Gorakhpur, Jan. 12: : Trade routes between India and Nepal, which pass through the north Indian states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are misused by smugglers who employ physically disabled persons.

Many people from both the sides of the border are involved in smuggling of rice, wheat and other cereals along the 400-km-long border between Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.

Mafia of smugglers have roped in several such physically challenged persons as carriers of illegal merchandise across the border since such persons escape from being frisked at the checkpoints in Uttar Pradesh and also West Bengal.

The UP urban areas will see the introduction of power transmission and distribution system through input-based franchisee by Mayawati government, which it thinks is vital for development. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held in Lucknow.

"The step could be the first move towards privatization of power distribution in the state which until now was in government hands," said the UP Power Corporation Limited
(UPPCL) sources.

Faizabad/Gwalior, Jan 8 : Shi''ite Muslims took part in Muharram processions in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday night.

The procession marks the death anniversary of Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, who was martyred in the battle at Kerbalaby his political rival Yazid in AD 680.

"This land has always been a land of harmony. We can see that here in the processions that many are Hindus actively taking part in it. There is no sign of any hatred among the Hindus and Muslims. Every year, we take out the procession in a peaceful manner," said Maulana Zul Qadar Abadi, priest, Masjid Imam Bada, Faizabad.

NOIDA (Uttar Pradesh), Jan. 7 : Even as Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development (Indepedent Charge) Renuka Chaudhary came down heavily on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for not doing enough to protect women in the state, t he National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday constituted a two-member committee to probe the gang rape of an MBA student in NOIDA.

The NCW team comprising members Neeva Konwar and Wansuk Syiem today visited NOIDA to inquire into the incident, officials said.

Lucknow, Jan. 2 : As people in north India welcomed the first morning of the New Year with a smile on their face, people in Lucknow had a tough time coping with a chilling breeze and dense fog on Thursday.

The dipping temperature with chilling breeze and fog made life too difficult for everyone here.

On Thursday (Jan. 1), local residents in Lucknow braved the chill in the air covered in thick woolens. Some of them opted fighting it by huddling around roadside bonfires.

"We faced a lot of difficulty specially in moving around," said Samul Khan, a local resident.

Agra, Dec. 29 : Cyclists belonging to different parts of the world are participating in a bicycle rally, organized against terrorism in Agra, the city of Taj Mahal.

The 300-kilometre bicycle rally, which was flagged off from Agra will conclude on January 4 in Jaipur. Participants include individuals from America, Australia Kenya, Dubai, Britain among others.

Spreading the message of love is the only effective tool to fight terrorism, said Raj Bajaj, Managing Director of Adventure World India Private Limited on the occasion.