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October 2003
Tributes paid to Indira Gandhi on her 19th death anniversary
Friday, October 31, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 31 The nation today remembered former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 19th death anniversary with Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Congress President Sonia Gandhi paying floral tributes at her samadhi here. Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, her cabinet colleagues, late Sanjay Gandhi's son Varun and senior Congress leaders also visited Gandhi's memorial to pay floral tributes. An all-religion prayer was held on the occasion.
Six cops suspended for giving 'special treatment' to accused
Friday, October 31, 2003
Pune, Oct 31 Six police officials, including an inspector, have been suspended on charges of giving special treatment to the four accused arrested in multi-crore fake stamp paper racket, police said today. Police commissioner A N Roy issued the suspension orders late last night on charges of giving undue privileges to the four accused who were charged with stringent sections of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). When contacted, the commissioner said "I have issued the suspension orders last night as I came to know that concerned police officials had given preferential treatment to these accused." An inquiry is being ordered in this case, he added. The four accused who were allegedly given special treatment in the court yesterday include Samajwadi Janata Party (SJP) MLA Anil Gote, suspended Assistant Police Inspector of Crime Branch Mumbai Dilip Kamath, Rashid Kulkarni who is the lawyer of the prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi and brother of Telgi Abdul Aziz Telgi. The suspended police officials included inspector D T Kharche and five constables.
Govt puts up a brave front over rising fiscal deficit
Friday, October 31, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 31 Government today put a brave front over rising fiscal deficit saying it will remain on target at 5.6 per cent of the GDP following improved revenue collection and expenditure control. "Fiscal deficit is expected to be contained at 5.6 per cent of the GDP and there is nothing that has happened to make me believe that fiscal deficit will overshoot the target", Chief Economic Advisor Ashok Lahiri said here. Lahiri's comments came a day after the figures released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) showed that the fiscal deficit rose by 40 per cent in the first six months of the current fiscal to touch Rs 810.14 billion as compared to Rs 577.46 billion in the corresponding period last year. The fiscal deficit in April-September this year amounted to 52.7 per cent of the budget estimates of Rs 1,536.37 billion. In the first half of 2002-03, the fiscal deficit was 42.6 per cent of the budget estimates.
Third militant, involved in Akhnoor gunbattle, killed
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Jammu, Oct 29 Army troops today shot dead the third militant who had escaped from the cordon and taken shelter in a mess quarter at Akhnoor, about 25 kms from here, official sources said. The militant, who escaped the encounter between army and militants on October 27, surfaced last evening and entered a three-storied mess quarter building killing two girls and injuring six others, they said. The troops had evacuated all the employees from adjoining quarters, official sources said, adding army commandoes then launched operation to eliminate the militant.
EC to allow DD news channel's launch with 'conditions'
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 29 The Election Commission is inclined to allow the launch of Doordarshan news channel on November three with "certain conditions" ahead of the assembly polls. The Commission is expected to take a decision on the issue in a couple of days after going through the response of I&B ministry on the clarifications sought by the poll pannel, sources said. "At pressent we will allow the launch with certain conditions but no decision has been taken as of now," sources said. They said it was fundamental right to spread news and information and the commission would see whether it would be misused for political purposes ahead of assembly polls in five states. Congress has been sharply critical of the move to launch the channel alleging that it was a blatant misuse of the media by the BJP-led coalition and wanted stalling up the proposal till the polls are over.
India announces steps to implement peace initiative with Pak
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 28 Even as Pakistan mulled over its response to New Delhi's 12-point peace initiative, India today announced steps to implement three of them including running of additional Delhi-Lahore buses and allowing elder citizens to cross Wagah border check-point on foot. At the same time, New Delhi termed as "unfortunate and not in keeping with the spirit of the peace efforts" the remarks of Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman yesterday that the peace package was a "rehash and recycle" of offers made by Islamabad earlier. Announcing implementation of the three measures, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said Chairman of Delhi Transport Corporation has written to Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation for running of additional buses in convoy on already agreed days on Delhi-Lahore-Delhi route. Instructions, he said, had been issued to the Indian immigration authorities to allow those above the age of 65 years to cross at Wagah on foot. These elder citizens now need not go by the Delhi-Lahore bus and could choose their own mode of travel upto the border point, he said replying to questions. Steps have also been initiated for free medical treatement of the second lot of 20 Pakistani children in India, he said adding "these steps have been taken in pursuance of the October 22 announcements" made by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.
India's presence - a must for globalising companies
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Washington, Oct 29 If US companies decide to embrace globalization, they would need a presence in India which offers an inexhaustible pool of educated and cheap workforce, says a CNBC documentary that interviewed several business people and experts. 'There are some sights on India's commercial landscape that'll make any American feel right at home,' says CNBC, a widely watched TV channel in the US. Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Electronic Data Systems, and Microsoft all have recently announced that they are investing in India, joining the rush to take advantage of cheaper costs and an educated workforce. Financial powerhouse Citigroup was one of the first US companies to see the business potential in India. "I think from an international perspective for Citigroup, India is important from a bottom line point of view, and will become even bigger as you go ahead," says Sanjay Nayar, Citigroup India's chief executive. With more than 1 billion people and a middle class larger than the population of the US, India is a market no global company can ignore, the documentary suggests. "It has grown by a Brazil in the last 10 years, and will grow by another Brazil in this decade," says Richard Celeste, former US ambassador to India. Early business pioneers often found rough going in India. Sanitation, water and roads -- bad enough today -- used to be deplorable. Indian markets were strangled with red tape and protectionism. To a great extent, they still are.
New Zealand win toss; elect to bat
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Faridabad, Oct 29 New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat in their one day international tri-series cricket match against Australia at the Nahar Singh stadium here today. Australia retained the same squad that played against India at Gwalior on Sunday. New Zealand included Chris Nevin in the team. Nevin replaces all-rounder Chris Cairns who was injured during the rain-washed tri-series opener against India at Chennai on Thursday. Teams: Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Bevan, Ian Harvey, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken. New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Chris Nevin, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori and Paul Hitchcock. Umpires: David Shephard (Eng) and S Venkataraghavan (Ind). Third umpire : I V Shivaram (Ind). Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).
Delhi High Court acquits Geelani, Sandhu in Par attack case
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 29 Delhi High Court today acquited suspended Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani and wife of a Kashmiri militant Navjot Sandhu in the Parliament attack case while confirming death sentence for two other accused in the case. A Bench of Justice Usha Mehra and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog upheld the verdict of the Special POTA Court holding Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists Mohd Afzal and Shaukat Hussain Guru, husband of Sandhu, guilty of waging war against the State and the award of capital penalty to them.
Rahman signs for The Lord of the Rings
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Music legend A. R. Rahman will write the songs for the West End version of the box office hit The Lord of the Rings. Kevin Wallace, producer of the film has made the announcement for the version, which will be staged next year. Rahman has been assigned to produce innovative songs for the staging, which is believed to be the most expensive ever handled over the West End. While speaking about the event, Wallace said that A.R.Rahman writes brilliant melodies with extraordinary quality and that the audience will adore his songs for sure. Rahman will also team up with the Finnish folk group Varttina for an 8 million pounds adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's famous trilogy. Wallace further added that some numbers will be written by Rahman and rest by Varttina and that they will also co-write some songs. Earlier, Rahman has also written for Bombay Dreams, a film by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
7 Killed as train rams into autorickshaw
Monday, October 27, 2003
AHMEDABAD: Seven people, including five women, were killed when a speeding train collided with an autorickshaw at an unmanned crossing near Gandhidham Town of Kutch district on Sunday, official sources said. The Bhuj Viramgaam passenger train, coming from Bhuj Town, rammed into the autorickshaw that failed to notice the train, Railway police said. All the seven occupants of the autorickshaw were killed in the mishap that occurred on Sunday afternoon between Gandhidham and Adipur, they said. Senior railway officials have rushed to the spot.
7 Killed as train rams into autorickshaw
Monday, October 27, 2003
AHMEDABAD: Seven people, including five women, were killed when a speeding train collided with an autorickshaw at an unmanned crossing near Gandhidham Town of Kutch district on Sunday, official sources said. The Bhuj Viramgaam passenger train, coming from Bhuj Town, rammed into the autorickshaw that failed to notice the train, Railway police said. All the seven occupants of the autorickshaw were killed in the mishap that occurred on Sunday afternoon between Gandhidham and Adipur, they said. Senior railway officials have rushed to the spot.
14,000 kgs of explosives seized in Varanasi
Monday, October 27, 2003
VARANASI: In a major haul of explosive material, police on Sunday seized about 14,000 kgs of carbide from a truck here and arrested three persons. The explosives kept in 280 drums were seized when the vehicle was searched on the morning during a routine checking, senior superintendent of police Subhash Chandra said. He said the explosives weighing 13,950 kgs were booked for Kanpur from Jaygaon in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal on September 26. However, the SSP said, it was suspected that the explosive material was being brought here to create disturbances. Three persons, including the driver and cleaner of the had have been arrested in this connection, he said.
Shalimar Express derail after blast on track
Monday, October 27, 2003
JAMMU: In the second attack on a train in six months, terrorists on Sunday night blasted a rail track derailing the engine and five bogies of Delhi-bound Shalimar Express at a place about 50km from here but there was no casualty, senior railway officials said. Jammu station superintendent Mulkraj Sharma said the blast on the rail track went off at a place between Sambha and Gagwal stations around 22.06 hours, almost an hour after Shalimar Express left Jammu Tawi station. Chief public relations office of Northern Railway Devendra Sandhu said the derailment took place soon after the explosion on the track. "All passengers are safe. No one is injured," he said. Asked who engineered the blast, Sandhu said, "It is too early to say that but keeping in mind the area, it could be said to be terrorist activity." The place where the blast took place is about ten km from the Line of Control with Pakistan and terrorists had in the past triggered a number of blasts in the area. Sharma said all the movement of all trains leaving and coming to Jammu have been suspended till the damaged tracks were restored. It will take 12-14 hours for the restoration, northern railway sources said. A medical relief train left for the blast site and senior army, railway and police officials reached the spot for rescue operations. Northern Railway general manager RR Jaruhar left Delhi for the spot with a rescue team.
Tendulkar, Laxman slam tons to beat Australia
Monday, October 27, 2003
GWALIOR (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar slammed 100 and Vangipurappu Laxman struck a stylish 102 as India beat world champions Australia by 37 runs in their triangular series one-day international on Sunday. It was the 35th one-day century by Tendulkar and second for Laxman as they came together for a 191-run stand to lay the foundation for India's 283 for five after stand-in skipper Rahul Dravid elected to bat. Australia replied with a 132-run opening partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden. But Gilchrist's departure for an entertaining 79-ball 83, including eight fours, sparked a top-order collapse in which four wickets tumbled for nine runs. The visitors never recovered to end on 246 for nine. Anil Kumble was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 10-1-28-2 and Zaheer Khan grabbed three wickets for 49. The first match of the tournament between India and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain at Madras last week.
US lawmakers urge Vajpayee to authorise Boeing sale to AI
Sunday, October 26, 2003
T V Parasuram Washington, Oct 25 Forty-five US Congressmen, including co-chair of India Caucus Joseph Crowley, have urged Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to authorise purchase of Boeing Aircraft by Air India, saying it will serve as a "great demonstration" of "strengthened" Indo-US commercial ties. Noting that India is currently looking to expand its fleet of commercial aircraft, Crowley said, "I am concerned that there has been no movement by the Government of India or the Air India Board to authorise the Boeing sale," "I am urging Prime Minister Vajpayee to authorise the sale as soon as possible. Air India's acquisition of Boeing aircraft will serve as a great demonstration of strengthened commercial relations between India and the US, something that the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans strives for," said Crowley. "Furthermore, the US economy is hurting and more than 3 million jobs have been lost since 2001. It is essential that we make the necessary effort to ensure this sale, which will result in sales of nearly $4 billion and produce almost 42,000 American jobs, providing a needed boost in jobs and exports." The Indian Government, the Congressmen note, is currently finalising the approval process on a pending major airplane purchase to upgrade AI.
India can play a positive leadership role in S Asia: Canada
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Chandigarh, Oct 25 Stressing that India can play a "positive leadership" role in helping to build a strong and secure South Asia, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien today said his country was committed to build a prosperous relationship between the two countries and identified certain key areas that could help in strengthening ties. "We see India as the economic engine driving cooperation in the South Asia region. India can play a positive leadership role in helping to build a strong and secure South Asia," Chretien said. He said Canada looks forward to working with India and its neighbours in achieving this goal through dialogue, goodwill and cooperation. He said the potential for improving ties covers many areas including trade and investment, political and institutional ties, academic and cultural relations, and cooperation on security matters through joint counter-terrorism working group. Chretien who was in Chandigarh to inaugurate the new Canadian Consulate General, said "its opening is yet another step in our committement to increasing people-to-people contacts and building a prosperous relationship between Canada and India". On his second visit to India, the first was in 1996, he underlined the fact that India was the second largest source of immigrants to Canada.
Iraq offers bigtime business opportunity for India
Sunday, October 26, 2003
K S R Menon Dubai, Oct 25 With Iraqi reconstruction set to begin shortly, the war-ravaged country offers bigtime business opportunity for India, according to an Iraqi consultant of an International Conference on Investment in Iraq to be held here in next February. "Indian companies have built hotels, roads and bridges in Iraq and Iraqis hold Indians in high regard" Uday al Kazwini said pointing out that such experience and goodwill could well be translated into business opportunity. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council, Iraqi Business Council, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and corporate chiefs from the Gulf and Asian Subcontinent will take part in the conferece to be held on February 17 and February 18 at the Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai. Kazwini who spent two months in Iraq recently said the world was getting a distorted picture of the happenings in Iraq and he felt ninety per cent of the people in Iraq were happy with the change in government in Baghdad. "Seventy percent of the people in Iraq want the US troops to stay right now as they know there will be problems if the Americans leave", he said "of course there are difficulties on the ground as the American troops do not understand Iraqi customs and habits". He said the security situation in Iraq was improving by the day which was good for business in Iraq. The conference on Iraq is being organised by the Dubai-based Global Resources.
India's foreign exchange reserves cross USD 91 billion
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Mumbai, Oct 25 After registering a rise of over US dollar two billion in the previous week, India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 962 million to cross the USD 91 billion mark in the week ended October 17. The country's foreign exchange reserves rose from USD 90,353 million to USD 91,315 million in the period under review, according to Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement released here today. The reserves have gone up mainly due to fresh inflows and depreciation of US dollar vis-a-vis other foreign currencies. RBI said the foreign currency assets grew by USD 962 million at USD 87,392 million. The Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) with the International Monetary Fund saw a decline of USD eight million. The apex bank said RTP may change from time to time due to India's transactions under the Financial Transaction Plan with the IMF as well as changes in special drawing right exchange rates vis-a-vis Rupee and US dollar. Gold reserves were static at USD 3,919 million while the special drawing rights remained unchanged at USD four million, it added. The loans and advances to Central government had a nil balance while that to state governments declined by Rs 2,708 crore at Rs 3,147 crore during the week ended October 17.
India cannot take depleted Aussies for granted : Dravid
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Gwalior, Oct 25 Indian skipper Rahul Dravid today said even though Australia were fielding a second-string bowling attack, his team could not afford to take the World Cup Champions for granted as they have been winning matches without key players as well. "If we look at their record in the past three and a half years, they have been winning matches even without some of their key players. Loss of key players does not seem to affect them," Dravid told reporters on the eve of India's one-day match against Australia here tomorrow. "We can take nothing for granted even if they are missing important players," he said. Australia are without their first choice bowling attack due to the forced absence of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting also said the team would not let the absence of the key bowlers affect them. "We look at it positively. It would be a test for everybody and also offer an opportunity to the fringe players to make an impression," Ponting said. Both skippers said the World Cup memories were behind them and they would like to start afresh in this tri-series which has New Zealand as the third team. Dravid conceded Australia played "some very good cricket" in the World Cup but said India would try to exploit the different conditions here and try and beat them in their first match after the World Cup tomorrow.
Peace proposals to Pak India's last effort: George Fernandes
Sunday, October 26, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 25 Defence Minister George Fernandes today said the slew of measures offered to Pakistan were part of India's "last effort" to take Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative to its logical end and make Islamabad sit across the negotiating table. "We did make an effort in the very first instance and that effort must be taken to its logical end," he told NDTV. "What the Prime Minister has done is to make one last effort to see that it is taken to its logical end. In other words, we succeed in bringing Pakistan to sit across the table to resolve whatever it is that divides us," Fernandes said. Asked whether he was quite categorical that it was the last effort made by the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister said "he (Vajpayee) used that term" during his public meeting in Sringar. Fernandes said a lot of people had tried to impress upon Vajpayee not to say that it was the last effort and we should continue to make efforts. "(But) the fact of the matter is that ultimately even the Prime Minister can get tired," he said.
India awaiting Pak response to peace proposals: Sinha
Saturday, October 25, 2003
New Delhi, Oct.24 India is awaiting a response from Pakistan to its fresh proposals for normalising ties but made it clear that there was no change in its position that bilateral talks could be resumed only after Islamabad put an end to cross-border terrorism. "Pakistan has said that it will consider the proposals seriouly. We will await their response," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told Zee TV. He said if both sides implemented the measures announced by India, it would help bring people of the two countries closer and put pressure on the Pakistani establishment to think. On the issue of resumption of talks, he said "this can take place only when cross-border terrorism stops. There is no change in our position on this issue". Asked about Pakistan's denial over the presence of underworld don Dawood Ibrhaim in that country, Sinha said after the US declared him a global terrorist, India had again asked Islamabad to hand him over. If this was not done, it will only prove that the Pakistan government was giving refuge to terrorists in their soil, he said. He said Pakistan has to realise that none of their objectives would be realised by supporting cross-border terrorism. "The day they realise this, the way for talks will be opened" and path cleared for normalisation of ties. On Centre's offer to hold talks with the Hurriyat Conference, he said a response from the separatist amalgam was awaited.
Seven ultras killed in encounters in J&K
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Jammu, Oct 24 Seven militants, including a top Lashker-e-Toiba ultra, and a civilian were killed in separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, where militants attacked a vehicle outside the office of the Anantnag deputy commissioner wounding a soldier, official sources said today. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation to track down a group of heavily armed militants who fired on an operation party in Malika-Darhal forest belt of Rajouri early today, they said. The militants fired a rifle grenade and opened heavy fire on troops who cordonned them from all the sides. In the ensuing encounter which was still on, two top Pakistani militants of the LeT, including its platoon commander Aslam Bhai, were killed at around 1.30 pm, the sources said. Two AK-56 rifles, six magazines, nine grenades, three ieds, 176 rounds, four UBGL grenades, medicines, one radio set and some ocuments were recovered from the spot, they said. Two Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militants, identified as Abu Hamas hailing from Pakistan and his local associate Faree Aahmad of Kugam were killed in a fierce encounter with Rashtriya Rifles troops at Vaihloo-Choudharygund village in Shopian of Pulwama this afternoon, they said.
Prince Charles to visit India for nine days
Saturday, October 25, 2003
H S Rao London, Oct 24 The heir to the British throne Prince Charles will undertake a nine-day visit to India beginning October 28 during which he will travel to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mumbai. The highlight of his tour will be a meeting with the President and the Vice President besides visiting a number of voluntary organisations. After a courtesy call on the President A P J Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Oct 29, Prince Charles will meet young Indian entrepreneurs and members of the consultative panel on youth entrepreneurship and employment and visit the impressive Delhi Metro System in operation. In the capital, Prince Charles will also visit the Delhi Brotherhood Social Development which teaches vocational skill to disadvantaged young people. He will attend the formal opening of a new course which trains unemployed youths to fit CNG equipment to vehicles. On Oct 30, Prince Charles' engagements include visit to a shelter for homeless women and see the work of Action Aid, Navdanya Organic Food Staff at Dilli Haat in Delhi and attend a seminar on complementary medicine. The next day he will visit the Resource Efficient TERI Retreat for Environmental Awareness and Training at Gurgaon and a day care centre for eighty under-five year old children at Karnal in Haryana.
Eighteen Indian companies in Forbes' list
Saturday, October 25, 2003
New York, Oct 24 As many as 18 Indian companies from software to entertainment giants, including Wipro, Infosys and Zee Films, have been listed by Forbes magazine among 200 successful companies outside the United States with annual sales of under one billion dollars. The magazine specially takes note of the Indian entrepreneurship in the tight world market, pointing out that the number of Indian companies has gone up to 18 this year from 13 last year and ten a year earlier. On this year's list are four software innovators -- Wipro, Infosys Technologies, Satyam Computers and Rolta India, four pharmaceutical companies - Dr Reddy's Labs, IPCA Laboratories, Nicholas Piramal, Sun Pharmaceutical, three banks - Corporation Bank, HDFC Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce and two containers and packaging firms - Cosmo Films and Essel Propack. Zee Films, Asian Paints, Bharat Forge (metal fabricators), Graphite India and Indo Gulf (fertilizers) also find place in the coveted list. Forbes pays tribute to the initiatives taken by Essel Propack which has a become a major player in the laminated tube markets, selling 3.5 billion tubes a year and is supplying the product to multinationals. Every third laminated tube sold worldwide is made by Essel and its vice chairman Ashok Geol is quoted as saying that the company plans to make that every second tube. The article profiles the aggressive policies followed by the company to make it a world player despite all odds.
Tata Group eyeing China's hospitality, auto, tea sectors
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Beijing, Oct 23 The Tata Group, one of India's top industrial houses, is actively pursuing opportunities in China to enter a host of sectors, including the hospitality, automobile and instant tea businesses, company officials said. "We have been in the China market for quite some time and our operations here are expanding rapidly. Now we are looking at investment opportunities in China," Senior Manager-Business Development of Tata South-East Asia Limited, Raymond Chua said. Tata South-East Asia limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Tata international, is based in Shanghai, China's largest city as well as the booming communist nation's business hub. Chua said that the Tata group was looking at investment opportunities in China in the hospitality industry in Shanghai as well as here in the Chinese capital, Beijing. "We are looking at various options, including takeover of an existing five-star hotel," he said. The company was eyeing three prestigious hotel projects that are coming up in the famous Bund area in Shanghai by 2007, he said. Appearing confident of China's hospitality industry, especially that in Shanghai, which is fast rising as an international metropolis, Chua said the existing five-star hotels in the city had a very high occupancy rate and there was enough room for more luxury hotels.
Peace package not India's weakness: Advani
Saturday, October 25, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 24 Asserting that talks with Pakistan would begin only after it dismantled terrorist infrastructure and put an end to cross-border terrorism, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said India's fresh peace package should not be construed as its weakness. "The Cabinet Committee on Security announced fresh measures because we want peace with everyone. However, these measures should not be misunderstood as a prelude for talks with Pakistan. Talks are possible only after terrorist infrastructure is dismantled and infiltration of militants is ended," Advani said addressing the 42nd raising day celeberations of Indo-Tibetan Border Police here. The Deputy Prime Minister termed Wednesday's peace proposals as a move for building confidence. "It should not be seen as our weakness..we are a peace-loving country." Advani said such steps were being taken because "India is a democratic country and we want to ensure prosperity of our people. But in Pakistan where democracy id missing, interests of a handful of army officers are kept in mind." He said India had time and again maintained that it was willing to talk on Kashmir issue. "The issue came into existence after the aggression of Pakistan in 1947. Hence whenever talks take place, it will be on entire Jammu and Kashmir including Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
'Ash is Queen of Bollywood'
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
NEW DELHI: Celebrating Indian cinema's arrival on the world stage, Time magazine has come out with a cover story on the changing face of Bollywood. It has projected Aishwarya Rai as "queen" and highlighted crossover movies, films with bold themes and increasing Western interest in it. With the former Miss World appearing on the magazine's cover, the weekly in its latest issue focuses on the young generation describing Aamir Khan as "India's most respected and versatile young actor" and praising Director Ram Gopal Varma for "ditching song-and-dance fantasies for urban grittiness." Heaping lavish praise on Rai, the magazine describes her as "India's standard bearer" and says, "she may position herself as New Bollywood in terms of roles, but in person, Rai embodies the Indian middle class -- and very old Bollywood -- ideal: a modern girl with traditional values. "For someone emerging as a 21st century film star, there are few people less likely to turn into a western style sex kitten." The magazine points out that the Indian film industry relased an avergae 1000 films compared to Hollywood's 740 and attracted a world audience, from Kuala Lumpur to Cape Town, of 3.6 billion, compared to Hollywood's 2.6 billion. It lists Awara, Mother India, Sholay, Ankur, Bombay and Devdas among the "ten Indian films to treasure." The story, including interviews with legendary Amitabh Bachchan, Mira Nair and others, however, has little to say about the film industry in Chennai and Kolkata.
Why Ash loves Binodini
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
After winning critical acclaim at Locarno, Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali screened at the 34th International Film Festival of India on October 19. The film, which is a stylised adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's novel, stars Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai and budding actress Raima Sen. It is set in the Bengal of 1902 and explores the travails of a widow in the backdrop of the nascent freedom movement. Presenting his film Ghosh, who was accompanied by Aishwarya and Raima, said, "This film is not a magnum leap from my earlier themes. It continues with the recurrent human motifs of alienation, solitude and bonding as in my earlier movies." Some changes were made when the novel was adapted to the screen, the director said at a crowded press conference in New Delhi. "I have given the film a backdrop of nationalism, a sense of creeping rebellion which runs parallel to the journey of the woman protagonist," he said. Aishwarya, who plays Binodini, a young widow who falls in love with her best friend's husband, said there could not have been a better combination for her first Bengali film. "This was the best combination I could have hoped for -- Rituparno as the director, Tagore's novel and Binodini as the character. "The director helped me step into the character easily despite the language barrier. Though I am a South Indian and Bengali was a completely new language for me, I did not face any problems. Rituparno was very patient and helped me understand the character very well." Ghosh said both Aishwarya and Raima's dialogues were dubbed by well-known Bengali actresses as the Bengali spoken 100 years ago was very different from the language's present form. Had the two been playing contemporary characters, he would have allowed them to dub for themselves, he added. Raima, who plays the character of Ashalata in the film, said her grandmother, the legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, helped her prepare for the role. "She read the novel and explained the story to me." "Binodoni is very special to me as it is one of the deepest characters I have essayed till now," Aishwarya said. The film, shot in 40 days flat with a budget of Rs 2 crores, is about the marginalised sections of society, women in general and widows in particular, Ghosh said.
I'm not a politician: Hema Malini
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
NEW DELHI: Are Rajya Sabha seats wasted on actors, who barely participate in House proceedings? Dream girl Hema Malini, busy doing home work on her new role, says not. But she is also not ready to answer questions on issues confronting the country, like the Indo-Pak issue or even punishment for rape. Her concern, says the aging beauty, are art and culture, not politics. Hema Malini also reveals that while she is overwhelmed by the response to her comeback film Baghbaan , she is not exactly inundated by good roles yet. So till she gets them, she is happy dancing. And yes, playing MP to "give back to the country that has given her so much.".
Saurav Ganguly recovering slowly: doctors
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Kolkata, Oct 21 Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly is slowly recovering following back-to-back surgeries to cure an abscess in his left thigh, doctors said today. Ganguly is cheerful and taking daily walks in his room as his condition is showing slow improvement, doctors said. "The pain seems to have reduced considerably," Pradip Tondon, administrator of a nursing home where Ganguly was admitted on Saturday, told. Dr Sukumar Mukherjee, a leading member of the Medical Board formed to treat the cricketer, said Ganguly's leucocyte count, which was much above normal when he was admitted, has come down. "The count is now near normal. The indications are that he is improving, albeit slowly," Mukherjee said. Ganguly, who had two surgeries in five days for the abscess, felt less pain when the doctors dressed the wound today. The doctors are awaiting the blood culture report, which is expected tomorrow. Ganguly's stay in the nursing home has already been extended till Saturday as he needed daily dressing for the next few days. Ganguly was cheerful and taking walks in his room, Tondon said. The dashing southpaw, who missed the second Test against New Zealand at Mohali due to the infection, has been already ruled out of the first two matches of the triangular one-day series beginning on October 23.
MUL challenges Tatas to make cars cheaper than Maruti 800
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Hamatsu (Japan), Oct India's largest car maker Maruti Udyog (MUL) today said it was ready to meet any challenge from India's indigenous car maker Tata Motors which has claimed to be working on an entry-level car that would cost between Rs 1.25-1.5 lakhs, much below the largest selling Maruti 800. "We will meet the challenge," MUL Chairman S Nakanishi told visiting journalists when his attention was drawn to the claim of the Tatas that they would come out with the most economical entry-level car. "We have heard about Ratan Tata saying he will produce a car for Rs 1.25-1.5 lakh. But, I still believe that Maruti 800 is the most economical car in the world," Nakanishi said. Emphasising that Maruti 800, which accounts for about 35 per cent sales of the Rs 9,000 crore car joint venture, was still the preferred entry-level car in India, he said "I do not know if somebody can make it (car costing below Maruti 800). Let us see". MUL, a JV started between Suzuki Motor Corp. of Japan and Government of India way back in 1983, has ruled the Indian car industry on the strength of Maruti 800, which, the company claims to be a "peoples car". The existing entry-level car saw MUL taking about 80 per cent share of the Indian car market in 1998 with total company sales now touching about four lakh units per annum. HOME CLOSE
Secret Saudi-Pak pact on nuclear co-op : report
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Washington, Oct 22 Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reached a secret agreement on cooperation to develop a Saudi nuclear bomb, a media report said here. The secret nuclear pact was agreed upon at the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz's two-day Pakistan visit which concluded late Sunday night, United Press International reported. Quoting an "unimpeachable", ranking Pakistani source, who is also a "knowledgeable insider", UPI said the two countries concluded a secret agreement on cooperation to forge a Saudi nuclear bomb. "It will be vehemently denied by both countries but," the source said, adding "but future events will confirm that Pakistan has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with the wherewithal for a nuclear deterrent." Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler Abdul Aziz, Defence Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and several cabinet ministers were in Islamabad for a "lightning and hastily arranged" state visit, it claimed. The pro-American Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan, who is next in line to succeed to the throne after Abdul Aziz, was not part of the delegation, it said.
CFL,CFTRI tests didn't show pest residue in softdrinks
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 21 Tests conducted by Central Food Technological Research Institute and Central Food Laboratories did not show any presence of pesticide residue in samples of soft drinks prior to the presentation of the CSE report revealing its high presence, the JPC Chairman Sharad Pawar said here today. The Chairman of the committee, probing pesticide residues in and safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages, told reporters that the committee had the option to call the CSE for any further clarifications. He said, however, the new sample tests by CFL and CFTRI revealed presence of pesticide residue soon after the CSE tests. In reply to a query, Pawar said none of the soft drink manufacturers have communicated their intention to appear before the JPC so far even though the committee had made it clear that any of its representative could approach the JPC. He said that during the two-day meeting which concluded today, it was told that prior to the presentation of the CSE report which claimed presence of high pesticide residues in some soft drinks, the CFL and CFTRI samples taken from some plants did not reveal any pesticide residue. In deference to the wishes of the JPC, the Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi allowed setting up of a three member committee of scientists to assist the committee. The three members -- S.K.Khanna, N.P Agnihotri and G. Thyagarajan -- were present in the meeting on both days, Pawar said.
Microsoft India launches MS Office 2003
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 21 In its latest offering, Microsoft India today unveiled MS Office 2003 system which includes programme servers, solutions and services to enable the users to access, integrate and utilise information from disparate sources. As part of the launch system, the company also introduced three products -- MS Information Path, MS Onenote and Office Line Communication Server. In the MS Office 2003, the company has included Information Rights Management capabilities that would obstruct unauthorised access and use of e-mails and documents. "We expect traction to come from banking and financial serrvices, IT services, IT-enabled services and manufacturing verticals", Managing Director, Microsoft India, Rajiv Kaul, said at the launch.
Microsoft India launches MS Office 2003
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 21 In its latest offering, Microsoft India today unveiled MS Office 2003 system which includes programme servers, solutions and services to enable the users to access, integrate and utilise information from disparate sources. As part of the launch system, the company also introduced three products -- MS Information Path, MS Onenote and Office Line Communication Server. In the MS Office 2003, the company has included Information Rights Management capabilities that would obstruct unauthorised access and use of e-mails and documents. "We expect traction to come from banking and financial serrvices, IT services, IT-enabled services and manufacturing verticals", Managing Director, Microsoft India, Rajiv Kaul, said at the launch.
Govt raises election expenditure ceiling for candidates
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 21 Taking a "practical" view of poll expenses incurred by individual candidates, the Union Cabinet today decided to raise the ceiling of expenditure by them for Lok Sabha elections from Rs 15 to Rs 25 lakh and those for the coming assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh from Rs six to Rs ten lakh. The ceiling for election expenses for candidates contesting for Delhi assembly polls will go up from Rs five to Rs nine lakh while that for Mizoram will be raised from Rs three to Rs five lakh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after the Cabinet meeting where the decisions were taken. The notification for raising the poll expenditure limit for the Lok Sabha and assemblies in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram would be issued shortly for the benefit of candidates in the five states which go polls in six weeks. "With the raising of the ceiling of expenditure for Parliamentary constituencies as well as assembly constituencies will make the election expenses more realistic and practical", Swaraj said. In another decision related to elections, the Cabinet decided to amend the Delimitation Act, 2002 to carry out delimitation of constituencies on the basis of 2001 census instead of 1991 census.
Seven of a marriage party killed in Doda
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Jammu, Oct 22 Seven persons were killed and one seriously injured in a shooting spree on a marriage party due to family rivalary in Pul Doda, about 170 kms from here, last night, police said today. Six persons, who had some family dispute, came to the house of Niaz Mehmood, where a marriage was going on, at Pul Doda at around 2200 hours yesterday and allegedly resorted to indiscriminate firing from their weapons, a police spokesman said here. Four persons - Tariq Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed and Sajjad Ahmed - died on the spot while two others, Mohammad Amin and Ijaj Ahmed, succumed to their injuries in the district hospital, he said, adding another Altaf Ahmed breathed his last while on way from Doda to Jammu. One seriously injured has been brought here and admitted in government medical college hospital. The accused who resorted to firing have been identified as Javed, Mushataq, Ishaq, Iqbal, Ashfaq and Mushtaq Ahmed, the spokesman said, adding four of these have already been arrested. Efforts were on to arrest others involved in the killing, he added.
Woman gang-raped twice in Bihar
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
In a shocking incident, a 35-year-old woman returning home from her parent's village was gang-raped twice in Jehanabad town in Bihar. The woman had arrived from Bhaisma village in Jehanabad district to the bus stop in Jehanabad town on Sunday on her way to her home in Saidpur village. Since it was beyond 8:00 pm, there were no buses on that route. She therefore accepted the offer of some persons in a jeep passing by to drop her in Saidpur, Superintendent of Police Anil Kishore Yadav said. The five persons in the jeep stopped at a nearby dhaba for dinner. Later, instead of being driven home, she was gang-raped in the jeep and thrown out at the bus stop. Her ordeal did not end there. She was forcibly picked up by another passing jeep and gang-raped again. Local residents found the woman's son crying at the bus stand and took him to the police. He narrated what had transpired. The woman was subsequently rescued from a Bihar State Electricity Board store in the town around midnight. The guard there, Manjeet Rout, and five others, including the drivers of the two jeeps, were arrested in the raids that followed, Yadav said.
Two killed, 57 injured in grenade blasts in J-K
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Srinagar, Oct 20 Two civilians were killed and 57 injured as militants struck with grenades at two crowded places within a span of one-and-a-half-hour in Kashmir valley today, official sources said. In the first incident at around 3.30 pm, militants lobbed a grenade towards a BSF picket at busy Batmaloo bus stand in central Srinagar which fell short of the target and exploded on the road injuring 51 people, including an army jawan, they said. The injured were rushed to hospital where one of them, identified as Abdul Rashid Sheikh of Tral area of Pulwama district, succumbed, the sources said. Militants tossed a grenade targeting a moving security vehicle at the busy business centre of Lal Chowk in Anantnag district, headquarters of south Kashmir, at around 5 pm, they said. The grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the road, killing Mohammad Yousuf Wagay and injuring seven others, they added.
Saudi Arabia for peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
K J M Varma Islamabad, Oct 20 Observing that peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan is the "right way", Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal has said that Riyadh wanted to see "wise leadership" from President Pervez Musharraf in seeking peace in the region. Addressing a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpar Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri here yesterday, Saud said Saudi Arabia was ready to do everything that could help in reaching a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue. "We will do everything that we can to help in bringing about this peaceful settlement, which is the main problem that divides the two countries and that threatened the region. So anything we can do to settle the issue of Kashmir we will certainly do that." He, however, said Saudi Arabia was interested in and "what we think is a wise leadership from Musharraf in seeking peaceful settlement with India as the right way to go." Expressing concern over the emerging Israeli-India military relationship, Saud said, "indeed, what we are hearing of this cooperation is that it is aimed not at the good of the region but to inflame the region, to further add to the arms race in the Region."
BSNL slashes ISD tariffs by upto 70% for one month
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 20 State run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd today slashed international long distance (ISD) tariffs by a massive 70 per cent on account of the festive season, beginning October 21 mid-night to November 21. All calls to USA, Canada and European countries (except UK) would now cost just Rs 9.60 a minute, down from Rs 24, and calls to UK would cost Rs 7.20 a minute. The pulse rate for UK would be 10 seconds and for USA, Canada and other European countries the pulse rate would be 7.5 seconds. The promotional scheme would be applicable to all basic, cellular, WLL mobile and PCOs, BSNL officials said here. BSNL, however, has not revised the ISD rates for other countries.
Laxman prevents India's debacle; Test drawn
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
M R Mishra Mohali, Oct 20 India put their enviable home reputation in jeopardy before relying on V V S Laxman's class and determination to save the blushes as the two-match Test series against New Zealand ended in a draw here today. After failing to avoid the follow-on by just seven runs, the hosts were in real danger of suffering their first series defeat at home for a fairly long time after being 18 for three at one stage. But Laxman (67 not out) and newcomer Aakash Chopra (52) saved the day with a resolute 110-run fourth wicket partnership. The Indians were a pale shadow of themselves as they struggled right through the final day to save the embarrassment of a defeat and also to keep their reputation intact in what was billed as the 'revenge series'. The Indians scored 136 for four in their second innings before play was called off with six mandatory overs still remaining. The visitors raised hopes of recording their first-ever series win on Indian soil after dramatically bundling out India for 424, seven runs short of the follow-on target and then tightening the grip on the match by making early inroads into the formidable Indian batting line up. Although the Test series ended in a draw, New Zealand definitely emerged the moral victors having outplayed the hosts in almost all the departments of the game in their own den.
Sharad Pawar sends confusing signals to Congress
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 20 Sending conflicting signals in the wake of his controversial statement on Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, NCP President Sharad Pawar today sought an alliance with the Congress in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra but stuck to his party stand that only a person of Indian origin should occupy high constitutional post like Prime Minister. "It was a casual remark...I had not taken the name of Sonia Gandhi. You don't talk everything serious in public meetings...some jokes and lighter things are also necessary," Pawar told reporters here when asked about his remarks at a party rally which threatened to break the party's coalition with Congress in Maharashtra. Asked whether the question of foreign origin of Gandhi was still a valid issue, he said that his party believed that the country should be led by those born and brought up here and high posts like President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker and Chief Justice should be managed by them. Pawar declined to commit anything when asked whether he would raise the foreign origin issue in the Lok Sabha polls, but emphasised he does not see the possibility of a Congress-led Government at the Centre after the elections. The NCP Chief, however, wanted the Congress to decide well in advance on the issue of tie-up with his party in Maharashtra maintaining that an alliance would benefit both the parties.
PSLV places Resourcesat-1 in orbit successfully
Monday, October 20, 2003
Sriharikota:THE PSLV-C5 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) that lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here today placed in orbit Resourcesat-1, the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-P6). A sombre, overcast sky and continuous drizzle formed the backdrop for what the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) officials described as a text book launch, the eighth in a row for the PSLV proving its capability as a work horse, they said. The launch vehicle took to the skies at 10.22 am and placed the 1,360 kg satellite in a 821 km high polar sun synchronous orbit 18 minutes later. The orbital injection point was reached at the precise velocity and the satellite separated after going through the planned flight events. The solar panels deployed as expected and the satellite has been ideally placed and the tracking stations were receiving all-fine signals. Data from the satellite is expected in a week's time. The ISRO Chairman, Mr Madhavan Nair, addressing reporters after the launch, said that the perfect launch under far-from-ideal weather conditions proved PSLV's worth as an all-weather vehicle and the expertise available with ISRO, which is launching a satellite under such weather conditions for the first time. This is PSLV's eighth flight, and it has launched six Indian satellites and has carried piggyback, four small satellites for international customers. The data will be of an enhanced quality as compared to that of the IRS-1C and IRS-1D, both of which the RESOURCESAT-1 will replace. The IRS-1C and IRS-1D have outlived their design life and will be phased out with the RESOURCESAT-1 taking over their role. The transition will happen over the coming months, he said. Making all this possible are three cameras, a high resolution Linear Imaging Self Scanner (LISS-4) capable of stereoscopic imagery, a medium resolution LISS-3 with 23.5 metre spatial resolution and an advanced Wide Field Sensor.
Reliance buys overseas co for Rs 1,000 cr
Monday, October 20, 2003
MUMBAI: The Reliance group has announced its first ever major overseas acquisition on Thursday, through group company Reliance Infocomm. Reliance Gateway Net, a 100% subsidiary of Reliance Infocomm, will acquire global undersea telecommunications operator FLAG Telecom Group. The all-cash deal, valued at $207m (about Rs 950 crore), was approved by the FLAG board today, RIL’s vice-chairman and MD Anil Ambani said. The pricing, at $95.61 a share, is at a premium of more than 50% over the closing price of $63 on October 15. (Can Reliance be a major player in the global telecom sector?) FLAG Telecom, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, went into bankruptcy in ’02 with a debt of over $4bn. It has since re-emerged after Chapter 11 proceedings, during which lenders took over the company. FLAG provides wholesale network services to telecommunications carriers, ISPs, content providers and other broadband operators around the world. With access to over 50,000 km of undersea fibre optic network, and two hubs in London and the Middle-East, the deal catapults Reliance into the big telecom league internationally. In a statement from London, Patrick Gallagher, co-chairman and CEO of FLAG Telecom, said, We believe this premium offer by Reliance to acquire FLAG represents a strong endorsement of FLAG’s operating strategy and is in the best interests of our shareholders. Reliance is already a key customer on the FLAG global network, one of the most extensive in the world today. A meeting of FLAG Telecom’s shareholders is expected to be held in December ’03 to approve the amalgamation. "The acquisition at Rs 1,000 crore is a good deal because Reliance has spent over Rs 3,000 crore on building a fibre optic network in India, analysts here said. The company can cater to the emerging needs of call and data centres, who had to earlier go through 3-4 intermediaries like VSNL, BSNL and MTNL for their linkages, they said. FLAG already has an established customer base of over 180 leading operators, including the top 10 international carriers. FLAG went into Chapter 11 in April ’02, only two years after an IPO that raised $570m. Reliance Infocomm, the new economy arm of the Reliance Group, has around 4.5m customers in over 400 cities and a nation-wide fibre optic network capable of supporting broadband services. It also has licences to offer domestic and international long-distance services in India. It offers limited mobility services using CDMA technology.
Four killed, eleven injured in ropeway accident in Darjeeling
Monday, October 20, 2003
Darjeeling: At least four people, including two women and a child, were killed and eleven injured, six of them critically, when two cabins of a ropeway carrying them fell 100 mt down here today. Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Sanjay Chandra said altogether three cabins suddenly got disconnected and fell down. Of the three, two were carrying tourists, while there was no occupant in the other one. Mr Chandra said the cabins got disconnected due to some technical fault. The injured had been shifted to Siliguri hospital, where the condition of six was stated to be critical. The ropeway with altogether 16 cabins was en route to Darjeeling from Takvhar valley. The remaining 13 cabins had returned safely. The Forest Development Corporation officials had been camping there. Army and Air Force personnel had rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operation on war-footing.
Mother Teresa 's beatification today, fifth from India
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Kolkata, Oct 19 Mother Teresa's beatification today puts her in line with four other Roman Catholic religious persons from India so far declared 'blessed' or beatified by the Vatican and assigned feast days in accordance with laws of the Roman Catholic Church. According to Church sources here, all the four have been beatified at various points of Pope John Paul-II's reign, a testimony of his personal interest in creating as many role models as possible within the Roman Catholic Church. While the Pope waived the customary five-year period for the sainthood process for Mother Teresa to begin and declared her 'beatified' within six years of her death in 1997, data available with the Church indicate that it took nearly a century after their death for other four candidates to be elevated to the blessed status. Of the four, Blessed Joseph Vaz was born on April 21, 1651 at Benaulim, Goa. He was ordained priest in 1676 after which, he travelled extensively on foot along the Western coast and into Sri Lanka. He died in Kandi, Sri Lanka on January seven, 1711. Fr Vaz was declared blessed by Pope John Paul-II on July six, 1997. His feast day is on January seven.
Lankan PM begins three-day visit to India today
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Lankan PM begins three-day visit to India today COLOMBO: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave for India today on a three-day official visit to discuss with the Indian leaders bilateral economic and trade ties as well as matters pertaining to the ongoing peace process with the Tamil Tiger rebels. During his stay in New Delhi, Mr Wickremesinghe will meet Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, opposition leader Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders and think-tanks, officials here said. The two countries are likely to enter into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further improve the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the two neighbours, according to officials. A Joint Study Group has already prepared the framework of CEPA, which is to be submitted to the two Prime Ministers when they meet, for their approval. The officials, who took part in the recently concluded India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting, also said that the implementation of the CEPA would take the two countries to a 'qualitatively new level of engagement' by intensifying and deepening bilateral economic interaction. Mr Wickremesinghe is leaving for India at a time when a top LTTE delegation has returned to the island nation after lengthy consultation with its foreign legal and constitutional experts in Dublin and Oslo. The Wickremesinghe-led United National Front (UNF) government had said on Thursday that it was expecting the LTTE's alternative proposals for the creation of the interim administrative structure in the North-East before the end of October and expressed optimism that the preliminary discussions with the rebels could start by the end of November or early December.
Sehwag on rampage, India 203 for one at stumps
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Sehwag on rampage, India 203 for one at stumps MOHALI: Virender Sehwag gave ample proof of his class with a scintillating century as India gave a befitting reply to New Zealand's imposing first innings total on the third day of the series-deciding second cricket Test here yesterday. Sehwag was batting on 128 while stand-in captain Rahul Dravid was on nine to take India to 203 for one when stumps were drawn for the day. The 24-year-old Sehwag set the PCA Stadium ablaze with an array of blistering strokes to not only notch up his fourth Test century but also help India give a good reply to New Zealand's first innings total of 630 for six declared. India need 228 runs more to avoid the follow-on. The Delhi opener, often criticised for throwing away his wicket after getting the starts, did justice to his potential tearing the Kiwi bowling attack to shreds on a track which showed no signs of deteriorating. Sehwag's runs came off 213 balls with the help of 16 fours and two sixes. Dravid was quite subdued considering his good form and he took 55 balls to score his nine runs as his first Test as skipper appeared heading for a draw. After New Zealand declared their innings 40 minutes before the lunch break, Sehwag and Akash Chopra (60) showed no signs of being under any pressure, providing a solid platform with a 164-run opening partnership.
India makes strong presence at GITEX 2003
Sunday, October 19, 2003
India makes strong presence at GITEX 2003 DUBAI: Indian Information Technology leaders from both the software and hardware industry have made a strong presence at Gitex 2003, a premier weeklong IT exhibition in the region beginning here yesterday. More than 1,600 companies from 37 countries are participating in Qitex 2003 which also serves as the launch pad for new technologies and products in the region. Statewise Andhra Pradesh has come to Gitex in a big way to attract exhibitors to participate in GITEX Hyderabad, scheduled to take place at the HITEX International Exhibition Centre between January 12th and 14th, 2004. "India's core strengths in end to end business solutions, wireless products, mobile services, financial services etc. will be presented by IT majors like Wipro, Adcom computers, Consign Technology and other companies," Kamal Vachani, Regional Director, Electronics and Computer Software Exports Council (ESC), Dubai said. Many small and medium companies from India are attending Qitex 2003 under the auspices of ESE, Government of India.
BJP working under pressure of secular forces: Singhal
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Oct 18 In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Ashok Singhal today said he was "taking the BJP closer to secularism as a result of which the very foundation of the party stands threatened". "Those who are the leading the BJP are taking it closer to secularism, which was never the basis of the party", Singhal told here. He said that the VHP was "dead against secularists" and alleged that the "BJP is working under the pressure of secular forces". "Secularists are not bigger than Ram", he said adding "the people will desert those who have abandoned Ram". He said that such people should ponder over as to why the BJP was pushed to the third spot in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had abandoned the Ram temple issue and now the people would abandon them, Singhal said. He, however, advised the BJP not to abandon the temple issue even if it meant sacrificing the government. "What is the harm in having a Bill for temple construction defeated on the floor of Parliament and then going to the polls on this issue", he asked. "The people of the country want a Ram temple in Ayodhya," he said.
HSBC to shift jobs to India
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Oct 17 Amid threats of legal action by its union, UK's banking giant HSBC has announced its decision to shift 4,000 jobs to India, China and Malaysia in the biggest single export of finance positions to Asia. The decision comes just months after the bank blamed rising national insurance costs and increasing government regulation for 1,400 jobs cuts at its head office. HSBC, which has more than 45,000 staff in the UK and about 100,000 worldwide, said that the jobs in call centres and processing would be moved overseas in tranches over the next three years. Bill Dalton, HSBC's chief executive said the job cuts were "essential" for the bank's continued success. He said the decision reflected HSBC's "responsibility to all its stakeholders to remain efficient and competitive." He said "The creation of new jobs in developing countries such as India, China and Malaysia is a very positive contribution to their economies." Unifi, the financial workers' unions, said it would fight the move "tooth and nail" and was considering industrial action. The bank said 1,500 positions would move from Britain in 2004, another 2,000 in 2005 and 500 more in 2006. Of the 4,000 jobs to be moved, 1,300 will go from HSBC's processing centres in Birmingham, Swansea, Sheffield and Brentwood, Essex, which will close by the end of 2005.
Advani asks Pak to hand over 20 terrorists
Saturday, October 18, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 18 Asking Islamabad to stop supporting and sponsoring terrorism before the world treats it as a pariah, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said a "new chapter" in Indo-Pak relations could be opened if the neighbouring country hands over 20 terrorists wanted here. He said the terrorist attacks like that on the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Srinagar yesterday would not affect the government's resolve to achieve victory over terrorism. "A new chapter can be opened in Indo-Pak relations if Islamabad hands over Dawood Ibrahim and other 19 terrorists whose list has been given to Pakistan last year," Advani said while inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of Antar-Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad here. Pointing out that the US government had declared Dawood as a "global terrorist", he said the External Affairs Ministry had again asked Pakistan to comply with India's demand of handing over the 20 terrorists. "Pakistan should think. It should either shun the path (of sponsoring terrorism) or the way the world is reacting, it would be treated as a pariah," he said, adding "some countries are saying it, some others are not saying so yet as they feel it can be useful to them." "We have to achieve victory over terrorism on our own strength but we want to make the world understand that no country is immune to the threat," he said.
McMillan gets ton as Kiwis declare at 630 for six
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Mohali, Oct 18 Craig McMillan joined the party with an unbeaten hundred as New Zealand declared their first innings at a mammoth 630 for six, 40 minutes before the lunch break on the third day of the series-deciding second cricket Test against India here today. McMilllan became the fourth centurion for the Kiwis who accumulated 94 quick runs in the morning session before declaring their innings, leaving India with a challenging task of scoring 431 runs to avoid the follow on. India were 15 for no loss at the lunch break with Virender Sehwag on 8 and Akash Chopra on 6. Resuming at the overnight score of 536 for five, the Kiwis lost an early wicket in the morning with leg spinner Anil Kumble managing to evict Robbie Hart who added just one run to his overnight tally of 10. Hart tried to go for a big shot but missed the line to be clean bowled and give Kumble his third wicket of the innings. Daniel Vettori, who joined the action after Hart's departure, made his intentions clear as he attacked the Indian bowlers from the word go while MicMillan was equally aggresive at the other end. The lanky spinner, who played a crucial batting role for his team with a gritty 60 in the first Test in Ahmedabad, was not afraid to use his feet against the spinners and repeatedly swept Kumble to fetch runs. He even tried the reverse sweep to good effect much to the frustration of the Indian bowlers.
VHP leader Togadia detained while heading to Ayodhya
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Lucknow, Oct 18 VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia was today detained at Amausi airport here while heading towards Ayodhya to attend a meeting of the oufit there, a top police officer said.
Microsoft releases 'critical' fixes
Friday, October 17, 2003
Microsoft released its first monthly security update on Wednesday, following a new schedule that attempts to ease the load on overburdened system administrators. The first update consists of five vulnerabilities deemed "critical" by the software giant, the top rating that Microsoft assigns to security flaws. The ranking is used to designate security flaws that could allow online vandals to take control of a user's computer or create an Internet worm that could spread from system to system. "All of the five critical (vulnerabilities) are, of course, critical, so that means they are wormable," said Jeff Jones, senior director of Microsoft's security business unit. Three of the critical flaws affect all of the Windows operating systems currently supported by Microsoft, including various editions of Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Another critical flaw affects only Windows 2000, and the fifth such flaw affects Microsoft's Exchange Server 5.5 and Exchange 2000 Server products. More information on the flaws--numbered MS03-041 to MS03-047--can be found on Microsoft's security Web page. The software giant's move to a monthly from a primarily weekly patch release schedule is a major change for system administrators bogged down by a to-do list of fixes to apply to Windows computers. Microsoft believes the new schedule will help administrators deal with the workload. The software giant's CEO, Steve Balmer, said that the monthly schedule will help companies prepare to patch computers. Microsoft revealed several other security initiatives at the event, including a reduction in the ways that administrators get patches, better consumer education, and improving the default security of its products. "I would advise them (administrators) to take the mitigation step of turning off that service and, of course, apply the patch," he said.
Team India continue to toil
Friday, October 17, 2003
NEW DELHI: After being hammered for 247 runs with only the wicket of Lou Vincent in the kitty, Rahul Dravid's options for the second day are three-fold. First ask his pacemen, Zaheer and Balaji to make use of the early lateral movement and bounce, bowl straight and get rid of Styris who has still not settled down. The second approach would be to dry up the runs by asking the bowlers to bowl to the field and come out with imaginative field placements. Thirdly, Dravid needs to have a pep talk with the spin duo of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble and ask them to attack and keep the runs down at the same time. And perhaps try Sachin, Sehwag and even Yuvraj in bursts. New Zealand on the other hand will be looking to step up the run rate. In spite of losing just one wicket on the opening day Stephen Fleming would have been a bit disappointed with the score of 247/1. The Kiwis looked good for reaching 325 by stumps. On a track that is not offering great assistance to the bowlers, the best strategy for India would be to dry up the runs and elicit false shots from the Kiwi batsmen. Having said that India also have to bat out two complete days, if they want to save the Test.
7 secs is all it takes to download a movie!
Friday, October 17, 2003
Researchers have set a new world record for sending data over the net, which is supposedly 20,000 times faster than a typical home broadband connection. Two major scientific research centres said on Wednesday they had set a new world speed record for sending data across the Internet, equivalent to transferring a full-length DVD film in seven seconds. The European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN, said the feat, doubling the previous top speed, was achieved in a nearly 30-minute transmission over 7,000 kms of network between Geneva and a partner body in California. CERN, whose laboratories straddle the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva, said it had sent 1.1 Terabytes of data at 5.44 gigabits a second (Gbps) to a lab at the California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, on October 1. Olivier Martin of CERN, which is also the European Laboratory for Particle Physics and home to a hugely ambitious particle-smashing project to unravel the fundamental laws of nature, hailed the feat as a milestone. Harvey Newman of Caltech, another of the world's major research centres, said the achievement boosted hopes that systems operating at 10 gigabits per second "will be commonplace in the relatively near future."
Centre to help J&K promote IT sector: Shourie
Friday, October 17, 2003
Srinagar, Oct 16 Assuring that the Centre would extend all possible support to promote IT sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Communications and IT Minister, Arun Shourie today announced setting up of 139 community information centres in the state to help promote the sector in a big way. The information centres would be located at all the block headquarters in the state and sixty of these would be set up within one year itself, Shourie said inaugurating a day-long seminar on 'citizen empowerment/citizen e-powerment' here. Shourie said these would be fully equipped to provide information even to the farmers about the market rates of various agriculture produce and expert advice on internet for agriculture related problems. This ambitious project would cost Rs 41 crore, the minister said. He said his ministry, in collaboration with universities in Jammu and Kashmir, would select brilliant IT students and send them to work with leading companies in country to help them get the necessary exposure, and they in turn can set up their own ventures in the state. This would help in creating employment opportunities to a large extent, Shourie said, adding that setting up of call centres would also be encouraged in the state. The Minister said that services at software technology park here would be improved and effort would be made to ensure voice connectivity expeditiously as data connectivity facility was already there.
US brands Dawood as Global Terrorist
Friday, October 17, 2003
Washington, Oct 17 In a major move, the United States has designated India's most-wanted underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, staying in Pakistan, as a global terrorist having common cause with Al Qaeda and financing activites of Lashkar-e-Toiba and other Islamic extremists aimed at destablising the Indian government. The US Treasury Department yesterday announced that Dawood Ibrahim alias Sheikh Dawood Hassan, who is wanted in India for the 1993 Bombay serial blasts, has been put in the list of "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" and his assets within the US have been frozen. The designation freezes any assets belonging to Ibrahim within the US and prohibits transactions with American nationals, the announcement said, adding Washington will now request the United Nations to list the mafia don in pursuance of relevant Security Council resolutions.
US decision on Dawood a "good step", says Swamy
Friday, October 17, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 17 Minister of State for Home I D Swamy today said the US decision to designate underworld don Dawood Ibrahim as a "global terrorist" was a "good step, though belated". "This is a good step, though belated. I think mighty powers of the world like the US and England should take such a stand against all global terrorists and terrorist organisations," he told news channel NDTV 24X7. He said "in fact, we have always been trying this from the very beginning. A list of 20 persons was given by the Deputy Prime Minister to Musharraf Saheb (Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf) demanding that they be handed over". US Treasury Department yesterday announced that Dawood, wanted in India for the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai, has been put in the list of "Specially Designated Global Terrorists" and his assets in the United States stand frozen.
Opening onsalught puts Kiwis in driver's seat
Friday, October 17, 2003
Opening onslaught puts Kiwis in driver's seat M R Mishra Mohali, Oct 16 Lou Vincent and Mark Richardson struck heroic centuries as they joined hands to script a huge 231-run opening stand and put New Zealand in complete control of the series-deciding second cricket Test against India here today. The young Vincent's career-best 106 and his association with Mark Richardson (102 not out) virtually left the Indians in a daze as the visitors ended the opening day at a commanding first innings score of 247 for one. Electing to bat, the two openers showed remarkable grit and resilience as they went about providing the perfect launchpad for the Kiwis to not only put the hosts under enormous pressure but also harbour hopes of registering their first series win on Indian soil. Scott Styris (7 rpt 7) was giving Richardson company when stumps were drawn for the day which was completely dominated by the Kiwis. It was a rather nightmarish day for stand-in captain Rahul Dravid, the 28th skipper in India's Test history, as his bowlers were made to toil the entire day without any rewards on what appeared to be a good batting track. The only breakthrough for India came when leg spinner Anil Kumble put an end to the record-breaking partnership, getting rid of Vincent late in the day, much to the relief of a meagre crowd which did its best to pep up the demoralised home team.
Bush sends best wishes to Hindus for a joyous Diwali
Friday, October 17, 2003
Washington, Oct 17 US President George W Bush and and his wife Laura Bush have sent Diwali greetings to Hindus in America and around the world. "I send greetings to Hindus in the United States and around the world as you celebrate Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights," Bush said in his message. "Marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year, Diwali provides an opportunity to give thanks for the renewal of life, reflect on lessons learned and anticipate future blessings. By celebrating their beliefs, ancestry, and culture, Hindus in America and around the world enrich communities and ensure that important values and customs are passed on to future generations," he said in the message. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a joyous Diwali. May the coming year be filled with hope and happiness, Bush said.
Nine miners feared killed in mine collapse at Karimnagar
Friday, October 17, 2003
Hyderabad, Oct 17 At least nine people were feared killed when a mine collapsed in Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh last night. Nightshift workers on duty in mine no.9 of the Singareni Colleries Coal Limited at Godavarikhani were trapped when the mine suddenly collapsed at 1.30 am, official sources said here.
Big B in Rs 25-cr BR Chopra film
Friday, October 17, 2003
NEW DELHI: Despite a lukewarm response at the domestic box office to its Big B-Hema Malini starrer family drama, Baghban, producers BR Films are in the process of revving up their 48-year old movie production outfit. On the anvil are two films over the next six months one a period drama with superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan in the lead, and the other a small budget one. The company, that has become an active player in the television software business over the last two decades, is firming up fresh business plan which envisages making six or seven TV serial/soaps each year, at least two movies annually, apart from consolidating its film distribution business. The Big B-Salman Khan starrer, expected to hit the production floors early 2004, would be set in the British era with a budget in excess of Rs 25 crore. The other film currently at the scripting stage - which Ravi Chopra, managing director, BR Films, describes as a "quicky" would be a start-to-finish project spread over 40 days. It would get into production in November this year, with a budget of around Rs 4 crore. Multi-starrer Baghban, whose star cast includes Salman Khan and Mahima Choudhary, was made with a budget of around Rs 12 crore. Chopra, however, is confident that the movie will recover investments made by producers and the distributors over a three-week run, with the overseas markets expected to chip in a tidy amount. The film was sold at moderate price of around Rs 1.2 crore per territory in the domestic theatrical circuit.
Night Shyamalan may shoot in Pondicherry
Friday, October 17, 2003
Has M Night Shyamalan succumbed to pressure from 20th Century Fox? Will he soon head for Pondicherry, where he was born? According to Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker is abandoning Disney -- even if it is for just one movie -- to adapt the Booker Prize-winning and best-selling novel Life Of Pi by Yann Martel. Fox picked up the rights to the novel, which is seen as one of Hollywood's hottest screen properties, last year. Disney has backed Shyamalan's last five films, including The Woods, which he is now shooting around Philadelphia, where he grew up. If negotiations for Life Of Pi prove successful, this will be the second time Shyamalan will shoot in India. His first and little-seen film, Praying With Anger, was shot in India. It will also be the first time he will work on someone else's story. Shyamalan, who recently donated $1.5 million to the neighbourhood in Philadelphia where he shot The Sixth Sense, might shoot a few sequences for Life Of Pi in his hometown. The book revolves around the son of a zookeeper, Pi Patel, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of animal behaviour. When Pi is 16, his family migrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals, bound for new homes. The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone on a lifeboat. His only companions are a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has killed all but Pi, whose resourcefulness and sharp mind saves him. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle and the Japanese authorities refuse to believe Pi's story. They demand 'the truth.' Coerced, Pi tells a much less fantastical story. The book received critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. 'The material is very challenging and Night is a filmmaker who is always looking for new challenges,' Elizabeth Gabler, president of the Fox 2000 unit, told Hollywood Reporter. 'There are also some similarities to Pi Patel and Night. Pi is an immigrant child who left his homeland and found his way to a new country, and Night was also a boy who left India and found his way to this country. He saw it as a way to explore a completely new challenging realm,' she added.
I want to go to Hollywood: Dino Morea
Friday, October 17, 2003
I want to go to Hollywood: Dino Morea In an industry filled with Kumars and Khannas and Khans, a name like Dino Morea he is a regular aberration. But Dino Morea is also a regular nice guy. There is something about the guy that makes you take an immediate liking to him. Maybe because he is not overtly ‘filmy’ (maybe that will come with time). Or maybe because you can hold a genuinely intelligent conversation with him. Or then again, maybe because he is just what he appears to be a regular nice guy. He got this very earthy way of talking to you. No nakhras, no istyle. A guy who immediately puts you at ease. And a guy who relates to people. Those who have interviewed him before will vouch for is sharp memory. He not only remembers faces and names, but often also snatches of conversation you’ve had with him two years ago. Dino Morea, the Bangalore lad, with an Italian dad and Indian mother, top model, turned actor will soon be seen in the murder thriller Sssshhh The film will be released on October 24, 2003 and all eyes are on Dino. You have been telling people that in Sssshhh you are playing yourself. (Laughs), You see, in Sssshhh . I play ‘Rocky’ who is a prankster, a fun person. Shooting for the film reminded me of my college days when we too indulged in loads of fun and games and pranks. For once, I was doing a role that was so close to me. But we thought Sssshhh.. is a dark, haunting thriller. Sssshhh is a thriller, no doubt, a murder mystery. But it is not a mindless slasher flick. There are light moments, romance, a love triangle, beautiful songs. I won’t compare it to Teesri Manzil, but it is like that. It's about seven friends and the film starts with the murder of Tanisha's elder sister. Each one of us is a suspect. I’ve seen the rushes and the film is looking stunning. It is beautifully shot and the story is superb. How do you rate yourself in the film? It is for others to rate me. I only know that I am improving with every movie. I am more confident now. Pavanji (Director Pavan Kaul) has been praising my work. That is a big boost for me. But I can say that I have a good role in the film and I have worked hard and gone through a lot for the movie. Yes, especially a near-death experience. Man, that was scary. It was a nightmare, to put it mildly What happened that day? Pavanji was driving me, Tanisha, Gaurav, to the location. It was a cold morning and the roads had a frozen ice all over. We were going very slowly. A little later we saw a truck heading towards us Pavanji applied the brakes to reduce speed. The wheels locked. We lost control and the car began to skid. We were helpless. The car turned a whole180 degrees and then crashed through the edge-markers and toppled over. The car rolled over four to five times and came to rest 50 fifty away from the road on the banks of the Beas river. Were you badly hurt? When the car was toppling over I thought, this is it. In those few seconds all the important people in my life, memories and regrets flashed in front of me. Then I blacked out. When I regained consciousness I was aching all over and couldn’t walk or stand. Tanisha had fallen out of the window and was badly bleeding and unconscious. Pavanji had broken a arm. But I couldn’t do anything. Fortunately another unit jeep was following us. They took us to the local hospital. Lying in the bed I thought of my life and what I done with it and what I would do from now on. It felt great to be alive. Next day we flew to Apollo Hospital in Delhi. We were badly hurt but nothing that couldn’t be patched up. I had a hairline fracture on my cheek. How has your outlook to life changed after the accident? The accident has brought me closer to life. After the accident I have learnt to forgive and forget. I have realised that one should get over petty things. I have rediscovered my family. Everything is destined. I believe I was saved because I was destined to. Is that also your philosophy towards your career? Yes. When my debut film Pyar Mein Kabhie Kabhie bombed I thought my innings in Bollywood was over. But then Raaz became a big hit and I was accepted. People said I did not have Indian looks. That I did not speak Hindi. All true. But, well, I have survived and succeeded. How many films do you have on hand? Sssshhh will release on October 24. Then there is Plan and Ishq Hai Tumse. I also have a great role negative in Mahesh Manjrekar’s Rath with Sanjay Dutt. I play a wife-beater, a real bizarre character. I have many offers but these days I am choosy. I want my films to have an impact. Do you consider yourself a good actor? I am an infant just learning to walk. But I do consider myself a good learner. I know I have a long way to go. But I do plan to widen my horizons. I am looking at crossover films and I am in talks. Hollywood has always fascinated me and I think one can always hope to get there. Everything is destined. If you have to go there, you will go there. And I hope to go there.
Daler Mehndi's bail plea rejected
Friday, October 17, 2003
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notice to Punjab Police on an anticipatory bail plea of pop singer Daler Mehndi. The court has issued non-bailable warrants against Daler Mehndi, in connection with a case of illegal immigration racket. However, while issuing the notice, Justice S K Aggarwal refused to grant any relief to the singer without hearing the Punjab Police and the Delhi Police. The Delhi Police has already been served with a copy of his anticipatory bail plea. The Court has fixed Monday for further hearing in the case. Former Solicitor General Harish Salve, who appeared for Mehndi, requested the court to grant him protection from arrest at least till Friday, as the singer was to receive some award. The court pointed out that the case has been registered in Punjab and not in Delhi. Therefore, relief could not be granted to Mehndi, without hearing the Punjab Police as well as the Delhi Police. Salve said that no summons has been served on Mehndi, who came to know about the non-bailable warrants only from the media. He also complained that media was "conducting a trial" on him.
Raja Bhaiya
Friday, October 17, 2003
Raja Bhaiya Language: Hindi Director: Raman Kumar Cast: Govinda, Aarti Chabbria, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Tej Sapru, Tiku Talsania, Rakesh Bedi Lyrics: Sameer Music: Nadeem - Shravan Official website: www.rajabhaiya.com Raja Bhaiya is a story of a small town boy called Raja, who under the influence of a BRAHMACHARI sadhu has taken the vow, never to get married. But his mother meets a girl who was about to die in a train accident, and brings her home. Raja opposes her entry, but the mother refuses to throw her out , because first of all she is a girl, and secondly she does not remember anything, who she is & from where she has come. On the top of that she does not look mentally balanced. So her mother decides that she will stay at home. Raja now tries to do all the possible acts to make here run away from the house, but he fails every time. The more he fails, the more desperate he becomes to get rid of her. The more he becomes desperate to get rid of her, the more close she becomes to Raja, to the extent that Raja's mother decides to get them married. Raja opposes, Raja shouts. Raja threatens to run away from home but nothing is heard and they get married. On the night of the wedding, there is a fire in the house, and that mad girl, without having any fear of the fire, saves Raja's Mother and Raja really falls in love, and starts taking care of her. The affection and love from Raja really helps Pratibha to find her mental balance, but she is still unable to remember who she is. But her Uncle and Aunt find where she is and in the absence of Raja they take her away from the small town. Now Raja comes to the city to find her. But her Uncle and Aunt do not allow him to meet her. But who can stop Raja. He disguises himself as the Doctor of mentally ill patients after misguiding the real doctor. Raja enters their house as Bengali doctor for mentally ill patients, and creates a ruckus in their house. He sees to that every one in the house becomes mad and be sent to mental hospital. But the family members find the truth and they attack In the fight, Pratibha gets hurt and is admitted to the hospital. Raja prays for her well being. She comes back to her senses. Now she remembers everything but small town episode were she had met Raja and got married. Now Raja is in a dilemma where he has to make Pratibha remember her past and his love for her. Does Raja Succeed? The answer is yes, but how ? It's an emotional heart filling comedy.....
Love In Nepal
Friday, October 17, 2003
Love In Nepal Language: Hindi Director: Rajat Mukherjee Cast: Sonu Nigam, Jharna Bajracharya, Fllora Saini, Ehsaan Khan Lyrics: Sameer Music: Nikhil-Vinay Official website: www.LoveInNepal.com LOVE IN NEPAL strives to re-define the humour/action genre in Indian cinema, with the business of advertising as its backdrop. Abby(Sonu Nigam) is the wild, wacky, creative head of an emerging advertising agency called Madness. A compulsive flirt, he also has his own unique style of functioning, which is, in other words exemplified by the term, 'The kiing of only good times'. His way of functioing is threatened, when Meenaxi Malhotra, popularaly called as Maxi(Fllora Saini), joins as the Vice President - Operations, after the takeover of the agency by a multi-national entity. Maxi hates the guts, and especially the attitude of Abby, and is hell bent on teaching him a lesson. This starts of a series of episodes of one -up(wo)manship between the two. The rivalry is carried on to Nepal, where they have gone to shoot for an advertising film, little knowing that their lives were going to change forever. Abby's undisciplined behavior soon starts acting as a catalyst for Maxi, who is gradually attracted to him. All of a sudden, events take an intresting turn whereas these adversaries are forced to go on the run from literally everyone in sight in Nepal. Will Abby and Maxi, however their newfound mutual attraction for each other maybe, be able to figure out these unexpected new events? The answer is yes as not only they find the answers but also a soul mate in each other in their own inimitable styles. All throughout, the film does not lose sight of the repartee between Abby and Maxi at a tre
Taj Mahal
Friday, October 17, 2003
Language: Hindi Director: Akhbar Khan Music: Naushad Lyrics:Naqsh Layallpuri & Syed Gulrez Cast: Kabir Bedi, Manisha Koirala, Pooja Batra, Arbaaz Ali, Kim Sharma Synopsis The Taj Mahal is not just the story of a mausoleum, it is the story of a family. It is not only a romance, it is also a tragedy. The family is the royal family of the great Moguls driven by overpowering passion of love and hate. At the center of this drama are the primal lovers, Prince Khurram, son of Emperor Jahangir and Arjumand, the niece of Empress Noor Jahan. Amidst ambition and power, hate, violence, intrigues and conspiracy, the budding romance of the teenager Prince Khurram blossomed as he turned to be the Emperor of Hindustan. And since the Emperor depended on his sons to govern his provinces and for that purpose empowered them with large armies and independent sources of revenue. The scene was set for clashing of arms, charging of horses and whipping off heads. In short brothers destroyed each other, sons rebelled against father for the rivalry for the throne. The greatest love story of all times was thus splattered with the blood of ambition. Aurangzeb, son of Emperor Shah Jahan, unleashed his longstanding vengeance by executing his eldest brother and imprisoning his father to ascend the throne. Their love story lasted for nineteen years, when ultimately the delivery of her last child resulted in her death. Deeply struck by this tragedy, Shah Jahan devoted twenty-two years to perpetuate her memory. When it was completed, the Taj Mahal became Mumtaz Mahal for him, and when in the wake of his death his body was interred along side hers, together they became the Taj Mahal.
Fun2shh
Friday, October 17, 2003
Language: Hindi Director: Imtiaz Punjabi Cast: Paresh Rawal, Anuj Sawhney, Iqbal Khan, Nataneya Singh, Raima Sen Official website: www.fun2shh.com 'Funtoosh' is about three snappy dudes Ajju(Anuj Sawhney), Vikram(Iqbal Khan) and Johny(Paresh Rawal), and their unbelievably hilarious adventures that span over...well, about ten centuries. When the trio is wrongly accused by their employer Bhaleram(Kadar Khan) of stealing a 10th century king's precious crown from an exhibition, the dudes literally hit a wall...that magically transports them to the 10th century. Now these dudes from the 21st century have a roller coaster of adventures in the ancient kingdom of the king(Gulshan Grover). Amidst fearsome soldiers and dangerous chases, the trio finds shelter in the house of a lady magician who is the pre-incarmate of their 21st century landlady(Farida Jalal). Meanwhile, Ajju and Vicky fall in love with the princesses(Nataneya Singh and Raima Sen), and they finally elope with them back to the 21st century - along with the authentic 10th century crown stolen from the king himself. But all is not well yet, what with the king himself landing in the 21st century in hot pursuit of the dudes, to get his daughters and his crown back. Everything leads to an exciting, high-voltage, hilarious climax.
Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon
Friday, October 17, 2003
Cast: Antara Mali, Rajpal Yadav Director: Chandan Arora Producer: Ramgopal Varma Introducing Chutki of Gajrola. All she wants is to follow in the footsteps of her idol Madhuri Dixit. She is so smitten by the screen goddess, her mannerisms, clothes, hairdos and style are exactly like Madhuri Dixit. Villagers call her Madhuri Dixit of Gajrola. And she wants to go beyond Gajrola and prove her histrionic talents. And the only way for her to try her luck in the Bombay film industry is to marry Raja (Rajpal Yadav) so that she can leave her village and come to Bombay. Raja loves her so much that he will do anything for her. He never questions her plans. So much so that he skips his meals just to see to it that she goes for the auditions comfortably. Alas, getting a break in films is not all that easy. What Chutki faces is humiliation and pain, projected very realistically by Chandan Arora. But Chutki refuses to give up. She waits outside producers' offices for hours on end and even shows her photographs to people in the studio only to be ridiculed in the bargain. Chutki even gets a new look with Raja footing the bill. But it does not get her anywhere. The grease behind the greasepaint is manifest in the form of their neighbor who had come to Bombay to become a hero but lands up working in films as a junior artiste. There's also Rumi who claims to Chutki that he can get what she wants to achieve and tries to cause a rift between Raja and her. Arora adds a visual finesse to the film without getting into the trap of sets, foreign settings or known faces. Antara plays the role of Madhuri Dixit perfectly. However, she falls short in bringing out the inner conflict between her dreams and the truth. Rajpal Yadav delivers a flawless performance raising Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon to a higher plane. Here is one film that is certainly worth a watch!
Samay
Friday, October 17, 2003
Cast: Sushmita Sen, Sushant Singh Director: Robby Grewal Producer: iDream Productions & B4U Music: Sandeep Chowta By Parag Chandrabala Maniar Samay tells the story of an honest police cop Malvika Chauhan (Sushmita Sen) who has to solve the murder of a 34-year-old businessman Kapil Sharma. She has an assistant Satya (Sushant Singh) to help her with the case. Investigations reveal that Kapil Sharma's wife was having an affair with Kapil's friend Raghu Kotian who happened to be there when the murder took place. But Chauhan rules out that Kotian is the murderer. Next, a prominent actress is found murdered in her make-up room. Friends and relatives of the actress reveal that it could be Rocky, one who gave the actress her first film. Again Malvika refuses to believe what the people have to say. She thinks that the two cases are related to each other. And believes that both crimes have been committed by one person. After a few chase scenes amidst the lanes of Mumbai and the infamous slums, the cops land up at underworld don Suleman Bhai's den only to find him dead. Malvika strongly feels that the one connected to all the three cases is the same person. She feels that the murderer was deliberately leaving vital clues so that the cop would continue their hunt challenging them if they could be successful in nabbing him. While the story remains focused, there are several questions that are left unanswered. However, Roby Grewal does a good job of delivering a taut thriller in the Hollywood fashion without getting into clichéd Bollywood trap. The cast Sushant Singh, Prashant Dalvi and Rajesh Khera live up to their roles. And Sushmita Sen does a competent job. However she does not come across to be so intelligent as the promos of the film make her out to be. One seldom sees her using her mind in the film. Here is a well made film that might just be a harbinger of good suspense drama in Bollywood.
Diplomat's daughter raped outside IFFI venue, another woman robbed
Thursday, October 16, 2003
NEW DELHI: That even the venue of an international film festival in the heart of the national capital isn't safe for women was the message to the city on Wednesday after a 36-year-old Swiss diplomat was abducted, assaulted and allegedly raped in her own vehicle. She was returning to the parking lot after a late-night show at the festival. Within an hour, an Indian filmmaker was attacked by two unidentified men around the same spot. The two men, police said, tried to snatch her bag, and when she resisted, pushed her to the ground. The victim suffered injuries on her head and was admitted to the ICU of Apollo Hospital. The police have not ruled out the involvement of the same men in both incidents. Coming soon after the alleged rape of a college student by men from the elite President's Body Guards, the incident was seen as such a blot that the entire establishment, including the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister were scrambling for cover. The police, for their part, didn't know where to hide. The scene of the crime is a two-minute drive from the office of DCP, South District. The district police, which suspended five policemen, including an inspector _ additional SHO of Malviya Nagar Ashok Singh _ two head constables and two constables, had provided only 12 policemen to guard the venue. It went up to 100 on Wednesday. Lieutenant-Governor Vijai Kapoor and Police Commissioner R.S Gupta, who visited the spot, found it hard to explain the sudden rise in cases of rape and women being harassed in the city. The diplomat had come for the 8:30 p.m show of the Chinese film, The Story of Lotus. She told the police she had come with a friend who left halfway. The movie ended at 10 p.m. "As she came out of the auditorium and walked towards the car park, two men followed her. Her Toyota Qualis was parked in the middle bay in front of Gate No. 4. It's not clear whether the two men were inside the hall watching the movie," Vivek Gogia, DCP, South, said. The two men, he said, pretended that they knew the woman and walked with her. When she opened the car door, they pushed her from the back inside the car, police said. While one of the accused drove the car, the other pushed the woman on to the rear seat and sat next to her. "She was threatened and assaulted by this man who spoke in fluent English. They asked her for her mobile phone and money but did not take anything except her gold ring," Gogia said. The car was driven out through the back gate facing the BHEL building. The accused, police sources said, took a right turn for the main road. "From there they took a left for Panchsheel Park and zipped past the office of DCP, South. From Panchsheel Club, the car was driven to Chirag Dilli. From the flyover, they took a U-turn and headed for IIT gate and from there to Safdarjung Enclave," said the sources. All this while, the woman was raped by the man while the other drove the car. They left her at Safdarjung Enclave with directions to return to her house. On reaching her house, the woman called a friend and around 11:30 pm the police were informed. Medical examination confirmed sexual assault and injuries on her neck. A case under sections related to rape, abduction, wrongful confinement, robbery and intimidation has been registered at the Hauz Khas police station.
India releases another $30 million to Sri Lanka
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Colombo, Oct. 15. : With Sri Lanka having spent $40 million out of the $100 million from a credit extended by India, New Delhi today released another $30 million to the island nation as the two countries were set to expand bilateral trade ties to cover services and investments. External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters here that the Prime Ministers of the two countries will take up the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during the Lankan leader's visit to the capital over the weekend. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Atal Bihari Vajpayee will discuss the CEPA as the two countries were committed to further increasing bilateral trade which currently stands at an annual one billion dollars. "We are working on this (CEPA) together and it will be ready when the two Prime Ministers meet in New Delhi," Sinha said shortly after bilateral talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Tyronne Fernando. The two leaders concluded talks under the Joint Commission which reviewed bilateral relations and trade cooperation for the fifth time since 1998. "Trade balance will gradually come down with Indian companies able to import more things from Sri Lanka under the Free Trade Agreement," Sinha said referring to FTA that is in place since 1998.
Diplomat's daughter allegedly raped
Thursday, October 16, 2003
New Delhi, Oct. 15. : In yet another outrageous incident in the capital in a week, daughter of a diplomat was allegedly raped while she was coming out after watching a movie at the International Film Festival in Siri Fort auditorium late last night. The incident took place after the girl boarded her car at the auditorium's parking lot when two unidentified men also got into it and allegedly raped her, sources said. According to one version, the car was abandoned near Panchsheel road, about 10 km away from the auditorium, in the high-security diplomatic enclave before the two men escaped in darkness, sources said. Senior officials from the Chankayapuri police station visited the residence of the diplomat in the morning. No one from the police department was willing to comment on the issue.
Teacher rapes 8-year old student in Delhi
Thursday, October 16, 2003
New Delhi: A report of a sexual assault on a third standard student by her teacher shocked the national Capital and jolted authorities, already rattled by the spate of rape incidents, the last one involving a Swiss diplomat on Tuesday night. Acting on the FIR lodged by the victims's parents, the north west police arrested accused Brijish Saini (29) -- a teacher of the Sarvodaya kanya Vidyalaya, Rohini -- for sexually assaulting the child in a classroom of the school. According to the parents, the teacher, after committing the crime intimidated the girl into keeping quiet about the incident, which took place on October 13. Police said the accused confessed his crime on sustained interrogation. Last month, a 19-year-old nurse was raped in the Shanti Mukund Hospital by a ward boy, and a 13-year-old patient was raped in the Holy Angels by the attending doctors. This month, four special security guards of the President were held for raping a college student in a park in the high security Chanakya Puri area. In the latest incident that took place last night, Swiss diplomat was allegedly raped and an Indian filmmaker molested and injured when they moved out of the Siri Fort Auditorium after watching the late night show at the ongoing 34th International Film Festival of India. The incident sent shockwaves amongst the Indian and foreign delegates attending the fest and jolted the organisers. UNI
UK issues strict visa regime for visitors
Thursday, October 16, 2003
UK issues strict visa regime for visitors London: Nationals from India, Pakistan and four other countries would now need a visa to travel through the UK, the Home Office announced today. The new visa regime -- Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) -- would come into effect from midnight tonight, it said in a news release. Besides India and Pakistan, the other countries affected by DATV are Bangladesh, Angola, Cameroon and Lebanon. Previously nationals of these countries needed the visas to visit the UK, but could do without one if they were passing through, within 24 hours, on their way to a third country. The Home Office cited six reasons as to why the measure was being introduced saying "it is a fact that there is a significant level of abuse of the U K immigration control committed by Indian nationals". Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes said "We are responding to intelligence that a growing number of nationals from these countries are using the transit route to flout our immigration controls and to enter the UK illegally or to make unfounded asylum applications." He said today's announcement was part of a package of measures being used to strengthen UK border controls abroad, including new screening technology and the better use of intelligence to break up gangs that profit from the trade in illegal immigrants. "We are committed to making this process as straight- forward as possible for genuine visitors," he said. He also said that the UK is committed to a continued increase in the number of visitors and students from India. "We can ensure that those who do not qualify under these waivers and who need to apply for a DATV can do so as smoothly as possible and at any of our 11 visa application collection offices across India at a cost of Rs. 2,150," he said. On why Indian nationals would need DATV, the release attributed it to the significant level of abuse of the UK immigration control by them. It said between January to June this year there was evidence to indicate that Indian nationals accounted for 40 per cent of the cases where passengers able to transit the UK without a visa and who then sought to stay here illegally or by making an asylum claim involved Indian nationals. Last year, around 2000 Indian nationals applied for asylum in the UK and indications were that the number this year would be even higher, the release said. It said during the same period some 400 arrived without any documents and 270 plus using forged documents. Indian nationals account for the highest number of asylum applications made on arrival in the UK, it said adding that this was part of a general tightening of controls to prevent abuse of the asylum system.
Govt clears 22 FDI proposals
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
New Delhi, Oct 14 Government today cleared 22 Foreign Direct Investment proposals envisaging inflow of Rs 21.76 crore, including Rs 12.16 crore plan by Australian company Techino Pty to transfer shares from resident to non-resident shareholders in Indian arm, Chambal Agritech. The Finance Minister Jaswant Singh approved the proposals which had earlier been recommended by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, an official statement said here. Among the other proposals cleared was Swiss firm EBITO's plan to acquire 20 per cent stake in Colour Chem Limited from its public shareholders for manufacturing pigments for textile printing. Another Australian company Orica plans to increase its stake in Indian Explosives to 100 per cent with envisaged investment of Rs 3.6 crore. The Indian arm manufactures and distributes bulk and packaged explosives and initiating systems. The major proposals cleared today pertain to agriculture, chemicals and petro-chemicals, distribution and sale of bulk and packaged explosives.
Indian defence deals making us acquire systems: Pak
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Putrajaya (Malaysia) Oct 14 Pakistan Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmood Kusari today said his country would be forced to acquire a new generation defence system following India's recent move to induct new weapon systems. Kasuri, in Malaysia for a summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference(OIC), told that an imbalance of power would create a dangerous situation. "The real threat exists when one party is too weak against the other", Kasuri said. "This is why Pakistan will do maintain minimum credible deterrent," he said accusing India for increasing tensions in South Asia. "Instead both countries should be spending money on eradicating poverty and boosting development," he said. "India's recent plans to buy Phalcons (from Israel) and new generation defence systems from and all over the world poses a credible threat to Pakistan," he said. Speaking on the day Pakistan conducted its third missile test, Kasuri said the testing programme had been arranged some time before and was nothing to do with New Delhi's recent defence acquisitions. Referring to India's recent defence deal he said, "We are not in arms race with India but we will do whatever is required to maintain the current no-win situation." "We do not have to match aircraft for aircraft but we will be forced to acquire new generation defence systems," he said.
LIC to introduce critical illness cover
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Mumbai, Oct 14 Life Insurance Corporation of India is to provide financial protection for critical illness under some of its insurance schemes from October 16. The "Critical illness rider", available on payment of an additional premium, would be provided under endowment plans, Jeevan Mitra and Money back plans and Jevan Anand policy, an LIC release said here today. The benefit would be payable for critical illnesses including heart attack, stroke, cancer, kidney failure, major organ transplant, paralysis, third degree burns and blindness.
Ganguly doubtful for 2nd Test
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Mohali, Oct 14 Indian captain Sourav Ganguly became a doubtful starter for the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand after he underwent a minor surgery for an abcess in the upper left thigh. Ganguly was taken to the Fortis Hospital located near the Punjab Cricket Association stadiu |
