Nepal quake: Death toll crosses 1,900
Transcription
Nepal quake: Death toll crosses 1,900
FRONTLINE PRINTERS PRIVATE LTD 3 CM takes up Mekedatu issue with Modi 6 Kings XI coach rues dropped catches 7 Kings XI, SRH in cellarbattle 8 Relationship with neighbours on win-win mode: Ram Madhav Complete Printing Facilities under One Roof M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai - 600 032. 2250 0111, 4202 1111 Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982 www.newstodaynet.com NATIONAL DAILY VOL. XXXIII NO. 139 FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R H CHENNAI H SUNDAY 26.4.2015 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS MONDAY 27.4.2015 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Regd. No., TN/CC(S) DN/223/15-17, RNI No: 33810 / 82 Honour, achievements N arendra in his monthly radio address (Man Ki Baat), today expressed pride at the achievements of two daughters of India -- Saina Nehwal who became the world number one in badminton and Sania Mirza the world topper in doubles tennis. While congratulating them, Modi also expressed indignation at some people losing their balance at the loss of India in the cricket world cup semi-finals, saying: My countrymen, this is not good. There is no sport in which there is no loss .... If our players lose sometime, then we should keep their morale high in that hour of crisis. ‘We should learn from defeat. I am sure we will take lessons from our defeat in future, won’t lose our balance instantly and get into a blame game,’ he said. Modi said his government would continue to move ahead for the welfare of everybody, whether they be Dalits, down-trodden, the deprived, tribals, villagers and farmers. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings coach was all happy as his boys defeated Punjab by 97 runs in an IPL match yesterday. ‘We are not going to think that which player is going to come out and strike the ball. We could be three for nothing in the next game and they have a match-winning partnership but we are not going to think of those things. We just need to cover every base. We are not going to over complicate,’ he said. Nepal quake: Death toll crosses 1,900 MEN ON MISSION q Thousands still trapped q Aftershocks in Kathmandu Relief works are on in full swing in Nepal, where a massive quake claimed the lives of over 1900 persons. Those who were rescued from debris were rushed to hospitals. We are with you: Modi New Delhi, Apr 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India will make all out efforts to help the people of quake-hit Nepal and wipe their tears in this hour of crisis, giving priority to saving lives of those who might be buried under the debris. He said a number of rescue teams along with sniffer dogs have been sent to Nepal to save as many lives as they can after the earthquake caused widespread damage in that country yesterday. I can feel what Nepal and its people must be going through since I have seen closely the devastation caused by earthquake in Kutch (Gujarat) on January 26, 2001, Modi said in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme on AIR. My dear brothers and sisters of Nepal, India is with you in this hour of grief. ... For 125 crore Indians, Nepal is their own country and India will make all efforts to wipe the tears of every person in Nepal, hold their hands and stand with them, he said in the programme, much of which he devoted to the recent calamities and other human tragedies like Actress arrested in red sanders case storm in Bihar and efforts to rescue Indians from war-torn Yemen. Observing that help has already started and teams of experts have been sent, he said the priority is to rescue those people who might be still alive under the debris and all efforts will be made to save them. ‘Our focus will be to rescue as many people alive as possible.’ He said the relief and rehabilitation work after the rescue operations will go on for a long time. Sharing his pain over a series of natural calamities hitting the region in the recent past including yesterday’s quake in Nepal, Modi said he was anguished and did not feel like going ahead with his radio address today. When I spoke to you last month, hailstorms and unseasonal rains had occured, devastating the farmers. A few days ago, a storm hit Bihar killing many people and causing a lot of damage. And now on Saturday, this devastating earthquake has shaken the whole world. Kathmandu, Apr 26 (PTI): The death toll in Nepal from the devastating earthquake mounted to 1,911 today as rescue efforts intensified, with international teams including from India sifting through tonnes of rubble in search of survivors in the Himalayan nation’s worst temblor in over 80 years. Fresh aftershocks jolted Nepal and adjoining areas, as the country declared a state of emergency in the wake of the disaster caused by a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake and over a dozen aftershocks that hit the country yesterday. The earthquake and the aftershocks left behind a trail of death and destruction, flattening houses and buildings, including the iconic Dharhara tower and the landmark Darbar Square in the heart of the capital, trapping scores of people. Thousands of people spent last night in the open in chilly weather, anticipating more aftershocks. The death toll touched 1,911 while the number of injured reached 4,627 till this morning, according to the Home Ministry. Around 1,000 people are reported killed in the Kathmandu Valley alone. Officials fear the death toll could rise Choppers reach Everest as desperate search for survivors continued. Dozens of bodies have been taken to hospitals here, many of which are struggling to cope with the number of injured. As many as 17 Mount Everest climbers, including foreigners, were reportedly killed in an avalanche triggered by the earthquake, the worst in over 80 years of Nepal’s recorded history. However, the Home Ministry put the death toll due to the avalanche at 10. According to reports, the route to the base camp has been destroyed and the Indian Air Force choppers were trying to rescue the survivors, around 100 in number who were said to be safe. Two Indians, including the daughter of an Indian embassy employee, were among those killed in the powerful earthquake, an Indian embassy official said. Four fresh aftershocks jolted Nepal today, measuring up to 6 on the Richter scale, including one that was reported to hit 41 km west-northwest of Kirtipur. However, there was no immediate report of casualty following today’s tremors. According to Nepal Meteorological Department, more aftershocks are 550 Indians evacuated from quake-hit Nepal q Toll touches 51 in Bihar New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Nearly 550 Indians have been evacuated by the IAF from quake-hit Nepal even as India stepped up its relief and rescue mission with 10 flights and 12 helicopters scheduled to carry specialists and equipment to Kathmandu today. Since 10.40 pm last night, four IAF aircraft have landed from Nepal with 546 Indians on board. The first aircraft to land was a C-130J with 55 passengers on board, including four infants, a defence spokesperson said today. Around midnight, a C-17 aircraft landed with 102 passengers which was followed by an IL 76 with 152. Around 4 am, a C17 landed with 237 passengers, all who were evacuated following the massive earthquake that has claimed over 1800 lives. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said Indian authorities have responded North, east India shaken again A high-magnitude quake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale today rocked many parts of East and North India, including Delhi, epicentre of which was Nepal. Tremors were felt in various parts of India, according to the IMD. The tremors, which were felt in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, triggered panic and forced people to rush out of their houses and offices. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property in Delhi. very proactively, very swiftly and I think every agency, every stakeholder in India who matters in providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Nepal in times of their need has been activated and the response has been exceptional. Today, we have planned to send 10 large bodied aircraft carrying loads of equipment of behalf of the Army specially some of their field engineering companies, regiments...One aircraft has already gone airborne and other aircraft is getting ready. The operation will continue the whole day, he said. India, which was the first to respond to the Nepal crisis, is stepping up its mission today. Eight flights by the transport aircraft are scheduled for the day. They will be carrying equipment, relief material and specialist to Nepal.Also on board with will the Army forward hospitals.At least 12 helicopters will be sent to Nepal today to help with search and rescue mission. Govt detects over Rs 7,800 cr blackmoney Helicopters began landing at Mount Everest base camp on Sunday to rescue victims of an avalanche that has killed at least 14 people, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. Six helicopters landed at base camp in Nepal, according to the agency`s Kathmandu bureau chief Ammu Kannampilly after weather conditions improved overnight. People being stretchered out as choppers land - half a dozen this morning, Kannampilly said in a text message. ‘Weather clear, some snowfall.’ A spokesman for Nepal`s tourism department, which issues the permits to climb the world`s tallest mountain, said that the death toll had risen to 14 and could increase further. expected. Thunderstorms were supposed to make rescue operations difficult. Many areas in the country have no electricity for the past 24 hours and authorities say the situation is likely to continue for the next few days. Vijayakanth meets opposition leaders NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi tomorrow, DMDK chief Vijayakanth today called on leaders of various parties including M Karunanidhi (DMK), Tamilisai Soundararajan (BJP), G K Vasan (TMC) and TNCC president E V K S Elangovan. Addressing mediapersons after calling on Karunanidhi, Vijayakanth, said, ‘I met Karunanidhi to discuss about Mekathadhu dam issue, Land Acquisition Bill, Tamil fishermen and Mullai Periyar issue. He assured to stand by us in Mekathadhu problem’. During the meeting, Vijayakanth was accompanied by DMDK treasurer Sudheesh. DMK treasurer M K Stalin was also present on the occasion. Vijayakanth later visited Sathyamurthy Bhavan, where he met Elangovan and sought his support to fight the issues. TNCC leaders P Chidambaram, Kushbu, Thirunavukarasu were present on the occasion. The DMDK leader also called on Vasan and held discussions with him. Later, he drove to Kamalayalam, the BJP’s State headquarters in T Nagar and held discussions with State BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan. With Assembly elections due next year, the meetings today are watched closely by political analysts. Kurnool, Apr 26: Kurnool police arrested Neethu Agarwal, heroine of the Telugu feature film Prema Prayanam, for her New Delhi, April 26 (PTI): wing under the Finance Ministry procED registered as many as 105 fresh by it during 2012-13. The agency also alleged involvement in red sanders Tirunelveli, Apr 26 (PTI): essed country-wide Suspicious Transcriminal FIRs under the Prevention of received a total of 87,79,082 Cash Government detected a whopping smuggling on Sunday. Rudravaram over Rs 7,800 crore of illegal monies action Reports (STRs) it obtained from Money Laundering Act (PMLA) apart Transaction Reports (CTRs), 3,01,804 In a suspected case of murder for police had registered a case against within the country and abroad during various financial institutions, the report from its regular operations against Counterfeit Currency Reports (CCRs) gain, an 82-year old woman was Neethu Agarwal on detecting that 2013-14 as the elite Financial Intelsaid, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) money launderers and hawala operaand 80,616 Non-Profit Organisation done to death and and then hung in a money was transferred from her bank ligence Unit (FIU) found all-time high also detected proceeds of crime to the tives in the said time period. The total Transaction Reports (NTRs), the latest noose in her house in the district late account to red sander smugglers and cases of suspicious transactions in the tune of Rs 20 crore and seized assets black money detected by FIU stands updated report also submitted to the last night, police said today. to the tune of Rs 17 crore. at Rs 7,848 crore during the last year, Special Investigation Team (SIT) on froze the account. country’s economic channels. Maruthathal, a widow and living a senior Finmin official said who did black money, said. The report, accessed by PTI, said as As per a latest report prepared by the She was said to be co-habiting under the care of her nephew, was not wish to be quoted. a result of this electronic intelligence STR is defined as a transaction which found hanging with bleeding injuries with Chagalamarri mandal president Finance Ministry, the FIU’s action led to generated by FIU, the ‘I-T department The huge amount of black money gives rise to a reasonable suspicion and 14 sovereigns of her jewels reand YSR Congress leader Mastan the detection of unaccounted income of could be detected during 2013-14, the seized assets worth Rs 163 crore and that it may involve proceeds of a crime moved at Vannikonendal near SankaVali, a lemon vendor turned red Rs 7,078 crore by the Income Tax deofficial said, as the FIU witnessed an the Service Tax department sealed or appears to be made in circumstanc- rankovil around 11 pm last night. sander smuggler, who produced the partment while the Customs and Service about 100 per cent jump in receiving assets worth Rs 17 crore during the es of unjustifi ed complexity or gives Tax departments detected evasion of Rs The murder came Estate, to light when her film PremabyPrayanam in which she of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Published K. Balakumar on behalf Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Guindy, same period.’ the STRs at 61,953 dossiers as comreasonable grounds to suspect that 750 crore during the said period. grand son went to see her, police said played the female lead role. Vali was Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. pared to a mere 31 731 STRs received it may be linked to terrorist activities Al t f th ti th Aft th i t h i l ddi f h i i i Elderly woman murdered City Centre When lights failed to blink 2 SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 CHENNAI FOOD FOR THOUGHT Malfunctioning traffic signal at Porur junction irks motorists T o bring order to the chaos at the Porur junction, new signals have been erected and barricades have been placed on Arcot Road to prevent commuters from overtaking and occupying the other side of the road. Due to non-functional signals at the junction, a minimum of atleast fi ve policemen had to be in place at the junction at any point of time. A traffic policeman at the junction said, ‘we initially placed the barNew signals and barricades have been ricades for a few metres after the placed at the Porur junction. median finished on Arcot Road. But that did not help. signal working for a even during non-peak hours. The wait So we had to furyear now. A few traffic is much longer during rush hour.’ ther extend the barpolicemen are on duty However pedestrians face tougher R ricades.’ PORU managing the huge task crossing the signal. ‘With the A regular commuter volume of traffic. But this has sheer volume of traffic, it is impossible through the Porur junct i o n , not helped as traffic gets blocked on for traffic policemen to have control Anand said,’I have not seen t h e Arcot Road for at least 10 minutes, over pedestrians,’ added Anand. With the sheer volume of traffic, it is impossible for traffic policemen to have control over pedestrians Many think the completion of the flyover work will address the problem. ‘Arcot Road will benefi t a lot if the flyover is built. You should see that during peak hours, many of the roadside vendors are forced to shift back as vehicles take up the entire space,’ says Murugan, a vegetable vendor. - NT Bureau Herd of cows are seen feeding on garbage at Mangadu Salai in Moulivakkam. Photo: R THIYAGARAJAN Pressing issues on this road Residents Corporation toilet needs immediate attention C orporation toilet at Vasantha Press Road lies in a poor state calling for attention from authorities. At one corner of the residential area lies the public toilet that resembles a damaged building. to fix it. The toilet was not maintained properly at all,’ said Radha, a resident of the area. Since the toilet is not serving the purpose, people h a v e started littering in the open, right next to the facility. There is a school very close by. Drivers and nearby shop keep- ers who used the toilet once, are now forced to relieve themselves on the road. The floors are soiled and muddy. The flush-tank was found broken. There was no water in the sink. The gents’ toilet was stinking and the flushing system was nonfunctional. ‘It has been more than ten years since the facility was constructed. Within few years, the equipment was damaged and the officials did not bother Velacheri Main Road that is in bad shape. 08:00 PM Naduvula Koncham Disturb TV TODAY Pannuvom ‘In the evening when one passes the stretch, the stench is so strong that people avoid taking this way,’ said Rama- 08:00 PM Madhubala 08:30 PM Saami Potta Mudichu JAYA TV 09:00 PM Neeyaa Naana 09:00 PM Nenjam Pesuthey 11:00 PM Connexion 09:30 PM Moondru Muduchi 04:30 PM Neethane En Ponvasantham RAJ TV 10:00 PM Ullam Kollai Pogudhada 04:00 PM Porkalam CHUTTI TV 07:30 PM News 08:00 PM Jaya Super Singer South 03:30 PM Movie Special India 08:00 PM Gunamakum Anbu 08:30 PM Jesus Calls 09:00 PM Nadandhadhu Enna 04:00 PM Imsai Arasan 23m Pulikesi 10:00 PM Kavidhaiyae Theriyuma 06:30 PM Movie Special 10:30 PM English News 07:00 PM News 10:45 PM Tamil News 07:30 PM Maanada Mayilada 11:00 PM Hits 09:30 PM Ellamey Siripputhan POLIMER TV SUN TV 10:00 PM News Headlines 05:10 PM Comedy Express 10:02 PM Dhil Dhil Manathil 05:35 PM Nenjam Pesuthey 06:00 PM Kutty Chutties 10:30 PM Sirippu Varudhu 06:05 PM Saami Potta Mudichu 06:30 PM Movie 11:00 PM Telebuy 06:30 PM Madhubala STAR VIJAY 07:00 PM Ullam Kollai Pogudhada 04:30 PM Program 10:00 PM Bhairavi 06:00 PM Oru Varthai Oru Latcham 11:00 PM Super Challenge KALAIGNAR TV 09:00 PM Chill Out 10:00 PM Thiraivimarsanam 10:30 PM Student No.1 03:00 PM The New Pink Panther Show 03:30 PM Mr Cookie 04:00 PM Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness 05:00 PM Thalaiva Jackie and Gilli Friends 06:00 PM Lassie 07:00 PM Mr Cookie 07:30 PM Ilamai Puthumai 08:00 PM Bommi and Friends 09:00 PM Famous Five 09:30 PM Vaanga Samaikalam 10:00 PM Varutha Padatha Valibar 07:30 PM Sakthi Pole Yaarumillae Tamizhodu Vilayadu say that the authorities moorthy, a shopkeeper in the area. Residents say that the authorities should either fix the toilet or demolish it fully. Else, the spot will soon start w i t n e s s - ing evil practices. should either fix the toilet When contacted, civic offi cials said there are plans to demolR ADYA ish the toilet and construct a ration shop. or demolish it fully ‘At present the residents have to go all the way to ward 174 to get essential commodities from ration shop. Hence to bring relief to the residents we have proposed to construct a ration shop here with the MLA fund,’ they said. - NT Bureau STAR SPORTS 1 TEN SPORTS 03:00 PM Match Point : Twenty 20 03:30 PM Pro Kabaddi Superhits 04:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : India vs. West Indies 04:30 PM Pakistan Tour of Bangladesh 2015 H/ls : 2nd ODI 05:00 PM Cricket Legends 05:30 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : South Africa vs. West Indies 06:00 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : South Africa vs. Pakistan 06:30 PM Pro Kabaddi Superhits 07:00 PM Close Encounters 07:30 PM ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 H/ls : South Africa vs. West Indies 08:00 PM Pakistan Tour of Bangladesh 2015 H/ls : 3rd ODI 08:30 PM Pro Kabaddi Superhits 09:00 PM Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell : Final 03:00 PM The Mindgame 03:30 PM Edge Sports : VANS down town Showdown 2012 04:00 PM PSA World Tour 2015 H/ls : El Gouna International 05:00 PM WWE NXT 06:00 PM WTA 2015 : Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Final 08:00 PM ATP World Tour 500 2015 : Barcelona Open BancSabadell SF 2 10:30 PM The Mindgame 11:00 PM PSA World Tour 2015 H/ls : El Gouna International TEN CRICKET 02:00 PM New Zealand Tour of South Africa 2012/13 H/ls : 3rd T20 04:00 PM Tri-Nation 2014 (Zim,SA,Aus) H/ls : 6th ODI: Zimbabwe vs. South Africa 05:00 PM West Indies Tour of South 07:00 PM Koffee with DD 03:00 PM Super Samaiyal IN THEATRES IN SONY PIX KANCHANA 2 06:35 PM Original Sin 08:58 PM Divergent 11:59 PM Octopussy Kamala Theatre, Udhayam Theatre, PVR Cinemas, AGS Cinemas, INOX National, Abirami Mega Mall, Woodlands Multiplex, Mayajaal Cinema, Sangam Multiplex, Sri Ganga Cinema, Raj Theatre, Maharani Theatre HBO 06:59 PM The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia 09:00 PM The Lego Movie 11:02 PM Star Trek Into Darkness OK KANMANI PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Hall, Rakki IRIDIYAM Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, PVR Cinemas, Sangam, AGS, INOX National, Abirami Theatres, 3062 06:30 PM X-Men: Days of Future Past 09:00 PM Rio 2 11:00 PM Spider-Man 3 Multiplex, Abirami Theatres, MOVIES NOW 06:20 PM Chaplin Filler 06:30 PM Life of Pi 09:00 PM The Wolf of Wall Street 9 7 3 8 4 7 1 4 9 8 3 2 6 8 3 2 1 3 8 6 5 2 STAR MOVIES Mayajaal, Escape Cinema, Devi Cineplex, Kamala Theatre, S U D O K U 5 The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once: Easy nah? ANSWER TO SUDOKU 3061 (25.4.2015) 4 1 8 8 3 4 6 7 9 1 5 2 1 7 9 5 2 3 8 4 6 2 5 6 1 8 4 9 3 7 7 6 2 8 5 1 3 9 4 5 9 1 4 3 2 7 6 8 3 4 4 2 8 5 7 9 9 1 6 8 5 6 2 7 1 3 6 9 1 8 7 3 3 2 4 6 5 7 2 4 8 1 9 5 Region CHENNAI SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 3 CM takes up Mekedatu issue with Modi q Hands over letter in person to PM in Delhi Governor K Rosaiah launched the audio album of Thirukkural - Arathupaal in Chennai yesterday. Music director Bharadwaj and Madras High Court Judge Justice V Ramasubramanian are present. Thirukkural, a treasure for whole word: Guv NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Thirukkural is not only a treasure for Tamils, but for the whole world, said Tamilnadu Governor K Rosaiah. Launching the audio album of Thirukkural - Arathupaal rendered in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi along with the mobile application developed by Bharadwaj Foundation in association with Ajax Media Tech Pvt. Ltd here yesterday, he said the Kural of poet Thiruvalluvar does not have any religious foundation and is purely humanistic. Thiruvalluvar lays emphasis on building a model society filled with righteousness, compassion, love and moral conduct. Thirukkural is a glittering diamond in the crown of Tamil language. The message World Book Day fete in Kovai NT Bureau, Coimbatore Apr 26: World Book Day was celebrated at Coimbatore District Central Library on Saturday. According to a press release, to encourage book reading and to stress the importance of books in our daily life, the District Library Authority along with Tamilnadu Science Organisation and Coimbatore Readership Circle celebrated World Book Day. Coimbatore Readership Circle president T S Siva was the chief guest and District Library Officer J Karthikeyan was guest of honour. Tamilnadu Science Organisation (Coimbatore) president P Natarajan, secretary R Kannabiran, Vijaya Publisher’s M Velayutham, ATP Limited Chief Administrator R Shanmugasundaram, Student Readership Circle ( Coimbatore Region) head R Karthikeyan, Arivoli Iyakkam’s J Krishnamurthy and Bharathiyar University Employment and Student Guidance Department Director M Jayakumar spoke on the occasion. Coimbatore District Central Library librarian M Pongothai welcomed the gathering and librarian Saraswathi proposed a vote of thanks. given by Thiruvalluvar applies to all times. ‘However, today we see morality and righteousness slowly deteriorating. The message conveyed in Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural should be taken to the people across the globe,’ he said. ‘We need more and more translations to come up not only in Indian languages but also in foreign languages,’ he added. The Governor congratulated music director Bharadwaj and his team for their initiative in bringing out an audio album on all the 380 couplets of Arathupaal. It is interesting to note that singing of couplet and narration of its Tamil meaning is also rendered by Tamil speaking persons drawn from different walks of life from all over the world, he said. NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Tamilnadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday and urged him to advise Karnataka not to proceed with its plan to construct a reservoir at Mekedatu across river Cauvery. In his first one-to-one meeting after assuming the office of Chief Minister in September last, Panneerselvam handed over a letter seeking his intervention in the matter and the overall Cauvery issue. His visit comes ahead of a Karnataka all-party delegation’s proposed meeting with Modi on the Mekedatu row on 30 April to press its case for building a dam at Mekedatu. ‘I request your personal intervention in the matter and urge you to advise Karnataka not to proceed with their illegal plan of construction of reservoir at Mekedatu, in the guise of supplying drinking water, in utter disregard of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal dated 5 February, 2007,’ he said in the letter, copies of which were released to the media. He also urged Modi to direct the Ministry of Water Resources to ac- cede to the long-pending request of AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Cuisine from coastal areas dished out NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Cuisine from coastal regions of India were made available at the monthly food festival organised by SRM Institute of Hotel Management, Kattankulathur near Chennai on Saturday. The main purpose of the festival is to familiarise people in the diversity of Indian cuisine. The menu boasted about 45 to 50 special dishes from various places of India like Tamilnadu, Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa prepared by three chefs. ‘The food festival is conducted so that it would be a learning curve for the students,’ said executive chef S Ramesh. The students observe the workings of a restaurant’s kitchen through this food festival. Some of the dishes offered were Manglore fish curry, Prawn Gassi and Kerala fish curry. ‘The food festival conducted every month helps me in learning new SRM Institute of Hotel Management director D Antony Ashok Kumar and executive chef S Ramesh at the coastal food festival at SRM Institute of Hotel Management, Kattankulathur near Chennai on Saturday. things when it comes to the restaurant business, said Cheruba, a student. The event was inaugurated by SRM Hotels and SRM Institute of Hotel Management director D Antony Ashok Kumar. The institute viceprincipal T Ramesh was also present. The food festival is on till 30 April. Regulation Committee without any further delay. Citing media reports, Panneerselvam said ‘certain political party IAF to get four more Tejas: NAL Chennai, Apr 26 (PTI): The Indian Air Force is likely to get four more indigenously made light combat aircraft Tejas by the end of the current financial year from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aerospace Laboratories’ Director Shyam Chetty said here on Saturday. ‘The four aircraft may adhere to international standards on end-to-end accuracy,’ Chetty said, adding, further research was on to meet the parameters stipulated by the IAF. IAF had some concerns with Tejas’s end-to-end accuracy and efforts have been made to rectify it, he said speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 68th CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute Foundation Day Celebrations here. ‘The Indian Air Force wanted eight aircraft every year. We will be handing them four more aircraft by the end of this financial year,’ he said. The country got its first indigenous light combat aircraft Tejas in January ‘Leather industry to face challenges’ Priests hold demo Coimbatore, Apr 26 (PTI): A group of Bramhins, mostly priests of various temples, staged a demonstration here on Saturday protesting against the recent incident where some members reportedly belonging to Dravida Kazhakam cut the sacred thread of a 80-year old priest in a temple at Chennai. Holding placards, the agitators raised slogan against the incident and sought a ban on Dravida Kazhakam, for indulging in activities against a community, police said. Participating in the demonstration, founder-president of Kongunadu Jananayak Katchi G K Nagaraj also condemned the incident. Tamilnadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi yesterday. Goldsmiths Jayapaul and his son Muthukumar displaying their handiwork of miniature model of golden Chidambaram Natarajar temple and Shivalingam, made as part of the consecration of the temple. NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Leather industry will face a series of challenges such as water, labour and land for setting up factories in the coming days, said CSIR-CLRI former director G Thyagarajan. Speaking at the 68th CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) Foundation Day celebrations at Adyar yesterday, he said, ‘We must find a solution for the above challenges to keep leather industry going forward.’ ‘Twenty five years ago when CSIRCLRI decided on modernisation, we managed to do it in a harmonised fashion with the existing scenario.The leather industry is largely guided by the CLRI. The industry does not take a step forward if CLRI says no,’ he said. leaders’ of Karnataka had expressed views that ‘there is no need for the government of Karnataka to get the approval of the central government’ to construct reservoirs for drinking water purposes. ‘Such an attempt will be a clear violation of the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. I would also like to bring to your notice that Karnataka has challenged the final order of CWDT and has also sought clarifications to the final order which are yet to be adjudicated.’ Also, the interlocutory applications filed by Tamilnadu against Karnataka on reservoirs across Cauvery and to withdraw the Global Expression of Interest for technical feasibility study to construct two reservoirs at Mekedatu are also pending before the Supreme Court, he noted in the letter to Modi. He reiterated that action of Karnataka to proceed with new irrigation, hydro power and lift irrigation projects, and construction of check dams ‘in the guise of drinking water supply would be gross violation’ of the notifi ed fi nal order of CWDT, severely affecting water flow to Tamilnadu. Thyagarajan said that CLRI should start thinking big. ‘Radical mordernisation is needed in the industry. CLRI should approach the Tamilnadu Government for a process site near the sea. This will help in discharge of effluence from the process site.’ CSIR-CLRI former director T Ramaswami praised the institution and hoped it remained a nation building organisation. During the celebrations certificates and awards were distributed to both students and staff. The institute released its annual report during the celebrations. CSIR director (National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore), Shyam Chetty and outstanding scientist (Director’s Grade), CSIR-CLRI, Asit Baran Mandal also participated. this year, three decades after the Centre gave nod for its development. The aircraft handed over in January could take off with only restricted weaponry and sensors and tests with a full range of weaponry was yet to be done, he added. ‘We have missiles from countries like Russia, France, and Israel. We have to integrate them with the [Tejas] aircraft and conduct tests,’ he said. Scientists are presently conducting trials for Tejas at the sea-based test facilities at INS Hamsa in Goa, he said. He also referred to some manufacturing issues concerning Tejas. Bursting of high decibel crackers banned Tiruvannamalai, Apr 26 (PTI): Authorities of the renowned Sri Arunacheleswarar temple here have decided to ban bursting of high decibel crackers during the forthcoming Chithirai festival. The decision followed the recommendation of a team of Archaeological Department experts who inspected the temple where the renovation work was going on. It was decided to renovate the temple maintaining its heritage structure. The practise of bursting high decibel crackers was in vogue from time in memorial. When the presiding deities were being taken around the streets of the temple, fire crackers would be burst. Children and the art of Zentangle NT Bureau to the art workshop felt that these Sundaram Finance activities organised by Sundaram Chennai, Apr 26: conducted the Finance every quarter at the NagFor about two hours on Saturday eswara Rao Park was a very useful evening, some 30 children spent weekend programme way for their children to spend the time away from playing games on for children at the weekend in the outside environs. their computers and mobile phones Nageswara Rao Park They felt that the weekend at the learning the art of creating a Zenpark activity allows them to express tangle as part of the Weekend at at Mylapore their creative abilities in a group atthe Park activity organised by Sunmosphere alongside other children daram Finance at the Nageswara workshop were provided by Sunof the same age group. Rao Park at Mylapore here. daram Finance. Certificates were Zentangle is an art that has a A press note said using an easypresented to all the children who unique pre-requisite - no artistic to-learn methodology and simple participated in the workshop. skills required! If you can write your steps, these children, who came ‘Weekend at the Park’ is a quarname you can create a Zentangle!! from across the city, learnt the art terly activity organised by SundaStarting with just a blank sheet in of creating structured patterns in ram Finance at the Nageswara Rao their hand, these children over the a relaxed and fun filled open enPark to encourage children to come two-hour workshop created beautivironment at the Chess Square of out of the confines of their homes ful abstract art using structured the park amidst chirping birds and into a natural environment and to patterns. evening walkers. use the empty spaces in the park Children, who took part in ‘Weekend at the Park’ activity organised by Sundaram Finance at the Nageswara All materials for the Parentsbywho theiron children constructively and creatively. Published K. brought Balakumar behalf of News Today Media (P)Zentangle Ltd., from 85,Rao Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Park, Mylapore. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Blend 4 SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 WORLD Woman power in UN DOWN THE WEEKLY LANE Cyber Buzz IN SAFE HANDS Google’s wireless phone service Since its founding 70 years ago, the United Nations has been led by men, a tradition that some women`s rights advocates are determined to break when the global body elects a new secretary-general next year. Equality Now, an international organisation that campaigns for the rights of women and girls, launched an online campaign across social media on Wednesday to promote female candidates to lead the UN after current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon steps down at the end of 2016. The campaign aims primarily at UN ambassadors from China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, who traditionally select a single candidate for ratification by a majority vote of the 193 member states. G All at ease: Pentagon A flotilla of nine Iranian military and cargo ships that US officials feared was carrying arms to strife-torn Yemen sailed northeast in the direction of Iran on Friday, a move the Pentagon said helped to ease US concerns. The (Iranian) ships have turned around ... Obviously what their onward plans are, we don`t know, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a small group of journalists travelling with him after a trip to California. It is a welcome event because it does contribute to de-escalation and that`s what we`re trying to suggest to all the parties there, is the best course, and those parties include the Iranians, Carter said. NATION Modi in Metro to Dwarka For the first time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled by Metro from Dhaula Kuan to Dwarka where he was going for a function. He took the Metro to avoid inconvenience to the public on the route because of the security arrangements, sources said. The Prime Minister was to attend a function of the National Intelligence Academy. When the Prime Minister travels, the road is closed for sometime for his movement. The Prime Minister boarded the Airport Express Metro at Dhaula Kuan station in south Delhi and got down at Dwarka Sector 21 station in south-west Delhi. The Prime Minister said he really enjoyed the Metro ride. ‘Sreedharan ji would always tell me to experience the Delhi Metro. Today I had the opportunity to do so on the way to Dwarka,’ he tweeted. ‘Really enjoyed the ride. Thanks Delhi Metro. Thanks Sreedharan ji!,’ he said. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital urology department senior professors K Thiyagarajan and V Selvaraj along with the girl who underwent a first of its kind surgery at the hospital recently. STATE 9 juveniles flee from Chengalpattu AIIMS in TN: Search on for site In a daring act, nine teenagers from the government juvenile home in Chengalpattu managed to escape after assaultling two guards at the gate. A hunt was immediately launched and five of them were nabbed at Pulipakkam, a forest area in Kanchipuram district, in the wee hours of today. Efforts continue to spot the remaining four, police said. According to police sources, the government home for juveniles has 32 inmates and comes under the Social Welfare Department. Last night, police said, nine boys were found straying near the gate. When guards Senthil and Palani questioned what they were doing, the gang pounced on the duo and began assaulting them. Hearing the screams, people came to help, by then, police said, the boys had ran out the gates and escaped. Senthil and Palani were rushed to Chengalpattu Governemnt Hospital for treatment. After visiting four places in the State to zero in on the site to establish an All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the team commissioned by the Union Health Ministry visited Chennai before leaving for Chengalpattu to carry out a study on a possible location there. ‘The State government proposed five places including Erode, Madurai, Thanjavur and Pudukottai and so far all have had their own advantages and disadvantages evaluated,’ said Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dharitri Panda. ‘After visiting Chengalpattu, within two weeks the preliminary report will be submitted to the Central government. And within three days, the soil test reports will also be obtained,’ said Dharitri. ‘The site would be finalised soon and after getting clearance from the central government the construction work will begin approximately in four to six months,’ she added. Institute of Ageing in Chennai soon Earthquake shocks north India A high-intensity quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale rocked many parts of East and North India, including Delhi, epicentre of which was Nepal. Tremors were felt across eastern and northern parts of India, said J L Gautam, Head Operations Seismology of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). ‘Earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred today at 11.41 am between latitude 28.1 North and Longitude 84.6 East. The epicentre was located in Nepal,’ an IMD statement said. However, some reports said the magnitude was 7.8, while an American data showed it as 8.1. The tremors, which were felt in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, lasted for a minute, triggering panic and forcing people to rush out of their houses and offices. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or damage to property in Delhi. Officials said Metro train services in Delhi were also affected due to the earthquake. Mild tremors were felt in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, triggering panic and forcing people to rush out in the open. CHENNAI CITY A high-level team from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted an inspection at King Institute of Preventive Medicine’s campus in Guindy to study the feasibility of establishing an National Institute of Ageing in the State. The team was led by Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Dharitri Panda, Under Secretary L Chandrasekharan, J Balachander of JIPMER, N L Sathish from Nimhans and Sachin Mahendru, architect. The team inspected the ten acres of land at the institute that was presented by the State government. However, officials said that eight acres would be sufficient to construct the centre. Dharitri Panda said the project is an extension of the Central government-sponsored National Programme for the Healthcare of the Elderly. ‘The Central government will provide Rs 150 crore for the project of which Rs 100 crore will be for non-recurring and Rs 50 crore for recurring.’ Meanwhile, the State government will sponsor the land, electricity, water and other allied infrastructure and clearance. BUSINESS Infosys down, but looking up Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka is upbeat about the company’s prospects and said he was confident that achieving revenue of $20 billion by 2020 is a ‘feasible and viable’ target even as the company posted lower-thanexpected fourth quarter earnings yesterday. Terming the $20 billion revenue as an ‘aspirational goal’, Sikka said this would require a growth rate of 13-14 per cent year-on-year cumulatively, which is ‘achievable.’ ‘You can organise your thoughts on the model that you wish you can achieve,’ Sikka said after unveiling the financial results and added that $20 billion by 2020 in revenue, 30 per cent in operating margin and reaching $80,000 revenue per employee ratio are feasible, desirable and viable. Glass ceiling cracks at airport again In what has become a routine occurrence at Chennai airport, a glass window cracked at the airport premises for the 42nd time, sending passengers into panic mode. According to police sources, at around 11 am a glass window near gate 7 at the departure cracked and fell to the ground. No one was injured in the incident, police said. It created a flutter at the airport. However officials immediately cordoned off the area. An alternative passage was opened for passengers. This is the latest in a series of such incidents of the collapse of false ceiling, glass doors and panels and granite slabs at the new domestic and international terminals of the airport, built at a cost of over Rs 2,000 crore and inaugurated by Vice President Hamid Ansari in January 2013. SPORTS van Gaal backs Giggs as future United boss Louis van Gaal has backed Ryan Giggs to succeed him as Manchester United manager when the Dutchman eventually leaves Old Trafford. Giggs has been working as Van Gaal’s assistant since the former Barcelona boss took over at Old Trafford last year. The United legend had a spell in temporary charge following the dismissal of David Moyes last season and van Gaal believes Giggs would be the ideal choice to replace him in the long-term. ‘I expect that he (Giggs) will be the next manager after I am gone,’ van Gaal told MUTV on Friday. ‘Now I have the responsibility. oogle is trying to shake up the wireless phone industry with a low-priced service designed to pressure major carriers into making it more affordable for people to get online and use Google’s services. The service, called Project Fi, debuted recently, about two months after Google revealed its plans to expand its ever-growing empire into providing wireless connections for smartphones. Google Inc. is selling the basic phone service for USD 20 a month and will only charge customers for the amount of cellular data that they use each month, instead of a flat rate. Each gigabyte of data will cost USD 10 a month. That means a customer could sign up for a plan offering three gigabytes of data and get USD 20 back if only one gigabyte was used in a month. Most wireless phone carriers allow their customers to roll over unused data into another month of service without refunding any money. Project Wi-Fi initially will only be sold to a narrow audience that owns the Nexus 6, a smartphone that Motorola Mobility made with Google’s help. Google’s pricing setup makes project Fi less expensive than most of the comparable plans offering by the four biggest wireless phone carriers Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. The monthly prices for a single line of smartphone service with up to one gigabyte of cellular data at those carriers range from USD 45 to USD 50 compared to USD 30 from Google, before subtracting any potential credits for unused data. The major carriers, though, offer a variety of family plans that could still be better deals than Project Fi. Those bundled plans allow several phone lines to share a pool of cellular data. Besides trying to bring down the prices of wireless phone plans, Google is promising subscribers that their Nexus 6 model will automatically connect with the fastest network available. The monthly prices for a single line of smartphone service with up to one gigabyte of cellular data at those carriers range from USD 45 to USD 50 compared to USD 30 from Google, before subtracting any potential credits for unused data Rather than building its own network, Google is leasing space on cellular towers built by Sprint and T-Mobile, which are hoping the deals will boost their profits without costing them too many customers tempted to defect to Project Fi. Google is promising Project Fi will automatically switch over to an available Wi-Fi network if that is running at a higher speed than the cellular alternatives. Invisible inks could help foil counterfeit products S cientists have invented new inexpensive fluorescent inks that could be used as multicoloured barcodes for consumers to authenticate products that are often counterfeited. Consumers can snap a photo with their smartphone, and it will tell them if the item is real and worth the money, researchers said. The new fluorescent inks give manufacturers and consumers an authentication tool that would be very difficult for counterfeiters to mimic. These inks, which can be printed using an inkjet printer, are invisible under normal light but visible under ultraviolet light. The inks could be stamped as barcodes or QR codes on anything from banknotes and bottles of whisky to luxury handbags and expensive cosmetics, providing proof of authenticity, researchers said. We have introduced a level of complexity not seen before in tools to combat counterfeiters, said Sir Fraser Stoddart, from Northwestern University, senior author of the study A key advantage is the control one has over the colour of the ink; the inks can be made in single colours or as multicolour gradients. An ink’s colour depends on the amounts and interaction of three different ingredient molecules, providing a built-in molecular encryption tool. Even a tiny tweak to the ink’s composition results in a significant colour change. We have introduced a level of complexity not seen before in tools to West Indies’ Sunil Narine has again been reported combat counterfeiters, said Sir Fraser Stoddart, from Northwestern for a suspect illegal bowling action by the on-field University, senior author of the study. umpires during Kolkata Knight Riders’ Indian PreGlobal ratings agency Standard & Poor’s revised upward its outlook on mier League (IPL) 2015 match against Sunrisers Our inks are similar to the proprietary formulations of soft drinks. Tata Power to ‘stable’ and reaffirmed its B+ rating on the company citing Hyderabad on April 22. The two on-fi eld umpires One could approximate their flavor using other ingredients, but it the progress, though slow, on tariff revision and stake sale. who reported Narine for suspected illegal action are would be impossible to match the flavor exactly without a precise The agency said it sees the Tata Group-promoted utility’s cash flows and Richard Illingworth and Vineet Kulkarni. knowledge of the recipe, said Stoddart. liquidity to improve on likely approval for compensatory tariffs for its Mundra A suspected illegal bowling action report has been With a manufacturer controlling the ink’s recipe, or chemical comproject and once it receives the proceeds from its 30 per cent stake sale in filed by the match officials on certain deliveries bowled by Sunil Narine of position, counterfeiters would find it virtually impossible to reverse the Arutmin coal mine in Indonesia for USD 500 million. Tata Power’s cash Kolkata Knight Riders during the Pepsi IPL 2015 match between Sunrisers engineer the colour information encoded in the printed barcodes, flows and liquidity are therefore likely to improve slower than we expected Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders played on the 22nd of April, 2015 in QR codes or trademarks. Published K. 12 Balakumar Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, over theby next months. on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85,Visakhapatnam, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur600 said032 in aand press release. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. S&P upgrades outlook on Tata Power to ‘Stable’ Narine reported again Enterprise CHENNAI Airtel’s gift for broadband customers New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): In a bid to boost its landline business, country’s largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel will be launching unlimited voice calling schemes for its broadband customers. The company will come out with two plans offering unlimited local calls for Rs 49 per month and unlimited local and STD calls for Rs 99 per month. The company has about 14.89 lakh broadband customers at the end of December last year. In an industry first, it will announce that its broadband customers can enjoy free voice calls to any network in the country 24x7, the company said. State-run BSNL has also announced free voice calling from landline phones during night hours starting from May 1. Customers can enjoy unlimited free local calls with the pack priced at Rs 49 per month and unlimited free STD+local calls at Rs 99 per month to any network, anywhere in the country to both landlines and mobile phones round the clock, the company said. Airtel currently provides fixed-line telephone and broadband services for homes as well as offices in 87 cities across the country. ‘Average pay hikes to increase this fiscal’ Junior management level employees to be benefitted New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): The Indian industry is projected to dole out an average salary increase of 10.7 per cent this fiscal with junior management level employees set to get maximum pay hikes, says a survey. In the current financial year, the increase in average salary as well as variable pay is expected to be higher than last fiscal’s. Global consultancy firm Deloitte’s Annual Compensation & Benefits Trends Survey India for 2015-16 said pharma sector would see the highest projected average increment at 12.1 per cent whereas the lowest rise is anticipated in the retail sector at 9.4 per cent. The average salary increment across sectors is projected at 10.7 FIIs hike stake in HDFC to record high New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Emerging as one of the most-liked stocks by foreign funds, mortgage giant HDFC Ltd has seen overseas investors raise their stake in it to a record high of nearly 80 per cent during the quarter ended March 2015. The mortgage financier has also become the first listed Indian company among 30 Sensex firms to have around 80 per cent shareholding by foreign institutional investors (FIIs). Cumulative FII holdings in the company rose to 79.65 per cent in the January-March quarter this year from 78.49 per cent in the three months ended December last year, data from stock exchanges showed. Moreover, the shareholding of overseas players or FIIs in HDFC has been steadily rising since September 2013. The rise of overseas shareholding in the mortgage lender, one of the highest among the country’s 30 listed blue-chip companies, coincides with Peak power deficit in March improves : CEA SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 overall bullishness shown by foreign entities in the Indian stock market. According to market experts, overseas investors have shown interest in HDFC because of the smart returns given by the company. In May 2012, HDFC’s board had approved raising the FII limit in the company to 100 per cent. During the January-March quarter, FIIs have invested more than Rs 36,000 crore in Indian equities on the back of ongoing reform initiatives taken by the Central Government. Besides, the overall holding of institutional investors also rose to 88.39 per cent during January-March quarter this year from 88.29 per cent at the end of December 31, 2015, mostly on account of additional share purchases by FIIs. The domestic institutional holdings stood at 8.74 per cent as on March 31, 2015, down from 9.8 per cent in October- December quarter of 2014. Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) is expected to see the highest average variable pay at 19.4 per cent whereas the lowest is expected to be in logistics sector at 15.6 per cent average variable pay at 19.4 per cent whereas the lowest is expected to be in logistics sector at 15.6 per cent. The survey said that better pay, better career opportunities and need for work life balance have emerged as top reasons for attrition across industries. In 2014-15, the highest attrition of 21.9 per cent was seen in the ITeS (Information Technology enabled Services) sector. To bring down attrition and ensure retention of employees, the survey said companies adopt various measures including long term incentive plans. Other such steps include strong performance based variable pay, and monetary/non monetary recognition awards, it added. 5 Titan Eye Plus plans expansion mode New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Tata Group firm Titan Company plans to open 60 new ‘Titan Eye Plus’ outlets during the current fiscal as part of an aggressive expansion strategy for the prescription eyewear products and sunglasses. Besides, it is also looking at increasing distribution of its in-house brands -- Fastrack and Glares -- this year. We have decided to have an equal focus on prescription eyewear products and sunglasses. We feel sunglasses category has a huge potential. We plan to expand aggressively and open 60 new outlets this year, Titan Company Eyewear Division CEO Ravi Kant told PTI. At present, there are over 300 Titan Eye Plus outlets in the country. To expand its footprint across the country, the company will open stores for the first time in 20 towns, Kant said. Originally a watch manufacturer and retailer, Titan has expanded into jewellery and eyewear markets over the years, while it also retails personal accessories such as bags, belts, wallets and perfumes. per cent in FY 2016, which is 0.4 per centage points higher than previous FY 2015 (10.3 per cent)’, it said. The highest projected increments across industries are at the junior management level at 11 per cent. Across 18 sectors, 250 organisations participated in the survey. According to the survey, average variable pay is expected to be 17.4 per cent this fiscal compared to the year-ago period when it stood at 17 per cent. When it comes to sectors, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) is expected to see the highest Ratan Tata picks up stake in Xiaomi No works at DoT without advance payment: BSNL New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Iconic business leader Ratan Tata has acquired a stake in Chinese handset maker Xiaomi, the first investment by any Indian in the smartphone maker. The company declined to disclose the quantum and value of the stake, which Tata Group’s former chief has picked in his personal capacity. We are truly excited to have Mr Tata on board. We will seek his advice in our journey to becoming an Indian company, Xiaomi India Head Manu Jain told PTI. Tata, who retired as head of over USD 100-billion conglomerate in December 2012 and currently serves as chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has emerged as a major venture capital investor since his retirement. He has already made personal investments in homegrown e-commerce players like Snapdeal, Urban Ladder, Bluestone and Cardekho.com. In March this year, he also invested in mobile commerce firm Paytm. New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): State-owned telecom firm BSNL has directed its circle heads not to carry out works at Department of Telecom offices in their regions without advance payments or prior permission from the head office here. It is hereby directed not to carry out any work on behalf of DoT without receipt of written sanctions from DoT and without advance payment for carrying out such work, according to an internal letter issued from BSNL corporate office last week to circle heads. BSNL is a public sector unit under the DoT and was created after government carved out services from the Department in 2000. The letter asked BSNL Chief General Managers to instruct all the unit heads of their circle including civil engineering and electrical wings to strictly comply with these instructions. The letter said: The claims are raised on DoT after completion of the work and in most of the cases such amounts remain unrealised and thus appear outstanding amount in the books of accounts as claims recoverable from DoT. According to BSNL employee union representatives such unpaid bills are estimated to be over Rs 300 crore. BSNL is, on one hand, taking loans for undertaking capital works and is paying interest on such loan amounts and on the other hand there is no reimbursement for the works executed on behalf of DoT. This situation leads to the double financial burden on BSNL and weakens the fi nancial position of BSNL, the letter said. It further said that the balances appearing in the claims recoverable from DoT always invites queries from the auditors. These circles are generally unable to provide satisfactory reply to auditors for such huge outstanding due to non-availability of written sanction of DoT. This result in audit qualifications. Such audit qualifications has been appearing in the accounts year after year,’ the letter said. A BSNL official said that DoT head office here is finding it difficult to pay for works that have not been budgeted or sanctioned by it. If DoT circle offices take prior permission from DoT headquarters then it will be convenient for BSNL to carry out work,’ the official said. ‘Smartphones still Goodyear looking at India with ‘renewed interest’ expensive for many’ New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Delayed summer and unexpected rains brought the country’s peak power deficit down to 3.2 per cent New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): in March, according to official data. Even as it expects Internet users in Peak power deficit -- shortage in India to double to 400 million by 2018, electricity supply when demand is at BCG said prices of smartphones -- an its highest -- stood at 4.7 per cent in important driver for net penetration March 2014. According to data by the Central -- are too expensive for many in the country. Electricity Authority (CEA), the power Exuding optimism on the increasrequirement in March was 1,38,938 ing Internet penetration in one of MW of which the supply was 1,34,532 MW leaving a shortfall of 4,406 MW. the world’s fastest growing digital economies, Boston Consulting Group As per a government official, the (BCG) said online users can grow to reason for improvement is unexpected as much as 550 million by 2018. rains and delay in arrival of summer. The study has underlined three Northeastern states of Assam, Megfactors for such impressive growth halaya, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal figures - expanding reach, more Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram saw affordable access and improved a sharp rise in peak power deficit last awareness. month at 11.3 per cent. This deficit On affordable access, the study was 5.5 per cent in March 2014. said that the availability of low-cost Peak power deficit in the southern region states of Tamilnadu, Karna- Internet-enabled devices will be the taka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, key for growing Internet penetration Kerala, Puducherry and Lakshad- among lower-income population. Nearly two-thirds of mobile phones weep last month was 3.1 per cent as sold in India today are Internet ready, compared to 6.3 per cent in March but the least expensive models still last year. North Indian states of Delhi, Pun- cost USD 60 or more (about Rs jab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, 3,850). This is too expensive for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajas- many. Prices need to come down, the study pointed out. than recorded a shortage of 6.2 per However, this is changing, it added. cent last month. IT sector records $ 11.5 bn deal value The study has underlined three factors for such impressive growth figures - expanding reach, more affordable access and improved awareness Domestic handset makers like Lava and Intex are selling affordable smartphones in the range of Rs 2,900-4,500 and according to market insiders, this number is increasing. BCG said it expects Internet users to at least double from 190 million in 2014 to 400 million in 2018, adding our most aggressive forecast predicts as many as 550 million users in 2018. The study pegs connected urban Internet population to grow from 130 million to 300 million during the period, but more than that it is the rural population that will make the biggest strides. But the real action will take place in more rural areas, where the user base could easily expand by up to 40 per cent per year from 60 million in 2014 to 280 million in 2018, it noted. Access is expected to continue to expand as disposable incomes continue to climb. The proportion of households that can afford Internet connectivity -- defined as those with more than USD 3,300 (about Rs 210,000) in annual income -- is projected to rise from 56 per cent in 2013 to 67 per cent in 2018. The continuing decrease in data plan prices has also helped to make Internet consumption more affordable. Telecom carriers are increasingly offering a range of inexpensive, bite size plans while facilitating the ease of making payments with one time processing options, the study said. It further said that network availability needs to catch up with the expected increase in the installed base of net enabled devices. New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): US-based tyre major Goodyear is looking at India with ‘renewed interest’, expecting to grow significantly in the country which is one of its biggest markets in Asia. Its arm Goodyear India is looking to bring in products with new technologies such as the recently launched Assurance TripleMax, in order to be among the top two-three players in passenger cars tyres segment. With the new government bringing in reforms, there is a positive feeling... India is now seen with a renewed interest at the corporation level, absolutely, Goodyear India Vice Chairman & Managing Director Rajeev Anand told PTI. Outlining the company’s ambitions, he said: We want to be in the top two to three players in the passenger car tyre market in India. While he did not share any figures, Anand said Goodyear India has been on a steady growth path in the last three-four years. We have been growing in line with the automotive sector and a little more accelerated versus (tyre) industry growth, he added. Goodyear, which entered the Car exports from India declined in 2014-15 Indian market in 1922, has two manufacturing plants at Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Ballabgarh in Haryana. Highlighting the significance of the Indian market, he said the Indian arm a very significant player accounting for 15-16 per cent of the Goodyear’s Asia-Pacific business. In the Asia region, he said China and India are the two top markets for Goodyear. When asked if the company planned to make any fresh investments, Anand said: There are investment requirements which are in line with market growth. Every year we have been investing. He declined to share details stating it would be done with the approval of the company’s board of directors. Last week, the company launched its Assurance TripleMax tyre targeted at drivers of mid and premium passenger cars, which comprise about 25 of the total consumer replacement market in India. The company claims its new product reduces braking distances by more than two meters on wet roads, while also increasing fuel savings and a high level of tyre durability. 3&2*(-&3,* I, SOBHA BHAIRI, W/o Ramesh Babu Mamidela, born on 26th March 1963, residing at S2 Kanakadharas Encaarpus Villa, 9/5, Central Villa, Kodambakkam, Chennai-600 024, shall henceforth be known as SOBHA RAMESH MAMIDELA. SOBHA RAMESH MAMIDELA tive solutions, Grant Thornton India LLP New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Led by e-commerce PE invest- Partner Harish HV said. Going forward, the outlook for ments, the technology sector in India New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Europe, the biggest market exports of passenger cars corporate India’s deal making spree recorded the highest deal value of for compact cars from India, declined 35.42 per cent to Passenger car exports looks bullish amid a stabilising capiUSD 11.5 billion from around 400 is still recovering from a 17,607 units, while Volkswafrom India declined 1.66 tal market, stable government and deals in 2014, says a report. slump, while regulatory is- gen posted nearly two-fold per cent to 5,42,082 units in hopes of new reforms. According to a Grant sues in countries including increase in shipments to 2014-15 due to challenges Indian Private Equity & Thornton-IVCA report, Algeria and Sri Lanka also 64,994 cars. in traditional overseas marVenture Capital Association the high deal value affected shipments. kets like Europe, Sri Lanka Domestic car sales in In(IVCA) President Arvind in this segment this 3&2*(-&3,* In Sri Lanka, the Indian car and Algeria. dia rose by 4.99 per cent in Mathur said: VC/PE is swiftly year was largely driven exporters are facing high 2014-15 after falling for two The decline was also mainbecoming the avenue of choice by big ticket e-commerce I , R A J A G O P A L taxation issues while Alge- consecutive fiscals, as lower for dynamic companies seeking fi- ly due to the country’s largPE investments along with large SWARNAMBAL, Wife of ria has brought in changes fuel prices and softening of est car exporter Hyundai cross-border acquisitions by lead- nance to fund their growth plans. HMIL recorded a 18.02 per V.Srinivasan, born on 18th in the technical regulations interest rates led to reduc- J u n e 1 9 5 0 , r e s i d i n g a t Motor India Ltd (HMIL) slip- cent drop in car exports to ing IT majors. Harish said: The presence of a overnight, thereby impacting tion in the overall cost of ping over 18 per cent in its 1,91,221 units from 2,33,260 Old No:20, New No.5, 3rd complete life cycle of investors from The trend has continued into this year the exports to these markets. ownership. overseas shipments during Mani Road, Ram Nagar, units in 2013-14. On the as well with large IT and BPO players angel, to seed to VC to PE to Public the last fiscal. Meanwhile, Japanese car According to data re- Nanganallur, Chennai other hand, Maruti Suzuki looking at cross border acquisitions has no doubt contributed to this trend 600 061, shall henceforth maker Nissan’s exports rose leased by SIAM, domestic India’s (MSI) exports during Car exports stood at to consolidate service offerings and and we can safely say that the ecobe known as SWARNA car sales in FY 2015 stood 5,51,218 units in 2013-14, the last fiscal rose by 9.77 3.57 per cent to 1,20,266 expand geographic coverage. system for a start-up is in place and u n i t s i n 2 0 1 4 1 5 f r o m at 18,76,017 units as comper cent to 1,09,593 cars according to data from the that combined with entrepreneurship India, from being merely a technology Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-KaSRINIVASAN. Industrial Estate, Guindy, 1,16,113 units earlier. pared to 17,86,826Circulation: units in 4202 1111. Fax:RAJAGOPAL to 99,832 units0101 Society of Indian Automobile has in an explosive growth adapter or 600 importer, now becoming a Chennai 032. is Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. resulted Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800compared (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], 4212 0000. SWARNAMBAL h i fi l 6 SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 Sports Kings XI coach rues dropped catches Rohit praises Malinga McClenaghan Mumbai, Apr 26 (PTI): Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma was effusive in his praise for his bowlers, who defended a modest 157 against Sun Risers Hyderabad in an IPL cricket game here yesterday. ‘It was a brilliant bowling performance as defending 157 was not easy. The bowlers executed the plans superbly and as a captain it was easy for me. This performance will be a great confidence booster for the matches coming ahead,’ said Rohit. Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga grabbed 4 for 23, including three in his last over, while New Zealander Mitchell McClenaghan was equally impressive with figures of 3 for 20. ‘I am very satisfied with our performance. Both Malinga and Mitchell bowled very well and according to a plan. We knew we had to get rid of their top two batsmen (Dhawan and skipper David Warner) as quickly as possible as they are their main batsmen,’ said Sharma. Sharma said he had mentioned earlier too that Malinga, who was off colour a bit in earlier games, was just one game away from rediscovering his wonted form. ‘I had said this earlier too that Malinga is just one game away. He has done it again and again for MI in the past. He keeps it simple, bowls yorkers and I had a lot of hope even when he was not bowling well. Today was a perfect platform for him to get into form,’ said the MI skipper. The victory was only the second for MI in seven games and has boosted the team’s confidence, said Rohit. CSK skipper, coach happy with ‘convincing win’ DOUBLE TROUBLE: Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith provided another blazing start for CSK in the win against Kings XI Punjab. Photo: A R Jayakumar NT Bureau Chennai, Apr 26: Disappointed with his team’s massive IPL loss to Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab coach McCullum Sanjay Bangar criticised the fielding and said the dropped catch of Brendon McCullum proved to be decisive. Punjab lost by 97 runs while chasing a mammoth target of 193, which Chennai made on the back of McCullum’s 44-ball 66 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s 27ball 41. ‘When you play a team like Chennai, you want to make life easier for your bowlers. You drop McCullum and (Suresh) Raina, then I think you are asking for trouble. But from there on I felt that in the second innings the ball did turn a lot more. It made batting a bit difficult for us,’ Bangar said in the post-match Anderson inspires England to win St George’s (Grenada), Apr 26 (AP): Inspired by James Anderson’s fiery burst with the second new ball and his brilliance in the field, England defeated the West Indies by nine wickets on the last day of the second cricket Test. Anderson’s three wickets for 16 in eight overs, allied to his two catches and a sharp, direct hit run out, triggered a stunning West Indies collapse from 202-2 at the start of the day, with a lead of 37, to 307 all out yesterday. As England set out for the winning goal of 143, Jonathan Trott was bowled in fast bowler Shannon Gabriel’s opening over without scoring. Captain Alastair Cook, unbeaten on 59, and Garry Ballance, 81 not out and dropped twice, completed the job against lacklustre bowling with an unbroken partnership of 142. Balance passed 1,000 runs in his 17th innings, the third fastest in England Test history, and Cook, with 76 in the first innings, finally got among the runs to scrubs those critics off his back. The West Indies was set back Wozniacki in final CHENNAI James Anderson when medium-fast bowler Jason Holder was taken off on a stretcher after damaging his left ankle as he planted it to deliver to Ballance in his second over. Ballance was missed at 15 and 67 at slip by Devon Smith off Marlon Samuels, but the West Indies seemed resigned to the outcome. The result was a disappointment for the locals in the biggest crowd of the match, but celebrated by 2,000 jubilant travelling supporters, witnesses to England’s first away victory since late 2012 in Kolkata, India. England takes a 1-0 lead into the third and final Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Friday. Anderson’s decisive spell began with his seventh delivery, a fierce bouncer that Kraigg Brathwaite could only parry to gully after adding 15 to his overnight 101. Brathwaite lasted 252 balls, and done the most to make observers believe West Indies could bat out the last day on a flat pitch and earn a second straight draw. But Anderson, who surpassed Ian Botham as England’s highest wickettaker in tests in Antigua last week, also removed the usually dependable veteran left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 7 to a catch to second slip; it bounced from Ian Bell’s grasp to be taken, with a juggle, by a fully stretched Cook. press conference. ‘We would have probably restricted them to a 170 total. And, that would have been lesser pressure when we are chasing. As I said the ball just started to jump and stop and turn quite a bit in the second half of the game,’ he added. Placed at the bottom heap, Kings XI Punjab will have to stage a massive recovery to stay afloat but Bangar was confident of the team’s chances. ‘It is going to be a very close finish as you see at the point table that apart from the top two, all the other six teams still have a chance to make it to the play-off stage. We are no different. We are very confident and expect ourselves to be part of the top four,’ he said. Kings XI captain George Bailey said at the presentation, ‘Full credit to CSK. They smothered us in all three facets. We made things pretty difficult for ourselves, dropping a few catches. We are battling to find the momentum and consistency. We just have to find a way to put the bad stuff behind us and move on. It is about getting some momentum and confidence. The senior players must stand up and we must put in a Kings XI performance on the board.’ Meanwhile, the winning team’s coach Stephen Fleming said he was very happy with the team’s performance. ‘We are not going to think that which player is going to come out and strike the ball. We could be three for nothing in the next game and they have a match-winning partnership but we are not going to think of those things. We just need to cover every base. We are not going to overcomplicate,’ he said. Fleming said the side successfully created pressure on the rival team. ‘Our players set the tone when they played spin on the six overs and Dwayne Smith attacking the leg-spinner. But we knew it was going to be difficult in the second innings especially when you are under pressure. Looking at our performance I must say it was very very polished game. That is pleasing,’ he said. Skipper M S Dhoni, said at the presentation: ‘I think it was one of the most convincing victories we have had throughout the IPL. The spinners made the most of it. He (Nehra) is fantastic. He has experience, which really counts. He has not slowed down with age. Even if he does not swing the ball, he uses the angles. Mohit was good and Ishwar gave us the breakthrough, which was important. They (openers) play fearless cricket and at the same time play measured cricket. Even Smith does not play too many fancy strokes. That is why they are more successful than other openers.’ Moody slams poor batting display Mumbai, Apr 26 (PTI): SunRisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody was scathing in the criticism of his batsmen, saying their chase of a modest 157 was ‘disastrous’. ‘At the end of the day, that was a very bad loss for us. We bowled and fielded well apart from the wides that we bowled. Our bowlers executed all our plans well. We restricted Mumbai to a total we thought was 15-20 runs lighter of where they could have probably got to, around the 170-run mark. But a disastrous batting performance left us well short and embarrassed,’ said Moody after MI restricted his team to 137. Moody said Saturday’s batting display showed his team’s over-dependence on openers Shikhar Dhawan and captain David Warner who fell in a short span of time after adding 45 runs and the innings went into a tail-spin. ‘Certainly today’s performance reflected that for sure. Leading into this tournament, leading into today’s game, we had the utmost confidence in the middle order stepping up when the opportunity presented. Neymar, Messi help Barca beat Espanyol Today there was the perfect opportunity for our middle order to build on a very good platform both Shikhar and Dave gave us in the chase. We failed dismally,’ he said. He did not agree to the suggestion that the team’s batting was a bit weak overall. ‘Is that your assessment? I don’t think so. I think we have a pretty good side. We went in with an extra fast bowler today therefore we had to sacrifice an overseas all-rounder or a batsman. Therefore it puts that little bit more pressure or the opportunity for an Indian player to step up and make his mark that was opportunity wasn’t taken today. ‘But overall, I don’t think we have got a weak batting side, we have got a strong batting side but we felt today the right decision today was to play both (Dale) Steyn and (Trent) Boult against Mumbai Indians and I think at the halfway mark you could probably say that was the right decision, restricting them to the total they made. Fans turn violent at Belgrade derby Belgrade, Apr 26: Thirty-five police officers were hurt and 41 fans arrested in a violent Belgrade derby between Red Star and Partizan on Saturday. ‘Hooligan behaviour has led to slight injuries to 35 police officers,’ the Serbian Interior Ministry said in a statement. ‘Police reacted professionally and efficiently, quelling a conflict started by fans which could have led to calling the game off and other serious consequences. ‘Before, during and after the game, 41 individuals were arrested and police also turned back a van from (the northern city of) Zrenjanin loaded with rocks and bricks.’ The match ended in a 0-0 draw that left league leaders Partizan five points clear of secondplaced Red Star with six matches remaining. The start of the game, which has a long history of crowd trouble, was delayed for 45 minutes after home Red Star fans pelted riot police with seats and flares, forcing officers to retreat from the north tier that houses the club’s diehard fans. When reinforcements arrived the police returned to the terraces and pushed the supporters back. One area of the north tier was emptied and when the match finally got underway it produced a tepid first half with Darko Lazovic going close for champions Red Star and Stefan Babovic missing a good chance for Partizan. Anand outplays Mamedyarov Stuttgart, Apr 26: Caroline Wozniacki will play Angelique Kerber in the final of the PorShamkir (Azerbaijan), Apr 26 (PTI): ond seed Fabiano Caruana of Italy in sche Grand Prix after they won their Five-time world champion Viswa- the last round. succession after exit behind them in order to concenBarcelona, Apr 26: semifinals in contrasting fashions on It turned out to be another exciting trate on winning third-place nathan Anand found his way back to 53 minutes for a Neymar scored the opener to conSaturday. the 2800 rating club and jumped to day as last-placed Michael Adams in La Liga. lengthy protest with tinue his rich vein of form as 10-man Wozniacki beat second-seeded Si- Barcelona won a one-sided La Liga of England made some amends for the referee but EsThe Frenchman now second spot in world rankings after mona Halep 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, while home derby against Espanyol 2-0 on Satpanyol failed to beating local hero Shakhriyar Mam- himself and defeated Anish Giri of has 22 league goals Holland. favorite Kerber defeated Madison urday while Antoine Griezmann’s apply any conin an impressive debut edyarov in the eighth and Brengle of the United States 6-3, 6-1 double helped Atletico Madrid certed pressure In another decisive season at the Calderon penultimate round of on Barca in the in just under an hour. game, lowly placed after heading Atletico into Vugar Gashimov beat Elche 3-0. remainder of the the lead 10 minutes into the second memorial here. Vladimir Kramnik It will be Wozniacki’s second final Brazil’s Neymar followed match. of Russia improved half and then slotting home from With his secat Stuttgart after she lost in 2011 to his two goals against his tournament close range 14 minutes from the end. ond victory on X a v i Paris St Germain in the Germany’s Julia Goerges. standing at the excame In between a Raul Garcia shot from the trot in the The fourth-seeded Dane needed Champions League pense of Maxime distance sneaked past the dive of strongest tournaalmost three hours to prevail over on Tuesday by slotVachier-Lagrave of ment of the year, keeper Przemyslaw Tyton and into Halep, winning four games in a row ting home after Neymar France. The other game Anand made sure of at the corner after 63 minutes. in the third set to go 5-1 ahead. After Luis Suarez dumof the day between Mamedov and least a second place fi nish as the mied a cross after missing three match points and being Diego Simeone’s side have 72 broken while serving for the match, 17 minutes. points, seven more than fourth- Indian ace took his tally to 5.5 points Caruana also ended in a draw. o n With Carlsen leading and Anand on Wozniacki broke the Romanian again With Barca pickplaced Valencia who play Granada out of a possible eight. for the final three World champion Magnus Carlsen of his toes, Caruana and So share the to close out the win. ing holes in Espanon Monday. Elche are 14th on 34 minutes for his 500th third spot on 4.5 points each and the Norway remained in front after Despite the loss, Halep will move yol’s defence, Lionel points. La Liga appearance up to No. 2 when the world rankings Messi doubled the lead settling for a draw with erstwhile Italian is likely to go all out against Barca lead La Liga with 81 points, for Barca who have are updated on Monday, jumping over from a tight angle after 25 leader Wesley So of United States. Anand which might give the Indian an five more than Real Madrid who moved five points Maria Sharapova, who lost to Kerber minutes before Jordi Alba The Norwegian took his tally to six extra chance to catch up with Carlsen play Celta Vigo on Sunday. ahead of Real Madrid on Thursday. was sent off early in the second ‘It was a complete game from us ... points out of a possible eight and in the event of the Norwegian drawing at the top of the table. Kerber has a 5-4 record against half. to win a derby you have to play like remains a half point ahead of Anand his game. Kramnik, Mamedov and Deep in stoppage Mamedyarov have an identical 3.5 Wozniacki, winning in the Stuttgart The dethat,’ Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta with just one round remaining. time Espanyol’s Hecpoints for a shared fifth spot while Carlsen, however, has a clear edge second round in 2012. fender was told reporters. tor Moreno was also Adams, Vachier-Lagrave and Giri to win the title as he is set to play Kerber won her fourth WTA in Char- s h o w n ‘The best part of the season is still to sent off after being with lowest seed Rauf Mamedov of share the eighth spot on three points leston this month, while Wozniacki two yelgiven a second yellow come and the hard bit as well. They Azerbaijan in his fi nal round game in this 100000 Euros prize money won her 23rd in Kuala Lumpur last l o w are all fi nals from here and there card. Griezmann’s two goals helped while Anand will have to tackle sec- tournament. cards in month. Atletico put their Champions League won’t be much between the teams.’ Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Mixed Bag CHENNAI Srirangam Jeer safe in Nepal Tiruchi, Apr 26 (PTI): The head seer of the famous Sri Rangathaswamy temple in Srirangam and a group of devotees, who had gone to Nepal on Mukthinath Yatra, were safe and had reached Bagdogra when the massive earthquake struck the Himalayan nation, temple officials said today. Sri Ranganarayana Jeer of the Sri Ranga Narayana Jeer Mutt and his team had completed their pilgrimage as per schedule. He would return to his mutt in Srirangam tonight, they said. The Jeer accompanied by 127 devotees had left Chennai for Mukthinath on April 20. Some members of the team felt the impact of the tremor when they were near Bagdogra in West Bengal on way to Delhi after the pilgrimage was over. Sri Ranga Narayana Jeer Mutt was established by Sri Ramanujar, an 11th century Vaishnavite saint, who administered the temple about 970 years ago. New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): If UGC has its way, universities will soon have their own police stations for quick handling of crisis and preventing untoward incidents on campus. In a set of guidelines framed for enhancing students’ safety and security on campuses, University Grants Commission (UGC) has said university police station can go a long way in ‘instilling’ a sense of security amongst students and scare amongst ‘nuisance makers and petty criminals’. The guidelines suggest adoption of some of the best practices implemented by campuses worldwide like the ‘Warn Me’ model developed by University of California, Berkley, helping in sending of emergency messages through Internet and mobiles. It also pitch for providing short-distance escort services to students attending varsity organised evening concerts and other events. The ‘Guidelines on Safety of Students on and off Campuses of Higher Educational Institutions’ have been shared with all varsities by UGC, asking them to amend their ordinances and other relevant People at a special camp held at Sir Theagaraya College in Washermanpet, Chennai today as part of the national electoral roll purification and authentication programme. statutory provisions to ensure the directions are implemented in the best interests of students. About the university police stations on the campus, it said ‘officials of such a station can not only handle any crisis situation in an instant but also prevent untoward happenings by security measures like night patrols and so on’. The UGC guidelines take a holistic view of the campus security measures and the problems confronting students during their academic years. ‘It is understandable that classes, study, research, meetings, fi lms or concerts can keep students on campus till late at night. Police offi cials can provide on-demand short- distance escort services to students as they walk down to hostel or nearest taxi or bus-stand etc,’ the guidelines said. The student community can be encouraged to form a group of Community Service Officers to provide such service on rotation basis. Higher education institutes can also provide ‘Night Safety Shuttle’ facility to such students which offer door-to-door pick and drop services, it added. is again unique. With 24X7 media glare, the anarchist formation used every space to catch attention. Some dramatics, either in the form of sloganeering or leadership gimmicks are always used in electoral politics’. ‘From ‘Garibi Hatao’ to ‘Acche Din’ are catchy words that touch the cords of common voters. But what AAP has done in the name of farmers’ rally is touching lowest level of politics. In another attempt of embarrassing the Centre, AAP tried to create a drama which turned out to be a tragedy,’ the editorial said. It further said that ‘for catching the public attention through media, instigating some supposed to be farmer to enact a suicide attempt and the person actually losing his life is dirty politics, which should be discarded outright.’ Captian Cook hails Anderson New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): India today said that it would evacuate on priority 18 members of the country’s Under-14 girls football team which is stuck in Nepal following a massive earthquake. In a tweet, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, ‘We will evacuate India’s U-14 girls football team on priority’. The scared Indian girls and two support staff had decided to sleep outside their rooms at Hotel View Bhrikuti in Kathmandu for the fear of further aftershocks. They were practicing in the stadium for the third-place play-off against Iran when the earthquake shook the venue and adjoining areas yesterday. The Indian team had earlier lost to hosts Nepal in the semifinals on Friday. ‘We were doing the practice just before the start of the third place play-off against Iran and then we saw the stadium shaking. There were hundreds of people there to watch the match. We ran to the middle of the pitch and remained there as we saw buildings collapse in the adjoining areas. It was a real scary moment for us,’ coach Maymol Rocky had told PTI from Kathmandu. ‘These girls are not even 14 and they have not experienced this kind of scary moment in their lives,’ she had said. Shaken by the tremors, the Indian girls as well as the Iranians had reached the team hotel and decided to sleep in open space inside the hotel premises and not in their rooms. ‘The place is still experiencing aftershocks even now and the girls are scared to sleep in their rooms inside the hotel. We are staying outside the hotel but inside its compound in the open space tonight. The hotel staff is kind enough to provide us food and sleeping material. There is also no electricity outside. We know we will not be able to sleep tonight. The girls are really scared and want to go back home immediately,’ she had said. New Governors likely after Budget session To fill vacancies in nine States New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): The NDA government is planning to fill up vacancies of governors in nine states after the Budget session of Parliament as one incumbent is holding the charge of four States while five others are in-charge of at least two States each. ‘We have to sit and decide... may be after the Parliament session,’ Home Minister Rajnath Singh told PTI when asked about possibilities of filling up vacancies in Raj Bhavans. There are vacancies in Raj Bhavans in Bihar, Punjab, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Telangana. The post of Lieutenant Governor in Puducherry is also lying vacant. West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi is holding the additional charge of Bihar, Meghalaya and Mizoram while Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya is in-charge of the Raj Bhavans in Assam and Gajendra suicide was AAP’s drama: RSS New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): The RSS has alleged that farmer Gajendra Singh’s suicide was a ‘drama’ enacted by AAP which turned out to be a ‘tragedy’, and advised the party to take right lessons from the incident. Calling AAP’s recent farmer rally as one that touched the ‘lowest level’ of politics, the RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ has hit out at the party saying such ‘dirty’s politics should be discarded. Challenging AAP’s ‘party with a difference’ tag, the piece argues that AAP has added to Indian politics an entertainment value that is unique and has gone to the extent of enacting a drama in the name of farmer’s suicide. ‘The kind of entertainment value AAP has added to Indian politics 7 U-14 girls football team stuck in Nepal NATIONAL IDENTITY Varsities to have police stations SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 Written in the backdrop of farmer’s suicide that shook the country, the article further goes on to question the genesis of AAP and asks, ‘Is AAP really a party with a difference’. ‘The script, drama and presentation of this loose political formation are proving to be sensational but foreign to be part of India’s democratic culture,’ the editorial said. The editorial goes on to argue against that difference, saying, the emergence of Aam Aadmi Party on India’s political scene, many believed, was a dramatic departure from the existing political culture. It said after its brief political stint in Delhi in 2013 and then its political face contesting from Varanasi, many started arguing that AAP is turning out to be like any other political party. The Narendra Modi government, which assumed charge in May 2014, has appointed Governors to 11 States Tripura. Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has been given the additional charge of Punjab Governor and administrator of Chandigarh, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh is holding the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh. Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul is in-charge of the Raj Bhavan of Manipur too. E S L Narasimhan, who was the Governor of undivided Andhra Pradesh, continues to be the Governor of both Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh after the bifurcation while Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt. Gen (retd) Ajay Kumar Singh is holding the additional charge of the LG of Puducherry. The Narendra Modi government, which assumed charge in May 2014, has appointed Governors to 11 States. They are Ram Naik (Uttar Pradesh), C Vidyasagar Rao (Maharashtra), P Sathasivam (Kerala), Vajubhai Vala (Karnataka), Om Prakash Kohli (Gujarat), Balram Das Tandon (Chhattisgarh), Mridula Sinha (Goa), Kalyan Singh (Rajasthan), Keshari Nath Tripathi (West Bengal), Solanki (Haryana) and Padmanabha Acharya (Nagaland). Kamla Beniwal, who had a running battle with Narendra Modi when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister and she the Governor of the State, was Plea in SC for probe into farmer’s death New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): Days after a farmer from Rajasthan allegedly hanged himself during an Aam Aadmi Party rally here, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored judicial probe into the incident that took place in full public view. The PIL, likely to be listed for hearing during next week, has sought directions to the Centre and State governments to take immediate necessary steps to prevent farmers’ suicide and fixation of ‘adequate compensation’ to their dependents in the event of deaths. The plea, filed by advocate G L Mani, has quoted the National Crime Records Bureau statistics and said that 13,574 farmers had committed suicide in 2012. ‘According to NCRB, 46 farmers commit suicide every day in India. A total of 2,96,438 farmers committed suicide in India between 1995 and 2013,’ it said. It also alleged that ‘there are so many farmers who are committing suicide every day and neither the Central government nor the state governments concerned are taking any steps to prevent’ these. Besides the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the plea has made Ministries of Social Justice and Home and Affairs and all States and Union Territories (UTs) as parties in the case. The petition has sought a series of directions which include calling for records and details from the Central and State governments regarding farmer suicides since 1995. On 22 April, 41-year-old Gajendra Singh, committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in full public view in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar here. sacked after being transferred to Mizoram. Aziz Qureshi, who had moved Supreme Court objecting to the Union Home Secretary nudging Governors to quit office, was first shifted to Mizoram from Uttarakhand and was finally sacked on 28 March. Similarly, the Lt Governor of Puducherry, Virendra Kataria was also shown the door by the government. UPA-appointed governors Sheila Dikshit (Kerala), M K Narayanan (West Bengal), Ashwani Kumar (Nagaland), B L Joshi (UP), B V Wanchoo (Goa), Shekhar Dutt (Chhattisgarh) and V K Duggal (Manipur) were forced to resign after the NDA government came to power. V Purushothaman, Governor of Mizoram, had resigned after he was transferred to Nagaland, while Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan tendered his resignation when he was shifted to Mizoram. Deadline to file assets details extended New Delhi, Apr 26 (PTI): The Centre has extended till 15 October the deadline for Central government employees to file the details of their assets and liabilities, along with that of their spouses and dependent children, as mandated under the Lokpal Act. The last date for filing such returns was 30 April. The date has now been extended till 15 October, 2015, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said. This is third such extension of dates for submitting the returns by employees. As per rules, notified under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, every public servant shall file declaration, information and annual returns pertaining to his assets and liabilities as on 31 March every year or on or before 31 July of that year. For 2014, the last date for filing returns was 15 September, which was later extended to December-end, then till 30 April, and now up to 15 October, 2015. Kings XI, SRH in cellar battle Mohali, Apr 26 (PTI): While Punjab are lying Placed in the bottom half of the St George’s, Apr 26: we did was a great effort, down to last with four losses attitude, character and a lot of skill,’ points table, both Kings XI Punjab England captain Alastair Cook and SunRisers Hyderabad would gave the credit for Saturday’s sec- he added after England went 1-0 up from six matches, be looking to get out of the rut when in the series. ond-Test win over West Indies to Hyderabad are slightly James Anderson after the seam ‘You can always improve on a per- they clash in an IPL cricket match bowler’s blistering spell in the morn- formance but the lads were brilliant. here tomorrow. ahead on net run rate While Punjab are lying last with ing transformed the game. The wickets have been slow and despite having a four losses from six matches, Hyhard to force a result on but we’ve A draw looked the likeliest outcome derabad are slightly ahead on net put in a lot of hard work and got our when play resumed on the fifth and similar win-loss count run rate despite having a similar reward today.’ final day but Anderson removed three West Indies batsmen with the While the plaudits for Anderson, win-loss count. Hyderabad, on the other hand, Both sides come into the match second new ball, including Kraigg England’s all-time top wicket-taker in have similar concerns to deal with. after losing their respective previBrathwaite for 116, as his team tests, were thoroughly deserved, a Their batting is relying heavily on ous encounters. claimed six wickets before lunch. superb unbeaten 182 from Joe Root the top half contributing a mere 49 the side but he too came a cropper skipper David Warner and opener in the first innings won him the Man For Punjab, particularly, it was a ‘The new ball was really crucial. It runs to the total in a stiff chase. in the face of pressure created by Shikhar Dhawan and even though of the Match award. demoralising loss given that was all about trying to put the ball both have done reasonably well so The likes of Virender Se- CSK bowlers, especially the spin in the right areas and credit Jimmy, ‘We were ruthless today,’ said Root. the side was restricted to duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra far, lack of support in the middle hwag, David Miller, Shaun 95 for 9 while chasing a stiff what an outstanding spell that was,’ ‘It is a great win to take forward for Jadeja who shared five wickets order has made them ineffective. Marsh and Glenn Maxwell said Cook who ended unbeaten on the rest of the series and the sum- target of 193. This was their between them. have not managed to The bowling was markedly better second lowest 20-over score 59 as England, with Gary Ballance mer. make the kind of impact Punjab’s bowlers too have been a in the previous match with both in eight IPL seasons. making 81 not out, reached their ‘There are so many positives for us they were expected to huge letdown with pace spearhead pace spearhead Dale Steyn and target of 143. The side’s batting, considall to take and it’s fantastic. I can’t ahead of the tournament. Mitchell Johnson being the biggest Trent Boult delivering and they ‘I can’t fault the lads, it was a tough wait to get back out there in Barba- ered its strength on paper, fl op. Last night, he conceded 40 would look to improve in the comMaxwell, in fact, was Published by any K. Balakumar on slow behalf of News Today referring Media (P) from 85, (GSTand Road), 032 and printed by as him atruns Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Industrial Estate, Guindy, hasMount failedRoad miserably last Guindy, Chennai 600 wicket to get kind of result, dos,’ he added to Ltd., the third in his four overs and failed to Thiru-Vi-Ka ing matches. dropped yesterday Chennai 032.20 Ph: 4202 1111. Editor:and K. Balakumar. Phone: /Advt: 22504000, Fax:it2250 1800with (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail:a [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. 4212 0000. night was the lowest touched and flat 600 To get wickets the way final Test that startsEditorial/Admn on Friday clinch single wicket skipper George Bailey returned to (Match starts at 8 Fax: pm (IST) 8SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2015 , CHENNAI Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / WPP-470 / 15-17 WHERE THEY STAND TEAMS Kohli backs Saha as Test ‘keeper New Delhi: India’s Test captain Virat Kohli feels that it will be difficult to replace someone like Mahendra Singh Dhoni but Wriddhiman Saha according to him ‘deserves’ to don the big gloves for the national team for the ‘next five to six years.’ Asked about who according to him is ideal to replace Dhoni behind the stumps in the longer version, Kohli batted for the Bengal stumper. ‘It’s a huge responsibility for anyone to replace someone like MS Dhoni. I have learnt from him a lot. As far as replacements are concerned, there are ‘keepers like Saha, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel and Sanju Samson,’ Kohli said at a promotional event in the city. ‘But if you ask me personally, Wriddhiman Saha deserves a go. He has played as replacement a n d we all know that he is a world class wicketkeeper. He is 30 now and he also realises that he needs a longer rope. I am excited about him and believe that he deserves to be India ‘keeper for next 5-6 years,’ India’s Test captain made his choice clear. On how he is growing in his role, Kohli replied, ‘I believe in giving ownership of the team to everyone. I speak to all the players. To bring everyone on the same page, you need to treat different individuals differ- ently. I am learning the ropes and probably also getting calmer.’ T h e last statement was intended at a scribe, who asked whether now being a businessman would make h i m ‘calm’, and K o h l i smilingly counterquestioned, ‘I will answer that when you tell me how is my calmness related to my business investment.’ Asked about the youngster, who has caught his attention in the IPL, Kohli named Mat Lost Tied N/R PTS Chennai Super Kings 6 5 1 0 0 10 Rajasthan Royals 7 5 2 0 0 10 Kolkata Knight Riders 5 4 2 0 0 6 Delhi Daredevils 6 3 3 0 0 6 Sunrisers Hyderabad 6 2 4 0 0 4 Kings XI Punjab 6 2 4 0 0 4 RCB 5 2 3 0 0 4 Mumbai Indians 7 2 5 0 0 4 TOMORROW’S MATCH Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad at Mohali, 8 pm (IST) Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Haryana leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as the ‘bowler to watch out for’. ‘Yuzvendra Chahal according to me has a lot of confidence in his abilities. He is full of self-belief and is ready to bowl to any field I give him. He was also our best bowler during the last season,’ Kohli said while speaking at the launch o f his chain of fitness centres at a city hotel. RCB came back to winning ways yesterday and according to the skipper whether, it’s India or for an IPL franchise, a ‘loss always hurts. ‘If you feel that it’s only when you play for India, a defeat would matter and when you are playing for a franchise, it’s not like that, then I think that’s a wrong attitude to play cricket. For me, each and every loss matters,’ the stylish right-hander said. Kohli said that he has already told Chris Gayle to ‘bat freely’ and has consciously decided that he and AB de Villiers’ ‘batting order’ will be close to each other. ‘Actually Gayle was taking too much pressure on himself and thought that he has to perform in each and every game in the same manner. We have told him to go out there and play his game freely. It’s also our responsibility (him and de Villiers) and that’s why we are batting closer to each other. With AB, you don’t need to speak to him much. He knows his job,’ the RCB skipper said. Our middle-order needs to wake up: Rahul Mumbai: There was huge excitement when the Sunrisers Hyderabad picked Dale Steyn and Trent Boult in their playing eleven. The prospect of two exciting swing bowlers bowling in tandem with an Indian pace battery providing ideal cushion was well worth watching. Everything went according to script as the Sunrisers bowlers did an outstanding job to restrict the Mumbai Indians to just 157. The run-chase almost felt like a meager formality as Shikhar Dhawan set the ball rolling with partner David Warner in the first five overs of the match. But then began a sudden slide as Warner and Dhawan fell in quick succession leaving the job to a frail Sunrisers middle order that was yet to make a mark in the competition. Won It was a perfect opportunity to prove that the side wasn’t merely dependant on the openers and had enough batting depth to take the side through if the openers failed. But to their dismay what followed was yet another poor batting performance from the middle order that helped Mumbai Indians register a much need win in the tournament. KL Rahul one of the key batsmen in the Sunrisers batting line-up agreed that the form of the middle order was a cause of concern. Speaking to iplt20.com after the match, he said, ‘It is the batting and especially the middle order which is a worry for us. Mumbai Indians did bowl well, but more than them bowling well it was just a bad performance with the bat.’ Photos: A R JAYAKUMAR It was all fun at M A Chidambaram Stadium as fans of Chennai Super Kings gathered in large numbers to watch the hosts play Kings XI Punjab yesterday. They were entertained thoroughly by a splendid show by the CSK. CHEERS, CHANTS & CELEBRATIONS Relationship with neighbours on win-win mode: Ram Madhav q ‘Modi regime will not compromise on India’s priorities’ India and her ties with neighbouring nations were in focus as BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav had the audience in rapt attention during an interaction at Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chennai on Saturday. He touched upon the Narendra Modi-led dispensation’s efforts to improve relationships with the neighbours and the efforts taken since the day the Prime Minister assumed office. ‘Today, we have a government at the Centre, which is working for good relations with foreign countries, especially our neighbours, on a mature level,’ Ram Madhav, who is also director of India Foundation, said while delivering a lecture on ‘India and Her Neighbourhood: Opportunities and Challenges’ organised by Chennai chapter of Chinmaya Academy of Management as a part of Chinmaya Birth Centenary Celebrations. The session was chaired by former diplomat G Parthasarathy. ‘Unlike the previous time (regime) where the tendency to overlook controversial issues that came in the way of stabilising relationships on the pretext of avoiding unpleas- ant consequences existed, this is an administration that is willing to engage neighbouring nations in a more friendly manner without losing sight of our own priorities,’ he said. Referring to ties with Sri Lanka, he said today there had been a remarkable improvement on that front. ‘The ties have improved to the extent that our Prime Minister could get the jailed fisherman (from Tamilnadu) released. Similarly, officials from Sri Lanka could call us to seek the release of fisherfolk imprisoned in our land. Foreign relations are based on principles of respect for each other, engaging with one with an eye on growth for the respective nations on social and economic fronts,’ he pointed out. ‘Our ties with foreign countries are based on win-win mode, while taking care not to lose out on our own interests,’ he said. ‘During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, we could clearly convey to China the need to stop border infiltration,’ the senior BJP leader said. ‘Though China is a difficult neighbour to handle, we are stressing the need to forge better ties, while keep- BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said ‘from being restricted to mere romantic sloganeering our foreign policy should be more pragmatic’ BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav at a session on ‘India and Her Neighbourhood: Opportunities and Challenges’ organised by Chennai chapter of Chinmaya Academy of Management. Former diplomat G Parthasarathy and head of Chinmaya Mission Swami Mithrananda look on. ing India’s priorities in mind.’ ‘Today, we even extended a friendly hand to a small country like Mongolia, which in 2008 declared India as its third neighbour. A special Parliamentary session is being held there on Sunday as a token of the renewed ties based on goodwill during Modi’s visit,’ he said. ‘From being restricted to mere romantic sloganeering our foreign policy should be more pragmatic. We in the past were instrumental in churning out the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and when the country faced issues with China in the past, none of the NAM nations came forward to help us,’ Ram Madhav said. Now, culture, heritage and traditions have become tools to enhance relations with foreign countries, he noted. Referring to the reluctance in India for sensitising the masses on foreign policy issues in the sub-continent, he said awareness levels were higher in nations like the US and Israel. It (awareness) is so high that governments there are forced to think many times before framing foreign policies. ‘Even if a single American soldier breathes his last on foreign soil, people are up in arms against the government, while on the other hand when our diplomats, soldiers die abroad, things barely get noticed.’ On the country’s defence system, he said the Central government was preparing the nation to face any threat at any time. He said steps were being taken to acquire 36 fighter aircraft. Efforts to promote indigenisation of defence equipment production is gaining momentum, he remarked. Former Minister H V Hande, senior BJP leaders L Ganesan and M Chakravarthy, head of Chinmaya Mission - Chennai Swami Mithrananda, and T R Jawahar of News Today, Maalai Sudar and Talk Media were among those present. Director of Chinmaya Academy of Management Geetha Menon welcomed the gathering. --NT Bureau Published by K. 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