India News: July 2005

Sri Lanka defeat India by 3 wkts
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | JJ

Sri Lanka defeat India by 3 wkts in the opening match of Indian Oil tri-series opener at the Rangiri Stadium here on Saturday. Electing to bat after wining the toss Indians were restricted to 205 for 9 in 50 overs. In reply Sri Lanka achieved the target in 48.2 overs. India will play West Indies on 31August.

RDX used confirmed in Shramjeevi blast
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | JJ

RDX used was confirmed in Shramjeevi blast that occurred in a general coach near Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. Jaunpur District Magistrate, A Yadav said "The blast led to disruption of rail traffic for several hours on the Varanasi-Delhi route. All the injured were shifted to the BHU and a hospital in Jaunpur. Several others were given first aid and discharged." Forensic Expert Rajesh Yadav said "It looks as if a timer was used because this way, the attackers can place the bomb and make good their escape."

Nanocell designed by Indian kills cancer
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | JJ

Nanocell designed by Indian scientist to kill cancer
Nanocell designed by Indian scientist Ram Sasisekharan to kill cancer. Outer membrane of the nanocell loaded with with an anti-angiogenic drug and the inner balloon with chemotherapy agents was tested in mice. A “stealth” surface chemistry allows the nanocells to evade the immune system, while their size (200 nanometers) makes them preferentially taken into the tumor. They are small enough to pass through tumor vessels, but too large for the pores of normal vessels. Once the nanocell is inside the tumor, its outer membrane disintegrates, rapidly deploying the anti-angiogenic drug. The blood vessels feeding the tumor then collapse, trapping the loaded nanoparticle in the tumor, where it slowly releases the chemotherapy. The double-loaded nanocell shrank the tumor, stopped angiogenesis and avoided systemic toxicity much better than other treatment and delivery variations. The nanocell worked better against melanoma than lung cancer, indicating the need to tweak the design for different cancers.

Honda to take back Agitating employees
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | JJ

Honda Motorcycle and Scooters India Private Limited will take back the agitating employees as per the agreement reached. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda lead employees into the factory at Manaser in Haryana after a deal was stuck after a 12 hours government and company officials met with the union members on Friday to try and broker an agreement. Chief Minister announced the deal at a press conference at 2 am on Friday.

Passengers of AI escapes unhurt
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | JJ

Passengers of AI’s flight AI 127 Bangalore - Mumbai – Frankfurt -Chicago flight escape unhurt when the Boeing 747-400 skidded off the wet spare runway while landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Air India spokesperson Jitendra Bhargava said, “All passengers are safe and have been evacuated from the plane.”

Tourism challenges forum to be held
Sunday, July 31, 2005 | MP

Travel industry leaders will meet in Kochi on Aug 26-29 to discuss on the challenges and threats faced by the Indian tourism industry. The forum will be held in connection with this year’s annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). Inspired by the country’s Incredible India tourism campaign, this year’s theme for the event will be “Incredible Boom- Incredible Challenges”. This is for the first time IATO is hosting the event in Kochi.

Plane skids at Mumbai airport
Saturday, July 30, 2005 | MP

Air traffic was disrupted at Mumbai when an Air-India Boeing 747-400 skidded and hit the runway onto the ground this morning. The airport officials said that the plane hit the runway lights at the end of the runway and got stuck in the slushy ground at around 7 am, while it was raining heavily at that time. The flight which was carrying 335 passengers and crew from Bangalore to Mumbai was due to operate onwards to Chicago via Frankfurt. All the passengers have been disembarked and later brought to the Sivaji International Airport. Following the incident, the secondary runway is shut down and the main runway is opened only for out-bound traffic.

India ready for the challenge
Saturday, July 30, 2005 | MP

Rahul Dravid gets a chance to prove himself as captain as India takes on Srilanka in the triangular series beginning on Saturday. The captain at a press conference said that he was looking forward to the one-day tri-series with India playing hosts Srilanka in the opener. “It’s a challenge for us, they are a very good team at home and it is a big opportunity for us to try and beat them at home” said the skipper. Besides India and Srilanka, West Indies is the other team in the series.

No compromise on fundamental strategic needs
Saturday, July 30, 2005 | JJ

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh speaking in the Parliament for the first time after his trip to the United States said that India had never made, nor will ever make, a compromise on the fundamental strategic interests of the country. PM said, "we have never made, nor will we ever make, any compromises insofar as our fundamental and strategic needs are concerned". He added "We expect a close co-relation between the actions to be taken by the United States and by India. The Indian actions will be contingent at every stage on actions taken by the other side. Should we not be satisfied that our interests are fully secured, we shall not feel pressed to move ahead in a predetermined manner."

Govt. to amend the IT Act
Friday, July 29, 2005 | MP

The Parliament was informed on Thursday that the Government has decided to amend the IT Act, 2000 to ensure stringent measures against criminals who could bring a bad name to the country’s booming software and BPO sectors. Besides changing the law, the industry association NASCOM will set up a Register of IT professionals to ensure that only genuine staffs are employed in the industry. An Expert Committee has been set up to review the legal framework and propose amendments in IT Act to meet global norms.

CBI probe into Centaur sale demand CPM
Thursday, July 28, 2005 | JJ

CBI probe into Centaur sale was demand by three-member panel of CPM. CPI-M MP Dipankar Mukherjee said at a press conference, in the presence of party general secretary Prakash Karat "There are undeniable links between Bhattacharya and Batra. Both are business associates." Mukherjee said"We are not putting anyone in the dock. What we want is that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should investigate and expose the entire scam."

Hyderabad-Tehran Direct flights soon
Thursday, July 28, 2005 | JJ

Hyderabad-Tehran Direct flights will be introduced soon. Iran Consulate General Hasan Ravesh who met the Andhra Pradesh state Information and Public Relation minister Mohd Ali Shabbir in his chambers at the Secretariat said the Iran government was making efforts to introduce direct flights between Hyderabad-Tehran at the earliest.

Major fire broke out at Bombay High
Thursday, July 28, 2005 | JJ

Major fire broke out at Bombay High on resulting in killing of three people and 45 missing. Bombay High is located 160 km from the coast and produces one lakh barrels per day. ONGC sources said that the fire erupted when the supply vessel collided with an oil platform due to massive high tide. Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said “Three people died although we have managed to rescue 331 people who were on the BHN platform, multi-purpose safety vehicle and the rig at the Mumbai High field of the ONGC,”

Quake in India; Tsunami Warning Posted
Monday, July 25, 2005 | AA

A major earthquake of at least 7.0 magnitude hit India's southern Nicobar Islands on Sunday, prompting Thailand to issue a tsunami warning for the region devastated by December's earthquake and tsunami. The earthquake was of magnitude 7.2, struck at 9:12 p.m. and was centered in Nicobar, said I. B. A. Rao, a duty officer in New Delhi's Meteorology Department. "There is nothing to worry about," India's Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal said.

Dravid led Indian cricket team leaves
Saturday, July 23, 2005 | AA

CHENNAI: The Indian cricket team left for Colombo to take part in the three-nation tournament beginning on July 30.The team led by Rahul Dravid took off at 12.25 pm amidst tight security arrangements at the Kamaraj International Airport.The flight, which was to leave at 11.50 am, was delayed by 35 minutes perhaps due to the late arrival of the flight from Delhi which carried vice-captain Virender Sehwag.Captain Sourav Ganguly, who has been provisionally included as the 16th member of the team, did not board the flight, as his six-match ban has still not been lifted by the International Cricket Council.Ganguly, who is currently playing for Glamorgan County in England, will join the team only if he is cleared by ICC.The tri-series, also involving West Indies and hosts Sri Lanka, is the first assignment for new coach Australian Greg Chappell who took over the reins in May.

Hindutva tinge in BJP resolution
Saturday, July 23, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The Hindutva imprint in the wake of the recent RSS-BJP ideological spat was evident in a key resolution adopted by the party's Central office bearers here today which spoke of "demographic invasion' and "interests of Hindus" and demanded check on growth of Madrasas and conversion activities along the borders."Ayodhya epitomises faith, it is the repository of the beliefs of crores of Hindus. Action must be prompt and visible", said the resolution on 'Internal Security in One Year of UPA' adopted at the first major meeting of the party, presided over by its President L K Advani, after the RSS asked him to step down for 'ideological erosion'. Alleging that the recent terrorist attack was not just a security lapse, the party said, "It is the consequence of generating a certain mindset, that of terming everything as 'communal', particularly if it is criticism of the UPA's inaction or neglect, or if it relates to the interests of the Hindus". Briefing reporters on the meeting, attended by all office bearers and special invitees, senior leader Jaswant Singh demanded that the Government honestly implement the Supreme Court judgement in the IMDT Case, wind up the Group of Minister set up to study the judgement and issue a White Paper on "illegal immigration, its status, consequences and remedial measures". The resolution also demanded that the Government check the growth of Madrasas in the border region as also the "proselytising activity" in the entire north-east. Party sources had stated that party would make ideological assertions through speeches, statements and resolutions in the coming days. PTI

ONGC-Mittal Group join hands
Saturday, July 23, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and steel tycoon L N Mittal today joined hands for acquisition of oil and gas companies abroad, with Canada-based PetroKazakhstan their first target.Two joint venture companies floated today by ONGC and Mittal Group will target oil and gas opportunities in Central Asian countries and Africa with the state-owned firm aiming to capitalise on the steel giant's 'goodwill' in countries like Kazakhstan to bag mega deals like PetroKazakhstan.The joining of the two titans is a preparation for Indian bids for global oil giants like Unocal, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said at the MoU signing ceremony here.ONGC, India's largest oil producer, will hold 49.98 per cent stake in both the joint venture companies while L N Mittal, who till now was focused only on the global steel business, will have 48.02 per cent equity. The remaining 2 per cent would be with ICICI.ONGC Mittal Energy Ltd, a joint venture between ONGC Videsh Ltd - the overseas arm of ONGC - and Mittal Investments Sarl, would focus on acqusition of oil and gas firms and exploration business.The other company, ONGC Mittal Energy Services Ltd, will look at related businesses like refining, petrochemicals, pipelines, LNG, shipping and energy trading."Our business is in oil dominating countries and governments there have been telling us to get into oil business," said Lakshmi N Mittal, Chairman and CEO, Mittal Group, which has a presence in 14 countries worldwide.The deal capitalises on ONGC's domain knowledge in oil and gas and Mittal Group's expertise in global business. PTI

Sensex breaches 7400
Saturday, July 23, 2005 | AA

Mumbai, Jul 23 (PTI) Stocks: Buoyed by heavy FIIs inflows coupled with a host of positive factors, the sensex surpassed the psychological 7400-level for the first time in BSE history and even climbed to the life-time closing peaks of 7423.25, extending its weekly winning streak to straight 12th week.The benchmark, which had been on a record breaking spree during the week, also has scaled the historic intra-trade high of 7429.95 on July 22.In the week upto July 23, the BSE Benchmark 30-share Index witnessed a flat to negative trend in erratic trade in the initial three trading sessions before a sharp rally on Friday and ended the week at 7423.25 as against last weekend's close of 7271.54, a net rise of 151.71 points or 2.09 per cent.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) reported net investments of Rs 1,374.20 crore during the first four days of the week, as per figures released by the SEBI. FIIs have pumped in over Rs 4,850 crore in three weeks of July, taking the total net investments to about Rs 25,000 crore in the current calendar year so far.The market was extremely bullish on the back of positive factors like good rainfall across the country, encouraging flow of excellent quarterly working results from corporate giants, easing crude prices and a revaluation of the Chinese currency, Yuan on July 21, which is unlikely to have any major impact on FIIs inflows in Indian markets.Operators and domestic funds too were active. Indian Financial Institutions were net buyers to the tune of Rs 142.05 crore in the week's first four trading sessions. PTI

Harbhajan shines with the ball
Monday, July 11, 2005 | AA

London, Jul 10 (PTI) A fine spell of off-spin bowling by Harbhajan Singh helped Surrey to a commanding position against Gloucestershire in a Division One English County cricket match at Bristol today.Harbhajan, who had made 84 in Surrey's first innings score of 603, scalped four wickets for 51 runs as his side bowled out Gloucestershire for 288 and enforced the follow on.The Indian bowler took the wickets of J A Pearson, A P R Gidman, C G Taylor and J Averis. Surrey took a first innings lead of 315 runs on the third day of the four-day match at the County Ground.Elsewhere, Sourav Ganguly made 22 in Glamorgan's second innings as his side slumped to a 10-wicket loss against Nottinghamshire.Ganguly failed to add anything to his overnight score with his side being folded out for 214 in its second innings and Nottinghamshire notching up the required 57 runs for the big win at Trent Bridge.The Indian captain had made 47 runs in the first innings before claiming three wickets against the Stephen Fleming-led side. PTI

India's trade with G-8 up 17 pc
Monday, July 11, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, July 10 (PTI) Coming as a boost to further enhance strategic and economic cooperation between India and G-8 countries, India's trade with these most industrialised nations increased by 17 per cent to reach 48 billion dollars last fiscal, accounting for 25 per cent of the nation's total trade with the world, according to PHDCCI.In rupee terms, India's trade with G-8 countries rose by 15 per cent during 2004-05, a PHDCCI analysis revealed."It is time for India to consolidate its trade with the 8 most industrialised nations of the world and undertake due initiatives to propel it on a higher growth path," PHDCCI president K N Memani said.Since India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economies of the world, many of the G-8 countries are keen to enhance their market access to the expanding Indian market, he said.The share of India's exports to G-8 countries, that include the USA, Canada, Italy, the UK, France, Germany, Japan and Russia, constituted 33.6 per cent of its total exports in 2004-05, the analysis said.However, the analysis underlined that the share of India's total imports from G-8 countries has come down from 22.5 per cent in 2003-04 to 20 per cent in 2004-05 in dollar terms.In absolute terms, they have registered an over 3.6 billion dollars rise to reach 21.4 billion dollars last fiscal, PHDCCI said. PTI

India optimistic on UN reforms
Monday, July 11, 2005 | AA

H S RaoLondon, July 10 (PTI) On the eve of formal introduction of the draft resolution of G-4 countries at the UN General Assembly, India expressed guarded optimism of getting two-thirds majority in the 191-member Assembly and the initial nod for its permanent membership in the Security Council."We are looking at it in a very realistic and balanced way," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh told PTI in an interview this evening."I am also cautioning against any premature euphoria. You can not rule out any last minute hitch and the status quo being maintained," Singh, a veteran diplomat, said."I am only practicing sagacious diplomacy. Diplomacy provides hope not salvation. But it will be a great pity if the UN structure put together in 1945 is not reformed in 2005 and human kind will not forgive us." Singh said the G-4 London Declaration adopted here on Friday would be formally introduced in the General Assembly by Brazil tomorrow.The meeting here was attended by Foreign ministers of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India and also the Foreign Minister of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his capacity as a member of the core group of the follow-up mechanism on the reform of the UN, established by the African Union.Singh said the differences between G-4 and the African group would be ironed out in the next two to three days. African group wants the Veto power for the new members while G-4 is in favour of postponing the Veto issue till 2020. PTI

India to double global software market
Monday, July 11, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) India is poised to double its share of the global IT software and services market to six per cent by 2008-09, a study has found. "India will be well poised to capture six per cent share of the global market in Services and IT Software by 2008-09 as against its present share of three per cent. In next few years, the growth rate of IT and services will be over 45 per cent," the study `India's Cutting Edge in Services' conducted by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has said. The study said Indians would occupy a leading position in providing services to developed economies like EU and others by 2020 as by then it is estimated that it would have a surplus of 47 million professionals in services and IT.It also reveals that in Services and IT software exports, India will have competition only from smaller countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Egypt, which it will conveniently take on as Indians will be enjoying a competitive edge when it comes to providing knowledge-driven services. Releasing the study, Assocham President, Mahendra K Sanghi said with the increase in the offshore penetration and present annual growth rate of 30 per cent in the IT and ITeS service exports, their total exports will exceed 50 billion dollars by the year 2008-09. Sanghi said, the software and services exports have reached 17.2 billion dollar for the year 2004-05 and the annual growth rate is well over 30 per cent. From a relatively low share of 10.02 per cent in 1995-96, exports of software services occupied 48.9 per cent of India's total services exports in 2003-04. PTI

TCS and Microsoft Joint Venture
Saturday, July 9, 2005 | AA

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services company, and Microsoft were selected as strategic partners by Sino-India Cooperative Office (SICO) of People’s Republic of China (PRC). As part of this strategic partnership, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (TCS) of India, Microsoft, and Beijing Zhongguancun Software Park Development Co., Ltd., Uniware Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Huayuan Software Area Construction and Development Co., Ltd. announced that the parties intend to establish a software joint venture company to provide IT outsourcing services and solutions to both the global market and domestic market. Tata Consultancy Services ( TCS ), a leading global IT services company, and Microsoft were selected as strategic partners by Sino-India Cooperative Office ( SICO ) of People’s Republic of China ( PRC ). As part of this strategic partnership, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. ( TCS ) of India, Microsoft, and Beijing Zhongguancun Software Park Development Co., Ltd., Uniware Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Huayuan Software Area Construction and Development Co., Ltd. announced that the parties intend to establish a software joint venture company to provide IT outsourcing services and solutions to both the global market and domestic market. The joint venture, to be located in Beijing’s Zhongguancun Software Park, plans to start operation in early 2006. The joint venture will provide IT outsourcing services and solutions to all major worldwide markets particularly US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region including China’s domestic market. The key objective of this global initiative is to build the new venture as a role-model for the growing Chinese software industry. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by representatives of the parties in Beijing – Mr. Li Baoxin, Chairman of Zhongguancun Software Park Development Co., Ltd.; Mr. Tim Chen, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, CEO, Greater China Region; and Mr. Jayant Pendharkar, Vice President of TCS. Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC ) of the People's Republic of China; Fan Boyuan, Vice Mayor of Beijing, and Yang Dongliang, Vice Mayor of Tianjin, attended the ceremony together with Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer, Microsoft Corporation and V Rajanna, General Manager of TCS China. The joint venture will leverage the complementary strengths of the investing parties in technology, software development management and talent training, in particular the best processes and practices of TCS as well as its experience of handling large and industrial-scale projects. It will put into play the resources of Chinese partners, which run the national software development parks. The cooperative project has been initiated and supported by the NDRC, with the objective of supporting China’s local software industry through international cooperation. Microsoft’s investment also demonstrates its commitment to the MOU signed in June 2002 with the NDRC for supporting the development of China’s software and IT industry. “The success of the cooperation will help accelerate the development of China’s including Beijing’s software industry and this model is a new way of exploring international cooperation in the software industry,” said Zhang Gong, Vice Director General of Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission. Commenting on this strategic achievement, CEO and MD of TCS, Mr. S Ramadorai said, “This venture is ample demonstration of the credibility that TCS has established in a market like China within a short span of time. TCS is committed to this initiative and this venture will be integrated into our pioneering global delivery model." “We see our government and industry partners as vital to our success in the world’s fastest growing economy,” said Mr. Tim Chen, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and CEO of Greater China Region. “We are fully committed to this partnership and look forward to partnering and growing together with the Chinese software industry.” TCS would be the majority share holder and the Chinese parties and Microsoft will be strategic investors holding minority shares. Zhongguancun Software Park, with the support and guidance of NDRC and the Beijing Municipal government, has become one of the largest National Software Industry Bases and export bases.

Oriental Insurance net touches Rs 330 crore
Saturday, July 9, 2005 | AA

State-owned Oriental Insurance Company earned a net profit of Rs 330.52 crore on a premium income of Rs 2,218.02 crore during 2004-05 as against Rs 316.47 crore earned on a premium of Rs 2,033 crore in 2003-04.The company has shown good result despite incurring a huge loss of Rs 604 crore under third party insurance. It had collected Rs 464 crore premium under third party insurance in motor vehicle and gave claim of Rs 1,070 crore. As the third party insurance comes under tariff category, the premium is not fixed on the basis of the cost but fixed by the regulator.CMD M Ramadoss said the issue needed to be addressed as insurance companies should not be allowed to bleed on this count. Insurance companies can not refuse third party insurance.Despite the trend of increasing claims, the company has aimed to improve its performance in 2005-06. The general insurer is aiming at about 14% growth in business by increasing its net premium collection to Rs 3,439 crore in 2005-06.

Gillette India launches new razor for Rs 10
Saturday, July 9, 2005 | AA

Gillette India Ltd is looking at a 12 to 15 percent turnover growth during the current fiscal. Giving this information here on Tuesday, after the launch of a new product, Sumeet Narang, regional business manager for India, Pakistan and South Asia, said, "in the last fiscal our turnover was Rs 406 crore, an increase of 12 percent on turnover in 2003-04. So we are aiming to maintain the same growth rate." Narang was in town to launch the new ‘Wilkinson Sword Twin 2 disposable razor’, which will be available for Rs 10. "This is an affordable product for everyone," stated Narang. He also added that the blade market in the country currently stood at Rs 550 crore of which 6 percent was occupied by the disposable category. "However, the disposable segment is growing at the rate of 10 percent every year. The new product will help us to retain our number one position in the disposable market. In fact the number of retail outlets selling disposable razors has increased to eight lakh, an increase of two lakh during the last three years," he added. Narang also stated that the company would pursue its policy of aggressive branding. "Last year we had spent Rs 58 crore on a turnover of Rs 406 crore. The same percentage would be spent on brand promotion. Roughly that would work out to be Rs 63-65 crore," concluded Narang.

Launch of free Hindi software tools and fonts
Saturday, July 9, 2005 | AA

As a landmark in the series of release of Software Tools and Fonts in various Indian languages that are contemplated, the Department of Information Technology (DIT), will make available free tools and fonts to the public distribution upon registration on the designated website. Keeping in view the far reaching initiative of the DIT as also to bring about Language Computing technology revolution in the country, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council will launch release of Free CD containing rich collection of Hindi Software Tools and Fonts to the public on Monday, here in the presence of Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Communications & Information Technology and Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology. Smt. Gandhi will also launch the website which would provide free distribution on-line, upon registration by the net surfer at the designated website. India is a unique multilingual country in the world with 22 constitutionally recognized languages and 1650 dialects. Of the languages, Hindi – spoken by a large population and as the official language - has a unique place. It is a language spoken in most states in northern and central India and is an Indo-European language, of the Indo-Aryan subfamily. Evolving from the Middle Indo-Aryan prakrit languages of the middle ages, and indirectly, from Sanskrit, Hindi derives a lot of its higher vocabulary from Sanskrit as well as a large number of words borrowed from Persian, Arabic and Turkish. Hindi is the second most spoken language in the world, after Chinese. Around 500 million people speak Hindi in India and abroad, and the total number of people who can understand the language is estimated to be around 800 million. According to a survey in 1997, 66% of all Indians can speak Hindi, and 77% of Indians regard Hindi as "one language across the nation". More than 180 million people in India regard Hindi as their mother tongue. Another 300 million use it as a second language.Use of computers in Indian languages is not new. Early emergence of tools, products and use in media date back to 80’s. But widespread impact has been far too less and the market growth momentum inadequate. In this context, Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India thought it fit to commence a “language computing initiative” through the setting up of a committee in November, 2004. One of its early decisions was to aggregate “tools and fonts” from public and private players and release them for “free” public use creating a tremendous kick-start and momentum to the initiative.The work on Indian language computing is being carried out since the last two decades for a variety of tasks, including data processing, word processing, desk-top publishing and so on, on different platforms and operating systems. As less than 5% of the Indian population understands English, it becomes important to develop tools and software in Indian Languages for use by the larger section of people. Information technology in India has economic, developmental as well as social roles. In its economic role, it is a problem solving tool which through computing and information processing has a multiplier effect on the productivity of other sectors besides creation of employment and wealth creation from its own industry. C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is an autonomous scientific society under the Administrative Control of Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology. Known for its PARAM series of supercomputers built since its inception in 1988, it has also been a pioneer in R&D, standards promotion, products development and deployment in language computing arena. In this initiative, it is partnered by a number of public and private players under the patronage of DIT.

3 LeT militants, 4varmy men killed in Rajouri
Friday, July 8, 2005 | AA

Jammu, July 8 (PTI) Three Lashker-e-Toiba militants and four army personnel, including a JCO, were killed during a late night gunbattle in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The gunbattle started at around 2345 hrs after troops of 13 Sikh Light Infantry challenged a group of LeT militants, trying to cross into this side, in Balakote-Bhimber Gali area near the Line of Control in Rajouri, officials said here today. The militants opened a barrage of gunfire on being challenged, they said adding that three of them were killed in the exchange of fire that followed. "The gunbattle is still on and some militants are in the trap of the army cordon," they said. Four army personnel, including Naib Subedar Avtar Singh, were also killed in the heavy exchange of fire. The other army casualties are sepoys Gurcharan Singh, Kuldeep Singh and a jawan, whose identity was being established, the officials said. Three AK assualt rifles, 17 magazines, eight grenades, a radio set, four IEDs, two pistols and a rocket-propelled grenade have so far been recovered from the encounter site. PTI

Security at Ayodhya to be 'reoriented'
Friday, July 8, 2005 | AA

Ajay KaulNew Delhi, Jul 8 (PTI) Alerted by Tuesday's terrorist attack at the makeshift temple in Ayodhya, authorities have decided to augment and "reorient" the security arrangements at the disputed site and other parts of the holy town.Construction of additional concrete barricades, lighting up of the area, deployment of security personnel on the peripheries of the disputed site and random checking of vehicles and pedestrians in Ayodhya town are among the measures to be put in place, official sources told PTI here today."The security arrangements around the disputed site so far have been made with a view of preventing any mob attack like that witnessed on December 6,1992. This needs to be reoriented in view of Tuesday's incident," they said.The sources said after a review of the security arrangements it was decided that protective measures should be such which are capable of preventing a "sneak attack" like that was tried on Tuesday by heavily-armed terrorists.In this direction, CRPF will deloy more personnel and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) at the venue and position its personnel at vantage points around the outer barricade of the disputed site, they said.This is aimed at stopping any terrorist from even breaching the outer barricade, they said. PTI

Manmohan meets Chirac
Friday, July 8, 2005 | AA

K R SudhamanGleneagles (Scotland), July 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who found tacit support from US and Britain on the need to eliminate farm subsidies, had a meeting with French President Jacque Chirac at a time when France is dragging its feet on the issue in the WTO. Singh, who was here yesterday to participate in the G8 outreach meeting with the G-5 developing countries comprising India, Brazil, China, Mexico and South Africa, had an half-an- hour meeting with Chirac. The details were not immediately known. Singh also had a meeting with G-4 countries comprising India, Japan, Brazil and Germany which are pressing for reform of the world body and expansion of the UNSC. Singh's meeting with Chirac was crucial as it comes at a time when there is increasing pressure on France to eliminate export subsidies. France has considerable influence on EU, which has said developing countries could not expect much on agriculture without a trade off on industrial tariffs in the WTO negotiations. His meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, however, was cancelled as he had rush to London in the aftermath of the terror blasts which killed 37 people and injured 700. Blair has since returned here to continue with the G-8 summit which has come out with an action plan to promote clean environment and sustainable development. PTI

Allahabad HC ruling may be challenged: BJP
Thursday, July 7, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, July 7 (PTI) BJP today said the Allahabad High Court order on continuation of trial against party President L K Advani in Ayodhya demolition case may be challenged in the Supreme Court."There are lacunae in the High Court judgement. It may be challenged in the Supreme Court," BJP spokesperson Sushma Swaraj told reporters here. However, a final decision on this would be taken after the full judgement is received and studied by lawyers, she added. Maintaining that cases against Advani were "political and not criminal," she said continuation or stopping of these do not affect the BJP President politically. The Allahabad High Court had yesterday set aside a Rae Bareli Court's order discharging Advani from the Babri Masjid demolition case. PTI

Baglihar project bridge, road washed away
Thursday, July 7, 2005 | AA

Jammu, July 7 (PTI) More than 30 persons were trapped in Jammu region where three rivers are flowing above danger mark while floods in Chinab washed away a small bridge and a road to Baglihar dam project, official sources said today.A forty to fifty meters bridge and 200-meters of road to the dam in Chanderkote area of Doda district was washed away in the wee hours they said adding that river Chinab was flowing six meters above the danger level at the dam site.Over 200 labourers were evacuated from low lying areas of dam site last night, the sources said adding that the situation there has become "very serious"."Although the dam has 105 meter-side concrete base but river banks are weak to withstand the increasing water pressure," they said.Over 30 persons are trapped in flash floods in Ujh and Tawi rivers in Jammu and Kathua districts, where the three rivers are flowing above danger mark, they said adding that choppers had been pressed into service to rescue them.The water level of Chinab at Pul Doda was 834 meters and 772 meters at Ramban dam site, they said. A diversion tunnel number-2 at the dam site has collapsed and a 105-mtrs steel bridge been washed away in the swirling waters over the last two days.District authorities started evacuating over 1200 people from Pul Doda village this morning and activated an early warning system following the red alert sounded yesterday, Senior Superinmtendent of Police, Ramban, Gareeb Dass said. PTI

PM announces Rs 100,000 to injured paramilitary personnel
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced Rs one lakh to the paramilitary personnel injured in yesterday's terror strike at Ayodhya and the same amount to the families of each of those killed in floods in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.The amounts would be paid from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, an official release said here. Three CRPF jawans and one of the PAC were injured while foiling the terror attack in Ayodhya. PTI

BJP-VHP protest impact felt in BJP states
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) The nationwide BJP-VHP sponsored protest today against the terror attack in Ayodhya had some impact in the saffron party ruled states where their activists disrupted rail and road traffic and barged into the Indore airport preventing a Jet Airways flight from taking off for over two hours.The BJP protest turned violent in Delhi as police used tear gas and water cannon to quell demonstrators as they overturned barricades near the venue of a demonstration to be addressed by BJP president L K Advani. Several BJP leaders including V K Malhotra and Sushma Swaraj also courted arrest amidst slogans raised by workers. In the twin cities Ayodhya and Faizabad, where security has been beefed up following yesterday's ttack, VHP and BJP activists were seen forcing shopkeepers to down their shutters. Schools, banks and government offices were open although attendance was thin, official sources said. In several cities of Uttar Pradesh, markets remained partially closed but normal attendance was reported from educational institutions and government offices. No untoward incident was reported from the state, where security has been beefed up in the wake of the VHP bandh call, official sources said.Saffron activists barged into the Indore airport by scaling the boundary wall and reached the tarmac through the VIP lounge and squatted before the Jet Airways flight (Delhi-Indore-Bhopal-Delhi), the sources said. PTI

PM Manmohan Singh leaves for G-8 Summit
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 | AA

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the G-8 Summit of industrialised countries at Scotland will provide an opportunity to consider practical measures based on a "true partnership" between developed and developing countries for ensuring the larger common good. "It is our expectation that the Gleneagles Summit will provide an opportunity to consider additional practical measures focusing on clean and affordable technologies to address climate change issues, based on a true partnership between developed and developing countries for ensuring the larger common good," he said before embarking on a four-day visit to United Kingdom. PTI

Flood situation remains serious as Indian monsoons rage
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

The monsoon fury continued unabated in India, with more states reporting flood-like situation and forecasts of heavy rains in the coming days.At least 124 people were killed in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where nearly 70 per cent of the area is submerged underwater.Another 22 people were killed due to electrocution or mudslides and drowning due to heavy rain in the three states of Uttaranchal, Orissa and Maharashtra. In all, seven states have been affected by heavy rains.The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has also come in the grip of torrential rains. Heavy rains over the past three days have inundated many low lying areas, paralyzing daily life.The situation remains grim. Indian Meterological Department officials said Sunday that more showers are expected during the next few days.

Gujarat should ensure relief reaches affected people: Sonia
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

Vadoda: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said that Gujarat government should ensure that relief money for flood affected people reached them."I have been receiving complaints that people are not getting cash doles. The state government should ensure that the flood affected people do get them", Gandhi who is surveying flood-hit areas here with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters.The UPA chairperson and Defence Minister visited the worst-hit Karelibaug and Kalyannagar slums on the banks of Vishwamitri river that was flooded in the torrential rains.

BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley hospitalised
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

New Delhi: BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley was today rushed to a hospital here following high blood pressure, family sources said.Jaitley was taken to the Escorts Heart Institute in south Delhi following high blood pressure while he was on a morning walk, they said.He is stable and is likely to be discharged soon, they added. PTI

RIL acquires 13.6 mn shares of REL
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

New Delhi: Reliance Industries Ltd today said it has acquired 13.6 mn equity shares of Reliance Energy from its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings.RIL had acquired the 1,36,22, 707 equity shares of Reliance Energy from Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Ltd, on June 30, 2005, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

PNB revises interest rates on NRI deposits
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

New Delhi: Punjab National Bank today revised interest rates on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) and NRE Savings and Term deposits.The interest on dollar-denominated FCNR(B) deposits have been raised by 0.10-0.11 per cent, while those denominated in Pound Sterling have been reduced by 0.26-0.30 per cent, a PNB release said here.As per the new rates, FCNR(B) deposits in dollars put for one year will attract 3.63 per cent (3.53 per cent) and those put for 1-2 years and 2-3 years respectively will get 3.76 per cent (3.75 per cent), it said adding interest will be 3.81 per cent for deposits of three years.Interest rates on Pound-denominated deposits will get 4.29 per cent for first maturity instead of 4.55 per cent, it will be 4.17 per cent (4.47 per cent) for the second maturity, while it will be only 4.17 per cent (4.46 per cent) for those put for three years.The rates have also been revised for Euro-denominated FCNR(B) deposits. It will be 1.83 per cent (1.93 per cent) in the first maturity and 2.15 per cent (2.10 per cent) in the second maturity, while it will be 2.32 per cent (2.29 per cent) in the third maturity.Interest on NRE Savings deposits will be 3.70 per cent for the July-September quarter.NRE Term deposits put for 1-2 years will fetch 4.40 per cent (4.30 per cent), while it will be 4.50 and 4.60 per cent for deposits put for 2-3 years and three years respectively, the bank said in the statement. PTI

RIL acquires 13.6 mn shares of REL
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

New Delhi: Reliance Industries Ltd today said it has acquired 13.6 mn equity shares of Reliance Energy from its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings.RIL had acquired the 1,36,22, 707 equity shares of Reliance Energy from Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Ltd, on June 30, 2005, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Sensex jumps to new all-time intra-trade high
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

Mumbai: The sensex today jumped to a new all-time intra-trade high of 7263.32 during morning trading in scrip-specific activity on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on the back of sustained FII inflows and fresh buying interest from domestic investors.After a weak start at 7186.74 as against last Friday's close of 7210.77, the sensex later turned strong on sudden buying spree and rallied sharply to a high of 7263.32 before being quoted at 7242.23 at 10.30 a.M., up by 31.46 points.A sharp fall in inflation number to two-year low of 4.10 per cent for the week ended June 18 coupled with heavy flow of foreign investments boosted the sentiment.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) seemed to be the main driving force behind the market.FIIs have pumped in a hefty Rs 4508 crore during June and the inflows are expected to increase in the near future with over 100 registration of new FIIs in the past six months, brokers said.Key counters like RIL, SBI, Wipro, Satyam Computers, ACC, ONGC, ICICI Bank, Hero Honda, HDFC Bank, Dr Reddy's Lab, Cipla and BHEL were quoted remarkably up on fresh buying support.However, a few heavyweighted counters showed moderate losses. PTI

Ranbaxy gets US FDA approval
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

New Delhi: Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd today said it has received approval from the USFDA to manufacture and market anti-diabetic drug Metformin Hydrochloride extended-release tablets, 750 mg.The office of Generic Drugs, USFDA, has determined the company's formulation to be bioequivalent and having the same therapeutic effect as that of the reference listed drug Glucophage.XR extended-release tablets, 750 mg, the company said in a statement."This is a wonderful opportunity for Ranbaxy to introduce another affordable generic alternative to the US healthcare system. It also marks a major milestone as the 100th abbreviated new drug approval held by RLL allowing us to market another ethical product under the Ranbaxy label in the US," Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc, USA, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Jim Meehan said."Our plans are to introduce this product when quantities are sufficient to support market demand," he said.Merformin hydrochloride extended release tablets, as monotherapy, are indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.Total annual market sales for Metformin XL. Tablets were estimated to be 227 million dollars with market sales of Metformin XL. Tablets 750 mg totalling USD 29 million. PTI

Indian students warned against rushing to Chinese Medical Colleges
Monday, July 4, 2005 | AA

Anil K JosephBeijing, July 4 (PTI) With the growing rush of Indians to Chinese medical colleges due to their cheaper tuition fees, Indian diplomats here have warned students that the degrees awarded by them are not recognised back home and said there were rising complaints about deficient infrastructure."We have witnessed a large inflow of Indian students to Chinese medical colleges in recently and we have also received many complaints from them as well," a senior official of the Indian Embassy here told PTI.Embassy officials said that they have not received any information from the Medical Council of India (MCI) approving the curriculum followed by Chinese medical colleges and about internship."We have received complaints from Indian students regarding non-availability of properly qualified English-speaking teaching facility in some of Chinese medical colleges though at the time of admission they were assured about it," the official, who has just concluded visits to two Chinese Medical Colleges said, said.Indian Ambassador to China Nalin Surie, who expressed serious concern over the plight of some of the Indian students, said the Embassy had taken up the matter with the concerned Chinese medical universities as well as the Chinese Ministry of Education.Hundreds of Indian students have flocked to Tianjin Medical University in Tianjin, Three Gorges University in the Hubei province, Xingxian University in Henan province and other similar institutions in Nanjing and Suzhou cities. PTI

Paswan suffers heart attack
Sunday, July 3, 2005 | AA

Patna: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan suffered a mild heart attack on Saturday. Paswan had suffered myocardiac infarction and was being thrombolysed, sources told PTI.The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president, who complained of chest pain and uneasiness early in the morning, was admitted to intensive care unit of a private hospital.A team of doctors attending on the Union Minister have suggested angiography besides some other tests. Paswan would be kept under observation for the next 24-48 hours, a doctor said.

J-K put on alert after rise in Jhelum
Sunday, July 3, 2005 | AA

Srinagar, July3. (PTI): Following increase in the water level of river Jehlum, Jammu and Kashmir government was put on Saturday on alert men and machinery to face any eventuality.As a result of increase in the water level of Jehlum, men and machinery of Urban Environmental Engineering Department have been geared up to face any eventuality in the city and elsewhere in the valley, Urban Development Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir said here.He said a central control room to facilitate people to contact the concerned agency and to monitor the dewatering system operation has been set up in the office of the chief engineer ueed.Mir, who presided over a meeting of engineers of UEED, senior functionaries of Srinagar Municipal Corporation and local bodies to discuss and work out the strategy to combat any sort of eventuality.As many as 64 pump stations in the city would be made operational besides pressing into service mobile dewatering pumps at low lying areas, the minister said.

Massive relief operations launched in Gujarat
Sunday, July 3, 2005 | AA

Ahmedabad, July 3. (PTI): Army, Indian Air Force and central para-military forces have launched a massive rescue and relief operations in flood ravaged Gujarat, where death toll due to the rains was 123 even as worst hit districts of Vadodara, Kheda and Surat experienced a lull from the rain fury for about a few hours today.More rains predicted: Army has deployed 1,800 personnel at Vadodara, Anand, Khera and Rajkot and also moved 12 boats to carry out relief and rescue operations in these areas.The State Met Department has predicted heavy showers in the next 48-hours.Another 21 boats have been airlifted to Ahmedabad and in addition to 24 boats moved from Pune to Vadodara, a Defence Ministry spokesman said in Delhi.Nine Army columns, six IAF helicopters, 150 CRPF personnel had been deployed in the worst-affected Kheda district, the spokesman said adding Army boats had also pressed into service for relief operations.Worst floods in stateUnion Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who conducted an aerial survey of some parts of Ahmedabad district this morning, said Centre will leave no stone unturned to help Gujarat reeling under the worst-ever floods.The IAF mounted altogether 10 sorties from Ahmedabad and Vadodara, dropping food and relief materials totalling about 15 tons in the flood hit areas.Round the clock vigilArmy, Navy, Air Force and Rapid Action force are working round the clock to provide help to the flood affected people.The administration is also taking several precautionary measures to prevent any outbreak of waterborne diseases in any of the affected regions.The efforts of Army and state reserve police came in handy at a village in the flood hit Kheda district where 300 odd students of a Swaminarayan gurukul were marooned and military had to evacuate them in batches using boats.In spite of the state government's efforts in coordination with military and para-military personnel several villages are still in waist high water and the people are still cut off from any form of aid.The water level in Vadodara city has also receded in the day and officials are eager to get on with relief work and damage assessment if the rain spell does not return.Following respite in the conditions, authorities have also opened the Vadodara airport for normal air traffic.However, most roads are still choked with rain water and has put traffic and transport across the state to a halt though officials have today barely managed to open the high-tech Ahmedabad-Vadodara expressway for transport of relief material.Gushing rain water has washed way hunderds of houses in villages across the state, rendering people homeless and has also claimesd lives of numerous cattle.

NRI deposit rates raised by ICICI Bank
Friday, July 1, 2005 | JJ

NRI deposit rates on non-resident external rupee (NRE) savings account, NRE fixed deposits and Foreign Currency Non Resident (FCNR) deposits have been raised by ICICI Bank. Increase in rate are by 0.31 per cent from 3.40 per cent to 3.71 per cent for on NRE savings accounts, from 4.28 per cent to 4.38 per cent for NRE fixed deposits, from 3.53 to 3.53 per cent for FCNR deposits.

President visits tsunami-affected area in TN
Friday, July 1, 2005 | JJ

President A P J Abdul Kalam visited the tsunami-affected area in TN. After a day-long tour of the coastal district he said ''I have visited many places along the coastline and interacted with fishermen, farmers and others. Permanent shelter remains their dominant concern.'' He was concerned about the delay to expedite the permanent shelter and said ''However, it should be speeded up with the seriousness it requires.''

Sonia Gandhi meets Left leaders
Friday, July 1, 2005 | JJ

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat after meeting Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi at her residence said in a press ``Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has suggested that a way should be found to settle the matter(sale of a 10 per cent stake in BHEL) as early as possible.'' Ambika Soni, Congress spokesperson said "The talks with the Left have been cordial and on a positive note. We will continue our talks with them."