Marriage may aid recovery from heart surgery

Married people who have cardiac surgery may feel better after the operation than those who are divorced, separated or widowed, according to new research.

In the study, people who were not married — as opposed to never-married — had about a 40 percent greater risk of either dying or developing a new disability during the first two years after the surgery, the researchers found.

“People who were married had fewer decreases in functional status compared to people who were widowed, divorced or separated,” said lead study author Dr Mark Neuman. Neuman who is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and critical care at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

While other research has linked better survival odds after cardiac surgery to marriage, few researchers have looked at any link between marital status and surgical recovery, Neuman said.

For this study, the investigators gathered data from more than 1,500 men and women enrolled in the University of Michigan Health and Retirement study, which has been ongoing since 1998. Every two years, participants answer questions about health, disabilities and family structure. The study focused on the participants who had undergone cardiac surgery. Neuman noted that no information was available on the types of cardiac surgery.

The researchers evaluated how well the patients could fend for themselves after the surgery, including performing activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating and taking showers without help.

Among the study patients, 65 percent were married, 12 percent were divorced or separated, 21 percent were widowed and two percent never married. The findings showed that marital status was significantly associated with the risk of death or a new functional disability within two years after surgery. Neuman cautioned, however, that the study only found an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship.

He pointed out that those in the never-married group had results similar to the married group, but their numbers were so small that he hesitated to draw any firm conclusions about those patients.

So, why do married people seem to fare better? While Newman cannot say for sure, he suggested that married patients might receive more social support from spouses to get through recovery. The findings are consistent with other research on marital status and health, said Hiu (Cathy) Liu, an associate professor of sociology at Michigan State University, who has researched the topic.

“This adds to the general picture of the advantages of married people relative to the unmarried people, especially the divorced/separated and widowed, by extending to a more specific health outcome, a postoperative functional recovery,” Liu said.

Kareena Doesn't Take Stardom Seriously, Says Arjun Kapoor

"The first thing I learnt is being simple, she has not lost herself after being here for a long time. She has always been the same person. She is the same person on sets as she is off it. She doesn't take her stardom seriously. I think that is her biggest asset," said Arjun Kapoor of his Ki And Ka co-star
Actor Arjun Kapoor feels his Ki And Ka co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan is a simple person, who doesn't take her stardom seriously, and said that is her biggest asset.

Arjun found it quite easy to work with his childhood crush Kareena in the R Balki-directed film. "The first thing I learnt is being simple, she has not lost herself after being here for a long time. She has always been the same person. She is the same person on sets as she is off it. She doesn't take her stardom seriously. I think that is her biggest asset," Arjun told PTI. (Also Read: Why Arjun Kapoor 'Needed' Ki And Ka at This Point in His Career)

The 30-year-old actor, who is all praise for the Jab We Met actress, further said that she listens to her directors very patiently.

"She is a gifted actor, she listens to her directors. As an actor, she just patiently listens to what the director wants. A lot of people have their opinion or point of view, but Kareena doesn't do that, she still listens to her directors," Arjun said.

"That humility towards your craft is something I love. Films are as good as directors, actors are selfish people, directors see the bigger picture," he said. (Also Read: 'Arjuntina'-Bound Khatron Ke Khiladi Really Doesn't Like Ceiling Fans)

Arjun also said he did not feel intimidated by Kareena. "I have been a fan of hers as she is a fantastic actor. I have grown up in the industry. I know Kareena for years even before she became an actress. She has done four films with my father. She is not one of those actors who intimidates another person, we have fun on the sets," he said.

"We have now known each other for quite some time, its normal for us. We did not have to break the ice or create chemistry. We have a fantastic director, great actors and a great story. We finished the film in less than 50 days," he added.

Govt drafts rules to regulate Uber, other ride-hailing firms

The transport ministry has drafted guidelines to regulate ride-hailing companies, including US-based Uber and its domestic rival Ola, for the first time laying down federal rules that could end months of uncertainty on how they operate in the country.

The ministry has asked states to ensure companies operate with call centres and their taxis follow emission norms, according to a six-page advisory issued last week and reviewed by Reuters on Tuesday.

The guidelines also call for extensive background checks of drivers to ensure passenger safety. Any person who has in the past been convicted of any “cognizable offence” under India’s criminal laws should not be allowed to become a driver.

Although it is not yet clear whether the guidelines will be binding on the states and much uncertainty still remains, Uber and Ola both welcomed the move as a step in the right direction.

Ola, backed by Japan’s Softbank, called the advisory a “progressive directive” that will help it work closely with different states. Uber said the guidelines were a “big leap” in recognising regulations for such companies.

In recent months, ride-hailing services have faced questions by authorities about their safety measures, especially in the capital Delhi, where an Uber driver was last December accused of raping a woman passenger.

Such services were banned in Delhi after the incident, but a court recently revoked the decision. It also led to widespread outrage against online taxi companies after it was found the accused driver had a past criminal record.

Beef ban: Petitions challenging ban to come up in Bombay HC tomorrow

The Bombay High Court has posted for final hearing on Tuesday a bunch of petitions challenging the beef ban legislation in Maharashtra.

The petitions would be heard by a bench of Justices Abhay Oka and VL Achilya for three days from October 14. In February 2015, the President had granted sanction to Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act. While the Act had banned slaughter of cows way back in 1976, the recent amendments prohibited slaughter of bulls and bullocks.

According to the amended Act, the sale of bulls and bullocks in the state is an offence punishable with five-year jail term and Rs 10,000 fine. Besides, possession of meat of a cow, bull or bullock is also an offence for which the punishment prescribed is one-year jail and Rs 2,000 fine.

While hearing the petition, the HC had in April refused to grant an interim stay on the law on the issue of possession of beef. Arif Kapadia, a city resident, and noted lawyer Harish Jagtiani, have challenged the provision of the law which says mere possession of beef in any place in the state is a crime.

According to Jagtiani, this provision of the law is arbitrary and hits upon the cosmopolitan nature of the city which houses people from all religions and communities. Kapadia, on the other hand, has described as "draconian" section 5(D) of the Act which makes possession of meat of any cow, bull or bullock slaughtered outside the state a cognizable and non-bailable offence with punishment upto one year in jail and Rs 2,000 fine.

Other petitions have been filed by Vishal Sheth, a lawyer, and Shaina Sen, a student. The duo said "we are Hindus who are consumers of beef which is now part of our diet and nutrition sources. The ban on beef and criminalising its sale and possession violates fundamental rights of citizens." On September 21, the HC had rejected the plea in a bunch of petitions seeking the relaxation of beef ban in Maharashtra during a three-day period for Eid festival, also known as Bakri-Eid.

Petrol price cut by Rs 2/ litre, diesel by Rs.0.50/litre

Petrol price will be cut by Rs 2 per litre and diesel by 50 paise per litre with effect from midnight tonight. The price cut is inclusive of state levies and will vary from state to state.

Earlier in the month, petrol price was cut by Rs 1.27 a litre and diesel by Rs 1.17 per litre with effect from August 15 and prior to that, rates of petrol were cut on August 1 by Rs 2.43. a litre and that of diesel by Rs 3.60.

The new petrol price effective from midnight will cost Rs 61.20 a litre in Delhi as against Rs 63.20 currently, while diesel will cost Rs 44.45 a litre as against 44.95 currently.

 "Since last price change, there has been a decrease in international prices of both petrol and diesel. However, Rupee-US Dollar exchange rate has depreciated during this period. The impact of both these factors warrants a downward revision in prices, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price decrease," IOC said in a statement.

 Last month, the price of petrol was cut on July 1 by 31 paise per litre and diesel by 71 paise a litre. This was followed by a Rs 2 per litre cut in rates of both petrol and diesel, excluding local sales tax, from July 16 but consumers in Delhi were deprived of the benefit as the Delhi government raised VAT.

As a result, petrol price in Delhi went up by 28 paise a litre after hike in VAT or sales tax on the fuel from 20 to 25 per cent. Rates of diesel, on which VAT was raised from 12.5 percent to 16.6 per cent, saw a smaller reduction of 50 paise per litre.

 "The movement of prices in international oil market and INR-USD exchange rate shall continue to be monitored closely and developing trends of the market will be reflected in future price changes," IOC said. The effective change in price of petrol in Kolkata would be Rs 66.50 as against current price of Rs 68.10 and in Mumbai would be Rs 66.23 as against current price of Rs 68.24.

In Chennai, it would be Rs 61.46 as against the current price of Rs 63.49. Similary, Diesel in Kolkata would cost Rs 48.23 from midnight and that in Mumbai would be Rs 49.51 and in Chennai, diesel would cost Rs 45.56.

Yakub Memon's hanging sparks debate over death penalty

The execution of Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon on Thursday sparked a debate over death penalty with prominent opposition leaders joining activists in calling for a ban and the government saying it cannot afford to take the leap at present.

The chorus was led by Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor who said "State-sponsored killing" reduces citizens to murderers.

"There is no evidence that death penalty serves as a deterrent: to the contrary in fact. All it does is exact retribution: unworthy of a Govt," Tharoor tweeted.

The Kerala MP said he was not commenting on the merits of the Yakub Memon sentence but on "death penalty in principle and practice".

Congress in general welcomed the hanging of Memon, but Tharoor got support from party colleague and Rajya Sabha MP Mani Shankar Aiyar who said: "India is a democracy. We set very high standards when it comes to human rights. Why are we then not abolishing the death sentence? What benefit are we getting from it?"

DMK parliamentarian Kanimozhi Karunanidhi vowed to move a private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha to abolish death sentences.

"India has witnessed three executions in three years. A lengthy legal process and executive clemency could not prevent the government from taking the life of its own citizens," she said.

Left parties, the CPI( M) and CPI, reiterated their stand against capital punishment. "India should say no to capital punishment. In this regard I am moving a private member resolution in the Rajya Sabha," CPI leader D Raja said.

Union minister Arun Jaitley called the debate “legitimate” but made it clear there was no way India could afford to take the leap at present due to concerns over internal security and cross-border terrorism.

“We are not in a position to abolish death penalty,” Jaitley said, adding that the BJP’s ideology was against showing leniency to those who butcher innocents.

More than 160 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice and 98 of those have  abolished it altogether. India is one of the 58 countries which still hands out the death penalty, according to a UN reports.

The international voices against Yakub Memon's hanging was led by UN secretary general Ban ki moon who emphasied his stand against death sentences.

New York-based NGO Human Rights Watch urged India to order a ban, saying there is no evidence that the "cruel" form of punishment acts as a deterrent.

"Why does India cling to capital punishment? Perhaps the government is afraid to be seen as soft in the face of horrific terrorist attacks or other crimes like the 2013 gangrape of a student in New Delhi. But the often professed goals for capital punishment – deterrence, reformation, or justice – hardly hold up to scrutiny," said Jayshree Bajoria, a researcher with the organisation.

Eminent jurists too joined the debate. While former attorney general (AG) Soli Sorabjee called for a ban on capital punishment, present AG Mukul Rohatgi said it wasn't time yet.

Writers and opinion makers who spoke out against the noose mainly said the state should not be a party to taking precious lives and that death is never a deterrent for terrorists.

Gold hovers near five-year low early Tuesday, eyes on Shanghai

Gold held near its lowest level in more than five years early on Tuesday after tumbling more than 4 percent the session before in an early-Asia rout, pulling bullion below the key US$1,100 support.

Monday's selloff began shortly after the Shanghai Gold Exchange opened trading when liquidity was thin and investors are eyeing the bourse for any further selling pressure.- Reuters

Earlier Tuesday morning report

NEW YORK/LONDON: Gold prices plunged more than 4 percent to five-year lows on Monday as a sudden bout of selling across Shanghai and New York markets during the illiquid early Asian trading hours triggered a mini flash crash, deepening bullion's biggest rout in years.

A wave of sell orders in a one-minute period shortly after the Shanghai Gold Exchange opened on Monday sent the most-active U.S. gold futures contract <GCv1> down $48 to as low as $1,080 per ounce, its weakest since February 2010.

Within two minutes, an estimated 33 tonnes of gold in Shanghai and New York worth $1.3 billion changed hands. A lack of liquidity, with Japanese markets closed for a holiday, hastened the slide.

The ferocious selling triggered CME circuit breakers twice within one minute just before 9:30 p.m. EDT (0130 GMT) on Sunday.

The exact cause of the selling was not immediately known, but traders and analysts attributed the massive move to high-frequency trading algorithms as well as stop-loss selling.

"It was just a bit of a bear raid and there was nobody on the other side to mop up the selling," Societe Generale analyst Robin Bhar said.

Prices recouped some losses by the end of trading in New York, but the latest slide helped wipe out half the gains from the last decade's historic bull run, taking prices back to a key chart level and threatening a break towards $1,000 an ounce.

The breadth of the latest sell-off will underscore bullion's worsening outlook as the dollar <.DXY> strengthens and investors brace for the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade.

The dollar hit a three-month high against a basket of currencies, making dollar-priced gold more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The selling followed China's Friday announcement that it increased its gold reserves much less than expected over the past six years.

India vs Zimbabwe Live Score: 2nd T20, Harare

After clinching the ODI series and winning the first T20, second string India led by Ajinkya Rahane would look to finish the tour on a high.

Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage from the second Twenty20 between Zimbabwe and India in Harare. Scorecard

Toss and team news: Zimbabwe won the toss and have opted to bat. India have rested Harbhajan Singh as Sanju Samson makes his debut.

Preview: India will hope to end the Zimbabwe tour on a high with a win in the second Twenty20 International at the Harare Sports Club.

A second string India, captained by young batsman Ajinkya Rahane, clinched the three-match ODI series 3-0. The visitors were a superior side in the first T20I too, winning the match by 54 runs. The visitors will have very little homework to do after putting up an impressive show both with the bat and ball so far. But the hosts will look to win a match and redeem some of their bruised pride.

India fielded five debutants Axar Patel, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadav, Sandip Sharma and Stuart Binny for the T20 match on Friday. Patel made his T20 debut memorable, winning the man of the match award after picking up three wickets giving away just 17 runs.

He was given ample support by veteran offspinner Harbhajan Singh (2 for 29) after experienced batsman-wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa played a responsible 35-ball 39-run knock to guide India to 178 for 5.

Set a target of 179, Zimbabwe could muster only 124 for 7, undone by the slow bowling pair of Patel and Harbhajan. India will aim to capitalise on their batting strength once again, hoping their batsmen would again set up the victory with another strong total.

Rahane and Vijay scored at a fast clip and the onus will be on them once again to provide India a platform. Uthappa will also like to make a big score, after his crucial knock in the first T20.

Zimbabwe need quality performances from batsmen Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha and Vusimuzi Sibanda and bowlers like Prosper Utseya and Tinashe Panyangara. Skipper Elton Chigumbura and Sean Williams will share the dual responsibility of contributing with both bat and ball.

Nifty seen opening higher, may reclaim 8,350

Domestic stocks are likely to open on a positive note, tracking firm cues from Asian markets. The SGX Nifty futures on Singapore Exchange were trading firm at 8,362 in early trades, signaling a modest gap-up opening in Nifty here.

All eyes will be on IT stocks after IT major TCS reported its quarterly numbers post market hours of Thursday. IT stocks constitute a significant weightage in benchmarks Sensex and Nifty.

The market could take support from the overnight rise in the US stocks. The S&P 500 index had settled 0.19 per cent higher overnight, following strong gains of up to 3.5 per cent seen in European indices such as DAX, CAC 40 and FSE100 amid revived hopes of Greece eventually securing the bailout in the emergency meeting of EU leaders coming Sunday.
In the latest development on Greece crisis, European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair the emergency summit, joined growing international calls for Athens to be granted some form of debt relief as part of any new loan deal if Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras finally delivers convincing reforms, Reuters reported.

The Greek government will seek a parliamentary vote today to endorse immediate reform commitments it is offering euro zone creditors in a race to avert bankruptcy and a possible Grexit.

Meanwhile, Chinese stocks continued to rise for the second session. Asian markets including Hang Seng, Nikkei and Kospi were up between 0.10 per cent and 1.50 per cent. Chinese stocks were up 4 per cent.

Lalit Modi: Rahul Gandhi was 'beneficiary of my hospitality during IPL'

Former IPL boss Lalit Modi is continuing with his "revelations" and "questions" on Twitter.

In a series of tweets, Lalit Modi has alleged that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi "was a beneficiary of his hospitality" during his tenure as the IPL commissioner.

In a tweet, Lalit Modi has asked Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra to clarify if they ever received any hospitality from him.

In another tweet, Modi has asked that whether Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra declared this to the Congress leadership.

Lalit Modi has also tweeted a picture of him with Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra. In the picture, Rahul Gandhi and Robert Vadra are seen sitting with other celebrities during an IPL match. Lalit Modi and Rahul Gandhi are seen talking on their mobiles.

Lalit Modi has been tweeting about his "relationship" with politicians across the party spectrum.

A few days back, Lalit had tweeted that Varun Gandhi had met him in London and offered to settle everything with Sonia Gandhi.

He had also claimed that he had met Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra in a restaurant in London.

Hema Malini discharged from hospital, flies home to Mumbai

BJP MP and Bollywood actor Hema Malini, injured in an accident in Dausa district of Rajasthan, left for Mumbai on Saturday after being discharged from Fortis Hospital in Jaipur.

According to sources in the hospital, Hema Malini’s condition is better and she was discharged at 930am on Saturday morning.

Hema Malini, 66, left the hospital through a rear entrance to avoid the media and was driven in an ambulance to the airport, from where she flew to Mumbai in a chartered flight.

"On the request of family members, she was discharged around 930am," a spokesperson for Fortis Hospital said.

She sustained injuries when her Mercedes car collided with another vehicle on National Highway 11 near Dausa on Thursday night. A two-year-old girl named Sonam was killed and her parents, brother and aunt were injured in the accident.

The actor had undergone surgery for her wounds on Friday. She was also treated for a minor fracture on her nose.

Hema Malini faced criticism for her apparent insensitivity and for not taking the injured family with her to hospital. She later expressed grief at the death of the child and conveyed her condolences to the family.

Talking to the media before leaving the hospital on Saturday, her daughter Esha Deol said: “The incident was quite unfortunate and we extend heartfelt condolences to the family members who are in profound grief over losing their young daughter.

We are taking mother back home to Mumbai as she is recovering.”

Esha Deol and her husband travelled to the airport in another car.

Members of Sonam’s family being treated at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital are recovering. An official at SMS Hospital official said, “The victims of Dausa accident are out of danger and their condition is improving.”

Hema Malini was travelling from Mathura to Jaipur when her Mercedes collided with an Alto car going from Jaipur to Lalsot on Thursday night.

Mahesh Chand Thakur, who was driving the Mercedes, was arrested and an FIR was filed against him. He was produced before an additional chief judicial magistrate, who granted bail to Thakur.

Modi Announces Father-Daughter Selfie Campaign For The Girl Child

Addressing the nation over the radio on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide social media campaign for fathers and daughters to take selfies together, and post them on Twitter with the hashtag #SelfieWithDaughter.


Modi promised to retweet the Twitter messages with the best tag line as part of his 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save your Daughter, Teach your Daughter) campaign to save the Girl Child in India.

Speaking on the ninth edition of "Mann Ki Baat," the radio program in which Modi shares his thoughts with the nation, the prime minister expressed his concern about the declining sex ratio in several districts of India.


Modi talked about Sunil Jaglan, the sarpanch of Bibipur village in Haryana, who organised a 'Selfie With Daughter' contest for WhatsApp.


Haryana, which is plagued by widespread female foeticide, has one of the worst sex ratios in India.


"Usually we don't see many pictures of daughters in people's house. The objective of the contest is to increase importance of daughters in their homes. Clicking selfies is the latest craze, so we decided to hold this contest to encourage parents to take pictures with their daughters," said Jaglan, earlier this month.


On Sunday, Modi also said that Indians should celebrate Raksha Bandhan in August by enrolling the women, who work in their home and fields, in social security programs which the government has recently launched.


The Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna life insurance scheme is a one-year cover for Rs2 lakh at a premium of Rs330, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana accident insurance scheme is Rs2 lakh for accidental death and full disability at a premium of Rs11.

When Rishi Kapoor did not recognise Meenakshi Damini Seshadri

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, claimed that he could not recognise his Damini co-star Meenakshi Seshadri when he met her after several years.

Reacting to reports that she will be part of Sunny Deol-starrer remake of Ghayal, Meenakshi Seshadri recently clarified that she was approached but nothing materialised.

The 62-year-old actor took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to share a photograph of Meenakshi and asked his fans to guess who she was. "Any guesses who this is? I didn't recognise her for a moment. What a lovely surprise. Name in 30 mins no hints," Rishi tweeted.

Rishi received many answers. He then replied: "99% got it right. Meenakshi Sheshadhari as always whenever in Mumbai pays us a visit unannounced. Looking gorgeous."

Rishi also told his fans and well-wishers about the Damini actress' whereabouts and tweeted, "Damini, MS, lives happily with hubby Harish Mysore and 2 kids, girl and a boy in Dallas, U.S. Visiting relatives,can work in film if a good role."

Rishi and Meenakshi have also worked together in films like Vijay, Sadhna, Ghar Parivar,Bade Ghar Ki Beti and Gharana.

Last week, Meenakshi was seen at an event in Mumbai and she quashed rumours that she may be seen in the sequel of her 1990 hit film Ghayal, saying she is "not interested in films at this point".

Meenakshi, who is now based in the US, said, "There were talks, but nothing materialised. Whatever you have heard so far, it's all just stories and not true. I am not interested in films at this point. I would like to do stage production and dance dramas."

"I didn't work in movies for this long because my kids and family are more important to me. I am thinking that the day my daughter graduates, maybe at that time I will think about something," she added.

Harbhajan Singh back in blue jersey

Harbhajan Singh will return to One Day International (ODI) arena after a gap of 4 years as his name was up in the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series. The senior player is looking forward to bowl in the limited over format game.

"Obviously can't tell you how happy I am that I will be wearing this blue jersey again. I don't know anything apart from playing cricket. This is all I have done in my life and I am happy that I can again try and give my all for India," Harbhajan was quoted saying by rediff.com.

The veteran thinks the Zimbabwe tour call is a big exam for him and he wants to excel in it.  Harbhajan has played 228 ODIs and 102 Tests for India, he'll definitely be the senior most player on the tour as the rest of senior team members have been rested.

“I believe cricket has a similarity with academics. A student studies day and night for his exams after 10 months. The only difference is for a cricketer, there is an exam every third day and you have to be well prepared for every exam. I feel that Zimbabwe series is another exam and I am studying hard to excel," he said.

"If you ask me, there is always pressure when you are making a comeback. As you cross different levels, the pressure increases. That's what happens from junior cricket to first class to international cricket."

He added saying that he wants to help the young cricketers of India who'll be on tour with him. The Turbanator also thinks that exchanging of ideas with the players will help him to cope up with the gap.

"I have always believed in exchange of ideas. I believe that it is my responsibility to help the new crop of cricketers, guide them with my experience and also at the same time learn from them. Cricket is like life. You never stop learning. Till the day, I would play this game, I would not like to stop learning."

Here’s the 15 members squad for the three ODI matches against Zimbabwe. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the lead team in absence of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

ODI squad: Ajinkya Rahane (capt), M Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Harbhajan Singh, Axar Patel, Karn Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Sandeep Sharma.

Cong questions PM's silence on 'Lalitgate'

 Senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao today questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on 'Lalitgate' issue during his 'Mann ki Baat' programme and on allegations against foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje.

"He (Modi) talked about yoga, environment, women and all in his 'Mann ki Baat'. That is good. But, he did not remember Lalitgate," Rao said.

During the UPA government, Congress leaders like Pawan Bansal, Ashwini Kumar and Shashi Tharoor had quit as Union ministers soon after allegations were made against them, he recalled.

Swaraj and Raje are under opposition fire to quit their respective posts over their links with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who is facing probe by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged Forex violations.

On a separate issue, Rao urged Telangana Government to help the family of Hyderabad-based Ghazal singer Vithal Rao who passed away recently.

"A 'charity ghazal nite' can be organised by the state government to help the singer's family as they are facing problems," the Rajya Sabha member said.

PM tweets, expresses apologies to people of Varanasi.

After the cancellation of his visit to Varanasi on Sunday the Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his 'sincere apologies to the people of Varanasi' through his tweet.

At 4.01pm the PM tweeted - "Was eagerly awaiting the Varanasi visit but unfortunately due to the weather I had to cancel. Sincere apologies to the people of Varanasi."

It was the incessant rain since morning that played spoilsport to his visit to Varanasi, where he was to address a public meeting on Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) ground besides launching various projects like Integrated Power Development Project (IPDP), ring road project of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), and a four lane road from Babatpur airport to main city area.

During his visit he was also to inaugurate the multi-specialty trauma center of the Institute of Medical Science at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Monsoon rains surplus so far, but July-August could be bad

A surprisingly feisty southwest monsoon has dumped 24% surplus rainfall across India, delivering mushy weather in some parts and deadly flooding in others, while easing worries of a drought. But here’s the upshot: mid-July onwards could be bad and August nasty.

We have not beaten the monsoon-sapping El Nino weather pattern yet, but we are definitely better off with some robust showers so far.

“There will be a considerable dip in rainfall activity in the next 15 days,” a Met official said. That’s point to note. July delivers over a third of the rainy season’s total precipitation. Mid-July is when summer crops, accounting for nearly half of the country’s annual food output, grow to your knee’s length and require their second good round of watering.

To be sure, the Met has forecast the monsoon would be within 88% of the average of 89 centimeters (35 inches). That stands for a “deficient” monsoon, one notch lower than the milder “below normal” category. Monsoon is normal if it is within 94-106%.

The upswing in June has been phenomenal. Take for instance, the 44% higher rainfall in the week, June 18-24. This allowed farmers to sow a range of crops, who had been brooding over whether to invest in seeds, fearing poor rains. The rains have replenished 91 nationally important reservoirs. Their levels now stand at 146% more than the 10-year average and therefore a surplus. 

So, are we home with a normal monsoon? Not really, if you could read the risk factors. The answer lies not in skies, but a meteorological tug-of-war in the oceans.

Forecasters are closely watching a key Indian Ocean barometer -- called the Indian Ocean Dipole or IOD -- that can sometimes protect the monsoon from being shot down by the El Nino.

The IOD is the difference in sea-surface temperature between two areas (or poles) in the Indian Ocean -- a western pole in the Arabian Sea and an eastern pole in the Andamans. In this fight between the IOD and El Nino, if IOD remains “neutral or positive”, the monsoon wins. It is currently neutral, which explains the June rains.

Can monsoon rain turn the stock market mood up? Analysts reckon the rains hold the reviving market in and investor sentiments.

The benchmark 30-share BSE Sensex has grown more than 1000 points since June 5 -- the day monsoon arrived in Kerala.

The fast-moving-consumer goods (toothpastes, shampoos and instant noodles etc.) and fertiliser sectors would be the most to benefit from a good monsoon.

Likewise, about 40% of India’s cement demand comes from rural housing. Adequate monsoon, therefore, is critical for steady growth of cement companies.

“The arrival of monsoon with a bang and a 12% above nomal precipitation at the end of last week washed off concerns of investors,” said Ravi Shenoy, AVP-Midcaps Research, Motilal Oswal Securities, a brokerage and research firm.

“Monsoons should ease inflation worries and boost finance and auto stocks,” Shenoy said.

Raje 'admits' to helping Lalit Modi, BJP says nobody is tainted

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje has reportedly admitted to BJP leaders that she signed an affidavit backing controversial former IPL chief Lalit Modi’s British immigration appeal, adding to unease within the party despite finance minister Arun Jaitley’s defence of controversy-hit leaders.

Raje apparently admitted to some BJP leaders she had signed the document, which was leaked on Wednesday, prompting some to believe she should have come clean days ago.

The BJP’s top leaders examined the seven-page document and are in touch with Raje, a powerful regional leader, NDTV quoted its sources as saying.

On June 16, Raje had denied any knowledge of the document after Modi, now living in London, produced it during a television interview and said Raje had sought a legal guarantee of confidentiality for signing the affidavit.

Read: 'Lalitgate': PM Modi has to choose between politics and governance

Jaitley defended the BJP’s controversy-hit leaders on Thursday, saying “nobody is tainted” despite mounting unease about the political fallout of Raje’s help to Modi, who is wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering.

His one-line defence soon after his return from the US defined the BJP’s position as an embattled Raje tapped into her supporters in Jaipur and her office issued statements denying reports that she has been asked to quit.

"Some electronic channels are constantly running reports far away from the truth. These reports are completely baseless and are unsubstantiated. Verify reports before running them. Do not run stories which are unsubstantiated or based on rumours which may tarnish image of the chief minister," said a statement issued Raje's press advisor.

A second statement later said some TV channels were carrying "misleading reports" about 110 legislators coming out in support of Raje.

The statement quoted some media reports that said "Vasundhara resignation sought, Vasundhara bluntly refuses to resign", "Party will be in a mess or problems if I am asked to quit", "Ministers and MLAs are gathering at CM house", and "Chief minister going to Delhi and (Health Minister) Rajendra Rathore going to Delhi".

Raje, 62, enjoys the confidence of BJP legislators but party leaders said her position is vulnerable after the emergence of the affidavit in support of Modi.

She has been tightlipped throughout the crisis, breaking her silence only to deny supporting Modi. On Thursday morning, Raje made an appearance at the passing out parade of police sub-inspectors in Jaipur but avoided reporters.

Instead, she tried to reach out to BJP leaders, clarifying her position to the top leadership.

“Her position in Rajasthan and in Delhi is not as strong as earlier when LK Advani was in the party and strongly backed her,” a BJP spokesperson said in Jaipur, alluding to the veteran’s diminished role after Narendra Modi became prime minister.

But urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said everything was “ok” in the government and the party. “Some people are unhappy because after this Prime Minister (Modi) came to power they are not allowed to enjoy what they used to earlier,” he said.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra questioned the authenticity of the affidavit. “Did she testify before any court and before a judge? Has the UK government said anything? Even if we presume the documents to be true, we know that they (Raje and Lalit Modi) had family relations.”

Their remarks provoked a Congress taunt that the BJP was “continuing to defend the indefensible” despite incriminating evidence against Raje.

The Congress also released the signed copy of the affidavit in which Raje told British officials that India's expansive investigation of Modi was "a full frontal attack" that was "politically motivated."

The CPI-M demanded the immediate resignation of Raje, saying her conduct vis-a-vis Modi marked "a new low from a political leader and a national affront".

"The emergence of a witness statement signed by Vasundhara Raje in support of Lalit Modi's immigration application to the UK has conclusively established the wrongdoing indulged in by the chief minister," the CPI-M said in a statement.

The CPI(M) also sought the resignation of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj for her own links with Lalit Modi.