Posts Tagged ‘Mumbai’
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) 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.
“The Supreme Court judgment quashing the grant of all 122 2G licences has recorded the finding that this grant at 2001 prices has caused a huge loss quantified by the CAG up to Rs.1,76,000 crore is enough ground for the nation to ask for the resignation of not only Chidambaram but also the prime minister,” Bhushan said in a statement. Chidambaram was the finance minister in 2008 when the licences were given.
“It is clear that the prime minister came to know of the facts and could have prevented the grant of licenses at 2001 prices. He could have dropped Raja from the government. His defence that the constraints of coalition politics did not permit him to intervene is no defence at all. This only implies that if he had intervened, his government might have fallen,” he added.
Bhushan said the special CBI judge held that the then finance minister’s (Chidambaram) act of granting permission to licensees to transfer their equity in favour of other companies at a very high price, even if contrary to the terms of the licence, did not per se make him a party to a criminal conspiracy with Raja.
“The special judge has further pointed out that while there was clear evidence against Raja and others facing trial about their involvement in the criminal conspiracy, similar evidence was lacking against Chidambaram,” Bhushan said.
“In the absence of any other evidence so far, the special judge may be right in his order rejecting (Janata Party leader Subramanian) Swamy’s plea for making Chidambaram a co-accused,” he added.
Bhushan said that in a case of conspiracy, actionable evidence emerges only after an investigation by an empowered and independent investigation agency.
“It may be noted here that the CBI cannot independently investigate against Chidambaram as the home ministry controls the transfers, postings, promotions, suspensions and disciplinary proceedings of the IPS cadre members of the CBI,” he pointed out.
“If the principle was applied that ‘no investigation could be done unless the available facts already showed that a person was a party to a criminal conspiracy’, no terrorist would ever be investigated,” he added.
Bhushan, however, said that a minister’s or the prime minister’s resignation is called for not only when it is shown that they have committed a criminal offence but also when their acts of either omission or commission lead to a huge loss to the nation.
Tags: Maharashtra, Mumbai
Posted in National, Politics | No Comments »
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Monday gave up some of its intra-day gains but closed 102 points higher even as foreign institutional investors continued to be robust buyers.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,741.91 points, closed at 17,707.31 points, 102.35 points or 0.58 percent up from its previous close at 17,604.96 points.
The Sensex had moved up 224 points during the day but fell sharply in the afternoon, before recovering a bit towards closing.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended in the green at 5,361.65 points, up 35.8 points or 0.67 percent from its previous close.
Both the Sensex and Nifty have gained handsomely since the year started, mainly backed by hefty inflows from overseas investors.
According to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), foreign institutional investors bought stocks worth $198.92 million Monday. FIIs have pumped in $2.03 billion in January and have crossed $1.18 billion in just four days of February.
Broader markets also saw gains in Monday’s trade with the BSE 500 index moving up 0.92 percent from its previous close. The BSE midcap index closed 1.26 percent up while the BSE smallcap index rose 1.43 percent.
Realty, capital goods and metals stocks were on the rise. Twelve out of the 13 sectoral indices on the BSE ended in the green.
Prominent gainers on the 30-scrip Sensex included SBI, up 3.39 percent at Rs.574.75; L&T, up 2.14 percent at Rs.1,382.75; TCS, up 2.04 percent at Rs.1,191.95; and ICICI Bank, up 1.43 percent at Rs.927.85.
Among the losers on the benchmark were Tata Power, down 4.36 percent at Rs.107.45; HUL, down 3.49 percent at Rs.386.70; Sun Pharma, down 1.79 percent at Rs.546.30; and RIL, down 0.6 percent at Rs.832.75.
The market breadth was positive with 1,855 stocks advancing, 1,054 on the decline and 105 unchanged.
Asian markets too were ruling in the green, managing to extend the previous week’s gains.
The Japanese Nikkei rose 1.1 percent to close at 8,929.2 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 0.23 percent to trade at 20,709.94 points.
The Chinese Shanghai Composite index closed flat at 2,331.14 points.
European markets were ruling lower as investors were worried over the political deadlock in Greece with policymakers of that country unable to come to a consensus on reforms needed to secure a financial bail out package.
Britain’s FTSE 100 was ruling 0.38 percent down at 5,878.58 points. The German DAX was similarly trading 0.52 percent lower at 6,731.81 points.
The French CAC 40 was trading 1.1 percent lower at 3,390.33 points.
Tags: Maharashtra, Mumbai
Posted in Business, National | No Comments »
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) 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.
The ‘padyatra’ will start Friday (Feb 10) from Cauvery Sangamma, wend through the rugged and beautiful villages of south Bangalore, and end in Bidadi.
Called the “Paul Revere’s Midnight Walk” after a historic figure from American history, the unique effort will support the worthy causes of Oxfam India.
‘Oxfam Trailwalker’ is a global event which takes place annually in 12 countries and is happening first time in India.
“Paul Revere’s spirit of activism – and the fact that we will have to walk all through the night in order to finish in time – inspired the selection of our team name,” said US Consul General in Mumbai, Peter Haas, who will take part in the unique ‘padyatra.’
On April 18, 1775, the eve of the American Revolution, Paul Revere rode his horse throughout the night alerting the American militia that the British troops were about to attack and warning Boston’s residents that they should prepare to defend their homes, Haas explained.
Consular Officer Evan Morrisey, said that the participants in the walk love India, and work to advancing India-US partnership through various means, including providing visas, promoting bilateral trade and investments and connecting with the people of India.
Consular Officer Roland Minez said that all the four enjoyed being outdoors – “We view this effort as a way we could show our love of India while simultaneously seeing more of India’s beautiful countryside and supporting the worthy cause championed by Oxfam India.”
The four diplomats, taking their ‘padyatra’ seriously, took care to train themselves for the efforts, said Consular Officer Dan Gedacht.
“Along with various friends and supporters, our team has conducted several training hikes in the hills of Maharashtra. We completed 40 km on our last training hike and are looking forward to a challenging but rewarding experience in Bangalore,” he said optimistically.
The Oxfam India, through its work, helps the poor increase their income, works to unlock the potential of women, and provides health and education services to the most vulnerable communities.
Tags: Mumbai
Posted in National | No Comments »
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) 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.
“If you are an actor, than it is not very safe to do boxing. We do it in films, but that is definitely not real action. If the actors get injured, the producers face a lot of loss,” Sonu said at a World Series of Boxing match here.
Talking about taking up a boxer’s role in reel, he said: “Definitely, why not. Many scripts come where the character of a boxer is offered, but like I said, you need to be prepared for it… you better get prepared as an actor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sonu is busy shooting for “Maximum” with Naseerudin Shah and his home production “Lucky Unlucky” with Mallika Sherawat.
Tags: Maharashtra, Mumbai
Posted in Entertainment, National | No Comments »
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) After the stupendous success of “Agneepath”, expectations are high for Karan Johar’s next production venture “Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu”, but actor Imran Khan isn’t nervous about it.
“No, the success and failure of another film doesn’t affect our film in anyway. If somebody’s film does well, it doesn’t hurt us. If somebody’s film fails, it doesn’t help us,” Imran said at an event here.
After making a dream debut with the blockbuster “Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na” in 2007, Imran went through a dull period. He bounced back last year with the release of adult comedy “Delhi Belly”, with raked in moolah at the box-office despite being an A-movie with locker room talk.
Asked what does he think is the yardstick for success, Imran said, “Success yardstick is what you invest in making a film vis-a-vis what it earns. If you invest Rs.5 crore in a film and if you earn Rs.10 crore that is a successful film…,” he added.
Tags: Maharashtra, Mumbai
Posted in Entertainment, National | No Comments »
Written by admin on 06 February 2012
Mumbai, Feb 6 (IANS) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan says he is shocked to hear about star cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s illness and prays for his well being.
“Shocked to learn of Yuvraj Singh down with cancer..Yuvraj if you read this, know that we all pray for you..All shall and will be well,” Amitabh wrote on his Twitter page.
Yuvraj has been diagnosed with a malignant tumour in his lung and is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Cancer Research Institute in Boston, US.
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Hrithik, KJo remember Abhishek’s fancy dress B’day party
Hrithik Roshan and Karan Johar went down the memory lane – while the former reemembered dressing up for Abhishek Bachchan’s theme based birthday parties, the latter still can’t forget making a fool of himself at one such bash.
Hrithik and Karan took to Twitter to wish Abhishek on his birthday Sunday to share the childhood memories.
“@juniorbachchan miss the happy birthday parties in the backyard. Chor police, cowboys, the fancy dress memories! But you’v always been d GURU of all good things personified,” Hrithik posted.
To which Karan responded, saying, “@iHrithik @juniorbachchan…yes and I came as superman when there was NO fancy dress theme!! AB never let’s me forget how idiotic I looked!!”
Hrithik futher tweeted @kjohar25 @juniorbachchan: “And we have pictures to prove it!! Haha, you were always ahead of times even then!”
Abhishek too tweeted, saying, “@kjohar25 @ihrithik well well well. The less said on that topic the better.”
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Preeti’s liveliness wows ‘Yeh Hai Mumbai’ director
Preeti Jhangiani is so full of life that she didn’t have to pretend to play the role in “Yeh Hai Mumbai”, says director Sneh Tulli.
“Preeti is playing a bubbly character, which is not very different from her real life character. She is so sweet and well-behaved that even during breaks she used to ask me if anything was required or if she could go to her vanity,” said Tulli.
Tully added: “Preeti in her real life is always full of life and very bubbly, so while shooting she didn’t had to pretend.”
The actress, who made her Bollywood debut with Yash Raj’s “Mohabbatein”, is believed to keep the atmosphere on the sets very delightful.
“As soon as Preeti shows up on the sets, the atmosphere on the sets, and cast and crew light up, there is smile on everyone’s face and the environment becomes very relaxed,” said a source.
Tags: Maharashtra, Mumbai
Posted in Cricket, Entertainment, National | No Comments »
