20100707
Indians corner one third H1B visas to US
Indian professionals took the largest one-third piece of the H1B visa pie in 2009 as Indians made up the second largest group of people making the US their temporary home. Accounting for one-tenth of non-immigrant residents in the US, 364,757 Indians were only second to the Mexicans who made up 11.7 percent at 403,793, but 123,002 H1B visa holders from India gave them the largest 36.3 percent share among professionals. Resident non-immigrant admissions from India actually declined from 425,826 (11.5 percent) as the total decreased 6.8 percent from 3.7 million in 2008 to 3.4 million in 2009, according to the annual flow report issued by the Department of Homeland Security. H1B admissions from India too declined from 154,726 (37.8 percent) as the total decreased 17 percent from 409,619 in 2008 to 339,243 in 2009, but student admissions rose 3.8 percent from 2008 to 2009, reflecting an increase in academic student entries (F1). The leading countries of citizenship for resident non-immigrant admissions to the US in 2009 were Mexico (12 percent), India (11 percent), Japan (6.6 percent), Canada (6.4 percent), China (5.8 percent), Britain (5.6 percent), and South Korea (5.6 percent). These seven countries accounted for more than 50 percent of resident non-immigrant admissions to the US. From 2008 to 2009, decreases in resident admissions occurred among eight of the 10 leading countries of citizenship with the decrease from India (14 percent decrease) attributable to workers in specialty occupations, the report said. The leading countries of citizenship for H1B admissions in 2009 were India (36 percent), Canada (6.5 percent), Britain (4.3 percent) and Mexico (4.2 percent). In 2009, leading source countries for L1 for company transfers included India (16 percent), Britain (13 percent) and Japan (9.9 percent). Forty percent of L1 admissions were accounted for by nationals of these three countries. Nearly half of academic student admissions (F1) were nationals of five countries: China (14 percent), South Korea (13 percent), India (9 percent), Mexico (8.2 percent), and Japan (5.6 percent). The most frequent destinations of resident non-immigrant admissions in 2009 were California (14 percent), New York (13 percent), Texas (8.5 percent) and Florida (6.5 percent). These four states represented the destinations of 42 percent of foreign nationals admitted.
PETA urges medical colleges to end animal use
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) today urged five prominent medical colleges in Delhi to end use of animals in medical training. The PETA has sent letters to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Maulana Azad Medical College, Lady Hardinge Medical College, University College of Medical Sciences and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and asked them to replace the use of animals with modern methods. The letters recommends that colleges adopt computer-assisted models to replace animals. "This is a major step forward in medical education," says Anuradha Srivastava, the PETA India campaigner. "The colleges now have the opportunity not only to spare animals' lives but to provide students with the most modern training methods available," she said. Many top medical-training institutions in the US - including the Harvard Medical School, Stanford University School of Medicine - no longer have live-animal laboratories, she said. Instead they use alternatives to animal experiments like interactive computer models, non-invasive human-based experiments and high-tech human patient simulators that breathe and respond to drugs and treatment just as humans do, she added.
EVMs are tamperproof, says official
Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi today strongly defended the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying they were tamperproof and had passed all tests over the years. "The EVM is tamperproof. That's the way they have been designed. The secret of their success lies in simplicity. They use calculator technology. It does not use an operating system. We don't use high technology here. Chances of going wrong is zero," Qureshi told reporters here. Qureshi, on a two-day visit to the state along with Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath, was responding to questions about fears expressed by West Bengal's political parties about the machines. Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had gone hammer and tongs against EVMs after her party was routed in the 2001 and 2006 assembly polls. And after facing a drubbing in last year's Lok Sabha election, the state's ruling Left Front also doubted the genuineness of the machines. Describing EVMs as the wonder machines of Indian democracy, Qureshi said: "They save 8,500 tonnes of papers in one general election." "Firstly, these machines are manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd in Bangalore and the Electronic Corp of India Ltd in Hyderabad. These are two of the best companies. Nobody is allowed to enter (then) unauthorised. "Where those machines will go nobody knows. How can they manipulate? How does one know which candidates will be contesting? And the names are given in the alphabetical order of the candidates. So it is not known button one will be this party and no 2 (for) that party," Qureshi said. He said EVMs have passed all technical checks undertaken before political parties and candidates. "They raised lot of doubts, but in the end said the machines are perfectly fine." He said there were surprising results in Kolkata in the last election. "Those in power lost. So now they have questioned the machine." Asked about the problem of the voting pattern of a booth becoming public due to the use of the EVMs, he said: "We have developed a machine called totalizer through which we can connect 14 machines, jumble up the votes of all the EVMs. The total number of the votes will be the sum-total of the votes in each EVM. It is like the votes getting mixed as in ballots. "However, there were lot of reservations expressed. The matter is now before parliament," he added.
Indian jailed in Pakistan moves apex court
The Supreme Court today asked Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium to take "instructions" from the central government on a petition filed by a Punjab resident seeking his release from a jail in Pakistan. Petitioner Gopal Dass, who hails from Gurdaspur district of Punjab, has sought his release from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat central jail and return to India. The apex court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice T.S. Thakur initially asked the petitioner, who moved the court through his brother Anand Vir, to approach the Pakistani government. However, the court’s directions to the solicitor general came after petitioner's counsel Arvind Sharma said that they did approach the Pakistani government but the Indian authorities refused to do anything. He told the court that the authorities refused to accept Dass as an Indian national. Justice Thakur said that such a matter entirely rests on the state of diplomatic relations between two countries. When the petitioner insisted for an early hearing of the case, the court said: "We have heard you. We will give a date." In July 1984, Dass was arrested by the Pakistani Rangers when he "mistakenly" crossed over. He stood trial and was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 27, 1987. In 2005, Dass completed his sentence of life imprisonment but is still languishing in a jail in Pakistan. The Pakistan government decided to release him on August 14, 2007 but the Indian government allegedly did not take any action in the matter. The petitioner said his release was possible only through diplomatic channels. He sought the court’s direction to the central government to take "immediate and necessary" steps for his release and repatriation from the Pakistani jail.
Lawyer's panel to check facilities for Games workers
The Delhi High Court has set up a three-member committee of Delhi Legal Services Authority lawyers to inspect the facilities provided by the Delhi government to workers employed at the Commonwealth Games village. The direction came after the court was informed by a petitioner that the government was not doing enough for the workers, who were living in inhuman conditions at Games construction sites. The court in May directed the government to ensure that workers at various sites were registered with the Delhi Building and other Construction Workers Welfare Board (DBCWWB) to protect their rights. The government today submitted that till now 3,000 workers had been registered. However, petitioner People's Union For Democratic Rights (PUDR) said that workers were still living in inhuman conditions. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan asked the lawyers' to submit its report within two weeks. A report titled "The 2010 Commonwealth Games: Whose Wealth, Whose Commons?" released by the New Delhi-based Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) in May said workers employed at the Games village were not being paid the minimum wages. "Unskilled workers were being paid Rs.85-100 per day against the stipulated minimum wage of Rs.142 per day for eight hours of work. Skilled workers were being paid Rs.120-130 per day even though the stipulated wage is Rs.158 per day," the report said. The report alleged that women were being paid less than men and that at least one-third of the workers were not paid their wages on time. Through its petition, the PUDR had urged the court to ensure better facilities for workers, including insurance and medical services. The PUDR said more than 70 workers, out of an estimated 415,000, have died at various Games sites.
source:agency
source:agency
Curfew in Kashmir Valley, army out in Srinagar
An indefinite curfew was imposed today in various towns of Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar where the army staged a flag march in some parts following widespread violence the day before that led to four people being killed and over 90 injured. An eerie silence descended over this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir after the daylong clashes on Tuesday that left two teenagers, a woman and a state government employee dead and over 90 people, including police and CRPF troopers, injured.
The army staged a flag march on the Srinagar airport road today morning, Lt. Col J.S.Brar told media.
A senior police officer said police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were deployed to enforce the curfew.
Tuesday's violence started after the body of a 17-year-old youth was fished out from a stream with locals alleging he was forcibly drowned by the security forces during protests in the Gangbugh locality of capital Srinagar on Monday afternoon.
The trouble started in the morning itself when security forces opened fire in the Gungbugh locality as protests broke out, leaving Fayaz Ahmad Wani, 35, dead.
A stray bullet hit a woman in the chest in the Batmallo locality of the city as she watched clashes on the road from her house and died while being shifted to hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
After that, a teenager was killed when security forces opened fire in Maisuma locality.
source: agency
The army staged a flag march on the Srinagar airport road today morning, Lt. Col J.S.Brar told media.
A senior police officer said police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were deployed to enforce the curfew.
Tuesday's violence started after the body of a 17-year-old youth was fished out from a stream with locals alleging he was forcibly drowned by the security forces during protests in the Gangbugh locality of capital Srinagar on Monday afternoon.
The trouble started in the morning itself when security forces opened fire in the Gungbugh locality as protests broke out, leaving Fayaz Ahmad Wani, 35, dead.
A stray bullet hit a woman in the chest in the Batmallo locality of the city as she watched clashes on the road from her house and died while being shifted to hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
After that, a teenager was killed when security forces opened fire in Maisuma locality.
source: agency
Pakistan violates ceasefire again, BSF trooper killed
In another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani Rangers fired at an Indian border post on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector killing a trooper, official sources said today.
Pakistani Rangers opened fire at Chak Phagwari post at around 11.30 p.m on Tuesday, Border Security Force (BSF) sources said. BSF constable Hari Prasad was killed in the gunfire from across the border in Akhnoor sector, 45 km northwest of Jammu.
Early on Tuesday, another BSF trooper, head constable Sultan Ali was killed at the Chak Sagwali post in Pargwal area in Pakistani firing from across the border.
Firing from Pakistan, in violation of the November 2003 ceasefire, was becoming a regular feature, an official said.
source: agency
Pakistani Rangers opened fire at Chak Phagwari post at around 11.30 p.m on Tuesday, Border Security Force (BSF) sources said. BSF constable Hari Prasad was killed in the gunfire from across the border in Akhnoor sector, 45 km northwest of Jammu.
Early on Tuesday, another BSF trooper, head constable Sultan Ali was killed at the Chak Sagwali post in Pargwal area in Pakistani firing from across the border.
Firing from Pakistan, in violation of the November 2003 ceasefire, was becoming a regular feature, an official said.
source: agency
Maoist shutdown evokes partial response in parts of Andhra
The 48-hour shutdown called by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) to protest the killing of their spokesperson Azad evoked partial response in parts of Andhra Pradesh today.
The shutdown affected normal life in Maoist-infested tribal areas in the districts bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh as authorities suspended bus services and cancelled few trains as a precautionary measure.
The call also evoked partial response in remote areas of Adilabad district, where Chelukuri Rajkumar alias Azad was killed by police in an alleged gun battle last week. The response, however, was poor in other parts of Telangana, which was once a stronghold of Maoists.
Police sounded a high alert in areas bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh borders in view of the warning by intelligence agencies that Maoists could carry out attacks to avenge the killing of their top leader.
Additional forces were deployed in Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts bordering Orissa and Khammam district adjoining Chhattisgarh.
According to Vijayanagaram Superintendent of Police Navin Gulati, patrolling has been intensified to prevent any Maoist activity.
Police have also advised the politicians in the region not to move into interior areas without proper security.
The railway authorities cancelled some trains in the areas bordering Orissa and Maharashtra in view of the reported threat by Maoists to target trains.
East Coast Railways cancelled Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express and either effected changes in the timings of some other trains or diverted them.
South Central Railway has also partially cancelled few trains passing through Maharashtra. The trains on Mudkhed-Adilabad section have been affected. SCR partially cancelled Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express between Kinwat (Mahrashtra) and Adilabad. Adilabad-Nanded special train has also been partially cancelled.
Nagpur-Mumbai CST Nandigram Express will run only up to Adilabad and has been cancelled between Adilabad and Mumbai.
source: agency
The shutdown affected normal life in Maoist-infested tribal areas in the districts bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh as authorities suspended bus services and cancelled few trains as a precautionary measure.
The call also evoked partial response in remote areas of Adilabad district, where Chelukuri Rajkumar alias Azad was killed by police in an alleged gun battle last week. The response, however, was poor in other parts of Telangana, which was once a stronghold of Maoists.
Police sounded a high alert in areas bordering Orissa and Chhattisgarh borders in view of the warning by intelligence agencies that Maoists could carry out attacks to avenge the killing of their top leader.
Additional forces were deployed in Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts bordering Orissa and Khammam district adjoining Chhattisgarh.
According to Vijayanagaram Superintendent of Police Navin Gulati, patrolling has been intensified to prevent any Maoist activity.
Police have also advised the politicians in the region not to move into interior areas without proper security.
The railway authorities cancelled some trains in the areas bordering Orissa and Maharashtra in view of the reported threat by Maoists to target trains.
East Coast Railways cancelled Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express and either effected changes in the timings of some other trains or diverted them.
South Central Railway has also partially cancelled few trains passing through Maharashtra. The trains on Mudkhed-Adilabad section have been affected. SCR partially cancelled Tirupati-Adilabad Krishna Express between Kinwat (Mahrashtra) and Adilabad. Adilabad-Nanded special train has also been partially cancelled.
Nagpur-Mumbai CST Nandigram Express will run only up to Adilabad and has been cancelled between Adilabad and Mumbai.
source: agency
Fuel price hike won't impact inflation: Pranab
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that the hike in fuel prices was introduced after considering various factors and that it would not cause any surge in inflation.
"The committee concerned had submitted its report about the petroleum products to us in February but keeping in mind public interest, we had implemented it in June. The committee had drafted its report after considering all parameters," Mukherjee told reporters here.
"This price rice will not put any impact on the inflation and it will be less than the one percent of the wholesale price index," he said.
Mukherjee was in Chandigarh to head a meeting of the chief ministers of northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and heads of public sector banks to review the credit needs of the region and progress of central government schemes.
The minister emphasised on the expansion of banking services in rural areas.
"It is very necessary to provide banking services in rural areas to save poor people from private money-lenders. We have to make optimum use of latest technologies like computers and telephones in this direction," Mukherjee said.
source: agency
"The committee concerned had submitted its report about the petroleum products to us in February but keeping in mind public interest, we had implemented it in June. The committee had drafted its report after considering all parameters," Mukherjee told reporters here.
"This price rice will not put any impact on the inflation and it will be less than the one percent of the wholesale price index," he said.
Mukherjee was in Chandigarh to head a meeting of the chief ministers of northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and heads of public sector banks to review the credit needs of the region and progress of central government schemes.
The minister emphasised on the expansion of banking services in rural areas.
"It is very necessary to provide banking services in rural areas to save poor people from private money-lenders. We have to make optimum use of latest technologies like computers and telephones in this direction," Mukherjee said.
source: agency
Maoist strike begins in Bihar
Five trains were cancelled and buses went off roads in Bihar today as a two-day Maoist strike began amid tight security and fear of violence in the state, officials said.
Some trains were diverted. "Hundreds of passengers cancelled their tickets in the last one day," said an official at the ticket counter of the Patna railway junction.
The cancelled trains include the Patna-Barka Kana Singrauli Express, Barka Kana-Patna Express, Barwadih-Dehri On Sone Passenger and the Singrauli-Garhwa Express, an official of the East Central Railway told the media.
Dilip Kumar, the chief public relations officer of the East Central Railway, said railways have taken precautionary measures as trains are soft targets for Maoists.
He said that pilot engines would escort the trains during the day time in Maoist-affected areas.
Public road transport was hit in some rural areas as long-route buses were not plying fearing violence.
Rural markets in Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad and Arwal were closed.
"No violence was reported in the state after Maoists began their strike at midnight on Tuesday," Additional Director General of Police P.K. Thakur said.
An alert has been sounded in the state and adequate security arrangements are in place, he said.
"All the district superintendents of police have been directed to intensify patrolling and deploy additional security forces at vital installations, including railway stations," Thakur said.
The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist called for a two-day strike to protest the killing of their top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in an alleged police shootout in Andhra Pradesh. Maoists claim Azad was killed in a staged gunfight after being arrested in Nagpur in Maharashtra.
source: agency
Some trains were diverted. "Hundreds of passengers cancelled their tickets in the last one day," said an official at the ticket counter of the Patna railway junction.
The cancelled trains include the Patna-Barka Kana Singrauli Express, Barka Kana-Patna Express, Barwadih-Dehri On Sone Passenger and the Singrauli-Garhwa Express, an official of the East Central Railway told the media.
Dilip Kumar, the chief public relations officer of the East Central Railway, said railways have taken precautionary measures as trains are soft targets for Maoists.
He said that pilot engines would escort the trains during the day time in Maoist-affected areas.
Public road transport was hit in some rural areas as long-route buses were not plying fearing violence.
Rural markets in Gaya, Aurangabad, Jehanabad and Arwal were closed.
"No violence was reported in the state after Maoists began their strike at midnight on Tuesday," Additional Director General of Police P.K. Thakur said.
An alert has been sounded in the state and adequate security arrangements are in place, he said.
"All the district superintendents of police have been directed to intensify patrolling and deploy additional security forces at vital installations, including railway stations," Thakur said.
The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist called for a two-day strike to protest the killing of their top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad in an alleged police shootout in Andhra Pradesh. Maoists claim Azad was killed in a staged gunfight after being arrested in Nagpur in Maharashtra.
source: agency
Supreme court for higher penalty for false civil claims
The Supreme Court has favoured increasing the costs that are imposed on litigants to deter false or vexatious civil claims aimed at delaying cases.
The maximum cost that can be imposed under the existing provisions is Rs.3,000.
The court has suggested to the central government to revisit the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) providing for the imposition of costs as the effect of the existing provisions has been severely eroded on account of inflation.
The apex court bench of Justices R.V. Raveendran and R.M. Lodha said: "The provision (section 35A, CPC) relating to compensatory costs in respect of false or vexatious claims or defences has become virtually ineffective, on account of inflation".
Under the said Section of the CPC the maximum cost that could be imposed is Rs.3,000. "This requires a realistic revision...," the court said.
The court's judgment Monday also directed the subordinate courts to invoke section 35B to deal with parties delaying cases. "It should be regularly invoked to reduce delay," the bench said.
The court lamented that "lack of appropriate provisions relating to costs has resulted in a steady increase in malicious, vexatious, false, frivolous and speculative suits".
The verdict also noted that the absence of such laws stood in the way of arriving at settlements of these cases outside the court in civil matters.
The court's observations came in a case in which a builder-cum-real estate dealer filed a suit to enforce an "oral" agreement for "commercial collaboration for business profits" with some people in possession of a plot in Paschim Vihar in west Delhi.
However, after he made a payment to the alleged plot owners, no progress was made on the contract. He was to build a multi-storeyed building in which all would have got a share.
He then moved the court for enforcing the contract.
The high court, while hearing his petition, ordered him to file an undertaking that he would pay Rs.25 lakh as damages to the owners if he were to lose the case.
"Affluent speculators in immovable properties cannot be permitted to misuse the process of the court to compel owners to transact with them only," the high court said.
The real estate dealer then appealed to the division bench of the high court but lost the case. He then moved the apex court.
The apex court said that there was a possibility that the owners would win the case as the entire case was built on an oral agreement.
It also noted that any future damages could not gloss over the fact that the case would take 10 years to decide and that it cast a cloud over the property and restricted the right of the owners to dispose of the property in the meantime.
It, however, set aside the high court order to deal with this by prescribing future costs. The courts cannot slap costs that will deter genuine litigants from moving court, it said.
Nor can they slap costs when a person has not committed any default or delayed proceedings or filed frivolous applications, the apex court said.
source: agency
The maximum cost that can be imposed under the existing provisions is Rs.3,000.
The court has suggested to the central government to revisit the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) providing for the imposition of costs as the effect of the existing provisions has been severely eroded on account of inflation.
The apex court bench of Justices R.V. Raveendran and R.M. Lodha said: "The provision (section 35A, CPC) relating to compensatory costs in respect of false or vexatious claims or defences has become virtually ineffective, on account of inflation".
Under the said Section of the CPC the maximum cost that could be imposed is Rs.3,000. "This requires a realistic revision...," the court said.
The court's judgment Monday also directed the subordinate courts to invoke section 35B to deal with parties delaying cases. "It should be regularly invoked to reduce delay," the bench said.
The court lamented that "lack of appropriate provisions relating to costs has resulted in a steady increase in malicious, vexatious, false, frivolous and speculative suits".
The verdict also noted that the absence of such laws stood in the way of arriving at settlements of these cases outside the court in civil matters.
The court's observations came in a case in which a builder-cum-real estate dealer filed a suit to enforce an "oral" agreement for "commercial collaboration for business profits" with some people in possession of a plot in Paschim Vihar in west Delhi.
However, after he made a payment to the alleged plot owners, no progress was made on the contract. He was to build a multi-storeyed building in which all would have got a share.
He then moved the court for enforcing the contract.
The high court, while hearing his petition, ordered him to file an undertaking that he would pay Rs.25 lakh as damages to the owners if he were to lose the case.
"Affluent speculators in immovable properties cannot be permitted to misuse the process of the court to compel owners to transact with them only," the high court said.
The real estate dealer then appealed to the division bench of the high court but lost the case. He then moved the apex court.
The apex court said that there was a possibility that the owners would win the case as the entire case was built on an oral agreement.
It also noted that any future damages could not gloss over the fact that the case would take 10 years to decide and that it cast a cloud over the property and restricted the right of the owners to dispose of the property in the meantime.
It, however, set aside the high court order to deal with this by prescribing future costs. The courts cannot slap costs that will deter genuine litigants from moving court, it said.
Nor can they slap costs when a person has not committed any default or delayed proceedings or filed frivolous applications, the apex court said.
source: agency
Imran to wed Avantika in Jan 2011
January 2011 would be a new year indeed for Imran Khan and his long-time sweetheart Avantika Malik; a year of new beginnings that is.
After being seen together at every occasion, the couple has finally decided to live with each other as well.
Imran and Avantika, who have apparently been dating each other for over eight years, have mutually decided to tie the knot in January next year. The exact date is however yet to be finalised.
A source close to the couple says, "It will not be a nikkaah. It would be a simple registered marriage. Only a few close friends and family members shall be invited to the ceremony. Imran and Avantika don't believe in ostentatious preparations. But the wedding arrangements have started."
Imran does seem to prefer the month of January to others. It was in January this year that he got engaged to Avantika. You wonder if it is an auspicious month for him. The marriage will take place in Mumbai. Currently, Imran is busy working on Kunal Kohli's Break Ke Baad, post which he is expected to star in Karan Johar's next, opposite Kareena Kapoor.
Imran confirmed and said, "I haven't locked the exact wedding date yet since my shooting dates are still uncertain. I want to go on a break from my schedule for a couple of months so that we can do the entire event in a proper manner."
Wonder what grand plans Maamujaan Aamir has for the wedding?
source: MUMBAI MIRROR
After being seen together at every occasion, the couple has finally decided to live with each other as well.
Imran and Avantika, who have apparently been dating each other for over eight years, have mutually decided to tie the knot in January next year. The exact date is however yet to be finalised.
A source close to the couple says, "It will not be a nikkaah. It would be a simple registered marriage. Only a few close friends and family members shall be invited to the ceremony. Imran and Avantika don't believe in ostentatious preparations. But the wedding arrangements have started."
Imran does seem to prefer the month of January to others. It was in January this year that he got engaged to Avantika. You wonder if it is an auspicious month for him. The marriage will take place in Mumbai. Currently, Imran is busy working on Kunal Kohli's Break Ke Baad, post which he is expected to star in Karan Johar's next, opposite Kareena Kapoor.
Imran confirmed and said, "I haven't locked the exact wedding date yet since my shooting dates are still uncertain. I want to go on a break from my schedule for a couple of months so that we can do the entire event in a proper manner."
Wonder what grand plans Maamujaan Aamir has for the wedding?
source: MUMBAI MIRROR
Time magazine apologises to Indian-Americans for 'My Own Private India'
WASHINGTON: The prestigious 'Time' magazine has apologised to Indian-Americans following the publication of a column by journalist Joel Stein which offended and outraged the large community, especially those in New Jersey.
"We sincerely regret that any of our readers were upset by Joel Stein's recent humour column 'My Own Private India.' It was in no way intended to cause offence," the Time magazine said after large number of Indian-Americans demanded an apology from the magazine and the columnist.
"I truly feel stomach-sick that I hurt so many people," responded Stein, who in his column 'My Own Private India' gave his own impression of how his home town of Edison in New Jersey has changed over the years with the desi influx.
Nearly one in every five resident of this New Jersey city are Indian Americans; thus making it one of the few such cities in the United States.
"For a while, we assumed all Indians were geniuses. Then, in the 1980s, the doctors and engineers brought over their merchant cousins, and we were no longer so sure about the genius thing. In the 1990s, the not-as-brilliant merchants brought their even-less-bright cousins, and we started to understand why India is so damn poor," Stein wrote in the issue dated July 5.
"Eventually, there were enough Indians in Edison to change the culture. At which point my townsfolk started calling the new Edisonians 'dot heads'. One kid I knew in high school drove down an Indian-dense street yelling for its residents to 'go home to India'," Stein wrote.
"Sometime after I left, the town became a maze of charmless Indian strip malls and housing developments. Whenever I go back, I feel what people in Arizona talk about: a sense of loss and anomie and disbelief that anyone can eat food that spicy," he wrote.
The article outraged many Indian-Americans. "...I always thought it was hilarious when I'd get the crap kicked out of me by kids like Stein who would yell 'go back to India, dothead!' I was always ROTFLMAO when people would assume that I wasn't American. He really captured the brilliant humour in that one too!" wrote Kal Penn, the popular Indian-American actor.
Indian-Americans also launched an online petition demanding Time and CNN to remove the article from their online edition.
"Such prestigious magazine like Time should not have allowed such an article to be published in the first place. We respectfully request Time magazine to remove the article from the web and have Mr. Joel Stein write an apology letter that shows some remorse," the petition said.
Regretting that his article hurt the feelings of so many Indian Americans, Stein wrote: "I was trying to explain how, as someone who believes that immigration has enriched American life and my hometown in particular, I was shocked that I could feel a tiny bit uncomfortable with my changing town when I went to visit it. If we could understand that reaction, we'd be better equipped to debate people on the other side of the immigration issue."
source: agency
"We sincerely regret that any of our readers were upset by Joel Stein's recent humour column 'My Own Private India.' It was in no way intended to cause offence," the Time magazine said after large number of Indian-Americans demanded an apology from the magazine and the columnist.
"I truly feel stomach-sick that I hurt so many people," responded Stein, who in his column 'My Own Private India' gave his own impression of how his home town of Edison in New Jersey has changed over the years with the desi influx.
Nearly one in every five resident of this New Jersey city are Indian Americans; thus making it one of the few such cities in the United States.
"For a while, we assumed all Indians were geniuses. Then, in the 1980s, the doctors and engineers brought over their merchant cousins, and we were no longer so sure about the genius thing. In the 1990s, the not-as-brilliant merchants brought their even-less-bright cousins, and we started to understand why India is so damn poor," Stein wrote in the issue dated July 5.
"Eventually, there were enough Indians in Edison to change the culture. At which point my townsfolk started calling the new Edisonians 'dot heads'. One kid I knew in high school drove down an Indian-dense street yelling for its residents to 'go home to India'," Stein wrote.
"Sometime after I left, the town became a maze of charmless Indian strip malls and housing developments. Whenever I go back, I feel what people in Arizona talk about: a sense of loss and anomie and disbelief that anyone can eat food that spicy," he wrote.
The article outraged many Indian-Americans. "...I always thought it was hilarious when I'd get the crap kicked out of me by kids like Stein who would yell 'go back to India, dothead!' I was always ROTFLMAO when people would assume that I wasn't American. He really captured the brilliant humour in that one too!" wrote Kal Penn, the popular Indian-American actor.
Indian-Americans also launched an online petition demanding Time and CNN to remove the article from their online edition.
"Such prestigious magazine like Time should not have allowed such an article to be published in the first place. We respectfully request Time magazine to remove the article from the web and have Mr. Joel Stein write an apology letter that shows some remorse," the petition said.
Regretting that his article hurt the feelings of so many Indian Americans, Stein wrote: "I was trying to explain how, as someone who believes that immigration has enriched American life and my hometown in particular, I was shocked that I could feel a tiny bit uncomfortable with my changing town when I went to visit it. If we could understand that reaction, we'd be better equipped to debate people on the other side of the immigration issue."
source: agency
Three local Hurriyat leaders arrested in Poonch
JAMMU: Police today arrested three local Hurriyat leaders, who were planning to enforce a bandh in Surankote town of Poonch district.
Police raided the houses of Hurriyat leaders Hanief Kalas, Irshad Hussain and Omar in Surankote town and arrested them.
They were planning to enforce a bandh in Surankote town in support of Hurriyat's call for a bandh in Kashmir Valley, they said.
DSP Surankote, Parbeet Singh, said they have been arrested to maintain law and order in the district.
source: agency
Police raided the houses of Hurriyat leaders Hanief Kalas, Irshad Hussain and Omar in Surankote town and arrested them.
They were planning to enforce a bandh in Surankote town in support of Hurriyat's call for a bandh in Kashmir Valley, they said.
DSP Surankote, Parbeet Singh, said they have been arrested to maintain law and order in the district.
source: agency
PM calls security meet on Kashmir situation
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday called for a meeting of the cabinet committee on security affairs to discuss the Kashmir situation. The meeting will decide on the mandate for the Army, which has been called in the valley to help maintain peace in the state by chief minister Omar Abdullah.
The meeting reportedly will also look into the logistical deployment of the Army in Kashmir and will also make a detailed plan on coordination with the state government.
The meeting will be attended by the finance minister, the defence minister and the home minister.
Meanwhile, the minister of state for defence, Pallam Raju confirmed that the Army has been dispatched to the valley and will be used only when absolutely necessary. He added that as ground situation improved, the Army would be called back.
The Army conducted its first flag march, after the J&K government made a proposal request to bring in army in Srinagar and other troubled areas of the Kashmir valley. This comes a day after fresh protests broke out in Srinagar leading to clashes with the security forces. It was reported that 4 people were allegedly killed in the clashes on Tuesday.
source: agency
The meeting reportedly will also look into the logistical deployment of the Army in Kashmir and will also make a detailed plan on coordination with the state government.
The meeting will be attended by the finance minister, the defence minister and the home minister.
Meanwhile, the minister of state for defence, Pallam Raju confirmed that the Army has been dispatched to the valley and will be used only when absolutely necessary. He added that as ground situation improved, the Army would be called back.
The Army conducted its first flag march, after the J&K government made a proposal request to bring in army in Srinagar and other troubled areas of the Kashmir valley. This comes a day after fresh protests broke out in Srinagar leading to clashes with the security forces. It was reported that 4 people were allegedly killed in the clashes on Tuesday.
source: agency
I'll act until kicked out: Emraan Hashmi
Emraan Hashmi is very happy acting and, unlike other stars, says he will not move an inch away from front of the camera to take on responsibilities of directing or producing films until he's booed out by audiences.
"Not at the moment. I'll act till the audiences kick me out or boo me out from the halls, saying we don't want to watch this man's movies' any more...I'll think about doing something else then," Emraan told the media.
The actor has repeatedly portrayed roles with negative shades in movies like "Gangster", "Jannat" and the upcoming "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai".
Asked if he was being typecast, Emrann said while the roles were all "dark", they were still different.
"Most of my characters have dark tones and are anti-establishment. They rebel...They have similar traits. But it would be typecasting if I do one role again and again.
Shah Rukh Khan plays a lover boy in every film...that doesn't typecast him. He plays an eternal romantic character on screen. If I play an angry young man or a hot blooded criminal in every film...that might typecast me but not these," he said.
"Not at the moment. I'll act till the audiences kick me out or boo me out from the halls, saying we don't want to watch this man's movies' any more...I'll think about doing something else then," Emraan told the media.
The actor has repeatedly portrayed roles with negative shades in movies like "Gangster", "Jannat" and the upcoming "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai".
Asked if he was being typecast, Emrann said while the roles were all "dark", they were still different.
"Most of my characters have dark tones and are anti-establishment. They rebel...They have similar traits. But it would be typecasting if I do one role again and again.
Shah Rukh Khan plays a lover boy in every film...that doesn't typecast him. He plays an eternal romantic character on screen. If I play an angry young man or a hot blooded criminal in every film...that might typecast me but not these," he said.
Kangana is undervalued by Bollywood: Milan Luthria
Having directed her in upcoming gangster film "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", Milan Luthria can't stop raving about Kangana Ranaut's acting skills and says she is yet to have her moment of glory in Bollywood.
"Kangana is undervalued by our industry. She is immensely talented but has yet not touched the highest spot. But we'll see her there in a very short while," Luthria told the media.
"She brings to the screen a lot of sensuality and glamour. She carries off even skimpy outfits and different kind of looks. She is someone who has the body and the face to carry that," he added.
The 23-year-old has bagged critical acclaim for her performance in movies like "Gangster", "Woh Lamhe", "Life in a... Metro" and "Fashion".
Luthria had words of praise for Emraan Hashmi as well and said both of them were similar in some ways.
"Both Emraan and Kangana are very flamboyant in their approach. They've lived very dangerously with the kind of roles they've done and have always pushed the envelope...
"That's what has given them a very commercial connect with the audience. They are like underdogs and do things that others don't," the director added.
source: agency
"Kangana is undervalued by our industry. She is immensely talented but has yet not touched the highest spot. But we'll see her there in a very short while," Luthria told the media.
"She brings to the screen a lot of sensuality and glamour. She carries off even skimpy outfits and different kind of looks. She is someone who has the body and the face to carry that," he added.
The 23-year-old has bagged critical acclaim for her performance in movies like "Gangster", "Woh Lamhe", "Life in a... Metro" and "Fashion".
Luthria had words of praise for Emraan Hashmi as well and said both of them were similar in some ways.
"Both Emraan and Kangana are very flamboyant in their approach. They've lived very dangerously with the kind of roles they've done and have always pushed the envelope...
"That's what has given them a very commercial connect with the audience. They are like underdogs and do things that others don't," the director added.
source: agency
I'll certainly direct some day: Imran Khan
Imran Khan is just four films old, but he is already toying with the idea of turning director later in life.
"I would certainly like to direct a film some time but not in the near future. Right now I've really got my hands full in acting and I am getting to do work that I like," Imran told the media.
"It's very satisfying for me; so right now I am not going to stretch into direction but it is something that I really intend to do," he said.
After "I Hate Love Storys", the 27-year-old will be next seen in "Delhi Belly" and "Break Ke Baad"
source: agency
"I would certainly like to direct a film some time but not in the near future. Right now I've really got my hands full in acting and I am getting to do work that I like," Imran told the media.
"It's very satisfying for me; so right now I am not going to stretch into direction but it is something that I really intend to do," he said.
After "I Hate Love Storys", the 27-year-old will be next seen in "Delhi Belly" and "Break Ke Baad"
source: agency
Kareena and I bonded big time: Delnaz Paul
Bubbly actress Delnaz Paul, who is playing Kareena Kapoor's close friend in the forthcoming movie "Milenge Milenge", says during shooting the two clicked instantly and had a great time.
"Working with Kareena is one of my most cherished memories. She has been a darling. Sometimes you just click with certain people instantly and that's what happened between Kareena and me," Delnaz told the media in an interview.
"We talked about everything, from both of us being Virgos to food and shopping. We bonded over everything. She is very supportive. You'll see that our on-screen chemistry is great and that is only because of our off-screen chemistry," she added.
Delnaz, who has acted in serials like "Yes Boss" and "Baltiwalla House No. 43", became famous with her role as Sweetu in hit film "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003).
In "Milenge Milenge", she is playing the role of Honey, which she calls an extension of Sweetu. "My character in the film is that of a very close friend of Kareena. She is a chirpy, vivacious person, an extension of Sweetu.
"She is Kareena's support system in the film. She is her friend, philosopher, guide and someone who brings the lighter moments in the film," informed Delnaz.
The film, slated for release on July 9, also stars Shahid Kapoor and is directed by Satish Kaushik. The film is releasing five years after getting into production.
When asked whether she was still in touch with Kareena, Delnaz responded: "We have not been in constant touch after the shoot got over. But I did meet her eight or nine months ago at an awards function.
"The media was hounding her at the event. Suddenly she saw my husband Rajeev at a distance and shouted, 'Rajeev, where is Delu?' I felt really nice that day because I realised that she is such a grounded person," Delnaz says with admiration.
And what about Shahid, who is also a part of the film?
"Shahid is a great person and a very meticulous actor. He is always ready to improve his performance. After every shot, he used to go and watch his performance on the screen so he could improve wherever required," she said.
"In that sense, Kareena is more spontaneous, she is a livewire," Delnaz added.
source: agency
"Working with Kareena is one of my most cherished memories. She has been a darling. Sometimes you just click with certain people instantly and that's what happened between Kareena and me," Delnaz told the media in an interview.
"We talked about everything, from both of us being Virgos to food and shopping. We bonded over everything. She is very supportive. You'll see that our on-screen chemistry is great and that is only because of our off-screen chemistry," she added.
Delnaz, who has acted in serials like "Yes Boss" and "Baltiwalla House No. 43", became famous with her role as Sweetu in hit film "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003).
In "Milenge Milenge", she is playing the role of Honey, which she calls an extension of Sweetu. "My character in the film is that of a very close friend of Kareena. She is a chirpy, vivacious person, an extension of Sweetu.
"She is Kareena's support system in the film. She is her friend, philosopher, guide and someone who brings the lighter moments in the film," informed Delnaz.
The film, slated for release on July 9, also stars Shahid Kapoor and is directed by Satish Kaushik. The film is releasing five years after getting into production.
When asked whether she was still in touch with Kareena, Delnaz responded: "We have not been in constant touch after the shoot got over. But I did meet her eight or nine months ago at an awards function.
"The media was hounding her at the event. Suddenly she saw my husband Rajeev at a distance and shouted, 'Rajeev, where is Delu?' I felt really nice that day because I realised that she is such a grounded person," Delnaz says with admiration.
And what about Shahid, who is also a part of the film?
"Shahid is a great person and a very meticulous actor. He is always ready to improve his performance. After every shot, he used to go and watch his performance on the screen so he could improve wherever required," she said.
"In that sense, Kareena is more spontaneous, she is a livewire," Delnaz added.
source: agency
Quick money lures TV actors to reality shows
Ever wondered why many TV actors, including popular ones, are opting for reality shows? The answer is simple: short term commitment, quick money and high visibility.
"Money is a major factor for TV actors to go in for reality shows. They involve fewer days of commitment and are a source of quick money," Abhishek Awasthi, a participant on STAR Plus' "Zara Nachke Dikha", told the media over phone from Mumbai.
Abhishek was first known just as item girl Rakhi Sawant's boyfriend and later the two took part in dance show "Nach Baliye". After they broke up, Abhishek slowly made a name for himself through SAB TV's comedy show "Jugni Chali Jalandhar". But now he is back to a dance reality show, which incidentally has Rakhi too.
"I have done two dance reality shows and I must mention I have learnt a lot from both of them. A number of the dance forms I know today were taught in the shows. And after 'Jugni...', I needed a break. Plus, this was good money," Abhishek added.
According to industry sources, actors are paid a package of Rs.200,000 upward for reality shows depending on their popularity. On the other hand they are paid anything between Rs.2,000 and Rs.80,000 on a per day shooting basis for TV soaps.
Actor Apurva Agnihotri, best remembered as the goodlooking boss in "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin", has also participated in reality shows but admits that they "spoil" actors.
"I think reality shows have spoilt TV actors. The shows offer quick and easy money with less commitment. So if you are popular on TV and want to earn good money, go for reality shows," said Apurva, who was seen in shows like "Nach Baliye" and "Pati Patni Aur Woh".
For many of these actors, reality shows are often a window to display their real self to the audience. For instance, bold actress Kashmera Shah got a chance to show her humorous side through Imagine TV's recently concluded "Desi Girl".
"Before 'Desi Girl' no one knew I'm a funny person, but at least after the show audiences know I can make people laugh the same way as my boyfriend Krushna (Abhishek) does," said Shah, who was the runner-up in the show.
Aamir Ali, who leads the boys' team in the ongoing show "Zara Nachke Dikha", shares the same sentiments.
"In a daily soap I am not myself, I am portraying a character but in a reality show I am myself and they are a window to present oneself to the audience," said Aamir, who had won the third season of dance show "Nach Baliye" with girlfriend Sanjeeda Sheikh.
However, he says the satisfaction that an actor gets out of a daily soap or a movie can never be compared to reality shows.
"I prefer daily soaps because no matter what...at the end I am an actor and this is what my identity is. Doing daily soaps gives me satisfaction and a sense of stability," he said.
At times, actors and celebrities give their nod to such shows to kill time. Filmmaker Sajid Khan, who was earlier a chat show host, will be back on TV as a judge on the second season of Colors' "India's Got Talent".
"I was offered many shows. But I had only a fixed period of time that I was free because I want to start working on my new project by the year end. So I said yes to 'India's Got Talent'. It's nice that I will keep busy," said Sajid.
source: agency
"Money is a major factor for TV actors to go in for reality shows. They involve fewer days of commitment and are a source of quick money," Abhishek Awasthi, a participant on STAR Plus' "Zara Nachke Dikha", told the media over phone from Mumbai.
Abhishek was first known just as item girl Rakhi Sawant's boyfriend and later the two took part in dance show "Nach Baliye". After they broke up, Abhishek slowly made a name for himself through SAB TV's comedy show "Jugni Chali Jalandhar". But now he is back to a dance reality show, which incidentally has Rakhi too.
"I have done two dance reality shows and I must mention I have learnt a lot from both of them. A number of the dance forms I know today were taught in the shows. And after 'Jugni...', I needed a break. Plus, this was good money," Abhishek added.
According to industry sources, actors are paid a package of Rs.200,000 upward for reality shows depending on their popularity. On the other hand they are paid anything between Rs.2,000 and Rs.80,000 on a per day shooting basis for TV soaps.
Actor Apurva Agnihotri, best remembered as the goodlooking boss in "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin", has also participated in reality shows but admits that they "spoil" actors.
"I think reality shows have spoilt TV actors. The shows offer quick and easy money with less commitment. So if you are popular on TV and want to earn good money, go for reality shows," said Apurva, who was seen in shows like "Nach Baliye" and "Pati Patni Aur Woh".
For many of these actors, reality shows are often a window to display their real self to the audience. For instance, bold actress Kashmera Shah got a chance to show her humorous side through Imagine TV's recently concluded "Desi Girl".
"Before 'Desi Girl' no one knew I'm a funny person, but at least after the show audiences know I can make people laugh the same way as my boyfriend Krushna (Abhishek) does," said Shah, who was the runner-up in the show.
Aamir Ali, who leads the boys' team in the ongoing show "Zara Nachke Dikha", shares the same sentiments.
"In a daily soap I am not myself, I am portraying a character but in a reality show I am myself and they are a window to present oneself to the audience," said Aamir, who had won the third season of dance show "Nach Baliye" with girlfriend Sanjeeda Sheikh.
However, he says the satisfaction that an actor gets out of a daily soap or a movie can never be compared to reality shows.
"I prefer daily soaps because no matter what...at the end I am an actor and this is what my identity is. Doing daily soaps gives me satisfaction and a sense of stability," he said.
At times, actors and celebrities give their nod to such shows to kill time. Filmmaker Sajid Khan, who was earlier a chat show host, will be back on TV as a judge on the second season of Colors' "India's Got Talent".
"I was offered many shows. But I had only a fixed period of time that I was free because I want to start working on my new project by the year end. So I said yes to 'India's Got Talent'. It's nice that I will keep busy," said Sajid.
source: agency
Sri Adhikari Brothers launch new music-comedy channel
The Sri Adhikari Brothers (SAB) on Tuesday launched Mastii, a new channel that focuses on music and comedy.
"We conceptualised Mastii as an electronic radio where people can tune in any time of the day for a dose of unadulterated fun. It offers 24 hours of non-stop music and comedy," Markand Adhikari, vice president and managing director of the SAB Group, told reporters during the launch at Hotel Taj Lands End here.
"The idea behind bringing this channel was entertainment...but more than was to see that people have fun," Gautam Adhikari, chairman and creative director of SAB Group, told the media.
Said stand-up comedian Raju Srivastav, who attended the event: "I am really excited about Mastii because that word is what my life is all about and that's what we are offering through this new entertainment channel."
source: agency
"We conceptualised Mastii as an electronic radio where people can tune in any time of the day for a dose of unadulterated fun. It offers 24 hours of non-stop music and comedy," Markand Adhikari, vice president and managing director of the SAB Group, told reporters during the launch at Hotel Taj Lands End here.
"The idea behind bringing this channel was entertainment...but more than was to see that people have fun," Gautam Adhikari, chairman and creative director of SAB Group, told the media.
Said stand-up comedian Raju Srivastav, who attended the event: "I am really excited about Mastii because that word is what my life is all about and that's what we are offering through this new entertainment channel."
source: agency
Football team tackles German perceptions of integration
At this year's World Cup, Germany has been enraptured by a national football team in which almost half the players are from an immigrant background.
Eleven of the 23-man squad were either born outside Germany or are German-born but with roots elsewhere.
This may come as a surprise within Germany, according to migration expert Klaus Bade, who thinks the country's history still makes it difficult for Germans to deal with the foreigners living in their midst.
"There's a great collective insecurity over the subject of integration," the professor said in an interview with DPA.
And yet, Bade said his country should be proud of managing to peacefully integrate large groups of immigrants. "Germany is far more successful than it thinks."
Chancellor Angela Merkel has described Germany's "international team" in the World Cup as a symbol of successful integration, while people from all ethnic backgrounds have celebrated the German goals.
The country's largest flag was raised in Berlin by 39-year-old Ibrahim Bassal, who fled the Lebanese civil war 25 years ago. Ironically, he was threatened by left-wing extremists who were upset by such a display of nationalism.
Despite such visible examples of integration, Bade said Germany still faced key problems, in particular low standards of education in immigrant communities and the growth of an ethnically defined underclass.
"These two issues absolutely must be resolved, otherwise they will lead to problems that could threaten social peace in Germany," said the head of Germany's Expert Council of Foundations for Integration and Migration (SVR).
The causes, he believed, stem from Germany's difficult history and a resulting lack of national pride, after the atrocities of two world wars.
Unlike France or the US, Bade said Germany lacked a sense of confidence and greatness for immigrants to identify with and aspire to.
In contrast, he pointed out that Germany's large Turkish population respected and honoured the "great country and tradition" of their homeland.
"We're proud of being Turkish, are you proud of being German? No, you're somehow embarrassed to be German," Bade paraphrased their attitude.
Germany's main waves of immigration occurred during the 1960s-70s, when so-called guest workers were invited from southern and eastern Europe and Turkey during the economic boom. Expected to return home, many were followed by their families and settled in Germany.
While Germany belatedly realised that German nationality was a passport to integration for second- and third-generation immigrants, Bade said the country had failed to make the option appealing.
After living in Germany for eight years, foreigners receive full social, economic and legal rights. But crucially, non-EU citizens who are eligible for German nationality must renounce their original citizenship in the process.
By ruling out dual citizenship, Bade said Germany was presenting migrants with a choice the country could not afford.
"Germany can no longer choose its immigrants, as they are already there - and have been for decades. The Germans simply didn't notice," he said.
In addition, he said the country was now reliant on these people as Germany's ageing population and drop in birth rates meant there would be a shortage of 3 million workers by 2015.
Having finally woken up to the issue, Bade said it was too late to entice foreigners with German nationality, which offered little more than the ability to vote for the federal government.
In Bade's words, a common response was, "Even if I am German I won't get the job, because my name is Mechmed and not Hans".
This turns to another key issue, as an ethnically defined sense of German nationality has further dogged integration.
"Many people carry the notion that you can be German, but not become German," Bade said.
As a result, people with foreign roots who have lived in Germany all their lives are often irked when they are complemented on their language abilities, or asked where they "originally" come from.
Bade believes that this tendency to define people by their otherness has set additional barriers to Muslim integration.
"Germans need to learn that a Muslim is not first and foremost a Muslim," the migration expert said.
He referred to surveys in which Muslim families were asked what was important to them. The answers usually included their children's education, a stable job or being able to go on holiday - but not their ability to visit a mosque.
At the same time, Bade said it was commonplace in Germany to hear people praise their friendly Muslim greengrocer - or indeed the national footballer with a Turkish name - while also viewing Islam as a dangerous threat.
On an upbeat note, Bade said the situation was steadily improving.
"The relationship of Germans towards immigrants is getting progressively more relaxed, pragmatic and positive," he said.
Germany's World Cup performance by a young, talented football team has set a further example of ways in which Turkish, Nigerian, Polish, Ghanaian, Brazilian, Spanish, Tunisian and Bosnia-Herzegovinan talent can benefit the nation.
source: agency
Eleven of the 23-man squad were either born outside Germany or are German-born but with roots elsewhere.
This may come as a surprise within Germany, according to migration expert Klaus Bade, who thinks the country's history still makes it difficult for Germans to deal with the foreigners living in their midst.
"There's a great collective insecurity over the subject of integration," the professor said in an interview with DPA.
And yet, Bade said his country should be proud of managing to peacefully integrate large groups of immigrants. "Germany is far more successful than it thinks."
Chancellor Angela Merkel has described Germany's "international team" in the World Cup as a symbol of successful integration, while people from all ethnic backgrounds have celebrated the German goals.
The country's largest flag was raised in Berlin by 39-year-old Ibrahim Bassal, who fled the Lebanese civil war 25 years ago. Ironically, he was threatened by left-wing extremists who were upset by such a display of nationalism.
Despite such visible examples of integration, Bade said Germany still faced key problems, in particular low standards of education in immigrant communities and the growth of an ethnically defined underclass.
"These two issues absolutely must be resolved, otherwise they will lead to problems that could threaten social peace in Germany," said the head of Germany's Expert Council of Foundations for Integration and Migration (SVR).
The causes, he believed, stem from Germany's difficult history and a resulting lack of national pride, after the atrocities of two world wars.
Unlike France or the US, Bade said Germany lacked a sense of confidence and greatness for immigrants to identify with and aspire to.
In contrast, he pointed out that Germany's large Turkish population respected and honoured the "great country and tradition" of their homeland.
"We're proud of being Turkish, are you proud of being German? No, you're somehow embarrassed to be German," Bade paraphrased their attitude.
Germany's main waves of immigration occurred during the 1960s-70s, when so-called guest workers were invited from southern and eastern Europe and Turkey during the economic boom. Expected to return home, many were followed by their families and settled in Germany.
While Germany belatedly realised that German nationality was a passport to integration for second- and third-generation immigrants, Bade said the country had failed to make the option appealing.
After living in Germany for eight years, foreigners receive full social, economic and legal rights. But crucially, non-EU citizens who are eligible for German nationality must renounce their original citizenship in the process.
By ruling out dual citizenship, Bade said Germany was presenting migrants with a choice the country could not afford.
"Germany can no longer choose its immigrants, as they are already there - and have been for decades. The Germans simply didn't notice," he said.
In addition, he said the country was now reliant on these people as Germany's ageing population and drop in birth rates meant there would be a shortage of 3 million workers by 2015.
Having finally woken up to the issue, Bade said it was too late to entice foreigners with German nationality, which offered little more than the ability to vote for the federal government.
In Bade's words, a common response was, "Even if I am German I won't get the job, because my name is Mechmed and not Hans".
This turns to another key issue, as an ethnically defined sense of German nationality has further dogged integration.
"Many people carry the notion that you can be German, but not become German," Bade said.
As a result, people with foreign roots who have lived in Germany all their lives are often irked when they are complemented on their language abilities, or asked where they "originally" come from.
Bade believes that this tendency to define people by their otherness has set additional barriers to Muslim integration.
"Germans need to learn that a Muslim is not first and foremost a Muslim," the migration expert said.
He referred to surveys in which Muslim families were asked what was important to them. The answers usually included their children's education, a stable job or being able to go on holiday - but not their ability to visit a mosque.
At the same time, Bade said it was commonplace in Germany to hear people praise their friendly Muslim greengrocer - or indeed the national footballer with a Turkish name - while also viewing Islam as a dangerous threat.
On an upbeat note, Bade said the situation was steadily improving.
"The relationship of Germans towards immigrants is getting progressively more relaxed, pragmatic and positive," he said.
Germany's World Cup performance by a young, talented football team has set a further example of ways in which Turkish, Nigerian, Polish, Ghanaian, Brazilian, Spanish, Tunisian and Bosnia-Herzegovinan talent can benefit the nation.
source: agency
Sneijder wins Man of the Match again
Wesley Sneijder's fifth goal at the 2010 World Cup helped the Netherlands beat Uruguay 3-2 on Tuesday and reach the final, giving the Inter Milan midfielder the Man of the Match award.
Sneidjer's goal in the 70th minute, which was a deflection off Uruguay's Maximiliano Pereira, put the Netherlands ahead 2-1 in the game in Cape Town. The goal pulled the 26-year-old Sneijder even with Spain's David Villa as the top scorer of the tournament.
Sneijder also was named Man of the Match for the fourth time during South Africa 2010 following games against Denmark, Japan and Brazil.
Sneidjer's goal in the 70th minute, which was a deflection off Uruguay's Maximiliano Pereira, put the Netherlands ahead 2-1 in the game in Cape Town. The goal pulled the 26-year-old Sneijder even with Spain's David Villa as the top scorer of the tournament.
Sneijder also was named Man of the Match for the fourth time during South Africa 2010 following games against Denmark, Japan and Brazil.
20100706
Statistics: Netherlands at the World Cup
The Netherlands on Tuesday booked their place in the 2010 World Cup final with a 3-2 victory against Uruguay. All their appearances at the finals, including the 2010 semi-final:
Year Host Finish Pl W D L GF GA
1930 Uruguay Did not enter
1934 Italy 1st round 1 0 0 123
1938 France 1st round 1 0 0 103
1950 Brazil Did not enter
1954 Switzerland Did not enter
1958 Sweden Did not qualify
1962 Chile Did not qualify
1966 England Did not qualify
1970 Mexico Did not qualify
1974 West Germany Final 7 5 1 1 153
1978 Argentina Final 7 3 2 2 15 10
1982 Spain Did not qualify
1986 Mexico Did not qualify
1990 Italy Round of 16 4 0 3 134
1994 US Quarter-finals 5 3 0 286
1998 France Fourth place 7 3 3 1 137
2002 South Korea/Japan Did not qualify
2006 Germany Round of 16 4 2 1 132
2010 South Africa Final 6 6 0 0 125
Total 42 22 10 10 71 43
Lost semi-final match against Brazil on penalties
Year Host Finish Pl W D L GF GA
1930 Uruguay Did not enter
1934 Italy 1st round 1 0 0 123
1938 France 1st round 1 0 0 103
1950 Brazil Did not enter
1954 Switzerland Did not enter
1958 Sweden Did not qualify
1962 Chile Did not qualify
1966 England Did not qualify
1970 Mexico Did not qualify
1974 West Germany Final 7 5 1 1 153
1978 Argentina Final 7 3 2 2 15 10
1982 Spain Did not qualify
1986 Mexico Did not qualify
1990 Italy Round of 16 4 0 3 134
1994 US Quarter-finals 5 3 0 286
1998 France Fourth place 7 3 3 1 137
2002 South Korea/Japan Did not qualify
2006 Germany Round of 16 4 2 1 132
2010 South Africa Final 6 6 0 0 125
Total 42 22 10 10 71 43
Lost semi-final match against Brazil on penalties
SJVNL net profit in 2009-10 at Rs.972 crore
Hydropower major Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL), which owns and operates the 1,500-MW Nathpa-Jhakri project in Himachal Pradesh, today reported a net profit of Rs.972.74 crore for the 2009-10 fiscal.
The state-run power utility posted a sales growth of Rs.161 crore on account of increased production.
SJVNL, the sixth divestment deal of the UPA government in its second term, is a joint venture between the central and the Himachal Pradesh government. The former held a 74.5 per cent stake, while the remaining 25.5 per cent is held by the state government.
However, the central government sold its 10 percent equity in May this year.
Currently, SJVNL has a paid up equity capital is Rs.4,108.81 crore.
The company announced a dividend of Rs.0.60 per share.
"The board of governors declared the dividend of Rs.0.60 per share amounting to Rs.248.20 crore in addition to Rs.0.19 per share already paid as interim dividend for 2009-10, thereby making the total dividend for 2009-10 to Rs.328.20 crore," Chairman and Managing Director H.K. Sharma told the media.
source: agency
The state-run power utility posted a sales growth of Rs.161 crore on account of increased production.
SJVNL, the sixth divestment deal of the UPA government in its second term, is a joint venture between the central and the Himachal Pradesh government. The former held a 74.5 per cent stake, while the remaining 25.5 per cent is held by the state government.
However, the central government sold its 10 percent equity in May this year.
Currently, SJVNL has a paid up equity capital is Rs.4,108.81 crore.
The company announced a dividend of Rs.0.60 per share.
"The board of governors declared the dividend of Rs.0.60 per share amounting to Rs.248.20 crore in addition to Rs.0.19 per share already paid as interim dividend for 2009-10, thereby making the total dividend for 2009-10 to Rs.328.20 crore," Chairman and Managing Director H.K. Sharma told the media.
source: agency
Giftwrapped with love - a health checkup package
Wondering what to gift your spouse this birthday or your parents on their wedding anniversary? Buy them good health checkup packages to ensure they have a healthy life.
"It was my parents' 30th wedding anniversary and I thought of gifting them a medical checkup kit. It was the best way to ensure a longer and healthier life for them," says Priya Deshpande, a software professional based in Delhi.
Regular checkups to pre-determine any probable health threats, which were not-so-popular in India until recently, are fast becoming an important part of healthy life.
"It is a popular concept in the West. There people go for health checkups on birthdays and anniversaries. The same concept is now becoming popular in India," says Amol Naikawadi, joint managing director of Indus Health Plus, a leading healthcare company that specialises in preventive health checkups.
"Traditionally, the concept of preventive measures of healthcare were missing in India. Health checkups were not considered unless there is a medical emergency. However, these days youth are conscious and concerned about preventive health checkups," he adds.
Most checkup packages won't pinch the pocket. The cost varies from Rs.5,000 to Rs.16,000. Normal packages include radiology and sonography. If you want to go for a brain and heart scan, you should opt for packages ranging between Rs.14,000 and Rs.16,000.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that more than 270 million people are susceptible to diseases linked to unhealthy lifestyles. Most of these people are said to be from South Asian countries - China, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Reports on health issues suggest that in the next few years, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and AIDS would account for over 65 percent of deaths in India compared to 53 percent in 2005. By 2020, chronic diseases are expected to claim 7.63 million lives in India, compared to 3.78 million in 1990.
"Indians are genetically more prone to lifestyle diseases. The risk for an Indian is four to six times higher than Europeans and Americans," says Naikawadi. "Most of these diseases don't show any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage."
According to the International Diabetes Federation, India currently has the highest number of people suffering from diabetes at 50.8 million, and by 2030 over 8.4 percent of the country's adult population will be affected.
The number of heart patients is expected to go up to 62 million by 2015, compared to 16 million in the US.
According to Naikawadi, regular checkups, specially after the age of 35, are a must to avoid serious health problems.
"It is best to take basic health checkups every year after 20; however, after 35, it is a must," he says.
Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, says: "Earlier people had a healthier lifestyle but now things have changed. We have more stressful lives and illnesses have also increased. That's why the Western trend of preventive health checkups is becoming popular in India as well."
Dhiren Desa of Indus Health Plus says myths about diseases are breaking too.
"Earlier, people used to think a man cannot have a heart attack till he's 50. Moreover, it was thought that only men suffer heart attacks. But today women stand a higher risk, with the dual burden of household and professional responsibilities."
Most hospitals offer health kits these days. And for a change, instead of jewellery, clothes or other luxury items, the package could make the perfect gift for your loved one.
source: agency
"It was my parents' 30th wedding anniversary and I thought of gifting them a medical checkup kit. It was the best way to ensure a longer and healthier life for them," says Priya Deshpande, a software professional based in Delhi.
Regular checkups to pre-determine any probable health threats, which were not-so-popular in India until recently, are fast becoming an important part of healthy life.
"It is a popular concept in the West. There people go for health checkups on birthdays and anniversaries. The same concept is now becoming popular in India," says Amol Naikawadi, joint managing director of Indus Health Plus, a leading healthcare company that specialises in preventive health checkups.
"Traditionally, the concept of preventive measures of healthcare were missing in India. Health checkups were not considered unless there is a medical emergency. However, these days youth are conscious and concerned about preventive health checkups," he adds.
Most checkup packages won't pinch the pocket. The cost varies from Rs.5,000 to Rs.16,000. Normal packages include radiology and sonography. If you want to go for a brain and heart scan, you should opt for packages ranging between Rs.14,000 and Rs.16,000.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that more than 270 million people are susceptible to diseases linked to unhealthy lifestyles. Most of these people are said to be from South Asian countries - China, India, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Reports on health issues suggest that in the next few years, chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and AIDS would account for over 65 percent of deaths in India compared to 53 percent in 2005. By 2020, chronic diseases are expected to claim 7.63 million lives in India, compared to 3.78 million in 1990.
"Indians are genetically more prone to lifestyle diseases. The risk for an Indian is four to six times higher than Europeans and Americans," says Naikawadi. "Most of these diseases don't show any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage."
According to the International Diabetes Federation, India currently has the highest number of people suffering from diabetes at 50.8 million, and by 2030 over 8.4 percent of the country's adult population will be affected.
The number of heart patients is expected to go up to 62 million by 2015, compared to 16 million in the US.
According to Naikawadi, regular checkups, specially after the age of 35, are a must to avoid serious health problems.
"It is best to take basic health checkups every year after 20; however, after 35, it is a must," he says.
Suranjit Chatterjee, a senior consultant at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, says: "Earlier people had a healthier lifestyle but now things have changed. We have more stressful lives and illnesses have also increased. That's why the Western trend of preventive health checkups is becoming popular in India as well."
Dhiren Desa of Indus Health Plus says myths about diseases are breaking too.
"Earlier, people used to think a man cannot have a heart attack till he's 50. Moreover, it was thought that only men suffer heart attacks. But today women stand a higher risk, with the dual burden of household and professional responsibilities."
Most hospitals offer health kits these days. And for a change, instead of jewellery, clothes or other luxury items, the package could make the perfect gift for your loved one.
source: agency
32 sites in race for World Heritage status this year
The World Heritage Committee will consider inscribing new sites on Unesco's World Heritage List when states' parties meet from July 25 - Aug 3 in Brazil, the Paris-based UN organisation said in a statement on Tuesday.
The 34th session of the World Heritage Committee will see presentation of properties by 35 states parties to the World Heritage Convention, the media reported.
Details of 32 new properties were submitted for inscription on the World Heritage List this year.
To date, the list recognizes 890 properties of "outstanding universal value" in 148 countries.
The World Heritage Committee, a UN body responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention, comprises representatives of 21 countries, elected by the states parties for up to six years.
Each year, the committee adds new sites to the list and examines the state of conservation of inscribed properties. It also supervises the disbursement of over $4 million annually from the World Heritage Fund.
source: agency
The 34th session of the World Heritage Committee will see presentation of properties by 35 states parties to the World Heritage Convention, the media reported.
Details of 32 new properties were submitted for inscription on the World Heritage List this year.
To date, the list recognizes 890 properties of "outstanding universal value" in 148 countries.
The World Heritage Committee, a UN body responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention, comprises representatives of 21 countries, elected by the states parties for up to six years.
Each year, the committee adds new sites to the list and examines the state of conservation of inscribed properties. It also supervises the disbursement of over $4 million annually from the World Heritage Fund.
source: agency
Indian origin peer quits House of Lords
Four British peers, including Indian origin magnate Lord Bagri, have resigned from the House of Lords as a new law comes into force today.
The new law stipulates that in order to sit in either house of parliament, people should be registered in Britain for tax purposes.
A fifth peer, eminent architect Lord Foster, has also resigned, according to media.
Many more peers are expected to resign before today night deadline, including one of the richest business tycoons, Lord Swraj Paul, who had earlier assured compliance with the law.
The law is applicable to those peers who are non-domiciles but living in Britain. It was passed by parliament in April and peers were given three months time to comply with the new rules or leave. The period ends today.
Lord Foster and Lord Bagri resigned Tuesday night, according to The Guardian. Lady Dunn resigned last week, as did two others, Lord McAlpine and Lord Laidlaw.
Lord Bagri of Regent's Park, born Raj Kumar Bagri, has been a Conservative peer since 1997. He began his career as a 15-year-old apprentice trader in Kolkata and went on to set up Minmetco after he came to Britain as a 19-year-old. He has a 50 million-pound home in London's Regent's Park and a home in India. Lord Bagri is a former chairman of the London Exchange.
House of Lords officials have confirmed that the departing peers will retain their titles for life though they would no longer have access to parliament or debates.
Before the new law was passed, non-domicile status was given to some people who were based or born outside Britain. It meant they did not have to pay taxes on the money they made outside Britain as long as it remained out of the country.
The resigning peers have non-domicile status.
Lord Laidlaw is a Scottish businessman based in Monaco. Baroness Dunn, former chairman of the HSBC bank, has roots in Hong Kong. Lord McAlpine lives in Italy. Lord Foster has offices in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Madrid and New York.
When the law was passed in April, Paul had told the British media that he would "fully comply" with changes to the rules.
He was then quoted as saying: "On the issue of taxation position of peers, of course it goes without saying that I'll be fully complying with the change of law which the government is bringing forward. I strongly support the government proposals in relation to the taxation status of peers and MPs and the membership of the House of Lords and the House of Commons."
The new law was necessitated in the wake of a controversy over the tax status of deputy chairman of the Conservative party, Lord Ashcroft.
He had confirmed in March that he was a non-domicile, which was news to his own party. The government then decided to bring in a law to make the tax status of peers transparent. At that point Ashcroft had suggested that he would remain in the Lords under the new rules, indicating that he would relinquish his non-domicile status.
source: agency
The new law stipulates that in order to sit in either house of parliament, people should be registered in Britain for tax purposes.
A fifth peer, eminent architect Lord Foster, has also resigned, according to media.
Many more peers are expected to resign before today night deadline, including one of the richest business tycoons, Lord Swraj Paul, who had earlier assured compliance with the law.
The law is applicable to those peers who are non-domiciles but living in Britain. It was passed by parliament in April and peers were given three months time to comply with the new rules or leave. The period ends today.
Lord Foster and Lord Bagri resigned Tuesday night, according to The Guardian. Lady Dunn resigned last week, as did two others, Lord McAlpine and Lord Laidlaw.
Lord Bagri of Regent's Park, born Raj Kumar Bagri, has been a Conservative peer since 1997. He began his career as a 15-year-old apprentice trader in Kolkata and went on to set up Minmetco after he came to Britain as a 19-year-old. He has a 50 million-pound home in London's Regent's Park and a home in India. Lord Bagri is a former chairman of the London Exchange.
House of Lords officials have confirmed that the departing peers will retain their titles for life though they would no longer have access to parliament or debates.
Before the new law was passed, non-domicile status was given to some people who were based or born outside Britain. It meant they did not have to pay taxes on the money they made outside Britain as long as it remained out of the country.
The resigning peers have non-domicile status.
Lord Laidlaw is a Scottish businessman based in Monaco. Baroness Dunn, former chairman of the HSBC bank, has roots in Hong Kong. Lord McAlpine lives in Italy. Lord Foster has offices in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Madrid and New York.
When the law was passed in April, Paul had told the British media that he would "fully comply" with changes to the rules.
He was then quoted as saying: "On the issue of taxation position of peers, of course it goes without saying that I'll be fully complying with the change of law which the government is bringing forward. I strongly support the government proposals in relation to the taxation status of peers and MPs and the membership of the House of Lords and the House of Commons."
The new law was necessitated in the wake of a controversy over the tax status of deputy chairman of the Conservative party, Lord Ashcroft.
He had confirmed in March that he was a non-domicile, which was news to his own party. The government then decided to bring in a law to make the tax status of peers transparent. At that point Ashcroft had suggested that he would remain in the Lords under the new rules, indicating that he would relinquish his non-domicile status.
source: agency
Rights panel orders compensation for delayed pension
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs.50,000 as compensation to the kin of a government employee who died after waiting more than 10 years for her pension, a statement said on Tuesday.
Champa Devi, who retired as a health inspector from a primary health centre in Uttar Pradesh in 1992, ran from pillar to post for more than 10 years to get her pension.
"Ironically, the order for payment of her pension was passed by the directorate of pensions Feb 11, 2004, eleven years after her retirement and a month after her death Jan 7, 2004," the NHRC statement said.
After constant reminders by the commission, the directorate informed that the pension was paid to the Champa Devi's two sons Oct 26, 2004, and claimed that the delay was caused by the health department.
Holding it to be a "clear case of human rights violations", the commission said: "Whoever was responsible for the delay, the fact still remains that the poor pensioner could not get her pension during her lifetime and the state government cannot escape its liability to compensate her next of kin."
"Pension to a retired government servant is a means to allow him/her to live with some dignity which is a part of human rights," the statement said.
The NHRC has sought a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks from the date of the receipt of its recommendation from the state government.
source: agency
Champa Devi, who retired as a health inspector from a primary health centre in Uttar Pradesh in 1992, ran from pillar to post for more than 10 years to get her pension.
"Ironically, the order for payment of her pension was passed by the directorate of pensions Feb 11, 2004, eleven years after her retirement and a month after her death Jan 7, 2004," the NHRC statement said.
After constant reminders by the commission, the directorate informed that the pension was paid to the Champa Devi's two sons Oct 26, 2004, and claimed that the delay was caused by the health department.
Holding it to be a "clear case of human rights violations", the commission said: "Whoever was responsible for the delay, the fact still remains that the poor pensioner could not get her pension during her lifetime and the state government cannot escape its liability to compensate her next of kin."
"Pension to a retired government servant is a means to allow him/her to live with some dignity which is a part of human rights," the statement said.
The NHRC has sought a compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks from the date of the receipt of its recommendation from the state government.
source: agency
Davidar sexual harassment suit settled out of court
The sexual harassment scandal that cost David Davidar his job as president of Penguin Canada has been buried with his accuser Lisa Rundle settling her lawsuit with him and the publishing company amicably.
The Indian-born boss of Penguin Canada was sacked June 8 following a sexual harassment complaint by Rundle. Initially, both Penguin and Davidar said he was leaving voluntarily.
In her lawsuit, Rundle, former director of digital publishing and foreign rights at the publishing company, had sought $523,000 from Penguin for sexual harassment for three years and then an assault by Davidar at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October.
The scandal ended quietly on Tuesday with all the three parties settling the lawsuit and pledging not to divulge anything to the media.
"We can now advise that all allegations have been addressed and all matters resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. None of the parties will be commenting further to the media," Davidar's lawyer Peter Downard said in an e-mail to media outlets.
A spokesperson for Penguin also confirmed that "everything has been settled" amicably. It was not known how much Penguin Canada and Davidar will pay Rundle.
Following the lawsuit, Davidar had admitted only a "consensual flirtatious relationship" with Rundle.
"David Davidar has not sexually harassed anyone and has not assaulted anyone...," his lawyer had said in a statement June 20.
"Commencing in late 2005, Davidar and Lisa Rundle had offices next to each other at Penguin...in 2007, their friendship became flirtatious," the lawyer had said, admitting that "the former Penguin-Canada CEO and Davidar kissed on two occasions".
"The first was in Rundle's room during the October 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair referred to in Rundle's claim. However, contrary to Rundle's claim, Davidar did not bully his way into her room nor did he force himself upon her."
Hitting back, Rundle's lawyer issued a statement the same day, saying, "...throughout the period of harassment, Davidar was sending Lisa inappropriate e-mails and text messages. Commencing in late 2009, she began to retain some of the messages. (They) included Davidar e-mailing Lisa on or about October 21, 2009, that he could 'do very little except think of' her which was 'seriously annoying'; sending her a Hindi/ Urdu love song in or about October 23, 2009, in which he asked her not to embarrass him by asking around for a translation, when the song indicated 'My heart, this love of mine, become yours now'.
"Davidar would send text messages to Lisa repeatedly. For example, on May 19, 2009, Davidar indicated that 'it took all (his) self-control to stop (him)self from getting up and kissing (her) scars', adding that he thought she was 'utterly gorgeous' and he 'drank (her) in hungrily'.
"On some occasions, Davidar would punish her by refusing to speak with her and would exclude her from regular business conversations. Davidar would also, at various times, engage in pouting, refusing to deal with her, and would attempt to isolate her from her co-workers.
"Davidar's harassment intensified to a degree where on several occasions throughout 2008, he would call Lisa's cellular telephone and advise her that he was outside her home late in the night, and would beg her to let him in. She would not agree, with the result that the situation at work the following day would be even more toxic."
Davidar, who launched Penguin operations in India in the mid-1980s, is likely to leave for India with his wife Rachna soon.
The Indian-born boss of Penguin Canada was sacked June 8 following a sexual harassment complaint by Rundle. Initially, both Penguin and Davidar said he was leaving voluntarily.
In her lawsuit, Rundle, former director of digital publishing and foreign rights at the publishing company, had sought $523,000 from Penguin for sexual harassment for three years and then an assault by Davidar at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October.
The scandal ended quietly on Tuesday with all the three parties settling the lawsuit and pledging not to divulge anything to the media.
"We can now advise that all allegations have been addressed and all matters resolved to the satisfaction of all parties. None of the parties will be commenting further to the media," Davidar's lawyer Peter Downard said in an e-mail to media outlets.
A spokesperson for Penguin also confirmed that "everything has been settled" amicably. It was not known how much Penguin Canada and Davidar will pay Rundle.
Following the lawsuit, Davidar had admitted only a "consensual flirtatious relationship" with Rundle.
"David Davidar has not sexually harassed anyone and has not assaulted anyone...," his lawyer had said in a statement June 20.
"Commencing in late 2005, Davidar and Lisa Rundle had offices next to each other at Penguin...in 2007, their friendship became flirtatious," the lawyer had said, admitting that "the former Penguin-Canada CEO and Davidar kissed on two occasions".
"The first was in Rundle's room during the October 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair referred to in Rundle's claim. However, contrary to Rundle's claim, Davidar did not bully his way into her room nor did he force himself upon her."
Hitting back, Rundle's lawyer issued a statement the same day, saying, "...throughout the period of harassment, Davidar was sending Lisa inappropriate e-mails and text messages. Commencing in late 2009, she began to retain some of the messages. (They) included Davidar e-mailing Lisa on or about October 21, 2009, that he could 'do very little except think of' her which was 'seriously annoying'; sending her a Hindi/ Urdu love song in or about October 23, 2009, in which he asked her not to embarrass him by asking around for a translation, when the song indicated 'My heart, this love of mine, become yours now'.
"Davidar would send text messages to Lisa repeatedly. For example, on May 19, 2009, Davidar indicated that 'it took all (his) self-control to stop (him)self from getting up and kissing (her) scars', adding that he thought she was 'utterly gorgeous' and he 'drank (her) in hungrily'.
"On some occasions, Davidar would punish her by refusing to speak with her and would exclude her from regular business conversations. Davidar would also, at various times, engage in pouting, refusing to deal with her, and would attempt to isolate her from her co-workers.
"Davidar's harassment intensified to a degree where on several occasions throughout 2008, he would call Lisa's cellular telephone and advise her that he was outside her home late in the night, and would beg her to let him in. She would not agree, with the result that the situation at work the following day would be even more toxic."
Davidar, who launched Penguin operations in India in the mid-1980s, is likely to leave for India with his wife Rachna soon.
For Canadian immigration, woman marries father, son
This is one idea that may not have struck even story writers in Bollywood. In her desperate bid to get Canadian immigration, a woman from Punjab conned a millionaire father as well as his son into marrying her.
But her plans seem to have gone awry with not only the NRI father-son duo but also the Chandigarh Police now looking for her.
Cases against her include cheating two men in marriage, getting a fake passport made with forged documents and even involvement in a murder case in Uttar Pradesh. Chandigarh Police's operations cell officials do not rule out her links with terrorists either.
The 'mystery' of the woman, Priya Inder Kaur, has baffled the father-son duo and Chandigarh Police as not much is known about her. The woman is on the run after dumping them and eloping with yet another man.
Kaur married NRI Rajinder Singh Mann, aged around 60 years, in 2001 after staying in his house in Chandigarh's upscale Sector 11 as a tenant for a few months.
It all began after Mann, who had divorced his Canadian wife earlier, started living in Chandigarh in 2001. That's when he met Kaur who came to stay in his house as a tenant. Mann tried to get her antecedents verified but when he failed to do so, he turned her out of the house.
The woman approached him again a few months later and sought help with a job. Taking 'pity' on her, Mann employed her as a helper in his house. The two became close and married in September 2001.
"She thought that being an NRI, I would take her to Canada. But when I told her that I had no plans of going back to Canada soon, she started behaving weirdly and finally divorced me in February 2002," Mann said.
Mann did not hear from Kaur for over two years after that.
In 2004, she came to his house again. Since Mann was not at home, she met his son, Rajan Mann, born from the marriage to his Canadian wife. On learning that Rajan was a Canadian citizen, Kaur befriended him over the next few weeks.
"They went to Leh for a holiday and later got married. She did not let him (Rajan) know that she had earlier married and divorced me. She thought that Rajan would take her to Canada after the marriage. I was staying in my house in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) at that time," Mann said.
When Mann came to know of his son's marriage to Kaur and told his son about the earlier marriage, Rajan was shocked and divorced her.
Having lodged a complaint of cheating and forgery against Kaur, Mann and his son came to know that she had even approached the Canadian embassy in New Delhi to work out her immigration to Canada as Rajan's wife.
Operations cell investigating officer Malkit Singh told media: "We are investigating the matter. It is a serious matter. All her given addresses have not led us anywhere. Neither she nor her family members live there."
Police officials say that Kaur was also wanted for her involvement in a murder case in Uttar Pradesh.
But her plans seem to have gone awry with not only the NRI father-son duo but also the Chandigarh Police now looking for her.
Cases against her include cheating two men in marriage, getting a fake passport made with forged documents and even involvement in a murder case in Uttar Pradesh. Chandigarh Police's operations cell officials do not rule out her links with terrorists either.
The 'mystery' of the woman, Priya Inder Kaur, has baffled the father-son duo and Chandigarh Police as not much is known about her. The woman is on the run after dumping them and eloping with yet another man.
Kaur married NRI Rajinder Singh Mann, aged around 60 years, in 2001 after staying in his house in Chandigarh's upscale Sector 11 as a tenant for a few months.
It all began after Mann, who had divorced his Canadian wife earlier, started living in Chandigarh in 2001. That's when he met Kaur who came to stay in his house as a tenant. Mann tried to get her antecedents verified but when he failed to do so, he turned her out of the house.
The woman approached him again a few months later and sought help with a job. Taking 'pity' on her, Mann employed her as a helper in his house. The two became close and married in September 2001.
"She thought that being an NRI, I would take her to Canada. But when I told her that I had no plans of going back to Canada soon, she started behaving weirdly and finally divorced me in February 2002," Mann said.
Mann did not hear from Kaur for over two years after that.
In 2004, she came to his house again. Since Mann was not at home, she met his son, Rajan Mann, born from the marriage to his Canadian wife. On learning that Rajan was a Canadian citizen, Kaur befriended him over the next few weeks.
"They went to Leh for a holiday and later got married. She did not let him (Rajan) know that she had earlier married and divorced me. She thought that Rajan would take her to Canada after the marriage. I was staying in my house in Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) at that time," Mann said.
When Mann came to know of his son's marriage to Kaur and told his son about the earlier marriage, Rajan was shocked and divorced her.
Having lodged a complaint of cheating and forgery against Kaur, Mann and his son came to know that she had even approached the Canadian embassy in New Delhi to work out her immigration to Canada as Rajan's wife.
Operations cell investigating officer Malkit Singh told media: "We are investigating the matter. It is a serious matter. All her given addresses have not led us anywhere. Neither she nor her family members live there."
Police officials say that Kaur was also wanted for her involvement in a murder case in Uttar Pradesh.
Pranab asks banks expand to rural areas, expedite credit flow
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today asked banks and financial institutions to provide expeditious credit to various productive sections of the society to tap the country's growth potential. Addressing a conference of the chief ministers of northern states and union territories and chiefs of various public sector banks and financial institutions here, Mukherjee also asked the banks to increase their rural penetration and enhance their accessibility to the rural population.
This was the third such meeting in recent weeks. He had addressed similar meets earlier in Patna and Mumbai for chief ministers of eastern and western regions.
"As you are aware, I am holding such meetings with chief ministers across the country on matters that relate to the efficiency with which our banking system interfaces with the common man, the small farmers, students and the micro entrepreneurs so as to ensure timely credit to the poor and the marginalized," he said.
"As of today only 37.2 percent of bank branches are in rural areas and only 40 percents of the country’s population has bank accounts," he said, adding: "The financial inclusion is a priority, as it provides avenues to the poor to bring their savings in the common financial system."
This was the third such meeting in recent weeks. He had addressed similar meets earlier in Patna and Mumbai for chief ministers of eastern and western regions.
"As you are aware, I am holding such meetings with chief ministers across the country on matters that relate to the efficiency with which our banking system interfaces with the common man, the small farmers, students and the micro entrepreneurs so as to ensure timely credit to the poor and the marginalized," he said.
"As of today only 37.2 percent of bank branches are in rural areas and only 40 percents of the country’s population has bank accounts," he said, adding: "The financial inclusion is a priority, as it provides avenues to the poor to bring their savings in the common financial system."
Steps taken to combat Maoists yielding results: Pillai
Steps taken to combat Maoist insurgency had slowly started yielding results, union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai said here today.
Giving details about the ongoing anti-Maoist drives in many Chhattisgarh districts, he cited the example of tribal-dominated Kanker district and noted that ration shops had opened and weekly markets were being held in remote areas because of the presence of security forces.
"Now ration shops are opened, regular weekly markets are being held, school buildings are being constructed and more importantly, contractors are now eager for bidding for the tenders being floated for development scheme in the area," he added.
"We do realise that we do not have adequate number of forces. It could take some time to recruit the personnel and provide them with training before being put in the Maoist areas," he said after touring Maoist-hit pockets in India's worst leftist insurgency-hit state Chhattisgarh and chairing a security review meet here.
"It is the firm commitment of the government to complete the anti-Naxalite (Maoist) operations once adequate number of state police personnel and central paramilitary forces (CPMF) were recruited, trained and deployed in the affected areas," he added.
Pillai on Monday visited Rajnandgaon district in state's western region and then Kanker, part of the 40,000 sq km Maoist stronghold Bastar region, to get inputs from the ground level about development and insurgency. He said he felt there was no immediate need for deployment of army in the Maoist areas.
Pillai had put off his trip to restive Dantewada today as his chopper did not take off from Raipur due to poor weather but he held a security review meeting in the state capital before flying back to New Delhi.
He also met Governor Shekhar Dutt, Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior civil and police officials, including district collectors of Dantewada and Bijapur districts.
Pillai's visit assumes significance in wake of Home Minister P. Chidambaram asking the Chhattisgarh government to revisit the issue of deployment of paramilitary forces in Maoist areas after the rebels ambushed the CRPF personnel in Narayanpur district on June 29, killing 27 people.
Chhattisgarh has been rocked by a series of blasts and gun fights in year 2010. In the last three months alone, more than 150 people have been killed, mostly security personnel. This includes the massacre of 76 security personnel in Dantewada district April 6.
Giving details about the ongoing anti-Maoist drives in many Chhattisgarh districts, he cited the example of tribal-dominated Kanker district and noted that ration shops had opened and weekly markets were being held in remote areas because of the presence of security forces.
"Now ration shops are opened, regular weekly markets are being held, school buildings are being constructed and more importantly, contractors are now eager for bidding for the tenders being floated for development scheme in the area," he added.
"We do realise that we do not have adequate number of forces. It could take some time to recruit the personnel and provide them with training before being put in the Maoist areas," he said after touring Maoist-hit pockets in India's worst leftist insurgency-hit state Chhattisgarh and chairing a security review meet here.
"It is the firm commitment of the government to complete the anti-Naxalite (Maoist) operations once adequate number of state police personnel and central paramilitary forces (CPMF) were recruited, trained and deployed in the affected areas," he added.
Pillai on Monday visited Rajnandgaon district in state's western region and then Kanker, part of the 40,000 sq km Maoist stronghold Bastar region, to get inputs from the ground level about development and insurgency. He said he felt there was no immediate need for deployment of army in the Maoist areas.
Pillai had put off his trip to restive Dantewada today as his chopper did not take off from Raipur due to poor weather but he held a security review meeting in the state capital before flying back to New Delhi.
He also met Governor Shekhar Dutt, Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior civil and police officials, including district collectors of Dantewada and Bijapur districts.
Pillai's visit assumes significance in wake of Home Minister P. Chidambaram asking the Chhattisgarh government to revisit the issue of deployment of paramilitary forces in Maoist areas after the rebels ambushed the CRPF personnel in Narayanpur district on June 29, killing 27 people.
Chhattisgarh has been rocked by a series of blasts and gun fights in year 2010. In the last three months alone, more than 150 people have been killed, mostly security personnel. This includes the massacre of 76 security personnel in Dantewada district April 6.
Jayalalithaa reiterates her opposition to LTTE
AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa today reiterated her opposition to the Tamil Tigers, noting it assassinated former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and several moderate Sri Lankan Tamil leaders.
Reacting to a statement by DMK chief and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi earlier, she said: "Karunanidhi thinks that by making me appear as an opponent of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), he can paint me as anti-Tamilian.
"Right through the 1980s, (AIADMK founder) MGR and I supported the LTTE-led struggle for the rights and freedom of the Tamil masses of Sri Lanka.
"But when killings of Tamil moderates, members of rival Tamil militant groups and finally a much loved former prime minister of India took place, it was obvious the outfit of freedom fighters had turned into terrorists. From that point onwards, I had the courage to oppose the LTTE. Karunanidhi does not have that courage and never did," she added.
Declaring that she never condemned the annihilation of the LTTE at the hands of the Sri Lankan military last year, Jayalalithaa said she, however, denounced the "wanton killings" of surrendering LTTE cadres.
"I condemn the killing of 50,000 unarmed civilians coming out of their bunkers, lured into believing that the war had come to an end," she said.
Karunanidhi had questioned Jayalalithaa's support for Sri Lankan Tamils, pointing out that her government had passed two resolutions in the state assembly - one urging Colombo to arrest LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and hand him over to India to face trial in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the second not to allow any LTTE member gain entry into India.
Reacting to a statement by DMK chief and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi earlier, she said: "Karunanidhi thinks that by making me appear as an opponent of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), he can paint me as anti-Tamilian.
"Right through the 1980s, (AIADMK founder) MGR and I supported the LTTE-led struggle for the rights and freedom of the Tamil masses of Sri Lanka.
"But when killings of Tamil moderates, members of rival Tamil militant groups and finally a much loved former prime minister of India took place, it was obvious the outfit of freedom fighters had turned into terrorists. From that point onwards, I had the courage to oppose the LTTE. Karunanidhi does not have that courage and never did," she added.
Declaring that she never condemned the annihilation of the LTTE at the hands of the Sri Lankan military last year, Jayalalithaa said she, however, denounced the "wanton killings" of surrendering LTTE cadres.
"I condemn the killing of 50,000 unarmed civilians coming out of their bunkers, lured into believing that the war had come to an end," she said.
Karunanidhi had questioned Jayalalithaa's support for Sri Lankan Tamils, pointing out that her government had passed two resolutions in the state assembly - one urging Colombo to arrest LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and hand him over to India to face trial in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the second not to allow any LTTE member gain entry into India.
Abdul Samad denies involvement in Pune terror bombing
Abdul Samad Bhatkal, who was picked up by police for alleged links with the Feb 13 Pune terror blasts, today denied he had anything to do with the bombing and said he was questioned in an illegal arms case.
Speaking to reporters after Samad was released on bail, his lawyer Mubin Solkar said Samad was made an accused in an illegal arms act case of 2009. He categorically denied any connection with the Feb 13 terror attack in Pune's German Bakery, situated in the upmarket Koregaon Park area, in which 17 people were killed.
"In fact, investigations into the arms case are still underway by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and it remains to be seen after that whether he will be chargesheeted or discharged in that matter," Solkar said.
"Samad was arrested and later freed on bail only in connection with the arms seizure case. He has not been questioned in connection with the Pune blast case," said Solkar.
"In fact, he was travelling to Bangalore when the blasts took place," he added.
Samad was caught at Mangalore's Bajpe International Airport in Karnataka on May 24 after he arrived on a flight from Dubai. Samad was granted bail by a Mumbai court on June 15.
Solkar also said that Samad was in no way connected with Yasin Bhatkal, a close associate of Indian Mujahideen (IM) founder Riyaz Bhatkal.
"Samad does not even know Yasin. Hence there arises no question of him being responsible for the Pune blasts," Solkar said.
The ATS had identified Yasin Bhatkal as the mastermind of the Pune attack.
"We don't know if Yasin has been picked up by the ATS or has been interrogated in relation to the Pune blasts or any other case," Solkar added.
Solkar also mentioned that Samad's family maintained that he was innocent and that he could not be involved with any such case of arms seizure. "I believe, the name of one Abdul came up while investigating the arms seizure case and later he was identified as Abdul Samad," Solkar said.
Giving a brief background of Samad, Solkar said that he was a resident of Bhatkal town in Karnataka. "After passing his Class 10 exams he did his Class 12 from Anjuman College," he said.
"Samad later completed the Microsoft Certified Engineering course from a college in Bangalore and later went to Dubai to look for a job. He returned three months later as he had gone on a visitors' visa," Solkar said.
Speaking to reporters after Samad was released on bail, his lawyer Mubin Solkar said Samad was made an accused in an illegal arms act case of 2009. He categorically denied any connection with the Feb 13 terror attack in Pune's German Bakery, situated in the upmarket Koregaon Park area, in which 17 people were killed.
"In fact, investigations into the arms case are still underway by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and it remains to be seen after that whether he will be chargesheeted or discharged in that matter," Solkar said.
"Samad was arrested and later freed on bail only in connection with the arms seizure case. He has not been questioned in connection with the Pune blast case," said Solkar.
"In fact, he was travelling to Bangalore when the blasts took place," he added.
Samad was caught at Mangalore's Bajpe International Airport in Karnataka on May 24 after he arrived on a flight from Dubai. Samad was granted bail by a Mumbai court on June 15.
Solkar also said that Samad was in no way connected with Yasin Bhatkal, a close associate of Indian Mujahideen (IM) founder Riyaz Bhatkal.
"Samad does not even know Yasin. Hence there arises no question of him being responsible for the Pune blasts," Solkar said.
The ATS had identified Yasin Bhatkal as the mastermind of the Pune attack.
"We don't know if Yasin has been picked up by the ATS or has been interrogated in relation to the Pune blasts or any other case," Solkar added.
Solkar also mentioned that Samad's family maintained that he was innocent and that he could not be involved with any such case of arms seizure. "I believe, the name of one Abdul came up while investigating the arms seizure case and later he was identified as Abdul Samad," Solkar said.
Giving a brief background of Samad, Solkar said that he was a resident of Bhatkal town in Karnataka. "After passing his Class 10 exams he did his Class 12 from Anjuman College," he said.
"Samad later completed the Microsoft Certified Engineering course from a college in Bangalore and later went to Dubai to look for a job. He returned three months later as he had gone on a visitors' visa," Solkar said.
Pacheco may have got fake medical certificates: prosecution
Government doctors may have issued bogus medial certificates to ensure that former Goa minister Mickky Pacheco, an accused in a culpable homicide case involving his alleged lover's death, skipped judicial custody, the prosecution alleged today.
Public prosecutor Sarojini Saldanha told the Margao District and Sessions Court during a plea for interim bail that the medical certificates should be immediately examined for genuineness and a medical board be constituted to examine Pacheco, who surrendered last week after evading the police for nearly a month.
"Only when the applicant was remanded to judicial custody, he complained of sickness and got admitted in ICU, which is suspicious," Sarojini said, suggesting that Pacheco could be faking illness.
Pacheco was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the government-run Hospicio in south Goa, hours after he was ordered to spend two days in judicial custody. Pacheco claimed he was suffering from hypertension and jaundice, after which he was admitted to ICU for observation.
"In the interim bail application, there was no reference to any kind of sickness which the applicant was ailing from. So where have the sicknesses come from suddenly?" the prosecutor asked.
"The accused should be referred to a medical board as the certificates given by doctors from Hospicio hospital are suspicious. Alternatively, the medical certificates should be examined to check their veracity," the prosecution said.
It added that custodial interrogation of the former tourism minister was imperative as there could be others involved in the suspicious death of 28-year-old Nadia Torrado, allegedly Pacheco's lover.
Pacheco, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator, and his aide Lyndon Monteiro have been booked for culpable homicide. The Supreme Court has already rejected Pacheco's anticipatory bail application.
Public prosecutor Sarojini Saldanha told the Margao District and Sessions Court during a plea for interim bail that the medical certificates should be immediately examined for genuineness and a medical board be constituted to examine Pacheco, who surrendered last week after evading the police for nearly a month.
"Only when the applicant was remanded to judicial custody, he complained of sickness and got admitted in ICU, which is suspicious," Sarojini said, suggesting that Pacheco could be faking illness.
Pacheco was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the government-run Hospicio in south Goa, hours after he was ordered to spend two days in judicial custody. Pacheco claimed he was suffering from hypertension and jaundice, after which he was admitted to ICU for observation.
"In the interim bail application, there was no reference to any kind of sickness which the applicant was ailing from. So where have the sicknesses come from suddenly?" the prosecutor asked.
"The accused should be referred to a medical board as the certificates given by doctors from Hospicio hospital are suspicious. Alternatively, the medical certificates should be examined to check their veracity," the prosecution said.
It added that custodial interrogation of the former tourism minister was imperative as there could be others involved in the suspicious death of 28-year-old Nadia Torrado, allegedly Pacheco's lover.
Pacheco, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator, and his aide Lyndon Monteiro have been booked for culpable homicide. The Supreme Court has already rejected Pacheco's anticipatory bail application.
I can't cry like Shekhar Kapur: Sajid Khan
Director-comedian Sajid Khan promises to be fun on "India's Got Talent" rather than cry like acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur whom he has replaced as a judge on the second season of the talent hunt show.
"I can't cry like Shekhar Kapur. I don't cry so easily. What immensely touches me and moves me is cruelty against children and elder people. That is something I am sensitive about, I don't cry otherwise," Sajid said, while in the capital to promote the show.
Kapur frequently got emotional while watching heart-wrenching performances by the physically challenged or poor contestants in the first season of "India's Got Talent" (IGT).
"I am going to be fun on the show. Actually, my reactions will match the talent I see. I am usually frivolous and fun, but sometimes I can be dead serious in my comments. It completely depends on the acts," he told the media.
Though Sajid has started auditioning for the show, he confesses that hasn't seen even a single episode of the first season of the show.
"I haven't seen 'IGT 1'. It came at a time when I was in Britain shooting for 'Housefull'. The channel (Colors) asked me to watch it, but I couldn't. I had two-three offers either to judge or host a show at that time, but most were at the end of the year. This seemed doable, so I agreed," he said.
After the success of his multi-starrer laugh riot "Housefull", Sajid says he is working on two films, an emotional drama and an action entertainer. He hopes to finish the script of at least one of these projects within the next seven months.
Till then, he is looking forward to some great talent on the show.
"We have not just seen some fantastic singing, dancing and acrobatic acts, but also a very unique style of sand drawings. It’s going to be a mixed platter of talents, that we will be seeing on the show. Auditioning people in small towns has been a great experience for us," said Sajid, who will be sharing the judges' panel with actors Kirron Kher and Sonali Bendre.
"I can't cry like Shekhar Kapur. I don't cry so easily. What immensely touches me and moves me is cruelty against children and elder people. That is something I am sensitive about, I don't cry otherwise," Sajid said, while in the capital to promote the show.
Kapur frequently got emotional while watching heart-wrenching performances by the physically challenged or poor contestants in the first season of "India's Got Talent" (IGT).
"I am going to be fun on the show. Actually, my reactions will match the talent I see. I am usually frivolous and fun, but sometimes I can be dead serious in my comments. It completely depends on the acts," he told the media.
Though Sajid has started auditioning for the show, he confesses that hasn't seen even a single episode of the first season of the show.
"I haven't seen 'IGT 1'. It came at a time when I was in Britain shooting for 'Housefull'. The channel (Colors) asked me to watch it, but I couldn't. I had two-three offers either to judge or host a show at that time, but most were at the end of the year. This seemed doable, so I agreed," he said.
After the success of his multi-starrer laugh riot "Housefull", Sajid says he is working on two films, an emotional drama and an action entertainer. He hopes to finish the script of at least one of these projects within the next seven months.
Till then, he is looking forward to some great talent on the show.
"We have not just seen some fantastic singing, dancing and acrobatic acts, but also a very unique style of sand drawings. It’s going to be a mixed platter of talents, that we will be seeing on the show. Auditioning people in small towns has been a great experience for us," said Sajid, who will be sharing the judges' panel with actors Kirron Kher and Sonali Bendre.
Lara Dutta to attend FIFA semi-finals
Bollywood actress Lara Dutta is extremely excited about attending the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in Cape Town.
"Soooo excited! Touchdown in Cape Town tomorrow! Apart from being one of my favourite cities, I am super thrilled to catch the first semi final there," the actress posted on her Twitter page.
Lara is supporting Holland.
"Going to be blowing my vuvuzela for Holland tomorrow," she added.
The city reminds her of the days when she was shooting for her films "Andaaz" and "No Entry".
"Shot 'Andaaz' and 'No Entry' in Cape Town! Have very fond memories! Absolutely love the energy there," she said.
"Soooo excited! Touchdown in Cape Town tomorrow! Apart from being one of my favourite cities, I am super thrilled to catch the first semi final there," the actress posted on her Twitter page.
Lara is supporting Holland.
"Going to be blowing my vuvuzela for Holland tomorrow," she added.
The city reminds her of the days when she was shooting for her films "Andaaz" and "No Entry".
"Shot 'Andaaz' and 'No Entry' in Cape Town! Have very fond memories! Absolutely love the energy there," she said.
`Bend It Like Beckham' actress to launch pop career
"Bend It Like Beckham" actress Preeya Kalidas will launch her pop career at an annual festival here that showcases South Asian arts, entertainment, dance and food.
Preparations are on for the annual Leicester Belgrave Mela, one of the biggest South Asian events in Britain, on July 18.
The festival will be held at the city centre and arrangements were being made for the arrival of thousands from outside the town.
The focus this year will be on Preeya Kalidas, who acted in two popular diaspora films, "EastEnders" and "Bend it Like Beckham".
She launches her pop career with her first live performance at the fair. She will be joined on stage by Asian singing sensations H. Dhami and Mumzy Stranger.
Other highlights include the Mela Bazaar in Leicester market place, with a variety of stalls and exhibition stands including an Indian food court besides an exclusive Asian wedding exhibition.
Festival director Pravin Mistry told the media: "It's going to be bigger and better than ever and we want everyone to be part of the magical Leicester Mela experience."
Preparations are on for the annual Leicester Belgrave Mela, one of the biggest South Asian events in Britain, on July 18.
The festival will be held at the city centre and arrangements were being made for the arrival of thousands from outside the town.
The focus this year will be on Preeya Kalidas, who acted in two popular diaspora films, "EastEnders" and "Bend it Like Beckham".
She launches her pop career with her first live performance at the fair. She will be joined on stage by Asian singing sensations H. Dhami and Mumzy Stranger.
Other highlights include the Mela Bazaar in Leicester market place, with a variety of stalls and exhibition stands including an Indian food court besides an exclusive Asian wedding exhibition.
Festival director Pravin Mistry told the media: "It's going to be bigger and better than ever and we want everyone to be part of the magical Leicester Mela experience."
Music composers make millions: Mahesh Bhatt
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has once again sparked a discussion on the royalty issue that gripped the Bollywood music fraternity and producers earlier this year, saying "composers and singers make millions by performing on hit songs by way of live shows".
"A wrong perception has been built up, giving an impression that composers do not make money from a hit song. The fact is that the composers and singers make millions by performing on hit songs by way of live shows," Bhatt posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Whereas the producers take the entire commercial risk. How can you ask for an equal share in the profit when you don't share the loss?" he added.
However, Bhatt's comment didn't go down too well with writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar.
"No one is asking for a penny from the film's profit. We are asking for our rights and dignity," Akhtar wrote on Bhatt's account on Twitter.
Aamir Khan-Javed Akhtar and Sonu Niigam-Vidhu Vinod Chopra have already had an altercation in this regard as the music industry is demanding 50-50 share in the profits that the producers make from the music of the film. But producers are resisting it.
Members of the music industry have also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and proposed amendments to the Copyright Act as a solution.
"A wrong perception has been built up, giving an impression that composers do not make money from a hit song. The fact is that the composers and singers make millions by performing on hit songs by way of live shows," Bhatt posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Whereas the producers take the entire commercial risk. How can you ask for an equal share in the profit when you don't share the loss?" he added.
However, Bhatt's comment didn't go down too well with writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar.
"No one is asking for a penny from the film's profit. We are asking for our rights and dignity," Akhtar wrote on Bhatt's account on Twitter.
Aamir Khan-Javed Akhtar and Sonu Niigam-Vidhu Vinod Chopra have already had an altercation in this regard as the music industry is demanding 50-50 share in the profits that the producers make from the music of the film. But producers are resisting it.
Members of the music industry have also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and proposed amendments to the Copyright Act as a solution.
Madhur Bhandarkar looking for fresh faces
Madhur Bhandarkar, who directed films like "Fashion" and "Jail", is looking for new faces on online portal abmeribaari.com for his upcoming film project.
"Madhur is looking for a raw couple - completely new faces. He will be diverging from his serious genre in this new film. We were given a character sketch by him. We are treating that as a parameter for auditions," AMB Tatent Media Pvt Ltd managing director Preet Bedi told the medua.
On the character sketch of the hero, Bedi said: "A young guy who is still not a man and is in his maturing age, who is learning to take up responsibilities and is going through a rough patch. A guy who has broken up with his girlfriend but still has feelings for her... is born in a business family but wants to do something of his own."
Abmeribaari.com is an online portal where anyone can upload videos for screen test.
On the online portal, four initiatives are being held simultaneously - casting for Bhandarkar’s new film, channel V's VJ Hunt, Junior Genius and Folk Sartaaj.
The mentors of Junior Genius are in search of children for musical talent and those of Folk Sartaaj are looking for folk music performers.
The mentors who are judging the talent shows include Bhandarkar, music director Anu Malik and choreographer Saroj Khan.
Bedi said talent is not restricted to these four forums alone.
"We are focusing on these four as of now but there are other projects in pipeline. A lot of other conversations are going on, including opportunity for script writing and unusual talent," Bedi said.
"Madhur is looking for a raw couple - completely new faces. He will be diverging from his serious genre in this new film. We were given a character sketch by him. We are treating that as a parameter for auditions," AMB Tatent Media Pvt Ltd managing director Preet Bedi told the medua.
On the character sketch of the hero, Bedi said: "A young guy who is still not a man and is in his maturing age, who is learning to take up responsibilities and is going through a rough patch. A guy who has broken up with his girlfriend but still has feelings for her... is born in a business family but wants to do something of his own."
Abmeribaari.com is an online portal where anyone can upload videos for screen test.
On the online portal, four initiatives are being held simultaneously - casting for Bhandarkar’s new film, channel V's VJ Hunt, Junior Genius and Folk Sartaaj.
The mentors of Junior Genius are in search of children for musical talent and those of Folk Sartaaj are looking for folk music performers.
The mentors who are judging the talent shows include Bhandarkar, music director Anu Malik and choreographer Saroj Khan.
Bedi said talent is not restricted to these four forums alone.
"We are focusing on these four as of now but there are other projects in pipeline. A lot of other conversations are going on, including opportunity for script writing and unusual talent," Bedi said.
Tom Cruise thanks Indian fans
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, who has expressed a desire to visit India, has taken to internet to thank his Indian fans for their love and kindness.
The "Mission Impossible" star recently turned 48 and birthday wishes poured in from all quarters, especially from Indian fans, through Facebook and Twitter.
He posted on his Twitter page, "A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful people of India for their birthday wishes and kindness... I'll see you at the movies Friday," referring to his upcoming film "Knight and Day".
The film, slated for release in India on July 9, is an action comedy with Cameron Diaz and Cruise in the lead. Cruise and Diaz play a fugitive couple on a race across the globe amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals.
The "Mission Impossible" star recently turned 48 and birthday wishes poured in from all quarters, especially from Indian fans, through Facebook and Twitter.
He posted on his Twitter page, "A huge THANK YOU to the wonderful people of India for their birthday wishes and kindness... I'll see you at the movies Friday," referring to his upcoming film "Knight and Day".
The film, slated for release in India on July 9, is an action comedy with Cameron Diaz and Cruise in the lead. Cruise and Diaz play a fugitive couple on a race across the globe amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals.
Soccer City pitch to be in top shape for final
FIFA expects the pitch at Soccer City to be in top shape for Sunday's World Cup final.
The surface showed discolouration at the northern end of the Soweto stadium for the quarter-final match between Ghana and Uruguay but the situation has improved significantly since thanks to the use of germination blankets and supplemental growth lights.
"We have cancelled a number of training sessions during the tournament so that the pitch can be in the best possible condition," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said today.
"We are not aware of any particular concern or worry about the state of the pitch for Sunday's final."
World Cup pitches in high-altitude Johannesburg and Pretoria have had problems with frost during the tournament while the surfaces in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth have at times had to be closed because of rain.
Despite the problems, the pitches at this year's World Cup are a vast improvement on the surfaces that teams had to deal with at the 2009 Confederations Cup, and so far there have been no complaints from any of the 32 participating teams.
The surface showed discolouration at the northern end of the Soweto stadium for the quarter-final match between Ghana and Uruguay but the situation has improved significantly since thanks to the use of germination blankets and supplemental growth lights.
"We have cancelled a number of training sessions during the tournament so that the pitch can be in the best possible condition," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said today.
"We are not aware of any particular concern or worry about the state of the pitch for Sunday's final."
World Cup pitches in high-altitude Johannesburg and Pretoria have had problems with frost during the tournament while the surfaces in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth have at times had to be closed because of rain.
Despite the problems, the pitches at this year's World Cup are a vast improvement on the surfaces that teams had to deal with at the 2009 Confederations Cup, and so far there have been no complaints from any of the 32 participating teams.
Games Village to be handed over by Aug 1: Khanna
Paying his second visit in the last 10 days to oversee construction work at the Games Village, Delhi Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna today said the village will be handed over to the organisers by Aug 1.
Khanna said work was being carried out day and night to ensure the project was completed on time. The village, coming up on the banks of river Yamuna and near the Akshardham Temple in east Delhi, will have 1,168 flats for about 8,000 athletes.
"Work at the Games Village is going good and it is certain the project will be completed well on time," Khanna told reporters.
Asked about completion of other Games-related projects, he said: "At present we are concentrating on Games projects undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority... Though the work has been slightly delayed (at other places), we are certain to complete all the projects well on time."
A five-acre piece of land at the village site, which so far housed site labourers, has been made available for landscaping. The labourers have vacated the place and rubble there is being cleared.
Khanna told reporters that over 95 percent of the area had been cleared and it will take a fortnight to complete the landscaping work. Over 15,000 trees will be planted in the Games Village.
The Lt Governor instructed the officials to expedite the remaining work and said he would again inspect the place on July 20.
An official said the India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC) had started arranging furniture in the village houses where work has been completed. Some furniture is to come from China.
The Games Village, constructed by Emaar-MGF, was earlier scheduled to be completed by the first week of June. The cost has escalated to Rs.1,038 crore (over USD 200 million). It earlier received a Rs.700-crore (USD 15 million) bailout package from the DDA.
Khanna had June 25 inspected the interiors of the flats, the security and landscaping of the complex and its surrounding areas.
Khanna said work was being carried out day and night to ensure the project was completed on time. The village, coming up on the banks of river Yamuna and near the Akshardham Temple in east Delhi, will have 1,168 flats for about 8,000 athletes.
"Work at the Games Village is going good and it is certain the project will be completed well on time," Khanna told reporters.
Asked about completion of other Games-related projects, he said: "At present we are concentrating on Games projects undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority... Though the work has been slightly delayed (at other places), we are certain to complete all the projects well on time."
A five-acre piece of land at the village site, which so far housed site labourers, has been made available for landscaping. The labourers have vacated the place and rubble there is being cleared.
Khanna told reporters that over 95 percent of the area had been cleared and it will take a fortnight to complete the landscaping work. Over 15,000 trees will be planted in the Games Village.
The Lt Governor instructed the officials to expedite the remaining work and said he would again inspect the place on July 20.
An official said the India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC) had started arranging furniture in the village houses where work has been completed. Some furniture is to come from China.
The Games Village, constructed by Emaar-MGF, was earlier scheduled to be completed by the first week of June. The cost has escalated to Rs.1,038 crore (over USD 200 million). It earlier received a Rs.700-crore (USD 15 million) bailout package from the DDA.
Khanna had June 25 inspected the interiors of the flats, the security and landscaping of the complex and its surrounding areas.
Complete work at CWG venue by July 31: Khanna
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna today inspected the Yamuna Sports Complex, a venue for the Commonwealth Games, and asked officials to complete all construction activity at the site by July 31.
Khanna, who spent about 30 minutes at the east Delhi complex, said he would inspect the place again July 20 and 31. He also asked officials to complete the landscaping work by Aug 20.
"And while meeting the deadlines, 100 percent quality in the works should be ensured," he directed.
The project has missed several deadlines since December 2009. However, it was inaugurated this March by Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.
The Yamuna Sports Complex, work for which has been undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority, will host archery and table tennis events during the Oct 3-14 Games.
Khanna also visited the archery competition venue of the Commonwealth Games inside the complex where his permission was sought for increasing the number of seats from the existing 1,296, including 180 for VIPs.
However, he said seats should not be increased.
Khanna, who spent about 30 minutes at the east Delhi complex, said he would inspect the place again July 20 and 31. He also asked officials to complete the landscaping work by Aug 20.
"And while meeting the deadlines, 100 percent quality in the works should be ensured," he directed.
The project has missed several deadlines since December 2009. However, it was inaugurated this March by Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.
The Yamuna Sports Complex, work for which has been undertaken by the Delhi Development Authority, will host archery and table tennis events during the Oct 3-14 Games.
Khanna also visited the archery competition venue of the Commonwealth Games inside the complex where his permission was sought for increasing the number of seats from the existing 1,296, including 180 for VIPs.
However, he said seats should not be increased.
Gill inaugurates wrestling stadium for Commonwealth Games
A spanking new wrestling stadium, named after wrestling great Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, who was independent India's first individual Olympic medallist, was inaugurated by Sports Minister M.S. Gill here today.
The stadium, located at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex, will host the wrestling competition in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
Gill dedicated the stadium to Jadhav who won the wrestling bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki. Jadhav was awarded Arjuna Award posthumously in 2000.
His son Ranjeet Khashaba Jadhav was felicitated by Gill with a shawl, silver plaque in appreciation and recognition of achievements of his illustrious father. He was also given Rs.3 lakh from the National Welfare Fund for sportspersons.
Gill, said it was his desire to give due recognition to the achievements of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav.
"Shri Jadhav will always be remembered as the winner of independent India's first individual Olympic medallist. We are all aware of his achievement," Gill said.
Gill said naming the stadium after the great wrestler was a small effort on the government’s side to honour the legendary wrestler’s achievement.
Gill said Jadhav should be a source of inspiration for Indian wrestlers.
Beijing Olympics gold medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar was also present at the inauguration.
"We are happy that the stadium has been named after great K. D. Jadhav. It will motivate us to win laurels for our country. We are training hard for the Commonwealth Games and we are hoping a good show," Sushil said.
The stadium, located at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex, will host the wrestling competition in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.
Gill dedicated the stadium to Jadhav who won the wrestling bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki. Jadhav was awarded Arjuna Award posthumously in 2000.
His son Ranjeet Khashaba Jadhav was felicitated by Gill with a shawl, silver plaque in appreciation and recognition of achievements of his illustrious father. He was also given Rs.3 lakh from the National Welfare Fund for sportspersons.
Gill, said it was his desire to give due recognition to the achievements of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav.
"Shri Jadhav will always be remembered as the winner of independent India's first individual Olympic medallist. We are all aware of his achievement," Gill said.
Gill said naming the stadium after the great wrestler was a small effort on the government’s side to honour the legendary wrestler’s achievement.
Gill said Jadhav should be a source of inspiration for Indian wrestlers.
Beijing Olympics gold medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar was also present at the inauguration.
"We are happy that the stadium has been named after great K. D. Jadhav. It will motivate us to win laurels for our country. We are training hard for the Commonwealth Games and we are hoping a good show," Sushil said.
Prayers in Delhi for Dalai Lama's birthday
Mass prayers, sapling plantation and a cultural show were held in the capital today to mark the 75th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
A group of over 500 Tibetans assembled at the Tibetan colony near Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi in the morning and offered prayers for the Dalai Lama's long life. They unveiled a portrait of their spiritual guru.
The prayer meeting was followed by planting of 75 tree saplings. Pigeons were released in the sky as a symbol of peace. Students from a Tibetan school performed to mark the event.
"We prayed for his long life and autonomy for Tibet," Choekyong Wangchuk, an MP of the Tibetan government-in-exile, told the media.
Born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in a small hamlet in Taktser in Amdo province in northeastern Tibet, the two-year-old child, earlier named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, in 1937.
He fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, basing his Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala.
In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for Tibet. He got the US Congressional Gold Medal in October 2007, even in the face of protests by China.
A group of over 500 Tibetans assembled at the Tibetan colony near Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi in the morning and offered prayers for the Dalai Lama's long life. They unveiled a portrait of their spiritual guru.
The prayer meeting was followed by planting of 75 tree saplings. Pigeons were released in the sky as a symbol of peace. Students from a Tibetan school performed to mark the event.
"We prayed for his long life and autonomy for Tibet," Choekyong Wangchuk, an MP of the Tibetan government-in-exile, told the media.
Born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in a small hamlet in Taktser in Amdo province in northeastern Tibet, the two-year-old child, earlier named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, in 1937.
He fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, basing his Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala.
In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for Tibet. He got the US Congressional Gold Medal in October 2007, even in the face of protests by China.
No private helipads in country: Jairam Ramesh
Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh today said that no new private helipads will be allowed in the country.
Reacting to the Maharashtra government's plans to allow construction of 12 private helipads in the state, Ramesh said: "Private helipad is a complete no-no. All helipads should be owned by the government and should be used for public service - medical emergency and strategic need.
"The ministry's stand is that public helipads should be used for public purpose and not private and we will not even allow construction of private helipads for public purpose," he told reporters here.
Asked about the ministry's stand on the existing private helipads, Ramesh said: "They too break the noise pollution rules, and we will look into it."
The ministry submitted an affidavit to the Bombay High Court last month stating that it did not support the setting up of private helipads in Mumbai.
The ministry is of the view that while the noise rules do not specifically debar private helipads, in view of the high ambient noise levels in Mumbai during day and night, such new helipads are avoidable.
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by city-based Awaaz Foundation, which contended that the proposal for helipads would create noise pollution.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had conducted tests and found that the sound of helicopters taking off and landing was 100-120 decibel. This was double the norms for residential areas and silence zone areas that allow noise level between 45-55 decibel.
The Maharashtra government had issued a directive to the Mumbai municipal corporation to amend its construction rules to allow new residential and commercial buildings to have helipads.
Reacting to the Maharashtra government's plans to allow construction of 12 private helipads in the state, Ramesh said: "Private helipad is a complete no-no. All helipads should be owned by the government and should be used for public service - medical emergency and strategic need.
"The ministry's stand is that public helipads should be used for public purpose and not private and we will not even allow construction of private helipads for public purpose," he told reporters here.
Asked about the ministry's stand on the existing private helipads, Ramesh said: "They too break the noise pollution rules, and we will look into it."
The ministry submitted an affidavit to the Bombay High Court last month stating that it did not support the setting up of private helipads in Mumbai.
The ministry is of the view that while the noise rules do not specifically debar private helipads, in view of the high ambient noise levels in Mumbai during day and night, such new helipads are avoidable.
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by city-based Awaaz Foundation, which contended that the proposal for helipads would create noise pollution.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had conducted tests and found that the sound of helicopters taking off and landing was 100-120 decibel. This was double the norms for residential areas and silence zone areas that allow noise level between 45-55 decibel.
The Maharashtra government had issued a directive to the Mumbai municipal corporation to amend its construction rules to allow new residential and commercial buildings to have helipads.
India to help Mozambique in coal, power sectors
India has offered Mozambique a grant of $40 million for improving technical capacity in coal mining and a $25 million line of credit for rural electrification, officials said today.
The agreements for the two loans were signed on Monday im Mozambique's capital Maputo by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Krishna held talks with his Mozambican counterpart Oldemiro Baloi and called on President Armandoemilio Guebuza.
The grant for improving technical capacity in coal mining is significant as India has been trying to get access to Mozambique's huge coal resources.
"Mozambique is a country rich in coal resources, and the question of energy is critical for the development of India. Hence our cooperation is prioritizing the energy sector," Krishna said in Maputo.
Krishna began his trip in Mauritius last week. He will now travel to Seychelles, before returning to India.
The agreements for the two loans were signed on Monday im Mozambique's capital Maputo by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.
Krishna held talks with his Mozambican counterpart Oldemiro Baloi and called on President Armandoemilio Guebuza.
The grant for improving technical capacity in coal mining is significant as India has been trying to get access to Mozambique's huge coal resources.
"Mozambique is a country rich in coal resources, and the question of energy is critical for the development of India. Hence our cooperation is prioritizing the energy sector," Krishna said in Maputo.
Krishna began his trip in Mauritius last week. He will now travel to Seychelles, before returning to India.
LIC hikes stake in Bharti Airtel to 5 pc
MUMBAI: Life Insurance Corporation of India has hiked its stake in private telecom services provider Bharti Airtel to 5 per cent after acquiring shares worth Rs 13.17 crore.
LIC has purchased 5 lakh shares, representing a 0.013 per cent stake in Bharti Airtel, for Rs 13.17 crore through an open market transaction, the telecom services provider said in a regulatory filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The state-owned life insurer acquired the shares on June 30.
Prior to the acquisition, LIC held a 4.998 per cent stake in the company, while now it holds 5.011 per cent in Bharti Airtel.
As per the March quarter shareholding pattern available on the BSE, LIC of India held a 4.76 per cent stake in Bharti Airtel.
Shares of Bharti Airtel were trading at Rs 270 on the BSE today, up 1.12 per cent from the previous close.
source: agency
LIC has purchased 5 lakh shares, representing a 0.013 per cent stake in Bharti Airtel, for Rs 13.17 crore through an open market transaction, the telecom services provider said in a regulatory filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The state-owned life insurer acquired the shares on June 30.
Prior to the acquisition, LIC held a 4.998 per cent stake in the company, while now it holds 5.011 per cent in Bharti Airtel.
As per the March quarter shareholding pattern available on the BSE, LIC of India held a 4.76 per cent stake in Bharti Airtel.
Shares of Bharti Airtel were trading at Rs 270 on the BSE today, up 1.12 per cent from the previous close.
source: agency
Explosion hits Indian restaurant in Sydney, no casualties
MELBOURNE: An explosion triggered by a suspected arson attack ripped apart an Indian restaurant in Sydney, prompting police to investigate the possible links of the incident to a bomb threat.
The Indian restaurant in Sydney was on Monday night engulfed by fire, which police suspect was 'deliberately lit' and four people escaped unhurt in the incident.
Police is investigating the possibility of links to a bomb threat at the Copper Tiffin restaurant on Cleveland Street some time back, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
An unnamed nearby restaurant owner said he had heard a "loud explosion, like bomb" just after 11:30pm.
The explosion threw out debris and caused glass and signs to cover the road.
"Then I see people climbing out of a window, about four, (it was) very lucky," he said.
Two people were seen running away from the site just after 11.30pm as fire engulfed the building, witnesses told police.
Shortly thereafter, an explosion was heard and a witness said the front of the shop was missing.
Police reportedly said the blaze was 'deliberately lit' and that they were hunting for two men who were seen running away from the scene.
The explosion damaged property but four people at a residential property above the restaurant escaped, with only one needing hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.
A spokesman for NSW Fire Brigades said around 20 firies managed to bring the blaze under control just after midnight and it was prevented from spreading to neighbouring properties.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the report said.
The witness said police had been at the same site "about two weeks ago" and cleared out several restaurants along the Cleveland St strip, possibly related to a bomb threat.
source: agency
The Indian restaurant in Sydney was on Monday night engulfed by fire, which police suspect was 'deliberately lit' and four people escaped unhurt in the incident.
Police is investigating the possibility of links to a bomb threat at the Copper Tiffin restaurant on Cleveland Street some time back, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
An unnamed nearby restaurant owner said he had heard a "loud explosion, like bomb" just after 11:30pm.
The explosion threw out debris and caused glass and signs to cover the road.
"Then I see people climbing out of a window, about four, (it was) very lucky," he said.
Two people were seen running away from the site just after 11.30pm as fire engulfed the building, witnesses told police.
Shortly thereafter, an explosion was heard and a witness said the front of the shop was missing.
Police reportedly said the blaze was 'deliberately lit' and that they were hunting for two men who were seen running away from the scene.
The explosion damaged property but four people at a residential property above the restaurant escaped, with only one needing hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.
A spokesman for NSW Fire Brigades said around 20 firies managed to bring the blaze under control just after midnight and it was prevented from spreading to neighbouring properties.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the report said.
The witness said police had been at the same site "about two weeks ago" and cleared out several restaurants along the Cleveland St strip, possibly related to a bomb threat.
source: agency
British pop singer arrested after car crash
LONDON: British pop singer George Michael has been arrested after crashing his car into a photo shop in North London, it was reported Tuesday.
The 47-year-old former Wham! star was being held on suspicion of being unfit to drive after the alleged incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police confirmed that a man in his 40s had been arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive after a vehicle was "in collision with a building".
He was freed on bail until mid-August pending further inquiries, police said.
Michael was banned from driving for two years in 2007 and sentenced to 100 hours community service after being found slumped at the wheel of his stationary Mercedes at a road junction in north London in October 2006.
The 47-year-old former Wham! star was being held on suspicion of being unfit to drive after the alleged incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police confirmed that a man in his 40s had been arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive after a vehicle was "in collision with a building".
He was freed on bail until mid-August pending further inquiries, police said.
Michael was banned from driving for two years in 2007 and sentenced to 100 hours community service after being found slumped at the wheel of his stationary Mercedes at a road junction in north London in October 2006.
NRI physio sacked after inappropriate massaging
LONDON: An NRI physiotherapist, accused of inappropriate massaging, has been kicked out of the profession in UK.
Ashok Chitte Sreenivas, who was working at Physiomatters in Ilford, Essex, for just 11 months when three women complained about his indecent behaviour, according to a report in 'The Daily Mail'.
The Indian physio, self employed but based at the clinic, was found guilty of a series of allegations and struck off after the HPC panel found his fitness to practise impaired by reason of misconduct.
Sreenivas rubbed one client's chest, legs and groin area after demanding she wear shorts to her appointment.
He also told another woman, "let me stop before I get carried away" during an 'inappropriate massage, the Health Professions Council (HPC) heard,
Giving his defence, Sreenivas claimed patient B asked for a full massage but he said he did not touch her breasts, legs or vaginal area.
The panel found the bulk of the allegations against Sreenivas proved including that his motivation was indecent and or sexual and that by reason of that misconduct his fitness to practise was impaired.
HPC panel chairman John Williams said, "There was no clinical justification for performing front massage on Patient A and Patient B. The panel is satisfied that there was sexual motivation in the actions and comments of the registrant towards all three complainants.
"His actions amounted to a breach of trust which a patient is entitled to place in a treating physiotherapist, caused them to suffer a loss of dignity and were not clinically justifiable.
"The panel is very concerned that the registrant does not have in place the appropriate moral boundary in relation to his professional conduct and treatment of female patients.
"It is the panel's primary duty to protect the public". Sreenivas has 28 days to appeal the decision. Following his suspension in October last year, Sreenivas wrote to one of the women stating if she carried her complaint further it "would ruin his life and his family's future" in a big to get her to halt proceedings against him.
source: agency
Ashok Chitte Sreenivas, who was working at Physiomatters in Ilford, Essex, for just 11 months when three women complained about his indecent behaviour, according to a report in 'The Daily Mail'.
The Indian physio, self employed but based at the clinic, was found guilty of a series of allegations and struck off after the HPC panel found his fitness to practise impaired by reason of misconduct.
Sreenivas rubbed one client's chest, legs and groin area after demanding she wear shorts to her appointment.
He also told another woman, "let me stop before I get carried away" during an 'inappropriate massage, the Health Professions Council (HPC) heard,
Giving his defence, Sreenivas claimed patient B asked for a full massage but he said he did not touch her breasts, legs or vaginal area.
The panel found the bulk of the allegations against Sreenivas proved including that his motivation was indecent and or sexual and that by reason of that misconduct his fitness to practise was impaired.
HPC panel chairman John Williams said, "There was no clinical justification for performing front massage on Patient A and Patient B. The panel is satisfied that there was sexual motivation in the actions and comments of the registrant towards all three complainants.
"His actions amounted to a breach of trust which a patient is entitled to place in a treating physiotherapist, caused them to suffer a loss of dignity and were not clinically justifiable.
"The panel is very concerned that the registrant does not have in place the appropriate moral boundary in relation to his professional conduct and treatment of female patients.
"It is the panel's primary duty to protect the public". Sreenivas has 28 days to appeal the decision. Following his suspension in October last year, Sreenivas wrote to one of the women stating if she carried her complaint further it "would ruin his life and his family's future" in a big to get her to halt proceedings against him.
source: agency
India, China to resume border talks
BEIJING: India and China plan to resume the next round of talks to resolve differences over demarcation of borders and conduct joint military exercises so as to boost bilateral ties, National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said on Tuesday.
Menon, who is here on a four-day visit as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, said India and China would be finalising dates to resume talks to resolve differences over demarcation of borders and to conduct joint military exercises.
Talking to the Indian media here before leaving for home, Menon said the dates for the resumption of the next round of border talks between the two countries would be set through diplomatic channels.
The two sides so far held 13 rounds of talks to resolve the differences over demarcation of boundaries. The last round was held in New Delhi in 2009.
Menon, the designated representative of India for the border talks, met his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo yesterday and discussed bilateral issues.
Menon came here as Prime Minister's envoy with a wider mandate to discuss whole gamut of relations between the two countries.
Menon also said dates would be set for India-China military exercises which are due this year. Dates are being set for the joint military exercises.
Menon's visit coincided with China-Pakistan military exercises focusing on anti-terrorism drills.
Indian and Chinese armies have so so far held two rounds of joint counter terrorism exercise to enhance military to military cooperation and improve confidence building.
Asked whether China understands India's concerns relating to Pakistan, Menon said the two countries have high-level understanding between the two leaderships.
"Yes, we understand each other better and better. This is not static. The situation keeps changing. We keep changing we are growing. This is an ongoing exercise," he said, adding "We understand their interest I think they understand our core interests as well".
source: agency
Menon, who is here on a four-day visit as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoy, said India and China would be finalising dates to resume talks to resolve differences over demarcation of borders and to conduct joint military exercises.
Talking to the Indian media here before leaving for home, Menon said the dates for the resumption of the next round of border talks between the two countries would be set through diplomatic channels.
The two sides so far held 13 rounds of talks to resolve the differences over demarcation of boundaries. The last round was held in New Delhi in 2009.
Menon, the designated representative of India for the border talks, met his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo yesterday and discussed bilateral issues.
Menon came here as Prime Minister's envoy with a wider mandate to discuss whole gamut of relations between the two countries.
Menon also said dates would be set for India-China military exercises which are due this year. Dates are being set for the joint military exercises.
Menon's visit coincided with China-Pakistan military exercises focusing on anti-terrorism drills.
Indian and Chinese armies have so so far held two rounds of joint counter terrorism exercise to enhance military to military cooperation and improve confidence building.
Asked whether China understands India's concerns relating to Pakistan, Menon said the two countries have high-level understanding between the two leaderships.
"Yes, we understand each other better and better. This is not static. The situation keeps changing. We keep changing we are growing. This is an ongoing exercise," he said, adding "We understand their interest I think they understand our core interests as well".
source: agency
MS Dhoni and Sakshi meet Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Newly-married Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence on Tuesday.
Dhoni was accompanied by his wife Sakshi and cricketer friend RP Singh during the meeting at 10 Janpath, the official residence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, a top BCCI source said.
"The appointment was taken earlier and the meeting was just a courtesy call," the source said.
Asked whether Dhoni also met Sonia Gandhi, the source said, "The appointment was only for meeting Rahul Gandhi."
Dhoni and Sakshi got married in a hush-hush ceremony on Sunday night at a farmhouse near Dehradun after getting engaged on Saturday.
The ceremony was a private affair with only close family members and friends in attendance. The media was kept at bay by tight security during the marriage.
source: agency
Dhoni was accompanied by his wife Sakshi and cricketer friend RP Singh during the meeting at 10 Janpath, the official residence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, a top BCCI source said.
"The appointment was taken earlier and the meeting was just a courtesy call," the source said.
Asked whether Dhoni also met Sonia Gandhi, the source said, "The appointment was only for meeting Rahul Gandhi."
Dhoni and Sakshi got married in a hush-hush ceremony on Sunday night at a farmhouse near Dehradun after getting engaged on Saturday.
The ceremony was a private affair with only close family members and friends in attendance. The media was kept at bay by tight security during the marriage.
source: agency
I want to do something for Bhopal victims: Convict Mahindra
BHOPAL: Former Union Carbide India chairman Keshub Mahindra and four others convicted on June 7 in the Bhopal Gas leak case were today granted bail by a court here.
UCIL former Managing Director Vijay Gokhle, former Vice President Kishore Kamdar, former Works Manager J Mukund and former Production Manager S P Choudhry were others granted bail by Chief Judicial Magistrate R V Singh.
Former Plant Superintendent K V Shetty and former Operator S I Qureshi, who were also convicted, did not get bail today as they were not present in the court.
The convicts had filed an appeal in the sessions court against the June 7 verdict which had directed them to seek bail from Chief Judicial Magistrate.
They were sentenced under section 304 A, 336, 337 and 338 read with section 35 of the IPC under which each was awarded two years imprisonment and a fine of over Rs 1 lakh under different sections was imposed on them by CJM Mohan P Tiwari.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters outside the court, Mahindra said he wanted to do some work for the gas victims.
"I have been saying for last 20 years that it is my desire to do something concrete for the gas victims."
Mahindra said he did not accept the charges framed against him in the 1984 Bhopal gas leak case.
He said he had resigned from the membership of a business committee set up by the Prime Minister as he did not consider it proper to continue.
source: agency
UCIL former Managing Director Vijay Gokhle, former Vice President Kishore Kamdar, former Works Manager J Mukund and former Production Manager S P Choudhry were others granted bail by Chief Judicial Magistrate R V Singh.
Former Plant Superintendent K V Shetty and former Operator S I Qureshi, who were also convicted, did not get bail today as they were not present in the court.
The convicts had filed an appeal in the sessions court against the June 7 verdict which had directed them to seek bail from Chief Judicial Magistrate.
They were sentenced under section 304 A, 336, 337 and 338 read with section 35 of the IPC under which each was awarded two years imprisonment and a fine of over Rs 1 lakh under different sections was imposed on them by CJM Mohan P Tiwari.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters outside the court, Mahindra said he wanted to do some work for the gas victims.
"I have been saying for last 20 years that it is my desire to do something concrete for the gas victims."
Mahindra said he did not accept the charges framed against him in the 1984 Bhopal gas leak case.
He said he had resigned from the membership of a business committee set up by the Prime Minister as he did not consider it proper to continue.
source: agency
Cong threatens action if Jagan goes ahead with Odarpu yatra
NEW DELHI: Congress today asked a defiant party MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy not not to go ahead with his controversial yatra and threatened him with disciplinary action if he did not not obey.
"All true committed and loyal Congressmen must necessarily observe both the party dharma and laxman rekha of propriety and party discipline," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
In an indication of the party toughening its stand on the issue, he said, "Failure to do so would perforce lead to a chain of consequences, which are best avoidable. We hope and trust that compliance will take the place of defiance."
The Congress spokesperson maintained that "party discipline like law does not discriminate between individuals."
Notwithstanding party chief Sonia Gandhi's reservations about it, Reddy, the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, has decided to resume his controversial "Odarpu" yatra from July 8 to console party workers grieving his father's loss.
Jagan, who had defied the party directive against undertaking the yatra in May also, had met Gandhi along with his family members on June 29 to seek her permission for the tour. The meeting took place in New Delhi on the request of Jagan's mother Vijayalakshmi.
During the meeting, the Congress chief had suggested assembling the affected families at one place to console them and also to offer financial assistance, the young Lok Sabha MP said.
In an open letter to the people, he said, "We explained to her the need to resume the yatra to console the family members of those who died following the death of my father. She (Sonia Gandhi) did not cite any specific reason but did not appear to be favourably inclined over resuming the yatra."
Jagan would pay tributes to his father at Idupulapaya, the family estate where he was buried, today and later proceed to Ichapuram in Srikakulam district to resume his tour.
Defying the Congress high command's directive earlier, Jagan had left by train to start his yatra in Warangal district on May 28 but it was marred by violent protests from Telangana supporters.
source: agency
"All true committed and loyal Congressmen must necessarily observe both the party dharma and laxman rekha of propriety and party discipline," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.
In an indication of the party toughening its stand on the issue, he said, "Failure to do so would perforce lead to a chain of consequences, which are best avoidable. We hope and trust that compliance will take the place of defiance."
The Congress spokesperson maintained that "party discipline like law does not discriminate between individuals."
Notwithstanding party chief Sonia Gandhi's reservations about it, Reddy, the son of late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy, has decided to resume his controversial "Odarpu" yatra from July 8 to console party workers grieving his father's loss.
Jagan, who had defied the party directive against undertaking the yatra in May also, had met Gandhi along with his family members on June 29 to seek her permission for the tour. The meeting took place in New Delhi on the request of Jagan's mother Vijayalakshmi.
During the meeting, the Congress chief had suggested assembling the affected families at one place to console them and also to offer financial assistance, the young Lok Sabha MP said.
In an open letter to the people, he said, "We explained to her the need to resume the yatra to console the family members of those who died following the death of my father. She (Sonia Gandhi) did not cite any specific reason but did not appear to be favourably inclined over resuming the yatra."
Jagan would pay tributes to his father at Idupulapaya, the family estate where he was buried, today and later proceed to Ichapuram in Srikakulam district to resume his tour.
Defying the Congress high command's directive earlier, Jagan had left by train to start his yatra in Warangal district on May 28 but it was marred by violent protests from Telangana supporters.
source: agency
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