New Delhi, April 29 : Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Monday accused the UPA government of being "weak and cowardly" over the reported incursion of Chinese troops in Ladakh.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the former defence minister warned that China "is the biggest enemy" of India and that "Pakistan is no threat to India".

He alleged that the Chinese incursion was aimed at annexing Indian territory.

New Delhi, April 29 : India Monday vouched for the safety and efficacy of drugs manufactured by it and asked African countries not to mix patent issues with those of quality.

"India is the largest supplier of generic medicines in the world. These drugs are issued only after their quality and compatibility are checked," said P. V. Appaji, director general of the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council.

Addressing African delegates and ministers at the India-Africa Policy Dialogue on Pharmaceuticals here, Appaji said that every country in the world was looking at affordable medicines.

New Delhi, April 29 : Swedish clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) plans to invest euro 100 million ($131 million) to set up 50 wholly owned single-brand stores in India, the government said Monday.

H&M has applied for 100 million euro 100 percent single-brand investment through wholly owned subsidiary of the brand owner, according to a statement released by the ministry of commerce and industry here.

H&M plans to open 50 stores in different parts of the country.

New Delhi, April 29 : "Aashiqui 2", a romantic-action film, might have shared the release date with Hollywood film "Iron Man 3", but it is doing well and earned over Rs. 20 crore at the box office in the first three days of its release.

Made on a budget of Rs. 12 crore, the film stars Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor. Co-produced by Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt under their banners T Series Films and Vishesh Films, the movie has been directed by Mohit Suri.

New Delhi, April 29 : ESI hospitals across the country are facing a large number of vacancies, parliament was informed Monday.

This is due to frequent turnover of medical manpower, non-availability of technical staff and non filling up of vacancies by states, Minister of State for Labour and Employment K. Suresh told the Lok Sabha.

ESI hospitals in Andhra Pradesh accounted for the most number of medical vacancies (318) followed by Delhi region (314), Gujarat (243) and West Bengal (241).

New Delhi, April 29 : India has some 6.4 million beedi workers, with 4.5 million of them being women, parliament was informed Monday.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment K. Suresh put the total number of workers at 64,26,029. Of this, men accounted for 18,85,379 and women 45,40,650.

West Bengal accounted for most beedi workers (1.9 million) among 16 states followed by Madhya Pradesh (1.5 million) and Tamil Nadu (700,000).

According to the minister, healthcare was provided to beedi workers and their dependents through seven hospitals and 204 dispensaries all over the country.

New Delhi, April 29 : A sample survey by the government, conducted in schools in three cities, has shown that more than one percent of children suffer from diabetes, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informed the Lok Sabha Monday.

Azad, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said that under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke, a study was conducted on 92,047 school children in Nainital (Uttarakhand), Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh), and Bhilwara (Rajasthan).

"According to the study, 1,351 (1.467 percent) of the students were suspected to be diabetic," Azad said.

New Delhi, April 29 : Make your dancing and yoga sessions fun and stylish with a special spring-summer apparel range from a leading fitness brand.

Reebok has launched the range as part of it's commitment to women's fitness, aiming to change the way women perceive, define and experience fitness. The two categories are designed for high energy, giving customers an edge during their work out sessions, a statement said.

The apparel is equipped with PlayDry Technology for moisture management, helping customers keep moisture away from skin.

New Delhi, April 29 :  The Delhi High Court Monday said further hearing was required in Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's plea challenging a trial court order framing charges against him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case related to the killing of six people in the national capital's Sultanpuri area.

The court fixed May 15 as the date for further hearing. Justice Suresh Kait said: "I felt these matter should be heard further, renotify on May 15."

New Delhi, April 28 - It was a sunny clear morning in the capital Sunday with the minimum temperature settling at 24.5 degrees Celsius, average for this time of year. The Met Office, however, has forecast a cloudy day ahead.

"The sky will stay clear in the morning and turn partly cloudy towards evening," said an official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

According to an IMD official, rainfall traces that were not possible to measure were found in the capital by 8.30 a. m. Sunday.

The maximum temperature Sunday is expected to hover around 37 degrees Celsius, the official added.

New Delhi, April 27 : With an increasing number of Indians suffering from heart diseases, proper eating habits, heart friendly nutrition and a healthy lifestyle is the need of the hour to tackle the alarming situation with a special focus on youth, a leading doctor said Saturday.

"We need to build awareness on cardio-vascular disease. Heart wellness programmes, with timely and effective medical and interventional management, may help us in curbing the rising menace of coronary artery disease in India," said Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director, Medanta Medicity told reporters.

New Delhi, April 27 : Jai Chandiram, one of the first women in television in India, who rose to Deputy Director General of Doordarshan, has been conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association Of Women in Radio & Television (IAWRT). Chandiram, who is fighting cancer, received the award at her brother's home here Friday.

The award was instituted this year to honour individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the growth and development of IAWRT. Chandiram is the second recipient of the award.

New Delhi, April 27 : India's P. V. Sindhu went down to Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles semifinal of the India Open Super Series at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Saturday.

Sindhu was India's last hope in singles after World No. 2 Saina Nehwal exited the tournament in the second round.

The Indian shuttler lost 12-21, 6-21 to the No. 3 seed in 31 minutes. (IANS)

New Delhi, April 27 : Expressing concern over the misuse of central funds in Odisha, a delegation led by state Congress president Niranjan Patnaik met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek a need-based financial package for the state, party leaders said here Saturday.

"The prime minister has said that there is no discrimination whatsoever with Odisha as is being claimed by the state government, and under the revised guidelines of backwardness, the state would get its due share," Patnaik said.

New Delhi, April 27 : China has a big stake in India's growing market which it would be reluctant to harm industry body Assocham has said.

"Chinese stake in the growing Indian market is increasing massively and the current annual trade surplus of over $40 billion may touch $44 billion by the end of the current year, " Assocham said Saturday in a statement.

"It is in the best interest of the two neighbouring countries that their relations improve and are cemented through expanding commercial engagement," the industry lobby said in a context of the standoff on the border between the two countries.

New Delhi, April 27 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday termed the incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh as a "localized problem" and said India does not want to accentuate the situation.

Answering media queries on the sidelines of an event here, the prime minister said the government has a plan to defuse the stand-off over the Chinese troop incursion.

"We do have a plan. We do not want to accentuate the situation. We do believe that it is possible to resolve this problem. It is a localised problem. Talks are going on (with China)."

New Delhi, April 27 : President Pranab Mukherjee, the supreme commander of the armed forces, Saturday decorated armed forces officers for gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty at an investiture ceremony in the Durbar hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The medals included a Kirti Chakra and 12 Shaurya Chakras, two of them posthumous.

The president also conferred 10 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, one Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, four Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals and 27 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

New Delhi, April 27 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday said the murderous attack on Indian death row prisoner in Pakistan Sarabjit Singh was "very sad".

"Yes, it is very sad, some inmates attacked him in jail. I think that is a very sad development," Manmohan Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

New Delhi, April 27 : Jewellery brand Entice by KGK group is participating for the eighth time in Switzerland's Baselworld watch and jewellery fair.

The event is a good platform for business, said an official.

"To participate in The Basel Watch & Jewellery Fair is always an unparalleled experience. It is ever exciting to have so many jewellers and traders at the same place together and is equally exciting to showcase our best work for everyone to see," Sanjay Kothari, vice chairman, KGK Group of Companies, said in a statement.

New Delhi, April 27 : Let your clothes scream 'colourful' this season! Designera Kamaall Dixsit and Varruna Kapur have launched a new range of apparel in lots of bright colours for summer.

The designers, under their brand VVAKALMA, have unveiled their summer line 'The Riot of Colors', which is all about traditional wear in colours like magenta, red, blue and emerald green.

Also, these are all in natural fibres to help you beat the summer heat.

Bright coloured saris, lehngas, suits and cholis made of nets, chanderis, cottons and georgettes, will definitely help you enhance your look. (IANS)