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Ganguly returns home, refuses to talk to media
Thursday, 31 January, 2008
Mumbai/Bhopal, Jan 31 (ANI): Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly, dropped for the triangular series in Australia, returned home on Wednesday and refused to speak to the large battery of media persons at Mumbai airport.
Despite a consistent knock Down Under in the test series, selectors surprisingly dropped Ganguly for next month's triangular series in Australia, which also includes Sri Lanka.
Ganguly later flew down to Kolkata.
35-year-old Ganguly has performed well after he was dropped from the one-day and test series in the wake of a public spat with then coach Greg Chappell two years ago that led to the batsman losing the captaincy.
Meanwhile, school students in Bhopal took out a rally in support of spinner Harbhajan Singh after he was absolved of racial charges.
"We are very happy that there has been justice in the Harbhajan Singh case and Steve Buckner was removed from the India-Australia test series. We want some strict action should be taken against Buckner as well. We are feeling very happy with the solidarity shown by the Indian team. Australian team has deceitfully won the test series. We want that India should win the one day series now," said Jayesh Kumar Singh, a student.
New Zealand Judge John Hansen on Tuesday cleared Harbhajan of a racism charge and lifted the three-match ban against him. He was instead charged 50 per cent of his match fee for offensive behaviour. His offence was revised from Level Three to Level Two under the ICC Code of Conduct rules for players.
It maybe recalled that a three Test match ban was imposed on Harbhajan by match referee Mike Procter at the end of the controversy-ridden second Test between India and Australia played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.
Harbhajan was accused of calling Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds a "big monkey" during the Sydney Test.
Indian players had reacted strongly to the charges against the off-spinner. Senior player Sachin Tendulkar maintained that Harbhajan had not said anything racist to Symonds during the confrontation in Sydney. (ANI)
--MP
Mahatma Gandhi's ashes immersed in Arabian Sea
Wednesday, 30 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 30 (ANI): An urn containing ashes of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was immersed in the Arabian Sea here today on his 60th death anniversary.
The ashes were immersed in the Arabian Sea at Girgaum Chaupati in South Mumbai in the presence of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, besides Gandhi's descendents and other dignitaries.
A ceremonial guard of honour was given by the Mumbai Police before the immersion of the ashes.
The urn containing the ashes had been kept at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya in Mumbai for public viewing. Several Gandhi's admirers, including many foreigners, paid their homage to the apostle of non-violence at the museum dedicated to Mahatma.
Mani Bhavan served as Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Mumbai where he stayed from 1917 to1934.
An urn containing Mahatma's ashes was sent to Mani Bhavan by Bharat Narayan, a Dubai-based businessman, in August 2006. The ashes had been with Narayan's parents, who had preserved the remains with utmost respect since 1948.
Narayan is the grandson of industrialist Jamanalal Bajaj. Narayan's parents Madalasaben and Shriman Narayan were Gandhi's close associates.
All of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were meant to have been immersed in the river Ganges in 1948. But many of the urns were taken away secretly by his ardent devotees and followers.
The ashes were sent to towns and villages across the country and also abroad for memorial services. But some of them were never returned.
This is the second instance when an urn containing the ashes of Mahatma was found and later immersed. In 1997, an urn was found in a bank locker in Bhubhaneswar and the ashes were immersed in Allahabad.
Meanwhile, the trustees are unsure whether similar urns containing Mahatma's ashes will surface in future.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the apostle of non-violence. He was assassinated by a Hindu radical Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948, while Gandhi was on his way to attend a prayer meeting at the Birla House in New Delhi. (ANI)
--MP
Vegetable vendor lady asked to pay rupees 70 lakh as income tax!
Thane, Jan.30 (ANI): A vegetable vendor Parvatibai Salvi of Kalyan area near Mumbai is spending sleepless nights since getting a notice from the income tax department asking her to pay nearly rupees 70 lakh (seven million rupees) as tax for selling a property.
Septuagenarian Parvatibai has been informed through a notice that she sold a property worth rupees two crores (20 million rupees) two years ago. Failure to pay her income tax will invite penal action.
Parvatibai and her family are at their wit's end, as her personal earnings from selling vegetables rarely ever crossed even a hundred rupees mark!
"I could save only rupees 25. The expenses are very high. I am selling vegetables for last five years. The income tax department has sent a notice. We don't have to deposit the money. They have asked us to send our reply in the matter," said Parvatibai Salvi, vegetable vendor.
The family members of Parvatibai Salvi seemed angry with the income tax department for sending a notice to her.
"My mother has been blamed of possessing rupees one crore and 94 lakh (19.4 million rupees) and the income tax levied on it is around rupees 70 lakh. We don't know anything why they have sent this notice to us. We don't' know how does it come from Pune...We sell vegetables. Look at my mother's condition, what property she owns and decide own your own," said Sadashiv Salvi, Parvatibai Salvi's son.
On the advice of their lawyer, the family members of Parvatibai have demanded the Income Tax Department to send detailed information on the property deal for which they have sent the notice.
"They have asked them (Parvatibai Salvi) to deposit the money. But we have asked them to send us a copy of the papers of the deal and on what basis the IT Department has sent them a notice so that we can know who has sold this place. Our client or somebody else," said Prakash Bhandari, Parvatibai Salvi's lawyer. (ANI)
--MP
Five injured during leopard rescue operation in Pune
Pune, Jan 29 (ANI): At least five people, including three forest officials, were injured while trying to save a leopard, which had strayed into the parking area of residential society here today.
After spotting the leopard in the parking area, residents of Pradhikaran society in Pune's Akurdi area called in the forest officials for help.
Forest officials said they faced lot of difficulties because of the commotion caused by the residents as they ran helter-skelter along with the leopard.
The leopard attacked three forest officers and two locals, including a girl, during the rescue operation.
The girl was injured when the terrified leopard entered the playground of a nearby school.
After over two-hour struggle, the leopard grew tired, officials said, adding that this made easier to trap the leopard. However, the leopard died by the evening. (ANI)
--MP
Fans jubilant as Harbhajan is cleared of racial abuse charge
Mumbai, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Jan 29 (ANI): Indian cricket fans are jubilant over the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision of absolving off-spinner Harbhajan Singh of racism charge.
New Zealand Judge John Hansen today cleared Harbhajan of racism charge and lifted the three-match ban against him. He was instead charged 50 per cent of his match fee for offensive behaviour, and his offence was revised from Level Three to Level Two under the ICC Code of Conduct for players.
V R Manohar, the BCCI-appointed lawyer for Harbhajan in the hearing, said that the court ruling was a vindication.
"Court was with us as the evidence was in our favour. They couldn't prove that Harbhajan used racial remarks. The final judgment is that he has been found guilty at level 2.8 and released from the charge at level 3.3. Only 50 per cent match fee has been imposed on him," Manohar, who took part in the hearing via tele-conferencing, said in Mumbai.
In New Delhi, cricket fans were happy over court verdict.
"It was a good show altogether. Now India has paid back to them. That's a moral victory of sorts," said Shitij, a cricket fan.
"I think it's an achievement for BCCI and the unity of Indian players. It's about BCCI showcasing its clout on the world cricketing body," said Sahil, another fan.
Meanwhile, in Jalandhar Harbhajan Singhs' mother Avtaar Kaur expressed her happiness about the positive outcome.
"I am very happy. I cannot express my feelings to anyone," said Avtaar Kaur.
It maybe recalled that a three Test match was imposed on Harbhajan by match referee Mike Procter at the end of the controversy-ridden second Test between India and Australia played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Harbhajan was accused of calling Australian allrounder Andrew Symonds a "big monkey" during the Sydney Test.
Indian players had reacted strongly to the charges against the off-spinner. Senior player Sachin Tendulkar maintained that Harbhajan had not said anything racist to Symonds during the confrontation in Sydney. (ANI)
--MP
RBI leaves key rates unchanged
Tuesday, 29 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 29 (ANI): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept key interest rates, including bank rate, reverse repo rate, repo rate and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), unchanged in its third quarter review of the credit policy for 2007-08 presented today.
While the bank rate has been left unchanged at six per cent, the reverse repo rate and the repo rate also stay intact at six per cent and 7.75 per cent, respectively.
The CRR too was left unchanged at 7.5 per cent.
The policy actually leaves flexibility to change repo and reverse rates in the near future.
The review retained the overall real GDP growth projection for 2007-08 at around 8.5 per cent.
"The policy endeavour would be to contain inflation close to 5 per cent in 2007-08, while conditioning expectations in the range of 4-4.5 per cent," the RBI said.
The RBI's review is driven by liquidity management and move to maintain price stability.
"Liquidity management will assume priority in the conduct of monetary policy through appropriate and timely action," it said.
Barring the emergence of any adverse and unexpected developments in various sectors of the economy and keeping in view the current assessment of the economy including the outlook for growth and inflation, the overall stance of monetary policy in the period ahead will broadly continue to be to reinforce the emphasis on price stability and well-anchored inflation expectations, while ensuring a monetary and interest rate environment conducive to continuation of the growth momentum and orderly conditions in financial markets.
The review said the policy will emphasise credit quality as well as credit delivery, in particular, for employment-intensive sectors, while pursuing financial inclusion, besides monitoring the evolving heightened global uncertainties and domestic situation impinging on inflation expectations, financial stability and growth momentum in order to respond swiftly with both conventional and unconventional measures, as appropriate. (ANI)
--MP
BJP accuses UPA Govt of compromising national security
New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government of compromising national security and of not taking necessary steps to strengthen internal security.
Addressing a National Council meet of the party in the Capital, BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley, said: "This government compromises with the national security of the country. The government has been unable to take the necessary steps needed to strengthen the internal security of the country."
"They have always linked the national security issue to votebank politics," Jaitely added.
Jaitley also accused the government of turning a blind eye towards the poor, especially the farmers, who in the recent past have resorted to suicide due to heavy debts riding on their backs.
"The government also does not pay heed to the poor and the farmers. Maximum cases of farmers' suicide and atrocities have taken place during the regime of this government only, and it is as if a new chapter is being written in the history of the country," he said.
Earlier, BJP President Rajnath Singh had said that the UPA Government has not been successful in solving farmers' suicides across the country and the number of deaths has increased despite an announcement of relief package by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Rajnath Singh had also demanded the government to call for a special session of Parliament to discuss the issues of farmers and landless labourers.
Maharashtra tops the list of states where farmers' suicides are maximum with 4,453 cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 2,607 case, Karnataka 1,720, Chhattisgarh 1,483 and Madhya Pradesh 1,375. West Bengal 1,189 and Kerala 1,124 were placed sixth and seventh. (ANI)
--MP
CNG explosion in Mumbai School van claims three lives
Monday, 28 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 28 (ANI): At least three schoolchildren were killed and five other were severely injured on Monday when a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinder of a van in which schoolchildren were travelling exploded in Jogeshwari area of Mumbai.
According to police, the explosion that took place in Millat Nagar area of suburban Oshiwara killed three girl student on the spot.
"The children are from the Millat High School and had boarded the Omni van to go home. As the driver started the van, the CNG kit exploded killing the three girls instantly," police said.
Police official added that the injured school children were taken to a nearby hospital. (ANI)
--MP
'93 Mumbai blasts case: SC grants bail to Razak Memon
New Delhi, Jan 28 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Anjum Abdul Razak Memon alias Essa, one of the convicts involved in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
Appearing for Anjum, senior advocate Harish Salve said that his client had already spent over 12 years in jail, and therefore, should be granted bail.
In September last year, Anjum was granted interim bail by the apex court.
Besides Anjum, Yusuf and Tiger Memon's sister-in-law Rubina, who had been awarded life sentences, were also granted bail.
Rubina, Essa and Yusuf were convicted of charges of abetment and conspiracy, and had sought interim bail on grounds that they had not yet received a copy of the TADA judgement relating to their conviction, which was pronounced on September 12, 2006.
Rubina, the wife of Tiger Memon's brother Suleiman Memon, was not given the death sentence because she was a woman. She was found guilty of allowing her Maruti van to be used for the transportation of weapons and arms, and also for allowing her flat in the Al Hussaini building to be used for a conspiracy meeting.
Yusuf and Essa were also found guilty for allowing their flat in the same building to be used for conspiracy meetings.
Essa has been diagnosed with brain tumour as well as morbid obesity, a reason for the trial court to award him a life term instead of the death penalty.
Yusuf, the youngest of the Memon brothers, was also spared the death penalty and awarded a life term on health grounds, as he is a known schizophrenic, needing constant medical attention.
Yakub Memon had been awarded a death sentence in the case.
Tiger Memon has been declared absconding, while his father Abdul Razzak Memon passed away during the trial. (ANI)
--MP
Mahatma Gandhi's mortal remains for homage at Mumbai museum
Sunday, 27 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan.27 (ANI): Admirers of Mahatma Gandhi can have a lifetime opportunity in Mumbai to have an audience with his mortal remains and pay their homage before they are scattered over the Arabian Sea on his 60th death anniversary on January 30.
The ashes have been kept for public viewing at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangralaya here to have a last audience and pay homage. Mani Bhawan served as Mahatma Gandhi's Mumbai residence where he stayed from 1917 to1934.
Meghshyam Ajgaonkar, Executive Secretary of the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangralaya, said that the ashes have been kept here for public viewing. On January 30, it will be immersed in the Arabian Sea by Gandhiji's granddaughter in the presence of Governor of Maharashtra at 9.30 am.
"The ashes have been kept for the visitors and people can see it till January 30. After that it will be immersed (in the Arabian Sea) at Chaupati in the presence of the Governor, the deputy chief minister and other dignitaries," said Meghshyam Ajgaonkar, executive secretary, Mani Bhavan Sangrahalaya.
A small steel urn containing Mahatma's ashes was sent to the Gandhi museum in Mumbai by a businessman last year whose father had preserved the remains with utmost respect.
Meanwhile, a lot of people have visited to see the remains of the apostle of non-violence and paid homage. Many visitors from abroad have offered floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
"I am honoured to be here today. I have been here before but ashes were not here so this is unbelievably exciting and meaningful experience," said Nelsi Soberman, visitor from Chicago, USA.
All of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were meant to have been immersed in the river Ganges in 1948. But many of the urns were secreted away by his ardent lover and followers who wished to glorify him in death.
The ashes were sent to towns and villages across the country and also abroad for memorial services. But some of them were never returned.
In August 2006, Bharat Narayan, a Dubai-based businessman, handed the ashes which had been with his parents since 1948 into the care of Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangralaya.
Narayan's parents Madalasaben and Shriman Narayan are stated to have been Mahatma's close associates in the past.
Earlier, the proposal to put the ashes of Mahatma for public display on permanent basis failed to earn approval of some members of the Gandhi family. They wanted the ashes to be immersed as per Hindu tradition.
Hindus cremate their dead and scatter the ashes in river or the sea.
Meanwhile, the trustees are unsure whether similar urns containing Mahatma's ashes will surface in future. Thanks to the Dubai based businessman Bharat Narayan who came forward to entrust his precious legacy to them for safekeeping, though none of them was aware of its existence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the apostle of non-violence. He was assassinated by a Hindu radical Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948, while being on his way to attend a prayer meeting. (ANI)
--MP
When Gwalior children performed dare-devil Malkhamb
Gwalior, Jan.27 (ANI): A group of students in Gwalior recently left the audience dazzled when they performed Malkhamb, the dare-devil ancient gymnast art form of balancing on a pole or rope, in a presentation on physical fitness during an ongoing trade fair.
Malkhamb has been a traditional physical fitness event of Maharashtra in which young boys and girls demonstrate their skills. "Malla" is man and "Khamb" denotes pole.
"I like doing Yogasanas and Malkhamb. I have been doing this for the past two years and my mental state and physical health has been very good. It is very important for government to develop this sport," said Sneha Sharma, a student from Ujjain.
Some of the special dare-devil performances included Hanging Malkhamb and Fixed-rope, besides special 'asanas' (postures) like 'Padamvakrasana', Vyaghrasana, Merudandasana and Chakrasana.
Malkhamb coaches wished that the Government should support and provide encouragement to such conventional events of yore.
"Malkhamb is not a game but a mode of keeping oneself fit by mastering the art of balancing on a pole. It is good for flexibility and the strength also increases. In this competition organised here, 18 teams have taken part," said Yogesh, a Malkhamb coach.
While Malkhamb was the main attraction, the participants also performed many other breathtaking Yogasanas and other traditional Indian fitness events like stunts on ropes and using bottles.
"Malkhamb is really an important exercise of psycho-physical coordination, performed on pole by many," said Bhushan, another coach.
This ancient sport of Maharashtra was rejuvenated and given a contemporary feel in the 19th century. Dada Balambhat Deodhar is stated to be the formulator of Malkhamb in its modern form.
Sadly, the interest in this art dwindled over a period of time. But keeping its significance in view, some like-minded organisations in Madhya Pradesh have joined hands to revive this ancient sport.
Legend has it that Lord Hanuman pioneered this sport of climbing a pole and balancing on it, known as Malkhamb.
Malkhamb also makes use of a number of yogic postures and consequently control over the breath is achieved. The brain functions better and other faculties like memory, concentration and co-ordination are also developed.
The practitioners display mental and physical attributes like flexibility, focus and balance. It is said that through Malkhamb one can control both mind and body. (ANI)
--MP
Maharashtra to assist West Bengal to control bird flu
Friday, 25 January, 2008
Pune, Jan 25 (ANI): The Maharashtra Government's Animal Husbandry Department has sent a team of bird flu experts to West Bengal to help in curbing the outbreak of the disease.
"We have sent eight experts to West Bengal to assist the state administration involved in containing spread of bird flu," Maharashtra State Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Ashish Sharma, said in Pune.
Sharma said the expert's would use their expertise in controlling the further spread of disease as the first outbreak of this disease was in Maharashtra.
"The team is headed by a Deputy Director, posted in the investigation wing of our department, two officers involved in culling process when bird flu struck in Navapur and Jalgaon and two others who are aware of the procedures," Sharma said.
Experts team would accompany culling teams in the affected areas of West Bengal.
"Joint Commissioner Animal Husbandry Department, Government of India, A V Negi is coordinating with the teams being sent from various States to West Bengal for assisting the state government. We asked our team members to communicate with him," the Commissioner said.
He also recommended the West Bengal Government to take reference from the material on containing spread of the disease documented by Maharashtra government at the time of bird flu outbreak in February-march 2006.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Animal Resources Development Minister Anisur Rehman claimed that the situation was under control.
About 160,000 poultry birds have been culled in West Bengal so far, while over 100,000 birds have succumbed to the disease.
The H5N1 strain has killed more than 200 people globally since it re-emerged in Asia in 2003 and has since spread across much of Asia, the Middle East, parts of Europe and Africa.
The WHO has called the outbreak the most serious in India. (ANI)
--MP
Bears comeback at Sensex, closes 372 points down
Thursday, 24 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 24 (ANI): The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Thursday opened with a huge positive gap of over 300 points at 17,921 and closed at 17, 221, almost 372 less from its previous close. Mid Cap index also registered negative signs as it closed 251 points less than its previous mark, Small Cap plunged by over 411 points and BSE-500 dropped 212 points. NTPC and Reliance Energy slumped nine per cent each, while Larsen & Toubro and Hindalco plunged 5.5 per cent each. Bajaj Auto and ONGC lost 4.7 per cent each, and Wipro and Grasim slipped by around 4.5 per cent each. TCS plummeted by slipped nearly three percent, and Reliance and BHEL fell by around 2.5 per cent each. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty slipped 170 points to 5,033. Equity markets worldwide have gained some respite from a global rout since the U.S. Federal Reserve slashed interest rates by 75 basis points on Tuesday. Despite the upward rally, analysts say that the panic among the investors has not subsided. "The market has revived, but people are still a little bit cautious and the panic continues. The basic problem is that people invested money in the Reliance IPO and the money is locked there. Also, things are still not okay in the European markets and United States," said Rajesh Patwa, market analyst. Buying was evident in banking, information technology, real estate and oil & gas counters. "It is a good time to buy, it is a good opportunity for buyers. Also, I think it will take time to stabilize," said Navin, an investor. (ANI) --MP
Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad most expensive teams of IPL
Mumbai, Jan 24 (ANI): With a tag of over 100 million dollars Mumbai, Bangalare and Hyderabad today become the most expensive teams of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sponsored Indian Premier League.
The cricket body has announced the list of franchisee of owners of all eight cities.
Vijay Mallya's UB group got franchise of Bangalore at 111.6 million dollars, Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited got Mumbai at 111.9 million dollars and Deccan Chronicle got franchise of Hyderabad team at 107 million dollars.
India Cements bagged Chennai at 91million dollars, GMR group Delhi at 84 million dollars, Emerging Media got franchisee of Jaipur at 67 million dollars, Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment got Kolkata at 75.09 million dollars and Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia bagged Mohali at 76 million dollars.
Sony Entertainment Television has bagged the broadcasting rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 10 years at 1.026 billion dollars.
The IPL is a Twenty20 competition. It was announced after the BCCI declined permission to allow BCCI-contracted players to play in the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
The league is scheduled to start in April this year and will last for 44 days, involving 59 matches. The prize money for the league will be around three million dollars.
Each team will have a pool of 16 players, of whom four will be international and four from the Under-19 level or from the catchment area where the team is based.
The governing council of IPL consists of cricket veterans Sunil Gavaskar, MAK Pataudi and Ravi Shastri, Rajiv Shukla, Chirayu Amin, Inderjit Singh Bindra and Arun Jaitley. (ANI)
--MP
Konkan Railway completes successful ten years
New Delhi, Jan 24 (ANI): Konkan Railway will complete ten glorious years of train operations on January 26.
Konkan Railway today portrays a picture of a confident and a surging Public Sector Undertaking of Indian Railways.
While it has given some remarkable innovations to the world, namely Anti-Collision Device (ACD) and Sky Bus Metro in the decade, it has also made a complete financial turnaround in the last two years and is today proud of becoming a financial success story.
The operating surplus of the corporation increased by 74 per cent in 2005-06 and is steadily increasing by 25-30 percent per year.
The freight earnings have shown a significant quantum jump in last two years, increasing by a record 71 per cent in 2005-06 and surging by almost 25 to 30 per cent per annum, for the first time surpassing the coaching earnings.
The total earnings are expected to increase from Rs. 279 crore (Rs. 2.79 billion) in 2004-05 to about Rs. 470 crore (Rs 4.7 billion) in current financial year, exhibiting an initial rise of 25 per cent and thereafter a steady increase of about 15 to 20 per cent per year.
The operating ratio has significantly dropped by 12 percent in 2005-06 and further by 5 to 6 per cent during 2006-07.
In these ten years, KRCL has also invented Anti Collision Device (ACD), which can prevent midsection head-on collisions, side collisions, and rear-end collisions of trains, in addition to having many other safety features. No other technology in the world offers these features. Konkan Railway holds patent for the product.
The first pilot project of the ACD on Northeast Frontier Railway covering 1736 kilometres was commissioned this financial year. Following this and the live demonstration of ACD to the delegates of International Railway Safety Conference held at Madgaon recently, KRCL has started receiving enquiries from various countries for implementation of ACD.
Konkan Railway will also be completing nine years of operation of RORO (Roll on Roll off) truck-on-train service on January 26. This innovative service has established that railways and roadways can exist in a symbiotic relationship.
KRCL has earned more than Rs.90 crore from RORO service in nine years.
Konkan Railway has been transporting millions of passengers and millions of tonnes of freight along the West Coast of India over last ten years. On an average, about 35 million passengers travel by Konkan Railway route every year.
Konkan Railway transports food grains, iron ore, fertilizers, cement, LPG, bauxite, vegetable oil, coal and containers via its route, and has enabled prompt and fast delivery of goods being the shortest physical route connecting Mumbai to Mangalore.
Konkan Railway is also implementing Telemedicine project in other zonal railways. It is also executing the construction work of the challenging Katra-Laole section of the new rail line in Jammu and Kashmir that will create record of sorts when constructed. (ANI)
--MP
Kotak Securities launches "GEMS Portfolio"
Mumbai, Jan 24 (ANI/Business Wire India): Kotak Securities today announced the launch of an innovative product to capitalize on the returns offered by growing Indian MNCs, emerging businesses, manufacturing and services sectors in India.
The scheme will seek to achieve returns through investments in stocks of small, medium and large capitalized companies.
The portfolio manager may invest in private placements or pre Follow on Public Offering (FPO) placement of listed securities.
Speaking on the occasion, Kunj Bansal, Sr. Vice President, Portfolio Management Services, Kotak Securities said, "We have strengthened our portfolio management services bouquet with the launch of GEMS. This will consist of a concentrated portfolio and is specially aimed at investors who would invest for medium to long-term periods without being perturbed by short-term returns, volatility and market momentum. GEMS is uniquely structured with an option to invest a part of its corpus in private placements or pre FPO placement of listed securities adding to investor's wealth creation."
GEMS is a diversified scheme investing across sectors. The product is benchmarked against BSE 200 index.
GEMS is open for subscription for a limited period from January 21, 2008 to February 15, 2008.
The portfolio will mature on August 31, 2010. The portfolio will be managed by PMS division of Kotak Securities. (ANI)
--MP
Shweta-Rahul Mahajan divorce case hearing postponed till August
Gurgaon, Jan 24 (ANI): A Gurgaon Sessions Court today postponed the hearing of Shweta and Rahul Mahajan's divorce case till August 1.
Shweta had filed the mutual-divorce petition last December, alleging regular physical and verbal abuse by Rahul.
Today was the second hearing of the case, and Rahul has not attended either of those.
Last year, photographs of Shweta had appeared in a Mumbai tabloid showing bruises on her arm.
Rahul was not keen on divorcing Shweta, over apprehensions that it might adversely affect his political ambitions.
Shweta however, decided to take matters into her own hands, and initiated divorce proceedings. (ANI)
--MP
Sensex up by 864 points
Wednesday, 23 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 23 (ANI): Taking a cue from 75 basis point rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, the 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) today opened with a positive gap of 685 points at 17,415 and closed at 17,594.07, around 860 points more than its pervious mark of 16, 650 points.
Sensex witnessed its biggest ever intra-day gains as it gained 1, 244 points around 2:00 p.m.
Midcap of the BSE gained 587 points, Smallcap 396 points and BSE-500 gained over 445 points.
Reliance Energy gained Rs 274, NTPC Rs. 27) and Satyam Rs 393.
SBI, TCS and Reliance rallied 8.5 per cent each to Rs 2,344, Rs 867 and Rs 2,555, respectively.
BHEL gained eight per cent and Bajaj Auto advanced 7.5 per cent.
Hindalco and Reliance Communications moved up 7 per cent each, and HDFC Bank and DLF added 6.5 per cent each. Grasim gained 5.8 per cent.
Mahindra & Mahindra and ITC rallied nearly five per cent, while Cipla, ACC and Tata Steel were up around four per cent.
The National Stock Exchange's Nifty ended with a gain of 304 points at 5203.
Investors were happy and they were certain that the markets will improve over the next few days.
"The situation will improve in some days. And with the budget around the corner, things will improve for sure. The market will bounce back soon,"said Dhiraj, an investor.
While many expressed hope, others saw this as a buying opportunity to make further investments.
"It is a good opportunity for people to invest again and hopefully, this will make the Indian investor, retail investor, a little more mature, stronger and a better investor. Because, every fall has an opportunity (buying)," said Akash, another investor.
The Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pulled out heavily in the last five days owning to losses and their outflows amounted to around three billion dollars. (ANI)
--MP
Sensex closes 875 points down on global recession fears
Tuesday, 22 January, 2008
Mumbai/New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), on Tuesday, continued its downward trend and plunged by 875 points before closing at 16,729 points.
The National Stock Exchange's (NSE) Nifty closed at 4899, down 309 points from its previous close.
Almost all the scrips in the BSE-30 pack closed in red territory. ONGC, ITC, Hindalco, Mahindra & Mahindra were the key losers.
Top NSE gainers included Nalco, Bharti Airtel and Maruti Suzuki, while losers included Unitech, RPL, ONGC, Tata Power and PNB.
Earlier today, trading was halted at the Bombay Stock Exchange after it fell 9.8 percent within minutes of opening.
Later, it recovered some of its losses, to match its 7.4 percent fall on Monday, which was the Sensex's worst day.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram has urged Indian investors to "remain calm" and advised them to "stay invested".
Chidambaram said that "enough liquidity will be provided to the brokers to tide over the present crisis".
One retail investor said that the market has overreacted to global cues.
"No doubt global markets are down, but it seems Indian markets are overreacting and because of margin tickers, problem is getting really worst. Small investors have to be very careful, especially, small-cap and mid-cap people should be away and should concentrate on quality stocks and if quality stocks are taken, no need of panicking and selling," said Siddhart Kuanwala, a retail investor.
Keeping in mind the investors' sentiments, security has been beefed up in and around the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Arun Purohit, an investor, who had registered losses owing to the fall in the prices at the stock market, resorted to slogan shouting against the ruling Congress party and had to be whisked away by police officials.
Shahina Mukadam, Head Research, IDBI Capital, said: "The impact of the US subprime crisis on the financial sector is having its ripples across the world and selling is happening across global markets. Investors should start investing if not already doing so in the markets at the current levels and should buy fundamentally strong companies."
"Almost all sectors/stocks have corrected and a near term rebound is likely in blue chips in Oil and Gas/Telecom/Banks," Mukadam added.
Most stock market indexes today had a second day of losses. Asian and European share indexes continued to fall sharply on Tuesday amid fears of a recession in the US leading to a global economic slowdown.
The Australian market saw its worst fall in 10 years. The European markets saw some recovery.
London's FTSE 100 index has had a bumpy day, falling more than three percent at the open. Earlier, Asian markets had tumbled with Japan's Nikkei index closing down 5.7 percent taking its decline this year to 18 percent.
Many analysts are predicting indexes could fall further in coming weeks.
The recent falls were triggered by fears of a global recession, after growing concern that a proposed US stimulus package, which would involve about 145 billion dollars in tax cuts to encourage spending, might not be enough.
International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn said the global economic situation was "serious," and that all countries in the world were suffering in the wake of a slowdown in US growth. (ANI)
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Bilkis Bano rape case: 11 get life imprisonment, one gets 3 years RI
Mumbai, Jan 21 (ANI): A special court in Mumbai today awarded life imprisonment to 11 persons, who were convicted in connection with the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case related to the post-Godhra communal violence.
The court sentenced Somabhai Gori, a police official, to three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI). Gori was found guilty for shielding the offenders.
On Friday, the court had convicted the 12 accused, while acquitting seven others.
While Godhra riots were going on in March 2002 following the Sabarmati Express-train carnage, the then six-month pregnant Bilkis Bano was gang-raped and beaten up in Randhikpur town, 250 km from Ahmedabad.
In the gory incident, as many as 17 members of her family were attacked, in which eight were killed and six went missing.
The trial began in January 2005.
After the Gujarat Government had closed her case and granted bail to all the accused, Bilkis had moved the Supreme Court which transferred the case to the special Mumbai court on April 6, 2004. (ANI)
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Sensex crash by more than 2000 points, closes at 17,605 points
Monday, 21 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan21 (ANI): The Bombay Stock Exchange closed at 17,605.35 points, -1,408.35 or -7.41 per cent from Friday's close of 19,013.70 points.
In what is being described as one of the biggest falls in the Sensex, market crashed today by more than 2000 points in a very volatile market before the trading was closed half-an-hour ahead stipulated time.
The Sensex was trading at 16,963.96 points, 2,049.74 points or 10.78 per cent down from Friday's close of 19,013.70 points.
The BSE Smallcap Index was down -10.27 per cent, while the CNX Midcap Index fell by - 11.38 per cent.
The National Stock Exchange's (NSE) Nifty was trading at 5,145.00 points, over 560 points or 9.82 per cent down from Friday's close of 5,705.30 points.
DLF, ITC and Reliance Communications were the leading losers on the Sensex, while on Nifty the major gainers were Suzlon, Ranbaxy Lab, Nalco, GAIL, BPCL and Unitech were the top gainers.
Reliance Industries, RNRL, Reliance Energy were the most active counters.
Asian markets were also trading weak. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 2.51 per cent or 633.15 points at 24,568.72. Japan's Nikkei plunged 3.36 per cent or 466.01 points at 13,395.28. Singapore's Straits Times fell 1.48 per cent or 45.82 points at 3,058.43. South Korea's Seoul Composite declined 1.99 per cent or 34.57 points at 1,700.15. Taiwan's Taiwan Weighted dropped 0.21 per cent or 17.20 points at 8,167.45. (ANI)
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Uddhav re-elected as Shiva Sena executive president
Mumbai, Jan 21 (ANI): Bal Thackeray's son Uddhav Thackeray was today re-elected as Shiv Sena's executive president for his second consecutive term at the national executive meeting of the party at the Sena Bhavan here.
Uddhav was first elected as SS' executive president at a party conclave in 2003.
On the occasion, former state chief minister and Rajya Sabha MP Manohar Joshi, Sudhir Joshi, Advocate Leeladhar Dake, Madhukar Sarpotdar, Datta Nalavade, Subhash Desai, Divakar Raote, Ramdas Kadam, Sanjay Raut and Gajanan Kirtikar were re-elected as members of the party's new national executive body also was constituted in the meeting. (ANI)
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36 killed as bus falls into a deep gorge in Nasik
Nasik, Jan 21 (ANI): At least 36 passengers, including 12 women and four children, were killed and 40 were injured when a bus in which the victims were travelling fell into a deep gorge here last night.
The bus, which was coming from the Saptashringi shrine in the district, fell into a deep gorge at Nandurigaon, about 70 km from Nasik.
According to the police, the accident took place at around 10:30 p.m. when the driver lost control of the bus.
The private bus was carrying about 76 persons, all from Mumbai and its suburbs.
The injured are undergoing treatment in civil hospitals at Kalwan, Vani and Nasik.
Rescue operation was still on till reports came in. (ANI)
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John Kelai wins fifth Mumbai marathon
Sunday, 20 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 20 (ANI): Kenya's John Kelai won the fifth edition of the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon on Sunday.
The 30-year-old runner persevered in hot and humid conditions to cover the 42 km course.
Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul flagged off the marathon. Over 33,000 participants from 34 countries took part in the race that carried prize money of one million dollars.
Actors Soha Ali Khan, John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak and Mumbai Police Commissioner D N Jadav were also present on the occasion. (ANI)
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President to inaugurate 81st Marathi Sahitya Sammelan
Saturday, 19 January, 2008
Sangli (Maharashtra), Jan 19 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the 81st Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan here today.
After the outgoing President Arun Sadhu's reported displeasure at the time-slot allottment, two different inaugural sessions are scheduled to take place at the Sammelan.
President Patil will address the first inaugural session for 20 minutes, which will be attended by Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh as well as the present and past presidents of the Sammelan.
Noted literary critic and President of the 81st Sammelan M D Hatkangalekar would address the second session after President Patil's departure.
Hundreds of writer delegates are expected to take part in the Sammelan. A series of literary events, Kavi sammelans and symposiums will be organised at the three-day meet.
"Granth Dindis" (books' processions) were taken out on Friday in the city streets in which students and literary enthusiasts joined in big numbers.
Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal organise the event annually, which holds a special place in the State's cultural calender. (ANI)
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12 convicted in Bilkis Bano rape case
Friday, 18 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 18 (ANI): A special court here today found 12 accused guilty in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case related to the post-Godhra communal violence.
The court has acquitted seven other accused.
The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Monday.
On March 3, 2002, during the Gujarat riots, which followed after Sabarmati Express-train carnage, six-months pregnant Bilkis was gangraped and beaten up in Randhikpur town, 250 kms from Ahmedabad.
Seventeen members of Bilkis' family were attacked, in which eight were killed and six went missing.
The trial began in January 2005.
The Gujarat Government closed her case even after knowing the fact that she was the witness to the massacre of her family members. Bilkis moved the Supreme Court after bail was granted to all the accused in the case.
This case was transferred out of Gujarat to a special Mumbai court on April 6, 2004. (ANI)
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Nipponzan Myohoji temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Mumbai
Thursday, 17 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan.17 (ANI): Mumbai, a place known world over for its film industry and for being the main financial hub of the country, also encompasses a Buddhist temple that has an interesting saga attached to its existence here.
Located in Worli, Nipponzan Myohoji temple is the oldest Buddhist temple of the city and draws many people due to being an ultimate place of tranquillity.
Built in 1956, the Nipponzan Myohoji temple origination is linked to a prophecy made 700 years ago in the 13th century by a monk in Japan called Maha Bodhisattva Nichiren.
He had said that the ultimate salvation of humanity, singed by all that was evil and unpure, lay in the western haven, India, the country which was home to Buddhism.
Centuries later, a Japanese Bhikhu (monk) arrived in India with a mission to fulfil that prophecy.
He would take what Undia had to offer and spread it all around the world.
In 1931, the venerable Nichidatsu Fuji started reached the Indian shores with his disciples.
One evening, Jugal Kishore Birla, a great philanthropist and Gandhian, met Fuji Guruji during a prayer session on the banks of Ballygunje lake.
Following their conversation, the decision to build Nipponzan Myohoji temple came into existence. Impressed by Fuji Guruji's world view, Jugal Kishore Birla acquired a plot of land on which the temple of the Nipponzan Myohoniji order was finally built.
Today, the temple is spread over an area of 8,840 square feet enveloped in an overwhelming oriental atmosphere even through the interiors which have been designed along purely traditional lines.
In the temple's main hall where devotees gather for prayer, two huge wooden Thomas or Japanese drums lie silent.
During these sessions, devotees chant na-mu-myo-ho-ren-ge-kyo to the resounding beat of drums. The hall itself stands on 10 pillars carved out of stone. The four walls are lined with vegetable paintings. A series on Buddha's life and times, finely executed with deft strokes.
There is a six-and-a-half feet marble statue of Buddha in sitting posture in a smaller room at the Nipponzan Myohoji temple. (ANI)
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Centre approves Rs 530 crore relief package for farmers
New Delhi, Jan 17 (ANI): The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for an additional release of Rs. 530.06 crore towards waiver of overdue interest on farmers in the 31 districts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
This is the additional share of Government of India as 50 per cent of the overall financial implication of Rs. 3778.37 crore in this relief package that is the difference between the expected final share of Rs. 1889.19 crore minus the original estimated amount of Rs. 1359.13 crore.
This decision will give benefit to the borrowers whose loans were overdue as on July 1, 2006 in the 31 debt stressed districts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnatka and Kerala. (ANI)
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Reliance Power IPO subscribed over 9 times
Tuesday, 15 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 15 (ANI): The Reliance Power Initial Public Offer (IPO) today opened with enthusiasm and the issue was oversubscribed 9.1 times.
The three-billion IPO was oversubscribed within hours of opening of its book building process. The company has come out with an IPO in the price band of 405-450 per share. The issue opened today and will close January 18.
The company would raise 10, 530 crore rupees at the lower end of the price band, while it would garner 11,700 crore rupees at the higher end. The IPO income will be used to part-finance 13 medium to large sized power projects.
According to the available data, the IPO received bids worth over 40,000 crore rupees in the first five minutes of the book-building process.
The company has reserved over 30 per cent of this issue for retail investors with two payment options.
Retail investors have been also offered a discount of 20 rupees per share, which implies their net cost of subscription will be 430 rupees per share, if they choose to bid at the upper end of the price band.
Reliance Power has planned power units with capacity of 28,200 Mega Watt (MW). The company has one of the largest portfolios of power generation assets under development in the country.
Kotak Mahindra Capital, UBS Securities India, ABN AMRO Securities, Deutsche Equities India, Enam Securities, ICICI Securities, JM Financial Consultants and JP Morgan India are the book running lead managers to the issue, while Macquarie India and SBI Capital Markets are co-book running lead managers.
Reliance Energy, part owner of Reliance Power would hold 45 per cent stake in the company post-issue. (ANI)
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Renuka Chowdhary to review Mumbai molestation case today
New Delhi, Jan 15 (ANI): Union Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary is likely to review the Mumbai's New Year Day molestation case here today, at a meeting expected to be attended by concerned authorities.
The Ministry will review the report prepared by the Mumbai Police to take further action into the case.
A mob of 70-80 men had molested two NRI girls after they came out of JW Marriot Hotel on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1.
Two photojournalists, who had taken photographs of the accused, had later identified 14 people accused of being involved in the incident.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amarjeet Singh, who had reached the spot at that time, also identified the accused.
The 14 accused in the case filed by the Mumbai Police after the photographs generated a public outcry, have been charged with outraging modesty of women and unlawful assembly, and could face imprisonment up to a year.
The case made a first breakthrough when two of the accused - Ravi Shukla and Nilesh - surrendered at the Juhu Police Station, which later led to a chain of arrests in the city.
Later, the 14 youths were granted bail by a local court at Andheri. (ANI)
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Sony bags media rights of Indian Premier League
Monday, 14 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 14 (ANI): Sony Entertainment Television today bagged the broadcasting rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 10 years.
The total amount of the winning bid is 1.026 billion dollars.
The move will enable Sony, a consortium of Sony Television and World Sports Group, to telecast all IPL matches for the next 10 years starting April 2008.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) backed IPL is scheduled to start the matches in April. Top international players from different countries are expected to participate in the IPL. (ANI)
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Sourav leads the race for Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year
Mumbai, Jan 14 (ANI/Business Wire India): Sourav Ganguly, the man who has just completed one of the most stirring comeback in cricketing history, is at the forefront of the race for Indian cricket's most coveted award - the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year - 2007.
Sourav Ganguly, who scored 1106 runs from ten Tests in 2007, heads the list of the nominees for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award, with a tally of 51 points.
The Castrol Awards are based on performances by Indian cricketers in Tests, One-day Internationals and Twenty20 games during a calendar year. In what was an eventful twelve-month period between January - December 2007, India lost a test series in South Africa and was then knocked out of the 2007 World Cup.
Incidentally, Sourav's comeback match in South Africa in December 2006, coincided with the Castrol Awards function held in South Africa - the first time the awards function was held overseas.
The team bounced back from the World Cup debacle in a remarkable fashion. They had a successful tour of Bangladesh, after which the South Africans were soundly beaten in a one-day series in Ireland.
The Indian team then went on to win a Test series in England for the first time since 1986, and beat the visiting Pakistanis in both the one-day and test series. In the middle of all this was the extraordinary triumph in the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa.
Two architects of that triumph figure among the five nominees for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award 2007.
Yuvraj Singh is ranked fourth with a total of 42 points. Three points ahead of him, in the third place is his Twenty20 and one-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a succession of nineties during the year, is ranked second with 50 points. Rahul Dravid is ranked fifth with 37 points.
The winner of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award will be selected as always through a 'secret ballot'. Every single living cricketer who has represented India in at least one test match or five one-day internationals will 'vote' for the winner, from among the five nominees.
The player with the maximum votes will receive the award, which comprises a trophy and a cheque for Rs. 5 lacs, at the Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence Ceremony, which will be held later this year.
The Castrol Awards honours the past, present and future of Indian cricket.
The premier award - the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award, has been won by Rahul Dravid (1998-99, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2005-06) and Sachin Tendulkar (1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01) in previous years. They shared the award together in 2003-04.
In 2006, the Castrol Awards completed 10 years and co-incidentally, it was also the 75th year of Indian test cricket. Several legends of Indian cricket and past captains through the last 75 years were recognized and felicitated.
Amongst those felicitated was Sourav Ganguly who was honoured as the "Most successful Indian test captain. (ANI)
--MP
Pawar gives details of new land acquisition policy
Saturday, 12 January, 2008
New Delhi, Jan 12 (ANI): Following the recent controversy over setting up of Special Economic Zones, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said a new policy has been evolved on land acquisition.
He said that as per the policy, 70 percent of the agricultural land can be acquired by entrepreneurs directly from the farmers.
The Centre has accepted this new policy, Pawar added.
After a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Pawar said 70 per cent land has to be acquired by the entrepreneurs with the farmer's consent and, if required, it can seek the government's help for acquisition of the remaining 30 per cent.
Land should be acquired at the market price and farmers properly rehabilitated, he said.
He described the acquisition of land for industrialisation as a common problem for all States in the country.
Pawar said that he placed before the Cabinet the example of development in New Mumbai city to make it a model for development in all states.
He said 36,000 acres were acquired in New Mumbai city and 12.5 per cent of it was later returned to farmers after developing it for their rehabilitation.
"Not a single complaint was received from any farmer," he said.
Observing that there were small land holdings in all the States, including in West Bengal and Maharashtra, Pawar said that the land required for building the city's infrastructure like expansion of roads and highways or for setting up of industry, should be acquired keeping farmers' interest in mind. (ANI)
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Displaced Nagpur farmers protest against Maharashtra Government
Nagpur, Jan 11 (ANI): Farmers displaced from their lands to make way for a cargo hub in Nagpur staged a protest here today against the Maharashtra government's apathy in ensuring them compensation and rehabilitation.
The State Government had acquired 3,025 hectares of agricultural land to set up an international air cargo hub in the city.
The Maharashtra Airport Development Company, which is the nodal agency for execution of the Multi-modal International Hub Airport (Mihan) in Nagpur, had declared a month ago, that the farmers would be suitably rehabilitated with land compensation and a host of amenities, including infrastructure in the village.
A total of 14 villages were acquired for the project.
The villagers are disappointed as they have lost their lands and have not been compensated.
Distraught farmers gathered in large numbers here, along with their cattle, demanding rehabilitation.
"We are protesting for our cattle. Earlier, we could sustain through the sale of milk from the cattle, but now we are left with no land to rear them," said Sangita Jaiswal, a protestor.
Dairy farming is a major source of livelihood, in addition to farming in the area. (ANI)
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Pak's Ajoka Theatre to perform in Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar
Lahore, Jan 10 (ANI): A group of artists from Pakistan's famous Ajoka Theatre will be performing in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar during a three-week tour of India beginning tomorrow, a release issued by the Theatre said.
Quoting the release, the Daily Times reported that the group would perform a play called 'Burqa vaganza' in Delhi on January 12 at the International Theatre Festival hosted by National School of Drama.
Thereafter, it would stage the same play at the National School Drama festival in Bombay.
Finally, the group is scheduled to perform in Amritsar at the National Theatre festival, added the release. (ANI)
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Madonna takes a ride across Mumbai slums
Wednesday, 9 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 9 (ANI): Pop star Madonna toured Mumbai slums with Gregory David Roberts, the convicted robber who turned his time spent there following an escape from an Australian prison into the best-selling novel "Shantaram".
The singer, who is on an extended New Year's break in India with family, walked around Cuffe Parade, a seafront neighbourhood where million-dollar high rises sit next to fishermen's huts.
Madonna was seen entering a fisherman's hut in Cuffe Parade with a woman companion and later walking into a roadside vegetarian restaurant, warding off eager journalists and photographers.
Her chaperone Roberts, who fled from an Australian jail in 1980 after being convicted of bank robbery, appeared to take them to places mentioned in his novel, which is due to be made into a film by Mira Nair, starring Johnny Depp.
Madonna ushered in the New Year along with Guy Ritchie, her film director husband, and their children in the deserts of Rajasthan state before reaching Mumbai. (ANI)
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Mumbai molestation case: 14 accused get bail
umbai, Jan 8 (ANI): All the 14 men accused for molesting two NRI girls
on the New Year's Eve in Juhu were released on bail here today.A mob of 70 to 80 men molested two ladies after they came out of J W
Marriot hotel on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1. The two photographers working for a newspaper, who had taken
photographs of the molestation, identified the accused during an
identification parade held at the Arthur Road Jail on Saturday. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amarjeet Singh, who had
reached the spot, also identified the accused. The 14 accused in the case have been charged with outraging modesty of
women and unlawful assembly. The Mumbai Police filed the case after the photographs generated a
public outcry. (ANI)
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Shopping in Mumbai's thieves' market offers unusual joy
Tuesday, 8 January, 2008
By Rajesh Dhotre
Mumbai, Jan.6 (ANI): Away from its metropolitan life, Mumbai boasts of its popular Chor Bazar or thieves' market that remains a big charm in central Mumbai where people of all income groups enjoy to shop till they drop without hesitation.
Chor Bazaar offers the proverbial merchandise of a pin to plane. Be it antiques, designer-ware, novelties, footwear or auto spare parts of almost every model in the world, you can expect it all in this 150-year-old market.
Situated off the Mumbai's Red Light district of Bhendi Bazar, between S.V. Patel and Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, the Chor Bazaar makes shopping a special experience, especially for antiques.
Despite its name suggesting it to be a thieves' market, shopkeepers object to the misunderstanding that the products sold here are stolen items.
"Chor Bazaar is a name given by a particular group of people. They think that they are getting these items over here at cheaper rates. So they believe that these items are either pilfered or robbed and brought over here. But it is not like that. We get these old items here. We get them repaired and redone before selling it," said Ibrahim, a shopkeeper.
Among the merchandise available here are items which elite boutiques also sell, besides curios, wooden articles, leatherwear, footwear, carpets, handicrafts, textiles and accessories. In other words, Chor Bazaar has it all and one can find the antiques' shops as crowded as any other shop.
Members of the most affluent families and industrialists in their chauffeur-driven limousines can be spotted shopping at the flea market since they can bargain for rare and exclusive items that are not easily available elsewhere.
According to the shopkeepers, the items, all genuine, are available for a song.
There are also few shops that have alluring antique jewellery and rare historical items like Maharaja's hand crafted sword and Victorian furniture, old ship parts, grandpa clocks, gramophones, crystal chandeliers and old English tea sets.
The shopkeepers claim everything is genuine here.
You can find tourists trying their bargaining skills for Ming vases and Muranos at throwaway prices.
"You will get everything in Chor Bazaar, from motor parts to hardware, machinery, clothes, shoes and almost everything. You can get everything at a very cheap rate and nice price," said Haji Imran Khan, another shopkeeper of Chor Bazaar.
For people visiting Mumbai, a trip to Chor Bazaar could unfold some of the best antiques one might have ever seen. But it is not just about antiques; it has an odd collection of shops that sell goods of various ranges.
The market remains open generally on all days between 11 in the morning and 8 at night. The rush is high on Thursdays and Fridays. (ANI)
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Mumbai molestation case: Identification parade of 14 accused today
Saturday, 5 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 5 (ANI): All the 14 men arrested on suspicion of being involved in the molestation of two women on New Year's Eve will be put through an identification parade here today.
The two photographers, who were present at the crime site, have also been called for the identification, besides an assistant police commissioner and a police constable.
The men, who were arrested on Thursday midnight, were released on bail.
On December 31, as the two women walked out of J W Marriott hotel at 1.45 a.m. with two male friends, a mob of about 70 men started teasing them.
When one of the women swore loudly at the hooligans, the mob pounced on them and the two women were molested by the mob.
National outrage followed the incident, but the police lodged an FIR only after massive public pressure.
The State Government ordered that a special fast track court hear the case. (ANI)
Majority of Policemen in Pune vulnerable to heart ailments
By Shivaji
Pune, Jan.4 (ANI): If the observations made by a voluntary organisation in Pune are to be believed at least 70 per cent of the police personnel in Pune are vulnerable to heart ailments.
According to the Bhoi Foundation of the Pune city in Maharashtra, majority of the police personnel are prone to coronary diseases here. The observation is based on the medical tests conducted over 7,000 police personnel in the city during a health and fitness camp.
"In our earlier camp, we medically examined 220 policemen out of whom 44 patients were advised angiography. However, we could do angiography only on 11 patients. This is because of the ignorance of the police officials," said Dr. Nityananda Thakur, a heart surgeon associated with Bhoi Foundation.
The camp was organised following an incident of two city policemen succumbing to heart ailment within a week recently.
"At this point of time, they might not be realising the severity of the problem, and hence, avoiding it. But few of them certainly form a high-risk group, and therefore, we are going to continue the programme," Thakur added.
Nearly 70 per cent police personnel positioned in different departments at different levels have heart related disorders, 40 per cent of the total policemen are diabetic and at least a dozen policemen die of heart attack annually, the report stated.
The reasons behind the problem faced by the city police are stated to be high-stress, extended duty hours (currently 12 hours), mental tension owing to harsh working conditions and being underpaid.
"The problem arises because the number of working hours is not fixed due to which there is rising mental pressure. Consequently, the body clock of the officials gets disturbed, there is no fixed time to eat, sleep and rest. They have tensions. A kind of fear holds the mind and hence the mental pressure just gets on them," said Rajendra Sonawane, Joint Commissioner of Police in Pune.
Police personnel above-40 age group underwent the medical examination conducted by a team of doctors at Jehangir Hospital in the city.
Besides, the doctors have also prescribed dietary plans for Pune Police. (ANI)
Two girls molested by 70-80 men on New Year in Mumbai
Thursday, 3 January, 2008
Mumbai, Jan 2 (ANI): In a shocking incident two women were molested by the mob of 70-80 men at Mumbai's Juhu area in the early hours on New year day.
This is second such incident in the past two years, which has brought a bad name for Mumbai.
The two women came out of the hotel J W Marriott at 1.45 a.m. with two male friends, and began walking towards the Juhu beach.
A mob of about 70-80 men started teasing them when one of the women swore loudly at the hooligans. But the mob, pounced on them.
A national daily cameraperson spotted a police van and called for help, following which the police rushed in and chased away the mob. However, no case has been registered so far.
While talking to the media, ACP (Western region) Mumbai Archana Tyagi said, "We are trying to find out the facts of the story published in a newspaper and also talking to traffic officer and reporters to help in the investigations, but this is shocking and strict action will be taken against the culprits."
Last year, a similar incident had disgraced Mumbai when a girl was molested by revellers at the Gateway of India on New Year's eve. (ANI)
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