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.
BJP rallies behind Advani, hits back at Congress
New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI) Stung by Congress tirade against its senior leader L K Advani, BJP today raked up insurgency in Punjab and North-East, terrorism in Kashmir and the LTTE issues in a bid to push the ruling party to the backfoot.
Hitting back at Congress, the main Opposition party said it has no "moral right" to speak on terrorism and criticise the BJP as it had always "supported and encouraged" terrorism with an eye on votebank.
Senior leaders Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley also found nothing wrong in Advani visiting Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi as they noted that both the parties should respect each other since they were not enemies but political rivals.
"Who created Bhindranwale, who sponsored him, who is responsible for his activities, who sent Army into Golden Temple?" Naidu asked in an attempt to turn the tables on the Congress.
He held the policies of the Congress responsible for outbreak of terrorism in Kashmir and accused it of encouraging insurgent outfits-- ULFA in Assam, LTTE in Sri Lanka, SIMI and Al-Umma.
"Who gave training and funds to LTTE? Who sent IPKF to Sri Lanka resulting in the death of 1000 personnel not for the country? Who is responsible for ULFA and then SULFA. Who is responsible for growth of naxalism. Who joined hands with them at the political level," he sought to know.
He warned the Congress not to point accusing fingers at the BJP, saying such tactics will "boomerang" on the party and push it to the backfoot. PTI
Indo-US n-deal not at "now or never" point: White House
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Mar 26 (PTI) The controversial Indo-US civil nuclear deal has not reached the point of "now or never", the White House has said after External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's talks with President George W Bush here.
"... We have a little bit of time before we have to say now or never. We've got several months to continue to work with them (India)," White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.
Wrapping up his two-day visit, Mukherjee, who had a 35-minute meeting with Bush and held talks with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on Monday, said UPA government is "interested" in pursuing the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and that it was aware of the July timeline suggested by members of the US Congress.
"There are some issues that are yet to be resolved. Unless those issues are resolved, it would be difficult for us to fix any particular time frame," he told a press conference here yesterday.
He explained the difficulties of moving forward on the deal without a political consensus.
"At this juncture it is difficult for me to indicate any time frame by which we will be able to complete the process.
"We have some problems in the domestic field particularly among our supporters of the coalition government which we are heading. We are trying to resolve that issue but it might take some more time," Mukherjee said before flying to London on his way back home.
Asked if the UPA was ready to sacrifice the government for the deal if no consensus emerged, the minister said "it's not a question of sacrificing either the government or the deal." PTI
Talks on for release of Indo-Pak POWs, says a Pak Gen
Attari (Amritsar), Mar 26 (PTI) Pakistan and India are having talks for release of prisoners of war of 1965 and 1971 conflicts, who are languishing in jails in the two countries, a senior Pakistani Army officer said today.
Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, who is heading a 14-member delegation of Pakistani Rangers for a bi-annual meeting with Border Security Force in Chandigarh, said the issue of PoW is being taken up by both the countries at the level of foreign ministeries.
"This issue is being taken up at higher level between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on both sides and both sides are working on it and there is certain hope of release of prisoners," he said here as the delegation crossed over into India through the border post here.
This would be the first bi-annual meeting between the two border forces after the installation of the new government in Pakistan.
On Indian charges about cross-border smuggling of narcotics, Aslam said, "As such nothing is coming from Pakistan but even then such issues will be discussed in the three-day meeting with the top officials of BSF and all such confusion prevailing on both sides would be sorted out." To questions on smuggling of narcotics from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, Aslam said, "These are mere allegations and nothing else." He said, "During the meeting, illegal border crossing including those inadvertently and human smuggling on both sides will be the core issues to be discussed thoroughly." Aslam said, "We are here to discuss the professional matters in the most professional manner but we will not hurl any vague allegations against each other." PTI
Better job options reason to leave para-military forces: DG
New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI) Better job opportunities in private sector and not stress is the reason for personnel to leave the Para-military forces of the country, Director General of Border Security Force Ashish Mitra said here today.
Mitra, who returned late last night from Seoul, had nothing concrete to offer on the recent Sixth Pay Commission report which has recommended several measures for the para-military forces including withdrawing of "surakhsha sahayaks" (assistants) for senior officials.
"Have you ever seen someone satisfied with Pay Commissions and their recommendations," Mitra quipped as he said that he will go through the report and then come up with his forces' demands.
"We were looking forward for having the post of Lance Naiks and Naiks in our ranks," he said on the sidelines of a mountaineering expedition flag-off ceremony of the force.
On the question of a large number of personnel taking voluntary retirement from service owing to stress, Mitra said there are "all kinds of reasons for it".
"Some take pre-mature retirement to avail jobs in other sectors, some opt for it owing to personal reasons while some choose for it voluntarily, now that VRS can be taken after 15 years of service but without pension benefits," Mitra said.
Mitra agreed to the Pay Commissions recommendation on abolishing the use of constables in para-military forces as "Suraksha Sahayak" and said "this should not have been there".
On the issue of parallel induction of armymen in Central Police Organisations like BSF, the force felt that this system is "basically to reduce Army's pension problems".
"They (the Army) have a huge pension bill," an officer remarked. PTI
South African top order blunts Indian attack
R Eswar
Chennai, Mar 26 (PTI) The South African top order feasted on India's lacklustre bowling attack under a searing sun and on an unresponsive track as the visitors hogged the opening day honours in the first cricket Test here today.
After openers Neil McKenzie (94) and Graeme Smith (73) set the tone for the day, South Africa dominated all three sessions to finish day one at 304 for four.
The visitors got off to a perfect start with McKenzie and Smith, barely three weeks after their world record opening stand against Bangladesh, forging yet another century partnership to lay the foundation for a big total.
Though their batting mainstay Jacques Kallis, otherwise a familiar India nemesis, returned before he could make a substantial mark in the match, Hashim Amla (85 not out) took it on his able shoulders to build on the platform.
At stumps, Amla (85) and AB de Villiers (10) were in the middle and they would return tomorrow hoping to further swell the tally.
On a day thoroughly dominated by the batsmen, Anil Kumble was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming two for 61, while his spin twin Harbhajan Singh got as many for 92 runs.
After winning an important toss, Smith predictably decided to take first strike on M Chidambaram Stadium's flat strip.
With India's new ball attack of RP Singh and S Sreesanth looking pretty pedestrian, even though the Kerala speedster did beat Smith's tentative bat on a couple of occasions, Smith stood vindicated. PTI
South Africa 304 for 4 at stumps on day 1
Chennai, Mar 26 (PTI) South Africa were 304 for 4 at stumps on day one of their first cricket Test against India here today.
Brief score: South Africa 1st innings: 304 for 4 in 90 overs (N McKenzie 94, G Smith 73, H Amla 85 not out; H Singh 2-61). PTI
Loss to Ivanchuk sends Anand out of title race
From Our Chess Correspondent
Nice (France) Mar 26 (PTI) World champion Viswanathan Anand's third successive loss has put him out of the title race in the Amber Blindfold and Rapid chess tournament as he went down 0.5-1.5 against Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in the ninth round here.
Anand's form in the rapid was found wanting once again as the Indian blundered a pawn for little compensation after earlier drawing the blindfold game.
The loss put Anand decisively out of reckoning for the top honours after Armenian Levon Aronian scored a resounding 2-0 victory over Alexander Morozevich of Russia.
Aided by the fine triumph, Aronian took his tally to 12.5 points in the overall standings and stretched his lead to a whopping 2.5 points over nearest rivals Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Peter Leko of Hungary and Magnus Carlsen of Ukraine.
Ivanchuk and Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria share the fifth spot jointly on 9.5 points each while Anand slipped to seventh spot on 9 points.
With just two rounds remaining, Aronian appears to be a confirmed bet for the overall title as well as rapid where he has two points lead over over Ivanchuk Carslen and Leko. Anand stands joint fifth in rapid on 4.5 points. PTI
Takeover tycoon Tata gets JLR steering for USD 2.30 billion
H S Rao
London, Mar 26 (PTI) Creating history, India's top corporate Tatas today acquired luxury auto brands -- Jaguar and Land Rover -- from Ford Motor for 2.3 billion dollars, stamping their authority as a takeover tycoon.
Beating compatriot Mahindra and Mahindra for the prestigious brands, just a year after acquiring steel giant Corus for 12.1 billion dollar, Tatas today announced the deal they signed with Ford, which on its part would chip in 600 million dollar towards JLR's pension plan.
The deal was announced after protracted negotiations that Tatas had with JLR union workers.
"We are very pleased at the prospect of Jaguar and Land Rover being a significant part of our automotive business," Group Chairman Ratan Tata said after making the deal public.
"We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavour to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact," he said. PTI
Sensex ends lower by 131 pts, ICICI Bank, Airtel down
Mumbai, Mar 26 (PTI) After yesterday's significant gains, the markets reacted negatively today with the benchmark Sensex ending lower by a modest 131 points.
Snapping its four-session winning streak, the 30-share Sensex on the Bombay Stock Exchange settled the day at 16,086.83 points, a fall of 130.66 points, or 0.81 per cent, from its yesterday's close.
The key index touched a high of 16,309.88 in early trade.
The 50-issue S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also fell by 48.65 points, or 1.00 per cent, to 4,828.85 from its previous close.
The fall came just a day after the BSE barometer posted its second largest gain of over 928 points yesterday on indications of global investment scenario improving.
Marketmen said investors preferred to book profit at existing higher levels, considering that March derivatives contract is ending tomorrow.
Most of the Asian indices ended mixed today while European markets opened lower, impacting negatively on the local bourses.
On BSE, banking, refinery and pharma counters came under selling pressure, while consumer durable and metal shares registered smart gains on good buying support.
The small-cap and mid-cap segments attracted good buying support, reflecting return of retail investors to the market.
Among index-based counters, HUL dipped by 4.31 per cent, ICICI Bank by 4.17 per cent, Bharti Airtel by 3.75 per cent, DLF by 3.07 per cent, BHEL by 2.86 per cent and NTPC by 2.85 per cent.
The trading volume was remarkably low at Rs 6,137.44 crore from Rs 6,880.05 crore on Tuesday. PTI
Maruti drives in Swift DZire to gain strength in sedan segment
New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI) Country's biggest car maker Maruti Suzuki today launched its new entry level sedan, Swift DZire, with introductory price ranging between Rs 4.49 lakh and Rs 6.70 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), aiming to consolidate its position in the bigger car segment.
The DZire, the seventh model Maruti Suzuki has launched in the last three years, comes in both diesel and petrol variants and is powered by 1.3 litre engine.
The petrol variants are priced between Rs 4.49 lakh and Rs 5.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), while the diesel ones are priced between Rs 5.39 lakh and Rs 6.70 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and CEO Shinzo Nakanishi said the new car would play a strategic role in strengthening the company's position in the entry level sedan segment.
"It has a special place in our product strategy. Millions of Indians own compact cars. With growing incomes and better lifestyle, many of them want to upgrade to a sedan. But today, they are not able to find an entry level sedan that offers style, features and performance. The DZire offers all this, and at an attractive price," he said.
With the Swift Dzire, competition in the lower A3 segment is expected to hot up in the segment, which currently is dominated by Mahindra Renault's Logan and Tata Motors' Indigo.
Tata Motors offers its lowest sedan model Indigo CS between Rs 3.66 lakh and Rs 4.34 lakh, and the Indigo XL going up to Rs 7.38 lakh. Logan petrol version starts at Rs 3.89 lakh and goes up to Rs 5.02 lakh, while that of diesel begins with Rs 5.72 lakh and going up to Rs 6.63 lakh.
Nakanishi said the company would be focusing on the Indian market only with the Swift DZire. He, however, declined to comment on the company's expected sales of the new car. PTI
Sensex closes lower on profit selling
Mumbai, Mar 26 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex closed lower by nearly 130 points on emergence of heavy profit selling and on reports of weakening global trends.
The 30-share Sensex, which had gained nearly 928 points in previous day's trading, closed lower by 130.66 points at 16,086.83. Marketmen said profit-booking emerged at existing higher levels, bringing down the the index.
The key index touched the day's low of 16,009.87 and a high of 16,309.88 points.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty recorded a loss of 48.65 points at 4,828.85. It touched the day's low of 4,808.65 and a high of 4,912.30 points.
The major pull came from banking stocks after ICICI Bank, the second largest bank by assets, declined as the stock's price target was cut at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. The bank index plunged by 69.54 points at 8,301.80, followed by oil and gas index by 84.24 points at 10,224.56.
Capital goods index lost 73.56 points at 13,794.04, healthcare index by 28.25 points at 3737.51, teck index by 24.69 points at 3081.61, PSU index by 44.04 points at 7563.61 and power index by 15.88 points at 3137.99.
However, metal stocks averted any major fall in the market by gaining 137.54 points at 13,745.18 after the sector major Tata Steel advanced as BNP Paribas India Solutions said recent declines among steel stocks had created buying opportunities.
Capital goods index shot up by 58.52 points at 3830.75, FMCG index by 29.13 points at 7480.37 and information technology index by 6.20 points at 3692.55. PTI
Over 660 Tibetan protestors surrendered, claims China
Raghavendra
Beijing, Mar 26 (PTI) Amid rising global pressure against its intensified crackdown on Tibetans, China today claimed that over 660 pro-independence protesters had surrendered for their alleged role in the unrest which left 20 people dead as it escorted foreign journalists to the riots-scarred Lhasa.
Police have released a list of 53 people wanted for the riots and announced on Monday that five suspects, including three women, had been detained for their role in burning 10 persons to death in two cases.
More than 280 people had turned themselves in to police in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, the official Xinhua news agency claimed while state-run China Daily reported that another 381 had surrendered in Aba county in Sichuan province, where trouble had spread from Lhasa.
"Most of those who have come forward are ordinary people and monks who were deceived or coerced (by the rioters)," Shu Tao, party chief of the village of Luoerda, where 63 people handed themselves in to police, said.
Partly breaking the barrier to reporting from Lhasa which had remained out of bounds to reporters, Chinese government flew a chosen few foreign journalists from Beijing to the Tibetan capital, 12 days after it was rocked by the worst riots in 20 years.
After days of calm, violence had erupted in Garze prefecture in Sichuan province on Monday, in which rioters armed with knives and stones attacked policemen, killing one officer, taking the toll in the riots to 20. More than 700 people were also injured in the unrest.
The Tibetan government in exile in India has maintained that the death toll in the unrest is 140. PTI
Sarkozy may boycott opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics
London, March 26 (PTI) Sending a strong message to China, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become the first world leader to suggest that he might boycott the upcoming summer Olympics over China's crackdown in Tibet.
Commencing a two-day visit to Britain, Sarkozy signalled that he might stay away from the opening ceremony on August 8 unless the Chinese authorities exercised restraint in dealing with the Tibetan independence movement and opened talks with the Dalai Lama.
The French President's strong statement came as Britain made it clear that it would allow Tibetan protestors to demonstrate in London when the Olympic flame comes here next month.
At the same time, Britain has rejected calls for a boycott of the opening ceremony.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the Commons yesterday that "our own traditions of free speech and free demonstration must be upheld in respect of all matters, including the passage of the Olympic torch," scheduled for April 6.
"The flame should pass with full security but also full respect for our own democratic freedoms," he said.
Miliband asked the Tibetan protestors to listen to the Dalai Lama's call for moderation.
"The Dalai Lama has made it his business over the last 50 years not to argue for independence for Tibet, to voice calls for moderation and for dialogue. And the danger is that people give up on that course and turn to a more violent course of action. The need for political dialogue has never been greater," he said.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has hit out at China for "violations" of human rights in Tibet and lack of progress towards a peaceful resolution of the issue. PTI
PPP, PML-N trying to resolve differences over key ministries
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Mar 26 (PTI) With Pakistan's new Premier Yousuf Raza Gillani set to seek a trust vote on Saturday, PPP and PML-N are trying to iron out differences over allocation of "strategic" ministries so that the first group of his Cabinet colleagues can be sworn-in the same day.
During a series of meetings held in the past two weeks, the two coalition parties have agreed to allocate berths in the Cabinet in proportion to the seats held by them and their allies in the two houses of Parliament. However, there are still differences between them over the allocation of key ministries like Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior.
PPP yesterday submitted a resolution to the National Assembly Secretariat for summoning a session of the lower house of Parliament in the morning of March 29 for Gillani to seek a vote of confidence. Sources in the PPP and PML-N said the first batch of ministers is expected to take oath later the same day.
"The announcement of the Cabinet is not expected before the vote of confidence," PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
He acknowledged that there were still "some issues that needed to be resolved" between PPP and PML-N over the Cabinet formation.
Sources said differences between the PPP and PML-N over "strategic" ministries like interior, defence, finance, foreign affairs and information were the main reason behind the delay in the announcement of the Cabinet.
They said both parties were eyeing the Foreign Affairs Ministry and were equally reluctant about taking up the Finance Ministry in view of the heightened expectations of the people that the new government will tackle the economic problems facing Pakistan. PTI
India hopes to renew composite dialogue with Pakistan
Washington, Mar 26 (PTI) India has expressed hope to "renew" composite dialogue with the newly elected government in Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues.
"We are hoping to renew the composite dialogue with Pakistan. I myself have expressed desire to visit Pakistan as soon as the new government is in place and I am waiting for that," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here yesterday.
Mukherjee was replying to queries in a press conference held here as part of his two-day visit to the US, during which the Indo-US nuclear deal issue figured prominently.
The minister said the new government should continue the peace efforts followed by the previous Musharraf regime.
"I hope the new government will pick up pieces of the thread from where it was left by President Musharraf and we will continue this exercise," Mukherjee said.
"In any system of government there may be change of political executives but major policies of the government continue unless somebody wants to have a disruption in that," the minister remarked.
On Myanmar, India has asked Yangon to carry out political reforms and national reconciliation process by including all important political leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi, he said, adding that Yangon has appointed a special representative to carry on a dialogue with the top dissident leader.
"It is our persistent suggestion to Myanmar authorities to ensure that all important stakeholders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, are fully involved in the process of political reforms and national reconciliation," Mukherjee said.
The developments in Pakistan and Myanmar had figured in the minister's discussions with top US officials. PTI
Fewer Malyalees, Tamils now in Kolkata
Amitava Das
Kolkata, Mar 26 (PTI) This is not the exodus Raj Thackeray's followers are aiming to achieve in Mumbai but a Kolkata historian says not only the Greeks, Armenians and Jews who built many architectural marvels in Kolkata have left the city, even Tamils and Malayalees and Oriyas are heading back to their home states.
"Greeks have totally disappeared from the city. Only 25 Jews now live here. The number of Armenians has dwindled to 600 only. Earlier, they lived in hundreds and thousands here," says P T Nair, also known as the "moving encyclopedia of Kolkata".
Their properties were sold out and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took over the places of worship.
"For example, the city's oldest standing church built in 1724 by Armenians is located on Brabourne Road which leads into the city from Howrah station," says Nair who has written 42 books on Kolkata.
A survey on dwindling communities in the city, shows the present state of these people coming from outside India during the British period.
Nair also called Kolkata's "barefoot historian" has written 42 books on various aspects of the city - social, religious, economical, political, sociological, city roads etc. Of his books, "History of Calcutta" is a masterpiece of research works on the city.
Greeks were the first to leave en masse. They were mostly concentrated around Greek Church in Kalighat. "After their flight from the city, ASI looks after the Greek Church and other properties of the community have been donated to the government, the chronicler of Kolkata," Nair told PTI. PTI
Nawab Saheb ki Haveli: 277, still going strong
Ashish Mehta
Jaipur, Mar 25 (PTI) The 'Haveli' and its owner, both do not show any signs of fatigue that comes with ageing. The Haveli is 277 and the owner, much younger, only 75-year-old.
Triloki Das Khandelwal, owner of 'Nawab Sahab ki Haveli' at 75 is all enthusiasm as he climbs the stairs of the haveli to take a visitor on the roof to show a panoramic view of the pink city.
"From here, at 50 feet rooftop, you can see almost every fort and other archaeological beauties of Jaipur. In the north there is Ishar Lal, Janani Dyodi...", he says describing other historic places that can be seen from the top.
This haveli was considered as mirror of Jaipur from where one can oversee pink city, he adds.
"During the time of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh," says Khandelwali, this haveli was constructed by one Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya in 1772 who was then the architect of the pink city. It was made as official residence of Bhattacharya and was also been awarded by the king to Bhattacharya to stay there until the last generation of his family survives, he says.
It was made so that he could oversee and supervise the construction of the city in progress as well, Khandelwal adds.
His four generations stayed here and after it since the last generation his great grandson did not have a son it was again acquired by the Jaipur state dynasty, Khandelwal says.
"The haveli slowly lost its glamour for a while remaining in oblivion for some time. It, however regained its status as Maharaja Ram Singh(1851-1880) gifted it to his dewan, Nawab Sir Faiz Ali Khan and thus the haveli became known as Nawab Sahab ki Haveli," he adds. PTI
Intra-party differences, assembly becomes the floor
Vijay Dabur
Chandigarh, Mar 24 (PTI) Intra-party differences in both the ruling and the opposition aired on the floor of the house have marked the proceedings of the ongoing budget session of the Punjab Assembly.
Sparks flew after the outburst of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh against his bete noire Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.
For the ruling party, the speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon pulled up Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura after the latter complained that the chair was allowing more supplemantaries on his department. Captain Amarinder Singh also took a potshot at the leader of the opposition Bhattal for allegedly "colluding" with the ruling combine in the state.
Brahmapura's complaint prompted the Speaker to direct the minister to tender an apology or he would be served a notice.
"I haven't said anything wrong, but if you feel so I apologise," the minister said.
The verbal spat between the two senior leaders of Akalis brought in the open the simmering differences between the ruling SAD.
The agreement between the Congress members and the SAD and its ally BJP on postponement of Panchayat polls in the state made Amarinder Singh hit out at Bhattal saying that she was "toeing the lines" of Akalis.
"Bhattal appears to be little concerned about party workers who are facing lot of inconveniences during the Badal regime. She is keeping herself busy in playing matches with rivals and attending their dinners," the former chief minister said targetting the Punjab Congress chief. PTI
More middle class in India owning at least one pet animal
Diganta Biswas
New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) With a fast-paced lifestyle mounting stress on every section of the urban people, demands for companion creatures like pooches, kitties, fishes and birdies are also running high in the country, say experts.
"Having a companion creature like dog or anything else often plays significant role in pacifying people's mind and thus it helps them to deal with the pressure of everyday life," eminent psychiatrist Dr Sanjay Chug told PTI.
"With the adoption of a speedy urban lifestyle, the family pattern is changing in India as the idea of joint family being replaced by nuclear ones. Loneliness of nuclear family increasingly forcing people to opt for companion creatures like dogs or birds," G C Mehta of Ashapura Industries, dealing in pet-food industry, says.
He adds that the unique trend, is in turn, positively contributing to the considerable growth of Indian pet industry itself.
Indian pet-food market has been showing annual growth rate of 10-15 per cent in last few years, according to Euromonitor International. This growth rate should be largely attributed to the change in lifestyle, which changes mass mentality as well, experts say.
"Some years back owning a pet happened to be status symbol among the rich and aristocratic people. But today that is not the situation, mentality of people is changing," Rohit Bhatia of Vetnex Pet Business told PTI.
"In urban areas all over the country, more and more middle and lower-middle class people today opting for pet in their houses," Bhatia added. PTI
Films cleared by Censor Board should not be stalled: Chopra
Mumbai, Mar 25 (PTI) In the backdrop of controversy stalling the release of Ashutosh Gowariker's period movie 'Jodhaa Akbar', veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra today said once cleared by the Censor Board no one should be allowed to stop the screening of a movie.
"When a film is passed by the Censor Board, then no one has the right to ban that film," Chopra said at the FICCI Frames conference being held here.
"The decision not to allow the screening of the film should rest only with the Censor Board", he said.
Recently, 'Jodhaa Akbar' featuring Hritish Roshan and Aishwarya Rai and musical 'Aaja Nachle', Madhuri Dixit's comeback film, had faced violent opposition from groups across the country after their release due to which they had been pulled off the screens at several places.
A film makes most of its business in the first week itself and such incidents affect it badly and thus should be stopped, Chopra, who is also the Chairman of the FICCI Enterntainment Committee, said.
Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Asha Swarup said such ban was an unfortunate trend and assured filmmakers that the industry concerns would be addressed. 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: 16086.83, -130.66
The sensex closed at 16086.83, down 130.66
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 40.135 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.4046 INR
1 British Pound = 80.200 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.714 INR
1 Singapore $ = 29.117 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.929 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.717 INR
1 Euro = 63.156 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 11.030 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________