Chennai, Nov 5 : Employees of southern film industry observed hunger strike on Wednesday to show solidarity with the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The ten-hour hunger strike has been called by the ''Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), in which hundreds of employees participated to lend their voice against the atrocities carried out on Tamilians in Sri Lanka.

New Delhi, Nov. 5 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of a violation of human rights of Dalits in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli District.

The Commission has issued notice to the District Collector and Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu seeking their comments in the matter within a month.

A report published in The Hindu on October 29 alleged that around 200 Dalits of 70 families of Panthapuli village had been forced to leave the village to ensure their safety as they were reportedly under serious threat from upper caste Hindus.

New Delhi, Nov. 5 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo-motu cognizance of the killing of 22 year-old student Kuldeep by the Hisar Police near Bhiwani, and given the state government two months to file a report on the incident.

The NHRC has issued notices to the Director General of Police, Haryana, District Magistrate, Bhiwani, SP, Hisar/Bhiwani to take appropriate action with regard to investigation of the case.

The guidelines were communicated to the Chief Ministers of all States on December 2, 2003 by the NHRC, Chairperson.

New Delhi - Microsoft founder Bill Gates said Wednesday that India could successfully lead the way in eradicating polio and that his foundation would continue to provide resources for polio eradication in India and other countries despite the economic downturn.

Gates was addressing a news briefing in the Indian capital after visiting several health centres to observe polio surveillance, vaccination and eradication activities.

New Delhi, Nov. 5 : The All India Minorities Front (AIMF) National President S. M. Asif has greeted Barack Hussein Obama on his election as the US''s first black president.

Asif said that with the election of Obama, a ray of hope has emerged that the US relations with India and Islamic countries would strengthen and improve and a new era will come in the world.

In a message to Obama, Asif said that in his election the world will find a new leader and the Blacks will have honour and dignity all over. He said that the minorities in the US and elsewhere shall have a voice of their own at the highest level.

New Delhi, Nov 5 : Belgian King Albert II and Queen Paola visited Bangla Saheb Gurdwara in New Delhi on Wednesday.

King Albert II, who is on a nine-day visit to India, offered prayers at the Shrine.

The King Albert II and Queen Paola were felicitated with a ceremonial sword, an honour by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

“We have welcomed him according to our traditional Sikh custom, this will improve not only the relations between India and Belgium but also the image of the Sikhs living in Belgium will go higher,” said Paramjeet Singh, Sarna, Chairman, Gurudwara Management Committee.

The King and the Queen also inaugurated a ''langar'' (community kitchen) on the premises of the Gurudwara.