Quicktakes

Sachin gets Khel Ratna
NEW DELHI: Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was the cynosure of all eyes as President K R Narayanan on Saturday gave away the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Dronacharya and Arjuna awards at a glittering function in the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapathi Bhavan. The 25-year-old Tendulkar, with wife Anjali among the audience, received thunderous applause when he walked up as the first awardee of the day to receive the Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour of the country comprising a medal, scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs one lakh.

Gas leakage
MUMBAI: Sixty persons were admitted to a hospital at Vashi in Navi Mumbai following gas leakage from a chemical factory near Mahape village in Trombay area.According to Superintendent of the Employees State Insurance Scheme8217;s hospital at Vashi, Dr Nagarajan, no one was in a serious condition.Meanwhile, senior officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board inspected the chemical factory.

Godse ban
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Government on Saturday gave the final curtain call on the controversial Marathi play Mee Nathuram Godse Boltoy by issuing two fresh orders notifying all the authorities concerned against issuing any performance licence. 8220;The Government8217;s decision to ban the play was full and final,8221; the Chief Minister said reacting to the possibility of the play making a come back following a recent court order.

Boat mishap
MUZAFFARPUR: At least thirty-five people, mostly women and children, were feared drowned, when a country boat caught in whirlpool, capsized in the midstream of Lakhandei river near Nayagaon under Aurai police station in Muzaffarpur district on Saturday, officials said.

Russian crisis
MOSCOW: A besieged president Boris Yeltsin suggested on Saturday he would cede some of his powers to ensure a smooth confirmation hearing for his heir apparent Viktor Chernomyrdin.