theadagetimes

Holy men begin Indian Mela bath

theadagetimes — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:46:59 +0000

Thousands of Hindu holy men plunged into the Ganges river in the northern Indian town of Allahabad to mark the main day of the Ardh Kumbh festival.

The new moon night, or Mauni Amavasya, is celebrated on Friday which becomes the most auspicious day in the six-week-long Hindu bathing festival. All roads leading to the site of the festival are teeming with pilgrims.

It is being held at the confluence of three of Hinduism’s holiest rivers – the Ganges, Yamuna and the Saraswati.

The ash-smeared Naga sadhus ran into the river wearing nothing apart from marigold garlands.

Most ran out after a quick dip in the river, but a few others splashed around.Festival organiser PN Mishra told the AFP news agency that more than 20 million people were expected to bathe during the day

Brown talks in India on Shilpa Shetty episode

theadagetimes — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:15:08 +0000

Gordon Brown will meet the Indian Prime Minister on Thursday as his first visit to the sub-continent faces being overshadowed by the Celebrity Big Brother race row. The Chancellor, establishing his credentials as a world statesman as he gears up to take over from Tony Blair this year, will hold talks with Manmohan Singh in Delhi. He will also meet finance minister Palaniappan Chidambaram and Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress, when he launches a new forum for economic and financial dialogue between the UK and India. But his trip coincides with uproar over the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother, which caused Indian street protesters to burn effigies of the Channel 4 show’s organisers on Wednesday. Mr Brown weighed into the row himself by describing her treatment as “offensive” as he praised the “immense contribution” made by people of Indian origin to the UK. But he will be keen that the issue does not overshadow his attempts to build on the co-operation between the two countries. His schedule, described by an aide as “weighty”, will include a visit to a village in Gurgaon, in the outlying area of Delhi, to see schools which have received UK aid money. Mr Brown will also visit a project which provides groups of women with small loans to set up businesses. On Wednesday, he said that Britain and India must combine in a “new alliance for progress” to tackle climate change and terrorism. Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Brown said he was pleased to have witnessed for the first time the nation’s “astonishing pace of change”. Gordon Brown will meet the Indian Prime Minister on Thursday as his first visit to the sub-continent faces being overshadowed by the Celebrity Big Brother race row. The Chancellor, establishing his credentials as a world statesman as he gears up to take over from Tony Blair this year, will hold talks with Manmohan Singh in Delhi. He will also meet finance minister Palaniappan Chidambaram and Sonia Gandhi, president of the Indian National Congress, when he launches a new forum for economic and financial dialogue between the UK and India. But his trip coincides with uproar over the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Big Brother, which caused Indian street protesters to burn effigies of the Channel 4 show’s organisers on Wednesday. Mr Brown weighed into the row himself by describing her treatment as “offensive” as he praised the “immense contribution” made by people of Indian origin to the UK. But he will be keen that the issue does not overshadow his attempts to build on the co-operation between the two countries. His schedule, described by an aide as “weighty”, will include a visit to a village in Gurgaon, in the outlying area of Delhi, to see schools which have received UK aid money. Mr Brown will also visit a project which provides groups of women with small loans to set up businesses. On Wednesday, he said that Britain and India must combine in a “new alliance for progress” to tackle climate change and terrorism. Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Brown said he was pleased to have witnessed for the first time the nation’s “astonishing pace of change”.

Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh excited with the response of invester meet

theadagetimes — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:11:14 +0000

hThe Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is overwhelmed with the response he met with during the three day investors meet. Foreign and domestic investors have shown their keen interest in the various fields which include power, textile, food processing, information technology, education, bio-fuel etc. The Chief Minister said that the investors meet was a great success. Khajuraho Investors Meet-2007 has led to generate curiosity about Madhya Pradesh among the non resident Indians (NRIs) which is evident from the increase in number of the participants. The presence of NRIs and domestic investors in large number has proved that new favourable atmosphere, industrial peace, availability of natural resources, fast developing infrastructure, new industrial policy etc. are attracting major industrial groups in a big way toward investment in Madhya Pradesh. The investors meet is an open message to about 2.50 crore NRIs residing in 110 countries to invest in Madhya Pradesh. Inspite of the effective presence of other states like Karnataka, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat at recent Delhi meet this is for the first time when Madhya Pradesh succeeded in winning confidence of investors so strongly. It may be mentioned that Madhya Pradesh has been participating since the beginning of NRI Meet, but effective presentation of the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on immense scope for successful investment in Madhya Pradesh has fascinated the investors to the state. The investors meet at Khajuraho has brought double benefits. The participants not only liked visiting world famous tourist place Khajuraho but the meet has resulted in creating a better image for Madhya Pradesh in their hearts. About 115 foreign and domestic investors not only registered their presence in such a big numbers for the first time at the Investors Meet-2007 but also participated with great enthusiasm during various sessions. The Chief Minister said that 26 proposals worth Rs 39 thousand 334 crore investment within three days is a big achievement for the state. The investors flew in from different parts of the country and abroad are returning from Khajuraho with a better and positive image for Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Baju George of Tekam International, Dubai views that Madhya Pradesh has created a special niche for itself on the globe. ‘Khajuraho Meet is a positive approach’ says Rajeev Kaul who is basically a Bhopalite and is settled in NewYork. Shri Kaul said the meet’s actual positive results would be quite obvious in coming years. Shri Anil Kapoor from NewYork finds Madhya Pradesh beyond his imagination. President, Technology company, Shri Anil Kapoor’s offices are located in various metropolitan cities like Delhi and Chennai.

Mulayam in trouble Congress withdraws his support

theadagetimes — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:03:49 +0000

The Congress Party has finally decided to withdraw support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh.

With the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party also stating that they would not bail out Mulayam and the 15-member Rashtriya Lok Dal waiting for the right moment to strike, the countdown seems to have begun for the SP regime.

At a hurriedly convened press conference late on Wednesday evening after receiving clear instructions from the high command, party’s state president Salman Khurshid and Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tewari said that they will call on Governor TV Rajeswar on Thursday morning to ‘technically’ withdraw the support. Both leaders said that the party has taken the decision in view of the anarchy like situation prevailing in the state.

Concluding session witnesses inking 7 MoUs andEOIs worth Rs. 39,334 crore signed

theadagetimes — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:01:17 +0000

On the concluding day of the Khajuraho investors meet 2007, seven MoUs were signed and nine expression of interest (EOI) were submitted in the presence of the chief minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The investors on the occasion expressed as to what motivated them to invest in Madhya Pradesh. While delivering the farewell speech , the chief minister conquered the hearts of the guests with his heart felt and appealing address. Shri Chouhan also inaugurated the newly established NRI Facilitation centre on the occasion During the two day meet, a total of 26 MoUs and EOI worth Rs. 39 thousand three hundred 34 crore were signed including 11 in the field of power, one in textile, one in food processing seven in IT/education, two in bio-fuel and two in the field of aviation. The first MoU was signed with the Lotus Nico hotels on the occasion which was signed by Shri Lajpat Rai on behalf the company. An International hotel cum convention center would be constructed at Sanchi at a cost of Rs. 25 crore. Shri K.Rajgopal of the Lanco Infra tech limited, Hyderabad signed an MoU to set up 1200 mega watt capacity power generation plant at a cost of Rs. five thousand crore. The director Shri R.K.Narayan of Essar power M.P.limited, Mumbai signed an MoU to establish 2000 mega watt capacity power generation plant at Singrauli in Sidhi district at a cost of Rs. nine thousand two hundred crore. The company would produce 1200 mega watt electricity in its first stage. Shri Sunil Agrawal of Jindal pipes limited of Ghaziabad signed an MoU to establish 1000 mega watt capacity power generation plant in the state. A sum of Rs. four thousand crore would be invested by the company for the plant. Shri R.D. Kakkar of Today homes and infrastructure pvt. limited, Delhi signed an MoU to set up 1000 mega watt capacity power generation plant at a cost of Rs. four thousand five hundred crore. Further, Shri Bhagwan Das Khanna of Bhagwan Das Khanna enterprises signed an MoU in the area of higher education and training. Under this, employment opportunities would be generated for youth in tourism and hospitality sector besides, Shri Vipul Upadhayaya of IF group of companies inked an MoU which pertains to establishment of an International University in Bhopal. In addition, a number of investors came forward with EOIs on the occasion. Shri Prabhu Sinha of Amids technology Bangalore submitted an EOI for setting up of Indore/Bhopal Offshore development center at an estimated cost of Rs.45 crore. Shri Imtiaz Uddin hailing from US showed interest in establishing an state-of-the- art ITI in the state. Another NRI from US Shri Subodh Singh was keen on launching a project in IT sector. Also Shri Pawan Kumar Ratan of US expressed his desire to set up tourism and hospitality industry costing Rs. 50 crore and to open a helicopter pilot training institute with an investment of Rs. 51 crore. Shri Gyanchandani of Rohit surfectance, Kanpur submitted an EOI for two power projects namely Thermal and wind energy involving investment worth Rs. 500 and 45 crore respectively. Shri Satya Swaroop representing New Media communications pvt. limited revealed his intention to set up KPO with an investment of one million US dollars. Moreover, Sushri Vinnya Shetty on behalf of Ultratech laboratories Malaysia put forth EOI for launching a project for producing bio-diesel through bio waste with German technology. The proposed project would be set up at a cost of five million US dollars.

Blair ‘delighted’ at Mittal’s Â£2 mn gift

theadagetimes — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:55:55 +0000

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has thanked NRI steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal for his contribution of Â£2 million to the ruling Labour Party and said he was “delighted” to receive such a sizeable donation from one of the “world’s most successful businessmen”.

Mittal, President and Chief Executive of world’s largest steel company Arcelor-Mittal, on Tuesday announced the donation to Labour Party, commending PM Blair’s record since he came to power in 1997.

“I am delighted that Mittal, who is one of the world’s most successful businessmen, has made such a generous donation. I thank him for his continued support for the Labour party,” Blair said.

Mittal, the world’s fifth richest men, is a major supporter of the party and donated a similar amount in 2005.

“I am a long-term supporter of the Labour party and the work it has done in the United Kingdom to improve the overall prosperity and prospects of the country since coming to office in 1997,” Mittal, said, in a statement.

A previous gift of Â£125,000 in the 2001 general elections prompted a political row when it emerged that Blair later wrote in support of his company, LNM, when it was trying to land a lucrative contract in Romania.

The latest donation comes as the Labour party struggles to avoid a financial disaster in the wake of allegations being investigated by police that several wealthy businessmen who lent Labour money for the last general elections were rewarded by being nominated for peerages.

Wipro Q3 net profit up 46% at Rs 738.9 cr

theadagetimes — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:53:56 +0000

Software major Wipro on Wednesday posted a 46.28 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 738.9 crore for the quarter ended December 31, as compared to Rs 505.1 crore for the same quarter last year.

The total revenue of the company increased by 45.82 per cent to Rs 3,651.1 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, from Rs 2,503.7 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago, Wipro informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

“Our global IT business delivered good volume growth primarily driven by robust performance of our energy and utilities vertical, technology infrastructure services and enterprise application services. Our financial services and retail businesses delivered more than 50 per cent YOY growth,” Wipro Chairman Azim Premji said.

Premji also said that the software biggie has brought down its attrition rates in both the IT and BPO businesses. He said that he expected revenue from the global IT services and products businesses to be approximately around $685 million for the quarter ending March 2007.

The group posted a net profit of Rs 765.4 crore for the quarter ended December 31, as against Rs 543.5 crore in the same quarter last year.

The total revenue of the group increased to Rs 3,979 crore for the December quarter from Rs 2,743.9 crore in the year-ago period.

‘Pick Zaheer, Sreesanth, Munaf, Irfan for World Cup’

theadagetimes — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:24:09 +0000

Bapu Krishnarao Venkatesh Prasad was one of the finest fast bowlers produced by India after the heady days of Kapil Dev.

‘Fast’ could be a misnomer for a bowler who never consistently went above the 130 kmph mark, but then, as the likes of Glenn McGrath have demonstrated successfully over decades, it is not about pure speed.

Prasad, at his best, was about bowling the channel around off, with the ability to seam the ball away, or in, very late. His height, and a very high-arm delivery, meant the ball came onto the length spot from above the batsman’s eye line, making it harder to judge.

He forged an impressive partnership with his quicker Karnataka and India team mate Javagal Srinath. His career figures — 96 wickets at 35.00 in 33 Tests and 196 wickets at 32.30 in 161 One-Day Internationals – do not tell the true story; the arc of his career was hampered, often at critical times, by injury. This, coupled with the fact that in those days the team did not have a proper physio, meant that the national team did not get the best possible mileage out of a bowler who had the skill sets to perform prodigies.

Since his exit from the international stage, Prasad qualified himself as a coach, then took over the helm of the Under-19 team before taking up the reins of Karnataka. Insiders, in fact, suggest that he will likely take over as bowling coach of the national side, in the not too distant future.

Prasad spoke with Haresh Pandya on the sidelines of the Ranji Trophy tie between Karnataka and Saurashtra at Rajkot last week, discussing the current national side and particularly, the plethora of seam bowlers who have turned out for Team India in the recent past

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theadagetimes — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:07:11 +0000

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