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.
No further postponement of Sarabjit hanging: Pak
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Apr 19 (PTI) The execution of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks in Pakistan, has not been postponed further, a presidential spokesman said today.
The hanging of Sarabjit was deferred for 30 days by President Pervez Musharraf last month so that Pakistan's new government could review his case following an appeal for clemency from the Indian government. Sarabjit was originally set to be executed on April 1.
According to the ARY TV channel, spokesman Maj Gen (retired) Rashid Qureshi Qureshi denied reports in the Pakistani media that Sarabjit's execution had been postponed for one more month.
India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday made a fresh appeal to the Pakistan government to grant clemency to Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds. There has not been any official response from Islamabad to Mukherjee's appeal.
Sarabjit's lawyer Rana Abdul Hamid has said the condemned man's case can only be considered by Musharraf as the President alone has the power to pardon him.
Leading rights activist Ansar Burney too has said he will file a fresh appeal with Musharraf to seek clemency for Sarabjit as there were several loopholes in his conviction by a Pakistani court. (More)
Centre to step in for setting up family courts in states: PM
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Centre might step in to establish family courts in the country as many states have failed to discharge their legal obligation in this regard.
"Many state governments have so far failed to discharge their legal obligation in this regard. As a result many litigants, hailing mostly from socially and economically weaker sections of the society, have to travel long distance to seek redressal of the grievances," Singh told a conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices here.
The Prime Minister said that since Family Courts Act is a social welfare measure, the Centre has power under Article 247 to establish additional courts for better administration of laws made by Parliament.
Singh made the remarks in response to a letter written to him by the Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan about the need for Central intervention due to the apathy shown by most of the state governments.
The Family Courts Act 1984 mandates state governments to establish family courts in urban areas with a population of over one million.
Singh emphasised the need for "liquidating" the largescale pendency of cases and asked the states to increase the number of judicial officers and upgrade the existing infrastructure.
"The Central government is prepared to work with state Governments and the courts to modernise the relevant infrastructure to computerise processes and systems and to provide alternative justice delivery systems that can help reduce the burden on the High Courts and the Supreme Court," Singh said. PTI
India does not give credence to Pak missile test
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) India today did not attach much importance to the test-firing of a ballistic missile by Pakistan saying such tests were regularly required as the technology was imported.
"Such tests have been happening for ever. Pakistan requires testing of missiles as the technology is flowing in from some other parts of the world. Therefore, regular testing is required," Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who is also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, told reporters here.
His comment was sought on the test-firing of the Shaheen-II or Hatf-VI long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile by Pakistan today.
It is Pakistan's longest range missile with a reach of 2,000 kms and capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads. PTI
Meet targets, Patil tells Indian, Mexican businessmen
Sumir Kaul
Mexico City, Apr 19 (PTI) Inviting the Mexican investors to explore the Indian market, President Pratibha Patil today asked the business communities of the two countries to work towards meeting the trade target of USD five billion by 2010.
"Governments can only play a coordinating role and help create a conducive political and economic environment. But you are the actual players on the field," she said addressing a large gathering of businessmen from India and Mexico here.
"The Governments have already declared their intention by elevating the bilateral ties to a 'Privileged Partnership'. They have also set the target for trade at USD five billion by the year 2010," Patil noted and asked the businessmen to work towards meeting the target.
The President said a bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement were already in place.
"An Air Services Agreement has been signed providing the framework for connectivity through air services, both in passenger and cargo segments. The institutional infrastructure is thus in place," she said.
"The Business Council can also exchange views on any remaining irritants in economic cooperation and bring those to the knowledge of the Governments," she said.
Patil said she was confident that Mexican trade community would meet the expectations of investing in Indian market. "I encourage Mexican investors to explore the Indian market." PTI
Chennai Super Kings win toss, bat first
Mohali, Apr 19 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings skipper M S Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first against Kings XI Punjab in a Indian Premier League Twenty20 encounter at PCA stadium here today.
Teams: Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (C), Matthew Hayden, Jacob Oram, Mike Hussey, Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Palani Amarnath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Joginder Sharma, Manpreet Goni.
Kings XI Punjab: Karan Goel, James Hopes, Kumar Sangakkara, Yuvraj Singh (C), Simon Katich, Pankaj Dharmani, Irfan Pathan, Brett Lee, Piyush Chawla, Wilkin Mota, S Sreesanth. PTI
IPL changes its own rules within a month
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) Less than a month after announcing a final list of players for the DLF Indian Premier League that kicked off yesterday at Bangalore, the organisers of the Twenty20 tournament seem to have forgotten it by allowing some franchise teams to include additional players.
The Bangalore Royal Challengers, led by Rahul Dravid and owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, did not have Australian pace bowler Ashley Noffke in the final list of names, but he surprisingly made an appearance and played in the opener at the Chinnanwawamy Stadium yesterday.
Even the official website of the tournament, www.Iplt20.Com, in the second list of players representing all the eight franchise teams, did not have his name even a day after he had turned out for the Bangalore team.
News has now come from the West Indies that all rounder Dwayne Bravo is to play for the Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai Indians which could not be confirmed as sources in the squad could only say "we were having negotiations with the player but do not know their outcome" when they were informed of the development.
Strangely, the website does not have any information about the playing conditions for the much-hyped-about event which has drawn the attention of the cricket world because of the amount of money that had been spent to buy the players through the auction process, something unique to the willow game. PTI
Bangalore, Mumbai look evenly matched
S S Ramaswamy
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) After the mauling they received from Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match of the Indian Premier League, Bangalore's Royal Challengers would be eager to set things right when they take on hosts Mumbai Indians in their second clash at the Wankhede Stadium here tomorrow.
Bangalore captain Rahul Dravid, after a 140-run loss yesterday, must ensure not to allow a repeat of the carnage at the hands of Sri Lankan marauder Sanath Jayasuriya, who is bound to open the innings with captain Sachin Tendulkar if the Mumbai batsman regained full fitness from his groin injury.
New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum had taken away the game by carting around the inexperienced Praveen Kumar, the rusty Zaheer Khan back in action after being laid low by his ankle injury for more than three months and young Aussie Ashley Noffke during his pulverising 158 not out.
Absence of two key bowlers, South Africa's exciting pace find Dale Steyn, who is busy in domestic cricket back home, and injured Australian left-arm bowler Nathan Bracken seemed to have unhinged the Bangalore team's bowling attack against Sourav Ganguly's team at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Injured Test captain Anil Kumble was also missed in bowling and it's not likely that he would be fit in time to take the field against Mumbai.
If bowling appeared to be the weak link in the visiting team's armour, their batting too was under question in chase of 222 for 3 despite the presence of Dravid, and South Africans Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher.
The team owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya will be anxious to put up an improved display and get into the winning ways against an evenly matched opposition. PTI
Gold tumbles on lower global cues
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) Gold prices today tumbled on the bullion market here due to persistent offerings from stockists in view of fall in the global market.
Silver also declined in line with gold. Lack of industrial demand coupled with lower overseas advices also affected silver prices.
Standard gold (99.5 purity) fell by Rs 225 per ten grams to Rs 11,895 from Rs 12,120 previously.
Pure gold (99.9 purity) slipped by Rs 230 per ten grams to Rs 11,950 from Rs 12,180.
Silver ready (.999 fineness) dropped sharply by Rs 245 to Rs 23,945 per kg.
Gold and silver futures tumbled in New York on Friday on long liquidation spurred by strength in the US dollar and stock market, a trader said.
June gold fell by USD 27.70 to USD 915.20 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Comex May silver lost 48.5 cents to USD 17.82. PTI
Markets extend gains, Sensex up 4.26 pc
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) Stocks : The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share index (Sensex) extended its gains, rising by 4.26 per cent in a brief three-session week, boosted by encouraging guidance announced by the IT bellwether Infosys Technologies, but seems to be facing hurdles to gain further momentum.
Analysts said the market is facing resistance around the 50-week moving averages and has to cross and sustain above these levels for a consistent bounce as the averages had worked as a support over the past 3-4 years.
The decision to hike the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 0.5 per cent by central bank and unstable global markets could hinder the progress of bourses at home, they added.
During the week which had two public holidays, the market sentiment was enlivened by a forecast of normal monsoon and continued firm global cues as well as a moderate fall in inflation figures.
In the week, the BSE barometer ended the week at 16,481.20, a net gain of 673.56 points over its last weekend's close of 15,807.64.
The broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange soared by 180.60 points or 3.78 per cent to close the week at 4,958.40 from previous weekend's close of 4,777.80.
Investors were enthused after the announcement of fourth quarter results by the country's second largest software exporter as the company revised its mid-term outlook and also showed profit growth in Q4 despite lingering fears of a US recession and the rupee's sharp appreciation against dollar during 2007. PTI
Gold tumbles by Rs 325 on global cues
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Gold prices tumbled by Rs 325 to Rs 12,060 per 10 gram on the bullion market here today on aggressive selling by stockists triggered by steep fall in its prices in global market.
Selling pressure gathered momentum after reports that the gold fell the most in two weeks in global markets as dollar rebounded from an all-time low against the euro, reducing the appeal of the precious metal as an alternative investment.
Silver also dropped in line with gold and reduced offtake by industrial units.
Marketmen said despite busy ongoing marriage season steep fall in its prices in the international market mainly attributed to hefty plunge.
The dollar rose against the euro and the yen on speculation that financial companies will survive the credit crisis. Gold in New York dropped by 27.20 dollar to 915.20 dollar an ounce and silver futures for May delivery declined 48.5 cents to 17.82 dollar an ounce.
Standard gold and ornaments tumbled by Rs 325 each to Rs 12,060 and Rs 11,910 per 10 grams respectively.
Sovereign followed suit and lost Rs 50 at Rs 9900 per piece of eight gram.
In a similar fashion, silver ready plunged by Rs 650 at Rs 23,550 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 610 at Rs 23,290 per kg respectively. Its coins also lost Rs 100 at Rs 26,600 for buying and Rs 26,700 for selling of 100 coins. PTI
Edible oil prices up on heavy buying, poor supply
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Select edible oil prices led by Soyabean mill delivery rose in the wholesale oils and oilseeds market during the week on heavy buying and strong global cues.
On the other side, non-edible oils continued to be traded in a limited range on scattered enquiries from consuming industries.
Traders said buying activity was so strong and government's decision to scrap import duty on edible oils also failed to curb the rising oil prices.
They said restricted arrivals from producing belts and increased offtake by vanaspati units to meet ongoing marriage season demand and higher advices from global markets led to an increase in the prices.
In the edible section, Soyabean refined mill delivery oil remained in positive zone for the better part of the week mainly in line with global trend and shot up by a whopping Rs 350 at Rs 6,050 a quintal. Its degum variety followed suit and gathered Rs 300 to Rs 5900 a quintal.
Crude palm oil (ex-kandla) improved gradually by Rs 180 a quintal at Rs 4,680 on higher overseas advices while RBD Palmoline oil closed Rs 150 higher at Rs 5,550.
Groundnut mill delivery and rice bran (physical) oils gained Rs 100 and Rs 150 at Rs 7,100 and Rs 4,650 a quintal respectively.
On the other hand, sesame mill delivery oil dropped by Rs 150 to Rs 5,650 a quintal on increased supplies against reduced demand. PTI
Pak govt bringing bill to maintain power balance of PM, Prez
Islamabad, Apr 19 (PTI) Pakistan's new government is finalising a constitutional amendment bill to ensure the balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, Law Minister Farooq Naek said today.
The law ministry is preparing the draft of the bill that is aimed at curbing President Pervez Musharraf's sweeping powers, including the power to dissolve the parliament and to dismiss the elected Prime Minister and his government, officials said.
Naek indicated that the proposed amendment bill will address presidential powers that were inserted in the sixth and seventh schedules of the Constitution through controversial amendments made by Musharraf after he assumed power in 1999.
The sixth schedule contains several laws that cannot be altered or repealed without the assent of the President, including the National Accountability Bureau Ordinance.
Though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani had announced in parliament that the NAB would be abolished, the government has not been able to make headway in this matter as it cannot take any step without Musharraf's concurrence.
Speaking to reporters here this morning, the Law Minister said, "As far as the constitutional amendments are concerned, we have got to (ensure) the balance of power between the President and the prime minister.
"And we have got to see the sixth schedule (of the Constitution) which gives the power to the President not to let any amendment be made in the constitution with regard to the laws." PTI
Pak envoy in Taliban custody, urges govt to ensure release
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Apr 19 (PTI) Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who went missing in February, today appeared in a video beamed by an Arabic TV channel and said he was being held by the Taliban.
The footage aired by Dubai-based Al Arabiya channel showed Azizuddin, his driver Gul Nawaz and guard Amir Sultan surrounded by armed militants.
The envoy urged the Pakistan government to take steps for their release, including accepting the Taliban's demands and freeing all Taliban cadres currently in custody.
The channel said the video was recorded on March 8, almost a month after Azizuddin went missing in Pakistan's restive Khyber Agency while driving to Kabul.
The envoy, who had grown a beard since his capture, said he was suffering from health problems like "high blood pressure and heart pains". He said he was kidnapped by the Taliban in Khyber Agency while he was on his way to Afghanistan on February 11.
Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said the government was "working closely with mediators" for Azizuddin's release. He refused to disclose the demands made by the ambassador's kidnappers but said the government would ensure his release. PTI
Anti-French protests across China
Raghavendra
Beijing, Apr 19 (PTI) Hundreds of people today staged demonstrations in five major Chinese cities, including Beijing, protesting against supporters of Tibet independence movement in the West and calling for boycott of French goods.
The demonstrators gathered in front of outlets of French supermarket chain Carrefour chanting slogans for boycott of its and French products and against "Tibet independence".
Protests were held in Beijing, Hefei in the eastern Anhui province, Wuhan of central Hubei province, Qingdao of eastern Shandong province and Kunming in southwestern Yunnan province, official Xinhua news agency said.
A small group of people staged a protest march near the French Embassy carrying banners that read, "Tibet belongs to China" and "Shut up you French", and also the Beijing French School in the Chinese capital for about half an hour.
The protestors also distributed leaflets in the cities, In an outpouring of anger sparked off by disruption of the Olympic torch relay in Paris, London and other foreign cities and calls for boycott of the Beijing Olympics, online and text messages are being used by Chinese citizens to give boycott calls against Carrefour and other foreign retailers.
The anger was fuelled more by an attempt by a protestor in Paris to grab the torch from wheel-chair bound Paralympic athlete Jin Jing, who has become a household name after she blocked it.
Chinese citizens, particularly the Internet users, have been targeting Carrefour, which has 100 outlets across China, and French products with calls for their boycott. Some said it would send a message to the West that China should "not be humiliated and Chinese should not be bullied". PTI
49 killed in intense clashes in Sri Lanka
Colombo, Apr 19 (PTI) At least 48 LTTE rebels and a soldier were killed in fierce clashes in the restive Northern Sri Lanka, officials said today.
Two Tamil Tigers were killed at Illamarudankulam area in Vavuniya today, the army said.
At least 11 rebels were killed in Thachchanamaruthamadu and Chinnavalavankaddu areas of Vavuniya yesterday, the Defence Ministry said.
On the Mannar front, troops attacked LTTE bunkers in the Manipulikulam and Minukkad areas and killed six guerrillas in the confrontations yesterday, the ministry said.
In a similar clash in Minukkad and Malikaittidal areas of Mannar, troops gunned down three more LTTE rebels, it said.
One Tamil Tiger and an army personnel were killed in clashes at Kokkutuduvai, janakapura and Kribbanwewa in North-east Welioya yesterday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.
In a separate incident, at least 13 LTTE rebels were killed and three others injured when army troops captured six bunker in various artillery duels at Kanthankulam, Kaddaikulam and Manipulikulam areas of Mannar yesterday, the MCNS said.
At least 12 Tigers were killed and seven others injured in clashes at East of Madhu, Thathchanamarathamadu and Suleinamarathamadu area in Vavuniya district, it said. PTI
Nadiadwala ropes in US casting directors for his film
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) Bollywood filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala has appointed the casting directors of `Entourage', a popular reality show in the US, in his forthcoming movie.
Nadiadwala has roped in Susan Paley Abramson and Justine Hempe as the casting agents for his venture `Kambaqt Ishq'.
The film, starring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead, is to be shot extensively in Hollywood in Los Angeles.
According to Sajid, Akshay plays a Hollywood stuntman in the film. Hence, talks are on with Hollywood action hero and current California Governor Arnold Schwazzenegar for a role in the movie.
Actress Beyonce Knowles will also be a part of the film. "Everything is almost finalised," Sajid added.
The filmmaker said he is also looking for other Hollywood stars to join the cast of `Kambakth Ishq'.
"Since Kambakth Ishq will be shot in Hollywood, it would make perfect sense to appoint partners, who would streamline the requirements as per the script." "Myself and my line producer in Hollywood have have taken a call to appoint various agents for the various expertises they have to offer," Sajid added. PTI
Big B turns blogger
Mumbai, Apr 18 (PTI) Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan has turned blogger with bigadda.Com, a youth networking site, to connect with his fans worldwide.
Speaking about his new initiative, Bachchan said, "bigb.Bigadda.Com allows me to express myself, share and reflect my emotions, thoughts, opinions and listen to what people have to say to me and show them the 'real' side to my larger than life image that they see through media. It's a platform which I control and share my own drama without anyone editing or interpreting my thoughts." "What's most important for me is that I can now share consequential replies to the inconsequential gossip that do the rounds. I have always wanted a platform, where I can speak, for truth is always stranger than fiction. People will now be able to get an unedited version of my views, ideas and thoughts, straight from me," he said.
The actor added, "My adda (http://bigb.Bigadda.Com) will be the single point destination where I will openly state my views and also discuss the same with all." Aamir Khan is one of the first actors to take to blogging, followed by filmmaker Kunal Kohli among others. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week April 12-18, 2008
Saturday
New Delhi: In second attack on Indian construction workers in Afghanistan in four months, suspected Taliban militants kill two personnel of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and injured five.
New Delhi: Low to moderate polling is reported in bypolls to three Lok Sabha and five assembly seats in four states, seen as a crucial trial of strength ahead of Parliamentary election next year.
Sunday
Bhubaneswar: Marathon wonder kid Budhia Singh's estranged coach Biranchi Das shot dead at a point blank range by three unidentified gunmen suspected to be members of a notorious gang.
Panaji: Missing vital organs from the body of rape and murder victim Scarlett Keeling was reportedly discovered during a third autopsy in the UK kicking up a new row but Goan forensic experts said there is no foul play.
Monday
Kolkata: After a gap of over four decades, rails services between Kolkata and Dhaka resumes with simultaneous launch of 'Maitree Express' from Kolkata and Dakha in a move aimed a strengthening ties between the two neighbours.
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Arjun Singh props up Rahul Gandhi as UPA's next Prime Ministerial candidate, an idea that found immediate support from key allies like DMK and within the party.
Tuesday
Chennai: In an extra-ordinary meeting, Priyanka Gandhi meets Nalini, undergoing imprisonment in Vellore jail, in a bid to "come to peace" with the assassination of her father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 17 years ago.
New Delhi: Congress high command scotches speculation that Rahul Gandhi may be the party's Prime Ministerial candidate saying it was against creation of any climate of uncertainty about incumbent Manmohan Singh.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court asks the NHRC to appoint a Committee to inquire into alleged human rights violations by anti-naxal activists in Chhattisgarh even as the Centre approves the state government's stand in its fight against ultra-left extremism.
Wednesday
Bodeli (Gujarat), Apr 16 (PTI) At least 44 people, 41 of them children between the age of 13 and 14 going to school for their final examination, were killed today when a bus carrying them plunged into the Narmada canal here.
New Delhi: The IITs decide to implement the 27 per cent quota for OBCs minus the creamy layer in three years time in phases by reserving nine per cent seats each year in view of the inadequate infrastructure.
Thursday
New Delhi: Guarded by about 17,000 security personnel, the Beijing Olympic torch is taken through a 2.3 km stretch in the national capital without any disruption amid anti-China protests by Tibetans in some parts of the country.
Agartala: Tripura Food and Supplies minister and CPI(M) leader Sahid Chowdhury resign in the wake of an inquiry into his alleged link with a Bangladeshi militant belonging to militant outfit Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami suspected to be behind several terror attacks in India.
Friday
New Delhi: Amidst reports that execution of death penalty of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh has been deferred by one more month, efforts for clemency for him gets a boost with India making a fresh appeal to Pakistan to show mercy to him.
Bhubaneswar: Orissa government asks the Lok Pal to probe the alleged criminal-police nexus which had come to light during the investigation in the murder of judo coach of Biranchi Das even as seven IPS officers are transferred. PTI
Technology, cheaper costs woo foreign producers to Bollywood
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) With its ever increasing popularity, the Indian film industry, which is already generating more than USD 11 billion annually, is now luring foreign producers too for investment, say experts.
"The rising number of production houses in the country has led to technological advancement in the field of cinema, which attracted foreign filmmakers to invest, mostly for post production works. These producers find it cheaper to get things done in India, says Bollywood director Anand Kumar.
Many Hollywood movies are now being outsourced to the country for visual effects. The latest being "The Golden Compass", starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Major Hollywood studios like Viacom, NBC, Universal, Dream Works, besides Warner Bros., Sony and Disney have also made investments in India's entertainment sector, he adds.
Shoaib Mansoor, director of 'Khuda Ke Liye', the first Pakistani film released in India almost after four decades, says, "Bollywood is already an established brand and competing with such a big industry would definitely make us better.
"Pakistan is by no means far behind India in terms of talent but when it comes to the technical side, Bollywood is miles ahead. Bollywood movies will bring audiences to cinemas in Pakistan and subsequently people will start investing money in filmmaking," he says.
According to a FICCI report, Indian entertainment and media industry is poised to grow at an annual rate of 18 per cent by 2011, faster than its counterparts in Brazil, Russia and China.
"The entertainment industry in India is an industry of the future. India's entertainment industry already generates more than USD 11 billion annually for the country," says FICCI Secretary General, Amit Mitra. PTI
Indian men succumb easily to powerful women, says book
New Delhi, Apr 17 (PTI) Indian men do not seem to feel embarrassed or resentful falling at the feet of powerful women but they can be both clumsy and aggressive with most women who clamour for equality or appear vulnerable and dependent, says a new book.
When it comes to the powerful women in Indian politics, they have made their place under the sun after coming out of male domination, says the book "Zealous Reformers, Deadly laws" by Madhu Purnima Kishwar, a women's right activist.
The book, a collection of Kishwar's writings tries to explore the reason women's rights laws in India end up producing such dismal results. It tries to provide practical solutions to some anti-women practices.
The most powerful women politicians of India share the common characteristics of cunning and extraordinary resilience says the recently launched book.
Madhu Kishwar in her book takes a long and hard look at the four dominant women politicians- Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati, Jayalalitha and Mamta Banerjee.
"The mesmeric power these women exercise over our political life provides us with interesting insights into the Indian male psyche", Kishwar, senior Fellow at Centre for Study of Developing Societies (CSDC) says.
While Indian men have made it fairly difficult for ordinary women to feel comfortable as equal participants in the political domain, they tend to succumb easily to the demands of women who are are courageous, fearless and hard to browbeat, she adds. (About the book -- Name: "Zealous Reformers Deadly Laws"; Author: Madhu Purnima Kishwar; Publishers: Sage; Price: Rs 495; Pages: 419) PTI
Socially relevant films? Better govt makes them: Farooq Shaikh
Rajeev Ranjan Dwivedi
New Delhi, Apr 15 (PTI) The task of making socially relevant films rests with the government as an individual producer dare not take such risks, feels a veteran Bollywood actor, Farooq Shaikh.
"Investing in a movie on social issues is highly risky in terms of business, so why should anyone take a risk. Instead, the government should finance such movies to create awareness in the society," points out Farooq Shaikh, who is known for his contribution to parallel cinema.
Shaikh, who made his last appearance in the movie 'Mohabbat' in 1997, on his comeback in the films, says, "this year I am confident of being caught by any director or producer".
He pioneered the idea of cinestars getting back to the small screen with 'Jeena Isi ka Naam hai' on Zee and now the entire fraternity seems to be following in his footsteps. When asked about it, the actor quips, "more than achievement it was just a matter of time." On the importance of making socially relevant movies and serials, he points out, "such attempts do have an impact. Although it does not solve a major problem but it raises certain points, at least to let people ponder over the matter".
However, the star of 1970s and 1980s feels that coming up of the 'middle of the road' movies, which provide entertainment besides educating people on certain issues, like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Tare Zameen Par', are setting a good trend. 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: 16481.20, +237.01
The sensex closed at 16481.20, up 237.01
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.800 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3839 INR
1 British Pound = 79.509 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.645 INR
1 Singapore $ = 29.364 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.837 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.611 INR
1 Euro = 62.934 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.936 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________