stries

130 Indians saved from Italian shipwreck, control room set up New Delhi, Jan 16: India has set up a control room in both New Delhi and in its mission in Italy to help families find out about their relatives who were aboard a luxury liner which ran aground off the Tuscan coast in Italy. At least 130 Indians were aboard the ship but all of them have been saved.

India's external affairs ministry on Monday said it has set up a control room for any enquiries/information relating to Indian passengers on board the passenger ship 'Costa Concordia' which hit a reef off the island of Giglio, in Italy, Friday.

The contact numbers of the control room in New Delhi are: South Block -- Tel: +91-1123012113 & 23015300; Fax: +91-11-23018158; E.Mail: controlroom@mea.gov.in The families can also contact the control room set up in the Indian embassy in Rome. The contact details are: Embassy of India, Via XX Settembre, 5, 0187, Rome (Italy); Tel: +39-06-4884642 to 45 (Switchboard); +39-3311928710 (First Secretary V. Negi); +39 -3311928715 (Sunil Aggarwal); Fax: +39-06-48195389; E.Mail: hoc.rome@mea.gov.in.

At least 130 Indians were rescued on life boats after the Costa Concordia tipped over off the Tuscan coast in Italy. Five people died in the incident, but so far there has been no report of Indian casualties.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has asked India's ambassador to Italy, Debabrata Saha to reach the accident spot to coordinate the rescue operations. Two Indian officials have already reached the site.

India, China to begin boundary talks on Monday New Delhi, Jan 16: China's influential state councillor Dai Bingguo Sunday touched down here for two-day talks on the festering boundary issue and is expected to seal a landmark border mechanism that seeks to prevent flare-ups arising from misperceptions along the Line of Actual Control.

The visit of Dai, China's special representative on the boundary question with India who is known to be close to Chinese President Hu Jintao, comes amid the backdrop of a host of differences between the two Asian giants.

Dai will hold the 15th round of boundary talks with National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, also India's special representative, Monday and Tuesday with a view to firming up a framework that in turn will form the basis for delineating the border on the map.

The two special representatives are also expected to flesh out the details of a pact on the border mechanism that is expected to be signed Tuesday.

The border mechanism, an important confidence building measure, will facilitate realtime contact in case of violations of the LAC. It is expected to be headed by the joint secretary (east Asia) in the ministry of external affairs and the Chinese director-general of the department of boundary and ocean affairs.

Earlier this week, Menon admitted that the boundary question is a difficult issue. "The boundary question remains unresolved, and there is no denying that it is a difficult issue‌ On the settlement itself, we are in the second stage of the three-stage process of agreeing principles, a framework and finally a boundary line," he had said.

The boundary talks were postponed in November last year after India refused to relent on Chinese objections to Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama's participation in a global Buddhist conclave in New Delhi.

Besides the boundary issue, the two sides will also hold discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues that will include the global financial crisis , climate change and the BRICS summit of India, Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa New Delhi will host in March.

However, the focus will be on confidence-building amid some contentious issues that have shadowed bilateral ties in the past few months.

China recently denied visa to an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who was to go as a member of the Indian military delegation to China, on grounds that he was from Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian northeastern state which is claimed by China. This led to India scaling down its delegation from the original 30 members to 15.

Top EU official to visit India Brussels, Jan 16: European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit India Monday-Tuesday and she is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, Defence Minister A.K. Antony and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.

Ashton will co-chair the EU-India Ministerial Meeting and interact with representatives of the Indian government, EuAsiaNews reported citing a statement released by her office in Brussels Sunday.

Ahead of her visit, Ashton said the EU was "committed to strengthening the strategic partnership with India".

"My visit comes at a time when both India and the EU are facing important challenges. I hope the visit will strengthen our political and economic ties and create opportunities for synergies in addressing regional and global challenges, including for example in the field of security," she said.

On Monday, Ashton will co-chair the EU-India Ministerial Meeting with Krishna in Bangalore.

The discussion will prepare the ground for the 12th EU-India Summit in New Delhi Feb 10. On the agenda will be security and trade, as well as foreign policy issues.

Ashton said she will reiterate the 27-member European bloc's commitment to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India.

Krishna heads to Lanka, hopes for solution to Tamils' problems Bangalore/New Delhi, Jan 16: External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Sunday hoped for a lasting political solution to the outstanding issues between the minority Tamilspeaking Sri Lankans and the government.

"It is in the interest of the island nation to work out a lasting solution to the ethnic Tamils' issues," Krishna said here ahead of his four-day visit to Sri Lanka Monday.

Noting that the Sri Lankan government should talk to a cross-section of the Tamilspeaking minorities and their leadership for an amicable settlement of all pending issues, he said the Indian approach to this contentious issue had been for a genuine national reconciliation and thereby a lasting political settlement in the island nation.

"We have taken the Tamil sentiments into account and factored them in our policies. Our view is that all outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue and to the satisfaction of both the parties," he said.

During his second visit, Krishna will hold wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris on the Tamils' issue, repatriation of genuine fishermen held in each other territory and expedite negotiations for a pact to jointly develop fisheries.

Krishna first visited Sri Lanka as external affairs minister in November 2010.

"I think an early and amicable solution will help improve people-to-people contact between Tamils in India and northern Sri Lanka. If trade and movement of people between the two countries, especially from Tamil Nadu thrives, it will be a win-win situation," Krishna pointed out.

Krishna will also call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister D. M Jayaratne during the visit and discuss bilateral issues between the two countries.

Krishna will meet representatives of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and elicit their views on the progress in their talks with Colombo over the proposed devolution of powers to the regions.

TNA has been pushing for land and police powers in the provinces.

Although Rajapaksa has made it clear that the government would not devolve these powers to the regions in line with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, his government had indicated its willingness to discuss the issue.

Krishna will also review progress in an India-assisted project for building 50,000 houses in war-ravaged north for internally-displaced people and hand over the first set of houses in Jaffna, built for ethnic Tamils.

He will go to Galle to inaugurate the Southern Railway Project, which has been renovated with India's concessional line of credit.

"Though we had been contributing to the socio-economic development of the Tamil region all along, it had taken a back seat during the internal strife. Now that normalcy is restored, we believe that all projects, which have been delayed or held up, will move forward hereafter," Krishna added.

Reiterating that India's political relations with Sri Lanka certainly had economic criteria, the minister said he would continue to lay emphasis on economic interaction with the island nation.

According to an external affairs ministry spokesperson, India and Sri Lanka will sign four agreements in housing, railways, agriculture and telecommunications during Krishna's visit.

Besides Colombo and Jaffna, Krishna will visit Kilinochi and the Indian Peace-Keeping Force Memorial near Colombo.

Mumbai Marathon: A carnival on the streets of Bollywood country Mumbai, Jan 16: It was like a huge party on the streets. From Bollywood personalities, top business honchos, people on wheelchairs and even Subhas Chandra Bose and Manmohan Singh lookalikes - thousands swarmed the streets of Mumbai Sunday to participate in the ninth edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2012.

The Mumbai Marathon brought together nearly 39,000 people from all over the world.

For the record, Kenya's Laban Moiben the men's 42 km full marathon in a photo finish while Ethiopia's Netsanet Abeyo emerged on top in the women's category.

Moiben and Ethiopia's Raji Assefa both finished in 2:10.48 but the former was declared the winner. Kenyan John Kyui was third in 2:10.54.

India's Ram Singh Yadav clocked 2:16.59 to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, a first for any Indian athlete. He was followed by Alam Singh (2:18.27) and T. A. Rajesh (2:24.25).

For a city that does not boast of a great running culture, thousands thronged the starting points of the race as early as 5.15 a.m. to kick start the event.

The traffic police ensured little inconvenience to those who were not a part of the marathon, listing certain road diversions to facilitate the event.

While some roads were be closed for vehicular traffic from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., traffic on others was diverted. Emergency utility vehicles were, however, allowed access to even restricted roads.

Star participants like model and actor Milind Soman who runs the full marathon every year and business tycoon Anil Ambani, who participated in the half marathon this year were seen in full energy as they started off at the coveted run.

"It gives me great pleasure to participate in the Mumbai marathon every year," Soman said before he began his run.

Also participating in the run this year was Siddharth Mallya, socialite and son of businessman Vijay Mallya, actors Anil Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Rahul Bose, Ranbir Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Perizaad Zorabian, Gul Panag, Neha Dhupia Tara Sharma, singer Shaan and hordes of television actors like Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy and others.

Ever since the first chapter of the race in 2004, the marathon has burgeoned into an event that epitomises what is popularly referred to as the spirit of Mumbai.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link proved to be a major attraction for most runners.

Two participants, however, collapsed while running on the route due to fatigue. They were immediately given first aid and moved to a hospital where they were stable under medical care.

Bollywood actor John Abraham and former tennis player Vijay Amritraj were also present as the two event ambassadors cheering the marathoners.

The Wheelchair and Senior Citizens' Run won everybody's admiration for the sheer will and enthusiasm of those participating in the wheelchair.

Bollywood actors like Anil Kapoor and Gulshan Grover also cheered to support the senior citizens during the marathon where about 1,800 people participated. Tina Ambani, (wife of business tycoon Anil Ambani) who promotes the cause of better lifestyle for senior citizens through her magazine Harmony, also cheered for all senior citizens.

A group of 25 differently-abled students of the School for the Education of the Crippled (SEC) caught attention of many as their participated in the Wheelchair Event despite various physical disabilities including cerebral palsy and congenital defects.

Aged between 12 and 15 years, the students were accompanied by alumni and staff members at the race to raise awareness about the treatment of the physically challenged in the city.

Also attracting attention were those dressed as personalities who have often grabbed public attention including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Subhas Chandra Bose, Manmohan Singh and even Osama bin Laden.

The event is now considered among the top marathons in the world having got a national status. Befittingly the total prize money was also increased to $340,000, an increase of $15,000 over what was on offer last year.

Media Photographer Homai Vyarawalla dead Vadodara (Gujarat), Jan 16: Homai Vyarawalla, one of India's first professional women photographers, died here Sunday, days after being hospitalised due to a fall from her bed, close friends said. She was 98.

According to friends, she had slipped and fractured her hip. "It took some time for the neighbours to find out she had a fall. They then took her to the hospital Thursday," said Sabeena Gadioke, an associate who called on Vyarawalla from time to time.

However, according to doctors attending on her, it was not the fracture that took her down but the severe breathing problems which she had developed. She was also suffering from lung congestion, which caused her difficulty in breathing.

Vyarawalla is only survived by her ailing daughter-in-law, who stays in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. "She has been informed and is on her way to Vadodara. She too is not keeping well," Gadioke said.

Born Dec 9, 1913 to a Parsi family in Navsari (Gujarat), Vyarawalla studied at the then Bombay University and did her arts diploma from Sir J.J. School of Arts.

She started working soon after in late 1930s, before moving to Delhi in 1942 where she photographed the first flag hoisting of independent India in 1947.

The grand old lady, as she was called, had several accolades to her credit, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, conferred upon her in 2010.

Homai Vyarawalla took a number of memorable photographs during her career. Her favourite subject was India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Book Hitler stole Beetle idea from Jewish engineer: Book London, Jan 16: Adolf Hitler stole the idea for the iconic Volkswagen Beetle car from a Jewish engineer and had his name written out of history, a historian has said in a new book.

The Nazi leader has always been given credit for sketching out the early concept for the Beetle during a meeting with car designer Ferdinand Porsche in 1935. His idea for the Volkswagen -- or "people's car" -- is seen as one of the only "worthwhile" achievements of the dictator, the Daily Mail reported.

Now, historian Paul Schilperoord has written a book titled "The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz" on the Jewish engineer to be behind the Volkswagen.

Hitler said in his design that his vehicle would have four seats, an air-cooled engine and cost no more than 1,000 Reichsmarks, the currency of Germany till 1948.

Three years before Hitler described his idea to Porsche, Ganz was actually driving a car he had designed called the "Maikaefer" -- or "May Bug".

Hitler's price also matched the price Ganz said his car would cost.

Ganz's lightweight, low-riding vehicle looked similar to the Beetle that was later developed by Porsche.

Ganz had reportedly been exploring the idea for an affordable car since 1928 and made many drawings of a Beetle-like vehicle.

Hitler saw the May Bug at a car show in 1933 and made similar sketches.

Within days of the meeting between Hitler and Porsche in 1935, Ganz's was in trouble with the Gestapo or Nazi secret service.

The journalist-inventor left for Switzerland and later died in Australia in 1967.

His name is not mentioned in the Volkswagen's corporate history nor in the Story of Volkswagen exhibition in Wolfsburg.

"So many things were the same in Hitler's sketches. Hitler definitely saw his prototype and I'm quite sure he must have read Ganz's magazine," Schilperoord said.

"It's quite clear Ganz had a big influence on how the idea was developed by the Nazis.

Ferdinand Porsche drove Ganz's prototype in 1931. I found a lot of evidence that all similar rear engines in the 1930s can be traced to Ganz," he said.

"Even the price was the same. Porsche said that doing this for 1,000 Reichsmarks was not possible but was forced to make it happen by the Nazis," he said.

India Features My art reflects my affair with Lennon: Yoko Ono

By Madhusree Chatterjee From the "world's most famous unknown artist" to the "woman who broke up the Beatles", Yoko Ono has had her share of bouquets and brickbats. The conceptual artist, who is putting up her maiden exhibition in India, says her work is an extension of her "karmic love affair" with late Beatles icon John Lennon.

"Yes...I met him at an art show. He was recording music at his studio on 3, Abbey Road.

Number three is a number connected to music. He came to 6, Mason Yard where I was having my gallery show. Six is a number of love. It was the beginning of a life-long love affair, and karmic too," Ono said in an interview during her visit to India.

Lennon and Ono teamed up around 1968 when the former was still with the Beatles - and pooled their genius for several albums. They married in 1969 after a torrid romance. The couple rocked the world for a decade before Lennon was shot dead in 1980 at the end of a busy day in a recording studio in New York.

Her installation and performance art at the Vadehra Gallery in the capital (Jan 13 - March 10) is a torch into her life. For several decades, Ono, 78, has been campaigning for world peace and women's empowerment.

She draws attention through her avant garde works to the constraints faced by women in their lives.

In India, Ono is collaborating with a group of seven women artisans from Bikaner for an interactive installation, "Heal Together" - a cut canvas embellished with traditional embroidery, scraps of coloured textiles and graffiti.

The women, mostly refugees from Pakistan after the 1971 war, are part of a self-help crafts cluster, 'Rang Sutra', comprising nearly 1,200 women who embroider on handloom, silk, wool and leather.

The women have woven and embroidered 15 odhnis, or handwoven drapes, to accompany Ono's installation on gender injustice, "Remember Us" - a series of headless

female torsos laid out on beds of burnt wood chips and a graffiti on the wall screaming "Uncursed" in English, Hindi and Japanese.

The gender installation is at the centre of Ono's India-specific multi-media art project, "Our Beautiful Daughters".

"Indian craft is very important for the world and those girls as well. Those girls will never have a bad time wherever they are because they have the skill. We should all be like them and focus ourselves on something we love to do...and create our own destiny.

"It is a very Asian thing - my mother taught me about music and art when I was four years old...Inside, I am an Asian and outside I am Asian and Western. The world is getting very small," she recalled.

Born in 1933 to wealthy bankers in Japan, Ono later migrated to the US with her family.

Asked about her long-term plans for India, Ono turned philosophical.

"There are so many things in this world we can take care of...Touching base like this, shaking hands to realise that all of us are very important people...we have accomplished that in two days in India.

"But I will never leave my soul from India. I will be here wherever I am," she said.

Indian mysticism has been an important influence in Ono's life, thanks to Lennon's brush with transcendental meditation at Mahesh Yogi's retreat in the 1960s. The couple had even been known to seek an audience with Sathya Sai Baba and travelled through the Himalayas in search of spiritual salvation.

"The whole world is influenced by Indian spirituality. India is a very interesting land - it is the centre of the world's spirituality," she said.

She is also attracted to Buddhism.

"The whole world is influenced by Buddhism. It is not a religion but a logical, theoretical idea - don't kill anybody and don't fight with anybody," Ono added in the course of her interview.

Known for her experimental music and the Plastic Ono Band, which she set up with Lennon in 1969 to sing songs of peace and freedom, Ono fills her art with this new age search for liberation and people-to-people interface as well.

Her live performance, "Cut Piece", in 1964 allowed the audience to step on the stage and snip her draped garment to pieces till she was unclothed.

"Art is a tool of social change. But music is music and art is art...They meet sometimes and sometimes they don't. But there is always music around my art, touching it, nourishing it," Ono added.