» Campaign for NMC polls set to begin
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Next six days will witness some political activity and election rallies as top leaders and star campaigners will trade charges and counter charges ahead of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections. On Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is expected to address a series of public meetings at Nagpur in support of NCP candidates. While, Home Minister R R Patil is slated to address a public meeting at Gaddigodam square on February 14. The Congress has roped in Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Mukul Wasnik and has also requested Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to address public meetings to boost morale of party cadre. BJP national president Nitin Gadkari will address public meeting during last three days of campaign. Besides him, other party leaders like Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini and Smriti Irani will also address couple of meetings in support of BJP candidates. The entire Shiv Sena leadership is engaged in Mumbai and Thane corporation and hence local Sena leaders will have to campaign on their own and take benefits of BJP meetings. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray will not address any meeting in Nagpur. UNI XR SSS NP2251 NNNN

 » Two people killed in two seperate accidents
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Two people were killed and three others injured in two seperate accidents in the metropolis during last 24 hours. In an incident at around 0145 hours early today, Sandeep Avadesh Yadav (30) was riding on motorbike with his three friends riding pillion at Matunga in central Mumbai. Yadav lost control over the bike and met with an accident, in which he died on the spot while his friends Ramanvir (27), Hitesh Solanki (27) and Bhushan Mahajan (22) sustained injuries. The injuried were admitted to Sion Hospital, police said here. In another incident, a dumper knocked down Kuldeep Tiwari who was walking near Dahisar Check Naka. He succumbed to injuries in Bhagwati hospital here today. Driver Ashok Govind Kamble (30) has been arrested in this connection. Further investigations are in progress in both the cases, the sources added. UNI ST SSS NP2250 NNNN

 » BRP Bahujan Mahasangh releases manifesto
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The BRP Bahujan Mahasangh today released its manifesto for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). BRP is constesting 42 seats in BMC elections and his alliance partner Pasi Party, headed by Dr Mansub Ayyub basically from Uttar Pradesh, is contesting on 15 seats, said the party president Prakash Ambedkar while talking to media persons here. He further said that they will ask CPI to contest on some seats in the city. Mr Ambedkar said ''If his party candidate gets elected in the corporation elections, we will fight for the security of people, water and electricity besides demanding to give 450 sq ft flats to people under Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) scheme. He further said the BMC is a big institution and it has more than Rs 21,000 crore budget. He said that if elected, his party corporator would demand to constitute a joint working group to study the proper utilisation of the water from Tata Power's electricity producing unit at Khapoli to supply to Navi Mumbai and Mumbai areas. Talking about subsidy provided by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (undertaking) to its consumers, the BRP chief said the revenue generated from electricity is transferred to transport department to recover the losses. Some people are against it. But, his party's representatives will not allow it in the BEST. He also demanded that private utility suppliers should also apply the BEST tariff structure for their consumers. UNI ST SSS NP2225 NNNN

 » 2 Indian films win Golden Conch in MIFF 2012
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Two films from India and one film each from the United Kingdom and Romania have bagged top honours in the International Competition section of the MIFF 2012. The Golden Conch, Silver Conch and other trophies and certificates were presented to the winners at the valedictory function of the Mumbai International Film Festival at NCPA, Mumbai this evening. Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, S Jagatrakshakan was the chief guest, a release here said. The winners of International Competition were Nitin Kumar Pamnani's film 'I am Your Poet', which won the Best Documentary Film (upto 40 minutes duration) award comprising the Golden Conch and Rs five lakh in cash. Pamnani's film in Hindi and Bhojpuri is about the poetry of Rama Shankar Yadav 'Vidrohi.' 'Shape of the Shapeless' by the New York- based filmmaker Jayant Cherian was adjudged the second Best Short Film with Silver Conch and Rs 2,50,000 in cash. Kim Longinotto's 'Pink Saris' won the Golden Conch for Best Documentary Film above 40 minutes duration. The British filmmaker's documentary tells the story of the 'Gulabi Gang', which is active in Uttar Pradesh, empowering women. The Silver Conch for Best Documentary above 40 minutes duration is shared by 'Dreaming Taj Mahal' by Nirmal Chandar and the Russian entry 'Home' by Olga Maurina. The Golden Conch for Best Fiction Film went to 'Music in the Blood' by Alexandru Mavrodineanu from Romania. Anand Tharane and Krunal Rawal won the Golden Conch in the Best Animation Film Category for 'Prince'. The film is about a taxi named Prince and how it finds outdated when new sedans arrive on the streets of Mumbai. The International Jury Award was shared between two films Moni Bency's 'Mahashwetadevi - Close-up' and Mamta Murty's 'Fried Fish, Chicken Soup and Premier Show' dealing with the alternative cinema tradition in Manipur. Anand Patvardhan's 'Jai Bhim Comrade' won the Best Film of the Festival Award for Producer. The award carries a prize money of Rs two lakh. Pankaj Johar's 'Still Standing' has won the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for Best Debut Film as a Director. The award, instituted by the Government of Maharashtra, comprises a trophy and Rs one lakh in cash. The Indian Competition Section was reintroduced during MIFF 2012 to promote and encourage the Indian documentary film makers. In this, Rajesh Jala's Hindi Bhojpuri documentary 'At the Stairs' won the Best Documentary Film award fetching him the Golden Conch and Rs five lakh in cash. The film examines the lives of widows in Banaras seeking 'Moksha' (liberation from the cycle of life and death). Ashwin Kumar's 'Inshah Allah, Football' is the second best documentary winning the Silver Conch. Tuhinabha Mazumdar's 'Midnight Bioscope' was adjudged the Best Fiction Film winning the Golden Conch. The film is based on Ismat Chubhtai's controversial short story 'Lihaf' about the sexual awakening of a young girl. Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT)'s production's 'Journey to Nagaland' by Aditi Chitre won Golden Conch for the Best Animation Film. FTII entry One, Two by Prantik Basu won the Indian Jury Award worth Rs 2.50 lakh in cash. Amalan Datta's film on the unique democratic structure of a remote Himalayan village, 'One Day Ahead of Democracy', got the Special Mention Documentary Certificate. The film by Anup Satyam 'A Dream Called America' got the IDPA Trophy plus Rs one lakh in cash for the Best Student Film. In all, 101 films including 41 films in the International Section were in competition during Mumbai International Film Festival 2012. International Competition Jury was made up of David Bradbury of Australia, Ms Sayoko Kinoshita of Japan, Michael Glawogger of Australia, Mr N Manu Chakravarthy of India and Beena Paul of India. Indian Competition Jury comprised Kumar Shahani, Reena Mohan, Mr B Narsing Rao, Ms Adela Peeva of Bulgaria and Ms Stefanie Dinkelbach of Ireland, the release added. UNI JM SSS NP2209 NNNN

 »  Lokmat's record news spread of a world record (With Image)
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 11:05:05 PM IST
In what is claimed to be an unprecedented innovation by a broadsheet, an English daily recently produced a full-colour picture and story spread over 16 columns across the front and back pages to commemorate a Guinness World Record event in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, an official said here Thursday.

 »  Jailed Malegaon blast accused allowed AC train travel (Lead)
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
The Bombay High Court Thursday allowed Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast in Maharashtra, to travel to Madhya Pradesh by a second class air-conditioned coach for a court hearing there March 13, her lawyer said. She is currently lodged in a Mumbai jail.

 » Rajya Sabha is sheet anchor of Indian democracy: Dy Chairman
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The Rajya Sabha is the very sheet anchor of Indian democracy, which is essentially a Union of States, K Rahman Khan, deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said. The Union is engendered through constitution, and is irrevocable. It is unlike the federal forms of Government, in which the states join the federation consequent to an agreement and those states retain the right to secede, he said at the half-yearly general ordinary meeting of the Indian Merchants' Chamber here on Tuesday. Mr Khan was the chief guest and Peter Haas, Consul General of United States, was the Guest of Honour at the meeting, a IMC release said here today. ''The Indian bicameral Parliamentary system has many robust features. It doubly ensures that all legislations would be thoroughly studied by the Standing Committees before getting enacted as a law. The system does not allow hasty enactment,'' he said. He said a pending Bill moved in the Lok Sabha, awaiting enactment, might lapse with the end of the Lok Sabha's five-year term. ''But a Bill moved in the Rajya Sabha pending enactment won't lapse, because the it is a permanent body, and its term is perpetual. While members of the Lok Sabha, directly elected by people, represent the voice of the people, members of the Rajya Sabha represent and uphold the interests of states,'' he said. He further said the TV media generally highlighted the ruckus taking place during the first two hours -- the Question hour and the Zero hour -- in a Parliament session. ''We are now considering a change in the rules. We want to shift the question and zero hours to the fag end of the sessions, so that important bills can be deliberated without interruptions,'' he said. Mr Khan also threw light on many little known aspects of the Indian Parliament. ''In India, citizens are sometimes compelled to resort to Public Interest Litigations (PILs), which are an expensive and arduous process. They are little aware that they have an alternative, and that they can get effective remedy for their problems from the 'Petition Committee' of Parliament, by writing a simple letter to the committee. It is necessary to create wider awareness of this committee,'' he added. Replying to a question whether the US model of direct election of the President by the people was superior to the system of indirect election of the President as in India, Mr Haas said that different nations chose their political systems depending on their political and cultural history. ''It is said that in a democracy, people get the kind of government that they deserve,'' he added. UNI JM SSS NP2158 NNNN

 » Think twice before electing candidate to BMC: Ambedkar
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The BRP Bahujan Mahasangh president Prakash Ambedkar today said that Mumbai is the financial hub of the country and it faces threat from the economic terrorists and asked people to think twice before electing their representative for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Addressing media persons here, Mr Ambedkar alleged that the BMC had awarded a contract for underground water pipeline project worth Rs 86 crore as a security measure immediately after the 26/11 terror attacks. But, within a year, its cost was raised to Rs 186 crore, he said and demanded an explanation for the hike in this amount by Rs 100 crore. Mr Ambedkar further said why the BMC officers were not deployed in the city in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks on the commercial capital of the country. He demanded to know as to why the staff who had refused to come or kept himself or herself away from the office during the three-day terror strike were not suspended. He also demanded the details of Rs one lakh crore expenditure by the Shiv Sena-BPJ alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation during their last five-year rule. UNI ST SSS NP2115 NNNN

 » chief
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The BRP Bahujan Mahasangh president Prakash Ambedkar today demanded that Maharashtra home minister R R Patil should make public the names of NCP leaders who had travelled from the private airplane of Shahid Usman Balwa, promoter of Swan Telecom and an accused in the 2G scam. Talking to reporters here, Mr Ambedkar said Mr Patil had stated on the floor of state Legislature that the NCP had paid approximately Rs 1.33 crore from party's account for using Balwa's plane for its leaders. He sought to know whether any Union or state ministers had travelled in that flight. If so, whether a prior permission was sought from the Prime Minister's office, he demanded. He further said if the prior permission of Prime Minister was not sought by the ministers, if ever, for the travel, then why did the Congress party keep quiet on the issue, he questioned. Mr Ambedkar further said that the said plane was also used by the Shiv Sena-BJP leaders but they did not pay any sum to Mr Balwa. He asked Chief Minister Prithaviraj Chavan to clarify before Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections whether Balwa has any links with the underworld. If so, with whom, he stated. UNI ST SSS SKB2037 NNNN

 » Bombay HC orders film director Ghai to return land
Mumbai | February 09, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
The Bombay High Court on Thursday ordered that land given to film director Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts in 2006 be taken back.

 »  Jailed Malegaon blast accused allowed AC train travel
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 8:35:05 PM IST
The Bombay High Court Thursday allowed Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, prime accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast in Maharashtra, to travel to Madhya Pradesh by a second class air-conditioned coach for a court hearing there March 13, her lawyer said. She is currently lodged in a Mumbai jail.

 » HC allows Sadhvi Pragya to travel in AC compartment of train
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The Bombay High Court today granted permission to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, to travel in an airconditioned compartment of a train for appearance in a murder case trial at Bhopal in Madhya Pardesh. A division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice P D Kode passed an order after Sadhvi Pragya approached the court seeking a direction to authorities that she be taken to Bhopal either by a plane or in an AC compartment of a train. The special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court had last week rejected her plea against which she has approached the high court. Sadhvi's advocate Ganesh Sovani said that she is ready to bear the expenses of the journey. Arguing before the court, Mr Soni said that no prejudice and/ or any loss would be caused to any of the respondents, if the petitioner is allowed to travel by second AC or first class or by air from Mumbai to Bhopal at her own expenses. The court, while granting the permission, held that since the accused is a female and suffering from several diseases, therfore, court grants such request. UNI AAA SSS SKB1901 NNNN

 »  Etisalat writes off $827 mn, evaluates India options
Mumbai/New Delhi |Thursday, 2012 8:05:06 PM IST
Abu Dhabi-based telecom firm Etisalat Thursday wrote off its investments worth $827 million in the mobile company Etisalat DB and said the company is evaluating its strategic options in India.

 » Ramgoolam calls for greater economic cooperation with India
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam today called for a greater comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement with India. ''Mauritius is a springboard for India and Africa, an investment platform of choice. It remains the largest source of foreign direct investment in India. In the last five years, there has been an incidental surge in investments, from Rs 1.5 to 6 billion. The percentage of Indian investments had doubled to more than 10 per cent from the 100 plus companies operating in Mauritius,'' he said while addressing a meet organized by FICCI, an industry body. ''With political stability, real democracy, an independent judiciary, Mauritius positions itself as a regional centre for international arbitration. With a growth in the ICT, medical, renewable energy, BPO sector and real estate, Mauritius would now present a wide spectrum for investment possibilities. With a seven billion USD investments in public infrastructure projects, the government is hoping that at least half of the investments will come from the private sector. The Mauritius government will have a significant role to play in order to support this growth,'' he said. Stating that Mauritius is a jurisdiction of substance, Dr Ramgoolam said that his government has set up a regulatory mechanism to blow over the myth of Mauritius being a round tripping and money laundering haven. Noting that by 2015 seven of the top 10 performing nations would be from Africa, he said that Mauritius strives to be the most investor friendly country, for which it is willing to sign the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPA) with the interested countries. Affirming his support to the Prime Minister for the conclusion of the comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement between India and Mauritius, Cedric Doger de Speville, president of Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also felt it was a great time to put into practice the Preferential Trade Agreement. ''Mauritius has negotiated a series of investment promotion and protection agreements as well as double taxation avoidance agreements,'' he said and stressed on a sustained and concerted action. ''At the level of the private sector, we are giving a new impetus to our relations with FICCI,'' he added. ''Mauritius is a new age International Banking and Financial Centre which offers world class physical infrastructure, business friendly environment, transparent legal structure, good governance, regulatory framework and bilingual multi-ethnic workforce which have created a fast growing financial ecosystem hub. With the Indian Government facilitating inbound and outbound investments, one of the most recent announcement is the investment by QFI (Qualified Foreign Investors),'' said Mr U Venkataraman, executive director of MCX Stock Exchange Ltd. Earlier, Rashesh Shah, chairman of FICCI (Maharashtra State Council), welcomed the visiting Prime Minister. UNI JM SSS SKB1852 NNNN

 »  Subhash Ghai asked to vacate Studio
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
In a major setback to Bollywood producer-director Subhash Ghai, the Bombay High court has directed him to vacate the 14.5 acre land allotted by the Maharashtra government for his film institute 'Whistling Woods International',located in Filmcity in suburban Goregaon. A division bench comprising chief justice Mohit Shah and Justice Girish Godbole said ''in the interest of justice, we direct Mr Ghai to vacate 14.5 acre area immediately. The remaining 5.5 acre, where the institute is constructed, shall be taken over by the government on July 31, 2014 by when all the ongoing courses at the film institute shall be ompleted'. The Court has also restrained Whistling Woods from granting admissions to students for courses beyond 2014. The bench was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rajendra Sontakke and four others from Latur and Osmanabad districts alleging 'gross abuse of power' by former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in allotting the land. The land was alloted to Mr Ghai in 2000, during Deshmukh's tenure as the chief minister of Maharashtra. Mr Ghai has been directed to pay a rent of Rs 5.3 crore annually since 2000 when he entered into a joint venture with the State Government to start the film institute. The bench has, however, stayed its order for a period of eight weeks to permit Ghai to approach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Producer, reactng to the order, said 'We respect the Court Judgment and we will appeal to the Supreme Court for our lawful rights. We had a legal joint venture in 2002 with Film City and us to use the land for building a world class Film and Media Institute. we hope we will get full justice from the Apex Court.' UNI AAA OBB SM1825 NNNN

 »  Deepika didn't even apologise after quitting 'Race 2', says angry Taurani
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 6:35:05 PM IST
Filmmaker Ramesh Taurani is upset with actress Deepika Padukone for opting out of his "Race 2" at the last moment following an offer for a Hollywood project and rues that she didn't even apologise for her hasty retreat.

 »  Sensex zooms 123 points up, FII interest intact (Roundup)
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 5:35:05 PM IST
A late rally helped a benchmark index of Indian equities markets close 123 points up Thursday, with metals and realty stocks gaining the most. Support also came in from overseas investors, who have already poured in over $1.6 billion during the month.

 » Subhash Ghai to move SC to challenge HC decision against his
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Film maker Subhash Ghai today said he would move the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Bombay High Court against his ambitious film institute, Whistling Woods International, located in Film City, Goregaon. The court in its decision on a public interest litigation has directed Mr Ghai to hand over the land allotted for his institute to the state government. The film maker told UNI, '' we are not at fault. We had entered a legal joint venture in 2002 with Film City to use the land for building world class film and media institute which is challenged after ten years.'' Mr Ghai said he respected the high court judgement and would move the apex court as his lawful right. The film maker has been directed to immediately hand over 14.5 acres of open land allotted for the film school. He has also been asked to return the remaining 5.5 acres on which the studio and institute is located by 31st July 2014. The court was hearing a PIL. Subhash Ghai had been directed to pay a rent of Rs. 5.3 crore annually when he entered into a joint venture with the State Government to start the film institute, land for which was allotted to him by the then Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in year 2002. Whistling Woods International provides education in technical and creative aspects of filmmaking and television. UNI SB RP1650 NNNN

 »  HC issues notice to police, Home Dept in water mafia case
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Two weeks after the Bombay High Court ordered city police Commissioner Arup Patnaik to personally intervene in the matter pertaining to complainants of water mafia being beaten up by police officials resulting in partial deafness, the Court issued notices to all the respondents in the case -- policemen,secretary of the home department and a doctor. It may be recalled that, according to a petition filed by Sunder Singh Umed Singh Bisht, a resident of Ghatkopar, he and his friend Avinash Joshi, were battered by the police to such an extent that he was left partially deaf, after they had been to the police station to complain about a water theft in their locality. The incident occurred on September 28, 2011, and the police,instead of investigating their complaint, filed a case against the duo under sections 353, 504, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with 110, 112 and 117 of the Bombay Police Act and arrested them,claiming that they were under the influence of alcohol. While hearing the petition, advocate Prakash Wagh, representing the petitioners, told the court that grave injustice was done to the complainants in this matter, and that the police instead of protecting the complainants, bashed them. ''The intention of my clients was that the police should immediately take action against the water mafia. However, this act of bashing up the complainants was absolutely uncalled for. My client was left partially deaf and so this is a clear case of atrocity by the police. The court should punish such policemen so that this serves as an example for other policemen in the future,''Mr Wagh told the court. Hearing the contentions of the petitioner, the division bench of Justices V M Kanade and P D Kode asked the police about the basis on which they came to the conclusion that the complainants were drunk. To this, the police replied that the blood reports taken at Rajawadi Hospital confirmed the same. Based on the statements given by the police, the court issued a notice to the police to furnish the close circuit television camera footages of Ghatkopar police station. UNI AAA SSS SM1549 NNNN

 »  Land return: Subhash Ghai to appeal in Supreme Court
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 5:05:05 PM IST
Bollywood director Subhash Ghai will challenge in the Supreme Court the Bombay High Court order Thursday asking him to return a plot of land allotted to his Whistling Woods International film institute.

 »  Ustad Zakir Hussain unveils Deepak Pandits Album
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Tabla Maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain unveiled renowned Violinist-turned playback singer Deepak Pandit's Album of fusion and world music 'Miracle', a collection of melodious somgs at a function here last night. Pandit chose the 70th birth anniversary of his guru late Jagjit Singh to release the Album at a star-studded event. Deepak, as a playback singer, had debuted with Shreya Ghosal and also composed music for films like 'The Great Indian Butterfly', 'U Bomsi n me' and 'Dhoop'. Shreya rendered some tuneful numbers from the Akbum with Deepak om the occasion. He said 'The Album has been perfectly blended with soulful harmony of the raagas with rhythm of the music bringing about the melodious fusion of Western classical and blues. The music is Sentimental and I hope it touches everyone's heart'. Roopkumar and Sonali Rathod, Durga Jasraj and other Bollywood personalities were present at the launch function. Narayan Agarwal of the music label N A classical, which took out the Album, said ''I am extremely proud of the album and it is one of a lifetime opportunity to compile an album of this stature''. UNI KA OBB SM1507 NNNN

 »  Court asks Subhash Ghai to return land given for film institute
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
The Bombay High Court Thursday directed filmmaker Subhash Ghai to return a plot of land allotted to his Whistling Woods International film institute.

 »  Sensex rallies in last hour, closes 160 points higher (Lead)
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 4:05:05 PM IST
A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Thursday shot up in the last hour of trade, after languishing in the red for most of the day, and provisionally closed 160 points higher.

 » Cold spell in city and other parts of Maharashtra
Mumbai | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The Metropolis continued to shiver for the second consecutive day today with Windy conditions adding to the chilly spell. The city and suburbs experienced the coldest day in February in four years yesterday. The weather bureau said the minimum temperature dipped to 14.2 degrees celsius, making it the coldest February day since 2008.The coldest winter day was on January 29 with Santa Cruz recording minimum temperature of 10 degrees celsius. The day began this morning with Mumbaikars waking up to strong winds and in the peak hour rush, thousands of people were seen in woollens to protect them from the cold conditions. The weatherman said the cold in the northern plains of the country was responsible for the chilly spell in the city. A cold wave gripped Nashik district and the minimum temperature dipped to 2.7 degrees celsius today, the lowest in the last 10 years. With snowfall in other parts of the country, the cold wave continued all over the district, especially the green belts. The cold conditions are likely to affect grape and wine production in the district. UNI OBB RDS AV1353 NNNN

 »  Prahlad Kakkar makes acting debut with 'David'
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 1:35:05 PM IST
Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar has found a new vocation -- he has turned into an actor and plays a priest in his first film.

 »  How could you be youth role model, daughter asks SRK
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
His fans look up to him as an idol, but superstar Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana believes her father isn't the perfect youth icon as he smokes a lot.

 »  Big B prepares for abdominal surgery
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has revealed that he will undergo abdominal surgery Saturday.

 »  Malaika to come up with fitness DVD
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Model-turned-actress Malaika Arora Khan is often complimented on her perfect figure. She plans to share her fitness mantra with her fans and has decided to come up with a DVD soon.

 »  Benchmark indices subdued, midcaps rise
Mumbai |Thursday, 2012 12:35:05 PM IST
Benchmark indices at Indian equities markets were Thursday ruling dull a little before noon, but buying continued in mid-to-smaller sized scrips.

 »  CEAT to set up tyre plant in Bangladesh
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 11:35:06 PM IST
Indian tyre major CEAT, an RPG Group company, will set up a Rs.250 crore greenfield tyre manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, a company official said here Wednesday.

 » Security Guard Board Inspector trapped in bribery case
Mumbai | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
A Security Guard Board Inspector was arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 from a security agency for providing favourable reports to the government after inspection of the agency's site. The complainant stated that accused Ratnakar Mhatre had visited the site of security agency, owned by the complainant, and demanded Rs 14,000 for sending favourable reply to the government and police department for renewal of the license. After bargaining, the deal was struck at Rs 12,000, police said here today. The complainant agreed to pay the amount and simultaneously lodged a complaiant with Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB. After verification of the complaint, a team of ACB officials laid a trap last night at Vasant Refreshment at Ballard Pier area of the city and caught Mhatre red-handed, sources added. UNI ST SSS NP2221 NNNN

 » Police constable sentenced to in bribery case
Mumbai | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
A special Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court today convicted and sentenced a police constable, arrested in a bribery case of 2010, to suffer 18 months rigorous imprisonment. While pronouncing the judgement here, Judge S M Kshrisagar said accused Uttam Ganapat Ajgekar, police constable, held guilty under sections 7, 13(1) and 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act and sentenced him to suffer 18 months rigorous imprisonment. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 1,000, in default, he will have to undergo RI for 15 more days. In 2010, complainant, a driver by profession, had applied for batches for taxi and autorickshaw at Andheri RTO office. They sent it for police verification, the complainant approached SB-I for the verification. The accused had told him that his verification from Bhandup police has not come so far and demanded a bribe of Rs 300 to give it urgently. The complainant agreed and lodged a complaint with ACB and he was arrested. UNI ST SSS NP2212 NNNN

 »  Customs officer pens book on sound recordings
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
Sound is 50 percent partner in a film, Commissioner of Customs and Excise A.N. Sharma said during the release of his book "Baajanama" here Wednesday.

 »  Israel feels emotionally very close to Maharashtra: Alon
Mumbai | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
The newly appointed Ambassador of Israel to India, Alon Ushpiz today said his country perceives Maharashtra as emotionally very close to it for being host to the majority of the Jewish community in India, which currently numbers about 5,000. The Ambassador was speaking to the state Govenror K Sankaranarayanan at Raj Bhavan here. The Ambassador told the Governor that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and India in 1992, bilateral relations between the two countries have widened and expanded in many areas. He told the Governor that Israel has been offering its expertise in drip irrigation and other technology to agriculturists in Vidarbha. Mr Ushpiz informed the Governor that Israel is currently running three projects in Maharashtra: one each in Vidarbha (citrus production), Rahuri (pomegranate) and Dapoli where farmers are trained to increase crop productivity. The Ambassador told the Governor that Israel is also encouraging students exchange programme with universities in India. The Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, Ms Orna Sagiv told the Governor that Israel's trade with India which was 180 million US Dollars in 1992 has touched the USD five billion mark. She also told the Governor that a large number of Indian Jews who migrated to Israel, take pride in speaking Marathi language in Israel. Even their children could be heard speaking Marathi in Israel, she added. Welcoming the Ambassador to Maharashtra, Governor Sankaranarayanan expressed the hope that cooperation between India and Israel will further increase during the Ambassador's tenure in India. UNI JM SSS SKB2047 NNNN

 »  Mumbai to host Global Pulses Conclave
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 8:35:06 PM IST
The Global Pulses Conclave (GPC), the first such meet in India for the pulses industry and trade, will be held here next week, the organisers said Wednesday.

 »  TCS, Mitsubishi form joint venture firm
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 8:05:06 PM IST
IT major Tata Consultancy Services Wednesday said it had entered into a pact with Japan's Mitsubishi to set up a joint venture in Japan.

 » Aishwarya Sakhuja is new Cadbury girl
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 8:05:06 PM IST
Keeping in tune with its family bonding theme Cadbury has roped in TV actress Aishwarya Sakhuja as the face for its upcoming ad campaigns.

 »  ONGC's third quarter net profit down five percent
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 7:05:05 PM IST
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Wednesday reported a 4.82 percent decline in its net profit for the quarter ended Dec 31, 2011 at Rs.6,741.41 crore from Rs.7,083.23 crore in the like period of 2010-11.

 »  Badami makes Akshay sentimental (Movie Snippets)
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 6:35:05 PM IST
Akshay Kumar is shooting the climax of his forthcoming film Rowdy Rathore at Badami village and says he will miss the place once the shoot gets over.

 »  Thomas Cook's India business up for sale
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 6:05:05 PM IST
Global travel business major Thomas Cook Wednesday said it was in the process of selling its 77.1 percent stake in its Indian subsidiary and had received several proposals. The news sent the Indian arm's stock soaring.

 »  Sensex closes 85 points up, Bharti drags (Roundup)
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 5:05:05 PM IST
A benchmark index for Indian equities markets managed to close 85 points higher Wednesday, even though telecom heavy weight Bharti Airtel, which reported disappointing quarterly results, acted as a drag.

 » tay aTop political leaders to sway from BMC elections
Mumbai | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
Most of the national leaders of the Congress and the BJP have decided to turn their backs on local party leaders and workers. fighting the February 16 elections to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Not only the Congress president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, but even senior BJP leaders like L K Advani,Sushma Swaraj and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, have decided to stay away from the Mumbai poll campaign trail. They are reportedly pre-occupied with the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. As these celebrity leaders have backed out from the poll arena,the campaigning is all set to lose its colour. The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leadership had invited Mr Gandhi to address a public meeting in Mumbai, and was also trying to rope in Ms Gandhi. However, with both the leaders are busy campaigning in Uttar Pradesh, so they will not address any meeting here in Mumbai or elsewhere in the state. The BJP was trying to rope in all its top central leadership,and were hoping that Mr Advani, Ms Swaraj, Arun Jaitely and Mr Modi would lend the much needed fire to the BMC poll campaign. However,barring Mr Modi, all other leaders are presently in Uttar Pradesh and are reluctant to come to Mumbai, said a senior BJP leader. Mr Modi is fuming against the party leadership, and has so far avoided campaigning in Punjab and Uttarakhand, too. Mr Advani was expected to attend a joint public rally with Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray at the Bandra-Kurla Complex on February 13.But BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Gopinath Munde will instead share the stage with Thackeray senior. Similarly, the Congress had booked MMRDA ground anticipating Mr Gandhi's visit. However,tommorow joint meeting of Congress-NCP will be addressed by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. UNI AAA SSS AV1547 NNNN

 »  Sensex closes 97 points up in volatile trade (Lead)
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 4:05:04 PM IST
A benchmark index for Indian equities markets closed (provisional figure) 97 points higher Wednesday amid volatile trade.

 »  'Ek Main Aur...' cash registers already ringing, rakes in Rs.21 crore
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
Karan Johar's Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu has yet to hit the screens but the filmmaker has already recovered Rs.21 crore which he had invested in producing the romantic comedy starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

 »  Raveena's best Valentine's Day
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
Actress Raveena Tandon says her best Valentine's Day was when her husband Anil Thadani presented her with a romantic evening.

 »  Imran finds wife Avantika's observations helpful
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
Imran Khan says that his wife Avantika's invaluable suggestions have helped him in his career.

 »  Amitabh to shoot for makeup man's film (Movie Snippets)
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, along with wife Jaya, will work in his make-up man Deepak Sawant's Bhojpuri film "Gangadevi".

 »  Wrong to exploit Mr. Bachchan's love: Sujoy Ghosh
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Film director Sujoy Ghosh feels honoured that Amitabh Bachchan lent his voice to the song "Ekla Cholo Re" for his "Kahaani" but he doesn't want to exploit the megastar's love by asking him to be part of the video.

 »  Century on, end of a bullock cart saga in Mumbai (With Images)
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 12:35:06 PM IST
Rain or shine, they would deliver their ware. But, following a sustained campaign by an animal rights group and celebrities, Maharashtra has finally brought the curtains down on 465 bullock carts that were being used since 1906 for transporting kerosene in the city.

 »  Indian markets ruling higher, Asian cues positive
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 12:35:06 PM IST
Indian equities markets were ruling higher a little before noon Wednesday, with a benchmark index trading 131 points higher amid positive cues from other Asian bourses.

 » Woman attempts suicide
Mumbai | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
Five people of a family, including three children, sustained burn injuries after a 35-year-old woman attempted to commit suicide by setting herself ablaze at their residence at Simla Nagar at Malabar hill in South Mumbai early today. Police said Ms Noorjah Sayyed and her husband Gauru Sayyed (40) had a quarrel over a petty issue late last night. In a fit of rage, Ms Noorjah poured kerosene and set herself ablaze at her residence at around 0230 hours today. When her husband went to rescue her, he suffered burn injuries and their children Mehjaban (11), Mehrun (9) and Mehtab (8) also sustained burn injuries. All the injured, including the woman, were admitted in Nair Hospotal, sources added. Police is investigating the matter. UNI ST OBB VKG1152 NNNN

 »  Trying to build beauty brand? Find a USP
Mumbai |Wednesday, 2012 11:35:06 AM IST
The Rs.25 billion (over $500 million) Indian health and wellness market is on the rise and new players are frequently entering the business. But the burning question is how to build a brand name amid such competition.

 »  Mumbai blasts key accused trained under Osama: Police (Second Lead)
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 10:05:05 PM IST
A key accused in the July 13, 2011, Mumbai serial blasts had met Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2001 and trained under him, police said here Tuesday.

 » Key accused in 13/7 Mumbai blasts trained under Osama: ATS (Lead)
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 8:35:05 PM IST
A key accused in the Mumbai July 13, 2011, serial blasts had met Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2001 and trained under him, police said here Tuesday.

 »  Key accused in 13/7 Mumbai blasts trained under Osama: ATS
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 8:05:05 PM IST
A key accused in the Mumbai July 13, 2011, serial blasts had met Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2001 and trained under him, a top police official said here Tuesday.

 »  Best Bakery key witness plea adjourned
Mumbai | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
The Bombay High Court today adjourned till March five, the hearing of a petition moved by Yasmeenbano Shaikh, one of the key witnesses in Gujarat's Best Bakery case. In her petition, she has alleged that she was lured and misguided by social activist Teesta Setalvad to give false testimony against 17 accused, of whom a Mumbai special court has convicted nine to life imprisonment. A division bench of Justice V M Kanade and Justice P D Kode,while adjourning the matter, said that on the same day court will hear the appeal filed by the accused in the case challenging the conviction awarded to them. A special court in Mazgaon conducted trial of Vadodara's Best Bakery massacre that took place in backdrop of 2002 Godhra riots. UNI AAA SSS SM1836 NNNN

 »  American chalk artist to showcase work at Mumbai fest (With Images)
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 7:05:05 PM IST
American chalk artist Tracy Lee Stum will present her 3D street art at the ongoing Kala Ghoda Arts Festival here, an official from the American Center said Tuesday.

 »  Government moots more manufacturing zones
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 7:05:05 PM IST
The government is proposing to set up five more National Manufacturing Investment Zones (NMIZs), in addition to the seven ready for implementation, to boost the sector's contribution to growth, an official said Tuesday.

 »  BJP dismisses Parag Alwani & 4 corportors from party
Mumbai | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
The BJP today dismissed Parag Alwani, general secretary of the party's city unit, and four corporators from the party for 'anti-party' activities. The announcement was made by city unit party president Raj Purohit, who said the step was taken to demonstrate that no one who works against the interests of the party will be spared. Those suspended included sitting corporators Jayshree Kharat,Vishwanath Mhaske, Arvind Bane and Janak Sanghvi. Jyoti Alwani, wife of former corporator Mr Alwani, is pitted against official candidate Priti Bane in the western suburb of Vile Parle for the February 16 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. Mr Maske, a two-time corporator from Mulund, is contesting as an Independent in ward 102, his daughter Shobha Mali in ward 99 and his aides Anand Patil and Meenakshi Mankar in wards 98 and 103, against official candidates of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Mr Bane, who hails from south Mumbai, lost his ward to reservation and has fielded his wife Ujjwala Bane as an Independent candidate. Ms Kharat is contesting as an Independent against official candidate Mahadev Shivgan in ward 143. Incidentally, Mr Purohit's daughter-in-law Hema had also filed her nomination against the party candidate from ward number 219.However, after a furore and embarrassment to the city unit party chief, she withdrew her nomination. UNI JM SSS SM1743 NNNN

 »  India emerges among top five markets for tourism in Kenya
Mumbai | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
India has emerged among the top five markets in tourist arrivals for Kenya, hailed for its pristine white sandy beaches, the 'Kenyan Safari' and a perfect getaway for couples on a honeymoon. Acknowledging the prowing prominence of India as the primary source market for Kenya in the Asian region with 58,986 Indian arrivals for the period January-December 2011, Ms Jennifer Opondo director, marketing, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), said there has been an overall gowth rate of 70 per cent in Indian arrivals, thus making it a highly potential market for Kenya,Ms Jennifer is leading the biggest-ever delegation to India of 17 companies that include hoteliers, tour operators and Kenya Wildlife Service, for a road show at Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata. Kenya will also be participating in the SATTE Exhibition in New Delhi from February 10 to 12, she said. The main tourism inflows to Kenya are from Western India region, including the cities of Gujarat and Mumbai followed by North India, Ms Jennifer told UNI here. She anticipates consistent forecast of 10 to 15 per cent increase in indian arrivals in the next few years. ''Indians love the Kenya Safari and its tourism diverse products ranging from the National Park at the coast to the snow-capped Mt Kenya on the equator and the Great Rift valley'', she added. UNI OBB SM1642 NNNN

 »  Sensex closes lower, aviation stocks soar (Roundup)
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 5:05:05 PM IST
A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday closed 84 points lower as traders booked profits after five consecutive weeks of rallying.

 »  Sensex closes 87 points lower (Lead)
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 4:05:06 PM IST
A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Tuesday provisionally closed 87 points lower as traders booked profits after five consecutive weeks of rallying.

 »  Not scared of controversies, says Prateik
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 4:05:06 PM IST
Actor Prateik is unperturbed by the controversy surrounding the song "Hosanna" from his ready-to-release movie "Ek Deewana Tha" and says one should not pay much attention to such things.

 »  Aviation stocks rally after direct jet fuel import allowed
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 4:05:06 PM IST
Scrips of three listed domestic carriers -- Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet -- rallied after the government Tuesday allowed airlines to import jet fuel directly.

 » Bonanza for Indian travellers
Mumbai | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
Malaysia Airlines kickstarted 2012 with a bonanza for Indian travellers in the form of special fares from India to South East Asia, Asia Pacific, Orient and North Asia. The value-for-money all inclusive international return fare series with flexible travel period are for departures from the airline's five Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, the Airlines spokesman told UNI. Consumers can avail these offers from February 6 to 15 at the airline's official website www.malaysiaairlines.com or alternatively reach their local travel agents to enjoy these return fare series to popular choice holiday getaways. The travel validity for this fare series is from February 6 to April 15, 2012. Elaborating on the international return fare series, Mr Azahar Bin Hamid, Regional Senior Vice President, Malaysia Airlines, South Asia Region, said ''Our special fares allow travellers to experience international destinations at value prices with a flexible travel dates. It provides leisure travellers many options to plan holidays in advance suiting their budgets by booking competitively now and flying later''. With its 12 weekly flights ex-Delhi, travellers can avail all inclusive economy class return airfares starting as low as Rs 20,056 to Kuala Lumpur and Rs 22,644 to Langkawi, Penang and Johor Bahru. The Airlines is one of Asia's largest, flying nearly 40,000 passengers daily to some 80 destinations worldwide across four continents. UNI OBB SKB1451 NNNN

 »  Machines control over human beings astounds Kailash Kher
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 2:05:06 PM IST
Singer-Composer Kailash Kher says he is surprised the way technology and social networking sites have controlled human emotions.

 »  'Aashiqui 2' about Mahesh Bhatt's first love
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 1:35:06 PM IST
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is looking forward to start the production of "Aashiqui 2", calls it an autobiographical film and promises it would be a musical treat.

 »  Celebrities grab limelight, designers sidelined: Rohit Bal
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 1:05:06 PM IST
Designer Rohit Bal, who will showcase his collection at the grand finale of Lakme Fashion Week Summer-Resort 2012, rues that the hard work of designers gets overshadowed by the celebrity presence at such events.

 »  Indian markets trade dull in noon
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 1:05:06 PM IST
Indian equities markets were ruling dull Tuesday as traders took a breather after straight weeks of rallying. A benchmark index was trading 47 points up around noon.

 »  I may try my luck with Amy yet again: Prateik
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Prateik is all set to spend his Valentine's Day with his co-star Amy Jackson to promote his forthcoming film "Ek Deewana Tha", which will see the young actor in a romantic hero's role for the first time, and is also planning to try his luck with his co-star yet again.

 »  Not a perfect mom yet: Kiran Rao
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 12:35:06 PM IST
Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who became a mother to son Azaad last year in December, says she is not a perfect mother yet but is enjoying motherhood.

 » Polling for local bodies commences in Maharashtra
Mumbai | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
Polling to 27 Zilla Parishads (ZP) and 305 Panchayat Samitis (PS) in Maharashtra began amidst elaborate security arrangements this morning. People in 1,624 wards in 27 ZPs and 7,116 wards in 305 PSs in mostly rural areas of the state lined up to cast their votes. sources in State Election Commission said. The EC has made arrangement for 59,914 polling booths across the state, of which 7,000 are sensitive, where strict vigil was being maintained. About 1.38 lakh electronic voting machines had been deployed in the polls, the sources added. MORE UNI OBB SKB1137 NNNN

 »  Peaceful start to local polls in Maharashtra
Mumbai |Tuesday, 2012 8:05:05 AM IST
Nearly one-fourth of Maharashtra's population, mostly in rural and semi-rural areas, will elect new representatives for 27 Zilla Parishads and 305 Panchayat Samitis, polling for which began Tuesday morning amidst tight security, an official said.

 » Independent candidates campaign without symbol
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
The independent candidates contesting for the February 16 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections had a rather unproductive day yesterday, despite being Sunday, as they did not have their election symbols. Conventionally, Sunday is a very crucial day for the campaigning process as most citizens are at home enjoying their weekend, making it the opportune time for candidates to reach out and convince people to vote for them. However, independent candidates were not allocated a symbol, thus inhibiting their chances to capitalise on the Sunday campaign. Last week, independent candidates went to State Election Commission (SEC) to convince the authority to apportion them a symbol as soon as possible. They wished for a common symbol to be given to all independent candidates of 227 wards. The SEC conceded to the first demand and is scheduled to allocate election symbols to independent candidates today. However, their second demand to give a common symbol was not sanctioned as the SEC deemed the Mumbai 227 candidates not unlike independent candidates and will be given election symbols according to the availability. Several independent candidates believe this to be an unjust move on the part of the SEC as this will leave them with less time compared to major political party candidates to campaign for the upcoming elections. Today, at end of the day, the SEC will give a choice of election symbol for independent candidates, out of it they will have to choose one. Then, they will start their campaign. On February 13 evening, the election campaign will end. UNI AAA SSS NP2300 NNNN

 » Congress, Shiv Sena beset with rebellion within ranks
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
The Congress and the Shiv Sena are the two major parties most affected by dissidence within the ranks before the February 16 elections to the 227 corporator wards of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The BMC, whose annual budget is over Rs 2,000 crore and more than any small state in country, is ruled by the Shiv Sena-BJP for last 16 years. This time, though the Congress and NCP have made a pre-poll pact for BMC, all is not well in their alliance. There are 2,233 candidates in fray for the 227 wards of the BMC, with at least 10 candidates filing their nomination papers from each constituency. The BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI alliance have shared the seats amongst themselves, with BJP contesting on 63 seats, while Sena 135 and the rest by RPI. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is contesting in all the constituencies. The Congress will contest 169 seats while NCP 58. But, with at least one rebel candidate from Congress being present in every ward, the elections could be a quadrangular contest. According to BJP sources, at least 13 candidates from their party have revolted against the party's official nominees. The situation is more or less same in the NCP. However, an alarming proportion of rebellion is seen in Congress and Sena camps. Ajit Sawant, who is considered a close associate of former Union minister Gurudas Kamat, was expelled from the Congress party for challanging party bosses. MP Priya Dutt reportedly expressed displeasure over distribution of tickets to the candidates. Mumbai Reigional Congress president Kripashankar Singh has cut Milind Deora, Ms Dutt and Mr Kamat camps at many places. In such a scenario, the Congress is banking on the division of Marathi votes between MNS and Sena, the sources said. UNI JM SSS NP2206 NNNN

 » Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam bereaved
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Vimladevi Deora Nikam, wife of Barrister Deora Nikam and mother of Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, passed away today at Jalgaon due to old age. She was 87 and is survived by three sons. The family sources here said she was born on January 26, 1926, at Belgaum. During her young days, she had participated in the freedom struggle along with freedom fighter Nagnath Naikwadi and had assisted the freedom fighters by helping them to transport arms and ammunitions. However, she declined to avail any of the benefits of a freedom fighter, post independence, on the ground that her services to the motherland were her bounden duty for which she expected no returns. Ms Nikam came from a very illustrious family. Her maternal uncle was a Colonel in the Military and her elder brother M R Desai was a philanthropist and an 'Education Baron'. He had propagated the significance of education in western Maharashtra and had also provided free education to several students. Ms Nikam was a woman with great patience and her virtues were awe inspiring. Her husband, Deora Nikam, could pursue his Barrister degree at London only because of her support as, during his absence, she resided in the village and looked after the agricultural land of family, the sources added. UNI ST SSS NP2113 NNNN

 » Rotary International Surpasses Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Rotary International, one of the largest partners in the fight against polio across the world, has succeeded in raising more than 202.6 million US Dollars, thereby surpassing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's USD 200 million target, in funding for polio eradication. The fundraising milestone was reached in response to USD 355 million in challenge grants awarded to Rotary Foundation by the Gates Foundation to support polio immunization activities in affected countries, where the vaccine-preventable disease continues to paralyze children. ''It is a welcome milestone, as funding for the polio endgame will be crucial to ensure that the fight against the dreaded disease continues with the same intensification and commitment. This has been achieved through increased generosity and efforts by countries to contribute towards the cause. In the past 2-3 years, India has risen from being a beneficiary to that of a donor and has become the third leading contributor to Rotary's service funds,'' said Deepak Kapur, chairman of Rotary International's India Polio Plus Committee. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched to eradicate polio from the world and, at the same time, strengthen health infrastructure. The initiative has achieved significant progress toward both these goals and today, with just a few countries still with polio transmission, 99.9 per cent of the world remains polio-free. India, one of the endemic countries along with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, has completed an entire year without a case of polio, with the last being reported on January 13 last year in West Bengal. India must record another two years without a case of polio to get the polio-free certification from WHO. ''The partnership for polio eradication between Rotary, WHO,UNICEF and the Government of India has been renewed and these bodies have pledged resources to achieve this target,'' added Mr Kapur. Congratulating Rotary International for its leadership role in the global efforts to rid the world of the crippling disease, Jeff Raikes, chief executive officer of Gates' Foundation, said ''Rotary started the global fight against polio, and continues to set the tone for private fundraising, grassroots engagement, and maintaining polio at the top of agenda with key policymakers.'' Rotary International is a voluntary organization, comprising 1.2 million members across 209 countries, that undertakes different humanitarian programmes, polio eradication being one of them. Rotary International, the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the largest private sector donor till date, has contributed nearly Rs 5,000 crore worldwide to end polio. In India alone, Rotary has contributed Rs 744 crore to fund eradication activities. In addition to their own record-breaking financial contribution for polio eradication and countless volunteer work-hours, Rotarians have helped leverage a further USD eight billion from governments the world over. Its volunteers throughout the world have helped organize national immunization days, staffed health stations and given drops to children. UNI ST SSS NP2108 NNNN

 »  Maharashtra holds local bodies elections Tuesday
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
The stage is set for elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 305 panchayat samitis across Maharashtra which go to polls Tuesday amid tight security around the state, a top official said here Monday.

 » Historian Sharada Dwivedi dead
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 10:05:05 PM IST
Noted urban historian and author of several books on the history and culture of Mumbai, Sharada Dwivedi passed away here Monday, a family member said. She was 69.

 »  A son rises in Raj Thackerays MNS too
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 8:35:05 PM IST
After the Shiv Sena, a son has risen also in Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

 »  13,743 candidates in fray for local bodies polls tomorrow
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
As many as 13,743 candidates are in fray for the elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 305 Panchayat Samitis in Maharashtra, the polling for which will be held tomorrow. There are 1,624 wards in 27 ZPs and 7,116 wards in 305 PSs, and the total number of voters is 3,89,04,388, the sources in State Election Commission said today. The EC has made arrangement for 59,914 polling booths across the state, of which 7,000 are sensitive, where strict vigil will be maintained. It has deployed 1.38 lakh electronic voting machines, the sources added. UNI JM SSS SKB1950 NNNN

 » BCCI open to having a dialogue with former Indian team sponsor Sahara
Mumbai/Chennai | February 06, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan on Monday said that he is open to the idea of having a dialogue with Sahara India Parivar to try and resolve the dispute that led to Sahara pulling out of its Indian team sponsorship and ownership of the Pune Warriors IPL franchise.

 »  SpiceJet's third quarter net loss at Rs.39.26 crore
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 6:35:06 PM IST
Budget carrier SpiceJet Monday reported a net loss of Rs.39.26 crore for the quarter ended Dec 31 from a net profit of Rs.94.44 crore in the like period of 2010-11.

 »  PM, Chidambaram should quit: Shanti Bhushan
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 6:35:06 PM IST
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram should quit after the Supreme Court cancelled all 122 2G licences, former law minister and Team Anna core committee member Shanti Bhushan said here Monday.

 »  MET trustee files complaint against Mah PWD Minister Bhujbal
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
A trustee of Mumbai Educational Trust (MET) has filed a complaint against Maharahstra PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his family, who also happen to be trustees, accusing them of misappropriating Rs 177 crore of the charitable trust's funds as well as mismanaging and misusing the prime property of the institution at Bandra Reclamation area of the city. Sunil Karve, who co-founded the institute in 1989 with Bhujbal,has filed complaints with the city police commissioner and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the city police. He also has filed an application through his lawyer, Sayaji Nangre, with the Charity Commissioner seeking dismissal of Bhujbal,his wife Meena, son Pankaj and nephew Sameer as trustees. When contacted about this, Mr Bhujbal was not avilable for any comment. UNI AAA SSS SM1702 NNNN

 »  Four US diplomats to go on padyatra in India
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 5:05:06 PM IST
Four American diplomats from the US Consulate in Mumbai will embark on a brisk 100-km-long two-day padyatra to raise funds for the poor in India, an official said here Monday.

 »  Sonu Sood finds boxing unsafe for actors
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 5:05:06 PM IST
Actor Sonu Sood, who became popular as Chhedi Singh in the blockbuster "Dabangg", won't mind playing a boxer on the big screen but in real life he would like to stay away from the boxing ring.

 »  Big B shocked to hear about Yuvraj (Movie Snippets)
Mumbai |Monday, 2012 4:35:07 PM IST
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he is shocked to hear about star cricketer Yuvraj Singh's illness and prays for his well being.

 » 2233 candidates in fray for BMC polls
Mumbai | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
A total of 2233 candidates are in the fray for the high-profile Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC) elections,to be held on February 16 elections. More than 900 candidates withdrew their nominations on the last day of withdrawals-February 4. yesterday, 100 nominations were rejected after scrutiny. they were found to be invalid, election commission sources said today. Several candidates, including independents, withdrew their papers after comsultation with bigwigs of several political parties,The maximum number of candidates--33 were contesting from ward no 138 at Deonar, while 32 are from Suman nagar, the sources said, Meanwhile, several candidates started their campaigning yesterday by moving in housing societies last evening and met several families. MNS president Raj Thackeray launched a road show of the party last evening at Bandra, where he opened the party's election office. Accompanied by his wife, Sharmila, Raj had set out from Dahisar in the morning, met party candidatyes from each ward and addressed rallies in their respective wards. UNI OBB SM1550 NNNN