Chandigarh: Government school teachers in Haryana will now have their attendance marked on biometric machines, an official said here today.
"Attendance of teachers in Haryana will soon be recorded by their thumb impressions, as biometric machines are being installed in all government schools," said School Education Director Vijayendra Kumar.
He said the new technique of marking attendance was being introduced to curb the tendency of teachers coming late to schools.
"All teachers would have to press a button of these machines with their thumb to mark their attendance. The machines would be installed in the office of the school principal," he said.
Haryana has over 22,300 government schools.
source:agency
20110907
Indian capital is in a state of high alert ,after a blast outside the Delhi High Court
New Delhi: The Indian capital is in a state of high alert with security beefed up across the city and additional personnel pressed into action after a blast outside the Delhi High Court left nine dead and 45 injured today morning."The city is on a high alert. We've increased our patrolling and checking across the city, especially in crowded places. Security has been beefed up in Parliament House too," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told the media.Metro and railway stations, and the airport were sanitised by security personnel with dog squads and intense frisking of passengers.
"Extra security men have been brought in to deal with the situation. Security has been tightened at all Metro stations, airport, government buildings and industrial units," said Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson Rohit Katiyar.
The Railway Protection Force too has increased vigil across all stations in the capital and is closely monitoring CCTV footage.
"We have deployed additional personnel at all stations and CCTV footage is being observed thoroughly," Northern Railway chief public relations officer S.K. Sharma said.
"Frisking of passengers and scanning of luggage has been intensified too," he added.
source:agency
"Extra security men have been brought in to deal with the situation. Security has been tightened at all Metro stations, airport, government buildings and industrial units," said Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) spokesperson Rohit Katiyar.
The Railway Protection Force too has increased vigil across all stations in the capital and is closely monitoring CCTV footage.
"We have deployed additional personnel at all stations and CCTV footage is being observed thoroughly," Northern Railway chief public relations officer S.K. Sharma said.
"Frisking of passengers and scanning of luggage has been intensified too," he added.
source:agency
Manmohan Singh sanctioned Rs.2 lakh to the families of killed in the Delhi High Court blast
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sanctioned Rs.2 lakh to the families of each of those killed in the blast outside Delhi High Court, an official statement said.
Rs.1 lakh each has been sanctioned to those injured.
At least 11 people were killed and 76 others injured in the blast today morning.
source:agency
Rs.1 lakh each has been sanctioned to those injured.
At least 11 people were killed and 76 others injured in the blast today morning.
source:agency
How the contents of a letter from Narendra Modi to Manmohan Singh reached mediapersons:Gujarat HC
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat High Court today issued notice to its registrar general, the personal secretary to the chief justice and Lokayukta R.A. Mehta seeking answers on how the contents of a letter from Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached mediapersons.
Modi wrote to the prime minister demanding annulment of the warrant of appointment of Mehta as the Lokayukta.
The court also asked the respondents to explain their respective stands on the issue of appointment of the anti-corruption ombudsman by Sep 21, the next date of hearing.
On Aug 25, Governor Kamla Beniwal appointed Mehta as the Lokayukta allegedly bypassing the state government.
On Aug 26, the Modi government challenged the Lokayukta's appointment in the high court.
Social organisation Jan Sangharsh Manch, represented by counsel Mukul Sinha, had also moved a plea in the court to issue notice against Modi and for "not hearing the petition filed by the government" over Lokayukta's appointment.
The government sought to make the governor a respondent in the case but the division bench comprising Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Sonia Gokani asked the government to file an amended petition.
In the modified plea, Beniwal's name was removed and Mehta was made the first respondent and the registrar general of the high court was made the second respondent.
Two contempt of court petitions were filed in the high court against Modi for writing to the prime minister on the lokayukta issue and two additional petitions were filed over the inordinate delay in filling up the ombudsman's post.
Appearing for activist Bhikhu Jethva, his counsel Anand Yagnik contended that the chief minister going public with his statements on the issue while the high court was seized of the matter amounted to interference in the functioning of the judiciary and contempt of the court.
"By consciously disclosing the letter written to the prime minister on the matter of the ongoing judicial proceedings and making it public, the chief minister has deliberately committed criminal contempt," Yagnik had stated.
"The criminal contempt is much more serious and grave as it indirectly and by implication questions impartiality, honesty and integrity of the chief justice of the high court," he added.
Two other public interest litigations have also been filed on the issue of Lokayukta's appointment by the Gandhi Sena Trust and the Dhrangadhara Prakruti Mandal. Till Mehta's appointment, the post of Lokayukta had been lying vacant in Gujarat for over seven years.
source:agency
Modi wrote to the prime minister demanding annulment of the warrant of appointment of Mehta as the Lokayukta.
The court also asked the respondents to explain their respective stands on the issue of appointment of the anti-corruption ombudsman by Sep 21, the next date of hearing.
On Aug 25, Governor Kamla Beniwal appointed Mehta as the Lokayukta allegedly bypassing the state government.
On Aug 26, the Modi government challenged the Lokayukta's appointment in the high court.
Social organisation Jan Sangharsh Manch, represented by counsel Mukul Sinha, had also moved a plea in the court to issue notice against Modi and for "not hearing the petition filed by the government" over Lokayukta's appointment.
The government sought to make the governor a respondent in the case but the division bench comprising Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice Sonia Gokani asked the government to file an amended petition.
In the modified plea, Beniwal's name was removed and Mehta was made the first respondent and the registrar general of the high court was made the second respondent.
Two contempt of court petitions were filed in the high court against Modi for writing to the prime minister on the lokayukta issue and two additional petitions were filed over the inordinate delay in filling up the ombudsman's post.
Appearing for activist Bhikhu Jethva, his counsel Anand Yagnik contended that the chief minister going public with his statements on the issue while the high court was seized of the matter amounted to interference in the functioning of the judiciary and contempt of the court.
"By consciously disclosing the letter written to the prime minister on the matter of the ongoing judicial proceedings and making it public, the chief minister has deliberately committed criminal contempt," Yagnik had stated.
"The criminal contempt is much more serious and grave as it indirectly and by implication questions impartiality, honesty and integrity of the chief justice of the high court," he added.
Two other public interest litigations have also been filed on the issue of Lokayukta's appointment by the Gandhi Sena Trust and the Dhrangadhara Prakruti Mandal. Till Mehta's appointment, the post of Lokayukta had been lying vacant in Gujarat for over seven years.
source:agency
Delhi High Court blast:US offered its assistance in bringing the perpetrators of the crime to justice
New Delhi: Condemning the bomb explosion outside the Delhi High Court that killed 11 people, the US today underlined solidarity with India and offered its assistance in bringing the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
"On behalf of all Americans, I extend deep condolences to the government of India and the families of those harmed in this morning's attacks on the New Delhi High Court," US Charge d'Affaires Peter Burleigh said in a statement.
"Terrorism is a crime that affects us all. Bombings like today's demonstrate that our shared struggle continues against those who would commit such atrocities," he said.
"The US remains shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terror, and will provide whatever assistance possible to help bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice," he added.
The blast outside the Delhi High Court left 11 dead and 76 injured. Subsequently, Delhi was put on high alert with security beefed up across the city.
source:agency
"On behalf of all Americans, I extend deep condolences to the government of India and the families of those harmed in this morning's attacks on the New Delhi High Court," US Charge d'Affaires Peter Burleigh said in a statement.
"Terrorism is a crime that affects us all. Bombings like today's demonstrate that our shared struggle continues against those who would commit such atrocities," he said.
"The US remains shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terror, and will provide whatever assistance possible to help bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice," he added.
The blast outside the Delhi High Court left 11 dead and 76 injured. Subsequently, Delhi was put on high alert with security beefed up across the city.
source:agency
Names of the 11 people killed in the Delhi High Court bomb blast
New Delhi: Names of the 11 people killed in the Delhi High Court bomb blast that were released by Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital:
Inder Singh, 75: A resident of Geeta Colony in east Delhi. Singh had come to the high court with his son Maninder Singh for a hearing.
Vinod Jaiswal, 55: Resident of Sarai Rohilla, north Delhi.
Vir Pal Singh, 50: Resident of Gandhi Nagar, east Delhi.
Mehtab Singh Dabas, 57: Resident of Ghewar village, Nangloi in west Delhi. Dabas had come along with his son to the court for a hearing on civil dispute.
Nizamuddin, 85: Came from Meerut for the last hearing in a family feud. Nizamuddin was accompanied by his grandson and two relatives, who were injured. Hospital authorities declared Nizamuddin "brought dead".
H.D Joshi, 68: A resident of Naraina in west Delhi, he had come for a hearing on the case he had filed against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for "non-development of Naraina industrial area". The deceased ran a footwear factory in west Delhi.
Amanpreet Singh Kohli, 21: A law student from west Delhi's Tilak Nigar, Kohli left his home at around 9 a.m. with his driver. He was also declared "brought dead" to the hospital.
Darshan Lal Jain: A resident of Shakti Nagar, north Delhi.
Pawan Bansal, 52: No details.
Nalini Agarwal: Vasant Vihar resident.
Ashok Kumar, 55: No details.
source:agency
Inder Singh, 75: A resident of Geeta Colony in east Delhi. Singh had come to the high court with his son Maninder Singh for a hearing.
Vinod Jaiswal, 55: Resident of Sarai Rohilla, north Delhi.
Vir Pal Singh, 50: Resident of Gandhi Nagar, east Delhi.
Mehtab Singh Dabas, 57: Resident of Ghewar village, Nangloi in west Delhi. Dabas had come along with his son to the court for a hearing on civil dispute.
Nizamuddin, 85: Came from Meerut for the last hearing in a family feud. Nizamuddin was accompanied by his grandson and two relatives, who were injured. Hospital authorities declared Nizamuddin "brought dead".
H.D Joshi, 68: A resident of Naraina in west Delhi, he had come for a hearing on the case he had filed against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi for "non-development of Naraina industrial area". The deceased ran a footwear factory in west Delhi.
Amanpreet Singh Kohli, 21: A law student from west Delhi's Tilak Nigar, Kohli left his home at around 9 a.m. with his driver. He was also declared "brought dead" to the hospital.
Darshan Lal Jain: A resident of Shakti Nagar, north Delhi.
Pawan Bansal, 52: No details.
Nalini Agarwal: Vasant Vihar resident.
Ashok Kumar, 55: No details.
source:agency
20110906
P Chidambaram to make a statement in Parliament on a powerful bomb explosion outside the Delhi High court
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was adjourned and question hour suspended for home minister P Chidambaram to make a statement in Parliament on a powerful bomb explosion that killed at least nine people outside the Delhi High Court.
Speaker Meira Kumar condemned the bombing and expressed sympathies for victims.
She adjourned the house till 12.30pm and said the government would make a statement later in the day.
All members joined her to condemn the terror attack.
A home ministry official said that Chidambaram was expected to make the statement in the Lok Sabha at 12.30pm.
source:agency
Speaker Meira Kumar condemned the bombing and expressed sympathies for victims.
She adjourned the house till 12.30pm and said the government would make a statement later in the day.
All members joined her to condemn the terror attack.
A home ministry official said that Chidambaram was expected to make the statement in the Lok Sabha at 12.30pm.
source:agency
Delhi High court blast:National Investigative Agency (NIA) is assisting in the probe
NEW DELHI: The National Investigative Agency (NIA) is assisting in the probe into the explosion outside the Delhi high court in which at least nine people were killed and 45 injured.
"An NIA team has already reached the blast site. Another will be reaching soon," NIA director Prakash Mishra told reporters here. He said the agency would assist Delhi Police in the investigations.
Personnel of the National Security Guard (NSG) have also reached the spot, officials said.
source:agency
"An NIA team has already reached the blast site. Another will be reaching soon," NIA director Prakash Mishra told reporters here. He said the agency would assist Delhi Police in the investigations.
Personnel of the National Security Guard (NSG) have also reached the spot, officials said.
source:agency
Katrina Kaif took one of her fans on a bike ride in Mumbai
New Delhi: Katrina Kaif seems to have become quite confident of her bike riding skills. After riding a Royal Enfield for "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara", she took one of her fans on a bike ride in Mumbai.
For an upcoming episode of UTV Stars' "Live My Life", Katrina took her fan, 20-year-old Pooja Agarwal, out on a bike ride around Bandra.
The show gives one handpicked movie star fan an opportunity to enjoy the glamorous life of his or her favourite actor, for a day.
Katrina wanted to make the day extremely special and exciting for her fan.
Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha have already given one lucky fan the golden opportunity.
The episode featuring Katrina will go on air on Sunday.
source:agency
For an upcoming episode of UTV Stars' "Live My Life", Katrina took her fan, 20-year-old Pooja Agarwal, out on a bike ride around Bandra.
The show gives one handpicked movie star fan an opportunity to enjoy the glamorous life of his or her favourite actor, for a day.
Katrina wanted to make the day extremely special and exciting for her fan.
Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha have already given one lucky fan the golden opportunity.
The episode featuring Katrina will go on air on Sunday.
source:agency
Salman Khan to resume shooting for "Ek Tha Tiger" in Dublin
Mumbai: Bollywood star Salman Khan, who recently underwent a surgery in Pittsburgh, US, to treat a nerve problem, is expected to resume shooting for "Ek Tha Tiger" from Sep 10 in Dublin.
"Salman has to get a check-up done in three months to decide if he needs to get a second procedure done. He should commence shooting for Yash Raj soon in Dublin," said Atul Agnihotri, his brother-in-law and the producer of his blockbuster "Bodyguard".
"Salman has a trigeminal neuralgia with an AV malformation. He also has another rare complication. He has been treated in the US. The procedure took seven hours and it is successful," he added.
"Ek Tha Tiger" is a Yash Raj Films (YRF) production venture and Kabir Khan will direct it. Sources at YRF confirm that the shooting resumes on Sep 10, which incidentally is the date when Salman's last Eid release "Dabangg" had come out.
The crew, including Katrina Kaif (who, as reported, has set aside all other projects), has been keeping itself on hold monitoring Salman's post-surgery recuperation. Now they can heave a sigh of relief as Salman is well on the way to recovery.
"After the seven-hour surgery, the doctors had prescribed a strict regime for Salman to follow. But he has defied the rules, as usual. He's filled with mauj-masti in the US. Salman has been calling up his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri for the box office figures of 'Bodyguard'. Though the doctors have predicted the possibility of a second surgery three months from now, Salman has healed with amazing dexterity, leaving even his surgeons flummoxed," said a source.
About Salman not paying attention to doctors' orders, Agnihotri said: "He is en route to recovery, defying post-operation instructions. That's Salman for you."
source:agency
"Salman has to get a check-up done in three months to decide if he needs to get a second procedure done. He should commence shooting for Yash Raj soon in Dublin," said Atul Agnihotri, his brother-in-law and the producer of his blockbuster "Bodyguard".
"Salman has a trigeminal neuralgia with an AV malformation. He also has another rare complication. He has been treated in the US. The procedure took seven hours and it is successful," he added.
"Ek Tha Tiger" is a Yash Raj Films (YRF) production venture and Kabir Khan will direct it. Sources at YRF confirm that the shooting resumes on Sep 10, which incidentally is the date when Salman's last Eid release "Dabangg" had come out.
The crew, including Katrina Kaif (who, as reported, has set aside all other projects), has been keeping itself on hold monitoring Salman's post-surgery recuperation. Now they can heave a sigh of relief as Salman is well on the way to recovery.
"After the seven-hour surgery, the doctors had prescribed a strict regime for Salman to follow. But he has defied the rules, as usual. He's filled with mauj-masti in the US. Salman has been calling up his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri for the box office figures of 'Bodyguard'. Though the doctors have predicted the possibility of a second surgery three months from now, Salman has healed with amazing dexterity, leaving even his surgeons flummoxed," said a source.
About Salman not paying attention to doctors' orders, Agnihotri said: "He is en route to recovery, defying post-operation instructions. That's Salman for you."
source:agency
After Salman Khan's "Bodyguard",Atul Agnihotri is now working on Rajinikanth
Mumbai: After striking gold with "Bodyguard", starring brother-in-law Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, actor-turned-producer Atul Agnihotri is now working on a biopic on southern superstar Rajinikanth.
"There is a huge responsibility involved in making a film on Rajinikanth. We need his approval and contribution. Making a film on him will be an enriching experience for us. Certain commerce is involved in filmmaking; so we are working out the logistics," Agnihotri told the media in an interview.
The idea to make a Rajinikanth biopic came from Agnihotri's friend, ad filmmaker Lloyd Ba Pista, who will direct the film.
"That's not entirely my idea. I am assisting and helping out a friend of mine. His name is Lloyd. He came up with the idea. He perused it; he followed up. He found the concept to be interesting," said the filmmaker, who is married to Salman's sister Alvira Khan.
"Rajinikanth is an icon. When I read books on him, I was very impressed...it has the beauty of the pursuit of happiness. From the production angle, I thought it would be a great project to work together on.
"The environment is different and so is the story and its approach. As it's a biopic, so the take is different. We have to make it entertaining without losing the honesty of the story," said Agnihotri.
The 41-year-old entered showbiz as an actor but couldn't make it big despite working in films like "Sir", "Krantiveer" and "Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam".
In 2004, Agnihotri turned director with "Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha" and roped in Salman along with Preity Zinta and Bhumika Chawla for the film. But it didn't do much to boost his career.
Undeterred, he decided to turn producer with "Hello", which was based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller "One Night @ the Call Center". For this, he roped in his other brother-in-law Sohail as the lead character and Salman made a guest appearance. This, too, didn't enjoy a good run at the box office.
The change in fortune came with his second production venture "Bodyguard". This film has already grossed about Rs.83.50 crore in the last weekend. He is hoping to take the success forward with the Rajinikanth biopic.
"After a long time we have got success and opportunity; so we would like to make the most of it," said Atul, who co-produced "Bodyguard" with Reliance Entertainment.
Will Salman play Rajinikanth in the biopic?
"We don't know. We are working out and it would be great if he (Salman) becomes part of it in any which way. Let's see, Lloyd is still working on the script and going back and forth. He is consulting people. Let him revert back to me; then we will take it forward," said Agnihotri.
source:agency
"There is a huge responsibility involved in making a film on Rajinikanth. We need his approval and contribution. Making a film on him will be an enriching experience for us. Certain commerce is involved in filmmaking; so we are working out the logistics," Agnihotri told the media in an interview.
The idea to make a Rajinikanth biopic came from Agnihotri's friend, ad filmmaker Lloyd Ba Pista, who will direct the film.
"That's not entirely my idea. I am assisting and helping out a friend of mine. His name is Lloyd. He came up with the idea. He perused it; he followed up. He found the concept to be interesting," said the filmmaker, who is married to Salman's sister Alvira Khan.
"Rajinikanth is an icon. When I read books on him, I was very impressed...it has the beauty of the pursuit of happiness. From the production angle, I thought it would be a great project to work together on.
"The environment is different and so is the story and its approach. As it's a biopic, so the take is different. We have to make it entertaining without losing the honesty of the story," said Agnihotri.
The 41-year-old entered showbiz as an actor but couldn't make it big despite working in films like "Sir", "Krantiveer" and "Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam".
In 2004, Agnihotri turned director with "Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha" and roped in Salman along with Preity Zinta and Bhumika Chawla for the film. But it didn't do much to boost his career.
Undeterred, he decided to turn producer with "Hello", which was based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller "One Night @ the Call Center". For this, he roped in his other brother-in-law Sohail as the lead character and Salman made a guest appearance. This, too, didn't enjoy a good run at the box office.
The change in fortune came with his second production venture "Bodyguard". This film has already grossed about Rs.83.50 crore in the last weekend. He is hoping to take the success forward with the Rajinikanth biopic.
"After a long time we have got success and opportunity; so we would like to make the most of it," said Atul, who co-produced "Bodyguard" with Reliance Entertainment.
Will Salman play Rajinikanth in the biopic?
"We don't know. We are working out and it would be great if he (Salman) becomes part of it in any which way. Let's see, Lloyd is still working on the script and going back and forth. He is consulting people. Let him revert back to me; then we will take it forward," said Agnihotri.
source:agency
2011 men's Champions Trophy will not be held in India
Chennai: The 2011 men's Champions Trophy will not be held in India as originally scheduled but will be shifted to another venue which will be announced within a week, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced today.
"The FIH announced, that India will no longer host the 2011 Men's Champions Trophy due to ongoing problems with the governance of hockey in the country. A replacement host for the event is expected to be named within a week," FIH said in a press release.
"The schedule and line-up of the Champions Trophy will be determined when the host is announced. However, the event will take place during the same window of December 3-11.
"As a result of no longer hosting the Champions Trophy, India has been invited to play in the Champions Challenge to be held in South Africa in November."
As hosts, India were eligible to play in the elite tournament reserved for the top six national teams, but will now have to qualify for the event through the Champions Challenge.
With no immediate end in sight in the power struggle between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation, the Olympic qualification tournament scheduled to be held in Delhi in February 2012 is also in jeopardy unless the two bodies merge to present a unified structure that the FIH has been insisting on.
Several attempts to merge the two units have failed with neither willing to concede authority and power. The FIH said it will continue to monitor the developments and decide on the future of several international tournaments that have been allotted to India.
"It is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement of the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes that there be only one governing body for any one sport in any country with exclusive authority and responsibility to govern, organize national competitions and to enter national teams in international competitions," the release pointed out.
"We regret that we have to move the Champions Trophy from India," said FIH President Leandro Negre in the press release.
"It is difficult for the teams, the organizers and the fans. But we feel that this is the only way to maintain the integrity of our sport."
Michael Green, two-time Olympian and Chairman of the FIH Athlete's Committee, added: "The first priority has to be the athletes, and while this was a tough decision for the FIH to make, I feel that they have ultimately made the choice that is best for the athletes involved."
The FIH is in the final stages of reviewing bids from other nations that are willing and able within the scheduled timeframe to host an event of the magnitude of the Champions Trophy, the release said.
source:agency
"The FIH announced, that India will no longer host the 2011 Men's Champions Trophy due to ongoing problems with the governance of hockey in the country. A replacement host for the event is expected to be named within a week," FIH said in a press release.
"The schedule and line-up of the Champions Trophy will be determined when the host is announced. However, the event will take place during the same window of December 3-11.
"As a result of no longer hosting the Champions Trophy, India has been invited to play in the Champions Challenge to be held in South Africa in November."
As hosts, India were eligible to play in the elite tournament reserved for the top six national teams, but will now have to qualify for the event through the Champions Challenge.
With no immediate end in sight in the power struggle between Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation, the Olympic qualification tournament scheduled to be held in Delhi in February 2012 is also in jeopardy unless the two bodies merge to present a unified structure that the FIH has been insisting on.
Several attempts to merge the two units have failed with neither willing to concede authority and power. The FIH said it will continue to monitor the developments and decide on the future of several international tournaments that have been allotted to India.
"It is a fundamental and non-negotiable requirement of the Olympic Charter and the FIH Statutes that there be only one governing body for any one sport in any country with exclusive authority and responsibility to govern, organize national competitions and to enter national teams in international competitions," the release pointed out.
"We regret that we have to move the Champions Trophy from India," said FIH President Leandro Negre in the press release.
"It is difficult for the teams, the organizers and the fans. But we feel that this is the only way to maintain the integrity of our sport."
Michael Green, two-time Olympian and Chairman of the FIH Athlete's Committee, added: "The first priority has to be the athletes, and while this was a tough decision for the FIH to make, I feel that they have ultimately made the choice that is best for the athletes involved."
The FIH is in the final stages of reviewing bids from other nations that are willing and able within the scheduled timeframe to host an event of the magnitude of the Champions Trophy, the release said.
source:agency
NatWest series: England defeated India by seven wickets
Southampton: England defeated India by seven wickets in the rain-hit second One-day International of the NatWest series at the Rose Bowl here on Tuesday.
The match had been reduced to 23 overs a side after a delayed start due to rain.
Put to bat first, India scored 187 for eight with the help of Ajinkya Rahane's 54 and Suresh Raina's blistering 40 off 19 balls.
But England Captain Alastair Cook-led England reached the target of 188 in 22.1 overs.
Cook led the run-chase with 80 off 63 balls.
The first ODI had been called off due to rain.
England lead the ODI series 1-0 after winning the second ODI.
source:agency
The match had been reduced to 23 overs a side after a delayed start due to rain.
Put to bat first, India scored 187 for eight with the help of Ajinkya Rahane's 54 and Suresh Raina's blistering 40 off 19 balls.
But England Captain Alastair Cook-led England reached the target of 188 in 22.1 overs.
Cook led the run-chase with 80 off 63 balls.
The first ODI had been called off due to rain.
England lead the ODI series 1-0 after winning the second ODI.
source:agency
Panasonic Home Appliances Company Ltd ,doubling its production capacity
Chennai: With the demand for its electric rice cookers and premium mixer-grinders picking up, the city-based Panasonic Home Appliances Company Ltd is doubling its production capacity at an outlay of around $3 million, said a top company official.
"We will be doubling the electric rice cooker and mixer-grinder capacities over the next two years at an outlay of $3 million. We will increase the electric rice cooker capacity to two million units per annum and that of mixer-grinders to 600,000 units," Hidenori Aso, the managing director, told reporters here today.
He said the Rs.186 crore turnover company is also studying the possibilities of entering the food processor sector.
According to him, 70 percent of the company's revenue is brought in by the cookers while the balance is earned by selling mixers.
Aso said the company plans to ship out around 150,000 electric cookers to coutries like South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Panama, the Madives, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, the Middle East, Peru and Nigeria.
Thailand and Malaysia are expected to soon figure in the company's export map.
"We will also export around 80,000 mixer-grinders," he added.
In order to further increase its market share by 10 percent to 80 percent in the electric cooker market, Panasonic Home Appliances apart from launching region specific cookers offers five year warranty on the heater and two year warranty on the cooker body.
Speaking about the region specific cookers, G. Gurumohan, the chief marketing officer, said the products are made taking into account the kind of rice and the quality of water that is generally used in that state.
"We have state specific cookers for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
source:agency
"We will be doubling the electric rice cooker and mixer-grinder capacities over the next two years at an outlay of $3 million. We will increase the electric rice cooker capacity to two million units per annum and that of mixer-grinders to 600,000 units," Hidenori Aso, the managing director, told reporters here today.
He said the Rs.186 crore turnover company is also studying the possibilities of entering the food processor sector.
According to him, 70 percent of the company's revenue is brought in by the cookers while the balance is earned by selling mixers.
Aso said the company plans to ship out around 150,000 electric cookers to coutries like South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Panama, the Madives, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan, the Middle East, Peru and Nigeria.
Thailand and Malaysia are expected to soon figure in the company's export map.
"We will also export around 80,000 mixer-grinders," he added.
In order to further increase its market share by 10 percent to 80 percent in the electric cooker market, Panasonic Home Appliances apart from launching region specific cookers offers five year warranty on the heater and two year warranty on the cooker body.
Speaking about the region specific cookers, G. Gurumohan, the chief marketing officer, said the products are made taking into account the kind of rice and the quality of water that is generally used in that state.
"We have state specific cookers for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
source:agency
Amar Singh has been made a scapegoat : Samajwadi Party leader Mohan Singh
New Delhi: A Samajwadi Party leader today said that former party leader Amar Singh has been made a scapegoat to hide the shoddy investigations of Delhi Police in the cash-for-votes scandal ahead of the July 2008 trust vote in parliament.
Samajwadi Party general secretary Mohan Singh's comments came soon after Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh was sent to judicial custody along with two former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs alleged to be involved in the scandal.
"The Supreme Court had asked Delhi Police to find the source of the money in the cash-for-votes deal. Without knowing that, Amar Singh has been made the scapegoat to hide the police's shoddy investigation," Mohan Singh told the media.
"The real culprit is yet to be found. You cannot go to the bottom of the matter by simply accusing Amar Singh," Mohan Singh said, adding that the "issue is related to individuals and not the Samajwadi Party".
On July 22, 2008, three BJP MPs waved wads of currency notes in the Lok Sabha ahead of a trust vote, alleging they were given the money to vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh government.
source:agency
Samajwadi Party general secretary Mohan Singh's comments came soon after Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh was sent to judicial custody along with two former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs alleged to be involved in the scandal.
"The Supreme Court had asked Delhi Police to find the source of the money in the cash-for-votes deal. Without knowing that, Amar Singh has been made the scapegoat to hide the police's shoddy investigation," Mohan Singh told the media.
"The real culprit is yet to be found. You cannot go to the bottom of the matter by simply accusing Amar Singh," Mohan Singh said, adding that the "issue is related to individuals and not the Samajwadi Party".
On July 22, 2008, three BJP MPs waved wads of currency notes in the Lok Sabha ahead of a trust vote, alleging they were given the money to vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh government.
source:agency
Prasar Bharati approved further expansion of Doordarshan's Direct to Home (DTH) platform
New Delhi: The Prasar Bharati board today approved further expansion of national broadcaster Doordarshan's Direct to Home (DTH) platform so as to reach 150 channels by December, an official statement said.
The board also approved the DTH platform adding another 100 channels in 2012.
At its 104th meeting here, the board approved expansion of the All India Radio's FM stations to all 313 cities planned for coverage under the FM expansion scheme of the information and broadcasting ministry, an official statement said.
The board approved a token allocation of Rs.300 crores "as bridge finance for undertaking this work to be recouped from the government once the scheme of expansion of FM coverage by All India Radio is approved and adopted in the 12th Five Year Plan".
The board approved creation of 2,183 new vacancies in All India Radio to cover new projects and a special package for Jammu and Kashmir.
A similar scheme for Doordarshan has also been sought and is expected to be approved before the end of September.
Strengthening of finance wing of Prasar Bharati also came up for discussion. The board approved nine posts at the level of general manager and manager, exclusively for strengthening finance, budget and accounting wings of Prasar Bharati.
The board also noted the result of the latest auction of the six vacant slots on the DTH platform at the prices ranging from 3.21 crores to 3.5 crores per year.
It was decided to consider adoption of the e-auction model for programming of slots on Doordarshan as well.
The board also mooted an amendment to an act which governs telecast of sports events held in foreign countries with the aim of enabling Doordarshan garner greater revenue through an equal sharing policy.
Sources said the board proposed policy amendment to the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act so that revenues of the events held abroad and telecast by Doordarshan be shared on an equal basis with foreign broadcast partner.
The board decided that the information and broadcasting minister be requested to immediately implement the recommendation because "of the heavy financial consequences imposed on Doordarshan due to unequal playing field provided under the present dispensation".
source:agency
The board also approved the DTH platform adding another 100 channels in 2012.
At its 104th meeting here, the board approved expansion of the All India Radio's FM stations to all 313 cities planned for coverage under the FM expansion scheme of the information and broadcasting ministry, an official statement said.
The board approved a token allocation of Rs.300 crores "as bridge finance for undertaking this work to be recouped from the government once the scheme of expansion of FM coverage by All India Radio is approved and adopted in the 12th Five Year Plan".
The board approved creation of 2,183 new vacancies in All India Radio to cover new projects and a special package for Jammu and Kashmir.
A similar scheme for Doordarshan has also been sought and is expected to be approved before the end of September.
Strengthening of finance wing of Prasar Bharati also came up for discussion. The board approved nine posts at the level of general manager and manager, exclusively for strengthening finance, budget and accounting wings of Prasar Bharati.
The board also noted the result of the latest auction of the six vacant slots on the DTH platform at the prices ranging from 3.21 crores to 3.5 crores per year.
It was decided to consider adoption of the e-auction model for programming of slots on Doordarshan as well.
The board also mooted an amendment to an act which governs telecast of sports events held in foreign countries with the aim of enabling Doordarshan garner greater revenue through an equal sharing policy.
Sources said the board proposed policy amendment to the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act so that revenues of the events held abroad and telecast by Doordarshan be shared on an equal basis with foreign broadcast partner.
The board decided that the information and broadcasting minister be requested to immediately implement the recommendation because "of the heavy financial consequences imposed on Doordarshan due to unequal playing field provided under the present dispensation".
source:agency
Bangladeshi newspaper said absence of Mamata Banerjee from Manmohan Singh's delegation is an insult
Dhaka: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's absence from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's delegation, leading to the Teesta water accord not being signed, amounts to "an insult to the Indian Prime Minister", said a Bangladeshi newspaper today.
India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed several pacts but failed to ink the Teesta and Feni rivers water sharing accord.
"We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters," Singh said on Tuesday.
Banerjee, who was supposed to accompany Singh for the Sep 6-7 visit, refused to join the delegation to protest the final draft of the Teesta river water sharing agreement.
An editorial in the Daily Star said: "To say that Mamata Banerjee's absence has disappointed us is to greatly understate our feelings. The frustration runs far deeper. The hopes we had nurtured about her participation in Indo-Bangla talks have been dashed."
"Mamata Banerjee's action amounts to a big let-down for Bangladesh and an insult to the Indian Prime Minister," it said.
Referring to Banerjee's win in the West Bengal polls, it said the welcome with which her electoral victory was greeted in Bangladesh and the friendly feelings that she exuded to India's neighbour on her triumph, are "now more than equally matched by our disappointment at her impetuous behaviour".
Daily Star said: "We are taken aback by the turn of events and feel wronged."
The editorial went on to say that Trinamool Congress leaders' insistence that Banerjee was left out of the negotiations "does not cut much ice with policymakers in Bangladesh".
Stating that the timing of deciding not to come to Bangladesh was "irksome", the editorial said Banerjee's "last moment action has cast a dark shadow over the whole trip".
"It has had a dramatic negative impact on a trip that was so eagerly being looked forward to by both the government and the people of Bangladesh," the editorial added.
It wondered that if India's neighbour Bangladesh, "cannot depend on the negotiation it undertakes with New Delhi, and then sees it being scuttled by a state government, then what value will future negotiations have?"
"...Mamata's action...will leave, we are afraid, a serious negative impact on Bangladesh-India relations," it said.
source:agency
India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed several pacts but failed to ink the Teesta and Feni rivers water sharing accord.
"We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters," Singh said on Tuesday.
Banerjee, who was supposed to accompany Singh for the Sep 6-7 visit, refused to join the delegation to protest the final draft of the Teesta river water sharing agreement.
An editorial in the Daily Star said: "To say that Mamata Banerjee's absence has disappointed us is to greatly understate our feelings. The frustration runs far deeper. The hopes we had nurtured about her participation in Indo-Bangla talks have been dashed."
"Mamata Banerjee's action amounts to a big let-down for Bangladesh and an insult to the Indian Prime Minister," it said.
Referring to Banerjee's win in the West Bengal polls, it said the welcome with which her electoral victory was greeted in Bangladesh and the friendly feelings that she exuded to India's neighbour on her triumph, are "now more than equally matched by our disappointment at her impetuous behaviour".
Daily Star said: "We are taken aback by the turn of events and feel wronged."
The editorial went on to say that Trinamool Congress leaders' insistence that Banerjee was left out of the negotiations "does not cut much ice with policymakers in Bangladesh".
Stating that the timing of deciding not to come to Bangladesh was "irksome", the editorial said Banerjee's "last moment action has cast a dark shadow over the whole trip".
"It has had a dramatic negative impact on a trip that was so eagerly being looked forward to by both the government and the people of Bangladesh," the editorial added.
It wondered that if India's neighbour Bangladesh, "cannot depend on the negotiation it undertakes with New Delhi, and then sees it being scuttled by a state government, then what value will future negotiations have?"
"...Mamata's action...will leave, we are afraid, a serious negative impact on Bangladesh-India relations," it said.
source:agency
Rajya Sabha adjourned following the bomb blast outside the Delhi High Court
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. today following the blast outside the Delhi High Court, in which nine people were killed.
Chariman M. Hamid Ansari informed members about the explosion as soon as the house met for the day and said there may be a few casualties in the incident.
Condemning the blast, he asked the government to get details by 2 p.m.
source:agency
Chariman M. Hamid Ansari informed members about the explosion as soon as the house met for the day and said there may be a few casualties in the incident.
Condemning the blast, he asked the government to get details by 2 p.m.
source:agency
Bomb Blast outside Delhi High Court; 9 dead, many injured
At least 24 people were injured and four dead in a blast this morning outside one of the entry gates to the Delhi High Court complex crowded with visitors seeking entry into the premises. The explosion occurred outside gate No.5 where 100 to 200 people were waiting in queue to get passes
for entry into the court complex. The nature and magnitude of the blast was immediately not known.
According to eyewitnesses, 20 to 25 persons were injured in the explosion, which occurred at around 10:17 am and some of them may be in a critical condition. Delhi Special Commissioner Dharmendra Kumar confirmed that 24 people have been injured.
Some of the injured were being treated at a dispensary in the court itself while others were rushed to RML and LNJP hospitals. Home secretary, Delhi government said that four people are dead.
Court business is usually heavy on Wednesday, which is listed as a Public Interest Litation(PIL) day when the visitors come to the court in large numbers.
Ambulances and fire tenders were rushed to the site. Forensic experts were also rushing to the spot.
The blast area has been cordoned off and police have asked people to clear the area.
Top officials of Delhi police including Special Commissioner (law and order) Dharmendra Kumar and Joint Commissioner of Special Cell R S Krishnaiah reached the spot.
Jt Commissioner (Crime) Sandip Goyal and Special Commissioner P N Aggarwal also joined them.
Kumar said it was too early to ascertain the exact nature of the blast.
He declined to speculate whether the blast was of low intensity or high intensity.
It is in the second time in four months that a blast occured outside the Delhi High Court complex.
An explosion on May 25 triggered panic prompting the authorities to sound a high alert in the capital and tighten security at public places. No one was injured.
Low-intensity explosives, wrapped in a polythene bag and kept close to the car parked near Gate No. 7, went off around 1.30 p.m. Ammonium nitrate, a battery-like object, wires and some nails were found at the site by forensic experts.
source:agency
for entry into the court complex. The nature and magnitude of the blast was immediately not known.
According to eyewitnesses, 20 to 25 persons were injured in the explosion, which occurred at around 10:17 am and some of them may be in a critical condition. Delhi Special Commissioner Dharmendra Kumar confirmed that 24 people have been injured.
Some of the injured were being treated at a dispensary in the court itself while others were rushed to RML and LNJP hospitals. Home secretary, Delhi government said that four people are dead.
Court business is usually heavy on Wednesday, which is listed as a Public Interest Litation(PIL) day when the visitors come to the court in large numbers.
Ambulances and fire tenders were rushed to the site. Forensic experts were also rushing to the spot.
The blast area has been cordoned off and police have asked people to clear the area.
Top officials of Delhi police including Special Commissioner (law and order) Dharmendra Kumar and Joint Commissioner of Special Cell R S Krishnaiah reached the spot.
Jt Commissioner (Crime) Sandip Goyal and Special Commissioner P N Aggarwal also joined them.
Kumar said it was too early to ascertain the exact nature of the blast.
He declined to speculate whether the blast was of low intensity or high intensity.
It is in the second time in four months that a blast occured outside the Delhi High Court complex.
An explosion on May 25 triggered panic prompting the authorities to sound a high alert in the capital and tighten security at public places. No one was injured.
Low-intensity explosives, wrapped in a polythene bag and kept close to the car parked near Gate No. 7, went off around 1.30 p.m. Ammonium nitrate, a battery-like object, wires and some nails were found at the site by forensic experts.
source:agency
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels the IPL will entice and exhaust players
LONDON: Former England skipper Nasser Hussain feels the highly-lucrative Indian Premier League will entice and exhaust players unless it is carefully handled by cricket boards across the world.
"I have seen IPL and I know what it means to the Indian public, they love it, British Indians love it. It's a good tournament, but it will exhaust cricketers," Hussain said.
"There's no doubting it helped their one-day game. I think they wouldn't have been world champions if it wasn't for IPL. I think it has massively helped.
"But it is now going to hinder them - as we have seen here - in Test match cricket. Because you need young bowlers to be fit and raring to go, and the IPL is death for bowlers," he added.
The 43-year-old cricketer also believes that England players will be in demand for IPL after their 4-0 victory over India and the onus would be on ECB to ensure that they don't allow cricketers to play in the cash-awash twenty20 event.
"They are going to be enticed by IPL money. Come and play, come and play. All of this cricket would have been on (television) in India. (Graeme) Swann, (Stuart) Broad and (Chris) Tremlett ... they'll all be offered decent money. And they need to be looked after by the board to make sure that they don't go. So that they are ready for Test matches in the future," he said.
"We don't need the players coming straight from that exhausted. When you get a bowler, it's like gold dust. You do not just let him go. You don't just say, 'oh fine, we can lose Anderson.' Because before you know it, they're all gone. And you're left scratching your head again.
"Look at India, look at Australia. Looking after this bowling unit and keeping them together is crucial for England at the moment," he added.
Hussain also believes that the IPL would pose a big challenge for both India and England coaches in the future.
"It's going to be (Andy) Flower's biggest challenge now. All this cricket (the Test series) Flower will have to say, 'come on, we need you to be bowling in Test matches'," he said.
"It's going to be another one of (Duncan) Fletcher's biggest challenges. If India carry on with IPL, I believe it will hurt.
"It is now going to hinder them - as we have seen here - in Test match cricket. You need young bowlers to be fit and raring to go and the IPL is death for bowlers. It is noticeable that none of the England bowlers have played IPL," he said.
Hussain also was critical of the domestic Twenty20 tournaments on the English domestic calendar and said it would exhaust the players.
"I just think they've just over-egged it, they've just over done it. I mentioned the IPL but even in England, there are far too many games for our domestic players, they are doing far too much travelling and too much cricket, they will be exhausted as well," he said.
The India-born cricketer also felt administrators should cut down on ODIs to ensure there is no overkill.
"I do believe you can cut down, specially one-day cricket. You don't need seven ODIs and a couple of T20I, have three one-dayers and three Twenty20s or something like that," he said.
"Twenty20 will sell itself, you'll have sell out crowds everywhere, all these ODIs will be sold out. But that doesn't mean you have to do it just because it's bringing in money."
source:agency
"I have seen IPL and I know what it means to the Indian public, they love it, British Indians love it. It's a good tournament, but it will exhaust cricketers," Hussain said.
"There's no doubting it helped their one-day game. I think they wouldn't have been world champions if it wasn't for IPL. I think it has massively helped.
"But it is now going to hinder them - as we have seen here - in Test match cricket. Because you need young bowlers to be fit and raring to go, and the IPL is death for bowlers," he added.
The 43-year-old cricketer also believes that England players will be in demand for IPL after their 4-0 victory over India and the onus would be on ECB to ensure that they don't allow cricketers to play in the cash-awash twenty20 event.
"They are going to be enticed by IPL money. Come and play, come and play. All of this cricket would have been on (television) in India. (Graeme) Swann, (Stuart) Broad and (Chris) Tremlett ... they'll all be offered decent money. And they need to be looked after by the board to make sure that they don't go. So that they are ready for Test matches in the future," he said.
"We don't need the players coming straight from that exhausted. When you get a bowler, it's like gold dust. You do not just let him go. You don't just say, 'oh fine, we can lose Anderson.' Because before you know it, they're all gone. And you're left scratching your head again.
"Look at India, look at Australia. Looking after this bowling unit and keeping them together is crucial for England at the moment," he added.
Hussain also believes that the IPL would pose a big challenge for both India and England coaches in the future.
"It's going to be (Andy) Flower's biggest challenge now. All this cricket (the Test series) Flower will have to say, 'come on, we need you to be bowling in Test matches'," he said.
"It's going to be another one of (Duncan) Fletcher's biggest challenges. If India carry on with IPL, I believe it will hurt.
"It is now going to hinder them - as we have seen here - in Test match cricket. You need young bowlers to be fit and raring to go and the IPL is death for bowlers. It is noticeable that none of the England bowlers have played IPL," he said.
Hussain also was critical of the domestic Twenty20 tournaments on the English domestic calendar and said it would exhaust the players.
"I just think they've just over-egged it, they've just over done it. I mentioned the IPL but even in England, there are far too many games for our domestic players, they are doing far too much travelling and too much cricket, they will be exhausted as well," he said.
The India-born cricketer also felt administrators should cut down on ODIs to ensure there is no overkill.
"I do believe you can cut down, specially one-day cricket. You don't need seven ODIs and a couple of T20I, have three one-dayers and three Twenty20s or something like that," he said.
"Twenty20 will sell itself, you'll have sell out crowds everywhere, all these ODIs will be sold out. But that doesn't mean you have to do it just because it's bringing in money."
source:agency
Mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy,spent his first night at the Chanchalguda Central Jail
Hyderabad: Mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy, one of India's richest politicians, spent his first night at the Chanchalguda Central Jail like an ordinary prisoner, sleeping on the floor with other undertrials, an official said today.The high-profile former Karnataka minister, who is said to fly in his helicopter from Bellary to Bangalore only to have breakfast, had to make do with rice, dal and vegetarian curry for dinner.Breakfast was khichdi for both Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy, who were arrested on Monday for alleged illegal mining.
A jail official said each undertrial was entitled to 600 grams rice, 100 grams dal and 250 grams vegetable curry a day.
Accustomed to a luxurious life in his palatial bungalows, Janardhana Reddy is now sharing crammed accommodation and getting ordinary jail food.
Like other undertrials, Janardhana Reddy will have to stand in queue for food, wash his own plate, clothes and sweep the surroundings.
He was allotted number 697 while his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy is prisoner number 696.
The duo were arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early on Monday in Bellary for illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh, brought to Hyderabad and remanded to judicial custody till Sep 19.
According to Chanchalguda Central Jail superintendent Keshav Naidu, the duo spent the night in the barracks of the reception block.
Since there are no court orders for special class prisoner status, jail authorities are treating them like other ordinary prisoners. "They are not getting any special treatment," said the jail superintendent.
The mining magnate and his kin will be shifted to another barrack today. Unless their lawyers seek and get special class prisoner status for them, they will have to share the barracks with other petty offenders.
Janardhana Reddy was the Karnataka tourism minister in the cabinet of B.S. Yeddyurappaa, who had to resign recently in the wake of the Lokayukta report. His elder brother G. Karunakara was revenue minister while younger brother G. Somashekara is an assembly member from Bellary.
Disgraced IT czar and former chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ramalinga Raju, who is also lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Jail, enjoys special class prisoner status. He is entitled to better diet and accommodation in a separate enclosure.
Ramalinga Raju and eight other accused in multimillion Satyam accounting fraud are among 700 prisoners in the jail located in the old city and built in 1876.
source:agency
A jail official said each undertrial was entitled to 600 grams rice, 100 grams dal and 250 grams vegetable curry a day.
Accustomed to a luxurious life in his palatial bungalows, Janardhana Reddy is now sharing crammed accommodation and getting ordinary jail food.
Like other undertrials, Janardhana Reddy will have to stand in queue for food, wash his own plate, clothes and sweep the surroundings.
He was allotted number 697 while his brother-in-law Srinivasa Reddy is prisoner number 696.
The duo were arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early on Monday in Bellary for illegal mining in Andhra Pradesh, brought to Hyderabad and remanded to judicial custody till Sep 19.
According to Chanchalguda Central Jail superintendent Keshav Naidu, the duo spent the night in the barracks of the reception block.
Since there are no court orders for special class prisoner status, jail authorities are treating them like other ordinary prisoners. "They are not getting any special treatment," said the jail superintendent.
The mining magnate and his kin will be shifted to another barrack today. Unless their lawyers seek and get special class prisoner status for them, they will have to share the barracks with other petty offenders.
Janardhana Reddy was the Karnataka tourism minister in the cabinet of B.S. Yeddyurappaa, who had to resign recently in the wake of the Lokayukta report. His elder brother G. Karunakara was revenue minister while younger brother G. Somashekara is an assembly member from Bellary.
Disgraced IT czar and former chairman of Satyam Computer Services Ramalinga Raju, who is also lodged in the Chanchalguda Central Jail, enjoys special class prisoner status. He is entitled to better diet and accommodation in a separate enclosure.
Ramalinga Raju and eight other accused in multimillion Satyam accounting fraud are among 700 prisoners in the jail located in the old city and built in 1876.
source:agency
Cash for votes scandal:Amar Singh cited health reasons not to appear before a Delhi court
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh today cited health reasons not to appear before a Delhi court, which had summoned him for alleged involvement in the cash for votes scandal that had rocked parliament during the July 2008 trust vote.
"Amar Singh is not well and is confined to bed. The doctor has advised him not to move around. That's why we have moved an application that he will not be able to appear in the court today," his lawyer told reporters outside the Tis Hazari court premises.
"He is not avoiding the court appearance and will appear when the court decides the next date of hearing," he added.
Amar Singh and three others were to appear before a trial court here today, after Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in the corruption scam.
Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had Aug 25 issued summons to Amar Singh, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Fagan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora and Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former associate of BJP leader L.K. Advani.
"The chargesheet is based on weak circumstantial evidence," Amar Singh's lawyer said.
On July 22, 2008, three BJP MPs waved wads of currency notes in the Lok Sabha ahead of a trust vote, alleging they were given the money to vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh government.
The chargesheet alleged that during investigation "sufficient evidence" came on record that on morning of July 22, 2008, Amar Singh "hatched a criminal conspiracy with his secretary Sanjeev Saxena to deliver cash of Rs.1 crore as illegal gratification".
source:agency
"Amar Singh is not well and is confined to bed. The doctor has advised him not to move around. That's why we have moved an application that he will not be able to appear in the court today," his lawyer told reporters outside the Tis Hazari court premises.
"He is not avoiding the court appearance and will appear when the court decides the next date of hearing," he added.
Amar Singh and three others were to appear before a trial court here today, after Delhi Police filed a chargesheet in the corruption scam.
Special Judge Sangita Dhingra Sehgal had Aug 25 issued summons to Amar Singh, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Fagan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora and Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former associate of BJP leader L.K. Advani.
"The chargesheet is based on weak circumstantial evidence," Amar Singh's lawyer said.
On July 22, 2008, three BJP MPs waved wads of currency notes in the Lok Sabha ahead of a trust vote, alleging they were given the money to vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh government.
The chargesheet alleged that during investigation "sufficient evidence" came on record that on morning of July 22, 2008, Amar Singh "hatched a criminal conspiracy with his secretary Sanjeev Saxena to deliver cash of Rs.1 crore as illegal gratification".
source:agency
Much awaited Land Acquisition Bill,approved by the union cabinet
New Delhi: The much awaited Land Acquisition Bill, which seeks to lay down norms for increased compensation to land owners, was approved by the union cabinet on Monday. It is to be introduced in the parliament on Wednesday.
Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh termed the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, as "historic".
Ramesh said the bill "brings about balance between the objective of faster industrialisation and the need to protect land owners and livelihood losers".
The bill was cleared at the cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which lasted almost 90 minutes.
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had taken personal interest in the bill and had also given suggestions following his interactions with farmers. The Congress scion had gone on a march to western Uttar Pradesh to meet farmers protesting against land acquisition.
The government had declared its intention to introduce the bill in the monsoon session of parliament following a spate of farmers' protests across the country over acquisition of land.
The bill is likely to go to a standing committee after its introduction in parliament, where it will be examined by members from various parties.
"We expect the standing committee would submit its report sometime during the winter session of parliament," Ramesh said.
He asserted that there was broad political support for the bill and added that Congress ally and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was fully on board and her concerns had been fully reflected.
"The prime minister summed up by saying that we need this bill, but we also need faster economic growth and faster industrialisation and faster urbanisation," he said.
The minister said the prime minister has also decided that a meeting of the National Development Council would be called in October and the bill would then be discussed with the chief ministers.
He said the government had got over 100 representations and suggestions on the draft bill and these will be sent to the standing committee. The bill had been put in the public domain July 29.
He said the bill addressed the concerns of farmer organisations across the country and also of landless labour, tenants and other livelihood losers.
The bill integrates land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement, defines public purpose clearly, has clause for retrospective effect and draws timelines for compensation.
It proposes that government may step in for acquisition of 20 percent of the land for a private project in case the firm acquires 80 percent of the land needed for a project.
The bill proposals include a subsistence allowance of Rs.3,000 per family per month for a year and an annuity of Rs.2,000 per family per month for 20 years.
It also deals with the issue of acquisition of multi-cropped, irrigated land.
States like Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Kerala had reservations over provisions in the draft bill over restrictions on acquisition of multi-cropped land.
Ramesh said that state governments were free to determine how much land they wish to acquire and if they don't want to acquire land like in the case of West Bengal government.
The bill empowers the gram sabha - village council - to conduct social impact assessment of any land acquisition and defines timelines for compensation.
Sources said the bill makes the consent of at least 80 percent landowners mandatory if acquisition is for private projects. But the consent is not mandatory when land is acquired by the government for its own use. Public purpose has been defined as land use for strategic purposes, infrastructure and industry.
There are different land acquisition norms for rural and urban areas.
For urban areas, it proposes an amount not less that twice the market rate. In rural areas, the amount should be not less than four times the original market value.
Ramesh had met several of his cabinet colleagues including Kapil Sibal, Pranab Mukherjee, Sharad Pawar, A K Antony, P Chidambaram, K. C. Deo and Ambika Soni to expedite the process of bill finalisation.
The draft bill had earlier hit a roadblock following opposition by Mamata Banerjee to some of its provisions. Though the government had intended to bring the bill in the previous parliament sessions, Banerjee remained firm in her opposition.
Official sources said that union ministers - Vilasrao Deshmukh, Virbhadra Singh, M. Veerappa Moily - who had been chief ministers earlier had strong views on certain aspects of the bill.
source:agency
Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh termed the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011, as "historic".
Ramesh said the bill "brings about balance between the objective of faster industrialisation and the need to protect land owners and livelihood losers".
The bill was cleared at the cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh which lasted almost 90 minutes.
Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had taken personal interest in the bill and had also given suggestions following his interactions with farmers. The Congress scion had gone on a march to western Uttar Pradesh to meet farmers protesting against land acquisition.
The government had declared its intention to introduce the bill in the monsoon session of parliament following a spate of farmers' protests across the country over acquisition of land.
The bill is likely to go to a standing committee after its introduction in parliament, where it will be examined by members from various parties.
"We expect the standing committee would submit its report sometime during the winter session of parliament," Ramesh said.
He asserted that there was broad political support for the bill and added that Congress ally and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was fully on board and her concerns had been fully reflected.
"The prime minister summed up by saying that we need this bill, but we also need faster economic growth and faster industrialisation and faster urbanisation," he said.
The minister said the prime minister has also decided that a meeting of the National Development Council would be called in October and the bill would then be discussed with the chief ministers.
He said the government had got over 100 representations and suggestions on the draft bill and these will be sent to the standing committee. The bill had been put in the public domain July 29.
He said the bill addressed the concerns of farmer organisations across the country and also of landless labour, tenants and other livelihood losers.
The bill integrates land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement, defines public purpose clearly, has clause for retrospective effect and draws timelines for compensation.
It proposes that government may step in for acquisition of 20 percent of the land for a private project in case the firm acquires 80 percent of the land needed for a project.
The bill proposals include a subsistence allowance of Rs.3,000 per family per month for a year and an annuity of Rs.2,000 per family per month for 20 years.
It also deals with the issue of acquisition of multi-cropped, irrigated land.
States like Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal and Kerala had reservations over provisions in the draft bill over restrictions on acquisition of multi-cropped land.
Ramesh said that state governments were free to determine how much land they wish to acquire and if they don't want to acquire land like in the case of West Bengal government.
The bill empowers the gram sabha - village council - to conduct social impact assessment of any land acquisition and defines timelines for compensation.
Sources said the bill makes the consent of at least 80 percent landowners mandatory if acquisition is for private projects. But the consent is not mandatory when land is acquired by the government for its own use. Public purpose has been defined as land use for strategic purposes, infrastructure and industry.
There are different land acquisition norms for rural and urban areas.
For urban areas, it proposes an amount not less that twice the market rate. In rural areas, the amount should be not less than four times the original market value.
Ramesh had met several of his cabinet colleagues including Kapil Sibal, Pranab Mukherjee, Sharad Pawar, A K Antony, P Chidambaram, K. C. Deo and Ambika Soni to expedite the process of bill finalisation.
The draft bill had earlier hit a roadblock following opposition by Mamata Banerjee to some of its provisions. Though the government had intended to bring the bill in the previous parliament sessions, Banerjee remained firm in her opposition.
Official sources said that union ministers - Vilasrao Deshmukh, Virbhadra Singh, M. Veerappa Moily - who had been chief ministers earlier had strong views on certain aspects of the bill.
source:agency
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Dhaka
Dhaka: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in Dhaka today on a two-day visit.
Agreements, including a pact on border settlement that will involve a swap of enclaves in each other's territories, is expected to be signed after talks between Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
Manmohan Singh will also call on Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman and meet leaders of other political parties.
A day before leaving Dhaka, Manmohan Singh said in a statement: "As a close neighbour and friend, India is committed to extending its full support to Bangladesh in its development efforts."
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is important for the stability and prosperity of our own northeast region. It is a partnership which can have a profound positive impact on the South Asian region as a whole," the prime minister added.
Manmohan Singh is accompanied by the chief ministers of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram on the trip. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not go on the trip to protest the final draft of the Teesta river water sharing agreement.
source:agency
Agreements, including a pact on border settlement that will involve a swap of enclaves in each other's territories, is expected to be signed after talks between Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
Manmohan Singh will also call on Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman and meet leaders of other political parties.
A day before leaving Dhaka, Manmohan Singh said in a statement: "As a close neighbour and friend, India is committed to extending its full support to Bangladesh in its development efforts."
"Our partnership with Bangladesh is important for the stability and prosperity of our own northeast region. It is a partnership which can have a profound positive impact on the South Asian region as a whole," the prime minister added.
Manmohan Singh is accompanied by the chief ministers of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram on the trip. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee did not go on the trip to protest the final draft of the Teesta river water sharing agreement.
source:agency
Mahindra and Mahindra will launch sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from SsangYong in India
New Delhi: Automobile major Mahindra and Mahindra today said it will launch sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from SsangYong in India by the middle of next year after its newest SUV debuts in December.
"Some of SsangYong SUVs will come by middle of next year, after the 'XUV 500' which will come by December," Vivek Nayer, senior vice president, marketing, automotive division, Mahindra and Mahindra told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
The South Korean automobile giant, known for its SUVs, was acquired by Mahindra and Mahindra in February 2011.
According to Nayer, the company is currently focusing on growing its core brands such as Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo, while it is also focusing on its other brands such as the sedan Verito and pick-up truck Maxximo.
"Currently, we are focusing on our core brands of Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo and trying to grow other brands such as Verito and pick-up truck Maxximo," Nayer said.
Nayer further said that the company has managed to grow in the sedan segment with its solo-offering of Verito.
"A little over a year ago we took over the platform and brand from Renault. That time we used to sell 300 units per month and now we are at 1,710 units, so we have been able to grow in the sedan segment."
The company said it was also considering a new version of Verito having a four-metre length.
"We are considering that option as it provides us excessive duty cuts," Nayer said.
Earlier, the company reported good sales figure for August with an increase of 30.38 percent at 37,684 units as against 28,903 units in the corresponding period of 2010.
In the domestic market, the company's sales grew by 31.09 percent at 35,756 units during August as compared to 27,275 units in the like period of last year.
source:agency
"Some of SsangYong SUVs will come by middle of next year, after the 'XUV 500' which will come by December," Vivek Nayer, senior vice president, marketing, automotive division, Mahindra and Mahindra told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
The South Korean automobile giant, known for its SUVs, was acquired by Mahindra and Mahindra in February 2011.
According to Nayer, the company is currently focusing on growing its core brands such as Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo, while it is also focusing on its other brands such as the sedan Verito and pick-up truck Maxximo.
"Currently, we are focusing on our core brands of Scorpio, Bolero and Xylo and trying to grow other brands such as Verito and pick-up truck Maxximo," Nayer said.
Nayer further said that the company has managed to grow in the sedan segment with its solo-offering of Verito.
"A little over a year ago we took over the platform and brand from Renault. That time we used to sell 300 units per month and now we are at 1,710 units, so we have been able to grow in the sedan segment."
The company said it was also considering a new version of Verito having a four-metre length.
"We are considering that option as it provides us excessive duty cuts," Nayer said.
Earlier, the company reported good sales figure for August with an increase of 30.38 percent at 37,684 units as against 28,903 units in the corresponding period of 2010.
In the domestic market, the company's sales grew by 31.09 percent at 35,756 units during August as compared to 27,275 units in the like period of last year.
source:agency
Sachin Tendulkar ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series
Southampton: An already injury-hit Indian cricket team suffered its biggest blow on the England tour today as master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out for the remainder of the ODI series due to a toe injury.
"Sachin Tendulkar has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against England due to a toe injury. He has been advised rest for four weeks. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has chosen S. Badrinath to replace him," Indian board secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement issued in Mumbai.
Tendulkar becomes the eighth Indian player to return home since the start of the tour. Rohit Sharma was ruled out on Sunday after a Stuart Broad delivery fractured his right index finger during the opening ODI match in Durham.
The likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh are nursing injuries they suffered during the Test matches and were not considered for the ODIs.
Satish, the Indian team's logistics manager, said of Tendulkar's injury: "Sachin went to see a specialist in London and after that it became clear that he will not be available for the remaining four-matches. He will take around 4-6 weeks to recover," he said.
The injury to the batting maestro also means he may not play for the Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20 beginning Sep 19.
Tendulkar's countless fans will also have to wait for his 100th hundred in international cricket until the start of the home series against England, starting with the first one-dayer at Hyderabad Oct 14.
source:agency
"Sachin Tendulkar has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against England due to a toe injury. He has been advised rest for four weeks. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has chosen S. Badrinath to replace him," Indian board secretary N. Srinivasan said in a statement issued in Mumbai.
Tendulkar becomes the eighth Indian player to return home since the start of the tour. Rohit Sharma was ruled out on Sunday after a Stuart Broad delivery fractured his right index finger during the opening ODI match in Durham.
The likes of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh are nursing injuries they suffered during the Test matches and were not considered for the ODIs.
Satish, the Indian team's logistics manager, said of Tendulkar's injury: "Sachin went to see a specialist in London and after that it became clear that he will not be available for the remaining four-matches. He will take around 4-6 weeks to recover," he said.
The injury to the batting maestro also means he may not play for the Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20 beginning Sep 19.
Tendulkar's countless fans will also have to wait for his 100th hundred in international cricket until the start of the home series against England, starting with the first one-dayer at Hyderabad Oct 14.
source:agency
Rohan Bopanna ,Aisam-Ul-Haq-Qureshi marched into the quarterfinals of the US Open
New York: The India-Pakistan pair of Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq-Qureshi marched into the quarterfinals of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Paul Hanley and Dick Norman in a third round men's doubles match here on Sunday.
Sania Mirza, however, had to taste defeat with her Russian partner Elena Vesnina. The sixth seed pair bowed out of the competition after losing to the Czech duo of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-7, 6-7 in the third of the women's doubles.
Bopanna-Qureshi, last year's finalists and seeded fifth in the current edition, got the better of the Australian-Belgian combine of Hanley and Norman in 60 minutes.
They next meet Britan's Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, who got a walkover from 13th seed pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.
India's best bet at the Open, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, play their third round match against Somdev Devvarman and Treat Conrad Huey later in the day.
source:agency
Sania Mirza, however, had to taste defeat with her Russian partner Elena Vesnina. The sixth seed pair bowed out of the competition after losing to the Czech duo of Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-7, 6-7 in the third of the women's doubles.
Bopanna-Qureshi, last year's finalists and seeded fifth in the current edition, got the better of the Australian-Belgian combine of Hanley and Norman in 60 minutes.
They next meet Britan's Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, who got a walkover from 13th seed pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.
India's best bet at the Open, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, play their third round match against Somdev Devvarman and Treat Conrad Huey later in the day.
source:agency
Emraan Hashmi back to locking lips in his forthcoming film "The Dirty Picture"
Mumbai: Poor Emraan Hashmi! There seems to be no getting away from the "serial kisser" tag despite his many protestations and he's back to locking lips in his forthcoming film "The Dirty Picture".
If people wish to remember him for his on-screen kisses, so be it, says the somewhat exasperated actor who has for long been looking for an image change.
The 32-year-old actor came to be known as Hindi cinema's serial kisser after numerous lip locks in films like "Murder", "Zeher", "Aashiq Banaya Apne", "Gangster" and "Jannat".
"The tag would never go. I tried to get rid of it, but it follows me everywhere. I have done so many films with it (kissing) and so many people went and watched those films. So probably they want to remember me for that. And if kissing is a great way to remember me, I have no complaints! My audience base is there and I can't change overnight," Emraan told the media in an interview.
"I am trying out different things in my forthcoming films. Hopefully it would be another dimension, which would change people's perception about me," he added.
"The Dirty Picture" is said to have Emraan in yet another kissing scene, this time with actress Vidya Balan. He however stresses that the film, based on the life of the late southern sex icon Vijayalakshmi aka Silk Smitha, takes sexuality to a different level.
"It's a different take on sexuality. Sexuality in my films was shown differently before this. 'The Dirty Picture' takes it to a different level," said Emraan.
The first trailer of the movie has already created a buzz, with Vidya in a bold new avatar. Emraan plays one of the three men in her life, while the other two male characters have been essayed by Tusshar Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah.
"I play a movie director who believes in artistic cinema. He is one who doesn't really give a damn about commercial viability of a film. He would rather make a film, which critics will appreciate; he sticks to his guns creatively, never budges from his creative instincts of a film and the content the film. It's a very different character that I haven't played before," said the actor.
"The Dirty Picture", produced by Ekta Kapoor, and directed by Milan Luthria, will release Dec 2, which happens to be Silk Smitha's birth anniversary.
Even though the movie is being promoted as Silk Smitha's biopic, Emraan says it has been spiked with fiction for commercial value.
"It's basically a fictional film. It might have been taken from different sources and it's about the southern film industry, about the actress, her rise, her stardom and her relationship with these three men...Eventually, lots of comparisons can be made but lots of things have been added for commercial effect. So I wouldn't say it's truly a biopic," he said.
This is the first time that Emraan has teamed up with the critically acclaimed Vidya. "Vidya is a great actress. Our combination is new. It's a great experience working with her. Every character in the film is very intriguing and interesting; so we share a very different kind of chemistry on screen."
He is also in awe of veteran actor Naseeruddin.
"Naseeruddin is god of acting. I did a couple of scenes with him, which was a great learning experience," said Emraan.
source:agency
If people wish to remember him for his on-screen kisses, so be it, says the somewhat exasperated actor who has for long been looking for an image change.
The 32-year-old actor came to be known as Hindi cinema's serial kisser after numerous lip locks in films like "Murder", "Zeher", "Aashiq Banaya Apne", "Gangster" and "Jannat".
"The tag would never go. I tried to get rid of it, but it follows me everywhere. I have done so many films with it (kissing) and so many people went and watched those films. So probably they want to remember me for that. And if kissing is a great way to remember me, I have no complaints! My audience base is there and I can't change overnight," Emraan told the media in an interview.
"I am trying out different things in my forthcoming films. Hopefully it would be another dimension, which would change people's perception about me," he added.
"The Dirty Picture" is said to have Emraan in yet another kissing scene, this time with actress Vidya Balan. He however stresses that the film, based on the life of the late southern sex icon Vijayalakshmi aka Silk Smitha, takes sexuality to a different level.
"It's a different take on sexuality. Sexuality in my films was shown differently before this. 'The Dirty Picture' takes it to a different level," said Emraan.
The first trailer of the movie has already created a buzz, with Vidya in a bold new avatar. Emraan plays one of the three men in her life, while the other two male characters have been essayed by Tusshar Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah.
"I play a movie director who believes in artistic cinema. He is one who doesn't really give a damn about commercial viability of a film. He would rather make a film, which critics will appreciate; he sticks to his guns creatively, never budges from his creative instincts of a film and the content the film. It's a very different character that I haven't played before," said the actor.
"The Dirty Picture", produced by Ekta Kapoor, and directed by Milan Luthria, will release Dec 2, which happens to be Silk Smitha's birth anniversary.
Even though the movie is being promoted as Silk Smitha's biopic, Emraan says it has been spiked with fiction for commercial value.
"It's basically a fictional film. It might have been taken from different sources and it's about the southern film industry, about the actress, her rise, her stardom and her relationship with these three men...Eventually, lots of comparisons can be made but lots of things have been added for commercial effect. So I wouldn't say it's truly a biopic," he said.
This is the first time that Emraan has teamed up with the critically acclaimed Vidya. "Vidya is a great actress. Our combination is new. It's a great experience working with her. Every character in the film is very intriguing and interesting; so we share a very different kind of chemistry on screen."
He is also in awe of veteran actor Naseeruddin.
"Naseeruddin is god of acting. I did a couple of scenes with him, which was a great learning experience," said Emraan.
source:agency
Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor shot for a commercial together
Mumbai: There are talks of father-son duo Rishi and Ranbir Kapoor's sharing of screen space in a film, but the actors have already shot for a commercial together.
The television ad of cola brand Pepsi will see Rishi and Ranbir together for the first time. Sources from the sets reveal that both were comfortable during the shoot as they had to only play father-and-son in the commercial, which will go on air Sep 15.
"Wake Up Sid" director Ayan Mukherji has also directed a teaser to the TVC that goes on air today, said a statement.
The teaser concept revolves around a father dismissing his son?s chances of becoming a Crorepati while the son has a plan in place. The teaser ends with the theme music for "Kaun Banega Crorepati" -- whether the son becomes a Crorepati by participating in the show or by drinking Pepsi that remains to be seen.
source:agency
The television ad of cola brand Pepsi will see Rishi and Ranbir together for the first time. Sources from the sets reveal that both were comfortable during the shoot as they had to only play father-and-son in the commercial, which will go on air Sep 15.
"Wake Up Sid" director Ayan Mukherji has also directed a teaser to the TVC that goes on air today, said a statement.
The teaser concept revolves around a father dismissing his son?s chances of becoming a Crorepati while the son has a plan in place. The teaser ends with the theme music for "Kaun Banega Crorepati" -- whether the son becomes a Crorepati by participating in the show or by drinking Pepsi that remains to be seen.
source:agency
Katrina Kaif to shake a leg with Dharmendra on talent show "India's Got Talent"
Mumbai: Katrina Kaif took to the stage to shake a leg with 75-year-old-actor Dharmendra on talent show "India's Got Talent".
The actress, who was present on the show along with Imran Khan and Ali Zafar to promote their upcoming film "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan", first took the stage to replay the famous suicide act that Dharamendra played in the cult film "Sholay" and then danced with him to the "Dream Girl" song.
Apart from that, the episode witnessed Imran getting totally awestruck by participant Anchal Girdhari's magical act and Ali jamming with the Madhavas and dedicating a song for Sonali Bendre, who judges the show along with Kirron Kher and Dharmendra.
The special episode will air on Colors Sep 10.
source:agency
The actress, who was present on the show along with Imran Khan and Ali Zafar to promote their upcoming film "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan", first took the stage to replay the famous suicide act that Dharamendra played in the cult film "Sholay" and then danced with him to the "Dream Girl" song.
Apart from that, the episode witnessed Imran getting totally awestruck by participant Anchal Girdhari's magical act and Ali jamming with the Madhavas and dedicating a song for Sonali Bendre, who judges the show along with Kirron Kher and Dharmendra.
The special episode will air on Colors Sep 10.
source:agency
Manmohan Singh met the recipients of the National Awards 2010 for Teachers
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met the recipients of the National Awards 2010 for Teachers on the occasion of Teachers' Day here today, and congratulated them for their efforts towards transforming the lives of children.
A total of 301 teachers from across the country received the awards from President Pratibha Patil.
Talking about the Right to Education act, he said the legislation has the potential to "transform our schools and the lives of our children".
"The implementation of this legislation is not just a matter of providing more resources, it is the dedication and commitment of our teachers that will ultimately help us to achieve its goals and objectives," he added.
Talking about future challenges, he said: "In the coming time, more and more children with diverse backgrounds will enter the school system. Your challenge, therefore, will be to work towards a democratic classroom in which all children participate in the learning processes as equal partners."
"While educating our children and young adults, we must maintain a balance between tradition and modernity. As teachers, you will need to ensure that our unique cultural heritage is preserved while preparing the children for global citizenship," he added.
source:agency
A total of 301 teachers from across the country received the awards from President Pratibha Patil.
Talking about the Right to Education act, he said the legislation has the potential to "transform our schools and the lives of our children".
"The implementation of this legislation is not just a matter of providing more resources, it is the dedication and commitment of our teachers that will ultimately help us to achieve its goals and objectives," he added.
Talking about future challenges, he said: "In the coming time, more and more children with diverse backgrounds will enter the school system. Your challenge, therefore, will be to work towards a democratic classroom in which all children participate in the learning processes as equal partners."
"While educating our children and young adults, we must maintain a balance between tradition and modernity. As teachers, you will need to ensure that our unique cultural heritage is preserved while preparing the children for global citizenship," he added.
source:agency
Bihar government launched a scheme to improve the quality of education
Patna: After achieving success in school enrollment, the Bihar government -- on the occasion of Teachers' Day today -- launched a scheme to improve the quality of education in the state.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the 'Samjho Sikho' campaign, which will cover nearly 71,000 elementary schools across Bihar.
"After achieving success in enrollment in schools, now our target is to improve quality of education in the schools," Nitish Kumar said after launching the scheme at a function attended by students and teachers here.
He said the state government has outlined 20 parameters that will be followed by all schools.
"I have also written a letter addressing teachers that will be read out to students," he added.
The chief minister's letter, that suggests ways to improve quality of education, has been circulated to all elementary schools.
He said that in the last five and a half years, the state government has worked hard to ensure that children are enrolled in schools.
"The government's measures have succeeded to a large extent as only 2.5 percent children are now out of school. When I came to power in November 2005, 12 percent children were out of schools," Nitish Kumar said.
He said that regular assemblies should be organised in all schools, and the last period should be fixed for sports and cultural activities.
About 38 campaign vehicles, that will travel across the state, were also flagged off on the occasion. "It is a part of the campaign to create awareness among people," said Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary of the state's Human Resource Department.
The 'Samjho Sikho' campaign is a joint effort of the Bihar Education Project Council and Unicef. The state government is spending Rs.50 crore on the project.
Nitish Kumar has repeatedly said that he is committed to improving the standard of education in the state.
According to Census 2011, Bihar has a literacy rate of 63.8 percent, against the national average of 74 percent.
source:agency
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched the 'Samjho Sikho' campaign, which will cover nearly 71,000 elementary schools across Bihar.
"After achieving success in enrollment in schools, now our target is to improve quality of education in the schools," Nitish Kumar said after launching the scheme at a function attended by students and teachers here.
He said the state government has outlined 20 parameters that will be followed by all schools.
"I have also written a letter addressing teachers that will be read out to students," he added.
The chief minister's letter, that suggests ways to improve quality of education, has been circulated to all elementary schools.
He said that in the last five and a half years, the state government has worked hard to ensure that children are enrolled in schools.
"The government's measures have succeeded to a large extent as only 2.5 percent children are now out of school. When I came to power in November 2005, 12 percent children were out of schools," Nitish Kumar said.
He said that regular assemblies should be organised in all schools, and the last period should be fixed for sports and cultural activities.
About 38 campaign vehicles, that will travel across the state, were also flagged off on the occasion. "It is a part of the campaign to create awareness among people," said Anjani Kumar Singh, principal secretary of the state's Human Resource Department.
The 'Samjho Sikho' campaign is a joint effort of the Bihar Education Project Council and Unicef. The state government is spending Rs.50 crore on the project.
Nitish Kumar has repeatedly said that he is committed to improving the standard of education in the state.
According to Census 2011, Bihar has a literacy rate of 63.8 percent, against the national average of 74 percent.
source:agency
Pearson Foundation joined the "Support My School" (SMS) initiative
New Delhi: The Pearson Foundation today joined the "Support My School" (SMS) initiative - a public-private partnership which aims to create a healthy environment for children to study in rural areas - with the inauguration of two libraries in Haryana's Sonepat district.
The libraries have been set up in government schools in Khewra and Jhundpur villages of the district.
The "Support My School" campaign was launched early this year with the specific goal of establishing learning environments and improving basic amenities in rural areas, a statement issued by Pearson India today said.
The Pearson Foundation will serve as a "learning partner" for the initiative. It will provide support to teachers and help outfit classrooms and libraries in 100 schools across the nation.
In addition, Pearson India's businesses will add additional local support by providing localised teacher's training materials and classroom supplies.
The "Support My School" campaign was created by NDTV and Coca-Cola in association with NGO partners, UN-Habitat, CAF and Sulabh International.
"Helping teachers and students is key to improving the fortunes for everyone in these rural communities," said Pearson Foundation president and CEO Mark Nieker.
"Better classrooms, well-stocked libraries, and improved teacher training are great ways to build upon the exiting achievements of this innovative campaign," Nieker said.
Work is already underway in several additional communities in Haryana in which the partners are also working together to provide improved access to water; increased water conservation; better sanitation and landscaping; and enhanced sporting facilities, a Pearson India official said.
source:agency
The libraries have been set up in government schools in Khewra and Jhundpur villages of the district.
The "Support My School" campaign was launched early this year with the specific goal of establishing learning environments and improving basic amenities in rural areas, a statement issued by Pearson India today said.
The Pearson Foundation will serve as a "learning partner" for the initiative. It will provide support to teachers and help outfit classrooms and libraries in 100 schools across the nation.
In addition, Pearson India's businesses will add additional local support by providing localised teacher's training materials and classroom supplies.
The "Support My School" campaign was created by NDTV and Coca-Cola in association with NGO partners, UN-Habitat, CAF and Sulabh International.
"Helping teachers and students is key to improving the fortunes for everyone in these rural communities," said Pearson Foundation president and CEO Mark Nieker.
"Better classrooms, well-stocked libraries, and improved teacher training are great ways to build upon the exiting achievements of this innovative campaign," Nieker said.
Work is already underway in several additional communities in Haryana in which the partners are also working together to provide improved access to water; increased water conservation; better sanitation and landscaping; and enhanced sporting facilities, a Pearson India official said.
source:agency
20110905
CBI arrested Galli Janaradhana Reddy in a graft case registered against Obbalapuram Mining Company (OMC)
Karnataka: The CBI early today arrested former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and lawmaker Galli Janaradhana Reddy here in a graft case registered against Obbalapuram Mining Company (OMC) in which he is a director, police said."A CBI team from Hyderabad arrested Janaradhana after raiding his residence. They have taken him to Hyderabad for interrogation in connection with the case registered against his mining company," a senior police officer told the media.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also arrested OMC managing director B. Srinivasa Reddy after raiding his residence too in Bellary and Ananthapur in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
"The CBI sought our assistance in carrying out the raids and arrests. The arrests are in connection with the CBI probe into OMC's activities in Andhra Pradesh," the police official said, refusing to be named.
source:agency
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also arrested OMC managing director B. Srinivasa Reddy after raiding his residence too in Bellary and Ananthapur in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
"The CBI sought our assistance in carrying out the raids and arrests. The arrests are in connection with the CBI probe into OMC's activities in Andhra Pradesh," the police official said, refusing to be named.
source:agency
Manmohan Singh's two-day trip to Bangladesh is a historic visit
Dhaka: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's two-day trip to Bangladesh is a historic visit and has "all the potentials of becoming a major turning point in bilateral relations", said a leading daily here today adding that: "Anything short of visionary actions on the part of India will be highly disappointing for us."
The editorial in the Daily Star appeared a day ahead of Manmohan Singh's Dhaka trip. He will be accompanied by chief ministers of four Indian states.
"We look forward to the forthcoming visit of the Indian premier to Bangladesh as much more than just a visit by a leader of a big neighbour.
"It is a historic visit and has all the potentials of becoming a major turning point in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India with wider implications for the region. For us, there is every reason to look expectantly to the visit, and to what it might deliver for Bangladesh."
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010, it said: "It has been 20 months since the signing of the joint communique, but there has been very little of substance coming from India since then, a view that is shared also by many in India."
It noted that there was a "lot at stake for Bangladesh in the success of the forthcoming visit of Singh because, for us, failure is not an option".
The editorial went on to say that "a good deal of the success depends on how India addressees the longstanding issues of Bangladesh's concern which mainly are: border issues, trade, transit, water sharing, particularly the Teesta waters, and security".
"...we understand that there is progress as far as enclaves are concerned but 6.5 km still remains un-demarcated, which should be finally resolved.
"As for trade, we understand that the negative list has been shortened, but we would like it to be done away with altogether."
It added: "As for transit, our intentions are very clear. However, there is need for infrastructural development for which we expect Indian investment through grant or easy term loans and guaranteed tariff."
"On its part, Bangladesh has delivered. And we have done it with an open heart. The onus is now on India for making the visit a success, a success that will have far wider ramification than merely Bangladesh-India relations. Anything short of visionary actions on the part of India will be highly disappointing for us."
source:agency
The editorial in the Daily Star appeared a day ahead of Manmohan Singh's Dhaka trip. He will be accompanied by chief ministers of four Indian states.
"We look forward to the forthcoming visit of the Indian premier to Bangladesh as much more than just a visit by a leader of a big neighbour.
"It is a historic visit and has all the potentials of becoming a major turning point in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India with wider implications for the region. For us, there is every reason to look expectantly to the visit, and to what it might deliver for Bangladesh."
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in 2010, it said: "It has been 20 months since the signing of the joint communique, but there has been very little of substance coming from India since then, a view that is shared also by many in India."
It noted that there was a "lot at stake for Bangladesh in the success of the forthcoming visit of Singh because, for us, failure is not an option".
The editorial went on to say that "a good deal of the success depends on how India addressees the longstanding issues of Bangladesh's concern which mainly are: border issues, trade, transit, water sharing, particularly the Teesta waters, and security".
"...we understand that there is progress as far as enclaves are concerned but 6.5 km still remains un-demarcated, which should be finally resolved.
"As for trade, we understand that the negative list has been shortened, but we would like it to be done away with altogether."
It added: "As for transit, our intentions are very clear. However, there is need for infrastructural development for which we expect Indian investment through grant or easy term loans and guaranteed tariff."
"On its part, Bangladesh has delivered. And we have done it with an open heart. The onus is now on India for making the visit a success, a success that will have far wider ramification than merely Bangladesh-India relations. Anything short of visionary actions on the part of India will be highly disappointing for us."
source:agency
Mamata Banerjee cancelled her trip to Dhaka with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress is the second largest constituent of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), on Sunday cancelled her trip to Dhaka with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in protest against the final draft of the Teesta water sharing agreement."No, she is not going," said a senior state government official here.Banerjee's unhappiness stemmed from the amount of water sharing of the river Teesta mentioned in the final draft of the agreement which is slated to be signed during the prime minister's two-day trip to the Bangladesh capital beginning on Sunday.
"There was difference between the initial draft of the agreement and the final version. The state government had agreed on sharing of upto 25,000 cusecs. But the final version talks of sharing 33,000-50,000 cusecs," said a source close to Banerjee.
"She feels this will hurt West Bengal's interests," the source said.
Banerjee's decision to opt out of the trip has been conveyed to the Prime Minister's Office by Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh, the official said.
The Trinamool has 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha.
The Trinamool and the Congress also run a coalition government in West Bengal.
source:agency
"There was difference between the initial draft of the agreement and the final version. The state government had agreed on sharing of upto 25,000 cusecs. But the final version talks of sharing 33,000-50,000 cusecs," said a source close to Banerjee.
"She feels this will hurt West Bengal's interests," the source said.
Banerjee's decision to opt out of the trip has been conveyed to the Prime Minister's Office by Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh, the official said.
The Trinamool has 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha.
The Trinamool and the Congress also run a coalition government in West Bengal.
source:agency
Reddy brothers will be able to prove their innocence:BJP
New Delhi: Blaming the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for the arrest of former Karnataka tourism minister G. Janardhana Reddy, a defiant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said the mining baron will soon come out clean.
"We have full faith in the objectivity and fairness of our judicial system and we are sure that the Reddy brothers will be able to prove their innocence," said BJP leader Balbir Punj, referring to the three Reddy brothers -- G. Janardhana, G. Karunakara and G. Somashekara.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early today arrested Janardhana Reddy in an illegal mining case registered against his Obbalapuram Mining Company from Karnataka.
OMC managing director and Janardhana Reddy's brother-in-law B. Srinivasa Reddy was also arrested.
"The arrest is an extension of the internal problems which the Congress has got in Andhra Pradesh. Reddy's arrest appears to be part of the politics being practised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)," he said.
"We had seen various reports like the CAG (Comptroller Auditor General) report and the Shunglu committee report in Delhi on corruption but nobody has heard of CBI going and knocking at the doors of (Delhi Chief Minister) Sheila Dikshit," he added.
Dhananjay Kumar, another BJP leader, said: "If the CBI comes to the conclusion that it has to apprehend somebody as part of its investigations, then it is well within its rights to do so. The agency is carrying out the orders of the Andhra Pradesh High Court."
Kumar said the mining operations carried out by the Reddy brothers were their private business and has nothing to do with the party.
On the other hand, Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad said: "The CBI should expand the investigation on the illegal mining activity in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This has been the demand of the Congress in Karnataka right from day one. CBI should find out who all have looted the national wealth."
source:agency
"We have full faith in the objectivity and fairness of our judicial system and we are sure that the Reddy brothers will be able to prove their innocence," said BJP leader Balbir Punj, referring to the three Reddy brothers -- G. Janardhana, G. Karunakara and G. Somashekara.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) early today arrested Janardhana Reddy in an illegal mining case registered against his Obbalapuram Mining Company from Karnataka.
OMC managing director and Janardhana Reddy's brother-in-law B. Srinivasa Reddy was also arrested.
"The arrest is an extension of the internal problems which the Congress has got in Andhra Pradesh. Reddy's arrest appears to be part of the politics being practised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)," he said.
"We had seen various reports like the CAG (Comptroller Auditor General) report and the Shunglu committee report in Delhi on corruption but nobody has heard of CBI going and knocking at the doors of (Delhi Chief Minister) Sheila Dikshit," he added.
Dhananjay Kumar, another BJP leader, said: "If the CBI comes to the conclusion that it has to apprehend somebody as part of its investigations, then it is well within its rights to do so. The agency is carrying out the orders of the Andhra Pradesh High Court."
Kumar said the mining operations carried out by the Reddy brothers were their private business and has nothing to do with the party.
On the other hand, Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad said: "The CBI should expand the investigation on the illegal mining activity in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This has been the demand of the Congress in Karnataka right from day one. CBI should find out who all have looted the national wealth."
source:agency
Pizza major Domino's has taken its operations to Sri Lanka
New Delhi: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited (JFL), which operates Pizza major Domino's in India, has on Friday said that it has taken its operations to Sri Lanka with the opening of its first Domino's pizza store in Colombo.
"We strongly believe that Domino's pizza brand is extremely relevant for the Sri Lankan market because of the brand's strong mass and popular appeal in terms of its affordability and value, great taste and innovative products, unmatched delivery promise and passionate customer service," said Ajay Kaul, chief executive officer, JFL said in a statement.
"Dominos constantly tries to provide new and localised recipes and has the food and delivery expertise which will be leveraged to delight our consumers in Sri Lanka," he added.
According to the company, the expansion to Sri Lanka is an integral part of their regional growth plans.
Jubilant FoodWorks operates 392 Domino's stores and is the leading food services brand in the country.
source:agency
"We strongly believe that Domino's pizza brand is extremely relevant for the Sri Lankan market because of the brand's strong mass and popular appeal in terms of its affordability and value, great taste and innovative products, unmatched delivery promise and passionate customer service," said Ajay Kaul, chief executive officer, JFL said in a statement.
"Dominos constantly tries to provide new and localised recipes and has the food and delivery expertise which will be leveraged to delight our consumers in Sri Lanka," he added.
According to the company, the expansion to Sri Lanka is an integral part of their regional growth plans.
Jubilant FoodWorks operates 392 Domino's stores and is the leading food services brand in the country.
source:agency
Nasser Hussain's "donkey" remark has upset Amitabh Bachchan
New Delhi: Former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain's "donkey" remark about Indian fielders has upset Amitabh Bachchan.
"Did not like Nasir Hussain, ex-cricket Captain of UK (Britain), refer to Indian fielders as 'donkeys', as he commentated on tour of our team," Big B posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Hussain had equated some of the Indian fielders to "donkeys" during the Twenty20 match played between India and England in Manchester.
Pooja Bedi wants Salman as her 'Bodyguard'
Actress Pooja Bedi, who is amazed to see the kind of response actor Salman Khan's latest movie "Bodyguard" has received, says that she would love to have the actor as her bodyguard.
"Salman (Khan) must be destiny's child! Worst dialogues, worst script, zero story but the film's a roaring success! I'd love to have him as my bodyguard," Pooja tweeted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Bodyguard", which stars Kareena Kapoor and Salman in the lead, is on a record-breaking spree. The movie has earned a record Rs.22 crore net as first day collections -- surpassing blockbusters "Dabangg" and "3 Idiots".
Ritu Kumar designs for 'Love Breakups Zindagi'
Veteran designer Ritu Kumar has designed bridal ensembles for the cast of Sahil Sangha's new film "Love Breakups Zindagi?.
Actresses Dia Mirza, Auritra Ghosh, Soni Razdaan and Nandini Sen will be seen flaunting the bridal ensembles from Kumar's brand `Ri" for the movie, a statement said.
"Love Breakups Zindagi" is a slice-of-life film which includes attributes of life like love, relationships and breakups.
Made under the banner Born Free Entertainment and co-produced by Sahara Motion Pictures, the film is also the debut production venture of actors Dia and Zayed along with Sangha.
The movie will release Oct 7.
source:agency
"Did not like Nasir Hussain, ex-cricket Captain of UK (Britain), refer to Indian fielders as 'donkeys', as he commentated on tour of our team," Big B posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Hussain had equated some of the Indian fielders to "donkeys" during the Twenty20 match played between India and England in Manchester.
Pooja Bedi wants Salman as her 'Bodyguard'
Actress Pooja Bedi, who is amazed to see the kind of response actor Salman Khan's latest movie "Bodyguard" has received, says that she would love to have the actor as her bodyguard.
"Salman (Khan) must be destiny's child! Worst dialogues, worst script, zero story but the film's a roaring success! I'd love to have him as my bodyguard," Pooja tweeted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Bodyguard", which stars Kareena Kapoor and Salman in the lead, is on a record-breaking spree. The movie has earned a record Rs.22 crore net as first day collections -- surpassing blockbusters "Dabangg" and "3 Idiots".
Ritu Kumar designs for 'Love Breakups Zindagi'
Veteran designer Ritu Kumar has designed bridal ensembles for the cast of Sahil Sangha's new film "Love Breakups Zindagi?.
Actresses Dia Mirza, Auritra Ghosh, Soni Razdaan and Nandini Sen will be seen flaunting the bridal ensembles from Kumar's brand `Ri" for the movie, a statement said.
"Love Breakups Zindagi" is a slice-of-life film which includes attributes of life like love, relationships and breakups.
Made under the banner Born Free Entertainment and co-produced by Sahara Motion Pictures, the film is also the debut production venture of actors Dia and Zayed along with Sangha.
The movie will release Oct 7.
source:agency
Leander Paes,Mahesh Bhupathi entered the third round of the US Open
New York: India's top-ranked doubles pair of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi entered the third round of the US Open by beating Florian Mayer and Rogier Wassen 7-6, 6-2 here on Saturday. They now meet compatriot Somdev Devvarman and his Filipino partner Treat Conrad Huey, who also prevailed in the second round.
The opening set could have gone either way but the Indian express played solid tennis in the second to wrap up the match in 85 minutes.
Paes-Bhupathi will face Somdev and Huey for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Indo-Filipino combine got past the Argentine pair of Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank 6-3, 6-4.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, Indian Tennis, Somdev Devvarman, US Open, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi
The opening set could have gone either way but the Indian express played solid tennis in the second to wrap up the match in 85 minutes.
Paes-Bhupathi will face Somdev and Huey for a place in the quarterfinals.
The Indo-Filipino combine got past the Argentine pair of Juan Ignacio Chela and Eduardo Schwank 6-3, 6-4.
source:agency
Tags : India Sports News, Indian Tennis, Somdev Devvarman, US Open, Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi bid adieu to his countless football lovers
Kolkata: Soccer superstar Lionel Messi today bid adieu to his countless football lovers here as Argentina held their last practice session in the city before leaving for Bangladesh on Monday.
The 24-year-old Messi, who has been the darling of the soccer mad public here ever since he landed in the early hours on Wednesday, waved at the crowd after the team's tune up session got over at the Salt Lake stadium.
Around 1,000 people, who had turned up to watch Messi and his teammates, responded with cheers as the world's highest rated footballer smiled.
Soon after, Messi kicked three balls one after the other to the stands triggering a scramble to get hold of the priceless treasures.
A young fan, who managed to catch one, seemed overcome with emotion, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Young sculptor Amit Das presented Messi with a statue of the footballer, who gave him an autograph. "It's my most precious collection," Das said.
This was Messi's way of thanking the people who had been behind him all through the first ever FIFA Official International Friendly in India between Argentina and Venezuela.
Argentina emerged winners 1-0, with Messi setting up Nicolas Otamendi with a corner which the latter headed in.
"I never even imagined that I will get so much love from the people here. Right from the time I stepped into the airport I have been hearing shouts of Messi, Messi everywhere. I am deeply moved," Messi told Argentine journalists in Spanish.
The practice session was meant to be a closed door one, but the security personnel had to relent following persistent demand of the crowd - who wanted to have a last glance of their heroes.
Defender Pablo Zabaleta said he would love to come back again. "I will share this experience with my (Manchester) City mates. This visit has enriched me as it given me the opportunity to learn and understand a different culture".
Argentina on Monday morning fly out to the Bangladesh capital Dhaka for a FIFA official international friendly against Nigeria on Tuesday.
source:agency
The 24-year-old Messi, who has been the darling of the soccer mad public here ever since he landed in the early hours on Wednesday, waved at the crowd after the team's tune up session got over at the Salt Lake stadium.
Around 1,000 people, who had turned up to watch Messi and his teammates, responded with cheers as the world's highest rated footballer smiled.
Soon after, Messi kicked three balls one after the other to the stands triggering a scramble to get hold of the priceless treasures.
A young fan, who managed to catch one, seemed overcome with emotion, with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Young sculptor Amit Das presented Messi with a statue of the footballer, who gave him an autograph. "It's my most precious collection," Das said.
This was Messi's way of thanking the people who had been behind him all through the first ever FIFA Official International Friendly in India between Argentina and Venezuela.
Argentina emerged winners 1-0, with Messi setting up Nicolas Otamendi with a corner which the latter headed in.
"I never even imagined that I will get so much love from the people here. Right from the time I stepped into the airport I have been hearing shouts of Messi, Messi everywhere. I am deeply moved," Messi told Argentine journalists in Spanish.
The practice session was meant to be a closed door one, but the security personnel had to relent following persistent demand of the crowd - who wanted to have a last glance of their heroes.
Defender Pablo Zabaleta said he would love to come back again. "I will share this experience with my (Manchester) City mates. This visit has enriched me as it given me the opportunity to learn and understand a different culture".
Argentina on Monday morning fly out to the Bangladesh capital Dhaka for a FIFA official international friendly against Nigeria on Tuesday.
source:agency
Filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra died of cardiac arrest
New Delhi: Hollywood-based Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra, who made films like "Bawandar" and "Provoked", died of cardiac arrest today, a doctor said. He was 62.
His last rites were performed at the Shivaji Park crematorium here today evening.
Apart from family and friends, Bollywood actresses Deepa Sahi, Deepti Naval and Udita Goswami were present at the rituals.
Mundhra is survived by his wife and a daughter, who lives in Los Angeles.
"He was admitted on Friday night for internal bleeding. Then he had a cardiac arrest and he was kept on ventilation, but he couldn't survive. He expired at 12.57 p.m. today (Sunday)," a doctor at the Bombay Hospital in Marine Lines told the media.
Actress Neetu Chandra, who was seen in his 2010 thriller "Apartment: Rent at Your Own Risk", said that body was to be taken back to his residence (in Shivaji Park, Dadar West) at 3 p.m. for some time and then to the cremation ground.
Seem Biswas, who was about to start shooting for Mundhra's "Kissa Kuttey Ka", told the media: "I Just got the news of his demise and I am in a state of shock. I spoke to him day before yesterday and he seemed perfectly fine. I could not tell from his voice that there was anything wrong with him. In fact, he was so excited about the film as we were about to start shooting at the end of September.
"It's is very shocking and I'm very upset. I just know that there was some internal bleeding because of which he was hospitalised."
Veteran actress and activist Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Sad news. Filmaker Jagmohan Mundhra passed away this morning. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Jagmohan Mundhara - he was one the most subjective director. His 'Shoot On Sight' is a film which is identical to 'A Wednesday'."
Others also posted condolence messages on Twitter.
Pooja Bedi: "Deeply saddened to hear Jagmohan Mundhra passed away! A WONDERFUL man, my first director & the one responsible for me being in show business," she posted on her Twitter page.
Vikram Bhatt: "Just heard that filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra has passed away! A prayer for the departed and strength to his family, Vikram Bhatt."
Kabir Bedi: "Jagmohan Mundra, friend from my Hollywood years, passes away and I'm deeply sad. Last met at Shammi Kapoor's funeral. RIP."
Born in 1948 in a conservative Marwadi family, Mundhra studied engineering at IIT Mumbai and then moved to US to do his M.Sc. But his ultimate calling was moviemaking and in 1982 he ventured into filmmaking with Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi starrer "Suraag" and this was followed by the women-centric film "Kamla" with Shabana and Deepti Naval in lead roles.
Later he made films like "Night Eyes", "The Jigsaw Murders", "Eyewitness to Murder", "Open House" and "Halloween Night".
In 2000, Mundhra moved to issue-based movies and the first in the series was Nandita Das starrer and critically acclaimed "Bawander", which was based on real story of rape victim Bhanwari Devi in Rajasthan.
In 2007, he teamed up with Aishwarya Rai to bring on screen the trials and tribulations of London-based Punjabi woman Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a victim of domestic violence in "Provoked".
In 2007, Mundhra took up yet another sensitive subject for his movie "Shoot On Sight", which talked about the West's perception of Muslims following 9/11. The movie's take-off point is the order London police passed to shoot suspected terrorists after the July 7, 2005, London subway bombings.
However, Mundhra moved to a lighter subject with Govinda starrer "Naughty @ 40".
He was very keen to make a film on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Hollywood-based Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra, He was 62, actress Neetu Chandra,Actress Seema Biswas,
His last rites were performed at the Shivaji Park crematorium here today evening.
Apart from family and friends, Bollywood actresses Deepa Sahi, Deepti Naval and Udita Goswami were present at the rituals.
Mundhra is survived by his wife and a daughter, who lives in Los Angeles.
"He was admitted on Friday night for internal bleeding. Then he had a cardiac arrest and he was kept on ventilation, but he couldn't survive. He expired at 12.57 p.m. today (Sunday)," a doctor at the Bombay Hospital in Marine Lines told the media.
Actress Neetu Chandra, who was seen in his 2010 thriller "Apartment: Rent at Your Own Risk", said that body was to be taken back to his residence (in Shivaji Park, Dadar West) at 3 p.m. for some time and then to the cremation ground.
Seem Biswas, who was about to start shooting for Mundhra's "Kissa Kuttey Ka", told the media: "I Just got the news of his demise and I am in a state of shock. I spoke to him day before yesterday and he seemed perfectly fine. I could not tell from his voice that there was anything wrong with him. In fact, he was so excited about the film as we were about to start shooting at the end of September.
"It's is very shocking and I'm very upset. I just know that there was some internal bleeding because of which he was hospitalised."
Veteran actress and activist Shabana Azmi tweeted: "Sad news. Filmaker Jagmohan Mundhra passed away this morning. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Jagmohan Mundhara - he was one the most subjective director. His 'Shoot On Sight' is a film which is identical to 'A Wednesday'."
Others also posted condolence messages on Twitter.
Pooja Bedi: "Deeply saddened to hear Jagmohan Mundhra passed away! A WONDERFUL man, my first director & the one responsible for me being in show business," she posted on her Twitter page.
Vikram Bhatt: "Just heard that filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra has passed away! A prayer for the departed and strength to his family, Vikram Bhatt."
Kabir Bedi: "Jagmohan Mundra, friend from my Hollywood years, passes away and I'm deeply sad. Last met at Shammi Kapoor's funeral. RIP."
Born in 1948 in a conservative Marwadi family, Mundhra studied engineering at IIT Mumbai and then moved to US to do his M.Sc. But his ultimate calling was moviemaking and in 1982 he ventured into filmmaking with Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi starrer "Suraag" and this was followed by the women-centric film "Kamla" with Shabana and Deepti Naval in lead roles.
Later he made films like "Night Eyes", "The Jigsaw Murders", "Eyewitness to Murder", "Open House" and "Halloween Night".
In 2000, Mundhra moved to issue-based movies and the first in the series was Nandita Das starrer and critically acclaimed "Bawander", which was based on real story of rape victim Bhanwari Devi in Rajasthan.
In 2007, he teamed up with Aishwarya Rai to bring on screen the trials and tribulations of London-based Punjabi woman Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a victim of domestic violence in "Provoked".
In 2007, Mundhra took up yet another sensitive subject for his movie "Shoot On Sight", which talked about the West's perception of Muslims following 9/11. The movie's take-off point is the order London police passed to shoot suspected terrorists after the July 7, 2005, London subway bombings.
However, Mundhra moved to a lighter subject with Govinda starrer "Naughty @ 40".
He was very keen to make a film on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
source:agency
Tags : India News, Hollywood-based Indian filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra, He was 62, actress Neetu Chandra,Actress Seema Biswas,
Bipash Basu upset with reports that claim she is trying to woo actor Ranbir Kapoor
New Delhi: Bipash Basu has hit back at reports that claim she is trying to woo actor Ranbir Kapoor, saying it is "bizarre".
"Woke up to a news report that says 'Am wooing Ranbir'! Bizarre! Just because I love 'Rockstar' trailer and I tweeted about it!" Bipsha posted on Micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Ranbir (Kapoor) is an awesome guy but I don't need to woo him like this. I like to be wooed,I dont need to woo anyone for that matter," she added.
The 32-year-old was very impressed with the theatrical trailer of Ranbeer's forthcoming movie "Rockstar" and expressed her opinion in a tweet saying: "Really have to share this, 'Rockstar' is by far the best and the most captivating trailer that I have seen. Ranbir looks like a powerhouse performer!"
After that there was speculation that she is trying to impress the young Kapoor.
source:agency
"Woke up to a news report that says 'Am wooing Ranbir'! Bizarre! Just because I love 'Rockstar' trailer and I tweeted about it!" Bipsha posted on Micro-blogging site Twitter.
"Ranbir (Kapoor) is an awesome guy but I don't need to woo him like this. I like to be wooed,I dont need to woo anyone for that matter," she added.
The 32-year-old was very impressed with the theatrical trailer of Ranbeer's forthcoming movie "Rockstar" and expressed her opinion in a tweet saying: "Really have to share this, 'Rockstar' is by far the best and the most captivating trailer that I have seen. Ranbir looks like a powerhouse performer!"
After that there was speculation that she is trying to impress the young Kapoor.
source:agency
20110904
Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath among the richest members of Manmohan Singh's council
New Delhi: With business interests spanning resorts to immovable property, Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath figures among the richest members of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's council of ministers as per their assets declared and posted on official website on Saturday. Running into 35 pages, which is also among the lengthiest, Kamal Nath's declaration says he and his immediate family could well be worth over Rs.250 crore ($55 million). Defence Minister's A.K. Antony, on the other hand, has assets worth some Rs.50 lakh ($111,000).
The assets have been declared under Kamal Nath's own name, besides those of his wife Alka, sons Bakul and Nakul and daughter-in-law Simran, as also under various trusts, Hindu undivided family (HUF) holdings and companies in which they have interests.
The prime minister's team had been asked to furnish the details in accordance with the code of conduct for ministers. The declarations have been posted under the head "Right to Information" on the website of Prime Minister's Office: pmindia.nic.in.
source:agency
The assets have been declared under Kamal Nath's own name, besides those of his wife Alka, sons Bakul and Nakul and daughter-in-law Simran, as also under various trusts, Hindu undivided family (HUF) holdings and companies in which they have interests.
The prime minister's team had been asked to furnish the details in accordance with the code of conduct for ministers. The declarations have been posted under the head "Right to Information" on the website of Prime Minister's Office: pmindia.nic.in.
source:agency
Over 37,000 villages in the country have not got mobile phone connectivity
New Delhi: Over 37,000 villages in the country have not got mobile phone connectivity till March 2011, according to data from the telecom department.
Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that "37,184 villages in the country are yet to be connected with mobile connectivity as on March 2011".
The minister also said that till July 31, the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has covered all district headquarters and 33,620 cities with GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) based cellular services.
About 579,486 villages, over 97 percent of the census 2001 inhabited revenue villages, have been covered with telephone connectivity through village public telephones.
Shared mobile infrastructure scheme has been launched by universal service obligation fund to provide subsidy support for setting up and managing 7,353 towers in 500 districts and over 27 states for provision of mobile services in the specified rural and remote areas.
Villages or cluster of villages having population of 2,000 or more and not having mobile coverage were taken into consideration for installation of the tower under this scheme, including hilly, tribal and Maoist-affected areas where there was no existing fixed wireless or mobile coverage.
source:agency
Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that "37,184 villages in the country are yet to be connected with mobile connectivity as on March 2011".
The minister also said that till July 31, the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has covered all district headquarters and 33,620 cities with GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) based cellular services.
About 579,486 villages, over 97 percent of the census 2001 inhabited revenue villages, have been covered with telephone connectivity through village public telephones.
Shared mobile infrastructure scheme has been launched by universal service obligation fund to provide subsidy support for setting up and managing 7,353 towers in 500 districts and over 27 states for provision of mobile services in the specified rural and remote areas.
Villages or cluster of villages having population of 2,000 or more and not having mobile coverage were taken into consideration for installation of the tower under this scheme, including hilly, tribal and Maoist-affected areas where there was no existing fixed wireless or mobile coverage.
source:agency
Petition against Anna Hazare and his team members in a Delhi court
New Delhi: A 60-year-old carpenter has filed a petition against Anna Hazare and his team members in a Delhi court for "waging war against the government".
Satbir Singh, hailing from Haryana, approached the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Tyagita Singh on Saturday, pleading that a case be lodged against Hazare and his team members. Satbir has also said that the "accused persons may kindly be summoned, tried and punished according to law".
"They have all hatched a conspiracy to cause loss to the nation and to lower the reputation of government of India and its ministers," Satbir said in his petition.
"They instigated innocent people to assemble at Ramlila Maidan on Aug 16. The accused gave false speech against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other MPs," said the petition, a copy of which is with the media.
"On their direction people assembled outside the houses of ministers, due to which they disturbed the peace in the locality and even disturbed the traffic system," it said.
"The accused persons through media have abused the government and pressurised them to pass their own Jan Lokpal bill, in which they have succeeded," states the petition.
Satbir has accused Team Anna of hatching criminal conspiracy, waging war against government, rioting, creating public nuisance, defamation, among other offences.
The matter will come up for hearing in the court on Monday.
Hazare sat on a hunger strike on Aug 16, demanding a strong Lokpal Bill. He broke his 12-day fast on Aug 28 after the parliament held a special debate and adopted the three key Lokpal points demanded by Team Anna.
Team Anna members Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal have been served breach of privilege notices by parliament for mocking at MPs and using unparliamentary language.
source:agency
Satbir Singh, hailing from Haryana, approached the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Tyagita Singh on Saturday, pleading that a case be lodged against Hazare and his team members. Satbir has also said that the "accused persons may kindly be summoned, tried and punished according to law".
"They have all hatched a conspiracy to cause loss to the nation and to lower the reputation of government of India and its ministers," Satbir said in his petition.
"They instigated innocent people to assemble at Ramlila Maidan on Aug 16. The accused gave false speech against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other MPs," said the petition, a copy of which is with the media.
"On their direction people assembled outside the houses of ministers, due to which they disturbed the peace in the locality and even disturbed the traffic system," it said.
"The accused persons through media have abused the government and pressurised them to pass their own Jan Lokpal bill, in which they have succeeded," states the petition.
Satbir has accused Team Anna of hatching criminal conspiracy, waging war against government, rioting, creating public nuisance, defamation, among other offences.
The matter will come up for hearing in the court on Monday.
Hazare sat on a hunger strike on Aug 16, demanding a strong Lokpal Bill. He broke his 12-day fast on Aug 28 after the parliament held a special debate and adopted the three key Lokpal points demanded by Team Anna.
Team Anna members Kiran Bedi, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal have been served breach of privilege notices by parliament for mocking at MPs and using unparliamentary language.
source:agency
NATO offered to share its missile defence technology with India
Brussels: In a move that holds great strategic significance, NATO has offered to share its missile defence technology with India to build its capability to shoot down incoming enemy missiles, realising the commonality of threats faced by the 28-nation grouping and South Asia's pre-eminent power.India, thus, becomes the only nation, apart from Russia, outside of the NATO that the US-led military alliance is willing to work in the critical missile defence technology sector.The NATO missile defence project, launched in May 2001, aims to work with member-countries to meet the group's responsibility of defending itself from missile attacks. India too is in the process of developing its own ballistic missile defence system based on its Prithvi ballistic missile platform considering the missile threats it faces from rivals in the region.
"You (India) have a missile threat that confronts you. We (NATO) have a missile threat that confronts us. Our need to defend against these missile threats might be the same," a senior NATO official told a group of Indian journalists on a visit to the group's headquarters here.
Asked to specify the area that NATO can cooperate with India on missile defence, the official, who did not wish to be named, said: "One will be in the technology of defence."
The official noted that the threats that India and NATO faced may come from different directions and NATO doesn't necessarily see the threats that India sees.
"Because your strategic situation is different from ours. But the technology of discovering and intercepting missiles is the same," he said.
However, he admitted that the cooperation will have to be led by the Americans. The US has an advanced Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) development project than any other member-nation in the NATO, though India has equally robust bilateral relations with most of them including France and United Kingdom.
"The fact is it is more Indo-US than NATO-Indian relationship. But we are getting into ballistic missile defence in a pretty big way. As a result, there is a repository of knowledge that we can share and we can train together. There are experiences that we can talk about," the official said.
India's BMD programme, launched in the middle of the previous decade, is a two-tiered shield system consisting of two interceptor missiles -- the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile for lower altitude interception. It tested the PAD for the first time in November 2006 and the AAD in December 2007.
With these tests, India became the fourth country to have successfully tested the anti-missile system after the US, Russia and Israel. However, the Indian BMD, mainly focusing to counter missiles with less than 5,000-km range, is far from being perfected and further tests of the BMD system are being planned.
The US has a multiple-missile threat defence system called the National Missile Defence (NMD) intended to shield an entire country against incoming missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles of over 7,500-km range and other shorter range ballistic missiles.
NATO is conducting three missile defence-related activities -- theatre ballistic missile defence capability for short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats, missile defence for the entire NATO territory, and missile defence cooperation with Russia.
The NATO-Russian cooperation is a by-product of the group expanding its membership post-Cold War beginning 1989, to make allies out of former enemies from the Warsaw Pact countries such as Poland and Czech Republic.
source:agency
"You (India) have a missile threat that confronts you. We (NATO) have a missile threat that confronts us. Our need to defend against these missile threats might be the same," a senior NATO official told a group of Indian journalists on a visit to the group's headquarters here.
Asked to specify the area that NATO can cooperate with India on missile defence, the official, who did not wish to be named, said: "One will be in the technology of defence."
The official noted that the threats that India and NATO faced may come from different directions and NATO doesn't necessarily see the threats that India sees.
"Because your strategic situation is different from ours. But the technology of discovering and intercepting missiles is the same," he said.
However, he admitted that the cooperation will have to be led by the Americans. The US has an advanced Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) development project than any other member-nation in the NATO, though India has equally robust bilateral relations with most of them including France and United Kingdom.
"The fact is it is more Indo-US than NATO-Indian relationship. But we are getting into ballistic missile defence in a pretty big way. As a result, there is a repository of knowledge that we can share and we can train together. There are experiences that we can talk about," the official said.
India's BMD programme, launched in the middle of the previous decade, is a two-tiered shield system consisting of two interceptor missiles -- the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception, and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile for lower altitude interception. It tested the PAD for the first time in November 2006 and the AAD in December 2007.
With these tests, India became the fourth country to have successfully tested the anti-missile system after the US, Russia and Israel. However, the Indian BMD, mainly focusing to counter missiles with less than 5,000-km range, is far from being perfected and further tests of the BMD system are being planned.
The US has a multiple-missile threat defence system called the National Missile Defence (NMD) intended to shield an entire country against incoming missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles of over 7,500-km range and other shorter range ballistic missiles.
NATO is conducting three missile defence-related activities -- theatre ballistic missile defence capability for short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats, missile defence for the entire NATO territory, and missile defence cooperation with Russia.
The NATO-Russian cooperation is a by-product of the group expanding its membership post-Cold War beginning 1989, to make allies out of former enemies from the Warsaw Pact countries such as Poland and Czech Republic.
source:agency
Geet Sagar, winner of music reality show "X Factor India", is enjoying his moments of glory
New Delhi: Though he hasn't planned anything for the future, Geet Sagar, winner of music reality show "X Factor India", is enjoying his moments of glory and itching to lend his voice for a Karan Johar film.
As the winner of the show, Geet has bagged Rs.50 lakh, a Tata Manza car and an opportunity to sing a song in a Karan Johar film. The show, aired on Sony, was judged by Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
"I am really looking forward to singing for Karan Johar. It's exciting because people work so hard to get a chance to sing for his film, and I feel blessed I have got an opportunity so early. I hope to make everyone proud," Geet told the media on phone from Mumbai.
A mass communication graduate and an ardent music lover, Geet used to work as a Radio Jockey for Lemon 91.1 FM before getting selected for "X-Factor India".
Geet, who comes from an army background, calls his three-month journey in the show "difficult but adventurous".
"It was difficult but I am glad all my hard work has paid off. I feel touched and humbled. Now the responsibility has increased and I hope to make everyone proud in future," Geet, who hails from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, said.
"The journey so far has been adventurous. I had good times and bad times and faced some tough competition but I kept fighting rather than being egoistic. There were times when I felt low but I pulled myself and overcame it," the 27-year-old said.
Geet, who was in Shreya's team, credits the singer for his victory. "Shreya has been a wonderful mentor. She has been with me through thick and thin and I could come so far only because of her," said Geet, who was one of Shreya's favourites on the show.
He might have won the show and hearts alike, but Geet says he will continue learning music.
"I am a learner and will continue learning music. When I came here, I knew nothing about it but I learned a lot from this platform. There have been people who have given their lives to music and I hope to learn more," he said.
source:agency
As the winner of the show, Geet has bagged Rs.50 lakh, a Tata Manza car and an opportunity to sing a song in a Karan Johar film. The show, aired on Sony, was judged by Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
"I am really looking forward to singing for Karan Johar. It's exciting because people work so hard to get a chance to sing for his film, and I feel blessed I have got an opportunity so early. I hope to make everyone proud," Geet told the media on phone from Mumbai.
A mass communication graduate and an ardent music lover, Geet used to work as a Radio Jockey for Lemon 91.1 FM before getting selected for "X-Factor India".
Geet, who comes from an army background, calls his three-month journey in the show "difficult but adventurous".
"It was difficult but I am glad all my hard work has paid off. I feel touched and humbled. Now the responsibility has increased and I hope to make everyone proud in future," Geet, who hails from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, said.
"The journey so far has been adventurous. I had good times and bad times and faced some tough competition but I kept fighting rather than being egoistic. There were times when I felt low but I pulled myself and overcame it," the 27-year-old said.
Geet, who was in Shreya's team, credits the singer for his victory. "Shreya has been a wonderful mentor. She has been with me through thick and thin and I could come so far only because of her," said Geet, who was one of Shreya's favourites on the show.
He might have won the show and hearts alike, but Geet says he will continue learning music.
"I am a learner and will continue learning music. When I came here, I knew nothing about it but I learned a lot from this platform. There have been people who have given their lives to music and I hope to learn more," he said.
source:agency
Bollywood producer Sunil Bohra is set to launch an online music studio
New Delhi: Bollywood producer Sunil Bohra is set to launch an online music studio that will reveal to the producers the revenues earned from the music of their film in a transparent manner.
Bohra Bros Music Studio will enable producers to remain the ultimate music rights owner, which is not being done by the big labels who typically acquire the music rights.
As opposed to a one-time music rights acquisition cost paid by the big music firms currently, Bohra Bros Music Studio aims to promote film music albums at initial cost to the producer.
And only after music starts selling will the studio plan to split the revenue with the producer in 70:30 ratio favouring the film producer.
The studio will also offer monthly reports of revenue earned by the film's music album and even give a break-up of sales across mobile, online, radio, digital and physical sales.
The BB Music Studio will be launched with the music of Bohra Bros upcoming film "Sahib, Biwi aur Gangster", which releases on Sep 30.
source:agency
Bohra Bros Music Studio will enable producers to remain the ultimate music rights owner, which is not being done by the big labels who typically acquire the music rights.
As opposed to a one-time music rights acquisition cost paid by the big music firms currently, Bohra Bros Music Studio aims to promote film music albums at initial cost to the producer.
And only after music starts selling will the studio plan to split the revenue with the producer in 70:30 ratio favouring the film producer.
The studio will also offer monthly reports of revenue earned by the film's music album and even give a break-up of sales across mobile, online, radio, digital and physical sales.
The BB Music Studio will be launched with the music of Bohra Bros upcoming film "Sahib, Biwi aur Gangster", which releases on Sep 30.
source:agency
kshay Kumar's production venture "Speedy Singh",meant for the lovers of bhangra
New Delhi: A total Punjabi soundtrack is not something you see very often, but Akshay Kumar's production venture "Speedy Singh" is an album that is meant for the lovers of bhangra, which has been mixed with hip hop. Composed by Sandeep Chowta, RDB, Jassi Sidhu and Rishi Rich Productions, the songs will make you tap your feet.
The album begins with Veronica and H-Dhami collaborating to sing the song "Ne aaja ve", which has a romantic tilt. A club number, this Punjabi-influenced track is moderately paced. While Veronica hums the English lyrics, H-Dhami has added the Punjabi flavour.
Up next is "Shera di khom" that is a new version of the title track of 2008 film "Singh Is Kinng". The song that has Ludacris, RDB, Manjit, Nav, Sarb and Nindy Kaur behind the mike is already being liked by listeners. A fusion of hip hop and Punjabi music, the track talks about the laurels of the Punjabi community.
"Sansar" makes for an interesting composition. It is a racy track crooned by RDB and J-Hind. The song, once again a bhangra-cum-hip hop rendition, manages to stand tall among other tracks and holds the attention of the listener.
The album also has a wedding number - "Veer da viha". An out and out Punjabi track with no western influence unlike other songs in the album, it is sung by Jassi Sidhu. The song is actually a slightly different version of the song "Veerji Vehon Chaleya" from RDB's album "Aawan Ni Aawan". In this version, the lyrics have been altered a bit.
Finally the album sums up with a traditional Punjabi song "Rail gaddi". This version has been sung by Jassi Sidhu and is quite similar to the original song but with a few more beats and modified lyrics.
On the whole, the album is a Punjabi music lover's delight. While most songs are suitable for a DJ's console, they might get more value with visuals.
source:agency
The album begins with Veronica and H-Dhami collaborating to sing the song "Ne aaja ve", which has a romantic tilt. A club number, this Punjabi-influenced track is moderately paced. While Veronica hums the English lyrics, H-Dhami has added the Punjabi flavour.
Up next is "Shera di khom" that is a new version of the title track of 2008 film "Singh Is Kinng". The song that has Ludacris, RDB, Manjit, Nav, Sarb and Nindy Kaur behind the mike is already being liked by listeners. A fusion of hip hop and Punjabi music, the track talks about the laurels of the Punjabi community.
"Sansar" makes for an interesting composition. It is a racy track crooned by RDB and J-Hind. The song, once again a bhangra-cum-hip hop rendition, manages to stand tall among other tracks and holds the attention of the listener.
The album also has a wedding number - "Veer da viha". An out and out Punjabi track with no western influence unlike other songs in the album, it is sung by Jassi Sidhu. The song is actually a slightly different version of the song "Veerji Vehon Chaleya" from RDB's album "Aawan Ni Aawan". In this version, the lyrics have been altered a bit.
Finally the album sums up with a traditional Punjabi song "Rail gaddi". This version has been sung by Jassi Sidhu and is quite similar to the original song but with a few more beats and modified lyrics.
On the whole, the album is a Punjabi music lover's delight. While most songs are suitable for a DJ's console, they might get more value with visuals.
source:agency
Raj Babbar expressed support for charity through collections of Salman Khan-starrer "Bodyguard"
New Delhi: Raj Babbar was felicitated on Saturday by multiplex chain Movie Time for the success of Salman Khan-starrer "Bodyguard", in which he has essayed the role of Kareena Kapoor's father.
The actor-politician also expressed support for charity towards underprivileged children through collections of the second week screenings of the film at a Movie Time theatre here.
Anil Kapur, the CEO of Movie Time, felicitated the 59-year-old at the cinema hall in Rajouri Garden here, followed by a screening of the movie, which broke opening day records by minting Rs.22 crore in domestic market.
The event was organised for star Salman Khan, who is currently in Pittsburgh, recuperating from a surgery for a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which had been causing excruciating pain in his head, jaws and cheeks.
"This event has been organised for Salman, who is in US fighting his ailment. God willing, he will be fine soon. We have felicitated Mr.Raj Babbar, who has starred in 'Bodyguard' as well. We are glad that he agreed to come for the special screening, and shown support to us for a charity programme related to 'Bodyguard'," Kapur told the media.
"The money made out of the second week screenings of 'Bodyguard' at Movie Time, Rajouri Garden, will be donated to an NGO called PVR Nest, which works towards homeless and underprivileged kids," he added.
Talking about Salman, Raj Babbar said: " 'Bodyguard' is a film about emotions and love, and Salman has given a lot of love and emotion to people of India despite the ups and downs of his life. He has been a true winner."
source:agency
The actor-politician also expressed support for charity towards underprivileged children through collections of the second week screenings of the film at a Movie Time theatre here.
Anil Kapur, the CEO of Movie Time, felicitated the 59-year-old at the cinema hall in Rajouri Garden here, followed by a screening of the movie, which broke opening day records by minting Rs.22 crore in domestic market.
The event was organised for star Salman Khan, who is currently in Pittsburgh, recuperating from a surgery for a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which had been causing excruciating pain in his head, jaws and cheeks.
"This event has been organised for Salman, who is in US fighting his ailment. God willing, he will be fine soon. We have felicitated Mr.Raj Babbar, who has starred in 'Bodyguard' as well. We are glad that he agreed to come for the special screening, and shown support to us for a charity programme related to 'Bodyguard'," Kapur told the media.
"The money made out of the second week screenings of 'Bodyguard' at Movie Time, Rajouri Garden, will be donated to an NGO called PVR Nest, which works towards homeless and underprivileged kids," he added.
Talking about Salman, Raj Babbar said: " 'Bodyguard' is a film about emotions and love, and Salman has given a lot of love and emotion to people of India despite the ups and downs of his life. He has been a true winner."
source:agency
EktaKapoor's production house Balaji's policy to not integrate the shows with films
New Delhi: It is false to say Ekta Kapoor scuttled efforts of actor Shahid Kapoor to feature his film "Mausam" for promotion on her popular TV show "Bade Achche Lagte Hain", says a source close to the TV tsarina.
"Ekta absolutely adores Shahid and has approached him to star in the sequel of 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai'. They are currently working out his role in the film, and there is no truth to these rumours. Ekta is very upset about it," said the source.
Incidentally, the trailer of Ekta's next production "The Dirty Picture", featuring Vidya Balan in the lead, was integrated with the show in Thursday's episode.
Media reports indicated that Vidya, who was rumoured to have dated Shahid briefly, asked Ekta not to feature Shahid's forthcoming film "Mausam" in her TV show for promotional purpose.
But a source from Ekta's production house Balaji has denied that as well.
"Vidya is non-political and is a thorough professional and doesn?t involve herself in matters of casting or other aspects of production," said the source from Balaji.
"Its Balaji?s policy to not integrate the show 'Bade Achche...' with films. However, an exception was made for 'The Dirty Picture' since the movie belongs to the parent company and will be the only movie promoted on the show."
"Ekta is very focused as a producer and is very concerned with the film. There were several films that approached Balaji apart from 'Mausam', so we fail to understand why only 'Mausam' is being talked about," added the source.
source:agency
"Ekta absolutely adores Shahid and has approached him to star in the sequel of 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai'. They are currently working out his role in the film, and there is no truth to these rumours. Ekta is very upset about it," said the source.
Incidentally, the trailer of Ekta's next production "The Dirty Picture", featuring Vidya Balan in the lead, was integrated with the show in Thursday's episode.
Media reports indicated that Vidya, who was rumoured to have dated Shahid briefly, asked Ekta not to feature Shahid's forthcoming film "Mausam" in her TV show for promotional purpose.
But a source from Ekta's production house Balaji has denied that as well.
"Vidya is non-political and is a thorough professional and doesn?t involve herself in matters of casting or other aspects of production," said the source from Balaji.
"Its Balaji?s policy to not integrate the show 'Bade Achche...' with films. However, an exception was made for 'The Dirty Picture' since the movie belongs to the parent company and will be the only movie promoted on the show."
"Ekta is very focused as a producer and is very concerned with the film. There were several films that approached Balaji apart from 'Mausam', so we fail to understand why only 'Mausam' is being talked about," added the source.
source:agency
20110903
HC dismissed a Class 12 student's plea for action against the CBSE
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has dismissed a Class 12 student's plea for action against the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) under the transparency law for destroying his answer sheets three months after the declaration of result.
Soumik Mitra, a resident of West Bengal who appeared for senior school certificate examination in 2009, had sought imposition of penalty under the Right to Information (RTI) law on officials who were allegedly responsible for the destruction of his answer sheets.
The CBSE said the answer sheets were destroyed as per rules.
Dismissing his plea, Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said: ?Once it is found that the authorities under the RTI Act were not empowered to make any order on the request of the petitioner for preservation (of answer sheets), it cannot be said that they are liable for any action for not acceding thereto.?
"Reference to Section 20 of the RTI Act providing for imposition of penalty and prosecution for destruction also has to be seen in the light of other applicable rule," said the court in its eight-page order on Thursday.
"Once the examination by-laws of the CBSE permitted it to destroy the answer sheets within three months of the declaration of the result, destruction in accordance with the by-laws cannot be said to invite penalties under the RTI Act," said Justice Endlaw.
"There is no merit in the petition. The same is dismissed," said the court.
The petition said Mitra's result was declared in May 2009. He applied for rechecking and "June 22, 2009, the CBSE intimated him that upon re-checking, no mistake had been detected".
Mitra then approached the Calcutta High Court, which called for the answer scripts. The CBSE presented the scripts to the court.
The petitioner Oct 7, 2009, filed an application under the RTI Act that the answer sheets be supplied to him. His application was rejected as the CBSE said that it had destroyed the scripts after three months of the declaration of results.
Justice Endlaw said: "The petitioner in the present case was before the Calcutta High Court with respect to his result and the court immediately called for the answer sheets and recorded its satisfaction that all questions answered by the petitioner had been duly assessed and there was no error."
"The petitioner, neither from the Calcutta High Court nor from any other court, sought the relief of restraining the CBSE from destroying the answer sheets," the court said.
"The question which arises is, whether the authorities under the RTI Act, on the request of the petitioner for preservation of the answer sheets were required to or competent to pass any orders for such preservation," the court observed.
Senior counsel for petitioner has not been able to show any provision in the act in this regard, Justice Endlaw said.
source:agency
Soumik Mitra, a resident of West Bengal who appeared for senior school certificate examination in 2009, had sought imposition of penalty under the Right to Information (RTI) law on officials who were allegedly responsible for the destruction of his answer sheets.
The CBSE said the answer sheets were destroyed as per rules.
Dismissing his plea, Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said: ?Once it is found that the authorities under the RTI Act were not empowered to make any order on the request of the petitioner for preservation (of answer sheets), it cannot be said that they are liable for any action for not acceding thereto.?
"Reference to Section 20 of the RTI Act providing for imposition of penalty and prosecution for destruction also has to be seen in the light of other applicable rule," said the court in its eight-page order on Thursday.
"Once the examination by-laws of the CBSE permitted it to destroy the answer sheets within three months of the declaration of the result, destruction in accordance with the by-laws cannot be said to invite penalties under the RTI Act," said Justice Endlaw.
"There is no merit in the petition. The same is dismissed," said the court.
The petition said Mitra's result was declared in May 2009. He applied for rechecking and "June 22, 2009, the CBSE intimated him that upon re-checking, no mistake had been detected".
Mitra then approached the Calcutta High Court, which called for the answer scripts. The CBSE presented the scripts to the court.
The petitioner Oct 7, 2009, filed an application under the RTI Act that the answer sheets be supplied to him. His application was rejected as the CBSE said that it had destroyed the scripts after three months of the declaration of results.
Justice Endlaw said: "The petitioner in the present case was before the Calcutta High Court with respect to his result and the court immediately called for the answer sheets and recorded its satisfaction that all questions answered by the petitioner had been duly assessed and there was no error."
"The petitioner, neither from the Calcutta High Court nor from any other court, sought the relief of restraining the CBSE from destroying the answer sheets," the court said.
"The question which arises is, whether the authorities under the RTI Act, on the request of the petitioner for preservation of the answer sheets were required to or competent to pass any orders for such preservation," the court observed.
Senior counsel for petitioner has not been able to show any provision in the act in this regard, Justice Endlaw said.
source:agency
Internet giant Google to shut Fast Flip and closing Aardvark
WASHINGTON: Internet giant Google said that it is pulling the plug on its online news reader Fast Flip and closing Aardvark, a "social search" service it bought last year.
Google said it is winding down Fast Flip, which was unveiled in September 2009, and shutting down Aardvark as part of the closure announced last month of its experimental test bed Google Labs.
"With the winding down of Google Labs, the Google Fast Flip project will also be winding down," Google said a brief message on the Google Labs website.
"We will begin removing Fast Flip from Google News and Labs in the coming days," the Mountain View, California-based company said.
"For the past two years, the Fast Flip experiment has fueled a new approach to faster, richer content display on the Web -- which will live on in our other display and delivery tools," Google said.
"We want to thank the dozens of participating US publishers for their collaboration with us in pioneering news content browsing and reading experiences for the Web and mobile devices," it said.
Google partners on Fast Flip include The New York Times, the BBC, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal and other publications.
Other companies supplying content include magazines such as the Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Marie Claire and Popular Mechanics, as well as online news sites TechCrunch, Salon and Slate.
Fast Flip allows users to browse through news stories from Google's media partners at speeds significantly faster than the time it usually takes to load a Web page.
Aardvark co-founders Max Ventilla and Damon Horowitz said in a blog post entitled "Goodbye Aardvark" that the service will shut down at the end of September.
Google acquired Aardvark, which was founded in 2007, in February of last year for a purchase price put at $50 million by technology blog TechCrunch.
Aardvark uses the contacts in a person's network to provide answers to questions via the Web at Vark.com, instant messaging, email or Twitter.
"Aardvark began as a small experiment in a new kind of social search, and over a few years blossomed into a service that made millions of connections between people to answer each other's questions," Ventilla and Horowitz said.
"Over this time, we learned a lot about creating and maintaining online communities, and how to facilitate sharing of knowledge between people," they said. "We've been excited to share these lessons within Google over the past year, especially as part of the effort behind Google+"
Google+ is the social network launched by the Internet giant in June.
Ventilla and Horowitz said the Aardvark team "remains committed to developing powerful tools for connecting people and improving access to information."
The announcement of the closure of Fast Flip and Aardvark comes a week after Google said it was shutting down Slide, a developer of applications for social networks it bought a year ago.
source:reuters
Google said it is winding down Fast Flip, which was unveiled in September 2009, and shutting down Aardvark as part of the closure announced last month of its experimental test bed Google Labs.
"With the winding down of Google Labs, the Google Fast Flip project will also be winding down," Google said a brief message on the Google Labs website.
"We will begin removing Fast Flip from Google News and Labs in the coming days," the Mountain View, California-based company said.
"For the past two years, the Fast Flip experiment has fueled a new approach to faster, richer content display on the Web -- which will live on in our other display and delivery tools," Google said.
"We want to thank the dozens of participating US publishers for their collaboration with us in pioneering news content browsing and reading experiences for the Web and mobile devices," it said.
Google partners on Fast Flip include The New York Times, the BBC, The Huffington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal and other publications.
Other companies supplying content include magazines such as the Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Marie Claire and Popular Mechanics, as well as online news sites TechCrunch, Salon and Slate.
Fast Flip allows users to browse through news stories from Google's media partners at speeds significantly faster than the time it usually takes to load a Web page.
Aardvark co-founders Max Ventilla and Damon Horowitz said in a blog post entitled "Goodbye Aardvark" that the service will shut down at the end of September.
Google acquired Aardvark, which was founded in 2007, in February of last year for a purchase price put at $50 million by technology blog TechCrunch.
Aardvark uses the contacts in a person's network to provide answers to questions via the Web at Vark.com, instant messaging, email or Twitter.
"Aardvark began as a small experiment in a new kind of social search, and over a few years blossomed into a service that made millions of connections between people to answer each other's questions," Ventilla and Horowitz said.
"Over this time, we learned a lot about creating and maintaining online communities, and how to facilitate sharing of knowledge between people," they said. "We've been excited to share these lessons within Google over the past year, especially as part of the effort behind Google+"
Google+ is the social network launched by the Internet giant in June.
Ventilla and Horowitz said the Aardvark team "remains committed to developing powerful tools for connecting people and improving access to information."
The announcement of the closure of Fast Flip and Aardvark comes a week after Google said it was shutting down Slide, a developer of applications for social networks it bought a year ago.
source:reuters
Difficult to keep a check on the contents of Twitter, Facebook:Kapil Sibal
New Delhi: It is difficult for Indian security agencies to keep a check on the contents of social networking sites because of the encrypted data, Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday."The solution service providers of social networking sites secure certain communication to and from such networking sites by employing encryption, which pose challenges to security agencies to keep a vigil on contents of such sites," he said.However, the government regularly interacts with the telecom service providers and solution service providers to address the issue and implement solutions to the extent possible keeping in view security, service and developmental needs of the country, he said.
During April 2010 to July 2011, 33 incidents of misuse of social networking sites, related to phishing of objectionable content pertaining to political leaders, religion, national security and individuals were reported to the national nodal agency Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
The ministry of telecom had last month also informed the Rajya Sabha that it has received a letter from the home ministry to ensure effective monitoring of social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook.
source:agency
During April 2010 to July 2011, 33 incidents of misuse of social networking sites, related to phishing of objectionable content pertaining to political leaders, religion, national security and individuals were reported to the national nodal agency Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
The ministry of telecom had last month also informed the Rajya Sabha that it has received a letter from the home ministry to ensure effective monitoring of social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook.
source:agency
Prashant Bhushan received a breach of privilege notice for his remarks against MPs
New Delhi: Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan today said he has received a breach of privilege notice for his remarks against MPs and will respond to it. He further added that he stands by his statement.
"I have received the notice and will respond to it. I stand by my statement and don't think it amounts to breach of privilege," Bhushan told a TV channel.
He was served notice for alleging that members of parliament take bribes to pass laws. He has been asked to file a reply by Sep 14.
Former top cop Kiran Bedi, another aide of activist Anna Hazare, also faces a privilege motion for her remarks against parliamentarians. Addressing the Ramlila Maidan gathering, she accused politicians of wearing "several masks" at the same time, drawing the ire of MPs in both houses of parliament.
Affirming that she stood by whatever she had said, Bedi said on Friday: "If I get a notice, I would say I am sorry I will not be able to say sorry. If I get an opportunity, I will go before the Committee and will show a bigger mirror to Parliament."
"The truth has to be said, which was needed, and I stand by it. You should see what is happening in parliament. Slippers were exchanged in the Rajasthan assembly," she added.
source:agency
"I have received the notice and will respond to it. I stand by my statement and don't think it amounts to breach of privilege," Bhushan told a TV channel.
He was served notice for alleging that members of parliament take bribes to pass laws. He has been asked to file a reply by Sep 14.
Former top cop Kiran Bedi, another aide of activist Anna Hazare, also faces a privilege motion for her remarks against parliamentarians. Addressing the Ramlila Maidan gathering, she accused politicians of wearing "several masks" at the same time, drawing the ire of MPs in both houses of parliament.
Affirming that she stood by whatever she had said, Bedi said on Friday: "If I get a notice, I would say I am sorry I will not be able to say sorry. If I get an opportunity, I will go before the Committee and will show a bigger mirror to Parliament."
"The truth has to be said, which was needed, and I stand by it. You should see what is happening in parliament. Slippers were exchanged in the Rajasthan assembly," she added.
source:agency
Bajaj Auto said it had logged a 16 percent rise in total sales
Mumbai: Helped by a healthy increase in exports, two-wheeler and commercial vehicle major Bajaj Auto today said it had logged a 16 percent rise in total sales in August at 382,739 units -- its highest ever in a single month.
Vehicle exports rose 40 percent in the month under review at 138,225 units.
The company had sold 329,364 vehicles in August 2010.
The core business of the vehicle manufacturer, motor cycles, saw sales rise 17 percent driven by bigger and sportier Pulsar and Discover brands, at 338,054 units. This again was the highest sales registered by this segment in a month.
Commercial vehicle sales grew 11 percent to 44,685 units in the month under review compared to 40,188 vehicles in the previous corresponding period.
Unlike car manufacturers, two-wheeler majors have had a good sales month in August.
Hero MotoCorp had on Thursday reported an increase of 18.6 percent in sales for August at 503,654 units as compared to 424,617 units sold in the same period last year.
The Bajaj scrip reacted positively to the news and was ruling 2.3 percent up at Rs.1,609.15 at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Bajaj's sales in the current fiscal, till August, also have risen 17 percent at 1,839,266 units. In the April-August period, motorcycle sales grew 16 percent at 1,619,200 units, while commercial vehicle sales rose 23 percent to 220,066 units.
Exports in these five months have gone up 34 percent to 709,585 vehicles.
source:agency
Vehicle exports rose 40 percent in the month under review at 138,225 units.
The company had sold 329,364 vehicles in August 2010.
The core business of the vehicle manufacturer, motor cycles, saw sales rise 17 percent driven by bigger and sportier Pulsar and Discover brands, at 338,054 units. This again was the highest sales registered by this segment in a month.
Commercial vehicle sales grew 11 percent to 44,685 units in the month under review compared to 40,188 vehicles in the previous corresponding period.
Unlike car manufacturers, two-wheeler majors have had a good sales month in August.
Hero MotoCorp had on Thursday reported an increase of 18.6 percent in sales for August at 503,654 units as compared to 424,617 units sold in the same period last year.
The Bajaj scrip reacted positively to the news and was ruling 2.3 percent up at Rs.1,609.15 at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Bajaj's sales in the current fiscal, till August, also have risen 17 percent at 1,839,266 units. In the April-August period, motorcycle sales grew 16 percent at 1,619,200 units, while commercial vehicle sales rose 23 percent to 220,066 units.
Exports in these five months have gone up 34 percent to 709,585 vehicles.
source:agency
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