Imran backs flood relief efforts by 'terror outfits' in garb of Pak Islamic charities.

New York, Aug 23(ANI): Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan has downplayed the alarm being raised in the West about the flood relief efforts being carried out by terror outfits, including Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), in the garb of Islamic charities.
"At this stage, any help that the flood-hit people could get was welcome. It is a matter of their survival," The Nation quoted Imran, as saying.
"The Islamic organisations have been in existence for a long time, but their humanitarian services, have never translated into votes at the elections. The people of Pakistan were not so naive as to adopt their ideologies in return for their relief effort," he added.
Imran further criticised the Pakistan government saying that the mood in the country was "depressing" as it had failed to provide humanitarian aid for the affected people.
"There is no food even in the relief camps run by the government. Pakistan is in dire straits," he said.
The United Nations had earlier warned that militants could take advantage of the country's worst humanitarian disaster by operating among its displaced victims.
"The people's misery can always be exploited by those who have political or militant aims," said Jean-Maurice Ripert, UN Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan.
According to reports, the Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), the charity wing of the dreaded terror group-Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), is running relief camps in the flood-hit north western part of the country and providing the victims food, medicines and money.
The JuD, under its latest humanitarian face Falah-e-Insaniat, has established numerous relief camps in Khyber Pakhtunkwa province in its bid to push through its anti-west ideology amidst the survivors of the devastating deluge.
While the Pakistan government has been struggling to collect funds for the flood-victims, the JuD, which masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai carnage, claimed that it raises 120 million rupees daily, which is equal to the total amount the Prime Minister relief fund has with it.
Over 1,600 people have been killed and 20 million affected as raging floodwaters continue to wreak havoc in the country.
In addition to causing major human loses, it has destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes, washed away crops and livestock.
The United Nations says that Pakistan will need billions of dollars to recover from the deluge, which is being described as the worst in the last 80 years.

Delhi:Flood fear, Yamuna continues to rise.

Could more low lying areas of the Capital be submerged? The shadow of floods looms large over Delhi as the Yamuna continues to flow well above the danger mark of 204.88 metres. Rain is still coming down heavily in most parts of the city. The rainfall for the month of August has already broken a 10-year record. There has been more than 413 mm of rainfall in the city till now this month, the highest in a decade. The other big concern is water released from a barrage in Haryana will reach Delhi later today, adding further to the woes. "How will the poor manage? Where will we go? There is no food. We have made our houses here. Where else will we go," says Neeraj, a worried rickshaw puller. At present the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) team and the Delhi government team are patrolling the river with 60 boats. "People living in huts have been evacuated. But those living in houses on the river bank are still there. The water has reached their doors. If the water level rises it will be dangerous for them," says Sahabjeet Yadav, an NDRF Sub-Inspector. The Chief Minister's office has said that at least 10 camps have been set up with temporary shelters in low lying areas close to the river.

Why was a shoe thrown at Omar Abdullah?

After a shoe was thrown at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the police claimed yesterday that the attacker had said he was asked to do so by a politician. But now, sources tell NDTV that the attacker, a suspended policeman, did not mention a politician in his interrogation.Sunday, Independence Day, was meant to be an occasion for Omar Abdullah to reach out to the people. Instead, the focus of Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar turned out to be a major security breach. The suspended head constable, Abdulla Ahad Jaan, hurled the shoe at the chief minister from the third row of the VIP enclosure soon after Omar unfurled the national flag. Security for the function was so high that no civilians - not even schoolchildren - were allowed at the venue, leave alone the VIP enclosure. An embarrassed security apparatus is unable to explain how a suspended cop managed to get into the high-security zone. Or if there were others involved?

No concern about delays: GoM on CWG.

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2010 held their first meeting in New Delhi on Sunday to consider various aspects of the opening ceremony of the mega sporting event.This came a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened an emergency meeting to review the preparations for the Games.The GoM voiced satisfaction over the pace of progress in preparations and also approved the theme song for the event composed by Oscar winner A R Rahman.Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who heads the GoM, said there is no change in schedule and there should not be any concern over some delays in meeting deadlines.The three-hour long meeting discussed the organisational details for the 11-day event starting in New Delhi on October 4 and discussed the broad contours ofthe opening ceremony.When asked whether delays in meeting deadlines were a matter of concern, Reddy said, "There is no concern. Absolutely confident on state of preparedness (of Games)."Asked whether significance should be attached to the meeting since it came a day after Singh had met him for the first time as GoM chief, Reddy said "We did take stock of various matters and are satisfied on pace of progress."

AR Rahman launches CWG theme song.

Oscar winner A R Rahman on Monday launched the theme song for Common wealth Games 2010. The Group of Minister (GoM) on the Games had approved the song at a meeting on Sunday after it heard the rendition of the song. "We discussed the theme song among ourselves and A R Rahman, (Film Director) Shyam Benegal and (Producer) Bharat Bala. The GoM has approved the theme song in principle." Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who heads the GoM, had said after the meeting.

Ramzan.

Ramadan, the greatest religious observance in Islam, is an annual month of fasting. It is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims consider this whole month as a blessed month. They fast during the days of this month and make special prayers at night. People also give more charity and do extra righteous deeds. Also, in this Holy Month, The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) received the first revelation of Al-Qur’an (in one of the last ten odd nights of Ramzan). Ramazan/Ramadhan is the month of celebration as well as the month of discipline and self-control.

"Islam is one of those great brotherhoods, which has been given to mankind by prophet Muhammad of hallowed memory."

Fasting is means of purification and developing the consciousness of our relationship with Allah. This Taqwa, is a protection against the schemes of Shaitan, and this world. Allah (SWT) has informed us that, "Whoever keeps his duty to Allah (has taqwa), He ordains a way out for him and gives him sustenance from where he imagines not. And whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Surely Allah attains His purpose. Allah has appointed a measure for everything." (65:2) Ramadhan should be a time of increased activity wherein the believer, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah (SWT).
Such was the month of Ramadhan in the time of the Prophet (pbuh). It was a time of purification, enjoining the good, forbidding evil, and striving hard with one’s life and wealth to make the word of Allah the highest and Islam the dominant Deen.
Significance of Ramzan fasting
1)The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of piety in man.
2)Creating the conditions of hunger and thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.
3)Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God which man often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.
4)Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through their lives. It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to change towards his suffering brethren.
5)Fasting gives man an unfailing training in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.
6)Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and resolve, that could help him in challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the days of fasting.
7) Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could also be surmounted with His help.
8) Fasting develops a spirit of patience in man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though seemingly unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter situations pass, and come to an end.
9) Fasting is meant to conquer anger and develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required to put up with hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.
10) Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is then vented on those around them. Fasting helps a man become more tolerant despite his own discomfort.
11)Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness, jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his heart and mind of many negative emotions.
12) Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of God; food and drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission, generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.
13)Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God's forgiveness through fasts and prayers.
14) Fasting gives lessons in punctuality. Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the fast.
15)Ramadan dates – Peace And Happiness On Ramadan!
Peace And Happiness On Ramadan!
Fasting could affect the economy of the individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.
16)Fasting demands a rigid sense of discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics which are an essential ingredient to success in life.
17) Fasting creates spiritual reformation in man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to change and become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent opportunity, given to believers each year, to change themselves and consequently their destinies.
Ramadan dates – Shine In His Divine Blessings!
Shine In His Divine Blessings
On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect and enhances the qualities of his heart.


SHARIQ HAIDER NAQVI.
Producer DD Kashir.

Team Kalmadi defends consultants it hired.

Suresh Kalmadi has challenged new allegations of corruption outlined in an interim report by the CAG or Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The document indicts the finian rung of the Commonwealth Games: Kalmadi, who is Chairman of the commonwealth Games' Organizing Committee; Mike Fennel, President of the Commonwealth Games' Federation; and Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper. The interim report suggests gigantic lapses in the way companies were chosen to handle broadcast rights and sponsorship rights. By selecting Fast Track Sales of London to handle the broadcast rights, the report suggests that Rs 24 crore was lost in revenue. The other bidders were not studied before Fast Track was awarded the contract. For SMAM, the Australian company hired to bring in international advertisers and sponsors, the CAG interim report states that while four companies wanted to apply for the contract, only one bid - from SMAM - was considered. After SMAM shot into the headlines last week,Team Kalmadi said its contract has been cancelled for "non-performance." The sponsorship managed so far for the Games is less than half of the target. For the Queen's Baton Relay in October last year, the interim report says that the consultants chosen for the ceremony were, bizarrely, the highest bidder. By using Maxxam International, the interim report states, Rs 6.16 crore was wasted.