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.
Govt approach to meltdown will spell more trouble: Left
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Left parties today warned the Government that its approach to meet the global meltdown would push India into further trouble and dismissed suggestions that the problems confronting the aviation sector were related to oil prices.
Opposing what they called "cartelisation" by Jet Airways and Kingfisher, the CPI(M) and its allies said such a monopolistic move was against the interests of the people.
"The problems being faced by Jet Airways and Kingfisher are due to the global economic meltdown and not because of high aviation turbine fuel prices ... The real story is missing. It is due to offshore stocks ... In many places," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.
He alleged that the aviation companies wanted the government to bail them out of their losses suffered in global meltdown.
"They want nationalisation of losses and privatisation of profits, which we will oppose tooth and nail," he said.
The Left leader also took serious objection to the "cartelisation" done by Jet and Kingfisher, who he claimed have 60 per cent share in the aviation market.
"Such cartelisation will not be allowed in any liberal democracy in the world," he said. PTI
Left, BJP target Govt over the manner of convening Par session
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Government came under attack from the Left and the Right over the manner in which it convened the Parliament session that commenced today amid demands of calling a full-fledged Winter session.
Joining hands with BJP, Left parties protested against the way in which the UPA government has "scuttled the voice of Parliament" by bringing down the sittings to a record low of 30 days so far this year.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters that the "jettisoning" of Monsoon session was unheard of and said even during Emergency days all sessions were held, though in truncated form.
Striking a similar note, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said even the BJP had not done such a thing during its rule as Congress was doing now, which is a "threat to the Parliamentary system".
Yechury even spoke of a proposal for a 10-day holiday from October 25 to November 5 during the session in view of the festive season.
Talking separately, leader of the Opposition L K Advani questioned the status, timing and schedule of the current session which is scheduled to last till November 21.
"We told the government that this Parliament session cannot be considered a continuation of the last session when the trust vote was held," he said after attending an all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.
He wondered how can there be such a session when assembly elections have been declared in five states and that of Jammu and Kashmir may be announced soon. PTI
Left gives notice of breach of privilege against PM
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Left parties have given notices of breach of privilege against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in both Houses of Parliament on the issue of Indo-US nuclear deal.
The Left would raise the issue in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here today.
He said the Prime Minister had assured the Lok Sabha during the reply to the confidence vote that his government should be allowed to go to the IAEA and NSG and after that he will come back to Parliament.
Singh had assured that he would abide by what the Parliament says before operationalising the deal, Yechury said.
"But he has not done that...With signing of the deal between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the nuclear deal has been operationalised," he said.
"This is a serious breach of parliament's privilage. The Prime Minister has violated his own assurances to the House," the CPI(M) leader said adding that "we want to the matter to be taken up immediately." At the same time, he made it clear that the Left does not want any further discussion on the deal as it has already been clinched "despite majority of Parliament not wanting it".
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta, who also addressed the press conference, remarked "instead of coming to our Parliament as assured by the Prime Minister, the government went to US Parliament to get its approval." PTI
Stormy scenes in RS as Parliament session begins
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Parliament session commenced today amid tempestuous scenes in the Rajya Sabha with BJP vociferously raising issues like terrorism and price rise and Left moving a privilege motion against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Indo-US nuclear deal.
Amidst the din, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice -- first during the Question Hour and then for the day -- as determined BJP and Left parties' members, now in the opposition, repeatedly rushed to the well shouting slogans.
Main opposition BJP said the Centre should stop threatening imposition of President's rule in Orissa. The state has witnessed communal violence following the killing of a VHP leader in August.
Agitated Left members said they had moved a privilege motion against the Prime Minister on the Indo-US nuclear deal, arguing that he had not taken Parliament into confidence before inking the agreement as promised.
The Left members were supported by BSP MPs who shouted slogans like "Bush sey yaari hai, desh sey gaddari hai (friendship with Bush and betrayal of the nation)".
Soon after the House completed the obituary references, trouble broke out when Chairman Hamid Ansari also made references to those killed in bomb blasts, stampedes and floods.
As Ansari asked members to observe silence, the Left MPs demanded that the House should also condole the deaths in communal violence, leading to an uproar. The House was then adjourned till midday.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day without transaction of any business as a mark of respect to two sitting members and seven former members who died during the inter-session period. PTI
India reach 311 for five at close on day one
Mohali, Oct 17 (PTI) Electing to bat, India were 311 for five at close on the opening day of the second cricket Test against Australia here today.
Brief scores: India 1st innings: 311 for five in 85 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 88, Gautam Gambhir 67, Sourav Ganguly batting 54, Virender Sehwag 35, Rahul Dravid 39, Mitchell Johnson 3-68). PTI
India will need Tendulkar for next 2-3 years: Srikkanth
Mohali, Oct 17 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him and India will need him for the next 2-3 years to guide the youngsters in the team which is "in the transitional phase", chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth said today.
"He should play cricket for another 2-3 years. We need him as the team is going through a transition phase. He is a fantastic team man, very involved cricketer and we need him so that he is able to guide cricketers of future," Srikkanth told reporters here after Tendulkar became the highest run getter in Test cricket.
The master batsman today surpassed Brian Lara's earlier record 11953 runs in the second Test against Australia at PCA grounds here.
Heaping praise on Tendulkar, Srikkanth said when youngsters make it to the team in near future "we would need somebody like Sachin to be there to guide them".
"Even though he has become highest Test run-getter, still he has not changed. His attitude when he played at 16 years of age under my captaincy in 1989 and now 19 years later remains same. He still plays with same passion and remains involved with the team," the chief selector said.
"To play cricket for 19 years on a trot is a lot demanding. Sachin has given his 100 per cent every time he has come out on the field," he said.
Srikkanth said he would rate Tendulkar's century under "pressure conditions" in Perth in 1991-92 as his best knock. PTI
IAEA says over 50 countries considering to utilise N-power
New York, Oct 17 (PTI) Over 50 countries have alerted the IAEA that they are considering utilising nuclear power with Turkey and Vietnam actively preparing their atomic programmes, the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog has said.
Addressing the 50th anniversary meeting of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, Mohamed ElBaradei said that a decade ago, nuclear power's popularity was in question.
"When we talked about transferring nuclear technology to developing countries, we generally meant applications in medicine and industry, not nuclear power," the IAEA Director General said.
But the tides have turned and "change is in the air," he said, with many of the agency's Member States mostly from the developing world expressing interest in nuclear power. He put the number of such countries to over 50.
One dozen countries, including Turkey and Vietnam, are actively preparing nuclear programmes, while China is constructing six power reactors and Russia intends to build dozens of both large and small reactors by 2020.
Greater efforts are essential to ensure that nuclear power's future is "safe, proliferation-resistant and cost-effective," ElBaradei said.
"Every country has the right to develop nuclear power, but also a responsibility to do it properly," he noted.
But, the IAEA chief cautioned that it is crucial to have realistic expectations of how quickly countries can have nuclear reactors online.
"It can take a minimum of 10 years just to put the basic infrastructure in place. This is not an area where you can cut corners." PTI
N-deal with India "net gain" for non-proliferation regime: US
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Oct 16 (PTI) India's enhanced non- proliferation commitments under the landmark Indo-US civil nuclear deal constitute a "net gain" for the global non- proliferation regime, the Bush administration said today, adding there were "powerful" strategic, political, economic, and environmental reasons" to support the Initiative.
Detailing the benefits of the Initiative launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President George W. Bush on July 18, 2005, the State Department in a Fact Sheet said the steps taken by India, a non-signatory to the NPT, would enhance the global non-proliferation regime and prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
"India's enhanced non-proliferation commitments strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation framework and constitute a net gain for the global nonproliferation regime," it said on the "unprecedented three-year effort" by the two governments to get all the necessary approvals, including that of the IAEA and the NSG for the deal as it welcomed New Delhi to the non-proliferation "mainstream." "Together, they constitute a dramatic change in moving India into closer conformity with international non-proliferation standards and practices, and form a firm foundation for the U.S. And India to strengthen our efforts in the future to prevent WMD proliferation and to combat terrorism," the Fact Sheet said, nearly a week after New Delhi and Washington completed all formalities on the deal.
"There are powerful security, political, economic, and environmental reasons to support this Initiative," it said. PTI
UN calls intl community to join hands against food crisis
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Oct 17 (PTI) United Nations has asked the international community, which is currently focused on tackling the financial turmoil, to also put on concerted efforts to meet the global food crisis.
Pointing that hunger affects millions and kills a child every six seconds, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, even before prices started rising, 800 million people were every night going to sleep without food.
"And now, with energy costs rising and the price of food having more than doubled in the past year alone, an additional 100 million people could be pushed into hunger and poverty," Secretary General said, stressing on the gravity of the situation.
Speaking on the occasion of the World Food Day, Ban noted that this year the day comes at a time of financial crisis.
"Global financial turmoil is exacerbating concerns about rising food and fuel costs, which have already driven 75 million people deeper into the abyss of hunger and poverty," he emphasised.
The "colossal human tragedy" is unfolding as the world fights to keep the promises made in the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce hunger and poverty by half by the year 2015, he notes.
"These are life-and-death matters that we must confront with serious thought and resolute action," he added.
He also called on the Governments, organisations and citizens to forge meaningful partnerships to overcome these challenges so that the world can meet all the MDGs and, ultimately, usher in a world free of hunger and poverty. PTI
Lufthans offers to help AI become member of Star Alliance
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) German flag carrier Lufthansa today said it will act as a mentor to Indian state carrier Air India to become a member of Star Alliance, a global grouping of top airlines.
"Lufthansa is the mentor for Air India and we will work together to get the latter on board the Star Alliance," the German airlines' South Asia director Werner Heesen said here.
However, Heesen said his company had no plans at present for financial investments in India.
"Financial investments are not on the strategic map of Lufthansa for India," he said when asked about the airlines' plans for South Asia in the wake of the current aviation industry crisis.
He said Lufthansa currently operated 55 flights from seven Indian cities to three destinations in Germany--Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich.
All Lufthansa flights have nearly 60 per cent bookings from travellers of Indian origin, he said. "Indians form about two-thirds of the total passengers on our flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune," Heesen said.
So, Lufthansa was consciously planning its routes to suit Indian travellers. "Also, we are ensuring that Indians get to feel at home by including all types of Indian cuisine, Indian attendants speaking the languages of different regions and in-flight entertainment with local content," he added. PTI
HC asks Government to file affidavit in RIL-RNRL gas issue
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) The Bombay High Court today asked the Central government to file an affidavit clarifying its stand on whether its approval was necessary for the price of gas to be produced by Reliance Industries in the Krishna Godavari basin.
The High Court is at present hearing the case between Mukesh Ambani-led RIL and Anil Ambani-led Reliance Natural Resources (RNRL) over gas supply agreement. Government is seeking to intervene in the case.
Government's lawyer T S Doabia today told the court that government's approval was necessary for the rate at which RIL can sell the gas to other private parties.
However, division bench of Justices J N Patel and K K Tated pointed out that according to RNRL, there was a statement made by the government in the Parliament that it would not be fixing gas price, except for its own share.
Doabia, however, said the reply in the Parliament did not convey anything contrary to what he was saying.
The court then asked him to file an affidavit of a secretary-level officer, clarifying the position, by October 20.
Justice Patel added, in case government was worried about its own stake in the KG gasfield production, court would ensure that it was not affected by the current litigation.
"We will protect the public interest in the project," Justice Patel said. PTI
Sensex melts below 10k level, hits over 2-year lows
Mumbai, Oct 17 (PTI) Melting stock prices today pulled down the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex below the 10,000 points level for the first time in over two years, as funds remained aggressive sellers.
The 30-share index, which opened higher by 205 points, tumbled by 582.76 points to 9,998.73 in pre-close trading, a level last seen in June 2006.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty, which gained 66.65 points at the initial stage, plunged by 196.35 points, or 6 per cent at 3,072.95 points at the same time.
All the sectoral indices, led by realty sector were ruling in the red with steep falls, dragging the Sensex down. PTI
Praful Patel seeks rationalisation of Air Turbine Fuel prices
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today demanded rationalisation of air turbine fuel (ATF) prices to save the aviation sector but ruled out any bailout package for the ailing industry.
Patel said ATF prices are 70 per cent higher here than anywhere in the world and there was an immediate need for rationalisation.
Expressing happiness over the Jet Airways' decision to take back all the sacked employees, he said "I am happy that 1900 jobs are saved. But I am unhappy that no new jobs are being created in the aviation sector." Asked by reporters whether the government was planning any bailout package for aviation industry, he said there was no question of such a package.
Patel said he took the initiative for resolving the situation caused by sacking of 1900 employees by Jet and denied that there was any pressure from the Prime Minister's Office on him.
"Nobody spoke to me on the issue from the PMO. But I had to take the initiative as Aviation Minister and (I) spoke to Naresh Goyal (Jet Airways Chairman) yesterday and told him to resolve the issue as soon as possible," he said.
Defending the airlines over the delay in payment of fuel bills to oil companies, Patel said there is a 60-day period for making payment. "So they cannot be branded as defaulters." PTI
Stop giving prominence to voices that spread hatred: Naseer
Bedika
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shahis critical of giving prominence to voices that spread hatredas he emphasises that it is not the view of the majority ofthe community he represents.
Shah, who is depicting the liberal face of Islam inthe new venture 'Shoot On Sight' based on the 2005 London tubebombings, also disapproves of the 'theory of prosecution'citing the aftermath of Delhi serial blasts.
"I do not subscribe to the theory of persecution thatmany people believe in. One can see that a lot of the coveragethat is done in the media is biased. They give prominance tothe people who spread hatred and portray it as if these arethe feelings of whole community," he says.
Talking to PTI ahead of film's release, the actorsays, "I am playing the character of Tariq Ali, a devoutMuslim who represents the modern face of the religion whilethe character of Om Puri propogates another face which istotally different from Tariq's understanding of the religion".
The film, which is entirely shot in London anddirected by the critically acclaimed filmmaker Jag MohanMundra, known for making socially relevent films like'Provoked' and 'Bawander,' is releasing in theatres today.
The film, which is banned in Pakistan, is a grippingthriller and a family drama that unfolds the turmoil in thelife of a liberal muslim police officer Tariq Ali (NaseerudinShah)at Scotland Yard. PTI
Seventh Asian film fest begins in Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 16 (PTI) The seventh edition of Asian film festival began here today with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh making a fervent appeal to Asian filmmakers to explore the megapolis for their cinematic ventures.
"Asian countries have witnessed a sea change in terms of socio-political development. Societies in these countries face same concerns and cinema is a reflection of society," Deshmukh said while inaugurating the 8-day festival which began with the screening of Chinese film "Tuya's marriage" at the Y B Chavan centre.
Deshmukh said Mumbai is soon emerging as a world class metropolis with well-equipped film studios and trained personnel. He assured more financial assistance to the Asian film foundation which organises the festival.
Currently, the state government provides Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance.
Deshmukh also appreciated the emerging content-driven cinema which has blurred the divide between commercial and art film.
80 films from 20 countries will be screened at the festival.
Films from Korea, Palestine, Egypt, Mongolia, which have never been screened before in India, are the highlights of the festival.
Kumar Ketkar, editor of Marathi daily Loksatta, said film as an art was instituted in Maharashtra more than a century ago by Dadasaheb Phalke. "This art has been promoted and encouraged by various institutions and the government should promote and protect this art," he added. PTI
Tamil film ind chips in to drump up support for Lankan Tamils
Chennai, Oct 16 (PTI) Known for its penchant for active involvement in political issues, the Tamil film industry is lending its support to the efforts by the state parties to bring focus back on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils by calling for a protest rally on Sunday.
Over 2,000 people, including top stars, directors and other film personalities, were expected to converge at Rameswaram island, which is in close proximity to Sri Lanka. The rally will demand a halt to the island army's ongoing offensive in the north of the neighbouring republic, the industry sources said.
Hectic arrangements are underway for staging the rally and the industry personnel would travel to the pilgrim town of Rameswaram by a special train from here, they said.
The move, ostensibly aimed at pressuring the Centre to arrange a ceasefire between the Army and the LTTE, is spearheaded by Director Bharathiraja and comes after the steady revival of the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in the past few weeks after a gap of 17 years.
Political parties, gearing up for next Lok Sabha polls, are attempting to whip up support for the ethnic Tamils apparently to make the emotional issue a poll plank.
The support for Sri Lankan Tamils gathered momentum as the island's army made successful forays into the Tigers' last stronghold of Killinochi, cornering LTTE chief V Prabhakaran and a vast network of his militant group.
However, unlike the Hogenakkal issue in which the film industry put up a united show in April to oppose the attempts by Karnataka to stall the drinking water project for two border districts in Tamil Nadu, differences have come to the fore over the Rameswaram rally.
A section of the actors have expressed reservation on participation in the agitation. PTI
NGO sets up an employment exchange for the old
Raj Kumar Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 17 (PTI) Wizened with wealth of experience and years of knowledge but to utilize the same in a gainful way is not an easy task for the senior citizens.
An NGO has found a solution and claims that it is doing well. In August alone the NGO has helped around 1000 senior citizens find gainful employment, says Himanshu Rath of Agewell Foundation. "We provide them with work assistance like home tuitions, managerial jobs etc," he says.
Started in 1999 the Foundation's aim is to instill self-confidence in the senior citizens and to tell them that there is nothing wrong in becoming old. Our endeavour is to bring about a change in the perception of old age," says Himanshu Rath, who founded the organisation.
The NGO has its offices in 540 districts all over the country and says its employs services of professionals, senior bureaucrats, professors; artists, writers, judges - all people who sincerely feel for the cause. They are assisted by a huge base of volunteers and trained counselors.
"We interact with thousands of senior citizens all over the countary in a day. Our Delhi office gets around 200-250 calls a day," says Rath.
Around 8 per cent of Indian population consists of old age persons, while in Delhi, its around 12 per cent.
The most common problem that these people suffer from is of alienation. He feels that the primary cause of this problem is lack of dialogue between the senior citizens and their family members, which is due to "generation gap".
"When there are inter-personal problems, we mediate between senior people and their family members and in most cases, it turns out to be a problem of lack of communication," says Rath. PTI
Mosquitoes can play spoilsport for Commonwealth Games
Anupam
New Delhi, Oct 16 (PTI) What about an advisory on vaccination for dengue going along with promos for the 2010 Commonwealth Games? This may be a reality if the current state of 'cleanliness' continues, say health workers.
As it prepares to host the 2010 sporting extravaganza, mosquitoes have shown great potential to play spoilsport with latest health reports showing an increase in the number of dengue cases every passing year.
There have been 723 cases reported in the city with the figures showing a steady upward climb and officials trading the blame over responsibility of garbage disposal and maintenance of clean surroundings.
"We are trying hard for timely completion of all the Commonwealth Games projects taken by MCD. Among other issues, improving sanitation levels, social waste management system and improving garbage disposal are of priorities," says K S Mehra, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
While citizens feel there is a "sure dearth" of facilities in the national capital, authorities say participation and cooperation is required from the people in maintaining filth-free surroundings.
"We want an equal participation and cooperation from the people as well. Our counselors interact with people in public places for instance during morning walks, and other places too to make them aware of the prevailing condition," says Mehra.
In May, Delhi government had accelerated an awareness drive in which television, radio, newspapers and other mediums were used to disseminate information to ensure cleanliness in public places, roadsides and households. 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: 9975.35, -606.14
The sensex closed at 9975.35, down 606.14
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 49.015 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.4845 INR
1 British Pound = 84.869 INR
1 Canadian $ = 41.250 INR
1 Singapore $ = 33.065 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 13.346 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 13.088 INR
1 Euro = 65.761 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 13.462 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________