Ramat-Jagat

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Posted by Snehsan

Sports News:

Pak ODI: Dravid dropped, Sehwag recalled

Rahul Dravid was on Saturday dropped from the 15-member Indian one-day squad for the first two matches of the upcoming home cricket series against Pakistan.

Dravid's exclusion was probably expected after his omission from the playing XI for India's last ODI, which was against Australia. India's cricket selectors announced the squad on Saturday in Ahmedabad.

Virender Sehwag, who had been on the sidelines for quite sometime, has been recalled into the team announced by the BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah after a meeting of the selection committee.

The other changes include a fit-again Gautam Gambhir coming back in place of S Badrinath. Dinesh Karthik and Ramesh Powar are the other two changes from the team that was picked for the series against Australia.

Winning team

Dilip Vengsarkar had earlier said that a winning team would be chosen and that led to speculation that the selectors' rotation policy had been abandoned.

"We have decided to rest Rahul Dravid and I am sure he will be back," said Dilip Vengsarkar, chairman of selectors.

But the chairman of selectors did say that those left out of this 15-man squad will be considered when the selectors next meet for the remainder of the Pakistan tour.

The one brand new face in the side is that of Uttar Pradesh medium pacer Praveen Kumar, who had considerable success on the domestic circuit. Lalchand Rajput has been retained as manager for the ODI series against Pakistan.

And, here's a look at the 15-member Indian team for the first two ODIs versus Pakistan at Guwahati and Mohali.

The team: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, R P Singh, Irfan Pathan, S Sreesanth and Praveen Kumar. (With PTI inputs)

Sachin to be Test captain: Sources

Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to be captain for the next two test series against Pakistan and Australia, sources said. Sachin's captaincy has been finalised but an announcement is likely only after November 8.

Sachin Tendulkar's career milestones

A debate has been raging for quite some time now, as to whether there should be different captains for the test and one day teams. While M S Dhoni has been appreciated for the way he has captained the Twenty20 and one day teams, it really was a two horse race between Dhoni and Sachin for the test captaincy.

Roony leads Man U, Chelsea wins 6-0

Wayne Rooney scored his eighth goal in seven matches to lead Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Middlesbrough and first place in the Premier League.

Portugal winger Nani put United ahead in the third minute with a long-range shot and Jeremie Aliadiere equalized three minutes later. Rooney put United back in front and Carlos Tevez scored twice as United hit four goals in a fourth straight match, a feat it last achieved 100 years ago.

United's eighth straight Premier League win took the defending champion top of the standings because Arsenal wasn't in action until Sunday, when it was set to play Liverpool.

Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea secured its biggest ever Premier League win and moved up to fourth place Saturday with a 6-0 victory over Manchester City.

Reading beat visiting Newcastle 2-1, Birmingham twice came from a goal down to beat visiting Wigan 3-2, and Fulham won 1-0 at Sunderland.

United attacked Boro from the start at Old Trafford and Nani was allowed to run into the visitors' half before hitting a dipping shot from 30 meters (yards) over goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

It was Nani's second goal since he joined from Sporting Lisbon in the offseason and the first, against Tottenham in August, was also a fierce long-range shot.

Middlesbrough equalized in the sixth when Aliadiere headed in a cross by Tuncay Sanli to become the first visiting player to score at Old Trafford this season.

Rooney responded for United by hitting a free kick into the defensive wall before making it 2-1. Boro winger Stewart Downing gave the ball away to Nani, and the Portugal international passed to Rooney, who hit a shot past Schwarzer.

Carlos Tevez made the game safe in the 55th, passing to Rooney, getting the ball back from a back heel, and scoring. With five minutes left, the Argentina striker made sure United matched its feat of the 1907-08 season by hitting his team's fourth goal to take his season tally to four.

Arsenal can retake the lead if it avoids defeat at Liverpool on Sunday. The Gunners are unbeaten this season and on a 12-match winning streak in all competitions, including Tuesday's 7-0 win over Sparta Prague in the Champions League.

Also Sunday, Tottenham plays its first game since firing manager Martin Jol when it hosts Blackburn, Everton is at Derby, and Bolton hosts Aston Villa.

Frank Lampard set up three goals Saturday as Chelsea handed third-place Manchester City its third away loss of the season.

Michael Essien put Chelsea ahead at Stamford Bridge in the 16th with a shot past goalkeeper Joe Hart following a through ball from Lampard.

Lampard then hit a ball from halfway to Drogba in the area in the 30th and the Ivory Coast striker eluded defender Micah Richards to shoot into the net.

Drogba scored again in the 56th with a low volley after Hart saved an initial shot by Lampard. Drogba then set up Joe Cole for a 60th-minute goal, Salomon Kalou hit a shot through Hart's legs, and Andriy Shevchenko rounded off the scoring in the 90th.

Newcastle missed the chance to take fifth place when it lost at Reading. Dave Kitson put the home side ahead in the 53rd and, although the Magpies drew level through an own-goal from Michael Duberry, and Shane Long hit an 84th-minute winner.

"We've got the goal, we've come back into it, we've looked like were going to get the chance to maybe score again, and we've just killed ourselves," Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said. "It was because of the pressure from Reading.

"Birmingham twice trailed to goals by Wigan striker Marcus Bent but Olivier Kapo hit his second goal of the game with a left-foot shot through a defender's legs and past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland in the 81st to give the home side victory.

Kenwyne Jones hit an 86th-minute equalizer, scoring for the third straight match, as Sunderland drew 1-1 with Fulham, while West Ham was at Portsmouth later Saturday.

Bristol City strengthened its hold on second place in the League Championship with a 1-0 win over Stoke, while Wolves dropped to fifth after a 3-0 loss at Ipswich that ended its three-match winning streak. West Brom took over third place with a 2-0 win over Norwich, while Ipswich went fourth.

Source : NDTV

Share Market

Friday, October 26, 2007

Posted by Snehsan

share Bazzzzzar :

Sensex ends above 19200

The markets reacted positively SEBI's decision on P-Notes with the benchmark index closing at 19,243 levels, up 2.5 per cent or 472 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 19,276 levels in intra-day deals. In broader markets, the Nifty surged 2.4 per cent or 133 points to settle at 5,702 levels.

"The markets look attractive and present a good buying opportunity," noted Ashish Kapur, CEO, Invest Shoppe.

"Bulls are certainly in the drivers seat. I expect the Sensex to breach 20,000 levels in the times to come," added Sandeep Wagle, Chief Technical Analyst, Angel Broking.

SEBI decision

Dismissing all speculation that the P-Notes policy may not go through, the five-hour SEBI board meeting on Thursday gave a go ahead to the draft without making any changes.

FIIs and sub-accounts shall not issue participatory notes with underlined assets as derivatives have been approved by the board. "The current decision to wound up in 18 months also been approved by the board," SEBI Chairman M Damodaran said.

Markets This Week

BSE Midcap up over 9% Smallcap up 8.5%

Cap Goods up over 20% Bankex up over 15%

Metals up 15% Realty up over 10%

L&T up 12% RPL up 7%

NALCO up 6.5% SBI up 7%

"The board also decided that further issuance of P-Notes by the sub-accounts of FIIs to be discontinued," he explained.

Analysts feel that Thursday's decision is a good move for the markets in the long-run.

"I don't think that the hedge funds are pulling out of India. My understanding is that they will now regulate the inflows," said Deven Choksey, MD, K R Choksey Securities.

According to Thursday's proposals, a single investor can hold up to 49 per cent in broad based fund, which means that it could be easier for smaller hedge funds to come together to launch broad based funds which needs at least 20 investors.

"There are a few grey areas in the SEBI policy. FII inflows may take a little more time to come into India," said Amisha Vora, Joint MD, Prabhudas Lilladher.

Leading the charge at the Sensex on Friday was Larsen & Toubro. The counter surged 12.2 per cent or Rs 420 on the back of strong second quarter results. The company reported a net profit of Rs 348 crore for Q2FY08, an increase of 73 per cent.

SBI, BHEL, Mahindra & Mahindra, ONGC, ICICI Bank, Satyam Computer, NTPC, Reliance Industries, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki India and TCS were some of the other notable gainers.

However, Bharti Airtel at Rs 993 levels skidded 2.6 per cent or Rs 26. Hindustan Unilever, Ambuja Cements, ITC Limited, Ranbaxy, Cipla and Dr Reddys also lost ground.

Banks firm

Among sectoral indices, the BSE capital goods index was the top gainer that vaulted 7.2 per cent or 1,239 points by close. Dredging Corporation (up 17.7 per cent), Lakshmi Machine Works (up 15 per cent), Gammon India (up 12.4 per cent) and BEML (up 7.5 per cent) were the top gainers besides Larsen & Toubro.

DLF Limited and Akruti Nirman logged gains of over four per cent each in the realty pack. Parsvnath Developers, HDIL, Sobha Developers, Peninsula Land, Omaxe Limited, Anant Raj Industries, Unitech Limited also held firm.

Strength was also visible in metal counters. Jindal Steel & Power, NALCO, SAIL, Bhushan Steel, Sterlite Industries, Sesa Goa, Welspun India, Hindalco, Hindustan Zinc and Tata Steel were some of the top gainers.

Entertainment

Posted by Snehsan

India Buzz :

The games Bipasha likes to play

We couldn’t help, but kept guessing what a beautiful dusky woman like her is doing in an all men sports film like football?

Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu is back in the news and this time it’s not her alleged link-up with Saif which is hogging the limelight, but the compliments she is getting for her look in Goal.

We couldn’t help, but kept guessing what a beautiful dusky woman like her is doing in an all men sports film like football? She laughs and says, “Well, I am never too concerned about the length or duration of my role.

I knew what my length was going to be right from the beginning of the film.

I always knew that the film belonged to the boys and I am not complaining about it.” Is she an avid football fan? “No, I was introduced to the game (football) almost five years ago when I started seeing John Abraham.

That man is simply crazy about the game. He eats drinks and sleeps football. I had no option, but to get hooked on to it,” she says. Point taken, we have no complaints as long as the two love birds stick to each other.

Spiderman wears topi :

This Spiderman wears a Gandhi topi in the film.

Spiderman lovers will be pleased to see their favourite character in yet another regional avatar. Nana Patekar, in Horn, Ok, Please, plays Spidey with a difference.

A source says, “Nana came up with the idea of Spiderman wearing a typical Maharashtrian cap. He was required to shoot a scene wearing a Spidey costume. He was in his vanity van putting it on, when the idea struck him.

He immediately went up to the director and told him that he should wear a Gandhi topi. Since he plays a truck driver in the film, it would go well with his character.”

Rakesh Sarang, director of the film, says, “Yes, it was completely Nana’s idea to wear a Gandhi cap over his Spiderman get-up. I thought it was a fabulous idea and agreed immediately.”

Source : Times of India

Health & Science

Posted by Snehsan

Health News
All must read it :

Ages 30-40 use anti-wrinkle drugs

MUMBAI: Wrinkle-reducing drug Botox has so far found more users in the age group of 30 to 40 years in India, despite a marketing campaign and messages targetting people aged above that category.

"In India, the market has been found to be getting younger and a majority of those undergoing cosmetic treatment of Botox are in the age bracket of 30 to 40 years," Rajinder Nagi of Allergan Inc, manufacturer of the drug said.

"The drug is cleared for patients in the age group of 18 to 65 years and it is targetted at the older segment of the population. But then a lot of people, many of whom are working professionals with large disposable incomes, want to look younger these days," Nagi said.

Mumbai and Delhi have been the major centres where the sale of Botox has been maximum, while the market in the East and South India is expected to grow soon, he said.

The wrinkle-reducing drug, whose effect lasts for six to nine months, costs about Rs 16,500 per vial, but it has not been a deterrent for customers, officials said.

In addition to its cosmetic application, the drug has found application in treatment of ailments like cerebral palsy and other muscle-related ailments but the cosmetic segment will remain crucial, Nagi said.

Almost 20,000 patients received Botox injections in the last year and it is expected to increase to almost one lakh in the future, he said.

Source : Times of India

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Posted by Snehsan

About helth : must read it all

Ages 30-40 use anti-wrinkle drugs

MUMBAI: Wrinkle-reducing drug Botox has so far found more users in the age group of 30 to 40 years in India, despite a marketing campaign and messages targetting people aged above that category.

"In India, the market has been found to be getting younger and a majority of those undergoing cosmetic treatment of Botox are in the age bracket of 30 to 40 years," Rajinder Nagi of Allergan Inc, manufacturer of the drug said.

"The drug is cleared for patients in the age group of 18 to 65 years and it is targetted at the older segment of the population. But then a lot of people, many of whom are working professionals with large disposable incomes, want to look younger these days," Nagi said.

Mumbai and Delhi have been the major centres where the sale of Botox has been maximum, while the market in the East and South India is expected to grow soon, he said.

The wrinkle-reducing drug, whose effect lasts for six to nine months, costs about Rs 16,500 per vial, but it has not been a deterrent for customers, officials said.

In addition to its cosmetic application, the drug has found application in treatment of ailments like cerebral palsy and other muscle-related ailments but the cosmetic segment will remain crucial, Nagi said.

Almost 20,000 patients received Botox injections in the last year and it is expected to increase to almost one lakh in the future, he said.

Paulson to focus on infrastructure access, financial reforms on India trip

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Posted by Snehsan

India News...

WASHINGTON (Thomson Financial) - US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will press Indian officials next week to loosen investment restrictions in order to attract overseas investment that can be used to build infrastructure within the country, and will also offer US support for India's plans to build a new financial services industry in Mumbai।

Paulson, who will travel to India next week, said India's work in these two areas is needed in order to further open and expand India's economy।

'It is in the best interest of India, the United States and the world for India to continue, and even accelerate, the pace of economic reform and openness,' Paulson said in remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations today।

Paulson said India plans to spend as much as 500 bln usd over the next five years on infrastructure improvements, including those that will help meet India's growing energy demands। He said the US wants to help India attract private infrastructure investment, but said the country can help itself by making it easier for foreign investment to flow into the country.

'The government can do more to encourage this private investment by establishing more hospitable investment, regulatory and financial regimes,' he said today। 'Capital limitations, combined with on-going uncertainty about contract enforcement and regulatory consistency, will make infrastructure investment more difficult to obtain.'

Paulson said he would attend a conference in Mumbai during his trip to help highlight investment opportunities for US companies।

Regarding the financial services center India wants to build in Mumbai, Paulson said he agreed with a report issued in India that says the country must make fiscal, monetary and financial reforms before this can happen। As one example, he said India must continue to loosen its capital controls.

He said he would meet with Indian regulators during his trip to discuss India's plans to develop Mumbai, which he and others see as a chance for companies to provide financial services to companies operating in India and wider Asia।

More generally, Paulson said that on the US side, he is 'committed' to ensuring a open investment regime, and said working together to conclude the ongoing Doha round of World Trade Organization talks would be the 'single most effective thing' both countries could do to ease living standards in India and around the world।

He also said the US continues to support the civil nuclear deal the two countries reached in 2005। That agreement could allow India to trade in nuclear-related materials as long as it allows inspectors from the UN's International Atomic Energy Association to inspect its nuclear facilities and continues its moratorium on nuclear weapons testing.

'This agreement will bring India into the nuclear nonproliferation mainstream, providing access to the technology which can help it reach its economic and environmental objectives,' Paulson said। 'The United States remains committed to this agreement.'

सोर्स-forbes

Pakistan switch game from Karachi

Posted by Snehsan

Security has been a major factor on recent tours of Pakistan

Pakistan's fifth one-day international against South Africa on Monday has been moved from Karachi to Lahore because of security concerns।

The South Africans did not want to play in Karachi after last week's bombing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's convoy in which 139 people were killed।

"We deeply regret this decision, especially for the people of Karachi।

"But members of our contingent are not comfortable travelling there," said team manager Logan Naidoo.
"If possible, we will play in Karachi when we tour Pakistan next time।"

Bomb attacks in the city have disrupted previous series, with New Zealand flying home in 2002 after an explosion close to their hotel, which killed 14 people.

Tricolour insult T20 champs in legal tangle

Posted by Snehsan

Cricket News...

They may have earned the sobriquet of conquerors of Twenty20 cricket. However, the Indian cricket team could be in the dock for allegedly insulting the national tricolour. A petition has been filed before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Kanpur raising serious objections against the alleged disrespect shown by the team members to the national flag.After admitting the petition, the court fixed October 25 for the hearing.Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, vice captain Yuvraj Singh and all other team members have been accused of desecrating the national flag during the team's Twenty20 win against Pakistan in South Africa.According to the petitioner Rahul Pandey, a local lawyer, "Dhoni and several other players not only wrapped themselves in the tricolour, but also rolled on the ground. This was followed by spraying of champagne that fell on the flag." He views the entire act as an insult to the flag.The petitioner's counsel Vijay Bakshi said, "We have cited sufficient evidence in the form of television, magazine and newspaper clippings."He went on to add, "What we found even more shocking was the fact that despite showing disrespect to the national flag, these players were felicitated and showered with gifts and monetary awards, when they actually deserved punishment for their act."Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Niranjan Shah, cine star Shah Rukh Khan and commentator Ravi Shastri have been named as witnesses in the plaint, as the euphoric revelling took place in their presence.

Source: NDTV