20100507
Krishna to talk to his Pakistani counterpart today
Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday said he will be talking with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi today to take forward the new engagement between the two South Asian neighbours. "Indeed, I am talking to my counterpart in Pakistan tomorrow. It was agreed between us that once parliament adjourned, we would be in touch with each other," he said in the Rajya Sabha. They will discuss dates for the visit of Qureshi, which is likely to take place later this month. Referring to the meeting of the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers in Bhutan, Krishna said: "If I may put it this way, a transformation has come about in our relationship. The mood, the ambience and tone and tenor of prime minister of Pakistan was indeed encouraging." Krishna said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did raise the "core concern" of India, which is terrorism, with Pakistani Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, who assured that India's concerns would be met adequately. Krishna said the two prime ministers were apprised of "the "trust deficit" that existed in the relationship. "In response to that, the two prime ministers have mandated the two foreign ministers to work out the modalities on how this trust deficit should be addressed," Krishna said
Four guerrillas, two soldiers killed in Kashmir gunfight
Four separatist guerrillas and two army troopers were killed in a fierce gunfight in a forest area near Rafiabad in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, an official said today.
The army and police jointly surrounded the area near Sheikhpora village, 80 km from here on Thursday, when they received specific information about the presence of a group of militants, Defence spokesperson Lt.Col J.S.Brar said.
"As the security forces were conducting searches, they came under heavy fire from the hiding militants. The security forces retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight that continued for the entire night, four terrorists were killed," he said.
Two soldiers were also killed in the battle and searches in the area are still on, Brar told the media.
The army and police jointly surrounded the area near Sheikhpora village, 80 km from here on Thursday, when they received specific information about the presence of a group of militants, Defence spokesperson Lt.Col J.S.Brar said.
"As the security forces were conducting searches, they came under heavy fire from the hiding militants. The security forces retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight that continued for the entire night, four terrorists were killed," he said.
Two soldiers were also killed in the battle and searches in the area are still on, Brar told the media.
Maoists damage rail tracks in Bihar
Maoist guerrillas damaged railway tracks in two places in Bihar, resulting in four coaches of a train being derailed and disruption of traffic, officials said today. The Ballia express was derailed early today near Hajipur, about 30 km from here, when Maoists damaged the railway track, during their 48-hour strike imposed after police foiled a Maoist-backed outfit's public meeting, railway officials said. No casualties were reported, Sonepur Divisional Railway Manager R.K. Agrawal said. "The derailment disrupted traffic and railway officials were trying to resume it," he said. In the other incident, Maoists blasted a track near Mansi railway station in Khagaria district, about 170 km from here, late Thursday. Police said the track was blown up and train services were hit for hours. The police had allegedly prevented members of the Mahangai Virodhi Morcha, a pro-Maoist group, from organising a public meeting against price rise on April 30 in Muzaffarpur. Additional security personnel had been deployed in Maoist-affected districts in view of the strike, Additional Director General of Police P.K. Thakur said.
Nuclear liability bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha today
UPA government is all set to table the much debatable Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 in Lok Sabha today, which is also the last day of the Budget session. The main intention will be to send the bill to the Parliament Standing Committee today. The Nuclear Liability bill has been listed in the schedule of today's business in the Lok Sabha. Owing to the lack of required support on March 15 the government was compelled to postpone the introduction of this contentious bill As India has joined hands with several countries for the purpose of civil nuclear cooperation initiatives the nuclear liability bill is touted as a vital tool for implementing such initiatives. Once the bill is passed it will be mandatory for the operator of the nuclear plant to shoulder the liability and dole out crores in case of each nuclear accident.
BCCI issues another showcause notice to Lalit Modi
Suspended IPL chairman Lalit Modi is yet to shrug off his recent setback and he already finds himself in another trouble. BCCI, the apex governing body of Indian cricket, has issued a showcause notice to him following the English cricket board's allegation of provoking counties to revolt against their governing body if they are not allowed to play in IPL.
The English cricket board also accuses him of inciting players to revolt against their superiors.
BCCI has issued a five-page showcause notice, which contains a series of allegations against Modi. BCCI has given him 15 days time to respond to charges. According to the BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, the Board issued such a showcause notice after receiving an e-mail from England Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke.
Stating that Lalit Modi's activities are damaging to Indian cricket as well as the World cricket, Srinivasan hinted at a serious action against him that might soon follow.
The showcause notice referred to Modi's meeting with the representatives of English counties. It has been reported that Modi talked about a parallel IPL in the England and Wales.
The English cricket board also accuses him of inciting players to revolt against their superiors.
BCCI has issued a five-page showcause notice, which contains a series of allegations against Modi. BCCI has given him 15 days time to respond to charges. According to the BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, the Board issued such a showcause notice after receiving an e-mail from England Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke.
Stating that Lalit Modi's activities are damaging to Indian cricket as well as the World cricket, Srinivasan hinted at a serious action against him that might soon follow.
The showcause notice referred to Modi's meeting with the representatives of English counties. It has been reported that Modi talked about a parallel IPL in the England and Wales.
Kasab convicted on evidence, not confession: Chidambaram
Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab was convicted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, India's worst terror attack, on the basis of evidence gathered against him and not on the basis of his confession, Home Minister P.Chidmbaram said on Thursday. "Kasab was convicted not on the basis of his confession but on the basis of the evidence gathered against him," he said while replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the functioning of the home ministry. "This was not only oral evidence but a wealth of material that was painstakingly gathered. We were able to reconstruct the path (of the 10 attackers) from Karachi to Mumbai. We were able to track mobile phone conversations within hours of the attack," the home minister said. He noted that through the use of technology, investigators "were able to retrieve material from damaged mobile phones. In a way, this was phone tapping", he said in a reference to the controversy that rocked parliament on the phones of prominent politicians being tapped. Speaking about the course of the trial, he said: "We did not create a Guantanamo Bay. We did not create a military court. Kasab was tried in a normal civil court, except that the judge was designated a special judge." Kasab was today sentenced to death for his role in the November 2008 Mumbai carnage by a special court that said he had no right to live. Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani gave him death on four counts -- waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to commit murder and indulging in terrorist activities. "To be hanged by the neck till death," the judge intoned after reading out each count.
Why don't Bollywood sci-fi movies work at box office?
"Rudraksh", "Alag", "Love Story 2050" and "Prince" - all belong to the sci-fi genre, but the other common factor linking these movies is they were duds at the box office. The sci-fi genre suffers due to lack of good storyline and technology, say experts. "Special effects need patience and a huge budget - either the producers lose their patience or run out of money (while making one) here," said Ashu Trikha, who directed "Alag". "There is an established corporate investment system in Hollywood and certainly it is different from the investment made by an individual, like Harry Baweja did for 'Love Story 2050' here," he added. Hindi cinema's saga with sci-fi movies probably started with Shekhar Kapur's super hit "Mr. India". Starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi, the movie about a guy who uses a wristband that turns the wearer invisible to fight corruption, set a benchmark in terms of concept, direction and screenplay. It took 16 years for another such movie to make a mark - it was filmmaker Rakesh Roshan's "Koi... Mil Gaya". Released in 2003, the Hrithik Roshan- Priety Zinta-starrer, about a mentally challenged boy's friendship with an alien, was an instant hit. Roshan was second time lucky when he released its sequel "Krrish" in 2006. The part two saw Hrithik as the mentally challenged boy's son who inherits his father's superhuman abilities. Made on a budget of about Rs.50 crore, it rocked the box office. There were other attempts after that, but none could repeat the same success story. "Prince", which was considered to be Vivek Oberoi's comeback movie, could not impress despite its Hollywood style production - slick packaging, sophisticated gadgetry and special effects and a budget of Rs.40 crore. Something similar happened to the much-hyped sci-fi thriller "Love Story 2050". It was the launch vehicle of Hurman Baweja. His father, filmmaker Harry Baweja, spent a whopping Rs.60 crore on the making of the film about a man who travels in a time machine from present to the year 2050 to bring back his beloved, played by Priyanka Chopra. But the audiences rejected the film. Mani Shankar-directed "Rudraksh" too bombed at the box office due to a weak storyline and poor special effects. The film came in 2004 and producers Sohail Maklai and Nitin Manmohan had then spent Rs.20 crore on the project that merged mythology with science. Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Suniel Shetty and Isha Koppikhar formed the cast of "Rudraksh". Photographer Subi Samuel's production debut "Alag" starring Akshay Kapoor and Dia Mirza faded from the audiences' memory without a trace. Made at Rs.4 crore, the movie focused on a boy with supernatural powers who has a healing touch and can conduct electricity. Trikha feels the movie flopped because the audiences failed to understand the concept. "Star cast plays a vital role in determining the fate of any movie. Sometimes the cast overcomes a story rather than the concept of the movie; that is what happened with 'Alag'. Also, many among the audience fail to understand the science involved in it. If 'Alag' had got a global market, it surely would have done well," he said. The phenomenal success of James Cameron's Oscar winning 3D sci-fi epic "Avatar" has reportedly compelled Rakesh Roshan to defer a sequel to "Krrish" due to the lack of technological logistics here. But at the same time it inspired Ram Gopal Varma to make two 3D films. However, the filmmaker concedes Bollywood can never match Hollywood's technical sensibilities. "I don't think we'll ever reach that level because we are like 100 years behind them (Hollywood) so by the time if we even reach, they'll be 500 years ahead of us. Even to copy what they make takes us decades," Varma told media. Another much-talked about film in the genre is superstar Shah Rukh Khan's "Ra.One". " 'Ra.One' means 'Random Access version One... (I've) never done a film like this... whole feel is unreal... the biggest star will be the VFX (visual effects) unit in the film," Shah Rukh posted on his twitter page. Considering the slew of duds Bollywood has produced in sci-fi movies, will "Ra.One" and Varma's outings work? Only audiences will tell.
RComm launches free calls pack for prepaid CDMA customers
Mobile services major Reliance Communications, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group, today launched a new prepaid CDMA pack which will enable customers to make free calls to other numbers on the network and limited free calls to other networks. Under the "Simply Unlimited CDMA" offer, RComm customers can make unlimited local calls to other customers on its network and limited free calls to other networks at a monthly cost of Rs.299, the company said. For long-distance calls, customers can avail of a monthly package of Rs.599 to make as many free calls to numbers on the network, but will again be able to make only a limited number of free calls to other networks. "Both the unlimited packs are subject to fair usage condition of 30 minutes per day (900 minutes per month) and applies to offnet calls. Beyond 30 minutes per day, these calls will be charged at 50 paise per minute," said a company statement. The new packs are valid for both new and existing customers and the calls can be to a mobile or landline. "The launch of Simply Reliance Initiative last year simplified the confusion resulting out of thousands of tariff plans. With the launch of our new pack today, we aim to address the customers’ need of a large group who do not wish to be bogged down by concerns related to balance, recharges," said Syed Safawi, CEO - Wireless Business, Reliance Communication.
Fritolay plans to increase contract farming area
FritoLay India, the snacks food division of Pepsico, is planning to increase by about 70 percent its contract farming area in the next five years to reduce dependence on other sources for potatoes, a company official said here today. "By 2015 we will increase the contract farming area for potato cultivation to 27,000 acres from the present 16,000 acres to reduce dependence on other sources of procurement. This will involve about 40,000 farmers in the job as against 15,000 at present," Ruchira Jaitley, vice-president of the company told reporters here. The company procures about 1.6 lakh tonnes of potato per year from West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. The size of the branded salty snacks business in the country is at present between Rs.2,500 crore and Rs.3,000 crore with an annual growth of about 30 per cent, she said.
The creative genius who bore suffering silently
Six feet two inches in height, Rabindranath Tagore had to strive hard to hold his head high. The 14th child in a family of 15, he alone was sufficient reason why India should not worry too much about family planning. And 150 years after his birth, he continues to grow in stature as the subcontinent's greatest creative genius.
Those who know many languages claim he has no equal anywhere on earth. The issue is not whether he is the Mt. Everest, but, say after another 150 years, will anybody believe that such a man ever walked this earth?
And yet, the obstacles he overcame, the treatment he received from his contemporaries when alive, the endless chain of suffering he underwent are worth recounting. Here are some snippets.
There was lunacy in the Tagore family which came from the mother Sarada Debi's side. One of her brothers had insanity and two of the poet's elder brothers divided their time in asylum and the house at Jorasanko. It is said when the news of the Nobel prize reached Calcutta in 1913, one of these brothers started shouting, claiming that he was the real author of Geetanjali.
They were originally Sandilya gotra Banerjees, grandfather prince Dwarkanath had opened a Bank of Bengal account as 'Thakur' and later turned 'Tagore'. Was Rabindranath rich? Prince Dwarkanath was one of the richest Indians of the nineteenth century, but his firm Car Tagore & Co. went bankrupt shortly after his untimely and unexpected death in England and son Debendrath, more a rishi than a businessman filed insolvency. He sold everything, including jewellery, but the zamindari remained in hand and Rabindranath regrets around the Nobel Prize time that he had miserably failed to earn money either from his writings or other efforts.
He often borrowed money from friends, relatives and moneylenders at punitive interest rates, his collaterals being residential properties, family jewellery, copyrights and stocks of unsold books. At one time he offered his entire copyrights for Rs. 10,000, but had no success.
Was he a good-for-nothing in studies and became a school dropout? Records show, the reluctant schoolboy topped the list in Bengali language and annoyed his teacher Haranath Pandit who insisted on a second exam. Even then Rabindranath topped. His unhappy school days led him to found a great educational institution at Santiniketan.
Death and bereavement were the poet's lifelong companion. It began with the death of his mother when he was 14, following an injury from a collapsed iron safe. Seven years later, on the very day of his marriage, his elder sister's husband died. Shortly thereafter, Kadambari Debi, his brother's wife, committed suicide by taking poison, a tragedy which left its mark on him forever.
Following the Tagore family tradition, his bride Mrinalini came to the Jorasanko house to be married. She bore him three daughters and two sons. Yet, the family is now extinct. Mrinalini developed appendicitis and died in 1902. The poet, criticized for sticking to homoeopathy, became, for some years, a vegetarian. The death of his beloved youngest son Samindranath at the age of thirteen was another big blow. The relationship with the three sons-in-law were far from happy, although he bore their expenses for higher education. Eldest daughter Madhurilata, the most beautiful among them all, developed TB and died at the age of 32.
Malicious rumours were spread about the poet marrying for the second time and Dwijendralal Roy, an eminent writer, took the trouble of staging a play on this possible marriage! Another rumour suggested that the poet had already approved of a beautiful girl from Assam! In desperation, the poet approached a friend, attached to a newspaper, to issue a denial.
The relationship with the British was always a mixture of hate and love. His first sojourn in England was at the age of 17, when he studied for a short while in a London school. Records reveal that he had plans to sit for the Indian Civil Service examination, like his brother Satyendranath, and applied for an age certificate from the local government.
His first book, a 54-page collection of Bengali poems, was published by a close friend, Prabodh Chandra Ghosh. Priced six annas (36 paise), it received good reviews, but even 500 copies could not be sold. The unsold stock was a source of embarrassment to the poet. Thereafter, no publisher worth the name showed interest, and printing was funded by the poet or his family members. His luck with booksellers and unsold stock was bitter. At one stage, for an advance of Rs. 1,100, he sold the unsold stock of twelve books, which were advertised as "printed on best papers, full of emotions and attractive commission on sale".
At one time, Rabindranath desperately looked for a publisher who will buy his copyrights for a paltry sum, but even that effort failed. His bad luck with publishers continued till he set up his own publishing house Visva Bharati after winning the Nobel Prize.
The volume of Tagore's literary output is formidable. Even decades after his death, the collection of all his writings and letters is not complete. His daughter-in-law has left behind an account of a normal day in his life. Retiring at 12 midnight he will wake up at 3 to do his prayers, followed by tea at 4 am. Then he would write nonstop up to seven. After breakfast another writing session up to eleven, followed by early lunch. Never any rest post-lunch, only studies and writings. Tea at 4 p.m. was a welcome break. Dinner at 7 p.m. After dinner, no wastage of time, but another marathon writing session till midnight.
At the famous Alipore Bomb trial in 1909, in which Sri Aurobindo was involved, one of the young accused, Ullaskar Datta, dared to sing in open court a Tagore song and thus was responsible for the earliest translation next day in English newspapers - "Blessed is my birth, for I was born in this land".
Bengali Gitanjali (1,000 copies) was published in Calcutta on April 1910 -- soon efforts began to reach the English speaking world. Three short stories translated by Sister Nivedita were sent to a British magazine, but were straight away rejected. Even the manuscipt was mislaid.
In 1912, his second voyage to England aimed at trying the English speaking world and also to get his painful piles treated. On an exercise book, he himself translated the poems, which later brought him the Nobel Prize. In London, his son Rathindranath lost the manuscript (the only copy) in an underground railway coach. A desperate Rathindranath, as a last resort, went to the lost property office the next day and got back the priceless notebook. This was handed over to the British sculptor Rothenstein whom he had met earlier in Calcutta. The rest is history. An admiring Rothenstein typed three copies and initiated a limited edition (250 copies for sale) at 10 shilling 6 pence. The date of publication was Nov 1, 1912. Later, Macmillan published a modestly priced second edition and up to February 1914 sold 19,320 copies.
The news of the Nobel Prize reached Calcutta on Nov 14, 1913. A cheque from the Chartered Bank for Rs. 116,269 followed. The Income Tax Department played its role immediately and Rs. 2,070.50 had to be deposited. Another Re 1 was spent as stamp duty for a formal application claiming tax exemption. Tagore biographers do not know the fate of that effort! Around Rs. 30,000 were paid to clear urgent debts and the rest deposited with his favourite agricultural bank. This bank, in due course, failed.
Even the Nobel Prize news was received with a pinch of salt. It was said the writings were not his, the credit should go to Yeats. Others talked about Swedish authorities being bribed. Some contemporaries in Bengal felt they also deserved the Nobel and quickly posted copies of their books to Sweden.
The number of ardent admirers were no less. They chartered a special train from Howrah to Bolpur and offered him greetings. For the first time the poet's patience broke and in his reply to the felicitation he recalled the many unkindnesses received which made it difficult for him to accept the greetings of his fellow countrymen. So disturbed were some of the guests that they refused the poet's tea and snacks and returned to the special train waiting at Bolpur.
Tagore later regained his cool, and wrote a letter of apology. He even visited some personalities in Calcutta seeking forgiveness.
The poet who bore all humiliation and suffering silently all his life only once lost his calm as the world recognized his creation.
Those who know many languages claim he has no equal anywhere on earth. The issue is not whether he is the Mt. Everest, but, say after another 150 years, will anybody believe that such a man ever walked this earth?
And yet, the obstacles he overcame, the treatment he received from his contemporaries when alive, the endless chain of suffering he underwent are worth recounting. Here are some snippets.
There was lunacy in the Tagore family which came from the mother Sarada Debi's side. One of her brothers had insanity and two of the poet's elder brothers divided their time in asylum and the house at Jorasanko. It is said when the news of the Nobel prize reached Calcutta in 1913, one of these brothers started shouting, claiming that he was the real author of Geetanjali.
They were originally Sandilya gotra Banerjees, grandfather prince Dwarkanath had opened a Bank of Bengal account as 'Thakur' and later turned 'Tagore'. Was Rabindranath rich? Prince Dwarkanath was one of the richest Indians of the nineteenth century, but his firm Car Tagore & Co. went bankrupt shortly after his untimely and unexpected death in England and son Debendrath, more a rishi than a businessman filed insolvency. He sold everything, including jewellery, but the zamindari remained in hand and Rabindranath regrets around the Nobel Prize time that he had miserably failed to earn money either from his writings or other efforts.
He often borrowed money from friends, relatives and moneylenders at punitive interest rates, his collaterals being residential properties, family jewellery, copyrights and stocks of unsold books. At one time he offered his entire copyrights for Rs. 10,000, but had no success.
Was he a good-for-nothing in studies and became a school dropout? Records show, the reluctant schoolboy topped the list in Bengali language and annoyed his teacher Haranath Pandit who insisted on a second exam. Even then Rabindranath topped. His unhappy school days led him to found a great educational institution at Santiniketan.
Death and bereavement were the poet's lifelong companion. It began with the death of his mother when he was 14, following an injury from a collapsed iron safe. Seven years later, on the very day of his marriage, his elder sister's husband died. Shortly thereafter, Kadambari Debi, his brother's wife, committed suicide by taking poison, a tragedy which left its mark on him forever.
Following the Tagore family tradition, his bride Mrinalini came to the Jorasanko house to be married. She bore him three daughters and two sons. Yet, the family is now extinct. Mrinalini developed appendicitis and died in 1902. The poet, criticized for sticking to homoeopathy, became, for some years, a vegetarian. The death of his beloved youngest son Samindranath at the age of thirteen was another big blow. The relationship with the three sons-in-law were far from happy, although he bore their expenses for higher education. Eldest daughter Madhurilata, the most beautiful among them all, developed TB and died at the age of 32.
Malicious rumours were spread about the poet marrying for the second time and Dwijendralal Roy, an eminent writer, took the trouble of staging a play on this possible marriage! Another rumour suggested that the poet had already approved of a beautiful girl from Assam! In desperation, the poet approached a friend, attached to a newspaper, to issue a denial.
The relationship with the British was always a mixture of hate and love. His first sojourn in England was at the age of 17, when he studied for a short while in a London school. Records reveal that he had plans to sit for the Indian Civil Service examination, like his brother Satyendranath, and applied for an age certificate from the local government.
His first book, a 54-page collection of Bengali poems, was published by a close friend, Prabodh Chandra Ghosh. Priced six annas (36 paise), it received good reviews, but even 500 copies could not be sold. The unsold stock was a source of embarrassment to the poet. Thereafter, no publisher worth the name showed interest, and printing was funded by the poet or his family members. His luck with booksellers and unsold stock was bitter. At one stage, for an advance of Rs. 1,100, he sold the unsold stock of twelve books, which were advertised as "printed on best papers, full of emotions and attractive commission on sale".
At one time, Rabindranath desperately looked for a publisher who will buy his copyrights for a paltry sum, but even that effort failed. His bad luck with publishers continued till he set up his own publishing house Visva Bharati after winning the Nobel Prize.
The volume of Tagore's literary output is formidable. Even decades after his death, the collection of all his writings and letters is not complete. His daughter-in-law has left behind an account of a normal day in his life. Retiring at 12 midnight he will wake up at 3 to do his prayers, followed by tea at 4 am. Then he would write nonstop up to seven. After breakfast another writing session up to eleven, followed by early lunch. Never any rest post-lunch, only studies and writings. Tea at 4 p.m. was a welcome break. Dinner at 7 p.m. After dinner, no wastage of time, but another marathon writing session till midnight.
At the famous Alipore Bomb trial in 1909, in which Sri Aurobindo was involved, one of the young accused, Ullaskar Datta, dared to sing in open court a Tagore song and thus was responsible for the earliest translation next day in English newspapers - "Blessed is my birth, for I was born in this land".
Bengali Gitanjali (1,000 copies) was published in Calcutta on April 1910 -- soon efforts began to reach the English speaking world. Three short stories translated by Sister Nivedita were sent to a British magazine, but were straight away rejected. Even the manuscipt was mislaid.
In 1912, his second voyage to England aimed at trying the English speaking world and also to get his painful piles treated. On an exercise book, he himself translated the poems, which later brought him the Nobel Prize. In London, his son Rathindranath lost the manuscript (the only copy) in an underground railway coach. A desperate Rathindranath, as a last resort, went to the lost property office the next day and got back the priceless notebook. This was handed over to the British sculptor Rothenstein whom he had met earlier in Calcutta. The rest is history. An admiring Rothenstein typed three copies and initiated a limited edition (250 copies for sale) at 10 shilling 6 pence. The date of publication was Nov 1, 1912. Later, Macmillan published a modestly priced second edition and up to February 1914 sold 19,320 copies.
The news of the Nobel Prize reached Calcutta on Nov 14, 1913. A cheque from the Chartered Bank for Rs. 116,269 followed. The Income Tax Department played its role immediately and Rs. 2,070.50 had to be deposited. Another Re 1 was spent as stamp duty for a formal application claiming tax exemption. Tagore biographers do not know the fate of that effort! Around Rs. 30,000 were paid to clear urgent debts and the rest deposited with his favourite agricultural bank. This bank, in due course, failed.
Even the Nobel Prize news was received with a pinch of salt. It was said the writings were not his, the credit should go to Yeats. Others talked about Swedish authorities being bribed. Some contemporaries in Bengal felt they also deserved the Nobel and quickly posted copies of their books to Sweden.
The number of ardent admirers were no less. They chartered a special train from Howrah to Bolpur and offered him greetings. For the first time the poet's patience broke and in his reply to the felicitation he recalled the many unkindnesses received which made it difficult for him to accept the greetings of his fellow countrymen. So disturbed were some of the guests that they refused the poet's tea and snacks and returned to the special train waiting at Bolpur.
Tagore later regained his cool, and wrote a letter of apology. He even visited some personalities in Calcutta seeking forgiveness.
The poet who bore all humiliation and suffering silently all his life only once lost his calm as the world recognized his creation.
'Ethical hacking is a booming industry'
Cyber security expert Ankit Fadia, who prefers to call himself an "ethical hacker", believes every institution needs trained hands to ensure foolproof safety for their systems and this industry can offer huge job opportunities. Fadia, 24, who has a bachelors degree in computer science from Stanford University in California, runs a consulting company called e-secure in Mumbai. "In this hi-tech era when everyone is on one or the other social networking site and everything is available online, we cannot take internet security for granted. Even our politicians and celebrities are not safe on the internet and in some cases it can also pose a serious national security threat," Fadia told media here. "Therefore we have to take steps by disseminating knowledge about these hackers and about ways to pre-empt them. In the 21st century, we surely need a strong workforce of ethical hackers and we cannot afford to ignore it at any cost." An ethical hacker is an expert in computer securities and network systems, and is hired to check the vulnerability of an organisation's computer system to an outside breach or hacking. He uses the same techniques that an unscrupulous hacker may apply. He then identifies the problems or loopholes in the system and drafts a solution for it. "Hackers are seeing India as an easy target because we are not paying much heed to this area as compared to other countries like China. In India we have good cyber laws but normally people are not aware about them and easily fall victims to cyber attacks. "Unfortunately our police personnel are also not conversant with the required skills," said Fadia, who has been consulted by the US authorities to decode an encrypted e-mail sent by associates of Osama bin Laden. He said the industry of ethical hacking is growing at a tremendous pace and offers a plethora of lucrative job opportunities for youngsters. Last year it was estimated to be a $3.8 billion industry in the US alone. "According to Nasscom findings, India will require at least 77,000 ethical hackers every year whereas at the moment we are producing only 15,000 in a year. Therefore it is still an unexplored field," Fadia said. For Fadia it was a hobby to learn hacking, which has now transformed into full-time career. He started learning hacking on his own, through internet, when he was only 12 and at the age of 13 he had hacked the website of Chip magazine. "I had changed the home page of Chip magazine. But I was afraid that it could land me in jail; therefore I immediately sent a mail to the magazine editor and told him how prone his website was to hacking and I also provided him a solution for it," said Fadia. "He was so impressed that he offered me a job. But when I told him that I was just 13, he said that he would wait for five years before hiring me," he said. To educate people about the intricacies of hacking and to prevent their websites and e-mail accounts from being hacked, Fadia is also running a computer security training and certification course called 'Ankit Fadia Certified Ethical Hacker Programme' "Over the last three years, we have trained nearly 20,000 people in China and South Asia and our students have been placed in top companies like Infosys and Wipro. We will also conduct classes in Punjab in July. The idea is to familiarise more people with ethical hacking," said Fadia. Fadia is consultant on cyber security with various companies, government bodies and security agencies both in India and abroad. "In 2001, the US government had consulted me for decoding an encrypted e-mail sent by some associates of Osama bin Laden. I had also assisted the ATS (Anti Terrorist Squad) men, to ascertain the origin of different mails and messages after the Mumbai terror attacks," said Fadia.
Kasab death sentence is not lead news in Pakistan
Pakistan's English media today front-paged but did not lead with the death sentence awarded to Ajmal Amir Kasab for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, focusing instead on an emerging dispute between the government and the judiciary on reopening a graft case against President Asif Ali Zardari. There were no editorials but this was not surprising as Pakistani newspapers normally take more than a day to react to events of this nature. The only comment, as it were, was by the Dawn's New Delhi correspondent, who noted: "As an Indian judge closed a sordid chapter in Delhi’s ties with Islamabad on Thursday by handing the death sentence to the sole surviving Pakistani gunman involved in the November 2008 carnage in Mumbai, the Indian government signalled that a more serious threat to the country’s internal security came from a Maoist rebellion raging in central and eastern India, not from across the border." "In an unusual advisory that seemed to presage the government’s shift in focus away from Pakistan, whose foreign minister is widely expected to resume talks with his Indian counterpart later this month, the Indian home ministry warned that it was the Maoists that planned to overthrow the Indian state in a bloody revolt, currently located in the central Indian forests," Jawed Naqvi wrote. Dawn, as also The News, carried an identical 400-word agency report on Kasab's sentence. Daily Times carried a similar report, but compressed it to less than 100 words. "Indian judge sentences Kasab to death," said the headline in The News. "Kasab sentenced to death on four murder counts", the headline in Dawn said. "Ajmal Kasab sentenced to death" said the headline in media. Writing in The News, under the headline "Kasab’s sentence draws cautious Pak response", Mariana Baabar noted that Islamabad's response might have been "cautious", but "the authorities did not mince words while strongly condemning what happened in Mumbai". The reference was to Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit's weekly briefing hours after the Kasab judgment was delivered during which he said the verdict would be closely examined before a comment was offered. Baabar also pointed out that Pakistan seemed to be distancing itself from Kasab. "The spokesman underlined that while it was incumbent upon the government to provide assistance to its nationals abroad, if possible, it was also important to note that 'we need to make a distinction as to where assistance is legitimate and where it is not'," she wrote. She also said that during the briefing Basit "was careful not to use the words 'composite dialogue' that the Indians have become allergic to". India had suspended the sub-continental dialogue in the wake of the Mumbai attack. The Indian and Pakistani prime minister, at their April 29 meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Thimphu, had mandated their foreign ministers and foreign secretaries to work out the modalities of restoring trust, paving the way for substantive dialogue covering all issues between them. Kasab was on Thursday sentenced to death for his role in the 26/11 carnage by a special court in Mumbai that said he had no right to live. Pakistan's Supreme Court Thursday came down hard on the government after the attorney general informed it that a $60 million graft case against President Zardari could not be reopened. This case, as also those against some 160 others, including the president's slain wife Benazir Bhutto had been closed after then president Pervez Musharraf had promulgated an amnesty against graft in October 2007. The Supreme Court had nullified this last year and ordered that all the cases be reopened.
Who will gain if Shivaji Park is declared a silence zone: Shiv Sena
Just a day after the Bombay High Court gave an order to the Maharashtra government to declare Shivaji Park a silence zone, Shiv Sena has come down heavily on the court's decision. Thursday's editorial in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna criticed the decision stating that courts are now showing interest in political battles. It also pointed out the fact that Courts themselves have said not to make use of Public Interest Litigation (PILs) when it comes to political fights. Asserting that even judges are human beings and are very much a part of this society the editorial further added that four pillars of democracy should follow the parameters for country's progress. Shiv Sena shares an old relation with the Shivaji Park, which is also the venue for its Dusshera rallies for more almost five decades. Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray's Marmik magazine was launched at the same park.
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Kasab convicted on evidence, not confession: Chidambaram
Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab was convicted for his role in the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, India's worst terror attack, on the basis of evidence gathered against him and not on the basis of his confession, Home Minister P.Chidmbaram said today. "Kasab was convicted not on the basis of his confession but on the basis of the evidence gathered against him," he said while replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the functioning of the home ministry. "This was not only oral evidence but a wealth of material that was painstakingly gathered. We were able to reconstruct the path (of the 10 attackers) from Karachi to Mumbai. We were able to track mobile phone conversations within hours of the attack," the home minister said. He noted that through the use of technology, investigators "were able to retrieve material from damaged mobile phones. In a way, this was phone tapping", he said in a reference to the controversy that rocked parliament on the phones of prominent politicians being tapped. Speaking about the course of the trial, he said: "We did not create a Guantanamo Bay. We did not create a military court. Kasab was tried in a normal civil court, except that the judge was designated a special judge." Kasab was today sentenced to death for his role in the November 2008 Mumbai carnage by a special court that said he had no right to live. Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani gave him death on four counts -- waging war against India, murder, conspiracy to commit murder and indulging in terrorist activities. "To be hanged by the neck till death," the judge intoned after reading out each count.
Any terrorist Pakistan encourages will meet Kasab's end: Law Minister
Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily today said the death sentence to Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab would send a message to any terrorist who comes to India that they would meet the same fate. "Justice has been done to the nation. It's a welcome decision," Moily told reporters outside the parliament. He said Kasab, who along with nine Pakistani gunmen carried out an audacious attack in Mumbai on Nov 26-29, 2008, killing 166 people, had waged war against the country. "..they have brutally murdered our outstanding police officers who were defending our country," he said. "He deserves more than this. The decision sends the right message to all the terrorists who land in India (that they) will meet the same condition," he added. In a stern message to Pakistan, Moily said: "Pakistan cannot meddle with lives and property of India. Any terrorist encouraged by Pakistan will meet the same end as Kasab has." On Thursday, a special court in Mumbai awarded death sentence to Kasab. He was also awarded life term on five counts of the total 86 charges. The Pakistani was convicted Monday on 86 counts, including waging war on the state. Twenty other Pakistanis, including Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders Hafez Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, were also convicted for their involvement.
Dantewada operation illogically formulated: Chidambaram
Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that the anti-naxalite operation that was carried on in April at Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh, in which Maoists killed 76 CRPF personnel mercilessly, was illogically planned by senior officers of CRPF there.
He also said that although he got very brokenhearted due to the incident but he didn’t lose his calm and was not at all intimidated by the Maoists. He said this while speaking with the JNU students here on Wednesday night.
As per Chidambaram, the defeat at Dantewada signifies that India is dealing with an enemy who is much more planned and strategic in approach.
He also said that although he got very brokenhearted due to the incident but he didn’t lose his calm and was not at all intimidated by the Maoists. He said this while speaking with the JNU students here on Wednesday night.
As per Chidambaram, the defeat at Dantewada signifies that India is dealing with an enemy who is much more planned and strategic in approach.
Not sure if UPA will let Kasab hang: Gadkari
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari today said that with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in power, he was doubtful whether convicted Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab will ever get the noose at all.
Speaking to reporters here, Gadkari said: "I am not sure. Afzal Guru (convicted for the December 2001 attack on parliament) was sentenced to death and he is still there, and so are many others." Gadkari was asked if Kasab's death sentence given by a Mumbai court today would be taken to its logical conclusion.
"Unfortunately by appeasing terrorists, the Congress and the UPA feels this is secularism," Gadkari said.
"Linking terrorism to vote bank politics is not right. Criminals are criminals. Terrorists are terrorists."
Kasab was given the death penalty on four counts, including murder and waging war against India, by a special court for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that left 166 people, including many foreigners, dead.
Speaking to reporters here, Gadkari said: "I am not sure. Afzal Guru (convicted for the December 2001 attack on parliament) was sentenced to death and he is still there, and so are many others." Gadkari was asked if Kasab's death sentence given by a Mumbai court today would be taken to its logical conclusion.
"Unfortunately by appeasing terrorists, the Congress and the UPA feels this is secularism," Gadkari said.
"Linking terrorism to vote bank politics is not right. Criminals are criminals. Terrorists are terrorists."
Kasab was given the death penalty on four counts, including murder and waging war against India, by a special court for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that left 166 people, including many foreigners, dead.
Most appropriate, says Krishna on Kasab's death sentence
Justice has arrived at a "most appropriate conclusion", External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said today after the death sentence to Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the Mumbai terror attack.
"I think justice has come to a most appropriate conclusion. It's transparent," he told reporters outside parliament. "We have to certainly teach people who engage in these activities.
"The number of other accused who are involved and other co-conspirators who were involved in this case should be brought into justice," he said.
Kasab was given the death sentence by a special court in Mumbai today. He was also awarded life term on five counts of the total 86 charges.
The Pakistani was convicted Monday on 86 counts, including waging war on the state. Twenty other Pakistanis, including Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders Hafez Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, were also convicted for their involvement.
"I think justice has come to a most appropriate conclusion. It's transparent," he told reporters outside parliament. "We have to certainly teach people who engage in these activities.
"The number of other accused who are involved and other co-conspirators who were involved in this case should be brought into justice," he said.
Kasab was given the death sentence by a special court in Mumbai today. He was also awarded life term on five counts of the total 86 charges.
The Pakistani was convicted Monday on 86 counts, including waging war on the state. Twenty other Pakistanis, including Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders Hafez Saeed, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Abu Hamza, were also convicted for their involvement.
'Volcanic eruption' if no caste-based census: Sharad Yadav
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Sharad Yadav today said the caste system "is a reality" in India, and warned that there will be a "volcanic eruption (of the backward castes)" if the government did not undertake caste-based enumeration in the census. He said the (backward caste) people were very much anguished over the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's decision not to a conduct caste-based census in the country. "Caste is like a mountain. Nobody can explain the anguish of the (backward) people. This kind of system does not exist anywhere in the world," Sharad Yadav said while participating in a discussion on caste-based enumeration in the Census 2011 in the Lok Sabha. Referring to some government documents, he said there is still poor representation of backward caste employees in the higher levels at the President's Office, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and at least 20 important ministries, including parliamentary affairs, home and mines. "I would like to caution you the debate will not end here," the JD-U leader said, adding "If the government does not take the demand for the caste-based census seriously, there will be a backlash by the backward community." "Please try to understand 80 percent of people of the country have only 20 percent of the jobs," he said. Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said even after the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report, backward caste officials in the highest level are not able to command the same respect drawn by the upper caste officials in the same rank. "Those who are majority, their sentiments should be addressed. People belonging to upper caste should accept it," Mulayam Singh said. Meanwhile, the Congress' Bhakta Charan Das said caste-based politics should be avoided. Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Gopinath Munde said "not undertaking caste-based census is denying social justice to the OBCs (other backward classes)". "We don't want anything, at least tell us what is our number," he said. T.K.S. Elangovan of the DMK also supported the demand. "This is a necessary step to ensure development of the backward classes," he said. Biju Janata Dal's B. Mahtab said: "Keeping caste out of the census does not mean we can wish away the caste system."
I was made a scapegoat by ICC, claims Samuels
West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels feels he was made a "scapegoat" by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as he nears completion of the two-year ban for leaking team information to a bookie.
In three days, Samuels will complete his ban from international cricket, and he maintains he did nothing wrong.
"I am an honest person. My conscience would not allow me to come back if I knew within myself I had done something wrong," Samuels was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.
"They (ICC) need to spend time on situations like this, it is delicate and very important because you are dealing with players' careers."
"When they looked at my case, they used me as a scapegoat, the ICC wanted to make an example out of me when I was never in a position for them to be able to use me as an example. The way they dealt with my case was very unfair," he said.
"I really didn't have a case; when I went to the hearing I thought it would be just a fair process but it wasn't like a hearing at all, I was just banned."
Samuels was charged with playing a part in fixing the first One Day International between India and the West Indies in Nagpur January 21, 2007. The allegations led to the ICC asking the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to conduct an investigation.
At the disciplinary hearing, the committee considered evidence provided by the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and excerpts of a recorded telephone conversation between Samuels and alleged bookie Mukesh Kochchar which detailed vital match information being leaked by Samuels.
Samuels was accused of leaking information like pitch conditions, the West Indies batting order and team strategies.
The 29-year-old won't predict if or when he might appear for the West Indies again but says: "I'll just let my bat do the talking."
In three days, Samuels will complete his ban from international cricket, and he maintains he did nothing wrong.
"I am an honest person. My conscience would not allow me to come back if I knew within myself I had done something wrong," Samuels was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.
"They (ICC) need to spend time on situations like this, it is delicate and very important because you are dealing with players' careers."
"When they looked at my case, they used me as a scapegoat, the ICC wanted to make an example out of me when I was never in a position for them to be able to use me as an example. The way they dealt with my case was very unfair," he said.
"I really didn't have a case; when I went to the hearing I thought it would be just a fair process but it wasn't like a hearing at all, I was just banned."
Samuels was charged with playing a part in fixing the first One Day International between India and the West Indies in Nagpur January 21, 2007. The allegations led to the ICC asking the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to conduct an investigation.
At the disciplinary hearing, the committee considered evidence provided by the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and excerpts of a recorded telephone conversation between Samuels and alleged bookie Mukesh Kochchar which detailed vital match information being leaked by Samuels.
Samuels was accused of leaking information like pitch conditions, the West Indies batting order and team strategies.
The 29-year-old won't predict if or when he might appear for the West Indies again but says: "I'll just let my bat do the talking."
Rs.263 crore allocated to beautify Delhi for CWG
A sum of Rs.263.5 crore has been allocated for the beautification of Delhi for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. So far the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has spent Rs.23 crore, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has spent Rs.42 crore and the Public Works Department (PWD) has spent Rs.92 crore, Minister of state for Youth Affairs and Sports Pratik Prakashbabu Patil said.
Katrina learns dirt biking for Zoya Akhtar's next
Actress Katrina Kaif, who will be seen as a politician in her forthcoming release "Raajneeti", is learning dirt bike riding for Zoya Akhtar's "Running with the Bulls". The actress is said to be impressed with the script and is throwing herself into all sorts of stunt training to prepare for her role. "Though Katrina is in London visiting her family, she is making time to meet deep sea diving instructors. She is very kicked about the stunts in the film - be it dirt bike riding for which she has already started training or deep sea diving for which she is soon to enroll in classes on her return from London," a source close to Katrina said in a press statement. "Katrina has never attempted anything like this before but has already started preparing for her role," added the source. The cast of "Running with the Bulls" also includes Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol.
Rakhi Sawant apologises to ex-boyfriend's mother
Item girl Rakhi Sawant has reportedly buried the hatchet with ex-beau Abhishek Awasthi and apologised to his mother for her mistakes on the reality show "Zara Nachke Dikha". A source said that Rakhi became emotional and made a public apology to Abhishek's mother who was present on the sets for the mother's special episode shoot. Rakhi even hugged her. Abhishek's mother too became emotional on seeing Rakhi and Abhishek dancing together and confessed that Rakhi always was and will continue to be like her daughter and that she wants them to reunite. Abhishek and Rakhi are sharing a public platform for the first time after their much-publicised breakup. Earlier, they were seen as a couple on "Nach Baliye".
RComm launches free calls pack for prepaid CDMA customers
Mobile services major Reliance Communications, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group, today launched a new prepaid CDMA pack which will enable customers to make free calls to other numbers on the network and limited free calls to other networks. Under the "Simply Unlimited CDMA" offer, RComm customers can make unlimited local calls to other customers on its network and limited free calls to other networks at a monthly cost of Rs.299, the company said. For long-distance calls, customers can avail of a monthly package of Rs.599 to make as many free calls to numbers on the network, but will again be able to make only a limited number of free calls to other networks. "Both the unlimited packs are subject to fair usage condition of 30 minutes per day (900 minutes per month) and applies to offnet calls. Beyond 30 minutes per day, these calls will be charged at 50 paise per minute," said a company statement. The new packs are valid for both new and existing customers and the calls can be to a mobile or landline. "The launch of Simply Reliance Initiative last year simplified the confusion resulting out of thousands of tariff plans. With the launch of our new pack today, we aim to address the customers’ need of a large group who do not wish to be bogged down by concerns related to balance, recharges," said Syed Safawi, CEO - Wireless Business, Reliance Communication.
Verdict out, now where will Kasab be kept?
After the historic judgment slapping death penalty on Pakistani jehadi Ajmal Amir Kasab for his role in the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the focus now shifts to where will he be lodged next. The Arthur Road Central (ARC) Jail where Kasab has been kept since the past 18 months is essentially a prison meant for undertrials. Kasab was confined to Arthur Road Central as a special case though his stay there has proved to be a cause of immense hardships for the local population and even hit the implementation of some ongoing infrastructure projects in the vicinity, official sources said. The ARC Jail is situated in one of the most highly congested and busy areas in south Mumbai. In view of the urgent requirements for the trial in the Mumbai terror attacks, the ARC Jail was specifically chosen for Kasab's stay during the trial period and also an airconditioned special court was created inside the premises. "In view of the requirements, the entire jail complex was made bomb attack-proof by reinforcing it with special materials, by the State Public Works Department," Principal Secretary (Home, in-charge of jails) Medha Gadgil told the media. Gadgil added that the government incurred an expenditure of Rs.5.20 crore on fortifying the ARC Jail to lodge its most infamous inmate till date and on creating the courtroom inside, But she declined to disclose further details. According to official sources, the operation included creating cement-concrete walls capable of withstanding attacks by armoured vehicles, another wall of solid steel and other special materials that could also withstand bomb attacks. Besides reinforcing the jail premise itself, expenditure was also incurred on the unprecedented special security measures organised at the jail over the past 18 months, and special security installations set-up like CCTV cameras and metal detectors. Besides, a large number of security men were drawn from different forces, including the Mumbai Police, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the state police, which added to the costs. By rough estimates, the state government has spent in the range of Rs.50 crore so far in keeping Kasab safe and secure at the ARC Jail. Now that the trial is over and the judgment has been pronounced, the state government has to grapple with the question of whether to keep Kasab here or shift him to some other location in the state. "Given the sensitive nature of the matter, any other place would have to be as safe and secure as this jail, but the final decision will be taken by the state government in the next few weeks," the official said. There is talk of shifting Kasab to a secure place like the Yerawada Jail in Pune, but no officials are willing to confirm it till the state government decides to shift him. Kasab may or may not remain at ARC Jail - but one person is surely happy to be free of his daily sojourn here. Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, after the judgment, remarked in a lighter vein that now the case is over, he was "free from the Arthur Road Jail".
Schoolgirl's murderer last to be hanged in India
Dhananjoy Chatterjee, convicted of rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Kolkata in March 1990 and hanged in August 2004, was the last man to be hanged in India.
Chatterjee, who worked as security guard in the apartment where the victim Hetal Parekh and her family resided, was hanged to death in Kolkata's Alipore Jail on Aug 14, 2004 after then president A.P.J Abdul Kalam dismissed his mercy petition.
Earlier, his mercy pleas had been rejected by Kalam's predecessors - Shankar Dayal Sharma and K.R Narayanan.
Chatterjee was lodged in jail for 14 years after his conviction by a sessions court in 1991.
Before him, the last hanging was held in 1995, when serial killer Auto Shankar was hanged to death in Tamil Nadu.
Chatterjee, who worked as security guard in the apartment where the victim Hetal Parekh and her family resided, was hanged to death in Kolkata's Alipore Jail on Aug 14, 2004 after then president A.P.J Abdul Kalam dismissed his mercy petition.
Earlier, his mercy pleas had been rejected by Kalam's predecessors - Shankar Dayal Sharma and K.R Narayanan.
Chatterjee was lodged in jail for 14 years after his conviction by a sessions court in 1991.
Before him, the last hanging was held in 1995, when serial killer Auto Shankar was hanged to death in Tamil Nadu.
Kasab's death welcome but catch masterminds: victims' kin
The death sentence given to Pakistani gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab was cheered by the kin of 26/11 victims, but many felt he was just a pawn in a terror game and the real masterminds should be caught. "For me, this is not the closure. The closure will come only when the masterminds are apprehended," said Sevanti Parekh, who lost his son and daughter-in-law in the horrific November 2008 Mumbai mayhem. Manasi Shinde, widow of a railway police inspector killed at the Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus, was glad over the outcome of the trial but is awaiting for Kasab to hang. "It is not surprising that Kasab was sentenced to death. But the chapter will close only when he will actually be hanged," she said. Said Deepak Bhonsale, son of assistant sub-inspector Balasaheb Bhonsale who too was killed: "My father's soul will now rest in peace. I believe it is the apt punishment for Kasab and the likes of him." Ragini S. Sharma, widow of another slain railway officer Sushilkumar Sharma, said: "The verdict is a no shocker. This is what Kasab deserved." The lawyer fraternity reacted in similar fashion. "The verdict was expected. This is the gravest of grave cases and I have not come across such a case in my career except for the Mumbai train blasts of July 2006," said Abad Ponda, an eminent criminal lawyer. Agreed criminal lawyer Samsher Garud: "We have set the right precedence in this historic case. No other punishment would have been acceptable."
Ajmal Kasab, 26/11 terrorist, gets death sentence
BREAKING NEWS
Mumbai: Ajmal Amir Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist who killed scores of people during the attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, was on Thursday sentence to death by a special court.
He was given death on four charges and life imprisonment on five counts. Kasab broke down during the sentencing.Kasab was pronounced guilty on May 3 by Special Judge M L Tahaliyani. Kasab was found guilty of 80 offences, including waging war against the nation, which is punishable with the death penalty.
Kasab and his associate, Abu Ismail, killed over 70 people at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, before heading for the Cama hospital, where they killed three senior police officers.
Mumbai: Ajmal Amir Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist who killed scores of people during the attacks on Mumbai in November 2008, was on Thursday sentence to death by a special court.
He was given death on four charges and life imprisonment on five counts. Kasab broke down during the sentencing.Kasab was pronounced guilty on May 3 by Special Judge M L Tahaliyani. Kasab was found guilty of 80 offences, including waging war against the nation, which is punishable with the death penalty.
Kasab and his associate, Abu Ismail, killed over 70 people at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, before heading for the Cama hospital, where they killed three senior police officers.
26/11 case: Kasab's sentencing today afternoon
Barely hours before sentencing was to be pronounced on Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, the prosecution early today expressed confidence that the perpetrator of the 26/11 mayhem in Mumbai would get the hangman's noose. Kasab was pronounced guilty on May 3 in the Nov 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Special Judge M.L. Tahaliyani is expected to deliver the sentencing sometime Thursday afternoon.
"We are very comfortable and absolutely confident of getting what we have demanded (death sentence)," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the media today morning as he prepared for the big day.
In his arguments after the verdict pronounced Kasab guilty, Nikam had fervently pleaded for death and called the terrorist "a Satan", "a killing machine", "a devil", "a snake in human form" and "a dog".
He also pointed out that Kasab had been convicted for murder, waging war against India and hatching a criminal conspiracy. "If all these are read together, the maximum punishment is death and minimum is life imprisonment," Nikam had pointed out.
"I am for maximum punishment and this submission is not with a sense of revenge... we don't seek barbaric justice... justice should meet the end."
The 60-hour audacious attack that began on the night of Nov 26, 2008 and went on till the afternoon of Nov 29, 2009 was carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, including Kasab. The terror strike left 166 Indians and foreigners dead.
Nikam said that in Kasab's case, it was not just the murder, but the way in which the murder was committed, and the accused had the urge to kill which shook the collective conscience of the society.
This makes it "the rarest of rare cases", not merely in terms of the number of deaths caused, but also the mode or manner of causing the deaths and the high degree of cruelty make it an exception, he said.
Nikam further argued that Kasab not only killed, but he "enjoyed the killing", which shows his unscrupulous attitude and total disregard for human life.
"Kasab killed people with design, without mercy. He and Abu Ismail were responsible for killing 72 people, including 14 policemen, and the victims were helpless, defenceless and there was no provocation.
"They (the terrorist duo) killed without discretion or distinction, young or old, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Christians," said Nikam.
Demanding death penalty for Kasab, Nikam told Special Judge Tahaliyani that this would meet the end of justice, serve as a deterrent not only to Kasab but also as a signal to like-minded people.
"If we don't award the death penalty (to Kasab), India would remain a soft target," Nikam had said.
"We are very comfortable and absolutely confident of getting what we have demanded (death sentence)," Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the media today morning as he prepared for the big day.
In his arguments after the verdict pronounced Kasab guilty, Nikam had fervently pleaded for death and called the terrorist "a Satan", "a killing machine", "a devil", "a snake in human form" and "a dog".
He also pointed out that Kasab had been convicted for murder, waging war against India and hatching a criminal conspiracy. "If all these are read together, the maximum punishment is death and minimum is life imprisonment," Nikam had pointed out.
"I am for maximum punishment and this submission is not with a sense of revenge... we don't seek barbaric justice... justice should meet the end."
The 60-hour audacious attack that began on the night of Nov 26, 2008 and went on till the afternoon of Nov 29, 2009 was carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, including Kasab. The terror strike left 166 Indians and foreigners dead.
Nikam said that in Kasab's case, it was not just the murder, but the way in which the murder was committed, and the accused had the urge to kill which shook the collective conscience of the society.
This makes it "the rarest of rare cases", not merely in terms of the number of deaths caused, but also the mode or manner of causing the deaths and the high degree of cruelty make it an exception, he said.
Nikam further argued that Kasab not only killed, but he "enjoyed the killing", which shows his unscrupulous attitude and total disregard for human life.
"Kasab killed people with design, without mercy. He and Abu Ismail were responsible for killing 72 people, including 14 policemen, and the victims were helpless, defenceless and there was no provocation.
"They (the terrorist duo) killed without discretion or distinction, young or old, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Christians," said Nikam.
Demanding death penalty for Kasab, Nikam told Special Judge Tahaliyani that this would meet the end of justice, serve as a deterrent not only to Kasab but also as a signal to like-minded people.
"If we don't award the death penalty (to Kasab), India would remain a soft target," Nikam had said.
Raja's 'lobbying' for cabinet berth disrupts Rajya Sabha
A media report suggesting that Communications Minister A. Raja had lobbied with a power broker for a cabinet berth rocked the Rajya Sabha today, forcing a brief adjournment of the house and prompting Chairman Hamid Ansari to deprecate the "disgraceful" behaviour of AIADMK members who raised the issue.
AIADMK members led by V. Maitreyan and K. Malaisami raised the issue as soon as the house assembled, evoking a sharp response from Ansari for waving a tabloid and a CD.
"Please don't show newspapers. This is not done. Please go back to your seats," Ansari said. But the AIADMK members continued to stand just short of the speaker's podium and shout slogans demanding an explanation from the government.
"Please don't do this. There shall be no slogan shouting," Ansari said. But with his appeal falling on deaf ears, he adjourned the house at 11.02 a.m. -- for 10 minutes.
As Ansari left the chamber, Maitreyan, accompanied by S.S. Ahluwalia (Bharatiya Janata Party), D. Raja (Communist Party of India), Brajesh Pathak (Bahujan Samaj Party) and others went up to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apparently explain the reasons for their protest.
The ruckus continued when the house reassembled, prompting Ansari to remark: "Extraneous matters will not be permitted. This is irresponsible behaviour. You are shouting in vain. You are making a spectacle of yourselves."
Ansari even threatened to name the protesting MPs under rule 255 that would render them liable for disciplinary action.
The AIADMK members then abruptly turned around and walked out of the house.
"This is disgraceful," an exasperated Ansari said, as he called the first question of the day.
A tabloid today reported that Raja "may have lobbied with an influential power broker" to secure his cabinet post in the Congress-led government. The tabloid said the report was based on recorded telephonic conversations between Raja and the corporate lobbyist.
Raja has been in the eye of a storm over the alleged 2G spectrum allocation scam ever since the budget session of parliament resumed April 15, the issue forcing repeated adjournments of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
Raja, while not directly addressing the charges, has attempted to deflect the issue by pointing to the "transparent" manner in which the ongoing auction for 3G spectrum is being conducted.
AIADMK members led by V. Maitreyan and K. Malaisami raised the issue as soon as the house assembled, evoking a sharp response from Ansari for waving a tabloid and a CD.
"Please don't show newspapers. This is not done. Please go back to your seats," Ansari said. But the AIADMK members continued to stand just short of the speaker's podium and shout slogans demanding an explanation from the government.
"Please don't do this. There shall be no slogan shouting," Ansari said. But with his appeal falling on deaf ears, he adjourned the house at 11.02 a.m. -- for 10 minutes.
As Ansari left the chamber, Maitreyan, accompanied by S.S. Ahluwalia (Bharatiya Janata Party), D. Raja (Communist Party of India), Brajesh Pathak (Bahujan Samaj Party) and others went up to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to apparently explain the reasons for their protest.
The ruckus continued when the house reassembled, prompting Ansari to remark: "Extraneous matters will not be permitted. This is irresponsible behaviour. You are shouting in vain. You are making a spectacle of yourselves."
Ansari even threatened to name the protesting MPs under rule 255 that would render them liable for disciplinary action.
The AIADMK members then abruptly turned around and walked out of the house.
"This is disgraceful," an exasperated Ansari said, as he called the first question of the day.
A tabloid today reported that Raja "may have lobbied with an influential power broker" to secure his cabinet post in the Congress-led government. The tabloid said the report was based on recorded telephonic conversations between Raja and the corporate lobbyist.
Raja has been in the eye of a storm over the alleged 2G spectrum allocation scam ever since the budget session of parliament resumed April 15, the issue forcing repeated adjournments of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
Raja, while not directly addressing the charges, has attempted to deflect the issue by pointing to the "transparent" manner in which the ongoing auction for 3G spectrum is being conducted.
Hindu vigilantes attack Maoist protesters on Nepal-India border
More than a dozen Maoist leaders were hurt and two vehicles torched along the Nepal-India border today as Hindu vigilantes attacked Maoist protesters enforcing an indefinite closure and security forces joined the fray.
Dozens of young men, flourishing bamboo sticks and wearing red bandanas around their heads, said to be belonging to a Hindu religious organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Yuva Sangathan, bore down on Maoist supporters. They were shown ruthlessly demolishing a camp set up for the protesters in Birgunj, Nepal's major industrial town in Parsa district, adjoining India's Bihar district.
According to preliminary reports, the young men were taking part in an anti-Maoist strike rally and trying to force shopkeepers into opening shops, closed since May 2, when they were opposed by Maoist protesters.
The group then attacked the Maoist protesters and ran amok, knocking down the tables set up to cook food for the protesters, throwing the food on the ground and carting away cooking gas cylinders and cooking oil.
Some then used the oil to douse two cars belonging to two Maoist members of parliament and set them on fire.
Kantipur Television, an independent television station, said security forces jumped into the fray, ruthlessly beating up the unarmed Maoist protesters, hitting more than a dozen, including women, on their heads.
The town was tense with the local administration calling an emergency meeting amidst fears that curfew could be imposed.
The Maoists have been claiming that the ruling parties had been hiring goons from India across the border to infiltrate their protests, which they say are peaceful.
However, despite the claim, there has been sporadic violence nationwide with anti-Maoists protests beginning to erupt.
In the capital as well as outer districts, people, claiming not to be affiliated to any political parties, were marching in protest against the indefinite Maoist strike that entered the fifth day today without any sign of letting up.
On Wednesday, anti-strike protesters, led by the ruling party's youth wing, Youth Force, clashed with Maoists in Bhaktapur city. Maoists said vigilantes fired during the scuffle and bullets were found in the area.
The Youth Force said a 20-year-old supporter was killed during another skirmish in Makwanpur district when he was hit by bricks, allegedly thrown by Maoist protesters.
Anti-Maoist protests were also reported in remote Parbat district after the former rebels reportedly attacked a member of the ruling Nepali Congress party in his own residence and beat up his family members, including his grandparents.
Dozens of young men, flourishing bamboo sticks and wearing red bandanas around their heads, said to be belonging to a Hindu religious organisation, the Vishwa Hindu Yuva Sangathan, bore down on Maoist supporters. They were shown ruthlessly demolishing a camp set up for the protesters in Birgunj, Nepal's major industrial town in Parsa district, adjoining India's Bihar district.
According to preliminary reports, the young men were taking part in an anti-Maoist strike rally and trying to force shopkeepers into opening shops, closed since May 2, when they were opposed by Maoist protesters.
The group then attacked the Maoist protesters and ran amok, knocking down the tables set up to cook food for the protesters, throwing the food on the ground and carting away cooking gas cylinders and cooking oil.
Some then used the oil to douse two cars belonging to two Maoist members of parliament and set them on fire.
Kantipur Television, an independent television station, said security forces jumped into the fray, ruthlessly beating up the unarmed Maoist protesters, hitting more than a dozen, including women, on their heads.
The town was tense with the local administration calling an emergency meeting amidst fears that curfew could be imposed.
The Maoists have been claiming that the ruling parties had been hiring goons from India across the border to infiltrate their protests, which they say are peaceful.
However, despite the claim, there has been sporadic violence nationwide with anti-Maoists protests beginning to erupt.
In the capital as well as outer districts, people, claiming not to be affiliated to any political parties, were marching in protest against the indefinite Maoist strike that entered the fifth day today without any sign of letting up.
On Wednesday, anti-strike protesters, led by the ruling party's youth wing, Youth Force, clashed with Maoists in Bhaktapur city. Maoists said vigilantes fired during the scuffle and bullets were found in the area.
The Youth Force said a 20-year-old supporter was killed during another skirmish in Makwanpur district when he was hit by bricks, allegedly thrown by Maoist protesters.
Anti-Maoist protests were also reported in remote Parbat district after the former rebels reportedly attacked a member of the ruling Nepali Congress party in his own residence and beat up his family members, including his grandparents.
Sushma Swaraj apologises for Ananth Kumar's remarks
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj today apologised in the Lok Sabha, admitting her colleague Ananth Kumar used objectionable remarks against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad on Wednesday.
When the house assembled at 11 a.m., Speaker Meira Kumar invited Sushma Swaraj, who is also leader of the opposition, to speak.
Sushma Swaraj said: "I don't want to go into the details of Wednesday's proceedings. My colleague made some objectionable remarks. I apologise for those words."
On Wednesday, when the house was discussing the issue of caste-based census, Ananth Kumar asked Lalu Prasad angrily if he was with Pakistan or India and went on to use unparliamentary language that was expunged.
Taking umbrage, RJD and Samajwadi Party MPs created a ruckus following which the house was adjourned. Ananth Kumar refused to apologise, saying he had said nothing wrong.
Besides apologising on behalf of Ananth Kumar, Sushma Swaraj also apologised on behalf of Lalu Prasad, who had moved menacingly towards the BJP MP as if to hit him. "I also apologise on behalf of Laluji."
When the house assembled at 11 a.m., Speaker Meira Kumar invited Sushma Swaraj, who is also leader of the opposition, to speak.
Sushma Swaraj said: "I don't want to go into the details of Wednesday's proceedings. My colleague made some objectionable remarks. I apologise for those words."
On Wednesday, when the house was discussing the issue of caste-based census, Ananth Kumar asked Lalu Prasad angrily if he was with Pakistan or India and went on to use unparliamentary language that was expunged.
Taking umbrage, RJD and Samajwadi Party MPs created a ruckus following which the house was adjourned. Ananth Kumar refused to apologise, saying he had said nothing wrong.
Besides apologising on behalf of Ananth Kumar, Sushma Swaraj also apologised on behalf of Lalu Prasad, who had moved menacingly towards the BJP MP as if to hit him. "I also apologise on behalf of Laluji."
Dhaka seeks talks to end firing by Indian forces
Dhaka wants talks with New Delhi over what it says are unprovoked firing by Indian border guards on Bangladeshi citizens.
After Home Minister Sahara Khatun met Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter here on Wednesday, she said the envoy had promised that the firing would "stop fully", media reported.
"He (Mitter) reassured us that the killings would come to an end," Sahara told reporters.
Claiming that over 80 people had been killed by India's Border Security Force (BSF), Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took up the subject with her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in January.
BSF says its men fire in self-defence when people move in the border area at night in violation of a bilateral pact.
The 4,300-km long India-Bangladesh border witnesses large-scale night-time smuggling of goods, drugs, arms, cattle and humans.
After Home Minister Sahara Khatun met Indian High Commissioner Rajeet Mitter here on Wednesday, she said the envoy had promised that the firing would "stop fully", media reported.
"He (Mitter) reassured us that the killings would come to an end," Sahara told reporters.
Claiming that over 80 people had been killed by India's Border Security Force (BSF), Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took up the subject with her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in January.
BSF says its men fire in self-defence when people move in the border area at night in violation of a bilateral pact.
The 4,300-km long India-Bangladesh border witnesses large-scale night-time smuggling of goods, drugs, arms, cattle and humans.
India's food inflation dips to 13.93 percent
India's annual food inflation declined to 13.93 percent for the week ended on April 24 from 16.61 percent a week ago due to a fall in prices of wheat and vegetables, official data showed today.
Data on the wholesale price index (WPI) released by the commerce and industry ministry showed the index for food articles fell by 0.1 percent during the week under review.
The index for non-food articles and fuel remained unchanged.
Taking into account the year as a whole, the prices of pulses, milk and cereals rose during the week and that of potatoes, vegetables and onions declined.
In the non-food articles category, fuel, fibre and oil seeds were ruling higher than the levels seen last year.
Following are the rise and fall in prices of some essential food items over the 52-week period:
Pulses: 30.58 percent
Milk: 21.12 percent
Fruits: 14.49 percent
Rice: 8.28 percent
Cereals: 7.67 percent
Potato: (-)32.14 percent
Onions : (-) 25.8 percent
Vegetables: (-) 5.69 percent
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a survey has pegged India's annual inflation for 2010-11 to be around 7.5 percent.
Data on the wholesale price index (WPI) released by the commerce and industry ministry showed the index for food articles fell by 0.1 percent during the week under review.
The index for non-food articles and fuel remained unchanged.
Taking into account the year as a whole, the prices of pulses, milk and cereals rose during the week and that of potatoes, vegetables and onions declined.
In the non-food articles category, fuel, fibre and oil seeds were ruling higher than the levels seen last year.
Following are the rise and fall in prices of some essential food items over the 52-week period:
Pulses: 30.58 percent
Milk: 21.12 percent
Fruits: 14.49 percent
Rice: 8.28 percent
Cereals: 7.67 percent
Potato: (-)32.14 percent
Onions : (-) 25.8 percent
Vegetables: (-) 5.69 percent
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a survey has pegged India's annual inflation for 2010-11 to be around 7.5 percent.
Abhishek feels it is easier to emote in Hindi
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who will be seen in the Hindi version of Mani Ratnam's "Raavan", feels it is easier to give the right expression while speaking Hindi dialouges.
"Hindi is such a beautiful language that you just have to say your dialogue and mean it. If you say it honestly, your performance will come automatically. Hindi is a very simple language. What you speak is what you write and that translates into action. As opposed to English, which can be interpreted in so many different ways," said Abhishek.
"Hindi is such a beautiful language that you just have to say your dialogue and mean it. If you say it honestly, your performance will come automatically. Hindi is a very simple language. What you speak is what you write and that translates into action. As opposed to English, which can be interpreted in so many different ways," said Abhishek.
Shah Rukh had super hero dreams from childhood
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently working on his superhero film "Ra.One", says he dreamt of being a superhero since childhood.
"When I was a kid,(I) used to tie a towel on my neck... wear my sister's tights and my red swimming trunks on top, eye mask and wanted to fly," Shah Rukh wrote on his Twitter page.
The 44-year-old also informed that he is really inspired by the fitness of his children and wants to become like them.
"Aryan and Suhana fly without having to wear garbs, he does awesome taekwondo and she does malkhamb... both are super fit. (I) want to be like them," wrote Shah Rukh.
While Aryan is 13 years old, Suhana is 10.
"When I was a kid,(I) used to tie a towel on my neck... wear my sister's tights and my red swimming trunks on top, eye mask and wanted to fly," Shah Rukh wrote on his Twitter page.
The 44-year-old also informed that he is really inspired by the fitness of his children and wants to become like them.
"Aryan and Suhana fly without having to wear garbs, he does awesome taekwondo and she does malkhamb... both are super fit. (I) want to be like them," wrote Shah Rukh.
While Aryan is 13 years old, Suhana is 10.
Hollywood's Relativity in tie-up for Bollywood arm
Relativity Media, the producer and financier of such Hollywood films as "Wolfman", "Zombieland", "The Bounty Hunter" and "The Ugly Truth", has tied up with Gujarati-born investor Keyur Patel to set up a Bollywood arm based out of Mumbai.
Relativity Media India will engage in distribution, production and financing of films, television programmes and digital media content to expand the global presence of the Los Angeles-based parent company, the company's statement here said.
The new company will handle the distribution of all releases of Relativity in India and also immediately begin acquiring English films from other Hollywood studios, producers and distributors to screen them across India.
"Relativity Media is also set to develop, produce and distribute local language content by partnering with some of India's finest local talent," the company said, adding that it will not only remake international films in India but also create original content.
Patel will serve as the chairman and chief creative officer of the Indian arm and has already hired a team that includes 11 seasoned executives who will oversee marketing, distribution, finance, legal and creative aspects of the venture.
"With experience and intimate knowledge of the Indian market, coupled with Relativity's creativity and access to the highest quality content, I believe Relativity Media India will quickly establish itself as one of the top studios," he said.
Fuse Capital, where Patel is a managing partner, has founded some half a dozen digital media companies and invested in some of the largest TV networks, films, and production studios globally, including NDTV and Aurora Networks.
It has over $1.5 billion of assets under management.
Patel himself has led turnarounds for major internet and consumer brands such as Inktomi and Maxtor, apart from incubating successful companies like Phoenix India, Brience, Metrius, Webvibe, Phoenix India, HIP Digital and Fabrik.
He holds a master's in computer engineering from the Michigan Technological University and a bachelor's in the same stream from the Gujarat University in Ahmedabad.
Relativity claims to have committed to producing and financing more than 200 studio-quality motion pictures through 2014. Its released films have accumulated more than $12.6 billion in worldwide box office revenue.
The group's films have earned 43 Oscar nominations, including nods for "Nine", "A Serious Man", "Atonement" and "American Gangster", with 44 of its productions each generating over $100 million in worldwide box office receipts.
Its upcoming films include "MacGruber", "Fighter", "Robin Hood", "Get Him To The Greek", "Grown Ups", "Salt", "Nanny McPhee 2", "The Social Network" and "Sanctum".
Relativity Media India will engage in distribution, production and financing of films, television programmes and digital media content to expand the global presence of the Los Angeles-based parent company, the company's statement here said.
The new company will handle the distribution of all releases of Relativity in India and also immediately begin acquiring English films from other Hollywood studios, producers and distributors to screen them across India.
"Relativity Media is also set to develop, produce and distribute local language content by partnering with some of India's finest local talent," the company said, adding that it will not only remake international films in India but also create original content.
Patel will serve as the chairman and chief creative officer of the Indian arm and has already hired a team that includes 11 seasoned executives who will oversee marketing, distribution, finance, legal and creative aspects of the venture.
"With experience and intimate knowledge of the Indian market, coupled with Relativity's creativity and access to the highest quality content, I believe Relativity Media India will quickly establish itself as one of the top studios," he said.
Fuse Capital, where Patel is a managing partner, has founded some half a dozen digital media companies and invested in some of the largest TV networks, films, and production studios globally, including NDTV and Aurora Networks.
It has over $1.5 billion of assets under management.
Patel himself has led turnarounds for major internet and consumer brands such as Inktomi and Maxtor, apart from incubating successful companies like Phoenix India, Brience, Metrius, Webvibe, Phoenix India, HIP Digital and Fabrik.
He holds a master's in computer engineering from the Michigan Technological University and a bachelor's in the same stream from the Gujarat University in Ahmedabad.
Relativity claims to have committed to producing and financing more than 200 studio-quality motion pictures through 2014. Its released films have accumulated more than $12.6 billion in worldwide box office revenue.
The group's films have earned 43 Oscar nominations, including nods for "Nine", "A Serious Man", "Atonement" and "American Gangster", with 44 of its productions each generating over $100 million in worldwide box office receipts.
Its upcoming films include "MacGruber", "Fighter", "Robin Hood", "Get Him To The Greek", "Grown Ups", "Salt", "Nanny McPhee 2", "The Social Network" and "Sanctum".
We don't kiss on screen for the heck of it: Anushka Sharma
After playing a simple girl-next-door, Anushka Sharma has gone in for an image makeover in "Badmaash Company" where she not only wears stylish clothes but also has a kissing scene with Shahid Kapoor. The model-turned-actress says the script demanded it and it wasn't meant just to attract attention.
"I don't see it as a kissing scene. It's a part of the screenplay. I think cinema is changing and we are not doing (kissing) for the heck of it. We do not need to do this (kiss on screen) to attract attention," Anushka told the media in an interview.
"When you see the film, the kind of chemistry Bulbul (her character in the film) and Karan (Shahid) share, the kind of love that's there between them, you will be able to understand that the scene was justified," said Anushka, who made her debut as a small town girl in "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
The 22-year-old claims the audiences will be able to relate to the characters in the film as all of them represent the middle-class dreams.
"This film is about four friends, their relationships and the trials they go through to achieve their goals. All the characters are extremely relatable because they come from middle-class families with big dreams and aspirations. We have all been like that. Their dreams are really big. They have not got any patience...They want to do it right away," she said.
Set in Mumbai of the 1990s, "Badmaash Company" is about four youngsters who start a business and find a way to beat the system.
Anushka's gang in the film comprises Shahid, Vir Das and Miang Chang. And she says they gelled well.
"When we travelled outdoors, we got to spend time with each other...We hung out, ate out, went to the pub. Good that we got along very well because it was a pre-requisite of the film," said Anushka.
"Badmaash Company" is actor-turned-director Parmeet Sethi's first outing as director. Anushka says Parmeet knew the characters inside out, but was still open to others' ideas.
Anushka enjoys not being a trained actor because it allows her to visualise scenes naturally.
"I quite enjoy the fact that I'm not a trained actor...If you are experienced, you have a certain method of acting, but I haven't discovered that method yet. There is a positive side of not being a trained actor. When I get a scene, I see how naturally it should be done. People call it natural acting and that is also a method," she said.
Asked if she wants to explore any particular genre, she said: "No, I am not looking forward to any particular genre. I'm open to doing films of every genre and with different directors. There are so many things that I would love to do - a period love story or an action film."
But Anushka finds acting a difficult profession and says her hectic schedule leaves her with little time for her friends.
"I never wanted to be an actor. I wanted to remain a model. Had I wanted to be an actor I would have been more observant about actors. After 'Rab Ne...' I realised that it's a very difficult profession. You don't have time for your personal life, for your parents, and your social circuit becomes very small because you are working day and night," she said.
"I don't see it as a kissing scene. It's a part of the screenplay. I think cinema is changing and we are not doing (kissing) for the heck of it. We do not need to do this (kiss on screen) to attract attention," Anushka told the media in an interview.
"When you see the film, the kind of chemistry Bulbul (her character in the film) and Karan (Shahid) share, the kind of love that's there between them, you will be able to understand that the scene was justified," said Anushka, who made her debut as a small town girl in "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi" opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
The 22-year-old claims the audiences will be able to relate to the characters in the film as all of them represent the middle-class dreams.
"This film is about four friends, their relationships and the trials they go through to achieve their goals. All the characters are extremely relatable because they come from middle-class families with big dreams and aspirations. We have all been like that. Their dreams are really big. They have not got any patience...They want to do it right away," she said.
Set in Mumbai of the 1990s, "Badmaash Company" is about four youngsters who start a business and find a way to beat the system.
Anushka's gang in the film comprises Shahid, Vir Das and Miang Chang. And she says they gelled well.
"When we travelled outdoors, we got to spend time with each other...We hung out, ate out, went to the pub. Good that we got along very well because it was a pre-requisite of the film," said Anushka.
"Badmaash Company" is actor-turned-director Parmeet Sethi's first outing as director. Anushka says Parmeet knew the characters inside out, but was still open to others' ideas.
Anushka enjoys not being a trained actor because it allows her to visualise scenes naturally.
"I quite enjoy the fact that I'm not a trained actor...If you are experienced, you have a certain method of acting, but I haven't discovered that method yet. There is a positive side of not being a trained actor. When I get a scene, I see how naturally it should be done. People call it natural acting and that is also a method," she said.
Asked if she wants to explore any particular genre, she said: "No, I am not looking forward to any particular genre. I'm open to doing films of every genre and with different directors. There are so many things that I would love to do - a period love story or an action film."
But Anushka finds acting a difficult profession and says her hectic schedule leaves her with little time for her friends.
"I never wanted to be an actor. I wanted to remain a model. Had I wanted to be an actor I would have been more observant about actors. After 'Rab Ne...' I realised that it's a very difficult profession. You don't have time for your personal life, for your parents, and your social circuit becomes very small because you are working day and night," she said.
No weddings, no Punjabis in new films: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha has decided to move on. The Britain-based Indian filmmaker says she will leave behind her usual marriage formula in new projects, one of which is a children's film focussing on ecology and another that trails her own family history.
"At the moment I am working on a children's film set in Kerala. It's a children's adventure film. We are working on the script. We'll hopefully roll it on in winter," Chadha told media in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.
"It's about elephants and is set in an elephant sanctuary. It has an ecological message. I realised children are growing up too fast and they have to deal with issues too soon. I wanted to make a proper innocent adventure movie that specifically deals with children I used to see when I was young," she said.
Chadha, 50, made a mark for herself with movies like "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride & Prejudice" which were about marriage and even her latest release, "It's A Wonderful Afterlife", belongs to the same category.
But Chadha, who is in India to promote "It's A Wonderful Afterlife", admits she is moving away from her signature style.
"Yes, the children's film will be very different from the ones that people have seen before. It's set entirely in India and there will be no weddings in this one and certainly no Punjabis," she said.
Any title for the movie? "We had a Malayalam title, but at the moment we are only calling it 'GCs Indian Adventure'," she quipped.
Asked if she had zeroed in on the cast, she said: "Not yet, but I'm thinking. But the main cast will be children. I need a girl from India and I am looking for one who is between nine and 11. And I'll have an English boy."
And what about the language of the film?
"It'll be in English, but we may shoot a little bit in Hindi as well. I am not sure about that. But we might do a Hindi-English mix and may be a little bit of Malayalam too," she said.
Talking about her other project that will have references from Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's bestseller "Freedom at Midnight", she said: "I have the rights to 'Freedom at Midnight', but I'm also doing my own research. "It will be a film from a British Indian female's perspective. It'll be a complete epic drama set in India and England. The film is about independence. It'll look at my own history.
"My ancestors were originally from Persia and then Jhelum and Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). They were in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army and then after partition my father's family was in Kenya. My mother's side of the family had to leave and move to Delhi as refugees. I was born in Kenya and then I went to England with my parents as a baby.
"So in a way it's more about my history and how come I ended up where I am," she said.
"Freedom at Midnight" is also controversial for its references to Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
"That book has some interesting information so we are taking references from the book but 50 percent of the storyline will be ours and we will have our own characters and not Nehruji, Gandhiji and all."
So when does the dream project go on the floors?
"First, I have to get the script as it needs time. This is one project I want to get absolutely right. We are working on it, but we need to do a lot more research. It's a passion project and if the script comes along this year, then we'll do it next year," she said.
"At the moment I am working on a children's film set in Kerala. It's a children's adventure film. We are working on the script. We'll hopefully roll it on in winter," Chadha told media in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.
"It's about elephants and is set in an elephant sanctuary. It has an ecological message. I realised children are growing up too fast and they have to deal with issues too soon. I wanted to make a proper innocent adventure movie that specifically deals with children I used to see when I was young," she said.
Chadha, 50, made a mark for herself with movies like "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Bride & Prejudice" which were about marriage and even her latest release, "It's A Wonderful Afterlife", belongs to the same category.
But Chadha, who is in India to promote "It's A Wonderful Afterlife", admits she is moving away from her signature style.
"Yes, the children's film will be very different from the ones that people have seen before. It's set entirely in India and there will be no weddings in this one and certainly no Punjabis," she said.
Any title for the movie? "We had a Malayalam title, but at the moment we are only calling it 'GCs Indian Adventure'," she quipped.
Asked if she had zeroed in on the cast, she said: "Not yet, but I'm thinking. But the main cast will be children. I need a girl from India and I am looking for one who is between nine and 11. And I'll have an English boy."
And what about the language of the film?
"It'll be in English, but we may shoot a little bit in Hindi as well. I am not sure about that. But we might do a Hindi-English mix and may be a little bit of Malayalam too," she said.
Talking about her other project that will have references from Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre's bestseller "Freedom at Midnight", she said: "I have the rights to 'Freedom at Midnight', but I'm also doing my own research. "It will be a film from a British Indian female's perspective. It'll be a complete epic drama set in India and England. The film is about independence. It'll look at my own history.
"My ancestors were originally from Persia and then Jhelum and Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). They were in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army and then after partition my father's family was in Kenya. My mother's side of the family had to leave and move to Delhi as refugees. I was born in Kenya and then I went to England with my parents as a baby.
"So in a way it's more about my history and how come I ended up where I am," she said.
"Freedom at Midnight" is also controversial for its references to Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
"That book has some interesting information so we are taking references from the book but 50 percent of the storyline will be ours and we will have our own characters and not Nehruji, Gandhiji and all."
So when does the dream project go on the floors?
"First, I have to get the script as it needs time. This is one project I want to get absolutely right. We are working on it, but we need to do a lot more research. It's a passion project and if the script comes along this year, then we'll do it next year," she said.
Indian firms to increase oil production in Venezuela
India on Wednesday told Venezuela that Indian companies would be increasing production from oil fields in the Latin American country that could be sent for further processing in upcoming refining projects in India.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora met the visiting Venezuelan Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Temir Porras Poncelon here and conveyed the decision, officials said.
Indian state oil companies ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corp and Oil India Ltd have recently been awarded 40 percent participating interest to develop two oil blocks by the Venezuelan government.
OVL also holds 40 percent participating interest in another oil field that was awarded in April 2008. The overseas arm of India's flagship oil explorer is also carrying out reserve assessment of Junin Norte in the Orinoco belt of Venezuela.
Deora at the meeting said that Indian companies will help to "ramp up production" in Venezuelan oil fields, which could be utilized by the upcoming refinery projects in India for "long term cooperation" between the two countries in this sector.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora met the visiting Venezuelan Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Temir Porras Poncelon here and conveyed the decision, officials said.
Indian state oil companies ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corp and Oil India Ltd have recently been awarded 40 percent participating interest to develop two oil blocks by the Venezuelan government.
OVL also holds 40 percent participating interest in another oil field that was awarded in April 2008. The overseas arm of India's flagship oil explorer is also carrying out reserve assessment of Junin Norte in the Orinoco belt of Venezuela.
Deora at the meeting said that Indian companies will help to "ramp up production" in Venezuelan oil fields, which could be utilized by the upcoming refinery projects in India for "long term cooperation" between the two countries in this sector.
Google plans to sell e-book from next month
US internet search software giant Google plans to sell digital edition of books in late June or July, throwing the firm into a battle that already involves Amazon.com, Apple Inc. and Barnes & Noble Inc.
Google has been discussing its plan for distributing books online for several years and for months has been evangelising about its new service, called Google Editions, a company official said on Tuesday.
The company will allow users to access books from a broad range of websites using an array of devices, unlike rivals that are focused on proprietary devices and software, the media reported.
Chris Palma, Google's manager for strategic-partner development, announced the time table for Google's plans on Tuesday at a publishing- industry panel in New York.
Users will be able to buy digital copies of books they discover through its book-search service. It will also allow book retailers-even independent shops-to sell Google Editions on their own sites, giving partners the bulk of the revenue, the company said.
The company would have copies on its servers for works it strikes agreements to sell. Google is still deciding whether it will follow the model where publishers set the retail price or whether Google sets the price.
Users of Google Editions would be able to read books from a web browser-meaning that the type of e-reader device wouldn't matter. The company also could build software to optimise reading on certain devices like an iPhone or iPad but hasn't announced any specific plans, the paper said.
Google has been discussing its plan for distributing books online for several years and for months has been evangelising about its new service, called Google Editions, a company official said on Tuesday.
The company will allow users to access books from a broad range of websites using an array of devices, unlike rivals that are focused on proprietary devices and software, the media reported.
Chris Palma, Google's manager for strategic-partner development, announced the time table for Google's plans on Tuesday at a publishing- industry panel in New York.
Users will be able to buy digital copies of books they discover through its book-search service. It will also allow book retailers-even independent shops-to sell Google Editions on their own sites, giving partners the bulk of the revenue, the company said.
The company would have copies on its servers for works it strikes agreements to sell. Google is still deciding whether it will follow the model where publishers set the retail price or whether Google sets the price.
Users of Google Editions would be able to read books from a web browser-meaning that the type of e-reader device wouldn't matter. The company also could build software to optimise reading on certain devices like an iPhone or iPad but hasn't announced any specific plans, the paper said.
Bangladesh bans import of Indian poultry
Bangladesh imposed a ban on the import of poultry from India due to reported cases of bird flu in the country, an official said here today.
"The revenue board in line with the direction of the ministry of commerce on Tuesday issued a gazette notification imposing ban on import of eggs and chicks from India," National Board of Revenue official Syed A. Momen told the media.
He said no import of Indian poultry and eggs is allowed from now on.
"The revenue board in line with the direction of the ministry of commerce on Tuesday issued a gazette notification imposing ban on import of eggs and chicks from India," National Board of Revenue official Syed A. Momen told the media.
He said no import of Indian poultry and eggs is allowed from now on.
Kolkata to host India Twitter Conference for the first time
After a rolling success of the first India Twitter Conference (@IndiaTC) and the positive response from the attendees, India TC is now set to make its presence felt in Kolkata. The second India Twitter Conference is all set to be hosted in Kolkata on Saturday, May 8. With an urge to continue the trend of presenting before the people the impact of Twitter on Indian society, the upcoming conference seeks to find an answer to a pertinent question - Can Twitter change the way India works?
Taking clue from the first conference in Delhi where the eminent panelists put forward their observations on the topic of discussion, "Is Twitter Indian in Character?", this time IndiaTC will foray into another facet of Twitter. Organised by Twitsnaps (@TwitSnaps), a photo-sharing application on Twitter, the second India TC aims at finding out the real utility of this increasingly popular tool of communication.
With a steady penetration of Twitter in Indian social life and the increasing participation in this domain, people are now forced to think how this social networking site is actually helping their cause. Be it the current affairs or the spate of controversies that surround Indian politics, Twitter has evolved into a hotbed for discussion. Starting from breaking news to offering movie reviews Twitter has been playing a multi-faceted role engaging wider spectrum of people in the community.
The much awaited second IndiaTC will start off with a panel discussion presented by the eminent panelists from different walks of life. Mr Simarprit Singh, founder of TwitSnaps.com, will also be present during the event to share his observations on the chosen issue. The panel discussion will be followed by an interactive session where the attendees will raise questions, ponder and brainstorm to find out the answer.
Taking clue from the first conference in Delhi where the eminent panelists put forward their observations on the topic of discussion, "Is Twitter Indian in Character?", this time IndiaTC will foray into another facet of Twitter. Organised by Twitsnaps (@TwitSnaps), a photo-sharing application on Twitter, the second India TC aims at finding out the real utility of this increasingly popular tool of communication.
With a steady penetration of Twitter in Indian social life and the increasing participation in this domain, people are now forced to think how this social networking site is actually helping their cause. Be it the current affairs or the spate of controversies that surround Indian politics, Twitter has evolved into a hotbed for discussion. Starting from breaking news to offering movie reviews Twitter has been playing a multi-faceted role engaging wider spectrum of people in the community.
The much awaited second IndiaTC will start off with a panel discussion presented by the eminent panelists from different walks of life. Mr Simarprit Singh, founder of TwitSnaps.com, will also be present during the event to share his observations on the chosen issue. The panel discussion will be followed by an interactive session where the attendees will raise questions, ponder and brainstorm to find out the answer.
India to gift Buddhist temple to China
An Indian-style Buddhist temple, which was inspired by the Sanchi Stupa and took five years to build at a cost of $4 million, will be dedicated to the Chinese people by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil during her visit there next month.
The temple is located at Luoyang, one of China's ancient capitals, in central China's Henan province. It is adjacent to the White Horse Temple (Baima Si) built in the first century A.D. in honour of two Indian monks who travelled on horseback, carrying with them religious texts and an image of the Buddha.
The idea of a temple was proposed by the Chinese in 2003 when then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Luoyang. He promptly accepted the idea, realising the importance of a Buddhist shrine as a means for people-to-people contact.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit in 2008. The temple is ready for dedication on May 27 as India and China celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.
India has provided technical, financial and other support for the temple that stands on a 6,000 sq metre plot provided by the Chinese government.
The construction task was assigned to New Delhi-based architects Akshaya Jain and Raka Chakravarty, who won an architectural design competition organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. Assisted by Kshitij Jain, the duo kept in mind that the design was to draw inspiration from the Sanchi Stupa with an idol of the seated Buddha in the preaching posture.
Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa, was originally built by emperor Asoka.
The temple is Indian not only in concept and design but also the material that has gone into its construction. A variety of stones in many textures from Kota and Jaisalmer as well as marbles and granite were carried in 200 containers to China.
Jain and Chakravarty supervised the carving in India of each panel depicting episodes from the Buddha's life and Jataka tales before being transported to China.
"It has been five years of labour," the architects told media.
Implof the design involved several visits to the site over three years for supervision and detailed interaction - language constraint notwithstanding - with the Luoyang Religious Affairs Bureau and Foreign Affairs Office as also with the Chinese contractor responsible for the construction.
The temple has a dome 63 feet high and 80 feet in diameter. Its glass roof allows in a swathe of sunlight on the Buddha statue.
The statue, 15 feet high, is made of Chunar sandstone, the same that was used to make the fifth century Buddha idol at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.
At the entrance, there is 'toran' (the welcome gate) along with two 'dwarapals' (gatekeepers). There is a separate shrine for 'paduka', the Buddha's feet that are traditionally worshipped. Water bodies and lawns outside complete the exterior.
Although there are Buddha temples across China and in many parts of the world, an Indian-style Sanchi-inspired temple is the first one at Luoyang.
The temple is located at Luoyang, one of China's ancient capitals, in central China's Henan province. It is adjacent to the White Horse Temple (Baima Si) built in the first century A.D. in honour of two Indian monks who travelled on horseback, carrying with them religious texts and an image of the Buddha.
The idea of a temple was proposed by the Chinese in 2003 when then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Luoyang. He promptly accepted the idea, realising the importance of a Buddhist shrine as a means for people-to-people contact.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit in 2008. The temple is ready for dedication on May 27 as India and China celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties.
India has provided technical, financial and other support for the temple that stands on a 6,000 sq metre plot provided by the Chinese government.
The construction task was assigned to New Delhi-based architects Akshaya Jain and Raka Chakravarty, who won an architectural design competition organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. Assisted by Kshitij Jain, the duo kept in mind that the design was to draw inspiration from the Sanchi Stupa with an idol of the seated Buddha in the preaching posture.
Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh is known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa, was originally built by emperor Asoka.
The temple is Indian not only in concept and design but also the material that has gone into its construction. A variety of stones in many textures from Kota and Jaisalmer as well as marbles and granite were carried in 200 containers to China.
Jain and Chakravarty supervised the carving in India of each panel depicting episodes from the Buddha's life and Jataka tales before being transported to China.
"It has been five years of labour," the architects told media.
Implof the design involved several visits to the site over three years for supervision and detailed interaction - language constraint notwithstanding - with the Luoyang Religious Affairs Bureau and Foreign Affairs Office as also with the Chinese contractor responsible for the construction.
The temple has a dome 63 feet high and 80 feet in diameter. Its glass roof allows in a swathe of sunlight on the Buddha statue.
The statue, 15 feet high, is made of Chunar sandstone, the same that was used to make the fifth century Buddha idol at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh.
At the entrance, there is 'toran' (the welcome gate) along with two 'dwarapals' (gatekeepers). There is a separate shrine for 'paduka', the Buddha's feet that are traditionally worshipped. Water bodies and lawns outside complete the exterior.
Although there are Buddha temples across China and in many parts of the world, an Indian-style Sanchi-inspired temple is the first one at Luoyang.
US senator honoured as 'Friend of India'
The Connecticut unit of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has honoured a US senator, a corporate CEO and a young paediatric diabetes practitioner for their achievements and contributions to the community.
The three, Senator Chris Dodd, Dinesh Paliwal, chairman, CEO and president of Harman International and Neesha Ramchandani, pediatric nurse coordinator at Maimonides were honoured on Sunday at a function at the Italian Centre in Stamford.
Connecticut Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Co-chairman of the Senate India Caucus, was honoured with a "Friend of India" award in recognition of his leadership in advancing economic and political cooperation between India and the United States, and his years of support to the Indian-American community.
Dodd thanked the organization for this gesture and said, "It's great to be a friend of GOPIO Connecticut and India."
"Americans of Indian descent have become part of the rich fabric of Connecticut and the United States and their contributions to our economy and our culture can be seen all across our state and our country," said Dodd.
"India is a trusted friend to America and an important ally in addressing the global challenges that both our countries face," he said.
The 2010 "Indian-American Achiever Award" went to Paliwal for business building and turnaround successes at Harman and ABB.
Since taking over at Harman he has been driving innovation and breakthrough technologies, expanding the company's footprint in emerging markets, and dramatically improving its cost structure. He has lived and worked in six countries on four continents.
Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company who introduced Paliwal, called him a "builder of businesses and teams, a person with great personal qualities, and I am honored to be his friend."
The "Young Person of the Year Award" went to Neesha Ramchandani, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator. She is coordinator of the pediatric diabetes programme at Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York.
While the majority of her time is spent doing clinical work and diabetes education, she has been doing innovative research in pediatric diabetes technology and has presented her research all over the US, Europe and South Africa.
Indian Consul General in New York, Prabhu Dayal, lauded the "contributions of the Indian-American community to the United States as well as to India."
The three, Senator Chris Dodd, Dinesh Paliwal, chairman, CEO and president of Harman International and Neesha Ramchandani, pediatric nurse coordinator at Maimonides were honoured on Sunday at a function at the Italian Centre in Stamford.
Connecticut Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and Co-chairman of the Senate India Caucus, was honoured with a "Friend of India" award in recognition of his leadership in advancing economic and political cooperation between India and the United States, and his years of support to the Indian-American community.
Dodd thanked the organization for this gesture and said, "It's great to be a friend of GOPIO Connecticut and India."
"Americans of Indian descent have become part of the rich fabric of Connecticut and the United States and their contributions to our economy and our culture can be seen all across our state and our country," said Dodd.
"India is a trusted friend to America and an important ally in addressing the global challenges that both our countries face," he said.
The 2010 "Indian-American Achiever Award" went to Paliwal for business building and turnaround successes at Harman and ABB.
Since taking over at Harman he has been driving innovation and breakthrough technologies, expanding the company's footprint in emerging markets, and dramatically improving its cost structure. He has lived and worked in six countries on four continents.
Rajat Gupta, Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company who introduced Paliwal, called him a "builder of businesses and teams, a person with great personal qualities, and I am honored to be his friend."
The "Young Person of the Year Award" went to Neesha Ramchandani, a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator. She is coordinator of the pediatric diabetes programme at Maimonides Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York.
While the majority of her time is spent doing clinical work and diabetes education, she has been doing innovative research in pediatric diabetes technology and has presented her research all over the US, Europe and South Africa.
Indian Consul General in New York, Prabhu Dayal, lauded the "contributions of the Indian-American community to the United States as well as to India."
Indo-Canadian MP named in $120 mn bank fraud
Devinder Shory, Canada's newest MP of Indian origin, has been named in a $120 million mortgage fraud.
Shory, 51, who was elected to the Canadian parliament for the first time in 2008, is one of the nine MPs of Indian-origin in the House of Commons.
A practising lawyer in Calgary, Shory was elected from Calgary Northeast, beating two fellow Indo-Canadians - Satnam Kang of the Liberal Party and Vinay Dey of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
In a lawsuit Wednesday, the Bank of Montreal - which is one of the top five Canadian banks - named Shory along with over 100 people in the multimillion mortgage scam. Lawyers, brokers and the bank's own staff are among those named in the mega-fraud.
The Indian-born MP has been named in the lawsuit case as the lawyer for four mortgages. The bank is yet to serve a statement of claim to the MP who represents the ruling Conservative Party in parliament.
"Through media stories, it has come to my attention that I have been named in a civil matter. I want to state that I have not yet been served with a statement of claim," Shory said in a statement.
He said: "I will defend myself vigorously against these accusations. I have done nothing wrong. As the matter is before the courts, I have no further comment at this time."
As per the lawsuit, the fraudsters scammed the bank by finding houses with lower values than others. Then they found people whom they paid $3,000 to $8,000 each to sign on mortgage papers and become fake owners.
Then the fraudsters would inflate income of these fake buyers to get mortgage applications approved. Once the bank approved the mortgage, the fraudsters sent the money abroad, the bank said in its lawsuit.
Shory is the second Indian-origin MP in Canada to come under the scanner. Indian-origin former MP Rahim Jaffer, who lost in the 2008 parliamentary elections, is already facing a parliamentary probe for alleged ethics violations.
Shory, 51, who was elected to the Canadian parliament for the first time in 2008, is one of the nine MPs of Indian-origin in the House of Commons.
A practising lawyer in Calgary, Shory was elected from Calgary Northeast, beating two fellow Indo-Canadians - Satnam Kang of the Liberal Party and Vinay Dey of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
In a lawsuit Wednesday, the Bank of Montreal - which is one of the top five Canadian banks - named Shory along with over 100 people in the multimillion mortgage scam. Lawyers, brokers and the bank's own staff are among those named in the mega-fraud.
The Indian-born MP has been named in the lawsuit case as the lawyer for four mortgages. The bank is yet to serve a statement of claim to the MP who represents the ruling Conservative Party in parliament.
"Through media stories, it has come to my attention that I have been named in a civil matter. I want to state that I have not yet been served with a statement of claim," Shory said in a statement.
He said: "I will defend myself vigorously against these accusations. I have done nothing wrong. As the matter is before the courts, I have no further comment at this time."
As per the lawsuit, the fraudsters scammed the bank by finding houses with lower values than others. Then they found people whom they paid $3,000 to $8,000 each to sign on mortgage papers and become fake owners.
Then the fraudsters would inflate income of these fake buyers to get mortgage applications approved. Once the bank approved the mortgage, the fraudsters sent the money abroad, the bank said in its lawsuit.
Shory is the second Indian-origin MP in Canada to come under the scanner. Indian-origin former MP Rahim Jaffer, who lost in the 2008 parliamentary elections, is already facing a parliamentary probe for alleged ethics violations.
India among the worst 10 climate polluters: Study
India figures among the world's worst 10 countries causing environmental damage, according to a new study which lists Brazil as the most polluting country.
The research led by professor Corey Bradshaw, of the University of Adelaide's environment institute, has placed India at seventh position while ranking the US and China as the largest carbon producers after Brazil.
The 10 countries with the worst global footprint were Brazil, the US, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, India, Russia, Australia and Peru, it said.
Countries were measured on a range of indicators, including fertiliser use, natural forest loss, habitat conservation, fisheries and other marine captures, water pollution, carbon emissions and species threat.
The study, published in the science journal PLoS ONE on Wednesday, found Australia's carbon emissions, rate of species threat and natural forest loss were the greatest contributors to its ninth-place ranking, according to the media
"If you're clearing a lot of forests, you tend to also to overharvest in the ocean and use a lot of fertilisers," Bradshaw said explaining the link between development and environmental damage.
Bradshaw said finding the US and China in the top 10 were not surprising, though he was surprised that a relatively poor country such as Brazil took out the top spot.
"The wealthier you are, the more damage you do, on average," he said. "It's just a function of human nature. Growth is the be-all and end-all for all economies around the world, and if you're not growing economically, you're stagnant, and therefore that's a bad thing and governments get sacked. So we have a system built around increasing our consumption rates, and that's unsustainable in the long term."
The study, however, did not include human health and economic data, instead focusing exclusively on environmental indicators.
Bradshaw said while Australia had few forests to start with, land clearing had removed more than half of them since European settlement.
Released in the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity, the study also indicates that Australia has the highest mammalian extinction rate in the world, largely due to introduced species such as foxes, cats and rats, and habitat loss.
"And we are one of the highest per capita water users and carbon emitters in the world," Bradshaw was quoted as saying.
The study, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and Princeton University, also presented a separate ranking using a proportional environmental impact index, which measured impact against resource availability.
On that scale, the 10 worst countries were Singapore, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, Thailand, Bahrain, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Netherlands.
Bradshaw said the better-ranked countries were small places such as Cape Verde, Swaziland, Niger and Grenada.
"They haven't wiped out all their forests but they live well below what we'd consider poverty," he said adding, "We have things to learn from these countries in terms of consumption and in reducing our consumption".
The research led by professor Corey Bradshaw, of the University of Adelaide's environment institute, has placed India at seventh position while ranking the US and China as the largest carbon producers after Brazil.
The 10 countries with the worst global footprint were Brazil, the US, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, India, Russia, Australia and Peru, it said.
Countries were measured on a range of indicators, including fertiliser use, natural forest loss, habitat conservation, fisheries and other marine captures, water pollution, carbon emissions and species threat.
The study, published in the science journal PLoS ONE on Wednesday, found Australia's carbon emissions, rate of species threat and natural forest loss were the greatest contributors to its ninth-place ranking, according to the media
"If you're clearing a lot of forests, you tend to also to overharvest in the ocean and use a lot of fertilisers," Bradshaw said explaining the link between development and environmental damage.
Bradshaw said finding the US and China in the top 10 were not surprising, though he was surprised that a relatively poor country such as Brazil took out the top spot.
"The wealthier you are, the more damage you do, on average," he said. "It's just a function of human nature. Growth is the be-all and end-all for all economies around the world, and if you're not growing economically, you're stagnant, and therefore that's a bad thing and governments get sacked. So we have a system built around increasing our consumption rates, and that's unsustainable in the long term."
The study, however, did not include human health and economic data, instead focusing exclusively on environmental indicators.
Bradshaw said while Australia had few forests to start with, land clearing had removed more than half of them since European settlement.
Released in the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity, the study also indicates that Australia has the highest mammalian extinction rate in the world, largely due to introduced species such as foxes, cats and rats, and habitat loss.
"And we are one of the highest per capita water users and carbon emitters in the world," Bradshaw was quoted as saying.
The study, in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and Princeton University, also presented a separate ranking using a proportional environmental impact index, which measured impact against resource availability.
On that scale, the 10 worst countries were Singapore, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, Thailand, Bahrain, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Netherlands.
Bradshaw said the better-ranked countries were small places such as Cape Verde, Swaziland, Niger and Grenada.
"They haven't wiped out all their forests but they live well below what we'd consider poverty," he said adding, "We have things to learn from these countries in terms of consumption and in reducing our consumption".
20100505
Battle against Maoists is battle for development: Raman Singh
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday said an integrated action plan should be worked out to tackle Maoists and stressed that it was important to win the battle against the guerrillas for the sake of development. "This is a battle of development. We are not feeling troubled. We have to win this battle," Raman Singh said while speaking at a session on 'Democracy, Development and Extremism' at a conference organised by the Jagran Forum here.
He said his government has taken several steps to usher development in the Maoist-affected areas of his state.
Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, comprising five districts -- Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker -- has been the nerve centre of Maoist militancy since the late 1980s.
Maoists carried out the biggest ever attack in their nearly four decade-old violent movement on April 6 in Dantewada district and massacred 76 security personnel.
Singh said that the Bastar region had been ignored in terms of development for over five decades.
"Roads were not built and electricity not provided to the villages in the region in the name of preserving tribal culture," he said.
The chief minister said Maoists collected ransom, brutally murdered villagers and burnt schools and government offices in the region.
Terming Salwa Judum as a movement of tribals against the excesses of Maoists, Singh said he gave it his full support.
"No political party could have started this movement. It is a self-motivated response and will be so. AK-47 (of Maoists) is being opposed by bow and arrow (of the tribals). They (tribals) will find a way," he said.
Singh said there was no exploitation of tribals in Bastar and therefore there was no ground for a "people's revolution" as propagated by the Maoists. He said no land had yet been given to big private sector companies to set up factories in tribal areas.
The day-long conference on 'Democracy: Challenges of Consensus Building in India' was attended by several senior political leaders.
He said his government has taken several steps to usher development in the Maoist-affected areas of his state.
Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, comprising five districts -- Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Bastar and Kanker -- has been the nerve centre of Maoist militancy since the late 1980s.
Maoists carried out the biggest ever attack in their nearly four decade-old violent movement on April 6 in Dantewada district and massacred 76 security personnel.
Singh said that the Bastar region had been ignored in terms of development for over five decades.
"Roads were not built and electricity not provided to the villages in the region in the name of preserving tribal culture," he said.
The chief minister said Maoists collected ransom, brutally murdered villagers and burnt schools and government offices in the region.
Terming Salwa Judum as a movement of tribals against the excesses of Maoists, Singh said he gave it his full support.
"No political party could have started this movement. It is a self-motivated response and will be so. AK-47 (of Maoists) is being opposed by bow and arrow (of the tribals). They (tribals) will find a way," he said.
Singh said there was no exploitation of tribals in Bastar and therefore there was no ground for a "people's revolution" as propagated by the Maoists. He said no land had yet been given to big private sector companies to set up factories in tribal areas.
The day-long conference on 'Democracy: Challenges of Consensus Building in India' was attended by several senior political leaders.
Lawyers, activists welcome apex court decision on narco tests
Lawyers and rights activists today welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling that narco, polygraph or brain mapping tests cannot be conducted on anyone without their consent.
Lawyer Rebecca M. John, counsel for Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, said she was overjoyed.
"I am just overjoyed at the Supreme Court decision. I think this should have been done a long time back. Narco test is simply unconstitutional and the Supreme Court has upheld the rule of law," John told media.
A city court had allowed a narco test to be conducted on Ghandy last year. The Delhi High Court stayed the order.
"The narco test is misuse of the law. It's witchcraft in the garb of scientific test. It is not used in any civilised country," John added.
Noted civil liberties lawyer Prashant Bhushan agreed and said it was a welcome judgement.
"Quite apart from the fact that narco analysis is known to be a very imperfect, uncertain and hazardous procedure, (at times) it also gives you incorrect information."
Mumbai-based senior lawyer Majid Memon described it as an important judgment. "No person can be compelled to be a witness against himself; they have the right to silence. (The judgement) is important in the context of our country where many a times poor and innocent people are forced to speak against themselves."
Rights activist Shravani Sharma, while agreeing with Memon, said: "It's definitely a welcome judgement. It's often seen that helpless poor people who are falsely implicated in cases are made to go through these tests and falsely implicated. Innocent people have suffered because of these tests."
According to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who argued for death sentence for 26/11 accused Ajmal Amir Kasab in a special Mumbai court, "narco tests were only used as an aid to investigations, but now after the Supreme Court decision, these tests cannot be used without the consent of the individual".
"In the case of Ajmal Kasab, narco test was never invoked," he added.
Harsh Behl, spokesperson of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that has often used narco tests for their investigations, refused to comment on the apex court decision.
In their significant ruling, a bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal described the forcible administration of these tests as an "unwarranted intrusion of the personal liberty" of a person accused of an offence.
It added that even in cases where a person voluntarily submits to undergo these tests to establish his or her innocence, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines had to be observed.
Lawyer Rebecca M. John, counsel for Maoist leader Kobad Ghandy, said she was overjoyed.
"I am just overjoyed at the Supreme Court decision. I think this should have been done a long time back. Narco test is simply unconstitutional and the Supreme Court has upheld the rule of law," John told media.
A city court had allowed a narco test to be conducted on Ghandy last year. The Delhi High Court stayed the order.
"The narco test is misuse of the law. It's witchcraft in the garb of scientific test. It is not used in any civilised country," John added.
Noted civil liberties lawyer Prashant Bhushan agreed and said it was a welcome judgement.
"Quite apart from the fact that narco analysis is known to be a very imperfect, uncertain and hazardous procedure, (at times) it also gives you incorrect information."
Mumbai-based senior lawyer Majid Memon described it as an important judgment. "No person can be compelled to be a witness against himself; they have the right to silence. (The judgement) is important in the context of our country where many a times poor and innocent people are forced to speak against themselves."
Rights activist Shravani Sharma, while agreeing with Memon, said: "It's definitely a welcome judgement. It's often seen that helpless poor people who are falsely implicated in cases are made to go through these tests and falsely implicated. Innocent people have suffered because of these tests."
According to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who argued for death sentence for 26/11 accused Ajmal Amir Kasab in a special Mumbai court, "narco tests were only used as an aid to investigations, but now after the Supreme Court decision, these tests cannot be used without the consent of the individual".
"In the case of Ajmal Kasab, narco test was never invoked," he added.
Harsh Behl, spokesperson of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that has often used narco tests for their investigations, refused to comment on the apex court decision.
In their significant ruling, a bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices R.V. Raveendran and J.M. Panchal described the forcible administration of these tests as an "unwarranted intrusion of the personal liberty" of a person accused of an offence.
It added that even in cases where a person voluntarily submits to undergo these tests to establish his or her innocence, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines had to be observed.
Hillary to report on reprocessing deal to US Congress
US President Barack Obama has authorised Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to inform the US Congress about the conclusion of the nuclear fuel reprocessing arrangements under the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal.
The White House announced the delegation of the certification and reporting functions under section 201(b) of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act in a presidential memo to her on Tuesday.
Section 201(b) requires the President to inform the Congress the reasons for entering into reprocessing arrangements with a detailed description, including the text, of the proposed arrangement.
The president is also required to issue a "certification that the United States will pursue efforts to ensure that any other nation that permits India to reprocess or otherwise alter in form or content nuclear material that the nation has transferred to India or nuclear material and by-product material used in or produced through the use of nuclear material, non-nuclear material, or equipment that it has transferred to India requires India to do so under similar arrangements and procedures."
For approval, the reprocessing deal does not require a vote in the US Congress. It would come into effect unless it's disapproved by a joint resolution of Congress within 30 working days of being informed.
Last week Clinton was delegated the authority to inform the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee of "any material inconsistencies" with respect to the content and timing of notifications that New Delhi is to provide to the International Atomic Energy Agency under paragraph 14(a) of India's Safeguards Agreement.
The US law also requires the president to report on a variety of activities that could be undertaken pursuant to the nuclear agreement.
These include all provision of sensitive nuclear technology to India, any United States efforts to help India develop a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel, any negotiations that have occurred or are ongoing under Article 6(iii.) of the Agreement; any transfers beyond the territorial jurisdiction of India and any enrichment carried out pursuant to Article 6 of the Agreement.
India and US announced on March 29 that they have concluded an agreement for a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in India. But the administration is yet to notify the Congress about it.
India had reportedly insisted on conclusion of the reprocessing agreement before awarding any contracts to the US firms under the nuclear deal. India in turn is committed to adopting a nuclear liability bill to permit US firms to undertake nuclear projects under US law.
The White House announced the delegation of the certification and reporting functions under section 201(b) of the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act in a presidential memo to her on Tuesday.
Section 201(b) requires the President to inform the Congress the reasons for entering into reprocessing arrangements with a detailed description, including the text, of the proposed arrangement.
The president is also required to issue a "certification that the United States will pursue efforts to ensure that any other nation that permits India to reprocess or otherwise alter in form or content nuclear material that the nation has transferred to India or nuclear material and by-product material used in or produced through the use of nuclear material, non-nuclear material, or equipment that it has transferred to India requires India to do so under similar arrangements and procedures."
For approval, the reprocessing deal does not require a vote in the US Congress. It would come into effect unless it's disapproved by a joint resolution of Congress within 30 working days of being informed.
Last week Clinton was delegated the authority to inform the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee of "any material inconsistencies" with respect to the content and timing of notifications that New Delhi is to provide to the International Atomic Energy Agency under paragraph 14(a) of India's Safeguards Agreement.
The US law also requires the president to report on a variety of activities that could be undertaken pursuant to the nuclear agreement.
These include all provision of sensitive nuclear technology to India, any United States efforts to help India develop a strategic reserve of nuclear fuel, any negotiations that have occurred or are ongoing under Article 6(iii.) of the Agreement; any transfers beyond the territorial jurisdiction of India and any enrichment carried out pursuant to Article 6 of the Agreement.
India and US announced on March 29 that they have concluded an agreement for a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in India. But the administration is yet to notify the Congress about it.
India had reportedly insisted on conclusion of the reprocessing agreement before awarding any contracts to the US firms under the nuclear deal. India in turn is committed to adopting a nuclear liability bill to permit US firms to undertake nuclear projects under US law.
Lok Sabha adjourned over MP's 'unparliamentary remarks'
The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon today when Left MPs stalled the proceedings demanding an apology from Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay for using unparliamentary words against Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Basudeb Acharia.
When the house assembled at 11, Speaker Meira Kumar said about Tuesday's incident: "I disapprove such conduct". She also requested the opposition to cooperate with the chair to conduct the question hour.
However, Acharia, a veteran MP, said: "He (Bandyopadhyay) will have to apologise".
"This is not an insult to an individual member. It is an insult to the entire house," he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi said such a thing had never happened in the house and Badyopadhyay should apologise to the house.
Rejecting the demand, Badyopadhyay said the video recording of Tuesday's Lok Sabha proceedings should be checked. If he was indeed found to have used objectionable language, he would apologise.
Finance Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said he had seen many ugly scenes in the house. "We should not say these are unprecedented incidents."
He requested the Left MPs to close the chapter as the speaker had made an observation on the incident. But the Left MPs reached near the speaker's podium and continued their noisy protest.
The Congress MPs, raising the listed questions, demanded that the house should be allowed to function.
"Everybody wants the question (hour). Please go back," the speaker told the protesting MPs. But they refused, and the speaker adjourned the house till 12 noon.
When the house assembled at 11, Speaker Meira Kumar said about Tuesday's incident: "I disapprove such conduct". She also requested the opposition to cooperate with the chair to conduct the question hour.
However, Acharia, a veteran MP, said: "He (Bandyopadhyay) will have to apologise".
"This is not an insult to an individual member. It is an insult to the entire house," he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi said such a thing had never happened in the house and Badyopadhyay should apologise to the house.
Rejecting the demand, Badyopadhyay said the video recording of Tuesday's Lok Sabha proceedings should be checked. If he was indeed found to have used objectionable language, he would apologise.
Finance Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said he had seen many ugly scenes in the house. "We should not say these are unprecedented incidents."
He requested the Left MPs to close the chapter as the speaker had made an observation on the incident. But the Left MPs reached near the speaker's podium and continued their noisy protest.
The Congress MPs, raising the listed questions, demanded that the house should be allowed to function.
"Everybody wants the question (hour). Please go back," the speaker told the protesting MPs. But they refused, and the speaker adjourned the house till 12 noon.
US underplays Pakistan connection to terror
As another terror case with Pakistani links emerged, US sought to underplay the connection projecting terrorism as a common threat to "a number of countries around the world, including Pakistan and India and others."
"We obviously are aware that, you know, we have a threat that we face on an ongoing basis of individuals in this country and elsewhere who wish to do us ill," State Department Philip J. Crowley told reporters on Tuesday.
"The same is true of a number of countries around the world, including Pakistan and India and others," he said when asked to comment on a growing number of cases, including the 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks, where US citizens of Pakistani origin were involved.
"This is a global struggle. We are cooperating, you know, with these countries. Obviously, we have to continue to find ways to detect, you know, these plots before they reach a place like Times Square," Crowley added.
In March, Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley, pleaded guilty to helping plan the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In several other cases too either people with Pakistani backgrounds were involved or had trained in Pakistan.
Asked if Pakistan had changed since 1992 when then President Bill Clinton was about to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, Crowley said: "I'd be very careful about making a broad-brush statement. You know, we value our relationship with Pakistan."
"We value the fact that there are many Pakistanis who have come to this country, have links to Pakistan and have become citizens of this country. We're very proud of them. They enrich us as a society."
"And I think that we all share the same goal here, which is to determine, you know, what's behind this movement, how people that, you know, may come here to study, come here to live, all of a sudden, you know, take a turn in a dangerous direction," Crowley said.
"We're all trying to understand, you know, what this phenomenon is and see what we can do, you know, to prevent it from occurring in the future."
"We sense the concern, and we're determined to reduce this threat to the United States and to other countries as best we can," he said.
At the White House too, spokesman Robert Gibbs referred to the Headley case as a high profile recent terror case, but denied there was any perception of the White House that there has been an increase in attempted attacks during President Barack Obama's tenure.
"No, I just was listing high-profile cases, and I just added one to that list. I don't know, in terms of looking at statistics, whether that's the case or not," he said about his reference to the Headley case.
"We obviously are aware that, you know, we have a threat that we face on an ongoing basis of individuals in this country and elsewhere who wish to do us ill," State Department Philip J. Crowley told reporters on Tuesday.
"The same is true of a number of countries around the world, including Pakistan and India and others," he said when asked to comment on a growing number of cases, including the 26/ 11 Mumbai attacks, where US citizens of Pakistani origin were involved.
"This is a global struggle. We are cooperating, you know, with these countries. Obviously, we have to continue to find ways to detect, you know, these plots before they reach a place like Times Square," Crowley added.
In March, Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley, pleaded guilty to helping plan the 2008 Mumbai attacks. In several other cases too either people with Pakistani backgrounds were involved or had trained in Pakistan.
Asked if Pakistan had changed since 1992 when then President Bill Clinton was about to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, Crowley said: "I'd be very careful about making a broad-brush statement. You know, we value our relationship with Pakistan."
"We value the fact that there are many Pakistanis who have come to this country, have links to Pakistan and have become citizens of this country. We're very proud of them. They enrich us as a society."
"And I think that we all share the same goal here, which is to determine, you know, what's behind this movement, how people that, you know, may come here to study, come here to live, all of a sudden, you know, take a turn in a dangerous direction," Crowley said.
"We're all trying to understand, you know, what this phenomenon is and see what we can do, you know, to prevent it from occurring in the future."
"We sense the concern, and we're determined to reduce this threat to the United States and to other countries as best we can," he said.
At the White House too, spokesman Robert Gibbs referred to the Headley case as a high profile recent terror case, but denied there was any perception of the White House that there has been an increase in attempted attacks during President Barack Obama's tenure.
"No, I just was listing high-profile cases, and I just added one to that list. I don't know, in terms of looking at statistics, whether that's the case or not," he said about his reference to the Headley case.
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