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Diwali celebrated across India
New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Fireworks illuminated the evening sky and earthen lamps dotted the houses as Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated across the country with traditional fervour and gaiety today.
People clad in new attire thronged temples and distributed sweets among friends and relatives while children and youngsters burst firecrackers and exchanged 'Happy Diwali' SMSes.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Ministers also celebrated Diwali.
Amid a global financial crisis and fears of its impact on India, pre-Diwali sales saw a downturn this year. Government agencies and NGOs campaigned for a safer and quieter Diwali.
Keeping in view the recent bomb blasts in various parts of the country, tight security measures were put in place around vital installations, markets and places of worship.
In the national capital, more than 3,400 personnel were deployed to maintain a strict vigil. Security was also tightened in Jammu where people in large numbers visited the historic Ragunath temple and Lakshmi Narayan temple.
In Amritsar, hundreds of devotees queued up since morning to pay obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple.
According to Hindu belief, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom after 14 years in exile. It also holds significance for Sikhs as on this day in 1620, sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was freed by Mughal emperor Jahangir.
The celebrations were marred by tragedy in Bihar's Gopalganj district when three children of a family were killed and another was seriously injured in an accidental explosion in a heap of firecrackers. One man was burnt to death in a blaze at a cracker shop in Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand. PTI
Gold glitters on Muhurat Trading for Samvat 2065
Mumbai, Oct 28 (PTI) Gold prices shone smartly to end higher by Rs 245 on the very first day of Samvat year 2065 following fresh demand from investors on the festive season of Diwali amid positive global cues.
Silver also recovered moderately on renewed demand.
Gold jumped by two per cent in Singapore after gains in the equity markets and rebounding oil spurred buying from investors, who were looking next to an expected US interest rate cut and economic data for future direction.
Gold was trading at USD 745 an ounce, up USD 15.40 an ounce from New York's national close on Monday, while a sustained weakness in global equity markets also compelled retailers to go on investing in the safe haven metal.
Gold futures prices rose in New York by USD 3.90 an ounce to USD 746.80.
In the local market, standard gold (99.5 purity) rose by Rs 245 per 10 grams to Rs 12,100 from yesterday's closing level of Rs 11,855.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also shot up by Rs 235 per 10 grams to Rs 12,160 from Rs 11,925.
Silver ready (.999 fineness) also moved up by Rs 95 per kilo to Rs 17,370 from Rs 17,275.
As compared to the beginning of Samvat 2064, Standard gold (99.5 purity) shot up by 1,475 or 13.88 per cent per 10 grams to Rs 12,100 from Rs 10,625.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also spurted by Rs 1,490 or 13.96 per cent per 10 grams to Rs 12,160 from Rs 10,670.
However, contrary to the yellow metal, silver ready (.999 fineness) dropped by Rs 2,855 or 14.12 per cent per kilo to Rs 17,370 from Rs 20,225. PTI
Committee headed by Chief Secretary to probe bus shoot-out
Mumbai, Oct 28 (PTI) A high level committee headed by Chief Secretary Johny Joseph will probe into the shoot-out in a BEST bus in which a youth was killed, officials said today.
"The committee has been directed by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to submit its report on the incident at the earliest," they said.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had said yesterday that the DGP and Mumbai police commissioner would inquire into all aspects of the incident including how the armed youth got into the public transport bus and whether his killing could have been avoided.
Deshmukh said he had spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil yesterday and assured them that the inquiry report would be submitted at the earliest.
The Crime Branch of the city police is also conducting an internal probe into the incident, a senior police official said today.
Rahul Raj, a resident of Patna who was carrying a country made revolver, had taken control of the upper deck of a double decker bus in suburban Kurla along with about 12 passengers.
The youth, who claimed he had come to the city to kill MNS leader Raj Thackeray, was killed in firing by the police and is alleged to have shot one passenger of the bus and fired at least four rounds. PTI
Ponting defends Gilchrist
New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) Australia captain Ricky Ponting today threw his weight behind his former deputy Adam Gilchrist and said the retired stumper meant no malice in his observation of Sachin Tendulkar's role in the "monekeygate scandal".
Asked if he thought that improving relationship between cricketers of both countries was affected by Gilchrist's unsavoury comment on Tendulkar, Ponting said, "I do not really think there was any malice intended from Adam in what he had to say in his book.
"I think it was reading between the lines, last couple of days, but he has actually contacted Sachin and cleared the air." Tendulkar had expressed shock over Gilchrist's comments in his soon to be released autobiography 'True Colours', in which he had questioned his honesty and sportsman spirit.
"I was surprised. I didn't know how to react. (What he alleged) is something that I can't even think of in my wildest dreams. I love the game so much and those remarks came from someone who doesn't know me enough. I think he made loose statements," he had said.
Gilchrist had taken a swipe at Tendulkar's honesty during the Harbhajan Singh race row trial, accusing him of giving different versions to the match referee and the ICC adjudicator but Tendulkar had said it was a closed chapter for him.
"That's his opinion but as far as I am concerned the chapter is closed," he said. PTI
Gilchrist made loose statements: Tendulkar
New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar today ticked off Adam Gilchrist for questioning his sportsman spirit and honesty, saying a person who does not know him well enough made such "loose statements" which left him shocked.
"I was surprised. I didn't know how to react. (What he alleged) is something that I can't even think of in my wildest dreams. I love the game so much and those remarks came from someone who doesn't know me enough. I think he made loose statements," he said reacting to Gilchrist's comments in his upcoming autobiography that the Indian was hard to find for a handshake after India lost the Sydney Test.
Tendulkar said Gilchrist did call up to clear the air and he did not mince words in telling the former Aussie stumper that he had forgotten the spirit in which the Indians took the Sydney defeat.
"I am the kind of person who would leave things behind.
So many times he mentioned that you and Harbhajan (Singh) are not traceable to shake hands. I reminded him that I was the first person to shake hands after the Sydney defeat. It was a tough game that we lost and it was difficult for us.
"But none of us in the team would not shake hands. We have that sportsman spirit. We won't shy away from challenges," he told 'NDTV'.
Gilchrist had also taken a swipe at Tendulkar's honesty during the Harbhajan Singh race row trial, accusing him of giving different versions to the match referee and the ICC adjudicator but the Indian star said it was a closed chapter for him.
"That's his opinion but as far as I am concerned the chapter is closed," he said. PTI
Trouble for Musharraf if he destabilises govt: PPP leader
Islamabad, Oct 28 (PTI) Former President Pervez Musharraf will have to face "dire consequences" if he hatches any plan to destabilise Pakistan's new democratic government, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People's Party has said.
Raza Rabbani, the Leader of the House in the Senate or upper House of Parliament, also warned Musharraf that if he planned to enter the political arena, he should be prepared to face the consequences of "constitutional and human rights crimes" committed by him.
Speaking in the Senate yesterday during a debate, Rabbani said there was speculation that some elements were striving to rehabilitate Musharraf politically.
"If he is planning to rise again to destabilise the government, he will have to face dire consequences for violation of the constitution and human rights and toppling a democratically elected government and also keep in mind that he faces a two-year ban on taking part in political activities," he said.
"The decision given by the people of Pakistan (during he general election) on February 18 was not against the PML-Q but the policies of President Pervez Musharraf," Rabbani said.
President Asif Ali Zardari has no issue of legitimacy while Musharraf's legitimacy was challenged from October 12, 1999, when he assumed power in a military coup, till his resignation in August, he said.
Musharraf used to devise policies without taking the cabinet into confidence and this created a "mess", which was inherited by the current government, Rabbani said.
Recent media reports had suggested that Musharraf might make a return to active politics once he moves out of the Army House in Rawalpindi, which he continues to occupy despite quitting as army chief last year. However, Musharraf has told reporters he has no plans to re-enter politics. PTI
Four ex-rebels killed in east Sri Lanka
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 28 (PTI) Four people belonging to a breakaway faction of LTTE were killed this morning by some unidentified assailants in eastern Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry said.
Four people serving in the TMVP party office in eastern Batticaloa were shot dead this morning by unidentified gunmen, the ministry said adding five others serving in the office were reported missing.
The TMVP, led by Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, also known as Colonel Karuna, split from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2004.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan security forces have cleared some of the LTTE's hiding areas in Kilinochchi in the North as the troops moved about 5 kms northwards in the rebel stronghold even as they recovered two bodies of rebels elsewhere in the region, the officials said today.
"The Army Task Force 1, operating on the western half of the Kilinochchi battle frontage has taken the lead of the advance, moving about 5 km northwards from the Manniyakulam-Therumurikkandi road," they said.
Troops of 582 brigade, launched an offensive on Sunday (morning to clear the LTTE hiding areas in the Nochchimodai area , and were able to extend their forward boundaries to the North of Kunchchikulam by the same evening.
"Troops have continued their operation yesterday and have been able to further extend their boundaries to the north of Kunchchikulam after inflicting heavy losses to the LTTE cadres," the ministry said in a statement.
According to the battlefield reports received so far, troops have found 3 bodies of slain LTTE cadres along with 3 T-56 riffles during search operations. PTI
Gold falls by Rs 200 on eve of Diwali
New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) Following selling by stockists, sparked off by a weakening trend in the global market, gold prices fell by Rs 200 to Rs 12,010 per 10 gram in the national capital on the eve of Diwali festival today.
While the selling pressure gathered momentum, silver coins, used most during the festival, remained neglected and tumbled by Rs 1,000 per 100 pieces.
Precious metals turned extremely weak in last few sessions in line with a falling trend in international markets where gold fell from USD 849 an ounce to USD 711, as dollar gained against the leading currencies.
Marketmen said fresh selling by stockists influenced by weakening trend in global market mainly led to fall in the precious metal prices.
They said the demand for the Diwali festival was negligible amid fresh arrivals.
Jewellery demand from overseas buyers weakened because of a weaker rupee and further influenced trading sentiment, they said.
Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs 200 each at Rs 12,010 and Rs 11,860 per ten gram, respectively, while sovereign was down by Rs 50 to Rs 10,450 per piece of eight gram.
Silver coins plunged by Rs 1,000 to Rs 27,000 for buying and Rs 27,100 for selling of 100 coins on poor off-take by coins makers. Silver ready fell by Rs 500 to Rs 16,400 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 470 to Rs 16,280 per kg. PTI
LG Electronics to hike prices from Nov 1
Kolkata, Oct 28 (PTI) Consumer durables major LG Electronics India has decided to hike prices of its products in almost all categories from November 1 to offset the sharp depreciation of rupee against the dollar.
"We have decided to hike prices from November 1 ranging from up to 5 per cent across almost all product categories, as we are unable to take further hits on account of rupee depreciation," LG Electronics India Head (Electronics) Amitabh Tiwari told PTI.
"We will be increasing the price of CTVs by 3.5 per cent, washing machines and refrigerators by 4 per cent, while that of LCDs would remained unchanged as the price decrease benefit will get offset with rupee depreciation. Otherwise prices of LCDs would have decreased by about seven per cent," Tiwari said.
Rupee depreciation took the Indian currency past the 50 mark against the dollar.
Tiwari said the previous production cost was based on the average dollar cost of Rs 43 and it was impossible to absorb it further.
"With this round of price increase, we will be able to cover the average dollar cost to Rs 49," he said.
There were apprehensions that after Diwali, prices of electronic goods would ease due to high inventory with dealers and that the market would not be buoyant like in other years due to the ongoing crisis in commodity and financial markets.
Meanwhile, the company said it continued to be bullish on India and had recently announced plans to invest USD 50 million to enhance its manpower and R&D by 2009. PTI
Indian film festival in Abu Dhabi from Nov 2
Abu Dhabi, Oct 27 (PTI) An Indian film festival will be held in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, from November two in which Yash Chopra's cross-border love saga 'Veer Zaara' and Ashutosh Gowarikar's epic movie 'Jodha Akbar' are to be screened.
The ten-day festival is aimed to engage Emirati nationals to share the Indian culture and traditions and thus help in cementing ties between the two countries, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Talmiz Ahmad, said here yesterday.
Shahrukh Khan starrer 'Veer Zaara,' which portrays a love story of an Indian officer and a Pakistani girl, will be the first film to be screened at the festival and its director Yash Chopra will also be present on the occasion, Ahmed said.
Besides, seven other films are also to be screened during the festival including Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer 'Jodha Akbar', 'Daatu' (Kannada), 'Anuranan: The Resonance' (Bengali), 'Kayyooppu' and 'Gul Mohar' (Malayalam), 'Paruthiveeran' (Tamil).
Terming Indian cinema as the "influential reflection of contemporary India" to the outside world, the ambassador said, "The films chosen by us emerge from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, but explore themes that will resonate with discerning audiences anywhere in the world." UAE's Minister of Higher Education and Research, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, will inaugurate the festival. PTI
EMI- a film on loans and recovery
New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) With credit cards, loans and a recovery agent- Easy Monthly Installments (EMI) the Bollywood movie starring Sanjay Dutt would hit theatres soon in the backdrop of a financial meltdown and a crisis looming large over banks and credit card industry.
"Liya Hai To Chukana Padega!" (If you have got the loan, you have to repay) depicts Sanjay Dutt in the role of a loan recovery agent and Urmila Matondkar as a super-sweet next door girl in a plot that portrays contrasting characters who spend without thinking." After playing a super-vamp in 'Karzzzz', Matondkar enacts a light hearted comedy based on a very serious issue.
"Both are different characters. In 'Karzzzz', it was a negative role but in this film I am playing Prerna, who's husband dies and she needs money to take care of herself and her daughter. So she takes a loan," she says.
"I have not done any film to prove myself as an actress. I chose roles from my conviction and self belief. Even I have not taken loans and don't know about EMIs much, I enjoyed doing the film and I am sure people will like it," she adds.
'Easy Monthly Installments' (EMI), which also stars Arjun Rampart, Aashish Choudhary and Maliaka Arora Khan, is a tale of the interconnecting characters coming from different strata and styles who live off credit cards and personal loans, and it takes recovery agent, Sattar Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) to make them realise their blunder.
Slated for release this month, the film is directed by debutante Saurabh Kabra and music by Chirantan Bhatt with Sanjay Dutt lending his voice to the title track. MORE
Fashion accessories generate more sales than designer clothes
Himanshu Vatsa
New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) A brightly lit Christmas tree among other imagination defying headgear showcased during the Fashion Week in Mumbai has pioneered a new trend of fashion shows exclusively for accessories like shoes, handbags, jewellery and other knick knacks.
Stepping beyond conventional boundaries of ramps designers are now increasingly holding sidewalk exhibitions of jewellery and other luxury accessories that complement an outfit and have been found to generate more sales in the global market.
At the Lakme Fashion Week, designer Shilpa Chavan's 'Littleshilpa' label showcased imagination defying headgear made from unconventional materials such as plastic, crochet, wire, paper, silk, feathers, net and organza.
Three other designers Abdul Tawwab, Malini Agarwala and the label 'Stoffa' by Priyanka Malini and Hersh displayed a complete accessory package of shoes, handbags, belts and shoes on the runway.
Also, the just concluded two parallel fashion weeks - Wills India Fashion Week and Delhi Fashion Week held in Delhi- along with the ongoing Lakme India Fashion Week in Mumbai witnessed a number of designers showcasing accessories.
"Accessories are very important for fashion. It has to go hand-in-hand with clothes. Apart from clothes we wear watch, spectacles, cap, necklaces and various other things. It defiantly an essential complement for clothes," said designer and documentary filmmaker Muzaffar Ali. PTI
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1 U.S. $ = 49.400 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.5179 INR
1 British Pound = 77.737 INR
1 Canadian $ = 38.308 INR
1 Singapore $ = 32.828 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 13.448 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 13.191 INR
1 Euro = 62.022 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 13.571 INR
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