New Delhi - Microsoft founder Bill Gates said Wednesday that India could successfully lead the way in eradicating polio and that his foundation would continue to provide resources for polio eradication in India and other countries despite the economic downturn.

Gates was addressing a news briefing in the Indian capital after visiting several health centres to observe polio surveillance, vaccination and eradication activities.

New Delhi, Nov. 5 : The All India Minorities Front (AIMF) National President S. M. Asif has greeted Barack Hussein Obama on his election as the US''s first black president.

Asif said that with the election of Obama, a ray of hope has emerged that the US relations with India and Islamic countries would strengthen and improve and a new era will come in the world.

In a message to Obama, Asif said that in his election the world will find a new leader and the Blacks will have honour and dignity all over. He said that the minorities in the US and elsewhere shall have a voice of their own at the highest level.

New Delhi, Nov 5 : Belgian King Albert II and Queen Paola visited Bangla Saheb Gurdwara in New Delhi on Wednesday.

King Albert II, who is on a nine-day visit to India, offered prayers at the Shrine.

The King Albert II and Queen Paola were felicitated with a ceremonial sword, an honour by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

“We have welcomed him according to our traditional Sikh custom, this will improve not only the relations between India and Belgium but also the image of the Sikhs living in Belgium will go higher,” said Paramjeet Singh, Sarna, Chairman, Gurudwara Management Committee.

The King and the Queen also inaugurated a ''langar'' (community kitchen) on the premises of the Gurudwara.

New Delhi - There is excitement in the air in Thimphu, capital of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan, as it prepares for the coronation of its fifth king - the 28-year-old Oxford-educated Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk on Thursday.

"The mood is festive. Everybody is getting ready. The lights are up as are the flags," Khandu-om Dorji, special programme officer in the Bhutanese prime minister's office said over telephone

New Delhi, Nov 05: President Pratibha Patil today left for Thimphu on a four-day visit to attend the coronation ceremony of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, the fifth King of Bhutan.

President Patil would be the guest of honour during the coronation ceremony, which starts from November 6.

Present King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley would receive President Patil at Paro airbase.

New Delhi, Nov 5 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil will hold a meeting with top police officials from the North Eastern here today to review the emerging security threat in that region.

According to police sources, Patil is expected to chalk out a fresh security strategy to deal with the terror threat from across the border and within the states.

The meeting will review the overall security scenario in the region vis--vis the recent serial blasts in Assam, Tripura and Manipur.