We had to begin our interview with his Govinda fixation. His third film, 'Humko To Bas Aap Chahiye' is about to commence shooting. Just like his first two films, this one too stars Govinda. "That's because Govinda is a dear friend and I am very comfortable working with him. He gave me my first break and there is NO doubt that he is the finest actor we have in the country," echoes Manoj. But going by the fact that Govinda's past 4-5 films have bombed, will that affect the sale ability of his next film? "Why single out Govinda? Tell me, apart from Hrithik Roshan, which actor's films have done well? Besides, Govinda has given 25 hit films in the past. He is settled as an actor. So 2-3 films of his not doing well, doesn't really matter. Govinda is saleable. Otherwise, why would producers make films with him? In fact, Govinda will have almost 6 releases by the end of this year or early next year. Plus, he is doing 3 more films. So how can somebody do 9 films if he is not saleable?" Considering that in the past two years, hardly any films have done well, how difficult is it for a person who is just two films old to make a film in today's time? "Very difficult. There are directors who have proved themselves and they are the ones who are on the job right now. I still have to prove myself in a bigger way. The small producers are on their way out. It's the corporate companies and the big companies who will make films ultimately. I guess 4-5 hits in a row and things will be fine." People label Manoj as a 'masala' filmmaker "I do admit that both my films are 'masala' films. But for that matter, 97 per cent of the films made are again 'masala' films." But that is not helping Indian cinema grow anyway "That's true. But then, the Indian audience has to grow first." This is a debate that is going on for years where directors blame the audiences and vice-versa for not churning out quality stuff. Had the audiences not grown, they wouldn't have accepted the non-star crime thriller 'Satya' which was one of the few hits of that year. And there is no way that you can term that a 'masala' film. "The point is that our audiences are not educated enough; both in terms of film making as well as academically. If our audiences are better educated, we can put across our idea in a better way. We have no choice but to use the clichéd scenes to put across our ideas." But tell us, until and unless directors break away from the regular song and dance formula films, the audience has no choice but to accept whatever is thrown to them. "For that matter the formula is one everywhere. Except for some films in Europe; and they have died down anyway. French films, Spanish Films, British films - they too follow formulas. Once they have succeeded in an extra-terrestrial film, suddenly there are so many of them, be it Godzilla, Jurassic Park or whatever. They are trying different things once in five years or ten years but they too are following a formula." A person following what is successful is inevitable. But still, when you look at the Oscar nominations, what one gets to see is a wide variety of films that we lack here. "But are those nominated films doing well there?" argues Manoj. At least there is an attempt. Here there are hardly any people attempting even that. "Not at the cost of 10-15 crores (a normal budget of a Hindi films.) Anyway, the attempts have to be very gradual. But then, we are changing ourselves. We are no longer making 'Anarkalis'. We are not making the kind of films we used to make earlier." But earlier, don't you think films were far richer in terms of content? "There were only few makers who would venture out into different kind of subjects those days like B.R.Chopra, V.Shantaram, Bimal Roy. Not to mention, that there was hardly any television exposure those days. When a particular film's music was a hit, people used to go to the theatres to listen to the music if not to see the film. I have met people who have seen 'Anarkali' 50 times to listen to the music because they didn't have a radio. Times have changed now. There is so much of television exposure these days and that in turn is making the filmmakers become more quality conscious." Yes and despite all this, we still have the biggest grosser of this year, 'Kaho NaaPyar Hai' which when viewed thematically, isn't great stuff. It's the Hrithik mania that made the film a phenomenal success. The long and short of it is that even the biggest hit film of the year has a subject that is not any different from any other Hindi film. Filmmakers safeguarding their financial interests and following 'that which runs' by all means is understandable. After all, nobody wants to suffer losses. But when studied from the audience point of view, what surfaces is a statement questioning the future of good quality Hindi cinema. It's become a vicious circle altogether. "With the entry of MNC's and liberalization, we will change. In the next five years, there will be more different kind of films. Haven't you noticed the trend of small budgeted films like Bombay Boys and Hyderabad blues? That's because people have started to realize that we can put across an idea with a small budget. They cannot experiment the same with a 15 crore budget as the risks are high." But then, there always has been an audience for everything. So why not more experimental films? "That's because the ratio of masala films is more." Though few, there are directors who don't bother about any market strategy and make films with a certain amount of distinction. "But they are all successful directors who have already proved themselves." Why? There are some first time directors too who have dared to be different? "Yes, Mahesh Manjrekar who started with an experimental film. Though 'Vaastav' was a commercial film, I wouldn't have attempted it as my first film. Though I appreciate Mahesh Bhatt kind of films, I would always like to make the kind of films Yash Chopra makes." Three hours of romantic bliss. That's it!
SC notice to Advani and others on Ayodhya demolition case
Saturday, March 29, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 28, 1999: The Supreme Court today issued notices to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, HRD Minister Murli Monohar Joshi, CBI and 33 others on a petition seeking review of the Court's earlier order allowing transfer of the trial proceedings in Ayodhya demolition case from Lucknow to a Rae Bareilly Court. A Bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu, Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Arun Kumar issued the notices on a petition filed by Mohd Aslam alias Bhure seeking review of the apex Court's November 29, 2002 order upholding the Uttar Pradesh Government notification for transfer of the trial. The Court also issued notices to Uttar Pradesh Government, VHP top brass Vishnu Hari Dalmiya, Ashok Singhal, Giriraj Kishore, UP BJP President Vinay Katiyar, Madhya Pradesh BJP President Uma Bharti, former Faizabad District Magistrate Ravindranath Srivastava and SSP Devendra Bahadur Roy. On November 11, 2002, the Supreme Court said all the cases along with the one against Advani and others should be tried in the Special Court at Rae Bareily finding no fault with the notification to this effect issued by the State Government. The Allahabad High Court had on technical grounds quashed a 1993 Uttar Pradesh Government notification assigning the trial of the case against Advani, Joshi and Bharti to a Special Court at Lucknow, which had framed charges against the accused persons. However, it had said that the State could issue a fresh notification curing the defects. The State, in its fresh notification, had assigned the trial to a Special Court at Rae Bareilly saying similar matters were pending there.
India, Russia call for political settlement to Iraq crisis
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Moscow,Friday, March 28, 2003: India and Russia today called for a political settlement to the Iraq crisis as President Vladimir Putin demanded immediate halt of the US led war, warning that it may spread beyond the ambit of a local conflict and pose a threat to the global stability. "Russia and India have a common stand for a political solution to the Iraq issue," Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said as he discussed the consequences of the US led war on the global security system and fragile situation in Afghanistan with visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal here. Ivanov said that Russia appreciated the stand taken by India on Iraq. "We positively assess the steps taken by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with regard to the developments in Iraq," he added. The Russian Minister expressed Moscow's desire to closely work with New Delhi to put an end to bloody war and restore the political process in Iraq. "We are working together with India and a overwhelming majority of the world in searching for ways to stop this bloodshed," Ivanov said. He said "if the war is not stopped in the near future, there is a great threat of the worst possible humanitarian disaster, the worst the world has seen." Putin, addressing leaders of political parties in the state Duma, said "The only means to resolve the Iraq problem is an immediate halt to hostilities and the resumption of efforts to find a peaceful settlement within the UN Security Council".
Necessary measures must to halt cross-border terrorism: Russia
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Moscow,Friday, March 28, 2003: After the U.S and the U.K sent a tough message to Pakistan to end infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, Russia today said all "necessary measures" should be taken to to halt cross-border terrrorism. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov made the call while sharing India's concerns on the need to end cross-border terrorism when he conveyed Russia's condolences to New Delhi over the massacre of Kashmiri Pandits early this week. Ivanov outlined Moscow's position on ways to combat terrorism during a meeting with the visiting Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal when they also discussed the war in Iraq and bilateral issues. "We condemn terrorism in all its manifestations, and we believe that it's necessary to take all the necessary measures to stop cross-border terror attacks," Ivanov told reporters after the talks. Sibal said both India and Russia were victims of international terrrorism and noted that the two countries had identical views on the fight against terror. Without naming anyone, Sibal lashed out at some countries for their "adherence to double standards" concerning international terrorism. India has in the last few days criticised countries for the double standards in the approach to fight terrorism in the context of the ongoing war against Iraq. 21:27 IST
No rethinking on revised basic telecom tariffs: TRAI
Saturday, March 29, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 28, 2003: Telecom regulator TRAI today ruled out rethinking on revised basic telecom tariffs announced on January 24 saying the move to "reschedule" the implementation by a month was done so that consumers could be properly informed about the alternate tariff plans. "There is no other reason than this. There is no rethinking on Telecom Tariff Order of January 24 as well Interconnect User Charge (IUC) regime. The implementation date was rescheduled to May 1 keeping in mind interest of cosumers and industry," D P S Seth, member (services) of TRAI told reporters here. The decision to put off implementatation of revised tariffs would have two implications, one that cellular consumers would not be able to avail free incoming calls for another month, while basic telephone consumers would get more time before the revised rental and call charges come into effect. "We have received various alternate tariff plans from five different operators both from PSUs and private sector. One operator has come up with 16 alternate packages. We need time to examine them to ensure that all plans are IUC compliant and non-discriminatory," Seth said. The operators have been given time till April 3 to file alternate tariff packages and TRAI would require a week's time to clear them, Seth said, adding "we would like the operators to educate the consumers about their alternate plans at least 10 days prior to their implementation". 18:03 IST
Japan extends loans of Rs 44.17 billion to India
Saturday, March 29, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 28, 2003: Japan today agreed to extend Rs 441.7 billion as soft loans for seven projects in the country including Delhi Metro, Yamuna Action Plan, Simhadri and Bakreswar thermal power stations. The other projects that would get the Japanese Official Development Assistance loans totalling 1,11,239 million yen are Ajanta-Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development project (Phase-II), Punjab Afforestation Project (II) and Rajasthan Forestry and Biodiversity Project. The agreement of the first loan from Japan after lifting of the economic sanctions, imposed on India after it conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, was signed by Japanese Ambassador Akira Hayashi and Additional Secretary in Finance Ministry Adarsh Kishore here today. According to the loan package, Japan would provide 34,012 million yen for Delhi's Mass Rapid Transport system whose 8.3 km stretch Shahdara-Tis Hazari was inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 24, last year. Japan would also extend 13,333 million yen for the second phase of Yamuna Action Plan project covering Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Bakreswar Thermal power station would get 36,771 million yen for construction of 420 MW coal-based power plant being executed by West Bengal Power Development Corporation. NTPC's Simhadri thermal power plant would get 5,684 million yen for construction of 1,000 MW coal-based capacity in Andhra Pradesh. Japan would also extend ODA loans worth 5,054 million yen to Punjab for its afforestation project, 9,054 million yen to Rajasthan's forestry and biodiversity project and 7,331 million yen to Ajanta-Ellora conservation. 18:03 IST
John Wright and others may be retained for Dhaka tourney
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Kolkata,Friday, March 28, 2003: The Indian Cricket Board is planning to extend the contract of coach John Wright and other support staff till the tri-series in Bangladesh scheduled to be held early next month. Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya told today that the final decision on the coach would be taken at a meeting of the Board in the next few days. "Though Wright's contract was till the World Cup, he continues to be the coach of the Indian team until the Board decides otherwise," Dalmiya said. Dalmiya said since there was a long gap after the tri-series next month, the three support staff of the Indian team may be retained as an interim arrangement. Besides Wright, the coach of the side for more than two years, others who helped the team in their World Cup campaign were physio Andrew Leipus and Physical trainer Adrian Le Roux. Dalmiya said the only uncertainty at this stage was Wright who rushed home immediate after the World Cup final as his father was seriously ill. It was to be seen whether he could join in case the Bangladesh tournament came through. The tri-series involving India, South Africa and Bangladesh is scheduled to be held from April 11 and 20. But a question mark hangs over the tournament following South Africa's decision to pull out of the Sharjah Cup in the first week of April due to the Iraq war. The South Africans were to play in the tri-series after the Sharjah Cup. The Indian team for the tri-series is expected to be selected on April 1 or 2 in Mumbai. 18:03 IST
India lodges protest to Dutch over arrest of i-flex CEO
Saturday, March 29, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 28, 2003: A war of words broke out today between India and the Netherlands over the arrest of the CEO and some other employees of a well known software company i-Flex Solutions in London and two other cities, with New Delhi lodging a strong protest and the Dutch maintaining that the Indians did not have required work permits. Terming the detention of Senthil Kumar, London-based CEO of i-Flex's Dutch subsidiary and 14 employees in two cities in the Netherlands on alleged visa violations as "grossly unfortunate and patently unwarranted", an External Affairs ministry spokesman said "these acts were beginning to sound like neo-protectionism and a non-tariff barrier". New Delhi's serious concern over the development was conveyed by the Indian Ambassador at The Hague Shymala Kaushi to the Dutch authorities and to the Dutch Ambassador here P F C Koch by the ministry. They had valid visas and were from a highly reputed firm and if they were treated like this and made to feel unwanted then the ultimate victim cooperation between two countries, a ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said here. "Grossly unfortunate, objectionable and patently unwarranted," he said. "They had valid business visas and they are from a highly reputed firm," the spokesman said. "Such treatment was absolutely unwarranted. Most of them have left or are in the process of leaving the Netherlands," he said. 21:27 IST
India accuses Pak of making no efforts to end infiltration
Saturday, March 29, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 28, 2003: Accusing Pakistan of not keeping its promise to end infiltration permanently, India has said that on the contrary terrorist violence had "increased significantly" and Islamabad made no efforts to dismantle the infrastructure supporting militant activities. "Despite President Musharraf's public commitments to end infiltration permanently, infiltration from across the border and linked terrorist violence has continued at a significant scale," the External Affairs Ministry said in its Annual Report for 2002-03. It said terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pak-Occupied-Kashmir such as terrorist camps, training centres, launching pads, communication centres and funding of terrorist groups, remain unaffected. Terrorist publications and websites have reappeared and are openly circulating calling for "jehad" in Kashmir and giving bank account numbers for fund-raising, it said adding well-known terrorist figures were released from detention and publicly expressed their intention to continue "jehad" against India. The report said India maintained that should Pakistan operationalise its commitment to eradicate cross-border terrorism, India will respond fully and be prepared to resume the composite dialogue process. "India remains firmly committed to the path of dialogue and reconciliation in keeping with the letter and spirit of the Simla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration," it said. 19:34 IST
War solves no problem: Vajpayee
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Chitrakoot,Sunday, March 28, 1999: In an obvious reference to the Iraq crisis, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today strongly disapproved of war as a means to establish one's domination over others. "War creates destruction but solves no problem," he said after offering prayers at the historic Kamatgiri Temple here. Vajpayee, who is here on a two-day visit to the pilgrim city associated with Lord Ram's "vanvas" (exile in forest), called upon countrymen to promote the ideals of peace, brotherhood and cooperation as "propounded" by Lord Ram. "It is the 'grih kalah' (conflict within the family) which brought the kingdom of Dashrath into trouble, sent Ram into exile and culminated in the war in Lanka," he said. The Prime Minister noted that resisting injustice and aggression was understandable, but use of arms to establish domination was wrong. "Weapons can kill life, but they cannot create life," he added. Vajpayee assured the people of the temple town that the Centre would provide assistance to develop Chitrakoot as an ideal pilgrimage centre. The Prime Minister also saw various rural development projects being implemented by the Deendayal Research Institute, founded by Nanaji Deshmukh, eminent social worker and Rajya Sabha member. 12:47 IST
Indians shares plunge as Iraq war intensifies
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Mumbai, Mar 24 India's blue-chip stock market index finished sharply lower Monday, snapping a three-day winning streak, as jittery investors dumped shares on fears that the military conflict between U.S.-led forces and Iraq may intensify. Dealers said the investors rushed to take profit in shares as soon as the market opened Monday, depressed by signs over the weekend that the U.S. and British forces encountered "pockets of resistance" as they pushed through Iraq towards Baghdad. Mirroring the bearish sentiment, the market barometer 30-share Bombay Stock Exchange sensitive index or Sensex closed at 3,140.36, a loss of 78.37 points or 2.43 percent from its Friday's close. The market index had risen 115.24 points or 3.73 percent in the last three trading sessions as bruised investors bet on a quick resolution of the imminent U.S.-led military strike on Iraq. "In the last three sessions that market had staged recovery on excessive optimism that the conflict would be over quickly," said Neeraj Deewan, who tracks share market for brokerage firm Prime Securities. "But sentiment has been badly hurt by the weekend developments there. Now it looks like the war may not end as swiftly as earlier expected. It may only get worse in the days ahead as U.S. forces close in on Baghdad," Deewan told . U.S. Marines took casualties in the hardest fighting of the Iraq war in southeastern Iraq, when an army convoy was ambushed -- with some soldiers killed and captured -- as the coalition advanced toward Baghdad. "Shares rallied in the last couple of sessions because of expectations of a short war without much damage to the global economy," said a share broker with the BSE. "But the ongoing intense fighting may serve as a reminder that there are still risks involved and its not going to be easy for the U.S.-led forces to win. And the longer the conflict takes to resolve, the worse it is for the market." Stock markets across Asia rallied last week as U.S.-led troops advanced into southern Iraq, ending months of uncertainty about the prospect of military action against Iraq, which has the world's second-largest oil reserves after Saudi Arabia. Analysts say while India might manage to absorb the impact of a short war with little disruption in oil supplies, a prolonged military campaign would result in soaring oil prices and quashing the economy's attempts to right itself. Selling pressure was observed almost across the board, encompassing new and old economy and defensive sector stocks. In the old economy sector, consumer goods giant Hindustan Lever Ltd. closed with a loss of 4.7 percent at Rs.155.35 and tobacco major ITC ended 1.5 percent lower at Rs.611.20. Reliance Industries Ltd., India's largest refiner and petrochemicals maker, fell 4.2 percent to Rs.282.20 on fears that the rising global oil prices would affect the company's profit margins in the current fiscal year. State Bank of India, the country's largest commercial bank, lost 2.2 percent to touch Rs.278.80 and Ranbaxy Laboratories, India's largest drug maker by sales, ended 0.3 percent lower at Rs.617.15. In the technology sector, Satyam Computer Services, India's fourth largest software exporter, lost 4.4 percent to touch Rs.201.70 on institutional selling pressure. Satyam Computer Services, India's fourth largest software exporter, said its business activities in the Middle East are "normal" despite the ongoing U.S. attack on Iraq. Infosys Technologies, India's largest listed software exporter, fell 1.8 percent to Rs.4,372.15, as investors booked profit on fears that a long drawn war in the Middle East would have an adverse impact on the domestic IT industry.
Iraqi uses Web to chronicle a city under the bombs
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A mysterious Iraqi who calls himself Salam Pax, writing a Web log from the heart of Baghdad, has developed a large Internet following with his wry accounts of daily life in a city under U.S. bombardment. Salam Pax, a pseudonym crafted from the Arabic and Latin words for peace, came back on line on Monday after a two-day break because of interruptions in Internet access. The traffic on his Web site, http://dear_raed.blogspot.com, caused the server to go down and Salam's e-mail folder has filled with inquiries about his true identity. Salam, who writes in English, is the only resident of Iraq known to be filing accounts of the war directly to the Web. He has spoken against the invasion but clearly has no great love for Iraq's Baathist leaders. "Freaks. Hurling abuse at the world is the only thing left for them to do," he said last week after media appearances by Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf and Interior Minister Mahmoud Diyab al-Ahmed. But he does not like seeing his city bombed either. "The only thing I could think of was 'why does this have to happen to Baghdad'. As one of the buildings I really love went up in a huge explosion I was close to tears," he wrote on Saturday. Salam and his family have been out on reconnaissance missions around the city to inspect the damage and they report the bombing has been accurate but dangerous to civilians. "Today before noon I went out with my cousin to take a look at the city. Two things. 1) the attacks are precise. 2) they are attacking targets which are just too close to civilian areas in Baghdad," he wrote on Sunday. On Saturday he reported a rare eyewitness account of Iraqi policemen setting fire to the oil in trenches dug around Baghdad, apparently to confuse the guidance system of bombs. "My cousine (sic) came and told me he saw police cars standing by one and setting it on fire. Now you can see the columns of smoke all over the city," he wrote. Salam reports that the streets of Baghdad are busy but few shops are open. Vegetable prices shot up in the first days of the war but by Sunday they had fallen back to normal. In the first days of the U.S. and British invasion, Salam gave the impression of calm resignation but his tone changed on Sunday when Iraqi resistance surfaced and casualties rose. "If Um Qasar (the port of Umm Qasr in the south) is so difficult to control what will happen when they get to Baghdad? It will turn uglier and this is very worrying," he wrote. "People (and I bet "allied forces") were expecting things to be mush (sic) easier. There are no waving masses of people welcoming the Americans nor are they surrendering by the thousands. People are doing what all of us are, sitting in their homes hoping that a bomb doesn't fall on them and keeping their doors shut." The electricity has gone out in parts of Baghdad and the Bush administration has launched another e-mail blitz on Iraqis, sending him five messages, he reported. "Three of them are to army personnel and two to the general public. In those they gave us the radio frequencies we are supposed to listen to. They are calling it 'Information Radio'," he said.
Paintings of Ravi Verma worth Rs one crore seized
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 24, 2003: In a major haul, CBI has conducted a raid along with officials of the Archaeological Survey of India on the godowns of a capital-based firm allegedly dealing in the sale and purchase of antiquities and seized nine precious paintings of Raja Ravi Verma worth more than Rs One Crore. Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of the agency raided the Sunder Nagar and Defence Colony godowns of the firm in South Delhi and seized Ravi Verma's paintings including 'Mohini and Sita in exile', 'image of Rama after banishment from Ayodhya,' 'Bal Krishan and Yashoda', 'Shankar', 'Vitobha and Rukumayai', a CBI spokesman said here today. The seized paintings also include portraits of 'Nizam of Hyderabad (Mir Mehboob Ali Khan-Asaf Jahi six)', 'Shri Dattatreya', 'Ganesha with Companions', 'Krishna killing his uncle', 'Rama breaking the bow' and also a nude painting by P Gerhardt, the spokesman said. During the raid, it was found that the firm had earlier allegedly sold about 73 precious paintings through auctions in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore without the mandatory licence and permission from ASI, he said. A case has been registered and investigation was in progress the spokesman said adding that no arrest has been made.
-K Govt suspends policemen, orders probe into security lapse
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Nadimarg,Tuesday, March 25, 2003: Jammu and Kashmir Government suspended nine policemen and ordered an inquiry into alleged security lapses following the massacre of 24 Kashmiri Pandits here in Pulwama district on Monday. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who visited the carnage site, also ordered a review of security arrangements for the minority community throughout the state and asked Director General of Police A K Suri to inquire into the alleged security lapses and report to the government. He said Suri would probe lapses, if any, in giving adequate response to the information given by some locals about the movement of suspicious people in the area to Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag before the massacre. Nine policemen posted at the picket outside the village for the security of the minority community have been suspended pending an inquiry. Sayeed, accompanied by his deputy Mangat Ram Sharma and senior cabinet colleagues and leaders of the coalition partners met the survivors of the massacre and condoled the deaths. The Chief Minister told reporters the militants had indulged in unpardonable act and would be punished. "They have made us hang our heads in shame". Admitting that the incident was a set back to government's peace process and efforts to motivate Pandits to return home, he said those behind the carnage were enemies of peace and people of the state. 09:48 IST
Hurriyat calls for shutdown today
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Srinagar,Tuesday, March 25, 2003: Hurriyat Conference called for a complete shutdown in the Kashmir Valley today to protest the massacre 24 Kashmiri Pandits at Nadimarg village of Pulwama district. In a statement here, Hurriyat demanded an impartial probe into the massacre to "unveil the elements responsible for the massacre" and stern punishment to the culprits. 09:48 IST
US, Britain, Condemn Pulwama Massacre
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 24, 2003: The United States and Britain today strongly condemned the killing of 24 Kashmiri Pundits in Jammu and Kashmir with US Secretary of State Colin Powell describing it as "horrible" and assuring India that he would speak to Pakistan again about cross-border terrorism. Powell telephoned External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and expressed regret and deep condolences at the loss of lives in the "horrible terrorist attack". He also conveyed that he would speak to Pakistan again about cross-border activity, official sources said. "The US condemns the ghastly murders of innocent men, women and chidren at Nadimarg village in Jammu and Kashmir. The Global War on Terrorism will not be won until such atrocities end against all countries," US Ambassador to India Robert D Blackwill said in a statement here. Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families he said "we look forward to the terrorists being brought swiftly to justice". Blackwill was scheduled to meet Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes, but the meetings did not take place. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw telephoned Sinha this morning and expressed shock at the appalling murder and attacks on innocent civilians. "The UK strongly condemns such acts," he said adding "our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all killed and those injured." He said "these killings, as with earlier terrorist attacks, underline the need for continued action to eliminate the scourge of terrorism". 21:41 IST
Advani to visit J-K massacre site on Tuesday
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 24, 2003: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani will be visiting Nadimarg village, the site of the massacre of 24 Kashmiri Pandits in Pulwama district, Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. This was stated by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha after an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security presided by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today. The Prime Minister has expressed his sorrow and grief over the massacre and loss of innocent lives, Sinha said after the 90-minute meeting. "Government of India condemns the incident in strongest possible terms" he said adding that Government would keep this situation under review and take whatever steps necessary to meet it", he said. Army Chief N C Vij and top officials of the intelligence agencies briefed the CCS on the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the massacre. Sinha refused to take questions on who could be behind the massacre. The CCS also reviewed the situation in Iraq, Sinha said. Advani would brief the CCS again Tuesday after his return from the state. The meeting was attended among others by Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, Cabinet Secretary Kamal Pande, Home Secretary N Gopalaswamy and top intelligence officials. 14:27 IST
24 Kashmiri Pandits gunned down in Pulawama in J-K
Tuesday, March 25, 2003
Srinagar,Monday, March 24, 2003: In a first major strike after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government came to power, about 15 heavily armed militants gunned down 24 Kashmiri pandits, including 11 women and two children, in a village in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir in wee hours today. The militants dressed in army uniform descended in Nandimarg village, 75 kms from here in Shopian area where Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad militants are active, disarmed the local police saying that they were searching for militants and after assembling the villagers fired indiscriminately killing 24 people on the spot, official sources said. The sources said the dead included 11 women and two children. The massacre came a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Abdul Majid Dar and at a time when the Mufti government was trying to persude Kashmir Pandits to return to the Valley. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility for the killings and security forces have launched a massive operation in the area to nab the militants.
Cricket-crazy nation shocked by the defeat
Monday, March 24, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 24, 2003: Its hopes of regaining the World Cup after a gap of 20 years raised high by the team's excellent run in the tournament, the cricket-crazy nation was left in a state of shock Sunday night as India crashed to a 125-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the fina. Millions of cricket fans all over the country, who were hoping that the "men in blue" will be able to tame the mighty Australians, were heart-broken after Sourav Ganguly and his team failed to upset the Australian applecart in what turned out to be a rather one-sided summit showdown. A pall of gloom descended soon after Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the very first over and the mood turned sombre after every Indian dismissal. The entire nation virtually came to a standstill as the match began in the afternoon and roads and markets wore a deserted look in most cities. Hotels and restaurants in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata had installed giant screens for the benefit of cricket fans, many of whom had bought crackers to celebrate a historic Indian victory. But that did not happen. In Kolkata, where cricket fever reached an unprecedented high with the fans painstakingly preparing for the 'D' Day, people were seen discussing the match in street corners, unable to hide their disappointment. Similar scenes were seen in Mumbai and Chennai. Former cricketers and administrators also joined the 'mourning' but praised the team's performance in the World Cup, saying the side had shown character to stage a comeback after an indifferent start. 09:48 IST
Heavy betting leads to huge losses
Monday, March 24, 2003
BANGALORE: The moment Australia set a gigantic target for the Indian cricket team to chase in the World Cup cricket final, a pall of gloom descended on those Bangaloreans who had betted in favour of India. A well-known transport operator from Kalasipalyam area, who had won four luxury buses in the betting during Indo-Pak cricket match, looked worried after Australia set a target of 360 runs. He had bet on four hi-tech buses with his rival. It is a common thing among bus owners in Kalasipalyam and Majestic area to gamble on buses, whether it is a cricket match or an election. The same transport operator, a Congress party sympathiser, had lost two vehicles in the Kanakapura parliamentary by-poll, when former PM Deve Gowda won the poll against Urban Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar. At least 25 autorickshaw owners from K.G. Halli and Tannery Road area have also bet on their vehicles. A cashier of a petrol pump on St Mark’s Road said: I have lost hope, if India loses the match, I will lose Rs 12,000.’’ With India winning match after match and defeating Pakistan easily, our confidence in the Indian team increased and resulted in heavy betting in the city, a bookie of Bangalore Turf Club said. According to conservative estimates, at least Rs 15 crore were placed in bets, he added. Till Australia set a huge target for India to win the final, bookies in the city were collecting 60 paise (against one rupee) for an Indian victory. The moment the Australian score looked heavy, betting money in favour of India dropped to 30 paise. The big losers were those who had bet on Sachin many believed he would score a century. An advocate from Kumara Park area lost his Accent car to his doctor brother when Sachin got out after scoring just four runs.
19 Iranian fishermen detained at Porbandar
Monday, March 24, 2003
Nineteen Iranian fishermen have been detained off the coastal town of Porbandar in South-West Gujarat around 500 km from here by the Indian Coast Guard officials, a senior police official said Sunday. Crew members of fishing trawler "Amber", which strayed into Indian waters between Porbandar and Dwarka, had no documents to justify their presence, Porbandar District Superinterndent of Police S P Rajkumar told. All those detained, including the trawler's captain Balal Karanti, would be handed over to local police for detailed interrogation today, Rajkumar said. The DSP said nearly 500 kg fish, Rs 2,00,000 worth foreign currency, besides Rs 3000 Pakistani currency were found from the trawler. The detained persons would be booked under Maritime Zone Act, Rajkumar said. 09:48 IST
India, Russia express concern over US-led war on Iraq
Monday, March 24, 2003
India, Russia express concern over US-led war on Iraq Moscow,Monday, March 24, 2003: Russia and India have expressed their deep concern at the US-led military action against Iraq and devastating bombardment of the country. In their telephonic conversation Sunday Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha "agreed that continuation of massive bombardment of Iraq would inevitably cause a humanitarian and ecological disaster in the whole region, which cannot be allowed by the international community," a Russian Foreign Office statement said. Expressing deep concern at the war on Iraq, which the US and Great Britain unleashed bypassing the UN Security Council, Ivanov and Sinha called for the return of the Iraqi settlement to the UN Security Council and expressed Moscow and New Delhi's firm will to achieve this, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Both Moscow and New Delhi, which till the last moment had been calling for the peaceful politico-diplomatic solution of the Iraq crisis on the basis of UNSC resolution 1441, however, adopted a cautious stance in the wake of US-led invasion to de-throne Saddam and are avoiding a direct attack on Washington hoping to retain their bilateral relationship with the world's sole super power.
24 Kashmiri Pandits gunned down in Pulawama in J-K
Monday, March 24, 2003
In a first major strike after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government came to power, about 15 heavily armed militants gunned down 24 Kashmiri pandits, including 11 women and two children, in a village in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir in wee hours today. The militants dressed in army uniform descended in Nandimarg village, 75 kms from here in Shopian area where Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad militants are active, disarmed the local police saying that they were searching for militants and after assembling the villagers fired indiscriminately killing 24 people on the spot, official sources said. The sources said the dead included 11 women and two children. The massacre came a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Abdul Majid Dar and at a time when the Mufti government was trying to persude Kashmir Pandits to return to the Valley. No organisation has so far claimed responsibility for the killings and security forces have launched a massive operation in the area to nab the militants. 09:48 IST
Indian developers now under Sun's spotlight
Monday, March 24, 2003
Bangalore, Mar 22 India's IT capital has become the battleground for giants Microsoft and Sun Microsystems to garner support among the developer community. Four months ago, it was the Microsoft chief Bill Gates who paid encomiums to Indian developers and urged them to work on his company's technologies to provide cost effective solutions. Saturday saw Sun Microsystems co-founder and CEO, Scott McNealy, place similar objectives before a 2,000 strong developer community - but with his company's technologies. Bowled over by the attendance at the Sun Tech Days conference on the theme "Survive the test of time", McNealy did not spare the opportunity to drive home his point that Sun's Java platform was independent while the archrival's platform was dependent upon the Microsoft Network platform. Said to be the IT industry's most outspoken CEO, McNealy stated Microsoft was appealing a U.S. court order asking Microsoft to bundle Java with Windows. "They are pleading against it, but they will run out of lawyers. This is mankind versus Microsoft. We are winning," he said to thunderous applause. He added that both platforms were used by multi-million developers and were gaining share among them. Microsoft and Sun are competing to lure software developers in India to use their technologies to develop programmes for the world market. The number of software developers is expected to touch 1.3 million in the next four years from the current 500,000. Gates had told the developers in November that the PC platform was reaching a level where it was building mainframe like capabilities. "Software by being comprehensive can save money by avoiding other add on pieces of software. You can save money in terms of speed of development or run on less expensive hardware," Gates had said. McNealy said : "When your office is on fire, you don't go through your Windows system to reach the fire station. You pick up the telephone." That was his way of presenting of Sun's core strategies of attack cost and complexity, accelerate network service deployment and unleash mobility with security. He wanted developers to work on programmes to provide campus-to-campus roaming for Sun's smart card that could be put into any monitor to access data from anywhere. "We want you to help us build a non-Microsoft desktop with a smart card recorder and give an alternative to Microsoft architecture," McNealy said. The way to bridging the digital divide was not by putting a personal computer on "everybody's desk or everybody's lap. Our vision is everything and everybody connected to the network." "The shelf life of a technology is the same as the shelf life of a banana. We need to get moving," he added. He dispelled doubts about the global economic slowdown having an impact on the company. Sun was on track, he maintained. "Earnings are an opinion, cash is a fact after the new accounting practices have come in." The company has cash reserves of $5.3 billion. McNealy had a closed door meeting with Infosys technologies CEO Nandan Nilekani on the sidelines of the developer conference. He later visited Wipro where he met Chairman Azim Premji. Gates had addressed developers at the Infosys campus as well as at the Wipro campus.
Fernandes rings terror alert
Monday, March 24, 2003
Bangalore, March 21: In his first definitive statement since America launched its Baghdad blitz, defence minister George Fernandes today warned the war would encourage "terrorism with greater intensity" and ultimately threaten the security of several countries, including the US. Speaking to officials after the inaugural flight of HJT-36, India's intermediate jet trainer, he said: "I don't have to elaborate on this. But one thing we will have to face not only in India but elsewhere, too, is terrorism not experienced so far. "Iraq and the ongoing conflict has raised a number of questions for the future of our planet and for all those who have a differing opinion as a democratic polity." Fernandes, however, declined to elaborate his views at a news conference later. But he made a strong plea to end the war as early as possible. Referring to A.B. Vajpayee's repeated pleas to leaders, including President George W. Bush, to prevent war, he said: "The Prime Minister spoke out clearly to say these issues can be and must be resolved without getting into hostilities." He refused to go along with the stand taken by anti-war campaigners that Delhi had not taken a strong-enough position against Washington. "India's stand was not soft but just and right," he said. "We are readying ourselves for any humanitarian assistance that the people of Iraq would need in the aftermath of the hostilities," he added. Fernandes said one of the biggest casualties of the Iraq war was the UN. "The institution, which came into existence after the Second World War to create a just world, has been undermined by the might of the US," he said. Help for home-bound The Central Board of Excise and Customs is making special arrangements at international airports, including expeditious clearing of baggage, for Indians returning to the country. According to a board circular issued today, the chief commissioners of customs of airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Cochin, Ahemdabad, Bangalore and Hyderabad have been advised to deal with Indians coming back home in a "humanitarian manner". "What we are seeing is the might of the most powerful military and economic power unleashed against a country where the population is just over 20 million. The sanctions (against Iraq) have led to the death of one million children and 700,000 adults for lack of nutrition," he said. "If this is the kind of world that is going to evolve, then security matters will gradually start emerging." Asked if the US was behaving like a 'big bully', he said: "Developments convey their own messages and I don't think one needs to dwell on it. Some helplessness is on display. Nations like Germany, France and Russia could not get the UN Security Council to take a decision to uphold the UN charter." But Fernandes was quick to add that varying views on the war would not affect relations with the US. He said the government was against boycott of US goods to press home the anti-war message. "Those who are talking of boycotting (US goods) have nothing to do with the government," he said.
Gujarat riot victims complain of inadequate compensation
Sunday, March 23, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 23, 2003: A year after communal riots engulfed Gujarat in the aftermath of Godhra carnage, some of the victims still fear to go back to their houses and complain of inadequate compensation doled out by Government, Justice G T Nanavati, heading the panel probing the riots, said today. Recalling the deposition of witnesses at several places recorded at length by the Commission of Inquiry, he said "at few places there are problems relating to rehabilitation. Some are afraid to go back to their houses either because of local opposition or total destruction of their properties." In several cases, the grievances get settled at the threshold once the Commission drew the attention of the concerned authorities, he said adding there was little else the Commission could do at this stage. Justice Nanavati, however, termed as baseless reports about pressure being put on witnesses belonging to any community. "These reports are baseless. The victims and others have been deposing before the Commission without any fear," he told. He said the Commission has completed task of collecting evidence relating to the Godhra carnage in which over 50 people were burnt alive in a train. "We have spoken to a crossection of population, the railway officials and police have completed the inquiry relating to the Godhra incidents," Justice Nanavati, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, said. "Having completed inquiry into the Godhra incident, we are now going to different districts of the State affected by the riots and expect the task to be completed before the onset of Monsoon," Justice Nanavati said. After completing the inquiry relating to other districts, the Commission would start collecting evidence while probing the large number of incidents of riots in Ahmedabad and Baroda, he said. Explaining the manner in which the panel had recorded evidence, Justice Nanavati said the Commission first studies all relevant material including the cases registered by police in various localities of the district, visits the actual place of occurrence and gives adequate public invitation for the people to come and depose. "This has been very successful and large number of people from both communities have come forward to depose before the Commission," he said. 09:39 IST
Indian exports to Iraq may be severely hit
Sunday, March 23, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 23, 2003: Indian exports to Iraq, which were on the rise in the last five years, are likely to be severely hit due to the war. "Exports to Iraq surged by 151 per cent to 206.13 million dollars in 2001-02. During the first three months of 2002-03, exports amounted to 170.36 million dollars," official sources told, pointing to the rising trend in trade with the country. India mainly exports tea, machinery, plastic and linoleum products, electronic goods, fine chemicals, and drugs and pharma products to Iraq. The exports to the Gulf country were rising since 1998-99 when India exported goods worth 35.39 million dollars. It rose to 49.38 million dollars in 1999-2000 and then to 82.58 million dollars in 2000-01. The balance of trade between the two countries stood at 170.34 milllion dollars in favour of India till 2001-02. Official sources said apart from exports, funds flowing from Iraq as per the Deferred Payment Agreement for project exports, are also to be affected. Iraq was the single largest market for India's project exports till 1982 with a total exposure of Rs 2,500 crore by Indian companies, which was insured by Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC). Due to the war with Iran, the forex reserves of Iraq depleted and it signed a Deferred Payment Agreement with India covering 55 projects. 09:39 IST
Indian exports to Iraq may be severely hit
Sunday, March 23, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 23, 2003: Indian exports to Iraq, which were on the rise in the last five years, are likely to be severely hit due to the war. "Exports to Iraq surged by 151 per cent to 206.13 million dollars in 2001-02. During the first three months of 2002-03, exports amounted to 170.36 million dollars," official sources told, pointing to the rising trend in trade with the country. India mainly exports tea, machinery, plastic and linoleum products, electronic goods, fine chemicals, and drugs and pharma products to Iraq. The exports to the Gulf country were rising since 1998-99 when India exported goods worth 35.39 million dollars. It rose to 49.38 million dollars in 1999-2000 and then to 82.58 million dollars in 2000-01. The balance of trade between the two countries stood at 170.34 milllion dollars in favour of India till 2001-02. Official sources said apart from exports, funds flowing from Iraq as per the Deferred Payment Agreement for project exports, are also to be affected. Iraq was the single largest market for India's project exports till 1982 with a total exposure of Rs 2,500 crore by Indian companies, which was insured by Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC). Due to the war with Iran, the forex reserves of Iraq depleted and it signed a Deferred Payment Agreement with India covering 55 projects. 09:39 IST
Kalam sends greetings to Indian team
Sunday, March 23, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 23, 2003: President A P J Abdul Kalam today sent greetings to the Indian Cricket Team wishing them success in the World Cup final to be played with Australia later today. "The President has sent best wishes to the Indian team and has also expressed his desire to meet the team members and officials associated with the team on their return," S M Khan, Press Secretary to the President told here. India is slated to play Australia at The Wanderers in a day match later this afternoon. 09:39 IST
World Cup win will make Indian players 'crorepati' overnight
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Johannesburg,Saturday, March 22, 2003: Reclaiming the World Cup after a gap of 20 years will not only make Saurav Ganguly and his men superstars back home, it will also leave them richer by a few crores overnight. Indian team members after beating Kenya for a place in the final of the mega event, have already assured themselves of a miminum Rs 50 million besides Rs 37.5 milliom cash award by the Indian Cricket Board for their impressive run in the tournament. If India, who will meet Australia in the final here Sunday, manage to win the title, they will get the winners' cheque of Rs 100 million for their top-place finish. Besides the prize money from the entire tournament which will run into Rs 110 million, the Indian team members are likely to get huge cash incentives and gifts from the national cricket board as well as various corporate houses. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya has already announced Rs 7.5 crore for the team if India repeat their 1983 performance. Apart from the players, coach John Wright, physio Andrew Leipus and fitness trainer Adrian Le Roux would also benefit from the title triumph with BCCI set to announce suitable reward for them after the World Cup. Indian team sponsor, Amby Valley, an initiative of Sahara Group, has also said it will provide the cricketers and their support staff a seven-star fully furnished deluxe apartment in the 'World Champion Enclave' building at Sahara Lake City. The total cost of the package promised for the team would be in excess of Rs 230 million. 12:23 IST
Sun CEO woos Indian developers to build "alternative" desktop
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Bangalore,Saturday, March 22, 2003: Sun Microsystems Inc Chairman, President and CEO Scott McNealy today exhorted Indian software programmers to build Sun's "desktop computer" aimed to be an alternative system to Microsoft software architecture. "We want you to build the next generation software alternative to the Microsoft architecture," McNealy told over 2,000 software programmers and developers on the second day of "Sun Tech Days 2003" Developer Conference here. He said the desktop with a smart card reader capability would have Mad Hatter, Linux, Gnome, Evolution and Java's star office products. "The world will get a choice," he said on the desktop operating on thin client and invited developers to contribute to its development. The thin client model would be ideal for countries like India. McNealy, Chairman of the USD 13.6 billion Sun, said the company had deployed over 25,000 "Sun Rays" virtual terminals in its campus in the US, which did not have any accessories. "It is not a desktop, but works on a big server platform," he said. Terming it as "unleashing mobility with security," McNealy said access to the workstation through a smart card would be easy from any location and secure. 15:37 IST
India to help Nepal in its fight against Maoist insurgency
Saturday, March 22, 2003
India to help Nepal in its fight against Maoist insurgency New Delhi,Saturday, March 22, 2003: India today assured Nepal of all possible help in its fight to combat growing Maoist insurgency in the Himalayan kingdom. The assurance was conveyed by the Defence Minister George Fernandes when he called on the visiting Nepalese King Gyanendra Bikram Shah at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Fernandes was with the visiting monarch for 45 minutes, official sources said. India has supplied at heavily concessional rates warfare equipment to Nepal including helicopters, assault rifles, mortars, jeeps and communication equipment. New Delhi has also trained Nepalese army personnel and officers in its anti-insurgency warfare schools. 16:26 IST
US in a jam in dealing with nuclear India and Pakistan
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Washington,Saturday, March 22, 2003: The United States has admitted it faces a "conundrum" in convincing India and Pakistan to go slow on their nuclear ambitions, but said it was working hard to get them to exercise restraint. "Under the rules of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, India and Pakistan, which are not signatories, cannot be accepted as nuclear weapon states. But they do have nuclear weapons and we see no realistic prospect that they will be getting rid of them any day soon," US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca said Saturday. Testifying before the International Relations Committee's subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Rocca said the Bush administration is working on three key areas to solve the problem. "We are working hard with both nations to get them to exercise restraint. We are asking them not to conduct nuclear tests, to minimise missile tests, to announce their missile tests in order to keep the tensions down, to announce them in advance, to bring an early end to the production of fissile material, which would be in line with their stated policies of having these weapons as a minimum credible deterrent." "We are also asking them not to build sea-launch or Intercontinental Ballistic missiles, not to deploy nuclear-capable waerheads or ballistic missiles, and to keep missiles and warheads at separate locations," she said. The US, she added, was working closely with both countries on stopping proliferation. The third area is one of defusing tensions between them. "The high levels of tension and the lack of dialogue and the cold war that exists increases the risk that the nuclear threshold might be crossed through misperception or inadvertance".
Country needs a biotech policy: Kalam
Saturday, March 22, 2003
President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the country needed a national biotech policy for tapping the full potential of the science and utilising it for economic development. The policy should integrate various areas like production and marketing biotechnology-related products and should be followed in a national mission like approach, Kalam said here inaugurating a conference, 'Knowledge Millennium III - the Business of Biotechnology'. For this, Kalam said, the country needed a combination of technology and leadership. "There was a need for leaders who facilitate respect rather than demand respect". Kalam said modern biotechnology should look into and integrate with the vast bank of traditional knowledge to get an advantageous position internationally. Such an approach would result in reduction in the number of years needed to invent molecules important in fighting diseases such as cancer, he said, adding there were many herbs being used in the country for various ailmets and there was a need to study them. The President said with the increase in population, there was a need to apply biotechnology into agriculture so that demand for more food could be met using less of land and water resources. Another important area was the stem cell research which has the potential to treat even blindness. Stem cells with their ability to get transformed into different kinds of functioning cells have offered enormous opportunities for curing diseases, he said. 16:26 IST
Night curfew imposed in Poonch
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Jammu,Saturday, March 22, 2003: To keep a check on the increasing militant activities, authorities today imposed night curfew in the sensitive Poonch border district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said here. "Due to increase in the movements of militants during night period, district authorities have put three border tehsils, including Mendhar, Poonch and Surankote under night curfew," the sources told. Six policemen, including a deputy superintendent were among 19 people killed in militant strikes in the district last week, the sources said adding most of the strikes were carried out during night in remote areas of the district. The night curfew will remain in force in Poonch tehsil from 2100 hours in the night to 0400 hours in morning, the sources said adding that in Surankote and Mendhar, it will be imposed from 1900 hours in the evening to 0600 hours in the morning. The authorities have appealed to people to follow the night curfew guidelines strictly for their own safety. "We want support from people to maintain law and order situation and eliminate militants, who have raised their heads again," they said.
All party on Iraq meet fails to adopt joint resolution
Saturday, March 22, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, March 22, 2003: An all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee here today to discuss the Iraq crises failed to agree on a joint resolution even as Government rejected Opposition charge that it was hesitating to directly condemn the US for the military action. "There was no consensus on the formulation" for such a resolution, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters after a two-hour meeting attended among others by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Somnath Chatterjee(CPM), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) and Laloo Prasad Yadav (RJD) at Parliament House. While the Opposition insisted on using the word "condemn" for the military action by United States and its allies, the Government did not not favour it, leaders of various political leaders said. "No, there is no hesitation on the part of the Government to name the US or anyone else", Sinha said adding The Prime Minister, who summed up the discussions, clearly stated that India saw no justification for this military action and that the war was avoidable, Sinha said. Vajpayee felt that if more time was given to UN weapons inspectors, then the objective of disarming Iraq could have been achieved. Vajpayee made it clear that "there was no question of endorsing the military action which has been started against Iraq", Sinha said . "The issue of war being brought to an end and cessation of hostilities was also mentioned during the meeting," he said. "Government of India is not in favour of war. So it is not in favour of continuation of war," Sinha said, adding the huminatarian issue including the suffering of the Iraqi people "is something which has caused deep anguish to us and others". 16:26 IST
Dalmiya says India will win the World Cup
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Dalmiya says India will win the World Cup Johannesburg,Saturday, March 22, 2003: Indian Cricket Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya today billed India to upset defending champions Australia in the World Cup final here on Sunday. Dalmiya said India outscored Australia in almost all departments of the game. "They are nowhere near us in batting. We are equal to them in bowling as our medium-pacers are bowling no less than the Australians. "Also they do not have a good spinner while we have one," the BCCI chief said. Dalmiya reconfirmed that the team will receive Rs 38.4 million for just entering into the final. "The money will actually double if India were to lay their hands on the Cup," he said. "The prize money is all theirs. The board gets nothing. They will also get 60 per cent of the total earnings of logo money. And they deserve every penny of it," an upbeat Dalmiya said. 12:23 IST
CBI conducts nationwide raids; top taxman booked
Friday, March 21, 2003
New Delhi: CBI on March 21 conducted nationwide raids as part of its special drive against corruption and has registered cases including one against a senior Income Tax official for alleged acquisition of assets disproportionate to his income. CBI sources said that the raids were being conducted at various places of the country. They said the "prize catch" so far was the registration of a disproportionate assets case against an Additional Income Tax Commissioner in Mumbai against whom the agency claimed to have evidence that he possessed assets to the tune of Rs four to five crore. His Hyderabad-based residence and office at Mumbai were raided by its sleuths, the sources said. This is the first special drive this year while it is the fifth since P C Sharma took over as the Director of the agency in 2002. CBI first started the nationwide drive in February 2002 and, buoyed by its success, similar exercises were carried out in June, August and November again. In the third special drive, CBI had seized Rs 1.52 crore of cash and detected property worth Rs 6.90 crore besides arresting an official of the rank of Commissioner (Income Tax).
War not to disrupt oil prices in India: Naik
Friday, March 21, 2003
New Delhi: Anticipating that the war on Iraq will not disrupt crude oil supplies to India, government on March 21 said it was prepared for the worst. "We are hoping for the best. But we are prepared even for the worst," Petroleum Minister Ram Naik told reporters while emphasising that the country would not face any shortage of petroleum products for next two months. Crude oil and petroleum products have been stocked to meet country's requirement for next two months. "Even if supplies from Persian Gulf are disrupted, it will not have any bearing on India. Since September 2002, we have stocked supplies and have placed advance contracts with countries beyond the conflict zone," he said. Welcoming the decline in international crude prices, he said, "I would be very happy if they fall to $ 20 a barrel." Petrol and diesel prices in India have gone up by up to Rs five per litre each since January on firming up of global crude oil prices. Naik said the state-owned oil companies would keep consumer interest in mind and insulate them from extreme volatilities. "We are in constant discussion with the Finance Ministry and will see to it that the consumers are not hurt," he added.
Jhankaar Beats
Friday, March 21, 2003
R.D. Burman seems to be the hottest music director, whose music can make a movie sell. First we had 'Dil Vil Pyar Vyar' which had 14 remixed Burmanda hits, and now Jhankaar Beats. The similarities between the two films are more than one. Both the films have R D Burman as the key. Both the films have three couples and their intermingled lives. The target of both the films is to win a music competition. In this film the competition is called 'Jhankaar Beats' and so the title of the film. Earlier movies from Pritish Nandy stable have been well accepted. Sur & Kaante had good music and so does Jhankaar Beats. Rangita Nandy produces the movie, written & directed by Sujoy Ghosh, music is by Vishal & Shekhar and lyrics are by Vishal Dadlani. Deep (Sanjay Suri) and Shanti (Juhi Chawla) is a happily married couple with one kid and awaiting another. Deep works for an advertising agency and is a musician too. The couple is awaiting one more person. Shanti's mother, who is coming to stay over until the baby's birth. Rishi (Rahul Bose) is Deep's colleague in the agency and the duo performs in a nightclub. But Rishi is also facing a severe problem, that of his marriage with Nikkie (Rinkie Khanna). Rishi and Deep are crazy of Burmanda's music and are preparing to win the coveted music competition called 'Jhankaar Beats'. But that is not all; advertising in the day and music by night has more to it. The agency is launching a new product and the duo is asked to get the contract or loose the job. And also they want a guitarist for their competition, which they have been trying to win for two years. In comes Neel (Shayan Munshi) to carry the project along with the other two. Neel is the son of their boss, is a management trainee, and is a guitarist too. Now Neels problem is his love and his dad. First is that he cannot gather enough courage to propose Preetie and another, that he has to marry within two months. 'Jhankaar beats' is a soft romantic comedy with the lives of six people involved. Juhi Chawla will be seen on screen after a long gap. Another film '3 Deewarein' is also ready to be released. Rahul Bose is on cloud nine for his directorial debut 'Everybody say's I'm Fine' winning awards. As for JB one will have to see the film in a theatre and see for themselves what happens to the tree couple. Do they win the coveted competition? Is the marriage of Rishi and Nikkie saved? And does Neel propose and marry Preetie.
3 Deewarein
Friday, March 21, 2003
3 Deewarein is produced by Metalight Productions Pvt. Ltd. and directed by Nagesh Kukunoor; known for his films with unique subjects. This film is an intense look at three men's life in jail. The film also stars Nagesh, who had previously filmed Hyderabad Blues and Bollywood Calling. Juhi Chawla is the only female charater in the film in a very different role. 3 Deewarein has been filmed on a moderate budget bringing to scale the context of the film. Most of the film was shot in a real prison in Hyderabad in the jail cell itself in a dark gloomy sheen. The film has music by Salim-Sulemain. 3 Deewarein, a movie with a unique theme, is far away from the commercial Bollywood movies. In short, 3 Deewarein (Three Walls) is a story of three prisoners on death row. One woman enters their life and changes what was meant to be their destiny. The Characters Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah) A carefree charmer who believes there is a solution for any situation. Regret is not Ishaan's style and he won't submit to his fate without a fight. Will Ishaan win his biggest challenge yet? Jaggu (Jackie Shroff) A lawyer and poet, who dared to love too much and paid the price. His sensitive soul is incapable of living with betrayal by his wife. Jaggu believes death is deliverance, though while he lives, he is the star chef of the prison! Is death the only redemption? Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor) A young accountant who believes he is wrongly accused. An optimist who believes at the end truth will prevail. A bumbling charmer, his fingers work the flute magically and he's the only audience for Juggu's poetry! Will the truth prevail before it's too late? Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) A filmmaker interested in prisoners on death row. Intelligent and perceptive with her subjects, Chandrika is imprisoned by personal shackles. With great strength and depth, there is more to her than what meets the eye. Does she have the power to change their fates? The Story The three leads are murderers in jail. As the three become friendly in their prison they realize that they must do something to attain their freedom. Sometimes they think death, others they think murder. However they soon come to realize what prison really is thanks to Mohan (Gulshan Grover), the prison warden. Mohan, believes in reformation and runs a brilliant system where prisoners are independent and have self-respect. He is wary of Ishaan (Naseeruddin Shah) who has frequently availed of the prison's hospitality in the past. Mohan treats prison mates, as they are people not demons. As they are treated with his good affections they are motivated even more to set themselves free. Ishaan believes he can find a 'patli gali' even in hopeless situations and escape. He befriends the optimist-pessimist duo of Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor) and Jaggu (Jackie Shroff). Nagya insists he is innocent and has an unshakable belief that truth will prevail. Jaggu, on the other hand, is ready to embrace death as his deliverance. Enter Chandrika (Juhi Chawla), who decides to make a documentary about prisoners on death row. Chandrika battles with her personal demons as she sensitively explores the trio's psyche. Chandrika is a filmmaker who chooses to make a documentary on the three men. However, her reasoning for making it is much more than that of simply wanting to make a documentary on them. She knows more about these men and their situation than she lets on. She is able to make the documentary, and undoubtedly she begins to develop a relationship with the three men. Slowly a picture clearly develops on the documentary she is making and the situation these three men are in. Then begins the thriller as to the turnabouts in these relationships that begin surrounded in these three walls. The three friends are unaware that their fate is interlinked. Chandrika pulls the right strings and unravels a shocking, unpredictable truth, in an explosive climax. 3 Deewarein is a bittersweet comedy-thriller about friendship, love, hope and learning to survive in a world within a world.
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah
Friday, March 21, 2003
It seems that the showman Subhash Ghai is al set to set the Box Office on fire with his latest venture with Govinda and Sanjay Dutt. Evidently, the recent past has not been very healthy for neither of them nor Sanjay Dutt or Jackie Shroff. Mukta Art's production 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah', directed by David Dhavan stars Govinda with Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shrof, Ashish Vidyarthi, Gulshan Grover and two female leads Amrita Arora and Nandini Singh. The teaser song of the film is already in air and catching its share of popularity in the midst of the Cricket World Cup. Govinda's last film with David Dhavan bombed terribly at the box office, though this one is a safe bet for David Dhavan and Govinda too. Govinda and Sanjay Dutt are two notorious street thugs; Tara and Sitar respectively. Both have their ego problems and are always beaten when they are alone. But when they are together they can take over anyone. They are always upon some prank. One fine day as the police chases them, they happen to get stuck with Cobra (Ashish Vidyarthi). Cobra is the ultimate in the crime scene in the nation and is the most wanted criminal. Unknowingly Tara and Sitara hit Cobra to escape from him. As a result the police get a prize catch of Cobra, though Tara and Sitara escape. Cobra cannot take this and vows to take revenge with the duo. The life after that proves to be an uphill task for them, as now they are wanted by both; the police and Cobra. Tara and Sitara after thinking much decide to flee to Nepal. Jackie Shroff is Major Ram Singh, a BSF officer. He has arrested Cobra's brother panther (Gulshan Grover), who has the code to the Gun to destroy the nation. Tara and Sitara believe that only Ram Singh can help them reach Nepal and so they cock up a tale. The duo land up at Maj Ram Singhs place and as usual win the hearts of the family members. And especially that of Ram Singh's Daughter and her friend. Cobra comes to know of this situation and plans to kidnap their mother. Suddenly the table turns and Tara and Sitara are put under pressure to get Cobra's brother free. EAEG has the complete masala mix for a Bollywood flick with action, romance, thrill, melodrama and above all Govinda and David Dhavan. On the face of it, EAEG seems to be the same old stuff. But the point is the treatment by David Dhavan. The film might prove successful with the right kind of treatment even for a old story. Subhash Ghai is so very confident of the venture that he is asking a handsome price for the film per territory. And if not, he will distribute it himself.
Stumped
Friday, March 21, 2003
The cricket fever is all over, and bollywood cannot be far to encash on it. Stumped is Raveena Tandon's first ever movie as a producer. Stumped is co-produced by Raveena, Priti Sinha and Popcorn Motion Pictures. The teams includes Raveena herself as the captain, along with Aly Khan the vice captain, Viju Khote, Mac Mohan Asha Sachdev, Anjan Srivastav and others forming the complete team. There's even a guest appearance by Salman Khan. Synopsis Stumped is a story set during the 1999 cricket world cup and the simultaneous development in Kargil. It traces the life of army major Raghav Seth's (who is fighting the Kargil war) wife Reena (Raveena Tandon) 0as well as the lives of cricket crazy residents of the Happy Home Complex. The most avid cricket lovers among these are Mr. Khetrapal followed by Girish, Gautam and Bhola. However the secretary of the society, Mr. Subramanium, head the anti-cricket campaign along with another resident, Latloo Singh. During the India-Sri Lanka match the two cut the cable wire, to teach everybody a lesson. In the midst of the cricket mania, Baba, a good-man, visits the society and shows Girish and Deshpande how their queries about India's chances of winning the world cup and the fate of the stock market, are insignificant in comparison to Raghav and the war he is fighting for the country. Events reach a turning point when Reena receives the news that her husband Major Raghav (Aly Khan) is missing and presumed dead, while her neighbors celebrate the home team's win. In many ways, 'Stumped' is a coming of age story. It is a story of exuberance and youth, of fear and insecurities. In short, of life as we lead it. 'Stumped' is a story, whose time has come
Roshni
Friday, March 21, 2003
An affluent British National of Indian origin Rohan (played by Bikram Saluja) comes to India to attend his cousin's wedding. He impulsively falls in love with an Indian girl Roshni (Kiren Zaveri) and marries her. The love-smitten couple reaches the foreign shore and here the love starts diminishing as days pass by. Rohan slips into an extra marital affair with Maya (Kashmira Shah). The trusting soul, Roshni, is shattered by her husband's brazen admission of his preference to the London bred Maya and her lifestyle. She adjusts to Rohan's new female fixation. But the relationship develops in a complication of all sorts. The divorce between them becomes inevitable. The vulnerable Indian cultured wife finds herself out on the streets of London all alone. And in these moments of solitude she meets Ajay (Milind Soman), an out of work lawyer who utilizes his legal strength to get her back what she had lost. Roshni emerges as a new woman, who acquires a new look and adopts a new approach, in her search for predicament. Here both Ajay and Roshni get closer to each other. Ajay loves Roshni, but she treats him as his friend only. What triggers off is an edge-of-the-seat climax. The Indian wife sets the screen ablaze in the fiery and soul-searching finale to this emotional thriller.
Sandhya
Friday, March 21, 2003
After Raaz, it has become a trend of making horror films in Bollywood. On the floor are Bhoot of Ram Gopal Varma, Jackie Shroff starrer 88 Antop Hill and now Sandhya again a Jackie Shroff starrer movie. Amongst these Sandhya is set to be the first in line to release. Ayesha Shroff has joined hands with hubby Jackie Shroff under the productin team called 'Quest Films'. 'Sandhya' is produced by Quest Films. 'Quest Films' started off with Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain and now they are set to produce another movie 'Sandhya'. 'Sandhya' is set to create Bollywood's unique horror story. Anand Raj Ananad has given the music for the movie and it has a different sound track from other movies. The starcast of the movie is Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Danny Dezgonzapa, Ashutosh Rana, Jaaved Jafri, Sophiya Haque. 'Sandhya' is a story of Dr. Singhania (Ashutosh Rana) who runs a mental institution. As the film begins, you witness the murder of Dr. Singhania's entire family. Dr. Singhania loses his mind after witnessing the murder of his family. Then he is eventually admitted to his own hospital and he stays there till he recovers. After coming back from the hospital he decides to convert his home to a nursing home and title it "Sandhya", which means twilight. But Dr. Singhania soon realizes that he can't live without his family and he becomes more depressed as the anniversary of his family's death gets closer. It is then that he decides that he must do something about his agony. After a long process of thinking he finally comes to the conclusion that he must end his life, and to do so he hires Jaggu (Jackie Shroff) to kill him on the same date when his family was killed. Soon the day of the murder comes nearer and it seems like everything would go as planned but it turns out to be much different for Jaggu. He is trapped in an unprecedented web of deceit and he soon realises that something very bad is about to happen. Aptly titled 'Sandya', which means twilight. Let's wait and watch what happens next. Is Dr. Singhania killed on the same date when his family was killed? The film is slated to be released in October.
Boom
Friday, March 21, 2003
Boom is where the fashion world meets the underworld and all hell breaks loose. Written & directed by Kaizad Gustad, who first made it big on the big screen with "Bombay Boys" Released under the banner of Quest Films, whose other venture "Sandhya" too is being readied for launch. For the cast, there's a whole bunch of them. There's Big B, Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Javed Jaaferi, Zeenat Aman, Seema Biswas, Padma Lakshmi, Madhu Sapre and Katrina Kaif. Music is composed by Mercury Award winner Talvin Singh. The film centres around three female supermodels played by three real life models (Padma Lakshmi, Madhu Sapre and Katrina Kaif) who live and work together. They belong to the international world of fashion and modelling and are top of their game artistes. Off the ramp, however, they are sexy, yet alone, in a male dominated society. When a regular fashion show goes horribly wrong, they are sucked into the nasty but irresistible underworld of Bombay. The girls have unwittingly botched up a diamond delivery to the Middle East. Their task is now cut out for them: Plan A - get into the fashion extortion business Plan B - stage India's biggest bank robbery to get the diamonds back Plan C - decamp with the loot. The girls plan to take on the Dons instead of buckling under their threats. They do this by planning India's biggest bank heist and then decamping with the loot. The Dons have their own hierarchal manipulations - Chotte Baba, Medium Baba and Bade Baba. Chotte wants to be Medium, while Medium wants to be Bade and Bade has nowhere to go except to hold on. Each tries to outwit and outdo each other. They are under the impression that models have more beauty than brains and are not capable of much more than looking good. This gives the girls a fair chance of pulling the wool over their eyes using their sexiness to poach any last vestige of common sense the Dons might have had. Can the three girls see their planning and plotting bear fruit or is their master plan doomed? Can the three Dons outwit them and not get bluffed by their obvious charms? Or will the whole thing go BOOM?
Ganguly propels India into final
Friday, March 21, 2003
Durban,Friday, March 21, 2003: India rode on skipper Sourav Ganguly's record-equalling century to enter the World Cup final for only the second time in their history, ending the fairytale run of Kenya in a day-night semi-final here on Thursday. Ganguly's unbeaten 111, his fourth World Cup hundred, propelled the 1983 champions to 270 for four while the brave Kenyans could muster only 179 in 46.2 overs in their biggest- ever game. The comprehensive 91-run victory set up a mouth-watering title clash between India and defending champions Australia in Johannesburg on Sunday. Ganguly's third century in this tournament, studded with five fours and an equal number of sixes, put him on par with teammate Sachin Tendulkar and Australian Mark Waugh who too have scored four World Cup tons -- the maximum by any batsman. Tendulkar, who put on 103 runs for the second wicket with Ganguly, played another fine knock before falling on 83 -- the seventh time in 10 innings in this competition that he crossed fifty but failed to register a hundred. Later Tendulkar chipped in with two wickets including that of Kenyan skipper Steve Tikolo, who top-scored for his side with 56. The defeat ended a dream run of the Kenyans -- the lowest ranked team among the three co-hosts of the tournament -- who became the first non-Test playing nation to reach the semi- finals of the World Cup.
AI cancels scheduled flight to Kuwait
Friday, March 21, 2003
Mumbai,Friday, March 21, 2003: Air-India today cancelled its scheduled flight (AI 859) to Kuwait due to closure of airport in the wake of US bombing of Iraq. The flight, originally scheduled to depart from here at 7am, was rescheduled to leave at 8.30 am in anticipation that the airport would be opened for commercial operations, an airlines spokesman said. Subsequently, the flight was cancelled, he added. Early today, IA operated a special A320 flight from Kuwait, bringing in 138 passengers and nine infants. Yesterday, AI operated four flights, bringing in 1235 Indians from Kuwait. 09:39 IST
US calls for ending infiltration in Kashmir
Friday, March 21, 2003
Washington,Friday, March 21, 2003: Viewing Indo-Pak tensions as "one of the greatest challenges" in South Asia, the US has said ending cross-border infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir "remains a key goal" and advocated dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad on the issue. "Ending infiltration into Kashmir remains a key goal," Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, who was testifying on South Asia before the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific chaired by Congressman James A Leach, said. Rocca said she viewed the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, primarily over Kashmir, as "one of the greatest challenges to advancing our goals of moderation, stability and development in South Asia" and advocated dialogue between the two neighbours on Kashmir. She also said that the appointment of Indian government's interlocutor on Kashmir, N N Vohra, is "a welcome development". About the "Common Minimum Programme" of reforms announced by the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government, she said "we would like to see the State Government move forward on this initiative and for the Central Government in Delhi to support its efforts." Last summer's election, she said, made it clear that the people of Kashmir want to pursue the path of peace. On Indo-US relations, Rocca recalled that soon after taking office, President George W Bush outlined the vision of a transformed and deepened US-India partnership, one that reflects India's emergence as a major regional power and the shared values of the world's two largest democratic countries. 10:48 IST
CMG reviews aviation scenario in view of Iraq situation
Friday, March 21, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 21, 2003: A Crisis Management Group meeting was chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain here Thursday to review the aviation scenario in view of the security situation in West Asia following the U S attack on Iraq. Top officials of Directorate General of Civil Avaition, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Airports Authority of India and the Ministry officials reviewed the situation following the air raids and missile attacks by US-led forces on Iraq. The sources said that the meeting also took note of the stand taken by Internatinal Air Transport Association and International Civil Avaition Organisation to put in place an alternative route structure to allow aircraft to circumvent the conflict zone. Earlier, Hussain had told reporters that Air India and Indian Airlines were still operating its normal schedule to Gulf countries, especially to Kuwait, Dammam and Bahrain as the airspace had not yet been closed due to the war, which began early Thursday. "So long as the airspace over Gulf is open to traffic, they will continue to operate their normal schedule to these places," he said, stressing that there had been no suspension of flights to Gulf stations as yet. IATA and IACO have decided that the diversion due to the ongoing war would have to be from further west of Iran and avoiding Turkey, which would mean a shift of about 200 nautical miles and an additional flying time of 70 minutes. Due to this, the additional fuel consumption was estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 million per aircraft per flight. 09:39 IST
Deewaar Heroine Finalised
Thursday, March 20, 2003
After Gaurang Doshi announced the principal cast of his mega venture DEEWAAR LET'S BRING OUR HEROES HOME at a lavish launch in Mumbai, one kept guessing the name of the heroine who would be signed for the solo female lead. At least three leading ladies could be spotted at the launch party Shilpa Shetty, Lara Dutta and Preeti Jhangiani and that set the tongues wagging. Would it be one of them? Or someone else? Well, the suspense is finally over! Amrita Rao, who made her debut with Arya Babbar in AB KE BARAS and was later cast opposite Ajay Devgan in THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, has been signed for the female lead in DEEWAAR. "We needed a face that would pair off well with Akshaye and Amrita looks perfect for the part," Gaurang tells me. Incidentally, Amrita has been cast opposite new-find Shahid in Tips' forthcoming film ISHQ VISHK, directed by Ken Ghosh and Farah Khan's directorial debut MAIN HOON NA opposite Zayed Khan. While on DEEWAAR, Gaurang has insured the film for Rs. 30 crores, while the cheque of the one-time premium of Rs. 22 lacs will be paid by the producer to the insurance company in a couple of days. "There could be mishaps on the sets, but I don't want to take chances. That's why I decided to insure the film," the producers states.
Street battle, air & ground attacks on Delhi radar
Thursday, March 20, 2003
New Delhi, March 19: A study carried out within the Indian security establishment has projected four possible options for attack by US-led forces on Iraq. The study is the result of a close professional watch by the Indian military on the build-up around Iraq. The Indian military has also drawn lessons from its own experience of military-to-military contacts with Iraq that have since all but ceased and from the presence of Indian military contingents in UN peacekeeping missions in the Gulf. Earlier this month, the political leadership, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and including deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, defence minister George Fernandes and national security adviser Brajesh Mishra, was given a briefing by the chief of army staff, General N.C. Vij, in the operations room of the defence ministry in South Block. Officers from the Directorate General of Military Operations, the Directorate General of Military Intelligence, the air force and the navy were also present. The briefing preceded a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security. It dwelt on the possible consequences for India in the event of a war in the Gulf with emphasis on the security of oil supplies. The briefing was also largely the Indian military’s educated assessment of the situation in West Asia and the possible course of a war on Iraq. It could be little else for India is not part of the US-led war effort. Nor does India have a lively military relationship in the region. Data compiled within the security establishment confirm that there is a huge asymmetry of forces in the US-Iraq standoff. That is the jargon for a conventional war that is predicted to be one-sided. The Iraqi defence is likely to be organised on three tiers: the outer tier that will be manned by the regular army, a middle tier of the Republican Guards and an inner tier of the Special Republican Guards. The defences of the Republican Guards and the Special Republican Guards would be mostly in and around towns and cities and population centres. Decades of fighting war or coping with a failing economy and a sanctions regime have degraded the Iraqi military machine so much that all divisions apart from the Republican Guards are not expected to be more than 50 per cent fighting fit. Only a third of its weaponry is comparable to western standards of quality. The US-led forces, on the other hand, have the best of equipment and an arsenal that is the best that money can buy. In the event of a war, the US-led forces will be commanded by the US Central Command, which is understood to have moved to its forward headquarters at Camp As Saliyah near Doha, Qatar, from Tampa, Florida. The US army nerve centre in the region would be at its headquarters, the Army Central Command (Arcent) in Kuwait, the navy would be commanded from Manama, Bahrain, and the air force from Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. But the US-led land forces will be operating from Turkey and Kuwait with possible special operations out of Jordan. In the event of an invasion, the marines will be tasked to secure bridgeheads. That would mean Iraq’s small coastline of 58 km in the Persian Gulf. Common to all four possible options of attack is an air assault by combat fighters and bombers and also from ship-launched missiles such as Tomahawks. Iraq’s air defences are already degraded with successive US-led strikes to impose the no-fly zones in Iraq’s north and south. In a sense, the conflict is already into its first stage, the study suggests. This is the stage of psy ops and includes pressure by building up of forces, secret contacts with Iraqi divisional commanders to engineer surrenders and defections. In any conventional war, the first phase of air assault is primarily aimed at moving from air parity to air supremacy. In Iraq, air parity almost does not exist. The scenarios for attack envisage assaults by land forces from the north and the south and also a possible use of Kurdish and Shia rebels. The Kurdish rebels are mostly to the north of Baghdad and the Shia to the south. The use of Kurdish and Shia rebels is most likely in a scenario that envisages Saddam Hussein’s forces attempting to draw in US-led forces into street-to-street battles in towns and villages. The air assault will then soften up targets to allow for the rebels to attack before targets recuperate. In a second scenario, tentatively termed the light force option: inside-out approach, an air assault is followed by the dropping of an air-borne division in and around Baghdad. These forces will then seek to expand their area of influence by waging battles while progressively expanding in concentric circles with Baghdad in the centre. A third scenario of attack sees ground offensives by land forces from Kuwait and Turkey steadily closing in on Baghdad from the north and the south. In a fourth scenario the combination approach ground forces and rebels capture areas in a steady march towards Baghdad to link up with air-borne divisions. In Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the air campaign was followed by US-led forces assisting the Northern Alliance to reach Kabul and oust the Taliban. In fact, Operation Enduring Freedom actually did not have a battlefield climax because the Taliban fled and the Northern Alliance advance to Kabul in the final stages did not see bloody battles. The study indicates an air campaign in Iraq could last 15 to 30 days. Military experts do not hazard a guess on how long it would actually take for the US-led forces to overrun Iraq. Anything between three to 30 days, one said. The US-led forces will be particularly concerned with economic targets mainly oilfields and a desperate use of chemical weapons. In the 1991 war, as the Iraqi forces withdrew from Kuwait, they set several oilfields on fire. Another concern will be possible terrorist attacks in the rear. In the countries around Iraq, where US-led forces are at staging posts, drills are being carried out for emergencies involving chemical weapons.
Ganguly wants to open Indian innings
Thursday, March 20, 2003
DURBAN: Captain Sourav Ganguly said he wanted to open the Indian innings. He told the BBC on the eve of the cricket World Cup semi-final with Kenya that he felt better as an opener. "Only Sachin Tendulkar has been better than me as an opener, I have scored about 9,000 runs with 20 centuries." Ganguly denied allegations that he was not willing to come down in the batting order despite being in bad form. "I did leave the opening slot not because I had difficulty in scoring runs. I had to come down because Virender Sehwag was not doing well in the middle order." He clarified that decisions were made based on the needs of the team and not on personal grounds. The Indian skipper also felt the sacking of South Africa's captain Shaun Pollock was not fair. "The captain alone should not be blamed for the defeat. The South African cricket board should have looked into the reasons of the bad performance of the whole team before sacking him."
Esha, Zayed pin hopes on Chura Liya Hai Tumne
Thursday, March 20, 2003
The much awaited film Chura Liya Hai Tumne hits the cinema halls this Friday. The film stars Esha Deol and newcomer Zayed Khan. The producers of the film organised a press meet in Mumbai to promote the film. " We work well together and I hope this film will do well at the box office," said Esha. Playing a spy in this thriller is Sanjay Khan's son, Zayed Khan - a film which has given the brawny actor ample scope to flex his muscles as well as flaunt his acting cum dancing talents. "We have done our best in this film. It is a good entertainer and the rest I leave up to the whole world," maintained Zayed Khan. Fascinated by the who dunnit genre is director Sangeeth Sivan. Still waiting for his first film to release, Jackie Shroff's home production, Sandhya, Chura Liya Hai Tumne is a story that is based in Bangkok. "Sandhya is a very dark thriller wheras this film is different. This is a fun film. It has got something for everybody," said Sivan. The film was slated for a January release. Delayed by two months, the film benefited as the music continued to top the charts. This Friday will be the acid test for the duo to woo an audience still in the throes of a World Cup fever.
India/Kenya match may be a washout
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Rain in Durban threatens to see tomorrow morning's day night World Cup Cricket semi final between India and Kenya abandoned. It has been raining for most of the past 24 hours, with more rain forecast tonight and for the reserve day. South African correspondent Andy Capostagno doubts whether the match will be played at all, and India as second highest qualifier, would advance to Sunday's final against Australia.
Special flights bring Indians from the Gulf
Thursday, March 20, 2003
NDTV Correspondent Indians have begun returning from the various Gulf countries. In fact, four special Air India flights have been arranged to bring back over 1,200 Indians from Kuwait. Anxious family members have been waiting at Mumbai's international airport to receive their loved ones from the Gulf. There's a sigh of relief each time a relative arrives. People like Suresh Shangar, back from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, are lucky to have got a ticket home. "In places like Jeddah and Kuwait, Indians have been flocking at the airports waiting to leave as soon as they can," said Suresh Shangar. Nadeem Ahmed Khan who is back from the United Arab Emirates admits there is tension and fear among Indians of being left behind. "Everyone is scared and people are thinking of what to do if they don't get flights back home," claimed Nadeem Ahmed Khan. Though scores of Indians have returned from the various countries in the Gulf, there are many whose loved ones still wait in hope.
Dossa, another key Mumbai blast accused, brought to Delhi
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Dossa, another key Mumbai blast accused, brought to Delhi New Delhi,Thursday, March 20, 2003: India Wednesday succeeded in securing the deportation of Mustaffa Dossa alias Majnoom, a key associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and one of the main accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast, who was brought here late Wednesday from Dubai. Dossa, accused of bringing explosives used in the serial blasts and arranging youth for training in Pakistan, was brought to Delhi by a team of intelligence officials. Minister of State for Home I D Swami told that Dossa's deportartion was a big success for the Indian investigative agencies. Dossa is the fifth person accused in crimes in India to be deported from UAE over the last few months. His name figured in India's Most Wanted List which was handed over to UAE last month. 09:26 IST
India to make vigorous bid to boost defence exports: minister
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
India is committed to raising its defence exports to Rs 1000 crore from the current Rs 200 crore to further increase its foreign exchange reserves, Minister of State for Defence Production O Rajagopal said here today. "Till now we have been exporting only to countries who have approached us for defence products like arms and ammunition as well as technology. But henceforth we will make concerted efforts to boost our exports in the sector as we have excess production capacity in our defence units," Rajagopal, who is here to attend the Sixth International Defence Exposition and Conferences (IDEX 2003), said. This year Indian defence companies have made a strong presence at the Idex 2003 here as the Middle East accounted for 40 per cent of the world's armaments trade, he told here. Brahmos missile which is a joint venture between India and Russia has been showcased at the UAE Pavilion. Rajagopal will attend a reception later in the evening aboard the INS Mumbai at the Mina Zayed Port here. The Indian warship is the third ship of the Delhi class of destroyers boasting the state of the art sensors and prolonged sustenance at sea. The destroyer is here to take part in a naval show held as part of the IDEX 2003. Other Indian participants include the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) comprising 39 factories, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Earth Movers Limited. More than 800 global armament firms, including several American firms are taking part in the show. 15:13 IST
Flights to Gulf stations to be suspended if Iraq war begins
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Government has decided to suspend Air India and Indian Airlines flights to Bahrain, Dammam and Kuwait as soon as the war breaks out in Iraq, which would lead the two carriers to suffer an aggregate loss of about Rs 1.4 billion per month. Stating this, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters today that there was also a possibility of raising the fares of the two carriers by about ten per cent due to the hike in prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by about 44 per cent since December last. Stating that the two carriers would suffer from a "two- pronged attack" if the war breaks out, he said while the ATF prices would rise substantially, AI and IA would have to make a detour of over 90 minutes to circumvent the war zone. While AI was estimated to suffer a loss of about Rs 700 million, IA's loss would be about Rs 400 million. "As it is, we are suffering a loss of Rs 400 million a year due to restrictions on flying over Pakistani airspace, while the flying time has increased due to this by at least one hour," Hussain said. On top of it, the Travel Industry has estimated that about 30 per cent of tourists coming into India would cancel their visits, he said, adding that flights to Europe and the US would be the most affected. 18:28 IST
Holi celebrated amidst confusion on date
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Amidst confusion on official date for Holi, the festival of riotous colours and revelry was today celebrated in parts of the country providing a chance for an extended holiday for many but affecting businesses. Although the Central government declared the Holi holiday tomorrow, the celebrations in the national capital showed no signs of dampening today as Delhi government announced a 'restricted' holiday for the day and a full break from work Wednesday. Taking advantage of the conflicting dates, mnay officegoers, claiming to follow the dictates of priests and almanac, stayed back home for performing 'puja' and students had a gala time as schools in Delhi were closed for two days from today. Several traders bodies also shut their businesses for three days starting Monday, which is a regular weekly holiday. Rainbow of colours enveloped several cities as people from all walks of life joined the celebrations distributing sweets and applied "gulal" on each other. In Mumbai, people thronged the beaches after bathing in a bout of colours while in Thane and Ulahasnagar satellite cities, it was celebrated with enthusiasm. Patrolling was stepped up in sensitive areas and security tightened all over the city in view of the celebrations. The festival of colours was celebrated with fun and frolic in Gujarat after two years. Earthquake in 2001 and post-Godhra communal violence had marred the festivities. In Vadodara which bore the brunt of communal clashes recently, the festival was celebrated with gaiety by people of different communities. 18:28 IST
Cabinet approves open voting for Rajya Sabha polls
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
In a major move to curb cross- voting and use of money power in Rajya Sabha polls, the Union Cabinet tonight decided to amend the electoral law to provide for open voting instead of secret ballot for the Upper House. It also decided to allow a person from anywhere in the country to contest Upper House elections, doing away with the present clause that a candidate has to be a resident of a particular state to seek elections. A new bill, incorporating these provisions by amending the Representation of People Act, will be introduced in the the second half of the budget session of Parliament resuming on April seven, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after the cabinet meeting. "The Bill will substitute open ballot system in place of existing secret ballot system for elections to the Rajya Sabha," she said adding there had been unanimity among political parties on the issue of curbing money power in polls to the Upper House. This amendment would also help check cross-voting by MLAs, an issue that has been agitating the political parties, Swaraj said. "The Bill will do away with the requirement of residence of a particular state to contest elections to the Rajya Sabha," she said. 21:59 IST
Govt fixes 26% cap on foreign investment in TV News Channels
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Govt fixes 26% cap on foreign investment in TV News Channels New Delhi,Tuesday, March 18, 2003: In a setback to Star TV's proposed 24-hour news channel, Government tonight fixed a cap of 26 per cent on foreign investment in Television news channels seeking to uplink from India. It asked existing news channels having foreign equity like ZEE News to disinvest within a year to fit into the foreign investment limit of 26 per cent. Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union cabinet which fixed the cap, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said foreign investment in news channels includes Foreign Direct Investment, Foreign Institutional Investment, External Commercial Borrowings and investment by NRIs. However, for entertaiment channels there will be no cap as they could have 100 per cent foreign investment under the existing policy, Swaraj said. At the same time, entertainment channels having news bulletins or current affairs programmes would fall under the 26 per cent cap, she said. Star TV, which was the first wholly-owned foreign channel to request for uplinking from India for a news channel, will now have to apply afresh. After Star TV, which is to launch its news channel on April one, similar requests were made by BBC and CNBC. 21:59 IST
Arjun Munda sworn in as Chief Minister of Jharkhand
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Arjun Munda sworn in as Chief Minister of Jharkhand Ranchi,Tuesday, March 18, 2003: Arjun Munda, a newcomer to politics and BJP, was today sworn in as Chief Minister of Jharkhand heading a six-member Cabinet that included two rebel Ministers who had played a key role in the ouster of Babulal Marandi government. Munda, 35, the Welfare Minister in the cabinet of Babulal Marandi, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor M Rama Jois at the Raj Bhavan this morning. He heads the second NDA government in the state since its formation over two years back. Munda has not been asked to prove his majority on the floor of the state assembly as Governor M Rama Jois was satisfied that he commanded majority in the state assembly at the time of staking claim to form government last night, the Raj Bhawan said today. A Bhawan release termed as "absolutely wrong" reports put out by television news channels that Arjun Munda had been given seven days time to seek a confidence vote by the Governor.
Don't take a place in the final as a right, says Wright
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Don't take a place in the final as a right, says Wright Durban,Tuesday, March 18, 2003: India coach John Wright today cautioned his side not to take Kenya lightly in the World Cup semifinal, saying they should not expect that a place in the final is "their right". "If we achieve our game plan and play well, the results will take care of themselves. But it isn't a case where we should expect it (a place in finals) by right," he said. Calling Thursday's match as the biggest game of their career, Wright said it is a great stage for the senior Indian cricketers to come good. "This surely is the biggest game of our career. We were in the ICC finals not so very long ago, the semi-final against South Africa there was a big game. But this is huge." "Sachin, Srinath, Dravid and Kumble, they still have some good cricket in them. It is a great stage for all of us and we really want to do well," he said. He also said "It doesn't matter who is the player of the tournament and who isn't. As long as the country gets the result it wants, it's okay." The New Zealander gave credit to the national selectors for persisting with the youngsters and gave an insight on how this team came together in the last one year. "We have a relatively settled side and selectors can take credit from that point of view. "After that tight series against Zimbabwe at home last year, all these youngsters - Kaif, Yuvraj and Mongia - made their mark. Even then we were talking about the World Cup. We realised if we keep winning we will stay together". 21:08 IST
Vajpayee completes five years in office
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose first government collapsed in 13 days, completes five years in office on Wednesday, leading the first non-Congress dispensation to complete its term through coalition challenges and pitch-forking Hindutva in the forefront of political agenda. Vajpayee's stay at the top as the country's chief political executive comes after years of instability of non-Congress governments and almost four decades of uninterrupted Congress rule The earlier non-Congress Prime Ministers, who all had Congress upbringing, fell like nine-pins with only the late Morarji Desai remaining at the helm for two and a half years as the head of the first Janata experiment in 1977. While V P Singh, H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujaral lasted for around 11 months each, Chandra Shekhar was around for four months and Charan Singh for three months without even facing Parliament. Once dubbed as a "Mukhauta" (mask) by BJP ideologue Govindacharya, Vajpayee wove a motley combination of political parties, many of them regional, to keep the Congress at bay. And he has been successful at this after the failure during his tenure between 1998 and 1999, but that was due to a petulant Jayalalitha deciding to pull the rug. By cobbling up the National Democratic Alliance, Vajpayee ended the "untouchability" syndrome for the BJP, which had turned his first Government in 1996 to be a 13 day affair devoid of friends barring parties like the Shiv Sena and Akali Dal. 09:17 IST
Portugal seeks details of Salem from CBI
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
In an apparent forward movement in extraditing underworld don Abu Salem, the Portuguese Government on Monday requested India to provide "certain details" of the 1993 Mumbai blast main accused and moved a Lisbon Court to extend his judicial remand which expires tomorrow. The CBI received a Letters Rogatory from Portugal asking for details about some of the documents procured by Salem from India to facilitate him in obtaining a fake passport on forged documents in that country, highly-placed CBI sources told here. Salem, who was arrested on September 18 last year, had managed to marry a Portuguese lady on the basis of this forged passport and also procure a work permit. He is facing forgery charges. The sources said that CBI would respond to the Letters Rogatory from Portugal on top priority. In a related development, Lisbon authorities had reportedly moved a court there for further remand of Salem. The sources said the agency had learnt that a request for extension of judicial custody of Salem had been made to facilitate his stay in the jail pending disposal of the extradition request from India. 09:20 IST
Nine killed in fire near Red Fort in Delhi
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Nine people, including five children and a woman, were killed and three injured in a major fire that devastated a slum cluster near the Red Fort here early this morning. The blaze, which erupted from a jhuggi at around 0245 hours IST, spread fast engulfing 500 hutments in Sanjay Amar Colony, police sources said. The five children, who perished in their sleep were identified as Parvati (nine months), Guriya (8 yrs), Qurban Ali (10), Jumna (10) and Tinto (12) while the others were Hamila Beevi (55), Ram Kishan (25) Mehmood (25) and Ulfat (35), they said. More than 30 fire tenders were pressed into service to put out the blaze, the sources said. The cause of the fire, which could be brought under control only after 0500 hrs IST, is not yet known. 09:52 IST
Munda to be sworn in as Jharkhand CM today, Marandi quits
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Arjun Munda will be sworn in as Jharkhand Chief Minister today after Babulal Marandi quit on Monday without facing a trial of strength in the Assembly in a change of leadership capping nearly a month of dissidence among NDA allies of ruling BJP. Forty-year-old Munda met Governor M Rama Jois at Raj Bhawan staking claim to form government and later told reporters that he would be sworn in as Chief Minister at 1030 am IST. Munda, who was Welfare minister in Babulal Marandi cabinet, said he had submitted to Jois a list of 40 MLAS in his support in a state assembly with an effective strength of 79. He said he expected two more legislators, including rebel Tourism minister Joba Manjhi of AJSU-UGDP, to come out in his support tomorrow. Munda staked the claim came after his crucial meeting with four rebel ministers belonging to Samata Party and JD-U, who had played a key role in oust-Marandi campaign, during which he succeeded in wooing them back into the NDA fold. 09:20 IST
India will not allow US planes refuelling facility in case of Iraq war
Monday, March 17, 2003
Defence Minister George Fernandes has said India will not allow refuelling facility to American war planes in case of a war with Iraq. Fernandes said that no request for refuelling facility had so far been received, adding, ''I do not think that India will agree to provide such a facility in case of a US request.'' ''Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has made the country's stand on a possible American attack on Iraq very clear and I do not think that the government will allow refuelling facility to American planes,'' the Defence Minister said.
11 killed in attack on police post in Kashmir
Monday, March 17, 2003
SUSPECTED Islamic rebels attacked a police post in troubled Indian-controlled Kashmir, killing nine police officers and two civilians, police said yesterday. Another eight police officers and one civilian were wounded in the attack on Saturday night in the Gool area of Udhampur district, 95 miles north of Jammu, a police officer said. Four other police officers were missing, he said. Suspected guerrillas killed an armed police guard outside the post and then barged inside, spraying bullets which killed another eight police officers and two civilians, said the officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Some officers returned fire but the attackers escaped, the officer said. At least three groups separately claimed responsibility for the attack, which lasted nearly an hour. It was the second major assault by suspected rebels in Indian-held Kashmir in the past few days. On Friday, suspected rebels killed seven people, including three police officers, in the town of Punch. More than a dozen militant groups have been fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or its merger with neighbouring Pakistan since 1989. More than 61,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Yesterday, a man who claimed to be a spokesman for the Jamiat-ul-Mujahedeen rebel group called a news agency office in Jammu and said the attack was carried out by his group and another rebel organisation, Harkat-i-Jehadi Islami. Hours later, another rebel group, Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen, said in Pakistan that its members had also joined the other rebels in the attack. In a telephone call, Abu Sumahaya, who identified himself as the group’s spokesman, said rebels from a fourth group also participated in the attack. Sumahaya said he was calling from Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani-controlled portion of Kashmir. Kashmir’s biggest guerrilla outfit, Hezb-ul-Mujahadeen, also took responsibility for the attack. Hezb spokesman Salim Hashmi said the attack was revenge for the killing of one of their commanders, Amanullah, in Indian-controlled Kashmir last week. We carried out this attack in retaliation for the martyrdom of Amanullah, Hashmi said Indian police also believe the attack was in retaliation for Amanullah’s killing by Indian security forces.
Six killed in Assam blast
Monday, March 17, 2003
Five civilians and one CRPF jawan were killed in a bomb blast inside a passenger bus in Assam's Goalpara district on Sunday. According to the police, the bus was travelling from Goalpara to Kalajani, when the blast took place. Twelve people were also injured in the blast. The blast was so powerful that another bus travelling nearby with CRPF personnel on board also felt the impact, killing one of the jawans. The police suspect that the bomb may have been planted by ULFA activists. Since December last year, ULFA has been targeting security personnel and vital installations at regular intervals.
Ganguly still not dreaming about a place in the final
Monday, March 17, 2003
London,Monday, March 17, 2003: Even though he is just a step away from realising his dream of being in a World Cup final, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly says he is still not dreaming about it because he does not want to get disappointed. India take on Kenya in the second semi-final at Durban on Thursday. After their indifferent start to the Cup campaign, Ganguly's men have notched up seven victories in a row. "I've been all around the world and my life's dream is to be in a World Cup final," Ganguly told BBC Radio. "Qualifying for the semi-finals has brought me and the whole team one step closer and it's a huge honour. Getting into the final would be a huge, huge thing. "But I don't want to dream because we have not yet achieved it and I don't want to get disappointed. "If we don't qualify for the final it will be a big disappointment for me," he said. Ganguly admitted he was getting too old to handle the pressure on him from the entire nation. "I've been captain for three years and I've grown old, lost hair and greyed," the 30-year-old said. "I don't think it's a job you can do for long. Every job has a time frame, and being captain of India definitely has a time frame. "It can be very hard on a captain if the team is not doing well, but we've played some good cricket since I have been captain. We've had some downs but quite a few highs," he said. Ganguly has vivid memories of the street celebrations which followed India's World Cup triumph in 1983. And he knows that the jubilant fans who surrounded his house in Kolkata after the recent victory over arch rivals Pakistan will return in their thousands if India lift the Cup again. "I believe a couple of thousand people gathered outside my house (after the Pakistan game) and they wanted my dad to treat them to sweets," Ganguly said. "My daughter was pretty amazed because they were chanting my name and congratulating the team as she was up on the balcony. "Every time I call her on the phone she just keeps shouting 'Sourav, Sourav' and I have to keep reminding her that she should call me Dad". 09:45 IST
Govt draws contingency plan to avert LPG shortage
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Government has begun drawing contingency plans to avert any shortage of domestic cooking gas (LPG) as a result of go-slow agitation by employees of the country's largest oil company Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) have been asked to bridge the shortfall in supplies arising out IOC's LPG bottling plants supplying just around 50 per cent of their normal volumes in northern, western and southern regions. "All possible measures have been taken to avert supply disruption. Joint action is being taken by IOC along with HPCL and BPCL to maintain supplies," Petroleum Minister Ram Naik told here. IOC employees are on a work-to-rule agitation demanding additional pay incentives. The agitation would be followed by a two-day strike on March 25-26. The eastern region union of IOC is not party to the agitation. Naik has sent an advisory to IOC "to ensure that the strike doesn't materalise and supplies are not disrupted." "The consumers have the right to get uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities. On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day (today), I appeal to oil sector employees that supplies shoult not be disrupted," he said. The agitation may also affect petrol, diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) supplies next week as tanker despatches from depots and terminals have slowed down. Loading of petrol and diesel tankers in the northern region, barring Rajasthan, has got curtailed by 30 to 50 per cent.
Fresh excavation leads to mosque floor
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Excavation at three of the four new trenches at the disputed site here today led to the floor of the demolished structure forcing archaeologists to ponder over the next course of action. After three hours of digging, the labourers, who resumed excavation after the Moharram break this morning, came across the floor of the structure as was the case when the first four 4 X 4 metre trenches were dug, sources said. ASI Superintending Archaeologist B R Mani had on Thursday decided to defer excavation of the floor till necessary permission was obtained from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court which had ordered the excavation on March five to ascertain whether a temple existed beneath the disputed structure. Sunni Central Wakf Board Counsel Zafaryab Geelani told that a decision on the next course of action would be taken after Mani returns to the site. Three days of excavation have, so far, led to the recovery of a shell, a basal (gomed - a precious stone) and two brick-marks of 1920s vintage. Earlier, this morning, Jeelani said he would be giving a representation to ASI over the presence of only one Muslim in the excavation team and the absence of even a single Muslim among the 52 labourers engaged for the task. "We want ASI to give us an explanation with regard to this discrimination," he said. Meanwhile, VHP media in-charge Sharad Sharma said mass mobilisation was on across Uttar Pradesh for its 'satyagraha' in Delhi in support of a Parliamentary enactment to immediately hand over the acquired land to Ram Janmaboomi Nyas and facilitate the construction of the temple. Security personnel in Ayodhya and neighbouring Faizabad continued to maintain strict vigil even as the two towns remained normal. 15:34 IST
FSL confirms the role of ammonium nitrate in Mulund blast
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Maharashtra State Forensic Laboratory (FSL) today confirmed that the commonly available ammonium nitrate was used in the March 13 explosion in a suburban train at Mulund which claimed 11 lives. Director FSL Dr Rukmini Krishnamurthy told here that ammonium nitrate was used with a chemical +initiator+ in the blast. The nature of the detonator was similar with the Ghatkopar blast, Krishnamurthy said adding in the Vile Parle blast also the same chemical was used but with a +missile+, which was missing in both Mulund and Ghatkopar blasts. Earlier this morning, she held a detailed meeting with the NSG team, headed by Major Randip Singh for two hours. Krishnamurthy said as a preventive method to check the movement of ammonium nitrate in the market, FSL has suggested to government that since the ammonium nitrate is easily available +the purchase of the chemical has to be controlled by ensuring the authenticity of the purchaser+. +The authorities should make sure it goes to the right hands and every buyer should be made accountable,+ she said adding that it should be done on the same lines as that of the chemical Acetic Anhydride. In 1980s when the narcotic boom was prevailing in the city, the FSL had suggested for a controlled buyers concept which was implemented seriously by the government. Acetic Anhydride was used in the conversion of opium to brown sugar and many households in the city were involved in such jobs, she said.
Sinha lashes out at Pak, says accession of J-K total
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Asserting that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir was "total and irrevocable", External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha today lashed out at Pakistan for demanding self-determination in the State, saying it was a crude attempt to bolster its agenda of "territorial aggrandizement" through terrorism against India. "With the acceptance by India of the Instrument of Accession signed by the ruler of J and K, the act of accession was complete. The State of J and K is, therefore, an integral and inalienable part of India," he said stressing the accession was total and irrevocable. Delivering his convocation address at the Punjabi University here, Sinha elaborately countered certain oft- repeated assertions on Kashmir by Pakistan on the right to self-determination, UN resolutions and other issues. He said India has always been willing to discuss the J and K issue with Pakistan. "But Pakistan seeks parity with India in terms of 'locus standi' in Kashmir. Pakistan is the aggressor. It cannot have parity with India." Contending that Pakistan was in illegal occupation of a part of J and K, he said the only issue that remained to be resolved was the the question pertaining to this and domination of the people of this area by the military establishment based in Rawalpindi. "If only Pakistan would be willing to shed its hostility towards India and stop using terrorism as an instrument of national policy, there can still be a new dawn in our relationshp," he observed.
Malaysia to submit report to India on ill-treatment of Indians
Sunday, March 16, 2003
The Malaysian government, under fire for the ill-treatment of about 270 Indians by police here, today said it would submit a report to India on the investigation into the alleged incident. Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Malaysian Foreign Ministry will submit the report to the Indian government after he would himself study it, the official Bernama news agency reported. He had earlier said that police would hand over the report to him on Monday. Reacting to the Brickfileds police's rough treatment of Indians, mostly IT professionals, on Sunday on suspicion of being illegal immigrants, Abdullah said it was a normal police operation upon receiving reports about suspected illegal immigrants and police did not just target Indians. "However we have to ensure that the method of taking action is in line with laws and regulations. This is important. If the operation is conducted in line with the law, it cannot be questioned," he said. Abdullah on Friday expressed regret over the incident and said the allegations against the police were "serious" and could impair "the excellent bilateral relations we have with India." "From the reports that I've read, there're certain facets to the incident which trouble me. I've directed Tan Sri Norian (police chief) to personally handle the investigations and report to me directly," he said
Thrust on infrastructure, textiles, IT to push up growth: FM
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Brushing aside criticism that the Budget was not growth-oriented, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh today said the focus on infrastructure and certain other sectors will provide "quick returns" for higher GDP growth and employment. "We discussed the economy and the budget. The (growth) figures will come by and by as the year progresses," Singh told reporters after his customary post-budget meeting with the Reserve Bank board here. "The Budget focussed on the sectors like infrastructure, textiles, tourism, pharma and other knowledge-based sectors as it would provide quick returns for growth of the economy and employment," he said addressing the RBI board. Elaborating on Singh's observation on growth, RBI Governor Bimal Jalan said the budget provided the necessary impetus to growth backed by strong fundamentals. The macro economic circumstances in the country with low inflation of 4.0 per cent and high forex reserves of nearly 74 billion dollars indicated that the potential for growth was high, Jalan said, adding "the Budget will contribute to it." However, Jalan said there was a need to improve efficiency in order to ensure higher GDP growth. Jalan declined to give any growth projection but said "we will revise it in the April Credit Policy." The RBI projected a 5-5.5 per cent growth in GDP for this fiscal as against the CSO estimate of 4.4 per cent. He also did not comment on interest rate except to say "as of now, interest rates are soft". 16:47 IST
Sri Lanka through to semis
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Sri Lanka through to semis East London (South Africa),Saturday, March 15, 2003: Sri Lanka made full use of India's victory over New Zealand, sneaking into the semi-finals of the World Cup with a 74-run victory against Zimbabwe in a Super Six match here today. Sri Lanka, who set up a semi-final clash with Australia with this win, rode on a Marvan Atapattu century to score 256 for five before restricting Zimbabwe to 182 in 41.5 overs. A poor umpiring decision brought an end to Andy Flower's international career and also to Zimbabwe's hopes of pulling off an upset which looked quite a possibility at one stage. Andy Flower, who has announced his retirement from international cricket after the World Cup, was adjudged leg before wicket to Aravinda de Silva for a fluent 38 even though he had produced a healthy inside edge. The win took Sri Lanka to 11.5 points and in the fourth spot in the Super Six table. Australia, India and Kenya have already qualified for the semi-finals. Atapattu struck his second century of this World Cup, his tenth in one-dayers, after Sri Lanka elected to bat first on winning the toss. He carried his bat through the innings to remain unbeaten on 103 off 127 deliveries, hitting seven fours in the process. Zimbabwe gambled by promoting Douglas Marillier and Travis Friend in the batting order and the ploy paid off to an extent as the team got off to a good start in its run-chase. Marillier, who opened the innings with top-scorer Craig Wishart, hit a 14-ball 19 while Friend scored 21 off 20 balls to put Zimbabwe much ahead of its required run rate. When these two fell, Zimbabwe were well served by an important third wicket partnership between Wishart, who made 43, and Andy Flower. Runs came fairly easily for Zimbabwe who looked well on course of doing a favour to New Zealand. 21:11 IST
New Windows test version reveals major changes
Saturday, March 15, 2003
An early test version of the next major release of Microsoft Windows has been leaked onto the Net, offering a glimpse of the company's plans for the new software. The leaked version of the upcoming desktop operating system, code-named Longhorn, hints of major changes under the Windows hood, as Microsoft radically improves file management and searching features in Windows and in Yukon, the code-name for the next version of SQL Server, due out later this year. In Longhorn, Microsoft plans to introduce a new file system with enhanced storage capabilities. Known as Windows Future Storage (WinFS), the new means for storing, accessing or indexing files will replace NTFS and FAT32, the predecessors used by Windows XP. The file system is intended to make it easier to find information, no matter where it is stored or in what form. Microsoft did not identify the source of the leak, which is still circulating on the Web and on Internet relay chat. But Microsoft added that the leaked version of Longhorn is authentic. For Microsoft, creating a new file system, particularly one using modern database technology, is no easy undertaking. The work in progress will be important in prepping Longhorn for its scheduled late 2004 release, say analysts. An example of the capabilities is seen in the new search feature. In Windows XP, the person begins a search by picking a file type, such as photo or document, and where to look, such as local hard drive or the Internet. Advanced features allow searching of hidden documents. In the leaked Longhorn version, the search process is much simpler, because of underlying changes to the storage and indexing capabilities. The searcher is asked simply, "What are you looking for?" A list of example searches such as "Pictures from John" or "What is a firewall?" are provided for reference. Other changes make it easier to sort existing data. A new My Pictures & Video folder organizes digital images and movies by, among other means, the year. These capabilities also can be seen in the Music Library folder, which offers a wide variety of default organizational tools. Microsoft has also added a My Contacts folder that could eventually act as a common database of contact information, in a similar fashion to the Address Book found in Apple Computer's Mac OS X. Customers can import contacts from an Exchange Server, Windows Address Book or a vCard. Another new feature would let the searcher "stack" files in virtual folders. Digital images, for example, could be stacked by the date a picture was taken, name or type of camera, among other criteria. Similarly, music can be stacked by nine criteria, including track number, duration or genre. Contacts can be stacked by seven criteria, including name, e-mail and address. Microsoft is moving forward with major changes, starting with the installation, which dumps the standard mixed text and graphical process for one that is entirely graphical. Unlike earlier versions of Windows, virtually no user input is required for the installation process. In fact, at one point a message encourages the person to take a break and come back in about 10 minutes. The leaked Longhorn also shows some changes for working with software and hardware. Some of the tweaking can be seen in the Control Panel, which now includes controls for Hardware and Devices and for Portable Audio Devices. Windows Media Player 9 Series Player found in the leaked Longhorn is a newer version--2991 vs. 2980 for the one publicly available. Internet Explorer is version 6.05 vs. 6.0 available for Windows XP. Windows Messenger and Windows Movie Maker, on the other hand, are much older versions than those currently available for XP. The leaked Longhorn also sports security enhancements, as part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative. A new service called Logon Hours puts restrictions on times when people log on to a computer. In theory, the feature could help prevent unauthorized logons or attempted hacks during nonbusiness hours. Microsoft plans many other security enhancements to Longhorn, but because the majority of them are tied to the new file system, many won't debut until Longhorn moves to WinFS.
Is Bipasha the new age Zeenat Aman?
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Never mind the Parveen Babis, Kimi Katkars, Sonams and even Sheebas. For sheer sensual potency, no one can hold a candle to the ultimate physical statements that are Zeenat Aman in the 1970s and Bipasha Basu in this millennium. Three decades have passed since Zeenie Baby first stunned audiences with chartbusters and blockbusters changing the very concept of the desi diva. She simply attired the Hindi film heroine with a fresh, sexy ensemble of Western ethos, pizzazz and high voltage sensuality that had less to do with costumes and cleavage than body language, incendiary eye talk and an open flaunting of innate sex appeal. This was no coquettish 1950s maiden or 1960s belle trying out a director's interpretation of sexuality, but a natural siren whose comfort level with being a sex symbol was as high as a hand with a perfectly matched glove. She relished the tag of Zeenie Baby and was the pathbreaker who, even if a shade ruefully, exploited her special qualities to almost topple Hema Malini, the epitome of Indian womanhood, from the top slot. She says, "I do agree I missed out on a lot of meaty roles because of this image, but it feels wonderful to be remembered and addressed even now as Zeenie Baby. It worked for me." Perhaps it is a quirk that Zeenat's pet name Babusha is so close phonetically to the one woman who may be said to be her natural successor among all those who have travelled since: Bipasha Basu. Perhaps it is in the natural order of things that a live testosterone booster should make a mark after a string of antiseptic toppers like Karisma Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor. Or maybe a shift was needed, now that the 2000s signify paradigm changes in trends and lifestyles the way the early 1970s did. Interestingly, Zeenat and Bipasha have more than one area of similarity. Their magnetically scintillating (skin-tillating?) personnae have a lot more in common than their glamorous backgrounds before their film careers: Zeenat Aman was Miss India and later Miss Asia-Pacific, Bipasha was Supermodel 1996; and of course their successful forays in modelling and the ramp. The word Zeenat translates very broadly as 'beauty.' She undoubtedly was. With (a lot of) brains attached. The word Bipasha means 'deep, dark desire' as well as the river Beas in its original Sanskrit terminology. Zeenat heralded the advent of the slim, svelte, immaculately groomed heroine in place of the full-bodied figure that Indians till then used to 'plump' for. Bipasha too may be said to have brought about a small revolution. In the days of a flood of aerobic-thin 'girl' figures, she was the woman with perfect statistics, with an erotic appeal that could be probably best described as lustrous. The academic fronts of Babusha and Bonny (as they are respectively known within family) have strong areas of confluence: Zeenat was always the scholar, a head girl at her Panchgani boarding school, a girl who at 17 flew to Los Angeles on a scholarship. Bipasha Basu, the cleverest of three siblings, studied science till std XII and then opted to contest -- and win -- the Ford Supermodel contest. Zeenat was literally pressured into entering the Miss India pageant by friends. The domestic picture could not have been more diverse -- Zeenat's parents divorced in her infancy. She lived a predominantly boarding school life, while Bipasha enjoyed the warmth and affection of a family complete with a strict, but concerned, father, an easygoing mother and two sisters. When it came to their arrival in films, there was an obvious meeting point. Both signed several films even before their first releases. If Bipasha debuted as a gold digger femme fatale in Abbas-Mustan's thriller Ajnabee and stole the show from under Kareena Kapoor, Zeenat's first significant release, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, saw her upstaging the reigning queen of the marquee, Mumtaz. To be fair, both Zeenat and Bipasha had author-backed roles. But to be fairer, they both entered brilliantly under the skin of their respective characters Jasbir-turned-Janice and Sonia. Thus, we come to the second aspect of their unconventional personalities: the non-white roles they both essayed to win a passport to stardom. Zeenat portrayed the child of a broken home who turns into a drug addict, while Bipasha was the gold-digger lover of a like-minded scoundrel. In mainstream cinema, Zeenat and Bipasha both went beyond the two heroines before them who merely drew first attention via the negative route -- Waheeda Rehman with CID and Mumtaz with her vamp act in Mere Sanam. Interestingly again, the next celluloid outing of both Zeenat and Bipasha were chilling suspense dramas that saw the sirens do a volte face and turn into pativrata wives of despicable husbands. Zeenat was the long-suffering wife of the despotic Danny Denzongpa in Dhund (and later his widow who was the key suspect in his murder), and Bipasha the woman who fights for her selfish and philandering suhaag-in-danger in Raaz. Both films were moneyspinners. If Waheeda and Mumtaz overwhelmingly stuck to the straight and narrow after achieving success, Zeenat and Bipasha did not. Extending the parameters of unconventionality beyond the grey or negative roles, they played 'tough guys' too. Zeenat was the saucy call girl of Manoranjan, the assertive child-refusing wife of Ajnabee (another meeting point between Zeenat and Basu. Zeenat costarred with Rajesh Khanna, while Bipasha romanced Khanna's real-life son-in-law Akshay Kumar); the hep con-woman of Chori Mera Kaam, the daku in Daku Hasina and the gritty victim of rape who fights to the last in Insaaf Ka Tarazu. Bipasha too went a shade beyond her ruthless Ajnabee act to enact the calculating, cold-blooded murderess in her latest success story, Jism, where she extends the connotations of her name to express The Dark Side Of Desire, the film's blurb. She also copped it in two diametrically different ways -- in the David Dhawan disappointment Chor Machaaye Shor and in the gloomy Gunaah, where she plays a rough talking policewoman who falls for a killer. She has expressed a strong desire to play a mixed bag of roles, exercising her prerogative to be sexy ('till I am 100!') as well as a substantial actress. Zeenat Aman too is pushing her boundaries now. The only film she is doing now -- Kaizad Gustad's Boom! -- has her portraying an all-black character for the first time. She has admitted to enjoying her never before role the way Bipasha revelled in Jism! Perhaps it is significant that the only megastar of the last three decades, Amitabh Bachchan, is the only star common to both of them. Though Bipasha will have AB as her daddy rather than beau in Aitbaar. Professionally, we also see in both Zeenat and Bipasha a certain degree of choosiness and a fine-tuned involvement, dedication and earthiness that makes them 'repeat value' material for their filmmakers. Of course, there is one area in which Bipasha lags way behind Zeenat -- the quality of music. Zeenat was inspiration unlimited for music savvy filmmakers and titanic music makers like R D Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Kalyanji Anandji, unleashing a musical hit parade that even today is evergreen and remix fodder. A significant quantum of her sustained popularity was thanks to her flair for enacting songs in her own stylised manner, often lacing them with erotic tenor as in Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), Haye haye yeh majboori (Roti Kapada Aur Makaan), Baat ban jaaye (Qurbani) and the title track of Satyam Shivam Sundaram. Bipasha has had hit music in Raaz and great music in Jism, but you cannot remember a single Bipasha-driven hit other than the nonsensically-worded Tu sirf mera mehboob from her debut film Ajnabee. That is one price that Bipasha will have to pay for perhaps coming in 30 years too late! The permanent deficiency of Bollywood is its lack of cerebral and imaginative scriptwriters. Who wouldn't love to have these deadly damsels cast in pithy roles opposite each other, maybe as mother and daughter, or antagonists? Would that be much to take for the male audiences?
Sun chief to visit India to woo software developers
Saturday, March 15, 2003
The head of Sun Microsystems will visit India for the first time to woo software developers in its battle with rival Microsoft. CEO Scott McNealy will spend one day each in New Delhi, Bombay and Bangalore, the tech capital, during his visit starting March 20. Sun and Microsoft are pushing rival technologies--called SunOne and .Net, respectively--in their battle to dominate Web services, which involves connecting different computer systems to do business over the Internet. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates started a new tug-of-war between the two giants in November when his company announced $400 million in investments during his India visit. During his visit, Gates made a strong pitch aimed at winning over Indian developers to his company's technology. "From the business point of view, the biggest core strength of our developers lies in India,'' K.P. Unnikrishnan, head of marketing at Sun's Indian unit, said Tuesday. Analysts say India's programmers will be crucial in developing faster, better and cheaper software built around rival technologies. Their comfort levels with competing technical blueprints can make a vital difference in the marketplace. The number of Indian developers, with their high skills and low costs, is expected to grow to 1.3 million in four years from about 400,000 to 500,000 at present. Sun has 650 employees in India. Unnikrishnan said McNealy will meet Sun's technology and sales partners, including India's top three software giants: Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro. McNealy will also address 2,000 to 3,000 independent developers at a Sun conference in Bangalore. "We have hundreds of developers in India and they could grow to thousands, depending on how fast the market grows,'' McNealy said last week.
India likely to be chosen for Intel fabrication plant
Saturday, March 15, 2003
International chip giant manufacturer, Intel has decided to build a new fabricating plant in India making an initial investment to the tune of $100 million in the project, according to media reports. "Intel had already invested in a chip design facility in India to the tune of $100 million and the company is known to have spent much more than that in the world's most populous democracy," according to the 'Inquirer'. The news will dash any remaining hopes Australia had that it might somehow persuade Intel to build the Fab there, it said. The combined factors of low labour costs, high skill rates and favourable government will all have played a part, it added. The choice of India is not too surprising. Several other countries had courted Intel, most noticeably China. India's more open form of government will have weighed heavily against China, the Inquirer said. "Building a Fab is a hugely expensive venture, the new facility is likely to cost more than 2 billion dollars to put together," it said.
Cabinet to discuss proposal to allow uplinking of foreign channels
Saturday, March 15, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 14, 2003: The Union Cabinet is likely to discuss on Monday the proposal to allow foreign news channels to uplink from India and demerger of loss-making Tea Trading Corporation from its parent company State Trading Company. The totally foreign-owned Star TV proposal of uplinking from Indian soil for a 24-hours news channel has been pending before the government and is among the issues that may come up in the meeting, sources said. The Government's decision on the proposal, the first of its kind, could have significant repercussions on private news channels with foreign equity. News channels uplinking from India would have to adhere to the foreign-equity cap stipulated by the Government in case it decides on changes in the present policy on uplinking, sources said. Similar requests have been made by BBC and CNBC after Star TV, which will end its contract with NDTV this month end. Besides this, the Cabinet is also likely to deliberate on the issue of delinking the loss making Tea Trading Corporation (TTCL) from its parent State Trading Corporation, they said. Commerce Ministry, the parent ministry responsible for STC had mooted a proposal to separate TTCL from STC by transferring the same to Project Engineering Corporation (PEC) another PSU under the same ministry. 17:38 IST
India take their revenge against New Zealand
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Centurion (South Africa),Friday, March 14, 2003: Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum's spilled sitter of Rahul Dravid virtually cost New Zealand its place in the semi-final today as India settled their scores with the Kiwis beating them by a comfortable seven-wicket margin in a World Cup Super Six match. In a stark reversal of roles from India's tour of New Zealand two months ago, the Kiwis found themselves at the receiving end of a Zaheer Khan-inspired Indian pace bowling fury and were skittled out for a paltry 146 in 45.1 overs after being put in to bat by Sourav Ganguly on a good batting track. Zaheer Khan finished with four wickets and also became the quickest Indian to reach 100 wickets in one-day internationals. And despite the minor hiccups which saw the team lose its first three wickets for only 21 runs, India cruised home with relative ease, scoring 150 in 40.4 overs. Mohammad Kaif top- scored with an unbeaten 68 while Dravid, who was let off by McCullum when on one, made 53 not out. The two were associated in India's best fourth-wicket partnership against New Zealand. India's victory looked assured once New Zealand were bundled out for a low score but pace sensation Shane Bond brought some excitement into the game with his two early strikes in the form of Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly. Sehwag flashed at a widish delivery to be caught in the slips after making one run while Ganguly, who scored three, was bowled off a virtually unplayable yorker. When Tendulkar, who made 15 with three fours, hit Daryl Tuffey for a smashing square cut straight into the hands of Jacob Oram at point, India had slipped to 21 for three in the fifth over and New Zealand suddenly started fancying their chances. However, Dravid and Kaif played sensibly after that, adding 129 runs for their unfinished partnership which bettered India's previous best fourth wicket stand against New Zealand of 101 recorded by Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengasarkar. Both the batsmen offered a few chances to the New Zealand fielders early in their innings before settling down to guide their side to its seventh consecutive one-day victory. Kaif, who was lucky that a couple of his uppish drives were out of the reach of the fielders, was the more impressive of the two as he rotated the strike with ease and also played some delightful cover-driven boundaries. He struck eight fours in his highest knock of the this tournament. 21:31 IST
Mumbai train blast: toll rises to 12
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Mumbai,Friday, March 14, 2003: The death toll in last night's powerful blast in a local train at suburban Mulund here Thursday night has risen to 12, with two more persons succumbing to injuries today. Of the 12 victims, four are women, including two police constables. Over 65 persons injured in the mishap, were admitted to Savarkar Hospital, Mulund General Hospital, Chetna Hospital, Pooja Nursing Home, Rajawadi Hospital, Sion Hospital and Breach Candy, police said here today. The blast had occurred in the first class ladies' compartment when a Karjat-bound local was entering platform number three at Mulund railway station. This is the fourth blast in the city in last three months. Meanwhile, police have stepped up security all over the city in view of Muharram and strict vigil was being maintained at important places including Mantralaya and airport. While the government last night announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the kin of each of those killed, chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who visited the Rajawadi Hospital near Ghatkopar in north-east Mumbai, announced that an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 would be disbursed for those killed while Rs 10,000 would be given to the injured. 15:32 IST
200 kgs of RDX and other explosives recovered from hideouts
Saturday, March 15, 2003
Jammu,Friday, March 14, 2003: Security forces today busted two militant hideouts and recovered a large quantity of explosive material, including 200 kg of RDX in Doda and Udhampur districts of Jammu division, Defence sources said here. Security forces busted a hideout in Hamirpur area of Doda district today and recovered 200 kgs of RDX from four gunny bags, the sources said. Besides, the security forces also recovered plastic cans containing 50 litres of Acetyline, one bundal of coper wire, 10 kgs of sharpnal and one kg of Sulphuric acid from the hideout. Security forces also recovered eight UBGL grenades, two handgrenades, 24 UMG rounds, 42 AK rounds and three AK magazines, the sources said adding both these hideouts were smashed by the troops later. 21:31 IST
Malaysia expresses regret over ill-treatment of Indians
Friday, March 14, 2003
Kuala Lumpur,Friday, March 14, 2003: In a damage-control exercise, Malaysia today expressed regret over the detention and ill-treatment of over 200 Indian IT professionals here and said the allegations made against the police were "serious" that could impair bilateral relations. Acting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also asked Inspector-General of Police to personally investigate Sunday's incident and report to him by next week, according to official Bernama news agency. The agency said that Abdullah expressed regret over the incident and said the allegations against the police were "serious" and could impair "the excellent bilateral relations we have with India." "From the reports that I've read, there're certain facets to the incident which trouble me. I've directed Tan Sri Norian to personally handle the investigations and report to me directly by next week at the latest," Abdullah said in response to questions from Bernama. Police on Sunday raided an apartment building in Brickfields here and rounded up the Indian nationals, mainly IT specialists, suspecting them to be illegal immigrants. Those detained have alleged that they were treated roughly and some claimed that their passports have been defaced. Abdullah said that police had denied the allegations. However, given that the allegations were serious, he said that he had asked Norian to personally re-look at the matter. Asked about the allegations that some of the Indian nationals had their passports defaced, Abdullah said: "Yes, I'm aware of that. That will be one of the things Tan Sri Norian will be looking into." Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri has also lodged a diplomatic protest against the alleged ill-treatment of the Indian nationals. Abdullah assured the Indian Government that he would personally get to the bottom of the incident. Asked about claims that the police action was targeted specifically against Indian nationals, Abdullah said: "That is not true. The authorities have been constantly taking such action against illegal immigrants of all nationalities." Newspapers regularly report such operations against foreign nationals, he said. 19:10 IST
Zaheer becomes the quickest Indian to claim 100 wickets
Friday, March 14, 2003
Centurion,Friday, March 14, 2003: Speedster Zaheer Khan today created history by becoming the quickest Indian to claim 100 wickets in one-day internationals. Zaheer, who took 4-42 to help his side skittle out New Zealand for 146 in a World Cup Super Six match here, achieved the landmark when he castled Brendon McCullum. Zaheer, who has taken his wickets tally to 101 in 65 matches, eclipsed the record of teammate Ajit Agarkar who had reached the 100-wicket milestone in 67 one-day matches. The left-handed bowler said after the innings that he was happy to be among wickets with some good bowling performance. "I was the one who was not bowling the best in the tournament. I am happy to be among wickets today. "It is a great feeling to have reached the 100 wickets milestone. It is a great moment in my career," he said. The four wickets made Zaheer Khan the joint leading wicket taker for his side in this edition of the World Cup with 15 wickets. He shares the place with veteran Javagal Srinath. He also equalled his career-best bowling performance today, having claimed an identical 4-42 against Zimbabwe in 2001. The Baroda paceman said he was disappointed for not getting more wickets after the initial burst. "I was trying to bowl up and did not try anything extra-ordinary. There was something on the track and the ball was carrying nicely. "However, I am a bit disappointed for not continuing with the start." Though he claimed Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle in the second and third ball of the match, he gave away 28 runs in his first three overs forcing captain Sourav Ganguly to replace him with Ashish Nehra. 19:10 IST
India beat New Zealand by seven wickets
Friday, March 14, 2003
Centurion (South Africa),Friday, March 14, 2003: India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in a World Cup Super Six match here today. Brief Scores New Zealand: 146 in 45.1 overs (S Fleming 30, J Oram 23, C Cairns 20; Zaheer 4-42, Harbhajan 2-28) India: 150 for 3 in 40.4 overs (M Kaif 68 no, R Dravid 53 no; S Bond 2-23). 20:43 IST
India gears up to help Iraq war victims
Friday, March 14, 2003
NEW DELHI, March 13 (UPI) -- India has geared up men and machines to help provide humanitarian relief to Iraq in the event of an attack by U.S.-led forces, official sources said Thursday. Scores of doctors are lined up to take off within a few hours' notice aboard aircraft stocked with medicines and mobile operations equipment. "We won't be on the forefront of the war but we will surely be not left behind in providing relief and succor to the war victims," a source in India's foreign ministry said. India says it will play a major role in rebuilding Iraq, which it considers a close friend. India's Star TV news had said earlier that India and several other nations have shaped their blueprint for relief based on a secret internal United Nations report presented to Secretary General Kofi Annan last December. The report predicted several hundred thousand people will be directly affected in conflict, requiring instant medical attention, and there could be many more again as indirect casualties. Overall estimates run close to 2 million people who will be uprooted and require assistance out of Iraq's population of about 24 million. Indian authorities have already asked its 50-odd nationals to leave Iraq as the war clouds began to loom large over the region. However, Indian Embassy officials in Baghdad say they will stay put and help Indian community in case of need. Despite U.S. President George Bush's telephone call to Indian premier Atal Behari Vajpayee to seek New Delhi's support in an attack on Iraq, India has said it does not favor a military conflict. Vajpayee Wednesday opposed Washington's plans to effect a regime change in Baghdad, calling it "wrong." "Governments should be changed by the people and established by them. No outside force should be allowed to change a regime," Vajpayee said in comments to Parliament, where opposition parties called upon the government to oppose the war even if it were sanctioned by the United Nations. "Use of external force by a superpower to change a regime will be wrong and this should not be supported," he said. Vajpayee called for more time for Iraq to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions. "If unilateralism prevails, the U.N. would be deeply scarred, with disastrous consequences for the world order," Vajpayee told Parliament. Vajpayee had earlier told a meeting of opposition lawmakers that India was pursuing the neutral path as it enjoyed good relations with both the United States and Iraq. New Delhi has also ruled out extending use of its facilities to the United States if it went ahead with unilateral military action against Iraq. India is one of very few nations that maintained diplomatic relations with Iraq after Baghdad suffered international isolation following the 1991 Gulf war. Although 82 percent of India's more than 1 billion people are Hindus, it is also home to world's second-largest Muslim population after Indonesia. Many Indian citizens protested the permission extended by New Delhi to the United States during the 1991 Gulf War that allowed U.S. military planes to stop and refuel during Iraq missions.
Entertainment Industry On Show At Mumbai Meet
Friday, March 14, 2003
Global giants are descending on Mumbai this weekend for a brain-storming convention aimed at tapping India's potential as a hub for the entertainment business. Analysts say India is emerging as a strong market, driven by the vast potential of its film and television industry. The three-day convention, known as FRAMES, starts Friday, March 14. Delegates are expected to explore possibilities for deals with Indian film and television companies. Nearly 50 foreign personalities from around the world are expected to participate in the meet, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. "The focus is to pitch the Indian entertainment industry on the global platform after the recent success of our products even in the overseas markets," said Siddhartha Dasgupta, joint director of FICCI. He said a number of deals between global and Indian entertainment companies are expected to materialise over the weekend. "Apart from the high profile speakers at the convention, there are many other delegates from big global companies who would be interested in striking good deals with our companies," Dasgupta told AFP. Leading entertainment and media firms such as Columbia Tristar, CNN and BBC would be represented at the convention. India's entertainment industry led by Bollywood has been garnering recognition in a big way after Lagaan was nominated for an Oscar in 2001. Apart from Lagaan, movies such as Monsoon Wedding and Bend It Like Beckham further opened a new dimension for crossover cinema offering a wider reach and a larger audience. "Everyone is aware of India's rich creative talent and labour advantages. This can be utilised better for development of our sector as well as add value to the world entertainment business," Dasgupta added. Analysts said the true potential would however be exploited only in the long run as the entertainment sector, especially films, attained industry status in India only two years ago. "Even software took nearly 20 years to achieve the status that it has today and it is much more structured. The same to a large extent would be with entertainment," said Sanjiv Agrawal, partner with Ernst and Young. He, however, said a beginning could be made through a wider distribution and marketing of foreign films in India. "Undoubtedly India with its Bollywood and south Indian industry network is a large market for global companies. A much more aggressive presence of foreign films would be seen in India in the future," Agrawal added. Some of the recent hits in India have been Hollywood productions such as Spiderman and Die Another Day, raking in more business than big Bollywood blockbusters. "The three day convention would also go a long way to enhance film production for Hollywood in India. It would take some time, but the possibility is definitely there," added Agrawal. The convention would also host debates on brand building in film industry, promotion, live entertainment shows, co-productions and intellectual property rights.
Wait for NHRC report; says CM
Friday, March 14, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 12 : Even as the Opposition LDF's stir demanding a judicial probe into the police firing on tribals at Muthanga gained momentum, Chief Minister A K Antony today made it clear that government would take further steps in the matter only after getting the report of National Human Rights Commission. Answering questions during the Cabinet briefing, Antony said the State Governemnt had submitted its report on the issue to NHRC as directed by the commission. The governemnt would proceed further in the matter as per the directive of the commission, he said, terming as "unfortunate" the Opposition sponsored agitation. Antony said the government would fully co-operate with the NHRC. He also contradicted the claim that more than one tribal had been killed in police firing and said that "truth will come out". Meanwhile, the indefinite fast by four LDF MLA's before the Secretariat, entered the the fifth-day today. The Students Federation of India and All India Students Federation activists took out marches to the Secretariat and expressed solidarity with the fasting MLA's.
Tension in Bihar town
Friday, March 14, 2003
Tension in Bihar town DARBHANGA, MAR 14 Tension gripped this north Bihar town today following damage to an old Shiva temple and desecration and theft of some idols which led to loud protests and incidents of stone pelting, police said. Stones and brickbats were pelted against each other by people belonging to two communities at sensitive Rahamganj locality, while angry protestors took to the streets at Laheriasarai police station area against the incident, which took place at Darupatti late last night, DIG (Provision) and spokesman for state police, Rituraj told in Patna. Five persons were taken into custody for interrogation in connection with the theft of the idols that took place last night, DIG (Provision) and spokesman for state police, Rituraj told in Patna. Senior officials were camping at the spot and police patrolling was intensified in the town, which witnessed spontaneous bandh with all shops and business establishments closed and vehicles plying in depleted numbers. Besides, additional reinforcements were being rushed from adjoining Samastipur and Madhubani districts to assist the district armed police to maintain law and order, Rituraj said. Close vigil was being kept on trouble-makers, he said, adding security would be further tightened to ensure peaceful passage of Muharram processions in the town. Meanwhile, VHP Darbhanga unit has announced that it would not allow the processions to pass through Rahamganj main road in protest.
India win toss, elect to field
Friday, March 14, 2003
Centurion (South Africa),Friday, March 14, 2003: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly won the toss and elected to field against New Zealand in their World Cup Super Six match here today. Teams (from): India: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Mohd Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh. New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Craig McMillan, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori, Darrel Tuffey, Shane Bond. Umpires: Peter Willey (England) and Daryl Harper (Australia). TV Umpire: Darrel Hair (Australia). Match-referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka). 13:18 IST
India scales up participation at Abu Dhabi Defence Show
Friday, March 14, 2003
India scales up participation at Abu Dhabi Defence Show Abu Dhabi,Friday, March 14, 2003: India has scaled up its participation at the International Defence Exhibition which opens here Sunday, eyeing the vast Middle East market that accounts for 40 per cent of global arms trade. A high-power delegation led by Minister of State for Defence Production O Rajagopal will attend the March 16-20 IDEX 2003 exhibition, Middle East's largest military show, where the country will showcase indegeniously produced arms as part of the Defence Ministry's resolve to raise arms exports from the current Rs two billion to Rs 10 billion. India's participation in the Defence show "is a reflection of the close relations that exist between the governments and peoples of United Arab Emirates," an Indian embassy statement said here. Despite tension in the region over a possible US-led attack on Iraq, as many as 825 international defence companies from 45 countries are attending the prestigious event which also has on its invitee list more than 55 Defence Ministers and 17 Chiefs of Staff. Apart from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), comprising 39 factories engaged in weapons systems and ammunition production, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Earth Movers limited from India will participate in the event. Indian Naval Warship INS-Mumbai, with a crew of 30 officers and 300 sailors, will also take part in the naval show being organised at Mina Zayed as part of sixth IDEX. Among the products on diplay at the show will be the 155 mm field gun developed by OFB with a range of 39 km. 12:01 IST
High alert in Ayodhya, excavation remains suspended
Friday, March 14, 2003
Ayodhya,Friday, March 14, 2003: Security personnel in Ayodhya were put on high alert in the wake of the Mumbai train blast and Muharram even as excavation at the disputed site remained suspended on account of the public holiday today. Personnel of the CRPF, PAC and Uttar Pradesh police maintained a strict vigil both in the temple town and adjoining Faizabad to prevent any untoward incident, particularly during the Muharram processions. "The situation is totally normal both in Faizabad and Ayodhya. There has been no additional deployment of any forces. Our motto is to provide security while being unobtrusive," Divisional Commissioner Faizabad R M Srivastava told. Darshan at the makeshift temple continued unhindered. Meanwhile, after two days of excavation to ascertain whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure as per the order of Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, work remained suspended on account of Muharram today. Srivastava said work would remain suspended on March 19 also on account of Holi but would be carried out on Sunday. "We have to provide a weekly off to the labourers engaged in the excavation. We propose to do it on a rotation basis so that Sundays are also utilised with a view to complete the task within a month as directed by the Hon'ble Court," he said. Excavation would be carried out Saturday in fresh trenches opposite the makeshift temple as digging at the earlier four 4X4 metre trenches had led to the floor of the demolished structure. The Archaelogical Survey of India team led by Superintendent archaelogist B R Mani has decided not to carry out further excavation on the floor of the demolished structure till obtaining permission from the court. On the second day of excavation yesterday archaelogists came across a shell and basal and few brickmarks of 1920s' vintage. 12:47 IST
Indian wins prestigious international award for conservation
Friday, March 14, 2003
London,Friday, March 14, 2003: Founder-Director of the Bangalore-based Asian Elephant Research and Conservation Centre Professor Raman Sukumar has won the Whitley Golden Award, the most prestigious international award in the field of environment conservation, for his work in saving endangered Asian Elephants. Sukumar received the award popularly known as the "Green Oscar" along with a cash prize of 50,000 pounds from Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society here Thursday night. This is the fourth year in succession that an Indian has bagged the award. Last year, a Pune scientist, Dr Anand Karve won the award for developing a technique to produce clean fuel from sugarcane waste. In 2001, Vivek Menon, chief of the Wildlife Trust of India, was chosen for the award for his fight against poaching of elephants. In 2000, Gargi Banerji, a botanist, won the Golden Award for work in conserving medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh. After receiving the award, Sukumar said he planned to spend the cash prize to provide support to local farmers to mitigate the impact of elephants on their lands as well as to help his field research team which acts as a "watchdog" - identifying threats such as poaching for ivory and monitoring the health of the elephant population. 09:46 IST
India might take a hard look vis-a-vis S&T coop with Malaysia
Friday, March 14, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram,Friday, March 14, 2003: India today warned Malaysia that it would have to take a hard look at the bilateral scientific and technological cooperation if harassment of Indian IT professionals in that country continued. "We have lodged a very strong protest with them and if this continues India will have to take several decisions about science and technology cooperation and cooperative ventures in other areas," Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi told here reacting to ill treatment meted out to Indian I T professionals in Kuala Lumpur recently. "Indian experts cannot be treated like that," Joshi said. Asked how he viewed the global investor meet organised by the Kerala Government in January, he said "such meets are welcome since a proper investment climate needs to be created in the country as well as Kerala. There should, however, be very careful assessment about the nature, size and the employment potential of investments from these global investor meets to be helpful," he said. 12:47 IST
Maha CM convenes high-level meeting in view of Mulund blast
Friday, March 14, 2003
Mumbai,Friday, March 14, 2003: Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has today convened a high-level meeting in view of Thursday night's powerful bomb blast in a suburban train that killed 11 people and injured over 65 at Mulund railway station. The meeting, to take place in the afternoon at Varsha, the Chief Minister's official residence, would be attended by senior police officials, bureaucrats from the Home Department and representatives of the armed forces, official sources said here. Earlier, Shinde, who visited the mangled coach of the ill-fated suburban train said "there is a similarity between the December two Ghatkopar bomb blast and yesterday's incident". According to preliminary reports, ammonium nitrate might have been used in the blast, he said. Refusing to name any particular group, the Chief Minister said "we have got definite lead and the investigations are in progress". Meanwhile, Shinde, who was to tour Nasik today, has cancelled his visit.
Mumbai train blast: toll rises to 11
Friday, March 14, 2003
Mumbai,Friday, March 14, 2003: The death toll in the powerful blast in a local train here Thursday night has risen to 11 with one more person succumbing to his injuries early today in a hospital at suburban Mulund. The blast had occured in the ladies' first class compartment when a Karjat-bound local was entering platform number three at Mulund railway station. Of the 11 victims, four are women, including two police constables. Over 65 people injured in the mishap, have been admitted to Savarkar Hospital, Mulund General Hospital, Chetna Hospital, Pooja Nursing Home, Rajawadi Hospital, Sion Hospital and Breach Candy, police said here today. This is the fourth blast in the city in last three months. Meanwhile, police has stepped up security all over the city in view of Muharram today and strict vigil is being maintained at important places including Mantralaya and airport. The Government last night announced compensation of Rs 2,00,000 to the kin of each victim. 09:46 IST
Singapore PM visits India next month for talks on CECA
Friday, March 14, 2003
Singapore PM visits India next month for talks on CECA Singapore,Friday, March 14, 2003: India and Singapore will mark the beginning of a new trade regime when Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong visits New Delhi early next month to initiate talks on having a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between the two countries. The scope of CECA will be beyond the conventional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and compass greater possibilities for economic and trade relations between the two countries. It will also give India an opportunity to forge closer alliance with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Apart from the diplomatic mission, Goh will head a select business delegation during his visit to India. "The agreement will allow Singapore to serve as a launch pad for India in the South-East Asia and beyond and will link Singapore with India's vibrant economy and its enormous market," said Hsieh Fu Hua, CEO Singapore Exchange, during an investors' meet jointly organised by ICICI Securities and Singapore Exchange (SGX). "The trade pact for which the bilateral; discussions will start now is expected to be inked by mid 2004," said an official from the diplomatic mission in Singapore. The CECA was mooted during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's visit to Singapore in April last year. The two countries then set up a joint study group to explore the feasibility of the alliance. 11:41 IST
Wright wants India to throw New Zealand out
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Wright wants India to throw New Zealand out Centurion (South Africa),Wednesday, March 12, 2003: Even while refusing to call it a grudge game, Indian coach John Wright today said his team would try its best to throw New Zealand out of the World Cup when the two sides meet in a Super Six match here on Friday. "If we beat New Zealand, they would no longer be part of the competition. So we are going all out to win the game," Wright said as India prepared to avenge their humiliation during the New Zealand tour two months ago. India have already qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament and their victory in Friday's game would result in the end of the road for New Zealand. "It's a very good position to be in," Wright said. "But it's a very important game on Friday. They are difficult opponents." Wright, a former New Zealand captain, denied that the Indians were going in the match to seek revenge. "There is no grudge. We just have to play as well as we have done in the last few games." Wright said the chances of India winning the World Cup had improved manifold since the start of the tournament. "We are getting further down that part. We are now one of the four teams which has that opportunity. It started with 14 teams, so we have got a chance," said Wright after the team's practice session at the Centurion Park. 20:09 IST
It is self-belief, affirms Ganguly
Thursday, March 13, 2003
It is self-belief, affirms Ganguly Johannesburg,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, in the midst of an upsurge in his fortunes, believes he is successful because he has not stopped believing in himself. "I know I am a performer and have a record as good as anyone around. I just stick to my game. The rest of the things do not bother me," said Ganguly whose batting form in this World Cup is second only to the irrepressible Sachin Tendulkar and whose captaincy has inspired his largely young team to a place in the semi-finals. Ganguly has already struck two hundreds in the competition and amassed 327 runs from eight games at an average of 54.50, second only to Tendulkar's 571 from eight games at an average of 71.37. "I believe if you are good, you will always perform. If you have quality in you, it can never be suppressed," said Ganguly whose career is dotted with instances of fighting against the odds. "I am playing well when it is required and that is the important thing. I have never wanted to prove to anybody. Only to myself whether I am good enough to do things. That has been the key to my whole approach," he said in an exclusive interview here.
Kenya make India's path easy with upset win over Zimbabwe
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Bloemfontein (South Africa),Wednesday, March 12, 2003: India's prospects of entering the final of the World Cup cricket received an unexpected boost today when minnows Kenya shocked Zimbabwe with a seven-wicket win in a Super Six tie. With their upset victory, Kenyans made their maiden entry into the semi-finals for which Australia and India have already qualified. The fourth place will go to either Sri Lanka or New Zealand, depending on the outcome of their respective last Super Six matches. The upset victory by Kenya ensured them a third-place finish which means they will meet India, second in the Super Six table behind Australia, in the semi-finals. India, who have 16 points and a match to go, had beaten Kenya by six wickets last week. New Zealand will take on India on Friday and a win there would ensure it the fourth place in the semi-finals. The fate of Sri Lanka, which is to meet Zimbabwe in their last match, will be decided by the result of the India-New Zealand match, only an Indian victory clearing the way for the islanders who have 7.5 points against 8 for New Zealand. In today's game, Kenya made mincemeat of Zimbabwe, skittling them for a paltry 133 runs before racing their way to victory in just 26 overs. Maurice Odumbe hammered 38 unbeaten runs from just 20 deliveries while Thomas Odoyo made 43 not out to star in Kenya's second big upset in this tournament. They Kenyans had earlier stunned former champions Sri Lanka in the league matches. 20:25 IST
TRAI fixes longer off-peak hours for concessional Net tariffs
Thursday, March 13, 2003
TRAI fixes longer off-peak hours for concessional Net tariffs New Delhi,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: Providing a breather to internet users, the telecom regulator today decided to extend the off-peak time for internet services by four hours from 8 PM to 8 AM, during which service providers would offer concessional rates for dial-up access to the net. The off-peak hours at present are 10.30 PM to 6.30 AM. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has not specified the extent of concession that is to be offered during the off-peak hours leaving it to the discretion of individual operators and market forces, although the regulator has cautioned that it would not hesitate to specify the extent of concessions, if required. "It (TRAI) will keep a close watch on the functioning of this arrangement and should it at any time observe that the measure is not having the desired effect, it would intervene and, if necessary, specify the extent of concessions as well," a TRAI statement said here. "The concerns of the basic operators about the recovery of their costs having being largely taken care of through the new Interconnection Usage Charge (IUC) regime and the 24th amendment to the Tariff Order, it is reasonable to expect that the operators can now, on their own offer affordable concessionary rates for dial-up access to the internet, at least in the off peak hours," TRAI said notifying 25th amendment to Telecom Tariff Order, 1999. TRAI said that the present off-peak hours offered less choice to the users in terms of time and are such that a large majority of users could not easily take advantage of concessionary rates available during the period. 19:02 IST
US state lehislature passes resolution on Kashmir
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Washington In an unusual move, a US State legislature has passed a resolution on Kashmir which India feels could have been done under the influence of anti-India and pro-Pak elements. The resolution passed by New Hampshire legislature recently called for "increased diplomacy to achieve a just, peaceful and rapid resolution of the conflict between India and Pakistan, relative to the state of Jammu and Kashmir." Voicing concern over the development, India's Ambassador to the US Lalit Mansingh, in a letter to the leaders of the legislature, said that Jammu and Kashmir continued to face cross-border infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan which is the world's "most notorious breeding ground for terrorism". Despite foreign policy being the prerogative of the US President, the Concurrent resolution 16 was passed by active influence of anti-India and pro-Pak elements with accompanying speeches reflecting Pakistani propaganda. Mansingh said cross-border terrorism is continuing in Kashmir despite Islamabad's pledges to US to stop it. "Pakistan's territorial claims on India are both irredentist and illegitimate.... Over the last 55 years, it has sought to expand those territorial ambitions through the use of force," Mansingh said. "Having initiated and lost three wars with India, Pakistan, now relies on the use of terrorism to achieve its political objectives," he said. Mansingh said Pakistan's "nurturing of the al-Qaeda and the Taliban ...and acts of terrorism against India are products of the same jihadi culture that the Pakistan military has assiduously fostered over the years". 18:25 IST
PM opposes US plans to effect regime change in Iraq
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Under attack from the Opposition for not calling spade a spade in the evolving Iraq crisis, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today strongly opposed US plans to effect a regime change there, saying it was "wrong" and should not be supported. "Governments should be changed by the people and established by them. No (no) outside force should be allowed to change a regime," he said in perhaps the strongest-ever disapproval of the US moves to attack Iraq and remove President Saddam Hussein from power. He also said Iraq should be given more time to comply with UN Security Coucil resolutions. Vajpayee was responding to clarifications sought by Opposition members in Lok Sabha after he made a prepared statement on the emerging situation in Iraq. "Use of external force by a superpower to change a regime will be wrong and this should not not be supported," he said. Though it has positioned itself against war in Iraq, the government has been under attack from the Opposition for not (not) coming out clearly against the US military moves. An all-party meeting on Monday had failed to evolve a consensus on framing a resolution on the issue. Reaffiring government's stand, the Prime Minister asserted that any unilateral military action against Iraq would lead to "disastrous consequences". "If unilateralism prevails, the UN would be deeply scarred, with disastrous consequences for the world order," he told both the Houses of Parliament. 16:23 IST
India has its own cryogenic technology : PM
Thursday, March 13, 2003
Ahead of India's plans for its first flight of the Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle powered by a home-made cryogenic engine next year, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said the country has been successful in acquiring the engine technology. "We have very close cooperation with Russia in the field of space. When we had problems procuring cryogenic engines we contacted Russia and it was ready to help us. "But we have been telling our scientists that you should work on making cryogenic engines. I am happy to inform the House that we have been successful in making cryogenic engines," he said in a brief intervention during the question hour. India's homemade cryogenic rocket engine that is under development since 1993 crossed a major milestone in September last with the successful ground test firing for duration of 1,000 seconds more than what is required during the actual flight. Replying to supplementaries, Minister of State for Planning, Statistics and Space, Satyabrata Mukherjee said a proposal has been submitted to Thailand by Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of ISRO, for design, development and launching of a remote sensing satellite.
No let up in Pak terrorist activities: Naidu
Thursday, March 13, 2003
No let up in Pak terrorist activities: Naidu New Delhi,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: The BJP today said there was no let up in Pakistani terrorist activities despite promises made by President General Parvez Musharraf from time to time that he would curb the activities of Jihadi organisations. "As long as cross-border terrorism continues, it does not make any sense to start a dialogue with Pakistan," Party president M Vankaiah Naidu told a delegation of Communist Party of China. "We have made many attempts in the past to improve relations with Pakistan but all our overtures have been spurned," Naidu said. He said while the international attention is currently focused on Iraq, it is almost forgotten that the real centre of global terrorism is Pakistan. "The international community will ignore this fact at its peril. It is imperative that all those who are helping Pakistan financially or militarily should review their policies before it becomes too late," he said. Naidu said the international arena is now facing a new set of problems. The old equations have changed and new ones have not emerged yet. "We are passing through a sort of transitional period which provides its own challenges and opportunities," he said. 19:02 IST
India demands quick answers on ill treatment to its nationals
Thursday, March 13, 2003
New Delhi: With no explanation forthcoming from the Malaysian Government over last Sunday's ill-treatment meted out to 270 Indian nationals, mostly IT professionals, in Kuala Lumpur, India today asked Malaysia to provide quick answers to why such action was resorted to. New Delhi request for a speedy response was conveyed by the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to the Malaysian authorities. It was stressed that the entire incident needed to be looked into. "Certainly, the issue is very much on the table," External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters observing that "this incident is causing a shadow on bilateral relations". Of the 195 Indian nationals taken to the police station last Sunday, 192 have since been released after it was ascertained that all of them carried valid visas and work permits. Three of them including two IT professionals still remain in the custody of the Malaysian police. Contesting remarks made by visiting Malaysian minister Mohd. Nazri Abdul Aziz that the action was part of the drive against illegal immigrants, the spokesman said the campaign was basically aimed at unskilled workers pouring into Malaysia from other countries and not against highly qualified persons many of whom had been given SMART cards issued by the Malaysian authorities with proper employment visas. "To equate this category with illegal immigrants is wrong", he said. Asked why the Malaysian police had resorted to such action, he said "I wouldn't like to hazard a guess but we would like to get to the bottom of it". 19:29 IST
Excavation begins in Ayodhya amid tight security
Thursday, March 13, 2003
The excavation at the disputed site in Ayodhya to find out whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure began Wednesday amidst tight security. The digging began at 1335 hrs 10 feet away from the make-shift temple after a three-hour survey by a team of Archaeological Survey of India and consultations among the parties to the dispute as per fresh guidelines issued by Allahabad High Court.
Top JeM Commander killed in Noida
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: A top Commander of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit was killed in an encounter with a joint team of Special Task Force and Noida Police in Noida, adjoing Delhi, in the wee hour of today. Manjoor Dar alias Sirajudin Khan, JeM area commander of Baramulla district in Kashmir, was killed at around 2:30 am in Sector 34 of the satellite town of Uttar Pradesh, SP Noida Vijaya Bhushan Singh told. An AK-47 rifle, its two magazine, two hand grenades and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from him. Dar was travelling on a motorcycle from Delhi to Muradabad in U P when he was intercepted following a specific information, Singh said. Dar, who hailed from Sakkar in Sindh province of Pakistan, was planning an attack in Delhi or Mumbai, STF SSP Rajiv Ranjan Verma, who led the operation, told. Dar had come to Delhi in September last year and had carried out recce of Parliament House, India Gate and some other crowded places, Verma said. Later, he went to Mumbai where he conducted recee of Mumbai Stock Exchane and other crowded place with an intention of carrying out an attack, he added. Verma said that they had arrested two of his associates in Muzaffarnagar from whom police got information about Dar and later laid a trap in Noida. Police is looking for some more of his associates, he added. 09:50 IST
India for disarming Iraq through peaceful methods
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
United Nations,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: Stressing the need to disarm Iraq through peaceful means, India has asserted that force should be used only as the "very last, unavoidable" option and as authorised by the UN Security Council. As the discussions on disarmament of Iraq enter a critical phase, it is important to underline that "our focus should be on the need to secure disarmament without resorting to force as far as possible," India's Ambassador to UN, Vijay Nambiar, said participating in the Security Council debate on the situation in Iraq. The international community, he emphasised, has to strike a balance between the objective of achieving Iraq's full compliance with UN resolutions and the means adopted to reach goal. "The balance can be best achieved through a collective decision of international community through the United Nations," he said. "If the actions of the Council are to be seen to possess legitimacy, they must be issued from a body which is united and acts responsibly towards ensuring compliance by the regime in Iraq, ensures stability in the immediate neighbourhood and safeguards international peace and security in the region as whole," Nambiar said Warning that the cost of war would be "incalculable" in material and human terms in the region and beyond, he urged Iraq to cooperate "actively" with the weapons inspection process and comply fully with the Council resolutions. Nambiar also asked the Council to act unitedly on the issue to ensure that credibility of the UN is not weakened. 09:50 IST
Sanctions on Indian company not to affect Indo-US ties: US
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Washington,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: United States has said that the sanctions slapped on Indian company Protech Consultants Pvt Ltd along with a Jordanian national under the Iran-Iraq Non-proliferation Act, will not have negative impacts on its relations with New Delhi or Amman. Imposed for "knowingly and materially contributing to Iraq's chemical and biological weapons programme," the sanctions do not extend to the countries of India or Jordan, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Tuesday. "We do not see this issue as having an impact on US relations with India or Jordan as we cooperate and work with these governments because of our common desire to halt proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," he said. The penalties against the Indian firm and Jordanian national Mohammed al-Khatib were applicable for a period of two years. It includes a ban on any contracts with the US and ban on the approval of licenses to import American goods. The decision to impose sanctions was taken on February 13 and was published in the Federal Register Tuesday. The alleged activities of the entities or their involvement with Iran or Iraq were not revealed.
Foresight Group eyes Indian hospitality market after China
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Beijing,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: After promoting an Indian restaurant chain in China, London-based NRI shipping firm Foresight Group is diversifying its operations to India's hospitality market, a senior company official said here today. "We have plans to enter India's hospitality market and are actively considering various options," Managing Director of the company's Hospitality Division, Sanjeev Goswami, said. He said the Group is on the lookout for openings in the huge Indian hospitality market and would participate in the sale/bidding process of public sector hotels. The Foresight Group, led by London-based NRI Ravi Mehrotra, has already opened four high-class Indian restaurants in three Chinese cities and is in the final stages of opening two more. "We are in the process of opening two more Indian restaurants in China - in Hangzhou and Xi'a n," Goswami said. By the end of 2004, the Group plans to have eight to 10 more Indian restaurants in major Chinese cities. Further, the Group has plans to franchise Indian restaurants in 20 more Chinese cities to popularise Indian food, he said. The Foresight Group, which entered China in 1994 in the booming east China metropolis of Shanghai, has opened two restaurants in the sprawling city and popularised its brand name - Tandoor. Recalling his decision to diversify the group's operations into the hospitality sector in 1994, Mehrotra said at the formal opening ceremony of Tandoor restaurant here that the decision was made after Shanghai's Mayor urged him to open a world-class Indian restaurant in the city while he was there to attend a shipping conference. 09:50 IST
Front wheel of a coach jumps off rail near Malda station
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Kolkata,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: The Front wheel of a coach of 3164 dn Sealdah bound Hatabazary Express jumped off the rail while it was entering Malda town station from Kathiawar Tuesday night, according to Eastern Railway sources here. However, there was no injury to any passengers, they said. Senior railway officials rushed to the spot and the coach was detached from the train as a result the train was delayed for about one hour. Meanwhile, the engine of the 2195 up Howrah-Malda town passenger train dashed against a bull on the upline of Howrah-Bandel main line section of ER tonight, they said. The engines brake pipe was damaged as a result and the train stopped for one and half hours. Another engine was rushed from Howrah for the onward journey of the train to Malda, the sources added. 09:50 IST
Deportation of gangsters picks up as bomb blast trial ends
Wednesday, March 12, 2003
Mumbai,Wednesday, March 12, 2003: Ten years after the serial explosions rocked the city on this day claiming 257 innocent lives and maiming over 700 persons, a special court is likely to deliver its verdict by June end with the Union government gearing up to deport prime conspirators Abu Salem and 33 others from foreign countries. While co-conspirator Ejaz Pathan was deported from Dubai recently, Abu Salem, who actively participated in the distribution of arms and ammunition to the co-accused, may be deported from Portugal soon. Salem was detained in Portugal for six months along with his wife and actress Monica Bedi in a case of illegal stay. As six months expire on March 18, police expect his return with the Government of India requesting Lisbon to extradite him. CBI has examined 687 witnesses and recording of evidence has concluded. After going through 30,000 pages, including evidence and documents, Judge P D Kode would give the verdict. According to public prosecutor, Ujjwal Nikam, the judgement is likely to be delivered in June. The deportation of accused has brought about a turning point in the trial because when the absconding accused are arrested and booked in the case, statements of co-accused against them could be used against them under TADA (P) Act. But if they were caught after the trial, the absconding accused would be tried separately and statements of co-accused could not be used against them, legal sources opined. Against this backdrop, the judge has set March 15 as deadline for CBI to produce or inform the status of absconding accused, including Dawood Ibrahim. 09:50 IST
Centre withdraws hike in fertiliser prices
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi, Mar 11 - The increase in the price of fertilisers was today withdrawn by Finance Minister Jaswant Singh. "I have taken back the increase in the rate of fertilisers (to the tune of Rs 700 crore)," Singh said replying to the debate on the general budget for 2003-04. Singh announced reduction of one per cent interest rate on fresh loans given by the Centre to states. He did not announce any rollback on diesel price hike. Singh said the agriculture credit would be provided at PLR plus or minus two per cent from April one this year. This will make agriculture credit 2 to 3 per cent cheaper. The new PLR rate will be announced by Reserve Bank of India soon. Singh said interest rates on loans and advances to Government employees for housing, computer and conveyance will be reduced by one per cent. He prefaced the withdrawal of fertiliser price hike saying the issue of mounting subsidy was a matter of grave concern and it had to be addressed at some point of time. "But if you don't want any increase then so be it," he said pointing out that majority of the fertiliser subsidy went to help inefficient units and did not go to farmers."
Love and respect for each other will remain=Nagma
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Two years ago, when the Australian Cricket team toured India, if there was one thing that was more talked about than the 281run massacre done by Lakshmanan, it was the Nagma- Ganguli affair. In spite of having married the girl whom he loved, Donna, Saurav Ganguli, to this day, is not willing to divulge information about his alleged affair with Nagma . But, Nagma has no hassles when it comes to occasionally giving out news about the affair. "Whatever one says, nobody has denied anything. As long as there is no denial of each others existence in each others life, any person can say anything they want. There was a career at stake, besides other things, so one had to part. One had to weigh a lot of things, rather than be on an ego trip and insist on being together." "A smaller interest had to be sacrificed for bigger interests... When a game is being played, people should understand it is a sport. Its very weird that people started getting carried away. Whenever India played, people said that a person was not doing well because he was emotionally attached. This is so juvenile. When it becomes too much, it starts affecting the interest of one another. Then slowly, though youre supposed to bring happiness to a persons life, you bring misery. Then its in the best interests to move on." " love and respect for each other will remain."
Jaal- The Trap
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
The Defense Ministers daughter Anita (Reema Sen) is sent to New Zealand away from kidnapping threats but some militants kidnap her to get their boss freed from prison. But Major Kaul (Amrish Puri) puts a spike in the wheel and saves Anita killing the militants. The majors son Ajay (Sunny) loves Neha (Tabu) and refuses to leave her to join his father. But when Neha is kidnapped, Ajay does everything in his power to get her back including kidnapping Anita for them. Anita on the other hand falls in love with Ajay and he brings her back to India. But the militants havent gained their goal so they kidnap Anita and Neha, and will now exchange them for their leader. How Ajay frees them from the trap forms the story of Jaal - The Trap. The movie also stars Jackie Shroff, Farida Jalal, Shahbaaz Khan and Aashish Vidyarthi. Music is by Anand Raj Anand.
Indian Babu
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Indian Babu, directed by Lawrence D'souza lacks freshness and resembles closely to Kajol-Shahrukh starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. It's a story of a village girl Dil (Gurleen Chopra), daughter of Sharadbabu (Alok Nath) who is under heavy debts. She is engaged to Abhay (Rajat Gowda), son of Thakur Suraj Pratap Singh (Mukesh Rishi), obviously a rich bad guy of the village. Dil has a heart attack, medical findings say that she has a hole in her heart and needs to undergo a surgery. Abhay's London-based uncle Karan (Mohan Joshi) decides to take her to London for treatment. Now, as you would have expected Dil meets Jeet (Jaz Pandher) in London. What Next? Obviously, they fall in love and sing some songs. In the meantime, Dil's surgery is successful and she is back to normal. But before they can proclaim their love for each other, Abhay re-enters and takes Dil back to India. Just what Shahrukh Khan did in DDLJ, Jeet too flies down to India. What would happen next, we all know by now. The movie is just the same, what we have seen a number of times on the big screen. Its going to be difficult for the movie to survive, and with the Cricket World Cup fever around, it even more difficult for the movie. Lawrence D'Souza's direction fails to leave a mark. The script too is weak. Jaz Pandher and Gurleen Chopra's debut performance too needs a lot to work upon. I feel it's the director who can make the best out of his cast, which Lawrence D'souza is not able too. Other casts are just OK. Verdict : Enjoy the Cricket World Cup and cheer for India, rather than wasting your time and money for this movie.
Forces map Iraq fallout for Vajpayee
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi, March 10: The Indian military briefed the political leadership headed by the Prime Minister in the operations room of the defence ministry yesterday, giving its educated understanding of the situation in the Gulf. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, defence minister George Fernandes and deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani were explained with graphics and maps the deployment of US and coalition forces around Iraq and given an assessment of force levels and components. The briefing was given by the army chief General N.C. Vij, and was also attended by senior officers of the navy and the air force. Among other things, the political leadership wanted an assessment of how long a war on Iraq by US-led forces could last, whether it could affect supply lines and if there was a chance of a spillover of the war from Iraq to other parts of the region. The heightened level of military activity on India’s western seaboard was also part of the briefing. It is understood that the Indian Air Force was also asked to have contingency plans ready to evacuate Indians from the region. Like the conflict in 1991-92, this time, too, the responsibility for a large-scale evacuation of Indians from Iraq, Kuwait and countries thought to be vulnerable will in all likelihood vest with the Indian Airlines. However, if required IAF transporters will be kept on stand-by depending on the time available and the number of people to be evacuated. Yesterday’s briefing, called hurriedly, was part of the government’s preparations ahead of the all-party meeting held this evening. Among other things, the leadership was trying to assess if oil supplies could be disrupted. The general assessment is that even if a war was to be unleashed without UN sanction, the US will try to ensure that oil supplies out of the Gulf continue unabated. India shares this concern with other countries. The understanding in the security establishment is also that a war on Iraq will begin with a blitzkrieg a continuous shower of aerial bombardment to be followed by fast-paced movement by land forces to capture Baghdad. While Iraq’s military infrastructure has vastly depleted over the years since it has been in almost a state of constant war for the better part of two decades (first, the eight year war with Iran, then the invasion of Kuwait and Operation Desert Shield and since then the continues attacks on its defences in the north and south) the fear that it might use chemical or biological weapons is high. The military has relied on inputs for its assessment from defence attaches, India’s own experience with Iraq in the past, the presence of Indians as observers and peacekeepers in the Gulf. The military gave its understanding of the strengths and positions of the Iraqi military establishment, the position of neighbouring militaries and also the possible impact on Pakistan.
Indians move out of Iraq - Delhi orders evacuation
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi, March 10: India today asked its citizens, including embassy staff, to leave Iraq immediately and foreign minister Yashwant Sinha cancelled a visit abroad as signals of another Gulf war beeped louder. Yesterday, the army chief had briefed the political leadership on war scenarios. (Page 8) The government maintained a middle path, refusing to condemn the US despite pressure from the Opposition at an all-party meeting and at the same time not saying anything against Iraq. Sinha, who called off a visit to Brussels, told reporters after the nearly two-hour meeting that Delhi has asked the 50-odd Indians in Iraq to take immediate steps to leave that country. The foreign minister said the situation was developing very rapidly but India was ready to tackle any contingency that might arise in the event of a military conflict. We have taken all precautions to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals in that area. Asked whether India would extend facilities to the US if war does break out, he said America has not made such a request so far. We will decide when the situation arises. About the second US resolution seeking UN mandate for possible military action, Sinha said: Till now, all decisions have been under the aegis of the Security Council. Even now, the US, UK and Spain have moved a resolution seeking the UN route. Earlier, the all-party meeting on Iraq convened by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee failed to reach a consensus, with the government adopting a soft stand on the US and several Opposition parties demanding condemnation of Washington’s unilateral plan to attack Baghdad. The Centre rejected a demand by Left parties and the Rashtriya Janata Dal that Parliament adopt a resolution against any unilateral US action and expressing solidarity with Iraq. The government said it does not want to be bound by a resolution in a fast-changing situation. The Congress did not insist on a resolution but wanted the government to tell Parliament what it is planning to do. Vajpayee clarified his Lok Sabha statement that the government would adopt a middle path and pointed out that both America and Iraq were friends of India. India will not like to involve itself if the US declares war without UN sanction, he said. Besides Vajpayee and Sinha, deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her party colleague Manmohan Singh were among those who attended the meeting. The meeting saw unanimity on four issues: that war should be avoided, the crisis should be resolved through peaceful means, whatever action needed should be through the Security Council and no unilateral action by the US. CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee described the meeting as very disappointing as the government had not made its stand clear despite a near-unanimous demand for a resolution in both Houses of Parliament condemning the US action. Chatterjee said the government did not want to annoy the US. The government is saying that Iraq was not wholly blameless. This is a very dangerous theory. There has been uproar in the entire world, even in the US.... This government cannot take a stand.... It does not want to annoy its American friends, he said. RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh slammed the government for not agreeing to a resolution. We should not remain neutral when possibility of atrocities being committed on Iraq is there, he said. Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav wondered how Baghdad could be attacked when UN inspectors have given it a clean chit. The Telugu Desam Party said it would support any resolution on Iraq. We support the government in taking all steps to avoid war, Desam leader K. Yerran Naidu said.
Delhi fumes at Malaysia action
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi, March 10: Bristling at police manhandling of 270 Indians working as computer specialists in Kuala Lumpur, Delhi today told Malaysia such inhuman action was unacceptable. The professionals were taken into custody after a raid yesterday on an apartment block in a predominantly ethnic Indian neighbourhood, where many people from Andhra stay. Nearly a hundred of them were immediately freed, but the rest some in their night suits were taken to a nearby police station. There they were handcuffed and held in a vehicle shed for several hours in spite of having valid passports and visas. Indian consular officials were initially denied access to them, Indian high commissioner in Malaysia Veena Sikri said. Sikri lodged a strong protest and demanded to know why the police had treated them like ordinary criminals. The Malaysian high commissioner in Delhi, Dato Choo Siew Kioh, was summoned to South Block and told in no uncertain terms that Delhi took the incident seriously and would like to know why the police were so high-handed and rough with the IT specialists. Most of the workers picked up during the dawn raid were freed by evening, but Delhi is furious that they were slapped and kicked around and their passports defaced. It is not clear if over-sensitive action by the police on visa matters or deep-rooted prejudice against ethnic Indians set off the incident. But Delhi is not amused because it feels such a step could not have been taken without the tacit support of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed. Such unacceptable action by Malaysian authorities cannot but adversely affect our bilateral relations and badly dent Malaysia’s image as a destination for IT professionals and as a country which is keen to encourage foreign participation in this and other sectors, foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said. The possibility of expelling the Malaysian envoy is also not being ruled out. Sarna said: Depending on the clarification we receive, we will decide on further action appropriately. In Kuala Lumpur, envoy Sikri expressed outrage. Computer specialists are the most sought after Indian professional community, wanted in the US, the UK and Germany, and they’ve been asked by Malaysian companies to work here and they are treated like this, she told Reuters. She has written to the Malaysian authorities, asking for an explanation. There were complaints that some professionals were taken to a detention centre and treated roughly. Indian diplomats showed Reuters pages from several passports, with photographs scratched and computer readable data on visas erased. By Sunday evening, most were released, barring eight or nine, who were held back as the police required clarification about their travel papers. These were educated software professionals being treated as common petty criminals, said Arshad Khan, country manager of World Wide Info System, where some of the professionals work.
Tata-BP pact on Dabhol
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
Mumbai, March 10: Tata Power Company (TPC) has tied up with British oil major BP for a joint evaluation of Dabhol Power project that has been lying idle and deteriorating for several months. We have teamed up with BP to make a joint effort for finding an economically viable solution towards the restructuring of the project, TPC managing director Firdose Vandrevala said.
India protests ill-treatment of its nationals in Malaysia
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
NEW DELHI: India lodged a strong protest with Malaysia over the "high-handed" and "inhuman" treatment meted out to about 270 Indian nationals, mostly IT professionals, by the Malaysian police in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Malaysian High Commissioner here Choo Siew Kioh was summoned to the Foreign Office by R M Abhyankar, Secretary, who conveyed New Delhi's bitterness over the high-handed way in which Malaysian authorities had treated the Indian nationals. "Such unacceptable action by Malaysian authorities cannot but adversely affect our bilateral relations and also badly dent Malaysia's image as a destination for IT professionals and as a country which is keen to encourage foreign participation in this and other sectors," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters. Asked whether the Malaysian envoy would be sent back as a mark of protest, he said "depending on the clarification we receive, we will decide on further action appropriately". About the provocation for such action, the spokesman said details were awaited. He said at about 0700 hours yesterday morning, police rounded up about 270 Indian nationals and took 160-odd to the police station where the "treatment was rough". On being informed, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur quickly swung into action and took up the issue with the Malaysian authorities. By 1900 hours yesterday, except for eight or nine Indian nationals, all the others had been released, he said adding their papers were being checked.
India Test indigenously produced Torpedo -- Detail Story
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
NEW DELHI: India tested indigenously produced torpedo claiming that the country has become the eighth nations in the world to have such a capability. Kashmir Media Service quoting media reports here said that the trial launch of the torpedo was conducted in Veshakhapatnam. The torpedo was reported to have been developed by the scientists of the Naval science and Technological Laboratory at Vishakhapatnam.
India beat Sri Lanka by 183 runs
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
JOHANNESBURG: An hour into Sri Lanka’s chase of India’s 292, two young men ran across the pavilion carrying flag-style between them a gigantic, oversized underwear. Sri Lanka had been reduced to 40 for 5, and insulting though the gesture was, it was reflective of the kind of butt-kicking India was delivering at that point. Sri Lanka was never in the hunt after their early batsmen made enough zeroes to launch a duck farm. Marvan Atapattu, Jehan Mubarak, Mahela Jayawardene and Aravinda D’Silva were all dismissed without scoring on a placid pitch against a rampaging Indian opening attack in which Srinath, a zestful veteran now, grabbed four wickets, and Ashish Nehra joined the party later with four more. It was all over before the spectators had finished washing down their lunch. Only three Indian bowlers were employed as the Lankans folded for 109, five of their batsmen making ducks and extras second highest at 21. It was an apology of a match. The comprehensive win will mean India is assuredly in the semi-final of the World Cup. In the crowd, one could already hear refrains of "C'mon Aussies, c'mon." Strangely though, India could end up meeting Sri Lanka again in the final four so this might as well have been a dress rehearsal. They have one more hurdle to go before they possibly meet Australia in the final. Incidentally, this is India’s sixth consecutive win after that debacle against Australia in the second game, a record for the side in a World Cup. Sri Lanka is a side that has tormented India in the past, and Srinath would have been happy to dedicate his wickets to state colleagues Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad, who were among those creamed for 952 runs in a single test innings not so long ago. Srinath did not play that game due to a shoulder injury, but he ran in on Monday, all bustle and muscle to clean up the old foes from down south. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka though, they were shredded to bits by an Indian side that has looked more purposeful with each passing game after the early rout against Australia. The Indian batting start was the exact antithesis of the Sri Lankan effort all thunder and fury. If ever the DRDO is struggling to put together some missiles, they might consider Messrs Tendulkar and Sehwag. The duo clobbered 153 for the opening wicket, inflicting such violence on the cricket ball and its deliverers that even the fierce South African police was awed. Sehwag signalled his return to form with the savagery one normally associates with him, while Tendulkar was both bludgeon and rapier. Sri Lanka’s two-man bowling attack of Vaas and Muralidharan managed to hold India to sub-300, but as it turned out, the islanders didn’t even get to what Sehwag and Tendulkar put on. It was a game that left you felt cheated of a contest, but heck, as far as the Bharat brigade is concerned, India is in the semi-final and that's what matters. India: S. Tendulkar c Sangakkara b De Silva 97 V. Sehwag c De Silva b Muralitharan 66 S. Ganguly b Vaas 48 M. Kaif b Muralitharan 19 Y. Singh b Vaas 5 R. Dravid not out 18 D. Mongia c De Silva b Muralitharan 9 H. Singh not out 7 Extras: (b4, lb9, w7, nb3) 23 Total: (for six wickets) 292 Fall of wickets: 1-153, 2-214, 3-243, 4-251, 5-265, 6-277 Bowling: Vaas 10-2-34-2, Nissanka 6-0-49-0, Fernando 10-1-61-0, Muralitharan 10-0-46-3, Jayasuriya 3-0-27-0, De Silva 6-0-32-1, Arnold 5-0-30-0 Overs: 50 Sri Lanka: M. Atapattu c Kaif b Srinath 0 S. Jayasuriya c Kaif b Srinath 12 J. Mubarak c Dravid b Srinath 0 M. Jayawardene lbw b Zaheer 0 A. De Silva lbw b Srinath 0 K. Sangakkara c Yuvraj b Nehra 30 R. Arnold lbw b Zaheer 8 C. Vaas c Tendulkar b Nehra 9 P. Nissanka c Kaif b Nehra 0 D. Fernando not out 13 M. Muralitharan c Kaif b Nehra 16 Extras: (b1, lb5, w14, nb1) 21 Total: 109 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-2, 3-3, 4-15, 5-40, 6-59, 7-75, 8-78, 9-78 Bowling: Zaheer 7-0-33-2, Srinath 9-1-35-4, Nehra 7-1-35-4 Overs: 23
VHP welcomes move on excavation in Ayodhya
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 11, 2003: As a team of Archaeological Survey of India began work on excavation at the disputed site in Ayodhya, VHP on Monday supported the move, saying it would provide "more proof about existence of temple there." The VHP had opposed the court's move in this regard last year "as it entailed digging and dislocation of Lord Ram statue that time." "But this time, digging will be done 10 meters away," VHP Senior Vice President Acharya Giriraj Kishore told reporters here. Asked whether VHP would accept the court's verdict if excavation showed that no temple existed there, VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia evaded a direct reply, saying "let us reach the river, then will think how to cross it." He, however, said the VHP would welcome any effort of the judiciary to settle the issue. When asked why the statue of lord Rama was removed during destruction of the disputed structure by 'kar sevaks' in December, 1992, Togadia said "it was just an accident". To a question, he said there was no need for excavation at Kashi and Mathura as "existence of temple there was proved beyond doubt". Togadia said it was for the "secularists and Muslim leadership to decide if they wanted to respect sentiments of the Hindus or seek confrontation." Referring to the Bhojshala controversy, Kishore said "if there are claims that it was a Wakf Board property, then Muslims should give up claim over Krishan Janambhoomi at Mathura as it has never belonged to the Wakf". 09:25 IST
India not to extend facilities if US attacks Iraq without UN sanction: Vajpayee
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 11, 2003: India would not extend facilities to US if it went ahead with unilateral militacy action against Iraq without UN sanction, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee told an all party meeting here on Monday. Briefing reporters after the meeting, convened by the Prime Minister to evolve a consensus on the Iraq crisis, BJP leader V K Malhotra said Vajpayee also indicated that India would not like to involve itself if the US declared war without UN sanction. Malhotra said the Prime Minister stressed the need for exercising caution over the situation in Iraq which was "very fluid." He said Vajpayee told the meeting that India will not extend facilities to US if it did not abide by the UN resolution. Malhotra said the Prime Minister told the meeting that "however powerful a country may be, it cannot take unilateral action." The Prime Minister also mentioned about a NAM resolution on the situation in the region. 09:25 IST
Woman kills herself over World Cup quarrel with hubby
Monday, March 10, 2003
KOLKATA: A woman who felt slighted by her husband's refusal to stop watching the nail-biting India-Pakistan match at the cricket World Cup on television killed herself. Sarathi Biswas, a 30-year-old resident of Taraknagar village in West Bengal's Nadia district, drank poison after a quarrel with her husband, who continued to watch the match on television and refused to take his dinner. Police said that around 9.00 pm on Saturday, when the crunch match played in South Africa between the archrivals was in its closing stages, Sarathi called her husband, Saibal Biswas, for dinner. Despite repeated requests, the husband refused to stop watching the match, which made Sarathi feel slighted and angry, local reports quoted the police as saying. She locked herself in a room and drank poison. Sarathi was taken to a nearby hospital but was declared brought dead. In another incident related to Saturday's cricket match, which India won by six wickets, a patient in Nadia district's Krishnanagar town died, allegedly because of the negligence of the doctor who was busy watching the game. Asim Sarkar, suffering from a pancreatic ailment, had been admitted to a nursing home, but on Saturday his condition worsened. When the patient's relatives went to call the attending doctor, he allegedly refused to come because he was watching the match. When the doctor did come around midnight, it was too late to help the patient. Sarkar died Sunday morning. A mob then attacked the nursing home and set the doctor's motorcycle on fire. The doctor, who has not been identified, has denied any wrongdoing.
'Mobile' sadhus move ahead with technology
Monday, March 10, 2003
NEW DELHI: This protest near Parliament was the VHP's way of saying surprise, surprise, we're here. But Hindutva's votaries, who showed up from the dharma sansad in hues ranging from saffron to yellow to white, surprised Delhi more by the manner in which they behaved. For most part of the day, they networked over cellphones, pausing to take long Bisleri swigs or hard pulls at the chillum. Others ran around with cameras, clicking furiously the heart of Delhi. Bells, shankhs, bugles, damroos brought up the background score, drowned only by the chants of Jai Shri Ram. Not once were the sadhus told to get to Parliament for the gherao but there was enough talk about ``awakening the Hindu within'' and ``awakening the Hindus around oneself'' to keep people in business. When loose wires disrupted the proceedings briefly, aged sadhus jumped out of the baithak to fix the bhopuwallah (mikeman). One who had travelled all the way from Guwahati couldn't check himself: Kya free mein lagaya hai, jo kaam nahin kar raha. Theekh karo. Sunnein aayein hain. (Was this system installed for free that it doesn't work? Fix it. We are here to listen to the leaders.)'' The connection was promptly fixed. Ears glued to cellphones, sadhus constantly chatted with counterparts in distant towns, finalising plans and tours for Tuesday and the day after. Details of how the dharma sansad was going on found easy transport through airtime and the sadhus at Parliament Street used the facility liberally to convey sentiments. In fact, Acharya Dharmendra even chided the media for mocking at sadhus using cellphones: ``You only want the English-minded to make use of technology. Why should sadhus not be using this facility when the greatest of inventions, including your aircraft, were first discovered by the sadhus themselves?'' Then there were the camera-savvy sadhus who knew the difference between the firang and the Indian press. From posing for the foreign photojournalists to taking time off to speak to them, these sadhus knew it all. The maximum attention, needless to say, was reserved for those carrying trishuls and chillums and willing to pose for the shutterbugs. In between ear-piercing calls of Jai Shri Ram, sadhus stared at the sun, looked straight into the camera lens and even branded trishuls to oblige for the once-in-a-lifetime photo-op. There was, of course, another category of sadhus who walked around with banners, badges and sashes. Younger than the average sadhu at the dharna, these were the denim-clad young brigade who flashed cellphones on their waist and wore sashes that announced the arrival of Ram Rajya. While most religious leaders only tried to evoke the crowds to be a ``better and true Hindu'' and pledge that they would ``rest only once the temple is built,'' Swami Khandeshwarananda clearly had VHP chief Ashok Singhal worried when he asked the crowd to ``beat up Christian priests.'' Singhal interrupted the popular Swami Khandeshwarananda: ``We do not agree with whatever you are saying.'' The swami went into a sulk, wound up his speech with a Jai Shri Ram and walked off in a huff. The meeting ended with a recitation of Hanuman Chalisa, first by the leaders and then by the crowd, an oath for temple construction and more chants of Jai Shri Ram.
Swaps chair for win
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Even at 82 years of age, classical music maestro Bhimsen Joshi is not without superstitions when it comes to India's performance at the ongoing cricket World Cup. Talking to mediapersons on Saturday about the India-Kenya match, the maestro said he had lost all hopes of an Indian victory after three wickets were lost early in the innings. Suddenly, he was prodded by his associates to swap chairs to bring luck to the team and he immediately obliged. The tables turned and India cruised to a victory, he said. Asked for his favourite cricketers, he said "Nobody bats like Sachin." He said he prays for the team and hoped India would lift the prestigious Cup. Panditji said music and sports are similar as both are unpredictable. He recalled the time when he sang for three hours for the English team at Nagpur. The team consisted of greats like Ted Dexter, who later asked Panditji how he decided on points for music, to which he had replied "Well the same way that you hit sixes."
17 killed in Tamil Nadu road mishap
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Dindigul,Sunday, March 09, 2003: In a major road accident in the state, 17 people, including seven women and two children, were killed and 13 injured when the van in which they were travelling collided with a bus near here early this morning. The deceased were returning home to Idaikattu Vayal near Ernakulam after a trip to Velankanni in Tiruvarur District when the mishap occurred at Tambinayakanparaipatti, 15 km from here. Quoting eyewitnesses, police said the van driver had apparently lost control of the vehicle and it was seen going zig-zag at a high speed before colliding head-on with the bus proceeding from Bodinayakanur to Tiruchirappalli.
Fire in IOC's petrol storage tank in Assam still smouldering
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Guwahati,Sunday, March 09, 2003: The fire at the 5000 KL petrol tank of IOC's Assam Oil Division triggered Saturday by explosions caused by the ULFA in Tinsukia district, was still burning though with reduced intensity. IOC sources said the petrol in the tank was expected to burn out by Sunday night. Fire tenders with foam and water were battling the blaze in the tank measuring 11 metre by 26 metre, the sources said. Meanwhile, petroleum finished products from other tanks have been drained out and shifted elsewhere as a precautionary measure, the sources said. At least 25 per cent of the metal tank from the top has melted so far as a result of the fire, the sources said. Official sources suspected rocket propelled grenades or mortars were used to target the tank as the two holes punched into it by the explosives were on the top, which was too high above the ground to be hit by ordinary grenades. An ULFA militant who was arrested at Teok in Jorhat district a few days ago had in a statement told police that the outfit had planned to strike oil installations on March 16, `ULFA Sainik Diwas Day'. An internal inquiry into the fire has been ordered and the report is to be submitted by March 10. 10:16 IST
Politics and poetry do not gel: Vajpayee
Sunday, March 9, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 09, 2003: Politics and poetry do not gel for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Penning poems might be one of his first loves. But, as he himself says, he has stopped doing that these days. However, Vajpayee did not let go an opportunity to be far from the rough and world of politics and regale a select audience by reciting self-composed poems at a function held here on International Women's Day. Reciting his famous lines "Geet Naya Gata Hoon", the Prime Minister said he had stopped writing poems these days. "Politics and poems do not gel," he said in his witty style. He also enjoyed the evening of songs sung by Padmashri Padmaja Fenani Joglekar. In his brief speech, Vajpayee spoke of women power and their role in building a happy society. 09:52 IST
Doordarshan-I bags highest viewer share among news channels
Sunday, March 9, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 09, 2003: Despite competition from private television companies, Doordarshan-I bags the highest viewer share among news channels across the country. The share of DD-I is as high as 91.35 per cent in the total number of television homes, according to the recent Television Audience Meter (TAM) ratings. This leaves Aaj Tak, the 24-hour Hindi new channels with a mere 5.11 per cent share followed by Zee News at 2.11 per cent and Star News with 0.75 per cent. However, in cable and satellite homes, the picture varies, with DD-I's share dropping to 58.26 per cent, though it is still the most watched news channel. Aaj Tak attracts 24.55 per cent of viewers, followed by Zee News at 10.04 per cent, Star News at 3.57 per cent, BBC World at 2.01 per cent and CNBC at 1.12 per cent. The TAM data was taken in mid-February.
Sunday, March 9, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 09, 2003: Despite competition from private television companies, Doordarshan-I bags the highest viewer share among news channels across the country. The share of DD-I is as high as 91.35 per cent in the total number of television homes, according to the recent Television Audience Meter (TAM) ratings. This leaves Aaj Tak, the 24-hour Hindi new channels with a mere 5.11 per cent share followed by Zee News at 2.11 per cent and Star News with 0.75 per cent. However, in cable and satellite homes, the picture varies, with DD-I's share dropping to 58.26 per cent, though it is still the most watched news channel. Aaj Tak attracts 24.55 per cent of viewers, followed by Zee News at 10.04 per cent, Star News at 3.57 per cent, BBC World at 2.01 per cent and CNBC at 1.12 per cent. The TAM data was taken in mid-February.
Kanishka trial postponed to Apr 28, ban on publishing evidence
Sunday, March 9, 2003
Vancouver,Sunday, March 09, 2003: A Canada court has postponed the hearing of Kanishka bombing case in which all 329 people aboard the Air India jet were killed, to April 28 and re-imposed a ban on publication of recorded evidence. The British Columbia Supreme Court Saturday postponed the trial of Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, accused of first dgree murder, to April 28 from scheduled March 31, media reports today said. Justice Ian Bruce Josephson, while imposing the ban on temporary publication of pre-trail motions said it would protect witnesses from being threatened, according to 'Vancouver Sun' daily. The ban will be in place until arguments in the case can be heard, it said. Upset over the ban, media lawyer Dan Burnett said "its monumental for a Crown to come in without any notice whatsoever and stand up and ask that a ban be imposed on months of transcripts and boxes of exhibits that have been released publicly". He said that outside the courtroom, Josephson acknowledged imposing the publication ban was exceptional. "I recognize that this is quite unprecedented and has not been handled in the best of manners," the judge was quoted as saying. His concern, however, was protecting witnesses from possible identification, and the trial process in general, Josephson said. Last week a third accused in the 1985 case, Inderjit Singh Reyat, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received five years in jail. 10:41 IST
Avalanches Kill 17 People in Kashmir
Saturday, March 8, 2003
SRINAGAR, India - Heavy snow set off avalanches along the cease-fire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, killing at least 17 people and stranding hundreds, police said Friday. The dead were all soldiers except for one civilian. At least nine other soldiers were reported missing and dozens trapped in stretches of the Himalayas in northernmost Kashmir, police said. Rescuers were looking for the missing people in areas covered with nine feet of snow. At least 700 people were stranded in the nearby Nobra Valley, along with 300 others near the city of Leh, a tourist hub, state officials said. Indian air force helicopters rescued 200 other people, including tourists, from a highway that connects Nobra with Leh, Press Trust of India reported. Most of the deaths occurred in the frontier area where India and Pakistan, which both claim Kashmir in its entirety, fought an undeclared war in the summer of 1999. Six soldiers and a civilian worker were buried by an avalanche Friday in the mountainous Kharboo region, about 155 miles northeast of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu-Kashmir state, a police officer said on customary condition of anonymity. Police said five other soldiers were believed dead after being trapped under snow overnight, when their bunker was flattened by an avalanche along the ceasefire line at the area's Handarmaan post. The bodies had not yet been recovered. In nearby Mushkoh, an avalanche killed five soldiers. Nine others were reported missing, officials said. In the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal, air force helicopters rescued 19 border police stranded since a March 2 avalanche, Press Trust of India said. Seven of their colleages were killed in that avalanche, and their bodies were recovered Friday.
India beat Kenya by 6 wkts, enter semis
Saturday, March 8, 2003
CAPE TOWN: Twelve apostles is the name of the mountain range ringing Cape Town’s Newlands cricket ground, and you would have thought it needed their divine intervention for Kenya to beat India in the first Super Six game in the World Cup. But the spunky East African team, coached by former India batsmen Sandeep Patil, turned in a very earthy performance to nearly ambush India in a tight game, before the favourites rode to a win on Skipper Saurav Ganguly’s return to form. It was the perfect tyro trap, a script outlined by this writer in the preview of this game. Bat first, make a decent score, and prise out the favoured team in dodgy conditions under the lights. It almost worked. Kenya’s colourful combination of Obuyas, Odoyos and Odumbes nearly upset the odds-on favourites, and it was only skipper Sourav Ganguly’s matchwinning knock ( ) that saved India the blushes. Steve Tikolo won the toss on a picture perfect day giving his side the incentive to bat 50 overs first and set a target, instead of chasing a monster total. They did so with the unhurried mien of a side earning its Test spurs instead of one trying to win a limited overs game. It could have put even Nairobians to sleep but it was a wonderfully mature approach. The Kenyans got off to a steady start, making 75 in 21 overs before the ball ran India’s way after dropped catches, missed run outs, and the whole shebang that made the team look like awful. The innings was held together by a man who goes by the names of Obuya or Otieno, depending on whether he fancies his tribe or his village on a particular day. On this day though, he should have chosen to gamble at the casinos in Sun City. He survived three chances and three half-chances in stringing together an innings of 79 that will not go down in cricketing history, although had the Kenyans won, the Indians would have wished they had bankrolled him to Sun City. Obuya’s knock was certainly a drag by World Cup standards, but O Boy O, was it handy. The rest was all bits and pieces against an Indian bowling and fielding that was ragged. The Indians will have to do a lot better to push Sri Lanka and New Zealand, not to speak of Australia, a side that looks notches better than anyone else as they demolished the Sri Lanka bowling in the other Super Six game. After the high-voltage opening ceremony here last month, the stands never really full, evidence of the local despondency at the home team not staying in the hunt. But in keeping with the Cape’s laidback lifestyle, they turned up post-lunch, or post-lights, to watch the little man bat. He disappointed, as did his alter ego Sehwag, and after Kaif got a bad decision, India were looking down the barrel at 24 for 3. Thick dark clouds scudded across the stadium towards Table Mountain as Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid began salvaging the innings. It was unattractive cricket, but heck, it was four points and a place in the semis. Dravid left with a job half done, but Yuvaraj Singh picked up from the game against Pakistan to punish a Kenya attack that lost the plot. Boundaries cascaded from his bat as he grew to manhood in yet another pressure cooker situation as India cruised to win with a little bit to spare.
HSBC selected global advisor for managing HPCL privatisation
Saturday, March 8, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 07, 2003: The Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment which met today is believed to have favoured the appointment of HSBC as the global advisor for managing the privatisation of Oil PSU Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. HSBC has been selected for the much coveted post from among 17 merchant bankers who had made presentations before the Disinvestment Ministry last month, Government sources said. Government has invited Expression of Interest by March 17 for sale of its 34.01 per cent stake in India's second largest public sector refining and marketing company. Likes of Reliance Industries, Royal Dutch Shell, Petronas of Malaysia and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are being touted as the fronter runner for Government stake along with management control in HPCL. Post disinvestment, State holding in HPCL will fall to 12 per cent as 5 per cent shares would also be sold at concessional price to company employees. On privatisation of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the CGD is believed to have also upraised itself of the scenario arising out of only one company - Essar Shipping - being left in fray for Government's 51 per cent stake. Sources said the CGD mulled over various options for SCI including re-bidding. A final decision on SCI privatisation will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment (CCD). 20:46 IST
Naik hints at revision of LPG prices
Saturday, March 8, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, March 07, 2003: Petroleum Minister Ram Naik today indicated that prices of domestic cooking gas (LPG) may be revised after Finance Minister Jaswant Singh replies to the debate on Budget '03-04 in Parliament next week. "His (Singh's) reply may contain provisions (on subsidies for LPG and PDS Kerosene)... we will wait for it," Naik told a news conference here. Hike in LPG and Kerosene prices have been necessiated due to lower budgetary provision for subsidies on the two mass cooking medium. Naik was hopeful that Finance Minister's budget reply may contain provisions like lowering of excise and customs duty on petroleum products which would be able to tide over the present crisis arising out of spiralling global crude oil prices. "Whatever is needed (after the reply) will be done," he said in reply to a question if prices of LPG would be raised. While the state-owned oil retailing companies have not revised LPG and Kerosene prices since the last Budget inspite of crude oil prices rising from 19 dollars a barrel to 32 dollars per barrel, currently, they haven't even passed on the entire hike necessary in petrol and diesel. "Petrol and diesel prices have not risen in step with spike in curde oil prices. Oil companies have adopted a wait and watch approach," he said while hoping that Finance Ministry would cut customs duty on crude oil and excise duty on petroleum products so as to avoid further increase in prices. 20:46 IST
PM announces $70 million grant to Afghanistan
Saturday, March 8, 2003
New Delhi, March 7: As part of the ongoing assistance by India, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday announced 70 million Dollar grant to Afghanistan for rebuilding a major transit road as the two countries inked a significant Preferential Trading Agreement (PTA) to boost bilateral trade. Vajpayee's announcement came during wide-ranging discussions he had with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Appreciating the Prime Minister's gesture, Karzai said the rebuilding of Zaranj-Dilaram road would enhance the transit alternative for a landlocked country like Afghanistan and it would mean moving to the sea. A recce, survey, trace and cut team from India will go to Afghanistan after which a detailed project report will be finalised for the road, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters. The PTA signed in the presence of the two leaders by Commerce and Industry Minister Arun Jaitley and his Afghan counterpart Syed Kazmi provides for free movement of specified goods through reduction of tariffs. India is granting 50 to 100 per cent tariff concession on 38 items of dry fruits, fresh fruits, seeds, medicinal herbs and precious stones and in turn India is receiving duty free access on eight tariff lines of its export interest. These include black tea, pharmaceutical products, Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines, refined sugar and cement.
2 Indian-Americans in Silicon Valley Hall of Fame
Thursday, March 6, 2003
INDIAWEST SAN JOSE: Kumar Malavalli, co-founder and strategic advisor of Brocade Communications, and Mihir Parikh, founder and former chief executive officer of Asyst Technologies, have become the first Indian-Americans to be inducted into the prestigious Silicon Valley Engineering Hall of Fame. In the 13 years since the awards were instituted, this is the first time that Indian American business leaders were recognised. The Silicon Valley Engineering Council nominates engineers from the Valley every year for their outstanding professional achievement and significant contributions to the Silicon Valley community. Malavalli and Parikh were inducted into the Hall of Fame at a gala at the Santa Clara Marriott February 21. With this award, Malavalli and Parikh join an illustrious group of technological leaders, academicians and visionaries, including William Hewlett and David Packard, co-founders of Hewlett-Packard; Robert N. Noyce, founder of Intel; and John Hennessy, president of Stanford University. "This prestigious honor bestowed upon me not only recognizes my contribution in the area of storage networking, but also validates the support that I received from all the individuals and the organizations in making the unique journey to get here," Malavalli said upon receiving the citation, presented by SVEC president Sung-Mo "Steve" Kang Brenda H. Christensen, a storage networking industry expert who nominated Malavalli to the hall of fame, said, "It was indeed a proud moment for the industry as a whole to have one of its champions recognized with the award." For networking guru Malavalli, the journey began almost 31 years ago. Soon after his marriage to his wife Vijaya, Malavalli went to Dusseldorf, West Germany, to study industry electronics at the University of Hanover. He began his career as a trainee engineer in the electronics department of the Mannesmann Rohrenwerk conglomerate where he acquired the practical aspects of applied engineering. Ironically, while Brocade Communications is today a market leader in the U.S. in fiber channel technology, Malavalli's work visa application to the United States was rejected in 1974. He pursued his career, instead, in Canada. In the early 1990s, while working for Hewlett-Packard's Canadian network operations, Malavalli decided to start a company to develop and market a fiber channel product. But the funding did not come through and the struggle for his dream continued for almost two years. Fortunately, in the mid-1990s, the Storage Area Network industry was gaining momentum in Silicon Valley and Malavalli's work in the area caught the attention of Seth Neiman of Cross Point Ventures. The two met at Stanford in June 1995 and with an initial funding of $1.4 million, Brocade Communications was launched. The company went public May 24, 1999. Parikh, in receiving his award, commented: "It's all a part of life. All good things happen. But, yes, it does feel special that my peers have honored me for my contributions to the industry. Now I feel a greater sense of obligation to the community of engineers and to educate our children to create a greater society." For Parikh, the climb toward success began in 1965, when he left Mumbai for higher education in the U.S. In 1974, he received his Ph.D. in engineering science from the University of California, Berkeley. He has been widely published in the fields of electron beam lithography, theoretical and experimental radiation physics, applications of tunneling spectroscopy and wafer automation and transfer systems. Parikh began his career at IBM in 1974 before moving to H-P in 1980. It was while at H-P that his entrepreneurial skills took over. In 1984, he founded Asyst Technologies and has served as its president and CEO since then. Parikh recently resigned from the manufacturing company, which provides equipment that integrates into the processing equipment and factories, to focus on several international projects. Earlier, he had received the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Award for North America in 1999 for his significant contributions to the semiconductor industry. Also present at the dinner meeting were Indian Consul General H.H.S. Vishwanathan, TiE president Sridar Iyengar, TiE immediate past president Kailash Joshi, and the TiEcon chair Vish Mishra.
Fire in two jute mills of West Bengal
Thursday, March 6, 2003
Kolkata,Thursday, March 06, 2003: About 800 tonnes of jute products, raw materials and machineries were gutted and damaged in fire which broke out in two jute mills of West Bengal Wednesday, fire brigade sources said. The affected units were Howrah Jute Mill at Howrah district and Kelvin Jute Mill at Titagarh in North 24 Parganas district. However, no casualty was reported in the incidents. About 800 tonnes of jute goods were destroyed in the fire at the Howrah Jute Mill. The blaze, which erupted in the afternoon, was brought under control by 20 fire tenders after four hours, the sources said. At the Kelvin Jute Mill, raw materials and various jute machineries were damaged. Six fire tenders brought the fire under control, the sources said. 10:23 IST
BJP national executive meet in Indore from April 4
Thursday, March 6, 2003
Indore,Thursday, March 06, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and host of senior party leaders will attend the two-day BJP National executive beginning here from April 4. Party General Secretary Pramod Mahajan told reporters here Wednesday that about 150 BJP national executive members and party chief ministers will also attend the meet. The meet will begin with customary address of BJP President Venkaiah Naidu and Advani will address the concluding session, he said. Vajpayee will arrive here on April 4 and guide the morning session on April 5. Mahajan, who is here to oversee arrangements for the meet, said the session will discuss the setback in the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the union budget and sort out strategies for the October-November polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Rajasthan and Delhi. Mahajan said Vajpayee, along with Advani, will address a public meeting on April 4 at the Malhar Ashram ground. Vajpayee is also likely to address a public meeting at Raipur the next day, he said. 10:23 IST
No-confidence motion against Mayawati govt defeated
Thursday, March 6, 2003
Lucknow,Thursday, March 06, 2003: Amidst high drama, uproar and confusion, an opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh was today defeated in the state assembly capping two days of political tug of war in the wake of the tape controversy involving the Chief Minister. The motion was put to voice vote and rejected by the House. Amid opposition claim that the motion was rejected and not put to vote, assembly secretary R P Pandey later clarified that the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion was defeated by voice vote. In the midst of a protest dharna by opposition members after smashing of a microphone and scuffle between them and security guards, the Chair called one of their leaders to initiate a debate on the no-confidence motion. Failing to draw any response from the members who were sitting on a dharna, presiding officer Suresh Chandra Srivastava put the no-confidence motion to vote which was rejected by voice vote without any discussion. Immediately thereafter, the house was adjourned sine die two days ahead of schedule even as opposition members continued with their sit-in. Mayawati later told reporters that the no-confidence motion against her was defeated "very badly". 10:23 IST
Allahabad HC orders excavation of disputed site
Thursday, March 6, 2003
In a major development in the Ayodhya case, Allahabad High Court Wednesday ordered excavation of the disputed site to verify whether or not a temple existed there before Babri Mosque was built. The three judge bench of the Court directed the ASI to start the excavation of within a week of issuance of the order and submit its report within a week of completion of the job.
Govt talking to countries on dual citizenship issue: PM
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Government is talking to certain countries on the issue of extending dual citizenship to NRIs and People of Indian Origin, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today told the Rajya Sabha today. "On the issue of dual citizenship, we are talking to other countries," he said while replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address. Recalling the Pravasi Bharatiya convention organised in January this year, the Prime Minister said Indians living abroad had made a good future for themselves and also had a commitment towards their country of origin. 15:42 IST
10 people killed, 52 injured in bus accident
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Ten people were today killed and 52 injured when the bus in which they were travelling fell into a 150 feet deep gorge in Udhampur district, 90 kms from here, police said. The accident occurred at Gordi Mode area of the district, they said. Most of the injured have been admitted to a hospital in Udhampur, where the condition of 15 of them was stated to be critical, police said. 19:37 IST
Govt moved court to expedite solution to Ayodhya issue: PM
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Dismissing the charge that Government had moved the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue out of political consideration, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Tuesday asserted that it was done to expedite a solution to the crisis and gave an assurance that mistakes of the past will not be repeated in Jammu and Kashmir. "Government did not move the Supreme Court on the dispute over a piece of land because of political consideration. This has not been done with any political motive", he said replying to a debate on the motion of thanks to President's address in the Rajya Sabha. Asserting that all parties concerned would have to abide by the Apex Court verdict, Vajpayee said the date of hearing on the petition for vacation of stay on the undisputed land at Ayodhya has been decided and parties concerned could present their views before the judiciary. "From the very beginning we have maintained that the Ayodhya issue should either be resolved through court verdict or through negotiations between the concerned parties," he said adding the Government wanted the issue to be resolved expeditiously. Observing that a "new chapter" has been opened in Jammu and Kashmir following free and fair assembly polls there, the Prime Minister said "I can assure you that whatever mistakes were committed in the past will not be repeated". Following the Prime Minister's reply, the Upper House adopted the motion of thanks to the President's address by a voice vote after 490 amendments were withdrawn. The Lok Sabha had adopted the motion Monday. 17:31 IST
Review committee on POTA to be considered: Singh
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: Government Tuesday said in Rajya Sabha that it would actively consider the opposition's demand for setting up a review committee on POTA cases to prevent misuse of the law. The assurance was given by the Leader of the House and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh when agitated NDA ally DMK said its cadres were being threatened that they would be booked under POTA by Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu. "The demand for a review committee on POTA cases is under consideration of the government," Singh said as the House witnessed a mild uproar over the issue. AIADMK and DMK members traded charges when senior DMK member Viduthalai Virumbi said his party cadres were being threatened under POTA which was vehemently refuted by AIADMK members. 17:31 IST
Bush talks to Vajpayee, shares views on Iraq situation
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: U S President George W Bush today spoke to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and exchanged views on the Iraq situation, ahead of crucial UN vote on a second resolution seeking use of force against Baghdad to disarm it. During the seven-minute telephonic conversation, they touched on efforts in the UN Security Council to frame another resolution regarding compliance by Iraq on disarming weapons of mass destruction, official sources said. The US has been pressing for a second resolution seeking the UN mandate for possible military action against Iraq. The resolution is expected to be put to vote on March 12. New Delhi has advocated peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis while asking Baghdad to fully implement the provisions of the Security Council resolution 1441 to disarm its WMD. India has also emphasised the need to pursue the UN route to address this sisue. The ongoing standoff between India and Pakistan was briefly touched upon, the sources said. The Prime Minister conveyed the Indian position that it was willing to resume dialogue with Pakistan on all issues when cross-border terrorism was stopped by that country. Bush assured him that US continues to apply pressure on Pakistan on the matter of cross-border terrorism, particularly asking it to ensure that infiltration does not increase as the snows melt, the sources said. 20:37 IST
China non-commital on supporting India for UNSC permanent seat
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Beijing,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: China was on Tuesday non-commital on supporting India's candidature for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and said more discussions are needed to arrive at a "consensus" on the issue. "Reform of the Security Council involves the interests of many countries. There is no time-table for that and there should be plenty of discussions for consensus to be reached," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said. On supporting India's candidature for a permanent UNSC seat, he said it "involves changes in the Security Council as a whole." China, one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, agrees that reforms should be undertaken at the UNSC and that more developing countries should have representation at world body's top organ, he said. "China's position on that is that with the development of times over the past 50 years, some changes should be made to the UN Security Council. But the first important thing to be considered is that more representation should be given to developing countries in the UNSC," Kong said. 17:31 IST
SEBI for CBI probe into Reliance debentures subscribed by UTI
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: Securities and Exchanges Board of India has initiated investigation proceedings into Reliance debentures subscribed by the Unit Trust of India, Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday. "SEBI has sent a report about these debenture issues of Reliance Industries Limited subscribed by the erstwhile Unit Trust of India, suggesting appropriate action including referring the matter to CBI for investigation," Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said in a written reply. "SEBI has also initiated investigation proceedings with respect to the validity of the debenture issues. The loss, if any, would be known only after the investigation is completed," he said. Tourist: Tourist traffic in 2001 and 2002 declined due to a number of reasons including overall global economic downtrend, Sept 11 incident in the US, war in Afghanistan, terrorist attack on Indian Parliament, tension on Indo-Pak border and travel advisories issued by a number of foreign governments, Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan said. The foreign tourist arrivals declined by 4.2 per cent and 6.9 per cent during 2001 and 2002 respectively as compared to corresponding years. However, in the last three months of 2002 there has been an upward swing of about 14 per cent, he said. 17:31 IST
Indian satellite comm market to grow five times in 5 years
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: The market for satellite broadband equipment in India is expected to grow almost five times to 1.10 lakh units in the next five years, primarily driven by applications such as distance education and internet, according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers. According to the latest report by PWC the market would be driven by new applications such as banking and finance, gaming, and rural connectivity besides internet. The findings of the report on VSAT industry, conducted for the financial year 2001-02, showed that Hughes was the leading services provider in India with a 35 per cent market share, according to a Hughes release here. The report pointed out that over the last year the industry had benefited greatly from increased adoption of IT and non-IT "old economy" companies, favourable regulations and overall macro economic business confidence. "Given the market structure and growth opportunities only the top 2-3 players may exist over the next four to five years," the report said. 15:42 IST
India hope to spin out Kenya
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Cape Town,Tuesday, March 04, 2003: An upbeat Indian team arrived here this afternoon for their opening clash of the Super Six round on Friday, toying with the idea of employing a different game plan against their opponents Kenya. India are refusing to take Kenya lightly given the spirited performance of the African nation in the World Cup, not the least because of its propensity to pull the carpet from under the feet of elite Test playing nations. Kenya has already scalped former champions Sri Lanka in the league stage but it is not the first time it has dumped a Test giant as they beat the West Indies in Pune during the 1996 World Cup in the sub-continent. India too has been at the receiving end against Kenya on more than one occasion, the last defeat at Port Elizabeth during the 2001-2003 Standard Bank triangular series in South Africa being a particularly bitter one. India were shocked by Kenya in an upset result in that tri-series which led to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) seek the videotapes to ensure nothing undesirable happened. India's retribution was swift when Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly put on 256 runs for the opening wicket at Paarl to qualify for the final, only to go down tamely to South Africa in the title clash in Durban. The present Indian squad is a vastly more balanced and disciplined side than the 2001 version currently riding the crest of morale boosting wins. 22:05 IST
No more songs for Ram Gopal Varma
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
At a suburban studio in Mumbai, Ram Gopal Varma is directing a music video featuring Usha Uthup. "It is for my film Bhoot. The video supports an album that will feature music inspired by my film," he says. "Filmmakers are falling into the trap of putting a love story in all their films to accommodate songs. That's why our films are cliched. My logic for putting out a separate album of music connected with Bhoot is simple. Why should I drag audiences to Switzerland in the middle of a tight thriller? [Earlier] I fell into the trap repeatedly due to financial greed. The audio companies offered me good money for music soundtracks. Also, I was lured into putting songs into Jungle, Company and Road because of the publicity the songs gave me on the television channels. By giving music clippings I saved a lot of money on publicity." Apparently, there will be no more songs for Varma. "They don't help get my films an opening. Company and Road got an opening because of the action and dialogue trailers, not the songs. Audiences might have enjoyed the songs, and seen them hundreds of times at home. Why should they go to theatres? What is the point of spending Rs 20 million on a song picturisation, then condensing it into a two-minute clip for television? In Bhoot, my intention is to scare audiences, not divert their attention with songs." He plans to market the soundtrack "as is the norm in Hollywood. My brief to my three composers, Salim-Suleiman, Anand Raaj Anand and Amar Mohile was to compose what Bhoot means to them. Each along with three lyricists gave me a song. Two of these are now being made into music videos for television with Usha Uthup and Sunidhi Chauhan. When viewers see the pop artiste they will know these songs are not in the film. By shooting with actors from Bhoot I did not want audiences to get the wrong idea. Along with these songs the music company will use the background music and instrumental pieces from Bhoot. This will mutually benefit me and the music company." According to Varma, Road faltered at the box-office because of the songs. "The intention of the thriller was diluted because we were thinking about how to put in the songs. Instead of songs working for the film, we ended up making the film for the songs. Now that the audio market has crashed, why should I waste money shooting song sequences in my film and end up crying when the music does not sell?" He hopes his experiment will start a new trend in Hindi films. "Look at Madonna's video for Die Another Day. Audiences knew it wasn't part of the film. Yet they were lured into seeing the film. I will follow this procedure for all my films including Ek and Ek Haseena Thi. Unless it is a music-oriented film like Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, I will not opt for a film score. These film-inspired albums are beneficial not only to me but also music companies."
Sanjay Dutt exempted from court till Mar 23
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
PTI MUMBAI: On certain conditions, a special court on Monday exempted film actor Sanjay Dutt and 86 other accused in the 1993 bomb blast case from appearance in the court for three weeks, and directed the CBI to file a report by March 10 on the whereabouts of the absconding accused. Designated judge P D Kode fixed March 10 as the deadline for producing the absconding accused before the court. He asked the CBI to inform the prospects of producing the absconding accused to enable the court to fix the date for judgement. The CBI was warned that after March 10 they would not be allowed to add any accused to the existing list as the trial had reached its fag end. About 34 accused, including Dawood Ibrahim, Tiger Memon, Anees Ibrahim, Mohammed Dossa and Javed Chikna, are absconding and believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Exempting the accused till March 23, the judge warned the accused not to leave the city limits without permission during the period. They were told not to establish contact with absconding accused in this case and ensure that they were represented by their lawyers in the court. Outside the court, fans of Sanjay Dutt gathered in large numbers to take a close look at the actor. About 35 other accused are lodged in central prison since the last nine years. On December 9, CBI had wound up its arguments and closed the case. The trial commenced on June 30, 1995. CBI examined 687 witnesses and recorded their evidence running into 13000 pages. Thirteen explosions shattered the city on March 12, 1993, killing 257 people and injuring 713.
Andaz, Lara-Priyanka style
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Filmmaker Suneel Darshan's new thriller Andaz starring Akshay Kumar and former beauty queens Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra is ready for release. And he is keeping his fingers firmly crossed. "It is a very fresh film. I wanted to move away and cast fresh faces. Besides, Lara and Priyanka are stars in their own right because of their crowns. I wanted to make sure we completed this film quickly. You sign actors at the top of the heap. By the time you finish making the film, you wonder where the stardom has gone. We have to keep pace with the changing trends of cinema. Nobody knows what works. Today, even attracting audiences to the theatres is an uphill task." Which is why he has spent over a crore just on Andaz's satellite and television promos.
I continue to act because I enjoy it: Amitabh
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
UNI He has inspired and enthralled several generations of cinegoers in India through his larger than life presence in the 70s and 80s. At an age (60) when most of his contemporaries (Dharmendra, Jitendra and Vinod Khanna) have long bid adeau to acting in films, Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, on the contrary, seems to be busier than never before. ''Acting is a compulsion for three reasons: I enjoy it; it provides my bread and butter: and I need the bread and butter, so I do it,''Amitabh said in an interview to ''The Observer'', London. Asked as to how did it feel to be an international celebrity which he had become following being chosen the superstar of the millennium last year by the BBC online and what with a French perfume company, Lomani naming its perfume after him, Amitabh said, ''being voted Superstar of the Millennium on BBC online was a computer error for sure.'' As to the larger-than-life image that he had come to acquire over the years following as series of roles as an action hero, starting from Zanjeer, Deewar and Sholay to Kaalia, Mr Natwarlal to the more recent Khuda Gawah, Hum, Shehanshah and now, Kaante, he said, ''celebrity status happens because people identify you with an image on screen which is 10 times larger than life - what I call, audience magnification." They get swayed by fantasy and expect that that's what you're like in real life.'' ''It can cause disappointment... but it's an exalted position and one we all enjoy being in,'' Amitabh said. Asked as to after all these years, was there anything he felt he could not do on screen, he said, ''I have never performed a kiss on screen. I'm just not comfortable with it and I am not going to do it. You have to believe that you can do something which others can't.'' When asked about his experience during the filming of Sanjay Gupta's Kaante, the first film to be shot extensively in the U.S, Amitabh said, ''When filming Kaante, I came to believe that most criminals live with the philosophy that they should commit one last crime for the betterment of their lives. It's unfortunate for them that the last one generally happens to be fateful.'' On his son Abhishek's career in films, Amitabh said, ''I told my own children: 'Don't give me high grades in school, don't give me great accomplishments in your profession. Just let a total stranger come up to me and say, 'Amitabh, your child is a great human being'.
'I feel horrible when people write trash'-Manisha
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Dressed in an all black ensemble Manisha Koirala looks ravishing. Ignore the extra kilos she has gained, and she dazzles. The actress is excited about her new film in which she plays Indira Gandhi. "It is such an honour. It is a fabulous role. N Chandra is directing the project," she says. "I have started reading books and articles on her. I have stored up a lot of information on her. I will wear a wig for the character. I am busy working on the look." Manya (as she is affectionately called) knows what she wants. At this point, she is not angling for biggies but roles that satisfy her creatively. "I have done my share of commercial setups. Luckily, I was accepted as a commercial film actress. It was easy for me to do films like Khamoshi, Bombay, 1942 -- A Love Story. Today, I have moved on. I want to do good roles, make films and television serials. Everyone in my house watches television. I want to get into television but I want to make sensible stuff," reveals the Nepali beauty. Her enthusiasm is infectious as she excitedly talks about her maiden production venture Paisa Vasool. Inspired from Mel Smith's chick flick High Heels Low Lives, the film stars Manisha and Sushmita Sen. "Every one in Paisa Vasool has done a great job." She brushes aside rumours about her problem with debutant director Srinivas, Mani Ratnam's former assistant. "People were spreading rumours about me having a problem with Srinivas. Why would I have a problem with him? He has been my friend for many years. I took him on knowing his capacity as a director. I feel horrible when people write trash. They wrote I wasn't happy with his work and that he was not doing a good job. It is a load of rubbish." When quizzed about her latest release Escape From Taliban, she candidly admits, "The director has done a good job. The cameraman was fabulous. When I saw the film I felt I had done my best. I had put in effort. I worked on my accent. I hired a Bengali instructor so that I could get the right Bengali touch. I didn't want it to look like mockery. I wanted the character to be genuine. I have worked with the best directors. To work with just about anybody after that is always compromising. But then I like working with new people, new setups, new scripts."
Bipasha Basu molested
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Model-turned-actor John Abraham beat up a man who molested his girlfriend Bipasha Basu, on Friday at the Juhu nightspot Rain. According to eye-witnesses, barely after Abraham and Basu had entered Rain at around 11 pm, a man walked up to Basu, grabbed her breast and then fled towards the restaurant's exit. Immediately, Abraham ran after him, caught him and rained blows. While confirming the incident, Abraham said, I didn't beat the man who tried to mess around with Bipasha. I taught him a lesson. I will do so with anyone else who tries to do the same. Basu who was taken unawares was stunned after the incident. According to the eye-witnesses, she cried for a long time in the restaurant before leaving the place with Abraham. Incidentally, actors Bobby Deol, Fardeen Khan and Saahil Khan were also present at the venue when the event took place. No complaint with the police nor is the identity of the man known.
Leave me alone, says Lata
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
The melody in Lata Mangeshkar’s voice has been replaced by anger. The provocation: Rajya Sabha MP Shabana Azmi objecting to her regular absence from the Upper House. Says Mangeshkar, I’m not comfortable when I have to do things other than singing in public. Why are people hellbent on dissecting what I’m doing? Why can’t I be left alone? she thunders. The melody queen, who’s in Pune, recovering from a viral fever, says: It’s not in my nature to react to trash. Par abhi paani sar se upar gaya hai. I’m taking this issue seriously now. The allegation that her presence in the Rajya Sabha has been ineffective and that she has a non-functional attitude is dismissed by Mangeshkar: I’m not hurt or upset. Such reactions surprise me. My silence shouldn’t be misinterpreted. I’m doing something about it once I return to Mumbai. Enough is enough. People have to keep quiet now. But why did she miss the sessions that began on February 17? I was performing with A R Rahman in Hyderabad on February 14. As per my schedule, I planned to attend the session that began on February 17. But I had an accident and hurt my back; I was also running a viral fever. As per the doctor’s advice, I cancelled all appointments and sent a letter to the Rajya Sabha head, stating my condition. Abhi Shabana Azmi ko kya takleef hai? asks Mangeshkar. The singer asserts that she knows her job and people should stop commenting on it. I’ve never commented on other people’s lives, so why can’t people mind their own business? It’s my problem and I’ll sort it out. Asserting that it’s music and music alone that stirs her soul, the singer says she was never interested in something like this. I’m a singer and I understand only music. What do I have to do in the Rajya Sabha? Honestly, I go there and just sit. She adds, I was never interested in this prestigious offer in the first place. But I took it up on the request of somebody who I have high regard for. And it’s for his sake that I’ve been silent. Mangeshkar is returning to Mumbai on March 5th. She says, I’m consulting this person. Whatever my decision, I’ll announce it then.
Big B Floored By Music Trio
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
Amitabh Bachchan was so impressed with the songs of Farhan Akhtar’s Laqshya that he sent a huge bouquet of flowers to the film’s music directors, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. According to Ehsaan, whose house the flowers were delivered to, They came in a lovely glass bowl and were so exotic, they must’ve cost Bachchan Rs. 3,000 to 4,000. Ehsaan reveals how his heart almost skipped a beat as he received the lovely bouquet from the delivery boy, expecting it to be from some girl-fan of his. But he was in for an even more pleasant surprise when he opened the envelope stapled to the bouquet. There was a personal letter from the Big B, written by the superstar in his own hand, complimenting the trio for their wonderful melodies. Needless to add, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are in seventh heaven ever since!
PM assails Gandhi's charge on terrorism
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Monday took strong exception to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's charge that BJP was using Pakistan-inspired terrorism for polarising society. "They (Opposition) are saying we are dividing the country. We are trying to polarise society on the issue of terrorism. This is regrettable and unfortunate. To bring the issue of terrorism in this manner is wrong," a visibly angry Vajpayee said. He was replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister said "there are 100 ways to do politics. It is the people who will decide ultimately". This drew jeers from the Congress benches who reminded him of the BJP debacle in the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh. BJP members countered it by shouting Gujarat. Rejecting Gandhi's charge, he retorted "where are we using terrorism to divide the country. You exaggerate one issue to show that it is the biggest problem". The Nation will never leave the path of secularism and 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav', he asserted. 18:35 IST
US has failed to stop Pak against cross-border terrorism: PM
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Monday said the "failure" of the United States to persuade Pakistan against indulging in cross-border terrorism showed Washington's "weakness and we will keep this in mind while evolving future strategy". Replying to a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's address, Vajpayee, in an apparent reference to the US, said "to think that we should not trust anyone is not proper". Despite being a nuclear power, India was a responsible state and "no one has raised questions about us and had done so only about our neighbour", he said asserting India has not created tension. The Prime Minister said when Parliament was attacked then it seemed that the country would have to reply in a befitting manner. But, he said, India was given assurances that Pakistan would stop terrorism and the picture was also a mixed one as there was a step up and lull in terrorist activities because of which the country remained on alert. Taking a dig at the opposition which wanted to know as to what happened to his talk of "aar-par ki ladai" (fight to the finish), Vajpayee said it would have been fight to the finish if there was a war. But, the objective was achieved without fighting a war. He said there were still positive signals and whenever they change in future, "we will react accordingly". 18:35 IST
Prez Kalam appreciates Germany's support to India on terrorism
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: President A P J Abdul Kalam Monday appreciated Germany's consistent support to India in the struggle against cross-border terrorism and this had been further strengthened with the signing of a bilateral Extradition Treaty and the establishment of Joint Working Group on Terrorism. Speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of the visiting German President Johannes Rau and his wife Christina Rau, the President said "we are determined to root out terrorism, to preserve our way of life, our freedom and liberties." He said terrorism rejects treaties, boundaries, limitations and norms, whether geographic or moral and quoting the German leader, the President said "if terrorism is to be given no leeway, then we have not just the right to insist upon punishment, rather we also need to act appropriately and resolutely against terrorism." Kalam said democracy and pluralism are the pillars of both the Indian and German states and "today democracy is under threat from authoritarian regimes and dictatorships and compounded by international terrorism". 22:11 IST
Infosys' Murthy appointed Thai premier's IT adviser
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
Bangkok,Sunday, March 02, 2003: Narayana Murthy, head of India's software giant Infosys Technologies Ltd, has been appointed Thailand Premier Thaksin Shinawatra's adviser on Information Technology matters. Thaksin Monday said he has appointed Murthy on his team of advisers as he was impressed by the way Infosys chief made his company one of the world's top software firms in just a few years. He said he was also impressed by his efforts in making Bangalore the "Silicon Valley of Asia." Murthy's talent would be utilised to develop Thailand and the Southeast Asia in the IT field, he said. Murthy's appointment was announced by Thaksin at a banking software technology seminar here. Thailand, he said, has a 10-year plan from 2001 to 2010 to develop IT in all areas of economic activity and governance. Thaksin, a billionaire telecom magnate, before he became Thailand's premier, said he wanted to tap Murthy's ability to develop the country in the field of IT. Meanwhile, Infosys said it had identified Thailand as a target market for its "Finacale" banking solutions. It has entered into a partnership with Thai companies Datamat and Yip In Tsoi Co Ltd to market 'Finacle' in the region. The banking software is currently used by 67 banks across 21 countries, Infosys said. Thaksin founded Shin Corp, has long had a business presence in India. The company's Shin satellite unit has a con ract with the Government of India. 22:11 IST
BSNL slashes domestic long distance rates by 47%
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: In yet another bonanza to consumers, state-owned BSNL Monday announced a 47 per cent cut in STD rates for distance beyond 500 kms to Rs 4.80 per minute from the existing Rs 9. As per the new tariff, effective from March 7, the consumers would, however, have to pay marginally more at Rs 4.80 per minute against the prevailing Rs 4.50 for domestic long distance calls beyond 500 kms during the off-peak hours between 8 PM-9 AM. For distance upto 500 kms, BSNL has not changed the rates, Singh said. In early January, BSNL had slashed mobile-to-mobile STD tariffs to Rs 4.80 per minute from Rs nine beyond 500 kms, while retaining the existing rates for below 500 km categories. The Corporation, in fact, had bettered the mobile-to- mobile STD rate cut announcement by cellular operators by going a step forward and extending the benefit of its reduced STD tariffs to calls from mobile to fixed line telephones also. 16:42 IST
PM lauds Indian team spirit and togetherness
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Monday lauded the Indian cricket team for the "spirit and togetherness" with which it defeated Pakistan and hoped that it would continue with its winning spree and bring the World Cup home. "It was an excellent display of team spirit and togetherness by all members of the Indian cricket team," Vajpayee said in a letter to skipper Sourav Ganguly. India had demolished arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in the high-voltage match on Saturday. Vajpayee said, "I am sure that the team will continue to play with the same spirit in the World Cup tournament and win laurels for the country." The letter was sent to Rajiv Shukla, M P and Chairman, Media Co-ordination Committee of the Indian Cricket Board, to be handed over to the Indian skipper in South Africa. Vajpayee had congratulated the team on Saturday for its spectacular six-wicket victory. 13:10 IST
Lok Sabha pats cricketers for convincing triumph over Pakistan
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: The Lok Sabha Monday congratulated the Indian cricket team for its "convincing" victory over Pakistan on Saturday in the World Cup in South Africa. As soon as the House assembled, members wanted that the House should put on record the splendid performance by the Indian team. Congratulating the team on behalf of the House, Speaker Manohar Joshi said the Indian cricketers had scored a "convincing victory" over Pakistan. "We wish them success in winning matches in the World Cup," Joshi said. Amidst thumping of desks by members, Pawan Kumar Bansal (Congress) quipped while Congress won the assembly elections defeating the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, India beat Pakistan in cricket. 12:14 IST
IAF inducts IL-78 mid air refuellers
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: The Indian Air Force Monday got a shot in the arm with the first of the six IL-78 mid-air refuellers joining the force making India only the sixth Air Force in the world to have such force multipliers. The first IL-78 landed at Agra airbase today from Uzbek capital Tashkent to make newly raised Squadron-78" nicknamed "battle-cry" operational giving the IAF capability to strike targets as far as 7000 kms with two mid-air refuels. An IAF spokesman said the second refueller would join the force in April and all the six Giant IL-78, each capable of carrying 36 tonne of aviation fuel to a distance of 3,000 kms, would be inducted by the year end. "The mid-air refuellers have already become operational as our air crew and maintenance personnel have been already undergoing training in Uzbekistan", the spokesman Squadron Leader Rajesh Dhingra said. He said IAF's recently acquired SU-30MKI were already fitted with mid-air refueller adaptors and the French Mirage 2000 and Jaguars were being modified to make them compatible with the air-to-air refuelling. The Air Tankers can boost the SU-30MKI combat range of 3,000 kms three times. The IAF has already had its first experience at mid-air refuelling during the recent first-ever fighter exercises with French Air Force in which the French tankers KC135 refulled IAF's Mirage 2000 fighters. 19:19 IST
Jammu and Kashmir experiences tremors
Monday, March 3, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 02, 2003: Jammu and Kashmir experienced an earthquake of slight intensity Sunday at 8.54 pm. The tremors that measured 4.0 on the Richter Scale had their epicentre within Jammu and Kashmir (latitude 33.5 degrees North, longitude 75.3 degrees East), an Indian Meteorological Department statement said here Monday. There are no reports of any damage due to the tremors. 09:54 IST
PM enjoys Jagjit Singh's Gazals
Monday, March 3, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: A mellifluous rendition of Ghazals by Jagjit Singh Sunday night charmed the Prime Minister who requested the noted singer to do encore. Impressed by the songs, the poet-Prime Minister requested the Ghazal Maestro to sing a few more numbers before he left the finction to mark the foundation-day celebrations of 46-year-old Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) at the Siri Fort Auditorium here. Earlier, addressing the gathering, Vajpayee said there was no shortage of food in the country and that India was in a position to export foodgrains in a big way. Vajpayee lauded CWC for undertaking the task of storing huge stock of foodgrains and other items. Food Minister Sharad Yadav and Minister of state for Information and Broadcasting Ravi Shanker Prasad were among others present on the occasion. 09:54 IST
Fall in vote share for both Congress and BJP in Himachal
Monday, March 3, 2003
Shimla,Monday, March 03, 2003: Congress increased its tally from 31 to 40 in the 60-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly despite a three per cent fall in its vote share compared to the 1998 elections, while the BJP's strength in the house fell from 29 to 16 with a 3.5 per cent decline in the votes polled by it. An increase of 14 per cent in the vote share of independents and smaller parties contributed to the decline in percentage of votes polled by Congress and BJP. The Congress' vote share fell from 43.5 per cent in 1998 to 40.5 per cent in 2003 and that of the saffron party from 39.03 to 35.5 per cent. Former Union Minister Sukh Ram's Haryana Vikas Congress (HVC), which had a post-poll pact with the BJP in 1998 and fought the present elections alone, suffered a loss of 4.4 per cent in its vote share, bagging 5.5 per cent of the votes. The surge in the vote share of independents was mainly due to the presence of rebels from both Congress and BJP in a number of seats. However, it was BJP which suffered more damage with its prospects marred in at least 10 constituencies while the Congress was affected in at least seven contituencies. While BJP rebel Naveen Dhiman and two independents supported by the party dissidents won the elections defeating official party nominees, the saffron party lost Hamirpur, Chopal, Theog, Shallai, Nadaun, Kangra, Bhatiyat, Kullu, Ani and Arki seats due to presence of rebel candidates. However, BJP won Solan, Malagarh, Kutlehar and Nadaunata seats despite the presence of rebels. 09:54 IST
Celebration over win against Pakistan continues
Monday, March 3, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, March 03, 2003: The celebrations over India's memorable win against Pakistan in a World Cup cricket match continued Sunday, but stray incidents of violence in few areas of the country dampened the spirits of people. People took to the street in victory processions hailing their cricketing heroes and burnt fire crackers and danced around bonfires in several parts of the country. But in Bangalore, prohibitory orders were clamped in three police stations after tension mounted following group clashes over celebration of India's six wicket win. Ban orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been clamped till March four midnight in Kadugondanahalli, Devarajeevanahalli and Banaswadi limits as a precautionary measure, police said. In Ferozpur, Punjab, several persons were injured as people on both sides of the India-Pakistan border hurled stones at each other during the retreat ceremony at the Joint Border Post at Hussainiwala. Ten people were admitted to hospitals with head injuries sustained in stone pelting. However, in other border villages - it was a belated Diwali for people. No sooner did Rahul Dravid hit the winning boundary, inhabitants of the villages of Attari, Theihkala, Rajatal Bacchiwind and Rattankalla came out of their houses to burst fireworks and distribute sweets. All these villages are a stone's throw from the Indo-Pak border. 09:54 IST
Russians discover key to healthy lives in Ayurveda
Monday, March 3, 2003
Moscow,Monday, March 03, 2003: Even as Ayurveda is yet miles away from the official recognition in Russia, thousands of Russians have been bringing some positive changes in their lives through healthful practices of the ancient Indian system of herbal tonics, massage and dietetics. Viktoria Reizvykh, a 20-year-old student of foreign languages from the Siberian city of Omsk, learnt about art of living a la Ayurveda two years ago. That changed her life for the better, she says, and converted many of her friends and relatives to a healthier lifestyle. Reizvykh is also making some money by selling Ayurvedic preparations. Marsia, a young Muslim resident of St Petersburg, says Chavanprash came to her rescue when she was rapidly losing weight through depression that followed her mother's death. "Since then there has been no looking back. I left my translator's job in a top German company and have become a full time distributor of Ayurvedic drugs and promotor of the Hindu way of healthy life," Marsia said on sidelines of an Ayurveda meet. Chavanprash, a health-giving concoction of herbs, is what Alexender Tesiko, a St Petersberg-based businessman, imported from India in 1996, and then went on to become the largest supplier of premium Ayurvedic medications and herbal cosmetics in the former Soviet Union and Europe. "From door to door, from hand to hand, from heart to heart," says Tesiko, is the modus operandi of Ayurveda Plus, the network company he set up five years ago to deliver the message of healthy life through Ayurveda. 09:54 IST
MRF chairman Mammen Mappilai passes away
Monday, March 3, 2003
Chennai,Monday, March 03, 2003: Mammen Mappilai, Chairman MRF, passed away here Sunday night after a brief illness, family sources said. The industrialist was 80. Mammen Mappillai was former President of the Automotive Tyres Association of India. MRF has factories all over the country. The group which was floated in 1961, has now emerged as a group with a turnover of Rs 22.41 bn. He owned many rubber plantations in Kerala. His funeral will be held Monday at the Kilpauk cemetery here, the sources said. Mammen Mappilai was born in 1922 and is survived by wife, three sons and a daughter. A Science graduate, Mammen Mappila was also associated with Malayala Manorama, India's largest circulated daily newspaper, weekly and other publications. Born in 1922, Mammen Mappillai was recepient of Padmashri in 1992. He also received the MMA business leadership award in 1995, Ernst & Young 'lifetime achievement award' in 2002 and "Auto ratna' award in 2002. Mammen Mappilai had visited rubber factories in the Middle East, Europe, UK, Japan, US and Canada and was associated with several rubber plantation companies and rubber goods manufacturing companies in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Tamil Nadu. He was a member of Central Industrial Advisory Council for Industry, The Board of Trade, The Development Council For Automotive and Allied Industries, the Advisory Council on Trade, Government of India, State Industrial Advisory Committee, Government of Tamil Nadu. He was Director of State Bank Of India, Central board from 1973 to 1984 and Institute of Science, Bangalore. He was President of Madras local board of SBI, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (southern region), Hindustan chamber of Commerce, Chennai. MRF has also diversified into toys, leather, paints and conveyor belting. MRF had been associated with Masfield tyres of US, Uniroyal goodrich tyre of the Us and Michelin tyres of France in past. It is associated with US-based Hasbro for toys. 09:54 IST
PM congratulates team
Sunday, March 2, 2003
New Delhi March 1. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, congratulated the Indian cricket team on its spectacular victory over Pakistan in the World Cup match in Centurion today. Mr. Vajpayee watched the crucial match along with his family, PMO sources told.
Outburst of joy across India after India thrash Pakistan
Sunday, March 2, 2003
India's thrilling win against Pakistan was greeted with an outburst of emotion across the country. People celebrated by bursting crackers, dancing in the streets and distributing sweets. The deafening noise of crackers reverberate d across numerous cities as India thrashed Pakistan and entered the Super Six stage of the World Cup and maintained their winning streak against the arch-rivals in the World Cup since 1992. "Defeating Pakistan has paved the way for bringing the World Cup home," said a jubilant fan. A public holiday on the occasion of Mahashivratri gave cricket fans the opportunity to watch master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and his opening partner Virender Sehwag pulverize tearaway speedster Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis. Border villages celebrate No sooner did Rahul Dravid hit the winning boundary to give India their best win so far in the World Cup, inhabitants of border villages came out of their houses and celebrated the victory with drumbeats and distribution of sweets. The slogan "Bharat Mata ki Jai" echoed across villages which are at a stone's throw from the Indo-Pak border. Jubilation in Kolkata In Kolkata, people were seen running out of their homes with the tricolour in hand, shouting "India and Tendulkar Zindabad". The tension of the clash between the two traditional rivals could be felt in the air, as the streets wore a deserted look in the afternoon when the match began. There were fewer buses and many private offices did not function. However, the Indian victory resuscitated life back into the city at night with teeming crowds seen hugging and congratulating each other. The skyline was lit with an impressive array of fireworks. At many places bonfires were lit at the centre of the streets around which cricket aficionados danced with gay abandon. Violence mars celebration But there was a dampener on the celebrations in Ahmedabad which turned ugly as an 18-year-old boy lost his life in rioting after some "mischief mongers" began pelting stones. The youth, identified as Zuber, was injured when police opened fire to quell mobs that resorted to heavy stone throwing and arson in the sensitive Shahpur area minutes after India's victory. Bookies held Police nabbed a gang of bookies in Lucknow and Kanpur while they were accepting bets and forwarding them to bookies in metros like Mumbai and Delhi. Nearly Rs 11 lakh of betting money was also recovered. "The bidding was being conducted on a hi-tech scale. The business was not being conducted by word of mouth. It was on a much larger scale. They had a laptop and at least 14 phone lines," said Arvind Chaturvedi, SP, STF, Lucknow. Police say over Rs 100 crore worth of bets are flowing from Uttar Pradesh. (With inputs)
Ecstatic fans celebrate cricket victory
Sunday, March 2, 2003
War clouds may hang over distant Iraq. However, it seemed as if curfew had been imposed in Bangalore on Saturday. The City’s roads, which otherwise would be teeming with vehicles and impatient drivers blaring the horns, wore a deserted look. But the silence broke when Bangalore boy Rahul Dravid pulled to the square leg boundary. Cricket buffs glued to the television and radio sets turned a frenzied lot, wolf-whistles rent the air and youngsters zipped away on their snazzy bikes on the main roads - of course, celebrating India’s victory. Thank God, we won. I thought the going would be tough for us when Pakistan scored 273. But when my favourite hero Sachin started blasting runs, it gave us something to look forward. And we won, that’s it, Nikita, in her teens, was heard telling her friends who had gathered to celebrate on Brigade Road. From colllege students to lecturers, autorickshaw drivers to policemen, a smile was radiant on everyone’s faces. Fireworks dotted Bangalore’s skyline, especially in suburbs like Jayanagar, Vijayanagar, Rajajinagar, K R Puram, Fraser Town, Koramangala and Murugeshpalya. A resident of Fraser Town’s Ratan Singh Road for the last 30 years, retired marketing manager Patrick D’ Costa called up Deccan Herald office and said, this is the first time in the last 30 years that I have witnessed a light and sound fireworks extravaganza of this magnitude. Even Deepavali celebrations in the area have paled in comparison. Mahesh and Anup Pandit of Jayanagar 7th Block, with their faces painted in tri-colour, walked on the streets waving plastic flags. Joining them in the celebrations were their family members, who were all dressed in blue - the official colour of the Indian team. Sweet shops that were open in the night did brisk business. SMS greetings were exchanged on the cell phones. In fact, at several temples, the Shivarathri celebrations culminated with the victory celebrations of the Indian team. Earlier, it was evident that Bangaloreans had cancelled all their appointments - just to watch battle of battles fought on the pitch. With passion and patriotism running high, City’s premium arcades, otherwise busy shopping malls, elite eateries and theatres that would otherwise sport House Full signs saw them virtually shunned. However, cashing in on the citizen’s cricket fever were the clubs and star hotels that had erected giant screens to telecast matches live, just to lure customers. With today’s victory catapulting India into the Super Six league, the promises and pinches of the Union Budget were conveniently relegated to the background.
Sweet Sachin sets world alight: UK media
Sunday, March 2, 2003
India's stupendous victory in the World Cup match against Pakistan provided just the excuse the British media wanted to once again sing paens on the `sweet` and `wondrous` Sachin Tendulkar. Heaping praise on the maestro for his knock at Centurion in South Africa on Saturday, The Independent said Tendulkar`s art of batting is beyond boundaries. "It is hard to imagine that the art of batting can ever have reached the pinnacle Sachin Tendulkar took it to in a sumptuous display at Centurion. "If there was any doubt that he is the best batsman in the world, it vanished once and for all as he persuaded Pakistan`s bowlers to all points of the compass with strokes that were as breathtakingly and daringly conceived as they were perfectly executed and placed," it said on Sunday. "Better matches and tighter finishes may lie ahead in the eighth World Cup but there will be no more alluring spectacle. Nor will there be a more scintillating innings than that played by the wondrous Sachin Tendulkar, unless he plays it himself," said a separate article in the newspaper, with a headline "Sachin sets the world alight". With a headline screaming "Sweet Sachin steals show", The Sunday Times said, "Tendulkar produced the most astonishing innings seen in 50-overs cricket since the matches began." "His breathtaking assault on a furious Pakistan attack brought thousands of spectators to their feet, waving, chanting and roaring themselves hoarse." Statistics cannot do justice to a talent such as Tendulkar, but in this case they speak for themselves. He has amassed 469 runs in this tournament, more than anybody else, top scoring for India in five of their six matches. The 29-year-old also amassed 12,000 runs in the limited overs version of the game on Saturday, nobody else has reached 10,000 even. The newspapers also praised Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh for steadying the Indian innings and ensuring victory. "Rahul Dravid`s sense and Yuvraj Singh`s stroke play took over and conducted India home by six wickets with 4.2 overs to spare in a crescendo of pandemonium," the Sunday Telegraph wrote. In a special tribute to Tendulkar, it said, "he truly is the most admirable of contemporary cricketers, perhaps the only one now - in Shane Warne`s absence - who lends greatness to the age," it said. The Observer noted that Tendulkar`s 74-ball knok transcended all the squabbles of this World Cup. "For two hours Tendulkar bewitched a capacity crowd and sent his adoring supporters into ecstasy. For the neutrals it was a privilege to witness a sublime innings that touched perfection - one of those `I was there` moments." "No one on the planet can play like this and I`m not even sure that Tendulkar himself has played so sublimely in one-day cricket," The Observer said. "He did offer one chance; Abdur Razzaq dropped him at mid -off when he was on 32. Otherwise Tendulkar was awesome." "They sometimes quibble that he is a player of great knocks rather than match-winning innings. This innings put that charge to bed: this is the World Cup; the opponents were Pakistan and his team faced a formidable total; they needed someone to assert himself." "It took him two overs. After a classical back-foot drive off Wasim, he turned his attention to Shoaib Akhtar, the fastest bowler in the world." The paper went on to describe his shots one by one before concluding "it is not possible to bat better than this". "The catalogue of wonderful stroke-play continued. Waqar removed Shoaib after one over, only to be punished himself. Tendulkar was hitting good balls for four with classical orthodoxy. In a form of the game where it is not possible to retreat by bowling outside leg-stump, as England did on their last Test tour of India, they could not stop him." "Thanks a billion, Tendulkar" screamed the headline in The Independent which said Tendulkar revealed his whole repertoire of scintillating strokes as he dispatched the ball to all parts of the ground in a bewildering onslaught.
Tendulkar guides India into Super Six
Sunday, March 2, 2003
Centurion, Mar 1: India joined Group A leaders Australia in the World Cup Super Sixes after Sachin Tendulkar's ferocious batting guided them to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday. Tendulkar smashed 98 from 75 balls, shrugging off a left thigh strain as India chased down Pakistan's 273 for seven at the packed SuperSport Park. Tendulkar punished the Pakistan attack after being dropped on 32 and 88. Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar eventually got rid of Tendulkar two short of a record fifth World Cup hundred, but Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, with a half-century, shepherded India home with a 99-run unbroken partnership. The victory gave India 20 points from their six group games. Australia, already guaranteed top place, also have 20 with one game to go. Pakistan, Zimbabwe and England will fight it out over the third qualifying place. Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar had struck 101 for his first one-day hundred in two-and-a-half years to keep his team in the hunt after captain Waqar Younis elected to bat first. But Tendulkar shared in a 102-run third wicket partnership with Mohammad Kaif (35) after Waqar had struck off successive balls to reduce India to 53 for two in the sixth over. The experienced paceman removed opener Virender Sehwag for a 14-ball 21 before trapping Saurav Ganguly lbw for a golden duck. But Tendulkar kept up his extraordinary World Cup run, now tallying 469 runs. He has top-scored in each of India's six games. He also crossed 12,000 one-day runs on Saturday. Reuters
Tendulkar battles Pak bowlers...and pain
Sunday, March 2, 2003
Sachin Tendulkar, again, has braved the odds when it mattered, in the crunch game against Pakistan. Is this the little master`s greatest knock till date? Sachin Tendulkar, the God of Indian cricket came up with a plum of a performance (98 runs) against Pakistan, here in Centurion. The little master started in a style, we all today know as his own - aggresive. Wasim Akram`s first over fetched India 9 runs while Akhtar, who had earlier in the week challenged Tendulkar with trademark chest-thumping, went for 18 runs. Clearly Waqar`s ploy of using Akhtar`s pace to demoralise Sehwag and Tendulkar did not work. Worse, the ball was thrown around for 11 runs during Waqar`s first over. All this courtesy, the Indian openers. When on 32, Tendulkar gave a regulation catch to Razzaq who dropped it. A costly miss. But it was not this Tendulkar chance that caused a flutter in the Indian fan`s heart. When in the 60s, Tendulkar pulled a hamstring during one of his cheeky singles with Mohd Kaif as his partner. After that, every run brought a painful expression on Tendulkar`s face. But he was not one to be dogged down by such small things. When at the non-striker`s end, he stretched his hurting muscle. This was done at every given opportunity. So much so, one Shahid Afridi over saw Kaif just defending because Tendulkar was stretching his strained muscle at the non-striker`s end. Commentators wondered why he was not opting for a runner. But then, Tendulkar plays his way, and plays it good. He endured the pain for India`s cause. Its a pity, Tendulkar could not score a century, but then, he had already put India in the driving seat.
Agony and ecstasy as India triumph over Pakistan
Sunday, March 2, 2003
London,Sunday, March 02, 2003: Southall Broadway in West London, dominated by people of Indian origin, erupted in joy as India scripted an epic victory against eternal foes Pakistan in the World Cup yesterday. Thousands of kilometres away from the game in South Africa, the Southall street was filled with joyous young men and women who added their victory cries to a cacophony of car horns and fireworks. Indian flags were waved from windows and many revellers danced outside pubs - their shoulders draped in the national colours. It was hard to spot any members of the Pakistani community or their flags which, hours earlier, had also been paraded about the area. More visible were the police officers, who mounted extra patrols across Southall to quell any trouble. The scenes of Indian jubilation in Southall, prompted by India's emphatic six-wicket victory, were matched in several other British cities, and followed the passionate intensity of anticipation which had gripped Asian communities as yesterday's match got under way. 11:30 IST
BJP's meeting to discuss poll rout begins
Sunday, March 2, 2003
A meeting of top BJP leaders to analyse the party's debacle in Himachal Pradesh assembly polls began here today. The meeting is attended among others by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and BJP chief Venkaiah Naidu. "The meeting will discuss the outcome of Himachal polls and the future course of action to be adopted by the party," BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters here. 12:23 IST
Tendulkar shows the exit door to Pakistan
Sunday, March 2, 2003
Centurion (South Africa),Sunday, March 02, 2003: Sachin Tendulkar's majestic knock carried India to a memorable six-wicket victory in a highly-awaited World Cup Group A contest against traditional rivals Pakistan who were left staring at an early exit from the tournament. Tendulkar, who became the first batsman to score 12,000 runs in one-day cricket on Saturday, captivated a packed sub- continental crowd at the SuperSports Park with a breathtaking knock of 98 runs that saw India easily overtake Pakistan's score of 273 for seven and ensure their place in the Super Six. India reached 276 for four with 26 balls to spare to finish their league encounters with 20 points from six matches. Pakistan, who have eight points from five games, still have a mathematical chance to qualify for the next round provided they beat Zimbabwe by a huge margin in their last match. Australia, who have 20 points with a game against England to go, have already qualified for the Super Six. The victory in Saturday's much-hyped game, the first between the two countries in nearly three years, maintained India's record of having defeated Pakistain every time the two teams have met in a World Cup. Pakistan, who elected to bat first on a beautiful batting track, did well to reach a handsome total of 273 for seven, mainly due to the efforts of veteran opener Saeed Anwar who chose the big ocassion to come out of his recent indifferent form and crack a fine 101. However, Tendulkar launched a stunning assault on Pakistan's celebrated pace bowlers in the first 15 overs that not only completely unsettled Waqar Younis and company but the resultant high run rate also ensured that the later order Indian batsmen never had to panic. 09:40 IST
LeT threatens suicide attacks and targeting of Vajpayee and Advani
Sunday, March 2, 2003
New Delhi,Sunday, March 02, 2003: Lashkar-e-Taiba has issued a fresh threat to unleash a spate of suicide attacks in India and targets include Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee among others, reports Pakistani media. Noted Pakistani weekly "The Friday Times" quoted LeT Chief Hafeez Saeed's taped speech, played at a mosque in Rawalpindi, as saying "Listen O (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee, we are about to unleash a spate of suicide attacks. I have ordered my warriors to undertake this duty." Lashkar also threatened Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani saying that his days were numbered, the weekly reported. In yet another sign of continued failure of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to rein in the militants, Saeed said in his speech "Listen O Musharraf! We shall not submit to you or your government....we will not allow you to besmirch the jihad..." The speech, which was in clear violation of law, did not spare the US Ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powell and said "we cannot tolerate unholy presence of Nancy Powell...Pakistan should cleanse itself from her unholy existence." Meanwhile, a former Army General, Lt Gen Nishat Ahmed warned that chances of war with India were ripe because Islamabad was not keeping its word. "Cross-border infiltration is on. The Government may not be supporting it but it is certainly looking the other way". 11:30 IST
British media in love with Tendulkar all over again
Sunday, March 2, 2003
London,Sunday, March 02, 2003: India's stupendous victory in the World Cup match against Pakistan provided just the excuse British media wanted to once again sing paens on the "sweet" and "wondrous" Sachin Tendulkar and conclude that his 98-run knock had once and for all sealed the debate on whether he was the best batsman in the world. Heaping praise on the maestro for his knock at Centurion in South Africa on Saturday, "The Independent" said Tendulkar's art of batting is beyond boundaries. "It is hard to imagine that the art of batting can ever have reached the pinnacle Sachin Tendulkar took it to in a sumptuous display at Centurion. "If there was any doubt that he is the best batsman in the world, it vanished once and for all as he persuaded Pakistan's bowlers to all points of the compass with strokes that were as breathtakingly and daringly conceived as they were perfectly executed and placed," it said today. "Better matches and tighter finishes may lie ahead in the eighth World Cup but there will be no more alluring spectacle. Nor will there be a more scintillating innings than that played by the wondrous Sachin Tendulkar, unless he plays it himself," said a separate article in the newspaper, with a headline "Sachin sets the world alight". 12:23 IST
Congress ahead in 10 constituencies in Meghalaya
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Shillong,Saturday, March 01, 2003: The Congress, a member of the ruling Meghalaya People's Forum, is ahead in 10 constituencies in the 60-member Meghalaya assembly. Its coalition partner Nationalist Congress Party is ahead in six while the United Democratic Party is ahead in one. Others were ahead in 13. 11:05 IST
CPI(M) leads in 10 constituencies in Tripura
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Agartala,Saturday, March 01, 2003: The CPI(M), dominant partner of the ruling Left Front, was leading in 10 constituencies in the 60-member Tripura assembly which went to polls on February 26. The Oppostition Congress was ahead in two seats and the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura in one.
Fear haunts victims of Gujarat communal violence
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Washington,Saturday, March 01, 2003: A year after the Godhra massacre triggered a violent backlash against the Muslims, many of the victims of the communal riots continue to live in fear and anxiety in Gujarat. According to Nishrin Husain, the daughter of a former Member Parliament Jafri, who was slain in the aftermath, Jafri was tortured for 45 minutes before he was put to death by a mob. His numerous calls to the authorities for help were to no avail, she said expressing concerns over the "troubling international silence." At a press conference organised by the Washignton-based Policy for Religion and State and several more advocacy groups at the US Capitol Building, she said she was worried over statements by Hindu Nationalists that they would repeat the Gujarat experiment in other parts of India as well. Jan Mohammed, another eyewitness to the violence, said, "what wdisturbed me most about working in Gujarat was the utter lack of remorse. Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP were re-elected, despite protests from the international community". 10:10 IST
Cong wins three seats, leading in 19; BJP gets one ahead in 11 in Himachal Pradesh
Saturday, March 1, 2003
Shimla,Saturday, March 01, 2003: Congress today won three seats and was leading in 19 others in the assembly election in Himachal Pradesh where ruling BJP bagged one seat and was ahead in 11 of the 65 constituencies. Anita Verma of Congress won from Hamirpur. The party has also won Garget and Kulehar constituencies. BJP bagged the Mewa seat. Himachal Vikas Congress was ahead in three seats with its chief Sukh Ram leading by 120 votes in Mandi. While Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vidya Stokes was leading in Kumarsain, BJP chief Jaikishan Sharma was trailing in Santogarh by 600 votes. Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Virbhadra Singh was leading in Rohroo. Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate Gulab Singh was trailing in Joginder Nagar. Congress' Harbhajan Singh was leading in Shimla and Ishwar Das in Anni. Congress candidate was also ahead in Rampur. Baldev Sharma of BJP was leading in Nadonta and Mansa Ram of HVC was trailing in Karsog. Independents and others were leading in six seats. In Chopal, Shallai, Pragpur, Theog and Kusumpti constituencies independent candidates were ahead. 10:38 IST
