Sonal Shah, the Indian-American picked by US President-elect Barack Obama as advisor in his transition team, has well established links with the Sangh Parivaar.

According to media reports, the 40-year-old economist has been associated with the overseas activities of the Sangh Parivar. She was a national coordinator of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America campaign to raise funds for Gujarat earthquake victims in 2001.

Her father Ramesh Shah, a vice-president of the Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP), had campaigned for LK Advani in Gandhinagar during the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He had also briefly traveled with Advani during his Bharat Udaya Yatra, countrywide election tour. Continue Reading

The ICC Appeals Commissioner Albie Sachs on Tuesday, ruled that the opener Gautam Gambhir out of the fourth Test against Australia starting on Thursday.

The BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan told the ICC that the decision was in “violation of the principles of natural justice” and that it “does not accept the decision and objects to it.” Gambhir was handed the ban by match referee Chris Broad for elbowing Shane Watson while taking a run in the third Test in New Delhi. Continue Reading

Legendary filmmaker Baldev Raj Chopra, better known as BR Chopra died on Wednesday at his residence in Mumbai following prolonged illness. He was 94.

Chopra was not keeping well for some time and the end came at 0830 hours at his residence in suburban Juhu.

Chopra, one of India’s most respected film personalities is survived by his filmmaker son Ravi Chopra and two daughters.

The eminent producer-director was the elder brother of filmmaker Yash Chopra. Continue Reading

Barack Obama with daughter after winning the US Presidential elections

Democrat Barack Obama captured the White House on Tuesday after an extraordinary two-year campaign, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first black to be elected US president. Continue Reading

A new Islamic group called the Islamic Security Force-Indian Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s serial blasts in Assam in SMSes sent to media organisations on Friday.

The SMS said, “We, ISF-IM, take the responsibility of yesterday blast. We warn all of Assam and India for situation like this in future. We thank all our holy members and partners. AAamin.”

The police tracked the Reliance mobile number 9864693690 to Nazim Ahmed of Moirabari in Nagaon district.

Ahmed had purchased the SIM card from Babul Ali, a retailer who runs a PCO named Hi-Fi at Moirabari. The police said Babul was detained and all documents related to the PCO have been seized, but were not sure how IM came to be tagged with ISF. Continue Reading