Slumdog Millionaire child actors on their way to Hollywood for the Oscars

81th Oscar Awards 2009 Live Streaming Online - Dates 22nd Feb. 2009 Watch It Live on ABC Television

Annual Academy Awards known as Oscar Awards is most awaited award for every year. This award for film industry, excellent performance given in last year. Many categories there like director, actress, actor, technicians, story writer, music and many more. Oscar Award ceremony held every year since 1929. This year Oscar Award Ceremony will be held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood on 22nd February, 2009 and Oscar Award Ceremony will be live telecast on ABC Television.

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They were originally posted on an anonymous blog that has since been taken down, which either increases the likelihood of this being a hoax or decreases the chance, depending on how you want to look at it. Many of the picks seem pretty standard, but there are a couple of out there selections that nobody is really predicting, like Amy Adams winning for Best Supporting Actress. I guess we will find out Sunday for sure, but I wouldn’t be laying down any bets based on this leak alone.

Parties draft popular actors and cricketers - National News Updates

New Delhi: Lights, camera, elections! With the poll season about to begin, film stars seem to be coming out of the political woodwork as it were —and a few cricketers and political chameleons are joining them in the spotlight as well.

While the induction of Mohammed Azharuddin, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, into the Congress party on Thursday was the latest, the political grapevine indicates that there are more such high-profile political debuts in the offing.

Actor Sanjay Dutt announced his entry into politics by joining the Samajwadi Party (SP), Chetan Sharma, another former cricketer, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with news that Anil Kumble, who just quit international cricket, may follow.

However, Karnataka BJP president D.V. Sadananda Gowda had denied reports that the former national team leg spinner had been offered a ticket by the party.

Ahead of the 2009 general election, which is to take place before May, the ruling Congress party has set the tone by welcoming three former BJP members of Parliament (MPs) from Karnataka, H.T. Sangliana from Bangalore North, Manorama Madhwaraj from Udupi and Manjunath Kunnur from Dharwad South, who had defied their party during the 22 July trust vote in the Lok Sabha and supported the United Progressive Alliance government, to the party on 20 January.

On Thursday, Congress proudly flaunted ex-skipper Azharuddin, who officially joined the party at its headquarters in New Delhi. Although there is no official confirmation, Congress leaders indicated that Azharuddin—who was forced to quit the game following a match-fixing scandal in 2000—would be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Andhra Pradesh.

Although political leaders admit that the new entrants, especially popular personalities, would boost the morale of workers, political analysts maintain that most of these last-minute inclusions are unlikely to force a dramatic swing in votes towards the parties they have joined.

While Dutt and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari have announced their decision to fight the elections on the SP ticket from the politically-crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has announced that ace shooter and Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana would contest from the Tehri constituency of party-ruled Uttarakhand.

The flow of leaders to the major parties had become a routine affair just ahead of the 2004 elections, in which the then ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance suffered a surprise defeat. The BJP headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road had almost every week, in the run up to the April-May parliamentary elections, witnessed film stars or other popular personalities pledging support to the party.

While Hindi film star Dharmendra, who joined the BJP on 24 March 2004, contested and won Rajasthan’s Bikaner seat, his colleagues Jeetendra, Suresh Oberoi and Poonam Dhillon, and television actors such as Gajendra Singh Chauhan, who acted as Yudhishtira in the epic mega serial Mahabharat, were recruited to add glamour to the campaign.

The hype had also inspired some of the unhappy lot in the Congress to exit. These include former Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson and a long-term Congress leader Najma Heptullah, former Union minister Arif Mohammed Khan and MP Lakshman Singh, brother of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.

Although political observers criticized the BJP for “overdoing” it in 2004, the process of engaging film stars for their political campaign was done earlier too. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had persuaded his friend and film icon Amitabh Bachchan to successfully contest the Lok Sabha elections from Allahabad in 1984.

In south India, the experience has been quite different, with charismatic actors emerging as prominent politicians; they include former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, and N.T. Rama Rao, former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh and founder of the Telugu Desam Party, currently the main Opposition party in the state.

“In election time, it is routine. It works both ways. While political parties are keen to create an election atmosphere and build an image as a sought-after party for the feel- good factor among its rank and file, people who have political ambitions join it,” said Congress general secretary B.K. Hariprasad.

According to the BJP’s Rajiv Pratap Rudy, it could be “strategic moves”.

“As election comes, there could be some new political combinations. The parties welcome new leaders to it on the basis of societal and geographical considerations,” Rudy said. However, he added: “It is not desirable to induct new personalities if they are joining for the purpose of a ticket. If they voluntarily support the party’s ideology, they are welcomed in parties, which have a national outlook and an organizational structure.”

Another BJP leader, who did not want to be identified, said they were keen to welcome prominent Muslim leaders and film stars to ensure a broader political appeal. “The BJP was then known as a Hindu party. We needed recognized people and leaders to appeal to the electorate. But the strategy did not work well,” admitted the leader.

N. Bhaskara Rao, political analyst and chairperson of New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Media Studies, was of the view that popular personalities joining party could help it to create a hype and boost morale. “But it does not help the parties in a big way in terms of votes. Because one instance or development does not bring votes.”

Don’t cut jobs, Pranab Mukherjee to India Inc - National News Updates

New Delhi, Feb 20, 2009: Don’t cut jobs, Pranab Mukherjee to India Inc. India’s part time finance minister and foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee has asked the industry not to cut jobs at the time of recession. Instead he asked the companies to opt to cut salaries instead.

For recession hit companies the proactive behaviour of Pranab Mukherjee must be very annoying thought. For more than a decade corporate sector in India has been spared much pressure from the government.

But as recession makes its impact felt across industries and sectors, and as election time comes, the government is sure to become more proactively involved in issues that were left to the companies themselves till just a few months ago.

For middle class families who are sure to be hit hard if companies are given a free hand to fire their employees it must be a sweet music to their ears. A number of employees in different sectors especially in realty, IT, BPO, textile and other export oriented industries are waiting with baited breath the arrival of pink slips to their tables.

A large number of companies across different sectors have experienced huge losses recently. Before the crisis erupted, there were more than 1500 software firms in the country, while the employee base of the sector had grown to 553,000 (from 415,000 in FY 06). More than 1300 IT companies were operating in Bangalore alone. This sector has been adversely affected by the global crisis-a fact acknowledged by Bangalore-based Infosys Technologies Co-Chairman, Nandan M. Nilekani. He believes that even though the tech sector would see the impact of the economic slowdown in terms of growth rate, the IT industry will continue to grow and recruit manpower.

A survey of 125 companies by the commerce department in New Delhi has revealed that Indian companies lost export orders worth Rs.1,792 crores during August-October 2008 and were forced to lay off 65,000 workers. The manufacturing sector, especially the auto industry, has also sustained a severe hit. As a result, the global credit rating agency, Standard &Poor’s (S&P) has downgraded Tata Motors rating for the foreign market. The company witnessed a 30 % drop in sales in India compared to last year.

Supreme Court reschedules RCA election by a week on March 1 - National News Updates

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday rescheduled the elections for the faction-ridden Rajasthan Cricket Association from February 22 to March 1 and paved the way for the group led by its President Lalit Modi to file their nominations.

The Modi faction succeeded in getting an order that the election to the 21-member executive committee will be held under the unamended constitution in terms of the apex court order of February 11, 2005.

The apex court did not alter with the process already undertaken for holding the elections by RCA Secretary Subhash Joshi, who recently parted ways with Modi and has the support of former Chief Kishore Rungta.

The Modi faction accepted the decision of the RCA on the appointment of Justice N M Kasliwal, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, as Observer/Chairman for conducting the election.

"We are of the view that the elections could be held on March 1, 2009 as per the steps already taken by the RCA," a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam said.

The Bench said that the nominations already filed and held valid will be taken on record and those who want to file their nominations now can do so within three days.

Lawyers, police fight pitched battles in Madras High Court - National News Updates

CHENNAI: In unprecedented violence on the Madras High Court premises, advocates protesting against the arrest of their colleagues in an assault case fought pitched battles with police personnel for several hours on Thursday. While a police station was set ablaze by the advocates, vehicles parked in the court complex were smashed by the policemen. Among those injured in the violence was a High Court judge, more than 50 lawyers and several policemen.

Police burst teargas shells to disperse the agitating lawyers. High Court judges who came to the premises to see the damage caused to advocates’ vehicles had to run when they were confronted by lathi-wielding policemen. Fire fighters who tried to put out the flames engulfing the police station were attacked by the advocates.

The chain of events was set off by the police attempt to arrest a group of advocates involved in the attack on Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and some policemen in the court complex on Tuesday. A group of advocates demanded that Dr. Swamy be also arrested for abusing one of their colleagues on caste lines.

Heated arguments ended in violence. A group of lawyers, which was near the building housing the Family Courts, and the policemen, positioned near the High Court station, began throwing stones and bottles at each other. The policemen came out with their protective shields and began chasing away the lawyers. Several advocates, office staff and litigants ran helter-skelter, with the policemen in pursuit. The injured advocates were carried by their colleagues to a dispensary for first aid. Later, ambulances were called in to take the injured to hospital.

Even as a group of advocates kept raising slogans against the policemen, several advocates went to the chamber of the Acting Chief Justice, S.J. Mukhopadhaya, protesting against the “police excesses.” Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya tried to pacify the advocates, but they asked him to come down and see for himself the damage caused to their vehicles, allegedly by policemen.

The judges then appealed to the advocates to maintain calm so that a solution could be found. Later, when a few judges went towards the policemen, with the slogan-raising advocates following them, the policemen resorted to lathi charge. In this melee, Justice Arumuga Perumal Adityan, was hit by a stone and he suffered a head injury. He was rushed to hospital where his condition was stated to be stable.

With reinforcements, including commandos of elite units, arriving, the police chased away all lawyers from the court premises. Following this, trouble spilled over to NSC Bose Road. A mention was made by advocate R.Vaigai before Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya about the incident.

A holiday has been declared for the High Court for Friday.

CBI probe

The High Court has ordered a CBI enquiry and the State government has given its consent. Three committees have been formed by the High Court to assess the damage to property.

A top official said Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya’s demand to release all those arrested on Thursday was conceded.

“This is applicable only to those advocates who were arrested on Thursday and not those arrested earlier,” he added.

Lawyers, police fight pitched battles in Madras High Court - National News Updates

CHENNAI: In unprecedented violence on the Madras High Court premises, advocates protesting against the arrest of their colleagues in an assault case fought pitched battles with police personnel for several hours on Thursday. While a police station was set ablaze by the advocates, vehicles parked in the court complex were smashed by the policemen. Among those injured in the violence was a High Court judge, more than 50 lawyers and several policemen.

Police burst teargas shells to disperse the agitating lawyers. High Court judges who came to the premises to see the damage caused to advocates’ vehicles had to run when they were confronted by lathi-wielding policemen. Fire fighters who tried to put out the flames engulfing the police station were attacked by the advocates.

The chain of events was set off by the police attempt to arrest a group of advocates involved in the attack on Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and some policemen in the court complex on Tuesday. A group of advocates demanded that Dr. Swamy be also arrested for abusing one of their colleagues on caste lines.

Heated arguments ended in violence. A group of lawyers, which was near the building housing the Family Courts, and the policemen, positioned near the High Court station, began throwing stones and bottles at each other. The policemen came out with their protective shields and began chasing away the lawyers. Several advocates, office staff and litigants ran helter-skelter, with the policemen in pursuit. The injured advocates were carried by their colleagues to a dispensary for first aid. Later, ambulances were called in to take the injured to hospital.

Even as a group of advocates kept raising slogans against the policemen, several advocates went to the chamber of the Acting Chief Justice, S.J. Mukhopadhaya, protesting against the “police excesses.” Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya tried to pacify the advocates, but they asked him to come down and see for himself the damage caused to their vehicles, allegedly by policemen.

The judges then appealed to the advocates to maintain calm so that a solution could be found. Later, when a few judges went towards the policemen, with the slogan-raising advocates following them, the policemen resorted to lathi charge. In this melee, Justice Arumuga Perumal Adityan, was hit by a stone and he suffered a head injury. He was rushed to hospital where his condition was stated to be stable.

With reinforcements, including commandos of elite units, arriving, the police chased away all lawyers from the court premises. Following this, trouble spilled over to NSC Bose Road. A mention was made by advocate R.Vaigai before Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya about the incident.

A holiday has been declared for the High Court for Friday.

CBI probe

The High Court has ordered a CBI enquiry and the State government has given its consent. Three committees have been formed by the High Court to assess the damage to property.

A top official said Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya’s demand to release all those arrested on Thursday was conceded.

“This is applicable only to those advocates who were arrested on Thursday and not those arrested earlier,” he added.

Lawyers, police fight pitched battles in Madras High Court - National News Updates

CHENNAI: In unprecedented violence on the Madras High Court premises, advocates protesting against the arrest of their colleagues in an assault case fought pitched battles with police personnel for several hours on Thursday. While a police station was set ablaze by the advocates, vehicles parked in the court complex were smashed by the policemen. Among those injured in the violence was a High Court judge, more than 50 lawyers and several policemen.

Police burst teargas shells to disperse the agitating lawyers. High Court judges who came to the premises to see the damage caused to advocates’ vehicles had to run when they were confronted by lathi-wielding policemen. Fire fighters who tried to put out the flames engulfing the police station were attacked by the advocates.

The chain of events was set off by the police attempt to arrest a group of advocates involved in the attack on Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy and some policemen in the court complex on Tuesday. A group of advocates demanded that Dr. Swamy be also arrested for abusing one of their colleagues on caste lines.

Heated arguments ended in violence. A group of lawyers, which was near the building housing the Family Courts, and the policemen, positioned near the High Court station, began throwing stones and bottles at each other. The policemen came out with their protective shields and began chasing away the lawyers. Several advocates, office staff and litigants ran helter-skelter, with the policemen in pursuit. The injured advocates were carried by their colleagues to a dispensary for first aid. Later, ambulances were called in to take the injured to hospital.

Even as a group of advocates kept raising slogans against the policemen, several advocates went to the chamber of the Acting Chief Justice, S.J. Mukhopadhaya, protesting against the “police excesses.” Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya tried to pacify the advocates, but they asked him to come down and see for himself the damage caused to their vehicles, allegedly by policemen.

The judges then appealed to the advocates to maintain calm so that a solution could be found. Later, when a few judges went towards the policemen, with the slogan-raising advocates following them, the policemen resorted to lathi charge. In this melee, Justice Arumuga Perumal Adityan, was hit by a stone and he suffered a head injury. He was rushed to hospital where his condition was stated to be stable.

With reinforcements, including commandos of elite units, arriving, the police chased away all lawyers from the court premises. Following this, trouble spilled over to NSC Bose Road. A mention was made by advocate R.Vaigai before Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya about the incident.

A holiday has been declared for the High Court for Friday.

CBI probe

The High Court has ordered a CBI enquiry and the State government has given its consent. Three committees have been formed by the High Court to assess the damage to property.

A top official said Mr. Justice Mukhopadhaya’s demand to release all those arrested on Thursday was conceded.

“This is applicable only to those advocates who were arrested on Thursday and not those arrested earlier,” he added.

Shilpa Shrtty’s wedding wishes for Goody - National News Updates

London: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty called up her former ‘Big Brother’ house-mate Jade Goody to congratulate her ahead of her wedding with Jack Tweed this Sunday.

“Shilpa called the Royal Marsden to tell Jade she was sorry she can’t be at the ceremony as she is filming in India. It was a really warm friendly chat. Shilpa wanted Jade to know she was thinking of her and it really lifted her spirits,” a source close to Goody told Daily Mail. Goody, who is suffering from cervical cancer, was severely criticised for her alleged racist remarks against Shilpa when both were participants at U.K.’s reality show ‘Celebrity Big Brother.’ Goody had reportedly told Shilpa on the show, “Go back to your slums.” However, the 27-year-old Goody later apologised and the pair have since made up. Ironically, Goody, who is now terminally ill was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was participating in the Indian version of the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ which was being hosted by Shilpa. 

Shilpa Shrtty’s wedding wishes for Goody - National News Updates

London: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty called up her former ‘Big Brother’ house-mate Jade Goody to congratulate her ahead of her wedding with Jack Tweed this Sunday.

“Shilpa called the Royal Marsden to tell Jade she was sorry she can’t be at the ceremony as she is filming in India. It was a really warm friendly chat. Shilpa wanted Jade to know she was thinking of her and it really lifted her spirits,” a source close to Goody told Daily Mail. Goody, who is suffering from cervical cancer, was severely criticised for her alleged racist remarks against Shilpa when both were participants at U.K.’s reality show ‘Celebrity Big Brother.’ Goody had reportedly told Shilpa on the show, “Go back to your slums.” However, the 27-year-old Goody later apologised and the pair have since made up. Ironically, Goody, who is now terminally ill was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was participating in the Indian version of the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ which was being hosted by Shilpa. 

Shilpa Shrtty’s wedding wishes for Goody - National News Updates

London: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty called up her former ‘Big Brother’ house-mate Jade Goody to congratulate her ahead of her wedding with Jack Tweed this Sunday.

“Shilpa called the Royal Marsden to tell Jade she was sorry she can’t be at the ceremony as she is filming in India. It was a really warm friendly chat. Shilpa wanted Jade to know she was thinking of her and it really lifted her spirits,” a source close to Goody told Daily Mail. Goody, who is suffering from cervical cancer, was severely criticised for her alleged racist remarks against Shilpa when both were participants at U.K.’s reality show ‘Celebrity Big Brother.’ Goody had reportedly told Shilpa on the show, “Go back to your slums.” However, the 27-year-old Goody later apologised and the pair have since made up. Ironically, Goody, who is now terminally ill was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was participating in the Indian version of the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ which was being hosted by Shilpa. 

History's secrets: Hidden horrors of the moon landings - The secret history. 1/6 - National News Updates

History's secrets: Hidden horrors of the moon landings - The secret history. 1/6 - National News Updates

History's secrets: Hidden horrors of the moon landings - The secret history. 1/6 - National News Updates

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935 _ National News Updates

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935 _ National News Updates

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935 _ National News Updates

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935

Chevrolet Truck Ads - 1935

LokSabha Speaker Somnath slams MPs for their behaviour - National News Updates

Enraged at the Members of Parliament for their unruly behaviour, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said, "You do not deserve one paisa of public money".

Members of several political parties stormed the Well of Lok Sabha raising a spate of issues and disrupted Question Hour.

So annoyed was the Speaker with the behaviour of some members, he said that he believed Parliament should be adjourned sine die."I think Parliament should be adjourned sine die.

Public money should not be spent on useless allowances for you," he said as some members of the BSP, BJP, TDP, RPI, PMKand MDMK stormed the Well and raised slogans against the government on several issues.

BSP criticised the UPA government for "being anti-Dalit" as it had "ignored" the backward classes in a new draft legislation on universities introduced in the House.

BJP members joined them on the same issue, while members of PMK and MDMK trooped into the Well demanding that the government make efforts to "stop war" in Sri Lanka. TDP members were also seen raising the Satyam issue.

Angered by the members' behaviour, Chatterjee said "you are behaving in the most condemnable manner. I express my greatest annoyance and condemnation.

"The Speaker said he hoped that the people of the country will give a "fit verdict" in the coming elections.

LokSabha Speaker Somnath slams MPs for their behaviour - National News Updates

Enraged at the Members of Parliament for their unruly behaviour, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said, "You do not deserve one paisa of public money".

Members of several political parties stormed the Well of Lok Sabha raising a spate of issues and disrupted Question Hour.

So annoyed was the Speaker with the behaviour of some members, he said that he believed Parliament should be adjourned sine die."I think Parliament should be adjourned sine die.

Public money should not be spent on useless allowances for you," he said as some members of the BSP, BJP, TDP, RPI, PMKand MDMK stormed the Well and raised slogans against the government on several issues.

BSP criticised the UPA government for "being anti-Dalit" as it had "ignored" the backward classes in a new draft legislation on universities introduced in the House.

BJP members joined them on the same issue, while members of PMK and MDMK trooped into the Well demanding that the government make efforts to "stop war" in Sri Lanka. TDP members were also seen raising the Satyam issue.

Angered by the members' behaviour, Chatterjee said "you are behaving in the most condemnable manner. I express my greatest annoyance and condemnation.

"The Speaker said he hoped that the people of the country will give a "fit verdict" in the coming elections.

LokSabha Speaker Somnath slams MPs for their behaviour - National News Updates

Enraged at the Members of Parliament for their unruly behaviour, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said, "You do not deserve one paisa of public money".

Members of several political parties stormed the Well of Lok Sabha raising a spate of issues and disrupted Question Hour.

So annoyed was the Speaker with the behaviour of some members, he said that he believed Parliament should be adjourned sine die."I think Parliament should be adjourned sine die.

Public money should not be spent on useless allowances for you," he said as some members of the BSP, BJP, TDP, RPI, PMKand MDMK stormed the Well and raised slogans against the government on several issues.

BSP criticised the UPA government for "being anti-Dalit" as it had "ignored" the backward classes in a new draft legislation on universities introduced in the House.

BJP members joined them on the same issue, while members of PMK and MDMK trooped into the Well demanding that the government make efforts to "stop war" in Sri Lanka. TDP members were also seen raising the Satyam issue.

Angered by the members' behaviour, Chatterjee said "you are behaving in the most condemnable manner. I express my greatest annoyance and condemnation.

"The Speaker said he hoped that the people of the country will give a "fit verdict" in the coming elections.

Jaya 'warns' Congress against DMK, suggests tie-up - National News Updates

Chennai: Political equations are fast changing ahead of the General Elections. In Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has offered to tie-up with the Congress.

AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa said that the Congress that it must break away from its ally the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), if it wants to win the elections.

She said all parties who stand by the DMK stand to lose and their hopes lie in a tie-up with the AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa, who was attending the wedding of 61 of her party activists in Chennai on Thursday, told the Congress to you break away from the DMK and join the AIADMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK chief also hinted that her party had very cordial relations with the Congress when Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were in power.

"The DMK is caught in a quicksand. Nobody can help it out. Those who want to help it will also be caught in the quicksand and the Congress should come out of web of the DMK," she was quoted as saying by PTI.

Jayalalithaa has already tied up with the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Communist Party of India for the Lok Sabha elections.

"I am suggesting this because of the good relationship the AIADMK and Congress enjoyed in the past. If Congress does not listen, it will also be caught in the quicksand like the DMK," she said.

The DMK has been under fire, from even its allies, for its poor handling of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

In the 14th Lok Sabha all the 39 seats from Tamil Nadu are being held by the UPA. Congress is a key kingmaker in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, a Dravida party plus Congress has been the beneficiary in the state.

A CNN-IBN-CSDS poll has already predicted that the AIADMK is ahead in the race in the general elections 2009.

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu is all about alliances. The poll shows that while there is a dead heat between the DMK and the AIADMK, 13 per cent are with the Congress.

There is also the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) which is as of now with the DMK alliance. So Chief Minister M Karunanidhi maybe down, but he is not out.

Jaya 'warns' Congress against DMK, suggests tie-up - National News Updates

Chennai: Political equations are fast changing ahead of the General Elections. In Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has offered to tie-up with the Congress.

AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa said that the Congress that it must break away from its ally the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), if it wants to win the elections.

She said all parties who stand by the DMK stand to lose and their hopes lie in a tie-up with the AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa, who was attending the wedding of 61 of her party activists in Chennai on Thursday, told the Congress to you break away from the DMK and join the AIADMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK chief also hinted that her party had very cordial relations with the Congress when Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were in power.

"The DMK is caught in a quicksand. Nobody can help it out. Those who want to help it will also be caught in the quicksand and the Congress should come out of web of the DMK," she was quoted as saying by PTI.

Jayalalithaa has already tied up with the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Communist Party of India for the Lok Sabha elections.

"I am suggesting this because of the good relationship the AIADMK and Congress enjoyed in the past. If Congress does not listen, it will also be caught in the quicksand like the DMK," she said.

The DMK has been under fire, from even its allies, for its poor handling of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

In the 14th Lok Sabha all the 39 seats from Tamil Nadu are being held by the UPA. Congress is a key kingmaker in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, a Dravida party plus Congress has been the beneficiary in the state.

A CNN-IBN-CSDS poll has already predicted that the AIADMK is ahead in the race in the general elections 2009.

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu is all about alliances. The poll shows that while there is a dead heat between the DMK and the AIADMK, 13 per cent are with the Congress.

There is also the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) which is as of now with the DMK alliance. So Chief Minister M Karunanidhi maybe down, but he is not out.

Jaya 'warns' Congress against DMK, suggests tie-up - National News Updates

Chennai: Political equations are fast changing ahead of the General Elections. In Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has offered to tie-up with the Congress.

AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa said that the Congress that it must break away from its ally the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), if it wants to win the elections.

She said all parties who stand by the DMK stand to lose and their hopes lie in a tie-up with the AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa, who was attending the wedding of 61 of her party activists in Chennai on Thursday, told the Congress to you break away from the DMK and join the AIADMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK chief also hinted that her party had very cordial relations with the Congress when Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were in power.

"The DMK is caught in a quicksand. Nobody can help it out. Those who want to help it will also be caught in the quicksand and the Congress should come out of web of the DMK," she was quoted as saying by PTI.

Jayalalithaa has already tied up with the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Communist Party of India for the Lok Sabha elections.

"I am suggesting this because of the good relationship the AIADMK and Congress enjoyed in the past. If Congress does not listen, it will also be caught in the quicksand like the DMK," she said.

The DMK has been under fire, from even its allies, for its poor handling of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue.

In the 14th Lok Sabha all the 39 seats from Tamil Nadu are being held by the UPA. Congress is a key kingmaker in Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, a Dravida party plus Congress has been the beneficiary in the state.

A CNN-IBN-CSDS poll has already predicted that the AIADMK is ahead in the race in the general elections 2009.

Traditionally, Tamil Nadu is all about alliances. The poll shows that while there is a dead heat between the DMK and the AIADMK, 13 per cent are with the Congress.

There is also the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) which is as of now with the DMK alliance. So Chief Minister M Karunanidhi maybe down, but he is not out.

‘LTTE has done much damage to Tamils’ - National News Updates

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu PWD Minister Durai Murugan at a meeting in the Parliament House on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: The Union government on Wednesday said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had done much damage to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and asked the Tigers to lay down arms after releasing all civilians. It, however, made it clear that it could not force a sovereign government of another country to take a particular line.

Proscribed organisation

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India continued to support a negotiated political settlement within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities, including the Tamils. The LTTE remained a proscribed organisation in India, he pointed out.

The statement evoked a strong protest from Tamil Nadu members. They expressed their dissatisfaction and wanted it withdrawn. The MPs also wanted India to intervene to stop the war in the island nation.

“This cannot be the statement of the Indian government. It speaks the language of the Sri Lankan government,” the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) members said.

They stormed into the well and subsequently walked out to register their displeasure after forcing two adjournments.

However, Mr. Mukherjee said India had no instrumentality under which it could force a sovereign government to follow a particular line. He said he was ready to make “corrections” in the statement if there were “discrepancies.”

“Sadly, some of those escaping from the conflict have been caught in cross-fire and, in recent incidents have been stopped and even killed by LTTE cadres. As the conflict enters what may be the final phase of military operations, the LTTE would best serve the interest of the Tamils by immediately releasing all civilians and laying down arms,” Mr. Mukherjee said in the statement.

Condition of civilians

While pointing out that a serious source of concern to India was the condition of civilians and internally displaced persons, mostly Tamils, caught in the zone of conflict, Mr. Mukherjee put their number at 70,000. The LTTE was reportedly using them as human shields.

The Minister said:

“Rest assured that our strong concerns for the safety, security and welfare of civilians caught in the conflict have led us to stay actively engaged to prevent a further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.

“We have sent relief supplies to the civilians and the internally displaced persons, facilitated access by international and United Nations organisations and suggested ways for civilians and displaced persons to escape the conflict zone.”

‘LTTE has done much damage to Tamils’ - National News Updates

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu PWD Minister Durai Murugan at a meeting in the Parliament House on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: The Union government on Wednesday said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had done much damage to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and asked the Tigers to lay down arms after releasing all civilians. It, however, made it clear that it could not force a sovereign government of another country to take a particular line.

Proscribed organisation

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India continued to support a negotiated political settlement within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities, including the Tamils. The LTTE remained a proscribed organisation in India, he pointed out.

The statement evoked a strong protest from Tamil Nadu members. They expressed their dissatisfaction and wanted it withdrawn. The MPs also wanted India to intervene to stop the war in the island nation.

“This cannot be the statement of the Indian government. It speaks the language of the Sri Lankan government,” the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) members said.

They stormed into the well and subsequently walked out to register their displeasure after forcing two adjournments.

However, Mr. Mukherjee said India had no instrumentality under which it could force a sovereign government to follow a particular line. He said he was ready to make “corrections” in the statement if there were “discrepancies.”

“Sadly, some of those escaping from the conflict have been caught in cross-fire and, in recent incidents have been stopped and even killed by LTTE cadres. As the conflict enters what may be the final phase of military operations, the LTTE would best serve the interest of the Tamils by immediately releasing all civilians and laying down arms,” Mr. Mukherjee said in the statement.

Condition of civilians

While pointing out that a serious source of concern to India was the condition of civilians and internally displaced persons, mostly Tamils, caught in the zone of conflict, Mr. Mukherjee put their number at 70,000. The LTTE was reportedly using them as human shields.

The Minister said:

“Rest assured that our strong concerns for the safety, security and welfare of civilians caught in the conflict have led us to stay actively engaged to prevent a further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.

“We have sent relief supplies to the civilians and the internally displaced persons, facilitated access by international and United Nations organisations and suggested ways for civilians and displaced persons to escape the conflict zone.”

‘LTTE has done much damage to Tamils’ - National News Updates

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu PWD Minister Durai Murugan at a meeting in the Parliament House on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: The Union government on Wednesday said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had done much damage to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and asked the Tigers to lay down arms after releasing all civilians. It, however, made it clear that it could not force a sovereign government of another country to take a particular line.

Proscribed organisation

Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India continued to support a negotiated political settlement within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities, including the Tamils. The LTTE remained a proscribed organisation in India, he pointed out.

The statement evoked a strong protest from Tamil Nadu members. They expressed their dissatisfaction and wanted it withdrawn. The MPs also wanted India to intervene to stop the war in the island nation.

“This cannot be the statement of the Indian government. It speaks the language of the Sri Lankan government,” the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) members said.

They stormed into the well and subsequently walked out to register their displeasure after forcing two adjournments.

However, Mr. Mukherjee said India had no instrumentality under which it could force a sovereign government to follow a particular line. He said he was ready to make “corrections” in the statement if there were “discrepancies.”

“Sadly, some of those escaping from the conflict have been caught in cross-fire and, in recent incidents have been stopped and even killed by LTTE cadres. As the conflict enters what may be the final phase of military operations, the LTTE would best serve the interest of the Tamils by immediately releasing all civilians and laying down arms,” Mr. Mukherjee said in the statement.

Condition of civilians

While pointing out that a serious source of concern to India was the condition of civilians and internally displaced persons, mostly Tamils, caught in the zone of conflict, Mr. Mukherjee put their number at 70,000. The LTTE was reportedly using them as human shields.

The Minister said:

“Rest assured that our strong concerns for the safety, security and welfare of civilians caught in the conflict have led us to stay actively engaged to prevent a further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.

“We have sent relief supplies to the civilians and the internally displaced persons, facilitated access by international and United Nations organisations and suggested ways for civilians and displaced persons to escape the conflict zone.”

New-look outfit for Indian ODI team - National News Updates

Mumbai: Nike India, official apparel partner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), launched the Indian cricket team’s new ‘dry-fit technology’ kit for One-Day Internationals.

The team will be seen in action in the new kit with a tricolour design on a bold blue background during the five match series against New Zealand.

“The dry-fit fabric has excellent moisture management technology,” said Mr. Tarun Puri, Managing Director and General Manager, Nike India.

Sahara India, which has been with the BCCI for 14 years, is also pleased with the new kit. “I liked the new colour. The blue shade has been the same for many years,” said Abhijet Sarckar, Head (Corporate Communications), Sahara India Pariwar.

“It’s time for a change and it’s nice. Hopefully the Indian team will give its best shot and return with a couple of trophies from New Zealand,” said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh walked the ramp displaying the new kit.

Former India cricketers Laxman Sivaramakrishan (1985), Venkatesh Prasad (1996), Vinod Kambli (1997) and Robin Singh (1999) appeared on the ramp wearing the blue colours of their time.

Compere Harsha Bhogle asked Dhoni about the secret behind his capacity and also keeping his calm on the field.

“Expressing frustration doesn’t contribute to the team. The player knows he has made a mistake. I do it in a personal way, talking to the player in the dressing room.”

“Ask Dhoni” was the refrain Yuvraj was asked if he’s happy and comfortable at No. 4 in batting order. “Well, as long as he performs, I am,” said Dhoni.

New-look outfit for Indian ODI team - National News Updates

Mumbai: Nike India, official apparel partner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), launched the Indian cricket team’s new ‘dry-fit technology’ kit for One-Day Internationals.

The team will be seen in action in the new kit with a tricolour design on a bold blue background during the five match series against New Zealand.

“The dry-fit fabric has excellent moisture management technology,” said Mr. Tarun Puri, Managing Director and General Manager, Nike India.

Sahara India, which has been with the BCCI for 14 years, is also pleased with the new kit. “I liked the new colour. The blue shade has been the same for many years,” said Abhijet Sarckar, Head (Corporate Communications), Sahara India Pariwar.

“It’s time for a change and it’s nice. Hopefully the Indian team will give its best shot and return with a couple of trophies from New Zealand,” said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh walked the ramp displaying the new kit.

Former India cricketers Laxman Sivaramakrishan (1985), Venkatesh Prasad (1996), Vinod Kambli (1997) and Robin Singh (1999) appeared on the ramp wearing the blue colours of their time.

Compere Harsha Bhogle asked Dhoni about the secret behind his capacity and also keeping his calm on the field.

“Expressing frustration doesn’t contribute to the team. The player knows he has made a mistake. I do it in a personal way, talking to the player in the dressing room.”

“Ask Dhoni” was the refrain Yuvraj was asked if he’s happy and comfortable at No. 4 in batting order. “Well, as long as he performs, I am,” said Dhoni.

New-look outfit for Indian ODI team - National News Updates

Mumbai: Nike India, official apparel partner of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), launched the Indian cricket team’s new ‘dry-fit technology’ kit for One-Day Internationals.

The team will be seen in action in the new kit with a tricolour design on a bold blue background during the five match series against New Zealand.

“The dry-fit fabric has excellent moisture management technology,” said Mr. Tarun Puri, Managing Director and General Manager, Nike India.

Sahara India, which has been with the BCCI for 14 years, is also pleased with the new kit. “I liked the new colour. The blue shade has been the same for many years,” said Abhijet Sarckar, Head (Corporate Communications), Sahara India Pariwar.

“It’s time for a change and it’s nice. Hopefully the Indian team will give its best shot and return with a couple of trophies from New Zealand,” said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni, Zaheer Khan, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh walked the ramp displaying the new kit.

Former India cricketers Laxman Sivaramakrishan (1985), Venkatesh Prasad (1996), Vinod Kambli (1997) and Robin Singh (1999) appeared on the ramp wearing the blue colours of their time.

Compere Harsha Bhogle asked Dhoni about the secret behind his capacity and also keeping his calm on the field.

“Expressing frustration doesn’t contribute to the team. The player knows he has made a mistake. I do it in a personal way, talking to the player in the dressing room.”

“Ask Dhoni” was the refrain Yuvraj was asked if he’s happy and comfortable at No. 4 in batting order. “Well, as long as he performs, I am,” said Dhoni.

Azharuddin starts new innings, joins Congress - National News Updates

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket team skipper Mohammad Azharuddin formally joined the Congress on Thursday and is expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Azharuddin addressed the press at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday evening and clarified that the party high command will decide from where he will contest elections.

He said he has always been a fan of the Congress and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"I am quite happy to be in front of a large gathering after a long time. I have been a fan on late Rajiv Gandhi. It is the only party that has made so many sacrifices," said Azharuddin.

"I want to work in the larger interest of the party. I am not the captain anymore so I can't decide on whether I will contest in polls. That is for party high command to decide," Azhar added.

Azhar will probably contest from one of the three constituencies falling in Hyderabad in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He is expected to take on the Congress ally in Andhra Pradesh, the All India Majlis-e Ittihad al-Muslimin's (MIM) growing influence in the state and is likely to be projected as the party's new Muslim face.

Azharuddin was introduced to the press as the latest entrant to the Congress by senior party leader Veerappa Moily.

"Sonia Gandhi is very happy to have Azhar in the party. He has firm belief in the secular and forward looking policies of the party," said Moily.

Azharuddin starts new innings, joins Congress - National News Updates

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket team skipper Mohammad Azharuddin formally joined the Congress on Thursday and is expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Azharuddin addressed the press at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday evening and clarified that the party high command will decide from where he will contest elections.

He said he has always been a fan of the Congress and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"I am quite happy to be in front of a large gathering after a long time. I have been a fan on late Rajiv Gandhi. It is the only party that has made so many sacrifices," said Azharuddin.

"I want to work in the larger interest of the party. I am not the captain anymore so I can't decide on whether I will contest in polls. That is for party high command to decide," Azhar added.

Azhar will probably contest from one of the three constituencies falling in Hyderabad in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He is expected to take on the Congress ally in Andhra Pradesh, the All India Majlis-e Ittihad al-Muslimin's (MIM) growing influence in the state and is likely to be projected as the party's new Muslim face.

Azharuddin was introduced to the press as the latest entrant to the Congress by senior party leader Veerappa Moily.

"Sonia Gandhi is very happy to have Azhar in the party. He has firm belief in the secular and forward looking policies of the party," said Moily.

Azharuddin starts new innings, joins Congress - National News Updates

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket team skipper Mohammad Azharuddin formally joined the Congress on Thursday and is expected to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

Azharuddin addressed the press at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday evening and clarified that the party high command will decide from where he will contest elections.

He said he has always been a fan of the Congress and late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"I am quite happy to be in front of a large gathering after a long time. I have been a fan on late Rajiv Gandhi. It is the only party that has made so many sacrifices," said Azharuddin.

"I want to work in the larger interest of the party. I am not the captain anymore so I can't decide on whether I will contest in polls. That is for party high command to decide," Azhar added.

Azhar will probably contest from one of the three constituencies falling in Hyderabad in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He is expected to take on the Congress ally in Andhra Pradesh, the All India Majlis-e Ittihad al-Muslimin's (MIM) growing influence in the state and is likely to be projected as the party's new Muslim face.

Azharuddin was introduced to the press as the latest entrant to the Congress by senior party leader Veerappa Moily.

"Sonia Gandhi is very happy to have Azhar in the party. He has firm belief in the secular and forward looking policies of the party," said Moily.

EAMCET 2009 Updates

Candidates appearing for EAMCET-2009 can submit filled-in applications directly to M.V.G.R. College of Engineering at Chintalavalasa near here on all working days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. by March 18, according to P. Ravindranadh, Regional Coordinator of EAMCET. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Ravindranadh said the college had been selected as regional centre for third successive year. He said because problems arose in filling up of applications in the past, OMR forms had been introduced this year. Applications are available at eSeva centres and post offices.

More Regional Centers

http://meetglad.blogspot.com/2009/02/eamcet-2009-regional-centers.html

Government not to bail out Satyam: Pranab - National News Updates

New Delhi: The Government does not intend to bail out the scam-hit Satyam Computer Services as the company has "adequate assets" and can bounce back if run professionally, Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday.

"Let me make it clear that the Government has no intention to bail out the company. The company has adequate assets (to survive) if run professionally," Mukherjee, who is holding the Finance portfolio while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recuperates from a bypass surgery, said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

"It is in the Government's interest that an important company, with a large number of international clients and with a good name, if run professionally can be re-established," the minister maintained.

He also brushed aside suggestions that the Andhra Pradesh Government was attempting to shield the perpetrators of the Satyam scam by interfering in the multi-agency investigations into the Rs 7,800-crore scandal.

"There is no question of interfering or barring the statutory authorities from functioning. The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (YSR Reddy) has completely assured me of full cooperation with all agencies. The chief secretary of the state has been designated as the nodal officer for the investigating agencies," he said.

Government not to bail out Satyam: Pranab - National News Updates

New Delhi: The Government does not intend to bail out the scam-hit Satyam Computer Services as the company has "adequate assets" and can bounce back if run professionally, Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday.

"Let me make it clear that the Government has no intention to bail out the company. The company has adequate assets (to survive) if run professionally," Mukherjee, who is holding the Finance portfolio while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recuperates from a bypass surgery, said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

"It is in the Government's interest that an important company, with a large number of international clients and with a good name, if run professionally can be re-established," the minister maintained.

He also brushed aside suggestions that the Andhra Pradesh Government was attempting to shield the perpetrators of the Satyam scam by interfering in the multi-agency investigations into the Rs 7,800-crore scandal.

"There is no question of interfering or barring the statutory authorities from functioning. The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (YSR Reddy) has completely assured me of full cooperation with all agencies. The chief secretary of the state has been designated as the nodal officer for the investigating agencies," he said.

Government not to bail out Satyam: Pranab - National News Updates

New Delhi: The Government does not intend to bail out the scam-hit Satyam Computer Services as the company has "adequate assets" and can bounce back if run professionally, Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday.

"Let me make it clear that the Government has no intention to bail out the company. The company has adequate assets (to survive) if run professionally," Mukherjee, who is holding the Finance portfolio while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recuperates from a bypass surgery, said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

"It is in the Government's interest that an important company, with a large number of international clients and with a good name, if run professionally can be re-established," the minister maintained.

He also brushed aside suggestions that the Andhra Pradesh Government was attempting to shield the perpetrators of the Satyam scam by interfering in the multi-agency investigations into the Rs 7,800-crore scandal.

"There is no question of interfering or barring the statutory authorities from functioning. The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (YSR Reddy) has completely assured me of full cooperation with all agencies. The chief secretary of the state has been designated as the nodal officer for the investigating agencies," he said.

Rajus’ bail applications dismissed - National Nes Updates

HYDERABAD: A court here on Wednesday again dismissed the bail applications of the former Satyam Computer Services chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju, his brother Rama Raju and the former Chief Financial Officer, Srinivas Vadlamani.

This is the second time Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D. Ramakrishna has rejected their bail plea.

Mr. Ramakrishna permitted the Income-Tax Department to interrogate Mr. Ramalinga Raju in the Chanchalguda jail on February 21.

He also passed orders for interrogation of Mr. Srinivas Vadlamani and Price Waterhouse auditors S. Gopalakrishnan and Talluri Srinivas by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in the jail on Thursday and Friday. The SEBI earlier questioned the Raju brothers for three days in the jail.

Fresh bail plea

Mr. Ramakrishna allowed a fresh bail application on behalf of Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Talluri Srinivas, and posted it for hearing to Friday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation was working out the nitty gritty of taking over the case, its Deputy Inspector-General V.V. Laxminaryana said, adding that a special investigation team would be constituted for the purpose in a day or two.

Rajus’ bail applications dismissed - National Nes Updates

HYDERABAD: A court here on Wednesday again dismissed the bail applications of the former Satyam Computer Services chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju, his brother Rama Raju and the former Chief Financial Officer, Srinivas Vadlamani.

This is the second time Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D. Ramakrishna has rejected their bail plea.

Mr. Ramakrishna permitted the Income-Tax Department to interrogate Mr. Ramalinga Raju in the Chanchalguda jail on February 21.

He also passed orders for interrogation of Mr. Srinivas Vadlamani and Price Waterhouse auditors S. Gopalakrishnan and Talluri Srinivas by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in the jail on Thursday and Friday. The SEBI earlier questioned the Raju brothers for three days in the jail.

Fresh bail plea

Mr. Ramakrishna allowed a fresh bail application on behalf of Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Talluri Srinivas, and posted it for hearing to Friday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation was working out the nitty gritty of taking over the case, its Deputy Inspector-General V.V. Laxminaryana said, adding that a special investigation team would be constituted for the purpose in a day or two.

Rajus’ bail applications dismissed - National Nes Updates

HYDERABAD: A court here on Wednesday again dismissed the bail applications of the former Satyam Computer Services chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju, his brother Rama Raju and the former Chief Financial Officer, Srinivas Vadlamani.

This is the second time Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D. Ramakrishna has rejected their bail plea.

Mr. Ramakrishna permitted the Income-Tax Department to interrogate Mr. Ramalinga Raju in the Chanchalguda jail on February 21.

He also passed orders for interrogation of Mr. Srinivas Vadlamani and Price Waterhouse auditors S. Gopalakrishnan and Talluri Srinivas by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in the jail on Thursday and Friday. The SEBI earlier questioned the Raju brothers for three days in the jail.

Fresh bail plea

Mr. Ramakrishna allowed a fresh bail application on behalf of Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Talluri Srinivas, and posted it for hearing to Friday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation was working out the nitty gritty of taking over the case, its Deputy Inspector-General V.V. Laxminaryana said, adding that a special investigation team would be constituted for the purpose in a day or two.

Cricket Team India New Dress

Captian Mahendar Singh Dhoni Cat walks with team india new dress.

Government to remove two Maytas firms' directors

New Delhi: The Government of India on Tuesday moved the Company Law Board to remove the board of directors of Maytas Infrastructure and Maytas Properties, the infrastructure firms promoted by disgraced Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju's family.

Corporate Affairs Minister Prem Chand Gupta said that the government has found evidence that the two companies were involved in money laundering, fraudulent accounts and diversion of funds, reports IANS.

The government's move comes after the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) was asked to probe the links between Satyam and the two Maytas companies.

Ramalinga Raju, his brother B Rama Raju, Satyam's former Chief Financial Officer Vadlamani Srinivas and two former auditors are now in prison in connection with the Rs 7,800 crore (US $1.43 billion) accounting fraud.

Following Ramalinga Raju's resignation, Maytas Infrastructure Chairman and Non-executive Director RC Sinha also tendered his resignation owing to personal reasons.

Maytas Properties Chief Executive K Thiagarajan resigned on February 15 reportedly on health grounds. Most of the Maytas Infra board had already resigned in January, with CEO PK Madhav putting in his papers January 14.

The firm's wholetime director Chander Sheel Bansal quitted on January 30. B Narasimha Rao was appointed in his place in haste the same day to avert a crisis.

Vice-chairman B Teja Raju and Independent Director RP Raju are the other members on the Maytas Infra board.

Reacting to the government's move, Deepak Parekh, a member of the government-appointed board of Satyam, said it was a "move in the right direction".

"Hope that we are not appointed to Maytas's firm. Our hands are already full," he added.

The Satyam fraud has already cast a huge shadow of doubt over the future of both Maytas Infra and Maytas Properties.

The two companies are run by Ramalinga Raju's sons. Maytas Infra is headed by B Teja Raju while Maytas Properties is run by B Rama Raju (junior). Though a listed firm, the Raju family holds 36 per cent equity stake in Maytas Infra.

The government move came amid reports that the Raju family informed the stock exchanges that its entire shareholding in Maytas Infra has been pledged to lenders.

It was the aborted bid by Ramalinga Raju to acquire these companies for US $1.6 billion which triggered a crisis in Satyam, finally leading to January 7 admission by Ramalinga Raju of Rs 7,800 crore fraud in the IT services firm.

It was on December 16 that the Satyam board decided to acquire the two companies but shareholders' outcry forced Ramalinga Raju to call off the acquisition within 24 hours.

The investigations into the Satyam fraud so far have hinted that Ramalinga Raju diverted Satyam money to Maytas and several other companies floated by him and his family members.

The government move to take over Maytas also came in the midst of mounting criticism of the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh for allegedly favouring Maytas Infra by allotting several major infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,000 crore.

The move is seen as an attempt to protect the projects.

Maytas consortium was awarded the Rs 12,000 crore Hyderabad Metro Project and Rs 1,200 crore Machilipatnam Sea Port work by the state government.

Maytas and its joint venture partners were together awarded Rs 13,000 crore worth of works, out of Rs 38,000 crore Pranahita-Chevellalift irrigation project. The company was already implementing irrigation projects at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore and has completed Rs 1,748 crore worth irrigation works.

Government to remove two Maytas firms' directors

New Delhi: The Government of India on Tuesday moved the Company Law Board to remove the board of directors of Maytas Infrastructure and Maytas Properties, the infrastructure firms promoted by disgraced Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju's family.

Corporate Affairs Minister Prem Chand Gupta said that the government has found evidence that the two companies were involved in money laundering, fraudulent accounts and diversion of funds, reports IANS.

The government's move comes after the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) was asked to probe the links between Satyam and the two Maytas companies.

Ramalinga Raju, his brother B Rama Raju, Satyam's former Chief Financial Officer Vadlamani Srinivas and two former auditors are now in prison in connection with the Rs 7,800 crore (US $1.43 billion) accounting fraud.

Following Ramalinga Raju's resignation, Maytas Infrastructure Chairman and Non-executive Director RC Sinha also tendered his resignation owing to personal reasons.

Maytas Properties Chief Executive K Thiagarajan resigned on February 15 reportedly on health grounds. Most of the Maytas Infra board had already resigned in January, with CEO PK Madhav putting in his papers January 14.

The firm's wholetime director Chander Sheel Bansal quitted on January 30. B Narasimha Rao was appointed in his place in haste the same day to avert a crisis.

Vice-chairman B Teja Raju and Independent Director RP Raju are the other members on the Maytas Infra board.

Reacting to the government's move, Deepak Parekh, a member of the government-appointed board of Satyam, said it was a "move in the right direction".

"Hope that we are not appointed to Maytas's firm. Our hands are already full," he added.

The Satyam fraud has already cast a huge shadow of doubt over the future of both Maytas Infra and Maytas Properties.

The two companies are run by Ramalinga Raju's sons. Maytas Infra is headed by B Teja Raju while Maytas Properties is run by B Rama Raju (junior). Though a listed firm, the Raju family holds 36 per cent equity stake in Maytas Infra.

The government move came amid reports that the Raju family informed the stock exchanges that its entire shareholding in Maytas Infra has been pledged to lenders.

It was the aborted bid by Ramalinga Raju to acquire these companies for US $1.6 billion which triggered a crisis in Satyam, finally leading to January 7 admission by Ramalinga Raju of Rs 7,800 crore fraud in the IT services firm.

It was on December 16 that the Satyam board decided to acquire the two companies but shareholders' outcry forced Ramalinga Raju to call off the acquisition within 24 hours.

The investigations into the Satyam fraud so far have hinted that Ramalinga Raju diverted Satyam money to Maytas and several other companies floated by him and his family members.

The government move to take over Maytas also came in the midst of mounting criticism of the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh for allegedly favouring Maytas Infra by allotting several major infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,000 crore.

The move is seen as an attempt to protect the projects.

Maytas consortium was awarded the Rs 12,000 crore Hyderabad Metro Project and Rs 1,200 crore Machilipatnam Sea Port work by the state government.

Maytas and its joint venture partners were together awarded Rs 13,000 crore worth of works, out of Rs 38,000 crore Pranahita-Chevellalift irrigation project. The company was already implementing irrigation projects at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore and has completed Rs 1,748 crore worth irrigation works.