Guwahati, Sept 20 : Assam is set to receive a bonanza on the education front, with the center announcing plans to fund the creation of three medical colleges.

In India, it has always been felt that development has to be holistic, as only then the country will achieve a double-digit growth rate.

Keeping this in mind, Prime Minster Manmohan Singh, during his recent visit to the state, proposed a mega developmental package for Assam, which included a rupees 
160 crore medical college for Jorhat.

The hospital will be the first of its kind in Upper Assam.

Agartala, Sept 20 : Education is the key that opens up many doors. To a great extent it is true, and the people of Jirania block in West Tripura firmly believe in this adage. This is evident from the fact that the block has registered a record 97 per cent literacy rate and has set an example for the entire northeast region.

New Delhi - At least 21.8 million people have been affected by floods brought on by incessant rains in 16 states across India during the current monsoon season, a federal government release said Sunday.

A total of 2,229 people have died in rain-related incidents, the federal Disaster Management Department release said. Officials said most of the deaths were cases of drowning or caused by landslides, house collapses and water-borne diseases.

New Delhi - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the bomb attack in Islamabad in a letter to his Pakistan counterpart Yousef Raza Gilani.

Singh said India strongly condemned the act of terrorism and said the attacks were a grim reminder of the challenges posed by "destructive forces" which had pitted themselves against the values of democracy, pluralism and the voices of moderation.

New Delhi, Sept 21 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will leave on a ten-day visit to the United States and France on Monday. During the visit the Prime Minister will address the UN General Assembly on September 26.

According to sources, the Prime Minister will take up the expansion and reforms in the UN Security Council so that the world body reflects the current global realities.

He is also expected to take up the issues of global food crises, combating terrorism, promoting disarmament and global economy with world leaders on the side lines of the UN General Assembly. 

Jammu, Sept 21 : Following a two-day shutdown call given by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), which spearheaded the two month long agitation in Jammu over forestland transfer row, shops and business establishments remained closed today. However, private vehicles are plying as usual.

The Samiti (SAYSS) is demanding immediate implementation of the agreement signed between the State Government panel and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board last month.

According to the agreement, the shrine board will continue to discharge its duties and supervise arrangements of the pilgrimage with the State Government''s support.