The Mumbai Grapevine
Connecting Mumbaikars with Mumbai
(Published by Mumbai-Central.com)
Please feel free to forward this message to your friends and co-workers
who might be interested in it. The instructions to join the Mumbai
Grapevine are at the end of the message.
20 IM operatives booked under MCOCA
Mumbai, Oct 7 (PTI) The police today invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against twenty alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives who have been arrested.
All twenty were produced before a MCOCA court today where they were remanded to police custody till October 21.
They were arrested from various locations across the country and many of them have allegedly been involved in carrying out blasts at various places in the country since 2005.
One of them, Mohammed Saddik Shaikh, is also alleged to be one of the founding members of the terror group.
Three of the arrested accused are alleged to be part of the 'media cell' of the terror outfit and were responsible for sending threatening emails to media houses around the time of serial blasts in Ahmedabad on July 26 and New Delhi on September 13. PTI
PMK willing to work with DMK on Lankan Tamils issue
Chennai, Oct 7 (PTI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), which was eased out of the DMK-led DPA a few months back, today expressed willingness to work with its former alliance partner on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, saying Chief Minister M Karunanidhi should come forward to lead the struggle for safeguarding the ethnic Tamils there.
"The Tamil people should unitedly fight to safeguard the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and Karunanidhi should come forward to lead us," party founder S Ramadoss said here in a statement.
"We should unitedly fight against the ethnic cleansing of Tamils in Sri Lanka," he said adding the state would stand behind Karunanidhi in this effort.
Lauding Karunanidhi for raising the issue, Ramadoss said he must ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to express his displeasure on the "killings of innocent Tamils" to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa had made a similar demand a few days ago.
Ramadoss, father of Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, also called for more pro-active steps from the DMK leader, asking him to talk to the Tamil National Alliance party in the island nation that has a representation of 22 Tamil MPs.
"The chief minister should make efforts to facilitate meeting of TNA leaders with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi," he said.
He also wanted a fact-finding team, comprising elected members, including MPs from Tamil Nadu, to visit Sri Lanka to get a "first hand information," on the hardships faced by Tamils there. PTI
Govt committed to fighting terror: Sonia Gandhi
Nanded, Oct 7 (PTI) Concerned over the recent terror attacks, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said the government is committed to fighting terrorism and asked people to maintain communal harmony and peace.
Gandhi also termed the Indo-US nuclear deal as historic, and said it would help boost India's energy needs.
Addressing a public meeting after visiting 'gur-ta-gaddi' celebrations at Huzoorsaheb gurudwara, Gandhi described Guru Govind Singhji as a true nationalist. "We have to draw inspiration from his teachings," she said.
Earlier, Gandhi visited Huzoorsaheb gurudwara to offer prayers. The head priest of the gurudwara in his welcome speech appreciated Gandhi's leadership and called it dynamic.
At the rally, Gandhi said it was only the Congress which can give boost to the development activities for upliftment of poor and weaker sections of the society.
She also praised the Manmohan Singh-led government for its pro-people policies.
Gandhi also appreciated the development programmes in and around Nanded in terms of infrastructure upgradation as part of the ter-centenary celebrations.
The UPA government has pumped in Rs 2,000 crore funds for development of Nanded.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Maharashtra Congress president Manikrao Thakre accompanied her during the visit. PTI
Bush to sign bill on nuclear deal tomorrow
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Oct 7 (PTI) President George W Bush is all set to sign tomorrow the legislation on Indo-US nuclear deal into law after the landmark agreement got the Congressional nod, a move which will leave behind a foreign policy legacy for his administration.
Bush, who had entered into the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh three years ago, will sign the Bill HR 7081 on the nuclear deal at the East Room of the White House tomorrow.
"The President cordially invites you to the signing of H R 7081, United States India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act," reads an invitation sent out by the White House.
Ever since the Senate passed the legislation on October 1, senior officials have privately maintained that Bush will be keen on having a signing ceremony in which he will have the opportunity to thank not only members of his administration, especially at the State Department and White House who worked to secure the deal, but also lawmakers and leaders of the Indian American community.
The bill was approved by the House of Representatives before the Senate gave its nod for it. It had bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate. PTI
Obama and Mccain campaigns eye chunk of Asian-Americans:study
Washington, Oct 7 (PTI) A new study has shown that a good many Asian Americans are supporting Senator Barack Obama in the November 4 showdown but at the same time a sizeable population is undecided leading to the conclusion that the large voter group is under scrutiny of the two campaigns.
Given the tight races being predicted in battleground states such as Florida, Colorado and Ohio, the Asian American voters may just tip the balance, it is being pointed out.
The study was conducted by four leading universities -- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley); University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside); and University of Southern California (USC).
The recent National Asian American Survey (NAAS) shows that 41 per cent of Asian Americans are likely to favour Obama while 24 per cent support John McCain.
In battleground states, where either candidate could win on election day, Obama leads with 43 per cent support of the Asians against 22 per cent favouring McCain, according to a statement posted by WebWire.
Researchers point out that a key finding of the study is the high proportion of 34 per cent undecided Asian voters.
The multi-ethnic, multi-lingual survey of more than 4,000 Asian Americans likely to vote in the election was conducted from August 18 to September 26.
It is the most comprehensive survey to date of the political views of the community with interviews conducted in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog and Vietnamese. PTI
Govt should evolve national policy to combat terrorism: Sharif
Lahore, Oct 7 (PTI) Pakistan's opposition leader Nawaz Sharif today said that the federal government should evolve a national policy to combat terrorism after taking all political parties into confidence.
Addressing a large number of party workers at the airport here on his return from a private visit to Saudi Arabia, Sharif, who heads PML-N party, said no individual party could effectively tackle terror on its own.
A national policy for fighting terror should be evolved only after taking all major political parties into confidence, he said.
The PML-N was part of the Pakistan People's Party-led ruling coalition at the centre till August, when it pulled out of the alliance after accusing PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari of reneging on promises to reinstate judges deposed during last year's emergency rule.
Former premier Sharif's comments came a day ahead of a joint session of parliament convened by President Zardari to brief lawmakers on the security situation across the country.
Top military and intelligence officials will brief parliamentarians during the session as part of the government's efforts to gain the backing of elected representatives for the war on terror.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, provincial ministers and PML-N leaders were present at the airport to welcome Nawaz Sharif. However, he left without speaking to the media due to security concerns.
The federal government has stepped up security for all political and religious leaders, parliamentarians and federal and provincial ministers following suicide attacks on Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan and PML-N lawmaker Rasheed Akbar Nawani. Both politicians had a narrow escape when suicide bombers blew themselves up in their residences. PTI
Gold advances by Rs 200 per ten grams in early trade
Mumbai, Oct 7 (PTI) Gold prices today advanced by Rs 200 per ten grams to Rs 13,330 in early trade on the bullion market here on persistent stockists buying in view of festival season coupled with higher global cues and weak equity markets.
The ongoing auspicious fortnight of Navratras and the fast approaching Diwali festival lifted the prices of gold, a dealer said.
Weak equity markets also boosted the market sentiment as some of the investors shifting their funds in gold as safe-haven investment, they added.
Standard gold (99.5 purity) rose by Rs 200 per ten grams to Rs 13,330 from Rs 13,130 yesterday.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also firmed to Rs 13,385 from Rs 13,190.
Silver ready (.999 fineness) moved up further to Rs 19,560 from to Rs 19,535.
Gold gained nearly one per cent in Singapore as investors sought a safe haven from volatile stock markets after a U.S. bailout package to rescue distressed banks failed to calm fears.
Gold was trading higher at USD 862.75 an ounce, up USD 5.30 per ounce from the last New York close. PTI
CPI(M) slams SEBI move to relax PN norms
New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) The CPI(M) today slammed market regulator SEBI's decision to relax restrictions on Participatory Notes (PNs), saying it was a "retrograde and illogical" step which should be put on hold.
"Such an intervention by the SEBI," the party's Politburo said in a statement, "in favour of a set of players, who are holding the market in ransom, is grossly violative of the role of a market regulator".
Yesterday, SEBI lifted 40 per cent cap on total asset held by FIIs under PNs. The ceiling was imposed by the regulator in October last year to check flow of funds from anonymous sources.
CPI(M) demanded that these steps be put on hold and immediate measures initiated to tighten regulation in the Indian financial markets.
"With the stock market witnessing yet another crash yesterday due to the pull out of funds by the FIIs, the SEBI has summarily removed all its earlier restrictions in one stroke in order to woo the FIIs back." It said the Indian policy establishment had "drawn the worst lessons" from the financial crisis in the US. "SEBI's efforts to appease the FIIs reflect a desperate attempt to shore up the Indian stock market in the backdrop of a global financial meltdown." On the 50 basis points CRR cut by RBI, the statement said these steps would make the financial system more vulnerable to the dictates of speculative finance and import the financial crisis into India. PTI
Gold prices rise sharply as equities, commodites plunge
New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) Tracking strong global cues gold prices today rose by Rs 520 to close at Rs 13,400 per ten gram in the bullion market here on festive buying and melting stock markets attracting investors looking for safe haven.
Standard gold shot up by Rs 520 at Rs 13,400 and Rs 13,250 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign also rose by Rs 100 at Rs 10,600 on emergence of buying for festivals.
Marketmen said the festival buying was limited while purchases by general investors picked up sharply and the metal recovered most of the losses in last seven days of 'Navratras'.
There was negligble demand for gold, as it remained weak in last few session on reduced offtake, they said and added that today's surge brought back the metal to a level seen on the first 'Navratras', on October 30.
In Hindu mythology, ten days of 'Navratras' is considered to be an auspicious period to make purchases in precious metals such as silver and gold.
The upsurge was partly supported by a firming trend in international bullion markets on similar ground as global stock markets led by the US, nearly crashed on panic selling. The US Dow Jones Average index dipped below 10,000 points, first time in four years and Japan's Nikeei index to five year lows.
Firming US currency was another boosting factor for the dollar-priced precious metals. In London, gold advanced for a second day, buoyed by demand for the metal as a haven as equities continued to slide.
Silver ready surged by Rs 500 at Rs 19,100 per kg and weekly based delivery by Rs 560 at Rs 19,300 per kg. Silver coins also notched up by Rs 100 at Rs 28,300 for buying and Rs 28,400 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
Douglas, Zeta-Jones get USD 1.9 mn charity in Dubai
Dubai, Oct 7 (PTI) Hollywood's star couple Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have received a whopping donation of USD 1.9 million to carry out charity water sanitation projects in developing countries including Sri Lanka and Kenya.
The money - Seven million Dirhams - has been donated by the city-based masterdeveloper Nakheel to help provide clean water for underprivileged children in Third World countries.
The British couple specially flew here to receive the donation yesterday on behalf of the organisation run by the children in affluent countries to help their counterparts in less-privileged nations.
The charity - Free the Children - was founded by international child right activist Craig Kielberger and a group of his friends in Toronto when they were only 12 year old.
The 'Wall Street' actor said he had joined the campaign as he was " highly impressed" by the fact that the charity was run by children to help other less-fortunate children.
"Many diseases are spread through contaminated water and children in these countries often become too sick to go to school," Douglas said.
"This just isn't fair for any child. It's something we want to see stopped. 'Free the Children' addresses the children's need for clean water in many ways, teaching proper hand washing and boiling water," he was quoted by The Nation as saying. PTI
Festive period begins on a low note for Bollywood
Mumbai, Oct 7 (PTI) The festive season for Bollywood began on a rather low note with Sanjay Dutt-Imran Khan starrer 'Kidnap' and Abhishek Bachchan's 'Drona' failing to enthuse film buffs.
Trade analyst Amod Mehra said the first week collections for 'Drona' were about 30 per cent while for 'Kidnap' it was 60 per cent.
Trade sources said collections have dipped with the commencement of the second week.
"Expectations were high. Especially 'Drona' was a solo hero film and an important one for Abhishek Bachchan's career. However, the script could not hold on," another trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh added.
Adarsh said there was no need to panic in view of the two films not doing well.
All eyes have now shifted to films like 'Hello', 'Karzzz' that will release in the next two weeks and later 'Heroes', 'Golmaal returns', 'Fashion', 'EMI', and 'Roadside Romeo' that will hit theatres during the Diwali festivities, he said.
"Trade reports for all these big budgeted films are good. But, we will have to wait and watch," Taran added. PTI
Bhujbal, NCP play down gesture but suspense continues
Pune, Oct 7 (PTI) When he parted ways with Shiv Sena 17 years ago, Chhagan Bhujbal, firebrand Maharashtra Minister, was embraced by Congress, relishing the prospects of marginalising the Sena in the state using him to attack his mentor Bal Thackeray.
Then came yet another turn in his political roller-coaster as Bhujbal who belongs to OBC decided to join Sharad Pawars fold when the latter floated Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) breaking away from Congress on the now dead issue of Sonia Gandhi foreign origin.
But last weekend when Bhujbal, PWD minister in the Congress-NCP coalition government appeared in a Mumbai court to withdraw a 1997 defamation case against the Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray with Uddhav Thackeray keeping him company in front of cameras it ruffled many a feather despite both Bhujbal and NCP playing down the development seen by many as pregnant with possibilities of realignments in the state.
Notwithstanding the ostensible reason given by Bhujbal that he was withdrawing the case -- relating to a report in Sena mouthpiece `Saamana' in view of the age factor and health condition of the senior Thackeray - the timing and the manner of the goodwill gesture is being seen in political circles as demonstrative of Bhujbals not too subtle message to NCP leadership that he cannot be taken for granted if sidelined.
This move on part of Bhujbal, apparently sidelined by NCP leadership at a time when the dominant Maratha elements within the party are pressing for the community's inclusion in OBC list - comes also when disgruntled Revenue Minister and another former sainik Narayan Rane (Congress)is openly hobnobbing with other parties, including NCP.
Pawar is scheduled to inaugurate Rane's proposed Marathi daily 'Prahar' on the eve of Dusherra, yet another oddity perceived by political observers when next assembly elections are round the corner. PTI
Karera wildlife sanctuary on its deathbed
Archana Jyoti
New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) Once known for the endangered Great Indian Bustard's habitat, Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh today has not a single bird species, thanks to apathy and mismanagement of the bureaucracy.
But that is concerning wildlife experts now is the fate of the ungulates like black bucks and others species in the sanctuary in Shivpuri who too, they say, face threat of extinction.
Citing pressure from villagers as well as absence of bustards, the state government has recently denotified the entire sanctuary sprawled over 202 sq km and is seeking the Centre's approval.
Denotification means the region is all set to become free for villagers, there are around 32 villages in and around the area for carrying out sale and purchase of the land.
The wildlife experts doubt the government's intention of dentoifying the entire area after it had initially planned to retain 45.3 hectares area as the sanctuary.
Terming the move as death for the wildlife, the wildlife experts rue that the animals in the park are paying for the officials typical lackadaisical attitude towards flora and fauna.
"There are quite a good number of black bucks and other ungulates. What will happen to them if the villagers are allowed to sell ad purchase the land in the park once it is denotified," said an official from World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The organisation has written to the state government to retain at least some 45.3 hectares as protected land asserting that migratory birds visiting the Dahikila lake in the region will be adversely affected due to the government's move. PTI
Award-winning old couple wants to do more work
Nikhil Agarwal
New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) The couple has been working tirelessly from a small village in Tamil Nadu for the past forty years. And yet they want to do "more work" while old age is also "not a problem" for them even as the wife crossed 80 years and the husband nears 100.
Mr and Mrs Jagannathan from Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, who were recently awarded the 'Right Livelihood Award', have spent their lifetime working in Kuthur village having distributed land to over 13,000 poor Dalit women through their organization 'Land For the Tillers' Freedom' (LAFTI).
"We want to do more work. We find our work very interesting. Our good work gives us inner strength. And this is why age is not a problem for us, as we continue to do our good work," Krishnammal Jagannathan told PTI.
The Right Livelihood Award was constituted by Sweden born Jakob Von Uexkull in 1980 "to honour and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges faced by us". This year, the award of SEK 2 Million (300000 USD) will be shared by four recipients. It is also known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize'.
The couple's journey began from 1952 when they became part of the Bhoodhan movement spearheaded by Vinoba Bhave, through which about 4 million acres of land were distributed to thousands of landless poor across several Indian states.
"We were fortunate enough to have worked under the guidance of Vinoba Bhave in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu", says Sankaralingam Jagannathan. PTI
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Market_______
To get regularly updated NIFTY (NSE) quotes by email, join the NSEData
mailing list by sending an email to NSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To get regularly updated BSE quotes by email, join the BSEData mailing
list by sending an email to BSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sensex: 11695.24, -106.46
The sensex closed at 11695.24, down 106.46
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 47.945 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.4691 INR
1 British Pound = 83.990 INR
1 Canadian $ = 43.525 INR
1 Singapore $ = 32.749 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 13.052 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 12.801 INR
1 Euro = 65.275 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 13.164 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________