Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has declared an open war on his grand nephews Dayanidhi and Kalanidhi Maran.
A few weeks back in Chennai when former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran complained to the city police that he had been receiving threats he had said, "I am sure all this is happening without the Chief Minister's knowledge. I hope he will put an end to all these atrocities."
But what made the DMK chief burst out in a fit of anger was when Maran made himself conspicuous by sitting behind Railway Minister Lalu Prasad during the Railway Budget and then to make matters worse, Maran met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and told her that he and his brother Kalanidhi need SPG protection.
"The one's I had brought up on my shoulders have today taken the sword out against me," Karunanidhi wrote in a stinging poem referring to the Maran brothers.
"Let them take this as a warning and go into hiding," The Chief Minister added.
A bitter family feud between the Marans and Karunanidhi led to Dayanidhi Maran's exit from the Union Cabinet in May 2007. Then the DMK launched Kalaignar TV to counter the Maran family's Sun Network and now there's an ongoing bitter turf war for the state's cable business.
Another dimension to this battle came forward when on AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa's birthday many party advertisements went to a newspaper owned by the Maran Family's Sun Network.
While that raised a lot of eyebrows, it's also perhaps a reminder that this may not the last episode in the Marans versus Karunanidhi political soap opera.
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Modified property tax norms likely for Chennai
The Chennai Corporation is likely to go in for modified norms while revising property tax rates instead of following recent guidelines issued by the government.
The guidelines have anomalies and, if strictly followed, the tax may have to be revised more than the 25 per cent ceiling suggested by the government, according to official sources. Chennai adopts a simplified method to calculate property tax and will find it difficult to implement the new norms, they say.
The Chennai Corporation is the only local body in the State that has published streetwise property tax rates. It follows a square feet system for arriving at the tax, which allows property owners to calculate the levy on their own and avoid discretion or inconsistencies in interpretation norms.
The guidelines have anomalies and, if strictly followed, the tax may have to be revised more than the 25 per cent ceiling suggested by the government, according to official sources. Chennai adopts a simplified method to calculate property tax and will find it difficult to implement the new norms, they say.
The Chennai Corporation is the only local body in the State that has published streetwise property tax rates. It follows a square feet system for arriving at the tax, which allows property owners to calculate the levy on their own and avoid discretion or inconsistencies in interpretation norms.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Prolific Tamil writer Sujatha passes away
Sujatha, one of the most prolific writers of contemporary Tamil literature, passed away in a private hospital here late Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 72.
Pen name
S. Rangarajan, who wrote under the pen name, Sujatha, was known for his versatility in writing. He had a way with words, whether it meant writing short stories, science fiction, plays, pieces on history or screenplay for films.
He played a significant role in taking information on trends in science and technology to the common man through his simple articles.
An engineer, Sujatha was instrumental in designing and producing the Electronic Voting Machine when he was working with Bharat Electronics.
His columns for Tamil weeklies such as Ananda Vikadan, Kumudam and Kalki were widely read and fetched him numerous fans in all age groups. He had drawn thousands of youngsters to Tamil literature with his lucid and engaging style.
Born at Triplicane, Chennai, Sujatha had an exciting childhood at Srirangam, near Tiruchi, where he grew up under the care of his paternal grandmother.
After his schooling at the Boys High School, Srirangam, he pursued his bachelor’s degree in physics at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi, where he and former president Abdul Kalam were classmates.
He then did his engineering in electronics at the Madras Institute of Technology.
Many of his pieces reflected his academic background, especially those of the science fiction genre.
All the same, his writing was very accessible to all kinds of readers.
Informative
Playwright Crazy Mohan, who visited the writer recently, said, “He is one of the most multi-faceted writers in Tamil. His writing was terrific, consistent and extremely informative. He could write just about anything with amazing ease. Sujatha was certainly a genius.”
Pen name
S. Rangarajan, who wrote under the pen name, Sujatha, was known for his versatility in writing. He had a way with words, whether it meant writing short stories, science fiction, plays, pieces on history or screenplay for films.
He played a significant role in taking information on trends in science and technology to the common man through his simple articles.
An engineer, Sujatha was instrumental in designing and producing the Electronic Voting Machine when he was working with Bharat Electronics.
His columns for Tamil weeklies such as Ananda Vikadan, Kumudam and Kalki were widely read and fetched him numerous fans in all age groups. He had drawn thousands of youngsters to Tamil literature with his lucid and engaging style.
Born at Triplicane, Chennai, Sujatha had an exciting childhood at Srirangam, near Tiruchi, where he grew up under the care of his paternal grandmother.
After his schooling at the Boys High School, Srirangam, he pursued his bachelor’s degree in physics at St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi, where he and former president Abdul Kalam were classmates.
He then did his engineering in electronics at the Madras Institute of Technology.
Many of his pieces reflected his academic background, especially those of the science fiction genre.
All the same, his writing was very accessible to all kinds of readers.
Informative
Playwright Crazy Mohan, who visited the writer recently, said, “He is one of the most multi-faceted writers in Tamil. His writing was terrific, consistent and extremely informative. He could write just about anything with amazing ease. Sujatha was certainly a genius.”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Four Oscars for “No Country for Old Men”
The Coen brothers completed their journey from the fringes to Hollywood’s mainstream, their crime saga “No Country for Old Men” winning four Academy Awards, including best picture, in a ceremony that also featured a strong international flavour.
Europeans swept the acting categories on Sunday night. British actor Daniel Day-Lewis and France’s Marion Cotillard were best lead actor and actress. The supporting actor and actress prizes went to Spain’s Javier Bardem and British actress Tilda Swinton.
Bardem won for supporting actor in “No Country,” which earned Joel and Ethan Coen best director, best adapted screenplay and the best-picture honour as producers.
Day-Lewis won his second best-actor Academy Award for the oil-boom epic “There Will Be Blood,” while “La Vie En Rose” star Cotillard was a surprise winner for best actress, riding the spirit of Edith Piaf to Oscar triumph over British screen legend Julie Christie, who had been expected to win for “Away From Her.”
Swinton won for her portrayal as a malevolent attorney in “Michael Clayton.”
As a raging, conniving, acquisitive petroleum pioneer caught up in California’s oil boom of the early 20th century, Day-Lewis won for a part that could scarcely have been more different than his understated role as a writer with severe cerebral palsy in 1989’s “My Left Foot.”
“My deepest thanks to the academy for whacking me with the handsomest bludgeon in town,” Day-Lewis said.
Europeans swept the acting categories on Sunday night. British actor Daniel Day-Lewis and France’s Marion Cotillard were best lead actor and actress. The supporting actor and actress prizes went to Spain’s Javier Bardem and British actress Tilda Swinton.
Bardem won for supporting actor in “No Country,” which earned Joel and Ethan Coen best director, best adapted screenplay and the best-picture honour as producers.
Day-Lewis won his second best-actor Academy Award for the oil-boom epic “There Will Be Blood,” while “La Vie En Rose” star Cotillard was a surprise winner for best actress, riding the spirit of Edith Piaf to Oscar triumph over British screen legend Julie Christie, who had been expected to win for “Away From Her.”
Swinton won for her portrayal as a malevolent attorney in “Michael Clayton.”
As a raging, conniving, acquisitive petroleum pioneer caught up in California’s oil boom of the early 20th century, Day-Lewis won for a part that could scarcely have been more different than his understated role as a writer with severe cerebral palsy in 1989’s “My Left Foot.”
“My deepest thanks to the academy for whacking me with the handsomest bludgeon in town,” Day-Lewis said.
BoA clears 14 new SEZs
Two zones each in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan get the go-ahead
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Videocon Realtors’ IT SEZ in West Bengal
JB SEZ to set up pharma unit in Gujarat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DELHI: The Board of Approval (BoA) of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on Monday cleared 14 new proposals, including ten formal approvals.
While two SEZs each have been cleared in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, one each will come up in Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
The BoA granted formal approvals to two SEZs of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd. (SIPCOT), one for transport engineering goods at Tirunelveli and another of automobile and auto ancillary at Thiruvannamalai. Similarly, two SEZs of Mahindra Worldcity (Jaipur) Ltd. of handicrafts and light engineering at Jaipur were given formal approvals.
Other SEZs cleared include an information technology SEZ by Videocon Realtors and Infrastructure Ltd. at Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, IT SEZ by Devbhumi Realtors Pvt. Ltd. at Ranga Reddy District in Andhra Pradesh, pharmaceuticals SEZ by JB SEZ Pvt. Ltd. at Panoli in Gujarat and Power SEZ by Wardha Power Company at Chandrapur in Maharashtra.
According to Commerce Secretary G. K. Pillai, who also heads the Board of Approval, so far formal approvals have been granted for setting up of 439 SEZs out of which 201 have been notified as on date.
The Commerce Secretary said that over Rs. 67,347 crore had been invested in these notified SEZs, giving direct employment to 97,478 persons, which is in addition to the employment provided to 1.83 lakh persons by the seven Central Government established SEZs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Videocon Realtors’ IT SEZ in West Bengal
JB SEZ to set up pharma unit in Gujarat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DELHI: The Board of Approval (BoA) of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on Monday cleared 14 new proposals, including ten formal approvals.
While two SEZs each have been cleared in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, one each will come up in Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
The BoA granted formal approvals to two SEZs of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd. (SIPCOT), one for transport engineering goods at Tirunelveli and another of automobile and auto ancillary at Thiruvannamalai. Similarly, two SEZs of Mahindra Worldcity (Jaipur) Ltd. of handicrafts and light engineering at Jaipur were given formal approvals.
Other SEZs cleared include an information technology SEZ by Videocon Realtors and Infrastructure Ltd. at Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, IT SEZ by Devbhumi Realtors Pvt. Ltd. at Ranga Reddy District in Andhra Pradesh, pharmaceuticals SEZ by JB SEZ Pvt. Ltd. at Panoli in Gujarat and Power SEZ by Wardha Power Company at Chandrapur in Maharashtra.
According to Commerce Secretary G. K. Pillai, who also heads the Board of Approval, so far formal approvals have been granted for setting up of 439 SEZs out of which 201 have been notified as on date.
The Commerce Secretary said that over Rs. 67,347 crore had been invested in these notified SEZs, giving direct employment to 97,478 persons, which is in addition to the employment provided to 1.83 lakh persons by the seven Central Government established SEZs.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
PMK to fight polls as part of DPA
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss, who met Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday at the Gopalapuram residence for over 30 minutes, reiterated that his party would remain in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance to fight the Parliamentary elections.
The last such meeting between the two leaders took place in May last. Since then the two parties had indulged in a war of words over a host of issues .
Explaining the purpose of his meeting, Dr. Ramadoss, who was accompanied by the party president G.K. Mani, said he greeted the Chief Minister for three reasons — declaring the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” as the Tamil New Year Day; coming out openly against the use of publicity extravaganza such as the display of massive hoardings and the Supreme Court’s recent verdict upholding the State Government’s Tamil Learning Act. He briefed the Chief Minister on his party’s anti-liquor campaign, which would be launched later this month.
Keeping in mind that the Budget session of the Assembly would begin soon, Dr. Ramadoss impressed upon Mr. Karunanidhi the need for the State Government to prepare an economic survey, action-taken reports and an outcome budget on the lines of the Union Government. “If we do, ours would be the first State, setting an example to others,” he said.
He wanted the State Government to come out with agriculture and gender budgets.
There should be a local bodies’ window in the State Government’s budget, the PMK leader said.
He brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the fact that other States had exclusive Ministers for primary education and water resources. Tamil Nadu too should follow suit, Dr. Ramadoss said.
The last such meeting between the two leaders took place in May last. Since then the two parties had indulged in a war of words over a host of issues .
Explaining the purpose of his meeting, Dr. Ramadoss, who was accompanied by the party president G.K. Mani, said he greeted the Chief Minister for three reasons — declaring the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” as the Tamil New Year Day; coming out openly against the use of publicity extravaganza such as the display of massive hoardings and the Supreme Court’s recent verdict upholding the State Government’s Tamil Learning Act. He briefed the Chief Minister on his party’s anti-liquor campaign, which would be launched later this month.
Keeping in mind that the Budget session of the Assembly would begin soon, Dr. Ramadoss impressed upon Mr. Karunanidhi the need for the State Government to prepare an economic survey, action-taken reports and an outcome budget on the lines of the Union Government. “If we do, ours would be the first State, setting an example to others,” he said.
He wanted the State Government to come out with agriculture and gender budgets.
There should be a local bodies’ window in the State Government’s budget, the PMK leader said.
He brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the fact that other States had exclusive Ministers for primary education and water resources. Tamil Nadu too should follow suit, Dr. Ramadoss said.
PMK to fight polls as part of DPA
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss, who met Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday at the Gopalapuram residence for over 30 minutes, reiterated that his party would remain in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance to fight the Parliamentary elections.
The last such meeting between the two leaders took place in May last. Since then the two parties had indulged in a war of words over a host of issues .
Explaining the purpose of his meeting, Dr. Ramadoss, who was accompanied by the party president G.K. Mani, said he greeted the Chief Minister for three reasons — declaring the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” as the Tamil New Year Day; coming out openly against the use of publicity extravaganza such as the display of massive hoardings and the Supreme Court’s recent verdict upholding the State Government’s Tamil Learning Act. He briefed the Chief Minister on his party’s anti-liquor campaign, which would be launched later this month.
Keeping in mind that the Budget session of the Assembly would begin soon, Dr. Ramadoss impressed upon Mr. Karunanidhi the need for the State Government to prepare an economic survey, action-taken reports and an outcome budget on the lines of the Union Government. “If we do, ours would be the first State, setting an example to others,” he said.
He wanted the State Government to come out with agriculture and gender budgets.
There should be a local bodies’ window in the State Government’s budget, the PMK leader said.
He brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the fact that other States had exclusive Ministers for primary education and water resources. Tamil Nadu too should follow suit, Dr. Ramadoss said.
The last such meeting between the two leaders took place in May last. Since then the two parties had indulged in a war of words over a host of issues .
Explaining the purpose of his meeting, Dr. Ramadoss, who was accompanied by the party president G.K. Mani, said he greeted the Chief Minister for three reasons — declaring the first day of the Tamil month “Thai” as the Tamil New Year Day; coming out openly against the use of publicity extravaganza such as the display of massive hoardings and the Supreme Court’s recent verdict upholding the State Government’s Tamil Learning Act. He briefed the Chief Minister on his party’s anti-liquor campaign, which would be launched later this month.
Keeping in mind that the Budget session of the Assembly would begin soon, Dr. Ramadoss impressed upon Mr. Karunanidhi the need for the State Government to prepare an economic survey, action-taken reports and an outcome budget on the lines of the Union Government. “If we do, ours would be the first State, setting an example to others,” he said.
He wanted the State Government to come out with agriculture and gender budgets.
There should be a local bodies’ window in the State Government’s budget, the PMK leader said.
He brought to the attention of the Chief Minister the fact that other States had exclusive Ministers for primary education and water resources. Tamil Nadu too should follow suit, Dr. Ramadoss said.
Sun shifts regional news depts out of Chennai
Move follows tensions between Maran and DMK.
The Maran-family-controlled Sun Network has moved its regional language news departments out of Chennai to their respective states, following the family’s brea-up with ruling party Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) last year.
The network is also geared up to move out of its corporate headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, also the headquarters of the ruling DMK party.
Employees of Sun Network told Business Standard that respective regional news departments have been given marching orders to Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to be based out of the state capitals.
Sources said that the lack of space at the temporary office in Chennai was the reason for the decision to relocate the news teams.
An estimated 90 staffers have been given transfer orders following this decision. The network is constructing a new multi-storeyed headquarters in Chennai, which is expected to be ready for occupation in 2-3 years.
The change in the address of Sun Network will pinch, since it involves a monthly rental of Rs 22 lakh, according to Sun Network sources. The network, at its present address at the DMK headquarters, was paying a paltry sum of Rs 25,000 a month when it was in the good books of DMK party chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Sun Network’s website (www.sunnetwork.in) continues to show its present address as the DMK headquarters’ address. Network employees said they would be moving to the new address anytime soon. The network has not intimated stock exchanges about its proposed change of address yet.
On January 23 this year, the network, in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, had said that against the total projected utilisation of Rs 572 crore (net of issue expenses) from the Initial Public Offer (IPO) funds, Rs 310.35 crore has been utilised towards capitalisation of subsidiaries, Rs 10.33 crore towards construction of its corporate office and Rs 24.60 crore towards the purchase of new equipment and upgrade of existing equipment. The balance proceeds have been invested in fixed deposits with banks.
Sun TV Network’s stocks closed today at Rs 312.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, falling Rs 5.80 or 1.82 per cent over the previous closing price.
The Maran-family-controlled Sun Network has moved its regional language news departments out of Chennai to their respective states, following the family’s brea-up with ruling party Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) last year.
The network is also geared up to move out of its corporate headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, also the headquarters of the ruling DMK party.
Employees of Sun Network told Business Standard that respective regional news departments have been given marching orders to Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to be based out of the state capitals.
Sources said that the lack of space at the temporary office in Chennai was the reason for the decision to relocate the news teams.
An estimated 90 staffers have been given transfer orders following this decision. The network is constructing a new multi-storeyed headquarters in Chennai, which is expected to be ready for occupation in 2-3 years.
The change in the address of Sun Network will pinch, since it involves a monthly rental of Rs 22 lakh, according to Sun Network sources. The network, at its present address at the DMK headquarters, was paying a paltry sum of Rs 25,000 a month when it was in the good books of DMK party chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Sun Network’s website (www.sunnetwork.in) continues to show its present address as the DMK headquarters’ address. Network employees said they would be moving to the new address anytime soon. The network has not intimated stock exchanges about its proposed change of address yet.
On January 23 this year, the network, in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange, had said that against the total projected utilisation of Rs 572 crore (net of issue expenses) from the Initial Public Offer (IPO) funds, Rs 310.35 crore has been utilised towards capitalisation of subsidiaries, Rs 10.33 crore towards construction of its corporate office and Rs 24.60 crore towards the purchase of new equipment and upgrade of existing equipment. The balance proceeds have been invested in fixed deposits with banks.
Sun TV Network’s stocks closed today at Rs 312.10 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, falling Rs 5.80 or 1.82 per cent over the previous closing price.
SBI, Canara cut rates again
In a concerted move, four public sector banks today cut their benchmark prime lending rates (PLRs). State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest bank, and Canara Bank cut their PLRs by 25 basis points for the second time in just over a week, while Bank of India (BoI) and Union Bank lowered their PLRs by 50 basis points.
The reductions in lending rates follow a lunch meeting of chairmen of large public sector banks last week to discuss the lowering of interest rates across the board, following finance minister P Chidambaram’s appeal to banks on February 12 to make credit affordable and to help negate the impact of slowing credit on the growth of the economy.
Another public sector bank, Bank of Baroda’s asset liability committee meets tomorrow to take a call on cutting its PLR. Punjab National Bank (PNB) could not be reached to ascertain its call on cutting its lending rates. PNB Chairman, KC Chakraborty had also attended the lunch meeting.
SBI and Canara Bank had reduced their PLRs by 25 basis points on February 11, a day before Chidambaram met chairmen of public sector banks to assess the performance of the government-owned banks in the third quarter of 2007-08.
The reductions in lending rates follow a lunch meeting of chairmen of large public sector banks last week to discuss the lowering of interest rates across the board, following finance minister P Chidambaram’s appeal to banks on February 12 to make credit affordable and to help negate the impact of slowing credit on the growth of the economy.
Another public sector bank, Bank of Baroda’s asset liability committee meets tomorrow to take a call on cutting its PLR. Punjab National Bank (PNB) could not be reached to ascertain its call on cutting its lending rates. PNB Chairman, KC Chakraborty had also attended the lunch meeting.
SBI and Canara Bank had reduced their PLRs by 25 basis points on February 11, a day before Chidambaram met chairmen of public sector banks to assess the performance of the government-owned banks in the third quarter of 2007-08.
Contamination: Metrowater official summoned to court
“Encroachments preventing water from draining through Five Holes bridge”
Petitioner claims black water gushed out of tap in his house last November
The Madras High Court has directed the General Manager of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to be present in court on Thursday in connection with a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to authorities to prevent contamination of the city’s drinking water with drainage water.
In the petition, which came up before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P.Shah and Justice F.M.Ibrahim Kalifulla, petitioner P. Cholaraja of Villivakkam submitted that the people of Chennai were using contaminated water supplied by the Board.
He said owing to encroachments on government lands and constructions, water could not drain through the Five Holes bridge at Villivakkam. During the heavy rain in November last year, drainage and flood waters flowing from the Ambattur side via Korattur could not pass through the bridge as encroachers had broken the Metrowater pipeline.
The contamination would affect the health of city residents.
The petitioner said when he opened the drinking water tap in his house in November last year, he was shocked to find black water gushing out. He represented before the respondents, including the Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, and the Chairman and Managing Director of the Board, to visit the spot and take immediate action, but this was not done.
He sought a direction to authorities to prevent the mixing of drainage water in the drinking water pipeline at the Five Holes bridge.
Petitioner claims black water gushed out of tap in his house last November
The Madras High Court has directed the General Manager of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to be present in court on Thursday in connection with a public interest litigation petition seeking a direction to authorities to prevent contamination of the city’s drinking water with drainage water.
In the petition, which came up before the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P.Shah and Justice F.M.Ibrahim Kalifulla, petitioner P. Cholaraja of Villivakkam submitted that the people of Chennai were using contaminated water supplied by the Board.
He said owing to encroachments on government lands and constructions, water could not drain through the Five Holes bridge at Villivakkam. During the heavy rain in November last year, drainage and flood waters flowing from the Ambattur side via Korattur could not pass through the bridge as encroachers had broken the Metrowater pipeline.
The contamination would affect the health of city residents.
The petitioner said when he opened the drinking water tap in his house in November last year, he was shocked to find black water gushing out. He represented before the respondents, including the Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, and the Chairman and Managing Director of the Board, to visit the spot and take immediate action, but this was not done.
He sought a direction to authorities to prevent the mixing of drainage water in the drinking water pipeline at the Five Holes bridge.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Dhoni goes to Chennai for $1.5 mn, Akhtar for Kolkata
The auctions for the Indian Premier League (IPL) have begun in the ballroom of the Oberoi Hilton in Mumbai.
Chennai team bought Mahendra Singh Dhoni for $1.5 million.
A total of 78 players are up or grabs and they will be bought by eight franchises over the next 11 hours. Around Rs 160 crore ($40million) is at stake during the auctions.
But in a big blow to the IPL, Australia's Test and One-Day skipper Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Michael Hussey will not be playing in the IPL in 2008 and hence they won't be auctioned.
Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have already reached the for their team's bid
Each of the eight franchisees of the IPL will be allowed to spend a minimum of Rs 132 crore ($3.3 million) but not more than Rs 200 crore ($5 million) during the auctions.
Chennai team bought Mahendra Singh Dhoni for $1.5 million.
A total of 78 players are up or grabs and they will be bought by eight franchises over the next 11 hours. Around Rs 160 crore ($40million) is at stake during the auctions.
But in a big blow to the IPL, Australia's Test and One-Day skipper Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Michael Hussey will not be playing in the IPL in 2008 and hence they won't be auctioned.
Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have already reached the for their team's bid
Each of the eight franchisees of the IPL will be allowed to spend a minimum of Rs 132 crore ($3.3 million) but not more than Rs 200 crore ($5 million) during the auctions.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Chennai hosts senior police officers’ meeting
A meeting of senior police officers, many of them Commissioners, from seven major cities in the country was held here on Monday to chalk out the requirements of the force from the perspective of providing enhanced security, over the next 10 years.
This was the fourth in a series of meetings of the Committee of Commissioners of mega cities constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, said D.N. Jadhav, Mumbai Commissioner of Police and convener of the committee. Besides Mr. Jadhav, the meeting was attended by Commissioners of Police of Kolkata (G.M. Chakravarthy); Chennai (G. Nanchil Kumaran); Ahmedabad (S.K. Saikia); Director (Bureau of Police Research and Development), New Delhi, R.C. Arora; Additional Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, N.S. Megharikh; and Joint Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, Harish Gupta. Additional Commissioner of Police (Kolkata) Kuldeep Singh and Joint Commissioner (Mumbai) Hemant Karkare also participated.
The technical team will meet in Mumbai shortly. Proposals submitted by the police commissioners would be studied and tabled for approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Kumaran said Monday’s meeting discussed the requirement with regard to infrastructure, human resources and additional finances.
It also discussed emerging areas such as cyber communication.
This was the fourth in a series of meetings of the Committee of Commissioners of mega cities constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, said D.N. Jadhav, Mumbai Commissioner of Police and convener of the committee. Besides Mr. Jadhav, the meeting was attended by Commissioners of Police of Kolkata (G.M. Chakravarthy); Chennai (G. Nanchil Kumaran); Ahmedabad (S.K. Saikia); Director (Bureau of Police Research and Development), New Delhi, R.C. Arora; Additional Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, N.S. Megharikh; and Joint Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad, Harish Gupta. Additional Commissioner of Police (Kolkata) Kuldeep Singh and Joint Commissioner (Mumbai) Hemant Karkare also participated.
The technical team will meet in Mumbai shortly. Proposals submitted by the police commissioners would be studied and tabled for approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Kumaran said Monday’s meeting discussed the requirement with regard to infrastructure, human resources and additional finances.
It also discussed emerging areas such as cyber communication.
Blu-ray poised to win DVD war
They were dubbed the ‘DVD wars,’ recalling the format rivalries in the video cassette business in the 1970s that finally saw VHS prevail over Betamax, but not before millions of customers had lost money by backing the losing standard.
For over a year now, the market place for high density digital versatile disks (DVDs) has seen two incompatible formats — Blu-ray and HD DVD — battle it out for consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets. Both high density formats kicked up the storage capacity of the DVD almost five fold, from 4.7 gigabytes (GB) to between 20 GB and 25 GB.
Blu-ray’s godfathers were Sony and Philips. HD DVD had Toshiba and Hitachi in its corner. And while consumers needed high density disks, if they were to enjoy the new high-definition movie formats, they were hassled by leading Hollywood studios supporting one or the other standard — Fox, Warner and Sony for Blu-ray; Paramount and Universal for HD DVD. This meant that some movies were issued in one format, others in another... and they needed different players to watch.
Now it seems the end of the confusion is in sight. Toshiba is reported to have decided on exiting the high density DVD business. This will leave the field open for Blu-ray — which might end up as Last Man Standing in the format battle over high density removable optical storage.
The withdrawal of Toshiba (which remains to be formally announced) may have been forced by the recent decision of one of its supporters, Warner Brothers to stop issuing films on HD DVD; as well as the announcement by large American retailers like WalMart and video rental players like NetFlix, to stock only one format — Blu-ray — in future.
For over a year now, the market place for high density digital versatile disks (DVDs) has seen two incompatible formats — Blu-ray and HD DVD — battle it out for consumers’ hearts, minds and wallets. Both high density formats kicked up the storage capacity of the DVD almost five fold, from 4.7 gigabytes (GB) to between 20 GB and 25 GB.
Blu-ray’s godfathers were Sony and Philips. HD DVD had Toshiba and Hitachi in its corner. And while consumers needed high density disks, if they were to enjoy the new high-definition movie formats, they were hassled by leading Hollywood studios supporting one or the other standard — Fox, Warner and Sony for Blu-ray; Paramount and Universal for HD DVD. This meant that some movies were issued in one format, others in another... and they needed different players to watch.
Now it seems the end of the confusion is in sight. Toshiba is reported to have decided on exiting the high density DVD business. This will leave the field open for Blu-ray — which might end up as Last Man Standing in the format battle over high density removable optical storage.
The withdrawal of Toshiba (which remains to be formally announced) may have been forced by the recent decision of one of its supporters, Warner Brothers to stop issuing films on HD DVD; as well as the announcement by large American retailers like WalMart and video rental players like NetFlix, to stock only one format — Blu-ray — in future.
Petitions challenging Tamil Learning Act rejected
Law makes Tamil as compulsory subject from Standards I to X
Bench declines to interfere with High Court verdict
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected petitions challenging a legislation passed by the Tamil Nadu government making Tamil a compulsory subject from Standards I to X in all schools in the State from academic year 2006-2007.
A Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice J.M. Panchal dismissed, at the admission stage, special leave petitions filed by the Kanyakumari District Malayala Samajam and the Yogakshema Sabha, Kanyakumari, against a Madras High Court judgment upholding the constitutional validity of the law.
Justice Pasayat cited an earlier apex court judgment, which had said that resistance to learn local language would not be in the interest of the country’s unity. Learning the local language would be in the interest of the child.
The petitioners challenged Tamil Nadu Tamil Learning Act 2006 gazetted on June 12, 2006. While making compulsory Tamil as the first language and English, the second language, it made study of any other language by students who had neither Tamil nor English as their mother tongue optional.
Under the law, Tamil was made compulsory for students of Standard I from academic year 2006-07. They must learn Tamil as compulsory language in the subsequent years and continue to do so till Standard X.
Bench declines to interfere with High Court verdict
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected petitions challenging a legislation passed by the Tamil Nadu government making Tamil a compulsory subject from Standards I to X in all schools in the State from academic year 2006-2007.
A Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice J.M. Panchal dismissed, at the admission stage, special leave petitions filed by the Kanyakumari District Malayala Samajam and the Yogakshema Sabha, Kanyakumari, against a Madras High Court judgment upholding the constitutional validity of the law.
Justice Pasayat cited an earlier apex court judgment, which had said that resistance to learn local language would not be in the interest of the country’s unity. Learning the local language would be in the interest of the child.
The petitioners challenged Tamil Nadu Tamil Learning Act 2006 gazetted on June 12, 2006. While making compulsory Tamil as the first language and English, the second language, it made study of any other language by students who had neither Tamil nor English as their mother tongue optional.
Under the law, Tamil was made compulsory for students of Standard I from academic year 2006-07. They must learn Tamil as compulsory language in the subsequent years and continue to do so till Standard X.
Pak polls: Fear of violence keep voters away
Balloting got off to a slow start today in Pakistan's crucial general election as voters appeared to be wary of violence while the opposition accused the government of rigging the poll, which is viewed as a litmus test for beleaguered President Pervez Musharraf.
Clashes between political workers, forcible stamping of ballots at a handful of polling stations in Sindh and Punjab provinces and two blasts in Balochistan capital Quetta were reported.
An election official was arrested in Shikarpur town in Sindh province after complaints from voters that hundreds of ballot papers were missing from a polling station.
The government, however, said that it was hoping for a "good turnout" by the end of the day, and termed as "unfortunate" opposition's allegations of rigging.
Urban centres did witness some brisk polling with a turnout of about 30 % in cities like Islamabad and Lahore.
In parts of northwestern Pakistan, which witnessed widespread violence during the campaign, very few people were seen exercising their franchise despite the extensive security arrangements made for the crucial polls.
Hours before the polls, southern Balochistan province was rocked by a series of 20 blasts while a PML-N candidate and three other persons were gunned down in two incidents of violence in the central city of Lahore.
PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif blamed Musharraf's main ally PML (Q) for the killing of its candidate Asif Ashraf.
"The ruling party is trying to intimidate voters into staying away. If the opposition fails to get two-third majority it means the polls are rigged," he said.
Clashes between political workers, forcible stamping of ballots at a handful of polling stations in Sindh and Punjab provinces and two blasts in Balochistan capital Quetta were reported.
An election official was arrested in Shikarpur town in Sindh province after complaints from voters that hundreds of ballot papers were missing from a polling station.
The government, however, said that it was hoping for a "good turnout" by the end of the day, and termed as "unfortunate" opposition's allegations of rigging.
Urban centres did witness some brisk polling with a turnout of about 30 % in cities like Islamabad and Lahore.
In parts of northwestern Pakistan, which witnessed widespread violence during the campaign, very few people were seen exercising their franchise despite the extensive security arrangements made for the crucial polls.
Hours before the polls, southern Balochistan province was rocked by a series of 20 blasts while a PML-N candidate and three other persons were gunned down in two incidents of violence in the central city of Lahore.
PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif blamed Musharraf's main ally PML (Q) for the killing of its candidate Asif Ashraf.
"The ruling party is trying to intimidate voters into staying away. If the opposition fails to get two-third majority it means the polls are rigged," he said.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Reports on river link by March
Detailed reports on most of the components of the three proposed links of rivers in the State will be ready by March-end. This is part of the State Government’s programme of implementing three projects – linking the Cauvery with Agniyar, South Vellar, Pambar, Manimuthar, Vaigai and Gundar; linking Pennaiyar with Cheyyar and linking Tamiraparani with Karumeniyar and Nambiyar.
All the three links have been proposed taking into account the flood flows. Public Works Minister Durai Murugan told reporters in Vellore that “we should at least be able to link the rivers within Tamil Nadu to impound the surplus water going waste into the sea and take water from surplus areas to dry basins.”
The programme will benefit water-deficit areas of Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts.
Tanks in the basins of various rivers will also be filled. Totally, 10,630 acres will be required, of which the forest area accounts for 215 acres.
The first link (Cauvery-Gundar) has three components such as conversion of Kattalai Bed Regulator into a barrage, the Kattalai-Manimuthar stretch (length: 165 km) and the Manimuthar-Gundar stretch (90 km).
The report on the first component is ready and the estimated cost is Rs. 165 crore for converting the regulator into barrage. The report on the second component is likely to be ready by March and the report on the third (over 90 km) will be prepared by August. The reports for the second link (Pennaiyar-Cheyyar) and the third link (Tamiraparani-Karumeniyar and Nambiyar) will be ready next month.
On Thursday, A. Mohanakrishnan, chairman of the Cauvery Technical Cell, apprised Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of the details of the projects at the Secretariat. Senior officials, including Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy and Public Works Secretary S. Audiseshiah were present.
The Kattalai barrage scheme will enable the creation of a small reservoir of 1.04 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) capacity.
According to an official document, a 255-km-long canal will be formed south of the Bed Regulator to carry the floodwater. In times of floods, the canal can carry 5.4 tmcft of water over 10 days in a year. The other two links (Pennaiyar-Cheyyar and Tamiraparani-Karumeniyar and Nambiyar) envisage the diversion of 1.8 tmcft and 2.5 tmcft annually. Their estimated cost is Rs. 500 crore.
Mr. Durai Murugan said he was planning to hold a meeting of Irrigation Ministers of riparian States.
All the three links have been proposed taking into account the flood flows. Public Works Minister Durai Murugan told reporters in Vellore that “we should at least be able to link the rivers within Tamil Nadu to impound the surplus water going waste into the sea and take water from surplus areas to dry basins.”
The programme will benefit water-deficit areas of Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts.
Tanks in the basins of various rivers will also be filled. Totally, 10,630 acres will be required, of which the forest area accounts for 215 acres.
The first link (Cauvery-Gundar) has three components such as conversion of Kattalai Bed Regulator into a barrage, the Kattalai-Manimuthar stretch (length: 165 km) and the Manimuthar-Gundar stretch (90 km).
The report on the first component is ready and the estimated cost is Rs. 165 crore for converting the regulator into barrage. The report on the second component is likely to be ready by March and the report on the third (over 90 km) will be prepared by August. The reports for the second link (Pennaiyar-Cheyyar) and the third link (Tamiraparani-Karumeniyar and Nambiyar) will be ready next month.
On Thursday, A. Mohanakrishnan, chairman of the Cauvery Technical Cell, apprised Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi of the details of the projects at the Secretariat. Senior officials, including Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy and Public Works Secretary S. Audiseshiah were present.
The Kattalai barrage scheme will enable the creation of a small reservoir of 1.04 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) capacity.
According to an official document, a 255-km-long canal will be formed south of the Bed Regulator to carry the floodwater. In times of floods, the canal can carry 5.4 tmcft of water over 10 days in a year. The other two links (Pennaiyar-Cheyyar and Tamiraparani-Karumeniyar and Nambiyar) envisage the diversion of 1.8 tmcft and 2.5 tmcft annually. Their estimated cost is Rs. 500 crore.
Mr. Durai Murugan said he was planning to hold a meeting of Irrigation Ministers of riparian States.
Petrol, diesel prices go up
Despite “strong opposition” from the supporting Left parties, the United Progressive Alliance government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol by Rs. 2 and diesel by Re. 1. The revision will come into effect from midnight on Thursday night.
The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, took the decision after a recommendation by the Group of Ministers led by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The hike, coming in the wake of spiralling international crude prices in the international markets, saw months of parleys within the government and among its allies and Left parties.
Petrol in Delhi will now cost Rs. 45. 52 against Rs. 43.52. In Kolkata it will be Rs. 48.95 against Rs. 46.86, in Mumbai Rs. 50.51 against Rs. 48.38 and in Chennai it will be Rs. 49.61 against Rs. 47.44.
Diesel in Delhi will now cost Rs. 31.76 against Rs. 30.76.
In Kolkata it will be Rs. 33.92 against Rs. 32.87, in Mumbai Rs. 36.08 against Rs. 34.94 and in Chennai Rs. 34.40 against Rs. 33.30.
The CCPA, however, decided against lowering the duties to cushion the impact of the surging global oil prices.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Plan panel agrees to provide Rs.16,000 crore for State
Consequent to the Tamil Nadu Government’s performance in executing the last year’s annual plan, the Planning Commission has agreed to provide Rs. 16,000 crore for the State.
The Annual Plan for Tamil Nadu for 2008-09 was finalised in New Delhi on Monday at a meeting between Finance Minister Anbazhagan and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is expected to make a formal announcement on the plan size and priorities on Tuesday.
Officials said the State had got what it had wanted to carry forward the capital and development works that it had planned to execute next year.
The Annual Plan for Tamil Nadu for 2008-09 was finalised in New Delhi on Monday at a meeting between Finance Minister Anbazhagan and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is expected to make a formal announcement on the plan size and priorities on Tuesday.
Officials said the State had got what it had wanted to carry forward the capital and development works that it had planned to execute next year.
IT companies dismiss fears of large-scale job cuts
Some of the leading IT and IT-enabled services companies have ruled out any major retrenchment plan anytime now. Most of them are also preparing to go ahead with their campus placement programmes this summer.
“Too much is being read into performance-linked bonuses, and counselling out of relative underperformers. For years, this has been happening in all knowledge-based industries. The percentage of those counselled out based on performance is usually in very low single digit. Progressive companies provide all support during the Performance Improvement Plan period to help individuals measure up, and also make significant investments in additional learning interventions,” says T. Sridhar, Chief People Officer, Cognizant.
Echoing this view, sources in Nasscom say that given the current global trends and the highly competitive environment, the IT and ITES companies, especially BPOs, have to take a hard look at quality and productivity.
“Perhaps, they have gone in for large-scale recruitment over the past couple of years, taking in graduates who do not measure up to the standards. The dip in profitability could account for the reduction in performance-linked bonuses, but the weeding out of underperformers is not only a continuing exercise but also an imperative one right now,” according to a senior official.
A senior HR manager in a leading IT major says people are their assets and it makes no sense for companies to lay off or retrench staff already on their rolls. “In an industry where attrition rates are already high, why will a company unnecessarily send out qualified hands?”
Mr. Sridhar emphasises that there is absolutely no link between the pay or job cuts and the appreciating rupee. “Companies have many levers to tackle the appreciating rupee including improving employee utilisation, better managing onsite-offshore mix, improving pricing from customers, moving up the value chain, and structuring deals based on business outcome rather than per-person effort.”
Most of the IT companies spoken to insist that they will go ahead with their campus placement programmes. HR managers also argue that retention is preferable to fresh recruitment, but the projected demands for the future still remain valid. However, their financial counterparts feel that given the slowdown or virtual recession in the U.S., there will have to be a constant review of projects and staffing patterns. The trend is obviously towards “capacity utilisation and productivity.”
“Too much is being read into performance-linked bonuses, and counselling out of relative underperformers. For years, this has been happening in all knowledge-based industries. The percentage of those counselled out based on performance is usually in very low single digit. Progressive companies provide all support during the Performance Improvement Plan period to help individuals measure up, and also make significant investments in additional learning interventions,” says T. Sridhar, Chief People Officer, Cognizant.
Echoing this view, sources in Nasscom say that given the current global trends and the highly competitive environment, the IT and ITES companies, especially BPOs, have to take a hard look at quality and productivity.
“Perhaps, they have gone in for large-scale recruitment over the past couple of years, taking in graduates who do not measure up to the standards. The dip in profitability could account for the reduction in performance-linked bonuses, but the weeding out of underperformers is not only a continuing exercise but also an imperative one right now,” according to a senior official.
A senior HR manager in a leading IT major says people are their assets and it makes no sense for companies to lay off or retrench staff already on their rolls. “In an industry where attrition rates are already high, why will a company unnecessarily send out qualified hands?”
Mr. Sridhar emphasises that there is absolutely no link between the pay or job cuts and the appreciating rupee. “Companies have many levers to tackle the appreciating rupee including improving employee utilisation, better managing onsite-offshore mix, improving pricing from customers, moving up the value chain, and structuring deals based on business outcome rather than per-person effort.”
Most of the IT companies spoken to insist that they will go ahead with their campus placement programmes. HR managers also argue that retention is preferable to fresh recruitment, but the projected demands for the future still remain valid. However, their financial counterparts feel that given the slowdown or virtual recession in the U.S., there will have to be a constant review of projects and staffing patterns. The trend is obviously towards “capacity utilisation and productivity.”
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tata Motors unit to make parts for Dreamliner
After creating a flutter with the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, Tata Motors will contribute structural components to one of Boeing’s most ambitious projects, the 787 Dreamliner.
The American aircraft manufacturer has signed an agreement with Tata Automobile Limited (TAL) Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly-owned Tata Motors subsidiary, to build floor beams using new technology with advanced titanium and composite materials.
These components will be made at an upcoming 30-acre, Rs 250-crore facility being set up to cater to aerospace requirements at Nagpur in Maharashtra. Commercial production will begin in 2009.
The financials and size of the contract are not being disclosed by either company. The move is being seen as a precursor to a bigger exposure in aerospace components and parts, though the group did not provide more detail.
Ravi Kant, chairman, TAL, and managing director, Tata Motors, said, “ We believe this agreement has the potential to develop into a more broad-based alliance that would enable both organisations to utilise the best and most competitive resources within themselves and thereby offer greater value to customers.”
Boeing’s spokesperson from Seattle, Ken Mercer, told Business Standard, “This is a big opportunity for us and India is a priority market. We would be looking for other such partnerships with Indian companies and discussions are on.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been widely discussed as much for its size as its economics. It is the first commercial aircraft to use mostly composite material and will burn 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than airplanes of comparable size, cause less carbon emission and have less noisy take-offs and landings.
Today’s deal is part of an effort by Boeing to scout for long-term partners in India to manufacture components. It already has a tie-up with government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the manufacture of aircraft components and assemblies and the digitisation of engineering drawings.
HAL is currently the single source for the Boeing 757 overwing exit doors and the 777’s main landing gear uplock boxes.
In the last month Boeing had announced India’s first public-private aerospace consortium with the Indian Institute of Science, Society for Innovation and Development, Wipro Technologies and HCL Technologies.
The American aircraft manufacturer has signed an agreement with Tata Automobile Limited (TAL) Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly-owned Tata Motors subsidiary, to build floor beams using new technology with advanced titanium and composite materials.
These components will be made at an upcoming 30-acre, Rs 250-crore facility being set up to cater to aerospace requirements at Nagpur in Maharashtra. Commercial production will begin in 2009.
The financials and size of the contract are not being disclosed by either company. The move is being seen as a precursor to a bigger exposure in aerospace components and parts, though the group did not provide more detail.
Ravi Kant, chairman, TAL, and managing director, Tata Motors, said, “ We believe this agreement has the potential to develop into a more broad-based alliance that would enable both organisations to utilise the best and most competitive resources within themselves and thereby offer greater value to customers.”
Boeing’s spokesperson from Seattle, Ken Mercer, told Business Standard, “This is a big opportunity for us and India is a priority market. We would be looking for other such partnerships with Indian companies and discussions are on.”
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been widely discussed as much for its size as its economics. It is the first commercial aircraft to use mostly composite material and will burn 20 per cent less fuel per passenger than airplanes of comparable size, cause less carbon emission and have less noisy take-offs and landings.
Today’s deal is part of an effort by Boeing to scout for long-term partners in India to manufacture components. It already has a tie-up with government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the manufacture of aircraft components and assemblies and the digitisation of engineering drawings.
HAL is currently the single source for the Boeing 757 overwing exit doors and the 777’s main landing gear uplock boxes.
In the last month Boeing had announced India’s first public-private aerospace consortium with the Indian Institute of Science, Society for Innovation and Development, Wipro Technologies and HCL Technologies.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Chennai to become smoke-free in two years
The Directorate of Public Health intends to make Chennai smoke-free in two years. To help its battle against tobacco is a handsome grant from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who announced funding for organisations across the world. Tamil Nadu will get Rs.4 to Rs. 5 crore to make Chennai smoke-free by 2010, a wedge of the 125 million USD Michael Bloomberg pledged to fight smoking in 2006. “Our proposal has been cleared and we have been told that the funds will reach us soon,” P. Padmanabhan, Director of Public Health told The Hindu.
The comprehensive strategy to make Chennai-smoke free would be unveiled in phases. It would include awareness, monitoring and punitive action for violations. In the Chennai Corporation area, the services of sanitary inspectors, the prosecuting authorities to prevent spitting in public places, would be utilised to implement the ban on smoking in public places.
Meanwhile, Red Ribbon Clubs would spread awareness and carry out a campaign among youth and students against smoking. They would also advance the concept of the non-smoker’s right to a smoke-free environment and their role in preventing smoking. This would be bolstered by the government’s own information, education, and communication campaign to be launched across various media simultaneously.
The comprehensive strategy to make Chennai-smoke free would be unveiled in phases. It would include awareness, monitoring and punitive action for violations. In the Chennai Corporation area, the services of sanitary inspectors, the prosecuting authorities to prevent spitting in public places, would be utilised to implement the ban on smoking in public places.
Meanwhile, Red Ribbon Clubs would spread awareness and carry out a campaign among youth and students against smoking. They would also advance the concept of the non-smoker’s right to a smoke-free environment and their role in preventing smoking. This would be bolstered by the government’s own information, education, and communication campaign to be launched across various media simultaneously.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Liquor flow to stop before midnight in Chennai
The Tamil Nadu Government has once again issued notices to pubs in Chennai to shut shop by 11 pm. As expected, pub-hoppers and pub-owners are unhappy with the decision.
DJ Michael's day starts in earnest only at 9 every night for that is when the guests start flooding in, and his Chennai pub really gets going. Pubs in Chennai are usually allowed to close at around midnight, despite an official deadline of 11 pm.
But starting Monday, all that might change. The state Prohibition and Excise Department has reinforced the 11 o'clock deadline for pubs - a cutoff Michael says is just too early.
"The deadline affects the attitude people show towards us. Instead of people saying 'hey good show', they say 'one more song would've been nice.' So in a way, we become the wet blanket for them. Apart from that, the sales have dropped because of the early timings," DJ Michael says.
Pub owners, who are looking to renew their licenses, are fearful of speaking up. Government officials too refused to comment on camera, but the Prohibition Department says the new notice is only to ensure that the old law is enforced.
"We meet up with our friends only after 9 or 10. That's the only time we can meet them. Restricting the time to 11 is not a good idea," says a regular pub-crawler Vinod.
DJ Michael's day starts in earnest only at 9 every night for that is when the guests start flooding in, and his Chennai pub really gets going. Pubs in Chennai are usually allowed to close at around midnight, despite an official deadline of 11 pm.
But starting Monday, all that might change. The state Prohibition and Excise Department has reinforced the 11 o'clock deadline for pubs - a cutoff Michael says is just too early.
"The deadline affects the attitude people show towards us. Instead of people saying 'hey good show', they say 'one more song would've been nice.' So in a way, we become the wet blanket for them. Apart from that, the sales have dropped because of the early timings," DJ Michael says.
Pub owners, who are looking to renew their licenses, are fearful of speaking up. Government officials too refused to comment on camera, but the Prohibition Department says the new notice is only to ensure that the old law is enforced.
"We meet up with our friends only after 9 or 10. That's the only time we can meet them. Restricting the time to 11 is not a good idea," says a regular pub-crawler Vinod.
HDFC BANK Branches in Chennai
Area Anna Nagar
Address AA-8, Second avenue
Anna Nagar
Chennai - 600040
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-26287411
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Ashok Nagar
Address 53, Plot No 41B,
4th Avenue,
Ashok Nagar,
Chennai - 600083
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-23717319
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon to Wed/Fri/Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Thursday
Area Chitlapakkam
Address No 5 G S T Road
Opp. Tambaram Fire Station
Sanitorium, Tambaram
Chennai - 600047
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 22387848
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area ITC Centre
Address 759, ITC Centre
Anna Salai
Chennai - 600002
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 28591865
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sun
Area Kilpauk
Address No 31/32,
Balfour Road
Kilpauk
Chennai - 600010
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 26448566
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Wednesday to Saturday/Monday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area Kotivakkam
Address 26 East Coast Road, Kottivakkam,
Chennai - 600041
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 24484447
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Tuesday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Monday
Area Madipakkam
Address 77, Medavakkam Main Road
Madipakkam
Chennai - 600091
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax (044)22476906
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Mogappair
Address 1/235 Valayapathy Road,
JJ Nagar, Mogappair East,
Chennai - 600037
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 26563284
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Tuesday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Monday
Area Mylapore
Address 113-114, P S Sivasamy Salai,
Mylapore
Chennai - 600004
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 24992813
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area NM Road
Address 117 Nelson Towers, N M Road,
Chennai - 600029
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 23742944
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Nungambakkam
Address 40, Nungambakkam High Road
Chennai - 600034
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 28231687
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sun
Area Parrys Corner
Address No 3, McDowell House,
2nd Line Beach - Parrys Corner
Chennai - 600001
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 25240655
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Pattabiram
Address 419 MTH Road
Pattabiram
Chennai - 600072
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044- 26851010
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area Perungudi
Address 27 New MGR Main Road
Perungudi
Chennai - 600096
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044--2496 3066
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon - Fri, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Poonamalee High Road
Address 808 Poonamalee High Road
Next to EGA Trade centre
Chennai - 600010
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 26651061
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Poonamallee
Address 27 A First Floor ,
Trunk Road
Poonamallee
Chennai - 600056
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044- 26496329
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon - Fri, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Porur
Address 98 / 99 Dual Garden, Mount Poonamallee Road,
Porur,
Chennai - 600116
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24461343.
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.00 - 3.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.00 - 12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area R.A. Puram
Address No 10, III Cross Street,
Opposite Chennai Kaliappa Hospital,
R.A. Puram
Chennai - 600028
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24315612
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Tue/Thu to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Wednesday
Area Santhome
Address No.30 Santhome High Road,
Santhome,
Chennai - 600028
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24642827
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Selaiyur
Address No.1 Camp Road
Selaiyur
Chennai - 600073
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 22291458
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday- Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Shastri Nagar
Address T-31, 7th Avenue,
MG Road, Besant Nagar,
Chennai - 600090
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24461343
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area T Nagar
Address 56 GN Chetty Road,
Opp Jeeva Park
T Nagar
Chennai - 600017
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 – 28158254
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Valasarawakkam
Address 8, Arcot Road
Valasarawakkam
Chennai - 600087
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 24868601
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Velachery
Address 30 K G Towers, Velachery Byepass Road, Velachery,
Chennai - 600042
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-22592863
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday/Tuesday/Thursday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Wednesday
Address AA-8, Second avenue
Anna Nagar
Chennai - 600040
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-26287411
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Ashok Nagar
Address 53, Plot No 41B,
4th Avenue,
Ashok Nagar,
Chennai - 600083
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-23717319
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon to Wed/Fri/Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Thursday
Area Chitlapakkam
Address No 5 G S T Road
Opp. Tambaram Fire Station
Sanitorium, Tambaram
Chennai - 600047
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 22387848
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area ITC Centre
Address 759, ITC Centre
Anna Salai
Chennai - 600002
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 28591865
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sun
Area Kilpauk
Address No 31/32,
Balfour Road
Kilpauk
Chennai - 600010
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 26448566
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Wednesday to Saturday/Monday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area Kotivakkam
Address 26 East Coast Road, Kottivakkam,
Chennai - 600041
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 24484447
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Tuesday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Monday
Area Madipakkam
Address 77, Medavakkam Main Road
Madipakkam
Chennai - 600091
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax (044)22476906
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Mogappair
Address 1/235 Valayapathy Road,
JJ Nagar, Mogappair East,
Chennai - 600037
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 26563284
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Tuesday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Monday
Area Mylapore
Address 113-114, P S Sivasamy Salai,
Mylapore
Chennai - 600004
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 24992813
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area NM Road
Address 117 Nelson Towers, N M Road,
Chennai - 600029
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 23742944
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Nungambakkam
Address 40, Nungambakkam High Road
Chennai - 600034
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 28231687
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sun
Area Parrys Corner
Address No 3, McDowell House,
2nd Line Beach - Parrys Corner
Chennai - 600001
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 25240655
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Pattabiram
Address 419 MTH Road
Pattabiram
Chennai - 600072
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044- 26851010
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Tuesday
Area Perungudi
Address 27 New MGR Main Road
Perungudi
Chennai - 600096
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044--2496 3066
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon - Fri, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Poonamalee High Road
Address 808 Poonamalee High Road
Next to EGA Trade centre
Chennai - 600010
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 26651061
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Poonamallee
Address 27 A First Floor ,
Trunk Road
Poonamallee
Chennai - 600056
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044- 26496329
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon - Fri, Timings : 9.00-3.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.00-12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Porur
Address 98 / 99 Dual Garden, Mount Poonamallee Road,
Porur,
Chennai - 600116
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24461343.
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.00 - 3.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.00 - 12.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area R.A. Puram
Address No 10, III Cross Street,
Opposite Chennai Kaliappa Hospital,
R.A. Puram
Chennai - 600028
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24315612
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Tue/Thu to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Wednesday
Area Santhome
Address No.30 Santhome High Road,
Santhome,
Chennai - 600028
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24642827
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Selaiyur
Address No.1 Camp Road
Selaiyur
Chennai - 600073
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 - 22291458
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday- Friday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Shastri Nagar
Address T-31, 7th Avenue,
MG Road, Besant Nagar,
Chennai - 600090
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-24461343
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area T Nagar
Address 56 GN Chetty Road,
Opp Jeeva Park
T Nagar
Chennai - 600017
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044 – 28158254
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday to Friday, Timings : 10.00 - 4.00
Weekend : Saturday, Timings : 10.00 - 1.00
WeeklyOff : Sunday
Area Valasarawakkam
Address 8, Arcot Road
Valasarawakkam
Chennai - 600087
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 24868601
ATM YES
Lockers NO
Weekday : Mon/Wed to Sat, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Tue
Area Velachery
Address 30 K G Towers, Velachery Byepass Road, Velachery,
Chennai - 600042
Tamil Nadu
Tel 044-66003333
Fax 044-22592863
ATM YES
Lockers YES
Weekday : Monday/Tuesday/Thursday to Saturday, Timings : 9.30 - 3.30
Weekend : Sunday, Timings : 9.30 - 12.30
WeeklyOff : Wednesday
HDFC BANK ATM in CHENNAI
ATM in CHENNAI
Address 1/235, Velayapathy Road
J. J. Nagar
Moggapair East, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 102, Ground Floor, .
Mahalingapuram Main Road
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 113-114, P S Sivasamy Salai
Mylapore
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 117 Nelson Towers
N. M. Road
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 14,
Old Mahabalipuram Road,
Kandanchavadi, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 26, East Coast Road
Kottivakkam
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 270/1 , Lloyds Road
Avvai Shanmugam Salai
Royapettah
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 27A,
First Floor,
Poonamallee, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 287 A - Ground Floor
Washermanpet
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 30 K G Towers
Valachery Bypass Road
Velachery, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 31/ 32
Balfour Road
Kilpauk
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 328 Arcot Road
Opposite Warehousing Coorporation , Near Avichi Schoool
Virgumbakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 333/1
K H Road
Ayanavaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 335 B , Cement Road ( In Krishnaraj and Co. HPCL Petrol Pump )
Near Radisson Hotel
G S T Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 419(old # 216),
MTH Road,
Pattabiram, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 44
C P Ramaswamy Road
Abhirampuram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 808, Poonamalee High Road
Poonamlee
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 873
Poonamallee High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 98 / 99 Dual Garden
Mount Poonamallee Road
Porur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 995/P Second Avenue
12th Main Road
Anna Nagar West, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address AA-8
2nd Avenue
Anna Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Apollo Hospitals
21 ,
Greams Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Block Y, No. 206
5th Avenue
Annanagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Centre Point, # 221,222,
Llyods Road,
Gopalapuram, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address D Block No. 108
First Main Road
Anna Nagar East
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 117
Triplicane High Road
Triplicane
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 219
Paper Mills Road
Perambur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 31
Venkatnarayan Road
T Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 393
Srinivaspuram , First Main Road
Thiruvanmiyur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address FM Tower , New No. 547
Old No. 352 , Mount Road
Nandanam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Gangwal Mansion
J-14, 3rd Avenue,
Anna Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Ground Floor, 1 B
38 New Kodamakkam
Mudaliar Road, Nelson Manickkam Road, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HDFC Bank Ltd, No 43,
1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar,
Adayar, Chennai -
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HLL Building
101
Santhome High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HPCL Outlet , Shobha Agencies
No. 55 , GST Road
Pallavaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address ITC Centre
759
Anna Salai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Nehru Nagar,
Chromepet,
600 044
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address New No. 73 , Old No. 43
44 Arcot Road
Kodambakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No 10 . Kamaraj Nedunchalai,
New Perungalathur
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 1 Second Street
Postal colony
West manbalam, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 10
3rd Cross Street
R A Puram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 115, R. K. Salai
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 13
Nehru Nagar , First Main Road
Indira Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 14
Third Avenue
Besant Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 149/11 PT , City Link Road ,
SBI Colony , Adambakkam
Opp. Doshi Mahalaxmi Apartments
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 207,
New MGR Main Road,
Perungudi, .
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 287
Old Mahabalipuram Road
Sholinganallur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 3 , 2nd Line Beach
McDowell House
Parrys Corner
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 3 A , 100
Tharamani Road , Tansi Nagar
Velachery
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 30, Santhome High Road
Santhome
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 40
Nungambakkam High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 50,
Arya Gowda Road,
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 56
G N Chetty Road
T Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 59
Fourth Avenue
Ashok Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 77
Medavakkam High Road
Madipakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No.1 Camp Road,
Selaiyur,
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 150/28, New Door No. 2/38
Ground Floor, Cisons Complex
Montieth Road, Egmore, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 319 , New No. 465
Anna Salai
Teynampet
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 96, New No. 74
G N Chetty Road
T N Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 340, New Door No. 99 (Old No. 14)
Lakshmi Naswami Sali
K K Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 46, Door No. 23,
1st Main Road,
Nanganallur, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 5 , Door No. 149
Inner Ring Road , Jawaharlal Nehru Salai
Ekkathungal
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 8
Arcot Road
Valsaravakham
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Sanghvi Plaza
56/8 , Jermiah Road
Vepery
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address T-31, 7th Avenue
M. G. Road
Beasant Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Tidel Park Limited
4, Canal Bank Road
Taramani, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Unique Motors
No. 5 , GST Road
Sanatorium , Tambaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 1/235, Velayapathy Road
J. J. Nagar
Moggapair East, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 102, Ground Floor, .
Mahalingapuram Main Road
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 113-114, P S Sivasamy Salai
Mylapore
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 117 Nelson Towers
N. M. Road
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 14,
Old Mahabalipuram Road,
Kandanchavadi, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 26, East Coast Road
Kottivakkam
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 270/1 , Lloyds Road
Avvai Shanmugam Salai
Royapettah
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 27A,
First Floor,
Poonamallee, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 287 A - Ground Floor
Washermanpet
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 30 K G Towers
Valachery Bypass Road
Velachery, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 31/ 32
Balfour Road
Kilpauk
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 328 Arcot Road
Opposite Warehousing Coorporation , Near Avichi Schoool
Virgumbakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 333/1
K H Road
Ayanavaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 335 B , Cement Road ( In Krishnaraj and Co. HPCL Petrol Pump )
Near Radisson Hotel
G S T Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 419(old # 216),
MTH Road,
Pattabiram, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 44
C P Ramaswamy Road
Abhirampuram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 808, Poonamalee High Road
Poonamlee
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 873
Poonamallee High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 98 / 99 Dual Garden
Mount Poonamallee Road
Porur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address 995/P Second Avenue
12th Main Road
Anna Nagar West, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address AA-8
2nd Avenue
Anna Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Apollo Hospitals
21 ,
Greams Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Block Y, No. 206
5th Avenue
Annanagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Centre Point, # 221,222,
Llyods Road,
Gopalapuram, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address D Block No. 108
First Main Road
Anna Nagar East
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 117
Triplicane High Road
Triplicane
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 219
Paper Mills Road
Perambur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 31
Venkatnarayan Road
T Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Door No. 393
Srinivaspuram , First Main Road
Thiruvanmiyur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address FM Tower , New No. 547
Old No. 352 , Mount Road
Nandanam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Gangwal Mansion
J-14, 3rd Avenue,
Anna Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Ground Floor, 1 B
38 New Kodamakkam
Mudaliar Road, Nelson Manickkam Road, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HDFC Bank Ltd, No 43,
1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar,
Adayar, Chennai -
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HLL Building
101
Santhome High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address HPCL Outlet , Shobha Agencies
No. 55 , GST Road
Pallavaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address ITC Centre
759
Anna Salai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Nehru Nagar,
Chromepet,
600 044
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address New No. 73 , Old No. 43
44 Arcot Road
Kodambakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No 10 . Kamaraj Nedunchalai,
New Perungalathur
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 1 Second Street
Postal colony
West manbalam, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 10
3rd Cross Street
R A Puram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 115, R. K. Salai
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 13
Nehru Nagar , First Main Road
Indira Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 14
Third Avenue
Besant Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 149/11 PT , City Link Road ,
SBI Colony , Adambakkam
Opp. Doshi Mahalaxmi Apartments
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 207,
New MGR Main Road,
Perungudi, .
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 287
Old Mahabalipuram Road
Sholinganallur
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 3 , 2nd Line Beach
McDowell House
Parrys Corner
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 3 A , 100
Tharamani Road , Tansi Nagar
Velachery
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 30, Santhome High Road
Santhome
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 40
Nungambakkam High Road
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 50,
Arya Gowda Road,
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 56
G N Chetty Road
T Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 59
Fourth Avenue
Ashok Nagar
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No. 77
Medavakkam High Road
Madipakkam
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address No.1 Camp Road,
Selaiyur,
Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 150/28, New Door No. 2/38
Ground Floor, Cisons Complex
Montieth Road, Egmore, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 319 , New No. 465
Anna Salai
Teynampet
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Old No. 96, New No. 74
G N Chetty Road
T N Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 340, New Door No. 99 (Old No. 14)
Lakshmi Naswami Sali
K K Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 46, Door No. 23,
1st Main Road,
Nanganallur, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 5 , Door No. 149
Inner Ring Road , Jawaharlal Nehru Salai
Ekkathungal
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Plot No. 8
Arcot Road
Valsaravakham
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Sanghvi Plaza
56/8 , Jermiah Road
Vepery
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address T-31, 7th Avenue
M. G. Road
Beasant Nagar, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Tidel Park Limited
4, Canal Bank Road
Taramani, Chennai
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
Address Unique Motors
No. 5 , GST Road
Sanatorium , Tambaram
Chennai
Tamil Nadu
FICCI survey: not much loss due to the underwater cable damage
Last week’s underwater cable damage in the Mediterranean sea connecting India, its neighbours and some Gulf countries with Europe and the U.S. had no major impact on the Indian information technology and IT-enabled services industry, according to a survey conducted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Despite the flutter among internet users in different parts of the world due to the damaged undersea cables, the country’s IT and ITES industry was running as usual. Work in a majority of the IT and ITES firms, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the industry, was not affected. For the rest, there are varying degrees of disruption and they have put in place contingency plans to deal with the existing situation, the survey reveals.
It says there was no substantial loss as the firms were using robust technology and had put in place a redundancy plan that allowed them to pick up extra bandwidth from multiple services providers. While multiple routes of connection and tie-ups with alternate services providers saved the day for several companies, a few cases of severe work restriction were reported. “Most high technology-oriented companies felt no impact of the disruption, while medium and small-sized companies with a single source of bandwidth supplier were adversely affected. There were companies who have adopted flexible work schedules for their employees and they faced no problem while operating from office, but people working from home faced difficulties due to the slowdown in the home internet connection,” it adds.
However, companies are now planning to invest in multi-layered redundancy structures so that in case of any adverse development in the future, the functioning of their processes is not affected.
Despite the flutter among internet users in different parts of the world due to the damaged undersea cables, the country’s IT and ITES industry was running as usual. Work in a majority of the IT and ITES firms, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the industry, was not affected. For the rest, there are varying degrees of disruption and they have put in place contingency plans to deal with the existing situation, the survey reveals.
It says there was no substantial loss as the firms were using robust technology and had put in place a redundancy plan that allowed them to pick up extra bandwidth from multiple services providers. While multiple routes of connection and tie-ups with alternate services providers saved the day for several companies, a few cases of severe work restriction were reported. “Most high technology-oriented companies felt no impact of the disruption, while medium and small-sized companies with a single source of bandwidth supplier were adversely affected. There were companies who have adopted flexible work schedules for their employees and they faced no problem while operating from office, but people working from home faced difficulties due to the slowdown in the home internet connection,” it adds.
However, companies are now planning to invest in multi-layered redundancy structures so that in case of any adverse development in the future, the functioning of their processes is not affected.
Large taxpayers unit opened in Chennai
The large taxpayers unit in Chennai is expected to provide “a different kind of service of higher quality to the more important customers and clients of the [tax] department,” according to Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
Inaugurating the unit, which is housed in a newly refurbished office at Anna Nagar, Mr. Chidambaram said that “people who pay large sums of money deserve to be treated fairly and courteously.”
The LTU will serve as a single window facility for central excise duties, service tax, corporate tax and income tax for all large tax payers who have paid at least Rs. 5 crore in excise or service tax or Rs. 10 crore in income tax in previous years. The 25 companies which have signed up so far include Ashok Leyland, MRF, Chennai Petroleum, Neyveli Lignite, EID Parry, Sundaram Finance, Indian Overseas Bank, United India Insurance, Ford India and Hyundai Motor India. They are expected to account Rs. 8,000 crore in tax revenue next year. Tax department officials said that 14 more companies planned to join the LTU shortly, which had the potential to serve at least 100 assessees.
When company representatives urged that customs duties and international transactions be brought under the ambit of the LTU as well, the Finance Minister said that would take more time, but would eventually happen.
He appealed to large industrial groups, such as the TVS Group and the Murugappa Group, who were “testing the waters” with a few of their group companies joining up, to bring their entire group within the LTU ambit by the end of the year. He pointed out that the LTU system would bring relief to companies with multi-locational units.
Inaugurating the unit, which is housed in a newly refurbished office at Anna Nagar, Mr. Chidambaram said that “people who pay large sums of money deserve to be treated fairly and courteously.”
The LTU will serve as a single window facility for central excise duties, service tax, corporate tax and income tax for all large tax payers who have paid at least Rs. 5 crore in excise or service tax or Rs. 10 crore in income tax in previous years. The 25 companies which have signed up so far include Ashok Leyland, MRF, Chennai Petroleum, Neyveli Lignite, EID Parry, Sundaram Finance, Indian Overseas Bank, United India Insurance, Ford India and Hyundai Motor India. They are expected to account Rs. 8,000 crore in tax revenue next year. Tax department officials said that 14 more companies planned to join the LTU shortly, which had the potential to serve at least 100 assessees.
When company representatives urged that customs duties and international transactions be brought under the ambit of the LTU as well, the Finance Minister said that would take more time, but would eventually happen.
He appealed to large industrial groups, such as the TVS Group and the Murugappa Group, who were “testing the waters” with a few of their group companies joining up, to bring their entire group within the LTU ambit by the end of the year. He pointed out that the LTU system would bring relief to companies with multi-locational units.
Nightclubs barred from operating beyond 11 p.m.
Bars and nightclubs in the city have been told that the police will start enforcing the regulation that limits their hours of operation till 11 p.m.
As many establishments are currently in the process of having their licences renewed, the Prohibition and Excise Department, the licensing authority, has written to bars and nightclubs, instructing them to strictly follow the rule that allow them to remain open only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
While it has been common for most nightclubs in the city to remain open well past midnight, the city’s establishments have started following the rules since Saturday night. “Our licences say we can only operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the deadline is generally an eye-wash,” the owner of a popular nightclub said.
“Usually, the authorities enforce the deadline only if there is some sort of incident, but nothing has happened this time around.”
All this meant that Chennai’s party-goers were left in low spirits on Saturday night, as many were turned away from bars and restaurants that closed their doors to new customers by 10 p.m.
The night club owner said Chennai’s party-goers will simply have to get used to going out early, at least for the time being.
As many establishments are currently in the process of having their licences renewed, the Prohibition and Excise Department, the licensing authority, has written to bars and nightclubs, instructing them to strictly follow the rule that allow them to remain open only between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
While it has been common for most nightclubs in the city to remain open well past midnight, the city’s establishments have started following the rules since Saturday night. “Our licences say we can only operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the deadline is generally an eye-wash,” the owner of a popular nightclub said.
“Usually, the authorities enforce the deadline only if there is some sort of incident, but nothing has happened this time around.”
All this meant that Chennai’s party-goers were left in low spirits on Saturday night, as many were turned away from bars and restaurants that closed their doors to new customers by 10 p.m.
The night club owner said Chennai’s party-goers will simply have to get used to going out early, at least for the time being.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Third undersea cable cut in Middle East
Enlarge Photo File photo of a call centre employee in Bangalore March 17, 2004. A third undersea... Fri, Feb 1 10:22 PM
A third undersea cable has been cut after breaks near Egypt earlier this week disrupted Web access in parts of the Middle East and Asia, Indian-owned cable network operator FLAG Telecom said on Friday.
FLAG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of India's number two mobile operator Reliance Communications, said in a statement on its Web site its FALCON cable had been reported cut at 0559 GMT, 56 km from Dubai on a segment between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
"The repair ship has been notified and expected to arrive at the site in (the) next few days," FLAG said, adding it was arranging for customer circuits to be restored.
Undersea cable connections were disrupted off Egypt's northern coast on Wednesday, affecting Internet access in the Gulf region and south Asia, and forcing service providers to reroute traffic.
The Internet Service Providers' Association of India said earlier on Friday cable repair ships had been sent to fix the breaches, which are in segments of two intercontinental cables known as SEA-ME-WE-4 and FLAG Europe-Asia.
FLAG said a repair ship was expected to arrive at that site by Feb. 5 and repair work would be completed a week from then.
Rajesh Chharia, president of the Internet Service Providers' Association, said all of FLAG's traffic had now been shifted to the SEA-ME-WE-3 cable network.
INDIA BACK ONLINE
Earlier on Friday, Chharia had said India's Internet services were operating at about 80 percent of capacity, but he later told Reuters there were no issues with connectivity at the moment.
FLAG's rival, Indian internet service provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), said the majority of its Internet services to the Middle East and North Africa had been restored within 24 hours, as had services to India.
VSNL said in a statement it had used the SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-WE-ME-4 eastbound and TIC cable to reroute customer traffic.
India's booming outsourcing industry, which provides a range of back-office services like insurance claims processing and customer support to overseas clients over the Internet, have played down the disruption, saying it had back-up plans in place.
"We have not heard of any customer complaints so far because of this," said a spokeswoman for HCL Technologies Ltd, which offers IT solutions and back-office services.
The International Cable Protection Committee, an association of 86 submarine cable operators dedicated to safeguarding submarine cables, says more than 95 percent of transoceanic telecoms and data traffic are carried by submarine cables, and the rest by satellite.
U.S. phone companies Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc both use the cables which were affected on Wednesday. AT&T said on Thursday its networks were already back to normal as it had rerouted traffic and Verizon expected service to be restored for all its customers in a matter of days.
One of the biggest disruptions of modern telecoms systems was in December 2006, when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake broke nine submarine cables between Taiwan and the Philippines, cutting connections between southeast Asia and the rest of the world.
Internet links were thrown out in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines, disrupting the activities of banks, airlines and all kinds of email users.
Traffic was rerouted through other cables, but it took 49 days to restore full capacity.
A third undersea cable has been cut after breaks near Egypt earlier this week disrupted Web access in parts of the Middle East and Asia, Indian-owned cable network operator FLAG Telecom said on Friday.
FLAG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of India's number two mobile operator Reliance Communications, said in a statement on its Web site its FALCON cable had been reported cut at 0559 GMT, 56 km from Dubai on a segment between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
"The repair ship has been notified and expected to arrive at the site in (the) next few days," FLAG said, adding it was arranging for customer circuits to be restored.
Undersea cable connections were disrupted off Egypt's northern coast on Wednesday, affecting Internet access in the Gulf region and south Asia, and forcing service providers to reroute traffic.
The Internet Service Providers' Association of India said earlier on Friday cable repair ships had been sent to fix the breaches, which are in segments of two intercontinental cables known as SEA-ME-WE-4 and FLAG Europe-Asia.
FLAG said a repair ship was expected to arrive at that site by Feb. 5 and repair work would be completed a week from then.
Rajesh Chharia, president of the Internet Service Providers' Association, said all of FLAG's traffic had now been shifted to the SEA-ME-WE-3 cable network.
INDIA BACK ONLINE
Earlier on Friday, Chharia had said India's Internet services were operating at about 80 percent of capacity, but he later told Reuters there were no issues with connectivity at the moment.
FLAG's rival, Indian internet service provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), said the majority of its Internet services to the Middle East and North Africa had been restored within 24 hours, as had services to India.
VSNL said in a statement it had used the SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-WE-ME-4 eastbound and TIC cable to reroute customer traffic.
India's booming outsourcing industry, which provides a range of back-office services like insurance claims processing and customer support to overseas clients over the Internet, have played down the disruption, saying it had back-up plans in place.
"We have not heard of any customer complaints so far because of this," said a spokeswoman for HCL Technologies Ltd, which offers IT solutions and back-office services.
The International Cable Protection Committee, an association of 86 submarine cable operators dedicated to safeguarding submarine cables, says more than 95 percent of transoceanic telecoms and data traffic are carried by submarine cables, and the rest by satellite.
U.S. phone companies Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc both use the cables which were affected on Wednesday. AT&T said on Thursday its networks were already back to normal as it had rerouted traffic and Verizon expected service to be restored for all its customers in a matter of days.
One of the biggest disruptions of modern telecoms systems was in December 2006, when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake broke nine submarine cables between Taiwan and the Philippines, cutting connections between southeast Asia and the rest of the world.
Internet links were thrown out in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines, disrupting the activities of banks, airlines and all kinds of email users.
Traffic was rerouted through other cables, but it took 49 days to restore full capacity.
Sony pictures back Shankar. Will Rajini?
Sony Pictures India is said to have been so impressed with Shankar's Robot that they have offered to produce it right away, which they say, might cross the Rs.100 crore mark, making it India's most expensive movie ever made.
The production house is also said to have asked Shankar to convince the superstar to feature in this mega budget sci-fi flick as they feel only he can bring in the moolah, a belief that has stemmed after the stupendous success of Sivaji. The production house also believes that the project becomes financially viable only if it is made in three major languages – Hindi, Tamil & Telugu.
It is confirmed that Shankar did have a discussion with Rajinikanth on the story. The director's side also corroborate that the Superstar was impressed. Now the ball is in Rajinikanth's court. The actor is still to give his confirmation, contemplating about two things - one, the time he might need to start work on the project, as his daughter's maiden venture Sultan – The Warrior, still needs some of his contributions and two, the trade implication of such a huge project on B & C centers.
But top news sources inside Kollywood promise some announcement to come through in a day or two, most probably from Shankar's side. Until there is an official press release, no news on the Superstar is confirmed news. Didn't we learn a lesson from the Mani-Kamal-Rajini episode?
The production house is also said to have asked Shankar to convince the superstar to feature in this mega budget sci-fi flick as they feel only he can bring in the moolah, a belief that has stemmed after the stupendous success of Sivaji. The production house also believes that the project becomes financially viable only if it is made in three major languages – Hindi, Tamil & Telugu.
It is confirmed that Shankar did have a discussion with Rajinikanth on the story. The director's side also corroborate that the Superstar was impressed. Now the ball is in Rajinikanth's court. The actor is still to give his confirmation, contemplating about two things - one, the time he might need to start work on the project, as his daughter's maiden venture Sultan – The Warrior, still needs some of his contributions and two, the trade implication of such a huge project on B & C centers.
But top news sources inside Kollywood promise some announcement to come through in a day or two, most probably from Shankar's side. Until there is an official press release, no news on the Superstar is confirmed news. Didn't we learn a lesson from the Mani-Kamal-Rajini episode?
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