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Efforts should be made to confront terrorism : PM
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Expressing concern over the threat of terrorism in the world, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said efforts should be made to work with the international community to devise measures to combat this menace, particularly in democratic countries.
"Our world is confronted by the threat of terrorism, sometimes from non-state actors. The number of important dignitaries at risk from terrorist threats has increased and is a source of great concern for governments around the world," he said addressing the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) Raising Day here.
Stressing the need to work with the international community to devise measures to combat this menace, particularly in democratic countries, he said "terrorism anywhere is a threat to freedom and democracy everywhere".
He said the Government was committed to deal with threats to peace, security, political stability, economic progress, social and communal harmony in the country.
"Whatever the source of terrorism, we are determined to root it out and ensure that in a democracy, political change can only come through the ballot box and not through the barrel of a gun," Singh said.
Britain introduces new visa system for highly skilled workers
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Professionals and highly-skilled persons willing to migrate to Britain will have to apply for visa under the new points-based system which comes into force in India from tomorrow.
The point-based system-Tier 1 (PBS-TO), which covers highly skilled migrants, entrepreneurs, investors, and graduate students, replaces the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, the Entrepreneur and Investor schemes and the International Graduates.
The initial visa will be granted for three years as against two years under the previous systems.
India, Britain's most important market for highly skilled migrants, will be the first country where the new visa regime is being introduced from tomorrow. "The roll-out for rest of the world will take place in summer," a British High Commission statement said.
The new system is expected to make the visa process easier for legitimate travellers and tough for those intending to cheat the system of immigration and ensure that unwanted outsiders do not enter Britain and settle there.
Anybody trying to cheat the system will be banned from applying for a visa for 10 years.
Under the PBS-TO, visa applicants will need sufficient points to qualify. Points are awarded for objective criteria such as qualifications, previous earnings, age and UK experience, the statement said.
"The new system allows those wanting to work in Britain to calculate, before they make their application, whether their points add up to entry as highly-skilled worker," British High Commissioner to India Richard Stagg said.
Top Hizbul commander arrested in JK
Srinagar, Mar 31 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Police today arrested a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen along with a huge cache of arms and explosives here.
Rayees Ahmad Dar alias Rayees Kachroo, involved in more than 40 killings including a number of security personnel, was arrested in a joint operation by police and CRPF in the early hours of the day, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S M Sahai told reporters here.
He said three universal machine guns with three magazines, a sniper rifle, an AK-47 rifle with six magazines, 4,000 rounds, three pistols with four magazines, three wireless sets, two rocket launcher with four shells, a hand grenade, three rifle grenades, an improvised explosive device (ied) weighing 25 kgs and three jerry canes filled with 55 litres of liquid explosives were recovered at his behest.
Terming the arrest of the dreaded militant as a prize catch, Sahai said he was an IED expert and involved in many blasts.
Some of the major strikes carried out by him over the past 10 years included IED attacks at Wachi, Khelan, Brah-badina and Kawni in South Kashmir which left over 20 security personnel including an army officer dead, he said.
Thirteen cases of killings of innocent persons, including some political activists and attacks on security forces, stand registered against him at Awantipora police station, he said, adding he was responsible for more than 40 killings.
Dalits feel cheated under Mayawati regime: Rahul
Kanpur, Mar 31 (PTI) Continuing Congress' tirade against the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi today said Dalits in the state were feeling "cheated" as no one seemed to care for them.
Speaking on the concluding day of the two-day UPCC regional convention here, he narrated the story of a Dalit who held his hand and took him to his house during his recent visit to Etawah and showed the pitiable condition in which he was living with no power and no basic amenities.
Quoting that Dalit, he said "Indiaraji aur Kanshiram hamare bare mein sochte the.... Hamare saath dhokha hua hai' (Indiraji and Kanshiram used to think about us...We have been cheated).
The young Congress MP narrated another story from his experience during his 4-day tour of Karnataka and said that at a village he found some youth from UP working in a field there. On being asked why they were working in Karnataka, they told him that the "future of youths of UP lies in Karnataka".
"These two stories tell us about the state of affairs in UP," he said adding these stories need to be re-written if Uttar Pradesh has to moved ahead.
He also alleged that the centrally sponsored schemes were not being properly implemented in UP and expressed apprehension that the loan waiver scheme for the farmers might also meet the same fate.
Rahul exhorted the party workers to "fight with the weapons provided by the UPA government in the form of various welfare schemes for the farmers and other sections". "Only then the Congress can come back to power in the state," he added.
The Congress MP was cheered throughout his brief speech as over two thousand delegates from across the state shouted slogans that he was the next Prime Minister.
Home Secretary holds meeting on Olympic torch
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) With China voicing concern over safety of Olympic torch during its India-leg, a high-level meeting chaired by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta today took stock of the security arrangements for the event.
The meeting, attended by Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadhwal and officials of Indian Olympic Association, assessed the threat perception and discussed ways in which the safety of the relay of the torch on April 17 could be ensured.
The meeting assumes significance as China has conveyed its concerns about the security of the torch here and had even warned that the India-leg could be skipped if foolproof protective arrangements were not assured.
China is apprehensive that Tibetans could try to disrupt the relay of the torch here.
National Security Adviser M K Narayanan has already said that proper arrangements would be made to ensure safe passage of the Olypmic flame through India.
Selectors unhappy over Malik no-show
Karachi, Mar 31 (PTI) Pakistan's national selectors are unhappy with captain Shoiab Malik for his absence during the selection of the squad for the Bangladesh series.
The selectors were surprised when they were told to communicate with Malik, who was not available for the last 10 days citing his mother's poor health, on telephone in Mumbai to finalise the squad for the first two one-day games against Bangladesh.
"It came as a surprise to us to know that Malik was in Mumbai. We were told he was not playing in domestic matches because of the illness of his mother," a selector said.
Sources said Malik had been to Mumbai for some official ceremony of the Indian Premier League and in connection with the legal case he was pursuing against the Siddiqui family in Hyderabad.
Malik has given a notice to the Siddiqui family to publicly apologise for making false accusations against him. He says the Siddiquis duped him into an internet marriage and used his celebrity status to defame him and make money.
On the contrary, the Siddiqui family has alleged that the Pakistan captain has performed 'nikah' with their daughter Ayesha but is now refusing to own up and give her a divorce as per Islamic laws. PTI
Sehwag leapfrogs Dravid, Tendulkar in Test ranking
Dubai, Mar 31 (PTI) Virender Sehwag's career best 319 against South Africa catapulted him to the 12th spot in the ICC Test Rankings, making him the highest ranked Indian in the batting chart.
Sehwag, whose triple ton was the fastest in Test history, jumped 13 places to 12th spot after a massive 17 per cent rise in his rating that saw him leapfrogging compatriots Rahul Dravid (13th), Sachin Tendulkar (15th) and VVS Laxman (18th).
On current form, Sehwag has a realistic chance of returning to the top 10. He is within touching distance of 10th place Kevin Pietersen of England who is just behind ninth-placed Shivnarine Chanderpaul of the West Indies.
Dravid himself rose two places to 13th following his 25th Test century, while Tendulkar dropped three places to 15th position after a fifth-ball duck in the Chennai Test against South Africa.
Besides Sehwag, South African batting duo of Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie have also made significant upward movement.
Amla, who made scores of 159 and 81, rocketed up 10 places to a career-best 24th spot while McKenzie, who contributed 94 and 155 not out, jumped 26 places to 36th position.
Jacques Kallis, however, continued his slide in the rankings as he slipped another place to drop to fourth behind Australia's Ricky Ponting, while captain Graeme Smith fell two places to 16th position. PTI
Daniel Chopra finishes tied 33 after poor final round
New Orleans, Mar 31 (PTI) Final round blues came back to haunt Daniel Chopra and the Indian-born Swede signed off with his worst round of the week to finish tied 33rd in the Zurich Classic here.
After rounds of 71, 73 and 66, Chopra needed a solid final round to hang around for a decent finish but instead, he ended up carding two-over 74 to finish with an aggregate of four-under 284.
Chopra still pocketed USD 30,725, besides 124 FedExCup points.
Argentine Andres Romero carded 68 in the final round to lift the trophy at 13-under 275, just one shot ahead of Peter Lonard (69).
Chopra birdied the first and 14th and nailed an eagle on the seventh as well but four bogeys and a double bogey on the fourth hole blighted his card, pushing him down the ladder. PTI
Olympics torch is re-lit amid tight security in Beijing
Beijing, Mar 31 (PTI) Chinese President Hu Jintao today officially declared open the start of a grand Olympic torch relay by re-lighting the flame in the host city Beijing, amidst tight security after pro-independence Tibetan protestors marred a similar ceremony in Greece.
The ceremony kicked off at the Tiananmen Square, the world's largest, two hours after a specially chartered Air China plane carrying the flame from Greece touched down at about 9 am local time.
At the ceremony held in front of the Great Hall of the People with the Forbidden Palace forming the backdrop to the rostrum, Hu kindled the cauldron and handed over the torch to Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang, kickstarting the longest-ever Olympic torch relay.
"I declare the torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games begun," Hu announced amidst a joyous atmosphere with thousands of doves and colourful balloons released into the sky.
The flame is scheduled to depart from Beijing tomorrow for the Kazakh city of Almaty, the first stop in its global tour of 135 cities, including New Delhi, India, where it will reach on April 17.
The relay, with highest number of torchbearers in its history, will cover 137,000 kilometers in 130 days before the flame finally arrives at the National Stadium in Beijing on August 8, 2008 for the opening ceremony. PTI
Natwest Trophy heroes Yuvi, Kaif battling for one spot
S S Ramaswamy
Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) Almost six years ago in the English summer of 2002, two Young Turks had enabled India to pull off an amazing one-day victory to send then captain Sourav Ganguly into a shirt-wrenching frenzy at the Lords Balcony.
The heroes of that great triumph, one of the best-remembered victories in the 50-over game by India, Yuvraj Singh (69) and Mohammed Kaif (87 not out) have advanced in years but their Test career is at such a stage now that the duo is fighting for one coveted spot in the packed middle- order in second Test against South Africa beginning at Ahmedabad's dustbowl of Motera on April 3.
The Punjab-Uttar Pradesh pair's fabulous and backs-to- the-wall stand of 121 runs against England in the final of the Natwest Trophy on June 13 had helped India recover brilliantly from a hopeless position of 146 for five to chase down a mammoth 325 for five made by the hosts successful, a feat still fresh in the minds of the Indian cricket followers.
Ironically, the same two batsmen, who were members of the Indian under 19 World Cup winning squad previously in Sri Lanka when Yuvraj played under Kaif's captaincy, are now thrown into a contest of musical chairs to grab the lone spot left vacant by the forced absence through a groin injury of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
The same duo got the chance to fill in two middle order spots two seasons ago in the West Indies where Tendulkar was again absent due to injury along with Ganguly who had been dropped before making his well-chronicled spirited comeback. PTI
Sensex loses 727 pts on last day of fiscal
Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex fell 727 points today, the last day of the current fiscal, on selling by funds in stocks mainly in IT, banking, reality and capital goods sectors.
The 30-share index which recorded number of major falls since January this year, dropped by 726.85 points to 15,644.44 on the last day of 2007-08.
Infosys Technologies and other software exporters drove down the key index to its biggest fourth-quarter loss. Infosys, the second-largest exporter of software services, declined the most in more than five months on concern that the Reserve Bank might allow the rupee to appreciate to contain inflation.
Sensex is poised to post its worst performance ever for the fourth quarter ended today. It might post the steepest fourth-quarter decline in Asia excluding China, market experts said.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index's Nifty dropped by 207.50 points to 4,734.50 with almost all the 50 index-linked stocks ending with losses. PTI
Govt has 1.5 million tons higher wheat stock for PDS
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Sitting on a stock of 5.5 million tons of wheat before the marketing season, Food Corporation of India today expressed confidence that it will meet the government's procurement target of 15 million tons for public distribution system.
"The closing stock is 5.5 million tons as against the buffer norm of 4 million tons," FCI Chairman and Managing Director Alok Sinha told reporters here.
When asked about the procurement, Sinha said, "I am absolutely sure that we will achieve the target".
He also asserted that FCI would procure more grain if it comes to them.
FCI, the nodal agency for foodgrains procurement and distribution, aims to purchase 15 million tons of wheat in Rabi marketing season 2008-09, which starts from April 1. The government was able to procure only 11 million tons last year, forcing it to import 1.8 million tons to augment buffer stock.
Sinha said FCI and other state procurement agencies have already bought over one lakh tons of wheat, mainly from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The process would start in Punjab and Haryana from April 1.
He noted that private traders are not interested in buying wheat this year because of stable price and this would help FCI in meeting the target.
NAFED has been procuring wheat in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on behalf of FCI, he said, adding that there are other agencies such as STC which have also shown interest in procurement.
On rice, Sinha said FCI will have a stock of 22 million tons as of April 1, which is two million tons more than last year's. PTI
Chinese SAIC GM Wuling to launch pick-ups in India within 2yrs
Trideep Lahkar
Bangkok, Mar 31 (PTI) Chinese vehicle manufacturer SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Co Ltd will introduce its low-cost pick-up vans in India, which can be priced between 3,000-4,000 dollar within next two years.
The company is currently scouting for partners to set up a joint venture for exporting low-cost vehicles through completely built unit (CBU) route to India and is holding discussions with some leading market players there.
"There is a huge market for low-cost vans in India, considering the large chunk of people living in the rural areas. We are seriously considering to introduce our vehicles there as soon as possible," SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Co Ltd (SGMW) Commercial Section Manager (Overseas Business Department) Jason Ding told PTI at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show.
"We are hopeful that export of a CBU from our Chinese plants to India will start in two years. The price range of such vehicles are usually 3,000-4,000 dollar," he said, adding the company would first export only a single model with right-hand steering and gasoline engine.
He said the company is currently in talks with General Motors, which is its partner in the Chinese venture, besides some other Indian manufacturers for introducing the low-cost pick-up vans there.
GM holds 34 per cent stake in SGMW, along with Shanghai Automobile Industry and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile Co Ltd, which hold 50.1 per cent and 15.9 per cent respectively.
Ding further said depending upon the demand from the customers, the company may consider setting up a manufacturing facility in India with the JV partner. PTI
M&M to invest Rs 1,500 cr more in Chakan plant
Mumbai, Mar 31 (PTI) Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra today said it will be investing an additional Rs 1,500 crore at its proposed manufacturing plant at Chakan near Pune to double its overall capacity.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra Government to this effect. The first MoU on initial investment was inked in January last year.
Earlier, M&M had agreed to invest Rs 2,500 crore in the plant that would make medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
"First, our trucks will roll out of the Chakan plant. Powertrain for the trucks will also be made at the plant. Slowly, other products will roll out," M&M Automotive President Pawan Goenka told reporters after the MoU signing ceremony.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
The plant is expected to be ready by January 2010. At present, M&M has a capacity to make 3 lakh vehicles a year. With the Chakan plant, the capacity would rise to 6 lakh vehicles per year.
The overall investment of Rs 4,000 crore would be raised through a variety of instruments, Goenka said. "The Mahindra Group would raise the funds," he said.
The company has acquired 700 acres for the plant.
M&M had initially planned an investment of Rs 2,500 crore at Chakan to build a capacity of 2,50,000 units.
Goenka had earlier said the company intends to have an overall capacity of 3,20,000 units at Chakan, and might look at setting up a greenfield plant Chennai.
In January, M&M had pulled out of the tripartite JV for setting up a Rs 4000-crore greenfield manufacturing unit at Chennai for production of 400,000 units of cars and utility vehicles along with power trains. PTI
Govt considering more import duty cuts to check inflation:Nath
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Ahead of the crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Prices for considering options to tame rising inflation, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath today said the government is looking at further cuts in duties on import of essential commodities.
"Yes, we are looking at further cuts. There is increase in international oil prices and it has to be met with import duty caliberation which we are considering," Nath told reporters here.
The government has already slashed import duty on edible oils, including palm oil from 45 per cent to 20 per cent. Besides, stringent conditions have been imposed on exports of non-Basmati rice while export incentives on 40 to 50 items, including steel and chemical products have been withdrawn.
While the government cut the customs duty on edible oil to control the 13-month high inflation of 6.68 per cent, the foreign suppliers jacked up their margins taking advantage of the shortages in the country, traders said.
Faced with a difficult task of checking price rise, attributed to global hardening trend, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had said in Mumbai on Friday that tackling inflation would be the top priority of the government even if economic growth rate has to be sacrificed by a few percentage points. PTI
Lanka offers cash, jobs to surrendering LTTE suicide bombers
T V Sriram
Colombo, Mar 31 (PTI) In its bid to rein-in the dreaded suicide squads of LTTE, the Sri Lanka government is offering USD 93,000 and an overseas job to the rebel suicide bombers who surrender before the authorities.
Posters showing the offer were already pasted on walls around Colombo two weeks back, but confusion over it ended today with the government admitting to making the offer of 10 million Sri Lankan rupees for suicide bombers giving themselves up.
Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said besides the money, the authorities would try to provide an overseas job to an LTTE suicide bomber giving up his mission and surrendering.
The posters exhort the suicide bombers not to die with pieces of their body scattered around.
"You also were born to live. Why should you carry bombs?" the posters said alongside a hazy black-and-white photograph of a suicide bomber's damaged head.
In reply to query, Rambukwella quipped: "you don't expect us to give the money immediately as soon as they agree to give up. There is a system which one follows." "I feel these young people have a right to live in a peaceful manner. We have provided about 11 overseas jobs to LTTE fighters who have surrendered. We are providing 40 odd such people job-orientation programmes," Rambukwella told reporters.
The Tamil Tigers have been responsible for more than 240 suicide attacks in their quest for an independent state for minority Tamils.
Meanwhile, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakara said the death toll of LTTE militants in clashes during March this year stood at 678. (MORE) PTI
Police crackdown on Tibetans outside Chinese embassy in Nepal
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, March 31 (PTI) Tibetans in Nepal today stepped up protests outside the tightly-guarded Chinese embassy here demanding an end to Beijing's crackdown but were dispersed by the police which detained at least 110 people.
The protesters, who tried to forcibly enter the embassy, shouted slogans against China and demanded freedom for Tibet as they were bundled into vehicles by baton-wielding policemen.
Four foreign journalists, who were taking pictures of the demonstration, were also detained by the police while they rounded up the protesters.
The scribes were arrested as they were mixed with the protesters, but as soon as the police established their identity they were released, a police official said.
Nearly 200 policemen had been deployed around the embassy after an attempt by Tibetans to storm the premises was foiled yesterday by the Nepalese police which arrested 122 people, including 46 women.
Nepal, which had over 20,000 Tibetan refugees, has witnessed almost daily demonstration since the most vicious protests against the Chinese rule erupted in Tibet on Mar 10 and hundreds have been arrested by the police.
Tibetan students entered the United Nations' office premises here a few days ago, demanding freedom for Tibet. However, the UN office in Kathmandu has asked the government to allow peaceful demonstrations and not to use excessive force.
Nepal government officially recognises "One China" policy and considers Tibet as an integral part of the communist country. PTI
Indian workers to march to White House, return H2B visas
Washington, Mar 31 (PTI) Nearly 100 Indian workers, who claim they were lured to move to the US by false promises of permanent jobs, will march up to the White House this morning and return their H2B visas in a symbolic rejection of the guest worker programme used to traffic them here.
The workers, who complain they underwent "slave-like treatment" at a Mississippi shipyard, will also demand a Congressional investigation of their former employer Signal International.
Signal, a Northrop Grumman subcontractor that held them as bonded labourers and is already the subject of a criminal human trafficking investigation by the Department of Justice, a statement issued on behalf of them by the organisers said.
Allies from 'Jobs With Justice', a national campaign for workers' rights in United States, will join the workers, who arrived in Washington last week after a nine-day satyagraha, or "journey for justice" from New Orleans to Washington DC.
The group is among over 500 Indian welders and pipe-fitters trafficked to the US to work for Signal International after Hurricane Katrina.
The workers have filed a major class action anti-racketeering suit against Signal and its US and Indian recruiters in federal court.
Last Thursday, the workers had staged a protest rally at Dupont Circle and then marched to the Indian Embassy on Massachussetts Avenue where they had a three-hour-meeting with the Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen. They had also demanded a CBI probe into their case.
Sen gave the workers and their representatives a patient hearing at the embassy in which he promised to take up their grievances but only though appropriate and established channels. PTI
US to work with new Pak govt against terrorism
Washington, Mar 31 (PTI) The United States has said that it will work with Pakistan's new government on "a host of issues", including the problem of terrorism which threatens both nations.
"As is appropriate, we will now begin working with that (new) government on the whole host of issues that are there in the US-Pakistani relationship," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday.
"That includes, by the way, both issues concerning terrorism, which threatens Pakistanis -- we've seen it threaten Pakistanis, we've seen it result in the assassination of Mrs Bhutto," she said while on her trip to the Middle East.
Stressing that Pakistan was facing "the problem" of terrorism, Rice said: "We can work together on it. It also, by the way, is economic assistance and education assistance and all the other things. So we have the same goal here and we're going to work with them concerning it." The US Secretary of State also lauded President Pervez Musharraf for taking off his military uniform to help his country return to civilian rule, saying "We are very pleased that that has taken place." PTI
SC refuses to order probe against Bachchan in Barabanki case
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) The Supreme court today refused to order investigation into the controversy involving Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan in the Barabanki land deal case in Uttar Pradesh.
The apex court dismissed the petition filed by UP government challenging the Allahabad High Court's order restraining it from initiating any criminal, civil or revenue proceedings against Bachchan in the case.
The High Court had on December 11 last given a clean chit to the actor, observing that there was no finding that the actor "himself committed any fraud or manipulated any surreptitious entry in the revenue records".
Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for the state government, contended that there was a case of manipulation in revenue records which ultimately benefited Bachchan and it needed to be investigated.
The High Court had disposed of Bachchan's petition challenging the order of Additional Commissioner of Faizabad quashing the allotment of the land in Daulatpur village of Barabanki district. PTI
Shahrukh says he will be back to basics if cricket fails
New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) Bollywood badshah Shahrukh Khan, who owns an IPL cricket team, will give a year's time to the new venture and if it doesn't work for him, he will be back to films fulltime.
"It's not a winning business at this point in time..I won't be able to survive unlike other corporates in this business...So if it doesn't work for one year, then I'm back to basics...I'll be doing my films again," he said.
Khan, who has named his cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, hoped that kids, who were his team's fans now, remained so even ten years later.
"I hope that kids who are 12 years old now and are Kolkata Knight Riders' fans (remain so) when they are 22. So, the whole idea is a long dream and I hope it gets fulfilled," he told NDTV on the sidelines of a function here yesterday. PTI
International Micro film festival from May 1 at Kochi
Kochi, Mar 30 (PTI) A four-day international micro film festival, beginning May one would be held here for up and coming and professional film makers.
Micro films are the latest mode of creative visual expressions. With the advent of such short films, more innovations and experiments have been worked out on silver screens, said Biju Lazar, Executive Director of Grafix Creations which is hosting the event.
Micro films which are a blend of thematic excellence and technical perfection would be included in the festival, he said.
The competition category would consist of five-minute movie which includes both theme-based and non-theme oriented subjects.
There would be a total of six categories-- International, National, State, Open category, special category for women directors, 2D &3D animation.
The best film would receive a prize money of Rs 50,000 and the best film in each category would receive Rs 10,000 and a Golden Leaf Award. There would be separate awards for individual excellence. PTI
Industry worried as pirates dish out better quality CDs, DVDs
New Delhi, Mar 31 (PTI) Nothing new if someone says that pirated versions of 'Race' or Hollywood's 'John Rambo' can easily be picked up from the grey market at much lower price than the original that would take time to hit the market.
What is worrying the industry now is that the pirated versions now come on good quality DVD's or CD's.
Though piracy has always been the bane of the entertainment industry, recent trends show that unlike earlier, the pirated DVD/VCDs are of the highest quality rather than shot clandestinely in a movie hall.
In some cases, like Hollywood films, they hit the streets even before the movie has been formally launched in the country.
According to a report by US-India Business Council (USIBC), the Indian media and entertainment industry worth close to USD 6,500 million is losing a little over USD 4,000 million per year due to piracy.
Bollywood actor-director, Aamir khan calls piracy as the 'greatest concern'.
"The greatest concern facing us (entertainment industry) is piracy. It is sad that India is not doing enough to check piracy," he said recently.
"We have been aware of this problem for long but we have not done anything much to keep it in check. A lot of time and money is spent into making a film...," Aamir adds.
Though Aamir's directorial debut 'Taree Zameen Par' was a runaway success both critically and commercially, he says, "There were more than 100 websites through which one could easily download the movie for free. This is part of the piracy ring." Though the entertainment industry is looking for ways to fight piracy, the black market does not fear much. PTI
Sikkim all set to roll its roulette for great gamblers
Soma Chakraborty
New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) The tiny northeastern state of Sikkim is all set to roll its roulette and is gearing up to give Nepal a run for its money, literally.
Along with its virgin forests, lofty mountains, mystic valleys, lush green landscapes and spectacular mountain rivers, the Himalayan kingdom is now all set to welcome visitors with state-of-the-art world class casinos.
"The state government has given nod to Park Sarovar Plaza Group of Hotels to set up a five-star hotel-cum-casino in Gangtok. The project is likely to be completed in this year only," says G P Upadhyaya, Commissioner-cum-secretary of the Department of Tourism, Sikkim.
Set against the backdrop of scenic mountains, the casino would become a major tourist attraction in the northeastern state.
"We are very excited about the project," says Pankaj Saxena, General Manager, The Royal Plaza, Sikkim.
In a major boost to the state tourism, Sikkim Government had passed Sikkim Casino Games Act in 2004 and the rules regulating their operation were framed last year through the Sikkim Casino Games (Control and Tax) Rules, 2007 paving a way to set up casinos in the state.
The Act has created ripples in the State's hospitality industry.
"The legalisation of casinos is definitely a major boost to the tourism sector," says Upadhyaya.
"It would give impetus to high-end tourism. The state can expect tourists who would not mind spending big moolahs," says the commissioner.
The tourism industry is eyeing not only domestic tourists but big spenders from abroad too. "With unrest in Nepal, we are expecting to divert traffic from Kathmandu, which houses the nearest casino in the region and has been a favourite for gamblers for years," says Upadhyaya.
The State will get 25 per cent of the stake money from the casino.
Besides the Sarovar group, other real estate developers are also in the fray to grab the opportunity.
"Talks are going on with the country's bigwigs in real estate developers including DLF to build a five-star resort housing a casino in the state," says Upadhyaya.
"Other big names like Ambuja and many others have also shown their interest in this matter," he adds.
With passing of the Act, Sikkim has become the second state after Goa to allow operation of casino in the country.
"Talks are going on with the Sikkim government to set up a five star hotel-cum-casino in the state. Though nothing has been finalised as yet, but there are hope for a positive outcome," says Rajeev Talwar, Group Executive Director, DLF.
Strict norms have been laid down to open a casino in the state. Desirous parties shall need to have five star category of facilities and infrastructures.
"The Royal Plaza which is operating in Gangtok is presently a four star hotel. It is being upgraded to a five star to abide by the norms," says Upadhyaya.
The interested parties would also be required to produce 'no-objection certificate' from the health, energy, power and fire services department.
Entry or employment of people under 18 years of age will be banned for casino-based enterprises. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week Mar 22-28, 2008
Saturday New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition L K Advani calls on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to greet them on the occasion of Holi.
Hyderabad: A Lufthansa flight touches down in rainy weather at the brand new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the city outskirts shortly after midnight kickstarting its operations after a week's delay.
Sunday Balasore(Orissa) India's nuclear-capable surface-to-surface missile Agni-I, having a strike range of 700 to 900 kms, is test fired for the first time by the newly-created Strategic Forces Command.
Srinagar: Four security personnel and a self-styled divisional commander of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit are killed and four others injured in a fierce gunbattle lasting several hours near here.
Monday New Delhi: Suspended Inspector General of Police R K Sharma is sentenced to life imprisonment in the sensational Shivani Bhatnagar murder case by a Delhi court which spared him from the gallows saying he was an "asset to the nation" except for this crime.
New Delhi: The Sixth Pay Commission recommends an average hike of 40 per cent in salaries, fixing the pay of Cabinet Secretary and Service chiefs at Rs 90,000 per month, and doubling most allowances that would cost the exchequer Rs 12,561 crore in 2008-09.
New Delhi: Delhi Police Special Operations Squad ACP Rajbir Singh, known as the "encounter specialist" is gunned down allegedly by a property dealer on the city outskirts. Tuesday New Delhi: In the first high-level contact with the new leadership in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh felicitates his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gillani and conveyes a desire for transforming the bilateral ties into the "best ever" for which an "opportunity" has come.
New Delhi: The spectre of communal violence in the aftermath of the Godhra incident continues to haunt the Narendra Modi Government with the Supreme Court constitutes a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to re-investigate certain specified cases.
Chandigarh: Two-time Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, who rebels against the Congress, is disqualified from the state assembly under the anti-defection law and his Adampur seat declared vacant.
Wednesday Agra: Defying all odds, a little girl miraculously survives a 27-hour ordeal after she is pulled out alive from a 45-feet borewell where she was trapped in a dramatic rescue operation that also involves the Army.
New Delhi: Three CPI-M and two JD (U) and BJP candidates each were among 13 elected to the Rajya Sabha as the results of biennial polls in four states for the Upper House pours in.
Mumbai: Former Cricket Board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, charged with misappropriating Rs 2.90 crore during his tenure, is arrested and released in quick succession ahead of the filing of a chargesheet against him in a court here.
New Delhi: The Shiv Sena splits, with the outfit's North Indian leaders resigning en-masse protesting its "outrageous conduct" towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra and announcing they would form a separate party. Thursday Indore: In a major drive against outlawed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), 13 of its top leaders, including one wanted by Karnataka and Mumbai police in connection with terror activities, were arrested here and a large cache of weapons seized from them.
Bhubaneswar: A sexual harassment case is filed against Orissa Assembly Speaker Maheshwar Mohanty by a woman security staff whose allegations rock the House for the second day with Opposition members storming the Presiding officer's podium.
New Delhi: The 15-year-old schoolgirl, lying unconscious in a hospital here for the last three months after she was allegedly hit on the head with a stick by her teacher, dies.
Hyderabad: Veteran communist leader A B Bardhan re-elected as the General Secretary of the CPI for the fourth consecutive term, with the party's National Congress rejecting his wish to step down and make way for the younger generation.
Friday New Delhi: Government decides to establish four new IITs and six IIMs in various states besides upgrading some of the state universities to the status of Central Universities.
Mumbai: Maharashtra's Election Commissioner Nand Lal, who is sent to jail by the state Assembly on a privilege issue, is released and he quickly challenged in the High Court his conviction while he accused Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh of "political vendetta." New Delhi: A city court hearing an income tax evasion case against underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's frontman, Romesh Sharma, seeks to link suicides by debt-ridden farmers to poor recovery of government dues from tax defaulters. 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
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