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SIMI ban to continue: govt
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) The government today decided to reimpose the ban on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for two years for its alleged links with certain Pakistan- based terrorist outfits.
"The ban, which is in force till today, will be reimposed tomorrow for two years," a senior Home Ministry official said.
The decision to reimpose the ban under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Nearly three dozen outfits including Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami, have been banned by the Government for their links with terror outfits, most of them based in Pakistan.
The decision to continue the ban on SIMI was taken as the group continued to indulge in unlawful activities, the Home Ministry official said.
The ban on SIMI was imposed for the first time in September 2001. SIMI was initially banned for two years after intelligence reports showed that its cadres were joining Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) and was providing logistical support in setting up of "sleeper cells" in the hinterland. Some of its members had also received training by Lashker in Gulf countries. The ban has been extended subsequently.
SIMI has been accused of carrying out terror attacks across the country, including the Mumbai train blasts in 2006.
The banned organisation had challenged the government move in various courts but could not get any reprieve. PTI
MoU between India and SA approved
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) The government today approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa on agricultural cooperation.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, gave its nod for the MoU which is expected to promote further bilateral cooperation through joint activities and exchanges in the areas of agriculture.
The MoU will cover various areas of agriculture, including animals, fisheries, poultry, agricultural extension, land and water management and its conservation, promotion of agricultural trade and investment, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.
He said the MoU will be valid for a period of five years.
The Cabinet also gave its approval for signing of an agreement between India and Zambia for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
"The agreement will stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services from India to Zambia and vice versa," Dasmunsi said.
It will provide tax stability to the residents of India and Zambia and facilitate mutual economic cooperation, the minister said. PTI
14 rivers to be declared as national projects
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) In a bid to increase irrigation and harness the hydro energy potential, the government today decided to declare 14 rivers as national projects providing for nearly full Central assistance for their upkeep.
A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave its approval to the proposal for implementation of National Projects with Central assistance of 90 per cent of the cost as grant, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.
He said in principle clearance has been given for treating the 14 projects as national projects and Union Ministers of Finance and Water Resources and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman would work out a funding mechanism.
Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz described the decision as "landmark" development.
"This will help in utilising share of water in rivers governed by the international treaties apart from creation of additional irrigation potential in the country," Dasmunsi said.
International projects where usage of water in India is required by a treaty or where planning and early completion of the project is necessary in the interest of the country like Teesta would come under the purview of the national projects, he said.
Inter-state projects, which are dragging on due to non-resolution of disputes with regard to costs and intra-state projects with additional potential of more than 2 lakh hectares and with no dispute regarding sharing of water would also be covered, he said. PTI
Raj, Azmi will he held if strong evidence found: Patil
Mumbai, Feb 7 (PTI) Maharashtra government will not hesitate to arrest MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi if there is "strong evidence" of their involvement in recent violence sparked by MNS' anti-north Indian campaign, Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said today.
"If there is strong evidence, we will arrest both Raj Thackeray and Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi," Patil, who also holds the Home portfolio, said.
He said the police are capable of handling the situation in the event of Raj's arrest and the government was not afraid of arresting the MNS chief.
The state government has sent a report to the Centre on the action taken and arrests made in connection with the recent incidents of violence in the city, he said.
The Centre had expresed its satisfaction over the action taken by us, Patil said.
Patil also said that he had not received any report from the Advocate General so far.
"If there is any such report, it will be sent to the police commissioner and not to me," he said. PTI
Sania lost opportunity to climb up the ladder: Vijay Amritraj
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Former Davis Cup captain Vijay Amritraj believes Sania Mirza might have let slip an opportunity to upset some big names and climb up the rankings by pulling out of the WTA Bangalore Open.
Amritraj said home advantage works wonder for an athlete and since Sania was in great form in the Australian Open, she could have toppled a few big names with the fans cheering for her.
The player-turned commentator, however, said Sania should know what was best for her.
"It is strange that this kind of thing has happened. She is a kind of player who can reach the top-20 and you have to give yourself a good shot to do it," Amritraj said.
Sania pulled out of the Bangalore Open saying she wanted to avoid unnecessary controversies that had mired her playing career.
"She needs to make the right calls. She was wonderful in the Australian Open and if she had the chance of beating a top player there, it was Venus Williams," Amritraj said.
"She is in great form at the moment and it was a good opportunity to do that with the crowd support. There is nothing like playing in front of a home crowd. India can't wait for Sania to be in the top-20. But all said and done, she knows how she is feeling and take her call and it depends on her scheduling," he said. PTI
Randhawa soars to Indian Masters lead at happy hunting ground
Amlan Chakraborty
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) On a course where he cannot do anything wrong, Jyoti Randhawa played flawless golf en route to a sensational seven-under 65 to grab the opening round lead of the USD 2.5 million Indian Masters here today.
A venue where he has won almost everything and anything, the par-72 Delhi Golf Club once again turned out to be Randhawa's happy hunting ground and country's top-ranked golfer sizzled on a spectacular back nine that included two eagles, apart from a birdie, and fetched him a two-shot lead over second placed Damien McGrane of Ireland and Richard Finch of England.
After an impeccable front nine, where he picked up a shot each on the third and sixth holes, Randhawa birdied the 12th and parred the next. On 14th, he fired an eagle and then went on to sign off in style, with yet another eagle amid loud cheers.
And it came from a man who was not completely happy with some of the recent changes in the course.
"Well, I could not have asked for a better start and I don't know what to say about the course," Randhawa said.
"This being an European Tour, I knew I have to go for the birdies and take some risk for that. Fortunately, it paid off," he said.
Though most believe he did not put a foot wrong today, Randhawa felt he missed out on a few more birdies.
"I missed eight-foot putts on the first, ninth, 15th, 16th and 17th holes and it could have been even better." PTI
IPL hopes to resolve sponsorship issue with Cricket Australia
Mumbai, Feb 7 (PTI) Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi is confident that IPL's differences with Cricket Australia would be resolved soon.
"This (protection of Cricket Australia's sponsors) is something which is not acceptable and we have told them. This will go away by the evening," Modi said before the IPL governing council's meeting with the eight match staging associations' representatives here today.
Modi pointed out that no such issue arises when the Australian cricketers play in English county.
"When the Australian cricketers play in county cricket, they (sponsors of CA) don't get protection," Modi emphasised.
Modi was confident that Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who is set to retire at the end of the ongoing triangular series Down Under, would be seen in action in the IPL though there's a tournament clause that he can take part only after two years after quitting the game.
"He will need a No Objection Certificate (from CA) but if need be we will remove that clause," Modi said.
Two other retired Australian legends - Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath - have already been signed up by the IPL.
The base price for IPL-contracted players who will be auctioned to the eight franchisees later this month has been fixed at USD 3.3 million and the maximum price would be USD 5 million, Modi said. PTI
Tendulkar offers tips to youngsters
Ashish Shukla
Melbourne, Feb 7 (PTI) Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar offered tips to younger members of the Indian team in the first outdoor session which the players managed here this evening after a long lay-off due to rains.
Struck by persistent rain in the last one week in Melbourne and Brisbane which restricted them to unfinished games and indoor nets, the visitors had their first full-blown nets at the MCG with Tendulkar having ears of star-struck youngsters of the team.
No sooner than the trainer John Gloster had made the squad go through their stretching exercises, Tendulkar took Robin Uthappa and Suresh Raina aside and spoke at length about the conditions and pitches which they would come up against in the coming weeks.
Tendulkar then reserved a good part of his discourse for Rohit Sharma who seemed eager to latch on to the pearls of wisdom from the great man.
Indeed Sharma made sure that he was tackling the deliveries in the desired manner by having his batting video-taped by team's computer analyst Dhananjay.
Lalchand Rajput, assistant manager of the team, said "Sachin has so much of experience and he is eager to share it with the youngsters. They would benefit greatly by his advice." PTI
Ponting urges CA to clear Aussies for IPL
Sydney, Feb 7 (PTI) Australian skipper Ricky Ponting today said Cricket Australia (CA) should not come in the way of players' participation in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) by raking up sponsorship issues.
Ponting said it would be "unfair" if CA stopped players from participating in the BCCI-backed venture to protect its sponsors. He said CA's interference would be opposed by the Australian Cricketers' Association.
"There are already some globally-protected sponsors of Cricket Australia, there are a couple of them," Ponting told reporters on the eve of the tri-series match against Sri Lanka here tomorrow.
"I don't think Cricket Australia would be able to make any of their other sponsors global sponsors. If they tried to do that I'm sure the players' association would have something to say about it.
"It would be a little bit unfair if that was the case," he added.
BCCI vice-President Lalit Modi had yesterday warned that Australian cricketers were in danger of losing out on participation in IPL if their Board continued to demand promotion of their sponsors during the League. PTI
Decision to abolish monarchy undemocratic: King Gyanendra
Kathmandu, Feb 7 (PTI) In a veiled criticism of Nepal government's decision to set in motion the process for the abolition of the centuries-old-monarchy, King Gyanendra has said "it does not reflect the majority view of the people." Even as conceding that the people have the right to decide the "fate of the monarchy," King Gyanendra expressed dissatisfaction over the recent decision by the interim parliament to abolish monarchy after the crucial April 10 Constituent Assembly election.
"Some leaders have tried to take action that's against cultural, social and traditional values," Gyanendra said, adding that "(The decision) does not reflect the majority view of the people. This is not democracy." In an apparent criticism of the fiercely republican Maoist leadership, he cited a recent survey which showed 49 percent of respondents in Nepal favored the continuation of the monarchy in some form in the Himalayan nation.
"A majority of the people find great meaning in the institution of the monarchy. In all clouds, there is a silver lining. Let us hope," the king was quoted as saying by the Japanese Daily Yomiuri today.
Questioning the interim government's ability to govern the country, the king also pointed out that the law and order situation in the country is deteriorating.
Last month, in an interview to a pro-monarchist weekly paper the king had said that he remained silent to "let the peace process succeed." "Silence is also (an) action." "Nepali people themselves should speak out on where the nation is heading, on the direction it is taking and on why it is becoming chaotic," the king had said in the January interview on the eve of the third anniversary of his coup.
The interim parliament has voted to abolish the monarchy subject to the ratification of the constituent assembly that is to be formed after the April 10 polls.
Court defers date for indicting Hasina in second graft case
Dhaka, Feb 7 (PTI) A special anti-graft court today deferred the date for indicting former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a corruption case after a High Court bench quashed her trial on another extortion charge.
Justice Mohammad Feroz Alam of the Special Judge's Court adjourned the proceedings to February 13 after the prosecution lawyers appealed for deferment of the hearing in the case accusing Hasina of corruption in awarding contracts for three power plants.
The deferment came as Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, appeared at the makeshift court at Parliament complex a day after the High Court quashed proceedings against her in the extortion case, declaring her trial under emergency power rules (EPR) as "illegal".
The crucial High Court verdict prompted the government to immediately file an appeal against the judgment before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court which is set to hear the matter on Sunday.
Hasina was being tried at the Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court in the first extortion case filed by a Bangladeshi businessman alleging he was forced to pay nearly Taka 3 crore for approval of a power project.
Her lawyers challenged the trial under emergency rules saying the alleged crime took place much before the promulgation of the state of emergency on January 11, 2007, installing the current interim government with crucial military support. PTI
UK sleuths in Pak, to submit Bhutto probe report this week
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 7 (PTI) A team from Britain's Scotland Yard probing the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto will submit its report to the Pakistani authorities this week.
The three-member team of British detectives arrived at the airport here on a British Airways flight this morning. They were received by officials of the British High Commission and whisked away amidst tight security.
A strong police contingent escorted the British team, which refused to talk to waiting journalists.
Pakistani officials said the team will submit a report on its findings in Bhutto's murder to the Interior Ministry this week.
A group of forensic, computer and explosives experts from the Counter-Terrorism Command of Britain's Metropolitan Police had come to Pakistan on January 4 after President Pervez Musharraf sought Scotland Yard's help to probe Bhutto's assassination.
Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack after addressing an election rally in Rawalpindi on December 27. Musharraf blamed Pakistani Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud of masterminding the assassination, but the militant leader denied the charge through his spokesman.
Last month, Pakistani authorities in the northwestern town of Dera Ismail Khan arrested 15-year-old Aitezaz Shah, who claimed he was part of a five-member suicide squad sent by Mehsud to target Bhutto. Authorities are currently trying to corroborate his claims. PTI
Pakistani TV news channel blacked out again
Islamabad, Feb 7 (PTI) Pakistani authorities briefly took a private news channel off cable networks in several cities as it was airing a show hosted by an anchor who has been critical of President Pervez Musharraf's regime, the TV station said today.
Aaj television went off the air in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several nearby areas without any prior notice being given by the government at 10.30 pm last night, an official of the channel said.
"There was no intimation or warning of the blackout," he said.
The channel was restored to cable networks early this morning. This was the second time Aaj was taken off the air, the first being after Musharraf proclaimed emergency in November last year.
Aaj vanished from cable networks while it was beaming the popular news and current affairs show "Live With Talat" hosted by Talat Hussain, an anchor who had earlier run afoul of the military regime for his criticism of Musharraf. One of the guests on Hussain's programme was senior journalist Nusrat Javed, whose show "Bolta Pakistan" has already been taken off the air by the authorities.
Despite its name, Hussain's programme is no longer aired live and is beamed after being recorded in the studio. Aaj reportedly rebuffed pressure from the Pakistani authorities to take Hussain off the air.
Musharraf shut down all foreign and Pakistani news channels after he imposed emergency on November 3. The Pakistani channels were allowed to return only after signing a government-mandated code of conduct. PTI
No information on peace pact in Pak tribal area: US
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Feb 7 (PTI) The US has said it did not have any information that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was pursuing yet another peace deal with the tribal chiefs in the country's north but maintained that such accords did not produce the intended results in the past.
"I've seen a couple of press reports, but I don't have any information that would support that there's any kind of renewal of the previous agreement that had been in place," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
However, he added: "I think everyone understands, including President Musharraf, by his own statements, that that agreement with tribal leaders did not, in fact, produce the results that everyone, including President Musharraf, had intended".
Casey asserted that the US wants to "see action" to respond to the threat and challenge posed to Pakistan from militant and extremist groups operating in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
"Certainly this is a serious problem. We want to see it addressed and want to continue to work with the government of Pakistan on it. But I'm not aware that there is any new agreement or new proposal for an agreement that would move us back in the direction of the previous arrangement," he said.
Any arrangement made should be effective at pursuing the goals of Pakistan and the US -- to be "able to defend against and defeat these kinds of extremist groups," Casey said.
"The last agreement wasn't effective, and by President Musharraf's own admission...I can't be opposed to something I haven't seen and something that at this point's hypothetical," he said. PTI
Govt policies to blame for falling agri growth: Swaminathan
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Eminent agriculture scientist M S swaminathan today criticised flawed government policies for a decline in the country's farm production, which is estimated at 2.6 per cent for the current fiscal.
"The government packages that were meant to boost agricultural output in the country are not working at all. The government has failed to give an integrated approach to the sector," he told PTI in a telephonic interview.
According to the advanced estimates released by the government today, agriculture output is expected to grow at slower rate of 2.6 per cent during 2007-08 against 3.8 per cent in 2006-07.
He said, "I am surprised to know that growth figures have been estimated less than previous year's level. While Agriculture Minister has been saying that the sector would achieve four per cent growth during 11th plan period." With an aim to achieve a growth of four per cent in agriculture, the government has taken several initiatives in its 11th Plan. It has set up a Rs 5,000-crore scheme of National Food Security Mission to produce additional 10 million tons of rice, eight million tons of wheat and two million tons of pulses by the end of the current Plan period.
Besides, a Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, with a central allocation of Rs 25,000 crore, has been launched to incentivise states to invest more in the agriculture sector.
"Despite this, the government has not been able to achieve the targeted growth," Swaminathan said, adding that unless there was unified approach, agricultural production will not improve in the country. PTI
ArcelorMittal to start constructing India plants by year-end
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, today said it will start construction of its proposed 12-million-tonne greenfield manufacturing plants in Orissa and Jharkhand by the end of this year.
"We are in advanced stages of submitting our detailed project reports for the two plants and construction would start by the end of the year," company's Executive Vice President (Finance and M&A) Sudhir Maheshwari told reporters on the sidelines a conference here.
The two projects would require investments of around Rs 80,000 crore.
Each of the two plants would require 600 million tons of iron ore and the company has already applied for mines in Orissa, Maheshwari said.
However, when asked at which place in Orissa the company is seeking these mines, he declined to comment.
ArcelorMittal had, last year, said it has been allocated two coal blocks for captive power projects linked to each of its steel plants in Orissa and Jharkhand.
The company plans to build the plants in two phases of six MT each.
The company is constituting a 15-member team to finalise the blueprint of the projects.
South Korean steel maker Posco is also in the process of setting up a 12-million-tonne greenfield steel manufacturing plant.
India, US ink billion-dollar aircraft purchase deal
Sridhar Krishnaswami Washington, Feb 7 (PTI) India and the US have signed a billion-dollar (about Rs 3,900 crore) deal for purchase of six Super Hercules military transport planes from Lockheed Martin which Pentagon feels breaks the "psychological barrier" in bilateral defence cooperation.
The deal was signed recently following the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security clearing last month the purchase of the six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The planes are expected to be delivered starting 2011.
Commenting on the deal, a top US defence official said the agreement would set the stage for American companies to bid for the contract for multi-role combat aircraft.
"It is a very good plane and is very widely used. It is a workhorse and it has been used for 40 years but the 'J' type (C-130J) is amazing...It can really take off on a much shorter runway and India basically lacks this kind of an airplane," James Clad, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence, told PTI.
Lockheed is also bidding against Russian and European competitors for the sale to Indian Air Force 126 multi-purpose combat aircraft.
Clad, the senior Pentagon official whose portfolio is South and South East Asia, said the deal has helped breach a "psychological barrier" in Indo-US defence cooperation.
"What it does it is that it squarely puts Lockheed Martin on the ground with Boeing which is already there in India in civilian aircraft. It is one of those things where the psychology of which is very significant. There have been other things like Raytheon radars but this is the kind of thing that has an effect on the defence corporate community...Diligence, good work and products make the difference," he said.
"It puts us on the scoreboard," Clad added. PTI
PM says debate needed on energy pricing policies
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Concerned over "distortions" that have crept into the country's energy pricing policies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said a national debate was needed on the issue.
"Can we afford to persist with the distortions that have long crept into our energy pricing policies? Are we contributing to environmental degradation through some of our energy pricing policies?, he asked at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit here.
Singh questioned whether the country was encouraging overuse of resources through misdirected subsidies and what were long term costs of short term benefits through such policies.
He also posed a query on whether the country was hurting its future energy security needs by shirking the responsibility to grapple with the political challenges on hand. "We need a much wider national debate on such issues", he said.
Singh preceded his remarks by saying Tata Energy Research Institute should present a global vision on energy security including what the country should do and should not do to address the challenges.
"What are the technology choices available and what public policy choices do we have that will enable government to address the challenges we face in making clean and affordable energy available to our people", he asked.PTI
India, Bangladesh fix rice price at USD 399 per tonne
Dhaka, Feb 7 (PTI) Bangladesh today said it expects the first consignment of rice from India to reach here by next week after New Delhi agreed to supply the commodity at the rate of USD 399 per tonne.
India had recently lifted a ban on export of rice up to 5.5 lakh tonnes to Bangladesh following the attack of Cyclone Sidr that ravaged the country's coastlines last year.
"We are expecting the first consignment of rice to reach here by this month after the final approval of the decision by the two governments," a food ministry official told PTI a day after Bangladesh and Indian officials fixed the price after four days of talks in Kolkata.
Food and Disaster Management secretary Ayub Miah said Dhaka would take steps to import rice through rail, road and river ways after it received the necessary papers from Indian authorities.
The meeting decided that representatives of both the countries would apprise their governments of the meeting's outcome for approval.
The meeting decided that four lakh tonnes of rice would be imported in the first two months, with two lakh tonnes each month. The remaining one lakh tonne will be imported in the third month, officials said.
The Bureau of Statistics yesterday reported that inflation rate of food items in urban areas reached 15.77 per cent and 13.91 per cent in rural areas on point-to-point basis in December last year shooting up further the prices of essentials, especially rice and flour. PTI
Ratan Tata has done a first-class job: Russi Mody
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) He once likened Ratan Tata to a circus performer, but Russi Mody, the former statesman-like head of Tata Steel, now admits that the Tata Group Chairman is a class act.
"I have not been in charge for the last fourteen years, but I think Ratan Tata and (Tata Steel Managing Director) B Muthuraman have done a first-class job in terms of performance of a steel company," Mody, 90, is quoted as saying in a biography 'Russi Mody: The Man Who Also Made Steel' written by Partha Mukherjee and Jyoti Sabharwal.
His admission, admiration and praise for Tata comes forth in the book that also tells his side of the story on the conflict between him and Ratan Tata over the issue of retirement of Tata Group officials and their present bonhomie.
Mody is said to have felt slighted by Tata, who, he sensed, had a hand in his ouster from TISCO (now Tata Steel) in the 1990s, but has since gotten over the episode. The two appear to have made peace and as recent as August 2007, Mody hosted Ratan Tata at his business suite in Taj Bengal, Kolkata.
The thirty-minute meeting was their first in public gaze, although they are reportedly known to have met privately twice earlier. PTI
For some Sri Lankan women, military is the saviour: book
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI) Wives and mothers in militancy-infested Sri Lanka have come to accept the military as the sole avenue of employment for their husbands and children, however anguished they are about losing them in the war, a new book says.
"Given the absence of non-military public sector expansion and lack of employment opportunities even for the urban youth, agrarian devastation, closure of garment factories and breakdown of rural economies, wives and mothers have come to accept the military as the sole avenue of employment for their husbands and children," writes Neloufer de Mel in "Militarizing Sri Lanka: Popular Culture, Memory and Narrative in the Armed Conflict".
According to de Mel, women also have to constantly negotiate with paramilitary and para-legal entities in going about their daily business and are vulnerable to gendered abuse as these groups stand accountable neither to the government nor the law.
"Militarizing Sri Lanka" is about the work of militarism and militarisation in relation to the Sri Lankan armed conflict, and covers a period spanning the late 1980s to 2005.
The writer says women have also taken advantage of the military economy in various ways.
"During the war, a thriving sex industry operated in the north-central city of Anuradhapura, the site of a major transit camp for Sri Lankan Army soldiers either going to or returning from the battlefields of the north," de Mel, an English professor at University of Colombo, says.
From about 10 sex workers in the city in 1986, the figure shot up to 1,000 by 1996, she claims. PTI
Surajkund Mela: Taste of India with a global tint
Zafri Mudasser Nofil
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) India's diverse arts, craft and music, have been brought alive at the vibrant Surajkund Mela in this Haryana village, where some foreign participants with their exquisite products are adding to the rural ambiance.
As one enters this "mini India", sounds of folk music and instruments rend the air. Dances varying from Haryana's Phag, Rajasthan's Kalbeliya, Assam's Bihu and West Bengal's Chhau only adds to the lively atmosphere.
Artisans and participants display their products under thatched-roof huts.
Brazil's Arminda Monterio, who has put up a stall here, is attracting people with her unique bobbin lace work.
"We weave thread wounded on bobbins with pins attached to a laced pillow," Arminda told PTI.
In this unique stitch-work, the lace-maker sits for hours before her cushion, and interweaves the threads, along with the sound of many pairs of bobbins, displaces the pins, advances in the weft and a web of stitches takes form.
"This is the way a lace is made," Arminda said.
Sharing the same roof is fellow Brazilian Rosario Carvalho, who has put up ceramic products.
"The theme of the ceramic products are mostly rustic and generally involve human beings," Rosario said.
"Local folklore inspires me to create these art pieces," she said.
There are also a number of participants from Thailand, displacing stained and stone jewelery products, artificial flowers, bamboo bags and plastic baskets. PTI
Modeling, a new love of IT professionals
Kamal Narayan
New Delhi, Feb 6 (PTI) With fashion and advertisement industry witnessing a boost, modeling is emerging as a preferred career option among the youngsters. The charisma of this glamour is attracting even professionals already drawing hefty salaries.
The trend which has shown euphoric interests of highly-paid professionals into the glamour world, surfaced recently when hundreds of software professionals teemed up to take part in a modeling pageant.
The contest,'Hayward's Mr India World contest 2008' kicked off its preliminary rounds recently and recorded an overwhelming response as nearly 2000 youngsters from across the country participated.
"In our regional audition for southern India which was held in Bangalore, we got around 300 entries and more than 70 per cent of these applications were from Software engineers, which is enough to show what a tremendous response the contest is getting," said Kavita Bagga of of Times Innovative Media Limited, a co-organiser of the pageant.
Apart from this, many call centers employees and students of different professional courses sent entries for the contest, supposed to be a gateway for modeling career.
"We also got entries form different professionals, call centre employees and students from different cities," Bagga added.
At a time when Information Technology revolution in the country has established the sector as one of the most promising and money making profession, industry people feel that it was a thirst for fame and glamour that is driving people to areas like these. PTI
India, through the French lens
Kamal Narayan
New Delhi, Feb 5 (PTI) "The light has gone from our lives and there is darkness everywhere." These words which the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru uttered on the night of January 30, 1948 have etched themselves in the minds of the generation that witnessed those tumultuous days.
But what made that moment and its sombre aftermath-- the flower covered body of the Mahatma surrounded by the funeral procession being witnessed by an ocean of people-- more familiar to later generations was the camera of a French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson who captured the moments for posterity.
These and many other memorable moments of Indian history have come to life again at an exhibition.
Organised by the French Embassy, the exhibition displays work of the French photographers in the Capital depicting several memorable moments of Indian history and its cultural diversity from August 15, 1947 till date.
"As India has completed 60 years of its independence, we have decided to show what French photographers saw here and captured in their cameras. Also, we are exhibiting works of Indian photographers in France so that our people can get aware with its diverse culture," says Benedicte Alliot, Attache Culturelle in Embassy of France in India.
This initiative, 'India-Photo-Now 2008' was also a part of the bilateral agreement between India and France signed during French President Nicholas Sarkozy's state visit to the country last month.
The French government has also started a programme called 'Artists in Residence' to depute French photographers in India so they can watch the Indian culture closely. At the same time, it also provides scholarships to Indian photographers to help them explore life and culture of the Mediterranean country. PTI
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Sensex: 17526.93, -612.56
The sensex closed at 17526.93, down 612.56
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.535 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3728 INR
1 British Pound = 76.842 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.051 INR
1 Singapore $ = 27.891 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.766 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.557 INR
1 Euro = 57.545 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.865 INR
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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