|
-: Advertisement :-
Save on your taxes while donating to a good cause!
Donate to the 'Bombay Leprosy Project'
Visit http://www.bomlep.org for details.
|
-: Advertisement :-
Headlines
|
News:
Thackeray warns PM of Pak visit
Five million affected in Orissa floods, toll touches 34
Vajpayee to brief NDA leaders on Summit
Summit has shown path to be taken for settlement: US
"Musharraf was under militant pressure on Kashmir"
Visa curbs sadden Australia-bound students
Zakir Hussain plans retiring
Merge Fertiliser with Chem; abolish 82 posts in 4 Depts: ERC
Europe, Japan emerging preferred destination for software
States may fix margin for fixed price shops: Government
Car, two-wheeler sales up
Sensex opens marginally up
Sri Lanka all out for 220
Vaidehi Reddy in fourth round, Joshna Chinappa loses
|
Markets:
Sensex: 3383.41, -48.52
|
Forex, Metals and
Weather below
|
News
|
Thackeray warns PM of Pak visit
Bal Thackeray warned Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Wednesday that he would lose national support if he visited Pakistan for another summit with President Pervez Musharraf.
"Vajpayee has accepted the invitation to visit Islamabad. But this is not as simple as it seems," said the firebrand leader of the Shiv Sena party, Bal Thackeray.
Vajpayee received and accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan at his summit with Musharraf in Agra which ended in deadlock Monday with no deal on the course of a future dialogue.
In his party's mouthpiece daily, Saamna, Thackeray said Pakistan continued to fire across the border, send "terrorists" into Kashmir and foment unrest in other parts of India.
"If Vajpayee goes to Islamabad while these are going on, the country will go against him," Thackeray said, adding that the Agra summit had always been doomed to failure.
"Musharraf has likened the terrorism in Kashmir to a holy war. That said it all about the Pakistani position. I knew from the start that the talks would be meaningless."
The Shiv Sena is a key constituent of India's ruling coalition dominated by Vajpayee's BJP .
India and Pakistan have both denied that their first summit in more than two years was a failure, and insist that peace efforts remain on track.
Top
Five million affected in Orissa floods, toll touches 34
Bhubaneswar,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: An estimated five million people have been affected as the swirling waters of the Mahanadi breached river embankments in four coastal districts last night even as the toll in the current floods and rains went upto 34, official sources said today.
Three people were washed away last night as at least 16 major breaches occurred in the coastal belt with over 14 lakh cusecs of water gusing through the delta head at Naraj inundating huge areas.
The flood waters had cut off road communication to many places while hundreds of villages had been marooned. Thousands of affected people had taken shelter on river embankments and highways in the worst-hit districts of Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Puri.
Five breaches had occurred on the embankment of River Devi in Jagatsinghpur district, while four each had been caused in Cuttack and Jajpur, three in Kendrapara districts, the sources said.
Two columns of the army, which reached here late last night, had been deployed in the worst-hit pockets, the sources said adding air-dropping of food packets by IAF choppers had been continuing despite the inclement weather.
About 15,000 people from 25 gram panchayats had been shifted to school and college buildings in Jagatsinghpur district while another 10,000 people had shifted on their own to river embankments.
Top
Vajpayee to brief NDA leaders on Summit
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will brief leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at a meeting here today on the India-Pakistan Summit in Agra.
Vajpayee today apprised the Union Council of Ministers the details of his talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.
Top
Summit has shown path to be taken for settlement: US
Washington,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: The United States has said that the Agra summit between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf has shown the path to be taken for the eventual settlement of the differences between India and Pakistan.
"While India and Pakistan did not reach agreement on a final joint statement, it is important to keep this meeting in perspective. The two sides were grappling with very difficult issues that have divided them for over 50 years," Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina B Rocca said on Tuesday at an Indian American Friendship Council banquet organised by Council President Krishna Reddy.
She said "yet the serious and constructive atmosphere of these talks tells me that both sides are committed to resolving their differences, even if this turns out to be a lengthy process. Prime Minister Vajpayee's agreement to visit Islamabad for further discussions is a positive step, and the Foreign Ministers of both countries have said their governments want the dialogue to continue."
"We strongly support this kind of sustained, senior-level engagement between Pakistan and India," she said at the banquet which was attented by as many as 100 Senators and Congressmen.
Top
"Musharraf was under militant pressure on Kashmir"
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Pressure of militant and fundamentalist outfits in Pakistan on President Pervez Musharraf regarding the Kashmir issue was one of the major reasons for the breakdown of his talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Agra, official sources said here.
Before coming for the summit, Musharraf had met a group top militant leaders and discussed Kashmir issue, even though these outfits had termed the talks as a "fraud".
Pakistani spokesman Maj Gen Rashid Qureshis statement that an "invisible hand" obstructed the talks should be seen in the context of the building up of pressure by these outfits, they said.
Even before a word was uttered in the summit, outfits like Hizbul Mujahedeen had announced plans to continue with their operations regardless of the outcome of the talks. Its spokesman on July 11 had said "it is our jihad that forced the Indian government to come to the negotiating table and we will not reduce the intensity of our struggle until Indian forces vacate their occupation of Kashmir", according to Pakistani media reports.
"These talks are a fraud and a move by (Prime Minister) Vajpayee to buy time for his fatigued army," Yahya Mujahid, spokesman for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), had said the same day. "We will, inshallah (God willing), step up our operations against Indian forces in coming days." Similar were the views of Harkatul Mujahedeen leaders.
When the summit failed to achieve anything concrete, the same groups lauded Musharraf's "bold" stand.
Top
Visa curbs sadden Australia-bound students
Going `Down Under' may no longer be that easy. The new visa
regulations have dampened the spirits of city-based students who had completed
adequate preparations to leave to Australia for higher education.
According to the new visa regulations, which come into effect starting July 1,
2001, it is mandatory for students to show the entire tuition fee, living
expenses and airfare in liquid assets. Besides, the Australian government has
also made it compulsory for students to take up the IELTS exams to test the
English language ability.
This has apparently been done as a large number of students of Indian,
Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin have allegedly overstayed or have not followed
the earlier requirements. The regulations are applicable to those applying from
these three nations.
``The new visa regulations are disappointing. As per the new regulations,
students are required to show the fees in liquid assets. I had solely depended
on a bank loan. Now, I am undecided about what to do,'' said a student.
Another student, Rohit, who had attended the Australian Education Fair in May,
said: ``Though I had obtained admission in a couple of universities for the
July 2001 intake, I deferred the admission to February, 2002 as I had to
complete formalities and take leave from my employee. However, I regret having
done so.''
Australia has, off late, recognised India as one of the huge markets for
prospective students. It has been approaching India aggresively by conducting
round the year education fairs in important cities. Bangalore has about four
Australian education fairs every year conducted by IDP, a not-for-profit agency
and owned by all Australian Unversities.
While the new visa regulations have asked undergdatuate students to show the
entire tuition fee, living expenses and airfare as liquid attest, PG students
are required to show one year tuition fee, living expenses and air fare. All
this must be held for a period of six months prior to applying for Pre-Visa
Assessment (PVA).
Said Ananth, a student who is looking at Australia as an option for higher
education: ``The new visa regulations are extremely discouraging. It means only
rich students can make it to Australia. Ironically, these new visa regulations
have come in place when the Indian government has increased the loan sum for
students to go abroad for further students. These regulations will definitely
affect Indian students, especially those from the middle class who depend on
educational loans.''
The local IDP office chose not speak about the issue. ``It is too early for us
to say anything on this,'' was all that they were willing to comment but added
that the new visa regulations did not have any impact, so far, on the number of
students who wanted to go to Australia for higher education.
Top
Zakir Hussain plans retiring
Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain is contemplating to bid adieu to
the percussion instrument and the world of classical music with which he
mesmerised and enthralled millions across the globe.
Zakir Hussain is reportedly upset over commercialisation of music and is
currently living with his family in California, sources close to him said here.
Another reason behind it could be a nagging pain in his fingers, they added.
When contacted, Zakir Hussain's manager, Sannidhi Patel, said that she
would "neither confirm nor deny" the reports of his saying good bye to the
tabla.
The sources said Zakir Hussain would himself make an announcement in this
regard by the month end.
Zakir Hussain, 44, is the son of renowned tabla player Alla Rakha, who used to
accompany the great sitar player Ravi Shankar. Learning the instrument from his
father, Hussain gave his first international performance at the age of 12.
Top
Merge Fertiliser with Chem; abolish 82 posts in 4 Depts: ERC
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Expenditure Reforms Commission (ERC) has recommended merger of Department of Fertilisers with Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and closure of sick units under these departments besides abolition of the post of Additional Secretary in Petroleum Ministry, as part of efforts to rightsize the government.
The commission, headed by K P Geethakrishnan, former finance secretary, also recommended closure of offices of Development Commissioner of Iron and Steel (DCI&S) and Joint Plant Committee (JPC) under the Ministry of Steel.
The sixth report suggested abolition of a total 82 posts in Petroleum Ministry (20 posts), Fertiliser (29 posts), and Chemicals and Petrochemicals departments (33 posts).
"Department of Fertilisers may be merged with Department of Chemicals to have an integrated Department for Chemicals and Fertilisers," ERC said adding the post of Secretary (Fertilisers) would become redundant and can be abolished after the merger.
The commission suggested closure of five ailing PSUs under the Fertiliser Department and four PSUs under the Chemicals and Petrochemicals department.
"Fertilise Corporation of India, Hindustan Fertilser Corporation Ltd, Pyrites, Phosphates & Chemicals Ltd and Projects & Development India Ltd, are sick units and are to be processed for closure," it said.
The commission also suggested expediting the winding up of five pharma PSUs -- Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd, Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bengal Immunity Ltd and Smith Stanistreet Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Top
Europe, Japan emerging preferred destination for software
Bangalore,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: International Data Corporation (IDC) said today US slowdown has affected the Indian software exports, but it is expected to revive by 2002, and Europe and Japan markets are emerging as preferred destination and key contributor to the Indian software exports.
By 2008, software and related services were expected to contribute over 7.5 per cent of India's overall GDP growth, Manager (Demand Side Research), IDC India Ltd, Utpal Ghosh, said at the +Directions 2002+, the 14th Annual Computer Industry Briefing Session here.
Ghosh, speaking on +Charting The Indian IT Market+, said cost benefit in India had attracted many US-based firms to set up operations/development centres in India, and business outsourcing, back-office operations and customer interaction services would account for the major chunk of the export revenue.
Capital market initiatives in rolling settlement (SEBI guideline), introduction of trading in index and derivative would open up a new market type, he said.
With focus on distribution, the insurance sector would also resort to e-commerce, data warehousing/datamining and computerisation which would depend on "VPN solutions" for fast and safe data access, Ghosh said.
IDC study forecast that gloomy conditions in the tourism sector may slowdown the tour, travel and hotel industries in India this year but media is poised to witness a strong growth in the coming years driven by increasing cable TV subscriber base and introduction of DTH.
Top
States may fix margin for fixed price shops: Government
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: In a bid to make ration shops more viable, Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for granting flexibility to state Governments in fixing margin for fair price shops removing the limit of 50 paise per kg of foodgrains.
At present, there is a restriction that the margin is within 50 paise per kg over and above the central issue price for distribution of foodgrains under the targeted public distribution system.
The overhead charges like wholesalers' margin, distribution expenses, statutory taxes on PDS commodities are included in the difference of Rs 50 per quintal between Central Issue Price (CIP) and retail sale price (RSP), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan told reporters.
He said the removal of the margin limit would make the fair price shops more viable.
This would, however, not apply to distribution of foodgrains under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana where the end retail price is to be retained at Rs two per kg for wheat and Rs three per kg for rice, he said.
Cabinet also approved the introduction of Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Bill 2001 in Parliament. The Bill provides for regulation and development of mineral resources in territorial waters, continental shelves and exclusive economic zones of the country, he said.
He said the Bill would ensure that mineral exploration and development in off-shore areas is streamlined and in the process attracts private investment in the mineral sector. It also seeks to develop off-shore areas scientifically and systematically.
Top
Car, two-wheeler sales up
New Delhi,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Led by a spurt in the sales of Maruti, Ford and Hyundai, car sales went up by 30.4 per cent in June 2001 as compared to the same month last year.
Total sales increased to 48,243 cars from 36,974 cars sold in the year-ago month, figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed today.
Ford India Ltd registered a whopping 73.2 per cent increase in sales at 2,993 units over 1,728 units in the same month last year.
Maruti Udyog, a joint venture between the Indian government and Japan's Suzuki Motor Company, posted an impressive 64.3 per cent sales growth at 26,129 units against 15,898 units sold in June last year.
Cumulative car sales (April-June 2001-02) went up by 3.4 per cent at 147,995 units over 143,066 cars sold during the same period last fiscal.
All the other sectors of the industry like commercial vehicles, multi-utility-vehicles (MUVs) and three-wheelers recorded a dip in sales while two-wheeler sales recorded rise in sales during the month under review.
Sales of commercial vehicles, a yardstick of economic growth, declined by 7.8 per cent month-on-month at 10,937 units over 11,874 units sold in June last year.
MUV sales also declined by 8.9 per cent at 8,894 units in the review month as aginst 9,771 units a year ago.
Sales of two-wheelers went up by 5.97 per cent at 324,187 units in June 2001 over 305,929 units last year due to growth in motorcycle sales.
Top
Sensex opens marginally up
Mumbai,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: The sensex opened marginally up and showed small improvements led by a mild rally in cement stocks in dull trading at early stages on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) today on scattered buying support.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) which cornered good chunk of stocks during last week and once again have slowed down their activity with net investments of Rs 1.1 million on Monday, were the only buyers in the market.
Retail investors and stocks brokers were almost sidelined confining their trasactions to buying and selling in small quantity on the same day.
Stock brokers which on Tuesday formed an all-India brokers' forum, Securities Industry Association of India to protect and promote interest of its members from all major stock exchanges in the country, are unhappy over the way the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced the rolling settlement and banned the carry-forward system.
The BSE Sensitive Index opened up at 3434.94 as against Tuesday's close of 3431.93, and later moved in a range of 3445.35 and 3434.94 before being quoted at 3442.10 at 10.30 am
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index surged up by about 134.27 points and 38.20 points Tuesday night on some signs of progress in the profits of companies sensitive to the economic cycle.
Among the top gainers, Apollo Hospital firmed up by 6.45 per cent, DSQ Software by 4.39 per cent, Sesa Goa by 3.97 per cent, Wipro by 3.86 per cent, Glaxo by 2.62 per cent, L&T by 2.59 per cent and Himachal Futuri by 2.53 per cent.
Top
Sri Lanka all out for 220
Colombo,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Electing to bat, Sri Lanka were all out for 220 in 48.5 overs against New Zealand in the opening day/night league match of the cricket tri-series in colombo on Wednesday.
India is the third country participating in the series in which each team plays the other thrice and the top two teams clash in the final. Scores:- Sri Lanka: 220 all out in 48.5 overs (S Jayasuriya 80, S Perera 19, Harris 2/42, Vettori 2/42).
Top
Vaidehi Reddy in fourth round, Joshna Chinappa loses
Mumbai,Wednesday, July 18, 2001: Vaidehi Reddy of India sailed into the fourth round with a 9-5 9-7 9-4 win over Felicity Goodall of Australia in the 9th World Junior Women's Squash Championship at Penang yesterday.
Reddy, India's second ranked player from Chennai, needed 29 minutes to make it to the last 16 stage with four strokes in the opening match. She now meets third seed Jenny Duncalf of England in the fourth round.
National Champion Joshna Chinappa was unimpressive and went down in a one-sided match 3-9 6-9 0-9 to another Aussie Kasey Brown in just 24 minutes, according to information received here today.
Top
|
Markets
|
To get today's complete NIFTY (the NSE index) listing send an e-mail to
get-nse@mumbai-central.com
(updated multiple times a day)
|
To get today's BSE index listing send an e-mail to
get-bse@mumbai-central.com
(updated multiple times a day)
|
To get today's NAVs for mutual funds send an e-mail to
get-mf@mumbai-central.com
(updated once a day)
|
Sensex: 3383.41, -48.52
The sensex closed at 3383.41, down 48.52
Top
Top
|
Forex
|
1 U.S. $ = 47.16 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.38 INR
1 British Pound = 66.42 INR
1 Canadian $ = 30.70 INR
1 Singapore $ = 25.75 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 12.84 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 12.57 INR
1 Euro = 40.77 INR
|
Metals
|
No data |
Weather
|
Temperature: 84 F / 29 C
HeatIndex: 89 F / 32 C
Humidity: 66%
Dewpoint: 72 F / 22 C
Wind
WSW at 17 mph / 27.4 km/h
Pressure: 29.68 in / 1005 hPa
Conditions
Haze
Clouds
Scattered Clouds (SCT): 2000 ft / 611 m
Mostly Cloudy (BKN): 10000 ft / 3050 m
Sunrise : 06:10 AM (IST)
Sunset : 07:19 PM (IST)
Moon Rise : 04:20 AM (IST)
Moon Set : 04:57 PM (IST)
Tonight : Low: 73 F / 23 C Chance of a Thunderstorm
Thursday : High: 82 F / 28 C Chance of a Thunderstorm
Thursday Night : Low: 73 F / 23 C Chance of a Thunderstorm
Friday : High: 82 F / 28 C Thunderstorm
Friday Night : Low: 73 F / 23 C Thunderstorm
|
-: Advertisement :-
Save on your taxes while donating to a good cause!
Donate to the 'Bombay Leprosy Project'
Visit http://www.bomlep.org for details.
|
-: Advertisement :-
|
Admin Message
Features
Do you own an Internet cafe or provide internet access for web surfing?
If so, please contact us.
new!
Review of 'Lagaan'
new!
T.Y.B.Sc. results
are online at
http://results.mu.ac.in/science/main.htm
T.Y.B.Com. results
are online at
http://results.mu.ac.in/commerce/enter_no.php3?exam=bcmmrk2
Puraani
yaadein - lyrics of old Films Division cartoons (via nukkad).
SSC results were declared on June 19th 2001 at 3 PM. The marksheets
are available in the schools. Last date to apply for
reverification is July 3, 2001.
The results are also available online at
http://mahresult.nic.in
on June 19th.
Giant wave lashing Marine Lines. Great pic of the monsoon's first wavelash.
Review of
Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya
Review of the Hindi play
shaadi@barbaadi.com
new!
The wonder that is the Mumbai
tiffinwalla
Fireplace Musings - poemku's by Sanjeev Naik - on likhaai
Astro-magic by Rajababu - on likhaai
Earthquake - a poem by Rajababu (via nukkad)
Mumbai Us Zamaney Ka
- a walk down memory lane (via nukkad)
new!
Today in history
Some history behinds the names of Mumbai's localities.
Let us know if you have any information.
This week's Bollywood news
Advertisement
Advertisement
Our interactive bus guide
Refuse, Reduce, Re-use, Re-cycle plastics
List of places to see in Mumbai (with pics). Any corrections/additions/suggestions? Send them in.
Have a suggestion for new features?. Let us know!.
25 things that prove you're a Bombayite...... - via nukkad
Make Mumbai Central your start page! Step-by-step instructions here.
Message boards
Community events: Events in June 2001
Education: TYBSc and TYBCom results online
Bollywood Masala: Review of Lagaan
40+ and going strong: ST THOMAS 1970 BATCH ANYONE?
Singles scene: visit to mumbai
nukkad
RE: REPLY--Equation...
Sold Cheap
RE: REPLY--Equation...
curious
The Very Dharmik Me
Re: The Very Dharmik Me
(More info on the 'nukkad' mailing list, including subscription info is at:
http://www.mumbai-central.com/nukkad/)
About the Mumbai Grapevine
The Mumbai Grapevine is a daily newsletter with news and info
from the city of Mumbai, formerly Bombay. The newsletter also
has weekly editions of international news.
To express your opinion about a particular story or news item,
write to:
news-editor@mumbai-central.com
These opinions may be published on the newsletter. If you do
not want your name/address to be published along with your
letter, please indicate clearly.
Instructions to unsubscribe are at the end of the newsletter.
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.
|