Mumbai molestation victims recount horror

MUMBAI (PTI): Recounting the tale of horror, one of the victims of the New Year Day molestation case here described how the hooligans pinched and groped her, while the woman's husband narrated how he felt when around 50 people were trying to get at his wife and cousin.

In an interview to a city tabloid, she said, "I just want to get over the horror. I want to stop seeing my face on TV. When we came out of the hotel (early) on January 1, I did not sense any trouble. But when we were walking, the crowd just kept getting closer."

"They touched my butt and pinched me. They also began grabbing my cousin sister-in-law. People just watched as my husband tried to protect me," she said.

"I believe Mumbaikars are not willing to stop and help people in trouble."

Her husband told the newspaper, "We are the victims. We were at J W Mariott from 9 PM on December 31 and at around 2 AM we (he, his wife and two cousins) decided to leave (the hotel) and take a rickshaw back to hotel Royal Gardens."

"Just as we stepped out, we saw a group heading towards us. They reached us and immediately began grabbing my wife. Since we were walking against the crowd it was difficult to move ahead. But then it got worse. It seemed like the whole crowd was on my wife and my cousin," he recalled.

"Then somebody pushed all of us on the ground. It seemed like they were 50 people around...all trying to get at my wife and cousin."

The victim's husband said "my brother and I tried to fight the crowd, but they were too many. That's when some photographers started clicking us."

"All of a sudden from the crowd, there emerged a man wearing a red T-shirt who tried to help us and started shouting for the police. The cops arrived in a few minutes and the crowd thinned out," he said.

"I told the police that my wife and cousin were molested. They put us in their vehicle and took us to the Juhu police station from where we were put in an auto and we went to our hotel."

Explaining the reason for not filing a police complaint, the victim's husband said, "We could not identify any of the molesters as it happened too fast. For the record neither the police nor the J W Mariott hotel should be blamed."

"We are all based in California and I got married just a day before this horrible incident. I have been coming to Mumbai for the last five years, but this experience on New Year has changed my perception about Mumbai," he added.

"We don't want to be bothered by the media and want to enjoy whatever is left of our vacations. And yes, I want to thank the man in the red T-shirt (who helped us)," he added.

Mayawati sends feelers to actor Chiranjeevi

NEW DELHI: Both Sonia Gandhi and Chandrababu Naidu have reason to worry. Mayawati has grand plans for Andhra Pradesh.

The BSP chief is exploring a Dalit-OBC-minority-Brahmin alliance in the state before the next Lok Sabha polls. She has sent feelers to Telugu actor Chiranjeevi and Telengana Rashtra Samiti chief Chandrashekhar Rao for an electoral alliance. TRS is currently aligned with the UPA.

If the BSP-TRS-Chiranjeevi alliance fructify it would become a formidable force in the state upsetting traditional players — the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). Mayawati is holding a rally in Hyderabad on January 6, while Chiranjeevi’s supporters are organising a “backward caste garjana” rally in Warangal on January 19 to lure backward castes from TDP and Congress.

Chiranjeevi, who has mass appeal across the state — akin to late NTR, is planning to launch a political outfit and an announcement to this effect may be made in February or March.

The actor belongs to the Kappu community, which is considered backward in some districts, forward in some and “other caste” in others. The Kappus constitute over 10% of the state population. The Dalits also has an equal representation. Overall, the BCs constitute over 50 per cent of the population. The proposed alliance would trigger realignment of social forces weakening the forward castes.

Six killed, 15 injured in Vijayawada temple stampede

At least six people were reportedly killed and 15 others were injured in a temple stampede at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred when a large number of devotees thronged the Durga ghat near Kanakadurga Temple to perform prayers on the occasion of 'Bhavani Deeksha'.

According to police, devotees pushed each other to move ahead, which resulted in a stampede, in which five women and a child was killed.

The injured have been admitted to the local government hospital. The condition of one injured woman is stated to be serious.

Vijayawada MP L Rajgopal and MLA Devineni Rajasekhar met the injured in the hospital.

Blaming the temple authorities for the incident, State Endowment Minister J Ratnakar Rao has ordered a departmental inquiry.

The government has announced one lakh rupees ex-gratia payment for the kin of those killed and 10,000 for each of the injured. (ANI)

City Buzz: Crude bomb found near NTR Garden

Hyderabad: A crude bomb, with about 50 grams of explosive material stuffed into it, was found near a popular tourist spot near the state secretariat in the heart of the city on Wednesday.

The bomb, kept in a tiffin box, was found in a dustbin near NTR Garden which is at a stone's throw distance from Lumbini Park which was rocked by a terror bombing four months ago.

The recovery of the bomb a day after re-opening of the popular laser show at Lumbini park sent the police into a tizzy.

City Police Commissioner Balwinder Singh said that such type of bombs were generally used in Rayalaseema region often plagued by violent clashes between rival political groups.

''We have taken up the investigation and security has been tightened further at the Secretriat and public places,'' Singh said.

A security guard at the popular tourist spot found the bomb in a dustbin on a pavement and informed the police who later defused it, police said.

Meanwhile, the bomb disposal squad said the bomb contained 50 grams explosives and cycle ball bearings.

The famous laser show in the Lumbini Park here, the scene of the deadly terror bombings on August 25 last year, reopened yesterday amid tight security measures.

Over 40 people had lost their lives in the bomb blasts at the Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat Bhandar, a popular eatery, on August 25.

Five killed in stampede at Andhra temple

Hyderabad (IANS) At least five devotees were killed and 15 others were injured in a stampede Thursday at a temple on Indirakiladri hill in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada town, police officials said.

Those killed include four women and a child. The injured have been admitted to the government hospital in Vijayawada, about 280 km east of here.

Police said the mishap occurred around 5 a.m. during the annual Bhavani Diksha rituals at Durga Malleswari temple. More than 100,000 devotees had congregated on the hill for the last day of the rituals.

Vijayawada police commissioner C.V. Anand said the stampede occurred when thousands of devotees tried to surge towards the temple for a look at the deity.

He said police had warned the temple authorities on several occasions in the past that lack of proper arrangements could lead to a tragedy but they failed to take necessary precautions. He pointed out that the movement of devotees was limited to one road on the hill, leading to chaos during the rituals.

Vijayawada MP L. Rajagopal and legislator D. Nehru met the injured in the hospital. Nehru has announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 each to the kin of those killed and Rs.10,000 to each of the injured.

The temple near the river Krishna attracts thousands of devotees from all over Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.

Politics: What YSR has "achieved" thus far

The State has ushered into the New Year. As people look forward for a bright future during 2008, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy look backwards at the achievements of his government. Rajasekhar has completed three and a half years in power and let's see what he himself says about the achievements his government had made thus far.

1. The Congress government waived arrears of power bills related to agricultural consumption to the tune of Rs.1,192 crore on May 14.

2. Free power to the farmers from the first day (May 14th 2004) of YSR in power. Started "Jala Yagnam" to build 26 Major irrigation projects and 6 medium irrigation projects with the expenditure of 56,000 crore investment. FAB (Electronics, Semi Conductor) City to Andhra Pradesh.

3. Distribution of Lands to poor farmers with the "Indira Prabha" programme.

4. Science City Proposal in Ananatapur with 1,00,000 Crores investment.

5. Inter national Airport to Hyderabad.

6. The Congress government launched a new scheme by name Rajiv Yuva Shakthi to provide wage employment and self employment by spending 1000 crore. Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) to Andhra Pradesh.

7. For low-income urban population, government has launched an innovative housing scheme "Rajiv Gruhakalpa". American Consulate to Andhra Pradesh. 25 Paise interest to Dwacra Group Women.

8. Vizag Steel Plant Expansion. Adidas shoe company to Nellore district. Successfully getting highest amount of money from Central Finance commission since three years, for the 2007 year 30,000 crore and 2006 year 20,000 crore.

9. Completed Jhanjavathi Project for Vizianagaram district. Successfully launched "Rajiv Internet Village" to promote technology to villages.

Out of 117 election promises made in 2004, works pertaining to 74 were completed, 19 were are various stages of progress and 24 are pending.

And with elections fast approaching, Rajasekhar Reddy is busy seeking publicity for his schemes and completing the pending works.

Screen Talk: Film actors to be felicitated

Kakinada: As part of the Yanam festival, film actors ANR, Krishnam Raju, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Anjali Devi, Sarada, Devadas Kanakala, R. Narayana Murthy and Saradhi will be felicitated at GMC Balayogi stadium at Yanam on January 6.

Sobha Raju will render Annamacharya sankeertans the same day.

Songs competitions will be held to mark the occasion. A sum of Rs. 36 lakhs has been allocated for the event, according to official sources.

BSP may have an edge over Chiru’s party in Telangana

Hyderabad: Former Union minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader A Narendra’s reported decision to join the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) may give the BSP an edge in Telangana over actor Chiranjeevi’s proposed political party as the actor is said to take a decision on the issue only after assessing the mood in Andhra, from where he hails.

Mayawati would be arriving in the city on January 6 to relaunch the party in Andhra Pradesh. The party’s efforts to enter AP in the late 80s was a miserable failure as it could not attract a single mainstream political leader. Since then, the BSP has not tried to set foot in the state in a big way though the party won the Paderu assembly constituency in Visakhapatanam district in 2004.

Fact Sheet: Purandershwari logic impresses Sonia

If the New Delhi sources are to be believed, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandareshwari is all set to get the prestigious post of AICC spokesperson, a post which was held by seniors like S Jaipal Reddy, Ambika Soni and Kapil Sibal.

According to these sources, the Congress high command is more than happy with for her vitriolic attack on the Telugu Desam party and its supremo N Chandrababu Naidu. While the Congress thinktank is breaking its head as to how to erase the impression among the people that Rs 2 a kg rice scheme was only a Telugu Desam scheme introduced by its founder-president N T Rama Rao and therefore, it would help only the TD in the elections, Purandareshwari is making efforts to to delink NTR from the TD. She is trying to convince the people that Naidu is not a successor of NTR and that if at all there is anyone, who is implementing the policies of NTR, it is only Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy.

Purandershwari's logic has convinced the high command, though Sonia Gandhi initially did not like her to involve NTR's name in the Congress politics. But after realizing its impact on the Congress prospects, she felt Purandareshwari is right. And soon, Sonia is expected to appoint her in a key post in AICC, preferably, the Congress spokesman, sources say.

Political News: CK Babu injured in bomb blast

Former Congress MLA CK Jayachandra Reddy alias CK Babu was injured in a bomb blast in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district on Monday.

A bomb, planted near a drainage canal, went off when Babu's vehicle was passing by, police said.

The attack took place when the former legislator was on his way to visit a temple.

Two of his gunmen, driver and an associate were also injured in the attack.

While the condition of the former MLA was said to be out of danger, the condition of the driver and one of his gunmen was serious, the police said.

The vehicle in which Babu was travelling was damaged in the blast.

What your number predicts for 2008

Wondering what 2008 has in store for you? Numerologist Sanjay Jumani deciphers your future according to your ruling number.

1 People born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th in any month are termed as Number 1 people, ruled by the planet Sun.

With 2008 being ruled by the Sun, the number 1 people in a position of authority would fare well, showing the way to their subordinates with elegance.

With a little rumination, you could balance it into a win-win situation. It’s high time you focus on the non-materialistic things of life, which are also very important. Try to delve in the spiritual side too.

2 Number 2 represents the Moon, and they are persons born on the 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th of any month.

Ruled by the Moon, this year would be favourable for the number 2 also, as 1 and 2 are quite compatible. The most important thing for you to do this year is not to depend on others to complete the job you started. Though this year will be good for you, your dreamy nature and over dependence on others could bring delays or failures in your life. You’ll be at your imaginative best if you allow your thoughts to go with the flow. Some of your intuitions could turn into realities. Those in alternate sciences such as yoga, meditation, reiki, astrology can climb further.

3 People born on the 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th in any month are termed as Number 3 people, ruled by the biggest planet Jupiter.

This year being equal to number 1, you may find some opposition to your plans. However due to your stubborn and ambitious nature, you could overcome these hurdles and surge ahead in life.

Sun could further ignite your ambitious side, and make you more forceful, not for the sake of accumulation, but from the fear of being under obligation to others. You may excel in the execution of commands, being orderly and disciplined.

In the bargain, others may consider you dictatorial, so try to use a surgeon’s knife in such situations.

4 People born on the 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st in any month are termed as Number 4 people, ruled by the planet Uranus.

A good year ahead as the numbers 1 and 4 go hand in hand; those who are awaiting a job change or marriage could get rewarded.

Due to your original ideas, and unconventional thoughts, you are likely to face problems in the form of misunderstandings. However, if you follow your intuitions and original thoughts, you stand better chances of success. Those who are in litigation could get a breather, but must try to avoid business partnerships.

5 People born on the 5th, 14th, 23rd in any month are termed as Number 5 people, ruled by the planet Mercury.

Due to your ruler Mercury, the fastest planet, you could be in quite an impulsive hurry, brimming with emotions. All others may not be as quick as you to match up with your pace, so expect less to avoid disappointment. If you faced a few problems last year, this year things could start to look up, especially on the financial front. Try to use your communicative skills, which is your USP.

6 People born on the 6th, 15th and 24th in any month are termed as Number 6 people, ruled by the planet Venus.

You could have an average year, although the number 6 is good for the number 1, it is sometimes seen that 1 is sometimes unkind to the number 6, so this year, brace yourself to face some delays in completing your projects.

May and October are the best months to start anything important.

Those who are in newer relationships should be warned not to be hasty, and may play the waiting game.

7 People born on the 7th, 16th and 25th in any month are termed as Number 7 people, ruled by the planet Neptune, and such persons are also under the influence of the interchangeable number 2 of Moon.

Ruled by the planet Neptune, 1 is one of the number 7’s best numbers, so a good year ahead. Travelling for work or pleasure would be profitable for you this year, but learn to control those mood swings and take decisions from your head and not from your heart.

Spiritually, a satisfying year, and yoga, meditation and alternate therapies could give you immense gratification. Those in consultancy, or any kind of service-related work could see unprecedented profits accrue.

8 People born on the 8th, 17th and 26th in any month are termed as Number 8 people, ruled by the planet Saturn.

Ruled by the planet Saturn, 1 of the Sun is the lucky number for the number 8, so although a year for you to surge ahead, be careful in your investments, and do not put all your eggs in one basket.

Try not to trust anyone blindly, invest sensibly and think before acting.

This year could see you make great progress both financially as well as personally.

Those on the lookout for buying land could take a chance, and some of you may end up with your dream house too.

Post-February, you should see a positive development as regards your profession.

9 People born on the 9th, 18th and 27th in any month are termed as Number 9 people, ruled by the planet Mars.

Ruled by the fiery planet Mars, the number 9 is a strong number at the end of the number line, and as there are seven numbers in between the numbers 1 and 9, you would find work being delayed, or missing opportunities that should have been rightfully yours.

This year you should keep a check on your temper and use your energies for constructive things to have a good year. Past laurels could come in handy, if you use them, which is not a bad idea if one does so, once in a while.

Chiranjeevi Stopping TTD Chairman Getting MLA Ticket

No one knows if assumptions on Chiranjeevi's political entry are sending tremors among many but it is sure that TTD chairman Karunakar Reddy is quivering for that. Karunakar Reddy has been the 'yes man'of YSR and expecting MLA ticket from Tirupathi for 2009 elections. But YSR is cold on that aspect now. It is said that he is planning to reserve that ticket for person from Kapu community. The current Congress MLA at Tirupathi is Venkataramana who is a Kapu. As the chances of Chiranjeevi entering politics in 2009 are many, YSR doesn't want to take risk by giving Tirupathi ticket for other than Kapu leader. So Venkataramana will retain that again.

Apart from this, Karunakar Reddy is also upset as CM Is not giving positive signal for the lobbying of his brother's wife for the post of VC-Padmavathi Mahila University and request of his sister's husband for the post of VC-Sri Venkateshwara University.

Probably, Karunakar Reddy's prayers weren't answered by Tirumala Lord as of now.

Behind The Scene: Dasari becomes butt of ridicule!

The Congress high command, which was of the opinion that Union Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao is a man of principles and stature, has changed its mind now.

Eversince Dasari made that speech inviting Yuvaratna Balakrishna into politics and described him as future Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the AICC was flooded with complaints against Dasari from the Congress leaders. Leading the batch of complainants is Rajya Sabha member V Hanumantha Rao. In fact, by loosing his tongue, Dasari has become a butt of ridicule in the AICC and everybody is doubting his credentials now.

Realising that he is under a scanner, Dasari rushed to Delhi to do the damage control exercise. H tried to convince the leaders in the AICC as to why he had to play to the gallery at the Balakrishna function, but there were no takers for his argument. Looks like days are numbered for Dasari.

Loose Talk: And now Kaka wants 3 States!

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader G Venkataswamy has dropped a bomb shell. He now demands the division of Andhra Pradesh into three States. Not two. He wants AP to be divided into Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra. He even went to the extent of saying that the Congress Central leadership was also in favour of the trifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

This is the first time that a senior Telangana leader in the Congress party to come out with such a type of proposal. So far Congress leaders from Telangana have been demanding separation of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh. But no one spoke of division into Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra.

Perhaps it is a clever ploy to gain the support of people from the backward Rayalaseema district. Or is it his real intentions to have the State divided into three parts. Though Venkataswamy, popularly known as Kaka, has not said it in so many words, it has however become clear that he would continue with the fight for Telangana in the new year. With the Congress high command refusing him the post of the President, Venkataswamy is at least aspiring for some gubernatorial post. Age, however, does not permit this senior Congress leader to play an active role either at the national level or at Telangana level. His spirits are quite high, despite his feeble age.

TRS not to contest bye-elections in Khairatabad

Hyderabad - Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), the regional party fighting for a separate Telangana state, Sunday announced it would not field a candidate for bye-election to Khairatabad assembly seat as a mark of respect for senior Congress leader P. Janardhan Reddy who died Friday.

TRS president and former union minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao told newsmen that his party had decided to appeal to other parties to ensure unanimous election of a member of Reddy's family. He had fought for the rights of the people of Telengana.

Reddy represented Khairatabad constituency in the state capital for a fifth term. He had also served as a state minister.

Meanwhile, rich tributes were paid Reddy at a condolence meeting held at Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the Congress party. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy also paid tributes to the former minister and announced that a memorial would be constructed in his honour in the capital.

Leaders of Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) also paid their last respects.

Behind The Scene: KCR takes it easy on Gaddar

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao is taking the comments of revolutionary balladeer Gaddar against him with a pinch of salt.

Apparently, people of Telangana take Gaddar's words with respect and therefore, his comments against KCR would definitely have an impact on the voters. Realising this, the TRS is refraining from retaliating against Gaddar. On the other hand, it is not attaching much importance to his words, saying that Gaddar's agenda was different from that of the TRS.

A TRS leader said the party would focus in its campaign that it would believe in "votes and seats" strategy to press the Centre for the formation of separate State. "If they (Mr Gaddar and other detractors of Mr KCR) have their own plans, they should go ahead with their own plan after all we are all striving for the separate State," he said.

He predicted that the support of TRS would be crucial for the formation of the government after the next elections and this would create a situation where they had to give the separate State.

New Year Greetings

Rumors: PJR's Properties In Question Mark

PJR's demise left many question marks behind. He has huge properties at various places but his son and wife are not informed about them. As PJR never anticipated any such risk to his life at this age, he didn't make arrangements to let his family know about all of his properties.

Whatever is visible before of the eyes of family members is the only property that is known for them. They have to see if they get any information from the close friends of PJR about his investments and properties. It is said that PJR kept many properties in the name of others and now it is a big question mark if they open their mouths or simply keep quiet. However, it is now a big task ahead for PJR's son Vishnu.

He has to carry the legacy of his father and the loyalty of the people who had put faith on him.