Zakir Hussain's victory
Dr. Zakir Hussain was declared elected Vice-President of India on May 7. He polled 568 votes as against 14 secured by the only other candidate, Mr. Samant Sinhar. Polling for the election of President and Vice-President concluded on May 7. The results of the Presidential election will be announced on May 11.
Atomic test by France
France carried out an underground atomic test in the Sahara desert on May 1, it was officially stated in Paris on May 7. The test was carried out in the Hoggar Mountains of the Sahara. Well-informed sources said the test was carried out by technicians belonging to the Military Applications Branch of the Atomic Energy Commissariat, and that the blast was of low power. For the past year, no official information has been given on French atomic tests. But, according to unconfirmed reports, a first subterranean test was carried out in the Hoggar region last autumn. This would make the reported May 1 blast the sixth carried out in France's programme of developing atomic weapons, and the second underground.
Badrinath season opens
Badrinath reopened for the season on May 6 amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. Nearly 6,000 pilgrims witnessed the ceremony. The 10,500-foot township is still under heavy snow and is slowly getting ready for the pilgrim season. Nearly 8,000 pilgrims have so far proceeded towards Badrinath from Rishikesh. About 400 pilgrims, who returned from Kedarnath after witnessing the opening ceremony there on April 30, reported that there was practically no arrangement for transporting them to Badrinath from Rudraprayag.
TB Seal campaign
The design for the TB Seal for the 13{+t}{+h}TB Seal Sale Campaign, organised by the Tuberculosis Association of India, has now been selected. Out of the 181 entries received from 84 artists the design submitted by Mr. Susanta Banerjee of New Delhi, has been selected as the suitable one. The design is the picture of a “woman fondling a doe” and the theme indicates the quality of kindness. The prize amount of the seal design is Rs.500.
