Washington, Feb 26 Backed by over 160 venture capitalists, including several Indian Americans, two US senators have introduced a bill to give fast track visas to immigrant entrepreneurs in return for creating jobs to increase America's global competitiveness.
The StartUp Visa Act of 2010 will allow an immigrant entrepreneur to receive a two year visa if he or she can show that a qualified US investor is willing to dedicate a significant sum — a minimum of $250,000 — to the immigrant's startup venture.
India joins UN initiative, plants 2.5 bn trees
New Delhi, Feb 26 By planting 2.5 billion trees since 2007, India has joined the Plant for Planet: The Billion Tree Campaign of the UN, the Environment and Forests Ministry announced on Friday.
Malaysian Hindus hold chariot fest
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 26 The annual Masi Magam Theppa Thiruvila (floating chariot) festival will be held on Sunday at the Sri Singamuga Kaliamman temple in Teluk Bahang. The annual festival is celebrated to honour Lord Sri Singamuga Kaliamman.
Kamla becomes first woman leader in T&T
Port-of-Spain, Feb 26 Indian-origin Kamla Persad-Bissessar has become the first woman Leader of the Opposition in the Trinidad and Tobago parliament, ousting former premier Basdeo Panday from the post.
‘Composite dialogue not to be resumed’
New Delhi, Feb 26 India told Pakistan 'time was not yet ripe' to resume the composite dialogue process even as Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao handed over three fresh dossiers to her Pakistani counterpart, saying Islamabad has not done enough in investigating the conspiracy behind the Mumbai attack and curbing the activities of terror organisations on its soil.
Kabul attack: Six Indians hurt
Kabul, Feb 26 Taliban bombers equipped with suicide vests and automatic rifles attacked a hotel and a guesthouse in central Kabul on Friday, killing 11 people and injuring 20, including six Indians, officials said.
EU trade chief to visit India
Brussels, Feb 26 The European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, is seeking to boost the European Union's ties with key Asian nations by embarking on a trip to Singapore, Vietnam and India next week, officials said on Thursday.
Cultural fest to bring Southeast Asia closer
Agartala, Feb 26 Aiming to promote closer ties between northeastern states in India and their neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, a month-long inter-cultural dialogue and festival is being organised, officials said here on Thursday.
Karnataka to build integrated IT city
Bengaluru, Feb 26 The Karnataka government would build an integrated IT city near the Bengaluru international airport to attract more investments in the knowledge sector, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj said on Thursday.
Force India sixth quickest
Barcelona, Feb 26 Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi clocked the sixth fastest time of one minute and 24.064 seconds around the 4.655 Kms long Circuit de Catalunya on the first day of the concluding pre-season Formula One test session.
India, Pakistan begin talks
New Delhi, Feb 25 India and Pakistan on Thursday began their first official talks since the Mumbai attack 14 months ago amid cautious optimism here that Islamabad will move faster against anti-India terror outfits and 26/11 attackers to keep the dialogue open.
India can be fastest growing economy
New Delhi, Feb 25 India's gross domestic product (GDP) can expand by double-digit levels to emerge as the fastest growing economy in the world by 2014, even as spiralling prices remains the immediate concern, says the Economic Survey for this fiscal.
Highlights of the Economic Survey
New Delhi, Feb 25 Following are the highlights of the annual Economic Survey for the current fiscal tabled by the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha on Thursday:
PM's visit will boost Saudi-India ties
New Delhi, Feb 25 Bilateral trade and investment between India and Saudi Arabia are set to see a quantum jump with the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh from February 27 to March 1, says Saudi Arabian Ambassador to India Faisal Hassan Trad. A new joint investment fund, expected to be established during the Prime Minister's visit, is estimated to be worth $750 million.
PIO’s invention churns out power from sand
Washington, Feb 25 An India-born rocket scientist has lifted the veil off Bloom Box fuel-cell, a revolutionary new technology that holds the promise to supply the world with abundant, clean and cheap energy.
Lok Sabha lauds Sachin’s double ton
New Delhi, Feb 25 The Lok Sabha on Thursday congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for becoming the first cricketer in one-day cricket to score a double century.
India condemns abduction of Hindu
New Delhi, Feb 25 A day before talks between foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent beheading of a Sikh and the abduction of a Hindu in the neighbouring country.
Aussies throng Indian restaurants
Melbourne/New Delhi, Feb 25 Their plates overflowing with solidarity, many Australians tucked into Indian cuisine on Wednesday. From Victoria Premier John Brumby to commoners, crowds thronged Indian restaurants as part of the `Vindaloo Against Violence' initiative.
153 attacks in Oz in 14 months
New Delhi, Feb 25 As many as 153 cases of attacks have been confirmed against Indian nationals, including students and taxi drivers in the last 14 months in Australia, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told Parliament on Wednesday.
Jharkhand Khadi Board becomes success model
New Delhi, Feb 25 The Jharkhand State Khadi and Village Industries Board — the smallest of 33 such boards across the country — has become a business and social development model for all the other khadi boards in India.
Buddhist fair begins in Himanchal
Shimla, Feb 25 Thousands of Buddhists from India and abroad have thronged to the Rewalsar lake in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district for the two-day Tsechu fair to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Padma Sambhava.
Railways set up museum to commemorate Tagore
New Delhi, Feb 25 With the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore being observed this year, Indian Railways proposes to set up two museums in West Bengal to commemorate him, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in the Parliament on Wednesday. A special cross-border train will also be run with Bangladesh so that the two countries can jointly celebrate the anniversary of the poet who has penned the national anthems of both countries.
Rail budget promises expansion
New Delhi, Feb 24 Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday presented India's rail budget for the next fiscal with the promise of a new business model to encourage private investment along with social commitment but without privatisation.
Preparations on for 2011 census
New Delhi, Feb 24 Preparations for conducting the 2011 population census have commenced, and the process will begin this April, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.
India to emerge with stronger growth
Washington, Feb 24 With sound economic policies, India, Bangladesh and Bhutan are expected to emerge from the global economic crisis with stronger growth performances in South Asia, according to a World Bank report.
India offers its expertise to UN
United Nations, Feb 24 India has offered its experience and expertise to the United Nations for its peacekeeping and peace-building efforts saying it stands ready to do more for international peace and security as a partner of the UN.
PIO’s invention to light up America
Washington, Feb 24 An India-born rocket scientist is all set to unveil a natural gas-fuelled cell box that promises to provide abundant, cheap, clean electricity to light up most American households within the next 10 years.
‘Malicious ware can invade smart phones’
Washington, Feb 24 Malicious software can now invade new generations of smart mobile phones, potentially with more serious consequences, says an Indian American computer scientist.
DRDO develops quicker, cheaper swine flu test
New Delhi, Feb 24 India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a swine flu testing kit that can diagnose the pandemic in just two hours and reduce the cost of a single test fivefold — to less than Rs.1,000.
Scheme for unemployed NRKs soon
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 A scheme for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs), who lost their jobs within two years of migration to the Middle East because of the global economic slump, will be launched in the coming financial year, Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai said on Wednesday.
NRK firm launches green township
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 Mir Realtors, which has non-resident Keralites settled in Dubai and Russia as directors, on Tuesday announced the launch of the second phase of their eco-friendly township 'The Greens' here.
More funds to safeguard foreign students in Oz
New Delhi, Feb 24 Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Tuesday announced funding of A$5.1 million to further strengthen the country's international education industry and 'safeguard the course fees of international students'.
US Sikhs ask Obama to intervene
Washington, Feb 24 Outraged over the beheading of a Sikh by the Pakistan Taliban, Sikhs in the U.S. have urged President Barack Obama to take up the issue with Islamabad.
‘Pakistan has failed to protect minorities’
Toronto, Feb 24 Condemning the beheading of two Sikhs by the Pakistani Taliban as 'an act of barbarians,'' Sikhs in Canada on Tuesday urged tough action the killers. They also said Pakistan had failed to protect its minorities.
Choppers to boost Mizoram tourism
Aizawl, Feb 24 Mizoram will introduce helicopter services in the mountainous northeastern state to not only take the administration into remote areas but also to boost tourism, officials said here on Tuesday.
India needs to project power globally
Washington, Feb 23 To become a bigger player on the world stage, New Delhi will need to become a truly Asian power and project its power and influence globally, says a US expert on South Asia.
UK wants India-EU trade deal by 2010
London, Feb 23 Britain is pushing for the rapid conclusion of a long-delayed free trade agreement between India and the 27-nation Europe Union, saying it would help remove bottlenecks that are holding up trade and jobs at both ends.
Global warming to push up food prices
Washington, Feb 23 The impact of global warming on food prices and hunger could be significant in the next 20 years as a new study reveals that higher temperatures could reduce yields of wheat, rice and maize — dietary staple for millions of poor people who subsist on less than a $1 a day.
Government clears 12 FDI proposals
New Delhi, Feb 23 The government on Monday approved 12 foreign direct investment proposals worth more than Rs.1,045 crore from, among others, the global animation, publishing and entertainment giant Walt Disney.
‘Oz wants more students from India’
Chandigarh, Feb 23 Australian High Commissioner Peter Verghese Monday said that despite the recent incidents of violence, his country wanted more students from India, particularly from Punjab.
‘Melbourne not safe for Indians’
Melbourne, Feb 23 Streets of Melbourne were not safe for Indians and the government should spend money on policing and preventing racial attacks to improve relationship, Australia's Opposition Leader Tony Abott said on Tuesday.
India to host 200 aerospace majors
New Delhi, Feb 23 Nearly 200 domestic and global players in the aerospace business, including Airbus, Boeing, Bell, Thales and Dassault are participating in the five-day Indian Aviation 2010 exposition in Hyderabad from March 3.
Overseas buyers to attend handicraft fair
Bhubaneswar, Feb 23 At least 31 overseas buyers and exporters have confirmed their participation in a two-day international handicrafts and handloom fair beginning in the state capital on Wednesday, an official said on Monday.
‘India to grow 7.5 pc this fiscal’
New Delhi, Feb 22 Articulating the government's focus on 'aam admi', the common man, President Pratibha Patil n Monday sought to play up India's growth story in spite of adversities and assured all possible steps to ease the hardship due to high prices. Patil devoted the bulk of her 50-minute speech to how inclusive growth remained at the core of its agenda.
Obama likely to visit India this year
Chicago, Feb 22 President Barack Obama, who called India an indispensable nation during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's state visit, will most likely visit India later this year to further underscore its importance to America, a US official says.
Sanjoy awarded 'Global Citizenship'
Washington, Feb 22 Tufts University, one of the leading the U.S. universities, has awarded this year's Dr. Jean Mayer Award for Global Citizenship to Indian journalist Sanjoy Hazarika for his advocacy of issues in India's northeast to a national and international audience.
Thousands volunteer for CWG
New Delhi, Feb 22 There is a buzz around the imposing Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Headquarters near Connaught Place these days as scores of excited students, professionals, homemakers, ex-servicemen, teachers and people from the corporate world flock to it to join as volunteers for the October 3-14 Games.
Continue trade with Pak: Chidambaram
Attari (Punjab), Feb 22 Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Saturday said that India should continue its trade ties with Pakistan and other neighbouring countries.
Saudi to sign extradition pact with India
New Delhi, Feb 22 India will be among the first countries Saudi Arabia will sign an extradition treaty with when Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visits that country later this month, according to Saudi Ambassador to India Faisal Hassan Trad.
NRI killed for cigarettes, sweets
London, Feb 22 British police have launched a murder hunt after a gang of teenagers in northern England killed an Indian-origin shopkeeper described by locals as a 'gentleman, who would do anything for anyone'.
NGOs to be involved in 2011 census
Agartala, Feb 22 For the first time in India, non-government organisations (NGOs) will be involved in carrying out the country's gigantic 2011 census operation, officials said here on Saturday.
Four Indians nominated for CWP
New Delhi, Feb 20 Noted authors Keki N. Daruwalla and Amit Chaudhuri are among the four Indians nominated for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize 2010.
India will be influential friend: US
Chicago, Feb 20 As India's economy grows and its stature rises, it will be an increasingly important, and influential friend of the United States, buttressed in part by strong people to people ties, says a senior US official.
India ranks sixth in image rating by Americans
Washington, Feb 20 India ranked sixth among 20 nations favourably viewed by Americans that figured prominently in the news or the U.S. foreign policy in the first year of the Obama administration, according to a new poll.
India offers fellowships to Africans
New Delhi, Feb 20 India is offering 416 fellowships to African researchers in top Indian institutions in areas from biotechnology to forestry.
India to have record wheat production
Ahmedabad, Feb 20 India may have record wheat production in the current Rabi season if rain or hail does not damage the crop that will soon be ready for harvest, says S. Nagarajan of the central Agriculture Ministry.
Punjab gets hi-tech driving school
Muktsar (Punjab), Feb 20 The Punjab government in association with the Tata Motors Friday set up a state-of-the-art driving school at Mahuana village in this district.
PM's council pegs growth at 7.2 pc
New Delhi, Feb 19 The Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council on Friday predicted India's growth for this fiscal at 7.2 percent, and later accelerating to 8.2 percent and 9 percent, respectively, over the next two years.
Highlights of economic review
New Delhi, Feb 19 Following are the highlights of a review of the Indian economy conducted by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council headed by C. Rangarajan:
India top gold consuming nation
Dubai, Feb 19 A strong recovery in domestic demand during the last three quarters of 2009 helped India reclaim by the year-end its position as leading gold purchaser, having bought a total of 480 tonnes during the year.
India tightens visa procedures
New Delhi, Feb 19 Tightening up visa procedures, the Home Ministry on Thursday asked all central ministries and state chief secretaries to strictly adhere to the revised procedure for grant of visas to foreigners coming to India to attend international conferences and seminars.
Canada to open office in India
Toronto, Feb 19 To help new immigrants get their credentials recognised in their country of origin before landing here, Canada on Thursday announced opening of new offices in India, China, the Philippines and Britain.
Indian Co to make choppers for US
New Delhi, Feb 19 The first India-made airframe of the Sikorsky S-92 medium-lift helicopter will be handed over to the U.S. firm in November and there is the distinct possibility of the entire chopper being manufactured in this country at some stage — the first time that a major aviation actitivity is being done in the private sector.
‘Karma shapes satisfaction in India’
Washington, Feb 19 The concept of 'karma' shapes consumer satisfaction in India, suggests a new study. It says it is important for companies to understand cultural differences between markets if they wish to reach consumers in a globalised marketplace.
Space technology to identify whale sharks
New Delhi, Feb 19 Indian scientists will try to distinguish individual whale sharks off the Gujarat coast, using a technique employed by NASA to identify galaxies.
Over 5,000 marine species found
New Delhi, Feb 19 They were the sea's best-kept secrets — until now. As work on the world's first ocean census inches closer to completion, scientists working on the decade-long project claim to have found over 5,000 new marine organisms that were not known to mankind all this while.
Four PSUs to become 'Maharatna'
Kolkata, Feb 19 Public sector majors Indian Oil Corporation (IOL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) are likely to become the country's first 'Maharatna' companies by April-May this year, an official said on Thursday.
BPCL partner finds gas in Mozambique
Mumbai, Feb 19 State-run oil marketing company Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Thursday said gas had been discovered at an offshore Mozambique find in which its overseas subsidiary holds a 10 percent stake.
OVL, GAIL to take part in Chinese pipeline construction
New Delhi, Feb 19 The Indian government has approved the participation of ONGC Videsh and GAIL in the construction of a Chinese pipeline and also make additional investment of over $1.3 billion (Rs.6,008 crore) in the development of Myanmarese hydrocarbon blocks.
Kerala announces 'dream season' for tourists
New Delhi, Feb 19 The Kerala government on Thursday announced the 'dream season' period to attract more domestic tourists to the state during the months of April to September, considered a lean tourist season.
Shimla's landmarks to get facelift
Shimla, Feb 19 A facelift of historic monuments of the British era in this Himachal Pradesh capital is on the cards with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding of $.75 million, an official said here on Friday.
India, EU free trade pact by end 2010
Chennai, Feb 18 A far-reaching free trade agreement will be 'ready to be signed' between India and the European Union by the end of this year even as child labour and intellectual property rights regime in this country remain sore points, EU ambassador here Daniele Smadja has said.
Obama rings Singh, condemns attack
New Delhi, Feb 18 US President Barack Obama called up Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday morning to condemn last Saturday's bomb blast in Pune and to condole the loss of lives in the terror attack that killed 11 people.
Website launched for Indians in Oz
New Delhi, Feb 18 A new networking website has been launched for Indian alumni and students in Australia to enhance the experience of international students.
'Peepli Live' lauded at Berlin fest
Berlin, Feb 18 Bollywood star Aamir Khan's production venture 'Peepli Live', a strong satire on farmers' suicides in India, received a hearty reception at the press screening during the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival.
US envoy extends 'hand of friendship'
New Delhi, Feb 18 Wearing a black business suit and a pearl necklace, Farah Pandith, the U.S. Special Representative for Muslims, bowed her head low and listened with rapt attention as a cleric recited a verse from the Quran here at the India Islamic Cultural Centre.
MNIK to be dubbed in German, Turkish
Mumbai, Feb 18 Shah Rukh Khan's latest movie 'My Name Is Khan', which made $18 million in its opening weekend worldwide, will be dubbed in German and Turkish and will be subtitled in Polish to help a wider international audience.
Pak envoy meets Foreign Secy Rao
New Delhi, Feb 18 Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao here for preparatory discussions ahead of the talks between India and Pakistan later this month.
Micro industrial goods to get makeover
New Delhi, Feb 18 Shoppers can soon buy trendily packaged designer pickles, rural agro-products, medical equipment and village crafts off the shelves of superstores in mega cities across India.
Nalanda to be developed into tourist hub
Patna, Feb 18 Bihar is preparing an ambitious master plan to develop Nalanda as a tourist hub to attract more foreign and domestic travellers.
Wipro offers training for defence forces
Bengaluru, Feb 18 Wipro and CAE Inc, formerly Canadian Aviation Electronics, will jointly offer simulation-based training, maintenance and training support services for India's defence forces, the Bengaluru-based IT major said on Wednesday.
Indo-Danish pact on social security
New Delhi, Feb 17 India and Denmark are set to sign a new pact under which their workers will only have to make social security contributions in the country of origin and not where they work, and thereby avoid losing out on their emoluments.
Pune: We support India, says US
Washington, Feb 17 Condemning the terror attack on a Pune eatery in 'strongest terms', the United States has said it would continue its 'unprecedented' cooperation with India to combat terrorism and protect the two societies from such attacks.
Green code for CWG unveiled
New Delhi, Feb 17 Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday released the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 Ecological Code that outlines targets set by organisers to cut down on carbon emissions during the mega sporting event.
Electricity to all villages by 2012
Palakkad (Kerala), Feb 17 India aims at providing electricity to all the 593,732 villages in the country by 2012, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde announced on Tuesday as he declared Kerala's Palakkad district the first fully electrified district in the country.
New regime to auction hydrocarbon assets
New Delhi, Feb 17 India is working on a new policy to auction hydrocarbon assets for exploring oil and gas reserves on a perpetual basis, with a database being drawn up of all the country's potential reserves, Petroleum Secretary S. Sundareshan has said.
EADS sets up R&D facility in India
New Delhi, Feb 17 Aiming to ramp up the capacities of India's defence manufacturing industry, European aerospace major EADS has established a military R&D facility at Bengaluru to take forward the group's existing projects and work on new programmes.
Hyderabad airport among top five
London, Feb 17 The Hyderabad international airport has been named amongst the world's top five in the annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger survey along with the ones at Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.
'MNIK' becomes biggest grosser in UK
London, Feb 17 Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's new movie 'My Name is Khan' has become the most successful Bollywood film in British box office history.
AgustaWestland-Tata set J-venture
New Delhi, Feb 17 AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Tata Sons on Tuesday signed an agreement for forming a joint venture company that will establish in India a final assembly line for the AW119 helicopter for the worldwide market.
Nigeria eyes Indian military hardware
New Delhi, Feb 17 Oil-rich Nigeria, which annually allocates some 170 billion naira (over $1 billion) for defence, is actively eyeing Indian military hardware as it seeks to modernise its armed forces, says the African country's Defence Minister.
‘Don't want to remember colonial rule’
Chandigarh, Feb 17 'Life has come full circle' with the re-launching of the colonial East India Company under its new Indian owner, British Minister Pat McFadden said Tuesday.
Rahul, NZ leader discuss security
Wellington, Feb 17 Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who is visiting New Zealand, discussed the security situation in India with a prominent New Zealand leader.
Indians in Oz feel safe: Studies
New Delhi, Feb 17 Three new studies released by the Australian high commission here Tuesday show that a majority of international students, including Indians, feel safe in that country even though there have been attacks, some racist, on Indians there.
Chhattisgarh registers 19.9 pc growth
Raipur, Feb 17 Chhattisgarh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated at Rs.95,204 crore for 2008-09, registering a growth of 19.88 percent over the previous year, according to an economic survey tabled in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Got a new idea? Disney will make it!
New Delhi, Feb 17 The Disney network of channels in India has announced a new contest called 'Pitchkiaow!' seeking new show ideas for kids to promote creative talent in the television business.
India is a priority: New Zealand PM
Wellington, Feb 16 India is a priority relationship for New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key said on Tuesday while welcoming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
More Indians going to N Zealand
Hamilton (New Zealand), Feb 16 There has been an over three-fold increase in Indians getting student visas to study in New Zealand in the past five years, authorities said.
John Kerry in Delhi, meets PM
New Delhi, Feb 16 US Senator John Kerry, on a short visit to Delhi, met Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday afternoon.
Malaysia-India for $468 mn worth deal
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 16 Malaysia and India are set to follow up on the $468 million worth of potential trade avenues identified during last month's India visit of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, with the next round of negotiations here March 28-30.
‘Indian students always welcome’
Chandigarh, Feb 16 Students from India are 'always welcome' in his country, British Minister Pat McFadden said Tuesday though Britain has stopped accepting student visa applications at its three centres in northern India.
Blast wont affect tourist flow: UK
Chandigarh, Feb 16 Britain on Tuesday 'strongly condemned' all terror attacks, as well as the Pune bombing, but said its travel advisory in the aftermath of the blast would not have an adverse effect on tourist flow to India, a 'very popular destination' for Britons.
McFadden in bhangra mode
Zirakpur (Punjab), Feb 16 There was song, food and dance — and a British minister enthusiastically shaking a leg to bhangra pop and greeting visitors with 'Sat Sri Akal' at this big fat Punjabi wedding of two NRIs.
Tata Motors global sales up by 93 pc
Kolkata, Feb 16 Auto major Tata Motors group global sales, comprising Tata, Tata Daewoo and Hispano Carrocera range of commercial vehicles, grew by 93 percent to 85,714 in January this year, a company statement said here on Monday.
MNIK tops one-day sales record in US
Washington, Feb 16 Grossing $761,000 on Sunday, the highest one-day gross ever for any Hindi-language film in North America, Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name Is Khan' is on a record-breaking spree at the box office.
UK football club keen to buy IPL team
London, Feb 16 A Premier League football club of Britain has shown interest in buying one of the two Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchises to be sold at a base price of $225 million, a media report said.
Indian food on our checklist: Backstreet Boys
New Delhi, Feb 16 On their first ever India tour, American boy band Backstreet Boys is not only excited about meeting fans and musicians — its members are only familiar with 'Slumdog Millionaire' music so far — but also looking forward to traditional cuisine.
Badal seeks UK help for Punjab teachers
Chandigarh, Feb 16 Planning to initiate a specialised teachers' training programme in spoken English skills, the Punjab government on Monday mooted a proposal to invite collaboration with the British government as well as with the British Council.
Workshop on tribal art opens at IGNOU
New Delhi, Feb 16 Ways to promote tribal art and carry forward the legacy were in focus at a three-day workshop on art forms of Bhil and Gond tribes in India which opened at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here on Monday.
Tussar silk inches closer to patent
Patna, Feb 16 The rustle of Bhagalpur silk may never have sounded sweeter to its weavers! The famous tussar from Bihar is set to be an exclusive brand, as its registration enters the final stage of the Global Indications (GI) Act for patenting.
Love to be food of music at Taj fest
Agra, Feb 16 Love will be the theme of the Taj Mahotsava that opens here on Thursday just 500 metres from that eternal monument to love, the Taj Mahal.
Stage set for unique film fest in Puri
Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 No juries, no awards.... just sun, sand, sea and film screenings inside makeshift tents are some of the unique features of the Bring Your Own Film Festival (BYOFF) starting on February 21 in Puri.
Nepal president arrives in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 15 Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav arrived here on Monday for a four-day state visit during which he will sign several agreements as well as visit Haridwar for the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Obama appoints PIO as special envoy
Washington, Feb 15 President Barack Obama has appointed Rashad Hussein, an Indian-American Muslim as a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the 57-nation organisation that calls itself the 'collective voice of the Muslim world.'
East India Co now owned by Indian
London, Feb 15 With just around a month to go for the re-launch of the East India Company — the world's first multinational whose forces once ruled much of the globe — its new Indian owner says he is overwhelmed by 'a huge feeling of redemption'. It's been a long, emotional and personal journey for Sanjiv Mehta, a Mumbai-born entrepreneur who completed the process of buying the East India Company (EIC) in 2005 from the '30 or 40' people who owned it.
UK, India undertake joint N-research
New Delhi, Feb 15 Days after India and Britain signed a civil nuclear cooperation declaration, the two countries on Saturday inked a pact to undertake joint research in the area.
Spanish Padma awardee loves India
New Delhi, Feb 15 He is a rare Spaniard to be honoured with a Padma Shri, but the name Rafael Iruzubieta Fernandez is only too well known to Indian students and academics who visit Spain. A noted lawyer and Indologist, he says India fascinates him for its 'culture of coexistence', its 'constitution' and, of course, 'chicken curry'!
Bharti to acquire Kuwait's Zain
New Delhi, Feb 15 India's largest private telecom services provider, the Sunil Mittal-controlled Bharti Airtel, on Monday said it has started exclusive talks to acquire Kuwait's Zain for $10.7 billion to get a foothold in the African market.
UK minister attends Punjabi wedding to woo voters
New Delhi, Feb 15 A British minister is to attend a Punjabi wedding in Chandigarh, seemingly to woo voters in his constituency.
MNIK makes record $1.86 mn in America
Washington, Feb 15 Grossing an estimated $1.86 million at the box office in its first weekend, Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name Is Khan' has broken the record for the largest opening weekend ever for a Hindi film in North America.
India has dream run at Berlin fest
Berlin, Feb 15 India has a dream run with eight feature films including 'My Name Is Khan', 'Peepli Live' and 'Manthan' at the ongoing Berlin International Film Festival. Such a large selection is very rare at an A-list festival without an India focus.
Indian prof killed in Alabama shooting
Washington, Feb 15 An Indian American professor was among three faculty members killed in a shooting at the University of Alabama in Huntsville by a fellow professor apparently miffed at being denied tenure.
‘Indian delegation should visit Oz’
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 15 A high-level delegation from India should visit Australia in the wake of the recent attacks on Indian students there, according to V.P. Unnikrishnan, secretary of the Federation of Indian Communities, Queensland (FICQ).
Create new avenues of growth: Tharoor
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 15 Asia should take into account the changing world economic scenario and leverage its comparative advantage to create new avenues of growth and development, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said on Saturday.
Life insurance industry to grow 10 pc
Chennai, Feb 15 India's life insurance industry is expected to grow by around 10 percent in 2010 over the previous year, mainly by improving efficiency but also by expanding in small towns and villages, industry experts say.
Platinum becoming popular in India
Kolkata, Feb 15 Indians, known for their craving for gold, are now looking at platinum jewelleries with equal enthusiasm, opening market for the elegant and exquisite shining white metal slowly but steadily.
HEC set to become ‘Navratna’
Ranchi, Feb 15 Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), a public sector firm based here, will become a Navratna company and get listed on a stock exchange, Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said on Saturday.
Goa carnival has a colourful start
Panaji, Feb 15 Long parades of gaily-coloured floats with masked dancers led by King Momo or king of the carnival took to the streets of sunny Goa on Saturday, signalling the start of its famous colourful carnival.
India assures support to Abbas
New Delhi, Feb 13 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday ended his two-day unannounced visit to India with New Delhi pledging support to an independent Palestine state coexisting with Israel, and a $10 million support for development of the conflict-hit region.
ICCR sets up centre in Malaysia
New Delhi, Feb 13 The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has set up a full-fledged Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), complete with a dance studio, music and yoga rooms, in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, a statement said on Friday.
Doordarshan anchor is US top official
Washington, Feb 13 A former Doordarshan sports and news anchor, Secunderabad-born Suresh Kumar, has become the senior-most Indian American in the U.S. commerce department.
Che recalled to mark India-Cuba ties
New Delhi, Feb 13 The legendary Che Guevara's 1959 trip to India was recalled at a meeting here to mark 50 years of friendship between Cuba and India.
India's factory output up 16.8 pc
New Delhi, Feb 13 India's industrial production registered a better-than-expected growth of 16.8 percent in December to log the fastest expansion in a decade, helped by a strong showing by the manufacturing sector that saw its output surge 18.5 percent.
Eurocopter marks presence at DEFEXPO 2010
New Delhi, Feb 13 Eurocopter, the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, will show a significant presence at Defexpo 2010, with its star product, the AS550 C3, participating in the ongoing trials for the reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter requirements of the Indian armed forces.
Force India's Sutil goes third quickest
Jerez (Spain), Feb 13 With wet weather playing havoc with the Formula One testing programme, Adrian Sutil of Force India squeezed in a third quickest time of 1 minute, 21.428 seconds during a brief period when rains let up here.
India plans to build seed reserves
Bengaluru, Feb 13 India plans to build seed reserves to ensure national food and income security to millions of its farmers, reeling under the impact of a deficit monsoon and a harsh drought in 2009, a top official said on Friday.
Community radio launched in Orrisa
Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 Orissa's first community radio station has gone on air in Konark.
Thousands take dip on Mahashivratri
Haridwar, Feb 12 Braving the dark of the pre-dawn hours, the chill in the air and the ice cold water of the Ganga, thousands of devotees ecstatically shouting 'Bom Bom Bhole' started bathing in the holiest river of the Hindus on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Friday, one of the biggest days of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela here.
Industrial production grows 16.8 pc
New Delhi, Feb 12 Helped by sustained domestic demand, India's industrial production grew a better-than-expected 16.8 percent in December 2009 from a decline of 0.2 percent in the corresponding month of 2008, official figures released on Friday said.
Merchandise exports up 11.5 pc
New Delhi, Feb 12 India's merchandise exports rose for the third successive month and logged a 11.5-percent growth in January at $14.34 billion, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said here on Thursday.
FDI inflow up 13 pc in December
New Delhi, Feb 12 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow for December was up 13 percent at $1.54 billion during December 2009 against $1.36 billion in the corresponding period a year ago, the government said on Thursday.
'G-20 reflects importance of India'
Washington, Feb 12 President Barack Obama has told the U.S. Congress that the key role given to the Group of 20 (G-20) leading economies in the global financial crisis reflects the growing importance of key emerging economies such as India and China.
Boeing in $4.5 mn deal with HAL
New Delhi, Feb 12 The Boeing company said on Thursday it had inked a $4.5 million (Rs.225 million) deal with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for weapons bay doors for the eight maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine aircraft the Indian Air Force (IAF) is purchasing from the US aerospace major.
Aerospace park to be set up in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 12 The Karnataka government is setting up an aerospace park near the international airport at Devanahalli on the outskirts of the city to attract global investments in the sector, a senior official said on Thursday.
SA hotel chain to venture into India
New Delhi, Feb 12 The City Lodge Hotels Limited, one of the major South African hotel chains, is all set to enter the Indian market for the first time, making Mumbai its entry point.
FIFA lures Indians to South Africa
New Delhi, Feb 12 The 2010 FIFA World Cup is all set to lure Indians to South Africa, with an Indian event management company being roped in to create special travel packages, TV commercials and other promotional activities.
MoU with Scotland on renewable energy
New Delhi, Feb 12 The union cabinet on Thursday gave its approval to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Scotland in the areas of new and renewable energy.
Oz still seeks more Indian tourists
New Delhi, Feb 12 Despite the negative image of Australia in Indian minds at the moment, the country is seeking more tourists from India, building on the 11.9 percent jump in tourist inflow last year.
Indian envoy apprises Krishna on attacks
New Delhi, Feb 12 India's High Commissioner to Australia Sujatha Singh on Thursday apprised External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and senior ministry officials about the Indians' security Down Under and the steps Australian authorities have taken to prevent attacks on members of the community.
Sanjay Jha to head Motorola
Chicago, Feb 12 Bihar-born Sanjay Jha, currently the co-CEO of Motorola, will be the new chief executive officer of its handset and home businesses as the mobile phone maker on Thursday announced it will split itself into two independent, publicly traded companies from early next year.
Tourism and travel fair begins
New Delhi, Feb 12 The 78th edition of the Travel and Tourism Fair and the Outbound Travel Mart (TTF&OTM), billed as India's largest network of travel marts, was inaugurated here on Thursday with the tagline — 'one world, one Asia'.
India, Bahrain talks on Friday
New Delhi, Feb 11 India and Bahrain are set to boost their economic and energy ties when External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna holds talks with his counterpart from Bahrain on Friday.
Scotland Yard launches Hindu forum
London, Feb 11 The Metropolitan Police Service, also known as Scotland Yard, has joined forces with London's Hindu community to 'discuss the safety concerns of Hindus in Britain'.
PIO wins Daniel Pearl internship
Washington, Feb 11 Devin Banerjee, an Indian American student at Stanford University, has been awarded the 2010 Daniel Pearl Memorial Journalism Internship, which will have him working in one of the Wall Street Journal's foreign bureaus this summer.
FM can approve bigger FDIs now
New Delhi, Feb 11 The Finance Minister can now approve foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals up to Rs.1,200 crore (Rs.12 billion), and only bigger proposals will have to go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), it was decided Thursday.
Mukherjee seeks funds through PPP
New Delhi, Feb 11 Investment of at least Rs.25.7 lakh crore ($514 billion) required in India's infrastructure sector can be mobilised only through public private partnerships (PPP), Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.
India for FTA with N Zealand
Auckland, Feb 11 A team from India will visit New Zealand in April to hold talks for a free trade agreement (FTA), said Indian High Commissioner Admiral (retd) Sureesh Mehta on Wednesday.
Bangladesh to boost trade with India
Agartala, Feb 11 Bangladesh will develop infrastructure along the border with northeast India to give a further impetus to bilateral trade, a Minister said here.
IGNOU launches six FM stations on education
New Delhi, Feb 11 The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Wednesday launched six new FM radio stations on education. These will be in addition to the 31 radio stations the university already has.
We will never harm Indian strategic interests: Sri Lanka
New Delhi, Feb 11 Sri Lanka will seek 'step-by-step reconciliation' with the Tamil minority and will never hurt India's strategic interests, Colombo's envoy said amid concerns about China's growing influence in the island nation.
India looking for business in Latin America
New York, Feb 11 More and more Indian companies are looking to do business in Latin America as they seek exposure to growing markets and a more secure investment destination, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Raj laid India's welfare foundation
Thiruvananthapuram , Feb 11 Kakkadan Nandanath Raj, the eminent economist who died here on Wednesday at 86, was among those few who laid the foundation for independent India's development process by helping prepare its first Five Year Plan in 1950.
Negative shift in India-Oz ties
Sydney, Feb 11 There has been a 'negative' shift in the relationship between Australia and India, admitted a senior official Thursday, adding 'there has been damage to our reputation and standing' following the string of attacks on Indians in the country.
Force India seventh fastest
Jerez (Spain), Feb 11 Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi clocked the seventh fastest time in the spanking new VJM03 on the first day of the four-day official pre-season Formula One test session here.
FM confident of 7.75 pc growth
New Delhi, Feb 10 While the statistical arm of the government, the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) has estimated India's economy will grow by 7.2 percent in the current fiscal, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is optimistic of India's GDP growth to be at 7.75 percent by the end of March.
Delhi to host Colombo Plan meet
New Delhi, Feb 10 Over 150 delegates from 26 member countries of the Colombo Plan will meet here on Wednesday and Thursday to boost economic ties in South and South-East Asian region.
‘India to be 2nd largest steel maker’
New Delhi, Feb 10 India will become the world's second largest steel producer by 2012, more than doubling its capacity of 57 million tonnes as part of push being given to assist overall infrastructure development, Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh has said.
Welcome desk at Melbourne airport
Melbourne, Feb 10 A welcome desk has been established for Indian and other international students at the airport here to 'help settle' them, a minister said on Wednesday.
Oz admits some attacks 'racist'
Canberra, Feb 10 Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith admitted on Tuesday that some of the attacks on Indians in his country were indeed racist in nature and pressed the need to build strong ties with New Delhi.
Use approved channels to send money: UK
London, Feb 10 The British government warned on Tuesday that people sending money abroad from Britain should only use the services that have been authorised or registered with the Financial Services Authorities (FSA).
India, Africa should be partners in capacity building
New Delhi, Feb 10 India can help in further increasing capacity building with African countries, Indian and African academics said here on Tuesday.
India, Turkey for free trade accord
New Delhi, Feb 10 Asking the private sector to take the lead in expanding economic ties, visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday said India and Turkey would try to complete a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), currently being negotiated.
India, Turkey to expand economic ties
New Delhi, Feb 10 India and Turkey on Tuesday decided to scale up their cooperation in countering terrorism and gave a push to their economic ties in diverse areas, including infrastructure, energy, science and technology.
Punjab B-school gets US accreditation
Chandigarh, Feb 10 Punjab-based Aryans Business School (ABS) has become the first B-school in the region to get membership of the US-based accreditation body 'Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business' (AACSB).
India sales boost coke profits
New York, Feb 10 India and China accounted for much of the three percent growth in the worldwide sales for Coca-Cola in 2009 with its profits soaring to $6.82 billion — up 17 percent from $5.81 billion posted in 2008.
Gamesa develops wind farms in India
Chennai, Feb 10 The euro 3.6 billion turnover Spanish wind power group Gamesa is setting up two wind farms in Tamil Nadu with a total capacity of 135 MW, said a top company official.
Amarnath pilgrimage to start July 1
Jammu, Feb 10 The annual Amarnath pilgrimage to a cave shrine devoted to Hindu God Shiva, located in south Kashmir, will start on July 1 and last till August 24 this year, according to an official of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
India projects 7.2 pc growth this fiscal
New Delhi, Feb 9 Spurred by a turnaround in factory output, India on Monday forecast its economic growth for this fiscal at 7.2 percent, against 6.7 percent achieved in the previous fiscal, despite a 0.2 percent decline predicted in the farm output.
'India-Arab trade can double by 2014'
New Delhi, Feb 9 India will strive towards doubling its trade with the Arab region by 2014, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said here on Monday.
Turkish firm invests $100 mn in India
New Delhi, Feb 9 Celebi Holding, a major player in the Turkish airport ground handling and cargo operations, on Monday said it would invest $100 million (Rs.500 crore) in India after bagging contracts for Delhi and Mumbai international airports.
Rs.55 crore fund for young scientists
New Delhi, Feb 9 Young researchers struggling to muster funds to establish their startups have reason to smile — the government on Monday set up a corpus of Rs.55 crore to help scientists convert their prototypes to tangible commercial products.
East India Co coming to India!
London, Feb 9 East India Company, whose forces once ruled over much of India, is coming to India again but under Indian ownership this time around, a British newspaper reported on Monday.
RBI to host financial inclusion meet
Bengaluru, Feb 9 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will host an international convention on 'financial inclusion and financial literacy' here on March 22 as part of its platinum jubilee celebrations.
Disney India aims to boost domestic animation market
New Delhi, Feb 9 Undeterred by the failure of their first outing 'Roadside Romeo', the Indian arm of leading animation studio Disney is set to continue making films here to tap the over Rs.17 billion (approx $360 million) Indian animation industry.
'We have a right to wear the Kirpan'
London, Feb 9 Britain's first Asian judge, who is due to be knighted by the Queen, Monday defended his right to wear the Kirpan and warned schools they could be guilty of discrimination if they ban Sikh pupils from wearing the ceremonial dagger.
Oz suffering from attacks on Indians
New Delhi, Feb 9 Brand Australia has suffered following attacks on Indian students in the past nine months and this will cause long-term damage if not attended to, says a visiting Australian minister.
Sky Bus tailor-made for Indian cities
New Delhi, Feb 9 The Sky Bus is tailor-made for congested Indian cities and is a safer and better option than Metro Rail, according to B. Rajaram, inventor of the Sky Bus and former managing director of Konkan Railway.
India predicts 7.2 pc economic growth
New Delhi, Feb 8 India on Monday forecast its economic growth for this fiscal at 7.2 percent, as against 6.7 percent achieved in the previous fiscal, despite a 0.2 percent declined predicted in farm output.
PM to chair group on food security
New Delhi, Feb 8 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will chair a high-powered core group to examine some key issues concerning India's overall food security with members drawn not only from his cabinet but also chief ministers of 10 states.
Kerala promotes diaspora welfare fund
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 8 Billed as the country's first welfare scheme for the diaspora, the Kerala government and the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Fund (KPWF) on Saturday began an awareness campaign to promote the fund among the expatriates.
Rao heads to The Hague nuclear meet
New Delhi, Feb 8 Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao flies to The Hague on Monday to attend a three-day preparatory meeting for the Nuclear Security Summit that Washington will host in April.
India reiterates N-testing moratorium
New Delhi, Feb 8 Ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, India has reiterated its commitment to voluntary unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing and has signalled its readiness to negotiate a verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT).
Trade on mind, Turkish Prez arrives
New Delhi, Feb 8 Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in India on Sunday on a five-day state visit during which the two sides are expected to focus on scaling up economic and political ties.
HAL supplies parts for US jet
New Delhi, Feb 8 The public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has begun supplying fuselage parts for the formidable Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jet in what is seen as global recognition for the Indian aeronautical industry.
A third of world's engineers Indians
Agartala, Feb 8 India accounts for nearly a third of the world's engineering graduates each year, and offers a million students the opportunity to pursue technology courses annually, Science and Technology Secretary T. Ramasami said here on Saturday.
Africa seeks financial package
New Delhi, Feb 8 Africa, as one of the victims of climate change, should be given suitable financial compensation for mitigation and adaptation projects, a top UN official said on Sunday.
Diamond producer seeks training in India
New Delhi, Feb 8 Botswana, the world's largest diamond producer, is seeking training from India in the cutting and polishing of rough diamonds that also have the world's third biggest market in India after the U.S. and Japan.
Agni-III test fired successfully
New Delhi, Feb 8 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sunday evening congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for successfully test firing the indigenously built nuclear-capable Agni-III missile with a range of over 3,500 km.
Do more against terror: India to Pak
New Delhi, Feb 8 Indicating that it was premature to talk about resuming the composite dialogue at the present moment, India has made it clear to Pakistan that the proposed foreign secretary-level talks later this month are part of 'a step-by-step incremental approach' and that Islamabad should 'do more' to address New Delhi's concerns over cross-border terror.
Pak's business community welcomes talks
Islamabad, Feb 8 Pakistan's business community on Sunday welcomed the upcoming foreign secretary-level talks with India, terming it a highly positive step that could result in many benefits for the people of both countries.
Indian restaurants boom in Poland
Warsaw, Feb 8 There may be an economic slump in Poland, but the growing popularity of Indian food has set off an Indian restaurant boom in the Polish capital and other cities with samosas, chicken tikkas, biryani and what is known as mango lassi hooking Poles, many of whom have begun cooking Indian dishes in their homes.
India to launch helpline for tourists
New Delhi, Feb 8 India will soon launch a helpline for tourists to know more about various destinations and to seek help if they are in distress, it was announced on Saturday.
Oz crew enjoys Indian hospitality
Port Blair, Feb 8 The current strain in New Delhi-Sydney relationship over a slew of attacks on Indians in Australia notwithstanding, the Australian crew onboard the visiting naval warships from the country are enjoying local hospitality.
Canadian minister takes a Metro ride
New Delhi, Feb 8 Jean Charest, the Prime Minister of Quebec, one of the largest provinces in Canada, Saturday took a ride in the Delhi Metro and appreciated its cleanliness.
‘UK should standardise overseas students' admissions’
New Delhi, Feb 8 The standardisation of policies of the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) and the British laws for admission of overseas students in English universities is the one long-term solution rather than suspending the issue of visas to Indian students, an expert said on Sunday.
Bipan Chandra gives lessons on history books
New Delhi, Feb 8 The next edition of the World Book Fair will have a special section on history, eminent historian and chairman of the National Book Trust (NBT) Bipan Chandra has said.
Worst is over on food inflation: PM
New Delhi, Feb 6 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday said his government's war against rising prices had only met with limited success, but assured the worst was over on containing India's annual food inflation that has spiralled to over 17 percent now.
PM calls for export ban on items
New Delhi, Feb 6 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday called for a temporary ban on the export of essential commodities to fight rising prices, and urged state governments to take every step possible to ensure the poor were not burdened further.
Turkish president to visit India
New Delhi, Feb 6 India and Turkey are poised to expand economic ties and possibly discuss civil nuclear cooperation when Turkish President Abdullah Gul comes here on Sunday on a five-day trip.
India, Pak discuss dates for talks
New Delhi/Islamabad/Washington, Feb 6 India and Pakistan on Friday discussed the dates for talks between their foreign secretaries and the scope of their dialogue that could include other issues besides terrorism.
India tops my agenda: UK leader
London, Feb 6 Opposition leader David Cameron, bidding to become the next prime minister of Britain, put bettering relations with India on the top of his international agenda.
Kazakhstan prez inspired by Nehru
Astana, Feb 6 Recalling Jawaharlal Nehru's famous quote that 'success mostly comes to those who act bravely', Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said his country was inspired by India, a rapidly growing power of the world.
Preneet Kaur to visit Turkmenistan
New Delhi, Feb 6 Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will visit Turkmenistan on February 7-9 to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.
‘Growth constitutes 3 pc of planning’
New Delhi, Feb 6 Growth constitutes just three percent of planning, which should be part of an inclusive process where the voices of many should be heard, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said here on Friday.
Ford India to export engines to SA
Chennai, Feb 6 The Indian arm of global auto maker Ford Motor will shortly commence exports of its small car Figo and diesel and petrol engines to South Africa and Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) countries, the company said on Friday.
PM discusses climate change
New Delhi, Feb 5 Climate change and diplomacy was on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's plate on Thursday, when he held separate meetings with the visiting leaders of four European countries who are in Delhi to attend the Sustainable Development summit.
Prime Minister backs IPCC
New Delhi, Feb 5 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday backed the beleaguered UN climate change panel, saying despite criticism of some of its work India had 'full confidence' in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its leadership.
PM and Sonia attend CWC meeting
New Delhi, Feb 5 The Congress Working Committee (CWC), including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, met here on Friday amid concerns over the rising prices of essential commodities.
Vayalar Ravi hospitalised in Liberia
New Delhi, Feb 5 Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, now on an African tour, has been hospitalised in Liberia after a 'small car accident'.
Indian IT exports to touch $50 bn
Bengaluru, Feb 5 The resilient Indian information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing (BPO) industry will earn $50 billion (Rs.231 billion/Rs.23,100 crore) in exports by end of this fiscal, posting 5.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) growth, the industry body said on Thursday.
India, Kuwait to combat terrorism
New Delhi, Feb 5 In a major step to enhance security cooperation with the Gulf region, home to 4.5 million-strong Indian diaspora, India and Kuwait have decided to set up a joint mechanism to combat terrorism and share information on terror groups in the region.
India, UK agree on N-deal text
London, Feb 5 A long-delayed agreement between India and Britain to cooperate on civil nuclear energy is ready for signing after the two sides reached agreement on its text on Thursday, their Commerce Ministers said.
Arabs pitch for banking in India
New Delhi, Feb 5 With the global financial crisis putting the spotlight on 'casino capitalism' of the West, leading scholars and experts from the Arab world on Thursday pitched for interest-free Islamic banking in India, home to the world's third largest Muslim population.
India contributing to global growth
Washington, Feb 5 India and China with their large economies growing at 7 and 10 percent respectively are playing a significant role in global economic recovery, according to a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official.
Phase out subsidies: IMF to India
Washington, Feb 5 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked India to phase out subsidies and introduce market-based pricing for petroleum products following its rapid recovery from the global financial crisis.
India to grow at 8 pc in 2011: IMF
Washington, Feb 5 Noting that India's economy is one of the first in the world to recover after the global financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday predicted that Indian economy would grow at 8 percent in fiscal 2010-2011.
India, Iran to expand anti-terror cooperation
New Delhi, Feb 5 With the London conference clearing a contentious proposal for reconciliation with the Taliban, India and Iran have decided to expand their cooperation in stabilising Afghanistan and to combat cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Tharoor heads for Oman today
New Delhi, Feb 5 India and Oman are set to scale up economic and strategic ties when Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor goes on a three-day visit on Friday to the Gulf country which is home to over half a million expatriate Indians.
'Social audit of schemes necessary'
Patna, Feb 5 The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India, the country's supreme audit institution, on Friday suggested 'social audit' of all government-sponsored development schemes, like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), to ensure that the intended benefits reach the poor.
Animal sciences varsity to open soon
Chandigarh, Feb 5 Haryana will soon have a veterinary and animal sciences university named after freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai at Hisar town, officials said on Thursday.
Safety of Indians concern: Oz leaders
New Delhi, Feb 5 In a damage control exercise amid attacks on Indians, a group of young Australian professionals on Thursday said their country was 'multicultural', but agreed that safety of international students was an issue.
UK MP seeks action over Oz attacks
London, Feb 5 A British MP representing one of the largest Indian-origin settlements in Europe has demanded to be told what actions the Australian government is taking to prevent further violent attacks on Indians living in Australia.
'Victoria doing all it could to stop attacks'
Melbourne, Feb 5 Indian High Commissioner Sujatha Singh's stinging remark that Victoria was a state in denial about the severity of the problem of race attacks on Thursday prompted Australian state's premier John Brumby to say he would like to meet her again to reassure her that the government was doing all it could to stop attacks on Indian students.
India proposes talks with Pakistan
New Delhi/Islamabad, Feb 5 Signalling a thaw in bilateral ties, India has formally proposed to Pakistan talks between foreign secretaries and pledged to pursue the discussions with 'an open and positive mind'.
UK looking to Haryana to tackle Alzheimer's
London, Feb 5 The small town of Ballabgarh in Haryana has become the focus of a major international medical probe after figures this week showed more Britons than ever before are afflicted by the debilitating Alzheimer's disease.
Delhi set to host climate summit
New Delhi, Feb 4 Leaders from various regions of the world will gather here for the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) beginning on Friday, the first major global meeting after the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December 2009.
India asks G-77 to stay united
United Nations, Feb 4 India has asked the Group of 77 developing countries to stay united to see that climate change negotiations address 'the glaring injustice that those worst affected by climate change are the least responsible for it'.
US certifies India on N-facilities
Washington, Feb 4 In yet another step towards full implementation of the India-US civil nuclear deal, President Barack Obama has certified that India has placed its nuclear facilities under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
India pitches for more Gulf FDI
New Delhi, Feb 4 Calling for better regulation to check economic imbalances and reform of international financial institutions, India made a strong pitch on Wednesday to woo foreign investment from Gulf countries.
India calls for cooperation with Gulf
New Delhi, Feb 4 Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's likely visit to Saudi Arabia at the end of this month, India on Wednesday called for expanding security cooperation with the Gulf region, home to 4.5 million-strong Indian diaspora, to combat 'common threats of terrorism and Islamist radicalism'.
India to help Maldives fight against cyber crime
New Delhi, Feb 4 India on Wednesday assured a visiting Maldives delegation of help the Indian Ocean nation in setting up a police academy, forensic science laboratory, corporate fraud cell and as also train its officers in investigating cyber crime and economic offences.
US firm explores N-business with India
New Delhi, Feb 4 Even as India and the US are yet to complete procedures for resuming atomic trade, Westinghouse Electric Company Wednesday said it is engaged in talks with three or four Indian engineering companies for tie-ups to supply nuclear reactor equipment.
Brand Summit woos consumers
Bengaluru, Feb 4 The fifth edition of the Brand Summit, being held here on February 19-20, will focus on how to build brands and woo consumers in times when a recession-hit economy is in a recovery mode.
RCom launches SMS-based e-mail service
New Delhi, Feb 4 Telecom operator Reliance Communications (RCom) on Wednesday announced the launch of an SMS-based e-mail service across its GSM and CDMA wireless network in India.
BSE to trade on Saturday for 90 min
Mumbai, Feb 4 The primary stock markets of the country, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will conduct a special 90-minute trading session on Saturday for the NSE to be able to test its upgraded systems.
Envoy called to discuss Oz attacks
New Delhi, Feb 4 The Government has called its envoy to Australia Sujatha Singh to New Delhi for detailed consultations in the wake of repeated attacks on Indian students in Australia.
Bhondsi farm to become tourism spot
Chandigarh, Feb 4 The Bhondsi farm, developed by former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar in Haryana's Gurgaon district, will be developed as a tourist spot for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
India to work for N-diminution: US
Washington, Feb 3 The U.S. believes India's decision to participate in the Global Security Summit in April shows it would work for diminishing the role of nuclear weapons in global security despite its steadfast refusal to sign the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
Germany criticises protectionism
New Delhi, Feb 3 Germany on Tuesday decried the protectionist tendencies in some countries following the global economic crisis, even as it urged India to work together for a 'genuine' global governance system which is just and fair.
US considers India strategic partner
Washington, Feb 3 With the rise of India and China continuing to reshape the international system, the U.S. looks at India as a strategic partner with rapidly improving military capabilities and shared democratic values.
Krishna: Why are Indians singled out?
New Delhi, Feb 3 External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday said that Indian students are being singled out in Australia and asked Canberra to do 'some introspection' to check such violence immediately.
Attacks on Indians affect Oz revenue
Melbourne, Feb 3 The series of attacks on Indians will take a toll on Australia's education revenue with the latest data on applications by overseas students suggesting negative impact on vocational colleges in the last three months.
Indian peacekeepers honoured in Congo
New Delhi, Feb 3 Indian peacekeepers have been decorated for their services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, having played a decisive role in establishing peace in the African nation, an army official said on Tuesday.
Russian security chief visits BrahMos
New Delhi, Feb 3 Visiting Russian security chief Nikolai Patrushev on Tuesday expressed satisfaction at the progress in manufacturing the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, saying it was a 'bright illustration' of the success Indian and Russian scientists had achieved in the joint venture.
Markets along Bangladesh-India border
Dhaka, Feb 3 Bangladesh and India will set up border haats (markets) in April to promote trade and ease problems faced by the local populace, officials said.
Hannover Messe begins April 19
Kolkata, Feb 3 A world energy dialogue, focus on technologies, and innovative ideas for conservative and renewable energy will be the chief features of the Hannover Messe — one of the globe's largest trade fairs — scheduled to be held on April 19-23 at Germany's Hannover Fair Grounds.
CBSE opens helpline for Gulf students
New Delhi, Feb 3 In order to help students of Classes 10 and 12 in Gulf countries overcome exam stress, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday started three helplines in Kuwait, Dubai and Qatar.
UK consortium to build roads in India
London, Feb 3 A group of key British construction companies has set up a consortium to build roads and highways in India, Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath said on Tuesday.
3 bag Manmohan Singh scholarship at Cambridge
New Delhi, Feb 3 Three students from Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai are set to receive the 2010 Manmohan Singh scholarship to fund their undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge.
Buddhist conclave begins in Bihar
Patna, Feb 3 Hundreds of Buddhist scholars, academicians, monks, travel and tour operators and media persons from across the world will attend a two-day international Buddhist conclave at Nalanda in Bihar later this week.
NASDAQ honours Bollywood
New York, Feb 3 'King of Bollywood' Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, his co-star in many a hit Hindi film, became the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of NASDAQ, the world's biggest stock exchange, an honour usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations.
India urges UK for resolution of visa issue
New Delhi, Feb 3 India on Tuesday urged Britain to ensure that bonafide students are not adversely affected due to the temporary freeze on student visas by that country in three centres in north India and said it was in touch with the British high commission over the issue.
Maharashtra's power plant targets 1,940 MW
Chennai, Feb 3 Dabhol Power Plant in Maharashtra, previously owned by discredited and now defunct US power major Enron Corp, is set to achieve another milestone in March, adding 640 MW more capacity to a controversial project once thought of as being jinxed.
German President visits India
New Delhi, Feb 2 German President Horst Koehler arrived here on Monday evening on a week-long visit to India that is expected to give a push to bilateral economic ties and a proposed pact on counter-terror cooperation between the two countries.
India, Malaysia hold strategic talks
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 2 Singapore has over 3,000 Indian firms compared to 400 in relatively bigger Malaysia. Taking a cue from this, India and Malaysia are now looking to bolster their ties that they agree have performed 'below optimum level' thanks to 'a large knowledge gap'.
India, Brazil plan $10-bn trade
Kolkata, Feb 2 Bilateral trade between India and Brazil would touch $10 billion in the next three to four years, a senior official said here on Monday.
India's economy to grow 8 pc by 2011
New Delhi, Feb 2 India's economy will grow at 7.5 percent in the 2010-11 fiscal beginning April 1 and will be higher at 8 percent in the following year, a World Bank report released on Monday said.
Ethiopia seeks India's help
New Delhi, Feb 2 Ethiopia has sought India's help in developing a rail link with its neighbour Djibouti, which will allow the land-locked country access to the sea.
First ‘Indo-Canadian idol’ anointed
Toronto, Feb 2 The huge Indian community here anointed their first-ever 'Indo-Canadian Idol' during belated celebrations of India's Republic Day on Sunday.
'Umbilical cord connects us'
Port-of-Spain, Feb 2 India and Trinidad and Tobago are connected by 'an umbilical cord' and both nations share a common diversity, Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra said here.
Krishna heads for Kuwait
New Delhi, Feb 2 India's Gulf diplomacy is set to move into top gear this month as External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna heads for Kuwait on Wednesday and New Delhi hosts a two-day Indo-Arab investment conclave next week.
Indian head for Amnesty International
London, Feb 2 Amnesty International has appointed Salil Shetty, an Indian who headed the UN Millennium Campaign, as its next secretary-general.
India to make chips for space systems
Bengaluru, Feb 2 India is developing advanced micron chips for extensive use in space applications and atomic reactors, a senior scientist said on Monday.
India invites Swedish investment
New Delhi, Feb 2 India on Monday invited Sweden to be a partner country in developing the health infrastructure in India and said greater investment is expected in the areas like drug development and diagnostics.
India, Russia share concerns
New Delhi, Feb 2 Ahead of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit in March, India and Russia on Monday held talks to expand counter-terror cooperation and exchanged views on Afghanistan in the wake of a proposal for reconciliation with the Taliban.
PM to release report on MGNREGA
New Delhi, Feb 2 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will on Tuesday release a report on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to mark completion of four years of the ambitious programme launched by the United Progressive Alliance government in its previous term.
'Milan' to see participation of 13 navies
New Delhi, Feb 2 Terror emanating from sea would be a focus as 13 navies gather under the aegis of 'Milan' exercise, an initiative of the Indian Navy, the scope of which has expanded from regional navies to a gathering of Asian-Pacific countries.
‘Northeast can become an IT hub’
Guwahati, Feb 2 Bhairab Das, 32, speaks with a strong American twang and shuttles between Assam and Bangalore, a sleek laptop keeping him company. He is part of a growing breed of US-returned computer professionals who believe India's northeast can be an IT hub and serve as an IT gateway to Southeast Asia.
Unnikrishnan wins Australia Day achievement medal
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2 V.P. Unnikrishnan, secretary of the Federation of Indian Communities, Queensland (FICQ), has received two Australia Day Achievement Medals for his contribution to the society there.
Gandhi wing mooted at Trinidad's library
Port-of-Spain, Feb 2 The Indian High Commission has proposed that a Mahatma Gandhi section be established at the National Library here.
Gupta sculpture goes on sale in UK
London, Feb 2 A monumental sculptural installation by Indian artist Subodh Gupta — a 10-foot tall tower of copper cooking vessels — is to go under the hammer at London auctioneers Sotheby's.
Samtel opens US office
New Delhi, Feb 2 Samtel Display Systems (SDS), a leading Indian player in high-technology products for avionics and military applications, on Monday announced the opening of its office in San Jose, California, as part of its international expansion programme.
Surajkund crafts fair begins
Surajkund (Haryana), Feb 2 The Surajkund Crafts Mela, an internationally acclaimed annual showcase of Indian crafts and culture, got off to a colourful start here on Monday.
India, New Zealand begin talks
Hamilton (New Zealand), Feb 1 India and New Zealand have begun negotiations for a free trade agreement.
Russian NSA visits India
New Delhi, Feb 1 With the London conference clearing the way for reconciliation with the Taliban, national security advisers (NSA) of India and Russia will meet on Monday to share views on the new strategy of integrating the hard line militia in Afghanistan that is a cause of concern to both countries.
Flurry of visits in run-up to Obama's trip
Washington, Feb 1 A flurry of visits, reflecting the growing level of Indo-US bilateral engagement since Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's November visit, is on the cards in the run-up to President Barack Obama's key visit to India.
‘Tackle terrorism with firm hand’
New Delhi, Feb 1 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday emphasised that 'terrorism, insurgency and extremism need to be tackled with a firm and yet sensitive hand' as a requirement for rapid economic growth.
‘India has no room for complacency’
New Delhi, Feb 1 The high level of optimism among the Indian people has made them impatient for results, with no room for complacency within all the pillars of democracy, including the judiciary and the media, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said.
‘India taking steps to check food prices’
Barala (West Bengal), Feb 1 The government is trying to manage the 'supply side' and 'demand side' in a bid to contain rising food prices, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced on Sunday.
Indo-Zambia bank thrives in Africa
Lusaka (Zambia), Feb 1 On the ground floor of a squat building in downtown Lusaka, tellers sit inside tiny wooden cabins, counting out money. The busy scene is as ordinary as at any other bank, but the provenance of this financial firm is a rather unique experiment, beginning nearly 6,600 km away — in India.
1.7 mn throng shrine in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 1 Over 1.7 million Hindu devotees on Monday thronged Lord Subramaniam's temple at the Batu Caves near the national capital to celebrate the annual Thaipusam festival.
US warns of terror attempts in India
Washington, Feb 1 The U.S. State department has warned that terror groups may be planning attacks against India and has issued an advisory asking its nationals to be alert while visiting the country.
‘Obama's bank regulation is right’
Washington, Feb 1 Vikram Pandit, the Indian American CEO of Citigroup, says President Barack Obama's plans to regulate and limit the size of banks is the 'right direction'.
India informs UNFCCC of its efforts
New Delhi, Feb 1 India on Saturday informed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of its efforts to address global warming by trying to reduce its emissions intensity by 20-25 percent by 2020 but stressed that the agriculture sector would be kept out of this.
India plans e-network for island states
New Delhi, Feb 1 With UN reforms inching back on the global agenda and keeping climate change negotiations in mind, India is now wooing Pacific small island states with an e-network, on the lines it created in Africa, to bring them triple benefits of tele-education, governance and medicine.
Trade groups urge Dhaka to invest in India
Agartala, Feb 1 Now that India has lifted investment-related restrictions on Bangladesh, trade and industry groups have urged Dhaka to invest in India.
Indian origin sculptor makes his way to UK’s rich list
London, Feb 1 Indian-born sculptor Anish Kapoor, famous for his massive installations around the world, has joined the ranks of Britain's super-rich artists and is now considering buying a five million pound country mansion, a newspaper reported on Sunday.
Queen Mary II visits Kochi
Kochi, Feb 1 The Queen Mary II, billed as the grandest and most magnificent ocean liner ever built, came calling at the port here on Sunday on its third visit in the past three years.
'Maharatana' status awarded to PSUs
New Delhi, Feb 1 At least four leading public sector enterprises from the oil, energy and steel sectors are likely to get 'Maharatna' status that will enable them take investment decisions worth up to $1 billion without seeking the government's approval, an official said on Saturday.
Excess liquidity a concern: SBI chief
Baharampur (West Bengal), Feb 1 The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) sees excess liquidity to be a concern for the bank over the next two quarters, a top official said here on Sunday.
SBI to raise Rs.50,000 crore in 5 yrs
Baharampur (West Bengal), Feb 1 Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) needs to raise about Rs.40,000-50,000 crore of capital for the next five years, a senior official said here on Sunday.
Rural banks under core banking
Chennai, Feb 1 Complying with the central government's stipulation of bringing all the regional rural banks (RRBs) under the core banking solution net (CBS), city based Indian Bank announced on Saturday that three such banks sponsored by it have been brought under the CBS.
UK school wows with marble temple
London, Feb 1 Adorned with classroom shrines and a grand marble temple, Britain's first state-funded Hindu school has opened its doors to the British media after fending off allegations it would promote religious segregation.
Egypt launches tourism campaign
New Delhi, Feb 1 Egyptian envoy Mohamed Higazy says that India is a country with which Egypt shares cultural synergies and affinities that go far back in history and this had prompted the launch here of a new tourism campaign.
Allergy awareness important for Indian youth
New Delhi, Feb 1 Allergic diseases like asthma or skin and food allergies are increasing among youth in rising economies like India, says Ruby Pawankar, president-elect of the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), who has now roped in Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan to create allergy awareness across India.
Gandhi's ashes scattered in Indian Ocean
Durban (South Africa), Feb 1 Some of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were scattered in the Indian Ocean along South Africa's east coast on Saturday, 62 years after his assassination.
World Book Fair inaugurated in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 1 The 19th World Book Fair began at the Pragati Maidan here on Saturday with 'India — The Nehru-Gandhi family and indigenous publishing' as its spotlight.
Nation observes Martyrs' Day
New Delhi, Jan 30 India paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 62nd death anniversary observed as Martyrs' Day with floral tributes, devotional songs and an all-religion prayer service on Saturday.
Kumbh bathing day draws thousands
Haridwar, Jan 30 The banks of the Ganga here reverberated with chants of 'Har Har Gange', 'Jai Jai Gange' as a sea of pilgrims took a holy dip on Magh Purnima on Saturday during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela.
Telemedicine facility inaugurated
New Delhi, Jan 30 India is willing to share its expertise with Africa in bridging the digital divide, Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has said in Addis Ababa while inaugurating a telemedicine facility of India's flagship information technology initiative, Pan-African e-network.
Berlin keen on nuclear cooperation
New Delhi, Jan 30 Ahead of German President Horst Koehler's visit to India next week, German envoy Thomas Matussek on Friday said his country was ready for civil nuclear cooperation with India if New Delhi requested this.
‘No solution possible without India’
New Delhi, Jan 30 Lauding India for its reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan while not sending troops, Germany on Friday said there could be no durable solution to stabilising the violence-torn country without the support of New Delhi and its neighbours.
India to open consulate in Jaffna
New Delhi, Jan 30 will soon open a consulate in the Tamil heartland of Jaffna in a bid to spur reconstruction of the war-ravaged region, sources said on Friday.
PIO appointed senator in Canada
Toronto, Jan 30 Indo-Canadian businessman Vim Kochhar was on Friday nominated to the Canadian senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. When he takes oath, 73-year-old Kochhar will become the first Indian-born senator in Canadian history.
Poonam Alaigh New Jersey health chief
Trenton, Jan 30 New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie has named an Indian American doctor, Poonam Alaigh, as the commissioner of the state Health and Senior Services Department, a cabinet post.
Beckingham named British deputy envoy
Mumbai, Jan 30 British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham has been appointed the new British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai.
S. Asian leaders demand end to racial profiling
Washington, Jan 30 Muslim, Arab, Sikh and South Asian American community leaders have raised the issue of racial, ethnic and religious profiling at airports and the border with the Obama administration.
‘Indian tourism yet to realise full potential’
New Delhi, Jan 30 Tourism in India has yet to realise its full potential and it is not the government's responsibility alone to project India as a tourist-friendly nation, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said on Friday.
Gurgaon to become tourist destination
Gurgaon, Jan 30 Kingdom of Dreams, a 5.66 acre entertainment and leisure hotspot that will showcase Bollywood musicals and boast of an elaborate arts and food boulevard, is set to make the capital's suburb an important destination for international tourists, says project director Viraf Sarkari.
US commits to Copenhagen Accord
Washington, Jan 29 The United States has formally affiliated with the Copenhagen Accord and pledged to cut its carbon emissions 'in the range of 17 percent' from 2005 levels, conditional on Congressional action on climate legislation.
US reaches out to S. Asian people
Washington, Jan 29 In a bid to reach out to South Asian and Arab communities, the U.S. will increase engagement, dialogue, coordination and enhance information sharing with faith-and community-based groups.
Indian study centre set up in Poland
Warsaw, Jan 29 An Indian Centre for Contemporary Research has been set up by the European Union at Warsaw University to cater to a growing interest in India in Europe.
Indian economy will grow 7.5 pc: RBI
Mumbai, Jan 29 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday projected an impressive 7.5 percent growth for the Indian economy in the current fiscal even as it hiked the outlook for annual inflation rate to 8.5 percent by end-March.
India unites NRKs, forms OICC
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 29 The Kerala unit of the Congress has formed the Overseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC) as the first step in bringing the various non-resident Indians of the state under one umbrella.
PIO develops S. Asian language course in US
Washington, Jan 29 An Indian linguist, who is a native of Bihar, has been awarded a $25,000 grant by South Asian Language Resource Centre (SALRC) to develop a South Asian languages curriculum in the US.
Indonesia wants more Indian tourists
New Delhi, Jan 29 Indonesia wants to increase Indian tourist arrivals to the country by nearly five times in five years, and is keen to lure them to its other attractions, besides the perennial favourite Bali.
Mauritius keen to learn EVM use from India
New Delhi, Jan 29 Mauritius is keen to introduce electronic voting machines to speed up the counting process, says its top election official.
Nooyi seeks women's quota at Davos
Davos, Jan 29 Indra Nooyi, the first Indian-born chief executive at PepsiCo, wants a quota system to get more women at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
India dismayed over fresh attacks
New Delhi, Jan 29 India on Thursday voiced 'dismay' over fresh assaults on four Indians in two separate incidents in Australia and reminded Canberra of its responsibility to immediately bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks.
Ambani, Mittal among world's powerful billionaires
Washington, Jan 29 Two Indians, energy mogul Mukesh Ambani and steel czar Lakshmi Mittal, have made it to the Forbes list of 'World's Most Powerful Billionaires' combining massive fortunes with political clout.
Uganda seeks help in hydrocarbon sector
New Delhi, Jan 29 Uganda has sought Indian assistance in developing its oil and gas sector.
India targets 250 mn net connections
New Delhi, Jan 29 As broadband penetration in India hasn't picked up in proportion to the growth of mobile subscribers, the government on Thursday said it has set a target of 250 million broadband connections by 2012.
Pi, India's first e-reading device
New Delhi, Jan 29 Indian readers are in for a whole new experience with the launch on Thursday of infibeam.com Pi, the country's first indigenous e-reading device that offers access to over 100,000 books and a host of newspapers and magazines, its manufacturers say.
Library turns 60, showcases India's growth
New Delhi, Jan 29 The Delhi Public Library (DPL) has turned 60 and will showcase in an exhibition India's growth trajectory through rare books, newspapers and gramophone records over the past six decades.
1,000 MW reactors: Three steps to upgrade expertise
Chennai, Jan 29 Indian nuclear scientists will take three steps to improve their experience and expertise before they start on the design of a 1,000 MW fast breeder reactor that will not only generate electricity, but produce more fuel than it consumes.
Rural tourism project to be inaugurated
Kolkata, Jan 29 The Central and West Bengal governments have joined hands to develop a rural tourism project at Ballabhpur, near Bolpur in Birbhum district, at an expenditure of Rs.70 lakh, state Tourism Minister Manabendra Mukherjee said here on Thursday.
‘BSP to be India's steel giant’
Bokaro, Jan 28 Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday said the Bokaro Steel Plant would become the largest steel producer of the country by 2011-12 after the completion of its expansion and modernisation programmes.
N-Security Summit to check N-terror
Washington, Jan 28 Outlining his vision of a world without nuclear weapons, President Barack Obama says April's Nuclear Security Summit, that would have India participating, would help ensure vulnerable nuclear materials never fall into the hands of terrorists.
We need to gear up: Obama
Washington, Jan 28 Asserting that he would not accept second-place for the United States, President Barack Obama has given a call to fix 'the problems that are hampering our growth' lest nations like India, China and Germany overtake it.
PM plans to visit Saudi soon
New Delhi, Jan 28 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is planning to go to Saudi Arabia around the end of February, his first overseas visit of 2010 that will have an extradition treaty and pledges of big-ticket Saudi investments into India as its highlights.
India, Angola sign hydrocarbon deal
New Delhi, Jan 28 India's ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) on Wednesday signed a deal with Angola's national oil company, Sonangol, for cooperation in exploration even as both countries agreed to work towards an umbrella bilateral deal for the hydrocarbon sector.
India satisfied with Afghan role
London, Jan 28 India said it is 'quite satisfied' with its current developmental role in Afghanistan but stopped short of rejecting any offers of an expanded security responsibility as a global conference began on Thursday to secure the future of the terror-racked South Asian nation.
China interested in Bengal IT sector
Kolkata, Jan 28 A visiting Chinese delegation on Wednesday evinced interest in collaborating with West Bengal in the information technology sector.
Growth is coming back: CEOs
Toronto, Jan 28 With their worst fears of a prolonged recession over, CEOs worldwide are now confident about growth bouncing back, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said in its annual global survey here.
Krishna meets Australian counterpart
London, Jan 28 India's External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna met Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith here on Wednesday to seek information on what steps Australia is taking to counter growing attacks on Indian students.
Attacks will be checkmated: Oz
London, Jan 28 Australia has set up a high-level group to look into the increasing attacks on Indian students in that country, Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna was told by the Australian Foreign Minister here on Wednesday. He hoped that the attacks would be checkmated soon.
India offers $647 mn for Howitzers
Washington, Jan 28 The Pentagon has notified the US Congress of a possible sale of 145 state-of-the-art light weight towed Howitzers to India. The deal is worth $647 million.
US varsity to exhibit Husain's works
Washington, Jan 28 Brown University, a member of the prestigious Ivy League, will hold an exhibition of early masterpieces of Maqbool Fida Husain, one of India's most famous living painters, from February 5 to March 26.
PM, President greet Rajapaksa
New Delhi, Jan 28 Felicitating Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his re-election, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday expressed hope that the island country will now find 'lasting peace where all communities can live with dignity and in harmony'.
India hopes Rajapaksa will fulfil promise
New Delhi, Jan 28 With Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa heading for a landslide win in the first election after the LTTE rout, India is hoping he will use the electoral boost to fast-track the long-deferred devolution package for the Tamil minority and bring permanent peace to the island nation.
NIIT to help Colombians improve English
New Delhi, Jan 28 The National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), an IT training major in India, will help Colombians write professional mails, talk over telephone and conduct business in English.
Orissa approves 5 power projects
Bhubaneswar, Jan 28 The Orissa Government on Wednesday approved setting up of five power projects in the state, an official said.
Telecom subscriber reaches 562 mn
New Delhi, Jan 28 India's telecom subscriber base crossed another milestone in December to top 560 million connections even though there was a net decline in the user base for the traditional fixed line telephones, fresh data released on Wednesday showed.
Strengthen regulations for credit rating agencies
New Delhi, Jan 28 The Government on Wednesday said there were no immediate concerns over operations of credit rating agencies in the country but emphasised the need to strengthen the existing regulations in the wake of the current financial crisis.
United Indian colours unfurl on R-Day
New Delhi, Jan 27 From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, from Gujarat to Assam, Indians celebrated a peaceful 61st Republic Day on Tuesday, undaunted by terror threats, Maoist shutdowns, or even the morning fog that blanketed New Delhi where thousands congregated for the grand parade of military might and cultural diversity.
Obama hails Indian partnership
Washington, Jan 27 President Barack Obama has in a message of greetings on India's 61st Republic day on Tuesday hailed the growing partnership between the U.S. and India and the friendship between the two peoples.
India a superpower: UK
London, Jan 27 India is already a superpower, says Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
India to grow 7.7 percent: IMF
Washington, Jan 27 With the global recovery off to a stronger start, Indian economy is projected to grow at 7.7 percent in 2010, 1.3 percentage points higher than forecast earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday.
‘India on course to 9 pc growth’
London, Jan 27 India is on course to notching up a rapidly rising trajectory of economic growth despite the global economic crisis, returning to a healthy nine percent by 2011-2012, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said on Tuesday.
Financial stability improved: IMF
Washington, Jan 27 The global economy is at last emerging out of the crisis with financial markets rebounding after the collapse of Wall Street investment firm Lehman Brothers in 2008, but extraordinary challenges remain, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
S Korea signs IT and space pacts
New Delhi, Jan 27 Keen to give their growing economic ties the shape of a strategic partnership, India and South Korea on Monday agreed to create a framework for bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and also signed pacts in areas ranging from peaceful uses of outer space to cooperation in IT.
Trinidad, India for joint commission
Port-of-Spain, Jan 27 Trinidad and Tobago and India will set up a joint commission in April, the Indian envoy has said here. A Trinidadian Minister added 'prospective areas have been identified for exploration, including agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and petroleum'.
PIO named adviser to Virginia governor-elect
Washington, Jan 27 Virginia's Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell has appointed his close friend and long-time fundraiser Dr Kamlesh Dave to his transition team for economic development.
Mittal gives $1mn to Haiti victims
London, Jan 27 ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, on Monday pledged a million dollars to help build houses in Port-au-Prince following the massive earthquake that struck the Haitian capital earlier this month.
India to work on 1,000MW reactors
Kapakkam (Tamil Nadu), Jan 27 The Indira Gandhi Centre of Atomic Research (IGCAR) will soon work on higher capacity reactors after two more 500MW fast breeder reactors were approved by the government at Kalpakkam, its director said on Tuesday.
India asks Nigeria for more crude
New Delhi, Jan 27 India has asked Nigeria for more help in procuring crude, even as it promised to resolve outstanding issues related to its existing oil blocks.
Abu Dhabi to debut at India's mart
New Delhi, Jan 27 For the first time, the Arab emirate of Abu Dhabi will feature at India's oldest travel and tourism mart SATTE this year to promote its niche in the growing luxury tourism market in India.
India targets Rs.690 bn IT exports
Hyderabad, Jan 27 Andhra Pradesh has set a target of IT exports of Rs.69,000 crore (Rs.690 billion/$15 billion) and 1.2 million jobs in the IT sector by the end of 2012, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said on Tuesday.
Orissa to expedite Posco project
Bhubaneswar, Jan 27 Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday assured South Korean President Lee Myung-bak that the state government will expedite the work on Posco's proposed $12 billion mega steel plant near Paradip.
Padma awards announced
New Delhi, Jan 27 Nobel Laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Apollo Hospital group chairman Prathap C. Reddy, and theatre personalities Ebrahim Alkazi and Zohra Segal are among the six people awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, in the Republic Day honours list announced on Monday.
India's first medical park opens
Chennai, Jan 27 India's first medical technology park opened here on Monday, which is expected to bring cutting-edge technology to the country and drive down the cost of expensive equipment like ultrasound machines.
Outsourcing roars back to India
Washington, Jan 27 Outsourcing has roared back to life in the last six months with some of it moving to countries like India, and from India to other places like China, the Philippines, Costa Rica and even Romania, according to a new study.
Maldives wants to learn from India
New Delhi, Jan 27 The Maldives' newly-independent Elections Commission wants to learn 'a lot' from its Indian counterpart, one of its commissioners said on Monday.
Aus campaigns to lure Indian investors
Kolkata, Jan 27 Concerned about the continuing attacks on Indian nationals affecting investment from Indian companies, the Australian government has decided to launch a campaign putting together the experiences of corporates from here in their country to reassure investors.
Aus releases dossier on attacks
Sydney, Jan 27 The Australian government has released a police dossier of high-profile attacks on Indians over the past year, which shows that nearly half of those arrested since March last year for vicious assaults were less than 18 years old.
India's Afghan role hot topic at UK meet
London, Jan 27 Ministers and military experts from around the world are set to gather in the British capital on Thursday for a day's meeting on Afghanistan marked by an unprecedented bid to persuade India to undertake a more high-profile role in the embattled country.
South Africa eyes Indian tourists
New Delhi, Jan 27 South African Tourism will begin its annual road shows in different cities, from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, with the aim of targeting Indian tourists to visit the country for the world cup,
India-Mexico FTA talks likely in May
Kolkata, Jan 27 India and Mexico will hold open talks for a full free trade agreement (FTA) in May, Jaime Nualart, ambassador of Mexico, said here on Monday.
Italian medico conducts 10 surgeries on R-Day
Nashik (Maharashtra), Jan 27 A world-renowned Italian medico gave a Republic Day gift to 10 Indian heart patients by performing low-cost angioplasty surgeries on them at a private hospital here.
Participate in politics, says PM
New Delhi, Jan 25 Expressing concern that Indian politics was not attracting the best and the brightest, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh Monday said educated professionals and the country's growing middle class should participate in the electoral process.
Parade to mark 60 proud years
New Delhi, Jan 25 As India celebrates 60 years of its founding as a republic Tuesday, the world's largest democracy will yet again mark a proud moment in time by showcasing its military might and splendid cultural diversity on the magnificent Rajpath boulevard in the heart of the capital.
442 Gallantry awards announced
New Delhi, Jan 25 Four hundred and forty-two armed forces personnel were named for gallantry awards Monday on the eve of Republic Day. The awards include one Ashoka Chakra, six Kirti Chakras and 26 Shaurya Chakras, the top three awards for gallantry during peace time.
Bernieres' new book set on India, Pak
Jaipur, Jan 25 Acclaimed writer Louis de Bernieres, who made headlines with his 1994 novel 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin', says his new book is about his grandfather and is set in India, Pakistan and Britain. Interestingly, the novel is partly a ghost story too.
Gyaana Books launches first titles
New Delhi, Jan 25 Gyaana Books, a new publishing venture based in the Indian capital, has unveiled its first books in association with Writer's Side and bookmeabook.com
Clothing line by Indian-origin model
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 25 Kavita Sidhu, an Indian origin model and former beauty queen, will be launching her own clothing line in Malaysia that will feature swim wear and beach outfits.
Rocket booster for heavier satellites
Bangalore, Jan 24 India successfully conducted the static test of its largest solid booster for launching heavier satellites using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-Mk III), the space agency said Sunday.
Apollo to manage hospital in Maldives
New Delhi, Jan 23 Leading Indian hospital chain Apollo will mange the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital located in Maldives' capital Male for 15 years and help develop it as a destination for healthcare and wellness services.
Mrinal Pande new Prasar Bharati chief
New Delhi, Jan 23 Noted journalist Mrinal Pande was Saturday appointed chairperson of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati.
56th National Film Awards announced
New Delhi, Jan 23 Marathi film 'Jogva', a poignant tale of one woman's journey to break free from the shackles of discrimination, sexual oppression and servitude to find true happiness, bagged the maximum honours at the 56th National Film Awards announced here Saturday.
Talks on nuclear cooperation
New Delhi, Jan 22 After its bilateral nuclear accords with the US, France and Russia, India will explore possibilities of civil nuclear cooperation with South Korea, a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), when the leaders of the two countries meet here Monday.
‘India key to US success in Afghanistan’
Washington, Jan 22 U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke says India was not formally part of his mandate, but he considered India as centrally important for America's success in the Af-Pak region.
Country's longest elevated expressway
Bangalore, Jan 22 This tech hub Friday got its first elevated expressway on one of the busiest roads - Hosur Road - that leads to Electronic City housing several IT companies in east Bangalore. It is the longest elevated expressway in the country.
Gujarat gets video telephony
Ahmedabad, Jan 22 Gujarat Friday became the first state in India where video phone services have been launched on a commercial basis. After providing the services in the state on experimental basis for about six months, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), in association with Sai Info Systems India Limited (SIS), formally launched the service on commercial basis. The service was unveiled by Sam Pitroda, the advisor to the Prime Minister on Infrastructure, Innovation and Information.
Indian firm ties up with Malaysia
Chennai, Jan 22 City-based SVS Engineering group, which is scouting for investors for the proposed $4 billion petroleum refinery (annual capacity 10 million tonnes) at Perak in Malaysia, signed an agreement with the state Friday, a top official said.
TV news ads to cross Rs.18 bn
New Delhi, Jan 22 The ad market on television news channels will cross the Rs.1,800 crore (Rs.18 billion/$390 million) mark this year, says a study.
World Bank loan for Andhra projects
Hyderabad, Jan 22 The World Bank will provide a loan of $770 million (Rs.3,720 crore) to Andhra Pradesh for road development, rural water supply and sanitation and municipal development.
PIO researcher gets Oz honour
Melbourne/New Delhi, Jan 22 Indian-origin researcher of Alzheimer's disease, Ralph Martins, has been named Australian of the Year 2010 by the government of Western Australia. Born to parents who were from India, Martins, a professor, moved to Perth at 16 years of age. He will join recipients from other Australian states and territories as finalists for the national awards to be announced on January 25 in Canberra.
India to grow 7.5 percent in 2010
Washington, Jan 22 India is expected to grow at 7.5 percent this year, powered by skilful macroeconomic management, even as the global economic recovery that is underway slows later this year as the impact of fiscal stimulus wanes, according to a new report from the World Bank.
Economy to grow 7.8 percent: CEA
Kolkata, Jan 22 India's chief economic adviser Kaushik Basu expects a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.5-7.8 percent this fiscal. “Looking at the remarkable recovery of GDP in the last quarters, I see GDP growth in the range of 7.5-7.8 percent in 2009-10,' Basu said Friday at a conference on corporate governance organised by the Kolkata chapter of American Chamber of Commerce.
RIL net profit up 14.48 percent
New Delhi, Jan 22 Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) posted a net profit of Rs.4,008 crore (Rs.40.08 billion/$868 million) in the quarter that ended Dec 31, on the back of higher revenues from its refining and gas business, to register a 14.48 percent rise from the Rs.3,462 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. RIL also saw net sales increase 89.7 percent to Rs.57,364 crore from Rs.30,227 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal, according to a company statement.
Indian biz delegation visits Trinidad
Port-of-Spain, Jan 22 An Indian delegation has explored opportunities for trade and joint ventures in Trinidad and Tobago by conducting a string of seminars on small business development. Dinesh Rai, Secretary in Indian Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said that the delegation made several presentations at small business related events across the country.
Indo-Canadian Prof on top post
Toronto, Jan 22 Indo-Canadian Hargurdeep Saini was appointed vice president of the University of Toronto, Canada's biggest university, Thursday. Prof Saini, who is currently the dean at the University of Waterloo in Hamilton near here, will also be the principal of the University of Toronto's Mississauga campus.
Fox to telecast 'Nevermind Nirvana'
Washington, Jan 22 Fox television network has chosen Canadian-born Indian American writer, director and producer Ajay Sahgal's comedy 'Nevermind Nirvana' as its next pilot. The show resembles “Everybody Loves Raymond” but with Indian-Americans, says Sahgal, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Devotees bathe on Magha Saptami
Bhubaneswar, Jan 22 More than 300,000 people took a holy dip in the sea near Konark temple in Orissa's Puri district on the occasion of Magha Saptami early Friday, braving the cold.
Cabinet nod for NKN
New Delhi, Jan 21 The Union Cabinet Thursday approved setting up of a national knowledge network (NKN) that will connect all major educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and top universities for exchange of information and research.
Shivshankar Menon is new NSA
New Delhi, Jan 21 Former foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon was on Thursday named the new National Security Adviser (NSA). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Thursday cleared Menon's name and formal orders will be issued by the department of personnel and training in a day, said a senior government official.
Essar Oil to invest $400 mn
Kolkata, Jan 21 Essar Exploration and Production Ltd, an arm of Essar Oil, will invest $400 million (Rs.2,000 crore) in its coal bed methane gas project at Ranigunj in West Bengal by 2012, a top company official said here Thursday.
Krishna for cooperation in energy security
New Delhi, Jan 21 India and other countries in Asia can achieve energy security only with regional cooperation as opposed to competition to satisfy the growing demand given the backdrop of constraints, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has said.
Delhi to host India-ASEAN summit in 2012
New Delhi, Jan 21 New Delhi will host the India-ASEAN summit in 2012 to mark the 10th anniversary of its summit-level dialogue with the 10-nation bloc, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Thursday.
Reliance signs pact for Mumbai Metro-II
Mumbai, Jan 21 A consortium led by Reliance Infrastructure, a part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, has signed an agreement with the Maharashtra government for the $2.2-billion second Metro Rail project (Mumbai Metro-II) in this India's commercial capital.
India's nod to Alstom for JV
New Delhi, Jan 21 India on Thursday gave its approval to a proposal from Alstom of France to set up a joint venture with Bharat Forge to make power equipment involving foreign direct investment inflow of 70 million euros or Rs.490 crore.
Jaipur Literature Festival begins
Jaipur, Jan 21 The Jaipur literature festival, boasting of over 200 authors of national and international repute and with its focus on Dalit writings, took off to packed audiences at a royal palace here Thursday.
'India a global success story'
London, Jan 21 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says India is a 'modern global success story' that is marching toward prosperity.
India, Malaysia sign extradition pact
New Delhi, Jan 20 Buoyed by improving ties, India and Malaysia Wednesday signed an extradition treaty and decided to fast-track negotiations to wrap up a free trade area agreement by the end of this year.
International garment fair begins in capital
New Delhi, Jan 20 Over 225 exhibitors and buyers from 60 countries are expected to attend the three-day 44th India International Garments Fair (IIGF), which Wednesday commenced at the Pragati Maidan exposition ground here.
Indian Art Exhibition opens in Astana
Astana, Jan 20 'Kalpana', an exhibition of 29 digitally produced prints of well-known paintings of eminent Indian artistes representing human figure forms and created over a span of more than a century has opened in this Kazakhstan capital.
Pakistani students visit IGNOU
New Delhi, Jan 20 A group of 30 Pakistani management students Wednesday visited the Indira Gandhi International Open University (IGNOU) campus here and discussed social issues with Indian students.
'Sen, Ramakrishnan are British'
London, Jan 20 Britain has laid claims to Nobel laureates Amartya Sen, an Indian citizen, and Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, an American of Indian origin.
Rajiv Shah lauded for Haiti efforts
Washington, Jan 20 Rajiv Shah, the Indian-American administrator of USAID, who is leading the massive US rescue and recovery efforts in earthquake-hit Haiti, has come in for high praise for his extraordinary leadership qualities.
Sanjay Gupta left alone in clinic
Washington, Jan 20 Doctors and nurses walked away from a field clinic in Haiti last week over security concerns, leaving CNN's chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta as the only doctor left to make sure the patients, some badly wounded, made it through the night.
ArcelorMittal donates $100,000
Toronto, Jan 20 The ArcelorMittal Global Foundation, set up by the world's biggest steel company, has announced to donate $100,000 to relief work for the victims of last week's earthquake in Haiti.
German president to visit in Feb
Frankfurt, Jan 20 Even as the Google incident makes the Western world a little wary of doing business in China, German President Horst Koehler's visit to India February 1-7, the first by this country's head of state in seven years, is seen as a 'clear sign' of the strengthening ties between New Delhi and Berlin.
Kerala firm wins Red Herring award
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 20 SunTec, the city-based provider of pricing and centralised billing solutions, has won a Red Herring 100 Global award, given to promising technology companies in industry innovation.
Harwood to pen Martin Luther biopic
Los Angeles, Jan 20 Oscar winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood will pen the screenplay for the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. biopic that will be made by DreamWorks Studios, a venture promoted by Steven Spielberg and Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.
Wipro projects $1.17 bn IT services revenue in Q4
Bangalore, Jan 20 Wipro Ltd on Wednesday projected $1.17 billion revenue from its global IT services business for the fourth quarter (Jan-March) of this fiscal (2009-10).
Kerala invites IT firms to set up base in Technopark
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 20 Kerala has invited applications from companies engaged in information technology (IT), IT-enabled services and IT infrastructure to set up units in the third phase of software park Technopark here.
Malaysian PM arrives in New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 19 Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Najib Tun Abdul Razak arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday evening on a five-day state visit which is set to rejuvenate bilateral relations with at least 13 agreements to be signed.
Rahman song shortlisted for Oscars
New Delhi, Jan 19 Indian music maestro A.R Rahman's song 'Na na' from the film 'Couples Retreat' has been shortlisted for nomination in original song category for the 82nd Academy Awards.
US Defence Secretary meets PM
New Delhi, Jan 19 US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates on Tuesday met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and appealed for closer military cooperation between America and India to bring stability to South Asia.
Qutab Minar of 100,000 flowers
Bangalore, Jan 19 A model of the Qutab Minar made of 100,000 flowers, mainly roses, was the star attraction of the annual Republic Day flower show that began here on Tuesday.
Murthy chosen for Dada Saheb Phalke
New Delhi, Jan 19 Legendary cinematographer V.K. Murthy, best remembered as the cinematographer for all Guru Dutt films, has been chosen for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2008.
Indians help tirelessly in Haiti
New Delhi, Jan 18 Escorting relief teams, giving medical treatment and providing logistics support to the UN -- India's Lt. Col. Pronob K. Roy and over 150 fellow Indians of the UN mission in Haiti have been working tirelessly and without sleep since a devastating earthquake hit the country a week ago.
Kumar heads team to Mauritius
New Delhi, Jan 16 Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will lead a parliamentary delegation on a five-day trip to Mauritius, beginning from Sunday, where she will hold wide ranging discussions on issues of international and bilateral importance.
Professionals to head cultural bodies
Kolkata, Jan 16 Stressing that it was 'time for winds of change to blow', Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the government has liberalised the rules for recruiting executive heads of eight national-level cultural institutions, including the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and would appoint 'outstanding professionals'.
Mauritian business delegation in India
New Delhi, Jan 16 A high-level business delegation from the Indian Ocean island-nation of Mauritius will be arriving in Delhi next week to promote the African country as a growing business and financial hub.
PM hails Reserve Bank
New Delhi, Jan 16 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday praised the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), saying the central bank had made the national credit system more sensitive to the needs of the rural population.
Dhaka, India to begin Teesta talk
Dhaka, Jan 16 Bangladesh is initiating a process to expedite talks with India over striking a deal on sharing of Teesta waters, a top Minister has said.
Let stimulus stay, FM told
New Delhi, Jan 16 Economists on Friday suggested to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to continue the stimulus packages till the country's economy recovered further.
India seeks $400bn for education
London, Jan 16 India needs $400 billion of investment in education over the next decade because it views the sector to be as important as economic growth in moving the country forward, Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal has told British Ministers and university vice chancellors.
Asia leads global recovery: IMF
Washington, Jan 16 Led by emerging market economies, especially in Asia, the global economy is recovering significantly faster than previously expected, but growth is still dependent in most advanced economies on government stimulus measures, the IMF has said.
India donates $5 mn to Haiti
New Delhi, Jan 16 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday said India would provide $5 million in aid to Haiti where tens of thousands have been killed in a devastating earthquake.
China, India improve trade logistics
Washington, Jan 16 China and India are the top two over-performers among developing economies in improving their capacity to efficiently move goods and connect manufacturers and consumers with international markets, according to a new World Bank Group survey.
FIFA trophy unveiled in Kolkata
Kolkata, Jan 16 German football legend Lothar Matthaus unveiled Friday the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup Trophy 2010 at a glittering function here, making Kolkata the only Indian city to showcase the prized trophy.
Cherie meets Delhi students
New Delhi, Jan 16 Cherie Blair, wife of former British premier Tony Blair, on Friday visited Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, interacted with the students and spoke about the plight of underprivileged people in the society.
Jet fuel price up 6 pc
New Delhi, Jan 16 State-owned oil companies on Friday hiked jet fuel prices by over 6 percent after international crude prices rose to $82-84 per barrel this month.
India ‘displeased’ over Oz attacks
New Delhi, Jan 16 Under fire from the opposition over continuing attacks on Indian students in Australia, the Government on Friday said it was doing its 'utmost' to convey 'absolute displeasure and concern' to Canberra and the situation was being monitored on daily basis.
Indians soft targets in Oz?
New Delhi, Jan 16 Attacks on Indians in Australia continue to shock people back home, but many of those working or studying Down Under say these are not necessarily racial in nature and are the handiwork of criminal elements who try to find 'soft targets'.
Kanyakumari sees celestial play
Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), Jan 15 Thousands of people in this Tamil Nadu city watched the longest annular solar eclipse of the millennium that began at 11.06 a.m. on Friday. Scientists and students from several parts of the country have converged here to study the celestial spectacle.
Indo-French N-pact takes effect
New Delhi, Jan 15 The civil nuclear accord between India and France, signed over a year ago, came into force on Thursday with diplomats of the two countries exchanging instruments of ratification of the agreement — giving Paris a distinct edge over other countries in the multi-billion dollar Indian nuclear market.
UK welcomes Corus move to save jobs
London, Jan 15 British union leaders on Thursday welcomed a decision by Tata-owned steelmaker Corus not to shut down a coking plant — saving 120 jobs — and to postpone the mothballing of a huge steel factory in northeast England.
Ahmedabad wins Transport Award
Washington, Jan 15 The historic Indian city of Ahmedabad has won the prestigious 'Sustainable Transport Award 2010' for the successful implementation of Janmarg, India's first full bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
India-US pacts in urban development
Washington, Jan 15 India and the United States will strengthen cooperation in urban development as also safety and security of urban transport systems.
India to US: Loosen export controls
New Delhi, Jan 15 Nearly two months after Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Washington, India on Thursday again pressed the US for removal of export controls on high technology and dual-use items to infuse more confidence into bilateral ties.
Germany planning pacts with India
Chennai, Jan 15 The state visit of German President Horst Kohler early next month to India will see the two countries inking cooperation agreements in the areas of economy, technology and defence training.
Mozambique seeks deeper ties
New Delhi, Jan 15 Mozambique wants to increase the intensity of its relations with India, re-elected Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza told visiting Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor.
S. Korea President to visit India
New Delhi, Jan 15 India is set to roll out the red carpet for South Korean President Lee Myung-bak when he comes here as chief guest for the January 26 Republic Day celebrations — an honour reserved for special friends of New Delhi.
IBS plans carbon trading platform
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 15 IBS Software, headquartered at the Technopark IT park here, will put in place a carbon credit online trading platform for the aviation sector next fiscal.
India gives Haiti $1 mn for relief
New Delhi, Jan 15 India will give $1 million in cash for immediate emergency relief in quake-devastated Haiti. Indian peacekeepers and civilian police officers in the island nation have been ascertained to be safe.
Shah takes over Haiti disaster ops
Washington, Jan 15 Less than a week after being sworn in as the head of the USAID, Indian American Rajiv Shah, 36, has been named coordinator of the U.S. response to the Haiti earthquake, one of the worst natural disasters in the western hemisphere in recent history.
No news yet, Haiti student worried
New Delhi, Jan 15 He hasn't been able to sleep, neither has he been able to concentrate on his studies. Unable to contact his family in Haiti, Jerome Farras, a journalism student in Delhi is worried about his relatives back home. Tens of thousands of people are feared dead in his quake-devastated country.
Ordeal of workers in Libya ends
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 15 The ordeal of 34 workers from Kerala, stranded in a labour camp in Libya, has ended as they are being flown out from the Libyan capital Tripoli, an official said here on Thursday.
Chinese auto firm forays into India
Kolkata, Jan 15 The Indian partners of CASKA, China's market leader in auto accessories, on Thursday announced its foray into the country and said it is looking for 10 percent share in the domestic market in the next one year.
OVL to invest in 2 Nigerian blocks
New Delhi, Jan 15 India has sanctioned funding of $359 million to ONGC Videsh Ltd, overseas arm of ONGC Ltd, for the execution of the first exploration phase in two Nigerian deepwater blocks.
‘Not all attacks in Oz are racist’
Sydney, Jan 15 Not all attacks on Indians in Australia are racist in nature, says music maestro A.R. Rahman, now here for a free concert in a bid to bridge relations between India and Australia.
YR Films offers travel plan in Switzerland
New Delhi, Jan 15 Bollywood's premier production house Yash Raj Films (YRF) has entered into an agreement with Indian travel and tourism company SOTC and Switzerland-based enterprise Brandinvest AG to offer Hindi movie fans a 'YRF Enchanted Journey' in Switzerland.
Patil, PM greet nation on Sankranti
New Delhi, Jan 14 President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday greeted the nation on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Pongal.
India celebrates harvest festival
New Delhi, Jan 14 India welcomed the new harvest on Thursday in myriad cultural forms of Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bhogali Bihu while thousands took a holy dip in the Ganga from Haridwar to Ganga Sagar to mark the end of winter by the Indian calendar.
White House seeks tips from Indians
Washington, Jan 14 The White House has invited dozens of America's top executives, including Pepsico's India-born chief executive Indra K. Nooyi, on Thursday seeking tips on how the US bureaucracy can become leaner and meaner.
Iceland seeks India’s help in IT
Mumbai, Jan 14 Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has sought Maharashtra's cooperation in the fields of clean energy, information technology and oil exploration.
MIC’s Samy Velu calls for unity
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 14 Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) president S. Samy Vellu in his message on Thursday on Pongal, the annual harvest festival celebrated by Hindus, asked Malaysians to promote unity.
Tharoor visits Mozambique
New Delhi, Jan 14 Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor is on a visit to the Southern African state of Mozambique to witness the inauguration ceremony of the President Emilio Guebuza on January 14.
India, Britain in education pledge
London, Jan 14 India's Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal began a high-level visit to Britain on Wednesday aimed at strengthening ties in the multi-billion pound education sector, officials said.
Indian student intake in Aus to be monitored
Melbourne, Jan 14 Australia is tracking foreign students coming to study amid reports that the number of Indians applying for visas has fallen due to attacks on them.
India takes up gurdwara fire with Aus
New Delhi, Jan 14 Amid outrage in India, specially in Punjab, over a fire in a gurdwara under construction in Melbourne, Indian Government on Thursday said it was in touch with the Australian authorities over the incident.
Indian firm tops in securing US patents
Bangalore, Jan 14 IBM, which has a global management centre here, has emerged as the world's most inventive firm by securing 4,914 US patents in 2009, the global IT major said on Wednesday.
IBS develops software for 4 airlines
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 14 Four leading airlines have joined hands with IT firm IBS Software to launch an airline manpower management solution that will enable them to plan cost effective and efficient operation of their fleet with an optimal level of trained crew members.
Dutch cancer patient cured in India
New Delhi, Jan 14 When Dick Gadella, a Kenya-based Dutchman suffering from cancer, landed in India, he had little hope that doctors here could save his life. Today he feels he has woken up from a nightmare.
Vedanta to invest $1.5 bn in Zambia
Lusaka (Zambia), Jan 14 Vedanta Resources, the metals and mining major headquartered in London and promoted by non-resident Indian Anil Agarwal, plans to invest $1.5 billion in Zambia to expand its production of copper cathodes to half a million tonnes by 2013.
Johannesburg event promotes CWG
New Delhi, Jan 14 In an effort to promote the 2010 Commonwealth Games which will take place in Delhi on October 3-14, the Ministry of Tourism organised a road show in Johannesburg coinciding with the relay of the Queen's baton there.
Maha Kumbh begins
Hardwar, Jan 13 An estimated five million people have thronged the Hindu holy city of Hardwar for a dip in the holy Ganga on Thursday that will herald the Maha Kumbh, a religious fair that has few parallel but which has a sharp message this year — protection of the environment.
Bangladesh backs India for UN seat
New Delhi, Jan 13 Turning a new chapter in their ties, India and Bangladesh have decided to fast-track the solution to their boundary dispute and fight terrorism under a new framework of security cooperation.
Sheikh Hasina pitches for investment
New Delhi, Jan 13 India Inc on Tuesday committed itself to promoting economic ties with Bangladesh with the Bharti group proposing $1 billion to build its telecom network and Meru Cabs along with Tatas planning a transport service with 20,000 radio cabs.
‘India's pvt sec will power Africa’
On Board Special Aircraft, Jan 13 India's foray into Africa will be powered by the private sector and would generate local employment instead of import of workforce, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari said while returning from a three-nation southern African trip.
Chouhan woos NRIs to state
Bhopal, Jan 13 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday invited non-resident Indians (NRIs) to set up industries in the state, assuring them the state government was committed to extending them the maximum facilities.
Sharma offers Rs.500 cr for exports
New Delhi, Jan 13 Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Tuesday said his Ministry would offer Rs.450-500 crore as incentives to exporters till this fiscal-end to push exports of 2,000 products.
Follow Asian money: EU
Brussels, Jan 13 The balance of world wealth is moving towards rising Asian powers such as India and China, and the European Union should adapt rather than trying to fight it, the bloc's designated trade commissioner said on Tuesday.
ISRO to launch rockets for eclipse
Chennai, Jan 13 The Indian space agency will launch a series of rockets from its two centres between Thursday and Sunday to study Friday's solar eclipse and its aftereffects.
H1N1 vaccine to be available in India
Washington, Jan 13 The swine flu vaccine could become available for use in India this year with an American firm collaborating with an Indian biopharmaceutical company to facilitate the manufacture, clinical development and commercialisation of the vaccine in India.
‘Vitamin E protects brain after stroke’
Washington, Jan 13 Blocking the function of a brain enzyme with a specific kind of vitamin E can prevent nerve cells from dying after a stroke, says an Indian American scientist.
Ignore superstitions this eclipse
New Delhi, Jan 13 As the world looks forward to the millennium's longest annular solar eclipse Friday, there are superstitions galore in India. But science experts have urged people to shed 'false beliefs' and watch the celestial spectacle the right way.
Kite makers rejoice, Chinese strings banned
Ahmedabad, Jan 13 Goods made in China dominate the Indian market with their USP of variety combined with low pricing, so much so that even kite strings imported from there boast a huge customer base here. That's why a recent ban on Chinese kite strings in Gujarat has been so heartily welcomed by local kite makers.
National Youth Festival concludes
Bhubaneswar, Jan 13 Sky divers of the Indian Air Force (IAF) parachuted into the middle of the Kalinga Stadium here while a ceremonial band of the Indian Navy performed 'Beating the Retreat' — the five-day National Youth Festival concluded here with a spectacular show on Tuesday.
Hasina receives Peace award
New Delhi, Jan 12 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the prestigious Indira Gandhi Peace Prize in recognition of her contribution to peace and democracy at a function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Tuesday.
India extends $1 bn to Bangladesh
New Delhi, Jan 12 India and Bangladesh on Monday took a slew of defining steps to transform their bilateral ties that included New Delhi extending $1 billion for development projects in the neighbouring country and five agreements, including key security pacts to expand counter-terror cooperation.
Dhaka keen to trade with India
Shillong/Agartala, Jan 12 The Bangladesh government is keen to increase trade, business and connectivity with northeast India, officials said here on Tuesday quoting visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Vice President concludes Africa tour
Gaborone (Botswana), Jan 12 Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari left for home after wrapping up his three-day visit to Botswana on Monday.
Govt targets 59,500 MW N-power
Kolkata, Jan 12 The Union Government has set an ambitious target to generate 35,000 MW nuclear energy by 2020 and 59,500 MW by 2032, a top government official said on Monday.
Industrial production grows 11.7 pc
New Delhi, Jan 12 Helped by sustained domestic demand, India's industrial production grew at a better-than-expected 11.7 percent in November compared to 2.5 percent in the corresponding month last year, as per official figures released on Tuesday.
Expo affirms India as auto industry hub
New Delhi, Jan 12 India's emergence as a major market and a hub for the global auto industry was reinforced at this year's Auto Expo that concluded on Monday, which saw the launch of an unprecedented 72 vehicles in virtually every segment by domestic and multinational companies.
Features of national solar policy
New Delhi, Jan 12 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday launched India's ambitious solar energy mission, the centrepiece of its activities to combat climate change, which aims to generate 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022.
India to instal 20 mn solar bulbs
New Delhi, Jan 12 The country plans to install 20 million solar powered lights and 20 million square metres of solar panel to generate 20,000 MW by 2022 as part of the National Solar Mission launched here on Monday.
‘Expedite probe into attacks’
New Delhi, Jan 12 External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Monday spoke to his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith and asked him to fast-track the probe into incidents.
Infosys raises revenue forecast
Mysore, Jan 12 Buoyed by signs of global economy recovery, India's IT major Infosys Technology Ltd. has revised upwards its revenue forecast for fiscal 2009-10.
Chasing 'Ring of Fire' in the sky
New Delhi, Jan 12 The Aquamarine is no ordinary vessel. It is India's first eclipse cruise, which will sail to Male in the Maldives on January 13 to chase the 'Ring of Fire', or the millennium's longest annular solar eclipse. The eclipse will be seen for the longest time in the Indian Ocean nation on January 15.
Indian prompts London police rethink
London, Jan 12 London's police force has made a reported shift in its traditional advice for people not to intervene to catch criminals after an Indian builder who was murdered chasing muggers prompted a flood of tributes.
Next stop for Bollywood – Botswana!
Kasane (Botswana), Jan 11 If Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari has his way, Indian filmmakers will have another exotic film destination — Botswana.
President salutes Indians in Gulf
New Delhi, Jan 11 Thanking the 25 million Indian diaspora for contributing to their country of origin, President Pratibha Patil on January 9, praised the efforts of Indian workers in the Gulf who account for 40 percent of inward remittances worth $50 billion.
Make solar mission priority: PM
New Delhi, Jan 11 India's mission to launch 20,000 MW through solar power by 2022 was launched here Monday by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who said the target was 'ambitious' but 'doable' and should be taken up as a 'priority national endeavour'.
Solar-powered rooftop batteries soon
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 India could soon use its abundance of sunlight to power one megawatt (1 MW)-capacity rooftop storage batteries to electrify homes and offices, an official said.
India's N-power output up
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 India's atomic power generation has gone up 15 percent over the past few months, following the resumption of fuel supplies from abroad after the accord with the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a top nuclear scientist has said.
Profiles of the 2010 PB Samman awardees
New Delhi, Jan 11 President Pratibha Patil on Saturday conferred the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award to 14 distinguished members of the Indian diaspora for their achievements in life and contribution to the welfare of the Indian community and enhancing India's image overseas.
Moopen to invest $200 mn in India
New Delhi, Jan 11 Gulf-based healthcare tycoon Azad Moopen is investing over Rs.10 billion ($200 million) for setting up hospitals and eye-care centres across India, including his home state of Kerala.
NRIs in Kerala push for development
New Delhi, Jan 11 Investors in Kerala including those based outside the country have decided to form a non-political grouping to push for economic development in the state, a NRI originally from Kerala said on Saturday.
Gulf NRIs air their problems at PBD
New Delhi, Jan 11 Taking overseas Indians into consideration in the government's divestment process and creating Islamic-finance friendly projects to attract Gulf investments were among the various suggestions overseas Indians from the Gulf made to the Government on Friday.
'Indians play crucial role in Canadian politics'
Chandigarh, Jan 11 Peter Milliken, speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, said on Saturday Indians were playing a 'significant' role in his country's politics.
December exports up at $14.6 bn
Mumbai, Jan 11 India's exports were $14.6 billion (Rs.73,000 crore) in December, up from $13.2 billion (Rs.66,000 crore) the month before, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said on Monday.
Next Gates likely from India or China
Washington, Jan 11 Four in 10 Americans believe that the next Bill Gates would come from India or China as the U.S. struggles to regain its competitiveness in the face of gains by India, China and Brazil, a new survey shows.
IGNOU to train power sector workers
New Delhi, Jan 11 Aiming to enhance the quality and productivity of power sector workforce in the country, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Sunday signed an agreement with the Power Ministry for training its employees.
Himachal set for green revolution
Shimla, Jan 11 The hills of Himachal Pradesh are all set to witness another green revolution with a Rs.267-crore project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for promotion of agriculture, an official said on Sunday.
Olympic Air implements Kerala firm's solution
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 Athens-based Olympic Air has started its cargo operations with a software programme developed by IBS, a firm based here.
Pitching for 'Hind Pak dosti'
New Delhi, Jan 11 Predictably, the questions were many when speakers from India and Pakistan got together and talked about whether and how the neighbours could shed decades of distrust and live in harmony. Is peace possible between the two neighbours? If so, then how, when and why? And the answer was one: Why not?
School kids to help monitor air quality during CWG
New Delhi, Jan 11 For 10 days in February, 1,000 children from Delhi government schools will monitor the number of vehicles around Commonwealth Games venues and the data they collect will prove crucial in managing air quality during the October 3-14 event.
34 nations dot Ahmedabad skies in kite fest
Ahmedabad, Jan 11 Varied colours symbolic of 34 countries, including Britain, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Singapore and Malaysia, dotted the clear blue skies in Ahmedabad as the 20th International Kite festival 'Uttarayan' was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Indian set to reach halfway of sailing trip
London, Jan 11 A naval officer seeking to become the first Indian to sail solo around the world is set to dock at a remote South Atlantic island next week to complete the halfway point of his journey.
PM assures social security to NRIs
New Delhi, Jan 9 Voting rights by next general elections and social security to tide over economic distress were the highlights of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's assurances to non-resident Indians on Friday as he asked the vast diaspora to tap the opportunities their country of origin now offers.
‘Infrastructure bonds for NRIs’
New Delhi, Jan 9 A new proposal to issue infrastructure bonds to Overseas Indians will give a fresh investment option to ordinary Indian investors abroad, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said on Friday.
‘Invest in skill development’
New Delhi, Jan 9 Pitching Maharashtra as an attractive investment destination, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Saturday called upon overseas Indians to invest in the state's skill development and education programmes.
India's knowledge sector good for NRIs
New Delhi, Jan 9 India's knowledge sector offers a great window of opportunity to overseas Indians to join hands with the country in its high growth trajectory and invest in its future, technology evangelist Sam Pitroda said here on Friday.
‘People will invest if laws are right’
New Delhi, Jan 9 If the Indian diaspora is to be tempted to invest in this country, then greater transparency, an institutional mechanism and clear cut laws are required, says a Canadian Provincial Minister of Indian origin.
'NRIs must have tax obligations'
New Delhi, Jan 9 Indians living abroad and holding dual citizenship should accept tax obligations from their mother country just as they seek and often get many privileges and benefits that go to Indians living and working at home, according to eminent economist and professor of Columbia University Jagdish Bhagwati.
'Gujarat gained from NRI investments'
New Delhi, Jan 9 Despite the global financial crisis, Gujarat's economy was boosted by record-breaking investments made by the Indian diaspora and companies, according to Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Malawi, India sign three deals
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 9 The southern African state of Malawi on Friday expressed interest in the joint exploration of potential uranium sites along with India. 'We have already one working mine in Karonga. We can work with India to jointly explore other sites,' Malawian Vice President Joyce Banda told reporters after holding bilateral talks with visiting Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and witnessing the signing of three agreements.
Malawi seeks India’s help
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 9 Malawi has expressed interest in the joint exploration of potential uranium sites as the southern African country, where China has come in as a big player, sought India's help in shoring up energy security and in building its port and other infrastructure.
India in search of diamonds
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 9 India is a on a diamond search in the southern African state of Botswana from where it hopes to increase the direct access of Indian companies to rough diamonds, rather than through middlemen.
Medical insurance for Russians in Goa
Panaji, Jan 9 Russian tourists in Goa can now have medical insurance. A Moscow-based firm supported by the Russian government is offering policies that will allow the 40,000-odd Russians visiting the state every year to be treated without having to pay.
Millennium’s longest solar eclipse
New Delhi, Jan 9 January 15 will herald the first annular solar eclipse of the year, also the longest in the millennium.
Japanese universities woo Indian students
New Delhi, Jan 9 After many European and American universities, it's now the leading Japanese universities who are set to woo Indian students.
‘India keen to buy Boeing aircrafts’
New Delhi, Jan 9 US aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Friday said that the Indian Air Force has shown its interest in acquiring 10 heavy transport aircraft C-17 Globemaster.
Nod to power pacts with Bangladesh
New Delhi, Jan 9 The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved the signing of three pacts with Bangladesh relating to security and power, informed sources said here on Saturday.
Dhaka gives anti-terror assurance
New Delhi, Jan 9 Ahead of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India, Dhaka has assured New Delhi that its territory will not be used by anti-India elements.
Dhaka, Delhi agree on agriculture cooperation
Dhaka, Jan 9 Bangladesh and India on Friday agreed on long-term cooperation in agricultural research and technologies, meant to save crops from natural disasters in vast parts of the two neighbouring countries.
Rs.10 trillion investment in food processing by 2015
Kolkata, Jan 9 The central government plans an investment of Rs.1 lakh crore (Rs.10 trillion), including from the private sector, in the food-processing sector by 2015, union Food Processing Minister Subodh Kant Sahay said on Friday.
2,400 vocalists on one platform
Pune, Jan 9 From Pt. Rajan and Sajan Misra to Shankar Mahadevan — over 2,400 classical vocalists from around the world will perform here on Tuesday to showcase the vast repertoire of Indian classical music and to provide a platform for the exponents of this ancient Indian art.
Youth Fest opens in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Jan 9 Artists from across the country enthralled a huge crowd with diverse forms of classical and folk dances on the opening day of the National Youth Festival in Bhubaneswar on Friday. An Indian Air Force helicopter showering flower petals over the main festival venue thrilled the audience.
Prime Minister’s address at PBD
New Delhi, Jan 8 Following is the text of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's speech at the eighth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, India's annual conclave to connect with its diaspora — that was delivered at Vigyan Bhavan here on Friday:
NRIs can vote soon: PM
New Delhi, Jan 8 NRIs will be able to cast their votes by the time the country holds its next general elections, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said here on Friday.
Security of PIOs top priority: PM
New Delhi, Jan 8 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said security of Indians living abroad remained high on his government's agenda and assured a social security fund to help Indians distressed by the economic crisis returning to their country.
'Interests of NRIs to be protected'
New Delhi, Jan 8 The Government is taking various steps to safeguard the interests of overseas Indians who have invested in property in India, according to Minister for Corporate Affairs Salman Khurshid.
‘India will sustain 9-10 pc growth’
New Delhi, Jan 8 The Indian economy will not only register one of the fastest expansions in the world this fiscal, but soon return and sustain a high growth path of 9 percent, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said here on Friday.
‘Today’s India is truly incredible’
New Delhi, Jan 8 They left India years ago seeking greener pastures in the West. But, looking at the growth logged by their country of origin and development all around, members of the Malayalee diaspora in the U.S. think today's India is truly incredible.
'Diaspora must think beyond remittances'
New Delhi, Jan 8 Thanking overseas Indians for the remittances to their country of origin that amounted to over $50 billion last fiscal, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday also asked them to invest in the opportunities offered by India.
Invest in roads, Kamal urges PIOs
New Delhi, Jan 8 Stating that wealth does not create roads but roads create wealth, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath on Friday urged overseas Indians to invest in the country's infrastructure sector.
‘Gulf remains dream destination for Indians’
New Delhi, Jan 8 The Dubai World woes notwithstanding, there is no serious impact of economic slowdown in the Middle East, which will remain a dream destination for Indian workers, prominent Gulf-based businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali has said.
Shah takes over as USAID chief
Washington, Jan 8 Indian-American Rajiv Shah has become the head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), charged with disbursing US foreign aid, making him the highest ranking person of Indian origin in the Obama administration.
China not a threat to India: Krishna
New Delhi, Jan 8 Downplaying occasional Chinese incursions into Indian territory, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday said that China was 'not a threat to India,' but added that cooperation and competition can sometime 'overlap' between the the two countries.
Indian Vice President visits Malawi
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 8 Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Thursday arrived in Malawi, a small land-locked country in Africa, — the first Indian leader to visit the country.
I am a Delhiwala: Malawi President
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 8 From reminiscing about his days in Delhi to his fondness for bhangra, the president of the small, land-locked southern African nation of Malawi praised Indian education, pointing out that he was a 'product of India.'
India extends $50 mn credit to Malawi
Lilongwe (Malawi), Jan 8 India has extended a line of credit of $50 million to the small land-locked African nation of Malawi which has invited Indian companies for investment in hydropower, farmlands and mining including uranium. As the first Indian leader to visit Malawi, a nation of 13.5 million sandwiched between Zambia and Mozambique, Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari announced on Thursday evening the soft loans and grants at a state banquet hosted by Malawian President Bingu Wa Mutharika.
Tata Africa to double yield in 2 yrs
Lusaka (Zambia), Jan 8 Tata Africa will double its turnover in the next two years to $1 billion, the head of the diversified operations that range from vehicles to floriculture to information technology said here.
First Zambian President wants India's help against AIDS
Lusaka, Jan 8 One of the old warhorses of Africa's colonial struggle, Kenneth Kaunda, who was a contemporary of Indira Gandhi, wants India's help in fighting a new adversary — HIV/AIDS.
India, South Africa propose pact
New Delhi, Jan 8 South Africa is working on a framework pact with India to boost bilateral economic relations, the country's Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is here on a three-day visit, said on Thursday.
Auto sales grew 40.3 pc in December
New Delhi, Jan 8 Sales of cars grew 40.3 percent in December owing to a low base, improved credit and customer appetite, said the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) on Friday.
N-industry poses new challenges
Chennai, Jan 8 The quick growth of the Indian nuclear industry is posing new challenges, especially for the delivery of components for new power plants, says Srikumar Banerjee, the new chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
Dhaka hopeful of ‘progress’ with India
Dhaka, Jan 8 Though a deal on sharing the Teesta river water was not expected to be signed by Bangladesh and India during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi visit next week, Dhaka was still hopeful of 'progress' during the summit level talks.
Karnataka clears investments worth $27.5 bn
New Delhi, Jan 8 Karnataka has cleared 38 big-ticket projects worth Rs.138,000 crore ($27.5 billion), and hopes soon to finalise the mega investment proposals from global steel makers ArcelorMittal and South Korea's Posco.
India pushes for stimulus for exporters
New Delhi, Jan 8 Commerce Minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said he was pushing for stimulus for the export industry in the annual budget.
Matrimonial website for HIV+ people
Guwahati, Jan 8 Junali Devi, a widow living in Assam, is eagerly awaiting the launch of India's first matrimonial website for HIV positive people.
IIT team wins New York competition
New York, Jan 8 An entrepreneur team from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has won the NYC Next Idea 2009-2010, an inaugural global business plan competition launched by New York City last year.
Europe top destination for Indians
New Delhi, Jan 7 After the Gulf nations, Europe is emerging as the next window of opportunity for Indian workers and the country would do its bit to promote and protect their interests, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi has said.
Indian-American teacher awarded
Washington, Jan 7 Indian American professor Kenneth S. Sajwan of Savannah State University has received an award for excellence in mentoring from U.S. President Barack Obama.
US rolls out new online visa form in India
New Delhi, Jan 7 With the demand for US visas surging by the day, the US embassy and its consulates in India have introduced a new online non-immigrant visa (NIV) application form to cut out needless delays.
India to raise R&D spend to 2 pc
New Delhi, Jan 7 India on Thursday unveiled for its diaspora its 21st century scientific vision, saying it intended to raise its spend on R&d to two percent of its GDP and focus on five critical areas, including energy and food security.
‘Nano will be brought to Africa’
Lusaka (Zambia), Jan 7 India's 'people's car' will certainly drive down the roads of Africa, with the Tata group conducting research on the rules and regulations of the different markets in this vast continent.
India signs $50m loan, offers $75m more to Zambia
Lusaka (Zambia), Jan 7 India on Wednesday signed a deal for extending a $50 million line of credit to Zambia, with a proposal to extend another soft loan of $75 million — even as both countries decided to 'reinvigorate' relations to reflect 'changed times'.
Reliance acquires British firm
Mumbai, Jan 7 Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's Reliance MediaWorks has set foot in Britain by acquiring the assets of ilab UK, one of the two film processing facilities based in London, a company statement said on Thursday.
Indian market keep NRIs focused
New Delhi, Jan 7 India offers a ready market, big audience and a mainstream arts platform for non-resident Indian filmmakers.
'Monsoon Wedding' to be a Broadway musical
New Delhi, Jan 7 Filmmaker Mira Nair has started working on a Broadway musical version of her 2001 crossover hit 'Monsoon Wedding' that will combine circus acrobatics, aerial acting, theatre, music and dance and will feature an Indian cast.
'Personalised mover' may be part of CWG
New Delhi, Jan 7 A 'Personalised Mover' that could find applications at the Commonwealth Games in October and a 'Formula Student Car' developed by students of a technological university here are drawing considerable eyeballs at the ongoing Auto Expo 2010 here.
Fall in Indians keen to study in Aus
Melbourne, Jan 7 There has been a sharp fall in the number of Indians applying for visas to study in Australia, a media report on Thursday said. The development comes following a string of assaults, including two killings, on Indian students.
Not all attacks racist: Aus envoy
New Delhi, Jan 7 Regretting that attacks against Indian students had gone up in recent months, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese on Wednesday said there had been no let-up in policing resources and maintained that most incidents in his country were 'opportunistic urban crime'.
Northeast business summit begins
Agartala, Jan 7 A two-day business summit on North-East India will begin in Kolkata on Friday to attract investment to the region, Tripura Industry and Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury said here on Wednesday.
'Humankind solely responsible for climate change'
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 7 India's top farm scientist M.S. Swaminathan holds humankind solely responsible for global warming causing climatic changes.
PBD-2010 begins Thursday
New Delhi, Jan 6 India's annual convention to connect with its 25-million-strong diaspora in 130 countries begins here on Thursday, expecting to draw around 1,500 delegates from over 50 nations to their land of origin.
Indian Vice President visits Zambia
Lusaka, Jan 6 Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari arrived in this Zambian capital on Tuesday on the first leg of his three-nation African tour aimed at renewing old ties with the leadership of these countries.
India, Zambia toast to growing trade
Lusaka, Jan 6 Amid exuberant tribal dances and Bollywood songs, India and Zambia toasted each other to an 'ever deepening' of relations, particularly in trade and investment, during the highest level visit from New Delhi in two decades.
‘Botswana diamonds of interest’
Lusaka, Jan 6 Botswana's diamonds are of 'direct interest' to India, Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari said as he began his three-nation Africa tour on Tuesday.
Mahatma Gandhi is son of Africa
New Delhi, Jan 6 Mahatma Gandhi is the son of Africa and was also influenced by the principles of non-violence during his days spent in that continent, said Amusaa K. Mwanamwambwa, Speaker of the Zambian National Assembly, here.
India issues security advisory
New Delhi/Melbourne, Jan 6 Three days after an Indian youth was fatally stabbed in Melbourne, India's External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday issued an advisory asking Indians studying in Australia and those planning to do so to take extra security precautions while moving around in that country.
India best bet for investors in 2010
Washington, Jan 6 Indian billionaire Adi Godrej considers India 'as the best emerging economy for investors' as he expects the 'Indian stock market to appreciate by about 20 percent within the next two years'.
Direct tax collections up nearly 9 pc
New Delhi, Jan 6 Net direct tax collections in the first three quarters this fiscal stood at Rs.250,232 crore, up 8.51 percent from Rs.230,598 crore collected in the corresponding period last year, the government said Tuesday.
Nano to drive into US in 3 years!
New Delhi, Jan 6 Tata Motors will launch its Nano small car in the US in three years after considerably modifying it, group chairman Ratan Tata said on Tuesday.
Delhi to go festive during CWG
New Delhi, Jan 6 Delhi will showcase India's diverse culture, music, dance and theatre in a carnival atmosphere with plenty of food thrown in during the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games. Eight thousand athletes, officials from 71 countries and nearly 100,000 visitors are expected to throng the metropolis during the event.
India-aided factory opens in Chad
N'djamena (Chad), Jan 6 India's ties with Chad, an oil-exporting country in central Africa, acquired a new dimension with the inauguration of a New Delhi-aided textile mill by President Idriss Deby Itno.
Malaysian Indian artists get platform
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 6 Symbols Art Club, a new platform for Malaysian Indian artists to connect and to express themselves, has begun by holding its first exhibition — Caves on Canvas.
British firm scouts for Indian auto makers
New Delhi, Jan 6 Britain-based Intelligent Energy, a pioneer in the hydrogen fuel cell technology, is pursuing Indian auto firms to produce vehicles that run on this clean fuel, a senior company official said here on Tuesday.
Wipro tops list of H-1B visa professionals in 2009
Washington, Jan 6 With 1,964 H-1B visas in 2009, Indian IT major Wipro has topped the list of firms that got the coveted US visas for highly skilled professionals.
Aus attacks can vitiate ties: India
Bengaluru/Melbourne, Jan 5 Taking a stern view of the fatal stabbing of an Indian student in Australia, India on Monday said that 'unfortunate incidents' like these could 'vitiate' relations between the two countries. Australia has condemned the incident and assured Indians that it is a 'welcoming and accepting country'.
PM congratulates C.N.R Rao
New Delhi, Jan 5 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday congratulated eminent scientist C.N.R. Rao on his being awarded the August Wilhelm-von-Hoffimann Medal for his contribution to chemistry, saying it was a matter of great pride for India's scientific community.
Vice President begins African tour
New Delhi, Jan 5 Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari left on Tuesday morning on a visit to three African nations.
Auto Expo marks India as market hub
New Delhi, Jan 5 The 10th Auto Expo flagged off at the Pragati Maidan exposition grounds here on Tuesday, attracting over 2,100 participants from 30 countries in a growing testimony to India's emergence as a major market and hub for the global automobile industry.
PIO scientist leads restoration initiative
Sydney, Jan 5 Conservationists led by a scientist of Indian origin has restored large tracts of acid-ravaged coastal wetlands in Australia for the first time.
Shilpa to bring Bollywood to British parliament
London, Jan 5 The British parliament, down in the dumps over a long-running expenses scandal, is set to brighten up to a touch of Indian glamour Wednesday when it hosts a wedding dinner in honour of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra.
World’s tallest building opens
Dubai, Jan 5 Thousands of people craned their necks on Monday evening in Dubai to watch fireworks shoot from the sides of the world's tallest building, now called the Burj Khalifa, after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
India condemns student's death in Aus
New Delhi/Melbourne, Jan 4 Strongly condemning the fatal stabbing of an Indian student in Melbourne, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Sunday warned Australia that if such attacks continue, India will be forced to look 'for other ways' to address the situation.
25,000 British PIO docs to return
New Delhi, Jan 4 Nearly 25,000 British doctors of Indian origin are set to return to India within two to four years and some of them are 'most likely to join the seven AIIMS-like institutions' proposed to be set up by the Central Government.
Climate change far worse than thought
New Delhi, Jan 4 Global alarm over climate change and its effects has risen manifold after the 2007 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since then, many of the 2,500-odd IPCC scientists have found climate change is progressing faster than the worst-case scenario they had predicted.
N-power seminar starts in Chennai
Chennai, Jan 4 Around 600 people connected with nuclear power industry across the world will participate in the three-day conference on 'Materials and Manufacturing in Nuclear Industry' organised by Indian Nuclear Society (INS) commencing here on Monday.
$300 mn World Bank loan for Andhra
Hyderabad, Jan 4 The World Bank has approved a loan of $300 million (Rs.1,400 crore) for urban infrastructure development in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah said here on Sunday.
Himachal saves Rs.1 bn-worth power
Shimla, Jan 4 By distributing compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to 16.5 lakh households, Himachal Pradesh conserved about 270 million units of energy worth Rs.1 billion (Rs.100 crore) in a year.
Jones, Patel, Singh: Survey of British surnames
London, Jan 4 Researchers are to launch a massive ground-breaking study of the evolution of tens of thousands of British surnames, including those that originated in the Indian subcontinent such as Patel, Singh, Ahmed and Ali.
Indian-origin scientist decodes bee-landing puzzle
Sydney, Jan 4 A study led by a scientist of Indian-origin has decoded the tricky art of landing by honeybees, a finding that can have huge implications in making better robot planes.
Air India ups passenger load by 10 pc
Mumbai, Jan 2 Flag carrier Air India increased its passenger load by over 10 percent in 2009 and reduced costs by deploying new aircraft and rationalising routes, the airline said on Saturday.
Bollywood inspires new Indo-French opera
New Delhi, Jan 2 Bollywood is the inspiration for the Neemrana Music Foundation's latest crossover venture -- a three-act Indo-French classical opera, 'If I Were King', by 19th century French composer Adolphe Adam. The opera is set in Goa.
India's exports rose 18.2 pc in Nov
New Delhi, Jan 1 India's exports in November rose 18.2 percent to $13.2 billion (Rs.6.6 lakh crore) for the first time after 13 straight months of decline, a government statement said on Friday.
'Indian decade' of growth and uplift
New Delhi, Jan 1 Supported by a foundation of robust growth, India on Friday stepped into the next decade of this millennium seeking not just to fulfil the aspirations of its billion-plus citizens but also assume its role as an emerging economy the world today looks at with respect and admiration.
PIO scientist gets 'Order of Canada'
Toronto, Jan 1 An Allahabad-born scientist of Indian origin has been given Canada's highest civilian award -- the Order of Canada.
All set for the 97th ISC event Sunday
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 1 Organisers of the 97th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) are all ready for the event, which will see more than 4,000 delegates and 3,500 student delegates participating.
Chronicle of a PM sketched out
New Delhi, Jan 1 It took the 1-2-3 agreement 'to draw him out', and quite fittingly the Kerala Cartoon Academy has prepared a coffee table book with caricatures from 123 cartoonists, including R.K. Laxman, for the usually reticent Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he visits Thiruvananthapuram over the weekend.
Indian woman skis to South Pole
New Delhi, Jan 1 For Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu's family the year 2009 ended on a high note as she became the first Indian woman to ski to the South Pole. However, as the family earnestly awaits her return, their first priority is to repay the loan taken to fund the venture, and not the celebrations.
India begins work on inventory of marine life
New Delhi, Jan 1 To study the impact of global warming on marine life in the seas around India, the government has embarked on a major project to give them DNA barcodes to 'create inventories of biodiversity'.
GM India logs 101 percent rise in December sales
Chennai, Jan 1 Car manufacturer General Motors India logged 101 percent sales growth last month.
India starts visa-on-arrival for 5 countries
New Delhi, Jan 1 India on Friday started tourist visa-on-arrival facility for five countries on an 'experimental basis' for a period of one year, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
A decade of growth and uplift
New Delhi, Jan 1 Supported by a foundation of robust growth, India on Friday stepped into the next decade of this millennium seeking not just to fulfill the aspirations of its billion-plus citizens but also assume its role as an emerging economy the world today looks at with respect and admiration.
Pak, India exchange nuclear list
Islamabad, Jan 1 Pakistan and India exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities despite tension over the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that has broken the dialogue process between the two countries.
Indian Army chief to visit Nepal
Kathmandu, Jan 1 Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor will be visiting the Himalayan republic this month to be decorated with the honorary title of general of the Nepal Army.
Indian study on inventory of marine life
New Delhi, Jan 1 To study the impact of global warming on marine life in the seas around India, the government has embarked on a major project to give them DNA barcodes to 'create inventories of biodiversity'.
Indian-origin scientist honoured
Toronto, Jan 1 An Allahabad-born scientist of Indian origin has been given Canada's highest civilian award — the Order of Canada.
Millions to go for the dip
Hardwar, Jan 1 One of the world's oldest religious gatherings may become the world's biggest this year as the Hindu faithful carry forward a tradition first recorded in the Vedas.
Indian IT market to revive
Bangalore, Jan 1 Amid signs of economic recovery, the Indian IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) market is projected to grow by 15 percent in 2010 as against a modest growth of 5.4 percent in 2009, a report by market intelligence firm IDC (International Data Corporation) India said on Thursday.
Action-packed Jan for diplomacy
New Delhi, Jan 1 The new year starts on a busy note for Indian diplomacy as New Delhi hosts leaders of four countries in January and imparts fresh momentum to India's engagement with Africa.
Chronicle of a PM sketched out
New Delhi, Jan 1 It took the 1-2-3 agreement 'to draw him out', and quite fittingly the Kerala Cartoon Academy has prepared a coffee table book with caricatures from 123 cartoonists, ranging from Raj Thackeray to R.K. Laxman, for the usually reticent Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh when he comes visiting over the weekend.
Knighthood for Indian-origin judge
London, Jan 1 Britain's first Indian-origin judge — a man known for his outspoken and uncompromising views — was on Thursday named for the country's topmost honour.
Family awaits Dharmashaktu's return
New Delhi, Jan 1 For Reena Kaushal Dharmshaktu's family the year 2009 ended on a high note as she became the first Indian woman to ski to the South Pole. However, as the family earnestly awaits her return, their first priority is to repay the loan taken to fund the venture, and not the celebrations.
Bangladesh to bridge deficit with India
Dhaka, Jan 1 Bangladesh has pitched for greater purchase of its goods by India to bridge the wide gap in bilateral trade ahead of the summit level talks this month in New Delhi.
Posco to build $12 bn steel plant in Orissa
Bhubaneswar, Jan 1 South Korean steel major Posco has got final clearance from the ministry of environment and forests for acquiring forest land in Orissa for its $12 billion steel plant project, a company official said on Friday.
Bollywood enters New Year with milestones
New Delhi, Jan 1 Three Oscars, collaborations with Hollywood studios, a doctorate for Shah Rukh Khan and many more — the Indian entertainment industry made its mark on the global arena in 2009. Now it is set to move forward with international projects like 'Kites' and 'My Name Is Khan' and Grammy nominations for A.R. Rahman and Amjad Ali Khan.
Knighthood for Indian-origin judge
London, Dec 31 Britain's first Indian-origin judge -- a man known for his outspoken and uncompromising views -- was on Thursday named for the country's topmost honour.
Stimulus to stay for now: FM
New Delhi, Dec 31 The government is unlikely to withdraw the stimulus packages now as domestic firms would be hit in case the global economy collapses, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.
Finance Commission submits report
New Delhi, Dec 31 The 13th Finance Commission constituted to determine the distribution of tax revenues between the central government and the states on Wednesday submitted its report to President Smt Pratibha Patil.
FDI worth Rs.524 cr approved
New Delhi, Dec 31 The government approved nine foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals worth Rs.523.7 crore on Wednesday, including a Rs.326-crore proposal from Japanese conglomerate Mitsui.
Green technology will rule the next decade
Technology in the second decade of this millennium will build on the foundation laid in the first 10 years for mobility, cloud computing and green technology that saw the birth of the iconic iPhone, third generation telephony, notebooks, netbooks and the iPod with a camera. Here's a peek into what's in store:
Delhi-Mumbai train to be flagged off on Jan 12
Kolkata, Dec 31 Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday flagged off half a dozen express trains scheduled to operate from major Kolkata stations to destinations like Amritsar, Bangalore and Delhi while announcing that the Delhi-Mumbai Yuva Train will start its journey on January 12.
Railways to set up Tagore museum
Kolkata, Dec 31 The Railways will set up a museum on poet Rabindranath Tagore at Howrah as part of celebrations on the Nobel Laureate's 150th birth anniversary.
Pilgrims throng Sangam as Magh Mela begins
Allahabad, Dec 31 A sea of pilgrims and devotees thronged the Sangam here to take a holy dip on the first day of the annual Hindu festival of Magh Mela that started on Thursday amid heavy security, officials said.
India, Japan to launch defence action plan
New Delhi, Dec 29 India and Japan will launch a defence action plan to firm up their strategic partnership that includes jointly combating maritime piracy and give a push to negotiations over a key economic agreement that can multiply their bilateral trade manifold.
India, Japan in pact to build green cities
New Delhi, Dec 29 India and Japan on Monday signed agreements to build eco-friendly cities along the Rs.3.6 lakh crore ($72 billion) Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.
Japan PM calls for cooperation in trade
Mumbai, Dec 29 Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Monday interacted with the captains of the Indian corporate world at a closed door meeting here and discussed ways to enhance bilateral business relations.
ONGC strikes natural gas field in Tripura
Agartala, Dec 29 Public sector exploration major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has found a huge gas deposit in the northeastern state of Tripura, officials said here on Tuesday.
A spectacular year for telecom
New Delhi, Dec 29 Despite overall showdown and hiccups in allocation of spectrum to new and existing players, the Indian telecom industry had an awesome run in 2009, adding some 170 million phone connections to take the subscriber base to nearly 550 million.
Headley is FBI's second biggest catch
Washington, Dec 29 The arrest of Pakistani-American David Coleman Headley, a key suspect in the Mumbai terror assault that left 166 people dead, is the FBI's second biggest catch this year, says the American agency on its official website.
RIL completes KG-D6 block's capacity assessment
New Delhi, Dec 29 The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd announced on Monday that it completed the assessment of design capacity of gas production facilities at D6 block in Krishna Godavari basin last week.
Draped in sari, Japan's First Lady set to charm India
New Delhi, Dec 29 Draped in six yards of elegance, Japan's First Lady Miyuki Hatoyama, a former actress and an occultist, touched down in India along with her husband Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. In Delhi, she will visit a Hindu temple and have an interaction with slum children.
'3 Idiots' grosses Rs.93 crore in opening weekend
New Delhi, Dec 29 Aamir Khan starrer comedy-drama '3 Idiots' created a record by earning around Rs.93 crore ($20 million) in its opening weekend. Reliance BIG Entertainment, which is the distributor of '3 Idiots', released the movie with about 2,000 prints across 40 countries.
Poverty declined after reforms in India
Bhubaneswar, Dec 28 The economic reforms have helped in reducing poverty in India, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said on Sunday, but admitted a lot more needed to be done.
Japanese PM arrives in India
New Delhi, Dec 28 Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama arrived in India on Sunday for the annual bilateral summit that will have trade and defence as the main items on the table. However, a civil nuclear agreement is still not likely to be reached this time.
GOPIO to honour 7 for community service
Washington, Dec 28 The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will recognise seven persons with its community service awards at a convention in New Delhi on January 6 just before Pravas Bharatiya Divas 2010.
Congress celebrates 125th anniversary
New Delhi, Dec 28 The Congress is set to launch its yearlong 125th anniversary celebrations Monday and leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi will address a rally in the national capital.
MSMEs to be economic activity hub
New Delhi, Dec 28 Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will emerge as the hub of economic activity in India if the government earmarks 10 percent of its purchases from the sector and relaxes bank rates for it, an industry body has said.
Exports up from small scale units
New Delhi, Dec 28 Exports from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are on the rise despite the rising cost of raw materials and stiff global competition, says the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
India's tech industry relieved as 'Year of Satyam' blows over
Bangalore, Dec 28 It's a year Indian IT sector would like to forget for more than one reason. Even as the industry was braving a global meltdown, its reputation was hit early 2009 when Satyam Computers founder B. Ramalinga Raju confessed to a $1.4-billion fraud.
Mongolia to set up IT outsourcing centre with India's help
New Delhi, Dec 28 Mongolia, the land of the legendary warrior Chingis Khan, is all set to open its first major IT outsourcing centre with India's help. While the two countries are working together in a number of fields, information technology (IT) is one in which they have close collaborations, the country's envoy said.
Hollywood invests in India
New Delhi, Dec 28 Hollywood studios seem hell bent on carving a niche in India. Despite collaborations like 'Saawariya', 'Chandni Chowk To China' and 'Roadside Romeo' biting the dust at the box office, US-based production houses are willing to invest in Bollywood projects because it will help them find a firm foothold here.
Consumer goods firms revamped to blend with changing times
New Delhi, Dec 28 Whether it was Onida's horned devil or Hindustan Unilever's Liril girls, 2009 saw consumer goods firms bid farewell to iconic brand ambassadors, looking for more innovative marketing strategies and revamped product lines.
Bamiyan-like figures found in Ladakh
Jammu, Dec 28 Ancient rock-cut sculptures of the Buddha, resembling the Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan, have been discovered in the Zanskar area in Ladakh region.
Scientists to rejuvenate orchard in Rishikesh
Lucknow, Dec 28 In Uttarkahand's pilgrimage town Rishikesh, old and unproductive mango orchards owned by the world-famous Tirupati temple trust will regain their lost vigour and produce fruits, with the help of scientists here.
Indian economy can grow 9 pc next fiscal
New Delhi, Dec 26 The Indian economy could grow at 9 percent next fiscal, helped by a rise in domestic demand and higher industrial output, even as high fiscal deficit remained an area of concern, said a senior analyst with Ernst and Young.
Japanese PM to visit India
New Delhi, Dec 26 Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama begins his three-day visit to India on Sunday that will focus on expanding the security dialogue and adding greater economic content to the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Realty firms see ray of hope in 2010
New Delhi, Dec 26 After five years of robust growth till the middle of 2008, the $14 billion Indian realty industry faced a major crisis this year, not just because of a sharp fall in demand but due also to high cost of credit in executing ongoing projects.
Date for services tax to be declared on Jan 8
Kolkata, Dec 26 The date from which the much-awaited goods and services tax (GST) will come into force and replace a plethora of federal and state-level levies is expected to be announced on January 8, according to the chairman of a high-level panel on the subject.
Ten moments that defined India in 2009
New Delhi, Dec 26 An Indian IT czar hiding from the spotlight of a billion-dollar fraud, a former chief minister dodging a mega corruption scandal, a nifty little car making history as the world's cheapest and the glittering Oscars going 'Jai Ho'...there was much to be ashamed of and much to be proud of as an eventful 2009 rolled to an end.
The highs and lows of being an NRI
London, Dec 26 From suffering a surge in racist violence to being conferred the honour of a science Nobel, the Indian diaspora in 2009 lived out the highs and lows that come with being linked to a country that is rising on the world stage.
Poet Ghalib to be remembered at unique event
New Delhi, Dec 26 When the Kathak maestro Uma Sharma, writer-diplomat Pavan K Varma, heritage activist Firoz Bakht Ahmed, poet Gulzar Dehlvi, bureaucrat Abid Hussain and the couplets of Ghalib go together, the churning produces Yadgar-e-Ghalib, a two-day commemoration of Mirza Ghalib on December 26-27 on the inimitable poet's 212th birth anniversary.
Shah’s nomination confirmed as USAID chief
Washington, Dec 25 The United States Senate has approved the nomination of Rajiv Shah to head the US Agency for International Development (USAID), making him the highest-ranking Indian American in the Obama administration.
Delhi says Merry Christmas
New Delhi, Dec 25 The sun was out, so were the cakes and carols! Cutting across faiths, Delhi residents began a fabulous round of merrymaking Friday, with roast chicken and apple pie lunches, visits to friends or simply cozying up with family. It was Christmas day.
Festivities mark Xmas in northeast
Guwahati, Dec 25 Hundreds and thousands of Christians in the northeast attended midnight masses and special morning prayers in churches across the region to pray for peace and the well being of the human race on Christmas day on Friday.
Vajpayee celebrates 85th birthday
New Delhi, Dec 25 It was a quiet 85th birthday Friday for former prime minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has not been seen in public for over a year. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was among those who visited him.
Indian auto industry in top gear
Chennai, Dec 25 Even as global auto majors went into reverse gear in 2009, the Indian industry largely bucked the trend, launching new models for the domestic market and registering significant growth in exports.
Milestones for Indian automobile industry during 2009
January
Bus-making venture between Tata Motors and Brazil's Marcopolo goes on stream at Dharwad, Karnataka.
Mauritius seeks India's help
New Delhi, Dec 25 Impressed by the growing healthcare infrastructure and quality of doctors in this country, Mauritius is seeking India's help to boost its medical tourism industry and has invited Indian healthcare majors to invest in the island nation. Two hospital chains have already responded.
PM greets nation on Christmas
New Delhi, Dec 24 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday greeted the nation on the occasion of Christmas and described the festival as a celebration of peace and love.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to have 1,500 guests
New Delhi, Dec 24 From January 7-9, the next annual jamboree of overseas Indians —Pravasi Bharatiya Divas —is expected to see nearly 1,500 delegates, 14 chief ministers and seven ministers in foreign governments who are of Indian origin.
India's food inflation drops
New Delhi, Dec 24 India's annual food inflation, based on wholesale prices, fell marginally to 18.65 percent for the week ended on December 12 from 19.95 percent the week before even as prices of essential commodities continued to rule high.
India rises to No.1 in Test Cricket
New Delhi, Dec 24 Seventy-seven years after playing their first Test, India realised its ultimate dream of becoming the numero uno in Test cricket and in the process celebrated their 100th Test win beating Sri Lanka at home.
SNS! The hottest spot for film marketing
New Delhi, Dec 24 Aamir Khan created a secret identity on Facebook to promote his new movie '3 Idiots'. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan's 'Paa' also found a major presence on the internet through his blog and his Facebook fan page.
Magic, folklore inspire French band in India
New Delhi, Dec 24 Guess where the popular French folk rock band Moriarty, now on a four-city tour of India, gets its inspiration? From Merlin, the ancient magician who spun his spells in King Arthur's mythical capital Camelot.
Economy will grow 9-10 pc soon
New Delhi, Dec 23 Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday that India's economy would grow at 9-10 percent in the coming two to three years.
India's economic reforms have cut poverty
Washington, Dec 23 Amid signs of growing inequality, India's economic reforms since the early 1990s have brought significant gains to the rural poor as well as the urban poor, according to a new world Bank research paper.
8,000 km road to be laid this fiscal
Kolkata, Dec 23 The Central Government will bid out 8,000 km of road construction contracts in the current fiscal, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said on Tuesday.
Indian goods trains may go up to Dhaka
Dhaka, Dec 23 Bangladesh Railway (BR) is preparing for movement of Indian goods trains right up to the outskirts of the national capital, in a move that would help traders in both countries.
Tripura bank serving through mobile branches
Agartala, Dec 23 The Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB), one of India's 84 Regional Rural Banks (RRB), is appointing business correspondents and opening mobile bank branches to provide banking services in villages and far-flung areas, officials said here on Tuesday.
Indian surgeons give Iraqi boy new life
New Delhi, Dec 23 Undertaking a rare and complicated brain surgery, doctors at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi have saved the life of a 14-year-old Iraqi student. The expensive surgery was funded by Iraqi Christians in Australia, doctors said here on Tuesday.
PIO finds way to save refineries' billions
Washington, Dec 23 Oil refineries worldwide could save billions of dollars in energy costs yearly, by using a novel method developed by an Indian-Amercian chemical engineer.
Delhi was a city in transit: Flashback 2009
New Delhi, Dec 23 The Delhi Metro zipped across the border to Uttar Pradesh, in a first.
Delhi didn't pause to catch its breath as it tried to break, build and beautify ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Ten facets of the changing face of the Indian capital in 2009:
Romance, terror, spook thrillers ruled box office
New Delhi, Dec 23 Bollywood might have faced a low with close to Rs.700 crore (Rs.7 billion) losses this year, but it definitely had its high with hits like 'Wanted', 'Dev D' and 'Kaminey'.
Bhutan King, PM hold talks
New Delhi, Dec 22 Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday held extensive talks with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as they wrapped up agreements in several sectors, from water resources to civil aviation.
India secured its interests at Copenhagen
New Delhi, Dec 22 India has not only protected but enhanced its interests at the Copenhagen climate summit, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said here on Tuesday, adding that the close coordination between India, China, Brazil and South Africa at the negotiations was another big plus to emerge out of the conference.
PM briefs President on Copenhagen meet
New Delhi, Dec 22 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday called on President Pratibha Patil to brief her on the discussions at the Copenhagen climate summit.
Indians above other immigrants in US
Washington, Dec 22 Pepsico chief executive Indira Nooyi inevitably tops the list of what Forbes calls 'Eight Indian-Flavoured CEOs' who lead US corporations with revenues of at least $2 billion as the premier business magazine chronicles the rise of Indians in corporate ranks in America.
Britain-based centre to work for Bihar
Patna, Dec 22 Britain-based International Growth Centre (IGC) will begin to work for the development of Bihar in March next year, an official said on Tuesday.
RIL finds more gas in Krishna basin
New Delhi, Dec 22 Reliance Industries has struck gas for the third successive time at its exploration block in the Krishna Godavari (KG) basin, the company said on Tuesday.
India signs $850 mn loan deal with ADB
New Delhi, Dec 22 In a bid to boost infrastructure development and give an impetus to rural employment, India on Tuesday signed agreements for $850 million-worth loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Divestment money to be spent
Kolkata, Dec 22 The central government will use the proceeds from divestment of public sector undertakings in capital investment for the next three years, an official said on Monday.
IT industry to grow rapidly next fiscal
Kolkata, Dec 22 Coming out of the downturn, the Information Technology (IT) industry is slowly getting back into the growth path and could post double-digit growth next fiscal, a leading industry official said here on Monday.
India's top 10 sportspersons of the year
New Delhi, Dec 22 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, old guard of Indian tennis Leander Paes, new star Somdev Devvarman and golf's new poster boy Chinnaswamy Muniyappa were among the top Indian sportspersons who brought laurels for the country this year.
India’s services sector grew faster
New Delhi, Dec 21 India's services sector expanded at a faster pace in the first seven months of the current fiscal year compared to the like period last year, says a survey conducted by a leading industry body.
India's textile export grows 8 pc in Nov
New Delhi, Dec 21 India's textile exports grew 8 percent in November following a surge in demand from Europe and new markets in Africa and Latin American countries, a textile ministry official said on Sunday.
Govt for private cos in defence imports
Kolkata, Dec 21 The government is trying to help private companies bid for defence deals through its offsets procedure, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said here on Saturday.
'Bihar will be a developed state'
Patna, Dec 21 Professionals from Bihar who have made a mark in various fields at home and abroad say the state is changing and will be developed in the coming years.
'Avatar' grosses Rs.6.75 crore on opening day in India
New Delhi, Dec 21 Acclaimed director James Cameron's much-anticipated 3D sci-fi epic 'Avatar' spelt magic at the box office in the big cities as well as smaller towns by grossing about Rs.6.75 crore ($1.5 million) on its opening day.
NZ hails Karan Johar plans for shoot
New Zealand, Dec 21 Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar will shoot his next production venture 'I Hate Luv Stories' in Queenstown in January, and a New Zealand official has welcomed it, saying it will help promote tourism.
Climate summit okays Copenhagen accord
Copenhagen, Dec 19 Surprising delegates and observers, the climate summit passed the Copenhagen accord within 30 seconds of reconvening its final plenary session on Saturday.
Countries to be paid for planting trees
Copenhagen, Dec 19 While representatives of 192 countries bickered over virtually every word of the Copenhagen Accord, Indian officials were happy that the country had salvaged one of its big proposals — to be paid for enhancing forest cover.
India projects 7.75 pc growth
New Delhi, Dec 19 Amid concern over inflation, due mainly to rising food prices, India on Friday projected a 7.75 percent growth for this fiscal even as the world at large is still struggling to overcome the year-long slowdown.
'Little India' mosque in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Dec 19 The sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has opened ‘Masjid India Muslim’, a renovated mosque patronised by ethnic Indians that has become a symbol of tolerance.
Mukesh Ambani ranked 5th best CEO in the world
Washington, Dec 19 Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has been ranked the fifth best performing CEO in the world by the prestigious Harvard Business Review (HBR) with Apple's Steve Jobs at the top.
Get set, go: domestic travel jumps back from slump
New Delhi, Dec 19 Planning a winter holiday, but haven't done your tickets yet? You may be in for trouble. Experts in the travel industry say there has been a jump in holiday bookings this year, resulting in hotels, flights and trains being chock-a-block with reservations.
A fashionable 2009
New Delhi, Dec 19 Fashion evolves every season. The year 2009 offered a melange of casuals and formals for that killer look, be it checkered shorts and Jodhpurs or velvet jackets and high waist skirts. Taking a peek at the Top 10 fashion trends:
Top 10 Hollywood movies India fell for (Flashback 2009)
New Delhi, Dec 19 Some of the Hollywood offerings that set the cash registers ringing at the box office in India were 'Slumdog Millionaire', '2012' and 'Terminator Salvation'.
Here is a list of 10 most successful Hollywood movies in India in 2009.
UK must invest more in India
London, Dec 18 British companies must ramp up investments in India so that bilateral trade can double from its current $12 billion-level within five years, offering Britain growth opportunities as it emerges from the recession, India's high commissioner to Britain says.
India at climate mini-summit
Copenhagen, Dec 18 Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva joined leaders from European and African countries for a snap mini-summit on fighting climate change in Copenhagen on Thursday night, officials said.
India, UK may sign civil N pact
New Delhi, Dec 18 India and Britain are likely to sign a civil nuclear agreement during British Business Minister Peter Mandelson's six-day visit that starts on Friday.
'Economic growth may exceed 7.75 pc'
New Delhi, Dec 18 Encouraged by a 7.9 percent growth in the Indian economy during the second quarter of this fiscal, the Finance Ministry on Friday said the overall economic expansion during the year could even exceed 7.75 percent.
Bihari-origin summit on development
Patna, Dec 18 Nearly 100 people of Bihari origin who made their mark in different fields in India and abroad will gather here on Saturday for a two-day conclave to explore opportunities for playing effective roles in the state's development.
Digital music finds a place in Bollywood
New Delhi, Dec 18 Indian filmmakers are now looking at the digital medium to make up for losses due to music piracy. Actor Aamir Khan and singer Lucky Ali were among those who tried to catch up with the new media in 2009.
Akshay runs in Winter Olympic relay
Toronto, Dec 18 Bollywood star Akshay Kumar announced here on Thursday that he would make a cross-cultural film on Canada with ice hockey as the theme even as he ran in bone-chilling temperature for the Winter Olympic torch relay.
India's top 10 sportspersons
New Delhi, Dec 18 Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, old guard of Indian tennis Leander Paes, new star Somdev Devvarman and golf's new poster boy Chinnaswamy Muniyappa were among the top Indian sportpersons who brought laurels for the country this year.
The rise of the Indian American
Washington, Dec 17 If Indian Americans had helped transform India-US ties into a 'strategic relationship' in the Bush era, 2009 was a year of consolidation as Barack Obama set out to build bridges around the world.
Rural jobs scheme renamed after Bapu
New Delhi, Dec 17 Parliament on Thursday approved a bill renaming a flagship rural jobs scheme after Mahatma Gandhi.
Few new Bollywood faces, but how they dazzled
Mumbai, Dec 17 Fresh faces failed to make a smashing debut in Bollywood this year. But actors like Mahie Gill, Kalki Koechlin, Giselle Monteiro and Shurti Haasan did stand out. Here are 10 newcomers who made a mark:
Faster, cooler computers on their way
Toronto, Dec 16 Indian-origin researcher Sanjeev John and his colleague Xun Ma of the University of Toronto have discovered new behaviour of light which could lead to cooler and faster computing.
Shahid, Abhay, Priyanka — the winners
Mumbai, Dec 15 There weren't too many hits this year, but actors like Shahid Kapoor, Abhay Deol and Priyanka Chopra not only rose above the script but gave performances that towered above the rest.
Top 10 Bollywood songs of 2009
New Delhi, Dec 14 Bollywood churns out hundreds of films and many more songs year after year since music is an integral part of Indian cinema. The year gone by had chartbusters like \'Emosanal attyachaar\' and \'Masakalli\' that thoroughly entertained listeners.
PM invites PIOs to join growth story
Washington, Nov 26 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has invited people of Indian origin abroad to take advantage of modern technology and flexible policies to build a 'true intellectual and business partnership' between Indians and Americans.
India-US to focus on five Es
Washington, Nov 26 Economy, energy, environment, education and empowerment — the India-US relationship will accord new emphasis to these areas, says Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, adding that ties in defence, security and counter-terrorism will be consolidated.
Superman chronicles -- from Smallville to Malegaon
Panaji, Nov 26 Good things come in small packets. And sometimes they also come in unexpected casings. A case in point is 'Malegaon Ka Superman'. Made at a low budget of Rs.1 lakh, it has travelled to several international film festivals and the maker claims that it can do better business than 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
'Opportunity to build N-free world'
Washington, Nov 25 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November 24 called his state visit to the US 'a moment of great opportunity in our relationship' to address global challenges of terrorism, making the environment cleaner and moving towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Obama recognises India as 'N-power'
Washington, Nov 25 In what is seen as the first public recognition of India as a 'nuclear power', US President Barack Obama on November 24 said it can be a full partner of the US in preventing the spread of atomic weapons and pursuing the shared vision of a nuclear arms-free world.
India, US to expand strategic ties
Washington, Nov 25 Reaffirming the 'global strategic partnership between India and the United States, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama have vowed to expand it for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia, and for the betterment of the world.
The Who's Who at PM-Obama dinner
Washington, Nov 25 Guess who came for US President Barack Obama's first state dinner? Hollywood moguls, billionaire tycoons, powerful senators and prominent Indian Americans gathered for the hottest social event in town at the White House on November 24 evening.
A night to remember: Obama
Washington, Nov 25 President Barack Obama's first state dinner in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has created quite a buzz in the US media with one daily calling it a 'Night to remember' and another focusing on how 'A-listers, fund-raisers' made it to the event.
'Aapka Swagat Hai', Obama tells PM
Washington, Nov 25 Under a glowing white marquee with a glass ceiling and chandeliers, US President Barack Obama toasted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the lawns of the White House at the first state dinner of his presidency to celebrate the 'great and growing friendship' between India and the US.
Michelle Obama's dinner gown, made by an Indian
Washington, Nov 25 First Lady Michelle Obama glowed in a silver-sequined, strapless gold and cream gown Tuesday night at the first state dinner hosted by her husband in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She owed her dazzling appearance to the Indian-born US-based designer Naeem Khan.
President Patil flies in fighter jet
Pune, Nov 25 President Pratibha Patil looked natty in an olive green G-suit instead of her usual sari on November 25 and flew in a Sukhoi Su-30 jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), calling her experience wonderful and unique and said a decision to induct women into the fighter stream would be considered.
India stronger after 26/11: Sonia
New Delhi, Nov 25 Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said that India had 'emerged stronger' after the 26/11 attacks and the terrorists had also 'miserably failed' to break the spirit of Mumbai.
Healthcare to become $77-bn sector in India by 2012: Report
New Delhi, Nov 25 India's healthcare sector is expected to grow at 23 percent annually to become a $77-billion industry by 2012, a report released on Wednesday said.
Bihar conclave to discuss socio-economic change
Patna, Nov 25 Nearly 200 delegates who have made their mark in different fields will come together here next month for a conclave to look at ways to accelerate the pace of socio-economic change in Bihar.
PM heads to US, to meet Obama Tuesday
New Delhi, Nov 21 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday left for a four-day visit to the US as the first state guest of President Barack Obama.
India-US partnership is essential: Manmohan Singh
New Delhi, Nov 21 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said India is looking forward to building on the strategic dialogue with the US and seeking greater cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, services, energy, science and technology and defence.
CII business delegation in US
New Delhi, Nov 21 Coinciding with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's state visit to Washington, a high-level business delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is in the US to push economic ties between the two countries.
PM to have Buss-up-shut at T&T meet
Port-of-Spain, Nov 21 Buss-up-shut, a type of paratha, along with other local curries washed down with coconut water will be on the menu of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he arrives in this Trinidad and Tobago capital for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) November 27-29.
'India will be among top 3 economies'
Washington, Nov 21 Discerning a dramatic shift in the world's economic balance of power, a US think tank has projected that by 2050 India would become one of the three largest economies of the world with the US and China.
Top Indian hospitals woo medical tourism from Canada
Toronto, Nov 21 India has launched a big initiative to woo medical tourism from Canada, showcasing the country's high-end and much cheaper healthcare industry to Canadians.
Manmohan's US visit: Beyond N-deal...
New Delhi, Nov 20 Moving beyond the transformational nuclear deal, India and the US are set to unveil a new template for deepening strategic partnership on key global challenges, ranging from counter-terrorism to non-proliferation and climate change, when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets US President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.
Over 30,000 Indians visited NZ
Hamilton, Nov 20 As many as 32,573 Indian nationals obtained visitor visas during 2008-09 for New Zealand which has topped a survey of tourism organisations from around the world to rank the best destination brands, says official data released on Friday.
India should aim at $300-bn export target by 2014: Assocham
New Delhi, Nov 20 India must set an export target of $300 billion by 2014 as global economies would recover by then, says the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
India to have guidelines for probiotic food by 2010
New Delhi, Nov 20 Scientists on Friday said that the government was in the process of formulating guidelines for regulation of probiotic foods, which have flooded the Indian markets, and the guidelines would be in place by January 2010.
India very important country in Asia: Dalai Lama
New Delhi, Nov 20 The Dalai Lama on Friday said here that India should be seen as one of the most important Asian countries. He also stressed that while he no longer considered himself the temporal leader of Tibetans, China had 'revitalised' him as a politician.
Disinvest, use money for green assets: Finance Commission chief
New Delhi, Nov 20 The government should sell off half its public sector undertakings and use the $200 billion it will thus make to build environmental assets, 13th Finance Commission Chairman Vijay Kelkar said here Friday.
Cape Verde seeks Indian help to develop its IT
New Delhi, Nov 20 India has offered all help to the small African island nation of Cape Verde, which has asked for assistance especially in developing its information technology sector.
Barack Obama bags popular at trade fair
New Delhi, Nov 20 If you are a fan of US President Barack Obama and want to take him everywhere with you, then buy one of the many jute bags with images of him and his family on them available at the India International Trade Fair (IITF).
Rs.9.2 bn to promote Indian systems of medicine
New Delhi, Nov 20 The health ministry will spend Rs.9.2 billion this financial year for promoting Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) - the Indian systems of medicine -- in the country, Minister of State for Health S. Gandhiselvan told parliament Friday.
Honeywell bets on India for growth opportunities
Bangalore, Nov 20 Global technology and manufacturing major Honeywell International is upbeat on growing its business in India in the light of opportunities emerging in aerospace, homeland security, environment and infrastructure.
FIH ties up with SAIL as World Cup sponsor
New Delhi, Nov 20 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Hockey India (HI) Friday announced a sponsorship tie-up for the 2010 World Cup with the Steel Authority of India (SAIL).
Tendulkar crosses 30,000 runs in international cricket
Ahmedabad, Nov 20 Sachin Tendulkar reached another milestone Friday when he completed 30,000 runs in international cricket en route his century on the last day of the first Test against Sri Lanka here.
Hillary, PM to have 'regional' talks
Washington, Nov 20 Apart from participating in bilateral meetings and events at the White House during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will have a separate one-on-one meeting with Manmohan Singh, focusing on regional issues in south Asia.
First women navigators in Navy
Kochi, Nov 20 Another glass ceiling was broken on Friday as two women were commissioned into the Indian Navy as navigators in the flying branch, in a way also becoming the first women combatants in the armed forces.
Green lessons for school kids
Lucknow, Nov 20 Imagine riding through a lush green forest, soaking in lessons on the environment. That's what many school students in Uttar Pradesh are about to experience, thanks to the officials of a wildlife sanctuary.
Of art, memories and new interpretations
New Delhi, Nov 20 Artistic memory is spreading itself beyond the brain, says noted Mumbai-based poet, art critic and curator Ranjit Hoskote, whose show 'Retrieval Systems' in the capital, featuring five leading contemporary artists, deals with the 'nature of memory and how it preoccupies artists'.
India pays tribute to Indira Gandhi
New Delhi, Nov 19 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Thursday led the nation in paying homage to Indira Gandhi, the country's first and only woman Prime Minister, on her 92nd birth anniversary.
Infocrossing inks deal with US firm
Bangalore, Nov 19 Wipro subsidiary Infocrossing signed a five-year deal with the US-based Cliffs Natural Resources Inc, an international mining and natural resources firm, to provide IT infrastructure services, the global software major said on Thursday.
'Women vulnerable to climate change'
New Delhi, Nov 19 Women, particularly those in poor countries, are among the most vulnerable to climate change, said a United Nations report released here on Thursday.
Haryana's exports touch Rs.35,000 cr
Chandigarh, Nov 19 Despite the global slowdown, Haryana's exports crossed the Rs.35,000-crore mark in 2008-09, a top government official said here on Thursday.
Exhibition shows peoples' resilience
New Delhi, Nov 19 It was a photo exhibition on climate change, but instead of the negative impact of the phenomenon, it showcased how people in rural India are coping with changes in climate and evolving new ways to cope with it.
White House celebrates Gurparab
Washington, Nov 16 After Diwali, the Obama White House for the firsttime celebrated Gurparab, Guru Nanak's birth anniversary, with about 125 Sikh men in colourful turbans and women in traditional Punjabi dress.
'Parliament is for the youth to cherish'
New Delhi, Nov 16 Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is keen that young Indians connect with parliament, the 'beautiful institution' that has 'stood the test of time'.
Kerala among 23rd best destinations
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 Kerala tourism needed some good news after being hit by global recession and the Thekkady boat tragedy in September. It has got the pep with the National Geographic rating its backwaters as the world's 23rd best destination, giving the sector a reason to smile.
Ministers prepare for climate summit
Copenhagen, Nov 16 Some 40 environment ministers gathered on Monday in Copenhagen for preparatory talks ahead of the UN climate change conference that opens next month in the Danish capital.
Emirates to increase Kolkata flights
Kolkata, Nov 16 Dubai-based Emirates Airline is all set to increase its weekly flights to 12 from the city from December 3, a company official said here on Monday.
India's Sensex tops 17,000 points
Mumbai, Nov 16 Indian equities soared and pushed a key index above the 17,000-point mark on Monday as sentiments were buoyed by the positive weekend numbers on industrial output and some positive cues from the government on its divestment plans.
Kabuliwala beckons Indians at international trade fair
New Delhi, Nov 16 With a wide variety of dry fruits, herbs, fruits, saffron and intricately woven colourful carpets, Afghan stalls are a major draw at the ongoing India International Trade Fair here that is on till November 27.
8 PIOs on Canadian PM's delegation
Toronto, Nov 15 Lacking a majority in Canada's House of Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits India from Monday with a delegation of eight prominent Indo-Canadians, fuelling speculation that he is eyeing valuable Punjabi and Gujarati votes.
Bollywood-Nigerian film industry tie-up in the offing
London, Nov 15 After 50 years of charming African audiences with its song-and-dance capers, Bollywood is set to rendezvous with the Nigerian film industry at an international film festival next month, courtesy a British film producer.
Sikh becomes first mayor of Yuba City
Yuba City (California), Nov 14 Yuba City, which became the first Indian settlement in the US and is now known as the first Punjabi village in this country, got its first Sikh mayor this week.
Meira Kumar leaves for New York
New Delhi, Nov 13 A parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Friday left for New York to attend the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the Third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.
Memorial to Canadian troops by CMOHC
Toronto, Nov 13 The Canadian Museum of Hindu Civilization (CMOHC) will build a memorial to Canadian soldiers who have lost their lives in the eight-year-old mission in Afghanistan.
Africa needs to decide on Indian help
New Delhi, Nov 13 It is up to African countries to decide what kind of partnership they want with India, said a senior Indian academic.
Canada needs India more, says paper
Toronto, Nov 13 A nuclear deal with India is a must to save Canada's nuclear industry, a respected Canadian daily said here ahead of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's visit to India next week.
UK PM launches campaign in Southall
London, Nov 13 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has chosen an Indian-dominated London suburb to give his nation a long-awaited speech on immigration, setting off speculation this was the launch of his 2010 election campaign.
Domestic call centre market growing
New Delhi, Nov 13 With around 500 firms sending out promotional messages or calling up for bill payment reminders, the domestic call centre market is seen growing 33 percent per year to top $6.82 billion by 2013, says leading global market research and analytics firm IDC.
Bihar attracts Rs.1,032 cr investment
Patna, Nov 13 Bihar, one of the poorest states in the country, attracted private investments worth Rs.1,032 core in the last four years, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said on Friday.
Artefacts by leprosy patients a hit in capital's handicrafts fair
New Delhi, Nov 13 From exquisite candles and jewellery to beautifully embroidered shawls and salwar-suits - a range of handicrafts made by leprosy patients is up for sale at the 17th Dastkaar Nature Bazaar in the capital.
IDF to get legal footing in US
Washington, Nov 12 India plans to register the India Development Foundation (IDF) in the US to put the agency tasked with rural development on a legal footing here, according to Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi.
Rudd's wife first foreign lady dignitary to lay wreath at India Gate
New Delhi, Nov 12 Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's wife Therese Rein laid a wreath at the India Gate memorial to the 'unknown soldier' Thursday, becoming first foreign female dignitary not holding an office to do so, an official said here.
Multinationals flock to IIM-Bangalore for internees
Bangalore, Nov 12 In a clear sign that the impact of the slowdown is behind, multinationals flocked to Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) to offer placements to the entire batch of 348 first year students of the two-year post-graduate programme in management.
CWG-2010 to showcase India: Selja
New Delhi, Nov 12 Commonwealth Games 2010 has given an opportunity to showcase India as a unique and hospitable tourism destination, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said on Thursday.
India shows bull market for gold intact: Forbes
Washington, Nov 5 India's purchase of 200 tonnes of gold for $6.7 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 'shows central banks are getting on board with the idea that the bull market in gold still has legs,' according to Forbes magazine.
Hyundai looking overseas for talent
Chennai, Nov 5 The country's second largest car manufacturer, Hyundai Motor India, is looking overseas for talent at the levels of general managers and group heads for its product design and marketing divisions, a senior official has said.
WEF marks 25 years with India
New Delhi, Nov 5 The World Economic Forum will hold its three-day India Economic Summit in New Delhi from Sunday, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the key speaker, to mark 25 years of active engagement between the Davos-based organisation and India.
More Indians graduate in maths, science than in US, Japan
New Delhi, Nov 5 India's infrastructure on education may have a long way to go to reach global standards, but when it comes to the sheer number of students graduating in maths and science, the country outperforms the US, Europe and Japan, says a new study.
Beatles drummer loves his biryani
New Delhi, Nov 5 Born in Chennai in 1941, Pete Best, the original drummer of The Beatles, has been living in Liverpool from 1945, but the musician still has an Indian connect and loves to gorge on biryani.
'Indian firms face data loss risk'
Bangalore, Nov 5 Increasing use of IT infrastructure by Indian enterprises to enhance productivity and expand operations in a competitive environment has led to growing security risks such as loss of critical data, a study by the intelligence marketing firm IDC (India) Ltd. has revealed.
EU pushes for India trade pact
New Delhi, Nov 4 Ahead of the India-EU summit this week, a European diplomat Wednesday called for fresh impetus to the stalled talks on a trade pact and stressed that it was time 'to jump into the cold water of give and take' to conclude the deal.
Mike Pandey to head IFFI jury
Panaji, Nov 4 Green Oscar winner Mike Pandey and documentary filmmaker Shaji Karun have been nominated as the heads of jury for the environment and documentary sections of the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), an official said Wednesday.
Delhi's budget tourist hubs to get facelift
New Delhi, Nov 4 Paharganj and Karol Bagh, two congested areas of the national capital that house innumerable budget hotels and crummy guest houses, are soon to get a facelift before next year's Commonwealth Games, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said here Wednesday.
CordLife eyes India as good market
Kolkata, Nov 4 CordLife, one of the leading stem cell banking groups in the Asia Pacific region, is targeting expansion of its network in India and China, considering the huge birth rate in these two Asian nations, a top official said Wednesday.
India, Nepal to hold talks on security
New Delhi, Nov 4 India and Nepal will begin two-day home secretary level talks Friday with effective cooperation in combating terrorist activities and trans-border crimes high on the agenda, an official said Wednesday.
Pratham USA names IITian as chairman
Washington, Nov 3 Arvind Sanger, an Indian American with a B. Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has been appointed chairman of Pratham USA, which helps underprivileged children in India to learn reading and writing skills.
Yoga, curry and a taste of India for US soldiers
New Delhi, Nov 3 Up with the sun to sit cross-legged, finishing the day with curry and naan, the 250-odd US soldiers in India for a fortnight-long joint exercise got more than what they expected -- but they weren't complaining.
UK announces Manmohan scholarships
New Delhi, Nov 3 Offering an opportunity to poor Indian students to study in Cambridge University, Britain, the British Council has announced the Dr. Manmohan Singh scholarships for 2010-12.
Arvind Sanger new Pratham USA head
Washington, Nov 3 Arvind Sanger, an Indian American with a B. Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has been appointed chairman of Pratham USA, which helps underprivileged children in India to learn reading and writing skills.
Bihar cattle fair attracts foreign tourists
Patna, Nov 3 Asia's largest cattle fair at Sonepur in Bihar is attracting foreign tourists. Scores of them have visited the annual event, tourism department officials said on Tuesday.
Madhubani art impresses Mauritius
Patna, Nov 2 Mauritius has invited two experts of the famous Madhubani paintings of Bihar to train its artists and art teachers at a workshop beginning Nov 4, an official said in Patna Monday.
India-EU summit on Friday
New Delhi, Nov 2 India and the 27-nation European Union will on Friday hold their 10th summit that is expected to give a much-needed impetus to a proposed trade pact and expand cooperation in areas ranging from counter-terrorism and the global financial crisis to energy security and climate change.
JMDC eyes overseas markets
Kolkata, Nov 2 In its bid to promote and make people aware of jute products, the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC) is eyeing the African, East European and Canadian markets, an official said here on Monday.
Madhubani paintings attract Mauritius
Patna, Nov 2 Mauritius has invited two experts of the famous Madhubani paintings of Bihar to train its artists and art teachers at a workshop beginning November 4, an official said here on Monday.
Golf: Kashmir hosts 22 foreign envoys
Srinagar, Nov 2 Aiming to convey to the world that Jammu and Kashmir is a safe tourist destination, the state government hosted ambassadors of 22 countries to a friendly golf championship on the banks of the Dal Lake.
Searching for roots in India
New Delhi, Nov 1 Five people of Indian origin are on a journey to India to visit the villages that their ancestors left over a hundred years ago to work on sugar plantations in Caribbean colonies.
Vayalar Ravi, who assumed office as Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs on January 30, 2006, was born in 1937 in Vayalar village of Kerala's Alappuzha district... 
India will soon begin issuing electronic passports to its citizens within three days of applying using biometrics and digital technology...