Mud for meals: UP cracks whip on district officials

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Allahabad, May 28 — Following a damning report by a Supreme Court fact-finding team over the widespread malnutrition and total collapse of food security-related schemes in Uttar Pradesh’s Ganne village, the district administration finally cracked the whip on the erring officials. The apex court had sent the team after Hindustan Times highlighted the villagers’ plight in a report on April 5.

District Magistrate Sanjay Prasad ordered that the power of the Ganne’s gram pradhan be immediately seized and also terminated the services of anganwadi workers on charges of dereliction of duty. The district administration also decided to probe the allegations of intimidation of villagers by the kotedar (owner of the fair price shop), following their admission to the Supreme Court’s team.

On Friday, Prasad met the reporter of HT and asked for information about the situation in Ganne. “A criminal case will be registered against the kotedar, and sent to jail, if found guilty,” said Prasad.

“We have also decided to form a three-member committee comprising villagers for monitoring the implementation of welfare schemes in the village in absence of the Gram Pradhan.”.

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Ashoka XI, Ghorpadi Tamil United register victories in Peninsula Land football tourney

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ashoka XI and Ghorpadi Tamil United registered wins against their respective opponents in the Peninsula Land Pune District Football League played at the Range Hills ground on Wednesday.

Ashoka XI edged past opponents Sunny Days 3-2 in what was a thrilling encounter. Sijo Daniel, Vishal Kumbhar and Aslam Shaikh scored for the winning team while Mahesh Ram and Shinnu Shanmughan scored for the losing team.

In another match Ghorpadi tamil United trounced opponents Ultimate Blues 4-1 with Santil Pillay (2), Sanjay Pillay and Charlie Indrajeet scoring for the winners and Rahul Chavan scoring for the losing team.

The tournament has been organised by the Pune District Football Association.

Results:

Division: Second Division

Match No 1: GROUP C: Naaz XI w/o KP XI ‘B’

Match No 2: GROUP C: Ashoka XI 3 (Sijo Daniel 22′, Vishal Kumbhar 31′ & Aslam Shaikh 39′) bt Sunny Days 2 (Mahesh Ram {penalty} 28′ & Shinnu Shanmughan 42′)

Division: First Division

Match No 3: GROUP B: Ghorpadi Tamil United 4 (Santil Pillay 17′ & 49′, Sanjay Pillay 22′ & Charlie Indrajeet 36′) bt Ultimate Blues 1 (Rahul Chavan)

Match No 4: GROUP A: Rupali 0 drew with Jolly Rangehills 0

Tomorrow’s Fixtures 27/05/2010

At Rangehills Ground, 2 nd Division:

Match No 1: GROUP A: Strikers v/s Azam Campus at 1:00 P.M.

Match No 2: GROUP A: Parshuramians’B’ v/s Tiger Combine at 2:00 P.M.

1st Division:

Match No 3: GROUP C: Shivajians S.C. ‘A’ v/s Indrayani at 3:00 P.M.

Match No 4: GROUP C: Rahul S.C. ‘A’ v/s Poona Socials ‘A’ at 4:00 P.M.

At S.P. College Ground.

Super Division:

Match No 1: GROUP B: Deccan XI F.C. ‘A’ v/s City Club at 3:00 P.M.

Match No 2: GROUP A: CMS Falcons ‘A’ v/s P.D. Central Railways at 5:00 P.M.

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Jeweller Damas names Anan Fakhreddin as new CEO

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Troubled UAE-based jeweller Damas International appointed Anan Fakhreddin as its new chief executive, replacing acting CEO Sanjay Kalsi, the company said in a statement on Sunday.

Fakhreddin is a member of Damas’ board of directors and most recently served as the Dubai-based managing director for Middle East and Turkey at the World Gold Council.

Kalsi, who had taken over the interim CEO position in February amid a financial restructuring, will resume his former post of chief financial officer, Damas said.

Damas entered a debt standstill agreement in March as it worked through a restructuring plan with nearly 20 banks, including international players such as France’s BNP Paribas and Britain’s Barclays

But the company’s financial woes took on a legal twist after regulators ordered Damas to dismiss its board and pay fines, after Damas accused its former chief executive of allegedly committing a $165 million fraud late last year.

Damas is primarily involved in the business of trading in gold and gold jewellery, diamond jewellery, pearls, watches, silver and precious stones on a wholesale and retail basis.

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Nithari murder case: CBI court postpones hearing to May 12

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ghaziabad, May 5 (ANI): A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Wednesday fixed May 12 as the next date for announcing the quantum of sentence on Surender Koli, who was found guilty of murdering seven-year-old Aarti in Noida”s Nithari village.

“The court has fixed 12th May as the next date for hearing to decide upon the quantum of judgement,” said Aarti”s lawyer, Sanjay Tyagi.

Earlier on Tuesday, Special Additional District and Session Judge A K Singh had convicted 38-year-old Koli for Aarti”s murder.

Aarti was the last of 19 victims in the Nithari killings. She disappeared about two months before the case was busted.

In a previous order on the Nithari killings, the special CBI court had on February 12 awarded the death sentence to Moninder Singh Pandher and Surender Koli for their roles in the Rampa Haldar murder case.

Just like in Halder murder case, the CBI has given a clean chit to Pandher primarily on the basis of his cell phone records, while holding only Koli guilty of the crime.

Unlike Rampa”s father, Aarti”s parents Durga and Neelam Prasad have never challenged the CBI”s contention that Koli alone was the culprit.

Aarti had reportedly returned home from school on the afternoon of October 25, 2006 after which she went out to buy herself some toffees.

However, she never came back. A report about Aarti going missing was then taken down at the Sector 20 police station in Noida.

On December 29, 2006, Aarti”s remains were found buried behind Pandher”s home in Nithari.

Both Pandher and Koli are accused of killing and disposing off the bodies of 19 children and a young woman between 2005 and 2006.

The investigation of the case was handed over to the CBI on January 11, 2007. The CBI has filed chargesheets in 16 cases. (ANI)

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ICC reapproves suspended Antigua ground

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua has been passed fit to host international cricket again after being suspended for 12 months due to a pitch fiasco, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said.

The second test between England and hosts West Indies was abandoned as a draw after only 10 balls last February after the ground was declared unfit and dangerous to play.

“As per ICC instructions, over the past year, appropriate work was carried out and monitored by the WICB and an inspection of the ground was carried out by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement. (Reporting by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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ICC reapproves suspended Antigua ground

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua has been passed fit to host international cricket again after being suspended for 12 months due to a pitch fiasco, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said.

The second test between England and hosts West Indies was abandoned as a draw after only 10 balls last February after the ground was declared unfit and dangerous to play.

“As per ICC instructions, over the past year, appropriate work was carried out and monitored by the WICB and an inspection of the ground was carried out by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees,” the sport’s governing body said in a statement. (Reporting by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by Alastair Himmer. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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12-hour shutdown paralyses normal life in Tripura

April 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tripura (Agartala), Apr 27 (ANI): A 12-hour shutdown called by the Left-led 13 party front demanding immediate control on spiralling prices; roll back in customs duty on crude oil and excise tax on petroleum products paralysed normal life across Tripura on Tuesday.

Several parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Forward Bloc, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) imposed the strike to protest against the rise in prices of essential commodities and petroleum.

None of the offices in the state registered any attendance. Shops and markets were closed and vehicles did not ply on the roads.

Schools and colleges were closed and Tripura University cancelled the examinations scheduled today.

No untoward incident was, however, registered in any of the police stations.

The strike invited strong criticism from the Opposition.

“This strike is a protest against the price hike of essential commodities but frankly speaking strikes are of no use and they worsen the suffering of poor people,” said Sanjay Ram, a school teacher.

“There have been hundred and dozens of strike but what is the result, had it given any fruitful result then India would be in the first count of developed nations,” he added.

Train services were adversely affected as hundreds of protesters squatted on roads. Long distance trains remained stranded at several stations and bus services were also impacted.

“Today”s nation wide strike is in protest against the price hike of essential commodities including petrol product and fertilizer,” said Chanchal Mazumder, a Left Trade Union supporter.

“We also protest against the secessionist forces and demand work guarantee for all unemployed,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not a part of this shutdown. (ANI)

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BJP rally against price rise brings Delhi to halt with traffic snarls

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, April 21 (ANI): Long traffic snarls in the scorching heat of summer, made it quite difficult for people to commute at many places of the national capital on Wednesday morning, as hundreds of thousands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters converged here to participate in the public rally against price rise.

The rally has been held to showcase the public angst against the steeply rising prices of commodities drew BJP supporters from across the country.

In the morning, life was thrown out of gear for office-goers, as huge crowds were approaching the Ramlila Maidan, the venue for the rally.

“The biggest problem is of the route. There are jams everywhere. It”s taking two hours to reach my destination instead of the usual 15 minutes,” said Nazeer Mohammad, an auto rickshaw driver.

The BJP during its rally also targeted the Congress-led Government at the Centre for its anti-public welfare policies.

People complained that they were not abe to reach their destination in urgent situations like medical emergency due to crawling traffic and blamed ill-organised traffic.

“I started from my house at 9:30 a.m. I have to take my child to the hospital in Lajpat Nagar. I have been struggling in traffic since two and half hours. Now my car is over heated and has broken down. There is not even a single police man on this route to manage the Traffic,” said Sanjay Rana, a commuter.

On Tuesday, BJP had appealed Delhiites to bear with the traffic jams from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

BJP alleges that food stocks are rotting due to improper management at various godowns owned by the government-owned Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The massive demonstration is the biggest mobilization of BJP workers from across the country under the leadership of newly appointed BJP chief Nitin Gadkari. (ANI)

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British balti chicken aiming to capture Indian taste buds

April 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 21 (ANI): As Kolkata plays host to the Taste of Britain”s Curry Festival, organisers are confident that the “British Indian” fare will do very well in India despite there already being a vast range of indigenous cuisine on offer.

The dishes being showcased include the balti chicken, which originated in Birmingham in the 1970s, and chicken tikka masala, which are nowhere the same in taste as the ones being offered in the sub-continent.

“British curries are quite unique,” Times Online quoted Syed Ahmed, the festival director and editor of Curry Today magazine, as saying.

“They are milder and healthier. I predict that a flagship British Indian restaurant will soon open its doors in India,” he said.

Ahmed revealed that the festival has yielded one deal so far, with a five-star hotel having agreed to start importing balti, Urdu for bucket, sauces from Britain.

“Indians have shed their preconceptions and their reservations,” Nondon Bagchi, a Calcutta-based cookery writer, said.

“The impact of travelling and the telly mean it”s now the done thing to be experimental with your food,” he stated.

According to Sanjay Matta, a consulting chef who has designed menus for some of India”s smartest restaurants, chicken tikka masala, which was dubbed “a true British national dish” by Robin Cook in 2001, is among the recipes gaining in popularity.

And even though the dish”s origin is fiercely disputed, Matta believes that the British staple is merely a tweaked version of the classic Punjabi butter chicken.

According to Ahmed, it is such innovation that has given rise to a British curry industry that employs 100,000 people and is worth 4 billion pounds a year.

India”s elite is warming to older Anglo-Indian recipes that date back to the Raj, and more modern East-West fusions, such as chicken tikka masala.

“Some of the Indian food you”ll eat in the UK is the best you”ll find anywhere,” Matta added. (ANI)

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Modi separated IPL from BCCI: RCA official

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jaipur, Apr 16 (ANI): Rajasthan Cricket Academy (RCA) Secretary Sanjay Dikshit has taken Indian Premier League Commissioner Lalit Modi to task over the Kochi bidding controversy and accused him of separating the IPL from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“IPL lacks discipline,” said Dikshit, adding that Modi took all decisions in his own self-interest.

Further criticizing Modi, Dikshit said: “Modi is an autocrat in cricket.”

Pointing fingers at Modi”s character, Dikshit said two cases were registered against him in a drugs deal in America, where he had gone for his studies.

“One case was registered on March 1, 1985, while the other was registered on April 2, 1985,” said Dikshit.

Meanwhile, IPL Governing Body members have called for a meeting in Dharamsala to discuss the issue.

Sources said Modi has not been invited for the meeting. BCCI President Shashank Manohar may preside over the meeting as Co-IPL chief.

Income Tax officials on Thursday conducted a raid at the IPL headquarters and at Modi”s office in Mumbai. They also quizzed Modi on the bidding process and the ownership of all IPL teams.

The officials are probing the source of funding for the Twenty20 league and any increase in income of the franchisee owners. They are expected to look at the IPL bidding process in detail.

They will also examine various contracts by the IPL and its demands of Rs 120 crore advanced tax.

The Income Tax Department had earlier issued four notices to the IPL, asking it to clear income tax dues.

Kochi franchise spokesman and former MP Satyajit Gaekwad had alleged that Modi was acting under pressure from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who after failing to secure a franchise for the state-based Adani Group, wanted the Kochi franchise to shift base to Ahmedabad. (ANI)

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Crowd Factory Appoints Sanjay Dholakia as CEO

April 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Apr 14 (MARKET WIRE) —
Crowd Factory, the leading social marketing platform, announced today
that Sanjay Dholakia, former chief marketing officer at Lithium
Technologies, has joined the company as chief executive officer to lead
the company in its next stage of growth. With a background in marketing,
strategy, and social software, Mr. Dholakia has a strong track record
helping software companies deliver significant growth and market
leadership. Dholakia will succeed founder and CEO Alexander Mouldovan,
who will assume a new role driving Business Development and product
direction.

Most recently, as CMO with the leading Social CRM solutions provider
Lithium Technologies, Dholakia was responsible for driving the vision,
go-to-market strategy, and customer acquisition programs that helped the
company drive 100% year-over-year growth as well as a 2X increase in
valuation. Prior to joining Lithium, he served as senior vice president
and general manager for SumTotal Systems, responsible for a $100M
business that was the clear market share leader in learning management
software and solutions. During his tenure, the company grew over 10X.

Dholakia also served as a consultant at McKinsey & Company and Andersen
Consulting, advising Global 500 companies across a broad range of
industries, driving tens of millions of dollars in revenue and operating
efficiencies. Dholakia holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management
and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to have Sanjay join Crowd Factory,” said Alexander
Mouldovan, founder of Crowd Factory. “Sanjay will provide outstanding
go-to-market leadership for this exciting phase of our business as social
marketing goes main stream and marketers broadly adopt and leverage
social technologies to take marketing to its next stage of evolution.”

“Crowd Factory is re-inventing social marketing. Crowd Factory has
uniquely isolated the critical element for marketers — ROI. For the
first time, brands can get measurable results from social campaigns and
visualize the impact of social marketing on revenue,” Dholakia said.
“Crowd Factory has done incredible things under Alex’s leadership and I
am really looking forward to working with the team and our customers to
further build this rapidly growing company.”

About Crowd Factory
Crowd Factory is the leading social marketing
platform enabling companies to run compelling social marketing campaigns
that dramatically increase new customer acquisition and capture
actionable analytics to further optimize marketing results. We power such
renowned brands as HBO, Nielsen, Universal Music Group, Billboard, VEVO,
Harvard Pilgrim, The Golf Channel, Rachael Ray, and can help any
marketing effort accelerate and optimize results using social marketing.
The company is privately held with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. To
learn more about Crowd Factory, visit: www.crowdfactory.com, or find us
on Twitter.

Media Contact
Paul Harrer
Horn Group for Crowd Factory
(415) 905-4012
Email Contact

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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UPDATE 1-Emirates NBD CFO to step down – sources

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

* CFO Uppal joined Emirates Bank in 2005

* Emirates NBD member of Dubai World creditor panel (Adds background, analyst comment)

DUBAI, April 11 (Reuters) – The chief financial officer of Emirates NBD ENBD.DU, the United Arab Emirate’s third-biggest bank by market value and one of Dubai World’s major creditors, will step down, three sources told Reuters on Sunday.

Sanjay Uppal joined Emirates Bank International — which merged in 2007 with National Bank of Dubai to form Emirates NBD — in 2005 as chief financial officer. He previously worked at Standard Chartered (STAN.L).

“In the last two years, their disclosure, financials and conference calls – the level of detail is more than any other bank I cover,” said analyst Deepak Tolani at Al Mal Capital.

Emirates NBD declined to comment on the story.

Uppal’s successor could be named from within the bank, Tolani said.

“As a result of the merger there are a lot of competent people there, there must be someone who can step up…to ensure continuation,” he said.

Emirates NBD is one of two local banks that are part of a seven-member creditors panel leading negotiations with debt-laden conglomerate Dubai World [DBWLD.UL].

The Dubai government unveiled a $9.5 billion support plan for its flagship investment vehicle Dubai World in March. Most of the major creditors to the group, including Emirates NBD, expressed their support for the restructuring, though final details are still being negotiated.

The impact of Dubai World’s debt restructuring is manageable for UAE banks, ratings agency Moody’s recently said. It also warned, however, that the adverse economic conditions continue to put pressure on the country’s banking system. [ID:nLDE63726V]

The Dubai-based bank posted a higher fourth-quarter net profit in February but missed forecasts as credit impairments rose. [ID:nLDE61A0E1]

UAE lenders have taken hefty provisions as a result of the global economic downturn and the end of a regional real estate boom to which local banks are heavily exposed.

Shares of Emirates NBD were trading up 4.5 percent in Dubai trading. (Reporting by Nicolas Parasie and Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Amran Abocar, Dinesh Nair)

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Emirates NBD CFO Sanjay Uppal to step down – sources

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

DUBAI, April 11 (Reuters) – The chief financial officer of Emirates NBD ENBD.DU, the United Arab Emirate’s third biggest bank by market value, will step down, sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday.

Sanjay Uppal joined Emirates Bank International — which merged in 2007 with National Bank of Dubai to form Emirates NBD — in 2005 as chief financial officer. He previously worked at Standard Chartered (STAN.L). Emirates NBD is one of two local banks that are part of a seven-member panel leading negotiations with debt-laden conglomerate Dubai World [DBWLD.UL]

(Reporting by Nicolas Parasie and Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Amran Abocar)

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Park Street fire: DNA tests to be conducted on charred bodies

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kolkata, Mar 25 (ANI): Forensic experts will on Thursday conduct DNA tests on the charred bodies that were recovered from the scarred interiors of the Stephen Court building on Park Street on Wednesday as relatives messed up in identifying the bodies that led to a dispute.

The dispute will be solved through DNA tests.

Kolkata Police had on Wednesday arrested the caretaker of Stephen Court, Tarun Bagaria, and his assistant Ramshankar Singh. They were picked up from the office of building owner Sanjay Bagaria, whose role is now under the scanner.

Bagaria, a city-based businessman, has investments in jute and steel industries and he is said to be one of the owners of the building or one of the members of a trust that owns it.

The police, meanwhile, are now looking for directors and board members of the company, but not confirming names.

An FIR has been registered against ”the owners of the premises, his associates and those responsible for maintenance.”

Cases have been filed under Section 304 – culpable homicide, a non-bailable offence; Section 285 – negligent act causing fire and under several fire laws.

The death toll was on Wednesday reported to be over 24. Most people killed in the blaze were young recruits at a call centre and a few other offices on the top floors who didn”t know where the stairways were.

The West Bengal Government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed and ordered a high level probe into the fire that swept through the three floors of the multi-storied Stephen Court building on Park Street on Tuesday afternoon. (ANI)

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‘Humiliated’ Brit woman to sue defence lawyer

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ahmedabad, Sep.18 (ANI): British molestation victim Kaya Elridge has said that she will sue defence lawyer Sanjay Prajapati for humiliating her Kaya in an open court.

Advocate Prajapati is likely to be slapped with a defamation suit.

Prajapati, however, told the Times Now television channel that he did everything for his client. He refused to comment on the case, as it was “sub-judice”.

Elridge, who was working as an NGO volunteer, was allegedly molested by a plumber in her house. During the hearing of case in the metropolitan court, Eldridge and her lawyer Jagtap said that Prajapati humiliated them.

Jagtap alleged that Prajapati had asked demeaning and irrelevant questions.

Prajapati had allegedly said in the court on Tuesday, “If I were a woman and behaved like her (Jagtap), one man would go to jail daily.”

“I will be filing a defamation case against Prajapati soon. I won’t let him get away with this remarks,” Jagtap said.

“I am also writing a letter to the Bar Council, the High Court and the State Women’s Commission describing the entire chain of events,” she said, adding she was in the process of drafting the letters.

Eldridge who had come for a three-month internship with an NGO here, was allegedly molested by a plumber Pragnesh Chhatrada in her house. She had filed a complaint against him and he was arrested and later chargesheeted.

During the hearing of case in the metropolition court, Eldridge and her lawyer Jagtap said that Prajapati humiliated them.

On Tuesday, Eldridge had written a letter to the Gujarat High Court chief justice KS Radahkrishnan saying that she was humiliated by Prajapati who asked irrelevant questions like if she smoked and drank and was she living illegally in India. (ANI)

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ICC unveils Champions Trophy 2009

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 17 (ANI): Trophy of the Champions Trophy 2009 that kick starts on September 22 in South Africa was unveiled in national capital New Delhi on Thursday.

Veteran cricketers Wasim Akram and Sanjay Manjrekar along with ace commentator Harsha Bhogle unveiled the official gold and silver trophy.

Harsha spoke about how Twenty20 cricket could never match the drama and thrills that the 50 over format has to offer.

ICC General Manager Campbell Jamieson, representing the sports’ governing body, cleared the doubts over the survival of the 50 over format.

“We are certainly making all efforts to make this event very successful obviously eight teams are the best in the world. The facilities are certainly world class in Wanderers and Centurion,” said Campbell Jamieson.

“The world class venues we are certainly trying to look after the players, the officials and make the broadcast to the people through the world to enjoy the greatest cricket,” said Campbell Jamieson.

Meanwhile, Akram said that the one-day tracks would be good for the batsmen from our part of the world that is from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“Early season, new wicket and Campbell just told me that it hasn’t rained in South Africa form last 2-3 months so outfield will be lightening fast for sure and Wanderers as we all know the wicket flies a bit so I thought it will be good test for batsmen from out part of the world to do well. Pretoria is mostly flat track so in general I think they are good one-day tracks,” said Akram.

The International Cricket Council Champions Trophy 2009 concludes on October 5. ICC Knockout tournament began in 1988 and South Africa won the trophy in the inaugural year. (ANI)

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Patna schoolchildren protest against kidnapping of six-year-old boy

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Patna, Sep. 16 (ANI): School students in Patna city protested on Wednesday against the kidnapping of a six-year-old boy.

Shresht Sanjay was kidnapped at the gunpoint in Patna on Monday. Shresht is a standard One student at Christ church school in Kankarbagh area.

Students of Montessori School in Patna organised a ‘hawan’ to pray for an early release of Shresht.

“We are praying so that Shresht Sanjay comes home soon and celebrates Diwali and Durga Puja with his parents, ” said Swastik, a student

Meanwhile, students in West Point school observed a ‘Black Day’ by wearing black bands on their arms.

The black band was to express their resentment against the rising incidents of kidnapping and ransom killings in the city.

“Children are living in fear and that’s why we have organised this ‘Black Day’. We hope that the government listens to us and realises that the children are in trouble here and their education is under threat. We also hope that such incidents does not happen in future,” said S.N Suhail, principal of West Point School.

Shresth is suspected to have been kidnapped for ransom.

However, the kidnappers have not made any demand yet.

The police are interrogating the auto-rickshaw driver for further investigations in which Shresth was travelling before his abduction. (ANI)

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Olympians should face tests for hidden heart problems

September 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 14 (ANI): Athletes who participate in worldwide sports events like the Olympics should be screened for hidden heart problems – and potential disqualification if any are detected, claims a collection of studies, one of which was conducted by an Indian origin researcher.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered to conduct the studies into the practicality and effectiveness of such tests.

There have been a number of seemingly healthy athletes, who have dropped dead from “sudden cardiac death”, including the Spanish footballer Antonio Puerta two years ago and British rower Scott Rennie in March this year.

Many of the heart problems that trigger such deaths can be detected through physical examination, electrocardiograms and by taking a medical history, as laid out in the “Lausanne recommendations” created under the auspices of the European Society of Cardiology.

The new studies have indicated that implementing these recommendations can help save lives.

In one such study, researchers applied the protocol to 371 Dutch athletes aged 12 to 35 over two years.

Of the 55 who were referred for additional testing, 10 had an underlying cardiovascular problem, and three were restricted from further participation in sport

“Everybody who plays sports needs to be aware that there are certain conditions that may be silent, that could result in a fatality,” New Scientist quoted Sanjay Sharma, a cardiologist at King’s College Hospital in London, who led one of the studies, as saying.

The study has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. (ANI)

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Good response to auction of ornaments offered at Ganesha Puja

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Sep 9 (ANI): The organising committee of the famed ‘Lalbag ka Raja’ community Ganesha Puja pandal commenced the auctioning of various ornaments which were offered by devotees during the ten-day festival of Ganesha Chaturthi.

Ornaments worth rupees 26,94,155 lakh were bought by the bidding buyers.

Devotees from across the country had offered precious stones, gold and silver jewelleries.he Treasurer of the organising committee said that the response from the buyers who happen to be ardent devotees was overwhelming.

“We received a very good response. We sold 78 different ornaments worth rupees 26,94,155 lakh in the auction,” said Sanjay Vijay Ghadekar, Treasurer, ‘Lalbag Ka Raja’ Puja Committee.

Buyers considered themselves fortunate enough to own the auspicious ornaments.

“I bought this necklace for rupees 1,72,000. My belief is that if we buy gold from here then the rest of year goes well and brings blessings to our family,” said Dilip Sardesai, a buyer.

At the end of the 10-day long festival, the idols of Lord Ganesha were taken in grand processions and immersed in water bodies such as wells, ponds, rivers and the sea. (ANI)

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Mumbai’s ‘Lalbag Ka Raja’ mandal registers Rs 37 million offerings

September 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Mumbai, Sep 6(ANI): After the conclusion of the 10-day Ganesha Chaturthi festival organisers of a popular Puja pandal in Mumbai, claimed to have received offering donations of around Rs 37 million.

Thirty staffers from two banks – Bank of Maharashtra and Mahanagar Bank- counted the money and other offerings made to Mumbai’s famous Lalbag ka Raja.embers of the organizing committee of the ‘Lalbag Ka Raja’ which had erected 23-feet Lord Ganesha idol this year, said that the money counting process was still on and till Saturday they had collected Rs 36.96 million.

“For the first time this year we started counting the money collection during the on going festival itself. After the concluding day of the festival we have collected around Rs 36.96 million,” said Sanjay Ghadekar, Treasurer of the ‘Lalbag Ka Raja’ festival committee.

Ghadekar further said that they have also received a lot of foreign currencies this year from devotees belonging to various countries.

“Along with Indian currency we collected some foreign currencies as well. These currencies are from countries like United Kingdom, Singapore, Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates,” Ghadekar added.

The festival began on August 23, and at the end of the 10-day long festival, the idol of Lord Ganesha was taken out in a grand procession and immersed in the sea. (ANI)

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