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                   2011 - Nobel Peace Prize A record 241 candidates have been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, the Nobel Institute in Oslo said tuesday, with WikiLeaks and people linked to revolutions in the Arab world known to be in the running. "It increases almost every year," Nobel Institute director Geir Lundestad told media, pointing out that in 2010, the record-breaking number had been 237 candidates.

  Mahashivrati  'Shivratri' festival is most scrupulously observed by the Kashmiri Pandits, the ancient and original inhabitants of Kashmir. They make thorough preparations and collect eatables, fruits and sweets. The entertainment of the Sivratri festival extends to about three weeks in Kashmiri Pandit house-holds. 

Budget 2011-2012  Speech of Pranab Mukherjee  Minister of Finance February 28, 2011 Madam Speaker, I rise to present the Union Budget for 2011-12. We are reaching the end of a remarkable fiscal year. In a globalised world with its share of uncertainties and rapid changes, this year brought us some opportunities and many challenges as we moved ahead with steady steps on the chosen path of fiscal consolidation and high economic growth.

Highlights of Union Budget 2011-12 * Direct tax sops to result in Rs 11,500 cr net revenue loss * Investment-linked deductions for fertilisers and developers of affordable housing * Low withholding tax of 5% for notified infra funds * Foreign dividend tax rate cut to 15% for Indian companies

26,000 colleges to be connected with fibre optics: Sibal In an effort to build an international highway of information, 26,000 colleges and 800 universities in the country would be connected with fibre optics in the next three to four years, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said on 27/02/2011. 

Important Points of Rail Budget 2011-12 · No hike in passenger fare and freight rates  · Highest ever Plan outlay of Rs 57,630 crore proposed for Railways  · Rs. 9,583 crore provided for new lines  · 1300 km new lines, 867 km doubling of lines and 1017 km gauge conversion targeted in 2011-12 · 56 new Express Trains, 3 new Shatabdis and 9 Duronto trains to be introduced  · AC Double Decker services on Jaipur-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai routes · New Super AC Class to be introduced  · A new portal for e-ticketing to be launched shortly · Booking charges will be cheaper with a charge of only Rs 10 for AC classes and Rs 5 for others  · Pan-India multi-purpose smart card 'Go India' to be introduced  · 236 more stations to be upgraded as Adarsh Stations  · 47 additional suburban services in Mumbai and 50 ne...

My budget is pro-people: Mamata Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has refuted charges that her budget was "populist or West Bengal-oriented" saying she had kept the interest of the nation in mind and given projects to every region. Countering CPI(M)'s allegations that she had made Railways bankrupt, she said, "Their government (in West Bengal) is bankrupt. It has Rs two lakh crore debt. Charity begins at home." On charges of populism, Banerjee said, "They are opportunist people. If this is pro-people let it be populist. When they know they cannot fight they make all such allegations. We have given projects to entire country including Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Assam. Bengal is not outside India." She said her opponents were "till yesterday shouting that Railways will not be able to pay dividends. Today you see the magic.