Global News Post: Maharashtra

Indian Cops Ready With Sketches of Two Pune Blast Suspects

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI) -- Maharashtra Police has prepared sketches of two persons who may have planted explosives in Pune as investigators suspect the involvement of at least three persons in executing the August 1 serial bomb blasts in Pune. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"The sketches of two persons who could be bomb planters are ready. It will not be made public but would be given to the policemen involved in the investigations," a police officer told PTI on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Initial probe suggest that the there could be atleast three suspects who have planted bombs that exploded within an area of 500 meters," the official added.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday, four low intensity explosions took place between 7.37pm and 8.15pm during rush hour in the heart of Pune on Junglee Maharaj Road, crowded with restaurants, shops and the large Sambhaji Park, popular for family outings in the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The explosions occurred near Balgandharva Theatre, Dena Bank branch, a McDonald food outlet and Garware bridge. The first bomb went off at Balgandharva Theatre where one person identified as Dayanand Patil was injured.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The National Investigation Agency, Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad and Pune crime branch have been conducting the probe into the blasts simultaneously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The investigators have also approached mobile operators to verify if any new numbers were traced in and around the spots on the fateful day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"We have approached mobile companies seeking the details of new numbers or suspicious numbers their towers have captured before and after the blasts. There will be lakhs of calls a tower catches in a few minutes. In this mammoth task, we have to go through all these numbers and zero in on the numbers used by suspects," the official added.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Official sources in Delhi had on Thursday said that wrist watches were used to trigger the serial blasts and the manner in which this was done with detonators kept on three newly-bought bicycles, two dustbins and a polythene bag was similar to the technique adopted by banned home grown terror group Indian Mujahideen(IM).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On August 1, four low intensity blasts within a span of 30 minutes had rocked Pune when newly appointed home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde was to visit the city. Hr later cancelled his plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No one died in the serial explosions but one person was injured. The blasts took place in the heart of the city - on the crowded Jungli Maharaj Road commercial hub, known for its eateries and restaurants - between 7.45pm and 8.15pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">City police Chief Gulabrao Pol rejected the possibility of a terror attack but Union home secretary RK Singh said in Delhi that the terrorist angle could not be ruled out as the blasts were a "planned attack". -- NNN-PTI<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Indian Cops Ready With Sketches of Two Pune Blast Suspects

NEW DELHI (NNN-PTI) -- Maharashtra Police has prepared sketches of two persons who may have planted explosives in Pune as investigators su...

Economy Reform Seekers Meet Anti-Corruption Crusaders

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By   <a href="http://www.groundreport.com/Devidas"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Devidas Deshpande</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.groundreport.com/World/Economy-Reform-Seekers-Meet-Anti-Corruption-Cursad/2947320"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ground Report</span></a>: In a unique meeting of sorts, the reform seekers who want to change the economic scenario of the country met anti-corruption crusaders on Monday. The meeting involved discussions on ways to improve the nation's social realities.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It is very necessary to wipe out black money and corruption to help every Indian to live a dignified life,” said Anil Bokil, founder of the Arthakranti Pratishthan’s founder. Bokil was talking at the Balgandharva chowk in Pune, India after meeting the India Against Corruption (IAC) agitators there who are on fast since five days. These activists are part of veteran social worker Anna Hazare’s campaign to eradicate corruption and bring a regulatory body to oversee these cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The members of the Samarpan Yatra, which has been taken out to bring about various reforms in India's economy sector, participated in IAC movement as a mark of their support when they reached Pune today. Bokil further added, “Along with the fight for Janlokpal Bill, it is also important to change the system and the five point economic agenda of Arthakranti promises to do so.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The programme marked presence of several members from IAC as well several dignitaries from the city. Meanwhile, the team which reached Pune from Aurangabad, about 200 kms from the city, carried various activities at different parts in the city. They distributed pamphlets and performed street plays in these areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday, the team will head to Ahmednagar and then lead its way to Ralegan Siddhi.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Meanwhile, another team from Bangalore team continued its stay at Mysore and carried several activities to spread awareness about the Arthakranti Proposals amongst the citizens. The team arranged a presentation at SBRR Mahajana First Grade College and garnered a positive response from students.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Economy Reform Seekers Meet Anti-Corruption Crusaders

By Devidas Deshpande Ground Report : In a unique meeting of sorts, the reform seekers who want to change the economic scenario of the...

Mumbai High Court: Insisting On Condoms for Sex Can't Be Grounds for Divorce

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">    </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">NEW DELHI, India (NNN-Xinhua) -- In a unique case, the High Court in Mumbai has ruled that a wife's refusal to have sex with her husband without a condom could not be a legal ground for divorce, local media reported Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pradeep Bapat filed divorce petition before the court alleging that his wife refused to have sex with him without a condom as she was reluctant to have children because they were not financially stable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But, a two-judge bench of the High Court rejected his divorce plea and said that his other grounds for legal separation -- a lack of cooking and cleaning skills on his wife's part -- could not be grounds for divorce.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The couple married in February 2007 and by June his wife had left their home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"She wanted to give the child a better life. It is a mutual decision and a husband can not insist," the Times of India quoted Justice PB Majmudar as saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Bapat's lawyer told the court that his client wanted an educated, working woman as his wife, who would also do the housework.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">"A woman is not a slave. You have put (common marital troubles) in the plea. If we construe these as cruelty, then no marriage will be safe," the court remarked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the ruling, the court also said couples should get to know each other before marrying, especially in the case of arranged marriages. "It is the duty of parents to consider various aspects before the actual marriage takes place," it said. -- NNN-Xinhua<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Mumbai High Court: Insisting On Condoms for Sex Can't Be Grounds for Divorce

NEW DELHI, India (NNN-Xinhua) -- In a unique case, the High Court in Mumbai has ruled that a wife's refusal to have sex with h...

Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Mumbai Cases under Investigation

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">NEW DELHI</span></st1:city></st1:place><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white;"> (PIB) ---</span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";"> The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent a central team of<span class="apple-style-span"> </span>doctors to Mumbai to ascertain facts about the reported cases of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis cases. The central team comprising of Sr. Chief Medical Officer, Central TB Division (CTD), GOI; Consultant (Drug Resistant TB), CTD and National Program Officer (Lab.), WHO-India has already reached Mumbai on 16th January 2012 and started situation analysis. The team is in touch with the health authorities of Maharashtra, Mumbai Corporation, while also involving experts from concerned stake holders including <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hinduja</st1:placename>  <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Mumbai. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">So far as report from Hinduja Hospital is concerned, this Hospital Laboratory is not accredited by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, GOI for culture and sensitivity for second line drugs to diagnose Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) / Totally Drug Resistant (TDR) cases and is only accredited for conducting Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) by liquid culture and sensitivity for first line drug only. Recently, a proposal for accreditation of Line Probe Assay test (LPA) has been received and is under process. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">As of now, the Revised National TB Control Programme has accredited only following three labs for conducting quality-assured second-line anti-TB drug susceptibility testing of flouroquinolones and injectables, viz (1) National TB Institute (NTI), <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>; (2) LRS Institute of TB and Chest Disease, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New   Delhi</st1:place></st1:city>, and (3) National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In addition, the term TDR ‘totally drug resistant’ TB is non-standardized and is misleading; testing for resistance beyond XDR-TB is not advocated by WHO and poor clinical response to treatment has not yet been correlated with diagnosis of drug resistant TB without Laboratory conformation from Accredited Labs. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR-TB) is defined as resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin (two of the most potent first line anti-TB drugs), with or without resistance to other first-line drugs; Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB) is defined as resistance to at least Rifampicin, Isoniazid (i.e. MDR-TB) plus resistance to any fluoroquinolone, and to any of the 3 second-line injectable drugs (capreomycin, kanamycin and amikacin). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The term “totally drug resistant” tuberculosis is neither recognized by the WHO nor by Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). For now these cases are defined as Extensively Drug Resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), according to WHO definitions, and accordingly can be managed by national XDR-TB treatment guidelines. Current WHO recommendations advise against the use of the Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) results for second line drugs beyond those used to identify XDR-TB to guide treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Any type of Drug Resistant TB can only be diagnosed by Laboratory Test and not by clinical examination alone. Preliminary results of second-line DST for MDR-TB patients from DOTS Plus sites and also isolates collected from Gujarat and Maharashtra drug resistance surveys show that there is not yet any XDR-TB amongst new cases and ~0.5% amongst re-treatment cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Mumbai Cases under Investigation

NEW DELHI (PIB) --- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent a central team of doctors to Mumbai to ascertain facts abo...

India: Maharashta State Govt. Planning Housing Scheme for Seniors

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">MUMBAI (NNN-AGENCIES) -- <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>'s <st1:place w:st="on">Maharashtra</st1:place> state government is contemplating a housing scheme for senior citizens, to be executed by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) in Mumbai and neighbouring satellite towns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Minister of State for Housing, Sachin Ahir, said the scheme will be a part of the proposed comprehensive policy for welfare of senior citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"Given the security concerns of senior citizens who live alone, such housing complexes will help the local police to keep a tab on the security," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The scheme will be implemented after talks with groups who work for the welfare of senior citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">MHADA constructs houses and sells them by conducting a lottery. The houses for the senior citizens would be allotted through the same system, on economic criteria. -- NNN-AGENCIES<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

India: Maharashta State Govt. Planning Housing Scheme for Seniors

MUMBAI (NNN-AGENCIES) -- India 's Maharashtra state government is contemplating a housing scheme for senior citizens, to be executed b...

INDIA: HEAVY RAINS PARALYSE MUMBAI

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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">  </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mumbai-Road-Map-Goodearth-Eicher/dp/8187780681?ie=UTF8&tag=glob036-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Mumbai Road Map" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=8187780681&tag=glob036-20" width="214" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=glob036-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8187780681" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />MUMBAI (NNN-PTI) --Normal life was thrown out of gear and train services disrupted as heavy rains lashed the city for the third consecutive day on Monday, following which the civic body issued a high tide alert. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Train services on Central Railway and Harbour line are closed for sometime. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Once the water recedes on tracks, we will start the services," Central Railway PRO A K Singh said. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Water-logging has been reported from several areas and all BMC-run schools have been closed. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"A tide measuring 4.63 metre will hit the coast soon. Any tide above 4.50 metre is a high tide," an official from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Several hutments near the Mithi river have been evacuated," civic officials said after water level rose to 4.2 metre. 33 people from a resort in Palghar were evacuated by the Mumbai Fire Brigade. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">According to the Met Department, Colaba recorded 178.6 mm rainfall and Santacruz 232.6 mm since 8.30 am (IST) on Sunday. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The weather bureau has forecast more showers. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rains have also affected air traffic. "Visibility is normal but flights are delayed by 10 minutes. Due to Kochi airport closure two arrivals and four departures of that sector have been cancelled," a MIAL spokesperson said. -- NNN-PTI </span></div></div>

INDIA: HEAVY RAINS PARALYSE MUMBAI

MUMBAI (NNN-PTI) --Normal life was thrown out of gear and train services disrupted as heavy rains lashed the city for the third consecu...

MTDC launches Govinda Festival with a Spanish Twist!

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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>At the onset of Govinda Festival - 2011, MTDC promises an international fun filled extravaganza this year with the Castellers de Vilafranca team from Spain.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Mumbai-Regional-Travel/dp/174104894X?ie=UTF8&tag=glob036-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Lonely Planet Goa & Mumbai (Regional Travel Guide)" height="320" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=174104894X&tag=glob036-20" width="208" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=glob036-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=174104894X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Mumbai-<a href="http://www.indiaprwire.com/">IndiaPRwire</a>--- Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation today announced the official launch of their proprietary event termed as Govinda Festival. The announcement was made in the presence of the Hon'ble Minister for Tourism, Maharashtra - Shri Chhagan Bhujbal; Hon'ble Minister for State for Tourism, Maharshtra - Shri Ranjeet Kamble; Hon'ble Minister for State, Housing - Shri Sachin Ahir; Consul General of Spain - Mr. Antonio Luis Bullon Camarasa; President of Sangharsh - Shri. Jitendra Awhad; Principal Secretary, Tourism, Maharshtra - Shri Anand Kulkarni and Managing Director, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation - Dr. Avinash Dhakne.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Road-Mumbai-Ruth-Jeyaveeran/dp/0618434194?ie=UTF8&tag=glob036-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Road to Mumbai" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0618434194&tag=glob036-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Govinda festival adds to the list of<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=glob036-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0618434194" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> several celebrations and event led initiatives from MTDC, such as the Elephanta Festival, Ellora-Aurangabad Festival, Banganga Festival, Kalidas Festival and the Pune Festival. The Govinda Festival will be held every year on the eve of Janmashtami, and will be promoted on an international platform.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Janmashtami is celebrated all over the country with great enthusiasm. The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna and it is a revered occasion. Celebrations like the Dahi - Handi, which defy human limits, are practiced every year on a large scale in Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, and the rest of India. The cultural extravaganza and the euphoria of the Dahi Handi event are unparalleled. This acrobatic feat of faith is an exciting event and draws attention on the domestic as well as the international front.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This year, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has facilitated the participation of the famed Castellers da Vilafranca team from Spain this year for the festive celebrations. The visit of the Spanish Team to India has been organized by a Mumbai based NGO - Sangharsh. The NGO is reputed of organizing one of the prestigious Dahi Handis in the city along with other prominent NGOs from Thane, Worli, Ghatkopar, Lalbaug, etc amongst several others. The Spanish team will compete along with the local talent to try and gain success at conquering the tallest and prestigious Dahi - Handis in Mumbai. This combined feat of acrobatics from our local teams and the Spanish Castellers will be a sight to behold.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Indian-Ports-Reference-Maharashtra/dp/8121508584?ie=UTF8&tag=glob036-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Ancient Indian Ports: With Special Reference to Maharashtra" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=8121508584&tag=glob036-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=glob036-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8121508584" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />Maharashtra as a state offers a plethora of distinguished tourism offering in terms of Heritage, Culture, History, Scenic beauty and cuisines. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has undertaken several similar promotional initiatives to bring these unique and indistinguishable experiences of Maharashtra closer to its audience. The launch of the Govinda Festival is part of the cultural promotional mandate of MTDC, which aims to promote the culture and heritage native to the state of Maharshtra.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Connected-Places-Pilgrimage-Geographical-Imagination/dp/140396324X?ie=UTF8&tag=glob036-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Connected Places: Region, Pilgrimage, and Geographical Imagination in India (Religion/Culture/Critique)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=140396324X&tag=glob036-20" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=glob036-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=140396324X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />MTDC is responsible for the execution of the overall development strategy of the Tourism Board and aligns itself with the vision for creating a top of mind recall on Maharashtra as a tourism destination of choice. Maharashtra as a tourism destination, offers an experience for travelers with diverse preferences. Right from eco tourism to beaches, Maharashtra as a destination can be explored around the year. Mystical works of art dating back to the 2nd century BC such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, majestic historic monuments such as the Devgiri Daulatabad Fort, Murud Janjira fort amongst hundreds others, a 720 kms of pristine coastline with serene beaches, thousands of square kms of conserved wildlife with rare and exclusive species of flora-fauna await travelers and experience seekers over their visit to Maharshtra.</span></div></div>

MTDC launches Govinda Festival with a Spanish Twist!

At the onset of Govinda Festival - 2011, MTDC promises an international fun filled extravaganza this year with the Castellers de Vilafranca...