June 10 2002
A sports hostel would be started in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India at Karaikal soon, according to Pondicherry Education and Tourism Minister K Lakshminarayanan.
He told reporters here today after inaugurating the Pondicherry Billiards and Snooker Association that regional committees would also be formed to promote inter-sports club events in the outlying regions of Mahe, Yanam and Karaikal and sports and games would always be encouraged without let-up.
He said a hockey ground on international specifications was being got ready on the campus of the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here. The office-bearers of the newly-formed association to promote billiards and snooker were also present at the press conference.
Abdul Kalam is ideal choice, says Jayalalitha
Chennai
June 11 2002
The AIADMK will extend its support to Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the NDA nominee for the post of President, party supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said today.
"Dr Kalam is the ideal choice for the post of President and the AIADMK is happy to extend its support to his election as the President of India," she said in a statement here.
Jayalalithaa said Kalam was an eminent and internationally renowned scientist and respected all over the world. "It is a matter of great pride and happiness for the AIADMK that he belongs to Tamil Nadu."
The Chief Minister said she had informed Prime Minister A B Vajpayee that she was delighted with the choice when he rang up last night and mentioned Kalam’s name.
Jayalalithaa also rang up Abdul Kalam this morning and extended her greetings to him.
Naidu plays vital role in Kalam's candidature
Hyderabad
June 10 2002
From cobbling up a United Front govt to extending a friendly hand to NDA coalition at any moment of crisis, TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu played his part with perfection and precision, the candidature of A P J Abdul Kalam for President's post being no exception.
Sources close to the Chief Minister here say Naidu had hectic parleys last night, after the NDA meeting was postponed, and was in touch with Prime Minister and other top leaders.
He called up Abdul Kalam and took his consent before calling up the Prime Minister again to propose his name for which Vajpayee said he would get back after consulting the allies.
The initiative of Chanrababu Naidu in suggesting the name of Abdul Kalam comes at a time when tense situation prevails at the borders and Gujarat situation is limping back to normal.
The final call came this morning at 6.30 a.m. and the Prime Minister invited Naidu to Delhi as a consensus on Kalam's name could be reached soon.
