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.
Chidambaram expected to present "please-all" budget tomorrow
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) On the heels of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad presenting a populist budget, Finance Minister P Chidambaram too is expected to come out with a please-all budget tomorrow.
Since this will be the last full budget of the UPA government, every segment of the society, including individual taxpayers and corporate, can expect some relief.
The skills of Harvard-educated Chidambaram, who by profession is a lawyer, would be put to test when he rises to present in Lok Sabha the Budget for 2008-09 - a year that will see assembly elections in seven states followed by general elections.
The Budget will offer the last opportunity to the Congress-led UPA government to win the confidence of voters after the party's drubbing in assembly elections of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The government is also faced with a growing protests over farmers' suicides in some parts of the country.
With buoyancy in tax collections, Chidambaram is expected to announce bonanza for each constituency through personal and corporate income tax cuts, excise duty relief and simplification of taxes and massive funds for farm, rural employment and other social projects.
Chidambaram, who will be presenting his seventh budget in Parliament, will have a tough time balancing conflicting interests while presenting the Budget.
Railway Minister Lalu Prasad has already presented a populist budget which announced cuts in passenger fares and selective reduction in freight rates, while painting a rosy picture on its earnings.
The Economic Survey, tabled in the Parliament today, has projected fiscal deficit to be further pruned to three per cent in the next fiscal. PTI
Higher growth a tough challenge, reforms needed: Survey
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) The pre-Budget Economic Survey has warned of the US slowdown having an effect on the Indian economy and maintained that sustaining growth of nine per cent will be a challenge along with keeping a lid on inflation.
The annual economic report card of the government, Economic Survey 2007-08 tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister P Chidambaram said raising growth to double digit will require additional reforms and prescribed a variety of measures.
These included partial sale of identified profit-making non-navratana PSUs, phasing out control on sugar, fertiliser and drugs sectors, sale of oilfields to private sector, allowing a share for foreign equity in retail trade and further opening up of banking and insurance sectors.
Noting that economy is projected to grow at 8.7 per cent in 2007-08, the Survey said it represents a deceleration from the unexpectedly high growth of 9.4 per cent and 9.6 per cent in the previous two years.
" Maintaining growth rate at nine per cent will be a challenge and raising it to two digits will be an even greater one," it said.
Linking the huge accumulation of capital inflows to the building pressure on prices, the Survey said that inflationary impulses from global commodity prices have to be tackled through use of fiscal and trade policy instruments. Inflation this fiscal is expected to return to 4.4 per cent,down from 5.4 per cent in 2006-07.
However, after presenting the Survey , Chidambaram exuded confidence of nine per cent average growth saying fundamentals were inspiring confidence and investment climate was full of optimism.
" Optimism but with caution is the watchword " for the outlook for next year, he said adding India needed to respond to the evoling global situation without allowing the growth story to be affected. PTI
Cong seeks to take credit for NREGA; Rahul meets PM
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) With a series of elections lined up, Congress today sought to take credit for the NREGA scheme, with Rahul Gandhi leading a delegation of party MPs to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for centralised monitoring of the ambitious programme.
"We met the Prime Minister to discuss the implementation of the NREGA. We gave some suggestions on how we can improve the implementation of the NREGA," Gandhi told reporters after the meeting.
He said seven to eight points were made by the delegation, that included suggestions like centralising the monitoring mechanism of the scheme and bringing about better coordination among the different states.
A major issue that the MPs raised was that while the scheme was launched at the initiative of the Congress, it was not getting due credit for it.
The demand for a centralised monitoring mechanism stems from the feeling that non-Congress ruled states were taking ownership for the programme while their contribution to it was just ten per cent, a party MP said.
It was after Gandhi's appeal to the Prime Minister that the Government took a decision to universalise the scheme to all districts of the country from the present 330.
The scheme is being universalised from April one this year. PTI
States rank better than Centre in managing finances: Survey
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) Aggressive push to reforms, coupled with introduction of VAT, has put states on a better footing than the Centre in terms of managing finances, the Economic Survey said today.
"The fiscal situation of the states has shown a considerable improvement, which in fact is better relative to the performance of the Central Government, post-FRBM (Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management, Act 2003)," the report card on the economy said.
The states have not only succeeded in bridging the gap between tax collection and expenditure, but have created a surplus of around Rs 12,000 crore this fiscal, it noted.
The document pointed out that notwithstanding the variation across the states, the consolidated revenue balance is budgeted to show a surplus of 0.3 per cent of GDP in 2007-08.
In 2002-03, the states had reported a revenue deficit of Rs 57,179 crore and were finding it difficult to pay the salary of their employees and interest payment liabilities.
Meanwhile, the Survey noted that due to buoyancy in tax collections, the Centre is likely to meet the fiscal deficit target of three per cent of GDP in 2008-09. However, bringing down revenue deficit to zero remained a challenge, it added.
With total expenditure rising by 23.6 per cent, the Centre's revenue deficit is estimated at Rs 71,478 crore for 2007-08, it stated.
The enactment of fiscal responsibility legislation by 26 states, barring West Bengal and Sikkim, has moved the rule-based programme of fiscal reforms ahead. PTI
Reforms process widening rich-poor gap: Left
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) Left parties today came down heavily on UPA government's policies, saying economic fundamentals were under threat and the reforms process was leading the economy to "greater disaster" by further widening the gap between 'shining' and 'suffering' India.
"The entire thrust of the Economic Survey is to encourage FDI or pursue the PPP (public-private partnership) route. This sort of economic process, which brought about discrepancies between rich and poor, will lead the Indian economy to greater disaster," CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
Maintaining that the divide between the 'shining' and 'suffering' India was growing further, he said such policy recipes "cannot sustain long-term economic growth".
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta also said the economic reform policies would "not take the country forward. None of the economic fundamentals are found to be right".
Both leaders referred to the Economic Survey figures to show that the rate of growth of agricultural and industrial sectors, as well as per capita income and consumption, had shown a considerable decline and the GDP growth was much less than what was projected.
The government has been projecting a GDP growth of close to 9 per cent for the current fiscal. According to the latest figures released by the Central Statistical Organisation, the economic growth is likely to be 8.7 per cent in 2007-08.
"A gap of one percentage point (between FY'07 and FY'08 growth) amounts to almost Rs one lakh crore. This itself shows a serious mismatch," Yechury said.
On the other hand, Dasgupta said there was a major concentration of wealth in a few hands with 535 families possessing average income and wealth of over Rs 100 crore. PTI
Survey fails to lift mkts, Sensex flat for second day in a row
Mumbai, Feb 28 (PTI) The markets today failed to sustain higher levels and ended barely changed as even the pre-Budget Economic Survey for 2007-08 and Finance Minister P Chidambaram's confident words on economic growth and containing inflation failed to lift the investor sentiments.
Analysts said trading was range-bound as the markets are awaiting, with bated breath, Chidambaram's Budget proposals. Budget for 2008-09 assume extra significance considering that this could be the UPA government's last full Budget before the General Elections next year.
The 30-share benchmark Sensex on the Bombay Stock Exchange settled the day at 17,824.48 points, after moving in a range of 17,921.51 and 17,690.16 points.
The BSE barometer had ended flat at 17,825.99 points yesterday also.
The key index, however, did make a feeble attempt of recovery after the economic survey was tabled in Parliament at noon.
Exuding confidence of 9 per cent growth in tandem with controlled inflation during 2008-09, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said fundamentals were inspiring confidence and investment climate was full of optimism.
"The new challenge is to maintain growth at these levels, not to speak of raising it further to double digit levels," stated the Survey, a report card on the economy, presented in Parliament today.
Markets remained directionless right from the beginning of trading in the absence of any major trigger with Asian and European indices being sluggish and crude oil prices hovering around their record highs, marketmen said.
Indications of another rate cut amid increased worries about the US economy after dollar hit a new record low also caused concerns among investors. PTI
E-Commerce can be brought under tax net: Survey
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) Anticipating huge growth in electronic trade across boundaries, the government today said it could consider imposing duties and taxes on such transactions.
While India can maintain a liberal regime on electronic transmissions at present, this must not "preclude its options for possible methods of taxation since the future course of growth in e-commerce is impossible to visualise," said the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament today.
"As and when viable methods of levying duties and taxes can be found, there should be freedom to impose customs duties, excise duties, sales tax etc on electronic transmissions," the Survey said.
E-commerce comprises of business among enterprises (B2B) and companies to consumers (B2C), with the former accounting for a large proportion of such trade globally.
Ban on customs duty is applicable to digitised products, which mostly fall under the B2C category and broadly include printed matter, software, music and other media, film and video games.
In the past, such goods were transported through carrier media in the form of CDs, diskettes, tapes etc and were subjected to customs duty in importing country. But now, these products are sent electronically without being subject to any customs duty.
"With trade in this segment growing rapidly, most of the developing countries are becoming net importers of digitised products," the Survey noted.
"India's position on non-imposition of customs duty on electronic transmission has been that given the inherent advantage India has in e-commerce, it can maintain a liberal regime (at present)," it said. PTI
Tata, JLR deal to be finalised by next week: report
London, Feb 28 (PTI) American car-maker Ford is expected to finalise the deal with Indian conglomerate Tata for the sale of luxury brands -- Jaguar and Land Rover, by next week, media report here said.
"The two sides, which have been in exclusive talks since the beginning of the year, are expected to sign a deal worth up to two billion dollars (one billion pound) next Wednesday or shortly afterwards," The Times said in a report on its online edition today.
According to the report, Ford is expected to seal the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata, next week after the American car-maker recently agreed to pump hundreds of millions of pounds into the pension fund to smooth the process.
The deal is expected to be welcomed by unions, who believe that there is no immediate threat to British jobs or manufacturing, it added.
On January 3, Ford had named Tata as the preferred bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover.
The Times also said that Ford has pledged to pump in 300 million pounds into the pension fund to clear its deficit. "It has also given assurances over the long-term supply of engines and some other components to the two marques to ease union fears about their future...," it pointed out.
"The two marques had to be sold together because Ford had merged a number of their operations and supplies. The official announcement is being timed for after the Geneva Motor Show, so that the two companies can try to promote their products at the key European showcase," the report added. PTI
Raise FDI in insurance, retail; divest 10% in PSUs: Survey
New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Facing a possible slowdown in the face of a sluggish growth in developed economies, especially in the US, the Economic Survey today suggested a series of reforms including hiking FDI in insurance and retail sector to sustain the 9 per cent rate of economic expansion.
Raising growth to the double digit will require additional reforms in the backdrop of appreciating rupee, slowdown in the consumer goods segment of industry and infrastructure, said the Survey tabled in Parliament.
"Raise foreign equity in insurance to 49 per cent," it said, while also prescribing 51 per cent foreign equity in insurance companies providing all types of insurance like health and weather in rural areas.
The UPA regime had proposed raising the FDI cap in its first budget in 2004-05, however, opposition from the Left parties eluded consensus on the issue and has been referred to a GoM headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The Survey also asked the government to complete divestment of 5-10 per cent stake in previously identified profit making non-Navratna PSUs.
On the banking sector, the Survey suggested a 100 per cent FDI in greenfield private rural-agriculture banks.
Such a bank would be free to set up any number of branches in any rural or semi-rural area, the Survey said, adding that it would be free to lend agriculture and allied sectors anywhere in the country and to any industry located in non-urban area.
While advocating FDI in all retail trade, it said allow 100 per cent foreign equity in foreign branded, specialised retail chains like luxury brands, consumer durables and semi durable.PTI
BCCI not to take up Hayden issue to ICC
Kochi, Feb 28 (PTI) The BCCI has no plans to take up with the ICC the issue of Matthew Hayden calling Harbhajan Singh an 'obnoxious little weed'.
"That was something which happened outside the field of play," BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer, Ratnakar Shetty, told reporters here.
Cricket Australia has taken up the matter with Hayden. He was found guilty of breaching the code of conduct, Shetty said.
"The Indian board has nothing to do with it as it is an internal matter of Cricket Australia," he said.
Asked if Harbhajan would be asked to 'cool down', he said "we have advised all cricketers to behave properly. The captain will see to it that there is no untoward behaviour.
"Our players are well behaved. They are more focussed on cricket," he said.
On whether during the IPL matches, Australian players like Hayden and Andrew Symonds, who had a brush with Harbhajan in the Sydney Test, could expect rough treatment from the crowd, he said the Indian fans, barring some incidents, has never been hostile.
The crowd behaviour at Mumbai last year against Symonds was an "isolated incident," he said. PTI
Anand favourite to retain Morelia-Linares title
From Our Chess Correspondent
Linares (Spain), Feb 28 (PTI) With a half point lead to back him from his Morelia stint in Mexico, World Champion Viswanathan Anand starts as favourite in the second half of the Morelia-Linares tournament that starts in this Spanish hamlet.
The Indian ace currently has 4.5 points from his first seven games in the category-21 event and a similar result in Linares should definitely be enough to retain the title.
In Morelia, Anand was devastating with black pieces as he won three out of four black games and in Linares he will have four white's which will make the task of his contemporaries much difficult.
Former world champion Veslein Topalov of Bulgaria and Alexei Shirov of Spain follow Anand a half point behind. Another half point adrift are Norwegian Magnus Carlsen and Armenian Levon Aronian with 3.5 points each while Temour Radjabov of Azerbaijan and Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine are now joint fifth on 3 points apiece.
With just 2.5 points in his kitty, Peter Leko of Hungary is currently at the bottom of the tables and would certainly like to better his present status.
Topalov and Shirov have in them to live up things and give Anand a run for his money in the second half of the tournament.
However, Anand's huge plus score against Shirov might be a deterrent in the aspirations of the Latvian born Spaniard and according to experts Topalov is possibly the only one who can pose a challenge to Anand in the event. PTI
Nothing wrong with Hayden remark, only foolish: Aus media
Melbourne, Feb 28 (PTI) Australian media today projected Matthew Hayden's "obnoxious weed" remark on Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh as nothing more than a "foolish" comment which could aggravate the already tense relationship between the two teams.
Hayden was let off with just a reprimand by Cricket Australia for the comment on Brisbane radio and the local media defended it saying it was neither rude nor racist.
"Matthew Hayden was charged for simply saying what most Australians feel about Harbhajan Singh. What is wrong with calling Harby an obnoxious little weed? It's not racist, it's not all that rude and it's certainly not bad for the game," 'The Daily Telegraph' wrote.
'The Australian' newspaper only described Hayden's comments as "foolish" for openly expressing "what many in the (Australian) team think about Harbhajan.
"While it was meant to be a light-hearted radio interview, Hayden's lack of diplomacy has poured petrol on a bushfire and has given the Indians something substantial to complain about." Melbourne's 'Herald Sun' made a scathing attack on Harbhajan, though it also made the point that Hayden was no angel.
"It's no surprise Harbhajan Singh is right in the middle of the latest storm. He is a despised character in the Australian dressing room, but it doesn't bother the fiery spinner.
"He thrives in this combustible atmosphere. While it's not always clear whose side of the story to believe, Harbhajan is always entertaining listening," it wrote. PTI
Australia seek to continue winning momentum against Lanka
Melbourne, Feb 28 (PTI) Australia will seek to create momentum for the best-of-three tri-series final against India when they take on Sri Lanka in an inconsequential league match here tomorrow.
While the hosts will be keen to use the game as a preparation for the tougher battles ahead, the Sri Lankans have only pride at stake in the game as they have already been eliminated from the title race.
The best-of-three finals will begin in Sydney on Sunday and it will be interesting to see whether the Aussies decide to rest some of their key players for the day-night contest.
Australia have won their last four matches in the tri-series and would look to iron out some of their weaknesses in an encounter which is only of academic interest.
They will also look to put the controversies about poor player behaviour behind them after another acrimonious week which saw opener Matthew Hayden launching a scathing verbal attack against Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.
Sri Lanka have not been able to compete with the Aussies in the three previous games and it remains to be seen if Mahela Jayawardene can marshall his demoralised troops in order to finish the tour on a winning note.
Australia are treating the game as the beginning of their finals campaign.
"We've certainly taken the approach that our finals campaign starts now," retiring wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist said ahead of the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.PTI
PML-Q against stripping Musharraf of powers to dismiss PM, Par
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 28 (PTI) Pro-Musharraf PML-Q, routed in Pakistan's general election, today said it was against any move to strip the President of his powers to dismiss an elected premier and Parliament and warned a planned PPP-led government against going on a "collision course" with him.
PML-Q chief and former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said President Pervez Musharraf was constitutionally elected for a five year-year term and his powers to dismiss prime ministers were part of "checks and balances" needed to keep an eye on the working of the government.
"This is a clause that has been added to the Constitution so that elected representatives, assemblies and the government work according to the law," Hussain told reporters here after chairing a meeting of the PML-Q members of the upper and lower houses of Parliament.
"There should be some method of maintaining checks and balances so that those in government do not think they are running a fiefdom," he said.
Asked whether Musharraf would invoke Article 58(2b) of the Constitution -- which empowers him to dismiss premiers and assemblies -- if the new government to be formed by PPP and PML-N tries to impeach him or curtail his powers, Hussain said he felt there was no need to do this at the moment.
But if the new government goes on a "collision course" with Musharraf, there could be "problems", he said. PTI
Musharraf says he will not quit, allies rally around him
Islamabad, Feb 27 (PTI) Under pressure from Pakistan's new coalition to step down, Pervez Musharraf said his position is "strong" and will not resign, as his allies backed the President and challenged his political opponents to oust him.
Musharraf's optimism about continuing in office came amid an assertion by a top US intelligence official that he faced the threat of being impeached although the two major coalition partners do not have the required numbers in Parliament.
Stating that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif had "an agenda to impeach President Musharraf", Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnel said the PPP and PML(N) "do not have the votes to do that(impeach), but if they had independents join them, they could possibly have the votes." During his meeting with a delegation of leaders of the PML-Q, the party which backs him and was routed in the February 18 polls, Musharraf said he would continue to play his constitutional role as President, according to PML-Q sources. The delegation was led by former premier Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Pervez Elahi, a close confidante of Musharraf, told reporter " He(Musharraf) has been elected president for five years. He will remain president for five years." "There is no such proposal. Neither is he considering it," Elahi said when asked whether Musharraf is considering resigning.
The meeting between Musharraf and PML-Q delegation also took the view that the removal of the President's powers to dismiss an elected prime minister and dissolve parliament "would not be accepted", the sources said.
The sources quoted Musharraf as saying that revocation of these powers would cause "problems for the new parliament". The PML-N and PPP have indicated that they plan to strip the President of these powers. PTI
Nepal agrees to Madhesi demand for autonomy, peace deal inked
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, Feb 28 (PTI) In a major breakthrough, Nepal government today signed a peace deal with a key agitating Madhesi group, accepting its major demand for an autonomous Mahdes region to end a stand-off that was threatening to derail the upcoming elections and causing concern to India.
The United Democratic Madhesi Front said it will take part in the April 10 Constituent Assembly elections and end the 16-day strike that had paralysed the southern Terai region after its leaders signed the eight-point agreement with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala in Baluwatar near here.
"The agreement reached today will be implemented," Koirala said emphasising that no one should doubt the government's commitment to the deal.
Over 150 people had died in the agitation since early last year by the ethnic Indian Madhes community of Terai in southern Nepal which alleges discrimination by the hill people. India has made it clear to the Nepal government that it will have to address the issues of the community for a successful Constituent Assembly polls.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitoula said the elections will be held as scheduled on April 10, but as the deadline for the filing of nomination has ended, the Election Commission will be asked to make a special provision to allow Madhesi leaders to submit their nomination papers.
He also urged the other armed agitating groups in the region to come forward for talks.
Shedding its reluctance that had stalled the talks earlier, the government has agreed to formation of an autonomous Mahdes region with clear demarcation of powers to be outlined by the new Constituent Assembly. PTI
Pro-LTTE party asks Sri Lankan govt to restart peace process
T V Sriram
Colombo, Feb 28 (PTI) Asking Sri Lankan government to restart the peace process, a pro-LTTE party has said it could "persuade" the rebels to resume talks if Colombo implements the power devolution proposals and opens the highway linking the capital and the embattled north as a "goodwill gesture".
"We will prevail upon the LTTE to reciprocate by agreeing to negotiations if government agrees to implement the interim committee report on devolution as a first step besides opening of the A 9 road," Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian N.Srikantha told PTI.
The peace process received a body blow when Colombo scrapped a tattered 2002 ceasefire with the rebels last month and thousands of rebels have died in the intensified fighting.
Srikantha said "we are tied to the people. We will persuade the LTTE. But let government take the initiative." The MP said it was unfortunate that the people in both northern and southern Sri Lanka were living in fear because of the violence and it was high time that peace process was re-started.
Claiming that the opening of the A9 highway between Colombo and Jaffna, closed since escalation of hostilities between the LTTE and the government in 2006, would improve the economic condition of Tamils living in North, Srikantha, a Jaffna district MP, said such a step will be viewed as a "gesture of goodwill".
He said this would spare the people in the north of hardships and sufferings now being experienced by them.
"In such an event, we are confident that the LTTE will be persuaded PTI
Naxalism will never die: Book
New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) Naxalbari has not died and it will never die. Charu Muzumdar, founder of the Naxalbari movement wrote in 'Liberation' in 1971.
Naxalbari lives and Maoist strikes have been adding up in the new millennium. And with extreme inequity, the 'two Indias' will irrevocably remain two. And often, at war with each other, says a new book.
From 2004 Maoist strikes have been spectacular even before their two dominant groups- CPI (ML) Peoples War and Maoist Communist Centre India (MCCI) joined together to form the agglomerate that now controls the show across the country: the Communist Party of India (Maoist) or CPI (Maoist), the book 'Red Sun, Travels in Naxalite country' by journalist Sudeep Chakravarti says.
Nearly every other week there is news of strikes and counter strikes by the Maoists and the security forces. But what stands out is are the precisely planned and focused Maoist attacks on the security, on vigilante groups like the Ranvir Sena and Salwa Judum. In Maoist parlance this is known as Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign or TCOC.
They (the Maoists) carry, according to intelligence estimates, between six and seven thousand regular weapons-AK series of automatic rifles, INSAS rifles used by the army, ancient .303 Enfield, and a range of revolvers and pistols- some bought, but mostly grabbed from polie and paramilitary personnel or guards at railway stations in snatch-and-run or kill-and-take strikes.
(About the book: Red Sun, Travels in Naxalite Country by Sudeep Chakravarti, Penguin Viking, pages 352, price Rs.495)PTI
In Northeast, Debojit, Amit and now Anamika
Rituraj Borthakur
Mariani (Assam), Feb 27 (PTI) First it was the 'Debojit Saha fever' in 2006. Then came the 'Amit Paul phenomenon'. And now, a teenage girl has already created yet another mass hysteria in this region as she cruised passed the initial rounds of the ongoing Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'L Champs contest.
The region may have failed to place the winner's crown on Amit Paul in Sony TV's 'Indian Idol' last year, but they are vowing to repeat the feat they achieved with Debojit Saha when the latter notched the top spot in Zee TV's 'Saregamapa Voice of India' a couple of seasons back as Anamika Choudhury prepares for the final showdown in London.
The euphoria was already palpable when Anamika landed in the state a couple of days back on a two-day visit with the Zee TV team. People gathered in thousands to accord a grand welcome to her, even as the people of her home state Assam was drumming up support for the latest singing sensation from North East.
In fact, the residents of her home town Mariani and neighbouring Jorhat are touring the state and neighbouring Meghalaya to win maximum support for the little singer.
Mariani MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi, who is leading the motorcycle rally, says, "We appeal to the people of NE to vote for this little budding star and establish before the nation that NE has talent in abundance." The mass frenzy surrounding Anamika was on display when she visited her home last week, with police having to be called out to control crowds during her maiden performance on home turf. PTI
Robots set to battle for honours at University challenge
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) Come March and the capital is set to witness combat in a different form as budding geeks gear up to outwit one other and demonstrate how technology can be exhilarating too! Replicating manoeuvers in traditional 'kushti' matches, where professional wrestlers twist and turn their bodies to fall opponents, robots of all shapes and sizes will fight it out with each other at the Indian Institute of Technology here.
Hundreds of collegiate students from across India are expected to attend the Institute's annual science and tech festival where they will be provided with a platform to showcase custom-made robots, which will be tested for their agility plus how maneuverable they are in an activity say a fight! Under 'Robowars,'category of 'Tryst', each four-member team from various colleges will demonstrate the capabilities of robots, that they built according to specifications prescribed.
"Each team must build a robot that will participate in a simulated war game on a 3x3 metre field against another four member team. In the two-part game, the robots would be required to ferry balls to a bunker through a maze from a fixed position and later on fight the opponent's robot out of the field," says Shailesh Jain, a mechanical engineering student and one of the organisers of the event.
Judges say they would be looking for the ability of contestants to synthesize a task to get a best design, quality of assembly, and ability to integrate different components to make a robot functional with consistent performances. PTI
When it comes to homes, it is all about opulence this season
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) Minimalism is out. Interiors this year for the Indian market is expected to be more opulent and ostentatious with added emphasis on brighter and more vibrant colours, forecast industry experts.
"During the previous five years or so there was this minimalistic trend, people did up their interiors with fewer furniture and straighter lines. Now they are reverting to the earlier period of more furniture and bolder and stronger colours," says Padmini Sharma, chief designer with a leading furniture retail company in the capital.
Experts point out that from homes sporting simple surfaces that made unwanted edges in a structure disappear, along with natural textures and clean and fine finishes, interiors were now turning more flamboyant with rustic and earthy colours and oversized ethnic prints, in bright colours along with distressed and antiqued mirror work surfaces.
"The walls and ceilings are also reflecting the rustic look that is very contemporary and very in, says Sharma. Adds Deepa Sam, an achitect based in Chennai.
"I have noticed that a lot of clients are focusing attention on one single item in their rooms instead of refurnishing the entire room by changing everything in it. It could either be a very nice flower vase, a ceiling chandelier or an exquisite wall hanging, they are reworking the room based on that one piece.
"One client had a very nice floor tile which was very expensive. So he arranged other tiles around that one tile to create a glamorous look," she says. PTI
Season of toil and torture for jumbos
N Muraleedharan
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 (PTI) With the festival season getting under way, it is time for fun, frolic and family get-togethers in Kerala. However, it is also the season of toil and torture for elephants, essential adjunct of temple festivals in the state.
Though the government has laid down clear-cut norms on the upkeep of captive elephants and the owners and mahouts are repeatedly reminded of them, these rules are often flouted.
Jumbos shuffling along melting roads under the skin-tanning summer sun, provoked and prodded by the mahout's hook, is a usual sight in Kerala these days.
After the long day's walk, the poor creatures are paraded for hours on end on festival grounds in heavy decorative gear in full glare of high-voltage lights and suffering the clamour of blaring mikes and ear-dinning temple orchestra.
As the physical and mental trauma becomes unbearable, the animal would turn violent directing their ire at the mahout or the spectators.
According to Elephant Lovers Association in the state, 12 elephants have died in the last four months and most of them had been under severe physical strain and did not receive proper treatment or care. 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: 17824.48, -1.51
The sensex closed at 17824.48, down 1.51
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.895 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3753 INR
1 British Pound = 79.151 INR
1 Canadian $ = 40.847 INR
1 Singapore $ = 28.563 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.863 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.653 INR
1 Euro = 60.267 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.967 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________