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January 2017
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9:33 AM
New Delhi
Former Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai, who is appointed by the Supreme Court to head the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Monday said that he was honoured to be entrusted in new four-member administrative panel, adding his first priority will be to ensure smooth transition of the country's cricket board. Describing himself as a `night-watchman`, Vinod said that he would try to bring good governance and adequate performances by the people. 

"It's an honour to be entrusted by the Supreme Court...I was biting my nails during the T20 yesterday. My first priority is to ensure the honest transition of the board and good governance and adequate performances by the people. I am very happy with the committee I'll be working with! My role is of a night-watchman and cricket is my first priority," Vinod said in an exclusive interview to ANI. 
The apex court earlier in the day appointed a new four-member BCCI panel of administrators led by Vinod Rai, along with noted historian Ramachandra Guha, managing director of IDFC Limited Vikram Limaye and former captain of the women's cricket team Diana Edulji as other administrators. They will function as the new interim bosses of the BCCI and run the day-to-day administration of BCCI till the Justice (retd.) R.M Lodha-led recommendations are fully implemented and elections are held. 
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9:32 AM
New Delhi
After the Hollywood went after President Donald Trump's sweeping ban on immigrants from seven Muslim nations, at the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Hollywood's Latina beauties Selena Gomez and Sofia Vergera joined the chorus.

Taking forward what actor Ashton Kutcher said at the SAG awards about President Trump's executive order that temporarily bans refugees and immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries, Gomez, who boasts a Latin heritage, posted a picture on her Instagram, of the same quote.

Ashton Kutcher had said, "Everyone in airports that belong in my America: You are the part of the fabricof who we are. and we love you and we welcome you", which was re-posted by Selena on Instagram.

Meanwhile 'Modern Family' hottie Sofia Vergara drew a lot of flak and support as well on Instagram when she posted a sexy picture of herself in a low cut dress along with a friend, captioned as "immigrants" with a hashtag #nowondertheydontwantushere.

Trump's executive order, announced Friday, temporarily suspended immigration from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen for 90 days. It halted the country's refugee resettlement program for 120 days and banned Syrian refugees from the U.S. indefinitely.
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9:29 AM
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. 
Google has created a crisis fund that could raise up to $4 million for four immigrant rights organizations.

Google has confirmed a USA Today report that it is funding an initial $2 million for the fund that can be matched with up to $2 million in donations from employees. The money will go toward the American Civil Liberties Union, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the International Rescue Committee and the U.N. Refugee Agency.

Company executives are also donating separately to the effort.

Google says in a statement that it's concerned about the impact President Donald Trump's order to temporarily suspend immigration from seven Muslim majority nations will have on the company's employees and their families.
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9:27 AM
USA
The U.S. Senate is pressing ahead on President Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, with a procedural vote that puts the confirmation on track for later this week.

In a vote of 56-43, Rex Tillerson received the backing of a majority of the Republican-led chamber Monday evening, in a vote that sets in motion a confirmation hearing in the coming days.

Many Democrats oppose Tillerson, Exxon Mobil's former CEO, but are unable to derail the nomination unless several Republicans join them, a feat that appears unlikely.

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a delay in the confirmation vote until Tillerson answers questions about Trump's executive order temporarily banning entry to refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Two leading Republican senators, John McCain and Lindsey Graham, have criticized Trump for failing to consult with key federal agencies before issuing the travel bans. They have also voiced concern over Trump's desire to have better relations with Russia; however, the two senators have not indicated they will hold up Tillerson's nomination.

Tillerson, 64, recently resigned from Exxon Mobil. Tillerson's massive oil deals with Russia have raised questions about his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in 2013 gave Tillerson Russia's Order of Friendship, an honor reserved for foreigners.

Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this month that Russia poses a danger to the United States, and "its recent activities have disregarded American interests."

He told the lawmakers,“Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed by a resurgent Russia,” and said Trump has urged closer relations with Russia to address a resurgence that occurred in the "absence of American leadership."

Tillerson said the United States is "not likely to ever be friends" with Russia, noting that values between the two countries are "starkly different." He maintained that "dialogue is critical" so that matters of mutual interest to the U.S. and Russia do not "spin out of control."

Tillerson, trained as a civil engineer, joined ExxonMobil right after he graduated from the University of Texas and moved up the corporate ranks over the next four decades. He is known for his international deal-making skills, and is said to have good relations with a number of heads of state around the globe, which would be an important asset for the top U.S. diplomat.
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9:24 AM
On the basis of the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2016 held by the Union Public Service Commission on 23rd   October, 2016, 8563 candidates with the following Roll Numbers have qualified for being interviewed by the Service Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence, for admission to (i) Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 143rd Course commencing in July, 2017 (ii) Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala, Course commencing in July, 2017 (iii) Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course (202/16F/PC) commencing in July, 2017 (iv) Officers Training Academy, Chennai  106th SSC Course (for Men) commencing in October, 2017 and (v) Officers Training Academy, Chennai, 20th SSC Women (Non-Technical) Course commencing in October, 2017. 
The candidature of all the candidates, whose Roll Numbers are shown in the lists below, is provisional.  In accordance with the conditions of the admission to the examination, they are required to submit the original certificates in support of age (Date of Birth), educational qualifications, NCC (C) (Army Wing/Senior Division Air Wing/Naval Wing) etc. claimed by them along with attested copies thereof, to Army Headquarters, A.G.’s Branch/Rtg./CDSE Entry Section for males and SSC Women Entry Section for women candidates, West Block-III, Ground Floor, Wing 1, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066 in case of IMA/SSC as their first choice and to IHQ of MoD (Navy), DMPR (OI & R Section), Room No. 204, ‘C’-Wing, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 in case of Navy as their first choice, and to PO 3 (A) Air Headquarters, ‘J’ Block, Room No. 17, Opp. Vayu Bhawan, Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi-110011 in case of Air Force as their first choice.  The original Certificates are to be submitted within two weeks of completion of the SSB Interview and not later than 13th  May, 2017 for AFA and not later than 01st July, 2017 for IMA and not later than 01st June, 2017 for admission to NA (1stAugust, 2017 in case of SSC only).  The candidates must not send the original Certificates to the Union Public Service Commission. 
All the candidates who have successfully qualified in the written exam are required to register themselves online on the Indian Army Recruiting website joinindianarmy.nic.in within two weeks of announcement of written result. The successful candidates would them be allotted Selection Centres and dates, of SSB interview which shall be communicated on the registered e-mail ID. Any candidate who has already registered earlier on the site will not be required to do so. In case of any query/Login problem, e-mail be forwarded to dir-recruiting6-mod@nic.in. 
In case, there is any change of address, the candidates are advised to promptly intimate directly to the Army Headquarters/Naval Headquarters/Air Headquarters as the case may be. 
The Union Public Service Commission have a Facilitation Counter near Examination Hall Building in its Campus. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding this examination on working days between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, in person or over telephone No.011-23385271, 011-23381125 and 011-23098543 from this Facilitation Counter.  Candidates can also obtain information regarding their result by accessing UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in  
The marks-sheet of candidates who have not qualified, will be put on the Commission’s website within 15 days from the date of publication of the final result of OTA (after conducting SSB Interview) and will remain available on the website for a period of 60 days.   
Click here for full list
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9:23 AM

Ampati
Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, along with Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma, inaugurated the first ever Apparel and Garment Making Centre in Meghalaya, near Ampati in South West Garo Hills , in the presence of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju.

Dedicating the centre to the people of Ampati in particular and to the state as a whole, Smt. Irani said that the project was testimony to the true convergence of efforts of Central and State Governments. She said that the Apparel Centre will create employment opportunities for both men and women of the region, thereby empowering them economically.   

Smt. Irani informed that the Union Ministry of Textiles is implementing projects worth Rs. 70 crore in sericulture and weaving sectors for Meghalaya alone. The Textiles Minister said that around Rs. 32 crore has already been sanctioned for the state of Meghalaya, for promotion of handlooms. She appealed to the youngsters, particularly women, to leverage their handloom legacy and become enterprising entrepreneurs. As the region is well-known for regional dyes, Smt. Irani urged upon the weavers of the state to register with India Handloom Brand, which she said can directly connect the weavers with big multinational companies. The Union Minister said that once the centre starts functioning to its full potential, it will give an indication to investors across the country that the youth of the region are ready for economic engagement and expansion.

The sprawling Apparel and Garment Making Centre, covering an area of 45,000 sq. ft, has been set up at Hatisil near Ampati, at a cost of approximately Rs. 14.26 crore, under the North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) of the Ministry of Textiles. The centre has three units, two of them housing 105 sewing machines each, and the third one having seventy machines. The foundation stone for this centre was laid in 2015 by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, in the presence of the then Union Textiles Minister. Its construction was completed by NBCC, in a record time of less than two years.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma expressed his gratitude to the people of the region, for creating a conducive atmosphere and enabling completion of the huge infrastructure before timeline, without cost overruns.  He expressed confidence that the garment centre at Hatisil would grow to become the most sought-after export unit in the state. He spoke of the advantage provided by the availability of international market in neighbouring Bangladesh, and the opportunity it offers in forging business partnerships with investors of Bangladesh. Stating that the weavers of the region are a ready workforce and that they only require advanced training, he highlighted the importance of providing training for their technological up-gradation.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said that the Centre has given special focus to Meghalaya, particularly Garo Hills, in creating job-oriented programmes. He added that there could not be a better programme for women than this, for promotion of textiles and handlooms in the state. Dwelling on the huge potential of the region, he said there was a need to create industries and employment opportunities to harness the potential of sectors such as like sericulture and weaving.

Minister for Sericulture and Weaving, Government of Meghalaya, Clement Marak; Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya, Zenith Sangma and several other dignitaries and officials from both Central and State governments were present on the occasion. The inaugural programme was also attended by hundreds of weavers from various parts of the region.

Background
The Apparel and Garment Making Centre is being set up as part of a landmark initiative announced by the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Nagaland, on 1st December, 2014. The Prime Minister had announced that an Apparel and Garment Making Centre shall be constructed in all North Eastern states. Each Apparel and Garment Making Centre set up under the initiative is estimated to generate direct employment for 1,200 people.

For local entrepreneurs with requisite background, required facilities to start a unit will be provided in ‘plug and play’ mode. Once such entrepreneurs get established, they can set up their own units, allowing the facility to be provided to new entrepreneurs. The project will be fully funded by the Ministry of Textiles, with an estimated expense of Rs. 18.18 crores for each state. The initiative comes under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) of the Ministry of Textiles. NERTPS is an umbrella scheme for the development of various segments of textiles, i.e. silk, handlooms, handicrafts and apparels & garments.
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9:21 AM
New Delhi
Addressing floor leaders of parties in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha here today, ahead of Budget Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that in order to preserve and enrich the institution of Democracy in India, it is imperative that both the Houses of the Parliament run without disruption and constructive discussion takes place on issues of national importance.

Modi urged leaders of all the political parties to rise above party lines to cooperate with the Government and hoped that the experience of the last Winter session is not repeated. The Prime Minister also noted that knowledge is not limited to the treasury benches and it rather emanates from all the members of both Houses and hence, the session should be used constructively and differences be resolved by consensus.

Responding to observations of different leaders on advancing of the Budget Session 2017 and presenting the Budget before start of polling in five poll bound States, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asserted that this decision was a well thought of step and was discussed in detail in the Cabinet. Further, he informed that the decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet over six months back and is based on sound financial principles that would lead to efficient utilization of finances under different Centre and State Government schemes. Jaitley also assured all the parties that the Government will observe discipline and will abide by Election Commission guidelines regarding level playing field for all parties in poll bound States.

A host of issues were brought up by the leaders of parties during the meeting including withdrawal of high value currency notes, advancing of Budget presentation, increasing the number of sitting days of the Parliament and holding another meeting of leaders of all parties before the start of second part of the Budget Session 2017.There was a consensus across party lines on ensuring smooth  functioning of the Parliament without disruptions and deadlocks to be resolved through constructive discussions in both the Houses.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ananth Kumar, later briefing media persons said that all parties, especially the opposition, were in favour of a productive Budget session. He informed that the Government’slegislative agenda for the 31 sittings of the Budget Session includes 40 Bills consisting of 1 Bill relating to Supplementary Demands for General Budget.

Items of Government Business Identified for being taken up in both the Houses of Parliament during this Budget Session, 2017:

I           Bills for replacing Ordinances
1.         The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, as passed by Lok Sabha and as reported by Select Committee of Rajya Sabha
2.         The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017
3.         The Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017

II         Bills for Introduction, Consideration and Passing

1.         The Finance Bill, 2017
2.         The Indian Institute of Management Bill, 2017
3.         The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment), Bill, 2017
4.         The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017
5.         The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017
6.         The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Amendment) Bill, 2017
7.         The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2017
8.         The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2017
9.         The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2017
10.       The Collection of Statistic (Amendment) Bill, 2017
11.       The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2017
12.       The Central Goods & Service Tax Bill, 2016;
13.       The Integrated Goods & Service Tax Bill, 2016;
14.       The Goods & Services Tax (Compensation for loss of revenue) Bill, 2016
15.       The Divorce (Amendment) Bill, 2017
16.       The Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017
17.       The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, 2017
18.       The High Court and the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2017
19.       The Indian National Defence University Bill, 2017
20.       The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2017
21.       The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

III       Bills for Consideration and Passing

            (A) Bills pending in Lok Sabha
1.         The Mental Health Care Bill, 2016, as passed by Rajya Sabha
2.         The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, as passed by Rajya Sabha
3.         The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2016
4.         The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016
5.         The National Institute of Technology, Science Education and Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016
6.         The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2016
7.         The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015


            (B)  Bills pending in Rajya Sabha
1.         The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, as passed by Lok Sabha
2.         The Factories (Amendment) Bill, 2016, as passed by Lok Sabha
3.         The Employees Compensation (Amendment) Bill, 2016, as passed by Lok Sabha
4.         The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013
5.         The Armed Forces Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, 2012
6.         The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014

IV    Financial Business
1.         Third Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2016-17;
2.         Demands for Grants for 2017-18;

V         Bills for Withdrawal (in Lok Sabha)
1.         The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2016

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9:18 AM
New Delhi
Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha launched the operations of the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) here today as two pilot branches at Raipur and Ranchi through video conferencing from Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Jaitley said that about 650 IPPB branches will be opened by September this year and that will have a multiplier impact as far as banking in India is concerned. He said with IPPB, banking at the doorstep will no longer remain a mere slogan, but will become a reality due to huge postal network in the country. He said that financial Inclusion is critical for the socio-economic development of the country, but there are significant gaps in this area and a large proportion of country’s population remain unbanked or underbanked. IPPB will effectively leverage the ubiquitous post office network with its pan-India physical presence, long experience in cash handling and savings mobilization, backed by the ongoing project of IT-enablement, to bridge this gap in Financial Inclusion.

In his address, Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha has commended the hard work done by the Department of Posts in setting up the India Post Payments Bank and hoped that both organizations will work in tandem to take the benefits of government schemes and financial services that are not easily available in rural areas to customers across the country and to the marginalized population in urban and rural areas alike. He said, the objective of IPPB will be public service rather than promoting commercial interests.

Secretary, Department of Posts, B.V.Sudhakar said that the IPPB is widely expected to be a game changer for financial inclusion in the country as the USP of this initiative is doorstep banking, particularly in the rural areas.

As mandated by the RBI, the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) would focus on providing basic financial services such as all kinds of payments; including social security payments, utility bill payments, person to person remittances (both domestic and cross-border), current and savings accounts up to a balance of Rs 1 lac, distribution of insurance, mutual funds, pension products and acting as business correspondent to other banks for credit products especially in rural areas and among the underserved segments of the society.

Set up us a 100% Government of India owned Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, it will open around 650 branches in district HQ locations. All 1.55 lacs post offices including the 1.39 lac of the rural post offices will be mapped to the IPPB branch at the district headquarter and function as access points for IPPB. IPPB will usher in state of the art internet and mobile banking platforms, digital wallets and use innovative and emerging technologies to catalyse the shift from a cash dominant to a less cash economy.

While many other banks and financial institutions are working on the same theme, the USP of IPPB will be its ability to ease access and handhold the adoption of new age banking and payments instruments among citizen of all walks of life through the delivery by postmen and Grameen Dak sevaks, savings agents and other franchisees who will take banking to door steps. IPPB thus aspires to the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man with the motto - “No customer is too small, no transaction too insignificant, and no deposit too little”.

Given ‘in principle’ approval by the RBI along with 10 other aspirants on 19th Aug 2015, IPPB received the cabinet’s approval on 1st June, 2016 and was incorporated as on 17th Sept, 2106. Today it became the second payments bank to launch its operations. Having got its final banking license from the RBI on the 20th Jan 2017 it has commenced operations in record time of 10 days in partnership with the Punjab National Bank, after obtaining all necessary approvals and registrations from the RBI, NPCI etc.

A commemorative stamp and a logo of the new bank were also launched on the occasion.

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9:40 AM
New Delhi 
Trying to down play Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch Mulayam Yadav's shocking condemnation of the newly forged SP-Congress alliance, the grand old party came out in support of his son and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, asserting that the alliance was primarily formed owing to Akhilesh's leadership and not Mulayam's.

"What he (Mulayam) said is entirely his personal opinion. We have formed a strategic alliance with their party and primarily with Akhilesh's leadership. If there happens to be an important leader who is not happy with the development it is their internal matter," Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit told ANI here.

Further stating that the majority of voters and party members are with Akhilesh, Dikshit added that the alliance is panning out very well for everyone.

Agreeing with Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's recent statement calling Bharatiya Janata Party's politics more divisive and threatening than Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati's, he said the saffron party is responsible for pitting people against each other.

"Whether it is a matter of Hindu-Muslim relations or amongst other communities, or the matter of branding their detractors as Anti - nationals, in all matters BJP has played this venomous game and pitted one against another. How they tore the country in the Ram Janm Bhoomi episode is a well known fact which need not be reiterated."

In a press conference with Akhilesh Yadav yesterday, Rahul had said "BSP government might have committed mistakes. I personally respect Mayawatiji. I respect Kanshi Ram also and there can be no comparison between Mayawati and BJP."

Earlier in the day, Mulayam ended up giving fodder to the opposition and shocking everyone by voicing his dissent to the newly forged alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Mulayam expressed his displeasure over the pre-poll alliance and categorically stated that he is against it, adding that he would not campaign in the state.

"I am against the alliance formed between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress. I will never acknowledge this alliance. The Congress was in power for so long, but it did not do anything for the development of the country. I will not campaign in this election," he said.

Mulayam further blamed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for going against his wishes and jeopardising the chances of his own party members. (ANI)
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9:36 AM
Melbourne
Roger Federer was in tears as he won a thrilling, five-set Australian Open final against his great rival Rafael Nadal to clinch a record-extending 18th Grand Slam title on Sunday.

Federer won a classic, fluctuating encounter 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in three hours 38 minutes to move four major titles ahead of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time winners' list.

"Tennis is a tough sport, there's no draws. But if there was going to be one I would have been very happy to accept a draw tonight and share it with Rafa, really," Federer said, as he accepted the trophy from Australian legend Rod Laver.

After an astonishing comeback from six months out with injury, the Swiss became the oldest man in the post-1968 Open era to win a major since Ken Rosewall at the 1972 Australian Open.
It was Federer's fifth Australian title in his sixth final, and ended a long, seven-year wait to win again in Melbourne after his 2010 triumph over Andy Murray.

It was the 35th meeting between the two long-time rivals with Nadal now leading 23-12 and 6-3 in major finals, including his five-set win over Federer in the 2009 Australian final.

And it was a final to suit the occasion as momentum shifted from one side to the next before Federer finally seized control in the deciding set.

"It's amazing how well he's playing after being away for so long. For sure, you have been working a lot to make that happen. I am very happy for you," Nadal told the crowd.

"It was a good month for me, amazing month for me, really enjoyed it. I worked very hard to be where I am today. Probably Roger deserved it a little bit more than me."

"I'm just going to keep on trying. Feel like I'm back to a very high level. I'll keep fighting this season."

Federer, playing aggressively and with a flatter backhand than normal, took the match to Nadal and got the only service break to take the opening set.

Nadal fought back with two breaks to level before Federer got the bit between his teeth with a double break in the third set.

The Spaniard hit back in the fourth set with a service break in the fourth game to take the final into a fifth set.

He again broke the Swiss early in the final set but Federer stirred himself and broke Nadal twice to win an epic encounter as he served out for a brilliant victory, jumping for joy as he did so and crying tears of joy.

A final between Federer and Nadal had been wholly unexpected but the veterans seized their chance after top seeds Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic made early exits.

Federer becomes the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events. He has won five Australian Opens, seven Wimbledons, five US Opens and one French Open.
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9:26 AM
USA
U.S. Homeland Security chief John Kelly says he believes admitting lawful permanent residents into the United States is in the country's national interest, and does not go against the provisions of President Donald Trump's executive order on refugees and immigration.

Kelly's statement late Sunday clarifies some of the confusion surrounding Trump's executive order limiting immigration. It basically halts immigration for 90 days from seven Muslim majority countries he says have spawned terrorists.

Trump defended his order against the global outcry, saying it is not about religion but about "terror and keeping our country safe."
"America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border," he said in a statement from the White House on Sunday.
The president noted that former President Barack Obama had identified the seven countries -- Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - as sources of terror.

He pointed out that more than 40 Muslim majority countries are not affected by his order, and he took a characteristic swipe at the media for calling his order a ban on Muslims.

Trump's executive order issued Friday will be in effect for 90 days, but has led to widespread confusion. Refugees, green card holders, students and workers have been detained at American airports or barred from boarding international flights to the United States.

A senior administration official told reporters late Sunday that the president's executive order was written by the top Republican immigration experts on Capitol Hill, and that the legal significance of how it will be carried out was carefully considered.

But U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly in New York issued an emergency order Saturday temporarily barring the deportation of people with valid visas being detained at U.S. airports. The order also bars the detention of anyone with an approved refugee application.

The judge wrote "there is imminent danger that, absent the stay of removal, there will be substantial and irreparable injury to refugees, visa-holders, and other individuals from nations" who are subject to the president's order.

The Homeland Security Department says it will comply with judicial orders, but stressed it will continue to enforce all of the president's executive orders.

But reports from federal authorities indicated at least 170 people had been detained at U.S. airports since Trump signed his order Friday.

Two senior Republican senators criticized Trump's order Sunday.

"It is clear from the confusion at our airports across the nation that President Trump’s executive order was not properly vetted. We are particularly concerned by reports that this order went into effect with little to no consultation with the Departments of State, Defense, Justice and Homeland Security, Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham said. “Such a hasty process risks harmful results.

People affected by order

Twenty-eight-year-old Iranian national Neda Daemi, a 16-year legal U.S. resident, was released after being detained for 10 hours Saturday. Daemi spoke with two lawyers and added she was not asked to sign any papers. She explained she had flown to Los Angeles from Tehran, Iran, where she was visiting family members.

Somali refugee Binto Siyad Aden and her children were released late Saturday after they were detained in Virginia. They had arrived on a family reunion visa from Kenya.

Aden’s husband, Farhan Sulub Anshur, a U.S. citizen from Minnesota, said he believes his wife and two children were released after a court intervened. “You can’t image our joy and feelings now. They have been released and we are here together at a hotel near the airport, “ Anshur said.

He told reporters his wife was subjected to harsh treatment from law enforcement while in detention at the airport. “They harassed her and threatened her with handcuffs and arrest; they forced her to sign a form stating that her and her children will be deported, but she refused to sign for the kids and told them their father is an American citizen,” he said.

A Seattle judge issued an emergency stay of removal from the U.S. for two people, and another judge in Virginia banned the deportation of green card holders for seven days and ordered immigration officials to allow detainees access to lawyers.

Other congressional reaction

Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill are treading carefully amid the controversy following his order.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell said the president has a lot of latitude to try to secure the country.

“We need to be careful as we do this. I think we need to be careful we do not have religious tests in this country,” McConnell said.

Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona said Trump is right to be concerned about national security, "but it's unacceptable when even legal permanent residents are being detained or turned away ..."

Democrats, however, believe Trump is doing more harm and playing into the hands of the enemy.

“What Trump is doing is harming our national security. It will incite attacks against us. ISIS (Islamic State) is already using this ban as propaganda,” U.S. Representative Seth Moulton said.

Kenneth Schwartz, Mohamad Olad contributed to this report.
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9:22 AM
Philippines
A 23-year-old dental student from France has won the Miss Universe crown in the annual pageant held this year in the Philippines.

Iris Mittenaere from the small town of Lille in northern France said Monday in reply to a final question from pageant host Steve Harvey that she would be honored if she just landed among the three finalists, but was visibly stunned when she was announced the winner among the field of 86 contestants.

Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, a 25-year-old survivor of the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed her hometown, was named first runner up while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old, Andrea Tovar, was second runner up.
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9:18 AM
Karimul Haque and Nivedita Bhide have nothing in common. Neither education, family background, resources at disposal nor even geographical location, but one thing that both have common is their willingness to serve. There is very little chance that you may have met or read about Nivedita Raghunath Bhide, a social worker, associated with Kanyakumari-headquartered Vivekananda Kendra. Similarly, there is very little chance that you may have met or heard about Karimul Haque, a tea garden worker from West Bengal. But they represent the ordinary Indians with extraordinary capabilities.

“On reaching Kanyakumari, after seeing people of India reeling under poverty and ignorance, Swami Vivekananda concluded that a real purposeful life starts with the question – What can I do for my country?”, Bhide told the students of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Indore on January 12, 2013. Hindustan Times, Indore reported that Bhide, national vice president of Vivekananda Kendra, further described Vivekananda’s journey through India before he reached Kanyakumari in 1892 and then posed a few questions to the impressionable IIM students. (http://www.vsc.iitm.ac.in/Home/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/VSC_Hindustan_Times_Indore2013-01-12_page4.pdf)

She herself had left her home in Maharashtra to be a full time worker at Kanyakumari and dedicated her life for social service under the banner of the organization started as a living memorial to Swami Vivekananda. An ordinary Indian doing extraordinary work!

For Karimul Haque, who lost his mother 15 years ago to the absence of a vehicle to take her to the nearest hospital, a chance few years later became his mission. His coworker collapsed in the field in front of him, prompting Haque to tie him to his back and take him on a bike to Jalpaiguri Hospital, 50 kms away. Of course, his coworker’s life was saved.

Haque’s two-wheeler has been the only lifeline for 20-odd villages in and around Dhalabari in that district, part of West Bengal. The area lacks basic healthcare facilities and as reported by Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/kolkata/how-north-bengal-s-bike-ambulance-dada-is-saving-lives/story-66aVHiLbElBP46hKVMovNJ.html), ferrying a patient to the hospital in an ambulance is a luxury mostly elusive for a majority in the region. Haque has also started providing basic care at the people’s doorstep after taking intensive training from local doctors. He has single handedly saved over 3000 lives on his mission. So much for an ordinary tea garden worker!

Element of public service, a showcase for ‘excellence plus’

That is what makes Haque and Bhide special. That is what makes them stand out in the crowd of millions and millions of ordinary Indians. And that is what got them selected from more than 18,000 nominations for Padma Awards.  

The ‘Selection Criterion’ as mentioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs for Padma awards (http://www.padmaawards.gov.in/SelectionGuidelines.aspx) is: “While no rigid criteria or trenchant formula for selection is applied by the Padma Awards Committee, it looks for life time achievements of an individual while making a selection. There ought to be an element of public service in the achievements of the person to be selected. The award is given for ‘special services’ and not merely for long services. It should not be merely excellence in a particular field, but the criteria has to be ‘excellence plus’.” (Emphasis added).

Indeed Haque and Bhide along with several of the unsung heros were honoured this year, in what is being labeled as a clear departure from the past. For instance, 1925 born V Koteswaramma. She has had an incredible journey from a small village to an eminent person running educational institutions. She lost her mother when she was just two. The girl from a tiny village Gosala near Vijayawada went on to become first woman graduate in the Vijayawada taluk thanks to her determination, her endless efforts at overcoming grim odds. As reported by The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/Hard-work-pays-off-says-Padma-awardee-Koteswaramma/article17094713.ece), Koteswaramma knew education opens up new vistas of growth as it did for her – “in those days, it was very difficult to get girls educated as no girls would step out of home after crossing 13 years,” she had told The Hindu correspondent – and so she strove hard to bring that quality change in lives of others.

The state level and national level ‘Best Teacher’ awardee, she set up Montessori Junior and Degree Colleges and later the Montessori College of Education, offering the entire range from KG to PG.

Recognising those working at the grass root level

Government officials said, special emphasis was laid on awarding recognition to those who have been rendering selfless service to the society at the grass root level. “This government has been instrumental in recognizing the work of unsung persons working at grass root level in awarding the Padma awards,” the officials added.

A perfect example can be said that of Sukri Bommagowda, also called the nightingale of Halakki Vokalinga tribes in Karnataka. The singer and performer of tribal folk music for almost six decades now, the social activist led a protest against the sale of liquor at Badigeri haadi (a small hamlet). She has also been instrumental in preserving cultural heritage by way of singing songs to save the culture from disappearing.

Another grass root person is ‘Eco Baba’ Balbir Singh Seechewal, who has resurrected the 160-kms long Kali Bein river in Punjab by mobilising local volunteers and developing the Seechewal Model of underground sewerage system. He mobilized volunteers and raised funds from locals to first create awareness amongst locals to not dispose sewage into the river; led to a clean riverbed; restored natural spring and brought the river to life again. That is what sets him apart. Scores of Gurus have become visible across media scene thanks to their celebrity followers but Seechewal stands out tall amongst them for his humble background and grass root work.

Similar is the case of Shekhar Naik. While his counterparts from other forms of cricket have nearly an iconic following, Naik, a blind cricketer, – who has a career span of 13 years with 32 centuries to his credit in 67 matches – is hardly known to even die hard cricket fans, forget rest of India. Naik was born to a poor family at a nondescript village in Karnataka. He rose literally through the ranks in his cricket matches, fought a untrustworthy system and yet achieved excellence – comparable to his ‘peers who can see’ from cricketing world. But as the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) is yet to get recognition from the BCCI, Naik and his ilk are made to suffer needlessly.

“Despite representing India for 13 years, I don’t get any money for playing cricket. It is my NGO Samarthanam, where I work as a sports coordinator, which pays me Rs 15,000 as monthly salary,” Naik told Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/world-cup-winning-blind-cricket-captain-who-earns-just-rs-15k-month/story-iIfq9SriRcYkxZ0w1pzQNJ.html).

Indeed, an ordinary man with extraordinary vision (pun intended). Hope, the Padma award will change the situation for better for Naik.

And hope also that the trend or recognising the unsung will continue every year from now onwards.

*****
Nivedita Khandekar

*Author is an independent journalist based in Delhi. She writes on environmental, developmental and social issues. The opinions expressed above are her personal.

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9:14 AM
New Delhi
For more than 10,000 domestic and foreign visitors who visit Mahatma Gandhiji’s Samadhi at Rajghat in the national capital every day, there is nothing much to engage the visitors about his life and and thoughts other than the black stone platform that marks the spot where Gandhiji was cremated. To address this deficiency and to enhance the engaging experience of the visitors, the Rajghat Samadhi Samiti, under the Ministry of Urban Development has undertaken several initiatives during the last two years and they will be inaugurated tomorrow on the occasion of the 69th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation. These initiatives come 15 years after last such major improvement works at Rajghat.

For the first time, a 157 word brief profile of Mahatma and a 131 word description of Gandhi Samadhi have been put on display, both in Hindi and English,  at all the three gates of Rajghat.

The profile says Mahatma espoused “Truth, Non-violence, Sarvadharma Samabhava, Gram Swaraj, Trusteeship and Swadeshi which are the building blocks of a new social order free from all kinds of exploitation, discrimination and domination”.  Profile on Rajghat says “ The Samadhi reflects the simplicity of Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi’s life”.

30 Amrit Vachans (eternally relevant thoughts of Gandhiji) have been engraved on marble and displayed on granite stone pedestals for inspiring the visitors to Rajghat. These include-“Innumerable are the names of God; but if a choice were to be made of one, it would be Sat or Satya, that is Truth. Hence, verily Truth is God”, “He who is unable to rule over self, can never really succeed in ruling over others” and “He who is truly clean within, can not remain unclean without”.  These pedestals have been designed to merge with the ambience and architecture of Rajghat and each pedestal illuniated by LED light atop aesthetically designed light post.

All the existing conventional lights at Rajghat Complex have been replaced by energy efficient and environment friendly LED lights and are placed atop 104 aesthetically designed poles replacing the old ones. These LED lights result in energy saving of 60,000 KWH annually. Solar panels have been installed above roof tops and cycle shed at the parking area of Rajghat that will generate 52 KW of energy.

For enhanced security and better monitoring of visitors, 27 CCTV cameras have been installed with a Central Control Room for monitoring.

Besides inaugurating these new initiatives tomorrow i.e January 30, 2017, Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu will also release a special edition of Rajghat Samadhi Patrika, commemorating the 100th year of Champaran Satyagraha launched by Gandhiji.

Other major initiatives taken up  and executed during the last two years include; setting up of Kasturba Gandhi Souvenir Store in the parking area for making available souvenirs related to Gandhiji at reasonable prices, Landscaping, regressing, improvement of water bodies and plantation, Laying of Cobbled Stone on the road between parking area of Rajghat and Samadhi to regulate speed of vehicles, setting up of CISF Control Rooms near the main gates and equipped with modern gadgets like DFMD, X-ray machines etc.

A two day  International Seminar was held by the Rajghat Samadhi Samiti in  March, 2015, the first of its kind on the theme “Clean and Capable India of Gandhi’s Dream” .  A quarterly ‘Rajghat Smadhi Patrika’ was launched on this occasion by the President Shri Pranab Mukherjee and since being published by the Rajghat Samadhi Samiti chaired by the Urban Development Minister, to spread Gandhian thoughts. A nine day ‘Manas Rajghat Katha’ by Shri Morari Bapu was also organized last year, again for  the first time.

The last Rajghat improvement works were initiated during 1999-2000 by the then Minister of Urban Development Minister Shri Jagmohan and his successor Shri Anant Kumar. These works include relaying of pathways and parikrama, construction of compound wall on Western and Southern sides, renovation of water lagoon, redesigning of the entrances and gate on ring road side, development of shallow water body with fountain, development of separate parking area etc.

MKRdezign

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