Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu says she never wanted to be an actress and her stint in Bollywood came by chance.
Bipasha, whose acting in films like Corporate, Raaz and Omkara has won her rave reviews, told IANS: "I never wanted to become an actress. I was happily doing my modelling but then I got bored of it. Acting came to me just by chance.
"But yes, I'm thoroughly enjoying it now and don't think I will get bored of it, but still if I do, I'll find something else to do."
Looking gorgeous in a green dress, the Bengali beauty, who was here for an event, said she was looking forward to acting in one or two substantial projects a year that would give her satisfaction. "I'm very interested in the process of filmmaking. If I opt out of acting, I will be involved in some aspect of making movies. Either I will take up writing or assist someone."
Bipasha, who has acted in 33 films in her six years in the industry, has four films on hand - Goal, Race, Paankh and Mr. Fraud.
"Now that I have achieved something in Bollywood, I really don't want to work everyday of my life. Frankly speaking, I don't need to work for money or fame," she said.
"I have made my bit. Whatever assignments I take up now will only be for myself. It should satisfy me.
"There are many films that our industry is making but very few interesting. If you look at the cream of Bollywood, they just do one or two films a year, and I feel that is the best thing to do because then you produce quality."
Bipasha, who is reported to have been roped in for Mira Nair's ambitious project Shantaram, on the life story of a convict based on Gregory David Roberts' best selling novel of the same name, said she would always be associated with Bollywood in some way or the other, even if she gets bored with acting."Now that I have achieved something in Bollywood, I really don't want to work everyday of my life. Frankly speaking, I don't need to work for money or fame."
"I'm very interested in the process of filmmaking. If I opt out of acting, I think I will be involved in some aspect of making movies. Either I will take up writing or assist someone, but as of now I'm in love with our industry. It is a fantasy world."
The silver screen diva's personal life is under public scrutiny. From her lip lock with football sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, her romantic link up with Saif Ali Khan to her speculated break-up with long time boyfriend and Bollywood hunk John Abraham, Bipasha has made some juicy headlines.
But the actress says the probing eyes and ears of the media never affect her.
"I understand that it is everyone's job to make a story. There is too much competition to break news or write something interesting," she said. "I believe it is part of their job and I'm sure many have to do such things even though they might not feel like writing such things.
"But I'm not affected by all the speculations and scrutiny. I cannot stop it, so why bother about it. One has to be intelligent about such stories. I understand such news is being reported because it sells. For me, people around me matter, not what people are thinking about me or writing about me."
Monday, August 13, 2007
Bhansali's Sawariya features in NYT
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is delighted over the prominent display his latest film Sawariya, produced by Sony's international division Sony Pictures Entertainment, was given in the New York Times.
The film, starring newcomers Ranbir Kapoor, the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and Sonam, daughter of Anil Kapoor, was featured in the August 8 issue of the magazine, titled 'Hollywood Starts Making Bollywood Films In India'.
The article also published the first-ever still from the film.
Sawariya is India's first film to be treated as a full-fledged international film and Sony has planned its marketing and publicity accordingly. Its pre-release publicity will cover reputed international publications.
A smiling Sanjay told IANS: "My leading man Ranbir is in the US with his father. It was he who excitedly informed me about the New York Times article from there. I think Sony Pictures are showing an exceptional amount of professionalism in putting non-Indian audiences on to Sawariya."
The film, starring newcomers Ranbir Kapoor, the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and Sonam, daughter of Anil Kapoor, was featured in the August 8 issue of the magazine, titled 'Hollywood Starts Making Bollywood Films In India'.
The article also published the first-ever still from the film.
Sawariya is India's first film to be treated as a full-fledged international film and Sony has planned its marketing and publicity accordingly. Its pre-release publicity will cover reputed international publications.
A smiling Sanjay told IANS: "My leading man Ranbir is in the US with his father. It was he who excitedly informed me about the New York Times article from there. I think Sony Pictures are showing an exceptional amount of professionalism in putting non-Indian audiences on to Sawariya."
Not a frame of Chak De was re-shot
Shimit Amin, whose first and so far only film Ab Tak Chhappan came a good three years ago, is flummoxed by rumours that his just released Chak De India had to be re-shot.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, the film has opened to rave reviews.
Clearing the rumours, Amin told IANS: "Not a frame has been re-shot - any crew member can vouch for that. There was another rumour about the hard disc crashing. It didn't happen. Even if it did there was nothing to panic about. Any computer-savvy guy knows hard discs are backed up and can easily be replaced."
For Amin, the leap from the gritty cops film Ab Tak Chhappan to the world of female hockey players in Chak De India is astounding. "For me it's just the script. I react to the script. It didn't matter which genre. But yes, the thought of doing a hockey film was challenging because nobody had done it."
"For me it's just the script. I react to the script. It didn't matter which genre. But yes, the thought of doing a hockey film was challenging because nobody had done it. It gave me a chance to explore an entirely untried genre," said Amin.
"Jaideep Sahni's script was something I wanted to put on screen. I've come from the US and this film gave me a chance to connect to one new part of Indian culture," he added.
Though film has been received well at the box office, audiences responded somewhat warily to the theatrical trailer of Chak De India where all the hockey playing girls were brought on screen one after another.
"The trailer was an experiment, just as much as the film. We clearly wanted to introduce the 13 characters through the film. It was a broad canvas. Some people did like it. Others didn't. It doesn't have romance songs and the formula. My film is about characters who'll hopefully involve the audience within five minutes of playing time."
Casting for the roles of the female hockey players was a gruelling task.
"It was very difficult to cast. We had to find girls who could play hockey and speak lines that were quite complicated. We had to go to different parts of the country and find women who could play sports. We looked for girls who were firstly athletic, and then see if they could hold the hockey stick."
In the course of making the film Amin discovered how poorly hockey is treated in the country. "Though film has been received well at the box office, audiences responded somewhat warily to the theatrical trailer of Chak De India where all the hockey playing girls were brought on screen one after another."
"When I'd go out on Sunday mornings searching for female athletes, every single green patch that I passed had boys playing cricket. No hockey anywhere - forget female hockey players. I couldn't even see one female cricketer anywhere. I'd be so envious. If I had to make a cricket movie my life would be so much easier. But we loved the script so much we wanted to be true to it as much as possible."
Finally, after months of search, semi-athletic females were chosen.
"We had to choose semi-actors and train them to play hockey and to act. For three months we would wake up at 4.30 a.m. and they'd play hockey for five hours and then undergo physiotherapy.
"It was nerve-wracking. We didn't know if it'd work. But all the actors, hockey players and actors-players helped one another. They all became one community. The cast never felt it was acting. Finally, they looked convincing as a team."
Amin, who hired expert from the US to train and choreograph the team, says that the idea behind the film was to revive the sport.
Talking about Shah Rukh's suitability for the game, he said: "Shah Rukh had played hockey and his passion for the game remained. As for Shah Rukh, you'd be surprised to know how similar in attitude he is to Nana Patekar who starred in my first film.
"They both understand the cinematic medium completely. Their knowledge of the medium is astounding. Look at the varied work Shah Rukh has done... from Mani Kaul to Aziz Mirza to Aditya Chopra."
Amin and Shah Rukh's association go back a long way.
"During Asoka I worked in his company, doing promos. He knew what I am all about. As for his image, to date people consider Shah Rukh's performance in Swades among his best. And that was different. We never thought of his image or anything else.
"I was just interested the whole community of hockey, just as the whole relationship between cops and crime interested me in Ab Tak Chhappan."
He's all praise for his producers.
"Ram Gopal Varma was so supportive during Ab Tak Chappan. And now during Chak De, Mr Yash and Aditya Chopra were completely supportive. Chak De is far more complicated in terms of technical effects."
Amin is happy that sports genre is gaining popularity among filmmakers.
"I'm glad films on sports are being made in Mumbai. There's just three-four genres to explore. I've done what I wanted to do in Chak De India. What am I doing next? I wish I knew. But it has to be the story that interests me. But yes, I've a contract for three films with Yash Raj Films."
Finally, has Amin become a hockey player?
"No no... I can't play any sport."
Starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, the film has opened to rave reviews.
Clearing the rumours, Amin told IANS: "Not a frame has been re-shot - any crew member can vouch for that. There was another rumour about the hard disc crashing. It didn't happen. Even if it did there was nothing to panic about. Any computer-savvy guy knows hard discs are backed up and can easily be replaced."
For Amin, the leap from the gritty cops film Ab Tak Chhappan to the world of female hockey players in Chak De India is astounding. "For me it's just the script. I react to the script. It didn't matter which genre. But yes, the thought of doing a hockey film was challenging because nobody had done it."
"For me it's just the script. I react to the script. It didn't matter which genre. But yes, the thought of doing a hockey film was challenging because nobody had done it. It gave me a chance to explore an entirely untried genre," said Amin.
"Jaideep Sahni's script was something I wanted to put on screen. I've come from the US and this film gave me a chance to connect to one new part of Indian culture," he added.
Though film has been received well at the box office, audiences responded somewhat warily to the theatrical trailer of Chak De India where all the hockey playing girls were brought on screen one after another.
"The trailer was an experiment, just as much as the film. We clearly wanted to introduce the 13 characters through the film. It was a broad canvas. Some people did like it. Others didn't. It doesn't have romance songs and the formula. My film is about characters who'll hopefully involve the audience within five minutes of playing time."
Casting for the roles of the female hockey players was a gruelling task.
"It was very difficult to cast. We had to find girls who could play hockey and speak lines that were quite complicated. We had to go to different parts of the country and find women who could play sports. We looked for girls who were firstly athletic, and then see if they could hold the hockey stick."
In the course of making the film Amin discovered how poorly hockey is treated in the country. "Though film has been received well at the box office, audiences responded somewhat warily to the theatrical trailer of Chak De India where all the hockey playing girls were brought on screen one after another."
"When I'd go out on Sunday mornings searching for female athletes, every single green patch that I passed had boys playing cricket. No hockey anywhere - forget female hockey players. I couldn't even see one female cricketer anywhere. I'd be so envious. If I had to make a cricket movie my life would be so much easier. But we loved the script so much we wanted to be true to it as much as possible."
Finally, after months of search, semi-athletic females were chosen.
"We had to choose semi-actors and train them to play hockey and to act. For three months we would wake up at 4.30 a.m. and they'd play hockey for five hours and then undergo physiotherapy.
"It was nerve-wracking. We didn't know if it'd work. But all the actors, hockey players and actors-players helped one another. They all became one community. The cast never felt it was acting. Finally, they looked convincing as a team."
Amin, who hired expert from the US to train and choreograph the team, says that the idea behind the film was to revive the sport.
Talking about Shah Rukh's suitability for the game, he said: "Shah Rukh had played hockey and his passion for the game remained. As for Shah Rukh, you'd be surprised to know how similar in attitude he is to Nana Patekar who starred in my first film.
"They both understand the cinematic medium completely. Their knowledge of the medium is astounding. Look at the varied work Shah Rukh has done... from Mani Kaul to Aziz Mirza to Aditya Chopra."
Amin and Shah Rukh's association go back a long way.
"During Asoka I worked in his company, doing promos. He knew what I am all about. As for his image, to date people consider Shah Rukh's performance in Swades among his best. And that was different. We never thought of his image or anything else.
"I was just interested the whole community of hockey, just as the whole relationship between cops and crime interested me in Ab Tak Chhappan."
He's all praise for his producers.
"Ram Gopal Varma was so supportive during Ab Tak Chappan. And now during Chak De, Mr Yash and Aditya Chopra were completely supportive. Chak De is far more complicated in terms of technical effects."
Amin is happy that sports genre is gaining popularity among filmmakers.
"I'm glad films on sports are being made in Mumbai. There's just three-four genres to explore. I've done what I wanted to do in Chak De India. What am I doing next? I wish I knew. But it has to be the story that interests me. But yes, I've a contract for three films with Yash Raj Films."
Finally, has Amin become a hockey player?
"No no... I can't play any sport."
Haier launches first fridge plant in India
Chinese consumer durables and white goods major Haier on Thursday announced that it has set up its first manufacturing facility in India as part of the company’s plans to expand operations in the country.
The new manufacturing facility is located at Ranjangoan in Pune district of Maharashtra.
Spread over 40 acres of land, the plant currently has the capacity to manufacture refrigerators, colour televisions, and washing machines.
Haier is upgrading the new facility with state-of-the-art equipment to create a Research & Development facility for refrigerators. The facility has been acquired as a part of purchase of appliances business of Anchor Daewoo Industries by Haier India.
Haier initially plans to manufacture its wide range of refrigerators at this facility in Pune.
The facility would enhance the overall capacity of Haier and would enable the company to increase its customer reach and enforce its commitment to providing advanced quality products in the India as well as in the global market.
The facility is expected to have a headcount of over 500 people (including contract workers) and the company may look at recruiting more people in various capabilities as it commissions to its full capacity, Pranay Dhabhai, Haier India's chief operating officer, said in a statement.
The new manufacturing facility is located at Ranjangoan in Pune district of Maharashtra.
Spread over 40 acres of land, the plant currently has the capacity to manufacture refrigerators, colour televisions, and washing machines.
Haier is upgrading the new facility with state-of-the-art equipment to create a Research & Development facility for refrigerators. The facility has been acquired as a part of purchase of appliances business of Anchor Daewoo Industries by Haier India.
Haier initially plans to manufacture its wide range of refrigerators at this facility in Pune.
The facility would enhance the overall capacity of Haier and would enable the company to increase its customer reach and enforce its commitment to providing advanced quality products in the India as well as in the global market.
The facility is expected to have a headcount of over 500 people (including contract workers) and the company may look at recruiting more people in various capabilities as it commissions to its full capacity, Pranay Dhabhai, Haier India's chief operating officer, said in a statement.
MTNL sees 50,000 IPTV users in 18 months
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) is aiming to carve a niche in pumping television content through its broadband connections with the aim of reaching 50,000 subscribers in about 18 months. It will be aided by interactivity and an advertisement model dubbed A Tube.
IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) were launched last July. Subscribers now number less than 1,000 for MTNL, but the company is hoping for a high conversion rate as broadband connections grow to a target of 500,000 each in Mumbai and Delhi, chairman and Managing director RP Sinha told Hindustan Times.
Currently, MTNL has 225,000 broadband lines out of a total of 4.5 million fixed line subscribers in the two cities.
“We have 1,000 connections getting done per day in broadband so IPTV takeoff will be faster,” Sinha said. Broadband refers to anything above a speed of 64 kbps (kilo bits per second). To enable transport of high-density video content, MTNL is using compression technologies that can zip as much as 3 megabits per second.
Currently, a subscriber has to pay a lifetime payment of Rs 3,500 for a set-top box, and a monthly rental of 120 rupees for 52 channels in Delhi. Some 100 channels are expected in a month’s time.
“In 18 months as we reach 50,000 subscribers, set-top boxes may be free and monthly subscription may undergo a change,” said Kailash Choudhary, managing director of Aksh Optifibres, the partner company that arranges the content for MTNL.
MTNL has increased the accessibility of IPTV in a 3 km radius from each telephone exchange, from the initial 800 metres each, and plans to start rolling out within eight weeks fibre optic cables that will reach 20 km from the nearest exchange.
MTNL has invested $120 per subscriber to enable the IPTV service, and is betting on instant interactivity to view desired programmes and convenience of viewing to be the distinguishing features.
IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) were launched last July. Subscribers now number less than 1,000 for MTNL, but the company is hoping for a high conversion rate as broadband connections grow to a target of 500,000 each in Mumbai and Delhi, chairman and Managing director RP Sinha told Hindustan Times.
Currently, MTNL has 225,000 broadband lines out of a total of 4.5 million fixed line subscribers in the two cities.
“We have 1,000 connections getting done per day in broadband so IPTV takeoff will be faster,” Sinha said. Broadband refers to anything above a speed of 64 kbps (kilo bits per second). To enable transport of high-density video content, MTNL is using compression technologies that can zip as much as 3 megabits per second.
Currently, a subscriber has to pay a lifetime payment of Rs 3,500 for a set-top box, and a monthly rental of 120 rupees for 52 channels in Delhi. Some 100 channels are expected in a month’s time.
“In 18 months as we reach 50,000 subscribers, set-top boxes may be free and monthly subscription may undergo a change,” said Kailash Choudhary, managing director of Aksh Optifibres, the partner company that arranges the content for MTNL.
MTNL has increased the accessibility of IPTV in a 3 km radius from each telephone exchange, from the initial 800 metres each, and plans to start rolling out within eight weeks fibre optic cables that will reach 20 km from the nearest exchange.
MTNL has invested $120 per subscriber to enable the IPTV service, and is betting on instant interactivity to view desired programmes and convenience of viewing to be the distinguishing features.
गुजरात दंगों के लिए मोदी व मैं जिम्मेदार: जदाफिया
अहमदाबाद। पूर्व गृह राज्य मंत्री एवं निलंबित भाजपा विधायक गोर्धन जदाफिया ने सोमवार को कहा कि गुजरात दंगों के लिए वह और राज्य के मुख्यमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी दोनों एक समान जिम्मेदार हैं।
जदाफिया ने भावनगर से बताया कि साबरमती एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन हमले के बाद भड़के राज्यव्यापी दंगों के दौरान वह मोदी की अध्यक्षता वाले कैबिनेट में गृह राज्य मंत्री थे। उन्होंने कहा कि बहुत सारे मुद्दों पर मोदी के साथ मेरे मतभेद के बावजूद मुझे यह कहने में झिझक नहीं है कि मैंने उस वक्त मुख्यमंत्री का समर्थन किया था क्योंकि एक मंत्री के रूप में मैं अपने संवैधानिक दायित्वों का निर्वाह कर रहा था। इस साल जुलाई में पार्टी से निलंबित जदाफिया ने कहा, इसलिए जितना दूसरे जिम्मेदार हैं, उतना ही जिम्मेदार मैं भी हूं और उसके नतीजों का सामना करने के लिए भी तैयार हूं। जदाफिया पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री एवं वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता केशुभाई पटेल के करीबी समझे जाते हैं।
जदाफिया ने भावनगर से बताया कि साबरमती एक्सप्रेस ट्रेन हमले के बाद भड़के राज्यव्यापी दंगों के दौरान वह मोदी की अध्यक्षता वाले कैबिनेट में गृह राज्य मंत्री थे। उन्होंने कहा कि बहुत सारे मुद्दों पर मोदी के साथ मेरे मतभेद के बावजूद मुझे यह कहने में झिझक नहीं है कि मैंने उस वक्त मुख्यमंत्री का समर्थन किया था क्योंकि एक मंत्री के रूप में मैं अपने संवैधानिक दायित्वों का निर्वाह कर रहा था। इस साल जुलाई में पार्टी से निलंबित जदाफिया ने कहा, इसलिए जितना दूसरे जिम्मेदार हैं, उतना ही जिम्मेदार मैं भी हूं और उसके नतीजों का सामना करने के लिए भी तैयार हूं। जदाफिया पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री एवं वरिष्ठ भाजपा नेता केशुभाई पटेल के करीबी समझे जाते हैं।
टीम इंडिया ने लहराया जीत का परचम
लंदन। भारत ने 21 साल बाद ब्रिटिश सरजमीं पर सीरीज जीतकर सोमवार को भारतीय क्रिकेट इतिहास में नया अध्याय तो जोड़ा लेकिन इंग्लैंड ने तीसरा और अंतिम टेस्ट मैच ड्रा कराकर इस जीत को चमकदार नहीं बनने दिया। इंग्लैंड के सामने 500 रन का मुश्किल लक्ष्य था और वह केविन पीटरसन के शतक और इयान बेल (67) के साहसिक प्रदर्शन से वह आखिर में छह विकेट पर 369 रन बनाकर मैच बचाने में सफल रहा। भारत ने नाटिंघम टेस्ट की सात विकेट की जीत के कारण तीन मैचों की सीरीज 1-0 से अपने नाम की।
भारत ने इस तरह से 1986 के बाद पहली बार इंग्लैंड की धरती पर टेस्ट सीरीज जीती। तब कपिल देव की टीम ने इंग्लैंड को 2-0 से हराया था। इस हार के साथ ही इंग्लैंड का 2001 के बाद अपनी धरती पर टेस्ट सीरीज न गंवाने का अभियान भी रुक गया। भारतीय टीम पहली पारी में 664 रन बनाने और इंग्लैंड को 345 रन पर समेटने के बाद इस बार भी 2-0 की जीत के करीब दिख रही थी लेकिन कप्तान राहुल द्रविड़ ने मेजबान टीम को फालोआन देने का फैसला नहीं किया। भारत ने दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 180 रन बनाकर समाप्त घोषित की। इससे इंग्लैंड को मैच बचाने का मौका मिल गया।
इसके अलावा भारतीय टीम इंग्लैंड पर बड़े लक्ष्य का दबाव बनाने में असफल रही जिसके बल्लेबाजों विशेषकर पीटरसन ने सतर्कता और आक्रमण का अच्छा नमूना पेश किया। भारतीय क्षेत्ररक्षकों ने भी इंग्लैंड का बचाव किया। द्रविड़ ने जहां वॉन को कुंबले की गेंद पर शुरू में ही जीवनदान दिया वहीं पाल कोलिंगवुड जब 13 रन पर थे तब सचिन तेंदुलकर की गेंद पर विकेटकीपर महेंद्र सिंह धोनी ने उनका कैच छोड़ा। श्रीसंथ ने हालांकि मैच के पांचवें दिन शाम के सत्र में नई गेंद से पीटरसन और कोलिंगवुड को पवेलियन भेजकर भारतीयों की आस जगाई थी लेकिन निचले क्रम के बल्लेबाजों ने क्रीज पर डेरा जमाए रखा। श्रीसंथ ने तीन विकेट लिए।
इंग्लैंड ने सुबह बिना किसी नुकसान के 56 रन से आगे खेलना शुरू किया तथा उसके दोनों बल्लेबाजों एंड्रयू स्ट्रास और एलिस्टर कुक ने विशाल लक्ष्य होने के कारण लंबे समय तक विकेट पर टिके रहने को ही अपना लक्ष्य बनाया। जहीर खान और एस श्रीसंथ दोनों ने बादलों से घिरे आसमान के नीचे काफी कसी हुई गेंदबाजी की लेकिन उन्हें सफलता नहीं मिली। भारत को आखिर में रुद्र प्रताप सिंह ने अपने पहले ओवर में ही सफलता दिलाई जब उनकी आउट स्विंगर पर स्ट्रास ने दूसरी स्लिप में वीवीएस लक्ष्मण को कैच दिया। स्ट्रास ने 113 गेंद का सामना करके छह चौकों की मदद से 32 रन बनाए।
इसके तीन ओवर बाद कुंबले ने कुक को पवेलियन का रास्ता दिखाया। इस लेग स्पिनर ने रफ एरिया में गेंद फेंकी जिस पर बाएं हाथ के बल्लेबाज कुक ने लेग स्लिप में लक्ष्मण को सीधा कैच थमाया। कुक ने 154 मिनट क्रीज पर रहकर 43 रन बनाए। पीटरसन ने यहीं पर क्रीज पर कदम रखा और कुंबले की फुलटास पर चौका जमाकर अपना खाता खोला लंच के बाद कप्तान माइकल वॉन भी पवेलियन लौट गए तो पीटरसन ने कोलिंगवुड के साथ मिलकर कुंबले और तेंदुलकर की टर्न लेती गेंदों का अच्छी तरह से सामना किया।
वॉन ने द्रविड़ से मिले जीवनदान का फायदा उठाते हुए पीटरसन के साथ तीसरे विकेट के लिए 26.3 ओवर में 66 रन की भागीदारी की। बीच में खराब रोशनी ने उनका ध्यान भंग किया और उन्होंने श्रीसंथ की आउट स्विंगर पर ढीला शॉट खेलकर धोनी को आसान कैच दे दिया। वान ने 95 गेंद का सामना करके पांच चौकों की मदद से 42 रन बनाए। श्रीसंथ ने चाय के विश्राम के बाद नई गेंद से कोलिंगवुड और कुछ देर बाद पीटरसन को आउट करके भारत की जीत की आस जगाई। इन दोनों ने चौथे विकेट के लिए 114 रन जोड़े थे।
श्रीसंथ ने नई गेंद लेने के बाद पहली गेंद पर ही कोलिंगवुड को पगबाधा आउट किया जिन्होंने 81 गेंद का सामना करके 40 रन की अपनी पारी में पांच चौके लगाए। इसके बावजूद पीटरसन ने अपना आक्रामक रवैया अपनाए रखा और श्रीसंथ पर ही मिडविकेट पर चौका जमाकर अपना दसवां टेस्ट शतक पूरा किया। दक्षिण अफ्रीका में जन्मे इस आक्रामक बल्लेबाज ने हालांकि इसी ओवर की अंतिम गेंद पर ढिलाई बरती और बैकफुट पर जाकर करारा ड्राइव करने के प्रयास में पहली स्लिप में खड़े दिनेश कार्तिक को आसान कैच दिया। उन्होंने अपनी शतकीय पारी के लिए 159 गेंद खेली और 18 चौके जमाए।
बेल ने इसके बाद जिस तरह से बल्लेबाजी की उससे साफ हो गया कि वह दबाव में खेलकर किसी तरह के जोखिम में नहीं पड़ना चाहते है। पीटरसन के आउट होने के तुरंत बाद उन्होंने आरपी सिंह पर दो चौके जमाए और इसी गेंदबाज के एक ओवर फिर से दो बार गेंद सीमा रेखा पार भेजी। दाएं हाथ के इस बल्लेबाज को मैट प्रायर (64 गेंद पर नाबाद 12 रन) के रूप में अच्छा साथी मिला। बेल ने टेस्ट मैचों में 13वां अर्धशतक पूरा करने के बाद कुंबले पर लगातार चार चौके जमाए। हालांकि इस गेंदबाज ने अपने अगले ओवर में उन्हें पगबाधा आउट करके बदला चुकता कर दिया। बेल ने केवल 62 गेंद खेली और 12 चौके जमाए।
स्कोर बोर्ड
तीसरा टेस्ट, पांचवां दिन
भारत पहली पारी 664 रन
इंग्लैंड पहली पारी 345 रन
भारत दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 180 रन [घोषित]
इंग्लैंड दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 369 रन
स्ट्रॉस का लक्ष्मण बो रुद्र प्रताप 32
कुक का लक्ष्मण बो कुंबले 43
वॉन का धोनी बो श्रीसंथ 42
पीटरसन का कार्तिक बो श्रीसंथ 101
कोलिंगवुड एलबीडब्ल्यू बो श्रीसंथ 40
बेल एलबीडब्ल्यू बो कुंबले 67
प्रायर नाबाद 12
साइडबाटम नाबाद 3
अतिरिक्त: 29
विकेट पतन: 1-79, 2-86, 3-152, 4-266, 5-289, 6-363।
गेंदबाजी
जहीर 20-3-59-0
श्रीसंथ 21-7-53-3
कुंबले 37-9-123-2
रुद्र प्रताप 13-2-50-1
सचिन 19-0-78-0
भारत ने इस तरह से 1986 के बाद पहली बार इंग्लैंड की धरती पर टेस्ट सीरीज जीती। तब कपिल देव की टीम ने इंग्लैंड को 2-0 से हराया था। इस हार के साथ ही इंग्लैंड का 2001 के बाद अपनी धरती पर टेस्ट सीरीज न गंवाने का अभियान भी रुक गया। भारतीय टीम पहली पारी में 664 रन बनाने और इंग्लैंड को 345 रन पर समेटने के बाद इस बार भी 2-0 की जीत के करीब दिख रही थी लेकिन कप्तान राहुल द्रविड़ ने मेजबान टीम को फालोआन देने का फैसला नहीं किया। भारत ने दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 180 रन बनाकर समाप्त घोषित की। इससे इंग्लैंड को मैच बचाने का मौका मिल गया।
इसके अलावा भारतीय टीम इंग्लैंड पर बड़े लक्ष्य का दबाव बनाने में असफल रही जिसके बल्लेबाजों विशेषकर पीटरसन ने सतर्कता और आक्रमण का अच्छा नमूना पेश किया। भारतीय क्षेत्ररक्षकों ने भी इंग्लैंड का बचाव किया। द्रविड़ ने जहां वॉन को कुंबले की गेंद पर शुरू में ही जीवनदान दिया वहीं पाल कोलिंगवुड जब 13 रन पर थे तब सचिन तेंदुलकर की गेंद पर विकेटकीपर महेंद्र सिंह धोनी ने उनका कैच छोड़ा। श्रीसंथ ने हालांकि मैच के पांचवें दिन शाम के सत्र में नई गेंद से पीटरसन और कोलिंगवुड को पवेलियन भेजकर भारतीयों की आस जगाई थी लेकिन निचले क्रम के बल्लेबाजों ने क्रीज पर डेरा जमाए रखा। श्रीसंथ ने तीन विकेट लिए।
इंग्लैंड ने सुबह बिना किसी नुकसान के 56 रन से आगे खेलना शुरू किया तथा उसके दोनों बल्लेबाजों एंड्रयू स्ट्रास और एलिस्टर कुक ने विशाल लक्ष्य होने के कारण लंबे समय तक विकेट पर टिके रहने को ही अपना लक्ष्य बनाया। जहीर खान और एस श्रीसंथ दोनों ने बादलों से घिरे आसमान के नीचे काफी कसी हुई गेंदबाजी की लेकिन उन्हें सफलता नहीं मिली। भारत को आखिर में रुद्र प्रताप सिंह ने अपने पहले ओवर में ही सफलता दिलाई जब उनकी आउट स्विंगर पर स्ट्रास ने दूसरी स्लिप में वीवीएस लक्ष्मण को कैच दिया। स्ट्रास ने 113 गेंद का सामना करके छह चौकों की मदद से 32 रन बनाए।
इसके तीन ओवर बाद कुंबले ने कुक को पवेलियन का रास्ता दिखाया। इस लेग स्पिनर ने रफ एरिया में गेंद फेंकी जिस पर बाएं हाथ के बल्लेबाज कुक ने लेग स्लिप में लक्ष्मण को सीधा कैच थमाया। कुक ने 154 मिनट क्रीज पर रहकर 43 रन बनाए। पीटरसन ने यहीं पर क्रीज पर कदम रखा और कुंबले की फुलटास पर चौका जमाकर अपना खाता खोला लंच के बाद कप्तान माइकल वॉन भी पवेलियन लौट गए तो पीटरसन ने कोलिंगवुड के साथ मिलकर कुंबले और तेंदुलकर की टर्न लेती गेंदों का अच्छी तरह से सामना किया।
वॉन ने द्रविड़ से मिले जीवनदान का फायदा उठाते हुए पीटरसन के साथ तीसरे विकेट के लिए 26.3 ओवर में 66 रन की भागीदारी की। बीच में खराब रोशनी ने उनका ध्यान भंग किया और उन्होंने श्रीसंथ की आउट स्विंगर पर ढीला शॉट खेलकर धोनी को आसान कैच दे दिया। वान ने 95 गेंद का सामना करके पांच चौकों की मदद से 42 रन बनाए। श्रीसंथ ने चाय के विश्राम के बाद नई गेंद से कोलिंगवुड और कुछ देर बाद पीटरसन को आउट करके भारत की जीत की आस जगाई। इन दोनों ने चौथे विकेट के लिए 114 रन जोड़े थे।
श्रीसंथ ने नई गेंद लेने के बाद पहली गेंद पर ही कोलिंगवुड को पगबाधा आउट किया जिन्होंने 81 गेंद का सामना करके 40 रन की अपनी पारी में पांच चौके लगाए। इसके बावजूद पीटरसन ने अपना आक्रामक रवैया अपनाए रखा और श्रीसंथ पर ही मिडविकेट पर चौका जमाकर अपना दसवां टेस्ट शतक पूरा किया। दक्षिण अफ्रीका में जन्मे इस आक्रामक बल्लेबाज ने हालांकि इसी ओवर की अंतिम गेंद पर ढिलाई बरती और बैकफुट पर जाकर करारा ड्राइव करने के प्रयास में पहली स्लिप में खड़े दिनेश कार्तिक को आसान कैच दिया। उन्होंने अपनी शतकीय पारी के लिए 159 गेंद खेली और 18 चौके जमाए।
बेल ने इसके बाद जिस तरह से बल्लेबाजी की उससे साफ हो गया कि वह दबाव में खेलकर किसी तरह के जोखिम में नहीं पड़ना चाहते है। पीटरसन के आउट होने के तुरंत बाद उन्होंने आरपी सिंह पर दो चौके जमाए और इसी गेंदबाज के एक ओवर फिर से दो बार गेंद सीमा रेखा पार भेजी। दाएं हाथ के इस बल्लेबाज को मैट प्रायर (64 गेंद पर नाबाद 12 रन) के रूप में अच्छा साथी मिला। बेल ने टेस्ट मैचों में 13वां अर्धशतक पूरा करने के बाद कुंबले पर लगातार चार चौके जमाए। हालांकि इस गेंदबाज ने अपने अगले ओवर में उन्हें पगबाधा आउट करके बदला चुकता कर दिया। बेल ने केवल 62 गेंद खेली और 12 चौके जमाए।
स्कोर बोर्ड
तीसरा टेस्ट, पांचवां दिन
भारत पहली पारी 664 रन
इंग्लैंड पहली पारी 345 रन
भारत दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 180 रन [घोषित]
इंग्लैंड दूसरी पारी छह विकेट पर 369 रन
स्ट्रॉस का लक्ष्मण बो रुद्र प्रताप 32
कुक का लक्ष्मण बो कुंबले 43
वॉन का धोनी बो श्रीसंथ 42
पीटरसन का कार्तिक बो श्रीसंथ 101
कोलिंगवुड एलबीडब्ल्यू बो श्रीसंथ 40
बेल एलबीडब्ल्यू बो कुंबले 67
प्रायर नाबाद 12
साइडबाटम नाबाद 3
अतिरिक्त: 29
विकेट पतन: 1-79, 2-86, 3-152, 4-266, 5-289, 6-363।
गेंदबाजी
जहीर 20-3-59-0
श्रीसंथ 21-7-53-3
कुंबले 37-9-123-2
रुद्र प्रताप 13-2-50-1
सचिन 19-0-78-0
England save third Test, but India win series 1-0
On Monday evening, at the end of a day of murkiness, sunshine and no raindrops, England were bathing in a sense of satisfaction.
Two Englishmen went back to the dressing room with a sense of achievement, the battle lost but the war won.
The Indians would be a bit ambivalent about the result — they had declared by words (through manager Chandu Borde) that they would be happy with a 1-0 win. And they had declared by their actions (by not asking England to follow on) that they would be satisfied with the bird in hand, however nettle-free the bushes might be.
At the end, the Indians uprooted the stumps, had a huddle by the pitch and skipped lightly, their arms around each other, and expressed their joy in ecstatic shouts. They raised their arms and punched the air — they walked off in triumph, they clearly were delighted with the result, ensuring a 1-0 series victory.
Yet the satisfaction was incomplete — there was a sense that the whole business was left unfinished, even though India won the series 1-0, for only the third time in England.
The English tail and a saviour
On the final Monday, there was drama only at the end, with the hosts losing their top-order to expose their tail, but the tail wagged, for a change. Even as the Indians threw a ring of fielders around the batsmen, the Englishmen played out over after over with grim resolution, each proffered block, each run cheered lustily in the stands.
Two Englishmen went back to the dressing room with a sense of achievement, the battle lost but the war won.
The Indians would be a bit ambivalent about the result — they had declared by words (through manager Chandu Borde) that they would be happy with a 1-0 win. And they had declared by their actions (by not asking England to follow on) that they would be satisfied with the bird in hand, however nettle-free the bushes might be.
At the end, the Indians uprooted the stumps, had a huddle by the pitch and skipped lightly, their arms around each other, and expressed their joy in ecstatic shouts. They raised their arms and punched the air — they walked off in triumph, they clearly were delighted with the result, ensuring a 1-0 series victory.
Yet the satisfaction was incomplete — there was a sense that the whole business was left unfinished, even though India won the series 1-0, for only the third time in England.
The English tail and a saviour
On the final Monday, there was drama only at the end, with the hosts losing their top-order to expose their tail, but the tail wagged, for a change. Even as the Indians threw a ring of fielders around the batsmen, the Englishmen played out over after over with grim resolution, each proffered block, each run cheered lustily in the stands.
SMS just got costlier
NEW DELHI: In a rude shock to their subscribers in Delhi, Bharti Airtel and Hutch (now Vodafone Essar) have quietly raised local SMS charges for all users from Re 1 per message to Rs 1.20.
The new tariffs - which came into effect on Monday - also mean higher cost for local calls within your own network with charges raised from Re 1 a minute to Rs 1.20. The rates would, however, vary for each plan.
With STD rates having been raised two weeks ago, the operators have increased tariffs across the board without most consumers noticing the hike yet.
Unfortunately, telecom regulator Trai is unlikely to raise an eyebrow as local call, STD and SMS tariffs are ‘under forbearance' - the regulator does not intervene in these. "History has proved that forbearance is the best policy to follow," said Trai chairman Nripendra Misra.
It is felt that other GSM operators may also announce similar hikes. However, there is a hint that CDMA operators may choose to retain their tariffs. For harassed customers, the only option could be switching to more consumer-friendly operators. But this becomes inconvenient as users like to retain their unique numbers.
The new tariffs - which came into effect on Monday - also mean higher cost for local calls within your own network with charges raised from Re 1 a minute to Rs 1.20. The rates would, however, vary for each plan.
With STD rates having been raised two weeks ago, the operators have increased tariffs across the board without most consumers noticing the hike yet.
Unfortunately, telecom regulator Trai is unlikely to raise an eyebrow as local call, STD and SMS tariffs are ‘under forbearance' - the regulator does not intervene in these. "History has proved that forbearance is the best policy to follow," said Trai chairman Nripendra Misra.
It is felt that other GSM operators may also announce similar hikes. However, there is a hint that CDMA operators may choose to retain their tariffs. For harassed customers, the only option could be switching to more consumer-friendly operators. But this becomes inconvenient as users like to retain their unique numbers.
SBI plans biggest IPO of Rs 14,500 crore
NEW DELHI: In what may turn out to be the mother of all fund-raising, State Bank of India is planning to mop up nearly Rs 180,000 crore over the next five years, including a Rs 14,500-crore public offer — the country's biggest — later this fiscal.
While the government and the SBI management are still grappling with details, sources said the fund-raising would involve some new instruments — like issue of preference shares — and also require policy changes to facilitate steps like a rights issue, for which the government might shell out around Rs 10,000 crore.
While SBI needs funds to meet regulatory and expansion needs, for investors, the issue could be good news with fund managers saying the present share price of SBI was much below its intrinsic value. On Monday, SBI shares closed 0.4% higher on the BSE at Rs 1,613.
Despite being the largest bank, SBI has the second-highest market capitalisation of Rs 84,908 crore, compared to ICICI Bank's Rs 92,884 crore. But on most parameters, SBI is a bigger player. It has 9,700 branches, compared to ICICI Bank's 950.
SBI's deposit base was Rs 4,50,000 crore, against ICICI Bank’s Rs 2,31,000 crore, while its advances were estimated at Rs 3,44,000 crore and its private sector rival had a credit base of Rs 1,98,000 crore at the end of June 2007.
While the government and the SBI management are still grappling with details, sources said the fund-raising would involve some new instruments — like issue of preference shares — and also require policy changes to facilitate steps like a rights issue, for which the government might shell out around Rs 10,000 crore.
While SBI needs funds to meet regulatory and expansion needs, for investors, the issue could be good news with fund managers saying the present share price of SBI was much below its intrinsic value. On Monday, SBI shares closed 0.4% higher on the BSE at Rs 1,613.
Despite being the largest bank, SBI has the second-highest market capitalisation of Rs 84,908 crore, compared to ICICI Bank's Rs 92,884 crore. But on most parameters, SBI is a bigger player. It has 9,700 branches, compared to ICICI Bank's 950.
SBI's deposit base was Rs 4,50,000 crore, against ICICI Bank’s Rs 2,31,000 crore, while its advances were estimated at Rs 3,44,000 crore and its private sector rival had a credit base of Rs 1,98,000 crore at the end of June 2007.
Nuke deal: Sonia may reveal her mind
NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday steered clear of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tough talk of daring the Left parties to withdraw support to the UPA government over the Indo-US nuclear deal
Asked by reporters at Parliament House what she thought of Singh's remarks last weekend, Gandhi countered saying how can she reply to such a query.
She also evaded a question when asked about the possible political repercussions over the nuke agreement.
Gandhi also said the AICC reshuffle was overdue but the exercise could be linked to changes in the Union Council of Ministers about which the Prime Minister has to take a decision.
Gandhi is expected to reveal her mind on Tuesday on the latest controversy in the wake of Prime Minister's daring the Left parties to withdraw support to his government on the nuclear deal.
She will be addressing a general body meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, the first after the rift between the UPA and the Left broke out over the nuke deal.
While the CWC has already endorsed the deal, Singh's statement had created political ripples. The nuke deal is also set to dominate the proceedings in Parliament.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a key trouble shooter including with the Left, on Monday said the Congress-led coalition would "explore all possibilities" to ensure that the Congress-led coalition completed its full term but would not compromise on "basic principles".
Asked by reporters at Parliament House what she thought of Singh's remarks last weekend, Gandhi countered saying how can she reply to such a query.
She also evaded a question when asked about the possible political repercussions over the nuke agreement.
Gandhi also said the AICC reshuffle was overdue but the exercise could be linked to changes in the Union Council of Ministers about which the Prime Minister has to take a decision.
Gandhi is expected to reveal her mind on Tuesday on the latest controversy in the wake of Prime Minister's daring the Left parties to withdraw support to his government on the nuclear deal.
She will be addressing a general body meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, the first after the rift between the UPA and the Left broke out over the nuke deal.
While the CWC has already endorsed the deal, Singh's statement had created political ripples. The nuke deal is also set to dominate the proceedings in Parliament.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a key trouble shooter including with the Left, on Monday said the Congress-led coalition would "explore all possibilities" to ensure that the Congress-led coalition completed its full term but would not compromise on "basic principles".
India's strategic autonomy will be retained: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said there is no compromise in any manner on India's independent foreign policy on account of the civil nuclear deal with the US and the strategic autonomy will be retained.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha on the recent agreement, he said it will not hinder or otherwise interfere with India's nuclear activities, including military nuclear facilities.
"Nothing in the agreement would impinge on our strategic programme, our three-stage nuclear power programme or our ability to conduct advanced research and development," Singh said amid slogan shouting by Opposition BJP and Third Front members.
The agreement does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest, Singh said in a suo motu statement.
Singh urged those who question government's committment to an independent foreign policy to display the same degree of confidence in India as others from outside do.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," he said.
Maintaining that the agreement has been negotiated as an equal partner with the US on the principle of mutual benefit, the prime minister said the deal does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest.
"Let me hence reiterate once again that a decision to undertake future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government.
"There is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs," he said.
The Prime Minister said India's right to pursue its three-stage nuclear programme remained undiluted.
"In the unlikely event of cessation of cooperation there is no derogation of our rights with regard to corrective measures. Our reprocessing rights are upfront are upfront and permanent in nature. Advanced R&D programmes and IPR protection are fully safeguarded," he said.
Singh said the agreement provides for full civil nuclear cooperation that will include nuclear reactors and the aspects of the associated nuclear fuel cycle, including technology transfer on industrial or commercial use.
It would also include development of strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption of supply over the lifetime of Indian reactors.
Making a statement in Lok Sabha on the recent agreement, he said it will not hinder or otherwise interfere with India's nuclear activities, including military nuclear facilities.
"Nothing in the agreement would impinge on our strategic programme, our three-stage nuclear power programme or our ability to conduct advanced research and development," Singh said amid slogan shouting by Opposition BJP and Third Front members.
The agreement does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest, Singh said in a suo motu statement.
Singh urged those who question government's committment to an independent foreign policy to display the same degree of confidence in India as others from outside do.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," he said.
Maintaining that the agreement has been negotiated as an equal partner with the US on the principle of mutual benefit, the prime minister said the deal does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest.
"Let me hence reiterate once again that a decision to undertake future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government.
"There is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs," he said.
The Prime Minister said India's right to pursue its three-stage nuclear programme remained undiluted.
"In the unlikely event of cessation of cooperation there is no derogation of our rights with regard to corrective measures. Our reprocessing rights are upfront are upfront and permanent in nature. Advanced R&D programmes and IPR protection are fully safeguarded," he said.
Singh said the agreement provides for full civil nuclear cooperation that will include nuclear reactors and the aspects of the associated nuclear fuel cycle, including technology transfer on industrial or commercial use.
It would also include development of strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to guard against any disruption of supply over the lifetime of Indian reactors.
'87 per cent in J-K want Independence'
As India and Pakistan mark 60 years of Independence, nothing is a more powerful symbol of the divide between the two than Kashmir, that legacy of Partition. It is, therefore, only fitting that we begin with the Kashmir issue in this first of the first-ever joint Indo-Pak poll on what people in the two nations think of each other, of the world, their future.
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What does ‘the Valley’ really want? Are opinions of the people in Kashmir shared by their counterparts in Jammu and Ladakh? Will any resolution enjoy acceptance in the rest of the country? Will hardliners in the rest of India and Pakistan veto any attempt to solve the Kashmir problem?
The first-ever Indo-Pak poll sponsored by The Indian Express, Dawn News and CNN-IBN and designed by CSDS, Delhi offers us significant clues about this question and shows that public opinion offers greater room for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute than is usually believed.
The poll was carried out in the last week of July and the first week of August in the top ten cities of Pakistan (by A C Nielsen) and the top twenty cities of India (by CSDS). Besides 1010 interviews in urban Pakistan and 2030 interviews in urban India, the CSDS conducted a special straw poll by interviewing 226 persons in Srinagar and 255 persons in Jammu city. (Methodological details about the survey will be carried in the final instalment of the reports on the Indo-Pak poll)
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What does ‘the Valley’ really want? Are opinions of the people in Kashmir shared by their counterparts in Jammu and Ladakh? Will any resolution enjoy acceptance in the rest of the country? Will hardliners in the rest of India and Pakistan veto any attempt to solve the Kashmir problem?
The first-ever Indo-Pak poll sponsored by The Indian Express, Dawn News and CNN-IBN and designed by CSDS, Delhi offers us significant clues about this question and shows that public opinion offers greater room for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute than is usually believed.
The poll was carried out in the last week of July and the first week of August in the top ten cities of Pakistan (by A C Nielsen) and the top twenty cities of India (by CSDS). Besides 1010 interviews in urban Pakistan and 2030 interviews in urban India, the CSDS conducted a special straw poll by interviewing 226 persons in Srinagar and 255 persons in Jammu city. (Methodological details about the survey will be carried in the final instalment of the reports on the Indo-Pak poll)
Nuke deal to benefit both parties: PM
New Delhi, August 13: Dismissing concerns over the Indo-US nuclear deal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asserted in Parliament that the country retained the strategic autonomy and "sovereign" right to conduct a nuclear test, if needed.
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Amid opposition uproar and walkout by Left allies, he made a statement emphasising that India's independent foreign policy will remain unaffected by the nuclear deal, which has "mutual benefit" for the two "equal partners".
Responding to concerns raised by the Left, NDA and UNPA over various aspects of the 123 agreement, Singh said India can take "corrective measures" if the US terminates the agreement and the cessation of cooperation will take place after "elaborate multi-layered" consultations.
New Delhi has also secured the permanent upfront right for reprocessing and will be able to develop strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the civilian reactors for their lifetime, he told the Lok Sabha, virtually responding point-by-point to the concerns raised by Left and opposition parties.
"There is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," Singh in midst of continuous slogan-shouting by NDA and UNPA members from the Well of the House.
The Left parties, which have rejected the deal, sat through the Prime Minister's speech and walked out just before he was to conclude. The House was adjourned for the day after Singh's statement.
"The agreement does not, in any way, affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest," he asserted.
Underlining that conducting of a future nuclear test would be "our sovereign decision, that rests solely with the Government (of India), the Prime Minister said, "there is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs".
The agreement would "not hinder or otherwise interfere with India's nuclear activities, including our military facilities," he said, while noting that the government has kept Parliament fully in the picture at various stages of negotiations of the agreement and even "gone far beyond any previous government".
"Nothing in the agreement would impinge on our strategic programme, our three-stage nuclear power programme or our ability to conduct advanced research and development," Singh stressed amid demands of NDA and Third Front for scrapping of the deal.
The Prime Minister, who created political ripples by daring the Left to withdraw support to his government after their rejection of the nuclear deal, said "I will let history judge... When future generations look back, they will come to acknowledge the significance of this historic deal."
Observing that the deal will "open new doors" in capitals across the world, he said "in the days to come, it will be seen that it is not just the US, but nations across the world that wish to arrive at a new equilibrium in their relations with India."
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Amid opposition uproar and walkout by Left allies, he made a statement emphasising that India's independent foreign policy will remain unaffected by the nuclear deal, which has "mutual benefit" for the two "equal partners".
Responding to concerns raised by the Left, NDA and UNPA over various aspects of the 123 agreement, Singh said India can take "corrective measures" if the US terminates the agreement and the cessation of cooperation will take place after "elaborate multi-layered" consultations.
New Delhi has also secured the permanent upfront right for reprocessing and will be able to develop strategic reserve of nuclear fuel to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the civilian reactors for their lifetime, he told the Lok Sabha, virtually responding point-by-point to the concerns raised by Left and opposition parties.
"There is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," Singh in midst of continuous slogan-shouting by NDA and UNPA members from the Well of the House.
The Left parties, which have rejected the deal, sat through the Prime Minister's speech and walked out just before he was to conclude. The House was adjourned for the day after Singh's statement.
"The agreement does not, in any way, affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest," he asserted.
Underlining that conducting of a future nuclear test would be "our sovereign decision, that rests solely with the Government (of India), the Prime Minister said, "there is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs".
The agreement would "not hinder or otherwise interfere with India's nuclear activities, including our military facilities," he said, while noting that the government has kept Parliament fully in the picture at various stages of negotiations of the agreement and even "gone far beyond any previous government".
"Nothing in the agreement would impinge on our strategic programme, our three-stage nuclear power programme or our ability to conduct advanced research and development," Singh stressed amid demands of NDA and Third Front for scrapping of the deal.
The Prime Minister, who created political ripples by daring the Left to withdraw support to his government after their rejection of the nuclear deal, said "I will let history judge... When future generations look back, they will come to acknowledge the significance of this historic deal."
Observing that the deal will "open new doors" in capitals across the world, he said "in the days to come, it will be seen that it is not just the US, but nations across the world that wish to arrive at a new equilibrium in their relations with India."
Why a PC can't be your TV!
People spend hours in front of countless PC monitors nowadays. Usually those monitors go dark when work ends. That could soon change in some households.
Monitors have other uses apart from word processing and spreadsheets. They can also show movies and soap operas. But a few problems still remain when converting your monitor into a desktop TV.
Many consumers already appreciate one of the flat screen monitor's advantages. Whether as a television or a computer, it saves space. "It's perfect for a student's room," says Dirk Lorenz of Stiftung Warentest, a Berlin-based consumer affairs organisation.
But anyone who thinks they can meet all their needs with one device is deceiving himself. Producers still face a lot of work in merging the TV and computer.
Monitors have other uses apart from word processing and spreadsheets. They can also show movies and soap operas. But a few problems still remain when converting your monitor into a desktop TV.
Many consumers already appreciate one of the flat screen monitor's advantages. Whether as a television or a computer, it saves space. "It's perfect for a student's room," says Dirk Lorenz of Stiftung Warentest, a Berlin-based consumer affairs organisation.
But anyone who thinks they can meet all their needs with one device is deceiving himself. Producers still face a lot of work in merging the TV and computer.
Marathon kid Budhia's trainer detained
BHUBANESWAR: Wonder marathon kid Budhia Singh's trainer Biranchi Das was on Monday detained by the police after the boy's mother lodged an FIR against him alleging "physical torture".
"The boy has been taken to the Capital hospital for a medical examination. Further action will be initiated against Das on the basis of the report", city Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarat Sahoo told a news agency here.
Budhia and his mother Sukanti Singh had alleged yesterday that Biranchi had been torturing the seven-year-old boy whose exploits at long-distance running had stunned the sporting world.
The child had entered the Limca Book of Records when he ran a distance of 65 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar on May two last year in 7.02 hours. The run also kicked-off a controversy with several organisations and the district child welfare committee objecting to such shows involving a small boy.
Sukanti had taken the boy away from the judo association hall a few days ago where he lived and trained with Biranchi.
The mother and son duo on Monday went to the Badagada police station, where Sukanti lodged the FIR against the trainer.
Sahoo said the police took the boy for medical examination as soon as his mother lodged the FIR.
The boy was provided with security as his mother alleged that she along with her son faced threat to their lives. "Biranchi has threatened me that his goons would target me and my son", Sukanti said in her complaint.
"The boy has been taken to the Capital hospital for a medical examination. Further action will be initiated against Das on the basis of the report", city Deputy Superintendent of Police Sarat Sahoo told a news agency here.
Budhia and his mother Sukanti Singh had alleged yesterday that Biranchi had been torturing the seven-year-old boy whose exploits at long-distance running had stunned the sporting world.
The child had entered the Limca Book of Records when he ran a distance of 65 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar on May two last year in 7.02 hours. The run also kicked-off a controversy with several organisations and the district child welfare committee objecting to such shows involving a small boy.
Sukanti had taken the boy away from the judo association hall a few days ago where he lived and trained with Biranchi.
The mother and son duo on Monday went to the Badagada police station, where Sukanti lodged the FIR against the trainer.
Sahoo said the police took the boy for medical examination as soon as his mother lodged the FIR.
The boy was provided with security as his mother alleged that she along with her son faced threat to their lives. "Biranchi has threatened me that his goons would target me and my son", Sukanti said in her complaint.
Infy, TCS most reputed corporate houses in India: Study
NEW DELHI: IT majors Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have emerged as the most reputed corporates in India while Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Hindustan Unilever have tied for the second place, says a corporate reputation index study.
The largest car maker in the country Maruti Udyog has got the third highest number of votes on the index, says the global consultancy firm TNS' latest Corporate Reputation Index.
The research firm said India's progress is led by IT sector followed by FMCG and Petroleum.
"Corporate reputation is assuming increasing importance in today's business, economic and social environment. As corporate behaviour is increasingly under scrutiny and corporate valuations go beyond financial performance parameters, it is considered to be a measure of confidence in the organisation and goes much beyond market capitalisation and brand equity," TNS said in a statement.
The corporate reputation index represents stakeholder expectations and experiences with the company and its services, processes, management and systems.
The study reflects views of financial community and senior and middle business managers in the industry. It also includes expectations of opinion leaders which comprise of senior bureaucrats, academicians and media personalities.
A total of 70 leading companies across various sectors were selected for the study conducted in the last quarter of previous fiscal.
While all top five companies figure in lead rankings across all stakeholder groups, the leaders in the respective stakeholder segments include some more corporate houses.
The largest car maker in the country Maruti Udyog has got the third highest number of votes on the index, says the global consultancy firm TNS' latest Corporate Reputation Index.
The research firm said India's progress is led by IT sector followed by FMCG and Petroleum.
"Corporate reputation is assuming increasing importance in today's business, economic and social environment. As corporate behaviour is increasingly under scrutiny and corporate valuations go beyond financial performance parameters, it is considered to be a measure of confidence in the organisation and goes much beyond market capitalisation and brand equity," TNS said in a statement.
The corporate reputation index represents stakeholder expectations and experiences with the company and its services, processes, management and systems.
The study reflects views of financial community and senior and middle business managers in the industry. It also includes expectations of opinion leaders which comprise of senior bureaucrats, academicians and media personalities.
A total of 70 leading companies across various sectors were selected for the study conducted in the last quarter of previous fiscal.
While all top five companies figure in lead rankings across all stakeholder groups, the leaders in the respective stakeholder segments include some more corporate houses.
PM defends N-deal in Parliament
agreement does not in any way inhibit, restrict or curtail "our" strategic autonomy or capabilities, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The agreement does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest, Singh said in a statement.
His speech, however, was muffled by loud sloganeering by Opposition MPs, who stormed the well of the House. Repeated requests by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee failed to calm the MPs.
Singh urged those who question government's commitment to an independent foreign policy to display the same degree of confidence in India as others from outside do.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," he said.
Maintaining that the agreement has been negotiated as an equal partner with the US on the principle of mutual benefit, the Prime Minister said the deal does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest.
"Let me, hence, reiterate once again that a decision to undertake future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government.
"There is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs," he said.
The Prime Minister said the provision for separation of any fissionable materials in national facilities under IAEA safeguards protects the interest of India's three-stage nuclear programme.
Referring to the US' longstanding policy of not supplying to any country enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water production facilities, he said the current agreement provided for such transfers to India only through an amendment.
He expressed the hope that such transfers would become possible as cooperation develops and expands in the future and stressed that "no prohibition that is specifically directed against India has been included in the agreement."
Noting that the principle of reciprocity has been safeguarded, Singh said there was no change in India's position that it would accept only IAEA safeguards on its civilian nuclear facilities.
"This would also be in a phased manner and as identified for that purpose in the Separation Plan, and only when all international restrictions on nuclear trade with India have been lifted. India will not take any irreversible steps with the IAEA prior to this," he said.
Singh said the agreement confirmed that the US cooperation with India is permanent and no provision states that it would be subject to an annual certification process.
The agreement acknowledges India as a state with "advanced nuclear technology" enjoying the same advantages and benefits as other states with "advanced nuclear technology".
"This agreement makes specific references to India and the US as states possessing advanced nuclear technology, both parties having the same benefits and advantages, both committed to preventing WMD proliferation," Singh said.
On India accepting IAEA safeguards in the Separation Plan of March 2006, the Prime Minister said: "We have not consented to any provision that mandates scrutiny of our nuclear weapons programme or any unsafeguarded nuclear facilities."
He said there were explicit provisions to make it clear that the agreement did not affect India's unsafeguarded nuclear facilities and that it would not affect its right to use materials, equipment, information or technology acquired or developed independently.
Singh reiterated that the Separation Plan provided for an India-specific safeguards agreement with IAEA with assurances of uninterrupted supply of fuel to reactors that would be placed under IAEA safeguards together with India's right to take corrective measures in the event fuel supplies were interrupted.
"An important assurance given is the commitment of support for India's right to build up strategic reserves of nuclear fuel to meet the lifetime requirements of India's reactors." he said.
The agreement does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in country's national interest, Singh said in a statement.
His speech, however, was muffled by loud sloganeering by Opposition MPs, who stormed the well of the House. Repeated requests by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee failed to calm the MPs.
Singh urged those who question government's commitment to an independent foreign policy to display the same degree of confidence in India as others from outside do.
"Thus, there is no question that we will ever compromise, in any manner, our independent foreign policy. We shall retain our strategic autonomy," he said.
Maintaining that the agreement has been negotiated as an equal partner with the US on the principle of mutual benefit, the Prime Minister said the deal does not in any way affect India's right to undertake future nuclear tests, if it is necessary in India's national interest.
"Let me, hence, reiterate once again that a decision to undertake future nuclear test would be our sovereign decision, one that rests solely with the government.
"There is nothing in the agreement that would tie the hands of a future government or legally constrain its options to protect India's security and defence needs," he said.
The Prime Minister said the provision for separation of any fissionable materials in national facilities under IAEA safeguards protects the interest of India's three-stage nuclear programme.
Referring to the US' longstanding policy of not supplying to any country enrichment, reprocessing and heavy water production facilities, he said the current agreement provided for such transfers to India only through an amendment.
He expressed the hope that such transfers would become possible as cooperation develops and expands in the future and stressed that "no prohibition that is specifically directed against India has been included in the agreement."
Noting that the principle of reciprocity has been safeguarded, Singh said there was no change in India's position that it would accept only IAEA safeguards on its civilian nuclear facilities.
"This would also be in a phased manner and as identified for that purpose in the Separation Plan, and only when all international restrictions on nuclear trade with India have been lifted. India will not take any irreversible steps with the IAEA prior to this," he said.
Singh said the agreement confirmed that the US cooperation with India is permanent and no provision states that it would be subject to an annual certification process.
The agreement acknowledges India as a state with "advanced nuclear technology" enjoying the same advantages and benefits as other states with "advanced nuclear technology".
"This agreement makes specific references to India and the US as states possessing advanced nuclear technology, both parties having the same benefits and advantages, both committed to preventing WMD proliferation," Singh said.
On India accepting IAEA safeguards in the Separation Plan of March 2006, the Prime Minister said: "We have not consented to any provision that mandates scrutiny of our nuclear weapons programme or any unsafeguarded nuclear facilities."
He said there were explicit provisions to make it clear that the agreement did not affect India's unsafeguarded nuclear facilities and that it would not affect its right to use materials, equipment, information or technology acquired or developed independently.
Singh reiterated that the Separation Plan provided for an India-specific safeguards agreement with IAEA with assurances of uninterrupted supply of fuel to reactors that would be placed under IAEA safeguards together with India's right to take corrective measures in the event fuel supplies were interrupted.
"An important assurance given is the commitment of support for India's right to build up strategic reserves of nuclear fuel to meet the lifetime requirements of India's reactors." he said.
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