His Excellency said that there could be no better gift than this to people of India on Indiraji's birth anniversary. The formal announcement is expected shortly after a meeting including the Leader of India's opposition L K Advani. The meeting, which will take place almost a month after incumbent CIC Wajahat Habibullah resigned, is being looked forward to by RTI activists who are demanding transparency in the selection process and pressing for the appointment of a non-bureaucrat to the post. The PM-Advani meeting to finalise the name for the coveted post was to take place on October 27, but it was deferred with the authorities citing no reason.

Other names tipped for consideration included Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar, AN Tiwari, noted environmentalist Dr Shekhar Singh, IGP Kiran Bedi and Oscar nominated actor Amir Khan.

Press breifing

President Obama will host Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India at the White House on November 24, for an official state visit. This  visit will be the first state visit of the administration and will highlight the strong and growing strategic partnership between the United States and India, and the friendship between the American and Indian people.

During the visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of global, regional and bilateral issues of shared interest and common concern. The two leaders are also likely to discuss the strategic dialogue that was launched in July and review progress made in the dialogue.

President and Mrs Obama will also host Prime Minister Singh and Mrs Kaur for an official state dinner on the night of November 24.

President Obama looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Singh to Washington and working with him to strengthen and enhance their partnership for the benefit of the people of both nations and the world.