Describing as unfortunate that some people “link Adhyamta with religion”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the two are "are very different".

Speaking at a function to release a commemorative postage stamp on 100 years of Yogoda Satsang Math, he said “Yogi ji(Paramahansa Yogananda) left the shores of India to spread his message but he remained connected to India all the time.”

Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) celebrated its 100-year journey on Friday and the organisation announced its celebratory plans. One major aim of YSS is to reveal the complete harmony, basic oneness and common foundations of all true religions.

PM Modi had tweeted yesterday: “Tomorrow I will be joining the centenary celebrations of Yogoda Satsanga Society at 10:45 A M. Looking forward,”. “How has Yoga transformed your life? What is the importance of Yoga according to you? Tell me on the NM Mobile App.http://nm4.in/dnldapp,” he said.

Twenty seven fresh cases of swine flu have been reported in Telangana, where 21 people died due to the H1N1 virus and other complications since August 1 last year, the state government said on Tuesday.

A bulletin on swine flu said 184 samples were tested yesterday for swine flu and 27 of them were found positive for the virus.

No death was reported yesterday, it said.

As many as 6,659 samples have been tested till yesterday since August 1 last year and 897 of them were found positive, it said.

Sufficient stock of medicines and testing kits were available in the state, the release added.

Steve Smith had no qualms in admitting that he made a mistake by seeking help from the dressing room on a DRS call but the Australia captain insisted that the game was played in good spirit.

The incident had snowballed into a controversy with many former players criticising Smith's act.

Explaining the incident, Smith said there was a bit of brain fade when he turned to dressing room for help.

"I got hit on the pad and looked towards the non-striker batsman and then turned around towards Paddy. I should not have done that. This happened for the first time. I was looking at our boys, I should not have done that. There was a bit of brain fade," Smith said at the press conference.

Asked about his animated chat with rival captain Virat Kohli, Smith dismissed it as mere banter.

"Me and Virat were having a little chat out there. There was not much in it, so it was bit of fun, a bit of banter.

That is the kind of things happen in these matches. It is nice to occasionally get engaged in such conversations. It was only good fun," he said.

Smith refused to say Kohli lost his cool and insisted game's spirit was kept intact.

"I am not sure, I think that is the question to ask them.

As far as I am concerned the game was played in good spirit.

You know, emotions sometimes get better of you , but I don't think anyone crossed the line.

"If emotions are kept in check it will make great contest."

The visiting captain said the result was "disappointing" but his side fought hard.

"We expected India to come back hard and in their second innings they played some good cricket. Partnership between Pujara and Rahane was really good. But I am still proud of the way these boys have played it. From my camera, they were bit North competing incredibly harder. I am sure we will continue to do that. we can get some more results going our way," he said.

Steve Smith had no qualms in admitting that he made a mistake by seeking help from the dressing room on a DRS call but the Australia captain insisted that the game was played in good spirit.

The incident had snowballed into a controversy with many former players criticising Smith's act.

Explaining the incident, Smith said there was a bit of brain fade when he turned to dressing room for help.

"I got hit on the pad and looked towards the non-striker batsman and then turned around towards Paddy. I should not have done that. This happened for the first time. I was looking at our boys, I should not have done that. There was a bit of brain fade," Smith said at the press conference.

Asked about his animated chat with rival captain Virat Kohli, Smith dismissed it as mere banter.

"Me and Virat were having a little chat out there. There was not much in it, so it was bit of fun, a bit of banter.

That is the kind of things happen in these matches. It is nice to occasionally get engaged in such conversations. It was only good fun," he said.

Smith refused to say Kohli lost his cool and insisted game's spirit was kept intact.

"I am not sure, I think that is the question to ask them.

As far as I am concerned the game was played in good spirit.

You know, emotions sometimes get better of you , but I don't think anyone crossed the line.

"If emotions are kept in check it will make great contest."

The visiting captain said the result was "disappointing" but his side fought hard.

"We expected India to come back hard and in their second innings they played some good cricket. Partnership between Pujara and Rahane was really good. But I am still proud of the way these boys have played it. From my camera, they were bit North competing incredibly harder. I am sure we will continue to do that. we can get some more results going our way," he said.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Tuesday came under the scanner from Twitter users following her comment, that college girls living in hostels should have an early curfew to protect them from their 'own hormonal outbursts.

On a TV show on Monday, the minister said that early curfew for girls in hostel is needed to protect them from their own 'hormonal outbursts'.

“As a parent who is sending a daughter to a college – or a son – I would expect her and him to be protected. And perhaps one of the protections is against themselves. When you are 16 or 17 you are also hormonally very challenged. So to protect you from your own hormonal outbursts, perhaps a lakshman rekah is drawn,” Gandhi said, adding,"The problem can only be solved by imposing time limits for everything."

Soon after the show, Gandhi’s comments went viral on social media with Twitterati slamming the statement as 'regressive'

“You know what would be safest? Lock hormonal men in, instead of denying women the right to lead a full life,” said one twitter post.

Another tweet said: “So Maneka Gandhi advocates Hostel curfew for ‘Girls’ to Hormonal Outburst I really laud her vision to see that all the rapes are by women.”

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Tuesday came under the scanner from Twitter users following her comment, that college girls living in hostels should have an early curfew to protect them from their 'own hormonal outbursts.

On a TV show on Monday, the minister said that early curfew for girls in hostel is needed to protect them from their own 'hormonal outbursts'.

“As a parent who is sending a daughter to a college – or a son – I would expect her and him to be protected. And perhaps one of the protections is against themselves. When you are 16 or 17 you are also hormonally very challenged. So to protect you from your own hormonal outbursts, perhaps a lakshman rekah is drawn,” Gandhi said, adding,"The problem can only be solved by imposing time limits for everything."

Soon after the show, Gandhi’s comments went viral on social media with Twitterati slamming the statement as 'regressive'

“You know what would be safest? Lock hormonal men in, instead of denying women the right to lead a full life,” said one twitter post.

Another tweet said: “So Maneka Gandhi advocates Hostel curfew for ‘Girls’ to Hormonal Outburst I really laud her vision to see that all the rapes are by women.”

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla on Tuesday appealed electorates who will be voting in the second phase of Manipur Assembly Elections 2017 on March 8 to come out in large numbers and exercise their fundamental rights.

The governor appealed the voters to show their constitutional responsibility to make Manipur the first state in the country with the highest number of voter turnout.

Polling will be held in 22 constituencies spread across five districts — Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati for which 1151 polling stations have been set up.

The first phase of Manipur polls, covering 38 contituencies, held on March 4 recorded a voter turnout of 84 per cent with record polling in the state's valley districts.

The second and final phase of polling will seal the fate of human rights activist-turned-politician Irom Chanu Sharmila and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Results of the Manipur Assembly elections 2017 will be declared on March 11.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla on Tuesday appealed electorates who will be voting in the second phase of Manipur Assembly Elections 2017 on March 8 to come out in large numbers and exercise their fundamental rights.

The governor appealed the voters to show their constitutional responsibility to make Manipur the first state in the country with the highest number of voter turnout.

Polling will be held in 22 constituencies spread across five districts — Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati for which 1151 polling stations have been set up.

The first phase of Manipur polls, covering 38 contituencies, held on March 4 recorded a voter turnout of 84 per cent with record polling in the state's valley districts.

The second and final phase of polling will seal the fate of human rights activist-turned-politician Irom Chanu Sharmila and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Results of the Manipur Assembly elections 2017 will be declared on March 11.

(With inputs from Agencies)

A day before the last phase of polling, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said he had worked hard in the state, drawing an analogy with students "who revise more succeed in examinations".

"I toured the entire state and worked hard and held 'rath yatras' also in the past. I feel that those who revise more succeed in examinations. Had prime minister done anything for UP, he would not have to do so many road shows here," the Samajwadi Party president said.

"I want to ask him (Modi) to give an account of his three years' work as I am doing for my five years as CM. BJP had to do many road shows seeing response of SP-Congress' historic show in Varanasi," he told a news conference here.

Attacking Modi for raising power failure issue, Akhilesh claimed there was no power cut in Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

"In the temple, as prayers were to be held someone mistakenly switched off the lights instead of fans," he said denying PM's charge that wherever polls were over power cuts had started.

Appealing to people to vote for his party, Akhilesh said, "SP government had worked on the ground and has a lot of achievements. We have also given our outline of what we will do in your next regime".

"We want to know what BJP wanted to do? Which expressway do they want to construct. What has the Centre done for women's security?" he said, adding only SP could take the state forward.

On developing Varanasi like Kyoto, Akhilesh said as SP was going to form the government again after March 11, he wanted to invite detailed project report from the Centre and its best architects and town planners and would help in making the city the best.

Stating that all those who had come to campaign had gone back but he was still here, Akhilesh said, "I don't have any dreams for Delhi. I am here and will be here and work for people".

On Mayawati who yesterday attacked him for terming her party as "patthar wali party" (party of stones), Akhilesh said, "My 'bua' (aunt) does not bless anyone without taking cash," referring to the BSP chief.

"I invite her to my place for a cup of tea before March 11 and see the difference in stones there and ones used by her," he said, adding, "Peeping in others' home is not a good habit".

Mayawati also claimed Akhilesh had used stones brought from abroad to build his house.

On tainted cabinet minister Gayatri Prajapati, the UP CM said the law will take its own course and police is taking required action.

Earlier, he addressed an election meeting in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar) where polling is rescheduled for March 9 because of the death of a candidate.

A day before the last phase of polling, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said he had worked hard in the state, drawing an analogy with students "who revise more succeed in examinations".

"I toured the entire state and worked hard and held 'rath yatras' also in the past. I feel that those who revise more succeed in examinations. Had prime minister done anything for UP, he would not have to do so many road shows here," the Samajwadi Party president said.

"I want to ask him (Modi) to give an account of his three years' work as I am doing for my five years as CM. BJP had to do many road shows seeing response of SP-Congress' historic show in Varanasi," he told a news conference here.

Attacking Modi for raising power failure issue, Akhilesh claimed there was no power cut in Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

"In the temple, as prayers were to be held someone mistakenly switched off the lights instead of fans," he said denying PM's charge that wherever polls were over power cuts had started.

Appealing to people to vote for his party, Akhilesh said, "SP government had worked on the ground and has a lot of achievements. We have also given our outline of what we will do in your next regime".

"We want to know what BJP wanted to do? Which expressway do they want to construct. What has the Centre done for women's security?" he said, adding only SP could take the state forward.

On developing Varanasi like Kyoto, Akhilesh said as SP was going to form the government again after March 11, he wanted to invite detailed project report from the Centre and its best architects and town planners and would help in making the city the best.

Stating that all those who had come to campaign had gone back but he was still here, Akhilesh said, "I don't have any dreams for Delhi. I am here and will be here and work for people".

On Mayawati who yesterday attacked him for terming her party as "patthar wali party" (party of stones), Akhilesh said, "My 'bua' (aunt) does not bless anyone without taking cash," referring to the BSP chief.

"I invite her to my place for a cup of tea before March 11 and see the difference in stones there and ones used by her," he said, adding, "Peeping in others' home is not a good habit".

Mayawati also claimed Akhilesh had used stones brought from abroad to build his house.

On tainted cabinet minister Gayatri Prajapati, the UP CM said the law will take its own course and police is taking required action.

Earlier, he addressed an election meeting in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar) where polling is rescheduled for March 9 because of the death of a candidate.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced some minor changes in the syllabus of All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 2017.

Four new subjects – Public Interest Litigation (4 marks), Law Related to Taxation (4 marks), Land Acquisition Act (2 marks) and Intellectual Property Law (2 marks), which were not part of the AIBE syllabus earlier have been added. However, subjects like Jurisprudence, Limitation Act, Environmental Law, Corporate Social Responsibility have been dropped from the syllabus.

Although no official notification has been released regarding this, but the changes can be seen in the syllabus published on the AIBE website.

The exam will be conducted on March 26 and aspirants who have not applied yet are required to do the same at the official AIBE website.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced some minor changes in the syllabus of All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 2017.

Four new subjects – Public Interest Litigation (4 marks), Law Related to Taxation (4 marks), Land Acquisition Act (2 marks) and Intellectual Property Law (2 marks), which were not part of the AIBE syllabus earlier have been added. However, subjects like Jurisprudence, Limitation Act, Environmental Law, Corporate Social Responsibility have been dropped from the syllabus.

Although no official notification has been released regarding this, but the changes can be seen in the syllabus published on the AIBE website.

The exam will be conducted on March 26 and aspirants who have not applied yet are required to do the same at the official AIBE website.

Controversial televangelist Zakir Naik has been asked to appear before the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on March 14, officials said on Tuesday.

Earlier reports had suggested that the controversial Islamic preacher would be recording his statement in a case of suspected money-laundering via video conferencing as the atmosphere was not conducive for Naik to return to India.

Naik and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), are facing charges under Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The NIA has filed cases against Naik under the UAPA for allegedly promoting enmity between groups on religious and racial grounds, and raided over a dozen offices, residential premises, his Peace TV offices, and other locations, besides freezing a bank account of his NGO.

The ED has already probed certain bank documents and transaction details of the 51-year-old Naik and IRF and may issue summons to him shortly, an ED official said in Mumbai.

On November 15, the Union government banned the IRF for five years after declaring it as an "unlawful association" under the anti-terror laws.

Prior to that, the Union Home Ministry revoked the IRF's permission to receive foreign donations under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act and placed IRF Education Trust under a prior permission category for the same.

Controversial televangelist Zakir Naik has been asked to appear before the National Investigative Agency (NIA) on March 14, officials said on Tuesday.

Earlier reports had suggested that the controversial Islamic preacher would be recording his statement in a case of suspected money-laundering via video conferencing as the atmosphere was not conducive for Naik to return to India.

Naik and his NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), are facing charges under Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The NIA has filed cases against Naik under the UAPA for allegedly promoting enmity between groups on religious and racial grounds, and raided over a dozen offices, residential premises, his Peace TV offices, and other locations, besides freezing a bank account of his NGO.

The ED has already probed certain bank documents and transaction details of the 51-year-old Naik and IRF and may issue summons to him shortly, an ED official said in Mumbai.

On November 15, the Union government banned the IRF for five years after declaring it as an "unlawful association" under the anti-terror laws.

Prior to that, the Union Home Ministry revoked the IRF's permission to receive foreign donations under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act and placed IRF Education Trust under a prior permission category for the same.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the note ban decision has not damaged India’s economic growth and the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers have proved it.

“Fear that note ban will wipe out growth has been proved wrong by the latest GDP figures which indicate the country is on the path of development,” Modi said, adding, “India is developing at a quick pace”.

“Some people said everything is destroyed by demonetisation of old notes. But the numbers show a different picture,” Modi said.

Talking about inflation numbers, the prime minister said, “No Opposition party raised the issue of inflation during campaigning in five states; this means our government has been successful in controlling it”.

According to government data released on February 28, the Indian GDP growth for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 (Q3 FY16-17) was 7 per cent, which is better than expected.

Meanwhile, global rating agency Fitch on Tuesday raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7.1 per cent for the current fiscal.

“Fitch now expects Indian GDP to grow by 7.1 per cent for FY16-17, before picking up to 7.7 per cent in both FY17-18 and FY18-19,” the Fitch report said.

However, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Viral V Acharya on Monday said the demonetisation impact on GDP may be seen in the current quarter in some segments.

The Union government announced demonetisation or note ban of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes on November 8 midnight to curb black money and terrorism and promote digital transactions.

Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making a mockery of the plight of India’s debt-ridden farmers.

Amarinder dismissed the farmer loan waiver promise to Uttar Pradesh farmers as a poll gimmick with an eye on the votes of the large farming community in the state.

Questioning the timing of Modi’s promise of waiver of farm loans in UP if his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state, Amarinder accused the prime minister of indulging in electoral politics at the cost of the lives of hundreds of farmers.

"Had the Modi-led Central government been sincere in its concern over the plight of the farmers reeling under debt burdens it would have by now waived off the loans of farmers across the country, including Punjab" said that the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief.

"Modi could easily have announced farm loan waiver on behalf of the Central government, as was done by Manmohan Singh under the UPA regime", Amarinder pointed out, recalling that the Congress had waived off Rs.70,000 crore of farmers’ loans when it was in power.

"It was evident that the farm debt waiver promise made by the prime minister during electioneering in UP and targeted only at farmers of that state was nothing more than a ploy to garner votes for his party", the Punjab Congress chief ministerial candidate added.

Amarinder reiterated his promise of waiving the loans of all farmers and agricultural labourers in Punjab, with or without the Central government’s support, once the Congress comes to power in the state.

Amarinder pointed out that Modi had, even in his New Year eve address to the nation on December 31, 2016, announced only partial relief for farmers, giving a 60-day interest waiver to farmers who had taken loans from district cooperative banks.

"Why did the prime minister not announce a sweeping debt waiver for farmers across the
country then?" asked the PPCC president.

In its efforts to make the ongoing Pradhan Mantra Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) scheme successful, the Income-Tax department is leaving no stone unturned and is targeting all high deposits made during the demonetisation period. The I-T department has also cracked down on co-operatives where most high value cash transactions took place. 

Though the finance ministry had promised that its motive is not to harass tax payers, sources said the government wants to ensure the scheme's success and will act tough in order to do so. 

A senior income-tax official said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already cracked down on suspected black money hoarders who have tried to route  invalidated currency through co-operatives and trusts. Since the PMGKY scheme notified last December, closes on March 31, it is known that the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has directed "crackdown on every possible suspect to make the scheme a grand success".

The official said, "so far we were waiting for people to come voluntarily and disclose their unaccounted income. But now we have to take stringent steps till the remaining days of the scheme." 

In the earlier Income Declaration Scheme that concluded last September, the government mopped up Rs 67,382 crore from as many as 71,726 declarants. The current declaration scheme seemed to have lukewarm response. Since the I-T department is loaded with huge data, it has hired various agencies with new software analytical tools to catch suspects. 

The tax department has sought online response from 18 lakh account holders where more than Rs 5 lakh has been deposited during the demonetisation period under the 'clean money operation'. So far it has received online response from about 9 lakh account holders.

Und­er the PMGKY sc­heme, a person is needed to deposit a total tax, penalty and surcharge of 50 per cent on the amount deposited af­ter demonetisation and keep a quarter of that in the interest-free deposit scheme. Th­o­se who don’t disclose their unaccounted income and are caught would face 90 per cent tax and penalty.