Gujarati News: May 2006

GBJYM ready to compromise
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 | AY

The Gujarat Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (GBJYM), a youth wing of the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is ready for a truce with Aamir Khan — provided Khan parts way with the Medha Patkar-led Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). GBJYM played a vital role in banning Fanaa in Gujarat. Meanwhile Aamir told that it is the party that has blown this issue out of proportion. He had made it clear earlier that this is his individual movement and that he is not supporting any organisation on this issue.

Car dealers pull Aamir ads
Monday, May 29, 2006 | AY

Toyota car dealers in Ahmedabad and in Vadodara have decided to pull back print advertisements and hoardings featuring the star. Aamir is the brand ambassador of Toyota Innova. The Toyota Innova dealers have decided to discontinue using Aamir’s face on their advertisements because they wish to support the stand taken by the state on the actor’s anti-Gujarat stand. The local dealers of Toyota Innova do not want to hurt the sentiments of their customers who come to their showroom and see posters, cut-outs and hoardings of a personality who has taken a stand against their state and its requirements. Reacting to the controversy on Aamir, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP and actor Shatrughan Sinha said the actor should “apologise” to the people of Gujarat.

CM inaugrates summer festival
Sunday, May 28, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating a three-day summer festival at Saputara hill station in Gujarat. The festival would showcase cultural events, including Dangi dance, food-festival and package tour of Dangs, situated on the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. The Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) that was organising the festival has built cottages and hotels for tourists, he said adding that the Gujarat government has granted Rs 10 crore for various developmental projects, including drinking water supply, in view of the festival. Saputara, a hill resort is located at an altitude of 872.9 metre above sea level on a plateau in the Dang's thick forest of Sahyadri range while Dangs is one of the most delightful districts of Gujarat and located high in the hills it was the original homes of Tribals. Dangs, which is also mentioned in the epic Ramayan as `Dandakaranya', means a hilly village as well as bamboo, which is also in abundance in the district.

Sasuye Jamai Ne Phatkaryo
Saturday, May 27, 2006 | AY

Writer-producer and director Rajendra Patel has commenced the shoting for VBS Film Production’s 'Sasuye Jamai Ne Phatkaryo' from May 12 at Film City to be followed at Khanna House, Mumbai. The movie stars Rikin Trivedi (London) who plays the main lead with Chandani Chopra, Himani Shivpuri, Monika Thakkar, Amandeep who are also participating in the current spell. Other credits are music Santosh Nair, lyrics Varun Gautam, cinematography by Alokdas Gupta, choreography by Kanu Mukherjee, editor and executive producer is Ram Kishore Prasad

IIM Ahmedabad seeks foreign staff
Saturday, May 27, 2006 | AY

The prestigious IIM Ahmedabad is facing a severe shortage of teachers, a crisis that will hit not just classes in India but also the institution's global expansion plans. Consequently, the HRD ministry, after sitting over the proposal for more than a year, has finally given the nod for the institute to raise its faculty strength from the current 82 to 120. Although the institute is planning to begin courses in Paris and Singapore by next year, presently, they are finding it difficult to conduct their domestic courses properly. They will be doubling the size of the PGPX (post graduate programme for executives) next year, and we are also launching a new MBA programme for public enterprise managers and civil servants. The implementation of reservations would mean a further and unplanned increase in seats, which will need additional infrastructural development and faculty. Therefore, the IIMs are now planning to request MHRD to allow the hiring of foreign faculty.

Boycott all Kashmiri goods in Gujarat
Saturday, May 27, 2006 | AY

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has now called for a boycott of Kashmiri goods in retaliation for the death of four Gujarati tourists in a terrorist attack in Srinagar yesterday. VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia today appealed to the people of Gujarat not to buy or sell Kashmiri apples, handicraft, carpets or shawls, and not to visit the tourist paradise. He argued that a boycott of Kashmiri goods and tourism in the rest of the country would break the backbone of the militants who thrive on “our tourism money”. A similar threat hangs over Aamir Khan, whose troubles in the state aren’t over with the unofficial ban on Fanaa. The state BJP youth wing has said it would call for a boycott of all products endorsed by the actor, who had yesterday refused to apologise for his support to the Sardar Sarovar Dam oustees.

ISRO finds new archaeological site
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 | AY

The existence of a new archaeological site, expected to be older than Dholavira by over 15,000 years, near Maruda Takkar hill has been confirmed following research carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The current site, located in an remote location, is hardly 12 km away from Pakistan. ISRO has extensively used space borne remote sensing technology for resource inventory and environmental monitoring, though its use in archaeological applications has been relatively recent. The location of Maruda Takkar site is so remote that assistance of Border Security Force is required to reach there. Earlier, ASI has discovered a Harappan site at Kuran near Khavda in Kutch. The image of the Maruda Takkar was first taken in 1990 and then a research team of ASI had also visited this site in 1997.

Italian passenger created tension
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 | AY

An Italian passenger aboard Indian (IA) Delhi-Ahmedabad flight, craeted a tension on the flight when she told her co passenger that she has a "Bomb on her Mind". This statemnet of her's made the flight evacuate all its passengers. Reports were that the Italian lady was under medication and having a splitting headache, according to police. They added that her crouching posture raised suspicions and led to a miscommunication about the "bomb on her mind." The woman was under great tension because of her medical condition and muttered the words to her curious co-passenger, who suspected something fishy due to her tense brows.

Gujarati meet planned in New Jersey
Monday, May 22, 2006 | AY

The Gujarati Association of North America plans a global meet - with political seminars, cultural events and kite flying - in the US during July 'to acquaint the second generation with their cultural roots'. The association expects 3,000 Gujaratis to attend the convention in New Jersey July 7 to 9. Their main intention is to make the second generation, who are now complete American, aware about their cultural roots. They want them to remain connected with Gujarat. Prakash Parekh, who is on the board of directors of the New Jersey Development Authority, said the three-day meet may 'prove an initiative in our efforts to make New Jersey and Gujarat sister states'.

CALP doing good in Gujarat
Sunday, May 21, 2006 | AY

With the computer-aided learning programme (CALP) being implemented in 717 government-run primary schools across Gujarat in partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation yielding impressive results, the Government has decided to cover 500 more schools under the programme. Under this programme, the GCPE has set up a five-computer lab in each of the 717 primary schools, while labs equipped with ten and six computers have been created in at least two schools in each of the 25 districts and 225 talukas, respectively. The Azim Premji Foundation, set up by the Bangalore-based computer giant WIPRO, has provided the Council free-of-cost specially-designed animated pictorial software to make teachers’ task easier while imparting education to primary students. The 20 CDs containing animated software with interactive features in Gujarati language cover 14 topics in maths, four in science and two in environment.

Generator powered by wind
Saturday, May 20, 2006 | AY

A 49-year-old innovator from Rajkot has developed a unique alternate current power generator. The power generator can be used to light a farmhouse or provide electricity to rural areas along the coast. The generator is powered by wind and has a capacity of delivering power of around 100 watts even at very low wind speeds. The way the generator works is that the wind blows through the blades attached to the metal body generator and rotates them. The rotation causes a magnet and a coil inside the generator to come closer to each other. The two parts help in converting wind energy to electrical energy. Roughly an average of 12 volts is always produced even when the wind speeds aren't very high. The electricity that is created then passes through to a battery attached to a bulb. The battery in turn will be connected to an inverter that can boost the minimum energy generated to more than ten times, enough to run the fans and lights a house.

Dubai realty group has its eyes on Gujarat
Saturday, May 20, 2006 | AY

Emaar MGF Land Private Limited is planning to invest over Rs 1,000 crore in townships, hotels, malls, and IT parks in the state. Emaar MGF Land Private Limited is a JV between Emaar Properties PJSC Dubai and MGF Development of India. Emaar Properties has a market capitalisation of over $40 billion and is the world’s largest real estate company. It has to its credit projects like Burj Dubai project, regarded as the tallest building in the world which will be ready by 2008. The phase two for Gujarat will begin after two months and the company is in the process of scouting land in various places of Ahmedabad. Emaar MGF will also set up a mall in Ahmedabad. The mall will be two notches above the rest and will be spread in over half a million square feet.

Fanaa may not see light in Gujarat
Saturday, May 20, 2006 | AY

"Fanaa" will be released in theatres across Gujarat as exhibitors are not willing to screen the movie. Aamir Khan may disappoint his fans in Gujarat, thanks to some strong statements he has made against the government relating to Vadodara riots. In fact, film producer Yash Chopra is believed to have met chief minister Narendra Modi. Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti was also taken off the screens when he spoke in favour of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. The hardcore Aamir fans, meanwhile, are just hoping the matter is sorted out and they get to see the star first day first show.

NRI wins UK award
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 | AY

NRI industrialist Nat Puri, who donated one million pounds as relief for victims of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake has been honoured with the inaugural Hindu Forum of Britain's award for Excellence in Community Service. The award was presented to 65-year-old Puri, the dynamo behind the Nottingham-based Melton Medes Group, by Geoff Hoon, leader of the House of Commons in the presence of India's High Commissioner to Britain, Kamlesh Sharma. The industrialist, who is now worth about 100 million pounds, first realized his grit and determination to succeed in the aftermath of the Partition in India in 1947.

GCMMF may become producer company
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 | AY

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF, better known as Amul) is set to become a producer company. The proposed transformation, from a cooperative to a company under Section 581B of the Companies Act, is expected to be discussed at the Federation's board meeting soon. The Rs 3,600-crore GCMMF is now a cooperative registered under the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, which is seen as being very restrictive. The State Government's permission is required for everything now, from opening of offices in other States to investment of surplus funds, issue of bonus shares, election of Chairman and appointment of statutory auditors. It gives lot of scope for official interference. The Companies Act, which is a Central legislation, is comparatively more liberal, especially since the passing of an amendment in 2002 enabling creation of `producer companies'.

Biogas bottling plant offers vehicle fuel at Rs 8 per kg
Monday, May 15, 2006 | AY

As petrol and diesel prices go higher and higher, here comes a cheaper, eco-friendly alternative- Biogas. Based on the technology developed by the Centre of Rural and Technology Development at IIT-Delhi, broadening the application of bioagas has given a new eco-friendly and cost-effective vehicular fuel called compressed biogas (CBG). The plant is mobile. Mounted on a four-wheeler, it can be installed any place where cowdung is available. Energy Minister Saurabh Patel and Agriculture Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasma saw the demonstration of a Maruti van driven by CBG even as they inaugurated the plant, located 6 km from Dhoraji in Rajkot district. CBG is cheaper and more effective than not only petrol and diesel, but also CNG. According to an estimate, it can give fuel efficiency of 16 km per kg (for a Maruti van) and costs only around Rs 8 per kg, whereas CNG costs around Rs 24 per kg.

Aamir Khan blames Modi
Monday, May 15, 2006 | AY

Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who had to face the ire of BJP and Congress workers in Gujarat when he had joined the protest against Narmada dam last month, has slammed the Narendra Modi government for its alleged failure to control violence in Vadodara recently. "I think it is (Vadodara incident) very sad and what happened in Gujarat a few years ago was also equally unfortunate. It`s a shame that the administration is not able to control the situation there and it is resulting in deaths of innocent people," according to a BBC transcript of the interview.

Medical students continue strike
Monday, May 15, 2006 | AY

Medical students of different colleges in Ahmedabad on Sunday continued their indefinite strike to protest against the Centre's proposal for reservations for OBCs in institutes of higher education. Over 600 under-graduate medical students and interns of BJ Medical College, dental college, physiotherapy and nursing colleges are on strike. They had on Saturday taken out a rally in the civil hospital campus. The anti-reservation demonstrations in Ahmedabad have been peaceful as compared to those in Delhi and Mumbai, where police used batons and water cannons to disperse protestors.

Parai Beti
Saturday, May 13, 2006 | AY

Shalimar Productions, a production house dealing with regional films and television programming, has successfully released its first production 'Parai Beti' (Marwadi) in Rajasthan. The company has completed remake of 'Parai Beti' into Gujarati Film titled 'Parki Dikri', Zee Gujarati was the Channel Partner for promotion of this Gujarati translated film.

200 Million Dollar factory to be set up in Gujrat
Thursday, May 11, 2006 | AY

Reuters reported that US based Kholer Company will set up a factory in Gujarat to make Bathroom fixtures. The factory , once functional will provide job oppurtunities for more than 3,500 people. If everything goes on as planned , the production will start as early as the end of next year. By opening the factory , Kholer is aiming big inroads into India's booming market. Currently Parry and Cera Sanitaryware rule the roost in this segment.

World’s 2nd & country’s biggest manufacturer of Bentonite product
Tuesday, May 9, 2006 | AY

The second unit of Kutch-based Ashapura Volclay Limited (AVL) has begun producing acid-activated bleaching earth, an important substitute used as refining and bleaching agent for various vegetable oils, fatty acid, petroleum, lubricating oils and waxes. An Indo-American-Japanese joint venture, it currently produced sixty thousand tonnes of clay and accounted for five per cent of the world’s total production. They planned to increase their capacity by two lakh tonnes or 20 per cent by 2010, he said, adding that they and their foreign partners had chalked out plan to achieve a growth rate of 40 to 50 per cent in the next ten years.

Mild quakes felt in Gujarat
Monday, May 8, 2006 | AY

Mild quakes varying in intensity from 3.7 to 4.1 on the Richter scale were felt in the national capital and parts of Gujarat Sunday evening but there were no immediate reports of casualties. Two quakes were felt in Gujarat. Both measured 3.7 on the Richter scale. The first was recorded at 5.25 a.m. with its epicentre at Banaskantha and the other at 2.55 p.m. with its epicentre in the Kutch region. A devastating temblor measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale had rocked the Kutch region on Jan 26, 2001, claiming over 25,000 lives and causing widespread destruction of property.

NCM seeks report on Vadodara violence
Sunday, May 7, 2006 | AY

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has sought a report from the Gujarat government on the communal violence in Vadodara. Six people were killed and more than a dozen injured in clashes in the walled city over the demolition of a 200 year-old dargah. On last Wednesday morning, a 32-year-old man was burnt alive by a crowd of some 1,500 people. The trouble started May 1 when the Vadodara Municipal Corporation squad started demolishing the dargah and local people began shouting slogans. They later reportedly attacked officials involved in the demolition. The NCM had already recommended a judicial probe into the incident saying state police used excessive force while dealing with the protesters.

Decision to hike the pay for docs
Saturday, May 6, 2006 | AY

The demand for a higher grade pay to non-teaching class I and II doctors in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which is pending since 1994, remains unattended despite the fact that the number of doctors left is low. Technically speaking, there is no hitch in clearing the demand because a statement government resolution already exists in its favour (GR number GAS 1094-2842-T/17-10-1994) and the Rajkot Municipal Corporation already implemented it in 1998. Past and present mayors were approached in June 2003, December 2003 and again in November 2005 but that did not make a difference.

Gujarat film awards announced
Saturday, May 6, 2006 | AY

Gujarati feature film "Lagyo Kasumbi No Rang" has been adjudged the best feature film of 2004-05 by the State Government followed by "Me to Palavde Bandhi Preet". Movies Manigar Maniyaro and Dukhiana Beli Bapa Sitaram have been awarded with consolation prize. These awards were presented on Gujarat Gaurav Divas, May 1, at Porbandar by Chief Minister Narendra Modi to mark the foundation day of the state. Late Ranjiraj has been awarded best actor award for his role in Manigar Maniyaro while Rajlaxmi has been chosen best actress for her movie Me to Palavde Bandhi Preet which has also won best director award for Jaswant Gangani. Chinu Modi has been chosen best lyricist for Rajmata. The other category included best music director award which went to Gaurang Vyas for Me to... while Mukesh Malvankar won best story award for Manigar Maniyaro. Of the 26 awards for various skills in films, Me to Palavde Bandhi Preet gets eight awards and Lagyo Kasumbino Rang gets seven awards.

Curfew under control
Saturday, May 6, 2006 | AY

Curfew was relaxed for two hours in city police station, Wadi and Navapura police stations of Vadodara. The city has been tense after violent clashes, triggered by the demolition of a 200-year-old dargah, killed six people. The army will conduct a flag march for the second consecutive day between 5:00-7:00 pm (IST) in the disturbed areas of the city. At a peace meeting held to review the situation, it was decided that no religious structure would be demolished in future without consultations with members of the concerned community. The death of Rafiq Vohra, a Muslim contractor, who was burnt alive by a mob on the outskirts of the tense city has raised several questions about where the police was when the violence peaked. Muslims alleged that a strong mob of over 2000 attacked their colonies but there was no police action. The communal violence has brought back memories of the 2002 Gujarat riots when the same Muslim colonies were targeted.

EInfochips to design components for US firm
Wednesday, May 3, 2006 | AY

Ahmedabad-based eInfochips has tied up with US-based verification specialists EVE to expand and complement the internally-developed synthesiable transactor library for EVE's ZeBu emulation platform. These components are organised in three families -- synthesizable memory models, hardware bridges and synthesizable transactors -- and allow EVE to offer vertical solutions of its ZeBu ("zero bugs"). eInfochips will develop synthesizable transactors to support popular standard and proprietary protocols. Our partnership with EVE will enable eInfochips to extend its functional verification expertise to hardware accelerator-based verification.

Situation peaceful in Vadodara
Tuesday, May 2, 2006 | AY

The situation in the city was peaceful today and curfew would be relaxed for two hours in four areas later. The authorities have decided to relax curfew for two hours in the afternoon in Raopura and Panigate areas and for two hours in the evening at Wadi and Karelibaug. Demolition of a more than 200-year-old dargah here by the civic authorities yesterday sparked widespread violence, leading to clashes and police firing, that claimed four lives and left several others injured, forcing the authorities to impose curfew in the sensitive walled city area.

Replica of Taj in Ahmedabad
Monday, May 1, 2006 | AY

The 30-ft replica of Taj has been erected on the sprawling grounds of Islam Yatimkhana in Nanpura by Ahmedabad’s Dholka-based Wonder Creation Charitable Trust. The original Taj Mahal took 22 years to build and around 20,000 craftsmen and labourers had worked on it. The replica which is built took 18 months. Despite the painted-on ‘marble effect’, the replica cannot be confused with the real thing. In fact, the four minarets surrounding the main edifice are not quite vertical. In contrast to the original’s marble structure inlaid with precious stones, this value-for-money Taj has been constructed out of 8,500 sq ft of thermocol sheets, two tonnes of plywood, 2.5 tonnes of iron and steel and more than 6,000 nuts and bolts. The entire structure is so designed that it can be dismantled and moved.