The management of Mumbai's Sufi shrine, the Haji Ali Dargah has banned the entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum that houses the tomb of 15th century Sufi saint Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Women are however allowed to enter the dargah's compound where they can offer prayers, shawls and flowers.

The decision has evoked much criticism from several quarters, including the film fraternity.

The shrine is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai and is located on a bed of rock 500 yards into the Arabian Sea off the coast of south central Mumbai.

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The Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Sharmila, 40, who holds the record for the world's longest hunger-strike, completed 12 years without eating or drinking. She has been force fed in a hospital as she continues to protest against the impunity enjoyed by the armed forces.

Her brother Singhajit speaking from Imphal, Manipur said they are holding a candle light vigil to honour her spirit. He was able to see her some weeks ago when she said she would not accept any sort of award from any organisation till her demands for human rights have been met.

She has been protesting since November 2000 when a group of soldiers from the Assam Rifles shot dead 10 civilians waiting at a bus-stop. The decades long insurgency by some 50 armed groups and the government's subsequent response by which it sent in thousands of troops, has created a dark and deadly situation in Manipur, where the rule of the gun holds sway. Irom has been repeatedly arrested and detained on charges of trying to commit suicide.

In the last year the situation in Manipur has calmed but Irom persists with her fast until the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is removed from the state.

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The Muslim Jubilee Girls Inter College in Kanpur, UP, has decided to make veils, and scarves compulsory for students who have also been banned from using cell phones on campus.
The rules will be strictly enforced and those found violating the directive will be expelled.

The college administration said its decision will curb incidents of eve-teasing and will promote Islamic culture among students.

Many students opposed the decision of no cell phones saying they are for their safety so they can keep in touch with their family in times of an emergency. They also felt the scarf should not be made compulsory.

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Speaking at an event organised by the Federation of AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Association, the former chief vigilance commissioner Pratyush Sinha said "Corruption is socially acceptable in India and millions of Indian families bribe public servants for access to basic services".

Detailing his comment Sinha said while 30% of all Indians were totally corrupt, 50% are borderline cases, with just around 20% being honest.

He did say there was some social stigma attached to the qualification which is now gone, replaced by greater social acceptance of the corrupt.

Sinha also revealed that the global anti-graft body has put India 84th on its corruption perception index with a 3.4 point rating in a best possible score of 10.

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A Delhi based businessman who belongs to an illustrious business family in the capital has anonymously committed to donate 25 kg of gold to the Somnath temple, the revered Shiv temple in Saurashtra.

The gold is to be used to decorate the base of the jyotirlinga for which skilled Uttarakhand workers have been employed. The work is expected to be completed by January.

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