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61 per cent turnout in 2nd phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly poll
Raipur, Nov 20 (PTI) Nearly 61 per cent of the 88 lakh voters today exercised their right to franchise in 51 Assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh which went to polls in the second and final phase today.
While 60 per cent turnout was reported in Raipur district, it was 65 per cent each in Raigarh, Korba and Jashpur.
In Bilaspur, 62 per cent of the voters cast their ballots, Sarguja 60 per cent, Koria 55 per cent, and Janjgir and Chapa 56 per cent.
As many as 12,073 polling stations across the eight districts were set for the polling.
Electoral fortunes of 687 candidates were decided by 88,14,228-strong electorate. Prominent leaders in the electoral battle include former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, his wife Renu Jogi, BJP state president Vishnu Deo Sai, Congress state president Dhanendra Sahu, Deputy Speaker Badridhar Diwan and Home Minster Ram Vichar Netam.
55 per cent turnout was registered in the violence marred first phase of elections on Nov 14 for 39 constituencies of the 90-member Assembly.
A flight engineer was killed when an IAF helicopter on poll duty was attacked by Naxals who also gunned down a CRPF personnel during the first phase of polling. Two landmine blasts also injured four security men and over a dozen Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were looted. PTI
Protect blast sites till evidence collected: Centre to States
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Concerned over frequent incidents of destruction of evidence at explosion sites, the Home Ministry has directed the state governments to preserve crime scenes till forensic evidence is collected.
In a communique to the states, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta said immediately after a blast, the site has to be barricaded and adequately protected to ensure that the crime scene is not damaged and the forensic evidence not destroyed.
The advisory comes in the wake reports that some state governments after explosions in their states failed to take proper action to protect the crime scenes resulting in loss of crucial forensic evidence before the arrival of NSG experts.
The communique also asked the state governments to ensure that no unauthorised person should be allowed to come near the blast sites.
The NSG has brought into the notice of the Home Ministry of this fact, officials said.
The Home Ministry also highlighted the fact that in February, it had advised the states on action to be taken when unexploded IEDs are recovered in any place.
In another communique, the Centre asked the states not to make any premature disclosure about probe of incidents like bomb blasts as it would affect investigations as well as prosecution of guilty.
The Home Ministry said such premature disclosure amounted to pronouncement of judgement even before the probe is over. PTI
India plans to expand operations against Somalian pirates
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) In the wake of its successful offensive against pirates off the Somalian coast, India today made clear its intentions to expand operations against sea brigands in the Gulf of Aden, saying it is considering a proposal for deploying up to four more warships there.
The government said the country can take any recourse to deal with piracy off the Somalian coast, which is notorious for piracy, under two UN resolutions.
Indian Navy already has one warship--INS Tabar-- deployed in the area, which has taken on the pirates thrice over the last one week, including one pro-active action on Tuesday night in which a 'mother ship' of the pirates was sunk.
"Yes, we are considering a proposal to increase the number of warships in the Gulf of Aden to fight the pirates and to protect merchant ships flying the Indian flag," a top Navy officer said here.
There is a proposal of deploying up to four more warships in the region to secure the sealanes, he said, adding the Defence Ministry is considering the proposal.
However, there is a view that such a deployment by a single country on a long-term basis would not be feasible in terms of logistics. A final decision is likely to be taken shortly.
India has already sought deployment of warships by various countries, particularly those in the Gulf, jointly under the UN flag in the area to secure the sealanes.
The proposal is being considered by various countries, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs N Ravi told reporters here. PTI
ATS invokes stringent MCOCA against Malegaon blast accused
Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) today invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the ten accused arrested so far in the September 29 Malegaon blast case.
One more suspect would be arrested soon, ATS chief Hemant Karkare said at a press conference here.
Karkare said the case would now shift to the special MCOCA court in Mumbai. Currently, the proceedings are underway at a court in Nashik district, under which Malegaon falls.
MCOCA allows police to keep an accused in custody longer than in ordinary case, before the chargesheet is filed.
He said that ATS' current "focus" was only on the Malegaon blast case, and not on Samjhauta Express explosions of last year.
The police officer said ATS was expecting some vital evidence to emerge from scrutiny of the laptop of Sudhakar Chaturvedi, one of the accused.
The investigation would be hopefully completed within 90 days, Karkare added.
Six persons were killed in the blast in the weavers' town in North Maharashtra. Among those arrested for the blast are Lt Col S P Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. PTI
Inflation eases to 8.90 pc, RBI may cut rates
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Fall in prices of crude oil, metals and other manufactured items helped cool inflation for the second straight week to 8.90 per cent, the lowest in five months, giving RBI the legroom needed to cut policy rates to fuel economic growth.
Inflation declined by 0.08 (rpt) 0.08 percentage points during the week ended November 8 from 8.98 per cent a week ago, prompting analysts to predict that the rate of price rise would come down to around 5.5 per cent this fiscal end, much lower than what was anticipated by the Reserve Bank.
Even as falling international crude prices and abolition of basic customs duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel by the Government softened fuel prices and metal rates came down simultaneously, primary food articles such as vegetables and fruits turned expensive.
The index for fuel, power, light and lubricants declined by 0.9 percentage points, as prices of ATF, light diesel oil, furnace oil and naphtha came down quite a bit.
It was the hike in administered prices of petrol, diesel and LPG in June that had pushed inflation to double figures. It remained in double digits till almost the end of October, returning to single figure only after crude prices fell - giving the government a breather just ahead of assembly polls in a number of states, including Delhi.
"Going ahead, the base effect will be favourable to bring inflation down. We expect it to reach 5.5 per cent by March. This will help RBI to ease monetary policy," Crisil Principal Economist D K Joshi said.
He expected a 50 basis points cut in short term rates - Repo and Reverse Repo - as well as 100 basis points slash in mandatory deposit requirements of banks.
RBI has already injected around Rs 2,75,000 crore in the system by taking a slew of cuts in policy rates and reserve ratios. PTI
Slowing down in the air did the trick: Harbhajan
Kanpur, Nov 20 (PTI) Harbhajan Singh today said bowling slower in the air than what he did in the earlier two matches did the trick as he scalped three crucial England wickets to fashion India's win in the third one-dayer here.
Harbhajan claimed the wickets of Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah to tie down the visitors and the off-spinner credited his match-winning performance to a minor adjustment in bowling.
"In the earlier two matches the grounds were smaller than here and I had to attack the wickets. But here I slowed down in the air and it worked. Otherwise there was no change in my bowling," said Harbhajan who returned with figures of three for 32 to win the man of the match award.
"The pitch was slow and a bit turning too. So I was trying to get the purchase from the pitch with minor adjustment. There was no change in bowling style otherwise. I stuck to the basics, concentrated on line and length. I am happy that I helped the team to win," he said.
Harbhajan, who took one wicket each in the earlier two matches, said he was always looking to get wickets and not thinking of containing the England batsmen.
"I was not looking to contain the batsmen, I was looking for wickets. We knew if Pietersen and the likes of Collingwood stayed at the wicket for long they would put up a big score. So I was thinking of removing them. Fortunately I was in the rhythm," said the feisty spinner. PTI
Flintoff rues failure to capitalise on good start
Kanpur, Nov 20 (PTI) All rounder Andrew Flintoff today expressed disappointment at England's failure to capitalise on their good start as they lost the third one-dayer by Duckworth-Lewis system to concede a 0-3 lead to India in seven-match series.
"It was disappointing the way match went today. We could not capitalise on our good start and also scored only 21 runs in the powerplays," he said after the match.
England, who were 102 for two at one stage, lost quick wickets to be reduced to 133 for four and were wrapped up for a modest total of 240 after a delayed start.
Flintoff also rued loss of time which was another factor in their defeat but said climatic factors could not be helped.
"We lost a lot of time. But there was no choice in the rough climate," he said.
With remaining four games becoming crucial for the visitors to win the series, Flintoff said it would not be an easy task but he believed the team could do it.
"It won't be easy but we would like to do exactly that. We would like to win all the remaining games," he said. PTI
Gilani to request India PM for sending cricket team to Pak
Islamabad, Nov 20 (PTI) Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani today said he would personally request the Indian government to send its national cricket team for a tour early next year even as security fears are threatening to derail the trip.
The chances of India coming to Pakistan depend on the clearance of their government, which recently refused to send their junior hockey team across the border for a Test series on security grounds.
The Prime Minister's assurance came during a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt, who apprised Gilani about the situation regarding India's tour.
"In a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ejaz Butt, Gilani said as cricket was loved by the people of both countries, he would personally request the Indian Prime Minister to allow Indian team to visit Pakistan," an official statement said.
The Prime Minister said the Indian government would be provided assurance regarding the security concerns.
Indian team is scheduled to arrive in January next year to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match in Pakistan.
Gilani said cricket was the most popular sport of Pakistan and asked the PCB to take necessary steps for improving its facilities while chalking out an effective strategy for hunting new talent in all parts of the country.
Butt told the Prime Minister that he had inherited an organisation which was massively over-staffed with very high administrative costs, putting a severe burden on the financial resources of PCB. PTI
We deserved to win irrespective of D/L method: Dhoni
Kanpur, Nov 20 (PTI) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his side was the deserved winner in the third one-dayer here today though England gave the closest fight in the series so far.
India won the match by 16 runs under Duckworth/Lewis method to take a 3-0 lead in the seven-match series and Dhoni said the home team was always ahead even under the D/L method.
"It was a tough match and it was the closest so far but we were ahead at every stage," he said.
"In the morning when I went out for the toss I knew that D/L method could be applied as we know light fades away very fast at this venue after 4pm.
"So we were prepared, I had a chit of D/L calculations. Once we knew D/L method would be applied we decided to preserve wickets as we knew we were ahead and runs could be scored from the power play (to be taken by batting side)," he said after the match.
Dhoni said the pitch was a difficult one to bat on but his batsmen were up to the task by taking ones and twos and ensured that no wickets were lost once the D/L method came into picture.
"The pitch was slowing down and the odd ball turning. It was difficult to bat on. But we decided to preserve wickets and take the singles as D/L method was in mind," he added.
The India captain, however, warned his boys not to lower their guards, saying the series is far from over and they have to win one more match.
"We want to win the series, have to win four matches. That is the most important thing. We want to make it 4-0 first before thinking of anything else," he said. PTI
India, Russia to hold naval wargames in Indian Ocean
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Nov 20 (PTI) With India and Russia bolstering their naval armada in the Gulf of Aden, the two countries would hone in on anti sea-piracy operations in the upcoming INDRA-2009 joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean in January next year.
"A task force from the Pacific Fleet, led by the Varyag missile cruiser, will leave Vladivostok in December and set sail for the Indian Ocean to participate in joint drills with the Indian navy," Fleet spokesman Capt 1st Rank Roman Martov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
This is the fourth such exercise since 2003 under the inter-services cooperation agreement between the two countries. New Delhi and Moscow held complex wargames in the sea of Japan last year.
Another naval task force of the Russian Northern Fleet led by the 'Pyotr Veliky' (Peter-the-Great) nuclear-powered missile cruiser also known as 'killer of aircraft carriers', will also join the wargames.
Besides counter-piracy, maritime law, counter-terrorism, and anti drug smuggling would be other features of the joint exercise.
The exercises are being held in the backdrop of steep rise in incidents of sea-piracy off the Somali coast and in the Gulf of Aden. Both India and Russia have a naval presence in the waters. PTI
Techie formally charged in slaying of Indian CEO, two others
Silicon Valley, Nov 20 (PTI) A 'fired' Silicon Valley engineer of Chinese origin has been formally charged with killing his three colleagues, including the Indian boss.
Jing Hua Wu, 47, former test engineer with SiPort, was formally charged yesterday with three counts of murder in the gunshot slayings of colleagues -- Sid Agrawal, 56, Marilyn Lewis, 67 and Brian Pugh, 47 -- who met him after he was fired for "poor performance" on November 14.
Police say the three senior executives met in a conference room with Wu on the same day, where he allegedly shot them dead with a 9mm gun.
Judge Jerome Nadler agreed to Wu's attorneys' request to continue the case until December 18.
No motive for the killings has been disclosed.
The engineer also owned over a dozen investment properties whose value apparently has diminished in the real estate crisis, San Jose Mercury News reported.
The victims' families did not show up at the hearing.
Agrawal was the Chief Executive and co-founder of SiPort, a maker of mobile chips.
The charges filed against Wu carry "special circumstances" - for the killing of multiple human beings, which makes Wu eligible either for life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, the report said.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office will weigh whether to seek the death penalty in the coming months.
Wu has been housed in the mental health ward of a jail since he was arrested on Saturday, 19 hours after the crime.
Rosen said a 9mm gun that police say was used in the shootings was found in the trunk of Wu's rental car.
Earlier yesterday, a huge crowd of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Agrawal. His two sons returned from Harvard University to join their mother and extended family at the service. PTI
Lankan army capture tiger defence line in Jaffna peninsula
T V Sriram
Colombo, Nov 20 (PTI) Sri Lankan troops today overran a strategic defence line of the Tamil tigers in Muhalamai in the Jaffna peninsula killing scores of rebel fighters and also laid siege to other nearby areas.
Government troops took control of an eight-km-stretch in Muhalamai, north of the tiger's stronghold of Kilinochchi after six days of bitter fighting, a defence ministry spokesman said.
Overcoming a stiff resistance, the army captured an eight km stretch of defences, mostly comprising bunkers between Muhalamai and Kilaly, the spokesman said.
The Lankan troops have been piling on pressure on Muhalamai, after the capture of the Pooneryn town and with this the 53rd and 55th divisions of the army have opened a new front to confront the tigers.
"55 division scored the initial success achieving the full domination of the LTTE defence line at Muhamalai on Tuesday while, 53 division soldiers were able to capture a large part of the LTTE bunkers in the Kilaly area in the Jaffna peninsula by Wednesday evening," the defence ministry said.
Strong elements of the government forces are already besieging the tiger headquarters of Kilinochchi and with their victories in Muhalamai and Pooneryn, they have bogged down vast numbers of tigers in Jaffna.
"Intercepted radio transmission reports revealed heavy toll of deaths and casualties to the LTTE fighters during these clashes," the ministry claimed.
Keeping up the momentum in Kilinochchi, an LTTE defence bund was captured by the troops causing heavy damages to the LTTE rebels after several confrontations in Akkarayankulam area yesterday. PTI
More layoffs in offing; 7,000 jobs on razor edge globally
New York, Nov 20 (PTI) Layoffs are turning out to be the flavour of the week, with European auto makers -- Peugeot Citroen and Rolls Royce, British pharma giant AstraZeneca and American defence equipment manufacturer Boeing all set to slash nearly 7,000 jobs.
The latest announcements to cut 7,000 jobs came within a span of two days, and closely follow the financial services behemoth Citigroup's decision to cut over 52,000 jobs, reportedly one of the largest layoffs in corporate history.
Peugeot Citroen would be bringing down its head count by 2,700, while Rolls Royce would be slashing 2,000 jobs. Further, AstraZeneca is planning to axe 1,400 positions, and Boeing has said it would cut 800 jobs.
French auto major Peugeot Citroen would be curtailing its workforce by 2,700 employees mainly due to falling volumes in European markets. The volume decline has been triggered by the financial turmoil and industrial crisis.
"The Central Works Council (CWC) of Peugeot Citron Automobiles is called to attend an extraordinary session on December 2, 2008 to examine a Skills and Jobs Redeployment Project, based on voluntary departures.
"It concerns a head count reduction at all sites and in all group departments and will concern 2,700 employees in the organisation," the firm said in a statement today.
Moreover, Rolls Royce which also manufactures aeroplane engines, plans to slash around 1,500 to 2,000 jobs next year.
"... The Group's current assessment is that in 2009, it will be necessary to implement job reductions across various sectors and functions of around 1,500 to 2,000 on a worldwide basis...," the company said in a statement today.
It would include the proposed reduction of 140 jobs at its Assembly and Test facility in Derby, UK, which forms part of the Group's Civil Aerospace business. PTI
Gold strengthens further on safe-haven buying; silver slips
Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) Gold prices strengthened further on the bullion market here today on sustained demand from stockists in view of marriage season coupled with save-haven buying from investors due to persistent fall in equity prices and higher global advices.
Silver, however, declined on lack of industrial demand.
Bearish equity markets forced investors to shift their funds in gold, boosting the yellow metal prices.
Gold rose in London buoyed by interest from jewellery makers and investors seeking safety, but a stronger dollar and lower oil prices are expected to weigh on the sentiment.
Spot gold was quoted higher at USD 743.30/745.30 an ounce from USD 732.40 an ounce in New York late on Wednesday.
Gold is used as a hedge against turmoil in financial markets -- equity prices in Europe and the United States are trading at their lowest levels in more than five years.
In the local market, standard gold (99.5 purity) rose by Rs 160 per ten grams to Rs 12,175 from Rs 12,015 previously.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) also shot up by Rs 155 per ten grams to Rs 12,235 from Rs 12,080.
However, silver ready (.999 fineness) fell by Rs 60 per kilo to Rs 16,740 from Rs 16,800. PTI
No evidence of manipulative trading in ICICI Bank shares: SEBI
Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) Market regulator SEBI today said it did not find evidence of manipulative trading in shares of ICICI Bank, which had demanded a probe by the watchdog after its scrip came under heavy selling pressure in September.
"While SEBI continues its surveillance of the stock exchange trading in various securities, SEBI did not find evidence of manipulative trading in ICICI Bank shares during the period (September 8 to October 10)," the market regulator said in a statement here.
A spokesperson of ICICI Bank, which had approached the regulator seeking a probe into what they called "beating down" of their shares by vested elements, declined to comment.
SEBI said by and large, the trading patterns are consistent with the shareholding pattern of ICICI with predominant holdings by FIIs, general buying and selling behaviour by FIIs and the broad movements of the market during this period.
The regulator analysed the trading pattern of ICICI Bank shares from September 8 to October 10 this year following the complaint by the country's largest private sector bank.
ICICI Bank MD and CEO K V Kamath had earlier demanded a probe by SEBI, alleging conspiracy by market manipulators to destbilise the bank's shares through rumours.
SEBI said prices of ICICI Bank shares fell by 49.52 per cent from Rs 720.45 on September 8 to Rs 363.65 on October 10 this year.
In its analysis, SEBI said none of the major sellers were observed to be placing orders successively at lower price. "There was no pattern observed regarding placement of successive orders at lower price by sellers to hammer down the price. There was no pattern observed of booking intra-day profits by major clients or brokers." PTI
Sensex plunges to three-year low of 8,451
Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) The stocks benchmark Sensex fell 323 points to 8,451.01, its lowest in three-years, as bears continued to prowl the market for the seventh day today.
The 30-share index recovered partially after touching an intra-day low of 8,316.39, as a fresh fall in inflation to 8.90 per cent for the week ended November 8 led to anticipation that the Reserve Bank may further ease monetary stance.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer recorded a net fall of 322.77 points or 3.68 per cent from its previous close. It had closed at 8,308.93 on November 10, 2005.
The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also tumbled by 81.85 points or 3.11 per cent to close at 2,553.15 from its last close.
Despite the government's confidence-building exercise in the past several weeks, investors looked worried about the future of the market, as the recession continued to spread to world's major economies.
Panic-stricken investors continuously placed sell orders, with buyers few and far between.
Market players said the dismal US economic data and the Federal Reserve's decision to lower the US growth forecast for 2009 almost endorsed worries that the financial crisis could pull the global economy deeper into recession.
Asian indices ended down by about 1.7 per cent to 7.0 per cent followed by sharp falls by about 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in the European markets in their early trade.
Realty sector was the worst hit today, shedding another 8 per cent on speculation in global markets of a fresh wave in the credit crisis. PTI
Sensex plunges by 323 pts, dips to three-year low levels
Mumbai, Nov 20 (PTI) In firm grips of global gloom, the markets prolonged the bear phase, with the benchmark Sensex ending today at a three-year low of 8,451.01 following a seven-day-long falling streak.
The benchmark recovered partially after touching the intra-day low of 8,316.39 as a fresh fall in inflation to 8.90 per cent for the weekend ended November 8 led to anticipation that the Reserve Bank may announce a fresh set of monetary measures this evening.
The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer recorded a net fall of 322.77 points or 3.68 per cent from its previous close. It had closed at 8,308.93 on November 10, 2005.
The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also tumbled by 81.85 points or 3.11 per cent to close at 2,553.15 from its last close.
Despite the government's confidence-building exercise in the past several weeks, investors looked worried about the future of the market, as the recession continued to spread to world's major economies.
Panic-stricken investors continuously placed sell orders, with buyers difficult to be located in a bearish market.
Market players said the dismal US economic data and the Federal Reserve's decision to lower the US growth forecast for 2009 almost endorsed worries that the financial crisis could pull the global economy deeper into recession.
Asian indices ended down by about 1.7 per cent to 7.0 per cent followed by sharp falls by about 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in the European markets in their early trade.
Realty sector was the worst hit today, shedding another 8.0 per cent on speculation in global markets of a fresh wave in the credit crisis. PTI
Hilton dumps boyfriend Benji Madden
London, Nov 20 (PTI) Socialite Paris Hilton has dumped her rocker boyfriend Benji Madden after a romance of nine months.
Hilton decided to call it quits this week because she felt the duo were "just too different", Sun quotes her friends as saying.
"They are just way too different. He has helped her grow up and they want to stay friends. But essentially he's a bit controlling," a close friend of Hilton said.
Paris was recently spotted with her ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos but friends insist that he was not involved in the split.
"She's spent a lot of time in Britain and other places lately and they have grown apart," they revealed.
"She's going to enjoy being single for a while." Hilton has been recently in Britain to shoot her new ITV show 'Paris Hilton: My New BBF'. PTI
Australian star Hugh Jackman voted Sexiest Man Alive
London, Nov 20 (PTI) The 40-year-old Australian actor Huge Jackman has been voted as Sexiest Man Alive for 2008 by people magazine.
The actor beat James Bond star Daniel Craig to the top spot, although the British heart-throb came in a respectable second place, the Dailymail reported.
Jackman also eclipsed stars like Brad Pitt, Zac Efron and Daniel Craig for the number one spot on a list by People magazine.
The other Britishers, who have made to the list are -- Simon Cowell, race-car drive Lewis Hamilton, football star David Beckham and TV chef Gordon Ramsay.
Jackman's epic film 'Australia' with actress Nicole Kidman was released recently.
The actor is joined by celebrities like actors Gerard Butler and Christian Bale, singer Seal, Twilight star Robert Pattinson, Jonny Lee Miller, adventurer Bear Gryllis, chef Gordon Ramsay, race car driver Lewis Hamilton and royal Prince Harry.
Other sexy men of the list include Hollywood staples such as Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Matthew McConaughey, male model Tyrese and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's husband Todd Palin. PTI
Britney admits she married "for wrong reasons"
London, Nov 20 (PTI) Breaking her silence over her troubled married life, singer Britney Spears has admitted that she married ex-husband Kevin Federline "for wrong reasons".
The pop singer has spoken for the first time about her troubled marriage and her infamous breakdown immediately after divorce.
The 26-year-old actress had married dancer Federline in September 2004 and gave birth to their first son Sean Preston exactly a year later.
"I think I married for the wrong reasons. Instead of following my heart and doing something that made me really happy, I just did it for the idea of everything," she revealed in her upcoming documentary 'For The Record'.
Britney's marriage came just nine months after her first marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander, which was annulled after 55 hours, the Dailymail said.
The singer stunned Federline by filing for divorced in November 2006, just two months after the birth of their second son Jayden James.
The next two years following her divorce proved tumultuous for the singer as she progressed from hard-partying to a session in rehab to shaving her head and was hospitalised twice for psychiatric evaluation earlier this year.
But the singer has made a successful comeback following the difficult period of her life and has filmed a 90 minute documentary earlier this year.
Earlier, Britney had admitted that her new lifestyle was "too controlled" and she felt like a "groundhog".
The singer is all set to release her sixth studio album 'Circus' to mark her comeback. PTI
Kashmiri poetry is about suffering of its people: Rahi
New Delhi, Nov 20 (PTI) Jnanpith award winning Kashmiri poet Rahman Rahi says contemporary poets of the valley have tried to bring out the suffering of people through their poetry.
"The contemporary poetry is all about the pain and sufferings of the Kashmiri people, specially about Kashmiri pandits, who are scatered in the different parts of the country," Rahi told PTI.
The renowned Kashmiri poet said that regional languages in the country were doing good but their readership was limited due to poor translation facilities.
Talking about the creativity and the language,the noted poet said, "Creativity has always flourished in most adverse situations. Kashmiri poetry is one such example." Rahi said that the poetry from the valley has witnessed an increase in the number of women poets.
Talking about the contribution of women in Kashmiri literature, he said women have always played an integral role in the development of Kashmiri literature. Lalla was the first major poet in the language.
The poet said the younger generation was more interested in short poetry as they want more freedom with the form of the poetry.
Rahi expressed hope that the future of Kashmiri poetry was bright with the younger generation taking an interest in one of the oldest languages in India. PTI
High EQ key to handle tough work conditions: Survey
New Delhi, Nov 19 (PTI) Employees with higher emotional intelligence are better equipped to handle internal changes in companies especially in the times of recession where various cost-cutting measures such as job slashes and layoffs are becoming the norm, according to a new survey.
Findings of the survey which analysed over 1,000 mid-senior level IT professionals in the age group 30-45 years said that women participants were found to fall in the 'High Alert' area with respect to self appraisal.
"Women in the IT area were found deficient in self awareness. They need to build better up their emotional quotient and develop self awareness so that they can be more confident and better about themselves and thus excel in whatever they do," says Neeta Mohla, Director, InspireOne a leading people and leadership development firm, which conducted the survey.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) describes an ability, capacity, skill or a self-perceived ability, to identify, assess, and manage the emotions of one's self, of others, and of groups.
The results indicate that Self Appraisal for Women in IT is a High Alert Area as 38 per cent of them fall in the 'Alarm' category. Another 38 per cent of women in IT fall in the category of 'Concern' which adds up to 76 per cent of them being in 'High Alert' area. While only 11 per cent and 13 per cent women in IT fall in the category of 'Acceptable' and 'Strength' respectively adding up to only 24 per cent of them being in 'Adequate' area. PTI
We lack spirit of adventure: Mandip Singh
New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) In India parents are too cautious to send their children for adventure tourism. In fact as a nation we lack spirit of adventure says Mandip Singh Soin, well known adventure sportsperson.
Soin, who got into Limca Book of Records in 1992 as 'India's Most Versatile Adventure Sportsperson' and honoured with the same this year, says, "Adventure tourism is popular in other countries. Spirit of adventure teach us to handle pressures of life better. But the irony is that we lack the spirit as a nation. Parents here are too cautious and apprehensive and do not take it as a sport."
However, the adventurer, who from the age of 16 has participated in adventure activities including Himalayan treks, ice-treks, cycling expeditions, camel and elephant expeditions and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, UK, however says that adventure tourism as a sport is slowly growing in the country with more and more youngsters showing interest.
"Its been a long journey. But now people are showing interest in it. With the corporates using this sports as a team building measure and college and schools also promoting it on higher level, the percentage of people who have shown active interest in the last 4-5 years has grown tremendously", he says.
Soin, who has done it all from climbing expeditions and treks to jeep safaris and mountain biking, now wants to conquer Mount Everest but not through the beaten track.
"My next target is to climb the Everest. But I would not take the normal route as all other mountaineers had done in the past. I want to reach there through an unusual route. I want to go through challenges but it does not mean that the normal route is easy." PTI
Russian designer keen to collaborate with Indian designers
Suktara Purkayastha
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) Well-known Russian designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev is impressed by Indian fashion designers' ability to integrate global appeal with native culture in their creations.
"I am keenly looking forward to collaborate with them," he says.
Zaitsev, who was in India to promote his winter collection says Indian fashion designers are very popular in the West.
"Indian designers have successfully showcased their native culture through their dresses. The Indian women designers particularly are very talented," says Zaitsev.
The Russian designer says that in 2009 'Year 2009 India in Russia' he plans to collaborate with Indian designers and organise fashion shows in his country.
He is also keen to work with Indian models. "Models here are very beautiful I will surely work with them" he says.
Questioned about his favourite Indian attire, Zaitsev said he was captivated by the saree. "I saw some Indian women sitting outside Taj Mahal draped in sarees, they looked so beautiful." Though, the designer finds it difficult to drape a saree but has expressed a desire to create a fusion of Indian and Russian garments.
Zaitsev laments the fact that not many Russians are aware about the Indian fashion scene.
Interestingly, Zaitsev is against women wearing jeans or trousers.
"Women today have surpassed men in all spheres. So, they should atleast leave the trousers and jeans for men," Zaitsev says adding that women look good in their natural attires. PTI
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Sensex: 8451.01, -322.77
The sensex closed at 8451.01, down 322.77
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1 Qatar Rial = 13.715 INR
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