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Agni-III missile test-fired successfully
Balasore, May 7 (PTI) India today successfully test-fired its 3000 km range surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.
The all solid fuel missile took off from Wheelers Island off Orissa coast at 09:56 hrs and achieved its full range and accuracy by reaching its pre-designated target in 800 seconds.
"The missile is now ready for induction," jubilant DRDO scientists told reporters after the missile achieved its target in a copy-book style.
With this second successful test-firing, India now joins a select group of nations having intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) with ranges upto 3000 kms. The missile will give the nation the capability to target cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai.
It was a sort of golden jubilee gift of the DRDO to the nation as the organisation is about to launch from Monday celebrations to commemorate 50 years of its existence. The success of Agni-III paves the way for India to build its truly intercontinental range missiles Agni-IV with a range of 5000 kms in the near future.
A miniaturised submarine-launched version of the Agni-III called Agni-III SL is also being developed and could be test-fired shortly. PTI
Patil to discuss action against MNS chief
Mumbai, May 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil will be meeting top police officials here today, apparently to discuss about the action to be taken against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for his provocative remarks against north Indians.
DGP A N Roy, Mumbai Police Commissioner Hassan Gaffoor and Joint Commissioner of Police K L Prasad will be attending the meeting, sources said. PTI
LTC norms relaxed for Govt employees to visit NE region
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) In a major decision to boost tourism in the scenic north eastern region, the Centre has relaxed Leave Travel Concession (LTC) Rules for its employees permitting them to travel by air.
The new rules will apply to employees irrespective of their grade or post and the order will be in operation for two years, sources in the Ministry of Personnel today said.
Under the revised rules, Group A and B Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by air from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the north eastern region.
Employees belonging to other categories will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the north eastern region from Guwahati or Kolkata.
All Central Government servants would be allowed conversion of one block of Home Town LTC into LTC for destinations in the north eastern region, the order said.
The Ministry said that data regarding the number of employees availing LTC to the north eastern region would be maintained.
The decision will enable government servants in the junior grades to visit the northeastern region, which used to remain a distant dream for them because of high air travel costs and absence of official entitlement.
The north eastern region comprises Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, and also Sikkim -- all having rich tourism potential. PTI
I may view the match footage before slapgate: Nanavati
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) With video footage failing to provide any clue on what might have provoked Harbhajan Singh into slapping India teammate S Sreesanth, BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati today said he may now view the recording of the match before the incident to establish the exact chain of events.
"I want to find out (about the provocation) only for the purpose that whether it was a reaction as far as Harbhajan is concerned," Nanavati said.
"So far the documents I have received do not indicate to that extent (that there was any provocation). I might have to see the whole recording of the cricket match," he told NDTV.
Harbbhajan slapped Sreesanth after an Indian Premier League match in which his side Mumbai Indians lost to Sreesanth's Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.
He was subsequently banned from the rest of the IPL besides being fined heavily.
Nanavati said he may also speak to Kings XI skipper Yuvraj Singh, Mumbai Indians coach Lalchand Rajput and the team managers of the both the sides.
"I might have to discuss with some other players like Yuvraj, Lalchand Rajput or even team managers because the umpire's statement that I have recorded does not indicate that (provocation)," he said.
Nanavati has summoned Harbhajan and Sreesanth to Ahmedabad this weekend and he will submit his final report to BCCI President Sharad Pawar on Monday. PTI
Sehwag hopes his top order continues to fire tomorrow
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag reckons his top order's cracking form in the IPL so far will give his side an edge over Chennai Super Kings when the two teams lock horns here tomorrow.
Sehwag's top three has been in fine nick with himself and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir, second and third respectively, in top rungetter's list and Rajat Bhatia doing a fine job.
"In Twenty20, whenever the top order fires the team has the chance to win. This is for all teams and fortunately my team has been doing well in that department," Sehwag told reporters at the match eve press conference here today.
"Our top order had done well in four out of six matches so far and I am looking ahead at least one of the top three fires in the remaining matches," he said.
Daredevils had beaten MS Dhoni's boys comprehensively at their own backyard less than a week ago but Sehwag said his side could lower their guards at their own peril.
"Super Kings have struggled with their combination (after departure of Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey), they were scoring more than 200 initially but could not maintain that form," the Delhi captain said.
"They are struggling now but no team is weak. I have said it earlier, any player can turn a match singlehandedly; it is a short game," the Delhi icon player said.
Sehwag was not worried of his middle order coming into pressure in a few occasions especially in the last match against Mumbai Indians which the Delhi team lost. PTI
Bowlers matching up to batsmen in IPL: McGrath
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Retired Australian pacer Glenn McGrath today said bowlers have proved that Twenty20 is not a batsman's format only by matching up to the willow wielders in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
"Twenty20 has been a batsman's game but in this tournament bowlers are doing a great job. They are giving a match to the batsmen," McGrath said ahead of his side Delhi Daredevil's match against Chennai Super Kings here tomorrow.
Out of the 26 matches played so far in the tournament, the score has gone past 200 only on four occasions and McGrath said this has added excitement to the event.
"Bowlers are not allowing batsmen to score freely, this is making the event exciting," he said.
McGrath, who helped Daredevils win against Bangalore Royals by claiming 4 for 29 in their last match here, said his side cannot take Chennai Super Kings lightly as any side who plays better on a particular day can win the match.
"I think they (Super Kings) lost momentum after the departure of Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey. They lost three matches after that. This happens in Twenty20. We have also lost two matches, so we can't take them lightly," he said.
When asked whether he would miss Hayden, McGrath said, "No, I don't, I would not have to bowl to him tomorrow." The miserly pacer also praised his former Australian teammate Shane Warne for his leadership skills and felt Indian youngsters can learn a lot from him.
"He is a great cricketer and has led the side (Rajasthan Royals) very well. It is great for the youngsters to play along with him. They can learn a lot from him," McGrath said. PTI
Knight Riders, Challengers hope for better performance
Sirshendu Panth
Kolkata, May 7 (PTI) With their stars failing to live up to pre-tournament billing, two struggling sides Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers face off in a crucial battle to stay afloat in the Indian Premier League here tomorrow.
After a string of four losses, the Sourav Ganguly-led Knight Riders now occupy the fifth place, while the visitors languish at the bottom of the eight-team table despite having gleaned four points each.
The Knight Riders have failed to keep up the momentum after a good start and the inability of their top order to forge good partnerships in the initial overs is giving sleepless nights to the team management.
"The batting is an area of concern. We have to back each other and it's time for all of us to perform," Ganguly, himself going through a run drought, said at the customary match-eve media meet.
Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar, who joined the team two days back after his Pakistan Cricket Board-imposed ban was lifted for a month, does not feature among the 14 members shortlisted for the match.
"He is coming up reasonably well. He wants to play. But he is not in the condition he should be," said Knight Riders coach John Buchannon.
Delhi's Aakash Chopra is in the squad and speculation is rife that Ganguly would come lower down the order, with any two among Chopra, Australian Brad Hodge and Pakistan's Salman Butt likely to be asked to open the innings. PTI
WWE bouts are real, not manipulated, says Khali
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) India's first-ever World Wrestling Entertainment champion, Daleep Singh Rana, popularly known as Khali, today claimed their bitterly fought bouts were all real and not stage managed as perceived by the masses.
The 7.3 feet tall Khali, currently taking a break after his around three-year stint in the WWE, rubbished the notion that performance of the wrestlers were manipulated by media during broadcast.
"Everything whatever you see out there is real. Sometimes wrestlers receive serious injuries, and even die on the ring. There is no way of manipulation by media," Khali told PTI-Bhasha.
Khali was surprised to see his popularity in India where cricket and Bollywood actors draw much of the fanfare.
"I didn't expect such fanfare in India, where, I thought only cricket and film stars enjoy publicity," he said.
He fondly recalled meeting Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai and revealed that the master batsman invited him for an Indian Premier League match.
Khali, who has a "very busy schedule in India", said "I am interested to visit the ground at least once. I will surely try to find some time." Khali believes the country had great prospect in the wrestling at the highest level and offered his help the aspirants. PTI
No-frill carriers go aggressive despite fuel price rise
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) No-frill carriers begin aggressive marketing to attract passengers despite skyrocketing jet fuel prices that have engulfed financial health of the aviation industry.
Though full-service carriers have already decided to hike base fare by ten per cent and also raised fuel surcharge, some major low-cost airlines have begun promotions to attract the summer rush.
GoAir recently introduced return zero fare tickets under 'GoHappy Fares' plan, while low-cost arm of Air India, Air India Express offered domestic travellers a fare of Rs 99 plus taxes. Air Deccan, which has been taken over by Kingfisher Airlines and Spicejet are already in the race offering such sops.
For AI Express, which has been primarily operating on international routes, this is an effort to reach out to the domestic market.
Most of the no-frill carriers generate a major portion of their sale volume through online booking of tickets. It is over 45 per cent in the case of GoAir, with almost 35 per cent of the bookings are done only over a week in advance.
Through sops like 'GoHappy Fares', Wadia family promoted airline wants to enhance share of the online bookings to about half the total sales volume.
Airline industry sources said this was also in line with the call given by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to have 100 per cent e-ticketing by May 31 this year. PTI
Markets flat, Sensex closes lower by 34 points
Mumbai, May 7 (PTI) In the absence of any major trigger, the markets ended almost flat with the benchmark Sensex closing lower by nearly 34 points as funds remained major sellers in line with weakening trend in other Asian markets.
The 30-share Sensex, which fell 118 points in the previous day's trading, fell further by 33.70 points at 17,339.31. The market remained volatile and the key-index moved between 17,229.98 and 17,413.81 points.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty declined by 9.15 points at 5,135.50, after touching the day's low of 5,101.25 and a high of 5,159.05 points.
Capital goods index suffered the most by 312.93 points at 13,641.62 followed by PSU index by 133.78 points at 7,955.52. Realty index lost 129.45 points at 8,207.58 and metal index by 101.97 points at 15,813.84.
However, a firming trend in Information Technology and refinery stocks saved the market from any major fall.
Rupee drops sharply against US dollar
Mumbai, May 7 (PTI) The Indian rupee fell further sharply by 19 paise to Rs 41.13/14 against the American currency in the morning trade as oil companies stepped up dollar buying after the global crude oil hit yet another high amid weakness in local stock.
At the Interbank Forex market, the local currency resumed weak at Rs 41.01/02 per dollar from its last close of Rs 40.94/95 per dollar and later it dropped further to Rs 41.13/14 per dollar in late morning trade.
Dealers said, oil companies were seen taking up dollar positions in the light of soaring oil prices in the global market.
Meanwhile, the Indian benchmark Sensex was trading lower in early trade while other Asian indices were ruling mixed. PTI
Italian 2-wheeler Ducati forays into India
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Italian two-wheeler maker Ducati Motor Holding today announced its foray into the Indian automobile market with the launch of five motorcycles, priced in the range of Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.
"We will be launching four different models in multiple variants. These bikes will be available starting at Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh in the Indian market," said Ashish Chordia, Chief Executive Officer of Precision Motor India Pvt Ltd, sole distributor of Ducati bikes in India.
The company would import sixty units this year from its Italian manufacturing unit, he added. PTI
Medvedev: Putin protege to remain in his shadow
Moscow, May 7 (PTI) A mild-mannered yoga fan and an economic liberal, Dmitry Medvedev, who today took over as Russian President from his domineering predecessor Vladimir Putin, is expected to remain in his mentor's shadow and follow his course, including in relations with India.
The 42-year-old, who served under Putin as first deputy prime minister and was also the chairman of Russia's state-run gas monopoly Gazprom, campaigned on a platform of pursuing the policies of Putin, who remains immensely popular after overseeing the economic transformation of Russia after the demise of the erstwhile Soviet Union.
With his powerful predecessor set to take over as the prime minister, the Kremlin insider is not expected to forge his own independent path and remain under the influence of Putin, to whom he mainly owes his meteoric rise in the murky Kremlin politics.
Medvedev, who has a surname which can trace its origin to Sanskrit, will be Russia's first Yoga-practising head of state and the local media says as Putin's obsession with judo led to the popularity of martial arts in the country, Medvedev's love for yoga could result in Russia having more yoga schools.
The former lawyer who has proved himself as a bureaucrat but has a long way to go to be successful on the political stage, is also a fan of rock music of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.
Western countries hope that Medvedev, seen as more liberal than the former KGB spy Putin, will be more flexible and open in his dealings with them.
In January 2007, he told the World Economic Forum in Davos: "We aim to create big Russian corporations and will back their foreign economic activities." PTI
Obama builds unassailable lead, Clinton vows to continue fight
Sridhar Krishnaswami Washington, May 7 (PTI) African-American Barack Obama bagged the critical North Carolina primary today and only lost narrowly in Indiana, building an unassailable lead against once sure-winner Hillary Clinton in the bitter Democratic White House race.
Refusing to bow out of the race despite losing her only chance to catch up with Obama, Clinton, 60, declared "it's full speed onto the White House".
Pointing that he was "less than 200 delegates away from the nomination", Obama, 47, told cheering supporters "there are those who were saying that North Carolina would be a game- changer in this election. But today what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington DC".
In North Carolina, Obama won 56 per cent of the vote to 42 percent for Clinton while in Indiana, she got 51 per cent to 49 per cent for her rival.
Obama won at least 94 delegates and Clinton at least 75 in the the last of the big-ticket states combined, with 18 still to be awarded, according to an Associated Press count.
The first time Senator from Illinois led with 1,840.5 delegates, including separately chosen party officials known as superdelegates. Clinton had 1,684 delegates.
Obama, who is bidding to be the first black president of the United States, was 184.5 delegates shy of the 2,025 needed to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's convention this summer in Denver.
With her loss in North Carolina, Clinton has little hope of narrowing the gap and almost no chance of winning enough elected delegates to overtake Obama.
The primaries now left are West Virginia (28 delegates) on May 13, Oregon (52) and Kentucky (51) on May 20, Puerto Rico (55) on June 1, Montana (16) and South Dakota (15) on June 3. PTI
Medvedev nominates Putin as new Russian PM
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, May 7 (PTI) Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev today nominated his predecessor Vladimir Putin as his prime minister and sought parliamentary approval for the move.
In accordance with the Russian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov today tendered the resignation of his Cabinet after Medvedev was sworn in at a colourful ceremony.
"Medvedev has put forward Putin's candidacy for prime minister to parliament," a Kremlin spokesman said.
The State Duma, or lower house of parliament, in which the ruling United Russia party has an absolute majority, is to hold its extra-ordinary session tomorrow at noon to confirm Putin's appointment as the 10th post-Soviet prime minister of the Russian Federation.
Putin's appointment as the new prime minister will for the first time in the post-Communist Russia set a precedent, when the leader of the party with a parliamentary majority would head the government.
After relinquishing his Kremlin office, Putin assumed the post of the Chairman of United Russia, created specially for him on April 15 at the ruling party's 9th congress.
Except for the Communist Party, all the parliamentary parties have voiced their support for Putin's nomination as the prime minister. PTI
Aamir tears his hamstring muscle on the sets of "Ghajini"
Mumbai, May 5 (PTI) Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has torn his hamstring muscle while shooting for the film "Ghajini" in Hyderabad on Sunday afternoon, a fortnight after suffering a similar injury there.
Aamir had pulled his hamstring while performing an action sequence on the sets of the film about two weeks back, after which he took rest for a couple of days before getting back to work.
According to sources close to the actor, Aamir did not want the shooting of 'Ghajini' to suffer because of his injury.
Everyone on the sets was against the actor pushing himself but Aamir was insistent that he should shoot close-ups shots. He spoke to director A R Murgadoss and decided to shoot close-up sequences which wouldn't aggravate his injury, sources said.
However, it was a bad idea as his muscle got further strained.
During a sequence of chase, Aamir's leg was in an awkward position and his hamstring muscle was torn. After the shot was okayed, he could not get up for almost 40 minutes. Initially, everyone on the sets thought Aamir was pulling a fast one but only when he started screaming in pain that everyone got into action, the sources said.
The physiotherapist was present on the set and he requested for a specialist to be called in. Aamir was taken to a local hospital.
The actor has been asked to take three weeks of complete bed rest and the shooting has been cancelled. PTI
Ireland vies to host IIFA awards in 2010
Prasun Sonwalkar
London, May 6 (PTI) After the 2007 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Yorkshire proved a money-spinner for the region, the neighbouring Ireland is now vying to host the 2010 edition of the glittering high-profile ceremony.
A committee has been formed in Ireland to lobby and host the IIFA awards in 2010. Local officials hope the event will inject 20 million pounds into the local economy.
The glitz and glamour of Bollywood - including brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan - had descended on the Yorkshire region in June 2007 for the widely televised awards.
Several events were held during the weekend in Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and nearby areas, including a cricket match at Headingley.
Much to the delight of local tourism and trade officials, the 2007 IIFA awards generated a local spend of nearly eight million pounds.
A delegation from the IIFA has twice visited Ireland to meet government and tourism representatives.
A senior manager of Tourism Ireland, the official tourism body, will attend the 2008 IIFA awards ceremony in Bangkok next month, along with a delegate from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
A spokesman for Seamus Brennan, Irelands Minister for Arts, said there would be benefits to hosting the awards, particularly in terms of raising Ireland's profile in India and Asia. PTI
Pritish Nandy Comm inks deal with Sony Pic for film production
Mumbai, May 6 (PTI) Pritish Nandy Communications today said it has entered into an agreement with US-based Sony Pictures for co-production of three films.
Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) has signed a deal with Sony Pictures for co-production of three films in India, the domestic film production firm said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
"The co-production deal is a major breakthrough for Indian cinema and brings together Indian talent and international talent and studio expertise to exploit the global opportunities that exist for our kind of movies," PNC Chairman Pritish Nandy said.
Details of the films would be released subsequently, one of which 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' is in the last stages of being finalised between the two production houses, the filing said.
PNC has a turnover of about Rs 42.5 crore and has been listed twice by Deloitte Touche among the fastest growing media companies in the Asia Pacific region.
Shares of PNC closed at Rs 58.40 at the BSE, up 9.98 per cent from the previous close.
SC notice to Sridevi, cheque bounce case
New Delhi, May 5 (PTI) The Supreme Court today issued notice to actress Sridevi and Maharashtra Government on a petition filed by film financiers alleging that Rs 10 crore cheques issued by her had bounced.
A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan sought responses from the actress and the state government on the petition filed by Mumbai-based raw photo film suppliers and financiers - G G Photo Ltd, Photo Film Industries and Foto Industries.
They had approached the apex court challenging a Bombay High Court order that stayed criminal proceeding initiated against Sridevi in the case.
Madhu Gupta and Sushil Gupta, the owners of the three firms, alleged that the three cheques issued by the actress against a loan for production of films bounced due to insufficient funds in her account in Vijaya Bank, Santacruz branch.
"The accused in the course of her business under different banners availed financial assistance and credit facilities from the petitioner. The accused to discharge her legally enforceable liability gave these cheques and all the three cheques were returned due to insufficient funds," the petition filed through K K Mani stated.
The court of Kurla Metropolitan Magistrate, on a criminal complaint filed by Guptas, had issued summons against the actress under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. PTI
I am nowhere near Smita Patil: Chitrangada
Sabi Hussain
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Resemblance with Smita Patil is a complement but it is not right to compare me with the legendary actress, says Chitrangada of critically acclaimed 'Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi'.
"A lot of time people refer to me as another Smita Patil, which of course is a complement. But it's not right to compare me with 'one of the best actresses of all times'. I have done just two movies, so it would be unfair to put me in the same league," says the actress.
"I believe this tag comes with a lot of responsibility and I am still nowhere near her. Still it is a great compliment," she says.
Chitrangada, who is making her comeback from her self declared exile after a gap of almost three years with director Onir's soon to be released "Sorry Bhai" in the lead role opposite Sanjay Suri feels that she couldn't have asked for a better comeback than this romantic comedy.
"'Sorry Bhai' is a very different film and a very different concept. It's a romantic and funny movie, different than what I have done earlier as serious cinema," she says.
"Onir made me an offer I simply couldnt refuse. It's very different from what I have done as serious roles," says Chitrangada who also acted in the movie 'Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow' in 2005.
'Sorry Bhai' is about a happy family - the parents and their two sons. Everyone has his own values in the changing times but they all love one another. PTI
After singing, Shibani gears up for acting
Sabi Hussain
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) After Himesh Reshamiya and Sonu Nigam, Shibani Kashyap of "Ho gayi Hai Mohabbat Tumse" fame is gearing up for acting in movies.
"I am really thinking seriously towards it as few filmmakers have approached me. It totally depends on the good script," she says.
"I am ready to perform roles and if something fruitful lands in my kitty, I am open to it," she says.
Shibani, who shot to fame by singing signature tune of AIR FM channel of All India Radio and Amul India is also planning to launch yet another music album after the success of albums 'Nazakat' and 'Hakim Tara Chand'.
"My new album on which I am working quite hard is going to be very philosophical. It will reflect my own personal feelings." Shibani, who has sung and composed the title track of the recent release 'Sirf' starring Kay Kay Menon and Manisha Koirala, says it was a wonderful experience lending music for the film and it feels great when people appreciate your efforts.
"It was a romantic composition, which makes you think about our fast paced life in which we are living with less time for your loved ones," she says.
"Listeners are really enjoying the track as I have received lot of praise for that." PTI
Diagnostic clinical research outsourcing market
Ashwini Shrivastava
New Delhi, May 5 (PTI) After business, knowledge and legal process outsourcing, the Indian industries are now eyeing 'diagnostics jobs' outsourcing from other countries.
According to industry experts, a number of hospitals in the US and Europe are outsourcing laboratory and diagnostic tests to India as it helps in saving cost and money while maintaining quality.
The Indian diagnostics and pathology laboratory business is around USD 864 million and is growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually, they say.
Accordng to FICCI, the size of the global clinical trials market was nearly USD 10 billion and predicted to have touched by USD 26 billion by 2007 "Diagnostics and lab testing outsourcing is certainly the most potential business domain. We are trying to tap available opportunities in it," says Dr G S K Velu, Managing Director, Metropolis Health Services India Ltd.
"There is an excellent outsourcing opportunity to test around one million samples a year," he says.
The other emerging sector --Clinical Research Outsourcing (CRO) -- is also witnessing surge in the country. The drug manufacturing units are outsourcing different phases relating to development of medicine to India.
In the case of diagnostics, X-rays and other procedures are done abroad and the reports by experts are written here and sent back, while in the case of lab tests,the photomicrographs are electronically sent here and the doctors send back the results, says Velu. PTI
Couples from UK, Afghanistan look to India for sperm donors
Kamal Narayan
New Delhi, May 4 (PTI) Unable to conceive but longing for their own baby, couples from Britain, Afghanistan and other countries are now turning to India, seeking a sperm donor.
India, being the only country in South Asia, with semen banks and a large number of willing donors, has become a hot spot for artificial insemination.
Experts feel that opposed to the adverse legal and social scenario in other countries, India where 'donor sperms' are easily available is growing as a prime destination for treating this condition.
"There has been an acute shortage of donor sperm of ethnic Indian origin in the United Kingdom and this has led to a dramatic jump in couples coming here from UK for artificial insemination," says Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour, consultant Fertility specialist in the capital's Fortis Hospital.
On an average 45-50 such couples from London visit her clinic annually to avail this service.
In UK, for example there is a shortage of semen donors, because it has become mandatory for donors to now disclose their identity, says Sachdev.
Similarly, many come to India from neighbouring countries in quest of semen donors.
Dr Iqbal Mehdi, Head of Department, Cryogene Lab Pvt Ltd, the oldest sperm bank in country, says, "A large number of couples from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka visit our lab seeking donated semen." According to Dr Mehdi, his bank get maximum clients from Afghanistan, which is almost 25 per cent of total visitors, followed by Dubai (10 per cent).
Besides, people from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, also visit his lab, says Dr Mehdi. PTI
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