The DVD of the film starring award winning actors Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sharman Joshi has some new, exclusive bonus features: Idiots in Ladakh, Aal Izz Well, 100 percent Idiots and Making of Miss Idiot.
The refreshing comedy about a rebellious prankster with a crafty mind and a heart of gold name covers the exploits of "Rancho" at India's most prestigious university.
Rancho's outlandish schemes turn the campus upside down-along with the lives of his two newfound best friends. Together, they make life miserable for "Virus," the school's uptight and heartless dean.
But when Rancho catches the eye of the dean's sexy daughter, Virus sets his sights on flunking out the "3 idiots" once and for all.
"3 Idiots" won six FilmFare Awards in India including Best Picture and Best Director. It also swept the International Indian Film Academy Awards with an impressive 16 wins.
With a total run time of 164 minutes the DVD in English/Hindi would be available with subtitles in English, Spanish and French.
The DVD will be available starting April 26 on Amazon. com, Target, Transworld (FYE) and other stores.
Friday 25 March 2011
Defeated Ponting backs India to beat Pakistan
Ahmedabad, March 24 (AFP): Australia captain Ricky Ponting predicted India would beat Pakistan when the arch-rivals meet in the World Cup semi-finals after seeing the co -hosts end his team's 12-year run as champions.
Ponting made his first international century in over a year when Australia batted but it wasn't enough as India, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh, won by five wickets after finishing on 261 for five with 14 balls to spare.
"If you look at their attacks, they're quite similar," said Ponting, who in Australia's preceding final group match saw Pakistan end the title-holders' 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup.
"Pakistan played the quicks against us, (Abdul) Razzaq and (Umar) Gul and (Wahab) Riaz played that game as well and he's done a pretty good job for them. They used a lot of their spin."
"How do I compare the bowling attacks? It's pretty hard to say, but I think India will beat Pakistan in the semi-final."
Ponting added of the March 30 clash in Mohali: "We all know how fierce a rivalry it is between Pakistan and India so I'm sure that's going to be a very entertaining semi-final."
"India have a got a great chance now. Their batting is very powerful and they bat quite deep."
Ponting made his first international century in over a year when Australia batted but it wasn't enough as India, thanks to an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh, won by five wickets after finishing on 261 for five with 14 balls to spare.
"If you look at their attacks, they're quite similar," said Ponting, who in Australia's preceding final group match saw Pakistan end the title-holders' 34-match unbeaten streak at the World Cup.
"Pakistan played the quicks against us, (Abdul) Razzaq and (Umar) Gul and (Wahab) Riaz played that game as well and he's done a pretty good job for them. They used a lot of their spin."
"How do I compare the bowling attacks? It's pretty hard to say, but I think India will beat Pakistan in the semi-final."
Ponting added of the March 30 clash in Mohali: "We all know how fierce a rivalry it is between Pakistan and India so I'm sure that's going to be a very entertaining semi-final."
"India have a got a great chance now. Their batting is very powerful and they bat quite deep."
Ponting to carry on as Australia player
Ahmedabad, March 24 (AFP): Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he would be continuing as an international cricketer despite the champions' exit from the World Cup at the hands of India on Thursday.
"Didn't I answer that question the other day? Nothing's changed," said Ponting after the five-wicket defeat by the co-hosts in the quarter-finals.
Ponting made 104 - his first international hundred in 13 months - in Australia's total of 260 for six.
But it wasn't enough, as India finished on 261 for five with an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh seeing his team to victory with 14 balls to spare.
However, despite having now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions and an Ashes defeat, Ponting still said talk of the end of an era was misplaced.
"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight (Thursday night)," he insisted.
"I didn't think we were far away from winning a game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era."
The 36-year-old Ponting, who has also been under intense pressure for his controversial behaviour at the World Cup, on Wednesday denied reports he planned to retire from the international scene at the end of World Cup and finish his career at an English county.
"That's completely false," Ponting said on Wednesday. "I've never even thought about or contemplated retiring at the end of this World Cup. I'm enjoying my cricket as much as ever."
"You'll hopefully see me playing a lot in the next few years."
Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, was under pressure even before the World Cup, having earned the dubious distinction of becoming the only Australian skipper of the modern era to fail to win the Ashes three times.
He did himself few favours in India, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out during Australia's win over Zimbabwe.
He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with teammate Steven Smith during their victory againsy Canada, and for failing to walk in Saturday's defeat by Pakistan.
There was a fresh flashpoint on Thursday when, with India's Gautam Gambhir - who eventually made 50 - on nought, Ponting said he was unsure about a catch which, when referred, was shown by replays to have bounced well in front of him.
The retirement rumour came a day after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which an unnamed Cricket Australia official was quoted as saying that Ponting faced a challenge at board level to retain the captaincy.
Ponting said if he was asked to step aside as leader to make way for Michael Clarke, it would not be an issue.
"Didn't I answer that question the other day? Nothing's changed," said Ponting after the five-wicket defeat by the co-hosts in the quarter-finals.
Ponting made 104 - his first international hundred in 13 months - in Australia's total of 260 for six.
But it wasn't enough, as India finished on 261 for five with an unbeaten 57 from Yuvraj Singh seeing his team to victory with 14 balls to spare.
However, despite having now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions and an Ashes defeat, Ponting still said talk of the end of an era was misplaced.
"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight (Thursday night)," he insisted.
"I didn't think we were far away from winning a game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era."
The 36-year-old Ponting, who has also been under intense pressure for his controversial behaviour at the World Cup, on Wednesday denied reports he planned to retire from the international scene at the end of World Cup and finish his career at an English county.
"That's completely false," Ponting said on Wednesday. "I've never even thought about or contemplated retiring at the end of this World Cup. I'm enjoying my cricket as much as ever."
"You'll hopefully see me playing a lot in the next few years."
Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, was under pressure even before the World Cup, having earned the dubious distinction of becoming the only Australian skipper of the modern era to fail to win the Ashes three times.
He did himself few favours in India, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out during Australia's win over Zimbabwe.
He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with teammate Steven Smith during their victory againsy Canada, and for failing to walk in Saturday's defeat by Pakistan.
There was a fresh flashpoint on Thursday when, with India's Gautam Gambhir - who eventually made 50 - on nought, Ponting said he was unsure about a catch which, when referred, was shown by replays to have bounced well in front of him.
The retirement rumour came a day after a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, in which an unnamed Cricket Australia official was quoted as saying that Ponting faced a challenge at board level to retain the captaincy.
Ponting said if he was asked to step aside as leader to make way for Michael Clarke, it would not be an issue.
New York Indian filmfest to open with 'Do Dooni Chaar'
New York, March 9 : The popular New York Indian Film Festival will open this year with the North American premiere of Disney's critically acclaimed family comedy "Do Dooni Chaar" starring the legendary actor couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.
The Habib Faisal-directed film marks the Hollywood studio's first live-action production in India and earned some of the best reviews of any Hindi film in recent years.
The closing night selection for the 11th annual edition of the Indo-American Arts Council's May 4-8 festival in Manhattan is Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi", an adaptation of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's acclaimed novel, which stars sisters Riya and Raima Sen.
New York City's prestigious Paris Theatre will host the star-studded red carpet May 4 Opening Night premiere of "Do Dooni Chaar"with special guests Kapoor, Singh, and Faisal attending.
It is a heart-warming comedy about the dreams and challenges of a middle-class family who take a chaotic journey to fulfil their dream of owning a car and discovering the true meaning of family along the way.
"Do Dooni Chaar is a charming and sweet indie film that reflects the realities of a middle-class family in modern day Delhi," says NYIFF Director Aseem Chhabra.
"Written and directed by first time filmmaker Habib Faisal, the film is a perfect blend of authentic dialogues, characters and situations, with a touch of Bollywood charm. It is a great example of India's new emerging cinema that has an indie soul, but working within the framework of Bollywood."
Following the May 8 screening of Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi"will be a special tribute to Tagore who was born 150 years ago on that day.
Aparna Sen's "Iti Mrinalini" will premiere as the Centrepiece selection. The Bengali film features Sen and her daughter, award-winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, both playing the same title role at different ages.
"NYIFF energises New York City's diversity by presenting amazing independent and diaspora films from the Indian subcontinent while keeping a close watch on Bollywood's foray into alternate cinema," said IAAC Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani.
"The three film highlights of our eleventh annual film festival represent a Hollywood studio's Indian social cinema, independent cinema, as well as a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore."
"Major American studios partnering with India have flirted with NYIFF in the past - Fox Searchlight, Sony, Miramax, and now Disney's contribution to our 2011 Opening Night - 'Do Dooni Chaar'," said Shivdasani. "Clearly NYIFF is the best platform for these films to reach their ideal demographic market."
Tickets for the Opening Night of the New York Indian Film Festival go on sale March 20 while tickets for all other screenings and events will be available starting April 10.
The Habib Faisal-directed film marks the Hollywood studio's first live-action production in India and earned some of the best reviews of any Hindi film in recent years.
The closing night selection for the 11th annual edition of the Indo-American Arts Council's May 4-8 festival in Manhattan is Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi", an adaptation of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's acclaimed novel, which stars sisters Riya and Raima Sen.
New York City's prestigious Paris Theatre will host the star-studded red carpet May 4 Opening Night premiere of "Do Dooni Chaar"with special guests Kapoor, Singh, and Faisal attending.
It is a heart-warming comedy about the dreams and challenges of a middle-class family who take a chaotic journey to fulfil their dream of owning a car and discovering the true meaning of family along the way.
"Do Dooni Chaar is a charming and sweet indie film that reflects the realities of a middle-class family in modern day Delhi," says NYIFF Director Aseem Chhabra.
"Written and directed by first time filmmaker Habib Faisal, the film is a perfect blend of authentic dialogues, characters and situations, with a touch of Bollywood charm. It is a great example of India's new emerging cinema that has an indie soul, but working within the framework of Bollywood."
Following the May 8 screening of Rituparno Ghosh's "Noukadubi"will be a special tribute to Tagore who was born 150 years ago on that day.
Aparna Sen's "Iti Mrinalini" will premiere as the Centrepiece selection. The Bengali film features Sen and her daughter, award-winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, both playing the same title role at different ages.
"NYIFF energises New York City's diversity by presenting amazing independent and diaspora films from the Indian subcontinent while keeping a close watch on Bollywood's foray into alternate cinema," said IAAC Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani.
"The three film highlights of our eleventh annual film festival represent a Hollywood studio's Indian social cinema, independent cinema, as well as a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore."
"Major American studios partnering with India have flirted with NYIFF in the past - Fox Searchlight, Sony, Miramax, and now Disney's contribution to our 2011 Opening Night - 'Do Dooni Chaar'," said Shivdasani. "Clearly NYIFF is the best platform for these films to reach their ideal demographic market."
Tickets for the Opening Night of the New York Indian Film Festival go on sale March 20 while tickets for all other screenings and events will be available starting April 10.
Never known Tendulkar to walk when given not out: Ponting
Ahmedabad, Mar. 23: Days before the India-Australia quarterfinal encounter at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has gone on the front foot verbally, and said that he has never known Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar to walk voluntarily when given not out.
Participating in a Headlines Today interview with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday, Ponting said he had been very consistent in not walking way until the umpire had ruled him out.
Ponting said that he was surprised when Tendulkar walked after the umpire had not ruled him out caught behind in a pre-quarterfinal match against the West Indies in Chennai on March 20.
"I''''ve never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I''''m not sure why he chose to walk the other day," Fox Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.
"If I get a nick behind to the ''''keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision," he added.
"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I''''m not sure he would have walked either," he said.
Ganguly supported Ponting''''s view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday''''s quarterfinal between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.
"Sachin has never done that in the past, let''''s be honest, and he shouldn''''t because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," Ganguly said.
"At the end of the career, it balances. I think it''''s fair for everyone to wait for the umpire''''s decision, including Sachin Tendulkar," he added.
"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he''''s holding the key to India''''s success. I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out," Ganguly said.
"He needs to stick to the umpire''''s decision. Whether he does that consistently, we''''ll have to wait and see," he added. (ANI)
Participating in a Headlines Today interview with former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday, Ponting said he had been very consistent in not walking way until the umpire had ruled him out.
Ponting said that he was surprised when Tendulkar walked after the umpire had not ruled him out caught behind in a pre-quarterfinal match against the West Indies in Chennai on March 20.
"I''''ve never known Sachin to be someone that walks all the time, so I''''m not sure why he chose to walk the other day," Fox Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.
"If I get a nick behind to the ''''keeper, then I stand there until the umpire makes a decision," he added.
"If Sachin had looked up the other day and noticed that the umpire was giving him not out, then I''''m not sure he would have walked either," he said.
Ganguly supported Ponting''''s view that walking can be a bad idea, especially in a big game like Thursday''''s quarterfinal between Australia and India in Ahmedabad.
"Sachin has never done that in the past, let''''s be honest, and he shouldn''''t because there have been times when he has been given out and he was not out," Ganguly said.
"At the end of the career, it balances. I think it''''s fair for everyone to wait for the umpire''''s decision, including Sachin Tendulkar," he added.
"It could be a big game India 100 for three, Tendulkar batting on 55, he''''s holding the key to India''''s success. I would really not want him to walk unless an umpire has given him out," Ganguly said.
"He needs to stick to the umpire''''s decision. Whether he does that consistently, we''''ll have to wait and see," he added. (ANI)
What Australia's 34 and out means
34 World Cup wins in a row.
It is one of those ludicrous records which will likely stand forever, and have a unique, unmovable place in cricket statistic history, like Don Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 or Sachin Tendulkar's hundred international centuries (admittedly he's only made 99 of those so far, but you'd have to be madder than a Shahid Afridi swipe to long-on to think he won't reach the landmark).
Even Gavin Hamilton's rather special Test record (played one, scored no runs in two innings, took no wickets in 15 overs) has its own place in statistics history, and so too will Australia's 12-year unbeaten stretch in World Cups find its own little corner in the books.
But defeat today was about more than numbers and figures.
Australia, despite cruising unbeaten through five matches in the subcontinent, are not the force they were.
But so long as nobody beat them, the aura could remain, almost unchallenged, as sides fell away, exposed by their own limitations and vulnerabilities.
Few teams do vulnerability quite like Pakistan, but equally few have a knack of pulling out an extraordinary result.
As such, the match never felt won despite the men in green being ahead of the game from start to finish.
Only once Abdul Razzaq, who nearly half his lifetime ago was a member of the last side to beat Australia in a World Cup clash at Headlingey in May 1999, struck the winning runs, did the enormity sink in.
Australia have made a habit of winning from any position. Occasionally they wobbled, but they always managed to fix it before it was too late.
What other side could have come out smiling from the position of being 1 run and four balls away from losing the 1999 World Cup semi-final?
It is one of those ludicrous records which will likely stand forever, and have a unique, unmovable place in cricket statistic history, like Don Bradman's Test batting average of 99.94 or Sachin Tendulkar's hundred international centuries (admittedly he's only made 99 of those so far, but you'd have to be madder than a Shahid Afridi swipe to long-on to think he won't reach the landmark).
Even Gavin Hamilton's rather special Test record (played one, scored no runs in two innings, took no wickets in 15 overs) has its own place in statistics history, and so too will Australia's 12-year unbeaten stretch in World Cups find its own little corner in the books.
But defeat today was about more than numbers and figures.
Australia, despite cruising unbeaten through five matches in the subcontinent, are not the force they were.
But so long as nobody beat them, the aura could remain, almost unchallenged, as sides fell away, exposed by their own limitations and vulnerabilities.
Few teams do vulnerability quite like Pakistan, but equally few have a knack of pulling out an extraordinary result.
As such, the match never felt won despite the men in green being ahead of the game from start to finish.
Only once Abdul Razzaq, who nearly half his lifetime ago was a member of the last side to beat Australia in a World Cup clash at Headlingey in May 1999, struck the winning runs, did the enormity sink in.
Australia have made a habit of winning from any position. Occasionally they wobbled, but they always managed to fix it before it was too late.
What other side could have come out smiling from the position of being 1 run and four balls away from losing the 1999 World Cup semi-final?
India vs Australia: Ponting devastated but defiant despite World Cup loss
AHMEDABAD: Devastated to finish on the losing side in what was probably his last World Cup game but defiant nonetheless, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has insisted that the quarterfinal loss to India should not be construed as the end of an era in his country's cricket.
Ponting, who was aiming to lead the Aussies to their fourth World Cup title, also predicted that India would beat Pakistan in the semifinal and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men are strong favourites to win the coveted title after a gap of 28 years.
"India played well as a team and deserved victory. We were not good enough (to win). Going forward they will be pretty hard to beat. They will beat Pakistan in the semifinal and go on to win the World Cup now," Ponting said at the post-match press conference after Australia were knocked out of the World Cup by India last night.
"India have a very good batting line up. We played very competitive cricket tonight but I'm disappointed with the two successive losses (against Pakistan in their last league game and today against India)," he said after his side's five-wicket loss in a high-octane World Cup quarterfinal.
But rejected suggestions it was the end of an era in Australian cricket.
"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight. I do not think we were far away from winning the game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era," said Ponting.
He said he would not be playing in the next World Cup but ruled out quitting one-day cricket.
"I am not quitting one-day cricket but this is probably my last World Cup game. I will be happy to look back after retirement that I made a century in my last innings in the World Cup," Ponting said.
Ponting said his side had chances to win the game and they were devastated by the loss.
"We had great expectations from the game. We were a well organized group. We are devastated. We found it difficult to get momentum. Not performing at critical moments cost us the game. We did not grab our opportunities," he said.
"We were 15 to 20 runs short with the bat. 250-260 was a good total but we lost wickets at bad time and never got the momentum going. We did not execute the plans properly," said the 36-year-old Tasmanian who scored a superb 104 after having struggled in the earlier part of the tournament.
The Australian captain felt the schedule of the tournament could have been spread out better but said that cannot be an excuse for his side's crashing out in the quarterfinals.
"The schedule did not help us. But that cannot be put as an excuse for the loss. Over the last ten days my team has played four games. It would have been nice to have them (games) evenly spread out," he said.
He sympathised with his key fast bowler Brett Lee who had made a great effort to get back into the team after a 14-month injury lay-off.
"Brett has given a lot for Australian cricket during his entire career and at times coming back after big injuries. He will be shattered as he has worked very hard to get here," he said.
Ponting, who was aiming to lead the Aussies to their fourth World Cup title, also predicted that India would beat Pakistan in the semifinal and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men are strong favourites to win the coveted title after a gap of 28 years.
"India played well as a team and deserved victory. We were not good enough (to win). Going forward they will be pretty hard to beat. They will beat Pakistan in the semifinal and go on to win the World Cup now," Ponting said at the post-match press conference after Australia were knocked out of the World Cup by India last night.
"India have a very good batting line up. We played very competitive cricket tonight but I'm disappointed with the two successive losses (against Pakistan in their last league game and today against India)," he said after his side's five-wicket loss in a high-octane World Cup quarterfinal.
But rejected suggestions it was the end of an era in Australian cricket.
"It's a bit premature to say it was the end of an era for Australian cricket, it was a pretty good game tonight. I do not think we were far away from winning the game against a very good Indian team on their home soil. I think it's a bit too early to say it's the end of an era," said Ponting.
He said he would not be playing in the next World Cup but ruled out quitting one-day cricket.
"I am not quitting one-day cricket but this is probably my last World Cup game. I will be happy to look back after retirement that I made a century in my last innings in the World Cup," Ponting said.
Ponting said his side had chances to win the game and they were devastated by the loss.
"We had great expectations from the game. We were a well organized group. We are devastated. We found it difficult to get momentum. Not performing at critical moments cost us the game. We did not grab our opportunities," he said.
"We were 15 to 20 runs short with the bat. 250-260 was a good total but we lost wickets at bad time and never got the momentum going. We did not execute the plans properly," said the 36-year-old Tasmanian who scored a superb 104 after having struggled in the earlier part of the tournament.
The Australian captain felt the schedule of the tournament could have been spread out better but said that cannot be an excuse for his side's crashing out in the quarterfinals.
"The schedule did not help us. But that cannot be put as an excuse for the loss. Over the last ten days my team has played four games. It would have been nice to have them (games) evenly spread out," he said.
He sympathised with his key fast bowler Brett Lee who had made a great effort to get back into the team after a 14-month injury lay-off.
"Brett has given a lot for Australian cricket during his entire career and at times coming back after big injuries. He will be shattered as he has worked very hard to get here," he said.
Ind vs Aus: Semifinal against Pakistan a dream match: Yuvraj
AHMEDABAD: His dream of guiding India to a win over Australia in the World Cup realised, star batsman Yuvraj Singh is now focussing on the semifinal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, saying the much-anticipated game would be a battle of equals.
Yuvraj struck an unbeaten half century after claiming two wickets last night to collect his fourth man of the match trophy in the ongoing World Cup.
Looking ahead to the semifinal clash against Pakistan at Mohali on March 30, Yuvraj said it would be another dream game.
"The India-Pakistan game is going to be another dream game after India-Australia. It's a great victory for India today. We would be playing our best cricket against Pakistan. They know our game we know theirs both teams are equal. They have had a very good tournament and have beaten West Indies and Australia," Yuvraj told reporters after India's five-wicket win over the defending champions.
"We don't want to think about the Pakistan game now. It has been a high-pressure game for us (against Australia) and lot of our system has been drained. We would like to relax for a couple of days and then make plans about Pakistan game," he added.
It was very difficult to keep his emotions in check in the high-octane quarterfinal match.
"Over the last one year I have been dreaming of staying till the end and taking the team to victory against Australia in the World Cup and the moment has come. This is the moment I have lived for as a cricketer," he said.
He admitted that it was a tough situation with enormous pressure on him and any small mistake on his part could have thrown India out of the World Cup.
"It was very hard to control emotions. It was difficult to control oneself in such a situation as one mistake and you will be out of the World Cup. I tried to just watch the ball, play down the ground and not lift the ball in the air," said the left-handed batsman.
Yuvraj said he was playing in the tournament with the thought of someone special in his life, though he did not specify the person.
"I am playing for a very special person that comes in my mind and whenever things are not going well I think of that person and things work out," he remarked.
Yuvraj conceded that the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with him, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession had put the team under pressure but Suresh Raina lived up to the challenge in crucial stages.
"When Gambhir got out I thought I will get a good partnership going with MS (Dhoni) but when MS got out I knew I was in trouble. When Raina came in I told him to take his time and let's get 20-30 run partnership. He has shown nerves in a crucial stage and this will boost his confidence also," he said.
He said he had already apologised to Gambhir for the mix-up that resulted in his partner getting run out.
"I have apologised to Gautam for the miscommunication on the field. We have not played together much. I think it was probably my fault," said Yuvraj.
Though he got his fourth man-of-the-match award in the tournament, Yuvraj sounded modest and said the team effort was crucial.
"I feel good to have contributed to the team but the victory cannot be achieved by one person, it's a team effort," he said.
He said though he cherished the centuries he had scored in his career, even scores like his 52 not out last night were special as they resulted in the team winning a crucial tie.
"Though centuries are very special for a player, when you are able to contribute 20 or 30 runs which help the team win crucial matches they also become special," he said.
Looking back at the past one year which had seen him being axed from both the ODI and Test teams, Yuvraj said he was very happy that things have turned around for him.
"Last year everything I touched turned into mud. This year it has been a good year," he said.
Praising coach Gary Kirsten for the contribution he has been making, Yuvraj said that was the vital difference from 2007 when the team was knocked out in the first round of the World Cup.
"In 2003, the team was very great (when it made the final). I don't want to talk about 2007. In 2011 with Gary coming in, our confidence in each other has grown. Players confide in each other and the way Gary keeps the team like a family that shows in our performance," he pointed out.
Yuvraj struck an unbeaten half century after claiming two wickets last night to collect his fourth man of the match trophy in the ongoing World Cup.
Looking ahead to the semifinal clash against Pakistan at Mohali on March 30, Yuvraj said it would be another dream game.
"The India-Pakistan game is going to be another dream game after India-Australia. It's a great victory for India today. We would be playing our best cricket against Pakistan. They know our game we know theirs both teams are equal. They have had a very good tournament and have beaten West Indies and Australia," Yuvraj told reporters after India's five-wicket win over the defending champions.
"We don't want to think about the Pakistan game now. It has been a high-pressure game for us (against Australia) and lot of our system has been drained. We would like to relax for a couple of days and then make plans about Pakistan game," he added.
It was very difficult to keep his emotions in check in the high-octane quarterfinal match.
"Over the last one year I have been dreaming of staying till the end and taking the team to victory against Australia in the World Cup and the moment has come. This is the moment I have lived for as a cricketer," he said.
He admitted that it was a tough situation with enormous pressure on him and any small mistake on his part could have thrown India out of the World Cup.
"It was very hard to control emotions. It was difficult to control oneself in such a situation as one mistake and you will be out of the World Cup. I tried to just watch the ball, play down the ground and not lift the ball in the air," said the left-handed batsman.
Yuvraj said he was playing in the tournament with the thought of someone special in his life, though he did not specify the person.
"I am playing for a very special person that comes in my mind and whenever things are not going well I think of that person and things work out," he remarked.
Yuvraj conceded that the dismissal of Gautam Gambhir, who was run out due to a misunderstanding with him, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession had put the team under pressure but Suresh Raina lived up to the challenge in crucial stages.
"When Gambhir got out I thought I will get a good partnership going with MS (Dhoni) but when MS got out I knew I was in trouble. When Raina came in I told him to take his time and let's get 20-30 run partnership. He has shown nerves in a crucial stage and this will boost his confidence also," he said.
He said he had already apologised to Gambhir for the mix-up that resulted in his partner getting run out.
"I have apologised to Gautam for the miscommunication on the field. We have not played together much. I think it was probably my fault," said Yuvraj.
Though he got his fourth man-of-the-match award in the tournament, Yuvraj sounded modest and said the team effort was crucial.
"I feel good to have contributed to the team but the victory cannot be achieved by one person, it's a team effort," he said.
He said though he cherished the centuries he had scored in his career, even scores like his 52 not out last night were special as they resulted in the team winning a crucial tie.
"Though centuries are very special for a player, when you are able to contribute 20 or 30 runs which help the team win crucial matches they also become special," he said.
Looking back at the past one year which had seen him being axed from both the ODI and Test teams, Yuvraj said he was very happy that things have turned around for him.
"Last year everything I touched turned into mud. This year it has been a good year," he said.
Praising coach Gary Kirsten for the contribution he has been making, Yuvraj said that was the vital difference from 2007 when the team was knocked out in the first round of the World Cup.
"In 2003, the team was very great (when it made the final). I don't want to talk about 2007. In 2011 with Gary coming in, our confidence in each other has grown. Players confide in each other and the way Gary keeps the team like a family that shows in our performance," he pointed out.
Thursday 24 March 2011
List of top 30 companies by revenue
1 WalMart (Retailing)
2 ExxonMobil (Oil and gas)
3 BP (Oil and gas)
4 Royal Dutch Shell (Oil and gas)
5 Saudi Aramco (Oil and gas)
6 Toyota Motors (Automotive)
7 Japan Post Holdings (Conglomerate)
8 Sinopec (Oil and gas)
9 Vitol (Raw material)
10 Total S.A. (Oil and gas)
11 State Grid Corporation of China (Electricity)
12 Samsung Electronics (Electronics)
13 Volkswagen Group (Automotive)
14 Chevron (Oil and gas)
15 ING Group (Financial services)
16 ConocoPhillips (Oil and gas)
17 General Electric (Conglomerate)
18 PetroChina (Oil and gas)
19 Glencore International (Raw materials)
20 Allianz (Financial services)
21 Berkshire Hathaway (Conglomerate)
22 Daimler AG (Automotive)
23 General Motors (Automotive)
24 Assicurazioni Generali (Insurance)
25 AXA (Financial services)
26 Hewlett-Packard (Information technology)
27 Carrefour (Retailing)
28 AT&T (Telecommunications)
29 Eni (Oil and gas)
30 Bank of America (Banking)
2 ExxonMobil (Oil and gas)
3 BP (Oil and gas)
4 Royal Dutch Shell (Oil and gas)
5 Saudi Aramco (Oil and gas)
6 Toyota Motors (Automotive)
7 Japan Post Holdings (Conglomerate)
8 Sinopec (Oil and gas)
9 Vitol (Raw material)
10 Total S.A. (Oil and gas)
11 State Grid Corporation of China (Electricity)
12 Samsung Electronics (Electronics)
13 Volkswagen Group (Automotive)
14 Chevron (Oil and gas)
15 ING Group (Financial services)
16 ConocoPhillips (Oil and gas)
17 General Electric (Conglomerate)
18 PetroChina (Oil and gas)
19 Glencore International (Raw materials)
20 Allianz (Financial services)
21 Berkshire Hathaway (Conglomerate)
22 Daimler AG (Automotive)
23 General Motors (Automotive)
24 Assicurazioni Generali (Insurance)
25 AXA (Financial services)
26 Hewlett-Packard (Information technology)
27 Carrefour (Retailing)
28 AT&T (Telecommunications)
29 Eni (Oil and gas)
30 Bank of America (Banking)
Budget 2011-2012 speech of Pranab Mukherjee
Budget 2011-2012 Speech of Pranab Mukherjee Minister of Finance February 28, 2011.
I rise to present the Union Budget for 2011-12.
We are reaching the end of a remarkable fiscal year. In a globalised world with its share of uncertainties and rapid changes, this year brought us some opportunities and many challenges as we moved ahead with steady steps on the chosen path of fiscal consolidation and high economic growth.
2. Our growth in 2010-11 has been swift and broad-based. The economy is back to its pre-crisis growth trajectory. While agriculture has shown a rebound, industry is regaining its earlier momentum. Services sector continues its near double digit run. Fiscal consolidation has been impressive. This year has also seen significant progress in those critical institutional reforms that would set the pace for double-digit growth in the near future.
3. While we succeeded in making good progress in addressing many areas of our concern, we could have done better in some others. The total food inflation declined from 20.2 per cent in February 2010 to less than half at 9.3 per cent in January 2011, but it still remains a concern. In the medium term perspective, our three priorities of sustaining a high growth trajectory; making development more inclusive; and improving our institutions, public delivery and governance practices, remain relevant. These would continue to engage the Indian policyplanners for some time. However, there are some manifestations of these challenges that need urgent attention in the short term.
I rise to present the Union Budget for 2011-12.
We are reaching the end of a remarkable fiscal year. In a globalised world with its share of uncertainties and rapid changes, this year brought us some opportunities and many challenges as we moved ahead with steady steps on the chosen path of fiscal consolidation and high economic growth.
2. Our growth in 2010-11 has been swift and broad-based. The economy is back to its pre-crisis growth trajectory. While agriculture has shown a rebound, industry is regaining its earlier momentum. Services sector continues its near double digit run. Fiscal consolidation has been impressive. This year has also seen significant progress in those critical institutional reforms that would set the pace for double-digit growth in the near future.
3. While we succeeded in making good progress in addressing many areas of our concern, we could have done better in some others. The total food inflation declined from 20.2 per cent in February 2010 to less than half at 9.3 per cent in January 2011, but it still remains a concern. In the medium term perspective, our three priorities of sustaining a high growth trajectory; making development more inclusive; and improving our institutions, public delivery and governance practices, remain relevant. These would continue to engage the Indian policyplanners for some time. However, there are some manifestations of these challenges that need urgent attention in the short term.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
World: Asia-Pacific Japan's vital but unpopular nuclear industry
Japan's nuclear industry faces its most serious crisis following the radiation leak at the Tokaimura uranium-processing facility.
Japan's nuclear crisis
This is only the latest in a series of accidents, fires and leaks which have undermined public confidence in the safety of nuclear power.
According to the Japanese Science and Technology Agency, tests on two of those closest to the leak suggest they were subjected to radiation "equivalent to exposure to an atomic bomb".
The statement will provide an unpleasant echo for the Japanese public, which is still greatly influenced by the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War Two.
The town of Tokaimura was also the site of Japan's previous worst nuclear accident, in 1997. At another facility close to the uranium processing plant, 35 workers were contaminated by radiation after a fire was not extinguished properly and caused an explosion.
In another serious accident in July, radiation levels 11,500 times the safety limit leaked out of a pipe in a plant in Tsuruga, 320 km (200 miles) west of Tokyo.
But like it or not, the nuclear industry is extremely important to delivering Japan's vast energy requirement.
Since the oil crisis of 1973, successive governments have made concerted efforts to become self-sufficient - and opted for nuclear energy to achieve this goal.
The country has few natural resources and relies on its 51 commercial nuclear power plants for about one-third of its electricity.
By the year 2010, Japan wants to raise that production level to 42% of its energy needs.
Pursing a goal of self-sufficiency, the Japanese nuclear industry originally wanted to use plutonium in fast-breeder reactors, which could generate more plutonium.
Japan is now the only nation still developing fast-breeder nuclear reactors since France decided in 1997 to close its Superphoenix reactor following a series of problems.
But the high costs, as well as an accident at the fast-breeder reactor Monju in 1995, forced the industry to seek an alternative in MOX fuel, a combination of uranium and plutonium recycled from spent nuclear fuel.
This task is done at recycling plants in France and the UK, and shipped back to Japan.
Just days ago, Tsuneo Futami, director of the Tokaimura plant, said: "Considering Japan's scarce resources, it is very important to have MOX fuel."
Japan's nuclear crisis
This is only the latest in a series of accidents, fires and leaks which have undermined public confidence in the safety of nuclear power.
According to the Japanese Science and Technology Agency, tests on two of those closest to the leak suggest they were subjected to radiation "equivalent to exposure to an atomic bomb".
The statement will provide an unpleasant echo for the Japanese public, which is still greatly influenced by the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War Two.
The town of Tokaimura was also the site of Japan's previous worst nuclear accident, in 1997. At another facility close to the uranium processing plant, 35 workers were contaminated by radiation after a fire was not extinguished properly and caused an explosion.
In another serious accident in July, radiation levels 11,500 times the safety limit leaked out of a pipe in a plant in Tsuruga, 320 km (200 miles) west of Tokyo.
But like it or not, the nuclear industry is extremely important to delivering Japan's vast energy requirement.
Since the oil crisis of 1973, successive governments have made concerted efforts to become self-sufficient - and opted for nuclear energy to achieve this goal.
The country has few natural resources and relies on its 51 commercial nuclear power plants for about one-third of its electricity.
By the year 2010, Japan wants to raise that production level to 42% of its energy needs.
Pursing a goal of self-sufficiency, the Japanese nuclear industry originally wanted to use plutonium in fast-breeder reactors, which could generate more plutonium.
Japan is now the only nation still developing fast-breeder nuclear reactors since France decided in 1997 to close its Superphoenix reactor following a series of problems.
But the high costs, as well as an accident at the fast-breeder reactor Monju in 1995, forced the industry to seek an alternative in MOX fuel, a combination of uranium and plutonium recycled from spent nuclear fuel.
This task is done at recycling plants in France and the UK, and shipped back to Japan.
Just days ago, Tsuneo Futami, director of the Tokaimura plant, said: "Considering Japan's scarce resources, it is very important to have MOX fuel."
Key features of Budget 2011-2012
Opportunities
Swift and broad based growth in 2010-11 has put the economy back to its pre-crisis growth trajectory. Fiscal consolidation has been impressive.
Significant progress in critical institutional reforms that would set the pace for double-digit growth in the near future.
Dynamism in the rural economy due to scaled up flow of resources to the rural areas.
Challenges
Structural concerns on inflation management to be addressed by improving supply response of agriculture to the expanding domestic demand and through stronger fiscal consolidation.
Implementation gaps, leakages from public programmes and the quality of outcomes pose a serious challenge.
Impression of drift in governance and gap in public accountability is misplaced. Corruption as a problem to be fought collectively. Government to improve the regulatory standards and administrative practices.
Inputs from colleagues on both sides of House are important in the wider national interest.
Budget 2011-12 to serve as a transition towards a more transparent and result oriented economic management system in India
Swift and broad based growth in 2010-11 has put the economy back to its pre-crisis growth trajectory. Fiscal consolidation has been impressive.
Significant progress in critical institutional reforms that would set the pace for double-digit growth in the near future.
Dynamism in the rural economy due to scaled up flow of resources to the rural areas.
Challenges
Structural concerns on inflation management to be addressed by improving supply response of agriculture to the expanding domestic demand and through stronger fiscal consolidation.
Implementation gaps, leakages from public programmes and the quality of outcomes pose a serious challenge.
Impression of drift in governance and gap in public accountability is misplaced. Corruption as a problem to be fought collectively. Government to improve the regulatory standards and administrative practices.
Inputs from colleagues on both sides of House are important in the wider national interest.
Budget 2011-12 to serve as a transition towards a more transparent and result oriented economic management system in India
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami Tōhoku Chihō Taiheiyō-oki Jishin literally "Tōhoku region Pacific Ocean offshore earthquake"was a 9.0-magnitude undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST (05:46 UTC) on Friday 11 March 2011.The epicenter was approximately 72 kilometers (45 mi) east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tōhoku, with the hypocenter at an underwater depth of approximately 32 km (19.9 mi).
The earthquake triggered extremely destructive tsunami waves of up to 10 meters (33 ft) that struck Japan minutes after the quake, in some cases traveling up to 10 km (6 mi) inland,with smaller waves reaching many other countries after several hours. Tsunami warnings were issued and evacuations ordered along Japan's Pacific coast and at least 20 other countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North America and South America.
The Japanese National Police Agency has officially confirmed 9,523 deaths,2,755 injured,and 16,094 people missing across eighteen prefectures, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.The earthquake and tsunami caused extensive and severe structural damage in Japan, including heavy damage to roads and railways as well as fires in many areas, and a dam collapse.Around 4.4 million households in northeastern Japan were left without electricity and 1.5 million without water.Many electrical generators were taken down, and at least three nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to hydrogen gas that had built up within their outer containment buildings. On 18 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency described the crisis as "extremely serious."Residents within a 20 km (12 mi) radius of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant and a 10 km (6 mi) radius of the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant were evacuated.
Estimates of the Tōhoku earthquake's magnitude make it the most powerful known earthquake to have hit Japan, and one of the five most powerful earthquakes in the world overall since modern record-keeping began in 1900.Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan."The earthquake moved Honshu 2.4 m (7.9 ft) east and shifted the Earth on its axis by almost 10 cm (3.9 in).Early estimates placed insured losses from the earthquake alone at US$14.5 to $34.6 billion.The Bank of Japan offered ¥15 trillion (US$183 billion) to the banking system on 14 March in an effort to normalize market conditions.On 21 March, the World Bank estimated damage between US$122 billion and $235 billion.Japan's government said the cost of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast could reach $309 billion, making it the world's most expensive natural disaster on record.
The earthquake triggered extremely destructive tsunami waves of up to 10 meters (33 ft) that struck Japan minutes after the quake, in some cases traveling up to 10 km (6 mi) inland,with smaller waves reaching many other countries after several hours. Tsunami warnings were issued and evacuations ordered along Japan's Pacific coast and at least 20 other countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North America and South America.
The Japanese National Police Agency has officially confirmed 9,523 deaths,2,755 injured,and 16,094 people missing across eighteen prefectures, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.The earthquake and tsunami caused extensive and severe structural damage in Japan, including heavy damage to roads and railways as well as fires in many areas, and a dam collapse.Around 4.4 million households in northeastern Japan were left without electricity and 1.5 million without water.Many electrical generators were taken down, and at least three nuclear reactors suffered explosions due to hydrogen gas that had built up within their outer containment buildings. On 18 March, the International Atomic Energy Agency described the crisis as "extremely serious."Residents within a 20 km (12 mi) radius of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant and a 10 km (6 mi) radius of the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant were evacuated.
Estimates of the Tōhoku earthquake's magnitude make it the most powerful known earthquake to have hit Japan, and one of the five most powerful earthquakes in the world overall since modern record-keeping began in 1900.Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan."The earthquake moved Honshu 2.4 m (7.9 ft) east and shifted the Earth on its axis by almost 10 cm (3.9 in).Early estimates placed insured losses from the earthquake alone at US$14.5 to $34.6 billion.The Bank of Japan offered ¥15 trillion (US$183 billion) to the banking system on 14 March in an effort to normalize market conditions.On 21 March, the World Bank estimated damage between US$122 billion and $235 billion.Japan's government said the cost of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast could reach $309 billion, making it the world's most expensive natural disaster on record.
Highest Individual scores
1 Runs 17,953 Innings 449 PlayerSachin Tendulkar Period1989–
2 Runs 13,428 Innings 432 Player Sanath Jayasuriya Period1989–2009
3 Runs 13,082 Innings 343 PlayerRicky Ponting Period1995–
4 Runs 11,739 Innings 350 Player Inzamam-Ul-Haq Period1991–2007
5 Runs 11,363 Innings 300 Player Sourav Ganguly Period1992–2007
2 Runs 13,428 Innings 432 Player Sanath Jayasuriya Period1989–2009
3 Runs 13,082 Innings 343 PlayerRicky Ponting Period1995–
4 Runs 11,739 Innings 350 Player Inzamam-Ul-Haq Period1991–2007
5 Runs 11,363 Innings 300 Player Sourav Ganguly Period1992–2007
Highest career average
Rank Ave. Runs country Scorers
1 68.55 1234 Netherlands Ryan ten Doeschate
2 59.88 2156 South Africa Hashim Amla
3 53.58 6912 Australia Michael Bevan
4 51.96 4469 Australia Michael Hussey
5 49.22 1772 India Virat Kohli
1 68.55 1234 Netherlands Ryan ten Doeschate
2 59.88 2156 South Africa Hashim Amla
3 53.58 6912 Australia Michael Bevan
4 51.96 4469 Australia Michael Hussey
5 49.22 1772 India Virat Kohli
ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL(CRICKET)
The first ODI matches began in 1971. The Cricket World Cup is the most major of many ODI tournaments held between the 16 teams currently given full ODI status by the International Cricket Council.
Numerous batting, bowling and fielding records exist. Michael Bevan, an Australian cricketer, holds the best batting average of any retired player, while Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the most ODI runs and the largest number of centuries.
Numerous batting, bowling and fielding records exist. Michael Bevan, an Australian cricketer, holds the best batting average of any retired player, while Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the most ODI runs and the largest number of centuries.
TOP 10 FASTEST HALF CENTUARY
1. Sanath Jayasuriya 76 (17 balls) Sri Lanka v Pakistan 1996
2. Simon O’Donnell 74 (18) Australia v Sri Lanka 1990
3. Shahid Afridi 102 (18) Pakistan v Sri Lanka 1996
4. Shahid Afridi 55 n.o (18) Pakistan v Netherlands 2002
5. Mark Boucher 51 n.o (19) South Africa v Kenya 2001
6. Lance Cairns 52 (21) New Zealand v Australia 1983
7. Ajit Agarkar 67 n.o (21) India v Zimbabwe 2000
8. Douglas Marillier 56 n.o (21) Zimbabwe v India 2002
9. Kapil Dev 72 (22) India v West Indies 1983
10.Virender Sehwag 55 n.o (22) India v Kenya 2001
2. Simon O’Donnell 74 (18) Australia v Sri Lanka 1990
3. Shahid Afridi 102 (18) Pakistan v Sri Lanka 1996
4. Shahid Afridi 55 n.o (18) Pakistan v Netherlands 2002
5. Mark Boucher 51 n.o (19) South Africa v Kenya 2001
6. Lance Cairns 52 (21) New Zealand v Australia 1983
7. Ajit Agarkar 67 n.o (21) India v Zimbabwe 2000
8. Douglas Marillier 56 n.o (21) Zimbabwe v India 2002
9. Kapil Dev 72 (22) India v West Indies 1983
10.Virender Sehwag 55 n.o (22) India v Kenya 2001
Best Part Time MBA Programs in the United States for 2009-2010
1. UCLA, Anderson School of Management
2. Emory University, Goizueta Business School
3. USC, Marshall School of Business
4. Loyola Marymount University, College of Business Administration
5. Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics
6. University of Denver, Daniels College of Business
7. University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
8. Loyola University Chicago, Graduate School of Business
9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Management
10. Drexel University, LeBow College of Business
2. Emory University, Goizueta Business School
3. USC, Marshall School of Business
4. Loyola Marymount University, College of Business Administration
5. Lehigh University, College of Business and Economics
6. University of Denver, Daniels College of Business
7. University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
8. Loyola University Chicago, Graduate School of Business
9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Department of Management
10. Drexel University, LeBow College of Business
Best Full Time MBA Programs in the United States for 2009-2010
1. University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
2. Harvard University, Harvard Business School
3. Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
4. University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
5. University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
6. Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business
7. Columbia University, Graduate School of Business
8. Duke University, Fuqua School of Business
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
10. University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business
2. Harvard University, Harvard Business School
3. Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management
4. University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
5. University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
6. Stanford University, Stanford Graduate School of Business
7. Columbia University, Graduate School of Business
8. Duke University, Fuqua School of Business
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
10. University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business
Graduate(M.B.A. PROGRAM) offer you many fields.
* Master of Accountancy (MAcc or MAcy) / Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), a postgraduate degree in accounting
* Master of Commerce (M.Comm.), a postgraduate business degree usually focused on an particular area
* Master of Economics
* Master of Enterprise (MEnt), a postgraduate, technology & enterprise-based qualification
* Master of Bioscience Enterprise (MBioEnt), a postgraduate degree focussed on the commercialisation of biotechnology
* Master of Finance (MFin), a postgraduate degree in finance
* Master of International Business (MIB), a postgraduate degree focused on International Business
* Master of Management (MM), a postgraduate business degree
* Master of Science in Management, a postgraduate business degree
* Master of Marketing Research (MMR) a postgraduate degree focusing on research in the field of marketing
* Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO or MNPO), the postgraduate degree for philanthropy and voluntary sector professionals
* Master of Public Administration (MPA), a postgraduate public administration degree
* Masters of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions, a post-graduate degree for co-operative and credit union managers
* Master in Sustainable Business (MSB)
* Master of Real Estate (MScRE), a postgraduate degree focusing on real estate.
* Master of Commerce (M.Comm.), a postgraduate business degree usually focused on an particular area
* Master of Economics
* Master of Enterprise (MEnt), a postgraduate, technology & enterprise-based qualification
* Master of Bioscience Enterprise (MBioEnt), a postgraduate degree focussed on the commercialisation of biotechnology
* Master of Finance (MFin), a postgraduate degree in finance
* Master of International Business (MIB), a postgraduate degree focused on International Business
* Master of Management (MM), a postgraduate business degree
* Master of Science in Management, a postgraduate business degree
* Master of Marketing Research (MMR) a postgraduate degree focusing on research in the field of marketing
* Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO or MNPO), the postgraduate degree for philanthropy and voluntary sector professionals
* Master of Public Administration (MPA), a postgraduate public administration degree
* Masters of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions, a post-graduate degree for co-operative and credit union managers
* Master in Sustainable Business (MSB)
* Master of Real Estate (MScRE), a postgraduate degree focusing on real estate.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
history of M.B.A in India
There are 1600 business schools in India offering two year MBA programs. The students are a mix of fresh graduates without any work experience and people with good work experience. Among those schools, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) are the oldest institutions for management education in India. Admission to any of the IIM schools requires passing Common Admission Test (CAT), however other business schools requires passing either CAT, XAT, GMAT, XAT, JMET, MAT or others each of which qualifies candidates for entrance into any management institutions in India, apart from these entrance tests there are few business schools which conducts aptitude test individually which qualifies candidates for that particular business school. The IIM and other autonomous business schools offer a post-graduate diploma in management (PGDM) or Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) which is recognized in India as similar to an MBA degree. Government accreditation bodies such as AICTE established that autonomous business schools can offer only the PGDM or PGPM, whereas a post-graduate degree can be awarded by a university-affiliated colleges, in two-year full-time program. The curriculum of the PGDM or PGPM and MBA degrees are equivalent, although the MBA degree is examination oriented and concentrates on theoretical aspects of management whereas the PGDM or PGPM is industry-oriented and mainly focuses on building soft skills. However, a PGDM or PGPM holder cannot pursue Ph.D. since it is not recognized. Non-government accredited, one-year fast-track programs have proliferated in India, especially for candidates with work experience. Such programs are commonly known as Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Business Management. See List of business schools in India.
Basic types of MBA programs
Two-year (Full Time) MBA programs normally take place over two academic years (i.e. approximately 18 months of term time). For example in the Northern Hemisphere beginning in late August/September of year one and continuing until May of year two, with a three to four month summer break in between years one and two. Students enter with a reasonable amount of prior real-world work experience and take classes during weekdays like other university students.
Accelerated MBA programs are a variation of the two year programs. They involve a higher course load with more intense class and examination schedules. They usually have less "down time" during the program and between semesters. For example, there is no three to four month summer break, and between semesters there might be seven to ten days off rather than three to five weeks vacation.
Part-time MBA programs normally hold classes on weekday evenings, after normal working hours, or on weekends. Part-time programs normally last three years or more. The students in these programs typically consist of working professionals, who take a light course load for a longer period of time until the graduation requirements are met.
Executive MBA (EMBA) programs developed to meet the educational needs of managers and executives, allowing students to earn an MBA or another business-related graduate degree in two years or less while working full time. Participants come from every type and size of organization – profit, nonprofit, government — representing a variety of industries. EMBA students typically have a higher level of work experience, often 10 years or more, compared to other MBA students. In response to the increasing number of EMBA programs offered, The Executive MBA Council was formed in 1981 to advance executive education.
Distance learning MBA programs hold classes off-campus. These programs can be offered in a number of different formats: correspondence courses by postal mail or email, non-interactive broadcast video, pre-recorded video, live teleconference or videoconference, offline or online computer courses. Many schools offer these programs.
Dual MBA programs combine MBA degree with others (such as an MS or a J.D., etc.) to let students cut costs (dual programs usually cost less than pursuing 2 degrees separately), save time on education and to tailor the business education courses to their needs. Some business schools offer programs in which students can earn both a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA in four or five years.
Accelerated MBA programs are a variation of the two year programs. They involve a higher course load with more intense class and examination schedules. They usually have less "down time" during the program and between semesters. For example, there is no three to four month summer break, and between semesters there might be seven to ten days off rather than three to five weeks vacation.
Part-time MBA programs normally hold classes on weekday evenings, after normal working hours, or on weekends. Part-time programs normally last three years or more. The students in these programs typically consist of working professionals, who take a light course load for a longer period of time until the graduation requirements are met.
Executive MBA (EMBA) programs developed to meet the educational needs of managers and executives, allowing students to earn an MBA or another business-related graduate degree in two years or less while working full time. Participants come from every type and size of organization – profit, nonprofit, government — representing a variety of industries. EMBA students typically have a higher level of work experience, often 10 years or more, compared to other MBA students. In response to the increasing number of EMBA programs offered, The Executive MBA Council was formed in 1981 to advance executive education.
Distance learning MBA programs hold classes off-campus. These programs can be offered in a number of different formats: correspondence courses by postal mail or email, non-interactive broadcast video, pre-recorded video, live teleconference or videoconference, offline or online computer courses. Many schools offer these programs.
Dual MBA programs combine MBA degree with others (such as an MS or a J.D., etc.) to let students cut costs (dual programs usually cost less than pursuing 2 degrees separately), save time on education and to tailor the business education courses to their needs. Some business schools offer programs in which students can earn both a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA in four or five years.
History of M.B.A.
The first graduate school of business in the United States was the Tuck School of Business, part of Dartmouth College.[citation needed] Founded in 1900, it was the first institution conferring advanced degrees (masters) in the commercial sciences, specifically, a Master of Science in Commerce degree, the forebear of the modern MBA degree.
In 1908, the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) at Harvard University was established; it offered the world's first MBA program[citation needed], with a faculty of 15 plus 33 regular students and 47 special students.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business first offered working professionals the Executive MBA (EMBA) program in 1940[citation needed], and this type of program is offered by most business schools today.
In 1946, Thunderbird School of Global Management was the first school to offer an MBA program focused on global management.[citation needed]
In 1950, the first MBA degrees awarded outside the United States were by The University of Western Ontario in Canada,followed in 1951 with the degree awarded by the University of Pretoria in South Africa.The Institute of Business Administration, Karachi in Pakistan was established in 1955 as the first Asian business school by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1957, INSEAD became the first European business school to offer an MBA program.[citation needed] In 1986, the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College (Florida) was the first MBA program to require every student to have a laptop computer in the classroom. Initially, professors wheeled a cart of laptops into the classroom.
The MBA degree has been adopted by universities worldwide, and has been adopted and adapted by both developed and developing countries.
In 1908, the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) at Harvard University was established; it offered the world's first MBA program[citation needed], with a faculty of 15 plus 33 regular students and 47 special students.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business first offered working professionals the Executive MBA (EMBA) program in 1940[citation needed], and this type of program is offered by most business schools today.
In 1946, Thunderbird School of Global Management was the first school to offer an MBA program focused on global management.[citation needed]
In 1950, the first MBA degrees awarded outside the United States were by The University of Western Ontario in Canada,followed in 1951 with the degree awarded by the University of Pretoria in South Africa.The Institute of Business Administration, Karachi in Pakistan was established in 1955 as the first Asian business school by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1957, INSEAD became the first European business school to offer an MBA program.[citation needed] In 1986, the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College (Florida) was the first MBA program to require every student to have a laptop computer in the classroom. Initially, professors wheeled a cart of laptops into the classroom.
The MBA degree has been adopted by universities worldwide, and has been adopted and adapted by both developed and developing countries.
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration (MBA or M.B.A.) is a master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out scientific approaches to management. The core courses in the MBA program are designed to introduce students to the various areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, operations management, etc. Students in MBA programs have the option of taking general business courses throughout the program or can select an area of concentration and focus approximately one-fourth of their studies in this subject.
Accreditation bodies exist specifically for MBA programs to ensure consistency and quality of graduate business education. Business schools in many countries offer MBA programs tailored to full-time, part-time, executive, and distance learning students, with specialized concentrations
Accreditation bodies exist specifically for MBA programs to ensure consistency and quality of graduate business education. Business schools in many countries offer MBA programs tailored to full-time, part-time, executive, and distance learning students, with specialized concentrations
The World's 30 Best CEOs
1 Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway)
2 Kenneth Chenault (American Express)
3 George David (United Technologies)
4 Charlie Ergen (EchoStar)
5 Larry Fink (BlackRock
6 Lew Frankfort (Coach)
7 Richard Fuld (Lehman Brothers)
8 Fred Goodwin (Royal Bank of Scotland)
9 Jeffrey Immelt (General Electric)
10 Satoru Iwata (Nintendo)
11 Steven Jobs (Apple)
12 Henning Kagermann (SAP)
13 Richard Kovacevich (Wells Fargo)
14 A G Lafley (Procter & Gamble)
15 Terry Leahy (Tesco)
16 John Mackey (Whole Foods)
17 Lakshmi Mittal (Arcelor Mittal)
18 Allan Moss (Macquaire Bank)
19 Angelo Mozilo (Countrywide Financial)
20 Rupert Murdoch (News Corp)
21 Michael O'Leary (Ryanair Holdings)
22 Franck Ribould (Groupe Danone)
23 Peter Rose (Expeditor International)
24 Steven Roth (Vornado Realty)
25 James Schiro (Zurich Financial)
26 Bob Simpson (XTO Energy)
27 James Sinegal (Costco Wholesale)
28 Fred Smith (FedEx)
29 Ratan Tata (Tata Steel)
30 Jong-Yong Yun (Samsung Electronics)
31 Dinesh Aggarwal (IndiaMArt Limited)
2 Kenneth Chenault (American Express)
3 George David (United Technologies)
4 Charlie Ergen (EchoStar)
5 Larry Fink (BlackRock
6 Lew Frankfort (Coach)
7 Richard Fuld (Lehman Brothers)
8 Fred Goodwin (Royal Bank of Scotland)
9 Jeffrey Immelt (General Electric)
10 Satoru Iwata (Nintendo)
11 Steven Jobs (Apple)
12 Henning Kagermann (SAP)
13 Richard Kovacevich (Wells Fargo)
14 A G Lafley (Procter & Gamble)
15 Terry Leahy (Tesco)
16 John Mackey (Whole Foods)
17 Lakshmi Mittal (Arcelor Mittal)
18 Allan Moss (Macquaire Bank)
19 Angelo Mozilo (Countrywide Financial)
20 Rupert Murdoch (News Corp)
21 Michael O'Leary (Ryanair Holdings)
22 Franck Ribould (Groupe Danone)
23 Peter Rose (Expeditor International)
24 Steven Roth (Vornado Realty)
25 James Schiro (Zurich Financial)
26 Bob Simpson (XTO Energy)
27 James Sinegal (Costco Wholesale)
28 Fred Smith (FedEx)
29 Ratan Tata (Tata Steel)
30 Jong-Yong Yun (Samsung Electronics)
31 Dinesh Aggarwal (IndiaMArt Limited)
How big is the fund?(mutual fund)
The fund's corpus is a good place to start. Look for one that is neither too small nor too big. The current regulations impart a higher cost structure to small-sized funds. Besides, it's difficult for managers of small funds to get information ahead of the market because big research houses and companies seldom entertain them. The larger funds, on the other hand, have their own disadvantages.
It is almost impossible for a very large fund to allocate a sizeable portion of its corpus to a small-cap stock without disturbing the price of the scrip. Therefore, big funds are forced to invest in large-cap stocks. This explains why most large funds tend to move like index funds because their portfolios begin to resemble the index as a whole. Hemant Rustagi, CEO, Wiseinvest Advisors , says, "If a fund becomes too large, stock picking becomes difficult. This is most evident in mid-cap-oriented funds, where stock picking is most crucial to performance."
It is almost impossible for a very large fund to allocate a sizeable portion of its corpus to a small-cap stock without disturbing the price of the scrip. Therefore, big funds are forced to invest in large-cap stocks. This explains why most large funds tend to move like index funds because their portfolios begin to resemble the index as a whole. Hemant Rustagi, CEO, Wiseinvest Advisors , says, "If a fund becomes too large, stock picking becomes difficult. This is most evident in mid-cap-oriented funds, where stock picking is most crucial to performance."
How to choose the right mutual fund
For small investors who want a share of the market action without incurring the imminent risk, mutual funds are the best option. Instead of wracking your brains over stock selection, you can outsource the task to a fund manager, who can work his magic on your portfolio. Is this where your responsibility ends? Not really. Picking a mutual fund may not be as risky as choosing stocks, but zeroing in on the right scheme can be a cumbersome process.
The vast number of mutual fund schemes on offer, coupled with their cryptic, complicated names, are enough to confound any investor. Funds with fancy names, such as Hi-Fi Fund , Progressive Themes Fund , Special Situations Fund and Unique Opportunities Fund , are among the 380-odd equity schemes on offer. As an investor, you need to tread with caution because if you pick the wrong fund, it can bleed your portfolio and drag down its overall return.
How does one sift through the large number of mutual fund schemes and pick winners? Unfortunately, most investors fall in the historical performance trap while trying to do this. Says Vivek Rege, managing director of VR Wealth Advisors: "This habit of looking at short-term fund performance is worrisome. Investors should understand that evaluating performance at micro levels does not signify anything. They should not draw conclusions as it can be misleading."
Choosing the right mutual fund
The blame also lies with the advisers who push certain funds purely on the basis of recent performance. "It is actually the advisers who are obsessed with performance. They have no other ability to bank upon while advising clients," says Sumeet Vaid, founder and managing director, Ffreedom Financial Planners . If performance is not the only criterion, what other factors should one consider while assessing a fund? We have identified a few parameters that should help investors choose the right fund.
The vast number of mutual fund schemes on offer, coupled with their cryptic, complicated names, are enough to confound any investor. Funds with fancy names, such as Hi-Fi Fund , Progressive Themes Fund , Special Situations Fund and Unique Opportunities Fund , are among the 380-odd equity schemes on offer. As an investor, you need to tread with caution because if you pick the wrong fund, it can bleed your portfolio and drag down its overall return.
How does one sift through the large number of mutual fund schemes and pick winners? Unfortunately, most investors fall in the historical performance trap while trying to do this. Says Vivek Rege, managing director of VR Wealth Advisors: "This habit of looking at short-term fund performance is worrisome. Investors should understand that evaluating performance at micro levels does not signify anything. They should not draw conclusions as it can be misleading."
Choosing the right mutual fund
The blame also lies with the advisers who push certain funds purely on the basis of recent performance. "It is actually the advisers who are obsessed with performance. They have no other ability to bank upon while advising clients," says Sumeet Vaid, founder and managing director, Ffreedom Financial Planners . If performance is not the only criterion, what other factors should one consider while assessing a fund? We have identified a few parameters that should help investors choose the right fund.
As art market booms, some see the risk of bust
LONDON: At the top end of the art market, the financial crisis seems a distant memory -- surging prices saw Christie's and Sotheby's post impressive 2010 results that were back to, or above pre-crisis levels.
Yet while the market leaders are confident the recovery from 2009's deep slump can be sustained, the prospect of speculative money pouring into art, driven partly by rich Chinese investors, increases the risk of boom and bust, some analysts believe.
"This bull market trend could go on for some time, supported by China's rising class of super-wealthy, but eventually the bubble will burst, as it did in Japan in the early 90s and the global art market crash in 2008," ArtTactic said in its latest analysis of the contemporary art market.
"Too much speculative money will push art prices beyond their long-term, intrinsic art historic value, and it will become a game of who's the Greatest Fool."
The research company said it believed more "hot" money, lured by recent spectacular gains, would enter not only emerging markets but also established Western markets too, with Andy Warhol paintings a prime candidate for further speculation.
"We will experience mini-booms and busts more frequently than in the past as speculators move in and out of different markets trying to cash in on the latest trend," ArtTactic said.
"We see 2011 being the start of this new era, where art is increasingly moving from a collectable asset towards a financial asset."
Yet while the market leaders are confident the recovery from 2009's deep slump can be sustained, the prospect of speculative money pouring into art, driven partly by rich Chinese investors, increases the risk of boom and bust, some analysts believe.
"This bull market trend could go on for some time, supported by China's rising class of super-wealthy, but eventually the bubble will burst, as it did in Japan in the early 90s and the global art market crash in 2008," ArtTactic said in its latest analysis of the contemporary art market.
"Too much speculative money will push art prices beyond their long-term, intrinsic art historic value, and it will become a game of who's the Greatest Fool."
The research company said it believed more "hot" money, lured by recent spectacular gains, would enter not only emerging markets but also established Western markets too, with Andy Warhol paintings a prime candidate for further speculation.
"We will experience mini-booms and busts more frequently than in the past as speculators move in and out of different markets trying to cash in on the latest trend," ArtTactic said.
"We see 2011 being the start of this new era, where art is increasingly moving from a collectable asset towards a financial asset."
Union Budget 2011: Artists welcome duty exemption on import of Indian artworks circulating abroad
KOLKATA: Art and cultural circles thumped their desks in response to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's proposal to exempt duty on imports of artworks and antiquities for exhibition and display in India. Union Culture secretary Jawahar Sircar said artworks brought back from overseas would remain in India for permanent display.
"My minister Kumari Selja and myself definitely welcome the liberalisation of the provision for exemption of works of art and antiquities that are imported for being exhibited in a public museum or even private museums/galleries that are open for the general public," said Sircar.
The cuture minister will be notifying the details of the scheme to facilitate the return of Indian art and antiques as well as other art forms from foreign countries, he said. "It is an extremely proactive step that the government has taken to actively encourage private, corporate and public institutions to set up museums and galleries with this duty exemption. This will positively help non-government institutions grow from strength to strength," Sircar said.
The culture ministry is also formalising details of the proposed international award in the memory of Tagore that is to be given for promoting universal brotherhood.
"Indian artworks and antiques have a huge market abroad. People will certainly step forward to source such artworks from overseas and exhibit them here. Almost all countries worldwide are incentivised to bring back their heritage objects. India is one of the few countries where a duty on such imports was prevailing," said Prakash Kejariwal, director of Kolkata's Chitrakoot Art Gallery.
"There were great deal of procedural hurdles to import and exhibit Indian paintings and antiquities circulating internationally. The duty exemption should smoothen out this process. Art circles had appealed for such an exemp-tion. Indian audiences will be hugely educated if they are exposed to overseas Indian art. We will also approach the ministry for duty exemption even if these works are sold by galleries and bought by domestic Indians," Delhi-based Vadehra Art Gallery's director Arun Vadehra said.
"My minister Kumari Selja and myself definitely welcome the liberalisation of the provision for exemption of works of art and antiquities that are imported for being exhibited in a public museum or even private museums/galleries that are open for the general public," said Sircar.
The cuture minister will be notifying the details of the scheme to facilitate the return of Indian art and antiques as well as other art forms from foreign countries, he said. "It is an extremely proactive step that the government has taken to actively encourage private, corporate and public institutions to set up museums and galleries with this duty exemption. This will positively help non-government institutions grow from strength to strength," Sircar said.
The culture ministry is also formalising details of the proposed international award in the memory of Tagore that is to be given for promoting universal brotherhood.
"Indian artworks and antiques have a huge market abroad. People will certainly step forward to source such artworks from overseas and exhibit them here. Almost all countries worldwide are incentivised to bring back their heritage objects. India is one of the few countries where a duty on such imports was prevailing," said Prakash Kejariwal, director of Kolkata's Chitrakoot Art Gallery.
"There were great deal of procedural hurdles to import and exhibit Indian paintings and antiquities circulating internationally. The duty exemption should smoothen out this process. Art circles had appealed for such an exemp-tion. Indian audiences will be hugely educated if they are exposed to overseas Indian art. We will also approach the ministry for duty exemption even if these works are sold by galleries and bought by domestic Indians," Delhi-based Vadehra Art Gallery's director Arun Vadehra said.
Finally, India card Rupay to replace Visa, MasterCard
MUMBAI: After almost two years of planning, the National Payments Corporation has at last finalised the proposed unique India Card which once commercially launched would be an domestic alternative to the global real-time payment processing firms like Visa and MasterCard .
"We have finalised name of the proposed card as Rupay at our board meeting here today. We have also finalised the logo for the same," a senior official of the RBI-set up National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), told media this evening. The official sought not to be named.
The official further said the leading financial consultancy firm Ernst & Young(E&Y) will develop and roll out the entire architecture, including the design and software for the Rupay card rollout.
A senior E&Y official confirmed the development to this agency. He further said, the NPCI will initially launch a domestic ATM/debit cards to begin with and then would hit the credit card market later on.
In 2009, the RBI had asked the Indian Banks Association to launch a not-for-profit company and design a rival card, then tentatively called India Card, that meets the requirements of the domestic banks.
And finally, RBI plan is materialising and Rupay will be like the Union Pay of China, which is the domestic real-time payment processing firm for Chinese banks, and was planned to be launched last year.
"We have finalised name of the proposed card as Rupay at our board meeting here today. We have also finalised the logo for the same," a senior official of the RBI-set up National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), told media this evening. The official sought not to be named.
The official further said the leading financial consultancy firm Ernst & Young(E&Y) will develop and roll out the entire architecture, including the design and software for the Rupay card rollout.
A senior E&Y official confirmed the development to this agency. He further said, the NPCI will initially launch a domestic ATM/debit cards to begin with and then would hit the credit card market later on.
In 2009, the RBI had asked the Indian Banks Association to launch a not-for-profit company and design a rival card, then tentatively called India Card, that meets the requirements of the domestic banks.
And finally, RBI plan is materialising and Rupay will be like the Union Pay of China, which is the domestic real-time payment processing firm for Chinese banks, and was planned to be launched last year.
CBI set to quiz Kanimozhi in 2G spectrum case
NEW DELHI: The DMK, which faces assembly elections in Tamil Nadu in April, appears headed for a major embarrassment with CBI deciding to question, party MP and daughter of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi , Kanimozhi, in the 2G spectrum case .
Kanimozhi holds 20% equity in Kalaignar TV, which is alleged to have received funds worth 214 crore from Mumbai-based Cineyug Films. CBI investigations have found that these funds were arranged by Cineyug Films from Shahid Balwa's DB Group, the promoter of Etisalat DB and one of the main beneficiaries in the 2G scam. Not only is the CBI probe into 2G scam about to reach the doorstep of DMK's first family, but the investigative agencies are also finalising the status report in the 2G case. It will also file a status report on the investigation in the Supreme Court before March 31.
The chargesheet, sources in the government told ET, will reflect the 214-crore money trail established so far between DB Group and Kalaignar TV. Kanimozhi's questioning will essentially relate to this 214-crore loan to Kalaignar TV.
What could be equally damning for the DMK on poll eve is the assessment of CBI that Raja was allegedly charging anything between 200 crore to 500 crore for awarding licences.
CBI is also making a list of all ineligible companies who had got the licences under Raja's charge of the telecom ministry. For instance, while applying for licences, Loop Telecom allegedly misrepresented facts. Its authorised share capital was only 5.2 crore as against the requirement of 128 crore.
As for beneficiaries like Swan Telecom, Unitech and Loop, sources told ET that CBI was looking at the money trail to establish who was criminally culpable and to what extent.
Kanimozhi holds 20% equity in Kalaignar TV, which is alleged to have received funds worth 214 crore from Mumbai-based Cineyug Films. CBI investigations have found that these funds were arranged by Cineyug Films from Shahid Balwa's DB Group, the promoter of Etisalat DB and one of the main beneficiaries in the 2G scam. Not only is the CBI probe into 2G scam about to reach the doorstep of DMK's first family, but the investigative agencies are also finalising the status report in the 2G case. It will also file a status report on the investigation in the Supreme Court before March 31.
The chargesheet, sources in the government told ET, will reflect the 214-crore money trail established so far between DB Group and Kalaignar TV. Kanimozhi's questioning will essentially relate to this 214-crore loan to Kalaignar TV.
What could be equally damning for the DMK on poll eve is the assessment of CBI that Raja was allegedly charging anything between 200 crore to 500 crore for awarding licences.
CBI is also making a list of all ineligible companies who had got the licences under Raja's charge of the telecom ministry. For instance, while applying for licences, Loop Telecom allegedly misrepresented facts. Its authorised share capital was only 5.2 crore as against the requirement of 128 crore.
As for beneficiaries like Swan Telecom, Unitech and Loop, sources told ET that CBI was looking at the money trail to establish who was criminally culpable and to what extent.
Chargesheets against Raja, 2 cos by month-end
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Supreme Court that it will file chargesheets against former telecom minister A Raja and what it described as two 'beneficiary' companies in the 2G spectrum allocation case. It did not name the companies. They are all set to be tried for corruption, money laundering, cheating and forgery in the case by a Special Court.
The CBI chargesheet is likely to charge Raja and other official of the Department of Telecom of conspiring with some telecom companies to enable them to get hold of spectrum at below-market rates. The conspiracy involved a number of actions. One key element of the conspiracy, investigators believe, was the decision by Raja to advance the cut-off date for applicants for telecom licenses to be allocated spectrum from October 1, 2007 to September 25. The other two elements of the conspiracy involved allowing 'ineligible' companies to bid and fiddling with the criteria of first-come-first served to allot airwaves out of turn.
The CBI is trying to find out if Raja received bribes for extending these alleged favours. He has denied all wrong-doing. A bench comprising Justice GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly directed CBI to appoint a competent public prosecutor to present its case before the court. Senior Counsel KK Venugopal, on behalf of agency, said, "the main charge sheet will be filed against A Raja and two companies by March 31. This is only the beginning and many people and companies would also be chargesheeted later on."
CBI in its fresh status report on its investigations in the scam told the court that it has come across many new revelations in the scam. Venugopal informed the court that the agency has examined many alleged beneficiaries including a CEO of a telecom company.
The probe agency is also probing a land deal in Chennai involving the Tatas and the DMK, said Venugopal. Letters Rogatory have been sent to some countries for probing the 2G money trail, he said adding, some progress had been made in case of Mauritius.
The court, while going through the status report, referred to a company and asked, "Is it the same company which has association with Vodafone and (it) was also mentioned in the ED report?" To that, Venugopal replied, "Yes". The court did not name the company. The apext court also asked the agency to place before it transcripts of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia's telephonic conversations tapped by the Income-Tax Department after getting permission from the Home Ministry.
It also asked CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to submit its fresh status reports on March 29, the next date of hearing. Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati informed the court that the Delhi High Court has agreed to set up an exclusive court for holding trial in the 2G case.
This will be done by March 29 so that the special court can take cognisance of the chargesheet filed by CBI, said Vahanvati. Vahanvati said that appropriate notification would be issued by the Government to conduct the trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The bench, after going through the CBI report, said that many additional chargesheets will have to be filed by the agency in the case.
"Lines of investigation show that it cannot be done in one chargesheet but many chargesheets have to be filed," the bench said. The court said it would look into a plea for forming a committee to assist and monitor the probe into the case. Advocate Prashant Bhushan on behalf of the petitioner an NGO called Centre for PIL had sought formation of an expert body to oversee the investigation being done by the CBI and ED.
The Centre, however, opposed the idea of forming an expert body saying it would demoralise the officers who are doing a "splendid job". Venugopal said that CBI and ED officers were working 20 to 22 hours daily and without breaks and holidays. He said the raids were being conducted at many places even on Sundays and they were committed to bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice.
Who evolved first-come policy: SC to Govt
The SC has asked the Government to clarify whether the first-come-first-served policy for spectrum allocation was evolved by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or the Department of Telecommunications. A bench of Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly asked A-G GE Vahanvati to clarify such matter by Thursday as it has conflicting opinions from Trai and the petitioner NGO, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation over the evolution of such policy.
"Was the first-come-first-served policy evolved by DoT or Trai? At what stage was it evolved and what was the rationale behind it," the bench asked. It also asked the govt's top law officer to explain the DoT secretary's written statement dated November 19, 2007, in which he had said that there was abundant spectrum available for allotment, while Trai had been saying at that stage that the spectrum was scarce.
The court said that Trai in 2003 and 2007 had said that the spectrum was scarce and it should be used rationally but DoT was saying that there is abundant spectrum for every operator. The SC wanted to know why DoT ignored Trai's recommendations on effective utilisation of the spectrum. "Why was Trai's recommendation not accepted by DoT? If DoT thought that it was not acceptable, why was it not referred back to Trai for reconsideration," the bench asked. It said it will not go by reports of either Justice Shivraj Patil or the CAG.
The CBI chargesheet is likely to charge Raja and other official of the Department of Telecom of conspiring with some telecom companies to enable them to get hold of spectrum at below-market rates. The conspiracy involved a number of actions. One key element of the conspiracy, investigators believe, was the decision by Raja to advance the cut-off date for applicants for telecom licenses to be allocated spectrum from October 1, 2007 to September 25. The other two elements of the conspiracy involved allowing 'ineligible' companies to bid and fiddling with the criteria of first-come-first served to allot airwaves out of turn.
The CBI is trying to find out if Raja received bribes for extending these alleged favours. He has denied all wrong-doing. A bench comprising Justice GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly directed CBI to appoint a competent public prosecutor to present its case before the court. Senior Counsel KK Venugopal, on behalf of agency, said, "the main charge sheet will be filed against A Raja and two companies by March 31. This is only the beginning and many people and companies would also be chargesheeted later on."
CBI in its fresh status report on its investigations in the scam told the court that it has come across many new revelations in the scam. Venugopal informed the court that the agency has examined many alleged beneficiaries including a CEO of a telecom company.
The probe agency is also probing a land deal in Chennai involving the Tatas and the DMK, said Venugopal. Letters Rogatory have been sent to some countries for probing the 2G money trail, he said adding, some progress had been made in case of Mauritius.
The court, while going through the status report, referred to a company and asked, "Is it the same company which has association with Vodafone and (it) was also mentioned in the ED report?" To that, Venugopal replied, "Yes". The court did not name the company. The apext court also asked the agency to place before it transcripts of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia's telephonic conversations tapped by the Income-Tax Department after getting permission from the Home Ministry.
It also asked CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to submit its fresh status reports on March 29, the next date of hearing. Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati informed the court that the Delhi High Court has agreed to set up an exclusive court for holding trial in the 2G case.
This will be done by March 29 so that the special court can take cognisance of the chargesheet filed by CBI, said Vahanvati. Vahanvati said that appropriate notification would be issued by the Government to conduct the trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The bench, after going through the CBI report, said that many additional chargesheets will have to be filed by the agency in the case.
"Lines of investigation show that it cannot be done in one chargesheet but many chargesheets have to be filed," the bench said. The court said it would look into a plea for forming a committee to assist and monitor the probe into the case. Advocate Prashant Bhushan on behalf of the petitioner an NGO called Centre for PIL had sought formation of an expert body to oversee the investigation being done by the CBI and ED.
The Centre, however, opposed the idea of forming an expert body saying it would demoralise the officers who are doing a "splendid job". Venugopal said that CBI and ED officers were working 20 to 22 hours daily and without breaks and holidays. He said the raids were being conducted at many places even on Sundays and they were committed to bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice.
Who evolved first-come policy: SC to Govt
The SC has asked the Government to clarify whether the first-come-first-served policy for spectrum allocation was evolved by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or the Department of Telecommunications. A bench of Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly asked A-G GE Vahanvati to clarify such matter by Thursday as it has conflicting opinions from Trai and the petitioner NGO, the Centre for Public Interest Litigation over the evolution of such policy.
"Was the first-come-first-served policy evolved by DoT or Trai? At what stage was it evolved and what was the rationale behind it," the bench asked. It also asked the govt's top law officer to explain the DoT secretary's written statement dated November 19, 2007, in which he had said that there was abundant spectrum available for allotment, while Trai had been saying at that stage that the spectrum was scarce.
The court said that Trai in 2003 and 2007 had said that the spectrum was scarce and it should be used rationally but DoT was saying that there is abundant spectrum for every operator. The SC wanted to know why DoT ignored Trai's recommendations on effective utilisation of the spectrum. "Why was Trai's recommendation not accepted by DoT? If DoT thought that it was not acceptable, why was it not referred back to Trai for reconsideration," the bench asked. It said it will not go by reports of either Justice Shivraj Patil or the CAG.
Chronological development of the no-fly zone (libya)
21 February 2011 - Libyan deputy Permanent Representative to U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi "[called] on the U.N. to impose a no-fly zone on all Tripoli to cut off all supplies of arms and mercenaries to the regime."
28 February 2011 - British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi from "airlifting mercenaries" and "using his military aeroplanes and armoured helicopters against civilians."
7 March 2011 - U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder announced that NATO decided to step up surveillance missions of E-3 AWACS aircraft to 24 hours a day. On the same day it was reported that an anonymous U.N. diplomat confirmed to Agence France Presse that France and Britain were drawing up a resolution on the no-fly zone that would be considered by the United Nations Security Council during the same week.The Gulf Cooperation Council also on that day called upon the U.N. Security Council to "take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya."
US Supports No-Fly Zone Against Libya.ogv
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VOA News report on the United States support of the no-fly zone
9 March 2011 - The head of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, "pleaded for the international community to move quickly to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, declaring that any delay would result in more casualties".Three days later, he stated that if pro-Gaddafi forces reached Benghazi, then they would kill "half a million" people. He stated, "If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gaddafi's regime, and his ships are not checked, we will have a catastrophe in Libya."
On 12 March, thousands of Libyan women marched in the streets of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
9 March 2011 - The United States had naval forces positioned off the coast of Libya, as well as forces already in the region - including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Canada had dispatched naval frigate HMCS Charlottetown to the area, reinforcing the display of western power. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay stated, "We are there for all inevitabilities. And NATO is looking at this as well... This is taken as a precautionary and staged measure." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that the Canadian Forces Air Command is ready to contribute to setting up a no-fly zone if the U.N. and NATO decided to do this.
12 March 2011 - The Arab League "called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in a bid to protect civilians from air attack".The Arab League's request was announced by Oman's Foreign minister, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, who stated that all member states present at the meeting agreed with the proposal.
15 March 2011 - A resolution for a no-fly zone was proposed and tabled by Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations. The resolution was immediately backed by the United Kingdom and France.
17 March 2011 - The United Nations Security Council, acting under the authority of Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favour, zero against, and five abstentions, via United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. The five abstensions were: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Germany.Less than 24 hours later, Libya announced that it will halt all military operations in the country in response to the Security Council resolution.
18 March 2011 - The Libyan foreign minister, Mussa Kussa, said he has declared a ceasefire, attributing the U.N. resolution.However, artillery shelling on Misurata and Ajdabiya continued, and government soldiers continued approaching Benghazi.Government troops and tanks entered the city on 19 March.Artillery and mortars were also fired into the city.
19 March 2011 - Forces from many nations intervened militarily in Libya in support of an armed uprising and to enforce a no-fly zone established over Libyan airspace by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on 17 March 2011.The no-fly zone was proposed to prevent government forces from carrying out air attacks on rebels.
28 February 2011 - British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Gaddafi from "airlifting mercenaries" and "using his military aeroplanes and armoured helicopters against civilians."
7 March 2011 - U.S. Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder announced that NATO decided to step up surveillance missions of E-3 AWACS aircraft to 24 hours a day. On the same day it was reported that an anonymous U.N. diplomat confirmed to Agence France Presse that France and Britain were drawing up a resolution on the no-fly zone that would be considered by the United Nations Security Council during the same week.The Gulf Cooperation Council also on that day called upon the U.N. Security Council to "take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya."
US Supports No-Fly Zone Against Libya.ogv
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VOA News report on the United States support of the no-fly zone
9 March 2011 - The head of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, "pleaded for the international community to move quickly to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, declaring that any delay would result in more casualties".Three days later, he stated that if pro-Gaddafi forces reached Benghazi, then they would kill "half a million" people. He stated, "If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gaddafi's regime, and his ships are not checked, we will have a catastrophe in Libya."
On 12 March, thousands of Libyan women marched in the streets of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
9 March 2011 - The United States had naval forces positioned off the coast of Libya, as well as forces already in the region - including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Canada had dispatched naval frigate HMCS Charlottetown to the area, reinforcing the display of western power. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay stated, "We are there for all inevitabilities. And NATO is looking at this as well... This is taken as a precautionary and staged measure." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that the Canadian Forces Air Command is ready to contribute to setting up a no-fly zone if the U.N. and NATO decided to do this.
12 March 2011 - The Arab League "called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in a bid to protect civilians from air attack".The Arab League's request was announced by Oman's Foreign minister, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, who stated that all member states present at the meeting agreed with the proposal.
15 March 2011 - A resolution for a no-fly zone was proposed and tabled by Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations. The resolution was immediately backed by the United Kingdom and France.
17 March 2011 - The United Nations Security Council, acting under the authority of Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favour, zero against, and five abstentions, via United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. The five abstensions were: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Germany.Less than 24 hours later, Libya announced that it will halt all military operations in the country in response to the Security Council resolution.
18 March 2011 - The Libyan foreign minister, Mussa Kussa, said he has declared a ceasefire, attributing the U.N. resolution.However, artillery shelling on Misurata and Ajdabiya continued, and government soldiers continued approaching Benghazi.Government troops and tanks entered the city on 19 March.Artillery and mortars were also fired into the city.
19 March 2011 - Forces from many nations intervened militarily in Libya in support of an armed uprising and to enforce a no-fly zone established over Libyan airspace by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on 17 March 2011.The no-fly zone was proposed to prevent government forces from carrying out air attacks on rebels.
Proposal for the no-fly zone (libya)
Both Libyan and international states and organisations called for a no-fly zone over Libya in light of airstrikes against Libyan rebels conducted by Muammar Gaddafi's military in the 2011 Libyan uprising.
2011 military intervention in Libya
In response to the 2011 Libyan uprising, the U.N. resolution authorized air-strikes against Libyan ground troops and "warships" posing a threat to civilians.On 19 March, the no-fly zone enforcement began, with the French Air Force and British Royal Air Force undertaking sorties across Libya and a naval blockade by the Royal Navy.Air strikes against Libyan Army tanks and vehicles by French jets have since been confirmed. On March 22 the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will arrive off the coast and provide the enforcers with a rapid-response capability. The official names for the interventions by the coalition are Opération Harmattan by France; Operation Ellamy by the UK; Operation Mobile by Canada and U.S. forces have named their part of the enforcement action Operation Odyssey Dawn, meant to "[prevent] the Libyan regime from using force against its own people",said U.S. Vice Admiral William E. Gortney. More than 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired in an initial assault by U.S. warships and British nuclear submarine HMS Triumph against Libyan air defences.
Monday 21 March 2011
Baba Ramdev got ashram land from dance bar owner
At least one of Baba Ramdev’s disciples has had a chequered past. Sudhakar Shetty, an avowed follower of the yoga guru, used to own the infamous ‘Deepa ladies bar’ in Mumbai’s Vile Parle area.
In 2008, Shetty decided to convert the bar into an ashram following the Maharashtra government’s crackdown on dance bars across Mumbai. Shetty donated it to Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth and the ashram was inaugurated by the Baba himself. The latter has maintained that he had nothing to do with the bar as someone else had been operating it, a claim that is taken with a pinch of salt.
Shetty, who now claims to run a real estate firm involved in several multi- crore projects, got several threats from the underworld and had police protection. Deepa Bar was considered the second best in Mumbai after Topaz at Grant Road. Deepa Bar’s fame had spread so far and wide that top diamond merchants from Gujarat used to visit it. These uberrich would splurge crores of rupees in cash in the bar. Some bar girls were reportedly given flats in posh Mumbai localities on their birthdays.
And it was not just businessmen. Several politicians and their sons were among the patrons of the bar. For instance, the son of a former Haryana chief minister was among its regular visitors.
Ramdev might claim that his disciple did not do anything wrong but earn money just like everyone else did before the dance bars were banned in the city, but the fact remains that the money spent in Mumbai’s bars was ill- gotten.
“ I don’t want to single out Deepa. But the fact is that most of the money splurged on women in the bars was not earned the legal way. A number of government officials and contractors would come and spend money on dancers. They could not have done so with the salaries they got,” said a bar owner in Mumbai.
Deepa had found itself on the wrong side of law on numerous occasions. In 2005, the Mumbai police reached its gates during investigations into a cricket match fixing scandal. It was revealed that a film actor from Mumbai often used to entertain a cricketer ( an ace spinner) from Sri Lanka in the bar.
The Income Tax department also launched a probe after it came to light that one of the dancers, Tarannum, earned huge sums of money while working in the bar. There were also allegations that the bar had underworld links. In 2005, a firing incident took place in the bar in which some underworld elements were involved. Mumbai’s dance bars used to earn a lot by way of selling liquor at exorbitant prices and from the cash that was literally showered upon the girls by the patrons.
A bottle of beer which was available for Rs. 200 in the market would be sold at thrice the rate and if the bar has some famous girls — like Tarannum in Deepa Bar’s case — the prices would be even higher.
The dancers were not given a fixed salary. Instead they are given a part of the money their patrons spent on them. Usually, a dancer was paid 30 per cent of the cash that she could get her patron to spend.
In 2008, Shetty decided to convert the bar into an ashram following the Maharashtra government’s crackdown on dance bars across Mumbai. Shetty donated it to Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth and the ashram was inaugurated by the Baba himself. The latter has maintained that he had nothing to do with the bar as someone else had been operating it, a claim that is taken with a pinch of salt.
Shetty, who now claims to run a real estate firm involved in several multi- crore projects, got several threats from the underworld and had police protection. Deepa Bar was considered the second best in Mumbai after Topaz at Grant Road. Deepa Bar’s fame had spread so far and wide that top diamond merchants from Gujarat used to visit it. These uberrich would splurge crores of rupees in cash in the bar. Some bar girls were reportedly given flats in posh Mumbai localities on their birthdays.
And it was not just businessmen. Several politicians and their sons were among the patrons of the bar. For instance, the son of a former Haryana chief minister was among its regular visitors.
Ramdev might claim that his disciple did not do anything wrong but earn money just like everyone else did before the dance bars were banned in the city, but the fact remains that the money spent in Mumbai’s bars was ill- gotten.
“ I don’t want to single out Deepa. But the fact is that most of the money splurged on women in the bars was not earned the legal way. A number of government officials and contractors would come and spend money on dancers. They could not have done so with the salaries they got,” said a bar owner in Mumbai.
Deepa had found itself on the wrong side of law on numerous occasions. In 2005, the Mumbai police reached its gates during investigations into a cricket match fixing scandal. It was revealed that a film actor from Mumbai often used to entertain a cricketer ( an ace spinner) from Sri Lanka in the bar.
The Income Tax department also launched a probe after it came to light that one of the dancers, Tarannum, earned huge sums of money while working in the bar. There were also allegations that the bar had underworld links. In 2005, a firing incident took place in the bar in which some underworld elements were involved. Mumbai’s dance bars used to earn a lot by way of selling liquor at exorbitant prices and from the cash that was literally showered upon the girls by the patrons.
A bottle of beer which was available for Rs. 200 in the market would be sold at thrice the rate and if the bar has some famous girls — like Tarannum in Deepa Bar’s case — the prices would be even higher.
The dancers were not given a fixed salary. Instead they are given a part of the money their patrons spent on them. Usually, a dancer was paid 30 per cent of the cash that she could get her patron to spend.
Sell-out to US: WikiLeaks cables refute Opposition's charge
While the Opposition has been criticising the UPA for being a sell-out to the US, the latest 'India cables' released by Wikileaks and published by The Hindu refute the charge. According to the leaks, Americans saw their relationship with India going nowhere.
The cables relate to American officials complaining that the UPA government has been "frustratingly cautious'" in its approach to India-US relations.
The diplomatic cables have references to "irritants'" that needed to be "fixed". They also say that the US found getting 'full cooperation' from India difficult.
The Indian bureaucracy is accused by one senior American diplomat of behaving as though it was "still fighting the Cold War".
Several communications referred to a "trust deficit" in India-US relations because of the "perception" in India that America has not been doing enough to prevent Pakistan-inspired terror attacks on India.
A cable dated January 14, 2008 from David Mulford, then US Ambassador to New Delhi, said, "We note that under the NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee it was easier to meet Indian officials and get business done, even in the paranoid Ministry of Home Affairs, but the Congress government has reverted to type, indulging in the sorts of Brezhnev-era controls on its people, of which Indira Gandhi would have approved of. The Nehru dynasty needs to become more like the Tata dynasty."
The cables relate to American officials complaining that the UPA government has been "frustratingly cautious'" in its approach to India-US relations.
The diplomatic cables have references to "irritants'" that needed to be "fixed". They also say that the US found getting 'full cooperation' from India difficult.
The Indian bureaucracy is accused by one senior American diplomat of behaving as though it was "still fighting the Cold War".
Several communications referred to a "trust deficit" in India-US relations because of the "perception" in India that America has not been doing enough to prevent Pakistan-inspired terror attacks on India.
A cable dated January 14, 2008 from David Mulford, then US Ambassador to New Delhi, said, "We note that under the NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee it was easier to meet Indian officials and get business done, even in the paranoid Ministry of Home Affairs, but the Congress government has reverted to type, indulging in the sorts of Brezhnev-era controls on its people, of which Indira Gandhi would have approved of. The Nehru dynasty needs to become more like the Tata dynasty."
BJP leaders assured US of not harming nuke deal: WikiLeaks
NEW DELHI: Barely 24 hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament, the WikiLeaks spotlight is on the BJP. The latest installment of US confidential cables claims that BJP leaders had assured US officials that its opposition to the nuclear deal was tactical and that they would not harm the deal.
The BJP has denied any doublespeak on the Indo-US nuclear deal. After being cornered by the BJP, the Congress was not prepared to buy the BJP's argument.
Not willing to let the opportunity go by, the Congress, which described the revelations as "chickens having come home to roost", said that the BJP should apply to itself the same standards it adopted for the government.
One of the cables in question was sent by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake, dates to December 28, 2005. The conversation with BJP national executive member Seshadri Chari referred to in the cable took place immidiately after the party's national executive in Mumbai.
The US diplomat wrote that Chari had urged the US "not to read too much into the foreign policy resolution, especially the parts relating to the US." The BJP leader and RSS pointsman dismissed the statement as "standard practice" aimed at scoring political points against the UPA. BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar echoed the sentiment saying that the BJP was "not really upset about the US-India relationship, but merely wanted the Government of India and US government to be more forthcoming about any deal on nuclear policy," the cable said.
Chari declined to comment on the WikiLeaks report. He said that he did not remember if he had talked to Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake in December 2005.
"I don't remember the name. I don't remember the names. I don't remember whom I met in 2005," Chari said. He said that the party will officially comment if required.
Javadekar said there are "no contradictions" in the party's stand. "We have made our position clear both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and through press statements that we value strategic relations with the US and that all sources of energy should be tapped," the party spokesperson said.
Javadekar substantiated this by referring to the Nuclear Liability Bill. He said that the party had objections to the bill introduced by the government, and its sustained opposition to it ensured that the government made 16 amendments to the Bill. "We keep national interest foremost, there is no double speak," Javadekar said.
The BJP has denied any doublespeak on the Indo-US nuclear deal. After being cornered by the BJP, the Congress was not prepared to buy the BJP's argument.
Not willing to let the opportunity go by, the Congress, which described the revelations as "chickens having come home to roost", said that the BJP should apply to itself the same standards it adopted for the government.
One of the cables in question was sent by Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake, dates to December 28, 2005. The conversation with BJP national executive member Seshadri Chari referred to in the cable took place immidiately after the party's national executive in Mumbai.
The US diplomat wrote that Chari had urged the US "not to read too much into the foreign policy resolution, especially the parts relating to the US." The BJP leader and RSS pointsman dismissed the statement as "standard practice" aimed at scoring political points against the UPA. BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar echoed the sentiment saying that the BJP was "not really upset about the US-India relationship, but merely wanted the Government of India and US government to be more forthcoming about any deal on nuclear policy," the cable said.
Chari declined to comment on the WikiLeaks report. He said that he did not remember if he had talked to Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake in December 2005.
"I don't remember the name. I don't remember the names. I don't remember whom I met in 2005," Chari said. He said that the party will officially comment if required.
Javadekar said there are "no contradictions" in the party's stand. "We have made our position clear both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and through press statements that we value strategic relations with the US and that all sources of energy should be tapped," the party spokesperson said.
Javadekar substantiated this by referring to the Nuclear Liability Bill. He said that the party had objections to the bill introduced by the government, and its sustained opposition to it ensured that the government made 16 amendments to the Bill. "We keep national interest foremost, there is no double speak," Javadekar said.
WikiLeaks
WikiLeaks is an international non-profit organisation that publishes submissions of private, secret, and classified media from anonymous news sources, news leaks, and whistleblowers. Its website, launched in 2006 under The Sunshine Press organisation,claimed a database of more than 1.2 million documents within a year of its launch.WikiLeaks describes its founders as a mix of Chinese dissidents, journalists, mathematicians, and start-up company technologists from the United States, Taiwan, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.Julian Assange, an Australian Internet activist, is generally described as its director.The site was originally launched as a user-editable wiki, but has progressively moved towards a more traditional publication model and no longer accepts either user comments or edits.
In April 2010, WikiLeaks published gunsight footage from the 12 July 2007 Baghdad airstrike in which Iraqi civilians and journalists were killed by an Apache helicopter, as the Collateral Murder video. In July of the same year, WikiLeaks released Afghan War Diary, a compilation of more than 76,900 documents about the War in Afghanistan not previously available for public review.In October 2010, the group released a package of almost 400,000 documents called the Iraq War Logs in coordination with major commercial media organisations. This allowed every death in Iraq, and across the border in Iran, to be mapped.In November 2010, WikiLeaks began releasing U.S. State department diplomatic cables.
WikiLeaks has received praise as well as criticism. The organisation has won a number of awards, including The Economist's New Media Award in 2008 and Amnesty International's UK Media Award in 2009.In 2010, the New York City Daily News listed WikiLeaks first among websites "that could totally change the news",and Julian Assange received the Sam Adams Award and was named the Readers' Choice for TIME's Person of the Year in 2010.The UK Information Commissioner has stated that "WikiLeaks is part of the phenomenon of the online, empowered citizen".In its first days, an Internet petition calling for the cessation of extra-judicial intimidation of WikiLeaks attracted over six hundred thousand signatures.Supporters of WikiLeaks in the media and academia have commended it for exposing state and corporate secrets, increasing transparency, supporting freedom of the press, and enhancing democratic discourse while challenging powerful institutions.
At the same time, several U.S. government officials have criticized WikiLeaks for exposing classified information and claimed that the leaks harm national security and compromise international diplomacy.Several human rights organisations requested with respect to earlier document releases that WikiLeaks adequately redact the names of civilians working with international forces, in order to prevent repercussions.Some journalists have likewise criticised a perceived lack of editorial discretion when releasing thousands of documents at once and without sufficient analysis.In response to some of the negative reaction, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed her concern over the "cyber war" against WikiLeaks,and in a joint statement with the Organization of American States the UN Special Rapporteur has called on states and other actors to keep international legal principles in mind.
In April 2010, WikiLeaks published gunsight footage from the 12 July 2007 Baghdad airstrike in which Iraqi civilians and journalists were killed by an Apache helicopter, as the Collateral Murder video. In July of the same year, WikiLeaks released Afghan War Diary, a compilation of more than 76,900 documents about the War in Afghanistan not previously available for public review.In October 2010, the group released a package of almost 400,000 documents called the Iraq War Logs in coordination with major commercial media organisations. This allowed every death in Iraq, and across the border in Iran, to be mapped.In November 2010, WikiLeaks began releasing U.S. State department diplomatic cables.
WikiLeaks has received praise as well as criticism. The organisation has won a number of awards, including The Economist's New Media Award in 2008 and Amnesty International's UK Media Award in 2009.In 2010, the New York City Daily News listed WikiLeaks first among websites "that could totally change the news",and Julian Assange received the Sam Adams Award and was named the Readers' Choice for TIME's Person of the Year in 2010.The UK Information Commissioner has stated that "WikiLeaks is part of the phenomenon of the online, empowered citizen".In its first days, an Internet petition calling for the cessation of extra-judicial intimidation of WikiLeaks attracted over six hundred thousand signatures.Supporters of WikiLeaks in the media and academia have commended it for exposing state and corporate secrets, increasing transparency, supporting freedom of the press, and enhancing democratic discourse while challenging powerful institutions.
At the same time, several U.S. government officials have criticized WikiLeaks for exposing classified information and claimed that the leaks harm national security and compromise international diplomacy.Several human rights organisations requested with respect to earlier document releases that WikiLeaks adequately redact the names of civilians working with international forces, in order to prevent repercussions.Some journalists have likewise criticised a perceived lack of editorial discretion when releasing thousands of documents at once and without sufficient analysis.In response to some of the negative reaction, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed her concern over the "cyber war" against WikiLeaks,and in a joint statement with the Organization of American States the UN Special Rapporteur has called on states and other actors to keep international legal principles in mind.
Sunday 20 March 2011
Radia tapes controversy
The Radia tapes controversy relates to the taped and released telephonic conversations between Nira (also Niira) Radia, a professional lobbyist and politicians, corporates and industrialists, officials, bureaucrats, aides and journalists that were taped by the Indian Income Tax Department in 2008–09. The tapes led to government and public accusation that these calls evidence the planning of the 2G spectrum scam, along with other criminal activity. Nira Radia runs a public relations firm named Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, and also operates through subsidiaries such as Neucom, Noesis Strategic Consulting Services and Vitcom Consulting,whose clients, among others, include Ratan Tata's Tata Group,Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and Prannoy Roy's NDTV.
Relationship between media and government
Media sources such as OPEN and Outlook reported that Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi knew that corporate lobbyist Nira Radia was influencing the decisions of A. Raja.The critics alleged that Dutt and Sanghvi knew about corruption between the government and the media industry, supported this corrupt activity, and suppressed news reporting the discovery of the corruption.
Shortfall of money(2G SCAM)
A. Raja arranged the sale of the 2G spectrum licenses below their market value. Swan Telecom, a new company with few assets, bought a license for Indian Rupee 1,537 crore (US$341.21 million).Shortly thereafter, the board sold 45% of the company to Etisalat for Indian Rupee 4,200 crore (US$932.4 million). Similarly, a company formerly invested in real estate and not telecom, the Unitech Group, purchased a license for Indian Rupee 1,661 crore (US$368.74 million) and the company board soon after sold a 60% stake in their wireless division for Indian Rupee 6,200 crore (US$1.38 billion) to Telenor.The nature of the selling of the licenses was that licenses were to be sold at market value, and the fact that the licenses were quickly resold at a huge profit indicates that the selling agents issued the licenses below market value.
Nine companies purchased licenses and collectively they paid the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's telecommunications division Indian Rupee ₹10,772 crore (US$2.39 billion).The amount of money expected for this licensing by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India was Indian Rupee 176,700 crore (US$39.23 billion).
Nine companies purchased licenses and collectively they paid the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's telecommunications division Indian Rupee ₹10,772 crore (US$2.39 billion).The amount of money expected for this licensing by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India was Indian Rupee 176,700 crore (US$39.23 billion).
Petitioners
* Subramaniam Swamy, activist lawyer and politician, whose letters to the Prime Minister demanding action and affidavits and cases in the Supreme Court brought the issue into the public limelight.
* Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a journalist who was one among the very first to write on the irregularities in the awarding of 2G spectrum allocation by the Telecom Ministry. He is also one of the petitioners in the 2G PIL currently being heard in the Supreme court.
* Prashant Bhushan, on behalf of the Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
* Anil Kumar, on behalf of the civil society organisationTelecom Watchdog
* Others:Several eminent people like former chief election commissioners J.M. Lyngdoh, T.S. Krishnamurthy and N. Gopalaswami and former central vigilance commissioner (CVC) P. Shankar are also petitioners in the suits filed by civil society groups.
* Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, a journalist who was one among the very first to write on the irregularities in the awarding of 2G spectrum allocation by the Telecom Ministry. He is also one of the petitioners in the 2G PIL currently being heard in the Supreme court.
* Prashant Bhushan, on behalf of the Centre for Public Interest Litigation.
* Anil Kumar, on behalf of the civil society organisationTelecom Watchdog
* Others:Several eminent people like former chief election commissioners J.M. Lyngdoh, T.S. Krishnamurthy and N. Gopalaswami and former central vigilance commissioner (CVC) P. Shankar are also petitioners in the suits filed by civil society groups.
Media persons and lobbyists involved(2G SCAM)
* Nira Radia, a former airline entrepreneur turned corporate lobbyist whose conversations with politicians and corporate entities were recorded by the government authorities .The contents were later leaked by unknown parties creating the Nira Radia tapes controversy
* Barkha Dutt, an NDTV journalist alleged to have lobbied for A. Raja's appointment as minister.
* Vir Sanghvi, a Hindustan Times editor alleged to have edited articles to reduce blame in the Nira Radia tapes.
* Barkha Dutt, an NDTV journalist alleged to have lobbied for A. Raja's appointment as minister.
* Vir Sanghvi, a Hindustan Times editor alleged to have edited articles to reduce blame in the Nira Radia tapes.
Corporate personalities involved(2G SCAM)
* Anil Ambani - Reliance Group (ADAG)
* Shahid Balwa - DB Realty and DB Etisalat (formerly Swan Telecom)
* Vinod Goenka - Dynamix Group
* Venugopal Dhoot - Videocon Group
* Prashant Ruia - Essar Group
All of them have either been question by the CBI or are prospective suspects in the scam.
* Shahid Balwa - DB Realty and DB Etisalat (formerly Swan Telecom)
* Vinod Goenka - Dynamix Group
* Venugopal Dhoot - Videocon Group
* Prashant Ruia - Essar Group
All of them have either been question by the CBI or are prospective suspects in the scam.
Corporations involved(2G SCAM)
* Unitech Group a real estate company entering the telecom industry with its 2G bid; sold 60% of its company stake at huge profit to Telenor after buying licensing (Including land values properties for towers)
* Swan Telecom sold 45% of its company stake at huge profit to Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) after buying licensing
* Loop Mobile
* Videocon Telecommunications Limited
* S Tel
* Reliance Communications
* Sistema Shyam Mobile (MTS) – Sistema Mobile Russia
* Tata Communications
* Vodafone Essar
* Dishnet Wireless
* Allianz Infra
* Swan Telecom sold 45% of its company stake at huge profit to Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) after buying licensing
* Loop Mobile
* Videocon Telecommunications Limited
* S Tel
* Reliance Communications
* Sistema Shyam Mobile (MTS) – Sistema Mobile Russia
* Tata Communications
* Vodafone Essar
* Dishnet Wireless
* Allianz Infra
Bureaucrats involved(2G SCAM)
* Siddhartha Behura, former telecom secretary who served in the DOT at the time of the 2G allocation.
* P. J. Thomas, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications at the time of the 2G allocation.
* Pradip Baijal, a bureaucrat who is alleged to have recommended policies that favored certain Telecom companies when he was heading the TRAI. Post retirement, Baijal joined Noesis, a consulting firm.Raja has made references to Baijal's decisions in 2003 as the basis for his decisions in 2008; something which has been attacked by Arun Shourie and several media pundits. The houses and offices of the bureaucrat were recently[when?] raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation as part of their investigations.
* R K Chandolia, private secretary of Raja during UPA-I when the licences were awarded. He was an Indian Economic Service officer of the 1984 batch cadre.When Raja became the Telecom Minister once again in UPA-II, Chandolia had been promoted to the Joint Secretary rank. Raja re-designated him Economic Adviser, that gave him the charge of all important policy-related work. Chandolia interacted with all the licensees. It is said that it was Chandolia who, from DDG-access services A K Srivastava's room, had handed out letters of intent to representatives of various companies.
* P. J. Thomas, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications at the time of the 2G allocation.
* Pradip Baijal, a bureaucrat who is alleged to have recommended policies that favored certain Telecom companies when he was heading the TRAI. Post retirement, Baijal joined Noesis, a consulting firm.Raja has made references to Baijal's decisions in 2003 as the basis for his decisions in 2008; something which has been attacked by Arun Shourie and several media pundits. The houses and offices of the bureaucrat were recently[when?] raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation as part of their investigations.
* R K Chandolia, private secretary of Raja during UPA-I when the licences were awarded. He was an Indian Economic Service officer of the 1984 batch cadre.When Raja became the Telecom Minister once again in UPA-II, Chandolia had been promoted to the Joint Secretary rank. Raja re-designated him Economic Adviser, that gave him the charge of all important policy-related work. Chandolia interacted with all the licensees. It is said that it was Chandolia who, from DDG-access services A K Srivastava's room, had handed out letters of intent to representatives of various companies.
Parties involved
The selling of the licenses brought attention to four groups of entities - politicians who had the authority to sell licenses, bureaucrats who implemented and influenced policy decisions, corporations who were buying the licenses, and media professionals who mediated between the politicians and the corporations on behalf of one or the other interest group.
Politicians involved
Kanimozhi,Member of Parliament and daughter of DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi.In November 2010 Outlook published transcripts of six conversations between lobbyist Niira Radia and Kanimozhi from May 2009. India Today claims that these conversations reveal that Kanimozhi filtered the information flowing to her father (the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) and thereby "tipped the scales in favour of" A. Raja, who was Minister of Communications and Information Technology during controversial 2G wireless spectrum allocations in 2008. The New York Times's Delhi correspondent Lydia Polgreen said Raja's rise to telecommunications minister was "emblematic" of how politics in India really work, with the DMK "more closely resembling a sprawling family business empire than a political party," and highlighted Mr. Raja's "close relationship" with Kanimozhi.Raja was arrrested on February 2, 2011 for his alleged role in manipulating rules to allocate favorable spectrum to some telecom companies at throwaway prices.
Following the Central Bureau of Investigation's raid on Tamil Maiyam, an NGO of which she is a director,Kanimozhi said the DMK party will come out clean in the CBI probe, stating "The law has to take its own course. It is a process to prove us not guilty."After the February 2nd arrest DMK party members and workers immediately passed a resolution declaring that the arrest doesn't mean Raja is guilty, and claimed opposition parties were targeting him for political purposes.
A. Raja, the Ex-Minister of Communications and Information Technology who was the minister when the controversial second round of spectrum allocations took place. Mr.Raja, an MP of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam from the Nilgiris constituency, was forced to resign following the public outcry. He was appointed the minister of telecommunications again for the second time when the UPA returned to power in the last general elections despite huge reservations from economists and other political parties. This was due to the pressure exerted by the DMK, one of the main allies of the Congress. He was arrested for his role in the spectrum scam and currently is lodged in the Tihar Jail in Outer Delhi. The CBI has raided his various houses, offices and other NGOs and beneficiaries related to A.Raja.
M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the DMK chief. Kanimozhi is the daughter of M.Karunanithi and the entire scam is hugely directed toward the top brass of his party. The Radia tapes indicated his wife and his daughter as beneficiaries in the deals involving huge corporates. Recently, Kalaignar TV, a television channel owned by Karunanithi and his family members was raided in connection with the spectrum scam. CBI has unearthed evidence of money trail leading towards the Kalaignar TV.
Politicians involved
Kanimozhi,Member of Parliament and daughter of DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi.In November 2010 Outlook published transcripts of six conversations between lobbyist Niira Radia and Kanimozhi from May 2009. India Today claims that these conversations reveal that Kanimozhi filtered the information flowing to her father (the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) and thereby "tipped the scales in favour of" A. Raja, who was Minister of Communications and Information Technology during controversial 2G wireless spectrum allocations in 2008. The New York Times's Delhi correspondent Lydia Polgreen said Raja's rise to telecommunications minister was "emblematic" of how politics in India really work, with the DMK "more closely resembling a sprawling family business empire than a political party," and highlighted Mr. Raja's "close relationship" with Kanimozhi.Raja was arrrested on February 2, 2011 for his alleged role in manipulating rules to allocate favorable spectrum to some telecom companies at throwaway prices.
Following the Central Bureau of Investigation's raid on Tamil Maiyam, an NGO of which she is a director,Kanimozhi said the DMK party will come out clean in the CBI probe, stating "The law has to take its own course. It is a process to prove us not guilty."After the February 2nd arrest DMK party members and workers immediately passed a resolution declaring that the arrest doesn't mean Raja is guilty, and claimed opposition parties were targeting him for political purposes.
A. Raja, the Ex-Minister of Communications and Information Technology who was the minister when the controversial second round of spectrum allocations took place. Mr.Raja, an MP of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam from the Nilgiris constituency, was forced to resign following the public outcry. He was appointed the minister of telecommunications again for the second time when the UPA returned to power in the last general elections despite huge reservations from economists and other political parties. This was due to the pressure exerted by the DMK, one of the main allies of the Congress. He was arrested for his role in the spectrum scam and currently is lodged in the Tihar Jail in Outer Delhi. The CBI has raided his various houses, offices and other NGOs and beneficiaries related to A.Raja.
M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the DMK chief. Kanimozhi is the daughter of M.Karunanithi and the entire scam is hugely directed toward the top brass of his party. The Radia tapes indicated his wife and his daughter as beneficiaries in the deals involving huge corporates. Recently, Kalaignar TV, a television channel owned by Karunanithi and his family members was raided in connection with the spectrum scam. CBI has unearthed evidence of money trail leading towards the Kalaignar TV.
2G spectrum scam
The 2G spectrum scam involved officials and ministers in the Government of India illegally undercharging mobile telephony companies for frequency allocation licenses, which they would use to create 2G subscriptions for cell phones. According to a report submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General based on money collected from 3G licenses, the loss to the exchequer was Indian Rupee 176,379 crore (US$39.16 billion). The issuing of the 2G licenses occurred in 2008, but the scam came to public notice when the Indian Income Tax Department investigated political lobbyist Niira Radia and the Supreme Court of India took Subramaniam Swamy's complaints on record [With Case type:Writ Petition (Civil),Case No:10, Year:2011].[1] The case details of the main PIL filed with the supreme court is Type:Writ Petition (Civil),Case No:423, Year:2010.
Former Telecom Minister of the NDA government Arun Shourie was the whistleblower who helped uncover the scam and also exposed many loopholes in the UPA government's policy towards issuing telecom licences.
In 2008, the Income Tax department, after orders from the ministry of Home and the PMO, began tapping the phones of Nira Radia. This was done to help with an ongoing investigation into a case where it was alleged that Niira Radia had acted as a spy.
Some of the many conversations recorded over 300 days were leaked to the media. The intense controversy around the leaked tapes became known in the media as the Radia tapes controversy. The tapes featured some conversations between politicians, journalists and corporatation. Politicians like Karunanidhi, journalists like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi and industrial groups like the Tata Group were either participants or mentioned in these tapes.
Former Telecom Minister of the NDA government Arun Shourie was the whistleblower who helped uncover the scam and also exposed many loopholes in the UPA government's policy towards issuing telecom licences.
In 2008, the Income Tax department, after orders from the ministry of Home and the PMO, began tapping the phones of Nira Radia. This was done to help with an ongoing investigation into a case where it was alleged that Niira Radia had acted as a spy.
Some of the many conversations recorded over 300 days were leaked to the media. The intense controversy around the leaked tapes became known in the media as the Radia tapes controversy. The tapes featured some conversations between politicians, journalists and corporatation. Politicians like Karunanidhi, journalists like Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi and industrial groups like the Tata Group were either participants or mentioned in these tapes.
2010 housing loan scam in India
CBI alleged that the officers of various public sector banks and financial institutions received bribes from the private financial services company Money Matters, which acted as a mediator for corporate loans and other facilities from financial institutions. The bank officials sanctioned large-scale corporate loans to realty developers, overriding mandatory conditions for such approvals along with other irregularities.
The Central Bureau of investigation arrested number of high official from the several financial institutes in India in connection with the housing scam in November 24, 2010. Smith (2010) stated that findings are shocking where the head officers of several banks and financial institutes are involved in corporate corruption. Precisely, the banks and financial officials were from the public sectors including LIC, Bank of India, Central Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. However, ) stated that since the matter was related to the erosion of funds from the LIC housing and Finance Limited, event was named as the LIC housing and Finance Scandal. Lamont (2010) cited that the officers from the high rank including the secretary of LIC Investment, general managers, directors and deputy managers of banks were involved in taking out the funds from LIC in appropriate and unethical way. Smith (2010) said that these officials were acting as the middleman to provide the funds to the main parties and in return they were having hefty amount of funds from the real investors, insurers and other consumers. Smith (2010) regarded this as the distortion of the corporate governance system where the business ethics were neglected to sustain the core business activities of the public sector banking firm. Meanwhile, Economic Times stated that the officials were charged with the exploiting of funds, looting, corrupting corporate loan process and manipulating and overriding with the regulations of the LIC Housing and Finance Limited in regard to the approvals and other rules and regulations. Nonetheless, The loans provided through this manner were estimated to be worth of 85 Billion Dollars, comes as the biggest scandal in the Housing Finance in Asia However, the stock price took a sharp dip soon after the event. Apparently, LICHF had a good run till September 2010 when it reached Rs.299 and the growth rate undoubtedly, received the appreciation by the investors and other shareholders. The stock recorded no significant changes thereafter but the appearance of corporate scandal shook the stock price chart and the price dip to Rupees 150 by the end of year 2010. At present the stock price is stands at around rupees 190 and gaining its momentum over a period of time but however, Lamont (2010) felt that the combination of factors that happened in the last quarter of FY10 were accountable for the sharp decline in the LIC Housing and Finance Share price. Reuters stated that LIC Housing and Finance is looking forward to raise the capital to the tune of Rupees 25000 Crores in 2011-12 through debt. Eventually, the technical experts believed that company is developing its core competencies and capabilities and undoubtedly, investors would revive the stock price and current Market changes and company’s development will be seen through the price momentum. However, experts believed that the Housing and Finance Scandals by the top officials in LIC and other banking institutes will always stand to harm the future potential of such companies but however, the future and the endless opportunities lies in the hand of ultimate investors. Eventually, Online newspaper, Rediff quoted as saying that most of the brokers are taking up the stock of LICHF after the scam as related to the current project being performed by the company. Namely, IIFL, Aditya Birla, IL&FS are impressed by the current progress by the company and building up the stock ay higher rate. However, Reuters stated that the Financial Budget introduced by the Indian Planning Commission had slightly adverse effects on the stock of banking, insurance, mortgages and other related sector in the industries. However, the company has been quoted as saying that they would include the margin between 2.8 to 3 % in relation to the rising interest rates and their effects on the share price. However, In response the scam, the Reserve Bank of India and other regulatory and financial bodies attempted to reform the housing finance sector by making several supervision and security measures in this regard. Eventually, the corporate scam destroyed the interest and confidence of investors and thus, the monetary and regulatory authorities must execute their task in relation to safeguarding the interests of investors.
The Central Bureau of investigation arrested number of high official from the several financial institutes in India in connection with the housing scam in November 24, 2010. Smith (2010) stated that findings are shocking where the head officers of several banks and financial institutes are involved in corporate corruption. Precisely, the banks and financial officials were from the public sectors including LIC, Bank of India, Central Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. However, ) stated that since the matter was related to the erosion of funds from the LIC housing and Finance Limited, event was named as the LIC housing and Finance Scandal. Lamont (2010) cited that the officers from the high rank including the secretary of LIC Investment, general managers, directors and deputy managers of banks were involved in taking out the funds from LIC in appropriate and unethical way. Smith (2010) said that these officials were acting as the middleman to provide the funds to the main parties and in return they were having hefty amount of funds from the real investors, insurers and other consumers. Smith (2010) regarded this as the distortion of the corporate governance system where the business ethics were neglected to sustain the core business activities of the public sector banking firm. Meanwhile, Economic Times stated that the officials were charged with the exploiting of funds, looting, corrupting corporate loan process and manipulating and overriding with the regulations of the LIC Housing and Finance Limited in regard to the approvals and other rules and regulations. Nonetheless, The loans provided through this manner were estimated to be worth of 85 Billion Dollars, comes as the biggest scandal in the Housing Finance in Asia However, the stock price took a sharp dip soon after the event. Apparently, LICHF had a good run till September 2010 when it reached Rs.299 and the growth rate undoubtedly, received the appreciation by the investors and other shareholders. The stock recorded no significant changes thereafter but the appearance of corporate scandal shook the stock price chart and the price dip to Rupees 150 by the end of year 2010. At present the stock price is stands at around rupees 190 and gaining its momentum over a period of time but however, Lamont (2010) felt that the combination of factors that happened in the last quarter of FY10 were accountable for the sharp decline in the LIC Housing and Finance Share price. Reuters stated that LIC Housing and Finance is looking forward to raise the capital to the tune of Rupees 25000 Crores in 2011-12 through debt. Eventually, the technical experts believed that company is developing its core competencies and capabilities and undoubtedly, investors would revive the stock price and current Market changes and company’s development will be seen through the price momentum. However, experts believed that the Housing and Finance Scandals by the top officials in LIC and other banking institutes will always stand to harm the future potential of such companies but however, the future and the endless opportunities lies in the hand of ultimate investors. Eventually, Online newspaper, Rediff quoted as saying that most of the brokers are taking up the stock of LICHF after the scam as related to the current project being performed by the company. Namely, IIFL, Aditya Birla, IL&FS are impressed by the current progress by the company and building up the stock ay higher rate. However, Reuters stated that the Financial Budget introduced by the Indian Planning Commission had slightly adverse effects on the stock of banking, insurance, mortgages and other related sector in the industries. However, the company has been quoted as saying that they would include the margin between 2.8 to 3 % in relation to the rising interest rates and their effects on the share price. However, In response the scam, the Reserve Bank of India and other regulatory and financial bodies attempted to reform the housing finance sector by making several supervision and security measures in this regard. Eventually, the corporate scam destroyed the interest and confidence of investors and thus, the monetary and regulatory authorities must execute their task in relation to safeguarding the interests of investors.
Facebook (stylized facebook) is a social network service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc.As of January 2011[update], Facebook has more than 600 million active users.Users may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. Additionally, users may join common interest user groups, organized by workplace, school, or college, or other characteristics. The name of the service stems from the colloquial name for the book given to students at the start of the academic year by university administrations in the USA to help students get to know each other better. Facebook allows anyone who declares themselves to be at least 13 years old to become a registered user of the website.
Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow computer science students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.The website's membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and Stanford University. It gradually added support for students at various other universities before opening to high school students, and, finally, to anyone aged 13 and over.
A January 2009 Compete.com study ranked Facebook as the most used social network service by worldwide monthly active users, followed by MySpace.Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade "best-of" list, saying, "How on earth did we stalk our exes, remember our co-workers' birthdays, bug our friends, and play a rousing game of Scrabulous before Facebook?"Quantcast estimates Facebook has 135.1 million monthly unique U.S. visitors in October 2010.According to Social Media Today, in April 2010 an estimated 41.6% of the U.S. population had a Facebook account.
Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow computer science students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.The website's membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and Stanford University. It gradually added support for students at various other universities before opening to high school students, and, finally, to anyone aged 13 and over.
A January 2009 Compete.com study ranked Facebook as the most used social network service by worldwide monthly active users, followed by MySpace.Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade "best-of" list, saying, "How on earth did we stalk our exes, remember our co-workers' birthdays, bug our friends, and play a rousing game of Scrabulous before Facebook?"Quantcast estimates Facebook has 135.1 million monthly unique U.S. visitors in October 2010.According to Social Media Today, in April 2010 an estimated 41.6% of the U.S. population had a Facebook account.
Monday 14 March 2011
Rupee gains 5 paise against US dollar in early trade
MUMBAI: The Indian rupee strengthened by 5 paise to Rs 45.19 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange today, supported by a higher opening in the stock market and dollar weakness against other currency rivals.
The rupee had depreciated by 6 paise to close at Rs 45.24/25 per dollar in the previous session due to sustained dollar demand from importers and sluggish equities.
Forex dealers said a higher opening in the stock market and dollar weakness against other currencies helped the rupee to strengthen.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex was up by 76.06 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 18,250.15 in opening trade today.
The rupee had depreciated by 6 paise to close at Rs 45.24/25 per dollar in the previous session due to sustained dollar demand from importers and sluggish equities.
Forex dealers said a higher opening in the stock market and dollar weakness against other currencies helped the rupee to strengthen.
Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex was up by 76.06 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 18,250.15 in opening trade today.
Mobile phone service operators
* Aircel
Aircel, headquarted in New Delhi, India has absorbed Cingular Wireless, and offers 2G service using GSM technology and 3G service using UMTS technology.
* Airtel
Airtel, with its head offices in both Mumbai, India provides 2G service using GSM and 3G service using UMTS/HSPA technology
* BSNL
BSNL, headquartered in New Delhi, is a public listed company and is state-owned. It offers 2G service using GSM and 3G service using UMTS. It was the first service provider to introduce 3G services in India.
* MTNL
MTNL, headquartered in Mumbai is a public listed company and is state-owned and offers 2G service using CDMA and 3G service using GSM.
* Idea Cellular
Idea Cellular, headquarted in Mumbai, has absorbed Cingular Wireless, and offers 2G service using GSM technology and 3G service using UMTS technology.
* Ping Mobile
* Tata Indicom
Tata Indicom, with its head offices in both Navi Mumbai provides 2G service using cdmaOne and 3G service using CDMA2000 technology.
* Tata DoCoMo
Tata DoCoMo is joint venture company of Tata Teleservices and NTT DoCoMo
* Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications, with its head offices in both Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra provides 2G service using cdmaOne and 3G service using CDMA2000 technology.
* Loop Mobile India (Formerly BPL Mobile)
Loop Mobile India, is a mobile phone service provider in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
* Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (formerly SWAN Telecom)
* Virgin Mobile
* Vodafone Essar (Formerly Hutchison Essar/Hutch Orange/Hutch Pink)
* Videocon Mobile Service (Formerly Datacom Solutions)
* Uninor
* MTS India
* S Tel
* Virgin Mobile GSM
* Spice Telecom
Aircel, headquarted in New Delhi, India has absorbed Cingular Wireless, and offers 2G service using GSM technology and 3G service using UMTS technology.
* Airtel
Airtel, with its head offices in both Mumbai, India provides 2G service using GSM and 3G service using UMTS/HSPA technology
* BSNL
BSNL, headquartered in New Delhi, is a public listed company and is state-owned. It offers 2G service using GSM and 3G service using UMTS. It was the first service provider to introduce 3G services in India.
* MTNL
MTNL, headquartered in Mumbai is a public listed company and is state-owned and offers 2G service using CDMA and 3G service using GSM.
* Idea Cellular
Idea Cellular, headquarted in Mumbai, has absorbed Cingular Wireless, and offers 2G service using GSM technology and 3G service using UMTS technology.
* Ping Mobile
* Tata Indicom
Tata Indicom, with its head offices in both Navi Mumbai provides 2G service using cdmaOne and 3G service using CDMA2000 technology.
* Tata DoCoMo
Tata DoCoMo is joint venture company of Tata Teleservices and NTT DoCoMo
* Reliance Communications
Reliance Communications, with its head offices in both Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra provides 2G service using cdmaOne and 3G service using CDMA2000 technology.
* Loop Mobile India (Formerly BPL Mobile)
Loop Mobile India, is a mobile phone service provider in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
* Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (formerly SWAN Telecom)
* Virgin Mobile
* Vodafone Essar (Formerly Hutchison Essar/Hutch Orange/Hutch Pink)
* Videocon Mobile Service (Formerly Datacom Solutions)
* Uninor
* MTS India
* S Tel
* Virgin Mobile GSM
* Spice Telecom
Mobile phone companies of India
1. CAPLIGHT
2. Airfone
3. Acer Inc.
4. Airnet
5. Ajanta Mobile
6. Airphone
7. [AROMA Mobiles]
8. Apple Inc.
9. Blackberry
10. BLEU
11. Beetel
12. BPL Group
13. Byond tech
14. Color mobile
15. celkon
16. Daya
17. Dell
18. Digibee Mobiles
19. eTouch
20. Fujezone
21. Fly
22. Fortune
23. S.p.Singh mobile
24. GEEPEE Mobiles
25. gfone
26. G-Five
27. Haier
28. Hansum Mobiles
29. Hi-Tech
30. HTC
31. ICube
32. Intex
33. Ion
34. iNQ
35. Karbonn Mobiles
36. Lava Mobiles
37. Lemon
38. Lexus
39. LG
40. Logitec
41. Magicon
42. Maxwood Mobiles
43. Maxx
44. Melbon
45. Micromax Mobile
46. Motorola
47. Movil
48. Munoth Mobiles
49. Nokia
50. Nelson
51. Olive
52. Onida
53. Orion Mobiles
54. Orpat
55. pagaria
56. Philips
57. Philiray
58. Quantum
59. Rage
60. Ray
61. SAGEM
62. Samsung
63. San Mobile
64. Sansui
65. Siemens
66. Simoco
67. Sony Ericsson
68. Spice Telecom
69. Technotouch
70. T-Series
71. Ultra Mobile
72. UNITEL
73. Usha-Lexus
74. Vodafone Essar
75. Videocon
76. Voice
77. VOX
78. Winncom
79. Xcite
80. Zen Mobiles
81. Rk mobile
82. ViP Mobile
83. Rahul
84. CAPLIGHT
85. Wyncomm
86. Alcatel
87. Spice
88. MVL
2. Airfone
3. Acer Inc.
4. Airnet
5. Ajanta Mobile
6. Airphone
7. [AROMA Mobiles]
8. Apple Inc.
9. Blackberry
10. BLEU
11. Beetel
12. BPL Group
13. Byond tech
14. Color mobile
15. celkon
16. Daya
17. Dell
18. Digibee Mobiles
19. eTouch
20. Fujezone
21. Fly
22. Fortune
23. S.p.Singh mobile
24. GEEPEE Mobiles
25. gfone
26. G-Five
27. Haier
28. Hansum Mobiles
29. Hi-Tech
30. HTC
31. ICube
32. Intex
33. Ion
34. iNQ
35. Karbonn Mobiles
36. Lava Mobiles
37. Lemon
38. Lexus
39. LG
40. Logitec
41. Magicon
42. Maxwood Mobiles
43. Maxx
44. Melbon
45. Micromax Mobile
46. Motorola
47. Movil
48. Munoth Mobiles
49. Nokia
50. Nelson
51. Olive
52. Onida
53. Orion Mobiles
54. Orpat
55. pagaria
56. Philips
57. Philiray
58. Quantum
59. Rage
60. Ray
61. SAGEM
62. Samsung
63. San Mobile
64. Sansui
65. Siemens
66. Simoco
67. Sony Ericsson
68. Spice Telecom
69. Technotouch
70. T-Series
71. Ultra Mobile
72. UNITEL
73. Usha-Lexus
74. Vodafone Essar
75. Videocon
76. Voice
77. VOX
78. Winncom
79. Xcite
80. Zen Mobiles
81. Rk mobile
82. ViP Mobile
83. Rahul
84. CAPLIGHT
85. Wyncomm
86. Alcatel
87. Spice
88. MVL
Japan quake, tsunami kill 10,000; economy at risk
Japan scrambled to avert a meltdown at a stricken nuclear reactor with a second hydrogen explosion rocking the facility after the earthquake.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Top Indian Companies in Global 2000 List
Top Indian Companies in Global 2000 List
TOP INDIAN COMPANIES RANKING
Reliance Industries 126
State Bank of India 130
ONGC 155
ICICI Bank 282
Indian Oil 313
NTPC 341
Tata Steel 345
Bharti Airtel 471
Steel Authority of India 502
Larsen & Toubro 548
HDFC Bank 632
Punjab National Bank 695
BHEL 699
TCS 741
Reliance Communications 742
HDFC 783
Infosys 807
Wipro 826
Axis Bank 858
Bank of Baroda 892
Bank of India 902
DLF 923
Tata Motors 928
NMDC India 946
Gail (India) 985
Hindalco 1005
Canara Bank 1008
ITC India 1023
Power Grid Corporation 1093
Bharat Petroleum 1111
Power Finance Corporation 1123
Jindal Steel & Power 1123
Union Bank of India 1278
Indian Bank 1278
Hindustan Petroleum 1302
Mahindra & Mahindra 1308
NHPC India 1385
Indian Overseas Bank 1423
Grasim Industries India 1425
Oil India 1466
Sun Pharma 1470
Rural Electrification 1492
Tata Power 1539
Hero Honda Motors 1571
Syndicate Bank 1611
IDBI Bank 1642
Oriental Bank of Commerce 1670
HCL Technologies 1746
Central Bank of India 1775
Corporation Bank 1802
National Aluminum India 1813
Allahabad Bank 1852
Adani Enterprises 1865
UCO Bank 1910
ACC 1952
TOP INDIAN COMPANIES RANKING
Reliance Industries 126
State Bank of India 130
ONGC 155
ICICI Bank 282
Indian Oil 313
NTPC 341
Tata Steel 345
Bharti Airtel 471
Steel Authority of India 502
Larsen & Toubro 548
HDFC Bank 632
Punjab National Bank 695
BHEL 699
TCS 741
Reliance Communications 742
HDFC 783
Infosys 807
Wipro 826
Axis Bank 858
Bank of Baroda 892
Bank of India 902
DLF 923
Tata Motors 928
NMDC India 946
Gail (India) 985
Hindalco 1005
Canara Bank 1008
ITC India 1023
Power Grid Corporation 1093
Bharat Petroleum 1111
Power Finance Corporation 1123
Jindal Steel & Power 1123
Union Bank of India 1278
Indian Bank 1278
Hindustan Petroleum 1302
Mahindra & Mahindra 1308
NHPC India 1385
Indian Overseas Bank 1423
Grasim Industries India 1425
Oil India 1466
Sun Pharma 1470
Rural Electrification 1492
Tata Power 1539
Hero Honda Motors 1571
Syndicate Bank 1611
IDBI Bank 1642
Oriental Bank of Commerce 1670
HCL Technologies 1746
Central Bank of India 1775
Corporation Bank 1802
National Aluminum India 1813
Allahabad Bank 1852
Adani Enterprises 1865
UCO Bank 1910
ACC 1952
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