Ratan Tata on Nano and future challenges

The year ahead will be a tough one, but the high sales volume of Nano will dramatically change the company's market position।

The Indian economy continued to register impressive GDP growth, although the rate of growth declined marginally over the previous year, reflecting inflationary trends driven by the increase in the cost of energy and raw materials।

The level of industrial activity has also begun to decline as a result of fiscal constraints imposed on money supply and the raising of interest rates।

Investment flows into India increased by 20 per cent to a record level of about Rs 1,20,000 crore (Rs 1,200 billion)। Investment and consequent growth could have been even greater but for the roadblocks to major investments arising from ideological differences, state-Centre conflicts and vested interests.

Some of these self-serving obstacles delayed major projects, depriving the country the opportunity to bridge the gap in infrastructure, energy, power generation, utilisation of the country?s vast natural resources and, finally, to improve the quality of life of its people.

Centre targeting me at SP's behest: Mayawati

Stung by a fresh CBI affidavit in a disproportionate assests case, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday hit out at the Centre for "targeting" her at the behest of arch rival Samajwadi Party, but refused to divulge her strategy in the crucial trust vote on July 22।

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also accused the Congress-led coalition of treating SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with kidgloves despite a similar case pending against him and his family, and wondered, "What is the political pressure behind this?"

Addressing a press conference in the backdrop of the fresh move by the CBI against her, Mayawati was not at her combative best but sounded persuasive, and alleged that she was a victim of a "media trial"।

"The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance should not be under any illusion that we will be intimidated and come under their pressure," Mayawati said but sidestepped questions over her party's stand on the trial of strength of the Manmohan Singh ministry on July 22।

Inspite of questions like her reported attempts to break Samajwadi Party MPs and about her strategy in the trust vote, her refrain was that she would hold a separate press conference to announce her decision।

Singling out the CBI director for attack, she said that filing the affidavit soon after her party's withdrawal of support to the Centre and before the trust vote, brings the action of the premier investigative agency under the "needle of suspicion".

Swaminathan for N-deal; feels concerns on Hyde Act be addressed

Chennai, Jul 12 (DNS) Noted agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan has backed the Indo-US nuclear deal and IAEA Safeguards pact asserting that they were "unique" and would help India to end its nuclear isolation।However, he asked the government to resolve the deadlock by addressing Opposition parties' concerns relating to the Hyde Act with a counter legislation.

Swaminathan (83) who fondly recalls his close association with Homi Babha, the father of Indian nuclear programme, when he worked with him on radiation genetics in the 50s, said the IAEA-India Safeguards Agreement text made clear that India has the option to designate its nuclear plants for inspections।

"The text ensures that the designated plants are devoted to produce nuclear power and importantly they (IAEA) said that you can designate your own plants for use of other purposes।

"This is a real concession because after 1974 and 1998 nuclear tests, a host of countries have imposed sanctions against India," he told in an interview here today।

"Therefore this agreement is quite unique in that respect. There is no precedent. I would like our nuclear isolation to be ended and see old Nehruvian commitment of nuclear weapons free world. I would like to see the peaceful use of atomic energy. End our nuclear isolation as it is not good for a country with 1.13 billion people to remain out of the nuclear mainstream," he said.

Mahatma Gandhi is my inspiration: Obama

New Delhi, July 11: Mahatma Gandhi inspires US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama and he flaunts it by having a portrait of India's Father of the Nation at his Senate office।

The Democratic Party candidate has spoken highly about Gandhi, saying the apostle of peace reminds him about the real message of life।

"Throughout my life, I have always looked to Mahatma Gandhi as an inspiration, because he embodies the kind of transformational change that can be made when ordinary people come together to do extraordinary things," Obama has told a leading magazine in an interview।

He cites this as the reason for having Mahatma Gandhi's portrait in his Senate office। It is "to remind me that real results will come not just from Washington -- they will come from the people." Obama is also said to be a believer in Lord Hanuman and keeps his statue as a lucky charm.

He talked about the rural development work his mother did in India and said he was "fortunate" to have close Indian-American friends.

I am OK with Indo-US nuke deal: Obama

New Delhi, July 11: US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has supported the Indo-US nuclear deal, saying it balances a range of important issues and he is "reluctant" to seek changes in the agreement।

The Democrat candidate, who initially had some reservations about the "original agreement", hoped the deal would be concluded before the end of the year।

The nuclear agreement effectively balances a range of issues -- from America's strategic relationship with India to its non-proliferation concerns to India's energy needs, he said।

"I am, therefore, reluctant to seek changes," the Democrat candidate told 'Outlook' magazine in an interview।

Asked whether the deal would be reopened or scrapped if it isn't clinched this year and he became the President next year, Obama said "A final judgement on the deal ... must await the IAEA's approval of a safeguards agreement with India and changes to be agreed (upon) by the Nuclear Suppliers Group। At that point, the US Congress will decide whether to approve the agreement. I continue to hope this process can be concluded before the end of the year."

His comments discount the possibility of renegotiation of the deal if the Democrat administration assumes power in the US after the George W Bush regime.

UNPA to oppose trust vote in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: In a major setback to the UPA, the eight-member United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) on Friday decided to oppose the confidence motion in Lok Sabha, says TDP leader K Yerran Naidu।

Earlier the UPA government had expressed confidence of numbers after meeting its allies on Friday। The alliance is to face the vote of confidence on July 22. A special session of Parliament will be held on July 21.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had said the party welcomed the support of Samajwadi Party and that it was ready to face a trust vote।

"The UPA government wishes to seek a trust vote as early as possible। A special session of the Lok Sabha will be convened soon," said the Congress President.

"Before the Left withdrew its support, the PM had said that he would not operationalise the agreement without taking Parliament into confidence। We stand by that position," she had said.

The Congress had been dealt a blow when Vaiko's MDMK declined to support it on the nuclear deal issue soon after the Left withdrew support to the UPA government.

CBI claims Arushi murder cracked, names 3 killers

Noida: Dr Rajesh Talwar, father of slain teenager Arushi Talwar, is to be released on personal bond on two sureties of Rs 5 lakh each।

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said that there is no evidence against Dr Talwar and so can be released under Section 169 of the Code of Criminal Procedure।

Dr Talwar's brother Dinesh Talwar and family friend Arun Mittal filled in two surety bonds by submitting their car papers।

Court order for Dr Talwar's release is expected shortly। However, it is unlikely that he''ll be released on Friday as his lawyers won't be able to present the papers to the jail authorities on time.

He was arrested as a prime suspect in the double murder case of Arushi and domestic help Hemraj।

Arushi and Hemraj were murdered on May 15 and a few days’ later Noida police arrested Dr Rajesh Talwar claiming he was the killer।

The case was later handed over to the CBI and after more than a month, on Friday the agency in a press conference claimed to have solved the case।

Joint Director, CBI, Arun Kumar claimed that Dr Talwar’s medical assistant Krishna, Durranis domestic help Rajkumar and another domestic help Vijay Mandal were the killers।

Krishna and Rajkumar have been sent to 14 days of judicial custody.