By: Kranti Vibhute
Mid Day,20 Nov Mumbai
Nationwide survey conducted by government body says husbands refuse to wear a condom and wives fear STDs, as they suspect extramarital affairs
'Not now, darling, I have a headache', is easily the most often 'no sex' phrase bandied around in popular culture. Now, there are statistics to prove it.
In a research conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), based out of Govandi, a whopping 89 per cent of married men complained that their wives say no to sex. But there's a rider.
The women say no because their husbands refuse to wear a condom, which they feel is absolutely necessary to protect them from sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
Clearly, this means 89 per cent of women feel their husbands cheat on them.
The survey reveals the truth. One in 20 Indian married men have multiple affairs more than two sexual partners apart from their wives.
However, doctors in Mumbai believe that the number is far higher and the respondents may not have been entirely truthful.
The study has revealed that 5.3 per cent married men engaged in high-risk sex, which means having sex with more than two partners without using protection.
This survey, conducted for the first time by IIPS across India, had a sample size of 80,000 men.
Wife is justified
Hearteningly, 83 per cent say the wife is justified in asking them to use condoms.
S K Singh, a researcher with IIPS, said, "On one hand the National Family Health Survey portrays a very impressive picture of Indian men who believe that if a husband has a sexually transmitted disease, his wife is justified in refusing to have sex with him. Or have sex only if they wear a condom.
But the survey also throws up a picture that men are cheating their wives with more than two partners."
The IIPS is an autonomous institution administered by the ministry of health and family welfare. It also conducts a national family health survey every year on behalf of the government.
YOU CHEAT: About 89 per cent of women feel their husbands cheat on them, reveals a survey by the International Institute for Population Sciences.
However, sexologists and psychiatrists believe that the number of men having multiple sex partners is higher than what the survey says and will only increase.
Anjali Chhabria, a psychiatrist, said, "Men want excitement and novelty. They experiment out of boredom and also want to feel young and desirable. The increasing number of cell phone usage helps them contact anyone easily."
Added Rajan Bhonsle, a sexologist, "Male sexuality is body-oriented and there is rarely emotional involvement. Therefore, there are multiple partners and I believe they are either colleagues or neighbours, as access is easier."
Agreeing with Bhonsle, Dr Rajiv Anand, sexologist and psychiatrist, said, "The survey may or may not be applicable to everyone, but the fact is men are always looking for something new and different."
Syed Husaini, a senior family court lawyer, said, "About 25 per cent of divorce cases at the Bandra family court is because spouses have extramarital affairs, in addition to cruelty and harassment.
But when such allegations are placed in court, only six per cent turn out to be true."
He gifted wife Rs 2.33 Crore for repeated infidelity
A cheating husband showered his wife with expensive jewellery every time he cheated on her, leading her to gather a collection worth almost Rs 2.33 crore (£300,000).
Businessman Robert Charlton, from Leicester, UK, made up for breaking his wedding vows by gifting diamond jewels to wife Elizabeth, who was apparently aware of his extra-marital activities.
The unusual arrangement was said to have worked for the couple until Charlton passed away aged 63 in 1979.
Elizabeth, who allegedly told friends the gifts made it easier for her to forgive her husband, died in 2006, leaving her collection to their only child Marie.
Delhi
98 per cent men say wives refuse to have sex
Case Study
Three months ago, 33-year-old Anita Sharma (name changed) approached a detective agency to spy on her husband who she felt was spending too much time talking on the phone.
The detective traced the husband to Alibag, necking with a former girlfriend and also dug up more extra-marital affairs that the man had been involved in before he was caught.
The couple had a seven-year-old child and so haven't divorced.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Reliance bid to make India's largest global acquisition
22 November 2009
NEW DELHI: The country’s largest company, Reliance Industries (RIL) has offered to buy a controlling stake in the world’s third largest chemical company LyondellBasell, RIL announced on Saturday.
LyondellBasell filed for bankruptcy in the US in January. RIL did not disclose how much it had bid but a senior merchant banker said it would have to pay at least $ 12 billion. This is the gap between LyondellBasell’s assets and liabilities.
But RIL might have to pay more, making this the biggest acquisition ever by an Indian company. Till now, the biggest overseas acquisition was Tata Steel’s 2006 purchase of Corus for $ 12.2 billion. In 2008, LyondellBasell’s market capitalisation was $ 58 billion, while its earning before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA) was $ 1 billion.
A banker said that RIL would have to make a fresh infusion of capital in LyondellBasell in order to pay its debtors. It’s learnt that RIL has already offered to acquire fresh shares in the company to infuse capital.
The acquisition will take RIL higher up the Fortune 500 list, where it is currently ranked 264th. In a statement RIL said that the company is reviewing a number of global opportunities for growth of its core business. ‘‘This review is ongoing and there can be no assurance of the outcome with respect to any of the opportunities under review, including with respect to LyondellBasell,”the statement said.
The acquisition would make RIL one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies and it will also be able to penetrate developed markets.
LyondellBasell is headquartered in the Netherlands but based in the US. It was created when Basell Polyolefins merged with Lyondell Chemical Company in December 2007. It is one of the worlds largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. It filed for bankruptcy in the US under Chapter 11 because of the global financial crisis. A LyondellBasell confirmed it had “received a preliminary non-binding offer from Reliance Industries Limited.” E.T
NEW DELHI: The country’s largest company, Reliance Industries (RIL) has offered to buy a controlling stake in the world’s third largest chemical company LyondellBasell, RIL announced on Saturday.
LyondellBasell filed for bankruptcy in the US in January. RIL did not disclose how much it had bid but a senior merchant banker said it would have to pay at least $ 12 billion. This is the gap between LyondellBasell’s assets and liabilities.
But RIL might have to pay more, making this the biggest acquisition ever by an Indian company. Till now, the biggest overseas acquisition was Tata Steel’s 2006 purchase of Corus for $ 12.2 billion. In 2008, LyondellBasell’s market capitalisation was $ 58 billion, while its earning before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBIDTA) was $ 1 billion.
A banker said that RIL would have to make a fresh infusion of capital in LyondellBasell in order to pay its debtors. It’s learnt that RIL has already offered to acquire fresh shares in the company to infuse capital.
The acquisition will take RIL higher up the Fortune 500 list, where it is currently ranked 264th. In a statement RIL said that the company is reviewing a number of global opportunities for growth of its core business. ‘‘This review is ongoing and there can be no assurance of the outcome with respect to any of the opportunities under review, including with respect to LyondellBasell,”the statement said.
The acquisition would make RIL one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies and it will also be able to penetrate developed markets.
LyondellBasell is headquartered in the Netherlands but based in the US. It was created when Basell Polyolefins merged with Lyondell Chemical Company in December 2007. It is one of the worlds largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. It filed for bankruptcy in the US under Chapter 11 because of the global financial crisis. A LyondellBasell confirmed it had “received a preliminary non-binding offer from Reliance Industries Limited.” E.T
Actor Mohanlal seeks blessings of Sri Satya Sai Baba
Lt.Col.Padmasree Dr.Mohanlal seeks blessings of Sri Satya Sai Baba at Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi of Anantapur district on Friday the 20th Nov.
Gold prices soar
Kochi: Gold prices continued to rally for the third consecutive day as investors found the yellow metal as a better alternative in investing. Prices for gold increased Rs 80 on Saturday. The current prices for 1 gm of gold come in at Rs 1.630, while 8 gm of gold costs Rs 13,040.
The surge in price of the precious metal has resulted in a fall in its consumption in India, a major consumer of the yellow metal. In July -September period,consumption of gold declined nearly 42 per cent to reach 111.6 tonnes.
In the international market, gold traded at Rs 1,630 at close on Friday. The surge in prices is manly due to a weaker dollar as well as the recent sale of 200 metric tonnes of gold to the reserve bank of India by the International Monetary Fund or IMF – analysts observed.
According to Analysts, the precious metal is likely to continue its bullish trend through at least the first half of 2010. Analysts estimates gold price to reach at $2,000 an ounce that would reflect a gain of about 73% from current record levels.
The surge in price of the precious metal has resulted in a fall in its consumption in India, a major consumer of the yellow metal. In July -September period,consumption of gold declined nearly 42 per cent to reach 111.6 tonnes.
In the international market, gold traded at Rs 1,630 at close on Friday. The surge in prices is manly due to a weaker dollar as well as the recent sale of 200 metric tonnes of gold to the reserve bank of India by the International Monetary Fund or IMF – analysts observed.
According to Analysts, the precious metal is likely to continue its bullish trend through at least the first half of 2010. Analysts estimates gold price to reach at $2,000 an ounce that would reflect a gain of about 73% from current record levels.
India-US partnership is essential: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said India is looking forward to building on the strategic dialogue with the US and seeking greater cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, services, energy, science and technology and defence.
'The last several years have witnessed a transformation in India-US relations. Today, they are characterized by greater maturity, depth and convergence of interests,' Manmohan Singh said in his departure statement before his four-day trip to Washington as the first state guest of the Obama White House.
'The United States is our largest trading partner in goods and services, and we have deep economic ties. There is a large Indian American community and robust people-to-people exchanges. Above all, we share common values and commitment to democracy, pluralism and human rights,' he said.
'A sustained and dynamic India-US partnership is essential if we are to meet the global challenges of the 21stcentury.'
During his visit, the prime minister said, he would exchange views with President Obama on major global threats and challenges including international terrorism, climate change, the global economic slowdown, the Doha round of trade negotiations, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Manmohan Singh and Obama are expected to firm up a global partnership on issues ranging from giving an institutional framework to their counter-terror cooperation and curbing greenhouse gas emissions to wrapping up the remaining steps of the nuclear deal and the multibillion-dollar defence contracts.
After his visit to the US, the prime minister will travel to Port of Spain to attend the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
'This is the 60th anniversary year of the Commonwealth. We attach high importance to the role of the Commonwealth in promoting cooperation amongst its members and in engaging the world in shaping a cooperative, equitable and development-friendly world order,' he said.
The theme for CHOGM-2009 is 'Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future'.
'The last several years have witnessed a transformation in India-US relations. Today, they are characterized by greater maturity, depth and convergence of interests,' Manmohan Singh said in his departure statement before his four-day trip to Washington as the first state guest of the Obama White House.
'The United States is our largest trading partner in goods and services, and we have deep economic ties. There is a large Indian American community and robust people-to-people exchanges. Above all, we share common values and commitment to democracy, pluralism and human rights,' he said.
'A sustained and dynamic India-US partnership is essential if we are to meet the global challenges of the 21stcentury.'
During his visit, the prime minister said, he would exchange views with President Obama on major global threats and challenges including international terrorism, climate change, the global economic slowdown, the Doha round of trade negotiations, and nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Manmohan Singh and Obama are expected to firm up a global partnership on issues ranging from giving an institutional framework to their counter-terror cooperation and curbing greenhouse gas emissions to wrapping up the remaining steps of the nuclear deal and the multibillion-dollar defence contracts.
After his visit to the US, the prime minister will travel to Port of Spain to attend the meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
'This is the 60th anniversary year of the Commonwealth. We attach high importance to the role of the Commonwealth in promoting cooperation amongst its members and in engaging the world in shaping a cooperative, equitable and development-friendly world order,' he said.
The theme for CHOGM-2009 is 'Partnering for a More Equitable and Sustainable Future'.
Market rebounds on Ahluwalia comments; Sensex reclaims 17K
20 Nov 2009, ET Bureau
MUMBAI: Markets staged a smart recovery in the afternoon on Friday as bulls took charge of the rangebound session following comments from the government on capital inflows and tracking positive European markets.
According to reports, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia ruled out the possibility of imposing tax to curb foreign funds. This gave a boost to traders who covered shorts in the last hour of session. Gains in European markets also helped boosted sentiments.
National Stock Exchange’s Nifty closed at 5052.45, up 63.45 points or 127 per cent. The broader index hit a high of 5063.30 and low of 4932.80.
Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex ended at 17021.85, up 236.20 points or 1.41 per cent. The index touched a high of 17041.79 and low of 16635.75.
“Major resistance for Nifty is seen at 5090. The index is likely to spend some time here as supply will emerge around these levels. Once this hurdle is breached then the next Nifty target is seen at 5200,” said Anu Jain, vice president - IIFL Private Wealth Management, India Infoline.
The BSE Midcap Index was up 1.08 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 0.43 per cent up.
Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Bankex was up 1.95 per cent, BSE Oil&gas Index moved 1.52 per cent higher and BSE Metal Index gained 1.37 per cent.
ACC (5%), SAIL (3.59%), Hindalco Industries (3.50%), M&M (3.25) and Jaiprakash Associates (3.24%) were amongst the top Nifty gainers.
Losers included Reliance Capital (-2.77%), Suzlon Energy (-2.46%), Reliance Power (-1.69%), Bharti Airtel (-1.50%) and HCL Technologies (-1.25%).
Market breadth was positive on the BSE with 1,452 advances and 1,240 declines.
European markets failed to hold on to early gains. FTSE 100 was down 0.34 per cent, CAC 40 slipped 0.62 per cent and DAX declined 0.51 per cent.
MUMBAI: Markets staged a smart recovery in the afternoon on Friday as bulls took charge of the rangebound session following comments from the government on capital inflows and tracking positive European markets.
According to reports, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia ruled out the possibility of imposing tax to curb foreign funds. This gave a boost to traders who covered shorts in the last hour of session. Gains in European markets also helped boosted sentiments.
National Stock Exchange’s Nifty closed at 5052.45, up 63.45 points or 127 per cent. The broader index hit a high of 5063.30 and low of 4932.80.
Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex ended at 17021.85, up 236.20 points or 1.41 per cent. The index touched a high of 17041.79 and low of 16635.75.
“Major resistance for Nifty is seen at 5090. The index is likely to spend some time here as supply will emerge around these levels. Once this hurdle is breached then the next Nifty target is seen at 5200,” said Anu Jain, vice president - IIFL Private Wealth Management, India Infoline.
The BSE Midcap Index was up 1.08 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 0.43 per cent up.
Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Bankex was up 1.95 per cent, BSE Oil&gas Index moved 1.52 per cent higher and BSE Metal Index gained 1.37 per cent.
ACC (5%), SAIL (3.59%), Hindalco Industries (3.50%), M&M (3.25) and Jaiprakash Associates (3.24%) were amongst the top Nifty gainers.
Losers included Reliance Capital (-2.77%), Suzlon Energy (-2.46%), Reliance Power (-1.69%), Bharti Airtel (-1.50%) and HCL Technologies (-1.25%).
Market breadth was positive on the BSE with 1,452 advances and 1,240 declines.
European markets failed to hold on to early gains. FTSE 100 was down 0.34 per cent, CAC 40 slipped 0.62 per cent and DAX declined 0.51 per cent.
In India, you're in gold's own country
21 November 2009
The legend goes that when Venkateswara, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, wanted to marry princess Padmavati, the king asked him to gather wealth comparable to his khazana. Venkateswara, born in a poor family, then sought a loan of gold from Kuber, the god of wealth. Since then, down the ages, devotees have donated gold and jewellery - a symbolic gesture to help Venkateswara win the hand of the princess. At the heart of this practice is the temple at Tirupati, known to be the world's richest. The glitter of gold has attracted Indians for centuries for a variety of reasons - ranging from a medium of transaction to protecting wealth, securing the future and as jewellery. In the recent past, the volatility of the stock markets has only added to the luster of the yellow metal. The fact that gold has traditionally been considered a hedge against inflation and a depreciating dollar too has fuelled its demand.
It is estimated that about 15,000 tonnes of gold is privately held in India, more than twenty-five times as large as the official hoard of 558 tonnes after the RBI's recent purchase of 200 tonnes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In one year, gold has appreciated by 53 per cent, from $742 to $1,134 an ounce in international markets. Considering this jump, the value of the country's privately held gold reserve, the highest in the world, has jumped from $357 bn to $547 bn, posting a rise of $190 bn (Rs 7.64 lakh crore). "Over a period of ten years, privately held gold reserves have increased significantly in the country as consumers have bought more gold to preserve their wealth," says Dharmesh Sodha, director, World Gold Council- India.
Sodha estimates that the reserve has gone from 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes in the last decade, going by the average net import of 500 tonnes annually. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have the highest per capita gold holding, he added.
Gold is valued in India as a savings and investment vehicle and is the second most prefered investment behind bank deposits. PP Jose, Joy Alukkas Traders India, a Kochi-based jewellery firm, says Kerala accounts for at least 15-20 per cent of the gold business in the country. "Traditionally, people here buy gold at weddings to secure the future of their son or daughter," says Jose. The wealth taken by the bride to her new home also gives her a sense of economic empowerment, he feels.
"As gold offers safety and better liquidity, people prefer to park their savings in the yellow metal," said GR Ananthapadmanaban of GRT Thanga Maligai, a Chennai-based jewellery firm.
Gold purchases in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are almost exclusively meant for weddings, but among the relatively more market savvy Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business communities, gold buying is also driven by the metal's attractiveness as an investment. "I have been buying gold since the last thirty years, but my allocation for gold has increased in the last two years. Earlier, I used to buy 500 grams of gold a year and now I buy about double that amount," says Manoj Soni, a leading bullion investor in Ahmedabad.
Religiosity too seems to make common cause with the most universally recognized symbol of material wealth. Parimal Nathwani, a trustee of the Dwarka and Nathdwara temple trusts, says, "Most temple trusts get a lot of gold as offerings. People believe that God also likes new things."
Whether it's for security, returns or other purposes, what's clear is that India's hunger for gold remains insatiable.
The legend goes that when Venkateswara, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, wanted to marry princess Padmavati, the king asked him to gather wealth comparable to his khazana. Venkateswara, born in a poor family, then sought a loan of gold from Kuber, the god of wealth. Since then, down the ages, devotees have donated gold and jewellery - a symbolic gesture to help Venkateswara win the hand of the princess. At the heart of this practice is the temple at Tirupati, known to be the world's richest. The glitter of gold has attracted Indians for centuries for a variety of reasons - ranging from a medium of transaction to protecting wealth, securing the future and as jewellery. In the recent past, the volatility of the stock markets has only added to the luster of the yellow metal. The fact that gold has traditionally been considered a hedge against inflation and a depreciating dollar too has fuelled its demand.
It is estimated that about 15,000 tonnes of gold is privately held in India, more than twenty-five times as large as the official hoard of 558 tonnes after the RBI's recent purchase of 200 tonnes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In one year, gold has appreciated by 53 per cent, from $742 to $1,134 an ounce in international markets. Considering this jump, the value of the country's privately held gold reserve, the highest in the world, has jumped from $357 bn to $547 bn, posting a rise of $190 bn (Rs 7.64 lakh crore). "Over a period of ten years, privately held gold reserves have increased significantly in the country as consumers have bought more gold to preserve their wealth," says Dharmesh Sodha, director, World Gold Council- India.
Sodha estimates that the reserve has gone from 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes in the last decade, going by the average net import of 500 tonnes annually. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have the highest per capita gold holding, he added.
Gold is valued in India as a savings and investment vehicle and is the second most prefered investment behind bank deposits. PP Jose, Joy Alukkas Traders India, a Kochi-based jewellery firm, says Kerala accounts for at least 15-20 per cent of the gold business in the country. "Traditionally, people here buy gold at weddings to secure the future of their son or daughter," says Jose. The wealth taken by the bride to her new home also gives her a sense of economic empowerment, he feels.
"As gold offers safety and better liquidity, people prefer to park their savings in the yellow metal," said GR Ananthapadmanaban of GRT Thanga Maligai, a Chennai-based jewellery firm.
Gold purchases in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are almost exclusively meant for weddings, but among the relatively more market savvy Gujaratis, Marwaris and other business communities, gold buying is also driven by the metal's attractiveness as an investment. "I have been buying gold since the last thirty years, but my allocation for gold has increased in the last two years. Earlier, I used to buy 500 grams of gold a year and now I buy about double that amount," says Manoj Soni, a leading bullion investor in Ahmedabad.
Religiosity too seems to make common cause with the most universally recognized symbol of material wealth. Parimal Nathwani, a trustee of the Dwarka and Nathdwara temple trusts, says, "Most temple trusts get a lot of gold as offerings. People believe that God also likes new things."
Whether it's for security, returns or other purposes, what's clear is that India's hunger for gold remains insatiable.
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