Fire devastates flower market in Kolkata

A devastating fire destroyed at least 236 shops at Asia's largest wholesale flower market in the commerical hub of Burrabazar here on Friday night.
There was, however, no casualty in the blaze which was brought under control after three hours, fire brigade sources said.

The police said at least 236 shops were destroyed by the fire in Jagannath Ghat near historic Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu).
Fire Brigade sources said 16 fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the blaze that started at around 8-30 pm at Jagannath Ghat beside Strand Road.
Police sources said a gas cylinder burst could have triggered the fire.
Strong wind from the Hoogly river helped the fire spread fast, City Police Commissioner Goutam Mohan Chakraborty said.

South Africa crumble as Ishant strikes

The final session of the opening day's play in the third Test between India and South Africa, at the Green Park in Kanpur on Friday, was torturous for both the teams; a battle of attrition. But, at the end of it, it was the hosts who walked away with a slight advantage. The visitors frittered away a good start and were dismissed for 265 in 83.5 overs.
Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh picked three wickets each, after Neil McKenzie (36), Graeme Smith (69) and Hashim Amla (51) had given the South Africans a good start.
South Africa paid the price for not taking their chances. Some reckless batting and impatience saw them surrender the ascendancy they established in the morning. The Indians, after the early suffering, capitalized on their chances and did well to finish things off.

Stock Market resilient to 3 year high Inflation

The market is showing resilience and trading steady despite poor inflation numbers. Sensex is trading at 15807, up 112 points and Nifty is at 4771, up 38 points from the previous close. The CNX Midcaps index is up 0.25% and BSE Smallcaps index is up 0.50%. The market breadth is positive with advances at 687 against declines of 449 on the NSE.It was quite contradictory to what we saw last Friday when the market immediately reacted and the sensex fell to over 500 points.

17 killed as bus falls into a Ravine in Uttarakhand

17 persons were killed and four injured on Thursday when a bus fell into a deep gorge in this district of Uttarakhand.
The private bus, carrying nearly 40 passengers, was going to Vikasnagar from Tyuni area when the incident occurred at Kuanu area.
Senior police officials along with rescue teams have rushed to the site of the accident.An official statement said that 17 bodies have been recovered.
Chief Minister B C Khanduri expressed grief at the incident and directed local District Magistrate Dehradun Rakesh Kumar to immediately provide financial assistance to the next of kin of the deceased and medical facility to the injured.
The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals.

Kajol Bereaved

Kajol's father Shomu Mukherjee passed away in Mumbai on Thursday morning. He was 75.
The filmmaker had not been keeping well for some time, and died of a heart attack around 8 am.Shomu is survived by his wife, actress Tanuja and two daughters, Kajol and Tanisha.
Son of Shashidhar Mukherjee, the famous Bollywood film producer of the 1950s, Shomu produced and directed films like Chaliya Babu, Patthar Ke Insaan, Lover Boy and Nanha Shikhari in the 1980s. He was also one of the owners of the famous Filmalya studio.The last film that he directed was Sangdhil Sanam in 1994.
The untimely demise comes at a time when his son-in-law Ajay Devgan's debut directorial film U Me Aur Hum is releasing on April 11.

Wisden Award For Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan's series-winning performance in England in 2007 has been recognised by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, which has named him one of its Five Cricketers of the Year. Zaheer, who is the 13th Indian player to be named in the elite list, has broken a five-year drought of Indians being absent from the list -- VVS Laxman was the last Indian to make it to the list in 2002.
Zaheer picked up 18 wickets at an average of 20.33 in the three-Test series in England, as the Rahul Dravid-side, posted the first series win by an Indian team in that country since 1986. On his part, Zaheer credits his stint with Worcestershire in 2006 as the main reason for his success in England.
Zaheer, who had to return during the early part of India's tour of Australia because of injury, has also missed out on the ongoing three-Test series against South Africa at home. He will next be seen in action doing duty for Bangalore Royal Challengers during the first season of the Indian Premier League, which starts on April 18.
The other four cricketers who have joined Zaheer in the Wisden list are Ian Bell, Ryan Sidebottom, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ottis Gibson.

Man Utd Set Up Semifinal Clash With Barcelona

Manchester United completed a 3-0 aggregate win over AS Roma on Wednesday to join Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions league semi-finals as the three English teams repeated last season's success.
A Carlos Tevez goal after 70 minutes gave United a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Wednesday as the English champions maintained their record of never losing a knockout tie in Europe after winning the away leg first.
They will be joined by 2006 winners Barcelona, who beat German side Schalke 04 by a single goal at home to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory after Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure scored shortly before halftime.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four seasons after beating them in 2005 and last year while United, who lost last term to eventual winners AC Milan, play Barcelona.

Camel sourced for $2.7 Million

Dubai’s crown prince has bought a camel for an unprecedented price of $2.7 million during a desert festival in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Sheik Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the son of Dubai’s ruler Sheik Mohammed and his heir apparent, bought 16 camels for $4.5 million during a camel beauty pageant taking place during a desert carnival that aims to preserve the nomadic way of life in the oil-rich Gulf.

Sheik Hamdan paid $2.7 million for one camel. It was not clear if the sum was an official record. There was no indication what he would use the camel for, including whether he would race it. Camels are a matter of prestige for the ruling elite.
More than 17,000 camels from the oil-rich Gulf countries — the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain — were registered for a camel beauty contest taking place over two weeks in the Emirates’ Western desert.
Camels are registered for beauty contest in several categories, defined by age and skin colour.

Life term sought for Indian-American Couple

Maximum sentence for a multi-millionaire Indian-American couple convicted of modern day slavery, U.S. prosecutors have recommended that the main accused, Varsha Sabhnani, be handed down a 30-year jail term.

Prosecutors have sought a prison term of 12 to 15 years for Varsha’s India-born husband Mahender.After a six-week trial, the couple with flourishing international perfume business was convicted by a jury in December for torturing two Indonesian women they had kept as domestic help as also harbouring illegal aliens.

Scrap Sethu Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project- Dr.Swamy

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to direct the Centre to scrap the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project altogether if the government could not proceed with it without destroying Ramar Sethu (Adam’s Bridge).
In his counter to the Centre’s response seeking to vacate the interim stay on dredging across Ramar Sethu, Dr. Swamy maintained that the Centre should declare it an ancient monument of national importance.
Even if Ramar Sethu was not “man-made” and was a natural formation, as contended by the Centre, “it is not of consequence for the Sethu to be declared an ancient monument. The demolition or damaging of Ramar Sethu will have cataclysmic and profound consequences for the secular and public order of Indian society.”
Dr. Swamy said: “It is established and admitted by the respondents that a structure, that is natural or constructed and widely known for very long as Ramar Sethu, does exist but that its origins and nature have admittedly not been investigated yet, despite overwhelming prima facie evidence that Ramar Sethu is a constructed causeway that fits the description in Valmiki’s Ramayana.”

US RECESSION WILL HAMPER GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH-IMF

The world economy will be sluggish this year, according to an International Monetary Fund forecast, with the United States sliding into a recession amid housing, credit and financial slumps.

The International Monetary Fund, in a World Economic Outlook released on Wednesday, slashed growth projections for the United States, the epicenter of the woes, and the global economy as a whole. Even so, growth in China and India will remain strong, even as the two nations are expected to post lower growth rates in 2009. Economic growth in the United States is expected to slow to a crawl of just 0.5 per cent this year, which would mark the worst pace in 17 years, when the country last suffered through a recession, the global finance body said. The United States will not fare much better next year; the IMF projected the U.S. economy will grow by a feeble 0.6 percent in 2009, when measured by an annual average. "The US economy will tip into a mild recession in 2008 as the result of mutually reinforcing cycles in the housing and financial markets," the IMF said.
Looking at other countries, the IMF trimmed its projection for Germany, with economic growth slowing to 1.4 percent this year and weakening to 1 per cent in 2009. In Britain, growth will slow to 1.6 per cent this year and next. France also will see growth decelerate to 1.4 percent this year and 1.2 percent next year. Japan's economy will expand by 1.4 per cent this year and 1.5 percent next year, which would mark a loss of momentum from last year. Canada's growth would slow to 1.3 percent this year and pick up slightly to 1.9 per cent next year.

Sensex up by 200 points on late rally

The Indian market closed at the day's high on account of late rally and short covering. Good results from Yes Bank added cheer to market sentiments towards day end. Sensex closed at 15709, up 202 points and Nifty at 4747, up 37 points from the previous close. it was a bad day for the Asian and European markets. The CNX Midcaps index was up 1.24% and BSE Smallcaps index was up 1.68%. BSE Bankex index was up 3% and BSE Capital Goods index was up 2.6%. The breadth was positive with advances at 878 against declines of 355 on the NSE. Nifty gainers included HDFC Bank, Suzlon and Tata Power while losers included Unitech, Maruti Suzuki and TCS.

Rahul Invited to join olympic torch relay

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday said it has invited Rahul Gandhi along with other young Parliamentarians to participate in the Indian leg of the Olympic torch relay.

IOA President Suresh Kalmadi said the step to invite political personalities has been taken at the behest of the organisers.
"They (the organisers) want people from all walks of life to take part in the relay including the sportsmen and people from various walks of life. So, we have invited few young MPs including Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jiten Prasad and Sachin Pilot," Kalmadi told a television channel.
Kalmadi, however, said they were yet to meet young MPs with a formal request.
"We are yet to go personally and invite them."
While Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has pulled out of the run with the flame, expressing his solidarity with the pro-Tibetan activists, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to be a part of the run here on April 17.
Kalmadi had also assured that the relay, which had seen worldwide protests, would go without any hiccup in India.

Choppy trades pushes sensex into red

Uneasy Asian market has swallowed most of the gains held, earlier markets were in green moving in a narrow range. Buying support is seen from capital goods, power, metal, oil and banking stocks. Midcaps and small caps are trading higher with a gain of over 1%. Realty, FMCG and auto stocks are under pressure. Market breadth is positive, nearly 3:1. On the global front, Asian markets were trading lower.

Historic blunder by Karunanidhi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi may have bought some time but he still has to convince his allies who are not very happy with the move to put the Hogenakkal matter on hold.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was the one who raised the issue first at a flyover inauguration ceremony in Chennai recently. “There are some in Karnataka who have said that they will destroy Tamil Nadu buses. Why buses, even if they break our bones, we will not be bothered. Hogenakkal project will definitely be implemented..... there is a limit to my patience,’’ he had thundered. It was this speech that Krishna and other political leaders in Karnataka had found inflammatory.
But his recent decision to put the matter on hold has raised doubts among his allies. Even his expression of hope that the elected government in Karnataka would “see the justice on our side”, is being seen with doubt.

Dr S Ramadoss, the founder of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and a DMK ally, doubts Krishna. Karunanidhi cannot wish away PMK’s criticisms as the ranting of a recalcitrant and reluctant ally. Even the Left parties have been flummoxed by his volte-face.


They would like to see the BJP, which took the lead in raising the Hogenakkal issue, neutralised, but not at the cost of a project, which they too feel is in danger of being consigned to the scrap heap. None of them are convinced by Karunanidhi’s statement that the implementation has been postponed by a mere month and are apprehensive of a long drawn out political and legal battle.
In 1971, the Tamil Nadu, under pressure from the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had withdrawn the petition it had filed in the Supreme Court on the Cauvery issue.
That move by Karunanidhi, who was the Chief Minister at that time also, has been described by his opponents as a historic blunder as it paved the way for escalation of the Cauvery river water dispute between the two states.


The opposition parties, and even some allies, fear that he may have committed a similar blunder by putting Hogenakkal on hold. The PMK on Sunday took on its alliance partner the DMK over the Hogenakkal issue, wondering how a government that allocates Rs 750 crore a year for distribution of free Colour TVs (CTVs) did not utilise its funds for the implementation of the drinking water project.
“Can't a government that does Rs 50,000 crore of annual revenue expenditure allot Rs 1000 crore for drinking water needs?” the PMK founder asked the state government.
"The DMK government in its three budgets has allocated Rs 2250 crore (Rs 750 crore a year) towards distribution of CTVs. Half of this amount will be sufficient to implement the water project that will solve the drinking water problems of people of the two districts," he said. The project could have been implemented over the years using state funds, if not at one go, he said.
“What is the guarantee that SM Krishna, who is savouring victory now, will not go to the Supreme Court against the project?” Ramadoss asked.

Ramayana paintings at British library

The British Library in London will for the first time hold a major exhibition of 120 rare Ramayana paintings, from the volumes of Mewar Ramayana manuscripts, exploring the epic being retold and represented over the centuries in different countries.
The free-entry exhibition, which will open from May 16 continue till September 14 at the library, is titled The Ramayana: Love and Valour in India’s Great Epic.
The Mewar Ramayana manuscripts will be brought to life in the exhibition designed by Tara Arts Theatre Company and supported by K K Birla, British Library Patrons and the Friends of the British Library.
The exhibition will explore the story of the Ramayana and how it has been represented and retold over the centuries and in different countries and cultures.

American Airlines cancels 500 flights

American Airlines said it was canceling up to 500 flights Tuesday, potentially more than one-fifth of its schedule, to check the bundling of wires in some planes, the same issue that caused the airline to scrap more than 400 flights last month.
American, the nation's largest carrier, said the cancellations could spill into Wednesday and beyond.
The airline said the Federal Aviation Administration raised more concerns about the recent inspections of the wiring in its approximately 300 MD-80 aircraft.
Tim Wagner, a spokesman for the airline, said an FAA inspector checked several planes Monday and found that some of the work performed last month didn't meet the agency's standards.
American operates about 2,300 daily flights. Wagner said 185 flights had already been canceled by late afternoon at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where American often uses MD-80s.

Actress Shriya molested in Tirumala temple

Actress Shriya of Tamil blockbuster Shivaji fame had a terrible experience in Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh when an enthusiastic fan allegedly molested her while she was coming out after offering prayers.
Shriya, who starred opposite superstar Rajnikanth in the film, said she was taken aback when a person who was standing behind her while she was talking to newsmen, misbehaved with her in the early hours of Monday.
The actress then slapped the man who was identified as Hari, a cleaner, according to sources. The man was later was punched down to the ground by the attendants of the actress. Shriya has reportedly not filed any complaint with the police.
"When I was coming out of the temple after my prayers a man who was standing behind me misbehaved. I think women should stand up for such misbehaviour," she said, adding that "irrespective of being an actress or not I had to stand up for myself and I think any woman who is a victim of eve-teasing and molestation should stand up."

Rajinikanth in a fix!!!!!

Tamil superstar Rajnikanth is facing a lot of flak following his aggressive stand on the Hogenakkal water issue.The actor had made a strong speech where he slammed Karnataka over the Hogenakkal water row, at a protest rally organised on April 4.Taking resentment at the statement, Karnataka has reacted by banning his films in the state.
Feeling the heat, Rajnikanth had clarified that he did not say anything derogatory against the Kannadigas and maintained that whatever he said was against those who indulged in disturbing the harmony between Kanndigas and Tamilians.
He also said that he was ready to apologise if seniors artistes like Parvathamma Rajakumar, Ambarish, Dr.Vishnuvardhana and Girish Karnad asked him to.
However, the pro-Kannada groups insisted that the actor should apologise to all the Kannadigas. Narayana Gowda, President of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Praveen Shetty,Prof Chandrashekhara Patil, President of the Kannada Sahithya Parishath,Mukyamanthri Chandru has immedietely sought Rajnikanth Apology for his out burst against Kanadiga Out fit.
Rajni is in serious discussion with his family members and his adviser.Many feel he may leave to Himalayas for some time.

Sensex sheds 170 points

Weak cues from Asian and European markets kept the Indian market pinned down today. Sensex ended the day at 15,587, down 169 points from the previous close. Nifty shut shop just above 4700 at 4709, down 51 points. But CNX Midcap index gained 0.7% and BSE Smallcap inde, 0.5%. Market breadth was positive with 635 advances against 587 declines on the NSE.

Indira Nooyi Earnings more than Warren Buffet

Indra Nooyi, the India-origin CEO of beverages major PepsiCo, earns over 81 times more than the world’s richest man Warren Buffett in terms of her annual pay packet, according to data compiled by executive search firm Equilar for the New York Times.
Ms. Nooyi received an annual compensation to the tune of US$ 14.74 million in 2007 as compared to just US$ 0.18 million drawn by Mr. Buffett who heads Berkshire Hathway, which is into life insurance and annuity sales, among others.
Another India-origin CEO Vikram Pandit, who is heading global banking giant Citigroup, takes home a compensation of about 17 times that of Mr. Buffet. In 2007, Mr. Pandit had an annual compensation of US$ 3.16 million.

Tendulkar to carry Olympic Torch

India's cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar said on Monday he would be a part of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in the Capital on April 17.
Tendulkar, however, refused to comment on the controversy surrounding the protests, but said that he was looking forward to carrying the torch.
"It is a great honour for me. I grew up watching the Olympics and I am looking forward to carry the torch," Tendulkar said.
The Beijing Games, which will be held from Aug 8-24, has run into trouble following China's crackdown in Tibet. The Tibetans have been protesting for a free nation.
Elabarote security cover is being beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents.

Vaiko Slams UPA Govt

MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Monday slammed the UPA Government for failing to safeguard the rights of Tamil Nadu while accusing Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of ‘sacrificing’ the interests of Tamils to help the Congress in Karnataka polls.
Addressing the party cadre, who staged a demonstration here on the Hogenakkal project, Vaiko said the Congress-led Central Government had been indifferent to Tamil Nadu on important issues, such as Mullaiperiyar dispute and the controversy over construction of a dam across Palar river.
And the Chief Minister had committed an ‘unpardonable blunder’ by putting the Hogenakkal project on hold to favour the Congress, he said.
Karunanidhi, he pointed out, had taken a unilateral decision to defer the project. Former Chief Minister SM Krishna had earlier said that Karunanidhi’s views were responsible for violence in Karnataka.
But two day’s ago, Krishna hailed him. “This shows that Karnataka has two Chief Ministers — one at Bangalore and another at Gopalapuram,” he said

Sensex up on fresh buying

The market is trading higher, backed by positive Asian cues. Sensex is currently trading at 15,807, up 463 points from the previous close. Nifty is at 4785, up 138 points. It's a good day for midcaps and smallcaps as well; CNX Midcap index is up 1.3% and BSE Smallcap index, up 0.5%. All sectoral indices are trading higher. FMCG, banking, IT and oil & gas stocks are the most popular today.
Sensex may continue to rise today as we receive indication from Europen Market,but it remains to be seen if the gains are held.

Bid to extinguish Olympic torch foiled in London

Pro-Tibet protesters clashed with police and tried to snatch and put out the Beijing Olympic torch leading to the arrest of 10 people as the flame was paraded in the British capital on April 6th.
Braving unseasonal snow and chilly weather, hundreds of people including sizable number of pro-Tibetan campaigners had lined up the route as the torch relay passed through Ladbroke Grove, British Museum and China Town.
Champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave began what turned out to be a chaotic relay taking the torch out of the newly renovated Wembley stadium.
Three people were arrested when protesters tried to board the bus carrying the torch from the stadium after dodging the police.
Protesters later tried to snatch the torch from former Blue peter presenter Konnie Huq and a fire extinguisher was let off.
At least 10 arrests have been made from various places following clashes between pro-Tibet protesters, police said.
Police in hundreds provided a protective ring around the torch as it was carried by bus, foot, boat and light railway past some of London's most iconic sights.

Youngsters inducted into Union Cabinet

The Manmohan Singh Government on Sunday effected the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, injecting young blood into the Union Council of Ministers and getting rid of non-performing ministers.
The Cabinet now has the stamp of Rahul Gandhi, with his young colleagues like Jyotiraditya Scindia and Jitin Prasad being included as ministers.
While Scindia has been made Union Minister of State in IT and Communications Ministry State under A Raja (DMK), Jitin Prasad will be Union Minister of State for Steel. Both are sons of late senior leaders Madhavrao Scindia and Jitendra Prasad, respectively.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Puducherry V Narayanaswamy has been made Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning.
In all, seven ministers were sworn-in by President Pratibha Patil. While former Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill was inducted as Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs (independent charge) — the ministry divested from Mani Shankar Aiyar, who is now left with only Panchyati Raj portfolio — the others were inducted as Union Ministers of State.
The other newly-inducted Union Ministers of State are: Santosh Bagrodia - Coal; Raghunath Jha - Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises; and Rameshwar Oraon - Tribal Affairs.

Jayalalitha Lambast Karunanidhi

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Saturday charged Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with surrendering the rights of Tamils under pressure from the Centre on the Hogenakkal drinking water project.
Reacting to the Chief Minister’s decision to “keep patience on Hogenakkal project till an elected government assumes office in Karnataka,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said instead of removing the stumbling blocks to the project he had surrendered the rights of Tamils.
Ms. Jayalalithaa argued that Tamil Nadu was under no compulsion to get a clearance from Karnataka for the project since Hogenakkal was part of the State.
“We are going to use the Cauvery water that flows into Tamil Nadu. When Karnataka government is implementing the Bangalore drinking water scheme, what can prevent Tamil Nadu from going ahead with the Hogenakkal project? There is no need to withdraw it. Karnataka has no rights to intervene in the project,” she said.
Accusing Mr. Karunanidhi of dropping the project after adopting a resolution in the Assembly in support of it, Ms. Jayalalithaa said it was against the established norms of the House to drop it without informing the House.
Saying there could be no link between the Karnantaka Assembly elections and the Hogenakkal project, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the Chief Minister’s argument that the elected government would render justice to Tamil Nadu was not acceptable.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said whether it was the dispute over the Cauvery waters, Mullaperiyar dam or the Palar row, discussions held by the DMK government with neighbouring States were nothing but “empty talks.”
MDMK Gen sec Vaiko ,T Rajender,Vijayakanth has also found fault with Karunanidhi for announcing decision to put hold the project when Assembly in force.

Bal Thackerey Attacks Amitabh Bachchan

The Shiv Sena said Bachchan is not doing anything for Maharashtra, while Rajnikant is agitating for Tamil Nadu on the Hogenakkal water issue between the southern state and neighbouring Karnataka.
An article in Shiv Sena mouthpiece in which Bal tackerey is the Editor "Samana" said, "several actors who live in Mumbai achieve fame and glory. But when it comes to taking a firm stand on the issue of Marathi or regional pride, many of them including film star Amitabh Bachchan backtrack." "But Rajnikant is one of the rare persons who has been true to the culture of Maharashtra. This is because he has taken side of the state which has made him big," the article said.
The reference points to the fact that Rajnikant was born in Maharashtra, grew up in Karnataka but became a superstar in Tamil Nadu.