The Mumbai Grapevine
Connecting Mumbaikars with Mumbai
(Published by Mumbai-Central.com)
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.
Raj Thackeray, SP leader Azmi arrested
Mumbai, Feb 13 (PTI) After days of dithering, police today arrested Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray on charges of promoting enmity between groups and inciting violence.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, who faces similar charges, was also taken into custody.
Thackeray's remarks against North Indian migrants had sparked sporadic incidents of violence in Maharashtra over the past week.
Thackeray, who was arrested from his central Mumbai residence, was taken in a police van to Vikhroli court where he will be produced.
Azmi was picked up from his residence and will be produced before Bhoiwada court in Central Mumbai.
Cases have been registered against Thackeray and Azmi under various sections of IPC in two different police stations in the metropolis.
Meanwhile, police made about 1800 preventive detentions in various parts of the state to prevent any untoward incident in the aftermath of the two arrests, Director General of Police P S Pasricha said. PTI
India, Russia to shortlist countries for exporting BrahMos
New Delhi, Feb 13 (PTI) India and Russia will shortlist countries to which the BrahMos missile system, currently under production for the Indian Army and Navy, can be exported.
"Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos has completed development of the missile systems required for the Navy and Army and is currently producing the systems using Indian and Russian industries," Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh has said.
In an interview to the premier journal 'Indian Defence Review', Singh said the Joint Supervisory Council for the project has already identified the countries to which the BrahMos missile system can be exported.
Observing that the product would be exported to "friendly countries", he said "the two governments will shortlist the friendly countries after carefully considering the security requirements of both India and Russia and the strategic relationship with these countries." Other similar possibilities were being explored with various countries for futuristic systems and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) "will enter into joint ventures, wherever needed and feasible".
Asked about delays in finalisation of procurements, the Minister said the Defence Procurement Procedures adopted in 2006 "would be revised to address some of these concerns." PTI
Dasmunsi appointed West Bengal PCC chief
New Delhi, Feb 13 (PTI) P R Dasmunsi, Union Minister and a known detractor of the Marxists, was today appointed the state unit chief of Congress in the Left-ruled West Bengal ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls.
In organisational changes in two other states where assembly elections are due this year, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz was made the J and K PCC chief while Minister of State for Personnel Suresh Pachouri was appointed to head the party in Madhya Pradesh.
Ajay Singh, son of Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh, has been made in-charge of campaign committee in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
West Bengal would have panchayat elections soon. Jammu and Kashmir has a Congress-PDP coalition government.
63-year-old Dasmunsi, who holds the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs and Pachouri (56), who also looks after Parliamentary Affairs as MoS, may have to shed one of their ministries. Soz may continue to hold charge of his ministry.
Dasmunsi, who represents Raiganj in Lok Sabha to which he was elected first time in 1971, replaces Pranab Mukherjee who was functioning as WBPCC chief and had resigned after the party's debacle in the assembly polls in 2006. He had earlier been once PCC President between 1985 and 1988 and had served as national youth Congress chief for four years. PTI
Info hunger between India, Russia needs to be satisfied:Zubkov
New Delhi, Feb 13 (PTI) There is a need to satisfy the information hunger among the people of Russia and India about each other, Russian Prime Minister Victor A Zubkov today said.
"During yesterday's numerous negotiations we said to each other that the people of the two countries do not know each other well enough," Zubkov said launching the Russian Information Centre here.
The Russian Prime Minister who is on a three-day visit here said the exchange of news is not adequate between the two countries.
"We should also bear in mind that the people of the two countries have a very keen interest in each other," he said adding, the people are eager to know what is of interest in the other country and what problems their counterparts are facing at the moment.
"I am absolutely sure that this very centre will help to satisfy that information hunger," he added.
Zubkov hoped the centre will become a symbol of Russian informational presence in India. He said that with time it will become a centre for information exchange between the people of the two countries themselves.
"It will also be a focal point for the representatives of business, culture and science of the two countries," he said. PTI
Anju leads 32-member team in Asian Indoor Athletics in Doha
New Delhi, Feb 13 (PTI) Long jumper Anju Bobby George will lead a strong challenge for India in the third Asian Indoor Athletics Championships starting in Doha tomorrow.
India is fielding a large contingent of 32 athletes, including 15 women, in the three-day championships which will also serve as the qualifying meet for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Spain next month and the Beijing Olympics.
For Anju, who won the silver medal in the previous edition of the championships in Pattaya in 2006, it will be a good build-up for Beijing and she would want to return with a gold this time.
India will also have triple jumper Renjith Maheswari, who has already booked a ticket to Beijing, besides a host of others who would be looking to make it to the Olympics.
Among top contenders in the championship are Sajeesh Kumar Joseph and Rajeev Ramesan in 800m, Chatholi Hamza and Sajeesh Kumar Joseph in 1500m, Surendra Kumar in 3000m, Hari Shankar Roy in high jump, Shiv Shankar Yadav in long jump, while decathlete P J Vinod will compete in heptathlon.
All of them were the best performers in their respective events last year.
The women's contingent will also have top athletes. Besides Anju, others in the fray are last edition gold winner (in 1500m) Sinimol Paulose and Sushma Devi (in 800m and 1500m), Preeja Sreedharan in 3000m and J J Sobha in pentathlon.
India are fielding athletes in 18 events (nine out of 13 for men and 11 out of 13 for women). PTI
Players may walk away to play in IPL: Agent
Melbourne, Feb 13 (PTI) Sending a strong signal to Cricket Australia, Indian Premier League's agent Neil Maxwell has warned that players may take premature retirement or simply walk away if they are not allowed to take part in the BCCI-backed lucrative Twenty20 venture.
Maxwell, who manages Brett Lee and Mike Hussey, said if the conflicting issues are not resolved, the lure of money may persuade players to opt for the IPL instead of their national teams.
"The cricket world is going to have to respond to the IPL, given the magnitude of it," Maxwell said.
"I know (Australian players' union boss) Paul Marsh made the logical suggestion that ultimately there needs to be a six-week window carved out of the playing itinerary, the Future Tours Programme.
"Otherwise players will be leaving. Players will be retiring. Unfortunately at the moment we have a conflict. If that is taken out, there won't be conflict," Maxwell was quoted as saying in 'The Courier Mail'.
IPL Chairman Lalit Modi has already said that global protection for CA's sponsors would not be given and has set a Sunday deadline for the players to sign the contracts. PTI
Warne rubbishes CA sponsorship claims
Melbourne, Feb 13 (PTI) Spin legend Shane Warne has said the sponsorship restrictions stopping Cricket Australia from releasing its star players for the Indian Premier League did not have any grounds.
Throwing his weight behind BCCI's lucrative Twenty20 venture, Warne said IPL is an "exciting and wonderful" opportunity for the game and should be embraced, keeping aside the conflicting issues that have cropped up before the start of the inaugural edition.
"It's a very exciting time for the sport and to market the brand. We should all be embracing the IPL rather than trying to fight it.
"From the international boards' point of view and the bosses around the world at county clubs and in domestic competitions, I understand there may be issues about players missing for a certain time or a clash of sponsors.
"But here in Australia, each state has cricket sponsors that differ from our national ones, so I don't buy that argument. This issue can be overcome," Warne said in his column in 'Daily Telegraph'.
Warne said IPL should be included in the international schedule and urged the administrators to find a solution to the possible conflict with the Future Tours Programme to facilitate the running of the Twenty20 League.
"International cricket for your country must be the No 1 priority, but let's throw the common sense hat on and say the IPL is not going anywhere and it's a wonderful opportunity for players, spectators and all the fans.
"Let's make it part of the international schedule and the ICC and the boards can create a new Future Tours Programme." PTI
Pak has no clue on whereabouts of missing envoy
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 13 (PTI) Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who went missing two days ago while driving to Kabul through the lawless Khyber Agency, is alive though security forces have not yet been able to locate him, a spokesman said today.
"I am sure that he (Azizuddin) is alive," Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said. Pakistani authorities are making all efforts to trace the envoy but had not yet uncovered any clues as to his whereabouts, he said.
President Pervez Musharraf had issued instructions to redouble efforts to trace Azizuddin as soon as possible, Sadiq told a weekly news briefing.
Azizuddin went missing on Monday with his driver and a guard while driving from North West Frontier Province capital Peshawar to the Afghan capital of Kabul. He is believed to have been kidnapped by militants in the Khyber Agency.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, the militant coalition led by commander Baitullah Mehsud, has denied reports of its involvement in the kidnapping, saying some other group may have abducted the envoy.
The spokesman told reporters in Peshawar that the Pakistani Taliban had announced an unofficial ceasefire and stopped attacks on government officials or installations.
A TV channel had reported yesterday that the Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for "abducting" Azizuddin and expressed their willingness to release him in exchange for Taliban commander Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, who was captured by security forces after a gun battle in Balochistan on Monday. PTI
Pak test-fires nuclear capable Ghaznavi missile
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 13 (PTI) Pakistan today test-fired the short-range, nuclear-capable 'Ghaznavi' ballistic missile which can target northern and western Indian cities as the government vowed to "retain a strong conventional and unconventional deterrence".
A strategic missile group of the Pakistan Army conducted a successful training launch of the Ghaznavi or Hatf-III missile with a range of 290 km at the end of an annual field training exercise. The location of the firing was not disclosed by the military.
This was the third test of nuclear-capable missiles by Pakistan since late January.
Earlier, the Shaheen-I ballistic missile, which has a range of 700 km, and the Ghauri ballistic missile with a range of 1,300 km, were successfully tested by the the Army's Strategic Force Command (ASFC).
Today's launch was witnessed by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani senior military officers and scientists.
A statement issued by the army said, "With this launch, ASFC also concluded its highly successful winter collective training, wherein various missile groups conducted firing of live ballistic missiles under a realistic operational environment." Soomro said Pakistan stood for peace in the region.
"Peace comes from strength whereas weakness invites aggression. The Pakistani government is fully committed to retain a strong conventional and unconventional deterrence and will meet all the needs of a strong national defence," he said addressing the troops. PTI
Obama sweeps three more states, Clinton gasping for life
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Feb 13 (PTI) Continuing his winning streak, Barack Obama has crushed Hillary Clinton in three more contests, surging ahead in the Demoratic Presidential nomination race and sending into a tizzy her faulting campaign which suffered eight successive losses as one more top official resigned.
Among Republicans, John McCain further consolidated his unassailable lead with a similar show in the three primaries.
"Tonight we're on our way," Obama told cheering supporters in Wisconsin after adding Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC to his kitty. "But we know how much further we have to go on," said the beaming Illinois senator.
Obama now has 1,212 delegates compared to 1,191 of Clinton who is now virtually facing a do-or-die battle in the March 4 contests in delegate-rich states of Ohio and Texas. A minimum of 2,025 delegates are required to win the nomination at the Democratic Party convention in August.
Clinton's deputy campaign manager Mike Henry announced his resignation, two days after campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle was sacked, adding to the impression that panic was setting in.
Obama, 46 who is bidding to be the first African American to be elected to the Oval office has won eight consecutive contests after the 'Super Tuesday' draw.
A first time senator, he was heavily favoured to win the contests in the yesterday's so called "Potomac primaries", where blacks account for a big proportion of voters.
However, exit polls suggest that he split the white vote with Clinton, clearly building on the momentum which could further compound problems for the former first lady.
But a defiant Clinton maintained she was still leading. PTI
Australia apologies to Aborigines for past sufferings
Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, Feb 13 (PTI) Australia today made a historical apology to its Aboriginal people for their past suffering as a result of the country's laws and policies.
"We apologise for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians," Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said today in the Parliament.
There were emotional scenes in the Parliament, where Rudd delivered his long-awaited apology.
Rudd turned and applauded members of the Stolen Generations in the public gallery after delivering the emotional address to the House of Representatives. The House rose as one to applaud Rudd's speech.
"We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation," he said.
Rudd said: "For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all." "... A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country Australia," Rudd said, adding the apology is being made to "remove a great stain on the soul of the nation.
Rudd said he hoped today's apology would open a new era in Australian history. "We have had sufficient audacity and faith to advance part way to that future, with arms extended rather than with fists still clenched," he said. PTI
Rupee dips by 9.5 paise to 39.76/77 a dollar
Mumbai, Feb 13 (PTI) The Indian rupee lost 9.5 paise against the greenback at 39.76/77 today, the lowest level in in almost three months, on heavy demand for dollar despite a surge in stock markets.
The lowest level before this was recorded on November 28 last year at 39.80/81.
The rupee premiums on forward dollar also fell sharply.
The benchmark six-month forward dollar premiums payable in July ended at 4 - 6 paise, lower from 8-1/2 - 11 paise on Tuesday and the far-forward maturing in January also ended down to 32 - 34 paise from 37 - 39 paise previously.
In the Interbank foreign exchange market, the domestic currency moved in a range of 39.60 and 39.89 on divergent factors after a promising start on signs of stability in Asian markets. The local currency had closed at 39.6650/6750 per dollar on February 12.
A record FII inflows had pushed the rupee up by about 12 per cent against dollar last year.
Foreign exchange dealers said the demand for dollar continued to peak as foreign banks were seen buying dollars. The demand soared after a pull-out by FIIs and also owing to funds flowing out after the refund of some initial public offers in the past 10-15 days, they added.
It seemed situation has not improved since then, the dealers said. Besides, there has been a severe shortage of the US currency in the global markets.
Foreign banks, which manage the FII funds in the country, made heavy dollar purchases to cover their short positions, a leading banker said. Renewed dollar demand amid tight supplies of greenback as a result of portfolio outflows weighed on the rupee sentiment, he added. PTI
Markets bounce on hopes global stability, Sensex up 341 pts
Mumbai, Feb 13 (PTI) The markets snapped the five-day long losing streak with benchmark Sensex posting a smart, over 340 points gain even as the crisis-ridden global financial markets breathed a little easier after reports of billionaire investor Warren Buffett's 800-billion offer to US bonds.
Marketmen said there were indications of stability in the global markets after billionaire investor Warren Buffett offered to reinsure 800 billion dollars of US municipal bond risk from top three bond insurers. The offer had a soothing effect on the burning issue of credit crisis fallout.
Buffett's offer eased fears of credit downgrades at US bond insurers and triggered a sharp rally on Wall Street yesterday, bringing some stability in Asian markets.
However, worries over the health of US economy persisted amid reports that the world's largest economy would struggle to grow in the first quarter of 2008.
Snapping a five-day long losing streak, the 30-share BSE barometer ended the day at 16,949.14, a gain of 341.13 points, or 2.05 per cent, over its previous close.
The Sensex had lost 2,055.15 points, or 11.01 per cent, in the last five days.
Analysts said the market is expected to move upwards as it recovered immediately after reaching the major break-down levels yesterday and settled above the crucial technical levels.
They further noted that the sure happened despite a negative FII activity. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pulled out about Rs 498 crore from equity on February 12, as per provisional data.
The market breadth remained extremely negative as the activity was largely confined to frontline stocks. PTI
Rupee appreciates against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai, Feb 13 (PTI) The rupee appreciated by another four paisa to 39.6250/6350, against the greenback in late morning deals today on the back of smart recovery in Asian indices, despite capital outflows.
Rally in Asian stock markets was mainly attributed to move by billionaire investor Warren Buffett trying to assist the bond insurers by taking on 800 billion dollars municipal bond risk, somewhat easing fears of credit downgrades that lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average by 133.40 points yesterday.
In quite trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the domestic currency opened strong at 39.60/62 per dollar from yesterday's close of 39.6650/6750.
Later, it softened to 39.6250/6350 in late morning deals, still showing a gain of four paisa.
It moved in a range of 39.60 and 39.65.
According to dealers, the rupee got good support from sharp recovery in the BSE benchmark Sensex, which was quoted higher by 483 points in early trade.
Besides China, most of the Asian indices also were trading firm this morning.
But, the local unit might come under pressure on fears of further capital outflows as Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pulled out 457.50 million dollars on February 11 and were also said to be net sellers on the next day. PTI
Indian origin woman among top 15 women in business
Silicon Valley, Feb 13 (PTI) Indian origin Cisco official Padmasree Warrior has been named one of the top 15 most influential women driving innovation (and revenue) in corporate America.
Warrior, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the Cisco Systems, has been ranked among the top 15 women in business by a magazine.
The PINK magazine's Top 15 Women in Business -- "The Innovators" list identifies remarkable women leaders who use ideas to transform companies every single day.
From Michelle Gass, just promoted to senior vice president of global strategy at Starbucks, to Union Pacific Railroad's Diane Duren, who developed a new train route that delivers millions in revenue annually, these women create change in their organisations -- the kind that births new generations of products and has an immediate impact on the bottom line, says the magazine that caters to America's career-focused women.
Warrior, who joined Cisco in December 2007 after stepping down as the Vice President and CTO of Motorola has been known as a driving force for innovation at Motorola and knowing how to harness the creative power of engineers.
Warrior, 47, raised in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, India, holds a B.S. Degree in chemical engineering from IIT Delhi and a M.S. Degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University. In 2007 she was awarded Doctor of Engineering, Honoris Causa from New York's Polytechnic University.
Besides Padmasree, some other women making to the list in the March-April issue of the magazine are: Cathy Avgiris, Comcast, Barbara Beck, Manpower, Irene Chang Britt, Campbell Soup, Laurie Brubaker, Aetna, Diane Duren, Union Pacific Railroad, Julie England, Texas Instruments, Michelle Gass, Starbucks. PTI
Manipur government to intensify fight against insurgents
Imphal, Feb 13 (PTI) Manipur government has taken up various steps including strengthening of police stations and planning to set up women police stations and a "woman commando" force to combat the increasing activities of insurgent outfits in the state.
Authorities are also concerned over the reports of support of some people on the general strike called by insurgents on the Republic Day this year.
The Governor SS Sidhu has said that the government would recruit 3,138 additional manpower in police as a part of the government's action plan to control violence in the state.
The Governor, addressing the legislature said the government planned to set up women police stations, a women commando force and modernise communication equipment and weapons.
Hardly a day passed without the report of killing of a person in insurgency-related crime in the past few years, a senior police official on condition of anonymity said.
He said 28 people--16 civilians, 11 militants and one security man--were killed in January alone this year.
Official sources said about 160 persons including 121 extremists were killed between April 2007 and January 2008 in separate insurgency-connected crimes.
Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of grenade attacks on houses of officials, legislators or businessmen, abduction of officials for ransom and disruption of government projects by militants, police had also appealed to the people to report to the police if there was any monetary demand from them by the militants, officials say. PTI
Creative license ok but facts important too: Experts
Amit Das
New Delhi, Feb 13 (PTI) Historical films have always been in the thick of controversies and now with Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Jodha Akbar' stirring up a debate, historians and the film industry feel the directors should be given some creative license but not at the expense of facts.
"A director has his own perception and that should be respected by the audience because while making a film, a filmmaker does a lot of research and study. So he should be given that creative license," says nine-time National Award winning director Jahnu Barua.
"However, giving creative liberty doesn't mean he should not be made accountable. Whenever, a director makes a film he should be responsible and should be able to defend what he is making," he says.
Agrees Prof Seema Alavi, Dept of History and Culture, Jamia Milia Islamia. "A director should have the creative liberty to play with the interpretative narrative but factual narrative should be retained," she says.
"If a historian can enjoy certain amount of interpretative liberty then why not the filmmaker?" she adds. However, film critics Taran Adarsh feels it is debatable.
"There are people who take this creative liberty and distort facts. Since film is a mass media it is very important to stick to facts. However, if a film is based on 800 years old history whose facts are not available then a filmmaker can use his imagination. Moreover, allowing this just because historians enjoy it, is debatable," he reasons.
Whether it is a film on Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh or Mangal Pandey, the filmmakers have always found themselves in a soup as they have been either accused of distorting history or showing the protagonist in poor light. PTI
Shah Rukh Khan to host yet another game show on TV
New Delhi, Feb 12 (PTI) After Kaun Banega Crorepati, Shah Rukh Khan will be back on television hosting what is being dubbed as India's biggest reality game show.
The Bollywood superstar will be back on Star Plus to host 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?' a show that will have adult contestants testing their wits with a group of sprightly 10-year-olds.
The prize money this time is Rs 5 crore, a Star Group press release said here. Khan had earlier hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati, with a Rs 2 crore prize money, on Star Plus.
The release, however, did not mention the start date of the new game show that will be beamed once a week.
Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? is a television game show based on the international Mark Burnett format 'Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?' where grade-school level questions are put to adults from all walks of life, well heeled and confident, who attempt to relive their student days with success.
The release said the essence of the show is the test that adults will be put to -- answer primary school questions, the pressure of going back to school and keeping their reputations intact. PTI
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Market_______
To get regularly updated NIFTY (NSE) quotes by email, join the NSEData
mailing list by sending an email to NSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To get regularly updated BSE quotes by email, join the BSEData mailing
list by sending an email to BSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sensex: 16949.14, +341.13
The sensex closed at 16949.14, up 341.13
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.715 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3692 INR
1 British Pound = 77.978 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.777 INR
1 Singapore $ = 28.031 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.814 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.605 INR
1 Euro = 57.918 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.914 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________