Security personnel stage a flag march at Varanasi to infuse sense of safety among people

Security personnel stage a flag march at Varanasi to infuse sense of safety among people
                                  By Girish Kumar Dubey

Ahead of Shab-e-Barat, a popular festival, contingents of regular and reserve police staged a flag march at Varanasi in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday (July 15).

This exercise was of significance to infuse essence of security and safety among the public of this temple city, in the wake of the recent serial blasts in Mumbai.

Around 2000 personnel participated in this routine patrolling of main thoroughfares in the city's various neighbourhoods.

"With the onset of the month of monsoon and the Shab-e-Barat festival, this preparation is being made to maintain law and order. And it is also being done keeping in mind the blasts that took place in Mumbai. It is also a means to give a message to the anti-social elements that nobody should try anything devious. We will be conducting more exercises of this nature in the near future," said Man Singh Chauhan, Superintendent of Police, Varanasi.

Three blasts rocked crowded areas of Mumbai, on Wednesday (July 13) during the evening rush hours, killing 18 persons in one of the major militant attacks on India's financial and entertainment capital since 2008.

The biggest blast was at the Opera House, previously a theatre and now a hub for diamond traders.

Another blast, took place in south Mumbai, at the Zaveri Bazaar, also India's largest bullion market, which was targeted by the militants twice in the past.

The third blast occurred at Dadar, a crowded residential neighbourhood in the heart of the city.

The Mumbai blasts sent shockwaves across the country, with people enraged at the perceived inability of Indian security agencies in dealing with militancy and not providing security to the citizens.

This is the major attack in Mumbai since 2008 and the Indian government had blamed Pakistan-based militant for it.

Consequently, all major cities across the country have been placed on high alert with security measures being beefed up at vital institutions and installations.

Intro

In the wake of the recent serial blasts in Mumbai, contingents of regular and reserve police stage a flag march at Varanasi in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh to infuse essence of security and safety among the public of this temple city, ahead of a popular festival.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIALS

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 15, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. POLICE PERSONNEL MARCHING ON A STREET

2. MEDIAPERSONS COVERING THE MARCH BY THE POLICE PERSONNEL

3. POLICE PERSONNEL MARCHING

4. RESERVE AND REGULAR POLICE PERSONNEL MARCHING ON A ROAD

5. RESERVE POLICE PERSONNEL MARCHING

6. POLICE PERSONNEL MARCHING ON A ROAD

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MAN SINGH CHAUHAN, SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, SAYING:

"With the onset of the month of monsoon and the Shab-e-Barat festival, this preparation is being made to maintain law and order. And it is also being done keeping in mind the blasts that took place in Mumbai. It is also a means to give a message to the anti-social elements that nobody should try anything devious. We will be conducting more exercises of this nature in the near future."

8. A CONVOY OF POLICE VEHICLES MOVING ON A ROAD

Original Script Date

Jul 15 22:19 (18 hours ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 15 22:19 (18 hours ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Security personnel stage a flag march at Varanasi to infuse sense of safety among people.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 15, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

1:44

Inflation hits even the dead in northern India

Inflation hits even the dead in northern India
                                       By Girish Kumar Dubey
Nominal rates for the funeral of a dead person belonging to Hindu faith have increased at Varanasi in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

The rates have shot up by rupees 100, from 151 ($3.40) to 251 ($ 5.65) since July 04 which the attendants at the cremation grounds in this temple city have attributed to inflation.

The cremation is usually done at (a cremation ground) of the city where the caretakers usually fix the rates.

Sharing these views with the mediapersons, Vishwanath Chowdhary, caretaker of the Manikarnika Ghat cremation ground in Varanasi said that it was necessary to increase the rates since he and his clan had to survive.

"The rate has increased since July 04, 2011. The prices have increased a lot, the price of petrol has increased, the cost of cereals has increased and because of that we have increased the rates by 100 rupees ($2.25) for our daily bread. Earlier the rates were 151 rupees ($3.40) and we have raised it to 251 rupees ($5.65)," said Vishwanath Chowdhary, caretaker, Manikarnika Cremation Ghat, Varanasi..

Increase in rates has caused a serious problem for the locals, the poor people in particular.

The caretakers at the funeral grounds fix the rate according to customers and often the rates may touch the figure of rupees 3000 ($68) to 4,000($90.151).

"Earlier the rates of funeral were 151 and now it is 251.The visitors who come here, are facing a lot of problems as they have to arrange money for the final ritual of a departed person,' said Rahul, caretake of a cremation ground, Varanasi.

Hindus regard Varanasi as the most sacred place to depart from this world.

Around 300 to 400 funerals are performed in a day at the various cremation grounds in the city.

Intro

Rates of the funeral increase in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state by at least a hundred rupees, attributed to increase in prices of almost all commodities.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 09, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A CREMATION GROUND

2. A MAN SITTING ON FIREWOOD

3. EXTERIOR OF A TEMPLE

4. PEOPLE IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION AT THE CREMATION GROUND

5. A BODY LYING ON THE CREMATION GROUND

6. PEOPLE WALKING

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) VISHWANATH CHOWDHARY, CARETAKER OF A CREMATION GROUND AT VARANASI, SAYING:

"The rate has increased since July 04, 2011. The prices have increased a lot, the price of petrol has increased, the cost of cereals has increased and because of that we have increased the rates by 100 rupees ($2.25) for our daily bread. Earlier the rates were 151 rupees ($3.40) and we have raised it to 251 rupees ($5.65)."

8. FIREWOOD LYING ON FLOOR

9. A PYRE BEING PREPARED FOR A FUNERAL

10. A MAN WEIGHING FIREWOOD FOR THE FUNERAL

11. A WEIGHING MACHINE

12. A MAN CARRYING WOODEN LOGS ON HIS SHOULDERS

13. PALL BEARNERS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION

14. A BODY KEPT ON A PYRE

15. MEN STANDING

16. A MAN TORCHING A PYRE

17. A CREMATION GROUND

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAHUL, CARETAKER OF A CREMATION GROUND, VARANASI, SAYING:

"Earlier the rates of funeral were 151 and now it is 251.The visitors who come here, are facing a lot of problems as they have to arrange money for the final ritual of a departed person."

19. A GHAT (BANK)

20. A PYRE

21. A MAN STANDING NEAR THE PYRE

22. PYRES AT A CREMATION GROUND

23. CREMATION GROUND

Original Script Date

Jul 09 13:52 (3 hours ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 09 13:52 (3 hours ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Inflation hits even the dead in northern India.

Services

Subcon

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 09, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:10

Opposition lawmaker alleges cooking gas scam by Indian government

Opposition lawmaker alleges cooking gas scam by Indian government

                                                                                                   By Girish Kumar Dubey
Alleging corruption by the Indian government in mining of cooking gas, Murli Manohar Joshi, lawmaker and senior leader of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, sought comprehensive investigation into accusations against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal.

A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court or apex court, claiming that Sibal waived off a huge penalty on cellular Reliance Communications for interruption of service in November 2010 instead of rupees 650 crore (6.5 billion) only five crore (50 million) was imposed.

Joshi charged that the federal government was working for corrupts.

"The government should reveal the facts of allegations against Kapil Sibal. If it is true, a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry should be constituted. It seems that this government is working for the corrupt and by the corrupt," said Joshi in Varanasi city of northern Uttar Pradesh state on Friday (July 08).

Citing audit report, Joshi alleged that the government gave undue favours to Reliance Industries, owned by tycoon Mukesh Ambani in gas exploration in southern Krishna-Godavari river basin.

"Earlier, the gas company had made provision for rupees 12,000 (120 billion) crore for the development for the project. It was passed as a project. After two years, the amount was raised to rupees 45,000 crore (450 billion)," added joshi.

Calling for a stringent actions against conspirators, Joshi claimed that cost of gas project development was raised from Rs 12,000 crore (120 billion) to 45000 crore (450 billion) by the finance ministry.

"Who was the Petroleum (Oil) Minister? Who was the Finance Minister? Who were the officers who made changes in the project report? As a result of this the cost of extracted gas, which was 1.20 per BBTU (a unit of cooking gas), was increased to $4.20 per BBTU," added Joshi.

He sought resignation of federal Home (Interior) Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, who was also Finance Minister during 2004-08, for alleged roles in telecom and gas production scams.

"Chidambaram has no right to be in the Council of Ministers. There are many allegations regarding his way of functioning," added Joshi.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's second term has been hit by a series of graft scandals that have sparked off public anger and paralysed policymaking, diverting the government's attention from nurturing flagging economic growth and pushing forward reforms.

Topping the list is the telecom corruption scandal, which may have cost the Indian exchequer around $39.57 billion in potential revenue.

Intro

Alleging corruption by the Indian government in mining of cooking gas, Murli Manohar Joshi, lawmaker and senior leader of main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, seeks comprehensive investigation into accusations against Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 08, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, ARRIVING TO ADDRESS MEDIA

2. JOSHI SITTING

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"The government should reveal the facts of allegations against Kapil Sibal. If it is true, a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry should be constituted. It seems that this government is working for the corrupt and by the corrupt,"

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"Earlier, the gas company had made provision for rupees 12,000 (120 billion) crore for the development for the project. It was passed as a project. After two years, the amount was raised to rupees 45,000 crore (450 billion),"

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"Who was the Petroleum (Oil) Minister? Who was the Finance Minister? Who were the officers who made changes in the project report? As a result of this the cost of extracted gas, which was 1.20 per BBTU (a unit of cooking gas), was increased to $4.20 per BBTU,"

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, LAWMAKER AND SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"Chidambaram has no right to be in the Council of Ministers. There are many allegations regarding his way of functioning,"

Original Script Date

Jul 08 16:25 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 08 16:25 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Opposition lawmaker alleges cooking gas scam by Indian government.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 08, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:40

Scientists in northern India reiterate chemicals present in plastics pose threat to public health

Scientists in northern India reiterate chemicals present in plastics pose threat to public health
                                                                                                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

Research scholars at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, the temple city in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh confirm that bisphenol A, an organic compound present in plastic materials poses serious threat to public health.

Surya Pratap Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry at BHU disclosed this to the mediapersons on Friday (July 01).

He said that the chemical bisphenol A after entering the human body causes harm in a multiple ways.

"Our research is mainly on two things. The first one is on endocrine disruptor. There are certain chemicals present in the environment, comes from different means like plastics and pesticides and after entering into our body, they disrupt the endocrine system. So, these chemicals are called endocrine disruptors," said Surya Pratap Singh.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor, which can replicate the body's own hormones and causes adverse effects on health.

The National Toxicology Programme (NTP), which is a part of National Institutes of Health in United States of America, has also disclosed that BPA is harmful for the development of children's brain and reproductive organs.

"Bisphenol A, an organic compound was discovered in London, where boiled milk was given to the babies in plastic bottles. When the milk sample was observed, it was found that it contained bisphenol A. It caused a great harm to the health of young babies especially the nascent ones. So, the plastic bottle was banned there and that's how this issue has become a matter of concern," added Surya Pratap Singh.

A recent study conducted in the US this year has discovered that 96 percent of the pregnant women had BPA in their body.

BPA causes certain neurological problems in human body. It disrupts thyroid functioning in the human body and poses a threat to cancer.

Plastic is a by-product of petroleum elements and compounds. This brings a lot of problems like destruction of habitat, extraction of crude oil, security issues from the volatile countries where oil is produced, processing of petroleum, chemical manipulation into various types of plastics.

Many chemicals get involved during manufacturing of plastics, a many of which have not been sufficiently tested for their toxicological impact on human body and animals as well.

Plastic often percolate component chemicals, including hazardous chemicals, through common temperature changes.

It is for this reason that toxicologists do not recommend storing very cold foods in plastics or heating foods (micro waving especially) in plastics.

Plastics are durable materials, which are hard to eliminate or recycle once used and generate ample amount of toxic waste.

They take up a lot of space in landfills and create air pollution when incinerated.

Intro

Research scholars at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, the temple city in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh say that bisphenol A, an organic compound present in plastic materials poses serious threat to humans body.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 01, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. EXTERIOR OF BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT, BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY (BHU), VARANASI

2. A SIGNBOARD READING 'DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY'

3. ENTRANCE OF THE LABORATORY

4. SURYA PRATAP SINGH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BHU, VARANASI, WORKING IN THE LABORATORY

5. SURYA PRATAP SINGH HOLDING A SYRINGE

6. TWO WHITE MICE SITTING IN A CAGE

7. A MOUSE BEING INJECTED

8. SURYA PRATAP SINGH CARRYING A MOUSE

9. SURYA PRATAP SINGH INJECTING ANOTHER MOUSE

10. SURYA PRATAP SINGH STANDING

11. MICE SITTING IN A CAGE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SURYA PRATAP SINGH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BHU, VARANASI, SAYING:

"Our research is mainly on two things. The first one is on endocrine disruptor. There are certain chemicals present in the environment, comes from different means like plastics and pesticides and after entering into our body, they disrupt the endocrine system. So, these chemicals are called endocrine disruptors."

13. TEA BEING POURED IN PLASTIC CUPS

14. BOYS HOLDING THE CUPS

15. BOYS CONSUMING TEA

16. A CUP OF TEA

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SURYA PRATAP SINGH, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY, BHU, VARANASI, SAYING:

"Bisphenol A, an organic compound was discovered in London, where boiled milk was given to the babies in plastic bottles. When the milk sample was observed, it was found that it contained bisphenol A. It caused a great harm to the health of young babies especially the nascent ones. So, the plastic bottle was banned there and that's how this issue has become a matter of concern."

18. A DIAGRAM SHOWCASING SPERMATOGENESIS (PROCESS BY WHICH MALE PRIMARY GERM CELLS UNDERGO DIVISION)

19. MICE INSIDE A CAGE

20. SINGH STANDING IN A LABORATORY

Original Script Date

Jul 02 10:33 (5 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 02 10:33 (5 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Scientists in northern India reiterate chemicals present in plastics pose threat to public health.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 01, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:21

Senior opposition leader of India defends ‘Rath Yatra’ before Babri mosque demolition

Senior opposition leader of India defends 'Rath Yatra' before Babri mosque demolition
                                      By Girish Kumar Dubey

Senior leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uma Bharti defended the 'Rath Yatra' taken out by Lal Krishna Advani to mobilise support for building a grand Hindu temple at a disputed site by demolishing a mosque in Ayodhya town of northern Uttar Pradesh state. She also said that Advani saved the country from communal violence.

"Several political parties had become part of the Babri Mosque Action Committee. They had announced that since the doors at the Ram Janmbhoomi site had opened, they would go and protest and offer prayers there. That time the situation was such that all political parties had condemned this act. If Bharatiya Janata Party had not intervened and Lal Krishna Advani had not taken out his 'Rath Yatra', then there would have been a bloodbath at that place. The situation was tensed in the country," said Bharti.

Bharti had played a prominent role in the 'Ram Janmbhoomi' movement and her strong speeches in support of the demolition of the medieval Babri mosque had made her a controversial figure.

The dispute over the land of Babri Mosque and Rama Temple at Ayodhya, also the birthplace of Hindu God Ram, in Uttar Pradesh has been a long pending issue between Hindus and Muslims.

The demolition of the 16th-century mosque by thousands of Hindu fanatics in 1992 triggered one of India's worst riots, in which more than 2,000 people were killed.

The Allahabad High Court in September 2010 ruled that the disputed site would be split between Hindus and Muslims, with Hindus being allowed to keep a makeshift temple that was built over the demolished central mosque dome.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court, India's apex court, on May 09 stayed the ruling of the Allahabad High Court ordering status quo in one of the country's most religiously divisive cases.

She also condemned Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's visit to villages of northern Uttar Pradesh state over the issue of land acquisition. She said that instead of taking out a rally, Gandhi should discuss the matter with the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and chalk out a plan to help the poor farmers.

"The federal government actions are against the welfare of the farmers. Everybody has the right to take out a rally in a democracy. I would like to suggest him (Rahul Gandhi) that he sits with Manmohan Singh for an hour and declare the rights of the farmers. They should declare their stand on the land acquisition issue of the farmers. This would save him from taking out a rally," she added.

Gandhi on Tuesday (July 05) began a 'Pad Yatra', march from Bhatta Parsaul village in northern Uttar Pradesh state to address farmers who were recently agitating against the acquisition of their land by the state government.

Looking firm on holding a Mahapanchayat (apex body of village councils) to address issues pertaining to the farmers even after being denied by the state government, Gandhi started his march to familiarise with the problems of farmers and their compatibility with the new land acquisition policy.

Earlier on Friday (July 01) the Mayawati led government of Uttar Pradesh had denied permission to Congress of organising a mega event of Mahapanchayat in Aligarh and Bulandshahr districts on July 9.

Gandhi had also visited the villages earlier at the time of agitation after which he was arrested and released by the state government.

The farmers of Bhatta Parsaul villages had clashed with the government officials after their land was acquired. Four people, including two policemen lost their lives in the clash.

Farmers were agitating in the twin Bhatta Parsaul villages, around 60 kilometres from New Delhi, since January 2011 demanding higher compensation for their lands that was acquired by the state government for the construction of a highway.

The fierce alteration created immense pressure on the state government and the latter was forced to formulate a new land acquisition policy in the state.

Intro

Senior leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Uma Bharti defends the 'Rath Yatra' taken out by Lal Krishna Advani to mobilise support for building a grand Hindu temple at a disputed site by demolishing a mosque. She also says that Advani saved the country from communal violence.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 06, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. FUNCTION IN PROGRESS

2. MURALI MANOHAR JOSHI, A SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP) SITTING

3. AUDIENCE SITTING

4. UMA BHARTI, BJP LEADER ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE

5. JOSHI SITTING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) UMA BHARTI, REINSTATED BJP LEADER, SAYING:

"Several political parties had become part of the Babri Mosque Action Committee. They had announced that since the doors at the Ram Janmbhoomi site had opened, they would go and protest and offer prayers there. That time the situation was such that all political parties had condemned this act. If Bharatiya Janata Party had not intervened and Lal Krishna Advani had not taken out his 'Rath Yatra', then there would have been a bloodbath at that place. The situation was tensed in the country."

7. JOSHI SITTING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) UMA BHARTI, REINSTATED BJP LEADER, SAYING:

"The federal government actions are against the welfare of the farmers. Everybody has the right to take out a rally in a democracy. I would like to suggest him (Rahul Gandhi) that he sits with Manmohan Singh for an hour and declare the rights of the farmers. They should declare their stand on the land acquisition issue of the farmers. This would save him from taking out a rally."

9. AUDIENCE AT THE FUNCTION

Original Script Date

Jul 06 22:47 (19 hours ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 06 22:56 (19 hours ago)

Script Version

2

Headline

Senior opposition leader of India defends 'Rath Yatra' before Babri mosque demolition.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 06, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

1:06

Alarming increase in water level of river Ganges in northern India, religious activities disturbed

Alarming increase in water level of river Ganges in northern India, religious activities disturbed
                                                By Girish Kumar Dubey

Owing to the heavy downpour in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, there was a significant increase in the water level of river Ganges, which led to disturbance in the religious activities along the banks of the river.

The water has inundated places, which were meant for burning pyres. So, people are facing immense trouble in cremating the dead bodies. People are left with no other option than to burn dead bodies in lanes, thereby cremations are being performed on raised platforms, far away from main cremation ground.

"During monsoons, river water overflows but usually the situation is not so serious. However, this time the water is flowing above the usual mark. Earlier, the water level did not rise so high, but this year it has risen alarmingly. Earlier, the pyres were burnt on the banks but presently, as the banks are submerged in water, they are being burnt on the streets connected to the banks. This is causing problems in carrying out the religious activities and is posing hindrances for the passersby," said Aashutosh Kumar, a local.

Temples on the banks of the river were submerged in water and daily activities, like religious prayers were interrupted.

According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the reason behind this rise was heavy rainfall in the region, which also resulted in an increase in water level in rivers such as Yamuna, Chambal, Ken and Betwa.

"The increase in the level of the water in the last 5-7 days can be attributed to the rains and to the contribution of waters from Yamuna River, Betwa River, Ken River and Chambal River. We have also received information that 1,00,000 cusecs of water has also been released from Hathni Kund in Haryana. This will result in an increase in the water level in Phaphamau and Allahabad by 6 centimeter and 7 centimeter respectively. So, the water level rise can also be accredited to the water coming from the Hathni Kund in Haryana," said Rajendra Prasad, Executive Engineer, Central Water Commission.

According to the records of CWC, the Ganga River has touched the mark of 67.060 metres in Varanasi, the danger mark being 71.262 metres.

There are possibilities that the river may surge higher and flow inwards the residential areas.

The annual monsoon, vital for South Asia's agricultural dependent economy, wreaked havoc as floods inundate vast swathes of low-lying land.

Intro

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Owing to the heavy downpour in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh, there has been a significant increase in the water level of river Ganges, leading to disturbance in the religious activities along the banks of the river.

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 04, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. GUSHING RIVER WATER

2. A DEVOTEE PRAYING ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER

3. TEMPLES ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER SUBMERGED IN WATER

4. A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER

5. TEMPLES ON THE BANK OF THE RIVER SUBMERGED IN WATER

6. WATER FLOWING

7. A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER

8. ENTRY GATE OF A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER

9. PILLARS OF A TEMPLE SUBMERGED IN WATER

10. WATER GUSHING INTO THE HOUSES

11. GUSHING RIVER WATER

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) AASHUTOSH KUMAR, A LOCAL, SAYING:

"During monsoons, river water overflows but usually the situation is not so serious. However, this time the water is flowing above the usual mark. Earlier, the water level did not rise so high, but this year it has risen alarmingly. Earlier, the pyres were burnt on the banks but presently, as the banks are submerged in water, they are being burnt on the streets connected to the banks. This is causing problems in carrying out the religious activities and is posing hindrances for the passersby."

13. GATHERING OF PEOPLE

14. A BODY KEPT FOR BURNING

15. PYRES BURNING ON THE ROOF OF A ROOM

16. PEOPLE KEEPING THE BODY IN A PYRE

17. ONLOOKERS WATCHING THE GUSHING WATER

18. A BOARD READING 'CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION'

19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) RAJENDRA PRASAD, EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION, SAYING:

"The increase in the level of the water in the last 5-7 days can be attributed to the rains and to the contribution of waters from Yamuna River, Betwa River, Ken River and Chambal River. We have also received information that 1,00,000 cusecs of water has also been released from Hathni Kund in Haryana. This will result in an increase in the water level in Phaphamau and Allahabad by 6 centimeter and 7 centimeter respectively. So, the water level rise can also be accredited to the water coming from the Hathni Kund in Haryana."

20. TEMPLES SUBMERGED IN WATER

21. BOATS STATIONED ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER, NEAR SUBMERGED TEMPLES

Original Script Date

Jul 05 06:30 (2 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 05 06:30 (2 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Alarming increase in water level of river Ganges in northern India, religious activities disturbed.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 04, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

3:01

Activist completes 1071 days of fasting for river Ganges in north Indian state

Activist completes 1071 days of fasting for river Ganges in north Indian state

                                                                                          By Girish Kumar Dubey

Health of social activist, Baba Nagnath, turns critical after completing 1071 days of fast, protesting against the affected flow of the holy Ganga river by the Tehri Dam, in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state on Monday (July 04).

Nagnath, who is also the chief priest of the city's Mahashmashana Nath Peeth shrine, was fasting as he demanded uninterrupted flow of the river Ganga. The flow of the river was affected owing to the construction of the Tehri Dam that was built over the Bhagirathi river, which is also considered a part of the Ganga in northern Uttarakhand state.

The chief priest, who is admitted in the city's Banaras Hindu University medical college hospital, said that despite fasting for the past so many days, the authorities have failed to pay any heed to his demand.

The chief priest, who is admitted in the city's Banaras Hindu University medical college hospital, said that he has been fasting for such a long period, but the authorities have still showed no response to his demands.

"I have been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 29, 2008, for the uninterrupted flow of the river Ganga. Today is the 1,071day of my hunger strike. During this period, I wrote many letters to the authorities to attract attention to my cause, but till now no action has been taken. There was also correspondence with the administration, but it was again of no use. Due to this, I am in this condition today," said Nagnath.

Nagnath's demand includes ensuring free flow of the river water from Gaumukh, the origin of the river, to Gangasagar, where it meets the ocean.

The recent death of Swami Nigamanand who was fasting against the illegal quarrying of rocks near the river Ganga, had prompted the authorities to admit Nagnath in the hospital after his condition worsened recently.

Nagnath further stated that this cause is very important to him and he does not mind dying for this.

"I can give up my life but cannot leave my resolve for the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga. And if I die without achieving my cause, then the government will be responsible for this," he said.

Of late, Nagnath's initiative has evoked widespread support in the city with several organisations rallying behind him, urging the federal and the state government to meet his demands forthwith.

Despite spending a huge amount of money under the much-hyped Ganga Action Plan, the river continues to be highly polluted. Water samples taken from the river in Varanasi have shown presence of alarming level of faecal-coliform.

Intro

Health of social activist, Baba Nagnath, turns critical after completing 1071 days of fast, protesting against the affected flow of the holy Ganga river by the Tehri Dam, in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIALS

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JULY 04, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. TWO PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE EMERGENCY WARD OF THE HOSPITAL

2. BABA NAGNATH, SOCIAL ACTIVIST, LYING ON A BED UNDER A BANNER READING HIS NAME IN HINDI

3. NAGNATH LYING WITH AN OXYGEN MASK ON HIS MOUTH

4. A BOTTLE OF GLUCOSE NEAR NAGNATH

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) BABA NAGNATH, SOCIAL ACTIVIST, SAYING:

"I have been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 29, 2008, for the uninterrupted flow of the river Ganga. Today is the 1,071day of my hunger strike. During this period, I wrote many letters to the authorities to attract attention to my cause, but till now no action has been taken. There was also correspondence with the administration, but it was again of no use. Due to this, I am in this condition today."

6. NAGNATH LYING ON THE BED

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) BABA NAGNATH, SOCIAL ACTIVIST, SAYING:

"I can give up my life but cannot leave my resolve for the uninterrupted flow of the Ganga. And if I die without achieving my cause, then the government will be held responsible for this."

8. NAGNATH WITH HIS OXYGEN MASK

9. NAGNATH LYING ON THE BED

10. NAGNATH LYING ON HIS BED IN HIS WARD

Original Script Date

Jul 05 06:59 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Jul 05 06:59 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Activist completes 1071 days of fasting for river Ganges in north Indian state.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

JULY 04, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:02