Happy in Bollywood, John Abraham wants it to go global

NEW DELHI, July 20: Even as Indian cinema and actors are making a dent abroad, actor John Abraham would rather stay put in Bollywood and have Indian cinema go global in terms of production value and craft.

"I don't want to sound like a marketing agent for 'Rang De Basanti' but I think it's the finest example of global piece of Indian cinema," says the star of films like 'Jism',

'Garam Masala', 'Taxi 9211' and 'Zinda'.

Meanwhile, Abraham is soaking up the rave reviews for 'Water' which has been received well in Canada, US, Australia and even in neighbouring Sri Lanka, where it is running to packed houses. "It's an Indian subject and it's a pity that the release of the film has been delayed in India. But it will be released here shortly." he says.

Another film that's expected to hit the theatres at the end of September or beginning of October is 'Kabul Express.' As a part of his homework , Abraham read Khalid Hosseni's 'Kite Runner' and saw 'Osama ' directed by Siddiq Barmak .

A comedy, where he plays a scribe on an assignment to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban regime, Abraham says that the film was an eye-opener in ways more than one.

This was the period when Karzai had just come to power. The Talibans were kept locked in Afghani backyards and foreign correspondents would pay up 200 dollars a piece to interview them, he says.

"America has lot of press and PR but' it's India that's doing a whole lot of development work," states the 34-year-old talking about the warmth exuded by Afghanis during the shoot.

On the remake mania gripping the film industry, he says "I think it's a great trend. It's raking in the moolah for the industry."

So does he regret not being a part of Dhoom II? "I can either be grateful that the prequel was offered to me or crib about the latter. I choose to be thankful."

Since Abraham has done action , comedy and a romantic lead , which one is he the most comfortable with ? "I think action requires the least bit of acting because that's really being yourself on screen. Comedy is a bit of work and I admit I made mistakes in 'Garam Masala'." he says modestly.

On his favourite director, Abraham says that he'd "give his right arm for Mahesh Bhatt. He is a legend."

His good looks make him a favourite of the fairer sex but what explains his popularity with kids? (He is the brand ambassador for a kid's channel because he was at the top spot on the poll conducted by them) "I think it's the streak of rebellion that they like in me. I think it's the biggest compliment to be loved by kids as they are honest about their feelings and are your loyal audience."

His chiselled body, the envy of many he reveals is a result of "good food, adequate sleep and workout."

The model turned actor who was in town to promote a diet cola, he endorses, responded to the health minister's call urging actors to refrain from endorsing cola by saying that he had "signed the contract much before the Minister's appeal."

"You have to trust my choice. I endorse a kid's channel where cola ads are not shown. As for the others , the consumer today is sensible and is free to make an informed choice."

Abraham also claims to put a lot of thought into the campaigns he chooses to endorse. My stint as a media planner with an ad agency comes into play here. The brands I pick are usually niche and I personally go through the media plan to avoid over-exposure. (PTI)

Alva to hold meeting with coalition partners in Goa

PANAJI, July 20: All India Congress Committee General Secretary and Goa-incharge Margaret Alva would meet coalition partners in the state government during her two-day visit beginning today.

Alva would arrive this afternoon and hold meeting here with coalition partners in Pratapsing Rane Government -- Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Congress party sources said.

She would attend the Pradesh Congress Committee meeting tomorrow at Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) hall, Panaji, they said.

In the evening, Alva would chair a Coordination Committee meeting, to be attended by Rane and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Ravi Naik, among others. (PTI)

Money withdrawn fraudulently from ATM

HOSHIARPUR, July 20: Someone withdrew huge amount of money from an ATM machine of the local main branch of State Bank of India (SBI) last evening, police said here today.

Tajinder Kaur daughter of Tarsem Singh of local Mohalla Tibba Sahib stated to the police that she had an account with the local main branch of SBI for which she had obtained the ATM.

She was started to notice that someone had withdrawn Rs 55,300 from her account.

Police had registered a case. (PTI)

Students body, BJP demand ban on school textbook

ITANAGAR, July 20: The BJP and a students body have demanded the withdrawal of a school textbook published by a private company that lists the Bodos of Assam as a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.

The mistakes in the book have evoked strong protests from the All Nyishi Students Union (ANSU) and opposition BJP, who have questioned the wisdom of opting for "sub-standared private publications" instead of NCERT textbooks for schools in the state.

The ANSU has served a "show cause" to the education secretary, asking whether the academic council of the education department proof read the book before supplying it to schools.

The ANSU said the book contains wrong information and undermines the status of 25 major tribes and 101 sub-tribes of the state. It has urged writers from outside the state to be careful in dealing with the history and information on the state.

The BJP has demanded immediate withdrawal of the textbook and the constitution of an inquiry committee to look into alleged irregularities in procuring textbooks.

The party ridiculed a statement by the director of school education, who reportedly said that NCERT had refused in writing to supply books. It said the department had failed to pursue the matter and get books from NCERT that are available throughout the country, the BJP said. (PTI)

Office of Profit bill not part of Cabinet meeting agenda

NEW DELHI, July 20: The much talked about Office of Profit Bill, returned by President A P J Abdul Kalam, was not taken up at the Union Cabinet meeting here today.

"It was not part of the agenda," Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters when asked about the controversial Bill.

The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill (as the office of profit bill is known), passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in May, was said to come up for consideration by the Cabinet today for being tabled once again in the monsoon session of Parliament, after the President returned it.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said earlier that the Cabinet would take a decision on the issue in a day or two.

The President had returned the bill on May 30 to Parliament for reconsideration for a "comprehensive and generic" criteria.

He also wanted that the criteria should be "fair and reasonable" and applicable in a "clear and transparent" manner across the states and Union territories.

Another important point the President had raised was in relation to the posts sought to be exempted by the new law. The implication was that the names of offices, for which petitions were already pending under process by the competent authority, should also be addressed by Parliament while reconsidering the bill.

In only the third instance of this kind in recent history, Kalam had urged both the houses of Parliament to reconsider the propriety of the applicability of law with retrospective effect. (PTI)

Implement CAS in three metros by Dec 31: HC

NEW DELHI, July 20: The Delhi High Court today directed the Centre to implement the controversial Conditional Access System (CAS) in the three metros -- Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai -- before December 31 this year.

A division Bench headed by acting Chief Justice Vijinder Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir asked the Centre to issue a notification within a week and granted 22 weeks' time to the Ministry of Information and Broadcastang to implement the scheme.

The Bench while recording an undertaking from the Union government's counsel and joint secretary Information and Broadcasting on implementing the scheme, rejected the Government's plea for 26 weeks' period.

The Bench passed the direction on an appeal filed by the Centre challenging the March 10 order passed by a single judge directing it to implement CAS within four weeks and imposing a penalty of Rs one lakh for delaying the implementation.

Earlier, senior counsel and former Union Law Minister Ram Jethmalani appearing for the petitioner Hathway Communication alleged that the Centre was playing a fraud on the courts by repeatedly seeking time for implementing the scheme, a notification for which was issued in 2003.

He complained it was only under the Centre's pressure the private cable operators, MSOs and others were forced to shell out staggering Rs 1,000 crore for importing the set top boxes.

Jethmalani further submitted that the Centre was surreptiousaly seeking to repeal section 4A of the Cable Television Netweork Regulation Act which mandated implementation of CAS.

He contended that the proposed Broadcasting Regulation Bill being introduced in Parliament by the UPA Government sought to repeal section 4A of the cable Act.

However, the Government counsel rejected Jethmalani's allegation that the Centre was seeking to repeal Section 4A of the Cable Television Network Regulation Act to dispense with the CAS system.

He claimed in court that Jethmalani was merely pulling out some copies from his pockets to level the allegations without placing anything on record.

Expressing the Government's determination to implement the CAS system, the counsel urged the court to direct stakeholders to extend cooperation to the ministry in implementing the scheme. (PTI)

Scheme for agri marketing infrastructure liberalised

NEW DELHI, July 20: The Government today liberalised the scheme for strengthening Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure by allowing state agencies to utilise their funds for the purpose instead of relying on bank credit.

Under the existing guidelines for the Central Scheme on Development/Strengthening of Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure, Grading and Standardisation, assistance under the scheme was credit linked.

Assistance for the scheme under the existing guideline is credit linked and subject to sanction of "infrastructure project" by the specified banks based on economic viability and commercial considerations.

Under the revised guidelines, State Government Agricultural Marketing Board/State Agencies would be permitted to utilise their funds in lieu of bank loans for financing projects under the scheme, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

It also decided to allow projects located in Hill States of Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to be eligible for higher subsidies admissible for Hill Areas irrespective of the altitude at which a project may be located.

Hilly area is defined as land situated 1000 metres above mean sea level.

Under the existing guidelines, the rate of subsidy stands at 25 per cent of the capital cost of the project.

But for North Eastern States, hilly areas, tribal areas and to entrepreneurs belonging to SC and STs and their cooperatives, the rate of subsidy is 33.33 per cent of the capital cost of the project.

With this approval, state agencies will be better enabled to take up infrastructure projects from their own funds by dovetailing the subsidy under the scheme, without borrowing from the financial institution, Dasmunsi said.

He said J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal will be entitled to higher subsidy in the on-going scheme for taking up marketing infrastructure projects at all places irrespective of altitude.

This would benefit producers at higher altitudes who market their produce from projects located at lower altitude. (PTI)

Boys rescued from illegal orphanage

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, July 20: The promoter of an "illegal" orphanage at Thirupuram near here has been arrested and 12 inmates who had been allegedly undergoing harassment there, have been rescued.

The promoter of the orphanage, Thomas Enos, was remanded to judicial custody last evening by the First Class Judicial Magistrate at Neyyattinkara after the police registered a case against him under various sections of the Juvenile Justice Act, police said.

The boys, aged between four and ten and belonging to poor families from nearby coastal hamlets, bore marks of torture like cane blows and burns. They were found to be shabby and malnourished, police said.

The plight of the children came to light after local people tipped the police about the existence of the orphanage called 'Sprituality centre, boy Home and home for the aged'.

The children were also produced before the Magistrate, who recorded their statements.

While two boys were taken home by their parents, the rest were accommodated in another destitute home and a Juvenile home.

Though Enos claimed that he had registered the institution as a Trust, no record has been found so far to support the legality of the orphanage. Police is also investigating if the orphanage had been getting funds from foreign or domestic sources. (PTI)

Appeals on admission and fee strcture posted to July 27

KOCHI, July 20: The Kerala High Court today posted to July 27 all appeals, including that of the State Government, against the single Judge's order on admissions and fees structure of self financing professional colleges for this accademic year.

When the matter came up for hearing before the division bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice M Ramachandran, the Advocate General informed the court that only three appeals out of seven have come up and other petitions would be filed in the course of the day.

Some of the counsels of the self financing professional college management associations said they were also planning to file appeals and all the appeals need to be heard together.

Following this, the bench posted the case to July 27.

When the counsels of some self financing professional colleges brought to the court's attention on the agitations by some students organisations on the self financing college issue, the bench asked the management associations to file proper petitions before the court, if they wanted interference of the court on the matter.

The bench orally opined that the court was not powerless in the matter. (PTI)

Complaints with banking ombudsman rises 40 pc in NE

SHILLONG, July 20: Number of complaints on bank-related matters in the north east has increased over 40 per cent in the last one year, Banking Ombudsman for the region B K Dutta said today.

In the first four months of current financial year, the Ombudsman's office received 175 complaints as compared to 150 in the entire last fiscal. In 2003-04, the figure was only 60, he told an awareness programme here.

This proved that more and more people were aware of the forum of Ombudsman to seek redressal of their grievances, Dutta said while refusing to agree that the increased figure was a 'cause of concern' for his office.

Saying that he was not giving any 'value judgement' on the efficiency of banking operations as a whole, he reminded that 'chances of mistakes are there' in banking operations as the State Bank of India alone ran 9000 branches in 29 states of the country while other banks were also extending its base.

To make people aware, he and other officials were touring 'inaccessible parts' of the region, Dutta said while explaining the salient features of the Banking Ombudsman scheme 2006 and the grounds of complaints.

SBI Deputy General Manager of North East zonal office, H Rao, present on the occasion, said although technology had supplemented manpower in the banks for the last four years its utility was not yet stabilised. Moreover, the banking operations had also expanded manifold as had the customer base, he said.

Manager of HDFC Bank, Hemant, said the increased number of complaints with the ombudsman would have to be taken into consideration. (PTI)

US House condemns Mumbai blasts

WASHINGTON, July 20: Condemning as "heinous" and "unjustified" the wave of deadly blasts that rocked Mumbai, the US House of Representatives adopted a unanimous resolution asking the international community to rout terrorists by defeating their ideology and networks that carry out attacks.

The House adopted the resolution (425-0) to express its "deepest" condolences to the victims and the families of the July 11 Mumbai suburban train blasts.

Emphasising that the attack on India's financial hub was part of terrorists' "determination" to cause "economic terror" in the country, the resolution called upon the international community to renew and strengthen efforts to combat social evils that breed terrorism.

The resolution, sponsored by Congressmen Jospeh Crowley and Joseph Wilson, also urged countries to defeat terrorists by defeating their ideology and networks that train and carry out attacks.

The statement also recalled the historic July 18, 2005 agreement reched bewtween the two countries on sharing nuclear energy and expressed its resolve to "transform the relationship between the countries and establish a global partnership".

The discussions on the resolution saw members not only condemning the terror attacks but also hailing India's commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights

Saluting the spirit displayed by the people during the hours of crisis, the resolution said, "the people of India quickly responded to the attack by turning out to donate blood, taking bed sheets to turn into stretchers and offering assistance and comfort to the victims of the attack." (PTI)

Madhya Pradesh Police detain SIMI activists

BHOPAL, July 20: Cracking down on the banned SIMI after the recent Mumbai blasts, Madhya Pradesh Police have rounded up nearly a dozen activists of the group for questioning and are keeping a vigil on its activities, police sources said here today.

State police, while sharing information with their Maharashtra counterparts "to avoid investigations being affected by rumours generated from different quarters", have rounded up SIMI activists in Bhopal, Khandwa, Indore, Ujjain and Burhanpur districts, they said.

"No formal arrest was made as most of them were released after interrogation," a source said, adding the probe would continue as efforts are being made to trace known office-bearers of the banned group, most of whom have gone underground.

Conclusive evidence to link state-based SIMI activists with the Mumbai blasts is yet to be found, though a prankster was arrested yesterday for sending an e-mail to a newspaper office about the attacks, they said.

In the wake of Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) tracing another e-mail reportedly from Lashkar-e-Qahhar sent to a TV channel in the state, another person was held after raids, the sources said. Details about him are being collected and he is being interrogated, they said.

In a bid to ensure coordinated efforts, a senior officer of the rank of additional director general of police rushed to Mumbai to maintain contacts with the ATS that is probing the July 11 blasts on commuter trains which killed 200 people, they said. (PTI)