Pro-Telangana groups to organise rail blockades tomorrow

HYDERABAD - In a bid to mount pressure on the Centre on the separate statehood demand, pro-Telangana groups would organise rail blockades all over the region tomorrow.

Thousands of people from villages and towns would squat on the railway tracks from 6 am to 6 pm tomorrow as part of the protest named 'Palle Palle Pattala Paiki' (villages on railway tracks), Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) Convener M Kodandaram told reporters here today.

"We have also asked people who live in the villages all along the railway tracks to come on to the track and sit there. We have also asked them to bring their cattle and bullock carts on to the track and also cook and eat on the track itself. For all practical purposes, instead of living in their homes, they live on the tracks for a day," he said.

The rail blockade is an attempt to send a message across to the Centre, the JAC Convener said.India News

He said there is no change in the 'Chalo Hyderabad' programme scheduled to be held on March 10.

Christened 'million march to Hyderabad', the programme would see lakhs of people coming to Hyderabad and not a soul would be able to move around in the city on that day, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao has announced two days ago.

The JAC has earlier indicated that it might reschedule the programme on March 10 as annual examinations of intermediate students are scheduled to be held on the day.

However, Kodandaram clarified today that there is no change in the 'Chalo Hyderabad' programme and it would be held as scheduled on March 10 as the Board of Intermediate Education was ready to reschedule the examinations.


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Krishna's UN faux pas figures in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI - In an obvious dig at External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, JD-U chief Sharad Yadav today said there are people in the government who do not know whether they are reading their own speech.

"He does not know whether he is reading his speech or someone else's speech", Yadav said without naming Krishna who was occupying the front bench during the debate on Motion of thanks to the President for her Address.

Krishna had mistakenly started reading the speech of his Portuguese counterpart at the UN Security Council. The Minister, however, rectified the mistake after it was pointed out by an official.

Yadav's remark that Krishna was sitting like a "great man...see his posture" evoked sharp reaction from ruling members, who accused Yadav of making disparaging personal remarks.

Referring to 2G spectrum allocation scam, Yadav said that Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, an eminent advocate, was treating the nation like a "legal chamber."

Sibal had earlier described the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on 2G spectrum allocation as "utterly erroneous."

The ruling party members also objected to his remarks against Sibal.


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HDFC Bank to ride growth opportunities in emerging "Bharat"

MUMBAI - Private sector HDFC Bank aims to ride the growth opportunities thrown up by the increasing affluence of "Bharat" (rural India) and expects to grow higher-than-industry over the next few years, a top bank official said.

The bank will also focus on organic growth, having completed the acquisition of CBoP a couple of years ago which has given it a strong footprint pan-India, he said.Indian Business News

"There is a tremendous opportunity in rural India and with the country's GDP poised to grow at 8 per cent-plus over the next few years, HDFC Bank is well-positioned to tap this opportunity for its rapid growth," the bank's Managing Director, Aditya Puri, told PTI here.

Describing rural India as "Bharat", Puri said that HDFC Bank is well-poised to exploit the growth opportunities here in terms of both products and branches.

"Bharat is growing rapidly -- there are agricultural reforms taking place, supply-chains are being developed and improved, per capita income is increasing and ancillary units are growing around manufacturing. All this makes HDFC Bank optimistic about its, and the country's financial sector's growth going forward," Puri said.

The bank constantly innovates and comes up with new offerings, he said, citing as an example its loans against gold jewellery facility.

"Now we give loans against gold jewellery which helps us tap business from small shop-keepers, small businesses and others in rural areas. This business is a good one in the interiors of the country," the HDFC Bank chief said.Financial News

Kirsten pays special attention to Pathan on 2nd day of WC camp

BANGALORE - On his last assignment with the Indian team, coach Gary Kirsten focussed on all-rounder Yusuf Pathan and pacer Ashish Nehra on the second day of the four-day preparatory camp for the World Cup at the National Cricket Academy here today.Latest Sports News

Kirsten was one of the first members of the team to take the field and left the ground last along with colleagues Eric Simmons (bowling consultant) and Paddy Upton (mental conditioning coach).

Kirsten supervised the net sessions of not only the batsmen but even attended to left-arm pacer Ashish Nehra and threw a few balls at him at the fag end of the three-hour long practice session.

Realising Pathan's weakness against short-pitched stuff, Kirsten threw some bouncy balls at him and was also seen giving tips to him on how to counter the fast bowlers.

After yesterday's optional practice session, it was more serious business today. Soon after arriving at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the entire Indian team went through fielding drills for nearly 45 minutes before shifting base to the NCA nets.

The trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who returned to the squad after a short injury lay-off, were the first to hit the nets and batted for about 40 minutes during which middled the ball from the word go.

Young Virat Kohli also spent a considerable amount of time at the nets and looked at ease but Yuvraj looked little out of sort with his timing.

After completing his session at the net, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined Harbhajan Singh at the other end of the NCA ground and the duo smacked Karnataka Cricket Academy bowlers to all parts of the park.

All the bowlers, meanwhile, rolled their arms in turns with Munaf Patel extracting considerable amount of pace and bounce from the pitch.

After the camp, India will be put to their first test when they play Australia in their first warm-up match on Sunday and then round off their preparation with a practice game against New Zealand in Chennai on February 16.Sports Headlines 

WC will be a fight among India, Pak and SL: Raina

NEW DELHI - Young middle-order batsman Suresh Raina reckons that with the dominance of four-time world champions Australia almost over, it would be a fight among the three sub-continental teams in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the upcoming cricket World Cup.

"I see this World Cup as a fight among the sub continental teams -- Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. England can also be the real challengers. They are doing well, especially after their success in the Ashes," Raina told PTI in an interview from Bangalore.Latest Sports News
"This is a fresh World Cup and in the last four years other teams have also improved a lot as compared to the Aussies. It's important to get a good start in the tournament," he added.

The Uttar Pradesh player also said this was the best Indian side ever and if it could make it to the last four stage, it would be the firm favourite to win the title.

"It's all about making it to the semis. I hope if we can make it to the last four stage, then we will definitely be in the final. We have some very good players now. It's very important to reach the semis".

"I think this is the best ever Indian side...we have the best batsman in Sachin Tendulkar and with Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir there as well at the top, the batting is very strong," said Raina.

Raina said coach Gary Kirsten and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni have done a great job with the team and success has given them confidence.

"Gary Kirsten and Dhoni have been doing great with the side. He (Kirsten) is the best coach and 'captain cool' Dhoni is the best skipper.

"With Sreesanth back in the side, the pace attack looks very good, while in Harbhajan (Singh) leading the spin armoury along with (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Piyush) Chawla, it looks a fully balanced line-up."

The 24-year-old batsman, who may have to compete with the likes of Virat Kohli and Yusuf Pathan for a place in the final XI, is however confident of batting at any position and sees himself in a role of a finisher.

"It's (finishing a game) not easy. You have to read the situation well. Any miscalculation can go horribly wrong. You have to rotate the strike and at the same time it's very important to play your natural game", he said. 

"I've been scoring for the Indian team. I am finishing the games well. It's true that I am scoring in the 30s. But batting at 6 or 7, those are valuable runs when you have to play for the team's cause," said Raina, referring to his performance in the five-match ODI series in South Africa where he failed to notch even a half-century.

"I've been batting at different positions. Be it at No 3, 4, or at 5 and 6 as in last few years. I've improved as a batsman," said Raina, who holds the record of becoming the first Indian to score centuries in all the three formats of the game.

A poor form had cost him a place in the 2007 World Cup squad and Raina said he was disappointed about the past but wants to start afresh.

"It was definitely disappointing to miss out on 2007.

Having missed out on the last World Cup, it's a dream come true for me to be picked this time around. It's a hugely important tournament for me.

"It's a fresh World Cup and I'm truly honoured to be part of the side, representing the billions of fans who support the country. The occasion is more special as we will play in home conditions. All eyes would be on us. Everybody is upbeat. I'm really excited for the showpiece event to start," Raina said.

"No doubt, there is pressure. After all, this is the biggest stage of the game. But we are used to this and with great cricketers like Sachin, Sehwag, Dhoni in the dressing room, you never really feel the pressure."

Raina also believes a good performance in the World Cup would take a player to the next level.

"I see it as a very good opportunity. If you perform well, you will take your game and confidence to the next level. It's very important to stay focussed, be relaxed and at the same time be humble and disciplined in your approach.

Speaking about the South Africa tour, Raina said, "We lost all ODIs in 2005. But this time we showed real fighting spirit. We drew the Test series that has never happened. We fought till the end and in the ODI series also we came very close."

Raina signed off saying everybody in the Indian team would try their best to bring back the World Cup and keep the faith of the billions of supporters.

"The World Cup belongs to the country, the billions of Indians who pray for us and support us. Nobody knows if Sachin Tendulkar will play in the next World Cup. Only he knows.India News

Not just for Sachin but for the entire countrymen we will give our best to bring back the World Cup," he said.

Mutalik arrest- A matter of concern for Karnataka

BANGALORE - The interrogation of 36-year-old Praveen Mutalik, who was arrested by the Maharashtra ATS,has revealed that he is the one who planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a bikeat Bhiku chowk, Malegoan, during Ramzan on September 29, 2008. The motorcycle was later traced to the prime accused Sadhwi Pragya Singh Thakur, the interrogation report revealed. India News

 Mutalik, a resident of Gokak town in Belgaum district of Karnataka was the active worker of Sri Ram Sene. Later he came into contact with Abhinav Bharat through Sri Ram Sene and met Colonel Prasad Srikanth Purohit, (founder of the Abhinav Bharat in February 2007) as well.

 

Investigations by ACP Mohan Kulkarni, ATS, Maharashtra has revealed that Mutalik along with other aides were trained to handle explosives by Rakesh Dhawde during his stay at Sudhakar Chaturvedi's house in Deolali camp, Nasik, two months before the attack.

 

Purohit had brought RDX with him while coming from Kashmir after completing his posting. It was kept at his house for a while before the bomb was assembled with the help of Chaturvedi.

 

“He (Mutalik) joined Abhinav Bharat, a terrorist organization in the year 2008 and became one of the prominent members of it. Later he had participated in different meetings. He was expert in manufacturing bombs.” said Rakesh Maria, chief of Maharashtra ATS.

 

He is arrested under the Sections 302, 307, 324, 427, 153-A, 120-B read with 3,4,5 and 6 of India Explosive Substances ACT. 1980 r/w 3,5,25 of Arms Act r/15,16,17,18,20 and 23 of Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act-1967 of Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act 1999.

 

 With the arrest of Praveen Mutalik by the ATS of Maharashtra, it is established that the contribution of Extremist Hindutva outfits from Karnataka in various terror acts is very apparent and hence a serious matter of concern.

 

Earlier, when the Karnataka witnessed the blast inside the premises of the court complex in Hubli, investigations pointed out the involvements of some Hindu right wing extremists.

 

It is high time to investigate the links of Hindutva extremist organizations operating from the soil of Karnataka. It is evident that these organizations are engaged in something more than mere polarization of the society. Whether the law & order agencies of Karnataka have failed to identify the ‘evolution’ of such groups or are they enjoying the neglection from the

administration and the Government? There is urgent need to investigate the depth of influence of these terror groups in Karnataka.On the contrary, the response from the media to the arrest of Muthalik was very apprehensive.National Headlines

Excellence key to survive, flourish in global market: PM

NEW DELHI - In the face of intense competition, Indian enterprises need to adopt a culture of excellence to survive and flourish in the global market, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said today.Indian Business News

While several multi-national enterprises have set up R&D facilities in India, the country has a "far way to go in institutionalising the culture of excellence embedded into the working processes of Indian enterprises," he said.

Singh was addressing an international conference on productivity and quality here.

"We live in times of intense competition and rapid technological change...Technology is eliminating or at least significantly reducing entry barriers in many industries and increasing the number of providers of goods and services," he said.

Singh said the techniques for improving quality and productivity were not only useful for private enterprises but also for delivery of public services.

"In fact they can be used to design government services optimally so that service delivery becomes much-more cost effective and reliable," he said.

Giving example, the Prime Minister said that the productivity technique could be used to enhance agricultural production and improve overall supply chain management.

"Today the use of technology in planning and supply chain management has enormous potential to improve productivity, reduce cycle times as well as inventory levels drastically", he said.

India's agriculture which feeds about 70 per cent of its people suffers from supply chain management, leading to bouts of food inflation now and then.

This area is receiving attention of the government after the weaknesses in the food supply management have come to the fore.Financial News

Costlier vegetables push food inflation to 17.05 pc

NEW DELHI - Food inflation soared to 17.05 per cent for the week ended January 22, rising for the second straight week, on the back of costlier vegetables, fruits and milk.

Food inflation rose by 1.48 percentage points from 15.57 per cent in the previous week. The food inflation last year had stood at 20.56 per cent.

On an annual basis, onion prices rose by 130.41 per cent in the third week of January, although they have moderated considerably in the recent days.India News

Vegetables as a whole have became dearer by 77.05 per cent on an annual basis as potato prices rose by 6.22 per cent.

Fruits and milk became costlier by 15.47 per cent and 11.41 per cent on a year on year basis respectively, data released by the government showed.

In the non-food items, fuel inflation rose by 0.66 per cent during the week after the oil marketing companies raised petrol prices by about Rs 2.50 a litre.

"Fuel and Power" category showed an increase of 11.61 per cent year-on-year.

The uptick in latest food inflation figure is likely to put further pressure on the government grappling with expensive food commodities and a slowing industrial growth that dipped to the 18-month low of 2.7 per cent for November.

The overall inflation for December rose to 8.43 per cent, from 7.48 per cent in the previous month.

The RBI has projected the headline inflation to be at 7 per cent by March end.National headlines

Dhoni confident India would handle pressure well in WC

MUMBAI - Weighed down by the pressure of expectations four years ago, the Indian squad crashed out of the World Cup at the preliminary stage itself but current captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident his team would handle the burden better in the upcoming mega-event.Online News
"We take pressure as an added responsibility. We will stick to the basics and prepare well. We have the potential to do well in the tournament. For a change we will not be the underdogs," said Dhoni at a promotional event here.

The Ranchi-born wicket-keeper batsman, however, refused to predict whether India will go on and regain the coveted crown after a gap of 28 years.

"I never predict what will happen in cricket. We believe in each other and we believe in the process. We will take each game in the right frame of mind," said Dhoni ahead of India's campaign in the Febrary 19-April 2 showpiece event.

Dhoni brushed aside concerns about India's opening match against co-hosts Bangladesh in Dhaka after what had happened in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies when the Rahul Dravid-led side got knocked out following a shock defeat at the hands of their eastern neighbours.National News

"The past is past. I am more optimistic than you," he said referring to the lung-opener against Bangladesh on February 19.

Dhoni refused to agree with England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who criticised the World Cup schedule for long gaps between matches and preferred to look at it as an opportunity to recover from niggles and relax.