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.
Chinese army indulging in regular cross-border activities
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The Chinese Army has been indulging in regular cross-border activities along the Indo-China border during the last three years, the Ministry of Home Affairs said today.
"Reports about cross-border activities on the Indo-China border are received regularly," Minister of State for Home Affairs Radhika V Selvi informed the Lok Sabha today.
She, however, said: "Such activities are carefully monitored and appropriately responded to keeping in view of India's strategic interests." Selvi was responding to a question on details about frequent cross-border activities along the Indo-China border.
Replying to a separate question, she said the government has taken a comprehensive project for construction of road links in the border areas along the Indo-China border in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
However, the details furnished by the Home Ministry point out that of the 27 proposed roads along the border, construction has started only on two roads, both in Arunachal Pradesh.
Twenty-five of the remaining proposed roads are awaiting Clarence from various departments like Forest/Wildlife to technical committees. PTI
Speaker wants MPLAD scheme scrapped immediately
New Delhi, Mar 22 (PTI) Amid a demand for raising funds under MPLAD to Rs five crore, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said he felt that the scheme should be "abolished immediately".
"You will not be happy to hear my views on this (MPLAD). It should be abolished immediately," Chatterjee said.
His remark came soon after Reoti Raman Singh (SP) raised the issue during the Zero Hour.
Singh made a strong plea for raising the funds under MPLADS from Rs two crore to Rs five crore contending that it would allow members to help more people.
He said all SP members also favoured such a proposal.
Singh's demand appeared to have found favour with many members when Speaker spoke his mind on the issue. PTI
MPs want defence spending to match buildup by Pak,China
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Concerned over the "sharp decline" in India's air and naval assets, members in Lok Sabha today demanded a hike in defence spending to match the military build up by China and Pakistan.
This was for the first time in more than 10 years that Lok Sabha took up for voting the Demands for Grants of the Defence Ministry which were earlier guillotined along with most of the Demands for Grants.
Participating in the discussion, members made a strong pitch for hiking India's defence spending in GDP terms to speed up acquisitions and modernisation of the armed forces.
They said though India's defence spending had been considerably increased, the country had yet not been able to bring its air and naval power to the authorised level.
"This is a matter of grave concern," T P S Rawat, a retired Lt Gen and a new BJP member, said initiating the debate and demanded that the military expenditure be sustained at three per cent of the GDP for some years to enable India to equip its forces with advanced weapons systems and platforms.
Pointing out that in 2004-05 the defence budget was 2.41 per cent of the GDP, while for the current fiscal it was just 1.99 per cent of the GDP, Rawat said such a trend would have adverse impact on defence preparedness of the country.
He said government should bear in mind the budgetary allocations of Pakistan (3.5 per cent of GDP) and China (4.3 per cent of GDP) which are developing nuclear arsenal and anti-missile technologies, a potential threat to the country. PTI
Govt clears 13 FDI proposals worth Rs 657 cr
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Government has cleared 13 foreign direct investment proposals that will bring in Rs 657.01 crore, including Rs 199 crore by US-based financial services provider Goldman Sachs.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram has approved the proposals on recommendations of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.
The proposal of Goldman Sachs, a non-banking financial company, is for subscribing to preferential equity shares or compulsorily convertible preference shares.
Among the approved proposals, Bangalore-based logistics and courier service provider VRL Logistics Ltd plan to sell equity to foreign partner for a consideration of Rs 225 crore through public offer.
Zoom Entertainment Network offers to bring in Rs 120 crore through induction of foreign equity. The company is engaged in up-linking and broadcasting non-news and non-current affairs television channels promoted by Bennett Coleman Company Ltd (BCCL). PTI
NDA calls for general strike on May 2 against price rise
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The Opposition NDA today called for a general strike on May two to protest the UPA Government's inability to control rising prices of essential commodities which continue to "torment" the common man.
MPs of the opposition alliance also will form a human chain in Parliament premises on Friday in an attempt to turn the heat on the Government on the issue of price rise.
The decision to launch the agitation was taken at a meeting of the NDA chaired by Leader of the Opposition L K Advani. Leaders of Akali Dal, BJD and Shiv Sena attended the meeting.
The call for the strike comes at a time when assembly elections are to be held in Karnataka next month, where the party plans to make price rise an electoral issue.
"Essential services will be exempted from the call for the general strike," BJP Parliamentary party spokesman V K Malhotra said, adding the details were being worked out on who should participate in the agitation.
Conspicuous by his absence at the NDA meet was Sharad Yadav, President of the JD(U) whose relations with BJP have soured after differences cropped up over seat sharing in poll-bound Karnataka.
However, Malhotra sought to downplay Yadav's absence claiming that the JD(U) leader had sent his suggestions to the meeting and an assurance that his outfit would support any decision taken by the alliance leaders.
JD(U) and BJP have announced lists of their candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections with some constituencies witnessing alliance partners pitched against each other. PTI
Force India hopes to break Q2 duck in Barcelona
Barcelona, Apr 22 (PTI) As the Formula One circuit comes to Europe for the first time this season, Force India is banking on new aero package to reach the second qualifying session and, if possible, open its account in the Spanish Grand Prix here on Sunday.
The first three Grand Prix so far have seen the outfit racing in the midfield and getting closer to going into Q2. In the last race in Bahrain, the team achieved its first double finish of the year and with new developments honed in a further three-day test at the Circuit de Catalunya last week, the management is hoping that the upward trend will continue.
"A tenth of a second has never mattered as much as now. All the guys at the track and back at the factory are doing everything they possibly can to get every millisecond and we are now tantalisingly close to that competitive midfield group. I have every confidence and no doubt that it will come," Chairman and Managing Director Vijay Mallya said.
"We're no longer at the back and though it will get tougher here on in, it's a golden opportunity for us. No one expects miracles, but the fact that we qualified close to the top 16 and finished in the top 12 in Malaysia and Bahrain demonstrates everything is happening strongly and positively," he said.
Team principal Colin Kolles rued Giancarlo Fisichella missing out on Q2 in Bahrain by just over a tenth of a second. He, however, expects things to change here and has already set the target for the team.
"Our targets this time out will be to reach Q2 in qualifying and to score points. We are working very hard to reach these targets and I am confident we will reach them sooner rather than later," Kolles said. PTI
Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Salunkhe superstars of future: Warne
Jaipur, April 22 (PTI) Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has heaped praise on youngsters Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Salunkhe, saying they are superstars of the future.
"Believe me, with the kind of talent Ravindra Jadeja and Dinesh Salunkhe have shown, they are going to be superstars in the near future," the Australian spin legend said after the six-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
"We had spotted Jadeja right from the beginning and he has shown his mettle in first two matches," Warne, who also doubles up as coach of his team, said.
Jadeja, a left-hander smashed a vital 25-ball 36 against an attack consisting of Brett Lee, S Sreesanth, James Hopes and Irfan Pathan.
His 69-run partnership with Shane Watson (76), coming off only 36 balls, sealed the match in the Royals' favour.
Earlier, Salunkhe, a spinner gave away 20 runs in his two overs but claimed the prize scalp of Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene.
"I had said earlier also that we are not weak and inexperience is good sometimes as the youngsters have more passion and energy for the team's cause," Warne said.
Man of the match Watson, too, was all praise for Jadeja.
"Ravindra Jadeja has amazing talent. He hit a great bowler like Brett Lee nonchalantly and it speaks volumes about his talent." When asked what was his advice to Jadeja during their partnership, Watson said "he was so good that he did not need any advice. He was hitting the ball well and with amazing ease and time in hand. I just told him to watch the ball and play. The way he hit Brett Lee was amazing to watch." PTI
Pressure builds up on KPS Gill to resign
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Hockey czar KPS Gill, who has headed the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) for the last 15 consecutive years, today came under pressure to resign following a television sting operation in which his close aide K Jothikumaran was shown accepting cash purportedly for selection of a player.
The Government came out openly with the suggestion that Gill should step down to restore faith in the hockey establishment while several hockey Olympians also demanded his ouster, saying the IHF had been "caught red-handed".
The Sports Minister M S Gill said the IHF President should "introspect and review" his position as the trust and faith in the fair selection of hockey teams has been shaken after the bribe scandal which forced Jothikumaran to resign as secretary-general.
"Since yesterday, I have agonised long over the IHF. It's recent disaster in Chile is still fresh in every Indian mind. Now, trust and faith in fair selection is shaken. I believe in the totality of the situation, the IHF President must also introspect and review his position," the Minister said in a statement.
"In full consideration of the situation facing Indian Hockey and the national need I urge him to consider withdrawing from his current responsibility. It is time to let other Indians make an attempt to lift our hockey," he said.
Former hockey greats such as Aslam Sher Khan, Mir Ranjan Negi and Baljit Singh Dhillon joined the chorus against the beleaguered KPS Gill, saying it was high time that the entire regime was changed. PTI
Futures markets not responsible for inflation, says Montek
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Amid demand from Left and other parties for a ban on futures trading in essential commodities, Planing Commission today said rising prices were not connected with such trading and any restriction will be contrary to "normal economic rationale".
"Prices rise or do not rise is not at all connected with whether there is a futures market or not," Deputy Chairman of the Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia told reporters here on the sidelines of a seminar.
He said the Abhijit Sen panel, studying the whole issue, has pointed out that in certain commodities the prices grow despite a ban on their futures because there was a global surge in their rates.
Ahluwalia also said there was a rise in prices of some commodities where there was no ban on their futures trading.
Reminding the critics of futures market about Chinese experience, he said, "There is very active futures market in China... The notion that futures market create inflation, is simply not supported." Responding to a query on extending the ban to other commodities in futures trading, he said: "We should not ban it. It will be a serious mistake." The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, however, suggested that the regulatory framework governing the futures market be strengthened.
An ordinance in this regard, which was notified late last year, lapsed early this month.
"The real issue is to regulate futures market correctly. The danger always comes if futures market are manipulated. I am looking forward to see whether the Sen panel report says that futures market in our country are being manipulated," he said. PTI
Over half of IPOs on BSE, NSE trading below offer price: Govt
New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) More than half of the total number of IPOs listed on BSE and NSE in the last two years are trading below their offer price, with around one-third of them trading at a discount of 40-60 per cent, Parliament was informed today.
During April 1, 2006-March 31, 2008, the number of IPOs listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange stood at 150, of which 86 are trading below their offer price, Minister of State for Finance Pawan Kumar Bansal said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
And of these, 36 IPOs were trading at discount of more than 40-60 per cent of the issue price, he said.
While, on the National Stock Exchange, of the 162 IPOs listed during the same period, 88 were trading below the issue price and 38 were being traded at a discount of more than 40 per cent of the issue price, he said.
To an another query, Bansal said, "The authorities do not try to manage or control prices. They endeavour to build systems...And broaden markets which can stand volatility." He further said that under the current practice, the price of IPOs, is discovered by the market through book building mechanism, while the authorities make efforts to provide all the relevant information to market participants. PTI
US Fortune 500 club tops USD 10-trillion mark; but profit slips
New York, Apr 22 (PTI) The size of America's Fortune 500 club -- topped by retail giant Wal-Mart for second straight year -- has crossed the 10-trillion-dollar mark, but the combined profit earned by the companies fell by close to 140 billion dollars last year.
According to the latest Fortune 500 list of America's biggest corporations, which has been topped by discount retailer Wal-Mart Stores six times in past seven years, the cumulative net profit of all these firms fell about 18 per cent to 645.2 billion dollars in 2007.
However, the total turnover of America's Fortune 500 firms rose by about seven per cent to 10.6 trillion dollars.
The list, which has been published in Fortune's May 5 edition, ranks the companies on the basis of their full-year revenue.
The magazine noted that "on June 13, 2007, the world changed for the Fortune 500. Why? Because on that day, the financial markets finally woke up from a dream".
"As a result, the companies in the 500 (list) are still coping with the trauma of their abrupt return to reality, which included the group's first profit decline in five years. And, no, the trouble isn't over. Nor is it strictly a US problem," it said, adding that the shock to the US financial system created aftershocks around the globe.
"The IMF has lowered its estimates of world growth for 2008, and the higher cost of capital is hurting businesses that need to borrow - which means everyone..." It said that in 2006, 156 companies in the Fortune 500 reported lower profits than the year ago, and 43 lost money. In 2007, all the numbers got worse with 183 companies seeing their profits fall and another 57 recording losses. PTI
India to consider further export ban to contain inflation: FM
New York, Apr 22 (PTI) Hinting at hard measures like further ban on exports to control rising prices, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said inflation is also being stoked by cartel like behaviour in some sectors of Indian economy.
Listing out a number of steps, including exports ban on non-basmati rice taken by the government, he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview that the government would consider further bans.
Noting that soaring prices of rice and other basic food items are a matter of worry, Chindambaram said inflation is also being stoked by a mismatch of supply and demand and by cartel-like behaviour in some sectors of the economy.
The daily said that Indian government has cut some exports and taken actions to reduce food prices, such as banning the exports of non-basmati rice and hiking the export price of basmati variety.
"As a short-term measure... We will consider such bans, too," Chidambaram was quoted as saying.
The minister told the daily that ministries of Steel and Commerce have proposed some export bans in steel, but further ban on food exports are less likely since "all export of food items is virtually banned" already. PTI
Chile moots FTA, India apprehensive
Sumir Kaul
Santiago, Apr 22 (PTI) Chile today offered a platform for India to access Latin American markets but New Delhi appeared not forthcoming on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
"Chile can be a platform for India in Latin America as we have all the necessary required infrastructure -- roads, ports, buildings, telecommunication -- for operating business into the entire Latin America," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said after hosting a ceremonial welcome to President Pratibha Patil at the imposing La Moneda palace.
The Chilean President also favoured going a step ahead of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and forging a Free Trade Agreement with India as she sought diversification of bilateral trade and investment basket to give a greater fillip to the trade between the two countries.
But Indian officials felt that the existing trade pact (PTA) was working well and could be taken forward.
"It (FTA) is one of the several options we have. We have the PTA working wonderfully and we will have to take it forward... It could be an extension of the existing PTA," Nalin Surie, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters.
Under PTA, India gives tariff preferences on nearly 200 Chilean items, while Chile has cut duties on nearly 300 Indian items.
Chile is the first country in Latin America with which India has an operative PTA. The bilateral trade of USD 2.4 billion between India and Chile got a boost with the signing of the PTA in 2006. PTI
Dalai Lama seeks US help to resolve Tibet issue
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) The Dalai Lama has sought the US "help" in resolving the vexed Tibet issue as the Bush administration pressed China to open dialogue with the exiled spiritual leader.
"At this moment we need your help," the 72-year-old saffron-robed spiritual leader told US special envoy on Tibet Paula Dobriansky as they met in Michigan, adding that the issue of Tibet was "very significant." Dobriansky said the meeting with the Dalai Lama provides a "timely opportunity" to discuss the situation in Tibet.
"The Bush administration has expressed concern about the situation in Tibet and has urged restraint," she said. "In particular, President (George W) Bush has been a steadfast supporter for the need for dialogue between His Holiness and Chinese leaders." The State Department has not released details of the meeting, the first since massive anti-China protests rocked Tibet in mid-March, focusing global attention on the plight of Tibetans under the Chinese rule.
Soon after the 12th meeting between Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama since 2001, the US State Department asked China to resume dialogue with the spiritual leader, stressing that 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate was not seeking independence of Tibet, but talks to resolve outstanding issues on it.
"We'd certainly like to see that dialogue resume. As you point out, it is something that has gone on in the past and we think it's the best way to be able to manage and deal with the problems in Tibet," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said.
"We want to hear from him about his ideas and what he believes might be the next appropriate steps in this," Casey said. "We are certainly going to, of course, also continue to have discussions with the government of China about this." PTI
Russia threatens to sue China over pirated fighter: Report
Moscow, Apr 22 (PTI) Russia has threatened to sue China for copying its Sukhoi Su-27SK fighters and its pirate production for export to Pakistan and other Third World countries at much cheaper prices, according to a media report.
"Russia has officially notified China that the production of J11 (fighters), a copy of Russian Su-27SK, is the violation of inter-governmental agreements. Moscow has vowed to launch legal procedures for the protection of its intellectual property," leading daily 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta' reported today.
Under the 1996 agreement, China had the right to assemble 200 Su-27SK fighters under the local brand J11. However, after receiving 95 kits and 180 AL31F engines Beijing in November 2004 notified Moscow that it no more needs Russian kits for the assembly of Su-27 fighters, saying that combat capabilities of the fighter were very limited and further action would be taken after analysis of production experience by Chinese experts, the daily disclosed.
"It seems the analysis was successful, as in the beginning of 2007 China unveiled its 'development'- J11B fighter, suspiciously reminding of Su-27," it reported.
The daily said that although China suspended the contract on the supply of kits, it continued the import of engines as from the very beginning Moscow had refused to give assembly licence, 'even for a lot of money'. PTI
Hindus, Sikhs are highest voters in Britain
Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Apr 22 (PTI) Hindu and Sikh communities in Britain have the highest voting percentage in general elections, a new research says.
Titled 'Electoral participation of Hindu and Sikh communities in England and Wales', the research refutes claims that minority ethnic voters are less like to vote in general elections than other voters.
The research revealed that 61.3 per cent of Hindus voted in the 2001 general elections, while the figure for the Sikh community was 59.7 per cent and 58.5 per cent for the Muslim community.
The report said: "Our research provides evidence that registered British South Asian electors are actually more likely to turn out to vote than the rest of the population and that registered Hindu and Sikh electors are the most likely to vote of all the religious groups common in the South Asian electorate." The research, conducted for the Hindu Council UK (HCUK) and funded by the social research organisation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, was carried out by Edward Fieldhouse and David Cutts of the University of Manchester.
"These results suggest that, whilst those of Indian heritage have been the most educationally and economically successful over recent years and remain the people most likely to vote in general elections, the role of the extended family and strong community networks may still play a vital role in mobilising Hindu and Sikh voters," it said. PTI
US to continue working with new Pak govt against terrorism
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) The United States has said that it will continue to work with Pakistan's new government as it develops its "own policies and plans" against terrorism, while expressing hope that the ruling parties there would not favour any dialogue with the militants.
"I think you've heard from any number of officials in the new Pakistani government about the fact that the fight against extremism is not an American fight, it's a joint fight with the US and Pakistan and the broader international community," US State Department's Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said.
"So we continue to work with the new government as it develops its own policies and plans, and I expect we are going to do so," he said.
Casey furthur said: "I certainly think it's clear that there's a commitment on the part of this government to engage and fight extremism, and I would think certainly those parties that are in this government that have been the victims of extremist violence, including most obviously the assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto, don't have any desire to participate in a dialogue with those who have actively sought to kill them".
The remarks from the senior US official have come in the wake of Pakistan government's recent proposal to hold talks with militant groups, including the local Taliban.
Yesterday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband had also supported the proposal, saying that there should be "reconciliation with those who are willing to reconcile" and "with those who are willing to play by the constitutional rules". PTI
Polling opens in Pennsylvania Democratic primary
Dharam Shourie
New York, Apr 22 (PTI) Voting opened in the crucial Democratic primary in the American state of Pennsylvania, where Hillary Clinton is favoured to win against front-runner Barack Obama but she is unlikely to overtake his overall lead in her quest for the party's Presidential nomination.
The state could play a decisive role in what has become an increasingly bitter fight for the Democratic nomination for the November presidential polls.
At stake are 158 pledged delegates that the state will send to the party convention in Denver in August to choose the nominee to fight against presumptive Republican candidate John McCain.
61-year-old Clinton, the New York Senator, is running ahead and needs to win big to impress the donors and super delegates - elected party functionaries and leaders - who will have the final say if neither candidate wins a majority of pledged delegates, a scenario most likely to play out.
Besides, her performance would be closely watched by major donors who in recent weeks are shying away from her. Should Obama, 47, spring a surprise and win a majority of delegates, it could signal the end of Clinton's campaign.
As the campaign neared end, Clinton launched a controversial television advertisement which invoked images of Osama bin Laden -- mastermind of September 11 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, attack on Pearl Harbour by Japanese in the Second World War and devastation caused by hurricane Katrina to press the point that Obama cannot lead the country effectively in a major crisis.
Obama, who had questioned Clinton's links to big businesses and lobbyists in Washington, did not directly reply to the advertisement but his campaign hit back, accusing her of engaging in "politics of fear" like President George Bush. PTI
Bedi blames law enforcement agencies for piracy
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Apr 22 (PTI) A veteran Bollywood filmmaker has said that problems of piracy and counterfeiting were plaguing the Indian entertainment and blamed the law enforcement agencies for the scenario.
Ahead of the World Intellectual Property Day on Saturday, filmmaker Bobby Bedi slammed the government of India for poor enforcement of the "great laws" to curb piracy.
"The law is all there. The real problem is the enforcement of the law. The authority at ground level does not really take serious action. As a result it becomes a joke," Bedi, who brought the issue before the US Congress, told PTI.
"Today in Bombay, for example, you could go to jail for a night for talking on your mobile phone while driving. But if you are caught with cable piracy, it is not so easy to prosecute. There is no sense in having a law that cannot be enforced," Bedi said.
"But that is India's problem in so many areas. We have great laws and not so great enforcement," Bedi said.
The top Indian film producer warned members of Congress about the massive problems of piracy and counterfeiting plaguing the entertainment industries in India and other developing countries.
Bedi's remarks assumes significance in view of a recent study by Ernst & Young showing that the Indian entertainment industry was losing USD four billion a year, representing almost 40 per cent of their potential annual revenue, due to piracy and counterfeiting. PTI
Ash-Abhishek celebrate first wedding anniversary in Miami
Mumbai, Apr 21 (PTI) High profile Bollywood couple Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan celebrated their first wedding anniversary in Miami where junior B is currently shooting for Karan Johar's 'Dostana'.
The couple yesterday came to a downtown Miami studio for the video conferencing specially arranged for the press to unveil the first look of their film with Amitabh 'Sarkar Raj' at a suburban hotel.
The film is set for release on June six.
During the interaction, Big B had to "warn" the duo to "behave themselves" as they cosied up before the video camera. "I see you doing some 'khusur fusur'. "There is the media here watching you," the superstar told the couple.
When Ash was asked why she has reduced her work post marriage, the actress said she has had a full year beginning with her marriage.
"Jodhaa Akbar was very well received. Now, there is Sarkar Raj and then Pink Panther," she said adding that she doing Maniratnam's next with Abhishek and also 'Robot' with Rajanikanth.
The couple said that they had begun their day seeking blessings of their respective parents.
"My father's best gift to me has been his blessings and his acceptance of the lady I wanted to marry a year ago," Abhishek said.
Ash said both she and Abhishek had gifted each other "togetherness" for a lifetime.
Jaya Bachchan, Amar Singh, Ash's parents Vrinda and Krishnaraj Rai were also present for the video-conferencing. PTI
Repetition of 2007 rat menace looms large: Scientist
H C Vanlalruata
Aizawl, Apr 22 (PTI) The prediction by elders in Mizoram's villages that 2008 would be a year of bountiful harvest after a disastrous year of 'Mautam' may prove to be wrong according to James Lalsiamliana, an expert on pest control.
Lalsiamliana's worst fears are based on reports that 'Dendrocalamus Hamiltoni,' a variety of bamboo locally known as 'Phulrua' flowered in the last quarter of last year and the seeds are on the ground now even as 'melocanna baccifera' or 'Mautak' has completed flowering.
'Mautam' is the local term used for gregarious flowering in bamboo, followed invariably by a plague of bandicoot rats, which multiply in response to the temporary windfall of seeds; they subsequently turn to forage on stored grain, which in turn causes famine.
The ecological phenomenon cyclically occurs in this state every 48 years resulting in immense hardship to the agrarian tribals. "As had happened in the late 1950s the rodents that caused so much destruction to the cultivation area during 2007 were expected to die enmasse due to liver disease as they wouldn't find anything to eat from January to April," he said, adding that now they found food in form of 'Phulua' seeds.
He said that even wild boars and jungle fowls devoured the seeds of Phulrua and many villagers reported an increase in the population of wild boar and jungle fowl in their areas after 'Phulrua' flowered. "Phulrua flowered sporadically since 2000 but this year it is flowering gregariously," Lalsiamliana said, adding that the species is found almost everywhere in the river valleys.
"No study has revealed that rats ate Dendrocalamus Hamiltoni and even if it is so, the population of this bamboo species is too small to re-trigger rodent menace," he told PTI. PTI
Now the item boys are here!
Amit Das
New Delhi, Apr 20 (PTI) Flashing curves and gyrating is in for a competition. Now its time for men to burn the screen with their glistening six-packs.
With Bollywood on an experimental mood and escalating star power of actors, the Indian film industry is seeing a shift as far as item numbers are concerned with leading men shaking a leg as item boys.
While Shahrukh has emerged as the king of item songs, with films like 'Kaal' and Krazzy 4, Hrithik has recently burned the dance floor with his Michael Jackson look-alike dancing steps in Krazzy 4. Even Salman has put on his dancing shoes in 'Hello'.
"I think it is a very healthy trend. A lot of newer things are being attempted now a days. We always had item girls then why not item boys?" asks film analyst Taran Adarsh.
Director Jaideep Sen of Krazzy 4, who made the two leading actors dance in his film, says, "It helped the film in a big way. It proved to be the biggest attraction for the audience. It acted like giving icing on the cake." Even as the leading actors are ruling the roost, the other actors are also joining the item number bandwagon. While Tusshar Kapoor has already done a sizzling number in Rohit Shettys 'Sunday', Abhishek Bachchan will be seen strutting his stuff in a rocking track in Apoorva Lakhia's film 'Mission Istanbul'. Also Irfan Khan, who is not the best of dancers, will feature in a song in 'Teesri Manzil 302'. 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: 16783.87, +44.54
The sensex closed at 16783.87, up 44.54
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 39.880 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3867 INR
1 British Pound = 79.382 INR
1 Canadian $ = 39.526 INR
1 Singapore $ = 29.525 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.858 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.662 INR
1 Euro = 63.553 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.957 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________