Jagan may attempt coup with BJP help

Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has quit the Congress and the Lok Sabha, and could make it that much more difficult for new chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy to settle in. If Jagan joins hands with rich friends in the BJP, he could pull off some stunning surprises.

Jagan had been facing considerable hostility in the party since the death of his father Y S Rajashekhar Reddy in 2009. The 38-year-old Jagan is a first time MP, and has been eyeing his father’s position, but the party high command chose the more experienced K Rosaiah to lead the state. Upset ever since, Jagan was increasingly seen as a rebel within the Congress. Many in the party felt Jagan was in too much of a hurry to become chief minister, and just last week, Sonia Gandhi chose Kiran Kumar Reddy to take over as chief minister from Rosaiah, who cited health reasons and resigned.

Jagan’s father YSR had never lost an election in 30 years, and had built up a strong base for himself and his party. Wikipedia reports 714 people died, either of shock or by committing suicide, after YSR’s death in a helicopter crash in September 2009. That is perhaps exaggerated, and the Deccan Chronicle puts the number at 141. While the numbers can be disputed, it can’t be denied that YSR had a mass base, which Jagan thinks he has inherited. Thousands continue to gather wherever Jagan travels, and that is why the Congress, and new chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, were treading carefully when it came to dealing with his faction.

Late last week, the Congress announced a cabinet berth for Vivekananda Reddy, Jagan’s uncle and YSR’s brother. The party hopes many in Jagan’s camp will now shift their loyalty to the new chief minister. Sakshi, the TV channel owned by Jagan’s family, criticised Sonia Gandhi last week, and offered an opportunity for rival Congress leaders to demand action against him.

Some analysts believe the Congress has shot itself in the foot by forcing Jagan to quit. The Mint reported:

(Political analyst) C. Narasimha Rao said the strategy may backfire for the Congress party. “All said and done, Jagan is the only Congress leader in the state who enjoys sizeable popularity and public following. Instead of gaining back the public now rallying behind Jagan, Congress leadership is resorting to short-cut methods,” Rao said. “Congress leadership may be temporarily successful in its strategy. But once the new cabinet of Kiran Kumar Reddy is announced, there will be dissidence and many of the disappointed lawmakers may start rallying behind Jagan once again.”

Reports indicate Jagan may float a new party. Chiranjeevi, the Telugu movie superstar, floated a party in 2008. He has met with marginal success, winning just 18 seats in the 295-member Andhra Pradesh assembly. But what worries the Congress is that Jagan has both money and muscle, and represents a politically powerful caste. The money comes from powerful business interests from within his caste, and the caste support cuts across party affiliations. (The new chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy also belongs to the same caste, and the Congress hopes his nomination will help checkmate Jagan).

Jagan’s father had close ties with the Reddys in Bellary, and when he died, he was in the process of starting a huge steel plant in Kadapa. Bellary is in neighbouring Karanataka, and the Reddy brothers belong to the rival BJP. Children of a police constable, they have acquired enough wealth to be able to control the Karnataka government and manipulate its composition.

Open magazine reports:

Recently, when the Reddy brothers and Jagan together floated Brahmani Steel, a Rs 30,000 crore project in Kadapa, they forged more than just a business partnership. “We are aware they will use the money and influence of the Reddy community in AP. We are ready to face it,” admits a senior Congress leader from AP who does not want to be named.

The magazine also indicates that Jagan may take help from BJP leaders from across the border, and pull off a coup. That is not going to be easy, given that the Telangana movement for a separate state has its own leaders waiting for an opportunity to grab power, but Kiran Kumar Reddy is definitely going to face difficult challengers in the wake of Jagan’s resignation.

Sylvester Stallone in Bigg Boss House?

Bollywood celebrities on the television screens is a very usual sight but how about viewing Hollywood stars on your Indian Televisions?

'Bigg Boss 4' is trying hard to attract the eye balls of the Hollywood audience to its reality show. Earlier, it was the Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson who entered the 'Bigg Boss 4' house for three days as a guest and now it can be the Rambo, Sylvester Stallone.

According to the sources, 'Bigg Boss' is planning to get Stallone on the show. The Hollywood star, who has already made a special appearance in the Akshay Kumar starrer movie KAMBAKKHT ISHQ might be seen on reality show 'Bigg Boss 4'.

However, there is buzz that Dolly Bindra is likely to enter 'Bigg Boss 4' house again after the entry of Sameer Soni. Looks like there are Bigg TRP's waiting for 'Bigg Boss' house.

26/11: Two years on, security still lax at railway stations

Little has been done to improve security at railway stations in Mumbai, even two years after terrorists gunned down hundreds of passengers at the city’s biggest terminal.

MiD DAY reports:

The security of the city’s railway stations continue to be in  limbo as the tenders for the Integrated Security Systems (ISS, see box) are yet to floated.

The ISS was planned on a high-priority basis in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks. But a year-and-a-half after the railway authorities planned to float the tenders, nothing has come of it yet.

Meanwhile, with the government doing little to help victims of the terror attack, a disillusioned family has written to Maharashtra home minister R R Patil. Harish Gohil was among those gunned down, and his niece Priti has now written to Patil. NDTV reports the contents of her letter:

Dear Patil sahib,

Two years ago, my uncle Haresh Gohil was shot outside his house when armed terrorists tried to enter Nariman House on November 26.

He was the first graduate in our family of 17, and had just landed a decent job before the terror attack.

It was his childhood dream to be able to buy a house for his ailing mother. That dream died with him on that fateful night.

I wanted to remind you that on the first anniversary of the terror attack you graced our locality with your presence and offered shradhanjali for the victims. Our hopes were very high as we waited from morning to evening to be able to have a word with you.

But that was not to be, as you are a busy man. You arrived, folded your hands before a picture of Harish, paid your condolences and left. None of the family members had a chance to say anything to you. You are a busy man, mantriji.

I have heard that you went to visit one of the terrorists at Arthur Road jail yesterday. It was very kind of you to spare time to meet and talk to a cold-blooded killer. This man gunned down several innocent people that also included top police officers.

You opened up to him and spoke to him, you have a big heart mantriji.

If you don’t mind, may I present a humble request to you sahib? Me and my family have been running from pillar to post to try and request for a house for Haresh’s widowed mother.

It took us six months just to get a babu to accept our petition. I know you are a busy man sahib, but if you can go all the way to Arthur Road to meet and greet Kasab, a minute of your time is all I am requesting for.

I hope you will oblige us.

Preeti Gohil

Union home minister P Chidambaram will join Mumbaikars to pay his respects to victims of the attack, which claimed nearly 200 lives in 2008. ANI reports:

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will participate in a commemoration function that would be held at the CNG filling station in suburban Borivli on Friday morning on the second anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora will also be present at the function to remember those killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

P Unnikrishnan, the father of National Security Guard (NSG) commando Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who has undertaken a cycle tour from India Gate in Delhi, will join a peace march at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

A candle-lit silent prayer rally will be organised by the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, and the family members of 26/11 victims, from Cama Hospital lane to St Xavier’s college in South Mumbai to mark the occasion.

How Nitish Conquered Bihar

Bihar, synonymous with lawlessness and caste politics just five years ago, today wears a new look. From better healthcare to improved education, Bihar now has everything it needs for it to prosper.

How did this metamorphosis come about?

The able Nitish Kumar has given Bihar a much needed makeover. Under his charismatic leadership, the JD(U)-BJP alliance has pulled up the sagging fortunes of the state.

Nitish Kumar, who took over as Bihar’s CM in 2005, turned the state’s economy around: it went recorded 11.35 per cent growth every year between 2004 and 2009, as compared to 3.5 per cent in the prior five years.

After his win, Morgan Stanley Research said: “We believe the Bihar election results underscore the upside risk to India’s growth and development, given what we view as the electorate’s resolve to incentivise politicians who focus on these issues.”

Common citizens think Nitish Kumar has a comprehensive vision, and is not focusing only on the state’s capital Patna. Even in remote places like Chapra and Barauni, people are saying development is even.

His landslide win has shocked Lalu, but the people of Bihar knew Lalu’s days were counted. Nitish Kumar has given them citizens the safety they crave for. After coming to power, he locked up 50,000 criminals, which made common citizens, especially women, feel safe.

Another example of his farsightedness was his gifting of four lakh bicycles to girls in rural Bihar to help them cycle to schools and colleges.

It was not easy for Nitish Kumar to break the grip of caste over Biharis. Over 15 long years,
they had lived with the complex arithmetic of caste and social engineering equations. Nitish Kumar managed to break all myths of caste politics but without seeming like a hard leader.

A seasoned and down-to-earth man of simple tastes, Nitish Kumar, delicately balanced the interests of his party JD-U and the BJP. He has managed to carry people along, even in the absence of populist views on job reservations for OBCs and Dalit Muslims.

Did women play a major role in Nitish securing a second term? Yes, it did. They went out in hordes to vote for him. By reserving 50 per cent seats for women in panchayati raj institutions and giving them a role in decision-making, Nitish Kumar has won the confidence of women in Bihar. His first tenure as CM created a fear-free environment, and influenced women to give him their vote.

Has Nitish Kumar changed the way Indians vote? A difficult question to answer, but one thing has changed for sure – the mango people now want to see development and growth. They want the same lifestyle as people in the metros, and they refuse to be trapped in the politics of caste and religion.

Nitish Kumar’s votes came from all communities, and not just one, a sea change in a state where votes had always been divided on caste and religion lines.

Nitish Kumar managed to do the impossible: he he routed Laloo Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal and Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, parties that had once enjoyed full control over Bihar.

How did Nitish Kumar pull this off? The answer is simple. He made development his agenda, and it worked. He was careful not to make the same mistakes as Lalu-Rabri. In fact he learned what not to do from them.

After living in fear for more than 15 years, people had been fed up of Lalu and Rabri’s jungle raaj. Nitish Kumar’s arrival as CM re-established law and order, and the bonus was that he started building good roads.

He convinced people of the seriousness of his effort and the sincerity of his intent. This is the reason he managed to cut through Bihar’s thick caste politics.

In all this mayhem, there is a lesson for all our netas: playing the caste and religion card is not enough to get voted to power. The ‘aam aadmi’ does vote for growth and development, and not just for some sectarian cause.

Team India Needs Harbhajan The Bowler

Both India and New Zealand will have mixed feelings at the conclusion of the just concluded three-match series. For the hosts it can be said that end justifies the means and victory in the contest however narrow is a matter of some satisfaction. 

It's not however a series that will be remembered fondly by cricket fans in this country or the Indian players - not even Harbhajan Singh. He might have been adjudged man of the series and notched up a feat that has been beyond anyone batting at No 8 in Test history, but the celebrations will be tempered by the fact that his bowling continues to be without zing, his career average and strike rate is climbing alarmingly.

With a tough series in South Africa round the corner it is a matter of acute discomfort that the Indian spin spearhead is struggling. What is even more disturbing is that the greater improvement in his batting may see a further fall in his bowling standards. The Indian team needs Harbhajan the bowler much more than Harbhajan the batsman.

The visitors while patting themselves on the back for giving the Indians - always formidable opposition at home - a tough fight might still be kicking themselves for the trick or two they missed after having India on the mat at 15 for five in the first Test. And, while the Indians deserve full marks for recovering and forcing an honourable draw, it is frightening to think how close India came to defeat on that occasion.

Coming to think of it, New Zealand have almost always provided India tough opposition in this country. In the last series here in 2003 they drew both matches. In the second Test they ran up a total of 630 for six declared even as four batsmen hit hundreds for the first time for New Zealand. They then went on to enforce the follow-on before they were thwarted by a VVS Laxman special.

With a few glorious exceptions New Zealand have not produced great players but they make up for this by the traditional values of steely grit and determination. They are doughty fighters underlined by events in the recent series. While losing the contest narrowly they still had the only batsman to notch up a double century and the bowlers notched up two five-wicket hauls to the Indians' none. Their four hundreds compared favourably with the Indians' five given the batting might of the home team.

The teams now look ahead to the five-match ODI series starting on Sunday and one can expect another close tussle. New Zealand have always been a handy limited overs side and it would be a folly to underestimate them. Admittedly, both teams are not at full strength but the result could still be an indicator as to how India and New Zealand could fare in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 to be held in the sub continent from February.

From the Indian viewpoint, however, the more important event is the Test series in South Africa. India have won just one Test there over four visits and South Africa currently No 2 in the ICC rankings will be keen to steal a march over the No 1 side.

The selectors have done well in picking five fast bowlers, for in South Africa a visiting team has to have a pace oriented attack if it is to have any chance of succeeding. Under the circumstances the trio of Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma carry a lot of responsibility, for it is expected that the lustrous batting line-up will hold its own against Steyn and company.

The pacemen will also have a greater load since Harbhajan Singh's bowling of late has inspired little confidence and the tradition abroad has been to play only one spin bowler in the playing eleven. One has only to look at the success enjoyed by Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer and Sreesanth in South Africa to realize the wisdom of such a move.

But adequate spin support too is essential and this is where India are at a disadvantage. Anil Kumble over four tours performed gallantly to augment the efforts of the pacemen but who do the Indians have now? As I said Harbhajan's indifferent form is a cause of grave concern and Pragyan Ojha the other spinner in the squad has not exactly done his cause much good. This is a worrying factor as the Indians prepare for their toughest tour in recent times.

Daniel Radcliffe a real wizard?

After playing Harry Potter for nearly ten years, it looks like Daniel Radcliffe is having trouble coming out of his character.

In his latest interview, Radcliff claimed he's really a wizard, that he has vanquished all the evil spirits in the world and is now considering a career as a professional Quidditch player.

"I AM Harry. I used to think I was an actor playing a wizard but really I was a wizard playing an actor, the Sun quoted the star as telling the interviewer.

"Dan is a fantastic character who I've really enjoyed playing, " Radcliffe added.

The hilarious spoof, which is featured on funnyordie.com, shown the Harry Potter star claiming he no longer fights evil spirits because "I've fought them all - they're dead," and added that he now "kinda chills out a lot".

Top bank officials arrested in loan scam

A new scandal broke on Wednesday with the arrest of the top officials of some of India’s most respected financial institutions, including the government-run LIC Housing Finance.

The Times of India reports:

At least eight top officers of some state-run banks and financial institutions were arrested by the CBI on Wednesday for allegedly accepting bribes to extend loans to corporate houses.

The officials include the chief executive of LIC Housing Finance, a general manager of the Central Bank of India and senior officials of Punjab National Bank and Bank of India, officials at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told reporters here.

The finance ministry stepped in quickly to salvage the situation, and to try and protect the interests of investors. The DNA reports:

The finance ministry today said the lenders, whose officials were arrested by CBI in connection with the housing loan racket, have submitted reports to the government assuring that investor interest would be protected.

It said LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LICHFL), whose CEO Ramachandran Nair has been arrested in this case, has assured its investors, customers and business associates that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure that interests of various stakeholders are protected.

The Indian Express quoted the CBI as saying that bribes exchanged hands during the sanction of corporate loans:

“The CBI has busted a racket wherein a private financial services company, its CMD and other associates were allegedly bribing senior officials of public sector banks and financial institutions for facilitating large scale corporate loans,” CBI spokesman R K Gaur said in a statement.

“Officers of top management and middle management of various public sector banks and financial institutions viz. Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, LIC and LIC Housing Finance Ltd were receiving illegal gratifications from the private financial services company who were acting as mediators and facilitators for corporate loans and other facilities from financial institutions,” he said.

The financial paper Mint wondered if the CBI was trying to regain its respectability by going after financial frauds: “Housing finance scam, credit scam, or the continuation of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) attempt to give its image a fresh veneer?”

Two days after arresting seniors officials of the PSU banks, CBI seems to have got a break through. Sources claim that LIC Housing Finace CEO, Ramachandran Nair confessed his wrong doings. According to a report in NDTV,  Nair claims that there are other officials who are also involved in this multi crore realty scam. The Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India, TS Vijayan called for an urgent board meeting to discuss this issue. Speaking after the meeting he said,

“Our first priority is to support LIC HFC at this point of time. Towards this we have appointed the senior most general manager Chandrashehakar as the acting CEO. He will be assisted by two other GMs. The process of appointing a new CEO is on and a CEO will be in place in the next two-three days”.

Reuters Q & A - Federer yearns for Wimbledon gold

With six Wimbledon trophies already packed on to his mantelpiece, Roger Federer would like nothing more than to win a singles gold medal on the hallowed turf when it hosts the Olympic tennis event in 2012.

The 16-times grand slam champion has stockpiled so many records in his decade-long career that a couple of rainforests have probably been chopped down to produce the paper needed to print them all. But there is one more chapter he would dearly love to add to his memoirs -- winning an Olympic singles title.

Dressed in a dapper navy suit and tie, Federer settled into a well-worn leather armchair in the corridor of a plush London hotel to have a chat with Reuters about how much winning the gold will mean to him and how Wimbledon will finally put tennis at the forefront of the Olympics.

REUTERS: Roger, for all your grand slam wins and records, the one glaring omission in your impressive resume is the Olympic singles gold. How much of a priority is it to win it in 2012, especially since it's being held at Wimbledon?

FEDERER: "The beauty of it being at Wimbledon is huge for the world of tennis. At the Olympics, the focus is on swimming and athletics and tennis has been forgotten a little bit.

"At the last couple of Olympics, we've seen the best players are always playing. Rafa (Nadal) winning the singles in Beijing, me winning the doubles over there, that was great news for tennis in an Olympic spirit.

"I've now carried the flag twice, in Beijing and Athens, and it's always been a dream for me to play for my country and to win an Olympic gold. I already have one but still, the special part of having it at Wimbledon will be amazing."

REUTERS: Do you think that will be your last chance to win the Olympic singles title or do you plan to stick around for 2016 in Brazil?

FEDERER: "I will be 35 in 2016. I haven't thought that far yet and I don't even know what surface they'll play it on, whether it's going to be clay or hard court. I hope in some ways, it's (2012) not my last just because I like to play for so long. For an Olympics, I definitely could get up for that, no problem."

REUTERS: For you personally, what is the main attraction of the London Games? The fact that it's at Wimbledon or that after playing three Olympics on hardcourts, this one will be on grass?

FEDERER: "The grass is one part, it being at the Holy Grail of tennis is the second one. London, if you see how successful this World Tour Finals is, how successful Wimbledon is, how much tennis is liked in this country -- all these things make this a very very special place to play tennis."

REUTERS: At the last two Olympics, you were favourite to win the singles gold. How much does it hurt that you were unable to fulfil this?

FEDERER: "It's somewhat surprising. In 2000 I had no expectations and I played the semis and missed out on a potential gold. Then missed out on the bronze by losing the bronze medal match too. I couldn't believe how close I was all of a sudden from a medal at the Olympics.

"Athens was disappointing because in '04 I won three majors, I played great. I didn't really play a bad match. It was just really quick conditions, I played (Tomas) Berdych who also loves quick (conditions) and who I didn't know back then yet.

"I was caught by surprise by a good, young player who had nothing to lose. It was a tough loss for me... more than maybe Beijing because there I felt my game was not 100 percent on. I ended up losing to James Blake, who I had never lost to before.

"It was a disappointment as well. Especially as expectations grew more and more from Switzerland because we don't win 50 medals at an Olympics, so they were hoping that I would definitely get a medal.

"But then I was so happy to have won the doubles there (in Beijing) because that came completely as a surprise and that was why the joy was so big."

REUTERS: Which is your most memorable Olympic memory -- meeting your wife Mirka during the 2000 Games or winning the doubles gold in Beijing?

FEDERER: "Ha ha. That's why I've had very emotional Olympics. Meeting Mirka in Sydney, carrying the flag in Athens for the first time, then carrying the flag in Beijing on my birthday on the 8th of August and then winning the gold.

"I've always had something special happening at all the Olympics. It's changed how other athletes look at me today at the Olympics. I can barely do the opening ceremonies as they (other athletes) eat me up as I wait inside. I'm happy to go through with it because for me it's a dream to be a part of the Olympic spirit and everything it stands for. I like being there.

"I couldn't choose (which one was more memorable) but obviously Mirka is long-lasting, I've had 10 incredible years with her, I've two beautiful kids with her so I guess that's my number one pick."

REUTERS: A lot of top players often tend to skip the Olympics, will holding it at Wimbledon change that?

FEDERER: "It being in London will help the cause. We don't have to travel an extra thousands of miles to get to the venue as we travel enough. Before you had some guys who did not like playing on grass at all so they would just skip it. But now it's different. Everybody today plays on grass. For raising awareness for tennis at the Olympic Games, I think London is going to be the perfect place."

REUTERS: A lot of people have questioned the inclusion of tennis in the Olympics and usually it is not as high profile as say athletics or swimming. Do you think staging it at Wimbledon will give it more prominence in 2012?

FEDERER: "I'm sure it will. I think this is going to be the biggest focus on tennis at an Olympics. Because swimming is huge in Australia, in Athens it was more on the athletics and (in tennis) many of the top guys lost early so it never really caught fire.

"In Beijing, everything was huge as they were waiting for that for years and years. In London, with the heritage we have for tennis through Wimbledon, it's probably going to be the biggest tennis Olympics we're going to have."

REUTERS: Do you think the atmosphere will be different than playing during the Wimbledon fortnight?

FEDERER: "Possibly. I'm looking forward to it and I hope it's going to be somewhat different. Different is good because changes are nice. I heard we might even be playing in colour (clothes) at Wimbledon which is going to be so unusual.

"For me it's going to be extra special as hopefully my kids can come and see a match for the first time at an Olympics. My parents will be able to show up for the first time at an Olympics because they didn't do the trip to Sydney, Athens or Beijing and that's going to be a huge difference for me. I like having my family around, especially for something so emotional."

REUTERS: What are you plans for the summer of 2012? Will you stay in England from Wimbledon through to the Olympics since there is only a three-week gap between the two?

FEDERER: "I haven't planned that far ahead but I might go back and come back just because I can as Switzerland is so close. It's a good schedule for most of the players. I doubt I will play a tournament in between.

"I don't even know if I'm going to stay at the Olympic Village yet or even Wimbledon Village. I stayed twice in the (athlete's) village, in Sydney and Athens, but I tried the hotel in Beijing just because that's what I'm used to most and it kind of worked. So we'll see what I'll do."

REUTERS: What's your programme like at the Olympics? Do you have time to watch other sports and socialise with other athletes?

FEDERER: "I tried to. I went to watch swimming and badminton in Australia with Mirka even though we weren't together yet but we just went. That's been the disappointing part for me really because I don't remember going in Athens and Beijing to see any other sports because we didn't have any time.

"Hours are very cramped because we play singles and doubles. I think there's even mixed (doubles) now in 2012. I don't know who finds time to do it.

"Now it could be slightly different because if we are there three weeks earlier, we just stay there. Usually we come in early enough but just not early enough to go see the other sports. That something that could change for 2012 and I'm looking forward to it."

REUTERS: It will be your first Olympics as a father. How do you think that having your twin daughters, who will be three by then, impact things?

FEDERER: "It's going to inspire me more. Then they will understand more and more about tennis. They have no clue obviously at the moment but they understand when daddy goes and plays and has the headband on on TV, they recognise me and that's great.

"I can only imagine in two years how different that's going to be. If they can join me and even sit on the stands for one of the games that's going to be great."

REUTERS: One of your most memorable celebrations was when you won the gold in Beijing with your doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka. He was lying on his back while you were comically hovering your hands over him. What kind of celebration can we expect if you win singles gold on the most famous Centre Court?

FEDERER: "Oh God, I'll be alone on the court so nothing crazy. I hope it happens, I'll be ready to do anything then. I think it was funny thing to do back in Beijing but there's nothing in the plans as it's so far away."

REUTERS: Now that you are friends with Queen Elizabeth after meeting her at Wimbledon this year, have you dreamt about her putting that gold around your neck in 2012?

FEDERER: "Ha ha, no, no, I haven't. It was nice going through a medal ceremony (in Beijing) with the national anthem. It was beautiful and one of the more emotional moments of my career. Sure, I'd love to go through it again. At that point I almost don't care who gives me the medal as long as I would get it.

"Because it's so unusual for us to hear our national anthem, when you win (and you do hear it), I think it's a moment of calm. A moment where you can have pictures go through your mind again, what just all happened -- the last couple of days, hours, weeks and all the effort you put into it. It's a great feeling and I hope it happens again."

South Korea names security adviser as defense minister

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Myung-bakappointed his security adviser as new defense minister on Friday, Korean media reported, as tensions rise after a deadly artillery attack by North Korea and an impending joint military exercisewith the United States.

Lee Hee-Won, the new minister, is a career military man who advocates a "smart" military able to anticipate and react quickly to North Korea's unpredictable moves.

He replaces Kim Tae-young, who quit on Thursday after criticism about the pace of Seoul's response to the shelling by North Korean forces on Tuesday of an island near their disputed maritime boundary in the Yellow Sea.

The president accepted his minister's resignation "to improve the atmosphere in the military and to handle the series of incidents," a presidential official said.

Media have described Lee as experienced in military operations and well versed in cooperating with the armed forces of the United States, South Korea's biggest ally.

The U.S. aircraft carrier group led by the nuclear-powered USS George Washington was on its way to participate in Yellow Sea exercises with the South Korean navy starting from Sunday.

Although planned before this week's attack, the four-day maneuvers are a show of strength which could enrage North Korea and has already unsettled its major ally and neighbor, China.

Washington is putting pressure on China to rein in North Korea and ease the tension in the world's fastest-growing region.

President Barack Obama is likely to speak with Chinese President Hu Jintao within days about the Korean situation, a White House official said, though no date had been set for the call.

But a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said the focus should be placed on a revival of the stalled six-party talks grouping the two Koreas, Russia, China, Japan and the United States. He also expressed concern about the U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

"We have noted the relevant reports and express our concern about this," spokesman Hong Lei said.

"The exercises will be held on Sunday as planned and George Washington is on its way here to arrive on Sunday, but I wouldn't say that it is nowhere near here at the moment," a spokesman for U.S. Forces Korea said on Friday.

NORTH KOREA VOWS NEW ACTION

Pyongyang has not commented on the exercises but said in typically aggressive language on Thursday it would "wage second and even third rounds of attacks without any hesitation if warmongers in South Korea make reckless military provocations again."

Reclusive and unpredictable North Korea has defied international efforts to halt its nuclear ambitions. It fired shells at the island of Yeonpyeong off the peninsula's west coast on Tuesday, killing two civilians and two soldiers and destroying dozens of houses.

The attack, one of Pyongyang's heaviest since the Korean War ended in 1953, marked the first civilian deaths in an assault since the bombing of a South Korean airliner in 1987.

South Korean troops fired back 13 minutes later, causing unknown damage. Members of Lee's own party and opposition lawmakers accused the military of responding too slowly.

Beijing has in the past used stronger language to criticize

military exercises in the region. In August, the People's Liberation Army said earlier plans to send the George Washington to the Yellow Sea would make it lose respect and threatened long-term damage to Sino-U.S. relations.

Seoul expressed frustration with Beijing for not taking sides, noting even Russia had condemned this week's attack.

"We must engage with China for it to take more responsibility on North Korea's behavior," said a government official, who asked not to be identified.

China has long propped up the Pyongyang leadership, worried that a collapse of North Korea could bring instability to its own borders. Beijing is also wary of a unified Korea that would be dominated by the United States.

North Korea said the shelling was in self-defense after Seoul fired shells into its waters. The South Korean government official said the attack on Yeonpyeong island could only have been ordered by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Just hours before the attack, Kim and his youngest son and designated heir, Jong-un, visited the Yellow Sea coastal artillery base from where the shells were fired at Yeonpyeong, South Korean media reported.

The South Korea official said the attack was also designed to promote the military credentials of Kim's son, recently and rapidly promoted from obscurity to the post of to the upcoming succession in North Korea's leadership.

RPF man, who fought terrorists at CST wishes he killed Kasab

Railway constable Jillu Yadav, who fired at Pakistani gunman Ajmal Kasab and his associate Abu Ismail at the CST, regrets having not killed the terrorist-duo at the railway station itself, which he says could have saved several lives.

"I wish I could have had an opportunity to kill Kasab and his associate at CST itself. If I could have done that, then I could have saved lives of several people including then ATS chief Hemant Karkare. It could have prevented them from going on a killing spree in the city," 55-year-old Yadav of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) told PTI.

Convicted Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab and his aide Ismail, had barged into the crowded CST station on the fateful night of November 26, 2008 and opened indiscriminate firing, killing over 50 persons.

Hearing the bullet shots, an alert Yadav, rushed to the spot when he saw the duo gunning down commuters.

"I had no weapon in my hand. When I peeped, I found the two were walking on the station without any fear and firing randomly," he recalled.

Soon he saw a GRP man carrying a .303 rifle even as some other security personnel fled the spot.

"I snatched the rifle from the policeman and fired at the duo. After a while, they escaped towards the Cama hospital," said Yadav, who was presented the President Police Medal besides Rs 10 lakh monetary reward.

At the Cama hospital, Karkare, Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Kamte and ''encounter specialist'' Vijay Salaskar died fighting the two gunmen.

Yadav was also among those who met US President Barack Obama during his recent visit to the city.

"I felt good meeting him..I wish to meet our President too. I hope my wish will be fulfilled," Yadav, who was promoted as Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), in acknowledgment of his exemplary courage, said.

US 26/11 survivors not in favour of death penalty for Kasab

Exhibiting benevolence, the US survivors of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack today said awarding death penalty to Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab would not accomplish anything, instead he could be rehabilitated, with a hope that he would change. "Why did Kasab survive (during the attacks)? Should we just be hateful, vengeful and killing? What will that accomplish," asked Master Charles Cannon, one of the American survivors trapped inside the Oberoi Hotel with a group of 25 others.

Kasab could be rehabilitated and "awakened" to see what his choice has created, said Cannon adding, "May be, he could change his way and be a voice for the youth of the world from where he came to tell them not to emulate him." Cannon, along with his group of 24 companions, had come to Mumbai in November 2008 to attend a spiritual programme.

On the direful night, the group of the US, Australian and Canada citizens was staying in the Oberoi Hotel, when terrorists struck the hotel. Two of them were killed.

"I do not favour death penalty because it does not accomplish anything but breeds more hatred and violence. I am always in favour of education which can bring transformation," said Cannon, who founded ''One Life Alliance Mumbai Survivors'', a charitable trust.

Survivors of the same group were here to pay tributes to the martyrs and those killed in the attacks. The 66-year-old Peggi Sturm also echoed similar views.

"We should see if Kasab could be rehabilitated," she said. The charitable trust co-founder Kia Scherr, who lost her 13-year-old daughter and her 58-year-old husband, said forgiveness makes a person very strong.

"They (terrorists) do not know what they have done. And it was not very easy for me to forget that I had lost my daughter and husband.

But I want to spread the message of forgiveness," she said.

7 Things Your Teeth Say About Your Health

When was the last time you visited the dentist? Are your teeth in impeccable condition?

According to a story on Care.com, some messages coming out of your mouth bypass the vocal chords. Turns out that your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues also have plenty to say — about your overall health. This just means, dental problems aside, bad teeth could signal problems your body is facing.

“Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body,” says Anthony Iacopino, dean of the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “What we see in the mouth can have a significant effect on other organ systems and processes in the body. And the reverse is also true: Things that are going on systemically in the body can manifest in the mouth.”

Dental warning #1: Flat, worn teeth plus headache

Sign of: Big-time stress

Many people are surprised to learn they’re tooth-grinders. After all, they do this in their sleep, when they’re not aware of it. And they underestimate the physical toll that stress can place on the body. “Crunching and grinding the teeth at night during sleep is a common sign of emotional or psychological stress,” says Iacopino.

You can sometimes see the flatness on your own teeth, or feel it with the tongue. Or the jaw may ache from the clenching.

What else to look for: Headaches, which are caused by spasms in the muscles doing the grinding. Sometimes the pain can radiate from the mouth and head down to the neck and upper back, Iacopino says. Mouth guards used at night can relieve the symptoms and protect teeth

Dental warning #2: Cracking, crumbling teeth

Older adults, especially, are vulnerable to teeth that appear to be cracking or crumbling away. The enamel becomes thin and almost translucent. But this erosion isn’t a normal consequence of aging. In fact, it can happen at any age.

Disintegrating teeth are usually caused by acid that’s coming up from the stomach and dissolving them, Iacopino says. The cause: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, also called acid reflux disease). GERD causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus — and from there, it’s a short distance to the mouth for some of the damaging acid. GERD is a chronic disorder caused by damage or other changes to the natural barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.

What else to look for: Dry mouth and heartburn are related GERD symptoms. (But in an older adult in someone else’s care — in a nursing home, for example — these complaints may go unreported.) Cracking or chipping teeth in a younger person is also a telltale sign of bulimia, the eating disorder in which the sufferer causes herself (or himself) to vomit before digesting. Same net result: Stomach acid washes up into the mouth, over time disintegrating the tooth enamel.

Dental warning #3: Gums growing over teeth

Sign of: Medication problems

If you notice your gum literally growing over your tooth, and you’re taking a medication for heart disease or seizures or you take drugs to suppress your immune system (such as before a transplant), it’s well worth mentioning this curious development to your prescribing doctor.

“A swelling of the gums to where it grows over the teeth is a sign the dosage or the medication need to be adjusted,” the ADA’s Anthony Iacopino says. Certain drugs can stimulate the growth of gum tissue. This can make it hard to brush and floss, inviting tooth decay and periodontal disease.

What else to look for: The overgrowth can cause an uncomfortable sensation. In extreme cases, the entire tooth can be covered.

Dental warning #4: Dry mouth

Sign of: Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes

Many things can cause dry mouth, from dehydration and allergies to smoking and new medications. (In fact, hundreds of drugs list dry mouth as a side effect, including those to treat depression and incontinence, muscle relaxants, antianxiety agents, and antihistamines.) But a lack of sufficient saliva is also an early warning of two autoimmune diseases unrelated to medicine use: Sjogren’s syndrome and diabetes.

In Sjogren’s, the white blood cells of the body attack their moisture-producing glands, for unknown reasons. Four million Americans have Sjogren’s, 90 percent of them women. Twenty-four million people in the U.S. have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease caused by high blood sugar.

What else to look for: Other signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, tingling in the hands and feet,frequent urination, blurred vision, and weight loss. In Sjogren’s, the eyes are dry as well as the mouth, but the entire body is affected by the disorder. Because its symptoms mimic other diseases (such as diabetes), people are often misdiagnosed and go several years before being properly diagnosed.\

Dental warning #5: Crusting dentures

Sign of: Potential aspiration pneumonia

Most people don’t connect dentures (false teeth) with pneumonia, other than to think they’re both words that often refer to the world of the elderly. And yet the two have a potentially deadly connection. “A leading cause of death in older people is aspiration pneumonia, often from inhaling debris around the teeth and dentures,” Iacopino says.

In aspiration pneumonia, foreign material is breathed into the lungs and airway, causing dangerous (even fatal) inflammation. Too often, the problem stems from people in the care of others — those in nursing homes, for example — who fail to clean dentures properly. Dentures need to be removed daily from the mouth, cleaned with a special brush, and stored in a cleansing solution.

What else to look for: A soft, crusty material developing around dentures. With proper cleaning, though, you don’t have to worry about other red flags. “It’s amazing. You can get a 100-percent reduction in what’s otherwise a leading cause of death for denture wearers,” Iacopino says.