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Agitating rail commuters face brutal police action
Sunday, 30 December, 2007
Kalwa (Maharashtra), Dec 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Police on Saturday baton charged railway commuters who had blocked rail traffic here demanding additional coaches in the train heading towards Mumbai.
Police officials maintained that they had to use force to disperse the crowd.
The agitators blocked the local rail traffic and staged a protest at the railway station that later took a violent turn. They pelted stones in which security personnel were injured.
Responding to the aggression, police officials baton charged the huge mob which instigated the crowd further.
"When I was bringing the railway personnel, they started pelting stones at us. Then at that time, we used force to disperse the crowd," Thane Police Commissioner Kanakrathan said.
The commuters claim that there used to be a heavy rush during peak hours and their demand was fully justified.
"We submitted an application around two months back to the concerned authorities and also warned them that we would protest if our demands are not met, "said Nishant, a commuter. (ANI)
- AY
Diskeeper offers holiday gift for students
Thursday, 27 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 27 (ANI/Business Wire India): Education is the name of the game for Diskeeper Corporation, which is now offering a discounted rate to students purchasing their automated performance enhancing defragmenter.
In order to be eligible students only need to provide a valid email address from an educational institution ending in .edu.
This advent comes on the heels of Diskeeper releasing the most intelligent real time defragmenter built to date, Diskeeper 2008.
For students who push their PC's to the limits some features include the ability to defrag in the most extreme levels of low free space or the highest levels of crippling fragmentation, and advance data sequencing technology to optimize the files that are used most often.
Because no student can afford to have down time from homework (or iTunes(R)) defragging is all done completely transparently, in real time, tapping the full power of otherwise unused resources with a highly advanced background processing technology called, InvisiTasking(TM). This allows defragmentation to occur "on the fly" as needed, without interrupting use or degrading performance.
Proper defragmentation will help students looking to increase the performance of their machines without spending a bundle upgrading hardware. (ANI)
- AY
M & M wins Frost & Sullivan Voice of Customer Award
Mumbai, Dec 27 (ANI/Business Wire India): Mahindra Powerol, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, has recently received the Frost & Sullivan "Voice of Customer" award for the most preferred brand in telecom segment.
On receiving the award, P. Palaniappan, Vice President, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Mahindra Powerol Business) said, "Frost & Sullivan's Genset excellence award is a great achievement for the genset industry. This prestigious award will also help us in strengthening our organization's customer centric approach. I am very delighted that Frost & Sullivan has enthusiastically come forward to glamorize the genset industry with this voice of customer award." Palaniappan added.
"I would like to express my thanks to all my telecom partners for this achievement, it is because of their persistent demand of settling for nothing but the best has helped us in winning this award,"
According to Amol Kotwal, Industry Manager, Energy and Power Systems Practice, Frost & Sullivan, "Mahindra Powerol's penetration in the exponentially growing India's telecom sector is commendable given the fact that the Company forayed in the Genset market just a few years back. The Voice of Customer Award for Most Preferred Brand in the Telecom (cell-sites) segment is a true reflection of the Company's efforts to address customer requirements, thereby creating a strong brand loyalty."
Based on detailed end-user research and customer feedback on various parameters, 10 award titles were presented to companies in recognition for their pioneering efforts with regard to their product lines, innovative distribution strategies, customer service and support par excellence, outstanding contribution to the industry or for achieving a competitive or customer-based leading position in the Indian Gensets Industry.
The Genset market in India is valued at more than INR 50 billion.
A booming economy and increasing power demand-supply deficit act as major drivers for this market.
The Indian Genset market is uniquely positioned to traverse on this growth trajectory.
Frost & Sullivan expects it to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 15 percent between 2007 and 2012.
With increasing competition between incumbents and new players, customer feedback and satisfaction assessment (Voice of Customer) provides insights on how companies are placed in this market from an end-user perspective.
Customers' high degree of preference and satisfaction with a brand reflects the Best Practices followed by companies' in setting the benchmark of excellence.
Frost & Sullivan followed a rigorous methodology for selecting the Award recipients.
Detailed end-user and customer interviews with key decision makers (drawn from relevant functional departments) from various industry segments were conducted. These interviews were executed across various locations in India using a questionnaire.
Respondents assigned ratings on a 7-point semantic scale reflecting their satisfaction on various attributes within a given criterion. Weightages were assigned to different criteria based on their perceived importance.
Winners within a category were selected using powerful statistical analysis to compare the aggregated scores on attributes and rank assigned to different brands for relative positions. (ANI)
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Modi effect at BSE; stocks of Gujarat based companies soar sharply
Wednesday, 26 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 24 (ANI): The Gujarat-based companies today rallied sharply after the Narendra Modi Government retained power in the state on Sunday.
The top grosser was GHCL that posted a gain of over 13 per cent. Mundra Port gained nine per cent. Gujarat Narmada, GSFC, Gujarat Petronet and Gujarat Alkali also registered good growth.
The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) opened with a positive gap of 146 points at 19, 038 and gained 691 points before closing at 19, 854.
The Sensex touched a high of 19, 879 during post-noon trading at the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The Midcap index also posted a growth of 186 points and the Smallcap registered gain of 167 points.
All sectoral indices also performed well with the BSE IT index zooming by over six per cent, the BSE Bankex, Power, PSU and TECH indices soaring by three to five per cent.
Wipro gained nine percent and Infosys zoomed by nearly seven per cent. TCS, Bharti and Satyam were up by six per cent each. Reliance advanced nearly three per cent and ICICI Bank gained over four per cent. (ANI)
- AY
Satya Paul presents 'Pop Art' Collection
Mumbai, Dec 24 (ANI/Business Wire India): In its third collection as a part of the inspirational series, Satya Paul in association with Chateau Indage will uncork the Pop Art collection at the ITC Grand Central.
Starting in the 50's, Pop art is a reflection of popular culture in art. It is neither praise nor condemnation but explores the everyday imagery that is so much a part of contemporary consumer culture.
This art form has used media, advertising, packaging, celebrities and comic book art styles as various sources of imagery.
Some leading artists of the style include Richard Hamilton, Robert Indiana, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
Andy Warhol is famous as 'Pope of Pop' and has painted the things he loved the most, such as Dollar Bills, Campbell Soup Cans, Marilyn Monroe, brand names and even celebrities as a token of his love for them.
Roy Lichtenstein had said, "Pop Art is industrial painting." He believed that the entire world would soon become industrial. Robert Indiana related pop with love "Pop is love, for it accepts everything. Pop is dropping the bomb".
For Puneet Nanda at Satya Paul, it is a significant one of many steps, to bring art closer to real life. This collection is an explosion of all rules associated with saris - it reduces the age of a sari by a whole generation.
He has expressed the various moods and images of everyday life in the form of contemporary fashion.
For example, love is the message, expressed in playful hearts carefully hand painted in a multitude of colours; or simply the word 'love' in iconic 60's stencil typographic style in full colour or crisp black and white.
There are classic Warhol style iconic prints of Bollywood greats, and in keeping with the branding sensibility, depicting his illustrious father and creator of the brand Satya Paul.
In the Lichtenstein inspired creations, brightly coloured pop graphics and brush strokes.
To deliver the full burst of newness into the age-old drape, prints with barcodes, money, lips, Bollywood icons, and even Google have been given a place in fashion history by way of these prints.
He says, "It is the Satya Paul style expressed in the bold iconic pop style through an interplay of colors, balanced by embroideries and materials."
The collection comprises of beautiful saris, salwar-kameez sets and dresses, and is available at select Satya Paul boutiques across the country. (ANI)
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- AY
IWC launches top gun edition in India
Monday, 24 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 24 (ANI/Business Wire India): The Swiss watch manufacturer, IWC Schaffhausen, announced the India-wide launch of an exclusive new double chronograph that pays tribute to the performance of top pilots in the world.
The new Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph is a limited production timepiece and will be available in small quantities worldwide.
IWC's Top Gun is a special edition time piece that honours the skills and performance of elite aviators and distinguishes itself with unique red accented hands and the motif of the academy emblazoned across its back.
Each Top Gun chronograph watch is painstakingly milled from a single blank of zirconium oxide; a superb material which is several times harder, more scratch-resistant and more expensive than stainless steel.
IWC were the first manufacturer in the world to produce a watch with such a high-tech ceramic case; a feature which affords maximum breaking strength and perfect all-round protection.
The Top Gun model also displays a number of discreet highlights that accentuate its position as the natural choice for the aviation aficionado and watch lover alike.
The case, dial and soft strap are matt black and the crown and buttons are fashioned from titanium.
The numerals and indices are luminescent white to ensure effective reading at a glance and the vertical three-day presentation - reminiscent of an aircraft's altimeter - gives the dial its unmistakable design.
The Top Gun is a powerhouse with an impressive case diameter of 44 mm. The watch is powered by a 79230 calibre automatic movement, with IWC's tried-and-tested split-seconds mechanism.
A button at 10 o'clock enables the wearer to record intermediate times within a given minute and the two red counterweights on the chronograph hands form the silhouette of a fighter aircraft as they come together - another exclusive design feature that sets this special timepiece apart.
The IWC Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition Top Gun is available from a selection of IWC's exclusive boutiques across the Middle East. Leading impulses for the mechanical watch are manufactured by IWC. With its 390 employees, the company manufactures these sought-after timepieces.
Since the year 2000, IWC has belonged to the watch division of Richemont SA.
The watch is available at select stores in Mumbai and Delhi and is priced at International Normalised Ratio (INR) 513,000/-. (ANI)
- AY
Pravin Mahajan shifted to Nasik Jail
Sunday, 23 December, 2007
Nasik, Dec. 23 (ANI) Pravin Mahajan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mumbai Sessions Court for the murder of his elder brother and BJP leader Pramod in April last year, has been transferred to the Nasik Road Central Jail.
Prior to his shifting to Nasik, Pravin was lodged in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail as an undertrial.
He was shifted to Nasik at around 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, Jail Superintendent Ashok Rane told reporters here. (ANI)
- AY
UAE kids mesmerised by the firepower of Indian warships
Fujairah/UAE, Dec 22 (ANI): UAE children were amazed by the offensive and defensive capabilities of two visiting Indian warships on the country's east coast.
The two frigates concluded a four-day good-will visit to Fujairah by opening their usually out-of-bounds decks to visitors on Thursday and Friday.
The two vessels are the Russian-built Tabar and the Indian-built Brahmaputra both based in Mumbai.
Safeer Shersad (13) from Dubai said that he was impressed by some of the technologies employed by the Indian Navy.
"It was really nice to see some of the latest technologies on board the frigates and I was impressed by both the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Tabar," the Gulf News quoted Shersad, as saying.
Roshima (15), from Ajman said that she was pleased to visit the vessels because she was able to see things she has not seen before.
The Eid holiday provided a good opportunity for some visitors, especially families and schoolchildren, to take advantage of the unique opportunity.
Meanwhile, Tabar Captain P.K. Banerjee said that the visit is an opportunity to build upon already strong relations between the UAE and India.
"We're here to build bridges and friendship, a part of our job we really enjoy. We've had a pleasant stay so far and have enjoyed having visitors come on board, especially children who seem to be enjoying themselves," he added.
The crew also made the most of their stay in Fujairah and they could be seen in their white uniforms enjoying the atmosphere of the East Coast.
In its offensive role the Tabar has formidable capabilities with vertical launch long-range missiles, long range anti-ship and anti-submarine torpedoes and a 100mm-calibre gun. (ANI)
--MP
Flamingoes at home in western India
Saturday, 22 December, 2007
Pune, Dec.21 (ANI): Thousands of beautiful pink-coloured Flamingoes have flown in and landed at numerous locations in western parts of the country here for the seasonal nesting.
Flocks of both--Greater Flamingoes and Lesser Flamingoes--have migrated to wetlands in and around the cities of Pune, Thane, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Satara in Maharashtra.
They start arriving in the country in October and remain till April.
"Just a few days ago I saw a flock of 1,000 Greater Flamingoes at Kerwadi and another smaller flock of 250 to 300 Flamingoes at Bhigwan. Usually, these birds are local migratory birds; they breed in the Great Rann of Kutch in India near Pakistan border," said Satish Pandey, an ornithologist.
"After breeding these birds come to our area in January and February and stay here for two or three months. This year they have arrived a bit earlier. Actually this change in migration pattern is being seen in all the birds for the past few years. As per experts view, the change is due to global warming," Pandey added.
Flamingoes are powerful flyers and can easily cover over 500 kilometres at a stretch at night. Although their precise migratory route is not known, they come from central Africa via West Asia to India.
They congregate in vast numbers in the Rann of Kutch. A sizeable number of them are found in other parts of the country, including the marshy land off Sewree in Mumbai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
In recent years, the number of migratory birds has, dwindled due to increased industrialisation, environmental degradation, global warming and climate change.
Two Flamingoes were recently shot dead in Mumbai. They were shot by hunters for the sheer thrill of shooting.
Nature lovers assert that unless the Government and NGOs take stern steps to conserve the natural habitats of these birds and ensure their well-being, the future of flamingoes is at risk.
"If we are going to modify all habitats for human use and change all water bodies for agriculture purpose and go on planting crops everywhere, these flamingoes will not be seen anymore. So conservation of habitants is needed. We should not disturb flamingoes. Recently, some of the flamingoes were killed for their flesh," noted Satish Pandey.
Bird lovers in Mumbai were outraged over the killings of the two flamingos.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on December 13 (Thursday) staged a rally to create awareness on the danger to animal life on account of hunting and excessive industrialisation leading to global warming.
Flamingoes have no firm mating season. They are designed to survive in the caustic environment of a volcanic lake.
According to Nature website, Flamingoes' behaviour is difficult to explain as it is fun to watch: they dance. Posturing and signaling with their wings, bowing and bending their necks, running back and forth as a group, and then suddenly taking flight to wheel around the edges of the lake -- a crowd of dancing flamingoes is one of the strangest, most breathtaking sights in the natural world.
- AY
Narayan Rane criticises his own Government in Maharashtra
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): Congress leader Narayan Rane, who is also the Revenue Minister in the Congress-NCP coalition government in Maharashtra, on Friday expressed his dissatisfaction over the 'malfunctioning' of his own government in the State.
"There are many questions and problems...but no solutions have come up," he told reporters.
"I have kept quite for more than 2 years, but not anymore," he added.
Rane joined the Congress party in 2005 after defecting from the Shiv Sena. (ANI)
--MP
Progressive Infotech receives Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth Strategy Leadership
Friday, 21 December, 2007
New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI-Business Wire India): Progressive Infotech, a leading independent provider of IT Infrastructure Services, announced today that it has received the Growth Strategy Leadership Award for Best Remote Infrastructure Management Services in India by Frost & Sullivan.
The Frost & Sullivan Award for Growth Strategy Leadership is given each year to the company that has demonstrated an exceptional growth strategy within their industry.
The sixth Frost & Sullivan India ICT Awards held in Mumbai on December 14, 2007 were organised to recognise players that are contributing and in the future, would drive the growth of ICT industry through their market leadership, competitive strategies and innovation.
Progressive is, among, India's fastest growing Infrastructure Management companies. Its Remote Infrastructure Management (RIM) services portfolio incorporates end-to-end IT Infrastructure Monitoring and Management encompassing Networks, Systems, Applications, database services and Managed Security Services (MSS).
Progressive registered Rs. 110 crore turnover in 2006-07, a 46 percent rise in revenues on YOY basis.
Moreover, the company has expanded its growth by opening offices in various cities and it is now present in more than 100 locations across India.
"Progressive Infotech is pleased to have received this recognition from Frost and Sullivan. Though, Progressive has received much recognition in the past, but this one is special as it comes from one of the most credible international market analysis group," said Prateek Garg, Managing Director and CEO, Progressive Infotech Pvt. Ltd.
"The award is given to Progressive Infotech based on the specific criteria evaluated by Frost & Sullivan analysts. Progressive exhibited leadership in Domestic RIM marketplace in terms of market share, growth/competitive strategies, innovation or those have done things differently for the advancement of the industry, " said Dr. T.R. Madan Mohan Director (Consulting), ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan.
The Frost & Sullivan team of analysts monitored competitor revenue, market share, growth over the last year, market and technology innovation, go-to-market strategy and other important developments within the industry. In-depth interviews were also conducted with all market participants and extensive secondary research of proprietary data sources was conducted. (ANI)
--MP
Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar 2008 launched in Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 20 (ANI): The sixth edition of the widely acclaimed and coveted Kingfisher swimsuit calendar 2008 was unveiled at a glittering ceremony in Mumbai's Taj Hotel.
Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham launched the chic, artistic calendar amidst glitz, glamour and sparkle.
Kingfisher CEO Vijay Mallaya was ecstatic that the calendar has been well received not only in India, but also worldwide.
"I really look forward to this event and to this challenge which we undertook six years ago to produce a truly world class calendar to showcase the best of Indian beauty, fashion and talent all packaged together. We are glad that this calendar has been well received worldwide," said Mallaya.
This year's calendar has been shot against the splendid landscapes of India -- with locations ranging from picturesque Ladakh to Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, the emerald isles in the Bay of Bengal and the magnificent palaces of Udaipur to the sandy beaches and museums of Goa. The calendar has encapsulated the ethereal Indian beauty.
This year too the pictures for the calendar have been shot by India's ace lens-man Atul Kasbekar.
"Unbelievable, I have shot it in my country which is fantastic and I am happy that Vijay Mallya insisted that we shoot in India, which is one of the most amazing locations in the world. From Udaipur to Ladakh to Aandaman's to Goa, we have gone top to bottom and done more than 20 flights," said Atul.
Country's leading models, including Deepti Gujral, Sheetal Menon, Monikangkana Dutta, Shruti Agrawal, Preeti Desai, Mesissa Mehra and Tamara Moss set the temperatures soaring by posing in the slinkiest of the swimsuits.
Model Shruti Agarwal, who shot for this year's calender, was visibly excited.
"This is the most wonderful experience I had so far. This is my second year that I'm modelling for Kingfisher calendar. As the Kingfisher calendar is shot at different locations, it was so beautiful," said Agarwal.
The calendar introduced in 2003 was the first of its kind in India and promises twelve months of fun, glamour and visual appeal. (ANI)
--MP
Shiv Sena protests against repeal of Urban Land Ceiling Act in Maharashtra
Mumbai, Dec 20 (ANI): Shiv Sainiks on Thursday took to the streets in Mumbai to protest against the Maharashtra government's decision to scrap the Urban Land Ceiling Act that led to freeing up large tracts of prime real estate.
Maharashtra recently scrapped a law that controls urban land holdings, potentially freeing up large tracts of prime real estate in the financial hub of Mumbai and sending shares of property firms sharply higher.
The repeal of the Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act could free up to 25,000 hectares of land and attract foreign builders, says a government spokesman.
"Shiv Sena has always protested against the decision of the Maharashtra government to abolish ULC (Urban Land Ceiling Act) and will continue to do so," said Uddhav Thackeray, executive president of the party.
The repeal of the law is also expected to rein in land prices in Mumbai and make housing cheaper for millions of middle class families. (ANI)
--MP
Pond's Institute organises high-end anti-aging plenary workshop
Thursday, 20 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 20 (ANI/Business Wire India): Pond's Institute conducted a plenary workshop for leading dermatologists from across the country under the aegis of Pond's scientists Dr. David Horne, Dr. Mike Cheney, Dr. Pushker Sona and Dr. Stacey Hawkins.
On the agenda was a detailed presentation on the latest developments in anti-aging skincare.
Global Face Care Director, Dr. Pushker Sona set the tone of the packed workshop, detailing the special care taken by Pond's Institute to focus on Asian skin and narrowing the focus to South Asian skin as well.
Anti-aging has become big business around the world and increasingly South Asian women are waking up to the importance of skincare on a sustained basis.
Leading international dermatologist, Dr. Horne focussed on new technologies with special mention of the efficacy of CLA or Conjugated Linoleic Acid, the revolutionary anti-aging bio active molecule developed in Pond's Institute laboratories.
Dr. Horne also mentioned his speech at the CSI session which touched upon avant-garde anti-aging technology of which CLA is a leading discovery. This was attended by dermats from all over India.
Dr. Stacey Hawkins, from the Unilever Technical expert Group and is a senior Research scientist, touched upon key insights on Asian skin as well as shared studies on consumer insights. Indian women for example, are keen to have fair and glowing skin that reveals health and care. Women from other parts of Asia believe that white skin is beautiful.
Dr. Mike Cheney, Director, R and D, of the Unilever Technical Expert Group focused on anti aging technology with special mention on CLA. He also explained in great detail the proof of CLA's supremacy in skincare benefits scale while revealing in-vitro results.
The talks were followed by an interactive session between attending doctors and visiting scientists. (ANI)
--MP
Sensex gains by 12 points, closes at 19, 091
Mumbai, Dec 19 (ANI): The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) gained 12 points and closed at 19,091.
The Mid Cap index, however, plunged by 13 points and Small Cap declined by 13 points.
Reliance Energy (REL) soared by over four per cent to Rs 1,883. ONGC surged 2.7 per cent to Rs 1,181.
ICICI Bank rallied by 1.8 per cent to Rs 1,161. Infosys and TCS advanced by one per cent each to Rs 1,638 and Rs 1,021, respectively.
Tata Steel and ITC added also added one per cent each to Rs 824 and Rs 200, respectively.
ON the other side, ACC plunged by 3.4 per cent to Rs 1,031, and Maruti shed 2.4 per cent to Rs 995.
SBI shed two per cent at Rs 2,258. HDFC and Grasim dropped 1.7 per cent each to Rs 2,763 and Rs 3,575, respectively.
Tata Motors slipped over 1.5 per cent to Rs 691, and NTPC jumped down by 1.3 per cent at Rs 230. (ANI)
--MP
Reuters Market info service now in Maharashtra
MUMBAI, India, Dec. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Reuters today announced
a partnership with Maharashtra's Postal Circle, to distribute, sell
and support Reuters Market Light ('RML'). Reuters Market Light is a
unique mobile information service for Indian farmers from Reuters, and
is now available in local post offices across Maharashtra state.
Reuters Market Light has been designed to support India's
250-million-strong agricultural community and has over 10,500
subscribers since its launch in October 2007.
-- Reuters Market Light offers Indian farmers up-to-date, local and
customised commodity pricing information, news and weather updates
-- Officially launched in October 2007, the service already has over
10,500 farmers signed-up and is being actively supported by The
Government of India
-- RML helps farmers to enhance their crop yields and improve their
productivity over a very wide range of produce including onions,
cotton, soybean, pulses, pomegranates and oranges
-- This relationship with the Maharashtra Postal Circle expands the
reach of Reuters Market Light across the state, providing local
access and supportLocal farmers in Maharashtra will now be able to access Reuters Market
Light directly from their nearest post office. This new distribution
platform will significantly expand the presence of the service across
the region, and will allow farmers to easily and conveniently learn
about Reuters Market Light, view demonstrations and subscribe to the
services. Reuters will provide RML service training to Maharashtra
Postal Circle, to ensure that knowledgeable local help and support for
farmers is at hand. Amit Mehra, RML Managing Director said: "The farming community in India is one of the largest in the world.
The rural and often remote nature of the community makes it incredibly
difficult for farmers, especially those with small holdings, to get
even the most basic information." "Through this new partnership with the Maharashtra Postal Circle,
farmers will now be able to easily access Reuters Market Light in
their local area. The crucial marketing, sales and support that the
local post offices provide will significantly help the service reach
the furthest rural agricultural communities. The aim is to facilitate
greater transparency in the Indian agricultural markets allowing
individual farmers to increase their productivity and maximise their
revenue, and this new distribution channel helps to meet those goals.
Reuters aims to roll the service out in post offices across all of
India in 2008." RML, a mobile phone-based service, was lauched by the Honourable Union
Minister of Agriculture, Govt of India, Mr. Sharad Pawar in
Maharashtra State in Western India on 01 October 2007. RML helps
farmers achieve better yields and secure better prices by allowing
them to receive accurate weather forecasts and local price information
direct to their mobile phones, in their own language. Before RML, farmers had very limited information on current and local
market prices for their crops or timely information that would help
them decide the best time to harvest their crops. This hindered market
efficiency, reduced yields, increased wastage and could severely
impact upon a farmer's earnings and livelihood. Importantly, as well
as helping farmers to get the best price, RML's accurate and timely
information has the potential to reduce crop wastage, which across
India runs into billions of dollars each year. The service is available for Rs.60 per month. Although currently only
in Maharashtra, Reuters Market Light will be available at post offices
in rural areas across all of India in early 2008.
KPMG survey says software firms losing billions due to piracy
Mumbai, Dec 19 (ANI): KPMG, the US audit, tax and advisory firm, has said that illegal and unlicensed software installations continue to be a significant problem and source of revenue loss for software companies worldwide.
In fact, 55 per cent of the executives estimated their firm's revenue loss at greater than 10 per cent of total revenue, says a recent survey by KPMG.
In India, too, the picture is grim with 50 per cent of software being pirated.
The KPMG study found out that 87 per cent of the executives claimed revenue loss due to unlicensed users.
"Executives of software companies are struggling to find answers to combat unlicensed software use. Some firms are either not executing their compliance programs or need them analysed or overhauled," said Arpinder Singh, executive director, KPMG in India.
"Effective compliance programmes do help firms recoup revenue and maintain strong customer relationships," Singh added.
The KPMG study found that 64 per cent of software publishing executives indicated that their companies have a programme designed to ensure customer compliance with software license agreements. And 36 per cent said that they do not have compliance programmes.
Singh believes that in India also the picture is quite grim as almost 50 per cent software is pirated.
"One of the major problems in India is the weak law enforcement and awareness. Though a number of companies have started software compliance programme but we still need to go a long way," Singh said.
He said that several leading practices were revealed through our survey that can be applied by software publishers to help recover lost revenues, strengthen software license controls, and improve business relationships with major institutional customers.
KPMG surveyed 50 executives from software publishing companies collectively represented almost 50 per cent of total industry revenue. Twenty-eight per cent of those who responded are with companies earning five billion dollars or more in software revenues. (ANI)
- AY
Sensex up by 241 points, market positive
Mumbai, Dec 19 (ANI): The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) is now up by 241 points at 19,321. The market breadth is extremely positive because out of 2,686 stocks traded so far, 2,349 have advanced. Twenty-seven stocks remained unchanged and 310 have declined.
Reliance Energy shares has zoomed 4.5 per cent to Rs 1,890. ONGC shares also soared 3.4 per cent to Rs 1,189.
ITC and Tata Steel have surged 2.5 per cent each to Rs 203 and Rs 836, respectively.
ICICI Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra have rallied 2.3 per cent each to Rs 1,166 and Rs 788, respectively.
DLF has gained two per cent at Rs 967. Cipla, Tata Motors and Ambuja Cements have advanced 1.5 per cent each to Rs 219, Rs 713 and Rs 147, respectively.
Infosys, Ranbaxy and Reliance have moved up 1.3 per cent each to Rs 1,643, Rs 416 and Rs 2,765, respectively.
Earlier, on Tuesday the Sensex tumbled by 181 points before closing at 19, 079.
The Midcap and small cap index too plunged by 11 and 21 points respectively.
The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange posted 0.6 per cent of loss before closing at 5, 742. (ANI)
- AY
Sensex plunges by 181 points, closes at 19, 079
Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) today tumbled by 181 points before closing at 19, 079.
The Midcap and small cap index too plunged by 11 and 21 points respectively.
The Nifty of the National Stock Exchange posted 0.6 per cent of loss before closing at 5, 742.
At BSE Hindustan Unilever dropped over three per cent to Rs 211; L&T slipped nearly three per cent to Rs 3,968.
HDFC and ICICI Bank declined over two per cent each to Rs 2,812 and Rs 1,141, respectively.
Reliance was down 1.8 per cent Rs 2,729.
ONGC, HDFC Bank, REL and M&M also rallied at the BSE stock market.
Cipla was firm right through the day, and finished with a gain of nearly four per cent at Rs. 216. ITC was up two per cent Rs 198.
NTPC and Ranbaxy closed with gains of over one per cent each at Rs 232 and Rs 410, respectively. (ANI)
Ends MO
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Pravin Mahajan gets life sentence
Tuesday, 18 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): A Sessions Court here today sentenced Pravin Mahajan to life imprisonment for the murder of his elder brother and the BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan.
Ending the nine-month long eventful trial, Additional Session Court Judge S P Davare yesterday said considering all evidences brought on record by the prosecution during the trial process, accused Pravin Mahajan was found guilty under section 302 (Murder) and 449 (House trespass) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The prosecution had sought death penalty for Pravin.
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam argued for a death sentence, saying that the case fell in the "rarest of rare" category.
"The murder was committed in a brutal manner with total disregard to human life," Nikam told the court.
Defence counsel for Pravin, Mukesh Modi said they would appeal against the conviction in the Bombay High Court.
A court on December 15 had accepted that Pravin had pre-planned the murder of Pramod. The court also said the SMSs allegedly sent by Pravin to Pramod proved that the murder had been pre-planned.
Earlier, the court had rejected the prosecution's theory that money could be the motive and the prime cause behind the acrimony between the two siblings.
A total of 35 witnesses were examined during the trial, including Pravin's wife Sarangi and the court recorded over 600 pages of depositions.
Pramod Mahajan's widow Rekha and their servant Mahesh Wankhede were the main witnesses in the case.
Pravin surrendered before the police on April 22, 2006 admitting he had shot three bullets into Pramod at the latter's flat in the Poornima building in Worli, Central Mumbai, after having an argument over some property dispute.
Pravin is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail in central Mumbai, where he has been since his surrender to the police last year. (ANI)
--MP
Court to pronounce quantum of sentence to Pravin Mahajan
Mumbai, Dec 18 (ANI): A Sessions Court will pronounce the quantum of sentence to Pravin Mahajan, who was convicted for the murder of his elder brother and the BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan.
Ending the nine-month long eventful trial, Additional Session Court Judge S P Davare yesterday said considering all evidences brought on record by the prosecution during the trial process, accused Pravin Mahajan was found guilty under section 302 (Murder) and 449 (House trespass) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the prosecution would study the judgement before deciding on what sentence they would seek for Pravin.
Defence counsel for Pravin, Mukesh Modi said they would appeal against the conviction in the Bombay High Court.
A court on December 15 had accepted that Pravin had pre-planned the murder of Pramod. The court also said the SMSs allegedly sent by Pravin to Pramod proved that the murder had been pre-planned.
Earlier, the court had rejected the prosecution's theory that money could be the motive and the prime cause behind the acrimony between the two siblings.
A total of 35 witnesses were examined during the trial, including Pravin's wife Sarangi and the court recorded over 600 pages of depositions.
Pramod Mahajan's widow Rekha and their servant Mahesh Wankhede were the main witnesses in the case.
Pravin surrendered before the police on April 22, 2006 admitting he had shot three bullets into Pramod at the latter's flat in the Poornima building in Worli, Central Mumbai, after having an argument over some property dispute.
Pravin is currently lodged at the Arthur Road jail in central Mumbai, where he has been since his surrender to the police last year. (ANI)
- AY
Sensex tumbles 769 pts on possible fall in foreign investment
Mumbai, Dec.17 (ANI): The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share index tumbled 769 points on Monday over fears of foreign investment will slow down in the wake of rising inflation in the US.
The BSE 30-share index fell by 769.48 points to 19,261.35 as most heavy-weight shares in metal, refinery, capital goods and banking shares declined.
It touched the day's high of 20,032.67 and low of 19,177.19 points.
The National Stock Exchange index, Nifty, also slipped by 270.70 points to 5,777, after touching the day's high of 6,039.95 and low of 5,740.60 points.
Trading sentiments turned weak following a fall in global stock markets.
In the US, the Standard and Poor's 500 Index dropped 1.4 percent on Friday, which pulled down most Asian stock markets on Monday morning.
The metal stocks melted the most by plunging 1,438.50 points at 18,324.50, followed by capital goods index by 733.37 points at 19, 129.14.
Realty index fell by 701.10 points at 11,699.36.
PSU index lost 567.95 points at 9,511.13, oil and gas index by 666.23 points at 12,314.72, bank index by 416.25 points at 10,919.22 and power index by 212.85 points at 4,222.68. (ANI)
--MP
Team India leaves for Australia
Monday, 17 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 17 (ANI): The Indian team, lead by skipper Anil Kumble, today left for Australia to play four Test matches. The Test series will be followed by a triangular one-day international series, for which the personnel will be different.
A 16-member Test team will open the tour with a three-day tour match against Victoria from Thursday.
On the eve of the team's departure, Kumble said India has the potential to end Australia's 14-Test winning streak and could clinch their first series victory in the country.
"The last time around, we came pretty close to winning the series. We will definitely go out there and do our best," he said.
Kumble said the team had had a number of experienced campaigners and that would help the team's cause to a great extent.
"If you look at the quality in the side, the people who have been playing, the experience in the side, we have the ability to adjust. I mean that's the prerequisite of the international team now. Whatever little time that we have, we would like to make best use of it. The potential in the side and also the experience, I am sure will help the team in this regard," he added.
It may be the final tour to Australia for batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Vangipurappu Laxman, as well as Kumble, who are all in their mid-thirties.
The team is due to visit Australia next in 2011, by which time the above five would be in their late thirties or early forties.
India drew a four-Test series 1-1 on their previous tour of Australia in 2003-04 after going 1-0 up in Adelaide.
However, the hosts have not lost a Test since August 2005 in England and could better their record of 16 wins during the four-match series which starts in Melbourne on December 26. (ANI)
- AY
Court to pronounce verdict in Pramod Mahajan murder case
Mumbai, Dec 17 (ANI): A trial court will announce its verdict today in the BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan murder case.
Pravin Mahajan is facing charges of murdering his elder brother Pramod. He has been charged under Sections 302 (murder) and 449 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code.
A court on December 15 had accepted that Pravin had pre-planned the murder of Pramod. The court also said the SMSs allegedly sent by Pravin to Pramod proved that the murder had been pre-planned.
Earlier, the court had rejected the prosecution's theory that money could be the motive and the prime cause behind the acrimony between the two siblings.
During the trial, the witnesses who deposed included Rekha, Pramod's wife; daughter Poonam; brother-in-law Gopinath Munde and Pravin's wife Sarangi.
Pravin surrendered before the police on April 22, admitting he had shot three bullets into Pramod at the latter's flat in the Poornima building in Worli, Central Mumbai, after having an argument over some property dispute. (ANI)
- AY
Number of flamingos migrating to Maharashtra wetlands declines
Sunday, 16 December, 2007
Pune, Dec 15 (ANI): As winter sets in, wetlands in Maharashtra spring to life with the arrival of hundreds of flamingos. However, this season the wetlands are witnessing a decline in the number of flamingos' arrival, as their nesting and breeding habits are altered due to global warming and other environmental factors.
In tune with the annual pattern, this year too, both greater flamingos and lesser flamingos have migrated to wetland areas in Maharashtra, including in Pune, Thane, Solapur, Ahmadnagar and Satara Districts, but a bit earlier.
"These local migratory birds breed in the Great Rann of Kutch in India near Pakistan border. After breeding, these birds come to this area in January and February. And stay here for two or three months. But, this year they have arrived a bit earlier," said Satish Pandey, an ornithologist.
"Actually, this change in migration pattern is being seen in all the birds for the past few years. Experts say the change is due to global warming," Pandey added.
Flamingos easily traverse long distances and can cover over 500 km at a stretch in a single night. Although, their precise migratory route is not known, they come from Central Africa via West Asia to India.
They start arriving in India in October and stay till April. They congregate in vast numbers in the Rann of Kutch. A sizeable number of them are found in other parts of the country, including the Sewree mudflats in Mumbai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
However, in recent years, the population of these migratory birds have dwindled due to increased industrialisation, environmental degradation and climate change.
Moreover, there is the danger of poachers, who kill these hapless birds. Earlier this month, two men were filmed killing two flamingos in the Sewree mangrove swamp in Mumbai. They killed the birds for the sheer thrill.
The bird is usually killed for its meat. The avian species is in the danger of becoming extinct if such killings are not curbed. (ANI)
--MP
Verdict in Pramod Mahajan murder case deferred till Monday
Mumbai, Dec 15 (ANI): A trial court here on Saturday deferred the pronouncement of the verdict in BJP leader Pramod Mahajan's murder case till Monday.
Pravin Mahajan is facing charges of murdering his elder brother Pramod. He has been charged under Sections 302 (murder) and 449 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code.
Pravin surrendered before the police on April 22, admitting he had shot three bullets into Pramod at the latter's flat in the Poornima building in Worli, Central Mumbai, after having an argument over some property dispute.
While Pravin claims it was a case of accidental firing, the prosecution has made out a case for murder.
With the judge ruling out culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the only charge Pravin has stood trial for is murder. (ANI)
--MP
Industrial hub catches fire in Mumbai suburb
Mumbai, Dec 15 (ANI): A fire broke out today in an industrial area housing chemical units in suburban Malad here, but there were no reports of injuries so far.
DCP, Malad Zone, Makarand Rande, said, "The blaze started around 6.30 a.m. and engulfed small scale units in this area. Plastic moulding work is done in these units and a lot of plastic raw material, machine oil and other hazardous chemicals are present there".
The cause of the fire is being ascertained.
Fifteen fire engines and five jumbo tankers were dispatched to control the fire. Ambulances were also sent to the spot.
Sources said the industry is 50 years old.
According to eyewitnesses, there are about 1200 small-scale units in the industrial area, of which around 50 units were affected by the fire. (ANI) --MP
Court to pronounce verdict in Pramod Mahajan murder case
Saturday, 15 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 15 (ANI): A trial court will announce its verdict today in the BJP General Secretary Pramod Mahajan murder case.
Pravin Mahajan is facing charges of murdering his elder brother Pramod. He has been charged under Sections 302 (murder) and 449 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code.
Pravin surrendered before the police on April 22, admitting he had shot three bullets into Pramod at the latter's flat in the Poornima building in Worli, Central Mumbai, after having an argument over some property dispute.
While Pravin claims it was a case of accidental firing, the prosecution has made out a case for murder.
With the judge ruling out culpable homicide not amounting to murder, the only charge Pravin has stood trial for is murder. (ANI)
- AY
Mumbai school kids complain of nausea after consuming mid-day meal
Mumbai, Dec 14 (ANI): At least 34 students of a secondary school showed symptoms of nausea after consuming milk, served in the government-sponsored mid-day meal in Mumbai on Friday.
The children, who suffered from food poisoning, were mostly students of eighth and ninth standards of the New L J Road Municipal School.
"At 8.30 in the morning I was given milk, after which I vomited. This has never happened before," said Suresh Godbole, a student.
After the children vomited and complained of stomach pain, they were admitted to a nearby hospital.
The condition of the children is reported to be stable and out of danger.
Palsule Desai, the school Head Mistress, said: "The meal was provided for 104 students out of which 34 reportedly vomited. They are now in good health and proper care is being taken."
Meanwhile, the police are investigating the incident.
The government runs a huge midday meal scheme for children, with 120 million signed up to receive one hot, nutritious meal free on every school day. (ANI)
--MP
Five killed in Mumbai building collapse
Mumbai, Dec 14 (ANI): At least five people were killed and 15 others injured after a two-storey building collapsed in Shimpoli area of Borivli on Friday.
Many people are feared trapped under the debris. So far, thirteen people have been rescued. Additional forces were also called in to assist in the rescue work.
Most of the people residing in the building reportedly were labourers.
The building had been abandoned by most of the residents due to its dilapidated condition. It was being repaired to provide temporary accommodation to persons living in nearby slums, designated for redevelopment.
The injured have been rushed to the nearby Bhagwati hospital.
In July, Laxmi Chhaya, a six-storey building, in the same suburb had collapsed. (ANI)
--MP
Aar-Em Electronics to enter renewable energy market
Friday, 14 December, 2007
Pune, Dec 13 (ANI/Business Wire India): Aar-em Electronics Pvt. Ltd., a Pune-based manufacturer of the well-known CHAMPION brand of Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), will be soon making foray into the growing renewable energy market starting with photo-voltaic and later combining with wind energy.
Ranjit Mohite, Managing Director, Aar-em Electronics Pvt ltd. said that this business was an ideal extension to their original business of providing uninterrupted power.
The first step would be to give an urban edge to rural banking. At most of our installed bank sites in rural areas we have found that batteries are not getting sufficiently charged due to extended power breaks and unreliable grid power.
Mohite added that they have recently introduced solar modules which worked simple.
During daylight when the sun is shining bright the Modules convert sun energy into electrical energy. Then this energy is channelized through charge controllers and stored in the existing batteries of the UPS already installed by us. So no additional costs, negligible maintenance and above all the customer could claim very high depreciation benefits.
Through continuous innovation, Aar-em has always been striving to provide the customers with the best available technology.
The customers will now have advantage of having a single source supply for the entire range of power protection equipment and benefit of optimal technology at an affordable price point that also provides maximum value on investment.
According to Mohite, over the last one year the company has put concerted efforts in developing specialized power supplies for telecommunication application and received large orders from most telecom giants.
He also added that this business will grow manifold in the coming years.
CHAMPION is a very strong brand in the corporate and consumer space. It has long been known for product quality and reliability in the complete range of power protection equipments sold by them.
Aar-em pioneered the concept of the small UPS in the Indian market and has propelled itself to a pole position in a highly competitive field by offering state of the art technology.
Aar-em offers a diverse and extremely reliable product range for protection against all power problems. They have a compact, aesthetically designed Line Interactive UPS from 500 VA to 5000 VA and On-line UPS from 1 KVA to 20 KVA all of which are manufactured with advanced technology to meet International standards backed by a sound nationwide customer support network.
CHAMPION has opened new service centres in unrepresented areas. Currently, Aar-em is present at 25 locations spread all over the country for service support and is soon expecting to double its customer base with proposed new service centers.
Since the brand CHAMPION is reputed and has excellent consumer recall the company has received numerous offers form prospective overseas partners who wish to enter the growing India market and take advantage of well set up infrastructure.
We have also been approached by many Private Equity firms who have envisaged interest in picking up a stake and the same is under consideration to cash in part of the enterprise value and balance for growth expansion.
Mohite stated all this is in preliminary stage and hence would not like to comment more on the above
The year 2007 -08 has till now been an exciting year said Ranjit Mohite.
Aar-em group revenues for the year 2007-08 are projected around 22 crores. With this new business in place Aar-em's revenues will grow manifold due to the introduction of Renewable energy products thus increasing top line rapidly.
Aar-em currently is recognised as one of the fastest growing power electronics company in India. (ANI)
--MP
Airport at Amravati not for my convenience, says President Patil
Thursday, 13 December, 2007
New Delhi, Dec 12 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday said that the proposed new airport being built at Amravati is not for her convenience, but is part of the Maharashtra State Government's initiatives for the development of the Vidarbha region.
"The proposed new Airport is one of the various initiatives of the Government of Maharashtra for the development of Vidarbha region and not aimed at the convenience of the President," a statement released by the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated.
Reports have appeared in some sections of the media that a new airport is being built at Amravati in Maharashtra for the convenience of the President, ignoring the interests of the farmers of the Vidarbha region. The reports are factually incorrect and misleading, the statement added.
It also said that the President is very much concerned about the farmers' issues in the country, particularly of the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra from where farmers' suicides were reported.
"The President has already advised the Central Government for an early solution of matters related to debt relief of farmers. The President always insists on giving top priority to the progress and welfare of farmer," the statement added. (ANI)
--MP
Nagpur-born Vikram Pandit named new Citigroup CEO
Wednesday, 12 December, 2007
New York, Dec 12 (ANI): Citigroup Inc has named its investment banking head, Vikram Pandit, as the group's chief executive and acting CEO Win Bischoff as its chairman, disappointing investors who wanted a big-name outsider to overhaul the bank.
Citi had been seeking a replacement for former CEO Charles Prince, who left on November 4 under pressure from shareholders frustrated by the performance of the largest US financial services company. Citi shares have fallen by about a third this year, and the company has taken massive write-downs for mortgage-related holdings.
Pandit`s career has included heading investment banking and capital markets at Morgan Stanley. He joined Citigroup five months ago when the bank bought his year-old hedge fund firm, Old Lane Partners, for USD 800 million.
Vikram Pandit is a Nagpur-born NRI and a Citigroup neophyte. Pandit, whose elevation had been in the air for several days, replaces the charismatic Charles O. "Chuck" Prince III.
Pandit, who is 50, is the first person of Indian origin to scale such stratospheric heights in the financial world, which has many well-regarded Indian executives. Citigroup has operations in more than 100 countries, with 300,000 employees and two trillion dollars in assets.
Some reports has hyperbolically projected a toss-up between Pandit and former Pakistan prime minister Shaukat Aziz for the CEO job, but the latter, a former mid-level Citibank executive, was not even in the picture, and the story appeared more a flight of fancy by those consumed with India-Pakistan equation.
If anything, Pandit edged out another Indian, Ajay Banga, who runs Citigroup's international-consumer group, for the plum job. Others in the running included former Citigroup President Robert Willumstad and Michael Neal, who runs General Electric Co.'s (GE) commercial-finance business.
The word in the financial world is that Pandit was the consensus choice, and particularly favored by Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who has tracked Pandit's career for several years.
According to one account, Rubin became aware of Pandit at a private meeting of Wall Street executives in late 1999 at the Century Association, a 161- year-old private club in Manhattan.
The meeting was hosted by then-Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt, who wanted ideas on changes needed for US stock markets. Pandit, who is credited with building the electronic trading system at the investment banking group Morgan Stanley, was so articulate in his responses that Rubin asked the person next to him who he was.
Before joining Citigroup, Pandit served as president and chief operating officer at Morgan Stanley from 2000 to 2005. He left Morgan Stanley, and in 2006, formed Old Lane Capital, a hedge-fund firm, that Citigroup acquired in April this year for 600 million dollars.
Vikram Shankar Pandit, the son of a pharma representative and businessman, came to the United States when he was only 16 for undergraduate studies at Columbia University, home to several prominent Indian academics, including the economist Jagdish Bhagwati and the alma mater of Dr B R Ambedkar.
He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in electrical engineering before switching to finance and earning a Ph.D Mentors cited in a recent profile described him as a relentlessly hardworking student, the kind who relished challenges.
He will have monumental ones at Citigroup. The bank has suffered staggering losses in recent times in the mortgage melt-down and other exposures. Shares of Citigroup dropped to below 30 dollars for the first time in five years even as the financial flame-out consumed CEO Prince and many other Wall Street stalwarts.
The situation was considered so dire that a 7.5 billion dollar capital infusion by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority last month was seen as a part bailout from the nearly 17 billion dollar write-off relating to soured mortgages.
Pandit is seen as a cautious and conservative banker.
Many experts say the new CEO will need not just punditry but also some wizardry to extricate the bank from the mess.
In a statement following his elevation, Pandit said he would "undertake an objective and dispassionate review of all the businesses, individually and in aggregate, to make sure we are properly positioned for the future."
He also promised simplify the company's organizational structure, align businesses and resources with appropriate goals, with economic realities being among our initial priorities, a sure sign that there will be some soul-searching and cleansing.
But some investors expressed concern that the 50-year-old, India-born executive has never run a public company, let alone one as big and complex as Citi. Pandit also has no experience leading a consumer business, which at Citi generates more than half of overall revenue.
The appointment of Bischoff, 66, was a surprise. Formerly chairman of Citi`s international businesses, Bischoff served as acting CEO for the past five weeks. Former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who has served as chairman in the interim, will return to his duties as chairman of the executive committee. (ANI with inputs)
- AY
Mumbai commuters boycott local suburban trains
Monday, 10 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 10 (ANI): Hundreds of commuters today decided not to travel on the suburban line of the Western Railways, demanding an increase in the frequency of trains, especially on a particular route.
Their demand is for more locals on the Borivali-Virar line as a million commuters use this route to get to their work places.
The boycott is being held under the banner of 'Pravasi Adhikar Aandolan Samiti' (PAAS), a commuters association, between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Of the total 1,036 daily services, only 226 services operate on the Borivli-Virar sector though the population of this area has tripled in the past decade.
Shailendra Kamble, convenor of the PAAS said that the protest would be non-violent.
Tight security arrangements have been made at all stations between Mira Road and Virar to avoid any kind of untoward incident.
At the inaugural of the quadrupling of the Borivli-Virar section on June 30, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had said that 157 new imported rakes (trains) would be introduced on the suburban section by November.
According to sources, only three rakes have come and one has been deployed so far. (ANI)
- AY
India plays host to Jones Lang Lasalle's global board meeting
Mumbai, Dec 10 (ANI/Business Wire India): Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated, the world's leading integrated global real estate services and money management firm, recently hosted its global board of directors and global executive committee for the first time in its 220 years history in Mumbai.
Colin Dyer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. said, "We are extremely pleased to be in India for the Global Board Meeting. The Indian real estate market is burgeoning and becoming a significant contributor to India's economic growth. The country is on the radar of many corporations looking at investing or expanding their businesses in Asia and the economic and business outlook is positive. We are excited by the opportunities that lie ahead for our business, employees and clients in India."
The three-day board meeting was attended by six board directors and senior leaders of the global executive committee of Jones Lang LaSalle reflects the importance of India to the global Jones Lang LaSalle business and growth strategy.
"Jones Lang LaSalle has been making and continues to make significant investments to expand market share and client wins. These investments and our strategic acquisitions across the world are contributing to the firm's positive results," Dyer added.
In India, the merger of Jones Lang LaSalle and Trammel Crow Meghraj in June 2007 to form Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj has allowed the firm to strengthen its presence in the real estate services industry in this booming economy.
"Today, we are the largest real estate services firm with over 3,3 00 employees across ten Indian cities, managing approximately 44 million square feet of real estate space across India," Dyer said.
"In addition, a more robust global service delivery platform with access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise has empowered our employees to enhance the level of service delivery to our clients in India. Considering the stage at which the Indian real estate market is at now, we believe there will be strong demand for comprehensive and enhanced scope of real estate services with adoption of international best practices, which is where Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj has the competitive edge," added Dyer.
Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj is well positioned to continue its positive growth and reinforce its thought leadership on the Indian real estate market. (ANI)
- AY
Mastek CMD Sudhakar Ram bags CNBC Asia's India Business Leader of the Year Award
Saturday, 8 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 8 (ANI): Mastek Ltd. CMD Sudhakar Ram has bagged the CNBC Asia's India Business Leader of the year award at the CNBC TV18 India Business Leader Awards.
Ram who took over the role as the Chairman and Managing Director of Mastek from his position of Group CEO nearly a year ago has been the catapulting force in identifying the "Third Wave" opportunity for the Indian IT industry and in leveraging Mastek's strength as an IT solutions company.
More than two years ago, Ram headed to the USA to grow the company's US operations.
Backed by his rich experience of more than two decades, the unit grew by 40 percent within a year. He also led the repositioning of Mastek, focusing on a few chosen verticals like 'Insurance' and 'Government'. His focus has paid great dividends, with more than 70 percent of the company's business coming from these domains.
Commenting on the occasion, Ram said: "It is truly a privilege and an honour to be a recipient of such a coveted award. This is also a testament of the hardwork and dedicated effort put in by my team at Mastek who have made India proud by delivering solutions that impact not only individual companies but cities and countries as well. I also take this opportunity to thank all of Mastek's partners and customers who have contributed toward this achievement. Recognition like this award further strengthens our resolve to build Mastek as a leader of 'Wave-3 IT Companies' from India. I also congratulate all the other industry leaders that CNBC has identified and felicitated for the outstanding work that they have done."
Every year, CNBC TV18 felicitates leaders across various categories for their vision, ability to take risks and their skills in building enterprises of the future. This is the third time CNBC-TV18 announced such awards which seek to recognise and honour achievements of leaders who champion enterprise, growth and progress of the Indian economy. The awards define and celebrate vision, the spirit of achievement and excellence in business leadership. (ANI) -AJ
Nation pays tribute to B R Ambedkar on his 52nd death anniversary
Thursday, 6 December, 2007
New Delhi/Mumbai, Dec 6 (ANI): Indian leaders paid rich tribute to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar on his 52nd death anniversary on Monday.
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee paid floral tributes to the father of the Indian Constitution at a special function in the Parliament Complex.
Several Union Ministers, leaders of political parties and Members of Parliament were among others who also offered floral tribute at the statue of Dr. Ambedkar.
The day is also observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
Several functions were organised in different parts of the country to mark the occasion.
In Mumbai, scores of people gathered at the Chaityabhoomi' to pay homage to him. Doctor Ambedkar's last rites took place here.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, scholar, Bahujan political leader and a Buddhist revivalist.
Ambedkar spent his life fighting untouchability and the Indian caste system.
He is also credited for having sparked off the Dalit Buddhist movement. Ambedkar was honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
Overcoming numerous social and financial obstacles, Ambedkar became one of the first "untouchables" to obtain a college education in India.
He went on to pursue higher studies in the United States and England, where he earned law degrees and multiple doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science.
Returning home as a famous scholar, Ambedkar practiced law for a few years before he began publishing journals that advocated political rights and social freedom for India's untouchables. (ANI)
- AY
European casual wear brand 'Springfield' enters India
Mumbai, Dec 5 (ANI/Business Wire India): Landmark Group (Dubai), a foremost retailer in the Middle East and India, brings Springfield - a European casual wear brand - here.
This globally acclaimed brand is known for trendy casual wear that is distinctly urban, sporty and vibrant. An international fashion leader, Springfield is set to enthral consumers with the formal launch of its first store in Mumbai today.
The Springfield store is located at Atria-The Millennium Mall, Lower Parel (Annie Besant Road, Worli).
To mark the launch of Springfield, famous models like Aryan Vaid and Carol Gracias, along with budding models, were treated to a makeover by stylist Nisha Bedi Rai.
Vaid was given the 'Casual Dark' look from Springfield's Autumn Winter collection. This look focuses on a casual yet stylish look and reflects the attitude of those who love being dressed in black and grey with a touch of red. Carol was given the "School Rebel" look - a collection for the mischievous rebel, which portrays college styles and emblems.
The Springfield store sports a cool vintage feel. The store has been designed to make products accessible offering consumers easy browsing. Springfield makes shopping a relaxing experience, while using light and designs in a creative manner to highlight products as well as enhance consumer accessibility. Facing brick walls, split-level ceilings at different heights and modular furniture further compliments the recycled industrial feel of the store.
Commenting on the launch, Sandeep Krishan, Brand Head, said, "Springfield is best suited for the young, cosmopolitan male in search of a fashionable brand that offers a good quality-price relationship. The collection oozes a 'cool' attitude with an overall rugged look and feel. All in all, this is a great offering for the urban Indian male who is conscious of being in sync with global fashion trends and not afraid of experimenting."
Springfield boasts of a wide range of apparel, footwear and accessories for men. The collection comprises of Denims, Winter clothing like Sweaters, Summer Knitwear & Continuity knitwear, Sports wear like Sport Trousers & Shirts, Summer Sports Shirts and Sports Jackets and Accessories like Bags, Caps, Shoes, Scarf's, Socks & Innerwear and Sleepwear, Business Trousers and Shirts.
Springfield will launch a complete collection for women in the next season. (ANI)
--MP
GAIL,Reliance sign pact for setting up petrochemical plants globally
Tuesday, 4 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec.4 (ANI): Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and the Gas Authority of India Limited(GAIL)today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint co-operation in petrochemicals.
The MoU was signed here by A K Purwaha, Director (Business Development), GAIL and Nikhil Meswani, Executive Director, RIL in the presence of Dr. U.D. Choubey, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL and Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, RIL.
Under the MoU, GAIL and RIL will explore opportunities for setting up petrochemical complexes outside of India in feedstock rich countries.
Identified opportunities will be examined by a Working Group, consisting of representatives from both the companies. GAIL and RIL will set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for setting up petrochemical complexes abroad.
The Working Group is examining such opportunities in Middle East, Russia and FSU countries. In addition, the two companies will also examine the possibilities of mutual co-operation in the domestic market.
This MoU signed today is the beginning in the area of petrochemical between GAIL and RIL. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the two companies on March 15, 2007 for co-operation in identified areas in the natural gas sector including Natural Gas pipeline, City Gas distribution, Coal Bed Methane, Exploration and Production and Operations and Maintenance services.
Describing the development as a major event, Dr. U D Choubey, CMD, GAIL said, "This is an important milestone for both the companies. It is also an extension of the concept of working together, which took shape with the signing of the co-operation MoU in the Natural Gas sector between GAIL and RIL earlier this year."
Mukesh Ambani said: "GAIL and RIL are India's leading companies in the energy and infrastructure sector. The decision will enable us to look for ." (ANI) -AJ
CBayIndia awarded ISO for providing medical transcription and healthcare BPO services
Mumbai, Dec 4 (ANI/Business Wire India): -- CBaySystems (India) Pvt. Ltd., a leading provider of technology-enabled BPO services for the healthcare industry, today announced that it has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification.
CBayIndia has been awarded this official recognition by BSI for meeting the guidelines set out by the International Organization for Standardization.
CBayIndia was evaluated on its commitment to continuous quality management and improvement of medical transcription and healthcare BPO services including application, development, support and maintenance.
This certification acknowledges CBayIndia's allegiance to quality assurance in healthcare BPO services and processes for healthcare systems, hospitals and physician practices.
CBay is committed to achieving total customer satisfaction by delivering high quality services within the turnaround time to the clients.
Speaking on this achievement, Dinesh Kumar, Director - India Operations and COO, said: "CBayIndia is committed to helping its customers succeed in treating patients with reliable health information delivered punctually. It has been our consistent endeavor to achieve the same for all our 200 plus client hospitals and over 700 physician practices. Quality assurance in CBay's transcription and healthcare BPO services is of paramount importance."
This ISO certification supports CBay's corporate objectives, while reinforcing a culture of excellence.
As CBaySystems continues to expand in markets around the world, the ISO quality framework will assure client hospitals and physician practices that they will continue to receive the highest quality services and on-time delivery relentlessly from CBayIndia. (ANI)
- AY
Puneites run in marathon to spread AIDS awareness
Monday, 3 December, 2007
Pune, Dec 2 (ANI): Thousands of people participated in the 22nd
edition of the Pune International Marathon (PIM), called the "Race
against AIDS", here today.Bollywood actor Salman Khan flagged off the marathon from Khandoji
Baba Chowk, Deccan Gymkhana. The marathon concluded at the Nehru
Stadium. People from different walks of life, including corporate executives,
school children and handicapped persons, participated in the mega
event. Suresh Kalmadi, the Member of Parliament and the President of the
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Athletic Association (AAA),
was among those present to cheer the 30,000 participants. The cricketing quotient was kept high by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. Bollywood actress Aarti Chabbaria, Vidya Malvade and Sagarika Ghatge
were also among the celebrities that graced the occasion. The "Chak De India" girl, Vidya Malvade, said: "I'm feeling very happy
and it's a very special event since it is supporting the cause of
AIDS." Clocking two hours 17 minutes and 25 seconds, Philip Makau Muia of
Kenya won the marathon. "This is my first visit to India. I run a small business of clothes,"
said Muia after the race. Muia won Rs.300,000, while Roman Gessesp from Ethopia won the women's
half marathon and walked away with Rs. 150,000. The PIM is one of the most significant sporting events in the country.
The Pune International Marathon Trust (PIMT), under the guidance of
the Athletic Federation of India (AFI), organises this event every
year. (ANI)
--MP
Regional parties are vehicle for national parties, says Vilasrao Deshmukh
New Delhi, Dec 2 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh
today said that regional parties are vehicle for national parties to
reach out to every nook and corner of the country."Regional political parties represent the aspirations of the regions,
grow on regional issues and are vehicles for national parties to reach
out to the people," Deshmukh said in his address at the Update Session
titled "Will Regional Politics Reshape the Indian Economy?" at the
India Economic Summit here. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and World Economic Forum
jointly organized the summit. He further said that when it came to national interest these parties
forget their political differences and work together. Deshmukh emphasised on consensus among political parties on policies
related to industry, agriculture and education sectors, to provide a
sense of security to foreign investors. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, National Spokesperson Congress Party, said that
coalition governments are genuinely an articulation of regional
aspirations. A country as diverse as India cannot be governed without
the existence of regional parties that act as safety valves, he added. Rajya Sabha Member D Raja said that Indians were always striving for
better governance and better alternatives, and they are not
pessimistic. "The coalition must confine itself to the limited mandate and not go
beyond - if it tries to go beyond this mandate there will be
problems," he said. Politics in country had not become bipolar with two parties attracting
stable regional alliances, Arun Jaitley, General Secretary, Bharatiya
Janata Party, said. He further said that regional parties are usually caste based and
therefore their pre-dominant agenda is to consolidate the caste base,
while the national parties align themselves with these parties to
create a win-win situation. (ANI)
--MP
Rudyard Kipling's birthplace in India to be turned into a museum
Sunday, 2 December, 2007
London, Dec 2 (ANI): Jungle book writer Rudyard Kipling's birthplace
in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) is being converted into an art
museum.Maharashtra state government has set up a committee to run the project. Located on the JJ School of Art campus in Mumbai, the stone and timber
bungalow is now being transformed into a museum that will house both
Kipling artefacts and pieces of contemporary art. "It's part of the process of India finally pardoning Kipling," the
Telegraph quoted Rukmini Bhaya Nair, Professor of English at the
Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, as saying. Kipling's father John Lockwood Kipling was hired as Dean of the art
school, playing an important role in Mumbai's art and architecture
scene. According to Kipling's biographers, the bungalow is set in an
overgrown tropical garden in the heart of Bombay. The Jindal Foundation, a charity, has contributed money for
restoration and Bombay city authorities have given their approval.
However, since nothing of the Kipling household has survived, the
museum is scouring the world for possible donors of photographs,
letters, manuscripts and former possessions. "Kipling left India as a child but he never forgot Bombay. He called
it the best city in the world and I am pleased to pay him this
tribute," Sangeeta Jindal, chairman of the foundation, said. When the museum will open in 2009, it is certain to attract Indian
admirers as well as visitors from overseas. (ANI)
--MP
Mumbai dabbawallahs pack AIDS advice in meal box
Saturday, 1 December, 2007
Mumbai, Dec 1 (ANI): Thousands of office goers in Mumbai, who have their home-cooked food delivered by the city's famed dabbawallahs, the tiffin carriers, also found a piece of advice on countering AIDS, along with food this time.
The extra something came in the form of an 'AIDS Kit' - comprising a car calendar with fliers on testing and counselling tied neatly with a red ribbon. These were distributed on Friday ahead of the World AIDS Day today.
These kits were attached to empty lunch boxes and delivered to about 100,000 clients' homes.
"We are spreading AIDS awareness at homes and offices as well," said Gajanan Telekar, a Tiffin carrier.
Some 5,000 dabbawallahs deliver 200,000 meals from their clients' homes all over Mumbai to their workplaces every day.
This dabbawallah system has been studied in prestigious international business schools as a model of efficiency.
Prerna Kumar, a consultant at Johns Hopkins University said: "There is an army of 5000 dabbawallas which goes across the city and they not deliver just dabbas (tiffin boxes) to the work places but take them back to their homes as well. They have roughly two lakh customers."
The dabbawallahs collect lunch-boxes from homes, sort them out using colour-and-alphabets code, travel by suburban trains, and even carry on their heads heavy wooden trays holding up to 35 boxes for delivery at offices. Their error margin is said to be one in six million deliveries.
Health groups sought the dabbawallahs help for anti-AIDS campaign in order to be able to use their delivery mechanism.
"This started as a workplace intervention, but we realised the messages are not trickling back to their families. So, this time they are taking the message back to their homes with the empty boxes," added Prerna.
India has the world's third biggest caseload of people living with the AIDS virus. After the original estimate of some 5.7 million being infected in India, the UN reduced that estimate to 2.5 million.
It says the global prevalence of HIV infections has levelled off, in part due to effective health programmes. (ANI) -AJ
International Conference on Disaster Reduction 2007 to begin today
Mumbai, Nov 28 (ANI): The third Annual International Conference on Disaster Reduction (ICDR) 2007 will begin here today.
The two-day conference focuses on the theme of "Business Continuity Management and Disaster Recovery" under the chairmanship of Professor Ian Davis.
The conference is under the flagship of Global Forum for Disaster Reduction. A one-of-its kind attempt that connects the corporate world with the disaster mitigation efforts in the country will bring together eminent experts from India and abroad for an in-depth discussion.
The conference will seek participation from various verticals such as information technology, banking and finance, telecommunications, insurance, retail industry, government and education.
It will be attended by delegates from 12 countries.
Some of the eminent speakers include Prof. Ian Davis, Visiting Professor, Cranfield University, Anil Sinha, United Nations International Risk Recovery Platform, Etsuko Tsunozaki and M.S. Gowari Sanker, Asian Disaster Reduction Centre, Dr. Sanjay Srivastav , ISRO, Prof. Vinod Menon, National Disaster Management Authority, Abraham (Avi) Bachar, ISRATEAM 98 Ltd., Prof. Ravi Sinha, IIT, Dr. Manish Tripathi, IBM, Dilruba Haider Managing Partner, Oracle Communications, C.A Khushroo Panthaky, Grant Thornton, Vinay Disla, Wipro , Sunder Krishnan Reliance Life Insurance Company Limited and many more, who will share their experiences and best practices in implementing BCM in their organisations.
Israel is the country partner of this conference while knowledge partner is Grant Thornton.
Other partners include IBM, JCB, TERI, WebEx Communications, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, EXIM Bank, National Housing Bank and Global Trade Finance.
NEW MEDIA, as part of its commitment to serving society, initiated and established Global Forum for Disaster Reduction (GFDR) in 2004, with a mission of connecting governments, corporates and communities.
GFDR has taken several step and succeeded in creating a Platform for Public-Private Partnership. (ANI)
- AY
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