Date:22/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/22/stories/2008072253830900.htm

Opinion - News Analysis

Corrections and clarifications

* * The penultimate paragraph in a Hyderabad report “MIM, Narendra to vote for UPA” (July 21, 2008) was “Dr. Reddy called on Political Secretary to Ms. Gandhi Ahmed Patel, former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi.” Mr. Vayalar Ravi is Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Mr. Priyaranjan Dasmunsi is Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

* * In a report “‘Iluppaikkadavai town liberated’” (“International” page, July 21, 2008), there was a reference to “[Sri Lanka Air Force] Kafir fighter jets”. It should have been the Kfir fighter jet. The Sri Lanka Air Force has been operating the Israeli built jet since 1996. Kfir, in Hebrew, means lion cub.

* * The last paragraph in a report “Continuance of failed marriage, for namesake, is cruelty: court” (July 21, 2008) was “Accordingly, in exercise of powers under Article 142, we direct that the marriage shall stand dissolved, subject to the appellant paying the respondent Rs. 2 lakh by way of permanent alimony and Rs. 25 as costs of this appeal to her.” The figure for costs should have been Rs. 25,000.

* * An item “Heavy rain in Kanyakumari” (“Briefly”, Tamil Nadu edition – Madurai, July 20, 2008, page 3) said “The water level in Pechipparai dam stood at 32.70 feet against its total capacity of 48 feet, 32.40 feet in Perunchani against its total capacity of 77 feet, 5.90 feet in Chittar I against its total capacity of 18 feet and 6 feet in Chittar II against its total capacity of 18 feet.” The word capacity should have been FRL or Full Reservoir Level. The capacity of a reservoir, or the available water in it, is expressed in terms of million cu.ft. (MCFt) or thousand million cu.ft. (TMCft.), or million acre feet (MAF) in the northern states.

* * The last paragraph in a report “[Supreme] Court: ignore minor flaws in victim’s evidence in rape case” (July 18, 2008) omitted, in editing, the court’s orders. The missing portion read: “In the instant case, Moti Lal was awarded seven-year imprisonment in a rape case by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The apex court dismissed his appeal and confirmed the conviction and sentence.”

Similarly, in a report “Speedy trial is a constitutional right” (July 16, 2008), the Supreme Court’s order was edited, dropping some key words (in italics): “Quashing the proceedings, the [Supreme Court] Bench said ‘having regard to the nature of accusations against the appellant, who was a young boy of 18 years in 1981 ….’”

* * *

It is the policy of The Hindu to correct significant errors as soon as possible. Please specify the edition (place of publication), date and page.

The Readers’ Editor’s office can be contacted by

Telephone: +91-44-28418297/28576300 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday);

Fax: +91-44-28552963;

E-mail: readerseditor@thehindu.co.in

Mail: Readers’ Editor, The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings,

859 & 860 Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002, India.

All communication must carry the full postal address and telephone number.

No personal visits.

The Terms of Reference for the Readers’ Editor are on www.thehindu.com