• Pill or Will, it's About 'free' Speech
• TSR National Integration Award Presented
• Subir Raha Bags 'Energy Executive of The year' award
• Convergys Wins HR Excellence Award
• Wipro Infotech Receives Elcina Award
• IICT Chief Honoured
• Vande Mataram Echoes in Capital
• It's 100 Years For Vande Mataram
• Artists, Celebrities Share Canvas For Society
• SIB Bags Banking Technology Award

• International Ramayana Meet in Romania
• Indian Art Mart Gets Its Fair Share
• Pak Firm Slammed For Using Big B's Voice
• NRI Anakshari Sparkles On
• Husain's Paintings to be Showcased in US
• Award For Wipro Infotech
• First-Ever Urdu Radio Station Launched in India
• NRI Scientist Wins Top US Award
• Citigroup Micro Entrepreneur Award Goes Global
• Sotheby's Indian Art sale to Showcase Miniatures

Romania has been proposed as the next host of the International Ramayana Conference, after the 22nd edition of the event concluded recently in the British city of Birmingham. Romania, which is slated to join the European Union on January 1, 2007, has been the epicentre for European gypsies, who maintain that their ancestors originated from India. It is pointed out that there are some 8,000 Romanian words that have Hindi and Sanskrit roots. "Romania looks for spiritual guidance only from two places, Italy and India," said George Anca, director-general of the National Library, Bucharest. Anca, greatly attached to the philosophy of the Ramayana, has been instrumental in setting up an Indian Library within the complex of the National Library where many researchers are working on Hindi and Sanskrit texts. Former Indian president Shankar Dayal Sharma and recently Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat visited the Indian Library during their trips to the country. Anca, a former visiting professor at the University of Delhi during 1977-84 and then 2002-03, is hopeful that the Indian government and the growing Indian community in Romania will support his efforts to organise the next International Ramayana Conference. It is imperative to spread the message of the Ramayana in different parts of the world in an age of ever growing violence, Anca told IANS in an interview. He said: "The ancient message of the Ramayana continues to be relevant for the human race. It is not surprising that Mahatama Gandhi was tremendously influenced by the teachings of the Ramayana. If Gandhiji is still relevant for the world so is his guidebook - Ramayana."

Courtesy: Hindustan Times, September 23, 2006

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Elmer Fudd made you laugh with it, as did Dada Kondke. Stammering remains a cheap but sure-fire gig in comedian's routine. But it may now become amenable to drug therapy if the results of a recent clinical trial deliver on their promise. The efficacy needs to be tested in still larger trials over the next two to three years. But if they should succeed, the drug, pagaclone, might become the first medical treatment approved for stammering. Pagaclone is also giving the US pharma industry a déjà vu experience of sorts: it was approved earlier for reducing social anxiety. As in the case of the diamond-shaped blue pill against impotency, Viagra, the anti-stuttering effect of the medication was accidentally discovered during a clinical trial of the tranquiliser. Pagaclone works as a selective receptor modulator of a crucial nerve chemical called gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). Making larger amounts of GABA available in the brain somehow seems to alleviate stammering with its painful halts and pauses. What is even more serendipitous, the anti-stuttering trials also uncovered a potentially lucrative effect against premature ejaculation (PE) among some patients. Obviously, with its sights set on the estimated third of the adult males who suffer from PE as potential customers, the company has already filed for a new patent and launched clinical trials for their magic bullet. But this is not as surprising as it may sound: the normal ejaculatory response is controlled by a number of neurotransmitters including serotonin and GABA. Doctors know that drugs that help stimulate or increase the action of the GABA in the brain can delay the ejaculatory response. All this also raises a veritable hornet of ethical questions including those concerning potential abuse and the impact of new medicines on normal people. Incidentally, earlier trials of two anti-schizophrenia drugs had also shown some effectiveness. But the companies involved, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson, did not take them up for larger testing. To be sure, the so-called 'pill power versus will power' tussle remains inconclusive. But over the last decade, the medical view of the condition has been radically transformed. Earlier it was widely regarded as a 'nervous or emotional' handicap. Now thanks to advances in brain imaging, genetics and pharmacology, it is increasingly being accepted as a neurological condition with a possible genetic component. (About half of those who receive treatment for stammering have an immediate family member who's afflicted.) But we still do not know why men who stutter outnumber women by a ratio of about 4 to 1. Nor do we know why three quarters of the children who start stuttering between ages 2 and 6, become fluent without any intervention. In contrast, neurological stuttering typically occurs in late adulthood, usually brought on by a stroke or an accident. Emerging evidence from magnetic scan studies has implicated abnormalities in the brain areas related to speech motor control. Some studies point at an excess of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brains of those who stammer.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 22, 2006

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The buyer base for Indian art seems to have seen another spurt in recent times. This phenomenon is happening on two levels. First, the spread of non-Indian buyers of Indian artworks appears to have grown a fair bit of late. This includes both individual and non-Indian buyers and overseas galleries which are seriously looking at Indian artworks. In step, the domestic buying population is also seeing a quantum jump. These new buyers are focusing on picking up works of different price ranges and of a variety of artists, especially the younger lot. "The success of auctions in recent months has often made us wonder about the complexion of buyers of Indian art. Together with NRIs, it is now turning out that a fair section of non-Indians from the US, Europe and Southeast Asia are homing in on Indian artworks, especially paintings. In the same breath, overseas galleries and museums have also begun to look at Indian art seriously," an art market source told ET. According to the source, it is little wonder that contemporary paintings and art pieces by Indian artists are achieving huge prices comparable to works by the modern masters. Contemporary works are universal in nature and tend to easily draw the response of an international audience. "Generally, contemporary works are shorn of any cultural or ethnic bias. Thus, non-Indians can seamlessly relate to them," the source said. "Normally, the modern masters are bought by a non-Indian cross-section who are seasoned collectors." In tandem with the overseas circuit, investment-minded individuals within India are increasingly drawn to lapping up works based on their tastes and financial capacity. This has witnessed a substantial jump in the number of buyers of Indian art. A direct outcome of this growth is that a spectrum of artists, especially the younger generation, are being bought out at varying price points. Usually, the price level could be taking off at about Rs 20,000 up from around Rs 5,000 even a year back, while the price average across a band of artists, primarily the young group, hovers at Rs 1 lakh.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 18, 2006

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Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur said here on Sunday that the country's unity in diversity was reflected in its cultural and emotional oneness. Though it had different languages, the theme of classical literature and fundamental thoughts were inalienably linked to Sanskrit. The Governor presented TSR national integration and lifetime achievement awards to eminent Hindi and Telugu film personalities. The occasion was celebration of "Sarva Dharma Sama Bhavan Sammelan," marking the birthday of Union Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy. The national integration awards were presented to Sunil Dutt (posthumously), actor Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar. The lifetime achievement award was given away to actor and chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Sharmila Tagore, and well-known actor of yesteryear Anjali Devi. The award for Sunil Dutt was received by his daughter Priya Dutt. N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , said the event was an opportunity to reaffirm one's commitment to unity, secularism and religious harmony. He said this did not mean uniformity which some were trying to impose on the people. India had a strong history of confluence of cultures, religions and languages and there was a need to raise one's voice against those who opposed it and imposed their narrow views bordering on fundamentalism. It was not enough to have respect for all religions. There was an imperative need to draw a clear line between religion and politics, as the country had paid a heavy price for not doing so, he said. Dr. Reddy said he would strive for development of Visakhapatnam. His goal was to eradicate slums, by giving houses to all. Actors Akkineni Nageswara Rao, B. Saroja Devi, Vanisri, Rajasekhar, Jeevitha, Mohan Babu, singer P. Suseela, APCC president K. Keshava Rao, Panchayat Raj Minister J.C. Diwakar Reddy, V. Hanumantha Rao MP, and film producer D. Rama Naidu were among those who participated.

Courtesy: The Hindu, September 18, 2006

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It's a measure of Amitabh Bachchan's popularity across the border that average Pakistanis were willing to pay Rs 14 a minute for the chance to talk to him over the phone. However, what promised to be a dream conversation turned out to be a scam with authorities pulling up a Karachi-based entertainment company for misleading people by using the Bollywood star's taped voice to promote a programme on the lines of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The company, Telefun, used Bachchan's voice for a telephone call-in quiz called Let's Become a Millionaire, taking thousands of his die-hard Pakistani fans for a ride. The show was launched on August 16. Callers were charged Rs 14.07 a minute to take part in the contest at a time when local call charges in Pakistan cost 40 paise a minute. Following complaints from callers, who expressed doubts over the authenticity of the voice, Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) on Thursday cracked down on the company and ordered it to immediately stop running the show. Speaking to TOI from Islamabad, PTA's spokesman Khurrum Ali Mehran said, "A showcause notice was sent to the company on Thursday ordering them to stop the show. We have asked the company to reply to our notice within 30 days failing which we will cancel their licence. Our probe has confirmed that the company was misleading people by misusing Bachchan's personality and faking his voice." Mehran added, "The company acquired a licence for tele-text service from PTA recently, allowing them to run a call-in show. However, we received complaints from fans who said the voice wasn't Bachchan's even though Telefun claimed that the show was being hosted by Bachchan. If the company fails to produce a valid reason within 30 days, a fine will also be imposed."

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 14, 2006

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Subir Raha, the former chairman and managing director of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), has been awarded the prestigious 'Energy Executive of the Year' award instituted by London-based renowned energy journal Petroleum Economist. Raha beat Elias Velasco Garcia of Union Fenosa Gas, John Lau of Husky Energy, Alexander Medvedev of Gazexport and Adnan Shihab-Eldin, acting secretary of OPEC to bag the award, industry sources said. The winner was announced at the awards ceremony yesterday at the Banqueting House, Whitehall in London. Raha has spent more than 35 years in the oil industry and held various posts including the top slot of India's most valuable company - ONGC. In a communique, Petroleum Economist mentioned that "Raha's appointment in 2001 launched a progressive period of investment and exploration that secured numerous commendations for clean energy and transparency initiatives for the ONGC group. The development of education and research programmes demonstrated Raha's commitment to the future of ONGC and the industry at large." The 70-year-old energy publication, which is the official publisher of most of the global energy events including World Petroleum Congress and World Gas Conference, has 10 Award categories, with the most coveted one being the 'Energy Executive of the Year Award.'

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 14, 2006

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Of the many Indian recreational outings the community is known for, one that has more popularly captured our cumulative social imagination is the age-old tradition of antakshari. A musical game that resonates with our affiliation with popular music, antakshari, which started as a part of social events and celebrations, soon became reason enough for a social gathering. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this is true of Indian communities all across the world. Weddings, festivals, filial parties, informal shindigs can all be conduits to the pursuit of this happy-go-lucky sport. The phenomenon, popular in small pockets variously, caught the nation's imagination meteorically when it aired on cable television for the very first time in the last decade with popular TV personalities such as comic powerhouse and NSD alumnus Annu Kapoor, and iconic girl-next-door Renuka Shahane playing the part of insuperable hosts with a knack for tapping the public pulse. Over time the spectacle may have become glassy due to standard format and patterned play, but its simplistic universal appeal remained unrivalled as such. Cashing in on this very quality, zealous marketers brought the phenomenon overseas some years back. Today, organisers 'Catch the Rhythms Inc' is presenting this popular musical show, titled 'NRI Antakshari 2006' yet again all over the US. In fact owing to its popularity within the Diaspora community world wide, it is being held not just in America but also in Canada and UK at various populous cities. Adding sheen to the show is inimitable maverick host and beloved antakshari maestro, Annu Kapoor. Kapoor, the original face of the hit Indian TV show, is a huge part of the whole antakshari allure. Now, with innovative, exciting rounds and renewed zest, the show is being put up on a massive scale. Accompanying Kapoor are other talented professional singers and musicians from Mumbai. This year's tour started in Toronto on August 13, in concord with the Independence Day celebrations and staged at various dates thereafter in Houston, Los Angeles, and Sunnyvale. In Atlanta, this program was scheduled for Monday, September 4, 2006. The interactive and zesty open auditions saw enthusiastic participation from patrons at local desi hub, Global Mall. New York, New Jersey and Phoenix will be the next few stops for this musical entourage. 'NRI Antakshari 2006' combines elements of the typical musical extravaganza with variations like visual and audio clues, rapid fire rounds, dumb charades with audience participation to keep audiences hooked. The accompanying orchestra, tunefully in sync with Kapoor's interactive musical machinations, is the extra value proposition. Not only is the program broadcast on television networks; the distinction, for many, of being on stage, competing amidst a huge audience, for nearly three hours is phenomenal. Generally, four teams comprising 4 members each form the initial group of participants. Titled Dilwale, Matwale, Joshilay, Rangeele, the lowest-scoring team is sent back and is replaced by a pre-selected team. Being a roll-over antakshari, the program aims at maximum participation. Audiences, too, are more than catered for through a zany question-answer session and sing-along participation. For many enthused patrons, the host, Annu Kapoor is in fact is the reason why this TV show is so popular and beloved. While his crackling spontaneity ripples even through television relays, seeing him in person brings that much more to an otherwise placid performance. It is not surprising to see the show's soaring popularity credited therefore, often times, sorely to his wit, warmth, ingenuity and talent. Further, his vast knowledge and understanding of the genre bestows credibility and singularity to the gig. It may sound strange today, but antakshari finds its roots in the ancient Indian system of 'Gurukul', where it is believed that children were encouraged to gain knowledge through this lively infotainment format. Today, it has become a fun way for families to come together and enjoy. For NRIs, antakshari is becoming the great entertainment leveller, one that merges together various regional entities into one single identity, the Joshilay way!

Courtesy: Hindustan Times, September 13, 2006

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Convergys Corporation has been conferred the HR excellence award by The Amity International Business School during its third Global HR Summit. Convergys was selected for the award after an in-depth study of 500 global companies, which had impacted the Indian Economy. Convergys, with over 11,000 employees, provides customer care, human resources and billing services.

Courtesy: The Hindu, September 13, 2006

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Painter MF Husain's 1971 Mahabharata series will be on show at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), Massachusetts, in November this year. The paintings, inspired by the Hindu epic Mahabharata, were painted for the 1971 Sao Paolo Biennale. The exhibition will feature 19 works inspired by Husain's vision of Hindu mythology. While Hindus have time and again questioned Husain's depiction of Hindu themes, the painter claims the entirety of the Indian tradition as his province. For Husain, in this series, the central paradox of the epic and of human nature is the competition and jealousies that divide members of a family, forcing them to choose sides and moving them all inexorably towards an Armageddon. The paintings in the forthcoming show, as also the current one of works by Nalini Malani, are drawn principally from the PEM's Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection, considered one of the most important collections of contemporary Indian art outside Asia.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 12, 2006

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Wipro Infotech received the Electronic Industries Association of India awards for Quality and Environment Management. The award in line with Quality Management Process model contained in ISO 9000:2000 series of standards covers all aspects of manufacturing from sourcing, raw material assessment, product quality, measurement to audits and customer feedback. In addition, it received the second place for environment management system, says a release.

Courtesy: The Hindu, September 12, 2006

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Wipro Infotech on Monday said it has received the prestigious Electronic Industries Association of India awards for Quality and Environment Management. The No 1 Quality award, in line with Quality Management Process model contained in ISO 9000:2000 series of standards, comprehensively covers all aspects of manufacturing from sourcing, raw material assessment, product quality, measurement to audits and customer feedback, a Wipro release said. In addition to the quality award, Wipro Infotech got the second place for environment management systems, it said. The environment management system was evaluated for compliance on a host of legal and statutory requirements and on approaches such as framework, pollution control, preparedness, monitoring, occupational safety and environmental reporting, the release said.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times, September 11, 2006

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Dr J.S. Yadav, Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), has been honoured with the Fellowship of Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), for his contributions to science and human resources development to benefit society. Dr Yadav has published 520 scientific papers and obtained 42 patents. His pioneering contribution includes eco-friendly and environmentally safe pest control strategies for cleaner and healthier agro produce using insect pheromones in Integrated Pest Management.

Courtesy: www.thehindubusinessline.com, September 08, 2006

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Leading digital radio services provider WorldSpace Thursday launched Falak, the first-ever round-the-clock Urdu radio station in the country. Named after the Urdu word for 'sky', the channel aims to showcase the vast repertoire of Urdu music and celebrate the rich cultural heritage associated with the language of the imperial Mughal courts. Music aficionados now can revel in the soothing yet powerful voices of legends like Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Iqbal Bano, Tahira Saiyad, Farida Khanam, Reshma, Abida Parveen and the legendry Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. "We are delighted to launch the country's first exclusive Urdu radio station and look forward to celebrating the mystery and beauty of the language of a bygone era with listeners across the country," said Shishir Lall, managing director of WorldSpace India while speaking at the launch here. "Falak will now enable music lovers to go back in time and indulge in the lyrical sounds of Urdu." The programmes include "Taareekh Key Jharokhey Sey" - a look into the history of various important cities, places of interest and monuments; "Filmy Saugaat" - film songs featuring Urdu lyrics from India and Pakistan; "Sabiha Fazal" - a specialist presenter who excels in his knowledge of Hindustani and Pakistani film music; "Bazm-E-Khanam" - a special programme for women and "Sufiyana Kalaam" - a special programme featuring Sufi qawwalis and poetry, among others.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 08, 2006

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The schools across the capital sang Vande Matram to mark 100 years of the national song. The teachers taught them the meaning of the song too, however, the Muslim community stayed away from it. "Not only did the students sing the song, we even taught the meaning of the song, the essence of it," Amita Wattal, principal, Springdales, Pusa Road said. "It is sad that the song has been dragged into controversy. At least the children should be kept out of any kind of petty politics," she added. Echoing similar views, the other teachers said that the controversy was unnecessary. "We should be proud of our national song and our children should also be taught the same. The song is meant to pay respect to our nation," said Madhulika Kaushik, principal, Tagore International. The students of Jawaharlal Nehru University headed by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad also sang the song at Ganga Dhaba at night along with other patriotic songs. However, the Left student parties stayed away from it. All India Students' Association distributed pamphlets criticising the song. "Its a cause of concern that the song was written against the Muslims, so it should not be made a benchmark of testing one's nationalism," president, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Association, Mona Das said. The students affiliated with both ABVP and NSUI sang the song in Delhi University.

Courtesy: The Asian Age, September 08, 2006

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An Indian American scientist, who led a breakthrough research that helped Lockheed Martin win a key role in the US Army's Future Combat System, has been named '2006 Scientist of the Year' by the Minorities in Research Science (MIRS) organization. Abhijit Mahalanobis, will be presented the award, at the 2006 MIRS Award Conference Sep 15-16 in Baltimore, Maryland, according to a press release from the manufacturer of F-16 aircraft and other advanced technology systems. As a recognized and respected leader in pattern recognition, signal and imaging processing with specific emphasis on automatic target recognition (ATR), Mahalanobis' role as technical lead in various research and technology ATR development efforts has been critical to sustaining Lockheed Martin as the industry leader in advanced technologies, it said. The winner of this highest honour given at the conference is someone who advances critical knowledge, driving development of new lines of products and services that reshape industry's tools and offerings. The Scientist of the Year works on the cutting edge of basic research or process control and is a research team leader whose blend of scientific knowledge and managerial expertise lifts an entire organization to new levels of achievement. Mahalanobis is a technical lead and manager for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control's Signal Imaging and Processing group in the Research & Technology organization, and is recognized corporate-wide and nationally for the high levels of accomplishment he has achieved in his technical field. "Abhijit is the most brilliant innovator and research team leader I have observed in my 25-year career in Research and Development," said Mike Dudzik, director of Research and Technology at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Not only has he made extensive original technical contributions to new theories in Correlation Pattern Recognition, he has reduced his theories into practical algorithms which are at the foundation of several key products. Furthermore, university research groups worldwide are using his theories to address image processing challenges in other fields."

Courtesy: The Times of India, September 07, 2006

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In the midst of a controversy, the national song Vande Mataram was on Thursday sung across the country to celebrate its centenary but several minority educational institutions, including in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, abstained from joining. According to reports from BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Rajasthan, the song written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was sung in educational institutions and specially organised programmes at 11 am as per an order of the Union Human Resources Development Ministry. The order of the ministry, which made it clear that singing of Vande Mataram in schools and colleges would not be mandatory, had sparked a controversy with some Muslim leaders saying the song went against Islamic teachings about not worshipping any person or object. At a function in Delhi, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh joined a large number of students in the singing of the national song, while reports of isolated protests by some Muslim bodies came in from Madhya Pradesh. Students of madrassas in Muslim-dominated areas of Rajasthan defied the BJP government's order to observe Vande Mataram Day by not singing the song, while in other schools celebrations were held. In Dehra Dun, where the BJP National Executive is being held, party president Rajnath Singh and senior leader LK Advani led party functionaries in joining the celebrations. In NDA-ruled Jharkhand, Chief Minister Arjun Munda led scores of BJP leaders and thousands of party workers to sing the national song shortly after 9:00 am.

Courtesy: The Times of India, September 07, 2006

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Citigroup on Tuesday announced that its Citigroup Micro Entrepreneur Award programme for promotion of micro-financing has now being expanded as a global initiative to over 20 countries including Mexico, Brazil, China, South Africa, Venezuela, and Philippines. Launched in India in 2004, the objective of the 2006 award programme is to illustrate and promote the effective role of micro-finance in poverty alleviation around the world, Citigroup said in a release. It seeks to generate recognition in 24 countries for the extraordinary contributions that individual micro entrepreneurs have made to the economic sustainability of their families as well as their communities, it said. The Citigroup Foundation has supported this through a grant of 200,000 dollar (about Rs 1 crore) to Partners in Change (PiC), a Delhi-based NGO, for implementing the programme. Increasingly, Governments, investment and support communities are recognizing micro-finance as a solution that can improve quality of life for the underprivileged and the underserved. By telling these remarkable stories of optimism, courage and resilience, the Citigroup Micro Entrepreneur Award seek to illustrate and promote the effective role that microfinance plays in poverty alleviation said Citigroup India CEO Sanjay Nayar. Thermax Ltd Chairperson Anu Aga has joined the seven-member National Advisory Council for the 2006 Citigroup Micro Entrepreneur Award, it said.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 06, 2006

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Joining hands to raise funds for old and deprived sections of society, eminent artists will share their canvas with politicians, industrialists, actors and people from everyday walks life. Kick-starting the India on canvas initiative on Monday, minister of state for women and child development Renuka Chowdhary gave colourful strokes to a painting by artist Jayshree Burman. Sharing the canvas with Ms Burman, Ms Chowdhary said, "I am excited about lending my support to a social cause in a creative way." Over 70 eminent artists including Anjali Ela Menon, Satish Gujral, Arpita Singh, Subroto Kundo are slated to share varied shades of their creative imagination with politicians, industrialists and other eminent personalities like P Chidambaram, Sharmila Tagore and Ratan Tata.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 05, 2006

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Sotheby's will hold an Indian art sale next week that will feature Indian miniatures, apart from a section on modern paintings including those by upcoming contemporary artists. The sale is expected to net over $12 million. The fall sale of the Indian Art exhibition, beginning Sep 14, will feature 21 lots of Indian miniatures from a private single-owner collection. The miniatures, from the Punjab Hills schools, include a series of illustrations from the "Sunder Shringar", circa 1780, featuring Radha and Krishna (estimated at $10,000-15,000 each) and paintings from the "Harivamsa" or life of Krishna, circa 1820 (estimated at $10,000-15,000 each). Highlighting the section of Modern Paintings is a magnificent dark-toned work by Francis Newton Souza titled "Man with Monstrance 2", an oil-on-board dating to 1953 (estimated at $500,000-700,000). Painted in textured dark tones, it deals with the conflict between religion and sex, a pervasive theme in Souza's work. Also included in the sale are a number of works by abstract landscapist Ram Kumar, a leading figure in the modern art movement in India. Among them is an unusually rare untitled work from 1956 (estimated $120,000-180,000) belonging to the artist's early figurative phase. Painted in glowing colours in a semi-Cubist manner, the canvas depicting two forlorn figures against a bleak cityscape is a sensitive commentary on the disillusionment of the faceless millions of urbanites with poverty and decay of post-Independence India. Another highlight is "Varanasi" ($80,000-120,000), an ephemeral landscape painted in soothing tones inspired by that Hindu holy city. The sale also features works by other leading modern artists such as M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, S.H. Raza, J. Swaminathan and Zen master V.S. Gaitonde, and is expected to bring $8.6-12.1 million. On Sep 22, Sotheby's will hold its first dedicated sale of Indian Contemporary Art, featuring 58 lots by young cutting-edge artists in a variety of media, including works by Atul Dodiya, Anju Dodiya, Jitish Kallat, Subodh Gupta, Riyas Komu, Shibu Natesan and Bharti Kher. The cover lot of the sale is Atul Dodiya's "Mirage", an installation from his famous "Shutter" series of 2002 ($180,000-220,000). Another highlight of the sale is Ravinder G. Reddy's iconic Head, a gold-gilded work painted on polyester resin fibre glass (estimated $100,000-150,000). Sudarshan Shetty creates a surreal combination of familiar forms in unexpected ways in his untitled sculpture from the "Paper Moon" series, which consists of a life-size horse standing aside a small boat with a diminutive house on its back ($60,000-80,000). Another notable piece is "Feast for Hundred and Eight Gods" (2005), a sculpture by Subodh Gupta that uses stainless steel utensils and is the first of an edition of three (estimated $40,000-60,000). The sale is expected to bring $1.1-1.5 million. In New York, September indeed belongs to Indian art.

Courtesy: The Economic Times, September 05, 2006

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The South Indian Bank (SIB) has won a special award for excellence in banking technology from IDRBT (Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology), the technical arm of the Reserve Bank of India. This award is presented to the bank as a national level recognition to the contribution made in the area of Information Systems Security Policies and Practices, according to a press release from the bank. The bank bagged the award by competing with foreign banks and banks in the public sector, private sector and cooperative sector. The award was given at a glittering function held on Saturday at IDRBT, Hyderabad. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. V A Joseph received the award from Reserve Bank of India Governor Y.V Reddy. Chairman of Indian Banks' Association and Chairman IDBI Limited V.P. Shetty and Director of IDRBT Arvind Sharma were present. South Indian Bank is the only old generation private sector bank to receive this prestigious award, the press release said. SIB is one of the few banks in the country that implemented Core Banking Solution (CBS) in 2001. It has 377 branches and 26 Extension Counters networked under CBS covering a total business of about 95 per cent. Leveraging on the CBS platform, the bank has been offering the entire gamut of IT enabled services such as Anywhere Banking, Internet and Mobile Banking.

Courtesy: The Hindu, September 04, 2006

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