New Delhi, July 29: After portraying a string of intense and serious contemporary characters on the silver screen, National Award-winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma says she would now love to act in a period film. “I would love to do a period film now. I have potrayed different characters in films but have never been part of a period film,” Konkona told PTI on the sidelines of a recent event in the national capital. Known for her sterling performances in films like ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’, ‘Page 3’ and ‘Omkara’, the 29-year-old actor from Bengal says the commercial aspects of cinema is not something she would die for. “This business, trade and money involved with films is one aspect of cinema I dont quite like. I just love playing different kinds of roles but not for profit and gains,” Konkona says. “I am very particular about the films that I watch and want to act in,” she adds. Acting in plays is equally fascinating for Konkona, who says rehearsing for plays builds up a great atmosphere for an actor. “I love rehearsing for plays as well as for films, it builds a very stimulative and creative atmosphere.” Talking about her two upcoming flicks, ‘Wa
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Congress rallies around PM over Pakistan
New Delhi, July 27: With fresh disclosure of the contents of a dossier detailing action against the Mumbai attackers given by Islamabad to New Delhi, the Congress on Monday came out in strong support of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Pakistan initiative that delinks action on terror from the composite dialogue process.
“The Congress is confident that when the prime minister speaks in Parliament on July 29, he will set at rest all the questions, all apprehensions and speculation relating to the Indo-Pak joint statement at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt,” AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters. The prime minister should have the liberty to take decisions and “move forward” on key foreign policy issues like Pakistan, added union minister Salman Khurshid while denying that there was a rift between the party and the government over the July 16 joint statement that includes for the first time a reference to Balochistan and agrees to delink the issue of terrorism from the composite dialogue process.
“The Congress is confident that when the prime minister speaks in Parliament on July 29, he will set at rest all the questions, all apprehensions and speculation relating to the Indo-Pak joint statement at Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt,” AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters. The prime minister should have the liberty to take decisions and “move forward” on key foreign policy issues like Pakistan, added union minister Salman Khurshid while denying that there was a rift between the party and the government over the July 16 joint statement that includes for the first time a reference to Balochistan and agrees to delink the issue of terrorism from the composite dialogue process.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
South Africa to speed up trade agreement with India
JOHANNESBURG, July 26: The South African Government is to press its regional partners in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) to speed up the finalization of the preferential trade agreement with India that could double the current $6-billion trade between the two countries.
SACU consists of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. “We have been going far too slowly on the preferential trade agreement,” South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies conceded to captains of business and industry from India and South Africa at the closing session on Saturday of the Doing Business with India Conference organized here by the Indian mission and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “We are saying where can we give each other preferences. Let us try to accommodate each other in ways that are mutually beneficial, so this trade agreement is very important,” he added.
“The reasons that I heard it is moving so slowly has to do with the dynamics of SACU itself,” Davis said. “We have to negotiate trade agreements with our partners in SACU. We are going to insist that this matter of negotiating with India is given the priority it deserves and that we are not going to accept any further blockages in the process. That you can take as a very firm commitment — we’re going to make this thing happen,” he added.
Davies said that both he and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had committed to doing everything that they could to remove any blockages in boosting trade and investment between the two countries. Analysts here believe that the current India-South Africa trade of $6 billion could be easily doubled with a preferential trade agreement. (IANS)
SACU consists of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. “We have been going far too slowly on the preferential trade agreement,” South African Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies conceded to captains of business and industry from India and South Africa at the closing session on Saturday of the Doing Business with India Conference organized here by the Indian mission and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). “We are saying where can we give each other preferences. Let us try to accommodate each other in ways that are mutually beneficial, so this trade agreement is very important,” he added.
“The reasons that I heard it is moving so slowly has to do with the dynamics of SACU itself,” Davis said. “We have to negotiate trade agreements with our partners in SACU. We are going to insist that this matter of negotiating with India is given the priority it deserves and that we are not going to accept any further blockages in the process. That you can take as a very firm commitment — we’re going to make this thing happen,” he added.
Davies said that both he and India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had committed to doing everything that they could to remove any blockages in boosting trade and investment between the two countries. Analysts here believe that the current India-South Africa trade of $6 billion could be easily doubled with a preferential trade agreement. (IANS)
PM, Antony pay homage to Kargil martyrs
NEW DELHI, July 26: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister AK Antony visited the Amar Jawan Jyoti here on Sunday morning and paid homage to the Kargil war martyrs on the 10th anniversary of the armed conflict with Pakistan.
The prime minister laid a wreath at the memorial to the unknown soldier at the India Gate. “I join the entire nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister is to head to Visakhapatnam later on Sunday to launch the country’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine. The face-off in the snow-peaked mountains of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir in the summer of 1999 had brought India and Pakistan virtually to the brink of their fourth full-scale war. An estimated 530 Indian soldiers were killed in two months of fighting before the Pakistanis were pushed back across the international border. (IANS)
The prime minister laid a wreath at the memorial to the unknown soldier at the India Gate. “I join the entire nation in paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil war. They sacrificed their lives in defence of Indian unity and integrity,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister is to head to Visakhapatnam later on Sunday to launch the country’s first indigenous nuclear powered submarine. The face-off in the snow-peaked mountains of Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir in the summer of 1999 had brought India and Pakistan virtually to the brink of their fourth full-scale war. An estimated 530 Indian soldiers were killed in two months of fighting before the Pakistanis were pushed back across the international border. (IANS)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Government gives approval to GSAT-11 communication satellite
Government gives approval to GSAT-11 communication satellite
Date : Jul-24-2009 12:27
The Government has given its nod for the development of Rs 500 crore advanced communication satellite to provide telecom links with small Ku-band terminals operating across the country.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who chaired the meeting of the Union cabinet last night, gave its approval for the design and development of GSAT-11 communication satellite, which is planned to be realized in 30 months.
The GSAT-11 is an advanced communication satellite which will be a high capacity multi-team Ku/Ka-bank spacecraft. This craft is configured with two sided large solar array panels generating around 11 KW of DC power. Moreover, the craft structure is designed for a lift-off mass of about 4,500 kgs with a dry mass of 2100 kg. The craft with 16 beams in Ku-band as well as frequency reuse factor of 4, can provide 10 GHz effective bandwidth equivalent to about 22 transponders of 36 MHz, an official release said.
Date : Jul-24-2009 12:27
The Government has given its nod for the development of Rs 500 crore advanced communication satellite to provide telecom links with small Ku-band terminals operating across the country.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who chaired the meeting of the Union cabinet last night, gave its approval for the design and development of GSAT-11 communication satellite, which is planned to be realized in 30 months.
The GSAT-11 is an advanced communication satellite which will be a high capacity multi-team Ku/Ka-bank spacecraft. This craft is configured with two sided large solar array panels generating around 11 KW of DC power. Moreover, the craft structure is designed for a lift-off mass of about 4,500 kgs with a dry mass of 2100 kg. The craft with 16 beams in Ku-band as well as frequency reuse factor of 4, can provide 10 GHz effective bandwidth equivalent to about 22 transponders of 36 MHz, an official release said.
Air India eyes Rs 10, 000 cr bailout package
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NEW DELHI: The beleaguered flag carrier Air India has asked for Rs 10,000 crore from the government in terms of equity. In a meeting of committee of secretaries (CoS) headed by cabinet secretary, the airline is also believed to have sought similar amount as soft loan, a government official familiar with the development said.
An Air India spokesperson said that he will not comment on the development and would not go beyond what had been mentioned in the official statement.
Air India and SBI Caps made a presentation to the CoS and gave a turnaround plan for the company. The airline was told by the high-level committee to cut cost and improve revenue for getting any assistance from the government.
"The airline would have to assure that its future sustainability is not built on cards. Instead of a long term plan for saving and revenue management the company will have to give quarterly report. They need to get a concrete plan," a senior official said on the condition of anonymity. He, however, added that the current equity base of the company is very low and it needs to be expanded.
A civil aviation ministry statement said that Air India was told to come up with a concrete cost reduction proposal including replacement of the current productivity linked incentive (PLI) with an alternative scheme within the framework of the department of public enterprises (DPE) guidelines.
The CoS is expected to meet again by the end of August to review the financial restructuring being undertaken by the airline.
The high-level panel has asked the aviation company to appoint a cost auditor to monitor, review and ensure that the cost reduction and operational efficiencies are effected. In a major relief to the cash-strapped Air India, the CoS recommended a three-months credit limit by oil companies to the airline.
Air India has an accumulated loss of Rs 7,200 crore as on March 2009. The company is currently finding it difficult to meet the operational cost.
ET
NEW DELHI: The beleaguered flag carrier Air India has asked for Rs 10,000 crore from the government in terms of equity. In a meeting of committee of secretaries (CoS) headed by cabinet secretary, the airline is also believed to have sought similar amount as soft loan, a government official familiar with the development said.
An Air India spokesperson said that he will not comment on the development and would not go beyond what had been mentioned in the official statement.
Air India and SBI Caps made a presentation to the CoS and gave a turnaround plan for the company. The airline was told by the high-level committee to cut cost and improve revenue for getting any assistance from the government.
"The airline would have to assure that its future sustainability is not built on cards. Instead of a long term plan for saving and revenue management the company will have to give quarterly report. They need to get a concrete plan," a senior official said on the condition of anonymity. He, however, added that the current equity base of the company is very low and it needs to be expanded.
A civil aviation ministry statement said that Air India was told to come up with a concrete cost reduction proposal including replacement of the current productivity linked incentive (PLI) with an alternative scheme within the framework of the department of public enterprises (DPE) guidelines.
The CoS is expected to meet again by the end of August to review the financial restructuring being undertaken by the airline.
The high-level panel has asked the aviation company to appoint a cost auditor to monitor, review and ensure that the cost reduction and operational efficiencies are effected. In a major relief to the cash-strapped Air India, the CoS recommended a three-months credit limit by oil companies to the airline.
Air India has an accumulated loss of Rs 7,200 crore as on March 2009. The company is currently finding it difficult to meet the operational cost.
ET
Friday, July 24, 2009
High tides flood parts of Mumbai
Mumbai, July 23: Sea waves measuring up to 5.1 metres lashed Mumbai and other places in the Konkan region, flooding homes of people living in the coastal areas here on Thursday afternoon, civic officials said. The highest tide in last 100 years — measuring up to 5.5 metres — is forecast for Friday. The sea water flooded low-lying coastal areas like Cuffe Parade in south Mumbai, Colaba, Worli, Mahim, Khar, Juhu, Versova and Marve, a police official said. Huge sea waves crossed the retaining walls at Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel, Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty and Worli Sea Face. Roads in Dadar, Mahim, Prabhadevi, Versova and Juhu were also flooded while in other places the sea waters entered homes of people, including the official bungalow of Mayor Shubha Raul at Dadar sea face. The high tide, which peaked around 1.30 p.m., is expected to last for another couple of hours.
The century’s highest tide is expected 2.05 p.m. on Friday. The civic authorities have put in place disaster management measures, an official said. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) had issued warnings to people in low lying and coastal areas to watch out for the gigantic tides and take adequate precautions. On Wednesday, the city witnessed a 4.85-metre high tide that flooded slums at Cuffe Parade and Vile Parle. The fire brigade had responded to distress calls and rescued 23 people from the affected areas. In a precautionary measure, the MCGM last week inserted big and small advertisements in the Mumbai newspapers warning people of the potential damage by the high tides and details of emergency services contact numbers. Civic officials said that MCGM would also monitor the situation in flood-prone areas through closed circuit TVs. As many as 11 hotlines have been established and 34 rain gauges are installed from where round the clock information on rainfall is being collected, and control rooms have been set up at all 24 civic wards, a civic official said. (IANS)
Mumbai braces for highest tide in 100 years
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MUMBAI: Nearly 200 people have been evacuated from coastal areas, warnings have been sent out to those in low-lying regions and schools have advised students to stay at home as India's financial capital braces for a massive 5.5 metre high tidal wave, billed as the highest in 100 years, to lash it Friday afternoon.
The high tide is expected to hit Mumbai and the surrounding Konkan region at 2.05 p.m. The waters will ebb only after three to four hours, met officials said.
In the past two days, as waves measuring 4.85 and 5.1 metres lashed Mumbai, civic and disaster management authorities evacuated people -- mostly shanty dwellers -- from vulnerable areas like Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Andheri, Jogeshwari and even parts of neighbouring Thane.
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has issued warnings to people in low-lying areas to watch out for the gigantic tide Friday and take adequate precautions.
On Thursday, sea water rushed into several buildings in Cuffe Parade, Worli, Dadar, Prabhadevi, Andheri, Juhu, Khar and Malad.
Even mayor Shubha Raul's official bungalow at Shivaji Park in Dadar was not spared. The huge waves knocked down a compound wall.
In Thane, the district adjacent to Mumbai, waterlogging attributed to the high tide was reported from residential areas in places like Uttan, Palghar, Boisar and Dahanu but there have been no casualties so far.
Some schools have advised students to stay at home in view of the high tide, but there has been no official announcement of closure by the government.
However, for many Mumbaikars, the tides offered a rare view of a natural phenomenon after clouds obscured the solar eclipse Wednesday.
Thousands of people excitedly saw the tides from a safe distance at places like Colaba, Marine Drive, Girgaum Chowpatty, Worli Sea-Face, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach and Marve Beach yesterday. Today, greater numbers are expected.
Crowds had assembled even at the Thane Creek and commuters were seen craning their necks to see the swirling waters as the trains crossed the railway bridges at Bhayander Creek.
Last week, the MCGM had inserted big and small advertisements in newspapers, warning people of the potential damage that could be wreaked by the high tides and contact details for emergency services.
As many as 11 hotlines have been established and 34 rain gauges have been installed from where round-the-clock information is being collected. Control rooms have been set up at all the 24 civic wards.
Officials said that MCGM would also monitor the situation in flood-prone areas through CCTVs.
Market traded jittery on weak sentiment
Market traded jittery on weak sentiment
Date : Jul-24-2009 13:25
After witnessing wild swing in opening trade, which was short lived, the key benchmark indices is now hovering around the base line after gyrating in positive and negative terrain. Meanwhile, as per the provisional figures on the NSE, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs. 511.94 crore yesterday while domestic institutional investors sold shares worth Rs 34.16 crore. This was augmented by latest economic data indicated improving economic activity. Assimilation of six infrastructure industries, that accounts for 26.7% of India''s industrial output, namely Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Refining, Electricity and Steel together improved at an annual rate of 6.5% in June 2009 faster compared to 2.8% in previous month.
On the sectoral front, out of 13 Indices, 11 indices advanced whereas 2 indices declined. Auto stocks remained strong on better-than-expected first quarter results from auto major Maruti Suzuki India yesterday. Metal stocks gains as LMEX, a gauge of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.29% overnight. Bank stocks weaken ahead of quarterly monetary policy review meet on Tuesday, 28 July 2009.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was strong. On BSE, out of 2,582 stocks traded so far, 1,524 shares advanced while 971 shares declined. Nearly 87 shares are unchanged.
At 1.20PM, the BSE Sensex is trading higher by 73.70 points at 15,304.74 whereas NSE Nifty is up by 23.25 points at 4,547.
The BSE Mid Cap is trading higher by 73.64 points at 5,367.01 and Small cap is trading up by 78.42 points at 6,021.28.
Major gainers from the BSE Sensex pack are Tata Motors Ltd surged 6.79% to Rs. 363.50 along with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 3.66% to Rs. 1343.00, Tata Steel Ltd 3.45% to Rs. 429.05, Sterlite Industries Ltd improved 3.11% to Rs. 652.35, DLF Ltd improved 2.80% to Rs. 380.00, Hindalco Industries Ltd gained 2.76% to Rs. 93.20, Jaiprakash Associates Ltd gained 1.96% to Rs. 234.15, Infosys Technologies Ltd by 1.70% to Rs. 1993.10, BHEL by 1.55% to Rs. 2201.10, Hero Honda Motors by 1.34% to Rs. 1688.00, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd by 1.23% to Rs. 811.75 and TCS Ltd by 0.88% to Rs. 480.00 among others.
Major losers from the BSE Sensex Pack are Bharti Airtel Ltd weaken by plunged 48.05% to Rs. 422.85, Housing Development Finance Co by 2.75% to Rs. 2385.00, Reliance Industries Ltd by 1.80% to Rs. 2001.50, State Bank of India by 1.22% to Rs. 1704.80, HDFC Bank Ltd by 0.95% to Rs. 1441.90, Reliance Infrastructure by 0.80% to Rs. 1157.30 and ACC Ltd by 0.78% to Rs. 848.00.
The BSE Auto is higher by 143.53 points or 2.72% at 5,417.76. Stocks trading in green are Tata Motors Ltd spurted 6.79% to Rs. 363.50, Bharat Forge Ltd 6.72% to Rs. 170.00, Amtek Auto Ltd 6.42% to Rs. 123.55, MRF Ltd 4.29% to Rs. 3663.95, Exide Industries Ltd by 4.05% to Rs. 78.30, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd by 3.66% to Rs. 1,343.00 and Escorts Ltd 3.21% to Rs. 64.35 among others.
Alstom Projects India Ltd advanced 0.97% to Rs. 524.60 after net profit increased phenomenally 100.60% to Rs. 38.75 crore in Q1 June 2009 compared to Q1 June 2008.
Essel Propack Ltd spurted 4.94% to Rs. 27.60 after the company posted net profit of Rs 5.24 crore in Q2 June 2009 as against net loss of Rs 9.75 crore in Q2 June 2008, on a consolidated basis.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd spurted 3.66% to Rs. 1343.00 after reporting higher-than-expected net profit in Q1 June 2009.
Gujarat State Petronet Ltd zoomed 4.83% to Rs. 66.15 after net profit increased phenomenally 146.6% to Rs. 80.49 crore on a 76.4% rise in sales to Rs. 210.82 crore in Q1 June 2009 over Q1 June 2008.
Bharat Forge Ltd shoot up 6.72% to Rs. 170.00 after the company expressed positive outlook for the future at the time of announcing Q1 June 2009 results
Idea Cellular surged 3.53% to Rs. 80.55 after net profit grew 14.7% to Rs. 309.21 crore on a 29.7% increase in sales to Rs. 2817.94 crore in Q1 June 2009 over Q1 June 2008.
Ambuja Cements Ltd plunged 2.06% to Rs. 94.95 after net profit sunk 43.74% to Rs 324.65 crore in Q2 June 2009 over Q2 June 2008.
Date : Jul-24-2009 13:25
After witnessing wild swing in opening trade, which was short lived, the key benchmark indices is now hovering around the base line after gyrating in positive and negative terrain. Meanwhile, as per the provisional figures on the NSE, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought shares worth Rs. 511.94 crore yesterday while domestic institutional investors sold shares worth Rs 34.16 crore. This was augmented by latest economic data indicated improving economic activity. Assimilation of six infrastructure industries, that accounts for 26.7% of India''s industrial output, namely Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Refining, Electricity and Steel together improved at an annual rate of 6.5% in June 2009 faster compared to 2.8% in previous month.
On the sectoral front, out of 13 Indices, 11 indices advanced whereas 2 indices declined. Auto stocks remained strong on better-than-expected first quarter results from auto major Maruti Suzuki India yesterday. Metal stocks gains as LMEX, a gauge of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.29% overnight. Bank stocks weaken ahead of quarterly monetary policy review meet on Tuesday, 28 July 2009.
The Market breadth, indicating the overall strength of the market, was strong. On BSE, out of 2,582 stocks traded so far, 1,524 shares advanced while 971 shares declined. Nearly 87 shares are unchanged.
At 1.20PM, the BSE Sensex is trading higher by 73.70 points at 15,304.74 whereas NSE Nifty is up by 23.25 points at 4,547.
The BSE Mid Cap is trading higher by 73.64 points at 5,367.01 and Small cap is trading up by 78.42 points at 6,021.28.
Major gainers from the BSE Sensex pack are Tata Motors Ltd surged 6.79% to Rs. 363.50 along with Maruti Suzuki India Ltd 3.66% to Rs. 1343.00, Tata Steel Ltd 3.45% to Rs. 429.05, Sterlite Industries Ltd improved 3.11% to Rs. 652.35, DLF Ltd improved 2.80% to Rs. 380.00, Hindalco Industries Ltd gained 2.76% to Rs. 93.20, Jaiprakash Associates Ltd gained 1.96% to Rs. 234.15, Infosys Technologies Ltd by 1.70% to Rs. 1993.10, BHEL by 1.55% to Rs. 2201.10, Hero Honda Motors by 1.34% to Rs. 1688.00, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd by 1.23% to Rs. 811.75 and TCS Ltd by 0.88% to Rs. 480.00 among others.
Major losers from the BSE Sensex Pack are Bharti Airtel Ltd weaken by plunged 48.05% to Rs. 422.85, Housing Development Finance Co by 2.75% to Rs. 2385.00, Reliance Industries Ltd by 1.80% to Rs. 2001.50, State Bank of India by 1.22% to Rs. 1704.80, HDFC Bank Ltd by 0.95% to Rs. 1441.90, Reliance Infrastructure by 0.80% to Rs. 1157.30 and ACC Ltd by 0.78% to Rs. 848.00.
The BSE Auto is higher by 143.53 points or 2.72% at 5,417.76. Stocks trading in green are Tata Motors Ltd spurted 6.79% to Rs. 363.50, Bharat Forge Ltd 6.72% to Rs. 170.00, Amtek Auto Ltd 6.42% to Rs. 123.55, MRF Ltd 4.29% to Rs. 3663.95, Exide Industries Ltd by 4.05% to Rs. 78.30, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd by 3.66% to Rs. 1,343.00 and Escorts Ltd 3.21% to Rs. 64.35 among others.
Alstom Projects India Ltd advanced 0.97% to Rs. 524.60 after net profit increased phenomenally 100.60% to Rs. 38.75 crore in Q1 June 2009 compared to Q1 June 2008.
Essel Propack Ltd spurted 4.94% to Rs. 27.60 after the company posted net profit of Rs 5.24 crore in Q2 June 2009 as against net loss of Rs 9.75 crore in Q2 June 2008, on a consolidated basis.
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd spurted 3.66% to Rs. 1343.00 after reporting higher-than-expected net profit in Q1 June 2009.
Gujarat State Petronet Ltd zoomed 4.83% to Rs. 66.15 after net profit increased phenomenally 146.6% to Rs. 80.49 crore on a 76.4% rise in sales to Rs. 210.82 crore in Q1 June 2009 over Q1 June 2008.
Bharat Forge Ltd shoot up 6.72% to Rs. 170.00 after the company expressed positive outlook for the future at the time of announcing Q1 June 2009 results
Idea Cellular surged 3.53% to Rs. 80.55 after net profit grew 14.7% to Rs. 309.21 crore on a 29.7% increase in sales to Rs. 2817.94 crore in Q1 June 2009 over Q1 June 2008.
Ambuja Cements Ltd plunged 2.06% to Rs. 94.95 after net profit sunk 43.74% to Rs 324.65 crore in Q2 June 2009 over Q2 June 2008.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Inflation fell 1.17%
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Date : Jul-23-2009 15:41
Inflation stayed negative for the sixth consecutive week at -1.17% for the week ended July 11, 2009 as compared to -1.21% in the previous week ended July 4, 2009 while 12.13% during the corresponding week July 12, 2008.
The wholesale price index for all commodities, used to measure the inflation, was up 0.1 per cent on a week-on-week basis, at 236.7 as against 236.4 for the previous week. Moreover, the index for Primary Articles group shot up by 0.7% to 260.3 from 258.5 for the previous week. The index for ''Food Articles'' group grew by 0.9% to 255.9 from 253.6. The index for Fuel & Power group rose by 0.1% to 338.4 from 338.2 for the previous week. The index for Manufactured group fell by 0.1% to 205.9 from 206.1 the previous week.
Inflation stayed negative for the sixth consecutive week at -1.17% for the week ended July 11, 2009 as compared to -1.21% in the previous week ended July 4, 2009 while 12.13% during the corresponding week July 12, 2008.
The wholesale price index for all commodities, used to measure the inflation, was up 0.1 per cent on a week-on-week basis, at 236.7 as against 236.4 for the previous week. Moreover, the index for Primary Articles group shot up by 0.7% to 260.3 from 258.5 for the previous week. The index for ''Food Articles'' group grew by 0.9% to 255.9 from 253.6. The index for Fuel & Power group rose by 0.1% to 338.4 from 338.2 for the previous week. The index for Manufactured group fell by 0.1% to 205.9 from 206.1 the previous week.
Mobile number portability to be delayed
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Date : Jul-24-2009 08:40
As the telecom regulator is a still busy preparing regulation for the new system, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be delayed by at least three months from its scheduled execution date. MNP is a service that allows subscribers to hold on to their existing mobile telephone number when they switch from one service provider to another or from one technology to another of the same service provider. It is scheduled to come by the end of this year and not by September, as it was told previously. The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) had issued guidelines for its implementation in the country in August last year. Subsequently, the DOT issued licenses to two companies each serving a separate zone in the country. Hence, telecom regulator TRAI is working on regulations and the charges for the same.
Date : Jul-24-2009 08:40
As the telecom regulator is a still busy preparing regulation for the new system, Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will be delayed by at least three months from its scheduled execution date. MNP is a service that allows subscribers to hold on to their existing mobile telephone number when they switch from one service provider to another or from one technology to another of the same service provider. It is scheduled to come by the end of this year and not by September, as it was told previously. The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) had issued guidelines for its implementation in the country in August last year. Subsequently, the DOT issued licenses to two companies each serving a separate zone in the country. Hence, telecom regulator TRAI is working on regulations and the charges for the same.
Adani Power IPO to open on July 28
Date : Jul-21-2009
Adani Power Ltd, promoted by Adani Enterprise going for an initial public offering of 301,652,031 equity shares of Rs. 10 each for cash at a price to be decided through a 100 per cent book building process. The issue for the IPO opens on July 28.
The company has not mentioned about the price band of the issue. However, the company release says that the price band and the minimum bid lot will be decided by the company in consultation with the Global co-coordinator and the book running lead manager and advertised at least two working days prior to the bid/issue opening date. The face value of the equity shares is Rs. 10.
The global coordinator and book running lead manager for the issue is DSP Merrill Lynch. The other book running lead managers are Enam Securities, IDFC -SSKI, JM Financial Consultants, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley India, ICICI Securities and SBI Capital.
The issue would constitute 13.84 per cent of the post issue paid-up equity share capital of the company. The issue includes a reservation of up to 8,000,000 equity shares for eligible employee. This Issue has been graded by ICRA Limited as IPO Grade 3, indicating average fundamentals through its letter dated July 2, 2009. The equity shares offered through this Red Herring Prospectus are proposed to be listed on the NSE and the BSE.
The company intends to utilize the net proceeds of the issue to part finance the construction as well as development of Mundra Phase IV power project for 1,980 MW and fund equity contribution in its subsidiary - Adani Power Maharashtra to part finance the construction and development cost of power project for 1,980 at Tiroda.
The company has an installed combined capacity of 6,600 MW. Currently, Adani Power is working on the following projects: a) Mundra Phase I and II with capacity of 1,320 MW. b) Mundra Phase III with 1,320 MW and c) Mundra Phase IV with 1,980 MW d) Tiroda Power Project, being developed by company's subsidiary Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd with 1.980 MW. Along with this, the company is also planning to develop two power projects with combined installed capacity of 3,300 MW through its subsidiaries.
Adani Power Ltd, promoted by Adani Enterprise going for an initial public offering of 301,652,031 equity shares of Rs. 10 each for cash at a price to be decided through a 100 per cent book building process. The issue for the IPO opens on July 28.
The company has not mentioned about the price band of the issue. However, the company release says that the price band and the minimum bid lot will be decided by the company in consultation with the Global co-coordinator and the book running lead manager and advertised at least two working days prior to the bid/issue opening date. The face value of the equity shares is Rs. 10.
The global coordinator and book running lead manager for the issue is DSP Merrill Lynch. The other book running lead managers are Enam Securities, IDFC -SSKI, JM Financial Consultants, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley India, ICICI Securities and SBI Capital.
The issue would constitute 13.84 per cent of the post issue paid-up equity share capital of the company. The issue includes a reservation of up to 8,000,000 equity shares for eligible employee. This Issue has been graded by ICRA Limited as IPO Grade 3, indicating average fundamentals through its letter dated July 2, 2009. The equity shares offered through this Red Herring Prospectus are proposed to be listed on the NSE and the BSE.
The company intends to utilize the net proceeds of the issue to part finance the construction as well as development of Mundra Phase IV power project for 1,980 MW and fund equity contribution in its subsidiary - Adani Power Maharashtra to part finance the construction and development cost of power project for 1,980 at Tiroda.
The company has an installed combined capacity of 6,600 MW. Currently, Adani Power is working on the following projects: a) Mundra Phase I and II with capacity of 1,320 MW. b) Mundra Phase III with 1,320 MW and c) Mundra Phase IV with 1,980 MW d) Tiroda Power Project, being developed by company's subsidiary Adani Power Maharashtra Ltd with 1.980 MW. Along with this, the company is also planning to develop two power projects with combined installed capacity of 3,300 MW through its subsidiaries.
India No. 2 in sending students abroad
More students than ever before are leaving their homeland to pursue higher studies abroad. The number of these mobile students increased two-and-a-half times between 1975 and 2007, to reach 2.8 million. Two-thirds of these foreign students make a beeline for six countries — the US, UK, France, Australia, Germany and Japan in that order.
Interestingly, Germany and Japan also figure among the top countries of origin of such students. China sends the largest number of students outside (about 421,000 in 2007) followed by India (153,300), Republic of Korea (105,300), Germany (77,500) and Japan (54,500).
The number of female mobile students is increasing at a slightly faster rate, as a result raising their share of the total from 46% to 49%, according to UNESCO’s recent report, ‘Global Education Digest, 2009’. Despite increasing numbers, the proportion of students going abroad for higher education has remained the same since 1999, approximately 2 out of every 100 students.
Among regions, Western Europe hosts the largest proportion of mobile students, over 41%, followed by North America with 24% and East Asia and Pacific with over 18%. In terms of individual countries, the US hosts the largest proportion, 21%.
A new trend in the flow of mobile students is the preference to stay within their regions of origin. For instance, 77% of students going abroad from West European countries stay within that region, while the corresponding figure for North America is 39%.
Mobile students from South and West Asia are understandably much less likely to stay within their own region — just 1.3%.
What seems surprising initially is that this is much lower than even in sub—Saharan Africa, where 23% stay within the region. But thats because most of these students would be concentrated in South Africa, which hosts one out of five mobile students of the region.
Mobile students also now have a wider choice of destinations. For instance, earlier, 71% of mobile Indian students went to the US, 8% to the UK and 7.6% to Australia. Now, the US share of Indian students going abroad is down to 56%. Many more are now going to Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the UK.
Globally too, the US’s share has declined. One out of every four mobile students went to the US in 1999. Now, it is down to one out of every five, though in absolute numbers, it has increased from over 450,000 mobile students to nearly 600,000.
Other historically popular destinations like Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa now get a larger share of mobile students. Also, countries like China, South Korea and New Zealand have emerged as new popular destinations.
You might be surprised to know that India has a low rate of students going abroad compared to the global average. Just one in every 100 Indian tertiary students studies abroad against the world average of 1.8%.
Soruce:TOI
Interestingly, Germany and Japan also figure among the top countries of origin of such students. China sends the largest number of students outside (about 421,000 in 2007) followed by India (153,300), Republic of Korea (105,300), Germany (77,500) and Japan (54,500).
The number of female mobile students is increasing at a slightly faster rate, as a result raising their share of the total from 46% to 49%, according to UNESCO’s recent report, ‘Global Education Digest, 2009’. Despite increasing numbers, the proportion of students going abroad for higher education has remained the same since 1999, approximately 2 out of every 100 students.
Among regions, Western Europe hosts the largest proportion of mobile students, over 41%, followed by North America with 24% and East Asia and Pacific with over 18%. In terms of individual countries, the US hosts the largest proportion, 21%.
A new trend in the flow of mobile students is the preference to stay within their regions of origin. For instance, 77% of students going abroad from West European countries stay within that region, while the corresponding figure for North America is 39%.
Mobile students from South and West Asia are understandably much less likely to stay within their own region — just 1.3%.
What seems surprising initially is that this is much lower than even in sub—Saharan Africa, where 23% stay within the region. But thats because most of these students would be concentrated in South Africa, which hosts one out of five mobile students of the region.
Mobile students also now have a wider choice of destinations. For instance, earlier, 71% of mobile Indian students went to the US, 8% to the UK and 7.6% to Australia. Now, the US share of Indian students going abroad is down to 56%. Many more are now going to Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the UK.
Globally too, the US’s share has declined. One out of every four mobile students went to the US in 1999. Now, it is down to one out of every five, though in absolute numbers, it has increased from over 450,000 mobile students to nearly 600,000.
Other historically popular destinations like Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa now get a larger share of mobile students. Also, countries like China, South Korea and New Zealand have emerged as new popular destinations.
You might be surprised to know that India has a low rate of students going abroad compared to the global average. Just one in every 100 Indian tertiary students studies abroad against the world average of 1.8%.
Soruce:TOI
Bill Gates in India to receive Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
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NEW DELHI: Bill Gates, the founder of software giant Microsoft, is in India to receive the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that has been actively working here in the field of health and development, especially HIV/AIDS.
Gates will also meet Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here on Friday.
According to officials at the foundation, he has a tightly packed schedule but the main focus of Gates' visit is accepting the prize on behalf of the foundation.
"The foundation has been working actively on a range of issues, including HIV/AIDS. During his visit, therefore, he will highlight the key milestones of the foundation," an official said.
In 2003, the foundation launched Avahan, a 10-year initiative to support India's efforts to reduce the spread of HIV. To achieve this the foundation has been working with vulnerable communities like sex workers, drug injectors, and men having sex with men, among others, in six states of the country.
TOI
Gates will also meet Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here on Friday.
According to officials at the foundation, he has a tightly packed schedule but the main focus of Gates' visit is accepting the prize on behalf of the foundation.
"The foundation has been working actively on a range of issues, including HIV/AIDS. During his visit, therefore, he will highlight the key milestones of the foundation," an official said.
In 2003, the foundation launched Avahan, a 10-year initiative to support India's efforts to reduce the spread of HIV. To achieve this the foundation has been working with vulnerable communities like sex workers, drug injectors, and men having sex with men, among others, in six states of the country.
TOI
29 pilots failed test for alcohol consumption
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NEW DELHI: Pilots flying for the ``king of good times'' seem to be having a gala time themselves. On Tuesday, aviation minister Praful Patel revealed that as many as 29 pilots failed pre-flight breath tests conducted to detect alcohol consumption.
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher topped the list with eight pilots failing the breath test. Low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet were close on its heels with six pilots each caught in 'high spirits'. Three pilots each of JetLite, Paramount and Jet Airways were also caught in a similar state. "Any pilot found to be alcohol positive is immediately grounded for a period of up to six weeks," Patel said in Parliament.
Industry sources say most drunk pilots are caught during festive season — Christmas and New Year. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mounts surveillance at airports for pre-flight checks during this time.
There have been instances when pilots, who consumed alcohol within 12 hours of a scheduled flight, have fled from airports after finding out breath tests were being conducted.
On international flights, the DGCA often conducts post-flight breath tests to see if the cabin or cockpit crew sipped any of the alcoholic delights served on board to passengers. "This is an issue that needs to be addressed on a psychological level. The fear of getting caught has to be in the crew always and DGCA could increase deployment for this purpose once its manpower shortage is overcome," said a senior official.
TOI
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher topped the list with eight pilots failing the breath test. Low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet were close on its heels with six pilots each caught in 'high spirits'. Three pilots each of JetLite, Paramount and Jet Airways were also caught in a similar state. "Any pilot found to be alcohol positive is immediately grounded for a period of up to six weeks," Patel said in Parliament.
Industry sources say most drunk pilots are caught during festive season — Christmas and New Year. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mounts surveillance at airports for pre-flight checks during this time.
There have been instances when pilots, who consumed alcohol within 12 hours of a scheduled flight, have fled from airports after finding out breath tests were being conducted.
On international flights, the DGCA often conducts post-flight breath tests to see if the cabin or cockpit crew sipped any of the alcoholic delights served on board to passengers. "This is an issue that needs to be addressed on a psychological level. The fear of getting caught has to be in the crew always and DGCA could increase deployment for this purpose once its manpower shortage is overcome," said a senior official.
TOI
No compromise on security of leaders, Pranab assures MPs
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NEW DELHI: There would be no compromise on the security of political leaders, the government asserted on Thursday as reports of protection cover being downgraded created an uproar in Parliament with the opposition disrupting both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
"On the security of the leaders, there will be no compromise," finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the leader of the house, said in the Lok Sabha.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also assured members that there would be "no reduction in the security" of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Lalu Prasad and Bharatiya Janata Party's Murli Manohar Joshi.
A similar assurance was also made in the upper house, Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned soon after it began the day's proceedings.
In Lok Sabha, too, angry BSP members took up the issue as soon as the house met at 11 am and rushed towards Speaker Meira Kumar's podium shouting slogans against the government after reports that the Z-plus security cover being given to Mayawati may be downgraded.
The Speaker's repeated requests to them to raise the matter during zero hour would not pacify the members, forcing her to adjourn the house for half-an-hour.
Chaos ruled even after the house re-assembled.
"The government is planning to scale down the security provided to Mayawati and home minister P Chidambaram should reply soon," BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said.
In a move to calm the situation, Mukherjee said: "I checked up the position on the issue with the home minister and he has assured me that he has not received the report of review committee so far."
"It is a periodic exercise to review security. The review committee report has not reached him and the government will take a decision after taking (into account) the concerns of the members of the house and the persons concerned," he added.
But the BSP was not pacified and the protests continued.
The BJP also added to the din. "The name of party leader Murli Manhohar Joshi who led 'ekta yatra' against terrorism to Kashmir also figured in the list of persons whose security will be downscaled," Sushma Swaraj said.
Soon after Swaraj's brief speech, BJP MPs joined the chorus, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till noon.
When it reconvened, the house was adjourned for a third time, till 2pm, following slogan shouting. The fracas continued in the house even after this adjournment, forcing the government to make a statement on the issue.
Tempers cooled only after Mukherjee's assurance.
Home ministry officials have had three meetings so far to examine the security cover being given to 395 VIPs in the capital. Security cover may be either whittled down or removed for some of them. The final decision has to be taken by the home minister.
The matter also figured Wednesday in the Lok Sabha when Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav voiced their protest against the government's move.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the same reason soon after it began the day's proceedings.
TOI
"On the security of the leaders, there will be no compromise," finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the leader of the house, said in the Lok Sabha.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also assured members that there would be "no reduction in the security" of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati, Samajwadi Party's Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal's Lalu Prasad and Bharatiya Janata Party's Murli Manohar Joshi.
A similar assurance was also made in the upper house, Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned soon after it began the day's proceedings.
In Lok Sabha, too, angry BSP members took up the issue as soon as the house met at 11 am and rushed towards Speaker Meira Kumar's podium shouting slogans against the government after reports that the Z-plus security cover being given to Mayawati may be downgraded.
The Speaker's repeated requests to them to raise the matter during zero hour would not pacify the members, forcing her to adjourn the house for half-an-hour.
Chaos ruled even after the house re-assembled.
"The government is planning to scale down the security provided to Mayawati and home minister P Chidambaram should reply soon," BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said.
In a move to calm the situation, Mukherjee said: "I checked up the position on the issue with the home minister and he has assured me that he has not received the report of review committee so far."
"It is a periodic exercise to review security. The review committee report has not reached him and the government will take a decision after taking (into account) the concerns of the members of the house and the persons concerned," he added.
But the BSP was not pacified and the protests continued.
The BJP also added to the din. "The name of party leader Murli Manhohar Joshi who led 'ekta yatra' against terrorism to Kashmir also figured in the list of persons whose security will be downscaled," Sushma Swaraj said.
Soon after Swaraj's brief speech, BJP MPs joined the chorus, forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till noon.
When it reconvened, the house was adjourned for a third time, till 2pm, following slogan shouting. The fracas continued in the house even after this adjournment, forcing the government to make a statement on the issue.
Tempers cooled only after Mukherjee's assurance.
Home ministry officials have had three meetings so far to examine the security cover being given to 395 VIPs in the capital. Security cover may be either whittled down or removed for some of them. The final decision has to be taken by the home minister.
The matter also figured Wednesday in the Lok Sabha when Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav voiced their protest against the government's move.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the same reason soon after it began the day's proceedings.
TOI
Jotun launches new paint, says 8 pc growth on target
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New Delhi, July 23 (PTI) During recession, when people are cutting down on non-essential expenditure, painting one's house would be the last thing on mind. But, the slowdown notwithstanding, paint maker Jotun India has big plans to increase its retail stores across the country.
By December this year, the company, part of Norway-based Jotun, is planning to increase the number of retail stores to 250 from 170 now, Jotun India, General Manager (Decorative) Percy Jijina said.
These exclusive Jotun stores would be a one-stop shop for all the requirements of customers wanting to get their house painted. From consultancy to technical support to whether a particular paint is suitable for the climatic conditions of the city, the company trained staff at the stores will have the answers to all of them.
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New Delhi, July 23 (PTI) During recession, when people are cutting down on non-essential expenditure, painting one's house would be the last thing on mind. But, the slowdown notwithstanding, paint maker Jotun India has big plans to increase its retail stores across the country.
By December this year, the company, part of Norway-based Jotun, is planning to increase the number of retail stores to 250 from 170 now, Jotun India, General Manager (Decorative) Percy Jijina said.
These exclusive Jotun stores would be a one-stop shop for all the requirements of customers wanting to get their house painted. From consultancy to technical support to whether a particular paint is suitable for the climatic conditions of the city, the company trained staff at the stores will have the answers to all of them.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
105 child malnutrition deaths from April-June in Melghat
AMRAVATI: The Melghat region of Vidarbha is presently a picture of despair and what sounds a discordant note is the cries of kid dying due of malnutrition. A total 105 infants have died between April and June 2009 in Melghat.
Despite efforts by the government and non-government agencies and after spending a large amount of money, the infant deaths in this tribal region are unabated. Health department sources said that about 69 children are reported to be in stage IV of malnutrition in Chilkhaldhara and Dharni tehsils of Melghat region.
Sources said over Rs 80 crore have been spent on various schemes implemented in the region but results are far from satisfactory. In 2007-08, till July 15,2007, 102 children died of malnutrition, the figure till July 15 2008 was 95. MLA Rajkumar Patel told TOI said that there are many schemes for tribal welfare but these do not reach them.
Staff crunch in PHCs, sub district hospitals has hit the health care machinery. District administration officials however blame the lack of awareness and illiteracy among tribals as reasons for high child mortality rate. Health department sources said that tribals are unwilling to shed old beliefs and prefer that the women deliver at home only. Bandu Sane, president, Khoj, an NGO, told TOI that the administration is not sensitive towards the tribals problem.
“Though it is mandatory to appoint pediatrician and gynaecologist in all 11 PHCs in Melghat on a permanent basis but only three pediatricians, one gynaecologist have been appointed and that too for only amonth. As per a GR children in stage III and IV of malnutrition should be admitted to hospitals, but this is not the case,” he alleged.
ZP CEO Omprakash Bakoriya said, “Child marriage is rampant and as girls become mothers at a very young age. The infants are often weak making them vulnerable to various diseases. All infant deaths reported are not malnutrition deaths,” Bakoriya maintained. All 105 deaths of children in age group of 0-6 are not due to malnutrition but children fail pray to the various diseases like hypoglycemia, hypothermia, pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, premature babies etc, health department sources said.
TOI
Despite efforts by the government and non-government agencies and after spending a large amount of money, the infant deaths in this tribal region are unabated. Health department sources said that about 69 children are reported to be in stage IV of malnutrition in Chilkhaldhara and Dharni tehsils of Melghat region.
Sources said over Rs 80 crore have been spent on various schemes implemented in the region but results are far from satisfactory. In 2007-08, till July 15,2007, 102 children died of malnutrition, the figure till July 15 2008 was 95. MLA Rajkumar Patel told TOI said that there are many schemes for tribal welfare but these do not reach them.
Staff crunch in PHCs, sub district hospitals has hit the health care machinery. District administration officials however blame the lack of awareness and illiteracy among tribals as reasons for high child mortality rate. Health department sources said that tribals are unwilling to shed old beliefs and prefer that the women deliver at home only. Bandu Sane, president, Khoj, an NGO, told TOI that the administration is not sensitive towards the tribals problem.
“Though it is mandatory to appoint pediatrician and gynaecologist in all 11 PHCs in Melghat on a permanent basis but only three pediatricians, one gynaecologist have been appointed and that too for only amonth. As per a GR children in stage III and IV of malnutrition should be admitted to hospitals, but this is not the case,” he alleged.
ZP CEO Omprakash Bakoriya said, “Child marriage is rampant and as girls become mothers at a very young age. The infants are often weak making them vulnerable to various diseases. All infant deaths reported are not malnutrition deaths,” Bakoriya maintained. All 105 deaths of children in age group of 0-6 are not due to malnutrition but children fail pray to the various diseases like hypoglycemia, hypothermia, pneumonia, neonatal sepsis, premature babies etc, health department sources said.
TOI
Tirupati's Lord Venkateswara weighed down by crowns
TIRUPATI: To paraphrase the bard, ‘Heavy lies the head that wears too many crowns.’ This is the predicament of Lord Venkateswara, the reigning deity of Tirumala, who is weighed down by the heavy crowns donated by his rich devotees. Though a case of too much of a good thing, it’s creating a headache for the priests who are worried about the safety of the Lord.
Consider this. Not less than seven magnificent crowns make up for the jewellery kitty of Lord Venkateswara, including 11 tonnes of gold, ornaments and other precious jewels. But, what is bothering the priests and Vedic pundits is the overweight of the offerings, particularly the crowns.
A temple priest said the 8-ft Moola Viraat (the principal idol of the Lord) is adorned by not less than 60-70 kg of gold ornaments on any given day. “If the crown itself weighs over 30 kg, the chances are that cracks may develop on the presiding deity’s idol,” he said. Exacerbating the situation, temple authorities are also running out of stock of punugu (civet) and chandana (sandal) which prevent the cankers and give life to the Lord’s idol.
To lighten the burden on the Lord’s head, a priest suggested that instead of going for record-breaking crown offerings, devotees should think of donating jewels. “It’s not easy for a single priest to hold the heavy crown and place it on the Lord’s head. Lest something happens, it will hurt the sentiments of lakhs of devotees,” he pointed out.
In fact, the heavy crown headache has a past. A retired TTD official revealed that they had to remodel a “vajra kireetam” (diamond-studded crown) in 1986 to protect the deity. “The crown’s weight was around 20 kg which we thought would be a heavy burden on the Lord and reduced it to 13 kg,” he said.
He felt the devasthanams should issue an universal appeal to the devotees not to donate heavy crowns made up of gold, diamonds and precious jewels.
Even as TTD mandarins were gloating over the rich offer from an anonymous devotee from Chennai who donated a 20-kg, Rs 7.5 crore worth “vajra kireetam” sometime back, came the heaviest of them all when mining baron and Karnataka tourism minister Gali Janardhan Reddy donated a crown worth over Rs 42 crore made out of 34 kg of pure gold, studded with 70,000 diamonds and a 890-carat emerald in June this year.
TOI
Consider this. Not less than seven magnificent crowns make up for the jewellery kitty of Lord Venkateswara, including 11 tonnes of gold, ornaments and other precious jewels. But, what is bothering the priests and Vedic pundits is the overweight of the offerings, particularly the crowns.
A temple priest said the 8-ft Moola Viraat (the principal idol of the Lord) is adorned by not less than 60-70 kg of gold ornaments on any given day. “If the crown itself weighs over 30 kg, the chances are that cracks may develop on the presiding deity’s idol,” he said. Exacerbating the situation, temple authorities are also running out of stock of punugu (civet) and chandana (sandal) which prevent the cankers and give life to the Lord’s idol.
To lighten the burden on the Lord’s head, a priest suggested that instead of going for record-breaking crown offerings, devotees should think of donating jewels. “It’s not easy for a single priest to hold the heavy crown and place it on the Lord’s head. Lest something happens, it will hurt the sentiments of lakhs of devotees,” he pointed out.
In fact, the heavy crown headache has a past. A retired TTD official revealed that they had to remodel a “vajra kireetam” (diamond-studded crown) in 1986 to protect the deity. “The crown’s weight was around 20 kg which we thought would be a heavy burden on the Lord and reduced it to 13 kg,” he said.
He felt the devasthanams should issue an universal appeal to the devotees not to donate heavy crowns made up of gold, diamonds and precious jewels.
Even as TTD mandarins were gloating over the rich offer from an anonymous devotee from Chennai who donated a 20-kg, Rs 7.5 crore worth “vajra kireetam” sometime back, came the heaviest of them all when mining baron and Karnataka tourism minister Gali Janardhan Reddy donated a crown worth over Rs 42 crore made out of 34 kg of pure gold, studded with 70,000 diamonds and a 890-carat emerald in June this year.
TOI
Azad warns against excessive use of cell phones
NEW DELHI: How addicted are you to your cell phone? According to the health ministry's admission on Wednesday, talking for too long on a cell phone could be seriously affecting your health.
Quoting a small-scale PGI Chandigarh study, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Wednesday that sensorineural deafness could occur in 30% of people using mobile phones for more than two hours a day over a two-year period.
Azad said people should not talk on their mobile phone continuously for more than one hour a day.
According to Azad, the use of hands free technology could reduce the side effects of excessive use of mobile phone on users, including hearing defects. "In a research study done in PGI, excessive use of mobile phones was found to cause deficient hearing and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)," Azad said.
Meanwhile, the ministry's admission should finally be able to make the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sit up and approve the proposal to conduct a large study to gauge the exact effect cell phone use has on human health.
ICMR has been sitting on the proposal to study the effects of radio frequency radiation (RFR) from mobile phones on humans for over a year now.
Indian scientists had found during animal studies that radiation emitted from mobile phones caused DNA damage, low sperm count leading to infertility and reduction in testis size in rats.
ICMR DG Dr V M Katoch told TOI on Wednesday, "The project protocol has been sanctioned. Discussion on how much money will be allocated to the study is also in its final stages. The study should start soon."
To be spearheaded by the ICMR, the five-year study is to be conducted by JNU's School of Environmental Sciences and the departments of obstetrics and gynaecology, neurology and biochemistry of AIIMS.
The study will look at the effect RFD has on neurological disorders like cognitive function and cognitive impairment, depression and sleep related disorders.
Scientists will look at whether excessive mobile phone use changes the white matter of the brain and causes physiological abnormalities. The team will also study RFD's effect on reproductive health like menstrual cycle, hormonal changes in women, its effect on male reproductive functions and whether it causes abnormalities in the male reproductive tract.
The study will recruit 4,000 subjects, who will be divided into five groups —heavy exposure male group (1,000 men who talk on the mobile phone for more than 4 hours a day), moderate exposure male group (1,000 men who speak for more than 2 hours and less than 4 hours), control group (1,000 men who don't use a cell phone), 500 heavily exposed females and 500 female control group.
Speaking to TOI, an ICMR scientist said, "We will calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) — how much RFD is absorbed by our body when we speak on the cell phone — and the power density — power generated by the phone both inside and outside our head when we talk. This will help us quantify the magnitude of damage caused by radiation. We will also measure the wave length and frequency of RFD emitted from various types of cell phones used in India."
At preset, India has 391 million cell phone users. By the end of 2010, India is estimated to have 500 million cell phone users.
Quoting a small-scale PGI Chandigarh study, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Wednesday that sensorineural deafness could occur in 30% of people using mobile phones for more than two hours a day over a two-year period.
Azad said people should not talk on their mobile phone continuously for more than one hour a day.
According to Azad, the use of hands free technology could reduce the side effects of excessive use of mobile phone on users, including hearing defects. "In a research study done in PGI, excessive use of mobile phones was found to cause deficient hearing and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)," Azad said.
Meanwhile, the ministry's admission should finally be able to make the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sit up and approve the proposal to conduct a large study to gauge the exact effect cell phone use has on human health.
ICMR has been sitting on the proposal to study the effects of radio frequency radiation (RFR) from mobile phones on humans for over a year now.
Indian scientists had found during animal studies that radiation emitted from mobile phones caused DNA damage, low sperm count leading to infertility and reduction in testis size in rats.
ICMR DG Dr V M Katoch told TOI on Wednesday, "The project protocol has been sanctioned. Discussion on how much money will be allocated to the study is also in its final stages. The study should start soon."
To be spearheaded by the ICMR, the five-year study is to be conducted by JNU's School of Environmental Sciences and the departments of obstetrics and gynaecology, neurology and biochemistry of AIIMS.
The study will look at the effect RFD has on neurological disorders like cognitive function and cognitive impairment, depression and sleep related disorders.
Scientists will look at whether excessive mobile phone use changes the white matter of the brain and causes physiological abnormalities. The team will also study RFD's effect on reproductive health like menstrual cycle, hormonal changes in women, its effect on male reproductive functions and whether it causes abnormalities in the male reproductive tract.
The study will recruit 4,000 subjects, who will be divided into five groups —heavy exposure male group (1,000 men who talk on the mobile phone for more than 4 hours a day), moderate exposure male group (1,000 men who speak for more than 2 hours and less than 4 hours), control group (1,000 men who don't use a cell phone), 500 heavily exposed females and 500 female control group.
Speaking to TOI, an ICMR scientist said, "We will calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) — how much RFD is absorbed by our body when we speak on the cell phone — and the power density — power generated by the phone both inside and outside our head when we talk. This will help us quantify the magnitude of damage caused by radiation. We will also measure the wave length and frequency of RFD emitted from various types of cell phones used in India."
At preset, India has 391 million cell phone users. By the end of 2010, India is estimated to have 500 million cell phone users.
TOI
State can’t fund pilgrimages: High Court
HYDERABAD: Just two months before the Haj season is to begin, a verdict of the AP High Court on Wednesday, which held that the state cannot fund any
pilgrimages, sent the YSR government into a tizzy.
Responding to two PILs challenging the government’s order allocating Rs 2 crore for Christians to undertake a pilgrimage to holy sites including Jerusalem, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Anil Ramesh Dave and Justice Ramesh Ranganathan set aside the GO No 29 issued on July 21, 2008. While petitioners Satish Agarwal and G Raghava Reddy wanted the GO to be quashed on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, the second PIL wanted similar facilities to be extended to Hindus going on a pilgrimage to Mansarovar, etc.
The bench, however, made it clear that though the petitioners questioned only the state sponsorship of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, their order was not limited to it. “Our order covers every religion. We will not allow the tax-payers money to be spent on such activities,” the Bench ruled.
Legal sources told TOI that this order would jeopardise AP’s Haj plans. In fact, after the Bench gave its verdict, additional advocate general A Satya Prasad had submitted to the court that Haj falls within the purview of the Haj Committee Act 2002, which is a central Act. “Hence, the court cannot pass an order without hearing the Centre on the issue,” he said. However, the Bench said it would consider this matter during further hearings.
For this year’s Haj, the state has been allotted a quota of 6,222 pilgrims with another 150 on the waiting list. Some lawyers were of the view that the HC order would not affect the Haj. “The subsidy given for the pilgrimage to Mecca is a central subject and therefore it cannot be affected,” said Shafeeq Rahman Mahajir, a lawyer specialising on minority issues. The Centre spends about Rs 400 crore every year on pilgrims going on Haj from India.
But, state government legal sources said the HC order had wider ramifications. “While the state does not directly fund the Haj as such, it shortlists the pilgrims every year, and looks after all their arrangements including their boarding and lodging at the Haj House in Hyderabad. The state spends up to Rs 50 lakh every year in providing these facilities. Now, as per the HC order, we will not be able to do it,” said sources.
Realising the gravity of the issue, the government sought a written copy of the order by Wednesday evening itself so that it can mull further action, including going in for an immediate appeal in the Supreme Court. “However, the court informed us that the order will be ready only by tomorrow evening or the day after,” Satya Prasad said.
TOI
pilgrimages, sent the YSR government into a tizzy.
Responding to two PILs challenging the government’s order allocating Rs 2 crore for Christians to undertake a pilgrimage to holy sites including Jerusalem, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Anil Ramesh Dave and Justice Ramesh Ranganathan set aside the GO No 29 issued on July 21, 2008. While petitioners Satish Agarwal and G Raghava Reddy wanted the GO to be quashed on the grounds that it was unconstitutional, the second PIL wanted similar facilities to be extended to Hindus going on a pilgrimage to Mansarovar, etc.
The bench, however, made it clear that though the petitioners questioned only the state sponsorship of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, their order was not limited to it. “Our order covers every religion. We will not allow the tax-payers money to be spent on such activities,” the Bench ruled.
Legal sources told TOI that this order would jeopardise AP’s Haj plans. In fact, after the Bench gave its verdict, additional advocate general A Satya Prasad had submitted to the court that Haj falls within the purview of the Haj Committee Act 2002, which is a central Act. “Hence, the court cannot pass an order without hearing the Centre on the issue,” he said. However, the Bench said it would consider this matter during further hearings.
For this year’s Haj, the state has been allotted a quota of 6,222 pilgrims with another 150 on the waiting list. Some lawyers were of the view that the HC order would not affect the Haj. “The subsidy given for the pilgrimage to Mecca is a central subject and therefore it cannot be affected,” said Shafeeq Rahman Mahajir, a lawyer specialising on minority issues. The Centre spends about Rs 400 crore every year on pilgrims going on Haj from India.
But, state government legal sources said the HC order had wider ramifications. “While the state does not directly fund the Haj as such, it shortlists the pilgrims every year, and looks after all their arrangements including their boarding and lodging at the Haj House in Hyderabad. The state spends up to Rs 50 lakh every year in providing these facilities. Now, as per the HC order, we will not be able to do it,” said sources.
Realising the gravity of the issue, the government sought a written copy of the order by Wednesday evening itself so that it can mull further action, including going in for an immediate appeal in the Supreme Court. “However, the court informed us that the order will be ready only by tomorrow evening or the day after,” Satya Prasad said.
TOI
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sensex ends flat in high volatility
MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share bellwether ended flat on Thursday after high volatility as investors booked profits in the last 30 minutes.
The market alternatively moved in positive and negative terrain throughout and fell sharply at the fag end even as inflation rose marginally to minus 1.21% and European markets slipped in early trade after a three-day surge.
Fluctuating in a range of 14,493.10 and 14,169.58, the BSE barometer ended the day at 14,250.25, showing a fractional downside variation from its previous close.
Initially, the market hit an intra-day high on the back of firm Asian cues and positive FII activity.
Asian indices ended the day higher by about 0.5% to 1.0% on encouraging US manufacturing data.
Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers after their massive pull-out in the initial two weeks of July. They bought shares worth Rs 342.69 crore on July 14 and 15, as per provisional data on the NSE.
Smallcap and midcap stocks, however, closed in the green with the respective indices gaining 0.39% and 0.24%.
Brokers, however, said the market is still bullish and expected to surge on the flow of corporate earnings. Infosys Technologies and HDFC Bank so far have announced encouraging first-quarter results.
Soruce:TOI
The market alternatively moved in positive and negative terrain throughout and fell sharply at the fag end even as inflation rose marginally to minus 1.21% and European markets slipped in early trade after a three-day surge.
Fluctuating in a range of 14,493.10 and 14,169.58, the BSE barometer ended the day at 14,250.25, showing a fractional downside variation from its previous close.
Initially, the market hit an intra-day high on the back of firm Asian cues and positive FII activity.
Asian indices ended the day higher by about 0.5% to 1.0% on encouraging US manufacturing data.
Foreign institutional investors turned net buyers after their massive pull-out in the initial two weeks of July. They bought shares worth Rs 342.69 crore on July 14 and 15, as per provisional data on the NSE.
Smallcap and midcap stocks, however, closed in the green with the respective indices gaining 0.39% and 0.24%.
Brokers, however, said the market is still bullish and expected to surge on the flow of corporate earnings. Infosys Technologies and HDFC Bank so far have announced encouraging first-quarter results.
Soruce:TOI
Monday, July 13, 2009
Maoist attacks could force government to review strategy
NEW DELHI, July 13: The killing of 29 policemen in Chhattisgarh, the epicentre of Maoist violence, has been the deadliest attack mounted by the rebels this year, demonstrating how they have expanded their grip in vast swathes of the State and beyond. With 13 policemen, who were pressed into combing operations, still missing after Sunday’s attacks, the security establishment in New Delhi has been shaken by the assault and is again re-examining the government’s approach in dealing with left-wing extremism.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Pruning VIP security: A tough call for government
NEW DELHI, July 12: The government has been quick to decide on not upgrading Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi’s security cover to the Z plus category, but is yet to take a call on whittling down or even dispensing with the bodyguards of a majority of the 395 VIPs in the capital.
Over 9,000 personnel, mainly from Delhi Police, supplemented by hundreds of paramilitary personnel drawn from forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), provide security to the VIPs.
The number of armed bodyguards has often been seen as a status symbol in the capital, the major reason why VIPs are so reluctant to have their security cover reduced. Appraisals of all the people protected that the Home Ministry periodically reviews after receiving inputs from the Intelligence Bureau have revealed that many of them do not require security as the threat perception simply does not exist.
Chemicals sector attracts highest foreign investment
NEW DELHI, July 12: Despite the global slowdown, the chemicals sector witnessed the highest growth in foreign investment in 2008-09, says a report by an industry lobby. The report by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) released on Sunday said the chemicals sector (other than fertilisers), attracted $749 million last fiscal as compared to the $229 million it attracted the previous year - an increase of 227 per cent.
The telecom sector, too, saw higher foreign investment, attracting $2,558 million in 2008-09 as compared to the $1,261 million the year before. This was an increase of 103 per cent. Similarly, despite global trends, the automobile sector recorded a 70 per cent growth in foreign investment, growing from $675 million in 2007-08 to $1,152 million last fiscal.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
France backs India’s call for UN seat
NEW DELHI, July 9: France on Thursday endorsed India’s call for reform of the United Nations and backed India for a permanent seat in the Security Council. "If we want the Security Council to remain a legitimate place for handling peace and security crises in the world, it is absolutely necessary to have India as well as a couple of others as permanent members," French envoy to India Jerome Bonnafont said here. The reform was also imperative "in order to avoid unilateralism and to create an environment where countries sit together to address the threats to peace", the envoy said while stressing that the last reforms to the Security Council were made in the 1960s.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sensex dips below 14,000 level
MUMBAI, July 8: The benchmark Sensex dipped below the psychological 14,000 point level to trade at a six-week low on the BSE today as economic jitters swept global financial markets, raising fears of foreign capital outflows.
The Sensex tanked 401.30 points, or 2.83 per cent, to 13,769.15, after touching the day’s lowest of 13,701.76, a level last seen on May 21.
The 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped 123.25 points at 4,078.90, after touching the day’s low of 4,061.10.
The market turned bearish after the budgetary proposals announced on Monday revealed a higher deficit, and the Sensex recorded the biggest fall of the year.
Selling was further fuelled today on weakening global stock market trends after an unexpected drop in Japanese machinery orders sparked concerns that global economic recovery may falter.
Some firmness in auto, cement and power stocks saved the market from any further fall. Among the 30 BSE index stocks, 24 counters recorded heavy losses while six ended with gains.
Among the major losers, realty, metals, capital goods and banks plunged between 8.47 and 4.09 per cent. Reliance Industries dropped 1.40 per cent, Infosys Technologies 1.93 per cent, ICICI Bank 5.82 per cent and Larsen and Toubro by 5.84 per cent. The four together carry nearly 35 per cent weight in the key index. (PTI)
The Sensex tanked 401.30 points, or 2.83 per cent, to 13,769.15, after touching the day’s lowest of 13,701.76, a level last seen on May 21.
The 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped 123.25 points at 4,078.90, after touching the day’s low of 4,061.10.
The market turned bearish after the budgetary proposals announced on Monday revealed a higher deficit, and the Sensex recorded the biggest fall of the year.
Selling was further fuelled today on weakening global stock market trends after an unexpected drop in Japanese machinery orders sparked concerns that global economic recovery may falter.
Some firmness in auto, cement and power stocks saved the market from any further fall. Among the 30 BSE index stocks, 24 counters recorded heavy losses while six ended with gains.
Among the major losers, realty, metals, capital goods and banks plunged between 8.47 and 4.09 per cent. Reliance Industries dropped 1.40 per cent, Infosys Technologies 1.93 per cent, ICICI Bank 5.82 per cent and Larsen and Toubro by 5.84 per cent. The four together carry nearly 35 per cent weight in the key index. (PTI)
India to take up satphones ‘spoofing’ with Pakistan
NEW DELHI, July 8: Ahead of the meeting between foreign secretaries of the two countries in Egypt next week, India on Wednesday said it would take up with Pakistan the issue of spoofing of satellite phones used by terrorists, including the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack. “We always take up (issues) whenever something bothers us or Pakistan. We always take up (issues) mutually,” External Affairs Minister SM Krishna told reporters here. He was reacting to reports that Pakistan was “spoofing” Thuraya satellite phones used by terrorists, making it difficult to track their movements. “Whatever Pakistan does, India has been closely monitoring those events,” Krishna said.
According to media reports, transmitters have been set up across the Line of Control and the international border dividing India and Pakistan, blanking out signals from the Thuraya phones used by terrorists. These transmitters, India suspects, could not have been set up without Pakistan’s tacit support. This makes it difficult for Indian security agencies to locate the Thuraya phones and detect infiltration or follow the movement of known Pakistan-based terrorists. “We have said that Pakistan will have to visibly exhibit its resolve to fight terror... These will be factored in our response,” Krishna replied, when asked about Pakistan’s commitment to handling terror. “It is not the question of my satisfaction. It is the question that we have to live as neighbours,” he said, when asked whether he was satisfied with the moves by Pakistan against anti-India terror outfits. Krishna’s comments come barely a week before Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon meets his Pakistani counterpart Salman Basheer in Sharm el-Sheikh on July 14 for a review of Islamabad’s action against anti-India terrorism directed from its soil. The foreign secretaries’ review will set the stage for the meeting between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh.
The review will determine the tone and tenor of the talks between the two leaders, official sources said, when asked about the possibility of resuming composite dialogue between the two countries in the near future. (IANS)
According to media reports, transmitters have been set up across the Line of Control and the international border dividing India and Pakistan, blanking out signals from the Thuraya phones used by terrorists. These transmitters, India suspects, could not have been set up without Pakistan’s tacit support. This makes it difficult for Indian security agencies to locate the Thuraya phones and detect infiltration or follow the movement of known Pakistan-based terrorists. “We have said that Pakistan will have to visibly exhibit its resolve to fight terror... These will be factored in our response,” Krishna replied, when asked about Pakistan’s commitment to handling terror. “It is not the question of my satisfaction. It is the question that we have to live as neighbours,” he said, when asked whether he was satisfied with the moves by Pakistan against anti-India terror outfits. Krishna’s comments come barely a week before Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon meets his Pakistani counterpart Salman Basheer in Sharm el-Sheikh on July 14 for a review of Islamabad’s action against anti-India terrorism directed from its soil. The foreign secretaries’ review will set the stage for the meeting between Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Sharm-el-Sheikh.
The review will determine the tone and tenor of the talks between the two leaders, official sources said, when asked about the possibility of resuming composite dialogue between the two countries in the near future. (IANS)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Markets are trading in a narrow range.
Date : Jul-07-2009 14:42
The markets are still trading higher with a narrow range. The investors are now actively participating in the markets today and want to bet safely. Further the positive opening of the European markets failed to cheer the investor’s sentiments today. The significant buying is seen among the FMCG, Auto, Capital Goods and Consumer Durables stocks. However, Metal, Oil & Gas and Realty stocks are still remained under pressure.
The BSE Sensex is now trading above the 14,100 mark and the NSE Nifty around the 4,200 mark.
The overall market breadth is negative as 903 stocks are advancing while 1549 stocks are declining in BSE.
ITC reported the top gainer from the BSE Sensex pack, as it is trading up by (6.55%) at Rs. 210.75 while ONGC reported the top loser trading down by (2.81%) at Rs. 1,040.25.
At 2.33PM the BSE Sensex is trading up by 169.97 points at 14,213.37 and the NSE Nifty is trading higher by 43.20 points at 4,208.90.
The BSE Mid Cap increased by 29.02 points to 4,947.90 while the BSE Small Cap fell by 38.97 points to 5,523.90.
The FMCG index is trading with gains of 85.49 points or 3.70% at 2,397.98. Gainers from this pack are Marico Ltd trading up by 7.50% at Rs76.70 along with ITC by 6.93% at Rs211.50, United Spirits by 4.41% at Rs867.35, Godrej Cons by 4.29% at Rs170.05, Britannia by 2.50% at Rs1610 and Colgate Palmolive by 2.45% at Rs624.
The Auto index is trading up by 160.41 points or 3.60% at 4,620.37. Leading the rally are Exide Inds trading up by 6.56% at Rs68.25 followed by Hero Honda Motors by 5.70% at Rs1436.10, Mahindra and Mahindra by 5.28% at Rs747.90, Bajaj Auto by 3.41% at Rs988 and Ashok Leyland by 2.56% at Rs30.05.
The most active shares on NSE are Unitech trading at Rs 75.55 with a total traded quantity of 48358121 shares followed by Suzlon Energy trading at Rs.97.25 with a total traded quantity of 37299307 shares.
On the global markets front, the European markets are now trading higher as the FTSE 100, DAX and CAC 40 index are trading up by (0.40%), (0.33%) and (0.26%) respectively.
Monday, July 6, 2009
India allocates Rs 500 cr for rehabilitation of Tamils
New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) In a special gesture, India today allocated Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation of the internally displaced ethnic Tamils and reconstruction of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka devastated by two decades of war.
The allocation was made in the general Budget 2009-10 presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament.
While announcing the allocation, he said the government is committed to ensuring that the Sri Lankan Tamils enjoy their rights and legitimate aspirations within the territorial sovereignty and framework of the country's constitution.
He said MEA was working closely with Sri Lankan Government to ensure rehabilitation of the displaced people.
Speaking on the issue later, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said the allocation has been made as per the commitment made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
PTI
The allocation was made in the general Budget 2009-10 presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament.
While announcing the allocation, he said the government is committed to ensuring that the Sri Lankan Tamils enjoy their rights and legitimate aspirations within the territorial sovereignty and framework of the country's constitution.
He said MEA was working closely with Sri Lankan Government to ensure rehabilitation of the displaced people.
Speaking on the issue later, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said the allocation has been made as per the commitment made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
PTI
Highlights of Union Budget 2009-10
New Delhi, July 6 (PTI) Following are the highlights of Budget 2009-10.
* IT exemption limit raised
* Limit raised by Rs 15,000 for sr.citizens (65 yrs & above)
* Limit raised by Rs 10,000 for general tax payers & women
* 10% surcharge on personal income tax scrapped
* Fringe Benefit Tax, Commodities Transaction Tax abolished
* Corporate Tax unchanged; Minimum Alternate Tax hiked to 15%
* Legal services brought under Service Tax net
* Cosmetic & plastic surgery become taxable services
* Rs 3472 cr for Commonwealth Games, up from Rs 2112 cr
* LCD TVs to become cheaper; Set-Top boxes costlier
* Stimulus for print media for another six months
* Branded jewellery to become cheaper; excise duty goes
* Govt plans to bring back economy to high growth of 9%
* GDP growth dipped to 6.7% in FY'09
* Fiscal deficit up from 2.7% to 6.
Soruce:PTI
* IT exemption limit raised
* Limit raised by Rs 15,000 for sr.citizens (65 yrs & above)
* Limit raised by Rs 10,000 for general tax payers & women
* 10% surcharge on personal income tax scrapped
* Fringe Benefit Tax, Commodities Transaction Tax abolished
* Corporate Tax unchanged; Minimum Alternate Tax hiked to 15%
* Legal services brought under Service Tax net
* Cosmetic & plastic surgery become taxable services
* Rs 3472 cr for Commonwealth Games, up from Rs 2112 cr
* LCD TVs to become cheaper; Set-Top boxes costlier
* Stimulus for print media for another six months
* Branded jewellery to become cheaper; excise duty goes
* Govt plans to bring back economy to high growth of 9%
* GDP growth dipped to 6.7% in FY'09
* Fiscal deficit up from 2.7% to 6.
Soruce:PTI
Sunday, July 5, 2009
SC urged to review gay ruling
Lucknow, July 4: Students and teachers of Lucknow’s City Montessori School (CMS), the world’s largest school in terms of enrolment have appealed to the chief justice of India to review the Delhi High Court’s judgement on decriminalising homosexuality.
"On behalf of our 37,000 students and hundreds of teachers, we have forwarded a letter to Justice K G Balakrishnan, requesting him to urgently hold a sitting of the full bench of the Supreme Court (SC) to review the judgement," Jagdish Gandhi, founder manager of CMS, told reporters here onSaturday. The Delhi High Court’s judgement will strengthen the already disintegrating structure and fabric of Indian society and ethos, Gandhi said. Students and teachers of the school are of the view that champions of gay rights are only a microscopic minority in India. Law should be enacted and so interpreted as to ensure protection of culture and moral values of the vast majority, they said.
"Law is to maintain social issues and morality, but the unfortunate verdict of the High Court tends to mislead youth and it will cause break-ups in society and family and will tarnish the Indian culture and tradition," said Gandhi. The CMS is in the Guinness Book of Records for maximum enrolment of pupils. (IANS)
Friday, July 3, 2009
Railway Budget focuses on passengers amenities, new trains introduced
Date : Jul-03-2009 14:24
* Railways will develop multi-functional complexes with shopping malls, food stalls, medicines and variety stores in different parts of the country.
* Railways to develop cold storages for farmers to store vegetables and fruits.
* Infotainment services will be offered in main long-distance trains.
* In addition, on long distance trains one doctor will be posted.
* Railways to introduce 67 new trains all over the nation.
* Development and special facilities will be provided to 309 stations out of 375 across the nation.
* Unreserved ticketing terminals to be extended from 5000 to 8000. Automatic ticket vending machines will also be increased. Besides, there will be arrangement with Department of Posts for issuance of tickets.
* SMS updates to be offered for passengers to check train status and reservation status.
* Auto-vending machines to be installed in large and medium stations.
* High-capacity air-conditioned double-decker trains to be initiated on select inter-city routes.
* An Integrated Security System is being developed for 130 vulnerable stations to provide security to passengers.
* Seven nursing colleges will be started on railway land in places including Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
* With rail hospitals, Railway medical colleges to be developed on public-private partnership.
* E-ticket cancellation system to be simplified.
*18,000 wagons to be acquired during the present year.
* There will be aim to takeover of sick wagon manufacturing units like Burn Standards with Department of Heavy Industries.
* Railways will launch new policy for construction and operation of private freight terminals.
* Superfast parcel express trains to be started between Delhi and Chennai and Delhi and Mumbai on a pilot basis.
* A new coach factory to be set up at Kanchrapara in West Bengal with state-of-the-art facilities, entirely for manufacturing 500 coaches per annum. Work on coach factory in Rae Bareli to be speeded up.
* Railways to set up a 1000 MW power plant.
* Freight loading target for 2009-10 set at 882 million tonnes, rise of 39 million tonnes.
* In suburban trains, ladies'' specials to be initiated during peak hours.
* Railways will receive an additional budgetary support of Rs 5000 crore in the current year.
* Qazigund-Anantnag rail section in Kashmir planned be completed by August.
* Senior officials will be there to monitor execution of national rail projects to ensure their timely completion.
* Minimum Tatkal fee has been reduced from Rs 150 to Rs 100. Tatkal fee will be a percentage of the fair.
* Several new trains are planned will be started with objective to the increase in frequency of trains in key routes.
* ‘Turant’ trains to be introduced, which will be non-stop point-to-point non-air conditioned trains.
*‘Yuva’ trains for young generation to be introduced.
Adani Power IPO likely on July 21
Date : Jun-29-2009
New Delhi: Adani Power Ltd (APL) is planning to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on July 21 at a price of Rs 130 per share. As per the sources, APL is aiming to garner more than Rs 2200 crore through the IPO. Adani Power has submitted its draft red herring prospective with the SEBI and APL is expected to get the nod soon.
Adani Power is setting up its largest power plant of 4620 MW of capacity in Mundra with an investment of over Rs 20,000 crore. The project is expected to be completed by March 2012.The fund raised will be utilised for the development of Mundra project and the Tiroda power plant in Maharashtra, resulting in power generation of 6500 MW. The total capex is estimated at Rs 28,369 crore. Currently, Adani Group holds stake of over 85 per cent in Adani Power and after the public issue the promoter stake will be reduced to 73 per cent.
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