A train for unemployed youth

Sat, Jan 2 12:10 PM

Mumbai, Jan. 2 -- It's a special train for unemployed youth. 'Yuva Train', an air-conditioned train will ply from Mumbai Central to Delhi from January 12.

The Railway ministry will start the low-cost train (Rs 299 a ticket), which is targeted at unemployed youth. It will only have seating but no sleepers.

The brainchild of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Yuva train fares can be availed of by unemployed people in the age group of 15 to 45 years, provided they have a certificate issued under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act or a registration card issued by a government employment exchange.

Tickets will be issued on production of original of any of the above certificates at the counter, a photocopy of which should be retained with reservation requisition as in the case with other concessions. Tatkal scheme will not be applicable in 'Yuva Trains'.

Initially, 60 per cent of coaches on such trains will be earmarked for the youth. The remaining will be set aside for other passengers, which will be reviewed after six months of introduction of these trains.

The Mumbai-Delhi service will happen next week as a pilot project. If successful, it will be extended to other areas of the country.

I have lost one of my best friends: Rajni

Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth was deeply upset after hearing the sudden demise of his Kannada counterpart and good friend Vishnuvaradhan. Though Rajni was unable to attend the actor's funeral due to security reasons, he sent a condolence message to the bereaved family. Rajni and Vishnuvaradhan had acted together in Sri Raghavendrar and Viduthalai. The Tamil Superstar's 2005 blockbuster Chandramukhi was a remake of Vishnuvaradhan's Apthamithra. In his condolence message, Rajini said, "I just could not believe that Vishnuvaradhan is no more. I spoke with him only a couple of days ago. I have lost one of my best friends. He was a great actor and great man. The moments I had spent with him are still green in my memory. My deepest condolences to the family members of Vishnuvaradhan. May his soul rest in peace. Though I am unable to attend the great actor's funeral due to security reasons, I will go to Bangalore soon and meet his family members," he added.

Cleanup begins after oil leak in China's Yellow river branch

Sun, Jan 3 12:01 PM

Beijing, Jan 3 (IANS) A pipeline oil leak that led to fuel flowing into a major branch of the Yellow river has been brought under control, China National Petroleum Corporation has said.

The leak took place in northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The company said Saturday that it has immediately shut down the pipeline due to the accident, which led to 'large amounts' of diesel fuel leaking into the Chishui river as well as the Weihe river - a major branch of the Yellow river. The leak was discovered early Wednesday.

The Shaanxi provincial government said the oil leaked from a branch of the Lanzhou-Zhengzhou-Changsha pipeline.

The leakage site was near the Chishui river in Huaxian county, 3 km upstream the Weihe river and 73 km upstream the Yellow river, the authorities said.

The company has built 23 blocking belts on the rivers and the government built three more dams to prevent leaked oil from flowing into the Yellow river.

So far, much of the leaked oil and polluted silt has already been taken away, according to the company.

Despite the cleanup, oil has been detected in the river water 33 km downstream of the leakage site, the government said.

It added that it has warned the local residents not to use the river water directly as the leakage may pollute the Yellow river.