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Venugopal reassumes charge as AIIMS Director
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Eminent cardiac surgeon P Venugopal today reassumed office as Director of the AIIMS following the Supreme Court striking down a law that forced him to step down from the post five months ago.
The 66-year-old Venugopal, who had been appointed to the post on July three, 2003, for a five-year-term came to his office in the AIIMS barely hours after the Supreme Court verdict came out and reassumed charge.
Venugopal was accompanied by resident doctors and faculty members who have supported him all along in his tussle with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss.
His term comes to an end on July two and sources in the institute said Venugopal may approach the court regarding the five months he was out of office since November 30, 2007.
The noted cardiac-surgeon did not talk to the waiting mediapersons, but distributed a statement in which he said he will continue to serve the institute for the time given to him.
"I have always served the institute and will continue to do so for the time given to me," Venugopal said in the statement.
"I thank all right-minded people who are concerned with the well-being and further advancement of the AIIMS in serving the masses of this country," he said.
Venugopal returned as the AIIMS Director after the Supreme Court struck down a law to ease him out after a bitter row with Ramadoss.
The cardiac surgeon had challenged the amendment to the AIIMS Act that fixed the upper age of retirement of Director at 65 years, a step that forced him to relinquish office. PTI
Confident of taming inflation in coming months: PM
Bangalore, May 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today the UPA Government was committed to tame inflation in the coming months and has made strenous efforts to shield the poor and the vulnerable from it.
"I am satisfied and I am confident that in the coming months, we will tame inflation and bring it back to reasonable levels. This is our commitment," he said.
Noting that in the last few weeks, there have been concerns about rising inflation, Singh told a meeting here that there was an international dimension to the trend.
"Oil prices, which were around USD 35 a barrel in 2004 have now touched USD 120 per barrel. International foodgrain and commodity prices have risen substantially", he said at the meeting organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. The three-phased polling for the assembly elections begins in the state on May 10.
The Prime Minister said the UPA government has made strenous efforts to shield the poor and the vulnerable from the effect of rising prices. Kerosene and LPG prices have been hardly touched in the last four years and even petrol and diesel price rises have been marginal, he said.
The government was bearing a huge cost to shield the poor, Singh said. "Foodgrain issue prices for BPL rice and wheat have not been touched while wheat and rice support prices have been doubled for the benefit of our farmers. This year, we hope to have a bumper crop and procurement has been excellent," he added. PTI
BJP demands sacking of Ramadoss
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) The BJP today demanded sacking of Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss in the wake of Supreme Court striking down a law which ensured the exit of AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal.
Besides demanding sacking of the embattled Health Minister, the party also targetted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for "failing" to protect the premier institute of national importance.
"I demand the resignation of Ramadoss and if he is not resigning I want the Prime Minister to dismiss him forthwith," senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters here.
She described the Supreme Court's ruling as the "defeat of Ramadoss and his malafide intentions and the defeat of the Prime Minister and his government." "The Supreme Court striking down the AIIMS Amendment Act has established that Health Minister Ramadoss' intention was malafide and dishonest," she said.
She said the apex court's ruling has established that the Health Minister has "misused" the Parliament for satisfying his personal ego. PTI
Gambhir, Dhawan strike 50s, Daredevils amass 187 for 5
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Gautam Gambhir (80) smashed his fourth half century of the tournament to lead Delhi Daredevils to a challenging 187 for five in their Indian Premier League return leg match against Chennai Super Kings here today.
Gambhir held the Daredevils innings together and shared a 121-run stand for the third wicket with fellow half-centurion Shikhar Dhawan (59) off 81 balls after his side stuttered for a while following the fall of captain Virender Sehwag (23) and AB de Villiers (0) in quick succession.
Gambhir, who survived two run out chances, hit 11 fours and a huge six off 49 balls before he was out in the 18th over off Laxmipathy Balaji.
Dhawan also batted beautifully at the other end and smashed six fours and two sixes from 46 balls for his 59 before becoming IPL debutant Balaji's second victim.
Gambhir, who brought up his fifty with a huge six over mid-wicket boundary off Manpreet Gony to the deafening roar of nearly 30,000 Kotla crowd, overtook his captain Sehwag (270) and eventually snatched the Orange Cap from Deccan Chargers' Rohit Sharma (258) for being the highest run-accumulator.
Put into bat, the Daredevils began on a brisk pace with Sehwag and Gambhir rotating strikes and hitting odd balls to the boundary before they were separated in the fifth over with the home team skipper being bowled by a Gony beauty for 23 at team score of 45.
Next man in de Villiers was cleaned up by his South Africa teammate Albie Morkel for first ball duck to send the home team to a spot of bother at 46 for two before Gambhir and Dhawan revived it.
For the Chennai side, Balaji and Morkel captured two wickets apiece conceding 35 runs each, while Gony chipped in one wicket for 36. PTI
Super Kings win toss, elect to bowl
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl in their Indian Premier League match against Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla here today.
Daredevils made only one change with Manoj Tiwary coming in place of Rajat Bhatia while Super Kings effected four changes with Chamara Kapugedara, S Vidyut, P Amarnath and L Balaji replacing Parthiv Patel, S Anirudha, Joginder Sharma and Makhaya Ntini.
Teams: Delhi Daredevils: Virender Sehwag (C), AB de Villiers, Shikhar Dhawan, Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, Glenn McGrath, Yo Mahesh, Mohammad Asif, Pradeep Sangwan, Shoaib Malik, Manoj Tiwary.
Chennai Super Kings: M S Dhoni (Captain), Suresh Raina, Stephen Fleming, Manpreet Gony, Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, Muttiah Muralitharan, Albie Morkel, Subramaniam Badrinath, Palani Amarnath, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Chamara Kapugedara. PTI
Gavaskar resigns as ICC Cricket Committee Chairman
Dubai, May 8 (PTI) Sunil Gavaskar's controversial chairmanship of ICC's Cricket Committee came to a sudden end today when he announced his resignation from the post, weeks after he was asked to choose between his media commitments and his role with the games's world governing body.
The former India captain conveyed his decision to the ICC bringing an end to his long eight-year stint which was not only marked by a number of innovative decisions but also landed him in controversies for his outspoken views.
Gavaskar intimated his decision to the ICC yesterday after chairing the Cricket Committee meeting which concluded here on Tuesday, ICC's acting Chief Executive Officer David Richardson said in a statement here.
The ICC had put Gavaskar on notice after discussing the potential for a conflict of interest for a person chairing the ICC Cricket Committee while, at the same time, working for a media outlet in its meeting in March in Dubai.
Gavaskar took over as the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee from West Indian Clyde Walcott in June 2000. He was given a one year extension in 2006 and was re-elected to the post in 2007. His term was due to end next year.
No decision has yet been made on who will succeed Gavaskar.
Gavaskar said with more and more cricket being played it was not possible for him to do justice with the two jobs.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the eight years I have held the role (of ICC Cricket Committee Chairman), which is an honorary position, and it has been extremely fulfilling to be able to give back to the game through that role", Gavaskar said. PTI
Rajasthan Royals would look to get back to winning ways
Dinesh Sharma
Jaipur, May 8 (PTI) Hosts Rajasthan Royals, for whom the defeat against Mumbai Indians came as a rude shock after five straight wins, will be keen to return to their winning ways against Deccan Chargers in their Indian Premier League match at the Sawai Man Singh stadium tomorrow.
Shane Warne's team was totally outplayed last night just when they were riding high on consecutive wins at the half-way stage of the Twenty20 tournament, which they began with the tag of underdogs after their opening match loss.
At present, with 5-2 record, they share the top spot with Kings XI Punjab and are well placed in the race for the semifinals but lag behind on run rate.
The heartening fact for Warne is that they now play two matches on home turf and Warne has already started calculating how to extract the maximum out of home advantage. Besides, the loss also gives them an opportunity to regroup themselves and work out new strategies.
Although the batting of Rajasthan Royals miserably failed with only Swapnil Asnodkar and Shane Watson getting into the double figure but it was more because of the fact that Mumbai bowlers made full use of the conditions and sent visitors gasping. PTI
India begin Azlan Shah campaign with 3-4 defeat against NZ
Ipoh (Malaysia), May 8 (PTI) Sandeep Singh's hat-trick went in vain as India squandered a 2-0 lead to go down 3-4 to New Zealand in their first match of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here today.
Comeback man Sandeep converted all three penalty corners but the resilient Kiwis scored twice in the first half and as many after the breather to walk away with full points.
For the winners, Andrew Hayward, Simon Child, Phillip Burrows and Gareth Brooks sounded the board.
India made a good start and were leading 2-0 with Sandeep converting both the penalty corners that came his way before Hayward first reduced the margin from a penalty corner and Child deflected home a pass just in time to go into the breather at 2-2.
In the second half, the Kiwis ruled the roost with Philip and Brooks slamming back-to-back goals to snatch the lead.
Though a field goal eluded them, India managed to win a penalty corner in this session and Sandeep was again bang on target as his rasping shot beat the Kiwi defence all ends up.
The Indians did everything they could for the equaliser but the Kiwi defence did well to thwart the raids till the end. PTI
Rupee fall due to global uncertainties: Reddy
Shillong, May 8 (PTI) With rupee falling to a one year low in the past three days, RBI Governor Y V Reddy today said the situation is reflective of the "global uncertainties".
The uncertainties "were flagged and analysed in the RBI policy statement last week. We have discussed the impact of the uncertainties on India," Reddy told reporters after a board meeting of the RBI here.
Though the Governor did not specify the "uncertainties", he was inevitably pointing at the rising oil prices and slowdown in capital inflows.
The rupee hovered near a one-year low of 41.69/70 against the US Dollar today, as record oil prices drove up demand for the greenback from refiners and other importers, and fund inflows into a tepid stock market slowed.
Close on the heels of the currency fall, the current account deficit is likely to deteriorate marginally from the consensus estimate, Reddy said. "The widening of trade deficit due to the oil prices could be bridged by capital flow, which, despite showing a decreasing trend, can comfortably finance the deficit." Oil, India's biggest import, traded above USD 123 a barrel close to its record high hit yesterday. PTI
Gold rises for fourth day on increased seasonal demand
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Gold prices today rose by Rs 35 to Rs 11,855 per 10 gram for the fourth straight day in the bullion market here today on scattered buying by retail customers.
Marketmen said, trading sentiment remained firm following small buying activities for the festival of 'Akshay Tritiya', an auspicious occasion in Hindu mythology for buying bullion. The gold in the last four trading sessions gained Rs 370 per 10 gram.
The market even discounted reports of a steep fall in gold prices in the overseas markets, which normally set price band in domestic markets, they added.
In the US markets, gold prices plunged nearly 12 dollar an ounce to 855 dollar an ounce on firming dollar against leading currencies and crude oil rising to records.
Standard gold and ornaments rose by Rs 35 each to Rs 11,855 and Rs 11,705 per 10 gram respectively. Sovereign, on the other hand, declined by Rs 25 at Rs 9850 per piece of eight gram on reduced offtake.
However, silver ready fell by Rs 120 to Rs 22,500 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 100 to Rs 22,850 per kg. Silver coins remained unchanged at Rs 26,600 for buying and Rs 26,700 for selling of 100 pieces.
Marketmen said silver prices turned weak on reduced offtake by jewellers and industrial units. PTI
Tata Steel raises Rs 2,000 cr for long term financing
Mumbai, May 8 (PTI) World's sixth largest steel maker Tata Steel today said it has raised Rs 2,000 crore through private placement of Rupee debentures as part of its long term financing plan.
"Tata Steel has raised Rs 2,000 crore including Green Shoe Option through private placement of redeemable non convertible Rupee debentures," the company said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The issue, which closed on May 6, opened with an initial size of Rs 750 crore and the deemed date of allotment for the debentures was May 7.
An application has been made to list the debentures on the wholesale debt market segment of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Tata Steel added.
Each debenture carries a face value of Rs 10 lakh.
The debentures were assigned a rating of AAA (ind) by Fitch Ratings India Private Limited for the aggregate amount of Rs 2,000 crore. The rating agency also affirmed the National issuer Rating of AAA (ind) for the company.
Shares of Tata Steel were trading at Rs 828.20, up 0.39 per cent on BSE in morning trade. PTI
Samtel to manufacture avionic systems for fighter aircraft
New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Venturing into the Indian defence market, electronic display panel maker Samtel today announced plans to manufacture highly sophisticated cockpit helmet mounted displays and other avionics for fighter aircraft.
The Delhi-based company, which has a manufacturing unit in Germany, signed a joint venture agreement with European defence and aerospace company Thales at a proposed initial investment of Rs 60 crore in next three years.
The new joint venture, in which Samtel will hold a 74 per cent stake, proposes to bid for mounting of these specialised helmet pilot displays for the proposed upgrade of the Indian Airforce's frontline Mirage 2000 Fighters.
The company's bid to float a joint venture comes after the government last week announced a one billion euro project to upgrade IAF's 51 Mirage Fighters to the level of those flying with the French Airforce.
Samtel and Thales are already joint partners for supply of similar head mounted sight and display for Indian Navy's soon-to-be-acquired carrier borne MIG 29K Fighters.
Though the Mirage upgrade deal is still to be finalised, according to Thales Vice P PRI COM ECO GEN NAT .NEWDEL DEL38 SAMTEL Samtel to manufacture avionic systems for fighter aircraft New Delhi, May 8 (PTI) Venturing into the Indian defence market, electronic display panel maker Samtel today announced plans to manufacture highly sophisticated cockpit helmet mounted displays and other avionics for fighter aircraft.
The Delhi-based company, which has a manufacturing unit in Germany, signed a joint venture agreement with European defence and aerospace company Thales at a proposed initial investment of Rs 60 crore in next three years.
The new joint venture, in which Samtel will hold a 74 per cent stake, proposes to bid for mounting of these specialised helmet pilot displays for the proposed upgrade of the Indian Airforce's frontline Mirage 2000 Fighters.
The company's bid to float a joint venture comes after the government last week announced a one billion euro project to upgrade IAF's 51 Mirage Fighters to the level of those flying with the French Airforce.
Samtel and Thales are already joint partners for supply of similar head mounted sight and display for Indian Navy's soon-to-be-acquired carrier borne MIG 29K Fighters.
Though the Mirage upgrade deal is still to be finalised, according to Thales Vice President Francois Quentin, the first four Mirages would be upgraded in France and the rest 47 in India by creating special facilities at Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. PTI
Seven IOCs bid for off-shore blocks
Dhaka, May 8 (PTI) Seven international oil companies have submitted their bids for 15 offshore blocks in an apparent lukewarm response to energy-starved Bangladesh's exploration move amid growing demands for gas and power, officials said today.
The state-run Petrobangla officials said the oil companies offered to invest USD 1.6 billion for 16 out of 28 blocks offered for the exploration as they opened the tender documents two months after the country launched its first offshore bidding round.
The off-shore bidding round was announced in February with 20 deep sea blocks and eight shallow water blocks--each having exploration area cover between 3,000 and 7,000 square kilometres.
"Twenty-five companies have purchased our promotional package and seven of them submitted bids. We are satisfied with the outcome," a Petrobangla spokesman told PTI.
Quoting energy analysts, the Daily Star said despite huge prospects, the bid failed to generate a lot of offers, Petrobangla did not stage any road shows abroad to attract oil companies.
Moreover, it said, currently some other countries are holding their own block bidding, which kept many oil companies pre-occupied while doubts about maritime boundary of some blocks close to India and Myanmar might have discouraged bidders to go several of the 28 blocks.
Santos International of Australia appeared as the top bidder, making a total investment proposal of USD 852 million under three Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for six blocks in partnership with British Cairn Energy, if it is selected.
US-based company Conoco Phillips submitted four bids for eight deep sea blocks as the company intends to sign four production sharing contracts, each for two blocks. PTI
Russian Parliament overwhelmingly confirms Putin as PM
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, May 8 (PTI) Russian parliament today voted overwhelmingly for Vladimir Putin as 10th Prime Minister of the country, a day after he handed the presidency to his protege Dmitry Medvedev in a new experiment of sharing power.
In an open electronic voting, 392 members of the 450-strong Duma confirmed appointment of 55-year-old Putin, whose nomination was sent to Duma yesterday by Medvedev immediately after taking the oath of office at a glittering ceremony.
Out of the four parliamentary parties in Duma, 56 communists voted against Putin's appointment. His confirmation in the Parliament was certain as his United Russia party holds 315 seats, over two-thirds of the total strength in the Duma.
Putin, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive presidential term, last December named Medvedev, formerly a first Deputy Prime Minister, as his preferred successor. The two have worked together for over 17 years.
Putin has said he sees no problem working with Medvedev on the ground that he shares common views on several challenges facing Russia.
In a wide-ranging address to MPs, Putin set out his priorities as Russia's new Prime Minister.
"We have to increase the efficiency and stability of the national economy and develop human resources. We must also take steps in innovation and infrastructure and provide maximum conditions for business," Putin said.
President formally has more power than the Prime Minister in Russia, but Putin's move has left common people wondering who will really be in the driver's seat.
Medvedev said his former boss would retain a "key role" in running the country. PTI
Dalai Lama should take concrete steps to sustain talks: China
Beijing, May 8 (PTI) Insisting that the Dalai Lama should show "sincerity" and take "concrete actions" for holding further talks, China today said it was "serious" in continuing the dialogue with envoys of the Tibetan leader.
"On the issue of contact between central government and the Dalai Lama, the central government's attitude is serious, honest and sincere", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a briefing here.
He was reacting to a query on remarks by the Tibetan government in exile that there had not been progress in the first fence-mending talks between representatives of the government and the envoys of Dalai Lama held in the southern Chinese city of Shenzen on Sunday.
The Dalai Lama's envoys -- Lody Gyary and Kelsang Gyaltsen, today said in Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile, that they made it clear to Beijing that the violence in Tibet were "inescapable consequences" of their wrong policies.
They also termed the talks as "failure". The envoys said both sides were trying to finalise the dates for formal talks.
Reacting to the envoys' remarks Qin said:"We hope that the side will also exert sincerity with concrete actions to truly stop separatist activities, stop provoking violent actions and stop disrupting the Beijing Olympics so as to create conditions for contacts".
Sunday's meeting, dubbed as informal talks, was the first contact between the two sides ever since the strongest-ever anti-government protests took place in Tibet in March. It came after the West prodded China to hold talks with the Dalai Lama.
About 20 people have been killed in violence since the trouble erupted in March posing a big challenge to the Communist nation's rule in the Himalayan region. PTI
Pak SC: Give chance to overweight airhostesses to regain fitness
Islamabad, May 8 (PTI) This is probably the final call for all overweight airhostesses with the Pakistan's state-run carrier PIA -- shed your flab, if you want to retain your job.
In a case that has similarities in India, Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed the administration of Pakistan International Airlines not to sack overweight cabin crew if they are found fit before the carrier's annual medical exams.
Disposing of a petition involving 73 cabin crew members of the PIA, a three-member bench of the apex court, asked concerned authorities to give a chance to the crew members to groom themselves before being fired.
However, the court said that its decision would not apply to crew members who are over 50 years of age.
In India also, a similar case is there in the Delhi High Court after Air India recently grounded 38 overweight airhostesses.
PIA's counsel informed the court that all cabin crew personnel had been assigned flights according to their category and without discrimination in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court.
The airline's management told the apex court that individuals who are physically unfit and obese or do not have a presentable appearance were doing a great disservice to themselves and harming the image of PIA. 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.
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
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