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.
US says it is "fully prepared" to move forward on N deal
Washington, Mar 28 (PTI) The US has said it was "fully prepared" to move forward on the civilian nuclear agreement with India once New Delhi takes a decision on domestic political issues related to it.
".... They had a discussion about where we stand. We made it clear that we are fully prepared once the Indian Government has taken certain steps to submit the agreements to the Congress so that they can be passed," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said when asked about the talks between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee earlier this week.
Mukherjee wrapped up his two-day visit on Tuesday during which he held talks with President George W Bush and Rice. The Minister said the government was trying to build consensus on the deal as there were reservations from the Left and the BJP.
Though US lawmakers had been pressing on a July timeline, the White House said after the parleys that the deal had not reached a "now or never" stage.
"The Indian Government has some decisions to make and with respect to the agreement and its own domestic politics and those are decisions only the Indian Government can take and solely for them," McCormack said.
He said the US was "still committed to doing what we can to move the agreement forward, but again the Indian Government is going to have to make some decisions for itself." The spokesman also said that Afghanistan did not come up in the discussions between Rice and Mukherjee.
"... In the meetings that I attended, the issue of Afghanistan did not come up. Now, generally speaking we have encouraged all the countries in the region to do what they can to improve relations with one another, but also within the region.
McCormack said: "There are some real possibilities there if you look at a at the very least a North-South access running from India up through Central Asia opportunities for trade and energy cooperation...." PTI
Dalai Lama appeals to China to work to resolve Tibet crisis
Dharamsala, Mar 28 (PTI) Spiritual leader Dalai Lama today renewed his appeal to China to hold a "meaningful dialogue" with Tibetans to resolve the Tibet crisis and also urged the Chinese leadership to "exercise wisdom".
"I urge the Chinese leadership to exercise wisdom and to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Tibetan people," the Dalai Lama said in an appeal addressed to "Chinese brothers and sisters" across the globe.
The spiritual leader also made it clear through the appeal that he neither had any desire to seek Tibet's separation nor any wish to drive a wedge between the people of Tibet.
Asking the Chinese leadership to understand his position, the Dalai Lama urged them to work to resolve all the problems related to Tibet by "seeking truth from facts".
The appeal was released by the Tibetan government-in- exile here today.
"I also appeal to them (Chinese leadership) to make sincere efforts to contribute to the stability and harmony of PRC and to avoid creating rifts between the nationalities.
"The state media's portrayal of the recent events in Tibet using deceit and distorted images could sow the seeds of racial tension with unpredictable long-term consequences," he said, adding "this is of grave concern to me".
The spiritual leader also reiterated his support for the 2008 Olympics to be held in Chinese capital Beijing this August. PTI
Pak for resolution of Kashmir issue: Zardari
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Mar 28 (PTI) Pakistan will move forward to resolve the Kashmir issue with India through a peaceful dialogue and the nation's new government will continue confidence-building measures initiated by the previous regime, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said today.
"We are totally (involved) with Kashmir. We intend to solve the problem and not just to (do) shadow-boxing for it," Zardari told reporters after a meeting with People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti.
Asked if the new coalition government led by his Pakistan People's Party will continue the CBMs initiated by the previous administration, Zardari said, "We want not only CBMs but action. We want to move forward and to solve this issue.
"The PPP and the democratic forces of Pakistan have always said that democracies do not fight wars. Our message is of peace and we want peace. We want peace in the region and along all our borders," he said.
"We want the guns to rust and our future generations should not have to make the sacrifices that the current and past generations have made." Further progress could be made towards resolving the issue if Kashmiris from both sides of the border could freely meet their kin. The true potential of the youth on both sides could be achieved if they were given a pen or a business instead of the guns they are wielding, he said.
The PPP's Kashmir policy and the existing CBMs will be taken to parliament after discussions with the party's "senior partners", Zardari said. PTI
Rahul Gandhi opposes blanket waiver for farmers
Santosh K Joy
Raichur, Mar 28 (PTI) Calling for treating agriculture as a core sector, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today opposed a blanket waiver on farm loans.
Interacting with farmers in Gadak district of Karnataka, Gandhi opposed the idea of a blanket loan waiver for farmers, saying it could prove "destructive for the system." When a delegate at the meeting persisted with the issue, he asked, "What about those poor farmers who have paid their loans on time?" He called for strengthening micro-finance and credit lending systems as a remedy to farmers' problems.
"Agriculture is central to the country's future," Gandhi told the farmers.
"His interactions centered around the need for the country's planning to be made agriculture-centric and to be treated as a core sector," one of the participants in the closed-door interaction at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra told PTI.
All through the speech, Gandhi stressed that rural excellence and indigenous knowledge can only guide the country to a better agrarian situation.
Attacking the previous NDA government for "neglect of the farm sector", Gandhi said, "Earlier, there was a sense that agriculture is a thing of the past. It was no longer respected. Things have changed during the UPA rule." PTI
Shortage of staff in armed forces cause of concern: Antony
Allahabad, Mar 28 (PTI) Noting that the shortage of staff in armed forces was a "cause of concern", Defence Minister A K Antony today said the government has sought a report from the Army, Navy and Air Force to address the issue.
"The shortage (of staff in armed forces) especially at officers' level, is indeed a cause of concern and we have asked the authorities in the Army, Navy and Air Force to carefully study the scenario and come out with a report on the possible ways to make a career in the armed forces more attractive for the younger generation," Defence Minister A K Antony told newsmen here.
Antony, accompanied by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, was here to inaugurate the Defence Pension Training Institute.
Earlier, while addressing the inauguration ceremony, Antony asserted that the government was committed to ensure "a life of dignity for people who have retired from the armed forces".
"An important step in this direction would be to develop a grievance-free pension sanction and disbursal system, and the new institute has been set up to overcome the skill deficit that has been coming in the way of achieving the end," Antony said.
Raju, while stating that the government has declared 2008 as "the year of ex-servicemen", assured that all possible measures would be adopted "to make things easier for the nearly 22 lakh defence pensioners in the country".
Financial Advisor (Defence Services) N K Narang and Controller General of Defence Accounts H K Pannu also spoke on the occasion. PTI
Sehwag unbeaten 309, India hit back with vengeance
R Eswar
Chennai, Mar 28 (PTI) A belligerent Virender Sehwag presided over a bowlers' bloodbath and blasted an unbeatean 309 as India responded emphatically to South Africa's massive first innings total in the first cricket Test here today.
The dashing right-hander wielded his willow like a sword and cut the South African attack to ribbons during his 292-ball blitzkrieg that powered India to 468 for one at stumps on day three.
Sehwag thus equalled his career best score of 309, also the highest Test score by an Indian, which he had recorded against Pakistan in the 2004 Multan Test.
India now trail the visitors by 72 runs and Sehwag and Rahul Dravid (65) will return tomorrow to first wipe out the arrears and then establish a lead.
Sehwag's savage innings, the fastest triple century in the history of Test cricket, was studded with a staggering 41 fours and five sixes. He bettered Matthew Hayden's 300 off 362 balls against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003-04.
Resuming on 82 for no loss this morning, Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer (73) gave no leeway to the South Africans and with the Delhi opener on song, Jaffer was content playing the second fiddle.
Sehwag reached his 14th century in his 92nd innings in style, hitting Jacques Kallis to long off boundary. Jaffer, however, could not reach the ton that looked up for grabs and departed when Jacques Kallis caught him off Paul Harris. PTI
Kolkata court asks Red Chillies to file affidavit in IPL case
Kolkata, Mar 28 (PTI) A city court today directed petitioners and Red Chillies Entertainment to file affidavits by April 8 on a plea seeking free tickets for the 31,000 Cricket Association of Bengal members during the upcoming Indian Premier League ties at the Eden Gardens.
Justice Murari Mohan Ghosh, directed that the matter would come up for hearing on the said date.
The court, however, did not pass any order of injunction as prayed for by the petitioners Bengal Cricket Lovers' Forum on distribution of tickets for the matches.
Appearing for the petioners, lawyer Ajay Sanyal contended that according to CAB rules, life, annual and associate members were entitled to watch all matches - except charity ties - at Eden Gardens free of cost.
He claimed that the rights and privileges of all the CAB members were being infringed upon by asking them to pay for viewing the matches to be held here from April 20.
CAB counsel Narendranath Chakraborty sought time from the court saying his client had not yet received any notice from the petitioners and as such was not prepared for the case.
Nobody appeared for the other respondents, including RCE of filmstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The Bengal Cricket Lovers' Forum has been floated by nearly 6,000 CAB members.
RCE is the franchisee owner of the team 'Kolkata Knight Riders' that would organise the matches PRI GEN SPO .KOLKATA CAL9 SPORT IPL-CASE Kolkata court asks Red Chillies to file affidavit in IPL case Kolkata, Mar 28 (PTI) A city court today directed petitioners and Red Chillies Entertainment to file affidavits by April 8 on a plea seeking free tickets for the 31,000 Cricket Association of Bengal members during the upcoming Indian Premier League ties at the Eden Gardens.
Justice Murari Mohan Ghosh, directed that the matter would come up for hearing on the said date.
The court, however, did not pass any order of injunction as prayed for by the petitioners Bengal Cricket Lovers' Forum on distribution of tickets for the matches.
Appearing for the petioners, lawyer Ajay Sanyal contended that according to CAB rules, life, annual and associate members were entitled to watch all matches - except charity ties - at Eden Gardens free of cost.
He claimed that the rights and privileges of all the CAB members were being infringed upon by asking them to pay for viewing the matches to be held here from April 20.
CAB counsel Narendranath Chakraborty sought time from the court saying his client had not yet received any notice from the petitioners and as such was not prepared for the case.
Nobody appeared for the other respondents, including RCE of filmstar Shah Rukh Khan.
The Bengal Cricket Lovers' Forum has been floated by nearly 6,000 CAB members.
RCE is the franchisee owner of the team 'Kolkata Knight Riders' that would organise the matches at the Eden as per IPL rules. PTI
India 468 for one at close
Chennai, Mar 28 (PTI) Replying to South Africa's 540, India were 468 for one in their first innings at close on the third day of the first cricket Test here today.
Virender Sehwag with 309 and Rahul Dravid with 65 were the unbeaten batsmen at stumps.
Brief scores: South Africa 1st innings: 540 India 1st innings: 468 for one in 106 overs (V Sehwag 309 batting, W Jaffer 73, R Dravid 65 batting). PTI
Anand finishes joint sixth, Aronian wins Amber
From Our Chess Correspondent
Nice (France), Mar 28 (PTI) World champion Viswanathan Anand played out two draws with Loek Van Wely of Holland to finish overall tied sixth after the 11th and final round of Amber Blindfold and Rapid chess tournament here.
Levon Aronian of Armenia won the tournament after two easy draw with Hungarian Peter Leko. The Armenian ended up with an impressive 14.5 points out of a possible 22 games played in this unique event that featured one blindfold and one rapid game in each round.
It was a four-way tie for the second spot in the combined standings with Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria, Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Leko sharing the honours on 12 points each.
Anand tied for the sixth spot alongside Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine with both ending with 11 points in all.
Apart from winning the combined title with a 2.5 points lead, Aronian also won the rapid section with a handsome 1.5 points margin.
While Aronian ended with 8 points in this section, Ivanchuk finished second on 6.5 points. The third place here was shared between Boris Gelfand of Israel, Topalov and Carlsen on 6 points each while Anand had to be content with eight place on 5 points.
It was a major setback for Anand, as Rapid chess is considered to be his forte.
In the Blindfold section, it was a four-way tie at the top between Aronian, Kramnik, Topalov and Alexander Morozevich of Russia who all ended up with 6.5 points each. PTI
Sensex up by 356 pts, metal, capital goods hog limelight
Mumbai, Mar 28 (PTI) The markets discounted the concerns over inflation rate racing past the six per cent mark, with the benchmark Sensex shooting up by more than 350 points on strong cues from other Asian as well as European bourses.
Snapping the losing streak of the past two days, the 30-share Sensex on the Bombay Stock Exchange added 355.73 points at 16,371.29 at close which is higher by 2.22 per cent from its last close. The index had lost nearly 202 points in the last two days.
Reflecting high volatility, the key index swung between a high of 16,452.08 and low of 15,884.45 points.
Similarly, the 50-issue S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also recovered by 111.75 points to 4,942.00.
Asian indices, which turned positive from early losses, ended with an average gains of 0.2 to 5.0 per cent while European markets also exhibited firm trend at opening.
Marketmen said strong signs from global markets had a positive rub off on the Indian bourses which shrugged off the inflation concerns.
According to the latest government data, the inflation rate touched the 13-month high of 6.68 per cent for the week ended March 15.
On BSE, all sectoral indices, except bankex, ended the day up by 1.0 per cent to 5.8 per cent with metal and capital goods segment taking the lead. Bankex slightly ended up 0.3 per cent.
Metal counters attracted heavy buying support. Marketmen said the sector's surge despite government's overnight move to suspend export subsidy under DEPB scheme on steel came as a surprise. PTI
Nath for duty-free import of steel, ban on rice exports
New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath today said his ministry would recommend scrapping of import duty on steel, whose rising prices have contributed to a surge in inflation rate.
"We are going to recommend scrapping of import duty on steel... Government is looking at a proposal to ban non-basmati rice export," he told reporters here, while terming rise in inflation as a matter of concern.
Headline inflation rate grew by 6.68 per cent for the week ended March 15, mainly on account of increase in prices of steel and food items.
Seeking to improve the supply situation in the domestic market, the Commerce and Industry Ministry late last night withdrew export incentives given to at least 40 items, including steel.
The withdrawal includes the tax refund scheme - Duty Entitlement Pass Book.
"Total number of items on which DEPB benefits have been withdrawn would be running into about 40-50," Commerce Secretary G K Pillai told reporters here earlier today.
The government had also increased the Minimum Export Price on non-basmati rice to USD 1,000 a tonne to discourage exports and in turn increase availability of the food grain in the domestic market. PTI
Tatas spent $133 mn in advisory fees in last 2 yrs
New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Country's leading industrial conglomerate Tata group, which recently announced the acquisition of premium British car brands Jaguar and Land Rover, has spend a whopping 133 million dollars in advisory fees related to various buyouts in the last two years.
According to data compiled by leading global financial information provider Dealogic, "the Tata group of companies has paid a total of 133 million dollars in advisory fees to banks advising on acquisitions since 2006".
The amount of 133 million dollars assumes significance as the group have acquired as many as 56 businesses with a total volume of 20.6 billion dollars in the last two years, accounting for 82 per cent of their total merger and acquisition volume.
Since the year 2002, the Tata group has made as many as 106 acquisitions valued at 24.2 billion dollars.
Tata's M&A activities are mostly outbound as only 13 per cent of Tata Group' acquisitions have been domestic, that is targets based in India. The average acquisition size by the Tata Group is 284 million dollars.
The recent acquisition of Jaguar Cars and Land Rover for 2.3 billion dollars is the second largest acquisition by the group, following Tata Steel's acquisition of Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus for 12.1 billion dollars, essaying the largest overseas takeover by an Indian company.
Dealogic further added that the United Kingdom is the most targeted nation with a M&A volume of 16 billion dollars through seven deals, and this accounts for 82 per cent of the total M&A acquisitions. PTI
Gold declines on weakening global advices
New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Gold declined Rs 60 to Rs 12,340 per ten gram on the bullion market here today as strengthening dollar and falling oil reduced the metal's sheen as a hedge against inflation.
Stockists sold gold after the precious metal wiped off most of the gains it recorded in Asia and opened down in London.
Gold fell 4.46 dollars an ounce, or 0.5 per cent, to 942.73 dollars an ounce in London. Silver dropped 16.5 cents to 18.27 dollars an ounce.
It has slipped nine per cent from a record of 1,032.70 dollars an ounce reached on March 17. Oil fell today, snapping a three-day gain.
Marketmen said stockists refrained from enlarging their position at existing higher levels amid off marriage and festival season.
They said the overseas markets, which normally set price band in the domestic markets, reported a weak trend at a time when there was hardly any buyer.
Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs 60 each to Rs 12,340 and Rs 12,190 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign was higher by Rs 9,950 per piece of eight gram.
Silver ready dropped by Rs 50 to Rs 23,650 per kilo and weekly-based delivery by Rs 150 to Rs 23,600 per kg. Silver coins remained unchanged at Rs 26,700 for buying and Rs 26,800 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
McCain calls for including India in expanded G8
Washington, Mar 28 (PTI) Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Senator John McCain has strongly supported India's entry into the elite G-8 while calling for Russia's ejection to make it "again a club of leading market democracies" "We should start by ensuring that the G-8, the group of eight highly industrialized states, becomes again a club of leading market democracies: it should include Brazil and India but exclude Russia," McCain, who has sealed his nomination for the November Presidential election, said in a major foreign policy speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council.
"Rather than tolerate Russia's nuclear blackmail or cyber attacks, Western nations should make clear that the solidarity of NATO, from the Baltic to the Black Sea, is indivisible and that the organisation's doors remain open to all democracies committed to the defence of freedom," the 71-year-old Vietnam veteran said.
While the United States must play a central role in shaping the future, McCain said it will have to come to terms to the changing power equations in the world.
"Today we are not alone. There is the powerful collective voice of the European Union, and there are the great nations of India and Japan, Australia and Brazil, South Korea and South Africa, Turkey and Israel, to name just a few of the leading democracies. There are also the increasingly powerful nations of China and Russia that wield great influence in the international system," he said.
G-8 members Britain and France have also supported India's inclusion into the grouping. The other members are Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. These countries represent about 65 per cent of world economy.
India is part of Outreach Five or the Plus Five which have participated as guests in previous G-8 meetings. The other members are Brazil, China, Mexico and South Africa. PTI
50 Pak policemen sacked for showing "lack of courage"
Islamabad, Mar 28 (PTI) At least 50 Pakistani police personnel have been sacked for showing "lack of courage" in the restive northwestern Swat valley where the security forces are battling the local Taliban.
Around 200 policemen went on unauthorised leave to evade duty during last year's operation in the area against pro-Taliban militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah.
The police chief in Mingora, the main city in Swat district of the North West Frontier Province, has sacked the police personnel for showing "lack of courage".
"Prolonged absence from duty is another reason for their dismissal," district police chief Waqif Khan told the Daily Times.
Khan said around 200 policemen were on "French leave" or unauthorised leave and another 200 were absent from the police stations in Mingora.
"The relieved policemen were served several notices but they did not show up. Consequently they were terminated," a source said.
"We can't work on a low salary and that too when our life is at stake," one of the dismissed policemen said.
Policemen have been the target of vicious attacks by militants after security forces launched an operation against the rebels in October last year.
After several policemen were beheaded by the militants, large numbers of policemen abandoned their posts in areas that were strongholds of Fazlullah's men. PTI
3 Tamil parties join hands ahead of Eastern Provincial polls
T V Sriram
Colombo, March 28 (PTI) Three Tamil parties have formed an alliance ahead of the first Provincial Council elections in two decades in strife-torn eastern Sri Lanka with the aim of installing a Tamil speaking person as the Chief Minister.
The Tamil Democratic National Alliance comprising People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and a faction of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) has been formed to ensure "unity of Tamil people" for the May 10 polls, PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Siddharthan said.
"We have formed an alliance and are now talking to Eelam People's Democratic Front and other Tamil Parties for a much broader Tamil alliance before nominations close on April 3," he told PTI.
The understanding for formation of an alliance was reached yesterday among Siddharthan, TULF Leader V. Anandasangari and the local Leader of EPRLF (Naba Wing) G. Sritharan to contest the forthcoming May 10 elections for the Eastern Provincial Council.
The elections are being held after a gap of nearly 20 years in the region which along with northern Sri Lanka was caught in the fighting between the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and government forces.
"Since the 13th amendment providing for the Provincial Council has been the main agenda for resolving the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, we should have a Tamil speaking person as the Chief Minister of Eastern Province after the elections," he said. PTI
Monks who spoke out not to be punished, says China
Raghavendra
Beijing, March 28 (PTI) Amid fears of Chinese retribution against a group of daring monks who embarrassed authorities by pouring out a litany of complaints against Beijing in front of visiting foreign reporters in riot-scarred Lhasa, Beijing has said it would "not punish" them.
The young Buddhist monks had forced their way into the room where a foreign media contingent was being briefed by a senior official at the Jokhang Temple, a holy shrine, yesterday with some shouting and crying, saying government was "telling lies".
According to accounts given by foreign journalists present during the nearly 15-minute dramatic scene, the monks also said they lacked religious freedom, were troubled by the troops and government always told lies.
"What they (the monks) said is not true. They were attempting to mislead the world's opinion," Baema Chilain, Vice-Chairman of the regional government told reporters on a three-day government organized trip in Lhasa.
The monks who disrupted the tour "are not to be punished", he was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
"The facts should not be distorted," he told the journalists who were flown to Lhasa by the government allowing the first access to foreign media 12 days after the Tibetan capital was rocked by violence during the most vicious anti-Chinese protests in two decades.
The International Campaign for Tibet, meanwhile said there are "serious fears for the welfare and whereabouts of the monks, whose peaceful protest shattered the authorities plans to convey an image that the situation in Lhasa was under control". PTI
Filmmakers lack passion to make women-centric cinema: Dholakia
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, Mar 28 (PTI) Most Bollywood filmmakers of today either don't have the passion or the sensitivity to make the heroine centric cinema like the greats of yesteryear, Mehboob or Bimal Roy, says a National Award winning director.
"I don't think most filmmakers have either the passion or the sensitivity to make the type of cinema like the greats of yesteryear. Earlier issues discussed in cinema were far more relevant to the woman than today. Also, for most producers, woman as a hero is an alien concept. 'Bandini', 'Mai Tulsi', 'Saraswati Chandra', even films like 'Koshish' and 'Chupke Chupke' had woman on equal standing as men, says Rahul Dholakia, winner of Best Director honour at the 53rd National Awards for the film 'Parzania'.
"Hindi Cinema still caters to male chauvinism and their egos. This is changing but at a slow pace. I think we still are not writing scripts that are heroine centric or subjects where the heroine is the protagonist," he adds.
Los Angeles-based director Dholakia, whose first film 'Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar' was a complete washout, got rave reviews for his next film 'Parzania' based on the story of a family ravaged by the Gujarat riots. The leading actress Sarika, also won National Award for best actress for the film.
Dholakia says that the slump in the women oriented roles has a lot to do with makers' imagination and lack of original ideas. "Most makers today are more concerned with how hot their heroine looks rather than how powerful her character is; its almost as if cinema is nothing more than a trailer and a poster." PTI
Aussie author on mission to popularise science through stories
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Mar 27 (PTI) A chicken, whose head was chopped off managed to survive for a year and a half without a head! Tough to believe but scientifically quite possible, explains Australian author Dr Karl Kruszselnicki.
Learning science can be made fun if the concepts are couched in a story, he says. "I tell an interesting story and sneak a science fact in between. It sustains interest as well as gives knowledge," says the science buff who hosts a TV show on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Kruszselnicki, who was on an India tour recently, is known in Australia as a science commentator who "enthuses people with the awe and wonder of science" through his programmes on radio and television and columns in newspapers.
The author-cum-commentator frequently refers to a story of a chicken called Mike who was a sensation for two years in the US city of Colorado. Known as 'Mike the Headless Chicken' the rooster was owned by a farmer who chopped off as little of its neck because he wanted to leave as much of the tasty neck as possible.
Scientists explained that Mike had enough of a brain stem left to live without a head.
"The story about the headless chicken never fails to arrest listeners and people learn a little bit of anatomy along the way," says the author who advocates teaching concepts of science though a series of stories and narratives. 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
I sing when asked by filmmakers, says Big B
Mumbai, Mar 28 (PTI) Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, who is playing a ghost in his next release `Bhoothnath', has lent his baritone voice to two songs in the film and is planning to sing for another movie "Aladdin".
Talking about his singing talent which was evident in films like "Don" and "Lawaaris", the Big B said "when filmmakers ask me to sing, I do." Asked how he felt about singing, he said on a humourous note "mera gala baith gaya hai gaate gaate" (my throat is sore singing songs).
He also said that around July-August he was planning to go on a tour which would cover performances across the Western Hemisphere and next year in the Far East.
Bachchan was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised by the International Indian Film Academy.
The actor, who is the brand ambassador for the IDEA IIFA 2008 Awards, started the voting process by casting the first vote for the award nominations.
Speaking about the awards, Bachchan said "this was a brilliant way of taking our films, culture, values to the world".
He said it was still not decided if he was going to perform at the awards ceremony. PTI
Bachchan refrains from commenting on Pune land deal
Mumbai, Mar 28 (PTI) Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan today said he would not comment on the controversial farm land deal near Pune as the matter was "subjudice".
"I cannot comment anything on the matter as it is subjudice," he said on the sidelines of IDEA IIFA Awards 2008 nominations function.
Bachchan had purchased a plot of land near Lonavla in Pune district in 2000. As per the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act 1948, no person can purchase agricultural land in Maharashtra if he is not a farmer.
Bachchan had used the land allotment in Daulatpur Village in Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh as testimonial to establish his credentials as a farmer.
He had submitted the documents in March 2006.
Bachchan's land registration in Maharashtra was deemed legal on the basis of a certificate given by district Collector of Barabanki to the effect that Bachchan owned agricultural land since 1982 and that gave him the status of a farmer. PTI
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression: Bachchan
Mumbai, Mar 28 (PTI) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan today refused to be drawn into a controversy over the MNS campaign against him saying that India was a free country and everyone has a right to freedom of expression.
"India is a free country and we have the right to freedom of speech and expression. I abide and respect the Constitution. Beyond this I have nothing to say," Bachchan said on the sidelines of International Indian Film Academy function.
Bachchan, who is the Brand Ambassador of IIFA, also said that he was not affected by the comments made by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. 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: 16371.29, +355.73
The sensex closed at 16371.29, up 355.73
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.875 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3998 INR
1 British Pound = 79.739 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.212 INR
1 Singapore $ = 28.926 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.858 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.648 INR
1 Euro = 63.120 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.961 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________