R Systems Inc will soon come up in Kolkata Wednesday, November 30, 2005 | AY
The Noida-based R Systems Inc, a global IT and BPO company, dealing in customer outsourcing needs, has plans to set up a centre in Kolkata by 2008. The company will increase the headcount from 800 to 1,000 at its three existing facilities in Noida, Pune and Chennai. The company's offshore centres in the US and Asia employ around 200 people. In order to fund its expansion plans the company may tap the capital market with an IPO in the next fiscal. R Systems' current turnover stands at Rs 150 crore. It aims to become a million dollar entity in the next five years.
Italian culture gets a good response Tuesday, November 29, 2005 | AY
As part of its pan India tour, "Festa Italiana", a week long carnival of Italian art, culture and cusine, has arrived in Kolkata from Novemer 20. Minister of Tourism, region of Genova, Anna Castellano said in order to highlight and popularise Indian culture more among the people of her country the government of Italy in association with a number of international tour operators planned to organise a similar carnival of India called 'Namaste India" in several Italian cities every year from next year. As part of the Namaste India programme, the country(India)'s rich ethnicity and oriental culture would be presented not only in Rome, but also in other major Itlian cities, in different times of the year. About the number of Italian tourists visiting India, they said last year over 3,000 of their countrymen visited India and this year the number was likely to cross the 5,000 mark. Only about one third of them choose to visit Kolkata and eastern region.
Govt has many ambitious plans Monday, November 28, 2005 | AY
The state government plans to draw Rs 1 lakh crore investment by 2012 for the economic development of the state. Government expects Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of more than 50 per cent of the total investment, which is expected to cross Rs 100,000 crore. Most of these investments would be in line with the countries 'Look East' policy. The plan includes a modern seaport off the Sagar Island, an international economic zone, a chemical hub around Haldia, a hightech international airport, rapid transport system and most modern dairy, food processing and medicinal units. The state government is also looking for land on the eastern part of Rajarhat for the hightech international airport. The chemical hub already approved by the centre at Haldia had the potential of attracting investments to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore. All these effforts were being made to strenghen our economy, generate more employment and improve the lot of the people living below the poverty line.
Seminar on non-destructive testing Sunday, November 27, 2005 | AY
The Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT), a professional non-profit society founded in 1972 here, will organise its annual seminar along with a pre-tutorial workshop on November 30. Non-Destructive Testing is a technique to evaluate flaws in concrete objects, industry products and even in human body. The technique can also classify the severity of defects, something that helps to improve the product quality without any kind of tampering. The seminar will be inaugurated by Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi on December 2. The ISNT is the second Asian body after Japan, which is an associate member of the European Federation of NDT.
Bengali paintings in London musuem Sunday, November 27, 2005 | AY
An exquisite Bengali scroll painting depicting the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York, has been acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Made in 2004 by Madhu Chitrakar from a village in Midnapur, West Bengal the traditional scroll is a long strip of paper backed with cloth, which would be unrolled as the storyteller recounts the attacks. The scroll was acquired from the artist in Kolkata earlier this year, and depicts Chitrakar's visualisation of the events leading up to the Sep 11 attacks.
India faces defeat at Kolkata ODI Saturday, November 26, 2005 | AY
An unbeaten century by Graeme Smith propelled South Africa to a 10-wicket victory over India in the fourth one-dayer at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After bowling out India for a paltry 188, the South Africans comfortably reached their target with 14.1 overs left, getting an unassailable lead in the series. For the Indian bowlers, 188 was too small a target to defend, and Smith and Hall spared none of the bowlers. Ajit Agarkar was particularly expensive, conceding 41 runs in his five-over spell. Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif did put up a 81-run partnership for the sixth wicket but the rest of the batsmen floundered. Yuvraj top-scored for India with 53, his 20th ODI fifty.
Train collides at W. Bengal Saturday, November 26, 2005 | AY
A collision between the Sambal-Howrah Express and the Kharagpur-Howrah local train in West Bengal, have injured atleast 20 passengers. The mishap took place at Panskura station in the state's East Midnapore district. Two coaches of the local train were derailed under the impact of the collision, leaving several passengers injured. The incident was caused due to failure in the auto signalling system. All train services on the section have been suspended after the accident.
Tollywood supports Sourav Wednesday, November 23, 2005 | AY
Under the banner of the West Bengal Motion Pictures Association, the stars, led by Rupa Ganguly, remembered for her portrayal of Draupadi in TV serial "Mahabharat", and the Bengali screen's leading villain Biplab Chatterjee protested the "shabby treatment" meted out to the cricketer from West Bengal and urged people to boycott the one-day match between Indian and South Africa to be played here Friday. Chatterjee said the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum had submitted a memorandum to Kiran More, chairman of the selection committee of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), current skipper Rahul Dravid and BCCI joint secretary Gautam Dasgupta condemning the manner in which Sourav was dropped.
False alarm delays take off of flight Tuesday, November 22, 2005 | AY
An Indian Airlines morning Mumbai flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport on Monday was delayed due to a hoax bomb call. According to an airport official an anonymous caller from Mumbai rang up the Indian Airlines counter at the airport saying that there was a bomb on the flight. Immediately all the security agencies at the airport were alerted and a thorough search was made by the bomb detection squad of the Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security. But nothing incriminating was found. The flight which was to leave at 6am left three hours behind schedule.
Sourav has no plans to change his batting order Tuesday, November 22, 2005 | AY
Having captained East Zone to the Duleep Trophy final, Sourav Ganguly is bracing for a new challenge when he leads Bengal against Maharashtra in their Ranji Trophy opener, starting in Pune on Wednesday. The former India captain, however, said that he had no plans to change his batting order. “I had batted at No. 5 in the Duleep Trophy. As of now, I have no plans to change it,” he said at the Eden on Monday, after working out for about two hours. Talking about Bengal’s chances in the match, Sourav stressed that “the players have got enough match practices since eight or nine of them were from Bengal in the Duleep matches. But Ranji Trophy is a new challenge and we are all looking for it with a positive frame of mind.”
Hindustani classical recital by Tushar Dutta Monday, November 21, 2005 | AY
Tushar Dutta (vocal) and Soumitra Chatterjee (tabla) will perform a Hindustani Classical Music concert at the Indian Social Club Hall at Muscat. Tushar, born in 1966, studied vocal music from Sangeet Research Academy of Kolkatta and trained under Pt. A.T. Kanan, Pt. Arun Bhaduri and Pt. Sunil Bose. Thereafter, he came under the tutelage of Pt. K.G. Ginde and won many laurels like National Scholarship of Government of India, Anand Sangeet Puruskar, ‘Surmoni’ title from Sur Sringar Samsad. He participated in the World Music Festival in Spain in 2004 and has toured the US, Canada, UK, Europe extensively. He is also an ‘A’ grade artiste of All-India Radio and TV on Kolkatta. Soumitra studied tabla under the great maestro Pt. Shankar Ghosh. He stood first in the Dover Lane competition in 1990 and also became a scholar of West Bengal State Academy, under the guidance of Padmabhushan Pandit Jnanprakash Ghosh. He is also a ‘A’ grade artiste in All-India Radio and TV.
Judicial custody of MP Monday, November 21, 2005 | AY
As the West Bengal court remanded Congress member of parliament Adhir Chowdhury to eight days judicial custody, his supporters went on a rampage in the court premises attacking policemen who fired tear gas shells and used baton-charge to disperse them. The Congressmen, however, alleged that policemen fired on them. Tension ran high as the news reached the state capital where party supporters threw stones on buses and set ablaze a bus at Esplanade area. Congress supporters enforced a 12-hour shutdown in districts of Murshidabad, of which Berhampore is a part, Birbhum and Nadia. The protestors accused the ruling Left Front of "framing" Chowdhury, who has a Robinhood type image in his constituency. Chowdhury, who recently created a flutter by accusing CPI-M politburo member Anil Biswas of hoarding huge sums of money in a US bank, has termed his arrest a conspiracy by the Marxists to make inroads in Berhampore, a Congress bastion.
Students win at the national debate Sunday, November 20, 2005 | AY
Students from Kolkata and Pune came out winners at the sixth inter-institutional L N Birla national debate for 2005. Harsh Adithya Poddar of National University of Juridical Science, Kolkata, was declared winner in the college category with Mohammad Khan of Armed Forces Medical College of Pune was the runners in the debate on the interesting topic: 'tradition is an obstacle to progress.' The national debate, organised by the Birla High School, has attracted students from almost all the major cities of the country this year. The co-ordinators believed that these National debates give the students an opportunity to voice their opinions on matters of national and international concerns and thus help them come to a well-thought out decision.
A unique way to solve unemployment Sunday, November 20, 2005 | AY
City-based software management major "Futuresoft" today launched India's first audio-video CD under the brandname of "iDisc', to be initially available at a cost of Rs 999. The iDisc had exclusively been formulated to enable every educated job seeker to create his or her own recorded personal introduction highlighting their qualifications, areas of interest and experiences in a 40-second capsule. The share of West Bengal in terms of revenue generation from the IT sector was to the tune of over 25 per cent last year, Mr Mukhejee said adding this year they were looking for over 40 per cent growth. "iDisc" will bring about a path breaking initiative for the country's millions of job seekers.
Cong MP held for murder Sunday, November 20, 2005 | AY
A Congress MP from West Bengal was arrested in the national capital Saturday in a case of double murder. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, MP from Berhampore, was arrested from his 82, South Avenue residence by a joint police team of West Bengal and Delhi. A West Bengal court had issued non-bailable warrants against Chowdhury and his wife Arpita on Oct 18 in connection with a double murder in Murshidabad district in July. The Congress party condemned the MP's arrest and alleged he had been falsely implicated in the case.
Moves made to get Ganguly back Saturday, November 19, 2005 | AY
Sourav Ganguly, the former captain, is said to be a certainty for the Test team that will play Sri Lanka in a three-match series from December 2. Efforts are on to secure a place for Ganguly in the one-day international team for the Kolkata match (November 25) on the grounds that the public of that city might take it badly if he is not in the team. The selection committee that has stood united on leaving Ganguly out of the ODI team even after he recovered from his elbow injury might be divided on this issue. There is also a chance that Ganguly will be retained as Test captain since the selection committee meeting to decide the captaincy might be held on the night of the Mumbai ODI. The Board elections are scheduled to be held in Kolkata on November 29. By making public private comments of the coach Greg Chappell, Ganguly made such a mountain out of a molehill that he invited scorn but also lost his place in the team as much due to injury as to an attitude thought to be too selfish in a team game.
Health Mall to open in Kolkata Saturday, November 19, 2005 | AY
The country’s first health mall is opening in Kolkata. Located in South Kolkata, it will have everything related to healthcare, ranging from medicines to hospital beds. This Rs 5 crore project is christened, ‘Alpha Family Health Mall’ and will be operational 24x7. Apart from medicines, the mall will store prosthetic care equipment, rehabilitation support kits, stretcher-cum-wheelchairs, oxygen cylinders, babycare goods, vaccines, health-food, feeding bottles and sterilisers. The mall will also have facilities for diagnostic tests and indoor treatment facility for short periods of stay, besides storing artificial limbs. Doctors can avail of cardiac monitors, pulse oxymeters, ventilators and other modern equipment, apart from the routine ones for blood pressure and stethoscopes. The Company, Alpha Medical Services Pvt Ltd, also plans to set up a health city complete with a medical education unit and hospital equipment manufacturing plant.
Ordinance for conservation of wetland Saturday, November 19, 2005 | AY
The West Bengal Government promulgated an ordinance to conserve 12,500 hectare of wetland area in Salt lake on the city's eastern fringe. The Government had also set up a 19-member committee, headed by Chief Secretary Amit Kiran Deb for protection of east Kolkata wetland. The committee comprised members from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Fishermen's Cooperative Society, among others. The ordinance bars any new construction and change in character of the wetland by any person and stipulates punishment for violation of it. Environment department would set up a nature and wetland interpretation centre on a 16 acre plot in Salt Lake for promotion of people's awareness about conservation of wetland.
Mega food park to come up in West Bengal Thursday, November 17, 2005 | AY
West Bengal's first mega food park with a central grant of Rs 75 to 100 crore would be a reality soon. Union Minister of state for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahay said that, 20 such mega parks would come up across the country in various cities to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the food processing sector. He also added that West Bengal was selected as the destination for investment because of the investor friendly government and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and all other ministers actively wooing the investors. The mega park in West Bengal would require around 600 acres of land. However, the total investment required is yet to be worked out. Mr Sarkar said the state would get a total investment of Rs 1000 crore in the food processing sector in the current financial year.
'Nisshabd' set for commercial release Thursday, November 17, 2005 | AY
Director Jahar Kanungo, said the overwhelming response to his maiden feature 'Nisshabd' in the international film festival circuit had made him on to think of commercial release of the movie in Kolkata. Nisshabd (Silence), portraying the escape of its protagonist disturbed with urban sounds to the quiet of a village, bagged the best film and best actress awards at Osian's Cinefan Asian Film Festival recently. Though an Indo-French co-production with a French government grant of about Rs 65 lakh, the film faced initial funding hiccups as Kanungo made up for the rest 70 lakh from his daughter's pocket money, his and his daughter's friends and even the fertiliser company he works for.
Great Eastern Hotel - A property of Bharat Hotels Wednesday, November 16, 2005 | AY
The top bidder for the West Bengal government-owned Great Eastern Hotel in Kolkata, is the Bharat Hotels group. Bidders were first asked to commit themselves on how much they would pay upfront for the property. Then they were required to give a legally binding undertaking on how much they would invest in the renovation of the property against a 90 per cent shareholding in the holding company of the hotel property. Third, bidders were asked to present proof of their existing net asset base and, finally, supply data to establish their credentials in terms of experience in running a hotel. Kolkata-based Great Eastern Hotel will become the third heritage property in the kitty of Bharat Hotels.
Shocking incident at a govt hospital Wednesday, November 16, 2005 | AY
A diabetic patient whose left eye was feasted upon by big black ants at a government hospital in Kolkata, triggering a public outburst, has died. Hospital sources confirmed that Gouri Rani Chakraborty, whose left eye had a gaping hole on one side when her son Soumen lifted the bandage and cleared a swarm of ants from the swollen eye. The nurses on duty at the Sambhunath Pandit Hospital on Monday showed ignorance about the incident. The government announced that a five-member panel of senior hospital officials would probe the incident. The death of the woman has triggered tension in the hospital premises.
MIT considering a proposal to open Kolkata chapter Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | AY
A team of Massachusets Institute of Technology(MIT) will visit West Bengal next month to explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation, especially in the field of research work. Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, who recently visited the US, had held a series of meetings with business people on the proposal for assistance in implementing elevated transport system in Kolkata's adjoining districts. He said another US delegation was also expected to visit the state in connection with the proposal. However, the date of the visit would be finalised after further discussions.
Kolkata boys getting ready to dish out their best brand of soccer Tuesday, November 15, 2005 | AY
AC Milan's junior side is coming to play an exhibition match in Kolkata on Nov 22. The under-19 AC Milan team is coached by Alessandro Musicco, while the Bengal under-19 team, which is the champion team of India, is coached by Krishnendu Banerjee. The AC Milan team will play a match here Nov 22 and another match in Mumbai Nov 26. Brazilian international Leonardo Nascimento de Araujo, a former AC Milan player, will accompany the team. Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce consul general Agostino Pinna said that they are happy to bring the AC Milan junior team to the city, and that, this is the team that will be the AC Milan senior team soon and they have some very talented players, and the prospects of brushing shoulders with the Bengal under-19 team is really exciting.
Higher charges for parking in busy zones Monday, November 14, 2005 | AY
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has decided to do away with uniform parking fees throughout the city. Instead, the KMC prefers separate fees for its 51 designated parking lots across the city. A survey is on to categorise these 51 areas on the basis of the importance of their locations and determine fees for each category. KMC officials say the parking area outside New Market will attract the highest fee. Presently, the uniform parking fee throughout the city for the first 30 minutes is Re 1 for two-wheelers and Rs 3 for private cars. The parking fee increases with time. Provisions for monthly parking fees and night parking against payment is also available at these KMC-specified parking lots. Besides, the KMC parking department has decided to declare more locations as parking zones, in a bid to generate more revenue.
'Pather Panchali' enters 50th year Monday, November 14, 2005 | AY
Filmmaker Satyajit Ray's masterpiece "Pather Panchali"'s 50th anniversary will be celebrated in 2006 with the launch of a unique calendar and CD-ROM chronicling the golden history of Bengali films. The calendar celebrates the golden jubilee of 'Pather Panchali' which put Bengali cinema on the world map. It will document all the major film awards, national and international, won by films made in Bengal. The CD-ROM, with a large accumulation of facts and images, will be the first mini encyclopaedia of Bengali cinema made in West Bengal. It will be available in Bengali, Hindi and English, and will feature biographical information on directors, actors and technicians. It will be an account of Bengali cinema registering and establishing its distinctive identity marked by humanism, its natural musicality, and its rich interplay of acting styles.
MLA defends herself Monday, November 14, 2005 | AY
The Trinamul Congress rebel MLA, Mrs Nayana Bandyopahdyay, today submitted before the state Assembly Speaker, Mr HA Halim that she had not violated any whip of the party on the floor of the Assembly and as such didn’t attract the provisions of the anti-defection rules. The Trinamul had filed a petition urging the Speaker to disqualify the MLA for allegedly indulging in anti-party activities. Mrs Bandyopadhyay in her submission to the Speaker stated that she was prepared to resign as MLA if she “has violated rules of the Constitution and anti-defection” provisions. Mr Pankaj Bandyopadhyay, Leader of the Opposition, said the Speaker had asked the MLA to file an affidavit in support of her claim.
Protest against grading system Sunday, November 13, 2005 | AY
The All India Democratic Student’s Organisation (AIDSO) took out a rally in English Bazaar today protesting against the state government’s grading system for the evaluation of students up to class VII. By abolishing the pass and fail system in the name of sarboshiksha abhijan, the state government has deteriorated the standard of primary education in the state,” they said, adding that the “unfortunate” decision of the government has resulted in mushrooming of private schools. They alleged that the state government has been trying to privatise the education system in the secondary level in the state as well. Demanding a revoke over this decision, the AIDSO activists submitted a deputation to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and said that the organisation plans for a bigger protest if their demand is not fulfilled.
Kolkata will soon experience satellite digital radio services Sunday, November 13, 2005 | AY
WorldSpace, Inc (NASDAQ:WRSP), a world leader in satellite based digital radio services, who has already invested 200 million US dollar for launching satellite for the Indian market, plans to invest another 150 million US dollar to spread their business in India. The satellite radio, which had been launched in Mumbai and Banglaore, would be launched in Kolkata next month. As per the MoU, WorldSpace would transfer technology for manufacturing terresterial repeater transmitters, gap filler transmitters and highbreed receiver with coded octogenial frequency divising multiplexing (COFDM) technology for subscribers in India and overseas. Once they start the manufacturing and deployment, Kolkata will be the first centre in the country to have digital audio braodcasting with high breed technology.
1,000 people to be hired by TCS Sunday, November 13, 2005 | AY
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), information technology and ITES company, announced plans to expand its software development and IT solutions centre in Kolkata and hire an additional 1,000 people for it by 31 March 2006. This will increase TCS’s staff strength in the city centre to 5,500. TCS recently acquired Comicrom, market leader in banking and pensions business process outsourcing in Chile for $23 million. The company has built a new building at its Sector V campus thus expanding its area to 600,000 square feet. Initiatives such as the academic interface programmes are helping TCS create a new eco-system to ensure that a process of continuous engagement and collaboration can help increase the talent pool available. The company was focussing on developing specific products in segments such as healthcare, telecom, governance, insurance and emerging sectors like life sciences besides the financial and banking sector, which were the biggest driver of revenue growth for the company.
W.Bengal brings new methods in food processing sector Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
A training programme for export-oriented Food Processing units in order to meet the norms of International Food Standard(IFS)for hassle free export has been started in Kolkata under the name "Codex Cell". Under Codex Cell, the state food processing department would untertake training of international safety and packaging norms for state-based food processing units and ensure that products being exported from here meet the latest IFS regulations. Leader of the German delegation Peter Clasen praised the industrial rejuvination programme of the state government and hoped that under the new business environment joint venture agreements would be signed between some major German food processing industries and their counterparts in West Bengal.
Petrol pumps strike on dec Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
Petrol pumps in the state will remain closed on December 7 and 8 in support of their three- point charter of demands, the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers Association said. The Association is demanding delivery of right quality and quantity of products from the oil depots, state government intervention in bringing about a parity in retail prices with that of other states and a stop to "indiscriminate issuing of petrol pump licences. Pointing out that petrol and diesel prices in West Bengal were higher than that of the neighbouring states on account of high sales tax and cess imposed by the Buddhadev Bhattacharjee government, Association working president Tushar Sen said consumers, especially in the borders of Jharkhand and Orissa preferred to procure their requirement from those states.
Stay on shifting of NIS to Kolkata Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
Orissa High Court today passed a stay on the reported move of the centre to shift the proposed National Institute of Science (NIS) from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata. Mr Justice M M Das passed the interim injunction on a PIL filed by Mr Prashant Das, President Orissa State Public Interest Protection Council. Though no foundation stone laying ceremony was organised on the day as stated in the PIL, the court admitted the petition and directed the Union government to stay the proposed shifting of the Institute from Bhubaneswar to any other parts of Eastern India. The state government in response to the Court's directive had submitted that the Centre had sanctioned the establishment of the NIS for eastern zone at Bhuabneswar in 2003 and accordingly the state government had allotted nearly 75 acres of land near the Utkal University for the Institute.
Annual scholarship exam schedule put up Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
The Primary Education Development Board (PEDB) West Bengal announced the time table for its annual scholarship examination for students at the primary education level. The examinations have been scheduled to start on February 6, 2006, and will continue till February 11, 2006. The first day of the examination will be for vernacular languages, while mathematics is scheduled for February 7. On February 8, aspirants for the scholarships will take their tests in history and geography, while tests for the science subjects have been slated for February 10. Examination for English is scheduled for the last day, February 11. The PEDB gives an annual scholarship to 550 outstanding students at the primary level. The scholarship programme is now in its 15th year, having started in 1990 with a mere 600 students appearing for the scholarship examinations.
New office bearers to be elected here Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
The adjourned AGM of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be held in Kolkata on November 29 and 30. The dates were decided after Nair consulted TS Krishnamurthy, the observer appointed by the Supreme Court, in Chennai on Wednesday. The AGM will elect the board's new office-bearers and would up take up other matters, if necessary, the next day. Last month, the Supreme Court had helped the principal disputants arrive at a consensus on a six-point terms of reference.
Bengali movies travel overseas Saturday, November 12, 2005 | AY
Bengali producers are keen to market mainstream commercial Bengali films abroad and not restrict it to only a few directors and so called 'festival films'. The Bengali film industry produces 50 to 60 films annually with a budget varying between Rs 85 lakh to Rs 1 crore for each. Marketing budgets for the lot was another Rs 40-50 crore, taking the Bengali film market to Rs 100 crore. The last film mart generated spot business of Rs 12 lakh last years. This year the amount was expected to double, with strong interests being expressed by Bangladesh and the Latin American countries. A face-to-face interaction was being organised at the mart wherein the foreign buyers would get time to interact personally with local distributors and producers. Bengali films needed better marketing at key global festivals like Cannes, Berlin and Toronto opined Phyllis Mollet, festival and market consultant.
Business venture in Vietnam Wednesday, November 9, 2005 | AY
West Bengal govt is now seeking foreign direct investment from Vietnam in different sectors, including food processing, biotechnology and tea. Mr Bhattacharjee was impressed with the fast pace of industrialisation in Vietnam, despite having limited infrastructural facilities in the post war scenario. Referring to the growing business opportunities between West Bengal and Vietnam, the Vietnamese Ambassador underscored the need for introducing a direct flight between Hanoi and Kolkata. With increasing business ventures, steps should also be taken by both sides to explore the long existed socio-cultural ties between Kolkata and Ho Chi Minh city through more exchange programmes said the Vietnam Ambassador.
Unemployment in W.Bengal need to be sorted out Wednesday, November 9, 2005 | AY
BJP, West Bengal President Tathagata Roy alleged that, number of educated unemployed in West Bengal has gone up by nearly 1.4 million during the last five years instead of steadily coming down like most of the other states. Between 1999 and 2004 when the number of unemployed youth in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa and even in Uttar Pradesh was in fact reduced by more than 600,000 on an average, the figure had recorded a huge jump of nearly 1.4 million - from 56.01 lakh in 1999 to 69.31 lakh in 2004- in the state. Roy claimed that though in terms of attracting investment West Bengal stood second after Gujarat with a total amount of Rs 28,198 crores worth of investment coming to the state between 1999 and 2004, it could generate only 71,216 new employment compared to 140,666 in Gujarat. While majority of investments in other states came in labour intensive units in manufacturing and SME sectors, those in West Bengal came mostly in Information Technology and Service related sectors which could generate only limited number of job oppurtunities.
W.Bengal wins over Andhra Wednesday, November 9, 2005 | AY
West Bengal scored 3-0 victory over Andhra Pradesh in a cluster VIII league match of the 60th Santosh Trophy Football championship held in Trivandrum. With this win, the star-studded West Bengal, which was held to a 2-2 draw in the opening match against Nagaland, have four points. Their last league engagement is with Mizoram who have only one point. Dipendu Biswas netted the first goal. He made no mistake in connecting the pass from left winger Rahim Nabi as the team led 1-0. at the breather.
Blue music rocks Kolkata Tuesday, November 8, 2005 | AY
World renowed Blue musician on harmonica J.J. Milteau of France is all set to capture the hearts of Bengalis, with his unique playing of Blue music by a simple instrument like harmonica, better known as Mouth Organ in India. Mr Milteau who arrived in Kolkata last night on the second leg of his week long maiden musical tour of India, devotes a large part of his spare time with under priviliged children and help them learn the music through harmonica in different cities. From Kolkata he will travel to Chennai and Mumbai to hold similar performances there during the next few days.
Editor of Sananda quits, to join Kolkata tv Tuesday, November 8, 2005 | AY
Aparna Sen, editor, Sananda, the Bengali women’s magazine from the ABP stable since its launch in 1986, has quit the ABP group. Sen is all set to join the Xenitis group’s upcoming Bengali news channel, Kolkata TV. She will head the non-news programmes division. This will include talk shows, chat shows, and entertainment-based programmes. The five-year-old Xenitis group became famous for creating the sub-10k segment in the branded personal computers market. The product was launched with four different brands such as Aamar PC in the east, Aamchi PC in the west, Apna PC in the north, and Namma PC in the south.
KMC doing a good job Tuesday, November 8, 2005 | AY
Kolkata Municipal Corporation is all set up to repair the roads which were destroyed in the heavy rains last week. KMC roads department will patch 270 routes throughout the city, while 22 roads will be laid with a mastic asphalt layer. Unlike regular asphalt, mastic asphalt is spread rather than rolled. It is fully waterproof and does not degrade as a result of weathering. Roads to be laid with mastic asphalt include CIT road (Ultadanga-Phoolbagan stretch), Beliaghata Main Road, Raja Manindra Road, Manicktala Road (Kakurgachi-EM Bypass stretch), Hemchandra Naskar Road, Manohar Pukur Road and Richie Road (Madox square-Hazra Road stretch). KMC authorities have also begun monitoring road repair work in the added areas from head office, as opposed to usual monitoring from the local borough offices.
W. Bengal all set for a change in the field of education Monday, November 7, 2005 | AY
West Bengal which had little to show, any new academic or professional institute of national repute, except an Indian Institute of Management campus, the Indian Statistical Institute, IIT (Kharagpur) and a few universities — all of which have been in the state for long. But the scenario is all set to change. The state will soon have second campuses of two premier institutes of repute — the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. In addition, a business school of international standards is to be set up by the RP Goenka group, as also a school with American affiliation. The second campus of the Indian Institute of Science at Salt Lake, on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, modelled on IISc, Bangalore, will be built at a cost of Rs 500 crore. IISc Bangalore is one of its kind in the country and is now widely regarded as a centre for excellence in science education and cutting-edge research. The Centre will be putting in Rs 10 crore into IIFT.
Prominent hotel expands its properties Monday, November 7, 2005 | AY
The Pressman group which controls the Sinclairs hotel chain is planning to invest about Rs. 50 crore over five years to add rooms to its existing properties and double the number of hotels from five now. Expansion might be either through the acquisition route or through greenfield ventures, but eastern region was the preferred destination. At present, SHL has three properties in West Bengal — at Darjeeling, Dooars and Siliguri — and one hotel each in Udhagamandalam and the Andaman & Nicobar. SHL, which is a zero-debt company, proposed to fund this expansion programme in a phased manner through internal accruals mostly.
The Unknown Stories of the Messiah Monday, November 7, 2005 | AY
Engineer-turned filmmaker Subhrajit Mitra's "The Unknown Stories of the Messiah" focuses on the unexplored life of Christ and his unaccounted years in the Bible. Did Christ visit India after his crucifixion? Is a tomb in the Kashmir Valley that of Christ? These are some of the controversial questions Mitra raises in his film. According to Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic scriptures and beliefs, Christ visited India during the period of his missing years in the Bible and stayed in the country for 14 years. Neither the Bible nor the mainstream gospels give credence to such theories but the scrolls found in caves near the Dead Sea or at Nag Hammadi (in Egypt), believed to be the first drafts of the Bible, corroborate the alternative theory about Christ. In Bhavishya Maha Puran, a text dating back to the second century AD, there are references of Christ's interaction with King Shalivahan, the grandson of Vikramaditya, in Kashmir. This alternative theory was strengthened after some scrolls (dating back to between 200 BC and 100 AD) were discovered in 1947 in a group of caves near Khirbat Qumran in Jordan at the northwestern end of the Dead Sea. Mitra's film, produced by Atanu Roy of Sweet Melody, seeks to unearth the truth through the discourses of an archaeologist (played by Soumitra Chatterjee) and a novelist (Aparna Sen). German scholar H.J. Trebst, who has been researching on the subject of Christ's missing 12 years, invited scholars to a seminar at Puri in Orissa in November 2003.
Mouth of Hoogly river gets a boost in tourism Sunday, November 6, 2005 | AY
The Sunderban Development Board has chalked out schemes to improve infrastructure and tourism in the Sunderbans. Attraction for the Sunderbans among domestic and foreign tourists was fast increasing. A bridge, which was expected to be completed by February 2006, would connect Jharkhali with the mainland. Jharkhali is close to the Tiger Reserve. It will take around three hours to reach the area from Kolkata. The tourists can have a view of the mangrove forest from this place. Two bridges at Kakdwip and Raidighi collectively worth Rs 27 crore would be completed by 2007. The board has taken up schemes to renovate the tourist bungalows set up by the Zilla Parishad in North and South 24-Parganas. As many as 19 jetties will be constructed where boats will be available for the tourists.
Jadeja supports Ganguly Sunday, November 6, 2005 | AY
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja today described as "unfair" the treatment meted out to former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly. Jadeja commented that, ganguly who has served Indian cricket for too long should not be treated thus. He deserves a place lifelong in the team. He also said that, cricket is a game where the mere appointment of a new coach and captain cannot automatically change the performance of a team overnight. While the performance of the Indian team is praiseworthy, the real cause can only be speculated upon. It is only at a later stage that we will be able to pin-point the real cause emphaticallly.
Narayan Biswas resigns Sunday, November 6, 2005 | AY
West Bengal minister Narayan Biswas, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by a district court for a 17-year-old case of arson in South Dinajpur district, today resigned from the cabinet and would surrender in court within two days. Bhattacharjee said he had forwarded the resignation letter of Biswas, who is among a number of CPI(M) activists accused of burning down several houses at Gangarampur in South Dinajpur in May 1988, to Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi for acceptance.
Finally mosquito nets arrive Wednesday, November 2, 2005 | AY
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has finally decided to carry out its promise of distributing 15,000 mosquito nets, even though the timing was not that perfect since the occurrence of dengue and other mosquito-related diseases are on the decline at present. Weeks after the dengue-outbreak the state had promised the KMC 15,000 mosquito nets. The health department lacks data on dengue and also much on “vector density". The total number of people affected by dengue since mid-August has touched 3,350. However, the usual daily figure of 150 has decreased. The health department on Monday recorded 12 dengue-infections in the city.
Jamshed Ali passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2005 | AY
Former golfer Jamshed Ali, who was suffering from oral cancer for a long time, passed away at a local hospital in Kolkata. He is survived by his wife, a son and five daughters. Jamshed, who took field as a ball boy, finally made his mark into professional golf that fetched his Arjuna in 1978. He began playing golf in 1969 and excelled in the fairways of Thiland, Singapore, Hongkong and Sri-Lanka. He also won the Dunlop open in Chennai in 1980. Jamshed's golfing career span from late 70s to mid 80s. He was admitted at Chittaranjan Cancer Hopsital on September 30 last for chaemo theraphy and was released on October 6.
A new company launches TVs Tuesday, November 1, 2005 | AY
Zenith Finesse, Kolkata based company, joins the ranks of TV manufacturers in India. They have already introduced its music systems in the market. All their products are being manufactured under contact in China. Since January this year, the company had launched 14 products in the Indian market, comprising music systems, microwaves, hair dryers, telephones, etc. These products are manufactured under contract in China. They are at present available through retail channels in States in eastern India and the North-East, as well as Kerala.
India-American joint Air Force exercise in Kalaikunda Tuesday, November 1, 2005 | AY
Kalaikunda Air Base in India will witness world’s two top Air Focres exercise together. Joint India-US air exercise will commence in the Kalaikunda airspace in West Bengal state next month involving Indian Air Force [IAF] jets and American F-16 Fighting Falcons backed by Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) for the first time. The US Air Force would for the first time be fielding a complete squadron of the Fighting Falcons to practice missions on dissimilar Air Combat Manoeuvering (ACM) and Large Force Management in the Beyond Visual Range regime. While, the US Air Force would fly in their F-16s from bases in Japan, the IAF would like to match most of its frontline fighters against the Falcons by fielding SU-30MKI, Mirage-2000, MIG-27 and the upgraded Mig-21 Bisons.
