The Indian Panorama

Month: October 2013

  • Gravity 3D

    Gravity 3D

    STORY: After a space mission goes awry, astronauts drift into space, losing not only their sense of direction, but also hope for survival. REVIEW: Do you regret not taking enough risks in life? Do you often envy those who take the road less traveled? Do you wish you could escape your mundane life and fly into the sky like a free bird to touch the moon and the stars? In case you do, Gravity will change the way you think. It will alter your perception of beauty, fear and freedom. If you wonder how a docu-style film centered on a single character (Sandra Bullock) floating through deep space can be this gripping, the answer lies in Gravity’s aweinspiring technical excellence. Filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron deserves a standing ovation for his film is a visual masterpiece. You know you have watched a film of this caliber when you keep asking yourself throughout, ‘How did they do it’! The four and a half years of production work pay off, as you can tell every frame is painstakingly made.

    Tense, unnerving and arresting, every scene of the psychological thriller gives you gooseflesh. The spectacular special effects make you feel like you are a part of the film. For instance, every time Bullock takes a long, deep breath, you can feel yourself doing the same. That’s the impact of Gravity. It’s an experience. A game-changer of sorts, the film is bound to revolutionise special effects in movies. Having said that, Alfonso Cuaron doesn’t let technology overpower the story, which is essentially an emotional journey of its lead character. That sense of detail for things goes beyond technology and this is what we liked the most about the film. George Clooney manages to charm you once again, but it’s Sandra Bullock who puts on the performance of her career. The haunting eeriness of dark space has been impeccably portrayed. The background score is equally fear-inducing and manages to maintain the tension created. Cuaron keeps his film as realistic as it can get. No melodrama, no far-fetched stylised action scenes or convenient plot twists. The film stays unpredictable till the end. To sum it up, there are films and then there’s Gravity. For an edge-of-the-seat-rollercoaster-ride experience, watch it only in IMAX 3D.

  • KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY

    KEEP YOUR EYES HEALTHY

    Protect the eyes from the sun. Sunglasses once thought of fashion accessory have now been proven to be essential for good eyesight . Ultraviolet light rays emitted from the especially UV-B is the most damaging to the crystalline lens and causes cataracts, corneal changes, and macular degeneration. Regrettably all sunglasses cannot protect you unless they specifically stipulate UV protection. Especially at risk are people who spend long hours in the sun, who have had cataract surgery or who are taking certain medications such as tranquilizers, tetracycline and diuretics, are more sensitivity to sunlight. During driving sunglasses reduce glare and bright stray light preventing accidents. Regular eye checkup: It is amazing how people will service the car or motorbike regularly but do not think of servicing the eyes. And eye checkup does not refer only to a spectacle number check done casually in an optical shop. It refers to examination on a slit microscope followed by an eye pressure check for glaucoma, with a detailed retinal examination.

    If there are any symptoms of irritation, poking, visual changes, seeing spots, or even tiredness, it merits a detailed exam. EYE STRAIN DURING READING: The book should be well lighted , but the area surrounding the book should also be well lit . Reading in a dark room leads to eye strain. Ideally the light should come over your left shoulder. When you concentrate hard , the blink rate of the eye drops significantly. This leads to blurring and defused vision. Blink frequently when you study for long periods of time. Computer care: Position the computer screen/ laptop so that you are not looking at the screen straight on. Eyes are designed to work in a position of depressed convergence, ( ie looking down and in. ). The top of the screen should not be higher than your eyes. The brightness of the screen should be the same intensity of the lighting of the surroundings.

    Try and scheduled your study sessions early morning rather than late night it induces far less strain. And remember to take a 5 min break after every 40 min of reading. CONTACT LENS CARE: If you are into contact lenses which is perfectly okay, be sure to select a good manufacturer.Clean lenses twice a day with the advised solutions regularly. Adhere to your lens schedules . A monthly wear disposable is to be “disposed “in a month. If there is any redness or poking see your eye professional immediately AVOID SMOKING It can lead to cataracts , increases risk of macular degeneration. And can , if combined with alcohol, lead to optic nerve disorders,. DIABETES? EXTRA CAUTION: If you have diabetes, if untended can lead to the retina being damged with the chance of a retinal vessels leakage, bleeding and even, if left uncontrolled, retinal detachment and blindness. Irrespective of your age, 4 monthly checkups are mandatory. Eat antioxidant-rich foods Nutrients like Vitamin A, are essential for good retinal health and aid in both color and night vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin, both carotenoid nutrients, help in preventing macular degeneration. Omega-3 fatty acids were shown to help prevent recurrent eye infections and improve dry eye symptoms.

  • YOU SHOULD WALK WHEN YOU TALK

    YOU SHOULD WALK WHEN YOU TALK

    Pacing the room while on your cell can protect you from Metabolic Syndrome & heart disease Not just a group of American researchers, Mumbai’s doctors too are in the mood to junk your fancy gym membership. Short bouts of physical activity that add up to 30 minutes a day are just as effective as half hour on the treadmill to keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check, and prevent Metabolic Syndrome (MS). MS is a complex web of metabolic factors associated with a two-fold risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and five-fold risk of diabetes. Epidemiologists have been waving the red flag for CVD, estimating that by 2020 it will be the largest cause of disability and death in India. The sedentary lifestyle and junk eating habits of Mumbaikars makes them a favourite of MS. In a survey of 560 subjects conducted by PD Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre last year, a high incidence of MS, especially among 41-60 age group (double in males as compared to females) was discovered.

    Experts now advocate the ‘movement lifestyle’ approach over the ‘structured exercise’ one, encouraging people to meet the 30-minute aerobic exercise a day guideline by cycling or walking to the supermarket instead of driving, doing bicep curls while watching TV or pacing the room during a phone conversation. The study conducted by Dr Paul Loprinzi and Brad Cardinal in Oregon revealed that subjects belonging to the ‘short bouts’ exercise group showed positive results in areas of BP, cholesterol, MS, and waist circumference. Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital and president, Indian Academy of Diabetes, says the study confirms the findings of similar research conducted earlier among Mumbaikars. “We discovered that Mumbaikars had no time to exercise or walk. So we suggested that Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) — the energy spent through daily activities — be tapped to keep you fit,” he explains, adding that NEAT is more relevant than ever when desk jobs are the norm and leisure time is defined by long hours of TV viewing or Internet surfing. Nature, say doctors, designed human beings to walk. In the last 200 years, we seem to have grown habituated to sitting.

    Walking more, and moving around is a ‘natural’ way to exercise. Rather than not exercise at all, movement-based physical activity is a realistic option for most urban Indians. Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman of Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, feels the Oregon State University research is interesting for those who may not have a consolidated 45 minutes free to workout but can take out 10 minutes four times a day. If you can, choose the desk farthest from the printer and loo. At home, try skipping rope or on-the-spot jogging (during a TV commercial break), hand flaps (anytime, anywhere), exercising with small weights (1- 2 kg) for five minutes (while perusing news on the laptop). Sitting before a TV for four hours burns 50 kcal. Instead, if you were to groom your terrace garden or turn out all the cupboards, the energy expenditure would be 100-150 kcal/hour (adding up to 500-600 kcal over the evening). Building movement into the day also helps develop core strength, says Dr Misra. “Regular aerobic, musclestrengthening and bonestrengthening physical activity of a moderatelyintense level, like brisk walking, can slow the loss of bone density associated with age, and reduce the risk of falling.”

  • DON’T SPECULATE ABOUT SECOND CHILD, SAYS AISHWARYA

    DON’T SPECULATE ABOUT SECOND CHILD, SAYS AISHWARYA

    Actress Aishwarya Rai has urged everyone not to speculate about her second child after Aaradhya. She said that when such a moment comes she will make it known. The actress was at an event to announce her association with a stem cell banking brand. Asked if she will opt for stem cell banking a second time, Aishwarya said: “I know what are you trying to ask. Whenever such a moment comes, you all will get to know. But please don’t speculate till then. The actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said that becoming a mother has been a blessing for her. “Change is constant in life. Every experience contributes to change and growth, making you hopefully a better human being. Becoming a mother has been a blessing and I cherish this gift from god,” Aishwarya said. “Aaradhya (her daughter) is a wonderful blessing in our lives and she is very special and it is a loving fulfilment. I am grateful for this experience,” she said. Aishwarya said she had opted for banking her daughter’s stem cells. “I was aware about stem cell banking as a development probably out of my interest in the medical field as most of my friends are doctors. I have been aware of this way before I got married. I was always fascinated by it.

    Any research and development in general let alone in science and healthcare has always been of interest to me,” she said. “The beauty of this association fulfils the wish of social encouragement. It is addressing a mindset that is fairly new to our country at large. I am happy to contribute, educate and make people aware about this scientific development,” she added. For Aishwarya, it has been busy time professionally as she has lots of advertising and promotional work. Aishwarya refused to divulge anything, when she was asked about the plans to celebrate her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday on October 11. “You will know the plans. For us festivities begin from October to November, besides festivals like Navratri and Dusshera there are lot many birthdays in our family that come in this period. It is a busy and special time for us,” she said. “With respect and love we wish paa and other family members a happy birthday. Also, we wish everybody happy festival period,” she added.

  • KAREENA LIKELY TO STAR OPPOSITE AKSHAY IN ‘GABBAR’

    KAREENA LIKELY TO STAR OPPOSITE AKSHAY IN ‘GABBAR’

    The makers of ‘Gabbar’, the Hindi version of Tamil blockbuster ‘Ramanaa’, are reportedly considering actress Kareena Kapoor to be cast opposite Akshay Kumar in the film. Telugu filmmaker Krish will direct Gabbar, which will be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “Kareena’s name has come up for the role of the leading lady. She hasn’t been approached yet, but she is likely to be signed on for the role. She is expected to play Akshay’s wife in the film, which will also feature another heroine,” a source told media. In case Kareena joins the project, she will essay the role originally played by Simran – she did a special appearance in Ramanaa. Ashima Bhalla was the other heroine in the film. “We haven’t confirmed the heroine yet. Currently, we are busy with the pre-production work and when we zero in on the leading lady, we’ll announce it. It’s too early to confirm anything at this stage,” Krish told media. Ramanaa, helmed by A.R. Murugadoss, was an action movie where the protagonist embarks on a journey to make the society corruption free. It also featured Vijayakanth, Vijayan, Yugi Sethu, Riyaz Khan and Ravichandran in important roles. The film was also remade in Telugu as Tagore with megastar Chiranjeevi in the lead.

  • Girls were sent to Asaram’s quarter, former aide tells court

    Girls were sent to Asaram’s quarter, former aide tells court

    Jodhpur/Ahmedabad (TIP): There is no end to troubles for self-styled godman Asaram and his son Narayan Sai. A former Asaram aide Ajay Kumar has now deposed before a Jodhpur judge and has brought out more shocking details against the ‘godman’. He has told the court that when he was working at Asaram’s ashram in 1995, girls used to be brought routinely to the ashram and sent to Asaram’s quarters. He also told court that two workers died under suspicious circumstances after they fell out with Asaram. The revelation came even as Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi summoned the state DGP on Wednesday asking him for an update on the investigation into the second case of sexual assault. The Gujarat Police is looking to get the custody of Asaram who is facing trial in Rajasthan. If the custody is granted, Asaram will then be brought to Gujarat where he will be questioned. Two sisters filed a sexual assault against him and his son Narayan Sai in Gujarat. The lawyers of Narayan Sai have released an advertisement in local newspapers in Gujarat claiming that their client is not absconding. In the ad they have claimed that Narayan Sai is innocent and that the case lodged against him is false. The ad published in Gujarati claims that Narayan Sai will seek legal recourse.

  • ASARAM, SON MOVE GUJARAT HC SEEKING QUASHING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES

    ASARAM, SON MOVE GUJARAT HC SEEKING QUASHING OF SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES

    JODHPUR (TIP): A petition has been filed by self-styled godman Asaram and his son Narayan Sai in the Gujarat High Court seeking quashing of the complaints of sexual assault filed against them by two Surat-based sisters. “We have filed a petition seeking quashing of complaints filed against Asaram Bapu and son Narayan Sai,” said their lawyer advocate Yatin Oza. The petition is likely to come up for hearing in a few days. Asaram, 72, is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail in connection with another sexual assault case while the whereabouts of Sai are not known. Surat police had recently registered two complaints – one against Asaram and another against son Narayan Sai – of rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement and other charges. The elder of the two sisters has accused Asaram of repeated sexual assaults between 1997 and 2006 when she was living in his ashram. The younger sister has accused Sai of repeated sexual assaults between 2002 and 2005 when she was living in Asaram’s Surat ashram. City police have approached a Jodhpur court to seek custody for Asaram in the present case while Surat police have issued a lookout notice for Narayan Sai.

  • JAGAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AS TELANGANA LOGJAM CONTINUES

    JAGAN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AS TELANGANA LOGJAM CONTINUES

    HYDERABAD (TIP): YSR Congress party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was on indefinite fast for five days to protest the central government’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, was forcibly shifted by to a hospital after the police took him into preventive custody here on October 9 night. As the condition of the Kadapa MP deteriorated, police took him from hunger strike camp in front of his Lotus Pond residence to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS). Jagan Mohan Reddy and his supporters resisted police attempts to shift the MP but policemen bodily lifted him to a waiting ambulance and took him to hospital, eye witnesses said. The young leader was suffering from dehydration and fever and his blood sugar had come down. As doctors had warned that if the fast continued, he may slip into coma, police swung into action. Electricity employees continued their strike for the fourth consecutive day Wednesday, plunging Seemandhra into chaos.

    Over six lakh other government employees struck work to protest the decision to divide Andhra Pradesh and create a Telangana state. A majority of 13 districts of Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) faced severe hardships, with a prolonged spell of no electricity. Medical services were worst-hit, with many government and private hospitals putting off surgeries. Doctors at government hospitals joined the strike, adding to the woes of patients. Industrial production came to a standstill, while airports at Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada were running on back-up power. Movement of trains was affected. About 4,000 MW generation has come to a halt, as employees at all major thermal and hydel power plants struck work. The sprawling region with a population of over five crore saw work at government offices and educational institutions grind to a halt. Buses of the state-owned road transport corporation have been off the roads for nearly two months.

    Talks between Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy and leaders of the striking employees Wednesday failed to reach a solution, as employees refused to call off the strike till a clear assurance was offered that the state would not be divided. Kiran Reddy appealed to employees to end the strike in view of the hardships caused to common people, and said the state would remain united. He said the Telangana bill would be defeated in the assembly. However, employees insisted on an assurance from the centre and all political parties that the state would stay united. During the talks with the chief minister Tuesday night, the Joint Action Committee of Seemandhra electricity employees refused to end the strike without a firm assurance that the state would not be divided. Protests against the centre’s decision to form a new state of Telangana continued in Seemandhra for the 71st day Wednesday. Protestors included government employees, teachers and students. There were rallies, human chains, hunger strikes and sit-ins to demand that the centre keep the state united.

  • Apply death penalty norms in dowry cases: SC

    Apply death penalty norms in dowry cases: SC

    NEW DELHI (TIP): In a fresh set of guidelines, the Supreme Court has asked trial courts and high courts to apply the principle of aggravating and mitigating factors — meant for commuting or upholding the death penalty — in dowry death cases which attract only imprisonment, ranging from a minimum of seven years to a maximum of life term under Section 304-B IPC. The guidelines are part of the effort to evolve standardised jurisprudential principles to replace the “highly individualised and judge-centric” sentencing, thereby minimising the “uncertainty” over the quantum of punishment, a Bench comprising Justices SJ Mukhopadhaya and Ranjan Gogoi explained. Applying the new principles, the Bench reduced the life sentence awarded to one Sunil Dutt Sharma in a case of dowry death which had happened in Delhi in May 1992 within two years of his marriage.

    Under the fresh guidelines, the Bench has advised the judiciary to first apply the principle of seven aggravating and five mitigating factors evolved by the Supreme Court over the years and culled out in a recent verdict — Shankar Kisanrao Khade vs State of Maharashtra. The Bench said it saw no reason as to why the principles of sentencing evolved by the Supreme Court in death penalty cases would not be applicable to cases involving lesser sentences extending from a single day to life term, particularly in the absence of sentencing guidelines in the statute. Unlike in some foreign jurisdictions where such principles were part the law, in India, it was left to the judiciary to evolve the principles, it noted. Second, the quantum of sentence should not be guided by the necessity to combat the menace of demand for dowry or to prevent atrocities on women and other social evils or to maintain the purity of social conscience as such factors were equally applicable to other crimes as well, the Supreme Court said. “The search for principles to satisfy the crime test in an offence under Section 304-B IPC must therefore lie elsewhere,” it explained.

  • J&K HOUSE TO SUMMON FORMER ARMY CHIEF VK SINGH

    J&K HOUSE TO SUMMON FORMER ARMY CHIEF VK SINGH

    SRINAGAR (TIP): Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul on October 9 said he would summon former Army Chief General VK Singh (retd) to explain allegations that the Army’s secret fund was being used to pay mainstream political leaders of the state since 1947. Amid uproar, the Speaker said VK Singh would be summoned to appear before the House and, if need arises, a special session would be convened to discuss the matter. The Speaker, however, did not fix a timeframe to summoning Singh, who had alleged money was being paid to ministers in the state for getting certain jobs done. “I will not give any time-frame for summoning him, but it can happen very soon,” he said as legislators of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), BJP and Panthers Party shouted slogans seeking summoning of the Army ex-chief in the House, which was adjourned twice over the issue. Earlier in the day, the Speaker said he had decided to write to VK Singh to explain his position. The ruling National Conference had moved a privilege motion in the Assembly against the former Army Chief on September 30. “I will give the former Army Chief an opportunity to explain his position,” Gul said. As the Speaker announced this, PDP legislators demanded that VK Singh should be summoned to the House. State Law Minister Mir Saiffullah, too, intervened and requested the Speaker to summon the former Army Chief.

  • THE LEGEND:SACHIN TENDULKAR

    THE LEGEND:SACHIN TENDULKAR

    I LOOK FORWARD TO PLAYING MY 200TH TEST MATCH ON HOME SOIL, AS I CALL IT A DAY -Sachin Tendulkar

    Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar famously known as Little Master or Master Blaster is one of the greatest cricketer to have ever played the game. He is the leading run scorer and century maker in both formats of the game. Tendulkar is the only player to be in top 10 ICC Batsmen ranking for 10 years in Tests and in 2002, Wisden ranked Sachin as second greatest Test batsman of all time next only to legendary Sir Donald Bradman and the second greatest ODI batsman behind West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards. A normal person can be a specialist in one thing he does the best but Sachin is one man in this world who defies these laws and is a specialist in everything he does. Whether it is batting, bowling or fielding, this man will give everything to help India win. Sachin Tendulkar is one person capable of bringing his country to a standstill. Whenever Sachin strides into the middle, the crowd goes berserk, TRP ratings and TV volume go through the roof, tension levels hit all time high and expectations increase to unprecedented levels. From a child to an 80-year-old man, all have their sights set on Sachin.

    If one has to describe Sachin Tendulkar as a player, he would soon run out of adjectives; words like awesome, brilliant, magnificent are certain to cross your mind, though. He is a genius, with God given talent no doubt. He stands at the crease, with such wonderful balance and poise and at the same time intimidating the bowlers. His footwork is near perfect and he is the nearest thing to Bradman there’s ever been. At 5’5, Tendulkar was not the most colossal player to stride on to the field but he bows out as a giant, who ruled cricket for 24 years and gave his legion of fans mesmerizing and emotionally overwhelming memories. With a mountain of runs, Tendulkar’s retirement creates a void so big that one can safely say cricket would never be the same again. His journey started way back in 1989 at the tender age of 16. A disarming smile, curly locks, resolute eyes and abundant talent, this was Sachin who first stepped on to Test cricket against a fiery Pakistani bowling attack boasting of that deadly combination of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Tendulkar has niched out a career out of innovation and adaptability. No bowler has single handedly dominated the master. In his glorified two decade journey, Sachin has won almost every award associated with cricket. He also owns the highest number of Man-of-the-Match (62) and Man-of-the-Series awards (26) along with 50,000 in every format of the game.

    Sachin got the better of every bowling attack. With wickets falling around, he always decided to take the fight to the opposition and single handedly won India several matches. Sachin has been a part six World Cups, a record jointly held by Pakistan’s Javed Miandad. He has scored more than 2000 runs in the competition which is the highest by any batsman. The talent and genius of Sachin was best summed up by Bradman when he said Tendulkar’s batting reminded him of his own. Tendulkar was the first cricketer to have scored a double century in ODI cricket, the feet he reached at Gwalior on February 25th 2010 against South Africa, at 37 years of age. During the later half of the ’90s, Tendulkar dominated both ODI and Test cricket at will producing memorable innings all across the globe, including the famous ‘Desert Storm’ against Australia which are arguably two of the best ODI knocks ever played. Sachin’s tremendous performances soon elevated him to the most challenging task of captaining the Indian side. But sadly, the pressure of Captaincy took it’s toll on Sachin as his batting form dipped and many criticized Sachin for not leading from the front. Much has been said about the characteristics of a great batsman by many pundits over the year. But when Tendulkar produced what many believe “the most awe-inspiring innings” at Sydney in January 2004 against the might Aussies, he redifined greatness.

    After being repeatedly dismissed playing shots on the off-side, Tendulkar did not attempt even a single off-side stroke until he was a good 150 not out and went to score 241 in that innings. More recently, he was woefully out of form during India’s Test and ODI whitewash at the hands of England last year and carried the weight of expectations to what turned out to be a horror tour of Australia. But eventually, the best batsman of the modern era dug in deep and ensured that he went out on his own terms. His impact resonated much beyond the cricket field as he accomplished a rare feat by becoming a Rajya Sabha member last year. “Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don’t know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives- BBC Sports, on Sachin Tendulkar.”

    Achievements
    1994: Sandeepreddy Award Recipient for achievements in cricket 1997: Tendulkar was one of the five cricketers selected as Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997/98: India’s highest sporting honour – Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 1999: Padma Shri – India’s fourth highest civilian award 2008: Padma Vibhushan – India’s second highest civilian award 2010: ICC Cricketer of the year – Highest award in the ICC listings 2010: LG People’s Choice Award ICC World Test XI: 2009, 2010, 2011 ICC World ODI XI: 2004, 2007, 2010 Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 1997, 2010, 2012.

  • YUVRAJ BLINDER OVERCOMES CHASE OF 202

    YUVRAJ BLINDER OVERCOMES CHASE OF 202

    RAJKOT (TIP): In his second comeback after recovering from cancer, a leaner and fitter Yuvraj Singh was called upon to do a job he has done numerous times for India in ODIs – revive a floundering chase, with MS Dhoni for company, and only the lower order to follow. Only, this was a T20 and Yuvraj did not have the luxury of building his innings before accelerating. He duly cut out the building part, and unleashed trademark pick-up sixes and lofted drives to haul in the target of 202 with two deliveries remaining. India were facing an asking-rate of nearly 12 at 100 for 4 in the 12th over, but Yuvraj’s response was so forceful, that all Dhoni needed to do was give him the strike. By the end, the partnership was 102 at exactly two runs a ball, Yuvraj’s 77 off 35 showing his dominance. Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli had all failed to kick on from starts and India’s innings was in danger of going Australia’s way, who had lost too many wickets in maintaining a frenetic pace of scoring, and had run out of steam at the death.

    Aaron Finch seemed set to carry Australia way over 200 but his exit in the 17th over for 89 off 52 helped India keep the visitors to 201, as only 29 came off the final four. India themselves needed 49 off the final four, but Yuvraj was in such flow that the big shot was always at hand. Yuvraj first took 18 off Clint McKay in the 14th over, and then, when the pressure escalated again, carted James Faulkner for successive sixes in the 17th. The timing on the boundaries was vintage Yuvraj, as was the effortlessness and grace. George Bailey’s preferred field of three men in the ring around point worked to Yuvraj’s advantage, as did the fact that Australia bowled too full to him. Dhoni did his bit, constantly scampering twos and ones as he does in ODI chases, and coming up with the crucial boundary, a typical stretch-and-club to cover, when it came down to six needed off four. Yuvraj’s cool assault meant Finch’s innings, and Australia’s electric start, were in vain. After being put in, Finch and debutant Nic Maddinson had kickstarted the innings with a 56-run partnership inside five overs. It was the manner in which the openers attacked the offspin of R Ashwin that stood out.

    The highly-rated Maddinson, 21, calmly stepped out to Ashwin’s first delivery and lofted it cleanly over extra cover for four. Finch set about cutting and lofting with intent, and Ashwin’s first over cost India 17. Maddinson made 34 before missing a slog to be bowled. Vinay Kumar got both Shane Watson and George Bailey in the eighth over. Finch, meanwhile, kept battering boundaries, generating immense power and finding gaps consistently. He was swift and brutal on the cut, played the lofted drive repeatedly and when he went to cow corner, it was more timing and placement than slogging. Glenn Maxwell showed Australia were in no mood to relent even momentarily, swinging Ashwin for three sixes in the tenth over as the score zoomed to 114 for 3 at the halfway stage of the innings. Ashwin’s figures read 2-0-41-0, and Dhoni was forced to turn to Virat Kohli’s mediums for a couple of costly overs. Australia stalled after Finch clubbed a high full toss straight to Vinay. The blow split the webbing on the bowler’s left hand, but did not deter him from sending down a couple of tight overs. A last-ball six from Faulkner took the score past 200, but Yuvraj hunted it down with the calm of old.

  • Raja Bhaiya re-inducted as minister in UP cabinet

    Raja Bhaiya re-inducted as minister in UP cabinet

    LUCKNOW (TIP): In an apparent bid to woo the Thakur community, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on October 11 expanded his council of ministers and reinducted controversial leader Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya as a cabinet minister. Governor BL Joshi administered the oath of office and secrecy to Raja Bhaiya at Raj Bhawan at about 10.15am. Raja Bhaiya, an independent MLA from Kunda in Pratapgarh district, had resigned from the state cabinet on March 4, 2013, following the murder of Kunda deputy superintendent of police Zia ul-Haq, a village pradhan, Nanhe Yadav, and his brother, Suresh Yadav at Balipur village in Pratapgarh. On March 2, the police officer had gone to Nanhe’s house on getting the news of his killing at the village market place. But when he reached there, a rampaging mob led by Suresh overpowered him and beat him up to death. Suresh got killed after being hit by a bullet from his own rifle that went off accidently. The police officer’s wife had accused Raja Bhaiya of conspiring in the murder of her husband. Succumbing to the pressure mounted by opposition parties, he had resigned as minister till the investigation was completed. The state government recommended a CBI probe to ensure a fair inquiry. Besides interrogating Raja Bhaiya, the CBI had also conducted a narco test on him. The investigation agency gave Raja Bhaiya a clean chit in August 2013, and speculations were rife that he would be re-inducted in the cabinet. Minister for parliamentary affairs Mohammad Azam Khan had also early this week met Raja Bhaiya, apparently to convey to him that the SP leadership was open to take him back into the Cabinet.

  • India progressing well on ASEAN partnership

    India progressing well on ASEAN partnership

    JAKARTA (TIP): India has made significant progress on its proposed plan of action for expanding partnership with the 10-nation ASEAN grouping in areas of economic, political, security and socio-cultural cooperation, and the two sides are on track to meet $100 billion trade by 2015. The assessment has been made in an executive report on the progress in the implementation of the projects and activities under the Plan of Action to Implement the ‘ASEANIndia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2010-15)’. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last night arrived here in Indonesia, a key ASEAN country, for a bilateral visit after attending ASEAN summits in another South East Asian nation Brunei from October 9-10. Besides attending the ASEAN and East Asia Summits, Singh also held bilateral meetings with various government leaders on the sidelines in Brunei and would hold bilateral talks with Indonesian leaders here. The key members of ASEAN block include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. Singh also announced that India would set up a separate mission for ASEAN with a full time ambassador, who would be based in Jakarta where the ASEAN Secretariat is also located.

    The report highlighted that the past three years have “witnessed remarkable progress” in the implementation of the Plan of Action. “The successful conduct of a large number of activities and collaborative projects in a range of sectors covering all three pillars — political security, economic and sociocultural — was made possible through concerted efforts by both ASEAN Member States and India, and efficient coordination by Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and the ASEAN Secretariat,” it said. The Mid-Term review would be undertaken by the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the Ambassador of India to ASEAN. On the economic front, volume of trade and investment flows between ASEAN and India has increased considerably, but remains relatively low compared with other dialogue partners of ASEAN. The bilateral trade grew by 4.6 per cent from $68.4 billion in 2011 to USD 71.6 billion in 2012. ASEAN’s exports were valued at $43.84 billion and imports from India amounted to $27.72 billion in 2012. The target has been set at $100 billion by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade.

  • Rahul-for-PM clamour resurfaces in Congress

    Rahul-for-PM clamour resurfaces in Congress

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Congress echoed with calls on October 10 that Rahul Gandhi lead the next government, putting back on centrestage the demand that the party vice-president be declared the PM candidate for 2014 elections. A day after Rahul announced that the party would form a government of youth after the next Lok Sabha elections, Congress said it was the collective wish of workers that he take charge. AICC spokesman P C Chacko said, “We hope he will lead the party in the elections and take up the reins of the administration after elections.” The stance diverged from the Congress leadership’s reluctance to pitch Rahul in the prime ministerial contest that would pit him in a direct contest with the BJP candidate for the top job, Narendra Modi. The reluctance has been attributed as much to the desire to avoid a clash of personalities in the 2014 polls as to deal with an unclear mandate in which heading a coalition may require an experienced hand.

    That is where Rahul’s comments in Rampur are seen as a big leap, indicating a willingness to be seen as the PM in the next government. On Thursday, Rahul told a rally, “The 2014 elections are coming. Once again, a government of the common man and the poor will be formed. Listen to me carefully. A government of the youth will be formed in 2014, which will transform this country.” It was enough for Congress leaders to raise the Rahulfor- PM clamour. Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said, “I welcome Rahul’s statement. Very rightly, he has said that the leadership should go into the hands of the youth. And our desire is that Rahul should become the PM of this great country.” Asked about the prime ministership, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit said, “I would like to, and I know a lot of young people would like to, see him (Rahul) take a much bigger role. He is playing a bigger role and he will come to it gradually. Things happen in Congress politics when the moment comes.”

  • Low growth, high inflation likely to persist in India

    Low growth, high inflation likely to persist in India

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Economic data in coming days will likely offer further evidence of weak growth and high inflation, complicating the Reserve Bank of India’s mission of cooling prices without worsening the slowdown and adding to the government’s difficulties as it heads into an election season. Asia’s third-largest economy has been caught in a situation which some analysts define as akin to stagflation for the past three quarters – with economic growth stuck below 5 percent and prices rising at a fast clip. Industrial output data due later on Friday and inflation numbers to be released on Monday will show the same trend, two Reuters polls of economists showed. That’s a worry for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Congress party as it campaigns for five state elections starting in November, a warm up for national elections due by next May.

    The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has gained momentum in recent months thanks in part to the weak economic performance of Singh, a veteran economist and reformer. The government is hopeful the economy will start to recover by the end of the year on higher farm output and exports. But Friday’s data will likely add to Singh’s woes, showing production from mines and factories grew by just an annual 2 percent in August, slower than July’s 2.6 percent rise, according to one of the surveys. Output contracted 0.2 percent between April and July, the first four months of the fiscal year 2013/14. More pain is expected on Monday, when another set of data is likely to show wholesale prices rose 6 percent in September, a tad below a six-month high of 6.1 percent in August. Consumer inflation, also due on Monday, probably quickened to 9.60 percent last month from 9.52 percent in August, the poll showed. The government will release the data on wholesale prices around 06:30 GMT. Consumer price data is due at 1200 GMT. “India is likely to face low growth and high inflation for some time,” said Daniel Martin, Asia Economist at Capital Economics in Singapore, who expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to increase its repo rate by another 25 basis points later this month.

  • Keran operation over, but villagers battle fear, uncertainty

    Keran operation over, but villagers battle fear, uncertainty

    KERAN (TIP): Two days after the operation in Keran was wrapped up by the Indian Army, villages along the LOC that have lived through gunbattles, search operations and constant military presence continue to battle fear and uncertainty. For villages along the border that have seen more than 150 ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts in the past 10 months, sweeping away the sense of uncertainty is impossible. Gulam Mohammed Bhat’s village Farkiya is barely 20 km away from where the Indian Army battled Pakistanbacked infiltrators for two weeks. He has opened his grocery shop, but says he’s mentally prepared to bring the shutters down when the next round of tensions begin. Ten kilometers up, CNN-IBN reaches Kachma Bailyal. For villagers there, an LoC on fire means increased military presence occasional search operations and schools shut indefinitely. But their bigger battle is against lack of basic facilities like roads and healthcare. A resident, Gulam Hassan Khan, said, “Tensions are always there in this region. They are more sometimes and less sometimes. Many pregnant women die because they don’t have access to hospitals.”

  • Volkswagen India begins exporting Vento to Mexico

    Volkswagen India begins exporting Vento to Mexico

    PUNE (TIP): Volkswagen India (VWI) has commenced exporting the Volkswagen Vento to Mexico which, in the future, will become the single largest export market for VWI with every second car produced for exports at the Pune plant being sold there. Volkswagen India commenced export of cars manufactured at Pune in 2011 with exports to South Africa. It entered the Left-Hand Drive (LHD) market in 2012 with exports to West Asian countries. The next big step in the growth strategy of Volkswagen India is the expansion of exports of the Left-Hand Drive Vento to the Mexican market. The production of LHD Vento cars for the Mexican market has commenced with the first lot of cars having already reached there. The model will be officially introduced in the Mexico market in the beginning of November. The Vento will be offered in three drivetrain options in the Mexican market. “The Vento was specifically designed and built for Indian customers. However, its success in a competitive market like India has opened the doors for its export to various other markets,” said Mahesh Kodumudi, President & Managing Director, VWI. “With the increase in export of fully-built cars, Volkswagen India can tackle the volatility in the domestic automotive market and in the currency,” Kodumudi said, adding that the primary focus area for the company would continue to be the domestic Indian market. VWI’s Pune plant currently produces the VW Polo and Vento, and the Skoda Fabia and Skoda Rapid. The exports from here include the RHD Polo and both RHD and LHD Vento.

  • TIMES INTERNET INKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ZIFF DAVIS TO LAUNCH IGN & ASKMEN IN INDIA

    TIMES INTERNET INKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ZIFF DAVIS TO LAUNCH IGN & ASKMEN IN INDIA

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Times Internet (TIL), has entered into a strategic partnership with Ziff Davis, Inc. – a leading all-digital media company specializing in the technology, games and men’s lifestyle markets with over 120 million in-market buyers every month. Via this partnership, Times Internet will manage and drive local Indian destinations for IGN (IGN.com) and AskMen (AskMen.com), the premium gaming & men’s lifestyle sites. As part of the collaboration, Times Internet will have exclusive rights to the IGN and AskMen brands and their content in India, as well as the significant media opportunity they bring to the country. The unique partnership will help TIL grow an already-strong vibrant digital community of Indian consumers passionate about games, entertainment and lifestyle. TIL intends to use The Times Group’s multimedia resources to help develop and evangelize the brand locally. IGN is the world’s most popular website dedicated to video games and pop culture – including comics, film and TV, reaching 50m unique users worldwide.

    AskMen has been the largest and most trusted source of men’s lifestyle content on the web since launching in 1999 – and attracts over 16m unique users every month. The partnership grows the list of brands under the Times Local Partners (TLP) group – which is an initiative by Times Internet to partner with global digital companies. IGN and Askmen join the fledgling TLP portfolio, which has already rolled out the Indian editions of Gizmodo, Lifehacker and Business Insider. Satyan Gajwani, CEO, Times Internet, said: “We are really excited about this partnership and the arrival of Ziff Davis’ respected brands coming to India. The IGN name is incredibly respected, and this brings us the opportunity to create premium editorial and video content for the Indian gaming community. AskMen will augment our leadership in men’s lifestyle content offering and deliver the best to our users and advertisers in the coveted male 18-34 demographic.” Vivek Shah, CEO, Ziff Davis, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with India’s leading media group to bring localized editions of our brands to this vibrant market for the first-time. The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and millions of Indian males 18-40 will benefit from AskMen and IGN’s globally respected advice.” By teaming up with local publishing experts in their markets, Ziff Davis continues to grow the influence of our brands, and allow marketers to deliver global advertising campaigns with local relevance and engagement.”

  • AVANTHA POWER SYNCHRONISES 600 MW FIRST UNIT OF RAIGARH PROJECT

    AVANTHA POWER SYNCHRONISES 600 MW FIRST UNIT OF RAIGARH PROJECT

    MUMBAI (TIP): Avantha group company Avantha Power and Infrastructure Ltd has synchronised the first unit of 600 MW in its Raigarh, Chhattisgarh project, through its whollyowned subsidiary Korba West Power Company Ltd. The company’s generation capacity stands at 626.19 MW with the commissioning. Avantha Power and Infrastructure Ltd (APIL) is part of the Rs 25,000-crore ($4 billion) Avantha group. APIL began construction in August 2010 and executed the project in 38 months. BHEL supplied the boiler, turbine and generator equipment for the project. APIL has another 1,860 MW under various stages of construction and an additional 1,320 MW under planning. Gautam Thapar, Founder and Chairman of the Avantha Group, in a statement said APIL’s subsidiary, Korba West Power Company Ltd, signed the fuel supply agreement (FSA) with South Eastern Coal Ltd (SECL) in August 2013 for feeding the plant with uninterrupted coal supply. APIL’s Chief Operating Officer K. N. Neelkant said the company is going ahead with its plans for adding to the installed capacity. A second thermal power plant of 1260 MW is also under various stages of construction at Seoni, near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, through the company’s project at Jhabua Power Ltd. APIL has a plant at Malanpur, Madhya Pradesh, with an installed capacity of 26 MW, and will have a total installed capacity of 3806 MW once all the projects achieve commercial operations.

  • INDIA AND JAPAN SIGN MOU FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY OF HIGH SPEED RAILWAY SYSTEM

    INDIA AND JAPAN SIGN MOU FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY OF HIGH SPEED RAILWAY SYSTEM

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India and Japan have signed MoU to undertake a joint feasibility study of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. This is in pursuance of the Joint Statement between the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, dated May 29, 2013, which provided that the two sides will co-finance a joint feasibility study of this High Speed route. The MOU was signed by Katsuo MATSUMOTO, Director South Asia Division JICA from the Japanese side and Mr Girish Pillai , Adviser Infrastructure, Ministry of Railways from the Indian side on 7th October, 2013. The objective of the Joint study is to prepare a feasibility report of High Speed Railway system on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route with speed of 300-350kmph. The cost of the study will be shared 50:50 between India and Japan. The study shall be completedwithin18 months from its commencement. The study will do traffic forecasting, alignment surveys and undertake comparative Study of High Speed Railway Technology and System. A Joint Monitoring Committee shall also be established comprising of the Ministry of Railways, Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of External Affairs for the Indian side and the MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries), the MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), the MOF (Ministry of Finance), EoJ (Embassy of Japan in India) and JICA for the Japanese side.

  • BlackBerry co-founders may bid for company

    BlackBerry co-founders may bid for company

    TORONTO (TIP): BlackBerry founders Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin are weighing taking over the distressed smartphone company as it searches for a savior. Lazaridis said on Thursday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that he and Fregin are looking to potentially acquire the 92 percent of the shares they don’t currently own, either by themselves or with other interested parties. They have hired Goldman Sachs and Centerview Partners to help them explore options. The filing said Lazaridis and Fregin own 8 percent of BlackBerry. Their announcement is the latest sign of investor interest in BlackBerry after the company launched a review to consider a possible sale or break-up of its operations. The Canadian company announced last month that Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., which owns close to 10 percent of the company, signed a letter of intent that “contemplates” buying BlackBerry for $9 a share, or $4.7 billion. Fairfax, BlackBerry’s largest shareholder, is trying to attract other investors.

  • ‘777 DAYS OF THE INCREDIBLE INDIAN HIMALAYAS’ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

    ‘777 DAYS OF THE INCREDIBLE INDIAN HIMALAYAS’ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

    50 PER CENT OF PEAK FEE FOR CLIMBING EXPEDITIONS TO BE MET BY THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM
    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India has launched “777 Days of the Incredible Indian Himalayas” campaign on World Tourism Day, September 27 to centre stage the Incredible Indian Himalayas on the world tourism map. On this occasion, Minister of Tourism, Dr. K. Chiranjeevi announced that the Ministry of Tourism has decided to meet 50% of Peak fee chargeable by Indian Mountaineering Foundation from the climbing expeditions during the period of 777 days of the campaign. The Minister added that the campaign has been designed to spread awareness around the globe that 73% of Himalayan range lies in India. Launching the campaign, the Minister said the Indian Himalayas themselves are a complete destination, which can be explored around the year for variety of experiences.

    The travelers can look towards Indian Himalayas for adventure and skiing in winters; exploring biodiversity hotspots during the spring; mountaineering expeditions during the summer; and undertaking variety of leisure and cultural activities during autumn. Describing the Incredible Indian Himalayas as a greatest show on the earth, Dr. Chiranjeevi said that the purpose of the campaign was to tell the entire world that Himalayas provide opportunity for a round-the-year tourism right from hard adventure to soft adventure, rich flora and fauna to bio-diversity hotspots, high altitude peaks to beautiful lakes, from varied culture to the realm of spirituality and wellness. Dr. Chiranjeevi also highlighted the need for promoting Himalayan tourism in a sustainable manner keeping in view the carrying capacity of the destinations. He also informed that the issue of opening up of new air strips to facilitate travel to Himalayan regions has been taken up with the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation and the State Governments. On the occasion of launch of the campaign Mr. G.A. Mir, Minister of Tourism (J&K), Mrs.

    Amrita Rawat, Minister of Culture & Tourism (Uttaranchal), Mr. Bhim Prasad Dhungel, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation (Sikkim), Mr. Pasawj Sona Dorajee, Arunachal Pradesh were present. The Ministry also launched a Himalayan Map and a Directory of Events that would contain the activities to be undertaken during this period of “777 days of the Incredible Indian Himalayas” campaign. A book on safety regulations brought out by ATOAI was also release on the occasion. The Ministry also released two short films titled “Greatest Show on the Earth” and “Life Altering Journey”. Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Parvez Dewan, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, said that the promotion of Himalayas as a tourism destination will also enable India to be marketed as a round-the-year travel destination since Himalayas provided opportunities for travelers round the year. Dr. Conrad Anker, a noted mountain climber with experience of more than 25 years of climbing expeditions in the Himalayan region shared his experiences of the area. He expressed the hope that the reduction of Peak Fees by the Government of India shall motivate mountain climbers to come to the Himalayan region in greater numbers. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ashwani Kakkar, Chairman, Mercury Travels Ltd. said that this campaign would highlight the virtues of Himalayan Tourism since this region contained one of the biggest bio-diversity hotspots of the world. The Himalayas is home to 10,000 species of plant life and more than 2000 species of animal life and is the single largest natural asset on the earth.

  • White House condemns Libyan Prime Minister’s abduction

    White House condemns Libyan Prime Minister’s abduction

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The White House said it is pleased that Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan is again a free man after his abduction at gunpoint earlier on October 10. Spokesman Jay Carney said the US condemns the kidnapping, which was carried out at dawn from the hotel where Zidan lives in the capital of Tripoli. The abduction appeared to be retaliation for a weekend raid by US special forces, that seized a Libyan al- Qaida suspect in Tripoli. Carney said the US supports Libya’s efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the 2011 revolution that toppled long-time authoritarian leader Muammar Gaddafi. Carney added Libyans deserve a democracy based on the rule of law and respect for human rights. He said the US will work closely with the Libyan government as it continues down that path.

  • UN extends Nato force in Afghanistan for last time

    UN extends Nato force in Afghanistan for last time

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The UN security council voted unanimously on October 10 to extend the mandate of the Nato-led force in Afghanistan for the last time before it hands over total responsibility for security to Afghan forces at the end of 2014. The resolution adopted by the council said the situation in Afghanistan “still constitutes a threat to international peace and security”. It expressed serious concern about security in the country, pointing to ongoing violence and terrorist activities by the Taliban, al-Qaida, and other illegal and extremist groups as well as by criminals and those involved in the illegal drug trade. The Taliban have escalated attacks in recent months as they try to take advantage of the withdrawal of foreign troops. In June, Afghan forces took the lead for security nationwide, leaving the Nato-led International Assistance Force known as ISAF entirely in a supporting, backseat role. ISAF has dropped dramatically in strength as it prepares to leave — down from 130,000 troops two years to just over 87,200 troops on August 1, including 60,000 Americans.

    The security council extended ISAF’s mandate until December 31, 2014 — the final day for transferring full security responsibility to the Afghan government. Its action followed an outburst on Monday from Afghan President Hamid Karzai who alleged that the US and Nato inflicted suffering on the Afghan people and repeatedly violated its sovereignty. Despite his critical remarks, the Obama administration is still optimistic that a US-Afghan agreement over the future role of American troops in the country can be finalized in the next few weeks. Karzai made the comments on the 12th anniversary of the start of the American campaign in Afghanistan against al-Qaida that ousted its Taliban allies from power. The invasion was in response to the September 11 attacks on the United States, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. The security council welcomed a 2010 agreement between Nato and Afghanistan to provide practical support to improve Afghanistan’s “capacity and capability to tackle continued threats to its security, stability and integrity”. It encouraged ISAF and other partners to accelerate the training and mentoring of the Afghan National Security Forces, now numbering more than 350,000 men and women. The council said the goal is to have an Afghan force that is “self-sufficient, sustainable, accountable and ethnically balanced,” and is able to provide security and ensure the rule of law throughout the country.