New York: A panel of four members, including one from India, was appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to investigate the source of the cholera outbreak in Haiti, which killed more than 3,400 people and continues to spread across the quake-ravaged country.
Some Haitians blamed the UN peacekeeping mission in their country for carrying in the deadly disease, which erupted in October. Scientific studies by epidemiologists and biologists have been unable to confirm the accusations of Haitian protesters.
Ban said on Thursday he was deeply concerned by the cholera outbreak, and determining the source of the disease has become important for the UN, as well as people in Haiti.
Since he announced the intention to appoint the panel in mid-December, Ban said he had consulted with the World Health Organization to identify the leading experts in public health, epidemiology, microbiology, water and sanitation to serve on the panel.
"The panel will seek to determine the source of the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti," Ban said. "They will review all of the information and data available to date and travel to Haiti to conduct investigations on the ground."
He said the panel will operate "completely independently" of the UN and will have access to all UN records, reports, facilities and staff members as required. The panel will present a written report of its findings to Ban and the Haitian government.
The panel will be chaired by doctor Alejandro Cravioto of Mexico, who works for the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh.
The other members are Dr Claudio Lanata of the Instituto de Investigacion Nutritional (IIN) in Peru, Dr Daniele Lantagne of Harvard University and Dr Balakrish Nair of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases in India.
source:agency
Tags : India News, cholera outbreak in Haiti, UN peacekeeping mission
20110106
Dabur Enters Modern OTC Healthcare Market Announces Launch Of New Brand Dabur NutriGo
* Enters Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements market
* Specially formulated health supplements for Men & Women
Dabur India Ltd., India’s leading natural health care company, today announced its entry into modern OTC healthcare market. Their foray into the Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements category comes with the launch of Dabur NUTRiGO – Daily Health Supplement with offerings for Men and Women. The launch of Dabur NUTRiGO is part of Dabur’s aggressive plan to augment its leadership position in the health care market in India, where the company currently operates with traditional Ayurvedic products like Dabur Chyawanprash.
“Dabur has been a leading player in the traditional OTC space, with offerings like Dabur Chyawanprash and Pudin Hara over the years. The move into modern OTC healthcare therefore comes as a logical next step for us, as a part of our strategic intent in Health care, given the evolving consumer and market context within Health care,” said Dabur India Ltd. Executive Vice-President-Marketing Mr. K.K. Rajesh.
The new brand offers two distinctive products – Dabur NUTRiGO Total (for Men) and Dabur NUTRiGO Woman. Dabur NUTRiGO Total comes with the promise of not only providing day-to-day stamina and strength to men, but also helps protect their long-term health. Dabur NUTRiGO Woman is a specially formulated health supplement that helps maintain beauty and vitality for today’s modern day women.
“Our hectic lifestyle today involves stress, exposure to adulteration and pollution, bad diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep etc. These may lead to “Oxidative stress” inside the body, by accelerating the process of breakdown of otherwise healthy cells inside our body – we see problems like premature ageing, lowered energy levels, heart problems, and arthritis becoming commonplace. Today’s men and women need to take special care of the nutritional needs of their body. Dabur NUTRiGO, which comes with multi-vitamins, multi-minerals and special natural extracts, stands to fulfill this health need of modern day men and women,” said Dabur India Ltd. Category Head–Health Supplements Mr. Praveen Jaipuriar.
“We, at Dabur, understand that men and women have different nutritional needs because of fundamental physiological nuances. Hence, Dabur NUTRiGO offers two distinctive products for men and women. While Dabur NUTRiGO Total helps build stamina and energy for active men, Dabur NUTRiGO Woman helps the modern day woman maintain her beauty and vitality,” Mr. Jaipuriar added.
Dabur NUTRiGO Total contains Ginseng, Lycopene and 21 essential Vitamins and Minerals, which nourish a man’s body and help support stamina and prevent long-term wear and tear. It comes in 10s blister packs at Rs. 75 and 30s bottle packs at Rs. 195. Dabur NUTRiGO Woman contains 33 essential Vitamins, Minerals and Natural Extracts with Green Tea extract and Evening Primrose Oil, which nourish a woman’s body and help support her health and beauty for a long time. The Dabur NUTRiGO Woman 10s blister pack is priced at Rs 85, while 30s bottle pack is priced at Rs 225.
“The OTC Health care segment is estimated at Rs 15,000 crores and has been identified as a key focus area for Dabur, going forward, and the launch of brand Dabur NUTRiGO is part of a series of new initiatives being rolled out by Dabur. With our long experience and expertise of operating in the health domain, we aim to establish the brand as a credible leading player in the Rs 750 crores Branded OTC Supplements category in days to come,” Mr. Jaipuriar said.
--Press release
* Specially formulated health supplements for Men & Women
Dabur India Ltd., India’s leading natural health care company, today announced its entry into modern OTC healthcare market. Their foray into the Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements category comes with the launch of Dabur NUTRiGO – Daily Health Supplement with offerings for Men and Women. The launch of Dabur NUTRiGO is part of Dabur’s aggressive plan to augment its leadership position in the health care market in India, where the company currently operates with traditional Ayurvedic products like Dabur Chyawanprash.
“Dabur has been a leading player in the traditional OTC space, with offerings like Dabur Chyawanprash and Pudin Hara over the years. The move into modern OTC healthcare therefore comes as a logical next step for us, as a part of our strategic intent in Health care, given the evolving consumer and market context within Health care,” said Dabur India Ltd. Executive Vice-President-Marketing Mr. K.K. Rajesh.
The new brand offers two distinctive products – Dabur NUTRiGO Total (for Men) and Dabur NUTRiGO Woman. Dabur NUTRiGO Total comes with the promise of not only providing day-to-day stamina and strength to men, but also helps protect their long-term health. Dabur NUTRiGO Woman is a specially formulated health supplement that helps maintain beauty and vitality for today’s modern day women.
“Our hectic lifestyle today involves stress, exposure to adulteration and pollution, bad diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep etc. These may lead to “Oxidative stress” inside the body, by accelerating the process of breakdown of otherwise healthy cells inside our body – we see problems like premature ageing, lowered energy levels, heart problems, and arthritis becoming commonplace. Today’s men and women need to take special care of the nutritional needs of their body. Dabur NUTRiGO, which comes with multi-vitamins, multi-minerals and special natural extracts, stands to fulfill this health need of modern day men and women,” said Dabur India Ltd. Category Head–Health Supplements Mr. Praveen Jaipuriar.
“We, at Dabur, understand that men and women have different nutritional needs because of fundamental physiological nuances. Hence, Dabur NUTRiGO offers two distinctive products for men and women. While Dabur NUTRiGO Total helps build stamina and energy for active men, Dabur NUTRiGO Woman helps the modern day woman maintain her beauty and vitality,” Mr. Jaipuriar added.
Dabur NUTRiGO Total contains Ginseng, Lycopene and 21 essential Vitamins and Minerals, which nourish a man’s body and help support stamina and prevent long-term wear and tear. It comes in 10s blister packs at Rs. 75 and 30s bottle packs at Rs. 195. Dabur NUTRiGO Woman contains 33 essential Vitamins, Minerals and Natural Extracts with Green Tea extract and Evening Primrose Oil, which nourish a woman’s body and help support her health and beauty for a long time. The Dabur NUTRiGO Woman 10s blister pack is priced at Rs 85, while 30s bottle pack is priced at Rs 225.
“The OTC Health care segment is estimated at Rs 15,000 crores and has been identified as a key focus area for Dabur, going forward, and the launch of brand Dabur NUTRiGO is part of a series of new initiatives being rolled out by Dabur. With our long experience and expertise of operating in the health domain, we aim to establish the brand as a credible leading player in the Rs 750 crores Branded OTC Supplements category in days to come,” Mr. Jaipuriar said.
--Press release
Restrictions on passenger trains during night in Maoist-affected areas of WB, Orissa and Jharkhand will continue
Kolkata: The restrictions on movement of passenger trains during night in Maoist-affected areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand will continue till Jan 13, the South Eastern Railway said here on Thursday.
"In view of security reasons, running of passenger trains on Kharagpur-Adra, Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Kharagpur-Tata section will continue to remain suspended up to Jan 6 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m," a railways release said.
Accordingly, some train services have been diverted, re-scheduled and regulated, it said.
The railways have been restricting the movement of trains following the May 28 Gyaneshwari Express sabotage in West Bengal's West Midnapore district in which 148 people were killed.
source:agency
Tags : passenger trains during night, passenger trains in Maoist-affected areas, Maoist-affected areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand, South Eastern Railway
"In view of security reasons, running of passenger trains on Kharagpur-Adra, Chakradharpur-Rourkela and Kharagpur-Tata section will continue to remain suspended up to Jan 6 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m," a railways release said.
Accordingly, some train services have been diverted, re-scheduled and regulated, it said.
The railways have been restricting the movement of trains following the May 28 Gyaneshwari Express sabotage in West Bengal's West Midnapore district in which 148 people were killed.
source:agency
Tags : passenger trains during night, passenger trains in Maoist-affected areas, Maoist-affected areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand, South Eastern Railway
Indian giants joined hands to design, develop and build advanced super ultra critical boilers
Chennai: In order to secure energy security through efficient firing of coal, three Indian giants have joined hands to design, develop and build advanced super ultra critical boilers.
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress held at SRM University in Kattankulathur near hear, O.P. Bhutani, director (Engineering and Research and Development), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said: "Three organisations - BHEL, the NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) - will jointly develop an advanced ultra super critical boiler for coal fired power plants."
He said the whole project is expected to take around seven years - 2.5 years for research and development and 4.5 years for installation.
As per plans, the IGCAR will design and develop the advanced, ultra super-critical boiler that can operate at a pressure of 350 bar (a measure of steam pressure) and at a temperature of 700 degrees centigrade.
IGCAR has the expertise is in equipment design, development of materials that can operate in very high temperature.
It will also draw out the equipment manufacturing codes and standards and these has been successfully demonstrated by IGCAR while designing and developing materials for the upcoming 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam near here.
Meanwhile, BHEL will manufacture the boiler and other equipment needed for power generation and NTPC will operate the plant.
The proposed project would need about 100 people, drawn from the three organisations.
The government is looking at international cooperation for this project on mutually beneficial terms.
Bhutani said the Indian government has proposed a National Mission for Development of Ultra Supercritical Technology for Thermal Power Plants as the Ninth Mission under the National Action Plan for Climate Change under the guidance of R. Chidambaram, principal scientific advisor to government.
According to officials the project cost - design, develop and build - is expected to touch around Rs.10,000 crore.
source:agency
Tags : secure energy security, firing of coal, Indian giants, ultra critical boilers
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress held at SRM University in Kattankulathur near hear, O.P. Bhutani, director (Engineering and Research and Development), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said: "Three organisations - BHEL, the NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) - will jointly develop an advanced ultra super critical boiler for coal fired power plants."
He said the whole project is expected to take around seven years - 2.5 years for research and development and 4.5 years for installation.
As per plans, the IGCAR will design and develop the advanced, ultra super-critical boiler that can operate at a pressure of 350 bar (a measure of steam pressure) and at a temperature of 700 degrees centigrade.
IGCAR has the expertise is in equipment design, development of materials that can operate in very high temperature.
It will also draw out the equipment manufacturing codes and standards and these has been successfully demonstrated by IGCAR while designing and developing materials for the upcoming 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam near here.
Meanwhile, BHEL will manufacture the boiler and other equipment needed for power generation and NTPC will operate the plant.
The proposed project would need about 100 people, drawn from the three organisations.
The government is looking at international cooperation for this project on mutually beneficial terms.
Bhutani said the Indian government has proposed a National Mission for Development of Ultra Supercritical Technology for Thermal Power Plants as the Ninth Mission under the National Action Plan for Climate Change under the guidance of R. Chidambaram, principal scientific advisor to government.
According to officials the project cost - design, develop and build - is expected to touch around Rs.10,000 crore.
source:agency
Tags : secure energy security, firing of coal, Indian giants, ultra critical boilers
Srikishna report is being translated into Telugu,will be soon available to people
New Delhi: The Srikishna report, which looked into the demand for a separate state of Telangana, is being translated into Telugu and will be soon available to people in the official language of Andhra Pradesh, Home Ministry sources said today.
They said that the government wanted widest dissemination of the report for an informed debate and provide correct data about development in various regions of the state.
The sources said the translation is being done by the Andhra Pradesh government and the document is expected to be put on the website in "a day or two".
The 461-page report of the Srikrishna Committee, which was made public today after meeting of political parties convened by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, is in two volumes and nine chapters.
The chapters cover issues like developments in Andhra Pradesh - A historical background, regional economic and equity analysis, education and health, water resources, irrigation and power development, public employment issues, issues relating to Hyderabad metropolis, sociological and cultural issues, and law and order, and internal security dimensions.
The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna, was constituted on Feb 3, 2010 following sharp political divisions in the state on the question of formation of new state.
The report in its summary has given six options including the most workable option of keeping the state united while providing certain definite constitutional measures for socio-economic development of Telangana including a regional council.
source:agency
Tags : Srikishna report on Telangana, separate state of Telangana, Srikishna report in Telugu, official language of Andhra Pradesh, Home Ministry
They said that the government wanted widest dissemination of the report for an informed debate and provide correct data about development in various regions of the state.
The sources said the translation is being done by the Andhra Pradesh government and the document is expected to be put on the website in "a day or two".
The 461-page report of the Srikrishna Committee, which was made public today after meeting of political parties convened by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, is in two volumes and nine chapters.
The chapters cover issues like developments in Andhra Pradesh - A historical background, regional economic and equity analysis, education and health, water resources, irrigation and power development, public employment issues, issues relating to Hyderabad metropolis, sociological and cultural issues, and law and order, and internal security dimensions.
The committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna, was constituted on Feb 3, 2010 following sharp political divisions in the state on the question of formation of new state.
The report in its summary has given six options including the most workable option of keeping the state united while providing certain definite constitutional measures for socio-economic development of Telangana including a regional council.
source:agency
Tags : Srikishna report on Telangana, separate state of Telangana, Srikishna report in Telugu, official language of Andhra Pradesh, Home Ministry
Himachal Pradesh's famed hilltop shrine of Naina Devi saw record offerings
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh's famed hilltop shrine of Naina Devi saw record offerings of over Rs.11 crore in 2010 apart from gold and silver, a temple official said today.
"There was an increase of Rs.2.03 crore in cash offerings at the shrine last year as compared to 2009. It broke the earlier (2009) record of Rs.9.29 crore," temple trust chairman Vinay Singh Thakur told media.
He said the temple got offerings in cash worth Rs.11.32 crore, 5.493 kg of gold and 3.38 quintals of silver from devotees in 2010.
Naina Devi, some 175 km from Shimla, attracted around 23 lakh devotees in 2009 while the number went up to 25 lakh last year.
One of the busiest shrines in north India, a majority of the pilgrims come from Punjab and Haryana.
source:agency
Tags : Himachal Pradesh News, Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh, pilgrims in Himachal
"There was an increase of Rs.2.03 crore in cash offerings at the shrine last year as compared to 2009. It broke the earlier (2009) record of Rs.9.29 crore," temple trust chairman Vinay Singh Thakur told media.
He said the temple got offerings in cash worth Rs.11.32 crore, 5.493 kg of gold and 3.38 quintals of silver from devotees in 2010.
Naina Devi, some 175 km from Shimla, attracted around 23 lakh devotees in 2009 while the number went up to 25 lakh last year.
One of the busiest shrines in north India, a majority of the pilgrims come from Punjab and Haryana.
source:agency
Tags : Himachal Pradesh News, Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh, pilgrims in Himachal
"No One Killed Jessica",director Rajkumar Gupta is planning to make a love story
Mumbai: After two hard-hitting, gritty films "Aamir" and "No One Killed Jessica", director Rajkumar Gupta is penning a love story.
"I'm working on a film called 'Rapchik Romance'. It's on scripting stage and it's a love story," Gupta told media.
The cast of the film is yet to be decided.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
"I'm working on a film called 'Rapchik Romance'. It's on scripting stage and it's a love story," Gupta told media.
The cast of the film is yet to be decided.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
After hit film "3 Idiots",Omi will be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji"
Mumbai: Even though Omi "Chatur" Vaidya is getting plum offers in Bollywood, the actor has no plans of shifting base from Los Angeles to Mumbai.
"I have a house in LA and my wife is getting her PhD and for the next two years she is going to be there. Plus, my family is also there; so no plan of shifting my entire base here. I'll be coming back and forth; that's my plan," the actor told media.
After hit film "3 Idiots", Omi will be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji", which hits the screen Jan 28.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
"I have a house in LA and my wife is getting her PhD and for the next two years she is going to be there. Plus, my family is also there; so no plan of shifting my entire base here. I'll be coming back and forth; that's my plan," the actor told media.
After hit film "3 Idiots", Omi will be seen in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji", which hits the screen Jan 28.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby - took 3 years to return together on the silver screen
Mumbai: After featuring together in "Apne", the three Deols - Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby - took three years to return together on the silver screen. The reason, Bobby says, is the lack of a good comedy script.
The father and sons will now be seen together in "Yamla Pagla Deewana", which is releasing Jan 14.
" 'Apne' was a film people were really touched by. They said it really made them cry; so my dad decided that the next time we come together we'll do a comedy. But it's not easy to find a good comedy script.
"It took us one and a half years to work on a good script. That's why it took us time to return together," Bobby told media.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
The father and sons will now be seen together in "Yamla Pagla Deewana", which is releasing Jan 14.
" 'Apne' was a film people were really touched by. They said it really made them cry; so my dad decided that the next time we come together we'll do a comedy. But it's not easy to find a good comedy script.
"It took us one and a half years to work on a good script. That's why it took us time to return together," Bobby told media.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
Third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa ended in a draw
Cape Town: The third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa ended in a draw on the final day at the Newlands Stadium here today. The three-match series ended in a 1-1 draw.
Chasing a victory target of 340, India were 166 for three in the second innings when both the captains decided to call it a day 30 minutes before the scheduled close of play. South Africa made 362 in the first innings and 341 in the second. India made 364 in the first innings.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Cricket, India South Africa Newlands Test
Chasing a victory target of 340, India were 166 for three in the second innings when both the captains decided to call it a day 30 minutes before the scheduled close of play. South Africa made 362 in the first innings and 341 in the second. India made 364 in the first innings.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Cricket, India South Africa Newlands Test
Kapil Sibal called for "collaboration" from the Indian diaspora in building the education sector
New Delhi: Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal today called for "collaboration" from the Indian diaspora in building the education sector and invited them back to the land of "new opportunities".
Speaking at the inaugural session of the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in the capital, Sibal said collaboration from the Indian diaspora in the Indian education sector was important so that the country reaches its true potential.
India has a 25 million strong diaspora in 130 countries.
"The most important collaboration will be from the Indian diaspora who had gone away from India to look for opportunities and can come back now to this land of new opportunities," he said.
According to Sibal, the government plans to increase the gross enrollment ratio of children reaching college from 12 to 30 percent by 2020. To cater to the increasing number of children reaching higher educational institutes, 1,000 more universities and 45,000 more colleges were needed, he said.
"This is a mind boggling challenge," the minister said.
Sibal added that the government has opened up the entire higher education sector.
About the Foreign Universities Bill, which is pending in the parliament, he said: "We hope to get it passed soon".
Taking a dig at the opposition, Sibal said that there was only one way to defeat the government and that is by bringing in a no confidence motion. "If you cannot do that you cannot have the leisure of stopping the work of the government," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Indian education sector, Indian diaspora, Indian government
Speaking at the inaugural session of the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in the capital, Sibal said collaboration from the Indian diaspora in the Indian education sector was important so that the country reaches its true potential.
India has a 25 million strong diaspora in 130 countries.
"The most important collaboration will be from the Indian diaspora who had gone away from India to look for opportunities and can come back now to this land of new opportunities," he said.
According to Sibal, the government plans to increase the gross enrollment ratio of children reaching college from 12 to 30 percent by 2020. To cater to the increasing number of children reaching higher educational institutes, 1,000 more universities and 45,000 more colleges were needed, he said.
"This is a mind boggling challenge," the minister said.
Sibal added that the government has opened up the entire higher education sector.
About the Foreign Universities Bill, which is pending in the parliament, he said: "We hope to get it passed soon".
Taking a dig at the opposition, Sibal said that there was only one way to defeat the government and that is by bringing in a no confidence motion. "If you cannot do that you cannot have the leisure of stopping the work of the government," he said.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Indian education sector, Indian diaspora, Indian government
Scholarships and prizes liberate creative minds from the constraints of economic and social handicaps:Manmohan Singh
Mumbai: Scholarships and prizes liberate creative minds from the constraints of economic and social handicaps, besides recognizing the contribution of individuals in different walks of life, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here today.
"My own life stands testimony to the importance of scholarships. If I did not have access to scholarships I would never have been able to complete my education, leave alone have the opportunity to be educated at some of the world's best institutions," he said, presenting the prestigious Infosys Science Foundation Awards here today evening.
Lauding the awardees for their highly impressive achievements and individual contribution to the cause of knowledge, the prime minister also praised Infosys for instituting the awards and appointing a distinguished jury to select the winners.
He observed that while several Indians have received global recognition for their work, and even Nobel Prizes, the country has not had an Indian working in India receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences since Sir C.V. Raman.
"I am particularly delighted that the Infosys Prize is given to Indians doing world class research while working and living in India," he added.
Recalling Winston Churchill's words, that the "empires of the future would be the empires of the mind", Singh said that those words were remarkably foresighted.
"Indeed, it is now commonplace now to suggest that we today live in a knowledge-based era," he said.
The prime minister pointed out that in today's world, the strength of a nation is no longer measured by the might of its armies, but from the quality of its collective knowledge, productivity of working people, creativity of its entrepreneurs and dedication of its professional work force.
"A country's prosperity too is a function of the knowledge its people possess and acquire. Indeed, it has always been so. But, what has changed in the last few decades is the access to knowledge. We live in an era of greater equity and equality as far as the acquisition of knowledge is concerned," he noted.
While feudal restrictions and pre-democratic institutions can no longer impose social barriers to the access to knowledge, one ancient barrier - the barrier of economic capacity, continues to remain.
He observed that the growing share of privately funded profit-making educational institutions could be emerging as a worrisome barrier to freer access to knowledge for all our people.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Manmohan Singh, Economic Constraints, Social Handicaps
"My own life stands testimony to the importance of scholarships. If I did not have access to scholarships I would never have been able to complete my education, leave alone have the opportunity to be educated at some of the world's best institutions," he said, presenting the prestigious Infosys Science Foundation Awards here today evening.
Lauding the awardees for their highly impressive achievements and individual contribution to the cause of knowledge, the prime minister also praised Infosys for instituting the awards and appointing a distinguished jury to select the winners.
He observed that while several Indians have received global recognition for their work, and even Nobel Prizes, the country has not had an Indian working in India receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences since Sir C.V. Raman.
"I am particularly delighted that the Infosys Prize is given to Indians doing world class research while working and living in India," he added.
Recalling Winston Churchill's words, that the "empires of the future would be the empires of the mind", Singh said that those words were remarkably foresighted.
"Indeed, it is now commonplace now to suggest that we today live in a knowledge-based era," he said.
The prime minister pointed out that in today's world, the strength of a nation is no longer measured by the might of its armies, but from the quality of its collective knowledge, productivity of working people, creativity of its entrepreneurs and dedication of its professional work force.
"A country's prosperity too is a function of the knowledge its people possess and acquire. Indeed, it has always been so. But, what has changed in the last few decades is the access to knowledge. We live in an era of greater equity and equality as far as the acquisition of knowledge is concerned," he noted.
While feudal restrictions and pre-democratic institutions can no longer impose social barriers to the access to knowledge, one ancient barrier - the barrier of economic capacity, continues to remain.
He observed that the growing share of privately funded profit-making educational institutions could be emerging as a worrisome barrier to freer access to knowledge for all our people.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Manmohan Singh, Economic Constraints, Social Handicaps
Peace talks between chairman of the ULFA and P.C. Haldar held today
Guwahati: The first round of peace talks between Arabinda Rajkhowa, chairman of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), and the central government's interlocutor P.C. Haldar was held today, with the rebels agreeing to open unconditional negotiations soon.
"It was a very positive beginning. The ULFA chairman expressed the group's willingness for unconditional peace talks," Haldar told journalists after the meeting.
This was the first meeting after Arabinda Rajkhowa was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by Rajkhowa and deputy commander-in-chief of ULFA Raju Baruah.
Baruah was released on bail last month - a strategy by the government to facilitate the release of all top jailed leaders to pave the way for formal peace talks.
Already six top ULFA leaders, including Rajkhowa, have been released. Only two leaders are still in jail - self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury and finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika.
The duo have applied for bail and are expected to be released soon.
"This is the first meeting after my release from jail and we discussed how to begin formal peace talks and other modalities," the ULFA chairman said.
The ULFA had formally sought New Delhi's help in extraditing the outfit's general secretary Anup Chetia from Bangladesh. Chetia was arrested in 1997 and is jailed in Bangladesh.
"Yes, they want the good offices of the central government to be used in getting back Anup Chetia," Haldar said.
"We are optimistic and hope to see a mutually acceptable political settlement to the problem," the ULFA leader said.
The only stumbling block to the peace process is the rather uncertain and tentative response by the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, believed to be hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border.
"It is not about holding talks with Rajkhowa or Paresh Baruah. For us we are holding talks with the ULFA, not with individuals," Haldar said, when he was asked if Paresh Baruah's absence could hinder peace talks.
source:agency
Tags : Assam News, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, ULFA peace talks
"It was a very positive beginning. The ULFA chairman expressed the group's willingness for unconditional peace talks," Haldar told journalists after the meeting.
This was the first meeting after Arabinda Rajkhowa was released on bail from the Guwahati Central Jail on Saturday.
The meeting was attended by Rajkhowa and deputy commander-in-chief of ULFA Raju Baruah.
Baruah was released on bail last month - a strategy by the government to facilitate the release of all top jailed leaders to pave the way for formal peace talks.
Already six top ULFA leaders, including Rajkhowa, have been released. Only two leaders are still in jail - self-styled foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury and finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika.
The duo have applied for bail and are expected to be released soon.
"This is the first meeting after my release from jail and we discussed how to begin formal peace talks and other modalities," the ULFA chairman said.
The ULFA had formally sought New Delhi's help in extraditing the outfit's general secretary Anup Chetia from Bangladesh. Chetia was arrested in 1997 and is jailed in Bangladesh.
"Yes, they want the good offices of the central government to be used in getting back Anup Chetia," Haldar said.
"We are optimistic and hope to see a mutually acceptable political settlement to the problem," the ULFA leader said.
The only stumbling block to the peace process is the rather uncertain and tentative response by the elusive ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, believed to be hiding somewhere along the Myanmar-China border.
"It is not about holding talks with Rajkhowa or Paresh Baruah. For us we are holding talks with the ULFA, not with individuals," Haldar said, when he was asked if Paresh Baruah's absence could hinder peace talks.
source:agency
Tags : Assam News, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, ULFA peace talks
TRS & TDP were unanimous in their rejection of the Srikrishna Committee report
Hyderabad: Both the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today were unanimous in their rejection of the Srikrishna Committee report on the Telengana issue, and said nothing short of a separate state was acceptable to the people of the region. The TRS even insisted on Hyderabad as the capital of the new state.
Both the TRS and the TDP along with the BJP today boycotted the all-party meeting in New Delhi called by Home Minister P. Chidambaram to share the Srikrishna Committee report.
Maoist sympathiser, balladeer and Telangana Praja Front leader Gaddar too demanded that the central government immediately table the bill in parliament.
Reacting to the report made public earlier in the day, TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao said Telangana people were not ready to accept anything short of a Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital.
He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to dither or dilly-dally on the Telangana issue but table a bill in parliament during the budget session to carve out a separate state.
"I am requesting the prime minister to abide by the statement he made in both houses of parliament on Dec 10, 2009, and the assurance given by the government on Dec 9," he said.
Voicing their disappointment at the Srikrishna Committee report, Telangana leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said "nothing less than a separate Telangana state" was acceptable to people of the region.
They warned the Congress party, ruling both in the state and at the centre, against playing with the sentiments of the Telangana people and demanded early legislation for creating the state.
KCR, as TSR chief Rao is popularly known, warned the central government against testing the patience of Telangana people. "Otherwise Telangana will be on the boil and the agitation will continue," he said while addressing a sit-in organised by the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) at Indira Park in this southern metropolis.
The TRS chief said four crore people of Telangana want their own identity, self-rule and self-respect. "We want Telangana state as it existed before it was merged with Andhra on Nov 1, 1956. We don't want an inch less or an inch more," he said.
Rejecting the committee's suggestion to make Hyderabad a union territory, KCR said there was no question of giving up the historic city as it is an integral part of Telangana.
The TRS leader also ridiculed the suggestion that a regional council be formed for development of Telangana. "We have seen many boards, agreements and assurances during the last 50 years and we can't trust another board," he said.
He asked Congress MPs and other elected representatives from Telangana to resign if the central government failed to table a bill for a separate state in parliament. "If you resign and create a constitutional crisis, the government will come down and create Telangana state but if you fail to do this, you will be responsible for its consequences."
Earlier, TRS legislator and KCR's son K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters here that the only practical solution was formation of a separate Telangana state comprising 10 districts with Hyderabad as its capital.
TDP leaders from Telangana equivocally voiced their rejection of the Srikrishna Committee report and said nothing less than a separate Telangana state was acceptable to people of the region.
"We were expecting that the committee will make straightforward suggestion for formation of Telangana state but it has insulted the people by making various suggestions," said TDP Telangana Forum convenor Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
"I am warning the Congress party not to play with the sentiments of Telangana people and table the bill in parliament in the next session to carve out a separate state," the former minister said.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) said the report would only add to the confusion over the Telangana issue. CPI state secretary K. Narayana, who attended the meeting in Delhi, said the central government should not delay the process for formation of Telangana.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, India Politics News
Both the TRS and the TDP along with the BJP today boycotted the all-party meeting in New Delhi called by Home Minister P. Chidambaram to share the Srikrishna Committee report.
Maoist sympathiser, balladeer and Telangana Praja Front leader Gaddar too demanded that the central government immediately table the bill in parliament.
Reacting to the report made public earlier in the day, TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao said Telangana people were not ready to accept anything short of a Telangana state with Hyderabad as its capital.
He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to dither or dilly-dally on the Telangana issue but table a bill in parliament during the budget session to carve out a separate state.
"I am requesting the prime minister to abide by the statement he made in both houses of parliament on Dec 10, 2009, and the assurance given by the government on Dec 9," he said.
Voicing their disappointment at the Srikrishna Committee report, Telangana leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) said "nothing less than a separate Telangana state" was acceptable to people of the region.
They warned the Congress party, ruling both in the state and at the centre, against playing with the sentiments of the Telangana people and demanded early legislation for creating the state.
KCR, as TSR chief Rao is popularly known, warned the central government against testing the patience of Telangana people. "Otherwise Telangana will be on the boil and the agitation will continue," he said while addressing a sit-in organised by the Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) at Indira Park in this southern metropolis.
The TRS chief said four crore people of Telangana want their own identity, self-rule and self-respect. "We want Telangana state as it existed before it was merged with Andhra on Nov 1, 1956. We don't want an inch less or an inch more," he said.
Rejecting the committee's suggestion to make Hyderabad a union territory, KCR said there was no question of giving up the historic city as it is an integral part of Telangana.
The TRS leader also ridiculed the suggestion that a regional council be formed for development of Telangana. "We have seen many boards, agreements and assurances during the last 50 years and we can't trust another board," he said.
He asked Congress MPs and other elected representatives from Telangana to resign if the central government failed to table a bill for a separate state in parliament. "If you resign and create a constitutional crisis, the government will come down and create Telangana state but if you fail to do this, you will be responsible for its consequences."
Earlier, TRS legislator and KCR's son K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters here that the only practical solution was formation of a separate Telangana state comprising 10 districts with Hyderabad as its capital.
TDP leaders from Telangana equivocally voiced their rejection of the Srikrishna Committee report and said nothing less than a separate Telangana state was acceptable to people of the region.
"We were expecting that the committee will make straightforward suggestion for formation of Telangana state but it has insulted the people by making various suggestions," said TDP Telangana Forum convenor Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
"I am warning the Congress party not to play with the sentiments of Telangana people and table the bill in parliament in the next session to carve out a separate state," the former minister said.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) said the report would only add to the confusion over the Telangana issue. CPI state secretary K. Narayana, who attended the meeting in Delhi, said the central government should not delay the process for formation of Telangana.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, India Politics News
Srikrishna Committee finds case both for and against separate Telangana state
Hyderabad: The Srikrishna Committee has in its report found that there is a case both for formation of a separate Telangana state as well as for keeping Andhra Pradesh united.
The five-member committee, whose report was made public today, felt the balance tilting in favour of keeping the state united but suggested that the demand for Telangana state is also not unjustified.
"At the end of the investigation, it began to appear that there was a case both for a separate Telangana as well as for keeping the state united. Some other options, particularly bringing into focus the issue of backwardness of Rayalaseema region and some other parts of the state, were also suggested by different stakeholders and these too have been examined," says the report.
"After considering all aspects, the committee found the balance tilting in favour of keeping the state united, though some valid and strong reasons that had continued to cause discontent in Telangana region since its merger indicated that the demand for separation was also not entirely unjustified."
Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad, was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. It was merged with then Andhra state in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh, the first linguistic (Telugu) state.
The 461-page report of the Srikrishna Committee comprises two volumes and nine chapters. The chapters cover issues like developments in Andhra Pradesh - A historical background, regional economic and equity analysis, education and health, water resources, irrigation and power development, public employment issues, issues relating to Hyderabad Metropolis, sociological and cultural issues, and law and order, and internal security dimensions. The last chapter titled "The way forward" suggests six optimal solutions/options.
The committee headed by former Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna said it has not been an easy task. "The mandate for the committee entailed voluminous research work and wide consultations with all stakeholders. During these consultations, the committee discussed with political parties and concerned groups all events of a serious historical, political, economic, social and cultural significance pertaining to the state of Andhra Pradesh since the country's independence."
The committee was constituted Feb 3, 2010. Former union home secretary V.K. Duggal was its member secretary. The other members were Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi; Abusaleh Shariff, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, Delhi; and Ravinder Kaur, professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
The five-member committee, whose report was made public today, felt the balance tilting in favour of keeping the state united but suggested that the demand for Telangana state is also not unjustified.
"At the end of the investigation, it began to appear that there was a case both for a separate Telangana as well as for keeping the state united. Some other options, particularly bringing into focus the issue of backwardness of Rayalaseema region and some other parts of the state, were also suggested by different stakeholders and these too have been examined," says the report.
"After considering all aspects, the committee found the balance tilting in favour of keeping the state united, though some valid and strong reasons that had continued to cause discontent in Telangana region since its merger indicated that the demand for separation was also not entirely unjustified."
Telangana, comprising 10 districts including Hyderabad, was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. It was merged with then Andhra state in 1956 to form Andhra Pradesh, the first linguistic (Telugu) state.
The 461-page report of the Srikrishna Committee comprises two volumes and nine chapters. The chapters cover issues like developments in Andhra Pradesh - A historical background, regional economic and equity analysis, education and health, water resources, irrigation and power development, public employment issues, issues relating to Hyderabad Metropolis, sociological and cultural issues, and law and order, and internal security dimensions. The last chapter titled "The way forward" suggests six optimal solutions/options.
The committee headed by former Supreme Court judge B.N. Srikrishna said it has not been an easy task. "The mandate for the committee entailed voluminous research work and wide consultations with all stakeholders. During these consultations, the committee discussed with political parties and concerned groups all events of a serious historical, political, economic, social and cultural significance pertaining to the state of Andhra Pradesh since the country's independence."
The committee was constituted Feb 3, 2010. Former union home secretary V.K. Duggal was its member secretary. The other members were Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi; Abusaleh Shariff, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, Delhi; and Ravinder Kaur, professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
6 options given by the Justice Srikrishna Committee on the vexed issue of separate Telangana
New Delhi: The following are the six options given by the Justice Srikrishna Committee on the vexed issue of separate statehood for Telangana to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh:
- The committee has recommended letting Andhra Pradesh be united and have special constitutional measures for development of the Telangana region.
- The second option is bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana states.
- The third option is having Telangana and Andhra as separate states with Hyderabad as the Telangana capital.
- The fourth option is Hyderabad to be given a union territory status. The two regions will develop their own capitals in due course.
- The fifth option is to divide the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions, with Hyderabad as an integral part of Rayala-Telangana.
- The last option the committee has offered is creation of statutory empowered Telangana regional council.
The report was released on the home ministry website today.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
- The committee has recommended letting Andhra Pradesh be united and have special constitutional measures for development of the Telangana region.
- The second option is bifurcation of the state into Seemandhra and Telangana states.
- The third option is having Telangana and Andhra as separate states with Hyderabad as the Telangana capital.
- The fourth option is Hyderabad to be given a union territory status. The two regions will develop their own capitals in due course.
- The fifth option is to divide the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions, with Hyderabad as an integral part of Rayala-Telangana.
- The last option the committee has offered is creation of statutory empowered Telangana regional council.
The report was released on the home ministry website today.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police department opened their official account on Facebook
Jammu: After Delhi Traffic Police, its now Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police department who have opened their official account on Facebook to interact with people and take action on their complaints easily. In addition, they have also launched a website where users will be able to upload photos and videos concerning traffic rule infringements.
Kuldeep Khoda, the Director General of Police of J&K stated that this initiative will help them to curb the number of traffic rule breaches and facilitate proper traffic management in the state. People can stopover at Jktrafficpolice.nic.in to post their images and videos regarding traffic rule violations.
Khoda said that anyone can contribute to this initiative ranging from students, professionals, commuters and others. They can shoot videos and photos using their cell phones or digital cameras and upload them on this portal.
source:agency
Tags : Jammu and Kashmir news, J&K Traffic Police, Traffic rule violations in Kashmir, J&K Traffic Police on Facebook
Kuldeep Khoda, the Director General of Police of J&K stated that this initiative will help them to curb the number of traffic rule breaches and facilitate proper traffic management in the state. People can stopover at Jktrafficpolice.nic.in to post their images and videos regarding traffic rule violations.
Khoda said that anyone can contribute to this initiative ranging from students, professionals, commuters and others. They can shoot videos and photos using their cell phones or digital cameras and upload them on this portal.
source:agency
Tags : Jammu and Kashmir news, J&K Traffic Police, Traffic rule violations in Kashmir, J&K Traffic Police on Facebook
"My Name Is Khan" leads the Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards nomination list
New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan's "My Name Is Khan" leads the 6th Chevrolet Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards nomination list with 13 nominations followed by Salaman Khan-starrer blockbuster "Dabangg", which is named in 10 categories.
Shah Rukh and Salman are competing with each other for the best actor trophy and both the movies will also vie for best film honour.
Other actors competing for the best actor gong are Ajay Devgn ("Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai"), Hrithik Roshan ("Guzaarish"), and Ranbir Kapoor ("Raajneeti").
In the best film category other nominations are "Raajneeti", "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", "Band Baaja Baaraat" and "Ishqiya".
"Dabangg" is also nominated for best dialogue for Abhinav Singh Kashyap and Dilip Shukla; best choreography for Farah Khan for "Munni Badnam" and Mamta Shrama has got the best female singer nomination for the same song; best music for Sajid-Wajid; best lyrics for Faiz Anwar for the song "Tere mast mast do nain" and for the same Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has got best male singer nomination; best performance in a negative role for Sonu Sood.
The action filled funny cop drama is also nominated for the best special effects for Alagar Swamy.
"My Name Is Khan", set in a tumultuous post 9/11 America and which sees Shah Rukh's character suffering from Aspergers syndrome, has been nominated in the best story category for Shibani Bathija; best lyrics for Niranjan Iyengar for 'Tere naina" and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan has got the best male singer for the same Sufi number; best music for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; best female singer for Richa Sharam for "Sajda"; best director for Karan Johar as well as the best film; best female actress for Kajol; best editing for Deepa Bhatia; best cinematography Ravi K. Chandran; best sound recording Dileep Subramaniam; and best special effects for Red Chilles VFX.
In the best female singer category Sunidhi Chauhan has got two nominations for the hit song "Sheila Ki Jawaani" ("Tees Maar Khan") and "Ainvayi Ainvayi" ("Band Baaja Baaraat"). Others vying for best singer trophy are Tulsi Kumar for "Tum jo aaye" ("Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai") and Sona Mahapatra and Shreya Ghoshal for "Bahara ("I Hate Luv Storys").
Newcomer Anushka Sharma is competing with Kajol in best actress category for her role in "Band Baaja Baaraat", Kareena Kapoor for "Golmaal 3", Vidya Balan for "Ishqiya" and Aishwarya Rai for "Guzaarish".
The nominations for best director include Prakash Jha for "Raajneeti", Milan Luthria "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", Dibakar Banerjee for "Love Sex Aur Dhoka" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali for "Guzaarish".
Small-budget movies like "Peepli Live", "Well Done Abba" and "Love Sex Aur Dhoka" have also won nominations in various categories.
"The Indian Film industry has had a thrilling past year with the likes of both small and big budget films reigning equally at the box office. It is very thrilling to watch varied movies like 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai', 'Dabaang', 'Peepli Live', 'My Name is Khan', 'Love Sex Aur Dhoka', 'Golmaal 3', 'Ishqiya', 'Guzaarish' and 'Tere Bin Laden'," Ramesh Sippy, president of Film & Television Producers Guild of India said in a statement.
"All these films have done very well and I anticipate that the producers would have a tough time deciding a winner. Bollywood's golden era has arrived," he added.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films, Awards
Shah Rukh and Salman are competing with each other for the best actor trophy and both the movies will also vie for best film honour.
Other actors competing for the best actor gong are Ajay Devgn ("Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai"), Hrithik Roshan ("Guzaarish"), and Ranbir Kapoor ("Raajneeti").
In the best film category other nominations are "Raajneeti", "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", "Band Baaja Baaraat" and "Ishqiya".
"Dabangg" is also nominated for best dialogue for Abhinav Singh Kashyap and Dilip Shukla; best choreography for Farah Khan for "Munni Badnam" and Mamta Shrama has got the best female singer nomination for the same song; best music for Sajid-Wajid; best lyrics for Faiz Anwar for the song "Tere mast mast do nain" and for the same Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has got best male singer nomination; best performance in a negative role for Sonu Sood.
The action filled funny cop drama is also nominated for the best special effects for Alagar Swamy.
"My Name Is Khan", set in a tumultuous post 9/11 America and which sees Shah Rukh's character suffering from Aspergers syndrome, has been nominated in the best story category for Shibani Bathija; best lyrics for Niranjan Iyengar for 'Tere naina" and Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan has got the best male singer for the same Sufi number; best music for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; best female singer for Richa Sharam for "Sajda"; best director for Karan Johar as well as the best film; best female actress for Kajol; best editing for Deepa Bhatia; best cinematography Ravi K. Chandran; best sound recording Dileep Subramaniam; and best special effects for Red Chilles VFX.
In the best female singer category Sunidhi Chauhan has got two nominations for the hit song "Sheila Ki Jawaani" ("Tees Maar Khan") and "Ainvayi Ainvayi" ("Band Baaja Baaraat"). Others vying for best singer trophy are Tulsi Kumar for "Tum jo aaye" ("Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai") and Sona Mahapatra and Shreya Ghoshal for "Bahara ("I Hate Luv Storys").
Newcomer Anushka Sharma is competing with Kajol in best actress category for her role in "Band Baaja Baaraat", Kareena Kapoor for "Golmaal 3", Vidya Balan for "Ishqiya" and Aishwarya Rai for "Guzaarish".
The nominations for best director include Prakash Jha for "Raajneeti", Milan Luthria "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai", Dibakar Banerjee for "Love Sex Aur Dhoka" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali for "Guzaarish".
Small-budget movies like "Peepli Live", "Well Done Abba" and "Love Sex Aur Dhoka" have also won nominations in various categories.
"The Indian Film industry has had a thrilling past year with the likes of both small and big budget films reigning equally at the box office. It is very thrilling to watch varied movies like 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai', 'Dabaang', 'Peepli Live', 'My Name is Khan', 'Love Sex Aur Dhoka', 'Golmaal 3', 'Ishqiya', 'Guzaarish' and 'Tere Bin Laden'," Ramesh Sippy, president of Film & Television Producers Guild of India said in a statement.
"All these films have done very well and I anticipate that the producers would have a tough time deciding a winner. Bollywood's golden era has arrived," he added.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films, Awards
Indian mobile handset brand Zen Mobiles plans to foray into Bangladesh
Kolkata: Indian mobile handset brand Zen Mobiles plans to foray into Bangladesh by April in a joint venture with the neighbouring country's government and aims to sell ten lakh units per month in 2012, a top company official said here.
The company currently sells three lakh units per month.
Having entered the Nigerian and Sri Lankan markets two months ago, the company now has big plans for Bangladesh, its business head Victor Shome told media persons here.
"We will have a joint venture with the Bangladesh government. We will pump in about Rs.10 crore. We will ink a memorandum of understanding either in New Delhi or Dhaka," Shome said.
The company plans to set up an assembling plant with a capacity of manufacturing one lakh phones a month in Bangladesh though the site of the plant was yet to be decided.
"India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Sri Lanka - all these markets are a bit similar. We have been in India for the last 18 months. So our experience in India will become handy in Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Bangladesh," he said.
"In 2012, our aim is to sell ten lakh pieces per month, up from the three lakh units we sell now," Shome said.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Zen Mobiles in Bangladesh, Zen Mobiles Joint Venture with Bangladesh Government
The company currently sells three lakh units per month.
Having entered the Nigerian and Sri Lankan markets two months ago, the company now has big plans for Bangladesh, its business head Victor Shome told media persons here.
"We will have a joint venture with the Bangladesh government. We will pump in about Rs.10 crore. We will ink a memorandum of understanding either in New Delhi or Dhaka," Shome said.
The company plans to set up an assembling plant with a capacity of manufacturing one lakh phones a month in Bangladesh though the site of the plant was yet to be decided.
"India, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Sri Lanka - all these markets are a bit similar. We have been in India for the last 18 months. So our experience in India will become handy in Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Bangladesh," he said.
"In 2012, our aim is to sell ten lakh pieces per month, up from the three lakh units we sell now," Shome said.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Zen Mobiles in Bangladesh, Zen Mobiles Joint Venture with Bangladesh Government
Larsen and Toubro's (L&T) construction bagged orders worth Rs.1,181 crore
Mumbai: Infrastructure and engineering major Larsen and Toubro's (L&T) construction division today said it has bagged orders worth Rs.1,181 crore during the third quarter of the current fiscal.
"L&T's Building and Factories Independent Company has secured orders worth Rs.1,181 crore during the third quarter for the construction of residential buildings and factories including specialised support facility building," the company said in a regulatory filing.
According to the filing, the company has bagged orders worth Rs.558 crore for construction of residential buildings, while orders worth Rs.298 crore were secured for construction of factories.
"A turnkey project has been secured from a major client worth Rs.325 crore for the design and construction of a specialised support building facility," the filing further said.
According to the company, the new orders have further enhanced the order book of the company, as it has already secured major design and construction projects for airports, IT parks and residential spaces.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Larsen and Toubro, L&T, Engineering, Construction Business
"L&T's Building and Factories Independent Company has secured orders worth Rs.1,181 crore during the third quarter for the construction of residential buildings and factories including specialised support facility building," the company said in a regulatory filing.
According to the filing, the company has bagged orders worth Rs.558 crore for construction of residential buildings, while orders worth Rs.298 crore were secured for construction of factories.
"A turnkey project has been secured from a major client worth Rs.325 crore for the design and construction of a specialised support building facility," the filing further said.
According to the company, the new orders have further enhanced the order book of the company, as it has already secured major design and construction projects for airports, IT parks and residential spaces.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, Larsen and Toubro, L&T, Engineering, Construction Business
Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Telangana leaders of the TDP voiced their disappointment over the Srikrishna Committee report
Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Telangana leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today voiced their disappointment over the Srikrishna Committee report and said no option except formation of a separate Telangana state is acceptable to them.
TRS legislator K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters that the only practical solution was formation of a separate Telangana state comprising 10 districts with Hyderabad as its capital.
"All other options suggested by the committee are not acceptable to people of Telangana. It is now for the centre to respect the sentiments of the people and fulfil its promise by taking immediate steps on formation of a separate state," Tarakarama Rao said.
Telangana leaders of the TDP also rejected the Srikrishna report and said nothing less than a separate Telangana state was acceptable to people of the region.
"We were expecting that the committee will make straightforward suggestion for formation of Telangana state but it has insulted the people by making various suggestions," said TDP Telangana Forum convenor Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
"I am warning the Congress party not to play with the sentiments of Telangana people and table the bill in parliament in the next session to carve out a separate state," the former minister said.
Both the TRS and the TDP along with the BJP Thursday boycotted the all-party meeting called by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to share the report.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) said the report would only add to the confusion over the Telangana issue. CPI state secretary K. Narayana, who attended the meeting in Delhi, said the central government should not delay the process for formation of Telangana.
Maoist sympathiser and Telangana Praja Front leader and balladeer Gaddar too demanded that the central government immediately table the bill in parliament.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
TRS legislator K. Tarakarama Rao told reporters that the only practical solution was formation of a separate Telangana state comprising 10 districts with Hyderabad as its capital.
"All other options suggested by the committee are not acceptable to people of Telangana. It is now for the centre to respect the sentiments of the people and fulfil its promise by taking immediate steps on formation of a separate state," Tarakarama Rao said.
Telangana leaders of the TDP also rejected the Srikrishna report and said nothing less than a separate Telangana state was acceptable to people of the region.
"We were expecting that the committee will make straightforward suggestion for formation of Telangana state but it has insulted the people by making various suggestions," said TDP Telangana Forum convenor Nagam Janardhan Reddy.
"I am warning the Congress party not to play with the sentiments of Telangana people and table the bill in parliament in the next session to carve out a separate state," the former minister said.
Both the TRS and the TDP along with the BJP Thursday boycotted the all-party meeting called by union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to share the report.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) said the report would only add to the confusion over the Telangana issue. CPI state secretary K. Narayana, who attended the meeting in Delhi, said the central government should not delay the process for formation of Telangana.
Maoist sympathiser and Telangana Praja Front leader and balladeer Gaddar too demanded that the central government immediately table the bill in parliament.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
20110105
Srikrishna committee report:Joint appeal to the people of AP to maintain peace and harmony
New Delhi: Four political parties, which attended a meeting convened by the Centre to hand over the report on Telangana by Justice Srikrishna committee, today issued a joint appeal to the people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace and harmony.
The 'joint appeal' issued after the meeting also said the parties have agreed to the suggestion of Home Minister P. Chidamabaram that they will meet again later this month after discussing the report within their respective parties.
"We have received the copy of the report of Justice Srikrishna committee and have indicated that we would consider the report within our respective parties before we express our views thereon," said the statement signed by representatives of Congress, CPI, CPI(M) and PRP.
"We have agreed with the suggestion of the Home Minister that we may meet again later this month.
"Meanwhile, it is our earnest appeal that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in Andhra Pradesh," the appeal said.
While the meeting was boycotted by TRS, TDP and BJP, the representatives of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) refused to sign the statement.
AIMIM leader Akrabuddin Owaisi said, "We did not sign the appeal because it is not us but the Congress party workers who have been engaged in creating disturbance. The Congress should first put their house in order."
source:agency
Tags:Telangana,Justice Srikrishna committee report,AIMIM leader Akrabuddin Owaisi ,TRS, TDP and BJP,Home Minister P. Chidamabaram
The 'joint appeal' issued after the meeting also said the parties have agreed to the suggestion of Home Minister P. Chidamabaram that they will meet again later this month after discussing the report within their respective parties.
"We have received the copy of the report of Justice Srikrishna committee and have indicated that we would consider the report within our respective parties before we express our views thereon," said the statement signed by representatives of Congress, CPI, CPI(M) and PRP.
"We have agreed with the suggestion of the Home Minister that we may meet again later this month.
"Meanwhile, it is our earnest appeal that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in Andhra Pradesh," the appeal said.
While the meeting was boycotted by TRS, TDP and BJP, the representatives of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) refused to sign the statement.
AIMIM leader Akrabuddin Owaisi said, "We did not sign the appeal because it is not us but the Congress party workers who have been engaged in creating disturbance. The Congress should first put their house in order."
source:agency
Tags:Telangana,Justice Srikrishna committee report,AIMIM leader Akrabuddin Owaisi ,TRS, TDP and BJP,Home Minister P. Chidamabaram
Srikrishna Committee report out,offers multiple “optimal solutions”
The report of Justice Srikrishna Committee, a deciding factor for future of Andhra Pradesh came out with six options including options of continuity of united State and separation of Telangana. The six options can be outlined as follows: * Maintain status quo: either chief minister or deputy CM to
be from Telangana.
* Bifurcation of Andhra into Seemandhra & Telangana, Hyderabad as Union Territory. Both regions to have own capital in due course.
* Bifurcation into Rayaltelangana and Coastal Andhra. Hyderabad to be with Rayaltelangana.
*Bifurcation of Seemandhra & Telangana as per existing boundary. Hyderabad to be capital of Telangana while Seemandhra to have its own capital.
* A united state providing certain constitutional measures for socio-eco and political development, formation of Telangana regional council.
*United Andhra Pradesh with provision for Telangana Committee.
Tags:Andhra Pradesh,Srikrishna Committee report,Telangana,
be from Telangana.
* Bifurcation of Andhra into Seemandhra & Telangana, Hyderabad as Union Territory. Both regions to have own capital in due course.
* Bifurcation into Rayaltelangana and Coastal Andhra. Hyderabad to be with Rayaltelangana.
*Bifurcation of Seemandhra & Telangana as per existing boundary. Hyderabad to be capital of Telangana while Seemandhra to have its own capital.
* A united state providing certain constitutional measures for socio-eco and political development, formation of Telangana regional council.
*United Andhra Pradesh with provision for Telangana Committee.
Tags:Andhra Pradesh,Srikrishna Committee report,Telangana,
Read the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Committee on Telangana with an “open mind”:P Chidambaram
Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday appealed to political parties in Andhra Pradesh to read the recommendations of the Justice Srikrishna Committee on Telangana with an “open mind” and give “impartial consideration” to them.
He expressed confidence that the report will generate an “informed and matured” debate on the issue.
Handing over copies of the report to leaders of political parties from the state at a meeting here, Mr. Chidambaram urged them to give “your most careful, thoughtful and impartial” consideration to the recommendations.
He asked them to read the report with an “open mind” and be prepared to persuade or be persuaded by those hold another point of view.
Mr. Chidambaram regretted the boycott of the meeting by TRS, TDP and BJP.
“It is Government’s sincere hope that the report will generate an informed and matured debate,” he said.
Recalling the discussions on January 5 last year, which he said had showed the way forward -- that findings, study, analysis, options and recommendations, Chidambaram said its is the government’s hope that the discussions today will also show the way forward.
“I am sure that besides political parties, people of Andhra Pradesh -- both individuals and groups -- would also make valuable suggestions that will show the way forward.
“You will note that I have repeatedly used the phrase ’way forward’ Today in order to reiterate government’s intentions to find just, honourable and praticable solutions that has the widest measure of support among all stakeholders,” he said.
Referring to the joint appeal made by the January 5 meeting to people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace and calm, Mr. Chidambaram said it had a salutary effect.
“It is necessary that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in the state. I would request you to join me at the end of this meeting to make an appeal similar to the appeal we made last year,” he said.
The Home Minister said it is natural that the parties will require time to read the report and hold consultations within their organisations.
Asking them to participate in today’s meeting, he said if the parties agreed, then he would suggest they meet again at a convenient date later this month.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Congress leaders K S Rao, Uttam Kumar Reddy, CPI(M) state secretary D V Raghavalu and party leader J Ranga, PRP leader C Ramachandraiah, Akrabdduin Owaisi and Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri of MIM, K Narayana and G Malesh of CPI attended the meeting.
TDP MP Kishtappa earlier met Mr. Chidambaram and gave a letter from the party, saying they were not attending the meeting since the decision has to be taken by the Centre and not state political parties.
Referring to the boycott, Mr. Chidambaram said some parties have chosen not to attend the meeting.
“I deeply regret the stand taken by them. It does scant justice to the valuable work done by Justice Srikrishna Committee. Nevertheless, I propose to send a copy of the report to parties who have chosen to stay away,” he said.
source:agency
Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, Telangana issue, Srikrishna report, political parties, Andhra Pradesh
He expressed confidence that the report will generate an “informed and matured” debate on the issue.
Handing over copies of the report to leaders of political parties from the state at a meeting here, Mr. Chidambaram urged them to give “your most careful, thoughtful and impartial” consideration to the recommendations.
He asked them to read the report with an “open mind” and be prepared to persuade or be persuaded by those hold another point of view.
Mr. Chidambaram regretted the boycott of the meeting by TRS, TDP and BJP.
“It is Government’s sincere hope that the report will generate an informed and matured debate,” he said.
Recalling the discussions on January 5 last year, which he said had showed the way forward -- that findings, study, analysis, options and recommendations, Chidambaram said its is the government’s hope that the discussions today will also show the way forward.
“I am sure that besides political parties, people of Andhra Pradesh -- both individuals and groups -- would also make valuable suggestions that will show the way forward.
“You will note that I have repeatedly used the phrase ’way forward’ Today in order to reiterate government’s intentions to find just, honourable and praticable solutions that has the widest measure of support among all stakeholders,” he said.
Referring to the joint appeal made by the January 5 meeting to people of Andhra Pradesh to maintain peace and calm, Mr. Chidambaram said it had a salutary effect.
“It is necessary that peace, harmony and law and order should be maintained in the state. I would request you to join me at the end of this meeting to make an appeal similar to the appeal we made last year,” he said.
The Home Minister said it is natural that the parties will require time to read the report and hold consultations within their organisations.
Asking them to participate in today’s meeting, he said if the parties agreed, then he would suggest they meet again at a convenient date later this month.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Congress leaders K S Rao, Uttam Kumar Reddy, CPI(M) state secretary D V Raghavalu and party leader J Ranga, PRP leader C Ramachandraiah, Akrabdduin Owaisi and Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri of MIM, K Narayana and G Malesh of CPI attended the meeting.
TDP MP Kishtappa earlier met Mr. Chidambaram and gave a letter from the party, saying they were not attending the meeting since the decision has to be taken by the Centre and not state political parties.
Referring to the boycott, Mr. Chidambaram said some parties have chosen not to attend the meeting.
“I deeply regret the stand taken by them. It does scant justice to the valuable work done by Justice Srikrishna Committee. Nevertheless, I propose to send a copy of the report to parties who have chosen to stay away,” he said.
source:agency
Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, Telangana issue, Srikrishna report, political parties, Andhra Pradesh
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan invited megastar Amitabh Bachchan for 'No One Killed Jessica' screening
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan invited megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the screening of her new film "No One Killed Jessica", which is releasing today.
"Vidya Balan called us over to the screening of their latest offering 'No One Killed Jessica', a strong film based on the real life incident of the Jessica Lall murder in a club in Delhi and the legal and police to and froms, before her family got justice, by punishing the killer, the son of a renowned and powerful politician," Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
The actor, who has just returned from Goa after a family vacation, was all praises for the performances in the film and added he was delighted to meet Rani Mukerji who is also playing a pivotal role in the movie after a long time.
"The performances living up to the title and story of the film. Meeting Rani after so long was a joy. And Vidya is just so graceful always. My best wishes to them all for the film. It has been creating quite a buzz," he added.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
"Vidya Balan called us over to the screening of their latest offering 'No One Killed Jessica', a strong film based on the real life incident of the Jessica Lall murder in a club in Delhi and the legal and police to and froms, before her family got justice, by punishing the killer, the son of a renowned and powerful politician," Amitabh wrote on his blog bigb.bigadda.com.
The actor, who has just returned from Goa after a family vacation, was all praises for the performances in the film and added he was delighted to meet Rani Mukerji who is also playing a pivotal role in the movie after a long time.
"The performances living up to the title and story of the film. Meeting Rani after so long was a joy. And Vidya is just so graceful always. My best wishes to them all for the film. It has been creating quite a buzz," he added.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
Wonderful way to celebrate the 150 years of friendship between India and South Africa:Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra
New Delhi: Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra is kicked about performing with Shah Rukh Khan and Shahid Kapoor in Durban for celebrating the 150th year of India-South Africa friendship on Saturday, and says she has a soft corner for the "friendly and inviting" people of that country.
"I was approached for this event when the idea was being discussed. I thought it was a wonderful way to celebrate the 150 years of friendship between India and South Africa. There is no better way than to celebrate it in true Bollywood style," Priyanka told the media.
The concert, which is being held to commemorate the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers in 1860 to work on sugarcane plantations in South Africa, promises to be a glittering event with well-known names from the world of cricket and entertainment sharing a common platform.
The event, to be hosted by actor Anil Kapoor, is an initiative by AAMEDIA, a South African corporate, and Cricket South Africa. It is being directed and executed by Wizcraft International Entertainment and Cineyug Productions.
Priyanka, who has shot for her films "Andaaz" and "Aitraaz" in South Africa in the past, says she has a "surprise" in store for her fans. She also revealed that she has an "interesting performance lined up" on popular songs like "Maa da laadla", "Desi girl" and "Raat ke dhai baje".
The 28-year-old actor, who will be flying out to Durban from Mumbai on Friday night, is especially upbeat about the event as she finds a lot of similarities between India and South Africa.
"Given that there has been a 150-year association between the two countries, there are many similarities between the two. In many ways there is a certain familiarity every time I go there (South Africa). I have been to South Africa many times and enjoyed every trip," said Priyanka, who last visited the country in 2009 when she went to judge the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg.
The picturesque landscapes apart, Priyanka loves South Africa for its hospitality.
"The fondest memories of South Africa are of the people, who are so friendly, inviting and very helpful. I also think that it is such a beautiful place to visit. Every city has its own charm and I'm looking forward to visiting the country on a nice long holiday," said the versatile actress.
Priyanka is quite busy these days as she prepares for new films which will go on the floor soon. She is also gearing up for the release of Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf", apart from being pre-occupied with ad shoots and other photoshoots, including an upcoming schedule for the completion of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Don 2".
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Priyanka Chopra Performing with Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra Performing with Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra Performing in Durban
"I was approached for this event when the idea was being discussed. I thought it was a wonderful way to celebrate the 150 years of friendship between India and South Africa. There is no better way than to celebrate it in true Bollywood style," Priyanka told the media.
The concert, which is being held to commemorate the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers in 1860 to work on sugarcane plantations in South Africa, promises to be a glittering event with well-known names from the world of cricket and entertainment sharing a common platform.
The event, to be hosted by actor Anil Kapoor, is an initiative by AAMEDIA, a South African corporate, and Cricket South Africa. It is being directed and executed by Wizcraft International Entertainment and Cineyug Productions.
Priyanka, who has shot for her films "Andaaz" and "Aitraaz" in South Africa in the past, says she has a "surprise" in store for her fans. She also revealed that she has an "interesting performance lined up" on popular songs like "Maa da laadla", "Desi girl" and "Raat ke dhai baje".
The 28-year-old actor, who will be flying out to Durban from Mumbai on Friday night, is especially upbeat about the event as she finds a lot of similarities between India and South Africa.
"Given that there has been a 150-year association between the two countries, there are many similarities between the two. In many ways there is a certain familiarity every time I go there (South Africa). I have been to South Africa many times and enjoyed every trip," said Priyanka, who last visited the country in 2009 when she went to judge the Miss World pageant in Johannesburg.
The picturesque landscapes apart, Priyanka loves South Africa for its hospitality.
"The fondest memories of South Africa are of the people, who are so friendly, inviting and very helpful. I also think that it is such a beautiful place to visit. Every city has its own charm and I'm looking forward to visiting the country on a nice long holiday," said the versatile actress.
Priyanka is quite busy these days as she prepares for new films which will go on the floor soon. She is also gearing up for the release of Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf", apart from being pre-occupied with ad shoots and other photoshoots, including an upcoming schedule for the completion of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Don 2".
source:agency
Tags : India Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Priyanka Chopra Performing with Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra Performing with Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra Performing in Durban
Massive security arrangements have been made in Andhra Pradesh in view of the Srikrishna committee's report
Hyderabad: Massive security arrangements have been made in Andhra Pradesh today in view of the Srikrishna committee's report on the Telangana issue that will be made public by the central government in the evening after an all-party meet in New Delhi.
Police and central paramilitary forces were deployed in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana and some parts of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to maintain law and order.
Security was further tightened at Osmania University, the nerve centre of the Telangana agitation, after some students set afire a bus of state-owned Road Transport Corporation Wednesday night and damaged two buses in stone pelting.
Fifty companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in addition to the state police forces across the state, Director General of Police Aravinda Rao said.
Half of the paramilitary forces were deployed in Hyderabad and Cyberabad police commissionerate limits. Five companies, each comprising 120 personnel, were deployed to provide security to Information Technology firms in Cyberabad.
The paramilitary forces, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), conducted flag marches in parts of Hyderabad.
Security has been beefed up at the residences of ministers and legislators, state assembly, secretariat and other vital installations in the state capital.
The five-member Srikrishna committee, which looked into the demands for and against separate statehood to Telangana, submitted its report to union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
The central government has asked the media to exercise restraint in telecasting stories relating to the panel's report. The Information and Broadcasting ministry has urged the media not to carry speculative stories which may cause untoward incidents.
The National Broadcasters Association (NBA) has issued guidelines for the television channels and cable operators in Andhra Pradesh.
The report will be made available at the eight-party meet called by Chidambaram in New Delhi. The same will be made public after the meeting. The report is likely to be uploaded on the union home ministry website at 5 p.m.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are boycotting the meeting, saying it would serve no purpose.
The ruling Congress, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Lok Satta are sending two representatives each to the meeting.
Worried over the likely fallout of the report in Telangana, the Congress summoned all its MPs from the region to Delhi.
Senior leader Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with them Wednesday evening to advise them not to take any hasty step if the report makes no recommendation for formation of separate Telangana state.
The TRS, BJP and other parties fighting for a separate state are demanding the central government to table a bill in parliament in the next session, irrespective of the recommendations of the Srikrishna committee.
Telangana leaders of the Congress and TDP are also supporting this demand. However, their counterparts in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions are opposed to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The Srikrishna committee was constituted by the central government in February last year after Andhra Pradesh was rocked by violent protests for and against Telangana state.
Following an 11-day hunger strike by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, the central government Dec 9, 2009 announced that the process for formation of separate state will be initiated.
However, it decided to have wider consultations through the panel after protests rocked Andhra and Rayalaseema region.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
Police and central paramilitary forces were deployed in Hyderabad and nine other districts of Telangana and some parts of Andhra and Rayalaseema regions to maintain law and order.
Security was further tightened at Osmania University, the nerve centre of the Telangana agitation, after some students set afire a bus of state-owned Road Transport Corporation Wednesday night and damaged two buses in stone pelting.
Fifty companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in addition to the state police forces across the state, Director General of Police Aravinda Rao said.
Half of the paramilitary forces were deployed in Hyderabad and Cyberabad police commissionerate limits. Five companies, each comprising 120 personnel, were deployed to provide security to Information Technology firms in Cyberabad.
The paramilitary forces, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), conducted flag marches in parts of Hyderabad.
Security has been beefed up at the residences of ministers and legislators, state assembly, secretariat and other vital installations in the state capital.
The five-member Srikrishna committee, which looked into the demands for and against separate statehood to Telangana, submitted its report to union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
The central government has asked the media to exercise restraint in telecasting stories relating to the panel's report. The Information and Broadcasting ministry has urged the media not to carry speculative stories which may cause untoward incidents.
The National Broadcasters Association (NBA) has issued guidelines for the television channels and cable operators in Andhra Pradesh.
The report will be made available at the eight-party meet called by Chidambaram in New Delhi. The same will be made public after the meeting. The report is likely to be uploaded on the union home ministry website at 5 p.m.
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are boycotting the meeting, saying it would serve no purpose.
The ruling Congress, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Lok Satta are sending two representatives each to the meeting.
Worried over the likely fallout of the report in Telangana, the Congress summoned all its MPs from the region to Delhi.
Senior leader Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with them Wednesday evening to advise them not to take any hasty step if the report makes no recommendation for formation of separate Telangana state.
The TRS, BJP and other parties fighting for a separate state are demanding the central government to table a bill in parliament in the next session, irrespective of the recommendations of the Srikrishna committee.
Telangana leaders of the Congress and TDP are also supporting this demand. However, their counterparts in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions are opposed to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
The Srikrishna committee was constituted by the central government in February last year after Andhra Pradesh was rocked by violent protests for and against Telangana state.
Following an 11-day hunger strike by TRS chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao, the central government Dec 9, 2009 announced that the process for formation of separate state will be initiated.
However, it decided to have wider consultations through the panel after protests rocked Andhra and Rayalaseema region.
source:agency
Tags : Andhra Pradesh News, statehood for Telangana, Supreme Court, Srikrishna committee
Global electronic retail sales will approach $1 trillion for the first time in 2011
San Francisco/Las Vegas: Global electronic retail sales will approach $1 trillion for the first time in 2011, the US trade group the Consumer Electronics Association said in a study released on Wednesday.
The study forecast 2011 sales of $964 billion, up 10 percent from 2010's level of $873 billion. That will mark the second year of strong growth in retail electronics sales worldwide, after 2010 saw a 13-per-cent bump from the recession-hit levels of 2009.
"If the economy holds up, $1 trillion is well within reach," Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis at CEA, said at a press conference.
The study, timed to coincide with the start of the Consumer Electronics Show, said that 2010 growth was strongest in Africa, with demand climbing by 70 percent. The Middle East saw growth of 25 percent, followed by 24 percent for China, 17 percent for Asia, 10 percent for North America and 8 percent for Western Europe.
The leading region for 2011 is expected to be Western Europe, where 23 percent growth is expected. Growth in North America will be around 15 percent, while China will see a 15-percent rise in electronics sales.
source:agency
Tags : Business News, Global Electronic Retail Sales, Consumer Electronics Association
The study forecast 2011 sales of $964 billion, up 10 percent from 2010's level of $873 billion. That will mark the second year of strong growth in retail electronics sales worldwide, after 2010 saw a 13-per-cent bump from the recession-hit levels of 2009.
"If the economy holds up, $1 trillion is well within reach," Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis at CEA, said at a press conference.
The study, timed to coincide with the start of the Consumer Electronics Show, said that 2010 growth was strongest in Africa, with demand climbing by 70 percent. The Middle East saw growth of 25 percent, followed by 24 percent for China, 17 percent for Asia, 10 percent for North America and 8 percent for Western Europe.
The leading region for 2011 is expected to be Western Europe, where 23 percent growth is expected. Growth in North America will be around 15 percent, while China will see a 15-percent rise in electronics sales.
source:agency
Tags : Business News, Global Electronic Retail Sales, Consumer Electronics Association
Srikrishna Committee report out, Hyd for UT status
Srikrishna Committee recommends six options on Telangana statehood demand, including keeping the state united with constitutional and statutory measures for empowerment of Telangana region, and also bifurcation of the state with Telangana and one or the other regions with it.
Bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana, the committee says in one of its recommendations.
source:agency
Tags:Srikrishna Committee,Telangana,Rayala-Telangana,coastal Andhra regions,
Bifurcation of the state into Rayala-Telangana and coastal Andhra regions with Hyderabad being an integral part of Rayala-Telangana, the committee says in one of its recommendations.
source:agency
Tags:Srikrishna Committee,Telangana,Rayala-Telangana,coastal Andhra regions,
Jacques Kallis puts South Africa in a commanding position against India
Cape Town: Braving a side strain, Jacques Kallis struck a fine unbeaten 109 to put South Africa in a commanding position at the close of fourth day's play in the third and final cricket Test match at the Newlands Stadium here on Wednesday. South Africa were 341 all out, setting a victory target of 340 runs for India.
Kallis's century with Mark Boucher's 55 took South Africa to 341 from a precarious 130 for six. South Africa made 362 in the first innings and in reply India made 364.
Harbhajan Singh, who took up seven for 120, raised hopes for India's historic Test series win by picking up two wickets in the first session that saw South Africa scoring just 69 runs for three wickets.
But Kallis and Boucher dampened India's spirit with their gutsy 103-run stand for the seventh wicket on a track that offered variable bounce. The partnership that frustrated the Indians was finally broken by Sachin Tendulkar, whose long-hop kept low and trapped Boucher leg before the wicket.
The cracking pitch troubled other South African batsmen as well, but Kallis was at ease and waged a valiant fight despite the terrible pain. The 35-year-old, who hit eight fours in his 240-ball knock, became the first ever South African to score two hundreds in a home Test match. Kallis also moved ahead of Australian captain Ricky Ponting into second on the all-time list of Test century scorers with his 40th 100.
Kallis batted extremely well with the tail and added 54 runs for the eighth wicket with Dale Steyn (32) and 46 runs with Morne Morkel (28) to take the Proteas to an imposing total.
Earlier, Harbhajan who picked up two wickets on Tuesday, kept the batsmen guessing by getting the ball to turn from the rough. Alviro Petersen went back to the pavilion without adding anything to his overnight score of 22 with Harbhajan trapping him leg before.
The off-spinner was again on target in his next over and rattled the stumps of Hashim Amla (2). Amla tried to sweep Harbhajan, but the ball hit his pads and bounced to hit his middle stump -- South Africa were reduced to 64 for four.
Kallis kept the scoreboard moving and reverse-swept Harbhajan for two fours. With AB De Villiers (13), Kallis added 34 runs for the fifth wicket. Zaheer struck with an in-swinger to remove De Villiers.
The only wicket to fall in the post-lunch session was that of Ashwell Prince (22) with Ishant Sharma setting him up. Sharma enticed him to drive through the extra cover and bowled a similar length in the next delivery, forcing the left-handed batsman to slap at it and Sreesanth took a good low catch at the point.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Cricket, India South Africa Newlands Test
Kallis's century with Mark Boucher's 55 took South Africa to 341 from a precarious 130 for six. South Africa made 362 in the first innings and in reply India made 364.
Harbhajan Singh, who took up seven for 120, raised hopes for India's historic Test series win by picking up two wickets in the first session that saw South Africa scoring just 69 runs for three wickets.
But Kallis and Boucher dampened India's spirit with their gutsy 103-run stand for the seventh wicket on a track that offered variable bounce. The partnership that frustrated the Indians was finally broken by Sachin Tendulkar, whose long-hop kept low and trapped Boucher leg before the wicket.
The cracking pitch troubled other South African batsmen as well, but Kallis was at ease and waged a valiant fight despite the terrible pain. The 35-year-old, who hit eight fours in his 240-ball knock, became the first ever South African to score two hundreds in a home Test match. Kallis also moved ahead of Australian captain Ricky Ponting into second on the all-time list of Test century scorers with his 40th 100.
Kallis batted extremely well with the tail and added 54 runs for the eighth wicket with Dale Steyn (32) and 46 runs with Morne Morkel (28) to take the Proteas to an imposing total.
Earlier, Harbhajan who picked up two wickets on Tuesday, kept the batsmen guessing by getting the ball to turn from the rough. Alviro Petersen went back to the pavilion without adding anything to his overnight score of 22 with Harbhajan trapping him leg before.
The off-spinner was again on target in his next over and rattled the stumps of Hashim Amla (2). Amla tried to sweep Harbhajan, but the ball hit his pads and bounced to hit his middle stump -- South Africa were reduced to 64 for four.
Kallis kept the scoreboard moving and reverse-swept Harbhajan for two fours. With AB De Villiers (13), Kallis added 34 runs for the fifth wicket. Zaheer struck with an in-swinger to remove De Villiers.
The only wicket to fall in the post-lunch session was that of Ashwell Prince (22) with Ishant Sharma setting him up. Sharma enticed him to drive through the extra cover and bowled a similar length in the next delivery, forcing the left-handed batsman to slap at it and Sreesanth took a good low catch at the point.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, India Cricket News, India South Africa Cricket, India South Africa Newlands Test
Hindus say “model” Royal wedding might bolster dwindling institution of marriage
Hindus have commended the “model” wedding planned for Prince William and Catherine Middleton of United Kingdom, saying that it might help uplift the institution of marriage which is changing in dramatic ways world over.
A recent Time/Pew poll indicated that 39 percent of Americans think that marriage is becoming obsolete; only 46 percent unmarried people want to get married; and 30-31 percent give “financial stability” as “very important” reason to get married. Only 52 percent adults are married and 41 percent kids are born to unmarried women.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that world and religious leaders needed to bolster the institution of marriage as it was affecting the entire social fabric.
In Hinduism, vivah (marriage) is the most important samskar (sacrament) and was said to be established by sage Svetaketu. Married couple is looked as a complete module for worship and participation in cultural/social acts. With the marriage samskar, one thoroughly enters into grihasth-ashram (householder phase), where one can attend to the goals of dharm (duty), Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, points out quoting scriptures.
In Hindu tradition, marriage was binding not only this life but in the life thereafter also. Oldest existing scripture of mankind Rig-Veda talked about the marriage of Surya and Soma. It described: “I take your hand for good fortune, so that with me as your husband you will attain a ripe old age”, and thus provided the divine prototype for human weddings. In marriage, instead of physical union, Hinduism stressed on spiritual union, Rajan Zed added.
Zed also praised the decision of British Royal Family and Middletons for sharing the wedding cost and not putting it on taxpayer in view of tougher economic times. Wishing the couple a happy future together, he urged them to visit a Hindu temple sometime after their wedding to seek the blessings and good wishes of the Hindus of United Kingdom and the world. In view of growing diversity of United Kingdom, this would be a wonderful gesture.
Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, and Kate Middleton, both 28, who got engaged in Kenya in October, will be married by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowland Douglas Williams on April 29 at Westminster Abbey in London. They met in September 2001 at the University of St Andrews in Scotland studying art history, and then reportedly split in April 2007 for a short period. Middleton is said to be the first commoner in 350 years to marry an heir-presumptive to throne.
--Press Release
A recent Time/Pew poll indicated that 39 percent of Americans think that marriage is becoming obsolete; only 46 percent unmarried people want to get married; and 30-31 percent give “financial stability” as “very important” reason to get married. Only 52 percent adults are married and 41 percent kids are born to unmarried women.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that world and religious leaders needed to bolster the institution of marriage as it was affecting the entire social fabric.
In Hinduism, vivah (marriage) is the most important samskar (sacrament) and was said to be established by sage Svetaketu. Married couple is looked as a complete module for worship and participation in cultural/social acts. With the marriage samskar, one thoroughly enters into grihasth-ashram (householder phase), where one can attend to the goals of dharm (duty), Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, points out quoting scriptures.
In Hindu tradition, marriage was binding not only this life but in the life thereafter also. Oldest existing scripture of mankind Rig-Veda talked about the marriage of Surya and Soma. It described: “I take your hand for good fortune, so that with me as your husband you will attain a ripe old age”, and thus provided the divine prototype for human weddings. In marriage, instead of physical union, Hinduism stressed on spiritual union, Rajan Zed added.
Zed also praised the decision of British Royal Family and Middletons for sharing the wedding cost and not putting it on taxpayer in view of tougher economic times. Wishing the couple a happy future together, he urged them to visit a Hindu temple sometime after their wedding to seek the blessings and good wishes of the Hindus of United Kingdom and the world. In view of growing diversity of United Kingdom, this would be a wonderful gesture.
Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, and Kate Middleton, both 28, who got engaged in Kenya in October, will be married by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowland Douglas Williams on April 29 at Westminster Abbey in London. They met in September 2001 at the University of St Andrews in Scotland studying art history, and then reportedly split in April 2007 for a short period. Middleton is said to be the first commoner in 350 years to marry an heir-presumptive to throne.
--Press Release
Chhattisgarh central university's vice-chancellor received death threats
Raipur: Chhattisgarh police today began investigating death threats received by a central university's vice-chancellor and registrar from a caller who claimed to be a Maoist.
Police registered a written complaint in Bilaspur town after Guru Ghasidas University Vice Chancellor Lakshman Chaturvedi and Registrar H.M. Choubey informed them that they were receiving threat calls.
They said the caller claimed to be a member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist.
"We are treating the issue very seriously and have sought the samples of the caller's voice that has probably been recorded," a source in police headquarters here told the media.
He added that the caller threatened to gun down or blow them up if his man was not selected. But the caller did not reveal who his man was and the post he was talking about.
The university is based in Bilaspur, about 110 km from here.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Chhattisgarh News, Chhattisgarh Police, Death Threats to Guru Ghasidas University Vice Chancellor
Police registered a written complaint in Bilaspur town after Guru Ghasidas University Vice Chancellor Lakshman Chaturvedi and Registrar H.M. Choubey informed them that they were receiving threat calls.
They said the caller claimed to be a member of the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist.
"We are treating the issue very seriously and have sought the samples of the caller's voice that has probably been recorded," a source in police headquarters here told the media.
He added that the caller threatened to gun down or blow them up if his man was not selected. But the caller did not reveal who his man was and the post he was talking about.
The university is based in Bilaspur, about 110 km from here.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, Chhattisgarh News, Chhattisgarh Police, Death Threats to Guru Ghasidas University Vice Chancellor
2,000 NCC cadets from across India are attending the Republic Day Camp
New Delhi: Marching in perfect unison to drumbeats as they braved the cold snap, NCC cadets from across India are going through their paces at their annual camp here ahead of the Jan 26 Republic Day parade.
Around 2,000 selected cadets are attending the Republic Day Camp at the National Cadet Corps grounds in Delhi Cantonment. Of them, some 100 will be specially trained to march in the Republic Day parade at Rajpath.
"This year we have 1,950 cadets taking part in the Republic Day Camp. Of them, nearly 640 are girls," said NCC Director General Lt. Gen. Raj Kumar Karawal at a media preview today.
The NCC, a tri-services organisation comprising of Army, Navy and Air Force units, engages the youth from all across the country in programmes of youth development and social service, and assisting the armed forces in a variety of non-combat tasks.
"The year 2010 was special for the NCC as we had cadet volunteers at the Commonwealth Games and former NCC cadets winning medals at the Games. In fact, our cadets were also active in rescue and relief operations in disasters such as the oil spill along the Mumbai coast," Karawal added.
Nearly 2,700 cadet volunteers took part in the Commonwealth Games, held in the national capital in October 2010, for tasks of security management, traffic control, ceremonial duties and ushering.
The NCC, now 13 lakh in strength, plans to expand it's number of cadets to 15 lakh with its rising popularity among the youth.
"We plan to reach out to more colleges and schools in states such as Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states also. We have cadets from Leh also coming to the camp. The response has been tremendous so far and we are all set to increase the strength," Karawal said.
Interestingly, the NCC has also seen a rise in the percentage of girl cadets from 17 percent to 24 percent in the last year.
The director general said that considering the shortage of officers in the defence forces the NCC has always been dependable feeder for the armed forces as credits earned give cadets leverge in admissions to the National Defence Academy.
The almost month-long camp will be formally inaugurated on Thursday by Vice President Hamid Ansari. Cadets from all 17 NCC directorates are staying together at the camp.
source:agency
Tags : India Defence News, NCC Cadets across India, NCC Cadets at Republic Day Parade
Around 2,000 selected cadets are attending the Republic Day Camp at the National Cadet Corps grounds in Delhi Cantonment. Of them, some 100 will be specially trained to march in the Republic Day parade at Rajpath.
"This year we have 1,950 cadets taking part in the Republic Day Camp. Of them, nearly 640 are girls," said NCC Director General Lt. Gen. Raj Kumar Karawal at a media preview today.
The NCC, a tri-services organisation comprising of Army, Navy and Air Force units, engages the youth from all across the country in programmes of youth development and social service, and assisting the armed forces in a variety of non-combat tasks.
"The year 2010 was special for the NCC as we had cadet volunteers at the Commonwealth Games and former NCC cadets winning medals at the Games. In fact, our cadets were also active in rescue and relief operations in disasters such as the oil spill along the Mumbai coast," Karawal added.
Nearly 2,700 cadet volunteers took part in the Commonwealth Games, held in the national capital in October 2010, for tasks of security management, traffic control, ceremonial duties and ushering.
The NCC, now 13 lakh in strength, plans to expand it's number of cadets to 15 lakh with its rising popularity among the youth.
"We plan to reach out to more colleges and schools in states such as Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern states also. We have cadets from Leh also coming to the camp. The response has been tremendous so far and we are all set to increase the strength," Karawal said.
Interestingly, the NCC has also seen a rise in the percentage of girl cadets from 17 percent to 24 percent in the last year.
The director general said that considering the shortage of officers in the defence forces the NCC has always been dependable feeder for the armed forces as credits earned give cadets leverge in admissions to the National Defence Academy.
The almost month-long camp will be formally inaugurated on Thursday by Vice President Hamid Ansari. Cadets from all 17 NCC directorates are staying together at the camp.
source:agency
Tags : India Defence News, NCC Cadets across India, NCC Cadets at Republic Day Parade
Citibank fraud is a systemic failure:Sanjay Aggrawal, managing director of Helion Ventures
Gurgaon: A day after filing a complaint of cheating against the top brass of the US-headquartered Citibank in the Rs.300 crore scam at its branch here, Sanjay Aggrawal, managing director of Helion Ventures, today said the scam could not have taken place without the knowledge of senior executives.
"One person can't do this. It is a systemic failure and it runs through the organisation. You can't hold just one person responsible for it," Aggrawal, who claims to have lost Rs.33 crore in the scam, said at a press conference here.
He said it was normal practice at Citibank to take customers' signature on blank documents.
"As standard operating practice, Citibank gets its customers to sign on blank documents which allow them to buy and sell securities. That instrument was used to move money into employees' own accounts rather than my account," Aggrawal said.
Aggrawal, who co-founded business process outsourcing firm Daksh, which was later taken over by IBM, said he had been investing in a wealth management scheme of Citibank since 2004.
"The fraud took place in the last one year," he said.
He added that the bank informed him about the fraud in the first week of December.
"The agenda is both about the fact that there has been a wrongdoing at Citibank and they need to own up to that and then make good my losses," he said.
Aggrawal on Tuesday filed a cheating complaint against Citibank and 11 others, including Citigroup's chief executive officer Vikram Pandit, chairman William R. Rhodes, chief financial officer John Gerspach and chief operating officer Douglas Peterson and relationship manager Shivraj Puri.
In his first information report (FIR) filed at DLF-II police station, Aggrawal accused Shivraj Puri, who is at the centre of the scam, and others of falsification of accounts, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.
Working as a relationship manager, Puri allegedly cheated investors by asking them to deposit money into accounts managed by him, promising to invest it in schemes that offer very high interest within a short span of time.
Puri reportedly managed to con companies and high net worth individuals after forging Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) documents backing his claims.
source:agency
Tags : Citibank Fraud Case, Complaint of Cheating against Citibank, Citibank Top Brass, Citibank Senior Executives, Sanjay Agarwal, Helion Ventures
"One person can't do this. It is a systemic failure and it runs through the organisation. You can't hold just one person responsible for it," Aggrawal, who claims to have lost Rs.33 crore in the scam, said at a press conference here.
He said it was normal practice at Citibank to take customers' signature on blank documents.
"As standard operating practice, Citibank gets its customers to sign on blank documents which allow them to buy and sell securities. That instrument was used to move money into employees' own accounts rather than my account," Aggrawal said.
Aggrawal, who co-founded business process outsourcing firm Daksh, which was later taken over by IBM, said he had been investing in a wealth management scheme of Citibank since 2004.
"The fraud took place in the last one year," he said.
He added that the bank informed him about the fraud in the first week of December.
"The agenda is both about the fact that there has been a wrongdoing at Citibank and they need to own up to that and then make good my losses," he said.
Aggrawal on Tuesday filed a cheating complaint against Citibank and 11 others, including Citigroup's chief executive officer Vikram Pandit, chairman William R. Rhodes, chief financial officer John Gerspach and chief operating officer Douglas Peterson and relationship manager Shivraj Puri.
In his first information report (FIR) filed at DLF-II police station, Aggrawal accused Shivraj Puri, who is at the centre of the scam, and others of falsification of accounts, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.
Working as a relationship manager, Puri allegedly cheated investors by asking them to deposit money into accounts managed by him, promising to invest it in schemes that offer very high interest within a short span of time.
Puri reportedly managed to con companies and high net worth individuals after forging Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) documents backing his claims.
source:agency
Tags : Citibank Fraud Case, Complaint of Cheating against Citibank, Citibank Top Brass, Citibank Senior Executives, Sanjay Agarwal, Helion Ventures
TRS , BJP will boycott Andhra Pradesh politicians meet on Telangana issue
New Delhi:Amid boycott threats by the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Home Minister P. Chidambaram will on Thursday meet Andhra Pradesh politicians to discuss demands of separate statehood to the Telangana region.
Chidambaram will discuss with all stakeholders the contents of the Justice Srikrishna Committee report on the statehood issue which was submitted last week but has not been made public yet.
But the TRS and BJP have decided to boycott the meeting even as the minister made passionate appeals to them to resolve the vexed statehood issue that has whipped up emotions and violence in Andhra Pradesh.
The decision to hold the Thursday meet with eight recognised political parties of the state was taken after the 800-page report by the committee about the division of or keeping Andhra Pradesh united was submitted to the home ministry Dec 30.
The parties invited for the meeting include the Congress, BJP, TRS, Telegu Desam Party (TDP), Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
The TRS has objected to the meeting, demanding that the central government should introduce a bill in the budget session of parliament for a separate Telangana state, irrespective of the recommendations in the Srikrishna committee report. The BJP has said it would support such a bill.
Chidambaram, according to home ministry sources, has sent a second letter to the TRS asking its leaders to attend the meeting but the party has not responded.
The home minister, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, expressed hope that the TRS will take part in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence to discuss the political situation in the state ahead of the crucial meeting.
The Srikrishna committee was set up in February to study, among other things, the situation in Andhra Pradesh following protests for a separate Telangana state and the counter-protests that paralysed the state.
The committee met over 100 groups including political parties, intellectuals, politicians and retired bureaucrats and visited all the 23 districts of the state.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, India Politics News, Boycott Threats by TRS, Boycott Threats by BJP, Andhra Pradesh Politicians, Demands of Telangana
Chidambaram will discuss with all stakeholders the contents of the Justice Srikrishna Committee report on the statehood issue which was submitted last week but has not been made public yet.
But the TRS and BJP have decided to boycott the meeting even as the minister made passionate appeals to them to resolve the vexed statehood issue that has whipped up emotions and violence in Andhra Pradesh.
The decision to hold the Thursday meet with eight recognised political parties of the state was taken after the 800-page report by the committee about the division of or keeping Andhra Pradesh united was submitted to the home ministry Dec 30.
The parties invited for the meeting include the Congress, BJP, TRS, Telegu Desam Party (TDP), Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).
The TRS has objected to the meeting, demanding that the central government should introduce a bill in the budget session of parliament for a separate Telangana state, irrespective of the recommendations in the Srikrishna committee report. The BJP has said it would support such a bill.
Chidambaram, according to home ministry sources, has sent a second letter to the TRS asking its leaders to attend the meeting but the party has not responded.
The home minister, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, expressed hope that the TRS will take part in the meeting.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence to discuss the political situation in the state ahead of the crucial meeting.
The Srikrishna committee was set up in February to study, among other things, the situation in Andhra Pradesh following protests for a separate Telangana state and the counter-protests that paralysed the state.
The committee met over 100 groups including political parties, intellectuals, politicians and retired bureaucrats and visited all the 23 districts of the state.
source:agency
Tags : Telangana Issue, Andhra Pradesh News, India Politics News, Boycott Threats by TRS, Boycott Threats by BJP, Andhra Pradesh Politicians, Demands of Telangana
Aamir Khan to wear designer clothes made by Karan Johar at Imran Khan's wedding with Avantika Malik
Mumbai: It is a known fact that filmmaker Karan Johar is interested in costume designing and the latest to take his services is Aamir Khan. The star will be wearing a KJo-designed outfit for his nephew Imran Khan's wedding with Avantika Malik.
"Karan has designed clothes for Aamir and his son Junaid. He has designed a traditional as well as a formal suit for the wedding functions," said a source.
Not just Aamir, the filmmaker has also been acting as a mentor to the bride-to-be, Avantika Malik.
Karan has helped Avantika plan the entire wedding from clothes, jewellery, make-up to card designs.
However, for the mehandi celebrations on Saturday, Imran and Avantika will be wearing designer Varun Bahl and Manish Malhotra's clothes.
The wedding will take place on Jan 10.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
"Karan has designed clothes for Aamir and his son Junaid. He has designed a traditional as well as a formal suit for the wedding functions," said a source.
Not just Aamir, the filmmaker has also been acting as a mentor to the bride-to-be, Avantika Malik.
Karan has helped Avantika plan the entire wedding from clothes, jewellery, make-up to card designs.
However, for the mehandi celebrations on Saturday, Imran and Avantika will be wearing designer Varun Bahl and Manish Malhotra's clothes.
The wedding will take place on Jan 10.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman,excited about British release of Danny Boyle's '127 Hours'
New Delhi: Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman, who has got a Golden Globe nomination for his work in "127 Hours", is upbeat about the film's release in Britain.
"I'm very excited about '127 Hours' releasing in the UK...and what makes it even more special is that we scored the music here..in London (sic)," Rahman posted on his Facebook page today.
The soundtrack of "127 Hours" includes the popular song "If I Rise", a collaboration between Rahman and pop star Dido. In fact, Rahman was lauded for his work by American mountain climber Aron Ralston, on whose life the film is based.
The Chennai-based composer is competing in the Original Score for a Motion Picture category at the Golden Globes with the likes of Alexandre Desplat ("The King's Speech"), Danny Elfman ("Alice In Wonderland"), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross ("The Social Network") and Hans Zimmer ("Inception").
The ceremony will take place on Jan 16.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman
"I'm very excited about '127 Hours' releasing in the UK...and what makes it even more special is that we scored the music here..in London (sic)," Rahman posted on his Facebook page today.
The soundtrack of "127 Hours" includes the popular song "If I Rise", a collaboration between Rahman and pop star Dido. In fact, Rahman was lauded for his work by American mountain climber Aron Ralston, on whose life the film is based.
The Chennai-based composer is competing in the Original Score for a Motion Picture category at the Golden Globes with the likes of Alexandre Desplat ("The King's Speech"), Danny Elfman ("Alice In Wonderland"), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross ("The Social Network") and Hans Zimmer ("Inception").
The ceremony will take place on Jan 16.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman
Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar are having a rollicking time shooting for "Thank You"
New Delhi: Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar are having a rollicking time shooting for "Thank You". In their free time, they indulge in various activities and recently the two challenged each other to a basketball match on a cruise in Thailand.
"Well I've reached Phuket where Sonam & i are shooting a song on a cruise ship for 'Thank You'. I tried playing basketball wid her, but she kept saying the ship keeps movin thats why she couldn't score, a true Heroine of course (sic)," Akshay posted on his Twitter page today.
"Thank You", a romantic comedy directed by Anees Bazmee, has an ensemble cast including actors like Bobby Deol, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Celina Jaitley and Rimi Sen.
The crew will now shoot in Singapore.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar
"Well I've reached Phuket where Sonam & i are shooting a song on a cruise ship for 'Thank You'. I tried playing basketball wid her, but she kept saying the ship keeps movin thats why she couldn't score, a true Heroine of course (sic)," Akshay posted on his Twitter page today.
"Thank You", a romantic comedy directed by Anees Bazmee, has an ensemble cast including actors like Bobby Deol, Suniel Shetty, Irrfan Khan, Celina Jaitley and Rimi Sen.
The crew will now shoot in Singapore.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Sonam Kapoor and Akshay Kumar
Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra will groove to celebrate 150 years of India-South Africa friendship
Mumbai: Durban is in for some real Bollywood flavour when stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra will groove to their hit numbers Sunday at an event to celebrate 150 years of India-South Africa friendship.
The concert, which promises to bring together the world of cricket and entertainment on a common platform, will be hosted by actor Anil Kapoor.
This friendship concert is an initiative by AAMEDIA, a South African corporate, and Cricket South Africa. It is being directed and executed by Wizcraft International Entertainment and Cineyug Productions.
"Wizcraft has had a very warm and welcoming relationship with South Africa. The second IIFA Weekend and Awards were held in Sun City in 2001 and we returned for the fourth edition of the same in 2003 in Johannesburg forging a strong relationship between the two countries," Wizcraft director Sabbas Joseph said in a statement.
"The hospitality extended to us was touching and overwhelming. South Africa holds a big place in our hearts," he said.
"We have made new friends and fond memories and now an opportunity to come back and produce a concert in Durban. Celebrating Indian cinema and cricket is truly a privilege," he added.
The event will be held in commemoration of the arrival of the first Indian labourers in 1860 to work on the sugarcane plantations in South Africa.
The concert will also honour Sachin Tendulkar and Makhaya Ntini - two great stalwarts of cricket from India and South Africa respectively.
Several South African artistes are also scheduled to perform at the event, including Liquideep, Locnville, Drum Cafe, HHP, and 1st Project.
Wizcraft is looking at many other events in 2011. It is set to produce a concert for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Sri Lanka and also has been selected to execute the opening ceremony of the event to be co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
It will also produce the 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards on Jan 11.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
The concert, which promises to bring together the world of cricket and entertainment on a common platform, will be hosted by actor Anil Kapoor.
This friendship concert is an initiative by AAMEDIA, a South African corporate, and Cricket South Africa. It is being directed and executed by Wizcraft International Entertainment and Cineyug Productions.
"Wizcraft has had a very warm and welcoming relationship with South Africa. The second IIFA Weekend and Awards were held in Sun City in 2001 and we returned for the fourth edition of the same in 2003 in Johannesburg forging a strong relationship between the two countries," Wizcraft director Sabbas Joseph said in a statement.
"The hospitality extended to us was touching and overwhelming. South Africa holds a big place in our hearts," he said.
"We have made new friends and fond memories and now an opportunity to come back and produce a concert in Durban. Celebrating Indian cinema and cricket is truly a privilege," he added.
The event will be held in commemoration of the arrival of the first Indian labourers in 1860 to work on the sugarcane plantations in South Africa.
The concert will also honour Sachin Tendulkar and Makhaya Ntini - two great stalwarts of cricket from India and South Africa respectively.
Several South African artistes are also scheduled to perform at the event, including Liquideep, Locnville, Drum Cafe, HHP, and 1st Project.
Wizcraft is looking at many other events in 2011. It is set to produce a concert for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Sri Lanka and also has been selected to execute the opening ceremony of the event to be co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
It will also produce the 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards on Jan 11.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films,Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan promised his niece that he will start listening to Justin Beiber
New Delhi: Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan has promised his niece Navya Naveli that he will listen to international teen sensation Justin Bieber's songs, but his composer friend Vishal Dadlani is asking him to stay away from the teen sensation.
"My promise to my niece this new year that i'll start listening to Justin Beiber. oh god help me..... guess never say never!!!! (sic)," Abhishek posted on his Twitter page.
To this, Vishal of music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar, commented: "OH. MY. GOD!!! Run, AB, run!! That whiny-girl voice, those syrupy songs, it's a fate worse than death!"
The composer has also invited Abhishek to bring his 13-year-old niece for one of his shows.
"Bring her to the show, yo! We'll get her off that bieber-music. Promise!" Dadlani posted.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
"My promise to my niece this new year that i'll start listening to Justin Beiber. oh god help me..... guess never say never!!!! (sic)," Abhishek posted on his Twitter page.
To this, Vishal of music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar, commented: "OH. MY. GOD!!! Run, AB, run!! That whiny-girl voice, those syrupy songs, it's a fate worse than death!"
The composer has also invited Abhishek to bring his 13-year-old niece for one of his shows.
"Bring her to the show, yo! We'll get her off that bieber-music. Promise!" Dadlani posted.
source:agency
Tags : Entertainment News, Bollywood celebrities, Bollywood films
Indian stock markets are likely to gain 15-18 percent in 2011
New Delhi: Indian stock markets are likely to gain 15-18 percent in 2011 on the back of an estimated 8-9 percent economic growth with robust performances by telecom, auto, banking and financial stocks, says France-based $1.2 billion consultancy Mazars.
"Economic growth is expected to remain robust with 8-9 percent. The market should grow double this rate. We expect 15-18 percent rise this year," Viraf Rustom Mehta, director for assurance and risk advisory services in India with Mazars, told media.
"Telecom stocks look interesting. Despite the odds, the sector should do well. Growth in the banking and financial sector is also good," said Mehta, adding strong growth and proposed reforms, especially in insurance and pension, would help rally in financial stocks.
The government proposes to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap to 49 percent in the insurance sector from the current 26 percent. The Insurance Amendment Bill that proposes to raise the cap has been pending before parliament since 2008.
"Major global insurance players already have a presence in India. Raising the cap will give a big fillip to the industry," said Mehta, who is a member of the expert committee on banking and finance of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which gained nearly 18 percent last year, would scale a new high in 2011, said Mehta.
After hitting a record closing of 21,004.96 points Nov 5, the 30-share bellwether index finished 2010 at 20,509.09 points, with a gain of 17.43 percent over the previous year close. The Sensex had scaled an intra-day high of 21,206.77 points Feb 10, 2008.
"The Indian equity market is fairly balanced. Given the economic growth outlook, we hope the key indices will scale a new high this year," said the Mazars executive.
He said foreign institutional investors (FIIs) -- which had pumped in a record $28.83 billion in Indian equities last year against $17.46 billion in 2009 and a net sale of $13.135 billion the year before -- would continue to invest in Indian equities.
"I don't see any reason for a substantial decline in FII inflows. This year also it should remain around what we received in 2010," he said.
Mehta was also gung ho on India's realty industry -- the index for which performed the worst among 13 sector-specific indices in 2010 with a fall of 25.92. He expected the index to rise 10-15 percent price in near term.
"It may happen this year or next. We expect a moderate correction place soon."
On Mazars' India plan, Mehta said the company aimed to double its India business in two-tree years. "We have an ambitious growth plan for India. Currently we employ 500 people and plan to double the strength in two years. We will also open new offices and expand our reach."
France-based Mazars, which has a $1.2 billion turnover, employs over 12,500 professionals in 56 countries. It has nine offices in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune.
source:agency
Tags : Share Market news, Indian equities, Sensex, BSE, NSE
"Economic growth is expected to remain robust with 8-9 percent. The market should grow double this rate. We expect 15-18 percent rise this year," Viraf Rustom Mehta, director for assurance and risk advisory services in India with Mazars, told media.
"Telecom stocks look interesting. Despite the odds, the sector should do well. Growth in the banking and financial sector is also good," said Mehta, adding strong growth and proposed reforms, especially in insurance and pension, would help rally in financial stocks.
The government proposes to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap to 49 percent in the insurance sector from the current 26 percent. The Insurance Amendment Bill that proposes to raise the cap has been pending before parliament since 2008.
"Major global insurance players already have a presence in India. Raising the cap will give a big fillip to the industry," said Mehta, who is a member of the expert committee on banking and finance of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which gained nearly 18 percent last year, would scale a new high in 2011, said Mehta.
After hitting a record closing of 21,004.96 points Nov 5, the 30-share bellwether index finished 2010 at 20,509.09 points, with a gain of 17.43 percent over the previous year close. The Sensex had scaled an intra-day high of 21,206.77 points Feb 10, 2008.
"The Indian equity market is fairly balanced. Given the economic growth outlook, we hope the key indices will scale a new high this year," said the Mazars executive.
He said foreign institutional investors (FIIs) -- which had pumped in a record $28.83 billion in Indian equities last year against $17.46 billion in 2009 and a net sale of $13.135 billion the year before -- would continue to invest in Indian equities.
"I don't see any reason for a substantial decline in FII inflows. This year also it should remain around what we received in 2010," he said.
Mehta was also gung ho on India's realty industry -- the index for which performed the worst among 13 sector-specific indices in 2010 with a fall of 25.92. He expected the index to rise 10-15 percent price in near term.
"It may happen this year or next. We expect a moderate correction place soon."
On Mazars' India plan, Mehta said the company aimed to double its India business in two-tree years. "We have an ambitious growth plan for India. Currently we employ 500 people and plan to double the strength in two years. We will also open new offices and expand our reach."
France-based Mazars, which has a $1.2 billion turnover, employs over 12,500 professionals in 56 countries. It has nine offices in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune.
source:agency
Tags : Share Market news, Indian equities, Sensex, BSE, NSE
Swarms of satellites in the sky and even an individual owning one is possible :ISRO
Chennai: Swarms of satellites in the sky and even an individual owning one is possible today -- thanks to the emergence of small satellites targeted at performing specific activities, a top official of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said today.
"All space-faring nations are considering small satellites as low cost options for a specific purpose. More than 1,000 small satellites weighing less than 100 kg have been launched over the past 30 years to observe the earth and the environment and to study the moon and other planets," ISRO Satellite Centre Director T.K. Alex said.
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress held at SRM University in Kattankulathur near here Alex said: "Even with the presence of a large communication network using conventional satellites or fibre communication, there is a niche for small satellites for providing the link for the missing areas."
According to him, small satellites besides their civilian applications, could also be used for proving the technologies useful for military and security related applications.
He said that small satellites have good potential due to their innovate approach to technology and their low cost enables the owner take a risk with a mission.
Alex said small satellites are low-cost systems suited for a wide spectrum of space missions for proving new ideas in communication and sensor technologies, biology experiments and advanced propulsion technologies.
"In the areas of traffic monitoring, ship identification, disaster monitoring, environment and climate change, agriculture, tourism applications and many other areas, small satellites are found to be best suited," Alex remarked.
Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the conference, he said ISRO is encouraging Indian universities to design and build small satellites to be sent aloft by its polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV).
He further said educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology in Kanpur and Mumbai, Tamil Nadu based universities SRM, Satyabhama and VIT and ISRO's own institute, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST), are building small satellites.
"The satellite built by students of SRM University will be launched by ISRO this year. This gives an opportunity to students to get interested in the space technology."
The 40 kg Anusat, built by the students of Anna University in Chennai, was the first student satellite launched in April 2009. It carried an amateur radio store and advanced communications system.
The Studsat, built by engineering college students in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, was launched in July last year.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Satellite Swarms in Sky, Emergence of Small Satellites, ISRO
"All space-faring nations are considering small satellites as low cost options for a specific purpose. More than 1,000 small satellites weighing less than 100 kg have been launched over the past 30 years to observe the earth and the environment and to study the moon and other planets," ISRO Satellite Centre Director T.K. Alex said.
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress held at SRM University in Kattankulathur near here Alex said: "Even with the presence of a large communication network using conventional satellites or fibre communication, there is a niche for small satellites for providing the link for the missing areas."
According to him, small satellites besides their civilian applications, could also be used for proving the technologies useful for military and security related applications.
He said that small satellites have good potential due to their innovate approach to technology and their low cost enables the owner take a risk with a mission.
Alex said small satellites are low-cost systems suited for a wide spectrum of space missions for proving new ideas in communication and sensor technologies, biology experiments and advanced propulsion technologies.
"In the areas of traffic monitoring, ship identification, disaster monitoring, environment and climate change, agriculture, tourism applications and many other areas, small satellites are found to be best suited," Alex remarked.
Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the conference, he said ISRO is encouraging Indian universities to design and build small satellites to be sent aloft by its polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV).
He further said educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology in Kanpur and Mumbai, Tamil Nadu based universities SRM, Satyabhama and VIT and ISRO's own institute, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST), are building small satellites.
"The satellite built by students of SRM University will be launched by ISRO this year. This gives an opportunity to students to get interested in the space technology."
The 40 kg Anusat, built by the students of Anna University in Chennai, was the first student satellite launched in April 2009. It carried an amateur radio store and advanced communications system.
The Studsat, built by engineering college students in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, was launched in July last year.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Satellite Swarms in Sky, Emergence of Small Satellites, ISRO
Beatles legend Paul McCartney,written a letter to Indian PM to annually celebrate vegetarianism
New Delhi: Beatles legend Paul McCartney, who is a PETA activist, has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to chose a date to annually celebrate vegetarianism.
The singer has suggested that the meat-free day could be Jan 12, the foundation day of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, said a press statement from the organisation.
"Would you please think about declaring one day every year - perhaps on January 12, the anniversary of PETA India's founding, a day to celebrate vegetarianism and compassion towards animals?
"Such a declaration would save countless animals, reduce the environmental devastation caused by the meat industry and help participants clear their arteries and their consciences. It would be a celebration of life all life," McCartney wrote in the letter, a copy of which is with the media.
The Indian prime minister's preferred meal is a seasonal vegetable, daal (lentils), roti and a cup of curd. He occasionally opts for baked fish or steamed fish.
PETA India has suggested the national meat-free day could be called Shakahar Jayanti, while McCartney, who has also narrated a video exposing the meat industry, has pointed out that non-vegetarianism goes against Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of Ahimsa.
"This year, I narrated a shocking expose of the meat industry titled 'Glass Walls'. The video takes the viewer behind the closed doors of slaughterhouses, where millions of cattle, chickens, pigs and other animals meet a frightening, bloody end. What you see on the screen goes against our cherished ideals of peace and non-violence and makes a mockery of ahimsa, India's wonderful core doctrine.
"Now PETA India is releasing 'Glass Walls' in your country. I hope you will take a few minutes to watch it and recommend it to others. Were it to be shown in every school, I have no doubt that the next generation would fully embrace vegetarianism," McCartney added in the letter.
McCartney, 68, also wants to re-visit India.
"India has held a very special place in my heart since my first visit to your country many years ago. I look forward to returning to India," said McCartney who came to India in 1968 with his fellow Beatles to attend an advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) training session at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Hrishikesh.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Paul McCartney Letter to Manmohan Singh, Vegetarianism, PETA
The singer has suggested that the meat-free day could be Jan 12, the foundation day of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, said a press statement from the organisation.
"Would you please think about declaring one day every year - perhaps on January 12, the anniversary of PETA India's founding, a day to celebrate vegetarianism and compassion towards animals?
"Such a declaration would save countless animals, reduce the environmental devastation caused by the meat industry and help participants clear their arteries and their consciences. It would be a celebration of life all life," McCartney wrote in the letter, a copy of which is with the media.
The Indian prime minister's preferred meal is a seasonal vegetable, daal (lentils), roti and a cup of curd. He occasionally opts for baked fish or steamed fish.
PETA India has suggested the national meat-free day could be called Shakahar Jayanti, while McCartney, who has also narrated a video exposing the meat industry, has pointed out that non-vegetarianism goes against Mahatma Gandhi's ideals of Ahimsa.
"This year, I narrated a shocking expose of the meat industry titled 'Glass Walls'. The video takes the viewer behind the closed doors of slaughterhouses, where millions of cattle, chickens, pigs and other animals meet a frightening, bloody end. What you see on the screen goes against our cherished ideals of peace and non-violence and makes a mockery of ahimsa, India's wonderful core doctrine.
"Now PETA India is releasing 'Glass Walls' in your country. I hope you will take a few minutes to watch it and recommend it to others. Were it to be shown in every school, I have no doubt that the next generation would fully embrace vegetarianism," McCartney added in the letter.
McCartney, 68, also wants to re-visit India.
"India has held a very special place in my heart since my first visit to your country many years ago. I look forward to returning to India," said McCartney who came to India in 1968 with his fellow Beatles to attend an advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) training session at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Hrishikesh.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Paul McCartney Letter to Manmohan Singh, Vegetarianism, PETA
RBI issued a directive to the banks to allow customers only 1 transaction at ATM machines at a time
New Delhi: Gone are those good old days when you used to happily go ahead with multiple transactions just by entering the PIN (Personal Identification Number) once at the beginning. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken an initiative to put a check on the unbridled growth of cases where ATM cards have been misused by unauthorized people.
So, the next time you visit an ATM counter, be prepared to enter your PIN every time you want your transaction to recur. Be it withdrawing money or checking balance it is mandatory to enter the PIN afresh.
RBI has issued a directive to the banks to allow their customers only one transaction at ATM machines at a time. Most ATM users conduct various transactions including depositing fund, transferring money and paying bills through the ATMs.
source:agency
Tags : ATM transactions, Personal Identification Number, Reserve Bank of India, misuse of ATM cards
So, the next time you visit an ATM counter, be prepared to enter your PIN every time you want your transaction to recur. Be it withdrawing money or checking balance it is mandatory to enter the PIN afresh.
RBI has issued a directive to the banks to allow their customers only one transaction at ATM machines at a time. Most ATM users conduct various transactions including depositing fund, transferring money and paying bills through the ATMs.
source:agency
Tags : ATM transactions, Personal Identification Number, Reserve Bank of India, misuse of ATM cards
Central Government approved over 1500000 homes to the underprivileged and poverty-stricken people
Puducherry: Minister of Housing Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja declared today that the Central Government has approved over 1500000 homes to the underprivileged and poverty-stricken people of the nation till now. The houses are priced above Rs 1 lakh crore and the project is being run by JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission).
She said that around 145 underprivileged families have been provided homes near Puducherry, absolutely free of cost. This has been done in other parts of India too.
Selja stated that most of the poverty-stricken people residing in the city and remote areas of the country are homeless and that is why it is the duty of the government to provide shelter to them. Providing these poor people with free homes with proper residential facilities has proved to be an ideal solution. Care has been taken to ensure healthy living conditions of these people besides arranging for proper educational facilities to the children of these families.
source:agency
Tags : India News, JNNURM, free homes to poor, Central Government, Kumari Selja
She said that around 145 underprivileged families have been provided homes near Puducherry, absolutely free of cost. This has been done in other parts of India too.
Selja stated that most of the poverty-stricken people residing in the city and remote areas of the country are homeless and that is why it is the duty of the government to provide shelter to them. Providing these poor people with free homes with proper residential facilities has proved to be an ideal solution. Care has been taken to ensure healthy living conditions of these people besides arranging for proper educational facilities to the children of these families.
source:agency
Tags : India News, JNNURM, free homes to poor, Central Government, Kumari Selja
20110104
CWG Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi arrived at the CBI headquarters for questioning
New Delhi: Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi arrived at the CBI headquarters here today morning for questioning on the alleged financial irregularities in the preparations for the event. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had raided the Delhi and Pune homes of Kalmadi Dec 24 as well as the Organising Committee's office in the capital, two months after the mega event ended amid allegations of major financial irregularities.
The CBI is probing irregularities in the award of contracts during the Queen's Baton Relay ceremony in London in October 2009 as also wrongdoing in awarding a contract of Rs.107 crore for procuring timing equipment for the athletics event of the Games.
Kalmadi claims he has done no wrong and is willing to face any inquiry.
Three aides of Kalmadi -- T.S. Darbari, Sanjay Mohindroo and M. Jayachandran -- are already in custody.
source:agency
Tags : CWG Corruption, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi at CBI Headquarters, Financial Irregularities in Commonwealth Games
The CBI is probing irregularities in the award of contracts during the Queen's Baton Relay ceremony in London in October 2009 as also wrongdoing in awarding a contract of Rs.107 crore for procuring timing equipment for the athletics event of the Games.
Kalmadi claims he has done no wrong and is willing to face any inquiry.
Three aides of Kalmadi -- T.S. Darbari, Sanjay Mohindroo and M. Jayachandran -- are already in custody.
source:agency
Tags : CWG Corruption, Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi at CBI Headquarters, Financial Irregularities in Commonwealth Games
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned Punjab Governor Salman Taseer Killing
New York: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday condemned the assassination of Pakistan's Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who was gunned down by a bodyguard in Islamabad.
Ban called Taseer a "prominent leader whose death is a loss for Pakistan".
"The secretary general extends his condolences to the family of Mr. Taseer and to the government and people of Pakistan," the UN said.
Taseer was shot dead by a guard, Mumtaz Qadri, who was member of the governor's special security squad. He fired nine bullets from close range as the governor was coming out of a coffee shop towards his vehicle in Kohsar market in the federal capital.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced three days of state mourning.
source:agency
Tags : UN Condemn Salman Taseer Assassination, Assassination of Salman Taseer, Salman Taseer Gunned Down
Ban called Taseer a "prominent leader whose death is a loss for Pakistan".
"The secretary general extends his condolences to the family of Mr. Taseer and to the government and people of Pakistan," the UN said.
Taseer was shot dead by a guard, Mumtaz Qadri, who was member of the governor's special security squad. He fired nine bullets from close range as the governor was coming out of a coffee shop towards his vehicle in Kohsar market in the federal capital.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced three days of state mourning.
source:agency
Tags : UN Condemn Salman Taseer Assassination, Assassination of Salman Taseer, Salman Taseer Gunned Down
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari said ,NDA will support separate Telangana state Bill
Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said if the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government tables a bill in parliament for formation of a separate Telangana state, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would wholeheartedly support it. Addressing a public meeting organized by the party at Adilabad, about 300 km from here, Gadkari assured people of Telangana that the NDA was with them in realizing their dream of a separate state.
"I have come to assure you that all 165 MPs of NDA will support the bill on Telangana if Sonia Gandhi (Congress president) fulfills her promise by tabling the bill," he said.
The BJP chief warned the government against suppressing the Telangana movement by using paramilitary forces. "It is shameful that the government which failed to tackle terrorism has deployed paramilitary forces in Telangana to suppress peaceful agitation," he said.
Gadkari said if any force was used against the students and other protestors in Telangana, NDA would not allow parliament to function during the budget session.
The BJP leader said the fight for a separate state of Telangana was the fight for self-respect by four crore people of the region.
He promised that Telangana would be on the top of its agenda if NDA comes to power in the next elections.
He was confident that NDA would come to power in the 2014 elections and it would take up the Telangana state formation immediately.
He said Telangana was on top the agenda of the NDA meeting to be held on Wednesday.
Gadkari described the Srikrishna committee as "time pass" committee and said it was constituted by the government to drag the Telangana issue.
"This is the reason the BJP has decided not to attend the eight-party meeting convened by the centre on Jan 6," he said.
The BJP held the public meeting two days before the centre is to make public the report of the Srikrishna committee.
source:agency
Tags : Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, United Progressive Alliance, UPA government, bill in parliament, formation of a separate Telangana state, National Democratic Alliance
"I have come to assure you that all 165 MPs of NDA will support the bill on Telangana if Sonia Gandhi (Congress president) fulfills her promise by tabling the bill," he said.
The BJP chief warned the government against suppressing the Telangana movement by using paramilitary forces. "It is shameful that the government which failed to tackle terrorism has deployed paramilitary forces in Telangana to suppress peaceful agitation," he said.
Gadkari said if any force was used against the students and other protestors in Telangana, NDA would not allow parliament to function during the budget session.
The BJP leader said the fight for a separate state of Telangana was the fight for self-respect by four crore people of the region.
He promised that Telangana would be on the top of its agenda if NDA comes to power in the next elections.
He was confident that NDA would come to power in the 2014 elections and it would take up the Telangana state formation immediately.
He said Telangana was on top the agenda of the NDA meeting to be held on Wednesday.
Gadkari described the Srikrishna committee as "time pass" committee and said it was constituted by the government to drag the Telangana issue.
"This is the reason the BJP has decided not to attend the eight-party meeting convened by the centre on Jan 6," he said.
The BJP held the public meeting two days before the centre is to make public the report of the Srikrishna committee.
source:agency
Tags : Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, United Progressive Alliance, UPA government, bill in parliament, formation of a separate Telangana state, National Democratic Alliance
ArcelorMittal asked its shareholders to reject the higher offer by rival
Toronto:Backing ArcelorMittal once again, Toronto-based Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation has asked its shareholders to reject the higher offer by rival Nunavat Iron Ore Acquisition Inc and opt for the world's biggest steel company.
Nunavat made its offer of $1.45 a share at the weakend against ArcelorMittal's $1.40 a share for the Toronto company. ArcelorMittal made the new hiked offer to $1.40 after the expiry of its previous offer of $1.25 or $492 million passed last Thursday night. Its new offer amounts to $550.7 million.
On the other hand, since Nunavat already owns 10 percent stake in Baffinland and is seeking additional 50 percent of its shares, its offer amounts to $570 million.
With both the rivals setting the deadline of Jan 10 for acceptance of their offers, Baffinland's board of directors here said that it reviewed Nunavat's new offer on Monday and "determined that the offer by ArcelorMittal being made for 100 percent of Baffinland's common shares for $1.40 in cash per share ...remains in the best interests of Baffinland, (and) its shareholders.''
The Baffinland board is opposed to its takeover by Nunavat as that company - backed by American equity firm Energy & Minerals Group - was floated by its (Baffinland's) former executive to mount a hostile bid in September. Baffinland accuses that executive - Jowdat Waheed - of breaking confidentiality agreements.
Baffinland is important for ArcelorMittal for its future supplies of iron ore as the Toronto-based company owns 365 million tonnes of the precious ore at its Mary River site in far northern parts of Canada. Once it goes on stream, the Mary River project can supply 18 million tonnes of iron ore annually for up to two decades.
Investment bank Jennings Capital Inc. says the project holds "the best undeveloped iron ore deposit in the world.''
The battle for Baffinland began in September with Nunavat mounting its hostile bid with an offer of 80 cents a share and then ArcelorMittal entering the fray with its offer of $1.10 a share.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, ArcelorMittal, Canada's Baffinland Iron Mines
Nunavat made its offer of $1.45 a share at the weakend against ArcelorMittal's $1.40 a share for the Toronto company. ArcelorMittal made the new hiked offer to $1.40 after the expiry of its previous offer of $1.25 or $492 million passed last Thursday night. Its new offer amounts to $550.7 million.
On the other hand, since Nunavat already owns 10 percent stake in Baffinland and is seeking additional 50 percent of its shares, its offer amounts to $570 million.
With both the rivals setting the deadline of Jan 10 for acceptance of their offers, Baffinland's board of directors here said that it reviewed Nunavat's new offer on Monday and "determined that the offer by ArcelorMittal being made for 100 percent of Baffinland's common shares for $1.40 in cash per share ...remains in the best interests of Baffinland, (and) its shareholders.''
The Baffinland board is opposed to its takeover by Nunavat as that company - backed by American equity firm Energy & Minerals Group - was floated by its (Baffinland's) former executive to mount a hostile bid in September. Baffinland accuses that executive - Jowdat Waheed - of breaking confidentiality agreements.
Baffinland is important for ArcelorMittal for its future supplies of iron ore as the Toronto-based company owns 365 million tonnes of the precious ore at its Mary River site in far northern parts of Canada. Once it goes on stream, the Mary River project can supply 18 million tonnes of iron ore annually for up to two decades.
Investment bank Jennings Capital Inc. says the project holds "the best undeveloped iron ore deposit in the world.''
The battle for Baffinland began in September with Nunavat mounting its hostile bid with an offer of 80 cents a share and then ArcelorMittal entering the fray with its offer of $1.10 a share.
source:agency
Tags : India Business News, ArcelorMittal, Canada's Baffinland Iron Mines
New Mercedes C-Class, to be launched early in the new year 2011
Stuttgart (Germany): The new Mercedes C-Class, to be launched early in the new year, has undergone several modifications including a new front and rear and energy efficient engines that reduce consumption by up to 31 percent compared to the predecessor model, according to the carmaker.
Efficiency-enhancing measures include improved 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function. Ten new driving assistance systems ranging from Attention Assist drowsiness detection to Distronic Plus proximity control are now available in the new models.
Interior modernisation is supplemented with a new telematics generation, completely redesigned displays and onboard internet access.
According to the carmaker, some 2,000 new components distinguish the latest generation from its predecessor. The C-Class is the highest-selling model series and thus of particular importance to Mercedes. The current series has found over one million buyers worldwide since its launch in March 2007.
Among the distinguishing design changes are the more expressive and dynamic contours with the front section being brought closer to the brand's new design idiom such as the more prominent radiator grille surround.
The main focus of the design work in the interior was on restyling the dashboard with its integrated screen and new surface grain. The touch surfaces of the controls are more finely detailed and galvanised. The combination of keys, high-gloss areas and a new knurled wheel design accentuates the higher perceived value of the interior.
The Elegance and Avantgarde lines are more distinguishable from each other. This has been partly achieved by new trim in matt ash wood or walnut in the Elegance class, or dark aluminum or black ash wood in the Avantgarde. Standard features in the Elegance line include luxury head restraints whose side bolsters can be adjusted as required.
Both the sedan and estate versions have been given an aluminum bonnet, which contributes to weight reduction and fuel efficiency. All the rear-wheel drive C-Class models are equipped with the ECO start/stop function as standard.
In future all automatic versions with the exception of the C 300 CDI 4MATIC will feature the further-developed 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission.
All the petrol engines in the model series have direct injection. One of the highlights is the introduction of the new V6 petrol engine in the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. Power has increased to an output of 225 kW/306 hp from 215 kW/292 hp in the predecessor model.
Fuel consumption meanwhile has been reduced to 6.8 litres per 100 km - 1.5 litres or 31 percent less than the preceding C 350 model, according to Mercedes.
source:agency
Tags : Mercedes C-Class Launch, Mercedes C-Class Modifications, Mercedes C-Class Engines
Efficiency-enhancing measures include improved 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function. Ten new driving assistance systems ranging from Attention Assist drowsiness detection to Distronic Plus proximity control are now available in the new models.
Interior modernisation is supplemented with a new telematics generation, completely redesigned displays and onboard internet access.
According to the carmaker, some 2,000 new components distinguish the latest generation from its predecessor. The C-Class is the highest-selling model series and thus of particular importance to Mercedes. The current series has found over one million buyers worldwide since its launch in March 2007.
Among the distinguishing design changes are the more expressive and dynamic contours with the front section being brought closer to the brand's new design idiom such as the more prominent radiator grille surround.
The main focus of the design work in the interior was on restyling the dashboard with its integrated screen and new surface grain. The touch surfaces of the controls are more finely detailed and galvanised. The combination of keys, high-gloss areas and a new knurled wheel design accentuates the higher perceived value of the interior.
The Elegance and Avantgarde lines are more distinguishable from each other. This has been partly achieved by new trim in matt ash wood or walnut in the Elegance class, or dark aluminum or black ash wood in the Avantgarde. Standard features in the Elegance line include luxury head restraints whose side bolsters can be adjusted as required.
Both the sedan and estate versions have been given an aluminum bonnet, which contributes to weight reduction and fuel efficiency. All the rear-wheel drive C-Class models are equipped with the ECO start/stop function as standard.
In future all automatic versions with the exception of the C 300 CDI 4MATIC will feature the further-developed 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission.
All the petrol engines in the model series have direct injection. One of the highlights is the introduction of the new V6 petrol engine in the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. Power has increased to an output of 225 kW/306 hp from 215 kW/292 hp in the predecessor model.
Fuel consumption meanwhile has been reduced to 6.8 litres per 100 km - 1.5 litres or 31 percent less than the preceding C 350 model, according to Mercedes.
source:agency
Tags : Mercedes C-Class Launch, Mercedes C-Class Modifications, Mercedes C-Class Engines
India will celebrate 2011 as Civil Aviation Centenary Year
New Delhi: India will celebrate the completion of 100 years of the first commercial flight on Feb 18, by declaring 2011 as Civil Aviation Centenary Year, an official said today.
"The year 2011-12 will be declared as the Civil Aviation Centenary Year, starting from Feb 18, 2011 and ending on the same date in 2012," a civil aviation ministry spokesperson said.
The historic first flight took place on Feb 18, 1911, when the first commercial plane flew in the Indian skies between Allahabad and Naini.
The first commercial international flight, connecting the national capital to Karachi and beyond took place in 1912 and was operated by the erstwhile Imperial Airways.
According to the statement, the decision on events and celebrations to mark the centenary year will be taken by a high level committee constituted by the civil aviation ministry.
"The committee will deliberate upon the period of celebrations, formulate an action plan for the entire year and decide events which may be undertaken during the centenary years," the statement said.
During the year, activities like air shows, establishment of an air and space theme park/museum and an aviation university have been planned.
The statement said that the private sector would a major partner in the upcoming events and celebrations.
source:agency
Tags : India aviation industry, 100 years of commercial flight, Civil Aviation Centenary Year, Imperial Airways
"The year 2011-12 will be declared as the Civil Aviation Centenary Year, starting from Feb 18, 2011 and ending on the same date in 2012," a civil aviation ministry spokesperson said.
The historic first flight took place on Feb 18, 1911, when the first commercial plane flew in the Indian skies between Allahabad and Naini.
The first commercial international flight, connecting the national capital to Karachi and beyond took place in 1912 and was operated by the erstwhile Imperial Airways.
According to the statement, the decision on events and celebrations to mark the centenary year will be taken by a high level committee constituted by the civil aviation ministry.
"The committee will deliberate upon the period of celebrations, formulate an action plan for the entire year and decide events which may be undertaken during the centenary years," the statement said.
During the year, activities like air shows, establishment of an air and space theme park/museum and an aviation university have been planned.
The statement said that the private sector would a major partner in the upcoming events and celebrations.
source:agency
Tags : India aviation industry, 100 years of commercial flight, Civil Aviation Centenary Year, Imperial Airways
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar honoured with a doctorate by the SNDT Women's University
Mumbai: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar was today honoured with a doctorate by the SNDT Women's University on its 60th convocation day.
Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayan conferred the honorary degree on the speaker.
"I feel extremely honoured and privileged to receive the honorary doctorate conferred upon me," Meira Kumar said.
"The SNDT University, which is India's first women's university, has over the years emerged as a premier knowledge centre. Its role in educating women in multi-disciplinary formal and non-formal streams is, indeed, commendable," she added.
Speaking about the critical role women played in India's freedom struggle, Meira Kumar said that India is amongst the first countries in the world to have a woman prime minister and today, a woman president.
"The chairperson of the ruling coalition is a woman and so is the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha. Today, India is one of the world leaders in having professionally qualified women," she said.
Meira Kumar, however, expressed concern over still-prevalent social evils like gender discrimination, female foeticide, dowry and domestic violence.
"The female literacy rate has grown from 8.9 percent in 1951 to 57 percent in 2004 and yet there is a gap of 20 percent between the male and female literacy rates," she said.
"Women continue to lag behind in terms of level and quality of entrepreneurship and employment due to lack of skills, capacity-building, education and training opportunities and technological and financial support," she added.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, SNDT Women's University 60th Convocation Day, Meira Kumar Honoured by SNDT Women's University
Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayan conferred the honorary degree on the speaker.
"I feel extremely honoured and privileged to receive the honorary doctorate conferred upon me," Meira Kumar said.
"The SNDT University, which is India's first women's university, has over the years emerged as a premier knowledge centre. Its role in educating women in multi-disciplinary formal and non-formal streams is, indeed, commendable," she added.
Speaking about the critical role women played in India's freedom struggle, Meira Kumar said that India is amongst the first countries in the world to have a woman prime minister and today, a woman president.
"The chairperson of the ruling coalition is a woman and so is the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha. Today, India is one of the world leaders in having professionally qualified women," she said.
Meira Kumar, however, expressed concern over still-prevalent social evils like gender discrimination, female foeticide, dowry and domestic violence.
"The female literacy rate has grown from 8.9 percent in 1951 to 57 percent in 2004 and yet there is a gap of 20 percent between the male and female literacy rates," she said.
"Women continue to lag behind in terms of level and quality of entrepreneurship and employment due to lack of skills, capacity-building, education and training opportunities and technological and financial support," she added.
source:agency
Tags : India Education News, SNDT Women's University 60th Convocation Day, Meira Kumar Honoured by SNDT Women's University
Government ready to bring necessary regulatory amendments to implement the International Financial Regulatory Standards (IFRS)
New Delhi: The government is ready to bring in necessary regulatory amendments to implement the International Financial Regulatory Standards (IFRS) from April 1, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Salman Khurshid said today.
"I don't think there is any reason to postpone it, we are fully ready to implement it from April," Khurshid told reporters on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
He also said that the government will bring in necessary amendments in company laws to implement IFRS from the proposed date.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that a calibrated approach was needed to converge Indian accounting standards with IFRS.
"IFRS should be implemented both in letter and spirit," Mukherjee said.
The government aims to replace Indian Accounting Standards with IFRS from April 1.
source:agency
Tags : India News, International Financial Regulatory Standards, Regulatory Financial Amendments, Salman Khurshid
"I don't think there is any reason to postpone it, we are fully ready to implement it from April," Khurshid told reporters on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
He also said that the government will bring in necessary amendments in company laws to implement IFRS from the proposed date.
Earlier, addressing the conference, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that a calibrated approach was needed to converge Indian accounting standards with IFRS.
"IFRS should be implemented both in letter and spirit," Mukherjee said.
The government aims to replace Indian Accounting Standards with IFRS from April 1.
source:agency
Tags : India News, International Financial Regulatory Standards, Regulatory Financial Amendments, Salman Khurshid
Killer of Salman Taseer informed his fellow Pakistani guards about his intentions
Islamabad: Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, has disclosed during investigations that he had informed his fellow Pakistani guards about his intentions, a media report said on Tuesday.
Qadri had told the other guards not to open fire at him after he killed Taseer as he would lay down his weapon after the murder, the media quoted officials as saying. Qadri said that he wanted to be arrested.
Taseer was shot dead on Tuesday by Qadri, who was a member of the governor's special security squad. He fired nine bullets from close range as the governor was coming out of a coffee shop towards his vehicle in Kohsar market in Islamabad.
Qadri was taken into custody and investigations are under way.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced three-day state mourning for Taseer.
Security has been beefed up at sensitive locations while profiles of all personnel on VIP duty are being scanned once again.
Tags : Assassin of Salman Taseer, Pakistani Guards, Mumtaz Qadri
Qadri had told the other guards not to open fire at him after he killed Taseer as he would lay down his weapon after the murder, the media quoted officials as saying. Qadri said that he wanted to be arrested.
Taseer was shot dead on Tuesday by Qadri, who was a member of the governor's special security squad. He fired nine bullets from close range as the governor was coming out of a coffee shop towards his vehicle in Kohsar market in Islamabad.
Qadri was taken into custody and investigations are under way.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced three-day state mourning for Taseer.
Security has been beefed up at sensitive locations while profiles of all personnel on VIP duty are being scanned once again.
Tags : Assassin of Salman Taseer, Pakistani Guards, Mumtaz Qadri
Woman's rights group urged President Pratibha Patil to stop the sale of wine and liquor in Goa
Panaji: A woman's rights group has urged President Pratibha Patil to stop the sale of wine and liquor at government premises in Goa.
In a petition, Bailancho Saad, a woman's organisation, sought Patil's intervention to stop a government-promoted wine festival to be held at a multiplex in the capital later this month.
Patil is on a four-day-vacation in Goa.
"As the constitutional head, you are required to uphold the directive principles of the constitution prohibiting state governments from promoting alcohol," Bailancho Saad convenor Sabina Martins said in her memorandum submitted on Tuesday evening.
"Goa Tourism Development Corporation had issued an advertisement inviting applications for stalls for the festival held annually at INOX, a government premises. Saad demands that alcohol sale and promotion on government premises be stopped forthwith," Martins said.
Grape Escapade, scheduled Jan 27-30, exposes thousands of tourists and locals to the world of wines.
Wine distilleries from across India and several parts of the globe promote their brands at the event, along with several other cultural shows held at the multiplex courtyard on land leased by the government in the heart of the capital.
Patil had often referred to the evils of alcohol in her speeches after she took over as the president. At a speech in Kochi, Patil was concerned about alcoholism in Kerala.
"It is a state where the female population is over 51 percent and the literacy rate of females is 88 percent, the highest in India. However, I am surprised to learn that in spite of this, alcoholism is rampant and women are the worst sufferers," Patil said in her 2009 speech in Kerala.
In July last year, Patil had also given her nod to the stringent Delhi Excise Act, under which roadside drinking attracts a penalty of Rs 5,000.
It is this anti-alcohol enthusiasm that the woman's rights group wants to cash in on, with the memorandum reminding Patil about her comments on the ill effects of alcohol on women and children.
source:agency
Tags : India News, President Pratibha Patil, ban on liquor sales on government premises
In a petition, Bailancho Saad, a woman's organisation, sought Patil's intervention to stop a government-promoted wine festival to be held at a multiplex in the capital later this month.
Patil is on a four-day-vacation in Goa.
"As the constitutional head, you are required to uphold the directive principles of the constitution prohibiting state governments from promoting alcohol," Bailancho Saad convenor Sabina Martins said in her memorandum submitted on Tuesday evening.
"Goa Tourism Development Corporation had issued an advertisement inviting applications for stalls for the festival held annually at INOX, a government premises. Saad demands that alcohol sale and promotion on government premises be stopped forthwith," Martins said.
Grape Escapade, scheduled Jan 27-30, exposes thousands of tourists and locals to the world of wines.
Wine distilleries from across India and several parts of the globe promote their brands at the event, along with several other cultural shows held at the multiplex courtyard on land leased by the government in the heart of the capital.
Patil had often referred to the evils of alcohol in her speeches after she took over as the president. At a speech in Kochi, Patil was concerned about alcoholism in Kerala.
"It is a state where the female population is over 51 percent and the literacy rate of females is 88 percent, the highest in India. However, I am surprised to learn that in spite of this, alcoholism is rampant and women are the worst sufferers," Patil said in her 2009 speech in Kerala.
In July last year, Patil had also given her nod to the stringent Delhi Excise Act, under which roadside drinking attracts a penalty of Rs 5,000.
It is this anti-alcohol enthusiasm that the woman's rights group wants to cash in on, with the memorandum reminding Patil about her comments on the ill effects of alcohol on women and children.
source:agency
Tags : India News, President Pratibha Patil, ban on liquor sales on government premises
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