New Delhi, Feb 3 : Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar today said that India is set to expand power generation after signing the IAEA inspection deal that would end more than two decades of nuclear isolation and provide fuel for its civilian nuclear reactors.

Kakodkar, who was here to accept the Bharat Asmita award said that New Delhi was in process develop civil nuclear cooperation with several friendly countries in an attempt to generate energy capacity.

New Delhi, Feb 3 : Leaders of several political parties told the three- member Election Commission on Tuesday to ensure a level playing field to smaller parties during the forthcoming general elections.

They also appealed to the commission to compress the use of money and muscle power, besides holding the polls in fewer places.

Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the polls should not extend for more than three weeks, and advised single phased polls for Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

New Delhi, Feb 3 : Vice President Hamid Ansari presented the ''Bharat Asmita National Awards 2009'' here today.

Ansari presented the ''Bharat Asmita Shreshthva Award'' to Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India in recognition to his stellar service to the nation.

He also presented the award to G. Madhvan Nair, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in recognition to his outstanding service to the nation.

New Delhi, Feb 3 (ANI): A high-level technical delegation headed by Minister of State for Railways Dr. R. Velu will visit China from February 4 to 8 to have an exchange of ideas on the issues of high speed railway network, world class railway stations and logistics parks.

The delegation includes three technical officers from Ministry of Railways from works Planning, Signalling and Finance Divisions.

Indian Railway is planning large investments in these areas and exchange of ideas with Chinese Railway officials.

New Delhi, Feb 3 : Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath today said that the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) have significantly contributed towards employment generation and encouraged manufacturing activity in the country.

Speaking at the Export Awards function organized by the Export Promotion Council for EOUs and SEZs (EPCES) here, Nath said, "During the period 2003-04 to 2007-08, exports from SEZs and EOUs have increased from Rs. 42,641 crore to Rs. 221,066 crore, a growth of 418 per cent in four years."

New Delhi, Feb 3 : The Mughal Garden of Rashtrapati Bhavan will be opened for public viewing this year from February 7 to March 10.

The gardens will be open to the general public on all days 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. except on Mondays being maintenance days and on March 11 the day of the Holi Festival.

The entry into the gardens will close at 4 p. m. through Gate No. 35, which is located near North Avenue.