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Congress President Sonia Gandhi turned 65 on Thursday. Union Ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Virbhadra Singh, C P Joshi and Pradesh Congress Committee chiefs and AICC office bearers were among those who personally extended birthday greetings to her. Among the first callers were DMK leaders including T R Baalu and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi. Though the party had announced that Sonia Gandhi would not celebrate her birthday to avoid inconvenience to partymen coming to Delhi from outside to greet her, party workers particularly from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka gathered at her residence early in the morning beating drums and taking out processions. Party workers from all over the country also celebrated Sonia's birthday at the Central Office of the party at 24 Akbar Road. The workers, clad in colourful T-shirts which had slogans like 'Our pride is mother India, our guide is mother Sonia. (ANI) Mining companies arming Maoists in India, says ACHR New Delhi, Dec 9 (ANI): Subhash Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has alleged that the mining companies operating in the Maoist infested areas are helping and arming the rebel outfit. At a press conference held here on Wednesday, Chakma blamed central government for not doing enough to expose the nexus between the companies and the Maoists. "In our view, it's the mining companies with the sanction and knowledge of the Government of India, are arming the Maoists. There are no external agencies who are arming the Maoists, it's the mining companies. And when I say that it is done in Government of India's knowledge and approval, it is with full clarity and conscience that I make this allegation," said Chakma. Chakma also said that the Indian Government is neglecting the issue as it is putting the interest of the corporate sector above the people of India, as well as its security forces. According to ACHR, this nexus is helping the companies to carry out their business as usual in the Maoist infested areas.

Sonia Gandhi turns 65