Thursday 24 November 2011

COASTAL TOWNS SCALING NEW HEIGHTS


COASTAL TOWNS SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
By Abdul Hafiz Lakhani
Saurashtra: Money, Masti and Mazaa
                              —Chitralekha Survey




On average, there are three annual famines in a decade in Saurashtra and during these hard times, impoverished people from the rural areas migrate to safer pastures in South Gujarat. Be it Surat or Ahmedabad, immigrants from Saurashtra have dropped their anchors there. But times are changing now. While inaugurating supply of pipeline gas to Morbi-based industries, Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, prophesised that now it was Saurashtra's turn once again. According to him, trend has already begun to reverse.
                A latest survey commissioned by Chitralekha lends credence to Mr. Modi's prophecy. The fact that Jamnagar and Rajkot are among the top five positions in the survey proves that the Chief Minister was not off-the-mark. Saurashtra is resurrecting itself again.
                Prominent market research company Hansa Research Agency, commissioned by Chitralekha, carried out the comprehensive survey among a cross section of 3369 people spread over 25 districts of Gujarat. The results thus achieved offer a lot to Saurashtra to cheer about. About 100-300 people in the 18 or above age group from each city were asked specific questions on the quality of education, business environment, entertainment facilities, local administration and prevailing corruption and efficiency levels in their cities. Interestingly, the verdict may take many by surprise. The results of the survey proves to be an eye-opener for the people of Gujarat as well as for the mandarins in high places.
                The cities that figured in top five ranks are Jamnagar (score 37), Rajkot (score 34), Gandhinagar (score 27), Valsad ( score 25) and Ahmedabad (score 24). This means that people living in places like Vadodara and Surat are disenchanted and disillusioned with the quality of life in their cities. Surat occupies 7th rank and Vadodara 8th position, while Bhavnagar was pushed down to 15th rank. Among the last five positions are Godhra, Bhrooch and Dang, which have time and again been tainted by communal skirmishes. While Amreli occupies the fifth position from the last, the last place is held by historic town Rajpipada, which has consistently hit the lowest position in various categories included in the survey.
                Smaller towns like Valsad and Dahod have left behind big cities and what is really surprising is the fact that Jamnagar and Rajkot figure in top five rankings. But these gradings, it seems, are not without logic. The situation in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat have hit the saturation levels. Investment opportunities are fast dwindling there. Besides, the worsening housing and employment scenario there has led people to focus on Saurashtra.
                Jamnagar that has already occupied a place in the world map, thanks to the Reliance and Essar oil refineries, is truly turning out to be a booming city. The Reliance Industry that has invested a whopping sum of Rs 27,000 crore is currently undertaking expansion programmes. They are also going in for a Special Economic Zone. Popularly known as the brass city, Jamnagar with a population of six lakh plus people, may now be labelled as the oil city. It has outpaced all other cities, as its growing industrial development has lured hordes of people from outside Gujarat. This has skyrocketed the real estate prices in the last five years by as much as 22 per cent. However, the flip side is that because of outsiders having zeroed in on this city, crime rate has zoomed up. But all in all, the oil refineries have saved the day for Jamnagar. People in Jamnagar are satisfied with electricity, transport, market and telecom facilities.
                Rajkot that stood second in the survey is a colourful place where the sun rises lazily past noon. Inhabited by 15 lakh people, Rajkot is a trade centre of Saurashtra with no big industries. But it has 8000 small units, the cumulative turnover of which runs into Rs 3500 crore. Already famous for oil engine, gold ornament business, ice cream and sweet peda, Rajkot is equally popular for real estate speculation business. With a glittering gold ornament business running into Rs 4750 crore, this city has a 3-star hotel and a 4-star university. With Rs 300 crore invested in malls and multiplexes, Rajkot is soon going to have an auto SEZ.
                Bhooj-Kutch figures in top ten though ranked nine, its score is 21, same as that of Vadodara. The 2001 earthquake had ravaged the area but Kutch resuscitated itself rapidly after the devastation. The transformation is so complete that new visitors cannot believe that this place had undergone a calamity of massive magnitude. Also, because of its tax-holiday status, its industrial belt has attracted investment of Rs 40,000 crore. The vibrant Kutch has 180 units with investment to the tune of Rs 7946 crore.
                Besides, the Saurashtra-Kutch has a huge coastal area with 23 ports that include Kutch-based Kundla and Mundra. This is also said to be one of the reasons for its growing prosperity. The belt stretching from Rajkot to Jamnagar and from Rajkot to Kutch is considered hot from growth point of view.
                Even on educational front, Jamnagar has proved to be the number one city, followed by Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and the fifth position is held by Valsad. The last five positions are held by Navsari, Godhra, Dang, Bhrooch and lastly Rajpipada.
                For overall infrastructure, people have voted Gandhinagar as number one. It is followed by Rajkot, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad and Surat. This category includes facilities like hospitals, roads, water, electricity, banks, transportation, markets, cleanliness, postal services, telecom services, homes for the aged, etc. Here too, poor Rajpipda comes last. Lush green Gandhinagar is known to be a technology-savvy city and people there have no complaints about water or electricity facilities. It also has good medicare facilities. Rajkot is close on the heels of Gandhinagar on this front. But people here are dissatisfied with perpetual water crisis. They are also not happy with the fact that government offices there are not modernised.
                Gujaratis are essentially businessmen and therefore they are interested in books of accounts rather than books. As regards business environment, it is Valsad that beats the rest of Gujarat. This category includes criteria like congeniality, ambience, new opportunities, raw material, market potential, suppliers, finance availability, export opportunity etc. Surprisingly Valsad is followed by Dahod.
                Not many people know much about Dahod. Situated on the borders of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, this town has a huge grain market. There are quite a few cereal-flour mills. With twin industrial townships and a big railway workshop, Dahod is the first benefactor of the run rays in Gujarat.
                Also Valsad, has a developed chemical industry. People based here believe that this is a good centre for new business as well as export opportunities.
                Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Vadodara do not fare impressively on this front. Their score is average, for the simple reason that they have reached a saturation point. Jamnagar may be ahead in other categories, but people there grumble about lack of business environment and opportunities. Even Bhavnagar known for diamonds and ship-breaking business is ranked third from the last, apparently because of overpopulation and cutthroat competition. People in Rajpipada, Patan, Amreli and Godhra are thoroughly disillusioned.
                Business-industry is invariably linked with local administration. If it does not effectively function and is plagued by corruption, it can add to the woes of business people. Dahod has earned the dubious distinction of being number one on corruption front. Ironically, it is number one in terms of business environment. It is followed by Vadhavan, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Bhooj.
                Says Mamata Verma, Collector, posted at Dahod, " Dahod has a huge mandi, it has agro industry. Situated on border, people from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh flock this place for doing business. Having a medical centre, Dahod has had a steady growth as government has paid attention despite 75 per cent of population being tribal. Infrastructure facilities have gone up. It has an efficient administration. But since there are 10 claimants for the same plot of land and due to its exorbitant rates, people have got a perception that corruption is rampant. But reality says otherwise."
                On the other hand, corruption is comparatively less in small towns like Nadiyad, Junagarh, Bhrooch. Kheda-Nadiyad tops the list in this field and Rajpipada though behind in many categories is ranked fifth in this department.
                People in Dahod say that palms have to be greased at local municipality, particularly in water-electricity departments. Rajkot also falls in the same category. Bhooj telecom department is said to be mired in this vice, but Ahmedabad is ahead in corruption race. Of course, the capital offers a little relief in this area but credit for this, of course, goes to Narendra Modi.
                Which city can boast of most efficient administration? Here again Jamnagar reigns supreme and stands tall over all other cities and towns. It is followed by Dahod, Himatnagar, Rajkot, Anand and Valsad. The last five positions are held by Bhrooch, Porbandar, Godhra Junagarh and, of course, Rajpipada.
                It may, in short, be said that small towns have better administration than big ones. Gandhinagar is less corrupt but people say that its administration is weak.
                Administration is quick to respond in Jamnagar, people feel. But in terms of transparency, Dahod attains the number one position. It is followed by Mehsana and Valsad. People in Vadodara and Surat are dissatisfied, whereas milk city Anand is number one in terms of redressal of complaints.
                And lastly how is the quality of life in each city? The most important segment of the survey also followed the predictable pattern. When asked about available housing facilities, security, cooperative nature of people, it was once again Jamnagar that proved miles ahead. It was followed by Bhooj, Rajkot, Dahod, and Valsad. And the last five include Kheda, Gandhinagar, Rajpipada, Bhrooch and Godhra.
                Jamnagar is ahead in three categories. Bhooj is also a livable city now. Gandhinagar with its greenery comes fifth in this area. People feel insecure here perhaps after the infamous Akshardham attack. Godhra, Bhrooch and Rajpipada have been tainted by communal tensions or inhabitants have developed this perception. They say there is no more fun in living in Vadodara and Surat. People do not help one another and there is hardly any security there.
                In short, the conclusion of the survey is that Ahmedabad was once known as Manchester for its cotton mills. Then Vadodara surged forward for its refinery. It was then South Gujarat that became the silver corridor. But now the wind is blowing in direction of Saurashtra. You get money, masti and mazaa here...!!!
                In conclusion, it may be inferred from this interesting survey that the high-profile cities are bursting at their seams with fast depleting opportunities and rising levels of disillusionment and disenchantment among people. It therefore comes as no surprise that Saurashtra is once again regaining its old glory and asserting itself in the inexorable march of Gujarat towards prosperity and progress. The survey has also vindicated the stance of the present rulers of the state that the word 'vibrant' is not merely a rhetoric, as is made out to be by critics of the state. It is proving true in every sense of the word.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Canals sucked dry before water reaches Rajkot, Bhuj


GANDHINAGAR: Large-scale pilfering of Narmada water by thousands of farmers along the canals branching out towards the Saurashtra-Kutch region is giving nightmares to top Sachivalaya officials for the second time in a year. Not only is no water is available for irrigation to the end-users more than 100 km away, major cities of the huge region as well as thousands of villages are being deprived of the Narmada drinking water.
In all, 1,700 to 1,800 million litres per day (MLD) are pumped at Dhanki in Surendranagar district into the canals to Malia in Jamnagar district and Vallabhipur in Bhavnagar district. The waters reaching the two points is so short even against the allocation of 700 MLD for drinking, a mere 330 MLD is available. "This has forced the Gujarat Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) to use underground sources to meet local requirements", said state water supplies secretary H K Dash.
As things deteriorated, on Tuesday, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) MD S Jagadeesan and joint MD G R Aloria rushed to the Dhanki-Malia area for inspection.
"We have stepped up patrolling by State Reserve Police (SRP) along the canals and geared up local engineers for daily monitoring. Farmers up to five km away sink diesel pipelines into the canals and illegally siphon waters to irrigate fields. Many pumps have been removed. Things will improve now," Jagadeesan said.
In June, ahead of monsoon, when a similar situation arose, Gujarat government began a campaign to root out diesel pumps illegally sunk into the Narmada branch canals. About 150 pumps were seized and more than 1,000 connections snapped. Just like this time, when farmers need water for sowing the winter crop, things were particularly bad in the 121-km-long Dhanki-Malia stretch in June.
"As against 400 MLD of water allocated for drinking, just 230 MLD is available at Malia", one official said, adding, "This has affected water supply to cities like Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhuj as also 821 villages of Kutch district, 688 villages of Jamnagar district and 541 villages of Rajkot district. There is no permanent solution to the problem."
While state water supplies department officials say they have written several letters to the Narmada department but "there is no response", a Narmada department official said.
"Earlier, farmers of the area used to take just one crop. But now they take three crops. Cotton and jeera, both cash crops, earn them huge margins. And all of Narmada water is illegal and free," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/Canals-sucked-dry-before-water-reaches-Rajkot-Bhuj/articleshow/10744640.cms

Sayajibaug zoo obtains two Asiatic lions


VADODARA: For the first time in recent history, the Sayajibaug Zoo will have Asiatic lions among its collection of animals. The lions were procured by the zoo recently in exchange for exotic birds with the Sakkarbaug zoo at Junagadh.
The Sayajibaug zoo presently has three ageing lions, but all are cross bred. The two lions from Sakkarbaug will be the only Asiatic lions on display at the zoo.
The lions are sub-adults. While the lion is four-year-old Kunvar, the lioness is 2.5-year-old Jeal. In-charge zoo curator Dr C B Patel said that the exchange of animals was done after obtaining necessary permissions from the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI).
He added that the zoo would at a later stage try to ensure that the pair mates and breeds in the zoo. Patel said that the CZAI had made clear norms that crossbred animals should not be added to the zoos.
"We cannot add such animals and have been asked not to breed them too," Patel said.
Besides the two lions, the zoo has also obtained a jackal and three Manipuri deer from the Sakkarbaug zoo. The Sayajibaug zoo already has a female jackal and the pair may breed in the future, Patel said.

Sadhu murder case: BJP councillor sent to jail, 4 accused held

RAJKOT: Gondal town police have arrested four accused in connection with the murder of Sadhu Ramdash on Thursday. Local BJP councillor Jagdish Gondaliya, arrested earlier, was on Thursday sent to jail.
"We are questioning them for their role in this murder case,'' said inspector V J Gadhvi of Gondal police station.
The four arrested are Sambhu Kotadiya, Jitu Raiyani, Rajesh Satodiya and Chinu Ranpariya. Kotadiya owns land near the Khimori Hanumaji Temple on the outskirts of Gondal and wanted to grab the temple's land.
Police said that Kotadiya and the other accused severely beat the sadhu up at his farm after a drinking binge.

source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/articlelist/3942663.cms

Indus Civilization in Saurashtra

The Indus Civilization in Saurashtra explores the nature of ancient India’s first urban culture inGujarat. The mataerial on which this books is based was derived from Dr. Possehl’s research program in this region and the Appendices accompanying the text provide complete coverage of his data. One of the contributions this work seeks to make is a more complete understanding of the important Harappan site of Lothal to the south-west of Ahmedabad. An original hypothesis is developed in this regard which should be of interest to ancient historians and arcaeologists aloke. This discussion, plus the broader approach to the protohistoric archaeology of Gujarat, provide the student of the anciend world with a new insight into the character of the Indus Civilization in its couthwestern domain.
About the Author. :
Dr. Gregory L. Possehl is Assistant Curator of South Asian Archaeology in the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania and an Assistant Porofessor in this University’s Department of South Asia regional Studies. He has undertaken archaeological field work in Egypt, Afghanistan, Baluchistan and India as well as the United States. He was education as an Anthropologist at the University of Washington and the University of Chicago where he received his Ph. D in 1974. Dr. Possehl’s interests in archaeology center on the character of prehistoric adaptation especially the nature off food producing subsistence systems. He has written widely on this and related topics for periodicals in both the United Stes and India. In addition to the Indus Civilization in Saurashtra Dr. Possehl has published Ancient Cities of the Indus and KULLI: Trade and the Emerrgence of Urbanization in the Indus Valley as well as The Ecological Backgrounds of South Asian Prehistory, which he edited with Dr. Kenneth A.R. Kennedy.

This book contains the following content headings :

Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
List of Tables
Abbreviations
I.                     Introduction
(a)     The Problem
(b)     The Research
II.                    The Emergence of the Post Urban Harappan Phase and the Harappan Tradition
(a)     An Historical Review of Excavations
(b)     An Harappan Tradition
(c)     Sind
(d)     The Punjab
(e)     Gujarat
III.                  Gujarat: An overview of the Natural Variables
(a)     The Region
(b)     The Subregions
(c)     Saurashtra
(d)     Landform
(e)     Rainfall
(f)       Fflora
IV.                  The Archaeological Data
(a)     The Area Selected for Investigation
(b)     Exploration in the Ghelo and Kalubhar Drainage
(c)     The Basis for a Chronology
(d)     Rangpur and Lothal
(e)     The Sites: Periodization
V.                   Urban and Post Urban Harappan Settlement Patterns in Gujarat
(a)     Natural and Cultural Factors affecting Harappan Settlement Patterns in Gujarat
(b)     Nearness to Water: The Rivering Setting
(c)     Soils and Settlement
(d)     Interior Saurashtra: A Zone of Restricted Agricultural Land
(e)     Settlements in Kutch: The Tie to the Indus Valley
(f)       The Variation in the Number of Sites through Time
(g)     Models for the Interpretation of Variation
(h)     Populations Change
(i)       Migration
(j)       Variation in Living Pattern
(k)     Nuclearization and Dispersal
(l)       Serial Occupation
(m)   Summary of Site Variation Throught Time
(n)     Lothal and North Gujarat: A Hypothesis Concerning a Regional Center of Harappan Civilization
(o)     The North Gujarat Plain
(p)     Langhnaj 
(q)     Lothal
VI.                  Conclusions
Appendices
A.       Harappan Sites in Gujarat
B.       Sample of Site Data Form
C.      Report on a Human Cranium from Rampara II by Dr. Kenneth A.R. Kennedy
D.      The Archaeological Sites of the Ghelo and Kalubhar Valleys
Bibliography
Index

Sunday 13 November 2011

Utter Pradesh in command against Saurashtra

UP in command against Saurashtra at stumps on Day 3


MEERUT: Uttar Pradesh dismissed Saurashtra for 281 to get the first innings lead of 81 runs and then scored 175/4 in their second essay as the lead swelled to 256 at stumps on third day of the Elite Group Ranji Trophy match on Saturday.

Starting the day at 209/4, Saurashtra batsmen couldn't show stomach for fight save skipper Jaydev Shah (112, 155 balls, 16x4, 1x6) who scored his fourth first-class century.

After Praveen Kumar (2/72) castled the seasoned Sitangshu Kotak (38) early in the day, Saurashtra's middle and lower order simply caved in. Bhuvaneswar Kumar (3/26) and leggie Piyush Chawla (2/22) were the most successful bowlers.

In their second innings, UP slumped to 81/4 with India's ODI specialist Ravindra Jadeja (3/40) removed Ekalavya Dwivedi (36), Parvinder Singh (2) and rival skipper Suresh Raina (3) cheaply. First innings centurion Tanmay Srivastava (23) was trapped leg before by Sandeep Maniar.

However former skipper Mohammad Kaif (53 batting, 8x4) and Arish Alam (55 batting, 8x4) added 94 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket partnership as the lead increased to 256.

On Sunday, UP will be aiming for a sporting declaration in order to at least try and get full points from the match. May be the UP batsmen will try and bat till lunch and then Raina's bowlers will get two sessions to get 10 Saurashtra wickets.

Brief Scores: UP 362 and 175/4 (Arish Alam 55 batting, Mohammad Kaif 53 batting, R Jadeja 3/40).

Saurashtra 281 (Jaydev Shah 112, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar 3/26, Praveen Kumar 2/72, Piyush Chawla 2/22).

'Girnar Parikrama'


Vadodara, Nov 11 (PTI) Thousands of devotees from Gujarat and neighbouring states participated in the famous 'Girnar Parikrama' held in Junagadh district on the ocassion of Kartik Purnima. For the Girnar mountain parikrama, the Junagadh Municipal corporation had yesterday set up posts at various points on the 36 km-stretch which witnessed tight security arrangements for the convenience of the pilgrims. Two persons reportedly lost their lives due to cardiac arrest during this parikrama and one of them died due to drowning in a pond. Fairs were held at Vautha, Shamlaji, Bhadarva, Somnath and other places across Gujarat, which saw tribals and people from various walks of life participating in the festival and the animal trade fairs held on the day. About 20 lakhs people took part in the five-day fair concluding on Kartik Purnima, which was celebrated with large livestock fair in Vautha, where large number of donkeys and camels were auctioned. At Shamlaji, scores of pilgrims from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mahrashtra and Rajasthan carried flags and sang devotional songs and took bath in "Nagdhara Kund" as a ritual on the occasion. Many other took a holy dip in Sabarmati. In Somnath, thousands took part in the Mahadeo Fair which ended yesterday. The fair is held to celebrate the birth of Katikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. Stage shows, folk dances and instrumental music recitals were held in the spectacular settings of the temple on the occasion, which attracts a lot of tourists and foreigners.

Sayajirao's 150th birth anniversary



VADODARA: The celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III could well be a state-wide affair. A committee formed for the celebrations is looking to hold programmes across the territory once under the Baroda state ruled by the Gaekwads.

The territory included Okhamandal and Amreli in Saurashtra, Navsari in south Gujarat, Kadi in north Gujarat and Vadodara with its surrounding areas. The sesquicentennial celebrations planned by the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III Sardha-Janma-Shatabdi Mahotsava Vadodara Mahanagar Samiti floated by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad Smarak Trust (MSGST) plans to cover the entire area in its celebrations.
The committee includes the scion of the royal Gaekwad family Ranjitsinh Gaekwad as its patron and Vadodara mayor Dr Jyoti Pandya as its president. Prominent citizens of the city have been invited as members of the celebration committee.

Trustee of MSGST Dr Bansidhar Sharma said people should not miss the opportunity of celebrating the occasion and the 150th birth anniversary should be a grand affair. He said the committee had planned several programmes. Sharma said when they travelled to distant rural areas, even people there remembered Sayajirao.

The trustees have already started travelling in the state and have urged local leaders and prominent citizens to start work to celebrate the anniversary. "We have already been to Mehsana, Patan and Siddhpur. The people there are excited about the event and have plans for the celebrations," another trustee Prataprao Bhoite said.

He said for Amreli, he had spoken to senior BJP leader Parshottam Rupala, who had promised support in organising the events there. "Prominent library movement activist Pratap Pandya is coordinating efforts in this direction," Bhoite added. Vadodara MP Balkrishna Shukla and other local leaders have also promised support to the trust.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Orissa, Saurashtra fail to get a point from drawn Ranji Trophy game

 
CUTTACK: Hosts Orissa and Saurashtra on Sunday failed to get a single point from the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A that ended in a dull draw at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday.

Replying to Saurashtra's massive 545, Orissa were 494 for seven when stumps were drawn on the final day. With Saurashtra failing to bowl out Orissa, both teams failed to get even a single point from the encounter.

The highlight of the Orissa innings was a career-best 209 by opener Nataraj Behera. Starting the day on 112, Behera completed his maiden double century in first-class cricket.

Along with Abhilash Mallick, he added 90 runs for the fifth wicket before Mallick (64, 8x4) was caught by Sagar Jogiyani off Pratik Mehta with the scoreboard reading 336.

Behera added another 79 runs with Paresh Patel (48, 7x4) for the sixth wicket before being bowled by Mehta with the score on 415.

Behera's double century contained 27 hits to the fence and and two hige sixes off 501 balls during his marathon 731 minutes stay at the crease.

Even as the visitors were smelling success with Behera's exit, the Orissa middle-order frustrated the visitors with cautious batting.

Deepak Behera and Alok Sahoo contributed to the team total with 28 and 21 runs respectively with five hits each to the fence.

For Saurashtra Pratik Mehta was the most successful bowler with two for 12 from six overs. Jaydev Unadkat bagged two wickets each giving away 82 runs while Sandeep Maniar and Ravindra Jadeja accounted for one scalp each both giving away 110 runs.

Orissa will leave for Mohali for its next match against Punjab scheduled to begin on November 10.

Brief Scores: Saurashtra 1st innings: 545 all out Orissa 1st innings: 494 (Nataraj Behera 209, Abhilash Mallick 64, Paresh Patel 48, Bikash Pati 43, PS Mehta 2/12, Jayadev Unadkat 2//82).

Notorious criminal Vishal Madam shifted to A'dabad hospital

Rajkot, Nov 5 (PTI) Notorious criminal and nephew of Jamnagar Congress MP, Vishal Madam, was shifted to a hospital in Ahmedabad after his health deteriorated last night, sources in Jamnagar jail said today. Madam, who was wanted in various offences like murder, extortion and land grabbing, was recently arrested in Ahmedabad by the crime branch. He was later handed over to Jamnagar police and kept in district jail here where he fell ill and admitted to Guru Govindsinhji hospital couple of days back for treatment of lung infection, sources said adding his health condition deteriorated further and was shifted to U S Mehta hospital in Ahmedabad last night. PTI VJA ABC

BJP protests against latest petrol price hike in Rajkot

Nov 5.
Rajkot, Nov 5(ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today protested against the recent petrol price hike by the state-run oil companies in Rajkot, Gujarat.
 
The BJP activists burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and demanded Union Finance Minister Praban Mukherjee's resignation.
"Pranab Mukherjee is fooling the people of this country.

I believe he is not capable of running the government. They should immediately resign and seek mandate from the people. In coming days people will decide," said Dhansukh Bhanderi, a BJP worker

The fuelretailers raised petrol prices by about 2.7 percent on November 4.
 
The move, aimed at cutting revenue losses of oil firms, is likely to add pressure to high inflation in the country.
 
"We will have harness horse in it (vehicle) to make it run. The hike in petrol prices has become unbearable now. I don't know what has happened to the government," added Nilesh Parikh, a local. (ANI)

Friday 4 November 2011

RSS chief Bhagwat in Rajkot

Nov.1 RAJKOT: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat arrived in Rajkot on two-day personal visit. Bhagwat met Swami Parmatmananda Saraswati of Munjka-based Aarsh Vidya Mandir, a centre imparting education on learning vedas, upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. The RSS chief will call on Pravin Maniar in Rajkot on Wednesday. Maniar, a Sangh leader, lost his son a few weeks ago.
While Bhagwat will leave for Mumbai on Wednesday, two senior BJP leaders, general secretary Ram Lal and Balbir Punj, in-charge of party's Gujarat matters will be coming to Ahmedabad. They will also discuss L K Advani's rath yatra with party workers in detail.

Seven Pakistani men arrested off Gujarat coast

Nov.2  Jamnagar: Seven Pakistani nationals on board a fishing boat have been arrested from Jhakau coast in Kutch district of Gujarat for trespassing into the Indian territory, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place late last night when one of the ICG units from Okha in Jamnagar was patrolling in the Arabian sea, they said.

Seven Pakistani men on board a fishing boat 'Al-Habib' were seen entering Indian territory near Jhakau, ICG officials said, adding they were warned by the patrolling unit ahead of their arrest and seizure of their boat.
The boat and the men were brought to Okha ICG station here this morning, they said.

The men would be interrogated by various security and intelligence agencies, state as well as central, at the joint interrogation centre there, ICG officials said.

This is third such incident in the past fortnight when Pakistanis have tried to trespass into the Indian Territory.


On October 19, two Pakistani men were arrested by the Border Security Force unit patrolling in the Sir Creek area off the west coast of Kutch district.

On October 26, the ICG had arrested six Pakistani men on board boat 'Al-Hassan' from near Jhakau in Kutch district