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Railways set to pile up surplus of Rs 1,00,000 cr, says Lalu
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Set to gather further steam in the next one year with a huge surplus of Rs 1,00,000 crore, Indian Railways will begin the much-awaited Kolkata-Dhaka service from April 14.
"In a historic decision, we have decided that the Kolkata-Dhaka train service would begin from the Bengali New Year (April 14)," Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said replying to a debate on the Railway Budget 2008-09 which was passed by the Lok Sabha.
Hitting out at the previous NDA government for poor performance of the railways and inability to pay even Rs 2473 crores dividend, Prasad said when the UPA government completes its term next year the Railways would have a total surplus of about Rs 1,00,000 crore. It has already generated a surplus of Rs 69,000 crore in the past four years.
"We are not dependent any more on the Finance Ministry or the government for money as we have our own resources" Prasad said winding up a marathon debate.
He said Indian Railways which has reached number three position in the world would aspire to occupy the number one slot in the near future.
The minister said tendering process for the ambitious Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) is over and the work on the projects would begin soon.
Prasad said resources for the projects was no more an issue. "Irrespective of funding from foreign institutions, Railways has decided to go ahead with the East and West DFCs," he said. PTI
Sonia Gandhi dismisses talk of early polls
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today disimissed speculation about early elections and laid out the road map for the next Lok Sabha polls by stating the party would be more careful in selection of candidates and show greater unity and discipline.
"We have a busy election schedule for Vidhan Sabhas over the next few months. Inevitably we have to start preparing for the Lok Sabha polls next year. We have a little over a year left of this Parliament.
"We will go into these polls with an outstanding record of achievements, both in terms of government programmes and of legislation enacted. These achievements should earn for us the trust and mandate of the people once again," Gandhi said scotching speculation fuelled by media reports that Lok Sabha elections could be held early because of differences with the Left.
She was addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), the first interaction with the party MPs during the current budgetssion.
However, Gandhi tempered her enthusisasm with her remarks on the results in the elections Tripura and Nagaland describing them as "very disappointing, to say the least." "The simple lesson is that we need harder work and meticulous preparation, more careful selcetion of candidates and strategies, greater unity and discipline," Gandhi said.
Riding high on the "truly historic" Union Budget, especially the massive farm loan waiver scheme, she said "The plain and simple truth is that it is our party and our government that has taken bold measures." PTI
CBI should be given FBI-like powers: Par Comm
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) Crimes having national ramification like terrorism and human trafficking should be identified as federal crimes and the CBI should be given power to probe such cases, a Parliamentary Committee has recommended.
The Committee was of the view that the CBI should be given power to recruit officers at various levels to meet manpower shortage rather than depending on the UPSC and felt that there should be less dependence on deputation from other forces.
The panel in its report placed in the Rajya Sabha today, suggested that a separate anti-terrorism wing be created in the CBI with powers to act on intelligence inputs collected by the Central government to ensure prevention of crimes.
Briefing reporters about the recommendations of the Committee, its Chairman E M Sudarsana Natchiappan identified terror acts, human trafficking, smuggling and black marketing as crimes which could be classified as federal crimes which could be taken by the CBI directly.
As for incidents like terror attacks, the Committee felt that by the time CBI is handed over the case, precious time elapses which not only results in loss of local evidence but also provides ample time for criminals to escape.
For this, the Committee urged the Government to amend the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 to take CBI out of its purview or repeal it by introducing a 'Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation Bill'. PTI
EC issues notification for constitution of Nagaland assembly
Kohima, Mar 11 (PTI) The Election Commission today issued a notification for constitution of the 11th Nagaland assembly comprising 59 newly-elected legislators.
The EC in a gazette notification constituted the assembly and the same was forwarded to the governor, K Sankaranarayanan, Chief Electoral Officer C J Ponraj told PTI.
The NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland is all set to form the government for the second consecutive term in the state.
As per the constitutional norms, present assembly, which is under suspended animation following imposition of central rule, should be dissolved by the President on recommendation of the Governor.
After having satisfied that a stable government could be formed, the governor would recommend to the President for revocation of the central rule, which was imposed in Nagaland on January 3.
As per norms, after revocation of the President's rule, the leader of the largest party or group is appointed as the Chief Minister and swearing-in of ministers is done.
Rio along with 33 supporters had requested the Governor on Sunday to complete all the formalities by today. PTI
Admiral Gorshkov: India reconciled to price hike
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) India has reconciled to a price hike for procurement of Russian carrier Admiral Gorshkov and the government has constituted an experts committee to work out the increase, Naval Chief Sureesh Mehta today said.
"There will be some price hike. We need to pay extra amount and whatever amount is due as per contracts we will pay," Mehta, who had in the past opposed any renegotiations with Russia on a price hike demand, said.
His remarks assume significance in the wake of Defence Minister A K Antony's statement in Parliament that the expert team had discussed aspects of all additional works projected by the Russian side on the carrier.
"The process of examination of the scope and necessity for additional work has been initiated," the Minister said in Lok Sabha.
On Barak anti-missile system, the Naval Chief said that though the Navy needed more of them, it had built up enough stockpiles for the present.
Talking about maritime cooperation between India and Pakistan, Mehta said: "It is going well and confidence building measures are working in a positive manner and whatever the hurdles we have we will try to sort it out gradually." PTI
Aussies scrap tour of Pakistan after fresh blasts
Karachi/Melbourne, Mar 11 (PTI) Australia today scrapped its cricket tour of Pakistan barely a few hours after twin bomb blasts rocked Lahore, a decision which cleared the decks for their star cricketers to take part in next month's Indian Premier League.
Shortly after the blasts which left a number of people killed, Cricket Australia (CA) conveyed the decision to Pakistan Board, putting an end to months of speculation on whether the tour would go ahead.
The two Boards issued a joint statement, announcing that new dates for the tour would be decided soon.
"We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time. This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment," CA Chairman Creagh O'Connor said.
"We wish no loss to Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future," he said.
Australia were scheduled to tour Pakistan later this month but the deteriorating law and order situation since the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December first led to trimming of their itinerary and eventually its postponement.
CA Chief Executive James Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne that they tried their best to make the tour possible but had to postpone it after the latest carnage.
"We've left no stone unturned, we wanted to play this tour. (But) Our absolute priority has been the security and safety of our players and our employees," he said adding that the CA also considered the Australian government's advise in the matter. PTI
IPL money to be used to improve infrastructure: Pataudi
Chandigarh, Mar 11 (PTI) The money generated through the Indian premier League will be used to improve cricketing infrastructure, former Indian captain MAK Pataudi said today.
He said money will be used to improve infrastructure so that not only cricketers, but spectators too are able to take benefit of the improved facilities.
"Both the players and spectators should get best facilities," Pataudi told reporters here.
Pataudi, who is a member of the Indian Premier League committee, will be inaugurating a two-day IPL seminar for the curators and turf managers at PCA stadium in Mohali tomorrow.
When told that rebel ICL's second edition of Twenty20 had failed to attract crowds, Pataudi said this would not be the case with IPL.
"Our event is on a much bigger scale and enjoys the backing of BCCI and ICC," he said.
Meanwhile, world famous curator from Adelaide Oval, Les Burdett, will be sharing his experience with the Indian curators particularly of eight city centres chosen by the franchisees for ICL inter-city tournament.
The seminar will be conducted by Chairman of BCCI's Ground and Pitches Committee, Daljit Singh and Burdett will support him with his rich experience of laying different kinds of wickets.
During the seminar the emphasis will be on to provide "sporting and lively pitches" to the IPL teams, BCCI Joint Secretary, M P Pandove, who is also PCA's secretary, said. PTI
Is it the end of the road for some players?
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) For at least six players of the Indian hockey team that failed to qualify for the Beijing Games, this may be the end of their dream to take the turf in another Olympics.
India created dubious history when they went down 0-2 to Great Britain in the final of the Olympic qualifiers in Santiago and missed out on a berth in the Games for the first time since their debut in 1928.
Thirty-year-old Dilip Tirkey, the seniormost player of the side with 369 internationals, had earlier indicated that he would retire after the Beijing Olympics.
The seasoned campaigner would be shattered to miss out on what would have been his fourth Olympics, an honour he would have shared with Leslie Claudius, Udham Singh and Dhanraj Pillay.
Several other veterans of the side approaching 30 cannot be sure of hanging around till the 2012 London Games.
Midfielder Bimal Lakra and forward Prabhjot Singh are 28, while linkman Ignace Tirkey and goalkeepers Baljit Singh and Bharat Chetri are 27.
All these players, except Baljit who has played just 36 games, are very experienced -- Ignace (202 matches), Prabhjot (178), Lakra (148) and Chetri (129).
Besides, a few others whose dreams of being called Olympians vanished in thin air include captain Prabodh Tirkey and ace forward Rajpal Singh.
Twenty-four-year-old Prabodh has played 92 internationals, but is yet to play an Olympics as he missed out on a berth for the Athens Games due to injury.
Rajpal (25) has played 84 matches but has not yet got a chance to play in the quadrennial extravaganza. PTI
CA decision to posptpone Pak tour not influenced by IPL: PCB
Karachi, Mar 11 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board today sought to dispel the notion that Australian cricketers' eagerness to play in the cash-rich Indian Premier League in April had prompted their Board to postpone the tour.
"I don't think the IPL had anything to do with it because Australia was supposed to end their tour by end of April and the IPL starts from the 18th," PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf told a press conference.
Several Australian players including captain Ricky Pointing and allrounder Andrew Symonds have signed up to play in the lucrative Twenty20 competition.
Ashraf hoped the Australians decision to postpone their tour would not affect future events in Pakistan.
"We are determined to hold the Asia Cup in June and July and the participating countries have confirmed their participation. Asian Cricket Council officials are due on March 21 to finalise details with us," Ashraf said.
He insisted Pakistan remained a safe place to play cricket and the terrorist suicide bomb attacks had nothing to do with cricket.
"Obviously, we are disappointed and we tried our best to convince them to come. But it is a decision they have taken after much consideration and we have to accept that. But we will see this postponed series is held before we go to Australia in late 2009," Ashraf said.
He said the suicide bomb attacks in Lahore this morning had nothing to do with the Australian decision. PTI
Mascarenhas becomes first English player in IPL
Mumbai, Mar 11 (PTI) England all rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas today became the first player from his country to become eligible to play in the Cricket Board-promoted Indian Premier League when he was bought at the second players' auction by the Jaipur team for USD 100,000.
No England player was available to the eight franchise owners who splurged millions of USD to buy top international players contracted to the IPL at the first players' auction held last month.
"Mascarenhas approached us and we told him to get an NOC from his home board. Since he's not a contracted English player with the ECB, he got permission of the Hampshire county. I also spoke to the ECB chairman and he was cleared for the auction," said IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi.
"We will follow the same procedure for other England players too if and when they are available," Modi explained at the end of the second auction in which 14 overseas players went under the hammer.
Australian all rounder James Hopes, who was a member of the squad that lost to India in the best of three triangular series finals and kept the hosts in the hunt till the end in the closely fought second finals at Brisbane on March 4, fetched the highest prize of USD 300,000 and was bought by the Mohali team owned by Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia.
Fourteen members of the under 19 World Cup-winning team were also sold to the franchises through a "draft" procedure. PTI
Australia postpones Pak tour after Lahore blasts
Karachi, Mar 11 (PTI) Australia today postponed its cricket tour of Pakistan after twin blasts rocked Lahore killing several people there.
Minutes after the blasts, Cricket Australia (CA) conveyed its decision to its Pakistani counterpart and the boards later said in a joint statement that new dates for the tour would be decided soon.
"The Chairmen of the two boards will meet in Dubai next weekend to further discuss possible dates for the deferred tour," the statement said.
"The ICC Future Tours Program is complex and changes require extensive consultation with other member boards with whom Australia and Pakistan have existing commitments. This process will be undertaken over coming weeks," it added.
Commenting on the decision, CA Chairman Creagh O'Connor said, "We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time. This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment.
"We wish no loss to Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future," he said.
His Pakistani counterpart Nasim Ashraf said, "We are obviously very disappointed at this decision.
"I guess there is not much we could do and sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity," the PCB chief said. PTI
Sensex falls 185 pts in early trade
Mumbai, Mar 11 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 185 points in early trade today on selling by funds in heavy-weight stocks led by Larsen and Toubro.
The 30-share index, Sensex, which closed 52 points down yesterday, slipped by 184.68 points to 15,739.04 in the first five minutes of trade.
The wider National Stock Exchange index, Nifty, lost 67.55 points to touch 4,732.85 as index-heavy Larsen and Toubro, Reliance Industries, Infosys and ACC lost substantial ground.
Selling pressure was more confined to Larsen and Toubro following a report of loses in its overseas operation. PTI
Commonwealth govts must agree to global trade deal: Lord Paul
H S Rao
London, March 11 (PTI) Commonwealth governments should respond to the needs of people by agreeing to a global trade deal and tackling climate change-- the "greatest threat" to mankind, Lord Swraj Paul, leading NRI industrialist, has said.
"The Commonwealth is relevant, and credible. It delivers. It is dynamic and innovative, as must be the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association," the British Ambassador for Overseas Business said addressing a parliamentary delegation from Isle of Man.
Paul, who will soon lead a British Parliamentary delegation to India, said: "The CPA wants Commonwealth governments to respond to the needs of people - to build communities, to address the challenges arising from the growth of urbanisation, to agree a global trade deal and to tackle the greatest threat to us all - climate change." Noting that the Commonwealth is more than a talk shop, the chairman of the Caparo group said "its influence and power comes from a moral authority and its teeth enable it to suspend members, and to work away to achieve the change the standards required." Observing that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has been developed to enforce its values, he said the 53-member body has been successful in encouraging and developing democracy in Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
"There remains more work to be done in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Fiji, but the pressure is on," Paul said last night. PTI
IOC, global firms exhibit products in Lubeasia 2008
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) Government-owned Indian Oil Corporation and major players from China, Iran and Saudi Arabia showcased their products in an exhibition on lubricants, greases, oils and related markets that ended today.
The three-day event 'Lubeasia 2008', witnessed global firms from countries such as China (PetroChina Lubricants), Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE strutting their products at the exhibition, which targeted direct and bulk consumers from road transport corporations, railways, airlines and defence.
"This is a meeting point for the participants to share their knowledge with the industry associates as well as interact with highly-targeted and closely-focused visitors. I hope that the participation of so many global market leaders will benefit the Indian lubricant industry," Road Transport and Highways Secretary Brahm Dutt told PTI.
The Indian lubricant market is estimated at Rs 10,000 crore, but this segment still goes unnoticed with only a few big players dominating the arena. Their products are exorbitantly priced, much above the actual price, Director of Nexgen Exhibition, which organised the event, V K Bansal said. PTI
Sensex ends lower by 52 points in volatile trade
Mumbai, Mar 10 (PTI) In highly volatile trade, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today closed lower by nearly 52 points on selling pressure in heavyweight stocks, led by Larsen and Toubro.
Marketmen said selling was triggered after Morgan Stanely cut its share price estimate on Larsen and Toubro, a heavyweight participant.
The 30-share Sensex settled the day 15,923.72 points, showing a fall of 51.80 points.
The key index had plunged to the day's low of 15,362.17 and saw a high of 15,998.33 points.
The second wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty ended higher by 38.80 points at 4,800.40, after dipping to 4,620.50 and rising to 4,814.95 points as some stocks like Reliance Industries, State Bank of India and HDFC Bank gained fresh ground.
On BSE, the plunge in Larsen and Toubro which losst over Rs 259.40 at Rs 2,728.80 mainly impact the key index. L&T fell the most since July 20, 2000, after Morgan Stanley cut its share price estimate on the company.
Capital goods sector plunged by 684.03 points at 13,341.09,followed by realty index by 76.62 points at 7705.66. Consumer durable index fell by 118.37 points at 4145.34 and bank index by 38.47 points at 8438.99. PTI
China arrests over 300 monks for staging protests in Tibet
Raghavendra
Beijing, March 11 (PTI) About 300 Tibetan monks were arrested when they tried to stage a protest march in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, to mark the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising against Beijing's rule in 1959, a senior Chinese official said here today.
"Some ignorant monks led by a small handful of people did some illegal things that can challenge social stability," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said when asked to confirm foreign media reports about the arrest of monks yesterday.
"To safeguard national security and social order is the responsibility of our judiciary and law enforcing departments. We will continue to combat any illegal activities," he said.
Qin said the monks had been dealt with according to the law.
The arrests were made yesterday when some 300 protesters began marching from a monastery to the Potala Palace in central Lhasa calling for an end to a police crackdown on religious figures.
The protesters demanded release of monks that were imprisoned in October last year after the US awarded the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, a Congressional gold medal.
The Dalai Lama, in his speech on the "Tibet Uprising Day" yesterday at Dharamsala in India, the seat of Tibetan government in exile, accused China of "religious repression" and violation of human rights in Tibet.
"For nearly six decades Tibetans have had to live in a state of constant fear under Chinese repression," the 72-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said. PTI
Musharraf summons new Parliament on March 17
Islamabad, Mar 11 (PTI) Setting the stage for a possible showdown with the opposition parties that won last month's general election, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has summoned the first meeting of new Parliament on March 17.
Apart from the National Assembly - the lower house of Parliament, the President summoned the new provincial assemblies to meet on March 17, officials said today.
Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro had yesterday signed a document regarding the summoning of the assemblies and sent it to Musharraf for final approval.
The announcement on convening of new Parliament came two days after PPP co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif clinched a deal on formation of a coalition government. Both parties had won the February 18 parliamentary polls, handing down a crushing defeat to pro-Musharraf ruling PML-Q.
PPP and PML-N also agreed to reinstate the judges sacked by Musharraf during last year's emergency within a month of assuming power.
Pushed to the backfoot after the PPP-PML(N) decided to reinstate deposed judges, Musharraf yesterday said relations with the new government would be "cordial" and asked the parties to "avoid confrontations" with state institutions. PTI
Malaysia opposition plans to abolish race-based policies
Kuala Lumpur, Mar 11 (PTI) Malaysia's resurgent opposition today decided to abolish affirmative action policies favouring ethnic Malays in the states ruled by them, a move that may sound music to the ears of the minority Indian and Chinese communities.
The three-party opposition alliance won a third of the parliamentary seats and five of the 13 states in the weekend polls, dealing a blow to ruling Barisan Nasional coalition of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
The worst-ever electoral performance of the coalition in five decades came amid unprecedented street protests by ethnic Indians alleging racial discrimination.
Lim Guan Eng, head of the Democratic Action Party, took over as the Chief Minister in the country's northern state of Penang today and said he would not follow the New Economic Policy (NEP), the affirmative action programme launched in 1971 to improve the lot of ethnic Malays.
The policy faced much flak from ethnic Indian and Chinese who claim it reduced non-Malays to second-class citizens.
"We want to run the state government administration free from the New Economic Policy that only breeds cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency," Lim told reporters.
"Instead, we advocate a stakeholders' economy for all, based on the principle of shared prosperity in an equitable manner," he said.
Lim said all government contracts would be conducted through an open tender system, unlike the practice of the previous administration. To show transparency, information on tender bids would be uploaded on the internet. PTI
Indian workers attract support from US activists
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Mar 11 (PTI) Over 100 Indians who revolted against their employer in Mississippi after they were allegedly forced to work under inhuman condition have been hailed for standing up to their rights by activists who claim the incident of abuse were reported last year also.
"We look up to the workers from India who have taken the initiative, organised themselves and standing up together and pursuing this issue," Bill Chandler, Executive Director of Mississippi Rights Alliance, said adding that the incident reflected the failure of the Guest Worker System that is vulnerable to abuse.
He alleged that that exploitation of foreign workers was rampant, especially in Mississippi.
"There have been other workers who have been abused like that and virtually all of the guest workers in Mississippi, regardless of industry or employer have been abused similarly," Chandler told PTI over phone.
"Nationally there has been an effort to reform the Immigration system that includes the guest worker programme and without exception in those programmes, the employers have abused workers. In this state we can speak with authority because we have been dealing with it for many years," he said.
Chandler said that the Indian workers first got in touch with his organisation a little over a year ago.
"We have been involved in supporting them and have been involved with the workers there since the beginning in 2007 and in joining them in their struggle for dignity," he said. PTI
After Track Two diplomacy its now spiritual diplomacy!
New Delhi, Mar 11 (PTI) After round table discussions and conferences dime a dozen, spirituality as a means to foster good relations between India and Pakistan is now being explored.
Women leaders from the two neighbouring countries were among those from over 50 nations at the interfaith meet in held Jaipur, recently to discuss ways to end strife and conflict the world.
"One of the commitments I have made is that we will organise a visit by a delegation from India to Pakistan", said Dena Merriam, convener and founder 'The World Council of Women Spiritual Leaders' summit.
The summit also affirmed to strengthen similar peace initiatives between women in conflict driven countries of Israel, Palestine and Sudan.
The delegates from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tibet, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Turkey, Sudan, Palestine, Tibet, Combodia, United States and other European countries among others were also present at the event. PTI
Rajasthan, Marriages are made here too!
Ashish Mehta
Jaipur, Mar 11 (PTI) What is common between Madonna, Amitabh Bachchan, Liz Hurley, Praful Patel and Varadaraja Perumal? Well, they were among the celebrities who made it to Rajasthan-giving the state more prominence on the global tourism map.
Celebrities apart, the state has become a favourite holiday destination even for a common tourist, trade circles say adding that recent celebrity weddings have led to a craze to have marriages held in the desert state.
When the whole world was celebrating the New Year's eve pop star and actress Madonna along with her family friends and two kids came to the state for a week long stay.
During her visit she also explored the interiors of Rajasthan, some new hamlets and villages, said a Jodhpur-based travel agent.
Such visits of the celebrities to the undiscovered areas also put such areas on the tourist maps. Some of the not so popular villages of Jodhpur district are now known to the world after her visit, said Ashwini a hotelier.
Her schedule was so secret that even sometimes the state police did not know where she was going and when, said a police official who did not want to be identified.
Later, in the month of February, mega star Amitabh Bachchan whose house was attacked by the activists of Navnirman Sena in Mumbai, came along with his friend Amar Singh, his wife Jaya Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. PTI
One million new jobs in India in 2008
New Delhi, Mar 10 (PTI) It is good news for those freshout of college or for those who are keen for a job change, asa leading HR consultancy firm has predicted one million newjobs in India this year.
Ma Foi Employment Trends Survey (METS), conducted by MaFoi, one of India's largest HR consultancy firm has predicteda three per cent increase in employment in 2008.
The largest chunk of the new jobs according to the surveywould be generated by hospitality sector which is riding highwith the tourism boom in the country.
"The Hospitality sector will generate the maximum numberof employment in 2008. 426,668 jobs are going to be generatedby the Hospitality sector. This sector is closely followed byHealth at 295,829 and Education Training & Consultancy at166,005," says the survey.
It adds that an estimated USD 11.41 billion is expectedto be seen in the Hospitality sector in the next two years andthat India is likely to have around 40 international hotelbrands by 2011.
"The boom in the tourism industry has had a cascadingeffect on the hospitality sector, which was a result of theincrease in the occupancy ratios and average room rates. Withthe demand continuing to surge, many global hospitality majorshave evinced a keen interest in the Indian hospitalitysector," says K. Pandia Rajan, Managing Director, Ma FoiManagement Consultants Ltd.
While, IT and ITES sector continues with high growth inrecruitment at 7.3 and 7.2 per cent, the survey says that itis the Health sector which shows the highest growth inrecruitment at 8.9 per cent. PTI
Women artists a growing tribe
Sunandita Dasgupta
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Women are shattering age-old myths as well as glass ceilings slowly but surely in all fields including that of art. Once considered a predominantly male domain, women have by now carved out a space for themselves in the world of contemporary art.
This was amply demonstrated at an exhibition in the national capital where an array of works by 25 leading woman artists of the country -- bringing out their world of colour, imagination and innovation -- was displayed to mark the International Women's Day.
Curated by noted artist Anjolie Ela Menon and organised by online art library Indianartcircle.Com, the show displays works by Arpana Caur, Jayashree Barman, Jaya Ganguly, Latika Katt, Mimi Radhakrishnan and Menon herself, among others.
"For years I balked at the idea of 'Women's Art' but today I am convinced that women artists in India have carved a niche for themselves," says Menon.
"There has been a significant change in the attitude of the new generation of women...Today's women are bold, innovative and dedicated professionals. Societal and familial considerations have ceased to be barriers to achievement," she says.
Dealing with the question of whether there is a thing as a distinct "woman's view" in art, she feels "this is not always discernible except in blatantly obvious feminist art." However, the qualities of compassion and intuition, a natural feeling for colour, form and embellishment and the ability to subsume pain "informs women's art and makes it both significant and special," Menon says. PTI
From scavengers to walking the ramp at UN
Snehesh Alex Philip
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) From being scavengers carrying night soil on their heads for years, 28 women from Alwar, a small village in Rajasthan, are now all set to walk the ramp at the United Nations' General Assembly Hall.
The liberated scavengers, 30 to 70 year olds who till recently followed the age old family practice in their localities have been shortlisted as part of the social reform initiative of Sulabh Sanitation movement, to walk the ramp.
"It is a symbolic gesture to showcase the path breaking contributions of liberated scavengers in the context of social reform," says Bindeshwar Pathak, founder Sulabh movement.
According to Chameli, one of the 28 women who have now become almost like a role model, the women are busy designing the clothes which they plan to showcase at the UN Assembly in July 2 this year.
"I started carrying the night soil since I was a child. I continued with the profession even after marriage and this had become our lone source of income and almost like a ritual for us," says Chameli, 35, a liberated scavenger.
"I now feel more confident and more a human since I have left the profession," she adds.
A book containing success stories of these women titled, 'Princess of Alwar' would also be released at the Assembly.
"The journey from being a scavenger carrying night soil in a small town to a chance to walk on the ramp and rub shoulders with celebrities was torturous but it happened like a classic case for each one of the 28 woman folks who hails from the lower strata of the society," says a social worker associated with the movement. PTI
Nicole Kidman to sport Indian label at Melbourne fashion show
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI) Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman is set to walk the ramp in Indian clothes at a fashion show to be held in Melbourne.
Kidman along with other celebrities will sport creations by desi designers Rahul Jain and Gunjan Arora, who are participating in a fashion show to support the cause of children affected by cancer at the Royal Children's Hospital of Melbourne.
'Sirali,' the label under which the duo retails their creations is characterised by a unique method where the cloth is prepared using a mix of coloured threads to create an effect of embroidery resembling a huge painting.
"Kidman will wear a long sherwani like blue jacket with lots of red and yellow. The design on the jacket will look like somebody has embroidered the design, but it is a patented method of ours. The different colours blend on the garment to create the effect of an art," says Rahul Jain.
"The thread is used as a brush to make the clothes look like a huge painting. We have done gowns, saris, jackets and dresses for the fashion show and all the 14 clothes are going to be auctioned off and the process will go to the hospital." Apart from Kidman , other celebrity clients of 'Sirali' include Caroline Douglas, Naomi Campbell, Sean Connery, Mallaika Arora and others.
Kidman and others will showcase the new collection called 'Wearable Art' where the expression comes alive with coloured threads diminishing the fine line of paint and canvas. "The range is meant to be a merger of art and fashion," says Rahul.
The designers are also participating in the forthcoming Wills India Fashion Week where they will showcase 36 garments under the creative category. PTI
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Sensex: 16123.15, +199.43
The sensex closed at 16123.15, up 199.43
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 40.475 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3963 INR
1 British Pound = 81.606 INR
1 Canadian $ = 40.834 INR
1 Singapore $ = 29.186 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 11.021 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.808 INR
1 Euro = 62.655 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 11.123 INR
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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