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Violence There is no end in violence against Christians in the state of Orissa and the situation is worsening day by day. Earlier the violence was limited only to the district of Kandhmal but now it has spread to the  adjoining districts also. More than 100 houses were set on fire in the district of Boudh on Thursday, September 2. The death toll in the violence has risen to more than 35 according to the official reports by it seems that it is much more than the government claims. More than a month has passed and displaced people are still living in relief camps. Government has failed even to provide the security to the people living in the relief camps. Last week there were some incidents when some relief camps were attacked.

Police Inaction There are reports that state police has done a very little to protect the minority community people from the violent mobs. Many victims have claimed that they were assaulted even in front of the police personal. They pleaded to the cops but they did nothing to protect them from the violent mob. Some people have alleged that some senior police officials are trying to suppress the matters that have been reported to the police and FIRs have been lodged in various police stations. Police has not started even the investigations in various violence related cases in which some people have lost their near and dear ones.

Rape Case A crime branch team started the investigation case after 39 day of the incident in which a nun was raped. It happened only after the collection of report by the police on Thursday. A nun and Pastor Thomas Chellam were assaulted by a mob but were saved by the police. The nun had not confirmed about the rape charges in the recorded statement but had lated on filed a written complain in which she had alleged that a man from among the mob had raped her in an adjoining building. The two lady doctors who has conducted the medical examination of the nun on the same night at the Baliguda Hospital had confirmed the rape. Police has collected the report only two days ago which shows the police’s attitude to handle the violence related cases. Till now police has arrested four persons who are supposed to be involved in the crime. State government had suspended the Inspector in-charge of Baliguda police station, K N Rao for ignoring the case.

Infiltration As the elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir are nearing a rise in infiltration has been noted in the state. In recent months security agencies have foiled many infiltration bids and have killed many foreigner militants. It is the trend that whenever it is the election time the infiltration increases and always the motive is to disrupt the elections. In recent times, we have seen many cease fire violations by the Pakistan military.  Indian Border Security Force has alleged that Pakistani rangers provide cover fire to the militants to sneak into the Indian side. But Pakistani military has denied these charges and claimed that it are the militants who fire at the Indian forward posts to provide cover to the infiltrators.

Firing After the ceasefire and peace process declarations between India and Pakistan violence level had downed significantly. Most of the militants’ leaders operating inside the Indian territory had been eliminated by the security forces. Anti-India forces want to keep the Kashmir issue burning so they have increased their efforts to reinforce the weak militant outfits by infiltrating inside the Indian territory. On September 26 Indian forces had killed two Lashkar-e-Taeba militants while they were trying to infiltrate. In another infiltration on Thursday night, October 2, a militant was killed in exchange of fire when Indian security forces challenged a group of infiltrators. In another incident a gun battle between Indian troops and militants ended on Thursday in which 13 militants and a soldier were killed. Militants had infiltrated from the Pakistan side on Friday September 26.    

Cease Fire In last six day, Pakistani army has violated the cease fire agreement thrice. Pakistani military tried to push the militants into the Indian territory on September 27, October 1 and 2  by providing them small arms’ cover fire and all these attempts were foiled by the Border Security personal. All these incidents are the clear indication of the difference between the words of the Pakistani leadership and the Military deeds. Only a week ago Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pak President Asif Ali Zardari had met in USA and had decided to strengthen the peace process. But such kind of incidents have shown the lack of will on the part of Pakistani side. Pakistan can not misguide itself by differentiating between the Kashmiri militants and the Talibans. If it does so then it won’t be wrong to say that it will not succeed to win its ‘own war’ on terror.

Mahendra Kapoor Noted Bollywood playback singer Mahendra Kapoor died on Saturday evening, September 27 following a heart attack in Mumbai. He was 74 years old and was suffering from heart and kidney- related ailments. He was suffering from heart ailments for a long time and had also suffered a stroke. He was cremated at Santacruz crematorium the next day. He is survived by three daughters and a son.

Career He was considered to be one of the most famous Singer during the time that is considered to be the Golden age of Hindi musical cinema. He was a die-hard fan of late Mohammad Rafi and had gone to meet and learn music from his idol. He won a national youth singer contest in late 50^s and with he victory also got a break in the director Raja Nawathe’s 1958 film Sohni Mahiwal. But he came into prominence with his song ‘Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi’ in V. Shantaram’s 1959 musical film ‘Navrang’. His career consolidated with director B.R. Chopra’s films Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Gumrah (1963), Waqt (1965) and Dhund (1973). He also sung some patriotic songs that are very popular even today. His song ‘ Mare desh ki dharti’ in Manoj Kumar’s ‘Upkaar’ is considered to be his best patriotic song that is sung and heard even today with equal enthusiasm.

Awards He has also sung the title song for Chopra’s popular TV serial Mahabharat. He had won Filmfare Awards for his songs “Chalo ek baar phir se” in Chopra’s “Gumrah” (1963), “Neele gagan ke tale” from “Humraz” (1967) and song “Nahin nahin bus aur nahin” in Manoj Kumar’s “Roti Kapda Aur Makaan”(1974). He also had been awarded with India’s highest civilian award Padmashree. He was recently awarded by the Maharashtra Government with the Lata Mangeshkar award for his life time contribution to the field. After 1980 he disappeared from the industry. After 80s till his death he was singing largely in regional movies. During his life time he sung more that 25.000 song. He was the most favorite singer of Marathi film director Dada Kondke and sung in almost all his films.

He was known for his melodious and romantic voice. He had given his voice to Manoj Kumar’s many films. Manoj Kumar has rightly said that ‘ I have lost my voice’. It is considered by his fans and relatives that he was not sufficiently recognized by newer generation of directors and composers despite his melodious voice and contribution to the field.