Tribute to the King of Pop; First Death Anniversary of Michael Jackson

Tribute to the King of Pop; First Death Anniversary of Michael Jackson

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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One year after death, popularity of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and his songs never seems to decline or diminish. Jackson continues to live in the hearts of his fans. They are paying tributes to him in various parts of the world on his first death anniversary.


Michael Jackson died at the age of 50, due to cardiac arrest at Los Angeles mansion on June 25 last year. It’s emerged that he had been given a cocktail of powerful prescription drugs which causes the death. Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has been charged in connection with the case and is expected to stand trial next year. Jackson's death sent shockwaves rippling around the world last year.


Various programs, concerts, and events would be held in his honor in many places. A plaque in the memory of Jackson will be erected at the West End theatre in London. Laser Spectacular’s The Spirit of Michael Jackson" will light up the Memorial Auditorium today. Bollywood playback singer Sonu Niigam, who is a huge fan of Jackson, said that he was working on a tribute for Jackson with his brother Jermaine Jackson. The Jackson Family Foundation has decided to conduct a memorial event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to pay homage to this musical legend.

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Bhopal Tragedy: India to seek the extradition of Anderson

Bhopal Tragedy: India to seek the extradition of Anderson

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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Indian Government has approved the Bhopal GoM’s recommendations to push the United States to extradite the former Chief of US chemical group Union Carbide for the Bhopal gas tragedy.


On the Dec. 3, 1984, Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal leaked about 40 tons of deadly methyl isocyanate gas into the air killing more than 15,000 people. According to estimates, in all, at least 500,000 people were affected. Anderson was the chief executive of Union Carbide when the tragedy occurred.


After 25 years, Bhopal gas victims have sought Warren Anderson's extradition from the US as they believed that, he knew the plant stocked toxic gas within city limits and it could cause huge damage in case of an accident. As a key decisions maker, he made so many decision including a cost-cutting measure that compromised safety at the gas plant Also he was aware of the inadequate security precautions.


Anderson was arrested and then released on bail in 1984. He left India immediately after signing a bond of 25,000 rupees. He never appeared in the court or in India ever since.Hhe was declared absconding since then and India has made formal request to US government for the extradition of Anderson. But the US government rejected the request saying that request did not meet requirements of certain provisions of the bilateral extradition treaty.

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Indo Pak Talks: Bridging the Truth Deficit

Indo Pak Talks: Bridging the Truth Deficit

  June 25, 2010    Pradeep Padma

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India and Pakistan discussed all bilateral issues at the foreign secretary level talks and described they have accepted the modalities for restoring trust and confidence for comprehensive sustained and meaningful dialogue.


Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao conveyed India's concerns on terror and the trial of the 26/11 offenders to her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir yesterday. The main agenda of the meeting is to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries. The talks will also prepare the agenda for the foreign minister level talks in July.


As a part of reconciliation process, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has invited his Indian counterpart S.M. Krishna to Islamabad.The meeting will be held on July 15 at Islamabad. India also conveyed the concern about the rise in infiltration,ceasefire violations and asked to stop Lashkar from making public statements against India.Pakistan asked for a joint initiative to counter terrorism. The two sides also discussed and exchanged proposals on humanitarian issues and cross LoC trade.


Both the Foreign secretaries addressed a joint press conference in Islamabad after their talks. All are looking forward to the meeting of the home ministers where the core issue of terror will be discussed in detail.“I don’t think any progress has been made. We must wait until Mr Chidambaram’s meeting that will prove if Pakistan is willing to do anything on 26/11 investigation. They would wait for final meeting (between the foreign ministers of the two countries on July 15), where if there is any progress it will be announced. ’’ Said former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh.

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