The Hindu 20102006

Online edition of India's National Newspaper

Friday, October 20, 2006 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Address at the University of Cambridge New! Report of the Committee, headed by Justice (Retd) B.P. Jeevan Reddy, to Review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 New! No secret agenda to cap India's strategic programme: Mulford New! Education in Singapore: Where the World meets New! The Hindu in digital form Judgment of the Madras High Court on the CMDA regularisation case Vande Mataram:Text and discussion National Readership Study 2006 - Highlights Readers' Editor, The Hindu: Terms of Reference | The Guardian's column | Ian Mayes lecture | More From the Print Edition Exclude creamy layer among SCs, STs: court Supreme Court upholds promotions based on reservations, says quotas should not exceed 50 per cent ``Verdict will have far-reaching consequences'' NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court judgment that the "creamy layer" within the SCs and STs must be kept out of the purview of reservation will have far-reaching consequences and is likely to create chaos in the country, according to a senior ... Creamy layer, exemption issues dominate meet 15 States participate in discussion convened by Pranab Jail for Imrana's father-in-law 10 years for rape; 3 years for criminal intimidation AI-Indian merger by year-end GoM will prepare a roadmap for the merger Veteran actor Srividya passes away She has acted in over 800 films Verma charge-sheeted in War Room Leak case Charged under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 DPA sweeps local body elections Wins a majority of wards in five corporations in the State Bangladesh, a launching pad for terrorists: M.K. Narayanan

BANGALORE: National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan on Thursday said India regarded Bangladesh as a "sanctuary" for terrorists and also a "launching pad" for them into India. "We are in touch with the Bangladesh Government on the issue and I ... Northeast monsoon brings rain in State CHENNAI: The Meteorological department on Thursday announced the advent of northeast monsoon. Many places in Tamil Nadu experienced rain. While most places of Kerala received rain, isolated rainfall occurred over coastal Andhra Pradesh, ... CRICKET

Tough days ahead of India There would now be a flutter in the Indian camp. Australia and the West Indies would not be easy to get past in the pool. It could also be the challenge the Indians need to come out of their slumber and get themselves moving for the World Cup in ... CRICKET

Sri Lankans keen to bounce back Mumbai: It's been a long journey for Stephen Fleming since he made his Test and One-Day International debut against India 12 years ago. He is on the threshold of reaching a significant milestone in the one-dayers. On Friday he will lead New ... FOOTBALL

Drogba's stunner sinks Barca LONDON: : Chelsea maintained its 100 per cent record in this season's Champions League with a 1-0 defeat of defending champion Barcelona in a Group `A' match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba scored the only ... TENNIS

Delightful double for Rashmi NEW DELHI: Rashmi Teltumbe persevered through the day to win a double crown in the DSCL National sub-junior tennis championship that concluded at the DLTA Complex here on Thursday. The Mumbai girl beat Nova Patel of Gujarat in two successive ... National championship begins today CHENNAI: The National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup has acquired a semblance of continuity. Left in the limbo in the 1990s owing to various factors, the event was back on the board last year in Hyderabad. The administrative ... Make this Deepavali safe for your children BANGALORE: F1-RACING

One last race for Michael Schumacher SAO PAULO: One race, this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, the final race of the Formula One season to decide the drivers' title between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher. One race to determine the team crown between Renault and Ferrari. ... Kerala Government seeks CBI probe Charges against Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation during UDF rule Four Maoists killed in explosion Extremists' bid to assemble landmine ends in tragedy at Warangal village Other Stories

Five-year-old murdered, sisters injured in their bedroom in Delhi home State for job guarantee scheme in all districts DMK cruising towards majority in Madurai Karur bridge: No concrete repair works yet Rs. 2.8 cr. seized from father-son duo Afzal not to be hanged today Army denies joint operations in Myanmar Another year, another Diwali New arrival MiG-27 fighter crashes in West Bengal Five die of dengue Two more convicted

National Guidelines to States for holding civic polls Polls should be completed before the end of five years, says Supreme Court Chikungunya on decline, vigil on dengue continues Only 525 suspected chikungunya cases reported since Wednesday Left demands review of SEZ Act `Unless it is amended it would degenerate into a free for all' Lufthansa to expand services `It is interested in running a second service from Munich' Delhi tops metros in RTI compliance Details released by the Centre for Civil Society in New Delhi Laxman's rendezvous with children Children are a source of joy, says the cartoonist Sardesai will not be arrested, U.P. assures court NEW DELHI: : With the Editor-in-Chief of CNN-IBN, Rajdeep Sardesai, agreeing to appear before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on October 27 pursuant to a resolution passed by it and the State Government assuring the court that it would not arrest him, ... Visva-Bharati employee held Bolpur police seize paintings, artefacts believed stolen over the years U.P. downplays agrarian crisis Exodus of people continues from Bundelkhand; "cancellation of ration cards led to deaths" Shifting pontoon bridge is code violation: Rabri PATNA: The move to shift the pontoon bridge connecting Raghopur, constituency of the former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, to Bhagalpur has snowballed into a political controversy in the context of the November 6 Lok Sabha by-election ... Rs. 100-crore grant for Kumbh Mela Lauds industrialisation programmes in Uttaranchal Farm summit seeks tax sops For drawing private investment Other Stories

3 feared killed in building collapse Paswan: creamy layer should not be kept out Afzal to file curative petition Afzal not to be hanged today

Tamil Nadu Supreme Court declines to stop counting of votes AIADMK to boycott re-poll, counting 5,000 tonnes of kuruvai arriving each day at direct purchase centres Engineer evacuated SpiceJet to introduce flights to Ahmedabad Dissent alive and kicking Reservoir? The impact Holy month Briefly Chennai They rush in where some fleecing omnibus operators are waiting Heavy rain lashes city DMK and its allies bag a lion's share of seats in suburban town panchayats 15-year-old releases pop album BSNL rolls out special offers to customers Schoolgirls have a mini jamboree, courtesy SSA Counting from 2 p.m. Showers water down crowd of shoppers at T. Nagar Salem Law College ready to slash tuition fee Traffic halted, as bus is mired in mud in Madipakkam `Advance U.S. visa appointments' Stay away from too much noise All India Craft Bazaar expo on Marine police stations proposed at 12 centres Diamonds in demand T.I.M.E's science quiz on October 31 Recount breaks tie Telefilm on Tirukkural being produced 450 village health nurses to be appointed Rajasthani upset over disrespect to Flag Income Tax raids on Salem textile group Plea to postpone VAT implementation Office shifted State considering amending Public Health Act "Automobile, IT industries doing well in Tamil Nadu" Bonus for cooperative society staff SHRC takes note of report on school transport MDMK to boycott re-poll Strike called off Around the City In Chennai Today

Coimbatore DMK regains lost ground in Coimbatore DPA romps home in the west Prosecution witnesses lack credibility: defence Focus shifts to mayorship Frayed tempers mark counting of votes Good response to employment fair `Imbibe quality at an early age' Celebrating with lights Around the City In Coimbatore Today Cuddalore Independents will tilt power balance in Cuddalore Dindigul DMK pockets 17 of 24 town panchayats Erode DPA chairmen for five municipalities likely Heavy demand for edible oil and butter Edible oil, butter in demand Boutiques - a hit with women Handloom products, a rage Many go in for handlooms On a mission to create awareness on AIDS They did not cast votes for themselves Benefit sale inaugurated Kancheepuram All eyes on municipal chairman post Madurai CBI to probe custodial violence case It is DPA all the way in the south Many municipalities in DPA's kitty now `Sacrifice for peace' Water for second crop to be released DMK front dominates panchayat unions too Entry of lorries barred Draped in misery Around the City

In Madurai Today Nagercoil DMDK wins over 25 wards Perambalur Perambalur district panchayat goes to DMK front Salem DMK-led alliance emerges victorious in Salem Corporation elections DPA sweeps town panchayats and unions Villagers want poll to be declared null and void Sivaganga Impressive win for the DPA Thanjavur DMK front forges ahead University of California Professor to receive award from SASTRA Tiruchi DMK front wrests district panchayat from AIADMK Elaborate security to tackle festival rush "Potential is present in plenty over here" Congress, Left gain in Tiruchi AIR specials for Deepavali Tapping the talent Trial run on new BG track Heavy rain in Tiruchi Around the City In Tiruchi Today Tirunelveli Independents make hay while the `sun' shines Tuticorin AIADMK-led front scores in four blocks Others

High Court demolition order on T. Nagar building upheld AIADMK bastion demolished District panchayat council for DMK Police move to make Deepavali safe DPA leads in rural local bodies Gold chain snatched from engineer Four killed in road accidents A formidable force in Theni and Dindigul Bonus row: 500 workers arrested

Andhra Pradesh Four Maoists killed in explosion in A.P. Rs. 2.8 crore seized from father-son duo `Plea' to statute-maker Grave threat Festivity in the air Briefly Hyderabad Water Board stalls new connections NIMS to set up heart institute Soz lauds YSR's initiatives Unity key for workers' welfare: CITU Youth held for stabbing girl Sadbhavana yatra commemorated Traffic curbs today ZP chiefs told to get along with MLAs, MPs Heavy rush at jewellery shops on `Dhanteras' CD 4 testing facility launched Nageswara new SAAP Managing Director TTDC tour to take off from Hyderabad RBI cancels bank's licence Tiff over water ends in murder Ensure supply of seed to farmers during rabi, says Raghuveera Reservation counters' timings Cracker fever catches on Babukhan meets Soz Power shutdown Around the City In Hyderabad Today Eluru Resolution passed on cost recovery Guntur Mayor, Commissioner cornered `Sound' advice 3 killed in road accident Karimnagar KCR `twisting' facts TRS chief debunks `development' plank KCR wooing Congress: BJP

Khammam Flutter over white metal on offer for a pittance Kurnool Rs. 15 cr. cleared for cloud-seeding Remission: Telugu Desam Party activists stage protests AIDWA stages demonstration Nalgonda Proposal to set up firing range boomerangs Medical camps mark Police Commemoration Week Nellore `Ban on child labour to be enforced' Nizamabad Speaker unhappy over delay in scheme Srikakulam Water supply, drainage set to improve in town Tirupati Four-language system mooted Chittoor in grip of fevers SC panel completes review Vijayawada 24 traffic junctions to have signals Service to humanity is their motto Protest during counselling for nursing courses Booty worth Rs. 2.5 lakhs recovered Farmers lay siege to mandal office Telecast of Young World Quiz Sweeper found dead Additional loan Around the City In Vijayawada Today

Visakhapatnam Trains to be diverted via Duvvada BSNL official lists plans to surge ahead Tough task ahead for Visakhapatnam Port Trust Maoists call off military camp Remission: TDP stages dharna Insurance for all fishermen demanded Need for sincere effort on child labour stressed VARWA sticks to its demand Multi-thematic exhibition 25 held on gambling charge KVIC to set up service centres Around the City In Visakhapatnam Today Warangal Varsity students must be socially responsible, says Sikkim Governor NCC cadets feted Others Congress and TDP petition President Probe sought into `land-grabbing' Rs. 1-lakh compensation awarded to woman Transco inks pact with mahila samakhya Six injured in explosion NCSA to help aqua farmers Rs. 4 crores to combat dengue RIAD: 3,812 villages identified Chaos marks municipal meeting KCR afraid of losing poll: Indrasena Congress flays TDP chief Sports selections

Karnataka Centre asked to file affidavit on Karnataka irrigation project Congress leader shot at, injured by nephew In piety Bangalore 25 per cent growth recorded in State's revenue collection Remark was taken out of context: Cyriac Joseph Minister favours task force to prevent dumping of debris Diabetology Centre to be set up Poojary warns against attempts to scuttle Siddaramaiah's boat Snooker club raided in Jayanagar, 19 arrested Bangalore to get seamless wireless connectivity soon For a healthy Deepavali `Bangalore not high on agenda of terrorists' Bar Council sticks to boycott call 1,000 buses trapped in snarl For a happy, healthy Deepavali KSRTC to operate more services to meet holiday rush `Kala Madhyam Folk Mela' begins today Lead a simple life, Murthy tells youth Financial closure for power project Curbs imposed on bursting of crackers State planning cut in interest rate on loans granted to self-help groups `Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day' observed Workshops for teachers, parents from October 28 Another petition challenging Bar council resolution filed Advocates' association favours dialogue Around the City In Bangalore Today Belgaum Prabhakar Kore shot at; out of danger, say doctors Bellary Panchayat members fail to turn up at workshop Bidar District officials directed to visit hoblis regularly Bijapur

Paramedical institutions told to upgrade facilities Gulbarga Fill backlog vacancies in government departments: RPI Hassan Ready for any probe into violence: Kumaraswamy A novel protest in Hassan Kumaraswamy hits back at sahitya parishat Hubli-Dharwad Students stage protest, demand widening of road Madikeri Sammelana to be held at Murnad on November 3 Mangalore People in Ullal allege police harassment Salary grant to 49 colleges withheld Tax earnings go up by 26 per cent Tobacco lobby blamed for move to ban gutkha ESCOMs to appeal against tariff filings ICFAI workshop on teaching methods Putting things in perspective In Mangalore Today Mysore Centre releases Rs. 45 crore for slum upgradation Kumaraswamy denies efforts to postpone bypoll Raid conducted on pawnbroker shops in city MUDA takes over land for development works Chief Minister voices concern over inequality Concern over inequality in society Udupi Ayurveda department to be opened soon Others Closure of bridge: BJP threatens to launch stir Kalasa-Banduri: apex court asks Centre to spell out its stand

Farmers growing arecanut tense about likely ban on Gutka Sack Anbumani, say farmers `SEZs will affect fishermen, farmers' Chief Minister inaugurates works worth Rs. 43 crore Entrepreneurs urged to help Government with job scheme College clerk charged with molestation bid Goa lauded for reservation policy for women

Kerala Government for CBI probe Sabari line survey anomalies to be addressed Pol-Com to be launched tomorrow State to promote adventure tourism Spices Board plans national symposium on plantation crops The wilting spectacle at Munnar Need for integrated approach stressed Collector convenes meeting of Korean firm, trade unions Eloor unit denies role in fish kill Violation of oath of office alleged Bus service via Goshree bridges demanded Protecting Olive Ridleys `Coir sector should learn from global trends' Ernakulam-Kottayam railway line completes 50 years A time for nostalgia Heavy rush at jewellery marts 25 clusters for small-scale industries Children's Day programmes planned Popularising `desi' drink Football play by robots Venting their ire Picture of neglect Reader's Mail Thiruvananthapuram Sabari rail line survey anomalies to be addressed, says Vijayakumar Court violence: Vanchiyoor gang under scanner Families housed in relief camps Rs. 2,000-crore schemes for tsunami relief District to be declared free of child begging Kochi metro rail project to be expedited Workshop on lightning protection Airport poised for big expansion: Vijayakumar Entrepreneurial skills to the fore Wagon factory: Railway team meets Chief Minister Ragging triggers violence in UIT Venjaramoodu Srividya's death condoled Yoga class for diabetics Prize catch In deep waters Around the City In Thiruvananthapuram Today

Kochi Road travel becomes a nightmare Garbage piles up in city SSLC case: bail plea rejected CBI searches houses of officials Alleged attempt on former IG's life: probe sought Defying tradition `Grrring' up the wrong tree Medical seats filled: managements Greens support Government Dileep murder: mother stages fast in front of DIG office Plight of roads Beauty is business Play of traditions Around the City In Kochi Today Alappuzha Corporate control has hit media's credibility: Pinarayi `Dengue in North has slowed tourist inflow' Kannur Voters' lists to be revised in northern districts In Kannur Today Kollam Coastal police station coming up at Neendakara Babu Divakaran: Gouri's charges far-fetched Two arrested on theft charges In Kollam Today Kottayam Left parties lay siege to university Kozhikode Plea on Malabar tourism circuit Mayor told to hold negotiations Achuthanandan to lay stone for harbour Rose show in November Journal on music In Kozhikode Today

Pathanamthitta Ritual performed in Sabarimala temple Need for value-based education stressed Pilgrim dies of cardiac arrest Thrissur Malayalam TV show sets a record Andhra youth held on charges of murder Post office burgled In Thrissur Today Others Five Indians evicted from apartment

New Delhi Sealing threat creates panic among traders DDA approves mixed land use charges Five more dengue deaths at AIIMS; toll rises to 43 Bid to open front against Delhi Ministers fails Tourism Ministry for "visa on arrival" scheme An auction that would take Indian art to the `next level' India `stands up against poverty' Resignations of Health Minister, Mayor demanded Remake of Sholay runs into rough weather Talent that surmounts the age barrier Doctors' advice for Diwali Metro to increase frequency on Diwali day Virendra Prabhakar honoured "Ban high sound crackers" Gold rush Diwali rush 11th Plan aims for 10 p.c. growth Drugs worth crores seized, seven arrested Briefly In the Capital Today

Other States Haryana Haryana to open 10 more ITIs CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has decided to upgrade 15 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), including five women's ITIs, into Centres of Excellence and open 10 more Industrial Training and Vocational Institutes to impart education ... Four dead in hooch tragedy CHANDIGARH: At least four persons died and 14 were reported sick after consuming illicit liquor in Malar village of Jind district on Wednesday night. SDM Roshan Lal said that 11 persons have been referred to the Jind Hospital. ... Haryana steps up security CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has decided to step up intelligence and security arrangements in view of Diwali and Id-ul-fitr festivals. Chief Secretary Prem Prashant on Thursday took stock of the security arrangements in the entire State ... Jammu & Kashmir `Kashmir most preferred domestic tourist destination' Surveys done by travel agencies reveal Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh asked to stop illegal sand mining CEC takes suo motu note ofThe Hindureport during Oct. 16 hearing Puducherry Interceptor boat arrives It will enhance coastal security and enforce maritime law Punjab Punjab Govt. workers reject Amarinder's Diwali bonanza "Rs. 750-crore package a step towards appeasement of workers" Four dead in hooch tragedy CHANDIGARH: At least four persons died and 14 were reported sick after consuming illicit liquor in Malar village of Jind district on Wednesday night. SDM Roshan Lal said that 11 persons have been referred to the Jind Hospital. ... Rajasthan Rajasthan to appoint panel to solve farmers' problems To submit its report to Government within the next year Unit celebrates 67th anniversary of CMP JAIPUR: The Desert Corps Provost Unit celebrated the 67th anniversary of the Corps of Military Police (CMP) in Jodhpur on Wednesday, applauding the determination and dedication of the corps in its operational duties. The CMP has won the Provost ...

Jaipur to host handicraft bazaar JAIPUR: Master craftspersons from across the country will display their products at a handicraft bazaar to be organised at the Urban Haat here from October 25 to November 3. The construction of the Urban Haat is right now in the final stages and ... Uttar Pradesh Mulayam criticises EC directive "The programmes had been going on before poll dates were announced" Uttaranchal Singer returns award in protest DEHRA DUN: Prominent Uttaranchali folk singer Narender Singh Negi has returned the Virasat Samman he had received two years ago. The action is in protest against his "humiliation" by the organisers of the Sammelan a few days ago. "I am an ...

International No quick fix for Iraq, George Bush warned Top adviser may call for a phased withdrawal of American forces TNA to boycott Parliament Protest against verdict on merger Sri Lanka, LTTE readying for talks Japanese Special Envoy and Richard Boucher feel there will be no change in schedule U.S. not against talks, says Rice Reaffirms America's military alliance with Japan, South Korea U.K. top terror target LONDON: Britain's intelligence experts are reported to have warned that it has emerged as the "No 1'' target for Al-Qaeda and could face a terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11. British media reports on Thursday said that the July 7 London ... Benazir, Nawaz Sharif hold crucial parleys They seek the restoration of democracy and the Constitution in Pakistan. Troops: Blair shifts stand LONDON: Tony Blair has shifted ground on the continuing presence of British troops in Iraq by saying it was U.K. Government policy to leave the country within 10 to 16 months — so long as the security situation allowed. The Prime ... India & World Both sides committed to talks, says Solheim OSLO:

Opinion Editorials De-merger, re-merger and more The de-merger of the country's northern and eastern provinces as a consequence of a judgment by a five-member bench of the Sri Lanka Supreme Court is a disturbing development. In formal terms, the merger effected in 1987 was a temporary and ... Enforcing the ban The ban on employing children in restaurants, roadside eateries, hotels, and tea shops or as domestic labour, announced by the Government in August, has recently come into effect. Those who violate the ban will be fined and also face a prison ... Leader Page Articles Children under six — out of the spotlight By Jean Drèze

Universalisation of the Integrated Child Development Services should be a priority to safeguard the child's right to nutrition, health, and pre-school education. News Analysis Use voting machines against booth capturing By Era Sezhiyan

Electronic voting machines can help prevent rigging, which Chennai witnessed on a shocking scale on October 13. But to ensure fair and free elections, we need persons in office with credibility and commitment to implement justly the rules of law a nd order. Plight of those for whom there is no Madonna By Chris McGreal

For every African child taken overseas, thousands remain in institutions or grapple to survive on their own. An exercise in strengthening relations By Pallavi Aiyar

A group of Indian youth spends 10 days in China as part of an exchange programme. Corrections and clarifications A demand readers rightly make at times is that names should appear in print as the person concerned spells it. The latest instance, pointed out by a reader, relates to the Chief Election Commissioner. ("CEC holds talks with Manipur political ... Letters to the Editor Judiciary's powers Farcical exercise Doping scandal

Business AI-Indian merger by year-end GoM will prepare a roadmap for the merger Stone laid for Hero Honda's Haridwar plant To invest Rs. 1,900 cr. in the proposed unit along with ancillaries L&T Q2 net profit up 41 p.c. at Rs. 201 cr. Site selection for shipyard before December this year Kalam asks CAG to go in for online auditing NEW DELHI: The President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, on Thursday asked the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to go in for online auditing to ensure that there is no time lag between auditing work and the completion of the project ... Corus accepts Tata offer? LONDON: As speculation mounted on Tata Steel's proposal to acquire Corus Group, a leading financial daily on Thursday claimed that the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker's board has recommended accepting the Indian company's bid. However, Corus ... WeP Peripherals unveils new brand identity BANGALORE: WeP Peripherals Limited on Thursday unveiled a new brand identity in its bid to "connect more with the customer" and in turn propel its "already growing business". Launching the new corporate identity, Ram N. Agarwal, Managing ... Reliance doubles call centre capacity KOLKATA: The Anil Ambani promoted Reliance Communications has doubled the capacity of its Chennai call centre to 600 seats. The increased capacity would cater to nearly 7.2 million subscribers (as on September 30, 2006) in the four southern ... Canon's brand building exercise NEW DELHI: Zeroing in on India as a key market for the South and Southeast region for tapping global photographic and digital imaging company, Canon on Wednesday announced its plan to invest about Rs. 40 crore in brand building ... Sensex declines by 135 points MUMBAI: Sustained profit taking ahead of Q2 earnings by petrochemicals giant Reliance Industries on Thursday pulled the benchmark Sensex down by 135 points to 12723.59 amid weak global cues. The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share index, Sensex, ... Other Stories

Rupee recovers marginally Festival bonanza from Punjab National Bank Cashew kernels exports to U.S. up

Barometer Bullion rates Exchange rates Briefly AIG Capital gets RBI nod for NBFC venture KOLKATA: AIG Capital India Ltd., an arm of the U.S.-based American International Group, on Thursday said it had received the Reserve Bank of India's approval for non-banking financial services operations in India. AIG Capital in a statement said ... Govt. to merge BICM with NTC NEW DELHI: The Central Government is considering to merge the Kanpur-based British India Corporation Mill with the National Textile Corporation (NTC), apart from reviving National Jute Manufacturing Corporation Ltd's (NJMC) Kinnison and Khardah ... Tata Sky appeals to TDSAT NEW DELHI: The Direct-to-Home (DTH) television broadcaster, Tata Sky, has filed an application with the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), seeking a direction to Zee-Turner to disclose information on pricing of its ... Trading hours extended at NCDEX MUMBAI: The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) on Thursday said the closing timing of bullion and metal trading on weekdays would be extended to 11.55 p.m. from October ... Janssen-Cilag to expand R&D activities CHENNAI: Janssen-Cilag, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson and a leading research-based pharmaceutical company, has announced plans to expand its research and development operations in India. The company expects to increase the capacity of its .. Dell, Symantec tie-up CHENNAI: : Dell and Symantec have joined forces to deliver `Secure Exchange,' an e-mail programme that took time and complexity out of deploying a secure, reliable Microsoft Exchange environment with extensive archiving capabilities, a release ... `Fundays' from Club Mahindra CHENNAI: : Club Mahindra Holidays, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Ltd., announced the launch of `Club Mahindra Fundays,' a holiday product specifically conceptualised for the corporate sector. Companies that joined the ... Yogesh Agarwal assumes charge CHENNAI: : Yogesh Agarwal has assumed charge as Managing Director and Group Executive (National Banking), State Bank of India. Mr. Agarwal had held positions such as Chief General Manager, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer in ... Other Stories

Virtusa ties up with U21Global Vijaya Bank net at Rs. 175 crore in H1 Canara Bank profit at Rs. 362 crore in Q2 Huawei-3Com expands Indian presence

Sport CRICKET

Tough days ahead of India There would now be a flutter in the Indian camp. Australia and the West Indies would not be easy to get past in the pool. It could also be the challenge the Indians need to come out of their slumber and get themselves moving for the World Cup in ... CRICKET

Sri Lankans keen to bounce back Mumbai: It's been a long journey for Stephen Fleming since he made his Test and One-Day International debut against India 12 years ago. He is on the threshold of reaching a significant milestone in the one-dayers. On Friday he will lead New ... FOOTBALL

Drogba's stunner sinks Barca LONDON: : Chelsea maintained its 100 per cent record in this season's Champions League with a 1-0 defeat of defending champion Barcelona in a Group `A' match at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba scored the only ... TENNIS

Delightful double for Rashmi NEW DELHI: Rashmi Teltumbe persevered through the day to win a double crown in the DSCL National sub-junior tennis championship that concluded at the DLTA Complex here on Thursday. The Mumbai girl beat Nova Patel of Gujarat in two successive ... National championship begins today CHENNAI: The National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup has acquired a semblance of continuity. Left in the limbo in the 1990s owing to various factors, the event was back on the board last year in Hyderabad. The administrative ... F1-RACING

One last race for Michael Schumacher SAO PAULO: One race, this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, the final race of the Formula One season to decide the drivers' title between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher. One race to determine the team crown between Renault and Ferrari. ... Cricket Fancied teams under pressure JAIPUR: The champions are biting the dust, and the Champions Trophy is living up to its reputation. World champion Australia's loss to the West Indies has given the competition a thrust it badly needed after an insipid start. Pakistan's ... Other Stories

My Ashes chances remote: Gillespie Harmison stays positive Venugopala Rao's knock props up South ICC process for reinstating banned players Hyderabad takes first innings lead

Windies wins a thriller Dream day for Balaji Tennis Roddick, Robredo packed off Football Maharashtra in semifinals Reegan scores match-winner Archery Eight Indians in last eight Athletics Top stars for State athletics Kerala is all this and more. But when the Kerala State Athletics Association decided to conduct its golden jubilee State championship this month, it could not find a stage fit for the occasion. "We had planned to hold our 50th State ... Golf Vijay Kumar, Simon share lead Racing : Horse Real Excellence catches the eye Giacosa for main event Most Duraballe triumphs Classic Scene pleases Dunfanaghy impresses Racing : Motor Chandhok heads for China Sports : General Sai Nitesh (108) and Karthik (6/22) shine Thiagarajar Arts clinches kho-kho title Mohit scores six goals

Engagements In Chennai Today RELIGION Gita: Radhika Krishnakumar, Chinmaya Heritage Centre, Chetpet, 11 a.m. Mahadeva Malai: J. Mahadevan, 222, Mint St., 7 p.m. Thiruvarutpayan: S. Gangadharan, Sri Balasubramanian Baktha Jana Sabha, 5, TTK Salai, Royapettah, 6 p.m. Sivagnana Sithiyar: K. Sivakumar, Marundeeswarar temple, Thiruvanmiyur, 7 p.m. GENERAL Tamil Manila Desiya League: Ifthar Party, Ministers M.K.Stalin and Arcot N.Veeraswamy participate, Hotel Imperial, Egmore, 5 p.m. AMM Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre: T. Ramasami, secretary, Department of Science and Technology, delivers Dr. C. V. Seshadri Memorial Lecture, Taramani, 10-30 a.m. Children Educational Development Center: `Thithickum Deepavali' for street children, Corporation Community hall, Chintadripet, 11-30 a.m. Kanchi Kamakoti Childs Trust Hospital: Sejinar on musculoskeletal infection in children, Nungambakkam, 3 p.m. SAI Institute of Carving: `Carve fest', T.Nagar, 9 a.m. The Mylapore Academy: Deepavali celebrations, 9 a.m. St. Matthias' Anglo-Indian HSS: Science exhibition, Vepery, 10 a.m. Rajalakshmi Engg. College: Dr. Brown, Wolverhamptom University, UK, speaks on `Higher studies and research in UK', Thandalam, 11 a.m. Lions Club of Chennai Prime: Dine with Divine, Sri Matha Trust, Adyar Cancer Instt, Adyar, 7 a.m. YMCA Toast Masters Club: Meeting, Royapettah, 6-30 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous: Meeting, Fathima Church, East Tambaram; Kesari High School, T.Nagar, CSI Church, Chintadripet, Singaram Pillai Boys HS, Kevin School, Arathoon Rd., 7 p.m. Al-Anon: Meeting, Singaram Pillai Boys HS, Villivakkam, 7 p.m. HIV Anonymous: Freedom Foundation, 15, Red Hills Rd., United Colony, Kolathur, 6 p.m.