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.
24 drowned in Bihar boat mishap
Khagaria (Bihar), Oct 22 (PTI) Twenty four women were drowned when an overcrowded boat capsized here today.
The boat, carrying the women to the other side of the river for cutting grass, overturned, drowning them, in the midstream near Dudhela village under Pasraha police station early today, Superintendent of Police Kamal Kishore Singh told PTI.
Singh said while all the 24 bodies were recovered by local divers, a boy was still missing.
All the victims were residents of Dudhela and Budhnagar villages, he said. PTI
India launches maiden unmanned moon mission
R Satyanarayana
Sriharikota (AP), Oct 22 (PTI) Scripting a new chapter in its space programme, India today launched its maiden unmanned mission to moon 'Chandrayaan-I', a research project that propels the country into an exclusive global club of six moon faring nations.
"It is a historic moment as far as India is concerned. We have started our journey to the moon and the first leg of the journey has gone perfectly well," an ecstatic ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said soon after the indigenously built rocket PSLV C-11 blasted off from the spaceport here in cloudy but rainless weather.
The spacecraft was put into orbit exactly 18.2 minutes after the textbook launch at 6.22 a.M. From the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre in this island in the Bay of Bengal, about 100 km north of Chennai.
With the successful launch, India became the sixth country after the US, Russia, European Space Agency, China and Japan to launch a moon odyssey.
At Rs 386 crore, the Indian mission is considered to be the cheapest in the world which will help generate the first-ever comprehensive maps of the earth's only natural satellite.
The 44.4 metre tall four-stage PSLV rocket injected the spacecraft in the earth orbit from where it would be guided about 3,87,000 km away from the earth to the circular lunar orbit, 100 kms from the moon's surface, by November eight.
The spacecraft is carrying 11 instruments, including six international experiments, which will help prepare the first comprehensive map of the moon.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani congratulated the space scientists on the successful launch. PTI
ISRO eyes manned Moon mission by 2015
Sriharikota (AP), Oct 22 (PTI) Buoyed by the successful launch of Chandrayaan-1, Indian Space Research Organisation today said it would gear up for the complex and challenging task of the proposed manned mission to the moon by 2015.
"Now we have a little bit of breathing time (after today's launch)... We are looking how we can design a capsule, which can carry two astronauts onboard a GSLV rocket," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said at a post-launch press meet here.
"This is a very complex and challenging task... First of all to conceive a module, which can predict the condition of human life in space. It is a big challenge in terms of technology and realisation," he said.
Besides, selecting the astronauts and training them for the space flight and improving the reliability of the launching system were also complex issues, he said.
"After considering all these, we have prepared a project report and this had been cleared by the Space Commission and is awaiting the government approval. Based on this, we will have the first man mission from Indian soil before 2015," Nair said.
On exploring Mars, Nair said the red planet was the next natural destination for ISRO. "We are looking for proposals from the scientific community. As soon it is available we will try to finalise and plan a mission to the Mars." "GSLV can take a reasonably sized space craft to mars. Technical capability as well as mission planning has just started," he added.
Describing today's Chandrayaan-1 launch as "really a historic moment for ISRO", Nair said the agency had opened up a new chapter in the history of Indian space programme as well the global community. PTI
US congratulates India on Chandrayaan-I launch
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) The US today congratulated India on the successful launch of the maiden moon mission Chandrayaan-I, describing it as demonstration of the country's technological prowess in its quest for peaceful exploration of space.
"The US congratulates India on the successful launch. This is a proud moment in India history and demonstrates India's technological prowess by joining the international community in the peaceful exploration of space," American Ambassador to India David C Mulford said.
Malford said the US was proud to participate in the mission as the country had provided two instruments for it.
"The US was proud to participate in Chandrayaan-I by providing two instruments for the mission," Mulford said in a statement.
"Ahead of today's launch, scientists from the United States worked closely with their Indian partners to prepare the US contribution to the Chandrayan spacecraft, exemplifying the ideals of our bilateral partnership," he said.
With successful launch of Chandrayaan-I, India today became the sixth nation to send a moon mission when indigenously built PSLV-C11 rocket blasted off from the spaceport in Sriharikota Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) home-grown rocket PSLV-C11 lifted off at 6.22 a.M. From the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
With the launch, India joined the elite club of moon faring nations -- the US, Russia, European Space Agency, China and Japan. PTI
Tendulkar most deserving batsmen to break my record: Lara
Melbourne, Oct 22 (PTI) Legendary West Indian batsman Brian Lara paid tributes to Sachin Tendulkar, saying that the Indian batting maestro was the most deserving batsman to break his world record and become the highest run-getter in Tests.
"I was quite happy for him. There is no better individual or batsman in the world that could can go past you than Sachin Tendulkar," Lara said.
"He has been a great for so many years and is someone who is deserving of such a record. So I just want to wish him the best," he told local media during his visit to Australian Institute of Sports in Canberra.
Lara said he was never in doubt that his 11,953-run mark would be bettered following his retirement in 2006.
"I thought it was definitely going to be broken. I think my impromptu retirement made it more available for other batsmen.
"I mentioned it a couple of years ago when I went past Allan Border's record that it was a record that I would always cherish. To be considered in the same group as Allan Border, Sunil Gavaskar and now Sachin Tendulkar, it is a great feeling, an honourable feeling, and something I am very proud of," he said.
Lara, however, believes that Australian captain Ricky Ponting will eventually break Tendulkar's record.
"Ricky Ponting is someone who is in line to hold such a record as well. I would think that (Ponting) still has 30 or 40 Tests matches left under his belt and he has already gone past 10,000 runs." Ponting, who will turn 34 in December, has scored 10,246 runs in his 121-Test career to leave him 1791 runs behind Tendulkar (12037), who has played 31 more matches. PTI
Indian challenge ends at Islamabad ITF event
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) Indian challenge ended at the Islamabad ITF event with the defeats of Yannick Nelord and Rohan Gide in the second round of the USD 10,000 clay court competition.
After going down in the first set, Yannick fought well to draw parity but could not keep up the momentum and lost the tie 4-6 6-3 6-3 to Adrian Sikora of Slovak Republic.
Rohan, who was against sixth seeded Briton James Feaver, threw in the towel after the initial resistance and lost 4-6, 1-6 to bow out of the event.
Interestingly, no player from the host nation is in contention in the singles.
Meanwhile, Sunil Kumar Sipaeya and his Pakistani partner Aqeel Khan advanced to the semifinals of the doubles event after defeating the Indo-British pair of Rohan Gide and Andrew Fitzpatrick 7-6(4) 3-6 12-10 in the quarterfinals.
The fourth seeded Indo-Pakistani pair will face second seeded duo of Syrym Abdukhalikov of Kazakhstan and Mikhail Vasiliev of Russia. PTI
Warne hails Tendulkar for becoming highest run-scorer in Tests
London, Oct 22 (PTI) Retired spin legend Shane Warne has hailed Sachin Tendulkar on becoming Test cricket's highest run-getter, saying that a batsman of his class and skill deserved to be on top of the run heap.
"I just think he has a class about him. I just take my hat off to him. It's everything about him. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, the pressure he's under with a billion people watching him every time he goes out to bat, the way he handles decisions, he's pure skill," Warne told British radio broadcaster talkSPORT.
Warne would not forget the beating he got from the Indian master batsman during Australia's tour of India in 1998.
"Bowling to him in the mid-1990s, when I thought I was at my best and I thought a lot of the Australian bowlers were at their best, the way he played quick bowling and spin bowling was just fantastic.
"It was always a challenge to bowl to him. You knew if you bowled well then you would get him out, if you were lucky. If you didn't bowl that well he would smash you all over the park," he added.
Warne had also rated Tendulkar ahead of Brian Lara as the best player in his recently released book 'Shane Warne's Century' in which he picked 100 cricketers he had played with or against.
He also said that though Australians were 'outplayed' by India in the second Test at Mohali, they could bounce back.
"Australia just didn't play that well. They are 1-0 down in the series and it will be tough for them. But I'm sure they'll bounce back. I thought India were fantastic. I thought their bowling was outstanding, their batting was good, and their tactics were good. They just generally outplayed Australia," he said. PTI
Laxman signs up with Lancashire for season 2009
London, Oct 22 (PTI) Stylish Indian batsman VVS Laxman has signed up as overseas player for English county side Lancashire for the season 2009.
This will be Laxman's second stint with the county side, his first being a four-week spell in 2007 which saw him score 541 runs in eight matches, with an of 54.28.
Subject to final approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Laxman is expected to be available after the completion of his Indian Premier League commitments and will remain with Lancashire until the end of the 2009 domestic season.
Confirming the signing of Laxman, Lancashire Cricket Manager Mike Watkinson said, "It gives me great pleasure to secure the services of this extremely talented batsman for next season. He will bring star quality to our batting line-up for both Championship and one-day Cricket, and his wealth of experience is perfect for our younger batsman to learn from and develop around."
"His contributions both on and off the field during his short stay in 2007 were outstanding and left a lasting impact on the players. We all look forward to welcoming VVS and his family back to Old Trafford next season."
Laxman, who is currently playing against Australia in the four-match home Test series, said, "I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay with Lancashire in 2007, and I am thrilled to be returning to Old Trafford next year."
"My last memory playing for the county was that heart-breaking loss at The Oval, but next year I hope to play a significant role in leading Lancashire to Championship success," Laxman was quoted as saying by the club website. PTI
No pressure from India on operations against LTTE: Lanka
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 22 (PTI) Acknowledging India's support in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Sri Lanka has said it is not feeling any heat from New Delhi due to its military campaign against the LTTE.
"There has been no such pressure," Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament yesterday when asked whether pressure was being exerted on Colombo by New Delhi on the operations against the Tiger rebels.
Leftist JVP member Vijitha Herath also sought to know whether Sri Lankan government was "prepared to succumb to Indian pressure and implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and enhance the powers of Provincial Councils." In his reply, Bogollagama said "we are awaiting the proposals of the All-Party Representatives Committee in this regard." The Minister categorically said the government has not faced any kind of external pressure from any quarter regarding the operations by the security forces against terrorism and to disarm the LTTE, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
Stating that New Delhi has made its position on defeating terrorism very clear, Bogollagama added that "if there is a country that has helped Sri Lanka to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, it is India".
The minister said that during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Sri Lankan leader briefed Singh on the island country's present course of action to defeat terrorism, disarm the LTTE and restore peace in the embattled north.
"An important matter which was discussed was the issue of civilians displaced due to the conflict," he said, adding Sri Lanka had a long history of effectively and efficiently dealing with internally displaced persons (IDPs). PTI
LTTE suicide squad attack Lankan ships: Navy
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 22 (PTI) Tamil Tiger rebels carried out a suicide attack early this morning targeting two Sri Lankan merchant ships, which were transporting humanitarian aid in the embattled north, causing a considerable damage to one of the ships, the defence ministry said.
"LTTE militants have carried out a suicide attack targeting Merchant Ship Ruhuna and Nimalawa in the north sea of Sri Lanka at 5.10 a.M.," it said.
One sea tiger militant was killed in the attack which also damaged Sri Lankan merchant ship 'Nimalawa'.
The attack was carried out with an aim to disrupt the essential supplies to the tamil civilians caught in the embattled northern part of the country, the Sri Lankan Navy said.
Navy spokesperson Commander DKP Dassanayke said three LTTE suicide vessels were deployed for the attack.
"Navy sailors, providing security onboard, targeted the vessels and engaged machine gun fire at the approaching suicide boats effectively, and destroyed two of them before ramming on the ships," he said.
The spokesman said, however, one of the suicide boats exploded in close proximity to Merchant Ship Nimalawa causing a considerable damage to the ship's hull.
The third suicide craft has been captured by navy boats, he said, adding the LTTE suicide cadre who was operating the boat is believed to be killed in the Navy retaliation. PTI
PM arrives in Japan; to hold summit talks with Aso tomorrow
Anil K Joseph
Tokyo, Oct 21 (PTI) Seeking to bolster the India-Japan strategic and security ties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here today for summit talks with his counterpart Taro Aso during which they are expected to discuss a joint strategy to overcome the global financial crisis and possible cooperation in the civil nuclear energy sector.
Singh, accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, was accorded a warm welcome by Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone upon his arrival at the Tokyo International Airport.
"I consider our bilateral relations with Japan to be one of the most important bilateral relationships we have. A strong India-Japan relationship will play a significant role in the emerging Asian security architecture and will contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world," the Prime Minister said ahead of his arrival here.
Aso also expressed the hope that Singh's visit to Japan will give a renewed momentum to the enhancement of the Japan-India relations.
"I think the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be a significant opportunity for stock-taking of the various endeavours the two countries have already undertaken under their leaders' initiatives, as well as to demonstrate the initiatives that are currently underway in various fields including security cooperation," he said. PTI
Sensex plunges 513 points on renewed fears of recession
Mumbai, Oct 22 (PTI) In line with fall in global markets, the domestic bourses today closed in the red with the benchmark Sensex losing a hefty over 500 points to cut short the gaining trend of the past two days.
Marketmen attributed the steep losses to heavy selling pressure, re-emerged on renewed worries of global economy falling into a recession.
The 30-share index, which had gathered nearly 710 points in the past two sessions, lost 513.49 points, or 4.81 per cent, at 10,169.90.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty closed down by 169.75 points, or 5.25 per cent, at 3,065.15.
Marketmen said capital outflow by foreign funds and depreciation of rupee, which plunged to record low of Rs 49.51 against the US greenback, too cast its shadow on trading sentiments.
They said the two-day rally in the previous two sessions was on the back of brokers covering their long pending positions ahead of the settlement in derivative segments. PTI
Yahoo net income dips 64 pc, to slash 1,500 jobs globally
New York, Oct 22 (PTI) Internet major Yahoo Inc has announced a 64 per cent drop in its net income at USD 54.3 million for the third quarter this year and will slash close to 1,500 jobs from its global workforce.
The company had posted a net income of 151 million dollar in the same period last year, Yahoo said in a statement.
Yahoo has began implementing a series of cost reduction initiatives during the third quarter which contributed to the company's adjusted operating cash flow exceeding the midpoint of its outlook for the quarter.
"Because the majority of expenses are headcount-related, Yahoo expects to reduce its global workforce by at least 10 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2008", the company statement said.
As on June 30, the company's entire workforce was over 14,000, thus job cuts to be carried out in the fourth quarter can be an estimated to be about 1,500.
The company aims to reduce its current annualised cost run rate of about USD 3.9 billion by more than USD 400 million before the end of 2008. The company anticipates that both headcount and non-headcount related costs would be reduced by these actions.
"As economic conditions and on-line advertising softened in the third quarter, we remained highly focused on our 2008 strategy to invest in initiatives that enhance not only our long term competitiveness, but also our ability to deliver for users and advertisers in this more difficult climate", Yahoo! Inc, co-founder and chief executive officer Jerry Yang, said.
Meanwhile, Yahoo's revenues rose to 1.78 billion dollar for the third quarter from 1.76 billion dollar in the same period last year. PTI
Sensex down 438 points at midsession
Mumbai, Oct 22 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex plunged by over 438 points at midsession today on heavy selling by funds on fears of a global recession and dismal quarterly results by leading corporates.
The 30-share index, which commenced the day lower by 267 points, fell further to record a loss of 438.48 points at 10,244.91 as commodity stocks declined on recessionary concerns and weak trend in global stock markets.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped by 145.30 points at 3,089.60 at the same time, as most of the index-participants traded lower.
Marketmen said dismal quarterly results mainly influenced the trading sentiments.
They said the two-day rally in the previous two sessions was on the back of brokers covering their long pending positions ahead of the settlement in derivative segments. PTI
Paramount delaying films an impact of fin crisis: report
New York, Oct 20 (PTI) Paramount Pictures' decision to delay two major holiday films -- including one with an Oscar aspirations -- may be a sign of Hollywood's retrenchment amid the US economic crisis, a media report speculates.
Paramount late last week announced that it would delay the release of 'The Soloist' -- a Los Angeles drama about a homeless violin player and a newspaper columnist who intervenes in his life -- until next March, the Wall Street Journal said.
The movie comes from DreamWorks, the Paramount unit whose principals, Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, recently left to start a new film venture.
The decision to delay the movie came barely a month before its planned November 21 debut, resulting in "Soloist" star Robert Downey Jr's consideration for the Academy Awards to be put off till next year.
The limited release of "Defiance" -- a war picture with Daniel Craig from the studio's Paramount Vantage specialty unit -- has also been delayed until the end of 2008, meaning the film won't be in wide release until January, the paper said.
Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc, announced the delays as part of a new business strategy under which it is cutting costs by reducing the number of films released each year from around 25 to 20.
To start cutting back in 2008, the studio delayed a couple of films, which puts off most of the cost of marketing and distributing the movies until next year, the Journal said. PTI
Craze for career in Bollywood brings Pak boy to Indian jail
Islamabad, Oct 20 (PTI) A Pakistani teenager's craze for a career in Bollywood has landed him in an Indian jail and his worried parents appeal for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Nasir Sultan, a Class 10 student and a diehard fan of the Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, crossed over to India illegally to try and join the film industry.
After reaching Punjab in India, he called his parents in the North West Frontier Province to say he was in the neighbouring country.
Fifteen minutes later his parents got another call to say that their son had been arrested. Sultan's parents, who hail from Chukiatan, a small town of Dir district in NWFP, are now running from pillar to post to secure his release.
Like most Pakistani boys of his age, Sultan was an avid Bollywood fan and was fascinated by the many stunts in Hindi films that he hoped to excel at too. On August 16, Sultan left home for school wearing his uniform and carrying his schoolbag but instead crossed the border.
Two days later, his father Sultan Zareen, who works at a petrol pump, got a call from Sultan, who said he was on his way to Mumbai. This was followed soon after by the news of his arrest.
Sultan is being held in Faridkot Jail for the past two months. "I don't know what to do to secure his release as he is in another country where I have no influence or resources to use for winning his release," Zareen told The News daily.
Zareen said his wife was depressed and the Indian government should release his son on humanitarian ground. PTI
Indian film-maker selects Coventry as location for next project
London, October 20 (PTI) India's noted film company Rajshri Productions has chosen the east Midlands city of Coventry as the location for shooting of their next untitled film.
"The story looks at the acceptance of cultures in the western world. If we choose Coventry, half of the film will be set here. It's just a fantastic place and meets our requirements," film director Sooraj Barjatya told media here.
Barjatya and producer Ashwani Chopra visited the town this week. They said that the locations, particularly around Coventry University, met their expectations and they were interested in shooting at those sites.
"We wanted to find a university that would be the most helpful and Coventry University did that. It is an ideal location - I like the classic architecture with the cathedral by the side of the modern architecture," Chopra said, adding the characters will study courses (fashion design and automotive design) that the university offers here.
University officials are thrilled that the locations will showcase the university to the large Bollywood audience across the globe.
"It's brilliant and great exposure for us and Coventry as a whole. And it's not just in this city where there is a vast audience of Bollywood movies, it's world wide," said Alison Bushnell, media relations officer at the university, who accompanied the film-makers around the campus.
The popularity of Bollywood films such as "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge", "Mohabbatein", and "Namaste London", filmed at various tourist destinations in Britain, has led Britain's tourism authorities to bring out a "Bollywood Map of Britain" to help the tourists find their way around the locations. PTI
Medical negligence cases grow so do ambulance chasing lawyers
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, Oct 22 (PTI) Growing awareness amongst public about their consumer rights in events of medical negligence and increasing tribe of 'ambulance chasing lawyers' have contributed to rise in court cases against hospitals, feel experts.
"There are two reasons why the number of medical negligence cases are increasing. First, the awareness among people about their rights against medical negligence. And also in some cases, it is 'ambulance chasing lawyers'. Lawyers encourage patients to file case against the doctor or the hospital in civil or consumer court to earn compensation. Lawyers take a share in return," says Dr Ajay Kumar, former president, Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Lawyers who resort to ambulance-chasing tactics to extract hefty fees from patients has also resulted in rulings on several health-care centres in the country, he adds.
In one of its recent verdicts, the Delhi State Consumer Commission directed a hospital to pay a compensation of Rs one lakh each to families of two patients for carrying out 'unnecessary tests.' The commission said a patient was kept in the hospital for 10 days although the hospital did not have infrastructure to treat the disease.
In another case, a hospital was fined Rs 25,000 for detaining a patient for several hours over non-payment of medical bills. PTI
Virtual reality, the new place to promote your product
Prantick Majumder
New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) Social networking and virtual reality sites are the new hotspots for advertisers and companies hoping to push their products cutting through traditional billboards and door-to door sales.
Interactive websites such as 3D website and, SecondLife.Com, are gaining popularity offering hassled company executives and CEOs a virtual identity to repackage their products.
Discussing the pros and cons of a product with consumers in a virtual world has become a trend now, says Ajay Ahuja, a corporate communications manager in a private firm.
"Around 60 million people are registered in a 3D virtual world called SecondLife.Com. Hence, it becomes easier for us to reach out to consumers and conduct sessions and forums for explaining the product's benefits," Ahuja says.
The virtual world has its own media too, which help in dissipating information about the product.
"The media in the virtual world is called 'Second Life Herald'. Here, journalists can also log on with a different identity and discuss the matter with consumers and well as product managers," he says.
A leading software company in India, in fact, has started a virtual network with a learning centre, an open pit for discussion and a volley ball court for relaxation. The site, however, allows you to enter only you have been thoroughly checked by their own virtual security centre.
Chatting with friends on social networking sites like Friends Reunited, Orkut, Linked In, Facebook, MySpace, twitter and video sharing sites as YouTube are passe. These sites are now helping to get you employment too, Vishal Chopra, a public relations executive of another private firm. 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: 10169.90, -513.49
The sensex closed at 10169.90, down 513.49
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 49.375 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.5004 INR
1 British Pound = 80.688 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.563 INR
1 Singapore $ = 32.954 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 13.443 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 13.184 INR
1 Euro = 63.499 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 13.561 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________