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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Compulsory referrals, but no Hawk-Eye


The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to make the Decision Review System (DRS) mandatory in Test matches and One-Day Internationals. Hawk-Eye, the contentious ball-tracking system that predicts the likely path of the ball, and which is currently an essential part of the decision-making technology bouquet, will be optional.
The decision is seen as a compromise between the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has been firmly opposed to Hawk-Eye since 2008.
DRS technology will now use only infra-red cameras and audio-tracking devices. The use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on bilateral arrangements between the playing teams.
A unanimous decision to make a modified version of the DRS mandatory was reached in Hong Kong, where ICC’s chief executives’ committee met on Monday. The new agreement has been recommended to the executive board, which is likely to approve it on Tuesday.
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China: NATO action won't solve Libyan crisis

LONDON (AP) — Military action alone won't resolve the Libyan crisis, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday in a warning to nations conducting the NATO-led air campaign in Libya.
Following talks in London with British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Chinese leader said his nation backed attempts to reach a political solution over Western calls for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to step down after 42 years in power.
"Foreign troops may be able to win war in a place, but they can hardly win peace. Hard lessons have been learned from what has happened in the Middle East and Afghanistan," Wen told reporters at a news conference with Cameron.
He said China still supported the U.N. Security Council resolution that authorized air strikes against Libya to protect civilians, but insisted the nations involved must comply with the strict terms.
Russia has accused Britain, France and other NATO participants of going beyond the scope of the resolution.
"We hope that the issue of Libya will be resolved through political, peaceful means, to reduce the humanitarian harm and in particular the harm of innocent civilians," Wen said.
He said China has had recent contacts with both Gadhafi's regime and the main opposition leadership based in eastern Libya.
Wen, who was wrapping up a three-day visit to Britain, took a swipe at "finger-pointing" Western critics who insist the U.K. and other nations should not pursue increased trade with China until the Asian powerhouse improves its human rights record.
Cameron said he had raised the issue during talks and that no topic had been off limits. "There is no trade-off in our relationship. It is not about either discussing trade or human rights," he said.
In its latest annual report on global human rights, Britain expressed concern over the plight of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Liu Xiaobo and the detention and prosecution of other political activists.
"On human rights, China and the U.K. should respect each other, respect the facts, treat each other as equals, engage in more cooperation than finger-pointing and resolve our differences through dialogue," Wen said.
"China is not only pursuing economic development but also political structural reform and improvement in democracy and the rule of law," he said.
In an afternoon speech to Britain's Royal Society, a scientific academy, Wen said he recognized the need for an academic environment "which encourages innovation, criticism and risk-taking."
"Tomorrow's China will be a country that fully achieves democracy, the rule of law, fairness and justice," Wen said, promising the nation would create the "conditions for people to oversee and criticize the government."
Britain and China sealed trade deals worth $2.3 billion during the talks between senior ministers. China also offered to send two panda bears to Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
The two nations are aiming to quickly increase the value of their trade, and discussed opportunities for British companies in rapidly expanding regional cities outside Beijing.
However, Cameron and Wen acknowledged that Germany is currently a larger trading partner with China. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was hosting a formal dinner for Wen in Berlin on Monday evening.
"I see no danger in China, but an enormous opportunity," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on ZDF television. "We have to tend our old partnership, we must deepen our friendships, but we must at the same time also find new partnerships."
Like Cameron, Westerwelle said China's new partners could woo new trade while also delivering a tough message on human rights.
"German business opportunities and values-led foreign policy that pays attention to compliance with human rights are not contradictions — they belong together," Westerwelle said.
"If you approach things, let's say, in a face-saving way, with sensible handling, you can address everything — even the most difficult questions," he added.
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Liam Fox approves plan to cut armed forces' top ranks

Liam Fox, who is to unveil a radical restructuring of the Ministry of DefenceDefence secretary says reforms recommended by Lord Levene will create more 'meritocratic armed forces as well as new career opportunities'
Britain's armed forces will be radically overhauled in plans that will see the number of senior officers cut and could also lead to ministerial posts being axed.
The defence secretary, Liam Fox, said the aim was to "strike a new balance" in the department, with better budgetary control and an end to the "micro management" that he claimed had undermined the department's culture.
Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have approved the reforms, recommended by Lord Levene, and the proposals will be published on Monday.
In a speech, Fox will say Levene's blueprint sets out "a vision of transformation on a scale not seen in defence for a generation".
The long-awaited overhaul of one of Whitehall's most complex ministries will lead to each of the three services thinning their ranks at the highest level. As the Guardian revealed last month, the army, navy and air force will each be run by a single chief.
Fox told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that his announcement would outline changes from some of the practices he said had "bedevilled" defence in recent decades.
"We need to prepare military structures for future roles and challenges," he said. "I want to create new career structures and opportunities as well as having better streamlined management, because we've allowed costs to escalate and projects to run over in the most appalling way ... we need to bring that under control."
Fox said he believed there was a "very strong case" for reducing the "star count" – the number of top military staff – to create space for those coming up through the ranks.
"What we will set out I hope will set the direction to create more meritocratic armed forces as well as new career opportunities," he added.
The services currently have two commanders, one in charge of strategy and the other in charge of day-to-day operations. The reforms would see operational control pushed down the chain of command.
The three service chiefs will be removed from the defence board, a powerful committee chaired by the defence secretary. The overall head of the military – the chief of the defence staff, currently General Sir David Richards – will represent them.
The post of deputy chief of the defence staff will initially be retained but is expected to become redundant when the current holder of the job, General Sir Nicholas Houghton, moves on.
A committee chaired by an independent non-executive director, chosen by the defence secretary, will be in charge of appointments to the top ranks.
Levene argued that the services were top-heavy – a finding chiming with Fox's belief that the number of elite officers should be trimmed to reflect cuts further down the ranks. The department is seeking to make 17,000 service personnel redundant over the next three years.
He also said the boundaries between the department's ministerial posts were blurred, and that it could be time to scrap one of the junior positions.
Some minor boards set up to oversee individual projects will also be scrapped, and a Whitehall source said: "These reforms should lead to major savings."
Fox said one of the problems the MoD faces is getting control of the budget from the centre. The overhaul will address this as well as allowing for a better alignment of decision-making and accountability, he said.
In his speech, he will say: "Lord Levene is clear in his critique. [The MoD is] a department with overly bureaucratic management structures, dominated by committees that led to indecisiveness and a lack of responsibility."
The MoD is expected to axe up to 8,000 civil servants in the next year. The Treasury has given the department the money to start the cuts, but some in Whitehall fear it will be difficult to implement Levene's plans with so many staff leaving.
The Levene reforms are regarded as an important first step in the complete overhaul of the way the armed forces are managed.
Next month, they will be followed by details of how the MoD intends to meet the £1bn overspend in the budget for last year, as well as an assessment of what is really affordable between 2015 and 2020.
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Monday, June 27, 2011

Bollywood remembers RD Burman

RD Burman was a musical genius whose experiments and innovativeness made him one of the most beloved musicians of his time.

Remembering him on his 72nd birth anniversary on June 27, the likes of Hema Malini and Aamir Khan feel that he gave the Hindi film industry an imperishable treasure trove.

Son of Sachin Dev Burman, Rahul was fondly referred to as Pancham and started his journey with Chhote Nawab (1961).

After that, he worked continuously for 33 years and brought a refreshing change with his extraordinary musical work like Raat kali (Buddha Mil Gaya), the sensual cabaret number Piya tu ab toh aaja (Caravan), the ultimate hippie anthem Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) and the classical Raina beeti jaaye (Amar Prem).

Bollywood remembers the legend, who died Jan 4, 1994:

Hema Malini: I used to be very busy during the times Burmanji was very active. I never had a chance to sit and talk to him at length. At parties, we would meet briefly, but I never really chatted with him. But I still remember the melodies and the great songs he created that are still so fresh. Mehbooba in Sholay was one of the best songs he composed. Songs for Khushboo and Kudrat were also great. We don't get to hear that kind of music any more.

Aamir Khan: From a very young age I had seen him (RD Burman) working with my father (late filmmaker Tahir Hussain) . When I worked as an assistant director with my father, I got a chance to work with him as well. I'm so glad I got that opportunity. Most of the songs that he composed became hits. He was a great composer.

Pritam Chakraborty: Panchamda has been the main inspiration for me...I also had an R.D. Burman fan club in Kolkata. He has brought a revolution in the music industry. His music will always have an impact on Bollywood.

Minissha Lamba: I am a huge fan of Panchamda. His music has been a milestone in the Indian music industry. One of my all-time favourite songs by him is Tere bina zindagi se koi shikva. The song is absolutely beautiful, romantic and melodious.

Kailash Kher: RD Burman is the man behind the international sound in Indian films and he is the one who explored all genres by experimenting. He and his music were always ahead of its time. He is immortal and lives with us through his music even today.

Abhijeet Bhattacharya: Oscars or Grammys can't be the highest awarding bodies of music because they failed to discover R D Burman's music. It's very unfortunate. He would remain a competitor for the present and the future composers for another 300 years. RD Burman is still alive...Everybody in some way or the other copies RD Burman. RD Burman will be there forever.

Shamir Tandon: His music has a huge influence on today's music industry. Songs which were composed decades ago still manage to connect with today's youth. Music composed today can't be absolutely independent of R.D. Burman. His music is so versatile that every music created after him and in future would carry some of his ingredients.

Kainaz Motivala: I remember RD Burman as a legendary composer who gave our industry some of the most melodious songs that are remembered even today. After so many decades, Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko has to be one of my all time favourite songs even today.
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Anushka Sharma questioned at Mumbai airport

Anushka Sharma was held for questioning at the Mumbai airport for not declaring goods in her luggage that may have qualified for duty. According to reports, the actress failed to declare jewellery, handbags and watches worth 35 lakhs.

Sources say that while Anushka had listed the items while leaving India, she failed to enumerate them on her return. More details are awaited.

Just last month, actress Bipasha Basu was detained at the Mumbai International Airport briefly for carrying unaccounted cash and jewellery.

Reports say that she has accepted that she forgot to declare the jewellery and was let off after paying the customs duty.

The Dhoom 2 actress was intercepted after she had crossed the green channel without making any declaration on her arrival from London.

Bipasha Basu also issued a statement saying: "It was just a routine check up at the airport and many others were being checked as well. All that I have in my bags is the clothes that I had shopped for and then hence had excess baggage for which I paid approximately Rs 12,000 as taxes. I think the customs team is doing an excellent job.'

Customs sources said she was carrying sandals, sunglasses and perfume, which she did not know also needed to be declared. "She was very cooperative and showed all the bills," they said.

Another Bollywood actress Minissha Lamba had been detained at the airport on May 18 on her arrival from Cannes, France, for not declaring gold and diamond jewellery worth over Rs 30 lakh.

She was let off after two rounds of questioning, one of which lasted for over 16 hours. Lamba had claimed that the ornaments were given by a jewellery brand for purely promotional purpose to be worn at the Cannes film festival, where she had walked the red carpet.
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IIFA 2011: First Glamour, Now Controversy

Shah Rukh Khan lost his cool (and Salman wasn't even there). Sridevi's face looked inflexible when she tried to smile (you know what that means) and the long-standing debate on why Indian films are still just Hindi films, gets a new twist. As IIFA ends, the chinwag begins.

Known to speak her mind, actor Khushbu Sundar tweeted on the veracity of a global showcase for Indian cinema, represented by only Hindi cinema. Her tweets:
"Hindi industry remake all of south indian films or get "inspired" by them yet you avoid them..why"
"You have best of talent down south n nobody can deny that...wake up IIFA!!!!"
"Why south indian films are not part of IIFA? You represent Indian films or just Hindi films at IIFA?not fair IIFA :-(".

Then, Khusbu tweeted author and politician Shashi Tharoor to send the message to the IIFA: "@ShashiTharoor Hi Mr.Tharoor,why don't you take the initiative of promoting south indian cinema at IIFA?after all its about indian cinema."

With Khusbu, Shashi Tharoor and many others joining the debate on SNS, this one's going to go on till the next edition of the IIFA extravaganza.

After storming Toronto in full-on superstar mode, the badshah's patience ran thin (could be the niggling knee injury) when he was asked about his 7-year-long absence from IIFA. Shah Rukh said the media have created a myth that film stars are petty-minded people who constantly worry about losing out to each other. "Any star who has the time, comes. Yeh apke dimaag main hai ke actors/actresses ek chhat ke niche naahi aana pasand karte. Achhi baat yeh hai ke sab masroof hain aur masroofiat se aa nahi sakte. Otherwise none of us have any issues."

Salman's absence obviously hasn't done much to soothe SRK's frayed nerves.

Next point of debate is Sridevi and her (reportedly) botoxed face. Not-so-hot in a strapless red gown, few missed her lopsided attempt at a smile while presenting an award on stage. Add to that the recent report of Boney Kapoor being cash crunched thanks to hi-maintenance wife Sridevi and uh-oh, the fat's in the fire.

If you are all IIFA-ed out after the weekend gala, in true Bollywood style, the show is far from over.
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Rave party busted, narcotics officer becomes suspect

Karjat:  It was 9:30 pm on Sunday night and the music was pumping in the Mount View resort in Karjat, a two and a half hour drive from Mumbai. The rave at the 3-star resort had been advertised discreetly on Facebook and via sms to college students.

Then the police stormed in. They found heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and other drugs along with cash worth Rs. 3,08,000. And in a room at the resort, they stumbled upon Anil Jadhav, an officer from the city's Anti-Narcotics Squad.

Mr Jadhav claims that he had been tipped off to the rave, and had arrived here to bust the party. He has been charged with arranging for drugs for the ravers. This afternoon, his suspension was announced by Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil.

"Anil Jadhav has been suspended...we need to take a close look at postings of Anti Narcotics Cell officers in one place for a long time," said the Home Minister.

It's "100% a plant," said Mr Jadhav to NDTV. Police sources say MrJadhav not only helped the organiser get a licence for the party at the resort but organized the drugs that were sold.

The resort manager and the party organiser are among the five people who have been arrested. They have been remanded to police custody till July 2. One person is absconding.

The 300 attendees, who included 60 girls, were tested for drugs. They paid Rs. 1000 to attend the party.

The results are awaited. Sources say first-time offenders are likely to be enrolled in a rehab program at a government-run hospital.

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Mayawati promises strict action against errant cops

Lucknow:  With a grim harvest of rapes to answer for in her state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has announced a new strategy to check crimes against women. The attention to detail comes after a high-volume attack from Opposition parties, and a protest march staged by the Congress in Lucknow today.

Last week, there were eight rapes reported in 48 hours. The violence against the women - most of them young, some of them Dalits - was compounded by policemen who brushed aside the need to register complaints and cases.

So the Chief Minister has warned that senior officers in charge of police stations will face punitive action - and in some cases jail - if there is evidence of any dithering when it comes to helping women victims.

Mayawati says she will also travel across the state to conduct surprise inspections of law and order after the UP Assembly session ends in August.

The government also plans to launch a month-long drive to check atrocities against women - details of this have yet to be shared.

In the last few weeks, the Chief Minister has sounded defensive, and some say insensitive, when asked to explain why her police force was failing to protect and assist young women. "If any incident takes place in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress government takes that opportunity to put a wrong picture through the media. The Congress government plays politics on any incident that takes place in UP," Mayawati said.

With elections in UP scheduled for next year, political parties are not shying away from punching holes in Mayawati's explanations.

The Congress tried to stage a protest march in Lucknow today, in open defiance of the government which had refused permission last evening, citing law and order concerns. More than a hundred Congress workers were detained, including the party's president in UP, Rita Bahuguna Joshi. The Congress slammed the decision saying it reflected the "fascist" style of functioning of the Mayawati government. "How can they deny permission for our democratic right to hold a peaceful march? It is ridiculous," Ms Joshi had said earlier.

In Delhi, Rahul Gandhi underscored his party's stand by visiting a young teen who was attacked recently in Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. Her eyes were stabbed by the two men who tried to rape her.
PLAYClick to Expand & Play
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'Truth Test' at temple skipped during Yeddyurappa visit

Bangalore:  B S Yeddyurappa kept his promise to visit the Lord Manjunathaswamy temple in Dharmasthala this morning. He offered prasad and said he offered prayers for Karnataka. However, he did not refer to his controversial invite to a political rival to meet him here for a face-off before God.

The Karnataka Chief Minister had dared HD Kumaraswamy, leader of a major Opposition party, to meet him at this temple for a "truth test". Mr Kumaraswamy did show up today at the temple, but only after the Chief Minister had departed.

Mr Kumaraswamy has devoted the last few months to circulating documents that suggest Mr Yeddyurappa is guilty of corruption. Mr Kumaraswamy claims that the Chief Minister sent him an emissary to broker a private peace. Swear before God that this is the case, retaliated the Chief Minister, in a dramatic letter published in local newspapers. Mr Kumaraswamy accepted the offer.

Religious leaders - including the priest in charge of the Dharmasthala temple - reprimanded both leaders. "I have told the chief minister and Kumaraswamy to follow political dharma, but not mix politics with religion. Both have accepted it," Veerendra Heggade, the head of the famous temple said last night.

Maybe everyone should pray for Karnataka.
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Advertisement for the post of Research Officer in Grade ‘B’ (DR) for Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR)
Applications (App.) are invited for the post mentioned below in Reserve Bank of India (RBI/Bank) from Indian citizens, citizens of Nepal and subjects of Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (who came over to India before 1st January 1962) and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Myanmar and Sri Lanka with the intention of permanently settling in India and in whose favour Eligibility Certificates have been issued by Government of India
Post
Number of Vacancies
Unreserved i.e.,General (Gen)
Scheduled Castes (SC)
Scheduled Tribes (ST)
Other Backward Classes (OBC)
 TOTAL
Research Officer in Grade ‘B’ (DR) for Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR) ***
11
- @
01
01
13
*** No posts are reserved for Persons with Disability (PWD). However PWD may apply but they will not be eligible for any relaxation/concession except for age relaxation and application fee.
@ Though there is no vacancy reserved for SC candidates for the above post, they can also apply. However, they will not be eligible for any relaxation / concession except application fee.
1. A. Job Requirements : To undertake research activities and participate in policy formation among others.
B. Eligibility Criteria :
I) Educational Qualifications (as on 01.05.2011) :
Essential : i) A Master's Degree in Economics (with any area of specialization ) with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade from a recognized Indian or Foreign University / Institute OR ii) A Doctorate Degree in Economics with Master's Degree in any subject with a minimum of 55% marks or an equivalent grade from a recognized Indian or Foreign University / Institute.
Note: ST candidates having second class with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent grade in Master's Degree examination or equivalent recognized qualification, are eligible to apply.
Preferential/Desirable Qualification: Research or teaching experience in Economics or publications in standard journals would be considered as an additional qualification.
II) Age (as on 01.05.2011): Between 21 and 30 years (candidates must have been born not earlier than 02/05/1981 and not later than 01/05/1990). Refer item 3 below for relaxation in upper age limit for specified categories. Further
(i) Candidates having M.Phil Degree/Doctorate Degree from a recognized Indian/Foreign University/Institute in the specified subjects will be eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit by 1 and 3 years respectively.
(ii) Candidates having Master's Degree with Research/ Teaching experience at a recognized Indian/Foreign University/Institute will be eligible for relaxation in upper age limit to the extent of number of years of such experience subject to a maximum of three years.
(iii) Cumulative age relaxation will however, not be available to the candidates who are eligible under both the above categories as also under any specified category i.e. relaxation in upper age limit upto 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for ST candidates.
C. Scheme of Selection :
Selection will be through Written Examination ('WE') and interview. There are 3 papers for Written Examinations. 'WE' will be held on September 3 (Saturday) and September 4 (Sunday), 2011.
Type of Paper
Duration
Maximum Marks
Paper - I Objective Type (on Economics)
3 hours
100
Paper - II Descriptive Type (on Economics)
3 hours
100
Paper - III English - Descriptive
3 hours
100
Total
300
Paper II and Paper III of only such candidates, who score sufficiently high marks, as decided by the Board in order of merit in Paper I, would be assessed. (ii) Question papers for 'WE' will be set in Hindi and in English (except Paper III on English). Answers may be written either in Hindi or English. Candidates may answer the interview in Hindi or English at their option. (iii) The number of candidates to be called for interview will be decided by the Board. (iv) Final selection will be on the basis of performance in the 'WE' (Paper I, II and III) and interview taken together.
D. Syllabus :
(i) Standard of papers on Economics would be that of Master's Degree examination in Economics of any Central University in India. (ii) Syllabus for English: Essay, Précis writing, Comprehension, Business/Office Correspondence.
2. EXAMINATION CENTRES
‘WE’ may be held at the following centres (Code Numbers indicated in the brackets)
Name of Centre
Code No.
Name of Centre
Code No.
Ahmedabad
(11)
Jaipur
(20)
Bangalore
(12)
Jammu
(21)
Bhopal
(13)
Kanpur
(22)
Bhubaneswar
(14)
Lucknow
(24)
Kolkata
(15)
Mumbai
(25)
Chandigarh
(16)
Nagpur
(26)
Chennai
(17)
New Delhi
(27)
Guwahati
(18)
Patna
(29)
Hyderabad
(19)
Thiruvananthapuram
(31)
Candidates can select only one centre and must indicate its Name and Code No. in the application. In the event of cancellation of ‘WE’ at any centre, the Board may at its discretion allot an alternative centre to the candidates concerned. Candidates admitted to the ‘WE’ will be intimated dates, time table and venue of ‘WE’ through Admission Letters (AL). Candidates will not be admitted to the ‘WE’ without the AL. Centre and dates of ‘WE’ are liable to be changed at the Board's discretion. Request for change of centre will not be entertained.
3. RELAXATION IN THE UPPER AGE LIMIT :
Upper age is relaxable by :
(a) 3 years in the case of OBC candidates, if the posts are reserved for them.
(b) 5 years in the case of : i) SC/ST candidates, if the posts are reserved for them. ii) Exemployees of banking institutions whose services had to be terminated for reasons of economy or as a result of bank going into liquidation and personnel retrenched from Government Offices after at least one year's service and applying through Employment Exchanges, iii) Ex-servicemen (including Emergency Commissioned Officers/Short Service Commissioned Officers) provided applicants have rendered at least five years continuous Military Service and have been released on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency or/on account of physical disability or have been released on account of physical disability attributable to Military Service or on invalidment, iv) Emergency Commissioned Officers/Short Service Commissioned Officers who have completed their initial period of assignment of five years of Military Service but whose assignment has been extended beyond five years and in whose case the Ministry of Defence issues certificates that they would be released on selection within three months from the date of receipt of offer of appointment, v) Candidates who had ordinarily been domiciled in Kashmir Division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir between 1st January, 1980 and 31st December, 1989.
(c) 10 years for PWD(GEN), 13 years for PWD(OBC) and 15 Years for PWD(SC/ST) candidates.
NOTE : CUMULATIVE AGE RELAXATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE EITHER UNDER THE ABOVE ITEMS OR IN COMBINATION WITH ANY OTHER ITEMS.
4. SERVICE CONDITIONS / CAREER PROSPECTS
(i) Pay Scale :
Selected Candidates will draw a starting basic pay of Rs.21,000/- p.m. in the scale of Rs.21000-1000-30000-EB-1000-32000-1100-36400 applicable to Officers in Grade B and they will also be eligible for Dearness Allowance, Local allowance, House Rent Allowance, Family Allowance and Grade Allowance as per rules in force from time to time. At present, initial monthly Gross emoluments for Research Officer in Gr. ‘B’ DR are Rs.38,853/- (approx.).
NOTE: For candidates possessing very high academic or professional qualification/ experience of significant value to the Bank, the Bank may, at its sole discretion, consider granting up to four advance increments. The Board, at the sole discretion, may consider requests for higher emoluments on account of higher qualification/special experience of value to the Bank at the interview stage only. Such information may be furnished in the Bio-data form in the appropriate column. The number of maximum increments will be 4. The Board/Bank will not entertain any request received after the interview.
(ii) Perquisites :
Bank’s accommodation subject to availability, reimbursement of expenses for maintenance of vehicle for official purpose, newspaper, telephone charges, book grant, allowance for furnishing of residence, etc. as per eligibility. Free dispensary facility besides reimbursement of medical expenses for OPD treatment/hospitalization as per eligibility. Interest free festival advance, Leave Fare Concession (once in two years for self, spouse and eligible dependents). Loans and Advances at concessional rates of interest for Housing, Car, Education, Consumer Articles, Personal Computer, etc. The post also carries benefits of Provident Fund, Pension and Gratuity.
(iii) Cost to the Company :
The Cost to the Company (CTC) attached to the post works out to Rs10.00 lakhs p.a. (approx.) including pay, perks and market value of housing in Mumbai. The package, perks are subject to change.
(iv) At certain centres, limited number of residential quarters are available. Facility for securing residential accommodation on lease, however, exists at all centres.
(v) Initial appointment will be on probation for a period of two years which may, at Bank's discretion, be extended upto a maximum period of four years.
(vi) There are reasonable prospects for promotion to higher grades.
(vii) Selected candidates are liable to be posted and transferred anywhere in India.
5. APPLICATION FEE (NON-REFUNDABLE):
Rs.100/- (Rupees one hundred only). No fee is payable by SC/ST/PWD candidates.
Fee is payable by Demand Draft favouring Reserve Bank of India and payable at Mumbai only. However, candidates from un-banked areas may pay fee by crossed Indian Postal Orders in favour of Reserve Bank of India payable at GPO, Mumbai. Candidates should write their Name and Address on the reverse of the Demand Draft and in the space provided for the purpose on the Postal Orders (if fee is payable) and enclose them to the application with a pin (should not be stapled). Fees sent separately not accompanied with proper application or payment in any other manner will not be accepted. Fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
6. GENERAL RULES / INSTRUCTIONS :
(i) APPLICATION FORMAT (FOR OFF-LINE MODE) IS GIVEN AT THE END. CANDIDATES APPLYING BY OFF-LINE MODE SHOULD APPLY STRICLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE FORMAT AS PRESCRIBED.
(ii) APP. NOT ACCOMPANIED BY PRESCRIBED FEES (UNLESS EXEMPTED) OR INCOMPLETE/ILLEGIBLE/NOT IN THE PRESCRIBED FORMAT/WITHOUT PHOTOGRAPH/WITHOUT SIGNATURE WILL BE REJECTED AND NO CORRESPONDENCE IN THIS REGARD WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY THE BOARD.
(iii) APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ALL RESPECTS. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
(iv) CANDIDATES SHOULD NOT ENCLOSE ANY CERTIFICATES OR COPIES THEREOF WITH THE APPLICATION. THEIR CANDIDATURE WILL BE CONSIDERED ON THE STRENGTH OF THE INFORMATION DECLARED IN THE APPLICATION. IF AT ANY STAGE, IT IS FOUND THAT ANY INFORMATION FURNISHED IN THE APP. IS FALSE/INCORRECT OR IF ACCORDING TO THE BOARD, THE CANDIDATE DOES NOT SATISFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, HIS/HER CANDIDATURE / APPOINTMENT IS LIABLE TO BE CANCELLED / TERMINATED.
(v) ALL EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS MUST HAVE BEEN OBTAINED FROM RECOGNISED UNIVERSITIES/INSTITUTIONS IN INDIA OR ABROAD. IF GRADES ARE AWARDED INSTEAD OF MARKS, CANDIDATES SHOULD CLEARLY INDICATE THEIR NUMERICAL EQUIVALENT.
(vi) CANDIDATES SHOULD SATISFY THEMSELVES ABOUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE POST APPLIED FOR. THE BOARD WOULD ADMIT TO THE ‘WE’ ALL THE CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR THIS POST WITH THE REQUISITE FEE (WHEREVER APPLICABLE) ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION FURNISHED IN THE APP. AND SHALL DETERMINE THEIR ELIGIBILITY ONLY AT THE FINAL STAGE I.E. WHILE CALLING THEM FOR INTERVIEW.
(vii) THE BOARD SHALL NOT ENTERTAIN REQUESTS FROM THE CANDIDATES SEEKING ADVICE ABOUT THEIR ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY.
(viii) THE LIST OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES FOR ‘WE’ WILL BE DISPLAYED ON RBI WEBSITE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. IF THE CANDIDATE DOES NOT RECEIVE ADMISSION LETTER (AL) FOR ‘WE’/ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION FROM THE BOARD, HE/SHE SHOULD CONTACT THE IN-CHARGE OF THE RBI OFFICE DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE EXAMINATION CENTRE INDICATED IN THE APPLICATION ALONG WITH DULY SIGNED PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH, ON ANY DAY STARTING FROM FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF EXAMINATION FOR NECESSARY GUIDANCE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS WILL DEPRIVE THE CANDIDATE OF ANY CLAIM FOR CONSIDERATION.
(ix) CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TO APPEAR FOR THE ‘WE’ AT THEIR OWN EXPENSES. HOWEVER, THOSE CALLED FOR INTERVIEW, WILL BE REIMBURSED TO AND FRO ACTUAL FIRST CLASS FARE OR II AC RAILWAY FARE BY THE SHORTEST ROUTE FROM THE PLACE OF THEIR RESIDENCE/PLACE OF WORK TO THE PLACE OF INTERVIEW WHICHEVER IS NEARER.
(x) IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BOARD, ROLL NO. INDICATED IN ‘AL’ MUST BE QUOTED.
(xi) CHANGE OF ADDRESS, IF ANY, SHOULD BE INFORMED TO THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY. ALTHOUGH EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO TAKE ON RECORD SUCH CHANGES, THE BOARD DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE TIME GAP BETWEEN RECEIPT OF INTIMATION AND DATE OF EXAMINATION / INTERVIEW IS VERY SHORT.
(xii) CANDIDATES ALREADY IN SERVICE OF GOVT./QUASI-GOVT. ORGANISATIONS AND PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS /UNDERTAKINGS WILL HAVE TO PRODUCE A "NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE” FROM THEIR EMPLOYER, AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW. HOWEVER, BEFORE APPOINTMENT IN RBI, A PROPER DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE FROM THE EMPLOYER WILL HAVE TO BE PRODUCED. IF THE APP. IS REQUIRED TO BE ROUTED THROUGH THE EMPLOYER AND IN THE PROCESS IT REACHES THE BOARD’S OFFICE AFTER THE CLOSING DATE, IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED EVEN THOUGH THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED THE APP. TO THE EMPLOYER BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE. IN SUCH CASES, APP. MARKED ‘ADVANCE COPY’ SHOULD BE SENT TO THE BOARD’S OFFICE DIRECT, TOGETHER WITH FEE (WHEREVER APPLICABLE) AND THE REGULAR COPY (WITHOUT FEE) SHOULD BE ROUTED THROUGH THE EMPLOYER.
(xiii) CANVASSING IN ANY FORM WILL BE A DISQUALIFICATION.
(xiv) IN ALL MATTERS REGARDING ELIGIBILITY, CONDUCT OF EXAMINATIONS, INTERVIEW, ASSESSMENT, PRESCRIBING MINIMUM QUALIFYING STANDARDS IN ‘WE’ AND INTERVIEW, IN RELATION TO NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND COMMUNICATION OF RESULT, THE BOARD'S DECISION SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING ON THE CANDIDATES AND NO CORRESPONDENCE SHALL BE ENTERTAINED IN THIS REGARD.
(xv) MOBILE PHONES, PAGERS, OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE PREMISES, WHERE THE EXAMINATION IS BEING CONDUCTED. ANY INFRINGEMENT OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS SHALL ENTAIL DISQUALIFICATION INCLUDING BAN FROM FUTURE EXAMINATIONS.
(xvi) THE BOARD DOES NOT FURNISH THE MARK-SHEET TO CANDIDATES. HOWEVER, ‘WE’ AND INTERVIEW MARKS MAY BE AVAILABLE ON THE BANK’S WEBSITE AFTER THE DECLARATION OF THE FINAL RESULT.
(xvii) THE POST IS ALSO OPEN TO THE EMPLOYEES OF RBI (STAFF CANDIDATES) WHO SATISFY THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA SEPARATELY STIPULATED BY THE BANK.
7. SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION :
Candidates can apply for the post either on the prescribed Application (OFF-LINE) or submit the application ON-LINE followed up by sending a printout (hardcopy) of the online application to the Board’s office.
i. ON–LINE: The candidate can apply ON-LINE using the link/URL http://onlinedr.rbi.org.in Detailed ‘Instructions for Applying ON-LINE’ are available on this link. Candidates should read the instructions carefully and then click on “Apply” link. Salient features of the system of ON-LINE Application are given hereunder :
a) Before starting filling up of ON–LINE application, a candidate must purchase the DD or IPO for Rs. 100/- (except SC/ST/PWD candidates who are exempted from payment of fees).
b) Fee exempted category candidates can straightway fill the ON–LINE application.
c) Candidates NEED to take a PRINTOUT (hard copy) of their ON-LINE Application after submission of the data through the system. A signed photograph must be pasted (not to be stapled) at the specified place on the printout and the candidate must sign on the printout of the application and attach DD or IPO of Rs.100/- (if required to pay fee).
d) Candidates need to send the system generated print out (hard copy) of the ONLINE Application to the Reserve Bank of India Services Board’s Office (RBISB) by ordinary post. In case the print out (hard copy) is not received by the Board by the CLOSING DATE mentioned in this advertisement, the ON-LINE application will not be entertained and will be rejected.
e) Applications should not be submitted more than once. Duplicate applications will not be entertained and will be rejected.
f) The ON-LINE applications can be submitted till 11.59 P.M. on June 27, 2011 after which the link will be disabled.
ii. OFF–LINE: The candidates must apply in the Application format published in this advertisement. It should be typed or neatly handwritten in Hindi or English on a good quality “White A- 4 size” paper. All the relevant columns in the application (except PWD category and Fee, if not applicable) must be filled legibly or typed. Incomplete and illegible applications will be rejected.
iii. OFF-LINE Application or printout of the ON-LINE Application (hard copy), as the case may be, have to be sent by ordinary post to “The General Manager, Reserve Bank of India Services Board, Post Bag No. 4618, Mumbai Central Post Office, Mumbai-400008” The cover should be superscribed "APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF RESEARCH OFFICERS IN GRADE ‘B’ for DEPR"
iv. OFF-LINE Application or printout of the ON-LINE Application (hard copy), as the case may be, in closed cover, may also be deposited in the box specially kept for the purpose at Reserve Bank of India, Opposite Mumbai Central Railway Station, Mumbai Central, Mumbai 400 008.
v. Candidates should apply either by ON-LINE mode (followed up by sending a printout of the online application) or OFF-LINE mode. They should not submit application by both the modes. Duplicate applications will be rejected.
8. CLOSING DATE:
(i) The ON-LINE applications can be submitted till 11.59 P.M. on June 27, 2011.
(ii) OFF-LINE Application or the printout of the ON-LINE Application (hard copy), as the case may be, should reach the Board’s Office on or before 6.00 P.M. on July 4, 2011.
(iii) In the case of App. received only by post from candidates living abroad, in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura; Ladakh division of Jammu and Kashmir State; Lahaul and Spiti Districts and Pangi Sub-division of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh; Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, the last date of receipt of Applications will be on or before 6.00 P.M. on July 11, 2011. For Applications received in any manner other than by post, the benefit of extended time will not be available.
(iv) The Board takes no responsibility for any delay in receipt of Applications or loss thereof in postal transit.
9. CHECK-LIST FOR SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION :
(i) The Format of the application given below should not itself be used as application.
(ii) The App. strictly in conformity with the Format as prescribed must be typed or neatly hand-written in Hindi or English on a good quality “White A4 size” paper and duly affixed (not stapled) with a signed latest passport size photograph. Candidates should ensure that all the entries have been correctly filled in and the Application, as also the photograph are signed. Application without signature, photo, fee (if applicable), not in prescribed Format, incomplete or illegible shall be rejected.
(iii) Name and Address in the application must be written IN CAPITAL LETTERS in English only, since processing is computerized.
(iv) Candidates should write their name and address on the reverse of the Demand Draft and in the space provided for the purpose on the Postal Orders (if fee is payable) and enclose them to the application with a pin (should not be stapled).
(v) The post applied for should be superscribed on top of the cover containing the Application.
(vi) Candidates must ensure that the Application [either OFF-LINE or printout of the ON-LINE] along with DD/IPO (if applicable) should reach the Board’s office on or before the CLOSING DATE. Even after the successful submission of ON-LINE application through the system, unless the system generated print-out of the ONLINE application together with fee (if applicable), photograph and signature is received by post at the Board’s office within the closing date, the ONLINE application is not valid and will be rejected.
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Saturday, June 25, 2011

Militant arrested for attacking J&K police station


Srinagar: Police on Saturday said it has arrested the youth who had fired the rifle grenade at Sopore Police station in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.


Tanveer Ahmad Seeru who carried out the attack on Sopore police station yesterday has been arrested, a police spokesman said, adding Seeru was also involv ed in several incidents of stone-pelting last year.



Militants had fired a rifle grenade at Sopore police station, resulting in injuries to six persons including a policeman.
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AP CM meets Sonia, discusses state issues



Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha on Saturday met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi and is understood to have discussed the current political situation in the state in the wake of the Telangana issue assuming centre-stage. 

This is the first visit of Rajanarasimha to Delhi after he was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister on 10th June.

During his meeting with Gandhi, the Deputy Chief Minister, who belongs to the Telangana region, discussed state and party issues.

"I met her for the first time after being appointed as Deputy Chief Minister. It was a courtesy call. I thanked her for the appointment," he told reporters after the meeting.

He said he discussed issues related to the party and Andhra Pradesh with the Congress chief.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of party MP and MLAs from the Telangana region raking up the statehood issue with the party High Command.

They have asked the High Command to take a positive decision on the demand for a separate state at the earliest.
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SIMI leader arrested in Kochi


Kochi:  Former All India President of banned outfit SIMI, Sirajuddin Sainabulla, was today arrested by Madhya Pradesh Police at the airport here.

Sirajuddian (40), who is accused in various cases in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, was arrested when he arrived here by the Dubai-Kochi flight at 09.20 this morning, police said.
Police is also questioning a woman accompanying him.
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Friday, June 24, 2011

Congress tells govt to stand firm against Team Anna

New Delhi:  The Congress Working Committee met in Delhi this evening; its session was devoted to the Lokpal Bill which has thrust the government into conflict with activists, and has provoked Gandhian Anna Hazare to announce a new fast starting August 16.

The Lokpal Bill - intended to combat corruption among politicians and bureaucrats - has been described as a "betrayal of India" by Mr Hazare. The Congress today said it backs the government's Bill. Whether this new Bill should cover the Prime Minister's Office - which has headlined the controversy - was also discussed. The party said it will support the government on this point. "No government should succumb to pressure from a few individuals" was the Congress' summation.

Mr Hazare served on the committee that was meant to draft the Bill. The panel - which combined five activists and five ministers - had such wide-ranging differences that they've decided to present two drafts of the same Bill for discussion. A meeting of all political parties on July 3 will review both drafts.

At the Congress meet today, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who were both on the Lokpal Drafting Committee briefed the party on the Bill's features.

In preparation, Team Anna met Opposition leader LK Advani today to brief him on their draft. They want the Loklal - an ombudsman of 11 members - to be able to investigate allegations of corruption against the PM, senior judges and all bureaucrats. The government has not included the PM in its draft. Team Anna has also challenged the procedure recommended by the government for both the selection and dismissal of Lokpal members. The activists feel the government has allowed too much clout for politicians in those processes, thereby defeating the purpose of the bill.
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EGoM on fuel price hike likely on Friday

A hike of Rs. 2-3 per litre in diesel prices and an increase of at least Rs. 25 per domestic LPG cylinder are on the EGoM agenda. It may also consider raising kerosene prices. File Photo
A high powered ministerial panel is likely to meet on Friday to consider a hike in diesel and domestic LPG prices, as well as a cut in duty rates to combat the high cost of crude oil.
The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, may meet at 1300 hours on Friday, a source said in New Delhi.
A hike of Rs. 2-3 per litre in diesel prices and an increase of at least Rs. 25 per domestic LPG cylinder are on the EGoM agenda. It may also consider raising kerosene prices.
Besides, the high powered panel may consider lowering customs or import duty on crude oil to nill from current 5 per cent, and on diesel from 7.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent.
The oil ministry is pushing for equitable sharing of the burden arising from the rise in crude oil prices among consumers, the government and state-owned companies, the source said.
State-owned oil companies now lose Rs. 15.44 per litre on sale of diesel.
One-third of this will have to be passed on to consumers in stages, while a similar amount will have to be borne by the government by way of either providing a cash subsidy or cutting customs and excise duty. The remaining would be absorbed by upstream firms like ONGC and the fuel retailers.
A similar formula would apply to the Rs. 27.47 per litre loss on kerosene and Rs. 381.14 under-realisation on sale of every 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder.
The source said the ministry also wants a cut in Rs. 4.60 per litre central excise duty levied on diesel to moderate the impact of high crude oil prices.
With inflation at an uncomfortable nine per cent, the attempt will be to keep the hike in retail prices of diesel to the bare minimum, the source said.
Without price hike and duty cuts, Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum are together projected to lose Rs. 1,66,712 crore in revenues on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene at government-controlled rates, which are way below the market price.
Oil companies, which last month hiked petrol prices by a steep Rs. 5 per litre, are losing Rs. 1.98 a litre on the commodity which was freed from government control in June 2010.
Oil Minister S Jaipal Reddy has held meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr. Mukherjee on early convening of a meeting of the EGoM, which is the decision-making body on fuel price revisions.
The EGoM has not met since June last year even though crude oil prices have spiralled upward by over 50 per cent since then.
The basket of crude that India buys was worth around $ 70-72 per barrel in June last year, but the same averages $ 111.54 a barrel in June this year.
The official said IOC, BPCL and HPCL at present lose about Rs. 490 crore per day on fuel sales.
The official said IOC, BPCL and HPCL are virtually living off borrowed money as current realisation on fuel sales is not sufficient to meet the cost of importing crude oil.
The EGoM was originally scheduled to meet on May 11, but was postponed at the last moment. There was talk of an EGoM -- which comprises representatives of all major allies in the ruling UPA -- meeting on June 9, but the meet was never scheduled for that day.
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10 controversial Indian adsThe recent Fastrack watch ad featuring actor Genelia D'souza and cricketer Virat Kohli was hauled up by pilots and air-hostesses, since it showed the two getting cozy in the cockpit of an aircraft, thereby endangering the lives of passengers on board. But this spot hasn't been the only to stir up controversy. Here is a look at 10 more such ads that offended audiences.
 Amul Macho10 controversial Indian ads
Amul Macho
The Amul macho 'Yeh toh bada toing hai' ad featured housewife having sexual fantasies while washing her husband's underwear. The Information & Broadcasting ministry initially banned its screening though the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the self-regulatory body of the advertising industry, later cleared it for public viewing.
 Tuff footwear10 controversial Indian ads
Tuff footwear
The footwear ad featured models Madhu Sapre and Milind Soman posing nude with a python. In 1995, an obscenity case was filed against all persons (including the models) who were involved in making of the offensive ad. Not only social activists, but animal rights protesters fought to get the ad off the streets. The case was finally cleared in 2009, 14 years long years since the hoardings first went up
 Set Wet Zatak, Wildstone deodorants10 controversial Indian ads
Set Wet Zatak, Wildstone deodorants
The deodorant ads that showed women lusting after men who sprayed on these scents have recently come under the scanner. The I&B ministry coined these ads as suggestive and vulgar, and thus ordered the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) to instruct creative agencies to modify them or take them off air.
 Kamasutra condoms10 controversial Indian ads
Kamasutra condoms
The 90's witnessed a revolution in the ad world where 'being bold' was the new formula to sell products. The Kamasutra Condoms ad featuring the 90s sex-siren Pooja Bedi and the late model Viveka Babajee was however, too much too handle for a still prudish audience. The ad showing Bedi in a steamy shower scene with model Marc Robinson, and Viveka under a waterfall with model Inder Sudan was banned on Doordarshan.Cadbury Temptations10 controversial Indian ads
Cadbury Temptations
In 2002, Cadbury India got embroiled in political controversy when their print ad showed a map of India highlighting Kashmir with a slogan "Too good to share". The ruling party BJP claimed that Kashmir was a sensitive issue and therefore such advertisements were hurtful to Indian sentiments. Later, Cadbury India published an apology in the newspapers.Balbir Pasha AIDS awareness campaign10 controversial Indian ads
Balbir Pasha AIDS awareness campaign
In 2003, giant hoardings saying 'Balbir Pasha ko AIDS hoga kya' made Mumbai citizens wonder just who this person was. Balbir Pasha, the faceless and ficitonal character was created for the AIDS awareness campaign and the initiative was a huge hit until political party Shiv Sena opposed the same, saying that it would have an 'adverse' effect on society.Aristocrat Black Whiskey10 controversial Indian ads
Aristocrat Black Whiskey
It's a sign that times have changed when a couple of years ago, even a plunging neckline would raise eyebrows. The surrogate advertisement for the liquor brand featuring a model in a tight dress that accentuated her bosom was retracted for its suggestiveness.
 MR Coffee10 controversial Indian ads
MR Coffee
Bollywood couple Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora shot the ad for the MR coffee brand, where the actors were filmed getting cozy and the tagline read,'Real pleasure can't come in an 'instant'. The spot was pulled off air.
 Levis Jeans10 controversial Indian ads
Levis Jeans
When Levis jeans decided to advertise their jeans as a second skin, it made use of several model wearing nude-coloured clothes that gave the impression of them being topless. The hoarding was pulled down after objections from several 'moral guardians'.
 Bisleri10 controversial Indian ads
Bisleri
Bisleri's attempt to make their brand more appealing to young people went awry when they changed their tagline from 'Pure and Safe' to 'Play safe'. The ad even showed a couple drinking the product while making out on the beach and was taken off air soon after.
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Monday, June 20, 2011

Saif reacts on separation rumours

The couple who is very much in love, rubbish reports of all not being well between them, calling it a figment of someone's imagination.
A source close to Saif and Kareena, informs, "The news has deeply disturbed both the couple and their respective families. They have always been open about their relationship and are upset with these rumors planted by sources with vested interests"

Clarifying on the same Saif Ali Khan says, "I would like to reassure our fans and well wishers that all is well with Kareena and. We are working hard but we always take out time for each other. All these rumours are disturbing and untrue. Especially when families are brought into it in such bad taste. I would not like to say anymore except we are very happy together."
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Big B bats for equal treatment for male, female children

Mumbai: With the society still grappling with declining child sex ratio and preference for the male child still rampant, megastar Amitabh Bachchan has strongly spoken in favour of equal rights and treatment of both the male and female children.

The Bollywood icon says he had never differentiated between his daughter and son.

"I had made up my mind that they will be equal in everything I do. Jaya and I had decided long back that whatever little I had achieved will be equally divided between Shweta and Abhishek," he said while interacting with mediapersons here.

Shweta is the first born of the present generation of my family and she has been brought up in that manner, the doting father said.

"Being a lady, I felt she should be given space of the woman in the house because women are very important elements.

Even though she is now married and lives in a different city, her opinion is sought on important issues of the house and if we cannot take a decision on urgent matters, she advices us with maturity," Bachchan said.

The actor said even though it is widely believed that daughters are "paraya dhan", in his view, daughters have equal rights and share along with their brothers, on their parents.
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Fry your mind (again)

THE HUMOURIST AND THE 'HOTTIE': Vinay Pathak and Minissha Lamba
The original idiot is back! This Friday saw the release of Bheja Fry 2 and its stars were in New Delhi as part of a whirlwind tour to promote the film. Vinay Pathak and Minissha Lamba lead a cast that includes Kay Kay Menon and Amol Gupte in supporting roles. Directed by Sagar Ballary, it takes off from the original Bheja Fry that released in 2007 and was inspired by the French movie- Le Diner de Cons. The essential premise of Bheja Fry was a group of idle rich men who invite one idiot to each of their parties in order to be able to ridicule him later. Vinay Pathak had essayed the role of the dim witted yet affable special invitee, Bharat Bhushan.
The film proved to be a sleeper hit and enabled its director to return with a sequel that boasts of a fatter budget and wider canvas. Set in Malaysia, the role of Bharat Bhushan has been reprised and a dose of romance injected in the form of Minissha Lamba. Pathak gave a sneak preview of the film by saying, “Bheja Fry 2 sees the return of the good-hearted but not worldly-wise, rolly-polly tax inspector Bharat Bhushan (played by me). The character is back to fulfil his long cherished dream of becoming a singer. To further his ambition he enters a game show hoping to win the top prize with which he can make his own music album. Eventually Bhushan goes on to win the competition which also gifts him a free stay on a cruise ship.” This is the site for a motley crew of characters (that includes an acrid tongue sadistic business tycoon, a senior functionary from the Income Tax department and a giggly media professional) to come together in “an intrepid caper”.
Pathak described the sequel in generalities by saying, “It's a fresh presentation with a new ensemble cast and dynamic treatment.” Asked about how his character had progressed from the original he said, “Bharat Bhushan retains the endearing naïveté of Bheja Fry. It's just that his playground is bigger now and there are plenty more elements to play off.”
When questioned about her role, Minissha Lamba who plays Pathak's love interest in the film smiled coyly and said, “Oh! My part was easy. I just had to laugh at his jokes.”
The bigger question is will the audience be laughing? The coming days will bear out whether Bheja Fry 2 will free your mind.
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Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan has been running very busy due to the shooting schedule for his forthcoming film ‘Ra.One’.

He has reportedly had a knee injury which has been the cause of concern lately as that will interfere with his work and the upcoming award ceremony.

SRK is supposed to perform at the IIFA Awards and introduce the lead actors of ‘Azaan’, Sachin Joshi, son of the Gutka baron Jagdish Joshi. SRK is very close to Jagdish he endorses a beverage manufactured by the Joshi’s.

Apparently he was also instrumental in getting the popular Columbian singer Shakira for their promotional video.

But as of now his plans to be a part of IIFA looks dwindling and uncertain.

A source spoke to a daily, "The doctor has advised Shah Rukh not to strain his knee. As a result he will have to cut down on the shooting and physical work. He may have to skip going to IIFA because of his knee injury." Shah Rukh and Sachin Joshi remained unavailable for comment but IIFA director Sabbas Joseph says, "So far there is no change in the plan. Shah Rukh will be performing at IIFA this year."

The star had hurt his knee a year ago and was treated by the Kolkata Knight Rider`s physiotherapist Andrew Leipus. But due to the rigorous shoot and tough action sequences in Ra.One his injury has aggravated. Reportedly he will have to undergo a knee surgery next month. A source close to SRK informs, "The shoot of Ra.One has been quite challenging for SRK. He has been exerting himself quite a bit for the shoot. Consequently his knee injury has come back."

Well, we wish you a quick recovery SRK!
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Cargo vessel MV Suez runs out of fuel

Cargo vessel MV Suez runs out of fuelThe arrival of Egyptian cargo vessel M V Suez, which was released by Somali pirates after ten months of captivity, has been delayed at the Omanese port of Salalah due to insufficient fuel, the Directorate General of Shipping today said.

The directorate also said it has expressed its inability to help the ship with 22-member crew by supplying about 15 mt fuel mid-sea due to inclement weather. Six Indians are onboard the ship.

The sailors on the Egyptian flagged ship were earlier expected to reach Pakistan on Monday but due to fuel shortage, they will not be able to do so.

"The directorate also examined the possibility of locating an emergency towing vessel in the vicinity. However, no such suitable vessel was readily available," DGS said in a release here.

The ship owner has been advised to explore the possibility of hiring a tug from Salalah to tow the stranded vessel to the port, it said.

`MV Suez'' was hijacked by Somali pirates last October. Last Monday, pirates had released 22 hostages, including six Indians and four Pakistanis.

After a brief rest at Salalah, the crew members are scheduled to travel to Muscat.
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Lokpal Bill joint panel meets

Lokpal Bill joint panel meetsThe joint drafting committee on Lokpal Bill met on Monday amid hardening of stand by the government and civil society on the contentious issue of bringing under its ambit the Prime Minister, judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament.
Except for civil society member Justice Santosh Hegde, all members of the ten member committee attended the meeting at Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's office in North Block.
The meeting comes in the backdrop of a shrill exchange of words between both sides on contentious issues and government making it clear that it was opposed to bringing the Prime Minister under the ambit of the Lokpal.
The government is also opposed to bringing judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament. The civil society side led by Anna Hazare, however, wants these under the anti-corruption ombudsman.
"We will try to settle the issues as much as possible. There are six issues on which we have differences of opinion," Hegde, who did not attend Monday's meeting, said.
During the last meeting on June 15, government nominees had asked the civil society members to present their draft while they will present theirs as there was no forward movement. It was also decided that a draft bill will go to the
Cabinet along with points of divergence.
In an indication that the Congress had hardened its stand, party chief Sonia Gandhi sent a terse letter to Hazare indicating her unhappiness with him for making his letter public and said she has already made her views "clear" on
issues raised him.
Monday's deliberations could be the last meeting of the joint committee and another round will be held tomorrow only if the discussions for an anti-corruption watchdog are not concluded.
Senior ministers held discussions on Sunday evening to fine-tune the government's strategy.
Denying any split in civil society, Hegde said he was not attending Monday's meeting because of prior commitments but would attend tomorrow's meeting.
After his comments on Hazare's fast and inability to take part in the meeting in Delhi fuelled speculation of differences among civil society representatives, Hegde said he will be present on June 21 to show there is 'no rift'.
While the government has virtually ruled out bringing the post of the prime minister under the ambit of the anti-corruption watchdog, the Congress core group has favoured convening an all-party meeting on the issue of inclusion of
the Prime Minister.
Government sources indicated that the meeting is expected to be convened soon after June 30 by which time the work of the Joint Committee to draft the bill will be over.
Senior ministers like P Chidambaram and several top party leaders have been maintaining there was divergence of views on the prime minister's inclusion.
Reports have it that the UPA constituents too have divergent views. They say that since the Congress is leading the coalition it has to take everyone together.
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Kanimozhi to remain in jail as HC dismisses bail plea

Kanimozhi to remain in jail as HC dismisses bail pleaDMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar will remain confined to Tihar Jail as the Delhi High Court today dismissed their bail pleas in the 2G case, saying they have strong political connections and the possibility of them influencing witnesses cannot be ruled out.

"They have got strong political connections. Kanimozhi belongs to the same political party to which accused A Raja belongs and it is sharing power in the Central Government.

"Thus, considering their financial and political clout, a possibility cannot be ruled out that if they are freed at this stage, they would interfere with investigation or try to influence the witnesses. Thus, at this stage, I do not deem it appropriate to admit the petitioners on bail," Justice Ajit Bharihoke said in his 37-page order.

The 43-year-old daughter of DMK supremo M Karunanidhi and Sharad Kumar, named as accused in the second charge sheet for allegedly taking bribe of Rs 200 crore, were arrested on May 20 after the special court dismissed their bail pleas in the case.

The court noted the CBI allegations that Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar received illegal gratifications in the DMK-run TV channel from co-accused and Swan Telecom promoters, Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, from the account of DB Realty group companies as "reward for undue favours" shown by former Telecom Minister A Raja in allocation of 2G licences.

"Kanimozhi and Sharad accepted and received an illegal gratification of Rs 200 crores in Kalaignar TV from the co-accused Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka in the year 2008-09 as a reward for undue favours shown by accused A Raja in connivance of other public servants to Swan Telecom in the matter of allocation of valuable scarce spectrum," it said.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Al-Zawahri succeeds bin Laden as al Qaeda leader

Osama bin Laden, left, and his top lieutenant Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahri, right, are seen at an undisclosed location in this television image broadcast, Oct. 7, 2001. (AP / Al-Jazeera)CAIRO — Osama bin Laden's longtime deputy Ayman al-Zawahri has taken control of al Qaeda, the group said Thursday, a widely anticipated move that comes at a time the terror network is struggling for relevance amid a wave of Arab uprisings that has threatened to upstage it. Al-Zawahri, a surgeon by training, has long brought ideological fire as well as tactical and organizational cunning to al Qaeda, which has found itself increasingly decentralized and prone to internal disputes following its expulsion from Afghanistan after its invasion by U.S. forces in 2001.
Thursday's announcement comes more than six weeks after the U.S. killed bin Laden in a May 2 raid on his home in Pakistan. Al-Zawahri pledged to avenge the death of the al Qaeda founder and mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks and to continue the terror network's campaign of attacks against the U.S. and other Western interests.
"The general command of al Qaeda, after completing consultations, decided that the sheik doctor Abu Mohammed Ayman al-Zawahri take the responsibility and be in charge of the group," said a statement purportedly by al Qaeda and posted on militant websites, including several known to be affiliated with the group.
Al Qaeda gave no details about the selection process for bin Laden's successor but said that it was the best tribute to the memory of its "martyrs."
Al-Zawahri, who turns 60 on Sunday and has a $25 million bounty on his head, has been behind the use of suicide bombings and the independent militant cells that have become the network's trademarks. But U.S. intelligence officials have said that some al Qaeda members find al-Zawahri to be a controlling micromanager who lacks bin Laden's populist appeal.
He also faces significant challenges in promoting al Qaeda's agenda of a religiously led state spanning the Muslim world after finding itself sidelined in the wake of popular revolts that have been driven by aspirations for Western-style democracy instead.
Al-Zawahri has been in hiding for nearly 10 years and is widely believed to be near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He has appeared in dozens of videos and audiotapes in recent years, increasingly becoming the face of al Qaeda as bin Laden kept a lower profile.
Most of his pronouncements on the videos and audiotapes show him to be a man consumed by deep hatred for the West, particularly the United States, and Israel.
Al-Zawahri had been considered the most likely successor because of his longtime collaboration with bin Laden. Analysts had said that few were likely to challenge the al Qaeda deputy leader for the top spot despite some reservations.
Many predicted he would step up attacks to prove himself.
"He was a given leader from the outset. But he doesn't have the same iconic status or personality as bin Laden," said Magnus Ranstorp, a terror analyst at the Royal Swedish Defence College. "He will focus on attacking the West in a big way. To avenge (bin Laden's death), but also to make himself ... even more effective and relevant."
Al-Zawahri and bin Laden first crossed paths in the late 1980s in the caves of Afghanistan, where the Egyptian reportedly provided medical treatment to bin Laden and other Islamic fighters battling Soviet forces. Their alliance would develop years later into the terror network blamed for America's worst terror attack in its history.
In a videotaped eulogy released earlier this month, al-Zawahri warned that America still faces an international community of Muslims that seek to destroy it.
"Today, praise God, America is not facing an individual, a group or a faction," he said, wearing a white robe and turban with an assault rifle leaned on a wall behind him. "It is facing a nation that is in revolt, having risen from its lethargy to a renaissance of jihad."
Al-Zawahri also heaped praise on bin Laden and criticized the U.S. for burying him at sea.
"He went to his God as a martyr, the man who terrified America while alive and terrifies it in death, so much so that they trembled at the idea of his having a tomb," he said.
Al-Zawahri is the son of an upper middle class Egyptian family of doctors and scholars. His father was a pharmacology professor at Cairo University's medical school and his grandfather was the grand imam of Al-Azhar University, Sunni Islam's formal seat of learning.
At the age of 15, he founded his first underground cell of high school students to oppose the Egyptian government. He continued his militant activities while earning his medical degree, later merging his cell with other militants to form Islamic Jihad.
Al-Zawahri served three years in an Egyptian prison before heading to Afghanistan in 1984 to fight the Soviets, where he linked up with bin Laden. Al-Zawahri later followed bin Laden to Sudan and then back to Afghanistan, where they found a safe haven under the radical Taliban regime.
Soon after came the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Africa, followed by the 2000 suicide bombing of the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen, an attack al-Zawahri is believed to have helped organize.
In a 2001 treatise, he set down the long-term strategy for the jihadi movement -- to inflict "as many casualties as possible" on the Americans.
"Pursuing the Americans and Jews is not an impossible task," he wrote. "Killing them is not impossible, whether by a bullet, a knife stab, a bomb or a strike with an iron bar."
Al-Zawahri's hatred for Americans has also become deeply personal: His wife and at least two of their six children were killed in a U.S. airstrike following the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan after the 9-11 attacks.
Al-Zawahri has worked in the years since to rebuild the organization's leadership in the Afghan-Pakistan border. Al Qaeda has inspired or had a direct hand in attacks in North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, the 2004 train bombings in Madrid and the 2005 transit bombings in London.
The CIA came close to capturing him in 2003 and killing him in 2004 -- both times in Pakistan. In December 2009, they thought they were again close only to be tricked by a double agent who blew himself up, killing seven agency employees and wounding six more in Khost, Afghanistan.
The statement announcing his succession was filled with the terror network's usual rhetoric, vowing to continue the fight against what it called "conquering infidels, led by America and its stooge Israel, who attack the homes of Islam."
The al Qaeda statement also stated the group's support for this year's popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. It vowed never to recognize the legitimacy of Israel and to support what it called the struggle of the Afghan people under the leadership of Taliban commander Mullah Omar against American occupation.
"We support the uprisings of oppressed Muslim nations in the face of corrupt and oppressive tyrants in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Morocco and we encourage them along with the rest of the Muslim people to continue the struggle until all the corrupt oppressive regimes imposed by the west are removed," it said.
Osama bin Laden, left, and his top lieutenant Egyptian Ayman al-Zawahri, right, are seen at an undisclosed location in this television image broadcast, Oct. 7, 2001. (AP / Al-Jazeera)
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Two versions of Lokpal Bill will be sent to Cabinet: Sibal

Members of the Joint Committee constituted to draft the Lokpal Bill, including (from right) Mr Anna Hazare, Mr Shanti Bhushan and Mr Arvind Kejriwal, on their way to attend a meeting at the North Block in the Capital on Wednesday. — Photo: Kamal Narang
The Joint Drafting Committee on the Lokpal Bill has decided to send two versions of the Bill to the Cabinet by June 30.
“There was no consensus on basic issues. So, two versions of the Bill will be sent to the Cabinet,” the Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Kapil Sibal, told reporters after the meeting. The panel will meet again on June 20 and 21 for further discussions. Civil society members on the panel, however, were unhappy.
Indicating a toning down of the stand-off between Government and civil society members, the joint panel meeting on Wednesday, however, skirted ‘contentious' issues such as bringing the Prime Minister and higher judiciary in the Lokpal's ambit and restricted itself to other matters. “We want the 11-member Lokpal to be an independent investigative body, not under Government control. By suggesting otherwise, an effort is being made to kill the Lokpal even before its birth,” said social activist, Mr Arvind Kejriwal.
The meeting took place a day after name-calling by both sides, with the Congress terming Mr Anna Hazare as an “unelected tyrant” and civil society members referring to Congress members on the panel as “democratic dictators.”

War of words

In the political sphere, too, the war of words heated up with BJP President, Mr Nitin Gadkari, taunting Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi. “Sonia Gandhi says she will fight corruption. It is like Pakistan saying we will fight terrorism,” he is reported to have said in Kolkata.
The Congress hit back and accused the BJP of reducing its platform to “gutter-level politics.” Party spokesperson, Ms Jayanti Natarjan, demanded an apology from Mr Gadkari.
The BJP also sought an explanation from the Prime Minister on the taped conversations of corporate lobbyist, Ms Niira Radia.
The tapes allegedly show that the then Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, played a role in the 2G spectrum scam.
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