Hooch claims two lives in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Aug 29 (ANI): Ahmedabad police recovered the bodies of two persons who died after allegedly consuming illicit liquor on Friday.

Three other persons are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Relatives of victims accused the government of not taking steps to prevent the vending of illicit liquor.

“My father was complaining of a headache so I asked him to go to hospital but he didn’t want to go there then I said that take some tea. When we went for tea then we saw the dead body of a man who consumed liquor a day before, he died today after complaining of vomiting and stomach ache…there is no one to take care of poor, every one cares of rich people,” said Seema Ben, daughter of a victim.

However, police officials said that whether the victims had died after consuming illicit or poison could be ascertained only after reviewing post mortem reports.

“We can’t say that the victims consumed illicit liquor or not at this moment of time. However, doctors at the VS Hospital are said that the victims consumed some chemical but we would only say something on this only after reviewing post mortem reports,” said H. K. Mehta, additional commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad.

At least 132 people died of consuming illicit liquor in Ahmedabad in July.

Illicit liquor, also known as grog or hooch, is a flourishing beverage in India, particularly in states like Gujarat where prohibition is in force.

The illicit liquor is much cheaper as compared to the licensed drinks, which cannot be afforded by most of the people from the poorer sections of society. (ANI)

“IBM positioned to lead” says Chairman Palmisano in letter to stockholders

With the IBM – International Business Machines Corp. – stock having done better than the company’s large-capital technology contemporaries,

Chairman and CEO Samuel J. Palmisano, in a letter to the stockholders, expressed optimism that IBM is “positioned to lead in the era that lies on the other side of the present crisis.”

Saying that IBM is confident of thriving despite the economic downturn, as the company plans to develop money-saving computer services, and spread out further, by the way of the so-called ‘cloud computing’ concept of delivering software, data and computing power over the Internet.

IBM’s fourth-quarter profit and 2009 forecast surpassed the estimates of the analysts, largely due to the endeavors of Palmisano who, ever since he took over the IBM reins as the CEO seven years back, has shifted jobs overseas and focused on more profitable businesses.

Stressing IBM’s exposure in the global arena, the recession notwithstanding, Palmisano remarked in the letter: “We will not simply ride out the storm. Rather we will take a long-term view, and go on offense… We entered this turbulent period strong, and we expect to exit it stronger.”

Undoubtedly, IBM has broadened its horizons lucratively over the last ten years, emerging from its ancestry as a hardware maker; and has gone on to become the biggest IT services business – vending high end software to corporations and governments worldwide!

Oil PSU strike hampering flights, fuel delivery schedules

Mumbai, Jan.8 (ANI): The strike called by officials of state-run oil firms in the country is affecting the aviation industry badly.

On Thursday,around a dozen flights were delayed for between 45 minutes to an hour, leaving several passengers stranded at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Passengers were harried and troubled as they waited for their flights.

Expressing anger at the state of affairs, some of the passengers said the strike should be called off immediately.

“Information gathered by me, partly it is because of the shortage in
fuel supply. So, I think, in the interest of the nation, the strikers should re- consider. All of us are stranded and there seems no end to the suspense,” said Kuldeep Nautiyal, a passenger.

“The flight has been delayed by an hour. I don”t know what to do, should I get it (my ticket) refunded or not, I”ll have to just check it out,” said Rashid Akhtar, another passenger.

Employees of India”s state-run oil firms are on an indefinite strike since Wednesday over demands for higher pay and perquisites. Operations at four refineries have been hit by the strike.

The strike has also affected fuel supply to the Indian army as the tankers engaged in supplying fuel to the army bases were reportedly stranded in Ambala .

A large number of petrol tankers with signboards reading ”On Army Duty” stood outside the office of Indian Oil, a state owned oil firm, as their drivers complained of the strike affecting their livelihood.

“We don”t know why the strike has been called. Only the officials can tell us why they are on strike. We are not a part of this strike,” said Sant Singh, a petrol tanker driver.

Petrol pump owners in Ambala also expressed concern about the strike affecting fuel supply in the city.

According to Ravinder Singh Dhillon, a petrol pump owner, they would run dry if the strike continues for another two or three days.

According to the Association of Senior Technical Officers, the strike
involves 55,000 employees from companies such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)that is into refinery and vending, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) engaged in exploration and its refining subsidiary Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited. (ANI)