Smita Prakash

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Manmohan Singh reminds the world not to forget Africa in the race for development 2009 7 15

Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), July 15, 2009 (ANI)

India today reminded the world that in decision-making bodies, in global economic processes and political emancipation of nations, nobody should forget that Africa is lagging behind.

Speaking on the first day of the XVth Non-Aligned Movement Summit here, the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said: "Nowhere are the challenges that humankind faces more pressing than in the continent of Africa. NAM should work to give Africa's problems and equally its prospects, preeminence in the global development agenda."

New Delhi, July 13, 2009 (ANI)

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, left for the French capital, Paris, today to be the Chief Guest of Honour at France’s National Day celebrations on July 14th.

He is the first Indian leader to be bestowed this honour, as France does not have a tradition of inviting foreign heads of state to be chief guests at their Bastille Day or National Day celebrations.

This day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which was then seen as a symbol of a rising modern nation.

Indian Americans not buying Basmati rice 2009 7 7

Washington, July 7, 2009 (ANI)

Basamati rice is the preferred choice of Indians everywhere in the world. In the US, Indian grocery stores prominently display at least 10 to 15 varieties of basmati rice, all imported from India and Pakistan. Most Indians buy basmati rice in bulk, 15 to 20 kilos in sacks made of jute or plastic.

But the trend is changing. Indian Americans are switching to non-basmati brands to cut cost, buying just two kilo basmati rice packs for special occasions like pujas or parties.In times of recession, drastic cuts in grocery bills is called for says Kaval Shah of Fredrick Maryland.

He works as a real estate agent. Once he held only one job but has had to take a huge pay cut ever since the mortgage crisis hit the U.S.

A RAW agent will be caught in Pakistan tomorrow 2009 4 26

New Delhi, April 26, 2009 (ANI)

It is as certain to happen as Bilawal Bhutto will one day become Prime Minister, as certain as some Indian politician will accuse ‘Pakistani agent’ of tampering with EVM machines, as certain as match fixing, as certain as Prakash Karat finally supporting the Congress Party.

A Pakistani terrorist addressing the media on Friday, in Srinagar, like some Lok Sabha hopeful, waxing eloquently about how one hundred of thirty one of them have entered India through the LOC. Is there a kumbh mela on or something? Is India issuing visas to terrorists in Islamabad? Like a Bollywood hero, ‘Syed Moinullah’ with a two-day stubble, flick in place, haunting green eyes ‘informs’ reporters how he was trained and sent to Kashmir to ‘liberate’ hapless Kashmiri Muslims. And surprise! Surprise! He found none. Aw! Really? Did he go meet Hurriyat leaders? They are a real sad lot.

London, Apr 3, 2009 (ANI)

Journalists from across the globe, who have gathered in London to cover the G-20 Summit, gave mixed reactions about their experience on Thursday.

The huge entourage of journalists who have gathered said the schedule was too hectic.

“It is hectic because the information comes out in a very unpredictable way. Especially for the timings of the press conferences; you don’t know when they are going to happen. I generally think that facilities are very good, but perhaps true to the nature of the summit, the precise things like press conference and briefings, should have been made a little clearer,” said Tom Wilson, a journalist working for a Japanese radio.

G-20 protesters plan to fool cops on April 1st 2009 4 1

London, April 1, 2009 (ANI)

On the sidelines of the G-20 summit meeting are the innovative protests and demonstrations that will attract just about as much attention as the photo opportunity of world leaders shaking hands. Protestors have every intention of being innovative and clever and fool the over 20,000 cops who will be on duty on April 1st and 2nd during the summit.

All leave has been cancelled in the Metropolitan police and extra officers are being drafted in from forces across the country to help the capital's force during the entire week. But anarchists, anti-globalisation, anti-war and environmental protest groups are forming alliances to storm buildings, seal off roads, set up impromptu climate camps and launch inflatable dinghies in an attempt to breach the summit security at the Excel centre in Docklands via the river Thames.

It's almost a "Satvik" meal for rich leaders 2009 4 1

London, April 1, 2009 (ANI)

What’s cooking is the buzz.... What is going to be served at the banquet hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the world's 20 most powerful leaders? The menu is a secret but some leaks are out. One is that it is going to be comparably frugal and two that pork is off the menu. That is certain. The Saudi Arabian, Turkish and Indonesian delegations wouldn't want that.

It is a six course meal but without truffles and caviar. The menu has to reflect the difficult economic times of today or else the host would look very much like Marie Antoinette, medieval French Queen who is supposed to have said "let them eat cake" when she was told her subjects had no bread to eat. It just will make very bad public relations to see Gordon Brown sipping champagne and nibbling on duck when his people are scrimping on groceries at Tesco and Sainsbury.

Londeners stay home as thousands of VIPs come in 2009 4 1

London, April 1, 2009 (ANI)

It is a glorified house arrest. No less. For those who need to commute to work to downtown London on 1st or 2nd it is going to be a harrowing exercise. Everybody has been advised to carry as many forms of identification as they possess. Roads are blocked, thousands of policemen are patrolling the streets, presidential cavalcades are speeding down roads, potential protest demonstration sites are being sanitized of public movement, banks and government institutions are being guarded with particular emphasis

At the Excel centre where the meetings will take place, the security is so difficult that residents living in the area might as well not step out. The Dockland Railway Stations will be closed near the centre. The security exercise is the most complex and vast one ever undertaken by the Scotland Yard. And the most expensive one too. The guesstimates are about 7.5 million pounds for the two-day summit.

Where are all the Mangaloreans? 2009 1 1

Mangalore, January 1, 2009 (ANI)

Where are the famous Mangaloreans who brandish their origins at the drop of a hat? Why are they not speaking up for the protection of the secular and liberal culture of this beautiful port city?

Aishwarya Rai (films), Vijay Mallya (industrialist), Suneil Shetty (films), Margaret Alva (politician), George Fernandes (politician), Veerappa Moily (politician), Oscar Fernandes (politician), Veerendra Hegde (Dharmadhikari of the Dharmasthala temple), Shilpa Shetty (actress), Maxwell Pereira (super cop) and Arvind Adiga (Booker prize) speak up for your city.

This is not the Mangalore that I grew up in…. the city where I spent my summers at the homes of aunts and grandparents, visited restaurants and temples, wearing whatever I pleased. Nobody stopped me. Not even the Shankaracharya of the Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri.

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About me

I am the Editor News, at Asian News International (ANI), India's leading Multimedia News Agency and the India Correspondent for Channel News Asia, a Singapore based broadcaster.

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