The Khajuraho Dance Festival is set to kick off at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh from Monday.

The routine light and sound show will not take place during the seven-day festival. 

According to the authorities, various programmes will take place during the festival because of which the light and show will not be showcased. 

The light and sound show tells about the history of Khajuraho and famous temples in the state. 

India on Sunday committed soft loans amounting to $340 million to Nepal for infrastructure projects.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, who arrived here on Saturday to attend the 'Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2017', signed a letter of exchange with Nepalese Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Planning Ramesh Lekhak in which India committed a bridge project and 15 road projects totaling $340 million soft loans to Nepal.

Prabhu also called on Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari at Rastrapati Bhawan here and discussed key issues in the bilateral relations.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, according to a press release issued by the President's office.

Prabhu is in Nepal to attend 'Nepal Infrastructure Summit 2017' that is being organised by the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) in association with the Nepal government and Youth Community for Nepalese Contractors (YCNC) to be held between February 19-20.

The minister, who is the guest of honour and keynote speaker at the summit, said the infrastructure meet would be pivotal for accelerating Nepal's economic growth at a time when the country is striving to graduate to the league of developing nations.

When the night sky becomes darker and darker, the cool February breeze and stars spell magic all around. And, the lamp of hope is lit, the warmth spreads and suffering fades away.

With the hope of new beginnings, faith blooms under the black sky, as the celebration of life, happiness takes over at the Taiwan’s Lantern festival.

One of Taiwan's biggest festivals is celebrated on the first full-moon night of the Lunar Year. Much like the biggest Hindu festival of lights ‘Diwali’, people of all faith in Taiwan illuminate their homes with different types of lanterns and colourful bulbs.

The origin of the festival in this part of the world goes back to thousands of years. It is believed to have been started by an emperor of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.). The emperor was a keen follower of Lord Buddha. He asked people to exhibit lights on the 15th night of the first month of every Lunar year to pay their respects to the Lord.

Like a perfect fairytale with lights and firecrackers illuminating the night sky, thousands of lanterns slowly rise up and make one feel at peace and leaves one mesmerised at the same time.

The incredible fireworks leave one awestruck but can also be dangerous. The idea of being hit by fireworks is referred to as an act that brings good luck for the New Year.

So if you wish to witness this grand celebration, you must cover yourself with a fire-proof jacket and helmet to brace yourself and face rockets and crackers coming towards you.

It is an age old ritual for the natives but first timers always have a time of their lives. It is believed that when the dazzling lanterns rise up, the blessings are showered. This magical moment is worth being cherished forever.

One of the most famous festivals in the year after the Chinese New Year, Taiwan’s Lantern festival will be celebrated from February 11 to 19 this year.

British era heritage building, ‘Bantony Castle’ which was once the summer palace of rulers of Sirmaur was vested with Himachal’s Department of Language, Art and Culture in the revenue record, ending the decades old struggle of the government.

All formalities and the change in status of the ownership of the property located on the Kali Bari road on The Mall were completed on Saturday, leading to change of board from ‘Private Property to ‘This property belongs to the Department of Language, Art and Culture’.

The registry of the Bantony Castle was done in the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Shimla (Urban), at a sum of Rs.27.84 crore (27,84,65,947), on Sunday.

On January 4, the state cabinet had approved the acquisition of ‘Bantony Castle’ and its conversion into museum.

‘Bantony Castle’ would be refurbished with a museum to be set up at that place and it would house a recreational park with a restaurant.

The British era building stands as one of the premium properties of Shimla as it is located on the core Mall Road between Scandal Point and Kali Bari Temple.

Like other historic British era buildings of Shimla, Bantony Castle's architectural style is part mock-Tudor and part chalet, crowned with sloping roofs and mini-towers. The estate was designed by architect TEG Cooper and the place had a rickety cottage belonging to Captain A Gordon, which housed army officers before its construction in 1880. This building has also served as a palace of the Maharaja of Sirmaur.

The estate shares its western boundary with the Grand Hotel which is also one of the historically important buildings to Shimla and was built during the British Era.

Since Independence, successive state governments in Himachal have tried to acquire the British era building in 1968, 1975, 1986, and 2004.

The present Congress government after coming to power in 2012 had again started the process to acquire the property amid opposition by owners of the property. The government had also carried out Social Impact Assessment study before the acquisition.

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are showering love these days on many independent candidates, who contested in the recently concluded Uttarakhand Assembly elections.

The attempt to showcase new affection is due to the splendid performance of independent candidates in about a dozen assembly seats, where they gave tough fight to both the major  national parties.

Although the result of the Uttarakhand Assembly polls will be announced on March 11, the feedback available indicates independents will finish among top three in a dozen seats.

The assembly seats include Kedarnath, Purola, Ghansali, Devprayag, Narendra Nagar, Tehri, Dhanolti, Sehaspur, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Kaladhungi and Bhimtal. Initial trends available indicates independent candidates will hold the master key for the new government in the state.

Even in the last state assembly election three independent candidates-Harish Chand Durgapal, Dinesh Dhanai and Mantri Prasad Naithani- surprised all by defeating national party candidates to win their seats. All the three joined the collation government headed by the Congress in Uttarakhand and were rewarded with cabinet ministers posts.

The Congress and the BJP are facing challenging times, as many of their rebels contested to prove the decision of the party wrong for denying them ticket. The public support of these rebels have surprised both the parties.

Both the Congress and the BJP are claiming to win a comfortable majority by claiming over 40 seat in the 70-member house. But, in case they fall short of the magical figure of 36, the two parties will require support of independents and other small parties to form the government.

So, the Congress and the BJP have begun the exercise to develop confidence and faith with independent candidates. It is a new found love by the two national parties.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang on Sunday decided to step down to make way for a consensus candidate to succeed him.

Zeliang, in a letter to the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF) said he has decided to step down to break the deadlock between the agitating groups and the government.

The chief minister has called for an emergency meeting of the NPF legislature party at the state banquet hall on Monday which will be followed by a meeting of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party at the same venue.

Agitating tribal groups have been demanding Zeliang's resignation over his decision to conduct civic bodies' elections with 33 per cent reservation for women.

More than 50 legislators "signed a letter of support" on Saturday in favour of the state's lone Lok Sabha member, Neiphiu Rio, as the new chief minister, to replace Zeliang.

The 60-member assembly has ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland coalition government comprising of 48 NPF legislators, including suspended legislator Imkong Imchen, four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and eight Independents.

(With inputs from Agencies)

What could be a better way to honour your loved ones or friends than planting a tree in their name. In fact why mourn the demise of loved ones? Just celebrate a new life by leaving a ‘green legacy’ for future generations while paying tribute to a special person in your life.

In such an ambitious plan, the Himachal government has launched ‘Samriti Van Yojna’ in urban areas of the state to create awareness about environment conservation among people.

“This scheme includes plantation drive by people on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries etc to remember their beloved ones,” said a state government official.

The official said the effort will add to the forestation and environment conservation. “From next year, this scheme will also be launched in rural areas,” he said, adding under this scheme, the forest department would provide the saplings for plantation.

“The natural vegetation is pre-requisite of life on earth and provides oxygen, food, wood, herbs and many more valuable products for the living beings. Forests are essential for all kind of species to live in harmony and peace,” he said. 

The government, in its bid to extend this noble approach of forestation, is launching the scheme to cover maximum area under forestation which would result in environment conservation and prove constructive measure for the cause.

The government official said the government, in order to extend green cover across the state, had initiated various schemes.

“More than 5.50 crore plants were planted on 48,000 hectare area during last four years during which the main was on planting wide leaf, wild fruit tree and medicinal species,” he said, adding this would enable in rural people getting employment in the field of wild fruits and herbs production.

As per the 2015- report of India State of Forest released by Indian Forest Survey Institute, Himachal been recorded an increase of 13 sq. kms in efficient conservation and management of forest.

The government has also provided relaxation of two years in Nautor rule and for essential developmental activities in tribal areas under Forest Act, 1980 to give a new dimension to the development in the remote areas. Further a plan being prepared to honour officers and officials who had done commendable work in forest area so that the proficiency of these officials and environment conservation is ensured.

Himachal Horticulture Minister Virdya Stokes on Sunday lashed out at BJP leaders for terming apple root stock that were distributed to farmers as virus-infected and warned former horticulture minister Narender Bragta of consequences if he continued to do so.

Stokes said the government was implementing the World Bank funded project through Himachal Pradesh Horticulture the Development Society (HPHDS) for the long-term development of the horticulture sector through an integrated value chain approach.

“The project had been designed to address key constraints which this sector was facing such as low productivity, lack of assured irrigation facilities, inappropriate agricultural research system and extension services, high post harvest losses, non-existence of micro, small and medium agro enterprises (MSME), limited access to financial capital, fierce competition from abroad due to free international trade and more frequent weather related shocks etc,” she said.

Commenting on the quality of plant materials being distributed to the farmers under the project upon which the BJP is planning to launch a protest, Stokes said these allegations were unfounded and baseless. “The plant material procured under World Bank funded project was in accordance with approved guidelines and by following due transparent and competitive bidding process with the explicit approval of the World Bank,” she said.

She said the preference of growers, views of university scientists was the key consideration for the finalisation of kind of varieties and rootstocks to be imported. “For this series of meetings and workshops were conducted and list of varieties and rootstocks was finalised and got approved from the funding agencies i.e. the World Bank. For the import of planting material transparent and fair World Bank procedure and guidelines were followed and quantum of import was as per Project Implementation Plan approved by the government and the World Bank,” she added.

Import was made as per the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of import into INDIA) order 2003 and import permit was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture for the definite number of plants o be imported, she added.

Expressing deep concern over poverty in South Asia, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday said policymakers in the region share a collective responsibility to find a solution to the problem.

"The South Asia region, with 1.7 billion people, is the most densely populated geographical region of the world. A large number of people are still living in extreme poverty which continues to be a major challenge for the policymakers," Mahajan said in her concluding remarks at the South Asian Speakers' Summit here.

"The countries of the region share the collective responsibility to find solutions to issues that are affecting them," she added.

Mahajan said achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be able to address most of the problems that are holding back peace and prosperity in these countries.

Mahajan also said that the adverse effects of population pressure and over-exploitation of the limited natural resources are clearly visible everywhere.

"On one hand, there is a need for development, while on the other, we must protect environment. An imbalance between the two can trigger massive negative consequences," she said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker, who is also the MP from Indore, said gender inequality is a sensitive challenge for all of us.

"It is complex and represents inequality, discrimination, threat perception and violence. We all acknowledge that women rights are indeed human rights. Women have a right to live with dignity and equality. Women must enjoy equal access to education, economic resources and employment.

"Women must enjoy the right to life without fear of threat or violence. How can development be even close to sustainable if women are denied equality of opportunity and accessibility, and dignity," she asked.

She said there is a convergence of thought that gender parity or better gender balance can act as a critical factor for sustainable development and the need to systematically mainstream gender into development agenda.

Mahajan also called for a strong parliamentary action in the achievement of the SDGs.

"The role Parliament can play in realising the SDGs cannot be overemphasised. Parliament holds an important position in the development process. Public trust in Parliament is rooted in its openness, transparency, accessibility and responsible conduct of the representatives of people," she said.

Mahajan said the Summit has been an effort to the energy and potentialities of Parliaments and the Parliamentarians to achieve the SDGs.

Terming the ruckus in Tamil Nadu Assembly as "a disgrace to democracy", Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said people will lose faith in the political system if legislators behave in such a manner.

Referring to the on Saturday's incidents, he said "What happened in the Tamil Nadu Assembly was a disgrace to democracy. All concerned should introspect and see such things do not happen in future."

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said people look at the MPs and the MLAs as the role models, and if the people's representatives behave like this, people will lose faith in the democratic institutions and also in the political system."

The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed unprecedented stormy scenes during the trust vote won by AIADMK leader Sasikala's loyalist E K Palaniswami.

During the bedlam, mikes were uprooted, chairs toppled and sheets of papers torn and hurled around, reducing the Legislative Assembly to a battleground.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Sunday said the much awaited women's reservation bill should be passed unanimously and respectfully by Parliament.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the South Asian Speakers' Summit here, Mahajan said: "Women's reservation is needed definitely but that does not mean they are weak. They are as able as men… think like any men."

"But the demand for women's reservation is only asserting their basic human, civil and political rights. They need equal opportunities," she added.

She also hit out at those opposing women's reservation in Parliament.

"Some one tears up the pages while someone raises slogans. Such behaviour should not take place. All should unanimously and respectfully pass the bill," she said in an apparent reference to members who even attempted to physically attack Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari to disrupt its tabling.

The bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.

Introduced by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance-I government in May 2008, it also envisages one-third of the total number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to be earmarked for women.

Similar bills have been introduced thrice earlier in the late 1990s but lapsed with the dissolution of the respective Lok Sabhas.

Last time, the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but could not be passed in the Lok Sabha.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with his cabinet colleagues  called on Governor Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhavan here.

An official release here said it was a "courtesy call."

Ministers including P Thangamani, S P Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and D Jayakumar accompanied Palaniswami.

Palaniswami presented a bouquet to Governor Rao and held a brief discussion with him, the release said.

His government had won vote of confidence by a margin of 122-11 in the assembly on Saturday.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with his cabinet colleagues  called on Governor Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhavan here.

An official release here said it was a "courtesy call."

Ministers including P Thangamani, S P Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and D Jayakumar accompanied Palaniswami.

Palaniswami presented a bouquet to Governor Rao and held a brief discussion with him, the release said.

His government had won vote of confidence by a margin of 122-11 in the assembly on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday alleged that the over 3-month long economic blockade of Manipur was the result of a conspiracy hatched by the state's Congress government to divert attention from its failures.

"I think there is a political conspiracy to divert the attention from the failures of the Congress government here. I want to know why despite Centre extending all help, the economic blockade is still there," the senior BJP leader said.

"I had told the state to sit for tripartite talks with the UNC and Centre to solve the problem. We have given the state enough central forces, but the state is not using those forces," Singh said after the release of the party's Vision Document for the Assembly elections next month.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed a blockade on two National Highways of Manipur since November 1 last year to protest the state government's decision to create 7 new districts which, the UNC said, would bifurcate ancestral lands of Nagas in Manipur.

The state government, however, has claimed that the decision was taken to improve administrative efficiency.

Supply of essential commodities to Manipur has been severely hit due to the blockade on NH2 (via Dimapur) and NH 37 (via Jiribam) – the two lifelines to the state.

"The law and order is a state subject…. When the economic blockade began, I myself had called up him (Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh) several times and told him we will extend all help to lift the blockade," Singh said.

On the framework agreement signed in August 2015 between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) and allegations levelled by Congress that BJP has put the territorial integrity of Manipur under threat, Singh said the state government was trying to 'fool' people by spreading canards.

"I want to reassure all of you here that the central government and BJP will never compromise with the territorial integrity with Manipur. In the framework agreement, even the name of Manipur is not there. So why are they spreading lies? They should pursue healthy politics," Singh said.

Singh lashed out at the Ibobi Singh government for being 'unable' to provide jobs, infrastructure and proper drinking water despite being in power for 15 years.

"If we come to power, we will ensure employment generation. BJP and good governance are synonymous," he said, adding that intellectuals of the state would also have a say in providing good governance.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday alleged that the over 3-month long economic blockade of Manipur was the result of a conspiracy hatched by the state's Congress government to divert attention from its failures.

"I think there is a political conspiracy to divert the attention from the failures of the Congress government here. I want to know why despite Centre extending all help, the economic blockade is still there," the senior BJP leader said.

"I had told the state to sit for tripartite talks with the UNC and Centre to solve the problem. We have given the state enough central forces, but the state is not using those forces," Singh said after the release of the party's Vision Document for the Assembly elections next month.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed a blockade on two National Highways of Manipur since November 1 last year to protest the state government's decision to create 7 new districts which, the UNC said, would bifurcate ancestral lands of Nagas in Manipur.

The state government, however, has claimed that the decision was taken to improve administrative efficiency.

Supply of essential commodities to Manipur has been severely hit due to the blockade on NH2 (via Dimapur) and NH 37 (via Jiribam) – the two lifelines to the state.

"The law and order is a state subject…. When the economic blockade began, I myself had called up him (Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh) several times and told him we will extend all help to lift the blockade," Singh said.

On the framework agreement signed in August 2015 between the Centre and the NSCN(IM) and allegations levelled by Congress that BJP has put the territorial integrity of Manipur under threat, Singh said the state government was trying to 'fool' people by spreading canards.

"I want to reassure all of you here that the central government and BJP will never compromise with the territorial integrity with Manipur. In the framework agreement, even the name of Manipur is not there. So why are they spreading lies? They should pursue healthy politics," Singh said.

Singh lashed out at the Ibobi Singh government for being 'unable' to provide jobs, infrastructure and proper drinking water despite being in power for 15 years.

"If we come to power, we will ensure employment generation. BJP and good governance are synonymous," he said, adding that intellectuals of the state would also have a say in providing good governance.

Union Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha will hold discussions tomorrow with his counterparts in ASEAN countries to strengthen digital connectivity.

The Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) is organising an inter-ministerial meeting between telecom ministers of ASEAN countries and India in New Delhi on February 20, 2017 to commemorate the 25th year of the ASEAN-India relations, according to a government statement.

"Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge), Manoj Sinha, will lead the discussions from Indian side," the statement said.

It added that Sinha will hold discussions with telecom ministers, senior government officials and industry leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Indonesia and Bhutan.

The discussions will be held around strengthening and deepening digital connectivity between India and participating countries.

"The Indian government has expressed keen interest to partner with ASEAN countries in enabling Digital Connectivity between India and ASEAN region and also for enabling broadband within ASEAN countries. These digital connectivity projects are of strategic importance and can have a transformative impact on the economy and cooperation between ASEAN and India," the statement said.

India is committed to provide financial as well as technological support for projects that could include high-speed fiber optic networks, digital villages, rural broadband, national knowledge network, secured communication networks and telecom training and skill development, it added.

TEPC will also organise flagship event 'India Telecom 2017: An Exclusive International Business Expo' on February 21-22 in New Delhi to provide opportunities to Indian telecom exporters including SMEs and Startups to meet qualified overseas buyers.

"This event will witness more than 100 foreign high profile ICT industry delegates from over 30 countries. This event provides one to one meeting opportunities between buyers from different countries and Indian exporters who can enlighten them about their products and technology solutions," the statement said.

Union Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha will hold discussions tomorrow with his counterparts in ASEAN countries to strengthen digital connectivity.

The Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC) is organising an inter-ministerial meeting between telecom ministers of ASEAN countries and India in New Delhi on February 20, 2017 to commemorate the 25th year of the ASEAN-India relations, according to a government statement.

"Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge), Manoj Sinha, will lead the discussions from Indian side," the statement said.

It added that Sinha will hold discussions with telecom ministers, senior government officials and industry leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Indonesia and Bhutan.

The discussions will be held around strengthening and deepening digital connectivity between India and participating countries.

"The Indian government has expressed keen interest to partner with ASEAN countries in enabling Digital Connectivity between India and ASEAN region and also for enabling broadband within ASEAN countries. These digital connectivity projects are of strategic importance and can have a transformative impact on the economy and cooperation between ASEAN and India," the statement said.

India is committed to provide financial as well as technological support for projects that could include high-speed fiber optic networks, digital villages, rural broadband, national knowledge network, secured communication networks and telecom training and skill development, it added.

TEPC will also organise flagship event 'India Telecom 2017: An Exclusive International Business Expo' on February 21-22 in New Delhi to provide opportunities to Indian telecom exporters including SMEs and Startups to meet qualified overseas buyers.

"This event will witness more than 100 foreign high profile ICT industry delegates from over 30 countries. This event provides one to one meeting opportunities between buyers from different countries and Indian exporters who can enlighten them about their products and technology solutions," the statement said.