Society News

Less than a month before the Winter Games open, Vladimir Putin's attempts to pander to international opinion by releasing key political prisoners may not be enough to assuage rising political discontent. Duration: 02:31Jan 11, 2014

The United Nations Secretary General addressed crises in countries including Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic at his New Year's press conference on Friday. Duration: 01:04Jan 11, 2014

A magazine reported Friday that Francois Hollande routinely rides a scooter to spend the night with an actress, an alleged affair that has created yet another headache for the unpopular French president. Duration: 02:09Jan 11, 2014

The UN refugee agency warned Friday that fighting in South Sudan could drive more than half a million people from their homes, doubling the number of those affected by April. Duration: 00:49Jan 11, 2014

Security will fall under the spotlight as Russia prepares to host the most expensive Olympics in history, having transformed the Black Sea resort into a sports complex capable of hosting athletes from around the world.Jan 10, 2014

Dantewada, Jan 10 (ANI): Dantewada in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh lacks basic facilities like education and healthcare because of threats posed by the Naxals. The area has a low literacy rate and the youth have no employment opportunities. The chances of their being misled by the Maoists are quite high. In the effort to create employment opportunities for the youth and to prevent them from being exploited by anti-social elements, the Livelihood College plays a significant role. The college helps in capacity building of the youth to encourage them to become self-employed. The college has hostel facilities and it aims to improve the skills of the local youth who already have technical qualifications. Many trained youth have decided to work in their villages and towns as outsiders face threats from the naxals.Jan 10, 2014

New Delhi, Jan 10 (ANI): The BJP on Friday slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for defending the Saifai Mahotsav. After the Samajwadi Party's splurge on Saifai Mahotsav drew much criticism, Akhilesh Yadav defended himself and his party saying that whatever was possible for the state government, it has already done it for the Muzaffarnagar riot victims. Yadav added that it was sad that artists who don't know about Muzaffarnagar were asked about it.Jan 10, 2014

Patna, Jan 10 (ANI): Devotees from the Sikh community revelled in festive spirit, as thousands thronged Sikh house of worship, gurdwaras, across India on Tuesday to mark the 346th birth anniversary of their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Despite the bone chilling cold, devout Sikhs gathered at Takhat Patna Sahib in Patna city of India's eastern Bihar state to seek blessings from Guru Gobind Singh, where the tenth Sikh Guru was born in 1666. Every year, thousands of Sikh devotees from across the world also throng the most revered site, the Golden Temple, also known as Harminder Sahib in Amritsar city of northern Punjab province. Devout Sikhs were seen taking bath in the holy pond in the temple premises and offered prayers before the holy book. A procession was also taken out which is marked by the carrying of the Holy Scripture 'Guru Granth Sahib' in a decorated chariot. In daredevil acts, to depict victory over evil, Sikh martial art forms like the 'Gatka' are also performed by trained professionals.Jan 10, 2014

Visakhapatnam, Jan 10 (ANI): Businessmen held a colourful seven day silk expo in port city of Visakhapatnam on Saturday organised by the Silk Mark Organisation of India to boost the sales of the famed traditional south silk, also aiming at benefiting the weavers. The exhibition is expected to showcase the entire range of pure silk fabric from remote weaving clusters of India under one roof, which will have 64 participants from over 17 states across the country. From muted shades to bright hues, the expo offers a wholesome shopping experience. Indians have a flair for silk fabric and is widely used by designers for traditional as well as contemporary dresses. About 97 percent of the raw silk is produced in five major states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.Jan 10, 2014