Briefly Nation

The Bar Council of Gujarat on Monday suspended advocate Rajesh H Ruparelia from practising in any court for three years after a woman complained...

Lawyer barred from courts for vulgar SMSes

AHMEDABAD: The Bar Council of Gujarat on Monday suspended advocate Rajesh H Ruparelia from practising in any court for three years after a woman complained that he was sending her vulgar and objectionable text messages. The Council said Ruparelia was sending messages to one Gitaben Shah,whose mother was his client. Even after the case was over,Ruparelia continued to call up and send objectionable SMSes to her.

Orissa Oppn boycotts Governors address

BHUBANESWAR: Opposition Congress on Monday boycotted Orissa Governor M C Bhandares address to the Assembly and tore a copy of his speech. Bhandare was requested by Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh not to read the speech but as he went ahead,Congress members began shouting while Singh began a parallel speech. As Bhandare shouted stop it,stop it,Congress members staged a walkout. Bhandare then went ahead with his address.

Tirupati idols,prasad for Barack Obama

HYDERABAD: The governing body of the Tirumala temple at Tirupati is planning to present a golden idol of Lord Venkateswara and prasad to US President Barack Obama. The organisers of Kalyanotsavam a special puja at New Jersey are planning to invite Obama. We also want to present him a golden idol of Lord Venkateswara, chairman of the governing body D K Adikesavulu Naidu told reporters on Monday.

Rights activist Irom Sharmila honoured

IMPHAL: Manipuri human rights activist Irom Sharmila,who has been on fast unto death for nine years,demanding withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur,has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award 2009 by Kerala-based Myilamma Foundation,a spokesperson of Sharmila Kanba LupSave Sharmila Committee said on Monday. The foundation said Sharmilas demand for withdrawal of AFSPA under which human rights are abused by security forces was justified.

Meet on March 18 to review Assam Accord

GUWAHATI: A meeting between Union Home Ministry,Assam government and All Assam Students Union AASU to review progress of implementation of the Assam Accord would be held in New Delhi on March 18,AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjee said Monday. He said lack of implementation of the various clauses of the Accord would be discussed in detail.

Priests in TN to get free bicycles

MADURAI: Priests in Tamil Nadu will get free bicycles to commute to shrines,Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Joint Commissioner Sudarsan said Monday. In Madurai,1,000 priests of rural temples under the jurisdiction of Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple and 2,000 priests attached to Lord Muruga temple in Palani would get the bicycles,8221; he added. Funds under the Oru Kala Pooja Scheme would be utilised for it. PTI