VOL: 2 ISSUE 48
Lahore attack: 6 SL cricketers
injured; none critical
Lahore, March 03:
Te r r o r s t r u c k
cricket on Tuesday when
the Sri Lankan cricket
team, which is in Lahore to
play the second Test was
attacked upon by a gang of
highly trained terrorists,
injuring at least six players,
though none were critically
wounded.
The Sri Lankan
Sports Minister, Lokuke
Gamini, has confirmed to
the reporters that six of the
players were injured and
taken to hospital. The
injured players are: Thilan
Samaraweera, Tharanga
Paranavitana, Kumar
Sangakkara, Ajantha
Mendis, Mahela
Jayawardene and Thilan
Thushara. Also, Ehsaan
Raza, the fourth umpire of
the match, who was in the
team bus is said to be
critical.
However, Punjab
G o v e r n o r, S a l m a a n
Tahseer, claimed that no
Sri Lankan player was
critically injured in the
attack and all are safe at
the moment.
The news was
also confirmed by Sanath
Jayasuriya, who spoke to a
TV channel from Sri Lanka,
said that he had spoken to
Kumar Sangakkara, who
informed him that though
there were few injuries,
everybody was safe.
Father of the
outgoing team skipper
Mahela Jayawardene said
his son had just called his
wife from Lahore to say
that he too had suffered
minor injuries in his leg
during the attack that had
shocked the nation.
Tour Cancelled
The Sri Lankan
March 03, 2009
cricket board has trained and bore Ahmed Ali said the two
cancelled the tour with resemblance to the police commandos had
immediate effect and a Mumbai terror attacks in been driving behind the
confirmation came from the way it was executed. team bus when they
President Rajpakse’s In the meanwhile, the were hit.
office that the Sri Lankan Pakistan police have "It was a very
team had indeed been released the sketches of heavy firing and I heard
called back by the the assailants and it has at least two explosions at
been confirmed that they the time," said a witness
had automatic weapons. who had been on his way
I n c i d e n t a l l y, to cover the Test match
media reports claimed between Pakistan and
that the police knew of a Sri Lanka.
plan to attack the team Pakistan only
and hence the route invited the Sri Lanka
taken by the convoy team to tour after India's
today was kept a secret team pulled out with
but it seems that the security concerns
terrorists had better following the militant
information. attacks on the Indian city
A witness told of Mumbai in November.
reporters he believed two
police commandos were -Agencies
government it saw no killed along with a regular
way to continue with the policeman and a traffic Monday through Friday
tour. warden. Shopkeeper
Meanwhile, The
International Cricket
Council (ICC) has called
in an emergency meeting
in Colombo to assess the
situation and take stock.
How It Happened
As per initial
reports the attack
happened outside the
Gaddafi stadium when
the team was passing
through the Liberty
roundabout. A group of
gunmen (Reportedly 12
in number), armed with
automatic weapons,
were waiting there in a
white car, then resorted
to indiscriminate firing at
the convoy and even fired
rocket launchers.
S e v e n
policemen have lost their
lives while two other are
reportedly injured.
Some of the
slain policemen have
been identified: Zafar
Khan, Mudassar, Tipu
S u l t a n a n d Ta n v i r
Ahmed.
S t r i k i n g
Similarities with Mumbai
Attacks
The authorities
are suspecting it as a
handiwork of one
Pakistan’s many active
terror groups. Punjab
G o v e r n o r, S a l m a a n
Tahseer, while confirming
the incident claimed that
the attackers were highly
Page 2 Times Chennai E-Paper
MK asks partymen to work for
alliance victory in LS polls
Chennai, March 03:
Alleging that
some forces were trying to
create a rift in the
Congress-DMK alliance,
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
and DMK President M
Karuananidhi on Tuesday
called upon partymen to
take a pledge to preserve
the alliance and strive to
work for its victory in the
May 13 Lok Sabha
elections.
T h e D M K
leader's call to strengthen
the alliance comes a day
after AICC Secretary
Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is
in charge of Tamil Nadu,
asserted that the
Congress-DMK alliance
will continue for the May
13 Lok Sabha elections.
Referring to a
report in a Tamil Daily that
some Congress District
Secretaries and State
office-bearers had told Mr
Azad in yesterday's
meeting that the high
command should consider
alliance with AIADMK as it
would be natural, Mr
Karunanidhi said, ''We do
not know who had said like
that, but those leaders
should recall Ms
Jayalalithaa's personal
attack against Congress
P r e s i d e n t a n d U PA
Celebrations Galore for Women’s Day
at Residency Towers
Chennai, March 03:
This year The
Residency Towers has
drawn up numerous
events to celebrate
“International Women’s
Day” in style and at very
attractive prices.
Main Street
A spectacular buffet at
both lunch & dinner,
showcasing the signature
dishes of The Residency
Chairperson Sonia
Gandhi during the 2004
Lok Sabha elections.
He said after
meeting leaders of
various political parties
and especially
those in the
Congress, Mr
Azad, who
called on him
last evening,
had declared
that the victory
alliance of
Congress-
DMK would
continue for
the Lok Sabha
elections.
H o w e v e r, a
Ta m i l D a i l y
carried a report that
some Congress leaders
have told Mr Azad that
they were against
Congress-DMK alliance,
he said. If at all some
Congress leaders have
expressed such a view,
they should recall the
AIADMK leader's attack
against Ms Gandhi in
choicest epithets during
the 2004 Lok sabha poll
campaign.
Accusing the daily of
trying to confuse the
DMK cadres, Mr
Karunanidhi exhorted
partymen to ignore such
disinformation
campaign, destroy the
forces, which tried to
destablise the alliance
and work for its victory.
Mr Karunanidhi
said ever since the
C o n g r e s s - l e d U PA
Government came to
power at the Centre in
2004, the DMK, which is
a constituent of the
alliance, accorded
unstinted support to the
Towers. And to honor
this day ….an exclusive
offer for our lady guests
– one buffet with our
compliments for every
five buffets. Plus recipe
cards and the
entertaining duo of
Heather & Ashley.
The Crown
Enjoy candle lit alfresco
dining and great
music….and for all the
March 03, 2009
Strike to continue: Tamil Nadu
lawyers tell Supreme Court
Government, following senior counsel K K It evoked sharp
the dharma of alliance New Delhi, March 03 : Venugopal appearing for reaction from those
and coalition. Some Ta m i l N a d u the Supreme Court Bar appearing for Tamil Nadu
people and a section of lawyers on Tuesday told Association for lawyers who alleged that
the media did not like the the Supreme Court that resumption of work the Solicitor General was
unity between the two they would not call off forthwith in the interest of discriminating against the
parties and were bent their strike till appropriate the litigants in Tamil Nadu lawyers.
upon breaking the action was taken against had no effect on the State All are awaiting
alliance, right from the the police officials lawyers who were for the report of retired
responsible for attack on determined to continue judge of Supreme Court
day one, he said, adding
them in the Madras High with their strike till Justice B N Srikrishna who
after making indirect
Court on February 19. appropriate action was has been appointed by the
moves to wean away the
The Madras taken against the police apex court to conduct a
Congress to its side, the
High Court Advocate officials responsible for judicial enquiry to fix the
AIADMK leader had
Association counsel the attack. responsibility against those
even openly invited the
today told the apex court The apex court who were behind the clash
Congress to join hands
bench comprising Chief today adjourned till which virtually paralysed
with her, willing to ditch
Justice K G Balakrishnan March 6 the hearing of courts in Tamil Nadu and
the Left parties. the case.
and Justices P Puducherry.
''Who will go to Earlier Solicitor
Sathasivam and J M Justice Srikrishna
them after having seen General G E Vahanvati
Panchal that they were has been requested by the
the trouble the AIADMK defended the police
prepared to work on court to submit his report
gave to former Prime officials and blamed the
Saturdays and Sundays within two weeks.
Minister A B Vajpayee lawyers for the clash
to make up for the loss of
during 1998-99,'' he between the police and
litigants in the state. - Agencies
said. lawyers.
The plea of
''That was why
Congress leader
Veerappa Moily had
asserted that the
Congress-DMK alliance
was firm, after Ms
Jayalalithaa extended
an open invitation to the
Congress to renew its
ties,'' he added.
Even after
realising that the parties
were firm in the alliance,
some people expected
differences between the
Congress and the DMK
on the Sri Lankan Tamils
issue and tried to create
a rift.
However, both
the parties took a
uniform stand on the
Lankan Tamils issue and
they shared a common
view that the Tamils in
the island nation should
be protected, he said.
-Agencies
ladies, a select
complimentary dessert .
Bike & Barrel
Lady D.J. Sana to spin
tracks by leading female
artistes. Complimentary
“house” cocktail for our
lady guests, raffle &
receipe cards -8pm
onwards.
-Staff reporter
March 03, 2009 Times Chennai E-Paper
Priyanka Gandhi arrives in brother
Rahul's political turf
Amethi, March 03:
A day after the
announcement of General
Elections, Priyanka Gandhi
Vadra Tuesday arrived in
this Uttar Pradesh town to
spend the day in her
Congress MP brother
Rahul Gandhi's political
constituency where she will
meet party workers and
p e o p l e .
Though there was
no announcement of any
formal launch of the party's
election campaign from
here, the arrival of the
charismatic fourth
generation Gandhi is seen
as significant in the light of
the announcement of
general elections that
begin next month.
Priyanka, who
flew down in a chartered
aircraft from Delhi to the
Fursatganj flying academy
Govt may get Gandhi's rare assets
New York, March 03: The
US-based owner of
Mahatma Gandhi
memorabilia, up for auction
here this week, has offered
to "donate" the rare
collection to India if it
agrees to spend five
percent of its gross
domestic product (GDP)
o n t h e p o o r .
James Otis owns
five personal belongings of
Gandhi -- his metal-
rimmed glasses, pocket
watch, a pair of sandals,
and a plate and bowl --
which India is under
intense pressure to acquire
on the grounds they are
part of its national heritage.
"... if the (Indian)
government decides to
allocate five percent of the
GDP to or announces
some major scheme for the
poor, who're very near to
airstrip in Rae Bareli,
drove straight to
Gauriganj, where she will
attend the closing
ceremony of a Congress
Sewa Dal camp.
She is to travel
through villages of the
Amethi parliamentary
constituency and hold a
meeting of senior
Congress leaders at
M u n s h i g a n j .
Huge crowds
gathered all along her
nearly 80 km drive to
catch a glimpse of
Priyanka, who is quite a
rage among the locals.
"She reminds us of her
grandmother Indira
Gandhi, whose charisma
she seems to have
inherited," remarked 70-
year-old Shushila Devi,
who had walked some 8
km to take a look at
the heart of Gandhi or
announces some other
scheme which would
benefit them, I will even
donate these items," he
said.
Otis said that he
has added two more
items of Gandhiji to the
five already being
auctioned. These include
his blood report from the
then Irwin hospital in
Delhi and a signed
telegram he sent to
students participating in a
non- violent struggle at
that time.
In fact, his
statement came in the
wake of several Indian-
American leaders
including hotelier Sant
Singh Chatwal
announcing their
intention to bid for the
rare collection and, if
National
P r i y a n k a .
The Congress
party's workers feel
Priyanka could make all
the difference, not only in
A m e t h i a n d
neighbouring Rae Bareli
- her mother Sonia
Gandhi's constituency -
but also all across Uttar
Pradesh, which sends 80
members to the national
p a r l i a m e n t .
"Priyanka
Gandhi could really do
the magic that is required
to revive the Congress
party in UP. I don't know
why she remains
confined only to Amethi
and Rae Bareli,"
wondered a senior
Congress leader, who
preferred anonymity.
-Agencies
successful, hand it over
to the Indian government.
However, it was
not clear whether Otis
would be able to get out
of the contract with
auctioneers who get
commission on the sale
proceeds, but he claimed
that an arrangement
could be worked out with
them.
Neither the
Antiquorum Auctioneers'
spokesperson was
available for comment
nor an email sent elicit
any response.
The auctioneers
had earlier valued
Gandhi's belongings at
around USD 20,000 to
30,000 but the
controversy could raise
the price much higher.
-Bureau Report
India’s indigenous aircraft carrier
may be named INS Vikrant
New Delhi, March 03:
In line with the
tradition of naming new
warships of the same
type on decommissioned
ones, India's first
Indigenous Aircraft
Carrier (IAC) being built
at Kochi may be named
after the legendary INS
Vikrant which the Navy
operated successfully
during the 1971 Indo-Pak
war.
"It is a tradition
in the Navy to name new
warships of the same
type on decommissioned
warships. The idea is no
warship ever dies. The
BJP to announce Haryana LS
candidates on March 9
Sonepat, March 03:
The BJP will
announce on March 9 the
names of its candidates
who will contest the
upcoming Lok Sabha
elections from Haryana,
President of the party's
state unit, Atam Parkash
Manchanda, told
reporters here on
Tuesday.
He said that
although the BJP is
contesting the elections
in the state in alliance
with the Indian National
Lok Dal (INLD), the two
parties are yet to reach a
decision about sharing of
new warship continues
the legacy and is always
referred to as a
continuation of the
decommissioned
warship. In accordance
with tradition, the IAC, in
all likelihood, will be
named INS Vikrant,"
Navy officers said here
on Monday. However,
they said, it was too
premature, as the IAC
building has just begun
and it may take a while
before a decision on its
name is taken.
"First a list of
names are suggested
and then the President of
seats.
Manchanda
said that the sate BJP
core committee which
met here yesterday, has
recommended the
names of its candidates
for six Lok Sabha seats,
n a m e l y, A m b a l a ,
Faridabad, Sonepat,
Gurgaon, Rohtak and
Karnal.
The party's
Central Parliamentary
Board will announce the
names after its meeting
in New Delhi on March 9
to discuss the
recommendations and
finalise the list of
Page 3
India, who is the Supreme
Commander of the Armed
Forces, takes a decision
and approves the name.
The decision is likely to
come just before its
commissioning in 2015,"
he said. The IAC is also
being designed from the
very beginning as India's
first warship that will
provide separate
accommodation facilities
for women naval personnel
who may sail on warships
once the government
decides to allow them to do
so.
candidates, he said.
T h e
recommended names are
Rattan Lal Kataria
(Ambala), Ram Chander
Bainda (Faridabad),
Kishan Singh Sangwan
(Sonepat), former MP
Sudha Yadav and Sudesh
Yadav, wife of former Union
Minister Hukam Deo
Narain Yadav (Gurgaon),
Captain Abhmanyu and
O . P. D h a k a r ( R o h t a k ) ,
former Union Minister of
State for Home Affairs,
I.D.Swami, Atam Parkash
Manchanda and Niti Sen
Bhatia (Karnal).
-Agencies

JMM to form separate front to

fight polls in Jharkhand
Ranchi, March 03:
Unhappy with the
United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) over not
getting support to form an
alternative government in
the state, the Jharkhand
Mukti Morcha (JMM) said
Tuesday it will form a third
front with smaller parties to
fight the Lok Sabha
elections in Jharkhand.
"We are in favour
of forming a third front with
support of the Left and
smaller parties of the
state," Dulal Bhuiya,
national general secretary
of JMM, told IANS
Tuesday. "We will try to
bring the Left parties like
the CPI, CPI-M, Forward
Bloc and smaller parties
under one platform to form
a third front. The front will
fight against the NDA
(National Democratic
Alliance) and the UPA."
Asked about
aligning with the UPA,
Bhuiya shot back:
"Where does the UPA
exist in Jharkhand? The
UPA partners cannot
decide on a minor issue,
then how can we be part
of UPA?" The JMM is
unhappy with the
Congress and Rashtriya
Janata Dal (RJD) for not
supporting it to form an
alternative government in
the state.
"The JMM is the
single largest party of the
UPA with 17 legislators,
and the Congress and
RJD have nine and seven
respectively. Despite
being the single largest
party of UPA we were not
supported to form the
government," he said.
JMM chief Shibu Soren
quit as chief minister on
Jan 12 after losing a key
assembly by-election he
needed to win to remain
in the post. The JMM
projected three
legislators as possible
successors, but they
were rejected by the
Congress and RJD.
Jharkhand is under
president's rule since Jan
19 and the state
assembly has been kept
under suspension.
In the 2004 Lok
Sabha elections, the
Congress and JMM had
formed an alliance to fight
the elections. The
alliance swept the
elections in the state. The
UPA, including RJD,
bagged 13 of the 14 Lok
Sabha seats. The BJP
won one seat.
Political experts
feel that if the JMM
succeeds in forming a
third front then it could
give a tough time to both
the NDA and UPA in the
state. At present the JMM
has four MPs from
Jharkhand.
Page 4 Times Chennai E-Paper
US collector declines
India's offer for Gandhi items
Washington, March 03
A California
collector who plans to sell
possessions once owned
by Mahatma Gandhi says
he has rejected a
"generous but small" offer
from India and barring a
last minute agreement
Thursday's planned
auction would go ahead.
"Indian officials
approached me this
morning with a generous
but small offer that I
respectfully declined,"
James Otis told IANS over
the phone Tuesday from
Los Angeles.
Otis,45, a peace
activist, refused to spell
out the offer saying "it was
financially so small that I
would not like to repeat it."
But he has
agreed to meet Indian
o ff i c i a l s a t 1 0 a . m .
Wednesday in the
company of Lester Kurtz,
Professor at George
Mason University, in
Fairfax, Virginia.
Otis an avid
collector of Gandhi
memorabilia has for the
past decade been working
with Kurtz, a leading
scholar on Gandhi on
three projects, including a
four-hour television
documentary titled
"Peaceful Warriors-A
History of Non-violence."
But as of now the
auction of Mahatma
CIA destroyed 92 interrogation tapes:
Obama Administration
New York/Washington,
March 03:
T h e C I A
destroyed 92 controversial
interrogation tapes, the
Obama Administration has
informed a New York court
and termed the
development "sad".
The information
about destruction of 92
interrogation tapes by the
CIA under the previous
Bush Administration was
submitted by the
Department of Justice in
response to a lawsuit filed
by the American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU),
seeking records of
treatment of prisoners in
US custody abroad.
"The large
number of videotapes
destroyed confirms that
the agency engaged in a
World March 03, 2009
Ferocious storm paralyses East
Coast sending several cars into
Gandhi's Zenith pocket
watch, steel-rimmed
indicated he would be
happy to negotiate some
dtches, grounding flights
spectacles, a pair of kind of solution that New York, March 03: parts of Tennessee conference, standing in
sandals and an eating might satisfy both A ferocious received the biggest front of an orange snow
bowl and plate would go parties. storm packing freezing snowfall since 1968. plow at a garage. Central
ahead as scheduled in "I have a rain, heavy snow and The 15-mile Park recorded 7 inches of
New York March 5. The contract with the auction furious wind gusts traffic jam in North snow, and more than a foot
collection has a reserve house to sell these paralyzed most of the Carolina caused no was reported on parts of
price of between items, but as you know East Coast on Monday, serious problems and Long Island, where high
sending dozens of cars authorities were able to winds caused 2-foot drifts
$20,000 and $30,000. you can make a deal
careening into ditches, get traffic moving again. on highways in the
The New York prior the auction. I would grounding hundreds of Travelers were Hamptons.
auction house, be very happy to flights and closing school stranded everywhere, The storm offered
Antiquorum Auctioneers, welcome any serious for millions of kids. with about 950 flights a hint of irony in a couple of
with whom Otis has offers from the Indian The devastating canceled at the three cities. People had to brave
signed a contract to sell government and it might effects of the storm were main airports in the New the snow and cold to attend
the items, too said the not even have to be seen up and down the York area and nearly 300 the annual Philadelphia
"auction is going ahead financial," he said. coast. A crash caused a flights canceled in Flower Show, an indoor
15-mile traffic jam in Philadelphia. Boston's exhibition that provided a
tomorrow (Wednesday) "There are
North Carolina, forcing Logan International fragrant, spring-like
despite an interim stay things they could offer in police and the Red Cross Airport had to shut down glimpse of yellow daffodils,
by Delhi High Court. terms of helping the to go car-to-car to check for about 40 minutes to crimson azaleas and white
A people of India that I on stranded drivers. The clear a runway, and tulips. In the nation's
representative of the would more than storm was blamed for hundreds of flights were capital, hundreds of
auction house told IANS, welcome, for example 350 crashes in New canceled there. protesters gathered on
"We have been improving health care for Jersey, and a Maryland Philadelphia Capitol Hill to protest a
contacted by the Indian the poorest Indians in official counted about 50 declared a Code Blue power plant and global
cars in the ditch on one weather emergency, warming during one of the
consulate and we'll be exchange for the items."
stretch of highway. which gives officials the worst storms of the year.
meeting them." But the Besides Gandhi By Monday, the authority to bring In Fairfax, Va., 8-
person declined to memorabilia, the March storm had moved north homeless people into year-old Sarah Conforti
comment on when the 4 and 5 auction will into New England, and shelters because the said Monday's day off was
meeting would take feature a collection of most areas in the storm's weather poses a threat of just what she'd been
place or what they would over 400 important wake expected to see at serious harm or death. hoping for, and planned to
talk about. timepieces from across least 8 to 12 inches of Dozens of "make a snowman or play
The Indian the globe. These include s n o w. T h e w e a t h e r schools across North in the snow with my
contributed to four deaths Carolina, South Carolina, friends," she said.
embassy here too a watch that belonged to
o n r o a d s i n New Hampshire, New H e r m o t h e r,
declined to comment on P r e s i d e n t J o h n F. Massachusetts, Rhode Jersey and Maine gave Noelle Conforti, said Sarah
what the mission was Kennedy and later Island and on Long children a snow day. and her 10-year-old sister
doing to stop Mahatma Aristotle Onassis and a Island. Schools in Philadelphia, couldn't be happier about
Gandhi's personal unique Patek Philippe Diane Lugo, of Boston and New York the school-free day. "The
belongings from going wristwatch made for Yonkers, N.Y., got a ride City did the same. It was kids are against the
under the hammer, Henry Graves. with her husband to avoid the first time in more than window, just looking out the
which has triggered a walking 10 minutes in the five years that New York window like a cat," she
slush to her bus stop. City called off classes for said. "It's hilarious."
public outcry in India. -Agencies
"Getting out of the its 1.1 million public Outside a medical
Earlier, before driveway was pure hell," school students. center in New Rochelle,
he was contacted by Lugo said. "He got to Some New York N.Y., Emilia Rescigna
Indian officials, Otis had work late. I'm obviously parents complained that struggled to push a stroller
late." the city waited until 5:40 through the snow and
The South was a.m. to call off classes, slush. Asleep in the stroller
especially hard hit, saying they didn't have was her 1-year-old son
dealing with record
snowfalls, thick ice and
enough notice. Mayor
Michael Bloomberg
Adam, who had a 9 a.m.
appointment with his
hundreds of thousands of
power outages in a
brushed off the criticism
and praised the city's
pediatrician. The snow
began to accumulate in
systemic attempt to hide a question on this issue, region not accustomed to storm response, which New Hampshire and
such vicious weather. included dispatching Massachusetts as the
evidence of its illegal White House spokesman
I n N o r t h 2,000 workers and 1,400 storm moved north, but
interrogations and to Robert Gibbs told Carolina, Raleigh got plows to work around the most residents there were
evade the court's order," reporters, "Obviously the more than 3 inches of clock to clean New York's taking it in stride "This is
ACLU attorney Amrit development is not good; snow; the March snowfall 6,000 miles of streets. New England, after all,"
Singh alleged in a it's sad." for the city has exceeded "It's like plowing said Dave Richardson of
statement. -Agencies 3 inches only 11 times in from here to Los Angeles Salem, Mass.
A m r i t i s the last 122 years. The and back," Bloomberg -Agencies
daughter of Indian Prime Weather Service said said at a news
Minister Manmohan
Singh.
"The CIA can
now identify the number
We all dived to the floor to take cover: Jayawardene
of video tapes that were Lahore, March 03: injuries appear to be The team bus
driving to the stadium,
destroyed. 92 video Sri Lanka the gunmen targeted the minor at this stage and was shot and grenades
tapes were destroyed," cricket captain Mahela wheels of the bus first caused by debris," he were also lobbed towards it
said Acting US Attorney Jayawardene said that and then the bus," said. by armed terrorists on its
Lev Dassin in a letter the players dived to the Jayawardene was At least six Sri way to the Gaddafi
submitted to the New floor of the bus to take quoted as saying by Lankan cricketers Stadium for the third day of
York court. The details of cover when the team bus Cricinfo. including Jayawaredene, the second and the final
the videotapes destroyed came under heavy fire "We all dived to his deputy Kumar Test match here. Five
have not been released from terrorists, on the the floor to take cover. Sangakkara, Ajantha escorting policemen were
yet. These tapes relate to way to Gaddafi Stadium About five players have Mendis, Thilan killed in the attack that took
for the Test match here been injured and also Samaraweera and place near the Liberty.
interrogation done by CIA
Tuesday. Paul Farbrace (a Tharanga Paranavitana
post-9/11. "The bus came received injuries in the
member of the support -Agencies
Responding to under attack as we were attack.
staff), but most of the
March 03, 2009 Times Chennai E-Paper
Tata to unveil Nano's
European version
Geneva, March 03:
Largest Indian
auto maker Tata Motors,
which is gearing up for the
commercial launch of Nano
in India this month, will be
unveiling the European
version of the small car --
touted as cheapest in the
world -- here on Tuesday.
According to
industry sources, the
company would showcase
the car at the Geneva Motor
Show.
"The version for
the European market will
be more fuel efficient,
better emission compliance
Bearish phase may pull down
India's GDP to 3%: Morgan Stanley
New Delhi:
Continuation of the bearish
phase in the global
economy could pull down
India's economic growth
rate to a dismal 3 percent in
2009, said international
financial services major
Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley's
research report released
today said, depending
upon the extent of
economic recovery in the
developed world, India's
Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth rate during
2009 could range between
Indian economy to take a year
to recover: Moody's
New Delhi, March 03:
The year 2009 is
set to be more difficult for
the Indian economy and
despite the government's
stimulus packages, it
would take at least a year
before it starts recovering,
economists at Moody's has
said.
“I don't think the
stimulus is sufficient to start
a recovery. The most it can
do is to minimise the
magnitude of a further
slowdown... India will most
likely start to recover in the
March quarter (2010),"
Moody's economy.com
economist Sherman Chan
said from Sydney.
She added this
year would be more difficult
t h a n l a s t y e a r. " W e
probably won't see a solid
rebound until early 2010.
The US needs to recover
first. Then global economic
activity will begin to pick
up," Chan added.
The Indian
economy grew by 5.3
percent in the third quarter
a n d w i l l b e
technologically superior,"
they added.
F u r t h e r, t h e
sources said the car,
which would be
showcased here, would
comply with Euro-V
emission norms.
However, Tata
Motors spokesperson
was unavailable for
comment.
Last year, the
auto maker had
displayed the luxury
version of the Indian
Nano at the Geneva
Motor Show.
3 per cent and 5 percent.
"Based on bull-
bear case outlook for G7
(club of developed
countries), we see bull
scenario growth for India
at 5 percent in 2009 and
7.4 percent in 2010 and
bear case at 3 percent in
2009 and 4.5 percent in
2010", it added.
However, on an
average, the report
projected India's
economic growth rate for
2009 at 4.3 percent and
for 2010 at 6.1 percent.
\ According to
of this fiscal, its lowest
rate in over five years,
against a whopping 8.9
percent a year ago, as
agriculture and
manufacturing output
contracted.
T h i s h a s
ensued debate between
the government and the
economists. While the
government is still
confident of achieving
close to seven percent
growth this fiscal,
economists at various
global financial
institutions see a further
fall in the figures. When
asked if the 'worst' is over
for the Indian economy,
she said it is difficult to
say as the whole year is
expected to be extremely
tough.
However, the
slight improvement can
be seen in the October-
December 2009,
because the US
economy will slightly
rebound by then, which
should help to give global
Business
Following the
event, many car makers
across the world came up
with plans for similar low-
cost small cars.
Ta t a M o t o r s
would commercially
launch Nano in India on
March 23.
UK-daily The
Times has reported that
there is no confirmed
launch date for Europe
and Nano is likely to have
t o u n d e r g o a
comprehensive redesign
to meet European safety
standards.
-Agencies
advance estimates of
national income released
by the government
recently, the economic
growth rate during 2008-
09 is expected to
moderate to 7.1 percent
from 9 per cent in the
previous fiscal.
The third
quarter growth (October-
December 2008) rate has
been estimated at 5.3
percent, down from 8.9
percent posted during the
corresponding period last
year.
- Agencies
business confidence
some support.
In addition to
the two stimulus
packages, recently, the
government announced
a Rs 30,000-crore boost
to the slowing economy
by cutting excise duty
and service tax by two
percent each.
T h e
government has also
extended a four per cent
reduction in excise duty,
provided in the first
stimulus package,
beyond this fiscal-end. It
also announced cut in
excise duty on bulk
cement by two percent.
According to
Commerce Minister
Kamal Nath, the worst is
over. "I believe the worst
is over," Nath said,
adding, the last two
months of the current
fiscal would be much
better in terms of growth.
- Agencies
Hyundai Feb sales soar 45.31%
New Delhi, March 03:
The country's
second largest
c a r m a k e r, H y u n d a i
Motor India, on Monday
reported a 45.31 percent
jump in domestic
passenger car sales at
21,215 units during
February as against
14,600 units a year ago.
The company's
cumulative sales
(including exports)
during February were up
by 31.91 per cent at
38,254 units compared
to 29,001 units in the
same month a year ago,
Bajaj posts 17% fall in motorcycle sales;
Yamaha's sales zoom by three fold in Feb
New Delhi, March 03:
Tw o - w h e e l e r
maker Bajaj Auto on
Monday reported a
16.94 per cent fall in its
motorcycle sales in
February at 1,31,785
units as against
1,58,662 units in the
same month last year.
To t a l t w o -
wheeler sales during the
month stood at 1,32,393
units, a 17 per cent
decrease over the same
month last year, Bajaj
Auto Ltd (BAL) said in a
statement.
The company
had sold 1,59,508 units
of two-wheelers in the
year-ago period.
BAL's exports
also plummeted by
RBI watching rupee movement
closely: Shyamala Gopinath
Mumbai, March 03:
The Reserve
Bank on Tuesday said it
is closely monitoring
developments in the
forex market and would
take appropriate action
on monetary policy as
and when necessary.
"We are closely
m o n i t o r i n g
developments in the
market. The dollar has
strengthened against
other major currencies.
Our policy on the rupee
has not changed," RBI
Deputy Governor
Shyamala Gopinath told
reporters here.
Page 5
Hyundai Motor India Ltd market situation continues
(HMIL) said in a to be challenging and not
statement. much should be read into
Its exports for the February growth as
the month rose by 18.32 last year in February, the
percent at 17,039 units budget was to be
compared to 14,401 announced and a
units during the same substantial amount of
month previous year. sales were deferred till
HMIL sold March," HMIL senior vice
34,285 units of president (Marketing and
hatchbacks Santro, Sales) Arvind Saxena
Getz, i10 and i20, 3,900 said.
units of Accent and The company
Verna, 66 units of expected flat sales for the
Sonata Transform and industry for the quarter
three units of its SUV ending March this year, he
Tucson in February. added.
"The overall - Agencies
19.70 per cent at 50,738 by three-fold
units in February from Tw o - w h e e l e r
63,182 units a year ago. maker India Yamaha
The company's Motor on Monday reported
total vehicle sales stood an almost three-fold
at 1,53,782 units last increase in sales during
month compared to February at 15,033 units
1,83,807 units in the as against 5,746 units sold
year-ago period, down in the same month last
by 16.34 per cent, the year.
statement said. "We are seeing
"Lower three- the year 2009 as a
wheeler sales continue progressive year. YZF-
to reflect the subdued R15 and FZ16 have
state of the commercial helped us in the
v e h i c l e revitalisation of Yamaha
industry...exports are
expected to continue to
brand in India and have set
sales rolling," India
be slow through this
quarter relative to the
Yamaha Motor Chief
Executive Officer
first three quarters of Yukimine Tsuji said in a
FY'09," BAL said. statement.
Y a m a h a - Agencies
Motor's Feb sales zoom
The domestic advanced economies,
currency today Gopinath said the
weakened to a historic Reserve Bank did not see
low of 52.04 per dollar in any "systemic risks" in the
intra-day before closing domestic market as gross
at Rs 51.93/94. There is and net NPAs of banks
speculation in the market were under manageable
that the apex bank is levels and they are
likely to intervene in the sufficiently capitalised.
forex market in the days "There is a
ahead. resilience in the financial
Asked about system. It is difficult to
further easing monetary conclude that NPAs will
policy, Gopinath said the rise. We don't see any
apex bank would take systemic risks," Gopinath
appropriate action as said.
and when necessary.
Noting that the -Agencies
financial crisis had a
significant impact on
Page 6 Times Chennai E-Paper
Napier ODI: India cruise to
53-run win over NZ
Napier, March 03:
A c l i n i c a l
approach to the game by
the Indian camp after the
T20 series loss got them
the desired results as the
Men in Blue notched up a
fine 53 runs victory over
New Zealand in the first
ODI of the five match
series.
It was a day when
Harbhajan ‘Turbunator’
Singh came back in his
pristine form and sent
tremors down the Kiwi
batting line-up. He claimed
three crucial wickets in the
day’s play and ensured
that the tempo for the rest
of the series was set.
The Indian
players wore black
armbands as a symbol of
their support to the Sri
Lankan team over the
terrorist attack in Lahore.
The only valiant
To review 2011 World Cup
plans in next 48 hrs: ICC
New Delhi, March 03:
Tu e s d a y ’ s
terrorist attack on the Sri
Lankan cricket team in
Lahore, Pakistan has cast
a shadow over the 2011
World Cup to be played in
the Indian sub-continent.
The International
stand from the hosts’ end
came from the willow of
Martin Guptill, who
cracked a fine fifty before
being claimed by a wily
Bhajji special at 64.
Even the part
time bowlers Yuvraj
Singh and Yusuf Pathan
came true in the hour of
need and maintained a
tight line and length to
make sure that the
required run-rate only
piled up for
t h e could not manage to
opponents.
T h e
Indian ODI
campaign
started on a
solid note as
the comeback
p a c e r
P r a v e e n
Kumar rattled
the Kiwi top
order with his
deliveries.
Dange
r m a n
B r e n d o n
McCullum
was shown
the exit for a
duck and his
o p e n i n g
partner Jesse
Ryder too departed at 11
runs to become the
second victim of Praveen
K u m a r .
Yusuf Pathan
ensured that the wickets
didn’t dry up as he got
Ross Taylor just when the
batsman started to
dictate the proceedings
at Napier.
A f i n e
performance by the
Indian batsmen saw the
Cricket Council (ICC), the
sport’s governing body,
condemned the attack on
the Sri Lankan team,
saying it upset the "wider
c r i c k e t f a m i l y. "
ICC chief
executive Haroon Lorgat
further said that the
Sports March 03, 2009
Dhoni happy to have
escaped Pakistan tour
visitors post New
Zealand a daunting Napier, March 03: the middle and was quite Pakistan as per schedule?
target of 278 for victory in Indian cricket shocked to hear about it. I Dhoni said "That's a thing
the allotted 38 overs. captain Mahendra Singh just heard the Sri Lankan of the past. W e
A fiery knock of D h o n i o n Tu e s d a y cricketers are fine. It is were supposed to tour New
66 off just 39 deliveries by expressed shock at the sad that sportspersons Zealand. I am happy that
left hander Suresh Raina terror attack on Sri are being attacked. Hope
put India in the driver’s Lankan cricketers and they are all fine."
seat after India had lost said the Indian Dhoni said that
two quick wickets in the government had taken there are a few places
form of swashbuckling
the right decision of were you have to be
Sehwag (77) and Yuvraj
Singh (2). Indian captain cancelling a scheduled guarded.
MS Dhoni played a tour to Pakistan in "Of course, they
captain’s knock of 84 January-February. are a few places where
runs from 89 balls to "I am glad I am you have to be aware of
steer India to a huge total in New Zealand. I don't where you are and what
of 273 from 38 overs. have to worry about is happening around you.
A couple of hits these incidents. Now on, We are quite happy not to
to the fence and one over cricketers will be on alert. be in this kind of situation.
it from Yusuf Pathan (21 However, there is not People say sport is not
off 10) also helped the
much a cricketer could targetted.
team’s cause.
At the start of have done in a situation "But you are not
the Indian innings, the like this, espescially immune to it. Once a guy
home team was rocked when the whole convoy is decides we have to we didn't tour Pakistan. I
by a stupendous attacked," said Dhoni, attack the cricketers, we am happy that the
performance from the bat who heard about the are not tough targets. government didn’t allow us
of Virender Sehwag who attack on the Sri Lankan Cricketers roam about to tour Pakistan. It may
smashed 77 runs from cricketers when he was freely while on tours. So have happened to us or it
just 56 balls after Sachin batting in the first one- you have to be aware," may not have happened to
Tendulkar had departed day international against Dhoni said. us. But overall I am happy
after scoring 20.
New Zealand. On being asked to be here," said Dhoni.
Yuvraj Singh
"I was right in what if India had toured -Agencies
make an impact as he
was wrapped up for 2
r u n s b y a
misunderstanding on the
crease that resulted in a
run-out.
The match
resumed after a delay in
the proceedings due to a
drizzle, as a result of
which the match was
reduced to 38 overs a
side.
A slight drizzle
over the ground resulted
in a short delay in the
ongoing match after a
period of 4.3 overs.
MS Dhoni had
won the toss and elected
to bat first against New
Zealand. The Indian
squad was bolstered by
the entry of Sachin
Tendulkar in the playing
eleven.
Ishant Sharma
had to miss the game due
to a shoulder injury. The
speedster expressed
hope that he’d be able to
regain fitness before the
second ODI.
-Agencies
governing body will meet
to review the 2011 WC.
"We will take the
decision on the 2011
World Cup in the next 48
hrs," he said.
-Agencies
March 03, 2009 Times Chennai E-Paper Page 7
Page 8 Times Chennai E-Paper March 03, 2009

Owned Edited and Published by S. Raghunathan Editorial and Advertisement

Office: F 5 and 6 1st Floor, Leo Complex, New No: 41, Madley Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017. Ph: 42867771, 42697393