A high alert has been issued in Idduki as the water level in Mullaperiyar dam on Monday crossed 136 ft, the maximum permissible storage limit. All the shutters of the dam have been opened and water is flowing to the Idukki dam and to other dams of the district like Cheruthni and Kulamavu.
On Monday morning, the water level reached 136.6 ft causing serious concern over the safety of the 116-year-old dam. It is also spilling over five out of the 13 spillways and rising every hour as heavy rain continues in most parts of the district. Thousands of residents in the downstream of the dam like Chappath, Upputhara, Kumili, Kattappana and Vandanmedu are a worried lot.
The district authorities had set up disaster management units. District collector E Devadasan said all arrangements had been made to meet any emergency situation.
Meanwhile, the hartal called by both the United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front was total in the district and there is now a strong agitation to de-commission the dam immediately and construct a new one. The BJP has called for a 12-hour hartal in Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts tomorrow (November 29).
Thousands of people including women and children blocked the Kollam-Theni national highway and other roads. Effigies of Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa were burnt at several places. Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying pilgrims to Sabarimala, were held up in the blockade for several hours.
Showing posts with label India Films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India Films. Show all posts
Monday, November 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Bids touch 6 lakhs for lunch with Big B
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is auctioning off a lunch date with him to raise money for charity, sparking a frenzy which saw the bids rise above Rs 6 lakhs within hours of the announcement.
The bidding started at Rs 1001 yesterday at online marketplace eBay and it has already reached a whopping amount of Rs 6 lakhs.
The 67-year-old veteran has pipped Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan and Akshay Khiladi Kumar in the bidding amounts.
A breakfast date with Akshay is currently going for Rs 4,52,000.
On offer is the oppurtunity to spend time with the Shehenshah of Bollywood over lunch. Bachchan will answer the winner's questions about his long career and his easiest, most difficult, funniest and craziest moments.
The winner will also get the opportunity to take photographs with the Big B and get personalized autographs from him.
The actor decided to do the good deed to mark the 'Joy of Giving' week in collaboration with eBay.
The National Award winning actor who is set to host the superhit TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati for a third time, will donate the proceedings to a charity of his choice.
Also during the Joy of Giving Week Bangalore NGO CMCA (Children's Movement for Civic Awareness) is auctioning an lunch date with actress Raveena Tandon in addition to cricket memorabilia.
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan is auctioning off a lunch date with him to raise money for charity, sparking a frenzy which saw the bids rise above Rs 6 lakhs within hours of the announcement.
The bidding started at Rs 1001 yesterday at online marketplace eBay and it has already reached a whopping amount of Rs 6 lakhs.
The 67-year-old veteran has pipped Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan and Akshay Khiladi Kumar in the bidding amounts.
A breakfast date with Akshay is currently going for Rs 4,52,000.
On offer is the oppurtunity to spend time with the Shehenshah of Bollywood over lunch. Bachchan will answer the winner's questions about his long career and his easiest, most difficult, funniest and craziest moments.
The winner will also get the opportunity to take photographs with the Big B and get personalized autographs from him.
The actor decided to do the good deed to mark the 'Joy of Giving' week in collaboration with eBay.
The National Award winning actor who is set to host the superhit TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati for a third time, will donate the proceedings to a charity of his choice.
Also during the Joy of Giving Week Bangalore NGO CMCA (Children's Movement for Civic Awareness) is auctioning an lunch date with actress Raveena Tandon in addition to cricket memorabilia.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Figures suggest, 65% of Muslim voters voted for BJP in Kathlal
Kathlal, 17 September, 2010
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said, he has been informed with figures that the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured about 65% votes in those Kathlal booths where Muslims have dominating population.
“65% votes of Muslim community in favor of BJP means if Ramzan is near, we are benefited from that, because one would do only right thing in Ramzan. Those who malign Gujarat here and there should understand that Gujarat wants peace and Gujarat wants development. And Kathlal people have proved this,”Modi added.
Modi said this in his victory speech during a rally held at Kathlal.
Meanwhile Kheda district BJP Chief Bimal Shah said that Muslim Youths actively participated in the election in favor of BJP. Shah said, the Muslim youths used to visit the party election office and told that elder Muslims might vote for Congress but the youths would definitely vote for BJP.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said, he has been informed with figures that the Bharatiya Janata Party has secured about 65% votes in those Kathlal booths where Muslims have dominating population.
“65% votes of Muslim community in favor of BJP means if Ramzan is near, we are benefited from that, because one would do only right thing in Ramzan. Those who malign Gujarat here and there should understand that Gujarat wants peace and Gujarat wants development. And Kathlal people have proved this,”Modi added.
Modi said this in his victory speech during a rally held at Kathlal.
Meanwhile Kheda district BJP Chief Bimal Shah said that Muslim Youths actively participated in the election in favor of BJP. Shah said, the Muslim youths used to visit the party election office and told that elder Muslims might vote for Congress but the youths would definitely vote for BJP.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Salman Khan causes uproar with 26/11 comments
MUMBAI: Bollywood star Salman Khan who came under fire for claiming during an interview to a Pakistani channel that the 26/11 attacks were hyped because the "elite" were targetted, has apologised for his "insensitive" comments.
The actor's statement prompted sharp reactions from Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal, Shiv Sena, BJP and other political parties. Salman also claimed that his comments were "twisted" by the channel Express 24x7.
"I gave an interview to the channel three weeks ago. In this festive season of Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi, a segment of the interview has been twisted and released. I saw it and realised that it sounded very insensitive," said the 44-year-old actor.
"What I meant was that every human life is precious, be it rich or poor. I always had and always will have faith in our intelligence agencies, army and police forces. I did not mean to hurt anybody. If I have hurt anybody I am really sorry," said Salman.
The actor had earlier indicated that his comments were misinterpreted and tweeted that he plans to record all his media interviews in the future.
"It was the elite that was targeted this time. Five star hotels and all. So they panicked. Then they got up and spoke about it. My question is why not before. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much," the actor had reportedly said during the interview.
Salman's comments were labelled "uninformed" by Bhujbal.
"He is an actor. He does not have the information to make a comment on whether the Pakistani govt was involved or not. People travelling in taxis, constables, waiters, hotel workers, all lost their lives in the attacks," said Bhujbal.
The Shiv Sena had termed the comments "anti national". and BJP too had reacted sharply to the star's statement.
"26/11 attack was an attack on India. We cannot forget that Indian citizens were killed. This was not a small issue for Salman Khan to comment. This was an attack meticulously planned by Pakistan," said Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP spokesperson.
The Shiv Sena had demanded an apology from Khan. "The 26/11 attacks were a war against the nation. Salman should apologise for his remarks. Ambani was not staying at the CST, nor was Tata or Birla staying in Cama Lane," Sena leader Sanjay Raut said referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Cama Lane, which were among the places targetted by terrorists.
The comments were condemned by Ujwal Nikam, Special Prosecutor in the 26/11 trial who said that the statement was "childish". TI
The actor's statement prompted sharp reactions from Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal, Shiv Sena, BJP and other political parties. Salman also claimed that his comments were "twisted" by the channel Express 24x7.
"I gave an interview to the channel three weeks ago. In this festive season of Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi, a segment of the interview has been twisted and released. I saw it and realised that it sounded very insensitive," said the 44-year-old actor.
"What I meant was that every human life is precious, be it rich or poor. I always had and always will have faith in our intelligence agencies, army and police forces. I did not mean to hurt anybody. If I have hurt anybody I am really sorry," said Salman.
The actor had earlier indicated that his comments were misinterpreted and tweeted that he plans to record all his media interviews in the future.
"It was the elite that was targeted this time. Five star hotels and all. So they panicked. Then they got up and spoke about it. My question is why not before. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much," the actor had reportedly said during the interview.
Salman's comments were labelled "uninformed" by Bhujbal.
"He is an actor. He does not have the information to make a comment on whether the Pakistani govt was involved or not. People travelling in taxis, constables, waiters, hotel workers, all lost their lives in the attacks," said Bhujbal.
The Shiv Sena had termed the comments "anti national". and BJP too had reacted sharply to the star's statement.
"26/11 attack was an attack on India. We cannot forget that Indian citizens were killed. This was not a small issue for Salman Khan to comment. This was an attack meticulously planned by Pakistan," said Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP spokesperson.
The Shiv Sena had demanded an apology from Khan. "The 26/11 attacks were a war against the nation. Salman should apologise for his remarks. Ambani was not staying at the CST, nor was Tata or Birla staying in Cama Lane," Sena leader Sanjay Raut said referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Cama Lane, which were among the places targetted by terrorists.
The comments were condemned by Ujwal Nikam, Special Prosecutor in the 26/11 trial who said that the statement was "childish". TI
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Headley questioning reveals militant, official establishment link
New Delhi: Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley's interrogation has pointed to links between official establishments and militants, which are growing 'stronger', National Security Adviser (NSA) Shivshankar Menon said Tuesday.
Without naming Pakistan, the NSA said the nexus has left no room for India to be optimistic.
'Headley's interrogation has revealed militant link with official establishments and the nexus with existing agencies is making it difficult...,' Menon said while addressing a conference on terrorism here.
Without naming Pakistan, the NSA said the nexus has left no room for India to be optimistic.
'Headley's interrogation has revealed militant link with official establishments and the nexus with existing agencies is making it difficult...,' Menon said while addressing a conference on terrorism here.
Monday, June 1, 2009
India Inc sees recovery signs, says days of high growth around the corner
1 Jun 2009, ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: India Inc feels the economy has started recuperating and can move to a higher growth trajectory in the next few months, as per a survey by industry body FICCI. Half of the companies that took part in the survey posted better growth in the fourth quarter of 2008-09 compared with the previous two quarters.
The survey, which took into account views of 300 companies across sectors such as banking, auto, pharmaceuticals, steel and FMCG, indicated that corporate India is fairly optimistic about performance in the near future. Besides, the survey also demonstrated a major jump in the overall business confidence of more than half of the respondents. The chamber, however, refused to name the companies that participated in the survey.
“The survey demonstrates that domestic companies and foreign financial institutions are beginning to feel a sense of confidence,” Ficci secretary general Amit Mitra said. The chamber said the growing confidence is the first step towards the possibility of returning to the 9% growth trajectory, provided the focus is back on reforms.
Around 57% of the participants felt that overall economic condition was substantially better in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal compared with the first two quarters of the same year. But at the same time, the companies also indicated that weak demand and availability of credit persist to be areas of concern.
Close to half of the respondents said the high cost of credit was bothering them. The respondents reported that they were paying interest rate of 12% and indicated that it should be slashed by 3-4%. Commenting on the future performance level, two-third of the respondents said they foresee an improvement over the next two quarters.
The survey also threw light on some major problems areas of corporate India. Around 74% of the respondents said that weak demand was acting as a constraint to growth. The steps taken by RBI and government over the past two quarters have been instrumental in giving a boost to demand but there was scope for further stimulus measures to bring the economy back on track.
NEW DELHI: India Inc feels the economy has started recuperating and can move to a higher growth trajectory in the next few months, as per a survey by industry body FICCI. Half of the companies that took part in the survey posted better growth in the fourth quarter of 2008-09 compared with the previous two quarters.
The survey, which took into account views of 300 companies across sectors such as banking, auto, pharmaceuticals, steel and FMCG, indicated that corporate India is fairly optimistic about performance in the near future. Besides, the survey also demonstrated a major jump in the overall business confidence of more than half of the respondents. The chamber, however, refused to name the companies that participated in the survey.
“The survey demonstrates that domestic companies and foreign financial institutions are beginning to feel a sense of confidence,” Ficci secretary general Amit Mitra said. The chamber said the growing confidence is the first step towards the possibility of returning to the 9% growth trajectory, provided the focus is back on reforms.
Around 57% of the participants felt that overall economic condition was substantially better in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal compared with the first two quarters of the same year. But at the same time, the companies also indicated that weak demand and availability of credit persist to be areas of concern.
Close to half of the respondents said the high cost of credit was bothering them. The respondents reported that they were paying interest rate of 12% and indicated that it should be slashed by 3-4%. Commenting on the future performance level, two-third of the respondents said they foresee an improvement over the next two quarters.
The survey also threw light on some major problems areas of corporate India. Around 74% of the respondents said that weak demand was acting as a constraint to growth. The steps taken by RBI and government over the past two quarters have been instrumental in giving a boost to demand but there was scope for further stimulus measures to bring the economy back on track.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
LTTE threat to banks, security stepped up
Thiruvananthapuram: The Reserve Bank of India has alerted all the banks in Kerala to step up security following intelligence reports that LTTE cadre might attempt bank robbery.
According to bank sources, a note has been circulated to the authorities of all major banks including State Bank of India telling them that "LTTE has plans to attempt bank dacoity" and wanted their branches to be on alert to take "preventive measures".
Intelligence reports had said that LTTE might infiltrate into the state through the coast and might try to loot banks to boost their financial resources.
Security had been tightened in all banks across the state, the sources added.
According to bank sources, a note has been circulated to the authorities of all major banks including State Bank of India telling them that "LTTE has plans to attempt bank dacoity" and wanted their branches to be on alert to take "preventive measures".
Intelligence reports had said that LTTE might infiltrate into the state through the coast and might try to loot banks to boost their financial resources.
Security had been tightened in all banks across the state, the sources added.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Obama counsels 'effective dialogue' between India and Pak
London : India and the US on Thursday said they will step up counter-terrorism cooperation even as President Barack Obama counselled "effective dialogue" between India and Pakistan after his meeting here with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Both leaders spoke, but with different emphasis, on the need for increasing coooperation in meeting the challenges of terrorism after their first meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit.
"We did discuss the issue of terrorism - we discussed it not simply in terms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, although obviously we are very concerned about extremists and terrorists who have made camp in the border regions of Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan," Mr. Obama said at a press conference.
"But we spoke about it more cooperatively, in terms of how we can coordinate effectively on issues of counter terrorism."
"We also spoke about the fact that in a nuclear age, at a time when perhaps the greatest enemy of both India and Pakistan should be poverty, it may make sense to create a more effective dialogue between India and Pakistan," the American leader added.
With developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan figuring prominently in the discussions, Mr. Manmohan Singh made it clear that Pakistan must show absolute sincerity in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to book before the talks can be resumed between the two countries.
"We discussed development in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We both agreed that our two countries must work together to counter the forces of terror," Mr. Manmohan Singh said at his press conference.
"We have a global strategic partnership with the US. We both have agreed that there are enormous opportunities to strengthen this relationship and to make it more productive and durable."
The prime minister described the meeting as "useful and productive" and said the two leaders focused on development of bilateral relations and how problems of the region can be resolved through interaction between India and the US.
The two leaders also discussed other bilateral, regional and global issues such as energy security and climate change.
Mr. Obama, in a detailed account of the discussions on climate change, offered US and European technological help to India in its efforts to tackle climate change.
"We're going to have to combine the lower-hanging fruit of energy efficiency with rapid technological advances - to the extent that in some case we can [forge] international cooperation and pool our scientific and technical knowledge around things like developing coal sequestration," he said.
"That could be extremely helpful," he added.
Both leaders spoke, but with different emphasis, on the need for increasing coooperation in meeting the challenges of terrorism after their first meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit.
"We did discuss the issue of terrorism - we discussed it not simply in terms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan, although obviously we are very concerned about extremists and terrorists who have made camp in the border regions of Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan," Mr. Obama said at a press conference.
"But we spoke about it more cooperatively, in terms of how we can coordinate effectively on issues of counter terrorism."
"We also spoke about the fact that in a nuclear age, at a time when perhaps the greatest enemy of both India and Pakistan should be poverty, it may make sense to create a more effective dialogue between India and Pakistan," the American leader added.
With developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan figuring prominently in the discussions, Mr. Manmohan Singh made it clear that Pakistan must show absolute sincerity in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to book before the talks can be resumed between the two countries.
"We discussed development in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We both agreed that our two countries must work together to counter the forces of terror," Mr. Manmohan Singh said at his press conference.
"We have a global strategic partnership with the US. We both have agreed that there are enormous opportunities to strengthen this relationship and to make it more productive and durable."
The prime minister described the meeting as "useful and productive" and said the two leaders focused on development of bilateral relations and how problems of the region can be resolved through interaction between India and the US.
The two leaders also discussed other bilateral, regional and global issues such as energy security and climate change.
Mr. Obama, in a detailed account of the discussions on climate change, offered US and European technological help to India in its efforts to tackle climate change.
"We're going to have to combine the lower-hanging fruit of energy efficiency with rapid technological advances - to the extent that in some case we can [forge] international cooperation and pool our scientific and technical knowledge around things like developing coal sequestration," he said.
"That could be extremely helpful," he added.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Google blocks music videos on YouTube in UK
10 Mar 2009, ANI
LONDON: Music lovers who are addicted to watching online videos on Youtube will not be able to do so anymore as Google has blocked viewings after a dispute over licensing.
Google had started blocking UK viewers from watching "premium music videos" from the night of March 9.
But now the Internet giant has said that it will take several days until all professional music videos are covered by the restriction.
Google described the move, as a "painful decision" which it knew would cause "significant disappointment".
PRS for Music licenses Google to make music videos available to UK users on YouTube, but right now the firms are in talks for a new licensing deal.
PRS for Music said it was shocked by Google's "drastic action" and said that the decision would "punish" music lovers and songwriters.
The collection society, which issues licences and collects royalties on behalf of copyright holders, said Google wants to pay "significantly less than at present to the writers of the music."
On the other hand, Google said that the deal that was offered to it could maje them lose money every time a video was played.
"Our previous licence from PRS for Music has expired, and we've been unable so far to come to an agreement to renew it on terms that are economically sustainable for us," The Daily Express quoted a statement from Google as saying.
The statement further read: "Prohibitive licensing fees" were an obstacle in the negotiations and added: "We're still working with PRS for Music in an effort to reach mutually acceptable terms for a new licence, but until we do so we will be blocking premium music videos in the UK that have been supplied or claimed by record labels. This was a painful decision, and we know the significant disappointment it will cause within the UK."
PRS for Music said it was "outraged on behalf of consumers and songwriters that Google has chosen to close down access to music videos on YouTube in the UK".
Although negotiations are on, Google said it would be working "to create more ways to compensate musicians and other rights-holders on YouTube".
Recently, Google introduced the option for YouTube users to pay to download a song.
"We hope that professional music videos will soon be back on YouTube for our users in the UK to enjoy," its statement added.
LONDON: Music lovers who are addicted to watching online videos on Youtube will not be able to do so anymore as Google has blocked viewings after a dispute over licensing.
Google had started blocking UK viewers from watching "premium music videos" from the night of March 9.
But now the Internet giant has said that it will take several days until all professional music videos are covered by the restriction.
Google described the move, as a "painful decision" which it knew would cause "significant disappointment".
PRS for Music licenses Google to make music videos available to UK users on YouTube, but right now the firms are in talks for a new licensing deal.
PRS for Music said it was shocked by Google's "drastic action" and said that the decision would "punish" music lovers and songwriters.
The collection society, which issues licences and collects royalties on behalf of copyright holders, said Google wants to pay "significantly less than at present to the writers of the music."
On the other hand, Google said that the deal that was offered to it could maje them lose money every time a video was played.
"Our previous licence from PRS for Music has expired, and we've been unable so far to come to an agreement to renew it on terms that are economically sustainable for us," The Daily Express quoted a statement from Google as saying.
The statement further read: "Prohibitive licensing fees" were an obstacle in the negotiations and added: "We're still working with PRS for Music in an effort to reach mutually acceptable terms for a new licence, but until we do so we will be blocking premium music videos in the UK that have been supplied or claimed by record labels. This was a painful decision, and we know the significant disappointment it will cause within the UK."
PRS for Music said it was "outraged on behalf of consumers and songwriters that Google has chosen to close down access to music videos on YouTube in the UK".
Although negotiations are on, Google said it would be working "to create more ways to compensate musicians and other rights-holders on YouTube".
Recently, Google introduced the option for YouTube users to pay to download a song.
"We hope that professional music videos will soon be back on YouTube for our users in the UK to enjoy," its statement added.
West not winning in Afghanistan: Biden
10 Mar 2009, REUTERS
BRUSSELS: US Vice President Joe Biden appealed to NATO allies on Tuesday to help the United States tackle worsening security in Afghanistan, saying the alliance was struggling to deal with a threat to the West as a whole.
"The deteriorating situation in the region poses a security threat not just to the United States but to every single nation round this table," Biden told representatives of the 26-country military pact during a visit to Brussels.
"We are not now winning the war, but the war is far from lost," he told a news conference after three hours of talks.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called on NATO to boost efforts before Afghan elections due in August. "It is important that this alliance delivers in the short-term," he told the same news conference.
US-led forces drove the Taliban from power in Kabul in response to the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on US targets planned by Osama bin Laden from bases in Afghanistan.
Western powers are concerned not only by the Taliban's advances in Afghanistan but also by its influence in Pakistan, where Islamic militants have disrupted NATO's supply convoys to Afghanistan and are securing concessions from the government in Islamabad.
Biden said US President Barack Obama wanted to consult with allies on a strategy review and that Washington would "expect everyone to keep whatever commitments were made in arriving at that joint strategy". However, a US official said the trip was not designed to push for more troop pledges.
Obama last month approved the deployment of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan as Washington and other NATO nations try to stabilise the country, where insurgent violence is at its highest since the Taliban were toppled.
Common Threats
There are currently some 70,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, of which the United States supplies 38,000.
Biden said his trip to Brussels was intended to listen to the United States' allies, who faced calls by the former Bush administration to deploy more troops in what often became noisy transatlantic slanging matches over strategy.
"When we consult ... we get the type of consensus that our political leadership needs," Biden said. "Absent that kind of cohesion, it will be incredibly more difficult to meet the common threats we are going to face."
A senior US administration official said European nations could offer non-military assistance including training of the still weak Afghan police force.
"We are aware obviously that not every country is able to contribute more troops," said the official. Biden was expected to raise the issue with EU officials later on Tuesday.
The European Union runs a programme for training the Afghan police but has failed so far to meet a promise last year to double the number of trainers.
BRUSSELS: US Vice President Joe Biden appealed to NATO allies on Tuesday to help the United States tackle worsening security in Afghanistan, saying the alliance was struggling to deal with a threat to the West as a whole.
"The deteriorating situation in the region poses a security threat not just to the United States but to every single nation round this table," Biden told representatives of the 26-country military pact during a visit to Brussels.
"We are not now winning the war, but the war is far from lost," he told a news conference after three hours of talks.
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer called on NATO to boost efforts before Afghan elections due in August. "It is important that this alliance delivers in the short-term," he told the same news conference.
US-led forces drove the Taliban from power in Kabul in response to the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on US targets planned by Osama bin Laden from bases in Afghanistan.
Western powers are concerned not only by the Taliban's advances in Afghanistan but also by its influence in Pakistan, where Islamic militants have disrupted NATO's supply convoys to Afghanistan and are securing concessions from the government in Islamabad.
Biden said US President Barack Obama wanted to consult with allies on a strategy review and that Washington would "expect everyone to keep whatever commitments were made in arriving at that joint strategy". However, a US official said the trip was not designed to push for more troop pledges.
Obama last month approved the deployment of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan as Washington and other NATO nations try to stabilise the country, where insurgent violence is at its highest since the Taliban were toppled.
Common Threats
There are currently some 70,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, of which the United States supplies 38,000.
Biden said his trip to Brussels was intended to listen to the United States' allies, who faced calls by the former Bush administration to deploy more troops in what often became noisy transatlantic slanging matches over strategy.
"When we consult ... we get the type of consensus that our political leadership needs," Biden said. "Absent that kind of cohesion, it will be incredibly more difficult to meet the common threats we are going to face."
A senior US administration official said European nations could offer non-military assistance including training of the still weak Afghan police force.
"We are aware obviously that not every country is able to contribute more troops," said the official. Biden was expected to raise the issue with EU officials later on Tuesday.
The European Union runs a programme for training the Afghan police but has failed so far to meet a promise last year to double the number of trainers.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Govt probing source of Rs2000cr used to 'fund' terror
3 Mar 2009, PTI
NEW DELHI: Government has begun processes on a war footing to trace the source of at least Rs 2,000 crore detected in over 200 bank accounts during the current fiscal as the amount was believed to have been used for financing terror networks in India.
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which has marked more than 200 transactions in the country as "terror financed", was trying to ascertain the origin of these funds, sources in finance ministry said.
In certain cases, a number of Cash Transaction Reports (CTR) shown as investment in India were routed through countries like Bahamas, Mauritius, Cooks Island and Gulf, considered as tax havens.
The FIU has forwarded these suspicious transaction Reports (STR) to other investigative and enforcement agencies of the country including Intelligence Bureau and Income Tax for necessary action.
A request for facilitating assistance in probing the accounts have been sent to almost 30 countries during 2008-09 so that international networks financing terror modules in the country, if any, could be exposed, the sources said.
The agency carried out the exercise to trace suspicious transactions under its "Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT)", started in the aftermath of 9/11 terror strikes in the United States after it was found that part of money was wired by militants having their bases in India.
NEW DELHI: Government has begun processes on a war footing to trace the source of at least Rs 2,000 crore detected in over 200 bank accounts during the current fiscal as the amount was believed to have been used for financing terror networks in India.
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which has marked more than 200 transactions in the country as "terror financed", was trying to ascertain the origin of these funds, sources in finance ministry said.
In certain cases, a number of Cash Transaction Reports (CTR) shown as investment in India were routed through countries like Bahamas, Mauritius, Cooks Island and Gulf, considered as tax havens.
The FIU has forwarded these suspicious transaction Reports (STR) to other investigative and enforcement agencies of the country including Intelligence Bureau and Income Tax for necessary action.
A request for facilitating assistance in probing the accounts have been sent to almost 30 countries during 2008-09 so that international networks financing terror modules in the country, if any, could be exposed, the sources said.
The agency carried out the exercise to trace suspicious transactions under its "Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT)", started in the aftermath of 9/11 terror strikes in the United States after it was found that part of money was wired by militants having their bases in India.
Sensex tumbles to lowest close in over three years
3 Mar 2009 PTI
MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex tumbled on Tuesday to close at over a three-year low, losing nearly 180 points, on heavy selling by foreign funds, sparked by weakening trends in overseas markets.
The Sensex, which fell for the third straight day, dropped by 179.79 points to 8,427.29, after dipping to the day's low of 8,390.21 as the funds remained net sellers in heavyweights led by consumer durables and banking.
The key index had closed around these levels of 8,308.93 on November 10, 2005.
Similarly, the 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped by 52.20 points to 2,622.40, after dipping to a lowest level of the day at 2,611.55 points.
Brokers said the fresh meltdown was solely on deepening concerns about the global economic outlook and wobbly world stock markets dented investor appetite.
They said the US market falling below 12-year-low levels and cracking the psychological 7,000 points level mainly shattered investors' hopes for any immediate recovery.
The US Standard & Poor's 500 Index tumbled 4.7% to its lowest close since October 1996. The US government announced last Friday that gross domestic product (GDP) shrank at a worse-than-expected 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, raising renewed fears about energy demand in the world's biggest economy.
MUMBAI: The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex tumbled on Tuesday to close at over a three-year low, losing nearly 180 points, on heavy selling by foreign funds, sparked by weakening trends in overseas markets.
The Sensex, which fell for the third straight day, dropped by 179.79 points to 8,427.29, after dipping to the day's low of 8,390.21 as the funds remained net sellers in heavyweights led by consumer durables and banking.
The key index had closed around these levels of 8,308.93 on November 10, 2005.
Similarly, the 50-share National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped by 52.20 points to 2,622.40, after dipping to a lowest level of the day at 2,611.55 points.
Brokers said the fresh meltdown was solely on deepening concerns about the global economic outlook and wobbly world stock markets dented investor appetite.
They said the US market falling below 12-year-low levels and cracking the psychological 7,000 points level mainly shattered investors' hopes for any immediate recovery.
The US Standard & Poor's 500 Index tumbled 4.7% to its lowest close since October 1996. The US government announced last Friday that gross domestic product (GDP) shrank at a worse-than-expected 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, raising renewed fears about energy demand in the world's biggest economy.
Tainted Satyam's assets valued at Rs 4,000 crore
3 Mar 2009, ET Bureau
HYDERABAD: The market value of the assets of tainted Satyam Computer Services has been estimated at around Rs 4,000 crore after netting out the current and long-term liabilities.
The company's fixed assets - mainly land and property - have been valued at around Rs 5,000 crore. This includes two prime properties in Hyderabad, valued at around Rs 2,500 crore.
The major current assets and liabilities of the firm have been projected at Rs 700-800 crore each. Current assets include receivables or payments due from clients, while liabilities include payments due to vendors and salary outgo as on date.
Besides this, long-term liabilities of Satyam have been estimated at around Rs 1,000 crore and the amount includes a bridge loan of Rs 600 crore for meeting working capital requirements. "Prospective bidders are set to be furnished with the gross market value of assets that is roughly around Rs 3,500-4,000 crore," said a source.
But potential bidders may have to independently estimate legal liabilities arising from the class action suits filed in the US. Satyam is facing a dozen class action suits in the US, after its disgraced founder B Ramalinga Raju admitted to perpetrating a Rs 7,000 crore financial fraud in January this year. The company is also locked in a legal tussle with a UK-based mobile services provider Upaid.
"The valuation of Satyam will be a challenge for prospective bidders given that the actual amount of receivables and payables will remain uncertain till the time the accounts of the company are re-stated. Besides, the uncertainty on liabilities arising from the US action suits could make it more difficult for potential bidders to come close to the actual valuation of the firm,” said Nishith Desai Associates head M&A Nishchal Joshipura.
KPMG and Deloitte have been given the mandate to re-state Satyam’s accounts over the seven years or so, but the process could take a while. It is reckoned that the board cannot wait for a re-statement of the accounts to arrive at an enterprise valuation, as it could lead to further loss of clients and employees.
The Satyam board is expected to invite Expression of Interest (EoI) from bidders after getting approvals from capital market regulator Sebi and the Company Law Board on the pricing guidelines for preferential allotment of shares to the strategic investor.
The CLB has already authorised the Satyam board to make a minimum 26% preferential allotment of equity shares to a strategic investor.
HYDERABAD: The market value of the assets of tainted Satyam Computer Services has been estimated at around Rs 4,000 crore after netting out the current and long-term liabilities.
The company's fixed assets - mainly land and property - have been valued at around Rs 5,000 crore. This includes two prime properties in Hyderabad, valued at around Rs 2,500 crore.
The major current assets and liabilities of the firm have been projected at Rs 700-800 crore each. Current assets include receivables or payments due from clients, while liabilities include payments due to vendors and salary outgo as on date.
Besides this, long-term liabilities of Satyam have been estimated at around Rs 1,000 crore and the amount includes a bridge loan of Rs 600 crore for meeting working capital requirements. "Prospective bidders are set to be furnished with the gross market value of assets that is roughly around Rs 3,500-4,000 crore," said a source.
But potential bidders may have to independently estimate legal liabilities arising from the class action suits filed in the US. Satyam is facing a dozen class action suits in the US, after its disgraced founder B Ramalinga Raju admitted to perpetrating a Rs 7,000 crore financial fraud in January this year. The company is also locked in a legal tussle with a UK-based mobile services provider Upaid.
"The valuation of Satyam will be a challenge for prospective bidders given that the actual amount of receivables and payables will remain uncertain till the time the accounts of the company are re-stated. Besides, the uncertainty on liabilities arising from the US action suits could make it more difficult for potential bidders to come close to the actual valuation of the firm,” said Nishith Desai Associates head M&A Nishchal Joshipura.
KPMG and Deloitte have been given the mandate to re-state Satyam’s accounts over the seven years or so, but the process could take a while. It is reckoned that the board cannot wait for a re-statement of the accounts to arrive at an enterprise valuation, as it could lead to further loss of clients and employees.
The Satyam board is expected to invite Expression of Interest (EoI) from bidders after getting approvals from capital market regulator Sebi and the Company Law Board on the pricing guidelines for preferential allotment of shares to the strategic investor.
The CLB has already authorised the Satyam board to make a minimum 26% preferential allotment of equity shares to a strategic investor.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Pak navy chief retracts statement on Kasab
28 Feb 2009, PTI
KARACHI: Adding to flip-flops over the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan's navy chief on Saturday retracted his statement that Ajmal Amir Kasab did not take the sea route and said he backed interior ministry's report that nine terrorists had sailed from Karachi to launch the strikes.
Admiral Noman Bashir, who had on Saturday contended that the navy had no evidence to prove that Kasab took the sea route, said he was not contradicting interior ministry's report on the Mumbai attacks.
"We have not been directly involved in the investigation, which is under the domain of the interior ministry. Therefore they are better equipped, they have better knowledge and information," he said.
Interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had admitted on Feb 12, when Pakistan gave its response to Indian dossier, that the Mumbai attacks were "partly" plotted on Pakistan soil and launched from its shores for which it has arrested six persons. Malik had said nine terrorists had travelled in three boats from Karachi to Mumbai.
"We have no contradictory opinion on the report prepared by them. Whatever evidence they have is correct. I won't contradict it," Admiral Bashir said.
KARACHI: Adding to flip-flops over the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan's navy chief on Saturday retracted his statement that Ajmal Amir Kasab did not take the sea route and said he backed interior ministry's report that nine terrorists had sailed from Karachi to launch the strikes.
Admiral Noman Bashir, who had on Saturday contended that the navy had no evidence to prove that Kasab took the sea route, said he was not contradicting interior ministry's report on the Mumbai attacks.
"We have not been directly involved in the investigation, which is under the domain of the interior ministry. Therefore they are better equipped, they have better knowledge and information," he said.
Interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had admitted on Feb 12, when Pakistan gave its response to Indian dossier, that the Mumbai attacks were "partly" plotted on Pakistan soil and launched from its shores for which it has arrested six persons. Malik had said nine terrorists had travelled in three boats from Karachi to Mumbai.
"We have no contradictory opinion on the report prepared by them. Whatever evidence they have is correct. I won't contradict it," Admiral Bashir said.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Carnival greets AR Rahman at Chennai
26 Feb 2009, Times Now
CHENNAI: Music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to win two Oscars, returned to his home city — Chennai to a rousing welcome by his fans and friends in the wee hours of Thursday (February 26).
The 43-year-old musician, who won the Oscars for Best Original Music and Best Song for his compositions in "Slumdog Millionaire" at the 81st Academy Awards, arrived in Chennai from Dubai by an Emirates Airways flight at around 2.30 am.
A large number of people, who waited at the airport for the 'Mozart of Madras', cheered him up as he emerged out of the international terminal to the beats of drum specialist Sivamani and his troupe.
Kerala's "Kottu Melam" (percussion instrument) artists gave a performance on behalf of the Indian Airlines.
On behalf of the state government, Tamil Nadu information minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi received Rahman with a bouquet at the airport terminal.
A visibly happy Rahman waved at the crowd acknowledging their support before leaving for his home.
After reaching his home town, the music genius spoke exclusively to times Now and expressed joy and said that there were more things to come, this is just the beginning for him
CHENNAI: Music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to win two Oscars, returned to his home city — Chennai to a rousing welcome by his fans and friends in the wee hours of Thursday (February 26).
The 43-year-old musician, who won the Oscars for Best Original Music and Best Song for his compositions in "Slumdog Millionaire" at the 81st Academy Awards, arrived in Chennai from Dubai by an Emirates Airways flight at around 2.30 am.
A large number of people, who waited at the airport for the 'Mozart of Madras', cheered him up as he emerged out of the international terminal to the beats of drum specialist Sivamani and his troupe.
Kerala's "Kottu Melam" (percussion instrument) artists gave a performance on behalf of the Indian Airlines.
On behalf of the state government, Tamil Nadu information minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi received Rahman with a bouquet at the airport terminal.
A visibly happy Rahman waved at the crowd acknowledging their support before leaving for his home.
After reaching his home town, the music genius spoke exclusively to times Now and expressed joy and said that there were more things to come, this is just the beginning for him
'Global Meltdown reduced tourist arrival'
24 February 2009
New Delhi: The global meltdown, coupled with the Mumbai terror attacks, considerably impacted the foreign tourist arrivals in India and their number rose only 5.56 percent last year against the expected growth of 14.56 percent, the Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday.
"The global meltdown has affected those countries that are our primary source of tourist arrivals. There have been cancellations but I would like to point out that a growth rate of 5.56 percent is way above the global average of two percent," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said during question hour.
"The Mumbai attacks also contributed to the dip in arrivals," she added.
"Till August-September, we had very high growth rates. Then came the global meltdown and the Mumbai attacks," she said, adding that in spite of the dip in arrivals, foreign exchange earnings last year rose 14.4 percent.
"This is because we receive a number of high-end travellers and those who spend a lot of money," Soni explained.
The minister vehemently denied suggestions that efforts to encourage foreign tourist arrivals were being made at the cost of domestic tourism.
"Any steps to encourage foreign tourist arrivals is not at the cost of domestic tourism," she said, adding that 560 million Indians travelled within the country last year.
"When I became a minister, the prime minister had clearly said that domestic tourism was a priority. Thus, we have been able to increase the number of domestic tourists from 320 million to 560 million (last year)."
Detailing the steps her ministry had taken to promote domestic tourism, Soni said Rs.378 crore (Rs.3.78 billion) had been sanctioned for 16 mega projects in the country, while another six were in the pipeline.
"Under this scheme, Rs.25 crore (Rs.250 million) is given for destination development and Rs.50 crore for circuit development," Soni said, adding that the projects were coming up in places like Amritsar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Goa and Tirupathi.
This apart, the government had identified 139 spots for promoting rural tourism and was providing Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) at each place for infrastructure development and Rs.20 lakh for capacity building.
Soni also sought to allay apprehensions that the regional media were being ignored for advertisements for the tourism ministry's "Incredible India" campaign.
"A special committee decides where the advertisements are to be placed. I want to make it very clear that from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from east to west, no language is left untouched. At the same time, we cannot give advertisements to each and every newspaper," Soni pointed out.
New Delhi: The global meltdown, coupled with the Mumbai terror attacks, considerably impacted the foreign tourist arrivals in India and their number rose only 5.56 percent last year against the expected growth of 14.56 percent, the Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday.
"The global meltdown has affected those countries that are our primary source of tourist arrivals. There have been cancellations but I would like to point out that a growth rate of 5.56 percent is way above the global average of two percent," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said during question hour.
"The Mumbai attacks also contributed to the dip in arrivals," she added.
"Till August-September, we had very high growth rates. Then came the global meltdown and the Mumbai attacks," she said, adding that in spite of the dip in arrivals, foreign exchange earnings last year rose 14.4 percent.
"This is because we receive a number of high-end travellers and those who spend a lot of money," Soni explained.
The minister vehemently denied suggestions that efforts to encourage foreign tourist arrivals were being made at the cost of domestic tourism.
"Any steps to encourage foreign tourist arrivals is not at the cost of domestic tourism," she said, adding that 560 million Indians travelled within the country last year.
"When I became a minister, the prime minister had clearly said that domestic tourism was a priority. Thus, we have been able to increase the number of domestic tourists from 320 million to 560 million (last year)."
Detailing the steps her ministry had taken to promote domestic tourism, Soni said Rs.378 crore (Rs.3.78 billion) had been sanctioned for 16 mega projects in the country, while another six were in the pipeline.
"Under this scheme, Rs.25 crore (Rs.250 million) is given for destination development and Rs.50 crore for circuit development," Soni said, adding that the projects were coming up in places like Amritsar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Goa and Tirupathi.
This apart, the government had identified 139 spots for promoting rural tourism and was providing Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) at each place for infrastructure development and Rs.20 lakh for capacity building.
Soni also sought to allay apprehensions that the regional media were being ignored for advertisements for the tourism ministry's "Incredible India" campaign.
"A special committee decides where the advertisements are to be placed. I want to make it very clear that from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from east to west, no language is left untouched. At the same time, we cannot give advertisements to each and every newspaper," Soni pointed out.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday,23 February 2009
Mayawati to be next Indian PM: pollster
The coming Indian general elections are likely to lead to a Left-leaning government led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and supported from the outside by either the Congress or the BJP, a leading pollster predicted Monday.
Yashwant Deshmukh, who runs the Team Cvoter polling firm and has covered more than 100 state and national elections in India, will tell leading British politicians this week that neither the Congress nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be able to win a majority in elections to the Lok Sabha.
In fact, he believes that both parties will see their number of seats dramatically reduced.
"I am looking at the possibility of Mayawati leading a government of an assortment of political parties, barring the Samajwadi Party," he said ahead of Wednesday's House of Commons briefing for British MPs, members of thinktanks and businessmen and investors.
"This government would be formed with either inside- or outside-support from the Left parties. But it will need the support of either the Congress or the BJP from the outside.
"In the current scenario either of them will do it because no one wants to be seen as trying to stop a Dalit woman from becoming prime minister. Coming in her way would be committing political harakiri."
Deshmukh said the post-election scenario was less clear than in previous years, but predicted: "This time round the Congress party will be the loser and the BJP will be the even bigger loser. Both will all need to give away a lot of power if they're going to even come close to a majority."
Vikas Pota, managing director of the public relations firm Saffron Chase, which is organising the briefing, said the elections were expected to lead to a slowdown in the process of liberalisation in India.
"It seems that the current world recession is leading to protectionist language from all nations. It will be difficult to grow the insurance, retail and banking sectors as a result," he told The Guardian newspaper.
The coming Indian general elections are likely to lead to a Left-leaning government led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and supported from the outside by either the Congress or the BJP, a leading pollster predicted Monday.
Yashwant Deshmukh, who runs the Team Cvoter polling firm and has covered more than 100 state and national elections in India, will tell leading British politicians this week that neither the Congress nor the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be able to win a majority in elections to the Lok Sabha.
In fact, he believes that both parties will see their number of seats dramatically reduced.
"I am looking at the possibility of Mayawati leading a government of an assortment of political parties, barring the Samajwadi Party," he said ahead of Wednesday's House of Commons briefing for British MPs, members of thinktanks and businessmen and investors.
"This government would be formed with either inside- or outside-support from the Left parties. But it will need the support of either the Congress or the BJP from the outside.
"In the current scenario either of them will do it because no one wants to be seen as trying to stop a Dalit woman from becoming prime minister. Coming in her way would be committing political harakiri."
Deshmukh said the post-election scenario was less clear than in previous years, but predicted: "This time round the Congress party will be the loser and the BJP will be the even bigger loser. Both will all need to give away a lot of power if they're going to even come close to a majority."
Vikas Pota, managing director of the public relations firm Saffron Chase, which is organising the briefing, said the elections were expected to lead to a slowdown in the process of liberalisation in India.
"It seems that the current world recession is leading to protectionist language from all nations. It will be difficult to grow the insurance, retail and banking sectors as a result," he told The Guardian newspaper.
'Global Meltdown reduced tourist arrival'
24 February 2009
New Delhi: The global meltdown, coupled with the Mumbai terror attacks, considerably impacted the foreign tourist arrivals in India and their number rose only 5.56 percent last year against the expected growth of 14.56 percent, the Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday.
"The global meltdown has affected those countries that are our primary source of tourist arrivals. There have been cancellations but I would like to point out that a growth rate of 5.56 percent is way above the global average of two percent," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said during question hour.
"The Mumbai attacks also contributed to the dip in arrivals," she added.
"Till August-September, we had very high growth rates. Then came the global meltdown and the Mumbai attacks," she said, adding that in spite of the dip in arrivals, foreign exchange earnings last year rose 14.4 percent.
"This is because we receive a number of high-end travellers and those who spend a lot of money," Soni explained.
The minister vehemently denied suggestions that efforts to encourage foreign tourist arrivals were being made at the cost of domestic tourism.
"Any steps to encourage foreign tourist arrivals is not at the cost of domestic tourism," she said, adding that 560 million Indians travelled within the country last year.
"When I became a minister, the prime minister had clearly said that domestic tourism was a priority. Thus, we have been able to increase the number of domestic tourists from 320 million to 560 million (last year)."
Detailing the steps her ministry had taken to promote domestic tourism, Soni said Rs.378 crore (Rs.3.78 billion) had been sanctioned for 16 mega projects in the country, while another six were in the pipeline.
"Under this scheme, Rs.25 crore (Rs.250 million) is given for destination development and Rs.50 crore for circuit development," Soni said, adding that the projects were coming up in places like Amritsar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Goa and Tirupathi.
This apart, the government had identified 139 spots for promoting rural tourism and was providing Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) at each place for infrastructure development and Rs.20 lakh for capacity building.
Soni also sought to allay apprehensions that the regional media were being ignored for advertisements for the tourism ministry's "Incredible India" campaign.
"A special committee decides where the advertisements are to be placed. I want to make it very clear that from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from east to west, no language is left untouched. At the same time, we cannot give advertisements to each and every newspaper," Soni pointed out.
New Delhi: The global meltdown, coupled with the Mumbai terror attacks, considerably impacted the foreign tourist arrivals in India and their number rose only 5.56 percent last year against the expected growth of 14.56 percent, the Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday.
"The global meltdown has affected those countries that are our primary source of tourist arrivals. There have been cancellations but I would like to point out that a growth rate of 5.56 percent is way above the global average of two percent," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni said during question hour.
"The Mumbai attacks also contributed to the dip in arrivals," she added.
"Till August-September, we had very high growth rates. Then came the global meltdown and the Mumbai attacks," she said, adding that in spite of the dip in arrivals, foreign exchange earnings last year rose 14.4 percent.
"This is because we receive a number of high-end travellers and those who spend a lot of money," Soni explained.
The minister vehemently denied suggestions that efforts to encourage foreign tourist arrivals were being made at the cost of domestic tourism.
"Any steps to encourage foreign tourist arrivals is not at the cost of domestic tourism," she said, adding that 560 million Indians travelled within the country last year.
"When I became a minister, the prime minister had clearly said that domestic tourism was a priority. Thus, we have been able to increase the number of domestic tourists from 320 million to 560 million (last year)."
Detailing the steps her ministry had taken to promote domestic tourism, Soni said Rs.378 crore (Rs.3.78 billion) had been sanctioned for 16 mega projects in the country, while another six were in the pipeline.
"Under this scheme, Rs.25 crore (Rs.250 million) is given for destination development and Rs.50 crore for circuit development," Soni said, adding that the projects were coming up in places like Amritsar, Ajmer, Pushkar, Goa and Tirupathi.
This apart, the government had identified 139 spots for promoting rural tourism and was providing Rs.50 lakh (Rs.5 million) at each place for infrastructure development and Rs.20 lakh for capacity building.
Soni also sought to allay apprehensions that the regional media were being ignored for advertisements for the tourism ministry's "Incredible India" campaign.
"A special committee decides where the advertisements are to be placed. I want to make it very clear that from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from east to west, no language is left untouched. At the same time, we cannot give advertisements to each and every newspaper," Soni pointed out.
Monday, February 23, 2009
India Celebrates a Hollywood Victory
NEW DELHI — Its depictions of filth and brutality fueled angry blogging and stray street protests. It drew unusually intense scrutiny, for everything from how much its child actors were paid to what the composer A. R. Rahman would wear to the Oscars. But on Monday, as India woke up to news of the spectacular wins by “Slumdog Millionaire” at the Academy Awards, this movie-mad country went “Jai Ho.”
The movie’s victory was embraced as India’s own.
“What a day it has been for India!” gushed a television news anchor midmorning. The story dominated television news throughout the day. News of a hepatitis B outbreak in western Gujarat State and a southern politician’s threatened hunger strike seemed minor by comparison.
“We rocked the world,” an Indian percussionist named Sivamani declared.
Never mind that “Slumdog” tells a story of stunted, shafted slum children, precisely the kind of story promoters of the New India have sought to obscure with tales of prosperity. India seized on its Oscar wins as a sign of its arrival on the world stage.
Indian television showed Indian dancers in spangly skirts onstage at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles and Mr. Rahman, eyes closed, singing his winning song, “Jai Ho” — its title an exuberant Hindi phrase that literally translates as “Let there be victory.” Mr. Rahman thanked God and his mother. Resul Pookutty, who shared the prize for sound mixing, dedicated it to his country. In his small town in south India, neighbors and kin were shown passing a big plate of sweets and crying tears of joy.
“India has made a clean sweep here,” Anil Kapoor, the Indian actor who played the game-show host in “Slumdog,” declared in an interview with NDTV, a private television station.
On Monday even the prime minister of India, Manmohan Singh, congratulated the “Slumdog” team, along with the makers of another winning film, “Smile Pinki,” a short documentary about a village girl with a cleft palate. “The winners have done India proud,” Mr. Singh’s office said in a statement.
The last time an Indian won an Oscar was for the costume design of the 1982 biographical film “Gandhi,” directed by Richard Attenborough. Many Indians were peeved at the time that a known Indian actor had not been cast to play the father of their nation. Ben Kingsley, who played Gandhi, is of partly Indian descent. (In 1992 the Indian director Satyajit Ray was awarded the Oscar for lifetime achievement.)
“Slumdog,” of course, is not an Indian film. It was backed by two American studios. The director, Danny Boyle, is British, as are its screenwriter, who adapted the script from a book by an Indian diplomat, and its producer.
But “Slumdog” has an almost entirely Indian cast, along with a British actor of Indian descent, Dev Patel, who plays the teenage lead, Jamal. It was shot on the streets of Mumbai, unlike most Indian films. And about a third of the dialogue is in Hindi.
It has several key Indian crew members, including the co-director, Loveleen Tandan, and of course Mr. Rahman, whose compositions weave sounds from all over the world with a deeply Indian sensibility.
Most important, “Slumdog” picks up on key motifs of the classic Bollywood fairy tale: the plucky underdog hero, sibling rivalry, ghetto gangsters and a beautiful damsel needing a rescue.
Small bursts of outrage greeted the film when it opened in India recently, including a protest several weeks ago in front of Mr. Kapoor’s house, where children held up placards that read “Don’t call me dog.” In the current issue of India Today, a weekly magazine, a filmmaker named Priyadarshan called it “absolute and intentional exploitation of India.”
But the newspaper columnist Vir Sanghvi, writing in his blog on Monday, said he was “thrilled” by the film’s victory and the sight of so many Indians onstage at the Academy Awards. “Even when ‘Gandhi’ won the Oscar for best picture all those years ago, we never felt that it was India’s victory,” he wrote. “I don’t know if this is a breakthrough for India, or whether we will be able to follow it up. But some things seem clear. Anil Kapoor is now the world’s most famous Bollywood actor — and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Nobody will be able to talk about world music without including Rahman as its leading star.”
A more sobering response came on Monday from Dilbur Parakh, who heads a charity-run school where two of the film’s youngest stars, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali Qureshi, 9, are enrolled. The children still live in a sprawling shantytown whose name, Garib Nagar, literally means the enclave of the poor. The filmmakers pay their school fees.
To Ms. Parakh, the story of “Slumdog” echoed the stories of hundreds of Indian children she had met. “This is the way it really is,” she said. “We can’t ignore it. We have to face it. I mean Indians as a whole.”
That a Briton made the film did not much matter to her. “It really is an Indian story,” said Ms. Parakh, who is also the chairwoman of Aseema, the nonprofit organization in Mumbai that runs the school.
Munni Qureishi, 28, Rubina’s mother, said the people of Garib Nagar had stayed up much of the night in anticipation, then greeted the victory on Monday morning with firecrackers and boisterous handmade drums. Mrs. Qureishi, who has worked as a housemaid since childhood, said she looked forward to welcoming her daughter home with flowers and her favorite food: Chinese-style noodles.
“She has crossed the ocean,” Mrs. Qureishi said. “With God’s blessing she will return.”
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