"Fire at illegal market in India kills at least 19" by Prasanta Paul | Associated Press, February 28, 2013
KOLKATA, India — A fire broke out at an illegal six-story plastics market in the Indian city of Kolkata early Wednesday, killing at least 19 people, police said.
The blaze, which started before 4 a.m., was probably caused by a short circuit, said West Bengal’s fire minister, Javed Khan. The fire was under control by mid-morning, he said, but toxic gases being released by the blaze were hampering rescue efforts.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said at least 19 people had died. He said police were looking for the owner of the building, which was filled with dozens of small shops selling various plastic products.
Another 10 people were hospitalized in critical condition, and the death toll was expected to rise, Khan said.
He called the scene of the fire ‘‘an illegal, unauthorized market.’’
However, local residents said the market had been operating in the building for nearly 40 years.
The building housed several warehouses on its upper floors, where chemicals, paper, and plastics were stored.
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This will fire up certain people:
"Hitler, Frankenstein on Indian ballot" by Wasbir Hussain | Associated Press, February 23, 2013
GAUHATI, India — Adolf Hitler is running for election in India. So is Frankenstein.
The tiny northeast Indian state of Meghalaya has a special fascination for interesting and sometimes controversial names, and the ballot for state elections Saturday is proof.
Among the 345 contestants running for the state assembly are Frankenstein Momin, Billykid Sangma, Field Marshal Mawphniang, and Romeo Rani. Some, like Kenedy Marak, Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem, and Jhim Carter Sangma, are clearly hoping for the electoral success of their namesake US presidents.
Then there is Hitler.
This 54-year-old father of three has won three elections to the state assembly with little controversy over being named after the Nazi dictator.
His father had worked with the British Army, but apparently developed enough of a fascination with Great Britain’s archenemy to name his son Adolf Hitler, he said.
India played little role in World War II, and many Indians view Hitler not as the personification of evil but as a figure of fascination.
That's because the swastika is also a Hindu religious symbol, and Indian culture hasn't been completely indoctrinated and inculcated with Zionist values yet.
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