Squash players from around the world for Kolkata contest Wednesday, August 31, 2005 | AY
World No.16 Mohammed Azlan Iskandar of Malaysia and four Pakistanis are among a rich field for the $20,000 Professional Squash Association (PSA) Kolkata International Championship starting Monday. Current Indian champion Ritwik Bhattacharya, ranked No.61, and local boy Sourav Ghosal, world No.79, have received wild card entries and will go through the qualifying round of the Star-II graded competition at the 212-year-old Calcutta Racket Club Sep 5-10. The tournament has the best facilities with seven courts, including two glass courts and a gallery accommodating some 400 spectators.
NRI children cam learn bengali too Wednesday, August 31, 2005 | AY
The Visva Bharati University has introduced online Bengali lessons, particularly for the children of non-resident Indians who rarely learn their mother tongue on foreign lands. The university, set up by Nobel literature laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, is engaging a US-based firm to put together the course that would be divided into three modules. The varsity decided on the idea of an online course for NRI children after several Bengalis living abroad approached Basu, the university vice-chancellor with the proposal. The university has not yet decided upon the fees for the different modules, but said it would be "reasonable".
Musician Subol Das dead Tuesday, August 30, 2005 | AY
Celebrated musician and music director Subol Das died of a heart attack at a hospital in Kolkata. He was 78. Ailing Das, also the president of Bangladesh Sangit Parishad, a few days ago went for treatment to Kolkata where the doctors detected cancer in his anal and carried out a surgical operation. A footballer turned musician, Das appeared as the music director in the first film made in Dhaka's FDC, Akash Aar Mati. He directed nearly 300 films with several popular ones including Bengali movies Swaralipi, Darpachurna, Anirban, Tansen, Alo Tumi Aleya, Ali Baba Chollish Chor. He also earned wide appreciation for directing music in several urdu films like Piasha, Kajol, Prit Na Jane Reet during Pakistan period.
Bhattacharjee welcomes private investment in ports and airports Tuesday, August 30, 2005 | AY
West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee clarified on his controversial remarks made in Singapore on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Kolkata today and said that he was in favour of 100 per cent private investment in ports and airports. Bhattacharjee said that he meant 100 per cent private investment in ports and airports where FDI would be to the tune of 49 per cent. Bhattacharjee said that the government would take advantage of the Centre's "Look East" policy to attract FDI. He also clarified that there was no dichotomy in Left Front policies on the issue of economic reforms. Bhattacharjee has signed an MoU with the Salem group of Indonesia for setting up an industrial city, a health city and a two wheeler manufacturing unit in the state.
Teachers turn to greener pastures Monday, August 29, 2005 | AY
Engineering and technical colleges run by the Bengal government can’t find full-time teachers. The leather technology college, located in Salt Lake, stopped admitting students into the information technology and computer science and engineering courses this year because there are not enough teachers. There were 80 seats in the two courses. The teachers recruited on contract often leave when they get better offers. The West Bengal Public Service Commission, which recruits lecturers for these institutions, had sought applications last year to fill up nearly 95 vacant posts. But teachers said they prefer private engineering colleges where the managements offer higher pay in exceptional cases to stop teachers from leaving for better prospects. This option is not available in the government colleges.
Ways to tap methane from under sea Monday, August 29, 2005 | AY
India is set to drill two deep sea wells to tap sources of methane gas, a rich source of energy that holds great promise for the future. Under a National Gas Hydrates Programme (NGHP), several Indian institutions are studying ways to tap these rich sources of gas found in the form of hydrates, or methane in frozen form. Seismic surveys and exploration activities in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, the Andaman offshore and Goa have revealed gas hydrate reserves. A cubic metre of gas hydrate is estimated to have some 164 standard cubic meters of methane gas. The NGHP is tying up with the Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur, West Bengal, for a breakthrough in technology even as 15 locations have been identified in the Krishna-Godavari basin where drilling for hydrates will be done in phases.
Dengue awareness and prevention has gone online Sunday, August 28, 2005 | AY
In its urge to counter charges of apathy towards vector control and cleanliness, the KMC has added a web-page to its website on the prevention of dengue. The webpage informs that “like many other diseases, dengue can also be easily prevented with combined efforts. Among the “Dos” stated on the webpage, the surfers have been asked to contact KMC health centres in need, which are to remain open between 8 am and 6 pm for “Operation Dengue”. And the “Don’ts” warn: “Don’t be panicky. Don’t spread rumours”. For the common man, health units exist but in name in many wards. And people in the slums, who have no access to the web, are still in high risk of contracting dengue and malaria.
New procedures for environmental complaints Sunday, August 28, 2005 | AY
Owing to a recent decision, citizens wishing to file complaints against individuals destroying the environment, have to go the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) first with a complaint and can approach the Green Bench only thereafter. The 'Green Bench', or the Environmental Bench, was formed to protect the health and hygiene of people and the ecological balance. Citizens have to complain to the Pollution Control Board in writing, and retain a copy. It should be addressed to the Law Officer of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board. An individual can simply file a complaint on behalf of the public, or merely write out a complaint, even on a postcard and state the complaint was in 'public interest'. The complaint has to explain the problem and seek relief including an Environmental Impact Report be prepared by the West Bengal Pollution Control Board, or by a competent individual body such as NEERI. The report should contain details on all the adverse environmental effects that would occur if the proposal was implemented, as well as mitigation measures proposed to minimise the impact.
Victories for Bagan and East Bengal Saturday, August 27, 2005 | AY
Mohun Bagan recorded a comfortable 1-0 victory over Ever Ready in their fifth outings of the Kolkata Premier Division League match here at the Salt Lake stadium on Thursday. In the 31st minute, Dipendu Biswas replaced Manjit Singh and two minutes later created a flutter with a spectacular back volley near miss. After the breather, Bagan resumed on an aggressive note and in the 48th minute Biswas scored the winner off a Tomba Singh pass from the left. With the win Mohun Bagan now have 15 points from five outings. In another match Kingfisher East Bengal outsmarted George Telegraph 2-0 in a home game. The goals were scored by I.M. Vijayan in the 11th minute and Shylo MalsawmTlunga in the 87th minute.
UPA and Left parties meets should resume soon Saturday, August 27, 2005 | AY
Veteran CPI-M leader Jyoti Basu, said that the left parties should return to the UPA-Left coordination committee meetings, immediately to clear their position on issues, including economic reforms and inviting FDI. The CPI-M politburo and central committee meeting next month would discuss Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s comment praising the Buddhadev Bhattacharjee government’s stand and differences between communists in Kolkata and Delhi, he said. He said that after Mr Bhattacharjee’s return here, the outcome of his visit to Singapore and Jakarta would be discussed at the party’s state secretariat. This would also be the main agenda in the politburo and central committee meeting of CPI-M scheduled next month.
Fortune park coming to Kolkata Friday, August 26, 2005 | AY
With the growth in the IT industry, all the leading global and domestic hospitality chains are now flocking to Kolkata. Fortune Park Hotels is likely to be inaugrated in the first week of October on the eve of Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the region. Developed by Kolkata based Panchwati Holiday Resorts Limited (PHRL), the 80-room Fortune Hotel -Kolkata will be Howrah district of the State, hardly 30 minutes drive from the Central Business District (CBD) of Kolkata. It will be the first four-star category hotel to be set up in the twin city of Howrah. The Fortune Hotel, set up at a cost of Rs. 30 crore, will be positioned as a business hotel and a convention venue.
Maoist in the state has a new force for challenge Friday, August 26, 2005 | AY
A special paramilitary force trained in counter-insurgency operations will soon be deployed in West Bengal to fight Maoist guerrillas. The first batch of 1,000 paramilitary troops is being deployed this week in three districts of West Bengal - West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura - where Maoist rebels have killed at least 10 policemen and politicians from the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) in recent months. The new force will be armed with AK-47 rifles, light machine guns, carbines and grenades. As part of new plans to fight Maoists, more counter insurgency trained teams under the CRPF will be raised.
Buddhadeb Dasgupta with his latest film 'Kaalpurush' in film festival Thursday, August 25, 2005 | AY
The Toronto International Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Indian-born director Deepa Mehta's controversial film 'Water'. British filmmaker of Indian origin Gurinder Chadha-scripted 'The Mistress of Spices' starring Aishwarya Rai will also feature at the festival where for the fourth time running Buddhadeb Dasgupta will represent the country's cinema in the prestigious World Masters sidebar with his latest Bengali film 'Kaalpurush' starring Mithun Chakraborty, Rahul Bose and Sameera Reddy. A total of 335 films from 52 countries will be showcased at the 30th annual festival starting from September 8.
Taxis on strike Thursday, August 25, 2005 | AY
More than 40,000 taxis of the metropolis were on a one-day strike on Wednesday protesting against state government's alleged failure to provide minimum security to taxi drivers. The strike, causing hardship to commuters, was prompted by the murder of a taxi driver in Dankuni recently. Progressive Taximen Union president Madan Mitra claimed that they would continue their agitation further unless the government meets their demand. They are seeking Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of deceased. A total of 42,000 taxis were off the roads in response to their strike call.
Rs 4 billion IT Park in Kolkata Wednesday, August 24, 2005 | AY
Global real estate major Ascendas said on Tuesday it had bagged a project to build a new 20-acre state-of-the-art technology park in Kolkata at an estimated cost of Rs.4 billion ($91 million). When fully completed, Ascendas' flagship project in Kolkata will provide two million sq ft of fully equipped business space for IT and software development operations, making it one of the largest IT parks in the region. At the proposed tech park in Kolkata, amenities will include cafes, a supermarket, food court, health club, medical clinic, travel agency, laundrette, gift shop, bookshop and banking. ITPK will also be the first international tech park to provide a childcare crèche catering to the needs of working parents in the park. West Bengal accounts for 14 percent of the IT and ITES workforce in India, with Kolkata generating a large talent pool of over 35,000 graduates and 10,000 science and engineering graduates each year.
Tea gardens boosts tourism Wednesday, August 24, 2005 | AY
The lush green world famous tea estates at West Bengal's Siliguri district are all set to become a hot tourist spot. The state's tourism department has been sanctioned Rs 8 crore by the Centre for expanding and developing the required infrastructure requisite for this plan. Project being related to tea and keeping this in mind, they have brought in the concept of tea tourism. There are a lot of beautiful bungalows in the tea gardens. The scenery is also very picturesque. The villagers have developed the area and now it is set to launch the concept of tea tourism. Tea, timber and eco-tourism are the mainstay of the state's economy. West Bengal has 183 established tea gardens belonging to British era, besides over 500 tea gardens planted in recent years. The tea industry in West Bengal forms the backbone of the state's economy.
Certain omissions in the the bifurcated Class XI syllabus Tuesday, August 23, 2005 | AY
The state school education minister, Kanti Biswas, in view to lighten the burden of the HS candidates and make the state’s examination system at par with other Boards at the national level, namely, the ICSE and CBSE, had made a decision to split the Higher Secondary Examination from this year. But, the bifurcated syllabus, announced by the West Bengal Council on August 18 has certain vital omissions, complains the School Teachers’ and Employers’ Association. The English syllabus, for example, spells out what will be taught in prose, poetry and drama, but does not even mention grammar and composition. The STEA(School Teachers’ and Employers’ Association) will take a deputation to the HS Council on this issue next week. The STEA was however satisfied with the bifurcated Bengali syllabus, which was also announced on August 18.
MCC stays in Bengal Tuesday, August 23, 2005 | AY
Veteran Marxist leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu today said that the West Bengal Government was not going to ban the Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) in the state, something that the Andhra Pradesh Government did recently following the killing of political activists by the MCC. Regarding activities of Maoist organisation, the CPI(M) said that the party had taken several measures to combat the menace to the state. CPI(M) would organise huge gatherings in all the areas infested by Maoists and warn people against getting into the trap of Maoists. He said that the MCC has not embarked on such an violent killing spree in the state like they have in Andhra Pradesh. That is why we are not keen on banning this outfit in the state.
Kolkata WTA meet Monday, August 22, 2005 | AY
Eight players in the top-100 of the current WTA rankings list will feature in the Sunfeast Open WTA Tour Tier III meet, to be held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here from September 19 to 25. Announcing this, tournament director and former Davis Cup captain Jaidip Mukerjea said on Sunday that Anastasia Myskina of Russia, currently ranked No. 14, will lead the 32-strong field of which 23 slots have been taken up so far. Three wild cards, four qualifiers and a couple of special exempt entrants will complete the field in the $170,000 prizemoney tournament, biggest women’s tennis event in India. The singles winner will take home $27,000 and the doubles champions will receive a cheque for $8,000.4. As of now, Myskina, Sania and Serra Zanetti will be the top three seeds. Meanwhile, Team India captain Sourav Ganguly intends to be present on the day of the final, state urban development and municipal affairs minister Ashok Bhattacharya informed. Sourav is on the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-headed tournament committee.
Aluminium giant Alcoa to buy 45% Kolkata-based India foils Monday, August 22, 2005 | AY
Global aluminium giant Alcoa is planning to enter India by acquiring the Vedanta group's 45 per cent controlling stake in Kolkata-based India Foils. Alcoa is present in 43 countries and is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina. Alcoa's move followed the Vedanta group's decision to put its shareholding in India Foils up for sale five years after it acquired the company from the Kolkata-based BM Khaitan group. West Bengal Industries Development Corporation holds a 1.20 per cent stake in India Foil, financial institutions hold 4.41 per cent, private corporate bodies have 11.63 per cent and the public holding stands at 38.61 per cent. The firms, which expressed interest to acquire the controlling stake, would be invited to visit plants of India Foils shortly. Thereafter, the bidding process will begin towards the end of September, or early October.
Dengue fever seen in the state Sunday, August 21, 2005 | AY
The health department of the Kolkata municipal corporation, has officially confirmed the city’s first case of dengue fever. Several cases of people falling sick with viral fever have also been reported from various wards in southern parts of the city. Two other persons have reportedly died after suffering from viral fever that has hit wards 92, 94, 97. To provide some immediate relief, the KMC has put up a health camp at Masjidpara. Two KMC doctors are on duty at the said health camp for the first half of the day. It seems that the incidence of fever is high and the available aid is inadequate. Member of the mayor-in-council (health) Dr Subhod Kumar Dey said that the reported deaths under the KMC are probably due to viral fever.
Bengal being a perfect host to the Gujaratis Sunday, August 21, 2005 | AY
West Bengal Tourism, in an effort to boost tourism, are offering special packages to tourist from Gujarat. Both West Bengal (WB) and Gujarat governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for conducting reciprocatory tours to each other's states, three months ago. Considering the religious inclination of the Gujaratis, they have designed a special religious package wherein visitors will be introduced to the development of Vaishnavite cult in the state. Apart from these, the tourists can also visit Bakkhali and Digha beaches or the bio-sphere reserves of Sunderbans. There is also a special 'Bangla Darshan' package which will take the tourists to less visited tourist locales in the state other than Sunderbans and Darjeeling. The state government has also developed the concepts of `Rural Tourism' and `Tea Tourism' to attract tourists.
New technology introduced in processing instant tea Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
Scientists have developed a new technology to process instant tea. Developed by the Indian institute of technology, Karagpur, West Bengal, the technology uses green tea leaves and buds, instead of the usual process of using manufactured black tea. The process is also said to produce a more distinct aroma as well a full flavour. The method involves extracting the liquor from the processed leaves, tea wastes, or undried fermented leaves, concentrating the extract under low pressure, and drying the concentrate to a powder by freeze-drying, spray-drying, or vacuum-drying it. The scientists estimate that the cost of the technology is just about Rs. 1,00,000/- (€20,000). The institution had already received a patent for the process and is about to implement the technology at two Banglore based tea companies. The invention is said to cut processing time by 15 hours, making it considerably less labour intensive and reducing costs.
Satyajit Ray gets UK honour Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
Satyajit Ray an icon of Indian cinema, will get a British salute on the 50th anniversary of his magnum opus Pather Panchali, when a book release later this month puts his films in league with the best of Shakespearan plays. Andrew Robinson editor of Times Higher Education Supplement in London, pays a tribute to the film maker in his book, 'Ray: A Vision in Cinema' by pointing out a similarity between Ray and Shakespeare. Ray's films, he says, were as subtle and deep in their probing of human relationships as Shakespeare's plays. The writer, who had a series of personal interactions with the film-maker, says he believed there was no director in cinema who could express what was going on inside a characters mind more acutely than Ray. The pictures show Ray writing his scripts, designing his sets and costumes, acting out the roles for his actors, operating the camera, editing the film and even composing and recording the music.
CAB at last ends his hunt for a computer analyst Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), after a month-long search for a full-time computer analyst for the Bengal cricket team, has appointed 28-year-old Sanjeev Singh as the Bengal outfit’s first ever full-fledged computer analyst, who will accompany the side throughout the forthcoming Ranji Trophy season. It was learnt that the new Bengal analyst has played cricket for a couple of years with reputed city clubs Wari, Sporting Union and Kalighat. The CAB installed the state-of-the-art set-up for computer analysis, in which Chennai-based Meru Sports Technology Services is helping the state body. And with that, the CAB procured three expensive analysis software from Meru, which are used in the Indian team.
Xenitis's monitor plant in Kolkata by year end Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
Kolkata-based PC manufacturer Xenitis will be setting up its monitor plant in Kolkata by the end of 2005. The company will be investing close to Rs 250 crore in the plant. Nair, who is the CEO of TechnoLab, the IT training division of Xenitis, which the company launched in Mumbai, said that they have an annual turnover of $35 million and now they are venturing into manufacturing of monitors by the end of 2005. Xenitis have plans to enter the global market by starting offices in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Al Qaeda presence in Kolkata worries police Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
The city police is interrogating two men arrested in connection with the sale of 'Al Qaeda' coupons exposed by a Bengali newspaper. Coupons bearing the name of 'Mujahideen Al Qaeda Pacific International' are being reportedly being sold for Rs25-50 in many Muslim-majority areas of Kolkata since early August. The coupons say in Urdu that donations are for funding mujahideen, or holy warriors, fighting for Islamic causes around the world. Police suspect that a local Muslim outfit is raising money for Al Qaeda activities in collusion with Bangladeshi Islamic organisations. Although the coupons carry a Dhaka address, police believe that they are printed in Kolkata. Many north-eastern separatist organisations like United Liberation Front of Assam are known to raise funds in Kolkata.
DFID gives funds for Bengal health programme Saturday, August 20, 2005 | AY
'Health Systems Development Initiative' (HSDI), a five year reform and investment programme of the West Bengal state government was launched by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. This programme has been supported by £100 million grant from the Department for International Development (DFID) of UK. HSDI is a programme of the state government and it has to show its skill to lead the programme to a success. The programme would include upgrading block health centres to rural hospitals, providing door-to-door health service for tribal population in certain district of the state, double the number of trucks available at health centres in the villages, encourage public-private-partnership in the health sectors amongst others. West Bengal's minister of health and family welfare and panchayats and rural development, Surja Kanta Mishra, said the programme aims at reducing the infant mortality rate to 35 per thousand from current figure of 51 per thousand, and maternal mortality ratio to 150 per lakh from present figure of 250 per lakh.
A business proposal to WB govt by an NRI Wednesday, August 17, 2005 | AY
A California-based NRI has proposed to the West Bengal Government in setting up the first mobile handset manufacturing factory in the state. The NRI, Mr Rahul Roy has met the Information and Technology Minister Manab Mukherjee to discuss about the project. His proposal envisages production of handsets with camera and PDA facilities at a price of Rs 1500. The NRI, running a company, 'American Reprographics' is engaged in manufacturing chips in the US and manufacturing mobile sets in South Korea. He had already set up a unit in Salt Lake on the eastern fringe of the city under the name Jap Electronics.
MetLife opens new office in the city Wednesday, August 17, 2005 | AY
MetLife has launched its new office in Kolkata, located at "Singhi Regency", 48/1A, Gariahat Road, Gariahat. The Company said that, it is aggressively scaling its operations across the country and has already increased its geographical presence to 27 cities in the current year. With the launch of its Gariahat office, it now has 43 branches across locations. On the occasion of this launch, MetLife has also organized a Me & My Family activity for children of residents around its branch office.
McDonald's in Kolkata soon Tuesday, August 16, 2005 | AY
The fast food major McDonald's will open its first outlet in the City of Joy, Kolkata, latest by 2007. When asked about the delay in entering the biggest city in the East, McDonald's India Managing Director and Joint Venture Partner said that it was primarily due to the logistics requirements. The fast food major, which had recently announced a Rs 400 crore expansion programme along with its suppliers, will be adding another 22 outlets this year, mainly in the north.
Latin pop star adopts orphans from the streets of Kolkata Tuesday, August 16, 2005 | AY
Latino pop star Ricky Martin who recently won acclaim by the US government for fighting dedicatedly to end child slavery, rescued the three street girls from Kolkata, by legally adopting them from a local orphanage. He said he loved kolkata for its beauty and that he is very fortunate to get the opportunity to rescue three girls from the streets.
Policy to withdraw hand-pulled rickshaws Monday, August 15, 2005 | AY
Hand-pulled rickshaws will now not be seen in Kolkata after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya have made a policy decision to slowly phase out the use of hand-pulled rickshaws. The government is thinking of alternate methods of transport so that the transition does not affect either the pullers or its riders. This involves money and training. The scheme would be introduced in parts of the metro on an experimental basis before the rickshaws are finally withdrawn in phases, the Chief Minister said.
Kolkata celebrates Independence day Monday, August 15, 2005 | AY
Independence day was celebrated in West Bengal with great enthusiasm. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee unfurled the tricolour opposite the state secretariat in the morning and urged the people to fight divisive and secessionist forces. A tribute was paid to freedom fighters and talks were given to keep alert against forces trying to create trouble in the nation. Several processions, songs, sit-and-draw exhibitions and public functions marked the day.
Teacher ought to be punished for her act Sunday, August 14, 2005 | AY
The headmistress of a village school in West Bengal seriously injured a six-year-old boy when she hit him in his private parts to punish him for mistakes in the homework. She first hit him with a wooden ruler and then hit him on the private parts. The boy, a Class II student, lost consciousness and had to be admitted to the village hospital. A complaint was lodged against the teacher who later apologised. Local people and the boy's parents have demanded her arrest.
Kolkata police making inquiries into the handbills Sunday, August 14, 2005 | AY
Two days ahead of Independence Day, the Kolkata Police are inquiring into handbills being circulated in the metropolis by an organisation having 'Al-Qaeda' in its name seeking donations for assisting 'Mujahids'. The organisation 'Mujahideen Al-Qaeda Pacific International', was distributing coupons of Rs 25 to Rs 100 denomination, written in Urdu, in the minority dominated Topsia, Ripon Street area, Zakaria Street and Calootola areas in central Kolkata, with appeals to help 'Mujahids'. Handbills being circulated with the coupons blamed the RSS, Bajrang Dal, and VHP for trying to discredit Muslims in India after the July 5 armed attack on the makeshift Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Sourav Ganguly renamed captain of Indian team Saturday, August 13, 2005 | AY
The race for captaincy between Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid ended on Friday when the selection committee named Ganguly as the Indian skipper of the 15-member squad for the Zimbabwe tour later this month. Dravid, who captained India in the just concluded Indian-Oil Cup in Sri Lanka, was appointed as the vice-captain for the triangular one-day series and the two Test matches in the African nation. The decision to re-appoint Ganguly as the captain was not unanimous with the selectors, who met under the chairmanship of Kiran More.
Kolkata police get charged to nab the Bangladeshi terrors in W Bengal Saturday, August 13, 2005 | AY
Kolkata police have taken initiatives to take legal actions against the top terrorists and Maoists who have been absconding in West Bengal. Earlier, Indian Detective Police carried out special operation in Kolkata city against Bangladeshi terrorist on January 27, 2003. The State Detective Office has got information that the Bangladeshi terrorists reached consensus with the Maoist terrorists in Bihar and Urishya of West Bengal. The Bangladeshi top terrorists are learnt to be staying at different hotels at Park Street adjacent to Chourangi, New Market and Sadar Street. Sources said the number of Bangladeshi terrorists hiding in Kolkata might exceed 2000. The source added that the police have been collecting information about them but it would be very difficult for the Kolkata police to nab the terrorists as they don't have photographs of them.
Karnataka to follow the footsteps of W.Bengal Saturday, August 13, 2005 | AY
The Government of Karnataka feels that the West Bengal’s model for the restructuring of sick public sector units (PSUs), as also the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) provided to the employees of these restructured units, ought to be a model for the rest of the states in the country to replicate. Highlighting the fact that 66 of the 99 PSUs in Karnataka are sick units, Karnataka’s minister for industry and commerce, P G R Scindia said that they will recommend the implementation of similar models in Karnataka. Scindia further explained that, different from Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) that was offered to state Government employees in other states of the country, here there was no provision for the re-skilling of workers or for accident and other forms of insurance for employees, the Government of West Bengal took care of all such issues through its ERS.
PM conveys his condolence to West Bengal chief minister Saturday, August 13, 2005 | AY
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister, Shri Buddhadev Bhattacharjee and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to him on the passing away of Shri Bhattacharjee’s mother, Smt Leela Bhattacharjee, in Kolkata today. The Prime Minister expressed his grief and sorrow and that of his wife, Smt Gurusharan Kaur, to Mr Bhattacharjee and asked him to convey these sentiments to his sister and other members of their family.
Jetstar Asia inaugrates its maiden flight to Kolkata Thursday, August 11, 2005 | AY
Budget carrier Jetstar Asia is organising a conference of small and medium-sized corporations in Kolkata to mark its inaugural flight to the Indian city. Jetstar is flying out the chiefs of at least 20 businesses from Singapore. Jetstar will start thrice-weekly services to Kolkata next week. It currently flies to Bangkok, Malaysia, Taipei and Hong Kong. The Qantas associate, which recently merged with rival Valuair, has tied up with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Global Indian Business Network for the conference in conjunction with the first flight Aug 18.
Food park coming up soon Thursday, August 11, 2005 | AY
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee announced the launching of a Rs.1 billion mega food park to be set up near here as part of nine such parks being planned countrywide by the central government. The park will be set up on 1,000 acres to boost the state's food processing industry. The park will have cold storage, packaging and other integrated facilities. The land has already been selected and this one would add to the three food parks under construction in Siliguri, Haldia and Malda in the state.
Dominique Lapierre helps the poor in W.Bengal Wednesday, August 10, 2005 | AY
Well acclaimed author Dominique Lapierre opened a school for poor and destitute children at Parbakshi village in West Bengal's Howrah District launching the Dominique Lapierre Education Project for Deprived Children in the Third World. Lapierre has written much-acclaimed novels like Freedom at midnight (on India's independence), City of Joy (on Kolkata), Five past midnight in Bhopal (on Bhopal gas tragedy). The project aims to set up an inter-district chain of Bodhodaya Vidyamandir's to allow 1000 children to have access to education. Lapierre, has made Kolkata his second home. Apart from writing novels, he has been engaged in philanthropic work here for several years.
Tatas on the look out for investing in W.Bengal Wednesday, August 10, 2005 | AY
The Tata group is looking at enhancing investments in West Bengal across different industry segments. Ratan N Tata said, that Tata Memorial Hospital, a 150-bed hospital, roughly costing about Rs 99 crore would be set up soon. Tatas had been allotted 10 acres of land by the state government for Rs 10 crore at New Town in Rajarhat. On Tata Motors' proposed auto components manufacturing unit, he said that it would have to be approved by respective boards. Tata Steel and the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) has set up a joint venture company called Hooghly Met Coke & Power Co Ltd. The joint venture company proposed to set up a merchant coke oven plant at Haldia adopting heat recovery (HR) route with a capacity of 0.8 million tonne of coke annually in phase-one.
English referee stands for Calcutta Football League Tuesday, August 9, 2005 | AY
For the first time in the history of the Calcutta Football League, an English referee will officiate the upcoming Kolkata Premier League match between defending champions East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Considering the importance of the fixture between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan and to add more value to the Premier League, the IFA has decided to invite Dave Roberts to stand in the crucial game possibly on August 18 at the Salt Lake Stadium. Dave Roberts is also a qualified referee from the Football Association of England and was among the panel of officials for the FA Premier Reserve League, The Football Conference and FA Cup.
BCCI &KMC join hands in Kolkata city projects Tuesday, August 9, 2005 | AY
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) will form a joint committee to work for the development of Kolkata. BCCI decided that KMC would be the ideal partner for this venture as its scope of work was not only limited to city governance but touched the daily lives of city inhabitants in various ways, be it the water supply or through schools and roads. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was expected to be signed soon after a review by the new mayor, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, after the Left Front swept into power at KMC in the 2005 municipal elections. The alliance would also represent a tie-up between two historic institutions.
Counting of trees in Kolkata Monday, August 8, 2005 | AY
Due to expanding roads and construction of new flyovers, it has led to the loss of an alarming 6,000 trees in the last two years in Kolkata. As a result Calcutta Municipal Corporation (CMC) has decided to do a count of the existing number of trees to ensure the city's green cover is not depleted further. According to law, Government agencies need to plant seven saplings for every tree cut for construction work and this year, the CMC plans to plant 40,000 saplings. The Corporation also plans to make a CD identifying the number of trees, their species and exact location in the census so that periodic checks can be made. CMC authorities hope that the efforts to plant saplings especially of fruit trees would invite back various species of birds and butterflies, many of whom seem to have stopped visiting the city over the last few years.
Folk theatre enacting the London bombings Monday, August 8, 2005 | AY
In rural West Bengal, the carnage of the July 7 London bombings is getting readied to be enacted, complete with scenes of explosions and characters playing Al Qaeda terrorists and also Tony Blair and George Bush, in a popular open-air opera. The folk drama, known locally as jatra, will have special effects to recreate the serial blasts on London’s underground trains and a double-decker bus that had left over 50 people dead and 700 injured exactly a month ago. The high-decibel jatras, performed in open grounds for centuries, are immensely popular in rural areas despite the growing reach of satellite television and cinema. Digbijoee Opera, which is also coming up with a play on the tsunami disaster, had earlier produced plays on the World Trade Centre bombings and the hanging of rape and murder convict Dhanonjoy Chatterjee.
Landslides hit WB Sunday, August 7, 2005 | AY
Landslides in the northern part of the Indian state of West Bengal have cut off road links to the state of Sikkim. The neighbouring tea-producing region of Darjeeling has also been affected. The landslides were caused by incessant rains in the region. Officials say bulldozers and other equipment have been brought in to clear the main highway.
Sleeping for 11 months Sunday, August 7, 2005 | AY
A rare disorder in the form of sleeping sickness has affected a 9 year old boy in West Bengal's East Midnapore district. Arup Manna, who lives in Panskura town, has apparently been asleep since October 2004. He is woken up for meals and to answer the call of nature after which he dozes off. His parents say that Arup was a healthy child who was always on his feet until he was laid low by an intriguing sleeping syndrome which doctors have so far failed to unravel. The boy's father is an engineer posted in Jamshedpur in neighbouring Jharkhand province. He told a Bengali daily that he took Arup to Kolkata and Vellore for treatment but his condition has not improved.
Reliance to set up IT institute here Saturday, August 6, 2005 | AY
Reliance Industries Ltd will be setting up an Information Technology (IT) training institute in West Bengal very soon. This will be a project where the state government will provide land and all other facilities while Reliance will be investing in all the technical aspects. Bhattacharya also informed that the Indian Statistical Institute was planning to open an IT research centre in Kolkata.
AIDS icon now brand ambassador of football Saturday, August 6, 2005 | AY
Animated icon “Buladi” of a middleclass housewife for HIV/AIDS awareness in West Bengal is the new brand ambassador of community football games. The governing body of soccer in the state, the Indian Football Association and the West Bengal State AIDS Prevention and Control Society (WBSACS), are together organising the Buladi Pada (locality) Football Tournament that will be played among teams representing different localities of the metropolis. The tournament, aimed at spreading the message of AIDS, starts Aug 6 and will conclude in October. The tournament, to be held in two stages, is named after animated character Buladi, who personifies the ongoing campaign in the state against AIDS.
Coop bank upgrading its technology Saturday, August 6, 2005 | AY
Facing tough competition from private banks, Kolkata-based West Bengal State Co-operative Bank is gearing up for technology upgrade, including introduction of anywhere banking service, connectivity with district central co-op banks. The apex co-operative bank in West Bengal is also looking at the possibility of tying with the State Bank of India for an ATM sharing agreement. WBSCB, founded in 1918, is going for full computerisation in the next three-four months. Currently, half its 42 branches are computerised. WBSCB is gearing up to be the first coperartive bank in the country to introduce an RTGS (real time gross settlement) platform, in which money can be transferred from one account to the other across India bypassing the clearing house. The bank's networth is about Rs 120 cr, of which the share capital of the West Bengal government is less than Rs 4.5 cr. The bank is offering four per cent interest on savings account and eight per cent to senior citizens to enhance its deposit base.
CPI on Mamta's behaviour Saturday, August 6, 2005 | AY
Castigating Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for carrying out the "worst type of assault" on the parliamentary demomcracy, the CPI today said "deliberate attempts" were being made to erode the system. Banerjee's action touched a parliamentary low when she flung a bunch of papers at Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal and, in a haste, submitted her resignation, which was rejected on the ground that it was not in a proper form. The CPI leader said Banerjee was "demanding democracy in West Bengal and carries out a terrorist attack on the parliamentary system". Observing that the Congress had "more responsibility" in protecting the dignity of Parliament, Dasgupta said the ruling party was "playing with the issue for political considerations". Both CPI and CPI(M) have given notices for bringing privilege motion against the feisty Trinamool leader
Trains to Mumbai resume Thursday, August 4, 2005 | AY
Now that the rains have relented, the South-Eastern Railway will run a train from Howrah to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminal, Mumbai, on 5 August and from 7 to 12 August. An SER official said that the special trains would be numbered 0102 and 0810 and follow the route of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail, via Nagpur, up to Jalgaon. The trains would leave Howrah at 7.30 p.m. to reach Mumbai on the third day at 11 a.m.
WB opposition party walk out of the assembly Thursday, August 4, 2005 | AY
Opposition Trinamool Congress and Congress on Wednesday jointly walked out of the West Bengal assembly in protest against the speaker's refusal to allow an adjournment motion on the issue of allotting land to foreigners and private promoters in the state. Speaker H A Halim contended that since the land reforms amendment Bill, 2005, is scheduled to be brought in the house on Thursday under the rules of house, an adjournment motion on the subject could not be read on Wednesday. The opposition said they wanted to raise the matter of land allotment to promoters by the Buddhadev Bhattacharjee government and did not want to speak on the land reforms amendment Bill and in such a situation it was unfair to reject their demand to read the adjournment motion.
Ganguly fans perform yajna Wednesday, August 3, 2005 | AY
To help Sourav Ganguly regain his pride of place in the Indian team, cricket fans today held a 'yajna' at the famous Kalighat temple in south Kolkata. The hour-long 'yajna' was performed by Abhijit, a die-hard admirer of Ganguly at the 'Bagola ghat' in the backyard of the temple in the presence of other fans and onlookers. All his fans say say that, after Sachin (Tendulkar), he (Ganguly) is the only Indian player to have scored nearly 10,000 runs in one-dayers. Then, how can he be kept outside the squad?. Ganguly, whose six-match ban was reduced to four by ICC-appointed arbitrator Justice Albie Sachs, has joined the team for the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka and may make a comeback in the next match against the hosts.
Spycams to track Maoist Wednesday, August 3, 2005 | AY
Under pressure to curb Maoist activity after the July 9 killing of two Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders and a cop in Purulia and Bankura districts, police as a part of their new strategy is to install spycams at vantage points in West Bengal's forests to keep track of Maoist guerrillas who run their network from the wild. Apart from the forest areas of Bankura, Purulia and the Maoist citadel of Belpahari in West Midnapore districts, spycams would be installed in some areas in Kolkata and adjoining North and South 24 Parganas districts.
Myskina plays in kolkata Tuesday, August 2, 2005 | AY
Former Roland Garros champion Anastasia Myskina has signed up for next month's inaugural $170,000 WTA event in Kolkata. The 2004 French Open champion, ranked 12th in the world, is expected to be the biggest draw in the tier III indoor competition alongside popular Indian teenager Sania Mirza. The Kolkata event will take place from September 19 to 25.
WB ground water not usable now Tuesday, August 2, 2005 | AY
West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya has ordered all drinking water supplies in Kolkata, its suburbs and elsewhere in the state would henceforth be sourced from rivers wherever possible. He asked the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to stop digging tubewells and meet the city's drinking water needs only from the Hooghly river. All thsi problem is due to the Arsenic-contamination of Kolkata's groundwater which has risen to a very dangerous level. The problem was first noticed in West Bengal, particularly in the districts of Malda and 24 Parganas (South), when victims began to show external symptoms of arsenic poisoning — calluses on the palms and soles, leading to skin cancer. Bhattacharya said that besides utilising river water, storing rain water was another solution for coping with the growing problem.
Kolkata- Mumbai flights disrupted Monday, August 1, 2005 | AY
Flight schedules between Kolkata and Mumbai were disrupted today after poor visibility coupled with torrential rain forced suspension of landing of aircraft at Mumbai airport. Visibility at Mumbai airport went below the limits permissible for landing. Also, the services of the instrument landing system were not available. As a result three flights, which left Kolkata for Mumbai, were diverted to other airports.
Dalhousie Square - An endagered heritage site Monday, August 1, 2005 | AY
Dalhousie Square area which is about 2.5 km, situated in the heart of Kolkata, with its abundance of colonial buildings has been enlisted as one of the hundred endangered sites by the World Monument Fund (WMF) for years 2004 and 2006. It is essentially one of the finest examples of colonial heritage city centres worldwide. The WMF has also sanctioned a grant of 75000 dollars for giving a face lift to the beautiful, but damaged Standard Life Assurance Building in Dalhousie Square. ARCH (Action Research in Culture Heritage) hopes that the enlisting of the Square would fetch it the identity of a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The WMF has also listed three other sites in India in 2004 - the Wilson Hotel in Mumbai, a “haveli” in Bhuj and a “kila” in Patiala. The Dalhousie Square was the bustling hub of English colonial power and trade during the two centuries that the city served as the capital of British India.
