Former minister Andimuthu Raja accused of selling licences to run networks on the cheap in ‘2G spectrum scam’

India’s government was plunged into controversy yesterday with the publication of an auditor’s report into what is suspected to be India’s biggest case of state corruption.

The report by the Indian comptroller and auditor general accuses former telecoms minister Andimuthu Raja of causing a loss of about £22bn to the exchequer by failing to follow proper procedure in the award of licences to run mobile phone networks in India in 2008. The sum is unparalleled even in a country that has seen many such scandals

The report condemned the 47-year-old politician from the southern Tamil Nadu state for acting in an “arbitrary, unfair and inequitable manner” and “flouting every canon of financial propriety, rules and procedures”. The 2G spectrum licences were sold at a fraction of their real value, the watchdog found, and of the 115 awarded, 85 were illegal. It also alleged widespread fraud. Raja, who was forced to resign on Sunday, has consistently denied all wrongdoing.

30 September: Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court gave decision on Babri, cleared the way for Ram temple.

On September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court, in its historic decision, ruled to divide the disputed land of Ayodhya into three parts.

The date had brought a new dawn in the history of Ramnagari, when Allahabad High Court, in its historic decision, had ordered to divide the disputed land into three parts. The court had ruled to give one share each to Ramlal, Nirmohi Akhara and Waff Board.

After this, Ram devotees were hopeful that through the judicial process, the dream of generations of building a grand Ram temple at the same place in Ayodhya could come true.

Mass movement started in the 80s

After independence, the Ram Mandir movement gained maximum momentum especially in the 80s. Mahant Avedyanath established Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti Yagya Committee on 21 July 1984 for the construction of the temple. On 7 October 1984, a huge public meeting was held on the banks of Saryu river demanding opening of the locks installed in the temple.

After this, the second public meeting was held in Udupi on 31 October 1985. The last date for opening the lock here was fixed as 8 March 1986, on the day of Mahashivratri. During this time the noise of Mandal-Kamandal also started. Taking the legal route, a demand for opening the lock was made in the District Court on January 31, 1986.

On February 1, 1986, Justice Krishnamohan Pandey ordered to open the lock of Shri Ram Janam Mandir. After this the government got the lock opened. On 3rd February Mohd. Hashim Qureshi and Zafaryab Jilani appealed in Allahabad High Court which was rejected.

Then on 12 May 1986, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board filed a petition. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust was also formed under the umbrella of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. When BJP government came to power at the Centre, 67.77 acres of land was acquired. After this, the political trend changed in Uttar Pradesh and Kalyan Singh’s government came to power. Then 40 acres of land was given on lease to the Trust.

Echo of building a temple arose from the entire country

That historic year of 1992 also came when the echo of “Ram Lalla, we will come and build the temple there” echoed across India. A group of Ram devotees traveled to Ayodhya carrying bricks for the construction of the temple from all over the country. The disputed structure was demolished on 6 December 1992. On December 10, 1992, the Supreme Court ordered to maintain the status quo by keeping the 1950 court order for darshan-worship intact.

On January 7, 1993, the Central Government issued an ordinance and acquired the entire temple complex. In 2010, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, while giving its verdict in the case, ordered to divide the disputed land into three parts. Order was given to give one part to the sitting Ramlala party, the second part to Nirmohi Akhara and the third part to Sunni Waqf Board.

Longest Total Solar Eclipse of 21st Century on July 22, 2009

A total solar eclipse occurred on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the Moon’s descending node of its orbit with a magnitude of 1.07991. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, partially or fully obscuring the Sun’s image from viewers on Earth. When the Moon’s apparent diameter is larger than the Sun’s, it causes a total solar eclipse, turning day into darkness in a narrow path along Earth’s surface while a partial eclipse is visible over a wider surrounding area. This eclipse took place about 5.5 hours after the Moon’s perigee, meaning the Moon was closer to Earth and appeared larger in the sky, enabling the total coverage of the Sun by the Moon.

This event was the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, with totality lasting a maximum of 6 minutes and 38.86 seconds, witnessed off the coast of Southeast Asia. The corridor of totality spanned across northern India, eastern Nepal, Bhutan, the northern tip of Myanmar, central China, and the Pacific Ocean, including parts of Japan’s Ryukyu Islands. The eclipse attracted significant tourist and scientific interest across countries such as eastern China, Pakistan, Japan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Many major cities along the path experienced totality, including Surat, Vadodara, Bhopal, Varanasi, Patna, and Guwahati in India, as well as Chengdu, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Hangzhou in China. The Chinese government utilized this opportunity for scientific education and dispelling superstitions surrounding eclipses.

In Japan, this was the first eclipse in 46 years, but cloudy skies obstructed clear views for many observers. In Bangladesh, despite rain, thousands witnessed the eclipse lasting about 3 minutes and 44 seconds. The maximum phase occurred over the ocean south of the Bonin Islands, southeast of Japan. Innovative viewing experiences included a flight by China Eastern Airlines that followed the eclipse path for extended observation. The cruise ship Costa Classica also channeled along the centerline of totality to maximize viewing duration.

This eclipse was part of the Saros 136 series, which involves eclipses occurring at the Moon’s descending node. The July 22, 2009 eclipse’s long duration and wide visibility made it a major celestial event, surpassing others of the century, and it held unique significance until eclipses of comparable or longer duration occur in the future, such as one predicted in 2132.

Bharat Kesari News started in india Against Corruption

New Delhi: 21 July 2009: Bharat Kesari News started in india Against Corruption. we have decided to start our online news portal against corruption in whole india.