Uttar Pradesh remains India’s most populous state anda politically important one, even though its stature stands diminished sinceUttarakhand was carved out of the northern state. It still is home to a sixthof India’s population and occupies about 15% of the seats in Parliament,giving it an elevated political importance. Still, it is no longer a bellwether state, as many considerit to be, and no proxy for the voice of the nation.
A two-year-old girl battling for life in a New Delhi hospital has put the media spotlight on a sordid tale of child abuse and prostitution in the world’s biggest democracy. Three weeks ago, a toddler with severe injuries was brought to the hospital by a teenager claiming to be her mother. The child, later named Falak (sky) by nurses, was in critical condition, with human bite marks on her body.
Karnataka Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi was Tuesday caught watching a sex act on his cell phone inside the state assembly, leaving the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party shame-faced and scurrying for explanations. Kannada TV channels showed Savadi with Women and Child Welfare Minister C.C.
They call him the Yuva Samrat, or young emperor. Yet Rahul Gandhi has so far shown no inclination to claim the throne of the world's largest democracy. The scion of India's Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty could be prime minister if he asked for it, according to many members of his ruling Congress party.
There is no clamour for an early general election in India, but the latest blow dealt to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over a massive corruption scandal raises the risk that his wounded government could fall well before its mandate runs out in 2014.
Internet giants Google Inc (GOOG.O) and Facebook removed content from some Indian domain websites on Monday following a court directive warning them of a crackdown "like China" if they did not take steps to protect religious sensibilities.
As part of efforts to help women deserted by their non-resident Indian (NRI) husbands, the government has brought out booklets and pamphlets on safeguards, legal remedies and whom to approach for redressal of grievances.
