Chennai: India has to address three major deficits - governance, regulatory and ethical- if the country has to progress, the economy continue to log nine percent growth and the gains of last two decades are not lost, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said today. "We were slow to realise that when the economy grows at nine percent it cannot have huge deficits in power, road, shipping and air transport. These sectors have to keep pace so that the economic growth could be sustained," he said here at the centenary celebrations of The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said there is a yawning gap in development of power and roads sector that needs to be bridged failing which inefficiencies would get built in and there will be tendency on the part of the industries to find other ways to maximise profits.
This deficit of governance has to be dealt urgently to sustain the economic growth rate, Chidambaram said.
Vast sectors of the economy are still unregulated while the growth and stability has come from the regulated sectors like banking, he said, adding sectors like real estate, mining, transport offers vast opportunity for profit and there is an urgent need to put proper regulations.
Referring to the business units chasing the goal of maximising profits which in turn has resulted in ethics taking a downward slide over the years, he wondered how there can be growth as well as inclusive growth in the absence of ethics in business.
He urged the industry to bridge the ethical deficit that has been exposed in the last few months.
India has changed in the last 20 years and all these will be set to naught if these deficits are not addressed immediately, he send.
"We ended 2010 with a sense of despondency. In the new year we have to reflect what should be done to mend things and to do business," Chidambaram said.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, Indian economy, economic growth rate of India
20110101
Lt Gen K.T Parnaik,Commanding-in-chief of the Indian Army's key northern command
Jammu: Lt Gen K.T Parnaik today took over as General Officer Commanding-in-chief of the Indian Army's key northern command which guards the frontiers with Pakistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and China and is also engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
He succeeds Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal who retired on Friday.
Bringing with him a wealth of experience in both command and staff appointments and known for his expertise in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare, Parnaik takes over the command at a time of tense relations between the army and the state government over the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
While the Omar Abdullah government favours the repeal of the special powers, which grant legal immunity to soldiers in this militancy-battered state, the army is opposed to the withdrawal.
source:agency
Tags : Jammu and Kashmir News, Indian Army's Northern Command, Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Army's northern commands new chief Lt Gen K.T Parnaik
He succeeds Lt. Gen. B.S. Jaswal who retired on Friday.
Bringing with him a wealth of experience in both command and staff appointments and known for his expertise in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare, Parnaik takes over the command at a time of tense relations between the army and the state government over the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
While the Omar Abdullah government favours the repeal of the special powers, which grant legal immunity to soldiers in this militancy-battered state, the army is opposed to the withdrawal.
source:agency
Tags : Jammu and Kashmir News, Indian Army's Northern Command, Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Army's northern commands new chief Lt Gen K.T Parnaik
Aarushi Talwar's parents lashed out at the investigative agency CBI for making "wild" and "speculative" allegations
New Delhi: Reacting to the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) closure report which says that the Aarushi Talwar murder scene was heavily dressed up, which could only have been done by her parents, the Talwars today lashed out at the investigative agency for making "wild" and "speculative" allegations.
"These allegations are so wild, so speculative, and so imaginative that means there are people in the CBI who are absolutely unscientific. I mean they don't even think like intelligent police officers. This is the state of the CBI?" Aarushi's mother Nupur Talwar told a news channel.
Aarushi was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in her parents' Jalvayu Vihar apartment in Noida May 16, 2008. The family's domestic help, Hemraj, was also found killed on the flat's terrace a day later.
The closure report, the copy of which is with the media, said that the murder scene had been heavily "dressed up", which could only have been done by her parents.
It further stated that a bottle of Scotch whisky was found on the dining table. But according to the probe agency, any intruder would not have had sufficient time to consume liquor on the night of murder on May 16, 2008.
Reacting to media reports that Rajesh Talwar was the only suspect in the double murder case, Nupur said: "If they had chargesheeted, I would have defended myself in the trial. But this is something they have purposely left hanging to us for the rest of our lives. You close the case, yet you are left with suspicions on you the rest of your life."
Nupur Talwar said both she and her husband were devastated by CBI's allegations, having to relive the days of 2008 repeatedly.
"Today, Rajesh is not able to sit here and talk to you, because he is completely broken and shattered," he said.
Lawyers representing Aarushi's parents are now waiting for Monday, when they expect the special court in Ghaziabad to take up the closure report. The parents are already planning to file a protest petition to fight the CBI's appeal to the court to close the case.
"Unless we see the complete closure report, it would be very premature to comment on any aspect of the case. If there are allegations against the Talwar couple, we will look into it. We will take up each and every aspect of the report point by point," counsel Rebecca John told the media.
She accused the CBI of "playing a game".
"There is absolutely no evidence against Dr. Talwar, which makes the CBI's allegations full of ambiguity," she added.
In 2008, Rajesh Talwar was arrested and kept behind bars for 50 days in connection with the killings, but was later let off because of lack of evidence. The CBI later arrested his medical assistant Krishna and two other domestic helps in the neighbourhood, Raj Kumar and Vijay Mandal.
The lawyer for the three employees Naresh Yadav said that if CBI had apprehension that the crime scene had been violated, then it should have registered a complaint.
"They (CBI) should have registered a case against the parents or the Noida police or the investigators if they found examples of tampering of evidence," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India News, CBI Closure report on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case, Aarushi's Parents on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case Report, Talwars on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case Report
"These allegations are so wild, so speculative, and so imaginative that means there are people in the CBI who are absolutely unscientific. I mean they don't even think like intelligent police officers. This is the state of the CBI?" Aarushi's mother Nupur Talwar told a news channel.
Aarushi was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in her parents' Jalvayu Vihar apartment in Noida May 16, 2008. The family's domestic help, Hemraj, was also found killed on the flat's terrace a day later.
The closure report, the copy of which is with the media, said that the murder scene had been heavily "dressed up", which could only have been done by her parents.
It further stated that a bottle of Scotch whisky was found on the dining table. But according to the probe agency, any intruder would not have had sufficient time to consume liquor on the night of murder on May 16, 2008.
Reacting to media reports that Rajesh Talwar was the only suspect in the double murder case, Nupur said: "If they had chargesheeted, I would have defended myself in the trial. But this is something they have purposely left hanging to us for the rest of our lives. You close the case, yet you are left with suspicions on you the rest of your life."
Nupur Talwar said both she and her husband were devastated by CBI's allegations, having to relive the days of 2008 repeatedly.
"Today, Rajesh is not able to sit here and talk to you, because he is completely broken and shattered," he said.
Lawyers representing Aarushi's parents are now waiting for Monday, when they expect the special court in Ghaziabad to take up the closure report. The parents are already planning to file a protest petition to fight the CBI's appeal to the court to close the case.
"Unless we see the complete closure report, it would be very premature to comment on any aspect of the case. If there are allegations against the Talwar couple, we will look into it. We will take up each and every aspect of the report point by point," counsel Rebecca John told the media.
She accused the CBI of "playing a game".
"There is absolutely no evidence against Dr. Talwar, which makes the CBI's allegations full of ambiguity," she added.
In 2008, Rajesh Talwar was arrested and kept behind bars for 50 days in connection with the killings, but was later let off because of lack of evidence. The CBI later arrested his medical assistant Krishna and two other domestic helps in the neighbourhood, Raj Kumar and Vijay Mandal.
The lawyer for the three employees Naresh Yadav said that if CBI had apprehension that the crime scene had been violated, then it should have registered a complaint.
"They (CBI) should have registered a case against the parents or the Noida police or the investigators if they found examples of tampering of evidence," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India News, CBI Closure report on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case, Aarushi's Parents on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case Report, Talwars on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case Report
West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee inaugurates the Social Security Fortnight for workers
Kolkata: In a bid to draw more unorganised and organised sector workers into the government's social security network ahead of next assembly polls, the West Bengal government today launched the Social Security Fortnight to raise awareness about the schemes.
The social security network, formulated by the state labour department and implemented by the State Welfare Board, includes a variety of schemes for workers under various sectors.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee called for involving more workers under schemes like the provident fund.
"The provident fund scheme is our principal scheme and we need to implement it effectively. Currently there are around 20 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme and we need to increase this base to a large extent," Bhattacharjee said.
Pension, educational facilities for skill development, accident benefit and several other social security schemes are in force for for construction workers and those in the private transport sector.
He said financial assistance worth Rs.1,500 per month was being provided to workers of closed factories.
Bhattacharjee expressed concern over the miserable economic condition of bidi workers and felt the number of beneficiaries of the welfare schemes need to be raised.
"A large number of bidi workers in various areas of Murshidabad, Purulia and Bankura are living in a poor condition. We have identified the areas and are trying to ensure effective implementation of the schemes. Around 42,000 such workers have already benefited. We need to work hard to boost the number," said Bhattacharjee.
The chief minister said that in order to eradicate the menace of child labour, proper education to avail better job opportunities should be provided.
"Considering their economic condition it is not feasible to take away employment from child labourers. NGOs and others want to rob child labourers of jobs. But do they take up jobs for pleasure? Their families' economic condition forces them to take up jobs.
"They need to be provided with education so that they may avail better job opportunities. For this purpose we have set up residential schools for them," said Bhattacharjee.
source:agency
Tags : West Bengal News, West Bengal government, West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Social Security Fortnight for Bengal workers
The social security network, formulated by the state labour department and implemented by the State Welfare Board, includes a variety of schemes for workers under various sectors.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee called for involving more workers under schemes like the provident fund.
"The provident fund scheme is our principal scheme and we need to implement it effectively. Currently there are around 20 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme and we need to increase this base to a large extent," Bhattacharjee said.
Pension, educational facilities for skill development, accident benefit and several other social security schemes are in force for for construction workers and those in the private transport sector.
He said financial assistance worth Rs.1,500 per month was being provided to workers of closed factories.
Bhattacharjee expressed concern over the miserable economic condition of bidi workers and felt the number of beneficiaries of the welfare schemes need to be raised.
"A large number of bidi workers in various areas of Murshidabad, Purulia and Bankura are living in a poor condition. We have identified the areas and are trying to ensure effective implementation of the schemes. Around 42,000 such workers have already benefited. We need to work hard to boost the number," said Bhattacharjee.
The chief minister said that in order to eradicate the menace of child labour, proper education to avail better job opportunities should be provided.
"Considering their economic condition it is not feasible to take away employment from child labourers. NGOs and others want to rob child labourers of jobs. But do they take up jobs for pleasure? Their families' economic condition forces them to take up jobs.
"They need to be provided with education so that they may avail better job opportunities. For this purpose we have set up residential schools for them," said Bhattacharjee.
source:agency
Tags : West Bengal News, West Bengal government, West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Social Security Fortnight for Bengal workers
Delhi will have to pay more for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
New Delhi: Delhi will have to pay more for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as the rates of the fuel have been revised upward to Rs.29 per kg in the capital with effect from midnight of Jan 1, an official said today.
The price was currently Rs.27.75, an official of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) said.
"We are constrained to revise the prices of CNG because of increase in overall input cost of gas, its corresponding taxes & duties and marginal increase in operating expenses," Rajesh Vedvyas, Managing Director, IGL said.
According to Vedvyas, in addition to full utilization of the allotted APM and KG-D6 gas, IGL needs to source the much higher-priced gas RLNG as well as Spot RLNG to meet the increase in demand, which has contributed to higher cost of sourcing the gas.
source:agency
Tags : Delhi News, CNG prices in Delhi, Indraprastha Gas Limited
The price was currently Rs.27.75, an official of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) said.
"We are constrained to revise the prices of CNG because of increase in overall input cost of gas, its corresponding taxes & duties and marginal increase in operating expenses," Rajesh Vedvyas, Managing Director, IGL said.
According to Vedvyas, in addition to full utilization of the allotted APM and KG-D6 gas, IGL needs to source the much higher-priced gas RLNG as well as Spot RLNG to meet the increase in demand, which has contributed to higher cost of sourcing the gas.
source:agency
Tags : Delhi News, CNG prices in Delhi, Indraprastha Gas Limited
Actresses are asked to shed inhibitions in front of the camera:Bollywood bombshell Tanushree Dutta
Kolkata: Bollywood bombshell Tanushree Dutta feels that actresses are asked to shed inhibitions in front of the camera mainly to cater to the public demand and not because the script demands it.
"Actually, when people come to you with the line that shedding of inhibitions is the demand of a particular screen role, they are actually pandering to the public demand. Words like demand of the role or the character are all trash," Tanushree told the media in an interview.
Asked whether she is ready to shed clothes if the character required that, Dutta said: "In Bollywood, people have been making movies for more than half a century and they are made in such a way that you need not shed off all your inhibitions. I would really draw the line. I am no more a newcomer in Bollywood."
Tanushree had won the Femina Miss India Universe title in 2004, and made her entry into Bollywood in 2005 with the hit film "Aashiq Banaya Aapne". She starred in "Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets" the same year, and came to be considered one of tinsel town's dark horses.
But she failed to live up to the initial expectations of her fans as most of her films except "Dhol" and "Bhagam Bhag" bombed at the box office.
Asked about the fate of most of her films, the former beauty queen said: "To what extent a film works is beyond me. My first film 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' did wonders at the box office. Then 'Chocolate' was also quite popular, but it didn't have the same effect as the first one.
"I just look at my work and of course it's my responsibility to sign good films so as to make sure that people come to watch. But sometimes there are lots of things which are not in our hands. I always try to do the best I can. Some movies work, some movies don't," said the 26-year-old actor.
spending more than five years in Bollywood, and with an experience of working in nearly 12 Hindi and Telugu films, Tanushree now wants to do something different.
"At this point of time I really want to do a historical movie. May be it's going to take some time. I have covered various genres. I have done romantic, psycho-thriller, thriller, crime based, comedy, romantic comedy. Now I want to do a periodical. I also want to do a musical film," she said.
Tanushree nurtures a dream of working on a hardcore subject and literature-based Bengali film in the coming years, but says that she hasn't got an impressive offer yet.
"I have always wanted to work in a Bengali film. But till date I haven't got that kind of offer that would impress me.
"Bengali filmmakers have come up with subjects that are so touchy and hardcore. Literature- and sahitya-based movies are made here. I want to work in literature-based movies in Bengal as this is the specialty of the Bengali film industry," said Tanushree, who has completed a month-long acting workshop in the US.
Tanushree said she wants to sign movies, but she doesn't have the "psychology" of having back-to-back releases in a short span.
"I am planning to sign movies. Actually I don't have that psychology of having two back-to-back releases in three months. I don't know what I am going to sign next or when I am going to sign next. But one thing I can guarantee, that it's going to exciting," said Tanushree.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Bollywood Actresses, Bollywood Scripts, Tanushree Dutta
"Actually, when people come to you with the line that shedding of inhibitions is the demand of a particular screen role, they are actually pandering to the public demand. Words like demand of the role or the character are all trash," Tanushree told the media in an interview.
Asked whether she is ready to shed clothes if the character required that, Dutta said: "In Bollywood, people have been making movies for more than half a century and they are made in such a way that you need not shed off all your inhibitions. I would really draw the line. I am no more a newcomer in Bollywood."
Tanushree had won the Femina Miss India Universe title in 2004, and made her entry into Bollywood in 2005 with the hit film "Aashiq Banaya Aapne". She starred in "Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets" the same year, and came to be considered one of tinsel town's dark horses.
But she failed to live up to the initial expectations of her fans as most of her films except "Dhol" and "Bhagam Bhag" bombed at the box office.
Asked about the fate of most of her films, the former beauty queen said: "To what extent a film works is beyond me. My first film 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' did wonders at the box office. Then 'Chocolate' was also quite popular, but it didn't have the same effect as the first one.
"I just look at my work and of course it's my responsibility to sign good films so as to make sure that people come to watch. But sometimes there are lots of things which are not in our hands. I always try to do the best I can. Some movies work, some movies don't," said the 26-year-old actor.
spending more than five years in Bollywood, and with an experience of working in nearly 12 Hindi and Telugu films, Tanushree now wants to do something different.
"At this point of time I really want to do a historical movie. May be it's going to take some time. I have covered various genres. I have done romantic, psycho-thriller, thriller, crime based, comedy, romantic comedy. Now I want to do a periodical. I also want to do a musical film," she said.
Tanushree nurtures a dream of working on a hardcore subject and literature-based Bengali film in the coming years, but says that she hasn't got an impressive offer yet.
"I have always wanted to work in a Bengali film. But till date I haven't got that kind of offer that would impress me.
"Bengali filmmakers have come up with subjects that are so touchy and hardcore. Literature- and sahitya-based movies are made here. I want to work in literature-based movies in Bengal as this is the specialty of the Bengali film industry," said Tanushree, who has completed a month-long acting workshop in the US.
Tanushree said she wants to sign movies, but she doesn't have the "psychology" of having back-to-back releases in a short span.
"I am planning to sign movies. Actually I don't have that psychology of having two back-to-back releases in three months. I don't know what I am going to sign next or when I am going to sign next. But one thing I can guarantee, that it's going to exciting," said Tanushree.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Bollywood Actresses, Bollywood Scripts, Tanushree Dutta
HLL Lifecare Ltd joined hands with the IGNOU to offer 2 clinical engineering & management courses
Thiruvananthapuram: State-owned HLL Lifecare Ltd which makes condoms and vaccine and offers consultancy has joined hands with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to offer two clinical engineering and management courses, a statement said today.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad will formally launch the professional distance education courses on Wednesday at the company's unit here.
The company said in the statement that the two programmes -- Post Graduate Diploma course on Clinical Engineering and Management (PGDCM) and Post Diploma course on Clinical Engineering and Management [PDCEM] - will be conducted under the auspices of HLL and will be affiliated to the IGNOU.
The objectives of the programme will be to deliver practical knowledge to graduate and diploma holders in clinical and biomedical engineering and related fields.
Initially, HLL plans an initial intake of 200 students for PGDCM and 400 students for PDCEM.
"HLL has an excellent record in the field of procurement and clinical management for the past eight years," said HLL chairman and the managing director M. Ayyappan.
After launching the courses, Azad will also inaugurate HLL's Blood Bag Plant II near here.
The new 20,000 square feet state-of-the-art unit will be producing HLL's new range of blood collection bags under the brand name DONATO, which was introduced in the market in October 2010.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, IGNOU, HLL Lifecare, engineering and management courses in IGNOU
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad will formally launch the professional distance education courses on Wednesday at the company's unit here.
The company said in the statement that the two programmes -- Post Graduate Diploma course on Clinical Engineering and Management (PGDCM) and Post Diploma course on Clinical Engineering and Management [PDCEM] - will be conducted under the auspices of HLL and will be affiliated to the IGNOU.
The objectives of the programme will be to deliver practical knowledge to graduate and diploma holders in clinical and biomedical engineering and related fields.
Initially, HLL plans an initial intake of 200 students for PGDCM and 400 students for PDCEM.
"HLL has an excellent record in the field of procurement and clinical management for the past eight years," said HLL chairman and the managing director M. Ayyappan.
After launching the courses, Azad will also inaugurate HLL's Blood Bag Plant II near here.
The new 20,000 square feet state-of-the-art unit will be producing HLL's new range of blood collection bags under the brand name DONATO, which was introduced in the market in October 2010.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, IGNOU, HLL Lifecare, engineering and management courses in IGNOU
5 Maoists ,including 3 women were killed in a fierce gunfight with the police
Bhubaneswar: At least five Maoists, including three women, were killed in a fierce gunfight with the police in Orissa's Jajpur district early today, officials said.
Police personal and two teams of the anti-Maoist Special Operations Group raided a Maoist camp in the forested area of Jajpur district, some 100 km from here, late Saturday. The gunfight began at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued till the early hours today.
No policeman was injured.
"Huge catch of arms and weapons have been recovered, including two country made guns and eight rifles," Inspector General of Police Sanjeev Marik told the media.
Maoists are active in more then half of Orissa's 30 districts.
source:agency
Tags : Orissa News, Maoists in Orissa, Orissa Police
Police personal and two teams of the anti-Maoist Special Operations Group raided a Maoist camp in the forested area of Jajpur district, some 100 km from here, late Saturday. The gunfight began at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued till the early hours today.
No policeman was injured.
"Huge catch of arms and weapons have been recovered, including two country made guns and eight rifles," Inspector General of Police Sanjeev Marik told the media.
Maoists are active in more then half of Orissa's 30 districts.
source:agency
Tags : Orissa News, Maoists in Orissa, Orissa Police
Government will evolve a new telecom policy:Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal
New Delhi: The government will evolve a new telecom policy which takes care of the interests of the common man, the government and the telecom service providers, and will include a clear regime on contentious issues like spectrum allocation, Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said today. "In the ultimate analysis, we want efficient use of spectrum, and optimal use of spectrum. We want revenues to be generated," Sibal told reporters, while unveiling a 100-day agenda of his ministry with regards to all three departments - telecom, post offices and information technology.
"So in the next 100 days, we will hold consultations with key stakeholders to evolve a clear and transparent regime covering licensing, spectrum allocation, tariff, pricing, linkage with rollout performance, flexibility within licences, spectrum sharing, spectrum trading and mergers and acquisitions in a technology-agnostic environment," the minister added.
According to the minister, the revamped policy will usher in an era of transparency in all dealings with regards to precious resources like spectrum.
"The new policy would also take care of use of foreign equipment by telecom service providers while extending services using the third-generation spectrum.
"When we do all this, we will do this in the interest of the aam admi (common man). There are three public interests here - how do we get reasonable revenues for the government, the consumer must get the service at a reasonably low rate, while we keep the industry robust," Sibal said.
The minister also said that all pending security issues with regards to foreign equipment suppliers will be resolved in the next 100 days, which would allow operators "to launch their 3G services in their entire plenitude without delay".
"Security issues regarding telecom equipment procurement, messenger services and subscriber verification will be resolved in the next 100 days," Sibal said.
Sibal said that his ministry would start a dialogue with the department of space, ministry of defence and public sector companies to free up spectrum and make it available for the telecom sector.
"We will also rollout the national frequency plan 2011 in the next 100 days," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Kapil Sibal, Kapil Sibal on New Telecom Policy, Kapil Sibal on Spectrum Allocation
"So in the next 100 days, we will hold consultations with key stakeholders to evolve a clear and transparent regime covering licensing, spectrum allocation, tariff, pricing, linkage with rollout performance, flexibility within licences, spectrum sharing, spectrum trading and mergers and acquisitions in a technology-agnostic environment," the minister added.
According to the minister, the revamped policy will usher in an era of transparency in all dealings with regards to precious resources like spectrum.
"The new policy would also take care of use of foreign equipment by telecom service providers while extending services using the third-generation spectrum.
"When we do all this, we will do this in the interest of the aam admi (common man). There are three public interests here - how do we get reasonable revenues for the government, the consumer must get the service at a reasonably low rate, while we keep the industry robust," Sibal said.
The minister also said that all pending security issues with regards to foreign equipment suppliers will be resolved in the next 100 days, which would allow operators "to launch their 3G services in their entire plenitude without delay".
"Security issues regarding telecom equipment procurement, messenger services and subscriber verification will be resolved in the next 100 days," Sibal said.
Sibal said that his ministry would start a dialogue with the department of space, ministry of defence and public sector companies to free up spectrum and make it available for the telecom sector.
"We will also rollout the national frequency plan 2011 in the next 100 days," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Kapil Sibal, Kapil Sibal on New Telecom Policy, Kapil Sibal on Spectrum Allocation
IGNOU is at par with other national & international institutions of higher learning:VC
New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is at par with other national and international institutions of higher learning, Vice-Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said today.
Pillai said that IGNOU has established itself as a national resource centre and a provider of quality education through its high-quality self-learning material and innovative programmes.
"Since 1985, the university has come a long way by contributing significantly to the development of higher education in the country through the Open and Distance Learning mode," Pillai said in a statement.
The university offers 473 study programmes through over 3,500 courses to cumulative student strength of over three million students.
"Education is disseminated in conventional, as well as emerging inter-disciplinary areas, such as consumer protection, disaster management, environment, human rights, women empowerment and child development, resettlement and rehabilitation, among others," Pillai added.
According to the varsity officials, the university develops its academic programmes through 21 schools of study and has established a network of 61 regional centres and over 3,000 study centres all over the country to provide easy access and effective support services to the learners.
IGNOU has entered into bilateral and multilateral alliances with several countries like Australia, United Kingdom, France, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Liberia.
The university has facilities for audio, video, radio, television, interactive radio and video counselling, as well as tele-conferencing.
"IGNOU has also been identified as the nodal agency for running a 24-hour educational TV channel- Gyan Darshan - in collaboration with other institutions of higher learning," Pillai added.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Study Programmes in IGNOU, Distance Learning through IGNOU
Pillai said that IGNOU has established itself as a national resource centre and a provider of quality education through its high-quality self-learning material and innovative programmes.
"Since 1985, the university has come a long way by contributing significantly to the development of higher education in the country through the Open and Distance Learning mode," Pillai said in a statement.
The university offers 473 study programmes through over 3,500 courses to cumulative student strength of over three million students.
"Education is disseminated in conventional, as well as emerging inter-disciplinary areas, such as consumer protection, disaster management, environment, human rights, women empowerment and child development, resettlement and rehabilitation, among others," Pillai added.
According to the varsity officials, the university develops its academic programmes through 21 schools of study and has established a network of 61 regional centres and over 3,000 study centres all over the country to provide easy access and effective support services to the learners.
IGNOU has entered into bilateral and multilateral alliances with several countries like Australia, United Kingdom, France, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Liberia.
The university has facilities for audio, video, radio, television, interactive radio and video counselling, as well as tele-conferencing.
"IGNOU has also been identified as the nodal agency for running a 24-hour educational TV channel- Gyan Darshan - in collaboration with other institutions of higher learning," Pillai added.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Study Programmes in IGNOU, Distance Learning through IGNOU
Aarushi Talwar murder scene was heavily dressed up:CBI
Ghaziabad: The Aarushi Talwar murder scene was heavily dressed up, which could only have been done by her parents, the CBI has said, closing as unsolved case the sensational killing of the teen-ager.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closure report, a copy of which is with the media, says that a bottle of Scotch whisky was found on the dining table. But according to the probe agency, any intruder would not have had sufficient time to consume liquor on the night of murder on May 16, 2008.
The CBI on Wednesday moved a Ghaziabad court seeking its permission to close the Aarushi Talwar murder as an unsolved case on the grounds of lack of conclusive evidence. In its closure report, the agency has named the 14-year-old girl's dentist father Rajesh Talwar as the lone suspect in the case.
The parents have denied the charge.
The closure report notes that during an interview before the lie detector test in the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Gandhinagar, Aarushi's parents Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar had stated that they used to lock Aarushi's bedroom at night.
The door to Aarushi's bedroom had a lock which could be opened from inside without a key, but once it was shut it could not be opened from outside without a key.
According to them, they found the door to Aarushi's bedroom unlocked and slightly ajar in the morning of May 16, 2008. But they could not explain whether they had locked her bedroom on the night of May 15, 2008, and why the keys were not traceable the next morning after the girl' murder was discovered.
According to the CBI, Aarushi's room could either be opened by the girl from inside or her parents from outside by using the keys.
The findings of the investigation team reveal a number of circumstances that indicate the involvement of the parents in the crime and the cover-up, the agency's closure report says.
However, there are a number of critical and serious gaps in the circumstances which make it difficult to string together the sequence of events and the motive behind the gruesome murder, the report said.
The probe team was handicapped by the inability of the local police to examine the scene of crime properly and collect all possible evidences, it said.
Aarushi was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in her parents' Jalvayu Vihar apartment in Noida, Delhi's suburban town in Uttar Pradesh, on May 16, 2008. The family's domestic help, Hemraj, was also found killed on the flat's terrace a day later.
source:agency
Tags : India News, CBI Closure Report on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case, Evidence of Aarushi Talwar Murder Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) closure report, a copy of which is with the media, says that a bottle of Scotch whisky was found on the dining table. But according to the probe agency, any intruder would not have had sufficient time to consume liquor on the night of murder on May 16, 2008.
The CBI on Wednesday moved a Ghaziabad court seeking its permission to close the Aarushi Talwar murder as an unsolved case on the grounds of lack of conclusive evidence. In its closure report, the agency has named the 14-year-old girl's dentist father Rajesh Talwar as the lone suspect in the case.
The parents have denied the charge.
The closure report notes that during an interview before the lie detector test in the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Gandhinagar, Aarushi's parents Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar had stated that they used to lock Aarushi's bedroom at night.
The door to Aarushi's bedroom had a lock which could be opened from inside without a key, but once it was shut it could not be opened from outside without a key.
According to them, they found the door to Aarushi's bedroom unlocked and slightly ajar in the morning of May 16, 2008. But they could not explain whether they had locked her bedroom on the night of May 15, 2008, and why the keys were not traceable the next morning after the girl' murder was discovered.
According to the CBI, Aarushi's room could either be opened by the girl from inside or her parents from outside by using the keys.
The findings of the investigation team reveal a number of circumstances that indicate the involvement of the parents in the crime and the cover-up, the agency's closure report says.
However, there are a number of critical and serious gaps in the circumstances which make it difficult to string together the sequence of events and the motive behind the gruesome murder, the report said.
The probe team was handicapped by the inability of the local police to examine the scene of crime properly and collect all possible evidences, it said.
Aarushi was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in her parents' Jalvayu Vihar apartment in Noida, Delhi's suburban town in Uttar Pradesh, on May 16, 2008. The family's domestic help, Hemraj, was also found killed on the flat's terrace a day later.
source:agency
Tags : India News, CBI Closure Report on Aarushi Talwar Murder Case, Evidence of Aarushi Talwar Murder Case
Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) announced it would not allow the Karnataka legislature till ,CM Yeddyurappa quits
Bangalore: The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) today announced it would not allow the Karnataka legislature, which begins its session on Jan 6, to function till Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa quits.
"Yeddyurappa has to go," former chief minister and JD-S state president H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters here after meeting Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to greet him on New Year.
"We will not allow the legislature to function till Yeddyurappa goes," he said. The 10-day session is scheduled to start from Jan 6 with an address by Bhardwaj to the joint sitting of the state assembly and council.
Both the Congress and JD-S have been demanding Yeddyurappa's resignation mainly over nepotism in land allotment. Yeddyurappa is accused of favouring his sons and daughters and other relatives with prime land in and around Bangalore.
After the scandal broke out in November, Yeddyurappa made his relatives surrender the land, claimed he did what his predecessors also did, and ordered a judicial probe into various land allotments since 1995.
However, not satisfied with this, the two opposition parties have been insisting that Yeddyurappa leave or be sacked.
Kumaraswamy said his party would adopt the same tactic that the Bharatiya Janata Party has done in stalling the parliamentary proceedings over 2G spectrum scandal. Yeddyurappa heads the BJP government, the first in Karnataka as also in south India.
The BJP, the main opposition party at the national level, did not allow the entire winter session of parliament to function, demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum scandal.
Kumaraswamy, now Lok Sabha member from Ramanagaram adjoining Bangalore, said he had also urged Bhardwaj to sanction prosecution of Yeddyurappa over land deals.
Two Bangalore advocates have also sought Bhardwaj's permission to prosecute Yeddyurappa.
Bhardwaj told reporters last week after receiving the memorandum from the two advocates that the documents they have submitted run into nearly 2,000 pages and he would study them before taking a decision.
Kumaraswamy said his party would launch a state-wide agitation for Yeddyurappa's removal after the results of the district polls which ended today are announced on Jan 4.
source:agency
Tags : India Politics News, JD-S on B.S. Yeddyurappa, Congress on B.S. Yeddyurappa
"Yeddyurappa has to go," former chief minister and JD-S state president H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters here after meeting Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to greet him on New Year.
"We will not allow the legislature to function till Yeddyurappa goes," he said. The 10-day session is scheduled to start from Jan 6 with an address by Bhardwaj to the joint sitting of the state assembly and council.
Both the Congress and JD-S have been demanding Yeddyurappa's resignation mainly over nepotism in land allotment. Yeddyurappa is accused of favouring his sons and daughters and other relatives with prime land in and around Bangalore.
After the scandal broke out in November, Yeddyurappa made his relatives surrender the land, claimed he did what his predecessors also did, and ordered a judicial probe into various land allotments since 1995.
However, not satisfied with this, the two opposition parties have been insisting that Yeddyurappa leave or be sacked.
Kumaraswamy said his party would adopt the same tactic that the Bharatiya Janata Party has done in stalling the parliamentary proceedings over 2G spectrum scandal. Yeddyurappa heads the BJP government, the first in Karnataka as also in south India.
The BJP, the main opposition party at the national level, did not allow the entire winter session of parliament to function, demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe into the 2G spectrum scandal.
Kumaraswamy, now Lok Sabha member from Ramanagaram adjoining Bangalore, said he had also urged Bhardwaj to sanction prosecution of Yeddyurappa over land deals.
Two Bangalore advocates have also sought Bhardwaj's permission to prosecute Yeddyurappa.
Bhardwaj told reporters last week after receiving the memorandum from the two advocates that the documents they have submitted run into nearly 2,000 pages and he would study them before taking a decision.
Kumaraswamy said his party would launch a state-wide agitation for Yeddyurappa's removal after the results of the district polls which ended today are announced on Jan 4.
source:agency
Tags : India Politics News, JD-S on B.S. Yeddyurappa, Congress on B.S. Yeddyurappa
David Coleman Headley was recruited by Pakistan's ISI agency to spy on India
Washington: Pakistani-American terror convict David Coleman Headley was recruited by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency to spy on India and to plan the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 dead, including US and Israeli citizens, a media report said today.
Now, for the first time, there is a detailed inside account of how the ISI has been playing a "double game" -- acting as a front-line US ally in the fight against terror while supporting selected terror groups to serve Pakistani interests, the media reported.
The US probe of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks has built a strong case that ISI officers collaborated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group in the terror plot. Six Americans were killed in the attack.
US and Indian investigators say their understanding of the ISI-Lashkar alliance is drawn from the confessions of Headley, as well as documents, phone records and electronic eavesdropping.
Officials from both countries also say they are persuaded that ISI officers recruited and trained Headley in spying techniques and gave him money and instructions to scout targets in Mumbai and elsewhere, according to the website.
Headley has told investigators that a Pakistani Navy frogman helped plan the maritime attack on Mumbai, according to a 119-page report recounting his interrogation by Indian authorities in the US custody in 2010.
The report, which was obtained by the media, quotes Headley as saying that his Pakistani intelligence handler took part in a discussion about a subsequent Lashkar plot to attack a Danish newspaper -- information that Pakistan did not share with Danish authorities.
In essence, US and Indian officials say, Headley was more than a terrorist: He served as a Pakistani spy.
During the period that ISI officers allegedly helped Lashkar plan to kill Americans and Jews in Mumbai, the intelligence service was working closely with the CIA and US military in counter-terrorism efforts and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was pledging his support for the US campaign against militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials deny any link to Lashkar and point out that hundreds of ISI officers have died in clashes with militants. They accuse India of politically motivated distortion in the report on Headley's interrogation.
"It is a stereotype, a Pakistan-specific version of an Indian interrogation," said a Pakistani official who requested anonymity because of the sensitive topic.
"The Indian version is totally distorted and fabricated as there was no involvement of the ISI whatsoever. Nor did any serving official interact with Headley or any of the perpetrators."
But US investigators see much of Headley's account as credible. They believe his main handler, a man identified only as Major Iqbal, was a serving member of the ISI and one of several Pakistani intelligence officers who had contacts with Headley.
The Obama administration has expressed frustration with Pakistan's failure to bring to justice the suspected masterminds of Mumbai and to rein in Lashkar, the ISI's longtime proxy army against India. Recent intelligence shows Lashkar remains intent on striking the West, according to a US official who requested anonymity.
source:agency
Tags : India News, 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks, 26/11 Mumbai Attacks, Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence Agency
Now, for the first time, there is a detailed inside account of how the ISI has been playing a "double game" -- acting as a front-line US ally in the fight against terror while supporting selected terror groups to serve Pakistani interests, the media reported.
The US probe of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks has built a strong case that ISI officers collaborated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group in the terror plot. Six Americans were killed in the attack.
US and Indian investigators say their understanding of the ISI-Lashkar alliance is drawn from the confessions of Headley, as well as documents, phone records and electronic eavesdropping.
Officials from both countries also say they are persuaded that ISI officers recruited and trained Headley in spying techniques and gave him money and instructions to scout targets in Mumbai and elsewhere, according to the website.
Headley has told investigators that a Pakistani Navy frogman helped plan the maritime attack on Mumbai, according to a 119-page report recounting his interrogation by Indian authorities in the US custody in 2010.
The report, which was obtained by the media, quotes Headley as saying that his Pakistani intelligence handler took part in a discussion about a subsequent Lashkar plot to attack a Danish newspaper -- information that Pakistan did not share with Danish authorities.
In essence, US and Indian officials say, Headley was more than a terrorist: He served as a Pakistani spy.
During the period that ISI officers allegedly helped Lashkar plan to kill Americans and Jews in Mumbai, the intelligence service was working closely with the CIA and US military in counter-terrorism efforts and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was pledging his support for the US campaign against militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistani officials deny any link to Lashkar and point out that hundreds of ISI officers have died in clashes with militants. They accuse India of politically motivated distortion in the report on Headley's interrogation.
"It is a stereotype, a Pakistan-specific version of an Indian interrogation," said a Pakistani official who requested anonymity because of the sensitive topic.
"The Indian version is totally distorted and fabricated as there was no involvement of the ISI whatsoever. Nor did any serving official interact with Headley or any of the perpetrators."
But US investigators see much of Headley's account as credible. They believe his main handler, a man identified only as Major Iqbal, was a serving member of the ISI and one of several Pakistani intelligence officers who had contacts with Headley.
The Obama administration has expressed frustration with Pakistan's failure to bring to justice the suspected masterminds of Mumbai and to rein in Lashkar, the ISI's longtime proxy army against India. Recent intelligence shows Lashkar remains intent on striking the West, according to a US official who requested anonymity.
source:agency
Tags : India News, 2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks, 26/11 Mumbai Attacks, Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence Agency
TDP leaders from the region wants to achieve Telangana state:Senior TDP leader Janardhan Reddy
Hyderabad: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders from Telangana have taken strong exception to some of the remarks made by members of the Srikrishna Committee.
Senior TDP leader and convenor of TDP Telangana Forum Nagam Janardhan Reddy said today the remarks were provocative and have hurt the sentiments of the Telangana people.
"Some members of the committee were quoted as saying that Muslims and Christians want development. Yes, they want development, but in a separate state of Telanagana," he told reporters.
The former minister warned that if the Srikrishna Committee recommended against formation of a Telangana state, the region will erupt in protests. "If the report is against Telangana, then the entire region will turn into a ball of fire from Jan 6 evening because people want nothing less than a separate state," Reddy stressed.
According to him, TDP leaders from the region are ready to make any sacrifice to achieve Telangana state. He denied reports in a section of the media that he had resigned as convenor of the TDP Telangana Forum.
The party legislators said that TDP will become a national party after the formation of Telangana state.
The five-member Srikrishna Committee headed by former Supreme Court Justice B.N. Srikrishna on Thursday submitted its report to the central government. The report will be made public on Jan 6 after union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's meeting with political party leaders.
The committee was constituted by the central government in February last year after series of agitations for and against a separate Telangana state rocked Andhra Pradesh.
Various groups fighting for a Telangana state and leaders of the Congress and the TDP from the region are urging the central government to abide by its Dec 9, 2009, statement to initiate the process for formation of a Telangana state.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Srikrishna Committee Report on Formation of Telangana State, TDP Leaders from Telangana
Senior TDP leader and convenor of TDP Telangana Forum Nagam Janardhan Reddy said today the remarks were provocative and have hurt the sentiments of the Telangana people.
"Some members of the committee were quoted as saying that Muslims and Christians want development. Yes, they want development, but in a separate state of Telanagana," he told reporters.
The former minister warned that if the Srikrishna Committee recommended against formation of a Telangana state, the region will erupt in protests. "If the report is against Telangana, then the entire region will turn into a ball of fire from Jan 6 evening because people want nothing less than a separate state," Reddy stressed.
According to him, TDP leaders from the region are ready to make any sacrifice to achieve Telangana state. He denied reports in a section of the media that he had resigned as convenor of the TDP Telangana Forum.
The party legislators said that TDP will become a national party after the formation of Telangana state.
The five-member Srikrishna Committee headed by former Supreme Court Justice B.N. Srikrishna on Thursday submitted its report to the central government. The report will be made public on Jan 6 after union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's meeting with political party leaders.
The committee was constituted by the central government in February last year after series of agitations for and against a separate Telangana state rocked Andhra Pradesh.
Various groups fighting for a Telangana state and leaders of the Congress and the TDP from the region are urging the central government to abide by its Dec 9, 2009, statement to initiate the process for formation of a Telangana state.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Srikrishna Committee Report on Formation of Telangana State, TDP Leaders from Telangana
Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is a little "nervous" about 2011
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra looks back at the past decade with pride, but hints that she is a little "nervous" about what the future holds for her. Nevertheless, she is raring to go.
"Today woke up with a strange sense of nervousness, fear maybe.. Worry also.. Wondering what direction life will take... new or familiar? I've always been God's favourite child. N everything happened for a reason. I look back at the last ten years n have a knowing smile that I'm right," Priyanka posted on her Twitter page today.
The year 2010 proved to be an average for the National award-winning actress with films like "Pyaar Impossible" and "Anjaana Anjaani", and she is looking forward to a great New Year.
"It's the end of a decade. The most important one of my life. May this new decade bring only happiness and peace to all of you. Thank u for always standing by me," she added.
She has also wished her friends and fans love and success.
"Here's wishing you all the ability and power to love and spread love.. The world needs that more than anything. And so do we all. Happy 2011."
Priyanka's next release will be Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf", in which she has donned seven different looks.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra in Pyaar Impossible, Priyanka Chopra in Anjaana Anjaani
"Today woke up with a strange sense of nervousness, fear maybe.. Worry also.. Wondering what direction life will take... new or familiar? I've always been God's favourite child. N everything happened for a reason. I look back at the last ten years n have a knowing smile that I'm right," Priyanka posted on her Twitter page today.
The year 2010 proved to be an average for the National award-winning actress with films like "Pyaar Impossible" and "Anjaana Anjaani", and she is looking forward to a great New Year.
"It's the end of a decade. The most important one of my life. May this new decade bring only happiness and peace to all of you. Thank u for always standing by me," she added.
She has also wished her friends and fans love and success.
"Here's wishing you all the ability and power to love and spread love.. The world needs that more than anything. And so do we all. Happy 2011."
Priyanka's next release will be Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf", in which she has donned seven different looks.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra in Pyaar Impossible, Priyanka Chopra in Anjaana Anjaani
Car manufacturer Ford India sold 83,887 units in calendar year 2010
Chennai: City-based car manufacturer Ford India sold 83,887 units in calendar year 2010, up from 29,488 units sold in 2009, a statement said.
During the year, Ford India sold more than 60,000 units of its compact car Figo since its launch in March. The company's other models - Ikon, Fiesta and Endeavour - account for the rest of the sales.
"This has been an outstanding year for Ford in India with nearly triple digit growth rates. It is also extremely encouraging to see the Figo sweep many prestigious industry awards and it is gratifying to see so many Figos on India's roads," the company's president and managing director Michael Boneham said.
The company sold around 4,300 units last month, down from 7,504 units sold in November 2010.
source:agency
Tags:Tags : India Business News, Ford India Growth Rates, Ford Figos on India's Roads
During the year, Ford India sold more than 60,000 units of its compact car Figo since its launch in March. The company's other models - Ikon, Fiesta and Endeavour - account for the rest of the sales.
"This has been an outstanding year for Ford in India with nearly triple digit growth rates. It is also extremely encouraging to see the Figo sweep many prestigious industry awards and it is gratifying to see so many Figos on India's roads," the company's president and managing director Michael Boneham said.
The company sold around 4,300 units last month, down from 7,504 units sold in November 2010.
source:agency
Tags:Tags : India Business News, Ford India Growth Rates, Ford Figos on India's Roads
South Africa captain Graeme Smith wants to put India under some pressure by bowling them out under 250
Cape Town: South Africa captain Graeme Smith wants to put India under some pressure in the final Test starting here on Sunday by bowling them out under 250.
"From our bowling point of view, we have kept India under 250 in three of the four innings. If we can maintain that - even get a little bit tighter and control that run rate, we can put them under pressure," Smith said on the eve of the Test match here today.
Smith, however, admitted that batting is a concern for his team.
"We were a poor batting unit in Durban and we have had a good, honest chat about that. Our batting unit has been very successful over the last period of time. Our top six has been our strength and hopefully we can come out here and put in a good performance. We all have good records here and it is a good ground for us," he said.
Asked about the tight scheduling of the series, Smith said: "Back to back Test matches are more of a mental thing. We had a bit of a work-out on Friday but it is now more about mental preparation and execution of plans over the five days. We have played a lot of cricket and done a lot of training and it is now about switching on our minds and making sure that we are ready for tomorrow."
Smith wants a disciplined performance from his team.
"We were not as focused as we should have been and we lacked a bit of discipline at key moments (in Durban). We have had a lot of success as a batting unit but in Durban we seemed to lose our minds. We have spoken a lot about what needs to be done," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, Graeme Smith on India South Africa Final Test, Graeme Smith on India South Africa in Durban
"From our bowling point of view, we have kept India under 250 in three of the four innings. If we can maintain that - even get a little bit tighter and control that run rate, we can put them under pressure," Smith said on the eve of the Test match here today.
Smith, however, admitted that batting is a concern for his team.
"We were a poor batting unit in Durban and we have had a good, honest chat about that. Our batting unit has been very successful over the last period of time. Our top six has been our strength and hopefully we can come out here and put in a good performance. We all have good records here and it is a good ground for us," he said.
Asked about the tight scheduling of the series, Smith said: "Back to back Test matches are more of a mental thing. We had a bit of a work-out on Friday but it is now more about mental preparation and execution of plans over the five days. We have played a lot of cricket and done a lot of training and it is now about switching on our minds and making sure that we are ready for tomorrow."
Smith wants a disciplined performance from his team.
"We were not as focused as we should have been and we lacked a bit of discipline at key moments (in Durban). We have had a lot of success as a batting unit but in Durban we seemed to lose our minds. We have spoken a lot about what needs to be done," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, Graeme Smith on India South Africa Final Test, Graeme Smith on India South Africa in Durban
3rd and the deciding Test match against South Africa starting on 2nd Jan 2011
Cape Town: Indian batsmen will have something to look forward to at the third and the deciding Test match against South Africa starting on Sunday as the track at the Newlands Stadium will help them on the first two days.
Evan Flint, chief curator, said that the final Test match will be played "on a good pitch that will last five days."
Newlands has always offered a flat wicket that is batsman-friendly and also has the highest average score, 338.2, for any ground in the country that has hosted more than one Test.
Flint said that the pitch won't change its nature from the previous years.
"The pitch won't change too much from previous years. I would love to get the same bounce as grounds like SuperSport Park and the Wanderers. The type of bounce we get is different; it's more of a tennis-ball bounce," said Flint.
"South Africa generally want to get pace and bounce out of their pitches at home and I am aware of the home team's desire to exploit their own conditions. I would like to create a surface that South Africa can get a good result on, but I've just got to do the best I can, and hopefully South Africa can play to their strengths."
Flint said that there is still some work to be done as the weather has not assisted him.
"It's still not 100 percent, which is a little bit disappointing. It's been very windy and quite cloudy; a bit cooler than usual, but we still need another really good day of sun," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Third Test at Newlands Stadium, Indian Batsmen in India South Africa Third Test
Evan Flint, chief curator, said that the final Test match will be played "on a good pitch that will last five days."
Newlands has always offered a flat wicket that is batsman-friendly and also has the highest average score, 338.2, for any ground in the country that has hosted more than one Test.
Flint said that the pitch won't change its nature from the previous years.
"The pitch won't change too much from previous years. I would love to get the same bounce as grounds like SuperSport Park and the Wanderers. The type of bounce we get is different; it's more of a tennis-ball bounce," said Flint.
"South Africa generally want to get pace and bounce out of their pitches at home and I am aware of the home team's desire to exploit their own conditions. I would like to create a surface that South Africa can get a good result on, but I've just got to do the best I can, and hopefully South Africa can play to their strengths."
Flint said that there is still some work to be done as the weather has not assisted him.
"It's still not 100 percent, which is a little bit disappointing. It's been very windy and quite cloudy; a bit cooler than usual, but we still need another really good day of sun," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Third Test at Newlands Stadium, Indian Batsmen in India South Africa Third Test
President Pratibha Patil spent the New Year's Day with her family in Diu
New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil spent the New Year's Day with her family in Diu where she is on a week-long vacation, according to sources.
During her stay in the union territory, Patil will visit several historic places like old churches, jail, the Nagwa beach and is also expected to offer prayers at Gangeshwar Mahadev temple.
She will also attend a cultural programme organised by the Diu district authority.
Patil will return to the capital on Jan 6.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Pratibha Patil in Diu, Pratibha Patil at Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple
During her stay in the union territory, Patil will visit several historic places like old churches, jail, the Nagwa beach and is also expected to offer prayers at Gangeshwar Mahadev temple.
She will also attend a cultural programme organised by the Diu district authority.
Patil will return to the capital on Jan 6.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Pratibha Patil in Diu, Pratibha Patil at Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started the New Year on a "quiet" note
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh started the New Year on a "quiet" note, reading through some files at his official 7, Race Road Course residence, his aides said today.
"The prime minister did not visit his South Block office. He had asked for some files to be brought to his residence, and had a quiet day with his family," a senior official in the Prime Minister's Office said.
"He had already met most of his senior colleagues on Thursday and on Friday."
In a message to fellow citizens on Friday, Manmohan Singh -- who has been in office since May 2004 and is now into his second term -- had called for a new beginning to the year and had also said that people's welfare will be his top priority.
"Let us dispel the air of despondency and cynicism. We need to believe in the resilience of our democracy and its capacity to deal with infirmities and shortcomings through course correction," he said.
"I want to assure all our citizens that my government and I will work with renewed resolve for the welfare of our people," he said.
"We will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, cleansing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi (the common man)."
The prime minister has been under attack from the opposition and the media for being slow in responding to the challenges of corruption and policy execution and is widely expected to take some proactive measures to dispel the current atmosphere of public despondency and cynicism.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Manmohan Singh, Manmohan Singh at 7 Race Road Course Residence, Manmohan Singh on Inflation
"The prime minister did not visit his South Block office. He had asked for some files to be brought to his residence, and had a quiet day with his family," a senior official in the Prime Minister's Office said.
"He had already met most of his senior colleagues on Thursday and on Friday."
In a message to fellow citizens on Friday, Manmohan Singh -- who has been in office since May 2004 and is now into his second term -- had called for a new beginning to the year and had also said that people's welfare will be his top priority.
"Let us dispel the air of despondency and cynicism. We need to believe in the resilience of our democracy and its capacity to deal with infirmities and shortcomings through course correction," he said.
"I want to assure all our citizens that my government and I will work with renewed resolve for the welfare of our people," he said.
"We will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, cleansing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi (the common man)."
The prime minister has been under attack from the opposition and the media for being slow in responding to the challenges of corruption and policy execution and is widely expected to take some proactive measures to dispel the current atmosphere of public despondency and cynicism.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Manmohan Singh, Manmohan Singh at 7 Race Road Course Residence, Manmohan Singh on Inflation
20101231
Hundreds of activists of the opposition BJP youth wing ,burnt an effigy of Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik
Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of activists of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing on Friday burnt an effigy of Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his "disrespect" to the national flag. Shouting slogans against the chief minister and carrying placards and banners, the activists also criticized the police for its role in the incident. "Police has arrested a BJD (ruling Biju Janata Dal) worker but is yet to take action against the chief minister and others who displayed the disfigured flag," BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra told reporters.
The Kalinga Sena, another political party, also carried out a similar protest rally separately in the state capital and demanded immediate arrest of the chief minister.
Patnaik is under attack after he and many of his ministerial colleagues displayed a flag during the foundation day function of BJD on Sunday, similar to the the tricolour but with the party's conch symbol and name instead of the Ashoka emblem.
The very next day, some organisations and individuals lodged three complaints with police terming it a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
A BJD worker was arrested Wednesday after he said he brought the flag with him to the party function. He said it was a national flag that was used in 1997 to cover the mortal remains of late Biju Patnaik, the present chief minister's father.
source:agency
Tags : activists of Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, disrespect to the national flag, Orissa News
The Kalinga Sena, another political party, also carried out a similar protest rally separately in the state capital and demanded immediate arrest of the chief minister.
Patnaik is under attack after he and many of his ministerial colleagues displayed a flag during the foundation day function of BJD on Sunday, similar to the the tricolour but with the party's conch symbol and name instead of the Ashoka emblem.
The very next day, some organisations and individuals lodged three complaints with police terming it a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
A BJD worker was arrested Wednesday after he said he brought the flag with him to the party function. He said it was a national flag that was used in 1997 to cover the mortal remains of late Biju Patnaik, the present chief minister's father.
source:agency
Tags : activists of Bharatiya Janata Party's youth wing, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, disrespect to the national flag, Orissa News
United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa released from jail
Guwahati: Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and one of India's most wanted fugitives, was released early today from jail here. He said the outfit was ready for unconditional peace talks but a formal decision would be taken once all jailed leaders are freed.
Rajkhowa was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail, a year after he was captured by Bangladesh and then handed over to Indian authorities in Assam.
He was granted bail by a special TADA court on Thursday after the government prosecutor gave no objection to Rajkhowa's bail petition.
"We are for unconditional peace talks with the government, but a formal decision to this effect could be taken at our executive meeting once all jailed leaders are released," the ULFA chairman told journalists soon after he stepped out of jail.
Rajkhowa, 54, was captured from Dhaka by sleuths of the Rapid Action Battalion and then handed over to Indian authorities December last year. He was at the Guwahati Central Jail for the past one year.
A large crowd comprising family and friends greeted Rajkhowa outside the jail.
"I would take this opportunity to thank the Citizens Forum (a civil society group that advocated the release of the jailed ULFA leadership to pave the way for peace talks) for mounting pressure for our release and also the government for cooperating and respecting the sentiment of the people by releasing us," Rajkhowa said.
"But I would like to appeal to the government to immediately release two of our jailed colleagues, (self styled foreign secretary) Sasha Chouhdury and (finance secretary)Chitraban Hazarika, immediately, besides taking urgent steps to enable Anup Chetia (ULFA general secretary currently jailed in Bangladesh since 1997) to come to India and take part in the peace process."
"But I would like to make it very clear that the peace process in no way would bring division or split the ULFA," the ULFA chairman said.
Although wife Kaveri and their two children were captured along with him, police had let off his family with no charges slapped against them. Rajkhowa's family has since been settled in his ancestral home in Lakwa in eastern Assam's Sivasagar district.
Rajkhowa, who studied till class 12, was tried on several criminal charges ranging from murder to kidnapping and extortion, with the maximum penalty being the death sentence, according to Assam Police.
But lack of hard evidence and as part of a government strategy to get the jailed ULFA leaders released, Rajkhowa got a favourable verdict from the court.
Rajkhowa has become the sixth top jailed leaders to have been released on bail since May with the government getting a clear signal from the imprisoned separatists that they would hold peace talks with New Delhi once released.
Barring ULFA's elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, the entire top brass of the outfit were in jail. The imprisoned leaders included Rajkhowa, vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, publicity chief Mithinga Daimary, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, Sasha Choudhury, Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.
But with demands for releasing the jailed ULFA leaders gathering momentum to pave the way for holding peace talks, the government embarked on a strategy not to oppose the bail applications of the separatists in court.
One by one six top jailed ULFA leaders were released on bail. The first to be released on bail were Pradeep Gogoi and Mithinga Daimary, followed by Raju Baruah and Pranati Deka, and earlier this month the veteran Bhimkanta Buragohain.
source:agency
Tags : ULFA, Assam News,Arabinda Rajkhowa Released, India's Most Wanted Fugitives
Rajkhowa was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail, a year after he was captured by Bangladesh and then handed over to Indian authorities in Assam.
He was granted bail by a special TADA court on Thursday after the government prosecutor gave no objection to Rajkhowa's bail petition.
"We are for unconditional peace talks with the government, but a formal decision to this effect could be taken at our executive meeting once all jailed leaders are released," the ULFA chairman told journalists soon after he stepped out of jail.
Rajkhowa, 54, was captured from Dhaka by sleuths of the Rapid Action Battalion and then handed over to Indian authorities December last year. He was at the Guwahati Central Jail for the past one year.
A large crowd comprising family and friends greeted Rajkhowa outside the jail.
"I would take this opportunity to thank the Citizens Forum (a civil society group that advocated the release of the jailed ULFA leadership to pave the way for peace talks) for mounting pressure for our release and also the government for cooperating and respecting the sentiment of the people by releasing us," Rajkhowa said.
"But I would like to appeal to the government to immediately release two of our jailed colleagues, (self styled foreign secretary) Sasha Chouhdury and (finance secretary)Chitraban Hazarika, immediately, besides taking urgent steps to enable Anup Chetia (ULFA general secretary currently jailed in Bangladesh since 1997) to come to India and take part in the peace process."
"But I would like to make it very clear that the peace process in no way would bring division or split the ULFA," the ULFA chairman said.
Although wife Kaveri and their two children were captured along with him, police had let off his family with no charges slapped against them. Rajkhowa's family has since been settled in his ancestral home in Lakwa in eastern Assam's Sivasagar district.
Rajkhowa, who studied till class 12, was tried on several criminal charges ranging from murder to kidnapping and extortion, with the maximum penalty being the death sentence, according to Assam Police.
But lack of hard evidence and as part of a government strategy to get the jailed ULFA leaders released, Rajkhowa got a favourable verdict from the court.
Rajkhowa has become the sixth top jailed leaders to have been released on bail since May with the government getting a clear signal from the imprisoned separatists that they would hold peace talks with New Delhi once released.
Barring ULFA's elusive commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, the entire top brass of the outfit were in jail. The imprisoned leaders included Rajkhowa, vice chairman Pradip Gogoi, publicity chief Mithinga Daimary, deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, Sasha Choudhury, Chitrabon Hazarika, cultural secretary Pranati Deka, and political ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain.
But with demands for releasing the jailed ULFA leaders gathering momentum to pave the way for holding peace talks, the government embarked on a strategy not to oppose the bail applications of the separatists in court.
One by one six top jailed ULFA leaders were released on bail. The first to be released on bail were Pradeep Gogoi and Mithinga Daimary, followed by Raju Baruah and Pranati Deka, and earlier this month the veteran Bhimkanta Buragohain.
source:agency
Tags : ULFA, Assam News,Arabinda Rajkhowa Released, India's Most Wanted Fugitives
National Human Rights Commission slammed the government for opposing the ban on the endosulfan pesticide
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission on Friday slammed the government for opposing the ban on the endosulfan pesticide, stating that this position "has led and will continue to lead to grave violations of human rights".
In a order dated Dec 31, NHRC has recommended that the government should "take administrative and legislative action to ban the use of endosulfan" throughout the country.
In India, the Kerala state government had banned the use of endosulfan, but the centre's position is that the pesticide has not caused any problem and neither should it be be included as Annex A chemicals in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which would have led to its worldwide elimination. It was the only country to vote against its inclusion at the Convention's meeting in October 2010.
"The Commission reiterates that the present stand of the Government of India has led and will continue to lead to grave violations of human rights. Since endosulfan is a persistent organic pollutant, the dangers it poses will linger and multiply through the generations, causing harm on a scale that cannot presently be fully quantified," said the order.
NHRC referred to a 2002 study by National Instituted of Occupational Health that had found that there was significant higher prevalence of "neurobehaviourial disorders, congenital malformations in female subjects and abnormalities related to male reproductive system" in areas which had undergone continued and high exposure to aerial spray of endosulfan.
In November 2010, the NHRC chief K.G. Balakrishnan and a team of officers visited Kerala, which confirmed the high incidence of medical disorders recorded by NIOH and also that the compensation given by the state government was either too meagre or not reaching the recipients at all.
The central government told NHRC that there was no "scientific basis" for the ban on endosulfan imposed in 60 other nations or recommended by experts of the Stockholm convention.
"The Commission is at a loss to understand the logic of this stand. The countries that have banned endosulfan are those that have access to the most advanced scientific research, they include the U.S., the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, which have taken their decision on the basis of scientific data and studies," said the NHRC order.
The five recommendations made for the centre in the NHRC order also included proposal for a nation-wide survey of population that have been affected by use of endosulfan and help in the long-term rehabilitation of victims.
NHRC has asked the state government to pay a minimum of Rs.500,000 to the next of kin of dead and those fully bed-ridden or mentally retarded, and Rs.300,000 to who have got other disability.
source:agency
Tags : National Human Rights Commission, ban on endosulfan pesticide, violations of human rights
In a order dated Dec 31, NHRC has recommended that the government should "take administrative and legislative action to ban the use of endosulfan" throughout the country.
In India, the Kerala state government had banned the use of endosulfan, but the centre's position is that the pesticide has not caused any problem and neither should it be be included as Annex A chemicals in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which would have led to its worldwide elimination. It was the only country to vote against its inclusion at the Convention's meeting in October 2010.
"The Commission reiterates that the present stand of the Government of India has led and will continue to lead to grave violations of human rights. Since endosulfan is a persistent organic pollutant, the dangers it poses will linger and multiply through the generations, causing harm on a scale that cannot presently be fully quantified," said the order.
NHRC referred to a 2002 study by National Instituted of Occupational Health that had found that there was significant higher prevalence of "neurobehaviourial disorders, congenital malformations in female subjects and abnormalities related to male reproductive system" in areas which had undergone continued and high exposure to aerial spray of endosulfan.
In November 2010, the NHRC chief K.G. Balakrishnan and a team of officers visited Kerala, which confirmed the high incidence of medical disorders recorded by NIOH and also that the compensation given by the state government was either too meagre or not reaching the recipients at all.
The central government told NHRC that there was no "scientific basis" for the ban on endosulfan imposed in 60 other nations or recommended by experts of the Stockholm convention.
"The Commission is at a loss to understand the logic of this stand. The countries that have banned endosulfan are those that have access to the most advanced scientific research, they include the U.S., the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, which have taken their decision on the basis of scientific data and studies," said the NHRC order.
The five recommendations made for the centre in the NHRC order also included proposal for a nation-wide survey of population that have been affected by use of endosulfan and help in the long-term rehabilitation of victims.
NHRC has asked the state government to pay a minimum of Rs.500,000 to the next of kin of dead and those fully bed-ridden or mentally retarded, and Rs.300,000 to who have got other disability.
source:agency
Tags : National Human Rights Commission, ban on endosulfan pesticide, violations of human rights
Dispel the "air of despondency and cynicism":Prime Minister Manmohan Singh message on New Year's eve
New Delhi: In his message on New Year's eve, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday called on Indians to dispel the "air of despondency and cynicism" and believe in resilience and the capacity to resolve shortcomings in the Indian democracy. "Let us make a new beginning to the year. Let us dispel the air of despondency and cynicism. We need to believe in the resilience of our democracy and its capacity to deal with infirmities and shortcomings through course correction," said Manmohan Singh.
Wishing all citizens a very Happy New Year, he added that it was an occasion to take stock of the year gone by and of the challenges that lie ahead.
"On the eve of the New Year, I want to assure all our citizens that my government and I will work with renewed resolve for the welfare of our people," he asserted.
The prime minister said his government "will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, cleansing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi."
President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari also greeted the nation on New Year's eve and hoped that 2011 would bring in peace, harmony and all-round progress to the people of the country.
Conveying her wishes to the people in the country and abroad, Patil said: "Let us take a New Year's resolve to work to meet the exciting challenges of the present decade and promote unity and harmony amongst all our people."
"May this year bring peace, harmony and all-round progress to all our people," she added.
Ansari in his message said: "The dawn of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope, which can only be fulfilled by working together with resolve and dedication towards building a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous India."
source:agency
Tags : PM's message on New Year's eve, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, shortcomings in the Indian democracy
Wishing all citizens a very Happy New Year, he added that it was an occasion to take stock of the year gone by and of the challenges that lie ahead.
"On the eve of the New Year, I want to assure all our citizens that my government and I will work with renewed resolve for the welfare of our people," he asserted.
The prime minister said his government "will redouble our efforts to deal effectively and credibly with the challenges of inflation, cleansing our governing processes, national security and making our delivery system work for the aam aadmi."
President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari also greeted the nation on New Year's eve and hoped that 2011 would bring in peace, harmony and all-round progress to the people of the country.
Conveying her wishes to the people in the country and abroad, Patil said: "Let us take a New Year's resolve to work to meet the exciting challenges of the present decade and promote unity and harmony amongst all our people."
"May this year bring peace, harmony and all-round progress to all our people," she added.
Ansari in his message said: "The dawn of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope, which can only be fulfilled by working together with resolve and dedication towards building a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous India."
source:agency
Tags : PM's message on New Year's eve, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, shortcomings in the Indian democracy
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) raised aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices by 2%
New Delhi: State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on Friday raised aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices by two percent, which now stand at Rs. 47,816 per kilolitre in Delhi.
This is the sixth straight ATF rate hike since October, when international oil prices took an upward swing.
Crude oil prices, which were $79 a barrel during June, soared to a two-year high of about $90 a barrel last Tuesday, before settling at $88.5 per barrel.
State-owned oil retailers IOC, HPCL and BPCL revise ATF prices based on the average international prices, on the first and 16th of every month.
ATF prices were last hiked on Dec 15 when state-owned oil marketing companies raised prices by 3.6 percent, taking them up by Rs. 1,636.58 a kilolitre to Rs. 46,876.58 in the national capital.
source:agency
Tags : State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, IOC raises aviation turbine fuel, ATF prices
This is the sixth straight ATF rate hike since October, when international oil prices took an upward swing.
Crude oil prices, which were $79 a barrel during June, soared to a two-year high of about $90 a barrel last Tuesday, before settling at $88.5 per barrel.
State-owned oil retailers IOC, HPCL and BPCL revise ATF prices based on the average international prices, on the first and 16th of every month.
ATF prices were last hiked on Dec 15 when state-owned oil marketing companies raised prices by 3.6 percent, taking them up by Rs. 1,636.58 a kilolitre to Rs. 46,876.58 in the national capital.
source:agency
Tags : State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, IOC raises aviation turbine fuel, ATF prices
On-screen chemistry between Shruti Haasan & me in "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji" is amazing:Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi
New Delhi: Bollywood's serial kisser Emraan Hashmi seems to be bowled over by Shruti Haasan, whom he will be seen romancing in "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji", and is all praise for their on- screen chemistry in the comedy.
"Shruti is a fabulous actress and extremely beautiful. The on-screen chemistry between us in the film is amazing and that's something to look forward to," said Emraan.
The film that also stars Ajay Devgn and Omi Vaidya will release on Jan 28 and has been directed by Madhur Bhandarkar.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Emraan Hashmi in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Shruti Haasan in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Emraan Hashmi Shruti Haasan Chemistry in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
"Shruti is a fabulous actress and extremely beautiful. The on-screen chemistry between us in the film is amazing and that's something to look forward to," said Emraan.
The film that also stars Ajay Devgn and Omi Vaidya will release on Jan 28 and has been directed by Madhur Bhandarkar.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Emraan Hashmi in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Shruti Haasan in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Emraan Hashmi Shruti Haasan Chemistry in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Actor Omi Vaidya says "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji" was more "challenging" role than "3 Idiots"
Mumbai: He may be better known as Chatur from the blockbuster "3 Idiots" but Indian American Omi Vaidya, who steered away from being typecast, is ready to move on with a more "challenging" role in the forthcoming comedy "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji".
"After '3 Idiots', I wanted to be very careful. I was getting offers, but most of them were roles that were very similar to Chatur. I didn't want do those. I wanted to take up something new," Omi told the media in an interview.
"Then Madhur Bhandarkar offered me this role, which was quite different. Initially I was scared because my Hindi is still not very good, but he assured me that I would be able to do it.
"This role was more difficult to do because I had to play a Maharashtrian, who has no accent... so that was quite challenging. But it was fun," added the 28-year-old, who did television stint as the host of STAR Plus' singing reality show "Chhote Ustad" after his big success on the silver screen.
The film releases on Jan 28.
Omi, who grew up in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California, started acting when he was six. After finishing his studies and doing a course from New York University, he featured in American shows like "Arrested Development", "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run".
His big ticket to Bollywood came with director Rajkumar Hirani's super hit movie "3 Idiots".
"Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji", Omi's second release and Bhandarkar's first comedy, also stars Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Shruti Haasan, Shraddha Das and Shahzan Padamsee. The film is about three guys and their encounters with love.
Though this was Bhandarkar's first attempt at comedy, Omi had no apprehensions.
"I heard the script and I knew Madhur was behind it - and that was it; I didn't need anything else. I have full confidence in him. The problem is that everyone wanted to put me in run-of-the-mill-comedy stuff and I didn't want to do that. I wanted something good and well-written and that's what Madhur gave me; so I had no reasons to doubt him," he added.
He had a great time shooting with the director.
"We had an enjoyable time with Madhur on the sets because he is unlike his movies. He is quite a riot on the sets. He is constantly making everyone laugh. He says very funny things and keeps the atmosphere light," he said.
The actor is also working on a couple of other films. He will feature in Reema Kagti's next directorial venture that has Aamir Khan in the lead role. He is also a part of the Abbas-Mustan multi-starrer "Players" and Rohit Dhawan's "Desi Boyz".
Bollywood was not the actor's first preference.
"I never thought that I'll become a Bollywood actor because I couldn't speak in Hindi and it is one of the perquisites of being a Bollywood actor. I just thought that I'll be this Indian actor in America, doing roles there. But then '3 idiots' happened and things changed," said Omi.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Omi Vaidya in 3 Idiots, Omi Vaidya in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
"After '3 Idiots', I wanted to be very careful. I was getting offers, but most of them were roles that were very similar to Chatur. I didn't want do those. I wanted to take up something new," Omi told the media in an interview.
"Then Madhur Bhandarkar offered me this role, which was quite different. Initially I was scared because my Hindi is still not very good, but he assured me that I would be able to do it.
"This role was more difficult to do because I had to play a Maharashtrian, who has no accent... so that was quite challenging. But it was fun," added the 28-year-old, who did television stint as the host of STAR Plus' singing reality show "Chhote Ustad" after his big success on the silver screen.
The film releases on Jan 28.
Omi, who grew up in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California, started acting when he was six. After finishing his studies and doing a course from New York University, he featured in American shows like "Arrested Development", "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run".
His big ticket to Bollywood came with director Rajkumar Hirani's super hit movie "3 Idiots".
"Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji", Omi's second release and Bhandarkar's first comedy, also stars Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Shruti Haasan, Shraddha Das and Shahzan Padamsee. The film is about three guys and their encounters with love.
Though this was Bhandarkar's first attempt at comedy, Omi had no apprehensions.
"I heard the script and I knew Madhur was behind it - and that was it; I didn't need anything else. I have full confidence in him. The problem is that everyone wanted to put me in run-of-the-mill-comedy stuff and I didn't want to do that. I wanted something good and well-written and that's what Madhur gave me; so I had no reasons to doubt him," he added.
He had a great time shooting with the director.
"We had an enjoyable time with Madhur on the sets because he is unlike his movies. He is quite a riot on the sets. He is constantly making everyone laugh. He says very funny things and keeps the atmosphere light," he said.
The actor is also working on a couple of other films. He will feature in Reema Kagti's next directorial venture that has Aamir Khan in the lead role. He is also a part of the Abbas-Mustan multi-starrer "Players" and Rohit Dhawan's "Desi Boyz".
Bollywood was not the actor's first preference.
"I never thought that I'll become a Bollywood actor because I couldn't speak in Hindi and it is one of the perquisites of being a Bollywood actor. I just thought that I'll be this Indian actor in America, doing roles there. But then '3 idiots' happened and things changed," said Omi.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Omi Vaidya in 3 Idiots, Omi Vaidya in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Bollywood action star Sunny Deol eager to do the role in "Dharam Veer"
Mumbai: Sunny Deol, known as an action star in Bollywood, is eager to do the role in "Dharam Veer" essayed by his father, veteran actor Dharmendra.
"I want to do a role which is something like the 'Gladiator'. Something very close to what my father did in 'Dharam Veer'. I think if 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' works, producers might listen to me and we can make a film on these grounds," Sunny told the media.
Releasing on Jan 14, "Yamla Pagla Deewana" will see Dharmendra tickling funny bones of moviegoers with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Dharmendra in Dharam Veer, Sunny Deol in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Bobby Deol in Yamla Pagla Deewana
"I want to do a role which is something like the 'Gladiator'. Something very close to what my father did in 'Dharam Veer'. I think if 'Yamla Pagla Deewana' works, producers might listen to me and we can make a film on these grounds," Sunny told the media.
Releasing on Jan 14, "Yamla Pagla Deewana" will see Dharmendra tickling funny bones of moviegoers with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Dharmendra in Dharam Veer, Sunny Deol in Yamla Pagla Deewana, Bobby Deol in Yamla Pagla Deewana
Yash Raj Films Television will be back with its new show "Khote Sikkey" on Sony Tv
New Delhi: Yash Raj Films Television will be back with its second innings on Sony Entertainment Television, this time with "Khote Sikkey" - a story highlighting how rich and spoilt children are indulging in crime these days.
The show, which will be dominated by fresh faces, will go on air in January.
"Khote Sikkey" traces the story of an unlikely gang - five privileged youngsters and one stubborn cop who manage to solve various crimes. It will be a bi-weekly show with a new, fictional case in focus every week.
But the basic premise of the show is how the rich in the urban cities are getting richer by the day and their crimes are getting more random and more uncontrollable, said a source.
YRF Television, the television arm of entertainment conglomerate Yash Raj Films, had earlier launched shows like "Mahi Way", "Rishta.com", "Powder" or "Seven" which were very distinct in their storytelling and quality. But they failed to garner Television Rating Points (TRPs) too well.
However, a sequel to "Mahi Way" is in the offing, according to sources.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment, television programmes, TV stars
The show, which will be dominated by fresh faces, will go on air in January.
"Khote Sikkey" traces the story of an unlikely gang - five privileged youngsters and one stubborn cop who manage to solve various crimes. It will be a bi-weekly show with a new, fictional case in focus every week.
But the basic premise of the show is how the rich in the urban cities are getting richer by the day and their crimes are getting more random and more uncontrollable, said a source.
YRF Television, the television arm of entertainment conglomerate Yash Raj Films, had earlier launched shows like "Mahi Way", "Rishta.com", "Powder" or "Seven" which were very distinct in their storytelling and quality. But they failed to garner Television Rating Points (TRPs) too well.
However, a sequel to "Mahi Way" is in the offing, according to sources.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment, television programmes, TV stars
DoT warned telecom companies against unauthorised monitoring of communication networks
New Delhi: The department of telecommunication (DoT) today warned telecom companies and private detective agencies against unauthorised monitoring of communication networks.
"It has come to the notice that some persons, companies including PSUs, private vendors and private detective agencies are establishing, maintaining or operating unauthorised communications network including wireless network for unauthorised monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communications," DoT said in a statement.
"Such type of acts violate the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933," it added.
Under the law, no equipment or sub-system can be used for unauthorized communication network, monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communication.
The government has asked people and companies who imported, or possessed monitoring equipments to inform the Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cells of DoT within 60 days.
Errant individuals can be jailed for up to three years and fined, the statement added.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Department of Telecommunication, Telecom Companies, Private Detective Agencies, Unauthorised Monitoring of Communication Networks
"It has come to the notice that some persons, companies including PSUs, private vendors and private detective agencies are establishing, maintaining or operating unauthorised communications network including wireless network for unauthorised monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communications," DoT said in a statement.
"Such type of acts violate the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933," it added.
Under the law, no equipment or sub-system can be used for unauthorized communication network, monitoring, intercepting and surveillance of communication.
The government has asked people and companies who imported, or possessed monitoring equipments to inform the Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cells of DoT within 60 days.
Errant individuals can be jailed for up to three years and fined, the statement added.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Department of Telecommunication, Telecom Companies, Private Detective Agencies, Unauthorised Monitoring of Communication Networks
National carrier Air India,get additional equity of Rs.1,200 crore from the government
New Delhi: National carrier Air India, reeling under a financial crisis with little funds for fleet expansion, will now get additional equity of Rs.1,200 crore ($250 million) from the government.
The federal cabinet, in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today, approved the funding for the turnaround plan of National Aviation Co of India - the entity that runs Air India.
The proposal, based on inputs from the national carrier, was put up by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the infusion of Rs.1,200 crore as equity in the Air India Limited and directed Air India management to work towards rationalisation of wage structure," civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
"The infusion of enhanced equity fund would give much needed impetus to the Air India for its revival plan."
The airline, which is running under heavy losses, received Rs.800 crore ($178 million) government support in February this year.
"The government's decision in approving Rs.1,200 crore as equity will help Air India to operationalise its financial restructuring plan and also gives the signal to the financial markets and would help in confidence building measures," said the carrier's chairman Arvind Jadhav.
Jadhav said the airline would start process of discussions with unions in 90 days.
"Being Central Public Sector enterprise, government support in HR issues is vital. Government support on wage and wage related issues will enable the management to initiate discussions with the unions/associations on a wide range of issues," he said.
Earlier Air India had reported a decrease in its net loss for the fiscal 2009-2010, which stood at Rs.5,551 crore as against a net loss of Rs.7,189 crore in the fiscal 2008-2009.
The airline proposed an infusion of Rs.10,000 crore which was examined by a committee of secretaries, led by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar.
The committee then decided to provide Rs.2,000 crore to the airline. Apart from the current infusion of Rs.1,200 crore, the airline has already received another Rs.800 crore in February.
According to the airline, the results were muted due to increase in depreciation cost by Rs.164 crore and interest, and financing charges of Rs.769 crore, which was an increase of 46 percent, on induction of more aircraft.
The total expenditure also decreased by 8 percent and stood at Rs.19,035 crore as compared to Rs.20,668 crore in the last fiscal.
The company added that it has recorded an improved operating performance with a nine percent increase in passenger load factor at 64.8 percent from 59.5 percent.
Highlights of the cabinet decision:
-- Rs.1200 crore ($250 million) equity infusion from the government
-- Asked to rationalisation of wage structure
-- Equity infusion aimed to revive the ailing airline
-- The government released Rs.800 crore ($178 million) fund for revival of the airline
The national carrier plans to purchase 27 aircrafts, including 21 Airbus A-320 and six Boeing 777.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Air India Financial Crisis, Funds for Air India, Air India Fleet Expansion
The federal cabinet, in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here today, approved the funding for the turnaround plan of National Aviation Co of India - the entity that runs Air India.
The proposal, based on inputs from the national carrier, was put up by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the infusion of Rs.1,200 crore as equity in the Air India Limited and directed Air India management to work towards rationalisation of wage structure," civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
"The infusion of enhanced equity fund would give much needed impetus to the Air India for its revival plan."
The airline, which is running under heavy losses, received Rs.800 crore ($178 million) government support in February this year.
"The government's decision in approving Rs.1,200 crore as equity will help Air India to operationalise its financial restructuring plan and also gives the signal to the financial markets and would help in confidence building measures," said the carrier's chairman Arvind Jadhav.
Jadhav said the airline would start process of discussions with unions in 90 days.
"Being Central Public Sector enterprise, government support in HR issues is vital. Government support on wage and wage related issues will enable the management to initiate discussions with the unions/associations on a wide range of issues," he said.
Earlier Air India had reported a decrease in its net loss for the fiscal 2009-2010, which stood at Rs.5,551 crore as against a net loss of Rs.7,189 crore in the fiscal 2008-2009.
The airline proposed an infusion of Rs.10,000 crore which was examined by a committee of secretaries, led by Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar.
The committee then decided to provide Rs.2,000 crore to the airline. Apart from the current infusion of Rs.1,200 crore, the airline has already received another Rs.800 crore in February.
According to the airline, the results were muted due to increase in depreciation cost by Rs.164 crore and interest, and financing charges of Rs.769 crore, which was an increase of 46 percent, on induction of more aircraft.
The total expenditure also decreased by 8 percent and stood at Rs.19,035 crore as compared to Rs.20,668 crore in the last fiscal.
The company added that it has recorded an improved operating performance with a nine percent increase in passenger load factor at 64.8 percent from 59.5 percent.
Highlights of the cabinet decision:
-- Rs.1200 crore ($250 million) equity infusion from the government
-- Asked to rationalisation of wage structure
-- Equity infusion aimed to revive the ailing airline
-- The government released Rs.800 crore ($178 million) fund for revival of the airline
The national carrier plans to purchase 27 aircrafts, including 21 Airbus A-320 and six Boeing 777.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Air India Financial Crisis, Funds for Air India, Air India Fleet Expansion
A yoga instructor dared renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev to match his feat
Lucknow: He's a mountaineer and a yoga instructor and claims to have performed yoga bare-bodied in Ladakh's snow-clad mountains at an altitude of over 14,000 ft. And Ajai Kumar Bajpayee has now dared renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev to match his feat.
Bajpayee, 32, a liaison officer with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and a native of Shareefabad in Barabanki district, has performed a 30-minute yoga session at the popular Kun mountaineering destination in Ladakh. He now wants Ramdev to showcase his yoga skills before the public in the same manner.
"It's an open challenge to him from my side. Let there be a yoga competition between us. Both of us will have to perform yoga bare-bodied in bone-chilling conditions or similar to that of those prevailing in Ladakh," Bajpayee told media on phone from Barabanki, some 35 km from Lucknow.
Bajpayee, however, said Ramdev should take up his challenge in a sporting spirit.
"I respect Babaji (Ramdev) a lot. Undoubtedly, Babaji has done a lot in promoting yoga not only in the country but in different parts of the globe. It's not that I am proud of myself and want others to feel low. The objective behind such a challenge is to showcase the incredible tasks that could be achieved through yoga.
"I believe Babaji will accept my challenge and people will get an opportunity to witness the unusual tasks and challenges that could come to the fore in the competition between us. I have written a letter to Baba Ramdev in this regard. Response from his side is awaited," said Bajpayee, who has also rendered his services as a yoga instructor in China and Thailand. Bajpayee performed the 30-minute yoga session in October last year, when he was a part of a mountaineering expedition that had people from Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
"As I am a qualified mountaineering instructor, I am several times asked by the IMF that closely works with the ministries of sports, home, defence and tourism, to accompany members of expedition groups for mountaineering and trekking and other adventure sports. One of the members of the expedition filmed me performing the yoga acts," said Bajpayee, who first enrolled for training in mountaineering in 1999 at an institute in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
"After I enrolled myself for the pre-basic course, also called as adventure course, my passion for mountaineering grew day by day. Later, I opted for an advanced course in mountaineering from the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute, also in Uttarakhand," recalled Bajpayee.
"As far as yoga is concerned, I am doing it from my childhood days. But, to become a yoga instructor, I underwent a training programme in 1995 from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Thiruvananthapuram."
Asked what inspired him to perform yoga bare-bodied in freezing conditions, Bajpayee said: "You can say yoga and mountaineering have always been a passion for me. I always thought of doing different things in the two streams so that I can stand apart from others.
"My act in Ladakh was inspired from this only. I want to perform many such challenging acts in the coming days. To perform such acts one needs to practise a lot of meditation. It makes one strong both physically and mentally," said Bajpayee.
The video clip showing Bajpayee performing yoga amidst snow-clad mountains has become the talk of the town.
"It's amazing to see Bajpayee there...We all want Baba Ramdev to accept the challenge...I don't know who will win or lose, but he (Ramdev) would surely be impressed by Bajpayee," said Pankaj Kumar, a research scholar and native of Ramnagar in Barabanki.
Deepak Kumar, a resident of Barabanki's Jaitpur area, said: "People like Ajai need to be promoted as they can do a lot in propogating yoga. What he has done is incredible."
source:agency
Tags : India News, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Indian Mountaineering Foundation
Bajpayee, 32, a liaison officer with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) and a native of Shareefabad in Barabanki district, has performed a 30-minute yoga session at the popular Kun mountaineering destination in Ladakh. He now wants Ramdev to showcase his yoga skills before the public in the same manner.
"It's an open challenge to him from my side. Let there be a yoga competition between us. Both of us will have to perform yoga bare-bodied in bone-chilling conditions or similar to that of those prevailing in Ladakh," Bajpayee told media on phone from Barabanki, some 35 km from Lucknow.
Bajpayee, however, said Ramdev should take up his challenge in a sporting spirit.
"I respect Babaji (Ramdev) a lot. Undoubtedly, Babaji has done a lot in promoting yoga not only in the country but in different parts of the globe. It's not that I am proud of myself and want others to feel low. The objective behind such a challenge is to showcase the incredible tasks that could be achieved through yoga.
"I believe Babaji will accept my challenge and people will get an opportunity to witness the unusual tasks and challenges that could come to the fore in the competition between us. I have written a letter to Baba Ramdev in this regard. Response from his side is awaited," said Bajpayee, who has also rendered his services as a yoga instructor in China and Thailand. Bajpayee performed the 30-minute yoga session in October last year, when he was a part of a mountaineering expedition that had people from Switzerland, Germany and Austria.
"As I am a qualified mountaineering instructor, I am several times asked by the IMF that closely works with the ministries of sports, home, defence and tourism, to accompany members of expedition groups for mountaineering and trekking and other adventure sports. One of the members of the expedition filmed me performing the yoga acts," said Bajpayee, who first enrolled for training in mountaineering in 1999 at an institute in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
"After I enrolled myself for the pre-basic course, also called as adventure course, my passion for mountaineering grew day by day. Later, I opted for an advanced course in mountaineering from the Himalaya Mountaineering Institute, also in Uttarakhand," recalled Bajpayee.
"As far as yoga is concerned, I am doing it from my childhood days. But, to become a yoga instructor, I underwent a training programme in 1995 from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Thiruvananthapuram."
Asked what inspired him to perform yoga bare-bodied in freezing conditions, Bajpayee said: "You can say yoga and mountaineering have always been a passion for me. I always thought of doing different things in the two streams so that I can stand apart from others.
"My act in Ladakh was inspired from this only. I want to perform many such challenging acts in the coming days. To perform such acts one needs to practise a lot of meditation. It makes one strong both physically and mentally," said Bajpayee.
The video clip showing Bajpayee performing yoga amidst snow-clad mountains has become the talk of the town.
"It's amazing to see Bajpayee there...We all want Baba Ramdev to accept the challenge...I don't know who will win or lose, but he (Ramdev) would surely be impressed by Bajpayee," said Pankaj Kumar, a research scholar and native of Ramnagar in Barabanki.
Deepak Kumar, a resident of Barabanki's Jaitpur area, said: "People like Ajai need to be promoted as they can do a lot in propogating yoga. What he has done is incredible."
source:agency
Tags : India News, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Indian Mountaineering Foundation
Chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) released from the Guwahati Central Jail
Guwahati: Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), was today released from the Guwahati Central Jail.
Rajkhowa, who was on Thursday granted bail by a special TADA court, said the ULFA is ready for unconditional peace talks but wants the outfit to stay united.
Rajkhowa, 54, was captured from Dhaka by sleuths of the Rapid Action Battalion and then handed over to Indian authorities December last year. He was at the Guwahati Central Jail for the past one year.
source:agency
Tags : ULFA, Assam News, Arabinda Rajkhowa Released, Guwahati Central Jail
Rajkhowa, who was on Thursday granted bail by a special TADA court, said the ULFA is ready for unconditional peace talks but wants the outfit to stay united.
Rajkhowa, 54, was captured from Dhaka by sleuths of the Rapid Action Battalion and then handed over to Indian authorities December last year. He was at the Guwahati Central Jail for the past one year.
source:agency
Tags : ULFA, Assam News, Arabinda Rajkhowa Released, Guwahati Central Jail
"Little Krishna" come to Malaysian viewers in animated form
Kuala Lumpur: Thirteen new episodes of "Little Krishna", the story about the Hindu deity depicted as an infant or a young boy playing a flute, have come to Malaysian viewers in animated form, in time for the Thaipusam festival of the Tamils.
The series was launched earlier this week by Ashish Sharad Kulkarni and Tejonidhi Bhandare, Big Animation's CEO and head of finance respectively.
Big Animation is the production house behind the animation and is an entertainment wing of the Reliance group, India.
Scripted by Emmy award winner Jeffrey Scott and directed by Vincent Edwards (of "Spider Man: TV Series"), "Little Krishna" won the Best Animation award at the Asian Television Awards (ATF) in Singapore and five Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Frames awards as well as three Golden Cursor awards.
Released this week were volumes 3 and 4, with total 13 episodes, with each episode running for 22 minutes.
Volume 1 and Volume 2 were released for Thaipusam last February, the the media said today.
Malaysia is home to 2.1 million ethnic Indians, a bulk of them Tamils.
source:agency
Tags : Diaspora News, Little Krishna, Thaipusam festival of Malaysian Tamils
The series was launched earlier this week by Ashish Sharad Kulkarni and Tejonidhi Bhandare, Big Animation's CEO and head of finance respectively.
Big Animation is the production house behind the animation and is an entertainment wing of the Reliance group, India.
Scripted by Emmy award winner Jeffrey Scott and directed by Vincent Edwards (of "Spider Man: TV Series"), "Little Krishna" won the Best Animation award at the Asian Television Awards (ATF) in Singapore and five Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Frames awards as well as three Golden Cursor awards.
Released this week were volumes 3 and 4, with total 13 episodes, with each episode running for 22 minutes.
Volume 1 and Volume 2 were released for Thaipusam last February, the the media said today.
Malaysia is home to 2.1 million ethnic Indians, a bulk of them Tamils.
source:agency
Tags : Diaspora News, Little Krishna, Thaipusam festival of Malaysian Tamils
Julia Roberts is among top “Religion Stories” of 2010
Oscar winner Hollywood star Julia Roberts’ (Pretty Woman) conversion to Hinduism is among the top-20 “2010 Religion Stories of the Year” list created by Religion Newswriters Association (RNA).
In this list, Roberts (only Hollywood person to make the list) is in the company of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Reverend Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham), etc. RNA release on the subject says: “Hinduism gains more of the spotlight through the…word of star Julia Roberts’ conversion to it”.
Roberts, who grew up with a Catholic mother and Baptist father, became interested in Hinduism after seeing a picture of Hanuman devotee Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, who died in 1973 and whom she never met. Earlier reports have said that she was a practicing Hindu and entire Roberts-Moder family went to temple together to chant and pray and celebrate. She has a production company called “Red Om Films”, and “Om” in Hinduism is the mystical syllable containing the universe. She has been quoted as saying “My opting for Hinduism is not a religious gimmick” and “I have received real spiritual satisfaction through Hinduism”.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, interpreting wisdom of ancient Hindu scriptures, suggested Roberts to realize Self (through meditation), which was pure consciousness and dwelled in all of us. Real happiness, instead of coming from the outer world, would come from within. Although God was beyond space and time, yet could be found within one’s heart through meditation.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that seeing Roberts’ devotion, he would pray God to lead her to the ‘eternal joy’. If she needed any assistance in deeper Hinduism exploration, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to help, Zed added.
RNA, founded in 1949 and headquartered at the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism (USA), claims to be the world’s premier association dedicated to helping journalists write about religion, and has been preparing this annual list of top religion news-stories for nearly 30 years. Steve Maynard is President.
Julia Fiona Roberts, 43, one of the most successful Hollywood actresses besides a producer and fashion model, has won best actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” and earned Oscar nominations for “Pretty Woman” and “Steel Magnolias”. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
--PRESS RELEASE
In this list, Roberts (only Hollywood person to make the list) is in the company of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Reverend Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham), etc. RNA release on the subject says: “Hinduism gains more of the spotlight through the…word of star Julia Roberts’ conversion to it”.
Roberts, who grew up with a Catholic mother and Baptist father, became interested in Hinduism after seeing a picture of Hanuman devotee Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba, who died in 1973 and whom she never met. Earlier reports have said that she was a practicing Hindu and entire Roberts-Moder family went to temple together to chant and pray and celebrate. She has a production company called “Red Om Films”, and “Om” in Hinduism is the mystical syllable containing the universe. She has been quoted as saying “My opting for Hinduism is not a religious gimmick” and “I have received real spiritual satisfaction through Hinduism”.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, interpreting wisdom of ancient Hindu scriptures, suggested Roberts to realize Self (through meditation), which was pure consciousness and dwelled in all of us. Real happiness, instead of coming from the outer world, would come from within. Although God was beyond space and time, yet could be found within one’s heart through meditation.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that seeing Roberts’ devotion, he would pray God to lead her to the ‘eternal joy’. If she needed any assistance in deeper Hinduism exploration, he or other Hindu scholars would be glad to help, Zed added.
RNA, founded in 1949 and headquartered at the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism (USA), claims to be the world’s premier association dedicated to helping journalists write about religion, and has been preparing this annual list of top religion news-stories for nearly 30 years. Steve Maynard is President.
Julia Fiona Roberts, 43, one of the most successful Hollywood actresses besides a producer and fashion model, has won best actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” and earned Oscar nominations for “Pretty Woman” and “Steel Magnolias”. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
--PRESS RELEASE
Jews & Hindus urge Germany to be more open to “other religions” & “outsiders”
Hindus and Jews have urged Germany to adopt more pluralistic approach.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a statement in Nevada today, said that Germany needed to have a comprehensive and honest debate and open-hearted dialogue about integration and pluralism and be more open to “other” religions.
According to a recently concluded survey on religious plurality in Europe by University of Munster and TNS Emnid, the Germans are much less tolerant of Muslims and other non-Christian religions than their Western European neighbors.
“They are also less willing to concede equal rights to other religions. Compared to the other Europeans, their image of Hindus, Buddhists and Jews is more negative”, according to Professor Detlef Pollack, who was director of the study.
The survey points out that only 49 per cent of respondents in West Germany and 53 per cent in East Germany think that all religious groups should have equal rights as compared to 86 per cent in France.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich further said that German politicians should be more tolerant to “outsiders” and instead of blaming multiculturalism as a failure, they should make more efforts to create a society where all Germans could learn to live together in peace and mutual trust despite seriously different traditions, beliefs and backgrounds.
In a speech in Potsdam (Germany) on October 16, Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly said that the so-called ‘multikulti’ concept, where people would ‘live side-by-side’ happily, utterly failed; and anybody not speaking German was not welcome. Horst Seehofer, Prime Minister of Bavaria, Germany’s largest and oldest state, was quoted as saying that 'multikulti' was dead and there was no room in Germany for more people from alien cultures. Various other German politicians had also expressed strong anti-immigrant feelings in the recent past.
Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich pointed out that Merkel and others should show more maturity and responsibility when talking about “others” who were simply different, and not give in to unnecessary hysteria. It was simply irresponsible to stigmatize an entire ethnic community. Germany needed to stay away from the racist sentiment and chauvinism and check the facts on immigration more closely. “Others” living in Germany were also human beings and should have the same rights as any German.
Hindu and Jewish leaders quoted “Leviticus 19:33-34”: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”
Country of Ludwig van Beethoven, Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Bertolt Brecht, Max Planck, Hermann von Helmholtz, Joseph von Fraunhofer, Gottfried Leibniz, Friedrich Schiller, Brothers Grimm, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, University of Heidelberg, about 103 Nobel laureates, Oktoberfest, etc., needed to learn to be more inclusive, seek a unity that celebrated diversity, and create a national dialogue based upon mutual trust and understanding, Rajan Zed and Rabbi Freirich added.
According to reports, about 30 percent of Germans aged five years and younger have at least one parent who was born abroad and about 20 percent of its population has immigrant roots. Christian Wulff is German President.
--PRESS RELEASE
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a statement in Nevada today, said that Germany needed to have a comprehensive and honest debate and open-hearted dialogue about integration and pluralism and be more open to “other” religions.
According to a recently concluded survey on religious plurality in Europe by University of Munster and TNS Emnid, the Germans are much less tolerant of Muslims and other non-Christian religions than their Western European neighbors.
“They are also less willing to concede equal rights to other religions. Compared to the other Europeans, their image of Hindus, Buddhists and Jews is more negative”, according to Professor Detlef Pollack, who was director of the study.
The survey points out that only 49 per cent of respondents in West Germany and 53 per cent in East Germany think that all religious groups should have equal rights as compared to 86 per cent in France.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, and Rabbi Freirich further said that German politicians should be more tolerant to “outsiders” and instead of blaming multiculturalism as a failure, they should make more efforts to create a society where all Germans could learn to live together in peace and mutual trust despite seriously different traditions, beliefs and backgrounds.
In a speech in Potsdam (Germany) on October 16, Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly said that the so-called ‘multikulti’ concept, where people would ‘live side-by-side’ happily, utterly failed; and anybody not speaking German was not welcome. Horst Seehofer, Prime Minister of Bavaria, Germany’s largest and oldest state, was quoted as saying that 'multikulti' was dead and there was no room in Germany for more people from alien cultures. Various other German politicians had also expressed strong anti-immigrant feelings in the recent past.
Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich pointed out that Merkel and others should show more maturity and responsibility when talking about “others” who were simply different, and not give in to unnecessary hysteria. It was simply irresponsible to stigmatize an entire ethnic community. Germany needed to stay away from the racist sentiment and chauvinism and check the facts on immigration more closely. “Others” living in Germany were also human beings and should have the same rights as any German.
Hindu and Jewish leaders quoted “Leviticus 19:33-34”: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”
Country of Ludwig van Beethoven, Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Bertolt Brecht, Max Planck, Hermann von Helmholtz, Joseph von Fraunhofer, Gottfried Leibniz, Friedrich Schiller, Brothers Grimm, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, University of Heidelberg, about 103 Nobel laureates, Oktoberfest, etc., needed to learn to be more inclusive, seek a unity that celebrated diversity, and create a national dialogue based upon mutual trust and understanding, Rajan Zed and Rabbi Freirich added.
According to reports, about 30 percent of Germans aged five years and younger have at least one parent who was born abroad and about 20 percent of its population has immigrant roots. Christian Wulff is German President.
--PRESS RELEASE
Texas Christian University teaches about “god Krishna”
Texas Christian University (TCU) in USA, affiliated with Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offers a course titled “Many Faces of Krishna”, which “considers the many images of the god Krishna”, according to reports.
It (RELI 30753) gives background of Hindu thought and practice and looks into Krishna’s appearance in Mahabharata, including Bhagavad-Gita, and later in devotional literature and poetry in Sanskrit, etc.
TCU also offers courses titled “Hindu Religious Perspectives” and “India: Texts and Traditions”; exploring the ritual, philosophical, and devotional strands of Hindu religious tradition; and examining the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
It is offering five yoga classes starting January 12, involving Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa style yoga, etc., and one of these claims to cultivate "peace of mind".
TCU has developed a “Meditation Primer” which provides with basic instructions for silent sitting meditation and says that “motivation for meditation is the abiding sense of inner peace and harmony it typically engenders”. It quotes Sri Krishna: “When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place”. It conducts “Weekly Meditation” on Mondays and Fridays. Its “Themed Meditation Series” in the past included Kundalini Yoga.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, described TCU’s approach as “a step in the right direction”.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that religion was a complex element of our lives and religion comprised much more than one’s own individual experience or specific tradition. God, as a sign of God’s munificence and benevolence, constructively wished presence of different faiths.
Rajan Zed urged the schools/departments of religion and philosophy of major world universities to strengthen their Hinduism sections. Hinduism being the oldest religion with rich philosophical thought and a vast array of scriptures needed more exploration. Zed especially asked the Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Stanford, Columbia, McGill, Australian National, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Uppsala, and Utrecht universities to further enrich their Hinduism resources.
Founded in 1873, TCU in Fort Worth (Texas) with over 9,100 students, offers 21 doctoral, 56 master’s and 118 undergraduate programs. Its total investments are over $1.12 billion and 2011 budget is $381 million. Estimated annual cost for a student to study here is $41,000. J. Luther King Junior is the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr. Victor J. Boschini Junior is the Chancellor and C. David Grant is the Chair of Religion Department of TCU.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), founded on American soil in the early 1800s and headquartered in Indianapolis (Indiana, USA), claims to have 691,160 members in 3,754 congregations, part of whose Vision/Mission is "to share the Good News of Jesus Christ". Reverend Sharon E. Watkins is General Minister and President.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
From our Correspondent
It (RELI 30753) gives background of Hindu thought and practice and looks into Krishna’s appearance in Mahabharata, including Bhagavad-Gita, and later in devotional literature and poetry in Sanskrit, etc.
TCU also offers courses titled “Hindu Religious Perspectives” and “India: Texts and Traditions”; exploring the ritual, philosophical, and devotional strands of Hindu religious tradition; and examining the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
It is offering five yoga classes starting January 12, involving Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa style yoga, etc., and one of these claims to cultivate "peace of mind".
TCU has developed a “Meditation Primer” which provides with basic instructions for silent sitting meditation and says that “motivation for meditation is the abiding sense of inner peace and harmony it typically engenders”. It quotes Sri Krishna: “When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place”. It conducts “Weekly Meditation” on Mondays and Fridays. Its “Themed Meditation Series” in the past included Kundalini Yoga.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, described TCU’s approach as “a step in the right direction”.
Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that religion was a complex element of our lives and religion comprised much more than one’s own individual experience or specific tradition. God, as a sign of God’s munificence and benevolence, constructively wished presence of different faiths.
Rajan Zed urged the schools/departments of religion and philosophy of major world universities to strengthen their Hinduism sections. Hinduism being the oldest religion with rich philosophical thought and a vast array of scriptures needed more exploration. Zed especially asked the Harvard, Cambridge, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Stanford, Columbia, McGill, Australian National, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Heidelberg, Uppsala, and Utrecht universities to further enrich their Hinduism resources.
Founded in 1873, TCU in Fort Worth (Texas) with over 9,100 students, offers 21 doctoral, 56 master’s and 118 undergraduate programs. Its total investments are over $1.12 billion and 2011 budget is $381 million. Estimated annual cost for a student to study here is $41,000. J. Luther King Junior is the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr. Victor J. Boschini Junior is the Chancellor and C. David Grant is the Chair of Religion Department of TCU.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), founded on American soil in the early 1800s and headquartered in Indianapolis (Indiana, USA), claims to have 691,160 members in 3,754 congregations, part of whose Vision/Mission is "to share the Good News of Jesus Christ". Reverend Sharon E. Watkins is General Minister and President.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about a billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
From our Correspondent
Nearly Eleven thousand H1-B visas for US still available
Washington: For the first time, about 11,000 H-1B visas, the most sought after by Indian professionals for working in the US, has found no takers indicating a grim employment scenario in the country and the steep hike in the visa fee daunting the job-seekers.
Of the 65,000 mandated H-1B visa slots, about 11,000 remains unused for qualified applicants for the fiscal 2010-2011, says the latest figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa in the US which allows American companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
Last year, the cap of 65,000 was reached on December 21. In 2008, the cap was reached on April 8 and the USCIS had to resort to computerised draw of lots to determine successful applicants.
Till a couple of years ago, the cap in H-1B visas was reached in the first few days of USCIS starting to accept applications. The latest figures indicate that the employment situation in the country has still not improved.
However, in the H-1B Master's Exemption category the cap of 20,000 has almost been filled. So far, USCIS has received 19,700 applications in this category. This is applicable for those holding Masters or a higher degree from a US university.
The fees for H-1B visas soared from USD 320 to USD 2,320 to help pay for a USD 650 million effort to increase security along the US-Mexico border.
India's IT industry reacted sharply saying the move would cost them USD 200 million a year.
After the Border Security Bill was passed by the Congress and signed into Law by US President Barack Obama, India voiced concern over the new legislation, contending that it would mainly impact Indian companies
source:agency
Tags:Indians in US,H1-B visa
Of the 65,000 mandated H-1B visa slots, about 11,000 remains unused for qualified applicants for the fiscal 2010-2011, says the latest figures released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa in the US which allows American companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
Last year, the cap of 65,000 was reached on December 21. In 2008, the cap was reached on April 8 and the USCIS had to resort to computerised draw of lots to determine successful applicants.
Till a couple of years ago, the cap in H-1B visas was reached in the first few days of USCIS starting to accept applications. The latest figures indicate that the employment situation in the country has still not improved.
However, in the H-1B Master's Exemption category the cap of 20,000 has almost been filled. So far, USCIS has received 19,700 applications in this category. This is applicable for those holding Masters or a higher degree from a US university.
The fees for H-1B visas soared from USD 320 to USD 2,320 to help pay for a USD 650 million effort to increase security along the US-Mexico border.
India's IT industry reacted sharply saying the move would cost them USD 200 million a year.
After the Border Security Bill was passed by the Congress and signed into Law by US President Barack Obama, India voiced concern over the new legislation, contending that it would mainly impact Indian companies
source:agency
Tags:Indians in US,H1-B visa
Tiger Woods,golf's top earner
Los Angeles: Tiger Woods has once again ended a calendar year as golf's top earner, despite suffering a pay cut of $48 million after losing his swing and his marriage and failing to win a single tournament.
The American world number two, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Thursday, topped Golf Digest magazine's annual list for 2010 with overall earnings of $74.2 million.
Of that, only $2.29 million came from tournament purses with the rest accumulated off-course through endorsements and appearance fees.
Fellow American Phil Mickelson was second with total earnings of $40.18 million, followed by Arnold Palmer ($36 million), Greg Norman fourth ($30 million) and Jack Nicklaus fifth ($25.17 million).
Jim Furyk, who collected a $10 million bonus for winning the PGA Tour's season-long FedExCup in September, was sixth on $23.58 million.
Other players featuring in the top 50 included South Africans Ernie Els seventh ($21.5 million) and Gary Player eighth ($15.01 million), Britain's Lee Westwood ninth ($14.73 million) and Ireland's Padraig Harrington ($11.61 million).
Overall earnings were compiled by Golf Digest through interviews with agents, players, executives of companies involved with endorsements, industry analysts and also via the official money lists of the leading professional tours.
In 2009, Woods led the standings with a mind-boggling $121.9 million but his earnings have dipped following his unexpected fall from grace after being engulfed by a sex scandal.
The 14-times major champion spent much of 2010 unsuccessfully trying to repair his marriage and also undergoing the fourth swing change of his career.
His troubles led such firms as AT&T and Accenture to end sponsorship deals, costing Woods up to $35 million in annual revenue.
He ended his PGA Tour season without a single title for the first time since he turned professional in 1996 and was deposed as world number one by Britain's Lee Westwood on Nov. 1.
However, since Woods joined forces with Canadian swing coach Sean Foley after the PGA Championship in August, his form has steadily improved and he remains the biggest draw card in the game.
He is still paid more than $60 million annually by Nike, Electronic Arts, Procter & Gamble's Gillette, Berkshire Hathaway's NetJets unit, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton's Tag Heuer, Upper Deck and TLC Laser Vision Centers.
source:reuters
Tags:Tiger Woods,Sean Foley,Phil Mickelson,PGA Tour,nike,Jim Furyk,Jack Nicklaus,Greg Norman,Golf,Gary Player,Ernie Els,Arnold Palmer
The American world number two, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Thursday, topped Golf Digest magazine's annual list for 2010 with overall earnings of $74.2 million.
Of that, only $2.29 million came from tournament purses with the rest accumulated off-course through endorsements and appearance fees.
Fellow American Phil Mickelson was second with total earnings of $40.18 million, followed by Arnold Palmer ($36 million), Greg Norman fourth ($30 million) and Jack Nicklaus fifth ($25.17 million).
Jim Furyk, who collected a $10 million bonus for winning the PGA Tour's season-long FedExCup in September, was sixth on $23.58 million.
Other players featuring in the top 50 included South Africans Ernie Els seventh ($21.5 million) and Gary Player eighth ($15.01 million), Britain's Lee Westwood ninth ($14.73 million) and Ireland's Padraig Harrington ($11.61 million).
Overall earnings were compiled by Golf Digest through interviews with agents, players, executives of companies involved with endorsements, industry analysts and also via the official money lists of the leading professional tours.
In 2009, Woods led the standings with a mind-boggling $121.9 million but his earnings have dipped following his unexpected fall from grace after being engulfed by a sex scandal.
The 14-times major champion spent much of 2010 unsuccessfully trying to repair his marriage and also undergoing the fourth swing change of his career.
His troubles led such firms as AT&T and Accenture to end sponsorship deals, costing Woods up to $35 million in annual revenue.
He ended his PGA Tour season without a single title for the first time since he turned professional in 1996 and was deposed as world number one by Britain's Lee Westwood on Nov. 1.
However, since Woods joined forces with Canadian swing coach Sean Foley after the PGA Championship in August, his form has steadily improved and he remains the biggest draw card in the game.
He is still paid more than $60 million annually by Nike, Electronic Arts, Procter & Gamble's Gillette, Berkshire Hathaway's NetJets unit, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton's Tag Heuer, Upper Deck and TLC Laser Vision Centers.
source:reuters
Tags:Tiger Woods,Sean Foley,Phil Mickelson,PGA Tour,nike,Jim Furyk,Jack Nicklaus,Greg Norman,Golf,Gary Player,Ernie Els,Arnold Palmer
Facebook surpassed Google for the first time
New York: Facebook surpassed Google for the first time as the most visited website in the United States for most of 2010.
The social network site edged out Google.com with 8.9 per cent of all US visits between January and November 2010, while Google.com ranked second with about 7.2 per cent of all visits, according to online measurement service Experian Hitwise.
Facebook's move to the top spot shows just how quickly the site has grown in popularity. Within the span of six years, Facebook has become the world's largest Web social network with roughly half a billion users worldwide.
Google.com dominated the top spot as the most visited website in the United States in 2009 and 2008. News Corp's MySpace was the No. 1 visited website in 2007. It is ranked No. 7.
However, when all of Google's properties are considered -- such as YouTube and email, for instance -- Google still reigns as the most visited site at 9.9 per cent between January and November 2010. Facebook follows at 8.9 per cent. Yahoo and all of its properties ranked third at 8.1 per cent.
source:reuters
Tags:YouTube,MySpace,Google,Facebook
The social network site edged out Google.com with 8.9 per cent of all US visits between January and November 2010, while Google.com ranked second with about 7.2 per cent of all visits, according to online measurement service Experian Hitwise.
Facebook's move to the top spot shows just how quickly the site has grown in popularity. Within the span of six years, Facebook has become the world's largest Web social network with roughly half a billion users worldwide.
Google.com dominated the top spot as the most visited website in the United States in 2009 and 2008. News Corp's MySpace was the No. 1 visited website in 2007. It is ranked No. 7.
However, when all of Google's properties are considered -- such as YouTube and email, for instance -- Google still reigns as the most visited site at 9.9 per cent between January and November 2010. Facebook follows at 8.9 per cent. Yahoo and all of its properties ranked third at 8.1 per cent.
source:reuters
Tags:YouTube,MySpace,Google,Facebook
2G Scam:Speaker to meet non BJP opposition leaders
New Delhi: In a fresh bid to end the Parliament deadlock, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will on Friday meet the leaders of the Left and other non-BJP opposition parties.
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury and JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav are among those who will attend today's meeting.
On Thursday, the Speaker met BJP leaders but failed to bridge the differences as they insisted on a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam.
The luncheon meeting was attended by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and senior BJP leader LK Advani.
At the two-hour meeting, both the government and the Opposition leaders agreed that the logjam was a matter of concern, but had divergent views on ending it.
The BJP leaders made it clear that they would accept nothing less than JPC probe into the scam.
The Speaker, however, was hopeful that the deadlock would end before the next session of Parliament.
"Both sides are very keen that the next session of Parliament should run in order ... I am very optimistic on how the events will unfold," she said.
Former telecom minister A. Raja was forced to resign last month under considerable pressure from the Congress, which continues to be attacked in Parliament by the Opposition on corruption charges over the 2G scam.
The 2G-spectrum allocation has reportedly caused an alleged loss of Rs1.76 lakh crores to the government, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has stated in a report.
source:agency
Tags:Meira Kumar,Indian Speaker,2G scam
CPM general secretary Prakash Karat, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury and JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav are among those who will attend today's meeting.
On Thursday, the Speaker met BJP leaders but failed to bridge the differences as they insisted on a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam.
The luncheon meeting was attended by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and senior BJP leader LK Advani.
At the two-hour meeting, both the government and the Opposition leaders agreed that the logjam was a matter of concern, but had divergent views on ending it.
The BJP leaders made it clear that they would accept nothing less than JPC probe into the scam.
The Speaker, however, was hopeful that the deadlock would end before the next session of Parliament.
"Both sides are very keen that the next session of Parliament should run in order ... I am very optimistic on how the events will unfold," she said.
Former telecom minister A. Raja was forced to resign last month under considerable pressure from the Congress, which continues to be attacked in Parliament by the Opposition on corruption charges over the 2G scam.
The 2G-spectrum allocation has reportedly caused an alleged loss of Rs1.76 lakh crores to the government, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has stated in a report.
source:agency
Tags:Meira Kumar,Indian Speaker,2G scam
20101230
B.N. Srikrishna Committee report on Telangana submitted,would be made public on Jan 6
New Delhi: The B.N. Srikrishna Committee report on Telangana has been submitted to the home ministry and would be made public on Jan 6, union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said today. Justice B.N. Srikrishna, the retired Supreme Court judge who headed the panel to look look into the demands for separate statehood to Telangana, handed over the report to Chidambaram in his chamber at North Block at about 3 p.m. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the issue of a separate Telangana state with his senior ministers on Wednesday ahead of the impending report of the panel that examined the contentious demand that has created sharp political divisions in Andhra Pradesh.
Heavy security arrangements have been made in Andhra Pradesh in anticipation of the report being submitted.
The Srikrishna Committee was set up in February to study, among other things, the situation in Andhra Pradesh in the aftermath of the agitation for a separate Telangana state and the counter-protests that virtually crippled the state for weeks.
The committee met over 100 groups, including political parties, intellectuals, politicians and retired bureaucrats and visited all the 23 districts of the state, to ascertain people's views.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
Heavy security arrangements have been made in Andhra Pradesh in anticipation of the report being submitted.
The Srikrishna Committee was set up in February to study, among other things, the situation in Andhra Pradesh in the aftermath of the agitation for a separate Telangana state and the counter-protests that virtually crippled the state for weeks.
The committee met over 100 groups, including political parties, intellectuals, politicians and retired bureaucrats and visited all the 23 districts of the state, to ascertain people's views.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) said central government should table a Telangana bill in parliament
Hyderabad: With the Srikrishna committee submitting its report on Telangana today, parties fighting for the separate state have urged the central government to abide by its Dec 9, 2009 statement, irrespective of the panel's recommendations.
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which is spear-heading the Telangana agitation, said the central government should table a bill in parliament to carve out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh.
"Irrespective of what Srikrishna committee report says, the central government should table a bill in the coming session of parliament," TRS leader and state legislator K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters at Telangana Bhavan, the TRS headquarters here.
Reacting to Home Minister P. Chidambaram's statement that the report would be made public on Jan 6 after a meeting with leaders of eight recognised political parties, Rao - son of TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao - said whatever may be the contents of the report, the central government should abide by its commitment on Telangana.
He recalled that Chidambaram had made a statement on Dec 9 last year that the process for formation of separate Telangana state would be initiated.
Tarakarama Rao said people of the region were waiting for a separate state and claimed that some people in Karimnagar district had already started hunger strikes demanding the government to take immediate steps.
The Telangana Praja Front of Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary balladeer Gaddar said the central government should fulfil its commitment by tabling a bill in parliament.
With Chidambaram inviting eight parties for the meeting on Jan 6, Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) began deliberations to choose its representatives.
Since the two parties are vertically divided over the issue, they are likely send representatives from both Telangana and the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
Pro-Telangana parties have already threatened to launch an agitation and paralyse the administration if the Srikrishna committee makes a recommendation against formation of Telangana state.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, Srikrishna Committee Telangana Report, Srikrishna Committee Recommendations
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), which is spear-heading the Telangana agitation, said the central government should table a bill in parliament to carve out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh.
"Irrespective of what Srikrishna committee report says, the central government should table a bill in the coming session of parliament," TRS leader and state legislator K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters at Telangana Bhavan, the TRS headquarters here.
Reacting to Home Minister P. Chidambaram's statement that the report would be made public on Jan 6 after a meeting with leaders of eight recognised political parties, Rao - son of TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao - said whatever may be the contents of the report, the central government should abide by its commitment on Telangana.
He recalled that Chidambaram had made a statement on Dec 9 last year that the process for formation of separate Telangana state would be initiated.
Tarakarama Rao said people of the region were waiting for a separate state and claimed that some people in Karimnagar district had already started hunger strikes demanding the government to take immediate steps.
The Telangana Praja Front of Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary balladeer Gaddar said the central government should fulfil its commitment by tabling a bill in parliament.
With Chidambaram inviting eight parties for the meeting on Jan 6, Andhra Pradesh's ruling Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) began deliberations to choose its representatives.
Since the two parties are vertically divided over the issue, they are likely send representatives from both Telangana and the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.
Pro-Telangana parties have already threatened to launch an agitation and paralyse the administration if the Srikrishna committee makes a recommendation against formation of Telangana state.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, Srikrishna Committee Telangana Report, Srikrishna Committee Recommendations
Amitabh Bachchan dubbed in a suburban studio for Aamir and Kiran (Rao) 'Delhi Belly'
New Delhi: He lent his voice for Aamir Khan's first production "Lagaan" and now taking forward his newly-found fondness for the Bollywood perfectionist, Amitabh Bachchan has loaned his rich baritone for the latter's "Delhi Belly".
Big B takes on the role of a narrator for the first trailer of "Delhi Belly", that comes attached with another Aamir production "Dhobhi Ghat" on Jan 21.
"Couple of days ago, Aamir and Kiran (Rao) were seen visiting Amitabh Bachchan on sets. After a long closed door meeting and catching up, they left almost after two hours. And yesterday morning Amitabh Bachchan dubbed in a suburban studio for 'Delhi Belly'," read a statement from the movie's publicist.
"It's an introductory piece and what's interesting is that Aamir has written the piece."
Aamir couldn't stop raving about the megastar.
"Amitji is just too cool... He has once again been most generous and loving to me," he posted on his Facebook page.
Starring Aamir's nephew Imran Khan with Kunal Roy Kapur and comedian Vir Das, the movie has been directed by debutant Abhinay Deol.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment news, Bollywood superstars, Amitabh Bachchan
Big B takes on the role of a narrator for the first trailer of "Delhi Belly", that comes attached with another Aamir production "Dhobhi Ghat" on Jan 21.
"Couple of days ago, Aamir and Kiran (Rao) were seen visiting Amitabh Bachchan on sets. After a long closed door meeting and catching up, they left almost after two hours. And yesterday morning Amitabh Bachchan dubbed in a suburban studio for 'Delhi Belly'," read a statement from the movie's publicist.
"It's an introductory piece and what's interesting is that Aamir has written the piece."
Aamir couldn't stop raving about the megastar.
"Amitji is just too cool... He has once again been most generous and loving to me," he posted on his Facebook page.
Starring Aamir's nephew Imran Khan with Kunal Roy Kapur and comedian Vir Das, the movie has been directed by debutant Abhinay Deol.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment news, Bollywood superstars, Amitabh Bachchan
Madhuri Dixit's family came as audience members on the sets of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4"
Mumbai: It was family time for actress Madhuri Dixit on the sets of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4" as her sons, husband and parents came as audience members on the dance reality show.
Her sons - Arin, 7 and Ryan, 5 - and husband Shriram Nene are here for their Christmas and New Year's break and seemed visibly happy to see Madhuri in the judge's chair on the show.
When the children were asked whether they liked their mother's show, one of them replied: "It is good", while Nene said it was a great experience.
Madhuri had left her children with her husband in the US before she came here for a three-month break from household chores to make a comeback to showbiz. She has also shot for an advertisement during her stay and plans to go through some scripts as well.
The episode featuring Madhuri and her family will be aired on Monday.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Madhuri Dixit Sons on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets, Madhuri Dixit Husband on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets, Madhuri Dixit Family on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets
Her sons - Arin, 7 and Ryan, 5 - and husband Shriram Nene are here for their Christmas and New Year's break and seemed visibly happy to see Madhuri in the judge's chair on the show.
When the children were asked whether they liked their mother's show, one of them replied: "It is good", while Nene said it was a great experience.
Madhuri had left her children with her husband in the US before she came here for a three-month break from household chores to make a comeback to showbiz. She has also shot for an advertisement during her stay and plans to go through some scripts as well.
The episode featuring Madhuri and her family will be aired on Monday.
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Madhuri Dixit Sons on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets, Madhuri Dixit Husband on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets, Madhuri Dixit Family on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 Sets
HCL Infosystems Limited to acquire 20 percent stake in Techmart Telecom Distribution
New Delhi: HCL Infosystems Limited today said it has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 20 percent stake in Techmart Telecom Distribution, a Dubai-based partner of Nokia Corporation, the company said in a statement.
"In addition to the 20 percent equity stake, HCL Infosystems will be providing consultancy and operational services to Techmart Telecom, leveraging the company's expertise in the telecom distribution space," the statement said.
Techmart Telecom Distribution is the distributor for Nokia's smartphones in the Middle East and Africa. With this strategic development, HCL Infosystems will now strengthen its global distribution footprint in the emerging markets of Middle-East and Africa.
"We have taken another step in further expanding into emerging markets of Middle East and Africa," said HCL Infosystems' Chief Executive Officer Harsh Chitale.
The agreement also provides an option to HCL to acquire upto 51 percent of equity stake in the company.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, HCL Infosystems Limited, Techmart Telecom, Nokia Corporation
"In addition to the 20 percent equity stake, HCL Infosystems will be providing consultancy and operational services to Techmart Telecom, leveraging the company's expertise in the telecom distribution space," the statement said.
Techmart Telecom Distribution is the distributor for Nokia's smartphones in the Middle East and Africa. With this strategic development, HCL Infosystems will now strengthen its global distribution footprint in the emerging markets of Middle-East and Africa.
"We have taken another step in further expanding into emerging markets of Middle East and Africa," said HCL Infosystems' Chief Executive Officer Harsh Chitale.
The agreement also provides an option to HCL to acquire upto 51 percent of equity stake in the company.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, HCL Infosystems Limited, Techmart Telecom, Nokia Corporation
Steel Strips Wheels Ltd. commenced production and supply of wheel rims to Tata Motors
New Delhi: Automobile component manufacturer Steel Strips Wheels Ltd. today said that it has commenced production and supply of wheel rims to Tata Motors from its recently established facility in Jamshedpur.
"The company has started the regular production and supply of steel wheel rims to Tata Motors Ltd.from its newly established manufacturing facility at Jamshedpur from Dec 14," the company said in a regulatory statement.
According to the statement, Tata Motors has validated and approved the heavy commercial wheel rims of the company.
The third plant of the component manufacturer which was inaugurated in July 2010, has a production capacity of one million tube type and tubeless wheels per annum.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Steel Strips Wheels Ltd, Tata Motors
"The company has started the regular production and supply of steel wheel rims to Tata Motors Ltd.from its newly established manufacturing facility at Jamshedpur from Dec 14," the company said in a regulatory statement.
According to the statement, Tata Motors has validated and approved the heavy commercial wheel rims of the company.
The third plant of the component manufacturer which was inaugurated in July 2010, has a production capacity of one million tube type and tubeless wheels per annum.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Steel Strips Wheels Ltd, Tata Motors
Global passenger traffic grew by 8.2 percent:International Air Transport Association (IATA)
New Delhi: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today said global passenger traffic grew by 8.2 percent in November as compared to the like period of 2009.
"International scheduled traffic results for November show an 8.2 percent year-on-year passenger traffic growth and a 5.4 percent increase for freight," IATA said in a statement.
According to the statement, the downturn in the developed markets is being offset by the strong growth in the economic expansion in the developing markets.
Meanwhile, November's traffic growth was slower than the 10 percent increase in the passengers being carried by airline industry in October, while freight traffic was also higher at 14.5 percent.
IATA further said that the strong end-month growth of 2010 is in line with the predicted profit of $15.1 billion.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Aviation news, Indian aviation sector, IATA
"International scheduled traffic results for November show an 8.2 percent year-on-year passenger traffic growth and a 5.4 percent increase for freight," IATA said in a statement.
According to the statement, the downturn in the developed markets is being offset by the strong growth in the economic expansion in the developing markets.
Meanwhile, November's traffic growth was slower than the 10 percent increase in the passengers being carried by airline industry in October, while freight traffic was also higher at 14.5 percent.
IATA further said that the strong end-month growth of 2010 is in line with the predicted profit of $15.1 billion.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Aviation news, Indian aviation sector, IATA
Allahabad Bank launched mobile bank van services in Jharkhand to target villagers
Ranchi: Allahabad Bank today launched mobile bank van services in Jharkhand to target villagers.
J.P. Dua, CMD of Allahabad Bank, flagged off a mobile bank van from the bank's Ranchi zonal office. It is the first bank to start such a service in the state.
"It will function like a full bank where people could deposit and withdraw cash. It will function in 12 villages of Dumka district," a bank official told media.
Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subba Rao was in Jharkhand early this month and during his visit he assured the state government about expanding bank facilities.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Allahabad Bank, mobile banks in Jharkhand, Reserve Bank of India
J.P. Dua, CMD of Allahabad Bank, flagged off a mobile bank van from the bank's Ranchi zonal office. It is the first bank to start such a service in the state.
"It will function like a full bank where people could deposit and withdraw cash. It will function in 12 villages of Dumka district," a bank official told media.
Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subba Rao was in Jharkhand early this month and during his visit he assured the state government about expanding bank facilities.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Allahabad Bank, mobile banks in Jharkhand, Reserve Bank of India
German solar technology firms raising questions about their competitiveness !
Berlin: German solar technology firms came up empty-handed in India this year, raising questions about their competitiveness, a top industry expert said today.
Solar industry expert Wolfgang Hummel of the Berlin Technology and Industry University presented a study which showed that German firms failed to win a single one of the 37 solar projects put up for tender by the Indian government this year.
"This result poses questions about the competitiveness of German companies," Hummel said, asserting that many firms were not fit enough to compete on the world market.
He said this is a crucial issue because in the future the German solar market - till now the world's largest thanks to the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) which promotes the solar sector - is going to start losing in importance, according to industry projections.
German manufacturers did not have the right offering and had concentrated too strongly on the domestic market, Hummel argued.
"The sumptuous EEG promotion in Germany makes (the firms) fat and lazy," he said about the effect of the subsidies provided under the renewable energy law.
Last January India unveiled an ambitious solar programme aimed at building up the country's capacity from virtually zero to 20 gigawatts - the performance of about 20 nuclear plants - by 2022.
As a first step, New Delhi invited bids on photovoltaic facilities totalling some 150 megawatts, in addition to seven solar-thermal power plants of 470 megawatts capacity.
Hummel said 301 companies bid on the projects. Many were won by domestic Indian firms thanks to the unique local bid tender specifications. But Chinese firms, such as Suntech, also won a number of contracts.
The expert compared the Indian solar sector to that of the German machinery industry: "The Indians want practical solutions at a favourable cost and not sophisticated expensive high-tech products."
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, German Solar Technology Firms in India, German Solar Technology Firms Competitiveness
Solar industry expert Wolfgang Hummel of the Berlin Technology and Industry University presented a study which showed that German firms failed to win a single one of the 37 solar projects put up for tender by the Indian government this year.
"This result poses questions about the competitiveness of German companies," Hummel said, asserting that many firms were not fit enough to compete on the world market.
He said this is a crucial issue because in the future the German solar market - till now the world's largest thanks to the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) which promotes the solar sector - is going to start losing in importance, according to industry projections.
German manufacturers did not have the right offering and had concentrated too strongly on the domestic market, Hummel argued.
"The sumptuous EEG promotion in Germany makes (the firms) fat and lazy," he said about the effect of the subsidies provided under the renewable energy law.
Last January India unveiled an ambitious solar programme aimed at building up the country's capacity from virtually zero to 20 gigawatts - the performance of about 20 nuclear plants - by 2022.
As a first step, New Delhi invited bids on photovoltaic facilities totalling some 150 megawatts, in addition to seven solar-thermal power plants of 470 megawatts capacity.
Hummel said 301 companies bid on the projects. Many were won by domestic Indian firms thanks to the unique local bid tender specifications. But Chinese firms, such as Suntech, also won a number of contracts.
The expert compared the Indian solar sector to that of the German machinery industry: "The Indians want practical solutions at a favourable cost and not sophisticated expensive high-tech products."
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, German Solar Technology Firms in India, German Solar Technology Firms Competitiveness
Virender Sehwag out from India's One-day series against South Africa with a sore shoulder
New Delhi: Indian opener Virender Sehwag has been rested from India's One-day series against South Africa with a sore shoulder.
Rohit Sharma will replace Sehwag for the five-match series, starting from January 12.
Murali Vijay, who is in the Test squad, has been asked to stay back as a back-up opener.
"Sehwag has been advised to withdraw from the ODI series against South Africa to tend to his shoulder," BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.
"Rohit Sharma will replace him in the squad. Murali Vijay will stay back in South Africa for the ODI series as the 17th member of the squad," he said.
Sehwag missed the Twenty20 World Cup in May due to a shoulder problem and clearly the team management does not want to take any chance with the ODI World Cup slated for February-March.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, Virender Sehwag Rested, India's One Day Series against South Africa
Rohit Sharma will replace Sehwag for the five-match series, starting from January 12.
Murali Vijay, who is in the Test squad, has been asked to stay back as a back-up opener.
"Sehwag has been advised to withdraw from the ODI series against South Africa to tend to his shoulder," BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement.
"Rohit Sharma will replace him in the squad. Murali Vijay will stay back in South Africa for the ODI series as the 17th member of the squad," he said.
Sehwag missed the Twenty20 World Cup in May due to a shoulder problem and clearly the team management does not want to take any chance with the ODI World Cup slated for February-March.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, Virender Sehwag Rested, India's One Day Series against South Africa
Kapil Sibal announced an increase of almost 2 lacs seats in engineering courses in India
New Delhi: In a pleasant surprise for students, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal today announced an increase of almost 200,000 seats in engineering courses in India.
As part of reforms in All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norms, the minister also announced additional 80,000 seats in management and 2,200 seats in architecture courses.
The norms for land requirement for engineering colleges were also liberalised, with Sibal saying that lesser space will be needed for establishing technical institutes.
While an engineering college in rural India will need 10 acres of land, just 2.5 acres of land will be needed in urban areas.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, engineering courses in India, AICTE
As part of reforms in All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norms, the minister also announced additional 80,000 seats in management and 2,200 seats in architecture courses.
The norms for land requirement for engineering colleges were also liberalised, with Sibal saying that lesser space will be needed for establishing technical institutes.
While an engineering college in rural India will need 10 acres of land, just 2.5 acres of land will be needed in urban areas.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, engineering courses in India, AICTE
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of largest solar power park in Asia
Charanka: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone of what is touted to become the largest solar power park in Asia.
Modi said this would be the first solar power park in Asia with a 500 MW generation capacity at a single location. The state government had signed power purchase agreements for about 933 MW of solar energy, the highest in India's solar power sector, during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit in 2009. The government had also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Clinton Climate Initiative of Clinton Foundation in 2009.
The Rs.10,000 crore ($2.2 billion) park, on the lines of an industrial estate, is being developed by the sectoral nodal agency Gujarat Power Corporation Limited on over 2,089 hectare of wasteland bordering the Rann of Kutch, in Patan district.
In the first phase of the project, 15 solar power generation companies would produce 176 MW on the land leased out to them for 30 years, whereas Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited would set up a pooling station.
Anita George of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, hailed the initiative and said the IFC had invested $1 billion so far on manufacturing and infrastructure projects in Gujarat.
The overall project cost in Phase I would be Rs.1,287 crore, including Rs.351 crore towards the cost of land and power infrastructure and evacuation facility worth Rs.624 crore. When completed, the 500 MW facility would have investments of another Rs.7,500 crore and generate about 5,000 direct jobs.
The planning commission has approved a one-time additional central assistance of Rs.210 crore for development of the park. The Asian Development Bank has also approved a soft loan of $100 million for the project, including development of a smart grid for evacuation of power.
With this solar power facility generating 1,250 million units, the country would save about nine lakh tons of coal and prevent emission of 12.5 lakh tons of carbon dioxide per annum. The area has 330 sunny days annually with high solar radiation ranging from 5.5 to six kilowatt per square metres per day.
source:agency
Tags : Gujarat News, Largest Solar Power Park in Asia, Solar Power Park in Gujarat, Narendra Modi
Modi said this would be the first solar power park in Asia with a 500 MW generation capacity at a single location. The state government had signed power purchase agreements for about 933 MW of solar energy, the highest in India's solar power sector, during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit in 2009. The government had also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Clinton Climate Initiative of Clinton Foundation in 2009.
The Rs.10,000 crore ($2.2 billion) park, on the lines of an industrial estate, is being developed by the sectoral nodal agency Gujarat Power Corporation Limited on over 2,089 hectare of wasteland bordering the Rann of Kutch, in Patan district.
In the first phase of the project, 15 solar power generation companies would produce 176 MW on the land leased out to them for 30 years, whereas Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited would set up a pooling station.
Anita George of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, hailed the initiative and said the IFC had invested $1 billion so far on manufacturing and infrastructure projects in Gujarat.
The overall project cost in Phase I would be Rs.1,287 crore, including Rs.351 crore towards the cost of land and power infrastructure and evacuation facility worth Rs.624 crore. When completed, the 500 MW facility would have investments of another Rs.7,500 crore and generate about 5,000 direct jobs.
The planning commission has approved a one-time additional central assistance of Rs.210 crore for development of the park. The Asian Development Bank has also approved a soft loan of $100 million for the project, including development of a smart grid for evacuation of power.
With this solar power facility generating 1,250 million units, the country would save about nine lakh tons of coal and prevent emission of 12.5 lakh tons of carbon dioxide per annum. The area has 330 sunny days annually with high solar radiation ranging from 5.5 to six kilowatt per square metres per day.
source:agency
Tags : Gujarat News, Largest Solar Power Park in Asia, Solar Power Park in Gujarat, Narendra Modi
UK’s 2nd Hindu school to admit non-Hindus also
Proposed Krishna-Avanti Primary School (KAPS) in Evington (Leicester, East Midlands, UK), when it opens in September, will be based on “Hindu ethos” but will admit pupils of non-Hindu faiths also, according to reports.
With continuous growth, this second Hindu state school in United Kingdom (UK) plans to provide 420 places for 4-11 years old children by 2018. It is being modeled on the first Hindu school of UK—KAPS in Edgware (Middlesex), which is reportedly hugely popular and has five applicants for every one place.
Set in five acres, this new “Free School” (no fee charged to parents) will reportedly provide state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest IT and sports equipment, as well as a brand new vegetarian kitchen.
According to earlier reports, besides outstanding academic opportunities, new school aims to provide a spiritual and moral framework while reflecting Hindu values. It plans to follow the national curriculum but also wants to reflect on Hindu culture and heritage. Leicester is reportedly home to the largest Hindu community in Europe outside London.
Applauding efforts to launch the second Hindu school in UK, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged the Hindu community worldwide to open more Hindu schools outside India.
In a statement in Nevada (USA) today, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that such schools would help Hindu children to strengthen their spiritual and moral roots and enlighten interested non-Hindus about the concepts and philosophy of the oldest and third largest religion of the world.
Such schools would go a long way in nurturing Hindu virtues among our children and give them a spiritual identity. Moreover, these could help counter the misinformation about Hinduism prevalent in the West and promote Sanskrit, Rajan Zed added.
London based educational charity “I-Foundation”, which opened the voluntary aided KAPS in Edgware in 2008, is behind this new school and is also planning to open primary and secondary schools across North and East London with similar focus. Its aim is to help children realize their spiritual, moral and academic potential in an environment centered on loving service to Lord Krishna. I-Foundation is the promoter of Hindu state education in the UK with Nitesh Gor as its Board Chairman.
The already existing KAPS claims to be one of the most eco-friendly schools in the country, nurtures character and conduct consistent with Vaishnava virtues, provides opportunities to practice yoga and meditation, and is vegetarian. Naina Parmar is the Head Teacher.
From our Correspondent
With continuous growth, this second Hindu state school in United Kingdom (UK) plans to provide 420 places for 4-11 years old children by 2018. It is being modeled on the first Hindu school of UK—KAPS in Edgware (Middlesex), which is reportedly hugely popular and has five applicants for every one place.
Set in five acres, this new “Free School” (no fee charged to parents) will reportedly provide state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest IT and sports equipment, as well as a brand new vegetarian kitchen.
According to earlier reports, besides outstanding academic opportunities, new school aims to provide a spiritual and moral framework while reflecting Hindu values. It plans to follow the national curriculum but also wants to reflect on Hindu culture and heritage. Leicester is reportedly home to the largest Hindu community in Europe outside London.
Applauding efforts to launch the second Hindu school in UK, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged the Hindu community worldwide to open more Hindu schools outside India.
In a statement in Nevada (USA) today, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that such schools would help Hindu children to strengthen their spiritual and moral roots and enlighten interested non-Hindus about the concepts and philosophy of the oldest and third largest religion of the world.
Such schools would go a long way in nurturing Hindu virtues among our children and give them a spiritual identity. Moreover, these could help counter the misinformation about Hinduism prevalent in the West and promote Sanskrit, Rajan Zed added.
London based educational charity “I-Foundation”, which opened the voluntary aided KAPS in Edgware in 2008, is behind this new school and is also planning to open primary and secondary schools across North and East London with similar focus. Its aim is to help children realize their spiritual, moral and academic potential in an environment centered on loving service to Lord Krishna. I-Foundation is the promoter of Hindu state education in the UK with Nitesh Gor as its Board Chairman.
The already existing KAPS claims to be one of the most eco-friendly schools in the country, nurtures character and conduct consistent with Vaishnava virtues, provides opportunities to practice yoga and meditation, and is vegetarian. Naina Parmar is the Head Teacher.
From our Correspondent
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