Killer roads in Doda claimed 39 lives on Wednesday when a bus with 52 passengers fell into a 200m deep gorge at Galgandhar stretch on the Doda-Baderwah highway.

This is the 11th road accident in Doda this year. About 120 accidents in Doda and Kashtiwar last year left 59 dead and 253 injured. Doda district development commissioner Sharief-ud-din said the bus driver probably could not negotiate a narrow stretch and rolled into the gorge. "The bus was coming from Baderwah to Doda. Boulders were scattered around as the road is under construction," said Sharief.

Ropar (Punjab), Feb 24: Union Minister of Human Resource Development Arjun Singh will lay the foundation stone of the campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, in Punjab today.

This new IIT is part of the eight new IITs that have been established in the country by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development during XIth Plan.

Khatkar Kalan (Punjab), Feb 23 : Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday termed Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism in the world, and said Islamabad has been forced by the Indian policy to admit that its soil was being used for terrorist attacks on India.

Khatkar Kalan (Punjab)/ New Delhi, Feb 23 : Congratulating the team of ''Slumdog Millionaire'' for its resounding success at the Oscars, Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said he would ask the Finance Ministry to exempt from taxation all cash prizes won by A R Rahman at the Oscars.

"If the Oscars carry any cash award, I would recommend to the Finance Minister that it should be exempt from taxation," Chidambaram said while addressing a public function at Khatkar Kalan in Punjab today.

Amritsar, Feb 22 : A three-day cultural extravaganza, featuring the rich heritage of Amritsar, got underway with a colourful procession.

People from all walks of life in the city are participating in the annual heritage festival.

The festival is a major draw with caparisoned elephants, camels and horses, Bhangra and Giddha groups.

Authorities say that the festival helps in reviving the link between youngsters and their heritage.

Fazilika (Punjab), Feb. 20: Phulkari, the traditional art of floral designs on fabric, has been a synonym of Punjabi culture and a major charm among Punjabi women for centuries. However, a number of resident women in Fazilika town here have earned recognition for themselves through a special embroidery work.

Several resident women, some of whom initially received training from migrant Muslim craftsmen families of Uttar Pradesh, have today made the specialized embroidery work their occupation.