New Delhi, Oct. 10 : The newly formed Ambassadors''Forum has appealed to all to close ranks and re-establish the traditional consensus on India''s independent foreign policy.

The forum of senior and active retired Ambassadors said that this was necessary as India is expected to shoulder increasing responsibilities in the management of multi-polar international system.

The statement was issued after the forum''s inaugural meeting today at Observer Research Foundation which was chaired by Mr. M. K. Rasgotra, former Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board. He said the Forum would take up issues of foreign policy, security, economy, etc. which would have a bearing on India''s foreign policy.

The news of the de-notification of the Mahabaleshwara temple in Gokarna and its reins handed over to the Ramachandrapura Mutt is sheer proof of hanky panky by the state government. The high Court has issued a notice to the state revenue secretary and Uttara Kannada DC challenging the transfer of the management of the temple to the Ramachandrapura Mutt. The Public Interest Litigation was filed by two devotees of the temple namely M S Murulidhara and N G Prakash.

Washington, Oct 10 : India and US will sign the 123 Agreement today, paving the way for nuclear commerce between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will sign the agreement with US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) last night approved the landmark accord to implement the civil nuclear deal.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at a meeting of his Cabinet colleagues discussed the final shape of the agreement and the accompanying statement by President George W Bush.

Srinagar, Oct 10 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on a two-day visit today.

During his visit, Dr. Singh is scheduled to inaugurate the 450 MW Baglihar Hydro Electric Power Project in Ramban district.

This is the third power project commissioned in the border state on river Chenab.

The Baglihar Project has been completed at a cost of Rs. 5200 crores and will generate 2800 million units of electricity every year.

New Delhi, Oct. 9 : Dussehra, which marks the triumph of good over evil, was celebrated peacefully in the national capital and different parts of the country with full religious fervour on Thursday.

Also known as Vijayadashmi, the festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Rama killed Demon King Ravana in a fierce battle. The main function for Vijayadashmi was held in the popular Ramlila Ground here.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress President Sonia Gandhi attended the Dussehra celebrations in Subhash Maidan here.

Jammu, Oct. 9 : To avoid any untoward incident like recently witnessed at the Rajasthan’s Chamunda Devi Temple and Himachal’s Naina Devi, the management authorities at the famous Vaishno Devi Temple have been extra vigilant this time.

On the occasion of the nine-day Navratras, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, responsible for the management of the temple, had tightened all of its security measures considering there is abnormal surge in the number of devotees.