(Archana Vohra) Cast: Shilpa Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan Director: Revathy Genre: Drama Often while making films on 'relevant issues' directors' tend to lose focus and land up either sermonizing or completely misrepresenting facts. Karan Razdan's Girlfriend is one such film that will go down in history for successfully demonizing lesbians. Macabre, is the one word that sums up the three-hour misadventure. Luckily Phir Milenge isn't that tragic or repugnant. Actor turned director Revathy manages to spin a very believable and sensitive tale around an HIV positive patient played by Shilpa Shetty, who's claim to fame has been some very forgettable item numbers. But Shilpa surprises in Phir Milenge as she churns out her best performance ever. Junior Bachchan is fascinating to watch too but Salman Khan disappoints. He is so preoccupied playing the 'dude' that his performance seems contrived and jarring. Even Fardeen Khan has more control over his limbs! Phir Milenge surely is not as effortless as MitrRevathy's earlier feature, but it's interesting to see a filmmaker dabble with urban realities without making them sound like boring spiels from a biology class. So watch it if you are game for some good and positive cinema. What say?
Dhoom
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
by Archana Vohra Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol, Rimi Sen Director: Sanjay Gadhvi Genre: Drama There has been tons written about Yash Raj films and their obsession with mushy cinema, pretty lasses and picture perfect locations. But this time they have broken out of the mould to produce Dhoom – an out and out biker flick with hordes of attitude and for once, nice looking men and even nicer looking bikes. But that's where everything nice about the film ends. The gloss wears off soon as the characters skid over the trashy script and fall into gigantic potholes in the narrative. Every character who gets reasonable screen presence drives a bike. Period. What he does and how, is completely irrelevant unless it's Abhishek Bachchan, who probably has the meatiest part in this very forgettable feature. Even Esha Deol sports a toned and athletic look (Anything looks sporty after her grungy look in Kuchch Toh Hai) but she REALLY needs to concentrate on her acting or her tryst with Bollywood, unlike her mother, will be rather short lived. Uday Chopra is all brawn and so is John Abraham though the saving grace for the latter is that he doesn't need daddy to produce films for him. Mohabbatein, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai etc. Save us the agony PUH-lease Uday! The rest of Dhoom is all frill and effect in random order, so watch it if you have nothing better to do or just zoom past the theatre.
'Shwas' makes it to the Oscars
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
First it was the proud recipient of the national award. And now 'Shwaas' is on its way to the Oscars. This small-budget Marathi film has been nominated by the Indian Film Federation as India's entry to the academy awards. The film is about a boy who is in the process of losing his vision because of a rare eye condition, and his grandfather's attempts to seek medical help. "This is a very simple film. If such films are made in any language people will definitely go and watch," said director of the movie Sandeep Sawant. Last year, India didn't send an Oscar entry because no film was up to the mark. This is why a lot rides on the shoulders of this moving film.
Dev Anand turns 82
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
The star has organised a special get-together for his family and friends to celebrate the event. In personally signed letters, 'Devsaab', as he is fondly called, has invited his guests to spend an evening with him as he wished to meet all of them after a long time. The Dadasaheb Phalke awardee is in the midst of winding up the shooting of his latest film Mr Prime Minister.
Bhatt denies going back to direction
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Producer-director Mahesh Bhatt has denied rumours that he was going back to directing films. Bhatt, who had to direct Tumsa Nahi Dekha after Anurag Basu fell ill, said, "The page has turned over. It is totally another chapter. I left directing in 1998 after Jakhm." Bhatt said he had five-six new projects lined up. "The direction part is over, I am concentrating on production and lot of other things now. We should also allow youngsters to come forward for directing," he said. Bhatt criticised the decision of the Karnataka government to release Hindi movies in the state around 11 weeks after their release in the rest of the country and said it would promote separatism rather than promoting Kannada films. "It would put India back by several notches," he said. Bhatt, who has made a documentary on Muslims and post-Gujarat riots for an NGO, denied rumours that he was making a movie on Gudiya, the wife of Indian soldier Arif, who was taken in Pakistan custody after the Kargil war.
DD will telecast India-Australia matches: BCCI
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
New Delhi: In another twist to the row over cricket rights, the BCCI on Monday informed the Supreme Court that TV coverage of India’s domestic series with Australia and South Africa in the coming months would be produced by it with live feed to Prasar Bharati for domestic viewers and international telecast rights to "somebody else." "We will produce the TV coverage of the matches of the cricket series starting from October 6, including the India-South Africa series that follow immediately thereafter," K K Venugopal, counsel for the BCCI submitted before the Court during the hearing of a petition filed by Zee TV challenging board’s decision to cancel allotment of telecast rights in its favour. "Prasar Bharati will do the live telecast for the domestic viewers and the international telecast rights will be given to somebody else," Venugopal said when the Court asked him to respond to the Zee TV’s allegation that the board had cancelled the contract in a malafide manner "to benefit a particular Sports channel." A Bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde, Justice B P Singh and Justice S B Sinha, meanwhile, issued notice to the Centre, BCCI, ESPN-STAR and Price Water Cooper Ltd and posted it for hearing on Tuesday before a five-judge Constitution Bench taking note of the important questions of law raised by the petitioner. The BCCI on September 21 cancelled the entire tender process in which Zee had emerged as the highest bidder for telecast of all cricket matches played in India between 2004-08.
Telecast rights: Zee's petition not maintainable, says BCCI
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 28 The BCCI today argued before the Supreme Court that Zee TV's writ petition challenging cancellation of tender process for award of cricket telecast rights was not maintainable and should be dismissed. Opening the argument before a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice N Santosh Hegde, BCCI councel K K Venugopal said the Board was a autonomous body promoting cricket in India and had nothing to do with the government. As it had no links with the government and did not receive any grant from the government the Board could be described as "state" within the meaning of the Article 12 of the Constitution, Venugopal said. For these reasons a writ petition could be maintained against the Cricket Board, he said continuing the argument. The apex court had yesterday issued notices to the BCCI, ESPN-Star Sports and the Centre on a petition filed by Zee Telefilms Ltd challenging the cancellation of award of cricket match telecast rights to it. Zee TV said the Board had entered in a malafide manner to cancel the award of telecast rights to it and alleged that the entire drama before the Bombay High Court was enacted to benefit one foreign sports channel. Board had on September 21 cancelled the entire tender process in which Zee had emerged as the highest bidder for telecast of all cricket matches played in India between 2004-08.
Natwar for expansion of UNSC to make it more representative
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
New York, Sept 28 Making a strong case for India's candidature for permanent membership in the expanded UN Security Council, External Affairs Minister K. Natwar Singh has said it is essential that the body be enlarged to make it more representative, effective and to give greater credibility to its decisions on peace and security. He was participating in a discussion with the high-level panel established by the Secretary General Kofi Annan on United Nations reforms. Explaining the position of Group of Four (G-4), which comprises Japan, Germany, Brazil, besides India, yesterday, Singh insisted comprehensive reforms of the UN system are needed to effectively deal with contemporary threats and challenges. He said it is essential that the 15-member Council be expanded to make it more representative and effective and to give more credibility to its decisions on peace and security. In a statement issued after a meeting here last Tuesday, G-4 had said that Brazil, Germany, India and Japan, based on the firmly shared recognition that they are legitimate candidates for permanent membership in an expanded Council, support each other's candidature.
India beat Pakistan 4-1, level series
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Quetta (Pakistan), Sep 27 An under-strength India sprung a major surprise to upset archrivals Pakistan 4-1 and level the four-match hockey series here today. India, who lost the first Test at Karachi narrowly, bounced back strongly to register the convincing victory which was also their first triumph against Pakistan in eight matches. Riding on a brace by drag-flicker Sandeep Singh (13th and 17th minutes) and a 33rd minute strike by Ignace Tirkey, the visitors took a 3-0 lead by half-time before Tushar Khandekar added to the tally in the 60th minute with an opportunistic goal. Pakistan wasted four penalty corners before scoring from the fifth in the 69th minute through Sohail Abbas for their consolation goal. The series stands tantalisingly poised at 1-1 after today's result.
Rupee tumbles to two-week low against US dollar
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Mumbai, Sep 28 Breaching the crucial 46-dollar mark, the rupee today tumbled to over two-weeks low of Rs 46.0150/46.0250 per dollar in early trade due to sustained heavy dollar demand from oil corporates following a surge in global oil prices. In slightly nervous trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market here this morning, the rupee declined by nearly 7 paise from Monday's finish of Rs 45.9500/9550. The rupee opened distinctly weak at Rs 45.9850/9950 per dollar. Persistant heavy dollar demand from large offshore oil companies and importers on the back of soaring global oil prices exerted pressure on the rupee early today with the usual month end demand adding to the rupee's worries, dealers said. New York sweet crude oil for November delivery spurted to all time highs of USD 50.15 barrel due to lingering supply constraints. The rupee declined by 5 paise yesterday due to dollar demand from oil companies. The rupee last hovered around 46 dollar levels on September 14. In cross currency rade, he Euro was quoted at Rs 56.55/57, Pound Sterling at Rs 83.26/28 and the Japanese Yen (100) at Rs 41.31/33.
Violence mars Ganesh immersion in Vadodara, 3 injured
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Vadodara, Sep 28 Three persons, including a television journalist and a policeman, were injured when an unruly mob attempted to loot a shop and indulged in stone pelting following power failure in parts of the city during Ganesh idol immersion celebrations that went on till the wee hours today, police said. An unruly mob, taking advantage of power cuts and Ganesh idol immersion, tried to loot a shop after indulging in stone pelting in Juna Pavagadh locality during which a TV journalist was attacked as he tried to shoot the mob, police told. A State Reserve Police jawan was injured in stone pelting and an aged woman also received minor injuries, police said adding, three tear gas shells were lobbed to disperse the mob and prevent the loot. Stone pelting was also reported from Nagarwada, Kahar Mullah and Fatehpura area, they said. Meanwhile four more people drowned during the immersions, putting the toll to eleven, police said.
BSF, BDR bi-annual meeting begins in New Delhi
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 28 BSF and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) today began the bi-annual Director General-level talks here to discuss coordinated patrolling, joint operations against camps of North-east insurgents in Bangladesh and various other trans-border crimes. During the three-day talks, the Indian side will furnish an updated list of 195 terrorist camps in Bangaldesh and will seek to press the Bangladeshi side to shut these down and hand over 126 North-east insurgents taking shelter there, BSF sources said. Just before the talks, BDR Director General Maj Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the two sides will discuss modalities for coordinated patrolling, although he denied that India had proposed joint operations against terrorist camps in that country. "We will also discuss issues like drug trafficking and terrorism," he said. New Delhi has taken note of a rise in anti-India terrorist activities in Bangladesh and has prepared a fresh list of 195 training camps with exact locations which will be handed over to the BDR chief by BSF DG Ajai Raj Sharma. Officials from Ministries of External Affairs and Home are also participate in the meeting. BSF will convey India's concerns over the recent rise in smuggling of arms and infiltration of terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir, the sources said.
"Foreign" experts issue to be resolved in a day or two: Montek
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 28 The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today said the issue of "foreign" experts in the consultative committees would be resolved in a day or two. "We have discussed with the members of the Commission and will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a day or two to resolve the issue," he told reporters after a meeting of the Commission. Left economists in the Commission had threatened to withdraw from its consultative groups as a protest against the inclusion of "foreign" experts from World Bank, ADB and Mckinsey in the groups set up for Mid Term Appraisal of the Tenth Plan to be finalised by December end. The Left economists who had threatened to quit include C P Chandrashekhar, Jayati Ghosh, wife of Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen, Utsa Patnaik, Prabhat Patnaik and TM Thomas Issac.
Let Kashmiris be free to cross LoC: Dr Mushabir Hasan
Monday, September 27, 2004
ANI LAHORE: Pakistan should accept India's proposal of allowing Kashmiris to enter Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) with identity documents, Pakistani peace activist Dr Mubashir Hasan has urged his country's government. He asked Islamabad to accept India's proposal in this regard. He said that such a move would increase people-to-contact, which both the countries had been craving for quite some time. According to the Daily Times , while urging Pakistan to accept India's proposal, Dr Hasan said that Pakistan could use a domicile certificate or a passport to check the identity of the person. He added that although it would be India's prerogative to decide what documents it would be equipping the people of Kashmir with to cross the LoC, Pakistan was not in favour of a passport to be shown at the time of crossing as that was accepting PoK as a part of Pakistan, which incidentally was not Pakistan's viewpoint.
India marks 350 years of the Taj
Monday, September 27, 2004
AP in New Delhi The Guardian India is marking the 350th anniversary of the Taj Mahal today, with a celebration more than a mile from the site. A concert held outside the building in 1996 raised fears that sound vibrations could damage it. India's supreme court has to approve activities at the World Heritage site and is reluctant to permit large-scale ceremonies after a 1996 concert by Greek musician Yanni brought complaints that vibrations and floodlights had damaged the structure. The Taj, in the city of Agra, was built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal.
India can do business with Musharraf: PM
Monday, September 27, 2004
PTI GENEVA: Observing that he was "encouraged" by his meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in New York, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday expressed confidence that "we can do business" with him. "I believe in General Musharraf we have a person with whom we can do business," Singh told reporters accompanying him when asked whether he would describe his meeting with the Pakistani President an "unusual encounter". Singh, who met Musharraf on September 24 and termed it as "new beginning" and a "historic day", recalled that before he had embarked on this trip, he had said that his meeting with Musharraf would be an essay in mutual comprehension. "I found the best way to size up for him to form an opinion of me and for me to get something of his personality... was to meet one to one," Singh said. Both leaders had reiterated their commitment to continue the bilateral dialogue process to restore normalcy and cooperation between the two countries.
We were ready to accept Sonia Gandhi as PM: Pawar
Sunday, September 26, 2004
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said on Sunday that he was ready to accept Congress President Sonia Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the country. The NCP chief said that UPA had no objection in Gandhi taking over the prime ministership and "we were all ready for her leadership as Prime Minister". She had no greed for power and she sacrificed for the nation by appointing Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister, he said. Blaming the previous NDA Government for the problems, which Maharashtra was facing, he said NDA did not bother to give any assistance to solve problems like malnutrition, farmers' plight and unemployment. It was only after UPA Government came to office that the Prime Minister gave Rs 500 crore plus aid in the form of food grains, Pawar added.
British actors make a beeline to Bollywood
Sunday, September 26, 2004
London: An increasing number of British actors are making a beeline for Bollywood instead of Hollywood as Indian directors try to woo audiences with "crossover films" that appeal to international markets, according to a leading London daily. Over the next few months, four films made by prominent Indian directors will be released with British stars, The Sunday Times said. The first, The King of Bollywood - a satire on the Indian film industry featuring Sophie Dahl, the model, and Om Puri - premiered in Bradford last week. "Indian directors are always looking for fresh faces, fresh stories, fresh locations," said Romesh Sharma, director of Dil Jo Bhi Kahey (Whatever the Heart Says) which stars Annabelle Wallace, a 20-year-old British actress. "The difference now is they are confident enough to consider auditioning British actors in London and casting them in leading roles." The trend has been re-enforced by the success of Gurinder Chadha's Bend It Like Beckham, Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding and Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan, nominated for a best foreign film Oscar in 2002. Typical of the new films is Kisna, set in the 1930s during the British colonial rule. Antonia Bernath, 23, plays the daughter of a ruthless British aristocrat who falls in love with an Indian mountain boy, Kisna, after he saves her from an enraged mob. Bernath, who had a Hindi coach for three weeks, said she had been enthralled by Bollywood's spectacular dance routines and bejewelled costumes. "Bollywood reaches vast audiences and it is having an impact in the West, where there is a real fascination after the success of movies like Bend It Like Beckham and Monsoon Wedding," she said. Two versions of the film are being shot: a three-hour cut in Hindi for India and a two-hour English version for British and global audiences. Continuing the phenomenon is Chadha's Bride and Prejudice in which Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice is given the Bollywood treatment. It features a mixed cast, including the former Miss World Aishwarya Rai. Toby Stephens, a former Bond villain and Royal Shakespeare Company lead, is also in India for The Rising, based on the mutiny of 1857. It will be released worldwide by 20th Century Fox - the first Indian-made movie to receive such a vote of approval from Hollywood. However, Bernath added a word of caution to fellow actors who may be considering a trip to Bollywood. "In one scene, a heavy iron buggy overturned and fell on the legs of my co-star," she said. "He had to be hospitalised. I was meant to be in that scene too and, if I had been, I would definitely have died. Risks are taken with actors that would never be taken in Britain."
Graded payment for cricketers from Oct
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Kolkata: The much-debated contract system for graded payment to Indian cricketers would finally start from October 1 with 17 top cricketers to be offered a fixed annual retainership. The contracts would be reviewed on September 30 next year, BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya told reporters after a meeting of the board’s gradation committee. The 17 players have been divided into three pools as follows:- Group A: Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. Group B: Yuvraj Singh, Mohd Kaif, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Laxmipathy Balaji. Group C: Parthiv Patel, Aakash Chopra and Murali Kartik. Dalmiya said players in Group A would receive a retainership of Rs 50 lakh each, those in Group B Rs 35 lakh while Group C players would get Rs 20 lakh. "In addition, the contracted players as well as any other player selected to play for a series will be paid a match fee," he said. The match fees for a Test at home would be Rs 2 lakh while that for a one-day international it would be Rs 1.60 lakh. For a Test match abroad, the players would get Rs 2.40 lakh and for an ODI Rs 1.85 lakh, Dalmiya said. A player would continue to receive the retainership fee even if he is injured or becomes ill as a result of playing or training for the country and is rendered unavailable for selection, he said. Dalmiya said skipper Sourav Ganguly was scheduled to attend the meeting but he excused himself saying he did not want to involve himself with a sensitive issue at a time when the team had important engagements at hand. The meeting decided that a maximum of 20 players would be awarded the contracts every year but if it was less than 20, like this time around, then the board could add more players any time during the year. The players who are included later would be given the contract on a pro-rata basis. Also, if any player is involved in 31 Tests or 10 ODIs during a year, he would be offered a Grade C contract, Dalmiya said. Dalmiya said a player would have to take part in the matches for which he is selected unless declared unfit by the team physio or a medical practitioner nominated by the board. Other salient feature of the contract stipulates that a player would grant to BCCI royalty or license to use his "attributes" for the publicity and promotion of cricket. A player would be entitled to have any sponsor of his own irrespective of whether the sponsor concerned was a competitor of BCCI’s sponsors. But during the matches, the players would have to sport the logo of the official sponsor and not any other logo. A contracted player would also have to furnish a detailed list of his personal endorsements to the BCCI within 10 days of signing the contract. A player’s selection in a team to compete in any ICC or ACC event would be contingent on his confirming that he would comply with the terms and conditions stipulated by ICC/ACC.
Three women buried alive in Jharkhand
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Three women buried alive in Jharkhand Hazaribag, Sep 26. : Three women were buried alive in an abandoned white clay mine in Hazaribag district, police said here today. The incident took place on Friday and the bodies were recovered today from the mine situated under Ichak Police station in the district. The women had gone there to collect white clay.
Suzuki's big plans for India hit roadblock as government raises objection
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Canadian Press NEW DELHI (AP) - Japanese car maker Suzuki Motor Corp.'s plan to invest nearly $230 million US in building new plants in India has hit a roadblock, with the Indian government - its joint-venture partner - questioning the unilateral decision. Last week, Suzuki announced plans to build a car factory and a diesel engine plant to meet the solid demand for diesel cars here. According to Indian rules, however, a foreign investor who already has a joint venture in the country must obtain the domestic partner's consent for any new investment. Suzuki breached the rule when it announced its plan, India's Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Dev was quoted as saying in newspapers on Tuesday. Suzuki holds 54 per cent in Maruti Udyog Ltd. - India's largest car maker, which was originally set up by the Indian government as a 50-50 joint venture. The government has over the years diluted its stake and now holds 18.2 per cent, while the rest is owned by Maruti employees, individuals and portfolio investors. "We have asked Suzuki Motor Corp. to explain the reasons behind the unilateral action," Dev told The Economic Times. He also argued that Maruti shareholders suffered huge losses after the announcement, the Financial Express newspaper reported. Stock investors feared the new plans would adversely impact Maruti's profit. Share prices tumbled nine per cent in the past week, wiping out more than 12 billion rupees ($260 million) in market capital. However, in early trading Tuesday, share prices jumped 1.3 per cent on hopes that the Suzuki plans may be delayed. The Business Standard newspaper quoted Dev saying he has written to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board not to clear the Suzuki proposal until his ministry gives its consent. When contacted, Maruti spokesman Kanwaldeep Singh declined to comment on the issue, saying it's between the shareholders and does not call for a response from the company.
India 'will offer to adjust Line of Control'
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
NEW DELHI - India will offer to 'adjust' the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir, a senior Indian official has told Time magazine. The disclosure by the official will be carried in the latest issue of the magazine which focuses on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the pressures and challenges he continues to face after his first 100 days in office. Dr Singh is scheduled to meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week. Among Dr Singh's weightiest challenges is India's relationship with Pakistan and how to resolve the Kashmir dispute. But in an interview with Time, he was modest about his expectations of the meeting. 'Getting to know each other is important. But we are willing to discuss all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, and find solutions rooted in ground realities,' he said. However, a senior Indian official told Time that, in New York, Dr Singh will make an offer to help defuse the situation in Kashmir. India will offer to 'adjust' the Line of Control, the de facto border dividing Kashmir, 'by a matter of miles' eastwards, said the official. Time said Indian analysts have confirmed that the offer has been under discussion in India and with Pakistan's leadership for months - even under the government that preceded Dr Singh's. The unnamed official told the magazine that its presentation in New York is a result of Dr Singh's instruction that his foreign affairs team think 'out of the box' on Kashmir 'to get a solution, and soon'. An aide to Gen Musharraf told Time that in his experience 'there is more sound than substance' to India's negotiations. But he confirmed that a 'territorial adjustment...is one idea being broached' and that it was an idea in which 'in the past, as in the present, we have shown interest'. A senior Pakistan foreign affairs official added that a 'more productive agenda' was on the table for New York. 'We want to make things happen there,' he said. 'We want implementable ideas. We have spoken to the Indians on this score and hopefully the meeting will break new ground in Kashmiri diplomacy.' The discussion seems timely as Kashmiri militants in Pakistan say that Gen Musharraf's government, under pressure from Washington, has suspended supplying them with training, funds and weapons.
Ganguly furious after India's loss
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Ganguly furious after India's loss BIRMINGHAM (England) - Furious India captain Sourav Ganguly, himself out for nought, launched a blistering attack on his misfiring batsmen after his team were knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy by bitter rivals Pakistan on Sunday. They struggled to 200 all out, with only Rahul Dravid (67) and Ajit Agarkar (47) putting up resistance and giving their bowlers a target to defend. Pakistan went on to win by three wickets. At one stage, they had been 73-5 after Virender Sehwag was out for 10, V.V.S. Laxman for three, Mohamed Kaif, 27, and Yuvraj Singh, 0. In a thinly-veiled reference to the out-of-form Sehwag and Yuvraj, Ganguly said: 'It was a good wicket and we just didn't bat well enough. There are some guys who are failing for too long and, when the main batsmen in the team keep fail, the batting loses momentum.' 'The bowlers did very well,' added the captain after seeing an attack led by left-arm quick and ICC Emerging Player of the Year Irfan Pathan (three for 34) almost pull off a stunning victory Ganguly has made a point of being publicly loyal to his team but he said on Sunday: 'Nobody's place is for life. You have to keep on performing in international cricket.' India were without the injured Sachin Tendulkar for the entire tournament. After winning their first one-day and Test series in Pakistan in March and April, they have now lost their last three one-day matches to their arch-rivals. Inzamam-ul Haq's Pakistan will play the West Indies in the semi-final tomorrow. England and Australia meet today for a place in Saturday's final. The world champions won the last 14 limited-overs matches between the teams. England's last win was in January 1999. About 21,000 face-painted fans chanted, blew horns and whistles at the India-Pakistan match that sold out in three hours when tickets went on sale in April. Sehwag, who scored an Indian Test record 309 against Pakistan in March, may be the worst offender, Ganguly said. The opener scored 274 runs in his last 16 one-day games at an average of 17. He made 10 yesterday. Yuvraj, who failed to score a run against Pakistan, has 67 runs in seven innings, while five of Mohammad Kaif's last 10 scores were 10 or under. Even World Player of the Year Dravid, nicknamed 'The Wall' for his resilience, has struggled. Six of his last nine innings have been under 20. Sehwag, Yuvraj and Kaif played a combined 284 one-day internationals and have been part of a settled line-up for the last three years. Yousuf Youhana steered Pakistan to victory with an unbeaten 81 from 114 balls. Inzamam scored 41. Shahid Afridi, in his 12-ball innings of 25 that included two straight sixes off Pathan, passed 4,000 one-day runs. -- AFP, Bloomberg
SC issues notices to Union government on misuse of tri-colour
Friday, September 17, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 17 The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union government on a PIL seeking formulation of a proper National Flag Code to stop misuse and dishonour of the tri-colour by public at large. The Court issued the notice after the petitioner, Seema Nair, deleted the name of BJP leader Uma Bharti from the list of respondents as well as references pertaining to the 'Tiranga Yatra' being undertaken by her.
Fiscal, monetary measures pull down inflation below 8 pc
Friday, September 17, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 17 The fiscal and monetary measures taken by Government seem to have had a drastic effect with inflation falling by 0.52 per cent to below 8 per cent for the week ended September four despite all the major commodities prices shooting up. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation fell to 7.81 per cent after touching 8.33 per cent in the previous week and Government asking the public to be patient as steps taken by it would take some time before the impact is felt on ground. Finance Minister P Chidambaram had earlier forecast that inflation would start moderating from September. However, the latest figure is still a four-year high since inflation had peaked to 8.83 per cent in January 13, 2001. The general price level was as low as 4.59 per cent in the previous year period. During the period in review, WPI rose by 0.3 per cent to 189.1 points due to an all round increase in the indices of primary articles, fuels and manufactured products. The index was 175.4 points a year ago. However, certain commodities including vegetables, wheat, eggs, some edible oils became cheaper while prices of certain items like fruits and naphtha (which is one the main raw materials for power and pharmaceuticals) that could lead to higher cost of production for the manufacturing and thereby spur inflation in the future, rose substantially. The index of Primary Articles' group (which has a weight of 22.02 per cent in the WPI basket) shot up by near one per cent to 194.4 points due to costlier food and non-food items and the index was 180.6 points in the previous year. More PKS SVP SUD VB VB 09171240 DEL
PM to highlight war on terror in maiden UN address
Friday, September 17, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 17 The need for international community to redouble efforts in the war on terrorism and a strong pitch for UN reforms are expected to be highlighted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his maiden address to the UN on September 23 in New York. Singh leaves on Sunday for London where he will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The two sides are likely to announce a joint initiative to give a major thrust to economic cooperation, official sources here said. A hectic schedule awaits Singh who will arrive in New York late on Monday. He will have a breakfast meeting with US President George W Bush on Tuesday, his first meeting with the American leader. The two leaders may finalise a landmark document on high-technology transfers. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran is already in Washington for final negotiations on the "Next Steps in Strategic Partnership" with his American interlocutors. This could clear the way for enhanced cooperation in civilian uses of space technology, civilian nuclear activities and high technology trade besides expanding dialogue on missile defence. The Prime Minister will have his first meetings with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the UN General Assembly session. With images still fresh of the Beslan tragedy in Russia and the continuing cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh is likely to tell the world body that much more needs to be done to fight the scourge of terrorism.
POTA to be repealed, Cabinet nod for changes to another law
Friday, September 17, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 17 Implementing a promise made in the UPA coalition agenda, the Union Cabinet today approved an Ordinance for repealing the two-and-a-half-year old controversial anti-terror law, POTA, and cleared amendments to a "milder" existing law to check terror. "The government will issue two Ordinances for repealing POTA and amending the existing Unlawful Activites (Prevention) Act simultaneously soon," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters here. The Ordinances are to be sent for approval to President A P J Abdul Kalam who returns tomorrow from a trip abroad. The Cabinet decision is of special significance to Dravidian parties MDMK and DMK which had conducted a spirited campaign against the "misuse" of the law in the wake of arrest of MDMK leader Vaiko and some of his party leaders. Significantly, MDMK and DMK had supported POTA as part of NDA coalition. Their rival AIADMK is strongly opposed to the repeal. Asserting that the repeal of POTA, as promised by the Congress-led UPA government in its Common Minimum Programme (CMP), was necessary, Patil said "otherwise the provisions of the Act would have continued in the cases even after its automatic lapse next month." On the POTA cases, he said the Central POTA review committee has been asked to review all the cases within one year from the date of repeal.
Suzuki to build second plant in India
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
TOKYO: Suzuki Motor Corp, the largest minicar maker in Japan and the third-largest motorcycle maker, said it will build a second automobile plant, with an annual capacity of about 250,000 vehicles, in India, in expectation of growing local demand. The factory, which will be located in Haryana state, is expected to begin production in early 2007. The construction of the second plant is necessary to increase output in India ... where demand for passenger cars is growing rapidly, said Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki Motor. The amount of investment in the plant was not disclosed. Osamu Suzuki (left) announcing the company's plan to build a new plant in India. With him is Susuki president Hiroshi Tsuda. - APpic Suzuki, which has a share of 55% in the Indian passenger car market in the fiscal year to March 2004, already has an auto production subsidiary in India, Maruti Udyog Ltd, with annual output reaching 500,000 vehicles. The new complex will have automated lines as advanced as those at Suzuki's flagship plant in Kosai, Shizuoka Prefecture, and will be equipped with an auto testing course. Separately, Suzuki Motor said it has decided to establish a wholly-owned production subsidiary in India for manufacturing diesel engines starting in late 2006. The automaker will invest about 10bil yen in the new subsidiary, with a planned annual production capacity of 100,000 diesel engines, which use technology from Italy's Fiat SpA and Germany's Adam Opel AG, also part of the General Motors Corp group along with Suzuki. – AFX-Asia
Pak links Iran-India gas pipline to talks on Kashmir
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Islamabad, Sep 13 Stepping up the rhetoric on Kashmir ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan has linked the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline with progress on the Kashmir issue through "meaningful talks." "We are ready to allow transit facilities and also foolproof security (to gas pipeline) but India will have to deal with Kashmir issue in an equitable and peaceful manner through meaningful talks so that progress can be made on other areas including gas pipelines," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in an interview published in 'Pakistan Observer' today. His comments came close on the heels of Mushrarraf's assertion that Pakistan would never give up Kashmir. Musharraf is meeting Singh in New York later this month. "I will meet Manmohan Singh (on September 22) and tell him in unequivocal terms about our stand on the issue. We will not give up Kashmir," he told a meeting of Army officers and soldiers at a 'Garrison Darbar' in Quetta on Saturday. Claiming that the ball was now in the Indian court, Aziz said "Kashmir is the core issue and nothing can move without making any progress on Kashmir. In fact India needs resolution of disputes more than us."
Matthew Hayden overtakes Tendulkar in ODI ratings
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 13 Sachin Tendulkar was toppled by Australian opener Matthew Hayden in the latest Samsung World ODI batting ratings while Rahul Dravid was ranked third in Test batting. With 597 runs in 14 innings, Hayden was far ahead of the Indian batting genius who scored 537 runs from 15 innings. Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka was placed third, according to the ratings released by ESPN-Star Sports here today. West Indies batting star Brian Lara and South Africa's Jacques Kallis secured the first and second positions in Test batting followed by Dravid. In ODI bowling, Chaminda Vaas was perched on the top ahead of compatriot and ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, ranked third on the list. The second place was grabbed by Australia's Jason Gillespie. Irfan Pathan was the only Indian to figure in the category at the sixth position. India were ranked fourth in both ODI and Test team categories. In ODI, India trailed Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand and in the Tests, Australia, England and South Africa were ahead of the Indians. In Test bowling, England's Stephen Harmison headed the ratings followed by Muralitharan and Vaas. The ratings are based on the last 81 international ODIs and 44 Test matches.
Home Minister's J&K visit postponed due to by-elections
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 13 Home Minister Shivraj Patil has postponed his visit to Jammu and Kashmir in view of the October 13 Assembly by-elections in the state. He was scheduled to go for a three-day visit to the state from September 24. The visit has been postponed as the Model Code of Conduct was in force in the state, sources said today. Besides this, the sources said the Home Minister has also been entrusted with the responsiblity by the Congress high command to oversee election work in Maharashtra and, therefore, he would like to go after the Assembly elections in his home state. The visit is likely to take place in October last week, they added. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was to go to the state later this week, had also cancelled his visit in wake of the Assembly by-elections.
JMM chief Soren says he wants ministerial berth back
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 13 Former Union Minister Sibu Soren today demanded that he should be taken back into the Cabinet. "I want my ministerial berth back. I am not going to go back on my stand as all cases against me are politically motivated and they will not spoil my chances to get back into the ministry," he told reporters after emerging from the courtroom where he appeared in connection with the Sashinath Jha murder case. Soren, who was flanked by his lawyers, said he would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later in the day in this regard.
India to train Tanzanian forces
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
India and Tanzania are set to enhance cooperation in the defence sector, with New Delhi agreeing to train more personnel from this east African nation. "We will train more defence personnel from Tanzania," Shashi Tripathi, secretary (West) in India's external affairs ministry, said while briefing reporters about President APJ Abdul Kalam's ongoing visit to this country. Asked whether India would set up naval bases here in future, Tripathi said "As of now, there will be cooperation in the training of personnel." Tanzanian personnel have been trained in Indian naval institutions and naval staff colleges. However, officials said Indian warships would call at ports in Tanzania more regularly from now on.
CCS gives go ahead for developing indigenous AWACS
Thursday, September 9, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 9 In a major boost to developing futuristic radar technology at home, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) today gave the go ahead for the development of an indigenous airborne early warning and control system (AWACS) within a span of seven years at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. "The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Air Force will jointly cooperate in the development of the system," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said after an hour-long meeting of CSS presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The announcement comes in the wake of recent comments by former DRDO Secretary V K Atre that India has developed expertise to produce an indigenous AWACS. A Defence Ministry official said the indigenous AWACS would be developed within a timeframe of seven years and an allocation of Rs 1,800 has been made for it. The decision to produce the AWACS within the country follows a recent multi-million dollar trilateral deal signed to mount Israeli Phalcon 'aireye' radars on a Russian IL-76 transport aircraft with Indian avionics spinoffs. The first of the three AWACS were likely to be delivered by early 2007
Govt extends Liberhan Commission's term till March 31
Thursday, September 9, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 9 Government today extended the term of Liberhan Commission, probing the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya, till March 31 next year. A notification issued by the Union Home Ministry said "it has been decided that the said Commission... will submit its report on or before March 31, 2005". The term was to expire on September 30, 2004. The one-man panel has been probing the causes leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December six, 1992.
India face a daunting task at Champions Trophy
Thursday, September 9, 2004
London, Sep 9 Grappling with an inexplicable lack of form, India face a daunting task to reverse their sliding fortunes in the absence of star performer Sachin Tendulkar in the high-profile ICC Champions Trophy where Australia start as overwhelming favourites. Tendulkar will be missing a major tournament for the first time since making his debut in 1989 and his absence has come as a huge blow for a beleaguered India, desperate to make a mark in the 12-team championship beginning here tomorrow with the hosts taking on Zimbabwe at Edgbaston. Joint holders India will open their campaign in the tournament, billed as the 'Mini World Cup', with a match against Kenya on Saturday in Pool 'C' before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan on September 19. While India's performance graph has taken a downward plunge in recent times, the spotlight will be on world champions Australia who would be looking to add the one missing title to their cupboard. Tomorrow's other fixture will see New Zealand take on newcomers USA at The Oval. Australia were upset by India in the first round in the first two editions of the tournament in Dhaka and Nairobi while they lost to hosts Sri Lanka in 2002. But this time Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is determined to win the prestigious title.
New BJP chief in next LS polls if after 5 years, says Advani
Thursday, September 9, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 9 A new leader may head the BJP at the time of the next Lok Sabha elections if they are held after five years, senior BJP leader L K Advani has said. "Quite likely", he said when asked by Karan Thapar during an interview for 'Hardtalk India' programme on BBC whether BJP would be led by someone other than Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Advani if the UPA government completes five-year term. To a specific question whether time had come to offer the BJP leadership to a younger generation, given that he and the former Prime Minister were likely to be more than 80 years old at the time of the next polls, Advani said "Well, we've already done it in many ways. "In the election of party office bearers, in our selection of candidates. Perhaps no other party in the country has been trying to build up a second-rung leadership in the systematic manner in which the BJP has been doing," he said. Asked who would head the party at the next elections, the former Deputy Prime Minister said "it's (a) long (time away). We don't know when the next election comes. It depends very much on that". When told that before the last Lok Sabha elections if this question was asked he would have said unequivocally -- Atal Bihari Vajpayee -- but not saying it, Advani said "because (then) the elections were due. Today I don't know. As you have rightly said in three years Vajpayeeji and Advani will be beyond 80 and so it may need someone else". Asked if the party was preparing for not just a generation change but a leadership change and new man at the front, he said it was "quite likely".
Govt considering setting up natural gas reserves
Thursday, September 9, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 9 India is mulling setting up strategic natural gas reserves as insurance against disruption in supplies and has asked consulting firm, Gaz de France to make a presentation on its experience in France. "We are now importing natural gas (in form of LNG through ships) and we have to build stockpile that may last any delays in ship arrivals," a top petroleum ministry official said. The ministry has asked French consulting firm GdF, which has built strategic storages of natural gas in France, to make a presentation within a month on the feasibility of building such a stockpile in India. The Government, which has already embarked upon building strategic crude oil storage to hedge risk of disruption in supplies, wants the reserves to be built for 7 to 15 days, enough to last any disruption in domestic supplies as well as delays in imports. "Natural gas can be stored in compressed or liquified forms on port locations (in Gujarat where LNG is currently being imported)," the official said, adding the cost of maintaining such reserves would have to be built in the cost of natural gas. Strategic storage would also become absolutely essential if India were to import gas through pipeline from neighbouring Iran, Bangladesh or Myanmar. "The idea is to stock enough reserves to last us through any sabotage to the pipeline," he said. The proposed pipeline from Iran is particularly fraught with the risk of sabotages on its transit route in Pakistan and the reserves would meet the demand during the time the pipeline is repaired.
Nepal discusses Maoist problem with India
Thursday, September 9, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 9 Nepal today discussed with India the problem of Maoist insurgency plaguing it as the two countries signed agreements for cooperation in weather forecasting, culture and sports. The accords were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba after the two leaders held one-on-one talks which were followed at the delegation level on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. The two sides also exchanged views on matters of regional and international concern. Nepalese officials said Kathmandu's serious concerns over threats posed by Maoists were conveyed to India during the talks Deuba had with the Prime Minister and also with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh. New Delhi has consistently offered to extend all possible assistance Nepal needs to tackle this problem. With a long and porous border with Nepal, India is also concerned over possible spillover of Maoist problem in states like U P, Bihar, Uttaranchal and Assam. The Memorandum of Understanding on weather forecasting, inked by the Department of Science and Technology and the Nepalese Science and Technology Ministry, provides for the setting up of an INSAT Ground Receiving Facility in Nepal under grant assistance from the Indian Government.
Honda unveils its first bike in India
Thursday, September 9, 2004
In a bid to grab a pie of the growing Indian motorcycle market, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) on Wednesday unveiled its first bike. The unlisted Indian subsidiary of Japan's automobile giant said that it would launch Unicorn, a four-stroke 150 cc motorcycle next month. Unicorn has been priced at Rs 50,043 (ex-showroom) in New Delhi, Rs 50,059 (ex-showroom) in Mumbai, Rs 47,811 (ex-showroom) in Pune, Rs 50,323 (ex-showroom) in Bangalore and Rs 51,124 (ex-showroom) in Chennai.
It was India's night at cricket Oscars
Thursday, September 9, 2004
Rahul Dravid claimed both 'Player of the Year' and 'Test Player of the Year' trophies at the first ICC Awards ceremony at the Alexandra Palace here for his prolific performances this year. Left-arm pace man Irfan Pathan was named 'Emerging Player of the Year.' 'It was a great honour, totally unexpected', said Dravid. 'I was very surprised because a lot of people here have had a good year. I'm really happy, and honoured, to be selected.' 'I am so happy to be recognised by some really great people.' The Indian vice-captain, who recently turned his hand to wicketkeeping, received the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for being the best player in both forms of the game in the year to July 31, 2004. On a night of happiness for India, Emerging Player of the Year award went to Irfan Pathan, the 19-year-old Indian left-arm pace bowler. 'I feel really good about this,' said Pathan. 'I have the confidence to do well in international cricket, but this award will boost my confidence even more. It will motivate me a lot, but it's a big motivation to play for India anyway. Every single match is a big challenge.' England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was chosen as one-day international cricketer of the year to top off a memorable week for the 26-year-old after his partner gave birth to a girl. The awards, held at London's Alexandra Palace, were organised to coincide with the ICC Champions Trophy which starts in England on Friday. Simon Taufel won the best umpire award. Dravid scored 1,241 Test runs in nine matches between August 1, 2003 and July 31, 2004 the year under consideration at an impressive average of 95.46. This includes his Test-best 270 in a 131-run Test win against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in April. Pathan claimed 16 Test wickets from five matches at an average of 38.00, while in the shorter version of the game he took 36 scalps at an average of 23.19. Dravid was the only Indian to figure in the Test team of the Year announced by cricket's apex governing body. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were named in the one-day team of the year announced by the ICC. World Test XI: Matthew Hayden, Herschelle Gibbs, Ricky Ponting (captain), Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist, Chaminda Vaas, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Steve Harmison World one-day XI: Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Ricky Ponting (captain), Brian Lara, Virender Sehwag, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Shaun Pollock, Chaminda Vaas, Jason Gillespie. Player of the Year: Rahul Dravid Test Player of the Year: Rahul Dravid One-Day International Player of the Year: Andrew Flintoff Emerging Player of the Year: Irfan Pathan Umpire of the Year: Simon Taufel Spirit of Cricket: New Zealand
Japan sweeps aside India 4-0 in World Cup qualifier
Thursday, September 9, 2004
CALCUTTA Japan overcame a slow start to sweep aside lowly India 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Calcutta on Wednesday night and make it four wins out of four in Asian zone Group 3. Takayuki Suzuki gave Japan the lead on the stroke of halftime for his second goal in as many matches and Feyenoord playmaker Shinji Ono, Takashi Fukunishi and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto all scored in the second period to seal a comfortable win for the Asian champions. (Kyodo News)
Ash finds a place at Madam Tussauds
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
By IndiaFM Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai is literally going places. The former Miss World has already made her presence felt across the globe through her first English film Bride And Prejudice and also has a few more interesting Hollywood projects in her kitty. The gorgeous beauty has already appeared on the cover of international magazines like Time and Hello and will soon be seen on Harpers & Queen and Night & Day. And now she has moved one step further in her international acclaim with finding a place at the Madame Tussauds waxwork museum in London which features waxwork models of legendary personalities across the world. The decision was made when UK distributors of Bride and Prejudice approached Madam Tussauds who agreed to the idea. The wax model will be installed very soon in the museum and Aishwarya Rai will be present to grace the occasion. This makes Rai the second Bollywood personality to find a place at the renowned museum with the first obviously being none other that Bollywood superstar and legendary icon Amitabh Bachchan.
Warne rues Sachin's absence in Champions Trophy
Wednesday, September 8, 2004
Dubai: Australian leg spinner Shane Warne said batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's absence in the ICC Champions trophy because of a tennis elbow has left him disappointed. India, missing the service of Tendulkar, kicks off its campaign in the tournament with the match against Kenya on September 11. Khaleej Times quoted the ace leggie as saying, "bowling to Sachin Tendulkar, along with Brian Lara, has been the biggest challenge for me. At times he has got the better of me but as a team I would like to believe we have had the measure of him." An admirer of the Indian, Warne hopes to resume the rivalry when Australia reaches India for the Test series starting next month. Talking about his bowling, Warne rued he could have more leg before decisions in his favour. "I have six variations - the wrong 'un, the flipper, the leg-breaker, the slider, the zooter and the back spin. "I have no doubt if umpires have had a chance to review their decisions on the television, they would have given me a lot more leg before decisions which have been denied to me." Meanwhile, the Australian, whose highest score in Test is 99, also reiterated his wish of scoring a Test century. "I have scored the highest amount of Test runs in the history of the game, without having scored a century - so I want to put that right," added Warne.
Cong condemns Sinha's comments on PM
Monday, September 6, 2004
Sunday, September 5, 2004 (New Delhi): The Congress today reacted sharply to BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's description of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as 'Shikhandi'. "We strongly condem the unwarranted description by Sinha of Manmohan Singh. The expression undermine the dignity of the office of Prime Minister," said party spokesman Anand Sharma. He said the party would like to know whether Vajpayee endorses Sinha's statement. Sharma said the former union minister's statement represent the "class, character and political culture of the BJP and their perverse mindset". The BJP, he claimed, has not reconciled to their rejection by the people in the recent Lok Sabha polls and "intemperate utterances are an expression of their frustrations". He charged that the BJP leaders with lowering the level of the political debate even during the Lok Sabha polls and dragging it to a gutter level. "The distasteful campaign was unacceptable to the people of India who not only rejected it but defeated those who were resorted to a lower level campaign," Sharma held. Sinha called Manmohan Singh a "puppet" Prime Minister, who is trying to "finish off" the BJP under the dictates of an "Italian", an obvious reference to Congress President Sonia Gandhi. "UPA government is headed by a 'shikhandi' who is trying to implement the decision of the Italian to finish off the BJP," Sinha said yesterday.
Learn spirituality, the NRI way
Monday, September 6, 2004
ANI AMRITSAR: The huge turnout by the ever expanding Sikh diaspora here for the 400th anniversary of the installation of Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple is an opportunity for them to get back to their roots. Sarabjit Singh, a NRI visitor from California in USA said, "Oh this is wonderful here. I cannot express my feelings. For me, it's like a dream come true. For last ten years, I have had no reason to come to India. But when I found there is big celebration going on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple, I said it doesn't matter how much work and money I have to lose, I have to be there".
I'm tired of whispers: Ash
Monday, September 6, 2004
MUMBAI: Split? Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi certainly haven't, though they say some people would love to see them fall apart. "I'm sick and tired of these Chinese whispers," Aishwarya said when asked about rumours of their split. The actress who has been busy shooting every day for debutante Leena Bajaj's Shabd , sometimes for 20 hours at a stretch, to complete the film before she leaves for her world concerts, is amused, exasperated and also bewildered. "Who has the time to spread all these unsavoury rumours? As you know, I never talk about my personal life...I never have and never will, I don't need to," she clams up resolutely. A close friend of the couple laughs off the rumours. "We all know who wants this relationship to end the most and how he's using his influence to spread this rumour. It's being said that Ash and Vivek's relationship has become strained because their film together Kyun! Ho Gaya Na flopped. That's so frivolous. And neither Vivek nor Ash is a frivolous person. "The fact is they're very much in love. In fact, when Vivek's leg was operated on Wednesday to remove the steel rod. Aishwarya was in hospital with him for two whole days." Vivek, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, is forthcoming. "I don't know why people are pointing doomsday fingers at us. Could they be mistaking us for another celebrity couple? "In fact, last night when I was groggy with the medication after surgery, I was suddenly woken up by my parents, sister and Ash to cut a cake. It was all so unreal because I was half asleep," Vivek laughs. "Ash and I have no problems at all, though I'm sure there're people who would love to see us fall apart. But sorry, we aren't obliging anyone. "In fact she was there throughout when I went through my final leg surgery this week. Incidentally the steel rod in my leg was totally bent because of the injury the same leg suffered when I had an accident on the sets of Kissna . "I don't know why people don't leave us alone. The other day there was the rumour that I had a fight on the sets of 'Kissna'. Now this one about me and Ash. Please give us a break from these break-up stories!"
India end losing streak with thrilling win
Monday, September 6, 2004
Sunday, 05 September , 2004, 22:52 London: The hallowed turfs of Lords once again provided the inspiration for the Indian team who ended their five-match losing streak with a thrilling 23-run victory over England in the third and final NatWest Challenge one-day cricket international here on Sunday. After being bundled out for a modest 204, Sourav Ganguly’s men rediscovered their familiar nerve in the face of adversity to snuff England out for 181 in 48.2 overs for a morale boosting win. Young wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthick lost and reinvented his fledgling career in the same day as he dropped Michael Vaughan on 36 and then produced an out of the world stumping to dismiss the England captain in the nerve-wracking closing stages. Vaughan’s piece de resistance, 74 off 141 balls with eight fours and a 92-run seventh-wicket partnership with Ashley Giles (39), looked set to lead England to a white-wash of the Indians, but Ganguly’s men were not be denied this day. The English batting that had given the Indian bowling a hiding in the previous two games floundered against some inspired seam bowling and the mesmerising off-spin of Harbhajan Singh. Turbanator finished with three for 28 while Ashish Nehra scalped three for 26. The Indians, reeling under a string of losses beginning with the defeat to Pakistan in a Super League match of the Asia Cup in July, rung in changes and shuffled their batting order. Dravid was relieved of the wicket-keeping duties and the 19-year old Karthick was handed his India cap. Virender Sehwag was pushed down to number four and VVS Laxman moved up to open the innings but two, put together, could only make 10 runs. Laxmipathy Balaji, Ajit Agarkar and Rohan Gavaskar made way for Ashish Nehra, Anil Kumble and debutant Karthick. Mohammad Kaif also batted at an unusual position, number three, but made no contribution worth mentioning. For Laxman, it was a forgettable outing. For once the stylish openers bat did not make a sweet sound from the 27 balls he faced for his nine runs before a Steve Harmison yorker pegged back his off-stump. Earlier, a captain’s knock by Sourav Ganguly failed to inspire India to a formidable total after the batsmen faltered once again. Ganguly and vice-captain Rahul Dravid, who overcame his scratchy form and hit a 91-ball 52, were the only batsmen to reach double digit scores. Steve Harmison picked four for 22 and Darren Gough claimed his 200th wicket in one-day internationals when he had Harbhajan Singh caught by Michael Vaughan in the 45th over. The horrors of running between the wicket cost India another wicket when Ganguly pushed a delivery to midwicket and took off with Mohammad Kaif rooted to his spot. By the time Kaif (2) responded it was too late. Sehwag flicked his first delivery from Ashley Giles for a single and then patted a return catch with an absolute inept stroke to leaving India floundering at 48 for 3. India then had its most profitable partnership of the innings when between the captain and the vice-captain, 93 runs were raised from 135 balls. Ganguly, after a watchful start, batted beautifully and a century was there for asking before his penchant for pull shot once again ended in catch at short mid-wicket. Ganguly pulled Harmison’s first delivery in his recalled spell into the hands of Vaughan to bring curtains on an entertaining innings. Ganguly played several pleasing strokes, none better than a lofted four over extra cover and then a straight six off Paul Collingwood which cost the seamer 13 runs from the over. After Ganguly’s exit, Dravid tried to take command and reached his half century from 85 balls with three fours but struggled for support from the other end. Yuvraj Singh (9) flicked Alex Wharf into the hands of fielder at square leg fence and young Karthick made only one from 12 balls before edging Harmison behind the stumps. Harbhajan’s straight bat could not cover the swing in Gough’s delivery and an easy catch went to point. Dravid then became Harmison’s fourth wicket when he cut straight to point -- India at this stage had lost three wickets for three runs. India’s score appeared twice the size as England quickly reeled at 29 for four with the wickets shared between them by the left-arm pacemen Ashish Nehra and Irfan Pathan. And then two brilliant efforts in the field reduced the hosts to 62 for 6.
India has credible nuclear deterrence in place: Pranab
Sunday, September 5, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 5 Asserting that the country had credible nuclear deterrence in place, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said that specialised forces were being raised to tackle nuclear threat in all its dimensions. "Whatever is needed to safeguard the country and to ensure effective deterrence, in line with our nuclear doctrine of 'no first use', has been done," Mukherjee said in an interview to here. Maintaining that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had a definite time-frame on test-firing of the country's intermediate range 3000-km surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-III, he said India was committed to 'no first use' of nuclear weapons and non-use of these weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. The Defence Minister also said that India had reached an understanding with its neighbouring countries to share information on missile test-firing. Asked if safeguards had been taken against selective nuclear strikes on forces and on civilians, the Defence Minister replied "we are raising specialised troops to tackle such threats". In the wide-ranging interview, Mukherjee ruled out any scaling down of forces from the world's highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier, as well as from insurgency-torn Jammu and Kashmir. "Our presence in Siachen Glacier is limited. And, secondly, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is not yet conducive for thinning down of forces", he said.
Natwest: India falter once again
Sunday, September 5, 2004
London, Sep 5 A captain's knock by Sourav Ganguly failed to inspire India whose batting faltered once again in the third and final NatWest Challenge one-day cricket international against England here today. Ganguly led from the front with an authoritative 90 that was studded with three sixes and five fours but the Indians still could make only 204 in 49.3 overs on a slow turning track at Lord's. Vice captain Rahul Dravid was the other batsman who battled hard to overcome his scratchy form and hit a 91-ball 52 but the rest of the batsmen failed to reach double digit scores. Steve Harmison picked four for 22 and Darren Gough claimed his 200th wicket in one-day internationals when he had Harbhajan Singh caught by Michael Vaughan in the 45th over. The Indians, reeling under five successive defeats beginning with the loss to Pakistan in a Super League match of the Asia Cup in July and the injury-induced absence of Sachin Tendulkar, made some drastic changes in their line-up but it proved to yield desired results. Dravid was relieved of the wicketkeeping duties and 19-year old Dinesh Karthik was handed his India cap but during the brief stay at the crease the youngster failed to impress. Virender Sehwag was pushed down to number four and VVS Laxman moved to the opening slot but the two, put together, could only make 10 runs.
Pay orders, DD, other banking services to cost more
Sunday, September 5, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 5 Pay-orders, demand drafts, safe deposit lockers, safe vaults and a host of other banking services will soon become costlier following Finance Minister P Chidambaram's budget annnouncement to impose service tax and education cess on these items. The 10 per cent service tax and a 2.0 per cent cess on it would push the prices of banking services up by 10.2 per cent, a banker told here today. The items which would attract service tax are -- pay orders, demand drafts, cheques, letter of credit, bill of exchange, bank guarantee, overdraft facility, bill discounting facility, safe deposit lockers, safe vaults and operation of bank accounts. While there is apprehension on the imposition of tax, a bank official said "the tax will be on the commissions paid by consumers for buying pay-orders, demand drafts and other services from a bank and not on the amount of the pay-order, demand drafts and so on." Indian Bank Association has told the banks to take necessary steps to make the branch staff aware about the need to collect the service tax on various services as soon as the Finance Act comes into force. The banks have also been asked to look into the arrangements for registration and payment of service tax. On the issue of service tax on interest on loans, IBA has taken up the matter with Central Board of Excise and Customs. CBEC is expected to come out with a detailed guideline soon so that bankers can file service tax returns before October 25, the due date for payment of the tax for the month.
India asks Pak to address terror problem, CBMs discussed
Sunday, September 5, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 5 India today conveyed to Pakistan in unambiguous terms the need to address the problem of cross-border terrorism as the two countries discussed a series of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) including continuation of ceasefire, disengagement in Siachen and operationalising the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service. New Delhi reminded Islamabad of its commitment in January this year of not allowing its territory to be used for acts of terror against India on the opening day of the two-day talks between External Affairs Minister Ministers K Natwar Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid M.Kasuri here. The two leader held an hour-long one-on-one meeting followed by delegation level talks to review progress in the Composite Dialogue process and to explore ways and means of taking it forward. Official sources said India conveyed its concerns on continuing infiltration and existence of terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and told Islamabad "clearly and in unambiguous terms" the need to address them.
Two Mulund boys held for rape
Sunday, September 5, 2004
Two eleven-year old boys have been arrested on charges of raping a nine-year old girl at suburban Mulund, police said here today. The incident occurred on September 1, when the victim, who was working as a maid, had gone to the residence of one of the accused, they said. The girl was admitted to Mulund general hospital after her health deteriorated and is still undergoing treatment at the hospital, they said. The matter was brought to the notice of the police by hospital authorities yesterday, leading to the police action last night.
Friendly ties with India vital: China
Sunday, September 5, 2004
Beijing, Sept 5. : Friendly Sino-Indian relations not only conform to the fundamental interests of the people of both countries but are also helpful to Asia and the world at large, Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong said here on Saturday. Zeng said in a meeting with leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India and All India Forward Bloc. The Indian leaders, including BJP Vice President Sushil Kumar Modi, Congress MP Saifuddin Soz and CPI (M) Politburo Member Sitraram Yechuri are here to attend the third International Conference of Asian Political Parties. "The Communist Party of China (CPC) values its friendship with various Indian parties, and is ready to enhance exchanges and cooperation with them," Zeng was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. The guests said they are willing to undertake joint efforts with the CPC to boost friendly India-China cooperation as well as Asian peace and development causes. Indian Ambassador to China, Nalin Surie also attended the meeting held at the Great Hall of the people.
LIC to launch Unit Linked Pension plan
Friday, September 3, 2004
Kolkata, Sep 3 Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited is planning to launch three new products, including a Unit Linked Pension Plan, while acknowledging that the response to its existing pension schemes was not very encouraging. "We have approached IRDA for approval of two-three policies and will launch them as soon as the approval is received," LIC Zonal Manager D K Mehrotra told reporters here. One of these plans would be unit linked pension plan, one a children's plan and another similar to Jeevan Shree for High Networth Inviduals, he said. Responding to the cold response to its existing pension policies Mehrotra said, "This is because of lack of awareness among employees in rural and the unorganised sector." "We are, however, planning to increase awareness among these sections of people through a number of awareness programmes to be addressed by agents and marketing people," he said. To another query, Mehrotra said the corporation had sold a total of 22,212 pension policies with a premium income of Rs 40 crore during the current financial year till August 14. He said that in Eastern Zone, LIC had sold only 4600 policies between April and August 14 this year with a total premium income of Rs 6.15 crore.
Released Indian hostages return home
Friday, September 3, 2004
New Delhi, Sept 3 After living under fear of death for 42 days, three Indian truck drivers released by their Iraqi captors today returned home to an emotional welcome by their families here. Antaryami, Tilak Raj and Sukhdeo Singh flew in at the Indira Gandhi International airport by a Kuwait Airways flight at 0636 IST. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, who headed the Crisis Management Group to deal with the hostage situation, went to the KU-381 Airbus310 plane and greeted each one of them with a warm embrace much to the surprise of the truck drivers. Ahamed then led the trio to their anxious family members, who were waiting with bated breath for their arrival. "We will never allow them to step out of the village, leave alone sending them abroad," said a much relieved Sher Singh, father of Sukhdeo. While Tilak Raj was received by his wife Promila Devi and three children, Antaryami was welcomed by his father Ram Murti, uncle R K Singh, besides people from his village. Sukhdeo's father Sher Singh and brother Harminder welcomed him on arrival here. Sukhdeo, hailing from Makhadaona Kala village in Ropar district of Punjab, Tilak Raj from Dharampur and Antaryami from Dehlan villages in Una district of Himachal Pradesh were taken hostage by a little known Iraqi militant group 'Islamic Secret Army - Holders of the Black Banners' from a checkpost near Fallujah on July 21. They were released on Wednesday after their employer Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) reportedly paid half-a-million dollars to the abductors.
Suniel Shetty's 'Rakht' ready for release
Friday, September 3, 2004
Bollywood India > Mumbai, Sept 2 : Suneil Shetty's home production Rakt in which he stars along with Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Amrita Arora and Dino Morea is slated for release this Friday. Directed by Mahesh V Manjrekar the film is a supernatural thriller based on a Hollywood film 'The Gift. The cast and crew of the film teamed up with Saegam mobile services for the promotion of the movie at Mumbai's Taj Lands End. Suneil Shetty who has produced this film under his banner Popcorn entertainment along with Vijay Mallya's Cine Blitz Productions is upbeat about the movie and is confident of its success at the box office.
'Jassi...' is a year old :
Friday, September 3, 2004
Bollywood India > Mumbai, Sep 1 : Sony Entertainment's "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin" completes one year of telecast Wednesday, a year that has seen its distinctly dowdy heroine Jassi become an icon -- and the ugly duckling hasn't even turned into a swan yet. Breaking the saas-bahu mould on Indian television, "Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin" has given the Indian middleclass a new working-class icon who is neither glamorous nor desirable. Jassi is simply what bourgeois dreams are all about. Deya Singh, one-half of the directorial duo Tony & Deya Singh, is still disbelieving about the soap's success. "Frankly, we never expected "Jassi..." to be so successful. My husband Tony and I are hardly the kind of people who think about such things. We're just busy doing our work. "Jassi..." isn't our first successful show. We earlier did "Banegi Apni Baat" and "Just Mohabbat", both very different and yet successful." Deya and her husband refuse to look at the social responsibilities that have mushroomed around "Jassi..." "We'd rather start something new than sit and gloat over the impact of "Jassi..." Do you know, for one week we sat on the script idea of the serial. We didn't know if it would work. I don't think we should look at Jassi as a social responsibility. If she has become an icon, let her. But, at the end of the day, she's a human being full of frailties. We're not going to mould her to suit people's expectations. Jassi will be what she's meant to be." Deya and Tony Singh are already on to their next show. "It's a weekly comedy called "Bal-Bal Bache" and it's going on Sahara Manorajan. It's going to be on air this month. "Jassi..." has taken over our lives. We've two kids aged two and eight, but fortunately they're very accommodating." The original "Jassi..." in Spanish ran for 330 episodes. The Indian show has completed 210 episodes. "But it'll continue, though ideally shows should end when they're on a high," laughs Deya. At least two other soaps, Sony's "Hum Dono Hain Na" and Star Plus' "Dekho Magar Pyar Se", have also borrowed from Spanish serials. Deya is unperturbed. "In places like Mexico and Colombia, they've scores of such shows. Not all of them are successful. We're not in this for money. Will the actress playing Jassi get bored? I don't think so. Which other show or film will give her an opportunity like this? Look at it this way. We're working 29 days a month. Where's the chance to get bored or restless? "You've no idea what level of commitment the Indian TV industry requires. The other day I heard a director fainted on the sets of a soap. We've to be damn professional. Day after day, we've to produce episodes revolving around one character and a slender storyline. There's an incredible amount of coordination involved. The sponsors are breathing down our necks." And the next level for Jassi? "To express herself. She'll express her mind more openly. The ugly duckling is blossoming gradually. We can't bring around an overnight change. Jassi is about acquiring a sense of self. We're lucky to have broken the mould. It does give us a sense of achievement." --Indo-Asian News Service
Padamshree Laloo Prasad Yadav to tickle audiences
Friday, September 3, 2004
Bollywood India > Mumbai, Sept 2 : Comedy movies always have a better chance at the box office and the latest comic flick on the anvil is Padamshree Laloo Prasad Yadav. The film is the story of five people named Padma, Shree, Laloo, Prasad and Yadav who plan to rob a bank. The star cast includes Suneil Shetty, Mahesh Manjekar, Johhny Lever, Masumeh, Kim Sharma, Anupama Varma, Gulshan Grover, Sharat Saxena and Kunika.
I had nothing to do with 'Dhoom': Yash Chopra
Friday, September 3, 2004
Bollywood India > Mumbai, Sep 2 : India's most successful filmmaker has just added another feather to his cap with his "Dhoom" on its way to becoming a hit, and Yash Chopra says frankly that even he didn't expect it to become so popular. Right now, Chopra has a lot to be happy about. While his first directorial venture in seven years "Veer-Zaara" has just about touched the finishing line (the background music has just started), his new production "Dhoom" has done the unexpected. It has become a rage! "Frankly I had nothing to do with it. 'Dhoom' was entirely handled by the young team and my son Aditya who supervised the overall product, just like our previous production 'Hum Tum'. By god's grace, 'Hum Tum' was a success. And it looks like 'Dhoom', too, is on its way to doing the same," Chopra tells in an interview. "Who would've thought that a film featuring Abhishek, John, my son Uday and Esha would get such an overwhelming initial? I'm so happy because this is Abhishek and Esha's first big hit. They're like my own children," says the country's most influential and successful filmmaker who has fashioned trend-setting blockbusters in every decade from the 1950s onwards. The phone at Yashraj Films doesn't stop ringing. Amitabh Bachchan calls to discuss the good fortunes of "Dhoom". But Yash Chopra is a portrait of incredible humility. "When we made 'Dhoom' we didn't expect it to become so popular. It has a very slick young urban look to it. And look at our good fortune! Even the music soundtrack of 'Dhoom' has become a rage at a time when the music business is going through its worst slump." The doyen of Hindi cinema is quick to point out that "Dhoom" or any of the film's produced under his banner aren't his babies. "The quintessential 'Yash Chopra Film' is the one I direct. That's why I'm nervous about my new film 'Veer-Zaara'. It's my first film in seven years, and I'm as nervous about it as I was when I made my first film 'Dhool Ka Phool' for my brother B.R. Chopra's banner, or when I branched out to form my own production house to make 'Daag' in 1973." About the title 'Veer-Zaara', Chopra smiles: "We toyed with a couple of ideas including 'Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum' which was the title of a song in my film 'Silsila'. We finally settled for a title that goes with the love-legend mood. "We weren't consciously being secretive about the film or the title. It's just that my son and I weren't entirely sure of everything. We didn't want to come out with any announcements until everything was in place. "Two weeks ago, when we put out an ad for 'Veer-Zaara' without a title, we realised the magnitude of expectations that people have from our film. Now when we're screening a trailer of 'Veer-Zaara' with 'Dhoom' we're getting the kind of feedback that really scares me. I hope the film lives up to expectations." With 'Veer-Zaara', Yash Chopra also launches his own music label in September. "The music of Madan Mohan as transcreated by his son Sanjeev Kohli, who isn't only the CEO of Yashraj films but also like my younger brother, is one of the proudest achievements of our company. "And to have Lataji sing the songs is a double blessing. I couldn't have asked for more. God has been very, very kind to me." --Indo-Asian News Service
Aamir's girlfriend is ex-Jamia student from Delhi
Friday, September 3, 2004
Bollywood India > New Delhi, Sep 2 : Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan's girlfriend Kiran Rao, who was rumoured to have married the actor, is a graduate of New Delhi's Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC) of Jamia Millia University here. Rao, who is reported to be living in with Khan in the actor's Pali Hill apartment in Mumbai, studied an MA in mass communication at MCRC about five-six years ago. "She was an intelligent student, though often a little distant towards her classmates," reminiscences Farhat Basir Khan, professor of photography and audio-visual production at MCRC. "The kid was bright and I remember some good ideas coming from her. She largely kept to herself and didn't mingle much. "I dare say some of her classmates thought that she had a bit of a nose in the air, you know," laughed Khan. Rumours about Rao's marriage to Khan came after a Mumbai tabloid printed news of their wedding in a secret London ceremony. The actor, thorough his publicist, has denied that he had married Rao but did not say whether they were not in a serious relationship. Rao, an assistant director in Bollywood, has been quoted as saying that she is not ready to talk about the relationship yet. Jamia old timers say Rao is naturally secretive. "I think she is the sort of person who likes to keep her personal life exactly that, personal," said a Jamia official, who asked not to be named, "as far as I remember her, she was never very happy of anyone coming to know what she was doing." The duo met when Rao was assisting director Ashutosh Gowariker on the sets of the Oscar-nominated "Lagaan" around four years ago. Aamir Khan played the lead role and produced the film. Their relationship is said to have turned serious about a year ago. Khan, currently shooting for the period drama "The Rising" was earlier married to Reena Dutta and has two children, nine-year-old son Junaid and daughter Ira, 4. --Indo-Asian News Service
12 hour shutdown paralyses Manipur
Friday, September 3, 2004
India News > Imphal, Sep.3 : A 12-hour shutdown call given by localorgansiations this morning has left normal life in parts of Imphal and Greater Imphal areas of Manipur paralysed. The shutdown began at 6 a.m. and was spearheaded by a Muslim organization in protest against the alleged killing of Manorama Devi on July 10 this year. The group is also pressing for the removal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Shops, markets and business establishments remained closed in many areas. Transport services were also cancelled in view of the shutdown. Meanwhile, Army Chief General N C Vij, who is currently in the northeast, will be in Imphal today to meet the Governor and the Chief Minister.
Mira offered fifth Potter movie
Friday, September 3, 2004
NEW YORK: Filmmaker Mira Nair has been approached to direct the fifth Harry Potter picture, 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', which is due for release in 2007. The 'Monsoon Wedding' director says that she has read Steven Kloves' adaptation, but is yet to reach a final decision. "I read it over the weekend and I'm still deciding," Nair said. "I'm not letting all this go to my head." But she admitted: "My son Zoharan's excited. I've seen all the Harry Potter movies with him." Nair, 47, has won plaudits for her work on the films 'Salaam Bombay', 'Mississippi Masala' and 'Monsoon Wedding'. But her latest, most ambitious picture is already prompting mixed reviews. The director's star-spangled adaptation of 'Vanity Fair' opens in the US this weekend, with Reese Witherspoon playing Becky Sharpe and James Purefoy, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent and Romola Garai in supporting roles. The first two Potter outings were directed by safe Hollywood hand Chris Columbus, while this year's 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' was whipped into shape by Mexican film-maker Alfonso Cuaron. The fourth film in the series, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', is currently shooting, with Brit Mike Newell in the director's chair.
Al Jazeera in India
Friday, September 3, 2004
Mumbai, Sept. 2: The Arab world will reach Indian homes directly now. Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based network that shot into prominence during the Afghan war, entered into a tie-up with India TV, a recently-launched Indian news channel. According to the agreement signed today in Delhi, Al Jazeera, which put an end to the monopoly of western media coverage on the Arabic world, and India TV will provide each other with news coverage and bulletins. We will telecast a half-an-hour bulletin everyday at 11 pm that will compile all the day’s news from Al Jazeera, said India TV chairman Rajat Sharma. As of now, the tie-up is based on content-sharing, Sharma added. There is a dearth of composite and immediate news reporting of events in the Arabic world. There is no equity partnership between the two channels. The managing director of Al Jazeera, Wadah Khanfar, who was in Delhi, said: India holds an important audience base for us.
They took care of us: Hostages
Friday, September 3, 2004
New Delhi: Three Indian hostages freed in Iraq after a six-week ordeal arrived to a rousing welcome from a huge crowd at New Delhi's international airport early Friday after an overnight flight from Kuwait. The three truck drivers were received at the airport by excited relatives, members of the public, a horde of government officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister E. Ahamed, and a writhing crowd of journalists. Tilak Raj, Sukhdev Singh and Antaryami were kidnapped on July 21 along with an Egyptian and three Kenyan colleagues by an Iraqi group called the Holders of the Black Banners. They were freed midweek by their captors after the company that employed them, Kuwaiti transport firm KGL, paid a ransom of half a million dollars. On their arrival in New Delhi the men were hugged by family members before climbing on to a podium where they thanked the government for helping secure their release. "We are very grateful that the government worked day and night to free us," said Antaryami. "We thank the minister and other people who helped us," he added, as the other two echoed his words. "I would say that the joint prayers of all Indians have been answered by God," Ahamed later told reporters. "The government did not compromise ... in its policies during negotiations," he added, referring to India's vow never to negotiate directly with kidnappers, it instead left the negotiating to the transport company. Raj, meanwhile, told AFP they had been looked after by their captors. "We were well taken care of by the militants," he said. "They did not threaten us or put us under emotional pressure at any time." The truckers were due later Friday to head for their villages in where their family members, some of whom were hospitalised for stress during the ordeal, have promised them joyous welcome home parties. Their arrival was watched on television by family members who did not make it to the airport, joined by hundreds of neighbours. Antaryami's wife Kusum Lata was dressed in her Sunday best. "I have not slept a wink the whole night," the young mother of one told reporters. "I was up before sunrise and first thing I did was to pray at our village temple." Singh was due to return to his home village of Makraun Kalan, some 300 kilometres north of New Delhi, in northern Punjab, while Raj and Antaryami were headed for their villages in adjoining Himachal Pradesh state. Their communities, who spent many long hours praying for their release and sharing the anguish of their families, have promised massive celebrations. "It will be Diwali at night and Holi during daytime," Singh's brother said on Thursday. "We will dance on the streets. We will put on our best clothes. We will sing like we have never sung before," said a villager in Dehlan. The celebrations are being held against a sombre backdrop, however, of the killing by Iraqi insurgents of 12 Nepalese labourers they had been holding hostage. The Indian government has told its neighbour it will assist in trying to retrieve the bodies of the slain captives and have them returned to Nepal. The three Indian truckers were kidnapped while hauling cargo in Iraq. They were among the many poor South Asians who go to work in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Middle East, lured by high wages.
Indian woman hacker nabbed in Philippines
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Manila: An Indian woman has been arrested for allegedly leading a gang which hacked into the Philippines telecommunications system to make unauthorised long-distance calls, officials said today. Pooja Khemlani was arrested in her Manila apartment earlier this week after her husband, also an Indian citizen, reported her to the police, the immigration bureau said in a statement. Khemlani allegedly financed a gang which tapped into the telephone systems of some 369 institutions, including private companies, government agencies and foreign embassies to make unauthorised long-distance calls for which they charged a fee, the bureau said. Their activities cost the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. some 197 million pesos (3.5 million dollars) in lost revenues, the bureau charged. Two other Indians and a Bangladeshi were arrested in July in connection with the case. Khemlani is also the principal suspect in allegedly smuggling 11 Indians into the southern Philippines in 2002. She is being investigated for possible involvement in illegal dollar trading, drug trafficking and smuggling of medicine and jewellery, the bureau added.
A new universal insurance scheme in the offing: FM
Thursday, September 2, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 2 An affordable and comprehensive insurance scheme to cover both life and non-life risks of the poor will be launched shortly. Indicating this, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said "a more universal product, which will bring in more poor people under cover will be launched soon." Speaking at a book release function on Wednesday night, he said there was a need for more innovative products in the country and proposed setting up of Financial Product Innovation Centres at country's leading management schools. Although Chidambaram did not elaborate on the new scheme for the poor, industry sources said a micro-insurance scheme is in the offing that could provide life and non-life cover at a low premium. Insurance regulator recently proposed a separate norm for the insurance cover of small and landless farmers and low income for a micro-insurance product with a minimum sum assured of Rs 10,000, double the present sum insured. In a concept paper 'Need for Developing Micro-Insurance in India', IRDA said life and non-life insurers could provide these products, offering a cover of Rs 10,000-50,000 for a period of 1-7 years depending on the policies. Term insurance with or without return of premium and Endowment Insurance could have Rs 10,000-50,000 coverage for 5-7 years, while it would be Rs 10,000-15,000 for the health insurance for 1-7 years and Rs 10,000-50,000 for accidental benefit (as rider) for 1-5 years. Under non-life micro-insurance, Rs 10,000-20,000 cover could be provided for one year against huts or livestock or tools or implements or other assets.
PM talks to Deuba, expresses grief over Nepalese killings in Iraq
Thursday, September 2, 2004
New Delhi, Sep 2 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to his Nepalese counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba last night to express grief over the killing of 12 nationals of that country by their abductors in Iraq. "We are with you at this moment of grief," Singh told Deuba over phone, official sources said here today. Singh has offered to extend all possible cooperation to that country in this hour of grief, they said. External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh had earlier spoken to Deuba expressing deep shock and anguish over the killings. He had offered to provide any assistance that may be required by Nepal to bring back the bodies of the victims.
Indian hostages in Iraq released: KGL
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Seven employees of a Kuwaiti trucking company, including three Indians, who had been kidnapped in Iraq have been released. The transport company Kuwaiti Gulf Links, which employs the truckers, has confirmed their release. Speaking to NDTV, KGL spokesperson Rana Abu-Zaineh said all the released hostages are safe and headed to Kuwait. KGL pull out The three Kenyans, three Indians and one Egyptian were abducted in Iraq on July 21. The kidnappers had repeatedly changed their demands and extended deadlines set for killing the seven. On Friday, Abu-Zaineh had said her company will stop work in Iraq in compliance with the demands of the kidnappers. Those abducted included Antaryami, Tilak Raj and Sukdev Singh of India. Others are Ibrahim Khamis, Salm Faiz Khamis and Jalal Awadh of Kenya; Anand Mohammed Ali Sanad of Egypt.
PM joins Golden Temple celebrations
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has arrived in Amritsar to take part in the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple. He will later address a public rally organised by the state Congress in the holy city. Former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee, I K Gujral and Chandrashekhar will visit the Golden Temple to participate in the celebrations. Politics takes centrestage Politics between the Akalis and the Congress have dominated the celebrations. It was in evidence during President Kalam's visit to the Golden Temple on Tuesday when Congress Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was not even allowed to speak at his felicitation. The Prime Minister's visit to the Golden Temple will now be keenly watched. Off the record, SGPC officials say that they would really welcome any conciliatory remarks made by the Prime Minister about Operation Bluestar.
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