Crime against women continues

Transcription

Crime against women continues
FRONTLINE
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award to Panruti
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Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982
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VOL. XXXII NO. 40 H CHENNAI H WEDNESDAY 15.1.2014 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS THURSDAY 16.1.2014 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Regd. No., TN/CC(S) Dn. / 223 / 12-14, RNI No: 33810 / 82
Hectic day
bserving that integrated buildings accomodating
the registrar and sub-registrar offices are being
constructed at 17 places in Tamilnadu at an
estimated cost of Rs 48.90 crore, government today
issued grant of another Rs 30 crore for constructing additional buildings for registrar offices during the current
financial year. The buildings will be equipped with solar
power generation facility and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has issued the administrative approval of Rs 30
crore towards this purpose, an official release here said.
In 2011-12, Jayalalithaa issued financial grant of Rs
26 crore for construction of own buildings for 52 subregistrar offices.Meanwhile, taking note of the growing
menace of corruption in sports, CBI will soon set-up a
specialised unit to handle cases related to sports fraud,
fixing and illegal betting.
Making the announcement at the FIFA-Interpol national workshop here today, CBI Director Ranjit Sinha
highlighted lack of a legal framework as the main hurdle
in probing cases related to sports fraud.
We, in CBI, have taken due notice of growing menace of
corruption in sports in general and challenges in football
and other sports in particular...Very soon we shall set up
a sports fraud investigation unit in the CBI under special
crime branches, Sinha said in his keynote address.
He said this unit will act as repository of intelligence
and data related to corruption in sports.
Jaya orders facelift
to Chetpet lake
SONS OF SOIL
Adventure sports, boating, open air theatres to come up
Jallikattu,the annual bull-taming sport, got a kickstart in Palamedu
today.
Photo: MM
Taking the bull
by the horns
M MUVIJA
Madurai, Jan 15:
It’s that time of the year again, as Madurai and its surrounding areas
are geared up for Jallikattu, the favourite bull-taming sport.
The event started with a bang at around 10 am today in Palamedu, a
village five km from Alanganallur, with an excited crowd---- people from
nearby villages and tourists, both Indian and foreigners---- gathered
to witness this traditional event.
Around 600 bulls were registered for the event and the bulls go
through extensive medical check up before they are let in. Veterinary
team at the event check the bulls for any malpractice mentioned in
the rulebook such as giving alcohol to the bulls, rubbing chilli powder
in its eyes, rubbing glass powder on its horns (so that the participants
can’t control the bull by holding its horn) and that the bulls don’t have
sharp horns or wounds in its body.
Additionally, this year, the bull owners had to produce a certificate
from hospital stating that the bull isn’t infected with ‘komari’ disease.
Bulls were brought in from over 150 villages including Muduvarpati,
Trichy, Kambam, Alanganallur, Kondayarpati etc. The bulls as well
as the participants have to register a week before the event so that
necessary check ups could be carried out. A whole of 666 youngsters
registered for the event out of which 612 were let to to participate and
the test 54 were detained due to medical reasons.
‘This is a time where all villagers come together. It is a very happy
event, gives us all a reason to unite and celebrate. My husband is
participating this year’, says Lakshmi from a nearby village who’s
standing on the terrace of a nearby house since women are advised
not to go near the field.
‘I’ve been participating for eight years and twice I’ve even won prizes
-once a gold coin and another time a cycle. This year is better, we
have ample amount of facilities we didn’t have before like drinking
water, medical facilities etc’, says Mahalingam from Palanganatham.
This event witnessed a rather ironic moment- a participant took control
of the bull but unfortunately he hit a barricade hurting his head and
was taken to the hospital.
‘Last year, 900 police were assigned on jallikatu event. This year the
security is tight- 1,500 police have been appointed on duty and 250
of them are monitoring the field alone. All the main routes have been
covered so that no mishaps occur. Special precautions have been taken- cameras have been installed to monitor happenings and watching
towers have been erected’, says Sub-Inspector of Police, Saravanan.
Desirable prizes are stacked up for the winners- gold and silver coins,
bureaus, cycles, vessels, pots etc. If a participant holds onto a bull for
a distance of 50 m, he wins the prize. Or, he must hold on to the bull
as it twists and turns for three times.
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
today sanctioned a sum of Rs 42
crore for the restoration of Chetpet
lake in the city.
According to an official release
here, the waterbody in the metropolis, as per the plan, will house
outdoor entertainment activities like fishing, adventure water
sports, boating, open air theatres
and children’s play area. Rare and
ornamental trees would be grown
to give a greener look to the lake.
A muilti-storeyed parking lot
would be created which would not
only ease the traffic congestion
in the area, but would also help
people from other areas to visit
the park.
‘The initiatives will ensure that the
Chetpet lake becomes the best tourist
spot in the future,’ the release said.
The Chief Minister also granted
administrative sanction to upgrade
the Kasimedu fishing harbour at an
estimated cost of Rs 75 crore. The
harbour catered to 575 boats in
1984. However, the numbers shot
CAT: IIT-M
student is topper
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
It’s pride moment for Chennaiites.
Tejaswi Kasturi from Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras scored 100 percentile in the Common Admission Test
(CAT) 2013.
CAT 2013, conducted by the Indian
Institutes of Management for admission, has eight including Tejaswi who
have scored 100 percentile. 10 students
including a girl managed 99.99 percentile
score. The results of the examination
held between 16 October to 11 November last year were declared yesterday.
The examination has been held online
for quite a while now where the technology partner is Prometric. Of the 1.94 lakh
candidates who appeared for the exam,
all eight toppers are engineers with six
having B Tech degrees and two with M
Tech degrees. The results are posted
on the website www.cat2013.iimidr.ac.in
after which candidates will be summoned
for Group Discussion (GD) and Personal
Interview (PI) based on CAT score and
previous academic records.
During selections, weightage generally given are CAT score: 20 per cent,
10th standard marks - 15 per cent, 12th
standard marks - 10 per cent and graduation - 15 per cent.
Chetpet lake, the
only surviving
water body in the
heart of the city,
has been an eyesore
for years. The State
government now
plans to give a
facelift to it
up to 1,395 now, necessitating the
upgrade. This would benefit 12,000
fishermen directly and another 15,000
workers indirectly.
Chetpet lake, the only surviving
water body in the heart of the city,
has been an eyesore for years, with
dense vegetation, garbage from
nearby slum tenements and free
flow of sewage from inlets. The
State government now plans to give
a facelift to the water body at a cost
of Rs 42 crore. As per the initiative,
the 15-acre lake off Poonamallee
High Road, managed by the Fisheries department, will boast of an
eco-park and revive angling.
The lake will offer recreational activities, including water sports, boat
club, open air auditoriums and children’s playfield. A walkway will be
formed along the perimeter to help
people take up walking. Besides,
a multi-level vehicular parking arrangement will also be built for the
fitness enthusiasts for a hassle-free
walk. A sea food stall will be set up,
said the release.
SC notice to
Centre on
sexual harassment
New Delhi, Jan 15:
The Supreme Court today issued
notices to the government, Attorney
General and former apex court judge
asking them to reply on the petition
filed by a law intern, who has levelled
sexual allegations against the retired
Justice.
The apex court asked all the respondents parties to reply by 14
February.
A bench headed by Chief Justice P
Sathasivam, however, said that the
court is not expressing any opinion
on the application filed by the woman
intern.
The court also asked the government to adopt a mechanism to deal
with sexual harassment cases involving judicial officers.
The court said in view of the importance of the issue to evolve a
permanent mechanism to address the
complaints of sexual harassments by
the judges at all level, the court appointed eminent counsel Fali Nariman
and K K Venugopal as amicus curiae
to assist the court.
The law intern has accused an exSC judge sexually harassing her in
2011. New reports last week said that
the lady worked with the former apex
court judge in May 2011, but quit the
internship programme mid-way after
she was disturbed by the behaviour
of the judge.
The law intern, who is a ex-student
of the National University of Juridical
Sciences in Kolkata had recently filed
a complaint with the Supreme Court
along with an affidavit seeking action
against him.
TAURUS TURNS PISCES
No, that is not what the onset of Pongal season astrologically signify. This bull on the beach, on the Maatu
Pongal day today, seemed to be trying to tame the waters. A veritable immovable object against an irresistible force. A gladiatorial contest indeed.
Photo: A R JAYAKUMAR
Crime against women continues
Another gang-rape in Delhi
German molested
in moving train
Three minor girls raped
New Delhi:
Muzaffarnagar, Jan 15:
In another incident that shamed the national capital, a 51-year-old Danish woman
Three minor girls were allegedly raped in separate incidents
was allegedly gang-raped by a group of men near New Delhi Railway Station late
in the district here, police said today. A 13-year-old girl was alChennai, Jan 15:
on Tuesday.
legedly gangraped in her house when she was alone on pistol
A 22-year-old youth hailing from Bihar for arrested for molesting a teenager
Reports on Wednesday said that a Danish national, who was here on a tourist visa,
point by three men at Sikri village of the district here yesterday,
from Germany on the Mangalore-Chennai Mail Monday.
had gone to visit a museum and while returning back to her hotel in Paharganj lost
police said.
According to police, ‘The girl (identity revealed) was coming to Chennai to
her way in the area when a group of men stopped her, robbed and gang-raped her.
serve in a charitable organisation. She shared the ‘RAC’ berth with Senthan
A case has been registered against the three accused on an
The woman after returning to her hotel narrated her ordeal to her near ones, who
Kumar’.
FIR lodged by the victim’s uncle.
further informed the police.
‘She boarded the train on Monday in Mangalore and reported the incident
In another incident, a 14-year-old girl was raped by a youth at
She was first looted at knife point, and then gang-raped by around six men, police
to the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). After the train arrived at Chennai
Shaipunagar village under New Mandi police station near here
said. The Danish Embassy has also pitched in and asked the authorities for swift action
Central, the girl and the TTE lodged a complaint with Railway Police.’
yesterday. The father of the victim has alleged that the accused
in this case. Delhi Police have detained several people in connection with the case
Superintendent G Kayalvizhi and assistant commissioner of police Thillai
entered into their house and raped her.
and had been interrogating them. The officials suspect that the people, who are drug
M Natarajan questioned the girl. After a detailed enquiry, the Egmore began
In the third incident, a minor girl (15) was raped by a youth when
addicts and stay at roadside in the Paharganj area, might be involved in the crime.
launched a man hunt fro Senthan Kumar. They arrested him at Kovur in
she had gone to collect water from a hand pump at Mujhara
The victim, who was supposed to leave for her country on Wednesday morning, has
Kundrathur. He was produced before a Judge at the Magistrate Court and
in the
district
evening.
The accused
absconding,
Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontlinevillage
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was lodged at Puzhal prison.
they
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Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: newstodaydaily@gmail.com, Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.
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mischievous Chihuahua in
the US got behind the wheel
of his owner’s car, somehow
kicked it out of gear and
steered it onto the
open road before
crashing into
another driver.
J a s o n
Martinez, from
Spokane, said he
left the pooch in his
car while he ran into a store.
The cheeky chihuahua, Toby,
somehow kicked the vehicle out
of gear and took it for a spin.
However, unable to properly
control the car, he ran
through a red light and
crashed into a woman’s
motor.
Fortunately only her
tire was damaged
in the bizarre
crash, ‘New York Daily
News’ reported. Tabitha
Ormaechea told KREM-TV she
couldn’t believe her eyes when
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SUDOKU
2602
(13.01.2014
Answer)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Ram Gopal Varma
@RGVzoomin
she saw a dog was driving the
vehicle.
When I looked up, there was no
one in the car, just a little dog up
on the steering wheel peeking
over looking at me, she said.
The dog owner Martinez got
to know about the crash when
someone ran into the store and
said that a gold car had been in
an accident.
He [the dog] must have knocked
it out of gear and the car rolled
out, Martinez said.
Telugu films, about 40 Tamil films, 15
Hindi films and a few Malayalam and
Kannada films.
Trained in classical dance, all her
critically acclaimed movies were
based on the subject of classical
dance, like Vamsy’s Sitara and veteran
K Vishwanath’s Swarnakamalam in
1988 Telugu and Sathyan Anthikkad’s
Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal in
Malayalam.
Tamil Cinema’s ace actor, Sivaji
Ganesan had mentioned in one of
his interviews that Bhanupriya is
the only actress from the younger
generation with matchable acting
ability as Savithri and Padmini. She
is also part of Mani Ratnam’s stage
show Netru, Indru, Naalai. Bhanupriya
2 4
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CHENNAI
“The trouble with leaving no stone
unturned is that under one of
them,u might find a snake
waiting to bite u”
is now based in Chennai. She had also
acted in a television serial, Shakthi. She
is famous for her expressions using
her eyes, which led her to a career in
modelling. Her most famous ad was
of Eyetex, a popular eyeliner. She is
married to a Cinematographer Adarsh
Kaushal who is an Indian American
in 1998. Later she got divorced from
Adarsh Kaushal. Currently, she lives
separately in Chennai along with her
daughter, Abhinaya. She has won
various awards like the Nandi award for
Best Actress in 1988 for her performance
in Swarna Kamalam, Tamilnadu State
Film Award Special Prize in 1989 for the
film Aararo Aaariraro, Tamilnadu State
Film Award Special Prize in 1991 for the
film Azhagan among others.
Protein discovery to aid
HIV vaccine development
S
cientists have determined the the virus. When the virus fuses to a
structure of a key part of the host cell, the HIV envelope protein
HIV envelope protein, an advance transitions through at least three
that brings an HIV vaccine closer to separate stages. Its pre- and postShe was born in Rangampeta village,
reality. HIV virus has many strategies fusion states are stable and have
BHANUPRIYA
near Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh, to
to hide from the immune system. been well studied, but the intermediate
One of those strategies is a dramatic step - when the protein actually makes
hanupriya is an actress who a Telugu family. Her family settled in
structural transformation that the virus contact with the host cell - is dynamic.
has appeared in Telugu, Tamil, Chennai. She began her film acting
undergoes when it fuses to a host cell. The instability of this interaction has
Kannada and Malayalam films. She career when she was just 17. Her
The envelope protein complex is a made it very difficult to visualise using
also acted in few Bollywood films in first film was Mella Pesungal (1983)
structure that protrudes from HIV’s traditional structure determination
in Tamil. She made her Telugu debut
the 1990s.
membrane and carries out the infection t e c h n i q u e s , s u c h a s x - r a y
Bhanupriya has acted in around 150 with Sitaara, directed by veteran
of healthy host cells.
crystallography and nuclear magnetic
films as a heroine in various languages. Vamsy. She has acted in over 80
Scientists have long targeted
resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
this complex for vaccine
Duke researchers solved
development, specifically its
the structure using protein
three copies of a protein called
engineering, sophisticated
gp41 and closely associated
NMR and software specifically
partner protein gp120.
designed to run on limited data.
Broken or damaged
Researchers from Duke
First author Patrick Reardon
University said they think
engineered a protein that
manhole
covers,
like
the
CAUTION AHEAD
about a particular region of
incorporated the HIV
ones at Valasaravakkam
gp41, called MPER, as an
MPER, associated with a
Achilles’ heel of vulnerability.
membrane and behaved just like gp41
and Mylapore, cause
The attractiveness of this region in the tricky intermediate step, but was
is that, number one, it is relatively stable enough to study. They captured
problems for road-users.
conserved, said Leonard Spicer, the shape of the three-parted MPER
senior author and a professor of in its near-native state, but the protein
One has to remain alert
biochemistry and radiology.
needed to be more than structurally
while travelling or it
In a virus as genetically variable as accurate - it had to bind the broadly
HIV, a successful vaccine must act neutralising antibodies.
could lead to mishap.
on a region that will be conserved, or One of the most important aspects
similar across subtypes of the virus.
of the project was ensuring that this
Photos:
Second, this region has two particular construct interacted with the desirable
R THIYAGARAJAN
sequences of amino acids that code antibodies, and indeed, it did so
for the binding of important broadly strongly, Reardon said. In December
and
neutralising antibodies, said Spicer.
last year, the university received a
The
HIV
envelope
region
near
the
grant of up to USD 2.9 million from
K VIJAY ANAND
virus membrane is the spot where the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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CHENNAI
Jaya to present
award to Panruti
Chennai, Jan 15 (PTI):
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa will
present the State government
awards to recipients on Republic
Day at the Secretariat here.
While declaring the names of
awardees for this year’s government
awards instituted in the names of
Tamil leaders and Tamil saint-poet
Thiruvalluvar, it was announced that
the awards would be distributed on
15 January.
The awardees requested that they
would like to get the honour from
the Chief Minister directly. In deference to their request, Jayalalithaa would present the awards on
26 January, an official release said Tuesday.
However, Taiwanese poet Yusi will be conferred the Thiruvalluvar
Award by Minister for Finance and Public Works Department, O
Panneerselvam on the occasion of Thiruvalluvar Day celebrations
later today.
Former DMDK leader Panrutty S Ramachandran, who quit the
Vijayakanth-led party last month was chosen for the Perarignar
Anna Award.
Seven others were chosen for the other awards named after
Thanthai Periyar, Annal Ambedkar, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar,
Mahakavi Bharathiar, Pavendar Bharathidasan, Tamil Thendral
Thiru Vi Ka, Muttamizh Kavalar Ki Aa Pe Viswanatham.
The awards carry Rs one lakh cash, one sovereign of gold medal
and a citation.
q RS polls to decide future of DMK, DMDK
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
It’s blessing as well as cursing in
disguise, as the elections for six Rajya
Sabha seats from Tamilnadu would
be held ahead of Lok Sabha polls.
Both the DMK and the DMDK, which
faced a tough time in the recentlyconcluded elections for the Upper
House, are in for another acid test.
With the ruling AIADMK along with
the Left parties having the required
majority for five seats, the lone seat
is up for grabs between the DMK
and DMDK.
In the event of the DMK and DMDK
putting up separate candidates as in
the last Rajya Sabha polls in 2013,
DMK, with 23 MLAs, has a chance to
secure the lone seat with the support
of the Puthiya Tamizhagam and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi which have
declared their support to the DMK.
On the other hand, DMDK has a
depleted strength of only 21 as seven
of its MLAs defected and one legisla-
Besides Tamilnadu, the elections will
be held in Maharashtra (seven seats)
and Andhra Pradesh (six), West Bengal
and Bihar (five each), Odisha and
Gujarat (four each), Assam, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan (three each).
tor resigned. But sources have it that
the DMK, which is wooing the DMDK
to its alliance, may offer the Rajya
Sabha seat to the Vijayakanth-led
party. ‘However, a deal has to be
struck before that,’ add sources.
Biennial elections for 55 Rajya
Sabha seats, including six from
Tamilnadu, will be held 7 February, the Election Commission announced Monday. As per the schedule, the results shall be announced
the same day. The elections will
be held for the seats falling vacant
between 2-14 April this year.
Besides Tamilnadu, the elections
will be held in Maharashtra (seven
seats) and Andhra Pradesh (six
seats), West Bengal and Bihar (five
each), Odisha and Gujarat (four
each), Assam, Madhya Pradesh and
Rajasthan (three each).
The other States to see polling
are Chhattisgarh, Haryana and
Jharkhand (two seats each) and
Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and
Manipur (one seat each).
The polling notification will be
issued 21 January, nominations
will be received till 28 January and
scrutiny will be completed 29 January. The last date for withdrawal
of nominations will be 31 January.
The entire election process will be
completed 10 February, the poll
panel said.
Jack of all fruits
on your plate
Opinion survey
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
Nandini Voice For The Deprived,
a city-based NGO, is conducting an
opinion poll/survey on the Tamilnadu
government taking over temples in
the State. The views may be sent
on or before 31 January to trustee
N S Venkataraman, M 60/1, Fourth
Cross Street in Besant Nagar or
email nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com.
For further details, contact 24916037.
NT Bureau
Radha Kalyana
Mahotsavam
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) conducted its 31st annual Sri Jagannath Rath
Yatra in Chennai on Monday. The trip started in front of Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore and culminated at Chetpet.
LIC South vows to
cover more lives
Zonal manager, South Zone, LIC, T Sitharthan and regional managers
Gemma Berly and M Ravichandran at a press meet in Chennai.
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)
of India has announced six new,
revamped plans. It also announced
a market share increase of 12 per
cent, from 74 per cent in November to 86 per cent by the end of
December.
Speaking to reporters here Monday, zonal manager, South Zone,
LIC, T Sitharthan, said that the
insurance company had achieved
a market share increase of 12 per
cent by the end of 2013.
Regional manager, marketing,
3
Another acid test
in the making
CITY ROUNDS
Sri Marundeeswar Baktha Bajana
Mandali is celebrating its 31st Radha
Kalyana Mahotsavam on 18 and 19
January at Amarabarathy Kalyana
Mandapam, West Tank Street in
Thiruvanmiyur. For details contact
24412896.
WEDNESDAY
15 JANUARY 2014
Ravichandran said that LIC’s Endowment, Jeevan Anand, Bima
Bachat and Money Back, 20 and 25
year, plans have all been revamped
to make them more attractive options.
The Single Premium Endowment
Plan, introduced for the first time,
is a one-time investment plan that
would cover children as young as
90 days of age with a risk cover for
the full sum assured.
The South Zone expects to sell
another 2 lakh policies worth Rs 300
crore in January.
Anjali Devi
cremated
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
Veteran South Indian film actress
Anjali Devi, who passed away at a
private hospital here Monday following a cardiac arrest, was cremated on
Tuesday. She was 85 and is survived
by two sons.
The actress was admitted to the
hospital on 11 January after she complained of breathing problems.
A veteran of about 500 films in Tamil,
Telugu and Kannada, she began her
career as a theatre artist when she
was just nine years old and rose to
fame through the years,rubbing shoulders with then Telegu stars N T Rama
Rao and Nageswara Rao and Tamil
cinema’s icons M G Ramachandran,
Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan.
She was married to renowned music
composer Adhi Narayana Rao, who
passed away in 1991.
Anjali Devi is remembered for several
roles in many Tamil films including
MGR starrer Marmayogi and DMK
founder leader C N Annadurai’s Sorgavasal.
She was also a successful film maker
with her production house Anjali Pictures bringing out many successful
movies, including Tamil super hit movie
Aduthaveetu Penn (1960).
Chennai, Jan 15:
Sanjeevanam, a vegetarian restaurant in the city, has embarked on a new
journey by offering nutritious fibrous food on its menu this new year. The restaurant will provide traditional and innovative dishes made of Jackfruit called
Jackfruit 365 for its customers.
Speaking on the ‘refreshed variety’ of dishes on its menu here recently,
managing director of A V A Group A V Anoop who initiated Sanjeevanam in
2004 said that the restaurant would serve concept-based food for its customers
this year. He said that all dishes were made of the fibre content fruit and the
aim of the new menu was to add more value and quality to the food served.
Stating that the restaurant completed more than a decade of existence in
Chennai, he said that the focus of the eatery has always been to provide healthy
food by minimising oil and sugar content in its dishes. He also said that the
restaurant served fresh food to its customers and sourced vegetables daily to
maintain its tradition and standard. Referring to the new dishes, he said that
the idea of using jackfruit was tested in his own kitchen as the best option for
organic food. He added that the new menu had a total of 18 dishes made of
jackfruit and varied from snacks, main course to desserts. Noted television
anchor Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, founder Jackfruit365, James Joseph and
director of A V A Group Priya Anoop also participated.
Sharma Park users
air grievances
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
A special meeting of the T Nagar
Sharma Park Walkers Exnora was
held recently at the park. Members
discussed the various issues related
to the park and the facilities required
for the residents and walkers. More
than 50 members of the Walkers Club
attended the meeting.
The key problems faced by the walkers include illegal and immoral activities such as drug abuse and drinking
inside the park, insufficient lighting,
poor maintenance, encroachments,
water logging and lack of greenery.
Because of these issues women and
senior citizens feel insecure to use
the facility.
According to a press note, C P
Rajaram said that after a lot of persuasion and representation to the
Chennai Corporation, a separate
building was constructed for funeral
ceremonies and related activities.
However, even now the park is being
Residents discussed many issues at a special meeting of the T Nagar
Sharma Park Walkers Exnora.
used for such activities as the building is locked. As a result the park
gets damaged and this poses a huge
hindrance to the walkers.
R Saroja said that during the rainy
season walkers find it difficult to walk
as there is no shade for protection
from rain. As a result the elderly
hesitate to use the park. Councillor,
Division 113, Corporation of Chennai,
Shanthi, said, ‘I will take the necessary steps to solve the issues raised
by the members.’
Following this meeting, new office
bearers and committee members
were also elected.
Pongal pot, promises a lot
NT Bureau
Nilgiris district, prostrated before Ganesha, the elephant-headed God,
and they were offered Pongal.
Chennai, Jan 15:
Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamilnadu, was on Tuesday celebrated
Another added speciality to Pongal is that it falls on the first day of the
with traditional fervour across the State.
Tamil month ‘Thai’ which is considered as harbinger of hope, signified
Variously hailed as Tamilar Thirunal, (Festival of Tamils), Uzhavar
by the old Tamil saying ‘Thai Piranthal Vazhi Pirakkum’ (You will find
Thirunal (Farmers’ carnival), and Aruvadai Thirunal, (Harvest Fest)
a way, with the birth of Thai)’, and new endeavours can be taken up.
the Pongal celebrations got off to a colourful start early in the morning.
Pongal celebrations will continue for two more days.
In both urban and rural regions, streets in residential localities were
A Puducherry report by PTI said pongal was celebrated in the Union
decked up with colourful ornate drawings out of flour (Kolam in Tamil).
Territory with traditional joy and splendour.
Houses were decorated with mango leaves and festoons. Prayers were
Lt Governor Virendra Kataria, Chief Minister N Rangasamy, Speaker
held and sweet rice (Pongal) was the main offering to the Sun God.
V Sabapathy, political party leaders and legislators extended Pongal
In several towns like Agastheeswaram in Kanyakumari district, Comgreetings to the people on the occasion.
munity Pongal was celebrated in which people cutting across social
Families gathered together in their ancestral houses and offered
strata come together to observe the festival.
prayers to the Sun God. Images of the Sun were drawn on the floor and
While traditional sport like ‘Jallikattu’, ‘Rekla’ race, involving bulls,
traditional poojas were performed seeking blessings of the Almighty for
and Kabbadi were attractions in rural and semi-urban areas, in cities
a prosperous future. People visited places of worship and made special
Special prayers were held in temples on the occasion. Temple ellike Chennai, people preferred to visit amusement parks and beaches
prayers
to presiding
deities.Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy,
ephants,
now (GST
at a rejuvenation
campChennai
in Thekkampatti
on the
foothills
of
Published
by
K.
Balakumar
on
behalf
of
News
Today
Media
(P)
Ltd.,
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Road
Road),
Guindy,
600
032
and
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him
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Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: newstodaydaily@gmail.com, Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.
4 WEDNESDAY
15 JANUARY 2014
Blend
WHAT NEWS TODAY PRINTS IS NEWS THAT COUNTS
Promise for better
After the elections the new government at the Centre will take
critical decisions, indicating the future economic policy. Until the
elections no major policy decisions are expected, although the UPA
government has cleared many pending foreign direct investment
proposals in the last few months. The Cabinet Committee on
Investments has cleared over 120 projects worth over Rs 400,000
crore. Out of the total projects over half would go to the power sector.
FDI has not been picking up at a rapid rate and even declined in
2013 from the previous year by 10 per cent (January to September
FDI was at $16.85 billion). Now that the US Federal Reserve
has made it clear that tapering of its monetary easing policy (that
involves the releasing of $85 billion a month into the financial
system) will start in 2014, this will definitely raise US interest
rates from the near zero level and the US will become an attractive
destination for FIIs this year. FIIs would still come if prospects of
Indian industry improve and the rupee’s depreciation is arrested but
FIIs will not flood the emerging markets as before.
A balance of payments crisis may be averted this year with the
shrinking of the current account deficit and higher FII inflows.
Exports may pick up faster if the US recovery stays on track and the
EU is able to overcome the crisis of rising unemployment. India’s
export growth did gain in momentum in 2013 but again slackened
in recent months. Much more attention has to be paid by the new
government to export facilitation measures and the reduction of
transaction costs to enhance competitiveness. Compression of
imports has been an important reason for the narrowing of the current
account deficit. The fall in gold as well as oil imports has contributed
largely to the decline in the current account deficit. Gold imports
should not increase in 2014. The forex reserves have also grown in
the last few months after being slightly depleted to defend the rupee
and the rupee has reached a stable mode at the beginning of 2014.
Hopefully red tape and corruption will be reduced with the
passing of the Lokpal Bill. Various hurdles remain in the industry’s
perception regarding the acquisition of land for spatial expansion or
mining. The new land acquisition law is very good from the point
of view of rehabilitating the displaced people but industrialists
may run away from financing resettlement of the displaced people.
Many industrialists may look towards foreign destinations for fresh
business ventures rather than go through the rigmarole of settling
people. Thus there has to be further clarity regarding the land
acquisition law and modalities have to be outlined and the process
has to be corruption free to benefit both the purchasing and selling
parties. The year 2014 may witness some additional clarifications
that could give incentives to the mining industry which has been
shrinking.
On the whole, the economy is likely to pick up. With the expected
better governance from a new government at the Centre, faster
decision-making in key areas may happen. The fiscal deficit has to
be managed well and should meet the target of 4.8 per cent of the
GDP. Otherwise, higher government outlay could be inflationary.
The growth forecast of most international agencies for India seems
to hover over 5 per cent which is still not the optimum growth for a
developing country like India where there is an urgent need to create
more jobs. But it is better than 4.8 per cent growth experienced in
2013, almost half of the growth rate achieved in 2009-10.Global
outlook is positive for 2014 and the UN’s world GDP growth
forecast is at 3 per cent. If the US recovery is rapid, it would benefit
all countries, including India, due to an expansion in trade and
investment.
Voice
Mail
For a better start
Sir,
India discard and Mumbai’s stylish opening batsman Wasim Jaffer said
that the IPL was a short cut to success. Any cricketer would tell you that the
shorter the format, the easier it gets. I won’t say it’s a concern, but youngsters
need to keep up the hunger to play Test cricket, said 35-year-old Jaffer.
He was talking at the Indian Oil function attended by his corporate teammates Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Since the
three are with Team India, they didn’t open up with the media as much as
Jaffer could. Though Jaffer, who played 31 Tests and 220 first-class matches
over the last 18 years, was overall a bit critical of young batsmen’s attitude,
he praised his teammates.
The youngsters have so much to learn he said. Jaffer needs to show this
hunger to bat long when Mumbai host Maharashtra in the five-day Ranji
Trophy quarterfinal which gets under way at Wankhede in this week.
Jaffer wanted people to give time to the new-look Mumbai team who have
scraped through to the Ranji quarters this season. Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz
Khan and Armaan Jaffer have scored heavily in junior cricket, promising a
bright future for Mumbai cricket. Jaffer opined that all the youngsters who
score big in inter-school cricket could get exposed at the higher level.
Ajay
by email
CHENNAI
Gunshots fired at Thai
anti-government protests
Bangkok shutdown enters third day
BANGKOK:
Violence flared overnight in Bangkok amid anti-government demonstrations intended to drive Thailand’s Prime Minister out of office.
Tens of thousands of protesters
have disrupted traffic at major intersections and marched on government offices in Thailand’s large and
hectic capital city this week.
The protests, dubbed ‘Bangkok
shutdown,’ had begun Monday
without serious incident. But on
Tuesday night, two people were
shot and wounded, an explosive
device was thrown at an opposition leader’s house, buses were
set alight and police officers were
attacked, according to authorities.
The protesters say they want
Thailand’s political system over-
Park with Titanic
replica in China
BEIJING:
A USD 165 million life-size replica of
the Titanic will be built at a new landlocked Chinese theme park featuring
a museum and shipwreck simulation
to give the visitors a feel of the 1912
disaster.
The theme park will be built in southwest China’s Sichuan province, 1,500
km from the nearest ocean and the
simulation technology will allow several hundred people at a time to feel
what the shipwreck was like.
The privately-owned Sichuan Seven
Star Energy Investment Group announced in Hong Kong that it had
hired a US firm to provide designs
based on the Titanic’s sister ship,
RMS Olympic.
The company said the construction of the ship may take two years
and was expected to be ready by
2016, the South China Morning Post
reported. The ambitious project was
part of a plan to build a world-class
tourist destination in the little-known
rural county of Daying in the Sichuan
Province, the company said, adding
that the ship would be docked permanently on the bank of the Qi River,
which runs across the county.
Curtis Schnell, a Hollywood production designer working on the design
of the ship, was quoted as saying
that the design team would rely on
the Olympic’s existing blueprints and
salvaged furniture that was used on
board for their designs of the new
ship. The Olympic, the first of the
three gigantic ‘Olympic-class’ ocean
liners, was launched in 1910, and
retired at Southampton, England after
24 years of service. Su Shaojun, chief
executive of the Seven Star Energy
Investment Group that is funding the
project, said, ‘When the ship hits the
iceberg, it will shake, it will tumble.
We will let people experience water
coming in by using sound and light
effects.’
Backers of the project have denied
that the idea is insensitive to the
1,517 people who lost their lives in the
disaster, which was depicted in the
1997 blockbuster starring Leonardo
DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
Rights groups, the United Nations and the
United States have called on Thai authorities
and anti-government protesters to respect
human rights and avoid violence during
the mass demonstrations
hauled instead of new elections
scheduled for next month. They’re
demanding that Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra’s government
be replaced with an unelected ‘people’s council.’’
Their numbers dropped from a peak
of as many as 170,000 on Monday
evening to about 60,000 on Tuesday
evening, said Lt. Gen. Paradon Pattanathabut, Thailand’s security chief.
He said roughly 10,000 demonstrators had stayed out on the streets
overnight as others returned to their
homes in the Bangkok area.
Protest leaders disagree with the
government’s estimates of their numbers. They say they had more than
one million people on the streets on
Tuesday night.
Since Monday, groups of demonstrators have occupied seven
main intersections in Bangkok and
marched on several government
buildings, including the labor, commerce and foreign ministries. The
protests have caused some disruption in central Bangkok, but large
areas of the sprawling capital city
so far remain unaffected. Authorities
have deployed about 20,000 security
personnel to keep watch throughout
the city.
Designer of
AK-47 repents
MOSCOW:
Mikhail Kalashnikov, the designer of
the iconic AK-47 assault rifle, wrote to
the Russian Orthodox Church before
his death, repenting he was personally guilty for huge casualties caused
by the deadly weapon he created.
Kalashnikov, who died on 23 December at the age of 94, in May 2012
wrote a lengthy emotional letter to
Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch
Kirill, Izvestia, church officials said.
Kalashnikov had previously refused
to accept responsibility for those
killed. Kalashnikov had previously
refused to accept responsibility for
those killed, blaming the policies of
other countries that acquired the
weapon. But in a letter, published in
the pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia,
he wrote: ‘My spiritual pain is un-
bearable. I keep having the same
unsolved question: if my rifle claimed
people’s lives, then can it be that I...
a Christian and an Orthodox believer,
was to blame for their deaths?’ he
asked. ‘The longer I live,’ he continued, ‘the more this question drills itself
into my brain and the more I wonder
why the Lord allowed man to have the
devilish desires of envy, greed and
aggression.’ The letter is typed on
Kalashnikov’s personal writing paper,
India gets back
stolen sculptures
NEW YORK:
The US will hand over to India
three stolen Indian sandstone sculptures valued at more than USD 1.5
million, in a display of cooperation
between the two countries following
a month-long row over the arrest
and indictment of an Indian
diplomat here.
The US Immigration and
Customs Enforcement’s
(ICE) Homeland Security
Investigations (HSI) and
INTERPOL Washington
will participate in a ‘cultural
repatriation ceremony with
India’ at the Indian Consulate General, when the
federal authorities will hand
over the three stolen sculptures
to Consul General Dnyaneshwar
Mulay today.
The artefacts include a sculpture of
Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi,
a sandstone sculpture of Vishnu and
Parvati and a blackstone figure of
Bodhisattva.
HSI Executive Associate Director James Dinkins and INTERPOL
Washington Director Shawn Bray
will be in attendance at the ceremony. The statues were seized by
HSI special agents here.
The exchange comes just days
after diplomat Devyani Khobragade
was asked to leave the US after she
was accorded diplomatic
immunity by the State Department and indicted on
charges of visa fraud and
making false statements
regarding the employment
terms of her domestic
worker Sangeeta Richard.
To ensure full diplomatic
immunity from criminal
charges for Khobragade,
India had transferred her
to its Permanent Mission to the UN
from the Indian Consulate, where
she was deputy Consul General
at the time of her arrest in December. Incidentally, the repatriation
ceremony will take place at the
Indian Consulate, which had been
Khobragade’s office before she was
transferred to the Indian mission at
the UN.
Dubai to create its
autobiography
and is signed with a wavering hand
by the man who describes himself as
‘a slave of God, the designer Mikhail
Kalashnikov.’ The Kalashnikov, or
AK-47, is one of the world’s most
familiar and widely used weapons. Its
comparative simplicity made it cheap
to manufacture, as well as reliable
and easy to maintain.
It is thought that more than 100 million Kalashnikov rifles have been sold
worldwide. It is unclear how much of
it he wrote himself. Izvestia quotes
Kalashnikov’s daughter, Elena, as
saying she believes a priest helped
her father compose the letter.
The press secretary for the Russian
Patriarch, Cyril Alexander Volkov, told
the paper the religious leader had
received Kalashnikov’s letter and had
written a reply.
Tortoise beats
rabbit in pet
ski-off
BEIJING:
A tortoise beat a rabbit in a skiing competition held for pets and
their owners in northern China, a
report said. Cats and dogs faced
off against a menagerie including
a rooster and a yellow duck in a
race to the finish line on snowy
slopes in China’s Henan province,
the state-run China News Service
said.
The 40 human competitors were
allowed to place their animals on
skis or sledges, or could guide
the pet with a lead while skiing,
the report said. In an unexpected
outcome akin to an ancient Greek
fable, a tortoise beat a rabbit,
with the shelled reptile eventually
claiming third place overall, the
report said.
‘Because the rabbit loved jumping and didn’t follow its owner’s
commands, it was overtaken by
the tortoise,’ it said. The tortoise
-- which would normally be expected to hibernate during the
winter -- apparently hitched a ride
on its owner’s ski equipment, the
report added.
46 years on,
Vietnamese
helmet returned
from the 75,000 already submitted
DUBAI:
and showing the diversity of life in
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamthe city.
dan has requested the internet users
The move has also resulted in
in the Gulf emirate to help create the
more than 27,000 Twitter menworld’s
fi
rst
autobiography
of
a
city,
Sir,
HUONG NON (VIETNAM):
tions, and 198 million Twitter
aimed at demonstrating the different
After two consecutive hikes in petrol prices in many parts of the country
In 1968, young American soldier
impression. The #MyDubai efacets
of
local
culture.
on 3 and 5 January, which led to an increase of Rs 2.25 per litre in Mumbai
Museum is the first of a number John Wast was scouring a battleThe #MyDubai initiative was
alone, the state-owned oil marketing firms may slash the prices by Rs 1.5of projects which will combine to field in central Vietnam for weapons
announced last week by Sheikh
2 a litre, on account of the softening international crude oil prices and the
create the multi-media autobiog- and intelligence when an enemy
Hamdan,
with
a
request
on
his
appreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar.
raphy and will be managed by the helmet with an image of a dove
Instagram
and
Twitter
accounts
UPA days are now numbered to hike or reduce the price of products in
Department of Tourism and Com- scratched onto it caught his eye.
for residents and visitors to share
the country. Recent increase in CNG prices have lead to hording of money
He tied it to his rucksack, and five
merce Marketing (DTCM).
compelling
moments
of
their
lives
for election. Petrol, diesel and LPG has been main reason for inflation, govEvery week throughout the year months later took it home as a war
during
2014
by
using
the
hashtag
ernment should curb prices to the best possible way, even may cut some
10 images submitted on the #My- souvenir, where for 46 years it had
#MyDubai.
subsidies. That would be helpful in curbing the inflation menace.
Dubai hashtag will be selected to sat on a shelf.
The
overwhelming
response
to
the
Steffy
When a US veterans’ charity apjoin the museum’s ‘collection’ and
launch
of
the
#MyDubai
initiative
Perambur
shown on www.instagram.com/ proached him asking whether he
during its first week has led to the news reported.
ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS TO :
The museum will be housed on mydubai while www.twitter.com/ would like to see the helmet returned
creation of an online museum, which
will showcase the lives of Dubai’s #MyDubai - the official Instagram mydubai will exhibit a selection to the family of its onetime owner, he
The
Editor,
News
Today,
85,
Mount
Road,
Guindy,
Chennai
600
032.
Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy,
residents and visitors through im- and Twitter pages for the initiative - of articles, stories, images and said yes, so long as it didn’t cause
or e-mail
to032.
: letters@newstodaynet.com
/ newstodaydaily@gmail.com
Chennai
600
Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar.
Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: newstodaydaily@gmail.com, Circulation:
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ages, videos and stories, the Gulf with a selection of 25 images drawn videos.
Hike in price again?
Enterprise
CHENNAI
Tata Docomo
ties up with
Micromax
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Tata Docomo has partnered with
domestic handset player Micromax allowing its customers access to bundled
offerings across 2G and 3G.
The company said customers using
Micromax handsets, purchased after
1 October, 2013 can avail the offers
such as 3 GB of free data for one month
on 3G services, and double data on
recharge of Rs 95 and above.
The bundled offerings differ depending on the circle and the customer
profile. The company said the offer is
valid till 30 June, 2014 and is available
across the entire range of Micromax
handsets. Meanwhile, Docomo has
announced the launch of ‘My Number
My Choice’ service for its GSM prepay
subscribers in Tamilnadu. Hub head,
mobility business unit, Tamilnadu and
Kerala Circles, Rajan Gupta said, ‘We
are optimistic that this service will be
widely accepted by customers as they
can now opt for mobile number of their
choice and associate the value of it.’
WEDNESDAY
15 JANUARY 2014
5
BRICS build strong economy
q Nobel laureate all praise for initative by developing countries
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz
has said the creation of BRICS
(Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa) was a good initiative
by emerging market economies as
they have resources to have better
economic growth.
‘The one good news is the BRICS
pack. That is the one initiative
that has come from the emerging
markets....The BRICS, their GDP
is today better than the advanced
world, they have the resources to do
it and the also there is a need (for
them to grow),’ said Stiglitz.
Stiglitz, who is also a professor
at the Columbia University, was
addressing a seminar on ‘Global
Financial Crisis: Implications for
Developing Economies’ organised
by the United Nations ESCAP (Eco-
nomic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific).
BRICS which is a grouping of five
developing or newly industrialised
countries are distinguished by their
large and fast-growing or emerging
market economies.
However, he said that the emerging countries should rely on each
other and internal demand for their
growth to keep going as the world
economy is not growing well.
‘Europe and America were the
centre of Lehman Brothers collapse five years back. People in
Europe are celebrating the fact that
next year the growth is likely to be
positive.
‘In India an average growth of 5-6
per cent shows that these economies are not performing well...The
emerging countries cannot rely on
Arena unveils
Orbit Live
New name for DCB
Private sector lender Development Credit Bank Ltd will now be
DCB Bank Ltd.
‘We advise that the name of ‘Development Credit Bank Limited’
has been changed to ‘DCB Bank Ltd’ in the Second Schedule to
the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 with effect from 24 October
24, 2013,’ a notification from RBI said.
DCB bank, which was converted into a scheduled commercial bank
from a co-operative bank, has a network of 100 branches across
15 States in the country.
Bharti’s bond gets ‘BBB-’ rating
Credit rating agency Fitch has assigned ‘BBB-’ to Bharti Airtel’s
euro 250 million bond offering.
‘Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) B.V’s EUR250m 4 per
cent senior unsecured notes due 2018 a rating of ‘BBB-’,’ Fitch
said in a statement.
The notes are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by Bharti
Airtel and are therefore rated at the same level as Bharti’s foreigncurrency senior unsecured rating of ‘BBB-’, it added.
Luminous gets Schneider backing
Power back-up solution provider Luminous Power Technologies
would utilise the ‘innovation and manufacturing’ of it is parent company -- Schneider Electric Ltd as part of foraying into the Kerala
market.
Schneider Electric holds a majority stake in Mumbai-based Luminous Power Technologies.
‘Under the partnership (with Schneider Electric), Luminous Power
Technologies forays into the Kerala retail market with the energy
efficient and range of fans and domestic wires..’ Luminous Power
Technologies said in a statement.
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
Arena Animation has inaugurated the second edition of Orbit
Live 2014, a learning confluence
of students, industry leaders and
practitioners at Hotel Retreat,
Madh Island, Malad.
The event was inaugurated by
CEO and managing director,
Aptech Ltd, Ninad Karpe and executive director, Aptech Ltd, Anuj
Kacker.
A press release here said the
Orbit Live 2014 is a livewire interactive mega learning event
well attended by global industry
professionals. It aims at providing
a unique learning event for the
Arena students and comprises a
variety of workshops, seminars,
technology & HR outlook sessions
and an award ceremony all spread
over the four days of the event.
Over 150 industry experts, top
100 animation studios and more
than 300 Arena students are expected to attend the event.
Global animation stalwarts Chris
Ford, Pixar, USA and Susan
Erokan, DreamWorks, USA attended the event wherein they
delivered the keynote address and
spoke on the various nuances of
animation.
Chris Ford spoke on the Future
of Cinematic Rendering and said,
‘Cinematic GPU rendering & more
photorealism are the future of entertainment in the world’.
DLF looks a good
year in 2014
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
With 1100 homes ready for possession and 300
families having moved in, Gardencity, DLF’s integrated
township on OMR, is buzzing with activitiy.
The year 2014, according to a press note here, brings
in more excitement as its sprawling clubhouse is ready.
Soon, it will be open for the residents of Gardencity.
PSBB Millennium School is already operational since
last three years in the township.
‘To cater to lifestyle shopping needs of the residents,
DLF is inviting leasing and sale enquiries for shops
at its retail complex, Galleria. It has retail zones for
men, women and kids apparel, electronic gadgets and
accessories. There is provision for supermarket too.
Galleria is proposed to have dedicated floors for multicuisine food court, specialty restaurants and health
care facilities. ‘
The release quoted executive director, sales and
DLF is inviting leasing and
sale enquiries for shops at its
retail complex, Galleria.
marketing, DLF Universal Ltd, Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi, as saying: ‘Gardencity OMR is a prestigious
project for DLF and it gives us immense happiness to
see this beautiful dream taking shape. With one of the
prestigious schools of Chennai, a sprawling club house
and Galleria shopping centre by its side, Gardencity is
very much a complete township offering a luxurious and
comfortable lifestyle to its residents.’
She further said: ‘For home buyers, these ready to
move in apartments on higher floors with amazing view
is a delight. No surprises! One can see and book the
apartment of his choice.’
‘The one good news is the BRICS pack.
That is the one initiative that has come
from the emerging markets....The BRICS,
their GDP is today better than the advanced world, they have the resources
to do it and the also there is a need (for
them to grow),’ said Joseph Stiglitz.
the developed countries as a source
of economic growth. They have to
rely on each other and on internal
demand,’ he added.
He also said that the creation of
euro was a big mistake and there is
a need to restructure the euro zone.
‘In Europe the fundamental problem is that the euro was a mistake.
And the leaders of Europe have
not figured out what to do with this
big mistake. What is needed is to
restructure the euro-zone and that
is very difficult.’
Stiglitz also said that the single
minded focus by the western countries on the inflation was wrong
and there should be more focus on
employment creation and generation of growth.
Also, the Deputy Chairman of the
Planning Commission Montek Singh
Ahluwalia who also addressed the
seminar, said India’s fundamentals
are strong and it will not be much
affected by global factors.
‘For India the fundamentals are
strong and savings rate are high...
so our investment rate should be
about 38 per cent.
So somewhere between 2-2.5 per
cent is the Current Account Deficit
(CAD) that needs to be fair....the
percentage of the resources in
terms of investment that is going to
come from internal sources is very
very high.
‘So whatever happens on the global front don’t make much difference
(for India),’ Ahluwalia said.
Coal India dividend
to make FIIs richer
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
The decision by government-owned
Coal India to pay an interim dividend
of 290 per cent will make its overseas
investors richer by over Rs 1,001
crore.
The total estimated interim dividend
proceeds of Rs 18,317 crore, will
come at a time when Centre’s plans to
sell 5 per cent stake in the PSU were
facing strong opposition from trade
unions, amid government facing the
uphill task of meeting Rs 40,000-crore
disinvestment target this year.
Of the total proceeds, Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), which as on
December 2013 held 5.47 per cent
stake or 34.52 crore shares, will get
a a hefty Rs 1,001.08 crore.
The government, which holds 90 per
cent stake in Coal India Ltd (CIL), will
get Rs 16,485.71 crore and use the
amount in meeting the fiscal deficit
target.
The other major beneficiary of the
interim dividend will the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) which holds
1.83 per cent stake in Coal India. It
will get Rs 335.63 crore.
The company, which was sitting on
a cash reserve of Rs 62,236 crore as
on March 2013, will pay the dividend
from 25 January. Last year, it had
paid Rs 9.7 per share as an interim
dividend and paid it from March,
2013.
Coal India shares rose 2.6 per cent
on BSE intra-day today amid anticipation of company declaring a grand
dividend. Finally, CIL shares closed
New mechanism to up
profits of ONGC, RIL
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Global rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Tuesday said the
government’s decision to increase domestic gas prices is likely to
benefit two major gas producers Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC)
and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).
‘We also believe that the price increase will support the companies’
high capital expenditure plans...we also believe
that the price increase will support the
companies’ high capital expenditure plans.
However, the new pricing guideline does
not affect our ratings on ONGC (BBB-) and
RIL (BBB+),’ S&P said in a statement.
The new gas pricing mechanism to improve the cash flows and
profitability of both ONGC and RIL to varying degrees, it said.
‘We anticipate that the increase in gas prices will significantly improve ONGC’s operating profit by about
20 per cent, compared with 5-7 per cent
for RIL,’ it said.
The impact on RIL’s profitability is
not likely to be as significant given the
company’s low gas production of about
13 million metric standard cubic meters
per day, it said.
Under the government’s new gas pricing mechanism, gas prices are likely to
almost double from the current USD 4.2 per million british thermal
units. The mechanism is applicable for five-year beginning 1April,
2014.
The government’s announcement reduces uncertainty over future
gas prices, in our opinion, it said.
But the uncertainty will continue for RIL, given a legal dispute over
the government’s ability to increase the gas prices for some of the
company’s gas blocks where production has significantly declined,
it added.
Higher gas prices would make it viable for the companies to invest
in some deep water gas blocks increasing gas production over the
long term, it added.
Switzerland ready to discuss
tax info exchange with India
0.12 per cent lower. The dividend
announcement came after close of
market hours.
The announcement follows a meeting between Finance Minister P
Chidambaram and chairmen of top
PSUs, including Coal India, ONGC
and Indian Oil, last Friday.
Coal India’s announcement of interim dividend could be first on the list
of blue-chip public sector firms paying
special dividends and many more
PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, NTPC, SAIL
and NMDC may make their respective announcements soon.
Moreover, the government is also
working to sell its residual stakes in
several private firms, including Hindustan Zinc, Balco and Axis Bank, to
meet the disinvestment target.
Reliance eyes
Petronas stake
in Venezuela
Greater Noida, Jan 15 (PTI):
Reliance Industries is looking at
buying Petronas’ 11 per cent stake
in Venezuela’s USD 20 billion Carabobo-1 project, a company official
said Tuesday.
RIL, which had in 2009 dropped out
of the winning bid made by an ONGCled consortium for developing the giant Carabobo-1
project, is
‘looking at
taking over the participating interest of Petronas,’ RIL senior vicepresident Swagat Bham said at the
Petrotech 2014 conference here.
The company was in 2009 supposed to bid with ONGC Videsh Ltd
for one of the three giant oil blocks
that Venezuela had offered through
auction. It walked out of the consortium, possibly due to delays in bidding.
After RIL’s exit, OVL teamed up with
Indian Oil Corp and Oil India Ltd and
involved Repsol YPF SA, Spain’s
biggest oil company, and Malaysia’s
Petronas to make a successful bid
for the massive Carabobo-1 project
in the Orinoco heavy oil belt.
The field, which had about 50 billion
barrels of proven reserves, can produce a minimum of 400,000 bpd of oil.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s
state-run oil company, has decided to
withdraw from the Carabobo-I project
in August last year following dispute
over terms with Venezuela’s state
explorer Petroleos de Venezuela SA
(PdVSA).
Oil deals
PANASONIC CARBON
INDIA CO. LIMITED
!
"!#$$$%
NOTICE
Pursuant to Clause 41 of the
Listing Agreement, Notice is
hereby given that a Meeting of the
Board of Directors of the Company
has been scheduled to be held
on Thursday, at its Registered
to consider among other things
the Un-Audited Financial Results
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Seeking to dispel such perceptions, Switzerland’s Fed- in force since 7 October, 2011. However, the OECD
Intensifying efforts to address Indian concerns over al- eral Department of Finance said that it has intensified tax convention that Switzerland signed last year on 15
leged stashing of illicit funds in Swiss banks, Switzerland its efforts in the field of information exchange to explain October has not yet come into force. ‘Once it is in force,
will send a delegation to India to discuss the ‘current Swiss laws and practice to the Indian authorities in a the information exchange between Switzerland and India
will be further enhanced,’ the official said.
situation’ and define measures for greater cooperation transparent way.
on tax matters.
‘For doing so, a Swiss delegation is prepared to travel
However, the ministry refused to divulge the number
For PANASONIC CARBON
Switzerland has also agreed to an OECD global au- to New Delhi to discuss the current situation and, if need of requests made by India on tax issues, citing confiINDIA CO. LIMITED
&'*
tomatic exchange of tax information framework, which be, define measures for enhancing the collaboration in dentiality.
"+7
+
would further enhance its information exchange mecha- tax matters,’ a Swiss Federal Department of Finance
‘Because of the principle of confidentiality given by the
Chennai
nism with India after becoming operational, a Swiss spokesperson told PTI from Bern in reply to emailed international standard in tax matters, the exact number of
15th
queries.
government official said.
the current requests for tax information cannot be disclosed
‘For decades, Switzerland and India have maintained to the public,’ the spokesperson said.
There have been concerns in India about limited flow
of tax information from Switzerland about Indian citizens a good and amicable relationship which does not stop
As per the latest data available with the European nation’s
who have allegedly stashed away unaccounted money in deepening and intensifying,’ the official added.
central bank, the Swiss National Bank, the total funds held
Swiss banks. Despite efforts by the Alpine nation to shed
The Swiss finance ministry said that the requests by Indians in Swiss banks declined to to a record low of
its banking secrecy tag, Switzerland is still perceived in for information are currently treated according to the about Rs 9,000 crore (1.42 billion Swiss francs) at the end
some quarters
to be a safeon
haven
andoftoNews
be reluctant
treaty
on the
avoidance
of double
taxation
based
on Chennai
of 2012, 600
as compared
around
14,000
crore (2.18
Published
by K. Balakumar
behalf
Today in
Media
(P) Ltd.,
from
85, Mount
Road (GST
Road),
Guindy,
032 and to
printed
byRs
him
at Frontline
Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy,
sharing
information.
international
standards
with
India,
which
has
been
billion
Swiss
francs)
a
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ago.
Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: newstodaydaily@gmail.com, Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.
Read
Every evening
6 WEDNESDAY
15 JANUARY 2014
Sports
CHENNAI
Serena, Li Na advance to third round
q ‘Inhuman’ heat takes toll on the players
Melbourne, Jan 15:
World No 1 Serena Williams made short
work of the challenge posed by Serbian
Vesna Dolonc to advance to the third round
of the Australian Open today.
The American started her 2014 Open
campaign by conceding only three games
to Australian Ashleigh Barty on Monday
and was just as miserly in the second round
as she hammered Dolonc 6-1 6-2.
The top-seeded Williams, 32, is chasing a
sixth Australian Open title and a first since
2010. I’m still excited just to be here and playing in front of this crowd, said Williams after
claiming victory on another baking hot day in
Melbourne. ‘I’m just happy to still be alive.’
Two-time Australian Open finalist Li Na overcame stiff second-set resistance from Swiss
teen Belinda Bencic to book a third-round
clash with Czech Lucie Safarova. Li, the No.
4 seed from China, raced through the opening
SOMDEV
CRASHES OUT
Serena Williams
Johnson vows
more intimidation
of England
India’s campaign in the singles event
of the Australian Open came to an end
after Somdev Devvarman went down
to 26th seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain
in straight sets in the opening round.
The unseeded Indian showed a lot of
fighting spirit before going down 4-6
4-6 6-7 (2) to World No. 27 in a two-hour
and 13 minutes men’s singles contest
set but had to work much harder in the second
before overcoming Bencic 6-0 7-6 (7-5) in one
hour and 20 minutes.
At 16, Bencic had been the youngest player
in the women’s draw. Player ‘saw Snoopy’,
then fainted She had advanced to the second
round by disposing of the oldest competitor 43-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm from Japan
- in the opening round on Monday. Li lost year’s
final at Melbourne Park to Victoria Azarenka
and was also runner-up in 2011.
Her sole grand slam title came at the 2011
French Open. Safarova started slowly in her
match against Czech Lucie Hradecka before
winning 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-0. Romanian Monica
Niculescu equalled her best Australian Open
result, moving into the third round with an upset 2-6 6-2 6-2 victory over Wimbledon finalist
Sabine Lisicki from Germany.
The erratic Lisicki made 56 unforced errors
across the three-set match, compared to only
18 from Niculescu. Thai giantkiller Luksika
Kumkhum’s campaign faltered as she lost 4-6
6-3 6-4 to German Mona Barthel. Kumkhum
had beaten No. 6 seed and 2011 Wimbledon
champion Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic in the opening round on Monday.
Meanwhile Maria Sharapova clawed her way
into the Australian Open second round with a
straight-sets win over Bethanie Mattek-Sands
as she seeks her first Grand Slam title since
the 2012 French Open. The glamorous Russian, on the comeback trail from a shoulder
injury that forced her off the tour in August,
battled past the tough American 6-3, 6-4 but
LOCAL SPORTS
Sai stars in LHCA’s win
NT Bureau
Chenani, Jan 15:
Sai’s four-wicket haul helped LHCA register an eight-wicket
win over Elite CA in the Sri Eshwar Super League under-13
cricket tournament recently.
The scores: Elite 129 in 29.2 overs (Shravan 31,
Sai four for 17) lost to LHCA 131 for two in 19.5 overs
(John S. Abhishek 45 no, Vishal 33, Shreyas 27 no).
WGCA ‘B’ 222 for five in 30 overs (Sri Vignesh
29, G Abhishek 43, S. Vikram 74, Shiva 38) bt Kedar 161 in 24.5 overs
(Keshav 36, Adithya three for 47, Dhruv three for 24, Shiva three for 11).
Mitchell Johnson
Sydney, Jan 15 (AFP):
Mitchell Johnson destroyed England in the Ashes and is promising
the same level of intimidation when
he returns to Australia’s one-day side
on Friday.
The 150-kilometre (94 mile) per
hour speedster was given time off
after his heroics in the 5-0 demolition
of England and missed Australia’s
opening ODI win in Melbourne on
Sunday. Now he says he’s ready
to go again. I mentally needed that
break,’ Mitchell told reporters before
the second ODI at the Gabba where
he broke England in the first Ashes
Test back in November.
‘I don’t think it will break my momentum at all... I’m looking forward to
getting back to one-day cricket. You
can still use your short-pitch ball and
be aggressive’ in the 50-over format,
said the Queensland-born left-armer.
I really enjoy bowling with the white
ball. I think it swings a lot more and I
think you can still be as intimidating
with the white ball. ‘It definitely makes
a difference being a bowler that can
bowl at the 150 mark... it definitely
helps with the intimidation factor.’
Johnson’s glare at opposing batsmen might, however, have lost some
of its terror now his long black moustache has been shaved off. I do feel
bare without it, he admitted after his
wife shaved it off in public on Tuesday, after Johnson raised thousands
of dollars for charity by growing it.
‘It definitely was intimidating at
times I’m sure,’ Johnson added. ‘You
look at past fast bowlers like Dennis
Lillee and Merv Hughes, it definitely
makes a bit of a statement. ‘For
South Africa, it’ll definitely be there,’
he added of the moustache for Australia’s February tour.
Sports meet held
NT Bureau
Chenani, Jan 15:
Six teams from the Southern Railway Divisions and two teams from
Southern Railway Headquarters participated in ‘Indra Dhanush’, a threeday sports and cultural meet held by Southern Railway Officers’ Association and Promotee Officers’ Association.
At the valedictory session, Rakesh Misra, Southern Railway general
manager, and Manjula Misra, gave away the prizes.
STARS STRUGGLE
Players fainted and vomited and a
ball boy collapsed as the Australian
Open boiled in one of the hottest days
in its history yesterday, prompting
angry complaints and keeping fans
away in droves. Temperatures of 42
Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit), enough to
melt plastic bottles on the rubberised
courts, made for a punishing day for
the players with some incensed their
matches went ahead.
her game was marred by too many errors and
a serve that failed to fire.
Three-time runner-up Andy Murray said he
felt freer on court for the first time in 18 months
after back surgery as he made a winning
start to the Australian Open. The Wimbledon
champion swept into the second round with a
6-1, 6-1, 6-3 rout of Japan’s Go Soeda as he
works his way to full match fitness after surgery
last September. The fourth seed was never
in trouble against the 112th-ranked Soeda,
breaking the Japanese player’s service seven
times and not having a break point against his
own serve.
Rafa Nadal got a free pass into the second
round of the Australian Open when Bernard
Tomic retired injured on Tuesday, a welcome
reprieve from stifling heat that led one player
to describe conditions at Melbourne Park as
inhumane.
Anju is elated as long
wait ends with gold
New Delhi, Jan 15:
Long jumper Anju George expressed happiness
after her second place finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics Final was upgraded
to a gold medal, saying the frustrating
time she endured for last nine years was
worth the wait.
Anju became the first Indian track and
field athlete to win a gold medal in a major
world event after international governing
body IAAF upgraded her second place
finish at the 2005 Monaco World Athletics Final to the top spot, following a dope
violation by a Russian competitor Tatyana
Kotova.
Anju
‘I have been told by the AFI that I will get
the gold in the Monaco World Athletics Finals.
I am really happy and the wait was worth it,’
she told PTI.
‘I had always some doubt about some of the top
Russian women long jumpers of my time and I knew that
they could have been in dope,’ she said.
Russian Tatyana Kotova was found last year to have
been caught for doping after her samples collected during the 2005 World Athletics Championships in Helsinki
I don’t hanker
after awards:
Milkha
Members of the victorious Mylapore Club cricket team
Mylapore Club
emerges winner
NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 15:
An all-round effort by Aravind Srinivasan ( three wickets and unbeaten
45 runs) helped Mylapore Club defeat MCC off to win the Alumni Club T20
inter-club tournament at SPIC YMCA ground. Chasing 149 to win, opener D
Anchit got Mylapore Club off to a blistering start scoring 56 at better than run
a ball. Anchit had recently scored over 400 runs for Tamilnadu in the U-16
tournament. Chettinad Vidyashram student Samrudh Bhat too made important
contributions with the bat and ball in the tournament.
Aravind Srinivasan scored unbeaten 45 runs to help his team win with
just one ball to spare.
Li Na
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Legendary athlete Milkha Singh
says he does not hanker after awards
and is happy with the Padma Shri he
received from the government way
back in 1958 after
winning the Commonwealth Games
gold medal.
I don’t hanker after
awards. Everybody
knows Milkha deserves more than a
Padma Shri, but it is
for others, including
the federation, to nominate me to the
government for higher awards,’ Milkha
said. programme here.
‘I am happy with the Padma Shri.
What difference does it make to me
if I am now given a higher Padma
Award? The people of India knows
my achievements. I did not want to
run around for a Padma Bhushan
or Vibhushan,’ he said when asked
about demands for Padma Awards
by sportspersons.
was found to contain traces of banned substance.
The IAAF had re-analysed samples of the
2005 World Athletics Championships apparently in line with Internationally Olympic
Committee`s decision to retest eight-year
old samples, dating back to 2004 Athens
Olympics in order to deter dope cheats.
The 2005 Monaco World Athletics
Finals (September 9-10), competed
by top eight athletes of that time, was
held a few weeks after the 2005 World
Athletics Championships (August 6-14)
in Helsinki, and hence Kotova`s result
in the latter event has now been deleted
from the record books.
George
The Athletics Federation of India is yet to
receive the official communication from the
IAAF though the world body`s website has
updated the results of the 2005 World Athletics
Final in Monaco with Anju is now being listed as the
gold medal winner with an effort of 6.75m.
IAAF Deputy General Secretary as well as Communications Director Nick Davies confirmed that Anju
will get the gold medal in the 2005 Monaco World
Athletics Final.
‘Pakistan will play
aggressive cricket’
Pakistan
lost four of
their last 13
Tests against
Sri Lanka
with only
one win and
eight draws.
Misbah-ul Haq
Sharjah, Jan 15:
Pakistan will be desperate to get a helpful pitch for a series-levelling win
against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test starting in Sharjah on Thursday.
Captain Misbah-ul Haq was frustrated over the two unresponsive pitches, the first in Abu Dhabi where Sri Lanka batted resolutely to salvage a
draw and then in Dubai where a first-day seaming pitch undid Pakistan’s
batting and later blunted their bowling.
Sri Lanka, helped by their new-look pace attack and a fighting century
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
from their old campaigner Mahela Jayawardne recorded their biggestAbhijeet Gupta maintained his
ever win of nine wickets over Pakistan to take a 1-0 lead.
sole lead after signing peace with
The lack of spin on the pitches reduced Pakistan’s match-winning bowler
IM Ankit Rajpara in the eighth
Saeed Ajmal into a mere-runner with only five wickets in two Tests so far
round of the 12th Parsvnath Inand the look of the Sharjah stadium pitch suggests it will only turn on the
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI): bringing his captaincy under scrutiny. defeat in the first of the five ODIs on ternational Open Grandmasters
last two days. Sri Lanka posted a big 413-run total when the two teams
Former Australia captain Ian ChapThe Australian great said the Eng- the tourists after the Ashes rout.
Chess Tournament here.
played the last Test at the venue in November 2011 in a match which
pell feels struggling Alastair Cook is lish attack without pace bowler Stuart
England management have rested
Playing with white pieces in an
Pakistan only saved because of heavy rain on the final day on their way
not good enough to lead the England Broad lack wicket-taking ability and Broad for the first couple of matches. English opening game, Gupta drew
to a 1-0 series win.
team as he lacks fire power and the the hosts would continue to torment The fast bowler has had a decent the game after 24 moves to maintain
Misbah admitted Pakistan’s chances of levelling the series largely dehome team will convincingly win the their opponents in the ongoing ODI series taking 21 wickets in the five his one point lead.
pend on the pitch. It will totally depend on the conditions and what kind
one day series with the visitors look- series as well.
Test matches.
Bobir Sattarov of Uzebkistan
of a pitch we get, said Misbah, who criticised the Dubai stadium pitch.
ing terible on the field.
Australia will comfortably win the
Reports have emerged of break- held Grandmaster Lalith Babu in
Obviously, we didn’t get support from the pitch as per our strength,
‘I don’t think Cook has it in him to be a ODI series. England is terrible in the down of relations between Kevin the eighth round to be joint second
which is our spin bowling, and that is a worry for us, said Misbah, whose
good captain and he’ll always struggle field and the bowling without (Stuart) Pietersen and the England team with Grandmasters Eldar Gasateam has lost four of their last 13 Tests against Sri Lanka with only one
against an aggressive leader like Michael Broad lacks wicket-taking potential, director, Andy Flower, raising clouds nov, Valeriy Neverov of Ukraine,
win and eight draws. Pakistan will be forced to bring in a bowler in place
Clarke,’ Chappell told PTI in an interview. said Chappell.
of uncertainty over the star batsman’s John Paul Gomez of Philippines
of paceman Bilawal Bhatti who injured his hamstring during the second
Cook, 29, could only manage 246
The change of format didn’t change future in the team but Chappell feels and Russian Grandmaster AlexanTest. He will either be replaced with fast bowler Mohammad Talha or
33-year-old
was one
the best
in Chennai
runs in 10byAshes
innings and
fortunes
as the
der Evdokimov
Rajaprabywith
left-armerPrinters
Abdul Rehman,
if Pakistan
decide to play
with two
spinners.
Published
K. Balakumar
on failed
behalf ofEnglish
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Cook is not a good
captain: Ian Chappell
Abhijeet in
sole lead
Mixed bag
CHENNAI
Huge haul of
precious items
Mumbai, Jan 15 (PTI):
Customs sleuths have detected
six cases of smuggling at the international airport since Sunday
night and confiscated gold and
red sanders collectively valued at
about Rs 91.35 lakh besides arresting one person.
A family of four from Sri Lanka
- Ahamed L Alawudeen, his wife
Balkees and their daughters Sumiya
Aameela - were intercepted on suspicion when they arrived from Colombo,
said a Customs officer.
The four were found wearing gold
jewellery worth Rs 30.30 lakh that they
had not declared. The jewellery was
seized and Ahamed is being interrogated. He is likely to be placed under
arrest on smuggling charges, he said.
In separate cases since last night,
two Indians, who arrived here from
Bangkok and Riyad, were intercepted and gold worth Rs 22.25 lakh
was found with them. The duo was
let off after completion of formalities.
As per Customs norms, a person is
placed under arrest if the value of
seized gold is over Rs 20 lakh.
A Hong Kong-bound passenger,
Mohammed Imran, was found
with about 60kg of red sanders,
valued at Rs 2.39 lakh, the officer
said, adding he was handed over
to Forest Department for further
probe. Export/import of the precious wood is banned under
Indian laws.
In another case, four gold bars worth
Rs 11.41 lakh were recovered from
one Shaikh Masood Rehman, who
arrived here from Jeddah. Rehman
was later let off, he added.
WEDNESDAY
15 JANUARY 2014
Goa govt issues
notification on
e-auctioning
MAKE A MOO
Multi-coloured beads, tinkling bells, sheaves of corn and flower garlands around the neck of cows make them exceptionally adorable on the day
of Maatu Pongal. The third day of the four-day festival is being celebrated with enthusiasm in Chennai and all over Tamilnadu today. (Clockwise)
A cow is being painted at GangaiKonda Mandapam, Kanchipuram, the famous Nandi statue at Brihadeeswara temple in Thanjavur sparkles
after it was beautifully decorated with fruits, vegetables and other items, and the 37th year of Koh Puja was celebrated at Koh Sampranshana
Salai at West Mambalam in Chennai.
Photos: D SUNDAR, R TAMILSELVAM, K VIJAY ANAND
VIT’s research hogs
global attention
A new research by VIT has found a place in a recent paper published
by Atmospheric Science Letters by the Royal Meteorological
Society, UK.
NT Bureau
Vellore, Jan 15:
A new paper published in Atmospheric Science Letters by the Royal
Meteorological Society, UK, details how VIT University’s computer science undergraduates have created image based mobile phone alerts,
connected to the weather research and forecasting system.
In a press release, senior professor, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Dr Satyajit Ghosh, said, ‘This makes it the
ideal medium for large scale disaster warning systems. The number
of individuals who access the internet using their mobile phones is
23.8 million. The raison d’etre for this article is making cyclone alerts
accessible to all in the quickest possible manner.’
‘The Indian Coastline is routinely hit by cyclones and so alerts
can help avert the situation when combined with satellite meteorology. We conducted this exclusive research on the Weather
Research and Forecasting (WRF) model which collects information from satellites and provides forecasts to people who need it
the most,’ saidGhosh.
Ghosh and his students Vivek Vidyasagaran and Sandeep Subramanian detailed in their paper how, during the 2013 storm, they
were able to track its genesis, progression and landfall. By converting this information into images suitable for phones, they created a
forecasting and warning system using mobile telephony accessible
to ordinary citizens.
Their work has been well received internationally, said Ghosh. The
article has been selected to feature in Wiley’s News Round-Up - a
summary of seminal research sent to subscribing journalists worldwide
which promotes a selection of the most newsworthy research published
across Wiley’s journals.
7
Panaji, Jan 15 (PTI):
The Goa government has set in motion the process to e-auction around
15 million metric tonne of iron ore
currently stacked at jetties, leases,
stock-yards and beneficiation plants
across the state’s mining belt.
Director of Mines and Geology
Prasanna Acharya has issued the
notification for e-auctioning, which is
scheduled to take place next month.
The Supreme Court while hearing
a petition in the Goa illegal mining
case had allowed online auctioning
of the ore, and money collected from
the process would be deposited in
a separate account till the case is
disposed of.
The Department issued the notice
yesterday inviting applications from
prospective bidders to participate in
e-auctioning of extracted ore in Goa.
As per the estimates by state government, approximately 15 million
metric tonne of ore is lying unused
at jetties, leases, stockyards and
beneficiation plants.
‘At the jetties itself, total 4.88 MMT
ore is stacked, ready to be exported,’
a senior department officer said.
He said out of total 15 million metric
tonne of ore, 11.48 million metric
tonne of ore is accounted for while the
rest is apparently illegally extracted,
which stands confiscated by the
government.
As per the notification, the companies participating in the auctioning
process get themselves registered
with the Indian Bureau of Mines
(IBM).
Now, a sports wing in CBI
q Specialised unit to probe frauds related to games
New Delhi, Jan 15 (PTI):
Taking note of the growing menace of corruption
in sports, CBI will soon set-up a specialised unit
to handle cases related to sports fraud, fixing and
illegal betting.
Making the announcement at the FIFA-Interpol
national workshop here Tuesday, CBI Director
Ranjit Sinha highlighted lack of a legal framework
as the main hurdle in probing cases related to
sports fraud.
‘We, in CBI, have taken due notice of growing
menace of corruption in sports in general and challenges in football and other sports in particular...
Very soon we shall set up a sports fraud investigation unit in the CBI under special crime branches,’
Sinha said in his keynote address.
He said this unit will act as repository of intelligence and data related to corruption in sports.
‘It shall coordinate with other law enforcement
agencies of the world and act as a nodal agency
to coordinate with States’ police forces. It shall be
our endeavour to liase and coordinate with sports
We, in CBI, have taken due notice of growing menace of
corruption in sports in general and challenges in football
and other sports in particular...Very soon we shall set up
a sports fraud investigation unit in the CBI under special
crime branches. -- CBI Director Ranjit Sinha
federations to build capabilities to tackle match
fixing and corrupt practices,’ he said.
When questioned how the unit plans to work when
there is no legal framework for probing corruption
in sports, CBI officials said a law to tackle corruption in sports is in the final stages of drafting by the
Sports Ministry.
‘We will send a proposal to the central government
on setting this unit. Even though there is no law,
we can still carry on enquiries like we did in 2002
in cricket match fixing till law proposed by Sports
Ministry comes into being. The purpose is to be prepared when law is there,’ a senior official told PTI.
Reservations over Lokpal
Meanwhile, CBI has written to the Law Minister
expressing reservations over the new provisions
introduced through Lokpal where the agency will
have to take the nod of Central Vigilance Commission before filing chargesheets in cases referred by
the anti-corruption watchdog.
CBI officials were taken aback after a provision
was brought in the Lokpal Bill by amending the
CVC Act which said that in cases of corruption by
group ‘C’ and ‘D’ officers, referred by the CVC, CBI
will have to present its final report before the panel,
agency sources said.
MCA prez row:
Pawar seeks
transfer of suit
Mumbai, Jan 15 (PTI):
Union Agriculture Minister and
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)
president Sharad Pawar has filed an
application in the city civil and sessions court seeking transfer of the suit
filed by senior BJP leader Gopinath
Munde challenging MCA election to
any other court.
In his transfer application filed recently, Pawar stated the suit (filed by
Munde) was based upon the interpretation of provisions of Memorandum
of Association and Rules of MCA and
it has been interpreted exhaustively
by the sessions judge at the stage of
notice of motion.
He observed the final disposal of
the suit will also be mainly based
on interpretation of the provisions
of Memorandum of Association and
Rules of MCA.
Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, other State Ministers and higher officials paying tributes to saint poet
Thiruvalluvar’s statue at Marina in Chennai today, on the occasion of Thiruvalluvar Day.
Koyambedu registrar
office to get new building
Dalai Lama
visits Chaanda
Devi caves
Sirpur, Jan 15 (PTI):
NT Bureau
inaugurated integrated complexes
Amid high security, Tibetan spiritual
Chennai, Jan 15: of the Registration Department in
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to- the districts of Madurai, Vellore and leader Dalai Lama visited the ancient
day gave administrative approval Cuddalore built at a cost of Rs 5.07 Buddhist site of Sirpur and meditated
Some parts in
at the historic ‘Chaanda Devi’ caves
to construct buildings for 35 Sub- crore, it may be recalled.
At a function in the Secretariat, the where his guru and Buddhist philosoRegistrar offices. She also ordered
Kashmir get respite
to construct consolidated Registration Chief Minister opened the buildings pher Nagarjuna is supposed to have
from cold
Department office buildings at four through video conferencing. The new meditated centuries ago.
Srinagar, Jan 15 (PTI): places-- Dindigul, Ooty, Koyambedu facilities ensure the public visiting the
Located at the sprawling SinghadSome parts of Kashmir, including and Cheyyar.
registration offices in large numbers hruva terrain, Chaanda Devi caves is
Srinagar, got some respite from the
Observing that integrated build- are provided ample space. In its first about 25 km away from Sirpur town
cold conditions even as the mercury ings accommodating the registrar year, the government had sanctioned in Mahasamund district, on the banks
dipped in rest of the Valley by a cou- and sub-registrar offices are being Rs 26 crore for building 52 sub- of the Mahanadi river.
ple of degrees.
‘This place is full of natural beauconstructed at 17 places in Tamil- registrar offices for which work was
Srinagar, the summer capital of nadu at an estimated cost of Rs on. In the next year, the government ty. My guru Nagarjuna meditated
Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low 48.90 crore, an official release here had announced the construction of here and I felt his presence here
of 1.5 degrees Celsius, an increase of today said the Chief Minister has 17 integrated complexes housing on Tuesday. It was very peaceful,’
one degree as compared to previous
issued grant of another Rs 30 crore 29 sub-registrar offices and 48 inde- Lama told reporters.
night’s low of 0.5 degrees Celsius, a
for constructing additional buildings pendent sub-registrar offices.
The 78-year-old spiritual leader
MeT department official said.
for registrar offices during the curIn Madurai, the newly inaugurated climbed about 100 stairs to enter
The mercury settled at freezing
rent financial year.
complex in Othakadai has nine sub- the cave and meditated for about
point in Qazigund, the gateway town
registrar offices including the zonal 20 minutes in remembrance of
The
buildings
will
be
equipped
to Kashmir Valley, up by 1.5 degrees
with solar power generation facil- headquarters. In Vellore and Cud- Nagarjuna — a Buddhist philosoas compared to previous night.
Kupwara, in north Kashmir, regis- ity and Jayalalithaa has issued dalore, it houses four sub-registrar pher — whom Lama considers as
tered a low of 1.5 degrees Celsius, the administrative approval of Rs offices. New sub-registrar offices in his guru.
A large number of security personnearly two degrees up from the pre- 30 crore towards this purpose, the Vellakoil in Tirupur district and Avalpoondhurai in Erode district were also nel, including those from the Central
vious night’s minus 0.4 degrees release said.
In 2011-12, Jayalalithaa issued inaugurated by her. The integrated Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and
Celsius, the official said.
Union Minister of Shipping G K Vasan unveiled the statue of freedom
The night temperature in south financial grant of Rs 26 crore for complexes have modernised offices, Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF),
fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram in the presence of Chennai Port Trust
Kashmir’s Kokernag settled at a low construction of own buildings for conference halls, safes to store docu- were deployed in the region to avoid
Chairman Atulya Misra and Ennore Port Chairman Bhaskarachar at
of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius as com- 52 sub-registrar offices, the re- ments, waiting hall, ramp facility for any untoward incident in the wake
Babu Jagjivan
Ram Sports
at Tondairpet
Housing
Colony
Published
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Bala
KB in Kamal’s
Uthama Villain is back
Uthama
Villain is
based on ‘ageing
superstar’s life’ and
Kamal Haasan himself
has written the story
and screenplay
for the film.
K Balachander
A
ctor Kamal Haasan’s next after Vishwaroopam 2 will be Uthama Villain
and it will be directed by his good friend and actor Ramesh Aravind. Now
the latest news is that Kamal Haasan has roped in his mentor and veteran
director K Balachander to play an important role in it.
In an interview to a television channel on Pongal day, Kamal Haasan, said,
‘I will be sharing the screen with K Balachander sir for Uthama Villain. He
is sporting a beard for the role. Once Vishwaroopam 2 is released, Uthama
Villain will go on floors’.
Buzz is that Uthama Villain is based on ‘ageing superstar’s life’ and Kamal
Haasan himself has written the story and screenplay for the film.
Crazy Mohan will be writing the dialogues for the film. Kamal Haasan will
be the executive producer for Uthama Villain which will be produced by
Lingusamy’s Thirupathi Brothers.
Meanwhile Vishwaroopam 2, a sequel to his earlier hit titled the same, is set
for release in February. He is confident that the second part will be successful.
Kamal Haasan plays the lead character of Major Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri
in the film. ‘I don’t make film for publicity rather I want my film to be enjoyed
by my audience. Generally, people wait for a year and then decide a film’s
sequel. But, I was sure from the beginning that I will bring the second part
too. Vishwaroopam 2 is not my arrogance rather it is my confidence’, he said
in a recent interview.
‘The sequel will explore the emotional angle of human relationship. It is
both a sequel and prequel and it will focus on the romantic and emotional
aspect now. It will be technologically more advanced. We have shot a scene
underwater too’, he said.
— NT Bureau
ctor Bala, brother of
filmmaker Siruthai
Siva, is back in Tamil
cinema after a gap of
almost seven years. He
was last seen in Manjal
Veyyil.
Bala ventured to do
Malayalam films and established himself as one
of the most happening
names in the neighbouring State. Thanks to his
brother, who wielded the
megaphone for Veeram starring Ajith, Bala
was back in Tamil. He
played one of the brothers of Ajith in the film. The
movie opened to packed
houses and Bala is a
relieved man now.
Addressing media persons in Chennai on Monday, he said, ‘I acted
in films including Anbu,
Kadhal Kisu Kisu and
Amma Appa Chellam.
But success was eluding me.’
‘Fate took me to Kerala, where I acted in a
few movies that went on
to become a huge hit.
Within a short span, I
completed over 40 films
including those alongside
stars like Mohanlal and
Mammootty’, he said.
‘Veeram is special to
me. To act with Ajith
was a great experience.
I learnt a lot working
with him. He was humble
and down-to-earth’, Bala
adds.
‘I want to do varied
roles. I am open to negative characters too’, he
adds.
— NT Bureau
Kamal Haasan
Vijay’s
pat for
Ajith
hough the fans of Vijay and Ajith
often indulge in war of words, especially when their movies are released
around the same time, the actors seem
to share a warm camaraderie. Much
recently praised his contemporary Ajith
at the success meet of his recent Pongal
release Jilla.
Speaking to media persons, Vijay said,
‘I heard that Veeram is doing well. I
congratulate Ajith, director Siva and the
entire team of Veeram’.
Vijay thanked his fans, saying he was
touched by their gesture of putting up
posters and decorating the theatres in
the early hours of a cold morning on the
day of its release ( 10 January)
I thank my fans who gave a massive
opening for the film, he added.
He also expressed his gratitude tro
his producer R B Choudhary, director
Neason, actors Soori and Mahat and
composer Imman for adding strength to
the movie.
— NT Bureau
Dhanu bets big
on Ner Ethir
roducer Kalaipuli S Dhanu seems to be betting
big on Ner Ethir, directed by newcomer Jaya
Pradeep and gearing up for release on 24
January. Dhanu is of the opinion that the movie
has the potential to become a successful and
has reportedly bought the world-wide distribution rights. The trailer of the film was released
in Chennai a few days ago and he said that he
had indeed obtained the rights to distribute the
venture and placed a lot of hopes on its content.
That apart, Dhanu said he had told friend - director Gautham Vasudev Menon to consider remaking the it in Telugu and in Hindi. ‘
I have also decided to donate all the profits I
D
E
AK
B
F
AL
H
T
P
A
(Vidiyum Varai Pesu)
V
idiyum Varai Pesu speaks about the advantages and disadvantages of technological
advancements particularly the mobile phone.
How it plays spoilsport in the lives of youngsters
forms the crux.
It is produced and directed by A B Mugan, features Anith, Nanma, Vaithegi, Meera Krishnan,
Manobala, Imman Annachi and Kiran Manohar.
R Rajamani is the cameraman, D K Mohan, the
editor, and Mohanji, the music director.
A youth from a village on arrival in the city
gets a call from a strange woman. He falls in
love with her voice after getting a call from her
mobile phone and sets out to trace her. Whether
he meets with success or not forms the climax .
Anith plays the lead role. Sadly he looks amateurish and carries on the role with great difficulty.
Newcomers Nanma and Vaitheki play their roles
well. Meera Krishnan plays mom, while Imman
Annachi tries to evoke laughter. The movie begins well but looks more a teleserial at places.
— M BHARAT KUMAR
make from this film
to the welfare of the
needy in the film
industry,’ he said.
The film, which features newcomers
apart from Parthi,
who plays the villain, has music
by Satish Chakravarthy. The trailer
was launched at
an event which was
attended by top directors including
Gautham Menon,
A R Murugadoss,
P Vasu and Vikraman.
— NT Bureau
Anirudh in trouble?
M
usic composer Anirudh seems to have landed
in trouble now. It is said he has landed in hot
w
water
for allegedly not returning money that he had
t
taken
as advance for a project which he agreed
a later decided to opt out of.
and
Sources said Varun Manian of Radiance
Media, makers of Balaji Mohan’s Vaai
M
Moodi
Pesavum, has lodged a complaint
w
with
Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC)
a
against
Anirudh.
Anirudh had signed up initially as music director
f Vaai Moodi Pesavum which marks the Tamil
for
d
debut
of Mammootty’s son Dulquer Salman.
After reportedly accepting an advance of Rs five
la
lakh,
Anirudh apparently backed out, which had
u
upset
the makers.
— NT Bureau
Published by
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