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July 2003
Six killed, 26 injured in explosion in Mumbai
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Six killed, 26 injured in explosion in Mumbai MUMBAI: At least six persons were killed and 26 injured, including children, in an explosion early Thursday morning in Jogeshwari area here in the house of a person engaged in manufacturing explosives for use in film shootings. The owner of the house Dilnawaz Mustafa Khan, 36, his wife Anjum, 32, their daughter Sher Bano and a relative Aslam Ayub Khan were among those killed in the blast that occured at 3:20 am, three days after an explosion suspected to be carried out by Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET) ripped through a BEST bus in Ghatkopar area killing two people and injuring over 40. Their neighbours Gaurav Chauhan and Siddhi Chetan Singh were also killed in the blast. Of the 26 injured, nine have been admitted to hospital four of them are in ICU. Others have been discharged after first aid. Brother-in-law of Dilnawaz, Ayub Khan, who was staying in another locality was detained on suspicion, and was being interrogated, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Satyapal singh told reporters. Police is also trying to ascertain whether Dilnawaz had any links with terrorists, Singh said at the site. Joint Commissioner of Police Javed Ahmed said that three pieces of pipes used in Pyrotechnique stunts in film shooting and some wires were found. Singh said they are inspecting Dilnawaz's godown where he used to store explosives, adding it is not known whether he had permission to store them. Police is trying to find out as to why he had kept explosives in his house. Police immediately cordoned off the area and are inspecting the site with the help of bomb squad. The two-storey chawl was completely destroyed in the blast, which also damaged neighbouring houses. The sound of the explosion was heard in an area of one kilometre. "It was a big explosion" said Gayatri Yadav, who was injured in the mishap. Gayatri, admitted in a private hospital here, said the Asbestos ceiling of her house fell on her when she was fast asleep. Her husband and children, however, escaped with minor injuries. She said her house was adjacent to the residence of Dilnawaz, where the explosion occurred. Gayatri, who sufferred head injuries, said there was a loud noise and then the wall shook and ceiling came off. "I was terrified and cried for help. We ran out of the house. Police came much later. They brought me to the hospital", she told. Gayatri said she was shocked to hear about the death of five neighbours in the explosion. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister of state for Home (Rural) Kripashankar Singh denied any terrorist hand behind the blast. "The preliminary investigations reveal that the blast is an accident," Singh told reporters at the site.
Gavaskar hits out at champion sledgers
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Gavaskar hits out at champion sledgers London,Wednesday, July 30, 2003: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has hit out at world champions Australia for sledging which was ruining the good name of the game. Calling for immediate steps to check "verbal bouncers" and intimidatory tactics on the field, the former Indian captain warned that if this was not done "the good name of the game that we all know will be in mud". Delivering a lecture in the memory of former England captain Colin Cowdrey at the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's last night, Gavaskar did not directly name Australia but left his distinguished audience in no doubt who he was referring to when he deplored "personal abuse" on the field. Most of those indulging in verbal abuse belong to a "champion side" and it makes others believe that it is the only way to play winning cricket, Gavaskar said. Seeking protection for players, the 54-year-old celebrated opener said sledging has degenerated into downright personal abuse. "If there is protection for the umpire from the players, why not protection to players from abusive players?" Gavaskar blamed commercialisation of the game and the motto of winning it at any cost for the marked decline in the on-field behaviour of the players. "In the modern world of commercialisation of the game and the advent of satellite television and the motto of winning at all costs, sportsmanship has gone for a six," he said.
Gold decline in line with international trend
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Gold decline in line with international trend New Delhi,Wednesday, July 30, 2003: Gold fell on the bullion market today on emergence of selling by stockists amidst fresh stocks supply and closed moderately lower. The trading sentiment was mainly influenced by the reports of a fall in gold prices in overseas markets. Gold fell in Asian trading after U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said he supports a strong dollar, sending the currency higher against the euro and the yen. A stronger dollar makes gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies and discourage investors. Gold fell as much as 1.55 dollar, or 0.4 percent, to 360.10 dollar an ounce, from 361.65. In similar manner, silver was lower on reduced offtake by local parties and industrial units. Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs.20 each at Rs.5495 and Rs.5345 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign remained unchanged at Rs.4450 per piece of eight gram. Silver ready was down by Rs.30 at Rs.8010 per kilo and weekly-based delivery by the same margin at Rs.7910 per kilo. However, silver coins continued to be asked at previous level of Rs.11,800/11,900 per 100 pieces. Following were today's quotations: Silver ready 8010 and delivery 7915. Silver coins buyer 11,800 and seller 11,900 Standard gold 5495, Ornaments 5345 and sovereign 4450. 17:44 IST
Ten security personnel killed in landmine blast
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Ten security personnel killed in landmine blast Bhubaneswar,Wednesday, July 30, 2003: Ten security personnel, including five CRPF jawans, were killed today and eight injured when two of their vehicles were blown up by a landmine set off by suspected naxalites in Malkangiri district of Orissa, police said. The ultras triggered a remote-controlled landmine killing eight security personnel on the spot when their vehicles, during a routine patrol, reached a culvert, Inspector General of Police (Operations), M M Praharaj told. Two injured policemen died en route to hospital. The victims included five policemen among whom were officer-in-charge and an assistant sub-inspector of the Kalimela police station, the sources said. The eight injured in the ambush were being treated at the government hospital at Malkangiri, 50 km away from the site of the blast. 20:26 IST
Advani calls for doing away with negativism by media
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Advani calls for doing away with negativism by media New Delhi,Wednesday, July 30, 2003: Critical of the cynicism over corruption, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today advised media to highlight prominently some of the positive developments. Recalling the advise of President Abdul Kalam to editors of newspapers recently, he said the media should also glorify the achievements. He recalled Kalam's advice that they should try to publish at least two positive stories "glorifying" the achivements the institutions or individuals in the front page. Advani, who was delivering the valedictory address of the 22nd conference of Accountants General, said notwithstanding an international report rating India among the top 10 corrupt countries, "the cynicism has to be dissipated by example by those responsible to ensure integrity and accountability in this field". 21:28 IST
CAG should ponder fear psychosis due to its reports: Advani
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani today asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to "seriously" ponder over the fear psychosis created amongst various bodies and organisations due to its critical observations that could adversely affect implementation of certain policies. "I would like all of you to seriously ponder over these observations of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his inaugural address," Advani said in his valedictory address at the 22nd biennial conference of Accountants General here. "I have no doubt that this can be done by fully preserving CAG's integrity and reliability, which are the foundations of the reputation of a public audit organisation. I am sure you will zealously foster these values in the years to come", Advani said. Vajpayee had observed that an atmosphere in which senior officers in the Central and State Governments, as also the Public Sector Undertakings, are afraid of taking decisions, because of likely negative remarks by CAG, is not conducive to good performance, Advani reminded the audience. This, Vajpayee had said, was one of the principal reasons why implementation got slowed down and the capacity of India's governmental system to deliver desired results in a timely manner had been badly impaired. Advani told the Accountants General that new developments such as private-public partnership, privatisation of government activity and audit or regulatory bodies presented new challenges to the CAG
Advani concerned over corruption in electoral politics
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Expressing grave concern over corruption in the electoral system of the country, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today asked political parties and those in the government to play a role in getting rid of the menace. "What India should also do... political parties, those in government and those institutions like the Comptroller and Auditor General can contribute to making the whole system really clean", he said in his valedictory address at the biennial conference of the Accountants General here. Advani recalled the highly corrupt electoral system in Britain in the late 18th century and said compared to that the current system in India was far better. "When compared to that our present election in India are as pure as Ganga Jal (sacred water of the Ganges)," he said amidst laughter. Advani recalled that during that time in Britain the feudal lords would auction their constituencies. Some would do so on an yearly basis, he said. The Deputy Prime Minister said when he entered Parliament in 1970 he took keen interest in electoral law reforms and thought that unless one strives to bring some cleanlines in the process of election, democracy would become meaningless. "We cannot have elections where a person wins on the basis of money". "I used to face some kind of criticism when I spoke of electoral corruption and electoral law reform," Advani recalled. 20:26 IST
American Chai
Thursday, July 31, 2003
American Chai: A heady Desi-Videsi concoction Like "American Desi" and a few other films that have come our way, the movie under review explores the life experiences of the Indian diaspora in the U S of A. In "American Chai", Sureel (Aalok Mehta), a first-generation Indian-American college student is unable to inform his ultra-conservative parents that he is studying music and not medicine. Which is stretching credulity a bit too far. I mean, you can fool some of the people some of the time. But in this particular instance, the deception is carried on for a couple of years! On his part, Sureel's father (Paresh Raval) throws his weight around, virtually terrorising Sureel and younger sibling into submission. Sureel, then, like most of his peer group, resorts to duplicity. He gets good grades ( like all real-life Indian Americans), makes good music, and has a (white) girlfriend unlike his FOB (Fresh-Off-The-Boat) cousin and the friend ( Asif Mandvi) who compartmentalise women into "whores and potentials." Occasionally, Sureel rails (maybe, that's too strong a word for this good-natured guy) against the proclivity for engineering and computers: "Indians have the richest culture in the world...why can't they study the arts, become artistes?" The pater, however, sees things differently. Pursuing the arts and culture is good enough for a hobby, not a profession, a real job. Because nothing happens by chance, and because I can't say if things happen just like that (serendipitously) I can only say Sureel and Maya ( Sheetal Sheth ) find each other, discover they inspire one another to follow their dreams. In the end, both stand up for what they want. Luckily (?? There I go again!) for Sureel and Maya, the trajectory of where they want to go, is not incompatible with what they want to do, and be. You can see, together, they are complete. It also helps that Maya is also a Guj. Like Sureel, from a wealthy Amdavadi family and all that. What if the writer (and director) Anurag Mehta had been really bold, what if the beautiful heroine were a Christian? And poor to boot? "The story is not about being Indian. It's about being American"says Mehta in a press statement. I disagree. The points of view in the film are largely Indian, rarely American, with the exception of Sureel's friend Tobey who's dumped by his Indian girlfriend under pressure. Otherwise, the text functions on multiple levels: romance, coming-of-age, parent-youth relations and so on. Rawal is good as the dominating father, Mehta and Mandvi are impressive, while new find Aalok shows a distinctive talent for music. Needless to add, the soundtrack has several hummable songs. BTW, "American Chai" has won three awards at various filmfests in the USA, so that's another excuse for you to see the film. Courtesy: Ronita Torcato, Free Press Journal
SC upholds MP'sPG medical admissions
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: The Supreme Court has upheld the Madhya Pradesh Government's decision to allocate 20 per cent of post-graduate seats in its medical colleges to in-service candidates but expressed anguish over the present day trend of commercialisation of education. A Bench comprising Justice R C lahoti and Justice Ashok Bhan said in its judgement yesterday, "allocation of 20 per cent seats in post-graduation in University of Madhya Pradesh for in-service candidates is not a reservation." "It is a separate and exclusive channel of entry or source of admission, the validity whereof cannot be deternmined on the constitutional principles applicable to communcal reservations. Such two channels of entry or two sources of admission is valid provision," it said. However, the Bench said that there could be only one common entrance test for determining eligibility of students for post-graduation courses. "The requirement of minimum qualifying marks cannot be lowered or relaxed contrary to Medical COuncil of India Regulations framed in this behalf," Justice lahoti, writing for the Bench, said. Stating that women candidates constituted a class by themselves, the court upheld the decision to relax their eligibility criteria, by reference to continuous service rendered in rural areas, for the purpose of sponsorship by the State Government in specified disciplines which have utility for serving women folk in villages. However, on the commercialisation of education, the apex Court said "in recent times it has developed into a business and now it stands recognised as an industry". 06:01 IST
Bedlam over Taj project
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Bedlam over Taj project; Lok Sabha adjourns for day New Delhi,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: The controversial Taj Heritage Corridor Project today rocked Lok Sabha forcing its adjournment for the day after BSP members repeatedly stormed the well demanding immediate dismissal of Tourism and Culture Minister Jagmohan for "misleading" the entire nation on the issue. Much to the embarrassment of the ruling BJP, members of the Bahujan Samaj Party, its coalition partner in UP and supporter at the Centre, were up in arms since morning on the issue when the House assembled for the day. BSP leader Rashid Alvi, who had given the notice for adjournment motion, alleged that Jagmohan had given an impression to the entire country that the work on the Project was stopped at the Centre's behest, but the fact was it was Chief Minister Mayawati who did it. The trouble started immediately after Speaker Manohar Joshi rejected his notice after listening to him for a few minutes. The agitated members stormed the well chanting slogans demanding immediate dismissal of Jagmohan. When the House met after two adjournments, BJP chief whip V K Malhotra ruled out dismissal of the Tourism Minister saying storming of the well by the BSP members would not in any way influence the Government. "The question of dismissal of Jagmohan does not arise", he said repeatedly. Malhotra's remarks were cheered by the treasury benches, especially BJP members by thumping of desks. 03:31 IST
Blackwill condemns terrorism
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Blackwill condemns terrorism against India New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: Outgoing US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill today condemned terrorism against India and said no religion or political cause could justify these "merciless acts." In his farewell address at a luncheon hosted by FICCI, Blackwill, who leaves for home tomorrow after a memorable two year stint, expressed confidence that India and US together would win the war against terrorism. Voicing grave concern over the India's death toll from terrorism, Blackwill said, "no respectable religion could execuse these merciless acts. "No moral framework could sanction these abominations. No political cause could justify these murders of innocents and yet they go on." Pointing out to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US and "nearly everyday in India", Blackwill said the terrorist outrages against the two countries will not continue indefinitely. "We know this from the Ramayana, and many other holy books. Good does triumph over evil, although it sometimes takes more time than we would like. We will win the war on terrorism, and the United States and India will win it together - because we represent good, and terrorists are evil incarnate. God will make it so," he said.
India says no to pipeline through Pakistan
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
India says no to gas pipeline passing through Pakistan New Delhi,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: India today ruled out importing natural gas from Iran through an onland pipeline passing through Pakistan. "Keeping in view the present state of bilateral relationship with Pakistan, Government is not considering any proposal for on-land natural gas pipeline transiting through Pakistan," Minister of State for Petroleum & Naural Gas Sumitra Mahajan said in a writen reply in Rajya Sabha here. Both Iran and Pakistan are keen on the 2,670-km long onland pipeline as it provided the former a cheap route to sell its vast gas reserves and the latter would have earned about 580 million dollar transit fee from the 3.5 billion dollar gas conduit. New Delhi, on the other hand, has been favouring an underwater line to avoid disruption in supplies. Iran has engaged Australian consultant BHP Kinhill to detail the onland gas pipeline passing through Pakistan. It has also appointed Italy's Snamprogetti for working on a feasibility study for the construction of an offshore gas pipeline from Assaluyen gas field in Southern Iran to India. Mahajan said Indo-Iran Joint Committee had constituted a joint technical sub-committee to explore all the options to import natural gas from Iran. "The Joint Committee had decided to undertake an offshore feasibility study for laying of pipeline from Iran to India outside the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Pakistan. Gail from India and National Iranian Gas Export Co (NIGEC) from Iran have been nominated as nodal agencies for the pipeline project by the respective Governments," she added.
Crisis over Jagmohan ended
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Crisis in BSP-BJP coalition over Jagmohan's dismissal ended New Delhi/Lucknow,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: A 24-hour crisis in BSP-BJP coalition triggered by the demand for dismissal of Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan blew over today with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati withdrawing it but not before Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee rejecting it and BJP MPs favouring immediate withdrawal of support to her governmnet. On a day of dramatic developments following her demand that Jagmohan be sacked for "misleading" the nation on the Taj Heritage Corridor Project in "connivance" with her politcal rivals, the BSP members stalled Lok Sabha and got it adjourned for the day without any business setting the stage for a confrontation leaving a bitter trail on both sides. But equally dramatically Mayawati appeared at a press conference in Lucknow in the evening to announce she was "withdrawing" her demand following assurances from the Prime Miniter and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani that her complaints into the Taj project would be looked into. She said differences between the two parties would be sorted out and maintained that they would fight the Lok Sabha elections together in UP.
Three killed, 31 others injured in bomb blast in Mumbai
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Mumbai,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Three persons were killed and 31 injured, five seriously, as suspected terrorists set off a powerful explosion that ripped through the rear portion of a bus near the Ghatkopar telephone exchange in north-east Mumbai on Monday night prompting a red alert across the state. Two persons were killed on the spot while an injured man succumbed to injuries in Sion hospital. 31 injured, including two women and a child, were rushed to the Rajawadi hospital nearby, official sources said. While police said no terrorist organisation had claimed the responsibility for the blast, they did not rule out the hand of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India. Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who rushed to the site, said a similar pattern was noticed in four earlier explosions that have rocked the city since December last. In the second bus blast in Ghatkopar in seven months, the bomb, kept under a seat in the rear portion of the Bombay Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) bus, went off at around 2115 hours near the telephone exchange. Witnesses said the blast occurred when the bus was moving along the bustling Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg. Another bus coming from the opposite direction was damaged in the blast. Two motorcycles and autorickshaws parked in the vicinity were also damaged and rattled nearby buildings forcing people to scurry out in panic. 10:22 IST
There is no race between Steve and me: Tendulkar
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
There is no race between Steve and me: Tendulkar Mumbai,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Congratulating Steve Waugh on scoring his 32nd Test hundred, Sachin Tendulkar on Monday played down the fact that he had been overtaken, saying he was not in a race with the Aussie skipper to score more centuries. Waugh moved ahead of Tendulkar with his second consecutive hundred on Sunday and now trails only Sunil Gavaskar, who has 34 hundreds, in the number of Test centuries scored. Waugh, who scored an unbeaten 156 in the second and final Test against Bangladesh, had said after his innings that the number of centuries he scored did not really matter because "Sachin is going to waltz past anyway". However, Tendulkar today said there was no race. "There is no race to score centuries between the two of us. He himself is a great batsman," Tendulkar told. Tendulkar, who has 31 Test hundreds, said though he would like to score more centuries, he felt more satisfied while contributing to India's victory. Speaking about his total recovery from the finger operation he underwent in the US, Tendulkar, said "I am feeling quite comfortable while working out in the gymnasium but have not had a net practice due to heavy rains here". "With the monsoon setting in, I think I will have to wait till the conditioning camp at Bangalore starting on August 14 for a proper net practice," he said. 10:22 IST
Jaal
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
A question first, why a 45 plus actor is prancing around the trees, sporting leather pants to woo his ladylove? Your guess is as good as mine. Waiting for action? You'll have to wait! Our muscle flexing messiah is busy courting a widow teacher (Tabu) in the hillies instead of beating the baddies. Cut to the story. Kashmiri militants are at it once again. No need to worry beacuse Ajay's (Sunny Deol) father Major Kaul (Amrish Puri) has taken up the mantle to protect the Minister’s daughter Anita (Reema Sen) from being kidnapped in New Zealand. In the meanwhile, his son is torn between pursuing his dreams and fulfilling his father's wishes. But nothing goes easy for our hero. The moment Tabu's father-in-law (Anupam Kher) agrees to their relationship, the poor lass is kidnapped by our Kashmiri bretheren. Their leader (Mukesh Rishi) demands the minister's daughter in return. Love struck Ajay promptly gives in and leaves for New Zealand. Major Kaul is thrilled to see his son joining his league. Predictably, Anita also falls for the Indian hunk. Her father comes to New Zealand with a young man and wants her to marry him. But Anita refuses and asks Sunny to take her to India. Ajay grabs the opportunity and hands over Anita to the militants. Now he is feverishly awaiting the return of his beloved. Here comes the twist in the tale... Apart from a few well orchestrated action sequences, Jaal falls flat on it's originality. Performance wise, Sunny is as good as it gets. What's Tabu doing in films like Jaal and Hawa is completely incomprehensible. Reema Sen goes over the top in few sequences. Amrish Puri is like an old wine, the 'lesser' the better. Mukesh Rishi is as fake as his beard. Adesh Srivastava's background score is much better than Anand Raaj Anand's music. Shripad Natu's manages to shoot some pictureseque sequences with his camera. All in all, Jaal fails to net the audiences for too long.
Visit not linked to persuade Indian troops to Iraq: Myers
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Describing the situation in Iraq as "complex and very challenging", the visiting Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers today said his talks here were not linked to encourage India to send troops to stabilise the war-ravaged country. Asserting that US would militarily overcome resistance in Iraq, Myers said the decision to send troops to Iraq would be of individual nations, but at the same time said that 34 countries were joining the stabilisation force in Iraq. Addressing a press conference, he also discounted any move by US to ask India to send troops to join the international peace-keeping force in Afghanistan and declared that his current visit had been scheduled three months ago and was aimed at boosting military to military cooperation between the two countries. 10:22 IST
Role of LeT, SIMI in Ghatkopar bomb blast not ruled out: Singh
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Mumbai,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Suspecting that some terrorist organisations could have been behind the Ghatkopar bomb blast on Monday night which left three killed and 31 injured, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home (rural) Kripa Shankar Singh has not ruled out the involvement of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or SIMI. "It was difficult to pin-point any organisation at this stage. However, the role of LeT or SIMI could not be ruled out", Singh told. The blast that occurred in the rear portion of the Bombay Electricity Supply and Tranport Undertaking (BEST) bus had left three persons dead and 31 injured. Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had earlier told reporters that similar pattern had emerged in this blast compared to explosions in the past, which were allegedly planned by the banned SIMI. "It was difficult to say whether the organisation was behind tonight's blast", Bhujbal had earlier told reporters. The blast in Mumbai has baffled police force and state administration as Bhujbal had earlier claimed that the plan of militants had come to a naught with the arrest of some of the accused from Padgah village in nearby Thane district in a series of explosions in the last eight months.
Qayamat
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Bollywood is having a dream run at the box office. After Bhoot, Chalte Chalte and MPKDH here comes Harry Baweja's 'Qayamat', Hollywood 'ishtyle'. While the story is a lift-off from the Sean Connary, Nicholas Cage starrer 'The Rock', it's the treatment of the film that saves it. Ali (Arbaaz Khan) and Abbas (Sanjay Kapoor) are the modern day baddies who have switched to the evil side. Isha Koppikar is Laila, the moll in story and has been given the job to make you drool. Suneil Shetty is Akram Sheikh, the number one enemy of all anti-national elements. Ajay Devgan is Rachit, a deadly convict and former ally of Ali and Abbas. He is frequently drugged by doctors because the memories of his girlfriend Sapna (Neha Dhupia) makes him violent. Rahul is Aashish Chowdary, our Desi Nicholas cage who has expertise in chemical warfare. Riya Sen is his love interest and screams more than act her part. Now for the story, The evil trio of Ali, Abbas and Laila have held 230 tourists hostage on an island that was formerly Elphinstone Jail. They have seven deadly missiles ready to contaminate city's water pool if their demands aren't met. Akram Sheikh (Suniel Shetty) is called to rescue the situation. He chooses Rachit and Rahul to do the salvage act along with him. What follows is one hour of slick action full of jargons like biological weapons, virus, anti-virus, relatively unknown in the Bollywood. While Qayamat loses out on it's originality, it certainly makes an impact with it's treatment. Performance wise Ajay Devgan excels once again while playing a man of few words. Isha Koppikar is the only one from the female lead which leaves some impact. Neha Dhupia makes an unimpressive debut. Cinematography is first rate. Song and dance sequences in the first half seem stuffed. All in all with it's Hollywood look and slick treatment, Qayamat makes a nice viewing.
Mandira and Divya walk out of Sambhav
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Mandira Bedi and Divya Dutta walked out of the sets of Sambhav, as they felt neglected and alleged that director Amol Shetge allowed the lead actress to get more footage. According to unit sources, not only did Divya feel insecure about Diya Mirza (the heroine of the film), she even went and complained to the director that Aryan Vaid had more dialogues than her in a particular scene. Amol Shetge, the director of the film clarifies, It was stupid on her part to get upset with me over Aryan Vaid’s lines the scene needed Aryan to speak more than her. Besides, Divya wasn’t really concentrating. She always chewed gum on the sets, and that was obvious in one of scenes. But Divya Dutta has reportedly stated that Diya rewrote her lines. Rubbish, she did not do it. Why would I allow an actress to rewrite dialogues, claims Amol. He fails to understand Divya Dutta’s insecurity. How can a character actor feel insecure about the heroine? Besides, there are six characters in the film. I also know for a fact that Divya had to sit twiddling her thumbs on the sets of Pran Jaaye Par Shaan Naa Jaaye for days together before she was called for the shot. Just because the producer of the film is new and director is democratic, they are throwing tantrums. Shetge fumes. What was Mandira Bedi’s problem? She thought she was shooting for a daily soap. She wanted me to shoot her scenes as fast I could. At times, she even complained that I was shooting over her shoulder and not taking her close-up. So what happens to their roles now? I can do without them, Shetge concludes.
Darna Mana Hai
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Darna Mana Hai By: Somesh Vasishth Are you still feeling the chills of Bhoot? In case you are, defer your plans to watch this film for an another week because 'Darna Mana Hai'. Though the film doesn't fit the bill of an out-and-out horror flick, it still manages to give you the goosebumps. It is a blend of six stories woven into the main plot. The story is about six friends coming back from Goa on a dark night. They are stranded in the dense forest as their car breaks down and they have to find shelter in the deserted ruins. Huddled around the bonfire, they start sharing spooky stories that they have heard. I'm not spilling the beans by going the whole hog. Based on simple, routine things like a no-smoking signboard or school homework or apples, the stories are crisp and thrilling. More characters are introduced through these stories. The most chilling of them is featuring Vivek and Nana Patekar. Darna Mana Hai boasts of brilliant sound effects ably complemented by camerawork. The hand held camera sequences give a realistic touch to the fear factor. The fast pace of the movie rivets you to the seat and keeps boredom at bay. There is something about RGV's proteges which take his heroines to meteoric rise. Sameera Reddy grabs your attention after her forgettable 'Maine Dil Tujko Diya'. Amongst other stars, Vivek Oberoi, Nana Patekar and Shilpa Shetty manage a decent show. Aftab and Saif are just average and the same goes for Isha Koppikar, Sanjay Kapoor, Sohail Khan and Antra Mali.RGV regulars Raghuvir Yadav and Rajpal Yadav impress with superb performances. Boman Irani deserves a special mention. With Bhoot and Darna Mana Hai under his belt, RGV has carved a niche in Bollywood as the director who doesn't believe in cliches. He has decided to make a sequel 'Darna Zaroori Hai' regardless of how 'Darna Mana hai' fares at the box office. All in all, it's a treat for all of you who don't get enough of 'Bhoots'.
Farhan insults Big B
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
An altitude problem made Farhan Akhtar collapse on the sets of Lakshya, but it was his attitude problem that almost forced a legend like Amitabh Bachchan to walkout of his film. Amitabh Bachchan is probably the only actor in the film industry who has never given any trouble to his directors. One of the most professional actors who, even at the age of 60, arrives dot on time on the sets, and is ready with his make-up before any other star. Very unlike the actors of today who breeze in and out of sets without the director’s knowledge. But fame seems to have gone to Farhan Akhtar’s head, who was highly appreciated for his first and only hit Dil Chahta Hain. Apparently, the young and headstrong director tired to teach Amitabh Bachcan how to act. According to one of the unit members of Lakshya, the scene occurred when Amitabh Bachchan was giving a shot for the film. In the midst of the scene, Bachchan felt he was not getting his lines properly, so he said, Cut... cut... cut... and asked for another take. But Farhan got up from his seat, went upto Bachchan and told him, The only person who has the right to say cut on this set is me and no one else. The whole unit stood there watching in shock. How could Farhan say such a thing to a legend who is such a humble man, and that too in front of the whole unit? But Farhan did not stop at that, he went one step further. He went to Bachchan’s van and told him that if he had problems with his lines, he was ready to come on the sets an hour early and help Amitabh rehearse his lines. Amitabh was so infuriated that he had almost decided to quit the film. It was only with the timely intervention of a mutual political friend, that the issue was resolved. It seems, Farhan had to apologise to Amitabh in the end. Many of the industry folk who came to know about this incident are not too happy about Farhan’s behaviour. A senior film personality stated, Every actor and director respects Amitabh Bachchan, and Farhan Akhtar, who is just one film old, has the cheek to tell him he is not concentrating. He can’t do it to someone so senior. Someone who has made India so proud. It is certainly not done. However when contacted, Farhan didn’t want us to get into the specifics of what happened between him and Bachchan, saying, Why don’t you ask Mr Bachchan, I know what you are talking about none of it is true.
CM Shinde calls high-level meeting
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has called a high-level meeting this morning to discuss the situation following the Ghatkopar bus bomb blast which left three persons dead and 31 injured last night. Dy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, home secretary U K Upadhyaya, chief secretary Ajit Nimbalkar, Maharashtra DGP O P Bali and police commissioner R S Sharma are expected to attend the meeting, which will discuss measures to tackle terrorist threat of blowing up targets in public places. Meanwhile, according to official sources, two bombs were planted in the bus which exploded last night. Although no terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility for the blast, police are suspecting the hand of the banned LeT and SIMI behind the explosions. The explosion yesterday, occurred for the second time in suburban Ghatkopar. On December 2 last, a bomb had exploded in a bus and blew off the rear roof killing two and injuring 31. Unlike the previous explosion the blast yesterday was more powerful as two bombs were planted, Minister for State for Home Kripa Shankar Singh said. Altogether five explosions have occurred in the last eight months killing 15 persons and injuring more than 100. Meanwhile, red alert has been sounded all over Maharashtra and combing operation has been launched to fish out the suspected terrorists' behind the blast.
Goldman Sachs to shift UK jobs to India
Sunday, July 27, 2003
LONDON: US investment bank Goldman Sachs is to relocate a substantial part of its British operations to India next year to slash overheads, Britain's Independent newspaper reported on Friday. The report said that the bank told London staff of the plan in a confidential memo on Wednesday. Officials at Goldman in London and New York could not immediately be reached for comment. The report said that the bank would move part of the administration and IT department to India next spring or summer. Banks such as Goldman, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup have been examining the benefits of shipping research jobs to countries such as India, where salaries for business graduates are as little as 10 per cent of those in New York and London. Earlier this week, the Economic Times said that Morgan Stanley was joining a growing number of firms to choose India as an outsourcing centre to lower their costs.
East Bengal crowned ASEAN Club champions
Sunday, July 27, 2003
East Bengal crowned ASEAN Club champions Jakarta,Saturday, July 26, 2003: East Bengal became the first Indian club to win an international tournament on foreign soil when they beat favourites BEC Tero Sasana of Thailand 3-1 to lift the LG Cup ASEAN club football championship in a thrilling final here todawy. The hard earned victory against the Asian Champions League finalists made East Bengal richer by USD 50,000. It was a sweet revenge for the Indians who had lost 0-1 to the Thais in the league phase. Leading by a 28th minute Mike Okoro goal at the break, East Bengal stretched their lead to 2-0 with golden boot award winner Baichung Bhutia taking his tournament tally to nine in the 48th minute. Alvito D'Cunha sealed the issue in the 69th minute after the Thais tried to come back through a goal by Panai Kongpaphan in the 58th minute. Bhutia, who was declared the man of the match, continued with his rich form and ended the tournament on a high with his solo second goal which put the Thais firmly on the back foot even as they were trying hard to nullify Okoro's strike. On a quick counter attack, Bhutia snatched the ball from Thai defender Thanongsak Pajakkta after a one-to-one battle. He went inside the box, pulled the goalkeeper out of position, and regaining his step after a slip, found the net with a firm right foot shot.
Sri Lanka PM to visit India
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Sri Lanka PM to visit India Colombo,Saturday, July 26, 2003: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is due to visit India later next month, official sources said today. They said Wickremesinghe is to inaugurate the "Virtual Academy for Food Security And Rural Prosperity" in Chennai on August 23. He will also be visiting the M. S. Swaminathan Reserach Foundation and the Central Leather Research Institute in Chennai. 13:18 IST
CBI begins probe into Taj Corridor Project
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Lucknow,Saturday, July 26, 2003: The CBI has formally begun the probe into the controversial multi-crore Taj Heritage Corridor Project in Agra, as ordered by the Supreme Court, by questioning senior officials of the state's environment and finance departments, official sources said. About eight officials of the environment and finance departments were questioned on Friday by CBI sleuths on the basis of the details made available to it by the Uttar Pradesh government through the files submitted to the agency earlier in the week, sources said. The agency has also decided to summon some other senior officials and sought additional information from the environment department, sources added. The Supreme Court on July 16 ordered a CBI probe after it noticed major irregularities and illegalities in the construction of the Taj Corridor Project and gave the agency two months' time to complete in the inquiry and submit its report. A CBI team is likely to visit Agra to make an on the spot assessment of the construction works carried out there without the mandatory permission. 13:18 IST
HIV vaccine ready in India, undergoing trials: Sushma
Sunday, July 27, 2003
HIV vaccine ready in India, undergoing trials: Sushma New Delhi,Friday, July 25, 2003: Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj today announced that HIV vaccine had been prepared in the country and its clinical trials were on. Attending a convention of Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS here, she hoped that India would be the first country to develop a cure for the deadly disease. "HIV vaccine is ready in India. It is undergoing clinical trials," the Minister said after Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani emphasised the need for a four-pronged strategy to counter the challenge urgently. Advani pointed out that HIV/AIDS had devastated families, destabilised communities and shattered national economies with little hope of recovery for decades to come. "The alarm bell is ringing. The bell is not for waking us up for we in India have already woken up to the challenge of HIV/AIDS," he said adding the country has been "forewarned by statistics". He spelt out four inter-related actions -- pervention, treatment, education and awareness creation and research -- to tackle AIDS challenge. "It is not enough to spread the message about safe sex. It should a part of a larger message, about a responsible and fair lifestyle," Advani said pointing out that HIV/AIDS was "essentially a lifestyle disease". He said education and awareness creation have to take into account the entire medical, sociological, cultural and economic aspects of the problem.
PM calls for "effective, undelayed response" to AIDS challenge
Sunday, July 27, 2003
PM calls for "effective, undelayed response" to AIDS challenge New Delhi,Saturday, July 26, 2003: Amid UN warning that India must act to avoid an AIDS catastrophe, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee today said the situation demanded an "effective and undelayed response" with political parties requring to pay far greater attention to issues of health care than they do now. Admitting that India's response to the epidemic, affecting nearly four million Indian men, women and children had been "somewhat belated", Vajpayee said "HIV/AIDS is not only a grave global challenge, it is also a national concern, one that demands effective and undelayed response." Opening a two-day National Convention of Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS, the Prime Minister lamented that public health issues were not finding their place on the political agenda in the country and said it needed to be reversed. "In India, issues pertaining to public health do not normally find a place on the nation's political agenda. This is not so in other democracies where, sometimes, even elections are won or lost on the basis of health issues," he said. Expressing the hope that in India too elected representatives would be more sensitive to public health challenges, he said "we must recognise that fight against HIV/AIDS is more complex and requires greater courage and commitment. "It requires leadership that is ready to go to the heart of the problem and is ready even to go against the stream of public opinion".
India developing AIDS vaccine
Friday, July 25, 2003
India developing AIDS vaccine New Delhi,Friday, July 25, 2003: India is developing an AIDS vaccine, a prototype of which is ready for preclinical studies, the Government informed the Rajya Sabha today. "A prototype of the Candidate Vaccine for AIDS is under development under the National Jai Vigyan Science & Technology Mission of the Department of Biotechnology. The vaccine is based on plasmid DNA and MVA approaches. The vaccine candidate is ready for preclinical toxicological studies," Minister of State for Science Bachi Singh Rawat said in a written reply to a question. In another collaborative effort by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Ministry of Health and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, USA, a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) based HIV-I Subtype 'C' Vaccine is being developed. The prototype of this vaccine is now undergoing precilinical toxicological studies, he said. The prototype HIV-I vaccine candidate consisting of six components developed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, has the potential as preventive vaccine. The results so far have indicated that the vaccine candidate induces a robust and broadbased immune reponse against HIV-I in immunized experimental animals. Rawat said in the Modified Vaccinia Ankara based Subtype 'C' vaccine six consensus genes have been inserted into a MVA, which would act as a vehicle for the vaccine. The identification of consensus sequence and further cloning of the genes into a MVA vector have been completed. The prototype vaccine is undergoing preclinical toxicity studies, he added.
Attack on civilians in J&K result of "freedom struggle": Pak
Friday, July 25, 2003
Attack on civilians in J&K result of "freedom struggle": Pak Washington,Friday, July 25, 2003: Keeping its stand on the issue of Kashmir intact, Pakistan has contended that the attacks on civilians and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of a "freedom struggle" against "state terrorism". Participating in a conference on Kashmir here on Thursday, Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Ashraf Jahangir Qazi said the people of Kashmir "have perforce to resort to a freedom struggle, including armed struggle" as their demands are not settled peacefully. He said "the larger proportion of terror (in Jammu and Kashmir) is state terror." The status quo, he said, is no solution and insisted that the "militant outfits engaged in Kashmir" sprang from the soil itself. Indian Ambassador to the United States Lalit Mansingh did not (rpt not) attend the conference which was organised by the Association of Humanitarian Lawyers and the Kashmir American Council headed by Ghulam Nabi Fai, an active lobbyist for Hurriyat. Indian Embassy sources told that Mansingh did not accept the invitation, as the Pakistan Ambassador did, because India "does not subscribe to the kind of set up. Knowing it has a motivated purpose behind it, we did not obviously want to give it any legitimacy which it does not deserve. The Pakistani hand behind this made us keep away". 10:21 IST
Reinstatement of employees begins in Tamil Nadu
Friday, July 25, 2003
Reinstatement of employees begins in Tamil Nadu Chennai,Friday, July 25, 2003: Tamil Nadu Government today began the process of reinstating 1.7 lakh dismissed employees, after getting apology letters from them for participating in the indifinite strike from July two which was called off later. Tamil Nadu Government yesterday gave an undertaking in the Supreme Court that it would take back all its dismissed employees, barring those against whom specific charges were framed and FIRs were filed by the police. In most of the Government offices, there were long queues to get the forms, through which the dismissed employees tendered 'unqulified apology' for their absence during the strike period and also gave an undertaking that they would not participate in any future strikes. There was some confusion in the secretariat as some of the employees, against whom FIRs had been registered by police for specific offences, were returned back. Official sources said barring those against whom the cases were framed, all others were given the forms and after obtaining their signatures, their dismissal orders were revoked. Most of the dismissed employees, who were in the queue, said they would fill up the forms only after 1200 hours as between 1030 to 1200 hours was considered 'inauspicous' due to 'Rahukalam'. Official sources said in all the Government offices, including the district collectorates, the work of reinstatement was in progress. 12:39 IST
Ten Pakistani bunkers destroyed in retaliatory action
Friday, July 25, 2003
Poonch (Jammu),Friday, July 25, 2003: Atleast ten Pakistani bunkers have been destroyed across the Line of Control following retaliatory shelling by Indian troops, defence sources said here today. Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked heavy shelling from across the LoC in Degwar and Salotri sub-sectors in the district last evening, they said, adding our troops retaliated effectively and heavy exchange continued for about two hours. The exchange which started at about 6 PM continued till 1030 in the night, but at a lower intensity, they said. Sources said the retaliatory fire accounted for ten Pakistani bunkers and also some casualities on the enemy side, "as ambulances were later seen carrying the dead and injured on the other side of LoC." However, there was no report of any casuality or damage on our side so far, they said. 13:26 IST
Govt to elicit views of political parties before WTO meeting
Friday, July 25, 2003
Govt to elicit views of political parties before WTO meeting New Delhi,Friday, July 25, 2003: Government will convene a meeting of political parties prior to WTO Ministerial meeting in Cancun to elicit their views on issues, especially agriculture subsidy, to be discussed at the conference, Lok Sabha was informed today. Replying to queries during question hour, Minister for Industry and Commerce, Arun Jaitley, said "government will have discussions with political parties before the Cancun meeting of WTO slated for September." On agriculture subsidy, he said there was no pressure on India from any of the developed countries or the WTO to reduce it, he said. The Minister said currently the subsidy for agriculture was to the tune of Rs 270 billion and this could be increased since this was within the permissible limit. 13:26 IST
Juhi Chawla delivers baby boy
Friday, July 25, 2003
Now, Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla has delivered a baby boy at a hospital in London on Monday morning. Both the mother and the baby are reported to be doing fine. This is Juhi and Jai Mehta's second child, their first being daughter Jhanvi. The actress has been in London for the last few months for the successful delivery of her child, and even missed the release of her latest film 'Jhankar Beats'. The movie is being screened these days and has been widely appreciated. Juhi is awaiting the green signal from her doctors to leave for India and resume shooting of her next movie. She will be starring in Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Teen Deewarein' (Three Walls). This is a prison drama. She will act in the movie as a jail warden. Besides, she has another film in her kitty. However, this will be a horror flick titled 'Sannata-The Silence'.
Sikkim will "cease" to be an issue between India, China: PM
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Sikkim will "cease" to be an issue between India, China: PM New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said in Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) that India and China have started a process by which Sikkim will "cease" to be an issue in Sino-India relations and made it clear that there was no change in the Government's decades-old policy on Tibet. Making a suo motu statement on his recent visits to Germany, St Petersburg (Russia), Evian (France) and China, Vajpayee described as "significant" the memorandum of understanding on border trade through Nathu La Pass on Indo-China border. "This adds a third point of crossing for border trade between India and China. With this memorandum, we have also started the process by which Sikkim will cease to be an issue in India-China relations", the Prime Minister said. On Tibet, Vajpayee said " there is no change in our decades-old policy. We have never doubted that Tibet Autonomous Region is a part of territory of People's Republic of China". The Prime Minister said "there can, therefore, be no argument against reiterating it. We have said nothing new about the presence of His Holiness Dalai Lama or of Tibetan refugees in India". 18:23 IST
Full-fledged fiscal crisis cannot be ruled out in India: WB
Thursday, July 24, 2003
Full-fledged fiscal crisis cannot be ruled out in India: WB New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: Warning that full-fledged fiscal crisis was imminent for India, the World Bank said the fiscal deficit could swell upto 11.8 per cent of GDP by 2006-07, thus limiting growth and job creation and asked the planners to soon put in place a roadmap for averting such crisis. "India's large fiscal imbalances pose a serious threat to sustained growth and development over the medium term...If this negative cycle continues, a full-fledged fiscal crisis cannot be ruled out over the medium term," the bank said in the latest country-specific analysis. Applying a base-line approach, the World Bank said fiscal deficit was likely to be 11.8 per cent in 2002-03-2006/07 and on a reform scenario, it was exepcted to be 10.3 per cent for the period. Lamenting that "it is politically easy to downplay the risk, hoping higher growth and lower interest rates will eventually solve the fiscal problem, it said, "experience suggests that it will be unwise to sit back and wait for such a virtuous cycle to emerge." The bank said the centre and states have to be pro-active in reducing the fiscal deficit, shifting expenditures into more productive areas and removing structural impediments to higher private investment and productivity. The general government fiscal deficit (centre and states consolidated) averaged 9.0 per cent before the crisis period of 1991. Subsequently, it fell sharply during the period of high growth and fiscal restraint that marked the Eight Plan Period, but resumed growing "equally harply" after 1997-98, returning to the 9-10 per cent of GDP during the Ninth Plan period.
US says it is committed to end acts of terrorism against India
Thursday, July 24, 2003
US says it is committed to end acts of terrorism against India New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: Condemning the terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir in the past several days, the United States said today it was committed to the permanent end of terrorism against India. "We condemn the brutal terrorist attack that have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in the past several days, as the Bush Administration has said many times, there can be no justification for such evil acts," a release issued by the US Embasy here said. "The US is committed to the permanent end of terrorism against India," it said. The international committee, it said, must have "zero-tolerance" for terrorism, adding "working with other like-minded nations, we will continue our efforts until all terrorism is stopped". 20:33 IST
It is difficult to thwart sudden suicide attacks: Advani
Thursday, July 24, 2003
It is difficult to thwart sudden suicide attacks: Advani New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: India's Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today said it was difficult to thwart sudden suicide attacks like the one that had taken place at the Akhnoor army camp in Jammu and Kashmir. Previously it was thought that the most effective weapon was the nuclear bomb or the hydrogen bomb but the new weapon being used by militants was suicide squads in which the country even lost Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Advani told Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) replying to supplementaries during Question Hour. Rejecting the charge that there had been lowering of guard that led to the attack on the camp, he said "there has been no complacency. There has been no lowering of guard". 21:18 IST
BCCI out to punish World Cup sponsors
Thursday, July 24, 2003
BCCI out to punish World Cup sponsors Mumbai,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: In an apparent bid to punish the sponsors whose damage claims are likely to deprive the Cricket Board of its World Cup profits, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today indicated that it might not consider these companies while awarding sponsorship rights for international matches in the country in future. Board president Jagmohan Dalmiya said BCCI would be increasingly "cautious" in its dealings with these companies in the aftermath of the contract controversy which saw the World Cup sponsors asking for damages from the Global Cricket Corporation, a move that resulted in India's guarantee money being withheld by the International Cricket Council. "The Board has to be cautious before approaching the companies that failed to support us before and after the World Cup in South Africa because we personally feel that the Indian players' demands were not wrong," Dalmiya said after a meeting of the Board's marketing committee here. The lucrative three-year contract for rights of India's international fixtures at home is up for renewal and the three sponsors -- Pepsi, LG and Hero Honda -- who had asked for compensation for the breach of contract by the Indian cricketers during the World Cup, might find themselves losing out. "The three-year contract with Pepsi has just ended and we discussed a few companies, though I cannot name the parties as the final decision for the coming years would be taken during the Finance Committee meeting next month," Dalmiya said.
Kalam nearly completing his 'Bharat Darshan'
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: He sermoned at Gaya, meditated at Sabarmati Ashram, paid obeisance at Vaishno Devi and offered prayers at Hazrat-bal Shrine. This is President APJ Abdul Kalam, who is all set to finish his "Bharat Darshan" in August. He has already visited 23 states and would complete the country's tour with his scheduled visit to Uttar Pradesh and a few other states next month. "And this is a record, no other President has visited the whole of country in just one year," Rashtrapati Bhavan officials say. President Kalam, who completes his one year in office on Thursday had said he would go on a foreign visit only after touring the whole of India. True to his word, officials say the President has not visited any foreign country as yet. However, visits to Russia, UAE and Sudan are being planned though no dates have been finalised as yet, they say. "President Kalam took over on July 24 last year and started his visits to the states with Gujarat in August last year. He met the riot victims and the quake affected. Then he went to north-east - areas which have been deprived of development," the officials say. In fact, he is the first President to visit LoC and address the troops at Uri. All his visits have one thing in common - they all stressed on development and his vision 2020 for India. He meets the local political leaders and legislators and stresses on the need of developing those regions. Also, he tries to visit as many religious places as possible and meet their heads to stress on the need for tolerance. He has also met all the MPs in last one year. "The President got panels and banners made and with the help of those he explained to the MPs, the core competencies of various states, various development monitors, what he expected of them and how to take the country on the path of development. "The President has started taking these banners to the states he is visiting where he gives these 'lessons' to legislators," his close aides say, noting the President stresses on rural areas, connectivity, urban support in rural areas and networking of rivers.
Moscow condemns J&K terror strikes
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Moscow,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: Expressing its full support to the Indian government's war on terrorims, Russia has strongly condemned the terror attacks against pilgrims and an Indian army camp in Jammu and Kashmir. "Moscow has received with anger and pain reports of the armed attacks made on July 21 and 22 in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir on Hindu pilgrims and the disposition of a unit of the Indian army, killing more than ten and wounding over forty people. "We strongly condemn these terrorist acts and regard them as challenging provocations of the international terrorism, which is seeking to destabilise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in the region as a whole and to scuttle the incipient advance of India and Pakistan towards a normalisation of bilateral relations," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said in his statement on Tuesday evening. "We express support to the Government of India in its determined struggle against the forces staking on extremist methods and we are confident that only consistent and uncompromising counteraction against international terrorism on the part of all members of the world community can eradicate this global evil," the Russian statement said. 09:57 IST
Jaguar catches fire at Ambala
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Ambala,Wednesday, July 23, 2003: In the second mishap involving an IAF fighter aircraft in less than a week, a Jaguar on Tuesday caught fire and veered off the runway during take-off from the Air Force Station here but the pilot was rescued by firefighters. The incident took place at about 4.15 pm when the aircraft was about to take-off for an exercise sortie. AN IAF spokesman said in Delhi that the pilot of the aircraft Flt Lt S Kanvinde aborted the take-off as he noticed the fire in the plane. Kanvinde was pulled out of the burning aircraft by fire tenders. Eyewitnesses said the aircraft caught fire near a water tank and three fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames. "The extent of the damage to the aircraft is being assessed and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident," he said adding it was not a crash. Last week, a MIG-21 crashed in Jammu and Kashmir killing both the pilot and the co-pilot. This was the seventh air mishap involving fighter aircraft of IAF this year. In all, two Jaguars, two MIG-23 and three MIG-21 aircraft have crashed in the last six months. Ten IAF fighter aircraft have crashed in Punjab and Haryana since April last year--four of them MIG-21s, and three each of MIG-23 and Jaguar. 09:57 IST
Blast on route to Vaishno Devi; 7 pilgrims killed, 38 wounded
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
PTI JAMMU: At least seven devotees, including a child, were killed and 38 injured, 24 of them seriously, in twin powerful explosions set off on Monday night by terrorists at Banganga, two kilometres from Katra on way to Vaishno Devi shrine, police sources here said. Jammu and Kashmir Minister of state for Public Health Engineering Jugal Kishore said that a grenade was hurled by terrorists at a large number of devotees who gathered for food at a community kitchen (langar) at around 2115 hours. Another blast went off within ten minutes near the community kitchen where pilgrims are served food on their way to and return from shrine, he said. Kishore said seven people were killed and 38 injured in the two explosions. He said security in the area was lax and he has conveyed to Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police. The Minister said the security in the area was not strenghthened despite his repeated pleas with the police administration. Kishore said the seriously wounded people were moved to Jammu Medical College. Since a large number of devotees on their way to and return from the temple take food at the community kitchen, officials here fear the casualty figure may go up.
Liberhan Comm reserves order on summoning of PM
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Liberhan Comm reserves order on summoning of PM New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: The Liberhan Commission today reserved its order on summoning Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and recalling Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani as a witness in connection with the inquiry into the demolition of disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992 after the Centre asserted that the stage for recording of the evidence has been concluded. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) R N Trivedi said the stand of the Central Government remains the same as recorded on July 10 that it is not the stage to summon any witness before the Commission. "That in the circumstances, the application for summoning Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Kalyan Singh is not maintainable as the Central Government does not desire to recall any witness or to examine any new witness under Rule 5 (5)(b) of the Commission of Enquiry (Central) Rules and the same may be rejected," the ASG told the Commission probing the demolition of disputed structure at Ayodhya on Dec 6, 1992. However, Commission counsel Anupam Gupta and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) contended that the summonin of the then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh was relevant as it would complete the terms of reference of the commisssion with regard to his rols during the demolition of the disputed structure. But Gupta categorically objected to the application seeking to summon the Prime Minister and for recalling Advani to record their evidence in view of the reported statement of Kalyan Singh that they were aware of the conspiracy of demolition. 18:06 IST
Cong accuses PM of "misusing" CBI
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Cong accuses PM of "misusing" CBI New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: Congress today accused Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of "misusing" CBI to drop the charge of "criminal conspiracy" against Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Human Resource Development Minister M M Joshi and some others in the Babri Masjid demolition case and sought an "adequate and convincing" reply from him on the issue. "All was done by the BJP-led coalition government. The Prime Minister must be held responsible for all these. We, therefore, want the government to come forward with an adequate gesture. Vajpayee should offer a convincing reply in Parliament and to the nation", Party spoksman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters. Demanding dismissal of Advani and Joshi, he said Congress has been arguing for the last five years that continuance of Advani, Joshi and others in the government, in the face of chargesheet filed by CBI, would not be only "detrimental to the norms of public charge, but would eventually be detrimental to justice itself". "Our fears have been abundantly proved as the CBI dropped charges against Advani, Joshi and their ilks", he said adding that any amount of explanation would not wash in the face of evidence collected "sedulously". Refuting BJP and government's explanation that Section 120 (B)(conspiracy) was not mentioned in the CBI chargesheet, Reddy said the agency had filed two chargesheets -- one in 1993 and the other in 1997 and the latter one did mention it. "The chargesheet filed by CBI remains, the fact contained in it remains which showed how Advani and others were involved in the demolition. How they made inflammatory speeches. How they conspired from the residence of party leader Vinay Katiyar in Ayodhya", He said. 19:59 IST
US to engage India in intensive military consultations
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: Notwithstanding India's rejection of a proposal to send troops to Iraq, its defence cooperation with the U S is expected to get a boost when a high-level American delegation led by Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Richard B Myers arrives here in the next two weeks. Official sources indicated that Washington was keen to engage New Delhi in intensive consultations and had also proposed advancing the annual Defence Policy Group meeting between the two countries to the first week of August. "The U S has proposed August 4 to 6 as dates for the DPG and indicated that the venue of the meeeting be changed from New Delhi to Washington", officials said without hazarding a guess whether it was part of new moves by Washington to woo India to rethink its participation in stabilisation force in Iraq. Senior officials here said "a visit is in the offing, but no firm dates have yet been set." The Defence Policy group meeting, the highest forum of Indo-US military to military dialogue, was scheduled to be held towards the end of August with India's turn to host it as the last two meetings were held in the US. Highly-placed officials said advancing DPG was a proposal from Washington and it would be discussed before any commitment was made on advancing the dates. 19:59 IST
Jamali rules out war with India
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Islamabad,Monday, July 21, 2003: Ruling out war and asserting that Pakistan wants peace with India with "honour and dignity," Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said Islamabad wanted to resume a dialogue with New Delhi to settle all the outstanding disputes including the core issue of Kashmir. "We do not want a war with India, rather we want to live in peace with our neighbour. We want peace in the region with honour and dignity," Jamali said in an interview to ARY Television on Sunday. "We would like to talk to India with an open mind with an understanding that New Delhi might convince us or we might convince them on the differences between the two countries," he said stressing the need to build confidence on both sides. He pointed out that Pakistan had taken several steps in response to the "Indian offer of friendship". On the sensitive issue of Pakistan granting recognition to Israel, Jamali said his government would take the elected Parliament and the opposition into confidence before making a decision. "The recognition of Israel would be considered if the roadmap for peace in the Middle East succeeds. The plan calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005. "An independent sovereign Palestinian state can pave the way to diplomatic ties with Israel," Jamali said. When asked to comment on his working relationship with President Pervez Musharraf, he said, he had a "wonderful coordination" with Musharraf on all national, international and political issues.
Govt to retain veto power in HPCL
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Govt to retain veto power in HPCL New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: Government will hold veto power on all crucial decisions in the privatised Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) through 'Golden Share' clause in the share- holders agreement. According to the draft shareholders agreement circulated among the half a dozen suitors for Government's 34.01 per cent stake in HPCL, the State would have two directors on the oil refiners' 12-member board, whose consent would be needed even for decisions like declaration of dividend. Special clauses have been inserted in the shareholders agreement to prevent the strategic investor from altering the company's memorandum of association, changing its share capital, winding up the company, disposing of existing assets and pursuing a new line of business. Besides, the Government can also block special resolutions which it deems are not in the interest of public, sources close to the disinvestment process said. The draft shareholders agreement also prescribes a 3-year lock-in period for sale of strategic investor's shareholding in HPCL and has stipulated no retrenchment of employees for one year. So long as the Government holds at least 5 per cent stake in HPCL, it will nominate two directors on the HPCL board. "If the Government ceases to own at least 5 per cent of the share capital but for so long as the Government is a shareholder of the company even if it holds only one share, the Government shall have the right to nominate one non-retiring Government nominee direct on the board," the shareholders agreement stipulates. 15:07 IST
World Bank alerts India
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
World Bank alerts India on impending dangers New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: Highlighting the danger signals in the economy, the World Bank today warned that the 8.0 per cent growth target will not be achieved without a major revamp of the precarious fiscal situation. Cautioning that primary deficit and public debt were worse than 1991 levels when the country faced a major crisis, the World Bank said India's fiscal situation was worse than that of many countries which faced macroeconomic crisis. Stressing on the need to give utmost importance to fiscal reforms, the Bank prescribed reforms in tax and subsidy regime, financial sector and fiscal management system and on improved composition of public expenditure, a large portion of which currently goes for pension and subsidies. Though the risk of crisis in India was offset by strong external position, the Bank's first `India Development Policy' review expressed concern on the consequences (of worsened public debt and rising primary deficit) over the medium term. "It will not be prudent to assume that India can simply grow out of its fiscal problem. Overall, fiscal reform is of utmost importance," it said. The World Bank, however, noted that the country has made rapid stride in increasing incomes and improving living standards in the past one decade.
Uproar in Lok Sabha over Ayodhya
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Uproar in Lok Sabha over Ayodhya case; house adjourned New Delhi,Monday, July 21, 2003: The monsoon session of Lok Sabha today got off to a stormy start with the entire opposition demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee creating a ruckus and forcing adjournment of the House over CBI dropping the charge of criminal conspiracy against Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi in the Babri Masjid demolition case. As the House met for the day agitated Opposition members were up in arms alleging that Vajpayee had "pressurised" CBI for dropping the conspiracy charge under section 120 (B) of Indian Penal Code against Advani and Joshi and others, including Uma Bharti and VHP leader Ashok Singhal. Opposition, which had planned to move an adjournment motion, stormed the well during the Question Hour shouting anti-Government slogans and demanding dismissal of Advani and Joshi, forcing Speaker Manohar Joshi to first adjourn the House for two hours. A similar scene prevailed after the House reassembled at 1400 hours with the members trooping into the well shouting slogans that Vajpayee should resign. Finding the members in an unrelenting mood, Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed adjourned the House for the day. 16:44 IST
Music director Anu Malik has lucky escape
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Jaipur, July 19: Bollywood music director Anu Malik today had a miraculous escape when the car in which he was going to Ajmer dargah got involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road, 20 km from here, police said. The accident took place near Bagru town this morning when a truck hit a car which collided with the Ambassador car in which the music director was travelling. Under the impact of the collision, Malik's car hit a tanker, additional director general of police Arun Duggar said. However, Malik only suffered some bruises on his hand, he said. He later left for Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti's dargah in Ajmer by another car, Duggar said. (Agencies)
Unnecesary criticism bad: PM
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Unnecesary criticism vitiates atmosphere: Vajpayee Raipur,Saturday, July 19, 2003: Taking a strong exception to VHP's constant criticism of the government, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said "unnecessarily blaming" it vitiated the atmosphere even as he ruled out a settlement of the Ayodhya issue without involving the Sangh Parivar outfit. Addressing the BJP's three-day National Executive meeting here, Vajpayee said "We have passed a resolution on Sri Ram Janambhoomi. It is good that a temple is built at the Ram Janamsthan. It is our desire to solve the issue through goodwill. The most important thing is to have negotiations and we will continue on this path." Vajpayee said nobody was of the opinion that the issue be settled by ignoring VHP. "There could be scope for differences but there should not be allegations and counter-allegations. We have always welcomed constructive comments but unnecessarily blaming vitiates the atmosphere," he said. The Prime Minister asserted "we will continue to do what we feel is correct. We will not go back on it". 20:29 IST
Congress questions Vajpayee's competence
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Congress questions Vajpayee's competence to lead the nation New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: A day after BJP raked up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin and described her as inexperienced and "security threat", Congress hit back questioning "ageing octogenarian" Atal Bihari Vajpayee's competence to lead the nation. "The attack is mean, malignant and beneath contempt..... We don't want to make any personal attack.....Vajpayee's advancing years and sinking health need more time for rest", Party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said at a special party briefing here. Condemning as "totally objectionable and outrageous utterance" dubbing of Gandhi as security threat if she became Prime Minister, Reddy said this indicated the "moral and cultural bankruptcy of BJP as political party". When told that BJP had later made amends to the statement, Reddy quipped "any amount of explanation does not wash away the original sin". BJP spokesman Muktar Abbas Naqvi had said in Raipur yesterday that "We have no probelm with Congress making Sonia Gandhi or even (Pakistan President) Pervez Musharraf its President but projecting her as Prime Minister could raise questions among the people about national interest and security." Later, Union Minister Arun Jaitley sought to retract the statement. In a rare attack on the Prime Minister, the Congress spokesman sought to puncture BJP's claims about the competence, ability and experience of Vajpayee and was unfazed over the saffron party's plans to turn the next Lok Sabha elections into an Atal-Sonia faceoff. 20:29 IST
RSS welcomes BJP's support for legislation
Sunday, July 20, 2003
RSS welcomes BJP's support for legislation on Ram temple New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: Welcoming BJP's support to Sangh Parivar demand for a legislation for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, RSS today said the onus was now on other political parties to ensure that it was passed in view of BJP's lack of numbers in Parliament. "It is good that the largest political party in the country and the party which is running the Government has come out clear in favour of a legislative solution to the issue," RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said. "Now it means that the onus is on other political parties," he said referring to BJP's resolution on Ayodhya adopted at its National Executive at Raipur which said that for the legislative option to be "fruitful" NDA allies and especially the opposition Congress would have to extend their support to it. On BJP's view that it was not in a position to enact a legislation for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya because the present arithmetic in Parliament was not in favour of it, he said "that is true. That is why the onus is on other political parties. "Political maturity suggests that they should also join hands with the BJP so that this issue will not go back to the people's court again. Let it be solved in Parliament," he said. 20:29 IST
Indian teams qualify for Athens Olympics
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Indian teams qualify for Athens Olympics New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: A day after three Indian archers made it to Olympics Games 2004, both the men's and women's teams of the country booked berths in the world's biggest sporting extravaganza, coming up with fine performance in the 42nd World Archery Championship at New York. The men's team comprising Satyadev Prasad, Tarundeep Rai and Acharya Ved Kumar stormed into the semifinal of the competition beating Russia 247/232 out of 270 points. The win paved the way for the team to earn its first-ever berth in the Olympics, an Archery Association of India press release said here today. Earlier in the pre-quarterfinal match, India had prevailed over Russia 249-242. However, the women's team made it to the Athens Olympics despite losing the quarterfinal tie against Ukraine by a narrow margin. The team consisting of Dola Banerjee, who became the first Indian woman archer to qualify for the Olympics two days ago, Reena Kumari and Chekrovolu Swuro had set up a quarterfinal clash against Ukraine winning the 1/16 match against Turkey 236/217. However, their attempt to move into the semifinal was foiled by Ukraine who downed them 239/236 after a close battle. Besides Dola Banerjee, the other two Indians who qualified for the Olympics were Satyadev Prasad and Tarundeep Rai. 17:10 IST
Flood situation worsens in Bihar
Saturday, July 19, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: The flood situation in Bihar worsened on Friday with major rivers submerging fresh areas while it was improving in Assam as eleven people were killed in rains and flash floods in Rajasthan. Two persons were drowned in Bargania village of Samastipur district in Bihar taking the toll in the current spell of flood to 31. All the major rivers like Burhi, Gandak, Bagmati, Kosi and Adwara had crossed the danger mark at different places along their courses. River Kosi crossed the danger level by 92 cm at Baltra. Adhwara group of rivers too were flowing 44 and 41 cms above the red mark. Nearly 1.7 lakh people in over 600 villages of Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, East and West Champaran districts have been affected by flood. In Assam, the situation was improving as Brahmaputra and its tributaries recored a receding trend. With cessation of rain in the catchment areas, the rivers were flowing with a receding trend although vast tracts of land was still under water. Eleven people, including seven school children, were killed in rains and flash floods in Rajasthan since yesterday. Five children were swept away in flash floods in Sawaimadhopur district's Jakholas village and two at its Barnala village. The state was lashed by moderate to heavy rains with Mangalsar receiving the maximum 7 cms rainfall followed by Jaipur, Rajgarh, Sikar, Viratnagar, Marwar junction, Thanagazi, Deedwana and Jhunjhunu three cms each. 09:26 IST
Y V Reddy to be new RBI Governor
Saturday, July 19, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: International Monetary Fund Executive Director Y Venugopal Reddy has been appointed new Governor of Reserve Bank of India for five years, an official announcement said on Friday night. Reddy, a former Deputy Governor of RBI, succeeds Bimal Jalan. Reddy's name has been cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "Reddy will be the new Governor of RBI. He will take over after Jalan demits office," an official spokesman said. Finance Ministry is expected to issue a formal notification shortly regarding appointment of Reddy, a retired IAS officer of 1964 batch. However, the date for Reddy to assume his new assignment is yet to be decided. Official sources said Jalan had conveyed to the Government that he wanted to step down ahead of expiry of his tenure. 09:26 IST
US ink industry denied protection against imports from India
Saturday, July 19, 2003
US ink industry denied protection against imports from India Washington,Saturday, July 19, 2003: US International Trade Commission has denied protection to the American ink industry against import of a raw material from India used in manufacturing printing ink. USITC, in its ruling on Friday, rejected charges of dumping and subsidies to the Indian industry and ended the investigations against the imports of 'coloured synthetic organic oleoresinous pigment dispersions'. It also asserted that import of pigments from India posed no threat to indeginous industry. In a 4-0 vote, the commissioners made a negative preliminary determination that evidence of injury to the US industry from the imports did not suffice to continue the investigations. The pigment dispersions, a thick putty that contains pigment dispersed in a varnish, are used primarily for the manufacture of letterpress and lithographic printing inks. Imposition of anti-dumping duties requires final affirmative determinations both from the Department of Commerce, that dumping has occurred, and from USITC that the imports injured or threatened US industry. Similarly, imposition of countervailing duties requires final affirmative determinations on both subsidies and injury.
Portugal court turns down Indian plea for Monica's extradition
Saturday, July 19, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, July 19, 2003: In a setback to India, a court in Portugal has turned down its plea for extradition of underworld don Abu Salem's girl friend Monica Bedi here prompting New Delhi to request the Portuguese government to file an appeal against the ruling. The news of rejection of Bedi's extradition came as a surprise to the CBI as it was almost certain that she, alongwith Salem, main accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast, would be extradited here. While rejecting the extradition request, the court in Lisbon had said that Bedi could be tried in Portugal as the offence committed by her in India was similar to that committed by her in that country, CBI sources said here today. Portugal was also trying the duo for forging documents that enabled Salem to marry a local girl and Monica to a local man and subsequently procuring a resident work permit after the marriage. India, meanwhile, has approached the Prosecutor General of Portugal for filing an appeal in a higher court challenging the trial court's order and clarifying that Monica had forged documents in this country which led to her arrest in Lisbon. Salem, his companion Monica Bedi and Syed Haider were arrested in Lisbon by Portuguese police on September 18 last year for staying in the country on the basis of forged documents. Salem, whose extradition proceedings were also on in the same court, has submitted that he would be harrassed if he was sent back. India has already sent its reply to the court disputing his submission. 09:26 IST
BJP rules out Legislation for temple, opposes Sonia as Prime Minister
Saturday, July 19, 2003
Raipur,Saturday, July 19, 2003: In a balancing act towards the Sangh Parivar on the opening day of the BJP National Executive, the party on Friday virtually ruled out the possibility of enacting a legislation for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and raked up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin but in the process did a flip-flop. Having promised a restive VHP and RSS last week that it will consider their demand for a legislation in the wake of failure of negotiations on Ayodhya, BJP President M Venkiah Naidu said in his presidential address that Hindutva was the soul of India but it could not be an election issue. "Nor can Hindutva be projected as a narrow religious concept. We are committed to secularism but are opposed to pseudo-secularism and appeasement for garnering minority votes." In an obvious reference to the Sangh Parivar demand, Naidu said "we are proud of our ideology. Do not hesitate to stand on any issue, but remember that we are living a coalition a government and there is no question of thrusting our agenda on any partner". Raking up the issue of Gandhi's foreign origin, party General Secretary and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said "we have no problem with Congress making Sonia Gandhi or Pervez Musharraf as its president. But having her as Prime Minister is an issue linked to the country's national interest and security. 09:26 IST
Taj Mahal-Will it be Akbar Khan's swansong?
Friday, July 18, 2003
Bollywood's fascination with the Taj monument transcends generations.Way back in 1941,Nanabhai Vakil made Taj Mahal with Kumar-Sarojini-Suraiya.And in 1963, Roshan came up with everlasting tunes for M. Sadiq's Taj Mahal,starring Pradeep Kumar-Bina-Jeevan-Helen.Now Akbar Khan has taken the mantle to recreate the grandeur of one of the grandest of Indian rulers.In the desert state of Rajasthan,Mehrangarh has become a beehive of activity as hundreds of artistes converged to shoot.Incidentally, while it may have taken Shah Jahan 22 years and more than 20,000 artistes to finish his monument of love,there are no such obstacles facing the modern-day celluloid Taj.The film is all set to be completed in 15 months with only about three weeks schedule left, which would be completed by the end of July.Manisha Koirala plays Jahan Ara,Aurangzeb's sister.Pooja Batra is the scheming Noor Jahan.Kabir Bedi plays the ageing Emperor Shah Jahan.And the youthful Shah Jahan is Zulfi Sayed,who is said to have more than just passing resemblance to Bedi.His ladylove,Mumtaz,is played by Noorjehan's granddaughter,Sonyajahan.His casting and most of the shooting over, Akbar is confident,the masses will like the film and remember it for its sets,for its performances,for Naushad's music "He has his own standing,There is nobody to challenge him" and,above all,for love. More at www.galatta.com
Ramu's next movie to haunt again
Friday, July 18, 2003
Ram Gopal Varma is ready to explore man's primal fears yet again after Bhoot.His next production "Darna Mana Hai" will explore the clash between the prosaic everyday life and a mysterious, irrational and potentially supernatural universe. For this film directed by Prawaal Raman, Varma wants to sell the concept rather than the actors. "Darna Mana Hai" has about fifteen actors. The cast includes Vivek Oberoi, Saif Ali Khan, Nana Patekar, Aftab Shivdasani, Sanjay Kapoor, Sohail Khan, Ishaa Koppikar, Antara Mali, Sameera Reddy and Shilpa Shetty. The first few posters that will adorn theatres on July 25, the scheduled release date, will not feature the actors. Instead, set in eerie shades of blacks, whites and greys, you'll see posters that show a palm with six fingers, a candle with six wicks, or an old clock with six hands. "Darna Mana Hai" is about a group of youngsters who get stranded in the dark woods. To kill time, each one of them tells an unbelievable but menacing story to entertain the others. Meanwhile, the youngsters are themselves getting into a fearful situation. Varma says, " "Bhoot" was meant to chill the audience to their bones. "Darna Mana Hai" is a different genre. I wanted to induce fear through everyday incidents in Bhoot. Here, we have six bizarre stories that will offer a different movie watching experience." More at www.galatta.com
Wipro reports 43 pc rise in net profit
Friday, July 18, 2003
Software major reports 43 pc rise in net profit Bangalore,Friday, July 18, 2003: Software major Wipro today reported a 43 per cent rise in its net profit for the first quarter of 2003-2004 at Rs 2.06 bn over the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal. Announcing results for the first quarter ending June 30, 2003, the company said its revenue grew by 29 per cent at Rs 11.98 bn year on year. Global IT services and products revenue increased by 46 per cent year on year at Rs 9.25 bn, it said. 10:15 IST
2002 was the second warmest year
Friday, July 18, 2003
The year 2002 was the second warmest year in the temperature record since 1861, according to World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). "The warming in tbe equatorial Pacific contributed to making the 2002 global mean surface temperature the second highest on record," Geneva-based WMO said in `Word Climate news'. The global mean surface temperature was 0.48 degrees celsius above the 1961-1990 annual average which makes 2002 the second warmest year, it said adding the warmest year remains 1998 in which surface temperature averaged 0.55 degrees celsius above the same 30-year mean. The five warmest years, in decreasing order, in this period of record are now - 1998, 2002, 2001, 1995 and 1997. For land and ocean regions polewards of 30 degrees North, the mean temperature departure was 0.76 degrees celsius, ranking as the highest on record, the report said. Surface temperatures in the tropical band ranked as second highest while polewards of 30 degrees South in Southern hemisphere, the average departure was the eighth highest on record. The report said the two major climate events in 2002 were the transition from neutral to El Nino conditions in the quatorial Pacific Ocean and the continuation of significant surface warming around the globe, it said. The magnitude of the El Nino episode was significantly smaller than the 1997/98 event but many characteristic climate patterns were observed. For example, some stations in Kiribati (Central Pacific) received rainfall in excess of 10 times the average monthly rainfall in July. In another event, one of the world's driest places Arica in Chile recorded its greatest amount of rain ever on 3 July - 8.3 mm 11:33 IST
Air Alliance flight returns following engine snag
Friday, July 18, 2003
Chennai,Friday, July 18, 2003: An Alliance Air flight to Port Blair with 70 passengers aboard returned to the base this morning after flying for nearly 90 minutes as the pilot noticed a technical snag in the plane, airport sources said. The flight took off as per schedule at 0515 hrs but after being in the air for nearly an hour, the pilot noticed that one of the engines was not working and returned to the base, the sources said. All the passengers were accommodated in various city hotels, the sources added. 10:15 IST
Question of India sending troops to Iraq surfaces again
Friday, July 18, 2003
New Delhi,Friday, July 18, 2003: Close on the heels of the rejection of the US request, the question of India sending troops to Iraq revived on Thursday with the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaking of plans to seek troops from member countries for deployment in the war-ravaged country. US Ambassador to India Robert Blackwill, giving a farewell address at the CII, referred to the Indian position that it was ready to consider sending troops under a UN mandate and said "we will have to see ...depends on what happens in Iraq and at the UN." However, External Affairs Ministry spokesman declined to make any specific comment saying these are "developing circumstances". He said the recent decision of the Cabinet Committee on Security spoke for itself that under an explicit UN mandate, India could consider sending troops to Iraq. 10:15 IST
Shinde threatens to resign
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde threatens to resign Mumbai,Wednesday, July 16, 2003: Protesting increasing atrocities on dalits in Maharashtra and annoyed over the behaviour of ruling Democratic Front legislators, Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde was on Tuesday understood to have threatened to resign. Sources in Congress, the lead partner of the alliance, said Shinde, the first dalit chief minister of the state, told a joint meeting of MLAs belonging to DF constituents that "if atrocities against dalits continue, then what is the point of my continuing to be the Chief Minister". The Chief Minister was also apparently irked over the pressure sought to be put on him by the MLAs to get work done in their constituencies, said one of the MLAs who attended the meeting. Shinde reportedly told the meeting "if the MLAs do not mend their ways, then I will be compelled to step down". His threat to resign came in the wake of Congress MLA Amar Kale's dharna in the state Assembly House to highlight drinking water problems in his constituency Arvi in Vidarbha region. 09:50 IST
Amarnath Yatra suspended
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Jammu,Wednesday, July 16, 2003: Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday decided to suspend the Amarnath Yatra for a day today due to inclement weather along the highway and on the Pahalgam route to the cave shrine, an official spokesman said here on Tuesday night. He said the pilgrims are advised to defer their journey from different parts of the country to Jammu by one day, adding their yatra schedule to the shrine would be adjusted accordingly. Meanwhile, the authorities have directed the district administration to make contingency plans for boarding and lodging for those pilgrims who are already on their way to Jammu. About 2000-2500 pilgrim arrived on Tuesday at the MAM stadium here from where yatra proceeds towards the cave shrine on daily basis. Authorities have also made arrangements for for provision of food for the pilgrims. Besides, some temporary lodging centres have been arranged at Kathua District for incoming pilgrims from other parts of the country.
Fernandes persuades Nitish
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 16, 2003: Efforts to persuade Nitish Kumar to withdraw his resignation from the Union Cabinet continued with Samata Party President George Fernandes meeting him at his residence here early this morning and requesting him to take back his papers. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes but what transpired was not known immediately. Fernandes, who spoke to Kumar for 45 minutes on Monday night, had said on Tuesday that he would keep up his efforts to persuade the Railway Minister to relent. However, Kumar refused to withdraw his resignation and did not atttend office in Rail Bhavan on Tuesday. 09:50 IST
Festival of Ayurveda in London
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
London,Wednesday, July 16, 2003: In an effort to popularise the age-old Indian Ayurveda system, a fortnight-long Festival of Ayurveda was launched here where visitors would get extensive information on the various aspects of this ancient system of medicine. Gopi Warrier, Chairman of the Ayurvedic Company of Great Britain, inaugurated the festival at Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan on Tuesday night by lighting a traditional lamp, which was followed by recitation of poetry by Dr Krishna Kumar linked to the enormous power of Ayurveda and Kathakali dance eulogising the system by Abhay Shankar Mishra and party Warrier said during the fortnight each day would be devoted for a particular aspect of Ayurveda - like Ayurveda for Migraine, Ayurveda in Prostate Disease, in Anxiety, Depression and Hair loss and Ayurveda in Sexual Problems. From today, there would be free consultations at the Bhavan on Ayurveda for the whole year, he said. To coincide with the festival, an exhibition of paintings by Sarvesh Saini was also organised. The rare paintings included Lakshmi Incarnate: Vishnupriya Tulsi, Abode of Goddess Kali: Hibiscus, Bramha Incarnate: Palaash, Abode of Bramha: Mango, Abode of Kali: Hibiscus and Symbol of Fecundity: Mango Tree. 09:50 IST
India turns down US request
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
India turns down US request to send troops to Iraq New Delhi,Tuesday, July 15, 2003: India on Monday turned down a long-pending US request for deployment of its troops in Iraq but Washington said it would not affect bilateral ties with a "strategic partner". After weeks of dilemma over the possible spin off economic benefits on the one side and stiff political opposition on the other in an election year, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the decision making it clear, however, that deployment of troops under a UN mandate could be considered. "Were there to be an explicit UN mandate for the purpose, the Government of India could consider the deployment of our troops in Iraq," the government said in a statement after the 90-minute meeting attended among others by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Defence Minister George Fernandes and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh. New Delhi's decision was immediately conveyed to US Ambassador Robert Blackwill by National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, who was also present at the meeting. Reacting to the decision, the US Embassy said while the US had hoped India would take a different decision, the transformation of US-India relations will continue as before. "India remains an important strategic partner for the US," an Embassy spokesman said. He also quoted Ambassador Blackwill's earlier statement that one way or the other the decision would not not impact on bilateral ties. The main opposition Congress said the government decision vindicated its stand on the issue. 09:58 IST
Decision won't affect ties: US
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Washington,Tuesday, July 15, 2003: The US has expressed mild regret at India's decision not to send troops to Iraq, but said that would not affect its "important" strategic partnership with New Delhi. The US also said that "the UN Security Council has encouraged countries" to contribute their forces for stabilisation of Iraq, apparently responding to India's expressed reservations on sending troops to the war-ravaged country without UN mandate. "We would have hoped that India would have made a different choice, that they would be there. But I think at the same time (I) need to reiterate that India remains an important strategic partner for the United States and that the continuation of the transformation of Indo-US relations is something that is important to us and that we expect to see," US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters on Monday. Asked whether he expects any problems because of this decision by India, Boucher said: "I would expect us to continue to work with India as a matter of strategic partnership. I am not predicting any particular problem, but I would say that we would have hoped that they would be able to go do this in Iraq for, I think, our interests and what we perceive as their interests as well".
Nitish refuses to attend office
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
New Delhi,Tuesday, July 15, 2003: Nitish Kumar, who resigned from the government on Monday perturbed over inner party wranglings, today refused to take back his resignation and said he would not attend office in Rail Bhavan.
India and Pakistan restore road links
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Consolidating the peace process, India and Pakistan today restored road links between them with two luxury buses carrying the first batch of passengers in 18 months travelling in each other's territory in pouring rain amid high emotions and hopes of improving ties. The golden-coloured Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus carrying 32 passengers, including 19 mediapersons, reached Lahore covering a distance of 527 km triggering euphoria among those waiting to see their kin across the border. Similar scenes were witnessed in Delhi when a reciprocal green-coloured Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) bus from Lahore with 28 people, including a sick child and six media persons on board, rolled into the Ambedkar terminal. As the buses reached their destination passengers hugged and kissed their near and dears soon after they alighted. Earlier in the day, the buses escorted under an intense security cover crossed each other in Punjab with the passengers cheering and waving at each other. The day also had its quota of protests from a handful of opponents to the peace process with Pakistan. Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal volunteers shouted slogans against Pakistan and denounced its support to cross border terrorism just after the bus rolled out in Delhi and on its way in Punjab. A similar scene was enacted when the Pakistan bus reached Delhi. 09:35 IST
India would win war on terrorism: Advani
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Maintaining that cross-border terrorism was a problem before India, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said the country would score a victory over it on its own. "Cross-border terrorism is our problem and we would gain victory over it at our own level," Advani said addressing BJP legislators drawn from northern states at their three-day training camp here. "After losing three battles, our neighbour is now harping on proxy war instead of an open war, he said adding that "we would attain succeess over proxy war launched by Pakistan." Advani said in the past five years, the security and intelligence agencies succeeded in identifying and destroying 200 ISI-backed training camps in various parts of the country. Appreciating the intelligence agencies of the country for their "good work" in foiling major terrorists attacks in the recent past, he said that these agencies had succeeded in establishing links of Pakistan behind all such attacks, including the one on Parliament. "We differ with the Pakistan's assessment on cross- border terrorism," Advani said.
Need for "credible and visible" progress before SAARC meet
Saturday, July 12, 2003
A day after the announcement of SAARC Summit dates, India today made it clear that there was need for "credible and visible" progress on the economic agenda before the January meet of the regional grouping to make it "meaningful". Observing that Pakistan's "lack of commitment" on economic cooperation had led to delay in these matters, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said "we hope the entire package (of steps decided at the SAARC Standing Committee in Kathmandu) will be fully implemented." "It is a desire that all SAARC countries, including Pakistan, should move to make progress on trade and economic cooperation a concrete reality," he said. Asked whether it meant New Delhi was putting a pre-condition for attending the Summit, the spokesman said "India is part of the consensus" arrived at in Kathmandu and that the decisions of the Standing Committee "speak for themselves". 07:49 IST
India, US to Sci &Tech agreement
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Declaring their resolve to support efforts to enhance science and technology tie-ups, India and the United States today agreed to discuss a "new umbrella" India-US Science and Technology Agreement and expand cooperation in developing and commercialising cleaner and more efficient energy technologies. Both sides felt that India-US Science and Technology Forum, established in 2000, should be an "important instrument" for catalysing scientific collaboration between the two countries. A decision to this effect was taken at a five-day meeting between a U S delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, International Environment and Scientific Affairs John Turner and an Indian inter-ministerial team headed by Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Deepa Wadhwa, official sources said. The meeting was held under the aegis of the bilateral Global Issues Forum set up in February last year by Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal and U S Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky. The present meeting focussed on one cluster of Forum issues--energy, environment, health and science and technology. The two countries also decided to continue long-term cooperation in conservation and restoration of critical wildlife resources, as mutually agreed, and further intensify their cooperation in prevention, control and elimination of infectious diseases including AIDS, TB, malaria, polio and water-borne ailments, through appropropriate intervention strategies. 08:55 IST
PC sales beat forecast; up 37% in 2002-03
Saturday, July 12, 2003
India's PC sales have staged a recovery in 2002-03 to gross 2.3 million units with growth of 37 per cent compared to a negative 11 per cent growth in the previous year, mainly on account of a surge in corporate IT consumption. According to annual industry review by hardware association MAIT, PC market performance has been driven by increased IT consumption by verticals and corporate sectors such as telecom, banking and financial services, manufacturing IT enabled services, and thereby ended up exceeding earlier projections of 20 per cent growth for 2002-03. The IT market is expected to grow 18 per cent in 2003-04 and PC sales would cross 2.7 million units, Vinnie Mehta, executive director of MAIT, said here. "The PC market grossed 2.3 million units registering a growth of 37 per cent over the previous year. PC sales had clocked a negative growth of 11 per cent in 2001-02 over 2000-01. However, buoyant IT consumption witnessed in the first half of 2002-03 gained greater momentum in the second half resulting in the current growth," Mehta said. Sales in smaller towns grew 63 per cent, accounting for 35 per cent of the total market while sales in top four metros grew by 30 per cent. During the period in reference, active internet entities in the country increased to 1.43 million in March 2003, a 10 per cent jump over March 2002, and here the businesses accounted for 46 per cent of the total internet subscribers and households for the remaining 54 per cent. 05:44 IST
Sehwag hits maiden century in county
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Sehwag hits maiden century in county cricket London,Thursday, July 11, 2002: India's opening batsman Virender Sehwag struck an impressive 111-ball 130 to record his maiden century in county cricket and rescue Leicestershire on the second day of the Frizzle County Championship against Middlesex at South Gate on Thursday. Sehwag struck 20 boundaries and four sixes during his knock as he guided Leicestershire to 221 for three in reply to Middlesex's imposing 620 for seven declared at close on the second day. The Indian dominated the opening stand of 197 with John Maunders (55) before both the batsmen were dismissed by Chad Keegan in consecutive overs. At the end of the day, D D Masters and B J Hodge were unbeaten on nine and four respectively. For Middlesex, A J Strauss scored 147 while D C Nash (103 not out) and G C Joyce (102) were the other notable scorers. Sehwag's previous best score during his county stint was 81 off 84 balls against Surrey. 05:44 IST
VHP meeting on temple construction begins
Friday, July 11, 2003
Under pressure from RSS, the VHP is expected to mellow down its criticism of the government while announcing an agitation plan at a crucial meeting which began here today to discuss the future course of action on the Ram temple issue. The recent initiative taken by Kanchi Shankaracharya resolved the imbroglio and its rejection by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) tops the agenda of the meeting of the high-power panel of the Ram-mandir Nirman Andolan Samiti headed by former BJP-MP Mahant Avaidyanath. The day-long meeting at a South Delhi temple, being attended by VHP top brass, including Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia besides senior Hindu religious leaders, is expected to be addressed by RSS leaders, including its Chief K S Sudarshan, General Secretary Mohan Bhagwat and Joint General Secretary incharge of BJP Madan Das Devi in the afternoon session. 00:11 IST
People had no expectations from me.-John Abraham
Friday, July 11, 2003
Mumbai His debut "Jism" sizzled more because of his co-star Bipasha Basu and "Saaya" didn’t sweep the box-office. But model-turned-actor John Abraham believes in counting his blessings. Shooting for his third film, Pooja Bhatt’s "Paap", John smiles at the children and girls who clamour for his attention. He doesn’t get offended when a child wants to know his name. "Maybe I’m not that popular. Quite frankly I’m grateful for making the little headway that I have," John told in an interview. "People had no expectations from me. Can you name one male model who has succeeded in films? I worked against several odds. I was a model. My body language suggested I couldn’t act. And on top of that, my name was John Abraham! I guess things are changing in Bollywood and I’m a product of that change. "The other day Mahesh Bhatt told me it’s commendable that my second film ’Saaya’ got an opening. ’Remember you aren’t Shah Rukh Khan’, he reminded me. Yes, I’m not Shah Rukh Khan." John’s next release is Vikram Bhatt’s "Aitbaar", where he plays a negative role. "My co-stars are Bipasha and the great Amitabh Bachchan. As we’re friends in real life, the comfort level between Bipasha and me is high. Unlike ’Jism’, we don’t have too many intimate moments in ’Aitbaar’. The main dramatic interaction is between Bachchan and me," says John. "What I learnt from him (Bachchan) is the value of professionalism. His attitude is that of a man who has come to do a job and everyone better do it. I believe in the same attitude." John admits things are a bit chaotic in Bollywood and a culture shock to a disciplinarian like him. "The set-up was far more professional in my modelling world. "I realise the sets are quite |
