• bangladesh U-15 cricket team to play in India
• Prince Andrew launches ARM's social programme
• With India shining, expatriates are rushing in, spawning an industry
• Swaminarayan temple named top landmark in UK
• India wins the Commonwealth Bank series
• Ex-British helps rebuild Punjab village schools

• Indian designers going beyond fabrics
• Tirumala temple organizes 7,000 marriages
• Sachin notches top slot for batsman in the ICC Rankings
• Govt launches 'Dhan laxmi scheme' to protect girl child
• Home remedies for high blood pressure

The Bangladesh under-15 boys' cricket team will play five matches against Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) starting Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board announced in Dhaka on Sunday. The Bangladesh side will play a CAB under-15 team between March 25 and April 7. The teams will play three limited overs matches while the rest two are two-day games. The matches will be played in Cooch Behar, Balurghat, Malda, Burdwan and Kolkata. Bangladesh U-15 squad: Iktedar Nazeef Ahmed (captain), Litton Kumer Das (vice captain/wicketkeeper), Ratnak Saha, Mohammed Anisur Rahman, Kamran Forhad Sunny, S.M. Ahamedul Kabir, Khaza Khairuddin, Rakin Ahmed, Shihab Uddin Ahmed Arpon, Shahariar Islam, Mohammed Didar Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mohammed Jashim Uddin, Mohammed Asif Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Anik.

Courtesy: www.headlinesindia.com, March 23, 2008

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Candle stands, gift items, restaurants, accessories, lamps and artefacts - Indian fashion seems to be moving beyond fabrics as style experts are embracing sundry objects to express their creative talent. 'A creative person must always have the passion to push the envelope further and do something new every time. Otherwise, you are just an ordinary human being,' fashion designer Rohit Bal told IANS. Bal has designed the restaurant Veda in the capital. And he is not the only one walking down an alternative style path. Couture czar J.J. Valaya has joined hands with wedding planner Ferns N Petals (FNP) to design services for signature luxury wedding concepts. Designer duo Hemant & Lecoanet have put out a collection of accessories called LH. Amber Paridhi Sahai is designing a variety of gift items. Manish Arora, who is doing shoes for Reebok, he wants to go far beyond clothes and also design lamps and ashtrays among other things. Commenting on why designers move beyond fabric, Elisha W said: 'That happens when a designer has been doing clothes for many years and is satisfied with it. Then she looks at other things to make the most of her creative skills.' And how does it benefit the style expert or the label? 'It has been happening across the globe. It increases the visibility of labels and helps it become a complete lifestyle brands that can cater to a wider customer base,' Elisha said. Gaurav Gupta, a fashion designer, said: 'There is a dual effect, firstly the brand awareness among people increases. Also, it helps the designer make people aware about his sensibility via a lot of other mediums.' Pradeep Hirani, owner of fashion store chain Kimaya, said: 'A designer plunging into designing products other than just clothes adds to the aura of the brand, making it bigger. 'This is another orbit where designers are naturally progressing and it indicates the evolution of the country's fashion industry.' Shedding light on another facet, Sahai said that in an extremely taxing industry it proves a stress buster. 'In this industry it sometimes becomes monotonous to keep doing the same things. One has to always come up with new ideas and work under a lot of stress. So designing something different proves a stress reliever and helps keep the ball rolling,' Sahai said.

Courtesy: www.yahoo.com, March 14, 2008

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Duke of York Prince Andrew Thursday launched chip designer ARM's corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme here that will benefit hundreds of underprivileged children in India's silicon hub. Andrew, second son and the third child of British Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, dedicated 6,000 hours of ARM employees' work to three social organizations - Ashwini Charitable Trust, Sahasra Deepika Institute for Education and the Marathalli government school, located in and around Bangalore. 'I am pleased to support ARM's CSR initiative with the local community and specifically children, with a commitment of 6,000 hours of the company time to three projects over the next two years,' Andrew said after inaugurating the new design centre of the ARM India subsidiary. The CSR programme, christened Anvas, which means 'to reach out' in Sanskrit, will support a range of socio-economic, educational and health initiatives. 'We will contribute a financial amount matching the personal contributions of employees to encourage Anvas,' ARM Holdings vice-president (HR) Bill Parsons said on the occasion. The Prince also lauded ARM for setting up India operations and expanding its facility to become the largest chip design centre outside its headquarters in Cambridge, about 120 miles from London. 'I am delighted to visit ARM in Bangalore and impressed by what is being achieved here. As a leading British firm, ARM produces key business-to-business solutions for the electronic world,' Andrew said in a statement later. The $514-million firm, formerly Advanced Risc Machines (ARM), designs processors (semiconductor chips) for advanced digital products spanning wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. Andrew, who is on a weeklong visit to India beginning March 9 to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries, called on Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur earlier in the day. He also visited state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), IT bellwether Infosys Technologies Ltd and British technology firms including as Logica CMG and AstraZenaca.

Courtesy: www.indiaenews.com, March 13, 2008

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Call it the call of the times, or whatever you have. But expatriates have never had it so good. Particularly their relocation worries, more about overcoming the cultural dissimilarity between the West and the East, seem to have become a thing of the past - courtesy the growing business of relocation. In fact, growing in the range of 20-25 per cent per annum, the nation's organised relocation market is today worth Rs 200 crore. And with the foreign direct investment going to increase in the times to come, its potential is only going to increase. Look at the figures. Around 3,000 expatriates are expected to shift to India this year … lock, stock and barrel. This is in addition to the 50,000 expats who have already made India their home. In fact, expatriates relocating to India do not include the strong diplomatic community. They primarily comprise senior employees of big corporates who send them to India to set up base, or for transfer of technology into the country. Relocating to India, however, means more than just a shift in residence. Therefore, apart from finding suitable homes for expats, companies engaged in the business of relocation also have to provide facilities like finding a school for their children, giving them cross-cultural education sessions, enabling them to network in their own community, and even doing corporate event management. Most relocation companies usually service clients who come to India for two to three years. "They have a lot of anxiety and a sense of the unknown when shifting to India. Despite making waves internationally owing to the strides it is making in the field of information technology, India is still 'mysterious' for many in the West," said Rajeshwar Balasundaram, chief operating officer, Global Adjustments, a Chennai-based relocation company that has been in the business for nearly 13 years now. Many foreigners also find it difficult to believe that Indian cities do not have any centralized list of houses on rent. "It is here that we step in and meet their expectations and take care of their initial settling period," said Balasundaram. The rise in residential rental rates across India is also creating some obstacles in the relocation business. "Most companies do not realize that owners are taking advantage of shortage of accommodation in established areas here and quote extremely high rates," said Jean-Christophe Levens of Dexia Credit Local, who has relocated from Australia. Whatever be the case, the increase in relocation business has prompted many international relocation companies to enter India. For instance, Hong Kong-based relocation company Santa Fe has recently acquired a 70 per cent stake in Delhi-based Ikan Relocation Services, which started operations in 1996 and has offices in eight Indian cities, apart from having a presence in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. "We handle more than 20,000 relocations annually around the world and have established 14 offices in China alone. It won't be long before we replicate that success in India as well," said Lars Lykke Iversen, chief executive officer, Santa Fe Group.

Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com, March 11, 2008

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during the third phase of mass marriages organised by the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams (TTD), which manages India's richest Hindu temple at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh. Between 9.20 a.m. and 9.35 a.m., the auspicious time fixed by the priests, couples entered the wedlock at functions held at 'kalyanamandaps' across the state with ministers and other elected representatives blessing them. Over 10,000 couples were married in the first two phases of the programme, whose objective is to strengthen the Hindu marriage system and to help the poor among the Hindus perform the marriages of their children in accordance with Hindu traditions. The first phase of the programme was held Feb 22 while the second phase was organized August 26, both last year. The mass marriage functions Sunday were organised in all the 294 assembly constituencies, a TTD official said. Clad in traditional white dress, hundreds of bridegrooms tied the 'mangalsutra thali', the Hindu symbol of marriage, to the brides as the priests performed the rituals in the presence of their relatives and eminent people. Governor N.D. Tiwari, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and TTD Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy blessed 158 couples who got married at a function in the state capital. The TTD authorities gifted 1.28 gram of gold each to make the 'mangalsutra thali', toe rings for the brides, wedding clothes for the couples and also arranged food for the relatives. The governor and the chief minister blessed the couples and handed over 'mangalsutra thali' to them as the priests performed the marriages chanting Vedic hymns. Telugu film actor Rajasekhar presented clothes to the newly-weds. The TTD officials said the mass marriages would also help in ending child marriages and spreading Hindu traditions without any discrimination. The TTD officials said the mass marriages were also aimed at creating awareness among Hindus to curb wasteful expenditure. The mass marriages were also held in the temple town of Tirupati with TTD authorities promising to bear the expenses for the honeymoon of the couples at any place in the state. But, tragedy struck a function at a village in East Godavari district when two people were electrocuted as they came in contact with a live high-tension wire while installing a board near the venue of mass marriages. One of the richest shrines in the world and often compared with the Vatican City, the 16th century Lord Venkateswara temple on Tirumala hills draws more than 50,000 devotees every day. The number crosses 100,000 during annual rituals and important occasions. The temple earns Rs.5 billion annually through daily offerings by devotees. It funds a university besides other institutions. The TTD Trust had last month approved a budget of Rs.19.25 billion for the fiscal 2008-09. The temple is expected to earn Rs.1 billion from the sale of human hair alone.

Courtesy: www.indiaenews.com, March 09, 2008

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The Sri Swaminarayan temple here has been named as the top landmark for which residents are most proud in Britain. In a nation-wide poll, more than 2,300 residents voted for the Hindu temple in Neasden, north London, to win the inaugural Pride of Place award. It is one of the biggest traditional Hindu temples to be built in Europe. Communities Minister Parmjit Dhanda, who will present the award to the temple, told the BBC: "I have heard from many people about what a fantastically inspiring building the temple is, so it is not hard to understand why it generates such pride within the local community." More than 1,500 craftsmen in India carved the 2,820 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara marble used in its construction. The 26,300 carved pieces were then transported to London where they were assembled over a three-year period. The temple opened in 1995 and has attracted millions of visitors. Nearly 36,800 people voted online in the poll. Nine London councils participated and 10 landmarks were nominated from the city. The other top nine places are: Central Park Peterborough; Bourton on the Water Gloucestershire; Wayland Wood - Breckland District Council, Norfolk; Firepower Museum Greenwich; Barking Abbey - Barking & Dagenham; Barley Mow Warrington; Linton Zoo - South Cambridgeshire; Franklin's Gardens Northampton; and Manchester United Football Club - Trafford Metropolitan Borough.

Courtesy: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com, March 07, 2008

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Two match-winning knocks against Australia in the tri-series finals have propelled Sachin Tendulkar back to the position of world's number one ODI batsman displacing the vanquished Australian skipper Ricky Ponting in the ICC Rankings on Tuesday. Tendulkar is seven rating points clear of Ponting, who had a miserable run with the bat during the series and struggled against a young Indian attack. The second-placed Ponting is followed by South African captain Graeme Smith at the third spot. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score more than 300 runs and effect 20 dismissals in a series, is at the 10th spot with 728 points, just five below ninth-placed Herschelle Gibbs. Dhoni's deputy Yuvraj Singh occupies the 18th position with 691 points. Meanwhile, the historic triumph has helped India gain three rating points to move just a fraction behind third-placed New Zealand in the ICC ODI Championship table, where Australia's lead on top was trimmed to a bare minimum. Australia, which entered the series on 130 ratings points, dropped to 127 points, the same as second-placed South Africa but above Graeme Smith's side when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Courtesy: www.headlinesindia.com, March 05, 2008

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India created a history today by defeating the world champions in the second final to clinch the Commonwealth Bank tri-series in Brisbane. Defending a mere total of 258 runs, Dhoni's young guns bowled out the world champs 9 runs short of the winning total. Earlier, electing to bat after winning the toss, India started their innings well but a formidable bowling by left arm seamer, Nathan Bracken, and all-rounder, Michael Clark, who took three wickets each, restricted the Indians to just 258. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar once again proved his mettle and scored a brilliant 91 runs. But, the day remained special for the new comer Praveen Kumar who sent back four Australian batsman including that of the dangerous Gilchrist, Ponting and Clarke. With this emphatic win India has broken the jinx of losing in the finals.

Courtesy: www.headlinesindia.com, March 04, 2008

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Taking a cognition of the declining sex ratio and in an effort to stop female foeticide, the Union Government today launched 'Dhan laxmi scheme' (Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme). Addressing at the launching of the scheme in the national capital, the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury said, "Dhana laxmi, as the name suggests is the goddess of wealth and well being. Therefore the scheme is to give a message that girls are not liability but an asset." Aimed to provide incentives for the upbringing of every girl child, the scheme would avail an insurance cover of one lakh rupees as a safety net. Further, the scheme would also enable the girl to receive a lump sum amount at the age of 18 years. In all, cash package of around 2 lakh will be provided to the girl's family, preferably to the mother, through the scheme. Nevertheless, conditions must be fulfilled to get the scheme as per the birth registration, immunisation, enrollment to school, retention in school and delaying the marriage age beyond 18 years. Initially the scheme is proposed to be piloted in eleven educationally backward blocks in seven states namely Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Punjab. An outlay of Rs 10 crores is proposed for 2008-09 benefiting more than one lakh girl.

Courtesy: www.headlinesindia.com, March 03, 2008

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"Eat one papaya on empty stomach daily and keep fasting for next two hours to control your blood pressure efficiently." These are a few home remedies for high blood pressure as suggested by Vaidya Sane Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre. "EAT ONE papaya on empty stomach daily and keep fasting for next two hours to control your blood pressure efficiently," says Dr Rohit Sane, of Vaidya Sane Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre (VSAPC). Everybody has blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is generally less than 130/85. When blood pressure readings rise above 140/90 on a regular basis, this is called high blood pressure, or hypertension. This eventually damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke, says Dr Sane. Vaidya Sane Ayurvedic Panchakarma Centre was the first centre in India to introduce a unique and non-invasive, safe and permanent solution for coronary blockages thus preventing heart attacks recently. VSAPC has listed down a few home remedies that can help the masses to keep control on their blood pressure. Although some people with high blood pressure have symptoms, such as headaches or dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations shortness of breath, most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms at all. That is why it is so important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by your healthcare provider. This is especially important if you are someone who is at higher risk for hypertension.

If you have already been told that you have high blood pressure, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by your healthcare provider to make sure that it is staying controlled. Here are some tips, which may help you to control your blood pressure along with your conventional medicines without any side effects.

Tip 1: Powder 100 gm poppy seeds (khus-khus). Store it in a clean container. Consume one tsp with water, morning and evening.

Tip 2: A clove of garlic is highly recommended for high blood pressure. Chew one clove of garlic first thing every morning and wash it down with water.

Tip 3: Make a juice of 25-30 curry leaves with one cup of warm water. Strain and drink first thing in the morning.

Tip 4: In the same manner, coriander or fenugreek leaves can be tried. They won't harm in any way and at the same time one can find out what is best suited to their system.

Tip 5: Mix one tsp honey with two tsps of onion juice and one tsp cummin powder. Have it twice a day.

Tip 6: Eat one papaya on empty stomach daily and keep fasting for the next two hours to control your blood pressure efficiently.

VSAPC, which had started off with just two clinics in Mumbai has now embarked upon a major expansion plan. It has now already set up 10 centres in Mumbai and Maharashtra and now plans to open up 50 centres across Maharashtra and Gujarat by December 2008 end as phase I expansion. In the phase II, the company plans to open up 250 centres across India by 2010. VSAPC is already known for treatments in the field of heart diseases, anorectal disorders and joint disorders treatment and all the treatments are completely non-invasive procedures. It plans to make the masses of India aware of this latest non-invasive, safe and permanent solution and this could be possible only through establishing their own centres across India. In the year 2006, Vaidya Sane had also launched Madhavbaug, a complete Ayurvedic cardiac rehabilitation centre 60 km from Mumbai, at Khopoli, in Raigad district of Maharashtra. Madhavbaug is where ancient ayurvedic healing methods are merged with a contemporary and scientific approach. It is spread over three acres of green pasture which houses nine eco-friendly mud cottages with thatched roods (made by specialists from Kolkata), mango orchards, meditation centre and a Panchkarma centre. Already, Madhavbaug has received huge response from both patients flowing from within India as well as abroad. Now, after this successful project, Vaidya Sane plans to launch similar rehabilitation centres to treat other diseases, for instance, diabetes.

Courtesy: www.merinews.com, March 01, 2008

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A former senior British police officer has raised around Rs 50 lakh in the UK and rebuild at least five elementary schools in rural Punjab after coming across a dilapidated village school building seven years ago. For the residents of Seham village, former Derbyshire County CID chief David Gee is a "godsend" as he has not only upgraded their school, but also teaches English and Maths whenever he is here. The newly constructed school building has an impressive makeover with the tricolour painted on the parapet. His organisation is also extending financial help of Rs 200 per month to eight students from poor families and paying the salaries of the newly-appointed teachers. "The children love Mr Gee and call him 'Gora', perhaps unaware that the term may be offensive," says Ravinder Singh Kang, who is in charge of Seham elementary school. Gee's preferred garment is 'kurta-pajama' and he has also picked up a bit of Punjabi. "Baccho iddaan na karo (Children, don't be naughty). Hole hole bolo' (Please speak slowly)," one can often hear him say. Gee has been raising funds through charities with UK-based NGO Children and Youth Development Organisation for improvement of the rural basic education infrastructure. Seham is the native village of Gee's NRI friend Balbir Singh along with whom he first visited India in April 2001 but today people wear T-shirts bearing the name and it is also a website for raising funds for rural schools in Punjab.

Courtesy: www.headlinesindia.com, March 01, 2008

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