NEW DELHI: In another setback to the BJP as the party meets for its crucial introspection on Lok Sabha poll debacle, forensic experts have saidthe hate speech CD of the BJP leader and MP from Pilibhit, Varun Gandhi, is not doctored.
Sources said the Forensic Science Laboratory in Hyderabad has submitted its report to the District Magistrate of Pilibhit.
Varun had alleged that the CDs were doctored, a line that was also the official BJP stand on the row. He had also refused to give his voice samples for examination.
Varun, who is currently out on bail, has six FIRs against him.
Don't make Varun scapegoat for poll debacle: Maneka Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Varun Gandhi, whose alleged hate speeches triggered a row during the elections, should not be made a scapegoat for the BJP's poll debacle, his mother Maneka Gandhi said at the party's national executive meet on Saturday.
Launching a strong defence of her son, Maneka alleged that those who lost the elections were wrongly blaming their defeat on Varun's speeches. In an apparent reference to chief poll strategist and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Arun Jaitley, she alleged he was not accessible even on the phone and was mainly involved in planting stories in the media.
She sought to draw a contrast between his way of functioning to that of his predecessor late Pramod Mahajan, who she said enquired about the day-to-day progress of the candidates.
The MP from Aonla praised the Uttar Pradesh unit of the party but said it failed to produce results as the election in-charge "did not work at all".
She claimed the exit of Kalyan Singh from the party was a big loss and led to the defeat of leaders like Santosh Gangwar, who lost from Bareilly.
Maneka criticised the party's rigid stand on giving the ticket to Ashok Pradhan from Bulandshahr which had triggered Kalyan Singh's decision to quit.
Four-year-old girl rescued from borewell
Jaipur, June 21: A four-year-old girl, who on Saturday fell into a 50-feet deep open borewell at Moradi village in Rajasthan's Dausa district, has been rescued and is in stable condition, officials said.
The girl Anju was rescued after a 21 hour operation and has been taken to hospital. “She was breathing when she was taken out of the borewell. She was rushed to a hospital in Bandikui and then referred to Jaipur where she would be kept under observation,” a doctor said.
The rescue work was carried out with two JCB machines and tractor trolleys pressed into service to bring her out, SHO Bandikui Ramveer Singh said.
An oxygen pipe was also put into the eight inch wide borewell to help the girl breathe, he said.
The incident occured at around 1730 hrs IST yesterday while she was playing there.
Dausa is 57 kms from Jaipur while the scene of the incident is about 40 kms from the district headquarters.
In October last year a two-year-old boy named Sonu died after falling into a borewell in Agra.
Five-year-old Prince who fell into a 60-feet borewell in Hardaheri village near Kurukshetra in Haryana in July 2006, grabbed national attention by emerging alive out of the narrow borewell after struggling for 48 hours.
Troops advance from Lalgarh towards 17 Maoist-held villages
Lalgarh, West Bengal:After reclaiming control of key Lalgarh police station area, security forces on Sunday pushed deeper to break the Maoist siege of 17 villages considered strongholds of the ultras and tribals backed by them.
Security sources said the troops consisting of CRPF, BSF and West Bengal police started moving from Lalgarh to Ramgarh in an operation aimed at sanitising the main road and other connecting routes and wresting control of the 17 villages. But the 19-km journey from Lalgarh, which the troops reclaimed on Saturday, is likely to be one of the toughest as the road has been mined and the area heavily forested.
The strategy of the forces will focus on wresting control of Barapelia, Chotopelia and Dalilpurchak in West Midnapore district where top Maoist leaders were reportedly holed up, senior police officers engaged in the operation said. Barapelia is the home of Maoist-backed People's Committee against Police Atrocity (PCPA) convener Chatradhar Mahato and the PCPA headquarters.
After a night halt at a school premises in Lalgarh, the joint forces began a mine-clearing exercise on the Lalgarh-Ramgarh road, the sources said. Security forces had yesterday moved into Lalgarh and taken control of the police station even as ambushed a convoy en route to the area injuring six policemen.
Gandhi, Nehru letters in Sotheby's auction
London:A series of signed and autographed letters by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and some documents and postcards will figure in a Christie's sale here on July 14. Three of Gandhi's autographed letters to Islamic scholar and leading figure in the Khilafat movement, Maulana Abdul Bari, in Urdu have an estimated price of 2,500-3,000 pounds (Rs 1.99-2.38 lakh).
They refer to Hindu-Muslim relations, including communal tension in Lucknow and their personal friendship. Writing one letter from prison, Gandhi thanks Bari for gifting cotton for spinning. A khadi cloth signed by Gandhi and said to have been woven by him will go under the hammer at an estimated price of 2,000-2,500 pounds (Rs 1.59-1.99 lakh). The cloth was a gift from Gandhi to South African-born actress Moira Lister, who was a friend of Maharani of Jaipur Gayatri Devi.
Two autograph postcards (1,500-2,000 pounds or Rs 1.19-1.59 lakh) signed by Gandhi to Urdu poet Hamid Ullah Afsar also figure in the auction of 153 lots under the category of English Literature, History, Children's Books and Illustrations. A series of 29 letters signed and four autograph letters and notes signed by Nehru to friend Mridula Sarabhai, together with a signed document, a signed greeting card and 29 envelopes will have an estimated price of 4,000-5,000 pounds (Rs 3.17-3.97 lakh).
Nehru's letters discuss subjects including events in Kashmir, Sarabhai's political campaigns, rehabilitation of Muslims evicted from their homes at Partition and a humanitarian project for homeless children in Delhi. "I must act according to my own judgment. I know perhaps better than you do of the consequences of what is happening and what is likely to happen consequences not only in Kashmir but the whole of India and Pakistan," says one of the letter written on August 3, 1953, just before the dismissal of Sheikh Abdullah as Kashmiri prime minister.
Indian Business News
'Indian economy returning to growth path'
New Delhi:The Indian economy and the financial sector are returning to a ‘potential growth path’ after adjusting to intense dislocation in the global economic environment, financial services major Goldman Sachs said.
"We believe the Indian economy and the financial sector are returning back to a potential growth path, post a period of adjustment to the intense dislocation in the global economic environment," Goldman Sachs said in a report.
Goldman expects its net income growth for the financial sector to rebound to 32 percent in 2010, from one percent in 2009.
The firm further said it is turning constructive on the Indian financial sector due to improving outlook for the macroeconomic environment, positive impact of a decisive election outcome on potential policy action and Government agenda as well as on business confidence.
"Decisive election results likely to impact business confidence positively," it said.
Besides, other reasons for the constructive view is the change of outlook from negative to positive as well as upside potential to its growth expectations.
It is likely that the loan growth would be over 20 per cent by 2011, it said.
MasterCard appoints Citi's Ajay Banga as president and COO
NEW YORK: Global payment firm MasterCard has roped in Citigroup's Ajay Banga as its new president and chief operating officer (COO), while indicating that the Indian banker could be its next CEO in about a year.
Banga, currently Citi's Asia-Pacific CEO, will get an annual salary of $800,000 besides other benefits at MasterCard, while he has also been given a sign-in bonus of $4.2 million. As per his contract, Banga's upfront payments would remain intact even if he leaves the company after not being offered the position of CEO at MasterCard by June 30, 2010.
However, he would have to forefeit part of his package if he resigns under different circumstances, or cases like termination of his employment by the company. Banga would join MasterCard on August 31 and would report to Robert W Selander, CEO, MasterCard said in a statement.
Infy CEO on how to battle recession
NEW DELHI: There is lower tolerance for poor performance in a downturn, says Kris Gopalakrishnan, chief executive officer & managing director, Infosys Technologies. Here's his account on how to fight recession.
How is dealing with recessionary conditions different when you’re in a senior leadership position than when you’re actually leading as CEO?
The CEO has to take bottom line responsibility and has to be accountable to all stakeholders. A senior leader is responsible to only one department or business unit. In that sense, CEOs are different.
How was the IT sector affected last time -- the depression of 2001-03? And now?
The dot-com bubble was restricted to a few sectors. It did not impact financial services -- the backbone of any economy. The crisis is global and is impacting all industries and countries. The responses from governments around world have also been unprecedented taking into account the scale of the problem.
What is the most challenging part about being a recessionary CEO?
In a recession, growth is absent; sometimes, the business may even be shrinking. In this scenario, managing costs in order to protect margins become the immediate priority. Medium term, you have to continue to invest in the business selectively such that the business can emerge from the downturn stronger than competition. This is challenging. Even in good times, a CEO must be able to get to the details if needed. During a recession, this may increase due to the requirement for faster action.
What are some of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to take recently?
Clients are expecting greater flexibility in pricing and margins may get affected because of that. Utilisation levels are lower because of lower volumes of work. There is lower tolerance for poor performance since everyone has to perform better in a downturn.
Indian Sports News|Sports News
Saina stamps class at Indonesian Open; lifts trophy
Indonesia, June 21: World number 8 and Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal beat world number 3 Ling Wan in a thrilling final of the Indonesia Open to become the first Indian to do so.
Nehwal beat Wan 12-21, 21-18, 21-9 to win the Super Series title.
Saina had conceded the first set meekly to the Chinese. Not willing to take it lying low, the Indian champ bounced back in style to hand defeat to the world number 3 winning two straight sets.
The Indonesia Open is Saina’s maiden Super Series title.
Sixth-seed Saina had overcome the seventh-seed Lu 25-23, 21-19 to set up a title clash against Chinese third-seed Lin Wang in the final.
On the other hand, world number three Lin had trounced eighth-seed Xingfang Xie 21-19, 21-13 in another semi-final.
Ronaldo says made up mind on Real transfer last year
London:Cristiano Ronaldo says he made up his mind last year to quit Manchester United for Real Madrid, whom he has agreed to join for a world record 93 million euros, the News of the World reports in today's edition. Madrid courted Ronaldo all through last summer but the 24-year-old decided to stay and try to help United defend their 2008 Champions League title, featuring in their final loss in May to Barcelona.
Although United retained their English Premier League title, Ronaldo told the paper he decided to leave after the May 2007 final win over Chelsea. "After we won the European Cup. I thought there is no more I can achieve here," said the Portuguese. "And when you have done all you can, you know it is time for a new challenge. I stayed one more season and it was nice to make it three titles in a row but it was my dream to play for Madrid."
Ronaldo is reportedly set to earn 13 million euros a year with Real to become the world's highest-paid footballer once the finishing touches are put to his move but he insisted: "Of course, I have not gone for the money. "To go down as the greatest. It will take lots of work but that is my target. If you go down as the greatest at Madrid it means you are one of the greatest of all time." Ronaldo also touched on his antics in the 2006 World Cup, when he greeted the sending off of United teammate Wayne Rooney during his country's quarter-final win over England with a sly wink.
Pakistan look to upset Lanka to win T20 World Cup
LONDON: An unpredictable Pakistan will be desperate to shed their runners-up tag by pulling off a win against a rampaging Sri Lanka when the two teams meet in the Twenty20 World Cup final at the Lord's on Sunday.
Pakistan, who lost the Cup by a whisker to India in the inaugural edition in South Africa, have played little international cricket since then because of political turmoil back home and would be eager to win the honour in a bid to bring the sport back on track in their country.
But captain Younis Khan is aware that the job at hand is not at all an easy one as primarily his team has not been a consistent side in the tournament so far and secondly Sri Lanka go into the final with a clean slate.
The ease with which Kumara Sangakkara's men thrashed the West Indies in Friday's semi-final at the Oval should also be a matter of concern for Younis Khan.
Pakistan have called up ex-ICL player Abdul Razzaq as a replacement for an injured Yasir Arafat and his presence, strengthens the side as the all rounder is a hard-hitting batsman and a bowler with decent pace.
Return of another all rounder Shahid Afridi to form just at the right time with a 34-ball 51 in their semi-final against South Africa is also a good news for Pakistan, who would not want to be on the losing side for third time in a World Cup.
Pakistan lost to Steve Waugh's Australia in the 1999 ODI World Cup final at the same venue while in 2007 they were deprived of the Cup by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's young India.
Revenge will also be on the mind of Younis on Sunday as they were handed a 19-run defeat by the islanders in their Super Eight match on June 12.
Pakistan will need to overcome their weak points such as poor starts and inability to finish off the close matches, apart from working on their pedestrian batting and focus on their fielding, to realise their dream.
Kamran Akmal at the top of the innings, Afridi and pacer Umar Gul could be the key players for Pakistan.
Sri Lanka after their comfortable victory over the West Indies would be looking to continue the momentum in the final.
Besides, it would be a good toss to win as teams would prefer to bat first at the Lord's.
Sri Lanka's chances will depend a lot on the opening pair of Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan but unheralded pacer Angelo Mathews and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis can also bamboozle Pakistan.
Sangakkara's strategy to deny his opponents a good start and tame them in the Powerplay may very well work in his team's favour.
Sangakkara has already made it clear that against Pakistan "the idea would be to concentrate on the role we have and the basics. This philosophy has taken us this far and we need to be responsible on Sunday too and execute our plans."
Sangakkara has also reminded his teammates that their job in the tournament is not over yet.
"Hopefully we can do one more step in the tournament. For the final against Pakistan, we can take a lot of self-belief and confidence from this game", he said.
Squads
Pakistan: Younis Khan (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Ahmed Shehzad, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Anjum, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal, Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Shahzaib Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (Capt), Muttiah Muralitharan, Indika de Saram, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana.
Rafael Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon
London:Champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon on Friday after losing his battle to recover from a knee injury."Unfortunately this year I won't be able to play at Wimbledon," he told a news conference in Spanish.
The Spaniard, who has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open last month, tested his fitness in two exhibition matches this week but after losing both decided not to defend his Wimbledon title just three days before the start of the major.
He will be the first man not to defend his All England Club crown since Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic skipped the grasscourt grand slam in 2002.
"Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career but the decision was made easier because I don't feel ready to compete at 100 percent for two weeks," said Nadal.
"I don't feel like I'm ready to play in a tournament that is as important as Wimbledon so I have decided I cannot play this year.
"I was making an effort to play week after week ... but I have two oedema (swelling of the knee joint), one in each knee... and now I'm going to be out.. I don't know what time, how long.
"I tried everything, I tried hard in the last week to get in the best condition and today was my last test," added the world number one, who tried to play through the pain in an exhibition match against Stanislas Wawrinka.
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