Website for Kuttanad Package

The Rs.1,840 crore-Kuttanad Package now has an official website.The package, the implementation of which was launched in September last year, has been the cynosure of all eyes, particularly in the Kuttanad region and has been a topic of debate over the manner in which the implementation was progressing.Now, aiming at doing away with the “baseless rumours” that were floating over the alleged “sluggish” pace of progress, authorities have decided to make affairs transparent through the website.

Saina sails into final of Malaysian Open

Top seed Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal stormed into the final of the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold after scoring a convincing straight-game win over seventh seed Korean Ji Hyun Sung here on Saturday.Saina, who had made a shock first round exit at the Indian Open Super Series last week, recorded a comfortable 21-14 21-13 win over her rival in just 35 minutes.

Air India to use wide-bodied planes on domestic routes

A day after Air India’s pilots, owing allegiance to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), called off their 10-day old strike, domestic operations of the national carrier were limping back to normal on Saturday.Taking stock of the situation after the pilots have started reporting for duties, Air India management is giving another look at the domestic operations. Plans are afoot to deploy wide-bodied aircraft like Airbus A-330 on couple of major metro routes to offer enhanced capacity.

How about a 17-day trip around the moon and back by 2015?

If you are ready to fork out millions of dollars for an unusual vacation then the moon might just be the place.Space Adventures, a Vienna, Va., firm that has emerged as the world’s first true space-travel agency, is working with Russia’s Space Agency to devise a 17-day trip that includes a stop at the International Space Station before venturing on a trip around the moon and back, officials said.

Plea for making Anil Ambani, Dayalu Ammal as accused in 2G case

An application has been moved in a Delhi court seeking to make Reliance Telecom chief Anil Ambani and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal as accused in the 2G spectrum scam case.The application filed by a Delhi based journalist . Furquan alleged CBI was choosing the persons selectively for chargesheeting in the scam.

Govt. will have to give action taken report on PAC findings: Joshi

Public Accounts Committee Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi on Saturday said the government will have to submit an action taken report on the draft report prepared by him on the 2G scam.“The future of the report is bright. The report is now with the Speaker. It is taken to be presented before the House. The government will have to give an action taken report on it,” Mr. Joshi told a press conference in Kolkata.

‘Tagore instrumental in cultural renaissance in Sri Lanka'

Rabindranath Tagore was not merely a man of letters and a poet for Sri Lanka. He was much more. He was instrumental in the cultural renaissance of Sri Lanka, speakers at a meeting organised here to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary said.The Sri Lankan Postal Services secretary Hemasiri Fernando released a stamp and first day cover to mark the occasion.Sri Lankan Culture Secretary Wimal Rupasinghe handed over a commemorative volume on Tagore to Colombo University Vice Chancellor Kshanika Hirimburegama.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Billionaires gather in Arizona to discuss giving

What do dozens of American billionaires talk about when they get together? Money, of course; not how to make it, but how to give it away.Billionaire investor Warren Buffett said on Friday that a private gathering was a great chance for the billionaires who have pledged to give away at least half their wealth to meet each other, compare notes, eat and laugh.

Cong downplays US drawing a line between 9/11-26/11 attacks

The Congress has downplayed the distinction made by the US between 9/11 and 26/11 attacks and its apparent unwillingness to back any "hot pursuit" by India of Mumbai terror attack perpetrators similar to the operation in Pakistan to eliminate Osama bin Laden."We are not bound in any manner by the view of any other country in the matters of our security. That is their opinion. Our actions are premised on our own decisions and our independent policy. It is quite possible our independent policy can tally with any other country, but it will be our decision", party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.

Sahara Group under scanner in Koda and other cases: SC told

Sahara Group of companies are under CBI and Enforcement Directorate's scanner not only in relation to 2G spectrum scam but also in at least three other cases including money laundering scam allegedly involving former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda and Jet Airways' takeover of Sahara Airlines, the Supreme Court was told.The information regarding this was provided in the petition filed by ED's Assistant Director Rajeshwar Singh while seeking contempt action against Sahara group Chief Subrata Roy and two scribes for allegedly interfering with the investigation of the 2G spectrum case.

Air India pilots call off 10-day-old strike

Air India pilots on Friday night called off their 10-day-old strike after Government agreed to reinstate sacked and suspended pilots, restore recognition to their union and look into their complaints of irregularities.Over 800 pilots, belonging to the erstwhile Indian Airlines and owing allegiance to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, as also executive pilots, will return to work on Friday night, Capt A S Bhinder, the association president told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.

Courts orders status quo on Kanimozhi custody

DMK MP Kanimozhi has moved a Delhi court for bail against arrest in the 2G case as her lawyer Ram Jethmalani sought to pass the blame on the scandal to the former Telecom Minister A Raja, who is also a party leader.After day-long arguments on the bail applications for her and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, the special court for trying the scam adjourned the case for hearing till Saturday morning when special prosecutor for CBI U U Lalit is expected to oppose freedom for them.

Paki needs to come out of its India centric mindset

Top US lawmakers and experts have asked Pakistan to come out of its India-centric mindset which they argued is nothing but destructive for it, a day after Islamabad resorted to rhetoric against New Delhi."Pakistan's strategic view and posture vis-a-vis India is, at least in this senator's judgment, and I think for many people who so talk about it is absurd in this modern context," Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said at a Congressional hearing.

Finance Ministry Initiates Public Debate on Negative list for Taxation of Services

Ministry of Finance has initiated a public debate on the issue of a negative list for taxation of services as announced by the Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee in his Budget 2011. The text of the speech is as below:

Third Meeting of Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) on Inflation Held ; no Conflict Between the Objectives Of High Growth and Low Inflation in Long Run: Says RBI Governor

A meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on inflation was held today under the Chairmanship of Dr Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance. The IMG was set-up at the suggestion of the Prime Minister on 2.2.2011, “to review the inflation situation and suggest corrective measures.” Along with Dr. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Adviser and Chairman of the IMG, the meeting was also attended among others by Ms. Sudha Pillai, Member Secretary, Planning Commission, Shri P.K. Basu, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation , Shri B.C. Gupta, Secretary, Department of Food &Public Distribution,  all Members of IMG.The meeting was also attended by Smt. Sushma Nath, Finance Secretary, Shri R.Gopalan, Secretary, DEA, Shri Rahul Khullar, Commerce Secretary, Shri. T. C. A. Anant, Chief Statistician and Secretary, MoSPI, Dr.Govinda Rao, NIPFP, Shri. Suman K Bery, Dr. Subir Gokarn, Dy.Governor, RBI, Shri.Yogesh Suri, Adviser, Planning Commission, Smt.S.Bhavani, Senior Economic Adviser, DEA, Dr. Dipak Dasgupta, Principal Economic Adviser, DEA and Smt. Vini Mahajan, Joint Secreatry, PMO, as special invitees. 

Roundtable Conference on Manufacturing and R&D held by DoT Measures to Promote Indigenous Manufacturing of Telecom Equipments Discussed with Stakeholders Emphasis Laid on Creation of Indian IPR

Shri Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister for Communications & IT & Human Resource Development held a Roundtable Conference on Manufacturing and Research & Development in Telecom & Electronics sector with various stakeholders to deliberate upon the measures to promote indigenous manufacturing of telecom & electronic equipments. 

‘Government should take ownership of immunisation programme'

Warning of the risks of totally depending on external sources for funding the country's universal immunisation programme (UIP), the draft National Vaccine Policy has recommended that the government take ownership of it for ensuring vaccine security and equity by creating fiscal and legislative provisions with appropriate support from external donors.

Centre to enact law to define drinking water standards

In India you have quality standards specifications for soft drinks, but none for potable water. The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, under the Ministry of Rural Development, is now seeking to correct the record, and, thankfully, the exercise will cover urban habitations too.The department has found the current legal environment for enforcing and regulating drinking water standards very weak in the country as they focus on issues related to large water bodies and their pollution.

Jarbom Gamlin new CM of Arunachal Pradesh

Mr. Jarbom Gamlin is the new Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He was sworn-in in Itanagar late Thursday night. The State Governor, General (retired) J.J. Singh administered him the oath of office at Raj Bhawan. Mr. Gamlin was the Power Minister in Mr. Dorji Khandu's cabinet. Earlier, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Legislature Party met in Itanagar and passed a resolution authorising Congress President Sonia Gandhi to choose the successor to Mr. Dorji Khandu who was killed in a chopper crash along with four others on Saturday last while going from Tawang to Itanagar. 

China conveys gratitude for Indian Navy's action in saving Chinese ship

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi has conveyed its gratitude to India for the action of Indian Navy and Coast Guard that foiled an attack by Somalian pirates on a Chinese merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea. The incident occurred yesterday 450 nautical miles off the Karwar Coast of Karnataka.The Chinese vessel - MV Fu Cheng registered in Panama, was on its way from Jeddah to Tuticorin port when it faced the pirates attack. The pirates were already on the deck of the ship when the Indian Navy swung into action sending its aircraft to warn the pirates. The warning had the desired effect.

I will not allow anti-India activity in Nepali soil: Upendra Yadav

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav has said he will not allow any anti-India activity in Nepali soil. Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu yesterday after assuming office Yadav said he will maintain the diplomatic protocol and not allow Maoists to violate diplomatic norms the way they did while protesting against Indian diplomats in the recent past. Yadav described Nepal’s relation with India as special and multi dimensional that is highlighted by people to people contact and economic exchanges.

Al-Qaeda confirms Laden death

An American Monitoring Service, that follows militant website, has reported that Al Qaeda officially confirmed the death of Osama bin Laden. The site intelligence group reported that statements dated May 3rd and signed by the general leadership was appearing on various extremist websites. A media report says the statement May 3rd is the first apparent confirmation from Al Qaeda itself that Osam bin Laden is dead. It warns of a retaliation saying American happiness will turn to sadness and that his death will not go in vain. 

Courtesy : AIR

Now, a revolutionary PaperPhone

Canadian scientists have developed what they say is the world's first interactive paper phone, as thin and flexible as a credit card, which is set to herald a new generation of computers.Extremely lightweight and made of a thin-film, the prototype device can do everything a smartphone currently does — from making calls to playing music to sharing books.And most impressively, the PaperPhone uses no power when nobody is interacting with it, the Daily Mail reported.

Geelani leads prayers for Osama

Hardline Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday led funeral prayers here for al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.Mr. Geelani had asked all Imams to organise prayers for Osama. However, there was not much response.Addressing a gathering at Batmaloo, Mr. Geelani condemned the United States for burying the slain Osama in sea, and said Islam scholars worldwide denounced this act.