Serena fine-tuning her curtsy for the Queen

June 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Serena Williams has been working on her curtsy in anticipation of meeting the Queen at Wimbledon this week.

Sports

“I was practicing it this morning,” the American champion told reporters on Sunday.

“I definitely don’t think I should take a bow, so I’ll probably curtsy.”

The Queen, who will attend the grasscourt championships on Thursday, has not visited Wimbledon since 1977, when she handed the women’s singles trophy to Britain’s Virginia Wade.

Williams, the 12-times grand slam winner, is expected to play her second-round tie on Thursday.

The 28-year-old said: “I found out she was coming to town … I thought, ‘Wow, I just got to make sure I’m here on Thursday’. Hopefully I have a chance to meet her.”

But Williams is already feeling the pressure of the occasion.

“(My curtsy) is a little extreme, so I’m going to have to tone it down,” she joked. “I get really low. I have a lot of arm movement. So, yeah, I’ll have to tone it down.”

Williams meets Portugal’s Michelle Larcher de Brito in the first round on Tuesday..

(Reporting by Stephen Wood, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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Anil Ambani visits Mahakaleshwar Temple on his 51st birthday

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), June 4 (ANI): Reliance Dhirubhai Ambani Group chairman Anil Ambani visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on the occasion of his 51st birthday on Friday.

“Anil Ambani is a very religious person. Today was the most important day of his life and he came early morning to the seek blessings of Lord Mahakal,” said Ashish Sharma, a priest.

Media reports say Anil arrived in Indore in his private jet along with his son, a night before. He later drove to Ujjain, about 55km away, to witness the ”bhasma aarti” (A ritual of smudging ashes brought from the cremation ground), performed in the wee hours.

After the ceremony, he drove back to Indore along with his entourage. (ANI)

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Take That star Gary Barlow to organize Queen”s 85th b’day bash?

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 10 (ANI): Singer Gary Barlow has reportedly been asked by royal aides to organize Queen Elizabeth II”s 85th birthday party and the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

According to The Sun, the Take That star has already met with aides to the Queen, who turns the landmark age next April (11), to discuss how to mark her birthday.

He has also discussed plans regarding another bash the following year (12) to celebrate her 60 years on the throne, according to a report.

“Gary”s got the power to pull in some big names and ensure it”s a party to match the occasion. The timing means he can get the ball rolling early and start ringing his contacts,” the Daily Express quoted a source as telling the publication. (ANI)

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Russell Crowe lashes out at late Gladiator co-star Oliver Reed

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 08 (ANI): ‘Gladiator’ star Russell Crowe has confessed that he never got along with his co-star Oliver Reed, insisting he never had a ‘pleasant conversation’ with the actor who “drank himself to death”.

Reed was known for heavy boozing, that prompted a serious heart attack halfway when he was shooting the Ridley Scott epic in Malta in 1999.

And Crowe admitted that he has only handful of happy memories of his time with Reed, bringing one occasion back to mind when the drunk actor took to fighting with strangers in the street.

“I never got on with Ollie. He has visited me in dreams and asked me to talk kindly of him. So I should… but we never had a pleasant conversation,” the Daily Express quoted him as telling GQ magazine.

“I have seen him walk down the street in Malta drunk as a lord and just hit anybody he got near to – even a man walking with his children. I just found that to be – not impressive.” (ANI)

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Arrests over EFPTOS skimming scam

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Seven members of what police describe is the most sophisticated card skimming syndicate ever seen in Western Australia have been arrested.

It is alleged they installed an EFTPOS machine fitted with a skimming device at a Perth supermarket and used the information to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers bank accounts.

It is understood much of the money was laundered overseas.

Police also seized a significant amount of equipment used to tamper with ATM devices and EFTPOS devices.

Detective Sergeant Duncan Taylor says it is alleged the seven men played different roles in the fraud syndicate.

“There’s a range, we’ve certainly arrested mid to high-tier members of the syndicate on this occasion and some of the items involved in the seizure would indicate we’ve got some of the more technical members of the syndicate,” he said.

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Antony and wife launch third missile destroyer warship in Mumbai

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Apr 1 (ANI): The Indian Navy launched a missile destroyer in the Project-15 Alpha Class at the Mazgaon Dock here today.

Elizabeth Antony, the wife of Defence Minister A.K. Antony, launched the warship, which is the country’s third missile destroyer.

Speaking on the occasion Antony said India should have indigenous warship manufacturing capability.

“The country cannot depend on foreign shipyards,” he added.

He also said the government would work towards the welfare of the Mazagaon Docks where the ships are manufactured.

These are the largest warships ever constructed at the Mazgaon Docks, the oldest and the most prolific of all Indian naval dockyards.

The lead ship, INS Kolkota, and its sister ship, INS Kochi, have already been launched. (ANI)

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Kashmir apple growers begin spraying activity

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Apr 1 (ANI): Apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir begin spraying pesticides and oil on the trees to keep them away from different tree borne diseases.

This spraying time is very important and pious for the apple growers in valley as they can for see the productions of the upcoming crop.

The growers on this occasion are positive of a bumper apple crop this year as the pairing could be seen in many orchards.

“We are spraying pesticides and oil to the trees to protect them from any diseases and also for the good quality of fruit and that”s why we are working on it and we are expecting good business.” said Arshid Lone, a grower.

Last year, apple production was low in some areas like Kupwara and Handwara due to the hailstorm that destroyed most of the crop.

“We have started this activity and farmers have started giving pesticides to protect them from diseases and for the good quality of fruit for the upcoming season.” said Dilawer Ahmed, a grower.

The apple industry in the Kashmir valley is the backbone of the state”s economy contributing billions of rupees from the export of this fruit to the other parts of the country and abroad. (ANI)

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Enumeration of President Patil marks launch of census operation

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI):India’s decennial Census Operation and preparation for the first ever National Population Register was launched with the enumeration of President Pratibha Patil on Thursday.

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India officials collected the enumeration of President Patil.

On this occasion, President Patil asked the people of the country to wholeheartedly take part in the preparation of the first ever National Population Register and also the Decennial Census Operation, so as to make it a resounding success.

She said by taking part wholeheartedly in this effort, the Nation would be benefited as well as each individual.

The preparation of the first ever National Population Register is one of the biggest processes of its kind attempted anywhere in the world so far.(ANI)

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Enumeration of President Patil marks launch of census operation

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI):India’s decennial Census Operation and preparation for the first ever National Population Register was launched with the enumeration of President Pratibha Patil on Thursday.

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India officials collected the enumeration of President Patil.

On this occasion, President Patil asked the people of the country to wholeheartedly take part in the preparation of the first ever National Population Register and also the Decennial Census Operation, so as to make it a resounding success.

She said by taking part wholeheartedly in this effort, the Nation would be benefited as well as each individual.

The preparation of the first ever National Population Register is one of the biggest processes of its kind attempted anywhere in the world so far.(ANI)

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Varanasi students form human chain on World Water Day

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Varanasi, March 22 (ANI):On the occasion of the World Water Day (March 22), students from public and Vedic schools joined hands to formed a human chain to spread the message of clean Ganga.

Besides, the students offered prayers near the banks of Ganges and took a pledge to protect it from further getting being polluted.

“We took a pledge that we will not pollute Ganga River. Together we will try to keep Ganges clean and will not throw any kind of wastes in the river…with this human chain, we wanted to spread this message,” said Akshaybar Tiwari, one of the Vedic school student.

River Ganga (Ganges) is one of the largest and revered rivers of India, supporting a large population on its banks.

Sewage and industrial effluents pour into much of the River Ganga”s course through India”s most populated states, reducing its capacity to support life and making it unfit for human or animal use. Floating corpses are a common sight, as Hindus believe cremation on the river banks leads to salvation.

The government has planned to end discharge of untreated waste into the Ganges by 2020.

Though the Union government enacted Ganga Action Plan in 1985 to clean the river, much of the action seems to have confined to papers.

However, with one billion tonnes of waste being dumped into it everyday, the River Ganga, unfortunately, remains one of the most polluted rivers in the world. (ANI)

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92yo relieved as beloved Torana returned

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A 92-year-old Melbourne woman is celebrating the return of her much-loved car after it was stolen last week.

The 1978 Holden Torana Sunbird disappeared from the carport at Mary Shaw’s Ringwood East home and police recovered it yesterday at Coldstream without its number plates.

Mrs Shaw’s husband Bert died just two weeks after they bought the car brand new, and she kept it in his memory.

Mrs Shaw says the car gets a lot of attention wherever she goes.

“I gave the police at least 20 names and telephone numbers of people that had left stickers on the car saying do you want to sell this car,” she said.

“And on another occasion, I came home and drove under the carport and looked and there was a man walking up the path and he said ‘I followed your car home.’

“He said ‘I wanted to see where you lived and if you wanted to sell it.’”

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Jumbos enjoy a day off at a wildlife sanctuary in West Bengal

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Jalpaiguri, Sep 18 (ANI): Captive elephants, used by the forest officials to supervise the area, enjoyed a royal treat at the Jaldapara Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

The forest officials use elephants to supervise the area since most of the sanctuary is inaccessible by vehicle or on foot.

Every year on the occasion of Vishwakarma puja, the jumbos get the much-awaited annual holiday.

On this day, the elephants are given special treatment. The day starts with the bathing of the animals in the river. The mahouts then decorate the elephants and give them special food.

“The elephants are the ride of Lord Vishwakarma and Vishwakarma takes care of machine, elephants. That’s why we the staff members of Jaldapara Wildlife perform this puja (ritual),” said Kharke Bahadur, a mahout.

Wildlife officials said elephants played a big role in maintaining the sanctuary.

“Because at Jaldapara, it’s mainly wildlife area. Here, there is very important role for such captive elephants because some areas where vehicle movement and foot patrolling is not possible because there is risk to life and these areas are accessible (because of elephants). So we totally depend on these captive elephants,” said Buddhadev Mondal, range officer at the sanctuary. (ANI)

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Climate change will lead to less ultraviolet radiation over northern high latitudes

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Imphal, Sep.16 (ANI): “Move onward with the Lord within your heart and with the footprints of your ancestors in your eyes’ is the greatest moral teaching from Heigru Hidongba ceremony held every year in Manipur.

Heigru Hidongba, a socio-religious ceremony, to exhibit the firm devotion of the descendants of the Great Grand Mantri Anandashai of Lord Bejoy Govindajee was recently held in Imphal.

Devotees brought offerings of Heigru (Amla) fruit to the almighty on the 11th day of Langban Manipuri month which coincides with September to bring prosperity to the community.

During this festival a special boat race ‘Hiyang Tanaba’ is held in the sacred Thangapat Moat of Sagolband, Bejoy Govinda in Imphal amidst singing of devotional songs and a lot of clamour.

It attracted a huge number of spectators on this occasion. “We have organized the ceremony so that we can come and pray together so that the ills of the society will be removed and also for peace to be restored in our land that is filled with violence. In other places, it is celebrated anytime as a festival but we celebrate it as it is our custom,” said Boshana, organiser of the Heigru Hidongba festival.

“This is the 231st Heigru Hidongba Festival. The main theme of the festival is about preserving the age old traditional beliefs and customs of our culture,” said Magochandra, a local resident.

Devotees converged at the Bijoygobinda Moat at Sagoband to witness the ceremony symbolising the unity, which was once deeply rooted amongst the Manipuris’ ancestors and for their struggle for peace and freedom.

Devotees, today, believe that the ceremony brings prosperity to the State and overcomes ills of the society. (ANI)

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Ambika Soni reaffirms commitment to Public Service Broadcasting Trust

September 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sept 15 (ANI): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has renewed its commitment of financial support to the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT), a Delhi-based NGO.

Under the plan scheme component for production of documentaries through NGOs, the Films Division would grant funds to the PSBT, which has been short-listed for production of documentaries for the current financial year.

In the past also, the Doordarshan and the PSBT have had a successful public-private partnership.

Over the past nine years, a large number of documentary films have been funded by the Doordarshan.

Among the National Non-Feature Film Awards-2007, at least four of such joint productions of the Prasar Bharati and the PSBT have won accolades.

Speaking on the occasion of ‘Commemorating 50 years of Public Television In India’, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni invited suggestions from the luminaries of PSBT Trustees for making the Public Service Broadcaster-Doordarshan more vibrant and interesting while retaining its commitment for healthy entertainment suitable for family viewing.

Soni also reiterated that her Ministry would continue to strive to encourage creative skills so long as they honour the sensibilities of all single television viewing families.

The Minister exhorted the young filmmakers – particularly those who are the beneficiaries of the PSBT-Ministry fellowships, to take up the challenge of making relevant programmes for particularly the marginalized strata of society.

“The Doordarshan is the only channel with the widest terrestrial reach which caters to the remotest and border areas often neglected by the commercial interests of other channels,” she added.

She also invited stalwarts like Shyam Benegal (a PSBT Trustee), who had made the memorable ‘Bharat ek khoj’ serial for Doordarshan in the past, to contribute meaningfully to Doordarshan again.

Adoor Gopalkrishnan (Chairman PSBT)’s new film “Oru Pennum Randaanum”, funded by Doordarshan was screened on the occasion. (ANI)

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PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti hurt in car mishap

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Doda (J and K), Sep.10 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti suffered minor facial injuries on Thursday when her car was involved in an accident.

The mishap occurred soon after she told a PDP workers’ convention that the spate of fatal road accidents in the Chenab valley region reflected the devastation, exploitation and neglect of the poorest of the poor in the state.

The PDP president said the huge loss of life caused by road accidents in Doda region could not be delinked from the fact that the condition of roads was the result of deterioration of geological and ecological conditions.

She also used the occasion to criticise the ruling National Conference-Congress coalition government in the state for not doing enough on power projects.

She urged the state government to focus on a return of control of natural resources to the state so that they are utilized for the betterment of our people.

She also touched on the subject of education, calling on the state government to take steps to usher in improvements in this sector. (ANI)

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K. H. Muniyappa to attend flagging off ceremony of Standard Gauge Metro Car

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Sep. 9 (ANI): The Minister of State for Railways, K. H. Muniyappa, will attend a programme here on Friday where country’s first Standard Gauge Metro Car will be flagged off.

Standard Gauge Metro Car is being manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence.

The Minister of State of Defence, Dr. Pallam Raju will also be present on the occasion.

Later, both the Ministers will travel to Kolar where they will hold meetings with various employees Unions/Associations of BEML at KGF Complex.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for employees of BEML to put forth their grievances and pending issues before the Ministers. (ANI)

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Prince Harry ‘to inherit £9m on 25th b’day’

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, September 9 (ANI): Prince Harry is reportedly set to become a multi-millionaire when he turns 25 on September 15.

The third in line to the British throne will inherit his share of Princess Diana’s fortune on the special day.

The royal, a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, will purportedly take over an estimated 9 million pounds, reports the Sun.

But Harry may have little time to celebrate the occasion due to his helicopter flying course, according to sources.

A source said: “It’s unlikely he will even be allowed a drink.”

Harry and his elder brother William are allegedly prevented from spending the lump sum of their inheritance until they turn 30. (ANI)

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Tribals attend RBI’s financial outreach camp in Tripura

September 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Agartala, Sep. 6 (ANI): Thousands of tribal families turned out to participate in a financial outreach camp organized by the Reserve Bank of India in Pitra village of Tripura.

The camp was organised with the objective of bringing awareness among villagers about banking norms.

“Bank wants to lend for projects which would generate economic activity will lead to development of north east.

So we have to be able to work together. The state government, the banks, the non-governmental organisations, the locals, Panchayati Raj institutions and the Reserve Bank will act like a catalyst to make people come together and work together for economic development,” said Usha Thorat, deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Organised on the occasion of Platinum Year celebration of Reserve Bank, the camp witnessed hundreds of villagers gathered at the stalls of different banks for opening of new bank accounts.

The villagers were also informed and familiarized with various banking facilities, security features of currency notes, exchange their soiled and mutilated currency notes, exchange currency notes for coins and also look into their complains with regards to banking facilities.

“In the village there is no banking system and this camp will be of great benefit to us. The villagers had no means of saving but now we think we can save something for our future,” Bubantala Jamatia, a villager

Under the model, post offices, cooperatives, NGOs, financial institutions, self-help groups, retired employees of state or central government may act as an agent of the banks and provide services to people. (ANI)

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Schoolteachers baton-charged in Lucknow on Teachers’ Day

September 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow, Sep 5(ANI): At least 12 primary schoolteachers suffered injuries during a demonstration to demand confirmation of their jobs and increments on Teachers’ Day.

The teachers alleged they were staging a peaceful protest when the police, for no fault of their own, baton-charged them.

“The teachers had staged a peaceful protest. During the demonstration, the police baton-charged the teachers on the orders Chief Minister Mayawati. This is the gift to all the teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day,” said Suraj Yadav, a teacher.

Meanwhile, the police said they had to use force to disperse the protestors after they blocked the road.

“Today, in front of Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) teachers had staged a sit-in protest. Some people tried to block the road. They were requested to clear the road. Stones were pelted in which our ADM (Additional District Magistrate) and SP (Superintendent of Police) city and others have been injured. They were chased away by the police,” said R N Dwivedi, police circle officer.

The police further claimed that no one was seriously injured in the incident. (ANI)

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Abilities India Pistons and Rings Ltd. awarded two gold trophies in ACMA awards

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 3 (ANI/Business Wire India): Abilities India Pistons and Rings Ltd. expert in manufacturing of Pistons and Piston Rings for 2 and4 stroke engines, for automobiles (mainly two / three wheelers) has won two Gold trophies, for excellence in Exports as well as in productivity and quality, in the golden Jubilee ceremony of ACMA awards (2008 – 2009).

Abilities India Pistons and Rings Ltd. is the largest manufacturer in India of two stroke pistons kits and is supplying it to USA, Europe and more than 35 countries through out the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Arora, Joint MD, AIP, stated that, “The real growth is going to start now. The market is ripe for the OEMs and there is tremendous scope to grow. With optimum capex and engineering excellence the company is gearing for the challenge. It was also a part of the ACMA Advance cluster which gave it the impetus to continuously strive for excellence.”

AIP is working as a leader for the manufacture of Pistons and Rings for automobiles (mainly two / three wheelers), chain saws, brush cutters, agriculture sprayers and compressors. AIP is a major OEM supplier for many reputed vehicle and engine manufactures of the country and overseas. AIP has to its credits the development of nearly 200 models of pistons for Chain Saws / Brush Cutters, which places it in a unique position to be a global supplier of Pistons to the OEM and after-markets as the necessary infrastructure for these models is readily available.

Abilities India Pistons and Rings Ltd. was established in the 1966 by R.S. Arora and converted into a limited company in 1995; the company has gone from strength to strength, overcoming many challenges on the way with great aplomb. It is an ISO/TS16949:2002 certified company, recognized EXPORT HOUSE as well as recipient of several AWARDS from EEPC and ACMA for excellence in Exports and Quality and Productivity.

Always keeping its employees first and firmly believing that the company’s success lies in its efficient and happy employees, the company continuously evolves practices that will ensure Total Employee Involvement. Stress is given to ‘all round improvement’ by making 5S, Poka Yoke, Kaizen, Deskilling and Talent development a part of its daily activities. (ANI)

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