Gujarati News: October 2006

Bandh called by traders on Nov 1
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 | AY

To protest the municipal corporation's plan to start collecting octroi from newly-merged areas of the city, an association of traders has called a shut-down in Ahmedabad on November 1. The traders' body has decided to launch a state-wide campaign from November 9 against octroi that is collected in seven municipal corporations of the state. Traders said the ruling BJP had promised in its 2002 election manifesto to abolish octroi but it has not fulfilled this till date.

DA-IICT to have an R&D facility
Monday, October 30, 2006 | AY

The Dhirubhai Ambani-Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA-IICT), based in Gandhinagar, is now planning to open a research-driven centre at its campus here as the domestic ICT is set to grow 19 per cent annually by 2008. This centre, at the estimated cost of Rs 8 crore, will cater to the needs of evolving new technologies in the country for corporates and students. The institute which has received the university status from the Gujarat Government, is also open to the idea of ICT firms developing research labs on its campus, though a final shape has not been given to this proposal.

Aamir Khan sent notice by Gujarat forest department
Monday, October 30, 2006 | AY

Actor Aamir Khan has been summoned for questioning by the Gujarat Forest Department in connection with the filming of an endangered species deer, chinkara in film ‘Lagaan' some eight years back during shooting in Gujarat. As per latest the department has sent a notice to Aamir Khan to be present for questioning on November 6. Aamir Khan was the producer of the ‘Lagaan'. And as per allegation, no permission was taken from the forest department for filming the chinkara.

Modi attracts foreign investments for the state
Saturday, October 28, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi along with a delegation of businessmen will leave for China and Singapore today to attract investment for the state ahead of the 'Vibrant Gujarat Investment Summit' to be held in January 2007. This is the first visit of any Gujarat Chief Minister to China for attracting foreign investments and expanding business ties with the Asian economic giant. Gujarat government has received proposals to set up around 27 SEZs in the state, they said adding that China has successfully set up port-based SEZs and Gujarat would like to learn from their experience.

Kutch’s pilgrim centres not any more in state tourism list
Friday, October 27, 2006 | AY

Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar on the western-most tip of Kutch are no more in the state tourism list. Narayan Sarovar’s is visited by five to six lakh people every year from across the country and abroad. In fact, one’s pilgrimage is said to be incomplete if one doesn’t take a holy dip at Narayan Sarovar, one of the four holy lakes in the country. The others are Mansarovar (in the Himalayas), Pampa Sarovar (in southern India) and Bindu Sarovar (in northern India). Koteshwar, one-and-a-half km from Naryan Sarovar, has its mention in Hindu mythology.

Gujarat NCC motorcycle rally for cancer, AIDS awareness
Friday, October 27, 2006 | AY

40 Senior Division Cadets riding motorcycles and scooters, today set off on a 2300 Kms rally from Ahmedabad to spread awareness on cancer, the ill-effects of tobacco, gutka and above all HIV/AIDS. The team will travel through Vadodara, Surat, Rajpipla, Godhra, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka, Somnath, Bhavnagar and into the hinterland enroute, educating villagers by screening films, presenting skits, distributing study materials and posters and organizing lectures on these issues during the 12-day journey. The team will arrive in the city on November 7, coinciding with Cancer Day.

Impact Crater in Rann of Kutch
Thursday, October 26, 2006 | AY

Indian geologists claim to have discovered a possible Impact Crater in Kutch district of Gujarat. The crater, suspected to have been formed by the impact of an extra-terrestrial object, is seen as a circular feature near Luna village in the northwestern Banni Plains of the Great Rann in Kutch district. The site - the third in the country after Lonar in Maharashtra and Ramgarh in Rajasthan - is located about a kilometre away from a human settlement belonging to the Harappan period and may have found reference in ancient Sanskrit texts, which mention the "impact of a burning extraterrestrial object" in western India some 4,000-5,000 years ago. The geologists of the space applications centre, surveyed the crater and found a dense growth of a variety of acacia plant species in the inner part of the rim. The circular crater measures 1.2 km east-west and 1.2 km north-south and forms a shallow depression filled with sediments and the lowest point of which is hardly two meters above the mean sea level.

Purshottam Rupala is Gujarat BJP President
Thursday, October 26, 2006 | AY

Narendra Modi's candidate Purshottam Rupala won the state Bharatiya Janata Party presidential elections uncontested on Wednesday, despite threats from a dissident camp. He will be formally declared party president at a party gathering on Thursday. Former Union petroleum minister Ram Naik said that since no other nominations were filed, it is obvious that Rupala is everyone’s choice and there is no dispute over the issue. Now with the issue of party president settled, Modi is believed to concentrate on expanding his cabinet.

Rolex Enterprise Award for gujarat
Thursday, October 26, 2006 | AY

Chanda Shroff, a septuagenarian homemaker who revived a dying traditional form of hand embroidery in Gujarat's Kutch region, on Wednesday bagged the $ 100,000 Rolex Awards for Enterprise, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious prize. He was among the five persons, three women and two men, selected for the biennial award instituted to recognise contributions to science, technology, environment, exploration and cultural heritage which has helped expand knowledge base.

Ahmedabad civil hospital first to have CCTV
Sunday, October 22, 2006 | AY

Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has a Close Circuit TV system. The advanced CCTV monitoring system for enhanced security and services was launched on Thursday. Health Minister Ashok Bhatt said that the 2000 bed hospital is the first government hospital to have such a system. The hospital is also Asia’s biggest hospital. Bhatt said that cameras have been installed in all wards and key areas of the hospital to ensure advanced security in the hospital to provide better service to patients and to check thefts. It has attached with it audio system. As a result, the Superintendent of Hospital can see what is happening in different wards, he can send emergency message for preparedness to meet rush of patients in case of massive tragedy, and the system will have Bhajans also.

IT Mall in Ahmedabad
Sunday, October 22, 2006 | AY

To cater to all kind of buyers of IT products under one roof an E-mall has been opened in Ahmedabad. The first of its kind of mall in Gujarat is probably first in the country also. Initially the 8,000Sq.feet mall has 12 companies selling their range of IT products from desktops to laptops and music players to accessories. The companies include Sony, IBM, Samsung, Zenith and SIS. Company has developed a software through which a customer can find the right product at a price point of his choice.

Gujarat Ambuja net up at Rs 244 cr
Sunday, October 22, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Ambuja Cements (GACL) has posted an increase of 225 per cent in its net profit for the quarter ended September 30 at Rs 244.66 crore against Rs 75.28 crore in the corresponding period last year. The company’s net sales during the quarter grew by 52.04 per cent to Rs 984.14 crore against Rs 647.28 crore in the corresponding period last year. Operating profit registered an increase of 122.26 per cent at Rs 381.42 crore against Rs 171.61 crore. The consolidated net profit jumped by 159.07 per cent at Rs 279.95 crore for the quarter against Rs 108.06 crore last year. The net consolidated sales increased to Rs 1,006.23 crore against Rs 669.81crore, registering an increase of 50.23 per cent.

Gujarat's central jails go hi-tech
Sunday, October 22, 2006 | AY

The Sabarmati and Vadodara Central Jails are the first in the country to be installed with the high-end security system like the explosives and narcotics trace detector, which is a hand held narcotic and explosive detector. Incidents of gang rivalry related attacks, sectarian incidents occurred within the high-security and overcrowded Sabarmati Central Jail early this year. The equipment was procured for the two jails two months ago at a cost of Rs 25 lakhs by a Delhi-based government of India run company that deals in high-end security system. The ETD is used to scan the presence of even miniscule quantity of explosives and narcotics.

Teacher comes up witha hearing aid
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 | AY

A tiny box with a speaker and a copper strap is what principal of Agiyol Primary School in Himmatnagar, calls as his invention. It’s a hearing aid designed by him for hearing impaired. The device costs only Rs 100 and a person with hearing defect can connect it to a computer, TV or other electronic item to hear, as it helps transform vibrations into sounds. It’s a very simple device in which diaphragm of a computer speaker has been used. This speaker is connected with a wire and a copper strap, which a person needs to keep it between teeth. The copper strap is then used as a microphone through which one can hear sounds. The auditory nerve is directly connected to the teeth so the process of sending vibrations to nervous system begins from here. Once copper strap is placed between teeth, two wires connecting the box are then attached to a radio or a computer. The sound thus produced gets amplified by the amplifier in the box. This device can be used by even those whose cochlea is damaged.

Yi launched in Ahmedabad
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 | AY

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) launched the Ahmedabad chapter of its Young Indians (Yi) programme. Yi was launched by the CII in 2002 and focuses on issues of national importance and involves young Indian achievers and professionals from various walks of life. It’s a grassroots-level organisation, which promotes activities in areas like economy, education, environment, healthcare and youth affairs through its differnt chapters across the country. Each chapter develops its own annual work plan in line with its five objectives. Open to any Indian or person of Indian origin between the age of 25 and 40 years, Yi has launched many initiatives in the said five areas.

Gujarat Ambuja Exports can give 30%
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Ambuja Exports can give 30% in next 6-12 months from the present level. They are carrying out a capex of about Rs 350 crore plus. They are setting up two maize processing plants of 500 tonnes per day in Uttaranchal and one at Nashik. They have existing about 14-15 plants at various locations plus they are setting up about 3-4 more plants. The company once they complete their expansion projects they should be able to increase their topline and bottomline substantially. Even for FY07 the company should be having a EPS of close to Rs 3, the company has a face value of Rs 2.

Stem cell therapy on heart patient
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 | AY

A city based cardiologist Dr. Shalin Thakore has for the first time in the state performed stem cell therapy on a cardiac patient. The doctor and his team is also the first in the country to use intra-coronary injection of stem cell technique. Dr. Thakore and Dr. Hemanshu Patel said that traditional technique using stem cells from bone marrow is quite prevalent, but they were the first to use stem cells from peripheral blood for the therapy. They have used it on five patients and the results are very impressive. Blood is collected from the patient in a normal way and it is used to grow the required stem cells. Later, these stem cells are injected in to the affected part of the heart of the patient. This saves patient from painful and time consuming bone marrow technique.

Reshuffle likely in medical seats
Sunday, October 15, 2006 | AY

The SC judgment has opened doors to the disputed 800 seats of the Gujarat Self-Financed (GSF) Association for medical-paramedical colleges. With fresh seats opening up, students who have secured admissions in pharmacy can now vie for medical or dental courses and dental students for medical. Reshuffling is, therefore, inevitable. The other issue will be that of replacing provisional admissions with fixed admissions. On September 30, the Justice RJ Shah Admissions Committee (Medical) gave provisional admissions on the 800 seats, for a deposit of Rs 500. Since they could not find genuine NRIs to fill up the 15 per cent NRI quota, they filled up 100 per cent seats with general students.

Claris Lifesciences has new strategies
Sunday, October 15, 2006 | AY

The Ahmedabad-based Claris Lifesciences, a manufacturer of life saving products for treating critical illnesses, has broadened its line of business by foraying into the niche segments of biotech products and also introduced high-end range of cardiac and oncology products. The major focus areas for the company's further expansions will be on the U.S. EU, Australia, Canada and China. At present, Claris has presence in over 67 countries through its own subsidiaries and a network of over 1,000 international distributors. To strengthen its domestic presence, the company is planning to set up 15 new offices.

Gujarat to upgrade 5 ports
Sunday, October 15, 2006 | AY

The Gujarat government is likely to invite private participation to upgrade five of its 41 ports. These ports are Okha, Magdalla, Navlakhi, Porbandar and Old Mundra. The state government has accorded an in-principle approval for the development, upgradation and management of these ports with private participation. The upgradation plan for the five ports will be executed by the formation of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) with the equity participation of the Gujarat Maritime Board, the state’s ports regulator. The total investment required for the development of these ports is close to Rs 1,600 crore, which includes Rs 710 crore for the expansion of Porbandar alone. The projects will be put up for investors at the Vibrant Gujarat global investors’ summit scheduled for January 12-13, 2007.

International Day for Reduction of Natural Disasters
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 | AY

Gujarat Science City, in association with Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) and UNDP Gujarat State Project Office, Gandhinagar, will celebrate ‘International Day for Reduction of Natural Disasters’ (IDRND) on Tuesday. The theme will be ‘Disaster risk reduction begins at school’. A one-day workshop will be organised where it will be stressed on the role of the scientific community in increasing awareness about natural phenomena and preparing people for them. The Asian Development Bank and GSDMA are also providing Gujarat Science City funds to develop a Planet Earth pavilion.

Chikungunya test facility available
Tuesday, October 10, 2006 | AY

Ahmedabad city got its first chikungunya testing facility on Sunday. With the ‘ELISA’ in place at B J Medical College’s Microbiological epartment, samples need not be sent to Pune or Delhi for virological testing. As a result of joint efforts by the State Government and Health and Medical Education Department, tests for polio, leptospirosis, dengue and chikungunya can now be conducted at Ahmedabad itself.

West Indies thrash Zimbabwe
Monday, October 9, 2006 | AY

Defending champions West Indies beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets in the second match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad yesterday. The Windies chased a low victory target of 86 runs in 14.2 overs before the dinner break to start their campaign in the Mini Word Cup. Christopher Henry Gayle smashed a six and seven fours in his 34-ball knock of 41 before his onslaught was cut short by Elton Chigumbura, who had him caught at mid-wicket by Tafadzwa Kamungozi. Windies skipper Brian Lara, who played his first ODI in India after ten years, then slammed 24 runs in 20 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes. Lara sealed the win with a six and remained not out with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14).

Beda Paar Karte Bhagwan Amarnath
Sunday, October 8, 2006 | AY

The Gujarat Government has declared "Beda Paar Karte Bhagwan Amarnath' tax-free in the State; Directed by Tarun Wadhwa, it was a social and family film; The film is aimed at making the modern youth them aware about Indian mythology; Ravindra Jain has scored the music of the film.

Sharadotsav in Kutch
Saturday, October 7, 2006 | AY

After gala Navratri Mahotsav the state government will now organize “ Sharadotsav” in Kutch on the occasion of Sharad Poornima. The main attraction of the event would be carnival. Folk dancers attired in traditional dress would perform on the banks of historical Hamirsar lake in Bhuj. The three day festival starting from October 6 would be organized at Loria village 35 kms away from Bhuj. The tourists would be taken to places of historical and cultural significance. They would be taken to Kutch museum displaying rich tradition of the district. Dholavira, site of Harappan civilization has also been included in the itinerary of the tourists.

Kuwait Airways to Ahmedabad
Saturday, October 7, 2006 | AY

Kuwait Airways is to launch new services to Ahmedabad. The carrier declared that flights to Ahmedabad will be operated three times per week. The northern Indian city of Ahmedabad will be its sixth destination in the country after Chennai, Delhi, Kochi and Trivandrum.

A noble thought for the poor
Saturday, October 7, 2006 | AY

Gujarat government plans to begin a hunger helpline to feed thousands of poor in its state. The project is able to pull off then food for the needy will just be a dial away. The Hunger helpline will be first tried out in Surat and then across Gujarat. Gujarat civil supplies secretary S K Nanda is the man behind the Hunger Helpline. He hopes to tie-up with as many as 328 NGOs across Gujarat. Government officials have initiated talks with a leading telecom service-provider to install telephones in all fair price shops across Gujarat so the hungry can dial for food.

Microsoft signs deal with Gujarat
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 | AY

Microsoft India and the Government of Gujarat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing University students and faculty in the state easier access to Information Technology. This agreement will allow students in Gujarat develop skills on next-generation Microsoft tools and technologies, including .NET, thereby improving their career prospects. As per the agreement, Microsoft and the Government of Gujarat will work together on several e-governance projects, thereby leveraging IT for programs that impact the common man. Under the partnership, Microsoft will provide training to students in the pre-final or final year of the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science and IT stream) and MCA programs, leveraging the BISAG (Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applicatons and Geoinformatics) SATCOM (satellite communications) facility. The faculty in these institutions will also, thereby, get an opportunity to collaborate with experts from across the world, besides getting access to Microsoft s premium technology events. The trained students for their part, will get a chance to work on the e-governance projects undertaken by the State of Gujarat and Microsoft.

Mitsubishi to set up car terminal in Gujarat
Wednesday, October 4, 2006 | AY

Japanese automobile giant Mitsubishi Motors is looking for a deep water port to set up the country`s first car terminal in Gujarat. The investment for the project is estimated at Rs 30 billion. The car terminal will be designed to handle import and export from big car-carrying ships. The terminal will have the capacity to ship 400,000 vehicles a year. Mitsubishi is in talks with the Gujarat government`s port administration body, the Gujarat Maritime Board, for identifying the facility and is looking at the Vansi-Borsi port and the Maroli port.

Gandhi's 137th birth anniversary
Monday, October 2, 2006 | AY

Mahatma Gandhi was born on this day in 1869 in the coastal town of Porbandar in Gujarat - where Keerti Mandir is a heritage site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Gandhi's birthplace there are hardly any visitors but across town at the cinema hall where Lage Raho Munnabhai is being screened its running to packed capacity. The irony is that the film on Gandhigiri is a big draw at Paradise cinema and its been doing roaring business for the past two weeks.

Gujarat meteors fascinates scientists
Sunday, October 1, 2006 | AY

Scientists at Physicial Research Laboratory (PRL) studying the meteor samples that fell in different areas of Kutch and Saurashtra are thrilled with the "discovery of a rare chondrule inside one of the fragments of the meteorite known as a Chondritre Meteorite in scientific terminology". Chondrules are small spherical ball like formations that are found inside a Chondrite Meteor. They are very rare to find and are believed to have been formed around two million years after our sun was formed. Scientists are excited with the find as it will give a great opportunity to study how our solar system originated and developed over a period of time. Chondrites are stony meteorites that have not been modified due to melting or differentiation of the parent body. They were formed when various types of dust and small grains that were present in the early solar system came together to form primitive asteroids. The meteor shower took all by surprise when it streaked across the dark night creating a boom as it fell on fields, making a gaping hole though some roof tops. As of now, all the large pieces of the Chondrite Meteor that fell in Gujarat are with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) at its Gandhinagar office.