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13th Feb 2010
Mumbaikars give thumbs up to Khan
Although all 63 theatres in Mumbai played it safe and cancelled the first show of the day, most halls started showing the movie by noon, enabling cinema buffs to enjoy the heart warming story of Indian Muslim Rizwan Khan (SRK) in the post-9/11 US. Despite the Maharashtra government’s assurance about adequate security at all cinemas, theatre-owners were wary of Sena threats to disrupt screenings unless Khan apologised for supporting inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL. Amid the cloud of uncertainty, six multiplexes and four single screen cinemas cancelled the morning shows but went ahead with post-noon shows following the overwhelming response. However, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil and Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe were among those who went for the opening show at Inox. Actors Kabir Bedi and his daughter Pooja Bedi had to return without watching the movie after all the tickets were sold out at a multiplex. Sena protests Shiv Sena protests took place in a dozen places. Most of them were arrested or detained. In Chembur, the police used batons to disperse a mob waving saffron flags and shouting slogans. The police arrested 24 Shiv Sainiks who protested outside Fun Cinemas in Chembur. Shah Rukh’s office in Bandra too was not spared with some Sainiks pelting stones. Rane’s rant Revenue Minister Narayan Rane on Friday demanded that the Election Commission cancel the registration of Shiv Sena. In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Rane pointed out that the Sena’s agitation over the issue of non-Maharashtrians was “unconstitutional” and was completely contrary to its own constitution and the laws of the country. Shah Rukh sorry Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan tweeted on Friday that he was overwhelmed by the love and support of Mumbaikars and apologised to them for “giving stress” over the last few days since the controversy over his film broke out. “i thank u all for this..apologise for giving stress over the last few days...& now truly know the meaning of being humbled.lov u all so much (sic),” tweeted Khan. The 44-year-old actor is facing the ire of Shiv Sena after he refused to apologise for his remarks supporting the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL. |
7th Feb 2010
Students put cleanliness message on school wall
Officials of the school said that Mirror’s report on graffiti on the bridge near Helmet crossroads and other public properties prodded the kids to carry out the exercise. Balprasoon Vidyalaya is located at one end of the flyover. “We wanted to do something to prevent people from defacing our walls for a long time. AM’s report firmed up our resolve,” a counsellor at the school, Nandak Pandya, said. Pandya said that students were unable to play in the compound because of the stench of trash dumped near the wall. On Saturday, the schoolchildren drew 25 pictures of gods and goddesses. The 50 kids went about the task very systematically. They took tips from their drawing teacher, and then divided themselves into groups. “If we try, we can change people and things around us,” a class IX student, Twisha Mistry, said. “We have drawn pictures of deities on the wall. This will discourage people from urinating near it.” A class VII student, Urvi Patel, said that passers-by praised Saturday’s initiative. “I want to carry out a similar exercise in my society,” Bhumin Patel, who is in class VIII, said. Krutarth Jardosh, also a student of Balprasoon Vidyalaya, said that many hospitals in the city had succeeded in discouraging people from relieving themselves near their premises by drawing pictures of gods on walls. The principal of the school, Ram Jalu, said that Saturday’s initiative helped students explore their creativity and create awareness on cleanliness. | ||||
Nitho wireless guitar trio
If you love the Guitar Hero or Rock Band series of video games, you need to get yourself the Nitho Wireless Guitar Trio. Why you ask? The answer is simple this guitar works on three popular consoles available right now, Wii, PS3 and PS2 and it works with every guitar game out there.
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This means you no longer need a seperate guitar for each of you consoles. The Guitar has a wireless operating range of about 5metres and a guitar pedal. The gaming device is powered by 4AAA batteries. The device is available in all major electronics outlets for the price of Rs 4,099. For more information on the Wireless Guitar Trio
1st Feb 2010
City's new buses
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The passengers can use a red button above their seats to alert the driver that he/she will get down at the next stop.
Another familiar sight is passengers jumping out of a moving AMTS bus. This too will be a thing of the past as pneumatic doors seal the new buses. These can be closed and opened only by the driver through a GPS-enabled console. This also helps the driver to keep track of people getting in and getting off the bus.
Elders’ ease
AM had reported on January 21 that the 60-year-old public transport service is revamping its image by getting a fleet of new buses. The vehicles, being made by Tata Motors at Ambala in Punjab, run on Euro-III compatible diesel engines.
It has low floor height to enable the elderly to climb aboard easily. Unlike the current fleet that has a flooring of metal panels fixed with rivets, the flooring inside the vehicle is even. This will ensure that no one trips and falls.
The regular AMTS buses have leather handholds. The new ones, however, have fixed metal slings so that passengers do not lose their balance if sudden brakes are applied. The vehicles will also have vertical handrails for children to hold onto.
No space jam
Each bus, which has 35 seats, is spacious enough to accommodate 50 more passengers, if they stand. Pneumatic suspensions will absorb the jerks, ensuring a smooth ride for passengers.
The vehicles will carry six electronic displays: four on the inside and two outside. The ones outside will display the bus route for those standing at the bus stop and the ones inside will flash the name of the next bus stop to alert passengers.
A bifocal mirror will show the rear view as well as a view of the lower half in front.
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| Red buttons (circled) above seats will help passengers alert the driver about his/her stop | The pneumatic doors can be opened only by the driver. No more jumping off a moving bus |
Safety first
Unlike conventional buses, there will be no partition in the windshield to obstruct the driver’s view. Made of safety glass, it may develop a crack in case of a mishap, but the windshield will not collapse.
A drilling machine has been fixed inside the vehicle in case passengers need to break open a window to make an emergency exit.
In case of a fire, there’s a fire extinguisher in hand. First aid kits are a must on all vehicles. The bus will also have tubeless tyres to minimise chances of breakdown.
Injection-moulded fibre seats for extra comfort is another feature of the bus. This is more suitable for the hot weather in Ahmedabad. These can be washed easily.
So, get ready to leave your vehicles at home and get onto tech-savvy Amdavadis ka stylish transport.
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| Fixed handslings will ensure nobody is hurled around if driver brakes suddenly. Kids can take a firm hold of vertical rails | Every bus will be equipped with a fire extinguisher. First-aid kits are a must on all vehicles |
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| Passengers can use a drill (circled) fixed inside the vehicle in case they need to break a window and make a fast exit | Injection-moulded fibre seats are highly suited for Ahmedabad’s hot weather. And, they are washable, too |
24th January 2010
Centre clears bhadra revival
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Once developed, this stretch, likely to be named ‘Bhadra Plaza’, will be a far cry from the chaotic public space that exists now. So, you can look forward to taking a stroll on new walkways that will come up near the fort, unwind at a café on the monument’s terrace or visit a museum on its premises. You will be able to do all this without negotiating through a tangle of streetside vendors and illegally parked vehicles.
The money for restoration of the fort and development of the heritage square was sanctioned by Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) recently. Mirror reported in July last year that the civic body had submitted an elaborate plan to get the grant.
The Rs 77 crore JNNURM has allotted will be used to not only improve the weather-beaten Bhadra fort’s condition, but also rebuild its gardens and majestic courtyard. All work will be carried out according to guidelines on heritage conservation laid down by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“Now, we will prepare a new plan to seek ASI’s help for reconstructing sensitive structural components of the monument,” the municipal commissioner, I P Gautam, told Mirror. “An agreement involving restoration work costing Rs 35 crore will be signed with the ASI.”
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| Walkways, a terrace cafe, a museum and yes, no vehicles... the stretch between Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaza will soon regain its lost glory |
Apart from setting up a café and a museum in the fort, the AMC wants to open a restaurant that serves traditional food and handicraft outlets on the ground floor, and art galleries on the first floor. To end chronic congestion in the area and woo more tourists, it will demarcate space for parking, landscaping, roadside food joints and cultural exhibits.
The civic body will regularise flow of pedestrians by constructing sidewalks between Teen Darwaza and the fort. The most ambitious feature of AMC’s plan is construction of an elevated walkway from the nearly 600-year-old structure to the Sabarmati riverfront.
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SOURCE:AM
12th January 2010
Kite fest off to a flier
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10th January 2010
kite-catching? cops watching
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Detained kids will be let off only after parents visit police station and promise the wards will behave |
Last year’s toll
Last year, two kids fell to their death catching kites, while 200 were reported injured between January 14 and 15. Apart from hurting themselves, kite-catchers pose a huge traffic risk.
This year, a number of citizens have drawn the traffic police’s attention to the fact that it is an added nuisance keeping an eye out for kite-catchers while driving on already chaotic Ahmedabad roads.
Cops’ initiative
The traffic police top brass completely agrees with citizenry’s concerns. Apart from deploying additional forces to man the streets on January 14-15, squads have been formed to deal with kite-catching nuisance.
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How does the police force intend to go about dealing with kite-catchers? “To teach them a good lesson,” Anarwala said, “Minors will be detained till their parents visit police stations and give an assurance about their children’s behaviour. Adults, of course, will be charged and presented before the court.”
For everyone’s sake, let’s hope this move brings about the desired result.
SOURCE:AM
6th January 2010
Thief held stealing auto parts from police yard
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| The Sabarmati police has charged Kanu with theft and criminal trespass after they caught him removing rickshaw tyre red-handed |
Add this guy to the world’s dumbest criminals’ list. Kanu Dantani, a 25-year-old resident of Bhavani Nagar ni Chali in Kalol, risked the wrath of the long arm of the law by stealing from the police themselves. He was arrested allegedly for stealing tyres and spare parts from automobiles parked in the Sabarmati police station’s backyard on Saturday.
Half an hour before he was arrested, Kanu had been brought to the police station for driving an autorickshaw without the necessary documents.
His vehicle was parked in the yard next to the police lines. The cops used this compound as a parking lot for vehicles they seized if the owners did not have proper documents. They also used it to park vehicles involved in accidents. There were 10 autorickshaws along with other two- and four-wheelers when the incident occurred. Police said, “Traffic constable Ashwin brought Kanu to the police station for driving an auto without proper documentation and licence. The autorickshaw was seized and Kanu was let off. A while later, Ashwin and constable Babu Desai spotted Kanu loitering around the yard in a suspicious manner. They kept watch and saw Kanu remove something from his pocket.”
The 25-year-old allegedly hunkered down next to an autorickshaw and tried to remove its tyre and spare parts. “Babu nabbed him in the act,” said police.
The case is being investigated by head constable Mahesh Shalvi. Primary investigation revealed that Kanu was an Armyman who was posted in Pune, but he turned deserter.
In Ahmedabad, he drove an autorickshaw for a living. SOURCE:AM
5th January 2010
DAYA seeks DULHA in city
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| Disha is featured on page 33 of the Yuvak-Yuvti Parichay Pustika. She has made a note of her best actress award in the comic category for her role as Dayaben in her popular television serial |
Disha Vakani aka Dayaben is ready for marriage. Yes, we have it officially from Daya herself, who registered for the Jeevan Saathi Pasandgi Mela of the Bhavsar community on Sunday. Disha, who had blushed red at the mention of marriage as recently as July, addressed all those present at the mela held in the city, over telephone.
She said, “I am keen to marry someone from the community and that’s why I have registered for this mela. I am sorry that I could not make it today (Sunday) due to bad weather, but I will surely marry within my caste,” she spoke her mind loud and clear. And, 2010-11 is her deadline, “Baaki Hari ichchha.”
Featured on page 33 of the Yuvak-Yuvti Parichay Pustika, Disha’s details reveal what she otherwise wouldn’t have stated so clearly. At the age of 31, she stands 5’-3” tall and earns Rs 25,000 per month. All these details coupled with the ‘fair, slim and homely’ tag should help her find her dulha.
After all, she has taken the trouble to make a special note of her India Television Academy Awards 2008 for Best Actress in the Comic Category for her role as Dayaben in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
All this is quite different compared to what’s happening on the television front, be it in reel life or real. While the Bajajs and Viranis are busy marrying time and again, here’s someone who has decided to keep the community name and traditions going.
Disha has a different take on it. She told Ahmedabad Mirror, “I have opted for a script I can identify with, if I ever act in any of these multi-wedding-multi-divorce serials, I will surely let you know the experience. But as of now, I am just Dayaben dealing with my family and neighbours.”
So, how does she plan to use her on-screen experience with Jethalal in her married life? “Humour is now part of my life. If I face a tough situation with my husband or in-laws, I will resort to humour to make matters light,” says Disha, who is well-armed with her diploma and degree in Drama. Has she already met any ‘eligible bachelor’ from the community? “Not yet, not yet,” she insisted, “When the process begins, I will surely keep you posted.” Does aapnu Amdavad carry any weightage? “I would really like to marry an Amdavadi, but other factors too matter...”
Ask her about her preference of husband and she plays the perfect Bharatiya naari, with all the sharmaana and muskuraana. “Woh toh maa-baap jo chaahe.” Well, we do wish Disha can soon say, ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’.
SOURCE:AM
1st January 2010
What amdavadis desire this year
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31th December 2009
It’s all about Going Green
Shree Narayana College of Commerce has organised a four-day celebration where students are participating in activities that go beyond song and dance. On Tuesday students celebrated Environment Day where they planted saplings in the college campus. Great going! |
30th December 2009
Quit smoking, get 10 per cent salary hike
“The idea is to ensure that employees adopt a healthy lifestyle,” the CEO of Focus Engineering Services, A C Ramesh, said. Interestingly, Ramesh plans to lead by example. He has been a smoker for the past 25 years and plans to kick the habit — a step he thinks will have positive impact on his employees. Focus Engineering has close to 40 employees and its clients include Confident Group, Embassy Group and ISRO. Healthy incentive According to Ramesh, 50 per cent of his colleagues are chain-smokers. Concerns about his and their health prompted Ramesh to come up with this idea. “I have had enough of smoking and drinking in the past 25 years. Now, I want to put an end to these vices for the sake of my health and that of my family,” he said. “Later, I thought of getting my colleagues also to do the same. However, I realised that some incentive would be needed to persuade them. I think the 10 per cent bonus, in addition to the regular hike, will do the trick.” Ramesh said that his company’s health depended on the health of his employees. “Anyone violating the pact will face a 20 per cent pay cut,” he said. Karthik Anand, a project engineer at Focus, said that he would try to quit smoking. “If my boss can do it, why can’t I? This will only help me in the future. I have been smoking for the past 15 years. Earlier, I used to smoke three packets. Lately, I have cut down to one pack.” |
29th December 2009
Eyes in the sky
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| Cameras will be installed at all entry and exit points of the city | |
Come next year, our city is going to be under a close watch. The Ahmedabad police and traffic department are finalising a plan for putting in a place a modern surveillance system and installing CCTV cameras at city’s entry and exit points, sensitive areas and key traffic intersections.
Mirror has learnt that Income Tax and Sardar Patel crossroads will be the first two places in the city where CCTV cameras will be installed on a test basis in February.
Senior police officers say the objective of using such security devices is simple: to monitor a city that was convulsed by synchronised explosions in July 2008 and to catch on camera traffic offenders.
The plan for putting in place the surveillance system is being worked out at the office of city police chief S K Saikia. In fact, two companies that manufacture and help operate such security systems recently made presentations at Saikia’s office.
If things go as planned, cameras may be installed across Ahmedabad within 8-10 months. “We have been considering to put in place surveillance cameras at key locations of the city for quite some time. The plan is materialising, with presentations under way,” the joint commissioner of police (sector II), Atul Karwal told Mirror.
Karwal recently visited Bangalore to learn about different security systems. “CCTV cameras can prove handy in (investigating) many cases. They can capture the image of a culprit and record registration numbers of vehicles,” he said. “Cameras installed at city’s entry and exit points can help us track movements of people with suspicious behaviour.”
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Another top cop, M M Anarwala, said that CCTV cameras could prove to be very effective in identifying rash drivers involved in mishaps. “At times, vehicle drivers flee the spot after knocking down people and even cops. However, camera recordings can help us track down such motorists and motorcyclists,” Anarwala, who is the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), said.
A source in the police department said that four-eight cameras might be affixed to traffic light poles at Income Tax and Sardar Patel crossroads. These cameras will be connected to a wireless network. Number plate recognition, the source said, would be one of the features of these video recording devices.
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The source said that footage of the cameras would be stored on separate servers. Anarwala, meanwhile, said that the decision to put in place cameras at Income Tax and Sardar Patel crossroads under a pilot project had been taken because the they were city’s busiest intersections.
SOURCE:AM
28th December 2009
FRAUD DRIVES NEW SEDAN HOME FROM SHOWROOM
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This is probably one of the most startling car thefts in Ahmedabad. A dapper thief waltzed into a showroom on SG Highway recently, enquired about different models patiently and then drove off with a brand new mid-sized sedan right under the noses of outlet’s staff.
Surprisingly, the showroom’s employees didn’t immediately realise that the car, costing Rs 5.11 lakh, had been stolen until it was time for them to deliver the vehicle to its rightful owner.
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The showroom’s delivery area from where the imposter drove off with a new sedan |
Imposter’s carnama |
| Place : Concept Hyundai, SG Highway Time : 6.30 pm Choice of wheels : Hyundai Accent Car’s cost : Rs 5.11 lakh |
Concept Hyundai’s employees didn’t look askance at his behaviour because he was well-dressed and spoke confidently. After checking out different car models, he entered the delivery area of the showroom. There, he saw a staff member, Hitesh, readying a Hyundai Accent for delivery.
The smart thief, according to the police, then ordered Hitesh to ensure that the car was spotless as he was his new owner. Overwhelmed by the thief’s condescending attitude, Hitesh apparently fell for the imposter’s ploy. After a couple of minutes, the fraud asked the employee to get away from the vehicle as he wanted to drive it home.
As the car was parked in the delivery area of the showroom, keys were lodged inside the vehicle. The fraud then turned the ignition on, and sped off. A little while later, Concept Hyundai’s other employees came looking for the mid-sized sedan as they had to deliver it to its rightful owner. That’s when everyone at the showroom realised the imposter had stolen the vehicle, whose temporary registration number is GJ-1 TC 806.
Concept Hyundai’s president, Derek Paul, then filed a complaint in the Vastrapur police station. The case is now being investigated by sub-inspector B K Sayyad.
A similar incident happened earlier this month in Sabarmati. A youth walked into a two-wheeler showroom pretending to be the owner of a Honda Activa given for a service. He signed a few documents, and then scooted off with the vehicle. The showroom’s staff realised they had been fooled only when the two-wheeler’s owner, Ketan Praful Patel, came to pick it up a few hours later. SOURCE:AM
27th December 2009
No Entry
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| Guards make visitors throw away their tobacco ‘treats’ at the carnival’s entrance |
If you visit the Kankaria Carnival, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), determined to keep the week-long extravaganza clean, will peer into your pockets and bags. Not to extract any money, but to ensure you don’t carry any gutkha or cigarette packets inside.
Don’t bother devising a plan to sneak some tobacco into the venue, it just won’t work. Not convinced? Just ask anyone of the estimated 2.5 lakh people who visited the carnival on Saturday. They were not only frisked thoroughly by a phalanx of security guards at all the five entrances, but were also ordered to throw away their gutkha and cigarette supplies.
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| The ban on tobacco was enforced at the carnival on Saturday. An estimated 2.5 lakh people were frisked for gutkha and cigarettes |
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The municipal commissioner, I P Gautam, told Mirror that the carnival had been declared a tobacco-free event following a communiqué by the state tobacco control cell.
“We enforced a ban on gutkha and cigarettes immediately after receiving a suggestion from the tobacco control cell,” Gautam said. “Surprisingly, people are willingly adhering to the ban. They throw away their gutkha and cigarette packets when asked to (without making any fuss).”
AMC’s medical officer, S P Kulkarni, said that the restriction on smoking and guthka-chewing at the carnival had bolstered the fight against tobacco. “So far, the decision has received public support. This shows the true spirit of the event,” he said.
Dr Paresh Dave of the tobacco control cell wrote to the AMC chief a day before the carnival began. He emphasised on the need for reducing smoking in the state before 2010 as part of the ‘Golden Gujarat’ celebrations.
SOURCE: AM
26th December 2009
Ab tak 56
» Two members of a bike-chor gang nabbed» The duo has confessed to stealing 56 bikes this year
» Eight bikes recovered
» Cops promise more arrests and recovery of bikes
Fifty-six bikes in almost a year, a ‘steal’ that has left even the crime branch confounded. Jimmy Pradeep Sharma, 30, and Ishtiyaq alias Guddu Farooqi, 31, arrested on Thursday from Rakhial by Shahibaug police, have confessed to lifting 56 motorbikes from across the city.
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And, if your motobike happens to have been stolen, there are bleak changes that it may be recovered as the arrests highlight the modus operandi bike thieves employ and what happens to the vehicles once lifted.
Most of the motorcyles Jimmy and Guddu stole would end up getting dismantled, the chassis number tampered with and sold off with other spare parts, investigating officer P G Vaghela said. Selected parts would go into bikes that Jimmy modified in Government Officers’ Colony, Meghanhinagar, his home. Some would land in Aneek Auto Garage near Gujarat bottling plant owned by Guddu to be fitted in bikes that came in for repairs.
Crowded areas and streets, commercial complexes and parking lots were the usual spots from where Jimmy and Guddu lifted bikes.
“They have told us that riders careless enough to leave the keys in were the easiet prey. But then, they also said they would always carry master keys,” Vaghela said, adding that the duo only grew bolder with each theft. Stolen motorcycles and parts would be hidden near their homes.
“We have information that Jimmy sold bikes modified using stolen spares. If yes, the person buying the bike becomes an offender too. Tracing such buyers is a big task,” he said.
 | They have told us that riders careless enough to leave the keys in were the easiest prey. – PI (crime) PG Vaghela |
Unlike Guddu, Jiimmy comes from an educated, well-to-do family; his 70-year-old father is a retired senior government employee.
What prompted Jimmy, an convent educated MSc degree holder into such a crime? Vaghela said, “We can’t say he was influenced by the company he keeps. Maybe, it’s just for money. More will be known only after we question him further.”
Eight motorcycles, three engines and spare parts have been recovered.
The arrests, in Rakhial, were made following a tip-off. They had no papers of the Kinetic Honda they were riding which raised cops’ suspicion.
The duo has two offences registered against them in Shahibaug police station; cops suspect their hand in all the 13 cases of bike lifting registered with them. Several more cases have been filed in Kalupur, Odhav. Kagdapith and Danilimda police stations.
These police stations will arrest them on the basis of FIRs registered in their respective jurisdictions.
SOURCE: AM
25th December 2009
Many Clauses Here
Students of Seventh Day Adventist School in Maninagar celebrated Christmas with more than just one Santa Claus. They played games, sang songs and had cake together to usher in the festive season
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Fidelity is not necessary for relationship: Angelina Jolie
London: While many would kill to have Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt as their partner, Angelina Jolie does not seem to mind sharing him as she believes fidelity is not essential for a relationship.
The Academy Award winning actress, who raises six children with her long-term partner Pitt, believes open romances can work just as well as monogamous relationships, if both partners agree to it, Contactmusic reported.
“I doubt that fidelity is absolutely essential for a relationship. It’s worse to leave your partner and talk badly about him afterwards,” the website quoted Jolie telling to Das Neue magazine.
“Neither Brad nor I have ever claimed that living together means to be chained together. We make sure that we never restrict each other,” she added. “The sparks fly at home if the nice Brad fails to see that he’s wrong and reacts in a defiant way. Then I can get so angry that I tear his shirt,” Jolie said.
On a Rampage
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Students of DPS Bopal walked the ramp as different personalities and got rave reviews for their stage presence. The audience at Vastrapur Lake enjoyed the Oorukkali performance to the hilt!
SOURCE:AM
24th December 2009
BUG ATTACK
The C N Vidyalaya campus, Amdavad’s greenest cover with more than 1,500 trees, is facing a threat to its very survival.More than 200 full-grown trees on the campus have been hit by a plant virus called root-knot nematode, which destroys trees by killing off their roots. Worse, this virus is spreading among other trees on the campus at an alarming rate.
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| Though the C N campus looks serene in this picture, its trees are under attack from root-knot nematode virus |
The worst-affected species are Neem trees, with around 80 affected. Experts treating the trees are unable to ascertain how the trees caught the virus. They are now working on a dual mission: ensure the affected trees and saved and prevent the virus from spreading further. Initially, C N campus minders didn’t even realise there was something seriously wrong when the trees showed signs of dying. The leaves began to fall off, which were taken for the normal winter phenomenon.
However, campus minders realised something was seriously wrong when a couple of full-grown Neem trees went barren. The corporation’s Parks & Gardens department was contacted 20 days ago. It took them almost a fortnight to discover the presence of root-knot nematode in the trees.
Said Jignesh Patel, director, Parks & Gardens, “This virus eat away tree roots. It’s one of the most dangerous viruses for plantations. We have started the treatment, which includes digging up the trees and providing them nutrients. We are using natural pesticide, considered the most effective way to combat the virus.
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| Some of the infected trees | The virus starves trees by not allowing roots to absorb nutrients |
WHAT IS ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE
It is basically a plant-parasite. The virus exists in soils in areas with hot climate, and also thrive in short winters. This virus causes approximately five per cent of global crop loss world-wide.
Root-knot nematode larva infect plant roots causing the development of root-knot galls that drain the plant’s photosynthate and nutrients. Infection of young plants may be especially lethal.
Root-knot nematodes are one of the three most-economically damaging genera of plant-parasitic nematodes on horticultural and field crops.
When Patel was asked how long will it take to complete the affected trees’ treatment, he admitted it is a lengthy process. Said Patel, “It’s like human body. When you are down with typhoid or jaundice, the treatment takes its own course. You gradually regain strength after medication. Trees are no different.”
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| The virus renders infected trees barren; treatment is on |
SOURCE: AM
23rd December 2009
City’s got a song
Fake IMEI numbers no hitch on BSNL
Despite the Centre’s ban on mobile phones without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) from December 1 for security reasons, calls are still being made from several such handsets. Ironically, they are functional only with CellOne SIMs of government-run telecom company BSNL.
Written by Chirag Tripathi, a conceptuliser with Radio Mirchi, and composed by Nishith Mehta of Musica Production, the song is refreshingly free of any political agenda. The song, which will be the theme song during the week-long Kankaria Carnival starting December 25, eulogises all things Amdavadi. It describes the beauty of Sidi Sayyed Ni Jaali carvings, the electrifying atmosphere at Kankaria Lakefront, and also the busy life on our roads... yes, there’s something about the mad chaos on our roads that we crib about. The song says that if Manekchowk is the heart of Amdavad, C G Road can become the city’s fragrance (Manekchowk aenu dil bani dhadke ne C G Road bani mehek)... Simple words that come together to describe the city like never before. Deputy Municipal Commissioner M S Patel said, “We are paying a tribute to the city by gifting it this song.” The song talks about devotees’ faith in Bhadra Kali temple, and the vibrant night-life, but what puts it aptly is this stanza: Google ni satellite upar laage vishaal pan dil ma samaaye atlu nanu (city looks huge on Google Earth but in reality, it can fit in your heart). The song lists IIMA, NID and CEPT on its ‘bio-data’ and says the beautiful moon appears oh-so-close from the terraces of ISRO. Indeed, not many cities in the world are lucky to have their own song, leave alone such a beautiful one at that. “I have tried to express what the common man feels about the city in a language which is not very difficult for a common man to understand,” said Tripathi. |
Fake IMEI numbers no hitch on BSNL
The same handsets turn “dead” when SIMs of private operators are used.
The private mobile operators started rejecting calls from handsets with IMEI numbers not on the database of the Global Systems for Mobile Communications Association (GSMCA) from the midnight of November 30. But BSNL is still unable to block calls from those handsets apparently due to technical glitches on its servers.
The test
AM conducted a test drive with a Chinese mobile handset on Monday after receiving a series of complaints in this connection. First, we logged on to the website of International Numbering Plan. When we entered the IMEI number of the banned handset for verification, it turned out to be fake.
Thereafter, we inserted a couple of SIM cards of private mobile service providers in it. But there was no connectivity. The screen of the handset displayed this message — “invalid SIM card”.
 |  |
| Mirror then inserted a SIM card of state-run telecom operator BSNL into the Chinese handset | BSNL’s network accepted the SIM, and AM was able to make phone calls using the Chinese handset |
Finally, we inserted a CellOne SIM card. When we switched the handset on, we were shocked see the “dead” cellphone “alive”. There was connectivity.
Finding that it was possible to make calls from the banned handset with CellOne SIM, this corespondent dialled the number of Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Ajay Tomar. When we told him we were calling from a Chinese handset, he did not believe us initially. After we told him about our test drive, he was convinced that the call was made from a Chinese handset.
Expressing his concern over the goof-up in the servers of BSNL, Tomar said: “We need to check technicalities.”
 |  |
| AM got hold of a Chinese mobile, and noted down its IMEI number | Mirror then inserted a SIM card of Vodafone into the dubious cellphone to see if it worked |
BSNL is apparently failing to identify calls made from banned handsets because its poor database of genuine IMEI numbers. The private operators, experts said, tied up with government-affiliated firms having rich database of IMEI numbers after Department of Telecom (DoT) directed them to reject calls coming from the banned handsets. But the government-run telecom company BSNL, the experts added, were yet to tie up with any such organisation. Thus, calls made from banned handsets are still not being rejected by BSNL servers.
| |
| Mirror then inserted a SIM card of state-run telecom operator BSNL into the Chinese handset | BSNL’s network accepted the SIM, and AM was able to make phone calls using the Chinese handset |
They know it
Several Amdavadis are aware that banned handsets can still be used by inserting CellOne SIMs. A city distributor of Mobile Standard Alliance of India (MSAI), which was authorised to provide IMEI numbers to mobile users till November 30, said “We have stopped issuing IMEI numbers. But several ignorant people still approach us for the numbers. When we tell them that Chinese handsets had been banned by the Government of India, they tell us that those handsets can be used by inserting CellOne SIMs.”
 |
| AM logged on to an IMEI authentication site to check if the handset’s identification number was fake or genuine |
 |
| AM logged on to an IMEI authentication site to check if the handset’s identification number was fake or genuine |
SOURCE: AM
Make Money Blogging
22nd December 2009
Want to beat inflation? Lunch at Parliament House
New Delhi: Can you imagine a vegetarian thali lunch for Rs 12.50 or a katori (small bowl) of dal at Rs 1.50, and chapatis for a Re 1 each at a time when the prices of essential commodities are touching the sky?Yes it is possible, even if food is getting out of the reach of the poor in the country. Welcome to the Parliament House canteen, where delectable dishes are never pricey. A series of catering units run by Indian Railways at Parliament House, including at the library and the annexe building, serve food at rates which are a good decade old but are hard to digest for a newcomer.
MPs, who are seen shouting at each other and castigating the government over the rising food prices, definitely relish the cheap canteen food. But, mind you, the facility is not for them only. Parliament staff, security personnel and journalists too enjoy the delicacies at rates which an ordinary citizen outside cannot even think of.
Sample the rates: Vegetarian thali — comprising dal, subzi, four chapatis, rice or pulav, curd and salad — for Rs 12.50. A non-veg thali costs Rs 22; curd rice Rs 11; vegetable pulav at Rs 8 and chicken biryani Rs 34; fish curry and rice Rs 13; Rajma rice Rs 7; chicken curry Rs 20 and butter chicken Rs 27.
Stomach this: dosa AT Rs 4
If you want to have soup, enjoy a bowl full at Rs 5.50, and for a heaped plate of cooked rice you need to shell out just Rs 2. A dosa is available for only Rs 4. Low rates make desserts sweeter. A katori of kheer costs Rs 5.50, while a fruit cake is available for Rs 9.50. Where does this come from? All this costs the government a huge amount of tax-payers’ money. The gap between actual cost and what MPs have to pay is bridged with a food budget set by Parliament.
“Over Rs 5.3 crore has been allocated for the current financial year for canteens. The Lok Sabha pays Rs 3.55 crore and the Rajya Sabha shells out over Rs 1.77 crore,” an official said. “Not only MPs, we serve food to everybody who is allowed inside Parliament.
SOURCE: AM
21st December 2009
A van-derful moment for SRK
Ever since Shah Rukh Khan purchased the costliest and biggest vanity van which has all the modern amenities, his favourite filmmaker Yash Chopra has been very keen to see it. Tickled by curiosity, he had expressed his wish to Shah Rukh. After all, it’s a swanky, fully loaded van fit for a superstar.
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Shah Rukh Khan | Yash Chopra |
Normally, no actor is allowed to take his vanity van inside, but yesterday Shah Rukh was given a special concession.
As soon as Shah Rukh drove in at 4.30pm, Yash Chopra came out. Shah Rukh emerged from the van, held Yash Chopra’s hand and took him inside. “Yash considers Shah Rukh as his son. Shah Rukh also has very high regard for Yash Chopra,” said our source.
Yash Raj’s head honcho spent a full 30 minutes inside the van where Shah Rukh showed him all the amenities very respectfully. “He loved the van. It’s like a one-bedroom house,” our source added.
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Shah Rukh Khan’s vanity van (Pic: Satish Malavade) |
SOURCE: AM
19th December 2009
Emma watson crowned biggest grossing female star
The 19-year-old star, best-known for her role as Hermione Granger in the six Harry Potter films released so far, has clinched the win with $5.4 billion in global box office receipts, Daily Express reported.
The teen star’s total will continue to tally when she appears in the remaining film of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, next year and in 2011 respectively.
However, Watson feels she is touched by the simple things in life and money is never on her mind.
“I really don’t have time to spend my money,” she had said recently.
Source: AM
18th December 2009
Amul butter to cost Rs 2 more per 100-gram pack from next week.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells its dairy products under the brand ‘Amul’ will increase butter prices by Rs 2 per 100 gram pack from next week.
“Due to an increase in the input cost, we have to pay more to milk producers, hence, butter prices will be raised by Rs 2 per 100 gram pack,” said Chief General Manager of GCMMF R S Sodhi.
The price of the 100-gram butter pack has been raised to Rs 25 from Rs 23, effective next week as the new stocks are being dispatched, he added.
“Let me inform you that dairy fat prices have doubled the world over over the last three months. Considering this, the increase in butter prices is much lower than other food items,” Sodhi said.
GCMMF had increased milk prices by Re 1 in August this year citing rise in input cost.
GCMMF has a daily average milk collection of 8.4 million litres and its sales turnover touched Rs 67,113 million last fiscal, he said.
“Due to an increase in the input cost, we have to pay more to milk producers, hence, butter prices will be raised by Rs 2 per 100 gram pack,” said Chief General Manager of GCMMF R S Sodhi.
The price of the 100-gram butter pack has been raised to Rs 25 from Rs 23, effective next week as the new stocks are being dispatched, he added.
“Let me inform you that dairy fat prices have doubled the world over over the last three months. Considering this, the increase in butter prices is much lower than other food items,” Sodhi said.
GCMMF had increased milk prices by Re 1 in August this year citing rise in input cost.
GCMMF has a daily average milk collection of 8.4 million litres and its sales turnover touched Rs 67,113 million last fiscal, he said.
Source: AM
17th December 2009
Rihanna goes topless for magzine cover
London: Singer Rihanna will be seen posing topless on the cover of GQ magazine’s January 2010 issue, with her hands strategically covering her body.Rihanna is seen looking seductively into the camera, reported aceshowbiz.co.uk The Barbadian-born singer also does a nude pictorial for the inside pages.
Who shut CCTV cams at Cancer hospital?
The mystery surrounding the Iraqi woman, who visited Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute recently to join a course and vanished, ensnared security agencies further on Wednesday after they learnt her entry had not been recorded by the centre’s CCTV cameras. In a strange occurrence, CCTV cameras installed at the institute, located on Civil Hospital’s campus, were reportedly switched off the day the burqa-clad woman, Hula Younis Fadhil, turned up at the premises.
This has further stoked suspicion of security agencies, who are now frantically trying to find out why the cameras were off. A source familiar with the ‘investigation’ into the disappearance of Younis, said that the apparent shutting down of cameras for a day had resulted in trading of conspiracy theories among security agencies.
“The woman visited the institute on November 16 (to enrol in a course in research). This is the only day when cameras at the cancer institute were off. Efforts are on to find out the cause and person behind this sudden stoppage of surveillance,” the source claimed.
More than 15 CCTV cameras were installed at the cancer institute after a bomb went off at Civil Hospital on July 26 last year. This surveillance system was put in place specifically to monitor entry and exit of hundreds of people from the premises every day.
According to the source, there are two CCTV cameras at the entrance of the cancer institute. “There’s a camera even outside the office of the institute’s director, Dr Pankaj Shah,” the source said. “The footage of these cameras and others installed at Civil Hospital can be monitored from three places.”
Contrary to the source’s claim that cameras were off the day Younis visited the institute, Shah, said that there was no stoppage of surveillance. “Cameras were on the day she turned up here. However, the place where she enquired about a course in research doesn’t have a camera,” Shah told Mirror.
The burqa-clad Iraqi woman’s visit and sudden disappearance from the cancer centre has unnerved state’s security agencies because the Union home ministry recently put Gujarat on high terror alert.
Younis is currently “not being treated as a terror suspect” or as a person who poses any kind of threat to Ahmedabad. However, she is a cause of worry for security agencies, including the Ahmedabad police, because there is literally no information on the foreign national’s whereabouts. Even the Ahmedabad airport reportedly doesn’t have any details about her arrival or departure.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Younis apparently provided inaccurate information about her background to enrol at Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute. Younis said in her correspondence that she was a teaching assistant at a college of science in University of Baghdad. The director of the cancer institute, Dr Shah, told Mirror that an online search for this science college had proved futile.
“In one of her mails, she said that she was from Baghdad University’s science college. After she abruptly left our institute last month, we tried to find information about this college on the internet. We found a link to the university, but we couldn’t find any details about the college,” he said.
Shah also said that a web link of the varsity provided by the Iraqi woman in her mail didn’t work. It also emerged on Wednesday that Younis contacted the cancer institute as early as August this year. “She sent us an e-mail to enquire about a course in research for the first time on August 20,” Shah said. “She wrote her mail: ‘I would like to get a work bench of training course during not more than six months’.”
She also said that her husband, Hyder Ali, was pursuing a PhD in India. The mystery Iraqi woman later three mails to the cancer institute.
“On August 27, she sought our nod for enrolling into the course. On September 9, we gave her preliminary consent, and asked her to bring documents relating to her academic background and other personal details,” Shah said. “When she finally visited our institute on November 16, she told staff members that she had arrived in Ahmedabad only a day earlier.”
Shah said that he informed the police commissioner about Younis’s visit after she left without completing administrative formalities, including paperwork. “We are a responsible institute, so it was our duty to apprise cops of a foreign national’s sudden disappearance,” he said.
He also said that the institute had sent an e-mail to the Iraqi woman, warning her of termination of her application for the course. “We have asked her to respond within seven days or lose chance to enrol at our institute,” Shah said.
Source : AM.
16th December 2009
‘Avatar’ the future of movies?
James Cameron has once again broken all boundaries and created a visual extravaganza that’ll have audiences running to the theatres!Avatar, Cameron’s latest magnum opus is all set to release worldwide this Friday, and from the global reports , it seems that the visionary director has indeed created a film that’ll revolutionise the world of cinema.
Avatar wowed critics at its London premiere last Thursday, with some early reviewers calling it ‘jaw-dropping ,’ ‘mind-blowing’ and a gamechanger in Hollywood for its digital effects. The 3-D epic adventure by the director of 1997 blockbuster Titanic, is one of the most expensive films ever at a cost of about Rs 2,000 crores to make and market. If initial reviews are any indication, it may be money well spent for film studio 20th Century Fox.
“James Cameron has proven his point. He is the king of the world. Movie magic is back!” proclaimed a showbiz newspaper. A UK tabloid called it “the most dazzling film of the decade.” Another called it a “hugely rewarding experience”. Looks like this is surely one film that cannot be missed! In India, Fox Star Studios is planning to release the film on a grand scale. Confirms Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India. Avatar will be released in 700 prints, in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, which is by far one of the biggest releases for a Hollywood film in India.”
Source: Ahmedabad Mirror.
15th December 2009
College teache
rs say they won’t fill education dept
rs say they won’t fill education dept has sent the forms to all colleges under the current UGC guidelines.
College teachers are up in arms against the appraisal forms sent by the state education department to all colleges recently.
Under the current UGC guidelines, it is compulsory for all college teachers to fill in the appraisal forms which include details such as research work, papers presented in seminars etc.
On Sunday, members of Gujarat, North Gujarat University Area Teachers Association held a meeting and decided that teachers would not fill the forms.
“Principals are unnecessarily pressuring teachers to fill the forms. There is no need to do so at present, as the UGC has not sent a notification regarding the same yet and proper documentation has also not taken place. Teachers are still discussing this move, so there is scope for debate before implementation,” a teacher said.
Source: Ahmedabad Mirror.
14th December 2009
Kankaria gets ready
The Kankaria Lake is all lit up these days. And, this is just a preview of the grand decking-up that will be on show when the carnival begins on December 25. A year on, the lakefront has been a big draw. It will be the place to be during the week-long extravaganza.
Source: Ahmedabad Mirror.
13th December 2009
Barricades to replace railings outside Kalupur railway station
In an attempt to ensure hassle-free traffic flow near Kalupur Railway station during the night, the city traffic police has decided to do away with the 20-ft railing on the Kalupur-Sarangpur road.
Barricades will come up at the spot to deal with the daytime rush of passengers and visitors entering and exiting the station.
These will then be removed from 9 pm to 8 am, the lean hour for traffic so that vehicles can make mid-block U-turns instead of driving down till Sarangpur bridge and then taking a U-turn.
A letter in this regard has been sent to AMC officials. “Ever since I took charge as the JCP, I visited several places in the city to find out what causes traffic congestion on this road. It is mainly due to the fact that the hired vehicles carrying passengers from railway station mixes with the routine traffic,” said Mohan Jha, joint commissioner of police, traffic.
“Removal of the railing will help people make a cut towards Kalupur instead of driving up to the Sarangpur and then making a U-turn,” he added.
“Once the railings are removed, barricades will be placed here. Our cops will ensure there’s no congestion on this road,” said M M Anarwala, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic.
“The motorists going towards Shahibaug will not need to drive till Sarangpur and then make a U-turn. These barricades will be removed from 9 pm to 8 am as not many trains halt during the night at the station,” the DCP added.
Source: Ahmedabad Mirror.
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