New Delhi - A minister in India's western Gujarat state who is accused of involvement in 2002 sectarian riots surrendered to the police and resigned from her post on Friday.

Maya Kodnani is accused of leading rioting mobs in the Naroda Patiya area of Gujarat's principle city Ahmedabad where 106 people were killed during the violence in 2002.

More than 1000 people, largely Muslims, were killed in statewide riots sparked by the burning of Hindu pilgrims on a train on February 27, 2002.

New Delhi, Mar 27 : Former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2008 Hoover Medal for his outstanding service to humanity.

The announcement to this effect was made in New York on Friday. The citation said that the award would be presented to Dr. Kalam at a special ceremony on April 28.

New Delhi, Mar. 27 : If the Congress'' controversial Jai ho campaign was not enough to the steal the show on the campaign trail, the party is soon going to launch Jai Ho 2.

Bollywood''s singing sensation Sukhwinder Singh will be singing for Jai Ho 2 for the Congress and has also done the lyrics of the high profile campaign according to the Amitava Mitra , Director of the Jai Ho campaign at Percept Holding.

New Delhi, Mar 27 : James Otis, the US based collector and auctioneer of ''s personal belongings, today asserted that the purpose behind the auction was to remind the world about Gandhi''s greatness.

Addressing a news conference here, Otis, who sparked a row by putting up for auction Gandhi''s belongings earlier this month, apologized for unintentionally hurting Indian sentiments and asserted that the purpose of the auction was to remind the people about his teachings.

New Delhi, Mar 27 : The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Election Commission to allot common symbols to the Praja Rajyam, Lok Satta and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) for upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, said that the directions were only for the present elections.

Praja Rayam founder Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi moved to the Supreme Court on March 20, challenging the EC's refusal to allot his new political party a symbol.