Sai Praneeth stuns second seed Yun in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Rising Indian shuttler Sai Praneeth B notched up a stunning straight-game victory over world number four Yun Hu of Hong Kong in the men's singles opening round in the Singapore Super Series on Wednesday.

The world number 61 Indian brushed aside the second seeded shuttler 21-9, 21-10 in a match that lasted 30 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

The 20-year-old from Hyderabad, who had spoilt former world and Olympics champion Taufik Hidayat's farewell in Indonesia, will next take on the winner between RMV Gurusaidutt and Wei Feng Chong in the second round.

Praneeth had lost to Yun in straight games at the Vietnam International Challenge in 2009.

However, all other Indians suffered defeats in the opening round to crash out of the tournament.

Ajay Jayaram went down fighting 19-21, 21-18, 17-21 against fourth seed Kenichi Tago of Japan, while top seed Pengyu Du sent Anand Pawar packing 21-16, 21-13 in another men's singles match.

Another rising shuttler Sourabh Varma was defeated 17-21, 17-21 by Wing Ki Wong in another men's singles opening round match which lasted for 37 minutes.

In women's singles, Arundhati Pantawane lost to world number 26 Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva 18-21, 18-21, while PC Thulasi put up a gallant fight against world number 14 Indonesian Lindaweni Faetri before going down 23-21, 16-21, 16-21 in an energy-sapping 66-minute match.

In mixed doubles competition, Indian pair of Tarun Kona and Ashwini Ponnappa lost to third seeds Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir 6-21, 10-21, while Arun Vishnu and Aparna Balan suffered a 17-21, 21-19, 12-21 loss to Thai combo of Songphon Anugritayawon and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul.

Railways relaxes identity proof norms

Hyderabad: The Ministry of Railways has made some relaxation in the condition of production of original Proof of Identity during train travel, particularly for the passengers belonging to the lower economic classes.

Under this relaxation, attested photocopy of Ration Card with photograph and Nationalised Bank Passbook with photographs shall also be accepted as a prescribed proof of identity only in case of reserved tickets booked through computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, for undertaking journey in Sleeper (SL) and Second Reserved Sitting (2S) classes.

The photocopy of the Ration Card with photograph and Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph should be attested by a Gazetted Officer or the Chief Reservation Supervisor or Station Manager/Station Master. This relaxation is not on other types of proofs of identity cards where only original proof will be required during journey.

The above provision is not applicable for all classes of e-tickets and Tatkal tickets and tickets issued through PRS counter for travelling in Air-conditioned classes and First Class. Travelling with these categories of tickets shall continue to be governed by existing instructions.

This provision shall be made effective from January 15, the South Central Railway said in a press release 

Special trains to carry stranded passengers

New Delhi: Railways on Wednesday decided to press services of special trains to rescue people stranded due to the flash floods at Haridwar, Rishikesh and other areas.

The recent flash floods have created a havoc affecting thousands of people in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has instructed the Railway Board to do whatever possible to rescue people from the flood affected areas, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

Special trains will be pressed into service from stations like Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar for stranded passengers.

Moradabad division has been asked to arrange trains for the stranded passengers. Special counters will be opened at stations for these passengers, said the official. Passenger profile will be carried out to know their destination and accordingly train services will be launched, the official said. 

I am free from cancer: Manisha Koirala

Actress Manisha Koirala, who has successfully battled ovarian cancer, maintained a vibrant and cheerful demeanour as she stepped out for a public function in New York recently.

The 42-year-old was seen wearing trousers, a white shirt, a casual white coat and a red hat. Manisha covered her head with a tied-up stole, and then further concealed it with the bright red hat. She not only looked elegant, she was also happier and healthier. Even her face and her smile reflected a unique glow as she interacted with several women in a green, open space.

"I am free from cancer," Manisha said at the event, thanking all those who wished her recovery during her tough time, according to Nepalese channel White Himal TV, which operates from New York.

Manisha, who carved her own niche in the Hindi film industry with films like 'Bombay', '1942: A Love Story' and 'Dil Se', was initially admitted to Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital on November 28 last year, after which she flew down to the US for further treatment. She is expected to return to India towards June end, her manager Subroto Ghosh said, adding, "She is now fine, all hale and hearty."

The actor is missing the Mumbai monsoons. She took to her Facebook page to share her thoughts, and posted, "Got to know (about) lovely rains in Mumbai. Can't wait to be on my terrace!"

Contract signed with DMRC for mono rail in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Mono Rail Corporation Limited and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Wednesday signed the contract for the proposed monorail projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

Both projects would be completed in a time bound manner, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is also the Chairman of KMRC, said.

DMRC Chief Consultant E Sreedharan, Speaker G Karthikeyan, State PWD Minister V K Ibrahim Kunju were among those present on the occasion.

The agreement will make DMRC

responsible for the design, preparation of the bid document, short-listing and selection of contractors, supervision, and quality certification for the 22.2-km monorail in Thiruvananthapuram and the 14.2-km project in Kozhikode, estimated to cost Rs 5581 crore.

A single agreement will be signed with DMRC for the projects as the general consultant and the executing agency are the same.

DMRC will be the general consultant of the project.

Instructions to take the initial steps have already been given. Tender procedures will be the preliminary process and offices of the monorail corporation will start functioning in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode soon, official sources said.

PTI

Mumbai fights for Bijlee, age 58, weight five tonnes

Agence France-Presse

Mumbai: An overworked and overweight Indian elephant called Bijlee is fighting for her life in Mumbai after collapsing in the street, sparking anguish among animal activists and Bollywood stars.

Bijlee, aged 58 and weighing five tonnes, was found lying in pain in a northeastern suburb last week after decades of alleged overwork and neglect.

Local reports said she was used by her owners to beg on the streets and entertain at weddings without a break for more than 50 years.

On Tuesday, elephant specialist K.K. Sharma was flown in to Mumbai to treat Bijlee, and who now has helpers caring for her around the clock and a crane to help her stand up.

"Everybody shows their concerns but unfortunately the prospects are very bad," Sharma told AFP. He said Bijlee is 1.5 tonnes overweight and suffering degenerative joint disease, but even a strict diet many not help much.

Vets say Bijlee's owners have been feeding her junk food for years, such as "vada pav". Indian elephants' usually live off grass and tree bark.

"The damage has been done already. We're trying to control the pain and supplement the vitamin deficiency, give fluid and strengthen her nerves and muscles."

On Tuesday, #savebijlee began trending on Twitter and she appeared on the the front page of Wednesday's Mumbai Mirror.

Bollywood's superstar Amitabh Bachchan is among those moved by her plight, posting pictures and appealing for help on his blog.

"A compassionate appeal to all animal lovers," he wrote on Twitter, asking them to support the "Animals Matter To Me" charity that is caring for Bijlee.

Elephants are a common sight on the streets of many Indian cities although their movements are officially restricted in Mumbai

Uttarakhand: Akhilesh Yadav announces Rs. 25 crore relief

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today announced financial help of Rs. 25 crore to Uttarakhand which has seen large-scale damage due to heavy rains and flash flood over the last few days.

"The Chief Minister has announced Rs. 25 crore financial help to natural calamity-hit Uttarakhand state and asked people to provide help to the state in any way," an official release said.

Mr Yadav assured that the state government would provide all help for relief and rescue operation in Uttarakhand.

At least 130 people were killed in the flash floods triggered by incessant rains in Uttarakhand. The toll is likely to rise manifold as thousands are still reported to be missing