gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu (Surekha Reddy Gaddam) (06/10/91)
======================================================================== From: Narotham Reddy AIR News clippings Source: The GOS of All India Radio on 11620khz - Sunday June 9 ======================================================================== (The President Mr.Venkataraman's addressing to the nation was carried out in New York times and several other news papers on Sunday) The Indian National Satellite, INSAT-P is to be launched by the end of this year. The geo-stationary satellite will have a seven year life time and will provide facilities including telecommunications, TV coverage, metereological observations and for several other research purposes. India is among the few countries in the world which has achieved 'the finest degree of sophistication' in space technology - the report said. Several leading parties have appealed to postpone election in Punjab following escalation in violence. Barring Prakash Sindh Badal's Akalidal party, all major political parties said the situation in the state is not conducive for polls. Meanwhile election for an assembly seat ( Nakudar - name not clear ) of Jallundhar dist has been countermanded following the killing of the CPI candidate Mr.Virendra Kumar by militants. The CM of Tripura, Mr.Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar has appealed to the CPI(M) to reconsider its decision to boycott parliamentary elections in the state. Speaking to newsmen in the state capital, he said that the state administration will take all possible measures to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in the state. On the other hand, the BJP said it will not boycott the polls. Floods in BOMBAY - air services suspended ================ Many areas of western and southern parts of the country came under the fury of the monsoon rains. Rain in Bombay surpassed the 38 year old record. Normal life has been completely paralyzed with number of locations inundated. Domestic air services have been suspended and the international flights are diverted. Atleast four persons are reported to be killed when a house collapsed. Two people reported to have been killed in Karnatak. Ironically, many areas in the western states of Gujrat and Rajasthan continue to remain in the grip of scorching heat. Washington has accused Pakistan armed forces of aiding and abetting militants in Jammu and Kashmir(India) and Afghanistan. A leading Pakistani daily has reported that the director on South Asian affairs made this statement while speaking before a gathering in Washington. In other related news in Pakistan, the death toll in Friday's train tragedy has gone upto 250. The train mishap occured when the Rawlapindi bound Tezgam express collided with a stationary goods train near Ghokti station - the report added. =======================================================================