Gujarati News: June 2006

Amar Remedies has new strategies
Wednesday, June 28, 2006 | AY

Ayurvedic firm Amar Remedies Ltd. plans to launch 25 health care and skin care products later this year and aims to more than double its market share in Ayurvedic toothpastes in two years. Amar also planned to open two plants at an investment of 250 million to 300 million rupees to match rising demand for Ayurvedic products in India. The new plants would begin operations in Surat, Gujarat, in July, and in Dehradun, Uttaranchal, in November. The ayurvedic toothpaste market was growing at 10 percent a year or twice as fast as the general toothpaste market.

Fame Raj Empire arrives in Surat
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 | AY

Shringar Cinemas Limited, one of the country's leading movie exhibition and distribution companies, has announced its foray into Gujarat with the launch of the unique six-screen FAME Raj Empire multiplex in Surat. Designed superlatively, with state-of-the-art technology, FAME Raj Empire is all set to become the most happening movie destination in Surat. With a capacity of more than 1800 ergonomically designed seats spread across six screens, specially designed lighting, world-class projectors and fully digital sound with 3-way surround system, Fame Raj Empire brings an international movie-viewing experience to cinema-goers in Surat.

GPSC examination cancelled
Monday, June 26, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Public Service Commission had to cancel its examination for class one District Education Officers as the question paper which was to be distributed in the second session was circulated in the morning session. As many as 3283 candidates appeared in the examination conducted at 12 centres in Gujarat. The first paper was of General Knowledge while second was subject paper. However, candidates were provided subject paper instead of GK paper. As a result, the paper was cancelled and the new date will be announced later.

New strategies by Dabur
Sunday, June 25, 2006 | AY

Dabur India is formulating a new strategy for its brand - Honitus. It is stepping up its focus on consumer healthcare division (CHD) business and has charted out a strategy wherein it is looking to double the base of its cough and cold brand Honitus, apart from rolling out new products. Dabur would also be focussing on the `services' sector through its `Dabur Ayurvedic Centres' where doctors provide free consultation to patients. They would be expanding our centres network from the current 180 to around 650 in the next six months. Further, we would also be opening more health camps (around 3500 in the next quarter) to popularise the modern ayurveda formats. The company is also rolling out new products in the medicated hair and skin care category.

Slight earthquake felt in Gujarat
Sunday, June 25, 2006 | AY

Indian Meterological Department reported a slight earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale which shook parts of Gujarat's Kutch region early Saturday. The tremor took place at 0249 hrs with the epicentre located at 23.7 degree North latitude and 70.0 degree East longitude in Kutch. However, there was no report of any damage to the property or life.

Trains change colours
Saturday, June 24, 2006 | AY

Some time this December, two of the hundreds of trains that you see on the tracks every day will look a little different, with bold strokes of white and purple instead of the usual red or blue fare. The changes that you see on the tracks will be the result of the labours of professionals from the prestigious National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Employed by the Railways to give commuters a break from the monotony of the colours that have been in use since when one can remember, these professionals are — for the first time — doing the job that has been, till date, done only by government babus. For, the new colours will be sported only by the 101 new trains that are going to be launched as part of the MUTP. Officials say they feel the new colour scheme will best reflect the buoyant character of the city.

Gujarat case against Salman
Saturday, June 24, 2006 | AY

Even as actor Salman Khan is struggling to come to terms with various cases of poaching slapped against him in Rajasthan, fresh trouble is brewing in Gujarat. Police have registered a case against him in connection with a chinkara poaching incident that took place in 1998. The poaching incident in Gujarat took place in September 1998 when Salman and co-star Aishwarya Rai were in Kutch shooting for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Residents of Sumrasar village in Kutch had filed a complaint alleging that Salman had killed two chinkaras. Forest department officials allege that besides the actors, an Army officer and some influential people of Kutch were also suspected to have participated in the killing of the chinkaras.

GV Films allots shares to BNP Paribas
Wednesday, June 21, 2006 | AY

The Board of Directors of GV Films have approved the allotment of shares worth Rs 100 crores to BNP Paribas, Hong Kong. BNP Paribas would also be entitled to subscribe to warrants worth up to Rs 3 crores. The board also approved the acquisition of Safroni Entertainment Ltd., based in Ahmedabad, for up to Rs 15 crores, GV Films said, adding that the buy-out is in line with the company's plans to acquire multiplex theatres.

Blast meant for Ahmedabad
Wednesday, June 21, 2006 | AY

The blast at Ahmedabad railway station was not meant for Mumbai Central. After arresting two LeT terrorists from Aurangabad, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Monday claimed that the blast was bang on target.The terrorists had mistakenly set the digital timer at 1.45 am that set off the RDX bomb at Ahmedabad on February 19. ATS officials claimed that plans were to launch a series of terror strikes in Gujarat like killing chief minister Narendra Modi and VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia.

BJP sweeps Gujarat bar council polls
Monday, June 19, 2006 | AY

BJP has established its hold in the Gujarat Bar Council, by getting all office-bearers’ posts in it. The Samaras panel of the BJP had won 14 seats and the Rakshak panel of the Congress 11 seats in the Bar Council elections held on April 21, 2006. At the first meeting of 25 elected members of the council on Sunday, all office-bearer posts went to the Samras panel. The meeting was chaired by Advocate-General Kamal Trivedi. While Bharat Gajipara from Junagadh was elected chairman of the Bar Council, Virendra Chauhan from Godhra became the vice chairman. Gajipara, who has been with the BJP for almost two decades, has been the president of Junagadh District Panchayat in the past. Chauhan is an active BJP member in Godhra.

Raymond opens an a store exclusively for kids
Sunday, June 18, 2006 | AY

Raymond Apparel Ltd (RAL) today launched its first Zapp! store in Ahmedabad which will exclusively cater to the children's apparel needs. The apparel store is targeted at kids between the age group of four to 12 years. This store which opened today in Ahmedabad is part of the Raymond's plans to set up around 10 Zapp! store across important cities in India this year.

Board decided not to withdraw any textbook
Saturday, June 17, 2006 | AY

The Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks has made it clear that it will not withdraw any of the Class VIII, IX or X textbooks as demanded by the city-based NGO Prashant. Prashant had in a press meet on Wednesday informed the media that it had written to the authors of the textbooks and people responsible to withdraw the books replete with all kinds of grammatical and factual errors, as they were an ‘insult to the people of Gujarat’. The NGO was accused of going directly to the media before consulting the board and suggesting ways to sort out errors. M A Patel, director of the board said that they had engaged expert English teachers from the State to write the book. If there are still errors, they will rectify them next year.

Microsoft partners Guj govt
Saturday, June 17, 2006 | AY

To enable effective e-governance under Project Bhasha in the country, Microsoft has partnered with the Gujarat government. Microsoft and the state government, will jointly conceptualise and provide consultancy on making information technology (IT) more user friendly and easy accessible under e-Gram project of the state government. The e-Gram project will enable easy procurement of documents, transparent access to government and private services while providing equitable opportunities to all villagers. The e-Gram application enables citizens to access vital information on birth and death registrations, property records and many more in their native language. This project is a cohesive program for bringing together the governments, academia and research institutions, developers and industry associations on a common ground for backing local language computing.

Gynaecological clinics faces difficulty
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 | AY

Gynaecological clinics and practitioners held a one-day token strike across Gujarat on Tuesday, to protest against what they say is the unjustified sealing of sonography machines by the government. They claimed that they were assured by some officials that before June 30, all sealed machines would be cleared for use. However, the Health Minister denied this claim. The ‘harassment’ against gynaecological clinics started when the government decided to crack down on sex determination two years ago. According to gynaecologist Dr Naren Sompura, the government has been on a rampage against gynaecologists on issues concerning the violation of the PNDT and MTP Acts. Sonography is the most popular technique used to diagnose a foetus, but the sex of the foetus can also be determined. In Gujarat, there are certain forms that have to be filled before conducting a sonography. If any discrepancy is found in the forms, the sonography machine is immediately ‘sealed’ indefinitely by government officials.

Gujarat Gas signs pact with BG India
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Gas Company Ltd has signed a Business Transfer Agreement with Gujarat-based BG India Energy Services Pvt Ltd for acquiring its power co-generation business for Rs 10.97 crore. The Natural Gas Distribution and Transmission Company signed the agreement for acquiring BG India's present Cogen business by way of transfer of assets and liabilities. The shares of the company closed at Rs 1100, up 4.38 per cent on the BSE. BG India Group owns a controlling stake of 65.12 per cent in Gujarat Gas.

Gujarati writer passes away
Monday, June 12, 2006 | AY

Known Gujarati writer Padmashri Gulabdas Broker died at his residence in Pune on Saturday afternoon. Born in 1908 in Porbandar in Gujarat, Broker was known as a traditional writer and had shown his creativity in the entire gamut of literature except novels. He had written more than 60 books and his works have been translated in almost all Indian language and many foreign languages. His short story "Lata su bole chhe" became quite controversial because of its bold theme. He was brought up in Mumbai and had started writing short stories from his college days.

Demolition of Gandhi Ashram stayed by court
Sunday, June 11, 2006 | AY

The Supreme Court has ordered the maintenance of status quo in relation to the demolition of 14 houses of the Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust in Ahmedabad. The 14 houses of the trust were facing the possibility of demolition due to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's town planning scheme for Nava Vadaj area of the city. Veteran Gandhian Chunibhai Vaidya, who has taken up the matter on behalf of the Ashram Trust, said the houses were built 80 years ago but the authorities wanted to demolish them to construct a road. The dispute in respect of these structures has been going on for over 20 years in the Gujarat High Court and the tenants of the buildings and the owner, Sabarmati Harijan Ashram Trust, lost the case twice. An application was filed in apex court to challenge a High Court order.

Ginni filaments to invest Rs.131 crores
Saturday, June 10, 2006 | AY

Ginni filaments ltd, a leading textile company is setting up India's first non-woven spunlace project at Panoli in Gujarat with an investment of Rs.131 crores. The project will become operational by December this year. The company through consumer products division aims to be a major player in the wipes business by garnering at least 50 percent share in the wipes market, which is expected to grow from Rs.30 crores at present to Rs.100 crores in next three years. Ginni's target is to achieve a turnover of Rs.50 crores in the next three years.

Election Commission revises voters list
Saturday, June 10, 2006 | AY

The State Election Commission has decided to revise the electoral rolls of 19 seats of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly falling under Ahmedabad City and District limits. The authorities have asked the voters to register the omissions or objections, inclusion or deletion of their names from the existing voters list, between June 15 and July 7. The voters could approach the district election office or that of assistant election officer, nearest post office or the polling booth during a special campaign on June 24 and 25, and July 1 and 2.

Hreritage highway on Dandi March route
Saturday, June 10, 2006 | AY

The central Government has declared the 386 km long route from Ahmedabad to Dandi as a heritage route and will build National Highway on it. The route on which Mahatma Gandhi took out 'Salt Satyagraha' 75 years ago will be known as NH-228. A Rs.344crore project has been finalized to build roads and bridges on the new proposed national highway. The plan also includes putting up statues of Gandhiji and 78 of his followers at Dandi who had walked along with him. The 21 places where Gandhiji took night halt will be developed as heritage sites. Besides bridges on three major rivers Mahi, Narmada and Tapi will be built.

Fanaaa
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 | AY

A theatre in Jamnagar in Gujarat on Tuesday decided to screen Fanaa starring Aamir Khan, whose remarks on rehabilitation of Narmada dam oustees had triggered sharp reactions in the state. The first show of the movie had passed off peacefully and they were not expecting any trouble from groups opposed to the screening of the movie. The decision to screen the movie was taken by Amber theatre after the Supreme Court on Monday issued directions to the Gujarat government to provide police protection to theatres willing to screen the film.

US decision to allow more visas
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 | AY

A good news for all Gujarati professional youths, long dreaming of settling in the United States of America. According to a recent US Senate amendment, foreign nationals could get instant work permit visas for the USA, if their NRI relatives are ready to arrange H-1B visas from an American company for them. Sources from Union ministry of external affairs say the new amendment could benefit at least 1.15 lakh youths of Punjab and Gujarat as they form a major chunk of NRIs settled there. With this development, job opportunities for the Indian professionals in the USA have doubled up, from 65,000 per year to 1.15 lakh. The Union ministry of external affairs had requested for this amendment in last November, claiming the USA has more Indian professionals as compared to the other countries, and it needs around 1.50 lakh professionals every year. Until May last, the USA used to give H-1B visa to 65,000 foreign professionals. But now with the final approval of House of Representatives, the number has been increased to 1.15 lakh with an annual increase of 20% in every subsequent year.

Rakhi Sawant not performing in the city
Monday, June 5, 2006 | AY

Bollywood item girl Rakhi Sawant, who was recently in controversy for alleged obscenity, would not dance at a function in the city tomorrow as scheduled and the organisers have cited "illness" as the reason. Sawant, whose dance programmes held in some cities recently had kicked off a major controversy, was scheduled to perform for a function in a prominent club on the outskirts of the city along with renowned singer Udit Narayan. Though officials are not citing any reason, police sources said officials here were keeping in mind the incidents that occurred after her performance in Kolhapur and were hesitant to give permission for the programme.

Jhalak Dikhla Ja..... believed to have super natural powers
Sunday, June 4, 2006 | AY

Himesh Reshamiya's foot-tapping number "Jhalak Dikhla Ja.." in the film 'Aksar' is a super duper hit everywhere, but in the non-descript village of Bhalej in this district of Gujarat, the song is a strict no-no as the villagers fear it invokes the supernatural. The villagers of Bhalej, about 15 kilometers from Anand town, has completly banned the Reshamiya song after several persons from the village got "possessed" while dancing to this Reshimiya number. There is an atmosphere of fear among the villagers after three persons, who were part of a Muslim wedding procession, danced as if they were possessed and sang this song whenever somebody tried to talk to them. They also began to eat more than what they normally did. Dismissing the claims of presence of supernatural as "delusions", a leading psychologist in Ahmedabad said "This is nothing but shared paranoid disorder where a delusion experienced by one person is imitated by others in a social group, especially in a village.

Medical college in Surat for kids of Nri's
Saturday, June 3, 2006 | AY

The Surat Medical Corporation (SMC) has passed a resolution to admit students who can pay Rs 30 lakh to the MBBS course run by the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education & Research. The seats available at this cost are those left vacant from the 15 per cent NRI quota. This brings out a new dimension of seats for the affluent and ironically at a time when there is a strong section of voices favouring quotas only for the economically backward. Now another top medical college in the state, NHL Medical College, is also considering a similar proposal.

MobileNXT in the city
Saturday, June 3, 2006 | AY

MobileNXT Teleservices, a chain of one-stop stores offering the complete mobile telecom experience, entered in Gujarat with launching its store in Ahmedabad. The products on sale will include GSM and CDMA handsets of brands such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung and LG wich covers 98 per cent of market share in the country. Ahmedabad store is their third store in the country after Gurgaon and Mangalore and fourth will be opened in Kolkata very soon. They added that in the first year of operation, MobileNXT will have 31 stores all over India including two in Ahmedabad. This store will also be having a kiosk offering value added service. Customer can test the demo of ringtone or wallpaper at the kiosk and if suitable, can download it at cheaper cost compared to other content providers.

Fanaa may see light in Gujarat
Saturday, June 3, 2006 | AY

The Bollywood hero is believed to have agreed to issue a "clarification" through the media that he never intended to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat when he joined the Narmada Bachao Andolan camp in Delhi last month. Those mediating between the Narmada Abhiyan, which now heads the anti-release brigade in the State till Mr. Khan "apologised" for his alleged "anti-Gujarat statement," and Mr. Khan and the producers of Fanaa, have communicated the same to the leaders of the Abhiyan. Fanaa on Friday entered the second week of release in cinema theatres all over the country except Gujarat. Owners of the multiplexes and cinema theatres in the state are nervous over the notional financial losses but are in no position to make the first move in the face of the boycott threat by the BJP Yuva Morcha and now the Narmada Abhiyan. A statement "clarifying" his stand on the dam would help resolve the dispute and pave way not only for the release of Fanaa but also withdraw the agitation against consumer products endorsed by the Bollywood hero.