Sunday, 17 March 2013
This year, few foreign offers at business schools
This year, few foreign offers at business schools
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has had the worst placement season this time.
NEW
DELHI: The global economic slowdown has impacted campus recruitments at
NCR B-schools this year. Few foreign job offers have landed, and those
that have landed haven't come with fat pay packets.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has had the worst placement season this time. The maximum annual package offered to any IIFT student this time is Rs 27 lakh; last year, it was Rs 64 lakh. Domestic placements, though, have been more this year with over 9% increase in median salaries. With 74 domestic recruiters visiting the campus, the highest package offered at IIFT stands at Rs 22 lakh per annum, up from Rs 19 lakh per annum in 2012.
Munish Bhargava, corporate and placement adviser, IIFT, said: "Despite the economic slowdown internationally, our domestic placements has not been affected adversely and in fact we managed to improve. But yes, our major international recruiters gave us a miss this year. Technology and e-commerce jobs were more this time."
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, hasn't fared any better. The institute has a 100% placement record, but this time they have been forced to stretch the placement season, as there are 21 students who haven't been placed.
"Things have been gloomy because of the economy and international placements have taken a hit which is why there is more pressure on domestic placements. Requirements per company have also come down. Moreover, the increase of 10%-15% in salary, which we are used to, is not there this year," said placement adviser and faculty member of MDI, Kamal Kapil.
At the Faculty of Management Studies, even domestic offers haven't been too encouraging. According to sources in the premier institute, the highest pay packet offered so far is way below its previous year's high of Rs 32 lakh. International offers, too, have not been forthcoming. Last year, the highest package offered to any student was Rs 72 lakh.
FMS hasn't come out with a placement report yet and is likely to stretch placements up to March 31, as 20-odd students have not got any offer yet
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has had the worst placement season this time. The maximum annual package offered to any IIFT student this time is Rs 27 lakh; last year, it was Rs 64 lakh. Domestic placements, though, have been more this year with over 9% increase in median salaries. With 74 domestic recruiters visiting the campus, the highest package offered at IIFT stands at Rs 22 lakh per annum, up from Rs 19 lakh per annum in 2012.
Munish Bhargava, corporate and placement adviser, IIFT, said: "Despite the economic slowdown internationally, our domestic placements has not been affected adversely and in fact we managed to improve. But yes, our major international recruiters gave us a miss this year. Technology and e-commerce jobs were more this time."
Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, hasn't fared any better. The institute has a 100% placement record, but this time they have been forced to stretch the placement season, as there are 21 students who haven't been placed.
"Things have been gloomy because of the economy and international placements have taken a hit which is why there is more pressure on domestic placements. Requirements per company have also come down. Moreover, the increase of 10%-15% in salary, which we are used to, is not there this year," said placement adviser and faculty member of MDI, Kamal Kapil.
At the Faculty of Management Studies, even domestic offers haven't been too encouraging. According to sources in the premier institute, the highest pay packet offered so far is way below its previous year's high of Rs 32 lakh. International offers, too, have not been forthcoming. Last year, the highest package offered to any student was Rs 72 lakh.
FMS hasn't come out with a placement report yet and is likely to stretch placements up to March 31, as 20-odd students have not got any offer yet
Shikhar Dhawan's maiden ton may have shut door on Virender Sehwag
Shikhar Dhawan's maiden ton may have shut door on Virender Sehwag
Shikhar Dhawan slams fastest ever ton by a debutant in Tests
NEW DELHI: Shikhar Dhawan's attacking maiden Test ton may have made things difficult for axed opener Virender Sehwag.
According to sources, the selection committee is inclined to give Dhawan a longer run in Tests, meaning Sehwag's way back could be hard. Even in the one-day international arena, Dhawan seems to be ahead in the pecking order following Saturday's knock.
Sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) said apart from his bad form, Sehwag's attitude on the field was also a big reason why he had to make way for Dhawan. Sources revealed that the initial plan behind dropping Sehwag was to give him a "shock treatment" so he would improve on his shortcomings.
"He had one setback after another and his reflexes are also slowing down. Also, he should have played domestic cricket to get used to his new spectacles," a source told TOI.
The selectors, it is learnt, even suggested to Sehwag that he should play in the county circuit in England, but the batsman didn't seem interested. A source said: "What is the point of suggesting anything to him when there is no interest on his part to get back to form?"
Selectors also felt that Sehwag showed no remorse after dropping catches. "There are occasions when he dropped a catch and started smiling. This is something which has been discussed in selection meetings," a source said, pointing out to the ego clashes between Sehwag and captain Dhoni.
Things also look bleak for Gautam Gambhir, who too was dropped from the Test team recently. Gambhir, though, is in the limited-overs scheme of things. "Gambhir is still in the running for ODIs if he can score consistently," a source said.
According to sources, the selection committee is inclined to give Dhawan a longer run in Tests, meaning Sehwag's way back could be hard. Even in the one-day international arena, Dhawan seems to be ahead in the pecking order following Saturday's knock.
Sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) said apart from his bad form, Sehwag's attitude on the field was also a big reason why he had to make way for Dhawan. Sources revealed that the initial plan behind dropping Sehwag was to give him a "shock treatment" so he would improve on his shortcomings.
"He had one setback after another and his reflexes are also slowing down. Also, he should have played domestic cricket to get used to his new spectacles," a source told TOI.
The selectors, it is learnt, even suggested to Sehwag that he should play in the county circuit in England, but the batsman didn't seem interested. A source said: "What is the point of suggesting anything to him when there is no interest on his part to get back to form?"
Selectors also felt that Sehwag showed no remorse after dropping catches. "There are occasions when he dropped a catch and started smiling. This is something which has been discussed in selection meetings," a source said, pointing out to the ego clashes between Sehwag and captain Dhoni.
Things also look bleak for Gautam Gambhir, who too was dropped from the Test team recently. Gambhir, though, is in the limited-overs scheme of things. "Gambhir is still in the running for ODIs if he can score consistently," a source said.
Confident Modi shows ambition for PM post
Confident Modi shows ambition for PM post
Modi refused to be drawn into questions on communal violence of 2002.
NEW DELHI: Showcasing himself in Delhi for the third time in a row since he was re-elected as Gujarat CM, Narendra Modi on Saturday exuded a growing confidence to move into the national arena, but fended off questions about the 2002 riots.
Addressing a fawning audience at a media function that included the industry heads and political class among others, Modi gamely took a direct question on whether he is aspiring to move to the Centre as the Prime Minister. Although his reply skated around the issue, the unabashed sales pitch for Gujarat left few doubts about the readiness to take up a role at the Centre ahead of 2014 polls.
For a good one hour, he showcased his Gujarat model , starting with a film presentation of his achievements , and sold the development dream to be transported to the Centre and be replicated in the rest of the country. In fact, when asked whether his jealous colleagues were blocking him from coming to Delhi, he said, "I am already in Delhi."
The bold show was significant for the contrast it offered to stubbornness with which he had kept himself confined to Gujarat. At the outset, the host had introduced Modi by suggesting that he was ready to switch his focus from hardline Hindutva to development.
Modi indeed harped on his achievements. But he refused to be drawn into questions on communal violence of 2002. To the suggestion that wounds of Gujarat riots had not healed yet, Modi said that his perception was different. He glossed over another question on whether he regretted the loss of lives on his watch, saying that he addressed the issue on umpteenth occasions. "You can have all of my replies by doing a web search".
He also elaborated on his recent definition of secularism as "India first" to defiantly declare that his ideal of India was one where all had equal rights and none, minorities included, special protection. He suggested that secularism in its present form was influenced by vote bank considerations. But there was no caginess when he was asked if what was good for Gujarat could work in the rest of the country. Dipping into management glossary, he talked of "mindset change" and "out-of-the-box"thinking , buttressing his claim of a different leadership style.
The confidence was also evident from the way he brushed aside the question on the assessment that his projection as PM will cause Nitish Kumar to walk out of NDA: perhaps a significant pointer on the eve of a rally being organized by the Bihar CM in Capital.
Although being organized around the theme of "special status" for Bihar, the rally in Delhi is being seen as a prelude to Nitish's potential break up with BJP over Modi.
Addressing a fawning audience at a media function that included the industry heads and political class among others, Modi gamely took a direct question on whether he is aspiring to move to the Centre as the Prime Minister. Although his reply skated around the issue, the unabashed sales pitch for Gujarat left few doubts about the readiness to take up a role at the Centre ahead of 2014 polls.
For a good one hour, he showcased his Gujarat model , starting with a film presentation of his achievements , and sold the development dream to be transported to the Centre and be replicated in the rest of the country. In fact, when asked whether his jealous colleagues were blocking him from coming to Delhi, he said, "I am already in Delhi."
The bold show was significant for the contrast it offered to stubbornness with which he had kept himself confined to Gujarat. At the outset, the host had introduced Modi by suggesting that he was ready to switch his focus from hardline Hindutva to development.
Modi indeed harped on his achievements. But he refused to be drawn into questions on communal violence of 2002. To the suggestion that wounds of Gujarat riots had not healed yet, Modi said that his perception was different. He glossed over another question on whether he regretted the loss of lives on his watch, saying that he addressed the issue on umpteenth occasions. "You can have all of my replies by doing a web search".
He also elaborated on his recent definition of secularism as "India first" to defiantly declare that his ideal of India was one where all had equal rights and none, minorities included, special protection. He suggested that secularism in its present form was influenced by vote bank considerations. But there was no caginess when he was asked if what was good for Gujarat could work in the rest of the country. Dipping into management glossary, he talked of "mindset change" and "out-of-the-box"thinking , buttressing his claim of a different leadership style.
The confidence was also evident from the way he brushed aside the question on the assessment that his projection as PM will cause Nitish Kumar to walk out of NDA: perhaps a significant pointer on the eve of a rally being organized by the Bihar CM in Capital.
Although being organized around the theme of "special status" for Bihar, the rally in Delhi is being seen as a prelude to Nitish's potential break up with BJP over Modi.
Fisherman missing after ship rams boat
Fisherman missing after ship rams boat
-
The Hindu Family members of Anandan (inset), were distraught as an extensive search by fishermen failed to find the 45-year-old. -
Anandan
Two others rescued from sea; fishermen associations call for action against vessel
T. Anandan (45), a fisherman from Tiruvottiyur Kuppam,
went missing in the sea in the early hours of Saturday after the boat he
was in was hit by a ship. The small fibre reinforced plastic boat was
cut in half and two others — R. Viji (30) and S. Santhosh (19) — swam
around for two hours before they were rescued by another fishing boat.
“We
left the shore at 3 a.m. and around 4.30 a.m., our engine stalled. When
we were trying to repair it, the ship suddenly came upon us and we had
no time to move. It all happened very quickly. I called out Anandan anna’s
name and when I heard a voice, swam towards it to find Santhosh.
Somehow, we managed to float,” said a distraught Viji. Santosh and Viji
said the ship was on its way to Chennai Port.
The duo
was rescued around 6.30 a.m. by a boat that had gone out to sea. They
searched for Anandan till 1.30 p.m. “We were out to catch the flying
kola fish. He was wearing a black t-shirt, white shorts, a cap and a
lungi,” said Santhosh.
Anandan has two daughters and
a son. Nandini, his younger daughter, had helped him get ready last
night. “He asked me to take care of our mother as she was unwell,” she
recalled.
The rescue missions suffered a set-back as
the fishermen were unable to make calls from the sea. “We had no signal
and therefore could not and alert our friends on shore,” said Viji.
Only after the two returned did the word spread and a massive search was
launched by the fisherfolk. Around 200 men in 50 boats scoured the
area. But they were only able to retrieve a portion of the boat.
Fishermen
said that mobile phones fall silent near Chennai Port, MGR Samadhi and
the Light House as these areas are not covered by the telecom towers.
“Signal is available only upto a distance of 5 km into the sea,” said
Kuppan, a fisherman.
Fishing Harbour police have
registered a man missing case. The police are likely to inform Coast
Guard officials, who in turn will launch a search operation.
Fishermen associations called upon the police to take action against the errant ship that ran into the boat.
“The
ship did not even bother to stop and help the fishermen. Two years ago,
a similar incident took place. Three fishermen went missing but no
action has been taken so far,” said M. D. Dayalan of Indian Fishermen
Association.
Ko. Su. Mani of Tamil Nadu Meenavar
Makkal Sangam said that action must be taken against the owner of the
ship. He also sought compensation for the owner of the boat. Nanjil Ravi
of the Akila Indiya Meenavar Sangam said that the family must be
provided some kind of interim relief.
B.E. graduates put money on banking jobs
B.E. graduates put money on banking jobs
The Hindu
The online exam, held at a private company, started two hours past the
scheduled time, creating a sense of anxiety among applicants and their
parents. Photo: S.S. Kumar
Common Written Exam for vacancies in the sector saw larger crowd this year
The Common Written Exam (CWE) for banking jobs on
Saturday saw a larger crowd than usual, as many engineering graduates
had decided to give it a shot.
The online exam conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) was held here at a private company.
Manjula
Ramamoorthy, an engineering graduate from Erode, said she was
attempting the exam again after she failed to clear it last year. “I was
not serious about preparation then. This time I am prepared,” she said.
Manjula, an ECE graduate, has been living in the
city for the past six months, along with five of her collegemates, who
were looking for a software job. “All six of us are writing the exam
today. The software situation is rather bad. Unless you get recruited on
campus, there seems no chance,” she said.
There was
a sense of anxiety and panic among the applicants and their parents who
had accompanied them as the exam started two hours past the scheduled
time.
“They said the exam will start at 8.30 but it
started at 10.30. Even the afternoon slot was delayed by two hours. We
have not been allowed to sit inside the company shed,” said R.
Radhakrishnan, who had accompanied his daughter, Purnima, an
instrumentation engineer from Villupuram.
Purnima
said she found the paper rather easy. “I tried getting into software
companies but the companies kept delaying the interviews. The one that
chose me finally said I will have to go work in Pune. I am hoping to get
into a bank as many banks are headquartered in Chennai.”
In
the last few years, IBPS has screened over 10 million candidates for
testing and filled nearly 79,236 vacancies for its client organisations,
besides testing candidates for admission to academic institutes and
certification for diplomas, said an official.
“The
banking sector will create more jobs, as several lower- and middle-level
employees are bound to retire in the next five years. Also, banks are
expected to take on board at least one lakh people every year, which IT
companies might not,” said P. Hari Srinivasan, a senior official in a
nationalised bank.
Sources say there are nearly
80,000 vacancies in various PSU banks across the country, waiting to be
filled up this year. The 19 public sector banks, excluding State Bank of
India, have been recruiting candidates for various posts through the
CWE conducted by the IBPS.
“There will be new banks,
newer verticals and existing banks and several openings in mobile- and
technology-driven banking. Engineers will not only be welcomed but also
preferred if they are skilled enough, as banks are getting competitive
now,” said Kumar Selvan, a senior official from a leading PSU.
It
is not easy to crack the exam though, officials say. “The exam tests
the candidates on their basic reasoning abilities, mathematics, English
and professional knowledge but many candidates fail to clear the test.
Since the number of people taking it has also increased, the exam has
become more competitive,” said Mr. Hari Srinivasan.
Last year, over nine banks recruited students from Madras University and were among the high-paying recruiters.
Many
engineering candidates said they are turning to the public sector
because they feel there is greater stability in the sector now. “IT
companies are not recruiting off campus. Even their on-campus
recruitment numbers have come down,” said Anand Mahendran, a computer
science graduate who took the exam.
“Last year there
was panic when HSBC and Citigroup announced their plans to downsize but
now, with new vacancies the situation looks alright. A specialist
officer in a bank is today paid Rs. 3.5 lakh a year while the average
salary paid to an engineering graduate on campus recruitment by most
companies is Rs. 3 lakh. I might as well take up a banking job,” he
added.
Sahara to launch Q shops in Maharashtra
Sahara to launch Q shops in Maharashtra
Sahara Q Shop is a chain of neighbourhood convenience stores as a
shopping option for daily necessities in its catchment.
Sahara India Pariwar will soon launch a chain of retail
neighbourhood stores across Maharashtra with 3,780 stores in various
cities of the state, the company said on Saturday.
“After
successfully launching quality products in the states of Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Delhi NCR, Sahara Q Shop
is set to launch its operations with 3,780 exclusive stores in the state
of Maharashtra,” it said.
“We have received
overwhelming response from markets where Sahara Q Shop piloted its
operational model for franchisee and exclusive retailers. It has emerged
as sustainable income model at appropriate price providing
unadulterated 100 percent pure quality consumer merchandise,” said Romie
Dutt, chief executive officer of Sahara Q Shop.
A
company official when contacted, however, could not provide a specific
timeframe as to when the first store will be launched in the state and
phased manner in which the stores will be launched.
Sahara
India Pariwar forayed into the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and
quality consumer merchandise retail sector with the launch of Sahara Q
Shop on Aug 15, 2012.
Sahara Q Shop is a chain of
neighbourhood convenience stores that operates over 300-500 sq. ft. of
carpet area as a shopping option for daily necessities in its catchment.
The average monthly sale expected is Rs.500,000 to Rs. 850,000 from 300 sq. feet to 500 sq. feet respectively.
Set for Settai
Set for Settai
Arya
Fun-loving Arya is always keen on pushing his boundaries as an actor.
His Settai, the remake of Delhi Belly, is set for release this April.
He has to be the funniest, happiest and lightest actor in show biz in
this part of the world. He’s always laughing, joking and giving his
co-stars more importance than himself, not just when he’s giving
interviews. He comes with absolutely none of those old-world star
trappings. No name tag, ego or self-importance.
It’s been a long while since he’s had a release — his last film was Vettai that came out during Pongal 2012 — but Arya is not a wee bit worried about it. He has been working on four exciting projects. Irandaam Ulagam with Selvaraghavan, the Delhi Belly remake Settai with R. Kannan, Raja Rani with director Atlee and Vishnuvardhan's new film tentatively titled Valai with Ajith.
He’s also one of the few stars who has been supremely confident of
sharing the limelight with other actors, film after film. While Boss Engira Baskaran had equal roles for him and Santhanam, he shared Bala's Avan Ivan with Vishal, Vettai with R. Madhavan and now Settai with Santhanam and Premgi and Valai with Ajith!
Double role
“I am carrying the burden all by myself in Irandaam Ulagam to
make up for all that. It's a double role,” he laughs. “But seriously, as
long as the script works... It's the output that matters.”
Despite coming across as full of fun and laughs, Arya is also one of
those rare actors who is always keen on doing different kinds of films.
If he did all these mass entertainers, he also did Vijay's period
romance Madrasapattinam and Bala's gritty Naan Kadavul to experiment and push his boundaries as an actor.
He maintains that his next release Settai (releasing April first
week) is a story of all three boys and Arya will once again be seen with
Santhanam, who stole the show in Boss.
“You always want him to overshadow you for the joke to work. Comedy is
never solo. I support him so that the punchline works. If I say my
punchline has to be better, the film won't work. Santhanam will
obviously stand out, but the film is about all three people. You will
see a very different Premgi in this film,” says Arya.
How much of the adult comedy from Delhi Belly has been toned down for the Tamil audience? Is he worried that the film will work minus all that made it work?
“We have completely taken off the swearing parts. There is an extended
role for the character played by Santhanam, and we have made Premgi's
track more about friendship... Even the bedroom scene is there but we
have toned it down so that family audiences and kids can watch without
feeling uncomfortable,” he explains.
Settai at 130 minutes is also about half hour longer than the
Hinglish original with three extra songs and extended comedy scenes. “We
work in the same office unlike in the original film. We wanted to focus
on friendship between the three guys living together and working for a
Tamil newspaper in Mumbai.”
Why Mumbai? “Because in Chennai, for the same rent, three journalists
will be able to afford a very nice place and the setting had to be dingy
with a background of gangsters. It really wouldn't have worked in
Triplicane. In Mumbai, the best of people live in dingy places.”
Fun factory
“I was earlier apprehensive of how Delhi Belly would work in
Tamil, but once I heard Kannan's narration I was convinced. He is a very
good director; he lets his actors breathe... He is always open to ideas
and he got the best out of us. We rehearsed, had so much fun on the
sets. Santhanam comes to the set with 10 different versions of a scene.
We call him the factory. We had to control Premgi from laughing and make
sure that the jokes never went overboard. Now that I have seen the film
while dubbing, I can say it has come out very well.”
While Selvaraghavan's Irandaam Ulagam is a fantasy film, Atlee's Raja Rani is a romantic comedy with Nayantara and Jai, and Vishnuvardhan's film with Ajith is a stylish action entertainer.
“We just have a song shoot left for Irandaam Ulagam. So that will release midyear and the other two — Raja Rani and Valai — are about 50 per cent complete. I have been working continuously for the last year without a break.”
Paradesi: Tea and no sympathy
Paradesi: Tea and no sympathy
Special Arrangement
A still from Paradesi
Bala is so often described as "dark," "disturbing" and with other
qualifiers of this ilk that we forget sometimes how funny he can be, in
that twisted and macabre way of his.
In Naan Kadavul, Bala told us that life was hell, and yet, there was hope for redemption — a self-proclaimed god (even if not quite God) could come by and slice your throat and liberate your soul from further suffering. In Paradesi,
his mood isn’t as hopeful. He still tells us that life is hell, but
just as you think there’s a chance of escaping this hell, there’s a
different hell around the corner, and in the corner beyond that, and the
one beyond that. It’s a vicious vortex, and it’s no surprise that the
film ends with a song set to the tune of ‘Ye theeruga nanu’, Bhadrachala
Ramadasa’s mournful plea to the Lord. Even if we cry out to kadavul, is He listening?
Paradesi, which is inspired by events depicted in the novel Red Tea
(about impoverished villagers duped into bonded labour on tea estates),
opens in a village named Salur, in 1939 — and it incorporates
everything we have come to associate with this filmmaker. The subhuman,
even animalistic, hero who seems to have evolved in a cave on the outskirts of civilisation. The loosu ponnu
heroine (played by Vedhika). Individuals who are torn from one family
and who form new families with similarly stranded people. The casual
conflation of the serious and the light-hearted, as in a wedding
sequence that plays over a death. And, of course, brutal violence,
portrayed with scrupulous attention to the specifics.
Then there’s the humour. Bala is so often described as “dark,”
“disturbing” and with other qualifiers of this ilk that we forget
sometimes how funny he can be, in that twisted and macabre way of his.
Rasa (an expressive Atharva Murali) trades insults freely with his
hunchbacked grandmother, and once the story shifts to the tea estate, we
meet a Britisher (he lip-syncs his Tamil lines better than most of our
heroines) who loves to bed Indian women, whom he then rechristens with
English-sounding names.
But even with all these Bala-isms, there’s something about Paradesi that makes us feel it’s his truest
film yet — for, despite these sprinklings of humour, there’s no real
lightness, not much crowd-pleasing calculation. Almost all characters
(including the labourer played by Dhansika) are subdued and solemn. And
while there’s something to be admired in this purity of purpose, this
also makes the film seem like one long stretch of the same shade, an
illusion that’s furthered by the ashen cinematography.
This is perhaps easier explained with the example of Schindler’s List, a film that springs to mind the minute the new arrivals at the tea estate are given a physical examination. Paradesi, like Schindler’s List,
is the depiction of the systematic brutalisation of a section of
innocent people, but the Hollywood film showcased these sufferings
through the doings of its hero, while this film has no use for a
redeemer — and we are left with nothing but the suffering, no parallel
stories, no subplots, nothing. It’s just one bad thing after another,
and while this sameness can be rationalised — “the unrelenting bleakness
of the movie is but a reflection of the unrelenting bleakness in these
people’s lives” — it doesn’t make for a very gripping narrative.
This sense of sameness is everywhere, even in the nominal hero. Rasa is
treated badly by the people in his village, and he’s treated badly at
the tea estate. He has to scrounge around for food there, and it’s no
different here. He works like a mule there, and he works like a mule
here. Given that the things that happen to him before and after his
enslavement aren’t all that varied in tone (they vary only in texture),
we become numb to his suffering after a point. Is this enough in a
mainstream movie?
For, finally, this is a mainstream movie. There is a love angle (with
the lovely duet, ‘Avatha paiya’). And as counterpoint to this duet,
there are three dirges that play over scenes of suffering. There
is aural melodrama (an overbearing score that strives to amp up the
tragedies tenfold). There is visual melodrama, as in the frame where the
palm of a dying man rises slowly and dramatically from the bottom of
the screen. And there are villains in the form of sneering, unfeeling
whites, who laugh about the news that their employees are being felled
by the plague. These traditional commercial-film elements are an odd fit
in a film that’s attempting to be something wholly different. Paradesi is an important lesson on a forgotten chapter of history, but as cinema, Bala’s truest isn’t up there with Bala’s best.
Paradesi
Genre: Drama
Director: Bala
Cast: Atharva Murali, Vedhika, Dhansika
Storyline: The real story of villagers who suffered in the tea estates of pre-Independence India
Bottomline: Not up with Bala’s best.
Sex in space may be dangerous, study says
Sex in space may be dangerous, study says
Human
reproduction would not respond well to changes in gravity, according to
work performed by a biologist at the University of Montreal.
Grave consequences of sex without gravity.
Yes, the views are nice, but the claustrophobia must be entirely stifling. What are you supposed to do up there, for days on end? You can't just work all the time.
The temptation, then, might be to occasionally enjoy a little recreation in the procreative sphere.
Sex would surely offer a touch of vigorous exercise and a little human community.
However, now research has emerged suggesting that sex up there could be dangerous.
My regular reading of Medical Daily spawned the information that a research team led by biologist Dr. Anja Geitmann of Montreal University, performed a study in which they considered whether conception in space was a good conception.
Sadly, it appears it may not be.
The changes in gravity make cell growth erratic and unstable. Yes, the team was only studying plant cells. But these operate on a system similar to the human, in so far as the process involves male to female sperm-cell (pollen) transfer.
Geitmann admitted that scientific thinking hasn't yet gone all the way to determining precisely what might happen in intergalactic conception.
She told the Daily Mail: "Intracellular transport processes are particularly sensitive to disturbance, with dramatic consequences for cell functioning. How these processes are affected by a change in gravity is poorly understood."
The team's work, published in PLOS One, offers a pessimistic view of space's reproductive capabilities.
Geitmann's fellow researcher, Dr. Youssef Chebli, told the Mail: "Our findings have implications for human health as similar effects are likely to occur in human cells such as neurons where long-distance intracellular transport is crucial."
The fear is that disruption in cell growth caused by gravity shifts might lead to diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
NASA doesn't actually forbid sex in space, though married couples are not allowed to go on the same mission.
And retired porn star Coco Brown is, allegedly, in training to become the first porn star to perform in space.
However, it seems that those who will choose, in the future, to have sex in the beyond will have to take similar precautions to those who have no interest in creating even more babies than exist already down here.
Microsoft's first PC lives!
Microsoft's first PC lives!
opinion
The Surface Pro has survived Round One. I would even call it a success.
And, yes, Microsoft should definitely stay in the PC-making business.
Reviewers complain about using Surface on their
lap. I completely reject that. I use the Pro on my lap, sans kickstand,
most of the time. No gripes here.
A report this week said 400,000 Surface Pros were sold in about a month since its release. That's a decent start (contrary to the media's take).
Remember, this is an $899-$999 tablet (though I prefer to describe it as a full-blown Windows PC compacted and stuffed into a tablet's chassis), not a $199 Nexus 7 or $329 iPad Mini.
Also remember this is just the start. The Pro should evolve to the point where you can have a 1.5 or 2 pound tablet with all-day (at least) battery life -- and still get all of the performance of a mainstream Windows 8 laptop.
And that's the deal-closer for me. It's fast. Don't believe me? Check out these benchmarks.
"Surface Pro is easily the fastest tablet on the market today," Anandtech said.
The basic point being that Intel's Ivy Bridge silicon crushes Apple's A6X-based iPad and ARM-based Android tablets in most benchmarks.
And it's not just numbers -- you feel it. Everything pops and there's almost none of the lag you invariably run into with other tablets.
I know this because I've been using the Pro and its speed is addictive -- despite the comparative heft and shorter battery life compared with other tablets (though I wouldn't call 2 pounds "heavy" and battery life isn't as bad as reviewers make it out to be if you tweak Windows 8 settings).
Then there's the design. After the Pro, it's hard to go back to the old clamshell paradigm (which, in my case, is a Dell Adamo).
I've said this before, but relocating the electronics behind the screen changes everything. That includes relegating the keyboard -- something reviewers over the decades have spilled untold oceans of ink evaluating because of its importance -- to second fiddle. The touch display rules.
Which brings us to a sticky area for the Pro. I'm guessing that traditional consumers of PCs who are trying to make the leap from laptop to tablet will want more keyboard options directly from Microsoft. And bundled at lower prices.
I use the touch cover and it's fine, though it could use a larger touch pad. But, again, Microsoft should come up with another keyboard option (as a Surface-specific accessory) that makes the transition less painful for consumers who still demand a killer keyboard-touch pad.
But whatever happens, Microsoft is on to something. And I expect Surface will survive many more rounds.
Surface Pro in the standard laptop mode.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
The World's Best Teeth Whiteners Read on to discover great ways to whiten your teeth !!
#15 Gorge on Greens
We know broccoli, kale, spinach, and other dark
green vegetables are good for us. But did you know they’re also good for
our teeth? They all contain a mineral compound which creates a film
over teeth that stains can’t penetrate.
#14 Get Creamy
Tea and coffee don’t need to stain teeth. Just
add a splash of cream or milk! These dairy treats change the chemistry
of the drinks so stains don’t set in on your teeth.
#13 Polish with Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay is a natural abrasive gaining
moment. Dab a damp toothbrush into the clay and brush for a whiter than
white smile. Just don’t go overboard; using the clay more than once a
week may cause enamel damage.
#12 Try Oil Pulling
It sounds strange, but Indians have been oil
pulling for centuries to keep their teeth sparkling. Just sip a
tablespoon of organic oil and swirl is around your mouth for 15-20
minutes. Drink two or three glasses of water after you spit and enjoy
the results!
#11 Brush with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a bleaching agent, so of
course it’ll whiten your teeth. Some folks worry about the effects, but
products with less than 3% of the chemicals are completely safe. As a
bonus you’ll also kill any bacteria on your teeth and gumline!
#10 Mix Bay Leaves and Orange Peel
This is a remedy good enough to eat! Dry fresh
orange peel and bay leaves and pound them into powder in a mortar and
pestle. Rub it on your teeth and you’ll be amazed at the results!
#9 Munch on Turmeric
It might give food a distinctive yellow hue, but
turmeric will actually turn your teeth white. Chewing on the raw root
is the most effective way to harness turmeric’s whitening properties.
However if that seems unappetizing, you can brush with a paste of
turmeric powder and water.
#8 Chew Gum with Xyoltol
Xyoltol is a natural sweetener used as a sugar
substitute in many chewing gums. This clever ingredient neutralizes the
mouth’s pH levels and increases saliva to clean the mouth. Who would
have thought chewing gum could improve your smile?
#7 Pop Some Raisins
Raisins don’t just taste good; they’re also good
for your teeth. Chewing on these tiny treats is a great way to increase
the saliva in your mouth. It’s one of nature’s best ways to get rid of
stains and plaque!
#6 Brush with Berries
Vitamin C-rich strawberries help strip away
plaque and remove surface stains. Crush these delicious berries off and
brush with the pulp, just as you would regular toothpaste. Remember to
rinse thoroughly though as those natural sugars can cause cavities.
#5 Say Cheese
Casein, a protein present in cheese, milk, and
yogurt, strengthens your teeth's enamel. Enamel protects the dentin, the
layer that determines your teeth’s color. Healthy enamel means healthy
dentin, and white, bright teeth!
#4 Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water after you eat and drink can rinse
away stain-causing elements before they have a chance to set in. Swish
the water around your mouth before you swallow to make this practice
extra effective. Water also has a host of other beauty benefits, so
drink up!
#3 Buff with Baking Soda
There’s a reason why so many teeth whitening
formulas contain baking soda. This kitchen staple works. Brush your
teeth with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice for an all-natural
bleaching solution.
#2 Chow Down on Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables aren’t just nutritious;
they’re also great for your smile. Raw celery, carrots, apples, and
other crunchy fruits and veggies will polish your teeth and remove
stains as you chew. These foods also stimulate saliva, which also cleans
away stains.
#1 Brush and Floss Your Teeth
There are plenty of natural remedies and
expensive procedures around. However, one of the best way to maintain a
Hollywood smile is to listen to your dentist. Brush and floss regularly
and reap the beauty rewards!
Fletcher’s contract extended
Fletcher’s contract extended
PTI
Under Duncan Fletcher, India had lost 10 out of the 22 Test matches
before the ongoing match in Mohali having won only eight.
The BCCI, at its Working Committee meeting here on Friday, decided to
extend Duncan Fletcher’s contract as coach of the Indian team by one
year.
Working Committee members confirmed that the IPL franchisee Pune
Warriors India and Sunrisers Hyderabad have sorted out thorny issues
with Maharashtra Cricket Association and Hyderabad Cricket Association
and will play their homes matches at the Gahunje village stadium at Pune
and at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Uppal
Petrol becomes cheaper by Rs 2.40 per litre
Petrol becomes cheaper by Rs 2.40 per litre
Petrol becomes cheaper by Rs 2.40 per litre
BSE
316.95
6.55 (2.11%)
Vol:102333 shares traded
NSE
317.55
7.75 (2.50%)
Vol:1456385 shares traded
However the widely expected increase in diesel prices has been deferred as the government is concerned about protests in the crucial budget session of Parliament, officials said.
Petrol prices excluding state taxes have been reduced by Rs 2 a litre across the country. Retail prices would fall up to Rs 2.62 in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad, where taxes are high.
IOC, BPCLBSE 0.72 % and HPCLBSE -0.13 % have decided to pass to the consumers the entire benefit of the $5 per barrel fall in international crude oil. Company executives said oil firms had suffered a revenue loss of Rs 1,130 crore from petrol sales in 2012-13.
"We (state oil companies) have acted as responsible corporate citizens. We recently raised petrol rates because of soaring international prices. Now, when prices have subsided, we must pass on the benefits instead of recovering our past losses," IOCBSE 2.11 % chairman RS Butola told ET.
IOC incurred Rs 500 crore revenue losses in the current fiscal year because it could not raise petrol rates in tandem with its market prices due to political reasons. Oil companies are free to fix petrol rates since fuel pricing was deregulated in June 2010. Industry executives said the oil ministry, worried about the political fallout while Parliament is in session, told oil companies to wait for some time.
"Diesel price is expected to be raised by about 50 paise per litre soon after the Budget session is over," one official said requesting anonymity. The Cabinet has empowered oil companies to raise diesel rates in small dozes every month till all of the 11 per litre losses are eliminated, but state oil firms take tacit permission of the oil ministry before taking fuel-pricing decisions.
The Monster Employment Index for February 2013 rises 16% year-on-year.
The Monster Employment Index for February 2013 rises 16% year-on-year.
MUMBAI: The Monster Employment Index for February 2013 has risen 16% year-on-year.
21 of the 27 industry sectors monitored by the Monster Employment Index registered expansion in online recruitment activity between February 2012 and February 2013.
Shipping/marine sector (up 59%) followed by media and entertainment (up 41%) demonstrated the highest annual growth among sectors while printing/packaging sector (up 39%) also showed good growth. Production and manufacturing however, showed the steepest annual decline (down 10%).
"The Monster Employment Index India exhibits positive annual growth owing to cautious 'optimism'. This is reflective of the confidence that employers are showing in the resiliency of the Indian economy," said Sanjay Modi, Managing Director, Monster.com (India/ Middle- East/ South East Asia) in a statement.
Online demand also improved in 10 of 13 occupational groups monitored by the index between February 2012 and February 2013.
Arts/creative (up 43%) followed by customer service (up 32%) had the highest annual gains among the occupational groups while senior management (down 51%) showed the steepest annual decline.
Online recruitment activity was up on the year for 10 of the 13 locations monitored by the index. Chandigarh (up 39%) followed by Ahmedabad (up 37%) led all cities in annual growth. Among major metros, Kolkata (up 36%) and Chennai (up 31%) registered the highest annual growth.
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