Police identify NY subway victim as 46-year old Indian

NEW YORK: The 46-year old man who was pushed to his death in front of a subway train here by a "mumbling" woman has been identified as Sunando Sen, an Indian who lived in the city's Queens neighbourhood. Sen was killed after the woman shoved him on to the tracks of an oncoming train in a Queens subway station late Thursday night. The incident was the second time this month that a person was pushed on to the subway tracks by a fellow commuter. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the police is still searching for the female suspect, who raced down two flights of stairs after the attack and disappeared into a crowd on the street. Sen had opened a small copying and printing business this year in the city's Upper West Side. He was hit by the first car of the train and his body was pinned under the second car before the 11-car train came to a stop. The condition of Sen's body had made it difficult for the police to identify him and investigators used his phone and a medicine bottle he was carrying for his identification. Police said his family in India has been notified. According to Sen's roommates, he was not married and his parents were dead. A R Suman, one of the four roommates with whom Sen had shared a small apartment, described him as a "very educated person and quite nice". "It is unbelievable. He never had a problem with anyone," Suman said in a New York Times report. There was no video at the subway station and the New York Police Department released a surveillance video from near the station showing the suspect running away from the scene. The woman has been described as a 5 feet 5 inch tall Hispanic in her 20s wearing a blue, white and gray jacket and sneakers. New York Police Department chief spokesman Paul Browne said according to witnesses, the woman had been following Sen closely and was mumbling to herself. Suman said Sen had toiled hard to save money to open his printing business and hardly took a day off from work. "I asked him why you work seven days a week." Suman said. "He told me, 'I cannot hire someone because business is not good'". Sen's roommates said they could not think of any reason as to why the woman pushed him onto the tracks. They said Sen had suffered a heart attack about nine months ago and was taking medication. "This guy was so quiet, so gentle, so nice," another of Sen's roommate M D Khan, a taxi driver, said. "It's so broken, my heart," he said adding Sen enjoyed watching funny clips on YouTube and would listen to classical Indian music. Meanwhile, witnesses said Sen was looking out over the tracks and the woman was sitting on a wooden bench near the wall behind him. He had his back towards her and was not aware that she was approaching him. As the train pulled into the tracks, the woman got up from the bench and pushed Sen over. Browne said according to witnesses, the attack happened so quickly that Sen had little time to react and neither could the bystanders do anything to save him. "There's one witness who was sitting on the bench with the woman, the perpetrator here," he said. "And there are other witnesses who were on the platform itself. So we're in the process of gathering information". The shocking incident comes just weeks after 58-year-old Ki-Suck Han was pushed in front of a subway train in Times Square by 30-year-old homeless man Naeem Davis. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said such attacks were exceedingly rare and there is little that can be done to prevent such incidents. "I don't know that there is a way to prevent things," Bloomberg said. "There is always going to be somebody, a deranged person". He said such incidents were tragic for the families of the victims. "You can say it's only two out of the three or four million people who ride the subway every day, but two is two too many," he told reporters. "We do live in a world where our subway platforms are open, and that's not going to change," he added. Through posters pasted on the subway walls, New York authorities have tried to caution commuters about safety on subway platforms. They adviseD people to stand away from the edge of the platform and that they should never cross the tracks to get to the other side of the station. The trains and the platform are not separated by any barriers. In 2011, 146 people were struck by New York subway trains, of which 47 died, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The city's subway system is more than a 100 years old and is one of the world's busiest, ferrying millions of commuters daily.

Police identify NY subway victim as 46-year old Indian

NEW YORK: The 46-year old man who was pushed to his death in front of a subway train here by a "mumbling" woman has been identified as Sunando Sen, an Indian who lived in the city's Queens neighbourhood. Sen was killed after the woman shoved him on to the tracks of an oncoming train in a Queens subway station late Thursday night. The incident was the second time this month that a person was pushed on to the subway tracks by a fellow commuter. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the police is still searching for the female suspect, who raced down two flights of stairs after the attack and disappeared into a crowd on the street. Sen had opened a small copying and printing business this year in the city's Upper West Side. He was hit by the first car of the train and his body was pinned under the second car before the 11-car train came to a stop. The condition of Sen's body had made it difficult for the police to identify him and investigators used his phone and a medicine bottle he was carrying for his identification. Police said his family in India has been notified. According to Sen's roommates, he was not married and his parents were dead. A R Suman, one of the four roommates with whom Sen had shared a small apartment, described him as a "very educated person and quite nice". "It is unbelievable. He never had a problem with anyone," Suman said in a New York Times report. There was no video at the subway station and the New York Police Department released a surveillance video from near the station showing the suspect running away from the scene. The woman has been described as a 5 feet 5 inch tall Hispanic in her 20s wearing a blue, white and gray jacket and sneakers. New York Police Department chief spokesman Paul Browne said according to witnesses, the woman had been following Sen closely and was mumbling to herself. Suman said Sen had toiled hard to save money to open his printing business and hardly took a day off from work. "I asked him why you work seven days a week." Suman said. "He told me, 'I cannot hire someone because business is not good'". Sen's roommates said they could not think of any reason as to why the woman pushed him onto the tracks. They said Sen had suffered a heart attack about nine months ago and was taking medication. "This guy was so quiet, so gentle, so nice," another of Sen's roommate M D Khan, a taxi driver, said. "It's so broken, my heart," he said adding Sen enjoyed watching funny clips on YouTube and would listen to classical Indian music. Meanwhile, witnesses said Sen was looking out over the tracks and the woman was sitting on a wooden bench near the wall behind him. He had his back towards her and was not aware that she was approaching him. As the train pulled into the tracks, the woman got up from the bench and pushed Sen over. Browne said according to witnesses, the attack happened so quickly that Sen had little time to react and neither could the bystanders do anything to save him. "There's one witness who was sitting on the bench with the woman, the perpetrator here," he said. "And there are other witnesses who were on the platform itself. So we're in the process of gathering information". The shocking incident comes just weeks after 58-year-old Ki-Suck Han was pushed in front of a subway train in Times Square by 30-year-old homeless man Naeem Davis. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said such attacks were exceedingly rare and there is little that can be done to prevent such incidents. "I don't know that there is a way to prevent things," Bloomberg said. "There is always going to be somebody, a deranged person". He said such incidents were tragic for the families of the victims. "You can say it's only two out of the three or four million people who ride the subway every day, but two is two too many," he told reporters. "We do live in a world where our subway platforms are open, and that's not going to change," he added. Through posters pasted on the subway walls, New York authorities have tried to caution commuters about safety on subway platforms. They adviseD people to stand away from the edge of the platform and that they should never cross the tracks to get to the other side of the station. The trains and the platform are not separated by any barriers. In 2011, 146 people were struck by New York subway trains, of which 47 died, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The city's subway system is more than a 100 years old and is one of the world's busiest, ferrying millions of commuters daily.

Tourism should aim for 12 percent growth: White Paper

New Delhi: The tourism sector should aim at a substantially higher growth rate of at least 12 percent during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) to cushion against any shortfall in other sectors. It should also adopt a 'pro-poor' policy so that the benefits trickle down to the grassroots, a White Paper released by the government
Thursday said.

Contexting the projections, the paper said: 'The annual growth rate of the tourism sector is estimated to be 8.1 percent during the last five years, which is marginally higher than the economic growth rate of 7.9 per cent expected to be achieved during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12),' the paper said.

The tourism sector is expected to grow by 8.8 per cent during the 2011-2021 period.

In comparison, the 12th Plan envisages a 4 percent growth rate in the agricultural sector, 8 percent in the manufacturing sector and 9.1 per cent in the services sector.

Projections by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) say India has the highest growth potential over a 10-year period between 2009 and 2018. But the expected growth rate in the tourism sector is inadequate both in terms of contribution to the overall economic growth and its potential. The 12th Plan must target a significant improvement, the paper said.

The 12th Plan must evolve a strategy based on promotion of tourism infrastucture, developing programmes for marketing, social awareness campaigns, building capacity of service providers in the tourism sector and enhance India's competitiveness as a tourism destination.

Citing figures, the paper said the tourism sector had registered an annual growth rate of 2.04 percent during the six-year period of 2004-05 to 2010-11.

However, India's global ranking in respect of 'Effectiveness of Marketing and Branding' declined from 59 to 2006 to 63 in 2010, necessitating more vigorous marketing.

The paper said the government should adopt a 'pro-poor' tourism approach to bring net benefit to the poor through tourism activities to eliminate poverty by redistributing resources.

Using the responsible tourism model of Kumarakom in Kerala, where grassroots self-help groups of women have been feeding the tourism supply and manufacturing chain as providers, the paper said the means to achieve this goal was to expand the opportunities for them through capacity building and transfer of skills in close cooperation with education, training and micro-finance institutions.

'Pro-poor tourism has a holistic notion of poverty alleviation. Non-economic benefits are as important as economic gains. As improved management approach of the tourism industry cane provide new skills, better access to education and healthcare, access to information and opportunities to communicate, it can prove to be the proverbial engine
for growth in India,' the paper said.

Tourism should aim for 12 percent growth: White Paper

New Delhi: The tourism sector should aim at a substantially higher growth rate of at least 12 percent during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) to cushion against any shortfall in other sectors. It should also adopt a 'pro-poor' policy so that the benefits trickle down to the grassroots, a White Paper released by the government
Thursday said.

Contexting the projections, the paper said: 'The annual growth rate of the tourism sector is estimated to be 8.1 percent during the last five years, which is marginally higher than the economic growth rate of 7.9 per cent expected to be achieved during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12),' the paper said.

The tourism sector is expected to grow by 8.8 per cent during the 2011-2021 period.

In comparison, the 12th Plan envisages a 4 percent growth rate in the agricultural sector, 8 percent in the manufacturing sector and 9.1 per cent in the services sector.

Projections by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) say India has the highest growth potential over a 10-year period between 2009 and 2018. But the expected growth rate in the tourism sector is inadequate both in terms of contribution to the overall economic growth and its potential. The 12th Plan must target a significant improvement, the paper said.

The 12th Plan must evolve a strategy based on promotion of tourism infrastucture, developing programmes for marketing, social awareness campaigns, building capacity of service providers in the tourism sector and enhance India's competitiveness as a tourism destination.

Citing figures, the paper said the tourism sector had registered an annual growth rate of 2.04 percent during the six-year period of 2004-05 to 2010-11.

However, India's global ranking in respect of 'Effectiveness of Marketing and Branding' declined from 59 to 2006 to 63 in 2010, necessitating more vigorous marketing.

The paper said the government should adopt a 'pro-poor' tourism approach to bring net benefit to the poor through tourism activities to eliminate poverty by redistributing resources.

Using the responsible tourism model of Kumarakom in Kerala, where grassroots self-help groups of women have been feeding the tourism supply and manufacturing chain as providers, the paper said the means to achieve this goal was to expand the opportunities for them through capacity building and transfer of skills in close cooperation with education, training and micro-finance institutions.

'Pro-poor tourism has a holistic notion of poverty alleviation. Non-economic benefits are as important as economic gains. As improved management approach of the tourism industry cane provide new skills, better access to education and healthcare, access to information and opportunities to communicate, it can prove to be the proverbial engine
for growth in India,' the paper said.

Ahmadinejad sacks health minister

Tehran:Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Health and Medical Education Minister Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, the first woman minister in the Islamic Reublic, Xinhua reported.

Vahid-Dastjerdi, who became an Iranian minister in September 2009, has been replaced by Mohammad-Hassan Tariqat-Monfared, who has been appointed the acting minister of health in a decree by Ahmadinejad. 

According to semi-official Mehr news agency, the conflicts with Vahid-Dastjerdi started after some governmental officials, probably including the Iranian president, urged her to fire the chief of Tehran Medical Science University. But she refused to comply.

Also, she recently criticised the government for not allocating enough foreign currency for the imports of medicine, a claim Ahmadinejad rejected. 

Ahmadinejad sacks health minister

Tehran:Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sacked Health and Medical Education Minister Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, the first woman minister in the Islamic Reublic, Xinhua reported.

Vahid-Dastjerdi, who became an Iranian minister in September 2009, has been replaced by Mohammad-Hassan Tariqat-Monfared, who has been appointed the acting minister of health in a decree by Ahmadinejad. 

According to semi-official Mehr news agency, the conflicts with Vahid-Dastjerdi started after some governmental officials, probably including the Iranian president, urged her to fire the chief of Tehran Medical Science University. But she refused to comply.

Also, she recently criticised the government for not allocating enough foreign currency for the imports of medicine, a claim Ahmadinejad rejected. 

Gang-rape victim extremely critical, has brain injury and infection in lungs

Singapore: The 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim has significant brain injury, infection in lungs and abdomen and she is currently struggling against all odds at Mount Elizabeth Hospital where her condition continues to be 'extremely critical', the hospital said today. 'Our medical team's investigations upon her arrival at the hospital yesterday showed that in addition to her prior cardiac arrest, she also had infection of her lungs and abdomen, as well as significant brain injury,' said Dr Kelvin

Loh, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Elizabeth Hospital. In a statement, Dr Loh said, 'The patient is currently struggling against the odds, and fighting for her life.' Briefing reporters here on girl's condition, Loh said, 'As at 28 December, 11am (8:30 IST) the patient continues to remain in an extremely critical condition.' 

The girl, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus on December 16, was brought here in an air ambulance yesterday and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. She had undergone three surgeries at the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she remained on ventilator support during most part of the treatment. Doctors removed major part of her intestines which had become gangrenous. 'A multi-disciplinary team of specialists has been working tirelessly to treat her since her arrival, and is doing everything possible to stabilise her condition over the next few days,' Dr Loh said.

The High Commission of India has been fully supportive in helping the hospital and her family, and ensuring that the best care is made available,' he added. The security was tightened at the hospital, favoured bywell-heeled patients, with each visitor screened before being allowed into the ICU.She had undergone three surgeries at the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she remained on ventilator support during most part of the treatment. Doctors removed major part of her intestines which had become gangrenous. 'A multi-disciplinary team of specialists has been working tirelessly to treat her since her arrival, and is doing everything possible to stabilise her condition over the next few days,' Dr Loh said.


The security was tightened at the hospital, favoured by well-heeled patients, with each visitor screened before being allowed into the ICU.In Delhi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi stressed that no time should be lost in bringing the perpetrators of such barbarous act to justice. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured that those found guilty of lapses in the aftermath of the incident will not be spared. 'We are committed to bringing the guilty to justice as soon as possible,' Singh said, adding that best possible medical care was being provided to the victim. The victim's father, who flew in with her, said he was
reassured that the best is being done for his daughter. The girl's family members do not speak English and rely on interpreters to communicate with hospital staff, the Strait Times newspaper reported. The High Commission of India has assigned a liaison officer with the family. PTI

Gang-rape victim extremely critical, has brain injury and infection in lungs

Singapore: The 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim has significant brain injury, infection in lungs and abdomen and she is currently struggling against all odds at Mount Elizabeth Hospital where her condition continues to be 'extremely critical', the hospital said today. 'Our medical team's investigations upon her arrival at the hospital yesterday showed that in addition to her prior cardiac arrest, she also had infection of her lungs and abdomen, as well as significant brain injury,' said Dr Kelvin

Loh, Chief Executive Officer, Mount Elizabeth Hospital. In a statement, Dr Loh said, 'The patient is currently struggling against the odds, and fighting for her life.' Briefing reporters here on girl's condition, Loh said, 'As at 28 December, 11am (8:30 IST) the patient continues to remain in an extremely critical condition.' 

The girl, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus on December 16, was brought here in an air ambulance yesterday and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. She had undergone three surgeries at the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she remained on ventilator support during most part of the treatment. Doctors removed major part of her intestines which had become gangrenous. 'A multi-disciplinary team of specialists has been working tirelessly to treat her since her arrival, and is doing everything possible to stabilise her condition over the next few days,' Dr Loh said.

The High Commission of India has been fully supportive in helping the hospital and her family, and ensuring that the best care is made available,' he added. The security was tightened at the hospital, favoured bywell-heeled patients, with each visitor screened before being allowed into the ICU.She had undergone three surgeries at the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, where she remained on ventilator support during most part of the treatment. Doctors removed major part of her intestines which had become gangrenous. 'A multi-disciplinary team of specialists has been working tirelessly to treat her since her arrival, and is doing everything possible to stabilise her condition over the next few days,' Dr Loh said.


The security was tightened at the hospital, favoured by well-heeled patients, with each visitor screened before being allowed into the ICU.In Delhi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi stressed that no time should be lost in bringing the perpetrators of such barbarous act to justice. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured that those found guilty of lapses in the aftermath of the incident will not be spared. 'We are committed to bringing the guilty to justice as soon as possible,' Singh said, adding that best possible medical care was being provided to the victim. The victim's father, who flew in with her, said he was
reassured that the best is being done for his daughter. The girl's family members do not speak English and rely on interpreters to communicate with hospital staff, the Strait Times newspaper reported. The High Commission of India has assigned a liaison officer with the family. PTI

Panchayat president dies in accident

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KILIMANOOR: N C George (49) grama panchayat president of Mariyapuram, Idukki, was killed after the Bolero jeep in which he was travelling hit a tipper lorry near Karet Junction on the M C Road. Panchayat member Santhosh (35) and driver Shaji have been seriously injured. Shaji has been admitted at the medical college hospital in the capital city and Santhosh at Gokulam Medical College Hospital in Venjaramoodu. The incident happened early Friday morning at 2 am. The vehicle Bolero belonging to the panchayat struck the tipper going to the capital city from behind. Even though the seriously injured George was taken to Gokulam Medical College Hospital, his life could not be saved.

Panchayat president dies in accident

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KILIMANOOR: N C George (49) grama panchayat president of Mariyapuram, Idukki, was killed after the Bolero jeep in which he was travelling hit a tipper lorry near Karet Junction on the M C Road. Panchayat member Santhosh (35) and driver Shaji have been seriously injured. Shaji has been admitted at the medical college hospital in the capital city and Santhosh at Gokulam Medical College Hospital in Venjaramoodu. The incident happened early Friday morning at 2 am. The vehicle Bolero belonging to the panchayat struck the tipper going to the capital city from behind. Even though the seriously injured George was taken to Gokulam Medical College Hospital, his life could not be saved.