January 20 is all set to become a historical day in statehood movement as all major political parties, social organisations and various associations have joined hands to observe a total Vidarbha Bandh to demonstrate overwhelming support to separate Vidarbha. Bandh call has been given by Vidarbha Rajya Sangharsh Sangram Samiti and all organisations have urged people to stay indoor and enforce Janata Curfew. All districts right from Gadchiroli to Buldhana has supported the call of Bandh. Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Republican Party of India, Shetkari Sanghathan, Bahujan Republican Ekta Manch and all other political parties, citizens, traders, businessmen, youths, women are geared up to observe unprecedented ‘Vidarbha Bandh’ on Wednesday to press for demand of separate statehood of Vidarbha.

Market closed, buses stopped: bandh 100% successful in Ramtek The bandh organised in support of the demand of separate Vidarbha state received overwhelming response from the people of all walks of life in Ramtek.

Braving the winter chill, Nagpurians resolved for launching a final push for an independent and viable Vidarbha state. Setting a goal, Vilas Muttemwar, Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagpur City, appealed to Vidarbhites to ensure that winter session of 2010 is of Vidarbha state. And the first little step in that direction was a day long Gadnhian style agitation, dharna, the weapon of non-violence. Putting aside their differences, Congress Party leaders in Nagpur city shared dais for the Vidarbha cause.

Depositors’ panic: A 150-member squad of Income-Tax officials conducted raids in main office and other branches of Buldana Urban Co-operative Society that holds deposits of Rs 1,200 crore in 169 branches Exercising to death: Dumbbells are meant for exercising, but in Bhandara, a woman battered her husband to death with them as a punishment for his illicit relationship.

It’s always a surprise to see what the New Year has in store. However, everything seems to be predictable for the most ‘distinguished’ souls of Vidarbha. For them, Rain God had nothing but misery to offer. The victims of Nature’s wrath could well see days ahead full of more misery and pain. The vagaries of weather had crushed the poor farmers’ desire to lead a humble life. The pre-monsoon showers drenched the sweltering Vidarbha only to leave it high and dry. The Met Department’s forecasts of good rains vanished in the thin air shattering whatever little hope there was. They prayed to the Almighty and the Lord blessed them but not wholeheartedly. The long dry spell forced re-sowing, which added to their financial burden. The below average rainfall damaged the crops that saw a great drop in production. In 2009, Vidarbha is said to have received the lowest amount of rain in the last five years. Incessant rains did lash parts of the region. Strong winds, floods, lightning did claim lives and played havoc. But what came their way was not sufficient for crops. Braving odds, some crops grew only to fall prey to pests.

The Parliamentary election that established Congress’ dominance in the country, also found Vidarbhites favouring Congress-NCP alliance. Though the 10 Parliamentary seats in Vidarbha got equally divided between Congress-NCP and BJP-Shiv Sena allainces, BJP found itself losing four precious seats. Congress’ gains were handsome even in this part of the country. Vilas Muttemwar defeated Banwarilal Purohit of the BJP in a keenly fought contest. AICC General SEcretary Mukul Wasnik too gained the Ramtek seat defeating Krupal Tumane of Shiv Sena. In Gadchiroli too, Marotrao Kowase defeated BJP’s Ashok Nete. In Wardha, Datta Meghe proved his mettle by defeating Suresh Waghmare by a huge margin of 95,000 votes. But the most emphatic was the victory of NCP candidate and the present Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel from Bhandara-Gondia. He humbled Congress-rebel Nana Patole and BJP sitting MP Shishupal Patle, winning by a spectacular magin of 2.51 lakh votes.

CHANDUR RAILWAY, Apr 12 “Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has succesfully tackled the recession and won praise from world leaders who do not hesitate to seek his advice. While the world leaders praise him, the BJP call him a weak Prime Minister. What US, England Presidents know, L K Advani does not know.

Amravati, Apr 6 “Any immature or boyish person cannot be made Prime Minister of the country like India. The post demands a person like Lal Krishna Advani who has exprienced the country thoroughly and has vision to lead the country. Hence, even though there are dominant number of youth voters in the country, they will prefer the experienced Advani than anybody else,” hoped Madhu Chavan, State Secretary and spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party here on Monday.

YAVATMAL, Apr 3 Bhavana Gawali, Shiv Sena-BJP alliance candidate from Yavatmal-Washim Lok Sabha Constituency, is busy with hectic election campaigning these days.

WANI: Late Bhaskar Bhattacharya Award function was organised at Sasti Stadium of Ballarpur Area to mark the Coal India Foundation Day, celebrated here the other day.