Left hopeful of patch-up with UPA

     New Delhi: Emerging out of a meeting with UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Left leaders said that they are hopeful of an early resolution of the differences with the ruling alliance over the privatisation of the government owned industries. It seems that Sonia successfully cajoled the Left leaders over the issue of ten percent privatisation of BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited). The matter is said to have been delayed till the end of next week after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh returns from his scheduled US visit. Addressing reporters in the Capital after the meeting, CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat said that they have requested Sonia to intervene into the matter. "We have requested her to intervene as the Chairperson of the UPA to see that the government adheres to the provisions of the CMP regarding the Navratna companies. After discussions with her, Left parties are hopeful that the issues or the problems will be amicably resolved. As you know the Prime Minster has also returned from Scotland last evening. Sonia told us that she will discuss with the Prime Minister and she will get back to us. But, we are hopeful that the matter will be amicably resolved," said Karat. The Congress too reacted positively, saying that a solution might be in sight. "Discussions were held in a good atmosphere and I think we will be able to find a solution. We will try to resolve it amicably. Our meetings are a continuous process," said Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to Sonia. The Left, who are supporting the Congress-led UPA government from outside, have been against the Centre government's move of selling stakes in major government firms, including BHEL. In May, the Communist-backed government approved a 10 percent sell-off in the power plant equipment maker. The planned sales, which would raise just under $500 million at current market prices, would cut the government's holding to 58 percent.

Flood waters wash away 20 in Yavatmal in Maharashtra (Go To Top)

      Mumbai: More than 20 people got washed by flood waters in Yavatmal taluka of Maharashtra when a dam collapsed due to the incessant rains. The flood came when the Nandgavhan dam collapsed in Digras taluka. It led to water entering into the villages situated on the banks of the river Arunavai. Police sources said that over 20 people were washed away and seven bodies were fished out so far. Atleast 40 to 50 huts on the river banks were swept away. The entire Digras village has been submerged under flood waters and the communication systems have also collapsed. However, the flood waters have began receding. According to eye-witnesses, more than 30 people were washed away and 13 people were still missing. Rescue operations are in progress. Collector Harshdeep Kamble and other district officials have rushed to Digras to take stock of the situation. Efforts are on to restore communication links. According to latest reports seven bodies, which included five women, have been recovered while six others are missing, agencies adding that one person was rescued. The water-level started rising around 8.30 (night) on Saturday and receded by midnight after playing havoc, he said. About 1,000 persons from over 350 shanties along the river near Mallikarjun temple in Digras were taken to safer places at night in municipal council run schools and Yavatmal Civil Hospital. Rescue operations are underway and senior administrative officials are camping at the site. The administration has announced a compensation of Rs one lakh for each of the deceased above eight years and Rs 50,000 for each child. The affected persons were being provided with first aid, food and shelter in different places in Digras and other places, the collector added. The victims included three persons from Digras while four persons are still missing and the rest are from Sigat and Ranzi village in the taluka, he added.

Ayodhya attackers' bags traced to Lucknow shop (Go To Top)

     Lucknow: A shopkeeper in Lucknow who unsuspectingly sold bags to gunmen who raided the Ramjanmabhoomi site in Ayodhya, could prove to be vital in cracking the case. Rithesh Mahajan earlier, on Saturday said that the gunmen bought bags used for keeping hand grenades and rocket launchers from his shop in the old quarters of the city. Mahajan said the investigating team found his visiting card in one of the bags, which led them to his shop. "We did not know who they were. This is our peak season time. The STF (Special Task Force) showed us the photographs of the bags and then we recognised the bags. They had bought the three bags from our shops. We give our cards to anyone who asks for it," he said. Six people were killed when suspected militants attacked the site on Tuesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the Ayodhya raid but security officials and Hindu hardliners say that it was the work of Muslim terrorist groups based in Pakistan, going by the nature of the attack in which the gunmen stormed the holy complex with an explosives-laden vehicle.

Govt. offices burnt in Manipur (Go To Top)

     Imphal: Some unidentified men last night attacked around 10 State Government offices and put them on fire following a clash between India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and some miscreants. All passengers buses commuting through Imphal were checked by the police in the wake of tense situation in the area. The Manipur Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh, suspended the two IRB personnel. He has appealed to people not to get influenced by any rumour. In another development, he invited ANSAM for talks. The All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) has put up an indefinite blockade on the national highway, adding to the situation in the State. The initial efforts for reaching upon any agreement have failed between the government and agitating protestors.

Mosque set on fire in UK (Go To Top)

      London: A mosque was set on fire by some unidentified people in northwest England last evening. No loss of life or injuries was reported, though the mosque was partially damaged. The ill-fated Shahjalal Mosque is a part of an Islamic centre in Birkenhead. The local police suspect "two white men in their early 20s" behind the arson. They say the two men, who are yet to be identified, were seen in the area just before the incident. The incident assumes significance as it occurred just two days after the Thursday's serial bomb blasts in underground buses and trains killing around 50 people killed and injuring hundreds. The mosque has been sealed for a forensic search with the police keeping a close surveillance with the help of closed circuit television tapes. Quoting a Merseyside police spokesman, The News reported that the mosque door was burnt and there was some smoke damage inside. Mosque chairman Abdul Munim reportedly said: "We would like to condemn wholeheartedly the incidents in London and our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of the victims. Whoever committed these acts were cowards who indiscriminately killed innocent people. What happened here was a dreadful act that could have been far worse had it not been for the fast actions of the police, fire and ambulance services."

Female Asian doctors favourite among Britons  (Go To Top)
by Mike Lockey

     London: A recent study of hundreds of patients in Britain has revealed that the perfect general practitioner, that's family doctor to you and me, is young, female, and Asian. And that is about as far away as you can get from the traditional image of the local doctor as a serious, suited, white, middle aged man. Female doctors under the age of 35 were judged to have the best personal manner, the most impressive technical skills, and patients also felt that they were more at ease with young female doctors carrying out physical examinations. This paeon of praise continues, with patients saying that they were more likely to have faith in the diagnoses arrived at by the women, and were more likely to follow their medical advice and prescribed treatment. Dr Reena Shah, who works in London and who instigated the survey, is one of these paragons of virtue and has said that, coming from a British - Indian background, she had often wondered about peoples' impressions of their family doctor: "I was surprised at how well the young Asian GP did in the study" she says, "it could be a "halo" effect; if someone likes the look of one aspect of you, such as your looks, they will rate you highly across other areas too". Another doctor, Rupal Shah (no relation) was amazed at the findings: "How strange. I had always imagined that an older white male had the most authority. I have sometimes felt that people look at me and think: 'Gosh, she's a bit young. Does she know what she is talking about?' So why do patients think the way they do? Dr Rupal Shah has her own theory: "My appointment times run over a lot because I like to discuss the various options open to patients. For our new generation of doctors, work is very much patient centred". So, none of that old-fashioned 'do what you're told and don't ask any silly questions' stuff. And Dr Ramesh Mehta, the president of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, is not surprised by the findings at all: "Naturally, everybody prefers good-looking young women. Asian GPs are preferred because of their politeness and they seem to be a lot more caring. They are also extra careful". Well he would say that wouldn't he? And there is one thing that, however good and caring a person may be, only comes with a certain amount of years on the clock. That thing is experience, which is why there will always be, in the UK anyway, a proportion of white male doctors over the age of 50.

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