Tejas successfully test fires beyond visual range missile

New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Light combat aircraft Tejas today "successfully" test fired an air-to-air missile, paving the way for powering the indigenously-built aircraft with missiles having beyond visual range capabilities (BVR).

The test-firing was conducted on a manoeuvrable aerial target at the interim test range in Chandipur in Odisha.

The defence ministry said the objective of the test was to assess integration of the Derby BVR missile with avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and missile weapon delivery system of Tejas.

"The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it.

"The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on light combat aircraft for FOC (final operational clearance)," it said in a statement.

The sensors at the interim test range tracked the target and the missile.

"The missile launch was performed in lock on after launch mode for a BVR target in the look down mode and the target was destroyed," the statement by the ministry said.

Justice Karnan moves SC seeking recall of conviction order

New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan today moved the Supreme Court seeking a recall of an order holding him guilty of contempt of court.

The apex court had ordered his arrest and sentenced him to a six-month jail term.

A petition about the recall was mentioned before a five- judge bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, which agreed to look into it.

Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, who mentioned the plea on behalf of Justice Karnan, was asked to show papers that authorised him to represent the judge.

The advocate showed the notorised papers of authorisation for filing the plea on behalf of the judge to the bench.

When the Chief Justice of India asked about the whereabouts of Justice Karnan, the advocate said he was "very much in Chennai".

Nedumpara also said 12 advocates on record had refused to represent Justice Karnan.

The plea on behalf of the judge was mentioned before the bench which had just concluded the day's hearing on the issue of triple talaq.

The seven-judge bench of apex court had on May 9 passed the order sentencing Karnan to jail by holding him guilty of contempt of court and ordering the West Bengal police to take him into custody.

However, before the pronouncement of the apex court order, Justice Karnan had left Kolkata and was reported to be staying in Chennai.

The West Bengal police is yet to arrest the judge.

Sensex, Nifty hit new highs; auto, metal stocks soar

Mumbai, May 11 (PTI) Extending their record setting run for the second day, benchmarks Sensex and Nifty closed at fresh lifetime highs today as sentiment remained upbeat on forecast of normal monsoon this year.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened higher and soared to hit yet another record high of 30,366.43, but dipped towards the fag-end on profit-booking to end at 30,250.98, up 2.81 points or 0.01 percent.

It surpassed its previous all-time closing high of 30,248.17 reached yesterday.

The broader NSE Nifty also rose 15.10 points or 0.16 per cent to 9,422.40, its new closing high, after scaling a new intra-day peak of 9,450.65.

India : Ministry of Culture Commemorates Buddha Jayanti Celebrations

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar, the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma and the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju at the “Buddha Jayanti Celebration 2017”, organised by the Ministry of Culture, in New Delhi on May 10, 2017. The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri N.K. Sinha and other dignitaries are also seen.

New Delhi : Ministry of Culture commemorated the “Thrice blessed day of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana”, falling on the auspicious Full moon day of Vaisakha in the presence of Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Human Resources Development, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism and Shri Kiran Rijuju, Minister of State for Home Affairs at a function here today.

On this auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti Celebration 2017, Ministry of Culture felicitated Prof. S.R. Bhatt, an eminent scholar of Buddhism who has made immense contribution to the preservation and promotion of Buddhism. Mangalacharan in Theravada tradition and chanting of Monks of Mahayana tradition was performed. Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten delivered Buddha Updesh and Renowned dancer Shovana Narayan performed on the theme ‘Shunyata’.

Addressing on the occasion, Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha are very popular worldwide and the Ministry of Human Resources Development is working on inculcating the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha in the text books as his teachings are still very relevant. He opined that the aim of imparting education should not only be confined to gaining knowledge and getting skilled for employment but should focus on preparing an ideal person also. He emphasized on improving the curriculum framework of NCERT textbooks.

Dr. Mahesh Sharma, in his address said that Buddhism has left a great impact on social and cultural life of our country and Bhagwan Buddha’s entire events of life took place in India. His three baskets, known as Tripitaka, contain the ethical discipline, the methods of training of mind and the ground and modes of the cultivation of wisdom. Seven out of Eight religious places associated with Bhagwan Buddha are situated in India. He emphasized that the Government of India is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of monuments, holy shrines and places of Buddhism in India to provide better facilities to pilgrims and tourists.

Shri Kiran Rijuju, in his address said that the entire World looks at India as to what India is doing for Buddhism. He opined that India can again become Super Power if it continues to follow the path shown by Bhagwan Buddha. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken an important step in easing the norms of e-visa for foreign tourists.

The Buddha Jayanti falls on the Vaisakha Purnima, that is, on the full moon day of the month of Vaisakha according to the Indian lunar calendar. This is the most important occasion for Buddhists celebrating the Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvana on the same day. In the first meeting of “World Fellowship of Buddhist” held at Colombo, Sri Lanka in May 1950, it was decided to commemorate Vaisakha Purnima as the Buddha’s thrice blessed day.

India is the origin of many world religions including the Buddhism. Buddha’s entire events of like took place in India. The advent of the Buddha Sakyamuni in 6^th century BCE brought a radical reformation in the culture of philosophy and spirituality in the India. His teaching of Karuna, compassion, and Maitri, loving kindness, give an equal perspective towards all sentient beings including human beings within which no classes are allowed. With the philosophy of dependent origination and practice of non-violence rooted in love and compassion, Buddhism made immense contribution to the culture of peace.

Buddhism being an important heritage of India’s ancient glorious legacy, Indian government took various initiatives for the promotion of Buddhism. In 1956, Government of India organized the 2500^th anniversary of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana as international mega event.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was established in 1951 in Nalanda, Bihar  to  revive the ancient seat of learning in Nalanda. In 1959, Central Institute of Buddisht Studies was established in Leh, Laddhak. In 1968, Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies was established for the promotion of Buddhist and Tibetan studies. Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, Arunachal Pradesh was established in 2003. Again in 2010 Nalanda University was established at Rajgir to recreate the Ancient centre of Wisdom. These institutions have been productive in bringing publications of Tripitaka and restorations and translations of the lost works of the great masters of Ancient Nalanda and other high learning centres.

On regular basis the Government of India organises major events like international conference Baudha Mahotsava and Vaisakhapurnima, the day of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and mahaparinirvana. The recent international conference in March organised at Rajgir was landmark event which was attended by scholars from 35 countries deliberating on various issues under the umbrella “Buddhist Response to the Crises of 21^st Century”. This was inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and concluded by the President of India. This is one of the series of major events organised by Ministry of Culture under the leadership of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Ministr for Culture and Tourism to promote Buddhism.

With profound spiritual and academic foundation, Buddhism has left a great impact on social and cultural life of India in the past. As India has enshrined the drama wheel of Buddhism on the national flag, the nation is dedicated to disseminate the Buddha’s message of compassion and loving kindness to develop a peaceful society and to enlighten the humanity.

Nifty breaches 9,400-mark, Sensex at new high

Mumbai, May 10 (PTI) Market benchmark Nifty crossed the 9,400-level for the first time, while the Sensex surged to its lifetime high of 30,246.28 in late afternoon trade on Wednesday on widespread buying spurred by forecast of a normal monsoon this year.

The 50-issue Nifty gained 89.90 points, or 0.96 per cent, to trade at 9,406.75, surpassing its previous intra-day high of 9,377.10 touched on May 5.

BSE Sensex soared 316.37 points, or 1.05 per cent, to trade at 30,246.28, breaking its previous peak of 30,184.22 reached on April 27.

Brokers said sentiment was upbeat after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said monsoon could be 'normal' this year and bring 100 per cent rainfall instead of 96 per cent as predicted earlier, which is expected to give a booster dose to the rural economy.

PM asks Muslims not to allow triple talaq to be politicised

New Delhi, May 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the Muslims not to allow the triple talaq issue to be politicised and urged a leading organisation of the community to take the lead in initiating reform in this regard.

He made the comments while interacting with leaders of the leading Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind who called on him here.

Welcoming the members of the delegation, the Prime Minister said that democracy s greatest strength is harmony and amity, the PMO said in a statement.

Emphasizing that the government does not have any right to discriminate among citizens, Modi said India's speciality has been its unity in diversity, it added.

On Triple Talaq, the Prime Minister reiterated that the Muslim community should not allow this issue to be politicised, the statement said.

He urged the delegation members to take the responsibility for initiating reform in this regard, the PMO said.

The delegation members appreciated the Prime Minister s stand on the issue of Triple Talaq, the statement said.

Modi's remarks came against the backdrop of CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury saying that the Prime Minister's "campaign against triple talaq is a communal campaign".

Modi also said that the new generation in India must not be allowed to fall victim to the rising global tide of extremism.

Praising Modi s vision, members of the delegation expressed hope that the "nationwide trust" that he has among the people will ensure prosperity and well-being of all segments of society, the statement said.

They said that the Muslim community is keen to be an equal partner in the making of the 'New India', it said, referring to the ambition of the Prime Minister.

Noting that terrorism is a major challenge, they expressed a common resolve to combat it with all their might, the PMO said.

According to the statement, they added that it is the Muslim community s responsibility that under no circumstances should anyone compromise the nation s security or well-being.

They said the Muslim community would never allow any conspiracy against India to succeed.

Expressing concern at the situation in Kashmir valley, members of the delegation said that only Modi can resolve the issue.

The delegation also appreciated the implementation of minority welfare schemes under the Union Government.

Welcoming the delegation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the whole world is looking at India and it is the responsibility of all segments of the Indian society to take the nation forward.

Leaders from the delegation agreed with him and said the objective should be to take the country forward, together, following the Prime Minister s slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (cooperation of all, development for all), the PMO statement said.

The delegation included Maulana Qari Syed Mohammad Usman Mansurpuri, president of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind; Maulana Mahmood A Madani, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-i- Hind; Zahir I Kazi, president of Anjuman-i-Islam, Mumbai; Akhtarul Wasey; and Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal.

Truth will triumph: Kejriwal on graft charges by Mishra

New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) "Truth will triumph," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said, ahead of the special session of the Delhi Assembly tomorrow in the wake of corruption charges levelled against him by sacked AAP minister Kapil Mishra.

"Truth will triumph. Its beginning will be made during the special session of the Delhi Assembly tomorrow," Kejriwal tweeted late this evening on the graft charges against him by Mishra that has led to turmoil in the Aam Aadmi Party.

The one-day special session is expected to be a stormy affair as the opposition BJP plans to come down hard on the AAP government over Mishra's graft charges.

The ruling AAP will also seek to corner the BJP and its government at the Centre over alleged EVM manipulation.

AAP sources hinted that the revelations which are being planned by the party tomorrow will be targeted at the BJP.

The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the AAP today suspended Mishra from the party's primary membership after he made graft charges against Kejriwal.

Mishra dared the AAP to oust him from the party even as he fired a fresh salvo at Kejriwal, saying a Rs 50 crore deal was arranged for the AAP chief's brother-in-law.

Asserting that a bogus bill amounting to Rs 10 crore was made to favour Kejriwal's brother-in-law, Mishra also alleged that during the Punjab polls, there was massive corruption by AAP in ticket distribution, and supplying of liquor by party members.

'I saw Satyendar Jain giving Rs 2 crore in cash to Kejriwal'

New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) A day after being dropped as a minister, AAP MLA Kapil Mishra today levelled stunning allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

Mishra told reporters at Raj Ghat that he "saw" Jain handing over "Rs 2 crore" to Kejriwal at his official residence.

On being asked, the CM evaded answering where the money came from and said few things in politics cannot be explained, the sacked MLA alleged.

"I kept quiet all this while due to complete faith in Arvind Kejriwal. Day before yesterday, I saw Jain giving Rs 2 crore in cash to Kejriwal. Kejriwal said few things happen in politics. After having seen Jain hand over such a big amount to him, I had to come out. I have handed over the details to Lt Governor Anil Baijal," Mishra said.

"I am also ready to make a statement before the CBI or Anti Corruption Bureau if required," he added.

There was no immediate reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party or the government on the allegations. The BJP demanded the resignation of Kejriwal saying Mishra has "punctured the balloon of his probity".

Mishra further alleged that Jain told him that he "settled land deals worth Rs 50 crore for Kejriwal's relative". The AAP MLA said he was sacked after he confronted Kejriwal over the issue.

Mishra's surprise sacking came days after he sided with senior party leader Kumar Vishwas who has been at loggerheads with the party leadership.

Earlier, as Mishra went to meet the LG at Raj Niwas, the top leadership of AAP remained huddled at Kejriwal's residence. Vishwas, who was also present, left a Little before Mishra made the allegations to reporters at Raj Ghat.

Soon after the move, Mishra had claimed he would "expose" the involvement of certain AAP leaders in an alleged scam on Sunday.

He said he had met the chief minister earlier in the day and handed over documents related to the alleged scam.

"I was not informed of the decision and as per my knowledge, it was taken unilaterally by Kejriwal. The Cabinet or the Political Affairs Committee (the AAP's top decision- making body) was not involved," Mishra told PTI.

A senior government official said the decision to remove Mishra was taken after it was found that consumers were receiving "inflated" water bills.

Sources in the party said Mishra was sacked because of his poor performance. However, the party had considered him as one of the most vocal and active voices in the government until he sided with Vishwas.

"This is being repeatedly said that I have been moved out because water problems have not been solved in Delhi. But both Sisodia and Kejriwal have never raised the issue of water problems earlier," Mishra said. 

South Asian Satellite: PM says dream & commitment fulfilled

New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) The launching of South Asian Satellite was "a dream and a commitment" which India has fulfilled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today, a day after the country crafted history.

Touted as India's "priceless gift" to its South Asian neighbours, the GSAT-9 launched yesterday will provide communication and help in disaster management in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan.

Pakistan refused to be a part of the project.

"..It was a dream and a commitment, which India has adhered to," tweeted Modi who had made a unilateral proposal of India launching such a regional satellite soon after he became the Prime Minister in 2014.

The Prime Minister tweeted in response to a message by a follower who congratulated him, saying that his dream had come true.

To another tweet, Modi said, "Through science, we can transform the lives of the poor and marginalised." 

The Rs 235 crore satellite has been built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of a Rs 450 crore project.

The cuboid-shaped 2,230 kg satellite named SAS will enable a full range of services to the neighbours, including in telecommunication, television, direct-to-home, VSATs, tele-education and telemedicine. The South Asian Satellite (SAS) mission life is 12 years.

If anyone can resolve Kashmir problem, it is PM Modi: Mehbooba

Jammu, May 6 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can resolve the Kashmir problem as he has a strong mandate and appealed to him to pull the valley out of morass.

Mufti, whose government is battling spiralling protests in the valley, said the situation is the result of pent up anger due to failure of the UPA government to continue with the policy started by the previous NDA government in Jammu and Kashmir during her father Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed's rule. 

"I say today with authority and I will be criticised for it also. If anyone can find a solution to Jammu and Kashmir problem, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"He (PM) has a strong mandate. Whatever decision he takes, the country will support him," said Mufti, whose party is running a government in coalition with the BJP.

"If anyone can take us out of the sticky spot, it is Prime Minister Modi. The nation will support whatever he decides...it is may earnest appeal...," she said.

The CM was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a flyover here.

Hailing the Prime Minister's decision to visit Lahore on December 25, 2015, she said that it was a sign of strength not weakness.

"He has the mandate of the people. This is his biggest power. He went to Lahore and met the PM of that country. This is not a sign of weakness but an indication of strength and power," she said.

She took a dig at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying he did not have the courage to visit Pakistan.

"Before him (Modi), a Prime Minister had also desired to go to Pakistan for over ten years. He wanted to see his home there," she said, with naming Singh.

"He also would have tried to end the confrontation between the two countries, and bring J&K out of this unfortunate situation, but he had no courage to do that." 

She gave credit to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former chief minister Mufti Sayeed for starting the "chapter of peace" in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002.

"They tried their best to bring out Kashmir out of this unfortunate situation. He was successful to a large extent in shortest of period," Mehbooba said. 

"There was ceasefire (along Indo-Pak border) during Vajpayee's rule. There were talks with L K Advani (in Kashmir). There was beginning of the process of opening (cross -LoC) roads." 

The chief minister said militancy declined during that period and there was peace on the borders.

"These were not small developments. But unfortunately Mufti was out of the government and Vajpayee ji left, and the process came to grinding halt," the PDP leader lamented.

She alleged that the UPA regime at the centre and the state government did not carry forward the process thinking "everything is peaceful and there is no need to do anything further".

"There was pent-up lava. It started to come out when the youths were out on the streets in 2008 and then 2009 and 2010.

This lava has now spread to the streets and we are forced to face this situation," she said. 

The CM said while her government is trying to improve the situation in Kashmir, there are some forces which do not want it.

"Mufti sahib, who had seen a dream, shook hands with the Prime Minister of our country Narendra Modi, who has got the mandate of the people," she said.

As the chief minister was speaking, former Minister and senior Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak interrupted her speech and demanded setting up of two civil secretariat in Jammu and Srinagar capital cities.

Charak, who later walked out of the hall in protest, was heckled by some workers after conclusion of the function.