Stage set for the MISS Kerala 2008 event in Cochin

Stage set for the MISS Kerala 2008 event in Cochin. Stage set for the MISS Kerala 2008 event in Cochin.Twenty-two contestants will show off their beauty and talent at the 'Miss Kerala' pageant grand finale in Kochi on July 11.

The event is organised by Impresario Event Management Company in association with leading FMCG major- ITC owned brand Vivel.

The contestants for the eight editions had been shortlisted after the preliminary rounds. There will be four rounds including designer saree round, a western casual, gown round and traditional Kerala attire rounds.

This year apart from the first three winners, there are other titles waiting for the beauties.Those includes Vivel Miss Beautiful Skin, Vivel Miss Talented, Vivel Miss Beautiful Hair, Radio Mango Miss Voice, Titan Raga Miss Sensuality etc..etc..

Bangalore News Communal Riots and Violence

News from Bangalore - Communal Riots and Violence

In the midst of all the results and admission news I thought of sharing this information from all of you and gather your opinion on the same.

There is some news from Bangalore that some incident took place in the morning and that has caused some disturbances in Bangalore city. This incident is related to religion so I am sure the issue and city will be very sensitive.

Earlier I though that this is some kind of a rumor but later on most of the TV channels and news sources started reporting - Udaya TV, TV9 Kannada, Times, CNN IBN, Aaj Tak and NDTV are covering this news.

There is some 144 section implemented in parts of Bangalore - JC Nagar area. I hope these will not lead into big Riots and the police and administration will do their best to return the city to normalcy.

Bangalore is the IT hub in India and mostly it has been free from Communal riots.

Osama bin Laden is dying?

Osama bin Laden is on his death bed! If the US Central Intelligence Agency is to be believed, the notorious international terrorist is suffering from terminal kidney disease.

A report released recently by the agency indicates at the possibility of the Osama surviving for not more six to nine months.

4th of July, 2008

Today is July 4th, the day the USA celebrates Independence Day and the concept of socio-political freedom. Today’s post contains a prayer and the Declaration of Independence. My own political views about justice and freedom have appeared here and there on this blog, and your own views may differ from mine, but on this day I hope we can join hands and celebrate the value of socio-political freedom and commit ourselves to working for such freedom for all. And pray for peace in the world. (FYI: No gun comments today, please.)

A Prayer for our Country from the BCP:

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation upon such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are long accustomed. But [our grievances are neither light nor transient, and a list of them follows….]

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Union Bank of India

The Union Bank of India (UBI), one of the top public sector banks in India, has worked out ambitious plans to position itself as a major global player in the coming years, according to its Chairman and Managing Director M V Nair.

"We have already opened our representative offices in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi last year. We have applied for permission to open offices in ten more locations abroad, including in areas like Sydney and Canada," the Chairman told Khaleej Times here.

"We are also planning to diversify our operations, by floating subsidiaries. We have already launched a joint venture with Daichi Insurance of Japan to enter into the insurance sector. We are also working out an arrangement with a leading Belgium-based asset management firm to launch joint venture in the mutual funds sector," he said.

According to him UBI has launched several schemes to address the banking requirements of the Non-Resident Indians (NRI). "The remittance from the NRIs will now be transferred online to the accounts of the beneficiaries. We've introduced an SMS alert system to give feed backs to the NRIs on the delivery of their remittance to the beneficiaries back home in India. The beneficiaries will also get an SMS alert as soon as the remittances are transferred into their accounts."

"The beneficiaries can withdraw money from any of the 33,000-odd ATMs of different banks in India, and we don't charge them for using the ATM of another bank," M V Nair said.

The home loan applications from the NRIs will be processed within 48 hours, and the final sanction will be accorded within five days after submitting the documents. The education loan procedures for NRIs have also been simplified by the UBI. A ready kit comprising of ATM cards, pin number, log in password, multi-city check books will be given to the NRIs who are starting account with the UBI, the Chairman said.

Replying to questions he said all the 2500-odd branches of the bank had been computerised and had been brought under the Core Banking Solution system. "We have applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for permission to start 400 branches this year."

He said despite inflation Indian economy was likely to achieve substantial growth rate this year also. "Of course there will be some impact of inflation on the growth rate, and it may not reach nine per cent as was expected in the beginning. I expect the growth rate to be around 7.5 per cent to eight per cent this year, and still it will be a good rate compared to many other countries."

"The current inflation in India is not caused by internal factors but was driven by external factors like surging oil price. But the fundamentals of Indian economy are strong."

12 killed, 23 injured in Sri Lanka suicide blast

At least 12 police personnel, including three women constables, were killed and 23 others injured when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber blew himself up outside a police office in a northern Sri Lankan town.


At least 12 police personnel were killed and 23 others injured when a motorcycle borne Tamil Tiger rebel blew himself up opposite the office of the senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Vavuniya town in northern Sri Lanka on Monday, the defence ministry said in a statement.

Three women constables were among the 12 killed in the explosion that occurred around 7.10 a.m., the ministry said.

It added that 23 people, including 19 police personnel and four civilians, were injured and had been hospitalised.

"A school girl was among those injured," the statement said.

The suicide blast has taken place at a time when the government has opened many fronts in the northern Vavuniya and northwestern Mannar districts to help troops advance into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held Wanni area.

Padmapriya found dead in Delhi flat

Four days after she disappeared from Udupi district, BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhats wife Padmapriya was on Sunday found dead in an apartment in Delhi.

Her body was found hanging from the ceiling fan hook in the Dwarka apartment when a team of police from Karnataka and Delhi broke open the door at around 6:15 pm.

Early indications from the police were that it could be case of suicide. This, however, has hardly helped unravel the mystery. No suicide note has been found.

Padmapriya’s body was taken to the capital’s Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital from where it was later shifted to Safdarjang Hospital. The post-mortem will be conducted on Monday morning.

Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya, who also hails from Udupi, had on Saturday night spoke of giving “good news” in the missing case.

‘Temporary depression’
Acharya, who reached the national capital on Sunday evening to attend an official meeting, told Deccan Herald that Padmapriya had committed suicide due to “temporary depression”.

He claimed: “Our police had established that she was in Delhi three days ago. We wanted to protect her, especially from the media, and take her back to Udupi. Hence we did not disclose it. By 10:30 am on Sunday, our police were here. Our police have handled the case well.”

Informed sources said Padmapriya’s presence in Delhi was disclosed to the Udupi police by Atul Kumar, a friend of Bhat and Padmapriya, on Saturday. Atul accompanied the Karnataka police team, led by Bangalore ACP Jeethendra, that arrived in Delhi. The Karnataka police came to the apartment at around 2:30 pm. They made Atul knock on the door and call her. When there was no reply, they returned with the Dwarka police in the evening and broke open the door in the presence of Raghupathi Bhat and Padmapriya’s brother, Rajshekar who also had reached the national capital.

Rajshekar blamed Atul for the fate that befell his sister. According to a police version, Atul had taken Padmapriya to Puttur and then the duo travelled to Goa from where they are believed to have taken a flight to Delhi.
Circumstantial evidence also suggested that Atul had arranged for her the three-bedroom, fourth floor flat (Flat No. 20) of the eight-storey Shama Apartments, Plot 32, Sector 10 in Dwarka sub-city of the national capital.

In Delhi for six days?
Though it was said that Padmapriya went missing on Wednesday last, the Delhi police, in a statement late on Sunday evening, said she had arrived in the national capital at least six days ago. It appeared that she had planned to stay put in the national capital and had no desire to return home in Udupi. On June 12, she bought a car: Wagon R (Registration No. DL- 8CD 6949). The car was purchased from Manjit Motors in the name of one Prem and delivered at the apartment complex at 12:30 pm on that day. She even appeared to have acquired a mobile phone connection as the service providers had come to the apartment for the mandatory verification procedure.

Late on June 12 evening, she and presumably Atul had left in the car to the Delhi domestic airport. Atul appears to have left that evening for Bangalore.

Padmapriya had a couple of male visitors on Saturday. She was seen leaving her new flat in the evening to buy some utensils and vegetables. She was accompanied by an unidentified man. The owner of the semi-furnished flat is one Lakhwinder Singh. Padmapriya was said to have signed an agreement to take the house on rent, a copy of which was deposited with the apartment association.

RANBAXY LABS – INDIAN MNC TO BECOME A JAPANESE COMPANY

When two people fight, it is the third person that gets the advantage. That is precisely what has happened in Ranbaxy Labs, one of India’s most respected pharma companies. The breaking news today is that the promoters of Ranbaxy have sold their stake to a Japanese company – Daiichi Sankyo. Yes, the two brothers – Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, who have a 34.8% stake in Ranbaxy Labs have formally agreed to sell their entire stake to Japanese major Daiichi Sankyo.

This sell of stake means a complete exit of the promoters of the company. Late Bhai Mohan Singh who made Ranbaxy into what it is today was one of the most respected industrialists in India. Having founded Ranbaxy single handedly into the first Indian MNC, it is unfortunate that today, the same grandsons of this patriarch are exiting from the company. The ongoing family feud is stated to be reason.

The stake sell, expected at over 25-30% premium over today’s last traded price, makes perfect sense. Once could argue that the price is too high but that is precisely the way in which the cookie crumbles. If it is a foreign company taking over a very well reputed and established company, then a premium of 25-30% is routine. The same had been the case when Holcim had taken over the stake of ACC and Gujarat Ambuja.

The Japanese major will also make a mandatory open offer, as per the Indian laws, to buy an additional 20% stake in the company as also subscribing to 4.63 crore shares and 2.38 crore warrants at Rs.737 per share. At the end of this all, Daiichi Sankyo plans to have a controlling stake of above 51% stake in the Indian company.

The Board of Ranbaxy had decided to issue 462,58,063 equity shares of Rs.5 each at a premium of Rs.732 per share as also 238,34,333 warrants to be convertible at Rs.737 per share to Daiichi. This will increase the paid up equity of Ranbaxy from Rs.186.62 crore to Rs.221.67 crore, post warrant conversion. If Daiichi is able to have a 20% stake in the open offer (which is most likely) their stake would go up to 65%.

Post issue of equity by Ranbaxy to Daiichi, an open offer for about 8.88 crore shall be made by Daiichi for Ranbaxy shares at Rs.737 per share. Presently, about 18% is held by FIIs while, about 20% is held by Insurance companies and about 27% is held by the public, including mutual funds. It is expected that everyone would participate in the open offer as share price of Rs.737 is perceived to be quite attractive for any existing shareholder to get an exit route from the stock and would also, at the same time, give good arbitrage play.

Presently, Ranbaxy is holding a tad below 15% in Orchid Chemicals, Jupiter Bio and Krebs Bio while 45% in Zenotech Laboratories. Due to indirect acquisition of stake in Zenotech by Daiichi, even Zenotech would see open offer coming in the stock at a price to be determined under applicable SEBI guidelines.

As mentioned earlier, the reason for the exit, in all probability is the ongoing family feud. It all began in 1990, when Bhai Mohan Singh apportioned assets in 1990. His eldest son – Parvinder Singh got Ranbaxy, middle son Manjit got Montari Industries and youngest son, who was the apple of his eye, got Max India. In 1993, Bhai Mohan Singh was ousted in a bitter boardroom battle by Parvinder, who later threw out his father from the Board after disagreements over company management grew. Parvinder expired in 1999 and his successor, D.S.Brar took the company to greater heights.

When Bhai Mohan Singh died, he bequeathed most of his wealth to Analjit who was also made the sole legal heir to carry out all court battles. Manjit was given a gift of Rs.14 crore while grandchildren – Malvinder and Shivinder, who are now the promoters of Ranbaxy, were given Rs.5 lakhs each. So now, for the past few years, a bitter legal battle is raging between Manjit, Malvinder and Shivinder on one side and Analjit on the other side. The bone of contention is the ownership over Ranbaxy and assets like the Aurangzeb Road home where Bhai Mohan Singh had resided. Though an out-of-court settlement has been planned for some time now, it has just not happened.

And selling their stake was probably the best way out is what the grandsons of Bhai Mohan Singh, would have thought. This ends their continuous stress but shows how the new generation of today, after having got things on a platter, just does not have enough respect for anything – neither for the reputation of Bhai Mohan Singh nor for effort that has gone over decades for making Ranbaxy what it is today. The first Indian MNC would now become a Japanese company.

After the stake sale, it is expected that the bothers will also distribute the other group companies within themselves. It is widely talked that Fortis Healthcare would come under Malvinder Singh and Religare Enterprises would come under Shivinder.

All eyes would also now turn towards Cipla where the current Chairman and Managing Director, Dr.Hamid had also stated some time ago that he would soon step down. Would that mean a handing over of the reins to the chosen heir or stake sale?

AIEEE Results 2008

ALL INDIA ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2008

Evaluation and Declaration of Results

On the basis of performance in AIEEE, separate rank lists will be prepared for B.E./B.Tech. and B.Arch/B.Planning. Score Card indicating All India Rank and State Rank with total marks and marks in each subject shall be sent to all candidates appearing in AIEEE.

Candidates scoring above a certain cut off percentage of marks (being different for General and SC/ST/PH category candidates) to be called for counselling shall be determined at the time of declaration of AIEEE results. Cut off percentage of marks for OBC shall be determined as and when govenment orders are issued for the same.All India Rank and marks shall also be released on AIEEE website.


The results of AIEEE 2008 are declared on 3rd June, 2008.

The score card will be dispatched to the candidates from 12.06.2008 to 28.06.2008 under Certificate of Posting (UPC). The Board will not be responsible for any consequences that may arise due to loss of score card in transit.In case of non-receipt of the score card within the stipulated period candidate may apply for duplicate score card on payment of Rs. 50/- (plus postal charges of Rs. 30/- for outstation candidates) in the form of Demand Draft in favour of Secretary, CBSE, payable at Delhi/New Delhi between 09.07.2008 to 30.08.2008. No request for issue of duplicate score card will be entertained thereafter.

As per the notified cut off score and the candidates declared eligible up to the notified Rank shall be called to appear for counselling.

In case of two or more candidates obtaining equal marks, inter-se merit of such candidates shall be determined as follows:

B.E/B.Tech - By marks obtained in Mathematics and then in Physics in the AIEEE and then by age (preference to older candidates).

B.Arch/B.Planning - By marks obtained in Aptitude Test and then in Mathematics in the AIEEE and then by age (preference to older candidates).


AIEEE 2008 Key ans Solutions

FIITJEE AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Narayana AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Career Launcher AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Physics Maths Chemistry

T.I.M.E AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Career Point AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Prerna Classes AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Chemistry Maths Physics

Bansal Classes AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Brilliant-Tutorials AIEEE 2008 Solutions

Check out AIEEE 2008 Cutoff !!

Paper details and durations can be found at this location :- http://www.successcds.net/engineeringentranceexam/AIEEE/AIEEE-2007.php

Results for different codes from various coaching institutes
T.I.M.E AIEEE 2008 Solutions (Code A1)

AIEEE 2008 Solutions From 100Percentile.com (VMC)

AIEEE 2008 Physics Solutions
AIEEE 2008 Maths Solutions
AIEEE 2008 Chemistry Solutions

AIEEE 2008 Solutions From Career Launcher

AIEEE 2008 Physics Solutions
AIEEE 2008 Maths Solutions
AIEEE 2008 Chemistry Solutions
AIEEE 2008 Analysis


Check Your AIEEE 2008 Results at the following Websites

ALL INDIA ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAMINATION (AIEEE) - 2008 - Announced on 3^rd June 2008 at 19:30 Hrs. IST

Address for obtaining any clarification, if any :-

The Assistant Secretary (AIEEE Unit),
Central Board of Secondary Education,
PS 1-2 Institutional Area
IP Extension, Patparganj,
Delhi-110092.

Telephone : 011-22239177-80

Obama ramps up search for a running mate

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama ramped up his search for a running mate on Monday, consulting with one congressional ally by phone and dispatching members of his vice presidential vetting team to the Capitol for meetings. Sen. Dick Durbin said he had spoken with Obama, his fellow Illinois senator.
ADVERTISEMENT

Jim Johnson and Eric Holder, who comprise two-thirds of the group Obama has asked to help guide his search, met separately with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Rahm Emanuel of Illinois.

Obama's campaign announced last week that he has asked Johnson, Holder and Caroline Kennedy to help guide the search.

None of the congressional leaders involved in the meetings have figured in speculation about a possible running mate, suggesting that the day's conversations were designed to seek advice. Durbin and Emanuel are barred from being on the ticket because the Constitution requires that the presidential and vice presidential candidates be from different states.

Johnson himself became a subject of campaign controversy during the day after a weekend report in The Wall Street Journal that he had received loans from Countrywide Financial Corp. with the help of the firm's chief executive, Angelo Mozilo.

Obama's campaign suggested its surrogates call the story "overblown and irrelevant."

But Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, jumped in quickly.

"There is nothing 'overblown and irrelevant' about millions of Americans facing foreclosure and Barack Obama entrusting his most important decision as a presidential candidate to a man who has accepted millions in special loans from a subprime mortgage lender," said Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for the Republican presidential contender.

The selection of a running mate is a top priority for both Obama and McCain.

McCain stirred interest when he held a Memorial Day weekend barbecue at his Arizona home and invited three potential running mates, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and their wives.

Obama has fielded numerous questions in recent days about perhaps offering Hillary Rodham Clinton a spot on his ticket. The former first lady suspended her own presidential campaign on Saturday and issued a strong endorsement for the man who edged her out in a marathon race for the nomination.

Russell Brand and Phoebe Price are dating?

According to Now Magazine, "American socialite" Phoebe Price is dating Russell Brand. A witness saw the two on a romantic date in Los Angeles last week. The magazine goes on to say that "32-year-old" Phoebe has been trying to get with 32-year-old Russell since he's arrived in L.A.

American socialite?! That title belongs to low-rent hags like Parasite Hilton! PP is an international superstar sensation!

You know she made one of her friends put on a brown mop and say "Blimey! I'm Russell Brand!" a lot. Seriously though, PP is too good for Russell Brand! He'll only break her lil' chicken cutlet heart. Then she'll have to hold a press conference and announce that she's suing him if he doesn't take her back. Nothing good can come out of this union!

I figured Russell only likes fish. I would've never guessed that he likes chicken cutlets too.

Winners of IIFA Awards 2008

Best Actor
Shah Rukh Khan - Chak De India

Best Actress
Kareena Kapoor - Jab We Met

Best Film
Chak De India

Best Director
Shimit Amin - Chak De India

Performance in a Supporting Role (Male)
Irrfan Khan - Life In A... Metro

Performance in a Supporting Role (Female)
Konkona Sen Sharma - Life In A... Metro

Performance in a Comic Role
Govinda - Partner

Performance in a Negative Role
Viveik Oberoi - Shootout At Lokhandwala

Music Director
A.R. Rahman - Barso Re Barso Re (Guru)

Best Story
Jaideep Sahni - Chak De India

Lyrics
Javed Akhtar - Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)

Playback Singer (Male)
Shaan - Jabse Tere Naina (Saawariya)

Playback Singer (Female)
Shreya Ghoshal - Barso Re (Guru)

Achievement in Indian Cinema
Mumtaz

Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema
Shyam Benegal

Outstanding Contribution by an Indian in International Cinema
A. R. Rahman

STYLE IDEA AWARDS
Abhishek Bachchan
Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh were also awarded special awards

Technical Awards

Best Cinematography
Sudeep Chatterjee (Chak De India)

Best Editing
Amitabh Shukla (Chak De India)

Best Sound Recording
Manas Choudhary & Ali Merchant (Chak De India)

Best Sound Re-recording
Anuj Mathur (Chak De India)

Best Screenplay
Jaideep Sahni (Chak De India) & Anurag Basu (Life…in a Metro)

Best Art Direction
Sabu Cyril (Om Shanti Om)

Best Special Effects
Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Om Shanti Om)

Best Costume Designing
Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar & Sanjiv Mulchandani (Om Shanti Om)

Best Makeup
Bharat-Dorris, Ravi Indulkar & Namrata Soni (Om Shanti Om)