First Hindu Bhakta Sangamam in Mumbai

The Hindu Bhakta Sangamam, organised by Maharashtra unit of Keraleeya Kshetra Paripalana Kendra Samiti in Mumbai on April 27, was a grand success. The participation of devotees representing various temple committees, Bhajan Sangams, Narayaneeya Samitis, Ayyappa Sewa Sangams and other Hindu religious organisations was overwheling. It was the first of its kind function organised by the Samiti in Mumbai. The day-long programme commenced with Sampoorna Narayaneeyam by representatives of selected Narayaneeya Samitis followed by Samooha Bhajan by Prof. Ramanadhan and his disciples.

The Sangamam was presided over by Sri A.K.G. Nair, chairman of the Reception Committee. The programme began with lighting of the traditional lamp by Swami Vedananda Saraswati of Geetha Mandir Ashramam in Kerala, Sri Kummanam Rajashekharan, secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi, Dr N. Gopalakrishnan, director, Indian Institute for Scientific Heritage and Sri Ramesh Shinde of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.

After the welcome address by Sri Mannanur Ravindran, president of the Samiti, the guests were felicitated with shawls and bouquets. The people who were felicitated on the occasion included Sri P. Deivamuthu, editor, Hindu Voice, Sri Somanath Sangle, Sri Upendra Menon, Sri Bhushan Sharma and Sri Shivajii Wadge, chairaman Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Guruswamis representing different Ayyappa temples in Mumbai.

Sri A.K.G. Nair stressed the need for unity among Hindus and stated that a Bill is likely to be passed for the take over of Hindu temples in Maharashtra. He appealed to the participants to express their resentment against the Bill. He also stated that the awareness about the traditions and values of the country should be created in the younger generation.

Swami Vedananda Saraswati said the Bhakta Sangamam was a good beginning. Criticising the interference of government in temple administration, he said only believers should be the inheritors of the temples. He stated that a Value Enrichment Action Plan should be taken up involving the collegians.

Sri Kummanam Rajashe-kharan stated that the Hindu population in the country has diminished during the past hundred years. He said large-scale conversion is being carried out by other religions offering monetary incentives and added that foreign money is pumping into the country for this purpose. He said the government has no right to take over the temples. He pointed out that the Kerala government during the last Sabarimala pilgrimage season had earned revenue to the tune of Rs. 1,500 crore without providing adequate facilities to the Ayyappa devotees.

Sri Ramesh Shinde said unity of all the Hindus is need of the hour. He also appealed to the younger generation to take interest in learning Hinduism.

Dr N. Gopalakrishnan said out of the 49 civilisations in the world, only the Sanatana Dharma alone has survived despite 960 years of foreign subjugation. Referring to the rich cultural legacy of the country, he said the Hindus are blessed with 2,182 books written by sages of yore supplemented by 10,000 commentaries and over lakh sub-commentaries. Quoting profusely from the scriptures, he elaborated on the ancient wisdom handed down by the rishis and saints of the country.

The Sangamam was basically organised to register protest against the decision of the Maharashtra government to frame a law to take over temples and other religious places of Hindus. At the instance of the Kshetra Paripalana Kendra Samiti, about 4.50 lakh temple trusts and Hindu religious places are now being brought under the banner of Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh. The Bhakta Sangamam was organised to mobilise awareness among Hindu devotees about the need to protect temples in the country and to involve the new generation in temple activities.

A resolution was also passed at the Sangamam for sending it to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The effort is to desist the government from enacting the law for the take over of Hindu temples in the state. Over 2,000 people from different parts of Mumbai participated in the day-long programme. Sri N.S. Kurup, convenor of the Reception Committee, proposed a vote of thanks.


Source:
http://www.organiser.org

India's Reliance Big Entertainment in deals to fund Hollywood projects UPDATE

Reliance Big Entertainment (RBE), part of the group controlled by Indian billionaire Anil Ambani, said it will provide development funds to eight Hollywood production companies.

RBE has signed deals with Nicolas Cage's Saturn Productions, Jim Carrey's JC 23 Entertainment, George Clooney's Smokehouse Productions, Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures, Tom Hanks' Playtone Productions, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, and Jay Roach's Everyman Pictures.

The deal provides for creation and implementation of scripts in collaboration with production entities and RBE will co-finance these projects, a company spokesperson said.

In a statement, the company said the deals secure Indian rights for films that it co-finances. Additionally, RBE said it expects to attract productions to India, where Reliance Entertainment is the largest film producer and owns physical studios and facility companies.

'I expect to have further such development deals in the near future,' said chairman Amit Khanna.

The company plans to develop 30 projects through these deals over a span of two years, of which eight to 10 projects are expected to go into production, RBE President Rajesh Sawhney told Thomson Financial News in a phone interview from the Cannes Film Festival in France, where the deals were announced on Sunday.

When asked if the company had set an investment target for the deals, Sawhney said: 'We don't have any targets. We will see as the opportunities unfold.'

Sawhney said the company did not have any upper limit on the budget. He said that a Hollywood movie typically costs $25 million to $150 million, so the investments will depend upon the kind of projects that go into production.

Source:

http://www.forbes.com/

Bhajji banned for 5 ODIs, warned of life ban

Temperamental off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today got away with a five-match ODI ban for slapping his India teammate S Sreesanth but was warned by the Cricket Board of a life ban for any further misconduct on his part.

A day after BCCI-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati submitted a 14-page report to the Board, the BCCI's Disciplinary Committee acted swiftly to impose the ban on the beleaguered spinner who will now miss the forthcoming tri-series in Bangladesh and two matches of the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

The 27-year-old Harbhajan, who had already been banned from the ongoing Indian Premier League and fined a whopping Rs three crore match fee for the level 4 offence, was summoned by the Disciplinary Committee, headed by president Sharad Pawar, to hear his views on the incident which happened after an IPL match in Mohali on April 25.

"The Committee accordingly decided to ban Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals, starting today and further observed that any further instance of misconduct will invoke a life-ban," the BCCI said in a statement after the committee's hearing.

"The Committee invoked Rule 3.2.1 of the BCCI Regulations for Players, Team officials, Managers, Umpires and Administrators. Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be meted out to a player is a ban up to a maximum of 5 ODIs and/or 3 Test matches," Pawar told reporters.

He said a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan who was heard by the committee before taking a final decision on the quantum of punishment.


Source :
http://www.saharasamay.com/

Indian Mujahideen claims responsibility for Jaipur blasts

A mysterious e-mail by an outfit known as "Indian Mujahideen" has claimed responsibility for Tuesday's blasts in Jaipur. The central security agencies and Rajasthan Police are now trying to work out the source of the mail which has warned about more such attacks in the country.

The police have detained a cyber cafe owner in Ghaziabad from where the e-mail claiming responsibility for Jaipur serial blasts was reportedly sent.

Shyam Bir, owner of a cyber cafe in Sahibabad area of Ghaziabad, is being interrogated by police officials to find out the details of the persons who may have sent the e-mail.

The e-mail, which was sent last night to various television channels, has given the frame number (129489) of the bicycle which was planted at Choti Chaupad near Kotwali in the Pink City.

The frame number of a bicycle recovered by the Rajasthan Police from the spot is same, informed sources said, adding the e-mail was written yesterday from a cyber cafe in Sahibabad in the outskirts of the capital.

The e-mail ID used was-guru_alhindi_jaipur@yahoo.co.uk, the sources said, noting that the account was created yesterday itself using the UK domain of the Yahoo.

The e-mail warned India should stop supporting the US in the international arena, "and if you do continue then get ready to face more attacks at other important tourist places".


Source : http://www.saharasamay.com/

60 killed, 150 injured as terror strikes Pink City

Terror struck the Pink City (Jaipur) for the first time on Tuesday evening as serial blasts killed at least 60 people and injured more than 150. Starting around 7.30 p.m. there were nine or 10 blasts within 15 minutes at six crowded places, including in the vicinity of two Hanuman temples, in the Walled City area.

Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed 60 dead and 150 injured though unofficial sources said the casualties could be higher.

Eyewitnesses said they could count 60 bodies in the overflowing mortuary of the City’s leading hospital, Sawai Man Singh. Some bodies were reportedly kept in the satellite hospital, Kanwatia, and a private hospital, Santokbha Durlabhji Memorial.

The blasts caused panic in the entire city while the authorities sealed off the Walled City. No traffic was allowed through its historic gates. The communication system also was jammed with mobiles not giving out signals.

The former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, who spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Centre had assured the State authorities all possible help to handle the situation. Union Minister of State for Home Jaiswal is reaching here on Wednesday.

Director-General Police A.S. Gill told this correspondent that forensic experts were still verifying the nature of the explosives. He did not confirm the use of RDX but said high intensity explosives were used in the bombs.

The blasts outside the temples targeted the devotees who gather in large numbers on Tuesdays. One temple is at Sanganeri Gate, while the other is at Chandpole.

The Chandpole blast was said to be of less intensity while the explosion on Maniharon ka Rasta near the victory tower, Sargasuli at Tripolia, was the most powerful.

Source :

http://www.hindu.com/

Now, Bajaj set to roll out Rs 1 lakh car

Here's a competitor for Tata Motor's small car Nano. Renault-Nissan head Carlos Ghosn and Bajaj's Rajiv Bajaj unfolded their joint venture plan on Monday, announcing a low-cost car at $2,500 (Rs 1 lakh) to be manufactured in India. The car is expected to hit the road early 2011, a little more than two years after Nano, which is scheduled to roll out in September-October.

Sources said the Bajaj-Renault-Nissan car would come in both petrol and diesel options. "Initially, it would come with a petrol version and diesel would follow," they said. However, apart from revealing the price tag, the two companies refused to give details regarding investments, engine capacity, and fuel efficiency.

In a statement issued on behalf of Bajaj and Ghosn, the companies said they they would form a joint-venture to develop, produce and market the low-cost car code-named 'ULC' (most probably Ultra Low Cost). The new JV will be 50% owned by Bajaj Auto, 25% by Renault and 25% by Nissan (a group company of Renault).


Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Samsung beats Motorola as India’s No. 3 mobile brand

The January-March 2008 quarter has seen a change in the pecking order of the Indian mobile phone market. While Nokia is still enjoying leadership position by a huge margin followed by Sony Ericsson, there has been a change in the position for the third slot. Korean vendor Samsung has replaced Motorola to emerge as the third largest player in the Indian market.

Latest ORG data reveal that Samsung is the only prominent player to have increased its market share in the Indian market in the January-March period. It has gained market share from 5.7% in January to 7% in March. In the same period, Motorola India lost market share from 6.7% to 5.9%, but Sony Ericsson remained at the same level of 8.1%.

Motorola India director (marketing-mobile devices) Lloyd Mathias refused to comment on market share. “However, the only thing we can say is that there has been a rationalisation of our portfolio in India. We are not competing in all segments and the focus has moved towards mid-to-high end phones. In fact, our average selling prices have increased in India,” he said.

Motorola recently announced that its global handset shipment had seen a fall from 40.9 million phones in Q4 of 2007 to some 27.4 million handsets in Q1 of 2008. On the other hand, Samsung, which has become the world’s second largest handset vendor, plans to launch a series of new products at entry-level and premium segment to further consolidate its Indian share. Not only are existing vendors sprucing up their plans in the mid-to-high end phone segment, but even Apple’s much-hyped iPhone is set to debut in India towards end of the year.


Source :
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

India is floored by homecoming of The Great Khali

Preparations for his visit have been meticulous; dignitaries have cleared their diaries and doorways have been enlarged - but then this is one guest you would not want to upset.

The return of The Great Khali - a 7ft 3in (2.21m), 30st (190kg) professional wrestler - to his native India from the United States where he plies his trade, has created a level of hysteria usually reserved for Bollywood idols and cricketing heroes.

His itinerary would not disgrace a visiting head of state. Khali (named Daleep Singh Rana by his parents and renamed after Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction, for his wrestling career) was received by the President. Snapshots of the meeting show Khali's eye-popping physique towering above Pratibha Patil, one of the world's more petite leaders. The wrestler told The Times that she described him as “the pride of the nation”.

The rendezvous dovetailed neatly with the populist turn that Indian politics has taken before elections that are expected next year.


Source :
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

Vodafone India cuts long distance, roaming tariffs

Vodafone Essar, India's third-largest mobile operator, said on Tuesday it cut long-distance and roaming tariffs effective immediately.

Vodafone Essar, in which Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research) owns a controlling stake, said national long distance calls would be 1.3 rupees (3 U.S. cent) a minute. It did not give the earlier tariff.

While roaming, customers would be charged 1 rupee a minute for incoming calls and local outgoing calls. Long distance calls would cost 1.5 rupees a minute, the company said in a statement.

Larger rival Bharti Airtel (BRTI.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) last week cut its long distance and roaming tariff. ($1=40.9 rupees)


Source :
http://www.reuters.com/

Myanmar cyclone toll climbs to nearly 22,500

Myanmar's military government raised its death toll from Cyclone Nargis on Tuesday to nearly 22,500 with another 41,000 missing, almost all from a massive storm surge that swept into the Irrawaddy delta.

The United Nations' World Food Programme began doling out emergency rice in Yangon, the largest city and former capital, and the first batch of more than $10 million worth of foreign aid arrived from Thailand. But a lack of specialized equipment slowed distribution.

Despite the magnitude of the disaster -- the most devastating cyclone to hit Asia since 1991, when 143,000 people died in Bangladesh -- France said the ruling generals in the former Burma were still placing too many conditions on aid.

"The United Nations is asking the Burmese government to open its doors. The Burmese government replies: 'Give us money, we'll distribute it.' We can't accept that," Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told parliament.

In New York, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it was prepared to make available a $5 million grant from its central emergency response fund.

But Rashid Khalikov, a senior UN aid official, appealed to Myanmar to waive visa requirements for UN aid workers trying to get into the country.

"Unfortunately we cannot tell you how many people are in need of assistance," he said. "We just clearly understand that it will probably be in the hundreds of thousands."


Source :
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

“Video footage shocking”

Mumbai: “I am shocked, don’t ask further. What I saw on the video footage was much beyond what I expected,” Sudhir Nanavati said after viewing the slapping incident involving S. Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh in the DLF-IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians in Mohali on April 25.

He was speaking about the footage supplied by the official broadcaster that provided proof of Harbhajan roughing up Sreesanth at the conclusion of the match and compelled the IPL to throw Harbhajan out of the competition.

Harbhajan, in fact, admitted to his guilt and lost 100 per cent of his match fee.

Soon after issuing a show cause notice to Harbhajan, the BCCI appointed the senior advocate of the Gujarat High Court, Mr. Nanavati, as Commissioner to inquire into the episode.

Source :
http://www.hindu.com/