.

Addressing an election meeting in Bihar's Kishanganj on Monday, Lalu Yadav had said, "Had I been the country's Home Minister, I would have crushed Varun Gandhi under a roller and destroyed him without caring for the consequences of his hate speech against Muslims".

When asked about slapping the National Security Act (NSA) on Varun Gandhi, Singh said the decision was totally wrong.

"The action against Varun Gandhi under the NSA was totally wrong, but the alleged statement of Varun Gandhi against the Muslims was also not acceptable," he added. (ANI)

Central, North India reel under heat wave and water crisis

Sunday, May 03, 2009 1:43:00 AM by ANI ( Leave a comment )

By: Girish Kumar Dubey,

Varanasi/Gaya/ Raipur, May 3 (ANI): With the soaring temperature breaking several old records, vast stretches of Central and North India remain in the grip of a scorching heat wave while the masses woes have been further complicated by water shortage.

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the temperature is hovering over 40 degrees Celsius.

Consequently, people are taking dips in the River Ganges to beat the heat while many others visit roadside kiosks selling water and fruit juices.

"There is intense heat, temperature is at 40-45 degree and water does not quench thirst and so I am drinking mango juice," said Manoj Kesri, a Varanasi resident.

Meanwhile, the popular pilgrim and tourist city of Gaya in Bihar also witnessed similar scenes with scant traffic on the roads as people preferred to stay indoors and avoid the scorching sun.

Experts have attributed this harsh onset of summer to global warming.

The dry northerly winds from these areas are adding to the woes of the people in the Gangetic plains.

The summers season in India brings with it problems of water scarcity and power cuts.

In Raipur, Madhya Pradesh, locals are annoyed about the weather, which has forced them to endure extreme conditions and acute water shortage.

However, the resourceful among the masses manage to buy water at exorbitant rates.

"The heat is increasing and has already broken all past records this summer. All the wells in the area have dried up and there is acute water shortage. Some people are buying a can at 10 rupees. We are dependent on water tankers provided by the civic agencies," said Anwar, a local resident of Raipur, Madhya Pradesh.

Summers in our country pose a difficult time as soaring temperatures also leads to a significant loss of people and livestock

The months of May and June are considered to be the hottest in the country. However, with the mercury hovering in the range of 40 degrees Celsius during the month of April itself, the people are left staggering and wondering at the vagaries of nature. (ANI)

More at : Central, North India reel under heat wave and water crisis http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/feature/central-north-india-reel-under-heat-wave-and-water-crisis_100187710.html#ixzz12SBVaRnI

Devotees take out procession in Varanasi on 'Nirjala Ekadashi'

Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:22:00 AM by ANI                                                 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, June 3 (ANI): The banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi reverberated with Vedic chants as hundreds of devotees gathered for a procession on the occasion of 'Nirjala Ekadashi', one of the toughest fasting days dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver.

The devotees carried 1008 silver and clay urns filled with water from holy rivers in the country, symbolically integrating all the 12 'Jyotirlingas' of the country by conducting the 'Jalabhishek' of Kashi Vishwanath.

The aim of the procession this time was not just religious. The organisers also wanted to raise awareness about the present state of the Ganga.

"The aim is to get the holy water to Kashi, to be submerged in the river Ganga to maintain the sanctity of the river. Ganga is diminishing by the day, and we are also trying to raise awareness regarding the state of the river through this yatra," said Anand Tulasyan, coordinator, Kalash Yatra.

Nirjala refers to 'without water'; hence on this day staunch Vishnu devotees who undertake this fast do not drink water or eat any food for the day.

The fast begins at (Ekadasi) sunrise and at sunrise next day (Dwadasi). (ANI)

Thousands of migratory birds in Varanasi

                                                                 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh can enjoy bird watching to their hearts content in Varanasi these days, as thousands of migratory birds are flocking the holy city making it their second home for the next few months.

Varanasi, Dec.5 : Tourists visiting Uttar Pradesh can enjoy bird watching to their heart's content in Varanasi these days, as thousands of migratory birds are flocking the holy city making it their second home for the next few months.

These birds generally inhabit this place from the beginning of November and stay till winters. And, the city plays host to these exotic migratory birds who arrive here to avoid an unbearable harsh winters back at home.

It offers a visual delight to watch these beautiful birds gliding over the River Ganga (Ganges) chirping and keeping their eye on fish for food.

"We also have them (the birds) in France next to the sea, next to the ocean. People from here tell me that they come here for several months. It is beautiful with sun rising and seeing them in the Ganga floating around," said Angela, a French tourist.

For people visiting Varanasi city from different parts of the country and abroad, it's a major captivation.

"The birds begin to come in the last week of October and the first week of November. People flock for a glimpse of the winged beauties. You can see people feeding them (the birds)," said Rajendra Dubey, a local priest.

India's natural and man-made wetlands are second home to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds during winter season and migrate to warmer climates as temperatures dip and lakes start freezing in their native lands.

The annual migration of rare and exotic birds from Siberia, the high altitudes of Afghanistan, China, Central Asia and Northern Europe begins around September, with most birds nestling across the country till March every year. By Girish Kumar Dubey

ANI

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/India/2007/December/5-Thousands-migratory-24998.asp#ixzz12S8RbiLr

Azamgarh youths look to Arab countries for jobs at any cost

Monday, September 29, 2008 7:01:16 AM by ANI ( Leave a comment )

                               By Girish Kumar Dubey

Sarai Meer, Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh), Sep.29 (ANI): While Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh district has hogged news headlines after arrest of some youth in relation to Delhi bomb blasts, few are aware that there are not many career opportunities for most of them locally And, they are craving to take up jobs in Arab countries.
Almost every second young man in the area has a strong craving to go abroad for greener pastures in life. And, their desperation makes them a vulnerable lot.
"Azamgarh district has nothing to offer. No mode of income at all. This would obviously encourage the youths either to turn towards robbery or else go abroad in search of job opportunities. Youth of the city have no other options left but to go abroad for income," said Iftkhaar Ahmad, Principal, Shibli National College, Azamgarh.
Youngsters say the wish to take up employment in abroad because their native place has nothing much to offer them for livelihood.
"We are not leaving for abroad just like that. If government offers us employment, we have no interest in going abroad and leaving our families behind. We know that we are not even respected in those alien countries. Not just Muslims but even Hindus go abroad in search of work as the value of foreign currencies is higher in our country," said Mohammad Nazab Sayed, one student of Shibli National College.
Besides, the projection of this place being a home to terror-mongers has outraged the local youth. But local residents are holding discussions among them over the reasons that have brought disrepute to this place.
In a few localities or areas like Sarai Meer in Azamgarh, the families lead a good life. Finding luxury cars zooming around in the lanes here is only a surprise for the newcomer.
Such a lifestyle is unthinkable for others living in the nearby areas. For, virtually every family in Sarai Meer has at least one member employed in foreign countries like Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
These youth employed in foreign countries send back a part of their income to their families. Therefore, Sarai Meer has the largest number of banks than other parts of Azamgarh.
" We have no idea why the youth of this city are wanting to go abroad. But I must say that from the year 2002 the number of the people going abroad has increased," said Ashwini Kumar Shrivastava, District passport officer, Azamgarh.
The number of people seeking passport to go abroad from the city has also increased.
According to the passport office statistics, the number of people applying for passport in 433 in 2002, 446 (2003), 1,237 (2004), 3282 (2005), 4397 (2006), 5000 (2007) and by September 25, the figures had already risen to 6,568. Police, however, perceive such a growing trend with suspicion without negating its probable fallouts.
"I think the situation of Azamgarh needs to be controlled carefully so that the youth of the city are not diverted towards the wrong path," said Vijay Kumar, the Deputy Inspector General of police in Azamgarh. It is a matter of concern that the youngsters in lower middle-class families here are a vulnerable lot. And, in the wake of being unemployed for long, the desperation to go abroad at any cost to take up any job may have its repercussions in future. (ANI)