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Junior Sankaracharya's bail plea rejected

     Chengalpattu: A sessions court on Thursday rejected the bail pleas of Kanchi's Junior Sankaracharya Vijyendra Sawaswati, his brother R Raghu and mutt manager Sundaersa Iyer who are in judicial custody. Dismissing the bail pleas, Sessions judge Akbar Ali said a prima facie case existed for trial. He added that given the bail these hi-profile accused could tamper with witnesses mostly mutt devotees or employees. The judge also clarified that since the facts and circumstances involving the senior and junior sankaracharya are different, the junior Acharya cannot be granted bail as given to the Senior pontiff. The junior pontiff and others were arrested in connection with the Shankararaman murder case, and the seer has been lodged in the Chennai central prison since his arrest on January 10. After hearing the arguments of the prosecution and defence counsel, the judge had reserved his orders yesterday.

Artists, fashion designers host fund-raisers for tsunami (Go To Top)

     Mumbai/Bhubaneswar: Indian celebrity performers enthralled a packed house at a charity concert in Mumbai on Wednesday to raise funds for the survivors of the world's deadliest tsunami on record. Hundreds of fans sat mesmerised as singer and dancer Shiamak Davar and pop group Indian Ocean played their best of songs. The hosts urged fans to contribute generously to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. "Everyone has come together, it's very enduring, it's very encouraging. And for a cause like this it's great," said Sarah Jane, Channel V VJ and organiser of the event. National award winning choreographer-dancer Shiamak Davar said he wanted to perform on happy songs to make people feel good. "I am not gonna sing a sad song because anyway there is so much suffering outside. I am gonna sing a happy song, "I want to break free", because everybody knows it and everyone wants to sing and dance to that song," he said. In Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, students from a prominent fashion institute presented their latest creations in a fashion show meant for raising funds. Models sashayed down the ramp in classic creations, ranging from Indian to western wear.

      "Through this fashion show we want to contribute for tsunami. Whatever amount we are getting through contributions, we will send it to tsunami countries and even our states," said Dipali Samant Ray, a designer. The show is the latest in a string of private initiatives in India to raise funds for survivors of the December 26 tsunami which has left over 300,000 dead or missing around the Indian ocean from Somalia to Thailand. In India more than 16,000 people are dead or presumed dead. The catastrophe has left no one untouched and ordinary people have dug deep to rise up to the challenge. In western Gujarat children have polished shoes and even beggars donated money while in Orissa students performed streets plays to help the relief effort.

Bajrang Dal opposes Padma Shree for Stains' widow (Go To Top)

     Bhubaneshwar: Rightist organisation Bajrang Dal has opposed the announcement of giving the Padma Shree award to Gladys Stains, widow of slain Australian missionary Graham Stains. The Hindu group said that she is the wrong person to be given such a prestigious award. Subhash Chauhan, president of the Bajrang Dal, Orissa said that giving the award to Ms Stains was a wrong decision. The government had announced the award to Gladys two days ago amongst others. "Bajrang Dal is of the view that such a prestigious award should not be given to a wrong person. Bajrang Dal is against it. I want to ask that why Gladys Stains had been chosen, only because her husband died while converting people's religion. Is this the reason for giving Stains this award? Sonia Gandhi together with the Centre is indulging in some kind of conspiracy", said Subhash Chauhan, president of the Dal's Orissa unit. After the death of Graham Stains, Gladys took over his missionary running the Leprosy Colony in Baripada.

      Residents of the colony are, however, happy that Gladys has been given the award. All that they are sad about is the fact that Gladys has left India and would not be there anymore to look after them. "Our Gladys with her daughter went to their country. We are happy that she has got Padamshree. We hope that she will come back to us again," said Jamuna, a resident of the colony. "She (Gladys) used to take care of us. She has gne now. We feel sad that she has gone away. But we are taken care of," said Ganesh Ram, another resident of the lepers colony. Bajrang Dal has also threatened to hold demonstrations if the government do not withdraw the name of Gladys Stains from the list of the awardees.