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STOCKS • FINANCE • SOUTH ASIAN MARKETS • TECHNOLOGY
Reliance, BP Sign Historic Agreement for Oil Exploration in India
LONDON: Reliance Industries Limited and BP have announced a historic partnership between the two companies. Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, and Mr. Robert Dudley, BP Group Chief Executive, signed the relationship framework and transactional agreements in London. The partnership across the full value chain comprises BP taking a 30 per cent stake in 23 oil and gas production sharing contracts that Reliance operates in India, including the producing KG D6 block, and the formation of a 50:50 joint venture between the two companies for the sourcing and marketing of gas in India. The joint venture will also endeavor to accelerate the creation of infrastructure for receiving, transporting and marketing of natural gas in India. The partnership will combine BP’s world-class deepwater exploration and development capabilities with Reliance’s project management and operations expertise. Mukesh Ambani said: “We are
delighted to partner with BP, one of the largest energy majors and one of the finest deep water exploration companies in the world. This partnership combines the skills of both companies and will be focused on finding more hydrocarbons in the deep water blocks of India and significantly contribute to India’s energy security.” For BP, Reliance is a natural partner in India, given its strong position in the Indian market. “This partnership meets BP’s strategy of forming alliances with strong national partners, taking material positions in significant hydrocarbon basins and Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries and Robert Dudley, BP Group increasing our exposure to Chief Executive, signed a historic partnership toward exploration in India. growing energy markets,” said Mr. Carl-Henric Svanberg, acquired in the 23 production sharing payments and combined investment contracts. Future performance could amount to US$20 billion. Chairman of BP. BP’s confidence in India is evident BP will pay Reliance Industries payments of up to US$1.8 billion Limited an aggregate consideration could be paid based on exploration from the fact that the transaction of US$7.2 billion, and completion success that results in development constitutes one of the largest foreign adjustments, for the interests to be of commercial discoveries. These direct investments into India.
BlackBerry: Tougher Measures Would Affect India’s Business TORONTO (TOI): BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM), which has faced many deadlines from India for providing access to its enterprise service or encrypted emails in view of threats to the country’s national security, on Tuesday said that any tough measures by New Delhi won’t help in attracting businesses or its huge outsourcing industry. RIM, which has already given the Indian authorities access to its consumer services since January, is unwilling to bend on its enterprise emails in the world’s fastest growing mobile market. In a note to its enterprise customers, the BlackBerry maker said it “fully appreciates and supports the priority India rightly places on national security.” But the Waterloo-based Canadian wireless giant added that encryption is the key to wooing and retaining business in today’s world and Indian authorities have understood its importance in
their various meetings with its representatives. Any ban on it will impact the country’s economic development and its outsourcing industry, RIM said Expressing its willingness to discuss any policy changes, RIM said since its competitors also use encryption in India, they too should be the subject of the Indian scrutiny. RIM said its encryption-using competitors have tried to take advantage of the situation Indian authorities fixed the spotlight on its enterprise service. Among the companies which use encryption in India are Nokia, Google, Apple,
Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Cisco, according to RIM. In its note, RIM mentioned the January 31 as
the deadline for giving access to its consumer services in India. But it
made no mention of any deadline given by India for access to its enterprise service. India was among many other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia, which last year threatened to shut BlackBerry services for security or related reasons. Just last month, BlackBerry blocked porn sites in Indonesia after the government of the biggest Muslim in the world threatened to shut its services. Indonesia has three million BlackBerry subscribers and generates about $250 million for RIM. Unlike emails on the Internet, RIM’s encrypted emails pass through its own servers. The Canadian company has maintained that its has no master key to get access its enterprise emails.
The 23 oil and gas blocks together cover approximately 270,000 square kilometres. This will make the partnership India’s largest private sector holder of exploration acreage. So that the joint venture can capitalize on Reliance’s outstanding project management track record and operations expertise, Reliance will continue to be the operator under the production sharing contracts, whose blocks lie in water depths ranging from 400 to over 3,000 metres. These currently produce about 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas per day (bcf/d), over 30 per cent of India’s total consumption, and over 40 per cent of India’s total production. “India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. By allying ourselves with Reliance, we will access the most prolific gas basin in India and secure a place in the fast growing Indian gas markets, creating a genuinely distinctive BP position,” said Bob Dudley. “BP looks forward to a long and successful working partnership with Reliance.”
Saudi Petrochem SABIC Has Giant Investment Plans
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Petrochemicals major Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is planning big investments in India that may run into billions of dollars. Sabic, which ranks among the world’s top five petrochemical companies, has been in talks with Indian petrochemical players for a joint venture to tap the huge potential of the Indian market with cracker projects and downstream refineries. India, which imports over $22 billion of petrochemical products ever year, offers Sabic the perfect platform to tap the potential for its core business areas like chemicals, fertilizers, innovative plastics, polymers and performance chemicals.
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Watershed Project Opens Low-risk Credit Opportunities for banks in Tamil Nadu MADURAI (The Hindu): Thousands of hectares of land that had been lying idle for years in Tamil Nadu have been made cultivable through major interventions under watershed development project of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Being implemented in Tamil Nadu since 2001, around 160 watershed development projects are under way in various districts. In the eight southern districts covered by Madurai Watersheds Unit, 85 schemes are being executed, covering 85,000 hectares. The completed projects have transformed villages and made the lands fertile through measures such as soil and moisture conservation, adequate availability of surface and sub-surface water, besides replenishment of groundwater table. Substantial areas have been brought under cultivation and productivity has increased in rain-fed areas. These facts have been confirmed and corroborated by independent assessments and studies, according to NABARD Assistant General Manager R. Shankar Narayan. With a view to showcasing these developments and project the beneficiary villages as having potential for minimum-risk credit opportunities, a three-day workshop on ‘Post-watershed approaches for banks’ would be held here from February 24, he said. “We will be inviting bank branch managers and Agriculture Extension/ Field Officers of commercial banks and Regional Rural Banks from six southern districts. Credit flow is
high priority for us as it is vital for sustainable agriculture,” he added.
cropping intensity, thereby boosting credit demand,” he said.
Around 160 watershed development projects are underway in various districts in Tamilnadu, India, where groundwater tables collect water to irrigate farmlands is seen as a welcome development undertaken by National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Faculty support would be provided by NABARD Regional Training Centre, Mangalore. S. Natarajan, Deputy General Manager, NABARD Watersheds Unit, which covers eight southern districts, said that the objective of the workshop was to help augment credit flow to rain-fed areas. In these areas, an inherent risk existed in agriculture as farmers were solely dependent on rains and lacked adequate irrigation infrastructure. “Now with this holistic development through watersheds, farmers can get assured crop harvest and high productivity and increase in
While day one would see theory sessions outlining development activities, a field visit to Nilakottai in Dindigul district has been scheduled for day two. “The bankers will be taken to see two successful watershed projects and assess for themselves their impact through interaction with villagers. Formulation of an action plan for credit flow and financial inclusion will be done on the last day,” he said. Banks officers from Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar and Tuticorin districts would be invited.
India Poultry Farmers on High Alert for bird Flu
HYDERABAD (Deccan Chronicle): The bird flu scare has again come back to hit the sale of chicken and eggs in East Godavari district. The departments concerned including animal husbandry, medical and health are on high alert and have started precautionary steps including collection of blood samples of all abnormal dead birds, which has 462 layer and boiler poultry farms with over 1.77 crore poultry population. With avian influenza being
confirmed in neighbouring states, the departments are keeping a special vigil on migratory birds at bird sanctuaries like Korin-ga, and have placed the po-ultry industry on high alert. According to the animal husbandry department, 66 rapid response teams are doing rounds of poultry farms to detect signs of the virus and are collecting blood samples. On a regular basis, 1,250 serum samples (blood samples) of
abnormal dead poultry, 50 samples of migratory birds at Korangi were sent to the Veterinary Biological and Research Institute at Hyderabad for confirmation of virus till date from April last year. However, there was no positive report, an official said. According to health officials, the symptoms of bird flu in humans are similar to that of regular influenza. These include high fever, sore throat, continuous cough, headache and aching muscles.
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China Slams Asian Bank for Funding India’s Water Project in Arunachal Pradesh NEW DELHI (TOI) : In a move which can open up old wounds in India, China has come down heavily on Asian Development Bank (ADB) for approving a $2.9 billion loan to India which, it said, meant interference in the political affairs between the two countries. Beijing was earlier said to have opposed the loan to India mainly because it included $60 million funding for a watershed project in Arunachal Pradesh, the state around which most of the Sino-Indian border disputes are centred. The Chinese foreign office said in
a statement that the adoption of the India Country Partnership Strategy (2009-2012) completely disregarded Beijing’s concerns as “it involves disputed territories between China and India”. “China expresses strong dissatisfaction to the move, which can neither change the existence of immense territorial disputes between China and India, nor China’s fundamental position on its border issues with India,” said the statement. ADB gave the go-ahead to the project on Monday after having
postponed the approval for several months apparently because of the objections raised by China. The total $2.9 billion package covers the period from 2009 to 2012. “As a regional institution on development, the ADB should not intervene in the political affairs of its members. The adoption of the document has not only dealt a severe blow to its own reputation but also undermines the interests of its members,” it added, while urging ADB to take effective measures to eliminate the “terrible impact” of the decision.
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On China-India border issues, it said that Beijing always believes that the two sides should seek a fair and equitable solution acceptable to both through bilateral negotiation. ADB had earlier said that the Country Strategy for India covers the 2009-12 period and has been formulated in line with India’s development priorities as set out in its 11th Five-Year Plan and is congruent with ADB’s Strategy 2020. In March, ADB had to postpone the board’s discussion on the country partnership strategy for India at the
request of China, which was upset by the inclusion of the watershed development project in Arunachal Pradesh in the plan. However, last month, the agency made it clear that differences between India and China will have no bearing on ADB’s lending plans to India saying the bank does not interfere in the political affairs of any member. As India tries to strengthen its defences alongside the border with China, it is becoming increasingly clear that Beijing has been rattled by the exercise which includes deploying more men in the border areas. The Chinese media too in the past few weeks has attacked India for causing fresh strains in the ties even though, according to these reports, India lags far behind China in terms of status and say in international matters. In a recent poll conducted by a news agency in China, 74% of the respondents in fact said that they looked upon India as a threat to China.
Houston Durga Bari Society will celebrate Shib-Ratri ( Shib Sankranti ) with Bhajan songs ( hindi or bangla ) on Thursday March 03 from 4-9 pm. The prasad and dinner will be served at 9:30 pm. All are welcome to attend. Please come and enjoy the puja , prasad and dinner. For sponsoring the Shib-Ratri puja, call Ganesh Mandal at 713-797-9057 / 832-423-8541 and Dr. Bishnu pada Goswami at 281-597-8100.
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South Asia News of the Diaspora
Ahmedabad Court Convicts 31, Acquits 63 in Godhra Train burning Case
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AHMEDABAD (HT): A fast-track court in Ahmedabad convicted 31 accused and acquitted 63, including a prime accused Maulavi Umarji, on Tuesday for lack of evidence in the 2002 Godhra train-burning case. The court, however, imposed some conditions on the acquitted, asking them to furnish personal bonds of R10,000 each and sureties and not to leave the country without the court’s permission. Designated judge PR Patel also upheld that the incident was an “act of preplanned conspiracy”. He conducted the trial from June 2009 to September 2010 and examined 255witnesses and the 19 chargesheets filed by the state police and would pass the sentence on February 25. The verdict came almost nine years after 59 people, mostly kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya, were burnt to death by a mob on February 27, 2002 at Godhra station in central Gujarat. Gfx: Ticks and Crosses The incident triggered the country’s worst communal riots in Gujarat, leaving more than 1,200 people — mostly
from the minor minorHe said if the ity community apex court re— killed in a vived the POTA three-weekcharges against long carnage the accused, it across the state. could lead to Later, the Na Naa re-trial of the navati commiscase. sion, appointed Tuesday’s ver verby Narendra dict was delivModi-led state ered in a court courtgovernment, room inside the endorsed the high-security conspiracy theSabarmati cenory in its first tral jail where report. 80 accused had The commisbeen lodged sion that subsince their arrest mitted its first in 2002. No mereport in 2008 Justice finally delivered -- seven years after the fiery attack that killed dia persons were held that Maul- 59 kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya. allowed inside avi Umarji was the courtroom. one of the main “The motive against the accused. conspirators in the case. On February 12, 2009, the high court of the conspiracy was to set the train Meanwhile, a petition is still pend pend- upheld the POTA review committee’s on fire... The verdict is based on oral ing in the Supreme Court by Godhra decision to drop the charges. Senior evidence and eyewitness accounts,” victims’ families against the Gujarat counsel Sushil Kumar, who represented special public prosecutor JM Panchal High Court’s decision to drop charges the prosecution, said the petition would said outside the court. under the Prevention of Terrorism Act come up for hearing on March 3. The verdict has vindicated the stand of the Gujarat government that the train burning incident was a “well hatched pre-planned conspiracy which was meant to kill kar sevaks to create com communal tensions in the state.” “The judgment today nullifies all the wrong propaganda of the so-called NGOs that the Godhra train burning incident was not a conspiracy,” Gujarat government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas said. The prosecution’s case was based on the investigations by a special investigation team that had identified the 31 convicted people as a core team that planned the attack. The SIT report claimed that these 31 people held meetings, planned to target the train when it reached the station and burnt the coach. Clinching evidence in the 2002 Godhra train burning case came from Gandhinagar’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), lawyers said on Wednesday after a fast track court here convicted 31 people and acquitted 63 in the case.
FSL played a key role in the investigation and trial of the case, the lawyers said. According to defence lawyer A.A. Hassan, for the conviction the court relied on the FSL report to accept the theory of pre-planned conspiracy. Godhra verdict: SIT to appeal against acquittal of 63 accused ‘The court has accepted the theory that the fire was not accidental and that entry into the coach was made by cutting the vestibule and then petrol was poured inside and it was set on fire,’ he said. Special Public Prosecutor J.M. Panchal said on Tuesday the clinching evidence for the conviction came from the FSL report, eyewitnesses and circumstantial evidence. The FSL, after detailed investigation, had concluded that the burning of the S-6 coach of the train was by using petrol. The FSL also stated that the culprits entered the coach through a sliding door of the coach. As per police investigations, the fire broke out after the accused had cut a vestibule between two coaches (S-6 and S-7) and entered from there whereas another group poured petrol inside the coach and set it on fire. This was challenged by lawyers of the accused in the court as well as before the Justices (retired) NanavatiMehta probe panel. This panel ruled that the incident was a pre-planned conspiracy. Another inquiry commission of Justice U.C. Benerjee, which was formed by the Indian Railways, had concluded that the incident was ‘accidental’. To examine the pattern of burning, FSL reconstructed the scene by pour pouring liquid from outside, inside and passage of the coach. Its examination also showed the presence of hydrocarbons of petrol in the S-6 coach. The two containers found from the track also had petrol inside. According to the prosecution, the accused had brought the petrol in a small truck to the Godhra railway station and then poured it in the coach.
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Indo American News • Friday, February 25, 2011
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Padma Lakshmi in Custody Battle The custody battle between Padma Lakshmi and entrepreneur Adam Dell has gotten ugly with Dell claiming that the Indian origin model told him that she desperately hoped her other lover, IMG boss Ted Forstmann, was the biological father of her child. Adam Dell, the brother of Dell computer firm founder Michael Dell, is battling the ‘Top Chef’ beauty for full custody of their 11-month-old daughter Krishna Thea. Dell, 40, claims that Lakshmi launched a cruel attack on him during a phone call in September 2009, calling him an “unambitious” man with an “uninteresting” career and “unmemorable” friends, reported New York Post online. He says he then dropped another bombshell, telling him she was pregnant and she desperately hoped it was not his child. Dell’s court papers say that Lakshmi told him she was at the same time dating billionaire, 70-year-old Forstmann, and that she hoped Dell was nothing to do with the pregnancy. “Lakshmi... made clear to Dell her hope that Forstmann was the child’s biological father,” according to the suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court. He claims this was the reason she refused to put his name on the birth certificate, “to minimize, if not eliminate role in Krishna’s life and to install Forstmann as Krishna’s father.” Dell is suing for full custody, claiming Lakshmi has limited his time with the 11month-old. The explosive 16-page complaint accuses Lakshmi, the 40-year-old ex-wife of author Salman Rushdie, of cutting Dell out of Krishna’s life, and teaching the baby to
refer to Forstmann as ‘Papa’. Lakshmi and Dell were romantically linked, court papers say, from November 2007 until “well into 2009,” taking trips to India, England, Austin, Miami, Los Angeles and Woodstock. The pairing ended late in 2009, with Lakshmi allegedly telling Dell that she wanted to end a “superficial” relationship that was “primarily physical”. ...
With Padma Lakshmi, things are in a fray, of relationships between entrepreneur Adam Dell and Ted Forstmann, undecided of who is the biological father of her eleven month old daughter Krishna Thea. Adam Dell, brother of Michael Dell of Dell Computers is plowing full steam ahead.
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WilDlife
Frog Last Seen in 1874 Found Again By Chetan Chauhan phibian, Dot-frogs croak loudly only during TAMIL NADU (HT): India’s dwindling monsoons, especially when its hiding places wildlife got a boost when biologists in Tam- get filled up with water. il Nadu found a frog after 136 years, the While the first two discoveries were by scioldest rediscovery in the global wildlife his- entists, Delhi University graduate students retory. Five frogs lost 30 to 136 years ago have been found, earning India acclaim from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Conservation International, two leading global wildlife groups. The most amazing discovery is of the striking green fluorescent frog, known as Chalazodes Bubble-nest, which was last seen in south Western Ghats in 1874. Its only specimen in the world is in a British Museum. “After 1874 the amphibian has now been seen in Kodayar, Tamil Nadu,” The Bubble-nest frog thought to be extinct has made said Dr S D Biju, biologist with Del- its appearance in Tamilnadu, India encouraging hi University and coordinator for an biologists towards conservation of its species. With ambitious project of department of ash blue thighs and black pupils with golden patches, science and technology to rediscover this frog does not go through the free-swimming lost 50 Indian amphibian species. tadpole stage. India has 321 recorded amphibian species of which 13% have been lost due to discovered Dehradun Stream Frog after a gap human interference. of 25 years in Chakrata, Uttarakhand. The uniqueness of the Bubble-nest is its The fourth and the fifth rediscovery of Siash blue thighs and black pupils with golden lent Valley Tropical Frog, last seen 30 years patches and its secret life, especially during ago, and Elegant Tropical Frog, last seen 73 the day inside the reeds. It is a frog, which years ago, were in Kerala and Karnataka, redoes not go through the free-swimming tad- spectively. pole stage. India launched Lost Amphibians Initiative The second discovery from south Western with support of former cricketer Anil Kumble Ghats of Anamalai is the Dot-frog, named and other global partners in 2010 to trace 50 after Anamalai hills, where they were last lost species, of which five have been redisseen 73 years ago. Now it has been found in covered. “We are working towards finding Parambikulum area of Kerala. A silent am- the remaining 45,” Biju said.
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Mangrol Adopts Whale Shark as Mascot
MANGROL (WTI): Mangrol, a small Speaking at the event, Chaturvedi said, fishing town situated along Gujarat coast, “The city of Mangrol has been closely ashas a new mascot - the whale shark. sociated with whale shark conservation for An initiative of the Gujarat Forest De- the last four years, the fisher folk contributpartment and Wildlife Trust of India - ing selflessly to many rescues. It is a matter International Fund for Animal Welfare of great pride that they are now taking their (WTI-IFAW) supported by the Tata Chem- dedication to the next level by officially icals Limited, the Campaign was launched adopting the Vhali.” in January 2004 to spread awareness on Mangrol is the seventh town in Gujarat the plight of whale sharks. The species was previously hunted in hundreds in Gujarat for their liver oil used to water-proof boats; the meat and fins were exported. A life size inflatable of the whale shark travels with the rally through With the Mangrol, a Gujarat fishing town. crucial support of the fishing community, the Coast Guard, as to have adopted the whale shark as a city well as the leaders including the popular mascot. Previously Porbandar, Diu, Okha, leader Shri Morari Bapu, and even chil- Ahmedabad, Veraval and Dwarka had addren, the whale shark is now safe. opted the whale shark as their official mas“Since the launch of the Campaign, cots. more than 240 whale sharks accidentally Rajbir Singh Saini, Head, ER and Admincaught in fishing nets, have been freed istration, TCL, said, “Today over 240 whale by the Gujarati people,” said Anita Karn, sharks have been rescued till date, and we DCF-Junagadh. are proud to achieve this milestone. TCL is The Whale Shark Day celebrations committed to conserving nature and its rare kicked off with a rally by hundreds of species in years to come.” children, following the 40 foot long The overwhelming success of the camwhale shark inflatable from Parmeshwar paign was a result of multiple strategic apVidyalaya to the event venue at the town proaches involving connection to human jetty, Mangrol. The event was chaired emotions and socio-cultural beliefs. Shri by the Chief Conservator of Forests, SK Morari Bapu established a comparison of the Chaturvedi, and was attended by MLA Ra- whale shark to a daughter returning home to jgi Bhai Jatwa along with representatives give birth, based on reports of sightings of from WTI and TCL. whale shark pups in Gujarat.
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Sports
Kenya Sink Without Trace in Massive Chase
By Liam Brickhill (Cricinfo) Kenya again appeared totally out of their depth and posed no challenge to Pakistan at Hambantota, Collins Obuya’s death-or-glory 47 being the only highlight for them as Shahid Afridi helped himself to 5 for 16 in a massive 205-run win, Pakistan’s biggest win in World Cups and the eighth largest overall. Four of Pakistan’s batsmen cashed in to raise half-centuries and set up a total of 317 for 7 after a brief wobble against the new ball and Kenya made little effort to mount a serious challenge in their pursuit, rather looking to a lay a solid platform in the hope of batting out their full quota of overs. That ultimately proved a futile effort, too, although their innings did at least last until the 34th over - longer than their entire match against New Zealand three days ago. Kenya’s slide began in earnest when Afridi brought himself on and, in his third over, tempted Steve Tikolo down the pitch only for the ball to rush straight on to rattle the stumps. Kenya were 73 for 3 in the 23rd over when Tikolo was dismissed, without any real hope of chasing more than 300 but at least looking steady enough to last the full 50 after the top order had showed at least a little grit. There was no such offering from the middle, however, as the remaining seven wickets fell for just 39 runs in just over ten overs. Afridi was the chief wrecking ball, quickly ending a bustling innings from Tanmay Mishra and making short work of Jimmy Kamande and Thomas Odoyo as he unfurled a mixed bag of legbreaks, sliders and quicker ones as the ball began to bite and spit off the surface. Amid the carnage, Obuya opened up to smite three enormous sixes but was caught on the boundary attempting a fourth to give Afridi the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in a World Cup, beating Wasim Akram’s 5 for 28 against Namibia in Kimberley at the 2003 tournament. Once he went, the end was mercifully quick in coming. Ultimately they flattered to deceive, but against expectations Kenya had actually bossed the opening exchanges of the match, Thomas Odoyo and Elijah Otieno showing admirable control with the new ball. Otieno provided the first breakthrough when Hafeez tried to force a length delivery into the leg side but hit it uppishly and Seren Waters, at straight midwicket,
Cup account with a massive six off Tikolo and rushed into the 20s at better than a-runa-ball to complement the more circumspect Younis, who showed the value of steady accumulation before he was dismissed lbw for exactly 50 despite an optimistic review. Misbah and Umar Akmal were barely troubled as they set about compiling a 118 runs for the fifth wicket, their partnership exploding into life as the Batting Powerplay was called for in the 44th over immediately after Misbah had Misbah-ul-Haq was one of four batsmen to reach reached fifty on his fifty as Pakistan flattened Kenya at Hambantota. World Cup debut. Photo: Getty Images Umar thrashed 20 leapt to his left and managed to cling off a weary Otieno’s seventh over onto a juggled catch mere inches and soon sprinted to the fourth fifty from the turf. In the very next over of the innings as the score passed Shehzad, who had scratched around 250 in the 46th over. With Pakistan for 17 balls that yielded just a single now swinging from the hip at just run, chipped a leading edge to give about everything, Kenya picked up Jimmy Kamande a simple catch at regular wickets but threatened to mid-off and Pakistan were in some unravel completely in the face of an all-out assault. serious strife. Odoyo removed Umar and Afridi The pressure soon began to lift, however, Kamran Akmal and Younis from consecutive deliveries to find Khan quickly settling and Nehemiah himself on a hat-trick in the 49th Odhiambo suffering a shambolic start over but speared the next ball acres to his spell as 16 runs came from a down the leg side and repeated the first over that included three no-balls. blunder later in the same over as battle Kamran proved the more fluent of the fatigue set in. Extras, with 46, very two early in his innings but Younis nearly became the fifth half-century provided sensible support and, as the maker of the innings as Kenya had spinners came on, plenty of ones and the ignominious honour of equalling twos were taken to keep the score the record for most wides in a one-day international, and there was a visible ticking over. Kamran eased past 50, from 62 sense of relief as they finally comballs, and looked set for plenty more pleted their stint in the field. Their efforts with the bat quickly before he charged down the wicket to left-arm spinner Shem Ngoche put their failures with the ball in the and was easily stumped. Kenya were shade, however, and Kenya will need buzzing once more with the break- a complete overhaul if they are to through, but despite giving a far a challenge anyone in this tournament. far better account of themselves than At the other end of the spectrum, Pakthey had against New Zealand at istan will be pleased with a generally Chennai they lacked the necessary slick and professional performance that has set their campaign off on an firepower to land the killer blow. Misbah-ul-Haq opened his World overwhelmingly positive note.
Indo American News • Friday, February 25, 2011
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Christchurch Earthquake Sparks Concern in New Zealand Squad
MUMBAI (Cricinfo) A high-intensity earthquake that caused widespread damage in Christchurch has sparked concern among the cricketers currently in India for the World Cup, but there has been no report of any loss of life to their immediate family. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.3, struck the city
allrounder Scott Styris expressed his concern for the members of his squad who have families in Christchurch, “Watching CNN. Amazing scenes. Some worried boys here in India. Be safe.” Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder, too, tweeted their concern, while Iain O’Brien used the site to direct people to organisations that are offering aid.
The earthquake, which had a magintude of 6.3, struck Christchurch on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
on Tuesday with 65 people reported dead so far. “All immediate friends and family are [okay], but that doesn’t detract from the fact that there have been fatalities,” Ellery Tappin, the New Zealand’s media manager said. All the members of the Australian women’s team, who were training at Lincoln University, 22 kms away from Christchurch, when the quake struck, have emerged unscathed. Brendon McCullum, Hamish Bennett, coach John Wright and several members of the support staff have links to the area. Some members of the team had taken to Twitter to express their concern for those back home. “Thoughts go out to the people of Chch today. Terrible thing to have happened again,” New Zealand opener Martin Guptill wrote on the micro-blogging site. Meanwhile
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said he will be discussing with the World Cup organisers how those affected by the quake could be remembered at New Zealand’s match against Australia in Nagpur on Friday. “We [the ICC] have contacted the New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive Dr Justin Vaughan. The news we have is that the NZC offices have been severely damaged but thankfully everyone who works for NZC seems to have escaped without injury.” Through the course of the day, several international cricketers voiced concern on Twitter. Damien Martyn echoed the tweets of players like Swann, Dominic Cork, Adam Hollioake, Rohit Sharma and Wayne Parnell when he posted “so sad to watch the news coverage in Christchurch. What a start to the year.”
INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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Indo American News • Friday, February 25, 2011
horoscope & family
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20: Your determination will get the better of you, compelling you to find ways to realize your goals, acquire property and deal practically with material concerns pertaining to your loved ones. If you go by your instincts, you may even be successful in consolidating your goals. The emphasis this week will shift to trade, travel and matters relating to spirituality. But don’t take your worldly concerns too far, it could leave your real life in tatters. TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21: Trivial worldly worries will abandon you, at least for this week. Carpe diem! You will be funloving and carefree throughout and will live for the moment, even while you’re focusing on love, leisure and lifestyle. You will engage in shared activities and will derive tremendous gains from the same. Issues relating to finance will be dealt with cleverly, and it is unlikely that anything else can upset your mer merriment. GEMINI Travel is on the cards. Conferences, symposia, gatherings and even family functions are likely to keep you occupied. However, you may be in two minds while taking decisions, so it is advisable to avoid reaching any conclusion on crucial matters if there is a clash of interest. Also, do not spend too much on either entertainment or investments in business, for you may end up neglecting people who depend heavily on you for financial help. CANCER Jun 22 - Jul 23: You will be overcome by a certain kind of craving for more thrills in life. Emotion will gush out, especially while strengthening your personal relationships. Your search for a life partner may also come to an end this week, as an engagement is on the cards. This may also provide the emotional security you were looking for. Travel, if there are any such plans, will be exciting and profitable.
LEO July 24 - Aug 23: You are blessed with a week full of honey and money. Passion and sex will rule this week. And if you get any time from the above mentioned indulgences, you will be busy buying, selling, raising funds and capital, entering into joint accounts and deals. In short, finding love, sex and money will be your prime motivators during this week. It may not matter how you get it. VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23: Future goals will now take priority. You will concentrate on professional as well as personal growth and success. You will exhibit a marvellous confluence of exper expertise and innovation. You will realise all your dreams and aspirations without much effort. As a Virgo, you’ll be tempted to over-exert yourself. Take sufficient rest and maintain regular working hours to achieve the desired results. LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23: You will be tried and tested this week, but will emerge successful in every sphere. Family and love will demand your time and you will not turn them down. You will also be efficient in handling social ser service, work productivity and other issues. Your unmatchable social skills, Libran charm and ability to make people feel at ease are your assets, and will prove instrumental in helping you achieve your goals. SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22: The twin trend of the past week may not be as dominant now, but will continue for sure. You will accept and appreciate whatever life has to offer, and will be capable of finding ways to keep yourself content and happy at all times. Moments of togetherness with friends and family members will bring you unrestrained joy. Money won’t be an issue either; your intellect will rule all your activities. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 22: The week continues to be one where
www.GaneshaSpeaks.com you may be making a few changes to your house, or maybe even changing your house. The week will be difficult, intense and emotional. You may find yourself getting a little inclined towards spirituality, and even black magic. With the word for the week being ‘intense’, which will also be the word for your love life, you will be bumbling with passion in whatever you do during this week. CAPRICORN Dec 23 - Jan 20: Time will move slow this week, leaving you in a sluggish and sulky mood. But at some point, you will be so vexed waiting for something substantial to happen that you may want to do too much too soon. Not a bad idea provided you have the confidence and grit to prove you are capable. You may feel lacking in creativity, which could also lead to a sense of insecurity.
AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19: You will be practical in your approach to everything, especially matters related to finance. Your spendings will be in control, be it when you are out shopping or looking to refurbish your home. However, even if your expenses go higher than what you may have budgeted, you will ensure that things are absolutely necessary. Money matters will be your primary concern this week, but more impor important than financial gains will be how best you utilize your resources. PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20: A huge impetus at work awaits you this week. Some very interesting offers and opportunities may come your way, and you must make the most of these if you are looking for monetary gains. Your extremely ambitious and energetic nature may lead you to success. But family will hold equal importance. You will devote much of your time trying to understand their problems and find an alternative solution.
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Family Projects for Bonding Together Great family projects are in abundance. The first key to having a good family project is to make it one that everyone can help with. It’s important that each person gets the chance to contribute wholeheartedly to the project at hand. It increases the feeling of pleasure when you all look at what you did together. The second key for a great family project is that it is one that everyone can be interested in, either as far as results are concerned or else as far as the actual process is concerned (preferably both). Some examples are: • Baking and decorating a gingerbread house (it doesn’t have to be just in the winter) • Working at a soup kitchen • Clearing a trail for the rangers when out camping • Throwing a masquerade ball with homemade masks • Planning a surprise party for someone • Learning to juggle as a group • Train to run or walk a marathon • Building and painting a tree house • Acting out a play with homemade costumes and props • Celebrate an ancestor’s birthday • Make a family scrapbook • Plant and maintain a vegetable garden.
Make Family projects fun and entertaining for all. Spring Break is coming up. Let us know how you did!
Making Marriage Relationships Work With the taste of wedding cake barely off their lips, divorce is the last thought -- or word -- on newlyweds’ minds. But as the honeymoon period wanes, and day-to-day difficulties crop up, the word can come up frequently during arguments for some couples, say relationship counselors. “Just don’t go there,” suggests Steve Brody, PhD, a psychologist in Cambria, Calif., who counsels couples. “Some people pull that out much too early, and much too often in a relationship. It raises a whole level of anxiety [in the person hearing it].” “Don’t use the D word” was one oft-repeated suggestion for keeping a happy marriage, Boggs says. These marriage masters told him, “You need all your energy to find the solution to a problem and work it out. If you are even giving any consideration to a divorce, you lessen your ability to solve the problem.” - Source: WebMD
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM
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c r i c k e t HO U STO N
Indo American News • Friday, February 25, 2011
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Spartans Beat Gladiators in TCC Winter 2010 Taped Ball Tournament
HOUSTON: Spartans won the TCC Winter 2010 Taped Ball Cricket T20 Tournament. Spartans beat Gladiators by 5 wickets with 3 overs remaining in an exciting match. Spartans who were unbeaten in the tournament won the deserving championship in the well fought out tournament that had 13 participant teams.
stricted to 100/9 after 20 overs due to great bowling from Spartans who picked up the last 7 wkts for just 46 runs. Sanman held the innings together with an unbeaten 17. Jhaleel was the star bowler with 4 wickets for 11 runs and was supported by Jawad (2 wkts), Sohail (1 wkt), Kiran and Natraj. Spartans did not have a great
no surprises. Krishna (9 runs) and Kiran finished the game in style in 18th over. Ninad did a great job in bowling with 3 wickets for 14 runs. The game had high quality great umpiring from two neutral umpires Mohan Palla and Vamsee Kota. The game was followed by a well organized prize distribution ceremony arranged by TCC. The presentation party had Nanda Kumar president of TCC and HCL, members of TCC EC (Roshan, Bhaskar and Sreenivas) and chief guest Dr.
Khalid Nabi, a senior member of HCL and known for organizing cricketing events in Houston. Dr Khalid Nabi was honored with a memento by TCC. Jagadish Biradar, organizer for TCC Taped Ball tournament coordinated the presentation ceremony. Natraj, the captain of Spartans was handed over the championship trophy and Sachin the captain of Gladiators was handed over the runners up trophy. The players of the winners and runners up received individual trophies. Man of
the match for the finals was Jawad from Spartans. Vinit from Gladiators won the Best Batsman trophy. Natraj from Spartans won the Best Bowler trophy. Jawad from Spartans won the Best All Rounder trophy. Trophies were also given to the man of the match for Semi Finals. Natraj from Spartans and Vinit from Gladiators won the man of the match trophy for the Semi Finals. TCC Spring 2011 Taped Ball Cricket T20 Tournament will start from 5th of March.
Spartans team with winning championship
Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat first on a cloudy Saturday morning. They got off to a slow start due to some tidy bowling by Spartans, but they picked up the scoring rate after 5 overs mainly due to big hitting by Vinit who scored 30 runs. They scored 54/2 at the end of 10 overs and were set up for a good total in the next ten overs. But they were re-
start by losing one of the Openers in the first over of their chase. Jeeva (16 runs) and Avinash (13 runs) steadied the innings with sensible batting. At the end of 10 overs, Spartans (45/2) needed 56 runs to win from last 10 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Kiran (22 runs) and Jawad (30 runs with two huge sixes) played risk free fast paced cricket to steer the innings with
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Indo American News • Friday, February 25, 2011
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INDO AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM