Archive for the ‘Culture’ Category

Raina promises a field day

Raina promises a field day: Indian new skipper for the Zimbabwe tour, Suresh Raina promised to show a good game during the tour. It is not easy for being a captain of country like India as skipper has to face to media as well with all the responsibilities. It is not small challenge than facing any team on field. Suresh Raina has become 20th skipper of India and he is the first man from Uttar Pradesh to take this command in Zimbabwe tour. Being a captain, he faced media on Mumbai on Tuesday evening to answer the questions. He did well and displayed good temperament during the press conference. Many of senior players are not going to tour and it is good time for the young players to show their talent and to prove themselves. When media asked Suresh Raina that on a number of occasions if regular Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who also leads Chennai Super Kings, the IPL franchise that Raina represents had passed down any tips, he repled that he was asked to keep the things simple. While, it remain to be seen that whether Suresh Raina does heed his skipper’s advice when it comes to the action in Zimbabwe or not, he did stick to it during the press by keeping the responses brief and simple. Suresh Raina told during the conference that it is a great opportunity for him to lead team outside the country and he is looking forward to the challenged. This statement was repeated by Suresh Raina at least four times the number of international games that his young pace attacks has managed between them for India. Opinion of skipper was same on both his personal as well as that of his team that they have to perform well for the country.   Suresh Raina got opportunity to lead India at young age: Suresh Raina is 24 year left handed batsmen and has got opportunity to lead Indian team at such a young age. It was a pleasant surprise for the young player. India is second best one day team at present and he has got chance to lead it. Suresh Raina told to media that it was a dream for him but now it is a big responsibility for him. He said that senior players do not take break often but now when they are on break, then young players [...]

Barrack Obama poorest US President in 57 years

  Barrack Obama poorest US President in 57 years: Barrack Obama is 44th president of world’s largest economy, United States of America. Person worth of Barrack Obama is lowest for any American President in five decades. He has personal worth of just USD five million. Before Barrack Obama, the lower net worth was of Harry Truman who was president of United States from year 1945 to 1953. His personal worth was even less than USD 1 million. Data is revealed by The Atlantic magazine. Barrack Obama is from a poor family. His grandfather was a goat herder. Obama is a former onstitutional law professor and civil rights attorney. Obama’s most of the worth comes through the book royalties. Obama became president in year 2008 and has fortune of USD five million. Previous president of United States, George W Bush had a net worth of USD 20 millions. He was president from 2001 to 2008. Predecessor to George W Bush, Bill Clinton’s fortune is estimated to be worth of about USD 38 million. GDP of United States of America is USD 13 trillion has seen 44 presidents so far. Net worth of all of the previous presidents was estimated according to the 2010 dollar rate. According to the analysis made by The Atlantic Magazine, at least fourteen of United States presidents had net worth less than USD five million. Among those fourteen are, Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson who had worth of less than USD 1 million while Franklin Pierce had worth of USD 2 million. United States of America has forty per cent of world’s billionaire population. There are more than 400 billionaires in America. The Atlantic Magazine noted that the first president of United States of America, George Washington’s fortune is estimated to be around USD 525 million at current dollar valuation.   Basis of analysis: Several factors were taken into account while making analysis. The important conclusion concluded from the analysis is that the presidency has little to do with wealth. Several brought huge net worth to the job. Many lost most of their fortunes after leaving office. Some never had any money at all. Assets like land, estimated lifetime savings based on work history, inheritance and homes, among others are taken into account for the analysis. Other than these assets, royalties from books is also taken into account. The Atlantic Magazine also considered the fortune with the [...]

India ranks 39th in global favorite places for retailers

  India ranks 39th in global favorite places for retailers: According to a survey made by realty consultant firm CB Richard Ellis that How Global is the Business of Retail? India has emerged as 39th favorite place for retailers. China has scored fifth place for first time while Britain is still at the top with highest number of retails in their country. According to the survey, UAE has scored second rank after UK and third rank is with United States of America while fourth rank is secured by France. India has considerably improved as India was at rank 44 in survey made in year 2008 but now they have gone up by 5 ranks. India has got 22 per cent of retailers. The survey was conducted by CBRE includes 294 top retailers of the world across 69 countries of the world. 47 per cent of top global retailers are present in China. They have become hot cake for retailers over past years due to several developments and retailers are giving them preference. Looking at Asia, there are total four cities which have made their name in top four. These cities are Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai. Even now European countries rule the retail market. They are most favorable places for the retailers. Among top ten, there are total five European economies with England at the first position. There was bad market for the retail due to recession across the globe but Britain still managed their rank. Britain maintained the number one position in the top 20 most international retail markets ranking for the third year running. They have got 54 per cent of the top retailers according to the survey while United Arab Emirates also has potential to attract retailers and is not much far from Britain. They have got 54 per cent of top retailers in their country. They were at rank three in last survey but this year they replaced United States from that rank and have made their name.   India improved but low purchasing power and no FDI is problem: No doubt, India has gone up by five ranks as they scored 44th rank last time and this year at rank 39th but India is big country and should have got better rank. CBRE chairman and managing director Anshuman Magazine said that since the last survey done a year ago, India’s retail market has shown [...]

I Hate Luv Storys is pro-love

I Hate Luv Storys is pro-love: Young director, Punit Malhotra directed movie, I Hate Luv Storys is a pro love story. Director told that do not go for the name of the movie. He is confident about the success of the movie. Punit told to media that it is very young, fresh and totally pro love stories. It is not anti-anything. We all have grown up watching Bollywood romances and no matter what we say, we connect to them somewhere. They may be soppy, cheesy but they are feel-good films. People do associate with them at some level. He told that movie is about a young man who does not believe in love but falls in love. Surely it will cheer the audience. Film director said that it is a take-off from the romantic movies of bollywood and it is very nice way. According to director, it is a little tongue and cheek way of looking at all the romantic stories and films in Bollywood. Punit said that he wanted to director two years back too but due to certain reasons he dropped his idea. He said that he is not young to direct any movie as he is working behind the camera from last 10 years. He is nephew of well known fashion designer Manish Malhotra so film making is a veteran when it comes to working behind the camera. There were also rumors during production of film that director has close relation with lead actress of his film. Director denied of any such relation and said that all this is rubbish and said that he do not know from where such rumors come. People just say the things and go away. He said sometimes one can laugh on such rumors while other times, these are very irritating. He told to media that it was lead actress of movie, Sonam Kapoor who told him to stay cool and ignore all such rumors. About cast of the movie: “I Hate Luv Storys” is written and directed by Punit Malhotra. He has previously assisted well known Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar on blockbusters like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. He worked with Amol Palekar on Paheli and later he worked as creative director with Tarun Mansukhani on Dostana. Lead stars in the movie are Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sammir Dattani, Samir Soni, Kavin [...]

Rs 4,053 crore for 25,000 sq metres in Mumbai

  Rs 4,053 crore for 25,000 sq metres in Mumbai: A plot of size 25, 000 square meters got a bid of Rs 4,053 crore in Wadala to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). This is huge price for any bid ever in India. Lodha Crown Buildmart Pvt Ltd won the bid. They quoted a price of Rs Rs 81,818 per sq m of the permissible built-up area on the plot. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority had earlier decided to make a iconic tower on the plot but later decided to give to private company. It will be biggest deal in India if it will continue. In past,Delhi -based BPTP had quoted Rs 5,006 crore for a 95-acre plot put up for sale by the Noida Authority. But that deal did not continue because bidder failed to pay the amount on time and as a result deal came to an end. The payment model for the Wadala plot is for five years at an interest rate of 10 per cent. Compound interest will be charged. The total payable will come around Rs 5700 crore. Lodha Crown Buildmart Pvt Ltd had launched initial public offering earlier. This deal was completely unpredictable in terms of price as well as the floor space index. The space index offered on the plot is 19.8 instead of 1.33.   Other major bidders: The land of bid is part of the 46-hectare Wadala truck terminal, for which the MMRDA is the planning agency. The terminal has a global FSI of 4. The high FSI of 19.8 has been arrived at by adding FSI from open and unused plots. Assuming a loading of 40%, it translates into saleable space of 75 lakh sq ft as proposed by the developer. The MMRDA had set a reserve price of Rs40, 000 per sq meter for 25,000 sq meter which adds up to Rs1, 980 crore of the Wadala plot. But it got double the price. The Suntech Realty Ltd had made bid of Rs3, 465.99 crore which is about Rs70, 002 per sq mt. India Bulls Real Estate had bid of Rs3327.50 crore which is Rs 67, 222.42 per sq mt. Gaurhari Estate Pvt Ltd also failed to get the deal with their bid of Rs 45, 494.94 per sq mt which makes total Rs2, 251.99 crore. There were many other big builders and investors who tried [...]

Ambani brothers end non-compete pacts

Ambani brothers end non-compete pacts: Two Indian business tycoons Anil Ambani and Mukesh Ambani agreed on Sunday to cancel all the non-compete pact which were signed in previously in year 2006. Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group told that the two groups have signed a new and simpler non-compete pact only for the gas based power generation. The new agreement has been approved by both the companies. Both groups are expected to quickly negotiate the gas supply agreement according to which they will eliminate the chances of any kind of dispute in future. Power secretary denied making any statement before looking at the terms of the signed agreements. Sources told to media that RNRL are still determined to take 28mmscmd gas for 17 years and they will continue its demand. Recently the Supreme Court of India had ruled that both the groups bickering over the gas supply issue from the Krishna-Godavari basin sit across a table and renegotiate terms.  It was seen that the issue will be clearly in the favor of RIL and the ruling stated that the talks must be held keeping the government’s gas policy in mind. Reliance Industries Limited: Reliance Industries Limited also known as RIL is India’s largest private sector conglomerate by market value with an annual turnover of US$ 44.6 billion and profit of US$ 3.6 billion for the fiscal year ending in March 2010 making it one of India’s private sector Fortune Global 500 companies, being ranked at 264th position in year 2009. Company was founded by the Indian industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani in year 1966. Dhirubhai Ambani has been a pioneer in introducing financial instruments like fully convertible debentures to the Indian stock market. Currently, RIL has head quarter at Navi Mumbai and its chairman and managing director is Mukesh Ambani. Company deals with products like petroleum, natural gas, petrochemicals, retail stores, polymers, polyesters, chemicals and textile. Till year 2009, company has employed over 24, 600 employees. Subsidries of the RIL are Reliance Petroleum, Reliance Life Sciences, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Limited, Reliance Institute of Life Sciences, Reliance Logistics, Reliance Clinical Research Services, Reliance Solar and Relicord. Reliance has merited a series of awards and recognitions for excellence for businesses and operations. Company has excelled in every field where ever they entered. Mukesh Ambani was conferred the Leadership Award for Global Vision by the United States India Business Council and he was also elected as [...]

Week That Was 18th April-25th April

Lalit Modi suspended: Lalit Modi was suspended just after the end of last match of Indian premier league. He was working Lalit Modi as vice president of Board of Control for Cricket in India and Indian Premier League’s chairman and commissioner. Shashank Manohar, board president said on Monday that acts made by Modi has brought bad name for the board. Manohar told to media that Mr. N. Srinivasan, Board of Control for Cricket in India had consulted with him about the issue and told to issue a show cause notice to Lalit Modi. Notice is issued under the Rule 32 (IV). Lalit Modi is told to give his explanation within fifteen days. Along with issuing show cause notice, Manohar has also used his power of suspending Lalit Modi under rule 32(vii). Now he cannot take part in affairs of the board, the Indian Premier League, the Working Committee and any other Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Many franchises are in support of Lalit Modi and he was seen cheering teams at the final match of the tournament. He also gave thank you speech to thank people for making IPL a big tournament.  He was seen in the week surrounded with controversies for corruption. He was blamed to make money from the IPL deals. Many political leaders also came into circle as Shashi Tharoor was accused by Lalit Modi to influence bid through his political power. Tharoor was forced to resign from his position after strong oppose in parliament. Swami Nithyananda arrested from HP: Bangalore based Swami Nithyananda was arrested in Solan district of state Himachal Pradesh. He was arrested in Arki by Bangalore Police which came in his search and too help of Himachal Pradesh police. Swami was having Rs 3 lakh as cash in Indian currency while 2000 dollars in traveler’s cheques. The self-styled swami would be produced before a local magistrate in Himachal Pradesh and then would be taken to Bangalore. He allegedly has 11 different ashrams in India and close to 2 million followers all over the world. Television channel aired the video clipping of swami with a Tamil actress in a compromising situation. Several other cases of rape, criminal activities and cheating have been filed against him. His ashrams have been searched to find evidences and victims are appealed to give evidence. The devotees from the ashram told that video is [...]

Bara Hindu Rao Hospital Demands More Computers

Bara Hindu Rao Hospital demands more computers: Bara Hindu Rao Hospital is managed by Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Patient care services and facilities at the hospital is becoming a big concern. Hospital is having 900 beds and has 350 computers for various purposes. Hospital has submitted request of 150 more computer and if it will be approved then hospital will have 500 computers which will be more than twice the number of computers in all the five other MCD hospitals taken together. Medical superintendent of hospital, Dr. PP Singh said that they need new computers for distributing among the doctors working in the hospital. He told that their plan is to provide one computer each to all the senior physicians. Giving explanation regarding the 350 computers, he said that those computers are already in use as some are in wards while others are used for the registration processes. Other than computers, hospital has demanded 15 printers while they are already having 40 printers. Demands of the hospital are unjustified as they are already provided with large number of computers. Bara Hindu Rao Hospital has lack of facilities for treating patients and they are asking for more computers. A senior MCD official involved with the e-governance project said that Bara Hindu Rao Hospital has made demand for more computers in monthly review meeting held on Thursday but it can’t be justified as they are already having 350 computers. He told that Municipal Corporation of Delhi has total 600 computers which they have to distribute among their all hospitals, maternity centers and dispensaries. Hospital lacking in doctors and medical equipments: Bara Hindu Rao hospital has shortage of specialist doctors, medical officers and even senior and junior resident doctors. Hospital needs recruit more doctors instead of demanding for more computers as various departments have vacancies for doctors but these are ignored from long time. Some of the important departments like orthopedics and surgery have two vacancies each for the specialist positions but these are not filled so far. Other than doctors, hospital is also lacking in medical equipments. Hospital has very few X-ray and CT scan machines while other laboratories are also in bad conditions. Poor patients have to wait for longer time for various tests in laboratories. Hospital is having many other problems as well like sanitation and water problems which they need to improve. Demand made by the hospital has no [...]

Water Shortage In Mumbai

Water shortage in Mumbai: Water shortage problem in Mumbai is becoming crucial. Problem is becoming crucial with time and people will have to face more in future if problem will not be solved now. Pipes are broken at various places due to which a lot of water flow waste. The pipeline at Kasarli in Bhiwandi which bring water to Mumbai has large number of leakages through which water flows out. It is found that people gather at such places. Women wash the clothes from the water coming through the leakages while some people take bath from that water. People also fill their pots and pans from those escapes. A local man said that they are using this water from last five years and people living in this zone have loosened the joints in the pipelines so that water can flow steadily and they can use it continuously without any hurdles. At a short distance from that leakage some people were seating making a gang under the flow of gushing water. Many bear bottles were lying around them and one youngster among them said that it is our waterfall and they pass their time well there. Moving further ahead there was more leakage and at many places water was running such that it is tap for the people to fill their pots and pans. When people are not filling water from the leakages it flows freely and goes waste and no to look over these conditions. It is not only condition of one pipeline flowing to the city and many other pipelines has similar type of problems due to which a lot of water flow waste and as a result there is shortage of water in the city and also the water which reaches is also contaminated and no more safe to drinking purpose. Pipeline problems in Powai: Condition of pipeline at Powai which is carrying water for Mumbai is also having same condition as of in Kasarli in Bhiwandi. Pipeline which takes water to Mumbai and nearby region had many hole at very small distances of about one few meter in Powai and Marol from which water was flowing continuously and no one there to look after them. Slum dwellers from the area said that they are using the water for all the domestic purposes. That pipeline carries water across Mumbai city and has hole after every few meters. Security [...]

Sania’s Engagement Called Off

Sania’s engagement called off: Twenty three years old, Ace Tennis star Sania Mirza last year fell in love with his childhood friend Sohrab Mirza the Hyderabadi Businessman, the son of his family friends. Suddenly, they declared the engagement and got tied in the ceremony in July, 2009. The ceremony was held in the Taj Krishna Hotel in Hyderabad by invitation only function. The ceremony kicked-off by the exchange of rings. But, Sania’s father Imran Mirza has confirmed the splitt-off of the couple’s relation and engagement. He declared that the decision to call-off  Sania’s engagement with her close friend Sohrab Mirza was the mutual decision and the relations between the two families would not be affected or  spoilt but would be continuing their relations on the good terms. Sania Mirza and Sohrab Mirza both have mutually decided not to continue their relations as engaged ones. Their families are very close to each other and they have known each other for approximately half a century. As per Sania Mirza’s father Imran Mirza, both of them came to their families and decided not to continue with the engagement as both of them were not comfortable with the same. As per Sania Mirza they were incompatible during their engagement period, which bring them to break-off their engagement, although they were very good friends from their childhood time. She did not comment much on the matter but just told the reason as the incompatibility of Sohrab, as the reason of their split and wish Sohrab to do best in his future life. Her father told that Sania and Sohrab both would be hurt by the split but it might be in the interest of every one. He also declared that Sania would continue to play and will focus on her tennis now. It would not affect her career and she has to participate in the Fed Cup Asia Oceanic Group two competitions beginning from February. Sania Mirza – the back ground and Controvercy:  Sania Mirza was born on 15 November, 1986 in Mumbai. She started her tennis career in 2003. She also had been awarded Arjuna Award by the Government of India. Her father is a sports journalist, named as Imran Mirza and mother Nasima. Sania Mirza started her playing at the age of six only and professionally played in 2003. Sania’s father and her other family members trained her for her professional playing. Sania [...]