Technopark to add 45,000 new jobs by 2016

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Thiruvananthapuram: Technopark, the first and the largest IT park in the country, has charted out an ambitious target of creating 45,000 new jobs during 2014-16, as part of its efforts to emerge as India's IT powerhouse. With these additions, the total number of people it would employ will reach 90,000. Technopark, which is poised to celebrate its silver jubilee next year, currently provides direct employment to 45,000 IT/ITeS professionals through its 330 IT companies. With the completion of ongoing construction this year for companies TCS, Infosys, UST Global, Tata Elxsi, IBS and Technopark's Phase III building, around 45,000 additional direct jobs will be created, leading to a total of 90,000 direct jobs and 3,50,000 indirect jobs. Technopark CEO K.G. Girish Babu said the capacity built during the last 24 years would be doubled during the next two years in terms of employment through companies located in the IT park. Technopark's export turnover during the financial year 2013-14 could be around Rs.5,000 crore as compared to Rs.3,500 crore in 2012-13. It has also added 1.1 million sq ft of built-up space during this period. Under Phase I and II of Technopark, construction of buildings on a total area of 2.5 million sq ft is in progress and will be completed within a year. The companies building their own campuses are Infosys, TCS, UST Global, Tata Elxsi and IBS. "With the commissioning of the Twin Towers - Ganga and Yamuna - a capacity of 8,500 seats has been created in Phase III. This iconic twin tower, the most modern green building built by the state government, will also be filled by 2015. A total of 40 companies have been allotted space in the new Twin Tower. Another 18 companies are to commence their operations shortly," said Babu. With an yearly rental income of Rs.49 crore, the annual turnover of Technopark has been pegged at around Rs.100 crore, which includes income from power, water and maintenance services, that has helped it to continue its profitable operation since 2001.

In touch with Indian nurses trapped in Iraq: Govt

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Demonstrators raise slogans in support ISIS, in front of the provincial government headquarters in Mosul. New Delhi: The government on Tuesday said it was in touch with the Indian nurses stranded in violence-hit Tikrit town in Iraq and assured every possible help to Indian citizens in the trouble-torn country. Following a request by the Indian government, a team of International Red Crescent contacted around 46 nurses in Tikrit and reported back to the Indian authorities about their well being, sources said. The Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iraqi government and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) to ensure the safety of all Indians stranded in the violence- affected areas of that country, they said. Asked whether the government was considering evacuating the nurses from Tikrit, they said the roads are not suitable for any movement at present. The government had on Sunday asked Indians residing in Iraq to consider leaving the country in view of the "precarious" security situation. In an advisory, the government had also asked people not to travel to Iraq. Strongly condemning the violence in Iraq, the government Monday said it was "deeply concerned" with the deteriorating security situation in that country resulting from recent attacks and taking over of some cities, including Mosul and Tikrit, by terrorist outfits since June 8. "The safety and security of the Indian nationals currently in Iraq remains a matter of serious concern for the Government of India," it said. Terming the attacks a "direct threat to the security and territorial integrity" of Iraq, the Ministry of External Affairs said India remained strongly committed to the "emergence of a stable, peaceful, united and democratic Iraq" which is in the interest of regional and global peace. "The Government of India strongly condemns such attacks and firmly stands by the government and people of Iraq in their fight against international terrorism and in their efforts to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the friendly country of Iraq," it said. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad has already set up a a 24- hour helpline to offer assistance to Indian nationals there. Over 10,000 Indians are estimated to be currently living in Iraq.

Police probe Zinta's molestation charge against Wadia scion

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Mumbai: The Mumbai police on Saturday started their probe into Bollywood actress Preity Zinta's molestation charge against her ex-boyfriend and business partner, industrialist Ness Wadia.

An investigating officer said police have started calling witnesses over the issue and will also the scan CCTV footage of the alleged incident which took place May 30 in Mumbai during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

On Thursday night, Zinta, in a written complaint to Marine Drive Police Station, accused the Wadia scion and co-owner of the King XI Punjab IPL team of molesting and abusing her.

Wadia Saturday issued a statement denying Zinta's allegations.

'I am shocked at the complaint and the allegations made against me are totally false and baseless,' Wadia said.

Police may contemplate any action against Wadia after questioning witnesses and examining video clips of the IPL match in Mumbai a fortnight ago when the alleged incident of molestation took place.

Among other things, Zinta has accused Wadia of grabbing her hand and abusing her during a cricket match in Wankhede Stadium here.

Police are likely to record detailed statements of both Zinta and Wadia over the incident later.

Meanwhile the Maharashtra State Women's Commission is likely to visit the police station later Saturday to ascertain what action has been taken in the matter.

Actress Telangana Shakuntala dead

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Hyderabad: Telangana Shakuntala, one of Telugu cinema's popular character artists, died here Saturday, a hospital source said. She was 63.

'She was admitted to the hospital around 2.30 a.m. last night after a cardiac arrest at her residence. She was declared dead on arrival,' a hospital source of Narayana Hrudayalaya told IANS.

Shakuntala, who made her cinematic debut in 1981 Telugu film 'Maa Bhoomi', went on to act in 74 films. Telugu comedy 'Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda' was her last film, which was released earlier this year.

Known for popularizing Telangana accent in her comic and villain roles, Shakuntala was a Maharashtrian by birth.

Some of her best films include 'Aha Naa Pellanta', 'Gulabi', 'Bhadrachalam', 'Nuvvu Nenu' and 'Bendu Apparao RMP'.

She also worked in Tamil films such as 'Dhool' and 'Machak Kaalaia'.

Shakuntala's body will be kept at the AP Film Chamber of Commerce for public to pay respects from 1 p.m. onwards and her last rites will be performed in Alwal around 2.30 p.m. Saturday.

IANS

Fish prices to rise after trawling ban in Kerala

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Thiruvananthapuram: A 47-day ban on trawling along Kerala coast that begins at the stroke of midnight Saturday due to the spawning season is likely to drive up fish prices.

"The price of mahaseer fish is expected to cross Rs.1,000 a kilogram in the coming days, while the smaller ones like sardines, tuna and mackerel also are expected to go up by around 30 to 50 percent," said a fish vendor in the state capital.

The ban on trawling has been an annual feature since 1988.

All fishing trawlers and mechanised boats are required to keep 12 nautical miles off the Kerala coast during the ban period during which they cannot cast their nets. The step is taken each year as part of conservation as this is the spawning season for many varieties of fish, including shrimps.

The ban, however, is not applicable for those who fish on canoes (the traditional Vallom fitted with a small motor).

The state government offers help in this period as free ration is provided to all those working on mechanized boats, peeling sheds and harbours.

"Whatever said and done, for two months, life is going to be tough as we are left with no work... ," said a fishermen in Kollam.

Fish is one of the most important dishes in a majority of Kerala households.

Indian couple sentenced for using unapproved cancer drugs

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

New York: A US court has sentenced an Indian oncologist and his wife for using unapproved chemotherapy medications at their cancer institute for three years.

Anindya Kumar Sen (65) and his wife, Patricia Posey Sen (66), of Tennessee were sentenced by US District Judge Ronnie Greer on charges of introducing misbranded drugs into the market in violation of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

Sen was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of USD 100,000, while his wife was sentenced to four years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of USD 200,000.

According to evidence presented at trial, the couple purchased over USD 3 million in misbranded and unapproved chemotherapy and chemotherapy supportive medications between April 2009 and March 2012.

Sen's wife, who was also his practice manager, purchased the drugs through a Canadian business which obtained the drugs through a UK-based distributor.

The drugs were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for distribution and use in the United States and had been distributed in Turkey, India, and Europe.  

Many of the drugs had names different from the drugs approved for use in the US. Patricia Sen told employees that she was purchasing drugs from clinical care because the drugs were cheaper.

Evidence presented showed that the Sens received approximately 1.3 million dollars in additional profit by purchasing the unapproved drugs.

Under the conditions of probation, Sen must perform 100 hours of community service and his wife must perform 200 hours of community service.

Sen must also develop protocols to ensure regulatory compliance and provide those protocols to his probation officer as well as submit his practice for inspection by his probation officer to review records of drugs purchased.

His wife has been prohibited from working in any medical practice without the permission of her probation officer and from being involved in the ordering of any prescription drugs.

Patricia was also ordered to serve 48 hours in jail as a condition of probation.

India must be “self-sufficient” in defence technology: Modi

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday dedicated INS Vikramaditya, the largest and most powerful aircraft carrier inducted into the Indian Navy, to the nation, terming it an "important day for our nation".

A tweet from the Prime Minister's Office quoted Modi as saying: "We need to give immense importance to latest technology. This will help the nation."

He also emphasised that India must be "self-sufficient" and manufacturing the defence equipment.

"Why should we import defence equipment? We must be self-sufficient. Why can't we send our defence equipment to other nations," Modi tweeted.

While on board INS Vikramaditya, Modi also hopped into the cockpit of a MiG-29 K fighter jet.

The 44,500-tonne INS Vikramaditya, procured from Russia, is one of the newest acquisitions of the Indian Navy and the most powerful symbol of its military reach. It was commissioned by then defence minister A.K. Antony last November at Russia's Sevmash shipyard.

Six killed, several injured in gas leakage at Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

An injured being taken to the hospital after an explosion inside a pipe, five people are reportedly dead. PTI Bhilai: Six people, including three senior officials, were killed and six people were injured in a gas leak at the Bhilai Steel Plant here Thursday, a Chhattisgarh minister said. "Six people including three deputy general managers have been killed," Revenue Minister Prem Prakash Pandey told IANS in a hospital in Sector 9. "Six people are in the ICU," Pandey said, adding, "Over all 40 people have been affected." Pandey was one of the two ministers that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh rushed to Bhilai on hearing of the incident. Earlier, the company said 11 people have injured in the gas leak that occurred due to break down in the water pump house no. 2. "All affected persons have been rushed immediately to the hospital. Best medical care is being provided to all of them and 11 persons have been admitted to the ICU. "Plant management is providing all the possible care and support and efforts are on for an early liquidation from the breakdown," a company statement said. "High level enquiry shall be conducted to ascertain the cause of the breakdown and management will extend all the support to the affected persons," the statement said. Set up with the help of erstwhile USSR in 1955, Bhilai Steel Plant is India's first and main producer of steel rails, as well as a major producer of wide steel plates and other steel products. IANS

Internet not behind newspapers' death: Study

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

New York: You must have heard _ and might be believing by now _ that internet sounded the death knell for newspapers. But that may not be true.

According to new research by University of Chicago professor Matthew Gentzkow: 'People have not stopped reading newspapers because of the internet'.

He points out assumptions about journalism that are based on three false premises.

The first assumption is that online advertising revenues are naturally lower than print revenues, so traditional media must adopt a less profitable business model that cannot support paying real reporters.

The second is that the web has made the advertising market more competitive which has driven down rates and, in turn, revenues.

The third misconception is that the internet is responsible for the demise of the newspaper industry.

'This perception that online ads are cheaper to buy is all about people quoting things in units that are not comparable to each other - doing apples-to-oranges comparisons,' Gentzkow noted.

Online ad rates are typically discussed in terms of 'number of unique monthly visitors' the ads receive while circulation numbers determine newspaper rates.

By comparing the amount of time people actually see an ad, Gentzkow found that the price of attention for similar consumers is actually higher online.

In 2008, he calculated, newspapers earned $2.78 (Rs.164) per hour of attention in print and $3.79 (Rs.223) per hour of attention online.

By 2012, the price for attention in print had fallen to $1.57 (Rs.93) while the price for attention online had increased to $4.24 (Rs.250).

Gentzkow also pointed out that the popularity of newspapers had already significantly diminished between 1980 and 1995, well before the internet age, and has dropped at roughly the same rate ever since.

The study was published in the American Economic Review.

IANS

World Cup party begins with charming opening ceremony

________ A to Z kerala .......... [kvk]

Sao Paulo: The greatest show on the earth, the FIFA World Cup carnival, began with a coruscating opening ceremony, which encapsulated the colour, culture and nature of Brazil, hosting the big football party first time since 1950.

The anti-tournament protests continued even hours before the ceremony but the din was lost when thousands of football lovers from across the world thronged the Corinthians Arena and watched the spectacle unfold with invigorating enthusiasm.

However, a few stands were still empty when the 30-minute ceremony began.

A giant LED ball, placed at the centre of the stadium, displayed the welcome message in different languages, and hundreds of artists started to trickle in.

Dressed as trees, plants and flowers, the artists represented the nature of the country with background music, which had no drum tunes as yet.

Then on show was the diversity of the Brazilian people, their dance and martial arts, developed by the slaves in the 16th century for self defence.

It was followed by what Brazil is synonymous with:, game of Football. Several people with football as headgear came in and kids dressed as referees came to the pitch and depicted conduct of a match.

Immediately after this, the Brazilian flag was paraded onto the pitch. The giant ball opened and took the form of a flower.

Brazilian singer Claudinha surfaced from under it along with Pop icon Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pit Bull. The trio sang the official World Cup song _ We Are One (Ole Ola) _ but it looked Jennifer's mike did not work. Also, the song could not be heard clearly and the ceremony, in which about 500 people showed the vibrant colours of Brazil, concluded in a jiffy without speech of any FIFA official.

Several anti-government protests have marred the build up to the tournament and police had to fire tear gas and rubber
bullets to defuse a fresh protest near a Sao Paulo subway station, hours before the opening ceremony.

More protests are expected in the country over high cost of the staging the World Cup when more spending on health, education and subsidised transport is desired by people.

Not only the protests but also the delays in construction of stadias had put the organisers on the edge. Nevertheless, the ceremony went off well and thousands of spectators are now waiting for action to begin as hosts Brazil will take on Croatia in the tournament-opener in a short while from now. PTI