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Loans likely to get cheaper as Govt prods banks to cut rates
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Home and other retail loans and industrial lending may become cheaper soon as public sector banks are likely to cut interest rates after the government today prodded lenders to provide credit at reasonable rates to spur the economy.
"Our bank will decide on lowering interest rates by the end of this month," country's largest lender SBI's Chairman O P Bhatt told reporters after a meeting between PSU bank heads and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee here.
Expressing concern over non-availability of credit at affordable prices from banks, Mukherjee said, "As a financial intermediary, the banks have to stand-by to provide credit at reasonable rates. This is an area of concern in many quarters both within the government and outside," he said.
He said reduction in key rates by RBI is not getting adequately reflected in the reduction of prime lending rates by banks. "I would urge the banks to address these concerns expeditiously and in adequate measure. This will help restore the environment for rapid growth and ensure that the growth process benefits all our people," Mukherjee said.
To a query as to how much the rates could be cut, the finance minister told reporters, "All possibilities will be explored.I can't quantify it (rates cut)." PTI
Eleven policemen killed in Maoist attack
Jamshedpur, June 10 (PTI) Eleven policemen, including a CRPF Inspector, were killed and six others injured when Maoists targeted their vehicle with a landmine in naxal-hit West Singhbhum district today.
A joint team of CRPF and local police was returning from a two-day long-range patrolling in Saranda forest when the explosion took place between Serengda and Aruanga villages, Jharkhand's Director-General of Police V D Ram said.
The victims also included the incharge of Goilkera police station Philips Tete and ASI P C Hembram besides CRPF inspector P Parimal.
An encounter between the Naxalites and the police followed the blast which was still continuing, CRPF Commandant Sanjay Singh said.
Today's landmine explosion was the fourth major Naxal-related incident in West Singhbhum district since 2002. Eighteen persons had died at Bikilsoy in 2002 while 29 jawans were killed at Baliva in 2004. Eleven CRPF jawans died at Jeraikela in 2007. PTI
NCP will never merge with Congress, says R R Patil
Mumbai, Jun 10 (PTI) Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and President of NCP's state unit, R R Patil, today categorically stated that his party will "never" merge with Congress.
"There are many people waiting for the merger to happen. They can keep waiting endlessly because NCP will celebrate its centenary year too," Patil said, addressing party workers at Shanmukhanand hall on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the party's formation.
Patil said in 2004 Lok Sabha polls, NCP bagged nine seats and Congress 13. But in the subsequent assembly elections in the same year, NCP emerged as the single largest party with 71 MLAs.
"Eight months ago, our candidate Sanjeev Naik lost the Thane Lok Sabha by-election only to win it in the 2009 general elections. It shows that electoral fortunes can change. In the assembly elections scheduled later this year, we will get minimum 100 seats," Patil said.
Senior leader Chhagan Bhujbal, Deputy Chief Minister of the state, had called for the need for NCP and Congress to unitedly fight the upcoming assembly elections "to keep the communal forces away".
"But, if Congress wants to chart a different course for itself, NCP should also do the same," Bhujbal said, referring to demands from a section of Congress to snap ties with NCP for the assembly elections. PTI
Probe against Modi, others as per law: SIT officials
Ahmedabad, Jun 10 (PTI) Investigation against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others is being carried as per law, Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials said here today.
SIT officials replying to a petition filed by a former BJP MLA, Kalubai Hirabhai Malivad in the Gujarat High Court, requesting to stay the investigations against Modi and others, said it raises 'frivolous points'.
Malivad, who also figures in the list of 63 persons, contended in his petition that Apex Court had asked SIT to 'look into' the complaint, and this doesn't empower it to investigate the case as per provisions of CrPC, as there was no FIR registered in this case.
Gujarat High Court has issued notices to the State government and all SIT members and asked to file a reply by June 16.
The Supreme Court had last month ordered SIT to probe within three months a complaint made by ex-MP Ehsaan Jaffrey's widow Zakia Jaffrey that Modi, his cabinet colleagues, police officials and senior bureaucrats aided and abetted post-Godhra riots of 2002.
"The Apex Court has said in its order to probe the complaint as per law and that is what we are doing. The petition filed in the High Court have raised some frivolous issues. We will be submitting reply in the court soon," they added. PTI
10-year girl identifies Kasab,father breaks down says hang him
Mumbai, Jun 10 (PTI) A ten-year-old girl hit by a bullet that disabled her right leg during the terror attack at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus today identified Ajmal Kasab as one of the two gunmen while her father went hysterical pleading that this accused be hanged for destroying her life.
Emotional scenes were witnessed in the courtroom of Special judge M L Tahaliyani when Devika Rotawan, the youngest eyewitness to depose in the Mumbai terror attack trial, was carried into the court by her father and showed poise and confidence while anwsering questions put to her.
She went into the witness box using crutches and after taking a seat provided for her told the court she would prefer to depose in Hindi.
Devika was asked by the court if she could identify the gunman among the three accused present in the dock to which the girl pointed towards the Pakistani gunman. Kasab, the lone surviving gunman, however, did not react.
Devika was among three witnesses to depose today regarding the terror strike at the CST rail terminus on the night of November 26. Her father, Natwarlal, and a Assistant Police Inspector who was injured also testified.
When asked by the court if her testimony was true, Devika said, "It is not correct to say that I am telling lies about Kasab opening fire. I have taken oath in the name of God I will not tell lies." Natwarlal, who is also an eyewitness, broke down when asked by the court if he could identify the gunman who was shooting at people at the rail terminus.
"It is that fellow who is sitting there. He should be hanged," Rotwan said pointing at Kasab."He has hurt my daughter and should be hanged," he said. PTI
RCom to offer BlackBerry service for Rs 299 a month
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications (RCom) today said it will offer BlackBerry services to its subscribers at Rs 299 a month.
RCom and Research In Motion (RIM) have introduced the 'Reliance E-Lite' plan for BlackBerry smart phone users in India, where users can have unlimited access to email and instant messaging (IM) on their phones for Rs 299 a month, RCom said in a statement.
The service plan would be available on BlackBerry smartphones available from Reliance Mobile, such as BlackBerry 8703e, BlackBerry 8830, BlackBerry Curve 8300, BlackBerry Curve 8900, BlackBerry Pearl 8110 and BlackBerry Pearl 8130.
"Through 'Reliance E-Lite', we will extend our reach to a wider market by providing an affordable and high quality of service to consumers," Reliance Communications Head (Wireless Data Business) Vrajesh Shelat said. PTI
Satyam hits upper circuit 2nd time in a row; Tech M surges 5 pc
Mumbai, June 10 (PTI) Satyam Computer today jumped 10 per cent, hitting its upper trading limit on the BSE for the second time in a row, a day after the scam-tainted IT firm reported a net profit of Rs 160.50 crore for December quarter, while its new owner Tech Mahindra surged over 5 per cent.
Satyam ended the day at Rs 73.50, up 9.95 per cent from its previous close on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The stock opened the day by hitting its upper circuit.
A similar trend was seen on the National Stock Exchange, where the scrip ended at Rs 73.50, up 10 per cent from last day's close. Over 47.80 lakh shares of Satyam changed hands on the two bourses.
Tech Mahindra, the new owner of Satyam Computer Services, also witnessed a surge of over 5 per cent and settled the day at Rs 784.85 on the BSE.
During the day's trade, the scrip had touched an intra-day high of Rs 860, up 15 per cent from its last close.
At the end of today's trade on the NSE, Tech Mahindra was quoted at Rs 782.80, up 5.22 per cent. Over 1.36 crore shares of Tech Mahindra got traded on the two exchanges.
Yesterday, Satyam reported a net profit of Rs 160.5 crore for the October-December 2008 period and a total income of Rs 2,327.21 crore.
Satyam was at its nadir in January with a measly profit of Rs 4 crore before showing signs of revival by recording a Rs 52 crore profit in February. PTI
Markets extend gains for second day; Nifty at 1-year high
Mumbai, June 10 (PTI) Extending its substantial gains for the second straight day today, the market today surged by nearly 400 points with funds continuing their frenetic buying amid encouraging global cues.
With foreign institutional investors remaining aggressive buyers, the Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share index Sensex touched nearly one-year high of 15,580.81 in late afternoon trade, while the wider index Nifty touched the one-year high of 4,655.25 points.
However, profit-booking emerged soon after that and the barometer pared some of the gains to close at 15,466.81, still up by 2.25 per cent over its previous close.
Brokers said investors anticipate more spending on key development areas after the Prime Minister Mammohan Singh yesterday expressed confidence that India's economy could grow at a rate of 8-9 per cent despite global slowdown.
It was FIIs which set the pace for rally for the second day today. As per the provisional data, they pumped in a whopping Rs 955.31 crore yesterday, taking the total for current month to Rs 2,893.90 crore till June 8.
Retail investor refrained from buying at current higher levels, resulting in mid-cap and small-cap underperforming the Sensex.
Yesterday, the Sensex gained over 460 points, its second biggest gain since the UPA coalition won the General Elections. PTI
Deora to meet FM next week
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Petroleum Minister Murli Deora is likely to meet Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee next week to press for restoration of tax breaks on natural gas production.
The Finance Minister as part of his pre-Budget consultations is meeting industry bodies and ministers and has slotted Deora for June 15, a source said.
On Deora's agenda will be getting back the seven-year exemption or holiday from payment of income tax for natural gas producers. He may also press for infrastructure status for natural gas.
Sources said the minister may also take up deregulation of petrol and diesel prices. With crude oil prices on the rise again, they breached USD 71 a barrel today, doubts are being cast if the Government may actually go ahead and free petrol and diesel prices.
Freeing fuel prices at this moment may lead to a sharp increase in petrol rates, the source said, adding if oil firms are not given freedom to raise prices in sync with the cost then a mechanism to compensate them for selling fuel at controlled rates would have to be devised.
Though the Cabinet had guaranteed exemption from payment of income tax on oil and gas production from areas awarded under the New Exploration Licensing Policy, the Finance Ministry last year said the fiscal incentive are only meant for oil. PTI
Budget by July 31: Govt
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) The government today said it would get the Union Budget for 2009-10 approved by July 31, avoiding the need for going in for a second vote-on-account.
"We have to pass the Budget by July 31. We have no idea for going in for a second vote-on-account at all," Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal told reporters.
He said the government has held discussions with leaders of opposition parties and the Budget would be passed without being sent to the Standing Committee.
There would be a detailed discussion on General Budget, demands for grants of four ministries, appropriation bills and Finance Bill.
The new session is likely to be convened by the last week of this month or the first day of next month and the government has requested the President to prorogue the brief session which concluded yesterday, he said.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee too had earlier ruled out going in for another interim Budget.
Bansal said the government would be calling a meeting of Secretaries of various ministries to prioritise the bills for introduction in Parliament.
As regards Insurance and LIC bills, he said government is for economic reforms and those were on the agenda.
Land Acquisition Bill and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, which got lapsed due to dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha, are likely to be introduced. PTI
Sania in pre-quarters of WTA Aegon Classic
Birmingham, Jun 10 (PTI) Sania Mirza quelled a late challenge from world number 49 and 11th seed Anne Keothavong to sail into the pre-quarterfinals of the USD 220,000 WTA Aegon Classic here today.
The unseeded Indian beat the British number one 6-1 7-6 (5) in the second round after battling it out for one hour and 27 minutes.
Sania will now run into the winner of the match between local wild card Elena Baltachs and Russian fifth seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova for a place in the last-eight stage.
Sania dominated the first set and did not give any chance to Anee, whom the Indian broke thrice to take lead.
However, Anee shrugged off the rustiness in the second set and put up a brave fight to stretch it to a tie-breaker, where Sania held her nerves and converted her second match point.
Sania had beaten Tatiana Poutchek in the first round last night. PTI
Nick Faldo to set up golf facility at Lavasa
Mumbai, June 10 (PTI) Golf legend Nick Faldo will develop a Nick Faldo golf academy and a signature golf course at Lavasa, being developed by Lavasa Corporation at a hill city near the metropolis.
The golf course design project will be undertaken by Faldo Design and will be spread over 150 acres at Damanhole town at Lavasa.
Lavasa Corporation is a part of the Ajit Gulabchand-spearheaded Hindustan Construction Company (HCC).
Faldo Design will contribute an 18-hole championship standard golf course, which will form an integral part of this new project, a press release issued here stated.
The academy is scheduled to open in 2012.
Lavasa Corporation's Chairman, Ajit Gulabchand, said that "this tie-up is yet another testimony in forging best-in-class tie-ups at Lavasa... The golf course aims to meet the highest standards with every contour painstakingly shaped to meet Faldo's rigorous benchmarks." Nick Faldo said that "I'm very excited to be working on what promises to be an absolutely stunning project -- a real benchmark for golf in India." Lavasa is being developed as a hill city amid 12,500 acres of land and is a three-hour drive from Mumbai. PTI
Appoint young selectors, not "Oldies": Akram
Karachi, Jun 10 (PTI) Former captain Wasim Akram has suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board should appoint the younger people rather than the "oldies" on national selection committee to raise standard of working.
The comment came two days after Pakistan cricket plunged into fresh crisis with chief selector Abdul Qadir resigning in mysterious circumstances.
Akram, currently in England where the World Twenty20 Championship is on, told the Pakistani media that the PCB should appoint such cricketers on the selection committee who were in their thirties and forties.
"You need such people who have played cricket in the modern era. People who know the cricketers playing on the domestic circuit and the international opposition," said Wasim who has played 104 Test matches.
Akram said the board should avoid appointing "oldies" to key positions or on the selection committee as they were not in sync with the requirements of the contemporary cricket.
"We should have younger people on the selection committee as they would be able to fulfill their duties better," he said.
Incidentally the present set-up in the board has faced plenty of criticism over the presence of a large number of "oldies" in the establishment. PCB chairman Ejaz Butt himself is in his seventies just like Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed, while national team coach Intikhab Alam is also in his sixties. PTI
Standing committee implicates cops in Lahore attack
Karachi, Jun 10 (PTI) The standing committee on sports in the National Assembly wants the government to lodge criminal proceedings against all security officials whose negligence resulted in the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore earlier this year.
Six Lankan cricketers were injured and as many policemen were killed when some masked gunmen ambushed their teambus which was on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium on March 3.
A judicial inquiry into the incident has blamed the top police officials of Lahore and Punjab for showing negligence in their duties that resulted in the deadly attack near the Liberty roundabout, a place close to the Gaddafi Stadium.
The Chairman of the NA committee Jamshed Khan told reporters that the committee had recommended to the Interior Ministry and provincial home departments to initiate criminal proceedings against all those officials who showed negligence while performing their duties during the visit of the Lankan team.
"Nobody will be spared who has damaged sports in any way," Khan said.
The Capital City police officer of Lahore, DIG Pervez Rathore told the NA committee that joint investigation teams probing into the Sri Lankan team attack has arrested one terrorist named Zubair, while four other accomplices have also been identified who are hiding in tribal areas. PTI
Sehwag admits sustaining injury in IPL
Ashish Shukla
Nottingham, Jun 10 (PTI) Opener Virender Sehwag today admitted he was not fit going into the Twenty20 World Cup as he had hurt his shoulder during the Indian Premier League semi-final.
"I had suffered the injury during our IPL semifinal clash against Deccan Chargers when I dived to stop a ball," said Sehwag, who captained the Delhi Daredevils in the event, after being ruled out of the T20 World Cup.
The semi-final against Deccan Chargers, which Delhi Daredevils lost badly, was held in South Africa on May 21, almost three weeks ago.
The injury has been described by coach Gary Kirsten as "a Grade I tear" and with the urgency being shown on Sehwag's treatment, it raises question why no medical solution to get him in shape was sought for close to three weeks.
Reports now suggest Sehwag would leave for South Africa to show himself to a specialist, but he first intends to show himself to a specialist in London.
"There is little I can do. At the moment I would leave for London with my wife (Aarti) and son Aryaveer," Sehwag said.
Kirsten had earlier said Sehwag's medical treatment, besides the physio's work, was restricted to just giving injections to the opener. PTI
Four pro-LTTE MPs refused leave by Sri Lankan parliament
T V Sriram
Colombo, June 10 (PTI) Sri Lankan parliament today refused to grant leave to four pro-LTTE Tamil MPs from the house, accusing them of acting against the national interest and constitution by spreading false propaganda against the country abroad.
The ruling United People Friend Alliance MPs expressed reservations against a proposal submitted by the four Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs requesting three months leave from the Parliament.
It may be recalled that in 2007, M K Eelaventhan a TNA MP was deprived of his house membership as he was absent without leave from for more than three months. The leader was at that time away in North America for some months.
Chief whip of the government Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament this morning that it was against the constitution to grant leave for these Parliamentarians as they had violated the constitution by spreading false propaganda abroad against the country.
The Minister pointed out that they had engaged in activities harmful to the motherland. National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said it was illegal to grant leave for such MPs who were acting against the nation's interest. Speaker W J M Lokubandara finally decided to consider the leave application only after an scrutiny.
The refusal of leave has put a question mark on their continuance as members of the house. PTI
Devastated Peshawar hotel to reopen in two months: owner
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, June 10 (PTI) Pakistani tycoon Sadruddin Hashwani, the owner of the five-star Pearl Continental in Peshawar that was devastated by a suicide car bombing, today pledged to reopen the hotel within two months.
Hashwani, who also owns the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad that was targeted by a suicide car bomber last year, called on the government to take firm action against terrorists who were gaining in strength in the country.
"Despite the losses, I will make it (Pearl Continental) operational in two months just as I reopened the Marriott in three months," he said.
He warned that if the government did not take action against terrorists, foreigners would stop visiting Pakistan and investments would halt. "The terrorists, who have gained in strength and have been getting organised, must be crushed now. Or else people will not be able to live in this country," Hashwani told Geo News channel.
Sixteen people, including at least three foreigners, were killed and over 50 injured in last night's suicide car bomb attack on the Pearl Continental, Peshawars only five-star hotel. Two UN employees were among the foreigners killed. At least five gunmen entered the hotels compound and one of them set off a truck packed with 500 kg of explosives.
Nearly 60 people, including the Czech ambassador and two US Marines, were killed in the attack on the Marriott. PTI
Pakistan hotel blast toll rises to 16
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Jun 10 (PTI) The death toll in the deadly suicide car bombing on a popular five-star hotel in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar today rose to 16 with the recovery of five more bodies from the rubble of the devastated building.
Among the dead were at least three foreigners, including two UN employees Serbian national Aleksandar Vorkapic, who worked for the UNHCR, and Perseveranda So of the Philippines, who worked for UNICEF.
Several foreigners were among the more than 50 people injured. They included an employee of the UN's World Food Programme, three Nigerians, a German and Somalian. Javed Khattak, a doctor at Lady Reading Hospital, said eight of the injured were in serious condition.
Police and rescue workers scoured the burnt out rooms of the Pearl Continental hotel for survivors and clues after the attack that occurred at 10.30 pm last night. They worked through the night despite a power outage caused by the powerful blast.
Five bodies were pulled out from the debris early this morning, taking the death toll to 16, said Peshawar police chief Sifwat Ghayur. Other police officials said the casualties could rise as some people were feared to be trapped under the rubble. PTI
Indian-Americans ask Obama to make aid to Pak conditional
Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jun 10 (PTI) As the US grapples with the Af-Pak problem, eight Indian-American organisations today appealed to the Obama Administration to make military aid to Pakistan conditional and ensure that it is not used against India.
In a unanimous resolution passed after a Capitol Hill briefing on 'Cross-Border Terrorism in Kashmir and the Hindu (Pandit) Victims: Challenges and Solutions' they urged the Obama Administration to make sure that "the American military aid to Pakistan should not be used against India." "The US must make Pakistan accountable in its fight against Taliban. India must support Pakistan in this fight as well," the resolution said.
"India must warn all foreign terrorists of dire consequences of their barbaric acts and eliminate the terrorist camps in the neighbouring countries and agencies that support these illegal adventures," it said.
The resolution moved by Jeevan Zutshi from International Kashmir Federation and supported by all members attending the briefing urged Obama Administration to put pressure on Pakistan to reform its education system and school syllabus that teaches hatred of non believers of Islam.PTI
Money killing creativity in hip hop, says 50 Cent
London, June 10 (PTI) Rapper 50 Cent has started getting bored of hip hop, because he believes that the genre has lost it's creative streak with artistes more keen on making money than music.
The 'Candy Shop' star, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, says that people's quest for money is starting to undermine the genre and his interest is therefore "dwindling away", reported Contactmusic.
"I think people are so conscious of the numbers they're not being creative anymore,"said the star.
The star, whose albums have achieved multi-platinum success, also revealed that his much awaited album 'Before I Self Destruct' will release later this year and will Boast of a number of collaborations.
The rapper also revealed that collaborating with superstars like Justin Timberlake was a lot more difficult than working with lesser known artistes.
"My duet with Justin Timberlake, for example, there is more compromise for me there. The content is similar to what you can see from 50 Cent, but the actual rap, style and cadence is different. But when I go into the song with Wisin and Yandel I didn't even have to make those cadence changes," said 50 Cent. PTI
Jessica Alba apologises for defacing public property
New York, June 10 (PTI) Hollywood beauty Jessica Alba has apologised to her fans in Oklahoma, after a video of her plastering posters on public property in the state's capital was made public.
The 'Honey' star pasted shark-conservation posters indiscriminately on public property including electrical boxes and a bridge, and her stunt lead to a police investigation, reported New York Daily News.
And now the embarrassed star has issued an apology saying, "I got involved in something I should have had no part of.I realize that I should have used better judgment and I regret not thinking things through before I made a spontaneous and ill-advised decision."
The 27-year-old actress who is in Oklahoma, filming for the psychological thriller 'The Killer Inside Me' was seen in photos with buckets of glue at the vandalism sites in photos and videos published online.
"A number of shark posters were placed around downtown with heavy-duty glue, making them near impossible to get off. It's basically a vandalism case that could involve our new tagger laws, " Sergeant Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police told the newspaper. PTI
Pregnant Heidi Klum feels like Buddha
London, June 10 (PTI) Pregnant supermodel Heidi Klum likes her new rotund figure as it makes her look like the 'Laughing Buddha'.
The German born model who is expecting her fourth child with husband Seal, said that she is getting used to the changes in her body but enjoys the process as it fascinates her young children, reported Contactmusic.
"You get used to all the changes of your body. It's not like I'm going, 'Oh my God!' I'm used to that part of it. You feel like a Buddha!" said the 36-year-old Victoria's Secret model.
Her elder daughter Leni, 5 loves seeing her growing baby bump, and often embarrasses Klum by trying to feel her stomach in public.
"If I had a dress on, Leni would literally go all the way down under my dress to rub my tummy. And I go, 'My underwear is showing, thank you very much!' ", said Klum.
But the supermodel is sure that her body will regain it's famous shape after the birth of the child.
"I know my body will go back again!" said the supermodel. PTI
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay in war of words with Oz PM
London, June 10 (PTI) He was once mistaken for the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown by Paris Hilton and now celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has ended up in a political feud with the Australian premier Kevin Rudd.
The political leader called Ramsay a "low life" after the chef publicly called one of Australia's leading journalists, a lesbian pig, reported Mirror online.
Ramsay was at a food show in Melbourne when he called TV presenter Tracy Grimshaw "a lesbian" and then drew a picture of a woman with the face of a pig and remarked, "That's Grimshaw. Holy crap. She needs to see a Botox doctor." The chef from Britain who became a celebrity with a string of successful reality shows, has outraged women's groups in Australia who have called for the chef to be kicked out of the country.
And now the country's Prime Minister has spoken out in Grimshaw's defence.
"All I could describe his remarks as reflecting is a new form of low-life. I just think that's off and offensive," said the leader. PTI
Horses dominate exhibition
New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Every human being has a horse hidden in him and it has a magical identity of its own! Confused?
Painter Biswajit Das in his debut exhibition in the capital has tried to depict exactly this in his latest painting series titled 'Horsepower', which was unveiled here this week.
Horses in different forms and colours congest Biswajit's canvas in all of his 35 paintings, some depicting their speed, some their unity and wild bonding and some highlighting their pain of loneliness.
The painter from Bengal believes horses have an allegorical quality in connection with humans.
"I believe horses have a special identity that is hidden amongst all of us. I've tried to portray the different aspects of the working class through several horse forms," says Biswajit, who is also the Chief Designer at the Indian Institute of Planning and Management here.
"I've simply made an effort to capture the desire of the upper class of society to satisfy their narrow interests while riding on the labour class," he adds. PTI
Spas, record healthy growth, provide lifestyle remedies
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) From dry and damaged hair to aches and muscle sprains, remedies to common lifestyle ailments are now available at your neighbourhood spa or salon!
Traditional remedies are being tweaked, customised and offered as tailor made packages to stressed clients with demanding lifestyles who are short on time and don't mind trying something new to look dapper.
"A lot of people want to experience something different. During the last 4 to 5 years there has been an increase in the number of people who are willing to try our recommendations on hair styling and experiment with different treatments," says Najeeb Ur Rehman, professional hairstylist.
Rehman who owns a hair spa in the national capital says that over the years he has picked up enough expertise to spot a client with health problems.
"Typically hair is something that people have been interested in and it is also the first to reflect any imbalance in the body. Looking at the hair I can tell whether or not a person is anaemic or say just dehydrated and I advise clients to stock up on vitamins or tonics," says Najeeb.
Spas, more popular in the West, have in the past half decade proliferated into urban neighbourhoods with clientele expanding from jetsetting corporates to young professionals or the stay-at-home mother.
Megha Dinesh, Brand Manager, "Aura" spa at Park Hotel roughly pegs the market for spas at around Rs 55 to Rs 75 crores. "This of course takes into account urban areas and big spas including those in hotels," she says.
Mystic Salon and Spa, which has added a new branch in Delhi, advertises rejuvenation treatments ranging from Thai massages to traditional ayurveda.
"We are trying to go beyond the physical world and offer wellness, feel good and stress busting therapies," says Siddharth Shankar, Director, Mystic Salon and Spa. PTI
Now find a life partner for your dog!
New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Rocky was one of the most handsome, well behaved studs around town but despite his charms his owners found it difficult to find a suitable match.
Not anymore.
With an increase in the number of people owning animals and their penchant to provide the best for their pets, many online portals have now come up with success stories and suddenly matchmaking for pets is just a cakewalk.
"We provide a platform for people to upload their dog's details. There are two ways members can search for a mate. Either through searching or enabling notification which would inform them of their perfect match when available," says Ishita Sukhadawala, who owns dogmateonline.Com.
She says she has received a tremendous response. "Our membership figure runs into thousands. Membership is free and open to dogs all over the world irrespective of their gender, age or location." According to the India International Pet Trade Fair (IIPTF), "there are an estimated 3.6 million pet dogs in the six major cities alone." PTI
Child activist to speak at ILO conference
Tony Rai
New Delhi, June 7 (PTI) He is 14-year-old ready to represent his country on a stage like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with the confidence of a seasoned activist.
Manan Ansari, a young child labour activist, hailing from the remote village of Dhaurkola in the mineral-rich state of Jharkhand, who will speak on child rights at the forthcoming conference at ILO in Geneva on 12th June.
Ansari has been invited by ILO's International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) to attend the special plenary session of the International Labour Conference.
"Manan will be speaking of his experience about child labour at a global stage like ILO where leaders across the world will listen on the plight of this issue (child labour)," Kailash Satyarthi, founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) said.
Born in a poor family with six siblings, young Manan was forced to work along with his family in one of the many unorganised and illegal mica mines dug by villagers.
"My work required me to collect 'dhivra' (mica) pieces from ten in the morning to six in the evening. Sometimes, I couldn't get any dhivra for earning...," the young boy recollects. PTI
Now a networking site for senior citizens
New Delhi, Jun 7 (PTI) Facebook and Orkut along with other social networking sites are not sole domain of youngsters alone, senior citizens are also using technology to catch up with lost friends or share views with like-minded communities.
To fill the colour in retired life of lonely Indians, a website completely dedicated to the elderly has been launched recently.
"Many surfers of our website have been vocal about their need to make friends, have space to voice their thoughts without being judged by younger generation and remain active. One member feels our website helps bring out their "pachpan ka bachpan," says Ishita Sukhadawala, promoter of Verdurez.Com, a social networking site for senior Indians.
"The website is for Indians and NRIs aged 55 years and above to connect and engage with fellow senior surfers. The aim is to reduce the feeling of loneliness and isolation which comes with old age and promote life after fifty-five," she adds.
The members of the website can network through blogs, forums, book clubs, image galleries, polls, daily discussions, classifieds and chat rooms. PTI
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