Plea for separate state dropped
Gulbarga, dhns:   In a significant development, the Hyderabad-Karnataka Horata Samiti (HKHS) - which has been fighting for the creation of a separate state for Hyderabad- Karnataka region - has officially given up the demand. Instead, it has decided to continue its struggle for overall development of the region.
The decision was taken at a meeting of HKHS presided by honorary president Vishvanath Reddy Mudnal and working president Vaijanath Patil here. The meeting, attended by representatives of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur and Koppal districts, took this unanimous decision.
The Samiti also decided against transforming itself into a separate political party. Samiti secretary Ashok Guruji said after dropping these plans, it decided to accord priority to creating awareness among people on the overall development of the region. The Samiti, however, did not take any decision on its another major demand - amendment of Article 371 of Constitution - for speedy development of the region.

Talk on rights, terrorism
Mandya, dhns:  The Karnataka Working Journalists’ Union and Indian Federation of Working Journalists have organised seminars on ‘Media and Human Rights’, and ‘Media and Terrorism’ as part of the National Council Meet. The seminar will be held at Adichunchangiri Kshetra, Nagamangala taluk, Mandya district, on January 1 and 2. Senior journalists are expected to participate.

Astrology seminar on January 6
Bangalore, dhns:   K N Rao, Founder director of the School of Astrology, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi, will be conducting a seminar and sharing his research findings on ‘Astrology and Profession’ on January 6 at Gandhi Bhavan, Kumar Krupa Road, from 9 am to 5 pm. Rao has been associated with the subject of astrology for over 65 years. His main body of work has been on establishing replicable methods for prediction. The admission fee is Rs 100.
Call Ravindranath on 98803 93345, R N Kaura-93412-44760 or A R Hebbar on 98451-29374.

Brahmana Sabha elects chief
C V L Shastri has been elected president of Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha for 2007-09. Elections were held at the Sabha’s annual general body meeting. Mr Shastri has been elected to the post for the third consecutive time.

Book released
Jambukhandiya Simha, a book on life and works of Jambhukhandi Vadirajacharya was released in Bangalore on Tuesday. It was released at the silver jubilee celebrations of Sri Gurugovinda Vittaladas’ Aradhana celebrations organised at Gayana Samaj. Former Chief Justice of India M N Venkatachalaiah and others participated in the programme.