Indian president to visit Tajikistan.

DUSHANBE, September 6 (Itar-Tass) -- Great hopes are connected in
Dushanbe with the three-day official visit by Indian President Pratibha
Devisingh Patil, the first visit in the history of independent Tajikistan.

Tajik authorities expect bilateral cooperation to be livened up and
Indian capital to be attracted to the implementation of major investment
projects in the republic, first of all in the hydroelectric energy and
transport spheres, Tajik foreign ministry spokesman Davlat Nazriyev told a
meeting of local and foreign media representatives on the eve of the visit.
A serious breakthrough was made in Tajik-Indian bilateral relations in
recent time. Within military technical cooperation, India participates in
the reconstruction of the Aini military airdrome near Dushanbe. Several
dozens of Tajik young people study in Indian military schools every year.
Indian capital has come to the Tajik construction and energy spheres.
Delhi businessmen build a five-star hotel in Dushanbe and other
facilities. The Indian government has allocated 17 million dollars for the
republic as a grant for modernization of Varzob Hydroelectric Station One,
which long needs major repair.
Trade and economic ties are broadened. The trade turnover between the
two countries exceeded 29 million dollars last year, growing 40 percent as
compared to the previous year. Several joint textile and pharmaceutical
production companies are set up.
However, Indian Ambassador Amir Singh noted in an interview to the
national Tajik informational agency that there was very much reserve to
broaden bilateral cooperation and the themes would be discussed in the
talks on the top level.
The Indian president will arrive in Dushanbe in the second half of the
day. In the evening she will meet wit her compatriots -- business
representatives, students and diplomats. The official part of the visit
will begin in the morning on September 7 with talks with the Tajik
president in the Palace of Nations. The Indian leader will also meet
during the day with Prime Minister Akil Akilov, Tajik parliament lower
house chairman Saidullo Khairullayev and together with Emomali Rakhmon
will participate in the Tajik-Indian business forum.
The Indian president on September 8 will visit the ancient Tajik city
of Kulyab in the south of the republic, where the mausoleum of Mir Said
Alli Khamadoni, a Tajik medieval scientist, poet and philosopher
well-known in India , is located.
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.Elderly woman injured in Khabarovsk gas blast in heavy condition.
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KHABAROVSK, September 6 (Itar-Tass) -- The 70-year-old woman
hospitalised after the gas explosion in her flat in Khabarovsk is in very
heavy condition, doctors said. She has burns on almost 70 percent of her
body.
Other two people from the building are in condition of "medium
gravity" in hospital, the Khabarovsk territorial department for
emergencies told Itar-Tass on Sunday, referring to the information of
medics.
The explosion in the ten-storey building destroyed four flats and
floors over the basement. It occurred early in the morning on Saturday.
Specialists examined the constructions of the building and said it was
dangerous to reside in the damaged section. The families from the
destroyed flats -- 14 people, including two children -- are accommodated
in the municipal hostel. The rest residents temporarily reside at homes of
their relatives. There is no threat for 160 families in other sections of
the building. The electricity, gas and water supply is resumed to the
building, the department said.
The damaged constructions are being dismantled. Police guard the flats
24 hours a day. The territorial department for emergencies has set up
operational headquarters to coordinate actions of all the services dealing
with the accident consequences.
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